Hiding

Unfortunately, Po ran with Zan's advice in the wrong way. He thought that the only way to keep him and Tigress from entering a fight was to stay out of her way completely. So the next day, everyone was surprised that Po wasn't at the breakfast table. Zan looked around as Shifu came with the most confused face ever. "What's the matter, Master Shifu," Zan asked.

"He-Po is going to help his father for the rest of the day and asked that none of the masters interrupt him because he wanted to work in peace," Shifu replied confused. Now the whole room was confused. However, everyone just shrugged it off as one of Po's crazy phases. Zan was a little more concerned. After eating, he flew down the mountain to see Po working, quite hard, in the shop. Zan glanced to the right and saw O, Vick, Ruby, and Ai just watching Po. Zan went over to Ai.

"What's wrong with him," Zan asked.

"I don't know. He just came in here and demanded that he work with his father. Only today is a slow day, but he's making it look like we've received a massive order," the crane replied. Zan was very confused now. Suddenly, he saw Po looking towards the mountain. He dropped everything, spoke to his father privately, and exited the back door as quick as he came through the front. Then Tigress came through the entrance. "Master Tigress, what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for Po. Is he here," she asked looking everywhere.

"He was just here, but then he left," Vick answered. "I don't know where he went." Tigress frowned and went on her way.

"Should we be concerned," Ruby asked. Zan sighed.

"Later. Po just happened to leave just in time to avoid the lunch rush. Come on, we have work to do." So they set to work. Tigress meanwhile went back up the mountain. She went up and trained alone in silence for about an hour. Giving a great huff of air, she completed her training. Actually, she usually trains for a longer time, but that's with Po. Now, it just seemed pointless. Tigress decided to talk to Master Shifu. She went to the Hall of Heroes where Shifu was meditating.

"Master Shifu, have you seen Po," She asked.

"Yes, but he just left about ten minutes go. He said he had to get something from somewhere. I don't know what's wrong with him," Shifu groaned. Tigress left more confused than ever. She went into the courtyard where Crane and Monkey were.

"Looking for Po," Monkey guessed.

"How did you know," Tigress wondered.

"Because he seems to be avoiding you," Monkey said. This hurt Tigress a bit. Why was Po avoiding her? Did she do something wrong? This only made matters worse and Tigress more worried.

"Where did you last see him," Tigress asked.

"Down at Mr. Ping's shop," Crane replied. The female tiger ran down the mountain as fast as she could, dashed through the village, swung around the corner, and screeched to a halt at the entrance Mr. Ping's shop, where Zan, O, and Ai were talking in front of the kitchen's counter.

"Is...he...here," Tigress panted.

"Yeah, he's right-" Zan stopped short when he realized that Po wasn't in the kitchen anymore. "Well, he was right there. What's wrong Aunty Tigress?"

"I think...Po is avoiding me. I don't know why," Tigress said slowly and still in hurt.

"I'm sure he's not trying to hurt you," Ai said. "Maybe it's just all coincidence."

"Yeah, I guess," Tigress said slowly, "I'll be up the mountain if you find him." She sadly went up the mountain. Zan was confused as he looked over the kitchen counter.

"I could have sworn he was there," Zan said. Suddenly, Po popped out from under the counter. "AAAH!"

"Whew, that was close," Po sighed, but Zan quickly began upset.

"What the heck is wrong with you, panda," Zan exclaimed. Everyone was surprised about that. Zan never called Po a panda. It wasn't wrong, but it was different. "Why are you playing hide and seek with Tigress?"

"I'm taking your advice. I'm trying not to get into a fight with her. So I'm making sure I don't get in her way," Po explained. Zan held his head in his hand and shook it.

"That's not what I meant. You're actually hurting her more by doing something like this. She seemed more hurt than glad that you gave her some space. I only meant that you two don't let your fights get out of control," Zan replied. Po slapped himself.

"I'm such an idiot," Po muttered.

"Yes, yes you are," Ai added.

"Go to her and apologize," Zan practically ordered. Po didn't need to be told twice. He quickly ran up the mountain. "I'll go after to make sure he doesn't mess up his apology," Zan grumbled as he chased Po up the mountain.

Tigress was sitting on the walkway of the training hall. She sat with her knees tucked in and her arms around them. She felt feeble in this position but she couldn't shake this hurt feeling she had. Po entered the hall seeing her like that. He did a purposeful cough. Tigress's head shot up. She quickly got up and went straight to Po. "Po, where have you been? I've been looking all over for you. I was getting worried you were in trouble...again," she smirked at the last part, but Po's frown was still apparent. "What were you doing?"

"I was...hiding from you," Po said ashamed. Tigress could feel her heart pinch a little but she didn't show it.

"Why," she asked. Po nervously scratched the back of his head.

"Well, Zan-"

"Oh no," Zan said from the entrance," You're not going to blame me. You took my advice the wrong way. I'm completely blameless." Po guiltily chuckled.

"Zan, could you give us a minute," Tigress requested. With that, Zan left.

"Okay...I took Zan's advice the wrong way," Po explained.

"What was the advice," she asked.

"He said that he didn't want us to argue over little things again. So I thought that in order to do that, I would have to stay...out of your way," Po said sadly.

"Po," Tigress started a little more compassionate than usual, "You do get in the way." She could see Po's face fall. "But that's what I like about you. It was you getting in the way that helped me take care of Zan. You...you get me out of my comfort zone and help me enjoy myself. I admit I do...get...angry over some of the little things you do, but that's my fault."

"No, it's my fault," Po said shifting the blame.

"Actually, both of you are to blame," Zan said reappearing at the entrance, "Po for starting it and Tigress for getting upset about it."

"ZAN," they both shouted.

"I'm out," Zan retreated. Tigress groaned.

"The point is, even though we have our differences, we can both work to resolve the issue. No more hiding, okay?"

"Okay," Po smiled. "Again I'm sorry for hiding from you."

"That's okay, I knew you were somewhere in the shop when I last came in," Tigress said confidently. Po smiled smugly with his eyebrow up.

"Really? You didn't seem to know where I was," Po replied.

"Oh please, I could find you a mile away if I really wanted to," Tigress came back at him.

"So you're saying you weren't trying," Po questioned.

"I'm saying I could find you if I really put my mind to it," Tigress said smirking.

"You wanna bet," Po challenged.

"You're so gonna get it," Tigress said running after him.

to be continued.