Appreciation

"No, what do you mean no," Zan retorted. Po sighed a little nervous.

"Zan, I don't feel comfortable about doing this to her," He replied.

"What are you talking about," Zan asked incredulously, "It's a simple party. I just want to give Tigress a surprise party. What's so bad about that?"

"Zan, you know how she is. She doesn't like celebrations and stuff like that," Po replied. Zan considered that. It was true, Tigress didn't care much for parties.

"Okay, then you go alone with her on a night out," Zan suggested, "Just to make her feel appreciated."

"You mean...like a...date," Po asked. "No, I couldn't do that. Tigress and I are just friends."

"First of all, I said nothing about being on a date," Zan remarked, though that's what he intended. "Second of all, don't think of it as a date. Just think of it as a time where you two are just hanging out as friends, but just doing all the stuff she likes."

"Zan," Po said still nervous, "I don't know Tigress all that well." Zan's face fell into an unbelieving expression. His eyebrow rose and looked at Po doubtfully.

"Really, what's her favorite thing to do," Zan asked.

"Train."

"What's her favorite Kung Fu move?"

"The Flying Tao-Ming Tiger."

"What's her favorite food?"

"My noodle soup."

"What's her favorite dessert?"

"Almond cookies."

"How old is she?"

"A year older than me."

"What's her favorite color?"

"Green." Zan looked surprised. "Yeah I was surprised too." Then Zan looked at Po's eyes and smiled. He knew why green was her favorite.

"Okay, what's her favorite place she wishes to visit?"

"Japan."

"What's her goals?"

"She wants to become one of the first Grand Master women in China. And she wants to learn pottery." Zan was confused. "Yeah, that one confused me."

"What's her interests?"

"She likes Kung Fu, training, meditation, reading, cooking with me, and secretly she likes to go to Fo's meadow and relax."

"So what's this lie about you not knowing her," Zan said smirking. Po grew quiet. "Just do this little thing. If not for me, then for her." Po grumbled a little.

"Okay, fine." Po retorted as he exited the Training Hall. Zan quickly went over to the Hall of Heroes where Shifu was meditating. Zan came in panting.

"He's going to do it," Zan explained. "But I had to back track on the party, but he took the bait."

"Good, then you know what to do," Shifu asked. Zan saluted.

"I will do my best, Oh Red One," Zan joked. Shifu's ear twitched in annoyance as the young bird flew off.

Tigress was in the courtyard standing on one foot with her arms stretched out and eyes closed. Po came up behind her and did a purposeful cough. Tigress sighed knowing that Po wanted to talk, but Po already began. "Sorry to interrupt, Master Tigress." Tigress still had her eyes closed but her face expressed a confused look. Po never called her 'Master' Tigress. Something must be off.

"It's alright, Dragon Warrior. What do you need?" She asked.

"I...was wondering if...you wanted to hang out," Po asked.

"Sure," Tigress said, wondering why he was so nervous about it, "When are the others coming?" Po held his breath a bit.

"Actually, I meant...only...you and me," Po said slowly. Tigress stumbled on her footing and fell to the floor. After Po helped her up, Po played with his fingers nervously as Tigress just stared at him.

"You mean-"

"No, no, not like that," Po clarified, "I just mean...like we usually do."

"Okay, but what's different about today?"

"Because we'll do all the stuff that you want to do." Tigress's ears perked up a little. This was new. It wasn't that they didn't do stuff together that she didn't like, but this was the first time she had complete control over what they wanted to do.

"O-okay. Just...let me get ready," Tigress said slowly going to the barracks. As she got out of Po's sight, she braced herself against a wall. She was breathing hard. Then she thought of something. "Zan," She muttered lowly and went off to look for him. Zan was in the kitchen, cooking something for Tigress and Po to take on their day out. When he looked behind him, there was Tigress standing in front of him. He was still shorter than her (not by much), but it seemed like she towered over him.

"Oooh, hi Aunty Tigress," He smiled nervously.

"What did you do," She asked.

"Me? Nothing," He said with his eye darting from side to side. Tigress's face didn't change. "Okay, okay, you caught me. I just wanted give you an appreciation surprise party, but Po told me that you didn't want a party, so I decided that you two having an alone time where you're in control would be the best." Zan tried his best to maintain his innocence. Tigress groaned.

"Zan, Po and I are just friends," Tigress replied.

"Yeah so?" Zan shot back. "It's just an appreciation thing. All the others are gone to leave you alone and have some private time."

"With Po," Tigress added. Zan huffed.

"Stop thinking of it as a date. Think of it as a time to relax," Zan replied. "Besides, you and Po always hang out. What's wrong about this?" Tigress sighed.

"Fine, but don't do anything funny," Tigress said sternly. Zan placed his wing over his heart.

"I promise," Zan said. Tigress eyed him and then left the room. Zan mentally cursed himself. "Darn it, now I have to stay out of the way. Should have just left the place before she had anything to say." Zan thought for a moment. Then an idea came into mind. He flew down the mountain and talked Ai. Ai frowned.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because it's for Tigress and Po," Zan explained. "Please." Ai was a bit reluctant to the plan, but decided to go along.

"Fine, but just try to focus on the mission, okay," Ai responded. Tigress and Po came down the mountain. They were both silent for a while until Po spoke.

"Hey, just because Zan wanted us to hang out doesn't mean that we have to act all awkward about it. Let's just have a good time," Po said putting his arm around her shoulders. Tigress chuckled as she drew closer to him.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But I'm still mad about Zan doing that to us," Tigress grumbled.

"He was just trying to show that you're appreciated," Po said defending Zan.

"You buy that?"

"No," Po smiled. Tigress playfully pushed him away. "But we do appreciate you Tigress." Tigress blushed a little.

"Thanks Po," She replied softly as they came down to the bottom. Getting there, they saw Ai and Zan walking to the outskirts of town. "Come on, let's follow them."

"Um... are you sure that's a good idea," Po asked nervously.

"Come on, I'm curious. Plus, we're suppose to do anything I want, right," Tigress stated. Po sighed.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Po muttered. They followed the couple all the way to Gardner's lake. The sun was low over the lake, touching the horizon.

"Wow, this is beautiful," Ai commented. Zan remained quiet. Ai rolled her eyes. "Don't worry. I know they're watching us."

"How?" Zan asked.

"Because, they're paying attention to the 'fake date' we're having better than you are," Ai remarked. Zan could pick up her tone. He scratched the back of his head.

"Look, I'm sorry. I just-"

"I know," Ai finished, not really caring what he was about to say.

"Wow, doesn't look like they're having a good date," Po commented as they watched from the bushes.

"Shh, they're talking," Tigress hushed.

"Ai, what's the matter? You said you were okay with this," Zan replied. Ai huffed. Zan surprised her and grabbed her around the waist and brought her close-really close. Ai blushed. "Come on, I want to help."

"I...sometimes I'm a little worried about how much you want to bring these two together. Sometimes you...forget about your friends," Ai said shyly. Zan understood. He sighed.

"I'm sorry Ai. I didn't know you guys felt that way," Zan replied. He thought about it for a moment. "Maybe you're right. I shouldn't be so concerned about them."

"I'm not saying drop them completely," Ai clarified. "I'm just saying that times like now you shouldn't sacrifice your friendships because of other people's relationship."

"I understand," Zan smiled. Ai rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes with a cheeky smile.

"Good," She said confidently. Zan could feel his heart beating much faster.

"Um...Ai...I was just...you know I um...You know speaking of relationships I... I guess I've come to-" He stopped when he heard her breathing softly. "Asleep. Good. It would be better if she didn't hear that." Tigress and Po quietly left the two to themselves.

"What relationship do you think they were talking about?" Po asked. Tigress shrugged.

"I don't know." Tigress looked around. "Hey, why don't we spar together?"

"Aw, why do we have to do that?" Po groaned, childishly.

"Because you promised to do anything I wanted to do," Tigress smiled widely. Po growled lowly.

"Darn it," he muttered.

"Come on," She said, dragging him again.

to be continued.