I will put one extra chapter after this as Epilogue :-)

Thank you for reading!

Dreamworks owned KFP :-)

CHEMISTRY

are you touching my arm and it setting fire to my mind?

-by Nayyirah Waheed-

The gong rung, six warriors leaped to the door. Po wasn't late today, but he was still yawning when Master Shifu passed through the corridor. It soon became apparent that he hadn't slept very much last night. Although no one could see whether not he had a black circle around his eyes (*ahem, because he already had a black circle around his eyes), but he certainly appeared tired, the bag around his bloodshot eyes became more apparent, he was slouching his torso with his arms dangling wearily on the side.

"Good morning students!"

"Morning Master." They said in unison. Po darted his eyes to the creature in front of his chamber realized it's only Mei Mei stood across him with her fist on her palm. He was perplexed as he thought about what could possibly happen to Tigress. Shifu watched the expression of the panda. He quickly summoned everyone else to the training hall.

"Po, I need to speak to you. Everyone else please train as usual. Monkey, could you please assist Mei Mei with her training." The red panda tried to maintain his cool until the rest of his student disappeared from his sight. Po gulped, he felt his stomach rose up to his throat and his chest tightened so badly he felt he almost couldn't breathe.

"M-Master, where is Tigress? Is she okay?" Po observed as the red panda pacing through the corridor in front of him. His crestfallen expression was telling Po something might have happened last night.

"Don't worry - Tigress is fine. She left me a note this morning," He sighed, but his voice remained calm and collected. "She is by ironwood forest but please, don't come looking for her there. You'll make the matter worse. She has asked me to make sure everyone to leave her alone." Shifu watched the giant panda as water began to form around the corner of his eyes, his hand trembled and his lips quivered. For the first time since he courting Tigress, she had asked him to stay away from her.

"Po, Tigress saw you and Mei Mei in the training hall last night. And what happened in there or might be something else, has resulted in all this." The master retorted in exasperation.

"M-master, I am sorry, I never meant to hurt Tigress while I want to do is to make her happy." The giant panda looked down to the floor in shame. He closed his eyes in an attempt to withhold his agony and vehemently fighting the urge to crumble in front of his Master. A single drop of tears rolled down from his unwilling eye and made a silent splash on the wooden floor.

"It's my fault, Po, I promise you I'll distract Tigress... but that night I didn't know she came early from her patrol." He looked at the bear remorsefully. However, you still have your chance. I've asked Zheng to tell Tigress that you will make it up to her tonight, by the Sacred Peach Tree."

Po still looked at the wooden floorboard under his toes, his mind was wandering quite elsewhere, wondering where Tigress could be, whether she was punching the ironwood trees to vent of her anger, whether she was sobbing painfully alone, whether she needed a hug, whether she wanted someone to console her.

"Po," He felt his master skinny little hand on his paw. "Please don't give up on my daughter. Be there..., nearing sunset at the Sacred Peach Tree. She'll be waiting." And his Master left him alone with his thought.

The day of training had come to an end. It was rather uneventful for Po and the rest of the Five. In fact, the rest of the Five and Mei Mei hardly could find his figure since they marched out of the barrack. As they entered the kitchen, it became apparent that the usual panda chef had relinquished himself from his usual trading post. They just mumbled at each other figuratively guessing something that might happen last night that caused their feline cohort to disappeared and Dragon Warrior to be mortally upset - he was even abandoning his breakfast. Po reappeared again closer to noon time, just chatted offhandedly and proceeded on training Mei Mei. When the other went down to Mr. Ping for lunch, Po stayed back and continued to train leaving his friend spellbound that he was again missing his second meal of the day. But no one dared to ask him, and leaving the panda on his own.

As for certain Tiger, she had been meditating to calm down her mind by the groove of ironwood forest. She hadn't been there for quite sometimes, in fact, she couldn't recall when exactly her last visit was. Her finger traced to its indestructible bark, feeling each bulge, tears, and marks. She saw slight breaking under the tree's thick skin, a testament of her anger and anguish that she aimed the tree innocent being.

Tigress expelled the air from her lung sharply. This place was a reminder of part of who she used to be. A place where she trained herself never to feel any hurt and pain. The place that had made her Tigress - the master of hardstyle. She stared again at the ferocious claws marks tattooed deeply within its bark, she bent down kissing the tree gently - paying her gratitude for being her most loyal companion and returning her own sentiment. Her heart felt heavy and pained, but she did not wish to not be able to feel anymore. She liked the way she is now, hardcore but when she could and able to show compassion whenever necessary.

Under the Peach Tree.

Tigress was the first to arrive under the tree. She was glad no one there yet and adopted a lotus position trying to console her sorrowful heart. She looked up the sky and watching the blazing orange aura from the sun as it bode farewell to the world behind it. Tigress inhaled the scent of peach blossom lingered in the air, she had made up her mind. She had done a lot of thinking, about her life, about her family, about her relationship with people around her, about what happened in Gongmen, in Panda Village, and about a certain panda that had changed her life for the better.

He undoubtedly had reconciled her with many things, with her adoptive father, accepted her dark past, helping her be comfortable on who she is, helping her to open up to love and forgiveness, and for that, she needed to be forever grateful. Tigress had decided, whatever the outcome of their meeting tonight, she would be at peace and continued to love him regardless where he was and who he chose to be with. She smiled to herself, although her heart was deeply afflicted inside.

Tigress heard faint footsteps. It was sounded morbidly heavy, almost like being chained with a mental dead weight at its end, restraining his limb to move on further - as if his sorrow had not burdened him enough. He approached the Sacred Peach Tree. He knew the moment had finally come.

She flicked her glance towards him, her blazing sunset eyes met his calm green orbs. He was torn to see Tigress in the state she was, her fur was matted around her eyes a deposition that she had been crying, she looked exhausted - a strong testimonial that she might have been awake all night. At least she was tugging a small faint smile as she saw him approaching. Tigress was surprised to see Po wasn't any better, if not worse - his bloodshot eyes, he was still muffling certain sob, traces of tears still laid bare there as an evidence of his grief.

Tigress decided now was the time to stamp her authority on the situation.

"Po, what's wrong... are you, crying?" Tigress reached her paw to stroke his, trying to comfort him. He looked like there were many things he wanted to say but the words just stuck and they were all fighting to get past each other in his throat. His mouth just bobbing wordlessly.

"Calm down Po, I am here, and I'll listen to whatever you want to say to me. And I'll be at peace no matter what you will decide to do next." Tigress said gently. That reassurance was exactly what he need. He composed himself and slowly finding her gaze. He looked into her amber orbs, reminded on how much that eyes had comforted him, offering him consolation and encouragement, and that glance that always empowered him to do better and to be a stronger warrior.

"Tigress, please forgive me... I never meant... to hurt you." He gradually made his way over to her side. Both stood stiffly without showing any physical affection.

"That's alright Po, I know everything happens for a reason." Her statement almost sounded like convincing this to herself in return for some sort of relief.

"You are not... mad at me?" He blinked, realizing Tigress didn't lash any angry yell at him. Well, not yet at least.

"Why would I be. In fact, I was a little embarrassed of myself." She retaliated with hurtful tone.

"Care to explain?"

"I can't help being a little jealous watching you both sparring." She paused. "Remember I told you about Mei Mei's engagement dress that she accidentally packed? She supposed to wear it on her betrothal ceremony to…you Po". Her voice began to shake, she paused to form the right sentence in her mind."I can't help but think how happy she would be, should I never be here, if I never stood in her way, yours and her destiny. You'll be Dragon Warrior living happily in Panda Village with her by your side. However, I steal you away from her. It's Mei Mei who supposed to feel jealous of me. I feel terrible..-" Po quickly silenced her with his finger to her lips. There was a potent amount of remorse in her voice.

"Tigress, look at me…" Po gently held her chin with his paw. Those dazzling red eyes had lost its sparkle to sadness and regret.

"You are not stealing me from anyone. It's not my destiny to marry to Mei Mei. Do, you remembered Master Oogway said 'there is no accident'? It's no accident that we both orphaned, we both ended up adopted and our path crossed here, at Jade Palace. There is no accident that we are the most unlikely of people to fall in love. You must believe that this is our destiny. Me and you."

The feline smiled, hearing his words did soothe her heart tremendously.

"I mean…. look at us. How can a tiger, who is beautiful… brave…smart end up with a panda who is clumsy, fat….and-"

"Awesome? Bodacious? severely cute and handsome?" She chuckled. Po somewhat was glad Tigress' mood had lightened up, and Po figured out this was the perfect moment to finally revealed what he needed to confess.

"Tigress, I am sorry I am hiding something from you. But I promise you tonight I'll make everything clear between us." He moved his hand inside his pocket and revealed the same frayed blue box Tigress saw yesterday. Her eyes widened. The memories pieced together rapidly and struck her like a lightning. Before she had a chance to inquest things further. Po went on with 'his plan'.

"Ti, this is my family heritage, this belonged to my late mother, and had been passed down from my grandmother". He opened the box to reveal a simple golden band, with the word 'love' as the centrepiece. Tigress let a small gasp, she felt her heart pound against jolted out of her chest.

"Tigress, the day you told me you loved me - you made me the luckiest Panda in China. I can't tell you how happy have you made me, seeing your beautiful eyes, sparring with you, spending time under this tree, fighting bandits, going on missions. I simply can't imagine how my life without you. You had made me a changed man, wanting to do more, to do better, to be stronger, be the best that I could be. And should I had to give up my title and kung fu in order to be with you, I'll do it in a heartbeat. You're worth everything to me, Tigress."

He paused to compose himself. Even Tigress momentarily closed her eyes, trying hard to curb her tears from falling, as his words strummed the core of her soul. She knew Po said he loved her a lot of time before, yet she still treasured each and every time as if it were the first.

"I know this ring wasn't the most expensive, but this one and only most valuable treasure for me." He held her right paw with his.

"Although we've only been courting not long ago, I always dream about our future together, I want to see you wake up next to me every day, to see your smile every minute of my life, hold you in my embrace, and I promise - I would make my life mission to make you happy. You are the very reason I am who I am today. So with this ring, Tigress, would you make me the happiest man and take the honor to be my wife?" His voice quivered.

The tiger in question had long lost for words, instead, blinking passed the tears that threatened to fall, Po squeezed her paw. She didn't answer but immediately pulled him into her embrace and planted the most powerful kiss to his lips. She never imagined how her life would turn upside down after the big fat panda fallen from the sky. He might have stolen her title, her kung fu dream of becoming Dragon Warrior, the very purpose of her life - but he replaced it with a new purpose that far more noble than a mere scroll or title. He had made her realized it's okay to be herself, it's okay to be afraid, to laugh, to cry and to show love. And now, she acknowledged he had given himself and his love to her.

After they broke up from the kiss, Po turned his gaze to her ruby orbs, which staring at him with a fiery passion. Her lips curved into a smile.

"I take that as a yes?" He beamed with a hushed tone. He could stare into those eyes to no end.

With that, he smiled his biggest smile and slipped the ring on her finger. She watched intently as the panda gently slid the ring on her claw as if tried to savor every moment. The ring sat sweetly on her ring finger, become a silent testament of his undying love and bound her with his promise. Both of their eyes met again, her arm snaked around his neck, hugging him closer, almost protectively. His arm gently yanked her slender waist against his robust belly. Both slowly closing the gap between them, until their lips passionately met.

There was a prolonged silence when the two lovers shared their intimate moment. Even without words, the kiss had spoken of their life together from its beginning to its conclusion and everything in between. As they parted, Po quickly remembered there is one more thing left to do.

"Ti, I think I owe you the whole explanation regarding what happened these few days." Few things racked to his mind as he tried to select his word prudently.

"Months ago, I told my panda dad, my goose dad, and master Shifu about my plan to ask your hand in marriage. My panda dad insisted that I need to use this ring to propose you - it was the same ring he used to propose my mom - and I agree because it has an outstanding sentimental value. There's where Mei Mei came into the story, she was the messenger my panda dad has sent as a kung fu student in disguise. All of us agreed that this will remain a secret until the right moment comes."

He paused for a brief moment and continued. "Unfortunately my plan had a major flaw, I forgot to factor in that my-soon-to-be-wife is the most accomplished warrior in her generation and nothing will go unnoticed under her nose. So, that's true that Mei Mei was just pretending to be a student so she had an excuse to see me, and I bought her nunchucks to show my gratefulness. Also, your night patrol schedule was a deliberate attempt by Shifu to give me a moment alone when Mei Mei could pass me the ring, which apparently failed because you've ended up seeing her passing the ring to me." He chuckled.

Tigress hid her face regretfully. She had been worried sick about the fate of her relationship over... nothing. In fact, she had nearly destroyed the most wonderful surprise her panda bestowed upon her. All was a mere misunderstanding all along.

"I am sorry I cause you all this trouble, Po." She said regretfully.

"Well don't be, I am glad my proposal still end up rather well ...and you've said yes." He smiled widely.

"Tigress, I love you."

"I love you too, Po."

And just as if he planned it (maybe?), they heard a sweet rendition of the song they heard back at the festival in Gongmen.

The song about a certain orphan who had a great destiny to be a hero. Twist and turn of his fate as a young boy was bounded with hardship, bullying, and betrayal. Nonetheless, he had a chance to carve his way to mastery of kung fu being thought by both heroes and villain alike. Until his fate brought him to meet a certain female warrior who took him as her student. Both of them fell in love with each other but their romance was viewed as taboo and equivalent to incest in their society of that era, due to their difference in age and their Master-Student relationship. They encountered several tribulations after leaving their hometown and facing numerous tests of their love. Although they were eventually married, they were again separated, this time for 16 years until their final reunion at the end. (Refer to the notes below** this is a real novel)

The words of the song resound faintly in their ears, as Po offered his paw.

"May I?"

And he bowed gently to the feline warrior in front of him. Tigress met his gaze, her lips curved into a smile and slowly moved her own paw in his, gesturing acceptance. His strong arm curled compassionately around her tight waist, and she, in turn, placed her muscular arm delicately resting on his shoulder. They slowly closing the gap between their forehead, almost muzzle to muzzle, as both of them closing their eyes savoring each fleeting moment, feeling each other touch and devouring in the each other scent, listening to the fluttering heartbeat, a declaration of their love without uttering a word. As their soul intertwined, their body swayed lightly from side to side until the music fades away.

The gentle breeze waved through their fur and gently shook the skeletal limbs of the blossom above them, followed by dozens of peach petals confetti flew midair. A stream of the last ray of sunlight shone in through an opening among its ancient branch, adding the finishing touch.

Their Master and friends watch them from a distance. A few had shed tears or two - watching their friends getting close to the final journey of finding love. They let a happy sigh.

Love is indeed one of the greatest mystery under the heaven. A few moments later the rest of the Masters (and Mei Mei) retiring to their chamber, accepting the fact there probably won't be any cook for the night.

I will put one extra chapter as Epilogue :-)

Thank you for reading!

**Notes :

Xiaolongnü is the fictional female protagonist of the wuxia novel The Return of the Condor Heroes she was described to have "skin as white as snow, beautiful and elegant beyond convention and cannot be underestimated, but appears cold and indifferent. Xiaolongnü's name (literally "Little Dragon Maiden") is based on the year she was born, the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac. She was abandoned as an infant outside Chongyang Palace by an unknown figure. Her cries broke the silence of the night and drew the attention of the priests. Before they could decide what to do with the baby girl because the sect does not accept female members, a middle-aged woman called Granny Sun appeared and took Xiaolongnü away to the nearby Ancient Tomb.

Yang Guo, courtesy name Gaizhi, is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel The Return of the Condor Heroes. Yang became an orphan at the age of 11 after his mother died. His sworn uncle, hoped that the child will not follow in his father's footsteps. He named the baby boy "Guo" (過), which means "wrong" or "fault", and gave him a courtesy name "Gaizhi" (改之), which means "to correct". His uncle hopes that Yang Guo would redeem his family's honor, which had been tarnished by his father's past actions. Yang becomes a student of Xiaolongnü of the Ancient Tomb Sect and they live together in the Ancient Tomb for many years. During this time they develop a romance and their teacher-student relationship is merely superficialYang's impulsive personality and lack of respect for other senior martial artists, compounded by the rebellious streak in him, makes the situation the story, Yang encounters several elite martial artists, who teach him some of their skills. He employs the skills he mastered to his advantage and uses them for greater purposes as he gradually matures, and eventually became a heroes.