-Disclaimer: I do not own Kung Fu Panda or any of it's characters-

New Feelings, New Ambitions

Part 8

Light seeped into her room and she felt the suns warmth bathe her fur. Master Tigress slowly opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Her nose was filled with the smells of fresh dew, cool air, and… Po. Looking down she realized she was still clutching her vest in her hands. She smiled for a moment; savoring the feeling the scent gave her.

She thought about the previous night. How Po held her, how comfortable she was, how happy she was… how vulnerable she had made herself.

She grimaced. She had shown weakness last night. Throwing her vest into her hamper, she tried steeling herself again. I am a Kung Fu Master. I will not let my emotions cloud my thoughts. Master Shifu would never forgive me if he learned that I was letting emotion compromise my training.

Tigress dressed, donning a fresh vest and pants. As she prepared for her day she continually chastised herself for her behavior. Yes, Po is my friend, but that doesn't mean I can allow him to break down my composure. A master must remain detached so as to observe the complete situation before them. If they become too attached, they will lose sight. Her face softened into a sad frown. But… no one has ever made me feel this way….

When the gong was struck, Tigress, the other members of the Five and the Dragon Warrior greeted Master Shifu. "Good morning, Master!"

Shifu nodded, "Good morning, students. I have an announcement." At this word Tigress and the others turned their faces towards their master. "I have been summoned by Masters Ox and Croc to oversee proceedings in the search for a new member of the Master's Council." He bowed his head in respect to the late Master Thundering Rhino. "So, in light of this, I will be taking Crane with me for a few days as an escort to Gongmen City. Meanwhile, the rest of you will stay here and watch over the Valley. Feel free to do as you wish, but please do not completely avoid training…. Po."

"Hey now…." The panda had a sarcastic look of hurt on his face and wagged his finger at Shifu.

Shifu smiled and concluded his speech. "Crane, please go pack. To the rest of you, I bid farewell. I will return in 5 days. Keep the Valley safe."

In unison, Shifu's students bowed and said "Yes, Master."

Shifu gave them all a slight nod and smiled, then turned and left.

Quick goodbyes were exchanged between Crane and the others as he packed, and then he too was off.

The remaining four Kung Fu masters all exchanged looks with one another. Po broke the silence. "Sweet! A break! Who wants breakfast?"

Monkey's hand shot in the air. "I do!"

Tigress exchanged a look with Viper and they both followed the boys to the kitchen.

While Po and Monkey exchanged jokes and "war stories", Tigress and Viper both sat at the table and smirked at the boy's behavior. Po cooked a delicious meal and they all ate contently.

Tigress caught herself staring at Po at one point. His smile lifted her spirits and caused her to smile as well. No! Control yourself. Stop letting him in. But it was no use. She could not stop thinking about how those arms had held her. How warm he was, how happy he made her.

Back in her room after breakfast, Tigress sat there thinking. What is this? Why do I feel so… good around him? Why haven't I felt this way before? What does this mean?... What do I do?

This was all so new to her. Tigress had never felt this way about someone before. She wasn't accustomed to it. She envisioned Po's smile, his eyes, his deep jade eyes that held such joy and made the world bright. She took a breath. Sitting here brooding won't help. Perhaps a walk will help.

The Jade Palace grounds were quiet. As Tigress walked across the training courtyard, she felt the cool air whisper across her body, caressing her face. Her thoughts were still racing. What is it about him that makes me feel this way? Why do I lose all composure when he's near me? Tigress stopped and clutched her chest. Ever since Po had pulled away from holding her the night before she felt as though she had an empty space within her. I'm so confused.

A gust of wind sept through the yard, causing Tigress' clothes and fur to ripple in response. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Hey Tigress!" The voice had come from behind her. She spun around to see Po jogging up to her.

Huffing and puffing from the "difficulty" of his jog Po reached her. He managed to gasp out, "What are...huff... you...augh... up to?"

Tigress looked down at the panda, who was now grasping his knees for balance and said, "I am simply taking a walk Po, thats all." She couldn't help but grin at Po's theatrics.

Po finally managed to stand up straight. He looked at Tigress and look like he was about to say something, but then quickly looked at his feet and quietly said, "Cool... Mind if... I ummm.. join you?"

The words struck Tigress far harder than they should have. He wishes to spend time with me? Her face was frozen for a moment. She finally managed to speak after she saw Po's face start to show confusion, "Not at all Po. If you wish, I could find another path so you can..."

"No!... I mean... of course not..." Po interrupted. "You were here first... if anything I should be the one who..."

Tigress stopped him as he was about to turn. "No!.. Um.. That is... I don't mind if we walk together..." She could feel her face burning up.

Po faced her and said, "Awesome..."

They stood there for a moment, avoiding eye contact with one another. Po rubbed his arm and stuttered, "Uh.. well... shall we?"

Tigress snapped back to reality. Her face was on fire and her back was tense. Her stomach was knotted and her palms were sweaty. "Yes, let's walk."

They walked the grounds together in silence for a while. Tigress was so nervous and unsure of how to act that she simply faced ahead and did her best to ignore Po beside her. Her best wasn't enough. She continuously cast glances his way. He was smiling again, but she saw that he too was a bit uncomfortable. When Po looked her way she immediately focused on the ground before her.

"Um, so Tigress... what do you want to talk about?" Po's voice sounded almost frightened.

"I don't know. Whats on your mind, Po?" Tigress lied. There were so many things she wanted to say. Or were there? She had no idea. Her mind was so foggy and her tongue felt as though it had swelled up in her throat.

Po rubbed the back of his head and put a stupid grin on his face. "I don't really know." He chuckled a bit. "I'm not really used to spending one on one time with you. So I don't really know what to say."

Tigress stopped. Po turned once he realized that she was no longer walking. "Tigress?" He suddenly looked worried. "Oh no. Did I say something? I didn't mean to offend you or anything... I just... oh man. I'm sorry"

Seeing the look in his eyes. Tigress stepped towards him. "No! Po you didn't do anything wrong. I just... I feel the same way... I'm not used to being with anyone really "one on one" so I don't know what to say, or do, or how to act." She felt incredibly uncomfortable saying those words. She was admitting a fault in herself, showing weakness.

Po raised his eyes to meet hers. "Oh... I see... well... I suppose we can start with the basics. Uh... How are you?"

Tigress felt a smile touch her lips. "I'm doing well, and yourself?"

What followed was a breakthrough for Tigress. Bit by bit she felt her body relax as she talked to Po about small things. They started walking again as they talked Like the panda had said, they started very basic. They talked about how they had been, how they were enjoying the cool weather, and training techniques. Eventually they reached Po's revelation and achievement of inner peace.

"It came so easily. You wouldn't believe it. The way Shifu talked about it he made it sound almost unattainable." They were now laying underneath the Sacred Peach Tree, resting in the shade. "It felt so awesome! I felt every vibration around me. Shen's anger, the wolves' fear, Shifu's amazement... I was harnessing the energy of the universe. And BAM! I beat Shen. Somehow I beat the weapon that beats Kung Fu."

Tigress closed her eyes as she recalled the battle. Po's concentration, the anger in his eyes, his amazing abilities. "You did stop him. It was..." She chuckled, "Awesome."

Po laughed and punched the air. "Not as awesome as when you destroyed Shen's first weapon. I mean, you punched it through like a hundred floors straight to the bottom! That was so cool." Po no longer held the tension he had when they first started walking. He was himself.

Tigress looked at him and smiled. Her tension was gone too. She was happy right there, with him.

She sat up. She felt she could finally ask this question. Looking at him, she spoke. "Po, why did you hug me like you did after you beat Shen?"

Po's face suddenly lost all expression. He lifted himself up so he was sitting. Beneath his white fur a blush became increasingly apparent. "Well um... you started it." He tried laughing off the question.

Tigress wouldn't allow it. She moved closer to him and place her paw on his. The touch sent lightning through her arm. "Po."

Po looked down at their hands. He sighed and stared at her paw. "When Shen shot us. You pushed me out of the way. You took the blunt of the blow. When I swam to you, you were so hurt, I was afraid you were going to die." He swallowed before continuing. "And when you pulled me out of the water. I was so relieved. I almost lost you..."

Tigress gazed at him. "Po... I..."

Po looked up at her and smiled. "Now you tell me. Why did you hug me?"

Put on the spot. Tigress mimicked Po and stared at their paws. "I wanted you to know... to know... that I couldn't stand the thought of losing you. I don't know why... but the idea tore me apart. It still does."

Looking back up at Po. She could see the happiness in his deep jade eyes. She smiled at him.

For a moment they just looked into one another's eyes. Then Tigress leaned closer and put her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her close. She could hear his heartbeat. It was so strong. So powerful, so comforting. She raised her arm to hold his, she didn't want him to let go. This was so perfect.

Po gently laid back, still holding her. Tigress adjusted so that she was close to Po and still held his arm. She would not relinquish this moment. The breeze washed over them. They spoke no more. They simply held one another with their eyes closed.

Tigress had one thought. Po, you are wonderful. And with that she nuzzled further into his chest and let out a content sigh.

-And there we have Part 8! First off I wanna apologize for such a late submission. I'm so sorry, but college really sucks. Just got really busy this week and I just didn't have time to write. Well hopefully I made up for that because this entry is about twice as long as normal. I hope you enjoy it! Well as always your comments and reviews are awesome and I can't wait to read more of them. Thank you so much for your patience and thanks so much for reading! I will post the next chapter very soon. I promise!_