Well, hello FanFiction.
Here I am, after almost a year hiatus. You guys are so awesome, your patience rivals that of Oogway. I sincerely apologize for my prolonged absence. Life got pretty crazy for me, and unfortunately my writing suffered because of it. For those of you who were waiting for Chapter 13, here it is! And for those just joining us, hooray! I hope you enjoy the story!

-Disclaimer: I do not own Kung Fu Panda or any of its characters-

New Feelings, New Ambitions

Part 13

A golden glow was settled over the Jade Palace. The peace of morning was serene, and the sky held promise a day with no clouds. In short, it was beautiful. Nestled high in the mountain overlooking the Valley of Peace, this Kung Fu sanctuary was a sight to behold.

But she only looked at him.

Tigress' crimson eyes were locked on Po. She watched his eyes close as he prepared. His chest slowly expanding as he took a deep breath. He stood waiting. Finally, a drop fell from the roof of the cavern. His foot glided over the spot where it had landed beside him, and he raised his right arm into the air as another drop fell. The drop landed on his open paw, and began to slide down his arm. The drop did not dissipate into his fur, it simply rolled over it as though he were made of the smoothest glass.

Po's movements were smooth, almost as fluid as the water he was manipulating. The drop crossed form one arm to the next, back and forth, over and under. It was many separate moves combined into one flawless motion. Po made one final cross from his left paw into the crook of his right elbow, and leaned to his side to let the drop flow down his forearm, across his palm and finger, onto a small leaf he stood beside, and finally, the weight of the drop caused the leaf to give, and let it fall gently into the polished surface of the cavern pool.

My Panda. With Po's back to her as he returned to an upright pose, Tigress felt a shiver go down her spine. To see Po move with such grace was unreal. Her face had become hot, and her fur stood on end. My Po. She couldn't believe that she could now say that. While her feelings for Po had been there for quite some time, now being able to put a name on there relationship raised her awareness of it even more. Because now, she knew for a fact that Po wanted be with her as she wanted to be with him. And that made her happier than she could comprehend. He is mine.

They had come to the cavern shortly after eating breakfast with Mantis, Monkey, and Viper. With Master Shifu and Crane still gone, they were responsible to train on their own. Despite groaning from a certain bear, it was agreed that not training while their Master was gone would result in severe chastisement from the Red Panda, for he always knew when they were goofing off. Po asked Tigress if she would like to join him to the cavern, stating he wanted her to watch him execute his new technique (unaware that she had watched him from afar a few days before) and she happily agreed.

"Well?" Po turned to her and smiled. "What do you think?" His eyes widened for a split second when he saw how her fur was oriented.

Embarrassed, Tigress quickly attempted to smooth her agitated coat. However she could do nothing about the furnace that burned on her face. She wondered if it was visible through her fur. "That was very well done, Dragon Warrior. You have clearly found inne..."

Po interrupted her, "Ugggh, I know thats what you saw, Tigress. But I want to know what you, you yourself, think." His eyes were focused on hers. It was clear he wanted to know exactly what was going on in her head. And he wouldn't settle for any sort of scholarly response.

Tigress shifted uneasily. She looked away from Po and into the pool. "Po..." She searched for the words, he tongue as heavy as lead. "That was... Incredible. You were at one with the universe. I could feel your presence all around me, your positivity filled the cavern." She felt silly saying these words, but they were the truth.

"Would you like to try?"

Tigress turned to look at Po, her mouth gaped slightly.

Po held his arm out towards her.

Shaking her head and looking away, Tigress muttered, "No Po... I... I haven't had the training... I'll look like a fool." She clutched her arm, turning away from him slightly. Only he could make her feel this way, exposed. And she allowed it. Opening up to him was easy. He would never scold her, never tell her it wasn't enough, only smile at her.

His arm still stretched towards her, Po quietly said, "Come on, its easy, I'll show you."

She brought her eyes up to meet his. Those jade eyes held only praise for her. And she trusted them. She took a step forward and reached for his paw.

With Po's hand guiding her, she leapt to the rock he stood on. Po gently pulled her hand so that she stood in front of him, facing away. She now had a panda as her shadow. She felt his hand rest behind hers, sending small tremors through her.

"Close your eyes. I'll take you through the movements."

Tigress did as she was bid. She felt Po begin to lightly pilot her arms. He brought her into almost crescent shape, with her right paw high above and her left pushing down. Then they shifted. Like water, they began to flow their movements together. Even without the dew drop, Tigress could feel her energy focusing, her mind easing. And Po.

Po was there. Not just behind her, but around her. His presence was the most assuring thing she had ever experienced. His warm hands felt as though they belonged with hers. She heard his breath behind her. Like a gentle wave it washed over her consciousness, relaxing her. She felt him draw their dance to a close. And Tigress truly felt at peace. In their final bow to the side. Tigress opened her eyes. She looked down to see Po's hand over hers. She felt her panda slowly lift them to the final upright pose.

There was no thought in her head. She was bare. She was exposed. She turned slightly to look at Po.

He was beaming at her. "That was great! You nai..." He was silenced.

Tigress had taken her face in her hand and pulled his lips to hers. His words turned into a mumble and then into silence. His lips sent sparks all through her body. She could feel Po's hands rest on her waist and slowly take hold. Pulling her closer. Taking initiative, Tigress wrapped her arms over is neck, bringing her self up higher. She had never felt so alive. This intense passion filled her entirely. She wanted more of him. Taking it a step further, she opened her mouth slightly. Feeling Po's do the same, she pushed her togue to meet his. She tasted peaches and ecstasy. Their tongues twisted and curved around each other. Her breath was heavy and flared her nostrils. Her body writhed and tensed on its own. Her paws grasped at his neck and shoulders. She moaned lightly as she and Po melted into one another. She started to feel dizzy. The world was dropping away from beneath her. She closed her mouth, and pressed her lips firmly against Po's before pulling away.

They took a deep breath in unison. The world came back into focus. Tigress looked at Po. He was cross eyed.

"Po? Are you ok?" Tigress took his arm and gave a little shake.

Brought back to reality, Po shook his head and scrunched his eyes. After clearing the fog away, he looked down at her. "I'm better than I've ever been" He said with soft smile.

Tigress returned his smile, for she too, felt better than ever. She gently tugged at Po's arm again, this time trying to get him to sit down. He obliged. Following him down, Tigress sat on his lap her legs over his right side, turning her torso toward him. They stared at each other for a moment. Smiling. The heat within Tigress still burned with intensity. She couldn't get enough of her panda.

Po grinned, "What? Something on my face?"

Smirking, Tigress leaned closer to him, causing him to lay on his back. She traced circles on his chest as she brought her lips to his ear. "No, there's nothing on your face." She whispered. She could feel Po shiver at the caress of her breath. She inched back down so their eyes met. She looked into those jade orbs, and saw passion within. She leaned down once more and felt Po's arm wrap over the small of her back. "I like training with you." She said before placing her paw over his cheek and bringing their lips together once more.

-There it is. A chapter after such a long wait. Like I said earlier, I can't thank those of you who were waiting enough. I hope you still enjoy reading what I have brought to the table, and are willing to comment and review. This update will not be the last, that much I can say. I will also do my very damnedest to keep a steady update schedule. You guys deserve that much. Love ya all, thanks so much for reading. Here's to the return of my favorite Kung Fu Couple.-