Fear of Happiness

"It's not funny!" Po grumbled to his laughing wife.

"I'm sorry, but you have to admit it was very funny," Tigress replied.

"I'm starting to regret teaching you that spot on my head," Po muttered. Tigress smirked.

"You mean, this spot?"

"Tigress no AHHH! That's it." Po sighed. His eyes were rolled back and his tongue stuck out to the side as Tigress scratched right behind his ear. Po pulled away from Tigress's scratching to only hear her laughing. "It's not funny."

"Oh come on, Po. You have to admit you had the most... relaxed face ever," Tigress smirked. Po smirked back with smug in his teeth.

"You should know that face very well considering you had it on last night," Po replied. Tigress narrowed her eyes at him and growled threateningly. They both knew it was a meaningless threat. Tigress just huffed and refused to look at him. She knew she was blushing. Po laughed a bit. She had begun to show her childish side ever since they got married. Po walked behind her, kissed her head, and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you all the same," Tigress smiled a bit.

"I love you, too, you cheeky panda," Tigress smirked. Po laughed as Crane and Viper came into the kitchen.

"How is the couple doing?" Viper cheerfully asked. She was ecstatic the two finally became married. Po and Tigress just smiled. "Oh, I was just going to tell you, Lillia has decided to move into the village."

"Really? What prompted her to do so?" Tigress asked. Viper smirked with mischief in her face.

"Well, she says that because the prince is still a prince, he would still need protection, regardless of how we teach him," Viper said. Tigress returned her cheeky smirk.

"Oh," She replied in a suggestive kind of voice. Po and Crane knew why they were doing that, but it was still weird nonetheless. Just then, Maz came in.

"Maz, good morning," Viper said sweetly.

"Good morning," Maz said in a bland voice.

"Something wrong?" Po asked.

"Hm? Nothing really. I just learned that Leona will be leaving us for Zora and Zander," Maz said sadly, "I'm going to miss her."

"You mean, you'll miss her putting sour dumplings in your soup," Crane asked.

"Well, that I won't miss."

"It won't be that bad. Bei-Lang's just around the corner," Viper said optimistically.

"Hmm," Po mumbled thinking to himself.

"What's the matter, Po?" Tigress asked.

"Nothing. Remind me to talk to you about Leona," Po whispered to her. Viper went out of the room to talk to Master Shifu. Crane seemed a little tired. "What's wrong, Crane?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm a little dizzy," Crane replied.

"Why?"

"Because Master Shifu made me deliver a message in the middle of the night," Crane said.

"What was the message?"

"I didn't care to look at it," Crane yawned.

"Where did you deliver it to?" Tigress asked curiously.

"Bei-Lang, and then I had to do a reply," Crane said.

"Why don't you get some rest," Po suggested. Crane nodded and wearily went to bed. "Maz, why don't you go to Master Shifu? If Crane had to make a late run, then you'll have to know what it is." Maz nodded and went to Master Shifu. Po looked at Tigress to see her mischievous face. "Tigress, I know that face. I don't trust that face."

"Are you going to say that for the rest of your life," Tigress asked.

"Is it a lie?" Po asked.

"I wasn't doing anything illegal. I'm just wondering something."

"Is it about my ear?" Po said, covering them.

"No, it's about your 'tickle' spots," Tigress said deviously.

"Noooo! HAHAHAHA Tigress! STOP!" While the tickle fest was happening, Viper was just done speaking with Master Shifu about visiting her parents when Maz came in.

"Ah, Prince Maz. I have an issue to present to you. It is something that involves... privacy," Shifu said. The two looked at Viper.

"Just tell me to get out while you're at it," Viper muttered, slithering away.

"Anyways, it is the issue of Lillia," Shifu said. This made Maz worried.

"What's wrong? They can't afford her staying here?"

"Well, it's not that. Lillia's payment has since been cut. There is something else at hand. You have to get married," Shifu replied. Maz's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, what?" Shifu repeated again. "Married! What, to whom?"

"That is your decision. But the council has decided that you should be married by now," Shifu replied.

"Married by now? It's only been three years!" Maz exclaimed. "Who am I suppose to marry? You know how hard it is for royalty to marry someone." Shifu nodded.

"Which is why they've given you a suggestion," Shifu said, giving Maz the scroll. Maz quickly read through the formalities of the scroll and looked at the name.

"Lillia!" Maz whispered. He didn't want the lamb to hear. Luckily, Lillia was in the village with Leona trying to get some things for traveling. "I can't marry Lillia."

"Why not?"

"I... Um... She hates lions!"

"She and you have kissed before."

"How do you know that?"

"Leona told us," Shifu replied. Maz sighed.

"She... she doesn't want to be attached," Maz said.

"Viper told me she wanted to stay here. That guarantees some kind of attachment," Shifu said. "What are you really afraid of?" Maz sighed.

"Rejection," Shifu smiled.

"You'll feel better after you tell her," He replied as he left. Maz was left alone with his thoughts. He paced around thinking about what to do. His legs made him travel all the way to the courtyard where Lillia and Leona were just getting back.

"Hey Mazy," Leona called, playfully punching him in the side. Maz didn't even register the punch. "What's wrong?" Leona asked, being able to read his emotions well.

"Huh? Oh, nothing little one," Maz replied. "I'm just thinking."

"Leona, why don't you get Monkey and Mantis to help you pack. Remember, you leave tomorrow," Lillia instructed. Leona nodded and went to her room.

"Why did you want Mantis and Monkey to help her," Maz asked.

"Because I don't know what Po and Tigress are doing at this moment. And considering how playful they are with each other, I'm pretty sure it's not appropriate for a little kid," Lillia smirked. Maz just blankly turned around and continued walking around absentmindedly. "What's wrong?"

"It's personal," Maz replied. Usually, Lillia didn't bother with personal stuff, but she thought they were close enough to discuss these things.

"If it's personal then you need some help thinking about it," Lillia reasoned.

"Well, Master Shifu just told me that since you're going to be staying here, your payment has been cut," Maz said.

"Oh, I knew about that for a while," Lillia said. "Is that why you're worried? Don't worry about it. It's not in your control."

"Okay," Maz agreed. Lillia noticed the blank stare he still had.

"That can't be the only think you're thinking about. What's up? Be honest with me," Lillia said.

"Honestly, I don't want to talk about it," Maz said firmly, leaving Lillia alone in the courtyard. Instead of being a little hurt that Maz didn't trust her, she was angry by the fact he didn't tell her. She huffed and went to her room as well.

Continued...