It Makes No Sense
Po threw the doors of the Hall of Heroes wide open like they were thin wheat. "What the heck was that?!" He shouted.
"Sources said that Momoda was at Mr. Ping's shop. I thought you were capturing her."
"I was trying to figure out what she's trying to do!"
"Po, you're getting too close to this woman."
"Oh! And spying on me was the way to tell me that?!"
"Watch your tone."
"No," Po shouted. "Master Shifu, we don't know anything about this tiger other than her name. She's doing nothing wrong."
"We still need to be cautious. The villagers-"
"She was in broad daylight, Shifu," Po cut off, dropping the pretenses, "If the villagers had such a problem with her, they would've been screaming their heads off. You said it yourself, we don't know why she's doing all of this and tackling her to the ground isn't gonna help with that!"
"I know my tactic wasn't the best-"
"It was more stupid than anything I would ever do!"
"Okay, that's enough!"
"What's going on in here!" Tigress asked. The others followed in behind her. Po noticed the tiger was panting. Most likely from training again. "We heard shouting."
"Shifu," Po spoke up, "Probably messed up any chances I have of trying to help Momoda."
"I thought we were trying to catch her for her own sake, Po," Shifu argued.
"And you think forcing her like that is going to do it?!"
"Po, Master Shifu!" Viper said loudly, "Yelling your emotions won't help!"
"She's right," Tigress said calmly. "In any case, this might hurt us in the long run. If this tiger was comfortable enough to appear in broad daylight, then the opportunity to restrain her peacefully is no longer there. She'll probably hide for a while."
"Which makes catching her harder," Monkey completed.
Shifu sighed, "And it's my fault."
Po took a deep breath, grumbling as he massaged the muscles around his eyes. "Master Shifu, why would you pull something like this?"
"She has to answer for her actions."
"And those actions are bad?"
"They're causing disorder and chaos."
"Disorder? She's not even hurting anyone innocent. Would you just listen to me for a moment?!"
"People don't change, Po."
"Funny, I was gonna say the same about you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Shifu glared.
Po crossed his arms as he glared back, "You know, judging a book by its cover? Not hearing other people out? You did the same thing when I first came here! I know it looks like I'm over the moon with Momoda, but I am trying to do this peacefully. I mean, which is better? Trying to fight an opponent that can disappear in thin air, or trying to make it so they don't act up again? Better yet, making her an ally! You keep saying that people don't change. Maybe it's you who hasn't changed since..."
"Since. What, panda," Shifu grunted out.
Po took a small sigh and softly said, "Since Tai Lung... and me."
Shifu, finding himself panting from the anger, slowly let the panda's words rest on his mind. He settled back, groaning as he rubbed his eyes. "Maybe I have a lesson to relearn," He sighed quietly. "Again, you prove that you're much wiser than I am, Po."
"Not wiser, just different," Po said in a tender voice. "I mean no disrespect, Master Shifu. But you and I know I HAVE to say what I say."
"Hmm." Shifu straightened up and rolled his shoulders back. "What do you propose we do then, Dragon Warrior?"
"Wait. Be patient for a moment. We'll find out her plans, okay? I'm close to figuring her out."
"And the damages she causes?"
"For damages," Crane spoke up, "She's probably the cleanest 'villain' I've seen. I've never seen bandits stacked into a cube. Much easier to carry."
"And the manager of the Huai Defang Tavern has said that his business is growing because of her protection," Viper added with a chuckle. "Even though she keeps breaking the mugs."
"She is still a vigilante," Tigress slowly said, "But Po's right about doing things carefully. All of this... process can flip in a moment. She's still unstable."
Shifu nodded. "Po... I... I don't know what you see in this tiger."
"Are you upset because she's doing something you couldn't?"
"Yes... I mean..." Shifu sighed. He couldn't deny it anymore. "Yes."
"Don't worry," Po smiled warmly. "I'll do my little search about Momoda. Meanwhile, I think you should go on patrol alone tonight."
"Why?" Shifu asked.
"To bait her," Po smiled.
"What?!" The Furious Five exclaimed.
Tigress growled up to Po. "Why would you offer Master Shifu as bait?"
"Because he's done it to me?" Po muttered under his breath.
"WHAT?!"
"Because I think Momoda should talk with him?" Po shyly grinned.
"We're not letting a person who injured Master Shifu harm him again."
"Things changed since then. She only did it because of her parents' issues. Something I think both of you can relate to."
Tigress's anger surged as she stepped forward and growled louder in his face. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Po simply stared into Tigress's eyes. He didn't shiver or cower like he usually did. Her growl and anger disappeared completely for a moment as Po's eyes hardened just as much as hers.
She stepped back.
What exactly was the panda thinking?
"That's enough, Tigress," Shifu spoke up. "I can fend for myself." Tigress slowly yet reluctantly nodded. "Very well, Po. We'll go with your plan."
Po smiled but the tiger's glare made him shiver. As the nights wore on, Shifu picked up the patrols, giving the others rest for a moment. The Furious Five breathed easier knowing that staying up so late wasn't on their schedule anymore. However, things weren't at ease. Tigress and Po weren't talking, and the Furious Five and Shifu could feel the tension: Silent nights in the kitchen, nasty glares at the panda as Tigress went by, and growls of rage and anger as she viciously trained. Everyone, even Master Shifu, knew that the tiger was upset with Po.
But the person who seemed to be the least affected by Tigress's cold treatment was Po. The panda was busy. The others couldn't find him at the Jade Palace during the day, and the times they did, he was in the Jade Palace records, reading a mess of scrolls. Often, Crane and Viper saw Po talking with some villagers in the southern part before moving on, without explaining who he was talking to.
They assumed that it was because of his investigation, but no one could make heads or tails of it.
For Shifu, however, the more important issue was Tigress. One day, he walked to Tigress's room and knocked on her door. "Master Tigress?"
"Come in, Master Shifu." Shifu walked in. The floor, for once, was cleaned of loose scrolls and manuscripts; Master Shifu had told her not to leave the scrolls in her room overnight. Tigress stood in her minimalist room with her hands behind her, poised and erect. "You needed me, Master Shifu?"
"I... I actually needed to talk to you. About Po?"
The tiger tried and failed to hide her growl. "What about him?"
"What is it that upsets you about him?"
"Master, the fact that he's using you as bait to lure out Momoda is... highly reckless and irresponsible." She turned her back to him. "It's... It's foolish!"
"Why is that it?" Shifu questioned.
"No warrior should use their partner let alone their master as... as bait. Especially when they have no way of making sure that they're safe. And after what Momoda did to you... I just can't believe that Po would do something so reckless and think that it's okay. It's ridiculous and shameful! And I don't like how he disrespects you."
"How so?"
"Master Shifu, no student should talk with their master like that," Tigress grumbled.
"Actually, I told Po he needed to do that," Shifu replied. Tigress briefly turned her head back. "You and the Furious Five listen to me with the same unquestioning dedication that Tai Lung had. It's loyal but can be dangerous if I am being controlled. Po naturally forces me to see things differently, to change for the better. As much as it seems like he's disrespecting me, in our relationship the greatest disrespect from him is not being honest with me. It's... unorthodox, but after Tai Lung and... my ill-gotten words about you and the others, I think I'm due a few harsh words."
Tigress shook her head and turned away. "That still doesn't mean he can speak like that."
Shifu stared at her back, silently seeing the rage build up in her. Her shoulders slowly rose and her hands began to clench. "Maybe you're picking up on my habits," Shifu said mindfully.
"Master I- Po?!"
Shifu turned around and saw the panda standing in the doorway. A sad smile clung to his face, though he gazed at the floor more than at Tigress. Po sighed, "Sorry, I don't mean to put Shifu's life in danger. I just... I wanted to show everyone that she isn't as bad as Master Shifu said. But... I also just want Master Shifu to see her for herself and judge her face-to-face. I don't think she would hurt him... again. I know you guys don't trust her, but... I thought you would trust me." He took a deep breath. "But you're right about what I've done lately. There's better ways to tell Master Shifu what I think. And I'm sorry about that Master Shifu," He groaned, rubbing his eyes with a yawn.
"I think the late nights has made everyone a little on edge," the red panda mentioned, "Especially you, Po."
Drooping her ears, Tigress sighed, "Po, I...I... I understand your plan, but the way you're doing it is... it doesn't seem like... a good idea." She sighed again, "But that doesn't mean I should treat you like this. It's just, Master Shifu is-"
"I know," Po interrupted. "And I wasn't going to let Momoda harm him."
"You weren't?"
"I've been secretly going on patrol with him as well. Just to keep an eye out on him," Po said. Tigress's eyes widened.
"There's not much to keep an eye out for," Shifu sighed, "The streets are safer at night than in the day." He looked back at the tiger. "But there is something that I want to bring up. Master Tigress, it has worried me that you're training yourself more. Maybe you should rest more. The training might be... is having a negative effect on your emotional health and mind."
"But Master I-
"Tigress, please," Shifu said with more tenderness than Tigress had heard in a while. "For me, take care of yourself. You've done much more for the Jade Palace and for me than I can mention. I'm very proud of you for training to the best you can, but... you need rest."
Tigress looked to Po, who nodded. Sighing, she bowed, "I understand, Master Shifu."
"And trust Po. It's hard... ridiculously hard."
"Hey," Po pouted.
"But he follows his heart and that has gotten us this far," Shifu smiled at his pupil. Tigress took a deep breath and nodded. Shifu walked out of her room, leaving the panda with her. Po smiled and motioned her to follow him.
"Where are we going?"
"For a walk," Po said. "You could use the fresh air." The tiger allowed herself to smile. Just a hint.
They started down the steps, but the panda heard an uneven noise behind him. He looked back at Tigress. Po immediately noticed her grimacing face and staggered stepping. She gasped a bit with every fourth step. "Wow, Tigress, sounds like you're getting panda asthma like me."
Tigress glared at him and quickly corrected her gait. "Don't be silly, Po." The panda continued staring at her as they finally made it down the mountain and over to Mr. Ping's shop. "I hope your dad doesn't mistake me for Momoda."
"What makes you say that?"
"You said that she was here and Mr. Ping thought she was your girlfriend."
"Ah! Yeah, this is gonna be weird," Po muttered. The goose saw the two warriors coming in and smiled.
"Ah! Master Tigress, it's been a while since I've seen you."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Ping," Tigress bowed. The goose quickly got the tiger's usual out and ready for her. "Mr. Ping? Is it okay if I have more food? Just... more of my usual."
"That costs extra."
"Dad."
"Alright, alright. Half extra."
"Ugh, that's probably as much as you're gonna get from him," Po sighed. Tigress smiled and placed her money out.
"So, Po," Mr. Ping started, "Where's that lovely tiger lady you were talking to?"
"Dad," Po groaned, "We're not talking. She's... it's complicated."
"It always is," Mr. Ping hummed. Po plopped his head on the counter in defeat. The subtle smile on Tigress's face only nailed his embarrassment harder to his grave. "If you weren't talking to her, then who is she?"
"I... have no idea."
"Do you like her?"
"I... it's complicated," Po sighed.
"Why?" Tigress asked.
Po rose his eyebrow. "Why do you want to know?"
"It might cloud your judgment."
"On whether she's a good person or not? Cause it's not."
"Po."
"I don't know. It's just... I never thought I'd interact with someone like her. So honest and free and... interested in me."
"So you do like her?" Tigress said emotionlessly.
"I... I don't know yet. It's like... she's someone I wish someone else was."
"Ooh I know that feeling," Mr. Ping smiled.
"You do?" Tigress and Po said in unison.
"Of course! She has all the stuff that you love but not the body or person that you want them in. It's like dumplings. Dumplings have all the flavor and texture I wish my noodles have, but I still want my noodles and not dumplings."
"Exactly," Po replied. Tigress looked a little confused but nodded. "So yeah, I don't really, you know, love her, but she's really everything I wish someone I do love was. Bold, fun-loving, and... interested in me."
"You... love someone else?" Tigress asked quietly.
Po's eyes shot open. "Uhhh, you know what? I think we should get back to the Jade Palace. You look like you need some sleep."
"I don't, but-"
"Sleep!"
Tigress rolled her eyes as she finished her food. "Fine."
"Good, good," Po stumbled and stuttered. The tiger smirked as they waved Mr. Ping goodnight and walked back up the Jade Palace steps. Tigress's leg seemed to give her more and more problems as they ascended. "Tigress, please make sure you let Mantis look at your leg."
"I'm-"
"Tigress," Po said sternly. Tigress stared him down, but the panda didn't budge.
"Hmph," She grumbled. "I don't like it when you take things seriously sometimes."
"Why?"
"It makes me look like I'm the immature one," Tigress muttered.
"So you're prideful?"
"I'm not."
"Hmm," Po hummed with a smile on his face. They made their way to the barracks. "Well, I'm gonna make sure the food is good. Why don't you go to sleep?"
Tigress narrowed her eyes. "Po, if anything LARGE is missing from the pantry-"
"I won't overeat this time, okay?"
Tigress stared at him for a while and retired to her room. Po watched her go in and shut the door. Carefully stepping over the squeaky floorboards, Po ran out of the barracks and over to the Jade Palace. He climbed up the stairs and carefully walked into the Hall of Heroes. The hall had several corridors on the left and right sides, and Po chose the right ones. "Hmm, he said it was... HERE!" Taking a torch with him, Po went down a series of stone stairs deep into the heart of the mountain until a dark semicircular tunnel stretched out before him. He took a careful step forward and an arrow flew through the air and into the wall. "Alright, there's got to be some way to get through this. Hmm, if I were Shifu, where would I put the de-kill someone button." He pressed his hand against the wall. One of the stones gave way and slid inward. "What the..." A loud clang echoed through the tunnel and the door on the other end opened up. "HAHA! There we go." Po carefully stepped forward.
No arrows.
Po sighed in relief, "HA! Shows Shifu I can figure out how to get around his little 'keep out Po' toys." He carefully trekked through the tunnel and through the unlocked door where a chamber holding a small box on a pedestal stood.
Po opened it.
Two bright red stones sat in the box. "The Shift Stones," Po murmured. He picked up both of them. "They're still here."
Now the panda was more confused than ever. "What's this?" Underneath the stones was a note addressed to Po. "Po, if you're reading this, put the stones down and don't touch them, signed Master Shifu. Oh come on!" The panda sighed, looking at the stones. He placed them back and closed the box. He walked back through the hall and reset the traps. Climbing out of the rocky spiraling stairs, Po stepped out into the Hall of Heroes and dusted his hands. There was a lot of dust that came off his fingers. "This doesn't make sense. Why is this not making sense?" He muttered to himself. The panda couldn't answer the question. Not right now. He silently went back to the barracks and went to his bed for the night.
Continued...
A/N: Okay, sorry this chapter took so long. Several reasons. One, fixing perspective. The rule 'show don't tell' isn't always a useful tool. Especially with reader interpretation. Which leads to reason two, readers' view versus writers' view. Yes, I know that should be obvious, but with 'show don't tell' overused, there's a tendency for interpretation where the writer doesn't want it. In this case, differing opinions of Po and Shifu's relationship. I'm not upset, this is more of a learning curve for me but that's why the chapter took a little longer than normal.
I appreciate your comments about this story because it is interesting. The relationship between Po and Shifu has always been... open and honest to me after Kung Fu panda 1, just because of how comfortable they are (You can see a part of that with Legends of Awesomeness). To me it would makes sense because Po isn't blinded by Shifu's title. He highly respects him, but he will call him out when he needs to. You can see parts of that with Kung fu Panda 3 and with Secrets of the Furious Five.
Again, I'm not upset or blaming anyone, I'm just becoming more aware of how I write versus how I think I write. So thank you for the input.