Author's Notes: Hey guys! Brand new chapter out, and one that is a nice little break from all the doom and gloom that is taking place in the story. Plus a bit more sombre stuff... What can I say, I can't resist. In other news... I GOT A JOB! WOOOOO! Extremely happy about that, but this has *Side effects* as it were. I might have less time to update the story, but we'll see. Now, let's get on with it.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP

Enjoy.

Finding Happiness

Many hours pass since Po's heart to heart with his fathers, those very worries that had burrowed into his mind now a mere afterthought as he practices tai chi by the peach tree of heavenly wisdom, the love of his life right by his side. They make slow and measured movements, flowing with the gentle breeze caressing their fur, taking in the warm glow of the setting sun as it paints the skies with a beautiful assortment of gold, pink and purple. Tranquil smiles cover both of their faces as they move in sync, their souls moving as one.

That is, until the panda risks a glance at Tigress, opening a single eye to maintain the impression that he is still focused. He continues following her movements but unintentionally syncopates himself as his eyes remain on her figure. Once again, the stripes in her coat mesmerise him in their hypnotic pattern whilst the sun's golden glow ignites her orange fur, lifting her fiery soul up to the surface. Yet the small smile on her face simmers this flame down significantly. So gentle, so delicate. Fitting so perfectly with the shining splendour of her sunlit qipao. This unorthodox blend of gentleness and ferocity follows the tiger master in her movements, controlled yet soft. For most it would seem a contradiction. For Po however, it is simply, her.

He keeps up his movements as he continues to admire his lover, his smile only growing wider with each passing second. How did he get so lucky? Seriously. How had he managed to not only meet such a beautiful, strong, and kind woman but had also won her heart as well? Him. Po, the big fat panda.

No. The dragon warrior. Oogway's successo-

Po shakes those thoughts away before they can come, knowing that they will ultimately ruin their moment of peace that they so rarely ever get. Jade irises take yet another glance at the tiger master, who remains wholly concentrated in her tai chi, before hatching a little plan in his mind, a cheeky smile soon crawling onto his face.

Tigress' ears twitch at the sound of the rustling grass, her smile remaining on her face as she realises just what has happened. "You know I can hear you." This knowing smile only grows as the panda master's footsteps get closer.

"Yeah." A simple answer yet it isn't. She notices the layer of mischief present in his voice but doesn't bother trying to move, instead she eagerly awaits her lover's next move. A brief moment of silence follows his equally brief response. Tigress' eyebrow raises as she doesn't hear a single move from her panda until she feels him press up against her back, his arms wrapped around her belly. "But that ain't gonna stop me from doing this." A content hum rumbles through her throat as she continues her tai chi movements whilst in Po's warm embrace. After a few movements however, she stops at the feeling of her panda's cheek rubbing against her back, a surge of warmth shooting up her spine. "Wanna cuddle?"

She resists the urge to chuckle at her partner's endearing request, opting to continue her movements in spite of his affectionate display, "In a minute."

Her soothing voice bathes the panda's ears, who's cheeky grin only grows at the response. No, not a response. A challenge. "Aw, c'mon." He rubs his forehead against her back, eliciting a loving hum from his tiger. Regardless, she continues her movements as if no-one is interrupting her at all. That is, until Po lays a slow, soft peck on her clothed back, stopping her in her tracks once more. "We can finish that stuff later."

A yearning tingle courses across Tigress' body as she feels kiss after kiss, complimented by the pleasurable shiver that his whisper has brought to her spine. "I'd prefer, mm, to do it now, Po." She bites her bottom lip as her lover's pecks keep on coming, her arms and legs practically turning to putty from his lips.

"You sure you don't want some rest?" Po teases her once more by softly caressing her sides, gaining her pleased chuffs almost immediately. The cheekiness in his smile fades as Tigress presses her back against him, his expression now filled with a wholehearted tenderness. As awesome as she is, seeing the tiger loosen up always lightens his heart. To see just how compassionate she really is. To know that he is worthy of seeing it. So awesome.

In spite of her panda's attempts to seduce her, Tigress still tries to continue her movements albeit in a sloppy, unfocused way. His warm arms, his sweet kisses, his admittedly adorable smile; Damnit he's right, she needs it, and she needs it now. Before she can act on that thought however, she feels Po's lips move up to her neck yet there is no kiss. Only the soft tingle of his breath caressing her neck fur. "Don't you want to snuggle up with me and…" His whisper hangs in the air as his lips get ever so closer to her neck. A brief pause… No kiss. Soft breaths pour onto her neck again, tempting her. Teasing for something more. "Chill?" Tigress doesn't even notice her paws snake their way onto Po's as his voice sends an inviting tremor across her body once again. Unconsciously, her head leans closer, desperately wanting that kiss. To her surprise however, the dragon warrior pulls his head back.

She purses her lips as he lets out a mischievous yet wholehearted chuckle, both of them knowing full well how crazy they make the other feel. A yearning smile finds its way onto Tigress' face. He can't just tease her like that and then pull away. No. She's getting that kiss right now. Within a split-second, Tigress turns to Po and crashes her lips onto his, snaking her right paw to the back of his head in the process. Caught off-guard, her panda leans back just a tad too far, resulting in them both falling to the ground.

Thud.

They continue their kiss in spite of their fall, a surge of crackling warmth filling their hearts as they indulge in each other. Tigress runs her fingers through her love's head fur as she locks lips with him, her intense passion making his head spin in pleasure. After a few more moments of making out, she separates her lips from his and starts kissing his chest before he can even recover from her fiery affection. Soon enough, Po is able to think straight and places his paw atop her head, gently rubbing her head as she snuggles into his chest fur.

Just as he does so however, she tilts her head up and gazes at him with half-lidded eyes, a seductive grin clear on her face. She leans her face towards his, with Po preparing for another heated kiss, only to shift her head to the side. He chuckles as his lover starts laying down a flurry of kisses on his left cheek, even giving a tentative lick every now and then. Thinking she is just about done; Po tries to kiss her on the lips only for her to go to his other cheek and continue her loving treatment. As she does so, she cradles his head in her paws and soon after, nibbles on his stubby ears. "Woah…" Po shudders in pleasure, his tongue lolling out at his tiger's fiery love.

Amber irises gaze at the dragon warrior, the tiger chuckling at his dazed expression before straddling her love's waist. She leans her head towards his, retaining her seductive smile as the two stare at each other with wanting eyes. Stopping just a breath apart from his lips, she whispers, "Now then, how about we…" A brief pause. A single moment of her hot breath inviting Po's awaiting lips. Tempting him. Teasing him. Unable to take it any longer, he goes for a kiss, only for her to pull away with her seductive smile now wider. "Chill?"

A cute pout covers Po's face as whines, "Hey." This results in a quiet chuckle from Tigress, who delicately strokes his cheek with her right paw before leaning in and giving him a gentle, adoring kiss. Po kisses back, holding his tiger close as they both cuddle together. They ignore the sun's radiant glow, the gentle breeze carrying over several peach blossoms from the heavenly tree, their doubts and fears that had wanted to pierce into their minds; Nothing matters to them in this moment. Nothing but each other.

Whilst the sun continues to set on the two lovers, steely blue eyes watch them from far above Wu Dang mountains. Eyes that hold as much happiness as there is regret in his heart. Grandmaster Shifu had been holed up within the Wu Dang mountains for almost the entire day, informing Zeng to make sure that absolutely no-one would disturb him. As for why, he had made sure to keep a secret. By the time the sun had begun to set, he had found himself gazing at the purplish gold horizon and by extension his daughter cuddled up with dragon warrior.

If it were a few years ago, then his fury would've known no bounds. But now, he can't thank the dragon warrior enough. To see her smiling so much, enjoying life without needing to resort to kung fu. Though it brings a miniscule grin up to his face, his eyes tell a different story.

"Happiness can be infectious, can't it?"

Shifu's grin widens slightly as an ancient voice rings into his ear. A voice that bears the weight of over a thousand years. A voice that has always guided him through his darkest hours. A voice that belongs to none other than his own master. Master Oogway. He turns around only to see no-one there. Confusion evident in his countenance, he looks around the mountain's peak until he spots the very turtle himself sat in lotus position on top of… a cloud?

After blinking a few times, the red panda is able to confirm his late master is indeed sat upon a cloud like it is his own carpet. His golden yin-yang sash hangs over his body which glows with an ethereal gold aura. Not that different from chi, yet something about its look or presence seems… indescribable. In his lap is none other than his simple jade staff, far more pristine looking than the archaic turtle's shell. One thing that truly never changes about the old turtle, is his gentle smile, brimming with wisdom and compassion that few can ever challenge.

Bowing in respect to the founder of kung fu, the grandmaster responds, "Indeed it is, master." Blue eyes shift back towards the peach tree down below, not even noticing how his smile dampers slightly.

Oogway raises his eyebrows at his student's wilting expression, "And yet, you are not?"

Shifu's eyes widen at this, almost certain that his master has caught onto what is going on in his mind. "What? My daughter has found love, master. How could I not be happy for her?"

"Ah, but I never said that." A confused expression lines Shifu's face until he realises just what the turtle means. Of course, he would know. It'd be impressive if he didn't know something for once.

Breathing yet another tired sigh, the red panda looks directly at his master, knowing that if he looks back to his daughter, his thoughts will only become more clouded. "This is no longer about me. This is Tigress' life."

"And yet, you feel left out."

"As I've said, that doesn't matter. She's grown up. She doesn't need a father anymore." With that he turns to head back towards the dragon grotto.

Until Oogway says something that stops him right where he stands, "You're right. She needed one years ago." A shameful grimace contorts the weathered grandmaster's features. Though part of him wants to protest, another reminds him of how right he is. That for all the years Tigress needed love and care from the man who raised her, all he had given her in return was either a calculated lecture or a cold stare. Silence bathes the Wu-Dang mountains for a few seconds before the wise turtle finally speaks again, "You weren't supposed to agree with that."

Shifu darts his head over to his master, immediately noticing the melancholy expression littered on his face. However, he doesn't have time to truly acknowledge it as his words echo in his mind, boiling his blood until its steam clouds his eyes. "And why is that?" He growls out, hobbling his way back towards his master with anger burrowing its way into his heart. No, not anger. Hate. "Because it has all managed to miraculously work out in the end? Because Po was able to correct everything? Master, that is no excuse!" Aged jade orbs deepen in their despondence as Shifu continues on, "I can't be excused for my failure!"

A defeated sigh escapes the archaic turtle's nostrils as he shakes his head, "Yes, you have made mistakes as a father. But that can't be helped, Shifu. Mistakes have to be made to improve-

"At Tigress' expense!"

Oogway furrows his eyebrows at his student's angered rebuttal, beyond saddened that this is still affecting him. "No, not at her expense. My friend, please. Even after all of this, even as Tigress' life develops. You still have a chance to be her father."

In spite of his late master's encouragement, Shifu's guilt still plagues his heart. He shakes his head at him before walking away, his ears flat against his head. "We both know that it is far too late for that to matter."

"Pushing yourself away will not only punish you, but her as well, Shifu." His ears can just barely make out the wise turtle's sombre warning, but the message is loud and clear in his mind. Guilt anchors his heart, pulling it down further into the depths of despair. To think that all of his attempts to make things right had only harmed her even more. His own daughter.

Aww. So cute between Po and Tigress... and then depressing with Shifu. About him, by the way, I realised I've never properly tied that arch together in fragile hearts but instead only had a kind of mini-resolution. Now is my chance to actually do something with it! And do "something" I shall. Anyways, breadcrumb trail time is still happening, the proper action will begin fairly soon. Until then, I'll make sure to take my time because I don't want to rush any of this. Hope you guys enjoyed, and until next time :)