Master Shifu stood on his staff as he peacefully meditated in the Dragon's Grotto. He was still practicing on Mastering Chi under the guidance of The Dragon Warrior but he still likes having his meditation hours and performing Inner Peace.
"Ow!" Shifu sighed as he heard Po's groan in the distance. So much for a peaceful morning. Po finally came into view but instead of being pumped like he usually would be, Shifu noticed that he just went to the rock in the middle of the small pond and sat in a lotus position. That was odd.
They stayed in silence for a couple of minutes. Although the peacefulness was really nice, Shifu found it very strange that Po didn't say a word. Not even his stomach was growling for food.
"Alright, what's wrong?"
"Dang it." Po cursed under his breath. He was really hoping he would be able to meditate with Shifu and avoid talking about what he was feeling. Shifu waited patiently for Po's answer. Po sighed knowing that there was no point in lying to Shifu.
"Have you ever had a feeling about someone that you can't even talk to them about?" Shifu raised a brow at the question. "Because that's exactly what I'm feeling right now." Po sighed
"Is this about Tigress?" Shifu raised a brow. Po looked at him shocked.
"H-how did you-"
"Believe me Po, I know more you think I know Po." Shifu smiled.
"Then can you tell me what this weird feeling is? And how do I get rid of it."
"No." Shifu still had his eyes closed. "Unfortunately it's a feeling that doesn't go away for a while." Po frowned as he looked at his reflection in the water. "Po, you know what that feeling is."
Po sighed. Admittedly he did. He refused to believe it though. If he accepts it, he just might get killed. Tigress was his best friend. He shouldn't feel this way towards his best friend. "I mean...are we really sure it's that?"
Shifu finally opened his eyes and looked at the Dragon Warrior. He was twiddling his thumbs nervously as he still sat in his meditation pose.
"The feeling could be anything really!" Po chuckled nervously. "I could be allergic or something." Po looked up at Shifu with a nervous smile. Shifu looked unimpressed.
"Perhaps this is something you should discuss with Oogway then." Shifu suggested. Knowing full well that wasn't something Po wanted to do.
Taking this up with Oogway would only make it more confusing and difficult than it really should be. He was already making it difficult on himself. Was he really feeling what he thought he was feeling? Was it really possible?
"No no." Po chuckled nervously once again. "I'll let him rest." Shifu smiled at the panda.
"It's not wrong to feel this way, panda."
"It's not?"
"No. Many masters have married comrades. Even raised a family together." Po blushed at the thought of marriage.
"I thought there were rules though." Po finally stood. Tired from the position he sat at.
"There are." Shifu hopped off his staff. "But there are also rules that overrule those rules." Po now looked confused. He was sure he had read all the scrolls in the palace. Nothing ever was mentioned about romantic affiliations between warriors.
"There are many masters who are the only children of their parents. If they were to die in a battle, their bloodlines ends. Unless they were to get married and raise a family." Shifu looked up at Po. "You are an only child. Tigress is an only child as well. If you both die in battle, your bloodline will end."
"You're saying all this as if you know how she feels." Po was unamused by the master's words. "Still though, I'm her teacher now. If she does feel this weird thing too, it would be weird dating your master."
Shifu smiled. "Po, do yourself a favor and go read Scroll 873. It will do you good." Shifu patted Po's arm before he walked away, leaving the Grotto. Po stood there for a while confused. Shifu was no help apparently, but that Scroll might be.
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"Hiyah!" The sounds of fighting could be heard within the training hall as the Great Master Tigress fought inanimate objects. Her master might have given them the day off but there was no way she wasn't going to get a few hours of training today. She was perfecting a new move Po had taught them and admittedly it was tougher than it looked.
"You can do it Tigress!" Po's encouraging words would echo in her mind. Lately the panda always found his way into her head. Even when he wasn't around she could hear his voice and see his beautiful smile and Jade green eyes. Tigress smiled as destroyed another gaunet warrior.
Tigress had come into terms about how she felt towards the Dragon Warrior for some time now. She thought it would have faded away by now but it really hadn't. She liked the feeling anyway so she wasn't complaining.
"Hey Tigress!" Viper slithered in. Tigress's smile lingered as she heard her friend entering.
"Hello Viper!" Tigress hit another Warrior.
"Still working on that move I see." Viper got closer but kept a safe distance from the tiger warrior to avoid being hit herself.
"It's tougher than Po makes it seem." Tigress admitted.
"Or you're just trying to impress him." Viper smiled teasingly. Tigress gave the warrior a powerful punch that caused it to break off its stand and fly into the wall. Viper was the only one who knew how Tigress really felt. It was difficult to keep it a secret and she had to tell someone. So she told the only other woman in the palace she trusted.
"I'm not trying to impress anyone." Tigress looked at Viper. "If I was, I would be doing it when he's around." Viper smiled.
"Speaking of Po, he was acting strange this morning don't you think?" Viper headed to the fire pit.
"Yeah. He didn't try to make conversation when I came into the kitchen this morning. He's usually so talkative." Tigress walked up to another warrior, staring at it in thought.
"Maybe something is bothering him. You should talk to him." Viper suggested. "The key to building a great relationship is to talk about what's bothering you, with your partner." Tigress looked at Viper once again. Even if they weren't in a relationship, the quote still stood. Po is her best friend and that relationship, she was not willing to let go off anytime soon.
Tigress will find him when she finishes off this guanet warrior.
