Kung Fu Panda Story (ORIGINAL)

Confessions

(One week later)

"Another day of training, done!" The Dragon Warrior fist-pumped.

"For you that's a good thing." Crane complained as the warriors headed to the kitchen.

"At least he's getting better... slowly." Viper said.

"OK, fine. Maybe today wasn't the best day, but I'm gonna make the greatest noodle soup there is!" Po tried to cheer his friend's spirits up. It worked.

While the group was eating, it was silent.

Viper was actually thinking about what Po told her the night before.

"Viper?" Po called out.

"Yeah, you can come in." The snake replied. The panda opened her door and stepped inside. "What is it?" Viper asked.

Po took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. "I'm gonna tell her."

Viper's eyes widened. "R-Really? That-that's great! When?"

"Tomorrow. I'll try to find time tomorrow." Po replied firmly.

"You can do it, Po." The snake said encouragingly.

"Hey, Viper." Crane waved a wing in front of the snake's face.

"Huh-what?" She snapped out of her daze.

"You were kinda zoned out for a minute." Crane explained.

"Oh, was I? Sorry. I was just thinking." Viper replied, going back to her soup.

After the warriors finished their meal and cleaned up, they headed back to their respective rooms. Though, before Po could hold Tigress back a little longer, she was gone.

Going into the barracks with everyone else, he called out her name. No answer. "She might be outside." Viper suggested.

"Oh, OK. Thanks." Po replied. He then headed to the peach tree, certain that the striped master would be there. Of course, he was correct.

Tigress was leaning against the trunk of the tree, sighing as she took in the view below.

"Hey. How're you doing?" Po asked, sitting down next to her.

Tigress' ears twitched, hearing his voice. "If I'm being completely honest, I've been better." She replied neutrally, refusing to face him.

"Yeah. I get where you're coming from." Po agreed. After a moment of silence, the panda piped up cautiously, "Sooo, uh... Wanna tell why you're here?"

"I've been thinking." Tigress said, eyes still turned to the town below.

"Ha, if I had a yuan for every time I heard that." Po chuckled.

"Was that necessary, Dragon Warrior?" Tigress finally turned to the panda. A hint of a smile on her face.

"Well, if this keeps going on, I'll be able to buy a whole house!" Po said, playing along.

Tigress smiled slightly before turning back to the valley. "Don't plan on it."

After a minute, Po sighed, leaning back into the trunk behind him. "These past few days have been quite something, huh?"

The tiger hummed a response. "And let's hopefully not remember them."

Suddenly, Po started to fidget with his paws, nervously. Sensing something a little off, Tigress asked, "Is there a reason you followed me here, Po?"

"A-actually, I've been... I've been wanting to tell you something... Actually..." Po admitted, looking down at his hands.

"If you've broken the Urn of Whispering Warriors again-..." Tigress warned.

"What? No! Of course not! Not... this time, at least." Po said, scratching the back of his neck. "I just wanted to ask... umm... Have you ever liked someone before? As in, you know, like like?"

Tigress began to stutter slightly. "I-I umm... I have... actually."

Po's eyes widened as he turned to face her. "Wait, what?! You have?! I didn't even expect you to answer!"

Tigress chuckled lightly. "I think you'll be surprised by who it is."

"Wait, 'is'? Did you just say 'is'?" Po repeated with wide eyes, although a grin made his way onto his face.

Tigress just rolled her eyes and ignored him. "Why do you ask?" She eyed him with slight suspicion.

"-Oh! It's umm... c-can you promise me something?" Po asked nervously.

Tigress turned to face him. Suspicion blazing in her eyes. "Why?"

The panda sighed. "Just... don't kill me for this."

The tiger started to say, "Po, what are you-"

Swiftly, but gently, Po leaned forward and pressed his lips onto Tigress' cheek, making her freeze.

She started stuttering, "Po u-uh... D-did you just..." She cleared her throat nervously and uncomfortably.

"U-umm, Tigress?" Po piped up cautiously. He hesitantly reached over and placed a hand on Tigress' shoulder. "Please don't kill me, but..."

He pulled back his hand and turned away. He chuckled with embarrassment. "Because I've-" He chuckled again. "-I've had a.. a crush on you for quite a while and-..."

Tigress' eyebrows raised. "What... What?"

Po turned back to her and smiled shyly, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah... Quite a few months..." He sucked in his lips and looked at the ground. After a few moments of silence, he called out gently, "Tigress?"

Silently, he moved in front of her. "Hey, you OK? I uh... I didn't scar you for life, did I?"

Then, Tigress smiled shyly at him, looking down at the grass. Her mind was working hard on what to do next. Was she supposed to say something? If so, what was she supposed to say? Getting tired of thinking, Tigress inwardly sighed.

Suddenly, she did something which shocked both Po and herself. "Po..." she slowly leaned forward, she and the panda locking eyes. Then, kissed Po lightly on the cheek. When she pulled away, Po blinked a few times, trying to process what just happened. Tigress avoided all eye contact and sucked in her lips. Both of their faces on fire.

When the tiger finally had the courage to look back at the panda, seeing a small smile on his face. Looking like he was waiting for an explanation, she silently took a deep breath, eyes scattering everywhere except for him. She swallowed. "I-Po... I umm... I-I find it challenging to... portray my emotions, but I...-"

Po then got the message and tilted her head up and leaned in, placing his lips and hers. Eyes that were wide with shock were closed. Tigress slowly, but surely, began to kiss back. The panda slowly wrapped his arms around her waist.

When he finally pulled away, he looked her in the eye. "Po, I... I like you too." Tigress whispered, quietly.

As the panda began to smile, so did she. They both chuckled as they closed their eyes and placed their foreheads together.

"Does... does this mean we're... official.. now? Like a couple?" Po asked, pulling away slightly.

"Well, I won't exactly put it like that, Dragon Warrior... but, yeah. I... I guess we are." Tigress replied, giving a small grin.

Po smiled again, gently nuzzling her nose and kissed her lightly once more, before the tiger shoved him off of her. So, he then moved to sit beside her. Silently, he placed an arm across Tigress' shoulders. "Hands off, Dragon Warrior." Tigress snapped softly, prompting Po to hastily pull back his arm.

They both turned to the sky, watching as more stars came into view. Reluctantly, Tigress began to lean against Po's shoulder, prompting him to kiss her gently on the head.