Insecurities

Be Careful of Who You Don't Trust

The jackrabbit and the panda stood side by side at the gate of the Hall of Heroes. Po looked to his left and saw Zheng tapping his foot at a rapid pace and clenching and unclenching his hands. It was time to meet Master Shifu. "Hey, it's alright."

"Says you, you live here," Zheng-Hau whispered.

"I'll be by you all the way, buddy," Po said, giving the jackrabbit a thumbs up. Zheng-Hau smiled and steadily breathed.

"There is nothing to fear except yourself," Zheng-Hau said to himself.

"What was that?" asked Po.

"It's something I came up with recently. The only thing I have to fear is what I think of myself already. What others say is not important unless it's true and I can fix it," Zheng-Hau replied. Po quietly thought about the statement as the doors opened. Zheng and Po saw Shifu standing erectly right behind the gates. Shifu's eyes widened at the sight of Zheng-Hau.

"Zheng-Hau, you're here," Shifu said. Zheng bowed to the floor.

"I am sorry for abandoning my position here at the Jade Palace. I'm sorry for inciting war crimes against China, the Jade Palace, and you, Master Shifu. I know you and Oogway did everything in your power to help me, but I chose the route that I did by myself. I humbly ask that I come back to the Jade Palace as a lowly servant," Zheng-Hau struggled to say in a trembling voice. Shifu's eyes widened again, looking at Po and then back at Zheng-Hau. Shifu placed his hand over his own heart and smiled as he planted his hand on Zheng's shoulder, motioning him to stand up.

"There is no need for formalities among people who are a part of our community. Welcome home," Shifu smiled. Zheng-Hau's eyes must have widened out of their sockets. He suddenly hugged Master Shifu, surprising the red panda as Shifu slowly hugged back. "I'm sorry for not helping you earlier."

"You couldn't have," Zheng-Hau sniffled, releasing Shifu. "I wasn't listening and you were hurting too much with your problems. The journey I took was hard, but I learned a lot from it."

"Po?" Shifu guessed with a knowing smile.

"Po," Zheng-Hau replied.

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?" Po huffed. The jackrabbit and the red panda smiled.

"You are welcome back here, not as a servant, but as a capable warrior," Shifu smiled. Zheng-Hau's mouth parted gaped open. "You've proven that you can defend yourself against the Furious Five. I heard reports about your skills from the others... mostly Po."

"I'm right here," Po muttered.

"You are welcomed to stay here as a warrior if you're willing to keep Po on his toes," Shifu smirked. Zheng-Hau smiled.

"I think I can do that."

"Again, I'm right here," Po mentioned. Zheng and Shifu smiled widely at each other.

Tigress sat down in the kitchen, still rubbing her bandaged arm. Her leg was fine. Zheng-Hau's arrow struck it in a spot that just made it uncomfortable to stand on, but not impossible to walk on. She had already struggled through Zheng-Hau's hour-long apology session. She smiled a bit at the memory. He reminded her of Po. She sniffed the air. "Speaking of which," Tigress smirked as the panda came through the kitchen entryway.

"Hey," He nervously grinned. "How's the... arm?"

"It's fine. I'll be back in a few days," Tigress smiled as Po got a bowl of dumplings and sat down next to her. They were silent for a while. Statistically, Po couldn't stay in complete silence for more than 10 seconds. When 20 seconds past, Tigress decided to speak.