Love of the Dragon Warrior

Sunrise Serenity

Po slept for a solid half hour before he found himself being woken up with gentle shoulder shaking. 

"The bed is an irresistible enemy, isn't it?" Master Leopard joked. 

Po stifled a yawn and quickly got up. "Sorry," he apologized. "I was just thinking and I guess I dozed off for a second there." 

Master Leopard smiled at him. "Well, I have breakfast ready by the Peach Tree if you're ready," she said. 

She and Po proceeded to leave the barracks and headed across the grounds and to the Peach Tree on the other side. The Five and Shifu had more than likely begun training, so they would not be coming anywhere near the peach tree. And the girls were not as familiar with the layout of the Jade Palace grounds, so the pair would have no risk of being disturbed while having their breakfast. Upon arriving at the breakfast picnic, Master Leopard unveiled the gourmet meal she had prepared, including steamed buns, tea, rice cakes, and a small bowl of almonds. Po nearly drooled at the spectacle, but controlled himself long enough to sit down and let Master Leopard take the first serving. (Though she offered for him to go first). Once they both got their servings, Master Leopard sat back against the peach tree and sighed happily. 

"I've always loved the view from up here," she reminisced. "I used to come up here every morning and watch the sunrise." 

"Yeah?" Po asked, sitting next to her. "How long did you train here?" 

"Ten years. I got some kung fu training back home, but it was discontinued, so I decided to come here." 

"Who did you train with?" Po asked curiously as he started to stuff some buns into his mouth. 

"There was an old trainer whose family trains young children up until their fifteen," Master Leopard explained. "I trained with Master Yui. But I wasn't considered as strong as the other kids, so I was dismissed."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that."

"That's alright. Training here was better anyway. Master Yui's temple was more of a competition."

The two stared back out at the sunrise and ate some more of their breakfast. Master Leopard drank her tea and poured herself another cup before turning her attention to the rice cakes.

"What were the old Furious Five like?" Po questioned.

Leopard smirked and thought for a a moment before answering. "Well," she said. "Rooster was a snob, pure and simple. He considered himself high and mighty just because he trained at a high class temple in the middle of the Eye of Xiao." 

"Wait, there's a kung fu temple in the middle of the world's most dangerous part of the ocean?!" 

"Yep. Few come and go because of the high risk. The masters there don't let students out alone until they have full mastery of sailing in troubled waters." 

Well I guess that's a good thing!" 

"I agree. And then you had Elephant who was pretty ambitious...sometimes to his disadvantage I have to say. Wasn't always the most open guy, but he had some rough history, so that's understandable. He's a real sweetie when you get past the exterior." 

Po immediately thought about Tigress and all the long talks they used to have before he left, but then quickly directed his attention back to Leopard who was talking about how much fun Fenghuang used to be before she turned all dark and evil. 

"She once dug out my floor and put water in the hole," she remarked with a little laugh. "I woke up and immediately fell in. It was pretty funny, thinking back on it, but I wasn't laughing at the time. Shifu definitely was though. The two were pretty close."