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Down in the Valley, Tigress was just entering the restaurant, where one of the employees were waiting for her. He greeted her with a silent, voiceless bow, and guided her to a screen off area, from the rest of the customers. There was one or two tables in the same area, already full of snobby, wealthy groups and parties. And there he was; fixing the flower that sat between two candles, the red tablecloth, the music, light chatter... and him. He smiled upon seeing her, and stood up once she was getting closer. "Master Tigress." He said with a charming smile.

She nodded and smiled back. "Sorry for the delay. Slight hold back..."

"No need of a pardon, you were only delayed by a minute or so." They both took their seats, and the waiter brought them some Sake. Tigress noticed that there was another one when she sat down, but couldn't see the level of the contents inside. "How are you? Looking beautiful as always." He turned to the waiter, and asked him to leave the bottle there. The waiter did what he was told, said he'll be back with the menus soon, and then walked away.

"I'm doing fine..." She had more to say, but he reached down beside him, and a few moments late, Tigress had a small, bulky object wrapped in silk in front of her. She raised a slow eyebrow as she opened it, to find... another tunic. Red and lacy, with gold and silver trimmings... looking very small, and not referring to size. "Zai..."

"You like it?" He asked, starting to drink his cup of Sake. It was gone in two gulps, so he poured another. He gave her a flirtatious wink. "I can imagine it."

Tigress sighed. "How do you think everything is going?"

Zai was just about to drink his second cup, but then he frowned. "Going?"

"Us."

"Where we're going?"

Tigress' tail flicked in annoyance. He couldn't have possibly gotten drunk already? She eyed the empty bottle of Sake... it was unlikely the waiters just left empty contents on the table that the last customers left behind. "Yes..." She was reaching out towards her own cup. "You agreed that tonight we'd discuss where we're going; whether or not we should continue... not baring gifts. Can you be more serious please?"

Zai nodded slowly. "Mmmhmmm." He sang. "I can be serious... very serious..." Her paws formed into fists slowly, resting on the table, inches away from the cup. "You not going to drink?"

"I might... but I need you to please answer me?"

"On what? Where are we going?"

She nodded. "Yes. You agreed that tonight was where we'd discuss where we're going, and whether or not we should continue... not baring gifts..."

"Well," he says, sounding tipsy. He began counting his fingers in a slur. "Where we go after this... is a good question too... and what to do after we leave and find that place... is next." He smiles drunkenly, as he reached out for her paw. Before she could pull it away, his fingers coiled around her wrist without consent. "There are many places... but I can see a nice plan." She watched him like a hawk when he started humming. This isn't right, she thought, just ease out of this... and you can talk to him tomorrow. "We go up... up... up... and get cosy..." Her ears flattened. "Hot... AND STEAMY... and cosy..."

That was when she reefed her paw back, holding it at the same level of her head, her elbow stuck out towards Zai, but her eyes were sharper than her actions, and his reaction. He stared down at the table, still in the position he was in when he had the hold on her wrist. His head slowly raised, his whole form wobbling slightly, like he was struggling to hold it up. "I think we're done here..." She said softly, pushing Zai's 'present' towards him. "Thank you... for giving me the answer." She stood up, and started walking out. Music was just finishing up, and she heard Zai getting up, but it sounded like he was having trouble. Good. She thought. I know where we stand, and that's where we'll remain...

"Good evening everyone! Don't leave your seats, as we have a special performance coming!" Tigress instantly froze, and turned towards the stage, inches away from the exit. A few feet away, a voice had long flowed through the air. Someone stood there instead and she stared.

"... Po?"

Yes it was him; up on the stage, accompanied by no one else but a guitar. She noticed the others sitting off side, looking around the spaces. It wasn't hard for her to be seen; everyone who lived in the Valley of Peace were small animals. The only ones that were singled out because of their height, was Po, Crane, and herself. Tigress' head moved back towards the the stage when Viper looked in her direction. The feline slowly camouflaged into the shadows just by the entrance of the restaurant, and she saw Viper whispering something to the others. It was about her... she was sure of it.

"Hey everyone," Po greeted, gaining cheers and claps. "It's a pleasure to preform for you guys tonight, I hope you enjoy your evening... from what I heard from various reviews, this place cooks awesome food, especially the wao ding dumplings-" A few chuckles bounced from points of the eaters, including Tigress. "This song is dedicated to someone special... if this person is here, I hope you listen to what I'm saying, and take it on board..." He cleared his throat, and before anyone could blink, his fingers began to dance along to string, to let the melody out and weave through the air freely.

I won't lie to you...
I know he's just not right for you...

Quietly she leaned against the wall, and listening. Zai stumbled into the scene, looking around with narrow eyes.

And you can tell me if I'm off,
But I see it on your face.
When you say that he's the one that you want...

Tigress frowned a little, thinking about Zai's real intentions. How could she have been blind?

And you're spending all your time
In this wrong situation
And anytime you want it to stop...

Po paused, taking in a sharp breath, and looking around. Probably this person the song was dedicated to...

I know I can treat you better
Than he can
And a woman like you deserves a, gentleman...

Tigress stepped out slightly, and both Po and Zai immediately locked their attention on her...

Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted crime
When you should be with me instead?

Zai quickly glanced at Po, and then at Tigress. He made no attempt to be gentle as he moved through the crowd. He stumbled and pushed his way. People complained to him, however, they had the decency to be quiet about it...

I know I can treat you better...
Better than he can!

Po began to sway in time with the music, and everyone else wasn't far behind him. Tigress even found herself closing her eyes and doing the same, not feeling pressured. She could listen to him sing for a long time...

I'll stop time for you
The second you say you'd like me too
I just wanna give you the loving that you're missing...

She gasped when she felt a grip on her forearm. She eyes opened to find Zai holding onto her. He didn't seem to be as drunk, as his eyes were focused on one target.

Zai:
Baby, just to wake up with you
Would be everything I need and this could be so different
Tell me what you want to do...

Tigress ignores him, and looked at Po. Zai followed her gaze a few seconds later, curling his paws into fists. His eyes were on another target, his fury slowly rising at each note the panda set free from his mouth.

Po:
Cause I know I can treat you better
Than he can

Zai:
And any girl like you deserves a...

Po:
-gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
And all on your wasted crime
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can

Everyone started clapping along, while there was a few whistles from different aspects of the area. Po smiled as he continued to play. He looked at the others, who were cheering him on. Viper nodded at him encouragingly, and he stood up. He swayed in time with the music, and so did everyone else.

Better than he can-

Zai turns her face him, and that's the only warning the others had when they knew they had to intervene. As they made their way, his paw twisted around Tigress' wrist tightly, but to her she felt his contact.

Zai:
Give,me a sign...
Take my hand, we'll be fine
Promise I won't let you down...

Tigress tore away from him, and started warning him to back off, but Zai kept following her. She shot him warnings through looks and threatening whispers, and even raising a fist, but then they both noticed the others, standing behind Tigress, glaring at Zai, fueled with hatred. With a quick tug, Tigress was out of Zai's view, being guided by Viper towards the stage, as the boys tackled Zai as casually as they could make it, and pull him out of the restaurant... especially when he went to hit a waitress when she refused him more drink.

Po:
Just know... that you don't...
Have to do this alone
Promise I'll never let you down...

Po got down off stage, and walked up to Tigress. Viper slithered away, and joined the crowd when they all followed the panda as he closed in on Tigress, who waited in the sudden spot light placed on her. He's paws were shaking, and his forehead was slightly sweaty, but it miraculously didn't affect the performance of the guitar.

Cause I know I can treat you better
Than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman...

Po stopped playing the guitar, going acapella, as he reached out for her paw. She let him have her paw, and his held it close to his heart.

Tell me why are we wasting time...
And all on your wasted crime...
When you should be with me instead?
I know I can treat you better...

She smiled softly, and they both stared into one another's eyes. The faces that surrounded them, soon blurred away. The voices were a fuzz with the clapping, once their lips gently collided with one another, and continued through their small whisper after breaking apart;

"Better than he can..."

Hope you liked it guys! That's the end of my short story! Please show me some love and review!

I hate apologizing again and again about my long waits for new updates, but with school getting on my back I've actually found it quite hard to get writing, and when I can write, I feel my words spill out in a way that it's almost vivid to some (give or take XP) But it's my final year in school and with my exams I'm trying my best to do well (I have been cursed to over stress on little things too) but I really hope you guys enjoyed the story :)

Stay safe :D

Ciao!