A/N: WOW. I had no idea it's been almost two months...wow, I suck...

Okay, guys, I've discovered a plot hole with my story (gassssppp!). I was going to have Tigress, Po, and Shifu's traveling only last 3 days, because, well, traveling stories can be rather boring. But when I watched Kung Fu Panda 2, I realized that it would actually have to take much, much longer! So, we're going to make Po, Tigress, and Shifu's traveling 3 weeks, instead of 3 days. It's probably still too short, but hey! And I'm soooooo sorry. :(

Disclaimer: No, I don't own KFP. Now excuse me while I go into an emo corner and sob my heart out.

p.s. is anyone watching the new KFP:LoA episodes? I love watching new episodes! (not really re-runs) While I usually hate the OOC!Po, the Furious Five are hilarious, and there are some moments of pure genius (other moments? Not so much...). Anyway. You should watch it. :D

Scene VI

Change of Plans

The panda with the open red cloak and the black undergarment and sash pushed his cart into the village. It was a simple task for him, named Cheng*, now, after so many of years of practicing the lie. Each step was one of complete control, showing all he had power.

Cheng was waved to by a panda. Cheng recognized him, however he had never bothered to memorize his name. But every time he returned, the younger panda would run to him and ask him the same question that he was asking at that very moment.

"How were your travels?" the younger panda asked.

"Well, well." was Cheng's reply, like it was every time. And he made up a lie, like he always did. "Went to a nearby city. Danced with a few women. Took a few women. Then went to the largest waterfall in China. Discovered a new plant – much of the same things I always do." He replied casually.

"I see." The younger panda replied, looking at the older with admiration. It never ceased to amaze Cheng how the younger panda could never take a hint: Cheng didn't want to talk to him. Ever. Yet, here they were now.

"Perhaps, you should travel with me some time, hmm?" Cheng said, but in truth, he didn't really mean it. In part, he was just trying to veer to another conversation; but also if he had to talk to this panda, he might as well have some fun.

"Oh, I'd love to!" The younger panda exclaimed, but then he bowed his head in sadness. "But…but I can't. I need to take care of my family. My wife and kids…"

"Aww, that's too bad." Cheng replied with a pouted lip – and it seemed that only the panda in front of him couldn't tell he was simply putting on a show. "Well, that's life. Nice chatting with you!"

"But – " Cheng didn't even bother letting the panda drone on, and he pushed his cart onward until he got to his destination. It was a quaint house, albeit larger than the others around it, made of bamboo. He pulled the cart to side, scanned around to make sure no one was looking to steal it, then knocked on the door of the home. But after only a simple tap, the door flung open.

Cheng was confused, but he stepped inside and saw his brother, Tao Ye*, packing hurriedly, throwing a random garment into his backpack which rested on his bed in front of him. Tao Ye was larger than Cheng was, seeing as he was older, and he wore a closed green cloak.

"Tao Ye?" Cheng questioned as he watched his brother from the doorway.

Tao Ye turned around at the sound of the voice, a wide grin on his face. He threw out his arms and exclaimed, "Cheng! My brother!"

Tao Ye ignored his cane, which rested against his risen mat, and hobbled over to embrace his brother. Cheng, obviously, hugged his brother back: partly because he was his older brother, but also because he had to.

"I'm sorry, brother," Tao Ye said once the hug had finished, and he hobbled back to his packing. "I'm in a hurry."

"A hurry? To go where?" Cheng said with a smirk. Tao Ye never went anywhere, because he was the leader of the village and because of his damaged right leg.

Tao Ye sighed, his smiling fading, and a serious look came about him. "I've…had a vision."

"Oh, another one?" Cheng joked.

"I'm serious, Cheng!" Tao Ye said with a fire in his eyes as he took a step towards his younger brother. "It was about my son." Tao Ye took yet another step forward until he was directly in front of his brother. Tao Ye reached out his hand and placed it on Cheng's shoulders, as he continued on, "He's alive."

"Tao Ye," Cheng said with a sigh. "Don't get your hopes up – "

"But it's true!" Tao Ye stepped away and began to fling his arms around in order to prove his point. "I saw him with my own eyes!"

"Perhaps you were dreaming – "

"No!" Tao Ye exclaimed with anger. But then he laughed with joy, tears brimming his eyes. "Yu Jie* is alive!"

Cheng sighed, but decided to play along with it. "What did you see in your vision?"

"I saw Yu Jie, obviously – "

"Yes, I got that. But what did you see?"

"Well, I saw this elderly, female goat – "

"Hmm, that's obviously you're son, alright."

"Stop interrupting me, Cheng! Let me continue." When Cheng nodded for his brother to go on (with a roll of his eyes, as well), Tao Ye did so. "And she said, your son is alive. He has become a success in the eyes of the world; he has saved China and her innocent people. And then I saw him with my very own eyes!"

Tao Ye turned to Cheng. "And he looked just like you – just like us!"

"Yes, because no two pandas looks similar in anyway, right?"

Tao Ye sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do you have to do that?"

"Do what?"

"That! The – the sarcasm!"

"I'm just voicing my opinion!"

"No, what you're doing is being difficult."

"Oh, sorry, mommy. It won't happen again."

"See! See! That's what I'm talking about!" Tao Ye then held out his hand as Cheng opened his mouth. "Never mind. I don't have time to argue with you." He hobbled back to his raised mat and continued his packing.

"You started it." He muttered to himself.

And then it clicked.

The Dragon Warrior was Tao Ye's son.

Cheng's eyes began to dart and his breath began to hiccup as he panicked. All his years of careful planning – wasted! Relative or not, taking down the Dragon Warrior was his goal, and he wasn't going to stop. But if his brother was planning on meeting him, then there was no way Cheng could accomplish his vision. And if Tao Ye had some bright idea to bring the Dragon Warrior back…

Stupid! He thought. He had heard rumors that the Dragon Warrior was a panda, but he hadn't believed them (especially not after Lord Shen's Massacre). Why was he only now piecing it all together?

He needed a plan. He couldn't let Tao Ye see the Dragon Warrior before Cheng did, before Tai Wei could defeat him, before Cheng got his power. And like that, the plan formed.

"So you are going to find him?" Cheng questioned in a ridiculous tone.

"Of course." Tao Ye replied simply.

"Brother, let me go!" Cheng said, coming up beside his brother and taking his arm.

"Of course not! He's my son!"

"He's my nephew!" Cheng argued. "And think about it? With your leg? And you're in charge of this whole village! You cannot just leave!"

Tao Ye sighed, but he realized his brother was right. Cheng continued on. "It would be best if I go – I travel, I know the areas like the back of my hand. And I can bring him back for you to meet him!"

"I don't know…" Tao Ye muttered, but the only thing he didn't know was why he was putting his need to see his son over the logical points of his brother. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "Alright. It sounds like a good plan."

"Good, brother. Good." Cheng said as he patted his brother's shoulders. He then turned and began to walk out the door. "I'll leave right away! And you'll meet your son in no time!"

When the doors closed, and his brother was gone, Tao Ye clutched his green vest and gasped out a pained breath. "Gods, I pray."

"Tai Wei!" Cheng screeched as he stomped into the forest.

Tai Wei turned from the tree and to her master, giving a low bow. When she came up, she asked, "What's wrong, Shūshu?"

Uncle. The word only reminded him of the fact that the Dragon Warrior was his nephew. He shook it off as he walked past Tai Wei and into the small cottage where she lived, and she followed him in.

"You need to pack! We're leaving!"

"Now?" Tai Wei questioned with scrunched eyebrows. "But you told the Dragon Warrior to meet us in the Outstretched Forest – we don't need to leave for another few days – "

"Don't question me!" He said with gritted teeth and a pointed finger. "Do as you're told."

Her eyes quickly lowered to the ground. "Yes, Shūshu."

"And you are to no longer call me that. From now on, I am master. Am I clear?"

"Yes…master."

"Good." He said sternly. "Now pack quickly. We need to leave right away – we will meet the Dragon Warrior in the middle. Make the trip quicker."

"Yes, master."

Cheng smirked. "Good, girl."

According to babynames(.)com and Google!Translate:

Cheng - accomplished

Tao Ye - Peace, long life & light (and google!translate says it means mold...?)

Yu Jie - Pure