Tigress awoke the next morning feeling better than she had since the events of Gongmen had taken place. She was surprised by the fact she'd actually slept through the night. But mostly by how late she had slept in! It had to have been at least ten o'clock! She was fortunate they'd been given a lenient sleep schedule as a reward for their work.

Sitting up in her bed, Tigress shifted herself, feet now touching the floor as she sat. She took a deep breath, taking in the morning air, the light from outside illuminating her room. Getting down on all fours, she began running through her morning stretching routine, a purr rumbling in her throat as a particularly stiff muscle was loosened. Changing into a clean outfit, she headed into the kitchen in hopes there were any leftovers from breakfast.

Although she'd rarely admit it, she hated missing a single meal Po made. She paused mid-step at the thought of the panda. Memories of the night before washed into her mind like an emotional flood. So...he knows I was scared. She continued walking. No big deal. Not like anyone else saw us. Three hugs...I think that's the most I've hugged anyone. It was..nice she admitted, cheeks heating slightly. The clanking of kitchenware drew her from her thoughts

She was expecting to see Po working his way through the art of cooking. She had to admit, it was relaxing to watch him cook. How he flowed effortlessly through the motions with tenderness and grace. What's wrong with me? She thought to herself. She walked into the kitchen to see Viper scooping some soup out of a large pot that sat over some smoldering wood, a thin steam rising from it. Her heart nearly leaped from her chest. Leftovers! Her mind screamed.

"Good morning, Viper" she greeted calmly, grabbing a bowl for herself. Viper looked to her and smiled widely.

"And to you, sister. How did you sleep last night?" she asked innocently. Tigress looked away, but her face remained stoic.

"Just fine" she responded, walking over to the pot of soup. She held it out, and Viper scooped some into her bowl, handing her a spoon as well. "Thank you." Viper nodded to her.

"My pleasure." Both warriors made their way to the table, sitting across from each other. Taking a spoonful into her mouth, Tigress noted the soup was the perfect temperature. It wasn't too hot, but it was warm enough to be enjoyed She looked up when a delighted sigh came from her snake comrade.

"The guy is a miracle worker in the kitchen!" she exclaimed. A small smile came to Tigress' face.

"I would have to agree with you. Tofu is insignificant in comparison to Po's catering" she said, fondness coming slightly into her voice. Viper, ever aware, picked up on it.

"Yeah. He's really grown since he's come here, hasn't he?" Tigress looked at her quizzically.

"I think he's actually lost a decent amount of weight since he's been here. He's been getting-" Viper laughed.

"I mean grown mentally, emotionally. Compare him now to when he first arrived." She gave Tigress a moment to process this, as she lifted her spoon to her mouth.. A smirk came to her face. "Although it is interesting that you've picked up on his physical changes, sister." Tigress spit out any soup that had been in her mouth and began coughing wildly. Taking a moment to regain herself, she looked at Viper, surprise in her eyes.

"It's not like that, Viper!" She exclaimed, stumbling over her own words. Viper raised an eyebrow. "It's not!" Viper coyly took a sip from her bowl, keeping eye contact.

"Tigress, I've known you for how many years now? I've picked up on you quite nicely. Mannerisms and such. Lately, you've been acting different towards a certain panda." Tigress' pupils dilated, her gaze turning towards the floor. "The two of you have become very close. He brings out a side of you I'd wish I could have seen sooner. He never gives up on you, you know? If we're ever going to do something, he always makes sure he, or one of us, lets you know in case you want to join. He's fond of you." Tigress' eyes snapped back to Viper, who smiled kindly. Just then, the other members of their team walked in through the outside door, talking and laughing. "Just think about what I said" she told her with a wink.

"What are you guys talking about?" Mantis asked, hopping onto the table. The others made their way to the pot, grabbing their own bowls. For a brief moment, Po and Tigress locked eyes, but both quickly looked away.

"Stuff" Viper offered with a small laugh.

"What kind of stuff?" Monkey asked, hopping into a chair. Viper turned to him.

"Girl stuff. You wouldn't understand."

"He might" Mantis said, causing the other guys to laugh. Monkey glared at him, eating some of his soup. Po pulled out the chair next to Tigress and set his bowl down. He noticed hers was empty.

"Need a refill?" he asked, pointing towards her bowl. She shook her head, but didn't look at him.

"No. Thank you. I'm going out to train. I'll be in the hall." She stood from her seat, pushing it in. She grabbed her bowl and placed it in the sink, heading out the door. The others watched her leave, and waited a few moments before all eyes turned back to Po, who had his spoon sticking out of his mouth. He looked around at each of them.

"What?"

"Like you don't know" Mantis said, walking closer to him. "What happened last night?"

"Yeah, Tigress, our Tigress, was crying! I've never seen her cry before" Crane said in a loud whisper.

"So what happened?" Mantis asked eagerly.

"Guys, what happened last night was personal. I don't think Tigress would like me talking about it-"

"Come on! You gotta tell us" Mantis insisted.

"As her team, we have a right to know" Monkey chimed in.

"I agree but-"

"So just tell us" Mantis pressured. Po's patience was beginning to wear thin.

"Yeah, it's no big deal" Crane joined in. Viper looked cautiously from them to Po. She could tell he was getting frustrated.

"It's not like we're going to tell her we know."

"But I can't-"

"Of course you can! It's easy."

"Yeah, all you gotta do is-"

"It's not my business to tell!" Po finally shouted above everyone else, who backed off slightly at seeing the panda's usually calm demeanor vanish. "Instead of being nosy, just accept the fact that without Tigress' permission, it isn't my place to share what went on between the two of us last night. It was out of place to keep trying to pressure me into telling." He looked around at the shocked faces, all besides Viper, who was smiling at Po. A proud smile. He looked down, slightly embarrassed for losing his temper. "I'm sorry guys."

"No, you're right. We shouldn't have pushed your buttons" Crane spoke up. "C'mon, guys. Let's give him some space" he said. Silently, the three left. Po looked over to Viper, who was still smiling.

"You did the right thing" she said. He offered her a small smile in return.

"Thanks, Viper. I just know Tigress wouldn't exactly want her business all over the Jade Palace. Especially not something so personal." She nodded.

"I understand completely. Those guys don't get her like you do." She dropped from her seat and made for the door. "They don't care for her like you do." With that, she left. Po felt his cheeks heat up a bit, but he did nothing to try to hide it. He only continued to eat his soup.

-In the Training Hall-

A flurry of kicks, punches, and dodges assaulted the training dummy as it spun and twisted in an automatic form of offense. She let out sharp breaths and shouted as she struck the worn wood, thoughts rushing through her mind. Mostly pertaining to what had happened between Po and her. She ended up becoming so engrossed in the memories that her form slowly became more sloppy. I don't understand. We've all been put into life or death situations, so why was I affected so greatly by this? She asked herself, landing sloppy blows onto the dummy. I care about him. I really do. But I care about the others... She blocked the swinging arm, pushing it back away. She slowed down her pace to a stop, catching her breath. She backed away from the dummy and turned towards the door. There beside it, she saw the Adversary, and couldn't help but be reminded of Po's first day in the training hall. She smiled widely at the memory.

"Perhaps you're right, Viper. He has grown" she mused to herself, shaking her head fondly. Walking up to the inflatable opponent, giving it a weak strike of her own. It did little more than wobble from side to side, causing her to laugh quietly. Walking towards the door, she reached for the handle, only for the door to quickly open, startling her slightly. She looked up to see Po, who was just as shocked to see her so close to the door. Both just locked eyes for a moment, before Po spoke up.

"Uh...hey. Wasn't expecting you to be, like, right there" he said nervously, twiddling his fingers. He smiled shyly.

"I was just on my way out" she said, looking down. "If you'll excuse me" she added, trying to move past him. He put an arm out to stop her.

"Tigress, wait. I came here to talk to you." She backed up a bit. He stepped forward, allowing the door to close behind him. She still only met his gaze now and then. "Tigress..." He wasn't sure how to start. "Boy...where do I begin?"

"Po, it's fine. You don't have to do this."

"But I do. Just hear me out here." He rubbed the back of his head. "I didn't mean to scare you in Gongmen. What I did was stupid and wrong. But I was blinded by my feelings. I should have listened to you, but I got selfish and impulsive. And...I just wanted to say I'm sorry." His words were filled with emotion and regret. His face wore shame, and his eyes were locked onto the floor. Tigress stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. Po looked up to her tentatively.

"Po, while I may not agree with what you did, you should not be sorry. You wanted answers, and I cannot blame you for that. Had I been in your position, I can't say I would have acted any different." She crossed her arms over her chest, as if she felt vulnerable, and needed to protect herself. "Once I saw him light that cannon... I-I tried to get to you...but I was too far away. When you flew out of that building, I just gave up. I lost the will to fight anymore. I felt like such a failure. I had no respect for myself. I had no reason to go on, so I gave in." Her eyes began to tear up slightly, but she quickly wiped them. "I was angry at you. Angry because you didn't listen. Angry at myself for not being able to save you. Angry at Shen. But I couldn't bring myself to fight anymore." Wiping her eyes again, she continued.

"But when I saw you up on that roof, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. You were alive! You'd survived being shot point blank by a cannon." She was quiet for a moment. "In my dreams, nightmares rather, that moment we saw you on the roof, you aren't there. I wait and wait, but you never show up. Then, he turns the cannon on us. It goes off, and that's when I wake up." She sniffed. "It's all so real. That's why I had to check on you. I just had to reassure myself it was just a dream." He nodded to her, absorbing the information. He took a few moments before speaking again.

"Mine are similar. After I stop Shen, and the mast collapses into the boat, I surface over at the dock...but there's nobody there offering me help out of the water. I climb out onto the dock looking all over for you, and when I do find you, you're still floating on the same piece of wood out in the bay." He looked away from her. "You never make it." He looked back at her, pain obvious in his eyes. "I've never been more scared of anything in my entire life than when I saw you floating on that plank." He grabbed her hand in his. "I care about you, Tigress." His gaze bore into her. Her eyes widened. "I really do."

Tigress was in shock. Her brain stopped momentarily, and she became lost in the emerald shine of his eyes. Her whole body became paralyzed as the weight of his words crashed into her like a tsunami.

"I-you-uh..." she stuttered out, heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, probably the deepest she'd ever taken, steadying her shaky nerves. "Po, that's sweet. And I-I care about you too."

She took a step closer, erasing he distance between them, looking deeply into his yes. He looked back with a smile. One that showed peace and joy. The two leaned in as if there was a gravity between the two of them. There lips were mere inches apart. Suddenly, the door behind them swung open, revealing the rest of the Five and Master Shifu, who stood in shock and awe at their closeness. Eyes shifted all over the group, silence engulfing the area. Mantis spoke up first.

"I totally called it!" he shouted, pointing a pincher at monkey. "You lose!"

"Oh come on! I thought I had that bet pegged!" he shouted in defeat.

"I have to agree with Mantis on this one, Monkey" Crane spoke up. "Even I could tell there was something between those two" he stated obviously. "What do you think, Viper?" Viper smiled innocently.

"I'm just as surprised as everyone else" she lied, directing her gaze at Po, as if to say 'I told you so'. Shifu cleared his throat, effectively silencing the chatty warriors.

"You five begin training. I believe I need to have a word with the Dragon Warrior" he said calmly, only serving to worry Po more. "Follow me." He began walking away. Po threw a 'help me' look at the other five, but followed Shifu. After everyone entered the training hall, Tigress did her best to ignore the smirks and laughs, jumping straight into her training.

Po's mind was racing as Shifu lead him to his private housing area, away from the student barracks. The thoughts of what was going to happen to him were...less than pleasant. But as they approached the small, one room building, Shifu spoke not a single word. He opened the door, motioning for Po to enter first. Suspiciously, he took the hint and walked through the door, which Shifu closed behind him. Po waited, with closed eyes, for the shouting, the swinging, and the insults to begin flying. But they didn't.

"Po, turn around" Shifu said calmly. Po did so. "And open your eyes" he said, in a slightly irritated tone. Slowly, Po complied. "Po, I'm not angry with you. Not in the slightest." Po wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Phew! That's a relief! For a second there I-" Shifu cut him off by raising a hand.

"While I am not angry now, that doesn't mean I won't be." His eyes narrowed in a menacing manner. "If you do anything, and I do mean anything to hurt her, Oogway himself could not keep me from punishing you." His gaze softened. "Now, that being said, I do trust you. I've seen how you've grown being here, and I'm very pleased with your progress. And I've noticed you've been changing Tigress as well. She's become more...open. And I know it's because of you."

"Master, I care about her. With just about every fiber of my being. I'd never try to hurt her. I...I love her." Po said nervously. There was a silence between the two, Po awaiting a reaction from Shifu, who stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Po," he began, "I am happy for the two of you. I truly am." Po smiled widely.

"You have no idea how much better that makes me feel, having your blessing. Thank you." Shifu smiled warmly.

"You are welcome, Dragon Warrior. Now, from one man to another."

"Yeah?"

"Take care of my daughter."