Elegant, Graceful, and Clumsy

Disclaimer: Kung Fu Panda is © DreamWorks Animation SKG

This is a request for a reader that goes by VulpineSnow. Sorry it took so long, but Real Life™ can be a complete, well, you know.

This is yet another continuation of Chapter 6, Forgotten Childhood Memories, and thus goes along with Chapter 28's theme. However, it takes place in an AU to where Tigress knows exactly who Po is the moment of his arrival during the ceremony to present the chosen Dragon Warrior. The following takes place during the film.

Quickie 32

Doubts

...

You don't belong at the Jade Palace.

You are a disgrace to kung fu, and if you have any respect for who we are, and what we do, you will be gone by morning.

"Maybe I should just quit and go back to making noodles…"

The panda sighed dejectedly, and sat down rather gruffly with his back turned toward the old tortoise standing behind him. He didn't catch Master Oogway's slight nod of understanding, but he assuredly continued to sense his presence. Apparently this old Master saw more in him than he was able to see for his own sake. But how could he change the minds of the others? The Furious Five and Master Shifu saw nothing to convince them that he was capable of fulfilling the prophecy of the Dragon Warrior.

He couldn't see himself fulfilling the prophesy of the Dragon Warrior.

So how could Master Oogway possibly see that potential when no one else could?

The tortoise was silent for a long moment, and said nothing to agree nor disagree with him. He rather chose to speak in a parable. "Quit, don't quit. Noodles, don't noodles - you are too concerned with what was, and, what will be." He said sagely. "There is a saying. Yesterday, is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present." His staff struck the tree, and a peach fell into the panda's open paw. Oogway left him to his thoughts then…to stay or leave if he chose to. Po sat still under the peach tree for what seemed like a while until his ears twitched to the sound of grass moving behind him. At first he thought it was the wind, but when he turned around to investigate, he met the fiery red gaze of Master Tigress.

To his credit, he didn't jump at the sight of her sneaking up on him.

The feline eyed him critically from where she stood, clearly not pleased to see that he had not yet left the Jade Palace.

But what astonished her was the fact that he didn't seem at all surprised to see that she followed him there. And she was even more surprised, and slightly angered by, how he decided to greet her.

"Don't you think you've humiliated me enough today?" He said, looking back out at the mountains.

She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. "I don't think that is how you should greet a Master, Panda…"

"Oh, you mean like how you called me a disgrace?" He replied angrily. "If you're here to insult me again, I don't wanna hear it."

Tigress growled. "You are a disgrace as far as I'm concerned…"

"Look, I didn't even want this stupid title." He said sullenly, standing up. "But I'm not going to give up just because you don't believe I can do it."

"Prove it to me otherwise," she responded nonchalantly. "As far as I've been able to tell, you are a nobody. You don't have anywhere near our experience, nor do you have the slightest idea what you are doing in practicing any real kung fu."

"You're right, I am a nobody." He took her hand, and she was about to pull away and pummel him…

…However, before she got a chance to he pulled something from his pocket and placed it gently into her palm.

"All of these years, I never forgot about you, Tigress," he said sadly, turning around without seeing her reaction to the item now in her possession. "But I guess you've already forgotten about me. I'm sorry if everything didn't turn out the way you'd planned it."

Her eyes panned down to the item in her hand; it was a small tiger doll, its orange striped velvety soft 'fur' faded and dulled with age…and when the realization of what this tiny little toy meant to her finally surfaced, her heart seemed to skip a beat. Memories of that particular Dragon Boat festival from almost fifteen years prior came flooding back into her mind.

"Thanks for winning me this plushy, Po, I love it…"

"Eh, it was nothing, really,"

"I'm serious. I really appreciate this."

She remembered dropping it when Shifu took her away, and never being able to find it when she returned to the village to try and recover it. Master Shifu had increased her training regimen as punishment for her insubordination, and never allowed her to leave the Palace unless he accompanied her, or, when she came of age, to leave with her comrades on missions.

Tigress had never seen Po after that day. And now, here he was, fifteen years later; her first real friend was standing right in front of her. And yet, it was only through this small insignificant toy that she was able to come to that realization at all.

"Panda," The feline said hesitantly. "Wait a minute…"

He ignored her plea, and continued on down the steps. "Goodnight, Master Tigress."

She watched him as his head gradually vanished under the tall grass, to where he was going, she wasn't exactly sure. She held some vain hope that he'd still be here in the morning.

"Po…" She whispered almost sorrowfully, regretfully…almost.

Looking down at the tiny velveteen doll in her paw, she sighed raggedly, and quickly disappeared into the shadows.

Edit: I hadn't realized that today was the two year anniversary since I first published this story. So a Happy 2nd Birthday to Elegant, Graceful and Clumsy! *throws confetti*