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That night, Po lay on his bed thinking. The village festival the mother goose spoke of was only three weeks away. That was more than enough time to teach Tigress, he was pretty sure, but it felt like it was too soon also.
Po’s ears perked up upon hearing some low humming. He sat up, then hear soft singing. It must be Tigress! Po opened his door and listened, hoping it was true. The sound continued, and Po silently walked across the floor (he was able to walk now without the floor squeaking) to Tigress’ room.
Po opened Tigress’ door and said excitedly, “Tigress.”
Tigress nearly leapt through the room of her room. She had just taken off her shirt, which Po was oblivious to. Tigress gave a small yelp, and immediately covered her mouth afterwards.
Po immediately turned red, and was trying to back out with hasty apologies when Monkey asked “What’s going on out there?”
“Get in here!” Tigress said with a hiss, “get in!” Po was hesitant, but soon was yanked in by Tigress, the door of Tigress’ room shutting as soon as Monkey looked out of his.
The two kung fu masters caught each other’s breathes, Po being pushed behind Tigress in their haste. Tigress slowly looked at Po, not turning her body. “Po,” she asked quietly, “what were you doing?”
Po looked at Tigress. “I heard you singing. I didn’t know you could sing so well.”
Tigress blinked. “‘Well’?” She said, turning towards Po, crossing her arms across her bare midriff.
Po didn’t look at Tigress any lower than her face as he continued. “It just sounded really good. I really think you have a knack for singing.”
Tigress looked awed. “Thank you Po.” She said, standing still otherwise.
“Well,” Po said, “I’ll be going.” He headed towards Tigress’ room when Tigress quickly threw on her shirt and stopped Po.
“Wait, Po.”
Po turned around.
“Why don’t we sing together?” Tigress suggested, tying her shirt ties as she smiled.
Po smirked. “Sure. That’d be fun.”
The two sat down facing each other.
Tigress smiled. “I heard a song in town and wondered if you knew it.”
“Well, how does it go?” Po asked excitedly.
“*chuckles* I’ll sing it.” Tigress said with a smile.
“In the Valley, the Valley of Peace”
“Where there is rest, rest and ease”
“Where the fields and mountains stand unchanging”
“Against the shadow of the nearing times”
“I know I,” Tigress struck that latter ‘I’ with a beautiful high note, “won’t fall in line”
“No, I,” another high note, “won’t be left behind.”
Po sat there with pure amazement as Tigress sang.
“For the people will stand and never die.” Tigress sang the last line with emotion and strength.
Tigress paused, then with a smile repeated “and never die” with a cooking pot amount of feeling, as Po would have described it, then smiled as she finished.
Po sat there dazed. “That….was…amazing!” Po said, then received a harsh ‘shh’ from Tigress, having forgotten to keep his voice down. Tigress wasn’t angry, though, she smiled through the reprimand and chuckled.
“I’m glad Po. I didn’t get to hear you accompany.”
“Well, I was a little amazed because of how good you were!” Po said, sounding like it was obvious as to why he didn’t accompany, but again, with half a ‘shh’ and half a laugh, Tigress silenced him.
“Come,” Tigress said, rising. They exited the dorms and soon stood outside.
Po offered Tigress her hand, and Tigress took it, spinning herself so she soon stood with her back against Po’s stomach, looking up at him. She began to look scared for a moment, then let go of Po and sat down. Po looked worried and sat down beside her. “Tigress, what’s wrong?”
Tigress breathed shakily for a moment then said “Po, I think I’m in love with you.”
Po’s eyes grew wide. “Um, well, I…” Tigress took that as a ‘no I don’t love you,” and formed her hands into fists.
“Might as well finish, I’m going down anyway.”
“No, wait, Tigress, that’s no-” Po tried to say, but Tigress interrupted.
“I’ve never been loved before, never in the way I should have. Shifu wasn’t there for me, my friends here are simply my friends….I’m a foolish girl,” Tigress concluded, turning away, “wanting what is clearly not meant for me.”
Po paused. It was one thing to not have someone love you in return, as much as you do them, but assume you’re not meant for that….?
Po put a hand on Tigress’ shoulder, turning her. “Tigress, listen to me. You are loved by all of us. I love you to, your part of my family. I’m just, not sure how much right now.”
Tigress looked down, but was happy she wasn’t at least flat-out denied. “I’m sorry Po. I know things will never be the same now.”
Po looked at Tigress. “That’s ok, I will always be your friend.” Tigress smiled, then hugged Po, who hugged in return.
They spent part of the evening singing then retired to their beds.
As Tigress lay there, tears running down her face, she cried for Po’s lack of shared feelings, and her decision to be so open with the panda. Things would never be the same. If not for Po, for her.