Chapter Text
It was a quiet, chilly morning in the Valley of Peace. A cool breeze blew by the Jade Palace causing a whistle in the wind.
Outside the sleeping quarters was a feline of strong stature, with fur of bright orange and black stripes. Her eyes, a shade of orange almost amber rivaling that of the sun. Master Shifu told the inhabitants of the palace today would be a day off. Yesterday he pushed the Five to their limits during training yesterday and they needed a break. Badly. Master Tigress was awake before everyone else. Something seemed to bother her and she cant put her finger on it. Something was growing inside her and it only happens around a certain someone. "Maybe a little training will help ease my mind."
About an hour or two after Tigress left her quarters everyone woke up and headed straight to the kitchen. Usually a chef would be employed at the Jade Palace to cook for the fearsome warriors who lived there, but ever since the arrival of a particular panda there was no need for a chef.
"Order up!" Said the panda with a smile. He had made his signature noodle soup with tofu and chives.
"Oh man! This is so good!" Muttered a jade green bug. "I wish my mouth was bigger!"
"Oh man Po this is so good! It's been a while since you made this, right, You guys?" said Viper, the other two, Master Monkey and Master Crane were too busy stuffing their mouths to answer and nodded in agreement instead.
Po sat down and was about to start chowing down with the Five, but he noticed someone was missing.
"Hey have you guys seen Tigress?" Asked the curious Panda.
"I haven't seen her, but I did hear footsteps outside my room early in the morning. My guess could be she went straight to the training hall or meditating. Said Crane before Mantis Interrupted and commented "she probably chose the former."
Po's expression was of worry. She would always have breakfast before training. Tigress was a solitary animal, whom seeks out solitude when something worries her. Much like Po whom eats when he feels angsty.
After breakfast Po went straight to the training hall with a small bag in hand. The sounds of shouting and broken wooden chips can be heard from within.
As he opened the doors of the training hall he saw an absolutely destroyed interior. All the wooden sparring dummies, shattered, and in the middle of it all was Tigress sparring with the last dummy. "HIIYAAAH!!" With her final punch the training dummy was disintegrated sending large wood chips flying everywhere, including the direction of the Dragon Warrior whom was too distracted by her... awesomeness and got bonked in the head
"Owww..." Said the panda whilst rubbing his forehead. Tigress quickly ran over and offered a helping hand.
"Sorry about that. I was too focused I didn't notice you walked in."
"It's fine. I was just admiring your awesomeness!" The panda exclaimed to the feline.
what is this feeling?
"Oh, uh th-thank you." Unbeknownst to him a light blush formed on her cheeks but easily masked by her orange fur. Something about that panda always made her stutter.
"Oh yeah I remember why I came here now!" As he reached behind him and brought out the bag he has brought unravelling it to show it's contents. It was a bowl with a lid on it.
"Here have this, oh and also these!" Said the panda handing her the bowl and chopsticks.
She looked into his Jade green eyes, admiring how the light dances in them. his eyes were enchanting
An awkward silence took it's place for a second too long.
"Uhh, well, open it."
"Oh yeah, y-yeah, alright" said the slightly flustered feline.
The contents of the bowl were her favorite dish, steamed rice topped with stir fry tofu and a light drizzle of soy sauce.
"I made it specially for you, I know it's your favorite." Said the panda with a warming glow
As she was just about to thank him, her stomach growled from how hungry she was. Making him laugh a bit and Tigress even more flustered.
"Well I got to do what I came here for." The panda stands up with a sigh of relief. "I hope you enjoy it thoroughly!" Said the panda with an absolutely adorable smile.
He looked around the training hall to fully soak in how destroyed it was, and finally deciding to ask her, "I know you train whenever you feel stressed, what has been on your mind lately?"
The tiger gave no response.
"Well, I better be going now, I gotta help dad around the shop. See you later Ti."
Just as he was about to leave the training hall, Tigress called out to him.
"Hey, Po..."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for the food... It's amazing." Said the feline quietly, just loud enough for the panda to hear.
"No problem Ti." A small smile crept on her face with no way of stopping it
The door of the training hall closes with a loud slam due to the doors weight. Tigress felt a certain warmth grow within her that she can't quite grasp why.
that damn panda.