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To see your nightmare after waking up from it.

In the quiet of the night, my father woke up to find me crying in the guest bathroom tub. He wanted to know why I was there. I lied and told him in my dreams, I was being chased by a dog. How does a child tell his own father that HE was the stuff of the child’s nightmares?

#nightmare #sleepwalking #father issue #crying child #sweet dreams

Proposal

Inspired by https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11794705/1/The-Bond-Of-Three-Fathers

The jade palace face never look the same again. After facing the evil villain Kai, the great wood and stone facade has change into big pile or rubble and debris. During the time the Pandas, Furious five, Shifu and Dragon Warrior were practicing their chi mastery in front of the palace, the masons and carpenter are busy about their business on the back of the big wooden panel covering the area of the damage.

Now their business in valley of Peace are done, the Panda getting ready towards their long journey back home tomorrow.

In Jade Palace’s Hall of Hero’s.

“Panda, I really can’t accept your offer!” Shifu exclaimed, glaring dagger to the Panda in disbelief. This is not the first time the bear had come up with such incredulous ideas.

“Oh... c’mon master Shifu, it’ll be fun” Po insisted. “Besides, my panda dad won’t get the chance to do it again - not for a while”.

“I will train twice, not thrice as hard, and I’ll be Tigress sparing partner for a week please...please...please say yes.” Po pleaded, behind his big frame, truly inside Po is not a lot older than a 10 year old cub - at least at the moment he sound little cub begging for lollipop. But the panda did have a point. This opportunity may not happen so often, notably between 3 ‘elderly’ individual. There might not be next time.

“Hmmm...” Shifu’s ear twitched. The idea about mingling intimately with one (let alone two) individual he hardly knew is really scare him off his socks. Unbelievably, the grand master wasn’t the most social creature, safe it for most of political gathering in formal environment whereby he can safely say a thing or two about kung fu - but hanging around people casually with no knowledge of kung fu really going to make him like a fish out of water. Now people can see where Tigress social skill from.

“I just don’t want to disturb bonding time between both of your dads Po!” He insisted and cornered the bear his excuse.

“What?!?!?! It won’t be disturbing, more like enhancing! You all going to be best buddies!!!” Po gave a smirked still with pleading tone. The master consider his decision again.

“O-Okay....” He finally agreed. “Just this once!” He inwardly scolded himself for being so weak minded.

“Yeheeey....thanks master Shifu,” Po jumped up and down like a five year old. If Shifu let him, the panda might have land him a peck on the cheek.

“I’ll go tell my dads. They will be sooo.....thrilled! It’s at the Ping’s restaurant at 6.p.m”. Po leaped and runs towards the door. Suddenly, he remembered something important he had to ask. He narrowly missed ruining down the thousands step as he turn around back abruptly towards Shifu.” The grandmaster squinted his eyes and rub his temples watching the panda antics.

“Anything else Panda?” The grand master asked with miffed tone.

“Master.... there is something private I wish to discuss.” The panda became serious. His stature immediately straighten up. Shifu gave a gesture for the bear to follow him inside. With determination look he obediently followed his diminutive master, but there a hint of nervousness.

“Go ahead Panda... I am listening”. Shifu answered solemnly but with piercing look, making the poor creature flinch and twitch nervously.

Po looked around making sure no one in the hall. He exhaled deeply, collecting all of courage. “Master....., I-I would like to ask Tigress hand in marriage...... not immediately. But here is I express my intention to court her first.”

Shifu eyes grew large as a size of dinner plater. His expression is unreadable, mixture of surprise, probably fury and disbelief. This makes Po feeling worse than facing Tai Lung. But Shifu’s expression quickly softened. “I knew one day this is coming”.

“You do?” Po tilted his head, he still stand quite a distant away just in case his master decide to made him into a punch bag, after all Tigress was his daughter.

“Of course.... since I saw you hugging her in Gongmen pier, I’ve been cataloging every exchange or gesture from you or her. I might be old Po, but I am not blind”. He snorted at the giant panda. “So I take it that you’ve discuss with Tigress about this?”

“Yes I have Master”. He gave me his signature big goofy grin.

“That’s good. Now you go and tell your dad that I’ll be coming, don’t have to say this news yet, I’ll give him a.... surprise!” Shifu ordered him.

“Thanks Master Shifu”. The Panda running out of the door, jumping and dancing like madman.

Shifu exhaled deeply. A smile comes to his lips. He never thought how a certain Panda had made his life so much.... well..... different. In a good sense. He wondered pensively how his life would be should that Panda never been picked as the Dragon Warrior. ‘Master Oogway, you indeed made the right choice.’

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Shifu trailed down the Jade Palace stairs towards the village. A few scenario of casual conversation ran through his mind. ‘Hell what kind of topic we are going to talk about? This is going to be a long evening’. His pondering was immediately halted by a sharp yell.

“Oh hi Master Shifu!” exclaim the goose, bolting from behind the counter. His restaurant looks empty. Only a single large figure sitting on the table waiting to be serve “Oh... hi!” the large figure in question turn around and wave to Shifu and scoop him into a affectionate bear hug.

“Hello gentleman... nice to see you, please just called me S-Shifuuuu....” as he became breathless from the embrace. Li Shan - Po’s biological father, quickly apologise and put the master down.

“Thank you for coming, I closed my shop today to be able to celebrate our father-ship bonding before Li Shan had to leave the valley tomorrow” explained Mr. Ping. Shifu nodded and turned to Li Shan “I believe I have not speak to you much Mr. Li. I am keen to know more about you and the rest of the pandas”.

“What about we play one set of majong and while waiting for my soup to cooked. we can chat while doing so” Ping is throwing his idea.

“Sounded good” the other two agreed.

“So, Shifu, I’ve been meaning to ask, how’s Po as a Kung Fu student” Li Shan prompted him as he tried to squeeze his oversize body over tiny little dining chair which proven to be quite a struggle.

“Well, he wasn’t a usual kung fu student if I were to be honest with you.... I can’t train him the same way as I trained the five. But... as soon as I get the hang of it, Po was a natural, and he is a warrior with not easily giving up attitude. In term of sparring technique he is still below Tigress - but she had a lot more years of practice under her belt, and Po was just a few years. Po had managed to master things that he only read once in the scroll, or saw me doing it once during practice.” Shifu retorted with amazement as he start counting his majong piece.

“Well, I couldn’t be more proud” Li beamed his biggest smiles.

“I always proud of him.... even before he learns Kung Fu” said Mr. Ping.

The other two looked at him. “I always told him, whatever he is doing in his life, to give his best shot. No matter what the result, I shall be proud of him”. The other two dads listening the to the truth of his foresight.

“Mr. Ping.... “ Li pat the goose on the back “I am glad that you’ve found my son. You’ve been nothing but a great father to him. And for that I am forever thankful”.

Mr. Ping looked Li Shan back in the eyes. He respited to find the right word to say. “Thank you for sharing your little lotus with me, he had changed.... changed.... changed my life.” He shuttered, a tear drops escape from the corner his eyes. He stopped again to gain composure. “Never mind about how many bamboo furniture he ate, how much vegetable I had to ordered, how heavy he is when he asked me for piggy back, and he broke my wings because hugging me to hard.... Po had shown me how it feels to love.... and to be loved in return”.

“You both are indeed very lucky to have Po”. Shifu can’t help feeling a little jealous. Mr. Ping seems to be quite affluent when it comes to parenting. Thing just seems to flow naturally, while he had to struggle with both Tai Lung and Tigress.

“Well, speak for yourself Shifu” teased Mr. Ping “You have one wonderful daughter, not to mention my son was incredibly... big fan of hers”. Shifu tried not to react when Mr. Ping mentioned about her adopted daughter. “You’ve raise her well”.

“It’s not what is always been, but having Po does ease my relationship with Tigress.” The master was feeling rather awkward to mention too much about his personal encounter between him, the panda and his daughter.

“By the way Shifu, what is the fondest memory you have with Po?” Li Shan asked him. Shifu sit deep in thought for a while.

“That must be during winter festival, I told the Dragon Warrior to host the formal dinner at the Jade Palace - which unfortunately means he won’t be able to attend the celebration with you Mr. Ping. And to my surprise, that big panda decide to bail in the middle of the party and came here to celebrate with you.” He paused “I was deeply disappointed at first. But when I came over to Mr.Ping and saw the joy, laughter, it came upon me what winter festival is all about - sharing and spending time with your loved ones. I would never knew what is going on inside his head - but I knew what going on from his heart will never turn me down”. Shifu smiled closing his story.

“My best fond memory with Po is when he came home after defeating Lord Shen. He told me....he knew where he came from.... he told me he knew who he is....and that he....is...my son”. Mr Ping stopped as he try to hold overwhelming emotion. Ever since Po questioned his origin, Mr. Ping had to be in a constant battle with his own insecurity about what Po really regard of him.

Li Shan felt moved hearing both teacher and adoptive father testified fondly of his biological son. “Mine will be when Po spend looking at the artefacts at the Hall of Fame at the Jade. Having said that, my apology Shifu for breaking some of those stuff.” He said regretfully while stealing a glance at the Master.

Shifu fold his hand and give him a smirk. “That’s ok, I have made the Dragon Warrior clean those up after dinner, although I think Tigress did helped him quite a bit.”

“Oh Tigress, she is very nice. You’ve must be very proud Shifu” commented Li Shan. Shifu stared at him with suspicious glare “Funny you said that, not many people would like Tigress first time seeing her.”

Li chuckled, “I know what you mean Shifu, I heard your daughter has quite a reputation of being master of hard style, being perfectionist, cold, stoic and such. But from what I can see how she nothing but helpful - she is brave, loyal, smart... and well Po said - beautiful!. I am sure you are proud of her, you did a great job raising her”.

Shifu remained speechless. He never consider himself doing an excellent job raising Tigress - which in many way showing lack of affection and fatherly love. However a warm feeling of pride engulfed him as he heard the word Li had spoken.

“Speaking of which, do you think Po will ever get a date soon?” Mr. Ping breaking the silence while intensely looking at Shifu and Li Shan. “I mean, I am not growing any younger. I wanted grandchildren!!!”

“I thought you probably want to share your thought on who Po currently... you know... liked as a potential date”. Li turn to Ping.

“Well, I know for a fact that Master Tigress was always Po’s favourite ever since he saw her fought the boar. And when he got the title as Dragon Warrior and moved to Jade Palace, he was thrilled to be close to his idol. And his fan boy crush had turn to love. And after that mission in Gongmen I think Po came back a different person. He became more mature and.... grown up. He talk about Tigress almost all the time. He had never admitted to me that he care deeply for her, but I just knew it.” Mr. Ping concluded. “Do you think your daughter felt the same way Shifu?”

Li looked at Shifu - who just sat there, folding his hand with a small smiles on his lips, does not look surprised, almost like knew all this all along.

“I am sure she is. Mr. Ping. Tigress is never be a sort of individual who like to display affection and touch and she is very much aware of her personal space. But Po is an exception for her. How he managed to tore down the wall guarding her emotion is something that I had to ask the Dragon Warrior. But I think because he in all sincerity deeply care for Tigress that she was willingly opening up for him”. Shifu let a happy sigh.

“I had to admit I was a little behind on this”. Li Shan looked at both Shifu and Mr. Ping nervously placing his stare to the mahjong piece. “I always thought that after I found Po, he might not leave valley of peace, but at least he should take his betrothed wife with him”

“HE IS BETROTHED???” both Shifu and Ping shouted in unison. Shifu nearly lost his balance from the chair and Ping covered his beak.

“I never knew Po was promised to someone else! Who is this female panda you are talking about Li?” demanded Shifu as he grew tense remembering he just gave Po his blessing to marry her daughter. Suddenly he felt like tons of bricks just fall on his heads.

“Have you discuss this with Po? because I am sure Po will say no, and do you know this would means shame upon your family Li! for braking the promise! what shall we do???” Mr Ping exclaimed in panic. He knew this would not end well.

“Guys... guys...relax. I already speak to the girl. Her name is Mei mei.” Li answered. “And everything under control, I can reassure you”.Li gave that please-trust-me-I-know-what-to-do look.

“Isn’t she the ribbon dancer?” asked Ping. “I knew she was up to something looking at the way she try to flirt with Po at the Panda village”

Li exhale deeply.

“Mei mei is a nice girl Ping, she had her own way to do things... in fact she came to me asking to make amends on the wedding plan between her and Po. Apparently, that night - Tigress was wounded and exhausted running from Kai to warn us, and Mei mei took the liberty to take care of her. And.... to cut the story short, she doesn’t want to stand in between the love of both warriors.” Li continued “.I just have to speak to her parents once I got back”.

“That’s a relief.” said Shifu laid her back into the seat.

“Talking about which I would like to break another news to you both”. Shifu smiles mysteriously.

“Before I came down here, the Dragon Warrior has asked my permission.... to.... ask.... ” Shifu paused. He took his time, looking at his mahjong pieces and rearranging them, and then stroking his moustache.

“Gosh, hurry up Shifu, the suspense killing me!!!!” the other two dads shout in desperation.

“my.... daughter hand....in... marriage”. Shifu grinned in satisfaction knowing no other dads knew about it yet.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS?” Mr. Ping broke a happy smile. “Oh time for celebration” He run inside to grab the noodles and dragon warrior size dumpling which he prepared earlier.

“Well, actually Po want us to do the ceremony of betrothal first. They won’t get married anytime soon. Po will court Tigress at the moment with the promise he’ll marry her when the time is right.” Shifu said “Po is a very good man Mr. Ping, not many man will ask permission to court someone, a lot of them just doing so behind the parents back. And I know even Po had been in many mission with Tigress. His comrades told me he had been very discreet with her. Both of them are so lucky to find the love of their life. So, for that I gladly allowed him to have my daughter. And I know for a fact Tigress had said yes” Shifu looked at both other dads.

“Would there be any grandchildren though” Li’s Panda instinct kicked in. “Not that I am not happy about the arrangement. Especially after witnessing what she had done for all the Pandas, I will certainly gave my blessing to both of them. But after all they are two different.... well... species?”

“That one, none of us would never know. They would just have to try. But I am sure Po and Tigress wouldn’t mind adopting. After all both of them are adopted.” Ping answer wisely.

“I do wonder what Dragon warrior had in mind sending us three spending time together here”. Li pondered as he stuffed another dumpling to his throat.

“I think Po wants us to achieve what exactly we are doing now. Having fun and create new friendship. If there is one thing that three of us share is our fatherly love for Po. I’ve been taking care of him almost all his life and giving him the the love and affection that he needs. And then Shifu trained him to be an excellent kung fu master - despite of the fact no one believe a panda can achieve that much as a warrior - you have faith in him, Shifu. And now there is Li Shan, who gave Po the confidence to know who he is, to understand himself and how can he be more than he already is.” Mr. Ping concluded.

Shifu smiled “Very wise indeed Mr. Ping. I knew you’ve taught Po very well. I have to say, my heart torn up when I lost my son Tai Lung, and today I’d been promised to yet own another”.

“I’ll draft the betrothal proposal on the scroll so you two can sign”. Shifu added. “Cheers to Dragon Warrior and Master Tigress! Cheers to three fathers!”.

“Oh yes, by the way Shifu, I think me and Li Shan did owe you an apology”. Mr Ping said it quietly, almost like muttering to himself.

“And why is that”. Shifu throw him a confused look”. Mr. Ping looked at Li Shan give him a nudge to answer the question.

“Mmmm.... we did hit you with a pan during our encounter with jombified version of you. Not that both of us had anything against you, it’s just Po doesn’t want to hit you because you are his Master”. Li chuckled. “Hope you are not holding any grudges upon us”.

And with that the three father laughed and continue with their celebration.

#kung fu panda #fanfic #father issue #arrange marriage #po #tigress