Almost everyone in the room went silent, leaving Li's question to hang in the air.

"Come back with you?" Po repeated slowly. "As in...travel miles away to see people of my own species that I haven't seen in years?"

"Exactly!" Li exclaimed happily. "It'll give us more time to bond and I'll get to bring you home to our village."

"Absolutely not!" Mr. Ping exclaimed, bringing breakfast to the table. "My son is needed here in the valley. Plus, you're practically a stranger! How can he go visit a place with a complete stranger?!"

"Dad!" Po yelled in annoyance.

"Po, you can't leave!" the old goose begged, going over to Po's seat and giving him a tight squeeze. "What if something bad happens while you're away?! Or you don't have enough food to make it there?! Or you get killed by an attacker?! Or what if you like it there so much that you never return?!"

"Dad, I wouldn't stay there forever," Po promised him, not noticing the slight look of panic that crossed Tigress' face. "It would be just for a short time. Then I'd come right back."

The Dragon Warrior turned to his biological father and asked, "Um...how far away is your village?"

"Not far," Li promised. "From here in the valley to there, I believe it's about a four day journey."

"See?" Po told Mr. Ping. "I wouldn't be gone any longer than a month. If I do go."    He looked over at his friends and master. "Would you guys be okay if I took some time off of master duties?"

"Not at all," Master Shifu assured him. "I think this trip would be very enlightening for you, Po."

"We'll keep the valley safe until you get back," Crane promised.

"With all our new skills combined it shouldn't be hard," Monkey told his friend.

"Just expect a fanatic mob of fans when you get back," Tigress warned with a small grin.

Po weakly smiled. "Right," he remembered. "You guys better help me when I get back."

"We promise," Mantis assured him.

Po smiled and turned back to Li. "Sounds like an awesome idea," he told him. "When do we leave?"

"I was thinking tomorrow morning," the panda replied with a joyous expression. "That way you can say goodbye to your friends and the people here."

"Great. Looks like we'll have time for a game later tonight," the Dragon Warrior said, looking at his friends.

"I'm kicking your guys' butts again," Viper warned with a smirk.

"Please!" Monkey exclaimed. "My skills have improved. You're going down this next game!"

"Well, Po," Master Shifu told him, watching everyone continue to eat. "Since you won't be leaving us for a little while, you'll have plenty of time to join us for training today."

"What are we doing today?" Tigress asked the grandmaster.

"I'd like to go over some of the scrolls in the Sacred Hall of Warriors," came the answer. "To review our knowledge on various abilities and different objects used in kung fu."

"Sweet!" Po exclaimed. "Time to master the eye gouge!"

"Well, you all have fun with your kung fu stuff," Mr. Ping told the group, cleaning the counters and the dishes. "I have to head back down and run my restaurant. I'll see you later though, Po. Right?"

"Of course," Po assured him.

Mr. Ping quickly finished up and waved goodbye, casting a quick, irritated glance at Li before exiting the kitchen. The masters finished up their breakfast as well and cleaned their dishes before heading out with Master Shifu to the Hall of Heroes. Li, who still wanted to spend time with Po, tagged along behind everyone. However, his presence wasn't noted until everyone reached the top of the stairs and heard him wheezing right behind them. Master Shifu gave a little sigh and said, "Do you all mind going in for a moment while I talk to Li?"

The students assured him that they didn't mind and they all headed inside to wait. Monkey closed the door behind them and walked over to the Sacred Moon Pool with Mantis and Crane right behind him. Viper slithered over to the fan that was behind one of the Sacred Pillars too look at it, leaving Po and Tigress alone to go over the day's hectic activities. The two stood by Master Rhino's armor where they decided to converse until Shifu came in.

"So, you're going on a long road trip," Tigress told him. "How are you feeling about that?"

"I think it'll be fun," Po replied. "I mean, it feels a weird since I've only known my real dad for about a day or so, but I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. I thought I was the last panda left!"

Tigress smiled at him. "Looks like your not," she said.

Po smiled back, glancing down at his paws for a moment before looking back at her and adding, "Um...this may be a bad time, but do you remember yesterday when you told me you wanted to tell me something?"

"Yes," Tigress answered, trying to hold back an incoming blush. "And I also said that I wanted to discuss it without prying ears."

"I know. I was wondering if we could use some relaxation time later to talk."

"Won't you be busy later?" Tigress asked him. "Between packing and getting enough rest to get up in the morning?"

"That doesn't mean I can't take five minutes to spend with you."

Despite her best efforts, Tigress felt a full on blush creep onto her cheeks. "Well, in that case..." she began. "I don't see the harm."

The door suddenly open, Tigress and Po instinctively scootching away a bit in order to avoid Monkey and Mantis getting any ideas. Shifu walked inside and shut the doors where he then turned to address his students.

"I'm terribly sorry about that," he announced, walking over to the moon pool. "As nice as Li is, I'm afraid he doesn't have much respect for our training schedule. Now for those of you not by the moon pool, please follow me."

Viper, Po, and Tigress followed him over there, Po slightly distracted by his conversation with Tigress. He admitted to himself that he could be pretty oblivious at times, but there were also occasions where he noticed certain things and today was one of those days.

Why was she blushing? he thought, remembering the cute redness that had settled on Tigress' cheeks. I hope I didn't embarrass her. No, she never does that normally. Does she? Maybe it was awkward with Monkey and Mantis around, or maybe I was being too...sweet. Or...wait, could she...like me?

Po thought about this for a moment before inwardly shaking his head. No, there's no way she likes me, he told himself. Especially in the way I feel about her. We're buddies. She just started getting used to me. There's no way she'd like me. Like that anyway. Besides, she's so pretty and strong and clever....And I'm clumsy, slightly chubby, and not always as smart as she is.... Why would she fall for me? This will probably just be another fanboy fantasy of mine. Much to dad's disappointment probably. But she hugs me...nah, that's just friendly friend stuff. Even though I really like her hugs. Especially when we fell asleep by the peach tree-

Po felt hot blood rush up to his face, thankful that Tigress' back was turned to him thus preventing her from seeing him.

Great. Now I'm blushing! Monkey and Mantis better not say anything.

Master Shifu stood everyone in front of him and proceeded to go on to the lesson.

"Today, I'd like to review how much you know about the Thousand Scrolls," he announced. "And to do that, I'm going to drill you all. I have a bunch of questions to ask you about various things inside of those scrolls. You must answer the question I ask correctly and then tell me in which scroll it can be found in. I hope you've all studied them well over the years you've been here."

"Same," Po commented with a gulp.

"And since you seem so confident, Po, you can go first."

"Wait, what?!"

"What was the first pressure point to ever be used in combat?"

"The opening and closing of the jaw, used by Master Deao in the second dynasty. Scroll number...28?"

"27," Shifu corrected him. He then turned to Monkey and asked, "Monkey, how does one use tea to create an antidote to poison?"

"Crush certain herbal roots to create a sticky and watery paste, boil it in the tea, and feed it slowly to the patient," Monkey swiftly replied. "Scroll 1."

"Correct. Tigress, who created the universal balance of Tai Chi?"

"Master Lop of the second dynasty. Scroll 6."

"Correct. Mantis, what does one do to paralyze one's chi?"

"Hit them on point in the abdomen with a strong force to hit the nerve right. Scroll 108."

"Scroll 217. Viper...."

The red panda continued to drill the masters in this manner, testing them to see just how much they knew. Tigress, being well disciplined in the manner of kung fu, could recite everything in the scrolls on point. Mantis and Crane also got most of the scrolls minus one or two. Po knew every fact by heart, but not always the scroll number while Monkey and Viper remembered most of both but not everything. The masters got into a certain rhythm of recitation but they were cut short when they heard a loud, "So who here wears this flattering outfit?"

The masters turned to see Li admiring Master Flying Rhino's armor.

"Mr. Shan!" Shifu yelled out in annoyance. "I already told you we are in the middle of training."

"You can take a break for a moment, can't you?" Li asked, picking up the helmet and admiring it. "That's a lot of long and boring reciting to do."

"It's not that bad," Po assured him. "Especially when it's awesome stuff to learn."

"Mr. Shan," Shifu called over to the panda. "Please put Master Flying Rhino's armor back, please."

"Does he live here?" Li asked, looking around the room.

"Master Flying Rhino's been dead for over twenty years. His armor is merely there for display."

Li looked at him funny. "That seems kind of pointless, don't you think?" he asked. "I bet this doesn't get much wear. Or anything else in this room."

"That's because they're sacred artifacts," Po assured him, standing up and walking over, leaving Shifu to twitch his ear in aggravation. "There's a whole bunch of awesome stuff in here that's best not to be touched."

Li stuck the helmet on his head, giving Po a grin. "What do you think?" he asked.

Po laughed. "That actually looks pretty good on you," he told him.

"Well in that case...," Li said, turning back to the armor.

Po's face lit up. "Oh, wait, hold on one second!" he exclaimed.

"Po!" Shifu yelled. "We need to get back to training!"

Monkey chuckled. "Don't bother," he told the master. "He's already on a roll."

Shifu sighed, glancing at Li. "I'm wondering if he got that from Mr. Ping or if it's hereditary," he grumbled.

"I think it might be both," Tigress piped up.

During that time, Po had quickly put on some armor belonging to what appeared to be a dolphin and had rushed back to Li who had finished putting on the rest of Rhino's armor.

"Now that's something you don't see every day," Li noted with a smile.

"Behold the armor of Master Porpoise!" Po exclaimed. He bent his head and added, "Shashabooey!" before firing an arrow at the armor Li wore. The panda, not used to wearing so much heavy metal, started losing his balance and began tumbling backwards.

"And now I leave!" Po exclaimed, backing up with his best dolphin impression.

The masters left by the moon pool couldn't help but laugh and chuckle at the show being put on before them. Shifu, however, had just about enough.

"Po!" he yelled. "This isn't playtime!"

Po turned a dark shade of red in embarrassment. "Right," he said sheepishly. "Sorry."

He went to go put Master Porpoise's armor back only to hear a loud crash that came from Li finally toppling over from the unbalanced weight on him. Po winced. "Are you okay, dad?" he asked.

"I'm fine, son," Li assured him. "Just help me out of this stuff! I can't get up."

Monkey stifled a laugh as Po went to get Rhino's armor off of his dad. Upon being freed, the older panda shakily stood up and watched Po put the armor back. "Thank you," he said gratefully.

"No problem," Po assured him.

"Now that you've had your fun, Mr. Shan," Master Shifu said irritably. "May we please get back to training?!"

"But there's so much more fun stuff in here!" Li protested, looking at the many other artifacts that were around the Sacred Hall of Warriors.

"Um, maybe later, dad," Po told him, gently nudging him out. "Then we'll have more time."

"Well, when you put it like that," Li said. "Sure. Sounds like a plan."

He then left the building and Po shut the doors, turning to walk back to the moon pool. "Sorry," he apologized. "Guess I got a little carried away."

"As long as we can carry on without anymore distractions, I think we'll be fine," the grandmaster assured him.

Po got back to the group and continued the lesson with his friends, only stopping for a lunch break where Li was quick to excitedly talk to Po and try to talk him out of another long kung fu session. However, Shifu was quick to resolve the situation and requested that Li packed so that he could have more time to spend with Po later on. Liking the idea, Li was quick to go and do so, leaving the masters to continue on with their training until the evening. After their training was finished, the masters then retired to the kitchen where Po cooked everyone dinner and Li quickly entered to bond some more with him. After a long dinner and some hard looks from Shifu when Monkey and Mantis tried some sneaky side bets, the kitchen was cleaned up and everyone retired to the barracks for their mahjong game. Tigress, having gotten slightly better at the game, won three times before retiring to her room to meditate. Viper and Mantis were tied at eleven wins while Monkey won five times, Po won eight, and Crane won seven. After playing their game for a while, Viper announced that they should probably head off to bed and the rest of the masters retired to their rooms. Everyone, that is, except for Po who decided to sneak a peek in Tigress' room to see what she was doing. He found her sitting on the floor in a meditation position where she almost immediately opened her eyes to look at him.

"How'd the game go?" she asked him.

"Fine," Po assured her with a small smile. "Viper and Mantis tied."

"Figures. Do you want to meditate by the peach tree now?"

"Definitely!" the panda exclaimed in a half-whisper, careful to not cause any attention to themselves. "Before anyone else shows up and takes away more time."

"Lei-Feng!" came Li's voice from behind, startling Po and causing him to hit his head against the door frame.

Tigress almost immediately stood up and ran over to him. "Po, are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

Po clutched his head with a moan. "Ow!" he complained. "Pain! Seriously un-awesome pain!"

"Sorry, son!" Li apologized. "I didn't mean to startle you." He looked at him and Tigress funny. "What are you doing in her room?" he asked.

"I was going to give him meditation tips," Tigress lied, not in the mood to be bothered on the matter in the morning.

"That's twenty-five yuan!" Mantis called over to Monkey from the other side of the barracks.

Tigress growled. "Will you two cut it out already?!" she snapped.

The two betters merely snickered in response.

"Meditation tips?" Li asked, completely ignoring the masters. "Don't you ever rest from your training?!"

"Or course I do," Po responded, hoping Li would buy it and leave him and Tigress be. "But I also need to practice things I'm bad at. Like meditating."

Monkey's stifled laughter could be heard two doors down from the room, almost making Tigress clap a paw to her head. The masters all knew that Po had no problem with his meditation, so now the meditation excuse wouldn't work."

"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?!" Li exclaimed happily. "I know quite a bit about meditation! It could be a perfect bonding moment!"

"Uh-!" Po began to protest, but Li had already grabbed his arm and excitedly pulled him out of the barracks.

Tigress, assuming that with Li around her and Po wouldn't get a chance to talk privately, sadly accepted defeat and went to get some sleep.

Early the next morning, the masters were standing by the gate wishing Po good travels and saying final goodbyes.

"How long do you plan on being gone for?" Mantis asked him.

"A month, I would guess," Po replied.

"I was thinking it could be a bit longer than that," Li told him with a smile.

Po looked at him. "Longer?" he asked in surprise.

"Well, we can work it out as we go, but at least a month and a half, maybe...."

"I don't know if dad would like that," the Dragon Warrior told him nervously.

"I am your dad," Li reminded him.

"No, dad. My other dad. Mr. Ping."

"Oh, that's right," the panda exclaimed. "I almost forgot about him. I got so excited that you were coming along that I kind of forgot about the old man."

"Uh, happy travels, Po," Monkey piped up, seeing that the conversation was getting ready to go downhill. He came up to his friend and gave him a small fist bump and a hug. The other masters came up to hug Po as well, sans Master Shifu who stood back to watch the spectacle and Tigress who merely stood behind everyone to avoid getting caught up in all the hugging...just in case Monkey or Mantis got any ideas. However, Po spotted her and said with a grin, "You're not getting out of the group hug just yet, Tigress."

"I don't do group hu-OOF!!!" Tigress began, but Po and Viper scooped her into the group where she found herself being hugged by everyone there. After a moment, Po finally released his friends and stood by his dad.

"No group hugs, Master Shifu?" he asked his master.

"I'll stick with wishing you safe travels," the red panda answered. He smiled. "Have a safe travel, Po."

Li patted his son on the back as he began to sadly smile. "Time to go then," he announced.

"Bye, guys!" the Dragon Warrior called out as he left the Jade Palace.

"Bye Po!!!!" came the unanimous reply.

When the gates shut, everyone stood in a brief moment of silence by the gate, Po's contagious laughter and personality walking away from them. Tigress stared sadly at the gate and wished that she had just had a little more time to talk to Po.

I'll be fine, she told herself. I just...need to delve deep into my hard-core side again. That's all.

"Tigress?" Viper asked, seeing her friend's sad look. "Are you alright?"

"Yes.... I'm fine," Tigress assured her. "And I'll be even better once I have breakfast."

"Guess that's my cue to cook," the serpent commented with a grin, slithering away with the tiger master behind her.

As the rest of the masters began to follow them, Monkey grinned and told Mantis in an undertone, "Pay up."

As Po and Li prepared to leave the valley, they passed by Mr. Ping's noodle shop.

"Once second," Po told his biological father. "I have to say goodbye to dad first."

Li nodded and waited by the entrance of the restaurant as Po quickly went inside to say goodbye. Mr. Ping, not exactly relishing the idea of Po leaving him and the valley, didn't waste his time squeezing his adopted son tightly and almost refusing to let go of him.

"Po, please don't forget about me!" the old goose whimpered fearfully.

"I won't, dad. I promise," Po assured him. "Just because I'm visiting a village with my dad doesn't mean I'll forget about you. You took care of me the second you found me in that radish basket. How could I ever forget that?"

Mr. Ping held back a sniffle. "I know," he said sadly. "I just.... I love you, son."

"I love you too, dad."

Po gave him a tight squeeze before letting him go and heading back out of the restaurant. "I'll see you in a month!" he called back.

Mr. Ping waved to him sadly. "Be careful, Po!" he replied.

"I will!"

Li and Po finally began to head out of the valley, Po casting one sad, final glance at it before they left. "I hope everyone will be okay," he said slowly. "Especially dad."

"I'm sure they'll be fine," Li assured him, clapping his son on the back. "You won't be chucking them completely out of your life. You're just coming to visit and learn the ways of our people."

Po nodded and looked forward at the road ahead, letting out a small smile. "I can't wait," he admitted as they continued on the road together.