21 days and counting....

While Tigress laid upstairs talking with Hai, Po was downstairs in the kitchen talking to his father who was relieved that he was alright.

"I'm just so glad you're okay!" Li exclaimed happily, squeezing Po in a tight hug. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you again!"

"Well, I'm not going anywhere, so lets not think about it," the Dragon Warrior answered with a weak smile.

Li put him down and grabbed a large bowl of dumplings upon which he sat down at the table. Po sat down next to him, nervously tapping his fingers on the table. "Dad," he said after a moment. "Can we talk about the whole arranged marriage deal?"

Li glanced over at him, his mouth completely full. "Of course," he assured him. "Why, what's the matter?"

"To put it simple, dad, I don't really want to marry Mei-Mei. I don't think it'll work."

Li smiled sadly and swallowed the food in his mouth. "I was afraid that was going to happen," he noted. "Not that I mind you marrying someone you like, but we were kind of hoping you and Mei-Mei would really hit off."

"Mei-Mei is...nice...." Po explained. "But we don't really see eye to eye."

"I know."

Po did a double take. "You did?!" he exclaimed. "Since when?"

"I will admit that I was really more focused on you and Mei-Mei getting reacquainted," Li admitted, laying down his chopsticks for a brief moment. "In fact, I was so focused on it that it never occurred to me that there may have been other problems at hand until Ping pointed them out."

"Um..." the Dragon Warrior said nervously, readying himself for embarrassment. "What exactly did dad say?"

"After you left this morning to fight Kai, I asked him if you and Master Tigress were ever in a relationship since I just noticed you seemed pretty close. Then your father mentioned something about people betting on you two getting together and after that, I just started thinking."

"He told you about the betting wars?!" Po exclaimed.

"Not in detail," Li promised, seeing the anxious look on Po's face. "But I've been thinking about that, and I realized that you do have a life back where you were raised. And with the responsibilities you had, simply pairing you off with Mei-Mei may not automatically work."

"Yeah, that's what I wanted to actually tell you," the Dragon Warrior explained slowly. "I was kind of hoping that maybe we could call off the whole arranged marriage to Mei-Mei. I mean, not that I wouldn't mind staying here and getting to know you even better, but the Valley of Peace does need me to keep people from destroying it. That and I've lived there for most of my life so I do feel a little more at home there...."

"I understand," Li assured him. "I don't see any problem with calling the marriage off. Besides, your dad would probably miss you."

"That doesn't mean that I can't come and visit," Po told him with a smile. "We could work out a schedule and I can come here and spend some time with you."

"That would be awesome!" Li exclaimed happily. He picked up his chopsticks and stuffed some dumplings in his mouth hungrily. "You hungry, son?" he asked.

"A little," Po admitted, getting up. As he went to go get some food, he asked, "Um...should we go grab dad and Kai?"

"I've already sent someone to do that. They'll guard Kai until someone comes to drag him to prison."

"They might actually drag him out of China," Po corrected. "Before Kai got here, Tigress told me that he was originally banished from here."

"Was he indeed? Well, here's hoping that they send him far away and throw away the key they lock him up with."

"Sounds good to me," Po responded, stuffing a bunch of dumplings into his mouth.

Father and son spent some time eating before Li lightly coughed, getting Po's attention. "Where's Mei-Mei?" he asked.

"Um...probably upstairs," Po answered. "Why?"

"You're going to have to tell her about cancelling the marriage."

The Dragon Warrior froze, a dumpling mid-way to his mouth. "Right..." he said slowly. "I'm sure that will go well."

"I'm sure Mei-Mei will understand," Li assured him.

"If I word everything correctly, she may," Po corrected. "She'll probably go commando on Tigress when I tell her."

"I'm sure she'll be fine."

Po chewed the dumpling slowly before he sighed and stood up from the table. "I'd better tell her now while I still have my nerves gathered," he said reluctantly. "I'll be back."

"I'll be down here."

Po reluctantly headed up the stairs in search of Mei-Mei who was probably tending to the weakened masters. It didn't take him very long to find her as she was quite loudly showing Bao off to a master that didn't sound particularly happy to have her in the room. Po simply followed the sound until he reached a room that he recognized at the one that Tigress was staying in.

"I'm sure he's very talented," a butterfly was grumbling as he watched Bao kick around a small ball. "But I'd like some sleep, if you don't mind."

"He's cute," a panther off in the corner piped up.

"Hush up, Pong!" the butterfly snapped.

"Master Hudie, please," an elderly goat told him. "Not in front of the child."

Bao kicked the ball over to Tigress, saying, "Are you good at kicking things in the air?"

"Of course she is," Mei-Mei said, turning to look at the master. "She literally kicks Po around, right Tigress?"

"You're lucky I can't get out of bed," Tigress snarled at her. "Or I'd kick you!"

"Hey!" Po yelled from the doorway, sensing a nasty fight coming up. "Come on, you two. Can't you be nice to each other for five seconds?"

"I managed twelve seconds at the most," Tigress answered expertly. "That's all I can do around her."

"There you are, Fengy!" Mei-Mei exclaimed happily, rushing over to hug him. "Have you met Master Hudie?"

"Oh, please no....." Hudie grumbled, flopping face first in his pillow.

"No," Po admitted. "But I came up here to tell you something."

"Is it about the wedding preparations?" Mei-Mei asked with a smile. "Because I really have my heart set on Bao being the best man."

"Sort of," Po answered. "Can we talk outside? Out of earshot?"

"Of course," Mei-Mei said happily, grabbing the panda's arm and ducking out of the room. "Someone besides Tigress watch Bao, please."

"I can watch him perfectly fine," Tigress grumbled, watching Bao moving to balancing the ball on his head.

When the door closed, Bao looked at the master and asked, "How come mom doesn't like you?"

"Because she sees me as a threat," Tigress answered simply.

"Why? You seem nice to me."

The master smiled at him. "Thanks, kid," she replied. "And...you'll have to discuss that with her."

Bao climbed onto the bed and held out his ball to her. "Can you balance this on your head?" he asked curiously.

"I don't know," Tigress admitted. "I can balance it on my arms, but I don't know about my head...."

"Good. We'll stick you both in the circus!" Master Hudie piped up in annoyance.

"I thought you were going to sleep," Tigress reminded him.

"Not with you loud-mouths in the room!!!"

Bao looked at him before he hopped off the bed and walked over to Hudie's. He then grabbed a blanket and tossed onto Master Hudie who let out a cry of protest before being engulfed by fabric.

"Hey, kid," Pong piped up from the corner. "You can't cover him. He has delicate wings."

Bao quickly uncovered the master where he let out a gasp of air and gave the eight year old a nasty look. "Do you mind?!" he snapped

"He was trying to be nice," Tigress told him sharply. "Leave him be."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T WANT TO GET MARRIED???!!!!" Mei-Mei suddenly screamed from the other side of the door.

Everyone in the room winced except for Bao who jumped in surprise and hid behind Master Hudie's bed. Po's response couldn't be heard, but Mei-Mei's hysterical screaming most certainly was.

"YOU MAKE ME WAIT FOR YOU ALL THESE YEARS AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ABANDON ME AND OUR CHILD???!!!!" came the next cry from her.

"She's going to get the attention of all of China if she keeps that up," Hudie complained.

"I think that's the point," Tigress grumbled.

"NO I WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU!!!! YOU HAVE BROKEN MY HEART, PO!!! AND YOU'VE DISAPPOINTED BAO!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG HE'S WAITED FOR YOU??!! AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO DUMP ME??!!! WHAT DOES TIGRESS DO FOR YOU THAT I DON'T???!!! BEAT YOU UP AND GIVE ICY LOOKS TO PEOPLE??!!! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP????!!!!!!"

Tigress felt heat rise to her face as everyone in the room turned to look at her. Nice job, Po. Mentioning me was the best way to appease her.

The door suddenly slammed open and called out, "Bao!!! Come here, we're going outside!"

Bao quickly got up and went to leave, but Tigress quickly called out, "Um, Bao!" When Bao looked at her, she added, "You...forgot your ball...."

The little panda smiled and quickly went to claim his toy upon which he and Mei-Mei swiftly left the room. The ring from Mei-Mei's voice hung in the air for a moment until Hudie finally said, "Well...at least she won't be bugging us now."

Po slowly walked in front of the door, glancing in the room at Tigress. "Well that went well," he said with a wince.

"Did you seriously mention me in that conversation?" Tigress asked, looking at him funny.

"I swear I didn't!" Po promised. "You and Mei-Mei mixed together is bad news! I just told her that I didn't think we were very compatible and that I think we should call the wedding off."

"And she did that?!" Pong exclaimed. "Geez!!"

"Yeah, I'm going to have to explain to everyone now that Bao's not my kid," Po grumbled, glancing out in the hallway at the dirty looks being given by some of the masters.

"You better do that now," Tigress told him.

"Will do."

Night befell the village a few hours later and everyone settled into their beds to finally get a good night sleep. Viper spent a lot of time with Crane, but she also made some time for checking on Tigress and Mantis as well as attending to anyone else. Po was able to explain to the people in the house exactly what the situation was between him and Mei-Mei which cleared up the confusion brought about by the upset angry ex-fiancee. Li was very surprised that Mei-Mei didn't take to the news well since she was normally very reasonable, but he hoped that by the morning she would feel better. Mei-Mei was missing for the rest of the day much to Tigress and Master Hudie's relief since neither one was a fan of her. Po stopped by to give everyone dinner and talk to Tigress for a bit before turning in for the night.

Tigress settled into her bed, fatigue washing over her body as the lights were blown out and everyone went to bed. In a few days, her and her friends were going to go home and she was looking forward to it. Not that she minded staying at the panda village, but she needed at least a decade away from Mei-Mei.

As the master began to fall asleep, she felt a strong paw clasp itself around her mouth and another one yank her out of bed. Despite the fact that it was dark, Tigress could still make out a pink sleeve that was attached to the arm which told her almost instantly who it was. The master tried to scream for help and even attempted to rip Mei-Mei off of her, but she was still weak and Mei-Mei had grown stronger from training which made her attempts futile.

"You're going to rue the day you stole my husband from me!!!" the angry ex-fiancée threatened. "Po will always be MINE!!!"

Tigress tried to kick her in the leg, but it seemed to have no effect on the panda. Mei-Mei then proceeded to drag Tigress out of the room, into the hallway, and down the stairs, still keeping an iron grip on the master.

"Mmm-Mmm!!!!!!" Tigress tried to scream. "Mmm mm mm mm!!!!!!!"

"Sorry, I don't speak monster," Mei-Mei snapped, dragging her outside.

The panda dragged Tigress across the grass, digging her nails into the master's shoulder blades and making her wince and whimper in pain. They finally reached a riverbed a little bit away where Mei-Mei through the kidnapped tiger harshly onto the ground. Tigress groaned in pain, although her moment of freedom only lasted for about three seconds before she felt Mei-Mei swiftly kick her in the ribs.

"Did you think you won?!" Mei-Mei screamed angrily as the master let out a cry of pain and tried to quickly stand up. "I know the real reason he won't marry me!!!! I'm no moron!! He doesn't think we're not compatible; he thinks you'd be a better wife! AS IF!!!!"

Tigress finally got to her feet only for the angry ex-fiancée to come barreling at her and knock her onto the ground. She stopped just short of rolling into the river upon which Mei-Mei grabbed her by the shoulders and tossed her into s nearby tree.

"What does he even see in you?!" Mei-Mei asked angrily. I don't see anything that would make you a good wife!!! You're a stubborn, icy, and very aggressive Kung Fu master!!!! What have you ever done for him?!!"

"I've been his friend!"  Tigress protested angrily as she made another attempt to stand up. Mei-Mei kicked her into the ground upon which the master added, "I wasn't great to him in the beginning, but I've been there for him! Name something you've done! You barely know him!!!"

Mei-Mei angrily whipped out a nunchuck and came charging at the master with full speed. Tigress managed to dodge out of the way, but she was slow in getting to her feet, so the panda was able to quickly swing back around for another go. The nunchuck whacked Tigress across the face, leaving a nasty mark almost right on top of the other one she had received just the other night. The master winced in pain, just barely managing to block the next swing. The nunchuck kept whipping around though, resulting with her getting massive scratches on her arm.

This is like Lu-Shi all over again, Tigress noted to herself. Except last time, Po and I were strictly friends and I was on the offensive.... She was acting suspicious!!!! The whole thing was off!!!!!!

Mei-Mei wrapped the nunchuck around Tigress' arm and yanked her forward where she kicked the master in the stomach and smacked her practically into the rushing river. Tigress felt a splitting headache form and her whole body was surging with pain as she weakly tried, and failed, to get up.

"Mei-Mei, what is the point of this?" the master asked weakly. "How is injuring me going to help you?!"

"You're a thief! You deserved to be punished for what you've done!!! Then Po will finally see who he truly belongs with!!!"

The panda went to hit the master once more with the intention of knocking her into the river to drown, but a strong paw gripped her and flung her back onto the ground with a hard thud.

"Ow...." Mei-Mei groaned.

Tigress managed to lift her head up and let out a gasp of relief. "Po!!!" She exclaimed.

Po ran over to her and helped her stand. "Are you alright?!" He asked worriedly, fingering the bleeding mark on her face. "I mean...besides getting beaten up?"

"I can barely stand and I feel like I got hit with a cauldron, but other than that, yes, I'm okay."

Mei-Mei, seeing the two, angrily stood up and yelled, "Yes, that's it. Go running over to her!!! What is wrong with you?!"

Po glared at her . "What's wrong with me?!" he yelled. "You're going to kidnap someone and almost kill them, then you'll ask what's wrong with me?!"

"You're my future husband!!! We are betrothed!!! And you're going to throw that away for...her?!"

"Yes."

Silence fell as Mei-Mei looked at Po in disbelief and Tigress looked at him in slight surprise.

"Look, Mei-Mei," the Dragon Warrior said firmly. "I meant what I said when I said that we weren't compatible. You're...very obsessive. Not that it's a bad thing in general, but the way you do it is very suffocating and I don't think I can live with that."

"And...her?" the panda asked slowly, no emotion shown on her face.

"It is true that I like Tigress," Po admitted. "But she's not the only reason I know you and I won't work out. Mei-Mei, you're a nice person. In general. But you're just not the girl for me. I know we were betrothed, but things happened. What if we had met and I was already married or in a relationship?"

"But you weren't," Mei-Mei told him sternly.

"What if I was? What would you have done then?"

The ex-fiancee opened her mouth to speak, but she thought about what Po said and quickly closed her mouth. After a moment, she finally said, "I don't know."

"I understand why you're upset," Po assured her. "But you also have to understand that circumstances have changed since we were babies. I have my own life and a future I had planned out. And...that didn't really include you."

Mei-Mei glared at Tigress and for a moment, she looked like she was going to attack the master again. However, she finally sighed in surrender and said, "I'm sorry, Po. I just...I've waited so long to see you again and...I wasn't expecting to never actually marry you. Our marriage has been planned since we were kids."

"It's alright. Are we good then?"

"Yeah...."

The panda began to walk away when Po called back out, "I want you and Tigress to make up too."

Mei-Mei whipped around to glare at the master. "Really?!" she exclaimed angrily.

"I don't like it as much as you, Mei-Mei," Tigress admitted. "But does have a point; we can't keep attacking each other every time we walk in the same proximity." 

Mei-Mei groaned. "Fine," she grumbled. "I'll be civil around you. And you?"

"Same."

Po looked at the two. "And shake on it?" he asked.

"Don't push your luck," Tigress remarked.

Mei-Mei smirked at her. "Afraid of a little handshake, are we?" she asked coyly.

Tigress resisted the urge to growl at her and simply held out her hand to the panda. Mei-Mei walked over and shook it, both girls resisting the urge to reach out and smack the other in the face from pure annoyance by being in each other's company.

"See? Was that so bad?" Po asked.

"No comment," Tigress replied.

"O...kay. So... can we get some sleep, now?"

Tigress leaned on the Dragon Warrior's shoulder and made an effort to stand up even straighter. "Lead on, Dragon Warrior," she told him with a smile.

Her and Po began to head back to the house, Mei-Mei slinking away with an annoyed look on her face. The two warriors headed back inside and slowly walked up the stairs where Po then proceeded to lay Tigress back down in bed.

"You feeling okay?" he asked her.

"I'll be fine," Tigress promised, laying down in bed in exhaustion. "Provided Mei-Mei doesn't try and whack me with another nunchuck that is."

Po hesitated for a second before leaning over and giving the master a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Tigress," he told her.

The master wrapped her paw around the panda's chin and pulled him closer so she could gently kiss his mouth. "Good night, Po," she responded, snuggling into bed.

Po turned a light shade of red, but simply smiled and walked out of the room to let the master, as well as himself, finally get some sleep.