Choose Your Path

"What!" Mei-Ling exclaimed at the big male feline. "Why are you telling me this now!?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were informed," Tai-Lung simply said.

"Hmph," Mei griped.

"Why does it bother you?" Tai-Lung asked in a grunt. He was a little annoyed that nothing seemed to really put a genuine smile on the mountain cat's face. Well, nothing he did anyway.

"You could have asked me."

"Heh!" Tai-Lung gave a short, almost mocking chuckle, "I don't need your permission to do something, you know. If you want something from me, then you're going to have to be a little clearer in your motives." She was silent for a moment having an irritated face, glaring into the big snow leopard's eyes. Tai-Lung sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He had to calm down. Even with Po/Aku-Po around him, he still had a bit of a temper. Must be a cat thing. "Look, I understand that you're upset with the decision, but why do you care about it so much. Does the thought of me leaving bother you?"

"Ha!" She scoffed, looking over to her left. Her eyes drifted back to his. They weren't mocking her. He was genuinely asking. Somehow, she couldn't really lie as she said with a sigh, "Yes. It... It does."

"You can always come with me." The mountain cat's eyes lit up. Then she gave him a genuine smile.

"I would appreciate that," Mei-Ling replied. They walked down the hall, but as they did a growing sensation of frustration and desire built up in Tai-Lung. He finally groaned out loud with a heavy breath, grabbing Mei-Ling's attention.

"I can't do this."

"Do what?" She asked, worried about him. Tai-Lung turned to her, gently grabbed her chin and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her waist to bring her up a bit. The mountain cat was beyond shocked. Though she tried to process it, her wide open eyes slowly closed as she relaxed and allowed the feeling of the snow leopard's embrace and kiss to complement her. It wasn't a fight of dominance between them as they both thought it would be. It was... a kind of dance that needed both of them to cooperate. Tai-Lung released her lips and stared deep into her eyes.

"Let's stop playing games," He simply said. She knew what he meant. Her smile was contagious as she caressed his cheeks. The touch of a woman (that didn't slap him) was more... different and... welcoming than Tai-Lung thought.

"I agree," She replied, kissing him again.

A few days later, Fu ran through the tightly knitted crowd, holding the swan's hand. "Come on, slowpoke," he laughed as he finally made it through the crowd and stood next to Big Wolf. Big Wolf and Song stood at attention, smiling at the two little troublemakers that finally found their way on time. Crane and Viper were standing next to the couple. On the other side of the finely stitched red carpet was Tai-Lung with Mei-Ling. One step above them on the same side of Tigress. They were all at a massive palace. The large open courtyard was filled with people. Coming down the steps was a familiar water buffalo wearing a decorated royal robe. Standing at his right was the red dragon, Aku, with his black robe and a golden royal sash across his chest to prove his status.

On the left of Lu-Kang was Po, who was decorated in a white robe with golden lining and the stitching of a golden dragon on his back. He had Master Oogway's jade staff in his right hand as he walked down the stairs with Lu-Kang and Aku. The panda smiled at Tigress with as they finally got to the bottom where the Kung Fu masters were waiting to crown Lu-Kang. The buffalo saw Fu and Ai and waved excitedly as he finally made it to the platform where his mobile throne was. He turned around and waited as Master Chao and Master Ox place the royal robe and crown on him. The crowd went wild as the rest of the festivities went on.

A feast. A feast that lasted well into the night and the early morning. Po was looking into the starry night sky. It's been eventful, the past few days. Just as he sighed and placed his hands on the rail of the palace balcony, looking at the stars, "Beautiful, aren't they?"

"Hehe," Po chuckled a bit as the dragon came to his side. "They always are." They shared a pleasant moment of silence before Po mustered up the courage to say, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making sure that I stayed on the right path," Po smiled. Aku smiled back.

"You decided that on your own. I only gave you the tools to do so. And reasons not to stray from it," Aku replied. The dragon thought for a moment. "Normally I don't ask this question because people usually say something completely false or fluffy, but I am curious. Do you regret not having defeated Tai-Lung? Are you happy with this path?" Po looked at the dragon. Then he looked back to the lively party inside. Mei-Ling was teasingly rubbing her finger across Tai-Lung's chest while he rubbed her head. Song and Big Wolf danced around with the kids. Tigress and the rest of the Furious Five were laughing and chatting together.

"No," Po smiled. "I'm happy with the path I chose."

"And so is the world," Aku poetically said, "By one man's pure walk, many are purified."

Remember, YOU choose your path.

The End