A/N: Here we go. A new chapter. A bit of a transition chapter really. Once again, the first section is from Po's POV and the second is from Tigress' POV.

It was hard for him to keep up with Tigress on a normal basis, but right now Po was finding it even more difficult. He was just so tired and his legs went from aching, to being stiff, and then almost numb. Ignoring it had worked for the first few hours after leaving the Tong Ku Forest, but the pain had only come in brief burst than. Now, as the sun was beginning to make its way closer and closer to the horizon, the weird feelings were lasting longer and coming more often. It was becoming harder to ignore.

He wanted to keep going. The thought of what that monkey was doing to his dad and everyone at the Jade Palace spurred him on. His friends and family needed him right now. At the rate things were going he wouldn't make it there at all though.

He coughed slightly as he maneuvered over a log. Tigress jumped on top of it and launched herself off so easily it seemed that this was nothing more than a casual stroll through the village for her. The mere sight almost made him lightheaded though.

They'd agreed to travel through the night so they could reach the Valley of Peace by morning, however Po had a feeling it was also be because his time was running out and they both wanted to reach the Jade Palace before that happened. He suddenly really hoped that the legend was right about his death restoring those affected by the Bai Yin Touch. At least than he would know for a fact that his friends would be alright after he died because of the curse.

They skidded around an especially wide tree, Tigress' graceful movements making it look far easier than he found it, and then used large boulders to cross a pond. Just as the pond disappeared behind them, and they once again began to jog through the trees, a sharp stabbing pain shot down Po's right side and across his chest. He coughed as his lungs constricted and was soon forced to slow down.

The world seemed to spin for a moment as he placed his paw against a tree and bent forward to catch his breath. "Tigress," he called to get her attention. She was already a good distance away from him. Po straightened before she could stop and turn though. He didn't want her to see him looking quite so pathetic. He really did hate having to make them stop, but if he was going to make it to the Valley of Peace at all then he was going to have to catch his breath. "Can we stop for a break? Just for a minute?"

Tigress subtly looked the panda up and down, taking in his appearance. His breathing was more labored than usual, even considering the amount of running they had been doing. His paws also seemed to be shaking. Not very much, just enough for her to notice upon closer inspection. Even Po's legs appeared weaker to the point that they looked as if they were having trouble holding him upright.

Po needed to rest. She mentally berated herself for not noticing just how badly he needed it.

Tigress nodded and turned to face him fully. "Very well. We will stop for a few minutes." She watched as he sighed in relief and slowly slid down the tree he'd been leaning against, until he was sitting with his back against it.

She took a few steps closer, but stopped while there was still a large gap between them. As he closed his eyes to rest she continued to watch him. While she stood there observing him, her mind began to wonder, analyzing the last couple of days. She wasn't surprised when the conversation she'd had with Po just before Zeng had arrived drifted through her thoughts and demanded her attention. Po's current condition seemed to spur the line of thought forward, overshadowing all the other things begging for her attention.

What was she waiting for anyway? Her time to tell Po how she felt may very well be running out no matter what she told herself to the contrary and no matter how much she assured him that they would figure something out. He wanted to know how she felt about him, and how could she deny him that? It seemed so simple, but yet it was also far from simple. There was very little that was simple about any of this. Why could she not answer him this one question though?

What was she afraid of? Rejection? No. The evidence of Po's depth of caring was hard to ignore at this point. And she trusted him. She trusted him completely and knew that he, of all people, wouldn't intentionally hurt her.

What could it be than other than her own stubborn will and determination? Protecting others had been her mission in life and would always be her mission in life. The thought of allowing anything to get in the way of that mission was something she couldn't tolerate. She had her honor and duty to uphold and a master to make proud. Was admitting to being in love really worth risking all of that?

But then again, what would be the point in protecting a world without love? Wasn't it love that had driven many a master to train until they, quite literally, broke? Wasn't it love, and family, and peace that the warriors of the Jade Palace fought to protect? How could she fight for such things and yet push them away from herself at the same time.

Even Kung Fu masters deserved love, peace, and family of their own. She felt sure that Master Oogway would have agreed. Not for the first time she wished that the old wise turtle was still with them. He had always given good advice, even if it was cryptic at times.

"Okay," Po suddenly said, interrupting her thoughts. "I'm ready. Let's do this!" Though he tried to sound confident, he sounded mostly out of breath and fatigued.

Tigress watched as he pushed himself up from the ground.

And then promptly fell back down with an 'oomph'.

She was at his side before he had time to look up. As she knelt down beside him she placed a paw on his shoulder. He did not look good. Under closer scrutiny, she could see the extreme tiredness lining his eyes. She could even feel a muscle under her paw twitching uncontrollably. They were running out of time both for him and for their friends back at the Jade Palace.

Time was definitely not on their side. Then again, very little seemed to be going quite right lately. As much as she tried to deny it, it was looking more and more like Po might not make it out alive this time. If only they'd had more time. More time to find a solution, more time to reach the Jade Palace, more time to say all the things that were left unsaid between them.

She wanted Master Shifu and the others back, but at what cost? For them to live it seemed Po would have to die. Was it worth losing the Dragon Warrior, her friend, and her...

Her heart.

Tigress brushed the thought away as quickly as it had appeared. They would find a safe way to return Master Shifu and the others while keeping Po alive as well. She would make sure of it. She refused to lose any of them.

"Po," she said firmly to get his attention as his breathing worsened. "Take a deep breath."

"What?"

"Take a deep breath," she instructed calmly. He did as she said and breathed in deeply before slowing releasing. She very gently tightened her grip on his shoulder to let him know he was doing well. "Again." Once again Po did as she instructed, and she felt his shoulder relax slightly under her paw. "Good job."

"I'm sorry, Tigress." There was such remorse in his voice that it made her paw tighten on his shoulder again.

"You have nothing to apologize for," she told him. "Breathe."

Po took another deep breath and slowly released. "This is all my fault," he began. "If I had just..."

"I said you have nothing to apologize for," she said more firmly. "Stop blaming yourself and focus. Does the Dragon Warrior intend to give up now? Before the fight has even begun?" she asked pointedly.

The panda thought over her words before shaking his head. "You're right. As always," he added with a crooked half-smile.

Tigress returned the smile with a smaller one of her own. "Are you ready to continue?"

"Ready! But...uh..." He looked a little embarrassed as he paused. "You might have to help me up."

She stood without commenting and held out a paw, which he gladly accepted. She pulled him to his feet with a single solid tug and he grinned appreciatively.

"Let's get that monkey!" he exclaimed excitedly before taking off.

She admired his enthusiasm.

But he was going the wrong way.

"Po," Tigress called. He abruptly stopped and looked over his shoulder. "It's that way." She pointed in the opposite direction he had been going and couldn't help but to smirk in amusement.

"Right. I knew that." He turned around and stared walking in the direction she had pointed. "Thanks, Tigress," he added with a sheepish smile in passing.

She smirked a moment longer before following after him. In the distance the setting sun sank lower and lower, filling the sky with an array of pinks and blues as the day slowly came to an end. It would be a full moon though, giving them enough light to make traveling at night easier. That was, Tigress supposed, at least one thing in their favor.