A/N: Apologies for missing chapter 21 the other week, guys. It's entirely my bad. Thanks to Tatsumi Yamamoto for pointing out my error!
This was it. Her final moments. She hadn't imagined it'd end quite like this. Tigress heard the others struggling against their restraints to try and get free to stop the Salamander from striking the fatal blow coming her way. She just hoped it would be quick and as painless as possible. As Tigress closed her eyes and simply waited for the end to come, she was surprised when it in fact didn't. Instead, a clanging sound rang out in front of her. Opening her eyes to see what had happened, she was shocked to see a sword had blocked the Salamander's own from making contact with her...
Turning her head to see who wielded the sword, she was astonished to find it was The Hunter who had saved her from certain death at the hands of these warriors. The last time she was so relieved to see someone was probably Po and the Masters coming back from the Spirit World after his fight with Kai. Tigress watched Hunter move the Salamander's blade aside and kick her away. "If you want to kill them, you'll have to go through me." His voice held a dark edge to it as he stood in a ready position.
Po was definitely ecstatic as he saw this happen. "Whoo! Yeah! I told you! You guys are chop suey now!" he exclaimed with a smirk on his face and a laugh, although Hunter appeared to not be paying attention to the Five right now, instead choosing to focus on the battle at paw... or whatever.
Tigress appreciated and understood that mentality, it was the smart move and precisely what she would try and do. Although she would probably still have some amount of concern for the rest of the Five and Po, Hunter seemed confident that they were safe for now. Part of Tigress wanted to say something to Hunter, but she held back. He needed to focus right now. "Kick her ass!" Mantis cheered Hunter on.
She watched as the Salamander became rather angry at being denied Tigress' life, deciding to try and end the battle herself by attacking with reckless abandon in the hope to at least get a swipe in at him. She had no such luck. The Five and Po all looked on as he seemingly effortlessly blocked whatever she threw at him, until he saw an opening, trapping her sword in the ground and stunning her with his pommel, spinning and impaling the Salamander on his blade, withdrawing it from her as she collapsed to the ground in a pool of her own blood. "He definitely 'kicked her ass'." Monkey pointed out to Mantis.
Tigress had to admit she was impressed with his skill so far with his blade, although she found herself keen to find out exactly how he would perform against someone more calm and collected than his previous opponent had been. She saw one of the guards run out of the Forest and yell that the guards they had sent inside were dead. Tigress found herself smiling a little, remembering how Hunter picked off those away from the main group, and how he'd applied the same tactics here. The leader spoke to Hunter then. "Using stealth and trickery? I should've expected such dishonourable tactics from a freak like you." he snarled at Hunter.
Tigress snarled in return at the leader for that comment, with her newfound perspective on The Hunter she realised just how damaging that word could possibly be. She certainly knew it would cut deep with herself, even if she didn't show it. Like when Po mentioned how her feeling nothing was super hardcore. Hearing it spoken out aloud like that by someone really hit her hard. She heard Hunter chuckle at the leader's taunt. "That's rich coming from you, Makaku. Burning down farms? Demanding food for free? Using hostages? Tell me which of us is the dishonourable one here again, I must have misheard." Hunter gave as good as he got by the looks of it. So the leader's name is Makaku? Interesting.
Seeing the leader gearing up for an attack, the Five struggled more against their restraints. "We need to help!" Viper exclaimed, attempting to get her tail free to pick the lock on the chains binding them together.
However, upon seeing Hunter deliver a swift side kick to Makaku's head, sending him sprawling across the camp with pieces of his now shattered mask littering the ground, Crane spoke a slightly upbeat tone. "Something tells me he doesn't need our help." he pointed out, although they all still tried to get out to at least do something. Makaku was the leader, and so surely was the best sword combatant of the group... And Hunter had beaten him back almost effortlessly, but numbers could still overwhelm as the Five well knew.
Hearing Makaku order his warriors to attack Hunter, Tigress thrashed violently against her restraints, despising feeling helpless like this during a fight. A shiver ran down her spine hearing Hunter challenge the warriors with such confidence in his voice. He might carry himself like a warrior, but he usually didn't have the air of confidence he did in combat it seems...
"By the Ancestors!" Monkey exclaimed in both shock and awe as Hunter redirected a blade from his adversary into another of them.
They then witnessed him utilising the head of the Boar he'd decapitated as a kind of improvised weapon. Using the advantage it created, He blinded the Serow and disarmed the female Leopard from earlier who'd had reservations... "You think he'll kill her?" Viper asked with slight worry in her voice as the Leopard fell to her knees before him. It wasn't the way of a Kung Fu Master to execute surrendering enemies... But they weren't sure about Hunter's own thoughts on the matter.
They tried to read his body language as he was facing away from them, as he asked her to give him a reason to spare her. "He's considering it..." Po spoke, his eyes lighting up a little at that, seemingly glad to see that Hunter wasn't indiscriminate in who he killed... This was amplified as he did let her go free, a look of relief washing over the Five.
Tigress' ear flicked as she heard something and turned her head as the others, including Hunter, were distracted by Makaku's recovery from the previous strike. "On your left!" she exclaimed in warning. It came just in time as Hunter spun around and began deflecting blows from the blinded man, who was swinging with all his might and speed, not giving Hunter any leeway to get away or counterattack, but Tigress knew that if he kept it up, he'd quickly tire and Hunter would take advantage. However, her attention was grabbed by Makaku, who glared at the Five and quickly moved over to them, his blade at the ready. They all continued to try and break their chains, but they were wrapped tightly, making sure to restrain any and all appendages each Master had...
Looking over, Tigress saw Hunter take his chance and leg swipe the Serow before finishing him off on the ground... But Makaku was in position to strike them. "You killed my soldiers! You should never have been allowed to learn our ways!" he snarled at Hunter in pure anger, preparing his blade to impale Tigress, and judging by how he reared back, Crane as well.
"No!" The Five and Po yelled out, apart from Crane and Tigress who knew the end was coming for them.
Tigress was in the same position as she had been before Hunter had intervened earlier. Shutting her eyes and waiting for the inevitable fatal blow, she took her last deep breath. And yet once again the strike never came. Once more opening her eyes after expecting death, she found Makaku's blade had indeed found a mark... Hunter, who had taken the blow. Saving their lives twice now. "Got you, fucker." she heard Hunter say, pulling the blade further into his chest and using the opportunity of closeness to strike a killing blow, cutting Makaku's throat wide open with a dagger.
The Macaque then fell to the ground, dead.
Tigress and the Five watched in shock and horror as Hunter turned to face them, blood tricking from his mouth and even starting to leak from his nose. He managed to stumble a few steps forwards, his own blade in a backhand grip as he slashed upwards towards Tigress, the tip of his blade cutting the restraints holding four of the Five and setting them free before he finally fell to the ground from his wounds. They quickly got to work unwrapping the chains still around themselves, with Viper going to free Po and Monkey opening the cage to free Mantis while Tigress checked on Crane. When all was done, they quickly turned and saw Hunter had moved, a blood trail leading to a nearby wooden cart, which he'd propped himself up against in a sitting position, having crawled over to it by the look of it.
Tigress practically sprinted the short distance to where he was sitting as the others hastily joined her. She tried to think of something to say, but could only think of one word of a question to ask him. "...Why?" she asked Hunter, crouching down and inspecting the wound. It looked to be fatal in nature, unless they got him to a healer and quick. But carrying him with the sword in him would be incredibly difficult... Hunter was cursing himself for forgetting his crossbow back at the Palace. All of this could've been avoided if he'd thought to take it along.
Hunter laughed at the question she asked, coughing some blood up as a consequence. "Why not?" he retorted, his tone quite amused. "Oh Little Kitten, you're a hero. Surely you're aware of the concept of-" He coughed more blood then. "-Self sacrifice?" Hunter asked her rhetorically, although from the tone he used it sounded more... Friendly and even jovial than usual.
Viper then quickly took action. "Tigress, take the blade out." she ordered, her motherly 'right now' tone shining through. "Now."
Tigress was stunned by the sudden and firm request, but did as asked, bracing her leg on Hunter's shoulder as she gripped the handle of the blade. "Oh this going to suuuu-" More coughing from Hunter. "-ck..." he finished and braced himself before nodding to Tigress to get on with it.
Tigress then pulled with all her might, removing the blade from Hunter's body, who let out a pained yell in response. He might be extremely tolerant of pain, but he definitely felt that one... Tigress tossed the blade aside with a scathing glance as Viper quickly slithered up to Hunter and wrapped herself around his body, positioning herself over his wounds and squeezing tightly to try and stop the bleeding while making him a bit more... Portable. "We need to get him to a healer." Mantis spoke, leading to a 'no, really?' look from everyone. "I'm jus' sayin'..." he repeated.
Po then seemed to decide on what to do, walking over and leaning down to pick Hunter up. He got his paws under his body and attempted to stand, but found himself struggling to do so. "My Ancestors, you're heavy..." he panted as he lifted Hunter up.
Monkey went next to Hunter and patted his arm. "Not to worry buddy, we'll get you to a healer." he tried to uplift Hunter's spirits, who didn't look at all convinced, rolling his eyes at the attempt at bedside manner from Monkey.
However, Tigress saw the blood beginning to drip over Viper's body to the floor from his wounds... This wouldn't work... He was bleeding out too fast with the blade removed. Po began to slowly walk with him as she saw that Hunter knew as well as she did that it was a fool's errand. Tigress then decided on something. "Stop." She ordered, leading the Five to look at her in shock.
Then, to even Tigress' own shock, Viper hissed at her with a scarily pissed off expression on her face. "Tigress, no, we're not leaving him here!" she exclaimed to Tigress in barely restrained anger, thinking she was advocating to just let him die there.
Tigress shook her head at that. "That's not what I mean. Po, put him down." she spoke decisively, looking at him. He hesitated to do as she asked, even gripping Hunter's body a little harder, looking extremely unsure what to do. "Look, I know I got us into this mess in the first place. Trust me, I know. But you all need to trust me on this." Tigress spoke in her most authoritative tone, the kind she used when fighting with them.
Viper still didn't look completely on board with losing any time by letting him bleed freely, but gave in as Po placed him down carefully. "Watch it, that's tender." Hunter grimaced slightly, leading to Po smiling apologetically to him, before his smile turned sad.
Mantis hopped onto Monkey's shoulder then and looked at Tigress. "What are you planning to do, stare the wound into submission?" he asked her, and Hunter gave a chuckle at that. "Oh my Ancestors, he's delirious!" Mantis responded to him actually chuckling at one of his jokes.
Tigress rolled her eyes and walked over to Hunter. It was amusing, but now was not the time. "Something like that..." she cryptically responded to Mantis asking if she planned to stare the wound into submission. Everyone looked at each other with confused expressions at that. "Viper, would you excuse me?" she requested. "Please?"
At first Viper tightened her grip, leading to Hunter complaining from her almost suffocating him. "Ah! Not so tight!" he hissed in pain as Viper slightly relaxed, finally relenting when Tigress said please and moving off of Hunter. Her body that was around the wounds was stained red with blood now, which made her shiver a little, but it was worth it to try. She just wondered what Tigress' plan was...
Tigress approached Hunter and crouched down beside him. "Remain still, this should be relatively painless." she informed him as she prepared for whatever she was going to do.
Hunter looked up at her. "One last kiss, Kitten? Is that the plan?" he asked her with a smirk. "I must say, I like that idea. I might taste of blood though." She found herself blushing somewhat at that suggestion, but she put her embarrassment aside for now. It was not the time for that. She was reaching a paw towards him when she felt his hand wrap around it tightly, to her surprise. And the Five and Po, their eyes widening at the display. "Tigress... I..." Hunter had a genuine look in his eyes and a surprisingly emotionally loaded tone of voice that captured her attention. He looked like he wanted to tell her something, but then seemingly talked himself out of it. "Hope this works..." Hunter said instead, his face turning pale from him losing quite a bit of blood as he looked away from her.
She nodded to him as he let her paw go, with a slight reluctance that she took notice of. "I require complete concentration." Tigress told the others, who nodded and remained silent. Even Po who looked like a nervous wreck currently considering he was chewing his nails. She placed her paw on the entry point of the wound, turning him on his side and placing her other paw on the exit wound as well. Tigress then closed her eyes, focusing her mind into a peaceful meditative state as she felt for the energy inside her... She drew on her Chi, on the power within her.
She almost had it... She exercised her legendary willpower, focusing harder and calling on positive memories, the more recent the better... She finally settled on one, though to her shock it was the moment on the steps her eyes met Hunter's... Shaking the strange feeling off, she used the memory as a springboard, seizing control of her Chi and focusing it into healing energy, letting it gently flow from her paws, and into Hunter's wounds... It took a minute or two, with Tigress holding it as long as she could. She finally opened her eyes when she could no longer keep it up, tired and drained from the experience of using her Chi powers. The Five were all staring in awe at the display, having witnessed a glow coming from her paws and knowing what she'd done. Tigress was initially rather hesitant to remove her paws in case it hadn't worked, as she became slightly nervous...
She eventually did so and found that the wounds weren't completely healed, but the bleeding had stopped and with some time, he would indeed fully heal. Letting out a breath of relief she didn't know she was holding in, Tigress stood up and held her paw out for him to take. Time for the ultimate test. Seeing if he could stand up. Hunter looked rather shocked at what had happened and took a moment. "Well... I didn't know you could do that." he chuckled a little, taking her paw and letting her pull him up. He slightly fell into her, but she held him steady. Once again, their eyes met, but it was brief as he avoided her gaze and nodded. She saw something in his eyes in the moment she looked into them...
Hunter then took a breath and took a step forwards, but he fell down, leading to her catching him again before he hit the ground and holding him up. "Looks like you fell for her." Mantis chuckled at that, and everyone shook their heads at the terrible joke.
Hunter looked at Tigress then. "Thank you." He said with a genuine, if small smile on his face.
Tigress nodded to him then, a smile tugging at her own lips in response. "We can use their tents. We'll stay here for the night to give his wounds a chance to heal, and tomorrow we'll start our way back to the Palace." She decided, and the others all nodded in agreement with that plan of action.
She guided Hunter over to a comfortable looking pile of bedding and other soft items and carefully rested him against it. "Keep this up, and I might actually think you're worried about me." he teased her a little. While she knew he didn't mean it in a bad way, she still felt a pang of guilt at his words.
With a slight second of hesitation, Tigress stood up and turned away to help the others set up the tents, since the warriors had been packing up before the Five had arrived. "Get some rest. You've earned it." she stated to him and walked away as Viper slithered over in her place, not being much help right now since it was really moving things, and those with actual limbs were better suited to the task.
She coiled up beside Hunter and looked over at him, deciding to tell him what exactly had happened. "It's rare for Tigress to use her Chi healing powers." Viper explained to Hunter. "It's extremely draining for her to use though." she further elaborated on what Tigress had done exactly as they watched her help set up the camp again. As Viper looked to Hunter, there was a rare sight as she saw some form of strong emotion in his eyes. She really couldn't tell what it was though. He was really an unreadable enigma to her and the others.
Hunter seemed to be thinking as he sat there, one of his hands rested in his lap as if slightly cupping his wound, while his other hand was stretched out beside him. His mind was currently a whirlwind of many different things, and he was trying to sort through it all, having limited success in doing so. "Should've just let me die..." he mumbled extremely quietly so that not even he could hear what he said.
Despite his efforts, Viper still heard the vague outline of the words, but wasn't quite sure what she had heard... "What?" she asked, a shocked expression visible on her face at what she thought he said.
Hunter cast his eyes to the ground then and sighed, shaking his head. "Nothing." he stated, his monotone voice back in full force. Part of Viper wanted to ask about the ballad, and to apologise again, and to thank him for saving not only her life, but the others' lives as well... But she simply remained silent. There would be time enough for that back at the Palace. For now, she contented in just keeping him company, even if he was lost in his own thoughts. He had almost just died after all... "Thank you." He said out of the blue, leading Viper to look at I'm inquisitively. "For trying to save me." Hunter elaborated on what he'd meant by thanking her.
She shrugged with her tail at that. "It was spur of the moment. Perhaps with less grievous injuries, it might have even worked." Viper said to him.
Not long after and the camp was fully set up for them. Po had come over and helped Hunter up, moving him over near the fire that the warriors had made earlier, which the tents were all set up around. He sat on a log near the fire, seeing Tigress standing away and looking out towards the forest. He could tell she was exhausted, even if she wasn't showing it. "You going to sit with us and rest?" Hunter asked her.
Monkey nodded in agreement with Hunter. "Yeah, aren't you cold?" he asked her.
Tigress spoke without looking back, keeping her gaze locked on the forest. "I'm fine. I'll keep watch." she told Hunter in response, a chilly breeze blowing through, and even with her fur she felt it although tried to just shrug it off.
Hunter clearly wasn't convinced by her tough façade. He was no stranger to it either after all. Takes one to know one and all that. "Either you rest, or I join you on watch." he offered to her. This made Tigress look back and finally give in once she saw he was serious.
Hunter used his sword as a makeshift fire poker, making sure to keep the blaze going as Tigress walked over and sat down in the Lotus position. There was an odd silence between the group for a time before Crane looked up at Hunter. "So, what's that ballad about?" he asked.
Everyone else shot him a look that said 'don't stir the pot!'. Hunter kept his gaze locked on the fire as it turned steely. "You all heard it. You're not stupid." he stated to them, noticing the curious looks he was getting as he glanced up for a second. He gave a sigh then. "It's a legend, a campfire song, a scary story. Take your pick." Hunter said to them. "I don't know where it came from, or who originally wrote it. But I do know it follows me wherever I go. A black cloud, a circle of vultures above me." His voice dripped with sarcasm with a hint of bitterness as he used a phrase from the song. "Then again, I've not done much to prove it wrong either." Hunter lied. Or at least, Tigress and Viper knew he was lying. He did do things that proved that ballad wrong. "I just know it makes me out to be a-"
"Monster." Tigress cut in, also looking into the fire as they looked at one another for a second.
"Boogeyman." he nodded to Tigress in that she wasn't exactly wrong either in what she said. "But yes, that too." Hunter said and then gave a breathy chuckle. "They're not exactly wrong, either." He spoke in a quieter voice, as if mostly to himself as he stared into the fire. Tigress looked up at that, looking like she wanted to talk, but she seemingly decided to remain silent. The others were in the same boat, wanting to talk, but unsure of what to say exactly. They weren't Master Oogway or even Master Shifu, and they weren't even sure if anything they said would affect The Hunter in any way. At that, The Hunter sheathed his blade, the sound of it startling the Five and Po out of their thoughts as he used his sheathed sword as a makeshift walking stick and stood up. "Gonna get some sleep." He simply said.
Mantis gestured to the tent across from Hunter. "That one's yours. Want Tigress to tuck you in?" he laughed at that, and the others apart from Tigress also laughed. Tigress just rolled her eyes at Mantis in response.
Hunter never made a sound and slowly made his way to his tent. When he passed Tigress, she stood up as if ready in case he fell. "I'm fine." he said to her in a tired voice, and it didn't seem to be from lack of sleep either... She nodded at that and let him go past. He entered the tent and all was quiet again.
Everyone looked at each other, but they couldn't think of anything to say that didn't involve Hunter, and they weren't going down that road again... "Well, I'm beat. Night everyone." Po yawned and stretched, going over to his tent and going inside.
One by one, the rest of the Five trickled into their tents to sleep. Except Tigress. She stayed up, staring at the embers of the fire as it began to burn out... Something was clearly bothering her and she knew it... The Hunter was a strange creature, but he nonetheless intrigued her. He certainly was a rather... complicated man to say the least. Again, he'd risked his life for her, and the others, even pretty much dying for it. Even after what she'd said to him and how she'd treated him.
After sitting for a while, Tigress sighed to herself. Deciding enough was enough, she stood up and walked over to Hunter's tent. However, her resolve crumbled when she reached the tent flap and put her paw on it... 'He's probably asleep. Yeah, asleep. Don't want to wake him. But how will I sleep with this nagging feeling? I need to be rested for the journey back tomorrow... But so does he, and waking him won't-'
"I can see your shadow. Are you coming in or do I need to come out?" Hunter spoke from his tent and Tigress froze, her fur standing on end at being found out... She took a deep breath and went inside. Hunter still had his hood up, although his mask was down. Unless he'd only just put the hood back up... He seemed a bit surprised by her appearance in his tent. "Ah, Kitten. I thought Mantis was kidding about tucking me in." Hunter spoke, his voice serious although he was obviously teasing.
She blinked a few times before responding. "No, I... I wanted..." Tigress took a breath then to get her thoughts in order so she could legibly get them out in words. "May I sit?" Hunter nodded to her at that, and she did. "I wanted to apologise..."
Hunter then chuckled slightly. "Ah, it's your turn is it?" he asked, leading Tigress to look at him confused. "First it was Viper, then Crane, now you." he pointed out and she remembered Viper having to make a better apology on their behalf for their rather disparaging remarks about Hunter and her subsequent rushing back for the food... And then Crane staying behind to make sure he didn't fall and die...
She nodded in realisation of what he meant by saying it's her turn. "Ah. I suppose, yes. In a sense." Tigress agreed with his assessment of her visit. "I... Haven't been the kindest to you since you arrived, I know that." she began, finding it slightly difficult to get everything out. She wasn't used to being so... Vulnerable, especially not in front of anyone. "I've called you terrible things like freak, and monster... And that is unbecoming of a Kung Fu Master. Of anyone." Tigress looked at the ground then. "Hearing that ballad... I was reminded of myself, back in my youth. Being called a monster and a freak much like you have been... And I realised I was no better then they were, and I don't have the excuse of being a child. It... it makes me angry to think I'm anything like them. But I'm not. I'm worse. Not trusting you is one thing, but going so far as to insult you and your character, without knowing the slightest thing about you? It's an abhorrent thing to do to someone, as I should know." Tigress then stood and bowed to Hunter deeply. "I offer my sincerest apologies, and I would completely understand if you do not accept, or need some time to think it over."
Hunter listened to what Tigress had to say, a look of what looked like hurt in his eyes as she spoke, although whether that was from the insults or not, it was hard to tell. When she'd finished her explanation and offered an apology, Hunter closed his eyes and decided on a reply. "I forgive you." He said to her, and she looked up from her bow in surprise at the instant answer. "I shared food with people who called me worse, and even physically hurt me. If I can't forgive you for some mean words, then it'd be quite a double standard." Hunter pointed out to Tigress, although she wasn't sure that made her feel any better... "You're not like them. You're a hero. You devote your life to the service of others, and that's amazing." he said to her, hesitantly reaching up and taking her paw.
His hand felt like molten steel against her fur, although she didn't dislike the feeling it invoked... As for what he'd said, Tigress didn't currently feel much like a hero... "Hurting someone like I must have hurt you... And you just forgive me?" Tigress seemed in disbelief. She expected a gentle rebuff at best, but here he just forgave her just like that? She didn't understand how.
Hunter let out a breath through his nose then. "Holding grudges is stupid for a start. And you're not perfect, no matter how hard you might try to be. You made a misjudgement." He reassured her, his voice softening. "I wasn't exactly innocent either, I didn't do much to foster trust, and I wasn't really receptive even if you did try to be welcoming. I was a prick." Hunter admitted to Tigress as he felt her squeeze his hand in return and a shiver ran down his spine...
Tigress smiled a little. "We both were 'pricks'." She said to him and he chuckled a little at that. The two of them locked eyes again and Tigress his weird fifth opposable talon, or talon or whatever running over the back of her paw as they looked at one another... "Ahem, I should get to my tent." She pointed out.
Hunter opened his mouth, closed it and then spoke. "Of course, Master Tigress. Sleep well." he said to her with a nod as she stretched out a little and turned to leave.
Before she left the tent, however, she turned her head to face him. "I don't mind you calling me 'Kitten'. We'll call it a compromise for what I said about you." Tigress said to him, to his surprise as she quickly left the tent.
Hunter was blushing now, and he couldn't remember the last time he'd done that... Years... Hell, longer... He found himself staring at the tent flap for a while longer as his face contorted into visible sadness. After a few minutes, he laid down and went back to sleep...