A/N: Apologies for taking a bit longer than usual! I might have to skip next week's chapter because I'm prepping for an important interview and I won't have much time for writing. Apologies for that. Anyway, thank you reading and enjoy. Oh, and Happy Halloween!

Orange... The colour orange. A pair of eyes. A word... 'Beautiful'. Running, playing, wrestling and drawing. Fun. Fun and happiness. Happiness... A feeling long since forgotten, long since put aside for other things. Then, a smile. A full, wide, genuine smile. Not something often done anymore. One in return. A feeling. Feelings. All positive for once. Attachment. Suddenly, reaching out for something, or someone. Running again, this time panicked. Desperate. Tears flowing, once again not something done in so many years... Then the streets, starving, name calling, outcast even among outcasts. Pariah. Ignored, or spat on. A nothing. A true Nowhere Man. Pain. Pain and misery. A feeling that persisted for years afterwards, wounds that never healed. Emotional and mental ones. A lonely starving orphan. Sitting alone in the rain, it masks the tears, thunder that masks the sobbing.

Alone. All alone...

...

Hunter shot up in bed, panting heavily, grimacing from the tenderness as he disturbed his still healing wound, although it definitely felt much better than yesterday. He of course had Master Tigress to thank for that. It was light outside by now, so luckily he hadn't woken up in the middle of the night. His hand was holding onto his sheathed sword with a grip so tight that it was turning his knuckles white. His dreams were never very pleasant if he did indeed dream, but that was the worst it's been yet. Nightmares of that calibre were thankfully rare.

Sighing to himself and looking at the ground, he thought about the situation at hand. 'One more reason to leave the Palace, I guess.' He thought defeatedly, as if the life was drained out of him. 'Hopefully that'll stop these damn nightmares.' Hunter then shook his head out and grumbled, trying to get the negative images out of his head. It was times like this he wished that he had the metal reinforced ironwood blocks on hand... Or at least a bottle of booze in which to drown the thoughts and forget, but he had neither right now. Fuck. 'Time to settle for the alternative I guess.' Hunter grumbled to himself at his thoughts as he stood, taking his sword and slightly hobbling out of his tent.

The camp was empty and the fire was now smoking embers, having long extinguished on it's own. It was probably around 8am, give or take from what Hunter could gather. Looks like the Five had decided to sleep in a bit longer while they had the chance without Shifu and the gong to wake them up at dawn. Hunter once again sat down by the fire and took a deep breath as he prepared to try and get the images out of his head... He didn't do this often at all, and it was somewhat of a hidden talent of his, one could say. but he needed to clear his head and meditation wouldn't do it this time... And now he had an audience. Great.

(Hunter is singing this song)

He closed his eyes and let the words flow from his mind and through him from his memories. "I know it's hard to tell... How mixed up you feel. Hoping what you need, is behind every door. Each time you get hurt, I don't want you to change. 'Cause everyone has hopes, you're human after all." He braced himself for the next part. "The feeling sometimes, wishing you were someone else. Feeling as though you never belong... This feeling is not sadness, this feeling is not joy... I truly understand. Please don't cry now..." he softly sang to himself. Or so he thought.

The Five and Po all woke up surprisingly gently to the sound of singing coming from outside their tents. Instantly suspicious of who this could be, they all burst out, but to their surprise, Hunter was sat there like last night. Looking into the fire... And was the one singing. They could tell the lyrics felt personal to Hunter, and so they remained silent, instead gathering around the fire once again to listen as he continued to sing. "Please don't go, I want you to stay. I'm begging you please, please don't leave here... I don't want you to hate. For all the hurt that you feel... The world is just illusion, trying to change you." The singing shocked the Five and Po, who didn't expect Hunter to be able to sing as well as he did. Then again, they did remember he had quite the set of lungs on him. They also didn't expect him to sing with such... Meaning and emotion, especially considering how he usually carried himself with so little emotional range.

He didn't turn to look at any of them, focusing and being in the moment. "Being like you are... Well this is something else. Who would comprehend?" His face took on an inquisitive look. "But some that do, lay claim divine purpose... Blesses them. That's not what I believe." Hunter shook his head with a slight disdainful expression. "And it doesn't matter anyway." he shrugged. "A part of your soul ties you to the next world... Or maybe to the last? But I'm still not sure." he looked thoughtful at first before pulling a 'eh, whichever' expression. "But what I do know, is to us the world is different, as we are to the world. But I guess you wouldn't know that..." He gave a small sad smile during the first line and cast a glance towards the Five and Po, although his look turned slightly sadder when he turned to Tigress, before he closed his eyes and sung the chorus one last time. "Please don't go, I want you to stay. I'm begging you please... Please don't leave here... I don't want you to hate. For all the hurt that you feel... The world is just illusion, trying to change you..." he finished, looking upwards for a second before looking back to the fire.

Tigress was stunned, not as much by the singing as she was by the lyrics. Sure, it surprised her that Hunter could in fact sing fairly well, and he showed more emotion in that song than he usually did when speaking. But the words... They felt deeply personal to Hunter, and yet some of them resonated with Tigress as well...

Taking a deep breath, Hunter answered the questions before they were asked. "Oogway insisted I find something outside of combat and fighting to do. Said it would ease my spirit." he said and looked into the embers of the fire. "A way to express myself that didn't involve hurting someone else." Hunter chuckled a little at that.

Having heard similar words before from the old Turtle, Tigress was taken back to her younger years, when Oogway had also suggested such a thing to her, making her think she and Hunter were not so different. She shook off the residual feelings and got everyone's attention. "Team, we'll leave in ten minutes. Make sure to take anything we might need for the journey, but travel light. Hopefully we'll make it back to the Palace by nightfall." Tigress decided before looking at Hunter. "That is, if you feel well enough to move." she added. The Five were all surprised by the show of what seemed to be compassion towards him for his wounds.

Hunter stood up with a grunt and nodded in response. "Aye, I can move. Maybe not as quick as usual though." he said to Tigress, who nodded back to him in return, deciding that was likely a good thing since Po couldn't keep up the pace they could anyway. The group all got up and prepared, before making their way back to the Jade Palace. While on the journey back they had to stop a few times for Po, with Hunter insisting he could keep going, although was likely actually helped by Po's periodic breaks he needed to take. Hunter was actually keeping a decent pace, although not nearly as fast as he was without his injuries.

After a good few hours, they finally got back to the Palace in the late afternoon, a much better time than they would've thought. Tigress helped Hunter climb the 1000 steps to the Palace since he struggled a bit with his still healing wound. It surprised the rest of the Five that she was showing such compassion, but they assumed that she must still feel responsible for him almost dying, even though there was nothing any of them could've done to help. Although she had also been the one to insist they didn't need to bring Hunter along with them to begin with... Not to mention he'd saved her life while likely assuming he'd die in the process. But little do they know that some part of him would have preferred for that to happen...

Hunter moved his arm from around Tigress as they passed by the path leading to the Peach Tree. "Thank you, Master Tigress." He bowed to her, although not too deeply since it hurt him to bend down in a full bow.

Tigress returned the gesture. "I should be thanking you. You saved my life twice after all." she pointed out in response to Hunter.

Hunter gave a small chuckle at that. "Let's call it even." He decided, and Tigress nodded with a small smile to him in agreement with his suggestion, and they could swear there was a twitch of a smile on his face in return.

Everyone else also bowed and gave thanks to him. "Don't worry, you don't have to bow again." Mantis chuckled to Hunter, who nodded, turned and slowly made his way up the steps to Peach Tree Hill to likely take some time to heal.

The others continued on their way up to the Palace. While they might have preferred to report back with Hunter there, they knew he needed to rest after the long journey with his injuries. Shifu would understand... They hoped. The group all found their Master meditating in the courtyard at the top of the steps that led near the Hall of Heroes, with one of the servants next to him. "You're back. You all took longer than expected." He said without opening his eyes. "Zeng, go to the village and tell the Crane Clan they may leave whenever they wish. The Five and the Dragon Warrior have returned." Shifu ordered, and the goose nodded despite that Shifu's eyes were closed, scampering past the Five while prepping for takeoff by flapping his wings. "Where is The Hunter?" he asked, his tone calm. Everyone was preparing to flinch away at the berating they'd likely be getting for leaving without him.

Po clearly wanted to go on about how awesome it was, and how Hunter kicked butt and the whole spiel, but held off and looked to Tigress to explain due to the severity of what had occurred. It was her idea after all... "He is at his camp, Master. Resting." She said simply. "He was injured by the warriors, and we had been captured. If It wasn't for him, we likely would not have made it back alive." Tigress bowed her head in shame at being bested, and at having disobeyed Shifu.

Shifu then opened his eyes, no expression visible as he looked at the group. "So, he was injured because you refused to follow my instruction, and simply bring him with you?" he asked the Five and Po.

Tigress shook her head. "It was my idea to bring Po along instead, Master. The fault rests with me." She accepted full responsibility for what had happened.

Shifu chuckled a little then. "Because the others do not have minds of their own?" he asked rhetorically as the others all deepened their bows with a flinch. "I know they look to you and Po for leadership, but they still have their own minds and voices, do they not?" Shifu pointed out to Tigress who looked to the ground in shame. "It is hard enough trying to convince Hunter to stay without the rest of you interfering so blatantly. Not to mention how you completely disobeyed and disregarded my orders." He said, although his tone did not hold anger to it as once it may have. "Tomorrow, you will wake two hours before the gong and scrub the pantry and kitchen from top to bottom. I want it absolutely spotless." Shifu gave out the punishment, still remaining calm. "How serious were the injuries?" He then asked.

It was Po's turn now. "Pretty serious, Master! I mean, he took a blade for Tigress! Well, not just Tigress, all of us really... But it was Tigress who was- anyway, doesn't matter! He was like..." Po made his expression as blank as possible like Hunter usually did before perking up. "So cool and calm! Then it was like WAHHH!" Po chopped with his hand like a sword. "And he totally kicked the warriors' butts!"

Shifu's eyes widened at being told about Hunter receiving an injury. "He took a blade? As in... Impalement?" he asked, receiving a confirming nod from the others while Po exclaimed 'yes' excitedly. "How did he survive such a wound? Assuming it missed any vital organs and the like, how did he even heal enough to get back to the Palace in such a short amount of time?!" Shifu asked in bewilderment, not understanding. "Unless, when you said 'He is at his camp' you meant... His body?" he cocked his brow curiously.

Everyone shook their heads at that, this time Viper spoke up. "No, Master! Of course not! Tigress..." She looked at the feline Master in question, who nodded for her to continue explaining. "Tigress used her Chi Healing Ability to save his life." Viper explained to Shifu how he'd gotten better so quickly.

He cocked his brow at that, seeing Tigress nod once more to him this time in confirmation of what Viper said. "I see. I'm a little surprised, but also quite proud of you." He smiled at Tigress, whose eyes widened a little at being told that. "But it still might not have happened if you'd listened to me." Shifu added in a more serious tone. "If there is nothing else, you're dismissed, students." he spoke as they all dispersed, likely to the kitchens to get some food after a long day of travelling.

Shifu then made his way towards Peach Tree Hill to check on Hunter to make sure he didn't need any more medical attention...

...

Hunter was sitting on the edge of the Hill, looking out again at the Valley that stretched out below the Palace. In his hands he held his wrist-mounted crossbow, having accidentally left it at his camp in his haste to follow the Five. Glaring at it for not somehow reminding him to take it with him, he tossed the crossbow aside. Looking back to the Valley, he wondered if the Masters ever looked out at the Valley they protected and wondered what if things had gone differently for them. Truthfully, he was trying to think of anything else than the thoughts trying to push their way to the forefront of his mind. He didn't like those thoughts one bit. He knew precisely what they were. They were the exact same ones that cropped up every time he came back to the Jade Palace.

He wasn't actually looking out at the Valley right now, but rather straight down towards the bottom of the Hill itself. "Why...? I just want to know why?" He asked himself in a quiet voice, sighing as he spoke. Hunter hated sounding so whiny, even just to himself. He tried to make it a point of personal pride to keep a certain distance between himself and anyone else, but... He just couldn't quite manage it this time. And he knew full well why. He knew, as much as he tried to ignore it and to turn away from the reality... It was there at the back of his mind. Constantly. A nagging feeling, never quite leaving him alone or letting him forget.

But did he want to forget? Did he truly want to put it out of his mind? Some part of him never wanted to forget, despite how he tried to bury that feeling, to push people away, to remain isolated and... And...

Hunter gave a small annoyed chuckle. 'Who am I trying to convince here?' he thought to himself while shaking his head. Feeling like this was its own special kind of hell. 'Have I not suffered enough? I have to go through this? What the fuck did I do in a past life to deserve this?'

Currently, Hunter's face looked rather sour, as to be expected with the thoughts going through his mind at that moment... "Hunter?" Came the voice of Master Shifu from behind him once again.

Snapping out of his mind, Hunter turned his head and nodded to the old Master. "Master Shifu. Come to admire the view?" he asked, gesturing out at the visage of the Valley below them.

Shifu however, shook his head in response. "Not this time. I simply came to see how you're doing. I was informed you suffered a rather grievous injury due to the carelessness of my students." he informed The Hunter as he sat in the Lotus position beside him.

In response, Hunter huffed and shook his head as Shifu had done. "No, it was my choice to put myself between the blade and Tigress, and maybe Crane as well." He shrugged to the Master. "Makaku and his band are- were Masters in their own right, and the Five and Po unfortunately made the mistake of underestimating them." He pointed out.

"Which they would not have if they had asked you to accompany them as I instructed." Shifu retorted to Hunter, who took a second to point out the flaw in that statement.

Hunter nodded in agreement, but elaborated on why he didn't blame any of the others. "In the end, it's my fault anyway. Not like I inspired confidence with my attitude or demeanour, I don't blame them for leaving me behind." he said as if it wasn't a big deal. It had happened before after all...

Shifu seemed thoughtful at Hunter's words and admission of what sounded like guilt. "Perhaps, but they still disobeyed me instead of simply bringing up their doubts before they decided for themselves." he conceded to Hunter's point, but also wasn't about to just let them off the hook.

"Understandable. You must maintain discipline after all." Hunter agreed with Shifu's own reasoning as well it seemed.

However, the Master could tell that Hunter was distracted. His mind was elsewhere and where it was didn't seem pleasant from his, albeit hidden, demeanour. "To be frank Hunter, I can see something is greatly bothering you. I know... I know I'm no Master Oogway. That I cannot hold a candle to my old Master. Despite this, I repeat my offer of being here if you need someone to talk to." He said to The Hunter, who looked at Shifu, opening his mouth before turning away. "I understand. I thought I'd remind you." He smiled a little before turning to leave Peach Tree Hill.

Hunter remembered Oogway's spirit's words... About trusting those around him... If it was to be anyone... Taking a deep breath, Hunter quickly turned his head to Shifu. "Wait." He called out. The old Master turned back towards him with a curious expression. "You... You want to know what's been bothering me?" He asked.

"I do." Shifu nodded to The Hunter, walking back over as Hunter himself turned to sit cross-legged facing towards the Palace, as Shifu sat facing him.

Taking a very deep breath, Hunter prepared to confide in someone other than Oogway for the first time in a very long time... Finally, after a minute or two, he spoke. "Around 20 years ago, I lived at Bao Gu Orphanage. I was there with Tigress."