A/N: Apologies for the delay, I got very very ill. Had my interview and was unfortunately unsuccessful, but anyway, here's the latest chapter! Enjoy!

Shifu was floored. Completely taken off guard by what Hunter had revealed to him. "You... What? You were in the Orphanage? But that's impossible, I don't remember seeing you..." he said, trying to think back to those days many years ago when he was training Tigress to control her strength...

Hunter scoffed at what Shifu said. "Seems to be a trend lately." He spoke bitterly. "You know, I would've thought she'd recognise me. I'm not exactly the most common of sights in China after all." Hunter then shook his head and looked back down at the Valley once again. "Guess I wasn't important enough for that."

Shifu for his part looked thoughtful and then seemed to come to a realisation. "Oh dear..." Shifu shook his head and looked down at the ground as Hunter looked over in confusion. "I fear the fault for this may rest on my shoulders. I was the cause of Tigress not remembering her time at the Orphanage. I... 'heavily encouraged' her to completely focus on her Kung Fu training and not think about the Orphanage any longer. She may have taken that rather... Literally. It seems she has blocked out most, if not all of her time there." Shifu admitted to Hunter, shame in his voice and words as he spoke them. He then looked up at Hunter with determination. "I will amend my mistake immediately." Shifu said and stood tall, preparing to quickly leave and inform Tigress of what he had been told.

However, before he could, Hunter's hand shot out in front of Shifu, stopping him in his tracks. "No." Came the simple yet firm command as Hunter continued looking out at the Valley. "If she does not remember me, then it's for the best. I am better left forgotten, especially by Tigress. I am The Man With No Name, and that is how it should stay. If she does not wish to remember that time of her life, I will not force it upon her." He explained to Shifu. "You must promise me you will not tell her." Hunter's expression was deadly serious and almost pleading at the same time.

Shifu took a second, looking down at Hunter's hand gently gripping his robe after he'd asked him not to tell her. "Very well. I will respect your wishes." he nodded to Hunter in agreement of his request and sat back down next to him on the Hill. "I take it Master Oogway knew about your... Past, with Tigress?" Shift asked The Hunter curiously.

Hunter chuckled a little bit at that, remembering his time with the Old Turtle. "Of course he did."

...

:Some Years Ago:

Hunter was definitely quite a bit younger from how he looks now. Not nearly as jaded or rugged as he is at present, but he definitely had some wear and tear by this point in his life. He was also a fair bit thinner and not as muscular as he would one day become, although he was still clearly very fit. In his left hand he held a scroll, with Jade caps and a red and golden serpentine finish. The Dragon Scroll. He looked at it, examining it closely and scanning over it. "This is quite a beautiful Scroll. Too nice for mere bandits to own. So, where did you steal this from? And how?" Hunter asked as he continued examining the Dragon Scroll.

"..."

Hunter's eyes snapped up dangerously to the apparently silent Monkey bandit who he had tied up, grabbing him by the throat and pulling him forwards violently, the ropes cutting into the bandit's torso. "Answer me or I'll cut out your fucking tongue and wear it as an accessory." He snarled viciously to the bandit, who whimpered in fear from seeing that he looked serious with his threat.

He was rather quick to answer after that. "T-The Jade Palace! They were decorating The Hall of Warriors for the Winter Solstice Festival! We took advantage by disguising ourselves as decorators! Managed to steal it from the Old Turtle's room! They'd taken it down in anticipation of decorators with ladders coming! We knew they would, so we distracted the Old Turtle and took it!" The bandit quickly explained how they'd stolen the scroll, and who and where from.

Hunter scoffed in disdain and threw the bandit back by the throat, letting him go while the bandit coughed throatily and adjusted his neck, still shaking a little. "Common crooks." he spat venomously as he walked down the road a little to what looked to be a guardhouse, leaving them all tightly tied to trees. "Try to escape and I'll cut your balls off." Hunter warned them in a dangerous voice as he continued on his way.

Further down said road, seeing someone approaching them, the leopard guards quickly got ready just in case, but relaxed seeing it was but one person, his weapons sheathed. "Who goes there?! What business do you have?!" They exclaimed upon seeing his strange attire and the fact he didn't seem to be in any kind of trouble or distress currently.

Hunter spoke no words at first, instead throwing a different scroll at the guard's feet. "A bit further down the road, The Toad Posse are tied up." he stated to the guards. "Too many for me to drag back alone." Hunter explained to them all as more exited the guardhouse.

One who seemed to be the guard leader read the contract scroll and scoffed at both it and The Hunter's words. "Great, a Bounty Hunter. Just what we need." he shook his head and then threw a bag of coins at Hunter's feet dismissively.

"That's what they call me." He stated in return to the guard leader as he picked up the pouch and dug into it, silently and quickly counting up the coins before stashing the pouch in a sack cloth and string bag he was wearing.

Said leader narrowed his eyes to Hunter as he began to walk away from the guardhouse. "They better be there." he growled in warning as Hunter continued to walk away from them.

Hunter then turned his head slightly to look back at them. "I wouldn't be a very good Bounty Hunter if I didn't complete my contracts. If for some reason they're not there, I'll recapture them, free of charge." he told the guards and began to walk away once again before stopping yet again. "Which way to The Jade Palace?"

The guards all looked at one another for a few seconds before one of them piped up. "It's in the Valley of Peace, on top of the tallest mountain. This road leads right to it, it's not far. You need to cross a long stretch of rope bridges, the Thread of Hope, to get into the Valley though." he pointed the opposite way down the road from the bandits.

Hunter nodded to the guard in thanks and continued down the road, passing a few travellers on the way. He was in no rush currently after all, so he took his time, not exerting any more energy than was necessary.

As he was walking, he was thinking about the situation, Hunter didn't remember crossing over the Thread as a child to leave the Valley. Just running through very thick fog with tears stinging his eyes, trying to get away from everything and everyone, not just in the Valley either.

And now he was returning.

After a good few hours of walking, he finally reached the Thread of Hope. He looked out at it, the rope bridges swaying in the wind, creaking and groaning almost in greeting, like the Thread was waiting for him. Hunter took a step, and instantly, he felt different. On edge, tense, a sense of foreboding in the air, like he should turn back once again. Hunter took a deep breath and took another step, now fully standing on the Thread. He had learned of the history of the Thread, of how it was built to give those who lived in the Northern Wastelands a chance at a better life if their hearts were pure. Likely if your heart was not pure, the feeling of unwelcomeness would make most turn back.

Hunter crossed the first bridge, feeling weight off his chest as he did. He took a deep breath on the first rocky island. There was plenty left to go yet. It would certainly be a draining journey, that much he could already tell.

Eventually after an hour, maybe more, he had fully crossed the Thread. Taking his first step back into the Valley he had left as a mere child, he felt serenity and tranquillity. True peace. And yet he rejected it. This wasn't his life... Life isn't like this. Not for him. Shaking his head, he noticed the sun was now going down and the winter winds harshly swept over him. He stood firm, a slight shudder being his only reaction. He was used to the freezing cold. It was almost like an old friend greeting him, a feeling of familiarity.

Hunter simply found some nearby trees and took shelter beneath them, curling up beneath the leaves and branches above. He then took the Scroll out of his bag and looked at it. The bandits had mentioned the fact it held the 'secret to ultimate power' or something like that, but that didn't tempt Hunter to look at the Scroll at all. He had no wish for 'ultimate power'. All it would do is paint a target on your back for a start, and besides that, power wasn't everything. Hunter would just be happy with 3 meals a day and roof over his head, and even then he wasn't very picky.

He placed the Scroll back in his bag and closed his eyes to go to sleep... Hunter woke hours later, when dawn was beginning to rise over the Eastern mountains of the Valley. He stretched a little and immediately set off towards where he could see the Palace in the distance from near the entrance of the Thread. Walking through the Valley of Peace, Hunter couldn't help but feel like even more of an outsider than usual, despite the warm feelings of peace and tranquility still washing over him. That was exactly what was throwing him off and making him uneasy.

After a few more hours, he eventually reached the village situated directly below the Palace in question. Instead of going through the village directly, he darted into a backalley and stealthily made his way toward the Palace, avoiding the populace. He could always find the darkest place to get lost in and avoid being seen. It was something he was used to doing, something that now came naturally. Arriving at the fabled thousand steps to the Palace, he remained behind a nearby building, peering out to see if anyone was there or watching. He would be highly visible on the steps, which made him grimace. He didn't like that idea. Seeing no other way, he darted out and quickly began ascending the thousand steps to The Jade Palace.

Eventually after much climbing, he reached the Palace walls, and a single door with the Palace symbol on it. He reached into his bag and produced the Scroll in question. Looking at it and then the door to the courtyard, he was thoughtful. 'Guess I should just get in, put it back and get out.' He decided and moved to the side of the door. Clinging to the wall, he made his way along the outside of the walls and the edge of the mountain.

He came across a tree and decided it would do. Clambering up said tree, he then jumped the wall and into the courtyard...

"Did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"The Dragon Scroll was stolen by bandits! Master Shifu is beside himself with worry!"

"And Master Oogway?"

"You know him. 'Everything will fall into it's rightful place'."

"Sounds about right."

Two servants had met up just as he landed in the courtyard. However, when they looked over, Hunter was no longer there, so they had their conversation.

Hunter made his way in the shadows and behind pillars towards what he could only assume was the Hall of Warriors. A pig servant walked by and Hunter crouched behind a rack of spears. The pig servant simply took inventory and turned away, so Hunter leapt away and climbed a pillar to the roof of the Palace. Looking down inside through some gaps in the roof that were seemingly there to allow avian servants to fly in and out if necessary, he saw what seemed to be the Hall of Warriors... there were artefacts everywhere after all. Dangling upside down inside, he took hold of a dragon-esque decorative outcrop and began to climb down towards a pillar.

He was sneaking into The Jade Palace, much like he would years later to steal The Sword of Heroes. Not that he knew that at the time of course. Making his way down the walls, he stopped in his tracks when he heard the door opening... "But Master, it's The Dragon Scroll! Not just any scroll that's missing! How can you be so calm about this?!" Hunter recognised the voice of who was speaking. Master Shifu.

A slow chuckle came in response as Hunter dangled precariously right above the two of them. "Ah, my old friend. You should not worry so much." came the voice of who Hunter assumed was the Grand Master of the Palace. An old Turtle. Hunter then heard a distant voice feminine shout out incoherently, although he couldn't make it out fully. "Go and see to your student, Shifu. The matter will shortly resolve itself. I have a friend visiting very soon, and all will be as it was." the Turtle spoke calmly to Shifu, placing his hand on Shifu's shoulder, who nodded and limped out of the room to his student presumably.

Hunter felt his grip slipping and began to sweat nervously. If he fell from here, he was a definite goner. The old Turtle looked at an empty pedestal that was placed in front of what seemed to be a moonpool. He then finally turned and left the room, the doors closing behind him. Hunter breathed a sigh of relief and quickly moved further down the ceiling and to another pillar, this time one that would take him down. He made his way down it and landed mostly silently on the smooth marble floor of the Hall. Hunter took the Scroll and quickly moved to the pedestal. He put the scroll back carefully, moving his hands away cautiously to make sure it was placed properly.

Once he was sure it was, he moved away and turned to leave, only to find the old Turtle he'd saw earlier standing right behind him not 4 feet away, staring at him while leaning on a staff he was holding. Hunter froze, staring back at said Turtle for a few seconds, looking like a deer caught in headlights. "Do not be afraid, my friend. I only wish to talk to you." The Turtle spoke softly to Hunter, who was breathing heavily. "What is your name?" he decided to start slowly.

There was a pregnant pause between them. The Turtle waited patiently for a response to his question. "...Lièrén." Hunter spoke softly and quietly, and he was clearly slightly shaking.

The Turtle craned his neck outwards thoughtfully then. "Hmm 'Hunter'. Strong. But not your real name, is it?" The Turtle asked, and Hunter was taken aback by that statement. "Worry not, I will not intrude further. If you wish to be Hunter, then that is what I shall call you." The old Turtle nodded. "But I do wonder, why did you sneak into my Palace?"

Hunter gulped a little then but relaxed slightly, his hands clasping in front of him. "I was returning the Scroll that was stolen from you." He informed Oogway. "I found it in possession of a group of bandits I had taken a contract to capture. I thought to quietly return it." He explained to the Turtle, his voice meek.

The Grand Master seemed thoughtful at his explanation. "Did you open the Scroll? If only to ensure it was not damaged, of course." he asked Hunter, his tone of voice calculated and yet still soft. He was testing his character.

In response, Hunter shook his head. "No sir. I didn't even peek. It's not my place to do so." he said, bowing his head to the Turtle respectfully and submissively.

The old Turtle smiled at Hunter telling him he didn't look at the Scroll. "My name is Grand Master Oogway. You can just call me Oogway." he introduced himself to Hunter. "Do you know just what it is you returned?" Oogway asked, gesturing with his staff.

Hunter nodded to Oogway in response. "The Dragon Scroll. I heard you and Master Shifu discussing it, as well as some servants." he informed the Grand Master.

Oogway gave his own nod in response. "Indeed. An extremely powerful Scroll containing the secret to limitless power. And you were not tempted at all?" he asked Hunter, his look conveying that he wanted a truthful response.

Hunter shook his head then, still looking down at the ground. "No, Master Oogway. I have no interest in such a thing. I'm happy having enough food for the day and somewhere to sleep." he spoke modestly, although it was also a dead giveaway to the less than illustrious life he currently lived.

The Grand Master tilted his head questioningly, yet looked rather impressed. "And why didn't you ask for a reward for finding the Scroll? You must have known it would be valuable to whoever lost it, and yet instead you tried to put it back quietly and without getting anything in return."

Answering honestly, Hunter spoke a response. "It was not my place to ask for a reward. I was not hired or asked to find it by anyone. I'd rather it be returned without a fuss and slip out without anyone being the wiser." Hunter further elaborated his intentions and reasons to Oogway.

Oogway then gestured to the side, and Hunter saw a table with two seats and a teapot, and two cups. It seemed rather... Coincidental. "Please, take a seat. Share some tea with me as repayment for returning the Scroll at the very least." he requested and Hunter looked shocked, but nodded in agreement and both walked over, sitting down as Oogway poured some tea for the two of them. "I sense you have some form of connection with the Jade Palace. Am I correct?" The Grand Master offhandedly mentioned to Hunter.

For his part, Hunter stopped in his tracks and looked at Oogway, who simply smiled and blinked while looking at him. Eventually, he answered. "Someone I cared about was taken here to train some years ago." he stated and sipped his tea while not looking at Oogway.

The Grand Master nodded in recognition of this. "Ahh yes, young Tigress." he guessed, and Hunter didn't react, leading Oogway to assume he was correct... Although he felt there was something more to Hunter's connection to the Palace, it wasn't something he himself was aware of. He also felt the immense and buried pain within Hunter in what he was saying. "You are hurt."

Hunter looked at Oogway in confusion and shook his head at that. "No, I haven't been injured." he said to Oogway.

However, in response, the Grand Master reached over and placed his clawed hand on Hunter's chest. "You hurt. Here." Oogway spoke softly, a sad expression on his face, pulling his hand away. Hunter looked down, clenching his eyes shut as he felt tears flowing. He quickly steeled himself and looked up at Oogway. "No. No, I'm fine." Hunter denied what Oogway was saying staunchly.

In response, the old Turtle sighed a little. "You should not bottle up your emotions. It can lead to much spiritual turmoil within the self." He informed Hunter, who opened his mouth to say something when they heard a noise. Both looked over to see what it was. The servants on the outside were pushing the doors to the Hall open before said doors suddenly flew open, and in bounded Tigress.

She ran in with a huge smile on her face. "Master Oogway! Master Oogway!" She exclaimed loudly. "I did the Dahlia Leap! You were right! I just needed to focus and not hold back from fear of failure!" Tigress informed the old Master, who turned to see the seat next to him was suddenly empty.

Chuckling to himself and recognising that Hunter had incredible stealth skills to be able to instantly vanish, he turned back to Tigress. "Excellent, my dear. I told you that you could do it." Oogway nodded to her.

She was not stupid however, and seemed confused by the scene before her. "Why do you have two cups and chairs out, Master?" Tigress asked Oogway.

He smiled to her then. "I was entertaining a guest who just left." Oogway explained to Tigress.

Shifu then came running in after her. "Tigress! I told you not to disturb Master Oogway!" he exclaimed to her, and he flinched a little at that. Shifu also took notice of the mostly empty cup next to Oogways and the extra seat. "Especially when he has company!"

Tigress bowed her head to Shifu then as Oogway turned to him. "It is okay, Shifu." Oogway said to him.

Hunter was listening and watching from behind a pillar close by, hidden in the shadows. He looked out at Tigress longingly, reaching out from where he was hidden towards her, although she was clearly out of reach. A fitting metaphor if ever he saw one. He snatched his hand back and turned with his back to the pillar, sitting against it and looking absolutely downtrodden. 'I wish I could go to her. Tackle her, hug her and then kiss her- kiss? Where did that come from?' He asked himself, shaking his head before standing up. Shifu was asking about the sudden return of the Dragon Scroll while Hunter made his way out silently and stealthily.

He found a quiet grove in the Valley near the Palace. It was overgrown so he thought it would be hidden enough. Hunter's breath became ragged and more aggressive as he felt anger overtake him. He unsheathed his blade and haphazardly sliced down trees and even cut through boulders in a fit of rage. When he was done, the grove was a complete and utter mess and so was Hunter as he collapsed to his knees in the middle of it all. "You seem distraught."

Hunter spun around and was shocked to find Oogway standing there, a serene smile resting on his face. "I just... I'm fine. Needed to... Just... I'm fine." he spoke in a short tone, facing away from Oogway and holding his blade beside him, refusing to look the old Turtle in the eye, fearing what both of them would likely see in the other's eyes.

Oogway once more chuckled. "There is no shame in having feelings. They make us what we are. The good and the bad." He stated to Hunter. "I will see you again soon, my friend." the Turtle stated and walked away, leaving Hunter to his thoughts.

Hunter shook his head when he was alone, speaking to himself. "Feelings make you weak. More likely to make mistakes, get attached. Like I did. And it makes me lose control, and all that does is cause pain. No more. I won't feel anything. No pain, no feelings. Nothing." He spoke in a promise to himself, walking away from the ruins of the grove and eventually back out of the Valley with some semblance of a goal in mind.

...

:Present Day:

Hunter nodded to Shifu. "He knew. Even before I outright told him." he informed him. "That was Oogway for you, as you know. Clever Turtle knew everything." Hunter gave a small chuckle at that, looking down at the ground on Peach Tree Hill.

Shifu had listened, but this story was still only part of a larger whole... although he wasn't going to press him any more today. "Thank you for sharing, Hunter. I know it must not be easy for you. Know that whenever you feel like it, I'm here." he said with a smile, walking back towards the Palace as Hunter nodded to Shifu.