A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the delay! I haven't abandoned the story or anything, I'm still working, just finding time to write has been difficult lately. Here is the next chapter, better late than never!

A day later, the Five, Po and Hunter travelled back to the Jade Palace after helping Grand Master Viper and his wife, having dealt with the threat now, once and for all hopefully. They stayed that night and through some of the following day to be sure that it was indeed safe, and to give everyone a chance to recover and recuperate before journeying back to the Jade Palace. Everything was safe from what they could see, and Crane and Viper were feeling much better after being treated by the local doctor, although Crane would need time until he was back to being able to fly like normal. The group all took the long way back to the Jade Palace this time as they were unwilling to unnecessarily risk anyone's lives to travel back when there was no urgent need to do so.

When they returned, the Five left to give a full report to Shifu on the events of the previous two days while Hunter went back to his campsite, treating his own wound from the previous fight. Luckily, it was still rather clean, and no permanent damage could be seen. He once more replaced the bandage, barely a grimace on his face as he did so. He had a theory that the fiery nature of the Demon somewhat cauterised the wound, although not completely, it was enough to stave off infection. Now that he had time to think, his mind wandered. First, their experience in the caves... Whatever that was, that Demon, it was powerful. Not the one that he fought, no... The one in the cave. The one he fought seemed to have used Grand Master Viper's own Chi energy to enter the world. Something else was in that cave with them, and it was very powerful... Still, it was a problem for another day.

The other thought that he was having was the, admittedly more mundane, fact that he had shared his tent with Tigress... On the journey back, he had shared with Crane instead, Viper and Tigress had shared as well as Mantis, Monkey and Po. When Po had suggested this, he could swear he almost saw disappointment in her expression for a second or two... Or maybe that was wishful thinking on his side of things...

He wasn't going to pretend he hadn't enjoyed sharing his tent with a beautiful warrior like her. He could feel himself slipping again, becoming enraptured by her. Hunter may have not wanted to, but he had to admit it. His feelings had hit him full force again like a carriage and it was almost inescapable. As he wrapped the final bit of bandage around his wound, he had to think to himself. At this point, he was almost drawn to stay, despite his past with Tigress. Or maybe that was what was drawing him in...?

He then yelled out in frustration at the situation. He didn't know what to think anymore. Even if he walked away from the Jade Palace, he'd still be haunted by thoughts of her by this point, and he walked down the hill, needing to clear his head.

At this point, the only solution seemed to be to tell her the truth, but... No. No he couldn't do that. She walked from her past, from him. It may hurt, but that was what she wanted, and he refused to dredge up her past after she had tried her best to forget it completely. He wasn't selfish enough to do that to her.

Hunter at that point found himself in the Hall of Heroes, standing in front of Oogway's Staff... The old man always carried it around with him...

...

Dropping down from the pillar, a clearly younger Hunter landed on the floor of the Hall, coming in the same way he always did now...

"You're becoming more adept at that."

Hunter turned and saw Master Oogway standing there as usual, a rare smile on his face as he saw him, although it was hidden behind his mask. "Well, you know. Adapt or die and all that." he said, bowing to the Master and presenting his latest find contained within a large backpack on his back: Master Flying Rhino's Battle Armour. Oogway nodded in content and gestured to a rack specifically made for the armour. "Master Flying Rhino said he took the armour off but couldn't remember where. I tracked it to a... 'Collector' you might say. I liberated it with the utmost discretion of course." he said, sounding slightly amused as he arranged the armour.

Also walking over, the Old Master admitted the set. "Indeed. I'm sure Rhino will be glad to have it back with us." Oogway spoke. "A terrible battle. Hopefully the last." a rare shudder ran through Oogway. Such tragedy, such death... It saddened him greatly. "As usual, your payment." he held out a single... well, for lack of a better word, voucher.

Hunter nodded thankfully to him and put it away. "I'll restock my supplies before heading out, thank you."

At those words, Oogways slightly cheerful expression fell away to sadness again. "Are you certain I cannot convince you to stay this time?" he asked gently. "It would be good for the both of you."

Freezing in place at the old Master's words, Hunter's own expression became more melancholic. "You know I can't do that." he said, looking down now. "Besides, I have contracts to complete, work to be done." Hunter said, although both knew that wasn't really the reason. He felt a deep pang in his chest then, and he was trying to fight back tears. At this point in his life, the wound was still fresh, not yet healed and scarred. "How- How is she?"

Blinking once, Oogway turned and walked towards the Moonpool. "Her training is proceeding well. She shows incredible potential, although Shifu can be... rather hard on her." he admitted to Hunter. "She would benefit from a friend. And she is not the only one. You could always ask her these questions yourself."

Grimacing, Hunter spoke bitterly. "She doesn't want friends. She walked away from the only one she had. And he- he died . There's nothing of him left now, just..." he said. He remembered that night, after the Thread. He felt something break within him. And then the beatings, the fighting for food, sleeping outside... The man she knew was gone. He'd starved to death on the streets of China. What was left was a ghost, a shell. "...Just a Nowhere Man ."

Approaching Hunter, Oogway placed his hand on his shoulder. "I do not believe that. You are much more than you believe, my friend. You have the strength within you to tell her, to face your past and your fears. I only wish you could see it, as I do." Almost seeming to be pleading with Hunter, Oogway craned his head to look him in the eyes.

"Maybe one day I will."

At that, Hunter turned from the old Master and walked out of the Hall of Heroes, turning and leaping on one of the sloped roofs of the Palace. Instead of leaving, however, he crept over to the Training Hall instead, finding a window and perching so he could carefully look inside.

And there she was. Hunter audibly sighed dreamily at the sight of her. As beautiful as the last time he saw her, if not more so. He longed to go inside, to go and talk to her, to tell her... But as Oogway said, he lacked the strength to do it. All he could do was watch from afar. He felt it selfish, as he always did. This was all he allowed himself, to simply just watch her for a time, to know she was okay and she was thriving. And she was. He was so proud of Tigress. He held no resentment toward her, not truly. Only toward himself.

For what? For letting her go? For letting her have happiness?

No. For feeling as he did. For feeling like a piece of him was missing. And like she was that piece. Having had his fill of self loathing, Hunter pulled himself back to the roof, and went to leave the Palace...

"Leaving so soon, are we?"

What the?! How had Oogway...? However, Hunter knew better than to question how he had gotten up to the roof. It was Oogway after all. "Yeah, I'm leaving the Palace, I..." Oogway's look said it all. He knew . "Alright, fine. Yes, I'm leaving China. For a while. For some time. I... Don't know when or even if I'll be back..." Truthfully, he was hoping not to return. "I wanted to say goodbye, but..." he didn't have a good answer. He wanted to tell Oogway, but didn't... He was worried he may try and convince him to stay or something...

Nodding in understanding, the old Master had a knowing smile. "There are no wrong paths, only winding turns we did not know we could take. If you feel you must leave to be happy, then I will not stop you. But remember that you always have a place here, with us." he pointed out to Hunter, who looked at the old Master and nodded...

...

A tear ran down Hunter's cheek as he held the staff in his hands, staring at it and gripping it tightly. He really felt the sting from losing Oogway, and this staff was like a part of him. He couldn't even say goodbye, or thank the old Turtle for everything. Shifu of course tried his best, he really did... But Master Oogway was something else entirely. Hunter really felt lost without him, and like the world was a bit more empty. He always knew that if he needed help or advice, Oogway was there. He could go to him if he needed it.

But not anymore. Even so, he could picture the old Turtle's advice on the matter because it was the same problem. He was sure Oogway would say the solution was also the same as always...

Placing the staff back on its pedestal and bowing to it, Hunter walked away, sighing to himself. He thought the walk and maybe Oogway's staff would help him sort through his thoughts, but instead, it just clouded his mind even more. He was just looking forward to the upcoming Winter Festival, so he would have an excuse to drink until he blacks out.

Walking back up to his campsite to feel sorry for himself, he instead found Tigress and Po walking down. "Oh! Hunter, we were looking for you. Just making sure you're alright. That was a megacool battle you had!" Po pointed out to him. "You seemed alright on the journey back, but we wanted to ask- Well, we just, err..."

Rolling her eyes, Tigress took over the conversation. "He means , would you like to eat with us again tonight?" She asked, leading to Po diving behind her to take cover from any possible reprisals from Hunter at the question while Tigress just shook her head in slight annoyance at Po's antics.

The request was much sweeter coming from Tigress. "Sure, why not?" he nodded, although held his hand up when Po was about to explode in excitement. "But I'll still be eating my own food." Hunter pointed out. Po kind of deflated at that, but was still excited for him to join them again.

After Hunter had retrieved a container of food he had prepared during the journey back from Viper's village and went with the two of them to the kitchen. "Hey, look who decided to sit at the table!" Mantis said in slight surprise as Hunter entered with the two other warriors.

Po limbered up smugly in front of them. "What can I say? I turned the Dragon Warrior charm up to 11 and he was totally on board." he said as if it were no big deal.

Next, Tigress spoke in her usual tone. "Was hiding behind me part of this 'charm' you apparently used?" she asked, making no indication it was a joke apart from the slight smirk on her face.

Adding to it, Hunter looked at Tigress. "I don't know, it was the obvious cub eyes you gave me, Kitten. How could I say no?" he asked, still monotone in voice, although a smirk was on his face as well.

Once again rolling her eyes, Tigress shook her head. "Even if I knew how to do that, I wouldn't waste such an obviously effective tactic on getting you to agree to eat with us." she said to him.

Speaking next without completely thinking it through, Hunter had a glint in his eyes when he replied to her. "Oh? And what would you get me to agree to do with you, Kitten ?" he asked her, looking into her own eyes.

Blushing bright beneath her fur, Tigress, unlike herself, stammered out a response. "O-o-obviously I'd get you to clean my quarters for me!" she said, pretending to be innocent of the institution of his words.

'Anything to get me alone, hmm~?' Was his thought, but he quickly realised what he previously said, and also blushed, laughing to save face and regulating his mouth. "Hah! Yeah, as if I'd ever do that!" he said a little bit too enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, Po quickly went about preparing dinner for the Five and himself. "Noodle Soup, comin' up!" he exclaimed, quickly getting everything ready with the steady hand of a master chef.

Crane looked at Hunter then as he sat back in his chair. "So... Those markings?" he asked. "They mean anything?" Crane asked him.

Everyone else seemed interested as well, even Po's ears swivelled towards the table at the question. "They do. But I'll tell you another time." he said, waving off the question for now.

Seeing he didn't want to discuss it, Viper switched topics. "Good job handling that fiery demon thing, Hunter. The rest of us were caught off guard by those flames." she said, shuddering at the mere memory of the bright light and heat.

Shrugging in response, Hunter spoke. "Well I've been set on fire before, so it's no big deal." He said nonchalantly.

"What?!" Exclaimed everyone at the table, even Tigress.

Monkey was aghast like the others. "Someone set you on fire?" he asked.

Waving his hand and shaking his head, Hunter denied this. "No no no!" he said, leading to sighs of relief from all. "I set myself on fire."

"What?!" The same thing happened twice.

Sighing at the reaction and rolling his eyes in amusement, Hunter explained. "So these bandits were terrorising some farmers or something, I don't remember. They lived in the desert, farming all sorts of vegetables. Anyway, these bandits came from the rainforest, and the locals believed in this fire god, or fire demon that would protect them. When the bandits started extorting them, nothing happened. So I come into town and do some trading, and hear about these bandits and this legend. Now, one thing I traded for here was some fireproof clothing, the locals had some kind of chemicals that they treated the clothes in, made them resistant to it somehow. So, I had an idea. Next time the bandits came, I dressed in my usual clothes, but put on the fireproof stuff underneath. I doused myself in alcohol, lit myself up and ran at the bandits while swinging my sword wildly and screaming for them to leave. They ran like hell out of there and never came back again, with the locals thinking their legend was real. I jumped in the stream out of sight by the village quickly. My clothes were ruined and I singed my hair, but it was so worth it."

Everyone was listening now, with Po having distributed his food, and Hunter had gotten his own out. "Wow! Did you get paid for it?" Mantis asked him.

Scoffing, Hunter shook his head. "No. It was funny and that was enough for me. The looks on their faces were priceless." he said. More and more the Five and Po got the feeling that he was more than a simple Bounty Hunter.

Po then got a face of remembrance. "Pfft, I remember when I said there were no ladies at the Jade Palace, and Viper and Tigress slapped me." he laughed, leading to the two of them also laughing at remembering slapping Po.

Meanwhile, Hunter was shocked at what he said. "What?! I mean, how the hell couldn't you have thought they were 'ladies'?! I mean come on! Both Viper and Tigress are exceptionally gorgeous women and any man would be lucky to even be noticed by either of them!" he exclaimed suddenly, the entire table freezing and turning to look at him at what he had just said.

Realising he once more spoke without thinking, Hunter turned red and mumbled something like 'forget I said anything' and hyper focused on his noodles, refusing to look at anyone. Come the end of the meal, everyone said goodnight and went to sleep, with Hunter mumbling his farewells before going up to his campsite to hopefully disappear forever...