Here as, REDMW555. There as, REDPOET123 (The Dreamer)

Using the tone.

Inspiration: Battle without Honor or Humanity (2nd Song)

By: Tomoyasu Hotei

Season 5

Realizing things are changing, C.C couldn't hang on with the Sheffields anymore. Heck, even the kitchen has a new makeover. The only thing thats changing, is her weight. Everyday she would weigh herself and she would be unsatisfied. But she didn't care. People didn't really care about her weight, and it's no big deal, but what they did notice, especially Niles, was herself heading for deep depression.

For days, she would have difficulty concentrating in her work, her energy was low, she felt worthless. She would have dark circles under her eyes when she didn't get some sleep. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like working, she felt to tired. She overeats, which caused her to gain weight.

There was this one time where she was staring at a sharp object, thinking of how good it would feel to finally be gone, so she wouldn't feel empty anymore.

In the kitchen, Niles had insulted her, and to his surprise, she didn't say or do anything. She scared him, and even Fran noticed.

"Ms. Babcock? Niles just called you a man, you don't care,"

"No," She said sadly, and walked back to the office.

Niles and Fran stared at each other, and shrugged it off. The next day, C.C was having a hard time concentrating on the play she was reading, realizing her struggling Maxwell decided to ask her what was going on,

"C.C, are you alright?"

Maxwell asked, using this time to ask her, while they were finally alone in the office. Fran was busy with the kitchen, the kids were doing their own thing, and Niles was using his time with exercising.

"Yes, I am Maxwell,"

"Oh, ok C.C. As long as your still breathing."

That was a knife in the heart for her. All her years of working, she thought he cared for her, to even think about their future together. It was the last straw.

While she cried, and cried at home, she realized that she lost herself. The real C.C wouldn't cry, she would have her head held high, and curse the people who make her feel uncomfortable.

"I don't know who I am anymore," She whispered to herself.

It was her day off, having nothing to do she decided to take a walk around the park to think.

While the wind was hitting her hair.

"I don't know why I'm like this, I'm a wealthy woman! I shouldn't care what people think" She said to herself.

"Maybe I need some time away from them. I think I need my old friend to help me figure out why I'm like this,"

She smiled at the wonderful memories of herself and the man who helped her protect herself with martial arts.

She ran back home, and called her old friend. Though frowned when she learned he was in China.

"Sorry, a C.C Mr. Wang not here, he in China, but I'll call you when I get him on,"

"Ok, thank you."

Two hours later her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Yes, C.C? Mr. Wang is happy to see you in China."

When the information was given, all she had to do was tell Maxwell about her vacation, and after all, she hasn't asked for a vacation since she started working there.

When the day was over, she dragged herself to work, which would probably be the last day of work.

"Maxwell, I need time off. When you asked me if everything was ok, I lied. And you didn't notice, I need this time. I can't take this anymore."

"C.C, I...all I can say is good luck."

She smiled and hugged him. It was a sign of relief, as if she had finally let go of him. And it was her turn to have a life.

"Whenever you want to come back, this couch will always be there for you. I'll fire whoever has your place without thinking, so you can come back as you were before."

"Thank you Maxwell."

"Just make sure you write, and leave some insults for Niles. I think that will help him. I just hope it won't be that hard without you here, since it was last time for him, when you quit awhile ago."

"Hm, yeah. I'm his hobby. Of course."

The rest of the day, Maxwell had told her to go home and pack, so she can leave the next day, and come back to say goodbye to everybody.

Maxwell told everyone that C.C was leaving. Gracie was disappointed.

"But dad, where is she going?"

"I don't know sweety, I think you should ask her before she leaves,"

Gracie frowned.

When C.C finished packing, she went straight to the mansion.

Maxwell, Fran, Niles and the kids said their goodbyes.

"Ms. Babcock, where are you going?"

Gracie asked, C.C smiled. She always liked this kid. Since she had been a bit depressed, Gracie has used her free time to talk to her. Gracie hated to see someone she knew, literally all her life, sad like C.C was.

"I need to see an old friend. In China,"

"China! Your going to China?"

She nodded,

"Good luck Ms. Babcock." Maggie said.

"So, this is it Ms. Babcock, your really leaving us?" asked Fran hopeful.

"I'll come back. But yes I am leaving."

Niles had a hard time believing she was really leaving. He knew she would come back, but what killed him, was that he didn't know when she'll come back. He needs her. He loves her, and because she's leaving, he feels farther away from her.

"Goodbye Niles,"

"Goodbye Ms. Babcock," and that was it. She went home, and got some sleep. The morning came, and she got up and got ready for the airport. When she was finally on the airplane, she was cried a bit. Half her life was left behind, she worked for Maxwell for almost 17 years, and she tried so hard not to cry, but it was hard, so she let herself go.

When she arrived to her destination, she couldn't wait to see her old friend. He was like a father to her, when her real father was 2,000 miles away. Sometimes she would pretend he was her father.

She couldn't believe her eyes. The site was beautiful, although there were so many stairs to go to where her training will be, it didn't matter to her, the site won over it. She took a deep breath, and grabbed her luggage, wishing she had traveled light, and took her first step. When she was finally there, Mr. Wang was already waiting outside.

"water needed huh,"

"Yeah, and another lung. I think I left mine somewhere down there," She struggled to say,

Mr. Wang smiled and took another look at C.C, who was red and sweaty.

"Come, your training will begin in an hour, first you will need to rest. Water?"

"Yes!"

Mr. Wang laughed, oh how he missed his little girl.

After she had her water, Mr. Wang made sure she ate.

"what is this?" He asked, when he saw her clothes. It had fallen on the floor since she was to tired to carry it, accidentally dropped it, and her clothes flew out.

"Oh, my clothes,"

"Why bring clothes? You know there are uniforms,"

"Wait, uniforms?"

"You may be more than just a student, but you will be treated just like the others. No need for American clothes,"

"Then what do you want me to do with them? Throw them away?"

"Yes,"

"Wait! I was kidding, do you know how much these cost! This is my whole wardrobe!"

"Lots of clothes here in China, after your training."

"Well, ok. Where is my...uniform."

"In your room,"

"Do I get my own room?"

"Yes, my child, now go on."

When C.C was led to her room, she had found four pairs of the same clothes.

"Great I get to wear a Karategi four times a week," she said sarcastically

"You wash, uniform everyday. You wear two a day. One morning, another at night. Next day, you wash the old pair, and redo over and over. I show how to wash,"

After her lesson with washing, Mr, Wang had asked her a question.

"This Important, may ask you same question when leave."

She was a bit confused, but nodded anyway.

"Why are you here?"

"I—,"

"Take moment to answer, and choose words carefully,"

She did, and took a deep breath,

"To lose weight,"

Mr. Wang took a good look at her, and asked another question,

"why? Not wrong to look like that. I ask again, why are you here?"

"I-I'm here to find myself. I'm not as strong as I used to be. Everyone around me, have their own things. They are moving forward, and I'm stuck. I need change."

Mr. Wang nodded at her answer,

"I will ask question again. Different answer next time."

"Ok, if you say so."

"Training will begin, change to uniform, and throw old clothes. You want change, no more old clothes. You will start with a white belt. Start over is good. Show me, you can still do this,"

She nodded and went to change into her uniform.

Hope you like this, Comment, PM me if you want. I don't mind.

-REDMW555