Maya stared at her computer screen. It was the day before the camping trip and she had to work out a few last minute details. She had a tab open looking for flights into Beijing.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in" she said, half expecting Meilin.

"Professor Zhang." He announced

"Leiyun." She frowned, "What do you want?"

"So I don't get any love?" he asked, "You're so nice to your students."

"Do you want me to break your nose?"

He scowled.

"What the hell do you want?" she asked, coldly

Leiyun felt intimidated. Why does she always have this effect on me?

"I just wanted to discuss about tomorrow." He said lamely.

"What about tomorrow?" she asked,

"We're supposed to be supervising martial arts activities."

"Don't try anything funny, Leiyun."

Is that what she thinks of me?

"I'm not going to try anything funny." He said, "I just wanted to ask you what you wanted to do, because it's tomorrow and we haven't decided anything."

"I'm an important person, Leiyun." She said, tossing her hair back.

I'm sure.

"Yes. Professor Zhang." He said, "I understand that I'm taking up a lot of your precious time. But, seriously what do I have to do tomorrow?"

"You can sit and watch while I teach the kids."

"Come on, Maya.."

"What happened to Prof. Zhang?" she snapped

He looked her with such a sad expression in his eyes that it touched her heart.

Well, almost.

"Stop looking like a lost puppy, Leiyun."

"Really, I deserve some respect."

She snorted.

"Okay, maybe I don't. But, I'm making an effort here."

"At what?"

"Look, I'm trying." He said, his brown hair flopping. He looked exactly like she had last seen him. Floppy brown hair, dark circles under his eyes, a tired pale expression on his face.

Maya bit her lip. True, she was being really hard on him. And, he was acting different the last few weeks. Was it because she was here?

"Fine." She said, giving in. "We'll teach the kids some simple moves. Really basic."

"That's it?" he asked,

"Well, Kaho and I are going to teach them some archery later."

"That'll be nice."

Maya's head shot up. Leiyun, you never say things like "That'll be nice."

"What?"

"Nothing." She said, turning back to the computer, "I'd like you to leave now, as I have work to do."

"Fine." He said, 'I'm out of here."

She heard the door shut and glanced at the photograph she had been looking at the other day when Sakura was knocking at her door. She smiled sadly. Her phone rang.

"Miss Zhang?" the caller at the other line asked

"This is she."

"This is Air China. We'd like to confirm your round trip to Beijing for next week."

"Kero!" Sakura screamed with excitement, "The day's finally here."

Kero smiled as he flew around her. She was wearing a pretty pink sweater and blue jeans. She had her auburn hair tied back into a cute ponytail.

"Sakura!" Touya called from downstairs, "You're going to miss the bus."

"Coming!" Sakura screamed. She flung her bag over her shoulder and noisily made her way downstairs. Kero was uncomfortably fidgeting in her handbag.

Twenty minutes later, Sakura met her friends in front of the bus at school. She was so excited. She was really looking forward to this trip with all her friends. And, it would be the last trip while she was at school. She was really going to miss all her friends when all of them would separate ways and go to different universities. She always hoped few of them would end up in the same place.

She hoped she and Syaoran ended up in the same place.

"Sakura!" Tomoyo called. Her long violent hair was tied in a high ponytail. She was standing beside Meilin, whose eyes were ablaze with excitement.

Sakura ran up to her best friend and joined in the conversation everyone was having.

"Ghost stories are a must." Naoko said, "I mean, guys this is our last school trip!"

Sakura sweat dropped. She hated ghost stories.

"Boo!" a voice behind her startled her. She gasped

She turned behind to find Eron laughing heartily

"Eron!" she scolded, "You scared me."

"That was sort of the point."

They heard someone clear his throat.

"Syaoran!" Sakura said, she smiled

"Hi." He said, gruffly, annoyance clear in his voice

"So are you excited?" Meilin asked, trying to avoid the discomfort that had clearly risen between Eron and Syaoran.

"Yeah." He said, surprisingly, "I'm really looking forward to the martial arts thing."

"Maya Zhang is really good." Meilin said,

"How do you know?" Eron asked,

"Well," Meilin said, her eyes sparkling, "We sort of had a practice session the other day."

"You're kidding me." Syaoran said, slightly jealous

"Guys!" they heard a woman shout, "Start boarding the bus."

Maya had her hair tied in a high ponytail and wore jeans and a blue collared shirt. Though she was dressed very simply, she looked really pretty.

"How does she manage to look so pretty with such simple clothes?" Meilin asked,

"I think it's her personality" Tomoyo answered wisely,

"And she's related to me." Syaoran said,

"Puff!" Sakura said, "I think it's more of a Zhang thing than a Li thing, Syaoran."

"What did you say, Kinomoto"

They all looked up to a very evil looking Leiyun

"I…" Sakura began.

"I believe she said that I'm cool because I'm Zhang and not a Li, Leiyun." Maya said behind them. "And I don't disagree with her."

Leiyun raised his brow.

"True story." She said, "Okay get going guys; I'll join you in a minute."

They ran into the bus.

"Seriously, Lei" she said, "Stop eavesdropping." She was clearly annoyed that he had been listening to what these kids were saying.

He bit his lip before staring at her walk away.

"We're here!" Sakura said, plopping on the bed. She, Tomoyo, Meilin, Rika, Chiharu and Naoko were in the same dorm.

"This is going to be so much fun!" Tomoyo said, taking a shot of their room.

"There's an excellent view." Chiharu said, "Look you can see the lake from here!"

All the girls rushed to the window and agreed that it was indeed a very pretty sight.

"I envy the boys." Rika said, "They're right above us! I bet they will be able to see further off."

There was a knock on the door. Chiharu opened it to find Miss. Mizuki standing outside.

"Well, I see you girls like your room very much." She smiled, "But the excitement's happening outside. Prof. Zhang and Mr. Li are waiting for you, actually."

Maya did a perfect somersault.

"Looks like you haven't lost your touch."

She twirled around to see Leiyun, with his armed folded, grinning.

She scowled. "I have a doctorate in martial arts, Leiyun. I'm supposed to be good."

Soon they heard the noises of excited teenagers wanting to learn some martial arts.

"Hi guys." Maya said. The kids beamed. They all loved her and what more than have your favourite teacher teach you something as exciting as martial arts?

They all did a few simple moves and Maya was encouraging and helped them out.

"She's so nice" Naoko said, "I thought it would be quite hard, with her being a doctorate in martial arts. But I think she just loves to teach."

"You're right." Rika agreed, "I felt so good doing those moves that now I feel like a ninja."

Sakura was having a lot of fun. Maya was pleased to see her so enthusiastic about learning more complex moves.

"Learn some martial arts before?" Maya asked her as she supervised a more complex somersault.

"Okay guys!" Maya called, "That's it for today. I have to say, you all did really well today. I'm impressed."

They all smiled.

"So maybe a few of us can do slightly more complex moves and then you guys can break for snacks." She said, "And don't forget. Tomorrow we're going to have archery lessons at sunrise."

There were whispers of excitement.

"Right." She said, "So Meilin? Syaoran? Can I see what you've got?"

Meilin and Syaoran did some really impressive moves, turns, twirls and they were so coordinated they it looked like they were mechanic.

"Very good." Maya smiled, "Sakura? Want to try that complex somersault with me?"

Sakura blushed, but happy that she got a chance to practice with Prof. Zhang agreed. She managed to do a good job of it, though not as well as Prof. Zhang.

"Bravo!" she said,

They all cheered

"Why don't we see you and Mr. Li do some moves, Prof. Zhang?" Mr. Terada said, "he's been sitting there all day."

"Oh?" Maya said. She had completely forgotten about Leiyun.

Leiyun walked up to her and playfully slapped her arm, like an old friend. "That'll be nice. Since I was just sitting there the whole time." He stretched.

Maya frowned. Why am I worried? I'm the one with the PhD.

You're going down Leiyun.

"Scared I'll steal your spotlight?" he teased

"Not in the tiniest bit."

And so they began- the toughest moves, somersaults, fists, kicks, punches. They did it all. Everyone looked at them open-mouthed as they continued tirelessly. They were well coordinated, the years that had separated their practice having no effect on them at all.

But, in the end, Maya did an extra twirl and landed gracefully on the ground. She turned around to see Leiyun just standing there.

"Leiyun!" she said, panting, her red from the continuous exercise. "You just stood there. You let me win."

She looked so beautiful, with her jet black hair matted on her forehead. Leiyun felt his stomach lurch.

He smiled sadly, "No Maya," he said, "I didn't."

Sakura couldn't sleep. She kept tossing and turning on her bed. She gave up finally, and made her way to the hall. She'd just stare at the fire.

She gingerly made her way to the hall and sat down calmly and stared into the burning fire.

She heard a soft giggle behind her.

"Why does this always happen to us?"

She smiled as she saw Syaoran sit down next to her. She remembered how uncanny it was, that they would always end up not falling asleep.

"What's it this time?" he asked, "Let me guess. Dream with Prof. Zhang and some bright light all over?"

Sakura nodded.

"What do you think it means? "

"Something to do with the sealing of The Ego and The Sacrifice?" Sakura ventured

"Mostly." Syaoran nodded looking into the fire. His amber eyes reflected sadness

"Something the matter, Syaoran?" she asked softly

"Nothing." He said, softly

I'm scared, Sakura.

Of the future.

Of you not being in it.

Maya got up with a grumbling in her tummy. Oh no. Not again.

I can't be hungry.

Well, it must all that martial arts today.

She got up and made her way to the pantry and poured herself some cereal.

It's cold. I think I'll get some hot chocolate.

She fixed herself a mug of hot chocolate and carried a huge bowl of cereal. This should do. Now, I can sleepppppppppppp. She smiled in anticipation of good sleep.

She made her way to the balcony, creating little noise with the curtains. She hoped no one heard her as she settled down to eat her cereal and drink her hot chocolate.

"You never change Maya Zhang." She turned back to see Leiyun, standing in an over-sized t-shirt and loose pants.

She frowned.

"What do you want?" she asked, "Can't a woman enjoy a midnight snack in peace?"

"Won't keep you then," he said, "I just heard noises. So, I came here to check."

She looked away as he left her to eat her cereal.

She thought about what had happened earlier that day.

"No Maya."

"I didn't."

She shrugged off the thought. Maybe she could be wrong about him losing his powers. She was after all better trained than him when it came to martial arts.

Finally, she thought. What the hell. I'm a Zhang.