They were descending from the mountains, and spring was in the air. The crocus' were peeking their heads thru patches of snow. Hiei was in a feverish excitement over meeting an old flame in Paris.

"Are we going to walk to Paris?" Maya said.

"We'll take a boat in Germany" Kurama said.

"Oh. Then we're walking to Germany?" Maya said.

"No, your grace. We're taking a bus." Kurama said.

"A bus! That's nice." Maya said.

"Kristina, my dear, Hiei's on his way!" Hiei said.

"Who's Kristina?" Maya asked.

"Who is Kristina? ... She's a tender little morsel." Hiei said.

"Hiei." Kurama said.

"The cup of hot chocolate after a long walk in the snow." Hiei said.

"Hiei, Xnay on the offesay" Kurama said.

"She's a decadent pastry filled with whipped cream and laughter ..." Hiei said.

"Is this a person or a cream puff?" Maya said.

"She is the Empress' ravishing first cousin." Hiei said.

"But I thought we were going to see the Empress herself. Why are we going to see her cousin? Kurama!" Maya said.

"Well, nobody gets near the Dowager Empress without convincing Kristina first." Kurama said.

Hiei hummed and gathered flowers in the background.

"Oh no, not me, no. Nobody ever told me I had to -prove I was the Grand Duchess." Maya said.

"Look, I . . ." Kurama said.

"Show up. Yes. Look nice. Fine. But lie?" Maya said.

She fiddled with her necklace.

"You don't know it's a lie. What if it's true? OK, so there's one more stop on the road to finding out who you are. I just thought this was something you had to see through to the end no matter what." Kurama said.

Maya sighed. "But look at me, Kurama! I am not exactly Grand Duchess material here, Aah."

Maya stomped off.

On the bridge Maya joined Hiei. He directed her attention to the water.

"Tell me, child, what do you see?" Hiei said.

She looked at her reflection, face smudged and wearing boy's clothes.

"I see a skinny little nobody, with no past and no future." Maya said.

"I see a engaging and fiery young woman ... who on a number of occasions has shown a regal command equal to any royal in the world. And I have known my share of royalty. You see my dear, I was a member of the imperial Court." Hiei said.

"Hmm..." Maya sighed.

Kurama's face showed up reflected in the pond next to theirs.

"So, are you ready to become the Grand Duchess Maria?" Kurama said.

Maya was still annoyed at Kurama for not being honest with her. Hiei gave Kurama a look.

"What?!" Kurama said.

"There's nothing left for you back there my dear. Everything is in Paris." Hiei said.

"Gentlemen, start your teaching."

They went off down the road, the lesson continuing. The threesome and Puu approached a ship.