For the next couple of weeks, Maria helps Danny and Sally with their salvage operation in the lake beside their house. However, while it keeps her busy, it doesn't stop her feeling lonelier than ever. For the first few days, Maria finds it incredibly difficult to even get up in the morning, but with the support of her friends, she works through the pain, and eventually, her general mood improves.
A week after Shang Mu, Maria finds the strength to resume helping with sword technique training session again. The instructor is glad to see her return, and accepts Maria's explanation of her unexpected absence without question. Maria is further relieved when the instructor informs her that Tai Wong is no longer in his class, but after a week, the lynx cannot help but wonder what exactly is going on.
"Are you OK?" the instructor asks as he and Maria stack the training mats at the side of the room after the lesson.
"Yeah," Maria replies unconvincingly. "Why do you ask?"
"You seemed a bit distracted throughout," the instructor explains.
Maria sighs. "I guess," she admits. "It's just… I dunno."
"Wondering where Tai is?"
"No," Maria lies. "…yeah," she admits a few moments later.
"You want to see her again, don't you?"
"Yes… No… Maybe… I dunno."
The instructor looks over to the door. "Well, it seems someone else has made the decision for you," he informs.
Confused, Maria turns to face the door, freezing in surprise when she sees Tai standing there.
"H‑Hi," Tai greets, barely loud enough to be heard. "I th‑thought I'd f‑find you h‑here. C‑Can we t‑talk?"
It takes a moment for Maria to respond. "I'm a bit busy right now," she eventually replies.
"Oh, O‑OK," Tai murmurs. "I'll… Bye."
"Why did you lie to her?" the instructor asks once Tai has left.
"But I am busy," Maria protests. "I'm helping you stack these mats."
"And we've stacked them all," the instructor informs.
Maria looks around her to see they have indeed finished stacking the mats. "What about the‑"
"I'll handle the shinai," the instructor decides. "Now stop making excuses and go."
Maria makes to object, then sprints out of the room to find Tai.
"Good luck," the instructor wishes.
Maria sprints through the corridors of the dojo, but when she gets to the entrance, there's still no sign of Tai. What… Where did she go? I just had to be a silly kitty and make excuses, didn't I? Angry at herself, Maria decides to get a drink from a nearby water fountain to calm down… only to turn and walk into Tai, sending them both tumbling to the floor.
"Sorry, I‑ Oh…" Maria begins, tailing off when she realises she's laying on top of Tai. "Erm… hi."
"H‑Hi," Tai replies softly.
"I uh… Hi."
"H‑Hi."
Maria pauses a moment. "I should probably get off you now."
"Yep," Tai agrees.
Maria gets to her feet, then helps Tai to hers.
"So… what now?" Maria asks.
"I d‑dunno," Tai answers.
"Your stammer's back."
"Y‑Yeah."
For several tense moments, both Maria and Tai stand in awkward silence, looking at their shoes, at their surroundings, anything but each other. Eventually, they can stand the tension no longer.
"About Shang Mu: I'm sorry," they chorus in mutual apology. "I shouldn't have‑ Sorry, you first‑ No, you‑"
A moment's silence passes, both felines blushing in embarrassment.
"Look, Tai, I just want to say I'm so sorry for the way I acted in the hotel," Maria eventually apologises without interruption. "I really should have explained why I suddenly felt so uncomfortable."
"No, it's me who should be sorry," Tai offers. "I shouldn't have gotten frustrated with you. I pushed you too hard, too fast, and that was wrong of me."
"Please, don't be sorry," Maria replies. "It's my fault I wasn't honest with you."
"Please, don't apologise," Tai restates. "I should have accepted you weren't ready yet."
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry."
"No, I am."
"No, I am!"
"I was worse!"
"I told you to get out of my sight!"
"I pushed you too hard!"
Maria and Tai stare hard at each other for several moments, their anger threatening to‑
"Wait… What are we doing?" Maria asks suddenly.
"I… We were… Were we really arguing over who's sorrier?" Tai asks in return.
There's a moment's pause before both felines erupt into embarrassed laughter.
"That was so silly of us!" Maria giggles, relieved the tension has finally disappeared.
"I was sillier!" Tai giggles in return.
"Hey, now don't start that again!" Maria teases.
A few moments later, their laughter dies down.
"Well, I must admit, I feel better now," Tai sighs happily.
"Me too," Maria agrees. "We should probably find somewhere a bit more private to talk though: we've attracted a small crowd."
Tai looks around to see half a dozen other Scarves of various ages all staring at her and Maria. "Oh… yeah, we sh‑should do th‑that," she blushes.
A few minutes later, Maria and Tai have found a small room in the dojo where they can talk in private.
"So, you're probably wondering why I was so… weird in the hotel that night," Maria begins.
"I am, but you don't have to explain it," Tai assures. "I don't want you to tell me unless you're one hundred percent comfortable doing so."
"It doesn't bother you that most of my friends know and you don't?" Maria asks.
"You'll tell me when you feel it's the right time," Tai explains.
"Even though that means we can never go all the way until I do?"
"I'd rather you be happy."
Maria dabs away a tear and allows herself a small smile.
"Are you OK?" Tai asks.
"Never better," Maria assures, her eyes moist yet filled with contentment.
"Good," Tai smiles back. "I want to kiss you."
"I want to kiss you too."
"Should we?"
Maria answers by pulling Tai to her and giving a long, tender kiss.
"I missed you so much," Maria whispers when the kiss breaks.
"I missed you more," Tai replies playfully.
"Nuh‑uh!" Maria replies in kind. "I missed you more!"
"I missed you times two!"
"Well, I missed you times four!"
"Well, I missed you times… infinity!"
"Darn it!" Maria sighs, unable to hide an amused grin. "I can't top that!"
"Not gonna try 'infinity plus one'?"
"I may be a silly kitty, but I'm not that silly!"
The couple shares a good laugh, which is followed by a comfortable silence.
"So," Tai begins. "I want to ask something, but I don't want to‑"
"Yes, we're back together," Maria confirms the unasked question. "If that's what you want."
"More than anything."
"Best news I've heard all week," Maria smiles.
"Can I ask a favour?"
"Sure."
"Can you keep this from your friends until we're settled into this again?" Tai requests.
"I… Well, I don't really want to lie to my friends," Maria answers.
"I know, but… I guess I just want to allow us to get to know each other again without any outside pressure," Tai explains.
Maria thinks a moment. "I can't argue with that. Sure, I'll keep us a secret for now, keep the pressure off."
Tai thanks Maria with a long loving kiss.