As Close as Brothers

 ChaCha looks at her stash of herbs neatly organized on the shelf. She thinks she knows enough on her own about medicines. Why does she need this master so badly that he speaks of at the Beggar's Sect? She memorized all those recipies on the wall of the cave all those months when she was with Milo. They weren't drunk all the time, as War puts it, with a grin when he's feeling foolish late at night while nursing what's left of the rice wine.

She rests her hands on her waist, thinking this might be home, cozy with all the comforts one might find on the prairie. Bare by some standards, but she has her kitchen, the bed in the corner and nothing fancy for the wardrobe. After all, they do travel lite.

It seems to her Milo is very slow these days(Method Cultivating, she guessess), and yet he's out back dancing with a sword telling her it's all in the wrist through his thoughts he sends to her.

 Really, she wouldn't know the difference between the Chi Clan move or the Wolf Pack stance. She watches as he dances in the wind, twirling in the air, being one with the sword.

He's tried to teach her, but she gets testy. More hand to hand combat is her nature. And there is always a fan to tap into action with. Not that she's had to protect herself lately, but her fan is her best friend. It always comes back to her and can slice as well as any saber.

Has he noticed? ChaCha sends the thought to him while he in the sun shining his sword- He does his thing. She does hers. Isn't that the way it should be?

She goes to the rabbit stew bubbling over the fire. It smells savory, and she's certain they will all be in for the main meal of the day, even if it might be mid afternoon. ChaCha sets the table on her own. The dumblings are hot. She yells out back that it's ready. Of course, Ching gets there first and he's with-

ChaCha gives a double take. She winces. "Who's this?" Another unexpect guest.

"Surprise," Oh she grins as if she might be the happiest girl in the world. ChaCha shakes her head. She only wants a friend, but it feels like a mystery again.

"She's good. She's the real Qing," Ching's smile is open. He has his arm around her. Perhaps ChaCha envies the couple a little. But Milo has always been good to her even if he still acts like a big brother from time to time. Yet Milo is gentle, but she sees the passion in Ching's eyes for Qing.

"You mean, that wasn't the real Qing we met back-"

Qing keeps smiling. "I don't ever want to change again."

ChaCha nods. Of course, ChaCha has seen such strange nature in this Martial World. "Let's hope you've changed for the good."

Finally, Milo strolls in holding his sword in his dark sheath. He practically sleeps with it. War isn't far behind. Of course, they are all hungry. They sit at the earthy table along with the scavenged pottery that makes the setting. 

War has the wine, but Milo looks to Qing and orders he's to only have water.

"Oh, come on, it's a celebration, you see Qing here-"

"Not so fast," Milo glares back at Qing who he calls Kiddo for the most part. "Lets see how long it last."

Any minute, Qing's appearance  might change into someone else.

ChaCha nods as she takes the wine to pour for Milo and War and of course, for herself. After all, Qing and Ching are still the youngsters, even if they might be older than they look.

"Oh, always a mystery, I'm afraid."