We were good, we were gold

 "It's me!" Her smile was brilliant. Dressed in playful colors from where she grew up. But Cheng didn't recognize her. Qing knew he'd be this way. After all, she was her true self. She couldn't remember this face, either.

"What do you mean?" He swelled a frown there at the humble abode they were staying on the outskirts of the village, a few miles from the Beggar's Sect. Fu went back immediately as if his task was done. Of course, he didn't mention anything to Cheng.

"I know..I know it might be hard for you to understand," She grabbed both of his arms, hoping he didn't run away. "Just, just try not to be angry."

She studied his dark eyes. Chen was her truest friend. She couldn't think of anyone else she could be with. They'd been through the thick of it, and not just anyone could be with a shapeshifter, if that's what she truly was.

"Even my mother didn't think I was beautiful," Tears melted from her. She heaved a sigh. "I wanted to be who she wanted me to be, but a girl from the plains in the land of bandits, and other troubles." She did her best to hold in the emotion of the past, hoping she could be who she was meant to be. "It was always a curse." She'd never seen any power taking so many different faces and forms as she did. 

"But-" He couldn't finish his sentence. He hugged her as if this was enough of an answer. His embrace kept giving and he kissed her too. Yes, they were not just friends, but to be lovers in this Martial Arts World.

She wanted to promise him that she would never change again. She felt she had a grasp of it. Although, she couldn't be certain of it. Perhaps it was a way to cope with the pain of a past long gone. What if her brother was piled up with the dead somewhere in a cave? She wished not to think about it. She couldn't. Not with a future with Cheng. They needed each other. They needed their friends. 

"You have to listen to Milo," she told him. "Don't hold a grudge that he's with ChaCha."

Cheng pulled away and looked at her as if she couldn't be serious.

"If..if it wasn't for her, you wouldn't be here," Qing said.

"What? You've been cultivating without me?" He smirked. She chuckled and whacked him in the arm with her fist. Naturally, he acted like he was hurt, but she knew he was faking. She smiled as if he would always be a funny guy.

"Don't you know, you were the only one she could think of that might be of help to that ghost, Milo?" Qing was serious as he touched her braids. Still, she knew he didn't believe her. 

"They're both much more cultivated than either of us. You only get better with the sword the more you play," she remembered.

"Well, you know, you have something to do that too." He pressed his lips and finally smiled. They embraced as if they might be ready for the next challenge.