The dormitory felt emptier without Tang San. Luna rested on his bed, her ribs still aching despite the medicine, and watched the other students go about their daily routines.
Xiao Wu had been subdued since the fight, avoiding Luna's gaze. But that afternoon, she finally approached.
"Luna," Xiao Wu said quietly. "Can we talk?"
Luna regarded her warily. "What is there to talk about?"
"I... I wanted to apologize. I went too far yesterday. I let my competitive nature override my judgment." Xiao Wu's expression was genuinely troubled. "I didn't mean to hurt you that badly."
"But you meant to hurt me," Luna said flatly. "You deliberately targeted me to get at Tang San."
Xiao Wu flinched. "I know. And I know why you don't trust me."
"Do you?" Luna sat up carefully, ignoring the twinge in her ribs. "You're a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, just like me. You're here because you need protection while you grow stronger. You thought Tang San would be that protection."
Xiao Wu's eyes widened. "You know what I am?"
"Of course I know. We can sense each other." Luna's ruby eyes were hard. "But here's the difference between us: I came to Tang San asking for nothing. I stayed because I care about him, not because I need to use him. You came here with an agenda."
"That's not—" Xiao Wu started to protest, then stopped. "Okay. Yes. You're right. I came here to survive, to hide, to eventually get strong enough to... to do what I need to do."
"To get revenge for your mother," Luna said softly.
Xiao Wu's eyes glistened. "How did you—"
"It's written all over you. The anger underneath the smiles, the desperate need to get stronger, the way you size up every Spirit Master you meet as either potential ally or threat." Luna's expression gentled slightly. "I understand revenge. I understand loss. But Tang San deserves better than to be used."
"I don't just want to use him," Xiao Wu said, and there was genuine emotion in her voice now. "When I first saw him, yes, I thought he'd be useful. But then... he's kind. Genuinely kind. Not just to me, but to everyone. Wang Sheng, the other working students, even you—a spirit beast who could be a threat. He just... cares."
She sat down on the edge of Luna's bed, careful to keep distance.
"I've been alone for so long," Xiao Wu continued. "Since my mother died, I've been running, hiding, constantly afraid. When I saw Tang San's strength, his potential, I thought 'here's someone who can keep me safe.' But now I realize... I don't just want protection. I want..." She trailed off, looking vulnerable for the first time.
"You want to belong," Luna finished softly. "You want a place to belong, people who care about you not for what you can do but for who you are."
Xiao Wu nodded, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. "But I ruined it. I hurt you, made Tang San angry, and showed my worst side. He'll never trust me now."
Luna was quiet for a long moment. Part of her wanted to agree, to keep Xiao Wu at a distance, to maintain her exclusive place in Tang San's life. But looking at the crying girl before her, Luna remembered something important.
In the original story, Xiao Wu had been Tang San's first love. His partner. Someone he'd died for and been reborn to save. That Xiao Wu had been genuine in her feelings, even if she'd started with ulterior motives.
This Xiao Wu could be the same, if given the chance.
"Tang San is forgiving," Luna said finally. "If you genuinely apologize and prove you've changed, he'll give you another chance. That's who he is."
Xiao Wu looked up with hope. "Really?"
"But," Luna continued firmly, "you need to understand something. Tang San is mine to protect. I was here first. I claimed that position. You can be his friend, his teammate, even his... whatever. But I'm his companion. That doesn't change."
Xiao Wu studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "I understand. And... thank you. For not just writing me off completely."
"Don't thank me yet. You have to earn back his trust." Luna shifted on the bed, wincing. "Starting with helping me while I'm injured. If you really want to show you've changed, prove it through actions."
To Luna's surprise, Xiao Wu immediately stood up. "What do you need? Food? Medicine? Should I help you to the washroom?"
And so an unexpected truce formed between the two spirit beasts. Xiao Wu, genuinely contrite, helped Luna through the day—bringing meals, changing bandages, even helping her walk when needed.
The other working students watched this development with confusion. Weren't these two rivals? But they didn't question it aloud.
That night, as Luna lay in Tang San's bed missing his presence, Xiao Wu approached one more time.
"Luna, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Why did you really come to Tang San? You said you're a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. You could be anywhere, do anything. Why choose a six-year-old boy in a poor village?"
Luna was quiet for a moment, then decided honesty was best.
"Because I loved him before I ever met him," she said softly. "I saw his strength, his kindness, his determination, and I loved him. When I got the chance to be here, to be with him, I took it. And every day since then, I've loved him more."
Xiao Wu's eyes widened. "You... you really love him. Not just as a companion or friend."
"Yes," Luna said simply. "I love him. Completely. That's why I'll protect him from anyone who tries to use him, including you. But..." she paused, "if you genuinely come to care about him too, if your intentions become pure, then maybe we don't have to be enemies."
"Rivals then?" Xiao Wu suggested with a tentative smile.
Luna couldn't help but smile back slightly. "Maybe. We'll see."
Two days passed. Luna's ribs healed quickly thanks to her spirit beast constitution and the medicine. By the time Tang San returned from his spirit ring hunt, she was able to move without pain.
She was waiting at the dormitory window when she saw him approaching with Grandmaster. Her heart leaped.
He was back. He was safe. And from the satisfied expression on Grandmaster's face, the hunt had been successful.
Luna rushed to meet him at the door, and when Tang San saw her, his face lit up with relief and joy.
"Luna! You're moving better—are you healed?"
"Mostly," she said, then threw her arms around him in a hug. "I was so worried!"
Tang San hugged her back, careful but warm. "I'm fine. And I got my first spirit ring. I have so much to tell you!"
As they walked back to the dormitory together, Luna felt complete again. Tang San was back, safe and successful. Xiao Wu had learned a valuable lesson. And Luna's position at Tang San's side was secure.
Whatever challenges lay ahead—and she knew there would be many—they would face them together.
Always together.