Pain in Truth, Happiness in Lies

CHAPTER 1

Gui Gui stared out the window. She moved form side to side, scooting up and down, making sure that she didn't miss a single glimpse of the boy she literally had been stalking. Just when she thought she probably missed him she saw a familiar figure run across the school lawn. Her face lit up in delight.

“He truly is a prince...”, she muttered under her breath as she watched him hurry into the school.

“What did you say?”, came a voice form behind her. She jumped at the sudden noise. She turned around to find Xiao Xun staring at her in surprise.

“N-n-nothing..”, she stammered out.

Xiao Xun raised an eyebrow. “Did you just say that boy was a prince?”

“No!!”, Gui Gui answered, but the bright color in her cheeks gave her away.

Xiao Xun laughed out loud. “Gui Gui....you like a human boy?”, she asked.

Gui Gui bit her lip, about to cry.

“I always thought you liked the guardian Aaron...I mean, he's like super-duper cute. Nothing compared to that human.”, she continued.

Gui Gui cast her eyes down, not knowing what to say. I don't like Aaron like that...I just don't..and there's something about this human. I feel like I know him from somewhere, she thought to herself.

Just as Xiao Xun was about to go into a lecture, Mei Mei appeared. “Hurry up Xiao Xun!!! We're all waiting for you...and you!!”, she said, turning to Gui Gui. “Where have you been? Everyone was looking for you!!”

“Ah...I'm sorry!!”, Gui Gui said. “I'll be right there!!”

“Once you get done looking at a human....”, Xiao Xun whispered as she passed her, “make sure you remember that you're a spirit and that he can't see you.”

Gui Gui narrowed her eyes at her. She had never really gotten along with Xiao Xun and she felt their relationship may never improve.

Xiao Xun gave a smirk before leaving behind Mei Mei. Gui Gui looked out the window one more time, but the boy was long gone, probably in class already. She sighed deeply. Why did Xiao Xun have to ruin it?, she thought.

Meanwhile, Wang Zi leaned back in his chair. He sighed deeply. Out of the corner of his eyes, he was able to see a group of giggling girls staring in his direction. They blushed as he shook his bangs out of his eyes and glanced in their direction. One mere second of looking at them and they were talking excitedly as if he'd just asked one of them out.

Wang Zi got up from his seat and heard the girls suddenly hush-up. He walked out of the classroom hardly looking at them. As he was walking across the lawn, he heard one of them call out to him.

“Wang Zi!!”, she called out. Wang Zi stopped, but didn't even bother turning around. “Where are you going Wang Ziiii??? It's midday, school isn't out yet.”

Wang Zi felt annoyed. What the hell does she care? Still, he turned around and called back, “I feel bad. See you!!”

The girl looked at him in concern. He turned back around and waited for it. It didn't take long for the chorus of voices to shout out “Hope you get better Wang Zi!!!!” Wang Zi held up his hand up in thanks and he heard them scream. He winced as the sound hurt his ears. He took off toward his house then. He could only handle so much of school.

“Man...I wish somebody could take me away from here. Can't something interesting happen??”, he muttered under his breath.

Meanwhile, “So...you're saying you're giving me and Ya Tou a chance to go back to the human world!!!???”, Gui Gui shouted into Da Ya's ear.

“Oww!!!”, Da Ya said. “Yes..yes alright. You guys can go back....temporarily.”

“YAY!!!!!”, Gui Gui shouted running around and around in circles, dragging Ya Tou along with her.

“Not fair!! How come only they get to go?”, Xiao Xun asked.

Da Ya shrugged. “That's what I was told by the superiors.”

“How are they supposed to adapt? They were alive 500 years ago.”, Xiao Xun argued.

“They've been watching humans all the time. They'll probably know how to adapt much better than the rest of us. Don't worry about them, I'm sure they'll be fine”, Da Ya answered.

Xiao Xun sat down fuming. I can't stand Gui Gui. One way or another she always gets her way. Why can't I go back?? Why can't anyone else go back?? How come she always gets priority??

CHAPTER 2

Wang Zi lay on his bed staring at his ceiling. He closed his eyes tightly. Maybe she'll come back, he thought. Maybe her image will come back. I hope that this time I don't forget it.

He concentrated, squeezing his eyes tightly. He wanted to see her, to see the face that had haunted his dreams as a child. For some reason though, he always forgot what she looked like and her name...her name always escaped his lips. All he knew was that she was beautiful and that he was in love with her. He sighed. I'm pathetic...I'm in love with a ghost....

After a while of straining his memory he gave up. He couldn't conjure up the image of the woman he loved. Wang Zi decided to go out and take a breath of fresh air. He slammed the door as he left hearing his older sister call out to him to quit slamming the door. He ignored her and walked toward a park that was a few blocks from his home.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Gui Gui saw a movement. She turned and saw him standing right there. He was so close, yet so far away. She stared at his face which looked concerned and angry at the same time. Wang Zi was waiting patiently for the traffic light to change so that he could cross the street.

Gui Gui bit her lip. She knew that Da Ya had told her she would return to the human world in 24 hours, but she couldn't help trying. She wanted to see if she could communicate with him. She walked slowly over to where he was standing. She stopped when she found herself standing right next to him.

“Wang Zi..”, she started. Her voice trailed off since she was unsure of what to say. At that moment though, the light changed and Wang Zi walked passed her, never acknowledging her presence.

She stared after her, the look of sadness on her face betraying the smile on her lips. A tear slid down her cheek. “Soon....soon you'll be able to acknowledge me”, she whispered.

Wang Zi meanwhile, reached into his pocket and took out his cellphone. He punched in a number he had used so much that he had it memorized. He heard ti ring a few times. “Pick up”, he said under his breath. “I know you, there's no way you're busy.”

“Ah..hello??”, the voice finally came on the other line.

“Ao Quan?”, Wang Zi asked, unsure of the voice that came over the phone.

“Yeah....Wang Zi?? That you man?”, Ao Quan asked.

“Are you drunk?”, Wang Zi asked in a flat tone.

“What!!?? No!! What makes you think that?”, Ao Quan asked.

“You sound funny..”, Wang Zi answered.

“Hey Wang Zi, I'm trying to impress a girl here, so hurry up and tell me what you called for”, Ao Quan whispered hurriedly in his normal voice.

Wang Zi rolled his eyes. “Never mind. Where's Xiao Yu?”

“No idea and quit calling me if you have nothing to say.”, Ao Quan responded.

“Yeah...”, Wang Zi answered and then hung up. He sighed loudly. Whenever I need to talk to someone they're all busy. He narrowed his eyes. Especially Ao Quan.

He shrugged and decided to go back home and find a decent movie to watch. Just another night, me alone......like always.

Gui Gui watched him walk past him with eyes full of childish innocence. She really wanted to talk to him...to make herself known, but for now, she would have to settle with being in the shadows.

“Tomorrow..”, she whispered to his passing shadow. “Tomorrow I'll finally enter your life. Then I'll stop being a ghost and finally be someone you can see.”

CHAPTER 3

Xiao Xun watched as the elders started the ritual to bring Gui Gui and Ya Tou back to life. She stared at them, hatred filling her eyes. She clenched her fist as the chanting started. I refuse, she thought. I refuse to chant with them and help Gui Gui go back. She closed her mouth tightly ignoring the looks of surprise form the rest of the girls as she simply watched. Suddenly, without warning, she felt another hand grab her tightly forcing her to engage her energy into the ritual.

She turned, her eyes burning to see who it was that had dared to touch her. Her eyes opened wide as Aaron's familiar eyes stared back at hers. His eyes had a forceful command behind them, you must participate. Xiao Xun narrowed her eyes at him, but conceded to his wishes. There wasn't much she could do against him.

As soon as the ritual was over and the two girls descended onto the earth below, Xiao Xun walked away from the scene, not even bothering to see if they had arrived safely. She walked out of the room and felt a hand turn her back swiftly.

“Where do you think you're going?”, came Aaron's voice.

“What? The ritual is done, there's no reason to be here”, Xiao Xun responded coldly, prying his fingers of her arm. Her eyes narrowed as he only tightened them further. “You're hurting me”, she said.

“You're jealous”, Aaron responded, an air of understanding passing his face.

“Not true”, Xiao Xun responded. “Why would I be jealous of a little girl?”

“A little girl? So, you're jealous of only one of them......so you have a different reason than this to be jealous?”, Aaron asked.

How could you let that slip?, Xiao Xun chastised herself silently. “I have no idea what you're talking about”, she said instead.

“Gui Gui huh?”, Aaron said. Xiao Xun flinched. How does he know?!! Aaron smiled. “Thanks for letting me know”, he said.

He turned around to leave. “W-a-wait!”, Xiao Xun called out. Aaron twisted his head to look at her, his eyes questioning.

“What are you going to do about it?”, Xiao Xun asked in a defiant tone. Aaron chuckled.

“Nothing. What do you want me to do about it? I'll let your jealousy for something so stupid eat you up”, he responded.

“I don't think you understand!!”, Xiao Xun said, her voice sounding both hurt and angry. “Gui Gui always gets what she wants, ALWAYS!! Why?? Tell me why it's that she is the favorite of the elders!!”

“She's not the favorite of all of them, she's only the favorite of one of them.”, Aaron answered in a serious tone, his smile disappearing from his face.

“She's your favorite?”, Xiao Xun asked with bewildered eyes. “Why? Why do you like her better??!!”

Aaron turned completely to face. Xiao Xun. His eyes looked at hers in pain. “Do you really need to ask that?”, he said. With that, he turned around and left, despite Xiao Xun's pleas for him to stay and listen to her.

Xiao Xun glared after him. So you like her huh? You're pathetic Aaron, you're so pathetic for falling for such a little girl. She turned and left, deciding that she needed time to organize her thoughts.

Meanwhile.....

Wang Zi shrugged off his backpack and threw it on the floor near his desk. He sat down, trying his best to ignore all the staring eyes around him. He took out a pencil and waited for the teacher to call roll. As he did, he heard someone walking toward him and stop near his desk. He looked up to see a pretty young girl from his class staring at him.

“Yeah?”, he asked, slightly annoyed at the fact that she had not spoken.

The girls cheeks turned bright red as she stared at him. “Ummm....I have this for you..”, she said, sticking out a piece of paper in front of her.

Wang Zi stared at her and then swiftly grabbed the paper. He quickly opened it and read the message inside before the girl could leave.

“I can't go out that day, sorry”, Wang Zi answered and held the note out to her.

“Well...what about the day after?”, she asked eagerly.

“I have Karate lessons”, Wang Zi answered.

“And the day after?”, she asked again, not willing to give up.

Wang Zi stared at her. “How long will this take?”, he asked.

“Umm....maybe an hour or two...”, she said hesitantly, obviously wanting it to be longer.

“Tomorrow, at 5 o'clock got it? I have to leave at 6 though”, Wang Zi answered.

The girl's face brightened. “Yes, of course, thank you!!!”, she said. She was about to say something else when the teacher barked at her to get to her seat. Wang Zi silently thanked him.

“We have new students today”, the teacher called out. He motioned to two figure standing right outside the classroom. “Please, come in and introduce yourselves.”

Two girls quickly entered and stood before them. Wang Zi's eyes widened as he stared at them – or rather, one in particular.

“Hi!! My name is Ya Tou, nice to meet you!!”, Ya Tou sang out. She nudged Gui Gui beside her. Poor Gui Gui, she thought. She's so nervous.

“M-my name in G-gui Gui...nice to meet you”, Gui Gui said, barely raising her eyes.

Wang Zi gripped the sides of his desk. She looks just like her!!! Just like the girl in my dreams!!!, he silently screamed.

CHAPTER 4

The bell rang loudly, signaling the break for lunch. Wang Zi sighed heavily as he threw his notebook into his back pack and quickly got up from his seat. He stopped suddenly and let his eye wander to the corner of the room where the new girl's sat. He quickly looked away and continued on his way.

“Wang Zi!!! Wang Zi!!!”, a girl sang out.

Wang Zi rolled his eyes. He turned around to face the girl “Yes, Xiao Lan?”

“Are you not feeling well again?”, she asked in her high-pitched voice.

“I'm fine”, Wang Zi answered. He stalked out of the classroom and ignored the chorus of voices that called him back.

Gui Gui watched as Wang Zi left. She stared at all the girls that seemed sad he had left.

“Hey, don't worry about prince, you've got me!!”, a boy named Xiao Ma called out.

The girls made disgusted noises and looked away from him. Xiao Ma rolled his eyes. He expected their reaction.

Gui Gui looked away from the scene and walked over to the window and watched as Wang Zi crossed the school lawn. She sighed and looked away when she could no longer see his shape. Ya Tou stared at her.

“Gui Gui, if he can leave....why can't you? Go after him. Try to talk to him.”, Ya Tou said encouragingly. Gui Gui shook her head.

“It's our first day of school, we're supposed to stay here all day”, Gui Gui answered. Ya Tou sighed.

“Well, you can eat some of my delicious lunch!!”, Ya Tou said cheerfully, quickly pulling out both of their meals.

Gui Gui's face brightened as she took the chopsticks from Ya Tou. She dug in deep and took a huge bite of the dish. She started choking and gagging as soon as the food was in her mouth.

“Gui Gui!!! Gui Gui, what's wrong??!!”, Ya Tou asked worryingly, pounding Gui Gui on the back.

Gui Gui swallowed forcefully and smiled. “I'm ok, Ya Tou, thanks”, Gui Gui answered.

“Are you sure? How's my dish?”, Ya Tou asked.

“Excellent....very....unique”, Gui Gui answered, swallowing hard.

“Really??”, Ya Tou asked enthusiastically. “I'll make tomorrow's lunch too then!!! I'm so glad you like my good Gui Gui!!”

Gui Gui's eyes widened and she swallowed hard. “Yeah...uh-huh...so glad..”. Gui Gui spent the rest of the time trying to force down another spoonful.

Class that day ended and Gui Gui walked home, her stomach hurting from the terrible food she was forced to eat. She sighed. Please, let me get through one more of Ya Tou's meals, then I won't allow her to cook..”, she prayed silently.

The next day though, Gui Gui found the food just as intolerable. What was worse was the fact that Wang Zi was in the same room still.

Flashback

“Wang Zi!! You're staying here to eat?!!”, Xiao Lan exclaimed happily.

Wang Zi nodded. “I need to study too, so please leave me alone.” The girls all nodded, happy to just be able to catch glimpses of him for a longer time.

End of flashback

Now Gui Gui tried very hard not to look like an idiot in front of the boy she had liked for so long. She forced the food down while smiling at Ya Tou and telling her that it was “soooooo delicious”

Close to the end of lunch, Gui Gui told Ya Tou that she had to go to the bathroom. Gui Gui sprinted down the hallway to the girl's bathroom, nearly knocking someone over in her hurry.

“Sorry!!!”, she called out. She quickly entered the stall and fell on her knees, heaving her entire lunch into the toilet. She closed her eyes and quickly cleaned herself when she had gotten rid of all the food in her stomach. She walked out of the bathroom slowly, happy that the food was gone, but not so thrilled about the fact that now her stomach growled like crazy.

“Hey, are you ok?”, came a voice she knew only to well. She raised her eyes to see Wang Zi standing in front of her. “Do you push people in the hallway often?”

Gui Gui could feel her cheeks flaming. “No...but I said I was sorry ok?”

Wang Zi chuckled. “How often do you vomit after eating your friend's cooking?” Gui Gui blushed even harder. “You're blushing...”, he said pointing out the obvious.

“I need to get back to class...”, she said, walking past him. She felt him grab her wrist suddenly and pull her back.

“Class already started, he won't let you in late”, Wang Zi said. Gui Gui stared at the floor unable to believe her luck. At that moment though, her stomach growled loudly. She scratched her head absently, trying to cover up the noise.

Wang Zi smirked. “C'mon”, he said. “I have something I need to ask you, and while we're at it, let's get some good food to eat.”

Gui Gui stared at him as he started walking down the hallway. He turned back around. “Well??”, he asked. “I'm not going to wait forever.” She looked back at the classroom, hesitant to leave Ya Tou. “She'll be fine”, Wang Zi said, following her line of vision.

Gui Gui nodded and decided to follow him.

CHAPTER 5

Wang Zi handed Gui Gui a pair of chopsticks which she took reluctantly. “Eat up”, he told her. They were sitting in a small cafe. Wang Zi stared at her, as if willing her to eat. Gui Gui quickly grabbed a bit of food and stuffed it into her mouth. Wang Zi seemed satisfied and busied himself with nourishing himself.

“So...”, Wang Zi finally said after an awkward silence had passed between them. “Tell me, where do you come from?”

Gui Gui looked at him questioningly but answered, “I was born here.” It was kind of true.

Wang Zi nodded. “But what school did you transfer from?”

“From...”, Gui Gui thought, her mind searching frantically, “from America...yes, I transferred from a high school in America”

Wang Zi raised his eyebrows. “What made you decide to stop studying abroad?”

“I had....something to attend to”, Gui Gui answered. Wang Zi nodded, clearly not wanting to press.

“Ok, another question”, he continued. Gui Gui stared at him, hoping she wouldn't be caught lying.
“What's you name?”

Gui Gui nearly choked on her food. “Uh..Ummm..it's Gui Gui”, she said, accepting a glass of water from a waitress nearby. Wang Zi smirked.

“Nice to meet you Gui Gui. My name is Wang Zi”, he said.

“Prince.....”, Gui Gui muttered.

“Yeah, don't call me that. I hate it”, Wang Zi answered in an annoyed tone.

Gui Gui nodded. They finished eating and made small talk until they were done. They walked toward the school together, but Wang Zi suddenly started walking another way.

“Um...the school is this way”, Gui Gui said. He turned to her and smiled.

“Sorry, I'm heading home already. School will be over soon if you want to go ahead.”, he said. Gui Gui nodded, a look of understanding passing her face. She started walking away when he called her back.

“Hey”, he said. “Have I ever met you before?” Gui Gui looked at him, puzzled.

“I don't think so”, Gui Gui answered. Although it would be awesome if you had

Wang Zi nodded. “See ya”, he called out and Gui Gui waved after him. As soon as he was out of earshot she jumped up and down.

“I'm so-so-so happppyyy”, she sang out. She ran up to the school, still in a daze and waited for Ya Tou to come out.

“Where have you been??!!”, Ya Tou asked worriedly as soon as she saw Gui Gui. Gui Gui just smiled and refused to divulge any information on how her day had gone. It was something that she alone wanted to treasure.

The next day though, Gui Gui found herself hoping that Wang Zi would show up to class. He arrived only a few minutes before the bell rang and he didn't even acknowledge her presence. He simply took his seat and pulled out his notebook.

Gui Gui stared down at her own desk, feeling rejected. She didn't bother to take into account though that a crowd of girls had formed around Wang Zi and was the reason why he hadn't been able to see if she was even in class. As the teacher finally called the class to order, Wang Zi was able to turn around and glimpse if Gui Gui was behind him or not. Satisfied that she was there, he turned back around and began taking notes.

At lunchtime Gui Gui braced herself to live through another one of Ya Tou's homemade dishes. As Ya Tou made her way to Gui Gui's desk, a shadow covered her desk. She looked up to see Wang Zi standing in front of her and various pairs of female eyes staring at them both.

“Hey Gui Gui, do you and your friend want to go out and eat?”, he asked. Gui Gui stared at him and he turned to Ya Tou when she arrived to ask her opinion. Ya Tou nodded.

“I'll eat my own lunch though, I'll just tag-a-long. I want to see the city”, she said.

Wang Zi smiled at her and began walking out of the room. Gui Gui and Ya Tou began to follow him when Xiao Lan suddenly stepped in her way. “Students aren't allowed to go out to lunch”

Gui Gui stared at her, unsure of what to say. “I'm leaving, they're coming with me”, Wang Zi answered, grabbing Ya Tou's and Gui Gui's hands and pulling them out with him.

Gui Gui stared back to see all the girls staring daggers at her. She turned back around and shivered.

“Don't worry about them”, Wang Zi said. “C'mon”

They followed him to a small restaurant where Wang Zi ordered their food and insisted that Ya Tou eat some too. Ya Tou though, could tell that she was interfering and insisted on eating in the cafe next door which she thought had better food. Wang Zi shrugged and allowed her to go along since he had already ordered food for Gui Gui and himself.

As soon as Ya Tou was gone, Gui Gui felt herself becoming nervous again. Wang Zi stared at her and smiled to himself. “Those girls are such a pain”, he said.

Gui Gui stared at him with innocent eyes. “Why don't you tell them to leave you alone?”

Wang Zi stared at her and chuckled. “If I told them that they would only insist more”

“Oh...”, Gui Gui said. Wang Zi looked away, a smile playing on his lips. She's an extremely innocent girl, he thought.

“Hey, ghost”, he suddenly said. Gui Gui looked up at him. “Do you want to go to the festival later?”, he asked.

“There's a festival?”, Gui Gui asked, surprised.

Wang Zi nodded. “Wanna come? Ya Tou can come too.”

Gui Gui stared at him, unsure of what to answer. “Um....sure, I guess.....”

CHAPTER 6

Wang Zi waited impatiently for the bell to ring. He looked around and saw Gui Gui packing her things. This girl....there's something about this girl...., he thought.

As he looked up to see the clock he saw Xiao Lan walk in front of him. He stared at her, a questioning look on his face. “Well?”, Xiao Lan asked.

“Well, what?”, Wang Zi said in an irritated voice. Xiao Lan had never acted so aggressive before.

“You promised Qi Yue that you would go out with her today. Are you suddenly losing those plans because you seem more than ready to leave”, Xiao Lan answered in a forceful voice.

Wang Zi stared at her and sighed loudly. I forgot...I totally forgot!! Now what am I going to do.

“Well?? Qi Yue come over here, he's your date!!”, Xiao Lan called out. Wang Zi rolled his eyes, visibly irritated at the way Xiao Lan was interfering. Xiao Lan never even spoke to Qi Yue before, now why the hell is she being so demanding?

Qi Yue walked over to Wang Zi's desk, an embarrassed look on her face. “Um....Wang Zi, if you're busy we can reschedule, I have no problem with it”, she said. Wang Zi silently celebrated, happy that the girl was so understanding.

“He made a commitment though!!”, Xiao Lan said, butting in again. Wang Zi turned angry eyes to her.

“What do you care Xiao Lan? This has nothing to do with you, stay out of it”, Wang Zi answered. Xiao Lan shot him an indignant look. He got up from his desk, ignoring her and turning to Qi Yue. “I'm sorry, I promise I'll take you out another time”

Qi Yue nodded, happy that he had at least rescheduled.

“It's not fair though!!”, Xiao Lan shouted out. “That new girl had only been here two days and you're all over her, even going out to eat with her. Has she ever even shown any interest in you?? Why do you ignore all the girl's that have loved you for so long?!”

Wang Zi stared at her as she stood there fuming. He looked her up and down. He let out a low arrogant “huh...” and turned around. He left, leaving Xiao Lan standing alone, looking like an idiot.

Gui Gui looked at the scene unsure of what to do. Everyone was staring from the door to Xiao Lan to Gui Gui.

“Umm....”, Gui Gui said, unsure of what to say. Xiao Lan turned and stared daggers at her.

“Shut-up you stupid ghost. Do us all a favor and come back from where you came from”, Xiao Lan said in an angry voice before stomping out of the room.

“Hey!!”, Ya Tou called out.

Gui Gui stared after her, dumbfounded.

“What has gotten into her?”, Qi Yue asked. Everyone shook their heads.

“See?”, Xiao Xun said to the elders. “Gui Gui is interfering in the regular order of the world. Xiao Lan is a girl that normally doesn't act so irrationally. Gui Gui's arrival has created these problems.

The elders looked at each other, unsure of what to say. “Maybe we should give her a week and hope that things fix themselves”, one of the elders suggested.

“But if you let her stay a week it could only get worse!! Don't you see that Gui Gui is playing with this boy while ruining his life?!”, Xiao Xun argued.

“I don't think she's going that far”, Aaron replied immediately. “As far as I see, it's regular teenage drama and it should blow over soon” The other elders nodded in agreement.

“Fine. See if her staying won't cause more problems. I won't help you fix them if it does”, Xiao Xun said before turning and leaving angrily.

Aaron quickly got out of his chair and followed her. “Xiao Xun, wait!!”, he called out. Xiao Xun turned and stared at him.

“What? Have you changed your mind?”, she asked.

“Not quite”, Aaron said, pulling her toward him. “What do you think you're doing? You just made a minor problem seem like it could blow the universe up. Do you really hate her that much?”

“Do you really need me to answer that?”, Xiao Xun asked, pulling herself loose. “Leave me alone Aaron, I don't need you're approval to pull her out of the human world.” She them turned and left.

Aaron sighed loudly. “This girl...”

Meanwhile, Xiao Xun stood in and stared down into the human world watching Xiao Lan. She moved her fingers gently, pulling on the strings that connected her to the girl.

“Get out of me!!”, she heard the girl scream in pain.

“Don't worry sweetheart, I just need your mind and body for a little while longer. It'll be over soon”, Xiao Xun answered.

CHAPTER 7

Gui Gui stood outside the school gates craning her neck to see if she could catch a glimpse of Wang Zi. She could already feel her heart start thumping. She closed her eyes hoping to calm herself.

“Making a wish?”, Wang Zi's voice whispered right next to her. She jumped a bit and turned around to see him staring at her full in the face.

“No...”, she said in a low voice. She stared at his brown eyes, unsure of what to say next. Wang Zi smiled.

“Ready to go?”, he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her after him. She set her feet firmly on the ground though and couldn't let him move her forward. “What?”, he asked.

“I'm not going”, Gui Gui responded. She could feel sadness overcome her at the fact that she was giving up such a great opportunity.

“Why not?”, Wang Zi asked frowning.

“I have...lots of homework”, she said, blurting out the first thing that popped into her head.

“Liar”, Wang Zi replied. “I have the same class as you. Now tell me why you really don't want to go.”

Gui Gui stared at him. She cocked her head to one side, curiosity overcoming her. “Why do you take me to these places?? Why do you ignore all the other girls?”

Wang Zi stared at her and let out a loud sigh. He looked at her sheepishly. “You really want to know?”, he asked. Gui Gui nodded. “Because your remind me of someone”, he finally said.

“Who?”, Gui Gui asked.

“A girl that shows up in my dreams. She looks exactly like you”, Wang Zi replied.

Gui Gui stared at him, her mouth open wide. He raised his eyebrows at her reaction. “I show up in your dreams?”, she asked with an incredulous look.

“Don't say it like that”, Wang Zi said, embarrassed, “it makes me sound like some sort of pervert.”

Gui Gui stared at him, completely ignoring what he had just said. “Are you positive that she's me?”

“Well, no..I'm not positive, but she looks exactly like you.”, Wang Zi answered.

“Like..how exactly?”, Gui Gui asked a light of interest in her eyes. Wang Zi sighed.

“Like you could be her twin”, Wang Zi replied. He watched her gape at him. He looked away before he could tell her, “she's been in my dreams since I was a kid. I don't know what connection that could have with you.”

“Well, to tell you the truth, neither do I”, Gui Gui answered. “Maybe....we could try to figure it out together?”, she added shyly.

Wang Zi stared at her for a second and then smirked. “You want to help me?”, he asked. She shrugged, trying to pretend like it didn't matter to her at all. “Then sure, why not.”

While this conversation took place, Aaron was watching them closely. He immediately began researching what he could on the origins of the woman that Wang Zi claimed looked so much like Gui Gui. He quickly called for a meeting with the rest of the elders.

“What is it Aaron? What is so urgent?”, one of the elders asked.

Aaron turned to them and held up a picture of Wang Zi. “Do any of you recognize this boy?”, he asked.

The elders stared intently at the picture. They all nodded.

“This boy was once a spirit wasn't he?”, Aaron asked.

“Yes, he was a guardian spirit, or angel, however you want to call it”, one of the elders confirmed.

“Who did this boy guard? Who was his charge?”, Aaron asked.

They elders all looked at him, clearly confused and not understanding where he was going at all.

“I know”, came Da Ya's voice.

“What are you doing here? You're not an elder”, one of the men argued.

“I'm soon to be one, thank you very much”, Da Ya answered. The man was about to respond, but Aaron silenced him with a look. He motioned to Da Ya to continue.

“This boy...Wang Zi, he was the guardian angel of a prominent figure in society hundreds of years ago”, Da Ya announced.

“Who?”, Aaron pressed. Da Ya stared at him, her eyes reflecting his concern.

“Princess Gui Gui of the Yuan Dynasty of China”

CHAPTER 8

“So the boy was given the chance to return to the human world 500 years ago?”, Aaron asked in order to confirm his suspicions.

“Yes, he was granted the permission to”, one of the elders answered.

“What happened that allowed him to do this? Surely he must have been a guardian to another human?”, Aaron questioned.

“Indeed he was, but that poor boy died from a malignant disease. It was something that Wang Zi could not prevent. Then of course she arrived...”, the elder's voice trailed off.

“By 'she' you mean Gui Gui of course?”, Da Ya asked.

The elders nodded. “Wang Zi did something during his time protecting the princess......he fell in love with her. Since then we had made sure that he was never charged with protecting her again, even after all the incarnations her spirit went through.”

“We never would have thought..”, another elder continued. “That we were sending her into direct contact with him. We never would have sent her to the human world if that was the case.”

“Then...why did you?”, Aaron asked, curiosity taking over him. “It wasn't just my influence was it? There's another reason as to why you sent her. What is it?”

The elders looked at each other. They looked at him uncomfortably. Finally one of them spoke up, “Xiao Xun.”

“What about Xiao Xun?”, Aaron asked.

“Aaron, you know fully well that when spirits are created, they're bonded to another spirit. That is the entire definition of a 'soul mate'.”, he explained. Aaron nodded. “Who is your soul mate Aaron?”

“Mine?”, he repeated, seeming somewhat surprised. “My soul mate is...well...it's Gui Gui.”

The elders nodded. “You know full well that since her first life as a Princess you have met her many times in history and you two have always been together. Since you were chosen as an elder though, Gui Gui was left alone to wander the world. We finally decided that it would be best to keep her here to be by your side. We have done that for the last 500 years.”

“But something happened?”, Da Ya pressed.

“What happened was the appearance of Xiao Xun.”, they explained. “Xiao Xun is going through her regular cycle of reincarnation, but it has been delayed. With Gui Gui here.....it makes a bad pair. They've never really been able to get along.” The leader looked meaningfully at Aaron as if her was telling him something with his gaze.

Aaron's eyes grew wide as he came to the realization and he quickly looked away. “So that why.....that's why Xiao Xun hates her so much!”

“What?? What is it? Tell me Aaron!!”, Da Ya demanded.

Aaron turned to Da Ya, sighing heavily. “Da Ya.....Xiao Xun is Wang Zi's soul mate.

Meanwhile

“So she looks just like me, but she looks like she lived a long time ago?”, Gui Gui asked as she walked alongside Wang Zi.

Wang Zi nodded. “She wears a completely different style of clothing. I swear that she looks like royalty”, he explained.

“So...maybe she was a Queen?”, Gui Gui suggested.

Wang Zi shrugged. “Maybe....but...I dunno. She just...didn't act like a Queen...” He turned to her and smiled. “We'll talk about this more tomorrow alright? Thanks for not thinking I'm a weirdo or insane.”

Gui Gui nodded, a reassuring smile on her face.

Wang Zi turned around and turned the corner pausing to wave bye to Gui Gui.

She waved back fervently, a feeling of happiness swelling in her heart as she watched him leave. I won't tell him yet that I feel like I know him from before as well. Maybe we saw each other as spirits?? But for some reason....I feel like....there's a much stronger connection between us....

CHAPTER 9

“So? Xiao Xun will be reincarnated in the next cycle. She can be with him them”, Da Ya said.

“No Da Ya, it's not that easy. Xiao Xun is the one that is meant to be with him for all of eternity. But Wang Zi has fallen in love with Gui Gui. This leaves Xiao Xun without her other half”, Aaron explained.

“Exactly”, an elder said, walking over to Aaron's side. He stopped and looked at him intently. “Now why have you brought this issue to us? We understand the fact that you're concerned, but even such strong feelings of love should not allow Wang Zi to remember his unrequited bond with Gui Gui”

“Because...I think he does remember”, Aaron replied nervously.

The elders stared at him in surprise.

“I-I I heard him telling her that she looked like a girl. A girl that visited him in his dreams. He said they looked exactly alike”, Aaron explained.

The elders began muttering between themselves and shaking their heads.

“Well, Gui Gui knows that you're her soul mate though”, Da Ya interjected. “Even if he does show interest in her, she doesn't love him back.”

The elders began muttering again and nodded at her suggestion.

Aaron closed his eyes. Please tell me I'm doing the right thing for her. It's only right that they should know. “Gui Gui...”, Aaron began. All the elders turned to hear what he was about to say. “Gui Gui loves the boy as well.”

Silence followed his comment.

“What?? What!!??”, one of the elders exclaimed. “That's impossible!! Gui Gui has a soul mate, she knows she does. Besides, how could she have fallen in love so fast??!!”

“She.....was in love with him from before...”, Aaron said painfully. They all stared at him as is not understanding what he had just said. “She...watched him from the heavens. She fell in love with him. I saw her grow more and more attached to him...”

“Why....why didn't you tell us before?”, the elders asked.

“Because....who am I to stop her?”, Aaron answered.

“You're her soul mate Aaron!!! She can love only you!!”

“No...she can love as she wishes. I will not hold her to me.”, Aaron replied. Besides, I'm an elder now. What makes you think that Wang Zi is not right for her now? I've been pulled out of the reincarnation cycle. Gui Gui needs a companion.....she's not like me!! She can't stay here forever...”

“She's going to have to now..”, the elders responded.

“What? Are you going to bring her back?”, Aaron asked. They nodded.

“Don't do that!! Gui Gui loves living!!”, Da Ya argued.

“She's right. Leave her there, please!!”, Aaron said. “Wang Zi doesn't remember anything. As long as he remains oblivious, nothing can happen between them. Please..”

The elders looked at one another.

“We shall see...”, one of them finally declared. The other nodded.

As soon as they were gone Aaron fell to the floor. Da Ya walked over and stood next to him. “How bad is it?”, she asked.

“To know that your soul mate is gone?”, Aaron asked. Da Ya nodded.

“It's like being dead, except you still move and breathe. Like an empty shell...”, Aaron replied. Da Ya sighed.

“If she truly falls in love with him, will you let her go so easily?”, Da Ya asked.

“I already let her go..”, Aaron replied.

“No..you haven't. I can tell”, Da Ya countered. “If you see them together, you're likely to call her back to your side. Tell me...if he does remember and she accepts his love.....will you allow her to go?”

Aaron stared at her. He felt his chest tighten as if something was trying to rip it apart. Without her....I really am nothing. Gui Gui is the core of my existence....but when I no longer am the center of her existence....what will I do then?

“I-I ….I don't know...”, he answered truthfully.