The feast went on longer than Dee expected it to. With everyone making such a fuss over her, even if it was her birthday, she felt like crying. Her past three birthdays at Jiaoshu's had not compared to this, yet they were each special to her. After eating, firecrackers were set off for her while she opened presents. Everyone had bought her a little something and she wondered what she would possibly do with most of it, or if she would ever get the chance to wear any of the lovely things she had received. There were many decorative jade hair combs, enameled hair sticks with different figures on the ends, Chinese shirt and pant outfits, a pair of calf high tabi boots, and numerous figures of Chinese creatures.

Finally, after having her fill of cake and sweets, she made her way up to bed, worn out from the excitement of the day. She washed her face at the basin in her room and changed into her pajamas, looking forward to her bed and the warm covers. Just as she flipped the covers back and started to crawl under them, there came a soft knock at her door. Feeling a bit grumpy because she wanted to sleep, she answered a bit more snappish than she should have.

"It's me," Manchu said. She could hear a wince in his voice.

"What do you want, Manchu?" she asked, sliding her door open.

"May I come in?"

"So you can insult me on my birthday?"

He raised his hands in defense. "I don't want to insult you, Dee. May I please come in so we may talk?"

A frustrated sigh was her response as she stepped aside and closed the door behind him. Folding her arms across her chest, she raised an eyebrow at him and waited for him to speak. Though Li Rong had told her to apologize and be the strong one, Dee wanted to wait to see if Manchu realized he had been the one in the wrong.

Cringing under her glare, he tugged at his collar and nervously reached into his pocket. Producing a small packet, he handed it to her. "I got you this for your birthday."

"How come you didn't just give it to me with everyone else's gifts?" Dee asked, taking the offered gift.

"Because I wanted to talk to you and give it to you in private. So open it, already," he said.

Taking a seat on the edge of her bed, Dee placed the small packet in her lap and untied the string around it. Smoothing out the paper, she bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling. On the paper was a carved jade tiger with the Chinese character for "xiaohu" on the base. Manchu sat next to her with his hands folded in his lap.

"I thought you'd like it. I found it and had your name carved onto it. Consider it a birthday present as well as an apology. After Quon Wing talked to me, I thought about it. You both were right and I was being stupid. I don't want to lose you as a friend, Dee. You're the only who's been my friend for this long. Forgive me?"

For a moment she remained silent, turning the small tiger over in her hands and stroking the cool, smooth jade. A tear fell to her hand, splashing on the tiger's back. Before Manchu could ask if she was ok, Dee threw her arms around his skinny neck, hugging him tightly as she sobbed.

"Thank you, Manchu. This is the best birthday gift I have ever gotten," she cried onto his shoulder.

Perplexed, Manchu slowly put his arms around her and patted her back. He felt awkward now and had no idea why his friend was crying. Trying to think of something to say, he decided against it, holding Dee as she cried instead.

"You're my best friend too, Manchu. I've never been able to trust anyone my own age the way I can trust you." She pressed her head against his chest, feeling more safe and comfortable than she ever had before. "I was so mad for what you said. That wasn't like you at all and I know you're smarter than that. Sorry for pushing you."

Stroking her hair, Manchu placed a kiss on top of her head. "Dee, I deserved that. I'm surprised that's all you did to me after what I said. But don't worry, Quon Wing made certain to make up for anything you might not have done. I have another month left of scrubbing the bathing pools and the practice room floor."

Dee pushed back and smiled at him, laughing softly. "I'll help you with it. You made the effort to apologize and you realize that what you said was wrong. It's the least I can do for my best friend."

Manchu nodded his thanks and wiped away the tears that were on Dee's cheeks. "Don't cry anymore. Today is your birthday. You shouldn't ever cry on your birthday." He gave her another kiss on her forehead and stood up. "Go to sleep. If you're not rested, I'll certainly have no trouble beating you at practice tomorrow morning."

In response, Dee smiled and threw a pillow at him as he ducked out the door. "G'night, Manchu," she said, shaking her head in amusement as she tucked the jade tiger under her pillow.
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