Best I ever had - Part I (edited)
A Card Captor Sakura Fanfic
by Iris C - silver_dreams10@yahoo.com
Completed : April 11th 2001 (1st part)
Late developement : I have 'Japaned', de-dubbed all the names.
Notes : This fic centers between Meiling and Syaoran, love or not I'm not sure, but at least a connection :)
It also kind of sub-center between Sakura and Syaoran so yeah...I wonder what this could be about. ^.^
This is my first Card Captor Fic so please go easy. ^^
Why I wrote this fic : I'm sick of people judging Meiling base on her front. I personally
adore her, she's a character with depth, and so cute too. ^.^ I think too much bias has
been made on Meiling, how would you act if you are ...1) Denied of magic when the rest
of your family's are all sitting around and casting spells? 2) The person you live for
doesn't return your love. 3) Everything you do, your 'love's' perfect little girlfriend does
better? By the way, how can you be clumsy and perfect? I hope I didn't sound like I
dislike Sakura or anything, coz I do like Sakura. I just like Meiling better. :p I also am sick
of people saying Syaoran hates Meiling, that's not true and anyone could see it. Annoyed. Yes.
But never hate... In fact, he loves her, perhaps not in a girlfriend way, but as a little sister,
yes. So you know, non-constructive criticism flys by my eyes faster than Meiling could
beat up Sakura. JK JK. Lol. :D
Thanks : The edited version is made possible by me, my computer, my writing software,
Matthew Cline and viewers like you. Hahaha. I'm just kiddin' ya. Seriously, I must thank
Matt for editing/revising/analyzing 'Best I ever had' part 1 willingly. So there, thank you
Matt! For your superb English and editing skills that I lack. ^^ I also wanna thank all of
you that reviewed. Boy, people on the Internet sure are nice. (Did I just say that?)
***
Raining...raining outside...
Raining...raining inside...
The eyes...ruby red...so pure yet so dull.
A blink. She stared as droplets of rain hit the window sill, making their way into
the brown soil. She wondered where he was now...in the midst of all the rain, where
could he be? Why wasn't he here? Was she that much of a nuisance to him?
Was he with Sakura? Yes, he is probably with Kinomoto again. Clinging to excuses
like 'I feel evil energy', 'or a Clow card is out', when in truth perhaps, he just wanted to
be near her? No. That's not like Syaoran. Syaoran's only care are the Clow cards. Love and
friendship stood much too trivial for him, that is, until a certain auburn haired, green
eyed, wand carrying girl came along the way.
Meiling directed her eyes toward the clock. 7:02pm
In 10 minutes her Taxi will be here. In 10 minutes she will be gone. In 10 minutes
she will be out of his life, no longer 'in the way'. She remembered when she had to leave
last time. Those stoic words he had spoken to her, 'you are always in the way.' Then
those gentle words he had let brush by her ears, 'I never thought you were in the way.' It
almost made her laugh, what power Syaoran had over her. It was as if he could control her, her
laughter, her joy, her sorrow, her contentment... her...everything.
Maybe that's why she's leaving : to have a life of her own. To live without
knowing what Li Syaoran's next step was. Meiling pressed her face against the frigid
glass; to live without losing him in front of her...if she hadn't already.
The door squeaked open. In came a boy with a small build but defiant stance, his brown
hair unraveled in front of amber eyes that burned with simple passion. He panted as water
streamed down from his clothes and hair.
Soaked.
"Meiling, I'm sorry, the bus never came so I ran back and..."
He was cut off by Meiling, handing him a dry towel. It was a habit for her now. To
make him laugh when he's down; to keep him alert when he's tired; to nag him nonstop
till he gives in.
"You...are really leaving..." Syaoran finally said after ringing out his wet clothes.
"I am." An unusual calmness settled over Meiling.
"Meiling, listen, I just want you to know that I'm grateful," he asserted.
She simply stared at him with a pair of longingly eyes. Yearning for one word...one
look...one touch...but stifling all her emotions as she blinked and looked down. She was
nothing to him. Nothing compared to Kinomoto, the clow mistress, the cute and loved one.
She was nothing without him, but then she was nothing with him...nothing except a shadow.
A honk was heard outside.
Meiling reached for one of her bigger luggages as Syaoran reached toward it at the same
time. She froze as his hand brushed against hers, so cold, but so warm.
"Here...let me help," Syaoran murmured.
Meiling nodded then grabbed one of her carry-ons.
So was this really the end? Just like this? No hugs? No I'll miss yous? She
imagined a million ways of how he would say goodbye, none of them were like this.
Herself stoic, and he unemotional as usual.
But then it could have been worse.
"Meiling-chan!" in burst Sakura and Kero behind her, both wet and exhausted.
Did it just get worse?
"Kinomoto," said Meiling.
"Oh Meiling, I can't believe you're leaving. Why must you leave?"
She was so sickeningly sweet...so caring...no wonder... "I must train more back
home, and I really miss my family," Meiling lied, sensing a pair of eyes burning through
her.
Sakura nodded, "I understand, but I'll miss you." Sakura pulled Meiling into a hug.
Meiling felt a smile tugging on the corner of her lips. She never did like Sakura, but she
never regretted knowing Sakura, or even becoming friends with her. There was just
something inevitable about Sakura, perhaps her magnetic aura Meiling both envied and
loved.
"I must go now," said Meiling, retaining the calm tone she had adapted for that
day. "Sakura, Syaoran..." she turned, then felt her eyes locked onto Syaoran's eyes that looked
... sad? No...can't be. He has everything he needs here in Japan. "Good luck." Meiling turned
away, that as all she could muster. That moment took all the strength she had, and now
Meiling felt her everything swallowing her down once again. A step outside the grey apartment
merged her tears within the rain. And then the rain above her ceased.
An umbrella.
"Take care. MeiMei," were his last words.
Her nickname, in Chinese...Meiling felt the warmth in her heart again, but the
flicker was quickly succumbed to grey ice. Why? Why did she have to love him so
badly? Why, why, why? Meiling felt her heart burn, burning till there was nothing left
except a limp body.
"Zai Jian," Meiling whispered a farewell in Chinese. No, she realized the word also
meant 'will see you again.'
"Sayonara." Meiling corrected herself simply.
Goodbye, badbye, happybye, sadbye, endbye, Idontwanttoseeyouagainbye.
ButIllmissyoubye...willyoumissmebye...
***
***
Home.
Syaoran had always wanted his home to be like this. Silent, peaceful and dim, like a
sanctuary. However, the small apartment resembled more of a tomb than a sanctuary. It
was bleak, lifeless, jaded and perhaps even morose. Home haven't always been like this;
a week ago the little apartment beamed with life. The clattering of pans and glasses; the
television booming with cable Chinese channels; her offerings of beverages and a
shoulder he had never accepted; her high-pitched voice nagging for him to help her cook;
her...ruby eyes full of vivacity and determination. Her. That was what was missing.
It had been a whole week since she left. Part of him was glad she had left, for he
could finally concentrate on one objective: Capturing the Clow cards. Part of him hated
the fact that she left, for everything looked grey and tasted bland.
Why hadn't she called him? He had expected her to call the day she left, and the
day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that and the day after that. Perhaps
that's why he allowed himself sprawled across the couch every waking afternoon, for that
one call. But a week has passed, and there was no call, no letter, no email, no fax, no
Meiling, no traces of Meiling. He had never felt so empty. It didn't make sense, but it did
make sense. When she was here, you treated her like she didn't matter, Syaoran reminded
himself. Though she never minded that before, no matter what he does, Meiling would
always pamper and chase him around as if...as if she loved him.
Syaoran closed his eyes. Remembering how happy she had been when their family
engaged them, and remembered how annoyed he had been. Did Meiling really love him?
Syaoran pondered. She couldn't possibly. He answered to himself. We're merely children,
children don't know what love really is. Or maybe it was just him, the detached one,
the nonchalant one, the one with only one goal in life.
Syaoran lifted himself off of the couch; if she wasn't going to write to him, well, maybe
he will. After all, they were friends, weren't they? He smiled faintly as memories pass
through his head like a filmstrip. How happy they had been no matter how much he had
tried to deny it. Children, although he was determined to succeed (therefore acted
solemn), he still went on a couple of Meiling's crusades where he would throw all his
cares away and just laugh and jump with her...like two daisies in the breeze. No matter
how confined by the dicipline of the Li clan, they were still children.
He opened his drawer in search of paper and pen.
Then froze.
A ring. On top of all the papers and pencils was a ring. A gold ring ornamented by
a ruby gem framed by diamonds.. Their engagement ring...
Syaoran picked up the small ring that had been on her finger since the day he was
forced to give her. Now it was frigid, aloof and detached. Without realizing it, Syaoran felt his
heart sink. She must really hate him to do this. Suppressing a sudden despondence, Syaoran
placed the ring back in the drawer.
***
5 years later.
***
Meiling pursed her lips, squeezing her eyes shut while one hand clutched onto a
wall. She can do this, she can do this, step, step on. She had envisioned this too many
times before. Just two steps and she would be on that tattered roof, like in those martial
art movies where the heroine leaps from roof to roof. Of course, the heroine can also fly,
walk on water, never lose and always get the guy.
Stop stalling Meiling. She reprimanded herself.
Okay, okay...
Taking a deep breath, Meiling flipped into the air and pressed her foot against one
side of the wall, then the other, then on the roof, then slipped and, ...faced dirt.
"Damn it!" She cried, out of both pain and frustration. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn
it!" Subconsciously, Meiling felt her tears stir, mixing with the dirt, the pain, the despair
and all tge anguish.
Tears, she hadn't cried for so long...so, so long. Not even when she had dislocated
her shoulder, sprained her ankle, twisted a bone, broken her finger, received a
concussion, so why was she crying now?
The heroine always gets the guy.
Meiling shook her head. No, not him again. Not them again. She got up, holding a
cut knee added to her collection of bruises.
Don't think. Was the last thing she told herself.
***
Sakura ran, she was late to her lunch date with Syaoran. AGAIN. It was getting to her
really, how instead of maturing, she seem to be becoming more empty headed and less
responsible day by day. Sakura would like to blame the cards for that, capturing them
were taking most of her energy, leaving her barely anytime to catch up on her life. (Okay
okay, I now realized She and Syaoran must be having a lot of trouble if they still couldn't
capture all the cards in 5 years. *Matt* ^^ But I don't know, let's just say they are having
a lot of trouble. Gomen, next time I'll draw out a story map so it'll be more logical. ~iris)
But she knew that wasn't the case. After all, Syaoran, who usually does the physical work in
card capturing is maturing. Though you can't really say that about Syaoran, as he was always
mature for his age.
Sakura slowed down as she approached the little cafe, hoping her face wasn't as
flushed as it felt. She smiled automatically when she saw Syaoran outside the cafe. His
expression, however, stopped her from waving.
Syaoran was sitting with a pair of oblivious eyes, not bothered by the sun or the
humidity. In his hands sat a glass of perspiring water, stalling against the heat. Sakura
frowned, something was bothering him.
"Hi." Sakura pulled up a chair opposite to him. "Sorry I'm late."
Startled, Syaoran let go of the glass. "Sakura! Hi!"
Sakura smiled back. She remembered when Syaoran had first smiled at her. It was when
he told her he liked her, so strange to see a bashful Syaoran, fearful of rejection. Though Sakura
would never be able to reject that face and those soulful amber eyes. And that was when
he smiled. A true and genuine smile, one that brighten up her days and weeks. Ever since
that day, Sakura's life had been divided in to B.S. (NO intended pun ^^) and A.L. Before Syaoran
and After Syaoran. It was a great feeling to be in love, oh yes it was, or at least she thought it
was. Lately, however, she could sense an uncertainty in Syaoran's eyes and aura, as if he was afraid
of something, someone.
"Sakura, I have to tell you something..." Syaoran said as he gazed into his water.
"Would you two like to order anything?" the waitress interrupted, much to
Sakura's distress, but much to Syaoran's favor.
"Yeah sure, can I have another glass of ice water?" Syaoran asked then turned to
Sakura, as if instructing her to order something.
"A glass of lemonade will do, thank you," Sakura hurried on.
"Alright, I'll be right back with your orders."
As soon as the waitress left, Sakura attacked.
"So what were you saying?"
"What was I?" Syaoran mumbled, "oh yeah, uh...see, my mom, she called me
yesterday."
Sakura knew where this was going.
"She wants me home."
Still the truth send her mouth open. "...home?"
"Yes, she wants me to go back to China." Syaoran continued to stare at his glass,
avoiding Sakura's gaze. "Next week."
Next week... "Is it a visit?" Sakura asked.
He shook his head slowly.
"Oh."
"I'm...sorry," Syaoran whispers.
"Sorry?" Sakura looked down, then shook her head, "what do you have to be
sorry for?"
"For leaving you."
Sakura smiled as she reached for his hand, frozen by the ice water. "Listen Syaoran, you
have nothing to be sorry for, you taught me so much while you were here. Besides, it's
been how long since you last saw your family? I'd say it's about..."
"But in the midst of all this...?"
"I can take care of it," Sakura reassured. "I am the Clow Mistress, no?" she
beamed at him .
"I don't know when I'll be coming back."
"I'll wait for you."
"Sakura...I," Syaoran paused, "...thank you," he finally made out.
All she could do was smile, smile and not let her face show how broken up she
was inside. Funny how one minute she was on the top of the world, and next, thrown
among its confusion, fate, and bad luck.
"I'll wait for you."
***
The air was unfamiliar to his nose, but so familiar to his heart. This really was
where he belonged, he found his head telling him. Syaoran walked through the busy airport, in
search of a sign that read 'We're here little wolf!' work done by one of his older sisters of
course. Instead, he found his eyes meeting his mother's.
Syaoran swallowed.
"Mom." he took off the cap he was wearing, "hi."
"Syaoran..." The next thing he felt was his mother's gentle embrace. No matter how
much Syaoran had grown, he still felt so little in those arms. "Welcome back."
"Xie Xie (thank you)," Syaoran replied in Chinese. It had been a while since he spoke Chinese,
and although his writing skill severely plummeted, Syaoran knew he could never forget the
language he grew up in.
"Your sisters are very anxious to see you," Mrs.Li said. "They are cooking
a feast, for your welcome back party."
Syaoran groaned, "no they didn't."
Mrs.Li smiled, "they did, and they are making it a big deal too. Everyone is
coming Syaoran, our friends, our neighbors, your friends, your teachers, so remember to be
respectful."
Syaoran nodded. Everyone is coming? He let the sentence settle in his mind. Everyone.
Did everyone include...her? It had been so long since he last saw her. No phone calls, no
letters, no messages, nothing from her. But surely, she would be there, surely...
Syaoran stopped himself. He still cared. No matter how much he had tried over the
years, he still couldn't break the habit, he cared so much for her. Even when he was
gazing at the moon with Sakura, he had wondered if Meiling was marveling at its beauty
also. Syaoran shook his head. No, he couldn't do this to Sakura. The image of her luminous
green eyes sedated him; he really does love Sakura. But...
"Syaoran..." Mrs.Li's hand draped gently over his shoulder, "we are home."
Home.
Home. It really was his home. The familiar house had always stood closer than
the little apartment he had in Japan.
Syaoran dragged his luggage, breathing deeply. He had never felt better. This was
where he belonged; even if he was a card captor; even if he did adore Sakura; This would
always be where he would be belong. Where he grew up and learned the basic morals of
life, where he trained and made friends.
Friends? Did mother say my friends will be here? Syaoran nearly laughed. He knew
very well he never truly made any friends in China. Well, none except for her, Syaoran sighed
again.
"WELCOME BAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!!" voices rang in his ears, stunning him for a second.
The nerves, they are trying to give me a heart attack. Syaoran breathed.
"Oh baby wolf, we've missed you so," Syaoran felt his cheeks being pinched, his head
being kissed, his shoulders being massaged and his body being pampered. Actually...it
wasn't too bad of a feeling, Syaoran decided a moment later. After who knows how long, his
older sisters finally left him free, but then was he shoved into a barrage of 'meet and
greets'. Actually, 'meet and greets' wasn't an exaggeration. People Syaoran couldn't remember
(mainly classmates) came, and on came a roll of, "oh yeah! Of course I would remember
you." He didn't mind it though, because somehow Syaoran felt it was worth it. It will all be
worth it when I see her.
But he didn't. Syaoran greeted all that needed to be greeted. The familiar and the
unfamiliar, the respected and the unrespected, the known and the unknown. No Meiling
nonetheless, no traces of her. Syaoran fell onto the couch after the tedious night. Where could
she be? She couldn't have disliked him this much, could she? Sure, he wasn't exactly the
nicest when they were back in Japan, in fact, it made him cringe remembering how he
had treated her, but still...still...
"She doesn't know about this, Syaoran," Mrs.Li whispered.
Syaoran blinked. "What?"
"Meiling. She doesn't know you came back."
She never ceases to amaze me, Syaoran thought, but he didn't have the time to go into
her prophet abilities. "Why? My sisters couldn't have possibly forgotten..."
Mrs.Li shook her head. "Oh they've tried. Believe me they tried."
"Then why?" he inquired like a child.
"To make a long story short...Meiling, when she came back from Japan wasn't the
one anyone had remembered. She no longer smiled, she just looked lost. So her family
pampered her, gave everything she could ever wanted. Still, they failed to make her
regain her familiar aplomb." Mrs.Li peered at Syaoran, who looked down and away.
"Then one day, when she was thirteen, she ran away."
Syaoran's eyes grew big. "Ran away?"
"Yes."
"Did they find her?" Syaoran asked desperately. Please don't tell me they still haven't
found her and that was the reason why she isn't here, he entreated.
"They did. Actually, she came back on her own two weeks after. However, that
was when trouble really begun. This Meiling was again, different, she was confident again,
confident and self-efficient, but...never happy. Then one day she asked to leave.
Somehow she convinced her parents to let her leave..."
"Where is she now?" Syaoran asked.
Mrs.Li shook her head, "only her parents know."
"What are you saying? That, that she's living on her own? Not going to school?"
Syaoran stuttered in disbelief.
"Perhaps she's living on her own, but apparently still getting an education. She
took an entrance exam to high school and got one of the highest scores," Mrs.Li
said. "But she never went to school, Meiling's here, but not."
"I can't believe it." Syaoran whispered.
"Times change, Syaoran. You must be aware of that."
"But living on her own? Is she crazy? Insane? Where does she live? How does
she afford it? Why is she doing this?"
"I was hoping you could answer that question," Mrs.Li murmured.
Syaoran froze. "I...I don't know. Why would I know?"
With that he fled to his room, found a pillow and proceeded on burying his head
under it. "Crazy, stupid, Meiling. Crazy, stupid Meiling." He whispered till tears ran down
his cheeks. Crying, was he really crying? Yes, the salty liquid was good prove. But why?
Why was he crying. Li Syaoran never cries. Yes, he was worried, worried about her. But
why? Was it because he needed to see her again? Needed her nagging? Needed her
pampering? Or was it because he knew why she left and became a recluse?
Because of him.
***
Spying. One of her favorite past times. Meiling saw Syaoran the first time by spying.
Mere children then, she wondered about the kid whose martial art was already above
average. Meiling still remembered that day, when she peered into his yard and watched Syaoran
punch and kick furiously... with his face bright red, furrowed eyebrows and sweat
streaming through his white shirt. Still, he looked so...beautiful, like something of nature,
so raw, and so free. That was when she decided she wanted to be exactly like him. She
was going to be strong just like him, strong, determined and beautiful...just like him.
But Meiling also remembered the other time she spied on Syaoran. He was with Sakura,
WITH Sakura AND laughing with Sakura. No one had ever made Syaoran laugh, or really even
smile ... no one except for her. It was then she knew she had lost. She had lost it all...lost
it all to Sakura, lost it all to perfection and destiny's child. It was then had Meiling truly
felt alone, left in the cold, a dried leaf inside a body. It was then did she break down and
cry, neglecting all the discipline the Li clan had taught her. It was then did she give up,
on herself, on life itself.
So vulnerable, Meiling thought in disgust. She was such a vulnerable child. But no
more, no more that Meiling. She wasn't going to be stepped on anymore, not on the
outside, and not on the inside either.
Meiling stopped walking and turned to the window she had often spent time
looking at when she was little. Inside laid Syaoran, still clothed and asleep on his bed. Meiling
held her breath; this is definitely one of the riskiest spy mission she had ever been on.
Suddenly, she was vulnerable again, knees of jello, heart of butter kind of
vulnerable. Syaoran looked so peaceful, almost like a little kid again, so happy to be back
home, and yet...are those tear stains? Why would he cry? Can he not stand being away
from Kinomoto for one day? Meiling closed her eyes. How careless he was, leaving his
windows open; did he want to be eaten alive by mosquitos? She reached for the windows
only to find herself staring at him again. Syaoran had grown, perhaps a couple more inches. His
hair was longer too. Still, it rested reckless on his head. She suddenly needed to see his
eyes. Oh how she longed for those amber eyes in her most lonely nights. But those lonely
nights no longer mattered, as today was the day where it all ends. That is, if it hadn't 5
years ago. Meiling barely touched Syaoran's forehead as she leaned to kiss him, a tear sliding
down her cheek against her will. A sniffle and a pride to keep, she gently nudged his
window shut and left.
***
Syaoran rang the Li's (Meiling) residence's door bell.
"Name?" The computer questioned, startling Syaoran. Meiling's family was never behind
technological advances.
"Uh...Syaoran."
"Computer does not have registration, please state full name."
"Li Syaoran."
"Thank you. Please allow processing." The door flashed opened a second later.
"Syaoran?" It was Meiling's mother, who held a skeptical expression.
"Hi Aunt Li," Syaoran bowed politely, then felt flustered, realizing that was a Japanese
custom so half waved instead, "hi."
"Come on in," Mrs.Li smiled gently, a smile that had often comforted Syaoran.
Meiling's mother had been someone he could confide in. Unlike his mother, who he felt
more of less aloof to because of her great disciplinarian manner, Mrs.Li was more, well,
motherly.
Stepping into the house, Syaoran noticed the splendor of it hadn't changed. Although
material things such as the T.V. and DVD machines were upgraded, the familiar fountain
of the 8 gods crossing the sea (Chinese folktale) still stood in the middle of the living
room.
"Have a seat," Mrs.Li motioned. "Would you like any tea?"
"That's okay," Syaoran sat on the couch.
"Coke then?" she smiled playfully.
It was as if nothing was wrong...Syaoran thought. "Thank you but I'll be fine."
"Alright then, what can I do for you?" she questioned.
"I just came back from Japan yesterday."
"Yes I know, I'm sorry I couldn't attend your party, but we had some errands to
run."
We? Some hope sparked in Syaoran's chest. "It's okay. Aunt Li, I came because I
would like to know where Meiling is. She wasn't at my house yesterday."
Although Mrs.Li held her smile, Syaoran could see a slight faltering in her expression.
"Meiling?"
Syaoran nodded.
"Why?"
The question caught Syaoran off guard; why? Why? "Because, she's my friend."
"Well then, in that case, does the answer she's fine satisfy you?" there was a
certain coldness he felt from her voice.
"No." Begin Syaoran. "No. I would like to know where she is."
Mrs.Li stared at Syaoran for a while, as if scrunizaing him to tell or not to tell.
"Aunt Li, you are my last hope for finding her, and if don't tell me, I'll have to
go search across Hong Kong, if she's in Hong Kong..."
"Syaoran," Mrs.Li smiled again, "my daughter's wish is to tell no one where she
resides, but I don't think she knows what she's doing anymore. So I'm putting this all on
you; can you promise me something?"
"Yes," Syaoran answered defiantly.
"When I tell you where she is, I want you to take her back."
"I...I will try." If she doesn't run away from me, Syaoran thought skeptically.
"No, you will bring her back."
Syaoran swallowed. "Okay, where?"
"Shen Long (magic dragon) academy."
Shen Long Academy...Syaoran let the words run through his head. The name was
actually quite familiar to him. One of the most prestigious martial arts academy in the
country, Syaoran had wanted to go there for his high school years. Destiny was the only
restraint that stopped him from going there. Syaoran was relieved at first, knowing that Meiling
was at least okay. A second later of pondering, however, he was worried again. Why
wouldn't Meiling want anyone to know she's at Shen Long? It was an honor to be
accepted into the school, a honor for not only her but the Li clan also.
Nothing seem to make sense anymore.
***
Sakura wrote and rewrote kanji. If there's anything she liked about caligraphy, it
was the fact that you don't have to think.
Sakura dropped her pen, as she couldn't even do something as simple as making
lines and curves. She was tired, sick and tired and bored.
It turned out she missed Syaoran more than she thought she would. Sakura turned
toward her computer to read the email once more.
Sakura,
I'm sneaking an email to you before my sisters drag me to breakfast. All is well
over here. I guess I did miss China after all. Yesterday my sisters organized a 'welcome
back' party for me. It was totally unnecessary, but I'd be a liar if I say I didn't like the
food. Not to be disrespectful or anything, but a Chinese cuisine after years of bentos and
raw fish tasted beyond excellent. Oh, Grandfather talked to me yesterday. He didn't
mention anything about magic. Just kind of nodded and patted my head. Sometimes I
wonder about him.
So how are you? I hope everything's okay. Any battles lately? If you are in
trouble, call me and I'll find some way to be right behind you.
Take care
Syaoran
P.S. I love you.
Sakura felt her cheeks redden with Syaoran's last words. She fell behind on to the bed.
What a feeling it was...love. Though she couldn't help but to feel uncertain about Li and
her; they were so young. But as long as it will last, I would be the happiest girl in the
world. As long as it would last, she decided finally.
***
Dark. Everything was veiled by a layer of black. The trees, the rocks, the sky, and
the road in front of him.
Road. What road? Thought Syaoran. Never was he this frustrated. First he boarded the
wrong subway; then the teacher said Meiling's out; then he stupidly decides to take a
walk; then the sky darkened, a sign for him to turn back and what happens? He gets lost!
Syaoran felt his nerves break with each stride. Then he heard something...a
sound...close...Syaoran followed the sound as it became more distinct. He reached a clearing.
In the middle of the clearing was...a person. A person!
He was about to called out to them for help when the figure suddenly moved. No,
moved didn't do justice, more like flied. It did spins, flips and kicks around the small
area. The vague movement looked somewhat familiar.
Then he heard something that was more familiar.
Bells.
The ensuing moments had him baffled. The figure jumped right in front of him
and asked in an icy voice. "Who are you?"
Although Syaoran could only see the outlining of her, it was more than enough. But
that's when she moved in on him, the first strike was beside his neck, jolting Li back to
reality. The next was the stomach, then the ankle, then the knee, then the ribs. He knew
this, he knew the style. Syaoran blocked them all, but with barely sufficient skill.
Then, feeling a lock behind him, Syaoran groaned as his shoulder shifted. The figure
had brought him down on the ground.
"Meiling, stop, it's me," he finally cried.
The release was instant.
"How...who? How did you know my name?"
Ignoring the growing pain, Syaoran got up and faced the shorter girl. He saw a pair of
eyes that flared even through black space. A pair of ruby eyes...
"Meiling..." Syaoran whispered.
The ruby jewels blinked, as if caught in a daze. "It's...you."
Syaoran had visualized a couple of ways Meiling would react in his presence. None of
them even bordered, 'it's...you...'
The rubies snapped out of the daze, went into a second of frenzyness and alas, let
its beauty fade.
"Meiling!" Syaoran chased after the girl, who accelerated with each stride.
It was the longest and most senseless chase he had ever been in. Eventually, their
motion halted as Syaoran clasped Meiling's wrist around his fingers. A long silence later, a
hushed voice asserted. "You know, you've changed."
"And so have you Syaoran, so have you..."
***
End of part one. PLEASE REEEEEEVVVVVIIIIIIEEEEWWWW. I'll love you if you do. ^.^
A Card Captor Sakura Fanfic
by Iris C - silver_dreams10@yahoo.com
Completed : April 11th 2001 (1st part)
Late developement : I have 'Japaned', de-dubbed all the names.
Notes : This fic centers between Meiling and Syaoran, love or not I'm not sure, but at least a connection :)
It also kind of sub-center between Sakura and Syaoran so yeah...I wonder what this could be about. ^.^
This is my first Card Captor Fic so please go easy. ^^
Why I wrote this fic : I'm sick of people judging Meiling base on her front. I personally
adore her, she's a character with depth, and so cute too. ^.^ I think too much bias has
been made on Meiling, how would you act if you are ...1) Denied of magic when the rest
of your family's are all sitting around and casting spells? 2) The person you live for
doesn't return your love. 3) Everything you do, your 'love's' perfect little girlfriend does
better? By the way, how can you be clumsy and perfect? I hope I didn't sound like I
dislike Sakura or anything, coz I do like Sakura. I just like Meiling better. :p I also am sick
of people saying Syaoran hates Meiling, that's not true and anyone could see it. Annoyed. Yes.
But never hate... In fact, he loves her, perhaps not in a girlfriend way, but as a little sister,
yes. So you know, non-constructive criticism flys by my eyes faster than Meiling could
beat up Sakura. JK JK. Lol. :D
Thanks : The edited version is made possible by me, my computer, my writing software,
Matthew Cline and viewers like you. Hahaha. I'm just kiddin' ya. Seriously, I must thank
Matt for editing/revising/analyzing 'Best I ever had' part 1 willingly. So there, thank you
Matt! For your superb English and editing skills that I lack. ^^ I also wanna thank all of
you that reviewed. Boy, people on the Internet sure are nice. (Did I just say that?)
***
Raining...raining outside...
Raining...raining inside...
The eyes...ruby red...so pure yet so dull.
A blink. She stared as droplets of rain hit the window sill, making their way into
the brown soil. She wondered where he was now...in the midst of all the rain, where
could he be? Why wasn't he here? Was she that much of a nuisance to him?
Was he with Sakura? Yes, he is probably with Kinomoto again. Clinging to excuses
like 'I feel evil energy', 'or a Clow card is out', when in truth perhaps, he just wanted to
be near her? No. That's not like Syaoran. Syaoran's only care are the Clow cards. Love and
friendship stood much too trivial for him, that is, until a certain auburn haired, green
eyed, wand carrying girl came along the way.
Meiling directed her eyes toward the clock. 7:02pm
In 10 minutes her Taxi will be here. In 10 minutes she will be gone. In 10 minutes
she will be out of his life, no longer 'in the way'. She remembered when she had to leave
last time. Those stoic words he had spoken to her, 'you are always in the way.' Then
those gentle words he had let brush by her ears, 'I never thought you were in the way.' It
almost made her laugh, what power Syaoran had over her. It was as if he could control her, her
laughter, her joy, her sorrow, her contentment... her...everything.
Maybe that's why she's leaving : to have a life of her own. To live without
knowing what Li Syaoran's next step was. Meiling pressed her face against the frigid
glass; to live without losing him in front of her...if she hadn't already.
The door squeaked open. In came a boy with a small build but defiant stance, his brown
hair unraveled in front of amber eyes that burned with simple passion. He panted as water
streamed down from his clothes and hair.
Soaked.
"Meiling, I'm sorry, the bus never came so I ran back and..."
He was cut off by Meiling, handing him a dry towel. It was a habit for her now. To
make him laugh when he's down; to keep him alert when he's tired; to nag him nonstop
till he gives in.
"You...are really leaving..." Syaoran finally said after ringing out his wet clothes.
"I am." An unusual calmness settled over Meiling.
"Meiling, listen, I just want you to know that I'm grateful," he asserted.
She simply stared at him with a pair of longingly eyes. Yearning for one word...one
look...one touch...but stifling all her emotions as she blinked and looked down. She was
nothing to him. Nothing compared to Kinomoto, the clow mistress, the cute and loved one.
She was nothing without him, but then she was nothing with him...nothing except a shadow.
A honk was heard outside.
Meiling reached for one of her bigger luggages as Syaoran reached toward it at the same
time. She froze as his hand brushed against hers, so cold, but so warm.
"Here...let me help," Syaoran murmured.
Meiling nodded then grabbed one of her carry-ons.
So was this really the end? Just like this? No hugs? No I'll miss yous? She
imagined a million ways of how he would say goodbye, none of them were like this.
Herself stoic, and he unemotional as usual.
But then it could have been worse.
"Meiling-chan!" in burst Sakura and Kero behind her, both wet and exhausted.
Did it just get worse?
"Kinomoto," said Meiling.
"Oh Meiling, I can't believe you're leaving. Why must you leave?"
She was so sickeningly sweet...so caring...no wonder... "I must train more back
home, and I really miss my family," Meiling lied, sensing a pair of eyes burning through
her.
Sakura nodded, "I understand, but I'll miss you." Sakura pulled Meiling into a hug.
Meiling felt a smile tugging on the corner of her lips. She never did like Sakura, but she
never regretted knowing Sakura, or even becoming friends with her. There was just
something inevitable about Sakura, perhaps her magnetic aura Meiling both envied and
loved.
"I must go now," said Meiling, retaining the calm tone she had adapted for that
day. "Sakura, Syaoran..." she turned, then felt her eyes locked onto Syaoran's eyes that looked
... sad? No...can't be. He has everything he needs here in Japan. "Good luck." Meiling turned
away, that as all she could muster. That moment took all the strength she had, and now
Meiling felt her everything swallowing her down once again. A step outside the grey apartment
merged her tears within the rain. And then the rain above her ceased.
An umbrella.
"Take care. MeiMei," were his last words.
Her nickname, in Chinese...Meiling felt the warmth in her heart again, but the
flicker was quickly succumbed to grey ice. Why? Why did she have to love him so
badly? Why, why, why? Meiling felt her heart burn, burning till there was nothing left
except a limp body.
"Zai Jian," Meiling whispered a farewell in Chinese. No, she realized the word also
meant 'will see you again.'
"Sayonara." Meiling corrected herself simply.
Goodbye, badbye, happybye, sadbye, endbye, Idontwanttoseeyouagainbye.
ButIllmissyoubye...willyoumissmebye...
***
***
Home.
Syaoran had always wanted his home to be like this. Silent, peaceful and dim, like a
sanctuary. However, the small apartment resembled more of a tomb than a sanctuary. It
was bleak, lifeless, jaded and perhaps even morose. Home haven't always been like this;
a week ago the little apartment beamed with life. The clattering of pans and glasses; the
television booming with cable Chinese channels; her offerings of beverages and a
shoulder he had never accepted; her high-pitched voice nagging for him to help her cook;
her...ruby eyes full of vivacity and determination. Her. That was what was missing.
It had been a whole week since she left. Part of him was glad she had left, for he
could finally concentrate on one objective: Capturing the Clow cards. Part of him hated
the fact that she left, for everything looked grey and tasted bland.
Why hadn't she called him? He had expected her to call the day she left, and the
day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that and the day after that. Perhaps
that's why he allowed himself sprawled across the couch every waking afternoon, for that
one call. But a week has passed, and there was no call, no letter, no email, no fax, no
Meiling, no traces of Meiling. He had never felt so empty. It didn't make sense, but it did
make sense. When she was here, you treated her like she didn't matter, Syaoran reminded
himself. Though she never minded that before, no matter what he does, Meiling would
always pamper and chase him around as if...as if she loved him.
Syaoran closed his eyes. Remembering how happy she had been when their family
engaged them, and remembered how annoyed he had been. Did Meiling really love him?
Syaoran pondered. She couldn't possibly. He answered to himself. We're merely children,
children don't know what love really is. Or maybe it was just him, the detached one,
the nonchalant one, the one with only one goal in life.
Syaoran lifted himself off of the couch; if she wasn't going to write to him, well, maybe
he will. After all, they were friends, weren't they? He smiled faintly as memories pass
through his head like a filmstrip. How happy they had been no matter how much he had
tried to deny it. Children, although he was determined to succeed (therefore acted
solemn), he still went on a couple of Meiling's crusades where he would throw all his
cares away and just laugh and jump with her...like two daisies in the breeze. No matter
how confined by the dicipline of the Li clan, they were still children.
He opened his drawer in search of paper and pen.
Then froze.
A ring. On top of all the papers and pencils was a ring. A gold ring ornamented by
a ruby gem framed by diamonds.. Their engagement ring...
Syaoran picked up the small ring that had been on her finger since the day he was
forced to give her. Now it was frigid, aloof and detached. Without realizing it, Syaoran felt his
heart sink. She must really hate him to do this. Suppressing a sudden despondence, Syaoran
placed the ring back in the drawer.
***
5 years later.
***
Meiling pursed her lips, squeezing her eyes shut while one hand clutched onto a
wall. She can do this, she can do this, step, step on. She had envisioned this too many
times before. Just two steps and she would be on that tattered roof, like in those martial
art movies where the heroine leaps from roof to roof. Of course, the heroine can also fly,
walk on water, never lose and always get the guy.
Stop stalling Meiling. She reprimanded herself.
Okay, okay...
Taking a deep breath, Meiling flipped into the air and pressed her foot against one
side of the wall, then the other, then on the roof, then slipped and, ...faced dirt.
"Damn it!" She cried, out of both pain and frustration. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn
it!" Subconsciously, Meiling felt her tears stir, mixing with the dirt, the pain, the despair
and all tge anguish.
Tears, she hadn't cried for so long...so, so long. Not even when she had dislocated
her shoulder, sprained her ankle, twisted a bone, broken her finger, received a
concussion, so why was she crying now?
The heroine always gets the guy.
Meiling shook her head. No, not him again. Not them again. She got up, holding a
cut knee added to her collection of bruises.
Don't think. Was the last thing she told herself.
***
Sakura ran, she was late to her lunch date with Syaoran. AGAIN. It was getting to her
really, how instead of maturing, she seem to be becoming more empty headed and less
responsible day by day. Sakura would like to blame the cards for that, capturing them
were taking most of her energy, leaving her barely anytime to catch up on her life. (Okay
okay, I now realized She and Syaoran must be having a lot of trouble if they still couldn't
capture all the cards in 5 years. *Matt* ^^ But I don't know, let's just say they are having
a lot of trouble. Gomen, next time I'll draw out a story map so it'll be more logical. ~iris)
But she knew that wasn't the case. After all, Syaoran, who usually does the physical work in
card capturing is maturing. Though you can't really say that about Syaoran, as he was always
mature for his age.
Sakura slowed down as she approached the little cafe, hoping her face wasn't as
flushed as it felt. She smiled automatically when she saw Syaoran outside the cafe. His
expression, however, stopped her from waving.
Syaoran was sitting with a pair of oblivious eyes, not bothered by the sun or the
humidity. In his hands sat a glass of perspiring water, stalling against the heat. Sakura
frowned, something was bothering him.
"Hi." Sakura pulled up a chair opposite to him. "Sorry I'm late."
Startled, Syaoran let go of the glass. "Sakura! Hi!"
Sakura smiled back. She remembered when Syaoran had first smiled at her. It was when
he told her he liked her, so strange to see a bashful Syaoran, fearful of rejection. Though Sakura
would never be able to reject that face and those soulful amber eyes. And that was when
he smiled. A true and genuine smile, one that brighten up her days and weeks. Ever since
that day, Sakura's life had been divided in to B.S. (NO intended pun ^^) and A.L. Before Syaoran
and After Syaoran. It was a great feeling to be in love, oh yes it was, or at least she thought it
was. Lately, however, she could sense an uncertainty in Syaoran's eyes and aura, as if he was afraid
of something, someone.
"Sakura, I have to tell you something..." Syaoran said as he gazed into his water.
"Would you two like to order anything?" the waitress interrupted, much to
Sakura's distress, but much to Syaoran's favor.
"Yeah sure, can I have another glass of ice water?" Syaoran asked then turned to
Sakura, as if instructing her to order something.
"A glass of lemonade will do, thank you," Sakura hurried on.
"Alright, I'll be right back with your orders."
As soon as the waitress left, Sakura attacked.
"So what were you saying?"
"What was I?" Syaoran mumbled, "oh yeah, uh...see, my mom, she called me
yesterday."
Sakura knew where this was going.
"She wants me home."
Still the truth send her mouth open. "...home?"
"Yes, she wants me to go back to China." Syaoran continued to stare at his glass,
avoiding Sakura's gaze. "Next week."
Next week... "Is it a visit?" Sakura asked.
He shook his head slowly.
"Oh."
"I'm...sorry," Syaoran whispers.
"Sorry?" Sakura looked down, then shook her head, "what do you have to be
sorry for?"
"For leaving you."
Sakura smiled as she reached for his hand, frozen by the ice water. "Listen Syaoran, you
have nothing to be sorry for, you taught me so much while you were here. Besides, it's
been how long since you last saw your family? I'd say it's about..."
"But in the midst of all this...?"
"I can take care of it," Sakura reassured. "I am the Clow Mistress, no?" she
beamed at him .
"I don't know when I'll be coming back."
"I'll wait for you."
"Sakura...I," Syaoran paused, "...thank you," he finally made out.
All she could do was smile, smile and not let her face show how broken up she
was inside. Funny how one minute she was on the top of the world, and next, thrown
among its confusion, fate, and bad luck.
"I'll wait for you."
***
The air was unfamiliar to his nose, but so familiar to his heart. This really was
where he belonged, he found his head telling him. Syaoran walked through the busy airport, in
search of a sign that read 'We're here little wolf!' work done by one of his older sisters of
course. Instead, he found his eyes meeting his mother's.
Syaoran swallowed.
"Mom." he took off the cap he was wearing, "hi."
"Syaoran..." The next thing he felt was his mother's gentle embrace. No matter how
much Syaoran had grown, he still felt so little in those arms. "Welcome back."
"Xie Xie (thank you)," Syaoran replied in Chinese. It had been a while since he spoke Chinese,
and although his writing skill severely plummeted, Syaoran knew he could never forget the
language he grew up in.
"Your sisters are very anxious to see you," Mrs.Li said. "They are cooking
a feast, for your welcome back party."
Syaoran groaned, "no they didn't."
Mrs.Li smiled, "they did, and they are making it a big deal too. Everyone is
coming Syaoran, our friends, our neighbors, your friends, your teachers, so remember to be
respectful."
Syaoran nodded. Everyone is coming? He let the sentence settle in his mind. Everyone.
Did everyone include...her? It had been so long since he last saw her. No phone calls, no
letters, no messages, nothing from her. But surely, she would be there, surely...
Syaoran stopped himself. He still cared. No matter how much he had tried over the
years, he still couldn't break the habit, he cared so much for her. Even when he was
gazing at the moon with Sakura, he had wondered if Meiling was marveling at its beauty
also. Syaoran shook his head. No, he couldn't do this to Sakura. The image of her luminous
green eyes sedated him; he really does love Sakura. But...
"Syaoran..." Mrs.Li's hand draped gently over his shoulder, "we are home."
Home.
Home. It really was his home. The familiar house had always stood closer than
the little apartment he had in Japan.
Syaoran dragged his luggage, breathing deeply. He had never felt better. This was
where he belonged; even if he was a card captor; even if he did adore Sakura; This would
always be where he would be belong. Where he grew up and learned the basic morals of
life, where he trained and made friends.
Friends? Did mother say my friends will be here? Syaoran nearly laughed. He knew
very well he never truly made any friends in China. Well, none except for her, Syaoran sighed
again.
"WELCOME BAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!!" voices rang in his ears, stunning him for a second.
The nerves, they are trying to give me a heart attack. Syaoran breathed.
"Oh baby wolf, we've missed you so," Syaoran felt his cheeks being pinched, his head
being kissed, his shoulders being massaged and his body being pampered. Actually...it
wasn't too bad of a feeling, Syaoran decided a moment later. After who knows how long, his
older sisters finally left him free, but then was he shoved into a barrage of 'meet and
greets'. Actually, 'meet and greets' wasn't an exaggeration. People Syaoran couldn't remember
(mainly classmates) came, and on came a roll of, "oh yeah! Of course I would remember
you." He didn't mind it though, because somehow Syaoran felt it was worth it. It will all be
worth it when I see her.
But he didn't. Syaoran greeted all that needed to be greeted. The familiar and the
unfamiliar, the respected and the unrespected, the known and the unknown. No Meiling
nonetheless, no traces of her. Syaoran fell onto the couch after the tedious night. Where could
she be? She couldn't have disliked him this much, could she? Sure, he wasn't exactly the
nicest when they were back in Japan, in fact, it made him cringe remembering how he
had treated her, but still...still...
"She doesn't know about this, Syaoran," Mrs.Li whispered.
Syaoran blinked. "What?"
"Meiling. She doesn't know you came back."
She never ceases to amaze me, Syaoran thought, but he didn't have the time to go into
her prophet abilities. "Why? My sisters couldn't have possibly forgotten..."
Mrs.Li shook her head. "Oh they've tried. Believe me they tried."
"Then why?" he inquired like a child.
"To make a long story short...Meiling, when she came back from Japan wasn't the
one anyone had remembered. She no longer smiled, she just looked lost. So her family
pampered her, gave everything she could ever wanted. Still, they failed to make her
regain her familiar aplomb." Mrs.Li peered at Syaoran, who looked down and away.
"Then one day, when she was thirteen, she ran away."
Syaoran's eyes grew big. "Ran away?"
"Yes."
"Did they find her?" Syaoran asked desperately. Please don't tell me they still haven't
found her and that was the reason why she isn't here, he entreated.
"They did. Actually, she came back on her own two weeks after. However, that
was when trouble really begun. This Meiling was again, different, she was confident again,
confident and self-efficient, but...never happy. Then one day she asked to leave.
Somehow she convinced her parents to let her leave..."
"Where is she now?" Syaoran asked.
Mrs.Li shook her head, "only her parents know."
"What are you saying? That, that she's living on her own? Not going to school?"
Syaoran stuttered in disbelief.
"Perhaps she's living on her own, but apparently still getting an education. She
took an entrance exam to high school and got one of the highest scores," Mrs.Li
said. "But she never went to school, Meiling's here, but not."
"I can't believe it." Syaoran whispered.
"Times change, Syaoran. You must be aware of that."
"But living on her own? Is she crazy? Insane? Where does she live? How does
she afford it? Why is she doing this?"
"I was hoping you could answer that question," Mrs.Li murmured.
Syaoran froze. "I...I don't know. Why would I know?"
With that he fled to his room, found a pillow and proceeded on burying his head
under it. "Crazy, stupid, Meiling. Crazy, stupid Meiling." He whispered till tears ran down
his cheeks. Crying, was he really crying? Yes, the salty liquid was good prove. But why?
Why was he crying. Li Syaoran never cries. Yes, he was worried, worried about her. But
why? Was it because he needed to see her again? Needed her nagging? Needed her
pampering? Or was it because he knew why she left and became a recluse?
Because of him.
***
Spying. One of her favorite past times. Meiling saw Syaoran the first time by spying.
Mere children then, she wondered about the kid whose martial art was already above
average. Meiling still remembered that day, when she peered into his yard and watched Syaoran
punch and kick furiously... with his face bright red, furrowed eyebrows and sweat
streaming through his white shirt. Still, he looked so...beautiful, like something of nature,
so raw, and so free. That was when she decided she wanted to be exactly like him. She
was going to be strong just like him, strong, determined and beautiful...just like him.
But Meiling also remembered the other time she spied on Syaoran. He was with Sakura,
WITH Sakura AND laughing with Sakura. No one had ever made Syaoran laugh, or really even
smile ... no one except for her. It was then she knew she had lost. She had lost it all...lost
it all to Sakura, lost it all to perfection and destiny's child. It was then had Meiling truly
felt alone, left in the cold, a dried leaf inside a body. It was then did she break down and
cry, neglecting all the discipline the Li clan had taught her. It was then did she give up,
on herself, on life itself.
So vulnerable, Meiling thought in disgust. She was such a vulnerable child. But no
more, no more that Meiling. She wasn't going to be stepped on anymore, not on the
outside, and not on the inside either.
Meiling stopped walking and turned to the window she had often spent time
looking at when she was little. Inside laid Syaoran, still clothed and asleep on his bed. Meiling
held her breath; this is definitely one of the riskiest spy mission she had ever been on.
Suddenly, she was vulnerable again, knees of jello, heart of butter kind of
vulnerable. Syaoran looked so peaceful, almost like a little kid again, so happy to be back
home, and yet...are those tear stains? Why would he cry? Can he not stand being away
from Kinomoto for one day? Meiling closed her eyes. How careless he was, leaving his
windows open; did he want to be eaten alive by mosquitos? She reached for the windows
only to find herself staring at him again. Syaoran had grown, perhaps a couple more inches. His
hair was longer too. Still, it rested reckless on his head. She suddenly needed to see his
eyes. Oh how she longed for those amber eyes in her most lonely nights. But those lonely
nights no longer mattered, as today was the day where it all ends. That is, if it hadn't 5
years ago. Meiling barely touched Syaoran's forehead as she leaned to kiss him, a tear sliding
down her cheek against her will. A sniffle and a pride to keep, she gently nudged his
window shut and left.
***
Syaoran rang the Li's (Meiling) residence's door bell.
"Name?" The computer questioned, startling Syaoran. Meiling's family was never behind
technological advances.
"Uh...Syaoran."
"Computer does not have registration, please state full name."
"Li Syaoran."
"Thank you. Please allow processing." The door flashed opened a second later.
"Syaoran?" It was Meiling's mother, who held a skeptical expression.
"Hi Aunt Li," Syaoran bowed politely, then felt flustered, realizing that was a Japanese
custom so half waved instead, "hi."
"Come on in," Mrs.Li smiled gently, a smile that had often comforted Syaoran.
Meiling's mother had been someone he could confide in. Unlike his mother, who he felt
more of less aloof to because of her great disciplinarian manner, Mrs.Li was more, well,
motherly.
Stepping into the house, Syaoran noticed the splendor of it hadn't changed. Although
material things such as the T.V. and DVD machines were upgraded, the familiar fountain
of the 8 gods crossing the sea (Chinese folktale) still stood in the middle of the living
room.
"Have a seat," Mrs.Li motioned. "Would you like any tea?"
"That's okay," Syaoran sat on the couch.
"Coke then?" she smiled playfully.
It was as if nothing was wrong...Syaoran thought. "Thank you but I'll be fine."
"Alright then, what can I do for you?" she questioned.
"I just came back from Japan yesterday."
"Yes I know, I'm sorry I couldn't attend your party, but we had some errands to
run."
We? Some hope sparked in Syaoran's chest. "It's okay. Aunt Li, I came because I
would like to know where Meiling is. She wasn't at my house yesterday."
Although Mrs.Li held her smile, Syaoran could see a slight faltering in her expression.
"Meiling?"
Syaoran nodded.
"Why?"
The question caught Syaoran off guard; why? Why? "Because, she's my friend."
"Well then, in that case, does the answer she's fine satisfy you?" there was a
certain coldness he felt from her voice.
"No." Begin Syaoran. "No. I would like to know where she is."
Mrs.Li stared at Syaoran for a while, as if scrunizaing him to tell or not to tell.
"Aunt Li, you are my last hope for finding her, and if don't tell me, I'll have to
go search across Hong Kong, if she's in Hong Kong..."
"Syaoran," Mrs.Li smiled again, "my daughter's wish is to tell no one where she
resides, but I don't think she knows what she's doing anymore. So I'm putting this all on
you; can you promise me something?"
"Yes," Syaoran answered defiantly.
"When I tell you where she is, I want you to take her back."
"I...I will try." If she doesn't run away from me, Syaoran thought skeptically.
"No, you will bring her back."
Syaoran swallowed. "Okay, where?"
"Shen Long (magic dragon) academy."
Shen Long Academy...Syaoran let the words run through his head. The name was
actually quite familiar to him. One of the most prestigious martial arts academy in the
country, Syaoran had wanted to go there for his high school years. Destiny was the only
restraint that stopped him from going there. Syaoran was relieved at first, knowing that Meiling
was at least okay. A second later of pondering, however, he was worried again. Why
wouldn't Meiling want anyone to know she's at Shen Long? It was an honor to be
accepted into the school, a honor for not only her but the Li clan also.
Nothing seem to make sense anymore.
***
Sakura wrote and rewrote kanji. If there's anything she liked about caligraphy, it
was the fact that you don't have to think.
Sakura dropped her pen, as she couldn't even do something as simple as making
lines and curves. She was tired, sick and tired and bored.
It turned out she missed Syaoran more than she thought she would. Sakura turned
toward her computer to read the email once more.
Sakura,
I'm sneaking an email to you before my sisters drag me to breakfast. All is well
over here. I guess I did miss China after all. Yesterday my sisters organized a 'welcome
back' party for me. It was totally unnecessary, but I'd be a liar if I say I didn't like the
food. Not to be disrespectful or anything, but a Chinese cuisine after years of bentos and
raw fish tasted beyond excellent. Oh, Grandfather talked to me yesterday. He didn't
mention anything about magic. Just kind of nodded and patted my head. Sometimes I
wonder about him.
So how are you? I hope everything's okay. Any battles lately? If you are in
trouble, call me and I'll find some way to be right behind you.
Take care
Syaoran
P.S. I love you.
Sakura felt her cheeks redden with Syaoran's last words. She fell behind on to the bed.
What a feeling it was...love. Though she couldn't help but to feel uncertain about Li and
her; they were so young. But as long as it will last, I would be the happiest girl in the
world. As long as it would last, she decided finally.
***
Dark. Everything was veiled by a layer of black. The trees, the rocks, the sky, and
the road in front of him.
Road. What road? Thought Syaoran. Never was he this frustrated. First he boarded the
wrong subway; then the teacher said Meiling's out; then he stupidly decides to take a
walk; then the sky darkened, a sign for him to turn back and what happens? He gets lost!
Syaoran felt his nerves break with each stride. Then he heard something...a
sound...close...Syaoran followed the sound as it became more distinct. He reached a clearing.
In the middle of the clearing was...a person. A person!
He was about to called out to them for help when the figure suddenly moved. No,
moved didn't do justice, more like flied. It did spins, flips and kicks around the small
area. The vague movement looked somewhat familiar.
Then he heard something that was more familiar.
Bells.
The ensuing moments had him baffled. The figure jumped right in front of him
and asked in an icy voice. "Who are you?"
Although Syaoran could only see the outlining of her, it was more than enough. But
that's when she moved in on him, the first strike was beside his neck, jolting Li back to
reality. The next was the stomach, then the ankle, then the knee, then the ribs. He knew
this, he knew the style. Syaoran blocked them all, but with barely sufficient skill.
Then, feeling a lock behind him, Syaoran groaned as his shoulder shifted. The figure
had brought him down on the ground.
"Meiling, stop, it's me," he finally cried.
The release was instant.
"How...who? How did you know my name?"
Ignoring the growing pain, Syaoran got up and faced the shorter girl. He saw a pair of
eyes that flared even through black space. A pair of ruby eyes...
"Meiling..." Syaoran whispered.
The ruby jewels blinked, as if caught in a daze. "It's...you."
Syaoran had visualized a couple of ways Meiling would react in his presence. None of
them even bordered, 'it's...you...'
The rubies snapped out of the daze, went into a second of frenzyness and alas, let
its beauty fade.
"Meiling!" Syaoran chased after the girl, who accelerated with each stride.
It was the longest and most senseless chase he had ever been in. Eventually, their
motion halted as Syaoran clasped Meiling's wrist around his fingers. A long silence later, a
hushed voice asserted. "You know, you've changed."
"And so have you Syaoran, so have you..."
***
End of part one. PLEASE REEEEEEVVVVVIIIIIIEEEEWWWW. I'll love you if you do. ^.^