'Hidden Amber;

Chapter One.'

"Syaoran, I speak for the elders when I say that we are very proud of you," said the oldest person in the family, who also held the highest position in the Li hierarchy, "and we feel that you are ready to take the role as the leader of the Li clan."

The seventeen year old boy could not believe it. At last. At last it was here. The day he had been waiting for, had been training for, his whole life. He was ecstatic to say the least. Syaoran could barely suppress the smile fighting its way to the surface of his face. But he managed.

"However…"

With that one word, that one, single word, it managed to bring down Syaoran's hopes. He was foolish, he realized, to believe that he could just inherit the Li clan without some sort of catch. Other than training for the position just his whole life of course.

"There is but two things that you need, just two simple and effortless requirements that you must meet. One, is that you must have a wife. There will be no time limit. However, the sooner you marry, the sooner you will inherit. We shall accept any girl of your choosing, as long as she meets the following criteria: no controversies or scandals, she must be from a respectable background and it matters not if she isn't of full wealth. The woman must also not be attached to anyone, be it courting or engaged."

Syaoran was seething inside. He did not want some asinine girl to make a home with, although, he admitted, that not all girls are air-headed and complete bitches. There are some that he could actually carry an intelligent conversation with. There are many girls to choose from, he thought, as long as I can tolerate them.

"She also must be appealing and healthy, to bear a strong heir. Courteous, kind, intelligent and respectful are all aspects to look for. We trust that you can find a woman that suits your tastes and fit the requirements."

Doubtful was the word Syaoran had in his mind. It is true that there were women who he could talk with on an intelligent level, but he had never met anyone with those characteristics in one person. Or, they were much older than him and related. But he did not want to marry a relative. The blood will be mixed and the child would not be…satisfactory. Syaoran was getting impatient, he wanted to know the second requirement.

"And secondly, you must pass a test…one that is set by your mother."

Syaoran froze, and then sighed. His mother was a little cold, yet there is no doubt that she is a wonderful woman. But, some of her decisions could be a little …eccentric.

The leader of the elders nodded his head across the spacious room, filled with beautiful antiques. The style of it could be described as graceful and classy, a room befitting of the great Li mansion.

"Li Syaoran, my son."

Syaoran tilted his head from where it stared at the table where the elders sat, slightly to the right. He was so absorbed with the elders and their conversation that he had failed to realize that his own mother was standing there, looking as graceful and stunning as any statue carved by the great Michael-Angelo.

"As the elders have stated, you are in need of a wife. But, it is in my firm belief, that you must learn the ways of women before you can marry one. You must learn how to treat them, how to care for them, and how to cherish them. That is why, for your last year of high school, I have enrolled you in Shirokijuuki Academy for girls. No one knows that you are not female. And I expect, that it stays that way."

His eyes widened. No way. No, no, no way in frozen hell.

"Mother," Syaoran's voice was covered in ice, just managing to be polite and formal, "why, must I go to some all-girls school when I am perfectly capable of treating a girl like any decent man? Not only that, but you said 'Shirokijuuki.' A Japanese school. In Japan. Of the many school's in China, you chose one in Japan. Why?" He stared deadpanned, eyes burning towards hers.

Li Yelan's eyes softened a touch at Syaoran's face. Please, she thought, let me be doing the right thing.

"I know that you can treat a girl like any decent man, but, as you will find out very quickly, that this is extremely different. As to why Japan, I thought you needed a break from here. Either way, it is an order. It must be done, you have three weeks."

Syaoran turned his eyes from his mother's to the elders.

The one who spoke before answered Syaoran's unspoken plea.

"We have already been consulted, and we approved. If this is what Mistress Yelan believes to be the right path, then we shall trust her. Her decisions have never led us astray before, and her word carries much worth. Remember, it is one of the requirements needed for your inheritance. This meeting is now adjourned. Young master, we shall see you after your school year ends."

Syaoran jerkily bowed to his mother and the elders and waited for them to leave first. He was angry, furious and needed to start planning out how to succeed in his task. If this is what it takes for me to become what I was destined to be, he thought determinedly, than I shall do it. The whole wife thing can be pondered on a while later, this was more urgent. He cursed quietly under his breath, one thought ringing throughout his mind.

I need help, a girl's help, Meiling's help…

-xx-

Erratic bursts of laughter could be heard all over the mansion, followed by fits of coughs and wheezes. Syaoran was propped up against the wall of Meiling's room, glancing and scowling, unamused by her spontaneous laughter.

"I-I'm so-rry," she managed to wheeze out, "yo-you h-have to-o go t-to an al-all gir-girls scho-ool a-and be l-like one…" Meiling couldn't help it. She succumbed to the laughter.

"Are you done laughing yet?" Syaoran growled out, disliking the way this was turning out. After a shocking three minutes, Meiling calmed down enough to have a proper talk, wiping her eyes from the tears pouring out.

"Oh, I can't believe what your mother was thinking. Whoo-boy, I would absolutely love to see you in a dress. I would pay good money for that." Suddenly devious plots and schemes made its presence known to her. And maybe I can, she thought, smirking.

"Whatever. Look, I need help. I need to look as girly as possible so no one will suspect me of being a boy. The only person I could think of was you."

Meiling raised an eyebrow. "You mean you're actually agreeing to this? No arguments, no disagreements, nothing?"

He just stared at her, determination filling his eyes.

In that instant, Meiling realized that Syaoran would do anything to gain his inheritance, anything at all, even at the cost of his pride. She shrugged and nodded her head. Her abrupt change of mood threw Syaoran off. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, her grin gave off bad vibes and she let loose a cackle.

"To the mall we go, oh he-she!"

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Soooo; what do you think? Please read and review, constructive criticism appreciated and flames, well, poo. lol

Thank you ever so much for actually reading this XD .conjectured.