He never expected to feel this much pain. This was worse than anything he had ever experienced. Worse than the coldness his mother showed him. Worser then when his father died. And even worse than anything physical pain he endured in his years. Nothing prepared him for this heart-shattering, breath-stilling, body-crushing pain.

He sucked in a breath. His body felt too heavy. Everything was too heavy, encircling him. Air around him seemed thicker, denser. His throat tightened, causing the little air he was able to get to come in short huffs. Little black dots poked at his vision. The dots grew bigger until the edges of his eyesight seemed grayer then the wall. Reaching his quivering hand toward the column, he tried to brace himself.

Closing his eyes tight, he tried to will the panic away. Harder still he willed his mind to reach a blank state. He would have time to greave some where else away from everyone surrounding him. He couldn't break down here. Not while _she_ was watching.

No, he couldn't afford for her to see this. She would use this against. Claim he was still weak. Perhaps even weaker than he was in childhood. She would never forgive him for this episode.

Slowly, his vision cleared, throat loosened, and the quivering stopped. Pushing away from the wall, he opened his eyes. He turned towards the woman who's sharp eyes never left her son.

"It pains me to see you like this."

The woman reached her long slender hand to cup his cheek. His eyes hardened. All trace of the pain he felt mere moments ago, hidden.

"Do not lie, Mother." He all but growled. The woman's pale fingers dug into his cheek. She did not hide the disapproval written on her face.

"Be careful, _Syaoran_. The elders are watching."

Iciness licked at the edge of her voice. He hid a shudder. Too many times he had faced that voice. Immediately he locked eyes with her but did not utter another word nor allowed his body to twitch in irritation.

"As I said before," her silvery voice returned. "She's gone." Her lips curved maliciously. "She is no longer your concern." Cold fingers gripped his cheek slightly harder to emphasize the intended pain.

Briefly, pain etched over his eyes. He had to remain calm..blank…no emotion. She did not need the satisfaction. A cough echoed in the room, startling them. Instantly she let her cold icy fingers drop from his face. She shot him another malicious twist of her lips, then turned to the elders in the back of the room.

"Gentle men, our lives just became much easier."

She sauntered closer. Standing before the four elderly men clad in traditional robes, she clapped her hands. Quite pleased with whole interaction, one elder stood.

"Speak more, daughter," his hoarse voice came. Holding out his hand for her to continue, his robes swayed with the action.

Clad in her ceremonial priestess robes and headdress, she bowed daintily and precisely. Clinking echoed in the silent, stale room as the golden charms of her belt clicked and clacked against each other. Loose dark tendrils fell from her matching gold headdress to framed her porcelain complexion. The snow white gown fluttered around her as she raised her head.

Syaoran watched with disdain. He couldn't bare to her hear utter the demise of his lover again. Especially to the council. Neither his mother nor his elders approved of his chosen, believing her to be worthless to the clan. How wrong they had been. He frowned, lips tight at the thought. _Past tense_. At the thought, his chest tightened and his heart dropped. Dropping his head to hide the emotions threatening to break through, his brown locks shielded his amber eyes. Tears prickled his eyes. For the second time, he had remind himself that this was not the place, not the time.

"…As I said before, the girl, is gone…"

Amber eyes snapped to glare at the back of his mother at the mere mention of _his_ girl. He clenched his fists. Anger took over the sadness the ate at his heart. He knew with certainty, that she had done something. This was her fault. No one else in this world would want to rip her away from this realm. She was too cheerful, too happy, too loving for anyone to dislike her.

"I must admit, things have worked out in our favor." Another elder's voice croaked. Raising himself out of his own chair, he walked over to his fellow councilman. The first nodded in agreement, eyes sparkling with excitement. He turned slightly to address the young man. "Leave us, child, " His voice boomed with authority.

Syaoran narrowed his eyes suspiciously for he knew that his entire clan was conspiring against him. He straightened his body and raised his eyes to level with his elder. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that his mother scrunched her face in displeasure. For now, he lowered his gaze submissively. Now was not the time to challenge his clan. He vowed to himself that he would avenge her.