I sighed dreamily as I stared at the sight before my eyes. This was the first time I've seen him since sixth grade.. The beginning of sixth grade. It's been three years, three! He hasn't changed that much; infact, the only thing that changed is his kid fat is gone. His muscles from the intense Li training were bread, visible even through the uniform. I saw him grin only slightly in my direction, a huge feat for Li Syaoran. I sighed dreamily again.
"Please take the seat beside Kinomoto. Kinomoto-chan, please raise you- "
" No need; I know who she is." I could hear Tomoyo giggling brightly all the way on the other side of the room. I only blushed as he walked over to his new seat. Syaoran-kun sat down and looked over to me. I blushed all the more. When he sat behind me, I got nervous, sure. However, beside me?! This was way more nerve wrecking. His smile stayed graceful on his lips. Class started what felt like an eternity later.
After class, it didn't shock me any that the first thing I wanted oh so much to do was hug the daylights out of him. However, it seemed as though I was frozen in my spot. He was here; I should have been screaming, crying even, jumping into his embrace. Something was stopping me, though. There was something about Syaoran-kun that was different. Syaoran didn't smile that much for one. Number two, Li Syaoran didn't put me on edge like this.
"Do I get my hug, Sakura?" I blinked. His voice... It in itself was different. I couldn't place how, but the voice was definitely not Syaoran's. It, however, still sounded familiar. That was when it clicked. This was not...
"Why should I when you're not him?" was what I WANTED to say, but until I had evidence, I would have to go along with his act.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so happy you're back," I started, " I'm scared if I try to touch you, you'll only be an illusion." He chuckled and stepped closer to my seat. His eyes glistened with the ghost of a past unknown by me, his smile seemed onlly threatening.
"You'll never know until you try." I could only hide my grimace as I stood, hugging his 'welcome' body. He didn't even have the same warmth. Who was this man? Why was he imitating Li Syaoran? What were his intentions? "You're being quiet. What's wrong? Is it something you can't tell me?" His voice made me sick. Not even 10 minutes of playing along and I wanted to scream out how stupid he was to think I'd fall for that illusion.
"I'm fine. Just thinking"
"About?"
"Syaoran-kun.."
"Huh?" That's when Tomoyo walked toward us. Her hair flew through the almost nonexistant wind as she pranced through the classroom.
"You ready to go, Sakura-chan? Li-kun?" "Hai." Came the reply. Surely Tomoyo-chan realized tht wasn't Syaoran Li. She was observant, the most observant in school. This thought made me smile. I giggled and grabbed my hand with her own. We exchanged glances, and right away she had to chag with me about something important.
" Tomoyo-chan,' I began as the three of us walked out of the school, " after I get done at Syao's, can I come over?" "Come over?" "Hai. There's something I need to ask you. About some kind of costume I wanted you to make. " Syaoran -imposter looked at me strangely. I didn't know what crossed his mind at the time, but I knew it wasn't good.
" I'm telling you Tomoyo-chan, that isn't Syaoran-kun!"
" What makes you so suspicious? His smile?!" I groaned. " Sakura-chan, he loves you! Of course he's going to smile at you; not to mention he hugged-"
" Yes I know! But I'm serious! The Li Syaoran I know and love doesn't smile that much! Even to me! Plus his eyes! They have-"
" A fire burning full of pent up passion?" Tomoyo's eyes got starry. I sweatdropped. "... I was going to say a glow of mischief." Her face turned crest-fallen. I wanted to believe just as much as she did that it was the real him, but she knew that as well as I did that I wouldn't budge on this. If I knew anyone, I knew Syaoran. I heard her sigh.
"Alright, I believe you. What are we going to do to get this guy to show his true identity?"
"For now," I replied, " we're going to have to play along."
"Play along?"
"I know he's planning something. I have to find out what. Are you with me or not?"
"Of course I am."
"Good, then let's do this."
Days went by and still the impersonater did not budge. Today, I was going to be at his home to 'hang out'. Really that was just my excuse to go snooping. Walking to the door felt like walking toward death. I saw him glance through the window by the door, smiling. He opened the door and let me in before I even knocked. He pulled me in for a hug. "How was your trip over here?" I gave him my best gentle smile.
"Long. Syaoran-kun, do you have anything to drink? I'm really thirsty." The wanna-be blinked. His gaze moved toward the kitchen , tightening his hold on me.
"Hmm.. I don't believe so. Anything in particular you would want? I can walk to the store." I glanced around the room. Coming to notice there were no pictures of his mother, I decided on one thing.
"Please? I'd love some nice green tea." I knew Syaoran-kun loved green tea, so maybe.. Yes! This man's face scrunched up in distaste. Finally, he nodded. Telling me he wouldn't be long, he took his jacket off the rack, sliding it on as he stepped outside. I waved.
'Well, that was easy enough.' I grinned as I looked around for his room. Surely if there were any clues, t would be there. Walking down the hall, I saw a door that was different than the rest. Its knob was carved, shaped like some kind of face. I never in my life have seen this face. I frowned and took out a small camera, snapping a photo of it. I turned the knob and stepped inside, masking my aura, looking around for anything suspicious, or for anything watching me. There I spotted it. I picked up the tattered old brown book and dusted it off. On the cover it read 'Ryuoh Li's Journal'. I scowled. What connections did this journal have to this fake? My hands shook as I opened to the first page. A wind started joltingly, messing around my now untamed hair. I could only scream.
The boy bolted up right out of his bed, panting as he stood. For a second there, he thought he felt danger. What type of danger, he had no clue. All he knew was that someone out there was in trouble. He looked around the room, gasping for breath as he tried to calm down. His hair was tussled from sleep, his eyes narrow, alert as if he'd been wide awake. In a way, he HAD been; the new training method his mentors gave him had him training even when he was to rest, yet he did not mind. It just meant his time here was shortened. He slowly lowered back on to his bed as his hair fluffed on his pillow. He would talk to them about this pressence. They had to know something. With that thought in mind, he drifted to sleep once more, content that maybe, just maybe, she would be alright. She had to be. If not, he wouldn't know what to do.
"Syaoran-kun..." His name slid out of my lips like melted butter. I could have sword that I felt his pressence. "I wouldn't worry about that boy. You should be worried about you." A mysterious voice rang out of the shadows.
"What do you mean?"
"This place is a training area for the li-clan for centuries. Li, Xiaolang is the newest to train here. He should be here any moment. You , card mistress, should not have even known about this book. This is not your battle to face."
"Battle? Are you saying that many people have lost this battle? That there is some kind of boss at the end of the training? Than this Syaoran in Japan.."
"Is not the real Xiaolang. It is his own card running loose. Similiar to your "mirror". "
"If the Li clan had a book of magic, why did they seek after the clow cards?! Those were not their battle either!" I scowled. For some reason I felt like I would not like the answer I'd get. I looked around the feild, large and empty. It was perfect for training.
"...For-"
"For ultimate power. To stop the catastrophe, and save you, card mistress. The pain of no love is unbarable. You told me that, ne?" A new vocie rang from the area behind me. Tears pricked, and I felt the urge to pounce. I turned to face him, the boy I have loved for centuries. It was time for some answers, but for now, that could be postponed. I ran to him, staring him dead in the eye as I raised my arms to hug him.
Author's note: A bit longer than the last chapter, ne? I hope it goes well. I know, it's a lot of dialog, but still, I think it helps set up for what's to come later. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed! Review please! :D
Katbabe-chan, fading away.
Ja ne!