Could It Be?
by Hidden Tala
x. overprotective brothers
"What's this I heard Meiling talk about?" Li Syaoran probed, returning a book on the shelf. "She said Uehara asked Tomoyo out."
"Aren't we supposed to keep our mouths shut?" Eriol said nonchalantly, scanning some pages. "This is the library after all."
Syaoran turned his head to the library counter where his fiancée was busy arranging library cards. And as if on cue, she looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back.
The Chinese boy selected a book titled Book of the Dead in Ancient Egypt. "Sakura won't mind. Besides, this is for her best friend's welfare."
Eriol threw him a raised brow. "What's with the Book of the Dead?"
Syaoran sneered. "As I was saying, Meiling told me about Uehara asking Tomoyo out. I wonder if they did go out. Because, I dunno, someone might've forgotten that the poofter is known for harassing women. And I wonder if that someone had knocked his head on some sharp pointed object and had amnesia because I could've sworn I told him to look after the girl."
Eriol sighed and took out a book in literature. He walked to the nearest table and sat on the chair. Syaoran naturally followed him with the Book of the Dead.
"I didn't forget," Eriol grunted, sullenly turning a page. "I gave her a sermon when she got home."
"You could've followed her!"
"What am I, a spy? Let the girl have her fun," he grumbled. "She's not a kid anymore. We can't stop her if she wants to go out with guys."
Syaoran narrowed his eyes at the boy in front of him. "You're telling me that you won't look after her? What sort of friend are you?"
"The sort that wants her to live her own life," he replied. "It was just one date and she already promised me that if she decided to date a guy she'd let me meet him before they go out."
"She gave you that speech about being an annoying big brother, didn't she?" Syaoran eyed him suspiciously. "And you bought it."
"Hey, she's right. I shouldn't meddle with her affairs. She's old enough to take care of her own business."
"You were duped," Syaoran pointed, disgusted. "My sisters and Meiling do that to me all the time. And not once did I give in. Come on, Eriol. Tomoyo's top two in Tokyo U's Top 100 Beautiful Women in the annual magazine. There are hormone-crazed idiots out there lusting after her and who knows what they'll do now that they know I'm out of the picture and you being lenient."
"What are you two freaks muttering about?"
They swung their heads towards the voice and found Professor Touya Kinomoto clutching a very huge encyclopedia in his right arm. "Don't I have a class with you in thirty minutes?"
Syaoran glared at his future brother-in-law. "Yes, sir. I was just waiting for Sakura to end her shift. I'm walking her to class."
Eriol watched the interaction between the two and looked amused.
Touya glowered at the Chinese boy. "You, make sure she doesn't get late. And if you're a second late, I'd make sure you pay three hours of pure hell."
Syaoran held back the urge to hit Sakura's brother who also happened to be his professor.
"Kinomoto-sensei," Eriol greeted politely.
Touya merely acknowledged his presence. "Freak number two."
"If I ever hear you doing things to my cousin, I'll kill you with my bare hands, Hiiragizawa," Touya warned, his dark eyes gleaming malevolently. "You remember that."
And with that final threat, Professor Kinomoto left gigantic book and all.
"That git." He heard Syaoran say.
"That son of a gun," Syaoran breathed, chuckling. "I can't believe I took archaeology because of him. If I knew he'd make my life a living hell, I would've chosen business or medicine."
"I thought you wanted to be like Fujitaka-san."
He saw Syaoran's ear turn red. "Yeah, well, they're both great archeologists. But Touya's more exposed than his dad in the field and more renowned. And why would I admit to him that he inspired me to take the program? I have dignity, you know."
"Touya's still looking out for Sakura, huh?" Eriol said, changing the topic.
"Of course. Why wouldn't he? He's her brother after all. And I don't mind it anyway. He just wants the best for his sister."
"But Tomoyo's not my sister."
"Yeah, but that's how you see her, don't you?" Syaoran said, observing the bespectacled man.
"Of course," he answered quite easily.
Syaoran clasped his hands. "Then, just go on being the annoying brother you are. She appreciates it. She was just carried away when she lashed out on you."
Eriol seemed to think for a moment.
"Look, Hiiragizawa. I love the girl like I love my sisters and Meiling. I would have continued to eye her like a hawk if we hadn't moved out. But now that I'm out of the scene I trust that you'd take care of her. She's my best friend too and I want what's best for her."
"You sure have a lot of time to look out for other girls when you have a girl of your own."
Syaoran was unaffected and stole a glance at the girl in the counter. He forced himself not to smile. "I know I wouldn't allow myself to take my eyes off her. That girl is my heart."
"Tomoyo, however, doesn't have anyone to do that for her," he continued, now looking at Eriol, "so while that person is still MIA, we should, or you should since you're conveniently living with her, make sure she's going to be all right."
Syaoran saw Sakura coming their way.
"You're not interested in anyone as of the moment. So think about it, Hiiragizawa," he said. "You've got nothing to lose."
Author's Notes: My doctor said that leaving reviews is good for the heart. JUST DO IT. Haha :p