Chapter 3. Memories and Clues

Sakura waited for Shaoran to join her and they both climbed the stairs to the second floor. Sakura looked both ways and noticed two doors, one on each side of the corridor.

'Which one should we check first?' she asked, looking at Shaoran. The boy didn't answer, so she just picked one.

The room they entered was much bigger than any rooms they seen so far. Right next to the door, on the left side stood a wooden closet with various ornaments sculptured on it. Some of them were very detailed, as Sakura noticed. Opposite the door stood a row of closets, bookshelves and an elegant wardrobe. Out of curiosity, Sakura glimpsed on the titles of the books which stood on the shelves. All of them were written in weird symbols, which somehow resembled Japanese.

'What language is that?' she asked Shaoran.

'Chinese' came the answer. 'It's very old language. Older than Japanese'

'Really?' the girl was shocked. 'And I thought my language was the oldest'

'Oh, no' Shaoran laughed a little. 'It is pretty old, but not as nearly as Chinese'

Sakura came closer and picked up one of the books. She opened it and large amount of dust flew into the air, making Sakura cough a little. She skimmed through the page, her eyes jumping from one symbol to another. She finally gave out a sigh and put the book back.

'I can't understand a thing' she said. 'It's nothing like Japanese'

'I would say it's another way around' Shaoran smiled. 'I can teach you some, if you want'

'Ah, no. It's okay' she shook her head. 'It's not like I would need it. It was just curiosity'

'Okay then' Shaoran didn't repeat his offer. They passed by the window covered with purple curtain and stopped near very elegant (and probably very expensive) vanity mirror. Sakura reached into the drawer underneath and was surprised to actually find something inside.

'I've found something' she stated, taking the thing out. It was a medium-sized metal key. 'Hm… there's no label'

'Let's just take it with us' suggested Shaoran. 'It might come in handy'

Sakura nodded her head and the key was put in her bag. They moved forward, passing the broken clock and some pictures covered with dust. On the left side of the room there stand an elegant set consisting of sofa, armchair and little tea table with vase of dried flowers on it. There was also another window, this time curtains being open, next to which stood a chair and a small bookshelf with more selection of books. Right between the open window and the vanity mirror, stood a king-sized double bed.

'Mother…' a silent word exited Shaoran's mouth. Sakura looked at the boy, who looked very sad.

'Shaoran?' she asked with a puzzled look.

'Sakura… It's all coming back to me…' answered Shaoran, his eyes filled with overwhelming sadness. 'I remember that day… The day my mother died…'

Sakura stood silent, waiting for the boy to continue.

'My mother would often find me in the viewing room…' he said

Viewing room? wondered Sakura. Maybe that's the other door…

Shaoran closed his eyes, in an attempt to better see the memory.

'My mother was always kind and caring to me. Even since I was a little boy, I would always look up to her… And she would always smile at me' a little smile entered his lips, as remembering his mother's smile. He opened his eyes and looked at Sakura. 'My mother was the most wonderful person in the world. Of course, there were my sisters and my father, but… I loved mother… more than anything… we were so happy as a family. But then…' his face saddened and he stopped for a moment. Sakura lift up her hand and placed it on his shoulder, to show her support. He smiled a little in response, but the smile quickly died away.

'One day, she collapsed on the floor…' he went on. 'My father and I panicked. When father laid her in the bed, he found out she was ill. I was scared…' a single tear run down his cheek. 'As the days passed, mother's condition got worse. Her illness wasn't going away. Everyday, I would sit at her side and hold her hand… I… I didn't want to lose my mother…' his voice was starting to tremble, more tears escaping his eyes. 'I was scared… scared she was going to die. Father tried to comfort me and he told me not to worry. She will feel better. I did believe him… but… only for a while…' he took hold of his emotions, but the sadness still was present in his eyes.

'The following day… father gathered us into one room. So many thoughts were going through my head. I was hoping for a miracle… but…' his face darkened. 'Father only sighed and told us… mother… has died…'

Sakura listened in silence. She only a little knew, how this could feel. She was very small, when her mother died. But still… she could understand Shaoran's feelings. If only a little…

'My heart sank and my eyes were pouring with tears…' tears again started falling down his face.' I didn't want it to be true. I didn't want to live the rest of my life without my mother… My whole world has turned upside down… mother was gone… forever… she was never going to come back..' Sakura leaped and embraced Shaoran in a hug. Tears were falling on the carpet in a cascade of sadness. He kept weeping for few minutes, until he finally calmed down enough to continue the story.

'Our family… was never the same after mother died…' he explained. 'Father tried his best to keep us all together. Even without her… but… no matter how much he tried… we were falling apart…'

'…. Shaoran….' Sakura whispered, wiping out the tear, as she was crying too. 'Do you… do you think mother's death was the reason why Meiling stopped playing the piano?' she asked. Shaoran looked a little surprised by the question, but nodded his head.

'I think you are right, Sakura. That must have been the reason' he agreed. 'Having to accept the cruel reality that mother was gone… I knew how she felt… she was so young… it was just as hard on her as it was on me and father…'

They stood in silence for a couple of seconds, when Sakura suddenly remembered something.

'Shaoran. Your mother's music box' she said. 'Would you… like me to put this back somewhere in the room?'

'Yes please, Sakura' answered Shaoran. Sakura drew the music box from her bag and looked around. After a moment of thinking, she put it in the drawer under the vanity mirror.

'Thank you, Sakura' the sincere smile was again on the boys lips. Sakura blushed a little, but she couldn't deny she liked that smile.

'You're welcome' she said, looking down not to let the boy see the blush on her cheeks. After a moment of silence they finally decided to leave and check the other room on the floor.

As Sakura thought, it was indeed the viewing room Shaoran talked about. It was a vast room, where the walls were covered with numerous windows, making it so bright Sakura had to cover her eyes for a moment. When her eyes finally adjusted to the light, she begun to look around the room. There wasn't much to see, only some long dried plants on each side of the room and a simple wooden table with two chairs on the centre of the room. They approached one of the windows and looked outside.

'Woah!' cried the girl in amusement. 'Look at this view! It's amazing from up here.'

Shaoran looked at the amazed girl who was nearly eating the view outside with her eyes. He laughed a little and looked outside too.

'Indeed' he replied with a smile. 'This room was my favourite room in the whole house. I would come into this room to take in the view. Or to draw in my sketch-' he suddenly stopped and started looking around with fright in his eyes. 'Oh no!'

'What's wrong, Shaoran?' Sakura was truly concerned.

'My sketchbook!' cried Shaoran. 'It was down in the study!'

'Shaoran, calm down' Sakura put her hand on his shoulder. 'I have your sketchbook'

'You do?!' Shaoran was shocked. Sakura nodded her head.

'Yes, it's right here' she put her hand in her bag and took out the notebook she found in the study room. 'I picked it up right after you ran off'

'Oh… I see. I'm glad you kept it safe. Thank goodness…' the relief was unmistakably true on the boy's face.

'By the way, I had a look inside the book and I have to admit… the drawings are amazing. You really have a talent' Sakura sounded really true to her words.

'Thank you…' Shaoran looked away blushing.

'So… do you like drawing?' asked Sakura.

'Yes' answered the boy. 'I loved drawing and painting. When I was young, I used to be inspired by wildlife and open scenery. I wanted to be an artist when I grew up'

'You would be a great painter' agreed Sakura with a smile. Shaoran smiled in return.

'That was my life ambition. Until that day… the day of angry mobs…'

Poor Shaoran thought Sakura.

'So… you remember the mob then…?' she asked. He nodded, but it looked like he didn't want to talk about it yet, so she didn't push. 'Are you ready to go?'

'Yes, let's go' Shaoran agreed and they both left the room and came back to the ground floor.

'Where to now?' Sakura wondered looking around.

'How about we look for the door for this key we've found?' suggested Shaoran.

'Right, the key' remembered Sakura and took it out from her bag. 'Hm… I don't think I've seen a door which can it fit to'

'Well, we haven't seen the whole mansion yet' replied Shaoran. 'We can check this corridor now' he pointed to the same corridor Meiling's room was situated at. 'We've only seen one part of it'

'Let's go then' agreed the girl and they went on to the corridor Shaoran pointed to. After few turns they arrived to the big gate.

'It looks like the key would fit in here' noticed Sakura cheerfully.

'Let's go in then' Shaoran smiled. Sakura turned the key and pushed the door open.

They passed through one more door and arrived at the greatly damaged ballroom. Burns and bloodstains filled the already red carpet. Sakura climbed up the stairs to the balcony, where the corridor leaded in both directions. She took the left turn and after passing two closed doors, she finally arrived to the open ones. They entered the room filled with numerous paintings hanging on the walls. Sakura noticed, all of them were signed by Shaoran.

'They look amazing' she said. 'Were all these really painted by you?'

'Yes, I have done all the paintings you can see in this room' answered the boy with a smile. Sakura looked at the nearest painting, amazed by the details and life-like look.

'You really are talented, it's impressive!' Sakura was astonished.

'Thank you' Shaoran once again let his eyes wander somewhere else, not to blush. They slowly went along the wall, looking at each picture. On the other side of the room, they've found a wardrobe, desk with a book and some letter on it, and the bookcase. Opposite to that there was a sleeping area with another, smaller bookshelf, a bed, and a mirror. Next to the mirror hung another picture presenting a young girl. She had long, brown hair tied in loose buns. She was wearing a green dress, similar to the one she saw Shaoran's sisters wearing on the family portrait.

'She's beautiful' said Sakura. She was observing the portrait for a longer period. 'That's strange… I feel like I should recognise her… from somewhere…' she looked at the frame and the material. 'The painting certainly shows it's age. It's at least 50 years old… she's probably an old lady by now, or she's not alive anymore…'

'Sakura… are you alright?' Shaoran asked concerned.

'Ah, I'm okay, Shaoran' she answered with a smile. 'It's probably nothing. Let's check other rooms'

Shaoran nodded and followed the girl, but he decided to observe her for some time.

That surely wasn't nothing, he thought to himself. They again approached the desk and Sakura picked up the letter.

'You don't mind I take a look?' she asked Shaoran before reading.

'It's okay, go ahead' he replied with a smile. She peeped at the name written on the bottom of the page. It was written by Mechiko.

'Mechiko?' wondered Sakura. 'That name sounds familiar…'

'This...!' Shaoran's eyes were fixed on the name. Suddenly, a memory came to him. A young girl was sitting on the grass right before him, rubbing her back.

'Are you alright, miss?' he asked, offering the girl his hand. She gratefully took it and, with his help, stood up.

'Shaoran, are you alright?' he heard Sakura's voice. He looked at her, the concern was visible in her eyes. 'Did you have another flashback?'

'… Yes…' confirmed the boy. 'It was about a girl… a girl I once knew… 50 years ago… her name was Mechiko…'

'Who was she? What was she like?' Sakura asked. She was glad Shaoran was remembering more of his past.

'She was a young farmgirl who came from a nearby village…' he replied. 'It was strange, because I met her by accident' he closed his eyes, again trying to grasp the memory.

'I was out on a walk, getting my mind off things. Then, all of sudden, I bumped into this girl. I didn't see where I was going. So at that moment in time, I was really guilty about the incident. Luckily, she wasn't hurt. She said she was alright. I looked into the girl's eyes… and I couldn't help but notice, how pretty she was. Or rather, charming. She was as beautiful as an angel. Her eyes were like sapphires. They were a gorgeous blue colour' Shaoran looked really charmed at that moment, like she really could see the face and the eyes of this girl he met so long ago.

'Mechiko and I started to become really close friends after that day. I even invited her to my house one time. My parents really liked her. We always kept in touch with each other since then' another memory appeared in his mind, showing him and Mechiko together in the viewing room, laughing and talking.

'Mechiko and I spent a lot of days together in the viewing room. She told me that she loved the scenery and wildlife that our kingdom had' Shaoran continued.' When she saw my sketchbook, and some paintings I've done… she wanted to learn how to draw and paint. She wanted to be an artist like me. So… I taught her everything about art. But… the thing is…' his face changed, remembering something. '… I had a strange feeling inside of me when I was with Mechiko… it was a strong feeling that I couldn't control. Something that I've never felt before…'

Sakura watched Shaoran trying to understand the feelings from so long ago. 'Shaoran…' she said. 'Did you love her?' she asked. He was surprised to hear that kind of conclusion, but after giving it a thought, he had to agree with her.

'Yes…' he agreed. 'I loved Mechiko. I loved her for such a long time. All I ever wanted was to spend the rest of my life with her' then his face darkened again. 'But… I never saw her again after the mobs attacks…' the darkness changed to sadness. 'I missed her so much, but… I don't think she's alive anymore… she may be dead and gone too'

'Wait a moment…' Sakura was thinking very hard. 'Something tells me that's not entirely true… the name Mechiko does ring a bell…' she started walking back and forth to help her think. 50 years ago she probably must have been younger than Shaoran… she thought. So with this in mind… is she really dead…? Then it hit her. 'Exactly! If she was really close with the family… then there is a strong possibility that… she would still be alive to remember the events from 50 years ago… which can only mean one thing…'

Shaoran looked really confused at this moment. 'Sakura…?' he asked.

'Of course! That must be it!' she shouted happily. 'Gran's real name is Mechiko! She has to be the same girl from 50 years ago!'

'W-what?!' the words struck Shaoran. 'What did you say?'

'Shaoran, I think I've worked it out' Sakura was really happy. 'Mechiko is not dead!'

'What?' it was really hard for the boy to digest the information. 'What are you talking about…?'

'2 years ago, when Tomoyo-chan and I moved to this village… we met an old lady who was called Mechiko' explained Sakura. 'Even though we call her Gran because we got to know each other. She used to tell me about your family from 50 years ago. She was the only person from the village who was very close with your family. And the only one alive who remembers the attacks and the tragedy…' she added. 'She loved doing art, like you. She told me she learned it from a young man 50 years ago'

'She…did?' Shaoran still couldn't comprehend her words. Sakura simply nodded her head. 'So... are you saying…?'

'Don't you see? It all makes sense now' Sakura answered. 'The same girl you knew and loved… is still alive!' the shock on Shaoran's face was real. Sakura continued. 'She was taught how to draw and paint… by you, Shaoran Li!'

Suddenly, Shaoran moved back few steps, which surprised Sakura.

'Shaoran?' she moved towards him with a questioning look. The boy looked down.

'Mechiko…' he whispered. 'I thought… she was dead… I… had no idea… she was still alive…'

'I'm sorry, Shaoran…' Sakura apologized.

'No, Sakura…' Shaoran lifted up his head and looked at her. 'It's not your fault for how I reacted. I loved Mechiko so much…I didn't want to lose her, like I lost… my mother, but… that was cut short when the mobs came…'

'But Shaoran…' Sakura was now truly concerned. Did he loved her that much? she thought.

'Don't worry about it…' Shaoran smiled a little. 'If you want me to be honest with you… I'm glad she's still alive. She was… the most wonderful girl I've ever loved… I would do anything in the world just to see her beautiful smile again, but…' he looked down again, a smile turned upside down. '…that's never going to happen… because… I'm not alive anymore…' Sakura bravely fought her tears. Shaoran's story was just so heart-breaking. 'I've been dead and trapped in this house for 50 long years…' he finished and went silent. Sakura didn't say anything too, she knew he needed this silence.

They left the room and followed the corridor left. Suddenly, they arrived to the enormous hole right in the middle of the floor.

'Wooah!' Sakura screamed, nearly falling down, stepping back on the last moment.

'Looks like we will have to go back' decided Shaoran. 'Are you alright?'

'Yes… I'm okay..' answered the girl and silently went back all the way to the stairs and further to the left. She approached the first door, when she noticed Shaoran staying behind.

'Sakura…' he said, sounding really sad.

'What's the matter, Shaoran?' Sakura turned around to face the boy.

'I… remember this room…' he exclaimed. 'It's my father's office…'

'Ah… I see' that was the only answer she could give. 'Do you want to check it then?'

'Yes…' he replied.

They entered the king's office. But when they went in… there were in for a nasty shock.

'Wh-what's this?!' Sakura was frightened. They were looking at a large stain of blood covering part of the wall.

'Oh my god.' Shaoran was as nearly shocked as she was. He took a few steps forward and examined the wall. 'There is no mistake…' he said. 'This is blood'

'WHAT?!' now Sakura was terrified. Small bloodstains on the red carpet were unsettling, but nothing compared to this. They were barely visible, and this… 'I don't understand. Why is there blood here?'

Shaoran was thinking for few seconds, then he got an idea. 'That must be it' he exclaimed. 'I think someone was murdered here'

'M-murdered?' Sakura looked like she was about to faint now. She took a few deep breaths and looked at the stain again. 'Any… any idea who?'

'Now that's a good question…' Shaoran replied.

'I… just hope it's not Tomoyo-chan's…' said the girl. 'Please, be alive…' she whispered a short prayer.

'No…' she suddenly heard a quiet whisper. She turned around to see Shaoran holding his head, the eyes struck open and filled with fear.

'Shaoran…?' she asked with worry.

'It… it can't be…' it looked like Shaoran was lost in his memories.

'What is it? What's wrong?' Sakura desperately tried to get to his friend, but with no use. Shaoran could hear Sakura calling him, but it was like from very afar. Then, the memory came.

'Please, stop!' he heard his father's voice from the office. 'Why are you doing this to me?! What did I do to deserve this?! Please, stop it now, I'm begging you!'

'SHUT UP!' the other voice shouted. 'You are a traitor to our land! You were the one who killed the Queen, didn't you!'

'That's not true!' denied father.

'F-father…?' Shaoran was shocked. He never heard his father shouting before.

'W-wait! What are you doing with that?!' he could hear fear in his father's voice. 'P-put that down! This is madness!'

'Long live the king' said the other voice.

'Father!' cried Shaoran.

'N-no! Don't do thi-' then, there was a gunshot.

'NO!' Shaoran cried again.

'Shaoran!' Sakura was terrified. Shaoran could see the tears in her eyes. 'Don't scare me like that!'

'Sakura…' the boy looked down. 'This blood… was my father's blood…'

'W-what?' Sakura gasped in shock. 'This was… your father's…?

'Yes…' and again, sadness entered his face. 'My father… was murdered in this very room…'

'Oh my…' Sakura was shocked.

'I was outside, watching through the window' explained Shaoran. 'There was some kind of argument. Between my father.. and someone else. In this room. I couldn't identify exactly who was it… but the argument lasted only for a moment…'

Sakura didn't like where it lead to, but she bravely listened to Shaoran's story.

'And then… I heard gunshots…' his head went down again. 'I peeked in through the door. My heart was in my mouth… and then… I saw him. Blood splattered on the wall… and his body… lifeless and limp against the floor…' he could see the father's body right before his eyes. It was a dreadful look, he was glad Sakura couldn't see it. 'My father was shot in the heart… four times…'

Sakura covered her mouth in terror.

'He… was never attacked by the mobs…' said Shaoran with a sad face. 'He was murdered… right in front of me… I was scared the whole time…'

'Shaoran…' Sakura was concerned. She couldn't even imagine how this could feel, to see your father murdered. 'I'm really sorry…' that was all she was able to say.

'No, it's okay…' replied Shaoran. But the girl could see, it wasn't. 'I still feel for father… and I know he will wait for me… with the rest of my family… on the other side…'

Sakura went silent again. She approached the desk and looked through some documents. On top of them there was a note with "Not for adoption!" written on it.

'He never wanted to give up on you' said Sakura.

'I lashed out at my own father over nothing…' whispered Shaoran and looked down ashamed. They briefly explored the room and left. Further on the corridor they approached another door. Sakura pushed the handle, but they didn't budge.

'Hm… looks like I can't get them open' she commented.

'I can go in and have a look' suggested Shaoran with a smile.

'But how? I can't get the door open' asked Sakura. Shaoran laughed a little.

'I'm a ghost, remember?' he replied. 'I can pass through doors'

'Oh, that's right' remembered Sakura. I almost forgot he's not alive, she thought. 'Go on then'

'Right, I won't be long' he promised before entering the room.

'I'll wait for you out here' decided the girl with a smile.

Shaoran entered the room, and looked around. On the floor there laid pink carpet. He approached the nearest bookshelf and looked through it. It contained a selection of books about cooking and gardening.

'I think our maid used to read these to keep up with her work' he remembered. He went on and noticed a painting on a wall. It was signed by Feimei. 'Feimei…? I didn't knew she painted…' he decided not to think about it too much and explore the rest of the room. There was a bed in the right corner, some dried flowers on a night-table, and a desk on the left corner. There was an open book on it, so he approached and looked inside. It was an old diary 'Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to read a page or two' he decided, and started reading.

3rd March

Miss Feimei was crying by herself again… It couldn't be helped though, the whole family was still mourning over Milady's death…

'Mother…' a quiet whisper escaped his mouth, but he continued reading.

His Majesty was also going through a tough time… It must have been hard for him, having to cope with the loss of his wife…

I tried to comfort Miss Feimei as much as I could. But, it didn't work… She was often alone… Since the young miss and master, Meiling and Shaoran always teased her… Miss Meiling often got her older brother involved… But as for Master Shaoran…

He didn't like teasing his own older sister… I could see this in his eyes…

Shaoran went silent, but kept on reading.

Miss Feimei would rely on her younger brother. Whenever she was scared of something, he was there for her… he would hug her if she was afraid, sad or lonely.

Mr Shaoran was always caring for her. Mr Shaoran has a kind heart, just like his mother. He loves his family more than anything in the whole world.

I know I'm just a maid of this family, but I do admire their generosity… They were the kindest and the most generous family I've ever worked for. It's a blessing.

Xiao-Mei

Shaoran went silent, contemplating what he just read. And then, another memory came in.

'Big brother, I'm scared…' Feimei was standing before him, looking at him with fearful eyes.

'Feimei!' Shaoran said his sister's name. He took a moment to calm down. 'That's right… Now I remember…' he finally said. 'Feimei… was my older sister…' he contemplated the memory for a moment, when he remembered Sakura was waiting for him outside of the room. 'I better go and tell Sakura' he decided. He quickly left the room and joined the girl.

'Oh, you're back' there was this smile again. The cheerful and sincere smile which always made him blush. But why? Didn't he love Mechiko?

'I didn't take too long, didn't I' he decided not to think about it too much.

'No' she answered. 'Did you found anything?'

'Actually, yes, I did' he replied. 'I've found an old diary on the desk. It was the maid's diary. It said a little about what happened to our family, after my mother's death'

'That's… not all, isn't it?' asked Sakura.

'Oh, right. I remembered something else' he said. The questioning look on Sakura's face made him continue. 'It was about Feimei… she was my sister'

'Your sister?' Sakura was confused for a moment. 'Oh, the one on the family portrait. You told me about it'

'I did?' now he was confused. Sakura giggled.

'Memory problems' she commented. 'You said she was the oldest, but both her and Meiling called you big brother'

'According to the diary… Meiling got me involved into teasing Feimei' explained Shaoran.

'Why would she do that? Weren't you a family?' Sakura asked.

'I don't know. She was young and messing about…' the answer came. 'Other than that… there wasn't anything else'

'Hey, Shaoran' Sakura was thinking about something. 'Can we… go and investigate her room?'

'Feimei's room?' Shaoran was confused. 'Why?'

'Maybe there are more clues in the room. We can check it out' explained Sakura. 'We never know what we will find in there'

'You're right, Sakura' he agreed. 'Let's keep going'