Chapter 4: Fleeting Freedom

Two weeks of lecture full of the usual screaming, glaring and repetitive punishments were finally over. Yelan had never been so disappointed with his only son. He have been attempting to get rid of his destiny for years now, but never had it gotten this far. His drastic measures shook the very foundation of the clan. It caused panic and unnecessary fear of the downfall of the clan. The outraged elders had created a long list of duties as severe punishment, and his mother who always defies the elders rashly agreed this time.

Finally free from the entire sentence given to him, he now begun another plot to escape this innate penitentiary. After deliberating all the exit points in the house, the new guards' positions, schedules and newly added security devices, he designs the best route to freedom. Hacking into the mainframe of the mansion's security, he easily cracks its heavy defenses and manages to mess it up for his own advantage. He carefully calculated the right time and place to set out his plan. 'Tomorrow, everything changes.'

Five… four… three… two… one…

He swiftly pass through the now unguarded path, dance through the security cameras knowing exactly it's blinds spots and crouched at an ancient vase on the corner and waited for another minute before stealthily run through the dark corridor. He had carefully timed every security measures the mansion had and find its flaws and took it to his advantage.

'Just a few minutes and I'll be free again,' he quietly encourages himself as he waited impatiently at another corner. The guard then passes not noticing a dark figure behind the decorative bamboo fountain. Grabbing his opportunity, he sprinted to the glass door leading to the garden on the east side of the mansion. 'Twenty feet more…'

As he got near to the sidewall of the mansion, an unnerving commotion rammed the mansion. 'Just my luck, Mei Lin and her culinary skills...' He shook his head in disgust and hurriedly jumped over the wall before anybody notice him missing.

He landed quite gracefully unfortunately someone was there at the exact time he set foot on the pavement. Shocked, the girl inadvertently crashed into him, sending them both to the ground. Syaoran caught off guard, looked up to the dainty emerald-eyed girl that was on top of him. They both blushed realizing there faces inches apart from each other and both clambered to some pleasant positions. He lends his hand for her to stand up but she declined it. Confused, he sized her up.

She had shoulder-length auburn hair, two mesmerizing emerald eyes, perfectly tanned skin, a petite figure in a plain black shirt and denim jeans, yet in athletic built and some kind of immeasurable composure. She seems dainty yet clumsy, preppy yet defiant, simple yet mysterious. To sum it up, she's complicated, Syaoran have never met anyone that he couldn't figure out inside out.

Waking up from his reverie, he quickly apologizes to the still shaken girl and took off. Running as fast as he can but abruptly stops, as three guards stand tall at the corner waiting for him. He gloomily staggers as another perfect attempt was shattered.

Waiting for his judgment hour, Syaoran blankly sat on the bench outside the meeting room on the east side of the house, wherein the elders and his mother are having a heated discussion about none other than the escapee.

The large oak doors swing open as Wei call upon him to approach and faced his impending doom. Syaoran knew he had ticked them off exceedingly this time and something awful would be its price.

"Xiao lang, sit down." Syaoran's mother, Yelan sternly said. Syaoran slowly sat on the chair in the middle of the room. It's as if he's on a medieval trial, seated in the middle of the judges who are all by the way, glaring at him, watching his every move.

"Son, we are highly disappointed in what you did." Yelan begun. "This has been your 80th runaway for the past five years." Yelan paces in front of him, trying to figure out how to deliver her next lines.

Syaoran have been running away from his innate responsibilities since he was thirteen. And this last two consecutive escapes where the most successful ones and was executed in just a month. This was the first time that he had done it five times in a month. It was usually once or twice in a month, these upset everyone and are thinking for drastic measures.

"You leave us no choice, we tried to understand where you're coming from but this is the last straw. We're appointing a new personal bodyguard who will watch you every second of the day, who will not leave your side no matter what and you will meet them in the next few hours."

Syaoran paled. He could never runaway now. Now, that he has a tail everywhere he goes. 'I'm hopelessly doomed.'

A/N: hey guys sorry for the late update, been busy with work and i'm also working on my other fic hope you like this chapter..please review i really your ideas and about the girl who help syaoran you'll find out soon if she would be his body guard or not...on the next chapter...