Author's note: Next one! On to the fic!
And as usual, the "Dates Primer":
April 2: Touya and Kaho meet; Syaoran and Tomoyo meet; Eriol and Tomoyo meet; Syaoran goes to see the Kimura's; Touya and Yukito discuss Touya meeting Kaho;
April 3: Death Anniversary; Syaoran and Sakura first meet;
April 4: Li sisters bother Syaoran about mystery girl;
April 5: Sakura and Syaoran meet again; Touya gets call from greatgrandfather
April 13: Sakura and Tomoyo go to Hong Kong, Ling gets lost, Xiao Lang goes searching for Sakura
April 14: Sakura meets Touya in Hong Kong
April 15: Sakura and Tomoyo go to meeting with Tomoyo's business partners
Title: Memories of a Heart
Rating: T
Full Summary: Sakura lost her first love in a tragic accident three years ago. Syaoran's life was saved by a heart transplant operation three years ago. A chance meeting by a grave marks the beginning of a love that will heal her, and a love that will transform him. They say that there are two types of memories, memories of the mind and memories of the body. Will memories of a man's love remain in his heart even when it beats in another person's chest?
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura or any of its characters. They all belong to Satsuki Igarashi-sensei and all the wonderful members of CLAMP. The only things I gain from the writing of this fanfic are the tell-tale signs of carpal tunnel syndrome from typing too much.
-oOo-
Chapter 13: Introduction
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Room Number 325-C
6:47 PM
April 13, 2009
Eriol looked around him and saw the fearful faces of all the Li women. Eriol and Kaho had arrived in the police station a few moments after Xiao Lang and his sisters. As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Xiao Lang zip past him, in a rush to chase after something. He stood there for a few moments not knowing what to do until Xiao Lang's sisters began shouting at him to go after their brother. Eriol followed without hesitation. Heart condition or no, Xiao Lang was one fast runner. Eriol could only see occasional glimpses of him as he gave chase. Eriol lost him after a few minutes so he decided to just run until the end of the avenue.
When he reached the intersection, what he saw stopped his heart for a few moments. Xiao Lang had passed out on the side of the street. He had immediately called Shiefa and then told her to bring the car. He explained as fast as he could and within five minutes, Xiao Lang's sister's had all come. He was rushed to the hospital and he had yet to wake until now. It had been two hours since then. After reaching the hospital, Eriol had called Yelan Li. She was calm and cool as she answered him but he knew from the slight tremble of her voice that she was putting up a strong front. She was probably in the middle of a meeting. She had just arrived a few minutes ago and immediately took her position beside Xiao Lang's bed. All of them were waiting for the doctor's verdict.
As if on cue, Dr. Ng entered the room. Dr. Ng was one of the Li family's personal physicians. More importantly, he has been Xiao Lang's personal doctor since the day he was born. He had a kind face and Eriol guessed he was one of the best in his field. The Li family only took the best when it came to their kin. The Li women were on him like a pack of rabid wolves.
"Doctor, is he all right?'
"What happened?"
"You said he was already healed!"
"He won't become worse will he?"
"Please."
"We're all so worried!"
The doctor looked calm despite all the questions thrown at him. He was obviously used to dealing with this horde of Li women. Yelan Li gestured for her daughters to be quiet. The room became silent in an instant.
"Thank you, Madam." The doctor bowed his head in thanks. "All of you can rest easy." Sighs of relief were heard all over the room. "Young Xiao Lang is in no danger." He met every eye in the room. "He just over-exerted himself." His kind face showed lines of anger. "Which one of you allowed him to run off like that? I had told you so many times never to get him worked up like that." The doctor paused and seemed to contemplate something. "How do I explain it so you'll understand? Let's just say his heart isn't used to undergoing such rigorous work. It was overwhelmed by the strain and it shut down for a few seconds." His expression turned kind once more. "It was good you found him fast. There could have been more grievious consequences had you found him later."
Eriol could tell the doctor was personally attached to Xiao Lang from the anger he displayed.
"We couldn't stop him, doctor. He ran off without warning and we were quite ill prepared for it." Shiefa answered.
It was Yelan who spoke next. "Do you have an idea why he did so?"
"We're not really sure, Mother. He's been acting out of sorts this last week since… well, you know." Fuutie replied.
"I see." Yelan had nodded her head in understanding. No one ever spoke out loud of that recent incident in Japan.
"Ugh…"
The quiet moan had everyone looking towards Xiao Lang's bed. He was already sitting up, looking a bit disoriented.
Everyone flocked around him. And just like it had been with the doctor, his sister's questioned him relentlessly. The trail of questions stopped when they saw Xiao Lang lock eyes with their mother. Yelan had gently placed her hand on Xiao Lang's cheek.
"Do you feel better? You had us all worried for a few moments."
"I'm sorry, Mother. I worried you once more," Xiao Lang answered automatically. But instead of his usual unfeeling tone, everyone could sense the sincerity in his words. The hint of emotion in Xiao Lang's words was enough for Yelan. She answered him with a smile and Xiao Lang understood that he was forgiven. Yelan did not even press him to explain his reckless actions.
Dr. Ng went to Xiao Lang's bedside and examined the readings on the machines Xiao Lang was strapped into.
"Everything seems to be back to normal." He looked back at Xiao Lang. "Be more responsible of your body Xiao Lang. It's not good to be worrying such lovely ladies."
Xiao Lang only nodded. Doctor Ng smiled. "Do I have your word that you won't act so rashly once more? Your family isn't the only one who worries about you."
Xiao Lang blinked once, apparently taking in the doctor's last statement. "Thank you," he answered after a while. "I promise, Doctor."
Doctor Ng seemed satisfied by his answer. "We'll monitor you throughout the night and if nothing goes wrong, you can be out first thing in the morning. Remind me before you leave to give you your medication for the next month.
Xiao Lang nodded once more.
"Well, ladies, I'm assuming you'll be staying after visiting hours once again?"
Everyone in the room couldn't help but smile. Doctor Ng was already like family to them.
Xiao Lang looked out into the window overlooking the city, the memory of her still fresh in his mind.
-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-
Central, Hong Kong Island
Li Industries Building
XIao Lang's Personal Office
12:50 PM
April 14, 2009
There were no further complications with Xiao Lang's condition through the night so he had left the hospital at first light. As if nothing had gone amiss, he was back at the office at 8:30 AM performing his normal duties. Eriol and his family had tried to persuade him from working today but he refused to listen to them. He had an important meeting with the Amamiya Group after lunch and he didn't dare miss it. The Amamiyas were a powerful family in Japan and they were considering partnering with the Li family for their new business here in Hong Kong. It was a meeting that would further secure power for the Li family. It was the only way he could think of to repay his family for constantly worrying them. Xiao Lang decided to drown himself with work the entire morning to clear his mind of her. But, try as he might, a small part of his brain was still preoccupied with thoughts of her.
He heaved a deep sigh. He needed his focus if he was to conduct himself properly for his meeting. They would be arriving any minute now and he needed them to understand that there was no one better to join with than the Li family. One of Kaho's assistants entered the room and whispered something in Kaho's ear. Kaho remained expressionless as she listened. After the message was passed, Kaho simply nodded and the assistant immediately exited the room.
Kaho looked at Xiao Lang and spoke. "They're on their way up."
Eriol stood up and straightened his tie. "Right, let's get to work."
Xiao Lang closed his eyes and tried his best to clear his mind. He only opened them when one of their secretaries entered and announced the Amamiya group. Xiao Lang put his arms together and rested his chin on them as he watched the Amamiyas file into the room. Eriol welcomed them all and gestured for them to take their seats. The Amamiyas were impressive in their own right. What caught Xiao Lang's eyes, however, was the last person to enter.
This was not their first meeting with the Amamiyas so Xiao Lang recognized everyone who entered. Except this person. He looked only a few years older than Xiao Lang, surely more than a decade younger than his companions. He was tall and well built, his ash black hair intensifying the deep brown of his eyes. The fact that he entered the room last indicated he was of a higher position than anyone else in their group. Despite the air of aloofness he carried, Xiao Lang already felt he was as tough as tempered steel. Xiao Lang nodded in acknowledgement as each person greeted him in turn. When everyone had finished the pleasantries, Xiao Lang noticed the new person staring at Kaho. He was sure Eriol noticed this as well. Both were a bit surprised when Kaho smiled at him in greeting. He seemed unprepared for this and he simply took his seat without greeting Eriol or Xiao Lang. Xiao Lang saw that this did not go well with his companions.
"I'm sorry, Li-san, he is quite new to this. Please excuse his actions."
Xiao Lang faced the man he remembered to be Umeda Tetsushi. "Of course, Umeda. However, I believe we haven't been introduced." Xiao Lang signaled towards the new guest.
"Oh, of course. This young man is the great-grandson of President Amamiya. He will be working with us on this venture from now on." Xiao Lang sensed a hint of resentment in the man's voice. Umeda looked at their newest companion and spoke. "Touya, this is the heir to the Li Family, Xiao Lang Li." Touya, as Umeda called him, stood up and offered his hand.
"It's a pleasure, Li."
The other members of the Amamiya party were aghast at how their newest member addressed Xiao Lang as an equal. Xiao Lang could practically feel the smile on Eriol's face. He stood up and took the outstretched hand.
"Likewise." Both of them nodded and seated themselves once more. Eriol and Kaho had then taken their on each side of Xiao Lang.
Xiao Lang was in his element.
"Let's begin, shall we?"
-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-
Central, Hong Kong Island
Li Industries Building
Xiao Lang's Personal Office
12:48 PM
April 15, 2009
Xiao Lang had his eyebrow raised as he observed Eriol pacing around the room. He had already told him to conduct himself properly in front of Daidouji Tomoyo but it seemed that Eriol needed a little more time. Kaho could feel Xiao Lang's disapproval so she tried to relax the atmosphere.
"Please stop that pacing, Eriol. You aren't doing yourself any favors. You'd look like a drowned alley cat when you see her again and I can only imagine what she'd think."
Eriol stopped and glared at her. "I don't want to hear that from someone flirting with someone much younger than her."
It was Kaho's turn to raise and eyebrow. She spoke slowly and dangerously. "I beg your pardon, cousin?"
Xiao Lang could sense that this conversation would be going to dangerous territories soon. Kaho only addressed Eriol as 'cousin' when she was angry with him.
"I meant that young Amamiya."
"Flirting, you say?"
"Yes, I saw the way you looked at each other."
"I have no idea what you mean. Is it not right to acknowledge someone you know?"
"Someone you know? Don't give me that - "
"Where did you meet him, Kaho?" Xiao Lang interrupted the discussion to disperse the tension.
Xiao Lang's interjection worked. Kaho lost the angry set of her face when she turned to him. "It was when I was looking for that grave for you."
Xiao Lang was starting to regret asking the question. He had already managed to control his mind from brooding too much about that girl but now Kaho went and reminded him about it once more. He instantly thought of her once again.
Kaho continued her story. "I never expected him to be an Amamiya though, he was dressed so casually then. If you told me who he was I'd laugh!" She smiled as she reminisced how he looked that day.
Eriol couldn't be angry at Kaho for too long so his anger had already abated at this point. "What was he doing there?"
Kaho turned to him with a sharp retort but stopped short when she saw Eriol smiling. She smiled back. The fight was over. "Cleaning a grave, I think. He was carrying a scrub brush and a bucket and all."
"Somehow I can't imagine that."
"You can see how surprised I was to find out he was an Amamiya."
"I see your point, Kaho."
Just then, there was a loud rap at the door and one of their secretaries entered the office. "Sirs, madam, Miss Daidouji has arrived. She's on her way now."
"Thank you, you may go." Kaho waived her away.
Xiao Lang looked at Eriol. "Can you do it or do you need to be excused?"
Eriol closed his eyes for a few moments. "No, I'm all right now," he reassured Xiao Lang.
Xiao Lang nodded.
A minute passed before a knock was heard on the door. Xiao Lang took a deep breath to clear his mind of her. The doors opened then.
-oOo-
Author's note: Okay, three chapters in one go! I hope that makes up for not updating in so long. Reviews and flames are always welcome. Thank you for reading. :D