MT: GOMEN! GOMEN! GOMEN! For the late posting! I was grounded from the
computer for two weeks, and I know that's no excuse, but SORRY! Anyway, I
bet no one reads my ramblings anyway so there's really no point in my
writing them! Anyway, this is important!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
I MUST HAVE FIVE REVIEWS BEFORE I PUT UP THE NEXT CHAPTER! Understood? GOOD!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
The Golden Rose By: Mystress Tate
Chapter Four: True Identity...?
Sakura looked into the depths of Syaoran's amber eyes, and saw only remorse and sorrow at the news he had just spoken of. "But...why? Why now? I mean, if I am who you say I am, then why can't you just marry me? Why?"
"Because, my dear, my mother will just say that you are another figment of my imagination, but I know this time that you are not because you hold the Clow cards, and they obey you...there is only one person who can do that, and that person is you, Kinomoto Sakura..."
~***~In the bedroom of Avalon Sakura~***~ Meilin came towards Sakura's room and placed her hand on the doorknob. Just as she was about to open the door and consequently interrupt yet another of Kero's little speeches she realized he was talking about something related to the Clow Cards. So, instead of opening the door as she had planned, she pressed her ear up against it and listened to the conversation.
"...so you have to remember not to use too many cards at once for fear of draining too much of your magic and consequently...well...passing out..." A quiet, "Hoe!" could be heard before Meilin opened the door and, because she wasn't aware of the fact that he was right by the door, knocked Kero into the opposite wall with the force of her push. Kero slid to the floor, unconscious.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, minna-san!" shouted Meilin with a grin on her face...that is until she noticed Kero on the floor across the room. She ran in his direction, all the while asking questions such as, "What happened to him? Is he alright? Is he unconscious? Will he survive?" and gradually getting more and more serious up to the point where she had calmed down enough to actually help Kero.
"Are you okay Kero? I'm really sorry...please wake up!" Meilin started shaking Kero relentlessly until there was an almost inaudible groan heard from his direction. "Kero? Kero! You're alive!"
After sitting up stiffly, Kero turned to face Meilin. "Of course I'm alive you baka! Unfortunately, it may not be for long...no thanks to you and a certain door!" Once finished with his little speech, he abruptly turned to face the wall, completely ignoring Meilin.
Meilin was shocked that he blamed her and decided to give Kero a piece of her mind, "Oh, come on Kero! I didn't mean to and you know it! I mean, it's not my fault you were standing...eto, flying...floating..." and, seeing Kero really wasn't paying as much attention as she thought he should be, despite the evidence to the contrary in the form of a single sweatdrop rolling down the back of his head. She decided to take a more direct approach, "...whatever it is you do...RIGHT BEHIND THE DOOR, you STUPID STUFFED ANIMAL!"
Now THIS got Kero's attention. Kero was floating in a yoga position about a foot off the floor, Meilin is talking 'calmly' to him, and she suddenly yells! Anyone in their right mind would be scared! "...what...did you...just...call...me?" Kero was still breathing heavily from the shock of Meilin shouting directly into his rather large ears.
"I CALLED YOU A STUPID STUFFED ANIMAL CAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE YOU BAKA STUFFY!" Meilin shouted, her face shoved up against Kero's.
To everyone's surprise, Kero simply turned away, showing more self-control than anyone had thought he possessed. When he did speak, it was in a calm and controlled manner. "I know what you think of me...Li Meilin..."
Sakura was shocked. 'LI Meilin? But...how can that be? Her last name is Rae...isn't it? I mean, I'm her best friend, and she wouldn't lie to me...would she?'
Meilin forced herself to bite back a sharp retort as she tried to process what Kero had just said. When she finally spoke it was in a trembling voice and she stuttered quite a bit, something Meilin had never done. "W-what are you t-talking about? I-I'm n-not L-Li Meilin...I'm R-Rae M-Meilin..."
"Really Meilin? Is that who you really are? Or is the person you really are Li Meilin...Syaoran's cousin and former fiancée? Meilin, you really shouldn't lie to us...isn't truth and honesty one of the three most important virtues of the Li family?" He took Meilin's silence for a yes, and nodded. "Yes...that's what I thought..."
Sakura was doubly surprised now. 'So...it's true then? Her name really is Li Meilin? But...?" Finally Sakura burst out because of the suspense, "So it's true then? You really are Li Meilin? Moreover, you've been lying to me all these years? How could you! I thought I was your friend! I thought...I thought..." By this time Sakura was hysterical and the only thought running through her mind was, 'how could she do this to me!'
Meilin was shocked at Sakura's outburst. "Sakura...I didn't...I couldn't..."
Sakura interrupted her. "You couldn't what Meilin? You couldn't tell me who you really were? Now everything makes sense. How you knew and understood everything that was going on...you knew who Xiao Lang was...you knew about the Clow Cards...you knew everything! And all because you are one of them! Only thing is you supposedly COULDN'T TELL ME!"
Meilin hung her head in shame. As much as her friend's outburst surprised her, it also hurt her, knowing that she was to blame for Sakura's pain. But more than that she was troubled by the fact that Kero knew that fact. 'How could Kero know who I am? How? Unless Syaoran...but he doesn't know where I am, and since I changed my name he wouldn't be able to figure out who I am...eto, I guess he could, but it would be very difficult. Anyway, even if he did, why would he want to? I mean, it's not like he cares for me or anything...I'm just another fiancée that he's tossed aside...I'm not an important person...still...maybe...just maybe...' Meilin was cut off by a shriek from Sakura.
"Well Meilin?! Are you going to tell me what is going on here?! Hmm? Are you? Cause I would really appreciate it if you would. I don't like being left in the dark, though I guess that doesn't matter to you since you've been hiding it for almost EIGHT YEARS!!!" Sakura was really angry now. She spun on her heel and put her back to Meilin's futile apologies.
Though Meilin had expected a bit of a cold shoulder when Sakura found out her secret, she was shocked at Sakura's behaviour. Sakura was never angry...at least not like this. Meilin shifted her ruby eyes to the floor and shuffled her feet nervously, feeling the brunt of Sakura's never before seen anger. 'It's all my fault..." she thought, sobbing silently as she slid to the floor. She tried to keep her tears silent so that Sakura wouldn't hear her because she didn't want to hurt Sakura more.
Unfortunately for Meilin, Sakura did hear. Since Sakura couldn't stand to see her friends in pain no matter how angry she was with him or her, she turned around to apologize for yelling at Meilin to find nothing...that is, until she looked down and saw Meilin huddled in a fetal position on her bedroom floor, tears flowing unchecked down her cheeks. "Oh, Meilin..." Sakura whispered under her breath, so quietly that Meilin, though she was only a foot away, couldn't hear her. She quickly squatted beside Meilin, her long honey-coloured hair flowing around her as she did so, and put a comforting arm around the ebony haired girl. "It's alright. Really. I'm sorry I yelled at you. I shouldn't have done that. I guess I just felt betrayed and untrustworthy because you couldn't trust me with that fact about your past and."
Meilin cut her off. "But don't you see? I had no choice! I really didn't! I was sworn to secrecy before I left the palace! Even had my life depended on it I wasn't allowed to tell! So can you understand? Please? Please, say you can? It would be so much easier...you could...just...understand why..." She broke down into sobs once more.
Sakura thought about what she had said while absentmindedly comforting her forlorn friend. "Shhh...it's alright...I understand...just relax...it's going to be okay... everything's going to be just fine..." She rubbed her hand in a circular motion on Meilin's back, comfortable with letting her friend sob until she had finished. When Meilin eventually lifted her head, Sakura smiled gently and as a response, she got a grin from Meilin. Sakura was still worried, though, so she decided to ask Meilin some questions.
Sakura looked down and her hands and fidgeted a bit before starting to speak. "Are you alright now Meilin? I mean, you were very upset and you probably still are, but will you be okay? 'Cause I don't want to be the one responsible for causing you all this pain and, well..." Her eyes flicked up towards Meilin and noticed she was staring at her quizzically, with one eyebrow raised, "...well, I should shut up now and let you talk, right?" Meilin's eyebrow lowered and she smiled at Sakura, immediately easing the honey-haired girl's fears.
"It's alright, Sakura. I understand your anger. I really would have told you if I could have, but because I took that stupid vow, I wasn't allowed to! Anyway, I'm sorry." Meilin looked at Sakura and pouted with sad puppy eyes, and Sakura sighed.
"It's alright, Meilin. Really, it is. Besides, how could anyone refuse that face?" She giggled and looked at her hands. Meilin's pout turned upwards and she smiled brightly. "So..." Sakura hesitated, but when she returned her gaze to Meilin and saw her smiling, she was given the courage to continue. "...friends?" Sakura said softly, in almost a whisper, but it was loud enough that Meilin easily heard it.
Meilin's grin only broadened as she saw Sakura stick out her right hand with her pinkie raised. She hooked her own pinkie around Sakura's in the familiar position the two had always used for promises and make ups after fights, thought the latter were rare. We'll always be friends! Forever and ever, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura beamed. She stood up and brushed herself off. "Well, why don't we head outside Meilin? I have to go to the market and pick up some vegetables for my mother. You up to the trip?" Sakura put on a puppydog face and pleaded with Meilin to come with her. "Onegai? Onegai? I'd REALLY appreciate it!? Would you? Onegai?"
Meilin finally caved. "Well, okay. But do you know exactly what you're getting? Cause I'd rather not be out anymore than I have to." Meilin gave Sakura an expectant glance.
Sakura squealed with glee. "Of course I do, silly! An if you want to get back so quickly, let's go now, ne?"
Meilin smiled. "Yes, Sakura, let's go." Though Meilin was smiling, she was really worried. As a genki Sakura pulled out the door, Meilin thought, 'What will the Elders say when they find out someone knows, even if it is Syaoran's beloved, about my true identity...?'
MT: So how was it? Was it good? Bad? I won't know unless you review! I am going to repeat my important announcement, just so you all know and have no excuse for wondering why I'm not posting.
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
I MUST HAVE FIVE REVIEWS BEFORE I PUT UP THE NEXT CHAPTER! Understood? GOOD!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
MT: Does everyone understand? Good!
Kero: (flying around stage dreamily) Pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding... pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...puddin g...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pu dding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...
MT: Oh, Kero! I almost forgot! (runs offstage) (returns with huge case of pudding) Here! (grunts, dropping the heavy case of pudding) I bought this for you because you are such a great guardian beast and co-host!
Kero: (snaps out of reverie) Really? For me? Wow! You're the BEST Tate- sama!
MT: Yes, yes, I know, thank you, thank you very much! (bows in all directions) (looks at Kero)
Kero: (stuffing his face with pudding)
MT: (sweatdrops) Well, I guess that's all for today! Tune in for Chapter 5! And don't forget to review! And please remember that flames turn off an authoress such as myself!
Kero: (finishes last pudding cup) All worship Mystress Tate, the best authoress in the world, by sending her as many reviews as you possibly can! This I command of you in the name of Keroberos, the Guardian Beast of the Clow Cards!
MT: (sweatdrops) Yes, yes, good Kero. (pats Kero on the head) Now, I must bid you farewell until our next meeting! Thankies for the reviews in advance! I really appreciate them!
Syaoran: (pops up from nowhere) From all of us at Mystress Tate studios...Ja ne!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
I MUST HAVE FIVE REVIEWS BEFORE I PUT UP THE NEXT CHAPTER! Understood? GOOD!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
The Golden Rose By: Mystress Tate
Chapter Four: True Identity...?
Sakura looked into the depths of Syaoran's amber eyes, and saw only remorse and sorrow at the news he had just spoken of. "But...why? Why now? I mean, if I am who you say I am, then why can't you just marry me? Why?"
"Because, my dear, my mother will just say that you are another figment of my imagination, but I know this time that you are not because you hold the Clow cards, and they obey you...there is only one person who can do that, and that person is you, Kinomoto Sakura..."
~***~In the bedroom of Avalon Sakura~***~ Meilin came towards Sakura's room and placed her hand on the doorknob. Just as she was about to open the door and consequently interrupt yet another of Kero's little speeches she realized he was talking about something related to the Clow Cards. So, instead of opening the door as she had planned, she pressed her ear up against it and listened to the conversation.
"...so you have to remember not to use too many cards at once for fear of draining too much of your magic and consequently...well...passing out..." A quiet, "Hoe!" could be heard before Meilin opened the door and, because she wasn't aware of the fact that he was right by the door, knocked Kero into the opposite wall with the force of her push. Kero slid to the floor, unconscious.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, minna-san!" shouted Meilin with a grin on her face...that is until she noticed Kero on the floor across the room. She ran in his direction, all the while asking questions such as, "What happened to him? Is he alright? Is he unconscious? Will he survive?" and gradually getting more and more serious up to the point where she had calmed down enough to actually help Kero.
"Are you okay Kero? I'm really sorry...please wake up!" Meilin started shaking Kero relentlessly until there was an almost inaudible groan heard from his direction. "Kero? Kero! You're alive!"
After sitting up stiffly, Kero turned to face Meilin. "Of course I'm alive you baka! Unfortunately, it may not be for long...no thanks to you and a certain door!" Once finished with his little speech, he abruptly turned to face the wall, completely ignoring Meilin.
Meilin was shocked that he blamed her and decided to give Kero a piece of her mind, "Oh, come on Kero! I didn't mean to and you know it! I mean, it's not my fault you were standing...eto, flying...floating..." and, seeing Kero really wasn't paying as much attention as she thought he should be, despite the evidence to the contrary in the form of a single sweatdrop rolling down the back of his head. She decided to take a more direct approach, "...whatever it is you do...RIGHT BEHIND THE DOOR, you STUPID STUFFED ANIMAL!"
Now THIS got Kero's attention. Kero was floating in a yoga position about a foot off the floor, Meilin is talking 'calmly' to him, and she suddenly yells! Anyone in their right mind would be scared! "...what...did you...just...call...me?" Kero was still breathing heavily from the shock of Meilin shouting directly into his rather large ears.
"I CALLED YOU A STUPID STUFFED ANIMAL CAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE YOU BAKA STUFFY!" Meilin shouted, her face shoved up against Kero's.
To everyone's surprise, Kero simply turned away, showing more self-control than anyone had thought he possessed. When he did speak, it was in a calm and controlled manner. "I know what you think of me...Li Meilin..."
Sakura was shocked. 'LI Meilin? But...how can that be? Her last name is Rae...isn't it? I mean, I'm her best friend, and she wouldn't lie to me...would she?'
Meilin forced herself to bite back a sharp retort as she tried to process what Kero had just said. When she finally spoke it was in a trembling voice and she stuttered quite a bit, something Meilin had never done. "W-what are you t-talking about? I-I'm n-not L-Li Meilin...I'm R-Rae M-Meilin..."
"Really Meilin? Is that who you really are? Or is the person you really are Li Meilin...Syaoran's cousin and former fiancée? Meilin, you really shouldn't lie to us...isn't truth and honesty one of the three most important virtues of the Li family?" He took Meilin's silence for a yes, and nodded. "Yes...that's what I thought..."
Sakura was doubly surprised now. 'So...it's true then? Her name really is Li Meilin? But...?" Finally Sakura burst out because of the suspense, "So it's true then? You really are Li Meilin? Moreover, you've been lying to me all these years? How could you! I thought I was your friend! I thought...I thought..." By this time Sakura was hysterical and the only thought running through her mind was, 'how could she do this to me!'
Meilin was shocked at Sakura's outburst. "Sakura...I didn't...I couldn't..."
Sakura interrupted her. "You couldn't what Meilin? You couldn't tell me who you really were? Now everything makes sense. How you knew and understood everything that was going on...you knew who Xiao Lang was...you knew about the Clow Cards...you knew everything! And all because you are one of them! Only thing is you supposedly COULDN'T TELL ME!"
Meilin hung her head in shame. As much as her friend's outburst surprised her, it also hurt her, knowing that she was to blame for Sakura's pain. But more than that she was troubled by the fact that Kero knew that fact. 'How could Kero know who I am? How? Unless Syaoran...but he doesn't know where I am, and since I changed my name he wouldn't be able to figure out who I am...eto, I guess he could, but it would be very difficult. Anyway, even if he did, why would he want to? I mean, it's not like he cares for me or anything...I'm just another fiancée that he's tossed aside...I'm not an important person...still...maybe...just maybe...' Meilin was cut off by a shriek from Sakura.
"Well Meilin?! Are you going to tell me what is going on here?! Hmm? Are you? Cause I would really appreciate it if you would. I don't like being left in the dark, though I guess that doesn't matter to you since you've been hiding it for almost EIGHT YEARS!!!" Sakura was really angry now. She spun on her heel and put her back to Meilin's futile apologies.
Though Meilin had expected a bit of a cold shoulder when Sakura found out her secret, she was shocked at Sakura's behaviour. Sakura was never angry...at least not like this. Meilin shifted her ruby eyes to the floor and shuffled her feet nervously, feeling the brunt of Sakura's never before seen anger. 'It's all my fault..." she thought, sobbing silently as she slid to the floor. She tried to keep her tears silent so that Sakura wouldn't hear her because she didn't want to hurt Sakura more.
Unfortunately for Meilin, Sakura did hear. Since Sakura couldn't stand to see her friends in pain no matter how angry she was with him or her, she turned around to apologize for yelling at Meilin to find nothing...that is, until she looked down and saw Meilin huddled in a fetal position on her bedroom floor, tears flowing unchecked down her cheeks. "Oh, Meilin..." Sakura whispered under her breath, so quietly that Meilin, though she was only a foot away, couldn't hear her. She quickly squatted beside Meilin, her long honey-coloured hair flowing around her as she did so, and put a comforting arm around the ebony haired girl. "It's alright. Really. I'm sorry I yelled at you. I shouldn't have done that. I guess I just felt betrayed and untrustworthy because you couldn't trust me with that fact about your past and."
Meilin cut her off. "But don't you see? I had no choice! I really didn't! I was sworn to secrecy before I left the palace! Even had my life depended on it I wasn't allowed to tell! So can you understand? Please? Please, say you can? It would be so much easier...you could...just...understand why..." She broke down into sobs once more.
Sakura thought about what she had said while absentmindedly comforting her forlorn friend. "Shhh...it's alright...I understand...just relax...it's going to be okay... everything's going to be just fine..." She rubbed her hand in a circular motion on Meilin's back, comfortable with letting her friend sob until she had finished. When Meilin eventually lifted her head, Sakura smiled gently and as a response, she got a grin from Meilin. Sakura was still worried, though, so she decided to ask Meilin some questions.
Sakura looked down and her hands and fidgeted a bit before starting to speak. "Are you alright now Meilin? I mean, you were very upset and you probably still are, but will you be okay? 'Cause I don't want to be the one responsible for causing you all this pain and, well..." Her eyes flicked up towards Meilin and noticed she was staring at her quizzically, with one eyebrow raised, "...well, I should shut up now and let you talk, right?" Meilin's eyebrow lowered and she smiled at Sakura, immediately easing the honey-haired girl's fears.
"It's alright, Sakura. I understand your anger. I really would have told you if I could have, but because I took that stupid vow, I wasn't allowed to! Anyway, I'm sorry." Meilin looked at Sakura and pouted with sad puppy eyes, and Sakura sighed.
"It's alright, Meilin. Really, it is. Besides, how could anyone refuse that face?" She giggled and looked at her hands. Meilin's pout turned upwards and she smiled brightly. "So..." Sakura hesitated, but when she returned her gaze to Meilin and saw her smiling, she was given the courage to continue. "...friends?" Sakura said softly, in almost a whisper, but it was loud enough that Meilin easily heard it.
Meilin's grin only broadened as she saw Sakura stick out her right hand with her pinkie raised. She hooked her own pinkie around Sakura's in the familiar position the two had always used for promises and make ups after fights, thought the latter were rare. We'll always be friends! Forever and ever, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura beamed. She stood up and brushed herself off. "Well, why don't we head outside Meilin? I have to go to the market and pick up some vegetables for my mother. You up to the trip?" Sakura put on a puppydog face and pleaded with Meilin to come with her. "Onegai? Onegai? I'd REALLY appreciate it!? Would you? Onegai?"
Meilin finally caved. "Well, okay. But do you know exactly what you're getting? Cause I'd rather not be out anymore than I have to." Meilin gave Sakura an expectant glance.
Sakura squealed with glee. "Of course I do, silly! An if you want to get back so quickly, let's go now, ne?"
Meilin smiled. "Yes, Sakura, let's go." Though Meilin was smiling, she was really worried. As a genki Sakura pulled out the door, Meilin thought, 'What will the Elders say when they find out someone knows, even if it is Syaoran's beloved, about my true identity...?'
MT: So how was it? Was it good? Bad? I won't know unless you review! I am going to repeat my important announcement, just so you all know and have no excuse for wondering why I'm not posting.
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
I MUST HAVE FIVE REVIEWS BEFORE I PUT UP THE NEXT CHAPTER! Understood? GOOD!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
MT: Does everyone understand? Good!
Kero: (flying around stage dreamily) Pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding... pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...puddin g...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pu dding...pudding...pudding...pudding...pudding...
MT: Oh, Kero! I almost forgot! (runs offstage) (returns with huge case of pudding) Here! (grunts, dropping the heavy case of pudding) I bought this for you because you are such a great guardian beast and co-host!
Kero: (snaps out of reverie) Really? For me? Wow! You're the BEST Tate- sama!
MT: Yes, yes, I know, thank you, thank you very much! (bows in all directions) (looks at Kero)
Kero: (stuffing his face with pudding)
MT: (sweatdrops) Well, I guess that's all for today! Tune in for Chapter 5! And don't forget to review! And please remember that flames turn off an authoress such as myself!
Kero: (finishes last pudding cup) All worship Mystress Tate, the best authoress in the world, by sending her as many reviews as you possibly can! This I command of you in the name of Keroberos, the Guardian Beast of the Clow Cards!
MT: (sweatdrops) Yes, yes, good Kero. (pats Kero on the head) Now, I must bid you farewell until our next meeting! Thankies for the reviews in advance! I really appreciate them!
Syaoran: (pops up from nowhere) From all of us at Mystress Tate studios...Ja ne!