Best I ever had - Part 2
A Card Captor Sakura Fanfic
by Iris C - silver_dreams10@yahoo.com
Completed : April 19th 2001
Copyrights apply.

Recent developement : De-dubbed this too. :)

Notes: Part II is...oh...quite lovely. ^.^ I must warn S+S fans, even if this fic contains S+S, it will
be mostly between Meiling and Syaoran. I think I made Meiling more 'Meiling' in this chapter, not as
calm or nonchalant. That's a good thing of course. ;D Once again, I don't want to hear any flames that
criticizes Meilin/Meiling, go to an anti site to do that okay? Oh, I made up the Faze card
of course, and if it is already in the series... oops. ^. ^ Much love, ~Iris

Quote of the day from our beloved/abominated dub and from our beloved/abominated character :
"Do I LOOK like a polar bear to you?!?" ~Meilin Rae (lol. What? I think it's funny :p)

*Constructive criticism always welcome. Email me.*

***

The wind blew, initiating rustling among the restless forest. It was warm, crickets
chirped non-stop. To the two figures in the mist of the umbrage, however, all were insignificant
except two gossamer voices.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why run away? Why ran off? Why here? Why change?"

"What not? You'd be here with me if it weren't for all your card capturing," Meiling's
voice softened, "and you would be here if you hadn't fall for Sakura."

"Is this what it's all about? Sakura and I?"

Meiling winced. No, she won't let her vulnerable side get the best of her, not yet, not ever.
"You'd like to believe that wouldn't you? That Meiling Li will be forever jealous of Sakura
Kinomoto huh? Well, guess what Syaoran? I'm not. In fact, I really don't care."

"Then why are you like this?"

"Like what? Like being my own person for once? Like not caring what the Elders' will
say. Like not caring what you would do? What is it Li Syaoran? You think I'd be better off being the old
me? The old me who let every single person step on her, and allow them to tear her apart? The
old me who let the fact that I have no magic to condemn myself to worthless? The old me who
boxed, wrapped and sent my heart in a gift bag to you, only to have a 'no such address' stamp on
it?" Meiling cried.

Silence descended upon the two once again, until Syaoran questioned. "What happened
between us Meiling?"

It wasn't the question that baffled her, rather the tone of his voice, cold mixed with
warmth, sentiment mixed with indifference. "I don't know, and frankly, I don't think it matters."

Syaoran shook his head. "Meiling, listen to me, you are going back home, and I'm not going
anywhere till you come home with me!" he was demanding now.

"Well, then, you might as well go be a monk." Meiling detested her sarcasm, but
sometimes, they do the job of getting rid of people pretty well. Not Syaoran though, not Syaoran...

"You have a whole life ahead of you Meiling, why become a recluse when you have so
much?"

Meiling snickered at that. "Ah, and 5 years later, the stoic become the sentimental. Remind
me to give props to Sakura. I wonder what magic she used this time."

Why was she so spiteful toward him? Oh yes...it was the only way to hold back the tears.
Meiling answered her thoughts with a wry smile.

He was getting a little ticked. "Li Mei Ling, you are coming back home, TO YOUR
MOTHER, TO YOUR FAMILY, WITH ME, NOW."

"And what? Be deserted once again?"

Okay, he's ticked. "Shut up Meiling! Don't give me anymore of that! Stop wallowing in
your pit of sorrow! You're not the only one with problems!"

"What?!? YOU have more problems then? YOU who's adored by the elders, blessed with
powers, loved by Sakura? YOU who has everything in the world? I don't want to hear it Syaoran!!!! I
DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE PITIFUL PLEADINGS!! WHY ARE YOU HERE? DID MY MOTHER SEND YOU!?!?!
Why are you here?! Why are you asking me back? Do you want to step on my heart again?
Huh? DO YOU? DO YOU??!!!" she screamed.

Syaoran felt his face deflate.

"So is this your pity mission of the day? Oh but you tried so hard. It almost sounded like
you cared..." Meiling whispered, the tremendous buildup caused her to stumble and fall on to her
knees. Tears streaked down her flushed cheeks. "Why does everyone lie to me? You, mama, the
elders, why...why...do you all pretend you care? I know I'm a burden, I know I'm a disgrace, I
know... so why can't you all just leave me alone..." she sobbed.

"Mei...ling..." Syaoran suddenly felt ashamed. How careless he had been with Meiling's feelings,
how careless everyone had been with her feelings. It could have been that front, but she was so
strong, so not like the girl in front of him...so strong...so...fake... Why hadn't he seen this before?
Was he too dense? Too blind? Too arrogant to care?

"Meiling..." he bent down to face her. "I'm sorry." he whispered sincerely. "I'm so sorry.
Meimei." Syaoran embraced the frail girl. I never meant to hurt you, never ever....

Her sniffles came like they would never end. Crying an ocean of tears...

Why why why, Meiling bit her teeth. why can't she ever be strong. When can't she ever be
like Syaoran and rid of her emotions? Why does her emotions always play games with her? Meiling
wondered... but it was then she felt something alien, a tear, a cold tear that didn't belong to her.

Could it be?

She look up and saw his usually solitary eyes brimming with tears. Tears? From... Syaoran?

They sat like this for a while. Two detached souls in front of another, on their knees,
overwhelmed with emotions and yet nothing to say. Then suddenly, Meiling felt Syaoran's hands reach
behind her and pulled her closer.

Closer. Until he rested his head upon her shoulder.

Closer. Until she could hear his pounding fervently against his chest.

Closer. Until she cried her first tears of joy.


***

Home. One word could encompass so much : life, lost, pain, faith, truth, lies and love.
Now however, home was just what it is : home. Meiling stood in front of her house, one which she
hadn't seen for over a year. She couldn't believe she was back here again, back at step one, and
all because of him. Everything was always because of him. Is that such a bad thing though?
Shifting her feet nervously, she closed her eyes. "I can't do this Syaoran, let's go back." she turned
around.

"Sorry, not after I slaved your entire wardrobe here," Syaoran grinned playfully.

Meiling pouted.

"No, seriously" Syaoran lets down Meiling's luggage, "you can do this Meiling, you know you
miss it here."

"Yeah but what if mother doesn't..."

"Meiling?" a voice filled with incredulity exclaimed.

Meiling turned slowly. "Mama...." she closed her eyes when the weight of her mother
countered hers, inherently, she felt a tear slid down her cheek.

"My baby...my little girl," her mother whispered, and Meiling felt every restrain in her
body break as she started sobbing.

"I'm sorry mama, I put you and daddy through all my mess, I'm sorry."

"Shh...it's okay, it's going to be okay."

Maybe she had grown up a little too soon...

***

Syaoran's journal.

There's an old adage that states 'true friends will never part'. I suppose according to
Aunt Li's complete gratitude and faith in me may prove that Meiling and I never parted. But then,
life really doesn't always work concuring to logic or philosophy. Life just works, and however
the wheels turn out, one has to deal with it. As for Meiling and I, I now know we had part ever
since Japan. I suppose that I, more or less let the world control my emotions, while Meiling forced
her emotions to mold her perfect world. She failed at it of course, and the following years were
consist of lies and deceit between us. Nonetheless, in the time we had spent apart from each
other. We both learned what important roles we had played in each other's lives. In time we had
grown and realized that even if life doesn't allow perfection, we can always adjust.

That's exactely what Meiling's doing now, making herself busy in whatever project she
could find. Just yesterday I found her at her garden, planting a sunflower, grinning like a little
kid. It was as if the Meiling that had completely lost who she was faded into the night as the day
approached. I was proud of her. Seriously, I was proud and happy for her. Still, I wonder if it was
a temporary thing. I wonder if it's just a facade she's building for herself once again. Meilin is so
hard to understand. She's not at all like Sakura, who was simply...pure and untainted by her
world. Meiling held so many conflicting qualities that clashed, and sometimes, crushed her. So
strong yet so weak. Maybe that's why I find myself staring at her so often, as if one slip she
would falter. Maybe that's why I hadn't left even after mother gave me permission to go back to
Japan. Maybe that's why I'm planning on talking to Aunt Li to take Meiling by my side
again. Only this time, I would be the one following her.

Funny. Somehow I feel like I'm the clashed one right now...

***

"Meiling! Syaoran's here to see you!" Mrs.Li yelled.

"Okay, come in Syaoran!" Meiling yelled back.

Syaoran pushed the wooden door open and saw Meilin's room the same as it had been. A shade
of red was the only description he could think of.

"I'm on the porch Syaoran." Meiling cried.

The porch. Syaoran had always liked that porch of hers.

"Hey," he pushed through the glass door and saw Meiling with a telescope.

"Hey!" she gave him not a hug, but not a kick either, just a simple smile.

"I never knew you had a telescope," Syaoran leaned against the railing and stared out. The
Raes' house was build on one of those many mountain/hills in Hong Kong, therefore offered
stunning scenery toward both the city lights and the faint stars.

"I never knew I did either, till I cleaned out my closet."

"Ahh..."

"Huh...I feel like I'm in space," Meiling whispered, one eye gazing into her telescope that
positioned upwards toward the sky.

Syaoran turned to look at her. Meiling had one eye squeezed shut while the other concentrated
into the hole of the instrument. A transient smile displayed on her lips as she 'piloted' her
journey through space.

"Hmmm..." Syaoran's sigh was barely above audio. "Hey Meiling?" He finally made out.

"Yep," Meiling tore her eyes away from the telescope in order to face Syaoran. Suddenly, Syaoran felt
assaulted by the pair of pure red eyes. "What?" Meiling questioned after he stood in silence.

"I need to uh...talk to you," Syaoran mumbled awkwardly.

"I presumed." Meiling laughed. "What's wrong with you Syaoran?" she hugged one of his arms
like she had so many times before. "It's like you're afraid of me or something."

Syaoran let his shoulders relax a little as Meiling rested her head against his. "Have you ever
thought about going back to Japan?" he asked.

"What?" Meiling pulled her head away from Syaoran's.

"Japan," repeated Syaoran.

"Why?"

"I'm going back to Japan next week."

Her eyes faltered. "You...you are?"

"Yeah."

Syaoran could see her face fell for a second before she put on a bright smile. "Yes, of course,
it's time. You have to capture your cards and go back to Sakura and..."

"Meiling." Syaoran grabbed one of her hands. "I want you to come with me, I want you to come
with me to Japan. I already talked to your mother and she's okay with it. So are the elders and..."

Meiling pulled her hand away like an injured animal, her ruby eyes expanded till they were
near circles. "You...you...what?"

"I'm asking if you want to come to Japan with me. We could be partners again, like the
old times..."

Is he crazy? Meiling thought as Syaoran rambled on how wonderful it would be. She had always
regarded Syaoran as rational and realistic, but she wasn't so sure anymore. Why? Because the Syaoran now
sounded like he had either lost it, or had lost it. As far as she understood (much to her displeasure),
there was no Meiling and Syaoran. There was just...Sakura and Syaoran, the magic people, the card
captors, the destined. It took you five years to accept this, don't have a melt down now and get
boiled later Meiling, she told herself. Yeah right, like you really really accepted it. You were
forced into it Meiling. Her mind was fighting with her now.

"You are joking right?" was her final reply.

Syaoran felt slapped back into reality. "What? No, this is no joke."

"Yes you are. I'm not a card captor, I can't help in any way, you said it yourself. I don't
even have a camera to record your fights, although I wouldn't know why I would." Meiling
muttered. "Wait, you're not doing this 'cause you can't cook and need a maid are you?" she
accused.

Syaoran nearly fell over. "no!! No!!! Really..." he laughed sheepishly. "You can be a help, of
course you can. You can fight Meiling, real good too," Syaoran asserted, "but I guess I want you to
come because I miss having you around..." a shade of red graced his face for a second.

Meiling felt a tug inside, he did miss her, imagine that, maybe...maybe there is still a
chance...

"And Sakura, she misses you too. She emailed me yesterday and wanted to know every
detail of how you are doing."

Or not...

"Really?" Meiling put on a fake smile. "that's thoughtful of her. I need sometime to think
about this. Is that all right?"

"Sure. No problem. I'm a phone call away," Syaoran got up and headed toward the door.

"Wait, Syaoran!" Meiling called out.

"Yeah?" Syaoran turned around.

"I..." She felt herself blush, but why? Why is she nervous around Syaoran now? Urg urg urg,
say something, don't just leave him there. "Good night."

Syaoran smiled. "yeah, good night."

***


Meiling punched in the numbers, her fingers were shaking; her heart was beating; her
nerves were breaking.

"Hi, this is the Li residence. Please leave your message and we will get back at you."

Answer machine...Answer machine?!?! What should she do now?

"Beeeeeeep."

Silence.

"Syaoran?" a pause. "Hi Syaoran, this is Meiling, I... um...decided not to go to Japan because it's the
middle of the school year and I just got back home and I don't want to desert mama already
and... I guess I just can't. I wish you luck." she had never spoken so fast in her life.

Meiling slammed the phone down hastily and felt all the blood sucked out of her veins.
She fell on her bed, literally, fell...

What had she done? Why did she do it?

Tears welled up in her eyes. Meiling moaned. She's turning into a crybaby. All because of
him! All because of him! Why is he deliberately torturing her? He knows she wouldn't be able to
stand being useless against magic. He knows she couldn't live without him. He knows she
couldn't watch him and Sakura, together, happy, the mistress and her protector.

Damn it. Meiling cursed. It all comes down to this. It always comes down to this.

***


He had frequently visited the airport. It wasn't a place he particular liked. Everything was
always in motion in the airport. Moving, strolling, chasing, hurrying, waiting. Nothing ever stood
still. Everything was short lived and transient. Everything a blur.

Syaoran doesn't need anymore 'blurs' in his life. He needed answers, correct answers, whether
they are disheartening or not.

He let her phone message invade his head again. She sounded hasty, nervous and almost
frightened. Did it really all come down to this? Syaoran pondered. All the memories... a blur; all the
times spent... gone; all the tears shared... dried; all the dreams mended... broken. What was the
point in taking time when it was going to end like this?

He was alone. The people around him doesn't acknowledge him. They had their own
problems. He was, alone. No you are not. Syaoran reminded himself. You have Sakura. He thought of
her and instantly saw her smile. Oh she had a lovely smile, one that kindles a certain warmth
inside everyone around her. One so radiant everyone wanted bask in the simple bliss she
offered.. Sakura was like an angel, goddess like, untamed.

An angel. Syaoran frowned. Sakura was an angel. An untouchable angel...

He shut his eyes. Now she, she was different. She wasn't an angel, or a goddess, or
anyone of Divineness. She was simply...she. A brat, a braggart, a spoiled kid. A fighter, a
dreamer, a chaser. Whoever she was, she claimed a spot in his heart that can never be replaced.
Does it matter though? She's not coming. She's not coming with you, thought Syaoran. You'll never
have useless gossip to ignore. You'll never have someone to complain about the cold weather.
You'll never have 'clean up the apartment and no you are not getting out of it' days. You'll
never have her friendship again. So it was true, once you lose something, you can never regain it.

"Excuse me, can I sit here?"

Syaoran snapped one of his eyes open and saw a finger, pointing to the seat next to him.
"Sure," he begin to move his baggage away from the seat.

Wait a second. Syaoran stole a look at the origin of the voice.

He felt his jaw drop, "it's...you."

The brat laughed.

The braggart smiled.

The spoiled kid shoved his bags away.

The fighter claimed her seat.

The dreamer turned to look at him with mischievous red eyes.

The chaser said. "You didn't really think you could have gotten rid of me, did you?"

Syaoran blinked. He opened his mouth but nothing came out.

***

"I guess, I am surprised," Syaoran nodded, "either way. I'm surprised you rejected my offer,
but I'm also surprised you changed your mind."

Meiling laughed. "I am too, especially since it was Kinomoto that changed my mind." She
stared at her ticket and then Syaoran's, "hey, can I have the window seat?"

"What? Sakura? Yeah, sure.."

"Thanks," Meiling sighed happily as she plot herself down.

"Wait, what about Sakura?" Syaoran asked as he sat next to her.

"Sakura, she called me, and begged and whined. It was kinda funny. I told her if coming to
Japan would shush her, so here I am," Meiling laughed.

"You're kidding," Syaoran murmured. "I mean, cool."

"You are surprised? I am too. Of all the people..."

"Syaoran?" Meiling's voice quivered a little.

"Yeah?" he stared at the back of her head as she focused her eyes outside the plane.

"You and Sakura...how ...how serious?"

Syaoran swallowed. " we, ... serious."

"Oh." Meiling looked down.

"Meiling," Syaoran frowned. He was hurting her again. He was hurting her every second in her
presence. "I'm sorry." He was too, really sorry. Really sorry that he had lost her. Really sorry
that they had lost each other.

Meiling cradled her head with her hands. "No, it's not you who needs to be sorry," she
looked up, and Syaoran could see crystal tears behind those glassy ruby eyes. "I'm sorry, Syaoran. I'm sorry
I was such a drag to you and Sakura. I guess I knew it all along that I... That you and me are not
possible. I promise I won't be trouble anymore. Promise." she avowed.

You and me are not possible...

Why?

Why are we not possible?

***

"Syaoran!!"

Approximately 1 minute after Syaoran and Meiling made it into their apartment, Sakura bursts
into the 'household.'

"I missed you so much!" she cried and planted a kiss on his lips.

Syaoran blushed. "Hi Sakura."

"Meiling-chan!" Sakura switched her arms around Meiling's next. "I'm soooo glad you've
decided to come!" she squealed.

"Alright Kinomoto. I got the point. Now let go of me before you choke me." Meiling
muttered, sounding annoyed but amusement danced between her eyes.

Syaoran smiled at the scene. Everything will be okay.

"I'm going to unpack and see how Syaoran destroyed my room. Bye you two." Meiling waved
simply and gave Syaoran a brief look, as if redeeming her promise.

"See ya," Sakura waved warmly.

"Bye..." Syaoran whispered, a hint of vexation in his eyes.

"Ta ta." Meiling shut the door behind her.

"I'm so glad you're back!!"

Meiling slid down against her door, closing her eyes in attempt to block out Sakura and
Syaoran's wonderful reunion.

"Did you know I calculated when you would be here?" Sakura's voice chirped through
the thick wooden door.

"Urrrhhhh," Meiling moaned as she buried her head on top of her knees. Life's so not fair,
so not fair to her. So deal with it. A voice said. I am!!! A part of her screamed. I just gave up Li
didn't I!?!? She frowned, not another war with her mind. Meiling lifted her head as she took a
notice of her room.

It looked the same as she had left it.

Her furniture were dust free. Her traditional Chinese dolls lined up against the book
shelve; her carpet ivory; her blankets red;

Syaoran hadn't change it into his training room, or office, or reading room, or... anything. He
had kept it. Meilin smiled. He may have broken her heart, but all the little things he had done for
her were mending it piece by piece.

"Thank you," she found herself saying. "Arigato Onii-chan."

Suddenly succumbed by lethargy, Meiling sprawled on to her bed and drifted to sleep...

...

"Meiling," a hushed voice called out.

"Meiling," she felt a gentle shook on her shoulder.

"Mei...Ling...!" the voice was directed in her ear this time.

Meiling opened her eyes instantly, jolted by the cry. A pair of dark eyes greeted her, she
breathed, "you scared me."

"Sorry, Meiling, I had to get you up though. It's dinner."

"Dinner?" Meiling got up and yawned. "Where's Sakura?"

"She had to leave, some unfinished project or something. Come on, wake up already." Syaoran
pushed her outside her room.

"Yeah yeah, oh!!" Meiling gasped.

Syaoran grinned.

"Wow... Syaoran! What restaurant did you order from?" Meiling questioned. On the dinning
table sat plates of diverse dishes from Chinese to Japanese.

Syaoran sweat dropped. "I didn't order it from any restaurant. I cooked all of this for you."

Her jaw dropped. "You? You did all of this?"

"Yeah."

"For me?"

"Yeah."

"When did you learn to cook?" Meiling cried in disbelief.

Syaoran laughed. "You are such a grateful person Meiling."

"Sorry," mumbled a smiling Meiling. "I was just joking." she took a seat and grabbed a
pair of chopsticks. "Thanks Syaoran, thank you very much," for everything, Meiling added silently.

"You are welcome."

***

~Weeks later~

Meiling's journal.

I wish I could say that I am content. After all, everything is perfect right now. Syaoran pampers
me as if my heart would be scared for life with one wrong word. Occasionally, he'd plan these
outlandish trips and activities for the two of us. Sakura included me in her 'group' like we had
been friends forever. She calls me nearly every night for one thing or another. School was going
lovely. The weather's lovely. The birds were lovely. My life was lovely. Everything was lovely,
yet I can't help but to feel like it won't last long.

And of course I would be right at something like this. As reality always find its way
through build up illusions. Especially my illusions.


***


Pale moonlight drew shadows upon hallow streets, in attempt to drown the world in its
sorrow. Meiling was awaken by a faint shuffling through the apartment. Years of training had
made her a light sleeper, ready for counter anytime. Meiling tiptoed toward the door and peered
outside, just in time to see Syaoran, in his fight costume, shutting the door behind him.

Fight costume?

It was 3:00 am in the morning. Meiling grimaced, she knew exactly where he was going.
Shuffling through drawers and closets, she snatched the familiar apparel she had often wore.
Meiling stood still for a second as her fingers grazed the smooth material. Syaoran had confronted
her a couple days ago about how he wanted her to stay out of the card capturing business. She was
against the proposal, but Syaoran was so obstinate she had promised to stay out of it.

That promise was broken before it had been made.

I'll prove to him that I'm strong, even if I am deprived of magic. Meiling vowed as she
fleed into abiding darkness. I'll prove to you Syaoran, that Li Meiling is no quitter. Not by a
long shot.

***

You could have easily known there was a Clow card on the lose. Syaoran was in his fight
costume along side of Sakura, who held her wand tightly around her fingers, scrutinizing her
'enemy'. Kero was fluttering restlessly while giving Sakura some useless advice, to occasionally,
crucial ones. On the far side of the ferocious atmosphere stood Tomoyo, with a smile
painted on her face and the familiar camera in her hands, ready to record the next act of
'Sakura's adventures'.

However, no one suspected the figure behind them. The girl ready to prove herself,
whether out of ambition or foolishness. Her eyes burned with raging fire, staring at the Clow.

It moved, swift and fleeting, glowing in pale yellow.

"What is it?" Syaoran asked.

"I don't know," Sakura replied.

It moved again, heading straight toward the Clow mistress.

"Sakura watch out!!!" Syaoran cried.

Too late. The card whirled by Sakura, she felt her body hollowed out. It was a terrible
feeling. As if the she was barren inside. She struggled, tried to make contact, but none worked
until finally she was smacked into the ground.

"Ow." A painful grunt was heard.

Meiling winced.

"Sakura!!!" Syaoran rushed by her, "are you okay?"

"Fine." Sakura moaned.

"Sakura and Syaoran! It's the Faze card! It's the Faze card! It drains your energy and slows up
your motions! Don't move Syaoran, run till Sakura regains her strength or she won't be able to seal it,
and you wearing it down would be useless." Kero informed.

Syaoran grimaced. What a devil of a card. So is he going to have to just run? He can't just
leave Sakura here on the ground! He can't out run that...thing...

Of course, he doesn't really have much choices.

Meiling stared as the Faze card ran toward Syaoran. It was fast, her steps so rapid Meiling could
barely detect its movement. She was gaining up. Oh no, she was gaining up on Syaoran!!

Meiling clutched her fists and steadied herself. "Come here you card! Come and try
draining my energy!!!" Meiling emerged from cloaked shadow to the middle of the street,
intercepting the Faze's chase to Syaoran.

"Mei...ling." looking away from Sakura, Tomoyo couldn't help but to whisper.

"Meiling?" Sakura's faint voice called.

"Meiling?!?!" Kero cried in disbelief.

"MEILING!!!" Syaoran screamed.

The Faze switched its direction and headed toward Meiling.

"Meiling! You..." Syaoran was in shock, "why are you doing here?!? Get out of here!!"

His voice didn't each touch Meiling's thoughts. She concentrated on the Faze. It circled
her, staring and squinting its eyes, inquisitive of her new found target.

Meiling picked up her feet and broke out of her fight posture. "It's not polite to stare!!!"
She rebuked and threw a kick.

Contact.

Meiling smiled in satisfaction, piece of cake.

That wasn't the case exactly. Although Faze stumbled, she was right back up and was
heading straight toward Meiling.

Meiling made a fist and started to fight the card as if it could be conquered by kicks and
punches.

"She's crazy," Kero murmured, "but brave."

Syaoran was fuming, he couldn't believed it! She had promised him! Promised! Promised she
wouldn't get into the card capturing!

"Stop it you stupid card!! Fight me!" Syaoran yelled, an attempt to stop the fight, now a blur
between Meiling's wild punches and the Faze's circling. "FIGHT ME!!!" he charged at it, but the
Faze card ignored him.

Suddenly, Meiling stopped dead, her eyes looked empty and possessed as she collapsed on
to the ground.

"Meiling!!" Syaoran cried. Dammit. He thought.

"Use your magic Syaoran. Sakura's okay now." Kero instructed.

Syaoran called upon his lighting which jolted Faze.

"SAKURA!" he cried in command for her to seal it.

"Got it!!" Sakura got up, straining, "Faze card! Return to your power confined!"

The card was sealed and flew into Sakura's hands.

"Meiling!" Syaoran shook the defeated girl, who looked deathly pale.

Sakura was terrified. "Meiling." she cried. "Meiling, wake up..."

A moan was heard, Meiling stirred.

A collective sigh was heard.

"Hard to say this, but Meiling seems to be the hero of the night," Kero sat on Sakura's
shoulder. "She put her heart out to beating Faze... crazy, but it probably saved us."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah..."

"I'm going to take her home," Syaoran's voice was brisk and ghastly.

Sakura stared at Syaoran strangely as he brought Meiling up. She sensed icicles in his eyes, so
very very cold... or was it anger? Exhaustion? Pain? She decided to leave it alone. It has been a
long night.

***

She was cold, and so weak, never so weak in her life. Too weak to open her eyelids, but
had to, had to...

The sunlight, it hurts...piercing rays in her eyes. What happened?

Warmth, in front of her face. What was it? Hot dying vapor... sweet sour aroma.

"Soup?"

Drained arduous voice.

She looked up. Impassive angry eyes.

She wanted to cry. "I'm sorry," her voice was deathly, like dry nails on a blackboard.

The spoon was raised by her lips. "Soup?"

She nodded and tried to get up. A sniffle escaped. It hurts, her back, her head, her body,
the pain...burned, festered, intensified.

A hand rushed behind her, lifting her, cradling her. The warm liquid delivered to her lips,
on her tongue, down her throat, through her heart...

***

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Digs out her Libra scale* Sakura and Syaoran...or Meiling and Syaoran...Sakura and Syaoran...or Meiling and
Syaoran...Sakura and... Urg. What do you guys think? For this story, not your couples opinion. *sweatdrop*

End notes : No, this is not the ending. ^^ Well, to part 2, yes. MEILING DEMANDS REVIEWS!!!!
Stay alive for part 3. ^.~ hugs, ~ iris