A/N: Okay first off I should warn you that this chapter is short poorly written and probably the worst chapter yet. I had no idea of how to put this part into words so I just short of improvised.
I'm sorry that this part is so late, firs off Christmas got in the way, then on the Christmas day my whole family got sick, I actually don't feel too wonderful right now, but I wanted to get this chapter done.
A/N2: this is the chapter everyone has been waiting for the revealing of the father. Anyway this part has mention of suicide rape and other not so nice stuff so now you are warned.
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS
"Meiling! Meiling! Where are you? Meiling!" a young teen with worried auburn eyes yelled frantically into the night. He had been searching for his missing friend for some time now. The streets of Hong Kong seemed dead tonight. True it was very late and it had been raining off and on the whole day, but still the large city never seemed this barren. "Meiling!" the boy cried again as panic began to rise stronger in his heart.
He walked on quietly scanning his surroundings for a sing of the black hair, ruby eyed girl. The rain was starting to pick up again and the cold droplets fell like crest tears from above. The whole city seemed to be in sorrow tonight as the black storm clouds darkened the sky and the wind began to howl unmercifully. Li stopped and closed his eyes for a moment. His magical powers had grown immensely over the past couple of years, and he could now sense the presents of people without who did not posses magical lineage. Of course it took fare more concentration and it seemed to leave him a little drained but it was quiet and accomplishment for any sorcerer. After probing the city and its many inhabitants Li found the one he was searching for. She was on the outside of town and she seemed to be weakening. Li quickly woke from his trance and ran to where he sensed the fading presents of his friend.
As Li drew nearer to Meiling he began to panic, she was fading fast. Finally after rounding a corner he saw the young girl crumpled to the ground in a puddle of rain and her won blood. He quickly ran to her side and turned her body over pulling her head into his lap. "Meiling!" he asked with fear. To his relief however she was still breathing. Li looked the girl over closely, and then noticed the small blood stained dagger near her feet. His thoughts returned to the task at hand when a small whimper escaped Meiling's lips. He looked over the girl again as his mind began to think of options for helping her. There wasn't enough time to take her to the hospital or to call an ambulance. There was only one thing that could save Meiling's life now, and that was magic. Li picked up Meiling's cut wrist and cradled it in his left hand. He then placed his right hand over the large slash and pressed down slightly so as not to cause the girl anymore pain. Closing his eyes and relaxing his face Li's hands began to glow a light green. His faced tensed up as he felt resistance from the young teen he was trying to save. 'Why didn't Meiling want to be saved. Why is she fighting against my help?' Li thought to himself as he called upon more of his strength. After a few seconds he could feel Meiling's life force returning. She had given up fighting and simply accepted his gift of life. Li let go of Meiling's wrist. The cut had completely healed, however a scar would always remain to remind her of this night. Her breathing had returned to normal even breaths, instead of the long gasp she was taking moments before.
Meiling's eyes began to flutter and then they opened to reveal frighten ruby orbs. "Meiling, why?" Li asked wasting no time with comforts.
Tears began to form in her eyes as she slowly rose from Li's lap. She turned her head from his in fear. How could she tell him, he would probably just send her away like the rest of the clan wished to do. "Shaolan I am so sorry. I can't go back, I am so sorry." She brought her hands to her face and began to sob quietly.
Li moved closer to the girl and wrapped his arms around her, silently comforting her until her sobs died down. "Don't worry." he whispered into her ear. "Whatever has happened we will get through it together."
Li opened his eyes to the sound of soft coughing. He raised himself off his small pallet in the corner and went to the kitchen sink. He turned the rusted knob and brown liquid began to flow from the foisted. He waited a moment until the brown faded out and cool fairly clean water poured from the metal pipe. Filling a cup from the counter with the water he walked in to Meiling's small bedroom and handed her the drink. She accepted eagerly and quickly began to gulf the refreshing water down. "Did it help?" Li asked as Meiling finished off the contents of the small plastic cup.
"Yes thank you." She answered as she pulled her feet out from under her blanked and placed them on the ice-cold floor. After staring at the ground for a moment she turned her attention to the young man beside her. "Li do you think what Clow Reed said in my dream could be true?" she asked with hope shining in her ruby red eyes.
"Anything is possible Meiling. I don't doubt that the child will be very great, and I never doubt your strength in these times." Li smiled softly and was about to continue when a knock at the door interrupted. "Who do you think that could be?" Li asked as he rose from his seat to go answer the door.
As he got closer to the door he could feel three very strong magical auroras. He recognized them instantly. This wasn't good. He wasn't in the mood nor did he have the strength to handle Eriol, Sakura and Kero's interrogating. 'Maybe if I don't answer they will go away.' He thought hopelessly.
"Shaolan we know you are in there now answer the door or I will use a spell to blow it down." Eriol threatened from the other side.
Li ran a hand through his tangled hair. He knew he had to let them in, Eriol sounded determined, and if the reincarnated Clow wanted something done, well then there was no stopping him. He sighed in defeat as another threat was yelled out. He then walked slowly to the door. Studying the knob as though he could will in not to turn when he went to open the door. To his dismay the door opened and his eyes meet with very concerned blue eyes.
"All right Shaolan now we want some answers, what is going on." Eriol asked forcefully as he entered the small apartment followed by Sakura with Kero on her shoulder and Tomoyo close behind.
Li stepped aside as they pushed their way in. "Won't you come in." he stated sarcastically under his breath.
Sakura studied the apartment they were in with confused eyes. "Shaolan I don't understand why are you living in this dump."
"Because we have no where else to go." A soft, voice answered from inside the apartment.
The group looked to the direction of the voice and saw Meiling standing in a small doorway, she looked very ill and exhausted, but not nearly as exhausted as Li did. As the group stared at Meiling they tried to register what she had said.
Li was already tiered and very annoyed with his 'guest'. "Why are all of you here? It's late and I would like to get some sleep."
"Hey you listen here kid, I personally would rather drink sugar less tea then be here talking to you, but Sakura has some questions and you're the only one that can answer them." Kero shouted as he hovered in the air.
Li looked very confused so Eriol decided to clarify what the yellow guardian meant. "You see Shaolan, for the last couple of weeks Sakura and myself have been plagued with unusual dreams. Since we were unaware that we shared these dreams we both decided to keep them to ourselves. But today Sakura confided in me that she has been having very disturbing nightmares, after seeing the similarities in our dreams we have come to the conclusion that they are visions." Eriol explained as he stared Li directly in the eyes.
"What does your dreams have to do with me?" Li asked sarcastically, even though he was very intrigued by this news.
Sakura was still too stunned by Li and Meiling's home, so Eriol decided to answer this question as well. "Because they are about you." He stated almost darkly.
Li was shocked, why were they having dreams about him. "What do you mean they are about me."
As Eriol and Li stared at one another an uncomfortable silence fell upon the room. Meiling could sense the tension building up so she decided to brake the silence. First she moved from where she stood in the doorway of her room and sat in one of the chairs at the small table. "Tomoyo, Sakura won't you join me. I realize we haven't talked much since Shaolan and I arrived." She smiled and gestured for them to sit. The two girls looked at each other for a moment then decided to accept Meiling's offer.
"Why don't you sit down as well Shaolan." Eriol commanded.
Li thought it best not to argue. He had not eating all day and the lack of nourishment was begging to take its toll on him.
"Now that we are all comfortable, Sakura please tell everyone here what you saw in your dream." Eriol instructed from where he stood leaning against the wall.
Sakura nodded and then closed her eyes as she began to recall her dream. "Well for the first couple of nights the dream was foggy, kind of like a hazy memory. I remember it being cold very cold, and there was a strange mist in the air that seemed to sting my skin. I remember it being dark; I was in a room. It was some kind of temple, and there were people there, sitting on a platform. They whispered amongst themselves, but I could never see any of their faces. Then some one else was there. A boy I couldn't see his face but I felt like I knew him. I could feel pain all around me. The boy he was in so much pain." Sakura paused for a moment. She had opened her eyes, but she only stared at the table. Tears began to form in her normally cheery emerald eyes. "I could never help the boy. I tried but I could never get to him. I could see the blood flowing from him, but he wouldn't scream. I could feel his pain, but no matter how much they hurt him he wouldn't give in. for weeks I whitish him suffer, but I could never help him, I could never see his face until last night." She looked over at Li with tears falling from her eyes freely.
Li looked at Sakura's tear stained face, and then he looked into her eyes. So many emotions passed through her gaze that he felt he was going to melt. "Oh Sakura." He stood from his chair and walked over to where the young teen sat. Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her into a firm hug.
Sakura accepted and embarrassed Li. "Shaolan please tell us what happened." She begged as she pulled herself from his firm hold and looked into his face. He seemed uncertain, as if they would reject him if they knew the truth.
"Shaolan why don't you tell them. They are our friends and they deserve to know." Meiling's eyes were reassuring and Li felt that if she was willing to share these secrets then he should be as well.
Li returned to his seat a sigh escaping his lips as he began to recall the events, which took place a few months ago. "It began when one of the Li Clan's most respectable elders began to take an interest in Meiling…."
"Take that!" a young martial artist, shouted to her opponent as she sent him flying. He hit the ground with a thump and the victor began to shout in triumph. "Yes, well Wang I guess girls aren't as weak as you thought." Meiling taunted cheerfully.
"Very impressive. You have grown very strong young one. Soon you will take on a husband and bread powerful children for the clan." A middle-aged man with dark eyes black as night, and brown hair hinted with grey, sneered. To Meiling he would have seemed harmless enough if it were not for the way he looked at her. His gaze made her feel uneasy.
"Thank master I only hope to please the clan." She bowed respectfully to the elder and then dismissed herself.
The group listened to Li closely as he spoke. His voice sounding weaker as the tale continued. "As time went on the elder grew even more interested in Meiling. Until one day his fascination with her wasn't enough."
"Why do you refuse? I am an elder in the council and I would make a strong husband for you. Take my hand in marriage and we could have the strength to rule the clan. It is your right to be the mistress of the clan as it is my right to be the leader."
"Shaolan is the heir and I could not marry you. I do not love you." Meiling spoke gracefully. Over the years she had grown to be an elegant and strong young woman. Many in China desired her as their wife, for her strength and health could produce powerful children.
The elder grew angry. "You will be mine one way or another." He threatened.
Meiling was in a trance it was as if she was reliving these memories again. Sakura felt ill. She could never imagine that this could happen to someone she knew, sure she had heard of women being sexually abused on the news and such, but she never thought it possible to happen to one of her friends. "He raped you." She whispered sadly.
Meiling nodded in reply then spoke. "In our tradition a women must marry the one she losses her virginity to. He thought that I would come to him as opposed to being disowned. I kept the incident to myself and I isolated myself from the world in fear, but it didn't matter after a few weeks I discovered that I was pregnant."
Li decided not to share the fact that Meiling attempted to take her own life; instead he spoke of what happened later. "Meiling told me all that had happened. She asked me to help her but it was too late. When we returned to our home the elders knew that she was with child. The elder, which had impregnated her, went before his brethren and asked that they command Meiling to wed with him. The council agreed. When I learned of this I was ferrous. I went before the council and demanded that they punish the elder, but they refused. I continued with my demands, but it was obvious they would not listen. So before the wedding took place I went to help Meiling escape, but the council caught us. I was punished for disobedience. I refused to remain in the clan and so they disowned me and Meiling." Li stopped it was obvious that he was not going to continue and so Meiling decided to finish the story.
"We had no where to go, so we took what money we had and came here. We knew that we could find happiness here with all our friends." She said smiling slightly with the thought.
"So Shaolan got a job and now he must provided for the two of you and mange his studies." Tomoyo concluded.
"It's not that bad, Meiling and I are doing fine." Li tried to reassure his friends. The group was silent for a moment until the sound of quiet sobs drew their attention towards Sakura.
"I am such a bad friend, you two are suffering and I was too blind to see it. Can you guys ever forgive me?" she pleaded hopefully.
"There is nothing to forgive Sakura, I should have trusted you guys with the truth. I am to blame not you." Li smiled at his long time crush with reassurance.
"Don't be so stupid Shaolan, it is my fault, and I am going to be a better friend for now on." Sakura stood up with determination and a new sense of purpose. "All right you guys get as much as you can carry, we'll come back for the rest tomorrow." Sakura commanded as she headed for the kitchen. The group just stared at her in confusion. "Well hurry up you guys it's getting late and I want to have you guys moved in before sunrise."
"Um, Sakura what are you talking about?" Kero asked as he flew towards his mistress.
"Shaolan and Meiling are going to live with us." Sakura declared happily.
"What!" Kero shouted with shock.
"Meiling can stay in the guest room, and Shaolan can stay in Touya's old room. He went back to his apartment yesterday, he was only staying while Yukito was in New York. I don't think he would mind, especially sense he doesn't even live there anymore." Sakura began to pull dishes out of the kitchen cupboard.
"Sakura it's really nice of you to offer, but we don't want to be burdens to anyone. We'll be fine here." As Li stood from his seat he began to feel overwhelmed with weakness. He was about to fall when Eriol caught him, and allowed him to lean on him for support.
"You're fine huh." Sakura stated with triumph and concern.
"Sakura is right Shaolan. You can't stay in this place, and you can't continue to work so many hours. Not even you can endure so many burdens at once." Eriol was very concerned for the young teen. One only had to look at him to see that he was ill. Fist off he was far to thin, you could see the outline of his skeleton very easily. Then there were the large black circles under his eyes, his skin was at least four shades paler then it's normal color, but the most obvious sing was his eyes themselves. Once bright and full of life, Li's auburn eyes were now lifeless except for the occasional shadows that would pass over them.
"You two are living at my house, even if I have to use the sleep card to put you to sleep and carry you out of here." Sakura threatened. "Now everyone start packing." And with that last commanded the group began to gather the contents of apartment up.
Li watched Sakura with a bittersweet smile on his face. 'It's good to have someone like Sakura, but I fear that her kindness to us will only result in pain for everyone.'
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Well that defiantly wasn't the best, cures you dreaded writer's block, cures you. Please review despite everything I would still like to try and get seven reviews on this chapter. I doubt I will but it is nice to hope. I hope you have enjoyed this fic so far and I hope to have the next chapter out very soon.