*Disclaimer* you know and I know CCS is not mine..
Where Memories Lie..
Chapter 3
Hot Tubs, Magic & Confrontation
--Syaoran's POV--
Now my head went in the gutter. Not only was I alone with this incredibly attractive person, but I was going to be alone with him in his room!? Only if I accepted of course. It was obviously a risky situation to be in. Not that I thought anything could possibly happen between us. Besides since when did I start thinking this way? There was just something bewitching about him; I guess it suited him perfectly after all. So, of course I said 'yes'. He almost seemed surprised at my answer. Was it because I supposedly hated him in the past? Was it something else? Whatever it was, I decided my past with him was no longer relevant. I would try to get to know him for who he was now. I might like what I find this time around.
I shook my head as I followed him out the park and through the city. I had to stop being so awkward. He was probably going out with Tomoyo, I had no right to think this way about him. He was, afterall, being incredibly kind and patient with me. It wasn't long before we reached his hotel. I drummed my fingers nervously againt the rail in the elevator. I whistled some random tune as we walked down the hall, approaching his door. I bit my lip as I was led into his room. Room? This was a almost a penthouse. My relative was well off it seemed. The place even had a kitchenette! I was overwhelmed by what I saw and he seemed to notice.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
I pulled my jaw up off the floor. 'N-nothing.."
He smiled at me. "Please don't let your surroundings change your opinion of me." He said cheerfully as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Care for something to drink maybe?" he offered but I didn't need one.
I took the liberty of looking around the place. "Make yourself at home, Syaoran." he said as if almost reading my mind.
I opened a door that seemed like the bathroom. I was amazed by the sheer modern delicacy of the place. His face appeared over my shoulder, looking past me.
"Oh, that's the hot tub." he grinned.
I repressed my blush as he walked in past me and grabbed a few towels. "Care to join me?" he asked.
"W-whaa?" I began to question but he explained anyway.
"I think best when I'm relaxed..don't you?" there was a certain slyness to his approach and it was quickly winning me over.
I began to think there was the slight chance he was interested in me afterall. Or maybe I was imagining things and he was just being hospitable. Besides, I was pretty nervous about being here and maybe he was trying to make me comfortable. I took the towel.
"Why not.."
~*~
It felt good to lay my head back as the hot water bubbled beneath me. Eriol looked peaceful, true to his word, and we struck up mild conversation. At first it was things about my family, about Clow Read. Some of my own history and related childhood things. Then he told me how we met and the subject gradually turned to love.
"Ah..so that's why I didn't like you in the past." I said finally understanding everything that was told to me earlier.
I laughed, hugging my knees and resting my head on them. He was surprised by my gesture.
"It all seems irrelevant now doesn't it?" I mused.
He smiled, "I suppose so." He threw his warm gaze towards the ceiling. "I'm glad we are friends now Syaoran. Sometimes I think this accident of yours was a blessing in disguise."
I nodded but his face grew guilty suddenly.
"Syaoran! I-I'm so sorry.." he corrected himself, "I didn't mean that the situation between you and Sakura now is a blessing..I..I meant.." he stalled trying to find suitable words that would not hurt my feelings.
I merely chuckled. "Like I said it's all irrelevant now."
He sunk a bit more into the suds. "It must be hard not having someone to love..feeling all alone and confused." he continued in a patronizing fashion. It reminded me of a similar subject.
"How would you know? aren't you and Tomoyo an item?" I mentioned sounding a bit more bitter than I had meant to.
He nearly choked.
"Wai-wait wait..you mean to tell me you think Tomoyo and I..?" his voice nearly alarmed yet mixing with laughter.
I felt almost stupid, "Yes, Meiling mentioned that the two of you made a nice couple."
He chuckled again in amusement, "..that Meiling sure is something. There is nothing going on between Tomoyo and I. She is a trusted friend." he finished.
For some reason I felt almost relieved.
"The truth is.." his face was red, but I wasn't sure if it was a blush or just a reaction from the heat of the water.
"I..I actually.." he turned to me as if there was something important in his words.
I felt warmth creep on my cheeks aswell. Then the phone rang.
--Eriol's POV--
The phone rang completely ruining the moment. I reluctantly excused myself scrambling out of the tub. I wasn't surprised at all to hear Meiling on the other end asking for Syaoran. I passed the phone to him and stayed long enough to hear him say "I'll be home a bit later." I decided we had stayed in the hot tub long enough, so I put on a robe and headed for the kitchen. Maybe I was actually trying to escape the scene so that I could collect myself. Even if I didn't show it so blatantly, I was wracked from head to toe with nervousness. I had almost, barely, confessed to him at that instant. We had grown so close and I had been more or less straightforward with him most of the night..testing his limits of comfort. I was almost certain he was ready for it; completely caught up in the moment, but, perhaps the phone was an omen that I was moving too fast. Besides, the boy had recieved so much information just now, I needed to give him time to swallow it all. It wasn't long before he appeared in the living room and approached me with the phone in hand.
"Everything ok?" I asked.
He nodded but his face was littered with dissapointment. So was mine.
"Feeling thirsty now?" I checked maneuvering towards the fridge.
"Sure.." he replied.
I quickly fetched two glasses of juice. My hands were full so I used a little magic to float the carton back into the fridge. Syaoran's eyes went wide with interest.
"How did you do that?" he asked.
I smiled at him. "I can show you."
--Syaoran's POV--
It was impressive how much this boy knew. He showed me so many things that he said even I was capable of doing. Anything from tricks to more useful and complicated things. At one point he brought out a key and it turned into a long staff. The way he swung it, the circle that appeared under him..it was all so majestic. The fluid movements of his body almost seemed like an ancient dance. I found myself completely captivated and barely noticed when my heart had begun to race like it did. He stopped breifly when he noticed me staring. He motioned for me to get up and come close to him.
"Here." he said handing me his staff. "You carry my blood so.. I know you can use this too." he wrapped his arms around me from behind helping to support the staff.
This stance also pressed our bodies together and my neck felt hot. He leaned in close to me from behind, a calm smile on his face.
"Ok, now let me show you, first you chant and then you raise it up like this.." he led my motions untill I got the gist of it.
It was comfortable, being in his arms just now and I realized how much I would miss it if I never had the chance to be like this again. I was so lost in my thoughts that I had not noticed I was swinging low and it knocked Eriol out of balance behind me as he tried to dodge the staff. He could not stabalize himself and he yelped as we both came crashing down.
Sparkles radiated from the broken spell and fell all around us like fireflies. I found myself propped up above him and looking down at his astounded face.
"Syaoran.." he said, "you're..blushing.."
It was now or never so I let my hand rest against his cheek.
"And..you're trembling.." I whispered.
Before I knew it, my lips were planted on his. He tasted sweet, like the juice we just drank and although at first it felt awkward it gradually became pleasant and natural. He seemed far more experienced than I was as he traced my lips with his tongue. There was a longing hunger in his gestures, something that told me he had been waiting a very long time to do this. We broke the kiss gasping excitedly for air. He smiled, his gorgeous eyes glossy and overcome with emotion.
"Syaoran..I.." he began but I finished the sentence for him,
"Been waiting to do this for a very long time?"
He blinked up at me, "How did you..?"
I shrugged, "I could feel it. and.." I stopped unsure of the impact of my words, "I felt the same way too."
Eriol sat up. "That's impossible, you could have only just recently started feeling this way, unless...that means..it couldn't be."
I lunged on him playfully, bringing him against the floor again.
"Let's not think too much and just enjoy what we have now ok?" I said meeting his lips again.
He nodded, his cheeks pink with joy. Our peace did not last very long as the phone rang again for the second time tonight. It was again Meiling, threatening to lock me out of the house if I was not home in ten minutes. To tell you the truth I really did not mind the thought of spending the night at Eriol's anyway. I told her I would get on my way and hung up the phone.
Eriol's face dropped slightly, "I understand.." he sighed, "I guess you really should go, it is late anyhow.."
I put my finger on his lips to hush him. "Actually..I was hoping I could spend the night.."
His face paled with surprise, as expected, he began to stutter. "Bu-bu-but Meiling, a-and how will you..and then I.. and then.?"
I giggled at his unfinished questions. "I'll just tell her there was an accident on the road and the cab could not get through and since it was so late, you gave me a place to crash."
Eriol grinned, shaking his head at my slyness. "You are so bad!" he chuckled.
He had no idea.
--Eriol's POV--
I could hardly believe how fast everything was happening. It was like all my dreams had come true. Tomoyo had been right all along, and I'm supposed to be the all-knowing powerful magician. I could not have predicted this happening. I couldn't wait to tell her everything. I sat up, only to find Syaoran missing from my side. I scrambled off the bed desperate to look for him. I hoped he hadn't left without saying good-bye. Then the scent of food cooking in the kitchen wandered into the room. I put on a robe only to find him cooking over the stove.
"Good morning cutie." he said smiling as he flipped a hotcake in the air.
He was still in his boxers, his hair ruffled up and chest bare. What a tease. I creeped up behind him wrapping my arms around his midrift and leaning my chin on his shoulder.
"Smells good, I guess you never lost your talent for cooking." I cooed.
He shrugged, "I don't know it just came natural suddenly."
I flinched slightly at his words. Was his memory coming back? For the first time I was truly afraid, being uncertain of what might happen if he remembered everything. He turned to me and smiled, melting away my worries for now.
"Say..?" I asked, "Are you ok..with what happened last night and all.."
He responded with a kiss. "Of course I am..but did I..hurt you?" his face expressing concern.
I smiled, "I'm fine, and you?".
He nodded "I'd like to try that again, real soon."
Last night had been a first for us both, but we endured it suprisingly well and it only brought us closer in the short amount of time we had been together. Now there was a more urgent subject to attend to.
We seated ourselves and Syaoran could sense the impending questions.
"Syaoran.." I began but he seemed to read my mind.
"I know..what are we going to do now."
I sighed, "I know Tomoyo wont be a problem but Sakura and Meiling will have a tough time with all this. Hell it even shocked me." I finished.
"Yeah, I was not expecting this to happen either, one minute I was struggling with myself the next I was in your bed."
We both chuckled a little, coming to terms with the speed of our developing relationship. The mood was lightened and I remembered something even more important.
"I have somewhere to take you today, it is after all your birthday-." I said.
His face beamed.
"-It could be our treat after the hell we will be faced with today."
The air was somber again.
"We might aswell get it done and overwith as early as possible." he said stretching.
I resisted the urge to leap on him.
"Naughty naughty.." he teased, wagging his finger at me as he sensed my intentions.
The phone rang, and I expected Meiling on the other end but was surprised by Sakura's voice.
"I'm at the house and Meiling just now told me he did not return last night." she said, an impatient tinge embedded in her tone, "is he with you?"
I began sweating bullets, "Yes..he's here. Want to talk to him?" I said motioning for Syaoran to get the phone.
"Yes please" she finished and I handed the phone to him.
I heard him tell her the story he conjured up last night and I saw him nod a few times.
"Yes..uh-huh, yes. Well actually that's what I need to talk to you both about today. I finally decided. Uh-huh..no..umm..yeah..but I can't say it over the phone so we are coming over right now. Yes you can call Tomoyo if you like. Ok..uh-huh, see you then." with that said he hung up the phone and acted like he was going to collapse. I smiled at his antics.
"Come on, lets get dressed and meet up with the girls." I suggested and he agreed.
~*~
I found myself seated on the cushions of Syaoran's house. The boy was pacing nervously in front of me as we waited for Tomoyo to arrive. I felt like reaching out and embracing him but I knew that what we had to say was going to be enough of a shock already. Then the knock came and not surprisingly it was her. She looked at me and I smiled at her. Her jaw gaped slightly as she knew what I meant. She happily took a seat between Sakura and I. It was good too, she could hold her back if need be and it kept me out of striking distance. Meiling leaned slightly from her chair obviously frustrated with the silence.
"Ok we are all here, so what's the big news." she questioned initiating the conversation.
Syaoran took a seat across from me and eyed me intensely. I nodded at him in reassurance.
"Ok, I'm here to say that I have finally decided." he began.
Tomoyo's hand had somehow found her way around my arm and she gave me a slight squeeze as if giving me support, or maybe keeping me from fainting. Sakura and Meiling both sat up straight awaiting the impending choice.
"And the person I want to get to know best is..is.."
I wrung my hands on a corner of my shirt, Syaoran shifted around in his chair.
"Is.." he shut his eyes, ".Hiiragizawa, Eriol."
Sakura nearly fainted into Tomoyo's arms. Meiling stood up quickly in front of me and pointed.
"I KNEW it!"
That surprised me.
"I knew it ever since you stepped off the plane. The way you looked at him! Just like I knew the first time I saw Sakura and Syaoran. It was the same atmosphere.it's all the same." she began to cry. "I..I can't stand him being taken from me twice."
"He was never really yours to begin with Meiling, get over it!" shouted Sakura angrily, "I on the other hand have just lost so much!" she sobbed.
"But Sakura-san.." I said trying to come up with something comforting. "I didn't think this would happen.".
She turned to me, anger flashing in her eyes. "You! How could you do this to me!? After all we went through, you broke my trust! You broke our friendship."
Tomoyo stood in my defense. "He's not lying Sakura, he really didn't know. Sure he loved Syaoran but he never wanted to come between you two. He tried his best not to influence any of this." she said and I almost felt guilty that her own best friend was on my side.
Sakura's eyes widened. "You mean..you knew!?" she gasped, "You knew about his feelings for my boyfriend and you never told me?!".
Meiling smirked through her tears. "Stupid..it was so obvious."
"I'm NOT talking to you right now Meiling." screamed Sakura.
Tomoyo tried coming close and placing a hand on her.
Sakura knocked it away, "Please..please don't. I just need to be alone right now." she said ready to run out of the room.
She turned to Syaoran breifly, "I guess there is nothing I can do to change your mind is there.." she said and he shook his head silently.
She turned to me. "I hope you're happy." and with that she ran out of the room.
Tomoyo turned to me sadly. "I know she will be ok. You two, take care of each other ok?"
I nodded and she gave me a weak smile. Meiling stood up dejectedly.
"Is this what you do to your own family members Eriol?' she asked, that comment really hurt.
"You just destroyed the Li clan you know that." she sniffled letting out a long sigh.
"I suppose the only thing left for me to do is go back to China. I'm done here." she said dragging herself into her room.
I felt the strings of my heart tugging at me watching her go. Syaoran ran to my side burying his head on my lap.
"It's not true Eriol..you didn't do anything, it's not your fault." he said sadly trying to reassure me.
But I wasn't so sure.
Where Memories Lie..
Chapter 3
Hot Tubs, Magic & Confrontation
--Syaoran's POV--
Now my head went in the gutter. Not only was I alone with this incredibly attractive person, but I was going to be alone with him in his room!? Only if I accepted of course. It was obviously a risky situation to be in. Not that I thought anything could possibly happen between us. Besides since when did I start thinking this way? There was just something bewitching about him; I guess it suited him perfectly after all. So, of course I said 'yes'. He almost seemed surprised at my answer. Was it because I supposedly hated him in the past? Was it something else? Whatever it was, I decided my past with him was no longer relevant. I would try to get to know him for who he was now. I might like what I find this time around.
I shook my head as I followed him out the park and through the city. I had to stop being so awkward. He was probably going out with Tomoyo, I had no right to think this way about him. He was, afterall, being incredibly kind and patient with me. It wasn't long before we reached his hotel. I drummed my fingers nervously againt the rail in the elevator. I whistled some random tune as we walked down the hall, approaching his door. I bit my lip as I was led into his room. Room? This was a almost a penthouse. My relative was well off it seemed. The place even had a kitchenette! I was overwhelmed by what I saw and he seemed to notice.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
I pulled my jaw up off the floor. 'N-nothing.."
He smiled at me. "Please don't let your surroundings change your opinion of me." He said cheerfully as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Care for something to drink maybe?" he offered but I didn't need one.
I took the liberty of looking around the place. "Make yourself at home, Syaoran." he said as if almost reading my mind.
I opened a door that seemed like the bathroom. I was amazed by the sheer modern delicacy of the place. His face appeared over my shoulder, looking past me.
"Oh, that's the hot tub." he grinned.
I repressed my blush as he walked in past me and grabbed a few towels. "Care to join me?" he asked.
"W-whaa?" I began to question but he explained anyway.
"I think best when I'm relaxed..don't you?" there was a certain slyness to his approach and it was quickly winning me over.
I began to think there was the slight chance he was interested in me afterall. Or maybe I was imagining things and he was just being hospitable. Besides, I was pretty nervous about being here and maybe he was trying to make me comfortable. I took the towel.
"Why not.."
~*~
It felt good to lay my head back as the hot water bubbled beneath me. Eriol looked peaceful, true to his word, and we struck up mild conversation. At first it was things about my family, about Clow Read. Some of my own history and related childhood things. Then he told me how we met and the subject gradually turned to love.
"Ah..so that's why I didn't like you in the past." I said finally understanding everything that was told to me earlier.
I laughed, hugging my knees and resting my head on them. He was surprised by my gesture.
"It all seems irrelevant now doesn't it?" I mused.
He smiled, "I suppose so." He threw his warm gaze towards the ceiling. "I'm glad we are friends now Syaoran. Sometimes I think this accident of yours was a blessing in disguise."
I nodded but his face grew guilty suddenly.
"Syaoran! I-I'm so sorry.." he corrected himself, "I didn't mean that the situation between you and Sakura now is a blessing..I..I meant.." he stalled trying to find suitable words that would not hurt my feelings.
I merely chuckled. "Like I said it's all irrelevant now."
He sunk a bit more into the suds. "It must be hard not having someone to love..feeling all alone and confused." he continued in a patronizing fashion. It reminded me of a similar subject.
"How would you know? aren't you and Tomoyo an item?" I mentioned sounding a bit more bitter than I had meant to.
He nearly choked.
"Wai-wait wait..you mean to tell me you think Tomoyo and I..?" his voice nearly alarmed yet mixing with laughter.
I felt almost stupid, "Yes, Meiling mentioned that the two of you made a nice couple."
He chuckled again in amusement, "..that Meiling sure is something. There is nothing going on between Tomoyo and I. She is a trusted friend." he finished.
For some reason I felt almost relieved.
"The truth is.." his face was red, but I wasn't sure if it was a blush or just a reaction from the heat of the water.
"I..I actually.." he turned to me as if there was something important in his words.
I felt warmth creep on my cheeks aswell. Then the phone rang.
--Eriol's POV--
The phone rang completely ruining the moment. I reluctantly excused myself scrambling out of the tub. I wasn't surprised at all to hear Meiling on the other end asking for Syaoran. I passed the phone to him and stayed long enough to hear him say "I'll be home a bit later." I decided we had stayed in the hot tub long enough, so I put on a robe and headed for the kitchen. Maybe I was actually trying to escape the scene so that I could collect myself. Even if I didn't show it so blatantly, I was wracked from head to toe with nervousness. I had almost, barely, confessed to him at that instant. We had grown so close and I had been more or less straightforward with him most of the night..testing his limits of comfort. I was almost certain he was ready for it; completely caught up in the moment, but, perhaps the phone was an omen that I was moving too fast. Besides, the boy had recieved so much information just now, I needed to give him time to swallow it all. It wasn't long before he appeared in the living room and approached me with the phone in hand.
"Everything ok?" I asked.
He nodded but his face was littered with dissapointment. So was mine.
"Feeling thirsty now?" I checked maneuvering towards the fridge.
"Sure.." he replied.
I quickly fetched two glasses of juice. My hands were full so I used a little magic to float the carton back into the fridge. Syaoran's eyes went wide with interest.
"How did you do that?" he asked.
I smiled at him. "I can show you."
--Syaoran's POV--
It was impressive how much this boy knew. He showed me so many things that he said even I was capable of doing. Anything from tricks to more useful and complicated things. At one point he brought out a key and it turned into a long staff. The way he swung it, the circle that appeared under him..it was all so majestic. The fluid movements of his body almost seemed like an ancient dance. I found myself completely captivated and barely noticed when my heart had begun to race like it did. He stopped breifly when he noticed me staring. He motioned for me to get up and come close to him.
"Here." he said handing me his staff. "You carry my blood so.. I know you can use this too." he wrapped his arms around me from behind helping to support the staff.
This stance also pressed our bodies together and my neck felt hot. He leaned in close to me from behind, a calm smile on his face.
"Ok, now let me show you, first you chant and then you raise it up like this.." he led my motions untill I got the gist of it.
It was comfortable, being in his arms just now and I realized how much I would miss it if I never had the chance to be like this again. I was so lost in my thoughts that I had not noticed I was swinging low and it knocked Eriol out of balance behind me as he tried to dodge the staff. He could not stabalize himself and he yelped as we both came crashing down.
Sparkles radiated from the broken spell and fell all around us like fireflies. I found myself propped up above him and looking down at his astounded face.
"Syaoran.." he said, "you're..blushing.."
It was now or never so I let my hand rest against his cheek.
"And..you're trembling.." I whispered.
Before I knew it, my lips were planted on his. He tasted sweet, like the juice we just drank and although at first it felt awkward it gradually became pleasant and natural. He seemed far more experienced than I was as he traced my lips with his tongue. There was a longing hunger in his gestures, something that told me he had been waiting a very long time to do this. We broke the kiss gasping excitedly for air. He smiled, his gorgeous eyes glossy and overcome with emotion.
"Syaoran..I.." he began but I finished the sentence for him,
"Been waiting to do this for a very long time?"
He blinked up at me, "How did you..?"
I shrugged, "I could feel it. and.." I stopped unsure of the impact of my words, "I felt the same way too."
Eriol sat up. "That's impossible, you could have only just recently started feeling this way, unless...that means..it couldn't be."
I lunged on him playfully, bringing him against the floor again.
"Let's not think too much and just enjoy what we have now ok?" I said meeting his lips again.
He nodded, his cheeks pink with joy. Our peace did not last very long as the phone rang again for the second time tonight. It was again Meiling, threatening to lock me out of the house if I was not home in ten minutes. To tell you the truth I really did not mind the thought of spending the night at Eriol's anyway. I told her I would get on my way and hung up the phone.
Eriol's face dropped slightly, "I understand.." he sighed, "I guess you really should go, it is late anyhow.."
I put my finger on his lips to hush him. "Actually..I was hoping I could spend the night.."
His face paled with surprise, as expected, he began to stutter. "Bu-bu-but Meiling, a-and how will you..and then I.. and then.?"
I giggled at his unfinished questions. "I'll just tell her there was an accident on the road and the cab could not get through and since it was so late, you gave me a place to crash."
Eriol grinned, shaking his head at my slyness. "You are so bad!" he chuckled.
He had no idea.
--Eriol's POV--
I could hardly believe how fast everything was happening. It was like all my dreams had come true. Tomoyo had been right all along, and I'm supposed to be the all-knowing powerful magician. I could not have predicted this happening. I couldn't wait to tell her everything. I sat up, only to find Syaoran missing from my side. I scrambled off the bed desperate to look for him. I hoped he hadn't left without saying good-bye. Then the scent of food cooking in the kitchen wandered into the room. I put on a robe only to find him cooking over the stove.
"Good morning cutie." he said smiling as he flipped a hotcake in the air.
He was still in his boxers, his hair ruffled up and chest bare. What a tease. I creeped up behind him wrapping my arms around his midrift and leaning my chin on his shoulder.
"Smells good, I guess you never lost your talent for cooking." I cooed.
He shrugged, "I don't know it just came natural suddenly."
I flinched slightly at his words. Was his memory coming back? For the first time I was truly afraid, being uncertain of what might happen if he remembered everything. He turned to me and smiled, melting away my worries for now.
"Say..?" I asked, "Are you ok..with what happened last night and all.."
He responded with a kiss. "Of course I am..but did I..hurt you?" his face expressing concern.
I smiled, "I'm fine, and you?".
He nodded "I'd like to try that again, real soon."
Last night had been a first for us both, but we endured it suprisingly well and it only brought us closer in the short amount of time we had been together. Now there was a more urgent subject to attend to.
We seated ourselves and Syaoran could sense the impending questions.
"Syaoran.." I began but he seemed to read my mind.
"I know..what are we going to do now."
I sighed, "I know Tomoyo wont be a problem but Sakura and Meiling will have a tough time with all this. Hell it even shocked me." I finished.
"Yeah, I was not expecting this to happen either, one minute I was struggling with myself the next I was in your bed."
We both chuckled a little, coming to terms with the speed of our developing relationship. The mood was lightened and I remembered something even more important.
"I have somewhere to take you today, it is after all your birthday-." I said.
His face beamed.
"-It could be our treat after the hell we will be faced with today."
The air was somber again.
"We might aswell get it done and overwith as early as possible." he said stretching.
I resisted the urge to leap on him.
"Naughty naughty.." he teased, wagging his finger at me as he sensed my intentions.
The phone rang, and I expected Meiling on the other end but was surprised by Sakura's voice.
"I'm at the house and Meiling just now told me he did not return last night." she said, an impatient tinge embedded in her tone, "is he with you?"
I began sweating bullets, "Yes..he's here. Want to talk to him?" I said motioning for Syaoran to get the phone.
"Yes please" she finished and I handed the phone to him.
I heard him tell her the story he conjured up last night and I saw him nod a few times.
"Yes..uh-huh, yes. Well actually that's what I need to talk to you both about today. I finally decided. Uh-huh..no..umm..yeah..but I can't say it over the phone so we are coming over right now. Yes you can call Tomoyo if you like. Ok..uh-huh, see you then." with that said he hung up the phone and acted like he was going to collapse. I smiled at his antics.
"Come on, lets get dressed and meet up with the girls." I suggested and he agreed.
~*~
I found myself seated on the cushions of Syaoran's house. The boy was pacing nervously in front of me as we waited for Tomoyo to arrive. I felt like reaching out and embracing him but I knew that what we had to say was going to be enough of a shock already. Then the knock came and not surprisingly it was her. She looked at me and I smiled at her. Her jaw gaped slightly as she knew what I meant. She happily took a seat between Sakura and I. It was good too, she could hold her back if need be and it kept me out of striking distance. Meiling leaned slightly from her chair obviously frustrated with the silence.
"Ok we are all here, so what's the big news." she questioned initiating the conversation.
Syaoran took a seat across from me and eyed me intensely. I nodded at him in reassurance.
"Ok, I'm here to say that I have finally decided." he began.
Tomoyo's hand had somehow found her way around my arm and she gave me a slight squeeze as if giving me support, or maybe keeping me from fainting. Sakura and Meiling both sat up straight awaiting the impending choice.
"And the person I want to get to know best is..is.."
I wrung my hands on a corner of my shirt, Syaoran shifted around in his chair.
"Is.." he shut his eyes, ".Hiiragizawa, Eriol."
Sakura nearly fainted into Tomoyo's arms. Meiling stood up quickly in front of me and pointed.
"I KNEW it!"
That surprised me.
"I knew it ever since you stepped off the plane. The way you looked at him! Just like I knew the first time I saw Sakura and Syaoran. It was the same atmosphere.it's all the same." she began to cry. "I..I can't stand him being taken from me twice."
"He was never really yours to begin with Meiling, get over it!" shouted Sakura angrily, "I on the other hand have just lost so much!" she sobbed.
"But Sakura-san.." I said trying to come up with something comforting. "I didn't think this would happen.".
She turned to me, anger flashing in her eyes. "You! How could you do this to me!? After all we went through, you broke my trust! You broke our friendship."
Tomoyo stood in my defense. "He's not lying Sakura, he really didn't know. Sure he loved Syaoran but he never wanted to come between you two. He tried his best not to influence any of this." she said and I almost felt guilty that her own best friend was on my side.
Sakura's eyes widened. "You mean..you knew!?" she gasped, "You knew about his feelings for my boyfriend and you never told me?!".
Meiling smirked through her tears. "Stupid..it was so obvious."
"I'm NOT talking to you right now Meiling." screamed Sakura.
Tomoyo tried coming close and placing a hand on her.
Sakura knocked it away, "Please..please don't. I just need to be alone right now." she said ready to run out of the room.
She turned to Syaoran breifly, "I guess there is nothing I can do to change your mind is there.." she said and he shook his head silently.
She turned to me. "I hope you're happy." and with that she ran out of the room.
Tomoyo turned to me sadly. "I know she will be ok. You two, take care of each other ok?"
I nodded and she gave me a weak smile. Meiling stood up dejectedly.
"Is this what you do to your own family members Eriol?' she asked, that comment really hurt.
"You just destroyed the Li clan you know that." she sniffled letting out a long sigh.
"I suppose the only thing left for me to do is go back to China. I'm done here." she said dragging herself into her room.
I felt the strings of my heart tugging at me watching her go. Syaoran ran to my side burying his head on my lap.
"It's not true Eriol..you didn't do anything, it's not your fault." he said sadly trying to reassure me.
But I wasn't so sure.