AN: Yay! It's the chapter you've all been waiting for! The one Ying Fa goes to China..and obviously...she'll bump into 'someone' :P
Kero: You mean that..!! That!!!??
Ice: Yes, I mean that...!! That!!?? -.-;;
Kero: NOOOOO!!
Ice: Mm hmm...ok, onto the chapter
folks~!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own CCS and
it's character, so pooey. CLAMP owns it -.-
" Speech
> Thoughts
() Translation
Chapter Three: Our paths cross again
Written by Enchanted Ice Star
Five days had gone by since Ying Fa's mysterious dream, and today was a fresh new day of sunshine and blue skies. It was also the day for the exchange program to begin.
"Oh my god!! I'm so excited," Milisa shrieked, her suitcase flying up in the air as she did so.
Ying Fa giggled, "Calm down!! You're going to die of excitement before we even get there!"
"But I can't help it," Milisa replied as she looked around at the busy airport.
Other people from their class stood around them as they waited for their flight, Mrs. Katsuko stood near them, occasionally checking her watch.
"I wonder what the other students in China will think of us?" Someone from the crowd whispered, but it was quite audible.
"Wonder if they have good food," Someone mumbled.
Ying Fa wasn't paying any attention to the people's chatter, for she was looking out the huge glass windows of the airport and watching the planes land and take flight.
"Flight 109 leaving for Hong Kong, China, leaving in 5 mintues." A lady said over the intercom system.
Mrs. Katsuko nodded to the rest and they all started to walk to the correct gate. Ying Fa was now starting to feel excited as they boarded the plane, and Milisa and her took a seat together.
There were three seats in a row, so Eriol sat beside them. Ying Fa was at the window seat, and Milisa sat in the middle.
"Are you guys excited?" Eriol broke the silence between the three.
"Yes! I'm really excited!" Milisa exclaimed.
Ying Fa was lost in thought as the plane took off and soon they were up in the sky. She watched the clouds float by, a weird feeling going through her. She had always loved the thought of flying in the sky, yet the only way for her to do so was to be in a plane.
Wouldn't it be neat to fly?>
"What about you Ying Fa?"
"Huh? Wa?" Ying Fa blinked in confusion.
Eriol tilted his head towards her. "Are you excited? You know, about going to China and all?"
"Oh! Yeah, of course!" She replied.
And for the rest of the plane ride
they were quite silent, each lost in their own thoughts and excitement.
"They should be arriving really soon," Mrs. Lin said to the bunch of anxious students waiting in the airport.
Hong Kong University had volunteered to welcome the exchange students and take care of them for their two week stay.
"I wanna see the look on their faces when they first step out!!" Meiling laughed.
Chun, who was standing next to Syaoran, just gave a little giggle. "Probably they'll look excited."
"Or frightened," Tomoyo added.
"Oh look! Maybe that's their plane!" Chun pointed to a plane that was landed outside through the window.
"Or maybe it's that one," Chiharu pointed to another plane.
Meiling rolled her eyes, "Maybe it's none of those! Let's just wait and eventually they'll be coming out of those gates." Meiling pointed to the gates infront of them.
Some students were holding up signs saying 'Welcome to Hong Kong!' and other things like that. Suddenly, the gate's doors slided open and revealed a middle aged women leading a bunch of students behind her.
The crowd cheered and said a whole bunch of welcomes.
Syaoran, Meiling, and everyone else scanned the group looking at everyone's faces, yet it was hard to see everyone because there were so many people.
Mrs. Lin stepped up and shoke Mrs. Katsuko hand. "Welcome to China, I'm Mrs. Lin."
"I'm Mrs. Katsuko, very nice to meet you," They were communicating in english since neither knew each other's language.
Some of the students understood Chinese, and some understood Japanese, as whispers sprung up into the air.
Ying Fa was standing behind a very tall person, and Milisa was beside her with stars in her eyes. "I already love it! Those people are so welcoming!"
"I agree," Ying Fa nodded. "I can't wait until we get a tour of the city."
Without them noticing, Eriol was standing a couple feet away with a small smile on his face. His dark eyes moved from Ying Fa and landed on a boy with messy brown hair who was looking the other way.
"We will be taking a bus back to the university here, and then you will all be seperated into groups and students from our school will be showing you around," Mrs. Lin explained as they all walked out of the airport and into the bright sunshine.
"Dorms have been set up in the university, and you will be assigned to a roomate, most likely a friend of your's," Mrs. Lin continued as two buses pulled up along the sidewalk.
Everyone started filing in, and Syaoran could have swore he saw a flash of emerald eyes, but when he turned there was no one there. He shook his head lightly and sighed.
Chun glanced towards him with worried round eyes. "What's wrong Syaoran?"
"Nothing," He replied simply as he
started following the rest that were leaving the airport. Chun shrugged
and caught up to him quickly as they joined the rest of the group.
"I kind of figured we would be roomates," Ying Fa laughed as she placed her suitcase on one of the dorm beds.
Each dorm had two beds, one washroom, and Ying Fa was of course with Milisa. "I call the shower first," Milisa said quickly.
Ying Fa made a face, "Fine."
Milisa giggled slightly as she danced into the washroom. "How many minutes do we have until we have to meet back at the auditorium?"
"Half an hour, so make that shower quick because I want one too," Ying Fa snapped in a happy way as she unfolded all her clothing.
She walked towards the window and opened it, a cool breeze blowing into the room. Ying Fa scanned the campus, and noticed that it was quite big, bigger than the university back at Japan. When she was about to step back, her eyes landed on a boy and girl. One had messy chocolate brown hair, and one had long raven black hair.
She didn't know why those two caught her eye, but their backs were to her so she couldn't see their faces.
"Ying Fa, I'm done!" Milisa stepped out of the washroom with soaking hair.
Ying Fa was still staring out the window, until she felt a tap on her shoulder that broke her trance. "Huh?"
"I'm done my shower, it's your turn," Milisa repeated. "What were you looking at?" She peered out the window beside Ying Fa.
"Ehehehe, nothing," Ying Fa laughed nervously as she took a pair of jeans and a T Shirt with her into the washroom.
Milisa shrugged as she closed the
window again and turned away. Maybe if she had stayed a bit longer, she
might have saw what Ying Fa had been looking at.
**Syaoran's point of view**
I feel something...strange...I felt it all morning, espeically at the airport. I felt this weird...aura? No, it was barely there, a weak faint aura, but I could feel something so familiar about it. It scares me.
I just can't put my finger on it, where have I felt that aura before? So warm...and light...so...pink? Pink...Sakura...No, it couldn't be! She's long gone...and why would she all of a sudden appear at the airport after all these years?
But then what is this that I feel? I am standing out here on the field with Chun Yue, but I feel like I'm being watched...I feel like how I felt when Sakura use to stalk be all the time...how I miss those days...
Yet when I turned around, no one was there. No one was watching me, but I could have swore I heard a window close of some sort.
Chun turns to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. "You seem so distant nowadays Syao honey."
"...I've just been thinking," I replied as my gaze drifted back down to Chun.
"You can tell me what you've been thinking...it wouldn't do you any good to just keep it all locked up in yourself," Chun chimed. "I'm always here when you need me."
"...I'm sorry Chun, but these things you wouldn't understand," I sigh, and I feel like being alone now...
She doensn't say anything more, and I don't know what to say either. I glanced down at my watch, and notice that we should be heading back to the auditorium.
"We should get back in," I break the silence.
Chun nodded, as she reached for my
hand. I don't know why, but her touch just sent shivers up my spine. She
must have noticed my odd reaction because she gently let go as we walked
back in, not hand in hand.
**Normal point of view**
"Group A, please come stand beside your three tour guides for today," Mrs. Lin announced.
A couple students stood up from their seats and nervously joined the other three students that would be showing them around.
"This sucks, I'm not in the same group," Milisa sighed.
"What group are you in again?" Ying Fa blinked.
"Group D," Milisa replied.
Ying Fa frowned, "I'm in Group C. But I'll see you later back at the dorm."
"Yeah, I guess," Milisa smiled.
"Group B," Mrs. Lin called.
After a couple mintues, Group A had left, and Group C was being called up. Ying Fa waved to Milisa as she joined the rest in her group.
"Ok, my name is Li Syaoran, I'll be one of the people showing you around Hong Kong," A boy with intense amber eyes said in a bored voice.
A girl with long black odangos smiled at the people standing around them, she loved the attention. "I'm Li Meiling, I'm also one of the people showing you around! I know you'll love it here!"
A girl with long raven black hair bowed slightly and smiled, "I'm Chun Yue, just call me Chun. This afternoon, we'll be showing you the most fun places, and the boring places, so you won't feel so alien in this new place."
Ying Fa stared at the boy with the intense amber eyes..those eyes..with that firey glow in them...Just like in my dream!>
Yet she was snapped out of her revere when she felt a tug on her hand and that was when she noticed Eriol was also in her group. "We're leaving now Ying Fa."
"Oh! Right!" Ying Fa nodded sheepishly as she trailed along Eriol since he was the only person she knew in the group.
There were about ten to a group, and once they got outside, people started loosening up and chatting along, except for Syaoran who was lost in thought and nearly walked straight into a pole.
Meiling narrowed her eyes slightly but just laughed nervously at the surprised group. "Don't mind him, he's always lost in thought." She leaned closer to Syaoran and said in a lower voice. "What are you doing?!"
"Sorry, I was thinking," Syaoran replied as he continued to lead. "This is the biggest park in Hong Kong." He declared as they reached the entrance to a park. "It's called San Zhong Park..." His voice trailed off when he all of a sudden remembered that wonderful afternoon at the park with...her.
Chun noticed that Syaoran was once again lost in thought so she continued for him, "It's a great place for picnics, or just to relax here."
Ying Fa stared at the sign that read San Zhong Park...she couldn't help but feel that this place seemed familiar in a way...she blinked in surprise when a pink butterfly landed on the sign, and it seemed to be smiling at her.
She rubbed her eyes and the butterfly had perished. Whoa, what's happening to me?!>
Admist to her, Eriol had a mischevious look in his eyes as they started walking down the sidewalk again.
This time, Ying Fa was somewhat walking near the girl who was named Meiling. Ying Fa stared at her for a long time, until she finally looked over her shoulder with an annoyed face.
"Why do you keep staring at me?" She asked, but then her ruby eyes widened as she saw Ying Fa. "S...S..."
Ying Fa blinked, "S?"
"SAKURA?!"
Everyone in the group stopped walking when they heard Meiling yell out. All eyes turned to her and Ying Fa, even Syaoran.
"What's wrong now Meiling?" Syaoran walked up to her with an impatient look on his face.
Meiling was kind of in shock as she kind of pointed at Ying Fa who was standing a couple feet away. Syaoran followed her finger, and his eyes landed on a emerald eyed girl with long auburn hair. His eyes widened, as he took a step forward.
"S..S...Sakura..." He mumbled.
Ying Fa felt really confused now, since everyone here seemed to think she was some girl named Sakura. "Uh...I think you've got the wrong person." She uttered. "My name is not Sakura."
She could see that Meiling and Syaoran had a disappointed look but then Meiling narrowed her eyes. "How can you not be Sakura?! You look...almost exactly like her! Except...older..longer hair...but still, I think you would look exactly like how Sakura would have looked at age 21!"
"...No, I'm serious, I'm not some Sakura," Ying Fa sighed. "My name's Ying Fa."
"..Ying Fa...?" Syaoran said slowly. "That means...cherry blossom...Sakura..." He walked closer to Ying Fa, until they were so close that they could feel each other's breathe. "Are...are you sure you're not Sakura?"
Ying Fa stepped back slightly, "No, I'm not Sakura." She said firmly.
Chun was standing in the crowd, quite interested at the scene. Her eyes scanned the other emerald eyed girl, and a small smile curled onto her lips. Finally...>
Eriol was also standing there, watching the scene in amusement. They meet again...that took long enough...>
Syaoran stepped back and sighed, "Sorry about that then."
"It's ok..." Ying Fa mumbled.
Syaoran stared at her for a couple seconds and then turned around to lead the way again. "Ok, we're heading down a busy street so be careful."
Ying Fa let out a breath, she didn't know how long she had held it, and she didn't know why she had. Sakura..that name again! Maybe I am this Sakura person...maybe I know these people even! ...I really want to know about my past...but maybe, these people just mistakened me...hoe, I'm so confused...>
For the rest of the afternoon, Ying Fa couldn't help but notice that Syaoran kept on sneaking glances at her. It made her feel weird, and she wanted to talk to him alone and ask him why he thought she was a girl named Sakura. It puzzled her to much that her dreams mentioned a girl named Sakura, and here, people called her Sakura. It was all to confusing.
After they returned onto the campus, they were allowed to just cruise around the area, and Ying Fa took this chance to talk to Syaoran who was walking down a hallway.
She ran up to him, and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. He turned around, and saw Ying Fa standing there. "..Sakura? I mean..Ying Fa right?"
"Hai!" Ying Fa smiled, pleased that he remembered her name. "I was wondering...if we could chat a bit?"
"...Uh...sure," Syaoran couldn't help but feel open and warm around a girl that seemed so much like his angel.
They continued down the hallway, and they found themselves outside beneath a row of cherry blossom trees. "I was wondering, why do you and Li-chan call me Sakura? Why?"
"...Because you look so much like her," Syaoran answered as they took a seat on one of the benches. "Five years ago..."
Five years ago?! That's...the same ammount of years...> Ying Fa shook her head slightly so she could pay attention to what Syaoran was saying.
"Like I said, five years ago, there was this girl named Sakura who suddenly appeared at my house. She ended up staying with my family and I," Syaoran explained. "She was really annoying at first, following me everywhere, just like my shadow!"
Ying Fa giggled.
Syaoran couldn't help but smile at that as he continued. "Well, I got to like her alot better...and I think..."
"You fell in love with her?" Ying Fa guessed.
"...How'd you know?" Syaoran asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know! It always seems to work out that way!"
Syaoran crossed his arms, "Are you sure you aren't Sakura?"
"Duh, I'm sure," Ying Fa answered.
Syaoran sighed and shifted his gaze to the cherry blossom trees as he continued. "But one day, just before we kissed, she...was taken away from me..."
"..Hoe? How?"
"...Let's just say, we weren't meant to be. We weren't allowed to be together, it was...against life's rules I guess," Syaoran muttered.
Ying Fa titled her head in confusion.
"I know you must be confused, but I really can't say anymore," Syaoran shrugged. "But now you know.." He turned to look at her. "And I have to say...you look like Sakura so much....and you seem to act like her too.."
Ying Fa half laughed and half smiled. "Well, I'm not to sure who I am myself."
"What?!" It was Syaoran's turn to be confused.
Ying Fa shook her head. "I'll tell you some other time." She stood up and stretched. "But right now, I'm starved! Where's the cafeteria again?"
Syaoran was confused at the sudden change of topic, but he stood up also. "I'll show you where it is."
"Arigatou!" Ying Fa smiled brightly
as she followed the amber eyed boy back into the building.
AN: Ying Fa and Syaoran have finally met...why is it that Ying Fa seems to be so much like Sakura?! I think you've all almost figured it out, kind of...
Kero: Gomen nasai everyone, but I lost my thank you list and I'll be posting a double sized one in the next chapter! Gomen nasai >.
Ice: You're always to busy eating to care where you put that thank you list :P
Kero: Hey!! But I seriously lost it!
Ice: Fine fine, we'll post a double sized one in the next chapter >.
Kero: ^0^
Ice: Well, stay tooned and R+R onegai
~.~