Yep, I finally did something productive while on break! Wheepie ^.~ Anyway, here's the second chapter and sorry for taking so long...I'm not stuck about what to write, I'm just writing too many fics at once and got too involved with "From Rich to Rags" ^_^;; Okay, here's the long awaited...umm...I hope ^^;;...Chapter two!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own CCS, it's owned by CLAMPS although whoever is not in the manga/anime show belong to me ^o^

Key:
*...*= thoughts/emphasize on a word
~...~= flashbacks
[...]= lyrics
CAPS= yelling/shouting
AN= author's note

Oh yeah, I notice there's lot of confusion about my last chapter, Xiao Ling is NOT Syaoran, Xiao Ling is someone totally new ^o~ Well, on with the story ^.~


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Chapter 2: Promises and New Adjustment


"So is it true, Meiling?" a chestnut-haired boy asked the petite girl with her hair up in pigtails, "are you leaving?"

Meiling lowered her sad ruby eyes, "Yes, Papa and Mama are getting a divorce." She cocked her head and asked, "Xiao Ling, what's divorce? Mama told me that divorce is when we won't live as a family." A tear streamed down her rosy cheek, "But I don't wanna!"

"Meiling," Xiao Ling sighed.

Meiling grasped onto Xiao Ling's wrist, "Do you think they will change their minds, Xiao Ling? Because then, we can be together again."

Without words, Xiao Ling closed his emerald eyes while leaning closer to Meiling, "Meiling, everything happens for a reason."

"But I don't want to leave you!" Meiling pouted, her soft pink lips curving up. "Mama and Papa don't want to take care of me...so they are putting me in Li headquarter."

A pain struck Xiao Ling in the chest, "Then, it's impossible to even see you." Xiao Ling's father, an orphan adopted by the leader of Li clan, was condemned as an outcast by Li clan after he married Xiao Ling's mother who was American. The traditional Li clan would not allow a foreigner mixed in the clan, therefore Xiao Ling's father was forbidden on any Li territory including his family.

"I know..." Meiling muttered and hugged the slightly older boy tightly.

"Will you write to me, Meiling?" Xiao Ling pleaded, a wistful look in his eye.

Meiling nodded eagerly, "Of course! I promise a letter a day and you have to write to me too!"

"Alright!" Xiao Ling beamed, "I'll write everyday. I promise."

Under the tree, two small figures pinky-promised.

"You'll remember, won't you?" Meiling asked, a little unsure.

Xiao Ling smiled and kissed her forehead brushing away her bang, "Of course I'll remember."

**********

"Daddy," Meiling tugged nervously at her father's sleeve, "you'll come and visit soon right?"

The divorced father bent down and embraced his daughter stiffly, "I might."

"But," Meiling glanced around the Li headquarter consisted of a large front yard with children already practicing martial arts, "this place is scary."

"No it's not!" the ruby-eyed man finally lost his temper and scowled at his only child. "I have to go to a meeting right now. You'll be fine here."

"But..." Meiling began.

"Don't make any trouble, alright?" turning back, the father carefully asked his daughter.

"But..." Meiling tried again.

"No buts," Mr. Li got into his car and started the engine, "just do what I said."

"Okay," Meiling whispered softly while the engine covered her voice while revving excitedly. Staring at the dust rising from ground as the car roomed and disappeared at the end of the corner, Meiling murmured, "Take care, father."

Slowly, Meiling lifted up her heavy feet and inched across the front yard. A couple children stared curiously and merciless whip lashed on their skin while the instructor hollered.

Meiling winced inwardly and knocked softly on the door. She waited for what seemed like an eternity before the double-latched doors were swung open. The maid inside gave her a stern examination while Meiling shifted nervously from one foot to another.

"I'm Meiling, Li Meiling," Meiling stammered nervously.

"I know," the woman replied briskly, her tone as cold as ice, "come in."

Without waiting Meiling to haul the oversized bag in by herself, the servant walked in a fast pace while snapping her fingers, "Come on, you lazy bone, get your act together and walk fast!"

Meiling tripped over her lace while she tried to untie them with her wobbly fingers. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she came to the realization that she was alone, utterly alone, in here.

"Here," a gentle hand was placed in front of her, "let me help you."

Meiling gasped and stared into the twinkling eyes of a young woman, "T-thank you!"

"No problem," Yelan smiled widely, looking at the girl so close to her son's age, "I'm your Aunt Yelan, just call me Auntie will be fine."

"T-thank you, Aunt Yelan," Meiling bowed formally in front of her elder.

Yelan wrinkled her nose; she for one, hated formal introduction. She sighed, "You may rise."

Meiling got up on her feet humbly, her eyes still glued to the ground.

Yelan snapped her fingers, "Kai!"

"Yes, madam," a small fragile maid bowed.

"Please escort Meiling to her room please," Yelan ordered.

"Yes, madam," the maid bowed before smiling warmly at Meiling. She was about the age of ten and had her hair up in two braids and dimples in her cheeks. She grabbed hold of Meiling's hand suddenly, "Here, I'll show you your room!"

"Okay," Meiling's eyes brightened for the first time after her father dropped her off.

Yelan watched the two girls bounced up the stair clumsily with the oversized duffel bag and shook her head, "Kids!"

**********

"There!" the two children threw the bag onto the bed and lay exhaustingly together.

"Ahem!" a cough was heard and Meiling found herself face-to-face with the servant who was so cold to her. The maid was mid-aged, her gray hair was wrapped tightly in a bun and everything about her was neat, not messy.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Chang," Kai immediately jumped down the bed and slapped her face while apologizing.

"Get up," was the only reply Kai received.

Meiling hid behind Kai, her eyes filled with fears.

"What's this?" Mrs. Chang hollered. "A member of Li family shall not EVER hide from another person! GET OUT!"

Meiling stepped out obediently.

"Now, here's the rules," Mrs. Chang slapped Meiling's back to make her straighten up, "one, you must get up at five in the morning; two, you must obey all orders around here; three, never EVER leave Li household at night. Understand?"

"Yes, madam," Meiling replied loud and clear.

"Good," Mrs. Chang gave the ruby-eyed girl a slight approval, "now you are dismissed. Go to the court and start training!"

"Yes, madam!" Meilng rushed down to the court, relieved of finally escaped from the evil witch.

(AN: she's five, so umm...this is what she think, ok? ^_^;;)

Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught a very familiar brown-hair boy. Meiling leaped in joy and knocked down several students, "Xiao Ling!"

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Okay, that's all for today ^_^ Hope you guys like it *sigh* I'll be at home tomorrow...hmm...maybe I'll update another story ^.~ Okay, see you then ^o~