DISCLAIMER: Not mine. (What a waste of space…)
A/N: Yes, everyone in this is mortal, except Tomoyo of course, and no one except her has any magical powers.
Chapter 3 – The Exchange Student
The next morning Syaoran woke to the faint sound of singing. He pushed away the covers and saw Tomoyo sitting on the bed. She had her eyes closed and was singing softly. He sat for a while, enjoying the sound of the song; he had to admit she had an amazing voice.
The song came to an end and Syaoran watched her as she turned towards him and opened her eyes. "Good morning," she greeted him.
"You know," Syaoran said, "I was kind of hoping last night was a dream."
"You're not a morning person, are you."
"Not that I've noticed."
"Well," Tomoyo said, "I have some news for you that might cheer you up."
"Oh yeah?" Syaoran looked mildly interested. "What's that?"
"I overheard your doctor talking to one of the nurses last night," Tomoyo replied knowingly. "They're going to let you go home tomorrow afternoon."
"Great! I can't wait to get out of here."
"One more thing," Tomoyo told him. "You have some visitors."
"Really? Where?"
"They're right outside the door," she said smiling. "I think it's time for me to leave." With that, she disappeared.
Syaoran continued to watch the spot where he had seen Tomoyo last, despite the knocking at his door. The knocking then became more insistent, and Syaoran looked over at it. He could see Mei Lin through the glass. "Come in," he said resignedly.
The door opened and Mei Lin swept into the room followed by Eriol. Syaoran looked up. "Hi."
"Morning cousin," Mei Lin said. "How're you feeling?"
"Okay, I guess."
"So Syaoran, glad to see you're awake," Eriol said smilingly. "You managed to frighten Mei Lin out of her wits."
Mei Lin smacked his arm playfully. "And you weren't scared at all, I bet?"
Eriol grinned. "Anyway," he said turning his attention back to Syaoran, "you should be allowed out of here soon."
At that moment there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Mei Lin said. A girl walked in. She had short, light brown hair and sparkling green eyes. "It took me ages to find a parking spot," she said as she entered the room. Syaoran stared at her.
"Hey Sakura," Eriol greeted the girl. "Syaoran, this is Sakura Kinomoto, an exchange student from Japan, and a friend of mine. Sakura, this is Li Syaoran."
Sakura smiled prettily at Syaoran. "Nice to meet you," she said, offering him her hand.
"Likewise," he mumbled, taking her hand in his and shaking it firmly. He could feel his face heating up.
Mei Lin had been looking out of the open window. She turned to Eriol. "I'm going to go and talk to a doctor; find out what's happening."
"I'll go with you," Eriol said hastily. Mei Lin didn't have a very high opinion of doctors. They left the room, leaving Syaoran alone with Sakura. They sat for a few moments in awkward silence, then Sakura spoke.
"So you're Mei Lin's cousin? She's really nice."
"And impatient, domineering, a little scary at times…" Syaoran trailed off. He couldn't believe how easily he'd spoken to her. They'd only just met – he was never open with anyone, let alone complete strangers. He felt his blush deepening.
Sakura smiled as Syaoran frowned and folded his arms, still glowing like a beacon. She let out a giggle, which she attempted to stifle as Syaoran scowled at her. The door opened again, admitting Eriol and Mei Lin.
"The doctor said you can go home tomorrow afternoon Syaoran," Eriol told him. Syaoran smirked. Tomoyo had been right after all. There was another knock at the door. "You're popular today," Eriol observed. Syaoran rolled his eyes. "Come in," he said.
Tomoyo walked into the room. "Hi Syaoran," she said calmly. Syaoran's eyes grew wide as Tomoyo made no attempt to explain her presence. Mei Lin, Sakura and Eriol were watching her curiously. "Hello," Tomoyo said then. "I'm Tomoyo. Nice to meet you."
Syaoran shot his guardian angel a glare, then tried to introduce her. "Eriol, Mei, Sakura, this is Tomoyo. We met a few years ago in Japan. She arrived last night." Syaoran stopped and racked his brains. What should I say? Tomoyo smiled at him encouragingly. "Um," he continued, "I forgot that she was supposed to be coming but my mother told her what happened and that I was here."
"Not surprised you forgot," Eriol stated. He took Tomoyo's hand in his. "Eriol Hiiragizawa, it's nice to meet you Tomoyo…?"
"Daidouji," Tomoyo supplied.
Mei Lin and Sakura both smiled at Tomoyo. Then Mei Lin turned back to her cousin. "Where's she going to stay?" she asked.
"Mine of course," Syaoran told her quickly.
At that moment, a nurse came in and ushered Syaoran's friends outside. "You can go back inside in a few minutes," she told them kindly. "I just need to change a bandage."
As they waited, Eriol struck up a conversation with Tomoyo. "So, how are you finding Hong Kong?"
"The more time I spend here, the nicer it seems," Tomoyo replied. "Do you like it here Sakura?"
"Yes, it's beautiful. I do kind of miss my dad and brother though."
"Do you have any brothers or sisters Tomoyo?" Mei Lin asked her.
"No, I'm an only child." Pain flashed briefly in her eyes. "And my parents died when I was young."
"That's awful," Sakura murmured. "My mother died when I was young too." Eriol gave them both a sympathetic look.
"I don't really remember them," Tomoyo added.
"So, who do you live with?" Mei Lin asked.
Tomoyo looked over at Mei Lin. "I have a scholarship to a performing arts school. I stay with my aunt during the holidays and I live at the school most of the time, so I don't really get homesick."
Syaoran was listening through the open door. Sounds plausible enough, better than anything I can come up with anyway.
The nurse left the room, finished ministering to her patient's injuries. She allowed them back into the room, along with strict instructions to keep the noise level to a minimum. Mei Lin and Eriol continued to converse for a while, with Sakura answering Mei Lin's numerous questions.
Syaoran watched his cousin wordlessly. I guess Mei's a little jealous of Sakura staying at Eriol's. It was then that he noticed Tomoyo looking over at him. She had assumed an expression that looked very much like a smirk. You can hear my thoughts?! Syaoran said in his mind, alarmed.
Tomoyo beamed at him. Syaoran frowned again. As the conversation drew to a close, Syaoran found that he hadn't been able to tear his eyes from Sakura, a fact that hadn't gone unnoticed by his ever-present guardian.
* * *
When Eriol, Mei Lin and Sakura had left, Syaoran, remembering what Tomoyo had said earlier asked, "A performing arts school?"
Tomoyo looked over at him. "I like to sing," she explained simply.
Syaoran cleared his throat, not quite sure how to voice his next question. "All those things you said, about your parents, and you being an only child…"
"And getting a scholarship to a performing arts school and living with my aunt?"
"Yes," said Syaoran. "Was it true?"
"No. But it sounded good, didn't it?"
"Yeah. For a moment there, I thought that you really meant it."
Tomoyo smiled at him, before turning away and finally allowing a solitary silver tear to glide down her cheek.
Don't worry, it'll get better… ^_^Lady Deathscythe 02/12/2002