----- Chapter 4: The Letter. -----

A whole month had past since Meiling had stopped that night by her fiancées abode. She had taken trips to his house, but Wei had said he was out of town. Meiling tried not to worry about it. but tonight they were supposed to go to Mr. Yamazaki's party. Yamazaki had said that Dr. Lei had never RSVPed. Meiling hoped he would be there.

It was a short walk to the get together house. There he was in his doorway. The best suit (light gray) and standing with his hands folded in front of him. Meiling ventured up the stairs, lifting her dress as to not step on it, then bowed to Yamazaki and entered his house. There, sitting in front of the fire was Eriol. The flames dancing on his face and in his glasses.

Meiling smiled and shook her head. Walking to him and taking the armchair next to him. "Mr. Hiiragizawa. You were always the antisocial one."

Eriol chuckled at her words. Meiling always felt safe to joke with him. He never took a joke the wrong way and was very smart. There was never a joke he never got. Meiling respected him. and was glad that her and her fiancée were blessed with such a friend. "Not antisocial today Mrs. Meiling." he sighed and put both his hands on his cane, leaning back and propping his foot on his knee. "Just in thought."

"Thought, Dear Eriol? If you don't mind me asking . what are you 'in thought' about?"

There was silence from Eriol. His warm and gentle smile faded to a frown and he sighed. He watched the fire for a moment, with a stare as if thinking about what to say to a child. "I received this letter." Eriol began quietly. "It's from Dr. Lei."

Meiling jumped at her beloveds' name, "Where is he? Is he ok? Is he coming back? Why is-"

"Woah, calm down Madam. I will tell you." Eriol sighed. Leaned forward and pulled an envelope out of his back pocket. "Here." he said and handed it to her. Meiling opened it with the utmost care, unfolded the letter. And read.

"Dear Mr. Eriol Hiiragizawa, You know that I trust you, and I hope that you trust me (I know you do) when I say that when I am not present I leave everything to a Mr. Syaoran Li. Trust him as you do me, my dear friend.

Dr. Xiulang Lei"

Meiling folded it and stuck it back in the envelope. She was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness. "Mr. Hiiragizawa. Why does this letter fill me with sadness?"

"Because you miss him my dear. The problem I am having is that it doesn't look like Dr. Lei's handwriting." Eriol said, taking the envelope back that Meiling handed him.

There were sudden yells from people in the room. From Yamazaki the most, and it caught Eriol and Meiling's attention.

"Dr. Lei, Old Chap! Where in hell have you been?" Yamazaki said to a man, while patting his back and helping him to a sofa. "Lemme take your jacket." He said and Lei handed him the coat. Meiling sprung up, and as soon as Lei saw her he stood too. She ran to him and hugged him.

"Where in gods name have you been Xiulang?" She said, putting her hands on his cheeks and kissing him repeatedly. "I've been worried beyond belief!" She finished and hugged his neck. Eriol smiled and watched the two a moment, and turned back to the fire.

"Sorry Meiling dear. Just." There was a pause in his voice, and it cracked a little when he spoke. "Just been out of town. That's all." He did his best to smile.

"Dear. You are as cold as ice." She said, realizing after touching his cheeks. "Maybe you should have gone straight home."

"Balderdash. I needed to see you my dear." He said and placed a kiss on her lips. "You look lovely."

Meiling blushed. She did sit in front of the mirror and prep for an hour. Curling her black hair . "Only for you. But, dear you are chilled. Mr. Yamazaki? Can you get me a blanket?"

Yamazaki nodded and hurried off and came back with a blanket. Meiling put it over Lei's shoulders and led him to the fire. Placing him in the armchair she had sat in. "Love, I wish you would have stopped at home and came to me when you are well."

"It's alright. I am fine really." Lei said.

The rest of the night was followed by a toast, dinner. And talk. Ah, Lei enjoyed it. He was himself again. The whole time, no one asked where he had been. He was thankful for it. Perhaps they thought of it rude to be in his business . if they had asked, Lei would have hated telling them.

The past month was hell for the man. Spent in his own body, but out of control. Syaoran Li, it had called itself. He knew that he couldn't be seen in his own house . so he had taken up residence at an old worn down dump. If anything happened that concerned Dr. Lei. Syaoran took care of it. they were one.

Somehow the medicine had worn off. It was painful, indeed, turning back to himself. But once himself, he hurried to the party, and swore never to inject himself again.

Guest began to leave. Meiling, Lei, and Eriol stayed as long as they could. Eriol left first. and then Meiling and Lei.

"You'll walk me to my house?" Meiling asked, linking her arm with her fiancées and leaning her hand against his shoulder.

"Of course m'lady."