Lotus Reborn

by Peacewish

This one will be neglected no more. This is her shot, her opportunity to shine. It's time for Meilin to rise above.

3. ch3 unlatched

Chapter 3

'unlatched'

Eric opened his eyes, let them fall shut again, then admitted defeat and opened them fully to stare at the ceiling.  He was engaging in the mental exercise he did every morning of trying to remember where he was and what had happened to him the evening before.

Hong Kong.  I'm here for spring break.  That's right… this must be another of those backpacker boarding houses.  I've been to a new one every night, but they all look the same.

He was doing well so far.  Pleased, he concentrated on the previous evening.  It was not difficult, as he hadn't had more than a couple of drinks. 

An attack, Meilin, dinner, playing pool, walking through Hong Kong, sunrise at the harbor.  Unreal.  Did all that actually happen?

He rolled over and let his thoughts continue to settle.  Yes, he was quite sure that it all had happened.  The details were very sharp in his mind, so it was either a memory or the craziest hallucination he'd ever had.  And since there was definitely no hangover, he opted for the first explanation.

Plus, she was still asleep in the bed on the other side of the room.

**

Not wanting to break the mood, they had both relaxed on a bench as the sun rose ever higher into the sky.  The ocean became violently pink, then orange, then settled on gold as the sun edged itself completely over the horizon.  Eric thought it was one of the most amazing sights he'd ever seen, and plucked up the courage to whisper something to her about how it was as beautiful as she was.

That was when he realized she'd fallen asleep on his shoulder.

**

Meilin felt disoriented when she opened her eyes.  The ceiling above her was unfamiliar; her bed was different.  The noisy clanging of downtown Hong Kong was extremely loud, as if it were right outside the window.  And most curious of all, she didn't have that typical sensation of dread that she'd woken up with every day for the past six years.

Where am I?

She rolled over slightly and found herself facing Eric, on another bed on the far side of the room.  He was lying on his side, watching her with bright blue eyes that didn't flicker as she met his stare. 

"Morning, sunshine," he said cheerfully. 

Oh my god.  Oh my… what have I done?

She sat straight up in bed, aware that she was still in all of her clothing minus the shoes.

"What happened?  Where am I?"

"Don't remember?"  He nodded and yawned a little, looking none too concerned.  "Guess you wouldn't.  You fell asleep on my shoulder when we were watching the sunrise; you were exhausted.  I woke you up a little to walk, but I couldn't get a straight answer out of you about where you lived.  I asked if you lived alone and you kept muttering, 'alone, always alone', blah, blah, blah.  I was tired too, so I just put you to bed and crashed."  He groped for his watch, lying on top of his backpack.  "It's almost two in the afternoon.  I could go for some lunch.  How about you?"

Oh my god.

Meilin put her hand over her mouth, oblivious to Eric's nonchalance.  She couldn't believe what she'd done.

I spent the entire night out!  What was I thinking!  And now a good part of the day too… oh, they must be so worried.  Why didn't I just go home last night?  I should have, I know I should have.  But I just couldn't make myself do it.  This is crazy; I have to get out of here.

"Hey, are you okay?  Meilin?"  She started fumbling for her shoes and pulled them on, shaking her head and muttering to herself in Chinese.  "Meilin?  What's wrong?"

"This was a mistake, I have to go.  I have to get home."

"What?  Hey!"  Eric scrambled out of bed and practically dove across the room to intercept her path to the door.  "Wait, don't go just yet.  Let me get you lunch at least."

"No, it's too much, I have to get home…"

"What, do you have a roommate or something?  Someone who's going to worry?"

She could not look at those blue eyes and dropped her gaze, then found herself blushing slightly at the sight of him in only a pair of khaki pants.  He wasn't quite as muscular as – as other men she'd known in the past, but his chest was toned and lean. 

Before she knew what she was doing, she was shaking her head no.  What was she doing?

"Well then, what's the big rush?"

This was turning into the longest date in history, but Eric was anxious to keep it going.  He still had no phone number, no address, not even a last name.  If she walked out now, he'd never find her again. 

Meilin hesitated as she opened her mouth to explain.  All she had to do was tell Eric that it had been fun, but she really needed to get back to her family.  So why didn't she just say so?  The thought of what was waiting for her at home gave her pause.

I'll be in so much trouble.  They'll be happy, it will give them just another reason to scream at me.  It will all be so much worse.

And here's this guy.  Eric, from America.  A complete stranger who's been nicer to me than anyone has in months.  And just because I saved him from a couple muggers.  I can't walk away just yet.  I know I'm only making it worse for myself later on, but I can't make myself go home.

"Lunch would be nice," she finally heard herself say.  "Thank you."

**

The little gate to the cage was unlatched.  Meilin had forgotten to scoop the seed first, now that she'd unlocked it, but it would only take a moment to turn back and do it.  Outside, the rain was coming down hard, drumming loudly on the roof.  The insistent noise bothered the bird, making her jump from side to side and fluff up her feathers nervously.  She cocked her head to one side, then the other.  Something was different here.  There was an opening where there had been none before, a tiny space where the gate was swinging open.  Escape.  Freedom.  The bird hopped forward lightly, then hesitated.  She had never left the cage before.  What lay beyond the safety of the bars?

*****

"…and so, everybody's all: you're too good for her, or, it wasn't meant to be, Eric.  It's time to let go."  He snorted contemptuously.  "It's so easy for them to say that when they're not the ones involved, you know?"

Meilin said nothing, but he got the impression that she understood completely.

"I was planning a future with her.  Picturing ourselves together…"  He made a vague gesture indicating forward, unable to bring himself to say the word 'married'.  "Hard to let something like that go."

She nodded, still silent. 

"I guess there's no easy way to deal with it," he speculated.  "You just pick up and move on with your life, somehow.  Or pick up and go to Asia, if you're me.  And start spending a lot more on cigarettes."

He took one out then and paused in his speech to light it.

"You think I'm escaping, running away?  That's what a few of my friends said when I took off."

"Yes."  The smooth and unhesitating reply caught him off guard.

"You do?"

"Yes, I do.  You're trying to escape from the pain, and that's okay.  There always has to be some kind of escape, no matter how temporary.  When you're ready, you'll go back and start rebuilding."

Eric found himself nodding slowly in agreement, then exhaled and watched the smoke drift away. 

That's right.  I'll go back, eventually, depending on when Dad backs down.  And I'll move on with my life.  Christ, I'm not looking forward to that.  I hate thinking about it.  Maybe that's because, for the first time, I've found someone who helps me to forget. 

He exhaled again, watching Meilin surreptitiously out of the corner of his eye.

I am totally using her as a rebound girl.  She probably deserves better than that, but it's not like she's not having fun or anything.  I think.  Anyway, she hasn't tried to leave again.  I'm not ready to say goodbye to her just yet.  She's the best distraction I've had yet.

He stubbed out his cigarette.

"So I was thinking about checking out that marketplace," he said conversationally.  "You know, the open air bazaar or whatever.  Sounds like a cool place to get some souvenirs and stuff.  Wanna come with?"

Please say yes.  Please don't leave me all alone again.  I hate being alone.

"Well, I…"

Meilin tapped her chopsticks against the edge of the plate thoughtfully.

I have to go home.  I know I do.  I can't… I can't just keep tagging along with Eric like this, it's ridiculous. 

"If you're sure it's not a bother…"

Aah!  Why did I just say that?

"No, no problem at all.  I, uh, don't want to get taken for a ride, you know. I figure since you're so local and all, you can help me bargain."

Yes!  I have her for at least a little while more.

What am I doing?  I have to go home.  I can't just keep putting it off like this.  Right?

**

The bird chirped nervously, and a little gust made the cage door swing open even wider.

*****

No matter how she struggled and fought, she could not hold it back.  Finally she gave up and burst into giggles.

"Stop it!"

"Why?"

"Because you look goofy!"

"No big loss," he replied, finally uncrossing his eyes and giving her a big grin.  "Besides, I made you laugh.  Tell me it was as good for you as it was for me."

Meilin finally composed herself and gave him a sedate look.

"It's not as if I've never laughed before."

"Maybe."  Whimsically he stuck his tongue out at her, then gave her a contrite look.  "Maybe not.  I think it's pretty clear that you don't do it very often."

"Probably because I don't spend much time with silly Americans who make faces like children."

"Whatever works," he replied cheerfully, then whipped another dress off its rack.  "How about this one?"

"For the hundredth time, no, Eric.  I told you don't need to buy anything else for me.  You've done plenty."

"Oh, she's a stubborn one," he sighed out loud.  "But she doesn't know that the Masters' stubbornness exhibited by my father flows richly through my veins."

"I'm pretty stubborn myself."

"Oh come on, Meilin.  Look around.  We're in a holy place, a marketplace shrine to capitalism.  And you're a girl!  To not get anything is nothing less than sacrilege."

"But I don't want anything," she protested, beginning to feel a little worn down. 

"There has to be something," he said firmly.  They'd been wandering for hours now, and the sun was beginning to drop down toward the western hills.  She was bound to have to go home soon, if no other reason than to change.  But if he could get her into some new clothing before then, he might get more time.

"Well there's not."

"I say there is."

"Isn't."

"Is."

"Isn't!"

"Is!"

"Isn't!"

"Is times infinity, and you can't repeat!" he said quickly, and she gave him a flabbergasted look before choking back some more giggles.

"Now how mature is that?"

"Please don't say the m-word in my presence."

"Seriously, how old are you?  Seven?"

He blew bubbles in his iced coffee just to make her groan, then grinned wickedly.

"I'll be twenty-two in July, thanks.  And this isn't my fault, you know.  I'm the youngest; I've always been the baby.  I'm allowed to be immature."

He was about to ask her how old she was, but there was a funny look in her eyes.

"What?"

"You have a July birthday?"

"Yup.  What about you, any siblings?"  She shook her head.

"No, I'm an only child."

"Probably why you're so quiet.  See, what you need is to find some nice guy that is the youngest in his family.  It'll be a good balance."

He hoped he wasn't being too obvious, but he didn't seem to be on her mind at all as her eyes focused inward.

"Not every youngest child is treated like the baby.  Sometimes they can be the most serious of all."

"Please.  Like who?"

"Just… some people."  She didn't seem inclined to continue this conversation, and instead wandered over to the next tent.  "May I persuade you to settle for a shirt instead of a dress?"  She held up a dark purple sleeveless top, and Eric found himself nodding happily.  "Then thank you.  I'll change right now."

It wasn't until she'd ducked behind a pile of boxes that he realized she had managed to distract him from their conversation entirely.  But he couldn't be bothered to care, not when he could hear her taking off her shirt. 

"This feels strange," she said after a moment, breaking the silence between them.

"What?"

"I don't normally do this, you know.  Run around with complete strangers all over town."

"It's all part of the adventure of travel.  Never knowing what's coming next… expect the unexpected, and all that."

She gave a quiet hmph at that, then stood up and began folding her red shirt.

"What?" 

"Nothing.  It's just… you're not the first person I've heard say that."  She looked up, smiling with a hint of irony in her eyes.  "But you are probably the first who's made it come true.  At least for me."

"Oh."  It was the most bizarre thing she'd said yet, and he was completely baffled as to how to reply.  Fortunately, she didn't seem to expect an answer, and instead unzipped a side pocket on his backpack to stuff in her shirt.

"Didn't you want to find any souvenirs for your friends?"

Eric waved a negligent hand.

"I'll pick up some T-shirts at the airport before I go home.  They're not a picky group.  Suppose I should get my sisters some jewelry or something.  You're a chick.  Help me pick something out."

"Sisters?"  That weird look crossed her face again.

"Yeah, two of 'em.  They're both out of college now, beginning successful careers, one engaged, one married."  He made another face, which provoked a smile on her part.  "And not a day goes by when my father doesn't point that out."

"He feels you are not living up to his expectations?"

"To put it mildly."

"But you're still in school, correct?"

"Yeah, but only a year left to go.  He started his first business when he was just eighteen, anyway.  According to him, I should have known what I want to do with my life the second I left the womb."

He lifted a necklace for her inspection; she made a face and he quickly put it back down. 

"I had no idea what I wanted to major in when I started college, so I took his suggestion and enrolled in the business school.  It was all his idea."

"And you didn't like it?"

Eric looked as though he wanted to spit out some lemon juice, then gave a lengthy sigh.

"No!  That's the worst part of it all – I loved it.  The flow of capital from consumer to producer, the astounding potential of trade and variety of tastes that it catered to… I was hooked."

Meilin was a little startled.  Despite the sour face he'd been wearing discussing his father, his smile was spreading across his face again, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.  Unexpectedly he threw his arms out to indicate the marketplace around them.

"Anyone that can create something that someone else needs has a way to feed themselves.  And the ones that do it the best get more money, which enables them to hire people to help them, which creates jobs.  Which enables those that are paid to buy more things… and so on and so on and so on.  It's going on all the time around us.  It's amazing, and I love it.  Too much.  I realized it last Christmas when I went home for vacation and got in a huge argument with Dad about the virtues of in-house production versus contracting."

"Realized what?"

"That I had the potential to become exactly like him."  He gave a shudder.  "It was a  horrible shock.  I don't want to love what he loves, even though I know I do.  So here I am, almost three years into business school and yet to decide what I want to do with my education.  Even though I won't admit to him that I like business, he knows it, and he keeps pressing me to intern at his company or with some friends of his.  He doesn't understand why I keep refusing.  And when he doesn't understand something, he gets a little annoyed."

Eric glared at his sneakers as they wandered past the tents, all thoughts of picking out presents for his sisters having flown from his head.  It was the stupidest situation he'd ever heard of, and now that he'd said it aloud, he was sure she would agree.

"That was what the fight was about?"

"Huh?  Oh, right.  Yeah, that was what the fight was about.  Just the latest installment in a running series, actually.  He thinks I skipped the country to avoid talking about it, which is probably true to some extent.  I keep hoping that if I can put him off long enough, I'll hit enlightenment and find something to do with business that has absolutely nothing at all to do with the company.  Dumb, huh?"

"I don't think so at all," she said firmly, without a trace of hesitation.  The certainty of her reply caught him by surprise, and he stopped walking.  Dimly he realized that they had wandered completely clear of the market now, and were standing in an out-of-the-way alley.  The setting sun cast a ray of golden light on Meilin's face before disappearing behind the buildings and leaving them in shadows.

"You don't?"

"Searching for something that has meaning to you without forcing yourself to live in your father's shadow is not dumb.  I think it's very brave."

"Oh," he said again, stupidly.  The way she said it made it sound so much nicer, not so hideously embarrassing.  "You sound like you know what you're talking about.  So I guess I'll take your word for it."

Meilin felt her cheeks grow a little warm at that.  Yes, she knew all too well the frustrations of living up to a parent's expectations.  Speaking of which, she really needed to be going home.  It was unthinkable that she had been away so long; she could scarcely believe that almost twenty-four hours had passed. 

But the way Eric was smiling at her, and looking at her… it felt so nice, to be looked at with kind eyes.  No one had ever looked at Meilin the way that he was looking at her right now.  She didn't ever want it to end.

It did end, as all things had to, with a deliberate cough on someone's part.  Distracted, both glanced over to see that their solitude had been invaded.  Three men stood just a few paces away, casually blocking the path back to the street.  Meilin felt her pulse quicken as they spread out a little, instinctively sensing danger.  The one who had coughed had a nasty smile on his face as he stepped closer.

"Her?"

"Yeah, that's the one," muttered the one on the far right, and with a start she realized he was one of the men she'd fought the evening before. "She's tougher than she looks, though, boss.  Be careful."

Eric didn't understand what they were saying, but he recognized the man too, and frowned.

"Hey, I know you -"

"Shut up," the first one said smoothly, this time in English.  "You were lucky to get away last night.  That's not going to happen tonight."

"Excuse me?" Eric squeaked, then immediately hated himself for squeaking like a girl.  Meilin didn't seem fazed, and took a cautious step forward. 

"Luck had nothing to do with it.  You want him, you're going to have to go through me.  And you won't find it easy."

She let her hands fall to her sides, unclenched and relaxed but at the ready.  Adrenaline was starting to flow again, preparing her for another round of combat.  He was a head taller than she was, with long arms and long legs that no doubt served him well in a fight.  There was a seasoned, tough look to him that belied long years of experience.  Age was difficult to determine, but he didn't seem any older than Eric was.  Black hair fell in bangs over his face, kept clear of his skin by the scarlet strip of cloth he'd tied there.  It bore an unusual symbol, not one that she had ever seen before.  It looked rather like a bird. 

His dark eyes were glittering as they drew closer to one another, sizing her up in return.

"I'm telling you, Jing Kun, she's a tough bitch.  We'd better take her all at once."

Meilin stiffened, but the one called Jing Kun just shook his head.

"Mm-mm.  This," and here he swept another leisurely gaze up and down her body, "is all mine.  Just make sure he doesn't run."

"Gulp," Eric murmured softly to himself.

"Just keep your back to the wall," she said over her shoulder.  "And don't panic."

"Who, me?"

She didn't answer.  They were close enough to hit now, and Eric felt a clutch of nervousness in his chest.  He couldn't even imagine what she must be feeling, though her expression was glacially cool.  The other two had fanned out to surround them, all eyes locked on the pair.  Everything was oppressively silent for one moment.  And then, by some cue that Eric couldn't see, they exploded into combat.

He wasn't even sure who threw the first attack, it was so fast, and he could barely follow with his eyes the blur of kicks and punches.  It was unbelievable how quickly he was snapping out those attacks, but she avoided or parried every one.  It didn't seem to matter that she was so much smaller and lighter; her speed and aggression made up for it.  Like a bird she darted around every kick and punch to throw her own attack, landing lightly on her feet whenever she was rebuffed. 

For a brief moment they paused in the fight, both in a kind of half-crouch as they exchanged smoldering looks.  Eric was surprised at the tiny spurt of jealousy that bubbled up through his fear and bewilderment.  The two had never met, and yet this unexpected duel had already created a connection between them. 

Jing Kun snarled a little and lunged forward with a high kick, but Meilin slid away from the danger and managed a little parting shot of her own before he'd landed.  He was a noisy fighter, one of those that liked to punctuate his strikes and blows with intimidating yells.  It did not detract from his skill, but she'd always considered it a waste of breath and preferred to attack silently, like a cat.  It had unnerved her opponents in the past, but this one was far too experienced to let anything so minor throw him off course.  Already he was adapting his style, trying to find her weakness and exploit it, breaking up the rhythm of his strikes.  She had to force herself to concentrate and focus, trying hard to sense what he would throw next. 

A wisp of her long black hair crossed her face and impatiently she tried to flick it out of the way without dropping her defense.  Long hair could be a nuisance at times, and she wished she'd had a chance to tie it out of the way earlier.  He saw the tiny movement, and inwardly she cringed at the predatory smirk on his lips.  This fight couldn't continue forever; she was outnumbered and already beginning to tire.  She had to find a way out… there had to be some way to get her and Eric away safely…

He was attacking again, and desperately she tried to block every blow while searching for an escape.  And then her distraction caught up with her as his backfist connected with her temple and sent her sprawling.

"Meilin!" Eric cried out, then clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Mei-lin," Jing Kun repeated lovingly, then inserted a finger between his lips to draw it out slowly.  "Beautiful, like yourself.  But all beautiful things must end eventually."

She made no move to pick herself up from the pavement, but watched him warily as he stepped closer.

"You lasted a lot longer than anyone has in a while.  And believe me, when I say 'a while', I mean it."  There were snickers from his henchmen, and Eric tried to figure out what was so funny.  "It's too bad that it has to end -"

He'd come close enough, and Meilin snapped her legs out in a scissor-kick takedown, trapping his ankles between hers.  She'd managed to take him by surprise, at least, and he grunted as he hit the ground with a painful-sounding smack.  She gave him no time to recover, but gripped his shirt and rolled into a tight somersault.  Bodies entwined, they tumbled across the alleyway for one rotation before she came to a stop atop him, her knee on his chest and her hand grasping at the one salvation that she'd spotted after being knocked to the ground.  Jing Kun didn't have a chance to struggle free before she'd smashed the empty bottle into the concrete, bracing the sharp and jagged edge against his neck. 

The other two started forward at once, but she just pressed the glass deeper into his flesh and provoked a few drops of red blood.

"Unless you want him dead, don't move," she ordered coldly, then stole a moment to catch her breath.  Everything was utterly quiet again, and her hostage stared up at her silently.  That smirk was still on his lips, and she resisted an urge to try and strike it right off his face.  It was making her nervous, being so close, but there was no other way, not if they were going to make a clean getaway.

"Go," she panted.  "Run.  Hail a cab."

Eric stepped uncertainly away from the wall of the building, eyeing the others.

"But -"

"I'll be right behind you.  Just run, and don't look back."

There didn't seem to be any alternative but to obey her.  Eric sidled his way through the group, acutely aware of the frustration in their eyes as they watched him go.  They were all staring at him like they wanted to eat him or something.  It was creepy. 

The sound of his footsteps grew quicker and fainter as he disappeared in the shadows, and then it was just the four of them.  Meilin could feel the muscles of the person below her tensing, readying themselves for more action.  This man was lethally dangerous; she could see it in his eyes.  He was a warrior.

"Ready to let go yet?" he asked softly, never breaking his gaze.  He knew and she knew that there was no way she would contemplate slicing into his neck and killing him. 

"I'll let go when I'm good and ready," she replied.

"Think you'll be able to get away quickly enough when you have?"

"I'm pretty fast."

"But can you keep going?"  There was more of that smugness in his voice again, and Meilin almost squirmed.  There was no way that this stranger could ever know long-distance running had once been her weak point, but his words –

The instant before it happened she realized he'd seen the distraction in her eyes and was preparing to throw her off.  Even as she felt his torso muscles contract and bunch, she jumped to her feet and began sprinting as hard and fast as she could, following the path Eric had taken. 

"Go, go!" she could hear him shouting behind her, and the pounding footsteps of pursuers.  She couldn't help but notice his tone didn't really seem desperate or worried at all, but almost more amused.  As if he was delighted that things had come about the way they had. 

She pushed that thought out of her head as she poured more energy into running.  The sounds of the noisy streets were louder now; she was close.  Like a hunted rabbit she broke stride to turn the corner, digging her sneakers into the ground before pushing herself forward again.  Eric was standing by a cab, and when he saw her he dove into the backseat and held out his hand.  She could hear breathing behind her, and knew that they must be close.  She couldn't afford to slow down at all, but gritted her teeth and barreled right through the door at full velocity. 

Both of them groaned slightly as Meilin slammed into Eric, but already he was pounding on the front seat and shouting to step on it.  He wasn't sure if the driver could understand, but it was easy to recognize the universal signals of pursuit, and the thugs had just barely reached for the car door when the cab pulled away from the curb with a squeal.  Horns honked and tires screeched, but the cabbie swerved into the traffic easily and accelerated still more.  Their attackers disappeared, and Eric slumped against the far door with a soft moan.

"Oh… ouch.  That was intense."

Meilin was still half in his lap, breathing raggedly as she managed a feeble nod. 
"Thank you.  Again.  Now I really owe you."

It would have been impossible not to take advantage of their position and hug her close, and this he did gratefully. 

Their driver said something sharp in Chinese, and Meilin muttered what sounded like an apology before disengaging so she could close the still-open car door on the right.  Much to his disappointment, she didn't return to his side after that but leaned against the door and closed her eyes.  She was still breathing hard, and he thought he could see her hands trembling slightly.

"You were… wow.  You were amazing back there.  I can't believe how good you are.  I bet they can't either."

"I was scared," she whispered.

"Scared, really?  You didn't look it."

"I've been trained not to show fear to an opponent.  But I was.  He was very strong, and very good, and I was scared."

Her breathing was slowing down now, but the trembling had not ceased.  Eric was at something of a loss for what to say.

"Well, uh, so was I, if that helps."  She didn't respond, staring with glazed eyes at the back of the driver's head, and Eric recalled their attacker's enigmatic statement.  "They were after me, after all.  Not just my wallet, they were after me."

After a moment, she nodded in agreement.

"Perfect.  Just perfect.  Guess they figured out who I was, somehow."  He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, bracing his head in his hands.  "Now I'm not just nursing a broken heart in a place that I'm not supposed to be, I'm a target for ransom.  Dad'll just love it.  He'll probably tell them to do him a favor and get rid of me if they call up asking for money."

He yawned, feeling the onset of weariness that always follows a surge of adrenaline.  Eric had heard, of course, of rich children being kidnapped for money, but it had never in a million years occurred to him that it might one day happen to him.  How had they ever figured out who he was and tracked him down, in a place like this of all places?

"I would have been a goner.  I owe you everything, Meilin, I mean it.  You saved me."

"They're not through," she murmured, so quietly that he looked up and over at her.

"What?"

"They're not through coming for you.  He said I'd have to keep running.  They're after you specifically, and they're going to keep trying."

The car was absolutely silent after that, and Eric found himself gripping the car seat and wheezing a little painfully.  They were… they were what?  They were actually going to come after him again?  When?  And from where?  Who were these guys?

The glowing city outside the window was suddenly a frightening jungle, hiding all sorts of menaces and threats.  What had begun as an innocent and spontaneous vacation was rapidly turning into a nightmare.  It wasn't fair.  Criminals were robbing his peace of mind, and he had come here to relax!

"It's not fair," he whimpered, aware of how absurdly obvious it was but still needing to say it aloud.  She only met his eyes and nodded.  But his next action surprised the both of them.  Hardly conscious of doing it, Eric suddenly reached across the backseat and snatched her hand with his.

"You, Meilin.  You fought them; you can keep them away!  You'll help me, right?"

"What?"  She looked so taken aback that he rushed to explain.

"I don't know anyone in this city, and I can't leave even if I want to.  Stay with me?  You're all that's between me and them!"

His hand was squeezing hers as his blue eyes begged.  Meilin realized her mouth was opening, but no sound was coming out.

She had a home, a place that she was expected to be and should have been several hours earlier.  To just keep on roving with this stranger was unthinkable in every respect.  It was wrong, it was improper, it was ridiculous to even consider it. 

But then, what he said was true.  He did need her.

**

The bird hesitated only a moment longer as the gate swung back and forth, tantalizingly.  At last she could stand it no more and burst forth, wings flapping madly as she soared toward freedom.  The girl's cry of despair behind her and the pouring rain before her mattered none. 

The unknown future was beckoning.

*****

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief as the plane touched down on Chinese soil.  It was a flight that only lasted a few hours and had never seemed very long to her before, but with Syaoran stewing on her left the atmosphere had been decidedly tense.  She kept her purse and Kero tucked safely behind her right foot, just in case. 

The seatbelt sign blinked off, and her boyfriend uttered an impatient growl.

"Finally.  Let's go."  He was up and grabbing his bag before she could even unlatch her seatbelt, and she had to scurry to catch up to him in the ramp tunnel.

"Syaoran!  Syaoran, for goodness sakes, wait up.  A few more minutes isn't going to make any difference, and you know it!"

He said nothing, but he paused and held out his hand for hers before continuing.  She squeezed it gratefully. 

"Syaoran."  They emerged from the gate and turned at the greeting.  Li Yelan had come to greet them herself, looking regal as ever even in a modern Chinese dress.  "At last you're here."

For once Li didn't bother to stand at attention, or in fact even pause to greet her.

"Mother," he acknowledged, and strode right past her before turning impatiently.  "What are you hanging around for?  Come on, let's go."

It was Sakura that stopped to bow respectfully, then exchange small kisses with the older woman.

"He's been like this ever since you called," she murmured.  "I think he's going to explode."

"Mother?  Sakura?  Come on, let's move."

"It doesn't surprise me in the least," his mother replied softly.  "I delayed in contacting him for as long as I could, but I knew it could not be put off forever.  He deserved to hear the news, no matter how terrible it was."

Both had to hurry to catch up with his long strides through the airport.  Outside, a servant jumped out of a limo to hold open the rear door.  As worried as she was, Sakura couldn't help but smile.  Tomoyo never noticed, naturally; both she and Li had been raised with it.  But every time they came here on holiday Sakura could never quite get used to being treated like royalty.  With a sigh she settled onto the plush seats and unzipped her purse so Kero could breathe.

"Any word?" Li inquired anxiously.  Yelan shook her head.  "No ransom note, even?  Nothing?"

"There has been no contact.  It's as if she simply walked out of the house and never came back."

Li slumped against the seat and glared out the window at the traffic. 

"So it wasn't for the money, then."

"I'm sure it wasn't."

A short but pregnant silence followed.  Sakura wondered uneasily if Li was thinking what she was thinking: with no notice from any kidnappers, Meilin might very well be lying dead somewhere.

She felt awful for even thinking it, and tried to erase the image from her mind.  Negative thoughts like that would be no help at all.

"This…" she began hesitantly, and both Lis gave her a sharp glance.  "This isn't the first time Meilin has been in danger.  Remember Madoushi?"

Li let out his breath explosively. 

"That water dimension."

"Your family has a long history; you've collected a few enemies.  If a magical being wanted to take revenge on the Lis, how would he begin?"

"By targeting one of the few in the family that had no powers of her own," he finished grimly.  "So she could be locked up by some sorcerer somewhere."

"But who?"

At that they both turned to Yelan, who arched her eyebrows in thought. 

"Our history is long; there are many threats to consider.  But I have felt no great stirrings of power, or sensed any hostility directed toward us."

"It's still the best explanation," her son muttered.  "The only explanation, really.  She's too strong, too good a fighter to lose to anything else.  Magic is the only thing that could beat her."

There was another silence after that, a longer one, as the car began the climb up into the hills and the city grew quieter.  They turned a corner and abruptly Li stiffened.
"Where are we going?"

"Home, Syaoran.  Where else?"

"No, we're going to her place.  Now." 

An unspoken understanding passed between them and Yelan shook her head.

"Syaoran," his mother said gently, "I already tried to locate her in that way.  The spell yielded nothing."

"I don't care.  We're going."

He gave a curt nod toward the glass divider, and Yelan sighed before pressing the button that lowered it.

Sakura tried to hide a yawn as the woman gave out a new address; the day's sudden shift from relaxation to frenzied worry had been hard on her, and the airplane trip didn't help.  Guiltily she thought about sleep, then reminded herself that Meilin might not even have the luxury of a bed right now. 

The limo was turning again, wending its way along another road, and she realized they must be on their way to Meilin's home.  Sakura and Tomoyo had been to Hong Kong three times since they were ten, visiting for Christmas.  But not once had they ever met Li's aunt and uncle, or even seen where Meilin lived.  Drowsily she wondered why that was, and tried to remember when Meilin ever even talked about her parents.  She must have been more tired than she realized; she couldn't think of a single instance just then.  The limo glided to a stop, and Sakura glanced out the window.

"Oh, wow," she said before she could stop herself.  "This is Meilin's home?"

The low, gracefully landscaped buildings were beautiful, but it was more than the architecture that caught the eye.  The surrounding gardens were abloom with colorful and tropical flowers, artfully arranged into neat beds.  Small fountains splashed into rocky pools, replete with lily pads and placid goldfish.  The wrought iron gates swung open to allow their entrance, and the motor idled to a stop before the front steps. 

"This is the home," Li corrected her, kicking open the door and holding his hand out to her.  "The ancestral home where Lis have lived for generations.  Most of the family lives here; we're actually the exception.  I used to come here daily to train, though."

"Oh."  They left Yelan and Kero in the car to skirt the front building and cross a lavish courtyard.  A few martial arts training implements lay out in the open, and with a mental click Sakura realized that this was the setting of that story Meilin had told her so long ago.  She should have realized, but she hadn't grasped then how lovely it all was.  Syaoran wasn't even looking around as he walked straight toward a luxurious porch and stomped up the few steps.

"Ne, how come you've never brought me here before?"

He was rapping sharply on the door now, not answering, and after a few moments someone threw it open. 

"It's late," the woman snapped.  "I – nephew?  Why are you here?"

"Why do you think?" Syaoran answered shortly.  She was not quite as tall as her daughter, Sakura decided, but there was no doubt that she was the mother.  At first she wasn't quite sure how she knew, but then the woman noticed her and shot her a vicious glare.  It was so unexpected and so hostile that Sakura flinched, and gripped Syaoran's hand a little tighter.  That nasty, possessive glare was unmistakable.  Now she knew where Meilin had learned it.

"I've come to look at her room," Syaoran continued, attempting to bring the woman's attention back to him.  "Will you let us in?"

There was something in his tone that indicated it was not really a question so much as a polite announcement, and Sakura sensed that the politeness stemmed solely from the fact that this woman's daughter was missing.  For a moment, Sakura thought she was going to refuse.  Then she reluctantly backed away and led them through a short hallway, into a den of sorts.  A small man jumped to his feet when the two of them entered. 

"Syaoran!  How unexpected…"  Then his gaze too lit on Sakura, and his voice trailed off.  The lines in his face deepened as he scowled.  "You would bring a stranger into our midst at this time of suffering?"

Sakura cringed.

"Sakura is no stranger," Li replied icily.  "She's -"

"I know who she is," his uncle snapped.  Mrs. Li was taking her place by her husband's side now, both of them directing twin glares in Sakura's direction.  "She is not needed here."

"I say she is.  Now, we've come to examine Meilin's room.  If I need you, I'll call for you."  Sakura's eyes widened slightly at his suddenly imperious tone, but before she had time to wonder at it, Syaoran found his path blocked by his uncle.

"There is no need to see my daughter's room, Syaoran.  She was not taken from here, no one can fault our care."

"I know she wasn't taken from here.  I still want to see her room."  Mr. Li's wrinkles deepened again, and he gesticulated angrily.

"You abandon your family to live indefinitely in Japan with this," he waved a hand in Sakura's direction, "you forget your place and your obligations, and now you storm our home to demand clues for her absence?  By what reason can you justify this?  It did not happen here!  It was not our fault!  Whatever happened, that worthless girl managed it entirely on her own!"

Sakura gasped, and Li slammed his fist into the wall, which made the older man jump.

"I think it is you that forget your place, uncle.  Just because I reside in Japan now does not mean I've forgotten who I am in this family.  I know the way of things."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and Mr. Li actually grew pale before backing out of the way.

"Forgive my outburst, honorable nephew, I am crazy with worry for my daughter… I was not myself…"

"Fine, fine," Li muttered impatiently before sweeping past him and dragging Sakura in tow.  He said nothing until he'd pulled her through another doorway and slammed it shut behind them.  "Kami-sama, I hate dealing with those people.  They're the most bitter old carps I know.  I'm sorry for what they said to you."

Sakura nodded automatically, not so much concerned with their comments about her as she was for the other girl.

"How could he say that about his daughter?  It seems so harsh."  Li creased his brow in puzzlement as he crossed the room, then shrugged.

"Oh, that.  They always talk like that.  Don't worry about it.  Now, look around."

Sakura wasn't placated, but obediently she spun in a slow circle to take in Meilin's room.  It was not a typical girl's room, but it was what she would have expected of her friend.  There was a twin bed in the corner, the scarlet covers folded neatly down.  A shelf alongside contained several books, mostly a mixture of fantasy tales and martial arts tomes.  A few cookbooks rounded off the collection, including one devoted solely to baking cakes.  Chinese calligraphy had been painted, rather extensively, across the opposite wall.  She didn't understand it, but it looked like poetry.  The closet door stood ajar, revealing pressed and ironed clothes hanging up, and a small dresser.  The only other furniture beside the bed was a desk, pushed up next to the head of the bed so as to leave most of the room free for stretching.  Meilin had always been very neat, Sakura recalled, and felt a pang when she saw how tidily the schoolbooks had been stacked on the desk's surface.  Math was on top.  Like Sakura's desk at home, the shelf atop was lined with framed photographs.  Also like hers, Sakura noticed, the photos featured Syaoran, Tomoyo, herself, and Kero.  She couldn't see any of Meilin with her parents, and in fact could see no one at all that she didn't recognize.  Everyone there was from Tomoeda.

"What are we looking for?"  Li was combing impatiently through the things on Meilin's desk as she looked.  When he'd finished making a mess of her books and papers he opened her drawer and started pulling things out.  "Um, Syaoran?"

"It has to be just right," he muttered.  "Has to be just the right thing."  Distractedly he ran his fingers through his hair and glared at the heap he'd created.  The words he'd exchanged with his mother in the limo finally clicked, and Sakura blinked in comprehension.  He intended to perform his locating spell, the one he'd been unable to try when Tomoyo disappeared in their school. 

"But isn't your mother the one who taught you that magic?  She said she already tried it."

A challenging glare was his response.  "I'm the one closest to her, the spell will be stronger if I try it.  I can do it with these."  He brandished a pair of red ribbons, then turned back to the middle of the room.  "I gave her these ribbons years ago, she wears them all the time."

Then why isn't she wearing them now, Sakura wanted to ask, but held back.  Her boyfriend knelt in the center of the floor, eyes closed, his expression one of fierce concentration as he clutched at the thin strips of cloth.  She realized her hand was lying on the mess Li had dug out of the drawer.  Before she knew what she was doing she'd begun to leaf through them, noiselessly, without disturbing Li.

Right away she recognized the last letter she'd sent to Meilin.  As gently as possible she lifted it up, only to see a printout of the last email she'd sent her, and another one below that.  There was an entire stack of correspondence here, all between Tomoyo, Syaoran, and herself to Meilin.  Thrown carelessly on top of it all, which meant it must have been near the bottom, was a large brown paper envelope.  It was unsealed and Sakura felt guilty touching it, but Li was the one who'd taken it out.  And it was practically a matter of life and death. 

He was still meditating, not paying any attention to her.  Sakura slid her nail under the flap and lifted it up, peeking inside.  At first, she thought she was looking at a bunch of Monopoly money.  Then she remembered the color of Hong Kong's currency and realized she was looking at a lot of very real money, stacked and paperclipped carefully together.  Right next to Meilin's passport.

Somehow, she thought grimly, I doubt her parents knew this was here.  But it still doesn't make sense.  If her passport were missing, it would make sense.  But it's here.  It doesn't add up.

"Sakura?"

She swept the envelope back into its drawer and shut it, turning around just in time to see him open his eyes.  His shoulders sagged with disappointment and he shook his head.

"It's not- I can't.  The magic won't go anywhere, won't lead me to her.  It won't work."

He opened his fist and looked at the crumpled ribbons in disbelief, obviously distraught that his mother had been right.

"I'm sorry, Syaoran.  Why wouldn't your magic work?"

A menacing look swept away the vulnerability in his eyes and he clenched his fists again.  "It means that whatever's got her is powerful enough to deflect my spell."

Again fear bubbled up for her friend, but Sakura didn't feel inclined to panic.  Something about that envelope kept her from it.

"I'm sorry," she said again, and crossed the room to help him to his feet.  "But don't be too hard on yourself.  It wouldn't work for your mother, either."

He nodded reluctantly.  "I know.  But I was so sure that I could…"  He shook his head again, then hope flitted briefly across his face.  "But she is alive.  Spell told me that much at least." 

"That's wonderful.  We'll find her, I know it."  She embraced him in a comforting hug, and he squeezed her close.  "Syaoran?"

"Mm?"

"Did Meilin do that calligraphy?"

"Hai.  She told me she was starting on it a little after I moved back to Japan."

"She did a beautiful job.  It's difficult, right?"

"Very."  Finally he pulled away and took her hand, leading her toward the door.  "Why?"

"Just curious.  Seems like it would take a long time to do a whole wall like that."

"Yeah.  So?"

"Nothing.  I was just curious."

------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:  I do not own these characters

A/N: Meilin's parents are a couple of classy individuals, aren't they?  Hopefully now you're not so annoyed with her for running off and making everyone worry so much… she had her reasons after all!