Title: Hearts of Wandering

Pairings: Syaoran/Eriol, Meiling/OC, others in the future

Rated: PG-13

Status: 2/?

Summary: Syaoran likes his life. He goes to a good college with his cousin and his friends in America. His life is about as average as you can get. But when someone from his forgotten past pops up, his emotions get turned upside down. When he finally starts to get his life in order, what will happen when the one person he's loved all along can't face up to the truth?

Warnings: shounen-ai (boy/boy love), violence in later chapters

Disclaimer: I don't own these lovely boys or any of their friends

Notes: Thanks again to the lovely Tam for looking this over. Thank you to my reviewers, your comments made me so happy! I love you all for your wonderful words. In this chapter: Syaoran finally meets Eriol face to face. What's gonna happen?!

Chapter Two: Encounters

Eriol?

But that was impossible. Eriol was gone. He had been for 6 years. 6 long years. Sakura had written him one day when they were 13 to say that Eriol had disappeared. Everything in his house was gone and there was nothing but a note taped to the front door. Gone to find a way, it had said. No one knew what it had meant. Only Syaoran thought he knew what it meant. While he had gone straight home after the changing of Sakura cards, his trips to Japan for Sakura's sake had led him to a few conclusions about the mysterious boy. They had actually had civil conversations. As he grew up he actually started to consider themselves friends at that time. When he asked Eriol why he didn't just go back to England, like he had planned all along, Eriol had just smiled and said that it was all a person could do. He didn't quite understand it at the time. He still wasn't sure.

Gone to find a way

Where did you go Eriol? Did you find it? Are you finally back? What are you doing here? Why-

"Syaoran, car."

Syaoran broke his thoughts and quickly stepped out of the street, narrowly avoiding a dented blue Ford. The driver honked and swerved, flipping the two cousins off as they drove off. Syaoran returned the greeting, then turned his focus on Meiling.

"You could have warned me a little earlier," Syaoran said, glaring at her.

"Yeah right. You had that dazed look on your face, like you were thinking. No one can break that concentration. Besides, you could have sensed the car," Meiling shrugged.

"Whatever…" Syaoran murmured, crossing the now empty street.

"You know, if you keep spacing out like that, I'm just going to give up and go off without you," Meiling said, increasing her pace to keep up with him.

"Like you could find your way around this place," he retorted.

"I'm not a total idiot," Meiling hissed, scowling.

"It's in there somewhere."

"You're such an ass."

"I know. I love you too," Syaoran said, smiling smugly.

Meiling threw her hand in the air, giving up with an exasperated sigh. Why she even tried to fight with her cousin, she had no idea. He always won, anyway.

"What had you so zoned out anyway?" Meiling asked.

"I…I just thought I saw someone I knew," Syaoran said repeated, not being able to find any other explanation.

"Oh…" Meiling said, trying not to look confused but failing quite nicely.

"Please, Meiling. Nevermind," Syaoran said.

With that said, he quickened his pace. Meiling stopped, watching her cousin's back. What was wrong with him? She had never known him to switch emotions as quickly as he had. It must have been something serious. She chewed on her lower lip, the desire to investigate farther creeping up her spine. No, she couldn't ask him. It seemed so personal. He would tell her on his own time. She hoped. Shaking her head she ran to catch up with her cousin.

"So what's the rest of your schedule look like for today?" she asked, trying to keep him from getting lost in his thoughts and, most likely, getting hit by a car.

"Well, once I drop you off I have a class at 9:30. It only lasts an hour, so I'll come meet you at 10:30 when yours gets out. Then I don't have a class until 2, so we can get lunch or something if you want," Syaoran said.

"Don't you want to go out and hang out with your friends or something? It must be nicer than escorting me around everywhere," Meiling said.

"I don't mind. Besides, most of my friends are off in that trip out west. They won't be back until next week. Oh man, that reminds me, I have to email…Sakura…" he trailed off, suddenly dropping his gaze to the ground.

Oh no, Meiling thought, there he goes. Every time she thought he was over his past, he came up and surprised her again. Why couldn't the boy just get over the fact that she was married? Was it honestly that hard? She knew Sakura had been Syaoran's first (and had believed to be last when younger) crush ever, but he should have been over it by now! Especially since he had finally discovered how he really felt.

"Oh quit brooding. Come on, we need to hurry!" she exclaimed, breaking out into a run.

She smiled to herself as he laughed at tried to catch up with her. She knew that would take his mind off of it all. She felt his hand wrap around her wrist and she ran faster. Maneuvering so not to hit the people they passed, they ran up the steps of the Science Studies building, Meiling trying hard to keep up her pace while Syaoran slowed down and pulled at her wrist. Entering the lobby, they finally slowed to a stop, trying to catch their breath while holding in laughter.

"Thanks," Syaoran said between panting breaths.

Meiling just smiled and started to walk down the left hall. Counting the classrooms, she finally came to the one she wanted. 'Anatomy and Physiology 101'…how original. A smile crept up onto her lips. She was certainly going to enjoy this class. Nevertheless, she felt her hands begin to shake slightly and the door looked oddly menacing in it's closed state. When a warm mass appeared on her shoulder, she jumped.

"Mei, are you okay?" Syaoran asked, taking his hand gingerly off her shoulder.

"I don't think I can do this…" she muttered, staring at the classroom door.

"Yes you can. It's easy, you've done it before. You walk in, sit down, and learn," Syaoran encouraged her.

"But what if-" Meiling started.

"No more what ifs. I'm sick of them. Go on, you'll be fine. Your class starts in a few minutes, GO!" Syaoran said, giving her a gentle push to the door.

She stumbled and grabbed the handle for support and squeaked as it turned and the door began to open. Blinking, she looked back at Syaoran. He nodded and gestured for her to go in. She smiled slightly before gathering her confidence and walking in. The chatter paused for a moment, the students within looking at their new companion. In less than a moment the talking picked up again and Meiling was drawn in, her posture relaxed. She was going to be fine.

Syaoran smiled and shook his head. He didn't know why or where this nervousness had come from. The girl had been so fearless when she was younger. He would probably never know. He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked back down the hall then out the building. His class was located in the Social Sciences Building, as the college had so many science courses that they could not hold them in one building. It was a little ways away from the Science Studies, and he had a little bit of time before he needed to head over there. He listened idly to the conversations of the passing students as he sat down on the steps of the building. He suddenly felt like he didn't really belong there. Uncomfortable, he stood and rushed down the remaining steps. Staring at the ground as he walked, he sighed. He wished his friends were back from Colorado. Not that he didn't love spending time with Meiling. That was really the only reason he hadn't gone with them. Yet, he still felt incredibly lonely without the crazy antics of the people he felt closest to.

The wind blew again, ruffling his pants and shirt. He cast his eyes to the ground, waiting for the burst of air to be over. When it was, he sighed again. Looking around, he noticed one of the stone benches that were scattered around the school. Plopping down on it, he breathed deeply, taking in the spicy scent of Autumn. The leaves were just starting to turn, and the air was crisp and a little cool. It was going to be a cold winter this year, he could tell. The winter storms always came hard at the sign of an especially cold, early fall day. The wind rolled passed him, tousling his hair. What he would give to just be able to relax for once. Signing up for classes and all the moving had left him tired and alone.

"Um…excuse me?"

Syaoran jumped. He hadn't seen anyone come up to him. Looking, he saw that it was a girl his age in a pair of khaki pants and a blue short sleeve shirt. She was smiling and looking at him with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Excuse me? Do you think you could help us for a second?" the girl interrupted, forcing him to look back at her face.

"Hmm? Oh, sure. What do you need?" Syaoran asked, returning the smile.

"My cousin is new this year and he's having some trouble finding his classes. I was wondering if you could just point out the way to the Social Sciences Building?" she asked politely.

"Oh yeah, it's over that way," Syaoran pointed to a building a little ways away, "I'm heading over there myself soon. What class is he taking?"

"Business. Ah! Here he comes now. Eli!" she turned and called out, waving an arm in the air.

Syaoran turned and stiffened. His mind raced at a speed never known before. No, it couldn't be…

"Darcy, do you think you could slow down for once? I-" the boy stopped when he saw who his cousin was talking to.

Eriol. Unmistakably, undeniably, beautifully Eriol. Hair fell into his wide and confused eyes, and whipped behind him from the wind before settling on his neck. His hair was tied back slightly, but the strap was not leather, instead a silk black, and many loose strands fell out onto his face. His clothes were different from what Syaoran had witnessed before, the long denim shorts down to his knees and light green shirt accenting his hair. His glasses were down on his nose and he shyly pushed them back up. Shy. That was what described the Eriol before him. Not mysterious.

"Ano…konnichiwa…" Eriol mumbled, looking down at his shoes.

Only then did Syaoran notice the pink tint to his cheeks. Eriol was blushing? Why?

"Hello," Syaoran said politely in English. "You're Eli?"

Why the girl had called Eriol by that name, Syaoran had no idea. But for now he would stick with it. Pretend they didn't know each other. The other man seemed horribly uncomfortable in the presence Syaoran and the girl…Darcy he vaguely remembered.

"Ha-…I mean, yes. I'm Eli." he replied in a soft tone.

"Nice to meet you. So, you need to find the Social Sciences Building?" Syaoran asked, feeling like he was talking to a five year old.

"Yes, do you know where it is?" this was definitely not the Eriol he remembered.

"Well, yeah seeing as how that's where I'm headed too. Why don't we go together?" Syaoran suggested, smiling encouragingly.

"Sure. Bye Darce, I'll see you later, okay?" Eriol said, looking at her in a pointed manner.

"Oh…yeah, sure. See you later Eli," she said, knowing she would drag the truth out of him later.

"Bye," he whispered as she took off down the street.

Eriol slowly turned back to the other man, taking in his appearance. Why did Syaoran have to be here of all places? He thought he had severed all ties with his past long ago. How could they have, by some twisted fate, met up in the same country, in the same state, in the same college? He looked down at his feet again, not really knowing what to say.

"So…Eli…?" Syaoran tried to start a conversation, but was caught up on the name.

"That is my…birth name. I stumbled across the name 'Eriol' while packing for Japan, and…thought I should use it," Eriol explained quietly.

And suddenly they were walking. Side by side with Syaoran still guiding, they made their way down the street. The people stopped and couldn't help but watch. They were two average men walking down the street, yet they couldn't be average. They had this…this way about them. The taller, dark one was a little hesitant as he conversed with the other. The other seemed to just radiate in mystery. Both were giving off what seemed like waves of energy that was like a moth to a flame. No one could seem to tear their eyes away from the two beautiful boys. And they were indeed beautiful.

Syaoran had no idea what to say. Before him was the man he had once despised, once befriended, once missed. Before he knew it they were standing outside the building. Eriol made to move up the stairs, and suddenly Syaoran didn't want him to go. He grabbed Eriol's wrist, causing the shorter man to jerk back and look back at Syaoran shocked.

"Wait. Tonight, you and I will go get dinner, okay?" Syaoran said before he knew it, "We'll catch up."

Eriol looked hesitant, and Syaoran pulled out all the stops and said the one thing he rarely ever graced people with.

"Please?"

Eriol's mind raced. Had Syaoran just said please? He opened his mouth, with every intention to politely decline…

"Sure."

Syaoran's face brightened, and Eriol cursed his subconscious. Stupid thing! Why had he said yes? He really didn't want to face this…

"Meet me at my house at 6:30 tonight okay?" Syaoran asked.

Snapping his fingers, a piece of paper and pen appeared at Syaoran's side. He scribbled down his address and handed it to Eriol, who forced a smile and put it in his coat pocket.

"I guess I'll see you tonight then. Goodbye," without another word Eriol spun around and broke the grip on his wrist.

Syaoran watched Eriol walk up the steps and into the building alone. Something was wrong, he just knew it. And something in him wanted to get to the bottom of it.

Even if it took all of him.

~*

Another chapter down! What'd you guys think? I know I didn't go to deep into Eriol's strange behavior, but the next chapter is going to be more in depth on where Eriol, or should I say Eli, has been all these years. If you'd be so kind, drop a review and tell me what you think! I 3 feedback. I'll try and have the next chapter out as soon as possible. Ja ne!