Do You Remember Me? I Remember You
By Rainbow Dreamer and co-author Cryst and Ying Fa
*Dedicated to Cryst and Ying Fa, who have helped me with this story. If it weren't for you both, none of this would of happened. Arigato.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT, I repeat, I do NOT own CCS. It belongs to Clamp! I think you all know though, that this story is my own and every idea is of my own. Yep.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey! Sorry that this chapter's is a week late. It's just that I was out birthday partying all week and plus I had to get my computer fixed, so gomen!! Gomen, gomen, gomen. I knew all you guys were waiting impatiently for the next chapter. Sorry. I'll try to get another chapter out this week. Don't keep your hope too high though, I'm working on college stuff during weekends. God, I sound so pessimistic. Ugh. Anyhow, sorry about not updating soon.
Hm.. Let's see. Should Syaoran and Sakura write? Hm.? I know, I know, I should stop playing with your innocent minds. LoL.
Anyhow, this is a HUGE thanks to all those that read this story. It's been a long way, huh? It's chapter nineteen already! Totally awesome. Thanks for all you support. Rainbow Dreamer.
IF YOU REVIEWED FOR THE LAST CHAPTER, LOOK FOR YOUR NAME UNDER SPECIAL THANKS BELOW!
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Orchid Angel: About Meiling telling Sakura that they don't want to be a "light bulb" in the last chapter. Being a "light bulb" means, well, your know, ruining the moment of two people? Kind of like being a third wheel I guess. Eriol and Tomoyo together but then Sakura's there.. Get the point? LoL. Ask me to explain better if this sounds confusing.
AZNangel20: Sorry you're all so confused. In time you shall know everything. Oh, and thanks for both of your reviews.
Kirei Ayumi: Thanks.
Sweet Madison: Thanks for the birthday wishes! How do you know I smile I lot? Heheh. *Smiles *
Li Syaoran is Kakoii: thanks for the birthday wishes and I'll try my best at updating.
Keetra: Thanks for the birthday wishes as well! Yay! I must agree that when Syaoran gets embarrassed it's totally hanyan! Glad you liked the tape idea and with all the support you and the others have been giving, this fic is already great!
Kawaii Teddy Bear: here's your update!
Idiot2002: Thanks for wishing me happy birthday! I'm glad that the tape idea went well for everyone! Kali has magic? She does??
Sakura Potato: Can I comment on something? Why potato? LoL. Just wondering, don't take that personally. Glad you like the fic.
Karamel: Okay, so maybe I have to make Sakura a bit tougher. Maybe. Hey, I was writing through personal experience. Those small things. they bring back so many memories, you know? Anyhow, keep reading!! Yay!
Pnaixrose8: I'm glad that someone knows how it feels when your computer dies! LoL, we've obviously have been in the same boat. Glad last chapter was a kawaii one and I'm gushing on how all of you like the tape idea! Oh, and just a suggestion. try working on your threats. LoL. Just kidding.
Lilyflower: WOW. That's my first reaction. And that's totally enough drama! And what you wrote reminded me; Sakura's dad will be appearing more often. I've put him by the side these days.
Kawaii Cherry Wolf: Of course you belong on my special thanks list! Everyone does! Thanks for wishing me happy birthday!
CHAPTER NINETEEN:
*** Sakura's POV ***
I lay on my bed, with my right hand on my head casually. What was I to do now? Sighing, I turned over on the bed and looked at my desk. Books were placed neatly in a row on the desk. My eyes averted to the small shelf above my desk. Pictures and precious dolls and objects lay as if they were waiting for me. As if in a trance, I swung my legs over the bed and walked over to the shelf. I ran a finger over an empty spot on the shelf, smiling sadly. This was where I had placed the blue handkerchief while I was sleeping. Closing my eyes, I could picture the tattered cloth clearly. It's vivid blue color that never faded with the white lining. Once in a while, Tomoyo would mend the fraying seams into perfection once again. Now the cloth that contained so many memories was back with its owner. I leaned my back against the desk, facing my bed.
Syaoran's bear. I missed cuddling and sleeping with it. I wonder. how it was doing with Syaoran.
*** Syaoran's POV. Hong Kong ***
My alarm quietly beeped two times. I opened my eyes, blinking a few times before focusing on the clock. It was four o'clock, the time to start practice. Quietly I changed into comfortable pants and a white muscle shirt. Slipping into the morning sky, I went to the front yard to begin my practice.
I was practicing my moves when I heard someone move behind me. Instinctively, I quietly held my breath, blending with the little darkness that was around and disappeared from sight. Doing a back flip with grace, I kicked off a pole lightly and hung on the high bars that ran horizontally to support the roof. I stayed there for the briefest moment until I knew who it was.
"Meiling." I stated. Meiling turned around and looked up at the ceiling where I was perched. She smirked at me and I dropped to the ground without a sound.
"Ohayo, my dear cuz," She greeted, batting her eyes innocently. I growled and put my sword away with my magic.
"What do you want, Meiling?" I demanded quietly, leaning on the wall with my arms crossed.
"Don't be so pinned up, will you? I was just wondering if you want to have some breakfast with me. We haven't talked in a long time." She asked. I stared at her, with one of my eyebrows raised. It was Meiling's turn to growl at me.
"Stop it, Li Xiao Lang. We do need to talk. You've been ignoring us since Sakura left and you've hardly been like yourself. You're becoming. more like the you before you met Sakura in fourth grade." She stated angrily. I opened my mouth to protest. "You are, Syaoran. You're becoming the old, cold hearted guy I thought I'd never have to see again."
I closed my eyes and pondered over what she had said. This was Meiling talking, not some random person. She knew me my whole life and practically knew everything about me there was to know, well almost. I just had this feeling that someone out there knew me the best, knew me to the fullest extent, maybe even better than I knew myself. The only problem was that I didn't know who he, she, it was.
"What do you mean, before fourth grade?" I growled quietly, through my eyes closed. I could picture Meiling's frustrated look, with her hands raised up. I opened my eyes and found that I was right. I smirked with my arms crossed smugly.
"Have you been thinking about her lately? You used to be so. eager to know about her connection in your life. Now that she's gone. you've seemed to forget her all together again." Meiling asked, ignoring my smug look as if it wasn't even there. I looked away from her, my eyes looking at the far distance. I guess I could never fool her.
We both stood there for a while, watching the sun unravel its glory into the morning sky, brightening the whole world. "I've been trying to think about her." I finally answered. "It's just that. with her gone, it's been harder for me to recall things."
Meiling half smiled. "So, you up to some breakfast?" She said. I turned and nodded.
"Yeah, let me change."
"Meet you by the quad." She and I said in unison. She grinned at me and ambled off to the quad. The quad was what Meiling and I called the large space before our front gate. Since we were small, we called it that. I smiled remembering.
I came out a while later with a green shirt and black baggy pants. For some reason, Meiling's eyes watered a bit when she saw me, but quickly looked away. It might have been my eyes, but I was pretty sure something was wrong. After all, with all the training, I'm used to catching small details most can't notice in a blink of an eye. I studied her for a moment, but Meiling didn't want to talk about it.
"I thought breakfast was the idea?" I asked. Meiling laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. I was just thinking. Come on," She said gaily, leading the way. I rolled my eyes, but as she skipped around the corner, a memory hit full force in the head.
Sakura. The night she came and said goodbye. I walked like in a dream in front of my gate and looked down the road Sakura ran away from. I closed my eyes; I could picture her in my mind.
Who is she? She looks like Sakura. only younger. Wait. is that me? The young amber-eyed boy?
What are they doing? The boy and the girl were at some bridge.the boy said something to her and ran off. why did he leave? I saw the girl call out his name..
My name. Then I understood. parts of it. That was me... and that was Sakura. We looked young. like in fourth grade. Wait. fourth grade. Meiling said I was cold. before fourth grade. What happened in fourth grade then? What had I told Sakura on that bridge to make her cry?
"Syaoran?" A voice asked. For a moment I believed the voice to be Sakura, but I knew deep down that I wasn't.
"What?" I asked warily. The image, the memory was gone. Meiling's ruby eyes were peering into my face.
"Come on, let's go to breakfast. You can tell me what hit you in the face when we get there," She commanded me knowingly. Count on Meiling to know what was going through my head.
We sat at a table in the back of the breakfast house. It was early in the morning and besides us, only two other tables were taken. I ordered Meiling her favorite treat of apple Danish and honey milk since she was obviously thinking hard about something. From her look, I knew she was deciding whether to tell me or not.
Meiling returned to normal self after she drank deeply from her honey milk. "Alright, Syaoran. Tell me what hit you on the head," She demanded.
"Whatever," I mumbled, eating my own blueberry muffin. I knew Meiling was watching me intently as I avoided my eyes. This was how I dealt with things sometimes. When I didn't want to answer, I'd pretend to care less.
"I'll first talk then." She replied smoothly. "I'll say what made me tear up at the quad." She was glancing out the window, stirring her milk unconsciously. Finally she sighed out loud and looked back at me.
"Are you going to talk now?" I asked, smirking.
"God, grant me patience," She said exaggeratedly. "It's four thirty in the morning and I have to have breakfast with my sarcastic cousin."
"No more kidding around, dear cuz." She changed her tone so quickly that her earlier words vanished.
She continued before I could reply. "That shirt," she pointed it with her small spoon. "Where did you get it?"
I looked down at my emerald green colored button shirt with a collar. It was plainly designed, but somehow it gave off a feeling of being majestic. I shrugged. "I always had this shirt around me." I replied casually. Indeed, I had always thought that I had this shirt.
"You really don't know do you?" Meiling asked exasperatedly.
"Aren't you the one to tell me?" I shot back, annoyed. I hated when Meiling hid something from me and acted all superior.
"Baka, you're not the one to get all angry with me." She replied sharply. "Don't vent your anger out on me,"
"Who said I was?" I demanded, lying through my teeth. My cousin sighed, her ruby red eyes containing a sense of sadness.
"That shirt was given to you on your sixteenth birthday," She started in a calm voice. "Sakura made that with some help of Tomoyo to give to you."
"Sakura?" I asked, hearing my voice tremble at her name. Meiling focused her eyes on me and nodded.
"Yes. Emerald green stood an important symbol in both hers and your life." Meiling replied simply, not explaining more.
"It's the color of her eyes." I said awed. Those were the best feature I thought she was to have. Her eyes would always bright up and shine whenever she smiled or laughed.
"Hai. It stood a simple but strong bond between you two." When I didn't reply, Meiling continued. "Syaoran, what's your favorite color?"
"Blue.." My voice died off. "It can't be. green.is it?" I asked hoarsely. When Meiling just looked at me with serious eyes, I could feel the color of my skin drain. Meiling patiently waited for me to think it over, eating her breakfast.
Green. that was my favorite color. Green, for the color of her eyes. My head was spinning with thoughts. This shirt. those colors. I had seen this color somewhere else. on Sakura, her clothing.
My mind brought me back to the time during the moon festival celebration. Then it hit me. The kimono Sakura wore that day. emerald green with pink ying fa. Ying fa stood for Sakura. did that mean the green color stood for me? We were.. More than..
My head started to hurt really hard, as if someone was controlling my head. I winced, holding my head, biting down my pain. I didn't want Meiling to know that I hurt me thinking about Sakura.
"Syaoran, what's wrong?" She demanded, prying me hand off my head. She placed a cool hand on my forehead. "You're burning! Why didn't you tell me that?" She asked worriedly. "I knew I shouldn't have told you to come for breakfast."
I was going to tell her it wasn't her fault when I felt a sudden fleeting sense of magic behind me as we were walking outside. I turned my head sharply too look, but the pain in my head caused my vision to blurry. I only saw a slight figure before it receded back to where it came from. Who was that?
*** Third POV ***
"That was close." The person's lips curled into a slight smile. "Time to go on to phase two." Throwing a bright object upwards, the person caught it in mid air. The object glittered like a star before it was closed into darkness once more.
*** Eriol and Tomoyo. Eriol's POV (finally!) ***
I woke up suddenly, my face breaking out in sweat. Muttering, I got my glasses of my bed stand swiftly and donned them on. It was barely morning, only five o'clock in the morning. Shaking my head, I sat up on my bed. Whatever had caused me to wake up so early? I let my thoughts drift.
Then I remembered. In my dream, I saw someone hidden in the darkness with something bright and shiny glittering as I was tossed into the air and caught again. That's when I felt it again; a quick warmness filled my body in a flash. But like a flash, it disappeared as quickly as it came.
I took off my glasses and rubbed the bridge of my nose. That feeling was oddly familiar. Deciding to get up, I peered out the window. Someone was standing there, but where he was standing, it was hard to see whom it was. At last when I donned my glasses, the figure had vanished. Was that my imagination?
And then, I felt it again. That warm spot through my body.
Then I understood what I had felt, but it couldn't be possible. Indeed it was likely that I had mistaken what I had felt. Besides, even before Sakura became card captor, I knew of every source in magic. expect that one, if it was magic though.
My concentration fled as a hesitant knock came on my door. I turned to see sweet Tomoyo's face peering in, her face into a frown.
"I thought I heard someone awake as I went the bathroom." She commented sleepily. I smiled lightly; she was adorable when she was sleepy with her bright hazy purple eyes twinkling.
"I was just thinking," I replied smoothly. No point of telling her and getting her worried. Besides, I didn't even know if I was right or not.
"Oh," She replied. Then she tilted her head and gave me a small smile. "Thinking about what?"
I just gave her one of my calm smiles and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Nothing to worry about, sweetness." I said, drawing a smile from my princess.
"I hope it was nothing," she said knowingly. "And I expect to tell me later after you have sorted things out." I grinned sheepishly. Her eyes never failed her and she noticed the smallest details and was wonderful at knowing how people felt. Talk about empathy.
"Thank you sweet," I replied humbly. Tomoyo grinned.
"Well, I'm going to take a shower. It's too late to go back to sleep." She said casually. "Let's go somewhere and have fun, maybe a picnic today? We could invite Meiling and Syaoran to come,"
"Wonderful idea," I replied. "You go take your shower and I'll call them." She nodded and headed for the shower. I dialed my descendant's number and Wei picked up as usual.
"Ohayo, Wei." I greeted politely. "Up already?"
A light chuckle came from the other end. "I see you're up as well, Hiiragizawa -san."
I smiled. "Yes indeed. It's too good of a day to waste sleeping. Is Syaoran or Meiling home?" I asked.
"Hai. Please wait for a moment," He covered the receiver and called Meiling to get the phone.
"Ohayo, Eriol," A familiar female voice answered.
"Ohayo, Meiling." I replied. "Are you available today?" I asked.
Meiling laughed. "What asking me on a date? Got tired of Tomoyo already?" She joked.
"I never get tired of her," I replied truthfully, looking at the bathroom where Tomoyo was singing softly to herself about a song of sweet love. Meiling giggled.
"I know, I know. The two of you are made for each other," She said. "So tell me, what got you up so early in the morning? Need my advice on what's flattering to wear in bed?"
"Very funny," I growled. "Tomoyo was asking if you and Syaoran wanted to go picnic today."
"Oh. gomen, Eriol." She apologized sincerely.
"No, no it's okay. What's wrong?" I sat down on the arm of the sofa to listen.
"Syaoran and I went for breakfast around four thirty to talk and he suddenly got a high fever. He always tries to hide his pain," She explained.
"Suddenly?" I asked.
"At least I think so. We were talking about Sakura. That guy hasn't been thinking about her much. He says he can't remember things without her here." Meiling confessed in a tired tone. I knew she was spending most of her time, trying to get Syaoran to remember Sakura and that I was hurting her to see him isolating himself.
Somehow my mind wandered off the to feeling of magic during the morning. It was around the same time when Syaoran and Meiling went to breakfast, around half an hour later. I sighed. Suppose I was going nowhere with this idea of new magic. Even if Syaoran did feel a sense of magic, he was having a high fever during that time and that usually influences the ability to sense magic. This was frustrating. What was happening? Was it just simply a coincidence that Sakura left Hong Kong during this time period? Stop thinking so much, Eriol I told myself sternly. You're jumping into conclusions too fast.
"Eriol, are you there?" Meiling asked, breaking my thoughts. It was then I noticed Tomoyo sitting next to me with a worried look. I guess I really had been deep in my thoughts to not have notice my surroundings.
"Yeah. Well, tell Syaoran to get better soon. Me and Tomoyo will visit you guys after we have breakfast." I replied quickly.
"Sure, later then." She replied and hung up. I faced Tomoyo's worried look.
"It's nothing, sweet. Syaoran's just got a high fever this morning and can't come. We're visiting him later okay?" I kissed her gently on the cheeks, but I knew Tomoyo knew that I was hiding something from her. I sighed inwardly. I would make it up for her later, but I wasn't sure at all what was happening. And this was bad, having the mistress away while magic is acting up. How was I to make sure of the magical senses I was having? I ran fingers through my hair and went into my room to change. All the time I could sense Tomoyo's eyes on me, but she knew when not to question things and I was grateful for that.
*** Meiling's POV in the Li Mansion ***
I changed the wet cold towel for Syaoran's head. He was having a high fever, which was unusual; he rarely ever got sick and if he ever did, it was usually some small cold. Unless I was thinking too much, things were much serious than it seemed.
"Arigato," He whispered hoarsely, his voice rough and sandy like sandpaper.
"Hush." I commanded sharply. Syaoran grinned warily and that made me smile. I guess I was never really soft tempered like those girls who get all mushy when one's sick. I giggled to myself at the thought of it.
"You don't have to stay here," he rasped, coughing hard.
I laughed sarcastically and glared at him. "Just wonderful. All these years I've been planning how to kill you and now you've just given me the perfect solution: let you cough and burn with fever until you die. Wonderful," I drawled. Syaoran smiled.
"Arigato." He replied softly. I smiled.
"Yeah, yeah. Just cough if you need me. I'll be using your computer." I replied, sliding into the computer chair and checking my mail.
I smiled as I noticed a long letter from Sakura.
Meiling:
It's extremely boring without your laughter and constant jokes. People here are nice, but none are as wonderfully sweet and sarcastic as you. Alisha and Jeff are a perfect couple and its extremely funny to see to the two tease each other. It kind of reminds me like you and. Syaoran actually.
I can't stop thinking about him actually, Meiling. Things are just not the same without him here (that goes for you, Tomoyo, and Eriol as well, but you know what I mean). At least in Hong Kong we seemed to be like friends and it's just more painful without seeing him here. My mind often plays back to the time I said goodbye to Syaoran in front of your house before I left to Beijing. I can imagine his arms around me and even feel warm as I think of it. It's just that I'm always wondering what he wanted to say to me before I felt. Oh, Meiling. I long to talk to you about these matters when it seems you know him best.
Tell Tomoyo and Eriol that I loved the tape and that I was wonderful. It was such a surprise to know. The band thing is coming out fine and first competition is two weeks from now, on a Saturday. I'll get one of my friends here to tape the whole thing up since I want you guys to see it so bad.
Oh Mei, I don't know if I should write to Syaoran or not. Hehe, it seems like I'm like some love drunken gal huh? Sigh, I just don't know what's wrong with me. Okay, I've made up my mind. I'm going to write a letter to Syaoran. It's on the attachment. I would rather that only he read. but if he lets you read the letter, I guess you can read it. Oh, I hope things turn out okay.
Anyhow, I'm going to skating with Jeff, Alisha, Sandry, Mike, and Ryoko. It'll be fun, but its nothing like hanging out with you guys of course! Write back soon and much love to all of you~
Sakura.
I sighed and clicked on the button to reply to her letter. Sakura seemed sad, like Syaoran was right now. I looked over at Syaoran who was trying to fall asleep but couldn't. I clicked the log out button and would reply to Sakura later. Right now, Syaoran seemed weird. I was still wondering how he got a high fever so suddenly.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't even hear Syaoran's constant raspy coughs.
"I thought you said that if I needed anything I should cough," he complained, talking in a crackly voice. I broke out from my thoughts
"Sorry dear cousin. I was reading a letter Sakura sent. By the way, she sent you one in my care." I replied, trying to cover my embarrassment. Syaoran's eyes brightened somewhat at the sound of the letter, yet he looked away quickly.
"What now?" I asked exasperatedly. "You told her yourself that you wanted a letter from her and now that you have one you're not going to read it?" I demanded. Syaoran just shrugged, his eyes looking away from me.
"You know she had to pluck a lot of courage as well to write the letter and you're just- " I stopped in the middle of my rambling when I noticed what Syaoran was looking at. He was looking at the blue handkerchief by his bed stand. I guess I was so worried about his sickness that I didn't notice that the familiar gray teddy was sitting beside Syaoran's pillow. My eyes watered; it was just so freaking unfair that things like this had to happen to the best couple on earth. It was unbearable to see Syaoran's mind wandering off and unable to see his caring and warm side he showed only around close friends, especially Sakura. And Sakura, she was struggling to be happy, to keep that smile on her face each day. I know that she's tearing up inside, but she just can't get over him. He's changed her as much as she's changed him.
They're simply made for each other.
I guess we were both so lost in our thoughts that I didn't hear Wei call me the first time.
"Huh? Oh, yes Wei?" I replied quickly. Wei just smiled lightly.
"Meiling, Tomoyo and Eriol are here to see how Syaoran is doing." He replied in his usual soft velvety voice.
"Thank you, Wei. Please tell them to come up, will you?" I asked politely. He nodded and closed the door quietly behind him.
*** Third POV ***
Tomoyo and Eriol walked on the winding staircase and knocked quietly on Syaoran's door.
"Come in!" They heard Meiling's voice call out from inside. The two opened the door and walked inside. "Hey," She greeted them. Tomoyo smiled and walked up to her friend at the computer. Her light purple eyes saddened as she saw the letter Sakura sent. Meiling hastily closed the window. Tomoyo half smiled knowingly and sat down in the seat next to the Chinese girl.
Eriol walked over to Syaoran's bed and smiled that secretive smile. Picking up the bear gently from the bed, the blue haired young man studied it carefully. All the time Syaoran had his hawk eyes on the bear, guarding it carefully. Eriol noticed and chuckled lightly, placing the bear back on the bed.
"I'm not going to take it from you, Syaoran," He said softly. "I came to see how you were doing."
"I'm fine," The Chinese boy said indignantly, but his voice betrayed him in an almost inaudible voice.
"I'll get some warm tea for you." Tomoyo offered in a soft voice. "Want to come Meiling? I think the boys want some time alone," she hinted to her friend. Meiling nodded and followed Tomoyo out the door.
"How do you know that they want to talk?" Meiling asked when they were in the kitchen preparing some hot tea. Tomoyo smiled sadly.
"Eriol's been troubled lately, especially this morning. He hasn't explained much to me yet." The girl replied in a quiet voice. "I guess he's trying to protect me."
"Aren't you glad?" Meiling replied tentatively. "That he cares?"
Tomoyo shook her head furiously. "I am glad that he cares but I wish sometimes that he wouldn't bear all the pain himself!" She cried.
"Things will be alright, Tomoyo. Eriol has he reasons sometimes. Remember he's a half descendent of Clow Reed. And I promise you that he will tell you. Maybe he's just not sure of himself yet."
Tomoyo pondered that over. "I guess so. I wish Sakura was here," She commented as she made rosemary lemon tea.
"Exactly." Meiling replied. "Mmm. Sakura's favorite tea."
"Syaoran's as well if I remember correctly," Tomoyo replied.
Meiling laughed. "Yeah, well everything of Sakura's favorites became Syaoran's after they became a couple." Tomoyo giggled as well.
Then they stopped. "I hope things will turn out well." The raven-haired girl prayed.
"I'm sure they will, but meanwhile 'Something's rotten in the state of Denmark.'" Meiling remarked, quoting Shakespeare's Hamlet.
"Meiling, I just have to find a way to get used to your scholarly ways and studying Shakespeare." Tomoyo said teasingly. Starting that year, Meiling rolled into a Shakespeare course for her elective and had found it wonderfully interesting. She was currently studying Hamlet and often quoted from it.
*** Meanwhile, Syaoran and Eriol ***
Eriol sighed; he didn't know how to word the things he wanted to say. "Syaoran, how did you get sick? If I remember correctly you hardly ever get sick, considering how well you take care of yourself." He started.
Syaoran shrugged. "I don't know. I was having breakfast when I suddenly felt sick. I think.. It was when I was. thinking of Sakura."
"Suddenly?" He remarked alert. Syaoran nodded.
"I think so. I can't remember things clearly."
"Did you feel anything strange when you were leaving the shop?" Eriol demanded, wondering if there was any connection between Syaoran getting sick and the magic sources he felt early in the morning.
Syaoran closed his eyes and thought hard. "I don't think so. All I remember was that everything was hazy. Meiling had to call Wei to pick me back home."
"Do you really not know anything?" Eriol stubbornly asked.
"Not that I know of." His friend replied tiredly.
Eriol nodded and sat down in a chair beside the bed dejectedly. Had all his assumptions and feelings been all part of his imagination? Right now he could only keep it to himself and keep alert.
"Don't worry Eriol," his sick friend rasped. "I still have my guard up."
Eriol smiled warily and nodded. "B?" He asked, holding out his fist. Syaoran smiled and lifted his own fist, hitting it down on Eriol's.
"B." he replied smiling slightly. Tomoyo and Meiling smiled from the doorway as they witnessed the "B" thing. The two could be quiet sweet together sometimes. "B" was what they two invented; it meant bud, as in buddy, pals.
Things would be okay, it just needed to take time to unravel everything and see the true line. But that would take some time.
*** How was it? LOL, that's like the first question I ask every time. Again. Sorry for not updating last week, for reasons, look at author's note. Thanks for all your wonderful patience and please review after you're done reading this. Hehe. Sorry that that there wasn't much Sakura in this chapter. I just thought I should focus a bit more on Eriol, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Meiling. Anyhow, tell me what you think in your reviews. THANKS! ~Rainbow Dreamer.
By Rainbow Dreamer and co-author Cryst and Ying Fa
*Dedicated to Cryst and Ying Fa, who have helped me with this story. If it weren't for you both, none of this would of happened. Arigato.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT, I repeat, I do NOT own CCS. It belongs to Clamp! I think you all know though, that this story is my own and every idea is of my own. Yep.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey! Sorry that this chapter's is a week late. It's just that I was out birthday partying all week and plus I had to get my computer fixed, so gomen!! Gomen, gomen, gomen. I knew all you guys were waiting impatiently for the next chapter. Sorry. I'll try to get another chapter out this week. Don't keep your hope too high though, I'm working on college stuff during weekends. God, I sound so pessimistic. Ugh. Anyhow, sorry about not updating soon.
Hm.. Let's see. Should Syaoran and Sakura write? Hm.? I know, I know, I should stop playing with your innocent minds. LoL.
Anyhow, this is a HUGE thanks to all those that read this story. It's been a long way, huh? It's chapter nineteen already! Totally awesome. Thanks for all you support. Rainbow Dreamer.
IF YOU REVIEWED FOR THE LAST CHAPTER, LOOK FOR YOUR NAME UNDER SPECIAL THANKS BELOW!
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Orchid Angel: About Meiling telling Sakura that they don't want to be a "light bulb" in the last chapter. Being a "light bulb" means, well, your know, ruining the moment of two people? Kind of like being a third wheel I guess. Eriol and Tomoyo together but then Sakura's there.. Get the point? LoL. Ask me to explain better if this sounds confusing.
AZNangel20: Sorry you're all so confused. In time you shall know everything. Oh, and thanks for both of your reviews.
Kirei Ayumi: Thanks.
Sweet Madison: Thanks for the birthday wishes! How do you know I smile I lot? Heheh. *Smiles *
Li Syaoran is Kakoii: thanks for the birthday wishes and I'll try my best at updating.
Keetra: Thanks for the birthday wishes as well! Yay! I must agree that when Syaoran gets embarrassed it's totally hanyan! Glad you liked the tape idea and with all the support you and the others have been giving, this fic is already great!
Kawaii Teddy Bear: here's your update!
Idiot2002: Thanks for wishing me happy birthday! I'm glad that the tape idea went well for everyone! Kali has magic? She does??
Sakura Potato: Can I comment on something? Why potato? LoL. Just wondering, don't take that personally. Glad you like the fic.
Karamel: Okay, so maybe I have to make Sakura a bit tougher. Maybe. Hey, I was writing through personal experience. Those small things. they bring back so many memories, you know? Anyhow, keep reading!! Yay!
Pnaixrose8: I'm glad that someone knows how it feels when your computer dies! LoL, we've obviously have been in the same boat. Glad last chapter was a kawaii one and I'm gushing on how all of you like the tape idea! Oh, and just a suggestion. try working on your threats. LoL. Just kidding.
Lilyflower: WOW. That's my first reaction. And that's totally enough drama! And what you wrote reminded me; Sakura's dad will be appearing more often. I've put him by the side these days.
Kawaii Cherry Wolf: Of course you belong on my special thanks list! Everyone does! Thanks for wishing me happy birthday!
CHAPTER NINETEEN:
*** Sakura's POV ***
I lay on my bed, with my right hand on my head casually. What was I to do now? Sighing, I turned over on the bed and looked at my desk. Books were placed neatly in a row on the desk. My eyes averted to the small shelf above my desk. Pictures and precious dolls and objects lay as if they were waiting for me. As if in a trance, I swung my legs over the bed and walked over to the shelf. I ran a finger over an empty spot on the shelf, smiling sadly. This was where I had placed the blue handkerchief while I was sleeping. Closing my eyes, I could picture the tattered cloth clearly. It's vivid blue color that never faded with the white lining. Once in a while, Tomoyo would mend the fraying seams into perfection once again. Now the cloth that contained so many memories was back with its owner. I leaned my back against the desk, facing my bed.
Syaoran's bear. I missed cuddling and sleeping with it. I wonder. how it was doing with Syaoran.
*** Syaoran's POV. Hong Kong ***
My alarm quietly beeped two times. I opened my eyes, blinking a few times before focusing on the clock. It was four o'clock, the time to start practice. Quietly I changed into comfortable pants and a white muscle shirt. Slipping into the morning sky, I went to the front yard to begin my practice.
I was practicing my moves when I heard someone move behind me. Instinctively, I quietly held my breath, blending with the little darkness that was around and disappeared from sight. Doing a back flip with grace, I kicked off a pole lightly and hung on the high bars that ran horizontally to support the roof. I stayed there for the briefest moment until I knew who it was.
"Meiling." I stated. Meiling turned around and looked up at the ceiling where I was perched. She smirked at me and I dropped to the ground without a sound.
"Ohayo, my dear cuz," She greeted, batting her eyes innocently. I growled and put my sword away with my magic.
"What do you want, Meiling?" I demanded quietly, leaning on the wall with my arms crossed.
"Don't be so pinned up, will you? I was just wondering if you want to have some breakfast with me. We haven't talked in a long time." She asked. I stared at her, with one of my eyebrows raised. It was Meiling's turn to growl at me.
"Stop it, Li Xiao Lang. We do need to talk. You've been ignoring us since Sakura left and you've hardly been like yourself. You're becoming. more like the you before you met Sakura in fourth grade." She stated angrily. I opened my mouth to protest. "You are, Syaoran. You're becoming the old, cold hearted guy I thought I'd never have to see again."
I closed my eyes and pondered over what she had said. This was Meiling talking, not some random person. She knew me my whole life and practically knew everything about me there was to know, well almost. I just had this feeling that someone out there knew me the best, knew me to the fullest extent, maybe even better than I knew myself. The only problem was that I didn't know who he, she, it was.
"What do you mean, before fourth grade?" I growled quietly, through my eyes closed. I could picture Meiling's frustrated look, with her hands raised up. I opened my eyes and found that I was right. I smirked with my arms crossed smugly.
"Have you been thinking about her lately? You used to be so. eager to know about her connection in your life. Now that she's gone. you've seemed to forget her all together again." Meiling asked, ignoring my smug look as if it wasn't even there. I looked away from her, my eyes looking at the far distance. I guess I could never fool her.
We both stood there for a while, watching the sun unravel its glory into the morning sky, brightening the whole world. "I've been trying to think about her." I finally answered. "It's just that. with her gone, it's been harder for me to recall things."
Meiling half smiled. "So, you up to some breakfast?" She said. I turned and nodded.
"Yeah, let me change."
"Meet you by the quad." She and I said in unison. She grinned at me and ambled off to the quad. The quad was what Meiling and I called the large space before our front gate. Since we were small, we called it that. I smiled remembering.
I came out a while later with a green shirt and black baggy pants. For some reason, Meiling's eyes watered a bit when she saw me, but quickly looked away. It might have been my eyes, but I was pretty sure something was wrong. After all, with all the training, I'm used to catching small details most can't notice in a blink of an eye. I studied her for a moment, but Meiling didn't want to talk about it.
"I thought breakfast was the idea?" I asked. Meiling laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. I was just thinking. Come on," She said gaily, leading the way. I rolled my eyes, but as she skipped around the corner, a memory hit full force in the head.
Sakura. The night she came and said goodbye. I walked like in a dream in front of my gate and looked down the road Sakura ran away from. I closed my eyes; I could picture her in my mind.
Who is she? She looks like Sakura. only younger. Wait. is that me? The young amber-eyed boy?
What are they doing? The boy and the girl were at some bridge.the boy said something to her and ran off. why did he leave? I saw the girl call out his name..
My name. Then I understood. parts of it. That was me... and that was Sakura. We looked young. like in fourth grade. Wait. fourth grade. Meiling said I was cold. before fourth grade. What happened in fourth grade then? What had I told Sakura on that bridge to make her cry?
"Syaoran?" A voice asked. For a moment I believed the voice to be Sakura, but I knew deep down that I wasn't.
"What?" I asked warily. The image, the memory was gone. Meiling's ruby eyes were peering into my face.
"Come on, let's go to breakfast. You can tell me what hit you in the face when we get there," She commanded me knowingly. Count on Meiling to know what was going through my head.
We sat at a table in the back of the breakfast house. It was early in the morning and besides us, only two other tables were taken. I ordered Meiling her favorite treat of apple Danish and honey milk since she was obviously thinking hard about something. From her look, I knew she was deciding whether to tell me or not.
Meiling returned to normal self after she drank deeply from her honey milk. "Alright, Syaoran. Tell me what hit you on the head," She demanded.
"Whatever," I mumbled, eating my own blueberry muffin. I knew Meiling was watching me intently as I avoided my eyes. This was how I dealt with things sometimes. When I didn't want to answer, I'd pretend to care less.
"I'll first talk then." She replied smoothly. "I'll say what made me tear up at the quad." She was glancing out the window, stirring her milk unconsciously. Finally she sighed out loud and looked back at me.
"Are you going to talk now?" I asked, smirking.
"God, grant me patience," She said exaggeratedly. "It's four thirty in the morning and I have to have breakfast with my sarcastic cousin."
"No more kidding around, dear cuz." She changed her tone so quickly that her earlier words vanished.
She continued before I could reply. "That shirt," she pointed it with her small spoon. "Where did you get it?"
I looked down at my emerald green colored button shirt with a collar. It was plainly designed, but somehow it gave off a feeling of being majestic. I shrugged. "I always had this shirt around me." I replied casually. Indeed, I had always thought that I had this shirt.
"You really don't know do you?" Meiling asked exasperatedly.
"Aren't you the one to tell me?" I shot back, annoyed. I hated when Meiling hid something from me and acted all superior.
"Baka, you're not the one to get all angry with me." She replied sharply. "Don't vent your anger out on me,"
"Who said I was?" I demanded, lying through my teeth. My cousin sighed, her ruby red eyes containing a sense of sadness.
"That shirt was given to you on your sixteenth birthday," She started in a calm voice. "Sakura made that with some help of Tomoyo to give to you."
"Sakura?" I asked, hearing my voice tremble at her name. Meiling focused her eyes on me and nodded.
"Yes. Emerald green stood an important symbol in both hers and your life." Meiling replied simply, not explaining more.
"It's the color of her eyes." I said awed. Those were the best feature I thought she was to have. Her eyes would always bright up and shine whenever she smiled or laughed.
"Hai. It stood a simple but strong bond between you two." When I didn't reply, Meiling continued. "Syaoran, what's your favorite color?"
"Blue.." My voice died off. "It can't be. green.is it?" I asked hoarsely. When Meiling just looked at me with serious eyes, I could feel the color of my skin drain. Meiling patiently waited for me to think it over, eating her breakfast.
Green. that was my favorite color. Green, for the color of her eyes. My head was spinning with thoughts. This shirt. those colors. I had seen this color somewhere else. on Sakura, her clothing.
My mind brought me back to the time during the moon festival celebration. Then it hit me. The kimono Sakura wore that day. emerald green with pink ying fa. Ying fa stood for Sakura. did that mean the green color stood for me? We were.. More than..
My head started to hurt really hard, as if someone was controlling my head. I winced, holding my head, biting down my pain. I didn't want Meiling to know that I hurt me thinking about Sakura.
"Syaoran, what's wrong?" She demanded, prying me hand off my head. She placed a cool hand on my forehead. "You're burning! Why didn't you tell me that?" She asked worriedly. "I knew I shouldn't have told you to come for breakfast."
I was going to tell her it wasn't her fault when I felt a sudden fleeting sense of magic behind me as we were walking outside. I turned my head sharply too look, but the pain in my head caused my vision to blurry. I only saw a slight figure before it receded back to where it came from. Who was that?
*** Third POV ***
"That was close." The person's lips curled into a slight smile. "Time to go on to phase two." Throwing a bright object upwards, the person caught it in mid air. The object glittered like a star before it was closed into darkness once more.
*** Eriol and Tomoyo. Eriol's POV (finally!) ***
I woke up suddenly, my face breaking out in sweat. Muttering, I got my glasses of my bed stand swiftly and donned them on. It was barely morning, only five o'clock in the morning. Shaking my head, I sat up on my bed. Whatever had caused me to wake up so early? I let my thoughts drift.
Then I remembered. In my dream, I saw someone hidden in the darkness with something bright and shiny glittering as I was tossed into the air and caught again. That's when I felt it again; a quick warmness filled my body in a flash. But like a flash, it disappeared as quickly as it came.
I took off my glasses and rubbed the bridge of my nose. That feeling was oddly familiar. Deciding to get up, I peered out the window. Someone was standing there, but where he was standing, it was hard to see whom it was. At last when I donned my glasses, the figure had vanished. Was that my imagination?
And then, I felt it again. That warm spot through my body.
Then I understood what I had felt, but it couldn't be possible. Indeed it was likely that I had mistaken what I had felt. Besides, even before Sakura became card captor, I knew of every source in magic. expect that one, if it was magic though.
My concentration fled as a hesitant knock came on my door. I turned to see sweet Tomoyo's face peering in, her face into a frown.
"I thought I heard someone awake as I went the bathroom." She commented sleepily. I smiled lightly; she was adorable when she was sleepy with her bright hazy purple eyes twinkling.
"I was just thinking," I replied smoothly. No point of telling her and getting her worried. Besides, I didn't even know if I was right or not.
"Oh," She replied. Then she tilted her head and gave me a small smile. "Thinking about what?"
I just gave her one of my calm smiles and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Nothing to worry about, sweetness." I said, drawing a smile from my princess.
"I hope it was nothing," she said knowingly. "And I expect to tell me later after you have sorted things out." I grinned sheepishly. Her eyes never failed her and she noticed the smallest details and was wonderful at knowing how people felt. Talk about empathy.
"Thank you sweet," I replied humbly. Tomoyo grinned.
"Well, I'm going to take a shower. It's too late to go back to sleep." She said casually. "Let's go somewhere and have fun, maybe a picnic today? We could invite Meiling and Syaoran to come,"
"Wonderful idea," I replied. "You go take your shower and I'll call them." She nodded and headed for the shower. I dialed my descendant's number and Wei picked up as usual.
"Ohayo, Wei." I greeted politely. "Up already?"
A light chuckle came from the other end. "I see you're up as well, Hiiragizawa -san."
I smiled. "Yes indeed. It's too good of a day to waste sleeping. Is Syaoran or Meiling home?" I asked.
"Hai. Please wait for a moment," He covered the receiver and called Meiling to get the phone.
"Ohayo, Eriol," A familiar female voice answered.
"Ohayo, Meiling." I replied. "Are you available today?" I asked.
Meiling laughed. "What asking me on a date? Got tired of Tomoyo already?" She joked.
"I never get tired of her," I replied truthfully, looking at the bathroom where Tomoyo was singing softly to herself about a song of sweet love. Meiling giggled.
"I know, I know. The two of you are made for each other," She said. "So tell me, what got you up so early in the morning? Need my advice on what's flattering to wear in bed?"
"Very funny," I growled. "Tomoyo was asking if you and Syaoran wanted to go picnic today."
"Oh. gomen, Eriol." She apologized sincerely.
"No, no it's okay. What's wrong?" I sat down on the arm of the sofa to listen.
"Syaoran and I went for breakfast around four thirty to talk and he suddenly got a high fever. He always tries to hide his pain," She explained.
"Suddenly?" I asked.
"At least I think so. We were talking about Sakura. That guy hasn't been thinking about her much. He says he can't remember things without her here." Meiling confessed in a tired tone. I knew she was spending most of her time, trying to get Syaoran to remember Sakura and that I was hurting her to see him isolating himself.
Somehow my mind wandered off the to feeling of magic during the morning. It was around the same time when Syaoran and Meiling went to breakfast, around half an hour later. I sighed. Suppose I was going nowhere with this idea of new magic. Even if Syaoran did feel a sense of magic, he was having a high fever during that time and that usually influences the ability to sense magic. This was frustrating. What was happening? Was it just simply a coincidence that Sakura left Hong Kong during this time period? Stop thinking so much, Eriol I told myself sternly. You're jumping into conclusions too fast.
"Eriol, are you there?" Meiling asked, breaking my thoughts. It was then I noticed Tomoyo sitting next to me with a worried look. I guess I really had been deep in my thoughts to not have notice my surroundings.
"Yeah. Well, tell Syaoran to get better soon. Me and Tomoyo will visit you guys after we have breakfast." I replied quickly.
"Sure, later then." She replied and hung up. I faced Tomoyo's worried look.
"It's nothing, sweet. Syaoran's just got a high fever this morning and can't come. We're visiting him later okay?" I kissed her gently on the cheeks, but I knew Tomoyo knew that I was hiding something from her. I sighed inwardly. I would make it up for her later, but I wasn't sure at all what was happening. And this was bad, having the mistress away while magic is acting up. How was I to make sure of the magical senses I was having? I ran fingers through my hair and went into my room to change. All the time I could sense Tomoyo's eyes on me, but she knew when not to question things and I was grateful for that.
*** Meiling's POV in the Li Mansion ***
I changed the wet cold towel for Syaoran's head. He was having a high fever, which was unusual; he rarely ever got sick and if he ever did, it was usually some small cold. Unless I was thinking too much, things were much serious than it seemed.
"Arigato," He whispered hoarsely, his voice rough and sandy like sandpaper.
"Hush." I commanded sharply. Syaoran grinned warily and that made me smile. I guess I was never really soft tempered like those girls who get all mushy when one's sick. I giggled to myself at the thought of it.
"You don't have to stay here," he rasped, coughing hard.
I laughed sarcastically and glared at him. "Just wonderful. All these years I've been planning how to kill you and now you've just given me the perfect solution: let you cough and burn with fever until you die. Wonderful," I drawled. Syaoran smiled.
"Arigato." He replied softly. I smiled.
"Yeah, yeah. Just cough if you need me. I'll be using your computer." I replied, sliding into the computer chair and checking my mail.
I smiled as I noticed a long letter from Sakura.
Meiling:
It's extremely boring without your laughter and constant jokes. People here are nice, but none are as wonderfully sweet and sarcastic as you. Alisha and Jeff are a perfect couple and its extremely funny to see to the two tease each other. It kind of reminds me like you and. Syaoran actually.
I can't stop thinking about him actually, Meiling. Things are just not the same without him here (that goes for you, Tomoyo, and Eriol as well, but you know what I mean). At least in Hong Kong we seemed to be like friends and it's just more painful without seeing him here. My mind often plays back to the time I said goodbye to Syaoran in front of your house before I left to Beijing. I can imagine his arms around me and even feel warm as I think of it. It's just that I'm always wondering what he wanted to say to me before I felt. Oh, Meiling. I long to talk to you about these matters when it seems you know him best.
Tell Tomoyo and Eriol that I loved the tape and that I was wonderful. It was such a surprise to know. The band thing is coming out fine and first competition is two weeks from now, on a Saturday. I'll get one of my friends here to tape the whole thing up since I want you guys to see it so bad.
Oh Mei, I don't know if I should write to Syaoran or not. Hehe, it seems like I'm like some love drunken gal huh? Sigh, I just don't know what's wrong with me. Okay, I've made up my mind. I'm going to write a letter to Syaoran. It's on the attachment. I would rather that only he read. but if he lets you read the letter, I guess you can read it. Oh, I hope things turn out okay.
Anyhow, I'm going to skating with Jeff, Alisha, Sandry, Mike, and Ryoko. It'll be fun, but its nothing like hanging out with you guys of course! Write back soon and much love to all of you~
Sakura.
I sighed and clicked on the button to reply to her letter. Sakura seemed sad, like Syaoran was right now. I looked over at Syaoran who was trying to fall asleep but couldn't. I clicked the log out button and would reply to Sakura later. Right now, Syaoran seemed weird. I was still wondering how he got a high fever so suddenly.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't even hear Syaoran's constant raspy coughs.
"I thought you said that if I needed anything I should cough," he complained, talking in a crackly voice. I broke out from my thoughts
"Sorry dear cousin. I was reading a letter Sakura sent. By the way, she sent you one in my care." I replied, trying to cover my embarrassment. Syaoran's eyes brightened somewhat at the sound of the letter, yet he looked away quickly.
"What now?" I asked exasperatedly. "You told her yourself that you wanted a letter from her and now that you have one you're not going to read it?" I demanded. Syaoran just shrugged, his eyes looking away from me.
"You know she had to pluck a lot of courage as well to write the letter and you're just- " I stopped in the middle of my rambling when I noticed what Syaoran was looking at. He was looking at the blue handkerchief by his bed stand. I guess I was so worried about his sickness that I didn't notice that the familiar gray teddy was sitting beside Syaoran's pillow. My eyes watered; it was just so freaking unfair that things like this had to happen to the best couple on earth. It was unbearable to see Syaoran's mind wandering off and unable to see his caring and warm side he showed only around close friends, especially Sakura. And Sakura, she was struggling to be happy, to keep that smile on her face each day. I know that she's tearing up inside, but she just can't get over him. He's changed her as much as she's changed him.
They're simply made for each other.
I guess we were both so lost in our thoughts that I didn't hear Wei call me the first time.
"Huh? Oh, yes Wei?" I replied quickly. Wei just smiled lightly.
"Meiling, Tomoyo and Eriol are here to see how Syaoran is doing." He replied in his usual soft velvety voice.
"Thank you, Wei. Please tell them to come up, will you?" I asked politely. He nodded and closed the door quietly behind him.
*** Third POV ***
Tomoyo and Eriol walked on the winding staircase and knocked quietly on Syaoran's door.
"Come in!" They heard Meiling's voice call out from inside. The two opened the door and walked inside. "Hey," She greeted them. Tomoyo smiled and walked up to her friend at the computer. Her light purple eyes saddened as she saw the letter Sakura sent. Meiling hastily closed the window. Tomoyo half smiled knowingly and sat down in the seat next to the Chinese girl.
Eriol walked over to Syaoran's bed and smiled that secretive smile. Picking up the bear gently from the bed, the blue haired young man studied it carefully. All the time Syaoran had his hawk eyes on the bear, guarding it carefully. Eriol noticed and chuckled lightly, placing the bear back on the bed.
"I'm not going to take it from you, Syaoran," He said softly. "I came to see how you were doing."
"I'm fine," The Chinese boy said indignantly, but his voice betrayed him in an almost inaudible voice.
"I'll get some warm tea for you." Tomoyo offered in a soft voice. "Want to come Meiling? I think the boys want some time alone," she hinted to her friend. Meiling nodded and followed Tomoyo out the door.
"How do you know that they want to talk?" Meiling asked when they were in the kitchen preparing some hot tea. Tomoyo smiled sadly.
"Eriol's been troubled lately, especially this morning. He hasn't explained much to me yet." The girl replied in a quiet voice. "I guess he's trying to protect me."
"Aren't you glad?" Meiling replied tentatively. "That he cares?"
Tomoyo shook her head furiously. "I am glad that he cares but I wish sometimes that he wouldn't bear all the pain himself!" She cried.
"Things will be alright, Tomoyo. Eriol has he reasons sometimes. Remember he's a half descendent of Clow Reed. And I promise you that he will tell you. Maybe he's just not sure of himself yet."
Tomoyo pondered that over. "I guess so. I wish Sakura was here," She commented as she made rosemary lemon tea.
"Exactly." Meiling replied. "Mmm. Sakura's favorite tea."
"Syaoran's as well if I remember correctly," Tomoyo replied.
Meiling laughed. "Yeah, well everything of Sakura's favorites became Syaoran's after they became a couple." Tomoyo giggled as well.
Then they stopped. "I hope things will turn out well." The raven-haired girl prayed.
"I'm sure they will, but meanwhile 'Something's rotten in the state of Denmark.'" Meiling remarked, quoting Shakespeare's Hamlet.
"Meiling, I just have to find a way to get used to your scholarly ways and studying Shakespeare." Tomoyo said teasingly. Starting that year, Meiling rolled into a Shakespeare course for her elective and had found it wonderfully interesting. She was currently studying Hamlet and often quoted from it.
*** Meanwhile, Syaoran and Eriol ***
Eriol sighed; he didn't know how to word the things he wanted to say. "Syaoran, how did you get sick? If I remember correctly you hardly ever get sick, considering how well you take care of yourself." He started.
Syaoran shrugged. "I don't know. I was having breakfast when I suddenly felt sick. I think.. It was when I was. thinking of Sakura."
"Suddenly?" He remarked alert. Syaoran nodded.
"I think so. I can't remember things clearly."
"Did you feel anything strange when you were leaving the shop?" Eriol demanded, wondering if there was any connection between Syaoran getting sick and the magic sources he felt early in the morning.
Syaoran closed his eyes and thought hard. "I don't think so. All I remember was that everything was hazy. Meiling had to call Wei to pick me back home."
"Do you really not know anything?" Eriol stubbornly asked.
"Not that I know of." His friend replied tiredly.
Eriol nodded and sat down in a chair beside the bed dejectedly. Had all his assumptions and feelings been all part of his imagination? Right now he could only keep it to himself and keep alert.
"Don't worry Eriol," his sick friend rasped. "I still have my guard up."
Eriol smiled warily and nodded. "B?" He asked, holding out his fist. Syaoran smiled and lifted his own fist, hitting it down on Eriol's.
"B." he replied smiling slightly. Tomoyo and Meiling smiled from the doorway as they witnessed the "B" thing. The two could be quiet sweet together sometimes. "B" was what they two invented; it meant bud, as in buddy, pals.
Things would be okay, it just needed to take time to unravel everything and see the true line. But that would take some time.
*** How was it? LOL, that's like the first question I ask every time. Again. Sorry for not updating last week, for reasons, look at author's note. Thanks for all your wonderful patience and please review after you're done reading this. Hehe. Sorry that that there wasn't much Sakura in this chapter. I just thought I should focus a bit more on Eriol, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Meiling. Anyhow, tell me what you think in your reviews. THANKS! ~Rainbow Dreamer.