Chapter 11: "You can't escape me."
Disclaimer/Author notes/Ramblings: Chapter 11, and still going strong! I'm writing this 2 days after the tragedy that occured in Washington and New York City. We Canadians are sending our prayers and well wishes to those affected by this horrible event. I will say this, though. We will not live our lives in fear. America, nor Canada, will cower at this. We will stand for our freedom, and we will hunt down and see those who did this get what is coming to them. Having said that, I feel we should move on with our lives, as this should not break our spirits. Granted, we have been wounded, but we will survive this; and I am one of many who feel this way. Now, with regards to this chapter, this one is basically the launch into the climax. It all starts here, baby. I want to thank all those who have reviewed this story, and sent in their suggestions. I'll consider them, and act accordingly. Thank you, and read on! [God bless America...]
* * *
Syaoran swallowed, as he got out of his desk, and walked to Miss. Kang's desk. "Hai?" he asked politely, bowing before her slightly. All his training had to come into play here. Once again, Li Syaroan donned the emotionless mask he had worn when he first came to Japan. "What is it you wanted to ask me, ma'am?"
"You are an exceptional math student, ne?" Miss. Kang asked, speaking friendly, and with an Osaka accent, which Syaoran noted immediately, and he nodded. "Tell me, Li-san, do you do any extra-cirricular activities?"
"No, ma'am," Syaoran shook his head. "I am focused on my studies rather than sports, or clubs. Although, I am was involved in the drill team earlier this year." He felt uneasy, tense, yet he didn't let his body language dipict that. (Stay calm, Syaoran. You can't let anything slip. She's trying to get to know you. What gets to you the most. Don't let anything personal get into this.)
"Do you have any siblings?" Miss. Kang asked. The class was obviously listening, even though they appeared to be deeply involved in their work. She smiled, sensing a little tenseness in the boy. "You don't have to be tense, Li-san."
"I live with my Guardian and my cousins," Syaoran replied honestly. (You're not getting me to tell you anything else.) "If you don't mind, Miss. Kang, I would like to go back and do my work. I prefer not to have any homework." Miss.Kang seemed a little surprised, but nodded, and Syaoran went back to his seat. (This is beginning to pick up. I have to be careful. Everyone around me has to be careful.)
* * *
With Math being the last class of the day, Sakura, Tomoyo, Meiling, Eriol and Syaoran were glad that it was the end, but the life-threatening stuff was just beginning. "I felt something strange about Miss. Kang," Sakura confided in the four, as they walked as a group out of the school. "Something definately evil."
"That would be because she is Chang Liu," Syaoran said quietly. "Eriol and I sensed it during class. Chang Liu can change her appearance, so we have to rely on our other senses, and not sight anymore. She wanted to get information out of me. But I didn't say anything that would endanger anyone's life."
"Syaoran, I'm scared," Meiling whispered to him, and only loud enough so that Syaoran himself could hear. "I'm worried about you. I'm worried about everyone. What if Chang Liu wins? I mean, she's really strong, and--" Syaoran put a finger to his cousin's lips. This sudden change of events brought a change in Meiling--She was still headstrong and had a temper, but it was now beginning to show her vulnerablity--and Syaoran smiled comfortingly.
"Meiling," Syaoran began, removing his finger from her lips, "it's going to be all right. We can survive this if we believe in ourselves. I feel safe because I have Hikari, and all of you. But we can't afford any mistakes. It sounds scary, and it is, but don't worry Meiling. Everything will be all right."
"Syaoran's right," Eriol said quietly. "I think we should stay calm, all of us. Of course, we should continue to live our lives as well as we can before this happened. Granted, it will be hard, but we can do it."
"Right," Tomoyo agreed, smiling. She was happy that everyone was getting along, and that Syaoran and Eriol had made their peace. The five made their way past the fence, where they saw Yukito and Hikari talking, and Touya sitting in the tree above them. It seemed like Yukito and Hikari were getting along really well, and Touya was in some sort of funk. "Yukito-san! Hikari-chan!" The two turned, and waved, as the elementary students walked up.
Hikari was immediately concerned, seeing the look on Syaoran's face. "I'll see you later, Yuki-chan. Ja ne, Touya-kun." Touya seemed a little shocked at what Hikari called Yukito, but his light haired friend smiled, and nodded, as he began to walk home. Touya jumped out of the tree, and followed his best friend. "Syaoran-kun, what's the matter?"
"Chang Liu is my Math teacher," Syaoran said emotionlessly. Hikari's eyes widened, and waited for him to continue. "Eriol-san and myself sensed it, and were surprised, because she had changed her form. She looks very different."
"Did she try and get any personal information out of you?" Hikari asked seriously. (I need to stay by Syaoran constantly now. But I'm in high school...maybe I can take part in that program that allows me to serve as an assistant to Terada-san, and stay with the class....)
"Yes, but I didn't say anything specific. Chang Liu was dissapointed," Syaoran explained.
"We should leave," Eriol said to Tomoyo and Sakura. "This is Li family business, although all of us are eventually invovled." Sakura and Tomoyo nodded, following the English boy down another path. Meiling noticed it, and waved bye.
"Syaoran," Hikari began, seeing that Eriol, Sakura and Tomoyo had left, "there is a way I can be with you in your class..."
"What is it?" Meiling asked, speaking before Syaoran had a chance to. Syaoran looked at her, then turned back to Hikari, for her to answer Meiling's question. Before she did answer, Hikari motioned for the two young Li's to begin walking with her.
"I don't know if someone has already taken this position, but there is a program that allows high school students to serve as assistants to the teachers in Tomoeda Elementary, as supplimentary teachers, you see. I could take it to stay by you, but once again, someone may have already taken this position," Hikari explained. "If not, you can reach me."
"How?" Syaoran asked. "I can't exactly call your cellphone during class."
"True," Hikari nodded, smiling gently. "But you can call me with your mind. You see, we share a bond, Li Syaroan. So, indefinately, if there is something wrong with you, I will know in my heart. Being your Guardian, I am tied to your emotions, and therefore I know if you are in danger or not. Nifty little trick, ne?"
"Yeah," Syaoran agreed, as the three reached the crossing. He then remembered something. Today was Sheifa's birthday, and he had to phone home. "Meiling! It's Sheifa's birthday today! I have to phone home right away!"
"I was just about to remind you, Syaoran-chan," Meiling told him, a small smile on her lips. "But you don't need any reminding, Syaoran-chan!!"
"Your sister?" Hikari inquired, as the three crossed the busy street.
"One of four," Syaoran replied dryly. Hikari nodded, sensing that this was something that she shouldn't really comment on. "My mother may want me to come back for her birthday celebration. I wonder if she sensed Chang Liu too."
"Your mother is a powerful magician, I'm sure she did, but whether she knows about your important connection to Chang Liu is yet to be known," Hikari answered. "I must say, Syaoran, I'm excited to meet your family."
"Why?" Syaoran asked, looking at his Guardian a little incrediously.
"Well, I want to meet your mother and your sisters. Besides, they can't be *that* bad, Syaoran-kun," Hikari replied, as she winked at Meiling.
"You wanna bet?" Syaoran countered, rolling his eyes, as they finally reached Syaoran and Meiling's house. "Wei? Wei, I'm home."
"Syaoran," Wei smiled, holding a phone. "I see from the expression on your face, you remembered your sister's birthday. And who is your friend?" Syaoran introduced Hikari, then she explained the entire situation with Chang Liu. Wei's face immediately turned serious. "You had better phone home, Xiao Lang."
Syaoran nodded, taking the phone from his legal Guardian. He could dial the number off my heart, he had to phone his sisters so many times. "Mother? Oh, Sheifa...happy birthday? Hey! Don't yell at me! I just got home from school! Be grateful I even remembered! Put mother on the phone now, Sheifa no baka! That's right, you heard me! -_-*" Hikari looked to Meiling and laughed, as Syaoran sweatdropped. "Mother? Do you remember the legend of the Gate? Well--" Syaoran then went on to explain everything just as Hikari/Kiseki had told him.
"Xiao, I want you to come home, immediately, with Meiling and Hikari. Wei can stay there, but you three are the ones I want here, now," His mother told him. Syaoran nodded, and confirmed that he would be coming with Hikari and Meiling, and hung up.
"My mother wants us in Hong Kong, immediately," Syaoran explained, turning to face them. "She wants to meet you, Hikari, and also, there's something that she has that can help us, or she knows of something."
"Let's get packing then!" Meiling exclaimed, as she grabbed Syaoran's hand and dragged him to his room. Hikari stood with Wei, a confused expression on her face. The elder Guardian of Li Syaoran smiled, and put a hand on Hikari's shoulder.
"I guess this makes you an honourary Li," Wei smiled, as Hikari turned to look at him.
"Yeah, I guess." Hikari shrugged, as she shouldered her bag. "I guess I have to pack too, huh? Tell Syaoran I'll be back soon. I just have to get my things." Wei nodded, and Hikari exited the Li household, and made a beeline to her apartment, but not before she ran into Touya. "Itai! TOUYA! Do you have something against me or what!?"
"Gomen," Touya muttered, as he stopped in his brisk pace of walking. "Why are you in such a hurry?" Touya was in faded jeans, sandals and a black shirt. Slung over his shoulder was his jacket, which had seen better days.
"I have to go pack, I'm going on a trip," Hikari explained, as she picked back up her bag, which had been knocked off when Touya knocked into her. "If you'll excuse me, Kinomoto-san, I have to hurry." And she was off before Touya could make a reply. [I have a habit of making people run into other people, ne? ^_^*] Quickly, Hikari packed her clothes into one of those small roller suitcases [you know, the ones with the funky handles that extend? Ah...whatever..] and made her way back to the Li residence. "I'm back."
"Good," Syaoran smiled, and Hikari saw they had similar baggage. "Because we're leaving now." Hikari looked a little surprised, but nodded, and quickly, the four [including dear Wei!] went to where the car was parked, and went to the airport. While the three were getting their tickets, Syaoran over heard a couple talking about some kind of artifact that was recently discovered. (I wonder, could it be this artifact Mother was talking about? It could be just a coincidence...)
"Syaoran," Hikari said, breaking Syaoran from his train of thought, "we have to board the plane now." Syaoran nodded, and motioned to Meiling, who was looking at the tag on her bag, and the three walked through the corridor and boarded the plane.
Just as Syaoran, Meiling and Hikari boarded the plane, Professor Kinomoto, Touya, Yukito, Sakura and Tomoyo came over to the same counter. "Thanks for brining us again Otousan!" Sakura enthused. She had been thrilled that her father was taking her and Touya along to Hong Kong with him. Fujitaka had gotten a call from the Hong Kong Museum [Forgive me if it does have a different name, but I don't know it] about an artifact that they wanted him to look at. She had tried to call Syaoran and tell him that they were going to Hong Kong again. Tomoyo was standing next to one of the largest suitcases there, and only 1/3 of the clothes in there were hers. The rest were Card Capturing costumes, which she felt Sakura would need, with Chang Liu around. If Touya could bring Yukito, then Sakura could bring Tomoyo. Kero-chan was tucked away into Sakura's carry-on bag, much to the Guardian Beast's dismay.
"No problem, Sakura," Fujitaka smiled, as he filled out the forms, "I think it'll be a good experience for you, and Touya." Touya and Yukito were talking about the strange dreams that Touya had been having, most of which involved tomatoes with spears and carrots with chariots, along with Sushi that was the head of the government. Yukito joked that he would have to send Touya to a mental institution, and Touya shoved his friend jokingly. After Fujitaka filled out all the forms, the four of them boarded the plane, and sat 5 rows away from Syaoran, Meiling and Hikari, although those three couldn't see them.
There was one more surprise passenger, however, and it wasn't Eriol. The woman's lips curled into a smirk as she spotted Sakura, Tomoyo, Yukito and Touya, then she resisted the urge to laugh evilly when she saw Hikari, Meiling, and more importantly, Syaoran. "You're not getting away from me, Li Syaoran. You can't escape me."
* * *
Author's notes: Took me long enough to get that done ne? Started Sept 13, and finished Sept 20. I work slow, I know..but I had homework! The Cosine Law isn't exactly stuff that can be done in five minutes! Anyways, my birthday's in 6 days as of this writing! YAY! Anyways, I hope that isn't too bad of a cliff-hanger, but whatever. The next chapter is going to be long, at least I think it's going to be. Could be short for all I know. Review please! Suggestions are welcome! See ya on the flip side!
Disclaimer/Author notes/Ramblings: Chapter 11, and still going strong! I'm writing this 2 days after the tragedy that occured in Washington and New York City. We Canadians are sending our prayers and well wishes to those affected by this horrible event. I will say this, though. We will not live our lives in fear. America, nor Canada, will cower at this. We will stand for our freedom, and we will hunt down and see those who did this get what is coming to them. Having said that, I feel we should move on with our lives, as this should not break our spirits. Granted, we have been wounded, but we will survive this; and I am one of many who feel this way. Now, with regards to this chapter, this one is basically the launch into the climax. It all starts here, baby. I want to thank all those who have reviewed this story, and sent in their suggestions. I'll consider them, and act accordingly. Thank you, and read on! [God bless America...]
* * *
Syaoran swallowed, as he got out of his desk, and walked to Miss. Kang's desk. "Hai?" he asked politely, bowing before her slightly. All his training had to come into play here. Once again, Li Syaroan donned the emotionless mask he had worn when he first came to Japan. "What is it you wanted to ask me, ma'am?"
"You are an exceptional math student, ne?" Miss. Kang asked, speaking friendly, and with an Osaka accent, which Syaoran noted immediately, and he nodded. "Tell me, Li-san, do you do any extra-cirricular activities?"
"No, ma'am," Syaoran shook his head. "I am focused on my studies rather than sports, or clubs. Although, I am was involved in the drill team earlier this year." He felt uneasy, tense, yet he didn't let his body language dipict that. (Stay calm, Syaoran. You can't let anything slip. She's trying to get to know you. What gets to you the most. Don't let anything personal get into this.)
"Do you have any siblings?" Miss. Kang asked. The class was obviously listening, even though they appeared to be deeply involved in their work. She smiled, sensing a little tenseness in the boy. "You don't have to be tense, Li-san."
"I live with my Guardian and my cousins," Syaoran replied honestly. (You're not getting me to tell you anything else.) "If you don't mind, Miss. Kang, I would like to go back and do my work. I prefer not to have any homework." Miss.Kang seemed a little surprised, but nodded, and Syaoran went back to his seat. (This is beginning to pick up. I have to be careful. Everyone around me has to be careful.)
* * *
With Math being the last class of the day, Sakura, Tomoyo, Meiling, Eriol and Syaoran were glad that it was the end, but the life-threatening stuff was just beginning. "I felt something strange about Miss. Kang," Sakura confided in the four, as they walked as a group out of the school. "Something definately evil."
"That would be because she is Chang Liu," Syaoran said quietly. "Eriol and I sensed it during class. Chang Liu can change her appearance, so we have to rely on our other senses, and not sight anymore. She wanted to get information out of me. But I didn't say anything that would endanger anyone's life."
"Syaoran, I'm scared," Meiling whispered to him, and only loud enough so that Syaoran himself could hear. "I'm worried about you. I'm worried about everyone. What if Chang Liu wins? I mean, she's really strong, and--" Syaoran put a finger to his cousin's lips. This sudden change of events brought a change in Meiling--She was still headstrong and had a temper, but it was now beginning to show her vulnerablity--and Syaoran smiled comfortingly.
"Meiling," Syaoran began, removing his finger from her lips, "it's going to be all right. We can survive this if we believe in ourselves. I feel safe because I have Hikari, and all of you. But we can't afford any mistakes. It sounds scary, and it is, but don't worry Meiling. Everything will be all right."
"Syaoran's right," Eriol said quietly. "I think we should stay calm, all of us. Of course, we should continue to live our lives as well as we can before this happened. Granted, it will be hard, but we can do it."
"Right," Tomoyo agreed, smiling. She was happy that everyone was getting along, and that Syaoran and Eriol had made their peace. The five made their way past the fence, where they saw Yukito and Hikari talking, and Touya sitting in the tree above them. It seemed like Yukito and Hikari were getting along really well, and Touya was in some sort of funk. "Yukito-san! Hikari-chan!" The two turned, and waved, as the elementary students walked up.
Hikari was immediately concerned, seeing the look on Syaoran's face. "I'll see you later, Yuki-chan. Ja ne, Touya-kun." Touya seemed a little shocked at what Hikari called Yukito, but his light haired friend smiled, and nodded, as he began to walk home. Touya jumped out of the tree, and followed his best friend. "Syaoran-kun, what's the matter?"
"Chang Liu is my Math teacher," Syaoran said emotionlessly. Hikari's eyes widened, and waited for him to continue. "Eriol-san and myself sensed it, and were surprised, because she had changed her form. She looks very different."
"Did she try and get any personal information out of you?" Hikari asked seriously. (I need to stay by Syaoran constantly now. But I'm in high school...maybe I can take part in that program that allows me to serve as an assistant to Terada-san, and stay with the class....)
"Yes, but I didn't say anything specific. Chang Liu was dissapointed," Syaoran explained.
"We should leave," Eriol said to Tomoyo and Sakura. "This is Li family business, although all of us are eventually invovled." Sakura and Tomoyo nodded, following the English boy down another path. Meiling noticed it, and waved bye.
"Syaoran," Hikari began, seeing that Eriol, Sakura and Tomoyo had left, "there is a way I can be with you in your class..."
"What is it?" Meiling asked, speaking before Syaoran had a chance to. Syaoran looked at her, then turned back to Hikari, for her to answer Meiling's question. Before she did answer, Hikari motioned for the two young Li's to begin walking with her.
"I don't know if someone has already taken this position, but there is a program that allows high school students to serve as assistants to the teachers in Tomoeda Elementary, as supplimentary teachers, you see. I could take it to stay by you, but once again, someone may have already taken this position," Hikari explained. "If not, you can reach me."
"How?" Syaoran asked. "I can't exactly call your cellphone during class."
"True," Hikari nodded, smiling gently. "But you can call me with your mind. You see, we share a bond, Li Syaroan. So, indefinately, if there is something wrong with you, I will know in my heart. Being your Guardian, I am tied to your emotions, and therefore I know if you are in danger or not. Nifty little trick, ne?"
"Yeah," Syaoran agreed, as the three reached the crossing. He then remembered something. Today was Sheifa's birthday, and he had to phone home. "Meiling! It's Sheifa's birthday today! I have to phone home right away!"
"I was just about to remind you, Syaoran-chan," Meiling told him, a small smile on her lips. "But you don't need any reminding, Syaoran-chan!!"
"Your sister?" Hikari inquired, as the three crossed the busy street.
"One of four," Syaoran replied dryly. Hikari nodded, sensing that this was something that she shouldn't really comment on. "My mother may want me to come back for her birthday celebration. I wonder if she sensed Chang Liu too."
"Your mother is a powerful magician, I'm sure she did, but whether she knows about your important connection to Chang Liu is yet to be known," Hikari answered. "I must say, Syaoran, I'm excited to meet your family."
"Why?" Syaoran asked, looking at his Guardian a little incrediously.
"Well, I want to meet your mother and your sisters. Besides, they can't be *that* bad, Syaoran-kun," Hikari replied, as she winked at Meiling.
"You wanna bet?" Syaoran countered, rolling his eyes, as they finally reached Syaoran and Meiling's house. "Wei? Wei, I'm home."
"Syaoran," Wei smiled, holding a phone. "I see from the expression on your face, you remembered your sister's birthday. And who is your friend?" Syaoran introduced Hikari, then she explained the entire situation with Chang Liu. Wei's face immediately turned serious. "You had better phone home, Xiao Lang."
Syaoran nodded, taking the phone from his legal Guardian. He could dial the number off my heart, he had to phone his sisters so many times. "Mother? Oh, Sheifa...happy birthday? Hey! Don't yell at me! I just got home from school! Be grateful I even remembered! Put mother on the phone now, Sheifa no baka! That's right, you heard me! -_-*" Hikari looked to Meiling and laughed, as Syaoran sweatdropped. "Mother? Do you remember the legend of the Gate? Well--" Syaoran then went on to explain everything just as Hikari/Kiseki had told him.
"Xiao, I want you to come home, immediately, with Meiling and Hikari. Wei can stay there, but you three are the ones I want here, now," His mother told him. Syaoran nodded, and confirmed that he would be coming with Hikari and Meiling, and hung up.
"My mother wants us in Hong Kong, immediately," Syaoran explained, turning to face them. "She wants to meet you, Hikari, and also, there's something that she has that can help us, or she knows of something."
"Let's get packing then!" Meiling exclaimed, as she grabbed Syaoran's hand and dragged him to his room. Hikari stood with Wei, a confused expression on her face. The elder Guardian of Li Syaoran smiled, and put a hand on Hikari's shoulder.
"I guess this makes you an honourary Li," Wei smiled, as Hikari turned to look at him.
"Yeah, I guess." Hikari shrugged, as she shouldered her bag. "I guess I have to pack too, huh? Tell Syaoran I'll be back soon. I just have to get my things." Wei nodded, and Hikari exited the Li household, and made a beeline to her apartment, but not before she ran into Touya. "Itai! TOUYA! Do you have something against me or what!?"
"Gomen," Touya muttered, as he stopped in his brisk pace of walking. "Why are you in such a hurry?" Touya was in faded jeans, sandals and a black shirt. Slung over his shoulder was his jacket, which had seen better days.
"I have to go pack, I'm going on a trip," Hikari explained, as she picked back up her bag, which had been knocked off when Touya knocked into her. "If you'll excuse me, Kinomoto-san, I have to hurry." And she was off before Touya could make a reply. [I have a habit of making people run into other people, ne? ^_^*] Quickly, Hikari packed her clothes into one of those small roller suitcases [you know, the ones with the funky handles that extend? Ah...whatever..] and made her way back to the Li residence. "I'm back."
"Good," Syaoran smiled, and Hikari saw they had similar baggage. "Because we're leaving now." Hikari looked a little surprised, but nodded, and quickly, the four [including dear Wei!] went to where the car was parked, and went to the airport. While the three were getting their tickets, Syaoran over heard a couple talking about some kind of artifact that was recently discovered. (I wonder, could it be this artifact Mother was talking about? It could be just a coincidence...)
"Syaoran," Hikari said, breaking Syaoran from his train of thought, "we have to board the plane now." Syaoran nodded, and motioned to Meiling, who was looking at the tag on her bag, and the three walked through the corridor and boarded the plane.
Just as Syaoran, Meiling and Hikari boarded the plane, Professor Kinomoto, Touya, Yukito, Sakura and Tomoyo came over to the same counter. "Thanks for brining us again Otousan!" Sakura enthused. She had been thrilled that her father was taking her and Touya along to Hong Kong with him. Fujitaka had gotten a call from the Hong Kong Museum [Forgive me if it does have a different name, but I don't know it] about an artifact that they wanted him to look at. She had tried to call Syaoran and tell him that they were going to Hong Kong again. Tomoyo was standing next to one of the largest suitcases there, and only 1/3 of the clothes in there were hers. The rest were Card Capturing costumes, which she felt Sakura would need, with Chang Liu around. If Touya could bring Yukito, then Sakura could bring Tomoyo. Kero-chan was tucked away into Sakura's carry-on bag, much to the Guardian Beast's dismay.
"No problem, Sakura," Fujitaka smiled, as he filled out the forms, "I think it'll be a good experience for you, and Touya." Touya and Yukito were talking about the strange dreams that Touya had been having, most of which involved tomatoes with spears and carrots with chariots, along with Sushi that was the head of the government. Yukito joked that he would have to send Touya to a mental institution, and Touya shoved his friend jokingly. After Fujitaka filled out all the forms, the four of them boarded the plane, and sat 5 rows away from Syaoran, Meiling and Hikari, although those three couldn't see them.
There was one more surprise passenger, however, and it wasn't Eriol. The woman's lips curled into a smirk as she spotted Sakura, Tomoyo, Yukito and Touya, then she resisted the urge to laugh evilly when she saw Hikari, Meiling, and more importantly, Syaoran. "You're not getting away from me, Li Syaoran. You can't escape me."
* * *
Author's notes: Took me long enough to get that done ne? Started Sept 13, and finished Sept 20. I work slow, I know..but I had homework! The Cosine Law isn't exactly stuff that can be done in five minutes! Anyways, my birthday's in 6 days as of this writing! YAY! Anyways, I hope that isn't too bad of a cliff-hanger, but whatever. The next chapter is going to be long, at least I think it's going to be. Could be short for all I know. Review please! Suggestions are welcome! See ya on the flip side!