Until We Meet Again Part 2
By Mana Lugia
Ok, ok, so the ending of part 1 wasn't as happy as I wanted it, so I wrote this. I apologize for referring to the Japanese as "Japs" (gotten used to saying that ._.), and… on with the fic!
Disclaimer: CCS =/= mine. But the smart audience knew that already, didn't you?
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Arg!" Syaoran yelled as he swung his sword ferociously at his opponent. 'Dammit, he dodged.' His opponent faked to the left, his staff still held close to his body. 'Nice try, but I'm not that stupid,' Syaoran thought as he slashed to the right. Sure enough, his opponent moved right into the strike range. He raised the staff, and blocked the blow, but Syaoran's force was visible on the staff. His opponent quickly backed up, while Syaoran gave chase. Rushing in, he neglected to prepare for a trap as his opponent flung sand right at him.
"Damn!" He cursed as he tried unsuccessfully to wipe the sand away. He stood still, rubbing his eyes, forgetting about his opponent. Suddenly, he felt the cold steel handle of the staff of his opponent conk him on the head.
"You lose, Master Li," said his opponent politely. "Master Li, you can do much better than this, but you seem distracted, is something the matter?"
"No, nothing's wrong. I guess I'm a little worn out from yesterday," Li replied. "Those paperwork are killers, you know. Thanks for asking though, Hui."
"Well, that concludes our training for today, Master Li. You seem quite distracted. If you have a lot on your mind, we can take a break from sparring tomorrow. If not, we shall spar again tomorrow at this time," Hui, his sparring trainer, bowed before taking his leave.
Syaoran sighed. It's been a few months since he returned from Japan, and he still could not concentrate on his tasks. His mother had told him to forget Japan, concentrate on the tasks at hand. The clan's business keeps him busy almost 24/7, yet he can't forget Japan. Picking up his towel, he wiped the sweat from his brow as he proceeded towards his chamber to change. He was quickly stopped by a familiar person.
Meilin. Ever since he came back, she's been trying to get his attention, not that he wanted any of it. Most of the time he just wanted to lie back on his bed and ignore the rest of the world. 'Damn the clan. Damn his duties. Why does he have to come back to China when his life was in Japan? Oh well, Sakura's fallen for someone anyways, why should he care?'
"Syaoran! Syaoran! Syao-ran! ARE YOU THERE?" She screeched at his face. Broken from his thoughts, he looked at Meilin, startled to say the least. Jeez, girls can be so damn loud.
"Leave me alone," He said coldly, while trying to walk past Meilin.
"Oh no you don't, Syaoran. You've been acting weird since you came back, not concentrating on your work, and being cold to everyone; we worry for you, Syaoran. Your mother, your sisters, me, everyone. You've changed," Meilin accused. "And I want to know why."
Syaoran stared at her. "I've always been like this. That was the way I was taught. Now if you would excuse me-" He said as he tried to shove his way past the determined Meilin, who refuses to budge.
"You know very well that you changed when you went to Japan. During the time span of my stay, you had gone from the stone-hearted warrior that you were trained to be to this nice, caring person that I knew before I returned home. What happened in Japan, Syaoran?" She asked gently.
"Nothing, I'm fine, ok? I haven't changed one bit. I'm still the cold-hearted warrior I was trained to be. Now leave me alone," Syaoran declared as he pushed past Meilin and headed for his room.
Meilin didn't believe him, not one bit. Syaoran had changed in Japan, but something changed him back to the warrior without emotions, and she didn't like the change one bit. She bit her lip while thinking, what could have caused him to change back?
"It's Sakura, isn't it?" She said slowly. Syaoran froze in his tracks. "Sakura's the reason you're so distant from us, isn't she?" Syaoran didn't respond. Meilin knows she had hit the nail right on the head. "Well, you know... There's nothing good about her anyways. It's not like she'd ever like you, after you've been so mean to her and all. Why don't you just forget-"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Syaoran roared at Meilin, causing her to take a step back in surprise. She had never seen this side of Syaoran before. Syaoran, apparently recovering from his outburst, composed himself, and walked up to the still surprised Meilin. "Don't. Ever. Mention. Her. Again." He sounded each word out slowly and emotionlessly, before turning and walking into his room.
Outside, Meilin stood still, still in shock from how much her words struck a nerve with Syaoran.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Eriol, do you sense something different with Sakura recently?" Tomoyo asked her dark-haired boyfriend as they sat on a park bench, her head on his shoulder. "She seems so distant to everyone, you know?"
"Indeed, but I think we both have a very clear idea of why this is so, do we not?" Eriol asked, even though it was a rhetorical question. Since Syaoran's leaving, Sakura has seemed to lose the spark. Sure, she was still nice to everyone and always smiling, but Tomoyo and Eriol could tell that behind the smile, Sakura was not really there. Her cheerful self had disappeared, and what others see was only an act.
"I think we need to do something to cheer Sakura up. That Syaoran, leaving without even a goodbye and leaving her like this. I mean, he didn't even write or call!" Tomoyo was getting a little worked up. Eriol patted her hand.
"There there, I'm sure Syaoran has many reasons not to communicate. Seeing as he left because of clan matters, he must be extremely busy, with no time to think about other things," Eriol reasoned.
"I guess, but it's been over two months! Doesn't he know how much it hurts Sakura with his leaving like this? I mean, can't he tell Sakura loves him?"
"They say strong emotions like love and anger clouds one's judgment. Syaoran, smart as he is, couldn't figure it out for the past few years. What makes you think he'd figure it out now?" Eriol answered.
Tomoyo lifted her head from Eriol's shoulder, and arched an eyebrow questioningly. "You mean he didn't know?"
Eriol shook his head. "My descendant is good at everything, except at the matters of the heart."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Syaoran grunted as he swung his sword hard at Hui, who gingerly sidestepped the attack. While Syaoran was still off balance, Hui brought his staff down at Syaoran's head, and stopped before hitting Syaoran. "Strength comes from the mind, Master Li," reminded Hui. "Vicious swinging without aim won't work against me. You must have a tactic. Again!"
Syaoran nodded, and again charged at Hui. Hui swung his staff at Syaoran, who ducked under it and jabbed with the sword, stopping mere inches from Hui's stomach. "Good!" Hui affirmed. "With strategy, you can accomplish a variety of things normally impossible to do. We shall practice again tomorrow, Master Li." Hui bowed courteously before leaving.
Syaoran again grabbed his stuff and headed for his room. His life has become a cycle: Wake up, train, eat, clanwork, eat, clanwork, eat, sleep, and he was tired of it. How he wanted to go back to Japan, but maybe he wasn't ready to face her yet. The moment he started thinking of *her*, he felt different. His knees seem to go weak, and then he felt as if his insides were doused with cold water when he realized that the reason he never saw her response was because she had already fallen for someone, and he feared rejection.
He sighed, here it comes again. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... "Syaoran!" A familiar voice cried out. 'Geez, why does Meilin have to follow him every single day? Doesn't she know how much she bugs him? Didn't he just yell at her a few days ago?'
"Syaoran! I need to apologize!" Meilin ran up to him. "I-I didn't know she meant that much to you, I'm really sorry, will you forgive me?" She apologized.
"I. Told. You. Not. To. Mention. Her. Again," Syaoran spoke through clenched teeth into Meilin's ear, and then resumed walking.
"B-But Syaoran!" Meilin said as she tried to keep up with him. "I really am sorry! I-If I can do anything for you-"
Syaoran turned towards her. "You can't do anything for me. Right now, all I want to do is have enough time to write a letter or make a call to Japan, and I can't. Now leave me alone!" He walked on.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It rained that night. The rain was coming down hard, the raindrops hitting windows like pebbles, each of them ready to break through the glass. Lighting danced across the sky and thunder roared. However, all of this seemed oblivious to Meilin and Syaoran, each of whom were deep in thought.
The next morning, after getting dressed, Meilin rushed from her room towards the dining room, apparently eager to find someone. Syaoran, on the other hand, got out of bed lazily, not wanting to face another day in the prison that is his current life. Dragging himself to training, he was allowed to temporarily forget his troubles as he took on Hui, and defeated him four rounds to one.
"Syaoran!" Meilin's voice floated into Syaoran's ears as he picked up his stuff.
'Great. Not this again.' He thought as he turned to confront his annoying cousin. As expected, Meilin was standing right there, but this time with the biggest smile he's seen since his return.
"Guess what, my darling cousin?" She posed the question cheerfully.
"I don't have time for this," Syaoran stated as he tried to walk past her, but Meilin blocked him again. Agitated, he roughly shoved Meilin aside, and started to walk away.
"Don't you want to call Japan?" She asked Syaoran. Syaoran stopped. What did she say? Oh, right, he told her about his wish to call Japan.
'Don't be silly, Syaoran. Mother would never let you call Japan after you've returned,' He reassured himself.
"I got auntie to allow you to make a phone call to Japan!" She told him. He turned slowly.
"W-What did you say?"
"I said, I got your mother's permission for you to make a phone call to Japan," She repeated.
"H-How? Mother wouldn't let me call Japan, There is nothing there of importance to the Clan anymore," He said, confused at the news.
"Of course there's something important there. You left your soul there, Syaoran. Well, anyways, I can't tell you how I got her to do it, but Mother's allowing you to call Japan tonight, she's giving you a break from the clan's work this afternoon. Take some free time, you seemed too stressed out." With that, Meilin turned to leave.
"W-Wait..." Syaoran called after Meilin. "T-Thank you, Meilin..." He hugged her.
'I guess taking his tasks for one afternoon counts as my apology to him,' Meilin thought
*~*~*~*~*~*
The telephone rang in the big mansion. A dark-haired boy, whose shirt was a little ruffled, picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is Eriol there?" A familiar voice came through the telephone, though the boy could not put a name on it.
"This is he."
"Hiiragizawa, it's me."
The boy who picked up the phone almost dropped it. "Syaoran? Is that you?"
"H-hai."
"Why haven't you called? What have you been doing in China?"
"The clan's been busy, so I couldn't call or write. Besides, mother has forbidden me to contact Japan. I got this call through only because of Meilin."
"Meilin? Is that your new girlfriend?"
"Wha- No! She's just my cousin! Well, um, how's Sakura?"
"Why didn't you just call HER?"
"Dammit, don't question me here. Just tell me!"
"Funny you should mention it, because Sakura's changed since your departure! Didn't you even tell her goodbye?"
"N-No... I was afraid, so I ran like a coward."
"Well, Sakura's been really miserable since you left! I thought I told you to tell her before you left!"
"I-I did... I wrote her a letter before I left..."
"Exactly what did you say in the letter?"
"Um, I told her how I had to leave, and I'm leaving without saying goodbye to her, that I loved her, and I wished her best of luck with the other guy."
"What other guy?"
"The one she fell in love with."
Eriol sighed. "My cute descendant, are you really that dense, or is this a very clever act you're putting on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet?"
"Figured what out?"
"Geez, do I have to spell it out for you? Can't you see that YOU're the one she fell in love with?"
"T-That's not possible..."
"Then explain to me why she seems so downcast every day, her usual energy's gone, and there's nothing behind that hollow smile of hers?"
Syaoran seemed to be thinking on the other end. Eriol could still hear his breathing, but he was hesitating.
"All I'm saying is you need to come back to Japan soon. Even if this ordeal isn't affecting you any, it's hurting Sakura."
Syaoran stayed silent a while longer, before stuttering out a sentence. "T-Thank you, Hiiragizawa."
"So you're coming back soo-" *click* the line went dead on the other side. "Hey! HEY!" Eriol yelled into the telephone, but it wasn't any use. At this moment, Tomoyo came out of the living room.
"Who was that, Eriol?"
"No one, my sweet. Probably another prank kid," Eriol smiled, and led her back to the living room.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The Li household had settled down for dinner. They sat around a large circular table set in their large dining hall. The servants had retreated to their quarters, leaving the family to dine in peace. There was an uneasy air about the dinner, and Syaoran's sisters and Meilin kept sneaking worried looks at Syaoran. Meilin noticed Syaoran's change the most. He hasn't been the same since he made the phone call.
One of Syaoran's sisters whispered something into their mother's ears, who promptly turned to Syaoran. "Is anything the matter, Xiao Lang?"
"No mother," lied Syaoran, not looking up from his food.
"Don't lie to me, Xiao Lang. I can tell when my children are lying to me," She put on a stern tone of voice. "Tell me what the problem is. Meilin has already told me about how you have changed in Japan, and that you are not the same as you have been in the past."
Syaoran gave Meilin an angry look, and hesitated to reply. "Well...."
"Yes?"
Syaoran finally picked up his courage. "Mother, I wish to return to Japan."
"I knew it had something to do with Japan. Xiao Lang, you may not return to Japan, so get the thought out of your head."
"But mother! Why not?"
"Because there is simply no clan business that needs to be attended to in Japan at the moment, son."
Syaoran slams his chopsticks on the table. "Clan, clan, clan. Is that all there is to my life? Can't I choose for once of what I want to do?" He yelled.
"Li Xiao Lang! I do not appreciate you speaking to me with that tone of voice!" Madam Li raised her stern voice to match Syaoran's yelling.
"That's not fair, mother! Why can't I return to Japan?" Syaoran felt his heart beating faster. He had been taught never to disobey his elders, but here he is, yelling at his mother.
"I already told you, Xiao Lang. There is no business that the clan requires at the moment from Japan," Madam Li said simply.
"Well maybe I don't want to go to Japan because of clan work! Maybe I just want to return to Japan because it's my home!" Everyone at the table watching the argument drew in a sharp breath. Madam Li seemed surprised at her son's outburst.
"Don't you dare say that, Li Xiao Lang! Your home has been and always will be here! You have a role to fulfill as the leader of the clan, and you have no choice in the matter!"
"Fine then, maybe I don't want to be the leader of the Clan anymore!" Syaoran yelled back. A frightened gasp emerged from Meilin as she watched the confrontation of mother and son, afraid for Syaoran, yet afraid for the Li clan. Syaoran suddenly realized what he has said, and got up from his chair. "I'll be in my room," He said, and left the dining room quickly.
'My son, what could Japan have that has changed you so much?'
*~*~*~*~*~*
"I don't understand, Wei, what could have changed him so much?" Madam Li paced in her room, accompanied by her servant, Wei.
"Madam, if I may be so bold as to speak my mind?" Wei asked. Madam Li nodded. "To Master Li, there are things that take priority above his work at the moment."
"But what could possibly take higher priority for Xiao Lang? He's been trained for his role as leader of the clan. We've taught him nothing but how his work should take priority over everything else!"
"Madam, I was with Master Li on his mission to Japan, and I saw his transformation through the years," Wei stated. Madam Li looked at him questioningly. "Madam, when Master Li's father was younger, like Master Li's age, was work the most important aspect of his life?" Wei asked. "When he was Master Li's age, he did have one thing that took priority over his work, did he not?"
She thought for a bit, before realizing what Wei was saying. "And who would *she* be?" She said sharply.
"His classmate, his friend, his partner in card capturing, madam," Wei answered.
"Thank you, Wei. You are dismissed, I need to think this through." Wei bowed and left the room.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Li marched into the meeting hall, his face reveals that he would rather be elsewhere. "You summoned me, Mother?" He said in a respectful yet cold voice.
"Yes, Xiao Lang. I have some news for you," Madam Li declared. "The clan's workload has reduced dramatically since your arrival, and we have almost cleared all of the tasks needed. Since we can now manage the matters on our own, your duties are dismissed, and you shall concentrate on training for the role as the leader of the Li clan."
"But Mother-" Syaoran started, but his mother cut him off.
"Let me finish, Xiao Lang. While China is the ideal place to train, the memories of the household seems to be affecting your training. Therefore, for your benefit, we shall be sending you to a place where you can concentrate on training better. As such, you shall depart for Tomoeda, Japan this coming Saturday. That is all, you are dismissed." Madam Li said with a wave of her hand.
Syaoran could not believe this. All of a sudden he was allowed to return to Japan? 'Return to Sakura? This seems like a dream!' He pinched himself to make sure this was reality. This action brought a smile to Madam Li's face, as she watched her son struggle from yelling for joy. After Syaoran came to terms with the reality, he thanked his mother profusely. Madam Li smiled. "Silly Xiao Lang, it's Wei you should be thanking, not me."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Sakura lied on her bed. She didn't feel like getting up today. It's already 4:30pm. She might as well just go back to sleep, since it's a Sunday anyways. Kero floated towards her, worried about the state of Sakura. "Are you ok, Sakura?"
Sakura didn't respond, but rather turned so that her back was facing Kero. Kero tried again, and again, no response. Giving up, he turned back to his video games. Sakura closed her eyes, and tried to fall back to sleep, but her mind was preoccupied with a certain amber-eyed male. Tossing and turning a little more, she decided that she wasn't going to fall asleep. She got up, changed her clothing, and went out for a walk to clear her mind.
Walking aimlessly in the streets, Sakura felt like a wreck. She couldn't find the energy she once had, and she wanted to be alone a lot more than before. When *he* was still around, she had often told herself that they were merely friends, that he would never fall for her. When she asked if he had fallen for anyone, and he told her that he has, she felt like crying right there, but she stopped herself, and made up an excuse to leave. 'Oh, I miss you so much, Syaoran...'
The sound of a large truck broke her out of her thoughts. She had unconsciously walked to Syaoran's old apartment, where a large moving van is parked, and movers are unloading the van. 'Huh? But this is Syaoran's apartment...' She ran up to one of the movers. "Excuse me, but what's going on here?" She asked.
The mover turned to her. "Oh, we're just moving the furniture into this apartment," he replied.
"But no one lives here!" Sakura exclaimed, surprised.
"Well someone's moving in, I think. Now I'll have to get back to work, sorry, missy," he resumed to unload the furniture. Sakura couldn't believe the news. 'First Syaoran had to leave me, and now someone's taking his home?' She stood there numbly, not wanting to believe what she just heard. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"Who're you, and what're you doing standing in front of my apartment?" A voice behind her asked. Sakura quickly wiped her eyes.
"N-Nothing, I'll leave now..." She choked.
"Sakura?" The voice seemed surprised. Sakura recognized the voice, and quickly turned around.
"Syaoran!" She cried, and ran up to the solemn faced teen. "Y-You're back!"
Syaoran put his arms around her and enveloped her in a big hug. "Gomen, Sakura, I left without telling you goodbye..."
Sakura shook her head, unable to control her tears. "N-no... I'm just glad you're back, Syaoran."
They stood there for a few minutes, not wanting to let go of each other. It was Syaoran who suggested that they go for a walk to catch up on the past few months. They arrived at the park, and sat down on the bench. Chatting a bit, Syaoran and Sakura each knew that there were something on their mind, but they're both afraid to mention it. As the sun started to set, Syaoran picked up his courage.
"Sakura, I have a very important question to ask you," He turned to face Sakura. Sakura nodded. "S-Sakura, you remember the letter I left you before I left..." Sakura nodded slowly. "W-Well, I-I w-was w-wondering i-if y-you f-feel t-the s-same w-way..." He sputtered out, and braced himself for what could either be the best news of his life or the worst news of this life.
Sakura turned and looked the other way. 'Damn, I knew Hiiragizawa was lying. Why did I even bother coming back to Japan? I'm a fool, a damned fool!' Syaoran thought to himself, both furious and crushed at the same time.
"You know, Syaoran..." Sakura started. "When I read your letter, I was heart-broken and happy at the same time... Syaoran, your departure hurt me badly, but... I loved you back then, and I still do..." Syaoran's heart suddenly did a 360. She loved him! Hiiragizawa wasn't lying, she loved him! At that moment, he wanted to jump and yell out to everyone that he was the luckiest person in the world, but his self-restraint once again kicked in. Sakura turned to Syaoran with a tear on her face. Syaoran wiped it away gently with his finger.
"Don't cry, my love, I'll never leave you again," he consoled her gently.
"H-Honto ne?" She looked at him with her eyes wide.
"Honto," He confirmed. Sakura started to smile, as she hugged Syaoran tightly. Syaoran put his arms around her and hugged her back. Sakura raised her head to look at Syaoran.
"Syaoran, will you do something for me?" She asked.
"Anything for you, my cherry blossom," Syaoran whispered.
"Kiss me," she whispered back.
And he did.
~~Fin~~
Dictionary Part 2:
Honto ne? = Really?
Honto = Really.
What do you think? Better now? ._. Review with comments if you want. Criticism is good too. Flames suck, don't do it :)
~ M.
