A/N: Yo once again! Thanks so much to all of you who have been patient and been reading the story!! ^.^ I LOVE YOU ALL!! YAY!! Here is installment #3 but I'm sorry to say that Ch. 4 will not come in for a LONG TIME... O.O'' so sorry, but this is still in the works, but is the ONLY thing I am working on though!! I hope to get started on it again VERY soon! And now I'd like to take this time to do those talk-backs to my readers! *isn't sure what they're called...^.^''*

Achika-chan- I know that they can make their own sentences, but there are two reasons I'm using them that way. 1) You saw the MOVIE right? All they do is THAT! Plus its funnier. 2) You'll see that they break away from that every now and then...there's something to that.... hee hee
Ewen- YAY! So glad you like it! I promise I'll live up to your expectations... or at least TRY... eh-heh...
Jin-sama- yeah yeah... But YOU wouldn't have been able to write something this good! ADMIT IT!! You don't like to give me credit do you jin-sama??? WAH! NOOO!! VERY NOOOO!!! ^.^v
Yaoi-Luvr- YAY! GO YAOI! I ROCK!! YAY!! .v whoo! So do you! Loved your story too!!! *.*
Lady Kazune Kikenshi- Yeah, I thought it was going a little fast! Sorry 'bout that, but it would be even HARDER for me to get this story out if they were taking it too slow ya know? Thanks for the input though! Keep readin'!
Ruby-san- Yeah, a little soon like I said before, but, well...*sigh* yeah... sorry... Thank youuuu!! ^.^''
Shattered Midnight Dreams- UPDATING NOW! YAY!! But... Sorry for the wait in advance after this!!! .
ONTO THE STORY!! YAY!! Meiling's first appearance! I love her now, I can't help it... She's fun.
~kittycow
~~~Eriol, Xiaolang and a Petshop - Chapter 3- My Cousin Meiling~~~

Xiaolang slipped on his jacket as he ambled down the walkway. He would've been happier to be out of that house had it not been for where he was going. Meiling Li, his dreaded cousin and pre-arranged marriage partner. Or, at least, she /was/ until about a year ago when he had /somehow/ finally convinced his mother to call it off. But Meiling never got it through her muffin-headed brain and still insisted on being his future bride. Yes, they did get along a little better now that they were older. But that didn't change much of anything. And the way his mother was, he couldn't be all too sure that his argument would be enough to keep him safe from the tight clutches of his cousin.
He got on the bus and took a glimpse of the driver. *"Oh great. /Her/ again."* he sulked back to his seat, determined to pay attention and not miss his stop. The ride went off without a hitch and he got off at the right stop. *"Wait, /why/ did I get off at the /right/ stop??"* he sighed as he saw the house in view and the bus pulled away behind him, *"Too late now..."* He stuck his hands in his pockets and walked nearer to the house. Meiling was sitting on the porch steps, staring into the sky.
"Oh great, if she sees me from there, I'll get a full flying-run-tackle and get knocked on my ass, landing about 5 feet from this spot."* he calculated to himself.
But then, Meiling turned her head and looked straight at him, and...nothing. She went back to staring ahead into the morning sky. Xiaolang stopped dead in his tracks with a confused look on his face and not making much sense of the situation. He continued with caution, thinking that it must be some sort of ploy to draw him into an elaborate trap. He walked forward until he was about 2 or 3 feet from where she was sitting. Still nothing.
"Nihao Meiling." He greeted.
"Nihao, Xiaolang." She returned glumly, not looking at him.
He then realized that Meiling was not a person to come up with intricate plans to trap him. And even if she was, she was obviously not in any state of mind to do so. He sat down by her, seeing that she was of no danger to him, "Is something wrong, Meiling?" He heard her sniffle and saw tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Then she turned to him, looked at him with bloodshot eyes and a red-nose. A appearance of that which could only be real sadness and grief. Then she suddenly wrapped her arms around him and started bawling into his shirt.
Xiaolang jumped, but then realized what she was doing and put his arm around her back. "What is it Meiling? What happened?" he asked with a tone of real concern in his voice.
She sobbed loudly then lifted her head off of Xiaolang's chest. The look that he had, full of care, wanted to make her cry all over again. It was rare for her to get such concern out of her cousin. Looking into his deep brown eyes made her not want to answer his concerns. But she knew she'd have to. "X-Xiaolang..." she started. "My-my..b-b-b..." Meiling stuttered.
"Your what? Meiling?"
"My b-bird. Xiaolang it d-d-..." She sniffed and sobbed, breaking up her words. "It died!!" She shouted at last and buried her head in her hands. "I thought I took such good care of it! I always took care of it, especially-especially since you rescued it that one day!"
Xiaolang though back, *"Oh yeah. I remember that... It was raining and everything and she sent me to go get that bird...Well, I guess her didn't /send/ me..."* It's okay Meiling. It's not your fault, I know you took good care of that bird."
She looked up, "Y-You do?"
"Sure." He smiled, "Plus, you know, everything dies..." Meiling's bottom lip started to shake and she looked like she was about to break into a whole other round of tears. "No no, I mean, that it was probably just its time. Those birds don't last too long, you know?" he said hopefully.
"Really?" She sniffed.
"He nodded, relieved, and smiled, "Yeah, c'mon. Let's go inside for a while..." He stood up and held out a hand towards his cousin. The sparkle returned to her eyes for a short moment before she pounced and hugged Xiaolang tightly. "Aiya! Xiaolang! Xie xie!!" ["thank you"]
"Bu xie." ["You're welcome"] He said, his voice straining as they wobbled inside.
They sat at the table inside and talked over cups of *type of tea. Xiaolang, mainly trying to cheer her up, told stupid little anecdotes to make her giggle. Then he remembered something. *"It might be too soon to ask."* He told himself, but he thought he should try anyway. "Hey Meiling."
"Yes Xiaolang?" She responded after a fit of laughter.
"Umm... I was wondering. Ya see, I got my sisters these kittens yesterday at this petshop I found..." Meiling grew quiet. "...and I was thinking we could go there and just check it out. You don't have to decide today or anyth–"
"Sure!" Meiling cut in.
"Yeah... I thought so..." Xiaolang said disappointed, "OH! OH really? You're up to it?!" Xiaolang reacted, surprised.
"Uh-huh. Sure Xiaolang. I'm up to it if you are." She smiled sweetly. *"Oh my darling Xiaolang, you've always been so great to me..."*
"'Kay! We'll go as soon as you're ready then! And maybe Eriol'll give me another discount!..." He thought out loud.
Meiling turned sharply from getting her jacket. "Who's Eriol?" she asked glaring.
Xiaolang sweatdropped. *"At least she's back to normal."* "It's just the guy that works at the petshop I went to yesterday!"
"Oh? It's a guy too?! You met him just yesterday and you're already on a first name basis?!?"
"WHAT?! NO! It's not like that!! You take things too seriously Meiling..." He was mentally backed into a corner. *"Well, not /really/..."* said his sub-conscious.
"I may loose you to another girl someday, but I am NOT going to loose you to a guy Xiaolang." Now she did have him physically backed into a corner.
*"Oh boy...Suzaku, PLEASE don't let anything happen today..."* "Maybe we should just go to another shop." Xiaolang suggested.
"NO! I want to meet Eriol!" She directed.
"Whatever you say Meiling..." He sighed as she grabbed his hand and led him out the door. They reached the front gate and she stopped.
"So, where is it?"
"Well, I think it's not too far if we walk... That is, if you're up to it..."
"No. I'd rather not walk. It's cold." She made up some excuse, thinking that this was some way Xiaolang was trying to stall.
"Ummm...okay..." He looked down at his watch, "We'll have to wait a little while then." Xiaolang explained.
Meiling sat on the bench and tugged on Xiaolang's sleeve, ordering to sit. They were silent until the bus came. They got on and went to a seat. Xiaolang sat by the window, watching for the right stop. "Okay...not this one. It's the next one..." He thought to himself quietly before the bus stopped.
"Hey kid." The driver called, "Isn't this your stop?" She asked crudely.
Xiaolang looked up unexpectedly. "Wha? Uhh... no. Not this time. It's the next stop!" He looked around, he turned red as he noticed people starting again. "Stupid damn bus driver, always giving me crap..." He muttered loud enough for Meiling to hear.
"You want me to say something Xiaolang?" Meiling asked harshly.
"No, no don't..."
At the next stop, the cousins got off the bus and Meiling shot the driver a nasty glance before stepping off. "Whatever..." The driver mumbled as she rolled her eyes and closed the door.
Meiling held onto Xiaolang's arm as they walked down the street. Xiaolang was so used to this that he forgot to slip his arm away before entering the petshop. Eriol heard the bell ring atop the door, but didn't have a chance to look up, as he was already tending to a customer. "Thank you sir. Have a nice day." He said as the man left. Eriol sighed loudly, "Phew... it's been a busy day."
"Aww!! They're so CUTE! Xiaolang! LOOK!" Meiling cried loudly.
"Yes, Meiling. I see them. Do you have to be so loud?" Xiaolang reprimanded.
"Oh, you're no fun." She said nudging him a bit.
"Yeah Xiaolang, lighten up..." The familiar voice made the little wolf jump and automatically blush. Meiling turned to the source with an, "Oh?"
"My Xiaolang! You never told me you had such a pretty girlfriend!" Eriol commented, although he frowned mentally, hoping he didn't have any difficult competition. But Xiaolang was so cute, he couldn't blame her, or anyone, for liking him.
Meiling blushed and Xiaolang quickly responded to the observation, "She's /not/ my girlfriend." He pulled his arm away, realizing what it may have meant to Eriol, given the situation. But Meiling snatched it back and countered with her own words, "He's right, I'm his /fiancee/!" She said, grinning immensely.
"Oh really?" Eriol reacted mischievously.
"Yes really!" Meiling argued.
"No! REALLY!" Xiaolang exerted, but it was ignored.
Suddenly Eriol burst out, "Oh! Xiaolang! You didn't tell me you already were in a relationship! How /could/ you?!" Xiaolang stood in disbelief, while Meiling put her hands on her hips. "What do you mean 'how /could/ he'?! What do you mean 'already'?!" She shouted.
"Oh? He didn't tell you?" Eriol said in pouty voice as he quickly slunk his hand into Xiaolang's. "I'm his boyfriend!!" He continued excitedly, holding up their intertwined fingers. Xiaolang turned red and awkwardly tugged his hand away. "Aww.. Don't be shy... It's about time she knew..." "Eriol!! Don't..."
Meiling shook with rage, she didn't like being mocked, whether he meant to or not. She didn't know who to vent out on first, but she decided on Eriol, figuring she'd never have to see him again. She got in his face and started yelling, "What do you mean 'boyfriend'?!? Xiaolang would NEVER do that to me, someone that he loves and cares for deeper than the ocean–"
Xiaolang rolled his eyes, *"There she goes again..."* he then just noticed that Eriol never budged. He just keep that same all-knowing, annoying smile on his face.
Meiling kept screaming, making a scene, and never expected anything that Eriol would do. "And stop smiling! It's not fu-" Eriol decided to end this rant; he leaned up and kissed her cheek. "-nny..." She concluded before turning bright crimson.
Eriol chuckled, "I can see you really care for Xiaolang. I was just kidding. I'm sorry if I made you mad. It's Meiling, right?" Meiling nodded slowly in confirmation. Xiaolang stared wide-eyed, mouth gaping, while Meiling tried to get the flush out of her face. Seeing that neither would say anything too soon, Eriol continued, "So, what brings you tow here anyway?"
Xiaolang shook his head and snapped out of it. "Oh, we came to get a pet for Meiling." He jabbed his thumb in the direction of his cousin.
"Anything in particular?" Eriol asked straightening out some things on a near-by shelf.
Meiling started to gain her composure. Still pink, she responded, "Well, my bird died this morning..."
Now Eriol REALLY felt bad for what he did. He turned to her with a look of concern, "I'm so sorry. Are you sure you want to do this today??"
Meiling looked up meekly, gently holding onto Xiaolang's arm. "I'm sure. Xiaolang said that I didn't have to choose today if I didn't want to. So we just might look for now..."
Eriol returned a soft smile, "That's understandable. Please, look at whatever you like, and let me know if there's any one that you'd like to hold."
Meiling nodded enthusiastically, "Kay!"
"EXCUSE ME!!" Came a call from a lady on the other side of the store, as she waved a hand. Eriol spotted the woman and answered back, "I'll be right there ma'am!" He turned back to the other two, "Be right back." He said with a smile in Xiaolang's direction. Xiaolang tried to give a smile back, but he was yanked back by Meiling and Eriol had already done a 180 the other way.
Meiling lead her cousin excitedly through bins and cages and the little lizards and fish behind glass. Xiaolang payed hardly any attention to her. He kept looking back at Eriol helping the other customer. She was fairly older than his peers, about late 20s, early 30s? Her hair was deep brown and shoulder length and she wore a skirt and very business type suit. She was in the bird section, and probably asking Eriol information on different types of birds or food by the looks of it. Xiaolang didn't quite realize it, but every time he looked back, a twinge of jealousy ran through him. He would look back for a while, then realize that he was staring, shake his head and try to attend to the matter at hand.
"Oh, XIAOLANG!" Cried Meiling as she let go of his hand, returning him to reality. "They're so cuuute! Lookie!"
Xiaolang looked ahead and notice puppies in cages behind a glass wall. He turned to Meiling; she was pressed up against the glass beside him, smiling and wiggling her finger at he small dogs. She bent down, tucking her knees under her and her feet held up the back of her skirt. "Xiaolang, I want to see the puppies!"
"We have to wait for Eriol..." he said almost void of emotion, still feeling dazed.
Meiling curiously looked up at him. "Oh, okay..." she responded with a sigh as she stood. There were two chairs nearby and she sat quietly, still watching her beloved cousin. He seemed really out of it as she caught him looking across the store again. He turned and was startled by her inquisitive gaze, and realized what he had been doing all along. He then wondered if Meiling was able to notice, then what about Eriol? He blushed at the thought. "Wha-what is it?" He finally asked, since her looks still hadn't been diverted and made him quite nervous. Had she guessed what he was up to?
"What are you thinking about?" She questioned as he sat down next to her.
He stared at his shoes, "N-No one - I mean NOTHING!!" He tried to cover up, but even he knew that was WAY too obvious. But, he hoped, that Meiling was as dense as he usually thought her to be. He clunked his shoes together, waiting uneasily for her response.
~End Chapter 3~

A/N2: Thank you to DarkWaterAngel for e-mailing me and getting me back on top of this project. (Ha, see jin-sama, I CAN be seme!! .''' mwahhaha...) Sorry again about future delay though, but maybe finally typing this again will get me back in the mood... you can only hope...and of course, send me lots of Eriol/Xiaolang-ness. ^.^ Only pics though, because fics will mess up my writing.. ^.^'''