Maple: Hi everyone! Much thanks for the reviews!
L-chan-You'll have to ask Touya about that ^_~. The rest of the story is mostly M/E now, and it's almost finished, in fact, this is probably the last chapter. (but there will be an epilogue, trust me)
White Eternity-Thanks, glad someone cares ^_^
Okami chan-Thanks! ^_^
Ellen-Glad you think so! This is a mostly E+M chapter.
Erin-Aww, shucks. Thanks! I'm glad you like it. Happy birthday, I love chocolate too, and when you wrote that, I was sleeping! (TGIS-Thank Goodness It's Summer)
Maple's Disclaimer:
Hi, everyone. Uh..i don't own CCS, CLAMP does.
~P 3 4 C 3~
)Meiling's POV(
The phone rang faintly. I picked it up.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Meiling..." Eriol said huskily.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I have something to tell you.." he mumbled.
"What?" I asked.
"Sakura and I are getting married."
I looked up to see Eriol with his arms around a beaming Sakura, Eriol with a phone pressed against his ear.
I shook my head. "No. No, no.." I whispered, dropping the phone, backing up slowly, then faster. "This isn't real. It's a dream. Sakura loves Syaoran, no, no, no.." I was in a full run by now, tears streaming down my cheeks. Someone was calling me.
"Oi, Li. Li! Li!"
My eyes shot open to see Kinomoto-kun.
With a phone in his hand.
"It's for you." he said, fixing me with a death glare.
"H-hai. Ano, arigato." I mumbled, taking the phone from him meekly.
"Moshimoshi?" I asked hesitantly.
"Meiling, it's Yelan. You must come to China immediately, I have found the perfect potential husbands for you. I have sent your tickets for the seven o'clock plane from the Tokyo airport. Bring Xiaolang and four friends to help you choose a husband. Hurry, Meiling. I do not want to bother to fly the private Li jet to Japan just because you missed the plane." Auntie said in cold, clipped Chinese.
"Y-yes, Auntie." I mumbled.
Click. She hung up. I handed the phone back to Kinomoto.
"Arigato." I mumbled again.
He grunted and left. I got dressed quickly. What time was it, anyways? I was still tired, but then again, I stayed up pretty late. Syaoran and four friends? Syaoran, Sakura, Tomoyo, Eriol, and Syaoran. Perfect. I did my hair and stumbled out of my tent to wake up the others. First, Syaoran.
I walked across the bridge, shivering. Japan is *really* cold. I banged on the green tent-pole stubbornly until a puffy-eyed Syaoran stuck his head out.
"Oi, Meiling...four AM." he slurred sleepily.
"Get up, we're going to China on the 7 AM plane." I told him. "Pack up."
He grunted.
"Your mama said we couldn't be late, Syaoran, and if we are, I'll tell her it's all your fault!" I threatened.
Syaoran's eyes widened in fear, and he retreated back into his tent to pack and get dressed.
Next, Eriol. I found a navy blue tent and banged on the tent-pole.
"ERIOL HIIRAGIZAWA! WAKE UP!" I screamed in Chinese.
A tousle-haired, puffy-eyed Eriol with his glasses on crooked stuck his head out.
"Nani..?" he mumbled.
"Get up, we're going to China in less than three hours. Dress. Pack. Do the chicken dance. Now." I ordered.
He nodded sleepily, then went back inside.
Now, Syaoran.
Wait a moment...
I already woke up Syaoran.
I need to bring one more person. Great.
I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, I thought, while crossing the physical bridge to wake up Tomoyo.
I banged on a purple tent-post only once before Tomoyo unzipped her tent-flap and stuck her head out. She smiled dreamily at me.
"Nani?" she asked distantly.
"Tomoyo, get up, get dressed, pet packed, we're going to China."
Tomoyo nodded slowly. "Is Touya coming?" she asked.
I paused. Oh, why not. "Yes, he is. Now go pack, we can't be late."
Tomoyo nodded dreamily. "Hai, Meiling-chan."
She retreated slowly and paused before closing her tent flap.
Sakura.
I walked up to her pink, one-person tent and banged loudly on her tent-pole.
Nothing.
I banged and kicked as hard as I could, denting her tent-pole in several places.
The flap to a navy-blue tent on the far end of the line opened, and Rika's sleepy head poked out, then back in.
I banged, kicked, and swore at the top of my lungs in Chinese.
Nothing.
Finally, I opened the tent-flap, leaned in and screamed in Sakura's ear.
"GET UP!" followed by a long string of Chinese cusses.
Sakura rolled over. "Syaoran.." she mumbled thickly.
I swore-AGAIN. She left me no choice. I dragged her into the snow until she was soaked in melted snow.
She opened one eye slowly. "Meiling-chan?" she asked thickly.
"Sakura, go tell your brother to pack, get dressed, get ready to drive four of us to the airport and then fly to China, and then do the same. Got me?" I asked.
She nodded. "Pack dress. Drive and fly." she mumbled.
"Good enough. Now go!" I ordered, staying just long enough to make sure she crossed the bridge safely before darting back to my own tent and getting my stuff.
I brushed my teeth over the river, washed my face with water that should have been ice, then packed rapidly, finishing just in time to meet the others with their own bags in the mess hall.
*
"What time is it?" yawned Tomoyo.
"4:28." replied Syaoran.
"Christmas morning." I added, opening the last advent window and breaking off six pieces of the chocolate bar. I left the rest on the table and handed out the six pieces, one each.
I opened my bag and took out several brightly wrapped gifts, all labeled "To (someone), from Meiling". I read each label and put some in the corner. Rika..Sensei...Naoko...Chiharu...Tsukishiro...Yamazaki...Nakuru...Plushies. I sighed and put the other five back inside my bag. The others followed suit with their own gifts. Eriol penned a note for the others, explaining where we were and not to worry. Then, we loaded our stuff into Touya's trunk and took down our tents, folded them up, and added them to the cargo.
Tomoyo got the front seat, Touya, of course, was driving, being the only one with a license, Sakura and Syaoran sat in the middle (minivan), and Eriol and I got the back. Eriol, the smart guy, had brought his pillow for the two hours' drive to the airport. Sakura fell asleep on Syaoran's shoulder, and Tomoyo filmed every second of it. Eriol fell asleep, too, and I leaned forwards with my elbows on my knees, deep in thought.
Auntie had nice Li suitors with strong magic that were willing to marry me, waiting in China. I shivered slightly. Beautiful, warm China. But I didn't want that anymore. I already knew I wouldn't like any of the suitors...I needed Eriol.
I turned my gaze to him, sleeping serenely. Reluctantly, I turned away and looked out the window, realizing that Tomoyo had probably noticed me staring by now. Of course, I couldn't just live to be a bitter old spinster, I would have to marry someone...someone other than Eriol. And I would have to marry someone in two years' time, less, even. On my sixteenth birthday, unless my fiancee was younger than me, in which case we would marry on his sixteenth birthday.
Being a hermit and spinster sounded much better.
*
We arrived at the airport at six fifty-there was a huge accident blocking our way, so we had to take a longer route, and Eriol treated us at a nearby McDonalds' to one hashbrown each-no time for anything more. We boarded the plane with the tickets that Auntie had bought and magicked into my pocket (her sending spells are way too accurate) and chose seats. Tomoyo grabbed a window seat, and Kinomoto sat beside her, Sakura and Syaoran with Sakura at the window behind them, and me and Eriol at the back. I managed to get the window, too. Kinomoto immediately leaned back and engaged in a glaring contest with Syaoran. Tomoyo turned around and stuck her chin on the back of her seat to talk to Sakura and I, and I poked my chin onto Sakura's seat.
"Tomoyo, you and Kinomoto haven't been apart all morning. What happened?" I asked.
Tomoyo turned a pretty pink colour. "Mistletoe happened." she told us.
"Did he kiss you?" I demanded.
She nodded, blushing.
"Does he love you?" I teased.
She nodded, blushing harder.
"Onii-chan?" asked Sakura. She paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
"Tomoyo-chan! That makes us like *sisters*!"
The two tried to hug, and considering there was a seat between them, they did a pretty good job.
"That's so, so kakkoi!" squealed Tomoyo, getting starry-eyed.
Sakura paused, then turned to me. "And you're like our cousin, Meiling-chan!" she told me happily.
For the rest of the flight, Touya and Syaoran glared at each other, Tomoyo, Sakura and I had a girl talk, and Eriol, well, Eriol was really quiet, he must have fallen asleep.
*
)Syaoran's POV(
I walked in with Sakura, looking around. Then, I spotted them.
"Sakura. Hide. Now." I told her urgently.
"Why?" she asked, obviously not remembering what had happened *last* time she was here.
"Now!" I whispered, but it was too late.
"Xiaolang!" shrieked Fuutie, Fanren, Xiefa, and Feimei, running towards me too fast for me to escape. They chattered and fussed over me for a minute, until Feimei noticed Sakura.
"MEIMEI!!!" she shrieked, and Xiefa, Fuutie and Fanren followed suit. They smothered poor Sakura, squealing loudly.
Meiling and Tomoyo came in next. "Poor Sakura.." commented Meiling absently. After all, there was nothing any of us could do about it.
The baka entered next. He took one glance around the room, then yelled, "GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER!" so loudly that it frightened *my* sisters into obeying.
We all stared at him in shock-especially my sisters. He had scared them into listening. It was amazing.
)Meiling's POV(
I had a newfound respect for Kinomoto.
He yelled at my cousins, Fuutie, Feimei, Fanren, and Xiefa, for smothering Sakura, and they listened to him.
Eriol entered, looked around, and asked me why we were here.
My brain wasn't functioning properly-I barely heard him.
He tapped me on the shoulder and asked again.
I couldn't process what he was saying, I was too confused.
He tried a third time. I drew breath in sharply, startled, and turned to face him.
"Oh," I began, processing his question, "Yelan wants me to pick a fiancee. You guys are here to help me."
He nodded mutely and adjusted his glasses. "I see."
Feimei, Fanren, Fuutie and Xiefa were now whispering to each other animatedly. Sakura and Syaoran were talking about who knows what, and Tomoyo and Touya were, well...kissing.
A hush came over the room, and we all focused on one point - the person who had just entered, my Auntie Yelan. She gave off an aura, even to us non-magical people. An aura of confidence and power.
"Xiaolang." She said curtly. "Meiling."
"Mama." said Syaoran, respectfully, fearfully.
"Auntie Yelan." I said respectfully.
Yelan nodded, glancing around the room.
"Xiefa, Fuutie, Feimei, Fanren, don't huddle and hunch like penguins." she ordered. Immediately, the four sisters straightened and formed a perfect line.
"Hello, Card Mistress." Yelan said to Sakura.
Sakura smiled. "Ohayo, Yelan-san!" she greeted, genki as ever.
"Please, Meiling, introduce me to the rest of your friends." she said in a tone that was more of an order than a request.
I nodded quickly. "This is Eriol Hiiragizawa, the half-reincarnation of Clow Reed." Eriol nodded respectfully.
Yelan smiled and shook his hand. "It is nice to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is mine." he replied, unruffled by Yelan's creepy aura.
"This is Daidouji Tomoyo. I believe you've already met." I continued. Tomoyo nodded politely.
"Ohayo gozimasu, Li-sama." she said with a bow.
Yelan smiled and bowed back. "As to you, Daidouji-san."
"And this is Touya Kinomoto. He is the Card Mistress's older brother." I finished.
Touya met her eyes and inpected her, as she did him, for several seconds. He smiled, and nodded. "Ohayo, Li-sama." he greeted.
"Ohayo, Kinomoto-san." she said with a smile and a nod of approval.
Again, Auntie Yelan turned to me. "Meiling." she began. "There are three suitors waiting to meet you after luncheon. Each possess some of the strongest magical power in this generation of the Clan, second, third and fourth only to Xiaolang." She nodded at her son proudly, then continued. "I expect you to choose a husband, with the assistance of your friends, Xiaolang, and me and my daughters, if you wish, by the time you return to Japan for your third trimester." She gave me that look that meant "or else", and told us all that breakfast was ready.
Yelan began to turn around to go to breakfast, then added, as if she had forgotten, which was very possible, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." was the staggered reply throughout the room before we followed her to breakfast.
*
Breakfast was more lavish than Syaoran's birthday dinner - I think that that bothered him a little bit. We all ate until we couldn't eat any more, then ate a little more to be polite.
After breakfast, we found our stockings in our bags, stuffed full, and opened them with Yelan and Syaoran's sisters. With that done, we opened the gifts we brought, the gifts that Syaoran and I sent, and the gifts Yelan had prepared for us, because she knew we would be coming. Each was equally thoughtful, sweet, and, well, downright weird. Eriol liked his cufflinks, but he didn't try them on, as he was wearing a thick sweater.
The morning was spent eating candy canes, chasing each other around with mistletoe, or anything that looked like mistletoe, and stealing each other's candy canes. Eriol was telling Sakura and Syaoran a ridiculous Christmas story, in the absence of Yamazaki, and Touya was keeping Fuutie, Fanren, Feimei and Xiefa AWAY from Sakura. Tomoyo and I were stealing Syaoran's candy canes and talking.
"So, do you know who is courting you yet, Mei?" asked Tomoyo lazily, licking Syaoran's candy cane.
"Some courtship." I snorted. "It's a potential arranged marriage."
"So...?" pushed Tomoyo.
"I have no idea. We'll find out at lunch." I told her.
"Come on, Mei. You don't know anything about them?" she pressed.
I shook my head. "Only that they're all Lis with exceptional magical power that should balance out my lack of it so I can bear magical children."
Tomoyo sighed. "Do they even believe in romance?"
I snorted. "Yeah, right. The only reason Syaoran isn't dead in the water is because Sakura will 'bear strong magical Li children'." I rolled my eyes.
Tomoyo raised an eyebrow.
"I know." I said, biting off a piece of candy cane.
*
We enjoyed a light lunch of Chinese food, talking about whatever came to mind. In the midst of the conversation, Sakura leaned against Syaoran lazily, and Syaoran put his arm around her.
"Get your hands off of her." growled Touya.
Syaoran growled back. "You bet I will." He stood up angrily, taking a fighting stance.
"You plan on fighting me, little Chinese boy?" growled Touya, standing and knocking his chair aside. He lunged at Syaoran, who ducked at the last moment and aimed a kick, which missed by less than an inch. The two grabbed each other's arms and wrestled each other onto the ground, trying their best to hurt each other using any means necessary.
"STOP!"
Sakura stood up, tears pouring down her face.
"Don't-don't fight, you're getting nowhere, a-and all you're d-doing is hurting each other!" Sakura ran out of the room tearfully.
Touya and Syaoran immediately broke their fight and both started to go after her. Tomoyo and I restrained them.
"Stop it, you two! You can't help now; you'll just make things worse." I argued.
"Eriol, you take Touya. I'm going after Sakura." Tomoyo ordered.
*
After Tomoyo managed to cheer Sakura up a little and Eriol and I restrained Touya and Syaoran, we all entered another room that I had never seen before. Waiting there for us was Yelan.
"Tonight there is a Christmas ball. All your potential husbands have been invited, as well as my daughters, myself, you and your friends. There, you must choose your husband. You have six days after that to consider. Is that clear?"
I nodded.
"Xiaolang, Meiling, please show your guests to their rooms to prepare for the ball."
We stood up in single file and left one by one, each pausing at the door to nod at Yelan respectfully.
*
I had just taken a quick shower and was drying my hair when I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in." I called in Chinese, then in Japanese when there was no response.
Tomoyo stepped in, beaming.
"Mei-chan, put on some jeans and a t-shirt and help me get Sakura ready!" Tomoyo ordered me cheerfully.
"Okay, but get out first." I told her firmly. She stepped out and closed the door.
I grabbed the first clothes I saw, threw them on, and accompanied Tomoyo to Sakura's room. She was wearing the clothes she had on this morning, and had obviously just dried her hair. She seemed a little depressed, probably because of the fight between Touya and Syaoran, but she tried to act normal, most likely so we wouldn't worry. It didn't work.
It was like the good old days when Tomoyo and I were trying to get Sakura and Syaoran together; I applied Sakura's makeup and did her hair, and Tomoyo gave her a pair of pale green dancing shoes that were in her closet, plus the gorgeous spring green dress she had finished sewing at the beginning of camp.
It was strapless, clinging to her small form, with a flowing, gauzy skirt that touched her shoes. Tomoyo also gave her a pair of matching gloves, and the result was probably our best dress-up-Sakura result ever, if I do say so myself.
We confined Sakura to her room and went to Tomoyo's where a dress that she had brought to her by her servants when she learned of the ball was laid out on her bed. I did makeup and hair, she did clothes and looked the very essence of elegance in a spaghetti-strapped lilac dress, complete with a clinging skirt with a slit to her left mid-thigh and matching sandals.
Now, it was my turn. I was quick on the makeup and hair, not being nearly as careful as on Sakura or Tomoyo, only redoing when Tomoyo noticed my mistake while she went through my wardrobe. Finally, she found "The perfect dress".
It was deep blue, with a swishing skirt that fell to my ankles and long sleeves. There were flecks of light here and there, giving the illusion of the night sky. I hadn't even known that it was there.
Syaoran knocked and opened the door at my command. "Mama says we're all entering as guests of honor. Come on, Mei. It's almost time."
Tomoyo and I left for the top of the staircase with Syaoran, where Sakura, Kinomoto, and Eriol were waiting. Yelan arrived seconds later to tell us what order we had to enter, then when the music began, we started to move.
First was Eriol. He adjusted his glasses slightly, then walked down slowly, appearing perfectly calm. Why shouldn't he be, after all, the Li boys at the ball couldn't care less about his entrance.
Then, Tomoyo and Kinomoto entered, arm in arm, the very essence of perfection. They waited at the side of the staircase.
Sakura and Syaoran were next. It wasn't that Tomoyo didn't turn heads-but Sakura turned every one. Every Li boy now had a new respect for their future leader and the girl who would most likely be his future wife.
I took a deep breath, and let go of the railing. Slowly, and I hope gracefully, I descended the steps. Every pair of eyes was trained on me. I felt each pair as though they were sharp needles. Shuddering slightly, I curtsied at the bottom and joined my friends.
At his request, Eriol had the first dance. It was all I could do not to burst into tears; I never wanted to dance with anyone else, but I might never dance with him again.
I danced with several distant cousins, and made small talk with them. I have always been good at small talk, so much so that I don't even need to think about the conversation, yet I loathe it. Why must we waste time discussing trivial matters such as the weather? Everyone knows it's nice out!
"Meiling..." Tomoyo tapped me on the shoulder, and motioned to an unoccupied corner. Sakura, Tomoyo and I retreated and we discussed the cantidates we had seen so far.
*
)Syaoran's POV(
I watched absently as Sakura, Meiling and Tomoyo ran off to the very corner of the room to talk about who-knows-what.
"Girls." snorted Kinomoto. "Why are they always talking?"
"Beats me." I said before I could realize who I was talking to.
There was a short silence before I added, "I never mean to take Sakura away from you."
"It doesn't matter what you mean to do, you did." he muttered gruffly.
I shook my head. "She loves you too much. I couldn't take her away even if I tried."
Touya did not avert his gaze from Sakura's silhouette, nor did I. "You really think so?"
I nodded. "She might not say it, but she really cares about you."
"She cares about us both."
"I won't hurt her."
"I know."
*
)Meiling's POV(
It was late, and I was tired, but since I was the centre of attention, I couldn't leave. Miraculously, I managed to seek refuge behind the wide staircase.
"Mind if I join you?" I jumped.
I turned around to see Eriol. "Don't scare me like that!" I told him.
He smiled. "So, what is the belle of the ball doing behind the staircase in the dark where no one can see her?"
I sighed. "I'm not exactly the belle."
Eriol smiled. "Don't be modest, Meiling."
A new song began, and Eriol rose and held out his hand. "The belle of the ball should not be sitting here alone."
I took his hand wordlessly, and we danced underneath the staircase.
"So, do you have a preference to anyone?" he asked conversationally.
"No, not really." I looked down slightly to see his cufflinks.
He was wearing the cufflinks I gave him. Two small rubies winked at me from his wrists. Could it be...?
I looked back up to his face.
"Because I was having a conversation with one of your cousins, Meiling, and..."
"I don't want to marry him." I almost whispered.
Eriol looked at me, surprised. "I was going to say he was a jerk, but...why don't you?"
"I already know who I want to marry," I took a deep, shuddering breath, "and he's not a Li."
"Do I know this person?" he asked.
"You know him very well."
The song ended, and I leaned in slightly to kiss his warm, soft lips.
We broke gently apart, then gazed into each others' eyes.
"I suppose I do." he responded huskily, then kissed me slowly as the clock chimed midnight.
~THE END~
Charisma: How did you like the last chapter? I put in Touya and Syaoran's conversation that made them come to terms, so I hope that it brought a little more S+S here. Also, I haven't seen the movies, so I don't know Yelan or her daughters' character, so I hope I did OK on that part. I also really hope the ending was satisfying. However, it's not *quite* the end, because there's going to be an epilogue! *blows party blower* Anyways, thanks a lot for reading, review review review, and stay tuned for the epilogue!
Vocab:
Hai-Yes
Ano-Um
Arigato-Thank you
Moshimoshi-Kind of like hello; you answer a phone with it
Xiaolang-Syaoran's Chinese name
Nani-what
Sensei-Teacher
Kakkoi-Cool
Meimei-little sister(chinese)
Baka-Idiot
Ohayo-good morning (informal)
Ohayo gozimasu-good morning (formal)
PS. Longest chapter ever! Yay! ^_^
L-chan-You'll have to ask Touya about that ^_~. The rest of the story is mostly M/E now, and it's almost finished, in fact, this is probably the last chapter. (but there will be an epilogue, trust me)
White Eternity-Thanks, glad someone cares ^_^
Okami chan-Thanks! ^_^
Ellen-Glad you think so! This is a mostly E+M chapter.
Erin-Aww, shucks. Thanks! I'm glad you like it. Happy birthday, I love chocolate too, and when you wrote that, I was sleeping! (TGIS-Thank Goodness It's Summer)
Maple's Disclaimer:
Hi, everyone. Uh..i don't own CCS, CLAMP does.
~P 3 4 C 3~
)Meiling's POV(
The phone rang faintly. I picked it up.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Meiling..." Eriol said huskily.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I have something to tell you.." he mumbled.
"What?" I asked.
"Sakura and I are getting married."
I looked up to see Eriol with his arms around a beaming Sakura, Eriol with a phone pressed against his ear.
I shook my head. "No. No, no.." I whispered, dropping the phone, backing up slowly, then faster. "This isn't real. It's a dream. Sakura loves Syaoran, no, no, no.." I was in a full run by now, tears streaming down my cheeks. Someone was calling me.
"Oi, Li. Li! Li!"
My eyes shot open to see Kinomoto-kun.
With a phone in his hand.
"It's for you." he said, fixing me with a death glare.
"H-hai. Ano, arigato." I mumbled, taking the phone from him meekly.
"Moshimoshi?" I asked hesitantly.
"Meiling, it's Yelan. You must come to China immediately, I have found the perfect potential husbands for you. I have sent your tickets for the seven o'clock plane from the Tokyo airport. Bring Xiaolang and four friends to help you choose a husband. Hurry, Meiling. I do not want to bother to fly the private Li jet to Japan just because you missed the plane." Auntie said in cold, clipped Chinese.
"Y-yes, Auntie." I mumbled.
Click. She hung up. I handed the phone back to Kinomoto.
"Arigato." I mumbled again.
He grunted and left. I got dressed quickly. What time was it, anyways? I was still tired, but then again, I stayed up pretty late. Syaoran and four friends? Syaoran, Sakura, Tomoyo, Eriol, and Syaoran. Perfect. I did my hair and stumbled out of my tent to wake up the others. First, Syaoran.
I walked across the bridge, shivering. Japan is *really* cold. I banged on the green tent-pole stubbornly until a puffy-eyed Syaoran stuck his head out.
"Oi, Meiling...four AM." he slurred sleepily.
"Get up, we're going to China on the 7 AM plane." I told him. "Pack up."
He grunted.
"Your mama said we couldn't be late, Syaoran, and if we are, I'll tell her it's all your fault!" I threatened.
Syaoran's eyes widened in fear, and he retreated back into his tent to pack and get dressed.
Next, Eriol. I found a navy blue tent and banged on the tent-pole.
"ERIOL HIIRAGIZAWA! WAKE UP!" I screamed in Chinese.
A tousle-haired, puffy-eyed Eriol with his glasses on crooked stuck his head out.
"Nani..?" he mumbled.
"Get up, we're going to China in less than three hours. Dress. Pack. Do the chicken dance. Now." I ordered.
He nodded sleepily, then went back inside.
Now, Syaoran.
Wait a moment...
I already woke up Syaoran.
I need to bring one more person. Great.
I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, I thought, while crossing the physical bridge to wake up Tomoyo.
I banged on a purple tent-post only once before Tomoyo unzipped her tent-flap and stuck her head out. She smiled dreamily at me.
"Nani?" she asked distantly.
"Tomoyo, get up, get dressed, pet packed, we're going to China."
Tomoyo nodded slowly. "Is Touya coming?" she asked.
I paused. Oh, why not. "Yes, he is. Now go pack, we can't be late."
Tomoyo nodded dreamily. "Hai, Meiling-chan."
She retreated slowly and paused before closing her tent flap.
Sakura.
I walked up to her pink, one-person tent and banged loudly on her tent-pole.
Nothing.
I banged and kicked as hard as I could, denting her tent-pole in several places.
The flap to a navy-blue tent on the far end of the line opened, and Rika's sleepy head poked out, then back in.
I banged, kicked, and swore at the top of my lungs in Chinese.
Nothing.
Finally, I opened the tent-flap, leaned in and screamed in Sakura's ear.
"GET UP!" followed by a long string of Chinese cusses.
Sakura rolled over. "Syaoran.." she mumbled thickly.
I swore-AGAIN. She left me no choice. I dragged her into the snow until she was soaked in melted snow.
She opened one eye slowly. "Meiling-chan?" she asked thickly.
"Sakura, go tell your brother to pack, get dressed, get ready to drive four of us to the airport and then fly to China, and then do the same. Got me?" I asked.
She nodded. "Pack dress. Drive and fly." she mumbled.
"Good enough. Now go!" I ordered, staying just long enough to make sure she crossed the bridge safely before darting back to my own tent and getting my stuff.
I brushed my teeth over the river, washed my face with water that should have been ice, then packed rapidly, finishing just in time to meet the others with their own bags in the mess hall.
*
"What time is it?" yawned Tomoyo.
"4:28." replied Syaoran.
"Christmas morning." I added, opening the last advent window and breaking off six pieces of the chocolate bar. I left the rest on the table and handed out the six pieces, one each.
I opened my bag and took out several brightly wrapped gifts, all labeled "To (someone), from Meiling". I read each label and put some in the corner. Rika..Sensei...Naoko...Chiharu...Tsukishiro...Yamazaki...Nakuru...Plushies. I sighed and put the other five back inside my bag. The others followed suit with their own gifts. Eriol penned a note for the others, explaining where we were and not to worry. Then, we loaded our stuff into Touya's trunk and took down our tents, folded them up, and added them to the cargo.
Tomoyo got the front seat, Touya, of course, was driving, being the only one with a license, Sakura and Syaoran sat in the middle (minivan), and Eriol and I got the back. Eriol, the smart guy, had brought his pillow for the two hours' drive to the airport. Sakura fell asleep on Syaoran's shoulder, and Tomoyo filmed every second of it. Eriol fell asleep, too, and I leaned forwards with my elbows on my knees, deep in thought.
Auntie had nice Li suitors with strong magic that were willing to marry me, waiting in China. I shivered slightly. Beautiful, warm China. But I didn't want that anymore. I already knew I wouldn't like any of the suitors...I needed Eriol.
I turned my gaze to him, sleeping serenely. Reluctantly, I turned away and looked out the window, realizing that Tomoyo had probably noticed me staring by now. Of course, I couldn't just live to be a bitter old spinster, I would have to marry someone...someone other than Eriol. And I would have to marry someone in two years' time, less, even. On my sixteenth birthday, unless my fiancee was younger than me, in which case we would marry on his sixteenth birthday.
Being a hermit and spinster sounded much better.
*
We arrived at the airport at six fifty-there was a huge accident blocking our way, so we had to take a longer route, and Eriol treated us at a nearby McDonalds' to one hashbrown each-no time for anything more. We boarded the plane with the tickets that Auntie had bought and magicked into my pocket (her sending spells are way too accurate) and chose seats. Tomoyo grabbed a window seat, and Kinomoto sat beside her, Sakura and Syaoran with Sakura at the window behind them, and me and Eriol at the back. I managed to get the window, too. Kinomoto immediately leaned back and engaged in a glaring contest with Syaoran. Tomoyo turned around and stuck her chin on the back of her seat to talk to Sakura and I, and I poked my chin onto Sakura's seat.
"Tomoyo, you and Kinomoto haven't been apart all morning. What happened?" I asked.
Tomoyo turned a pretty pink colour. "Mistletoe happened." she told us.
"Did he kiss you?" I demanded.
She nodded, blushing.
"Does he love you?" I teased.
She nodded, blushing harder.
"Onii-chan?" asked Sakura. She paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
"Tomoyo-chan! That makes us like *sisters*!"
The two tried to hug, and considering there was a seat between them, they did a pretty good job.
"That's so, so kakkoi!" squealed Tomoyo, getting starry-eyed.
Sakura paused, then turned to me. "And you're like our cousin, Meiling-chan!" she told me happily.
For the rest of the flight, Touya and Syaoran glared at each other, Tomoyo, Sakura and I had a girl talk, and Eriol, well, Eriol was really quiet, he must have fallen asleep.
*
)Syaoran's POV(
I walked in with Sakura, looking around. Then, I spotted them.
"Sakura. Hide. Now." I told her urgently.
"Why?" she asked, obviously not remembering what had happened *last* time she was here.
"Now!" I whispered, but it was too late.
"Xiaolang!" shrieked Fuutie, Fanren, Xiefa, and Feimei, running towards me too fast for me to escape. They chattered and fussed over me for a minute, until Feimei noticed Sakura.
"MEIMEI!!!" she shrieked, and Xiefa, Fuutie and Fanren followed suit. They smothered poor Sakura, squealing loudly.
Meiling and Tomoyo came in next. "Poor Sakura.." commented Meiling absently. After all, there was nothing any of us could do about it.
The baka entered next. He took one glance around the room, then yelled, "GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER!" so loudly that it frightened *my* sisters into obeying.
We all stared at him in shock-especially my sisters. He had scared them into listening. It was amazing.
)Meiling's POV(
I had a newfound respect for Kinomoto.
He yelled at my cousins, Fuutie, Feimei, Fanren, and Xiefa, for smothering Sakura, and they listened to him.
Eriol entered, looked around, and asked me why we were here.
My brain wasn't functioning properly-I barely heard him.
He tapped me on the shoulder and asked again.
I couldn't process what he was saying, I was too confused.
He tried a third time. I drew breath in sharply, startled, and turned to face him.
"Oh," I began, processing his question, "Yelan wants me to pick a fiancee. You guys are here to help me."
He nodded mutely and adjusted his glasses. "I see."
Feimei, Fanren, Fuutie and Xiefa were now whispering to each other animatedly. Sakura and Syaoran were talking about who knows what, and Tomoyo and Touya were, well...kissing.
A hush came over the room, and we all focused on one point - the person who had just entered, my Auntie Yelan. She gave off an aura, even to us non-magical people. An aura of confidence and power.
"Xiaolang." She said curtly. "Meiling."
"Mama." said Syaoran, respectfully, fearfully.
"Auntie Yelan." I said respectfully.
Yelan nodded, glancing around the room.
"Xiefa, Fuutie, Feimei, Fanren, don't huddle and hunch like penguins." she ordered. Immediately, the four sisters straightened and formed a perfect line.
"Hello, Card Mistress." Yelan said to Sakura.
Sakura smiled. "Ohayo, Yelan-san!" she greeted, genki as ever.
"Please, Meiling, introduce me to the rest of your friends." she said in a tone that was more of an order than a request.
I nodded quickly. "This is Eriol Hiiragizawa, the half-reincarnation of Clow Reed." Eriol nodded respectfully.
Yelan smiled and shook his hand. "It is nice to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is mine." he replied, unruffled by Yelan's creepy aura.
"This is Daidouji Tomoyo. I believe you've already met." I continued. Tomoyo nodded politely.
"Ohayo gozimasu, Li-sama." she said with a bow.
Yelan smiled and bowed back. "As to you, Daidouji-san."
"And this is Touya Kinomoto. He is the Card Mistress's older brother." I finished.
Touya met her eyes and inpected her, as she did him, for several seconds. He smiled, and nodded. "Ohayo, Li-sama." he greeted.
"Ohayo, Kinomoto-san." she said with a smile and a nod of approval.
Again, Auntie Yelan turned to me. "Meiling." she began. "There are three suitors waiting to meet you after luncheon. Each possess some of the strongest magical power in this generation of the Clan, second, third and fourth only to Xiaolang." She nodded at her son proudly, then continued. "I expect you to choose a husband, with the assistance of your friends, Xiaolang, and me and my daughters, if you wish, by the time you return to Japan for your third trimester." She gave me that look that meant "or else", and told us all that breakfast was ready.
Yelan began to turn around to go to breakfast, then added, as if she had forgotten, which was very possible, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." was the staggered reply throughout the room before we followed her to breakfast.
*
Breakfast was more lavish than Syaoran's birthday dinner - I think that that bothered him a little bit. We all ate until we couldn't eat any more, then ate a little more to be polite.
After breakfast, we found our stockings in our bags, stuffed full, and opened them with Yelan and Syaoran's sisters. With that done, we opened the gifts we brought, the gifts that Syaoran and I sent, and the gifts Yelan had prepared for us, because she knew we would be coming. Each was equally thoughtful, sweet, and, well, downright weird. Eriol liked his cufflinks, but he didn't try them on, as he was wearing a thick sweater.
The morning was spent eating candy canes, chasing each other around with mistletoe, or anything that looked like mistletoe, and stealing each other's candy canes. Eriol was telling Sakura and Syaoran a ridiculous Christmas story, in the absence of Yamazaki, and Touya was keeping Fuutie, Fanren, Feimei and Xiefa AWAY from Sakura. Tomoyo and I were stealing Syaoran's candy canes and talking.
"So, do you know who is courting you yet, Mei?" asked Tomoyo lazily, licking Syaoran's candy cane.
"Some courtship." I snorted. "It's a potential arranged marriage."
"So...?" pushed Tomoyo.
"I have no idea. We'll find out at lunch." I told her.
"Come on, Mei. You don't know anything about them?" she pressed.
I shook my head. "Only that they're all Lis with exceptional magical power that should balance out my lack of it so I can bear magical children."
Tomoyo sighed. "Do they even believe in romance?"
I snorted. "Yeah, right. The only reason Syaoran isn't dead in the water is because Sakura will 'bear strong magical Li children'." I rolled my eyes.
Tomoyo raised an eyebrow.
"I know." I said, biting off a piece of candy cane.
*
We enjoyed a light lunch of Chinese food, talking about whatever came to mind. In the midst of the conversation, Sakura leaned against Syaoran lazily, and Syaoran put his arm around her.
"Get your hands off of her." growled Touya.
Syaoran growled back. "You bet I will." He stood up angrily, taking a fighting stance.
"You plan on fighting me, little Chinese boy?" growled Touya, standing and knocking his chair aside. He lunged at Syaoran, who ducked at the last moment and aimed a kick, which missed by less than an inch. The two grabbed each other's arms and wrestled each other onto the ground, trying their best to hurt each other using any means necessary.
"STOP!"
Sakura stood up, tears pouring down her face.
"Don't-don't fight, you're getting nowhere, a-and all you're d-doing is hurting each other!" Sakura ran out of the room tearfully.
Touya and Syaoran immediately broke their fight and both started to go after her. Tomoyo and I restrained them.
"Stop it, you two! You can't help now; you'll just make things worse." I argued.
"Eriol, you take Touya. I'm going after Sakura." Tomoyo ordered.
*
After Tomoyo managed to cheer Sakura up a little and Eriol and I restrained Touya and Syaoran, we all entered another room that I had never seen before. Waiting there for us was Yelan.
"Tonight there is a Christmas ball. All your potential husbands have been invited, as well as my daughters, myself, you and your friends. There, you must choose your husband. You have six days after that to consider. Is that clear?"
I nodded.
"Xiaolang, Meiling, please show your guests to their rooms to prepare for the ball."
We stood up in single file and left one by one, each pausing at the door to nod at Yelan respectfully.
*
I had just taken a quick shower and was drying my hair when I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in." I called in Chinese, then in Japanese when there was no response.
Tomoyo stepped in, beaming.
"Mei-chan, put on some jeans and a t-shirt and help me get Sakura ready!" Tomoyo ordered me cheerfully.
"Okay, but get out first." I told her firmly. She stepped out and closed the door.
I grabbed the first clothes I saw, threw them on, and accompanied Tomoyo to Sakura's room. She was wearing the clothes she had on this morning, and had obviously just dried her hair. She seemed a little depressed, probably because of the fight between Touya and Syaoran, but she tried to act normal, most likely so we wouldn't worry. It didn't work.
It was like the good old days when Tomoyo and I were trying to get Sakura and Syaoran together; I applied Sakura's makeup and did her hair, and Tomoyo gave her a pair of pale green dancing shoes that were in her closet, plus the gorgeous spring green dress she had finished sewing at the beginning of camp.
It was strapless, clinging to her small form, with a flowing, gauzy skirt that touched her shoes. Tomoyo also gave her a pair of matching gloves, and the result was probably our best dress-up-Sakura result ever, if I do say so myself.
We confined Sakura to her room and went to Tomoyo's where a dress that she had brought to her by her servants when she learned of the ball was laid out on her bed. I did makeup and hair, she did clothes and looked the very essence of elegance in a spaghetti-strapped lilac dress, complete with a clinging skirt with a slit to her left mid-thigh and matching sandals.
Now, it was my turn. I was quick on the makeup and hair, not being nearly as careful as on Sakura or Tomoyo, only redoing when Tomoyo noticed my mistake while she went through my wardrobe. Finally, she found "The perfect dress".
It was deep blue, with a swishing skirt that fell to my ankles and long sleeves. There were flecks of light here and there, giving the illusion of the night sky. I hadn't even known that it was there.
Syaoran knocked and opened the door at my command. "Mama says we're all entering as guests of honor. Come on, Mei. It's almost time."
Tomoyo and I left for the top of the staircase with Syaoran, where Sakura, Kinomoto, and Eriol were waiting. Yelan arrived seconds later to tell us what order we had to enter, then when the music began, we started to move.
First was Eriol. He adjusted his glasses slightly, then walked down slowly, appearing perfectly calm. Why shouldn't he be, after all, the Li boys at the ball couldn't care less about his entrance.
Then, Tomoyo and Kinomoto entered, arm in arm, the very essence of perfection. They waited at the side of the staircase.
Sakura and Syaoran were next. It wasn't that Tomoyo didn't turn heads-but Sakura turned every one. Every Li boy now had a new respect for their future leader and the girl who would most likely be his future wife.
I took a deep breath, and let go of the railing. Slowly, and I hope gracefully, I descended the steps. Every pair of eyes was trained on me. I felt each pair as though they were sharp needles. Shuddering slightly, I curtsied at the bottom and joined my friends.
At his request, Eriol had the first dance. It was all I could do not to burst into tears; I never wanted to dance with anyone else, but I might never dance with him again.
I danced with several distant cousins, and made small talk with them. I have always been good at small talk, so much so that I don't even need to think about the conversation, yet I loathe it. Why must we waste time discussing trivial matters such as the weather? Everyone knows it's nice out!
"Meiling..." Tomoyo tapped me on the shoulder, and motioned to an unoccupied corner. Sakura, Tomoyo and I retreated and we discussed the cantidates we had seen so far.
*
)Syaoran's POV(
I watched absently as Sakura, Meiling and Tomoyo ran off to the very corner of the room to talk about who-knows-what.
"Girls." snorted Kinomoto. "Why are they always talking?"
"Beats me." I said before I could realize who I was talking to.
There was a short silence before I added, "I never mean to take Sakura away from you."
"It doesn't matter what you mean to do, you did." he muttered gruffly.
I shook my head. "She loves you too much. I couldn't take her away even if I tried."
Touya did not avert his gaze from Sakura's silhouette, nor did I. "You really think so?"
I nodded. "She might not say it, but she really cares about you."
"She cares about us both."
"I won't hurt her."
"I know."
*
)Meiling's POV(
It was late, and I was tired, but since I was the centre of attention, I couldn't leave. Miraculously, I managed to seek refuge behind the wide staircase.
"Mind if I join you?" I jumped.
I turned around to see Eriol. "Don't scare me like that!" I told him.
He smiled. "So, what is the belle of the ball doing behind the staircase in the dark where no one can see her?"
I sighed. "I'm not exactly the belle."
Eriol smiled. "Don't be modest, Meiling."
A new song began, and Eriol rose and held out his hand. "The belle of the ball should not be sitting here alone."
I took his hand wordlessly, and we danced underneath the staircase.
"So, do you have a preference to anyone?" he asked conversationally.
"No, not really." I looked down slightly to see his cufflinks.
He was wearing the cufflinks I gave him. Two small rubies winked at me from his wrists. Could it be...?
I looked back up to his face.
"Because I was having a conversation with one of your cousins, Meiling, and..."
"I don't want to marry him." I almost whispered.
Eriol looked at me, surprised. "I was going to say he was a jerk, but...why don't you?"
"I already know who I want to marry," I took a deep, shuddering breath, "and he's not a Li."
"Do I know this person?" he asked.
"You know him very well."
The song ended, and I leaned in slightly to kiss his warm, soft lips.
We broke gently apart, then gazed into each others' eyes.
"I suppose I do." he responded huskily, then kissed me slowly as the clock chimed midnight.
~THE END~
Charisma: How did you like the last chapter? I put in Touya and Syaoran's conversation that made them come to terms, so I hope that it brought a little more S+S here. Also, I haven't seen the movies, so I don't know Yelan or her daughters' character, so I hope I did OK on that part. I also really hope the ending was satisfying. However, it's not *quite* the end, because there's going to be an epilogue! *blows party blower* Anyways, thanks a lot for reading, review review review, and stay tuned for the epilogue!
Vocab:
Hai-Yes
Ano-Um
Arigato-Thank you
Moshimoshi-Kind of like hello; you answer a phone with it
Xiaolang-Syaoran's Chinese name
Nani-what
Sensei-Teacher
Kakkoi-Cool
Meimei-little sister(chinese)
Baka-Idiot
Ohayo-good morning (informal)
Ohayo gozimasu-good morning (formal)
PS. Longest chapter ever! Yay! ^_^
