=That Dream=
Chapter 12
~*~*~
Upon arriving at the Li Manor, I sighed and felt like I needed bags to drop, or something. So I dropped my only carry-on bag, and Meiling looked at me as if I wasn't well.
"Slipped," I said simply.
She still gave me a funny look, but continued on to the Manor. She was walking briskly, and she was humming something under her breath.
"We aren't running a marathon, Meiling, you can slow down. It isn't as if they haven't seen me before."
"Oh, but they'll be so happy you're here, Syaoran. I'm sure you want to see your Okaasama."
I nodded. Sure, I do want to see her. It's just everyone else I don't want to see.
"Welcome home, Li-sama," a couple of people around me said. I groaned inaudibly as they bowed at me.
"Konbon wa," I said to them, bowing as well. I knew they were bowing because I was the Leader of the Li Clan, now that I was back. Only a couple of months before it was official. I bowed because they needed respect.
"Come *on*, Syaoran!" I heard Meiling say in a warning tone. No point in upsetting her, she was horrible sometimes. I sped up, and walked quickly into the sitting room, where my Okaasama and my anechans were sitting.
"Oh! Xiaolang, Xiaolang! Our little Xiaolang," I heard my anechans say. Oh, kami, help me...
Before I knew it, they were all poking and prodding me. It was actually quite a funny sight, considering I was much taller than they were.
"Welcome home, Xiaolang," I heard a voice say to me from further away. My sisters moved, and I could see my Okaasama sitting down, smiling regally at me.
I bowed and answered with, "It's good to be home, Okaasama. How are you?"
"As good as can be expected."
I grinned a bit. I walked to her and she hugged me, a thing that she doesn't do often.
"Welcome home, my son," she said to me as she kept hugging me. I hugged her as well, and then I pulled back.
"It's wonderful to see you, Ueda-sama," I said as I bowed to the figure who entred the room.
He bowed his head slightly, and then answered in return, "I digress, I must say, it isn't so wonderful to see you, Xiaolang. You've not returned the Clow Cards."
"You should know, Ueda-sama, they are no longer Clow Cards. They are Sakura Cards," I answered him, my tone unpleasant and my face even more so. Both promised of him being sent to a retirement home when I was leader.
"I assure you, Xiaolang, that it matters not whether they are Clow Cards or Sakura Cards, they do belong to the Li Clan."
I rolled my eyes emphatically, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"With all due respect, they are SA-KU-RA CARDS. That means that they are hers, that they are with her magic." I rolled my eyes again and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter. We don't need them, I realized that in my time there."
"Did you, Xiaolang? Are you sure you sure you weren't pining after the Card Mistress?"
Growling, I clenched my fists, but before I could say anything, Okaasama grabbed my shoulder and said, "Yoshio, I advise you not to continue in speaking with my son. Leave this for another time."
He bowed to Okaasama and then answered, "As you wish, Yelan-sama."
After he left, Okaasama turned back to me and said, "Go get freshened up, Xiaolang. It will almost be time to eat."
I nodded and I walked upstairs and to my quarters. I glanced at the walls, at everything there was for me to see and to remember. My features softened slightly as there were pictures of the first time Sakura came to Hong Kong. My, I was horrible. Horribly horrible.
As I walked into my room, I realized that it was the same. Nothing was changed, and my things were already back in their place.
"Welcome home, Xiaolang," I said to myself. There was no point in actually getting ready to eat, as I most likely would be eating by myself.
When one of the servants knocked on my door, and told me it was time to eat, I walked back downstairs. I took my time, letting my hand slide down the wall, letting myself get familiar with everything once again.
I walked into the dining area, and I sat down at my usual spot. Okaasama walked out of the kitchen, smiling. I was confused, I usually ate by myself. Well, I suppose that things could change, I hadn't been here in a long amount of time.
"Xiaolang, you won't be dining by yourself tonight. I hope you don't mind."
"Iie, not at all," I answered. I ate by myself all the time at ho--Tomoeda. There's no point in doing it when I have family here.
When Okaasama didn't sit down, I was confused. Instead, she smiled and then clapped her hands firmly. I looked around for a moment, until the woman on the plane walked out of the foyer, she was still in the same clothes, and she was looking around in wonder.
"Wow," I heard her say to herself.
"Nani?" I asked, my eyes wide, and I was staring at my Okaasama with daggars in my eyes.
"Xiaolang, this is... Ohana Kimi," said Okaasama, introducing her. I stared at Okaasama for a moment, and then I wondered about her name. Ohana Kimi... great flower who is without equal. It's too close for coincidence.
"Konbon wa," Ohana-san said, bowing. She was blushing a lot, and her head was down.
"Hnn," I responded with my usual grunts. I was outraged. I stood up and excused myself. I walked into the kitchen, giving Okaasama a pointed look and stopped and stood by the counter.
"What is this?" I asked loudly when she walked into the kitchen.
"Calm down, Xiaolang. You've been taut as wire since you've been back. What exactly happened in Tomoeda?"
I growled and crossed my arms. "Nothing I would like speaking about. Okaasama, what is this about? Why is this woman here?"
Okaasama looked thoughtful for a moment before she smiled and said, "I know her."
Throwing my hands up in frustration, I demanded a better answer. "What do you mean 'you know her'? You know many people, I don't see them in there eating with me!"
I quickly calmed down once Okaasama gave me a look. "Just because you have lived on your own for a time, doesn't mean you can come back home and start acting foolish, Xiaolang."
I sighed in defeat and answered with a, "Hai, Okaasama."
She was still staring in me in that reproving way, before she said simply, "I know her, and I would appreciate it if you would treat her as if she was your Ying-Fa."
My face paled and I looked up at Okaasama and said quietly, "I don't have a Ying-Fa. Yet, for you, I shall treat her as I would treat any important guest."
With those words, I walked back out to the dining room, and she was sitting at the table, her head bowed and her face red.
"Konbon wa, Ohana-san," I said as I sat down and put a napkin in my lap. She looked up at me, and her eyes sparkled. She smiled a bit and said, "Konbon wa, S--Li-san."
I quickly glanced at her, but she wasn't looking at me. I believe she was about to call me Syaoran, but I couldn't be too sure. As I've stated before, I hated small talk, but I had to, for Okaasama.
"So..." I started.
She wasn't looking at me, but out the window. "It doesn't look like you'll get any sleep."
I was confused, and I looked at her with a look that clearly stated so.
"It doesn't look like it'll be snowing here," she said again. She looked at me, and smiled widely. I almost laughed. Ohana-san knew we were having small talk, so she decided to talk about the weather.
"As for me, I could sleep pleasantly in weather like this. I've always liked China."
I took a sip of my drink, and I stared at her out of the cornour of my eyes. I was about to comment, when finally the food was brought out. I smelled the dish, and realized that it was curry.
"Itadakimase!" Ohana-san said as the food was in front of us. She took her chopsticks and started to eat. I was grinning slightly, the gestures reminded me so much of...
"Oishi..." I heard her say as she was smiling. I started to chuckle, and I realized that she heard me. I knew that she might be upset, but instead, she only smiled.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked me.
"You--" I started and then I stopped. I realized I was about to tell her something that I wasn't even ready to tell my own Okaasama.
"You don't have to tell me," she said, smiling.
"Oh, it's not a problem. It's about... someone I used to know. She acted a lot like you. She was very animated when she ate. I don't know if you think that is a bad thing, but I think it's rather wonderful. She was... she was great."
Ohana-sama smiled, and she looked back at me. "Oh, no, not at all. I think everyone should enjoy one's food."
I nodded and smiled. She grinned and then said, "You should smile more often. It's very becoming of you."
I blushed, but I quit smiling. I usually didn't smile often, and that was something that I was going to keep to. Unless Sakura was here... I suppose she noticed that I quit smiling, because she frowned. Oddly, she didn't look right frowning.
"Perhaps you should keep smiling, then. It's very becoming of you," I told her, recycling her own compliment. She grinned and blushed.
"You sound as if you really liked that person you used to know. Do you mind if I ask where she is?"
My shoulders slumped. Thinking about Sakura was painful, but I suppose I needed to let it out, to realize that I'm a complete screw-up, and that I'll never have Sakura. Never.
"Sh-she's home, I assume. Happy. Her oniichan is definitely happy. He didn't like me, her oniisan. He called me 'stupid Chinese gaki'. Although, he did love S--her very much. Called her Kaijuu, but he was only trying to protect her."
Ohana-san giggled and asked, "He was trying to protect her by calling her 'Kaijuu'? He doesn't sound all that protective."
I grinned at the memory. "Oh believe me, he was only trying to protect her. I could tell he loved her. It was, it was so apparent. You can tell when someone loves another person."
"Can you? I find it hard to tell, myself."
I thought back to my times at Tomoeda. "Definitely. Especially when you love that person. It's easy to tell and get jealous when you know that someone else loves her, no matter who they are. It's just... it's different, caring about someone in that way. A different but nice feeling."
She sighed and took another bite of her curry. "She sounds special. Why isn't she here?"
I hesitated before I put down my chopsticks.
"Oh! I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable!"
"No... it's just, she's not here because I messed up. I messed up anything we had together. It's, it's really sad. I guess, that's what I get, though, for being the way I was."
"Well, I don't understand. How were you?"
"Oh, I suppose I was trying to help a friend. A guy there liked her friend, and her friend liked that guy. So, to give Hiiragizawa, that's the guy, a little incentive, I kissed her on the cheek. He had kittens and he went to my apartment and beat me up. Sadly, Sa-she was there and heard that Hiiragizawa said that I kissed Daidouji, that's her friend. Anyhow, I suppose she took it the wrong way, and she left. I've felt awful every since, and I had to leave. There was no way I could stay and still see her everyday not being able to stand the sight of me."
I breathed a bit, and took a sip of my drink. "Love story gone awry, ne?"
Ohana-san's eyes were bright, and she said, "No, actually, not at all. Well, did you talk to her?"
"Iie. I was too ashamed with myself. Too ashamed, and well, Hiiragizawa tried for me--after he punched me."
Ohana-san giggled and covered her mouth. She then pushed her plate away from her and said, "Arigato."
She stood up, stretched and said, "Well, I don't think that Hiiragizawa did a very good job."
I was staring at my plate, and I was chuckling. "No, he never does, he always screws things up."
"Especially when I had to come all the way to Hong Kong to find out the story for myself."
I jerked my head up, and Sakura was standing there, wearing the clothes that Ohana-san was wearing. Well... I mean, Sakura was Ohana!
"S-Sakura?" I asked confused.
"Gomen nasai, Xiaolang," said Sakura, apologizing.
I stood up and stared at her.
Chapter 12
~*~*~
Upon arriving at the Li Manor, I sighed and felt like I needed bags to drop, or something. So I dropped my only carry-on bag, and Meiling looked at me as if I wasn't well.
"Slipped," I said simply.
She still gave me a funny look, but continued on to the Manor. She was walking briskly, and she was humming something under her breath.
"We aren't running a marathon, Meiling, you can slow down. It isn't as if they haven't seen me before."
"Oh, but they'll be so happy you're here, Syaoran. I'm sure you want to see your Okaasama."
I nodded. Sure, I do want to see her. It's just everyone else I don't want to see.
"Welcome home, Li-sama," a couple of people around me said. I groaned inaudibly as they bowed at me.
"Konbon wa," I said to them, bowing as well. I knew they were bowing because I was the Leader of the Li Clan, now that I was back. Only a couple of months before it was official. I bowed because they needed respect.
"Come *on*, Syaoran!" I heard Meiling say in a warning tone. No point in upsetting her, she was horrible sometimes. I sped up, and walked quickly into the sitting room, where my Okaasama and my anechans were sitting.
"Oh! Xiaolang, Xiaolang! Our little Xiaolang," I heard my anechans say. Oh, kami, help me...
Before I knew it, they were all poking and prodding me. It was actually quite a funny sight, considering I was much taller than they were.
"Welcome home, Xiaolang," I heard a voice say to me from further away. My sisters moved, and I could see my Okaasama sitting down, smiling regally at me.
I bowed and answered with, "It's good to be home, Okaasama. How are you?"
"As good as can be expected."
I grinned a bit. I walked to her and she hugged me, a thing that she doesn't do often.
"Welcome home, my son," she said to me as she kept hugging me. I hugged her as well, and then I pulled back.
"It's wonderful to see you, Ueda-sama," I said as I bowed to the figure who entred the room.
He bowed his head slightly, and then answered in return, "I digress, I must say, it isn't so wonderful to see you, Xiaolang. You've not returned the Clow Cards."
"You should know, Ueda-sama, they are no longer Clow Cards. They are Sakura Cards," I answered him, my tone unpleasant and my face even more so. Both promised of him being sent to a retirement home when I was leader.
"I assure you, Xiaolang, that it matters not whether they are Clow Cards or Sakura Cards, they do belong to the Li Clan."
I rolled my eyes emphatically, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"With all due respect, they are SA-KU-RA CARDS. That means that they are hers, that they are with her magic." I rolled my eyes again and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter. We don't need them, I realized that in my time there."
"Did you, Xiaolang? Are you sure you sure you weren't pining after the Card Mistress?"
Growling, I clenched my fists, but before I could say anything, Okaasama grabbed my shoulder and said, "Yoshio, I advise you not to continue in speaking with my son. Leave this for another time."
He bowed to Okaasama and then answered, "As you wish, Yelan-sama."
After he left, Okaasama turned back to me and said, "Go get freshened up, Xiaolang. It will almost be time to eat."
I nodded and I walked upstairs and to my quarters. I glanced at the walls, at everything there was for me to see and to remember. My features softened slightly as there were pictures of the first time Sakura came to Hong Kong. My, I was horrible. Horribly horrible.
As I walked into my room, I realized that it was the same. Nothing was changed, and my things were already back in their place.
"Welcome home, Xiaolang," I said to myself. There was no point in actually getting ready to eat, as I most likely would be eating by myself.
When one of the servants knocked on my door, and told me it was time to eat, I walked back downstairs. I took my time, letting my hand slide down the wall, letting myself get familiar with everything once again.
I walked into the dining area, and I sat down at my usual spot. Okaasama walked out of the kitchen, smiling. I was confused, I usually ate by myself. Well, I suppose that things could change, I hadn't been here in a long amount of time.
"Xiaolang, you won't be dining by yourself tonight. I hope you don't mind."
"Iie, not at all," I answered. I ate by myself all the time at ho--Tomoeda. There's no point in doing it when I have family here.
When Okaasama didn't sit down, I was confused. Instead, she smiled and then clapped her hands firmly. I looked around for a moment, until the woman on the plane walked out of the foyer, she was still in the same clothes, and she was looking around in wonder.
"Wow," I heard her say to herself.
"Nani?" I asked, my eyes wide, and I was staring at my Okaasama with daggars in my eyes.
"Xiaolang, this is... Ohana Kimi," said Okaasama, introducing her. I stared at Okaasama for a moment, and then I wondered about her name. Ohana Kimi... great flower who is without equal. It's too close for coincidence.
"Konbon wa," Ohana-san said, bowing. She was blushing a lot, and her head was down.
"Hnn," I responded with my usual grunts. I was outraged. I stood up and excused myself. I walked into the kitchen, giving Okaasama a pointed look and stopped and stood by the counter.
"What is this?" I asked loudly when she walked into the kitchen.
"Calm down, Xiaolang. You've been taut as wire since you've been back. What exactly happened in Tomoeda?"
I growled and crossed my arms. "Nothing I would like speaking about. Okaasama, what is this about? Why is this woman here?"
Okaasama looked thoughtful for a moment before she smiled and said, "I know her."
Throwing my hands up in frustration, I demanded a better answer. "What do you mean 'you know her'? You know many people, I don't see them in there eating with me!"
I quickly calmed down once Okaasama gave me a look. "Just because you have lived on your own for a time, doesn't mean you can come back home and start acting foolish, Xiaolang."
I sighed in defeat and answered with a, "Hai, Okaasama."
She was still staring in me in that reproving way, before she said simply, "I know her, and I would appreciate it if you would treat her as if she was your Ying-Fa."
My face paled and I looked up at Okaasama and said quietly, "I don't have a Ying-Fa. Yet, for you, I shall treat her as I would treat any important guest."
With those words, I walked back out to the dining room, and she was sitting at the table, her head bowed and her face red.
"Konbon wa, Ohana-san," I said as I sat down and put a napkin in my lap. She looked up at me, and her eyes sparkled. She smiled a bit and said, "Konbon wa, S--Li-san."
I quickly glanced at her, but she wasn't looking at me. I believe she was about to call me Syaoran, but I couldn't be too sure. As I've stated before, I hated small talk, but I had to, for Okaasama.
"So..." I started.
She wasn't looking at me, but out the window. "It doesn't look like you'll get any sleep."
I was confused, and I looked at her with a look that clearly stated so.
"It doesn't look like it'll be snowing here," she said again. She looked at me, and smiled widely. I almost laughed. Ohana-san knew we were having small talk, so she decided to talk about the weather.
"As for me, I could sleep pleasantly in weather like this. I've always liked China."
I took a sip of my drink, and I stared at her out of the cornour of my eyes. I was about to comment, when finally the food was brought out. I smelled the dish, and realized that it was curry.
"Itadakimase!" Ohana-san said as the food was in front of us. She took her chopsticks and started to eat. I was grinning slightly, the gestures reminded me so much of...
"Oishi..." I heard her say as she was smiling. I started to chuckle, and I realized that she heard me. I knew that she might be upset, but instead, she only smiled.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked me.
"You--" I started and then I stopped. I realized I was about to tell her something that I wasn't even ready to tell my own Okaasama.
"You don't have to tell me," she said, smiling.
"Oh, it's not a problem. It's about... someone I used to know. She acted a lot like you. She was very animated when she ate. I don't know if you think that is a bad thing, but I think it's rather wonderful. She was... she was great."
Ohana-sama smiled, and she looked back at me. "Oh, no, not at all. I think everyone should enjoy one's food."
I nodded and smiled. She grinned and then said, "You should smile more often. It's very becoming of you."
I blushed, but I quit smiling. I usually didn't smile often, and that was something that I was going to keep to. Unless Sakura was here... I suppose she noticed that I quit smiling, because she frowned. Oddly, she didn't look right frowning.
"Perhaps you should keep smiling, then. It's very becoming of you," I told her, recycling her own compliment. She grinned and blushed.
"You sound as if you really liked that person you used to know. Do you mind if I ask where she is?"
My shoulders slumped. Thinking about Sakura was painful, but I suppose I needed to let it out, to realize that I'm a complete screw-up, and that I'll never have Sakura. Never.
"Sh-she's home, I assume. Happy. Her oniichan is definitely happy. He didn't like me, her oniisan. He called me 'stupid Chinese gaki'. Although, he did love S--her very much. Called her Kaijuu, but he was only trying to protect her."
Ohana-san giggled and asked, "He was trying to protect her by calling her 'Kaijuu'? He doesn't sound all that protective."
I grinned at the memory. "Oh believe me, he was only trying to protect her. I could tell he loved her. It was, it was so apparent. You can tell when someone loves another person."
"Can you? I find it hard to tell, myself."
I thought back to my times at Tomoeda. "Definitely. Especially when you love that person. It's easy to tell and get jealous when you know that someone else loves her, no matter who they are. It's just... it's different, caring about someone in that way. A different but nice feeling."
She sighed and took another bite of her curry. "She sounds special. Why isn't she here?"
I hesitated before I put down my chopsticks.
"Oh! I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable!"
"No... it's just, she's not here because I messed up. I messed up anything we had together. It's, it's really sad. I guess, that's what I get, though, for being the way I was."
"Well, I don't understand. How were you?"
"Oh, I suppose I was trying to help a friend. A guy there liked her friend, and her friend liked that guy. So, to give Hiiragizawa, that's the guy, a little incentive, I kissed her on the cheek. He had kittens and he went to my apartment and beat me up. Sadly, Sa-she was there and heard that Hiiragizawa said that I kissed Daidouji, that's her friend. Anyhow, I suppose she took it the wrong way, and she left. I've felt awful every since, and I had to leave. There was no way I could stay and still see her everyday not being able to stand the sight of me."
I breathed a bit, and took a sip of my drink. "Love story gone awry, ne?"
Ohana-san's eyes were bright, and she said, "No, actually, not at all. Well, did you talk to her?"
"Iie. I was too ashamed with myself. Too ashamed, and well, Hiiragizawa tried for me--after he punched me."
Ohana-san giggled and covered her mouth. She then pushed her plate away from her and said, "Arigato."
She stood up, stretched and said, "Well, I don't think that Hiiragizawa did a very good job."
I was staring at my plate, and I was chuckling. "No, he never does, he always screws things up."
"Especially when I had to come all the way to Hong Kong to find out the story for myself."
I jerked my head up, and Sakura was standing there, wearing the clothes that Ohana-san was wearing. Well... I mean, Sakura was Ohana!
"S-Sakura?" I asked confused.
"Gomen nasai, Xiaolang," said Sakura, apologizing.
I stood up and stared at her.