The House of Li

Chapter Two

Once he realized that I was not a dumb figment of his ghostly imagination, he regained some of his big ego. He inflated himself, and before my eyes, I watched the young man's eyes ignite into its original fiery intensity, the walls and pictures and furniture and even the white cat came alive once more.

Slowly, as though time itself was being forcefully reversed, the young man's torn rags became new, pressed, and perfectly fitted to his lean frame. The sickly paleness and hollow cheeks were filled with youth and healthy colour.

Unfortunately, this is not paranormal to me. Yes, I am a freak, and I most certainly need help. Thing is, being a freak is part of my job

"Humph! I never asked for your dirty name, wench! Besides, you should only talk unless spoken to, crystal?"

I stare at him, and then suddenly realizing that for the past hour, the only thing I've been doing is gazing into his deep, chocolate brown eyes. I quickly advert my gaze towards the colossal fireplace to my right.

It was disgustingly grimy with furry black spiders and lightning fast bugs crawling around in measured intervals. Judging by the pile of soot and two feet of dust coating the mantelpiece, that baby needed some cleaning.

Serious cleaning, like a job for the men in black from that musical, Mary Poppins. The little chimney song started to form inside my head, and I began to sing softly to the only verse I knew.

Chim, Chimeny, Chim, Chimeny,

Chim, chim, cheree~

A sweep is as lucky,

As lucky can be~

Suddenly, I heard a rather loud snicker to my left, and I willed myself not to look at the young man with scornful, beautiful eyes.

"Well, seeing as you're so excited to start cleaning. I suggest you start now—starting with that filthy fireplace. I expect it to be cleaned by supper time."

I murmured, "Your name, sir?" I hoped he wouldn't get pissed with a simple question like that. I mean, he was the one that put up the ad for a housekeeper/maid at the local library in the first place.

"What year were you born in, Kinomoto?" I was puzzled at his sudden inquisition. Wasn't I the one that asked the question first? I answered his question quite amiably. Male ghosts seem to have an exquisite need to be in charge.

Probably because of their ghostly hormones.

"'86" Yep, I'm eighteen years old, and damn proud of it.

"OF WHAT FUCKING CENTURY?" he hollered, suddenly invading my breathing space by leaning his face so close to mine, I could feel his ghostly breath tingling on my lips.

He's sure pissed… I thought rather bluntly in my head. I have never seen anyone lose their cool so easily. Well, except my boss. The freaky one that pays me to be an exorcist.

"1986, sir." I responded calmly, his yelling and spitting in my precious space is not enough to piss me off. And once I do get pissed off, he better run for the hills towards his filthy little grave—cause not even death can scare me away.

Once again, my voice, or my answer, or maybe even both, made him back off, and thankfully, out of my beloved breathing space. He shakily ran his elegant fingers through his messy brown locks.

I ventured another question and said it slowly, as one does with slow children. "Sir, aren't you the one that put up the ad for a new housekeeper on the bulletin wall at Cheshire Library?"

His puzzled face met mine in full force, as he breathlessly asked, "You could read that sign? I mean, the ad I put up for a new maid—you, Kinomoto, could see it?"

I inwardly say in my mind, No shit, Sherlock Holmes.

Still, I'm a little taken aback at how shocked he is, his composed face now screaming confusion, bewilderment, the distraught look of a lost kid in a grocery store.

So, I gently nod my head for Pete's sake.

The young man suddenly started clearing his throat in bitter, bone-rattling coughs, somehow managing to look distressed and handsome at the same time. Quite talented, I must say.

He's scared…  I could instantly tell by the sudden change of aloofness and politeness he carried himself when he stated, "My name is Syaoran Li, the only son of Lady Yelan and Lord Hideyoshi. I inherited this little cottage as a family heirloom and thus, I am the sole owner and protector. But, I'm—"

Dead, I whispered in my head, filling the blank space on my own accord. You're dead and should be in the afterlife, like any other good little boy.

"—unable to carry out the daily duties of keeping this mansion in flawless shape. So I posted a flier for a competent housekeeper. Not a pampered brat like you."

I was wondering when he'd pull himself together. I'm not really sure why he thinks I'm such a brat, though. Right now I wearing faded, loose jeans, a green, button-up corduroy shirt, and a red bandana in my hair. Hm, maybe he needs his eyes checked.

However…he calls this house a cottage with such little thought and ease, whereas by my definitions, it is a beautifully designed and built summer mansion.

It's decked with four floors, two libraries, 68 spacious rooms, and god knows how many wonderful bathrooms.

Fun, I get to clean it all! I thought with fake eagerness, taking in a deep sigh with the unhappy thought of cleaning. I don't even clean my room on a monthly basis— how the heck am I going to do this?

Finally, I ask nonchalantly to Mr. Li, "Well then, where are the vacuum, mop, and buckets of soap?"

I expected a choppy, immediate answer, but instead, Syaoran looked at me like a lump on a log and replied equally as nonchalantly, "I have no idea. Why don't we look for them?"

Great, just great. As my first real experience on the job as an exorcist, and I am cleaning a spoiled rich, dead guy's "little cottage"—who has no idea where his cleaning supplies are. When will this living hell be over?

"KINOMOTO! GET YOUR LAZY BUM OVER HERE, OR ELSE YOU'LL BE CLEANING TILL NOON!"

"Yes, Mr. Li." I reply monotonously, the answer to my question entering my brain.

Q: When will this living hell be over?

A: When you get a better paying job.

Ah….now there's an interesting thought.

AN//: Why, hello my readers. I have some confused souls out there, don't I? Sigh, sorry, but that is the beauty of this story, it shall unfold gradually. I don't want this story to be another really cliché girlish romance. So, I can't really answer that many questions.

Ah yes, and this is an alternate universe ordeal. Sakura and Syaoran are very, very OCC—but that's only half the fun! You guys still haven't met Tomoyo and Eriol, Yelan and Meilin, Touya and the rest of the quirky CCS crew…

And I want to personally thank the five reviewers that reviewed my first chapter:

 Chocolate Noodles- handsome ghosts are only the beginning…

Angel with Luck- please stay in tuned!

Angelic gurl- hope you like this chapter!

Annelee- yep, I updated!

Cygna-hime—lots of hugs to u! I was really touched by the amt. of thought you put into your review!