The Second Generation 11
Shinji here. Last time was one of the most dangerous…and exciting captures we made yet. When we got to the sight of the disturbance, there was the storm of the century going off above us. The shadow was there, the same one that I caught a glimpse of outside Akiko's window, while we went to save her before. I thought it was the Storm, but when our parents got there, we discovered it was actually three Clow Cards together! Somehow the shadow person had controlled the three Clow Cards, but when she left, they went into disarray. Meeko was able to capture Wave, Makoto got Rain, and I was lucky enough to be able to capture Lightning. Though all of this was not without a price. Sealing two cards at once like I did drained me… So now I'm at home, hopefully none of the cards will attack Meeko, where I won't be there to protect her…
Meeko sat in her room, staring out of the window. She was worried for Shinji, she didn't know what she could do, but she hated the idea of him, being sick in bed. Not really sick, but drained. He had sealed two cards yesterday! Meeko doesn't know enough about her powers to do something like that. She wanted to make him feel better, but she didn't know how…
Just then Meeko heard a soft knock, and Sakura gently opened the door. "You okay sweetie?" Meeko nodded and went back to staring out of the window. Sakura came and sat down next to her. "What's the matter?" Meeko sighed, but didn't respond. Sakura smiled. "Is it about Shinji?"
Meeko gasped and looked up. "How did you know?"
Sakura giggled. "I felt the same way when your father was injured or sick." (S+S fans will want to read this)
"What did you do?" Meeko asked.
Sakura sat back and smiled at the memory. "Well, it happened the day your father didn't show up for school one day…
A sixteen-year-old Sakura stared out of the classroom window, not really paying attention to what the teacher was saying. Syaoran hadn't come to school that day, and Sakura was worried. He always was so diligent on coming to school everyday, and now…he wasn't there. Sakura wondered what was wrong with him?
Tomoyo, seated next to he, passed her a note. It read:
Sakura,
I heard one of the attendant people say Syaoran Li was out sick…something really serious.
-Tomoyo
Sakura gasped at reading the note…Syaoran…out sick? He lived alone, with no one to care for him? She wanted to go over and tell wish him well…but would it be proper? She looked over at Tomoyo, and if reading her mind, Tomoyo nodded.
Sakura nodded back. She would go. At least then, Syaoran would know he wasn't alone.
Syaoran lay in his bed, unable to get out. He had a fever, had lost his voice, and had a monster headache. Not to mention he could barely breath, and his sinuses were acting up. He wanted to go to school, but didn't have the strength. Syaoran rolled over and pulled the covers over his head. He thought…~maybe if I get some sleep, I'll feel better when I wake up~
Just then someone knocked on the door. Syaoran groaned, which made him squeeze his eyes shut against the pain in his throat. ~Maybe if I don't answer they'll go away~
The person knocked again. Syaoran slowly got out of bed, wearing his pajamas and slowly went to the door. ~Whoever it is, is going to wish they never came here~ He slowly opened the door, and saw… "Sa…" He was cut off by the pain in his throat again.
Sakura looked at him worriedly. "You didn't come to school, so I thought I'd check up on you. Are you okay?"
Syaoran looked down to hide his blush, and nodded. Though the movement made him dizzy and sent him falling. Sakura gasped and caught him, gently holding him in her arms. "You should be in bed, baka." She slowly helped him back to his room, and tucked him in bed. "I'm going to go make you some honey milk. Just rest up." She left the room, leaving a bewildered Syaoran behind.
When she came back, Syaoran had his eyes closed and was trying to get back to reality. Sakura…the hidden object of his affection…was here…at his house; worrying about him…it was like something out of his dreams.
Sakura looked fondly at him. Even though he was brave and warrior like all the time…here…with his defenses down, he looked like a little boy. She smiled and slowly sat on the edge of the bed. Syaoran opened his eyes, and could've sworn he went to heaven. Seeing Sakura's bug green eyes smiling at him.
"Here." She held up the mug of warm honey milk. She helped Syaoran to a sitting position, and watched him carefully sip some of the ilk, before lying back down again. She felt his forehead. She gasped. "You're burning up! I have to get you cooled down!" She got up and immediately went to fetch some cool water and a small towel.
She sat on the bed once again, and slowly dipped the washcloth in the water. Gently moving his amber locks away from his eyes, she placed the cloth on his forehead. He shivered at the temperature, but then sighed at the comforting effects of water…or maybe it was because Sakura was there with him.
Sakura smiled at his boyish qualities. True he too was sixteen, but his face still retained some boyish features. He still looked kawaii when he was thinking about what should be done to capture a Clow Card, or determined when he was protecting her. Maybe that was why she loved him. He was always there for her, and she felt safe in his company, his presence.
Syaoran sniffled, but still couldn't breathe. Sakura frowned. "Can't breathe?"
He opened his eyes, and slowly nodded. Sakura shook a finger. "I've got just the thing. She dug in the bag that she had brought with her, and took out a small bottle. "This should fix it up." She said confidently. "Take off your shirt."
Syaoran's widened and he looked at her in shock. She rolled her eyes. "The medicine goes on your chest, then you breathe in the fumes and it clears your sinuses." (Basically Vapor Rub…you know where I'm going with this. But I swear…totally PG…okay maybe PG-13, but that's it!)
Syaoran nodded and tried to undo his front buttons, but with his headache, he only managed to fumble with it. Sakura giggled. "May I?"
Syaoran looked at her, unsure, but slowly nodded. Sakura moved her hands to just underneath Syaoran's chin, and started to unbutton the top of his pajamas. Syaoran knew he was blushing, but couldn't hide it. ~Why did I say yes? ~
Sakura unbuttoned the last button and gasped as she saw his warrior chest. Syaoran looked at her strangely, but Sakura averted his gaze, and picked up the bottle, putting some in her hand. She put some on Syaoran's chest, making him tense up. "It's okay." She coaxed. "It's cold at first." She slowly started rubbing it into his tense muscles.
Syaoran closed his eyes, breathing in the strangely comforting scent of the medicine. Sakura's touch sent shivers of pleasure down his spine, but soon Syaoran felt his chest warm up, as Sakura continued to work it into his chest.
Sakura closed her eyes, amazed at what she was doing. His chest felt so strong and powerful. Just think, he used these muscles to help her, to aid her. He was her protector. She smiled and looked up, only to find Syaoran fast asleep.
Slowly, Sakura got up, and walked slowly out of the room. ~Rest well, my little wolf~ Then she was gone.
Meeko smiled as her mother finished the story. "Is that what I should do? Can I help Shinji recover?"
Sakura looked down at her daughter and ran a hand down her hair. "I think you should do what ever you think is right."
Meeko thought for a moment, then a smile crept onto her face. She hugged her mom. "Arigatou."
Sakura laughed and hugged back. Meeko grabbed a few things out of her room, and left the house.
Shinji lay in bed, tired, but otherwise fine. He thought about the last battle. How Meeko had been so brave in bringing in the Wave. She looked so angelic when she used Fly. They seemed connected in some way...Meeko and him. Both angels, somewhat, battling evil trying to save humanity. Shinji laughed at his thoughts. He sounded so weird. But, that's what Meeko did to him. Made him feel things, he didn't understand.
His stuttering, his heart rate beating faster, his breath coming in pants when he thought of her. What was it that made him feel like this? Was it love? Shinji wasn't sure, but just then, he thought he felt her aura, her presence. He laughed… Couldn't be her.
But it was, just out of the door, came Meeko, wearing a beautiful skirt, with a tank top. "How are you feeling?" She asked sweetly.
Shinji's mouth fell open. Better now that you are here. He cleared his throat. "F…Fine. Wh…what are you doing here…Me…Meeko?" He stuttered.
She giggled at his nervousness. She walked over to him and sat on the bed. Shinji looked past her and saw his mother smile and gently close the door. Shinji looked back at Meeko and frowned as she handed him a cup of steaming liquid. "What's this?"
She laughed. "Just a little recipe my mom gave me. It's honey milk."
Shinji nodded and took a sip. The warm liquid flowed down his throat, and he sighed in comfort. "Arigatou." He said gently.
His tone of voice made Meeko blush, so she turned her head. "Well, I want4ed to thank you for bringing in the cards. Sealing two isn't easy." She said.
Shinji smiled and gently moved her chin to look at him. "As long as you didn't get hurt, I'd seal ten cards at once."
This made Meeko blush even more. She stood up. "Well, I'm glad to see your feeling better." She walked to the door. "I have to go…ja ne."
Shinji frowned at her sudden departure. He would have to make it up to her…for her kindness.
Meeko ran home, scared about what she felt. She knew she liked Shinji, but this was different. She felt something different. She couldn't think when he was around. Everything in her world zeroed in on him. His eyes and hair…his gentle yet strong demeanor. Meeko thought she knew was this feeling was, but wasn't sure. That was why she had to leave, to think it over. She got into the house, and ran to her room.
Makoto was there, practicing with his sword. He saw Meeko rush in and bury her head in her pillow. "What's wrong?"
Meeko didn't reply, only squeezed her pillow harder. Makoto frowned and sat next to her. "Come on…you can tell your oniichan."
Meeko looked up and was about to say something, when she felt his aura. Shinji's aura. She gasped, making Makoto frown more.
Sakura came and opened the door. "Meeko, there's someone here to see you."
Meeko nodded and slowly went downstairs. Makoto was about to follow, when Sakura stopped him. "Your father wants to practice with you in the basement."
Makoto sighed and nodded, going downstairs and into the basement.
Meeko slowly opened the door, but was already sure of who it was. "Hello, Shinji." She said quietly.
Shinji smiled. "You took off so fast I didn't have time to thank you." He pulled out from behind him, a bouquet of red roses.
Meeko gasped and slowly took them from him. "Shinji…they're beautiful."
Shinji smiled and blushed.
Sakura smiled as she watched Shinji handed Meeko the flowers. It remembered Sakura of what Syaoran had done for her, a few days after she had visited his house…
Sakura walked to the door and was surprised to see Syaoran standing there. "Syaoran? What are you doing here?"
Syaoran stared at the ground and shuffled his feet. "Well…I wanted to thank you for helping me the other day. I feel fine."
Sakura smiled. "You can always count on me when you re sick. Know that."
Syaoran nodded and looked up with a smile. "I know." He brought forth his hands and revealed a single Sakura blossom. "For you."
Sakura gasped and smiled. She took the flower from Syaoran and blushed.
Then, without warning, she threw her arms around Syaoran, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Domo arigato!"
Syaoran blushed, but wrapped his arms around Sakura's small waist. "Will you…go out with me?"
Sakura smiled and nodded. "I'd loved to."
Sakura smiled at the memory, and felt a tear of joy fall from her green eyes. Meeko was in love, even if she didn't know so yet. Sakura felt strong arms come around her and looked behind her to see Syaoran hugging her warmly. "What's so sad to make a beautiful woman like you cry?"
Sakura smiled and pointed to Meeko who had her arms around a red faced Shinji. Syaoran chuckled. "They do look kawaii, ne?"
Sakura smiled and nodded.
"Why don't you come down with me and help with Makoto's training? Leave Meeko with her love."
Sakura nodded, taking Syaoran's hand, and went downstairs. Maybe someday, she'll tell Shinji how she really feels.