More than Meets the Eye
Story By ShimmerDream, CSS Owned by Clamp, not me!
7.06am - Tomoeda
A loud "HHHHHOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" could be distinguishable even from Seijou High School, the place from which this particular girl was supposed to be at this given point of time.
Enter Sakura Kinomoto, A nice, cheerful, happy-go-lucky and energetic girl always constantly seen with a bright smile. Undoubtably one of the most positive and likeable person you'll ever encounter in Tomoeda - where the story starts to unfold.
You could now see her scrambling to get into her school uniform on, hastily brushing her auburn and slightly golden wavy hair, whilst rubbing the sleep out of her usually full of life eyes, the color of pure jade and emerald brilliance from her own mother.
Touya was taking a sip of his rich black coffee, took a glance over his shoulder to see what section his dad was reading from the Tomoeda Times Newspaper, while then staring at the amount of food Julian was wolfing down in one go.
He could hear his sister stomping around quite near the stairs, he then gave his full attention in that direction while sighing, all too knowingly.
"The big, clumsy Kaijuu should trip in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1-"
and sure enough...
Thud Thud Thud Thud ThudThudThud. "..oowwwwwwwWWW"
Sakura stood up and cooly recollected herself, then proceeded to walk with grace over to the kitchen like nothing had just happened. Of course not before stamping on her brothers foot and him ending up yelling in immense pain. "Im no monster Touya, and as soon as you stop saying that the sooner you wont need to be cradling your foot day in and day out. Hmph!" with her nose in the air, she was certainly no monster!
Julian put down his chopsticks and spoke up with a brother like note in his voice "He's just showing his brotherly affection for you Sakura-chan, I'd be pretty worried if he didnt do this each morning, its become some what of a sister complex ritual ne?"
Touya glared. Some friend... but soon thought of a comeback
"Well, i cant believe she heard that i called her a monster while she was still upstairs, must have some super kaijuu hearing abilities... OWWWWwww, that was my other foot!"
"I know! ::smiles innocently:: And it serves you right!"
Fujitaka then rose with his signature chuckle, "Oh you two, dont be too rough on each other... I need to go to work now and would like to know my children are still in one piece."
He then glanced at his watch. "Sakura you want a lift? Your late like usual i suppose?"
"Hai, im late, when i arrive at school Tomoyo will surely kill me, if not thrice over. Heh..." She laughed nervously. "Okay Sakura I'll be in the car, dont take too long."
"Why... ::chew:: do you have to be at school ::munch:: a little earlier Sakura-Chan? This has got to be the first time i've seen you up ::swallows:: when you could be catching up on extra sleep" Asked Julian through intervals of eating Touya's leftover food, chopsticks back in hand.
"Yeah, definitely a record in her books..." Mumbled Touya, small enough so only Julian could hear.
"Um, im not sure exactly, only that Tomoyo wants me and all the guys to come meet her at our usual sitting place for lunch to discuss something important.. ::Anime Drop:: I just hope she doesnt want me to model again for her upcoming fashion show ::shudders:: ... i bet you that it probably will be, I'll just try to worm my way out of it.."
Touya's risingly red face slightly evaporated at the last sentence, seeing how unenthusiastic she is about the modelling idea, 'Thats good, for No Hentai boys better be looking at my Kaijuu!' , even though he knew Tomoyo's fashion designs are fairly appropriate and conservative, as it wasnt in her nature to do outragous, showy outfits to his knowledge. He should have nothing to worry about...
'Hmm, i wonder if i could get a job as a security guard or something just incase if she does go ahead and model, that way i can keep an eye out...'
Touya grinds his fists earning a suspicious look from Sakura
'Oh yeah, no boy will get to her, I'll make sure of it. They shall feel the wrath of my Knuckles...'
Sakura just tried to ignore Touya, as it was impossible to talk sense into him when hes like this. He'll do whatever it takes to make sure boys dont get to her within a ten radius mile, not that it was a problem anyhow, she's never gone out with one due to a certain promise with an amber eyed friend. Touya looked up to her as she went to put on her shoes and collect her school bag.
"If Tomoyo badgers you about it Kaijuu, you're not to give in, are you?!" He asked with a warning 'Big Brotherly' Tone.
She just merely shrugged, that may annoy him but she would take that chance. "Well im off, bye Touya, Yukito-san, i think Otousan's getting impatient waiting out in the car."
Surely enough the sound of the car horn was heard, and she rushed out the door thankful to get away from Touya in this mood "Bye Guys! See you afterschool!"
"Wait Sakura, you're not to do the modelling, im warning you!" She hopped in the car pointing to her ears indicating she couldnt hear the last part.
"Yeah right, i know you heard me!!"
Sakura grinned with a wide smile, it would almost be worth it to do the modelling out of spite towards her brother. But we all know our sweet Sakura would never do anything like that. ;D
Saijou HighSchool
Fujitaka waved from the inside of his car as Sakura hopped out and said her goodbye to him.
With a slight spring in her step, she jogged over to the infamous Sakura tree in between the coutyard and the soccer field. Winter had just ended, but the snappy cold bite in the morning and the frost on the grass was just enough to see that the Sakura blossoms didnt flourish their precious petals just yet.
Glad for bringing her jumper along, although it was fairly thin, she approached her warm friend with a slightly forced smile to stop her teeth from chattering non-stop.
"Ohayo Sakura!" Beamed Tomoyo, with that nice, warm, snuggly warm top... grrr....
"...Ohayo- ACHOO ..T-Tomoyo.." She could feel her nose about to run, 'kuso!' And she thought she was just getting over her cold that was recently going around the school. "Nawwww... Is our cute Sakura all snivelly? Here have my blanket, we dont need to sit on it, we can just stand around the tree instead."
Sakura being relieved and thankful, graciously took the blanket but asked to make sure if it was alright and not too much trouble.
"Sorry for being late Tomo-ah-AH..." She was about to sneeze again, but stopped in time. "Where's the rest of the gang?..."
At this Tomoyo Sweatdropped.
"Ah... well... they're off trying to calm down Chiharu, Yamazaki-kun he.. uh, he made up another tale, this time about modelling and how Chiharu should... should... well anyway, he's running around the school for his life with Chiharu in dead pursuit trying to whack him with this new mallet she just bought. Naoko and Rika are trying to calm her down before anything serious happens."
Sakura laughed nervously along with Tomoyo. Both Sweatdropping when they could hear Chiharu's victory of successfully whacking Yamazaki over the head.
"Those two are meant to be together ne?" Asked Tomoyo "Oh yeah, like two peas in a pod..." Came Sakura's reply, eyes dotted.
"So anyway, what i was dying to tell you and the others was actually a couple of things. But i wanted to show you this first seeing how its just you here."
At this, she gave Sakura an envelope, its from... Hong Kong? Her heart missed a beat.
"I know, It might be Syaoran, although im puzzled as to why he'd address it to you but send it to my place. The sender note at the back mentions no name, but only where they live, that address its where the Li Mansion is, am i correct?"
She nodded numbly. But hang on...
"No wait Tomoyo, this writing is Meilings, im sure she writes her A's like that. And Syaoran definitely doesnt loop his L's. Or at least i dont think he does... Hopefully she wrote about whats happening over there, i wonder what its been like!" she blabbered on.
Its been three, three and a half years since she last saw those two when she was eleven, how it pained her to not see her old friends for such a while. She did hear from Syaoran once through e-mail, but that was well over a year ago.
She numbly opened the envelope...
Dear Sakura-chan
Hey its me Meling, hope this letter finds you well. Nothing much is going on right now, and i think im not mistaken that Syaoran hasn't written to you lately, so i have taken the liberty to write to you partly on his behalf.
I want you to know that even though he hasnt had much contact with you, Syaoran still misses you alot, its evident in his eyes if you can see him now. He was rather depressed when he came back from Japan, naturally, pretty unlively and unhappy, not to mention quite angry as well. Like the time his father passed away.
But that pain looks like it has subsided now and hes become more focused with what hes doing in life, i think you showed him the direction of which he wants to follow. And now hes showing pride and dedication to his hard line of work with alot more renewed vigor. Hes grown more mature and that is certain, its almost weird to see him like this.
Oh I shouldnt be telling you all this, but i am anyway because in his opinion im Evil and cant keep a secret to myself. I want you to know that he talks about you in high regard around me, he smiles whenever he hears your name even when he thinks no one is looking, Heck I've even seen a photo of you in his secret compartment in the wardrobe when i went to go and get him his sword this one time. He cares very much of you and hasnt forgotten you at all, just know that alright? Its just since of his duties, he hasnt been able to have the time for anything but rest in his spare time, which i should add is very limited and restricted. And im NOT kidding, nor exaggerating the facts either! You've heard the horror stories of the Elders right?
But as the promising Li Clan leader in the nearby future, he is expected to uphold the honor and receive the initiation when he reaches the age of eighteen. If he is shown to be worthy by that time that is. I dont know if he or anyone ever told you that so i did just incase you would be confused as to why. The family, more so the elders, have made it clear for him to train more extensively than ever before, including being unaware of whats going on outside the Li Manor, much to Syaoran's disliking, i remember he once sneaked an email to you and got caught out and received a punishment, he said it was worth it though so its alright and dont get worried!
Its a bit heartbreaking to see him each day to go through vigorous training without any leisure time to himself. But still he manages a smile, the great famous Li Syaoran actually smiling? Yeah i know, but hes told me that this will soon be over and he can escape from here. He wouldnt tell me why, since i know he's supposed to train vigorously till 18, i just hope he doesnt do anything irrational, or stupid and run away or something - although deep down i dont actually think hes going to do that. So it makes me question as to why he thinks he'll be leaving Hong Kong anytime soon. Not to give your hopes up or anything, i just dont think he'll be released til that time, yet he acts like he knows something that i dont, probably does the baka, maybe Yelan told him something and not me, which reminds me I think I'll bug her about that.
You'll be waiting for him at the end of it all right, after his training and all, even if it is til hes 18? I know for a fact that he's waiting anxiously for the day to come see you, hope its the same back!
Your good friend, Meiling!
P.S. If your wondering why i sent this to Tomoyo's house its because i know what Touya's like. And another thing, im actually doing nothing here but the same old school routine. Maybe i could come back for the summer holidays in July? Which is what... 3 months or so away? And if i could, is it alright if i could stay at either yours or Tomoyo's house, i dont think we have that apartment in Japan anymore.
At this Sakura told Tomoyo and she squealed with absolute delight!
Oh and i forgot to mention Happy Birthday to you a week ago, how was it? Syaoran asked me to also say Happy Birthday to you, and gave me this to give to you. Its an extra note attached to the inside of the envelope which i cellotaped on. I didnt get to see what was inside so dont worry. ::Scouts Honor::
"Prrf. Liar, bet she did! Scouts honor... she wasnt one, was she?!!" The thought of Meiling being a.. scout... just didnt seem plausible, if anything actually laughable. She had to stiffle a giggle coming on.
Oh and heres a photo of me and Syaoran this year at my birthday which i had in March, thought you might like it.
At this, she and Tomoyo both looked at the photo on Meiling's letter. Quite a sweet scene of them both stuffing birthday cake into their mouths cheekily.
'Wow, Syaoran's gotten taller over the few years, kami-sama he looks even more handsome now...' She lightly blushed, which didnt go by unnoticed by her best friend's sneaky amethyst eyes.
Sakura then took the extra note from inside of the envelope, with much difficulty considering Meiling practically plastered it with the sticky cellotape. After both hand and note were released she held it up to read with slightly trembling hands...
Sakura,
I have to be brief, and somehow sneak this note to Meiling without the elders (or eriol in that fact) knowing, which will be hard since I'll have to rid this note of any of my aura, as they'll be sure to detect any little part of it floating around.
Happy Birthday for last week, and for the year before as well. I got you a gift, all you have to do is read the following passage. I know its the ancient language of Clow Reid's time, but i thought you could decifer it with one of your cards or something. You'll find out what i got you when you read it out loud and perfectly. Its something your bound to like.
((weird characters appear for two lines, just imagine it here))
From Syaoran.
P.S. Hope to hear from you soon, dont get yourself in too much trouble dear Ying Fa.
Her eyes started to water a bit, she knew her name was Ying Fa in chinese, but no one ever called he by that, not even him til now, it felt to her like it was his special way of saying her name, reserved for just her by him.
"So Sakura, what does the rest of it say? I only heard that Meiling might be coming over for the summer holidays, come on im dying over hear to know!" She smiled at Tomoyo's enthusiasm, sounds like Tomoyo is just as happy as she is to know that Meiling is coming back.
"Hear, you can read it, both of them actually."
After a couple of minutes passed, Tomoyo asked about the passage Syaoran was talking about. She told her she had no idea what it was but guessed it worked the same as a spell or ofuda or something.
"I guess I'll bring out my old Sakura Book when i get home, its collecting dust anyhow."
Tomoyo smiled devilishly at a thought that just popped up.
"Yeah, and now i can start making outfits for both you and Meiling now!"
Sakura smiled meekly "Heh... heh, its not like the clow cards are running around anymore Tomo!"
"Yeah, but you forget the upcoming Fashion Event!"
"Hooee...."
A/N: Okay, just made Chapter One and Two (I'll upload the second one the day after tomorrow because tomorrow im going skiing and wont be on, dont worry, the second chapter is larger than this one by at least a third, good to know ne? :P)
Just make sure you review, cos I'll be high and ecstatic like Tomoyo is now, and that'll make me want to update faster with more chapters, and THAT'll mean you guys will be happy in the process.
See? Its an ongoing cycle, you gotta give to receive :D