A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed so far, im LOVING it, so Please Review, as id like to get more comments from you guys. Otherwise I'll whack you all with Chiharu's new mallet. Mwuhahhahahaaaaa!!!!! (CCS characters all slowly back away -.-;)
More than Meets the Eye
Story by Shimmerdream, CSS owned by Clamp, not me.
Kinomoto Residence, around dinnertime.
A doorbell rang its beautiful melody. "I'll get it!" Came Sakuras bright voice.
She opened the door to reveal her only too enthusiastic friend...
"Hey Sakura!" Was Tomoyo's cheery greeting.
"Hey Tomo! Come in, here let me get that Umbrella for you..."
As Sakura fumbled to get the opened black Umbrella clasped shut again, Tomoyo waved goodbye from the doorway to her Female Bodyguards stationed at the Kinomoto entrance.
All three guards were standing in the stormy rain getting wetter by the minute.
"Bye! Dont worry about me I'll be fine, get inside the Limo quick before you catch a cold! Tell Okaa-san I'll still be at Sakura's tomorrow morning getting fitting arrangements sorted!"
Sakura couldnt help but laugh very nervously with a sidelined anime drop on the side of her face.
"Oh, you better not mention that to Touya, he'll get upset, and that wont be good since he's been ordered by both Otousan and Yukito to rest in bed..."
"Is he sick? Must've caught your bug from earlier on this month... and i thought he had a good immunity system..."
"Nah, he got caught out in the storm before reaching Yukito's this afternoon."
"Well, that certainly was smart."
"Yeah, but he didnt know, today it was supposed to be a cloudless, bright spring day. That storm just rolled in from nowhere, stupid lightning... did you see it clash earlier? Creepy..."
"Naww... did our Kawaii Sakura get scared?!" Embracing her in a friendly and warm hug.
"Ehehhhehheh....." making sakura have another one of her classical nervous laughs.
Tomoyo and Sakura then turned to enter the middle of the room. Both warming up considerably after being out by the door. Tomoyo rid herself of her irritable wooly jumper, but kept her nice and snuggly lavender scarf made from the finest material.
Fujitaka then called out that Tea was served. After Yukito excused himself to give Touya's portion to him upstairs, Sakura looked on confusedly for a moment to him, then shifting her gaze to her father for a moment longer.
"Are you sure Oniichan is alright Otousan? Its just a cold right?" After actually saying that, she immediately felt like something was out of place. She could sense something, was it there before? She couldnt tell from being out of practice for a while, but could now sense a flicker of unusual magic somewhere closeby.
"Im sure he'll be fine, but i am concerned for he looks really drained right now. I dont think he'll have much stamina to make him last the day at University tomorrow, so he'll probably be home sick with you two tomorrow."
Sakura nodded in understanding. Both Tomoyo and her had a half day of school the following day, due to a teachers conference with the school committee or something, they assumed. After asking to be excused with Tomoyo following suit. they then went up to Touya's room where he was half asleep and propped up against a pillow on his bed, carefully putting Butter Chicken in his mouth with alot of effort. He refused to be hand fed by Yukito, who now found it timely to leave the room to give privacy between the brother, sister and second cousin.
"Hey Touya, i wanted to thankyou again for helping me with my math sheet. Is there any errands i can do for you tomorrow since Otousan said you would probably not be able to go to Uni in the morning?
"Uh... yeah there is, but you'll have to ask Kero for me."
Sakura froze, he didnt know about him did he? She knew he did about the cards...
"...uh sure, what is it?"
"I need to talk to him. Dont worry i wont kill him or anything, both Yue and i need to have a chat with him. Yue asked before if it'd be possible if you could contact Eriol as well, he said it was important but not that major, that make any sense to you?"
She nodded, head in thought. Why would Yue want to speak to Eriol? Perhaps they just wanted to catch up... but what about the magic she could sense before?
"Oniichan? I think i should talk to you as well, Yue too. I think i need to sort a few things out."
"Sure." At this he put his arm out to ruffle her hair.
"Dont Touya! You need to save your energy..." But broke off, she liked it when her brother was like this, never serious nor being a big brother control freak, but just being friendly for a rare occasion.
Tomoyo giggled at their odd behaviour from the door, then picked up her pink cell phone that went off in her pocket.
"Moshi Moshi..."
Sakura and Touya were too busy being silly to notice.
"Meiling!!"
This caught Sakura's attention right on the spot.
"Oh its so glad to hear from you! Yeah Sakura got your letter you sent to me, yeah she showed me that picture too! You and Syaoran look so kawaii with your mouths stuffed of chocolate cake!!!"
At this Touya, Sakura and even Meiling thousands of miles away started to have a trail of sweatdrops on the side of their faces. 'Thats our Tomoyo for you!!'
"Ah hah... yes... ah hah... you want to speak with Sakura? Hang on... ::Hands phone over:: Here Sakura!"
She stepped out of Touyas room and entered her own while putting the phone to her ear, frowning at Kero who was now playing another one of his video games.
"Hello, Meiling?"
She heard nothing but non-stop squeals of delight on the other phone, kami-sama what have they done? Have Syaoran's sisters made a Chinese style vershion of Tomoyo or what?!
"Hey Sakura-chan!!! How have you been? Heard you got the letter!"
"Yeah, i would've responded to it today but got caught up doing Maths homework instead. So are you serious when you say that your coming over to Tomoeda with us in the Summer holidays?"
"Yeah so far ive been given the thumbs up by Aunt Yelan, but it still may not happen if the Elders decide to forbid it. Apparently i may end up training as intense as Syaoran. Eriol too."
"Your kidding?"
"No im dead serious, the Elders look a bit on edge lately, and they've even considered me doing the same thing my cousin is. And you know just as well as they do that i have no magic. Very peculiar behaviour to be happening, I'll be doing my own personal investigation into this."
"Woah, you guys really have it bad then, you werent joking around?!"
"Yeah i know, but at least i have more chance of avoiding this than dear Eriol. Haha, Syaorans been stuck between delighted that his ancestor has to suffer along with him and annoyed, for he'll be around him more often and you know how MUCH he likes Eriol..."
"Hah, I bet he'd be annoyed, not that he should be. Hows he been, do you know yet why he thinks he'll be able to get out of there?"
"Well, sortof... I think Yelan's planning to tell something to The Li Council and the Elders. Id think it would be concerning him"
"Wonder whats it about.. hey... whats with all that squealing in the background...?"
"Oh, thats just Syaorans sisters, i told them it was you and Tomoyo i was calling. Theyre a bit hysterical now..."
"Heh heh..."
"Here, I'll put you on speaker phone! -"
"NO Meiling don-" too late.
"Hey dear Sakura-chan, so when are you going to get married to our little brother?"
"Oh what wedding dress are you planning to wear? and can i do your nice wavy hair up??"
"You'll be the perfect match Sakura-chan! I cant wait to see little kawaii wolves and cherry blossoms running around your feet!"
"Oh yes, we'll have to start planning your baby shower!!"
"HHHOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!....."
All four grown girls giggle simutaineously.
"Oh your so Kawaii!! Oh look, heres our little brother now!"
"Whats this?.. Who are you tormenting on the phone this time?!"
She heard his unmistakenable husky voice among the squealing feminine ones and felt her heart flutter, mind soaring.
"Your sweetie Sakura-chan is on the other line!!"
"S-She is?! ::blushes:: Arrggh!!! get lost you four!"
At this he picked up the phone and made it turn off speaker mode hastily.
"Sakura, is it you?"
"Yeah its Sakura... man your sisters are a bit of a handful... heh... heh..."
He heard her heavenly voice, yes that had to be her!
"Hang on a moment... oi you four get lost, eavesdrop somewhere else would ya? I can hear xiefa giggling behind the door, im not stupid!"
He returned back to the phone, smiling so wide that his jaw started to ache from stretching so far.
"You still there?"
"Yeah, im here."
"Good. So... how have you been the last three years or so?" hopefully she doesnt have a boyfriend... please kami-sama, say she hasnt got a boyfriend!
"Its been good! Not that much has changed in Tomoeda. Let me rephrase that, its not got runaway Clow Cards all over the place anymore, its reverted back to its old boring self. Not much goes on around here. Not alot to do."
"Well i cant say thats a bad thing, at least theres no havoc and mayhem over there, compared to right here living with my four sisters..."
Sakura laughed along with him.
"I feel sorry for you, i wouldnt like to be in your position. But i guess you could say the same with me and my brother Touya. I dont know why you two dont get along."
"Eh heh..." now it was Syaorans turn to do a 'Sakura Nervous Laugh', she could be so naive to the truth right in front of her eyes sometimes... 'well at least she hasnt changed'
"I need to go now, im a bit late for my next tutoring lesson, you'll call back soon ne?"
"Definitely. Too bad you had to go so soon, Well Good Night Syaoran!"
"G-Good Night Sakura."
He looked longly at the phone, just wanting to hear another word from her somehow. He then heard Meiling re enter the room.
"So, what she say cuz?"
"Not much, we were just catching up." He replied, not even bothering to hide his smile.
"Oh yeah..." At this her eyes narrowed playfully, and she nudged him with her elbow, wriggling her eyebrows suggestedly.
"Argh, its not what you think Meiling!"
"rrrriiighhhht..."
"Your impossible! Well, got to go now, im definitely running late. And i dont feel like doing extra work to make up for it so bye!" He walked away in what was an unmistakenable stubborn boyish huff. But was still containing a smile on his face.
Touya's voice failed him, turning raspy and inaudible. Yukito, by chance, happened to be walking along the hallway and heard a hoarse, whispering sound come from his best friend's room.
"Huh? Oh, Touya, lost your voice huh?"
He nodded weakly.
"I was planning to go talk to Cereberos tonight, but i wont til you get better. This conversation will concern both you and Sakura so i dont want you to miss it."
Touya after some hesitation, nodded again.
"I wont bring Sakura into this though, Kero can fill her in with all the details with what she needs to hear."
Yukito could only just make out a 'Good.' from him.
The next day arrived, the dawn's soft mellow rays softly illuminating Syaoran's face. He felt like he was in bliss. Lying down in his covers, feeling more comfortable now than he did all week. Stretching across the bed, he turned his gaze to his right where the enormous window panes were, which curtains were cast aside, allowing every bit of the suns wonders to enter. Yes the sun was out, leaving no sign that there ever was a strange storm last night. He got an unusual feeling, and in doing so in suspicion, automatically turned to his left... that was a mistake.
"aaaAAAHHH!!!!" he yelled, falling off the bed.
"KAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Came four voices in unison, madly clicking away at their cameras.
"Owwww........." he now tended to the newlyfound bump on his head.
"Girls, girls, leave your brother alone! He has a day off today, so let him enjoy it in peace and photo-free." Came his mother's regal voice from outside in the grand hallway.
'Peace... that would be nice... to be left alone in peace from everyone, well almost everyone.' An image was formed in his head, of a innocent girl with captivating eyes that had many shades of emerald green, aglow with wavy, golden and honey hair. This was his Tenshi he dreamed of every waking hour.
'What Id give to actually be here in your presence right now Sakura... Its been so long, i wish i could see you again so i know what you've grown up to look like over the past years without you.'
He sat up from the awkward position he lay on the floor just before, giving an audible sigh.
"Would everyone just please leave me alone?"
"Nawww... but that would be no fun Xiao Lang!"
"Go!"
"Alright, alright, sheesh does little brother need a girl to ease his mind or what?!"
"I'll say, bet you Sakura-chan could!"
"Yeah, she's so Kawaii! She'd be perfect for him!" The other sisters proclaimed in agreement.
Syaoran went red like an erupting volcano.
"OUT!!!"
"Fine, fine." They all chorused.
'Talk about finally... Dont they embarass me enough as it is?'
"Stand still Sakura, your going to end up hurt from one of the needles!"
"But this dress is starting to really irritate my skin Tomo... Do i have to do this? And stand here for 3 hours straight?!" She squeaked at the last part, as one of the needles jabbed her.
"Hah, Karma! Now stand still."
Sakura grumbled.
"Dont worry, just remember this is the outter part of the dress, I'll get the undergarments on you soon okay? So stop whining you crybaby." She teased.
At this, Kero awoke sleepily, floating above the drawer.
"What time is it? Sakura, werent you meant to be in school over an hour ago?"
"No, i dont go til another few hours, its a half day today."
"Oh."
Tomoyo finished up the frilly lace at the bottom, and asked Sakura to change in the bathroom so the undergarments were also worn underneath.
"You done yet Sakura? You've been in there for about 5 minutes!!"
"Almost, i cant reach this zip at the back... Ow! Its pinching me!!" She yelped in pain at the last part, her eyes started to water.
"Naww... did our sweet Sakura-chan get hurt?" She said mockingly. She entered the bathroom while adjusting the back for her so she wouldnt be in pain no more.
"You know, i think thats your new phrase Tomo... you've said similar sentences for some time now. 'Nawww... has our Sakura gotten all Snivelly... - Naww... did our Kawaii Sakura get scared?!' now i can finally turn the table and mock you for once!!"
Tomoyo just giggled at her behaviour.
"Fine, Round 1 to Sakura-chan!"
At this Sakura leapt in the air doing a victory punch.
::rrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiPPPPPPPPPPP::
She Sweatdropped, realising she just ruined Tomoyo's fine handiwork on the frilly lace.
"Damn Karma..."
"State your business Yelan."
One of the almighty Elders spoke up. He held strength and confidence in his voice, a common trait possessed by respected and powerful people.
"Its concerning a proposition between my son Xiao Lang, neice Meiling and nephew Eriol."
She spoke back with just as much confidence back, indicating that she too was on equal footing, just like him or any of the other people in the room.
"I see, what exactly is your proposition?"
"I think it is time for them to head back to Tomoeda. We have always said they would go back again when it is time."
"Indeed, but what makes you think it is time? Didnt we already agree that it should be the year before Xiao lang reached the age of eighteen, when he will get to prove he is worthy of the initiation?"
"We also said that it was strictly a guideline. I believe he could very well pass the initiation, as early as of next year"
"What makes you believe that?"
"- a.. a little birdie told me." She stated softly, her voice did not cower but remained strong.
"And... who might that birdie be?"
Yelan, just smiled with an all-knowing twinkle in her eye.
Chiharu, was seen walking to school with her easy going boyfriend Yamazaki. She was polishing her newly purchased mallet that was to be added to her growing collection, while Yamazaki was nursing his head with a newly formed bump.
"But it is true! That storm yesterday was made from old ancient magic, the very source came from our very neighbour China itself! Its clear to see that we're all going to the Dogs! And that reminds me, did you know that the saying 'Raining Cats and Dogs' was actually true? It happened back in China over a millenium ago, thats why one of their main sources of meat now are Cats and Dogs because they were always in good supply."
::WHACK::
"Lies, all lies i tell ya!"
He hanged his head down in defeat.
"Hey guys!" Came Naoko, crossing the quiet street to come join up with her two difficult friends.
"Hey Naoko, you enjoy the half day off this morning?"
"Yeah, i got time to update another chapter of my story on Fanfiction .net!"
"Cool, I'll need to Read it afterschool and Review it then!" She stated happily, brandishing her mallet to anyone who dared challenge her statement.
A/N: Better follow suit ne?