More than Meets the Eye
Story by Shimmerdream, CSS owned by Clamp, not me
Hong Kong, Li Mansion
"WHAT??!!!"
"You heard me loud and clear Xiao Lang."
He blinked, totally lost at sea, his stupid side of the brain seizing the opportunity to take control.
"...wha?"
His sisters were all giggling behind them, stating how cute it was to see him in a dreamy and silly state, a very rare occurance.
He stood there, dumbfounded. Surely his own mother didnt say what she just did. Perhaps his hearing is off... yes, that must be it.
"Look here Xiao Lang, you'll need to pack right away understood?, Meiling and Eriol will as well - Elders orders. And DONT make me have to repeat myself again!"
All he could do was nod slowly, slowly stringing together what she was saying, but it was basically going through one ear and out the other.
"Okay, and get ready because we're leaving early next morning to catch the first plane to Tomoeda."
Hiragiizawa Estate, England
Eriol stood like stone, accompanied by his loyal guardians in the magical circle. His eyes were shut, concentrating about the awoken magic between China and Japan. 'How weird, this - very ancient- magic has no signature of any owner, not a trace... it feels vaguely... familiar, where, or when have i felt this before?'
Ruby Moon yawned, they had spent half the day in this form of meditation, appearing to not get anywhere anytime soon. Suppi sighed at her impatience.
Eriol's eyes instantly flew open.
"No..."
The two behind him looked at Eriol, who was now hovering a good inch or so above the ground, his whole figure alive with his blue aura, dancing calmly yet menacingly.
"What is it?" Came Ruby Moon.
"Im not sure, but i believe... i believe theres an energy source from China reaching out to another in Japan. Two powers have linked, merged and split accordingly... yet what intrigues me most is that it holds no distinct pattern, none at all. I havent seen magic operate like this since I became reincarnated."
"What exactly does that mean? Can you tell if its good or not?"
"From what i can tell It has neither a good nor bad trait, its magical existence is pure and consists solely of raw life energy, much like a certain magical property did along time ago before it evolved into different stages, id say its a neutral force that would do no harm, yet is there for some unseen reason..."
"Much like you Eriol-kun?"
He fell backwards, despite the serious atmosphere. Suppi frowned.
"What do you mean by raw life energy? Isnt all magical property that?! For no magic can exist without life." the black cat asked challenging, as if to try and find Eriol was proved wrong for once. Eriol stood back up, this time without being suspended in the air.
"Raw Life energy, in itself is different from the Light, Dark, Lunar, Sun, Star and Elemental power as you know. All of the magic mentioned does hold a certain amount of life energy, and in turn Life energy holds parts of many branches of different magic as well. It is the most powerful and hardest energy for just anyone with magic to control. Hence why the magic would either come in small pure portions, or in a very raw scattered state, which would be no real worry in both cases. Normally I wouldnt view this as a major threat... but whats here at presence is very strong. Its intention mystifies me, I'll have to have a word from council about it."
"You mean the Li Council?"
"Precisely."
Ruby Moon was pacing, and piped up with alot more intelligence than usual. She was on a roll! "But arent you heading to Tomoeda tomorrow along with your two cousins right?"
"Yes i know of this, but that will have to wait, Im afraid I'll see my cute little descendant later than originally thought."
"When are you heading over to the Council then?"
She turned to look at him, noticing his and Suppi's presence suddenly gone.
'Well that answers my question...' before she too teleported.
Seijou Highschool, Midday.
"Last time i EVER do that!"
"Do what Sakura?..." Asked Chiharu, a good seat or two beside her.
Sakura sighed "Become a mindless puppet to Tomoyo's modelling... its complete madness!"
To her dismay, Chiharu laughed.
"Oh cheer up Sakura! Im doing it too, didnt she say that? At least your not doing it alone."
"Oh True... hey that reminds me, where's Yamazaki? He said he'd be here today to give me my Japanese book.
But right then the Sensei walked in the class, signalling quiet to their P.E theory class.
Chiharu scribbled a note and passed it to Sakura, she opened it up.
-
Talk to you later, and Yamazaki's in the Nurse's office tending a wound. Nothing serious.
-
Sakura glanced at her, and whispered "Another mallet 'accident' huh?"
Chiharu giggled and nodded.
The period seemed to go on for hours, and finally they were released to go to next class which was fortunately the last one of the day. Sakura wasnt really bothering to pay attention to the sensei in P.E since it was just a catch up lesson, just a large blackboard diagram written on the board about danger precautions out in the surf.
Sakura walked to Maths, 'oh joy'. Time to hand in her Worksheet. 'Well at least its actually finished this time, thanks Touya.' she thought mentally, she'd have to cook a thankyou dinner for him tonight.
Tomoyo met up with her, and both entered the classroom silently but with small smiles placed upon their bright faces.
"Hello Yamazaki, come back from the Nurse's Office already?"
"Heh yeah, Chiharu tell you that Sakura?"
"Hai" She replied, with a bigger, more suspicious looking smile, in Tomoyo's opinion.
"Whats this about?" Tomoyo had decided to ask.
"Well i was so happening to be telling Chiharu a very serious fact, when she whacked me over the head out of no where with her new mallet. A brand new one her dad got her from his recent visit in Taiwan." He replied, indicating not a hint of shame or embarassment at all.
Tomoyo laughed along with Sakura lightheartedly 'Good ol' Yamazaki!'.
"You sure it wasnt a lie...?"
"Me? Never!... Im surprised you even asked me that Tomoyo. Of course I'd never lie to you two. Perhaps to Chiharu only." At this he gave a wink.
"How can we tell you didnt lie then?" Sakura asked cheekily, Yamazaki smiled.
"Okay you got me. Dont tell her that though, that'll ruin my reputation with her."
"Dont worry, we wont." At this they turned around to face the front, where Sensei Nanahara just filed in through the door, looking as sour as ever.
"Okay you lot, I'll get to the point. I want to see each and everyone of you with your maths sheet out now, if it isnt completed you know the punishment - staying in twenty minutes afterschool cleaning the classroom instead of cleaner Miss Maya."
The Maths Class of 4WEI know of his strict rules and teachings, so this came as no surprise for anyone, still some people who had forgotten all about maths homework whimpered silently in their chairs praying for a miracle to happen, even the rebel students feared Sensei Nanahara.
"Thank Kami-sama that Im safe for this round." Sakura muttered under her breath. The teacher, who had heard a sound coming from around her way leered around suspiciously.
"Right, get them out - Im waiting, you dont all want to be spending this wasted time in your own at lunchtime do you?"
This got their attention, all the students got out their work and maths sheet. The teacher went on his way around to the student's desks.
"Ah Kinomoto, its good to see your work done for once!" before rounding on to Tomoyo.
"Your homework attendance is still unbroken Miss Daidouji, good work." He went around praising the do-gooders and punishing the Slack-offs. He then came to Yamazaki's Desk.
"Homework out boy!" He growled.
"Uh... Sorry sir, but my Otousan ate it." At this the whole class roared of laughter, which was silent under record timing when the Sensei glared at them.
"Thats not even a believeable excuse!" Sakura and Tomoyo paled when they saw Yamazaki's index finger rising up in the air, as if to beg to differ.
"Its true, did you know that my family originated from China, and if you knew about China you would definitely know that around a millenium ago Chinese ate 'cats and dogs' which rained plentifully from the sky. And of course our family's main supply of meat back then was that, and it would cause you to do the darnest things even now because of it! Even my younger brother would get himself stuck up a tree now and then and meow consistently like a cat, and would do a cat purr whenever my girlfriend would come around... but thats a whole different story."
The class were having a difficult time managing not to laugh, yet one couldnt help it and cackled, all the students then followed suit.
Sensei Nanahara sweatdropped heavily, not even bothering to get angry, for he knew Yamazaki's case was absolutely hopeless.
All the students were in peels of laughter, many falling off their seats and having alot of tears in their eyes. His own pair had opened revealing golden hazel-brown orbs.
"Was it something i said?"
Afterschool, Seijou Highschool
Sakura, followed by Tomoyo with her Camera, went on to Cheerleading practice. Tomoyo had volunteered filming the Squad so they could view it and point out any flaws in their routine. It proved helpful in many ways, as the talented girl of amethyst always got every shot just right and could capture all the team and their moves effectively.
They were just going over baton twirling, an exercise Sakura did well in but would tend to daydream off occasionally. Today was no exception.
"Oooowwwwww......" She lay on the floor, eyes swirling, while rubbing hard against her temple. 'Now i know what Yamazaki feels like... Poor guy'
"Sakura are you okay? Oh you look Kawaii! Here stay still, im gonna get a shot of this!" She crowded around her, filming her on different angles.
"Hey, i thought you only did film takes of us actually cheerleading..." Sakura asked puzzled.
"This is trust me! Im going to add a bloopers section at the credit!"
"Hoe! there mustn't be much things to film these days..."
"Dont be silly! Im filming practically only you at the ending part."
"Heh heh, im not that clumsy am i?" Her face taking on its usual bead of water on the side.
"Alright girls, I'll see you next week. Concentrate your baton twirling more Kinomoto, your head is in the clouds more than usual." Came the Cheerleader's coach's daunting voice on megaphone.
Sakura said "Okay" rather meekly, well today wasnt so bad...
"Bye Sakura! I'll call you later on, and come and walk with you to school tomorrow. I'll swing by in the morning, it'll be fun! 6.00am sharp okay?"
"Yeah... Sure... Wait??!!" She replied '6.00am Sharp?!'
"Dont worry, I'll wake you up when im there so you wont need to lose too much sleep."
"Alright... but dont be surprised if you cant wake me." Sakura sighed, knowing her inability to get up in the morning quite well.
"Dont worry, I'll either pull you off the mattress or tip icy cold water on you, it always seems to work when nothing else does."
"Hehheh.... bye Tomo!"
Hong Kong Airport, 3.40am
Although it was the beginning hour of dawn, you could see people in a rush to get to their gate, flight attendants pointing out directions to people and the occasional person eating a small meal from the Airport's Cafeteria.
Yelan Li was situated at a cafe table sipping her black coffee patiently, her neice Meiling stiffling a yawn in a seat beside her. And her son? Apparently off in one of the airport shops looking at all the merchandise, trying to calm his mind that seemed always elsewhere.
Meiling's head started to droop, Yelan told her politely to wake up properly.
"...Just when are we heading to the gate Aunty?"
Yelan looked to her elegant gold wrist watch. "Another good twenty minutes or so we should head over."
"Dont we have to get checked in by now? The plane leaves at 4.20am doesnt it? And there was quite ::yawn:: a line down there to get to Tomoeda..."
"You forget that im the powerful Li Clan leader, who travels by first class and doesnt need to wait in line. We just simply get on the plane, as Wei has already handled our luggage over."
"Oh."
Syaoran came walking into view a minute later. "How long til we go? Im sick of waiting."
"Can you wait another twenty minutes son? I havent raised you to be impatient you know."
"Yes Mother." He said obeyingly, but rather reluctantly. He didnt want to push his luck already, for he was going to Tomoeda!! What he always wanted for the past few years when he was separated from the Clow mistress's presence. He'd finally be able to see her again!
He took a seat next to Meiling, feeling weak from all the excitement. And soon spotted his family butler Wei, and his sisters walking (or in this case for his sisters, bouncing) over. 'Great, those four wont stop pinching my cheeks for a second til i get on the plane.' Oh well, a small sacrifice to pay for seeing Sakura he thought.
"Awww little brother, you will write will you?"
"Yeah, and tell us all the juicy details of little kawaii Sakura!"
"Oh that'll be so sweet! They'll be boyfriend and girlfriend there, how i wish to see them like that!"
"Maybe we can ask Tomoyo-chan for some footage!"
All four girls chorused "KAWAII!"
-
'Ugghhhh... I'll be forever tormented by them, must remind myself not to let Tomoyo with a camera when im there...'
-
After another ten minutes of torture for Syaoran - Yelan, Meiling and he went to the first class lounge to get ready for departure, where he was now getting ready to board.
'Bye Hong Kong, no offense but i hope i wont be seeing you for a good while yet.'
Tomoeda, 6am.
"Wake up sleepy head!"
"eeerrrrgghhhhhh..." Came the monster's reply.
"Hmmm, i wonder. Should i be evil and tip the water on you, or be even eviler..." Sakura listening in, trembled at that effective pause afterwards.
"Yeah... I'll be eviler, and film you in your pajamas so the Cheerleading Squad and Soccer Team can see you! Bet alot of the hot boys and cheerleading snobs will like to see you like this!" She exclaimed rather scarily, Camcorder recording in hand.
"Oh no you wont!" Touya came in and instantly snatched the camera, earning Tomoyo to sulk.
"I'll throttle boys perving at my little sister's body!"
Sakura, glad for Touya to have his sister complex right now, let him threaten empty air all he wanted. She soon drifted off to sleep.
"Heh heh, well its good to see your up and running around Touya!" Little did Tomoyo know that it took him alot of his strength to actually get out of bed to come to Sakura's aid. He just glared down at her challengingly. His respect for her had dwindled down a little ever since she dragged his Kaijuu into Modelling.
"Nice to see you around too Tomoyo, even at the brink of dawn."
"Ehehehheh, sorry Touya, your usually up this time anyway though, right? I'll cook you all breakfast, i hope that can make it up."
"Sure it will make it up, but only if its Pancakes with Golden Syrup, a little butter and a sugar coated strawberry on top!" He said rather smoothly in a childish voice.
"Craving are we?"
"Yes. I have my moments!" And he walked away, head up in the air.
"He looks Kawaii like you do Sakura, in Pajama's, too bad he took away my camcorder..." But thought devilishly, didnt Sakura have a Kodak camera in her second drawer? Time for snooper Tomoyo to shine...
::CLICK CLICK::
'Oh ho ho ho! I must get doubles of these!'
Flight 2932 Hong Kong-Tomoeda, First Class - 6.25am
Meiling asked the Airline hostess if he could have a mini magna doodle like Syaoran now had, but seeing how she said there were none left, sulked the rest of the way.
"Oh here then Meiling! Sheesh, its only a little kid's toy!"
"Rich coming from you, hey... are those love hearts you drew?" She asked cunningly as she realised what it was that he made. Syaoran wasnt the best at Art.
"No it isnt, your holding it the wrong way cant you see theyre spades?" He spat out rather unconvincingly, while turning ever more the shade of a red persimmon.
"Hey... your right about it looking like a spade this way, do you add that line at the top of hearts normally? Cos thats just plain weird..." She exclaimed while turning it around.
"Ugh, just go back to sleep, you were practically sleepwalking before when we got to the first class lounge before!"
"I so wasnt!" She argued back.
Yelan awoke with a start. "You two, just quieten up, i only went to sleep moments before! Now behave."
That tone of hers was just enough to see them hushed the whole time, but did not prevent them sending glares to one another.
Some random house at in Tomoeda, Japan - 6.30am
If you could see very carefully, a certain brunette pigtailed teenage girl was clasping a mallet around one of her arms while sleeping in bed peacefully, her thumb in her mouth while daydreaming of a certain hazel-brown eyed boy, who she'd reminded herself in her sleep for some reason that she'd whack him in the head tomorrow.
PUHLLEEEAASSSEEE Review!!! - I really want to have as many possible, thanks to the ones who have done already! blows kisses
I'll do my next chapter tomorrow, and post it on immediately afterwards IF i get alot more feedback. You dont want me to lose heart in the fic do you? didnt think so. So Press that purple box and introduce yourself and what you think of the story so far. Lub Shimmerdream XOX