Author: DarkxDiamonds
Comments: Hey! Thanks to those people for keeping up with the sequel! ^^ Your support means a lot! Anyway, enough rambling. Welcome to chapter two ...
Biting on the thread, she gave a violent jerk of the end. The thread snapped off cleanly and she tied it into a small knot. Examining the blanket for a moment, she gently folded it and placed it in the corner. Whew ... another one done ...
She glanced around the small room. Everything's in order. I think I can make a few sales today ... She sat on her bed and fell back onto the covers. They said today ... that Meiling was having the child ... she must be through by now.
Pushing aside the cloth that served as her door, she strode into the bold sunlight as it filtered in with a golden glow. This feels so wonderful. If only this warmth could always be...
She hurriedly lowered her arms. But i have business to attend to. I can't dally here forever! Scolding herself, the girl pinned the curtains to the side of the walls. Unfolding her work, she displayed them proudly around her.
It's time to get to work.
// The Li House //
"Her womb would not stop bleeding, no matter how much we tried to stem the flow ... She lost too much blood from birth already...and with this..." Eriol's voice trailed off. "I'm so sorry, Syaoran..."
He didn't respond. Looking at the lifeless figure that had once been Meiling, he cringed. "I'll have to ... to prepare the funeral..." He couldn't cry. He really did not feel the remorse that he knew he should feel. The remorse that all husbands must feel once their wife has died. "And the child ..."
"You will have to hire a wet nurse. That is the only way the child will survive for the moment being." Syaoran nodded slowly. "But Meiling ... her funeral ... I need to plan it ..." Eriol watched him cautiously. "True. but consider the lives of the living before the the dead."
Syaoran nodded again. "Of course ... a wet nurse." He ran his hand through his hair. Eriol looked away. "As for the funeral, I would suggest getting a good quilt the-Meiling in. There is a mysterious weaver of these things. She is young, but her hand is most wonderful at the art." He scribbled a note. "She lives there."
Syaoran tood the note and his mouth tightened. Silently, the two men began to clean the evidence of the day. The day Meiling died.
// The Weaver //
"The quality is very good ... and your artisitic skills are stunning. Yes, I will buy this at your price ... " Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Yamazaki." She wrapped the blanket in the paper bag. "I hope it will keep you warm for many nights." She bowed and watched the man walk out."
Looking down at the money in her hand, she smiled a little. Well...this ought to keep me going for a while.She opened the drawer in her table. Money hasn't been easy to come by. But I've managed ... and business is slowly growing. Dropping her income, she slammed the door closed.
And yet ... I still can't help but think about him. I doubt there's been a day when he hasn't crossed my mind ... Stretching she yawned and toppled onto her bed. But .. Meiling's child will be the final bond between her and Syaoran. After that ... it's hopless.
She fingered the the blanket that she had made herself. But this is my life now. I can't go back. I just have to keep on going forward ... Isn't that what you told me, Momma?
She carefully picked out the best memories she remembered. One by one, she relived the joy of every scene. But what she could shake off was that every joy had Syaoran's face somewhere. Always. It didn't matter if he was frowning, scolding, or even smiling. He was always there.
// Later //
"Oh, Eriol!" Tomoyo clasped his hand tightly. "Meiling ... she's not really ... gone?" She held her breath, almost hoping that he would assure her that she was just hearing things and Meiling was alive and well. But he sadly nodded and Tomoyo collapsed on him. "No..."
Eriol stroked her hair. "Don't worry, love. Meiling has gone peacefully off. And maybe she'll learn the truth." Tomoyo looked up. "Do you mean ... Sakura-chan?" Eriol nodded. "I don't think she knew exactly what was happening ... but she could sense something."
Tomoyo nodded. "I think you're right..." She held her chin thoughtfully. "But I don't feel too much sorrow for her. She was a cruel and jealous woman ... but I think that Sakura was here, she changed a little. But when she ran away ... she turned right back."
Eriold sighed. "It's like that for some people. They really can't change, no matter how big the influence."
"I wish I knew where Sakura was ... she sent us a blanket for a child, so I know she's all right ... but sometimes, I can't help but feel worried."
"I know. But Sakura can take care of herself. She'll show up...when the time is right."
Tomoyo smiled. "Thank you, Eriol-kun."