Kero: You're an odd one y'know.
Me: How so?
Kero: You get assaulted, and you go on to write a chapter, squat happens for weeks (save for police crap) and you don't write anything!
Me: Hey! I've been busy! I had to train to qualify for my life guard exam y'know!
Kero: Fine fine. I hope you remember that you promised the reviewers that Eriol would appear.
Me: I remember, and he will, I promise. Roll the disclaimer!
Kero: Keyo doesn't own CCS, just this original story concept and his own laziness.
Me: Hey!
Kero: It's true! I mean, don't you have homework you should be doing?
Me: Err…lets start the story shall we?
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Chapter 11 – My Dear Little Cousin
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The sunlight did not penetrate the Ying Fa dojo, and Syaoran remained in his trance like sleep. His night was spent in more meditation than rest, he needed to think, he needed guidance, but he knew not who to turn to.
He had a dream though. The image of the late master had appeared to him, and told him that an event was coming at the breaking of dawn that would change his life here even more than it already had been, and that everything would be alright.
Syaoran had a suspicion that when this event came, he wasn't going to like it.
A loud banging at the dojo's door forced him awake.
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Sakura smiled brightly as she walked down the street. Her smile was partly due to the fact that she'd escaped the house before Touya could get on at her again for kissing Syaoran on the cheek.
Speaking of Syaoran, it was him that she was going to see. She really enjoyed his company and whenever she was around him, she got this weird warm fuzzy feeling in her stomach. She didn't even know why she had kissed him that day! Whenever she thought about it (like she was just now) she would blush (like she was just now). In any case, she liked that warm fuzzy feeling, and so she had caught an early morning bus and walked round to his house, only to be told by Julie that Syaoran had left a note last night, saying he was going to spend the night in the dojo, so naturally, that was where Sakura began to go. She froze though, when she saw Syaoran standing outside the dojo, and a girl with long black hair leap upon him, engulfing him in a tight hug. A burning sensation filled Sakura, though she was unsure why, and even more unsure of why she ducked behind the dojo wall to watch.
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Syaoran cried out as he was effectively 'glomped' by the black haired girl. Before he could even try and break free, she had shot round behind him, clasped an arm around his neck, and used her free hand to ruffle his already messy hair.
"Heyo Syaoran! Bet you weren't expecting to see me anytime soon!" She grinned, not stopping her attack on his hair.
Waving his arms behind him, Syaoran grabbed a hold of the girl and pulled her round before him where she crossed her arms and looked him over.
"Gee Syaoran, you look like hell! Don't worry! I won't ask! I know you get a lot of bother."
Sakura stood confused at what the girl said, and tried to see around her to see Syaoran, but found that she couldn't.
'Who the heck is this girl?' She thought. 'And what's she saying about my Syaoran…wait, 'my'? What the hell am I thinking?' Brushing her thoughts aside, she continued to watch the pair.
"Now stop being rude and greet an old friend like you should! Before I go public with your e-mails!"
Syaoran sighed, running a hand through his hair to restore it to its original level of mess.
"Hey Mei-Ling, it's good to see you." He half-yawned. "When'd you get here?"
Mei-Ling smiled, and tossed one of her long pony-tails off her shoulder and behind her. The crimson eyed girl was clad in an equally crimson sleeveless dress that fell to her knees, and her sandals boosted her height enough to come up to Syaoran's nose.
"Last night. It's heart wrenching to be away from my beloved BF, but it's worth it to pick on you in person again! And to see your face when I tell you this very important news!"
Syaoran's eyebrow rose.
"What news?" He ventured to ask.
Various things flashed through his head. Along the lines of 'I'm pregnant. I'm engaged. I'm engaged and pregnant. I used to be a man. I used to be a man, and I'm now pregnant and engaged.' None of these scenarios's prepared him for what the awful news was though.
"Eriol's behind you."
Syaoran's face widened in horror, the exact reaction Mei-Ling had been dying to see. Before he could even turn around, an arm was slung about his shoulder and his hair was once more heavily ruffled.
"Well if it isn't my dear little cousin!" The blue haired boy smiled somewhat evilly. "Fancy meeting you here!"
Syaoran let out a large yell, which went along the lines of 'ARGH!' Whipping away from his glasses wearing cousin, Syaoran turned to face him.
"NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!"
Eriol smiled that evil, yet sincere looking, smile of his had his ruffled relative.
"Of course my dear little cousin, whatever you say."
"That's what you said last time he told you never to do that again." Mei-Ling said a grin on her face.
"And stop calling me 'little cousin!', you're only 3 days older than I am."
"Of course."
"And that's what you said last time he told you never to call him that again." Mei-Ling was almost bursting with laughter.
"My, my Syaoran." Eriol said, his voice half sincere, half mocking. "Loose a fight to your shadow did you?" His eyes glanced over the marks on his cousin's face.
"C'mon, we'll go back into the dojo and clean you up, Julie'll never know." Mei-Ling smiled.
Syaoran nodded, he really appreciated his friend keeping this quiet from his sister, and the three turned to go into the dojo. Sakura leaned further out from the corner, trying desperately to see Syaoran, wondering what was wrong with him. It was then that she lost her balance and fell onto the street with a large 'thud'.
"Sakura!" Syaoran cried after whirling around and seeing her sprawled out on the pavement, a klutzy grin on her face and waving sheepishly.
"Hey Syaoran I…" Looking up, she saw the bruises and cuts on Syaoran's face, in a flash she was on her feet and clutching at his face, causing him to go bright red, as she looked over his wounds more closely. "Syaoran! What happened to you!"
Syaoran, however, had effectively been reduced to a bubbling pile of goo, and was unable to get out any coherent words. Leaning into his ear, Mei-Ling whispered to him.
"I take it that this was the girl you e-mailed me about." She said, grinning broadly, causing Syaoran to go into an even deeper shade, and shut up completely.
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After a good half hour of Mei-Ling dabbing at Syaoran with various bits of make-up to clean and hide the bruises. During that time, Mei-Ling had managed to force what had happened from Syaoran (via threatening and attempting to break his arm). They were all currently sitting down on the mats in the dojo hall.
"So in the end, he came off worse than you?" Eriol asked.
Syaoran simply nodded in response.
"Way to go!" Mei-Ling cried. "I kept telling you to kick these guys asses!"
Syaoran didn't reply, he was still worried with what could happen if Mark went to the police or something, right and wrong weren't so straight forward now-a-days.
Sakura meanwhile had remained quite, a hand over her heart as she listened to Syaoran talk. Currently Mei-Ling was berating him about all the other times he should have done things like this. She remembered what he'd said the other day, why he never fought back, and knowing that this one time that he had fought was not because he was under attack, but because she had been threatened. He had been willing to risk everything for her.
'What is this…my chest feels tight…'
Breaking from her thoughts, Sakura found Syaoran crouched before her, shaking her shoulder lightly.
"Hey Sakura? You okay? We're going now."
Looking up at him and nodding, she accepted his help in getting up and together with Eriol and Mei-Ling, they left the dojo.
"So Eriol…You're Syaoran's cousin?" Sakura asked, breaking the forming silence.
"I certainly am." The dark haired boy smiled.
"Three times removed." Syaoran added, scowling lightly.
Sakura chuckled as she watched the two boys argue, Eriol maintaining his flamboyant nature all the way through.
"Tomoyo would really love him." She said to herself.
It was then a very cheerful and bouncy Tomoyo did appear from the seeming nowhere and suddenly wrapped her arms around Sakura's neck in an embrace so tight that Sakura rapidly began to turn blue.
"Excuse us please." She smiled and pulled Sakura off into a side-street while the other three stared at the spot they had been at in stark confusion.
As soon as they were out of sight and ear-shot, Tomoyo released Sakura from her death-grip, allowing the poor girl to breathe again.
"Tomoyo what are you…" The girl was cut off as Tomoyo placed a finger on her lips to silence her.
"Sakura! What did I tell you about hanging around with Li! It can only lead to trouble!" Tomoyo began to rant, arms flailing to add extra emphasis to every word.
"But Tomoyo…"
"I don't want to see you cut out and isolated just because your friends with him."
"Rather than leave him cut out and isolated from everyone because I'm not?" Sakura said with a sigh. "Tomoyo, he's a really great guy. Since I came here, a lot of the guys in school have been real perverted creeps, at my last school it was the same. But Syaoran…he's just…he's just so nice…he gets so much bother from everyone, he has every reason to hate people…but he doesn't…he…" Tomoyo once more cut her off by gently placing a finger over he lips, a knowing look on her face.
"I understand." She smiled. Looking around the corner, she spotted Syaoran and Eriol arguing, while Mei-Ling laughed at the pair. "I suppose you better get back to them then. I wouldn't want to keep you too long."
Sakura noticed Tomoyo's look as she began to stare at Eriol. In the space of time she had known Tomoyo, she had learned to read some of the different looks the girl could get. Such as that stary eyed look she got when she spotted some nice fabric, and would then enter a rant about how she could use it to make some amazing dress and how 'kawaii' one of her friends would look in it.
"You're welcome to come with us if you want. We were really just wandering around. Mei-Ling and Eriol came over to visit from China. At the moment they're really just catching up with Syaoran." Sakura said, a broad grin on her face.
Licking her lips, Tomoyo contemplated the idea.
"Well…I suppose it couldn't hurt…" She consented, her gaze constantly wondering up and down Eriol.
The two proceeded out from the side street and back to the group.
"Eriol, Mei-Ling, this is Tomoyo, a friend of mine from School."
Mei-Ling gave a cheery wave and a simple 'hi', while Eriol stepped forward and took Tomoyo's hand in his.
"A pleasure to meet you." He then bent down and kissed Tomoyo's hand, and Tomoyo's face had the natural reaction of going a very deep shade of red. "It is truly a privillage to meet one so beautiful as your self, and it makes my coming here all the more worthwhile."
At this point Tomoyo was drawing close to passing out from a mushy speech overload, her entire being had gone crimson and Sakura was sure that if Eriol's smile became more charming, the poor girl would melt.
"I don't know how he does it. He always seemed to have this kind of on-board mega-charm installed in his being." Mei-Ling grinned as they began walking again. Tomoyo had quite recovered and was now pointing out the various shops and places of interest in a rapid fire tour guide fashion, causing Eriol's head to spin rapidly.
"Over there's the shop where I buy all my sewing stuff, there's the local ice-rink, there's the cinema and…"
"Ooooh! A cinema! Let's go see a movie!" Mei-Ling cried, whipping around from her conversation with Sakura and accidentally smacking her in the face with her pony-tails.
It was agreed on and the 5-some headed to the complex and looked over the films. Deciding they were in the mood for a laugh, the picked 'Disney& Pixars (Me: Not owned by me) The Incredibles (Me: Awesome film, but again, not owned by me).' While the others were purchasing snacks, Sakura turned to Syaoran who had been quiet since Tomoyo had joined the group.
"Hey Syaoran, you okay? You've been really quiet." She asked with a deep concern.
Turning with a slight 'Hm' sound, Syaoran, looked down to the red carpeted, crushed popcorn and chewing gum stained floor.
"Sorry. It's just…I'm really uncomfortable in groups…I never have been…even with people I know…It's part of the reason I was picked on at first…" He went quite and rather red when Sakura linked her arm with his.
"Then just stick by me!" She smiled. "I'll talk for both of us!"
Syaoran couldn't help but grin at the cheerful girl and the two proceeded to catch up with the others as they went to get their seats. Only Mei-Ling noticed the linked arms, and as Syaoran walked by her whispered loud enough for only him to hear.
"Syaoran and Sakura sitting in a tree…K-I-S-S-I-N-G…"
Suffice to say, Syaoran went bright red and Mei-Ling had to stick a large gobstopper in her mouth to stop herself from laughing out loud.
The movie was very, very much loved by all. Although Syaoran often found it hard to pay attention, as Sakura had neglected to release her grip on his arm, so whenever something exciting happened, she would grip tighter on to it, something sentimental, and she would lean into him. When Tomoyo noticed what was happening and Syaoran's face, she whispered to Mei-Ling that she wished she was allowed her camera in the theatre, and Mei-Ling said if she had been, she would have wanted a copy of the pictures.
After the movie (and when Sakura realised she had held Syaoran's arm all the way through it, leading to at least 10-minutes of silent blushing from the girl) the group paid a visit to the restaurant that Syaoran and Sakura had been in the other day. Tomoyo couldn't believe that she never knew this place existed, and wouldn't stop saying that Syaoran looked very 'kawaii' when he was small. The ate and talked, Eriol seemed to be focusing all his charm and attention on Tomoyo (who was very receptive), meaning Syaoran received a break from Mei-Ling's looks and taunts while she focused on Eriol.
They proceeded to spend a period of the afternoon simply ambling around town giving out a more extended tour, until it came that they had wound up at the old dojo.
"So this is the place you guys mentioned…" Tomoyo whispered (okay, she doesn't need to whisper, but it's for atmosphere) as she entered the dark room. Then, like Sakura before her, she was in awe as the room became lit by candles and tapers, showing all the old relics.
"I must say little cousin, you've kept the place in very good condition. I'm impressed." Eriol smiled, receiving a 'humph' in reply.
It was then that a wicked smirk played on Mei-Ling face as she looked at the boys and around the room.
"Heeey Syaoran…Eriol…how about you give the girls here a demonstration of your talents."
Both boys turned to look at Mei-Ling, a confused look on Syaoran's face, and a somewhat scary smile on Eriol's.
"Oh, Syaoran showed me some of his techniques yesterday." Sakura said, blushing lightly as a blush crept on Syaoran's face at the same time.
"Ree-hee heally…" Mei-Ling chuckled, turning to her brown haired friend. "How about a little match then you two." She was beginning to resemble the Cheshire cat.
Before either could say anything, the two were pushed onto the mats. Eriol's glasses were snatched from his face, and they found their tops being pulled from their bodies by their enthusiastic, maniac friend.
"Taa daa!" She pronounced, turning to the girls. She happily noted that both had began to stare a bit at the well formed bodies of the boys. Guiding the pair into their seats, (as they were drawing close to the point of drooling) Mei-Ling proceeded to the other side of the mat and stood by the two combatants.
"Bow to me!" She called.
As if on reflex, both boys turned and bowed to Mei-Ling, their eyes fixed on her.
"Bow to each other."
They did, eyes on eyes.
"FIGHT!"
The two snapped into fighting posses. Syaoran using his unique 'Ying-Fa' style, and Eriol using basic Karate.
The two girls cheered on their chosen boy and enjoyed the fight. Syaoran faltered a bit as Eriol kept talking and trying to distract him.
"Come on my little cousin. Surely you've not gotten that sloppy?"
"Less talking more fighting!" Syaoran would cry in response, dash forward, and get tripped.
When the fight was done, and Mei-Ling scolded for not keeping track of the score so they'd know who had won, the group began to put out the lights to leave.
"Well Syaoran, at least now you have an excuse for the marks on your face." Eriol grinned as they finished up and headed outside. Upon opening the doors, they realised that the sky had turned very dark.
"Phweeeeeeeeeeee! I told my dad I'd be back before it got dark! I'm dead meat!" Sakura cried as she realised the state of the sky.
Syaoran turned to her, concern showing in his eyes. The last thing he wanted was to see Sakura in trouble.
"Look, I'll come back with you and tell your dad what happened, that way you shouldn't be in any bother okay?" Sakura smiled and thanked him. Tomoyo bid her goodbyes and headed off down the street, deciding to walk home.
"How about you two? Where are you staying?"
Mei-Ling found it very hard to stifle her laughter and Eriol grinned broadly.
"Oh dear little cousin. It seems I failed to inform you that we shall be staying with you during our visit, and that we shall be attending school with you."
It took both Mei-Ling and Sakura to prise Syaoran's hands from Eriol's neck and the four split up to go their separate ways. Mei-Ling and Eriol to Syaoran's house, and Sakura and Syaoran to Sakura's house.
"So how long will they be staying?" Sakura asked as they got a seat on the bus.
Syaoran suddenly sat up, stiff as a board, a look of horror on his face and Sakura could only laugh as she realised the indefinite time of his friend's visit.
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Me: YES! YES! I DID IT! I FINISHED THE 3000 WORD CHAPTER IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!
Kero: 3,121 words to be precise.
Me: w00t! Now no one will execute me for not writing! I hope you all enjoy it. And as a special Christmas treat, and something I hope to keep up from now on, I will respond to all the reviews from the previous chapter! (sorry if I miss any)
heykyral3 : 1: Violence isn't the answer to problems in life. And I didn't intend to write that scene there. But after what happened to me…damn if felt good.
2: Thanks for your concern. That matter is all settled now and I didn't go to jail. (seriously, cause he was 15 he got a warning, and cause witnesses said I struck him with a cardboard tube, and I'm 17 I faced an actual trial etc)
3: I have the same problem…only I need a girl.
4: ARGH! Okay, okay, you can put the knife down! As you obviously know now I wrote the chapter, so it's all okay…until your next review and death-threat to inspire me.
sweet-captor: Mine or Syaoran's?
AnimeluvaJK: Well, now you know what has happened and thanks for reading. I hope you liked this one two.
adi-chan: Don't worry, doing that melodrama thing is way to cliché and depressing. Thanks for the complements, I was hoping that my plot would be original. And I must say, you're one of the few people who opt to bribing me to write, instead of threatening my very existence.
lilacblu: Thanks for the advise, as you may notice, I've taken it.
lightdragon1987: I hope I've done him okay. I haven't actually read/seen much with Eriol in it, so I'm working off limited material (hell, I haven't even seen/read all of CCS…stupid lack of anime and manga…) Thanks for the sympathy and don't worry about spelling, it's poor grammar that really annoys me.
ccsbrat: Like Mulan? I'm no sure how…And thanks for calling my story kawaii.
Me: Well folks, Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Till I next move my lazy/busy ass to write.
Kero: Which may well be next Christmas…
Me: Be glad it's the season of good will. C'mon, this thing will be up on Christmas day. So that means we get party food.
Kero: Yeah, and your house gets filled with relatives!
Me: Yup.
Me and Kero: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Next chapter - Syaoran meets Sakura's father and brother...and some other stuff I haven't thought of yet.