Dedicated To: Chris, for being there even when I let him down. Chris and Tiff forever. Love you guys!
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.
Chapter Sixteen: The Fifth Bell
"Please fasten your safety belts. We are preparing to land in the Hong Kong Airport. Thank you for flying Asian International," a woman's voice came over the P.A. system above them.
Sakura, Meiling, and Tomoyo had been telling each other what they knew about themselves during the flight. But now Meiling and Tomoyo were out like a light. Sakura stared out the window as they neared the airport. She couldn't get her mind off the boy they were going to go see.
When the flight attendant's voice came over the PA system Sakura jerked out of her daze. "Come on guys, wake up," she said as she shook each of them lightly. Tomoyo stretched and the bell around her throat jingled, causing the girls to yawn again.
"Are we almost there?" Meiling asked groggily. The flight attendant told everyone to prepare for landing over the PA system. "Oh," Meiling muttered and sat up in her seat. Sakura looked out the window as the plane neared the runway. The plane touched down and the passengers were jostled around lightly.
When the plane came to a complete stop at the gate everyone gathered their belongings and shuffled forward. Sakura, Meiling, and Tomoyo hurried off the plane and over to the rental car stations. Tomoyo got a car under her fashion company's name and the three girls hustled out to the car. They piled in and pulled out of the airport parking lot.
"So, Meiling, how do we get to Syaoran? And after that, how do we get a meeting with him?" Tomoyo asked as she drove. Sakura watched them from the backseat with the luggage that wouldn't fit in the trunk. Tomoyo had a point. Syaoran Li was the next leader in line for the Clan. They couldn't just waltz up and expect an audience with him.
"Not a problem. Aunty Yelan expects me home around the same time Syaoran returned so she knows I'm coming. She called me to tell me that I'd better get home soon. And there's plenty of rooms in her mansion. And Syaoran lives there too, so we'll see him around," Meiling explained. Tomoyo nodded as she lapsed into silence and Sakura just looked out the window. Oh.
Tomoyo pulled up in front of the large mansion Meiling had told them about. "You sure this is the right one?" Tomoyo asked as she gazed up at the old building in awe.
Meiling walked up to the gate. "Hi! I'm Meiling LI and Aunty Yelan is expecting me," Meiling said into the speaker. The gate opened in reply and the girls got back into the car. A woman with long black hair came down the front steps as Tomoyo drove them to the door.
"My dear, Meiling, welcome home. Who are your friends?" the woman said. Meiling curtsied and Tomoyo and Sakura followed suit.
"Aunty Yelan, please meet Tomoyo Daidouji and Sakura Kinomoto. Guys, this is Yelan Li, Syaoran's mother," Meiling introduced. Yelan's eyes widened and turned to Sakura when Meiling said her name.
"Dear child, I knew your parents. Amazing people. How are you?" she asked. Sakura nodded.
"I'm fine thank you. Do you think we could meet with Syaoran Li please?" Sakura responded. Yelan looked taken aback.
"Of course, dear. He's training right now. Just follow me," Yelan said. Sakura walked next to her while Tomoyo and Meiling followed together. "Do you know about him, Sakura?" Yelan asked.
"No, I lost my memories too. We have clues; they're why we're here," Sakura explained. Yelan shook her head.
"Not about him as a person. Him and you," she said. Sakura shook her head curiously. "You two are engaged. It was decided before your birth." Sakura didn't say anything but her mind was racing.
They reached Syaoran's training room as he was finishing up his workout. "Syaoran, Meiling and her friends from Japan are here. Come meet them," Yelan said. Her son emerged from his training room in pants, no shirt, and a towel hanging around his neck. His chestnut hair clumped around his eyes, matted by sweat.
"Meiling," he nodded to her.
"Syaoran, these are my friends. This is Tomoyo Daidouji and Sakura Kinomoto," Meiling introduced. He turned and nodded to each respectively but his eyes didn't leave Sakura's face.
"Green eyes…" he muttered. Sakura's fingers slipped around her locket. "Sakura doesn't your name mean cherry blossoms?" he asked. Sakura nodded.
"Do you think we knew each other?" Sakura asked. "Because I lost my memories too." Syaoran nodded his head.
"I think we were great friends. All of us," he said turning back to face Meiling and Tomoyo as well.
"Mom, I think these people know who I am. Can I go with them and try to rediscover who I am?" Syaoran asked as he turned to Yelan. She nodded carefully.
"Be cautious. Whatever erased your memories may still be a threat," she warned. The four kids nodded and started to exit the mansion.
"I have to change really fast. Wait right here," Syaoran instructed as he climbed the spiral staircase in the entry way. He walked into his room and grabbed something clean to wear. Then he picked up a necklace with a small charm on if off his dresser. The small cherry blossom pendant hung limply in front of his face. "My Ying Fa. My Cherry Blossom. My Sakura."