Next up! I am having fun jerking Yuki around like a yo-yo! I'm sorry if i sound a bit maniacal about it, but Yuki has some hard knocks coming up and i really need him to be at that point where the whole world is against you... you know... depression mega-star coming up... he's a tragic hero, what can i say? But this story is based in humor, so look for it, cause it's there. enjoy
"I got a letter from Meilin this morning." Sakura shared with everyone as they sat at their desks.
"Yeah? What's up?" Kyo slid into his chair and turned to snatch the letter from Sakuras hand.
"She's coming for a visit." She smiled and let him read.
"What's this? She can't wait to see me again?" he looked over and raised his eyebrows.
"She liked you Kyo." Li nodded.
"She was always scowling at me."
"That's because she wasn't sure how to treat you. It was kind of confusing Kyo."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Who is Meilin?" Yuki asked as he set his notebook on top of his desk and pulled out a pencil.
"She is Li's fiancé…"
"Ex-fiancé." Li corrected Tomoyo.
"She came to school here for a while to help Li capture cards, but she went back when the fuss was over. When is she coming in?" she asked Li.
"Tomorrow."
"Oh! Fun!" Tomoyo clapped her hands. "Then the next day we can all get together and visit Yuki's brothers shop!"
Yuki froze in the act of hanging his book bag from the back of his chair.
"Umm…" he turned around and with wide eyes shook his head. "I don't think…"
"That would be fun! Last time I was there Ayame was so happy! I'm sure he would love to meet you all!" Tohru gushed along with Tomoyo. The girls linked hands and giggled. Sakura, on the sidelines of the conversation, noticed Yuki's panic.
"Don't worry Yuki, I'll keep an eye on them." Sakura could be flighty some of the time, but in the years since she'd finally gained mastery over her cards, the tensions and auras around her became more noticeable. Yuki was bright with fear. "It can't be that bad, its just a dress shop."
"Its my brother." Yuki hissed.
"He's not a murder or anything?" Li asked, like Sakura he couldn't help but feel Yuki's complete shut down of rational thought.
"No, he'd never hurt anyone…" Yuki trailed off.
"He's just afraid that everyone will come back looking like maids…" Kyo drawled with a smirk. "Not that I trust that Ayame with anything myself."
"Maids?" Li blinked.
"Kyo!" Li hissed.
But retribution was not in the cards. Eriol walked into the classroom, everyone sat down. Class began.
At lunch the group took their food to an old tree outside.
"I can't believe that no one else sits here." Uo looked up at the sheltering branches, "Its so peaceful out here."
Li looked over at the blond and nodded. "I think so too. We used to have a tree like this in our elementary school. No one ever intruded then either." Before he had gone to Tomoeda it was possible that every one had sat there at one time or another. But after he had shown up he decided to ward it, like he did to the one the group was currently under. Sakura had noticed the delicate lattice work involved and made sure that their friends were not affected. It was a nice blend of both their efforts. A cozy nest for those who would appritiate it.
"I feel strangely at home under this tree." Hana smiled gently, "as if it were protecting me." She leaned against the trunk and took a bit from her lunch.Though the others had noticed a tendency in the goth girl to scare off most people, Sakura, Tomoyo and Li all found the girl a stalwart warrior for Tohru, who hestitated to give offense in any situation.
"Yes, it is nice." Tohru agreed. Tomoyo looked over as Sakura, who leaned against Li. Both the magicians had secret smiles in their eyes. The lunch had been very quiet and peaceful, it was in the dark haired imp to be at peace in this kind of situation, but she felt a bit restless.
"Who is going to pick up Meilin at the airport?" Tomoyo asked, picking a piece of beef from her lunch as if it were more important than her question.
"Well, I have a club meeting." Li admitted, he'd found the concept of a magic club interesting. The flier had hinted at, ofall things, protection against outside forces. It had beenvery dry, not prone to exagerration that most "magic" clubs seemed to be, so he found himself signing up for in in spite of himself. "So Sakura said she'd go."
"She shouldn't go by herself. Sakura, Yuki and I will go with you." she took a sip from her juice box as Yuki blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, Sakura and I are girls. And Meilin will have a lot of baggage. We'll need help. You don't mind helping girls, do you Yuki?" Her innocent tone made Yuki flush. Knowing full well he couldn't be rude and refuse. And Tomoyo knew, since she'd asked earlier, that he didn't have any plans for the weekend and was free to help…
"No." he mumbled.
"Good!" Sakura smiled, "this will be so much fun Yuki! Trust me! You'll like Meilin!" there was no way they couldn't. She thought, from what she'd seen they were so much alike it was almost scary. Well, if you didn't count Meilin's frequent frustration with the world. But maybe Yuki needed something like that.
"Stop playing matchmaker." Li muttered in her ear.
"I'm not." Sakura leaned back against his chest, her mouth close to his ear, "Tomoyo is doing a fine job without me."
The bell rang, lunch was over, but the plans set forth in Tomoyo's twisted mind were just beginning.
