Chapter 11: Back at the Li mansion (Part 1)

"She has become obsessed with this whole idea," Tomoyo grumbled as she paced around the room. I nodded but didn't say anything.

"I don't think she's even interested in him anymore. She just can't stand you, of all people, actually beating her to a guy. And so she's coming up with these elaborate schemes just to satisfy her inflated ego."

I mumbled something which I hoped sounded like I was agreeing.

"You know, it's really not fair to you or Syaoran. God! I can't believe she's actually my sister."

"Hmmm..."

She stopped her pacing to stare at me. And all you are doing about it is sit on your bed and stare out of the window."

I sat up in irritation. "So what do you suppose I should do?"

Tomoyo looked at me carefully. "I have a plan. And it just might work- if you help," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What plan?"

"Tonight we enter Meiling's room, quietly, and..."

"And?"

"...and kill her..."

I rolled my eyes. "Great 'plan', Tomoyo, couldn't have come up with a better one myself."

She smiled & shrugged. "Well, I see no other way to stop Meiling's date with Li Syaoran."

"I don't think she'll try anything, after all her previous attempts never really worked."

"Oh please Sakura, this is Meiling we are talking about. She'll stoop to anything."

I flopped back onto the bed. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

Tomoyo resumed her pacing and narrowed her eyes, as if thinking of some war strategy. "But we'll never get to know what she's actually planning, unless we actually get to see it."

I frowned. "You mean you want to spy on her?"

She suddenly stopped pacing and widened her eyes. "Of course! I've got it. Mrs. Li!"

"Mrs. Li? What...?" was all I could speak before she ran out of the room.

"Sakura, we're going to the Li mansion tomorrow at 5, same time when Meiling is." I turned my attention away from the T.V. to look at an excited Tomoyo. I blinked.

"What? We can't just barge in there and start spying on them."

"No we can't. And we aren't. We've got an invitation from Li Yelan, "she said triumphantly.

I stared. "Li Yelan? Li Yelan has called us to spy on Meiling?"

She laughed. "No you silly girl. Do you remember- during that dinner, Mrs. Li had said that she wanted to see my designs? Well, I called her up and told her that I was ready to show them to her. And guess what! She agreed, saying that I could bring them in anytime. So now we're going tomorrow to see what that sister of ours is planning."

I thought about what she had said. "But you would be busy showing Mrs. Li the designs..."

"Exactly, I will be busy. You won't. You can just make some excuse that you want to check out the library or something- those two are bound to be there- and if things go too much out of control- well you know what I mean- just walk right in."

I gulped at the evil glint in Tomoyo's eyes. "No Tomoyo. No way. You can't expect me to spy on them. It's just too low, and it's too...too Meiling..."

"Sakura, come on..."

"No, Tomoyo. I'm not going to do it. And when I say no, I mean no."

"Please come in young ladies. Mistress is waiting for you," Mr Wei led us into the elaborately decorated living room of the Li mansion. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll inform her of your arrival." he said before disappearing through a door.

I sighed as I sat down on the sofa and glanced at Tomoyo's grinning face and the designs in her hand. I couldn't believe I had actually agreed to this! Spying on Meiling & Syaoran- and that too with Kero. Tomoyo had insisted that I bring him along for moral support. Easy for her to say. She wasn't the one doing the spying. 'This plan is going to end in disaster' I thought, looking down at my pet cat.

I noticed something brown sticking out of his mouth. "Kero! Not again. Why can't you leave that thing alone?" I sighed in exasperation.

Tomoyo looked at me. "What?"

"He's got that stuffed bear along with him." I muttered.

She giggled. "You mean the one that helps you find your 'perfect match'? Eriol's bear, isn't it?"

I felt my cheeks going pink. "Yeah, whatever. He said that was all nonsense anyway." I said, trying to brush the matter aside.

"You know, maybe it's a good sign. It could be your lucky charm."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't tell me you believe in all that junk."

Before she could answer, Mr. Wei entered the room and bowed. "Young ladies, mistress has said she would like to meet you in her work room." We stood up. "Please follow me."

He led us up a staircase and into another room whose wall were pinned up with all kinds of dress designs. In the centre of the room sat Li Yelan and two of her daughters- Xiefa and Fei-Mei, who seemed to be busy sifting through sketches of various dresses.

Yelan looked up at us and smiled. "Ah Tomoyo, and –er-"

"Sakura." I said, feeling a bit hurt- she didn't even remember my name.

"Oh yes- Sakura..." she said. "Your other sister came few minutes back- what's her name- Megami?"

"Meiling." Tomoyo answered, grinning, and I felt slightly better- she didn't remember Meiling's name either.

"Yes, Meiling," Mrs. Li frowned. "Quite a coincidence that she & Xiao Lang ended up as partners for an assignment."

Fei-Mei was smirking. "It's a surprise really, he's never called a girl over to the mansion before. I wonder what's going on..."

I felt my heart sink on hearing that- was he actually interested in her? But he had said...

"Fei-Mei, concentrate on your work." Yelan said scowling. She obviously didn't approve of her son & Meiling together. Well, at least we had one thing in common.

"Where are Fan-Ren & Fuutie?" Tomoyo asked.

"They've gone to the mall. That's where they always go every Saturday." Xiefa replied.

"And empty half of mom's bank account." Fei-Mei giggled.

Yelan raised an eyebrow at them, and then turned to Tomoyo with a smile. "So let's see your designs."

She eagerly handed the file to her. "Well this is just the summer wear collection."

"They are beautiful." Yelan said, and Tomoyo glowed. "For someone your age, you are indeed very talented."

Tomoyo smiled and then looked at me with a knowing glance. "Umm...Mrs. Li..."

"Yelan, call me Yelan..."

"Uh- Yelan- er I was wondering if Sakura could use your library. You see even we have to do an assignment, so..."

"Sure," Yelan smiled and then turned to me. "Go ahead Sakura. Xiao Lang & your sister are already there."

I walked towards what I remembered as the general direction of the library, Kero trotting behind me. I had a very bad feeling about this whole plan of Tomoyo. Part of me was itching to find out what Meiling was up to and the other part was dreading what I would see or hear.

I was quite close to the library when I started hearing faint voices. I stopped dead- that had to be Meiling and Syaoran. I craned my ears trying to hear what they were talking...