Chapter Four:
"Syaoran" he heard a voice call.
Syaoran and his partner looked up, startled. Sure enough, standing in front of the main building to the college was Syaoran's cousin Meiling.
"What is it Meiling?" he asked, approaching her "we have five minutes to get to our next class."
"Fallen into the routine of college so early it seems" she teased, smiling slightly "you haven't been calling lately. I have been sent to make sure that you're still alive."
Syaoran sighed; most likely the commander wanted a talk with him and Eriol. Meiling had been in the FBI, but had quit a year ago to get married.
"Red!" a voice called cheerfully.
Syaoran watched in amazement as the new student Sakura hurtled through the courtyard to throw herself at his cousin.
"Sakura" Meiling said, delighted "what are you doing here?"
"I'm attending this college now, along with Tomoyo."
"How is our darling little designer?" Meiling asked fondly.
Sakura smiled brightly "she's fine. You've most likely heard of her new line."
"Of course, who hasn't heard of the Flower Maiden?" Meiling asked "how was the US?"
"Oh, it was fine."
"Are you living on campus?"
"I'm sharing a dorm with Tomoyo and a few others, more like an apartment; though we plan to be live at home with Toya over the weekends and vacation."
"Give me the address and I'll visit" Meiling said, smiling broadly "I might as well introduce you to my husband so that Toya will know that he's 'safe" both girls laughed at this comment.
"Are you married already, what about college?" Sakura asked.
"I've been married for about a year now. I graduated during the summer. We're going to be expecting a baby in eight months" she looked smug.
Horror and delight flew across Sakura's face "that's wonderful news, I'm so happy for you" she said, her voice sounded strange.
Meiling looked worried "I'm sorry Sakura" she apologized.
Sakura smiled sadly "you shouldn't be. Why don't you come by this weekend so that you can meet Hitomi again?"
"Hitomi?" Meiling appeared surprised.
"Yes, Hitomi Fa Kinomoto, Toya also adopted her, after father died" Sakura explained "she should be almost four now."
Meiling's expression became pained.
"Don't worry" Sakura smiled brightly "it's all in the past now. I'm back, aren't I? Anyway, shouldn't you talk to your cousin before he has to go to class" Sakura's face became that of horror "Hoe, I'm late!"
She rushed off.
Meiling chucked "she hasn't changed one bit" she said quietly.
"Why did she call you Red?" Eriol asked quietly. That had been Meiling's code name in the FBI.
"I told her to, it doesn't matter. She calls me that and Sparky."
"How did you meet her?" Syaoran asked.
"I met her and Tomoyo during the Mikani case, they were involved. We became friends. We lost contact when they left to the US" Meiling shrugged "I should go, or you'll be late."
Syaoran watched her leave "why do I have a feeling that she isn't telling us everything?" he asked.
"I agree" Eriol said, nodding.