Syoaron ignored the biting wind gnawing at his flesh. He could no longer feel his toes, and the piercing numbness climbed at a steadily increasing rate up along his ankles, towards his knees, and then proceeded up to his thighs. The same numbness travel through his fingers, up his arms and neck. He fought with all his might to ignore everything within himself that screamed at him to stop. One more…was the one conscious thought that Syoaron could carry. One more…he sharply inhaled.

Eriol watched his friend push himself even further then he had ever gone before. He let out a small sigh, he watch the vapors of his breath carry up into the air. Syoaron had gone nuts, Eriol thought sadly. Even with these depressing thoughts Eriol stood patiently in the snow with an extra blanket in hand for Syoaron when he passed out.

Syoaron had been like this for the last couple of days, he was driven, by what no one in this house was really sure. Everyone claimed it was because of the upcoming visit of the Chang Clan elders in the next two weeks, but no one dared ask Li if that really was the case. However, for some strange reason Eriol had the funniest feeling it was about a girl. Though he laughed at the thought, it still stuck within his mind. Along with why Syoaron was pushing himself so hard.

Time does not matter here…

Syoaron just didn't get it. He allowed his mind to wander and instantly began to question everything about Sakura. Was she a ghost? No, then she would be able to talk to him everywhere, not just the park. It was only in the park. She was alone, she had told him. Maybe she died there and her spirit was trapped there? Or maybe she just didn't want to leave?

This thought brought upon a whole new series of questions. Why wouldn't she want to leave? Why was it the park? What she murdered? Raped? Maybe her body was still lost there, buried beneath the dirt? Did she have a family that was wondering what had happened to her? Then Syoaron began to ponder about his family. Why hadn't he told them? Even Eriol? Were they not friends? Why was it this secret that he kept? Did he like keeping her a secret? To an extent he did, but why? Why did he like keeping her a secret? He liked having someone away from the situation to talk to. But why?

Sometimes you don't know that you don't want the answers to the questions you seek...

Syoaron then felt a biting warmth burn into his flesh as Sakura's words echoed within his head. He had stopped, he was not sure as to when but he just stood there in the falling snow. He turned his head about and saw Eriol right beside him. "Come on, before you freeze to death." Eriol informed him quietly as he led Syoaron back to the house. Neither of them said anything more. The only question plaguing both of the young men was: Why?

Meiling left her post at the window and went in search of Yelan. She had been watching Syoaron the entire time he was outside, she even watched him as he just began to slow and them completely stopped for five minutes, with a blank stare on his face. It was as if he were searching for some answer within his head. Meiling had grown seriously worried about Syoaron, she felt he was drifting even further then before away from her.

Rounding one of the last corners before Yelan's study Meiling took a deep breath and attempted to sort out everything she wished to say before knocking on the door.

She had lived in this house all her life, and had loved Syoaron for all of her life as well. She knew it was up to her to give him an heir, and to be strong like him and be obediently there by his side, but how could she do that when all he seemed to do was run away from her?

Meiling sadly sighed and let her head drop. If only she had magical powers like Li and his family. Then maybe he wouldn't find her so useless. Was there anyway for her to obtain magic abilities by some other means?

Again Meiling sighed; of course there was no way.

"Meiling are you going to come in or not?" Yelan called out lightly from behind the door. It startled Meiling for only a moment, but she composed herself quickly and made her way inside.

"You need not worry about Syoaron, Meiling." Yelan started as she rose from her large oak desk, just as Meiling had entered and closed the door behind her. The room was large plain, only a large oak desk furnished the study, which was brilliantly lighted by the natural light from outside.

"What do you mean?" Meiling asked instantly.

Yelan gently smiled at Meiling, the young women she cherished like a daughter. "My son is finally finding his path. I have not seen him so alive in years." She stated in a glowing manner as she walked over to the window. "Do you see?" She gestured for Meiling to come and join her.

Both women witnessed as Syoaron and Eriol walked along the grounds back into the house taking their time so that Syoaron's body temp would slowly return back to normal. "They look like friends." She stated, "He has never allowed Eriol to physically help him, he has never allowed anyone."

"But he's pushing me away." Meiling stated sadly and boldly. Yelan gave a small frown.

"He has come to dinner the last few nights has he not?" Yelan questioned, though it was more of a statement rather.

"He seems distant." Meiling replied, "He is gone more so then before." She said sadly.

"You mean he doesn't take you with him anymore." Yelan stated. Meiling did not respond. "My son for the first time in years left this house and did not inform me of his destination or time of return. And he came back whole, and in light spirits. He is alive again Meiling. As the leader of the Li Clan he needs to have that part of him that died with his father come back to him." Yelan reported, her tone saddening towards the end.

Meiling's eye grew big at the mention of the former leader. "Syoaron will be a good leader Yelan." Meiling informed Yelan.

"He is the image of his father, I know he will." Yelan said quietly into the window.

It was then that Meiling felt a little better, not having any of her worries solved but knowing that Syoaron was finally making his mother proud and not worried, brought up Meiling spirits. I will help you be an even better leader Syoaron, and I will make you happy Meiling promised herself as she bowed and left Yelan to her thoughts.

Li tore through website after website. It was late evening; he had skipped dinner and continued to stare at each news article over the last 50-years for any possible murder or deaths within the park.

So far nothing.

A knock came at the door. "Come in." Syoaron replied without a thought as he scrolled down the page and then quickly minimized it off the screen.

"Syoaron?" A timid female voice called to him, it was Meiling she barely had cracked the door open. Syoaron peaked his head up from the monitor and gave her a lonely tired look. "I brought you some tea, I figured you still might need some warming up after today." Meiling drew more courage after her words and ventured further into the room. Meiling had calmed since her talk with Yelan, she was worried about losing Syoaron but maybe all she really needed was to back off a bit, see the good changes that Yelan was seeing, at least for tonight.

Surprisingly enough Syoaron gave her a small smile and accepted the tea. He did not say a word of gratitude but bowed his head in thanks. This made Meiling's small smile grow wide. "Are you feeling better?" Meiling asked him in a calm voice, she was now standing next to him, her eyes locked onto his.

Syoaron gave a small shrug, "I guess."

Meiling smiled, "You should get some rest, you still don't have all your color back in your face." She stated as she bent down and kissed his forehead.

Bedazzled by her actions Syoaron just stared dumbly at Meiling's retreating form as she left the room, what had come over her? Syoaron though curiously as he watched the door close behind her. Women. Was all he could think of as he scratched the top of his head.

Once he new she was gone he brought back up the websites he had previously been looking at since Meiling's entrance. Typing in a new search for Kinomoto Sakura.

The room was dark, but none of the gentlemen required much light to see one another. There was a musky stench to the air, and all was quiet, until one of the elderly gentlemen broke the silence.

"So we are all in agreement then?" he spoke in a slow old tone. The rest of the elders looked amongst themselves and nodded.

"Tomorrow Syoaron's test shall begin." Another elder spoke out, his words calm and bold. They all once again nodded in agreement.

"Do you think he is ready?" The first elder question lightly. They all looked about each other, searching for the answer within themselves.

"With the impending danger we all have foreseen, we must all hope and pray that he is." The second elder spoke wisely and sadly; it was as if they were all baring the same thought as he spoke.

Author's Rant: Yeah! I love this story and am glad that I have finally discovered some free time to write! I hope you guys liked this chapter, sorry it was so short. And that there was no Syoaron/Sakura moments at all. Some are asking where Sakura is, all will be revealed in do time so be patient. Next chapter I promise. And another member of the gang is sure to be joining us next chapter! I look foreword to it!