Chapter 3: Renewed Purpose

Syaoran was powerless as Meiling pulled his hand forcing him to follow her. She was walking in a hurried pace, a stern expression on her face, and Syaoran struggled to keep himself walking with the pull she exerted on him. It didn't help that the leg she had kicked was still throbbing in pain. He was sure that his shin would be sore for a while and would probably be bruised. He had voiced his protest, asking Meiling where she was taking him. She had replied curtly, saying that she wanted somewhere they could talk in private. It was after heading up a flight of stairs that Syaoran realized they were heading to his room. When they finally reached the room, she had looked for any signs of people that could overhear them. What they were about to discuss required privacy. Seeing no signs of another person, she finally locked the door behind her and let out a tired sigh as she leaned to it. Her outburst had taken a lot out of her. That however, did not mean that she was too tired to be mad at the boy in the room with her.

"Alright Meiling, we're alone now." Syaoran spoke. "Now what did you want to talk to me about?"

The topic brought her new strength, and she approached Syaoran her fire was already returning. She began hitting him repeatedly in the arm as he raised it to block her swings.

"You IDIOT!" she screamed before abruptly lowering her volume. She did not want cause a commotion that would draw people to their conversation. "How can you leave without getting her reply?!" she hissed. "The whole point of confessing your feelings to someone is to see if they return them. And you just left without getting an answer from her?! Without even saying goodbye?! How can you let her go like that?! You can't be that dense!"

Syaoran had to pause for a moment to realize what she was talking about. He then recalled their last phone call in Tomoeda before he left for Hong Kong. He had told Meiling he confessed to Sakura but was leaving without hearing her reply, and had told Meiling he was content with letting her know. Meiling had protested but he promptly hung up on her. She must've been frustrated with him all this time, waiting for him to come home just to lay it on him. However, Meiling was unaware of what had transpired afterwards.

"Wait!" Syaoran whispered, opening his palms to visually signal Meiling to stop. She reluctantly complied, but her fists were still in a position to resume her assault if necessary. "It's okay! Sakura came to see me at the airport."

Meiling processed the words for a second before she lit up, her angry expression replaced by a smiling one. "She did?! She met you at the airport?! That's great!" She shook him back and forth as her eyes began to light up. "Ohh, it must've been so romantic! The girl meeting the boy just before he left, confessing her feelings before they were apart, promising to return to each other. You know, you're lucky Kinomoto had the sense to reply to you before you left. Guess she's not as dense as I thought", Meiling finished with a smirk.

"Well, she uh- didn't reply to me. Not exactly anyway", Syaoran said while scratching the back of his head.

Meiling's happy expression turned sour. "What do you mean, not exactly?" she asked him.

Syaoran was now lost for words. "Um-Well, she asked for the bear, and she uh- asked that if I would be back, so it's okay now, I guess?" he finished lamely.

Meiling narrowed her gaze on her cousin. Nothing he just said had made any sense to her. With a firm expression, she finally spoke " Syaoran. Tell me what happened."

Syaoran let out a sigh and set at the edge of his bed. "Well-"

Earlier that day, Tomoeda Airport

"Why?" The words fell out of his mouth and hung in the air between them. He stared at the girl before him. She was wearing a pink dress with long sleeves with a cross decorated on her collar. Her star key dangled from her necklace and swung back and forth as she panted, her run through the airport having evidently tired her. Her hair was without it's usual pigtails, instead held back by a red band. And her eyes, those emerald eyes, were staring at him intently. She was here. The girl who was Clow's selected heir. The girl he loved.

The girl he could never be with.

"Um, I-", Sakura began but immediately stopped, as if unsure of her own words, or what she wanted to say. "Um" she managed before breaking eye contact with him and staring at the floor. Syaoran instinctively mirrored her movements. Thoughts were now racing through his mind. He had planned on leaving as quietly as possible, assuring himself that letting her know had been enough. From the way she had acted around him since he confessed, Syaoran didn't want to trouble her more than he already had, especially now that he would have to face his family regarding his failure. He was prepared to leave her behind and move on. And yet here she was, in front of him, racing to meet him before he left. Seeing her there made him want to drop his bag and just stay with her, but he knew that wasn't possible.

Syaoran was driven out of his thoughts by Wei calling him. "Syaoran-sama, please take this", said the old man, gesturing to something he held on his hands. Syaoran followed the gesture and gasped in shock. The bear he had made, the one that he had planned on giving her someday, the one he had left behind when he told himself that he could never be with her. He slowly took the bear in his hands, holding it as if it was something fragile. What was he supposed to do now? He knew what giving the bear to her meant, but he didn't want to burden her with his feelings. He had resigned to the fact that he cannot be with her. Surely she wouldn't accept-

"That bear... can I have it?"

Syaoran broke out of his thoughts and stared at the girl in front of him. He had heard the words spoken in her soft voice, but couldn't believe it. Those were the words he least expected coming from her. And yet, even as he stared at her in shock, her expression did not change. Sakura was smiling at him, her cheeks flushed red. Her expression was gentle yet firm, holding the same resolve he had seen in her countless times and finally bringing him to the answer of why she was here.

She accepted his feelings.

The realization hit him hard, and Syaoran found himself smiling. As he slowly approached her and she did the same, his legs felt so light he wasn't sure if they were moving by his command or on their own. He extended his hand to offer her the bear as she did likewise to accept it. For a moment, their hands touched, and Syaoran could feel a surge like electricity emanating from the brief contact before their hands parted. He watched as she hugged the bear close to her, embracing it preciously.

"Thank you", she whispered.

"No" he replied, "Thank you."

Sakura blushed at his words, but kept her eyes on him. "I'll be sure to take care of him."

"I'm sure you will."

She smiled before looking away from him. Syaoran watched in puzzlement as she seemed to be contemplating something before she finally looked at him again, looking flustered. Her blush had gone to a deeper shade of red.

"U-Um Syaoran-kun…" she trailed off.

"Yes?" His cheeks were now matching hers in color. She wasn't going to say what he thought she would, would she?

"U-Um about you that is, I…" she hugged the bear tighter, as if to squeeze out the words she wanted to say. "I-"

"Calling all passengers: Flight AF653 to Hong Kong is now boarding. Repeat. Flight AF653 to Hong Kong is now boarding."

The announcer brought Syaoran back to reality, and he silently cursed the monotone female voice for it. He needed to go now, or he would miss his flight. He hurriedly reached for his bag. Wei was already ahead of him, reaching the boarding area.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. That's my flight. I have to go"

"But I-", Sakura started to speak but Syaoran was already running towards the boarding area. As much as he wanted to stay, missing this flight would have grave consequences for him. He was picking up his pace when he suddenly heard her shouting his name.

"Syaoran-kun!"

Syaoran stopped despite himself, looking back at the girl behind him. Her face momentarily showed longing and sadness before casting a hopeful smile at him.

"I'll see you again, right?"

Syaoran froze at the words. He wanted to see her again more than anything. Even the idea of parting from her now was unbearable. And yet, he knew the obstacles he would face. He would have to convince his family, and if he failed, they could just as well prevent him from coming back. He looked back at her figure, the girl who changed his life.

"You can count on it", he said, smiling as confidently as he could. Her face lit up at the reply even as he started running towards the boarding area. As he was nearing the gate, he heard her shout from faraway.

"See you later, Syaoran-kun!"

Syaoran smiled at her, but as he turned away his face took on a dark expression.

"Unbelievable." Meiling uttered after Syaoran had finished recounting his story. His cousin rubbed her fingers over her eyes. "She went to see you off but didn't confess in time?"

Syaoran merely shrugged in response. "It's okay, she already accepted the bear, so I know she accepts my-"

"IT'S NOT OKAY!" Her eyes were lit up in flames now.

"Calm down, Meiling. People can here you", Syaoran said, trying to ease her temper. 'Why is she so angry about this anyway?' he thought.

Meiling just barely contained her volume. "Gods, I can't believe you two! She's an idiot! You're an idiot! You're both idiots!"

That got Syaoran riled up. He stood from his bed and glared at her. "Leave Sakura out of this, she's done nothing wrong". His tone was steady but firm, the anger within them clear.

Meiling paused for a moment, startled by her cousin's rising anger. Her expression of shock was short-lived however, and her face once again settled on a heated expression. He was angry? Good. She was furious. "No, you know what? You're right! She isn't an idiot. She's just criminally naïve. So naïve she didn't know how close she came to losing you forever. If she had known, maybe she wouldn't have wasted her time stumbling over her own words!"

Syaoran clenched his fists. He was losing his temper. "What are you talking abou-"

"YOU WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE HER!" she shouted, her anger finally reaching it's peak. "You were gonna quietly disappear forever, satisfied just to be a passing friend. You weren't even brave enough to say goodbye to her face! Do you know how lucky you are that she showed up right as you were leaving?! That she even knew you were leaving?! I know she didn't hear it from you. Daidouji probably told her or something. And if it wasn't for Wei, you would've left the bear, your feelings, to die!" She was now in full heat, her expression radiating waves of fury. Crimson eyes gave Syaoran a fiery stare. Tears were pooling in them, a result of her passionate outburst. "You tell me that you found someone who you really care about, more than me or anyone else, and yet the minute an obstacle gets between you and her, you give up and hide, ready to disappear. If she meant even half as much you say she does, WHY DIDN'T YOU FIGHT FOR HER?!" Having finally reached the end of her anger, Meiling broke her stare and closed her eyes, the tears that had pooled in them staining the bottom of her eyes. She took slow deliberate breaths to calm her raging heart and emotions.

The room was silent for a while as Syaoran stood there, his body stiff. He was at a loss for words. The anger that had been rising in him disappeared the moment Meiling shouted those six words at him. They had hit him hard. The events of that afternoon suddenly took on a new light. Sakura had come to see him and he had been overjoyed, but in his euphoria he had glossed over how she had known he was leaving. That she had been informed in time and barely made it to meet him was a miracle. Syaoran sat down on the bed again, weighed by these sudden revelations. He had been that close to abandoning her, the person who gave him much more happiness than he had ever felt before. A part of him reasoned that he didn't want to burden her with his feelings, but he knew the real reason he had left; because he had been afraid. He was afraid of not being able to see her again. That fear had then cemented in his thoughts, turning itself to the belief that no matter what he did, he was never going to see her again. That his mother and the Elders were always going to be against it, and due to his family obligations, he would have to obey.

"You're right", Syaoran said, still in shock. "I was ready to abandon her. I told myself that someone like me didn't deserve her affection, that I wasn't worthy of her. But more than that, I was afraid, I am afraid. I don't want to lose her but I know that it isn't entirely up to me, that Mother or the Elders could just as easily prevent me from seeing her." He looked at his fists, clenching them so hard that they shook. He was shaking in fear, an alien feeling to him, and entirely unpleasant.

Meiling looked at her cousin, the boy she loved all her life even now, looking lost and confused. Syaoran was always strong in his eyes. For as long as she had known him he always had an unyielding strength and dedication on whatever task he was set on, whether it be magical training, martial arts or just normal schoolwork. She didn't like seeing him troubled like this but understood why he was feeling confused. The Li Clan would likely prevent him from being with Sakura, and he would have to go against them, his own family, to fight for that right. Syaoran had always considered his duties as a Li to be of high importance, and having to choose between them or her tore at him. However, he needed to be strong if he was going to face what was coming, and she would remind him of that. Meiling took a step towards him and knelt down in front of him. She put her hands on his shoulders and looked up at him. Syaoran looked back. She had a determined expression on her face, but no trace of the anger she had shown earlier.

"Syaoran, when you told me how you felt about Kinomoto I was heartbroken. I spent the night at Daidouji's house and cried the whole night. The boy I have loved my whole life, the one whose attention I've been trying so hard to have for as long as I remember, had his attention on someone else, a foreign girl, an outsider who didn't know him like I did and she didn't even have to work for it. It drove me crazy." Meiling paused for a while, wincing at the pain in her chest. The memory was a painful one, but she needed to get it off her mind. In a way, she needed to say this as much as he needed to hear it. After a deep breath, she continued, "But after I finally calmed down, I had a heart-to-heart talk with Daidouji. She told me about her own feelings for Kinomoto and how Kinomoto's happiness was her own. Then she showed me videos of your adventures, and I saw how being around her affected you. You seemed more different, more... alive from the Syaoran I knew. I realized then that she gave you something I could never give and that if you can return the favor, then I would be happy for you both." Her serious expression lightened up and she smirked. "Besides, as you well know it's impossible to hate Kinomoto once you get to know her." Meiling winked playfully at him and Syaoran smiled despite himself.

Meiling felt relief when she felt the tension leave his shoulders. She stood up, prompting him to stand up too. "And that is why I promised that I will do anything in my power to make sure you stay that way. I know you'll be facing a lot of challenges from here and I'll help you in any way I can. But in the end, this fight will be your own, and you have to have the resolve to see it through. I want you to be happy Syaoran, but you have to want to be happy." The words struck Syaoran and lit up a blaze within him even as she tightened her grip on his shoulders. "So say it for yourself, Li Syaoran. What do you want?"

Syaoran didn't hesitate. He had known the answer to that question for a long time now, but this will be the first time he would declare it out loud. He needed to say this to himself if he was gonna fight for it against those who would stand in his way. With newfound strength and fire in his heart he spoke confidently.

"I want to be with her."

Meiling broke into a grin as she saw the determination within his eyes. This was the Syaoran she knew. "Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" she said, letting go of his shoulders. "Honestly, we wouldn't have to go through all this if you weren't so thick-headed."

Syaoran gave her a gentle smile. "Thank you, Meiling", he said, pouring all the gratitude he had into those words.

"Just don't expect me to give you a pep talk every time", she said jokingly. "Now, I've taken up enough of your time. You probably want to clean up before dinner."

"Will you be joining us?" Syaoran asked.

Meiling shook her head. "Not this time. It's Mother's turn to cook, and you know how good her cooking is." She replied with a smile before taking a more serious tone. "Besides, you'll need the privacy tonight."

"I guess so." Syaoran replied grimly. The talk with his mother was inching closer by the second.

"Have you thought about what you're going to say to her?" Meiling inquired.

"Not really." Syaoran admitted. "I guess I'll just speak the truth and see where that leads." His mind rang bells at the sound of his own words. There were certain lies he was planning to tell in his testimony.

"Don't worry Syaoran, it'll be alright." she said reassuringly. "If you need me, I'll help. You know Father's pretty close with Aunt Yelan. I'm pretty sure I can convince him to soften her up if it comes down to it."

"Thanks, Meiling."

"Well, I'll be going. Tell me how it goes, okay?"

Syaoran nodded and watched as his cousin unlocked his bedroom door and closed it, leaving him standing there. He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. 5.20 p.m. He had less than two hours before dinner, after which he'll be facing his mother. The dread of anticipation filled his body, but he dismissed it. Now he had hope. He knew what he wanted and was prepared to fight tooth and nail for it. And he had an ally to help him. Even if Meiling couldn't do much to help him, the knowledge that he wasn't alone soothed him. He wasn't in as bad a position as he previously thought.

Syaoran turned to his luggage, which Wei had left on the corner of his room. He'd unpack later. Right now, he needed to shower. After which, he'll rest for a while before dinner. This day had been an eventful one, and it was far from over. He needed all the rest he could get.