Chapter 5: Gathering Clouds

"So your sisters found out, huh?" Meiling said. She stroked her chin as she contemplated the fact. "That's gonna be tough. You sure they can keep it quiet?"

It was now four days after what Syaoran would consider the longest day of his life yet. So much had happened in that single day that the rest of the week had gone by in a flash by comparison. Throughout the week he had been unable to focus on much else but his mind of Sakura and how she was doing. The fact that his sisters had pestered him for details about her did not help in the slightest. Before he knew it, it was already Monday and he was back to his old school, in which his mother had arranged for him to enroll again. It was now here in lunchtime, where he sat in the school garden to have lunch with Meiling, who went to the same school. He had just finished catching her up to the events of that day.

Syaoran rolled his eyes. "You know how big their mouths are. I wouldn't trust them to keep a secret if my life depended on it." Meiling gave a chuckle at the deliberate irony in his words. "But they know what's at stake here. This isn't some normal gossip. Any chance of the Elders getting word of this could be trouble for our family, so they'll keep their lips sealed. Besides, my mother's a powerful motivator."

Meiling nodded. She didn't live with Yelan but the sorceress's reputation preceded her. "I still can't believe they managed to hide from your mother like that."

Syaoran shrugged. "It's amazing what they can do when they actually put their heads to it. Mother said she only sensed them right after they overheard me talking about Sakura, since their shock disturbed their magic for a moment and she felt it. Since they'd heard too much anyway, she played along until the very end. She told them she was impressed despite everything, and that she expected the same level of skill during their extra lessons." He recalled the dinner the day after his "long day". Yelan had finally given her punishments to the sisters. They would be confined to the house for one month with the exception of school, with no chance to hang out with friends, and their weekends were to be filled with magic lessons from her, which had earned groans around the table. Yelan had reminded them that since they were more than eager to show off their abilities the night before, surely they would not mind showing off to her again. Syaoran had felt the punishment was fair, but then thought of his mother who had to spend all that time with them. He had to wonder who the punishment was heavier on.

"Still, it's a good thing Aunt Yelan was so supportive, so you've got a pretty good start." Meiling added cheerily.

Syaoran nodded in agreement and smiled. Aside from his sisters finding out, the talk with his mother had gone surprisingly well. She was not angry as he thought she'd be about the Clow Cards, and was perhaps receptive of the idea of him returning to Tomoeda. He reminded himself not to get too excited. Aside from promising a chance to talk, his mother had made no mention of approving his relationship with Sakura or allowing him to stay in Tomoeda. That she was open to discussion however, was still a step forward.

"Yeah, that's one hurdle down. I'm not sure that the Elders will be that easy though." Syaoran added gloomily.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it", she assured him. Not wanting to dampen his spirits, Meiling decided to change the subject. "Anyway, how's it going with Kinomoto? Have you sent her a letter yet?" she asked expectantly, but frowned as Syaoran's bewildered reaction gave his answer.

"You haven't, have you?"

Syaoran thought back to the empty paper on his desk, one which he had wanted to write on couldn't find the words to. "I-It's not that I don't want to, you know. I just don't know what to say. I mean I know she accepts my feelings but she hasn't said anything about how she feels, so I don't want to say something that would trouble her. Besides she's probably busy. When I left Tomoeda they were still in the middle of tests. I took mine earlier to avoid any complications in transfer, but she's probably studying now. Also, before I left they were talking about for a coming festival in Tomoeda, so she's probably preparing for that too."

"Syaoran, it's a letter." Meiling said flatly. "By the time she receives it she'll be done with her tests, and they wouldn't give something too hard for an elementary school student to do for the festival. Just how busy is she going to be? You can't keep making excuses because you're afraid. Remember, she's accepted your feelings, and is probably waiting for your letter right now. Heck, for all we know, she could be writing one to you as we spea-" Meiling stopped short of completing her sentence as a realization occurred to her. She thought back to what Syaoran had said about his last meeting at the airport.

"Syaoran, you never gave her your address, did you?" she asked accusingly.

Syaoran could only respond in silence before meekly shaking his head.

Meiling's shoulders slumped. "I'm really going to have to walk you through this, aren't I?" she said while shaking her head. "Fine, then you're just going to have to start first. Just write to her, Syaoran. How hard can that be?"

Syaoran nodded in embarrassment. "Yeah, you're right," he said shamefully. Truth be told, he wished he was better at these sorts of things so he wouldn't have to rely on others. It had taken Tomoyo, a girl who shared his love for Sakura to get him to confess to that very same girl, and now here he was relying on Meiling, who was still in love with him, to make a move towards the girl he actually loved. But she was right. He had to make the effort.

"I'll finish the letter as soon as I get home." Syaoran said reassuringly.

Meiling smiled. "That's more like it." She was about to say something else when the bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break.

"Oh, come on, Syaoran! We have to go."

The next four days flew by quickly as Syaoran eased into his daily routine. During weekdays, he would wake up at 6a.m. and leave for school an hour later. The journey to his school was a half-hour and he would wait there for school to begin at 8. He would study until his classes ended at 3.p.m before returning home. After returning home, he would go to the garden to spar with Wei at 4.p.m. The old man had trained him in the basics of martial arts and sparring kept his skilss sharp, although he had to admit age was beginning to impede Wei. Syaoran sensed the old man wouldn't be able to keep doing this much longer, especially since his own skills were growing. After those sessions, he would study magic for another hour with his mother. These lessons were mostly theoretical in nature and Syaoran would be left to his trainers or his own devices to try them out, though she would expect Syaoran to demonstrate some spells occasionally. From early on, Syaoran's training was focused on becoming a warrior mage which meant his training focused more on the offensive use of magic in combat. While Wei had taught him the basics of martial arts, Syaoran had also been trained by several other trainers before he left for Tomoeda, members of the Li Clan who were warrior mages. They had drilled him advanced martial arts lessons such as fighting with weapons and taught him the use of magic in combat. Still, Yelan insisted he learned the inner workings behind magic so he understands the power he uses instead of simply using it as a weapon, and Syaoran didn't mind. Magic was always an interesting subject to him.

After the lessons ended, Syaoran would clean up and usually have some time before dinner. He used this time to read books in the mansion's library or catch up on whatever schoolwork he didn't finish that afternoon. He had tried doing both in the living room like he used to but his sisters couldn't resist pestering him about Sakura, so he stayed in the library or his room. Afterwards, he would eat dinner with his family and give updates to his mother. Each time, he would be expectant to hear if his mother had any news for him, but his mother never did. When they finished, he would retreat to his room where he would complete whatever schoolwork was left and review his notes from the lessons that day. Syaoran would always finish this before 9.p.m, after which he'd got to sleep and start the cycle again. This timetable was the one he had followed before he went to Tomoeda, and he found himself easily settling into it's familiarity despite being away for so long.

It was only on Friday that Syaoran was informed of the first change in his schedule and was reminded that things were not the same as his old days in Hong Kong. Before he left, Syaoran would have sessions practicing combat magic with his trainers over the weekend. However, his mother had made no mention of him continuing his training, and it was only the night before that his mother told him he would not have any for the week. She had also suddenly declared she would be gone for the weekend and refused to mention any details; just that she had important Clan errands to run. Syaoran and his sisters had said nothing, but a silent acknowledgement was shared between them that this had something to do with their current situation. He barely slept that night as he pondered this development. Yelan left early the next day, leaving her children to their own devices. Everyone was quick to go about their business, leaving Syaoran alone. Having a lot of free time was not something he was used to, and since he had finished his schoolwork, there wasn't much he could do. Burdened by his idleness, Syaoran wandered aimlessly throughout the mansion before he finally found himself sitting in the garden deep in thoughts of his current situation. He was only brought back to the world by Wei, who came by with a tray carrying a glass of iced tea.

"A drink, Master Xiaolang?" he offered.

"Yes, please. Thank you, Wei." Wei smiled in response. As the butler set the tray on the table beside him, Syaoran decided to ask about his worries.

"Wei, do you know what Mother is doing?"

"I cannot say, Master Xiaolang" he replied politely. "The Mistress has not told me of the nature of her departure."

"I see." Syaoran hadn't hoped for much. Yelan Li never spoke much to others, even to Wei, whom she has known since she was little. Still, he had hoped that Wei could shed some light into the situation. He leaned back to his chair and returned to his thoughts. Seeing the worry on his young charge's face, Wei took a seat beside him.

"You are worried about her." Wei stated. It wasn't a question, but Syaoran knew that Wei was inquiring him further.

"I am, though I guess in a way I'm worried about myself as well."

"You think this has something to do with your current situation."

Syaoran only huffed. "What else could it be? A week after my return she has to go away on Clan business. There's only one thing it could be."

Wei only nodded. Syaoran was smart enough to put two and two together. Trying to convince him otherwise would be pointless. Instead he ventured to find the source of the boy's worries.

"Are you worried that she will side with the Elders against you?" he inquired.

Syaoran shrugged in response. "Not really. I was worried about that when I arrived, but after our talk I know that she's not as upset as the Elders and I know she's only looking out for our family. It's just that…" Syaoran cut off mid-sentence and cast his eyes downwards to his hands. Despite the sudden silence, Wei didn't prod him to continue, knowing that Syaoran would speak in his own time.

"It's what Mother's going through now. She's in a difficult position and I was the one who put her there. This is all because of me, because of my mistake. I should be the one to take the blame for it, not her. I know she didn't say she blamed me, but I've failed her nonetheless, and she's the one out there fighting for us, while I'm just sitting here doing nothing." Syaoran clenched his fists shut with excessive force, causing his fingernails to dig into his palms. His hand trembled from the pressure. "I don't like feeling powerless. I wish there was something I can do."

Both of them stayed silent for a while in the midday sun. The morning was beginning to make way into noon and the sun began to shine brighter. A passing breeze filled the silence and offered a temporary relief from the sun. When it died down, Wei spoke up.

"Master Xiaolang, do you remember what the Mistress-your Mother said to you before you left for Japan?"

Syaoran looked at his guardian with confusion. He wasn't aware that Wei knew what his mother had said to him before they left. Nevertheless, he decided to comply, curious to see where his guardian was going with this line of conversation. He didn't have to work hard to remember; the memory was still in his mind even after all this time. His mother and sisters had come with him to see him off, and before he and Wei were about to board, she had taken him aside and spoken to him. He remembered how serious she had looked back then, which had made him more nervous.

"Xiaolang, you are about to face your greatest trial yet. This mission will demand the most out of your abilities and more. You will face countless obstacles. Use your head and remember your training to face them." He hadn't replied to her words then and only nodded silently, but nonetheless had made sure to note it in his mind.

"However, there are times when you will face new things, things that not even your training will prepare you for. When the unexpected happens and you find yourself in a situation where you don't know how to act, remember to always keep a clear mind. Do not let emotions get the better of you or it will bring about your downfall. But most importantly, at times of uncertainty, trust your heart. It will tell you the right thing to do."

At that moment, Syaoran had been unable to make sense of her words; he was to not get carried away by his emotions but at the same time use his heart, which was the center of all emotions. Syaoran had been about to ask her to elaborate when he he felt her arms wrap around him. To say that he had been surprised would be putting it mildly. His mother was never one for displays of affection and for her to do something so uncharacteristic in full view of people nonetheless stunned him. He had been unsure how to respond, and had just stoof stiff as she hugged him.

"You will understand when the time comes." Yelan had whispered. She let him go afterwards and said her goodbyes to him and Wei as they left for Japan. Afterwards, Syaoran had tried to heed her words, but had gone with the understanding that he was not to get carried away by his emotions. As a result, he constantly denied them, especially his feelings for Sakura when they started to rise, which only created more conflict within him. It was only that when he accepted his own feelings that he grasped the true meaning of his mother's advice and listened to his own heart.

Now, back in the garden, Syaoran relayed a concise version of the memory to Wei. "I remember. She said that I would face many difficulties during this mission, and to use my head when facing them, but to trust my heart when all else fails."

Wei nodded at the answer and replied with another question. "At any moment during that time, did she demand that you succeed in your mission and return home with the Clow Cards?"

Syaoran was puzzled at his butler's words. "No, but she doesn't need to, does she? Being entrusted with a mission means that you have to make sure it is successful." Wei smiled at his reaction. To someone as dedicated as Syaoran, fulfilling his duties came naturally even if no one told him to do it. It was one of the boy's strong points.

"True, but the mission to capture the Cards was one of high importance entrusted by the Elders themselves, and yet she did not stress the importance of it's success to you. She knew that if you failed, she would also have to answer for it, but she didn't emphasize the urgency to you." Wei gave him a questioning look. "Do you know why that is?"

"No I don't." Syaoran admitted. Completing his mission was always a given to him so the thought hadn't occurred to him at all, but he had to admit Wei had a point.

Seeing Syaoran's confusion, Wei continued. His tone was more serious now, and his relaxed appearance tensed up. "Master Xiaolang, I'm going to tell a secret. Your mother asked me to keep this from you back then, but I think it's time you knew." Intrigued by the sudden shift in the conversation, Syaoran put his full attention on the butler.

"When the Elders presented their decision to send you to capture the Clow Cards to your Mother, she was adamantly against it. It wasn't that she didn't have faith in your abilities, but they were not developed enough to justify sending you on a mission alone, especially something as important as the Clow Cards. She insisted that your training was far from finished and sure enough, you had a lot of difficulties during your time in Japan, did you not?" Syaoran nodded, not taking any offense in Wei's words. The mission to capture the Clow Cards had been more than demanding to both his body and magic, especially with his difficulty in using the Cards. There were times where his abilities just weren't enough and he was only able to pull through by working together with Sakura.

Seeing that the boy agreed with him, Wei continued. "Because of this, she insisted that the mission be done by a more experienced mage instead of a young one in training. But they were so eager in their haste to claim the Clow Cards that they wanted to send you after them, and in the end, there was little she could do against the decision, though I can assure you that she did her very best." Syaoran processed what he had learned just now. He had known his mother to be devoted to her duties to the Li Clan. It was a trait she had passed down to him. So for her to go against the Elders goes against the very idea, and that she would do that for him nonetheless. The idea baffled and touched him at the same time.

"So you see Master Xiaolang, you do not need to feel that this burden is wholly yours to bear, for it is also hers since the beginning. Even before we left, your Mother was prepared for the possibility of your failure, but she would gladly face the Elders for you anyway, because she will always fight for what's best for you. She has done so since the day she brought you to this world. You are more important to her than any magic card or trinket. During our time in Tomoeda, she would often contact me to ask about you, your health and condition, how you were adapting to Japan, and countless other things. She would only ask about your mission after, as it was always secondary to her compared to your well-being. Even when you stopped contacting her because you were preoccupied with the magical disturbances, she still called me to find out if you were alright." Wei then broke into a grin and chuckled, which surprised Syaoran. "Forgive me, Master Xiaolang. Recalling these events brought forth some amusing memories. I must admit I had some fun giving her teasing hints when your affections started coming into play." Wei chuckled mischievously at Syaoran as the latter tried to protest but could only reply in a blender of garbled words. He finally gave up on talking and stayed quiet looking down, a pink blush now tainting his cheeks.

Wei smiled as he felt tension leave Syaoran. He let the boy have a moment to wind down before continuing on the subject. "Do not feel that she blames you, Master Xiaolang. You've done your best and that's all she could ever ask for. She does not condemn you in anyway, but happy that you've returned to her even if she does not show it. And more importantly, she's seen how you've grown as a person and couldn't be more proud of you."

Syaoran stared at the butler. He didn't know how much he had needed to hear those words until now. Even as they entered his ears, Syaoran felt relief course through him. His mother did not consider him a failure. He wondered how he ever came to believe that and realized he must have projected his own insecurities to her. He thought he had known his mother, but Wei's story had offered him a whole new perspective.

"Thank you, Wei. I needed that." Syaoran said gratefully. His guardian, he found, often knew the right things to say or do at a situation. Wei accepted his gratitude and excused himself to continue his duties, leaving Syaoran alone in the midday sun, whose rays were beginning to dehydrate him. He grabbed the cold glass and emptied it with several gulps. The cold liquid soothed his thirst and he enjoyed the sensation, all the while pondering now what to do with the rest of his time. He was still worried about his mother, but sitting around moping wouldn't do anyone any good. His mind then wondered to the blank paper in his desk, and the increasing pile of crumpled drafts in the bin below it. It was time to finish his letter.

Wei watched as Syaoran enter the mansion. The boy, unaware of the eyes watching him, had a determined and happy look on his face, a look Wei had seen all too often when he was thinking of her. The cloud that had been hanging over him was gone, at least for now, which gave Wei a slight relief. Over the course of watching the boy grow, he was familiar when his young charge's brooding expression, a face he had seen all too often. It was an unfitting look for his age, and yet often found itself at home in the young face. Wei could hardly blame him, considering the young boy's upbringing. Having been born with strong latent magic even by the Clan's standards meant that a lot of expectations were set on him. From early in his life, Syaoran had been thrust into a myriad of responsibilities and obligations at an age when a child is still struggling to learn the world around him, let alone the intricacies of magic. As a result, Syaoran had grown cold and distant from others, only ever focusing on his duties. Wei was grateful that the time they spent in Tomoeda had changed him for the better. He had learnt the importance of forming good relationships with others and found something else to live for besides the expectations of his Elders.

Still, Wei couldn't erase the worry in his mind. Syaoran's duties as a member of the Li Clan had always been a large part of his life. Now he had failed them, and Wei knew that it was affecting him and would continue to do so for the weeks to come. Not for the first time, Wei promised to himself he would always be there to offer his support for Syaoran in whatever hardships he faced. The old man turned his gaze in the direction of the city and beyond, and thought of another was also fighting for Syaoran's sake. He gazed long and hard at the cityscape, as if trying to send his concern to her.

'Be well, Mistress Yelan.'

Yelan Li stood at the center of the dimly lit room. Around her, a platform surrounded her front. The platform bent at four angles, dividing it into five sides. Behind each side sat an Elder whose features were obscured by the shadows. What light was there was mostly cast onto her, putting her on the spotlight both literally and figuratively. It was a deliberate move meant to intimidate the subject and make them look menacing, but Yelan was able to see through it just as she was able to see and identify each individual Elder even through the darkness. The light shone down upon the floor, where a large writing of letter 'Li' was bordered by a large red octagon. Standing perfectly in the middle, Yelan Li bowed politely towards the figure in front of her.

"Head Sorceress of Hong Kong, Yelan Li, answering your summons."

"Welcome," replied the thundering voice of the Head Elder. "We're glad that you could join us."