"Now the final test will be a test of courage, of faith, of a different kind. Then will he be worthy to inherit the Li Clan, even at his age-" Said a stern voice.
However, he was cut off with a pleading voice.
"I don't want my son to inherit the clan at such a young age!"
Retorted the woman, brandishing her Chinese fan, she could not, would not allow this. The idea was pure outrageous, her son had not even graduated yet, and all this pressure on him already? She'd try to reason with the Elders, not that she had continuously tried over the last week, when they had made the phone call, now it was seriously taking a toll on her patience.
"He is far too young. I don't want to have him burdened at such a young age." The woman continued. When she saw her Elders about to interrupt her she continued, with angry fires of rage in her eyes.
"For God's sake, he's a teenager! He still has to grow up, experience what every other normal teenager experiences." She continued bravely. "That's why I sent him to Japan, so he could grow up from all this!" She waved her hands around.
"I wanted him away from all this, this political life. He was still so tied up in all of it, when he was six! My son never enjoyed life, never smiled, and never laughed because you made it a living hell for him."
"Xiong didn't want this! He has to go through life normally, and then he will be prepared. He has to experience relationships, girls, school, and love! What every boy at his age goes through!"
"Yelen, Yelen, calm down Woman!" The elders shook their heads disbelievingly.
"We know what we are doing-" But once again, he got cut off.
"NO!" She shrieked, tears glistening in her eyes.
"No! You think you know what you are doing. Just like the time you knew what you were doing when it was time for Xiong to inherit! Of course you knew what you were doing! He was lead to his death because of you! I lost the man I loved so dearly, because you knew what you were doing!"
She lowered her voice, to a bare whisper, but they caught every word, and every word was let out as a hiss.
"You shattered my dream, my future, with the one I loved. I will never, ever forgive you. No matter how many times you remind me of my duty, I'll always think, always, of the life I could've had with Xiong. My girls, my only son, do you want them too? Because guess what? You'll never get to them, I love them too much. I won't let you near them."
Tears threatened to spill down her beautiful face, her whole body was shaking. She had avoided and had never talked about the touchy subject of her beloved husband's death.
"But, Yelen, we care about Xiao Lang, we"-
She stood up suddenly, leaving the Elders even more speechless. She paced the room, every step she took determination echoed her footsteps.
"You" She snarled. "Don't care about my son, unless in some way it concerns the clan, my clan. You don't have any personal interests in him, only for this clan. Did you even stop and think, for one second, if Meilin would ever agree to this?"
The elders stayed silent. This was too much. Yelen Li never lost her cool, she always was aware of how she treated the elders, with courtesy, manners and respect. Then she deliberately disobeyed the elders, she talked about her deceased husband. She almost cried, and she left them speechless.
"LI!"
One Elder stood up, silencing her. "Silence! We will continue on with this plan. It will work. Meilin will agree, the plan will work, he shall succeed, and Xiao Lang will become leader of this clan!"
Yelen gave him the infamous icy Li glare. Enough was enough.
"Meilin will not agree, the plan won't work, my son will have a choice, and he'll choose if he wants to head this clan." She picked up her things and headed towards the door. She stopped at the exit and faced them.
"My son will not end up with the same fate my husband was forced upon." She turned back towards the door and added quite strongly, "Not if I can help it."
Sakura held her handkerchief close to her face, her eyes glazed and puffy, from already crying so much. Right next to her, Tomoyo was doing the exact, her nose slightly red. To be honest, they both looked like Rudolf look-alikes.
Sakura sniffed into the tissue-
"And, I'll always, always love you. Your forever in my heart, you're the reason I live, it's you who turns my head every time to breathe-and now, your leaving this world already…WHY! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO YOURSELF! YOU WERE PLAYING RIGHT INTO HIROSHI'S PLAN…"
The beautiful blond continued to yell, until tears sprang into his eyes. "Why, did you do this to me, Salange? (Sal-anje) Why did you work you magic in the first place, why, why did you make me feel this way? This is your entire fault… I love you so, so much…"
"WWWWWWWAAAAAAAIIIIIII" Both the girls sobbed in unison, their waterworks triggered once more. They both sobbed in each others arms, clinging to each other, the popcorn falling from the bowl to the couch to the floor.
"BWAAAAAAA BWAAAAAAAAA-AAA-AAAA"
They both sniffed loudly into their tissues, silence devouring them until:
"WAAAAAAAAAAA-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-WA-AA-AA" They continued sobbing, un aware of the neighbors passing by, running past their house covering their ears, un aware of the birds which had previously occupied the Sakura trees had flown away out of irritation.
Finally, Tomoyo took action. She got up, determined and took out the DVD. She grabbed the nearest DVD within reach and put it into the DVD player. She went back to the couch, which was now indistinguishable due to the amount of popcorn and tissues.
Both the girls held their breaths as they awaited the next movie. They sighed in content relief as they saw the screen enlighten with blonde hair. 'Thank God, it's only legally blond…' They both thought.
They sat at the table, licking their spoons contently, cleaning their bowls of chocolate ice cream.
"You know, Sakura, we should be celebrating, I mean hello, WERE GOING TO HONG KONG!" Tomoyo yelled for the umpteenth time, while Sakura fell off her seat anime style. Oh, you wanna know what happened right…okay, uh flashback…
Uh…Flashback I guess…
Sakura dashed around the corner, and almost ran past the classroom where she was supposed to meet Syaoran. She threw open the door and almost tripped over when Syaoran caught her, again. He seemed to have developed a sixth sense and formed the characteristics of a chair every time Sakura fell.
"Gomen ne Syaoran" Said Sakura before getting off him and straightening, "And sorry I'm late…I was just-"She got cut off when Syaoran held his fingers to his mouth. He looked saddened about something. Sakura instantly went silent.
"Sakura, um, I-I'm going back, my mother called me back to Hong Kong yesterday…and I was just wondering…If you wanted to come with me…" He stopped as he looked up into the young woman's eyes.
"I mean, you don't have to, because I'll understand, and I don't want to pressure you or anything, and like I said it's ok because-" He was silenced as Sakura started laughing. He knew she didn't want to come with him, he shouldn't have asked in the first place.
"Of course I'll come, you dumb ass!" She smiled at him as he looked down at his feet.
"Oh, ok. I knew you never wanted to come any-WHAT! YAY!" He screamed joyfully. He hugged her, and then quickly pulled away, blushing.
"Do you think I'll just let you go while you live it up in Hong Kong? Tomoyo will be SO happy…" She saddened at the thought of leaving her best friend since forever, behind. Syaoran caught the sudden look of sadness and added…
"You can ask Tomoyo if she'd like to come too." He said as he looked into her eyes again.
Sakura looked up at him, awed at his generous act of kindness. "Are- re you sure?" When she saw him nod, she hugged him. "Syaoran, I love you, you're the best! Now, when are we leaving?"
Syaoran blushed at her compliment, 'Of course, she only meant it as a friend…'
End Flashback!
"Yeah I guess, well I told Dad and Touya, so they know-" Sakura was suddenly interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. Both of the girls looked fearfully at each other, and the nearest weapon, a wooden spoon.
Clutching it, they headed towards the door.
Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang!
Sakura hesitantly opened the door. She gasped as she saw who it was, she felt Tomoyo's jaw drop beside her. No way, what was he doing here, at this time? Didn't he know when to give up?
"Well hurry up, Kaiju, I'm freezing out here." Drawled the voice of
Touya Kinomoto, and Yukito was right behind him, as usual.
Should I end it here?
>
>
>
>
>
NAH!
Sakura didn't even take in the insult. She silently ushered him in, while he made himself at home. Mind you, he lived there too.
Without even considering what to say she asked, "Onii-chan, what in the name of fuck are you doing here?"
Touya nearly choked on the piece of doughnut he was eating. "Nice to see you too" He said sarcastically.
When he saw the serious look on her sister's face he added lazily, "Well I'm not going to let you go Hong King with that gaki by yourself, am I?"
Sakura's face fell. (Anime style). He came all the way here, so he-, oh man, Touya needed to know he's baby sister had grown up.
Touya walked over to the school gate with Sakura. "Well this is where I leave you, ka-juu" He said, stretching the last word immensely. Sakura's eye twitched as she stomped on his foot.
"An old dog never learns new tricks, ne Onii-chan?" She left before he had time to retort. As soon as she entered the school gates, she was attacked by the girls in her grade.
"OH MY GOD SAKURA! WHO WAS THE STUDMUFFIN!"
"HOLY SHIT, DO YOU KNOW HIM?"
"FUCKING HELL, HE'S HHOOTT!"
"WHAT'S HIS NUMBOR?"
"YOUR NOT DATING HIM, ARE YOU?"
"WHAT'S HIS NUMBOR?"
"FUCK, SHIT! WHAT A BABE!"
"WHAT'S HIS NUMBOR?"
Sakura was ready to burst in two ways. One, burst because she was practically pummeled, two, because she found it so funny because the girls in her grade were actually attracted to Touya, priceless.
"WHAT'S HIS NUMBOR?"
"You guys, SHUT UP! HE'S MY FUCKIN' BROTHER, OKAY!" She yelled, and they immediately silenced, all having staring contest with each other.
Suddenly a snide and icy voice interrupted the silence. "Ooh, the hot guy is your brother, Kinomoto? Someone like that is actually related to you?" Said Sarah snidely. "Well, introduce me sometime, Kay? I mean, he MUST get tired of waking up and seeing YOUR face-"
BAM!
Sarah recoiled, clutching her bleeding nose. Luckily, Sakura had remembered that great piece of advice from Touya.
'Always go for the nasal cartridge, it breaks easily, and always have your thumb on the outside, not tucked in your fist, otherwise you'll do damage to yourself.'
Well, what do you know, brothers are good for something.
The rest of year 12 were silently watching, most of them mentally cheering.
"Sarah, do the world a favor." Breathed Sakura, everyone could still here her though, and silently supporting her. "Shut your jaw and sit down coz no one likes a BITCH!"
Sarah just gasped, as the rest of year 12 clapped. Tears formed into her eyes. "I thought you guys were my friends!"
She saw the rest of year 12 walk away. "NO, come back. I control this school! You guys listen to ME! Wh-where are you going? COME BACK HERE!"
They walked away disgusted, shaking their heads. Only two people remained on the scene. Sakura stood rooted on the spot, feeling pity wash over her as she saw Sarah begin to shed tears. Syaoran stood there, so proud one of his best friends had finally stood up to Sarah.
Sakura stretched out her hand and offered it to Sarah. Sarah looked at it, considering her offer, until she finally took it and stood herself up. "Sorry." She whispered. Sakura was amazed; she never thought this day would come.
"You know," Sakura stared when Sarah let go of her hand. "You can still make things right, it's not too late." The girls smiled at each other, both knowing the beginning of a new friendship.
Sarah walked away, with intentions to set things straight. Sakura stared after her, when she felt an arm around her shoulders. She looked up and stared into Syaoran's face, controlling herself and fighting down a blush.
"Great job" he whispered into her ear. She shivered involuntary as she felt his breath against her ear. "Where did you learn to punch like that?" He asked out loud.
Sakura scoffed. "My brother, Touya. He knows martial arts, so he taught me a tiny bit. Just in case I got bullied, he thought it was the best way."
Syaoran laughed. "Oh great way of teaching someone to stand up to someone else. By teaching the kid to how throw a punch…"
"Passengers Boeing flight 67345JP to Hong Kong, please make your way to terminal 7 now. Passengers Boeing…"
Sakura clutched her best friends arm. "I'm so excited Tomoyo! Hong Kong!"
She turned to Syaoran and gave him a bear hug. She didn't notice the poor guy blush one thousand shades of red. She looked into his red face and smiled.
Touya growled in the background. Though he couldn't say anything because he's sister hugged him, not the other way around. Syaoran glanced around nervously behind him and saw Touya's eyes shooting sparks at him. A mental battle raged in their heads.
They showed their tickets and passports, and their tickets got fed through the reader and the lady handed back the tickets to them. Tomoyo and Sakura smiled happily to each other.
They entered the plane and the smiling captain greeted them. They showed them their tickets and he pointed the way they were meant to go. Tomoyo, Sakura and Syaoran were seated on the left aisle, and Touya and Yukito all the way on the right because they had got their tickets late.
Tomoyo headed towards the window seat, beating Sakura to it. Sakura sat next to Tomoyo, in the middle, while both the girls handed their handbags to Syaoran as he placed them in the luggage cab above them. He then sat down in his seat next to Sakura.
They talked through out the safety procedures the flight attendants were demonstrating; all three of them had been on a plane before.
As they set off for lift off, they waved their final goodbyes to Tomoeda Airport.
An hour into their flight, Tomoyo had already taken out her sketchbook and started designing Sakura's Chinese dress. Sakura was admiring her artistic skill when some soft chocolate brown hair tickled her chin.
She smiled as Tomoyo giggled, seeing Syaoran nod off on Sakura. Tomoyo looked at Sakura, holding her 'kawaii's' in. Finally she said, "AWW! Kawaii desu ne?"
Sakura couldn't help but agree. He looked adorable when he slept, especially on her shoulder. He looked as if he was a child who finally was tucked in by his mother after refusing to go to bed.
Tomoyo whipped out her camera, making sure no one was watching, and filmed them.
Sakura noticed the red light, smiled and held up a 'peace' sign.
"Syaoran, Syaoran, wake up." Whispered Sakura, prodding Syaoran gently. "Syaoran, come on wake up, food!" She stroked his nose, hoping to wake him up when he suddenly grabbed her hand and held it firmly.
"Sleep, need more sleep…" He muttered finally letting go of her hand and stretching his arms. He realized he was on Sakura's shoulder and raised his head, blushing.
"Sugoi, ne Tomoyo?" Said Sakura as a limo pulled up in front of them. An elderly butler stepped out from the limo, followed by a young chauffeur. "Welcome, Master Li, Miss Kinomoto, Mr. Kinomoto, Miss. Daidouji and Mr. Tsukishiro." In turn he either kissed or shook each precipitants hand.
In turn they followed Syaoran into his limo. Sakura noticed he was slightly nervous, fidgeting with his shirt, and zoned out of everything around him. Sakura watched the busy people of Shanghai bustle past. Wow, was that Shanghai Bank?
"Syaoran, is that Shanghai Bank?" She asked Syaoran, tapping his shoulder. He really seemed out of it. She shrugged and gasped when she looked up at the place they had stopped.
SAKURA POV
It. is. amazing. Syaoran's house, I mean mansion, no palace, is beautiful. It's a traditional Chinese Palace. And I'm staying here? NO way. I turned to Syaoran, poor guy seems nervous. I put my hand on his shoulder, and I asked him if he was alright. He turned pinkish, aw, kinda cute, but weird.
The nice butler, Wei let us out and escorted us to the grand and majestic doors. I still can't believe I'm staying here. Me, klutzy me!
(A/N: Sakura: ME? KLUTZY! NANI! Me: I don't care what you think, your still paying for the ornament vase you broke in my house….)
Syaoran extended a shaking hand and curled it on the door. He looked at me, his face pale.
I put my hand on his, I don't know why, maybe coz he looked so scared, and we turned the doorknob.
It opened and he leaned in and whispered to Tomoyo and me,
"Uh, just be careful ok?"
Okaayy, what was that about? He strode in and told everyone, but Wei to stay behind. Then Syaoran went up the wide, long, majestic, oak covered in gold carpet stairs.
I took the time to study my surroundings. I was nothing in short of awe. It was all gold, silver, marble, jewels. Syaoran lived in a place like this, and never told anyone about it?
There were statues of dragons, ancient artifacts such as swords and martial arts equipment. There were beautiful painted family portraits, showing generation after generation of the Li Clan.
END POV
Touya and Yukito went back outside, checking out the golden dancing dragon fountain, so Tomoyo and Sakura were alone. However, they weren't alone for long when…
THUD THUD THUD THUD
THUD THUD THUD THUD
THUD THUD THUD THUD
THUD THUD THUD THUD
They turned towards the loud sound, but it surrounded them everywhere. They heard running and turned towards the door. Four extremely hyped up girls were rushing towards them, worse then a stampede of elephants.
Tomoyo and Sakura instinctively moved closer together when the girls pounced on them. Yep, pounced. Whatever Tomoyo and Sakura were expecting, it wasn't this. They hugged them hard and yelled, "WWEELLCCOOMMEE!"
(A/N: -shudders-)
They let go, with starts in their eyes, assessing them. One girl, who they presumed to be the eldest, had long auburn hair with grey-blue eyes. She was wearing a blue Chinese dress and held her finger to her mouth, with stars in her eyes and said,
"They're so cute!" she said, while the rest replied "YAH" enthusiastically.
"They really suit you!" Said another with short auburn hair, amber eyes, and a green Chinese dress. She was still holding onto Tomoyo when another enthusiastic reply of "YAH!" came.
"NOT BAD!" Said another crazy sister, with long chocolate hair and dark brown eyes. She was clutching her face with her hands and was wearing a yellow Chinese dress. More "YAH!"
"You look good enough to eat!" Said another with shoulder length chocolate hair and blue eyes. She had a purple Chinese dress on and was clutching onto to Sakura. Yet again, more "YAH!".
They began rubbing and poking the girls, (A/N: Oh, don't be so hentai…) and yelling out kawaii constantly, Yup, they were defiantly worse then Tomoyo.
"Who do you suppose they are?" asked Tomoyo to Sakura quietly.
"I-I don't know…" But she had one sneaky suspicion, but she couldn't believe what she thought.
Touya and Yukito came in; too see what the commotion was about. The four sisters immediately let go of the now sore girls as they studied the boys.
"Hey, they're not bad either…" said one thoughtfully studying their attire.
"Not bad at all…" continued another, staring at the boys.
"There good…" whispered one loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
"Very good…" finished another, smiling.
It happened all too quickly for anyone to catch on. Let's replay, shall we?
-rewinds- -pause- -plays in slow motion-
The girls straightened up, cornering their targets mentally. They looked at each other then…
BAM! They had their hands all over the place. Heck, one was rubbing Touya's but, while another was stroking his cheek, one was playing with Yukito's arm, while the other was while the other was touching his face.
They just stood there, not sure what to do, when Syaoran entered.
"I told you to be careful…" He said as he smirked. He bought in a tray with Chinese tea.
Sakura noticed some red marks on his cheek; no doubt his sisters attacked him too.
"Uh, Syaoran, are they your sisters?" asked Sakura, glancing at the freaks.
"All four of them?" asked Tomoyo. Syaoran flopped down on the couch after placing the tray on the table. He looked tired and worn out.
"Yeah" was all he said as he closed his eyes.
"Hoe!" said Sakura, wow, that many sisters?
The door opened and everyone looked towards the door.
Syaoran's eyes widened. He hastily stood up, straight and tall, looking up.
The room was devoured in silence.
A most beautiful woman strode in. Yelan Li wore a simple, yet elegant white Chinese dress. Over on top she had white, with a bluish tinge, robe. The lining had ribbon going around it, and that was a maroon-blue colour. She had a tight blue sash going high around her waist. Attached to the sash were three brown, thin leather cords looping at the front and back. Attached to them were three large golden hoops, front and back, set apart. There was one the left side of her hip, one on the right side, and on ion the center. Joining the hoops, were beautiful sapphire jewels in a single chain. The same design was at the back of the belt too.
Her long black hair was tied up into a high ponytail. Not a hair was out of place, not a bump in sight. Her ponytail reached past her waist. Fastening the ponytail was gold, thick, metal, hair ornament. It looked like a wide wrist band in her hair. Coming out from the hair ornament were two curved rods. They were engraved with ancient Chinese symbols, and on each rod, had sapphire jeweled hanging off them.
Her face was beautiful. She had a beautifully pointed and pale face. Her lips were small, but red. Her eyes were mysteriously bluish, however sometimes black. Her eyebrows were perfect, a thin lines. This woman was just so breathtakingly beautiful.
Every step she took, demanded respect, every stride she took was determined. She was the core of poise, elegance, power, determination, grace and beauty.
Syaoran continued standing, as the silence stayed. She paralyzed everyone.
'She is so beautiful…'Thought Sakura.
Yelen stopped in front of as they bowed together.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Sakura Kinomoto, thank you for letting us stay here."
Yelen knelt down and cupped the Sakura's cheeks. Syaoran stared in astonishment. Yelan bent her face forwards and gave Sakura a soft kiss on the cheek. Sakura looked at Yelan, no one had kissed her like that, since…since her mother.
Everyone watched, their eyes as big as plates. Yelan spoke.
"Sakura KinomotoI sense a deep, strong and willful power within you. We shall be expecting great things from you."
Sakura just nodded. Her voice was stuck in her throat. Yelan continued, with her deep, feminine voice.
"Great power, may also serve as an opportunity for great hardship." Hmmm, Aristotle said that...
Sakura only again, nodded. Yelan was so smart, wise, and here she was telling Sakura she had the will to do something big.
Yelan turned towards her son, and strode towards him. She bent down and kissed him on the cheek as well. She whispered so only he could hear what she said, "She's a very pretty girl. You make sure you treat her well."
She continued, she knew no one heard what she had said to her son, for which she was greatful. She continued, in a clear and soothing voice.
"My son, you have been growing more powerful and stronger everyday, and more handsome then ever, just like your father. I am proud of raising Asia's most eligible bachelor. The Clan is very proud of you. I am proud of you. I am sure your father is also proud of you. The power to make decisions is in your hands. Always remember that."
She paused.
"Welcome back." Yelan said as she swept out of the room, leaving an astonished audience behind.
Gomen Ne, for leaving you like that, just the last few weeks of school, that's why I made it a 12 page chapter instead of my usual 8 pages. But gguueess wwhhaatt? It's my holidays now! And today's the first day, so I'll be updating MUCH sooner! So how did you like this chapter? It's my favorite so far, coz I love Yelan Li, I respect her so much.
She's one of my idols…even though she's anime…
I loved writing this chapter so much, did you like reading it?
Express your opinions, review. Love, Danni…
(Dya notice new pen name?)
(Xiong means, strong, powerful.)
(Wei means, big)