Thirty Kisses: Meilin Li and Touya Kinomoto

Written by: Ciuline Ihmenjo

Card Captor Sakura does not belong to me. The characters in Card Captor Sakura do not belong to me. CLAMP owns CCS. Besides, even if you do try and sue me, I have no money.

From Start…

This is what I call "cutting the deadline very close!" I just woke up, opened my laptop, pointed my finger at a theme, and TYPED! Here's the product of sleepy fiction writing. Hopefully it's not too bad. Again, you'll have to forgive my odd writing style, but I find First/second person best to write for Touya/Meilin. I wrote Twin Strangers in it and I continue to write Covered in Rain in it, so it kind of works out in the end. Oddly enough, chapter 1 of Twin Strangers as well as chapter 1 of Covered in Rain could easily be adapted as an "emergency kiss" if necessary, but I don't believe in copping out like that.

Anyhow, please enjoy!

Also, my apologies on the title, I really couldn't think of anything else!

o()o Where Minutes Turn to Eternity o()o

30 Kisses Theme: 10

It did not take me a very long time to realize the no one else was coming. I felt duped. Syaoran had insisted that we meet up tonight. It would be the first chance in a long time to get the old gang back together as classes and studying kept us mercilessly apart. He knew that I would need a break as late nights of studying were starting to get to me . After all, mother would never allow me to stay in Japan if the black sheep of the family could not send home excellent marks. Part of me wished to rebel, but I feared the consequences.

Suddenly, though, I had been placed into this rather awkward situation. Part of me was insulted while another part of me screamed in jubiliation. I looked over at the only other person who had shown up on time. It was surprising that you had even been invited along, but I felt color rise to me cheeks that was not because of the night chill. I felt as if I should be shy and quiet, but it was such a clash with my normal personality that I thought you may think something was up. I'm sure that Sakura was smiling at her rather cliche planning, but I didn't want to get irritated at the catalyst to this odd sort of social reaction.

You stood there, irritation clearly etched into your face as your pursed lips began to twitch at one corner. "I can't believe her," you muttered and slapped a hand against the nearest wall. It echoed with a pop that made me jump a little.

"They're only ten minutes late." I giggled, checking my watch. "Perhaps Sakura overslept?"

"I wouldn't put it past her," you muttered. "They said 10 o'clock for coffee."

"And it's only been ten minutes," I repeated firmly. "Why don't we just wait a little while longer?"

"Because the coffee shop is only open until midnight and I don't want to be dragging a bunch of sleep-drunk teenagers back to the house." You checked your own watch and settled back against a light post. Looking at me for a moment, you sigh. "Is the ga... your cousin usually late?"

My usual retort died on my lips as you had cut your insult short. "He's," I paused, trying to figure out what had suddenly changed in you, "usually on time. Though, that seems to be happenning less and less the longer he dates your sister."

"Don't remind me."

"That they're dating?"

You looked distant for a moment before coming back to the place where we are standing. "No, that they're becoming so alike."

"You say that almost like it's a good thing." I smiled, flashing teeth before settling myself on a nearby bench.

You chuckled, "If all they get from each other is poor timing and increased awkwardness, then I think we all may be in a little trouble."

"So you're finally supporting them?"

"I've been supporting them from the start," you said softly. "I've know this moment was coming for a long time." Your gaze becomes distant again.

"This moment?" I chewed on my lower lip, trying to interpret your exact words. "You mean them dating."

"No, I mean something else," you replied cryptically. "It's been twenty minutes," you say, checking your watch again, "are you sure they said ten o'clock?"

"I'm usually starting my nightly caffeine ritual at this moment, so I'm pretty sure it's correct."

"Caffeine... ritual...?" You eyed me with a bemused expression that I didn't like in the least. "Ah, to remember those days fondly..."

"It's not like I'm doing it because I want to!" I retorted.

You reached out and ruffle my hair. The action would have floored me in quite the literal sense were I not seated. I had to place my hands on the bench to keep from sliding out of it. "Just, don't forget to get some sleep. You'll begin looking like my sister, the panda."

A cough echoed from somewhere nearby and a sudden look flashed across your face. Scanning the crowd with your eyes, you continued to talk to me. "Do you think they'll actually show up?"

"No, not really," I replied with a sigh. "Perhaps we should be getting back."

"How about we go grab some coffee on our own?"

"Coffee?" I squeaked "The two of us?" Heat suddenly warmed me to the core. I looked away for a moment until my face decided to resume its normal color.

"Yes," you smiled warmly, extending a hand "shall we?"

I tried to reach out, but the bench feel so much more secure. I heard something that barely registered in the back of my mind. Something was rustling the bushes near by. Your eyes opened slightly as you watched me with the most curious expression. Lowering your voice to a whisper, you motioned toward the bushes with a slight tilt of your head. Grabbing me by the waist, you lifted me off the bench and close to your body. The scent of peach shampoo and some strange cologne wafts to my nostril. The scent seems to paralyze me. I tense up until you lower your mouth to my ear.

"They're over there, you know."

"How many?" I managed weakly.

"I think all of them." Your voice didn't even attempt to mask the mixture of both irritation and simple amusement.

"Just Sakura and Tomoyo and Syaoran?"

"No doubt they're filming this entire encounter." A mischievous expression passed over your face. "Shall we surprise them?"

"By...?"

"Doing this." You tilted my chin upwards with one hand and, gently supporting me, lowered your lips to mine. My eyes widened for the briefest of moments before I remember that people usually closed them as I remembered in all the movies I had ever seen.

A gasp and a hastily-ceased smattering of applause came from the suspected bush along with a chorus of shushing noises. I was too lost in the moment to even pretend to hear them. I could feel your body shaking with contained laughter as you tangled your fingers in my hair. I thanked the heavens that you hadn't released me because, for the moment, you were the only thing preventing me from collapsing. It seemed my legs had suddenly forgotten the correct and proper way to work. A heartbeat turned into seconds and my body finally remembered how to work. I rose to my tiptoes and leaned into you, pressing the kiss back with fervent passion.

"You know," I heard someone chuckle from behind me, "if you keep that up, one of you may pass out."

"Lay off! You're killing the mood!" another voice chimed in, followed by what sounds suspiciously like someone's palm connecting with the back of another someone's head.

Helpless sputtering is emerging from the mouth I assumed is my dear cousin while girlish squealing was the only thing coming from your sister.

I only close my eyes and snuggle further into your embrace, no longer caring about 10 o'clock coffee and late night caffeine excursions.

To finish...

I still hate every one of these whenever I finish them because they just sound so... I don't know... WaFFy. I think it just might be the utter departure from my usual angst that's causing this feeling of dread within me, but I'm sure I'll figure it all out eventually.