I hope that was not a long wait. Anyway, I tried to make this chapter bigger. I think it will increase in size as we proceed with the story (hopefully). On with the story then.


Married?

by xArcherx

Chapter Two

It was the onset of winter – autumn having just died away. There was no sight of snow yet, but the cold breeze was familiar enough.

Toya stared at the empty streets, his eyes narrowed slightly. He could tell that this winter was going to be just as terrible as the last one. The dense air hid little.

"I would move away from the window if I were you." The gentle voice did not startle Toya in the least.

"Otou-san." Toya's eyes strayed to the sky outside.

"The cold wind will not do you good." Fujitaka leaned against the wall, eyeing his son keenly.

There was a pause. "I have experienced it before."

"Yukito called." Fujitaka changed the subject with tact. "He said he will return in an hour or so."

Toya grunted. "He'd better come back soon. The cold affects him too much."

His father made no reply as he joined his son in watching the sky. "This winter is going to be hard. But at least Sakura-chan won't be here to experience it."

The name affected Toya a lot more than he liked to show. Fujitaka did not miss the way his son's mouth pressed into a thin line or the way he clenched his fists. Toya grunted again while he tried to regain his composure. "Is something wrong, Toya?"

His assurance – that no, nothing was wrong – did little to quench Fujitaka's curiosity. Toya had been acting strangely for the past few days and Fujitaka had more than a hunch as to what it was about. He decided not to address the matter though, knowing that his son would take it badly. Toya was a proud young man and Fujitaka knew well enough that he hated to ask for advice. However, he could not help but wish Toya would admit how much he was worried about Sakura after all.

"Wouldn't you like to visit Sakura sometime?" Fujitaka smiled cheerfully. "I'm sure she would love to see you again although you annoy her so much."

This made Toya whirl around and look at his father in the eye. He tried to discern the strange light in his father's eyes. "I'm afraid this is not the right time." He deadpanned.

Fujitaka feigned bewilderment. "But it's been months since the wedding."

"Yes, Otou-san. But we should give them more time before we 'trespass on their hospitality' like Sakura says, don't you think?" Toya's dry smile did nothing to lighten the atmosphere.

Fujitaka was quick to note that Toya had called his sister by her name instead of the usual 'Kaijuu'. He let it slide though. "Hm, perhaps." He mused, knowing that he could say no more. "It's my turn to cook dinner. What would you like?"

"Anything is fine." Toya's eyes did not leave the sky as his father disappeared into the kitchen. His intense deep brown eyes narrowed even more as he watched the swirling movements of the clouds as they made their way to the east. Reflexively, Toya gripped the window sill and leaned outside, testing the wind.

"Otou-san was right." He muttered to himself as he drew back. "This winter is going to be hard. But at least Sakura isn't here to suffer along with us."

There was absolute silence save for the rustling of dried leaves as they were blown away by the wind. Toya lost himself in reading the sky again until the distant voice of Yukito calling brought him down to earth. "Really, Kaijuu," he mumbled, "did you honestly believe I wouldn't realise what is going on?"


"Will that be all, Mizuki-san?" Nakuru asked politely as she took back the file.

"Yes, Nakuru-san." Kaho Mizuki smiled gently at her secretary. "Oh, but, will you be so kind as to tell me what my next appointment is?"

"Of course." Nakuru quickly flipped through her notepad. "Originally, you had no appointment whatsoever until two in the afternoon. But I just received a call from Daidouji-sama who wants you in her office right away."

"Oh. Did she tell you why?" she asked, mildly befuddled.

Nakuru shook her head. "I do not know, Mizuki-san. She did say she wanted to discuss something of utmost importance with you, though." She added, as an afterthought.

"Did she sound worried?"

"Not at all." Nakuru shrugged. "You know Daidouji-sama, don't you Mizuki-san? She always sounds business-like. Only last week, she requested me to come to her office and I complied, thinking it was nothing important. And did you know what she did? She almost fired me! She told me she had spotted me in the office cafeteria during work hours. I had only gone there to have a cup of coffee. It wasn't like I was slacking or anything. But, Daidouji-sama! – she had to make it a big deal. I had to go down on my knees and apologize a hundred times before she agreed to let me stay!"

Kaho chuckled. "Oh yes, I know Daidouji-sama well enough."

"And I have this very distinct feeling, Mizuki-san that she was only talking to me about firing me because she was bored out of her mind and wanted to have some fun. I am certain she was trying hard not to laugh while I apologized persistently. Really, to think Daidouji-sama would resort to this!"

"Now, now Nakuru-san. Don't take it to heart. I'm sure Daidouji-sama was just trying to scare you, like you said. She knows how hard you work. Now if you will excuse me, I must be on my way." With a comforting pat on her secretary's shoulder, Kaho hurried away to the twentieth floor of the building, laughing at poor Nakura's plight.

She turned more sober, however, when she found herself standing outside Sonomi Daidouji's office. Kaho pondered what could have made Sonomi request to see her at her office immediately. Kaho was very rarely called to her office and during those rare occasions, her secretary always knew the reason behind Sonomi's request.

Nevertheless, Kaho rapped smartly on the door, and was immediately called inside. To her great surprise, she saw Sonomi pacing up and down her office agitatedly. She closed the door loudly behind her, causing Sonomi to stop her pacing and look up at her with worried eyes.

"What happened?" Kaho didn't bother to be polite. She had known Sonomi for a long time now.

The older woman motioned at the chair; Kaho did as she was told. She waited patiently as Sonomi took her seat and stared straight at her. There was something in her steady gaze that made Kaho uneasy. She repeated her question.

After a long gazing competition between the two women, Sonomi let out a sigh and leaned back in her chair. "There are a few reasons as to why I called you here." Her professional tone confused Kaho even more. "However, the matter of utmost importance, to me at least is..." Sonomi dropped all pretence as she whispered, "...Sakura."

Kaho's face betrayed no emotion. "Sakura? What about her?" Sonomi could tell she was just as worried as she was, deep inside.

"She..." Sonomi sighed again. "She is staying with my daughter at present."

The initial confusion that Kaho had had vanished completely to be replaced by comprehension. "I see. And Syaoran—"

"—is not with them." Sonomi finished it for her, nodding her head with her eyes closed. "What do you think that means?"

"It cannot be." Kaho declared with a firmness seldom seen in her. "We both know they are meant to be."

Sonomi looked desperate. "Yes, but—"

"Do not doubt the Elders' words, Sonomi." Kaho said gently; wisely. "It is not right."

Sonomi looked withdrawn as she said, "Very well. I understand."

Kaho smiled. "Will that be all Sonomi-san?"

"As a matter of fact," Sonomi began, regaining her professional tone. "there is something, or rather, someone..." she drifted off as she produced a large piece of thick paper. A photograph. Kaho leaned in, looking at the photo curiously. Sonomi tilted it so that she would have a better view. Kaho's eyes widened minutely and she almost let a gasp escape.

The photo revealed a handsome young man with dark, unmistakable blue hair and eyes of the same colour. He was bespectacled and was staring at something, an amused smile lighting up his already distinguishable features. He was a deathly pale – but it looked natural on him.

"Do you know him, Kaho?"

Sonomi's voice immediately made Kaho snap out of her amazement. She pretended to be confused and shook her head. Sonomi was an observant woman, but she had been wrapped up in her own worry to notice the slight change in Kaho's disposition. "I'm afraid I don't know who he is. He does look slightly familiar though."

"Is that so?" Sonomi stared at the picture.

Kaho knew the discussion was over. But she couldn't help asking, "Do you have any business with him?"

Sonomi looked at her oddly. The gaze made Kaho realise that she was not the only one keeping secrets. "You can put it that way. But it's very trivial. You may go now, Mizuki-san. I will call you again if I need you for anything."

Kaho took her leave, and made her way back to her office – all the while wondering about the photo. What was Sonomi doing with that photo? How did she get it? What business did she have with that man? Thoughts of Sakura were pushed to the back of her mind, unconsciously.

The young woman leaned back in her chair, the image of the smiling man still sharp and clear in her mind. Kaho sighed and opened her eyes. "Eriol Hiiragizawa..." she let out slowly. "What are you doing in my life again?"


He had to be dreaming this time.

It had come to him as a shock when his Mother had decided to pay him a little visit in his room, while he was still sleeping, a week ago. It came to him as even more of a shock when the last person he thought would like to see him stood by his door, waiting patiently for him to wake up.

It was Meiling Li. He was definitely dreaming this time. There was no doubt about that.

The last time he had seen her, she had run out of his house, crying miserably. After that, he didn't hear from her at all and his Mother had quietly told him that she had left for Japan. He had wanted to go after her – to ask for forgiveness, but he realised that it would only hurt her even more if she had to face him again.

He really couldn't understand why the dreams looked so real at times.

"Li-kun..." the hesitant tone and the way she spoke his name almost had him laughing. Meiling always called him 'Syaoran-kun' although he had never given her permission to do so. He had always been particular about how people called him. But Meiling was the only one righteous and bold enough to break the rule and get away with it.

"Li-kun?" it was a question this time and the tone was doubtful. "Are you awake yet?"

"What a bizarre dream..." he mumbled to himself as he opened his eyes wider and still found her standing by his door.

She took a step forward and hesitated. "Li-kun?" she said for the third time. "What did you say?"

The truth finally sank in when she reached out for him, but let her hand drop at the last moment. His eyes went wider than they already were. "M-Meiling?"

She nodded gravely. "I'm here. Is something wrong?"

His mouth refused to close. He swallowed hard and put a hand on his forehead, looking dazed. "Is-is it really you?"

She shot him a confused look and he saw a hint of the old Meiling again. "Of course, it's me."

He rubbed his eyes. "When did you get here?"

"Last night. Now if you will, Yelan-sama would like to see you." She turned away and made her way out of his room.

"No—wait, don't go!" he jumped out of his bed and called after her. She stopped and looked at him in surprise. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Just please, stay with me for a while."

She did not consent immediately but she didn't leave him alone either. The silence was awkward and he didn't know what to say to her. It had been months since he saw her – he hadn't even seen her at the wedding. She still looked the same though and that made him realise how much he had actually missed her.

"It's..." he cleared his throat in an attempt to make the lump in his throat go away. "...it's good to see you again, Meiling."

"Hm." She didn't look at him. "You look well, Li-kun."

It was then that it hit him; the reason why she seemed so different although she looked the same. She was acting different around him. She was being more formal, more polite, and less...boisterous.

Disconcerted, he made no reply. "Well then, Li-kun, I think you should meet Yelan-sama now. She seems highly disturbed and she wants you in her presence immediately. I would advise you to go to her soon." She gave him a quick bow. "I will take my leave now."

He watched her turn her back to him as she reached for the door. On an impulse, he caught her hand. She froze and waited motionlessly, wondering what he was up to. "I've missed you, Meiling." His voice was so tender, so gentle. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the warmth he was sending through her body. She knew what she was doing was not right, but she succumbed to the exhilarating feeling forming in the pit of her stomach. "I'm glad you're back."

He let her go, and she stepped away shakily. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, limply. Only he could make her feel this way.

Anybody could see she was still in love with him.


Thank you for reading. Reviews will be appreciated.