Chapter Six

Meet the Playful Scheming

Even if I love you,

Does it make a difference?

Even if you hate me,

Do you really care?

October 2019 – Tomoeda, Japan – Autumn vacation

The ceiling didn't really catch his eye, although he stared at it intensively. Meilin already slept soundly for hours, but he couldn't find any sleep at all. His thoughts drifted off to the auburn haired girl, who seemed to be completely different on the outside, then who she actually was deep inside.

She experienced a terrible past, or at least one year of her past, and she suffered extremely under it. He could understand that those events hunted her dreams and thoughts every day, since that cursed day when it all happened.

Even now, after...what, three, four years, she still had to remember it. Her brother was still overprotective, and she never got close to boys, scared of what would happen.

Then how was it possible that she was still this cheerful? That she still came up for all those students that were bullied? That she still befriended everyone so easily? That she pretended that it never happened? That hardly anyone knew about it? That she still walked alone through the city?

How was that possible?

But he couldn't think anything bad of it. It made him realize what he did wrong, why he couldn't handle his own problems.

He had always been cold towards most people, while Sakura managed to stay cheerful. He couldn't understand how she did that, but he did understand that there was a lot that he could learn from her.

If she had experienced that, and still could act like everything was normal, then why couldn't he? Sure, his past was not so nice, but it was way better than hers. So why? Was she that much stronger?

Or did he just act like a little kid? Just like Eriol always said?

A childish, spoiled brat.

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November 2019 – Tomoeda, Japan – Autumn vacation

Sakura fiddled with her thumbs, as she waited at the front door. The rain poured on her head, because she had forgotten her umbrella.

She had come an hour earlier than the others, so that she had a chance to talk to him, before the rest could bother them. Meilin went to Tomoyo this morning, and they would be back at one o'clock. Eriol had disappeared off to somewhere else, without actually mentioning where to.

When the door opened and she saw the familiar chestnut hair and amber eyes, she became even more nervous. Tomoyo had told her that she had apologized to him for her, and that after she told him about Sakura's past, they had left him alone to think about it. Even Meilin had left to her room, so no one knew how he really had responded to the story.

He looked surprised as he saw her standing in the doorway, an hour to early. Before he could say anything, Sakura already started in a whirl of words, hands clapped in front of her, head bowed down, eyes shut, as if she was expecting the worst, and didn't want to see it.

'I'm sorry! I'm sorry I yelled at you! I wasn't thinking clear, because you absolutely didn't deserve that! I don't know why I did that, I'm really sorry, I won't ever do that again, please don't hate me!'

Syaoran blinked his eyes once, twice, and opened the door entirely, so she could get in. She didn't notice however, because her eyes were still shut tight, so he softly grabbed her wrist and pulled her in the hallway, out of the rain.

She opened her eyes, and saw him fishing a towel out of the cleaned and folded laundry that stood there, ready to be taken upstairs. He spread it over her head, taking a few strands of her hair away from her eyes in the meantime. 'I don't hate you, Sakura. How can I possibly hate you?' He murmured the last part, and it escaped his mouth before he realized.

Sakura reached up with one hand, and slowly began to dry her hair with it. 'Are you still mad at me?'

Syaoran looked at her, and his glare had completely disappeared. 'Nah.' He took her jacket and hung it over the heater, so it could dry. 'Tomoyo already told me you didn't mean that.'

A small smile appeared on her lips, and she buried her face in the towel to dry it. It smelled like Syaoran...

'Besides, she told me about your... past. How can I still be mad after hearing that?'

'So, we're still friends?' Sakura asked hopefully, but wearily.

'Of course we are. You're not getting rid of me that easily.' His words soothed her, and somehow, she felt the urge to cry.

'That's a relief...' She half whispered it, tears threatened to spill again. Syaoran opened his arms and took her in a kind embrace, so she could cry on his shoulder. She gladly accepted it and held on to his shirt for more comfort. 'It'll be okay...' he whispered. His hand gently stroked her hair, and soon she felt the tears disappear.

'I-I'm sorry that I got angry with you yesterday.' Syaoran almost tripped over the words, because he hardly ever apologized to anyone at all. Somehow, he thought she deserved it, and it actually felt good to do so. She giggled in his shirt, and his back tingled because of it.

They let go of each other, and Sakura erased the last remains of tears with the towel. After that, Syaoran took it and went for the kitchen, followed by once more smiling Sakura. Sakura sat down at the kitchen table and soon after he put a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of her and sat down as well, a second cup in hand.

It took a while before one of them spoke.

'Syaoran?'

'Hm?'

'Do you feel sorry for me, now that you know about...?' She didn't finish her sentence, and looked down at the table again, unsure of what he would answer.

'Not really.' He replied simply, and he took another sip of his drink. When Sakura looked at him questionably, he continued. 'Sure, something terrible had happened, and you probably still suffer under it, but... you're strong, you keep smiling, so it is soon forgotten for others. I admire you for that, rather than feeling sorry for you.'

'Thank you.' Sakura said softly, not knowing what else to say. She wondered since when Syaoran began to be this open towards her. It had to be somewhere between when they officially befriended each other, and now, but she couldn't really recall the exact moment. Not that it really mattered... she rather liked this open Syaoran.

'I didn't even thank you yet for picking up Meilin, haven't I?' Syaoran suddenly asked as he put down his cup.

Sakura shrugged it off and took another sip. 'That's alright.'

'Thank you...' Syaoran said, while having the urge to fiddle with his thumbs. He felt a blush coming up, for not thanking her sooner. 'It must have been troublesome, to get up that early to pick up a complete stranger.'

'It's alright, really. I was late anyway.'

'Meilin told me you skated all the way from your house to the airport. I'm truly sorry I let you do that. I guess I wasn't thinking clearly when I asked you, because even I know that the busses don't have shifts that early and that you don't have a car.' He shifted in his seat. If he had known about her past, he wouldn't have asked her to pick Meilin up, especially that early. What was I thinking?

'It's really okay, Syaoran, Meilin took care of that. She ordered a taxi to drive us back home. Although I really think it was way too expensive...'

Syaoran's eyes bulged a bit. 'She let you pay?!' He really couldn't believe this. He did tell Meilin that Sakura didn't have that much money, didn't he?'

Sakura shook her head and waved with her hands. 'N-No, no! She paid for the both of us!' She stopped waving as the relief was visible on Syaoran's face. 'But that's the problem, I really didn't want her to pay for me, she is the guest.'

Now Syaoran shrugged. 'Oh, don't worry about that. She is filthy rich, and I don't even think that she pays this trip herself. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if my mother pays for it.'

Sakura looked wearily at him, wondering if his mother wouldn't question where the money disappeared off to, and if she thought it would be alright if it was spent on her. But before she could ask him, the door opened and Meilin came rushing in, her face red from lack of air... and anger. The rain had soaked her hair completely.

'XIAO-LANG!! ...' Meilin started to scream at him in Chinese, and Sakura could only understand his name, but had no idea why she yelled like this. Besides screaming, Meilin started to punch him, and Syaoran blocked, not able to say anything in between her punched and screams.

Sakura came in between, and grabbed Meilin's wrists, before they would hit Syaoran again. 'Meilin! Stop it, calm down!'

Meilin did calm down, turned around and sat grumpily at the kitchen table. She took Syaoran's hot chocolate, and drank it all in one big gulp, just to prove her point. Sakura looked strangely at Syaoran and they both sat down as well.

Sakura noticed that Syaoran tried his best to look surprised and hurt, but she did see a quick glimpse of a smile in his eyes. She wondered how he could smile, when his cousin was this angry. 'Meilin, please tell us calmly what's wrong.' Sakura begged her.

Meilin glared the famous scowl at Syaoran. 'I tell you what's wrong! He deliberately invited someone who I didn't want to be here.' She spat. 'Damn it, Syaoran! Why did you do that?' She asked as she buried her hands in her hair.

'I didn't invite him. If he came with Eriol, don't you think he invited him?' Syaoran asked her, and somehow sounded completely innocent. Sakura thought this was probably Ryu they were talking about, and then that would also mean that Syaoran faked his innocence.

'I didn't say he came with Eriol!' Her face became red again, and she looked accusingly at him.

'I know.' Syaoran answered calmly, without cringing. 'But I do know he invited him. About the same time you invited yourself to come over here. So I am completely innocent in this.'

'Damn you! You could have told me at least!' Now she buried her face in her hands. 'I don't want him to be here!' She whined. At that moment, of course, Eriol opened the kitchen door, with behind him, Tomoyo and another strange person. Eriol looked extremely happy, Tomoyo a bit bewildered and the stranger tried to hide a hurt expression.

Meilin gave a short yell and disappeared upstairs, to her temporary room, followed immediately by a worried Tomoyo.

Sakura looked up surprised and stood up to welcome the new guests, still a bit shocked of what just happened. What made Meilin so angry about this?

Eriol sat at the table, and Syaoran gave the stranger a friendly handshake with a smile on his face. 'Ryu, it's good to see you again.'

'Likewise, Xiao-Lang. It's been a while.' Ryu said as he gave Syaoran a friendly clap on the shoulder. Syaoran returned the gesture and they both smiled at each other.

As they let go, Syaoran went to get something to drink, and Sakura found this a good opportunity to introduce herself. 'Hi, I'm Kinomoto Sakura.' She said to him as she offered her hand. He looked rather handsome and stylish, and completely the type that would fit Meilin. He had black hair, and brown-green eyes, and he was taller than Eriol, but shorter than Syaoran.

He took her hand with a smile. 'I'm Hu Ryu, nice to meet you.' His voice had deep and gentle ring to it, but you could hear he'd used to talk business talk.

'Nice to meet you to.' They let go of each other's hands, and Sakura walked towards Syaoran. 'Now if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you guys alone and go see how Tomoyo is handling Meilin.' She grabbed the two cups of hot chocolate, which Syaoran had just made for Eriol and Ryu, muttered a soft 'Sorry for that' at the surprised Syaoran, and took them upstairs.

As soon as they couldn't hear her anymore, Ryu spoke as he sat down at the table. 'Seems like a nice girl. Is she you're new girlfriend?' The question was obviously directed at Syaoran, and Eriol hid his sniggers.

'No she isn't, she is just a friend.' Syaoran stated as he made two new drinks, again. He sat at the table and gave them to his staring friends. 'What?' He asked dumbfounded.

'Well, you seem like a cute couple to me.' Ryu muttered as he hid himself in his chocolate milk.

'Oh no.' Syaoran stated. 'That's not why you are here, my friend. You're not here to play matchmaker for me.'

Eriol looked at Ryu, and they both thought the same. He hadn't disagreed at Ryu's statement. 'Syaoran is right though.' Eriol said. 'He and I are the ones who can play matchmaking, not you. Well, not yet.'

Ryu sat straight in his chair, an accusing look on his face. 'What are you implying this time?'

His two friends only stared at him. A deep, deep stare, as if to say... you know what we mean...

'Oh, no.' Ryu shook his head, a red tint visible at his face. 'No, no way. Not a chance, uh, uh. Do you remember what happened last time?'

Eriol shrugged. 'We were having one hell of a good time.'

'It only made her think I hate her.' Ryu said defensively. That didn't sound like having fun to him.

'She still thinks that.' Syaoran added with a straight face.

'And what do you think will happen this time? Maybe this time she will end up hating me...' Ryu sounded really miserable.

'No way.' Syaoran and Eriol said at the same time. 'She likes you.' Eriol added.

'Even worse, she loves you.' Syaoran said.

'Although I can't understand why...'

'Meilin told me you were flirting again with the secretary's.'

'And that you never act normal around her.'

'And she still loves you.'

Ryu stared at his friends. He could have expected that he had to come here for this reason. 'Really... then why is she so upset that I am in the same country as her?'

'Because she still thinks you don't like her.' Eriol answered. 'But she does like you, so she just finds it a bit painful to be around you.'

'She told me, she can settle down without you, as soon as you find someone you actually love and when you will stay with that person.' Syaoran stood up and walked to the stairs, making sure the girls weren't listening.

'I even think she is willing to marry for the Li-families concern. I really don't want that to happen to our Meilin.' Eriol added with a sad tone.

'No way.' Ryu was shocked at this. 'She wouldn't do that.'

'Oh yes, she will.' Syaoran said and Eriol nodded in conclusion.

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Sakura came upstairs, and saw Tomoyo stood in front of the door, knocking it furiously. 'She locked you out?' Sakura whispered at her friend. Tomoyo nodded. 'Wait, I can help with that.' She gave the two cups to Tomoyo, went in Syaoran's room, and walked to the wall with the window.

'What are you doing?' Tomoyo whispered angry, although she took her time to see how Syaoran's room looked. The conclusion was simple: green.

Sakura waved at her to be silent, as she felt with one hand under the windowsill. After a moment, she retrieved a key, shoved Tomoyo outside the room and went to her old room, while whispering quickly. 'My dad hid a key there, so he wouldn't have to search if I had locked myself up or something like that. We never used it, so I thought that it might still be there.'

She unlocked the door, and shoved the key in her pocket. Tomoyo didn't know if she did that subconsciously, or on purpose. When she opened the door they spotted Meilin, pacing circles on the floor. With one look at each other, Tomoyo and Sakura entered the room and shut the door.

Meilin didn't say anything, nor did she look up or stopped pacing. This bugged her two friends enormously, and they decided to take the lead in the conversation.

'He is so cute!' Tomoyo exclaimed, stars in her eyes.

'Hey, I wanted to say that!' Sakura retorted with a fake pout. 'But he is really handsome. I wish I had someone like that!'

Meilin suddenly stopped immediately and looked at them with fierce ruby red eyes. 'Stop drawling, you both already have someone like that!'

'I have, haven't I?' Tomoyo muttered as she thought of her precious Eriol. Sakura looked behind her, wondering who she meant with 'both'.

'But at least now you're paying attention to us.' Sakura muttered, still trying to figure the 'both' part out.

'And now please tell us why you act like... like... this!' Tomoyo added.

Meilin ignored the question, and instead looked at Sakura, who wore a puzzled look. 'You really have no idea of who I talk about, have you?'

'Eh... hehe...' Sakura smiled, though a bit embarrassed. 'We are here for your problems now, mine will come later on.'

Meilin growled a bit, but in time, she did answer them. 'I don't want him to be here. He is an inconsiderate jerk, who flirts with every girl, even his secretary's, for crying out loud! He doesn't care for me in the slightest way, though we used to be friends! He is so...so...!'

'You love him don't you?' Sakura said, as she placed herself on the bed. Tomoyo took place besides her.

Meilin groaned and sank to her knees. 'That's the problem! I wouldn't have cared for even the tiniest bit, if I didn't!' She was silent for a while, as one tear silently dripped down from her eyes. 'I'm afraid of what I will do, when I see he finds the right one. If I don't see him, I won't see that he doesn't like me, I won't see that he goes off with someone else, and then it won't hurt this much...'

Sakura knelt beside her, and lay a hand over her shoulder. 'Actually, I... I "overheard" Syaoran and Eriol talking, and they think he actually likes you.'

'Hmpf.' Tomoyo snorted. 'I know for sure he likes you, maybe even loves you as much you do him. You might be surprised.'

'You think so?' Meilin asked, a bit of hope sounding through in her voice.

'I know so!' Tomoyo stated with belief.

'For certain.' Sakura added.

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'Let me guess, you want me to follow one of your stupid plans.' Ryu said, and looked wearily at his two friends.

'Hm, that's sounds interesting.' Eriol shoved his glasses up with a finger, making him look as mischievous as ever.

Syaoran made them something else to drink. This time he made them coffee, but he himself stayed with hot chocolate. He just really liked that. So what? 'Let's keep it simple. Just go to her, and tell her how you feel.'

'That's not really romantic, I think.' Eriol argued.

'Does it have to be romantic?'

'Of course it does! That's what girls want, nowadays.'

'Maybe Tomoyo feels that way, but...' Syaoran returned to the table and handed the coffee out. '... I think Meilin just wants to know the truth, because she thinks you hate her for way to long already. I say: the sooner the better!'

Ryu thought about that for a moment. 'That might be true. Romance might have worked in the beginning, but by now... Ah well, it's your fault she thinks I hate her, not mine and that is a relief.'

Eriol sighed in defeat. 'You know we were sorry about that. I really thought that would help.' About a year ago, they thought jealousy would convince Meilin to come forward with her feelings. At that time, they didn't know how she felt about Ryu, and it seemed a good option. They made Ryu flirt with others, in front of Meilin, but that resulted in her being hurt and walking away. At least they knew by then how she felt. 'It would have worked with Tomoyo.'

'Yeah, well... Meilin isn't Tomoyo. And I'm glad for that.' Ryu retorted. He received a glare from Eriol for that.

'How about putting a little bit of romance in it, with a kiss?' Eriol opted.

'Let me guess, that's how you can convince Tomoyo?' Syaoran muttered.

'What? A tender kiss can melt a woman.' Eriol shrugged as Syaoran and Ryu neglected his statement.

'Can't I just do it my way?' Ryu asked helplessly.

Syaoran shook his head. 'If you could, then why didn't you do that before? Eriol and I have been away for a year, so...'

'Then maybe it's time to do it my way.'

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'So, what if he does? How does it explain his flirting with other girls?' Meilin still didn't completely believe their words, although they really tried their best to come with an answer to every question.

'Oh, I think that must have been Eriol. He actually believes that it helps, if you make a woman jealous. Knowing Eriol, he must have meddled in your love affairs. Or Ryu's in this matter.' Tomoyo twirled one of her long locks around her finger. She didn't lie to Meilin, but she did hope that it was the real reason why Ryu did that.

'Why don't you just tell him?' Sakura opted. 'I mean, doesn't that solve everything? If you tell him how you feel, then he must answer with an honest answer. If he really loves you, like I believe he does, then you'll end up happily ever after. And if he doesn't, then at least you know where you stand.'

'Sakura has a good point here, Meilin-chan. Although I do think you should make it a little bit romantic. I mean, you do have to convince him to tell you how he feels, right? I think he will rather say it with candle light, than out on the side walk of a crowded street.'

'A restaurant might be good. He has to be nice at least, or else everybody will see it if he makes a scene.' Sakura already envisioned how it could be. She could even hear the soft music playing in the background.

'But so will they if I make a scene!' Meilin objected.

'You just have to have yourself under control. You'll only lose your face to him if you make one, so now you have a second reason not to.' Tomoyo reasoned. 'Oh, and I can make your dress! I know a wonderful design that will look gorgeous on you!'

Before Meilin or Sakura could respond, the door opened and Ryu entered. 'Excuse me, ladies, but could you leave us for a moment? I really need to talk to her.' He said, looking at Sakura and Tomoyo.

'Sure, we'll leave you for a moment.' Meilin said, as she got up and walked out of the door, pulling Sakura and Tomoyo with her.

Ryu stopped her by grabbing her wrist, before she could reach the door. 'Not you Meilin.' Tomoyo and Sakura got out of her grasp, shoved her further in the room, grabbed the cups of hot chocolate and ran to the door and locked themselves out. Sakura made sure to lock the door, before she shoved Tomoyo down the stairs, who obviously wanted to listen at the door. A big grin was present at both their faces.

'It's not what I had in mind, but it will do.' Tomoyo stated, slowly walking downstairs.

When they got there, they found Eriol and Syaoran at the table staring at the door where Ryu had just disappeared through. 'He really went up there, didn't he?' Eriol asked to no one in particular.

Syaoran nodded, before giving his attention to the girls. 'How's Meilin?'

'Great!' Tomoyo answered.

'In a few seconds, that is.' Sakura added.

They became silent, as the girls sat down as well, drinking their drinks and hoping to pick up something from the floor above them.

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As the door closed, Ryu became very aware that he still held her wrist, so he let her go. He opened his mouth to say something, but, very typical for him, at this moment he completely forgot what the right words were.

'So... what do you want to talk about?' Meilin asked as she took a step back.

This only discouraged Ryu, who tried his very best to say anything at all. He motioned with his hands, trying to get himself to talk.

'I hope you didn't come here to wave around.' Meilin said irritated. She didn't know for certain why he was here, and that he couldn't say it, only made her more nervous.

Ryu shook his head. No, he wasn't. Why is it so hard to tell her? I've done this a million times in my mind, so why can't I do it now?

'To talk about the weather, perhaps?' She opted, trying to understand what he waved at. When he gave her a weird look, she turned for the door. There was also a key on the inside, so locking them up turned out to be quite useless.

'N-no! I just... I mean, I... eh...' He took a few steps, until her stood in front of her, and grabbed her shoulders for support. He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. 'I love you!' He nearly whispered it, as if he were afraid of saying it out loud.

Meilin didn't respond and only stared at him with large eyes. So what if she hoped for this, kind of expected this? She was still utterly shocked from hearing him actually say it.

'I love you.' He repeated, a bit louder this time.

She blinked, and another blink followed. Her head fell forwards, against his chest, as tears started their way down from her eyes, and he locked his arms around her in a kind embrace.

After a while she still hadn't responded, and he tilted her head with his hand. 'Meilin?' Was all he could say. He noticed he sounded a bit scared, although he didn't mean to sound that way.

'R-Ryu...' She answered, not really giving an answer. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. 'You know... I love you too.' She whispered in his ear, and his embrace became a bit tighter.

He buried his face in her hair and smiled at her words. The smell of her hair, which he could finally smell from up close, was like heaven to him. He moved his hand over her hair, and softly kissed it. The respond that gave, thrilled him: she got weak knees and clenched herself to him.

God, that this could've been this simple... I should have done this years ago. When he finally calmed down a bit, he cupped her – still teary – face, and kissed her softly on the lips for a short moment. When he realized she answered it, just like he had hoped she would, he kissed her again. Longer. Deeper.

He thought himself in heaven.

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Downstairs, Tomoyo and Sakura still tried to hear anything, but they couldn't even catch a fragment of a murmured whisper. This couldn't angry them, because it probably meant that everything went well. 'You don't necessarily need to make any sound while making out.' Tomoyo pointed out, and they relaxed with a smile on their faces.

'Nah.' Eriol said, looking at his watch. 'Not this soon. He can't possibly.'

'Hmpf, maybe his way is faster than yours.' Syaoran retorted. Eriol glared at him, and the girls looked suspicious and curious at the same time. This resulted in breaking the time with funny stories about every set-up with Meilin and Ryu.

A long hour later, filled with laughter and shocks, Ryu and Meilin finally came down. They had hints of red on their faces, and it was clear that they were a couple now. The girls stormed at Meilin and dragged her away for news, with that breaking her hand lock with Ryu.

Upstairs, again, they hugged Meilin, and dragged everything out of her. 'Let go!' Meilin laughed. 'I'll tell, I will! I swear! Now stop tickling!'

Sakura stopped and set the overexcited Tomoyo in a chair, before turning to Meilin again, eyeing her curiously. 'Well? What happened?'

'Well...' Meilin said, dragging the actual words further in the future.

'Well what!' Tomoyo exclaimed. 'Mei-chan, I want to kno-ow!'

'He said he loved me!' Meilin clapped her hands, stars in her eyes and a blush on her cheeks.

'Yes!' Sakura hugged her new friend.

'That's it? It took him an hour?' Tomoyo wore a weird face at the moment.

'And then he kissed me!' Meilin ignored Tomoyo and took the second hug from Sakura.

'What? For an entire hour? Meilin, I need details! You can't possibly tell me that it took you both an entire hour, for just those two things.' The strange look Tomoyo sent towards Meilin finally arrived.

'Uh...'

'It did!?'

'But... he is such a good kisser!'

Tomoyo and Sakura sweat dropped. It was clear that Meilin wasn't on earth at the moment. She returned for a short while.

'Oh, and we talked. Some. A bit. Not much...' And she was gone again.

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'I told you he wasn't that fast. It took him an hour.' Eriol said to Syaoran.

'Uh...' Ryu said, wondering what he meant. He got left behind in the door opening, and both his friends observed him, like they would observe a statue.

'Nah, I think he got her in the first minute.' Syaoran answered meekly.

'Ryu, my friend, solve this problem for us. How long did it take you to tell her, and how long before she accepted you?' Eriol stared intensively at him, as if he wanted to put his thoughts in his, only to say he better agree with him.

'Well...' Ryu thought for a while. 'Let's see... one minute, and then... two minutes.' He stated proudly. Syaoran cheered as Eriol grumped. 'And as from this moment, I will never again take your advises again, and instead follow my own. It works way better.'

Syaoran's cheer died down. 'You now we were sorry about that. And you better not repeat our faults.' Actually, he meant to say, and now I'm the only one single, you're probably want to set me up with one or another, but please let me be, don't make any stupid plans.

Ryu and Eriol grinned evilly at him.

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Two days later, after many hugs and kisses, Ryu and Meilin walked through their gate, and disappeared out of their – new – friends sight. The girls waved frantically, as the two boys stood a bit bored behind them. Ryu had slapped their back harder than usually, and Meilin, besides her many kisses and hugs, hit both of them a couple of times on the head.

Meilin held his hand, and together they went on their way home to china. She had never been happier than now, she could say that for sure. 'I have to warn you.' Meilin said to Ryu. 'I'm not enjoyable right after the landing.'

'I know.' Ryu grinned. 'But this time, you've got me.' He gave her hand a little squeeze in comfort.

Meilin pouted. 'Not for long. You have work tomorrow, don't you?'

'Hm... But I can let you stay the night.' A glint appeared in his eyes. 'I guarantee that after one night, you won't be grumpy anymore.'

He grunted as she hit him playfully in the ribs. 'Pervert...'

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To be continued

Please revieuw!