Hello there, Tigeret here.

Welcome one and all. First to start off I just want all my readers and reviewers to know that I truly appreciate spending your free time reviewing my stories. Especially this one.

Now I just want to have a special thank you to Sun & Moon and zooooaaa for being the only two off user for reviewing my story. It was very much like and enjoyed. I also want to thank Twilight Kisses, mitsuki1346, Morbidlyartistic, Mogotito-chan and sykilik101 for your absolutely wonderful reviews, I do hope my next few chapters will satisfy your rapturous appetite for clever literature.

Now the time has come. Welcome to…Chapter 3!!!

XOXO

Chapter 3

Yelan paced back and forth in her office, her face wrinkled with worry and frustration. The subject of her disposition; her son. Her son had always been taught how to run a business and had always been surrounded by the world of lethal males dressed in suits, fueled by their own greed for more power and money, who would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. In all her years as being the head of the family, she believed that her husband had always been the perfect business leader. He was kind, compassionate, strong willed but he held everything from his business to his family with a firm hand. Her son was a completely different story. He turned out to be a different kind of man than she had ever wanted. He was stiff, calculating, secretive even cold on some occasions. She continued her pacing footsteps as she glanced at the fireplace. She had four other children who were always talking to her and leaning on her for support, who always opened up to her. Sometimes Yelan pondered momentarily whether forcing her late husband's life style and everything that goes with it onto her son before he could really understand all that it took created the "monster" he had become. The lifestyle as leader of a large international corporation was built on hard strict rules and regulations. To some mothers, that may not be the best thing to do, to force a wide variety of strong but harsh even sometimes cruel restrictions on her only son, but as future leader he needs to know and understand. But whether she was the cause of his unhealthy turnout was true or not she would never truly find out the truth. She continued her slow pace before her fire. Now in only 2 days, some strange girl outside of the family was turning things upside down and Yelan was beginning to become interested in the possibilities of what could happen if having Sakura around more. She looked down at a picture of her late husband that she kept on her desk.

"Oh Koi, Shu Lang; my love, what would you do if you were still alive?" she whispered as she continued to pace. Then the conversation with her only nephew replayed in her head a small light went off. 'Meiling!' Yelan's face knitted together. It was time her son decided to do for the clan instead of what he deemed worthy to do. She needed him to see that his selfishness was causing problems for the whole clan and was not only making her look bad but the whole Li clan. She picked up the phone and dialed a very familiar number. Her stubborn son needed to see that he truly needs to settle down and start doing things the proper order.

"Hello Meiling Li speaking, may I ask whose calling?"

"Hello Meiling, this is Yelan."

"Oh! Auntie Yelan! What a pleasure it is to hear from you! Its been so long since I've heard anything from the main family. Is everything alright?"

"Oh yes dear everything is fine. Actually its turning out to be more then fine. I was just wondering…would you like a job? I have a job opening in the office over here in Tokyo Headquarters and I was wondering if you wanted the job."

"A job!? Oh Auntie Yelan that would be great! What kind of job is it?" Meiling asked sounding more than excited than suspicious which pleased Yelan to no end. If anyone was good for her son Meiling seemed to be the best choice given what she cards she had to play. She was the only female in the direct line of the Li clan that would follow Yelan rules and she knew that if she did anything it would cost her everything. She was perfect, or so she thought.

"Being a personal assistant is the job opening. It's a fairly new job, we haven't had a person fill this position well sense my husband worked here."

"Oh, whose assistant will I be?"

"You'll be Syaoran's personal assistant. Do you accept?"

XXX

As Sakura descended in the elevator, she couldn't help but feel that there was more underneath the rock then what was being shown between Yelan and Syaoran. Their relationship seemed tense almost hostile, charged with negative energy. Every time Syaoran spoke about his mother it sounded as if it was a great effort to even mention her and Sakura couldn't help but notice the look of resentment on his face and the look of hurt and disappointment on Yelan's face. It made her all the more curious as to just what sort of life could Syaoran has been living. As far as all the signs pointed out were concerned, Syaoran didn't seem…happy, not in the least and Yelan didn't seem to want to notice that something was wrong with her son and that it could have been possibly her fault. When she reached the ground level, the elevators opened and she walked briskly and with purpose out of the elevator to the front desk. Sitting behind the desk, Yuki sat talking gingerly on the phone until she saw Sakura walking over to the desk. She quickly hung up the phone as Sakura approached the desk and gave her a very cautious expression. Yuki didn't approve nor liked Sakura much ever since she walked into the office, Yuki couldn't help but feel all she wanted was to get with Eriol-kun or even keep close to Li-san. Sakura smiled sweetly and leaned on the counter.

"Good morning Yuki-san, how are you doing today?" Sakura asked sweetly. Yuki looked around her and eyed her up and down before responding.

"What do you want?" Yuki asked pointedly. Sakura was a bit hurt by the upfront question but abruptly assumed her character, absolutely refusing to let Yuki see her emotions on a true scale. She hoped that she could get along nicely with Yuki to get what information she wanted but she now knew that it would take harsher measures to get the information. She had to hand it to her, when Yuki wanted to keep something she knew how to have a tight lip.

"I can't simply want to get to know my fellow employees? But that's for another time and place. I actually need some information." Yuki quirked an eyebrow in a questioning fashion. This was starting to become very interesting.

"What kind of information do you want? And why should I give it to you. Your just an accountant? What do you or what could you possibly need to know besides numbers?" she asked snobbishly. She folded her arms across her chest and leered up at Sakura. Sakura smiled a very devious smile and leaned in further knowing that she had something against her.

"Well I could always tell Yelan Li-domo about the massive phone lists that has nothing to do with work that comes from YOUR desk and how its wasting money. You've worked here longer than I have and I'm sure Yelan doesn't take too well to knowing that shes wasting money. Now either you give me the honest truth about what I want to know and its's not to reach a soul that we've spoken. Unless you want me to let it slip and you end up losing a lot more than its worth." Yuki was stunned silent. She was so taken aback by how deceiving clever-minded this new girl was. She didn't want to give in just because some newbie comes in and shows off her 'amazing' mathematical skills but it would cost her the very job that allows her to go shopping pretty much every other weekend. She sighed.

"What do you want to know?" she asked finally giving in. Sakura nodded and giggled a little knowing full well that she had won the battle of wits. She looked on both sides of her asking sure no one was around before continuing.

"I want information about Syaoran Li and Yelan's relationship. Why is it so hostile and cold?" As soon as the question escaped from Sakura's rosy lips, Yuki busted out in hysterics. Her crackled fake laugh echoed through the tiled main floor and down the hallway, even to the point of the back of Sakura's mind. She made a mental note: 'I hate that laugh!'

"You want to know about Syaoran Li? Hes a one word hit wonder; a lady's man, a man whore. Hes known to all girls in this building that he is far too much untrustworthy to take seriously. Hes cruel and man; beyond childish, immature, cold and cynical. He can be calm one minute the next, hes practically down your throat because something didn't go right so he blames everyone but himself. That's the Syaoran Li around her." Sakura's face twisted into a frown as she absorbed all the information Yuki had laid out for her. With a sadistic smile, Yuki continued.

"His mother on the other hand is the exact woman you would see in a corporation business life who runs it like shes the commander of a military ship. Shes like a double edge sword. She'll do anything to keep at the top and she gets mad about her only son having an outrageous sexual life and dramatic brawls. I think she feels that hes a disgrace to their family name something having to do with honor and duty to the family. They've had more arguments than some married couples. The whole entire family is messed up, so I've heard except for Eriol-sama…hes the only gentlemen." Yuki said dramatically. Sakura's frown tightened even more. It seemed the relationship between mother and son was more messed up than she expected out of a family.

"And they don't get along whatsoever?" Sakura questioned receiving another crackled laugh.

"Absolutely not. They get along like elephants and mice or like cats and dogs. That's they're mutual agreement-Stay out of my way and you don't get hurt." Yuki said frankly. Sakura frowned but nodded.

"Thank you very much Yuki-san for telling me what you know." Sakura said turning away but not before Yuki opened her mouth and stuck her fat foot in.

"Trying to get close to Li-sama aren't you? I wouldn't count on it. Not unless you want a guy that'll sleep with a new girl each night. And you aren't even his type." Sakura turned slowly and starred at the girl before her a moment before she asked a small venomously question calmly.

"Are you insinuating that I only wanted to know about Yelan to get into his pants because you have some twisted idea that I'm some whore?" Yuki's grin slowly faded.

"Yes." Was all she said before she back tracked and for once glared at the girl with as much fury as Eriol is when hes serious.

"Your lucky I'm not like a lot of other people. Other wise you wouldn't still be standing." She said before walking back to the elevator. She still had lots of work but there was still one more person she should ask; Eriol. Stepping into the elevator, she punched the button to Eriol's floor and waited patiently. Sure, she knew that she was taking a leaping in asking Eriol about their boss and his mother but if Sakura was going to be spending a lot of time with him, she wanted to know what to expect or so she was telling herself. She arrived onto Eriol's floor and walked to his office with her head held high. Standing in front of his office, Sakura took a few minutes to calm her rapid beating heart. She knew that she was receiving looks of questionable suspicions but it was needed. Finally, taking one last deep breath, she opened his office doors and proceeded inside. Sitting at his desk, he didn't hear her enter the room and she secretly laughed to herself. She knew Eriol could have a one-track mind when it came to work but she would just have to ruin that wasn't she?

"Good Morning Eriol-kun." She giggled when his head snapped out of his work trance and gazed at her.

"Oh Sakura-chan, how long have you been here? I didn't see you standing there…" he said beginning to wonder how he could have not noticed her walk into his office.

"Oh no worries Eriol, I've only been here a literal couple of minutes." He said smiling and laughing. She walked into the room further and sat down into one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"So what brings you here?" Sakura's smiled slightly faded but it was still there.

"Well I wanted to ask you something…about Syaoran and his mother. Why is their relationship so…hostile?" She knew the moment his face fell that she was literally asking him a loaded question.

"Why…why do you want to know that?" he asked tensely.

"Well if I'm to be working a lot with Li-sama and his mother I would like to know when and where not to step, and what I'll be getting myself into." She said simply hoping to convince both him and herself. He kept quiet for a few minutes and wouldn't look her in the eyes and silence began to fill the room. And then he sigh. Its amazing how much tension can be let go with just a simple sigh.

"There isn't a lot of things I can't freely tell you…"

"What do you mean?" Sakura was on edge at this point. If Eriol wouldn't tell her, was she really going to have to depend on the information from a 'Gossip Queen' like Yuki? Eriol sighed again and ran a hand through his hair.

"Well there is only so much information I can tell you. Much of what lies in their relationship is between them, only they truly know the whole truth. And only they will tell by themselves but that takes a lot. I only know bits because when Syaoran gets drunk it's either dangerous to himself or his family and I'm usually the one that ends up bailing him out." Eriol said throwing all his nerves and shyness aside and in all seriousness. Sakura listened to his every word as if her life depended on it. Seeing that she wasn't going to respond, Eriol sighed again and continued.

"Syaoran has been vastly misunderstood and the tabloids don't do him justice. Syaoran deep down isn't as bad as everyone says he is." Eriol said with a bit of bitterness in his voice. She knew this was getting hard for him so Sakura decided on the spot to just take things as it came. What harm can it do? She did it all the time with her other jobs. Sakura rose from her seat much to Eriol's surprise.

"Well don't say anymore Eriol-chan. You've said far too much for your comfort and I won't press you. Thank you." Eriol leaned back in his chair stunned.

"Why the change of mind?" She smiled tenderly at him.

"Because one, you are uncomfortable with talking about things that have been put into your confidence, two, it won't hurt me to take the leap and just go with the flow, take whatever is thrown my way. Besides I may want answers, but not at the expense of your comfort." Eriol sat with his jaw hanging slightly open. Yes, it pained him to speak of the horridness of the hostility between mother and son but he didn't think that Sakura of all people would notice such emotions that course through him.

"Sakura, you don't have to do it all on your own you know…" he said softly, leaning his elbows on his desk. She held the door open but smiled at him thoughtfully.

"Of course Eriol-chan. I know I can depend on you and Tomoyo but if I want to know the truth I want to find out for myself. That way I will know whether the drama is true or not." She said before closing the doors behind her. She sighed and leaned on the closed double doors. She had seen and heard enough to come to a result; Yelan's and Syaoran's relationship was more than just hostile. It was filled with secrets and lots of harsh unhealed scars. She marched herself straight to the elevators again and darned not look into anyone's eyes as she stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button to her floor. She had wasted enough time attempting to play 'detective' around the office. Now it was time to get right down to work. She walked past Chasity without a word but a quiet smile and walked into her office, closing the doors with a silent click. She looked around the room and sighed. She still had more than plenty of files to categorize and she didn't agree with her head: it was going to take a bit of time to finish. And with that mind set, she sat down back on the floor where she left all her papers last and set about her unfinished business.

XXX

Meiling was so ecstatic! She couldn't believe the luck she was having! Her sweet Auntie Yelan offered her a very important job as being secretary or personal assistant to her cousin and always betrothed Syaoran Li. She knew that she had to do her very best job because she knew also that only she could be trusted with this sort of job. After all, this is the head of the largest international corporation and the son of one of the wealthiest women in all of Hong Kong. This was no trip for an ordinary woman who did not know what class and patience it took to deal with Syaoran. His tempers were well known throughout the family. She just couldn't' help but celebrate her enormous fortune! She smiled brightly as she went around her apartment gathering clothes and any other things that she believed she would need. She wouldn't need a new apartment because she would be living with the Li's at their town house in Tokyo. She would be provided for and would have everything that she would ever need. She was so excited. Suddenly, like a cold knife to the heart, she stopped her excited gestures momentarily and sat down on her four poster bed. The beddings were tossed around from the rough nights sleep and she had clothes tossed everywhere from her miraculous searching and tearing up her room. She needed to take a breather for a moment.

Meiling's heart pounded in her chest from all the adrenaline running through her blood and her body. She hadn't seen her 'fiancée' in many years and she was more than eager to see him again. That was a simple fact. But soon her smile turned into a frown and she sighed. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous about going all the way to Japan to work for him. The last time she saw him, it wasn't the best of memories for her and it was the worst day of her life. It was a little disheartening to remember. In all honesty, Meiling was kind of scared of him. He had the temper of a dragon or a wolf hungry from days of no food. It was frightening to be around him when he went through one of his tantrums. But he didn't used to always be that way; he didn't always yell and fuss at everyone whenever one little thing went wrong. He wasn't exactly brought up like that. In fact, she remembered that he used to be such a happy, loving, smiling little boy…

FLASHBACK

It was a bright sunny day. The leaves of the cherry blossom trees were just beginning to bloom and grow. It was Spring time and everything as in cheery moods. Everywhere seemed to be teeming with life and energy, showing off their Springtime colors. The Main Estate of the Li clan, the largest and oldest family still living in Hong Kong was no exception. Happiness filled the gardens and the trees and even the roof tops of the houses seemed to be teeming with life, allowing little twittering birds to land and sing their songs. Sitting the gardens of the Main House was a young boy who sat laughing playfully as he threw bread pieces in to the ponds to feed the ducks that lived there. It all seemed so peaceful…

"Xiao Lang," He turned still laughing to see a tall muscular male figure standing a few feet away from the pond. His laughing stopped and his mouth turned into a wide childish smile. He got up, leaving the bread pieces on the ground where he sat and ran over to the man.

"Papa!" the man smiled and knelt down to meet his child's wild waving arms. Picking him up and swinging him lightly around slightly above his head, the boy laughed loudly. Finally the man brought his son to his hip and looked him in the eye but still smiled.

"Xiao Lan, what are you doing out here? Aren't you suppose to be doing your lessons with your mother and the Elders?" the boy pouted and whined.

"Awww but Papa! The Elders are so old and boring and Mama only talks about numbers and rules and she yells a lot!" The man sighed at his son in his arms. He knew his wife was or at least had her moments where she tended to think of only titles and not age. But he also knew that deep down she cherished the boy dearly. After all, being the first born he had many things in his future. He looked at his only son.

"Xiao Lang… Syaoran, your lessons are still important. I know the Elders aren't as interesting as you would like them to be but son," He walked with his son on his hip and sat underneath the nearest cherry blossom tree which stood by the pond he found his son by. He pulled his son into his lap and leaned back against the strong trunk of the tree. "the Elders are indeed old. I thought so too myself when I was your age you know."

"You did?"

"Yes I did but they have so much wisdom and they could teach you things that neither me nor your mother know about our history should you ponder and ask. But there is one thing; you have to be patient. Your mother now…is another case…Syaoran your mother only wants what is best for you and this family. She does, yes, sometimes go about it the wrong way and tends to go to the extreme and she is indeed strict but she is your mother and she does love you very much. That's why she does the things that she does or acts the way she does…" Syaoran looked up at his father in wonder and admiration.

"Papa why do you leave so much?" the man frowned. How could such a small quiet question make him feel like someone just squeezed his heart and make it feel like someone pumped every ounce of blood from his body? He held his son tighter as his son continued to stare up at his father expectant for an answer from the man he believed to be his hero. The very man he trusted and thought could handle anything. His father was always going to be his hero.

"Syaoran, my job is a very important job. I have to meet lots of business men and keep the peace with other businesses. That's what causes me to be away from home so often. Your mother…is just trying to prepare you."

"Prepare me for what Papa?"

"Son, later on in your life you'll have to take my place at my job."

"But what if I don't want your job?" Syaoran asked interrupting. His father chuckled at his son's childish manner. He ruffled his son's head.

"Syaoran, you are but a child now but always remember, you are the heir to my reign. Soon you'll be the man around this house: protector of your mother and sisters. You will have to be able to support your family and your future family and keep the family honor. This is what your mother is trying to prepare you for." Syaoran smiled widely at him.

"Ok Papa…"

"Papa, Papa, Papa!" Four young girls ran toward the man and the young boy, two of the girls were holding both hands of a little black haired girl that Syaoran had never seen before. He looked questionably at her.

"Papa lookie!" One little girl said.

"Cousin Papa!" Another one finished. He smiled at all the children before him. He was so pleased and proud to have a beautiful wife and to have been blessed with so many smiling children around him. Each of his quadruplets looked a bit like their mother except for Sheifa, she had hazel eyes. Fan Ren, Fuutie, and Fei Mei all were brown eyed beauties and each held a different part of his heart. But he was curious as to who the new child was that they were holding so tightly to. She had the familiar black straight hair of the Li female lineage but the eyes were different: red orbs starred back into his deep chestnut amber eyes.

"Cousin? What is your name child?" He inquired. Syaoran gazed at the scene curiously.

"Meiling." The girl with the red eyes said with a bow. He eyed the girl curiously until he saw his wife striding over towards the children and himself. He smiled warmly at his beloved wife. He placed Syaoran on the ground beside him.

"Yelan-koi…"

"Meiling! You were to wait in the hallway… I'm so sorry dear, I didn't mean for her to come here unannounced…" He held his hands out with a smile making her stop n mid apology.

"Koi, its alright." He said placing a hand on Syaoran's head, "I was just spending some time with Xiao Lang here. Xiao Lang," he said bending down, "now go play nicely with your sisters and your cousin." Syaoran pouted.

"Papa…" he whined, "do I have to?" Yelan's mouth twisted into a frown at Syaoran's gesture of childish nature but her husband shook his head, but he smiled anyways and she smiled sweetly at him.

"Yes son, now run along and go play." Syaoran smiled as his sisters tried to pull him with them.

"Ok! I love you Papa!" was all he could get out before running off laughing delightfully with his younger sisters and his new cousin.

END OF FLASHBACK

Meiling sighed at such a happy memory. It was only a few good memories that she had. It felt so long ago that she didn't know whether that bright smiling little boy was still even in that body of his… It was one of the questions that Meiling asked herself a few of the many times she thought about that memory. It actually saddened her very much so to see that the boy she had first met disappeared in only a few months…

FLASHBACK

Syaoran was playing in the gardens picking flowers for his mother and sisters and a few for Meiling, his cousin and friend. His father was once again taken away from home on a business leave. It had been 3 years since Meiling started living with the main Li family and since the day he and his father had that long talk about the possibilities for the future, his future. Since that day, he started listening to his mother and to the Elders even to the point where he asked questions about why did a person do this or why did they do that. The better part of the increase in concentration in his lessons was with the help of Meiling. She was a very close friend to him and he liked spending time with her. She was a great person and she was an excellent sparing partner from what the Elders kept telling him when they trained. Suddenly he was pulled from his thoughts as he heard his name being called from far away…

"Xiao Lang!" He turned to look and saw a vision of extreme worry and sadness on his sister's pearly white face. He gazed at her with worry and confusion. Standing he waited until she was before him.

"Fei Mei, what's wrong?" She panted shaking her head, tears streaming down her face.

"Mama needs…you…Papa…" His eyes grew wide and he ran past her and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Inside the estate he continued to run, his heart pounding in his chest in an unset rhythm. 'Papa' was all that registered in his head. He didn't notice any of the people that he ran past. He didn't care who he ran past or who saw the fear etched on his young face. He didn't care about anything, at that minute, getting to his mother and finding out about his mother was all that mattered. Finally he made it to his mother's study only to see the most horrifying sight he had ever seen in his young life: On the floor, was his mother. Her sobs and cries echoed the room and the Elders stood off to the side. The chair by her desk was overturned either by her falling out of it or by pushing it over. Walking further into the room, he stared at his mother. As he came closer his mother looked over at him, her face stained with tears.

"Mama…" he whispered not knowing whether or not it was good to say something. His throat constricted together as if in response.

"Oh Xiao Lang…Syaoran, my son, my precious son…" She hiccupped trying to calm the tears that were still falling down her face.

"Papa…" more tears began to fall.

"Your father…is dead, my son…" her cries started up again. His world, his whole world crashed that day with those very words at the starting line. He died in that very moment when those words feel from his mother's lips. That was the last day Yelan Li ever called her son 'precious.' From that minute on, Xiao Lang, Syaoran Li would never be the same and neither would Yelan. In that instant, both of them would never react or treat each other the same and Meiling watched the whole scene from afar, tears fogging her vision.

END OF FLASHBACK

Meiling wiped her eyes cleared of any trace of tears that had fallen. Syaoran's father was a father figure to all the kids that lived in the estate no matter whether they were his or not. Everyone was hurt to hear the news but no one was as hurt as badly as Syaoran and Yelan were. They were completely crushed. They changed that moment where they shared the same instance of hurt…

FLASHBACK

It was only 3 days ago that the relatives of the Li estate were told about the news of Shu Lang's death. All of the Li relatives gathered to the estate soon after receiving such horrible news of his death and everyone gave their sentiments to the mother of five children now ridden as a widow at the loss of such an important member of the family. Everyone was sentimental for Yelan and her children. Her late husband was, after all, the kindest, compassionate man to ever rule over the Li estate and lead the Li clan. That was what made him so different from all the other leaders that led before Shu Lang. He held everyone and everything that he did with a firm finger but didn't put down those who wanted to voice their opinion. It was a dark day for all the Li relatives, close or not.

Today was the funeral of Shu Lang Li. The darkest day ever was now what the day had become in everyone's eyes. No one wore anything but black, even the skies reflected the sorrows of every person there. The one that stood out the most was the main Li family; Shu Lang's wife and children. Yelan Li stood pale and seemed to illuminate against the black her gown and open toed high heel shoes. She stood tall smiling falsely at those who gave their condolences to her family and their loss but her eyes never lied. They were empty, hallowed, and bitter as if she saw the world in a dead light. Nothing seemed to exist now or anymore not even her children seemed realistic to her now. Syaoran stood beside his mother, his eyes dazed and emotionless, a boyish replica of his mother's silhouette figure. Next to him, Meiling stood quietly but with tears streaming down her face, giving comfort to his crying sisters. Meiling glanced over at Syaoran every now and again, hoping that at any moment he would show some kind of sign of emotion that she knew was still in him. But deep down she knew that he wouldn't show any. At least not in front of the whole family, he was the man now and he had to take that place. The last relative soon gave their last condolences and walked away. Yelan sighed and looked down at her children, for the first time acknowledging the fact that they were there.

"Come." Her tone sounded dead almost detached from her body but her children still followed her as she walked away. They passed many of their family, who all parted to let them pass through the crowd to reach their destination. They walked passed everyone and outside to the family cemetery while everyone followed melancholy. The children of the family had never been to this side of the estate and for it being the first time being there it was a little bit frightening. Once they reached the family cemetery, they all saw that risen on a platform awaiting to be put in its final resting place was a chestnut wooden polished casket that shimmered with it's own light. After gazing down at the casket before everyone there it seemed to have become a reality that all wished was not true; Shu Lang Li, Father of Syaoran, Fei Mei, Fan Ren, and Fuutie, husband to Yelan Li, was really in the truest sense dead. The main family stood close to the casket while everyone else stood surrounding them. The Elders stood in front casket but only the Oldest Elder stepped out from the rest.

"Members of the Li clan, fellow cousins, siblings, young and old; we are all gathered here today from all over the world to honor the death of our beloved leader, Shu Lang Li, beloved father of all his children blood or not and a just husband to his wife Yelan. He was still young when he died, so full of life, so ready to take on the many challenges and ways that life tends to hand its occupants. He was ready to bring up these young children with firmness but alongside kindness and understanding. He held everything in the same likeness: kind but firm. To many he worked with, he was considered weak but we all each knew the truth. He was a strong, gifted man who easily led away from confrontation but tried to compromise. Shu Lang Li will never be forgotten but remembered forever." The Elder finished. All around the cemetery there wasn't a dry face except for two people: Yelan and Syaoran. The Elders then blessed Shu Lang's casket to enter the after life with all his memories and treasures and hoped that he make a safe passage through to heaven above. Once the prayers were said, it started to rain and Yelan forced herself away from her husbands casket to be the good hostess she was always brought up to be. Only Syaoran stayed behind. As the rain poured on top of him, his hair deflated from its usual spring, a trait he got from his father, and the water dripped down his face. How could something like this happen to his father? He was wise, full of all the right things to say whenever he needed someone to listen to him and to answer his questions. It was always his father that brought Syaoran down from the clouds sometimes and told him to behave or show him the right way to go. That was his father. His mother would get impatient with him and he would run away from his mother just like the 1st day he met Meiling. He had pushed her buttons and grew impatient, he ran, and his father talked to him like he was his father's equal. That's one of the many things he loved about his father: his father would never talk down to him but speak to him as if he was his equal. Syaoran knew in that very minute that he would never get that back. He would always be treated like someone who was below everyone.

"Syaoran…" Meiling stood small and helpless in the rain holding a little red umbrella with both her hands. He wouldn't even turn to her…It hurt too much to think about what he was going to have to face from now on if he took that moment to turn around.

"Syaoran…" she whispered again. He bowed his head. He couldn't seem to find his voice to answer her sad calling.

"Syaoran…Auntie Yelan wants you inside with the guests. She says its about your duty…"

"'Duty' is the reason why hes gone…but I will listen to Mother. Take me to her Meiling." His voice went from sad and hurt to dead in a single moment. Meiling was hurt by the change of his voice but simply nodded and took him to his mother. He didn't walk under the umbrella nor did he walk anywhere near her. He stood off to himself and did not dare look back. Meiling brought him up to Yelan but just as he looked up to her in a dead expression of cold, cynical ridicule, she gazed down at him with public disdain.

"Xiao Lang, go change at once. Such presentation is unbecoming of the heir of the Li clan. I will arrive in a few moments with the Elders. You are to stay in your room until we arrive." She ordered forcefully in from of everyone. Meiling had never seen her Aunt so cold to her children but this hostility was beyond shocking. Everyone around them that had heard what Yelan said to her son they all gazed at the scene, saddened for the boy who lost his father knowing that this was sure to be the beginning of an unhappy ending. Syaoran bowed but did not rise.

"Yes Mother." And off he went. He knew that she was disappointed with him. She usually was. He was his father's son almost a duplicate of his physical features. That was what hurt her the most. He walked to his room in complete silence. The only sound was his hard sole heels hitting the floor and it echoed all around him, reminding him of what he lost. When he got into his room he changed into fresh clothes and sat down at his table where he usually had his lessons and waited in silence. He knew what they wanted to discuss with him after all it wasn't as if they had been grinding it into his head that he was the heir and meant to take over the role of his father. They wanted to talk to him about his duty to his family and to all the people of the Li clan. After all in the last few years, his mother hardly spoke to him anything else BUT duty and honor to the family. It was nearly dark when his mother and the Elders finally walked into his room. Syaoran stood and bowed as taught.

"Sit down, Xiao Lang." He did. He sighed to himself and braced himself.

"Xiao Lang Li, 1st song of Shu Lang and Yelan. You are the sole heir to your father's rule and all of his prior responsibilities that go along with such job." One of the Elders began. His face then turned somber. "But seeing as how you are only 10 years of age, you are unable to take that role. In your stead…your mother will take your place until you have come of age. Do you understand all the such things are laid out before you?"

"Yes, Elder." The Elder nodded.

"Now including your physical training and your history lessons you will also be taking lessons in business managing and learning all that is to be expected of you in the position you will acquire when become of age. Do you understand all of this?" Syaoran didn't look the Elder in the eye.

"Yes Elder." Yelan saw Syaoran's expression and frowned. This was not turning out to be a great start. The Elder's nodded seeing that they had explained that was to be expected of him later on in his life they turned to Yelan.

"We will give you and your son some silence. Lessons begin in 3 days time." And with that they stepped out of his room and Yelan stood and starred down at her son. He could tell just from the air that she radiated that she was beyond furious. For what, he didn't know yet.

"Xiao Lang Li! That is no way to treat the Elders especially when your birth right could very well be taken away from you! This is your duty Xiao Lang! Your duty to your family comes before any of your ungodly selfishness!" Syaoran remained silent. Then he looked at his mother with a strange expression in his eyes: rebellion.

"Its only been 3 days since father's death and already mother your practically pushing me towards father's spot…You don't want me around because I look too much like him. I have too much of him in me and you hate it because you have to look at me everyday and you'll end up thinking about him. Mother I know…" he stood and bowed. "I know there is no love left in your heart for me. Forgive me mother. I didn't know that being my father's son was so disgusting in your eyes. I am truly sorry." She couldn't believe the words that had bounced off her own sons lips. She huffed quickly out of the room but what she missed was her only son begging and pleading, crashing to the floor in painful sobs wishing for those words to be a lie. Wishing that his mother would denounce them and tell him that it wasn't true and all Meiling could do was sit by his closed bedroom door in silence.

END OF FLASHBACK

Meiling wiped her red eyes free from the tears. Even then she couldn't do anything to help Syaoran from the cruelties of his family line. That was the one thing that she hated about her birth. She had lines in what she could or couldn't do. That day was the start of the many times where Meiling couldn't help her beloved and where her birth hindered her steps…

FLASHBACK

"Syaoran you can't seriously…

"Meiling, yes I am seriously going to talk to my mother. I've had about enough of her ruling over my life." They argued as they sped walked down the hallway.

"Syaoran, she is your mother, after all. That's what mothers tend to do, its what they're suppose to do…"

"Well not anymore. She doesn't treat my sisters like she does me. And I've had about enough of it." Meiling frowned thinking or at least trying to come up with any reason why his mother did treat him differently than her other children. Yelan treated her daughters and even herself at times were respect and loving mother affection but with Syaoran…there wasn't any of that and no answer came.

"Syaoran-kun, please don't do this. By doing this, you'll only be showing disrespect to your mother and the Elders! You may have your birth right stripped from you."

"I'm not my father." Was all he said before bursting through the doors to his mother's study.

"Ah Xiao Lang, Meiling you may wait outside." Meiling bit her tongue but nodded and shut the doors to the study. Yes, she would wait outside but that didn't mean that she wouldn't eavesdrop. Yelan gazed up at her son with the same cynical expression.

"Yes Xiao Lang?"

"Mother I will not apologize for bargaining in unannounced or such. As much as you love decorum and tradition, it doesn't work with me." He began and his mother frowned.

"Then what do you want? I have many things to be doing and your holding up my time." Her tone held no warmth. Meiling watched the scene in sadness. This never would've happened had Shu Lang still be alive.

"I want to discuss when the time I take over Father's position." He stated bluntly. Yelan scolded at her son's brash actions. She gazed down at her son. He surely grew into her late husband's child; obtaining all of his good physical features, his muscular toned body, his father's chestnut brown hair and deep amber eyes, his deep colored skin and even his height which was 5'11". He certainly looked like her husband's son but he certainly didn't act much like his father. Where his father was loved and adored, Syaoran was looked down upon as anything but a brass, uncontrollable child, nothing more nothing less.

"And what do you have to say about it?" He starred down at his mother never breaking.

"I won't take it when I turn 18." Yelan glared at her son in outrage. She slammed her hands down on her desk.

"You what?! You foolish, insolent child! How dare you go around barking orders…"

"Because Mother, after graduation, I want to go to college." She continued to glare and fume at her son.

"College?! What could possibly be so important about going to College…"

"For business managing. Were you not the one who once said that it was our duty to the family that comes first before any selfish desires? This is for the family."

"How…" he held a hand to silence her. For someone who was a very temper mental, Syaoran remained calm even after all the yelling his mother did that would usually lead him into a fit. But after a few years of dealing with his mother's fits of rage he had grown used to hearing it.

"Because by having a degree other business CEOs can not dare say that I don't have the right 'qualities' to be doing my father's job. That I didn't just get the job as it was in my birth right as people tend to love to remind me." He pointed out. She stopped in mid outburst. He did have a point. The many corporate heads that she had begun to deal with over the years did always speak about the unfairness about her son not really having to work for his spot. She decided to play along with her son's game.

"What do you want if I do allow you to go to college?" He smiled.

"I want to be left alone to do my own business on my terms."

"That I simply can NOT do. You will go to college here in Hong Kong."

"No. I am going to Tokyo University with Eriol as my roommate. Its that or ou can find someone else to take my spot." He smiled mentally. He had won and he knew it. Yelan growled to herself. His plan had worked and she sighed in defeat. She had no disagreements that Syaoran was indeed cunning as he was cruel and calculating with lots of mood swings. But he did have a firmer hand than her late husband did. The only difference was that Shu Lang ruled with Kindness but with Xiao Lang she couldn't really tell.

"Fine. Your day of ruling will be postponed only until you graduate from college then you will take your place and serve your duty." She wave him out of her room. He didn't bow, he didn't speak, he just spun on his heel and walked out without even giving Meiling a second glance. Meiling watched as her love walked away and once again, she couldn't do or say anything.

END OF FLASHBACK

Meiling sighed at the memory and glanced at a picture she took with her friends after the graduation of high school with Syaoran standing off to the side and Eriol on her other side. That day as a horrible day all together. That was when her whole world crashed.

FLASHBACK

Today was the greatest day for any student: Graduation! Over 1000 students were graduating this very day and among them were Meiling Li, Eriol Hiiragizawa and Syaoran Li. Meiling just couldn't' control herself. Every since that day she argued with Syaoran to try to stop him, she had seen less and less of him and only found out through his younger sisters that he was always spending time with Eriol. Eriol was family, yes, but to Meiling he was still partially an outsider. He tried to act like he thought he knew Syaoran but Meiling thought she knew better, after all, she was the closest thing Syaoran had for a friend then Eriol was. It was almost time for the ceremony to begin. Meiling could hardly stand still. Now she'd be sitting next to him for about 3 hours! These would be the most magical 3 hours of her life!

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the ceremony is about to begin." This was it; the big ending. Every student walked in a single file line down the isle and into their assigned seats. Syaoran was walking behind her, his steps silent but his heat radiated off his body. She couldn't help the blush that rose into her cheeks while thinking about his body heat. They all got to their seats, sat down and the ceremony began.

"Syaoran…" Meiling whispered beside her. He didn't even respond.

"Syaoran I was wondering…"

"Meiling, stop talking. I will speak to you after this is over." And that was that. She knew when she had been dismissed and that was this very moment in time. That was one of the things she hated the most; being dismissed for only asking to know something from her fiancée.

"Eriol Hiiragizawa."

It would soon be her turn. Meiling was beginning to sweat as she stood with her line and walked to the podium to await her name. After about five people who stood in front of her went by it was finally her turn.

"Meiling Li." Finally. She walked ahead of Syaoran with her head held high and took her diploma.

"Syaoran Li." She didn't dare look back. She didn't dare break from her pace back to her seat. Soon, the ceremony was over and they were finally graduated students. Everyone around Meiling was celebrating such good fortune but she had other things on her mind. Time passed and Meiling stood outside the stadium doors waiting for Syaoran to come out and speak with her. She searched through all the thousands of people that were exiting the stadium. Finally she saw him walking over to her. Eriol stood off to the side, obviously waiting for Syaoran. She smiled at Syaoran but he held up a hand to stop her from speaking out before he got the chance.

"Don't say anything. I only came out here to say a few things before I leave with Eriol to his apartment." She was confused and angry. He only had a few things to say to her? But he was still going to go with Eriol? It wasn't fair!

"Look Meiling heres the thing, I'm going off to Tokyo for a few years…"

"I can come with you?!"

"No…look I'm doing this so that I don't have to go back and forth from Hong Kong and Tokyo. I'll be doing a few things on my own…"

"But you'll need someone to take care of you…" he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Again Meiling, no. Your place is here. Find some rich guy, marry him and have lots of kids."

"But…"

"Meiling! I don't and will never want to marry you! You are NOT coming with me to Tokyo! You are not coming with me anywhere!" He growled before sighing just as Meiling just stood there, jaw gaping in silence. "Meiling, I'm separating myself from my mother's rules. You've been listed as my fiancée since we were little. But I don't love you and I won't marry for duty. That's all I wanted to say. I'm leaving for Tokyo with Eriol in a few days. You won't see me again. I'm sorry Meiling but this is good bye." He said before turning and walking away with Eriol. She watched as they walked away. Eriol looked like he was trying to talk Syaoran into something but Syaoran was dead set against whatever it was. Fuutie, Sheifa, Fan Ren and Fei Mei all ran over to Meiling and tackled her in bear hugs with their mother following close behind them.

"Oh Mei!"

"You poor thing!"

"We over heard!"

"We still love you!" Meiling looked at Yelan.

"Well…it seems my son wants to be brass-minded and hard headed. Well since the engagement has been called off by him, the Elders will not approve of you living in the estate longer than need be." Meiling felt her world collapse but she nodded anyways knowing that Yelan liked things in order.

"But Meiling we will pay for an apartment in Hong Kong close to the estate for you to live." Meiling bowed while the other girls stared awestruck at their mother.

"Thank you Auntie Yelan-domo."

"Come, Wei will probably have dinner finished. Meiling you are welcomed to join us." She turned and walked away but her daughters waited until Meiling took the first step towards home.

END OF FLASHBACK

Indeed, her world had ended that day but why now was Meiling being asked to accept a job as her ex fiancée's new secretary? And why is it out of the blue that Yelan wants Meiling around the family after she so formally dismissed her niece? Meiling knew she would find out sooner or later but she wasn't so sure if she really wanted to know the why or the why not of the situation. But whether she was ready or not to find out, she would indeed find out. One way or another she would find out. And that was the promise to herself from that moment onward.

XXX

Eriol watched as Sakura left his office. It was bizarre for Sakura to ask about another person, much less her boss and his relatives. Something must've happened while she was in his office this morning. Eriol sighed and leaned back in his chair. His desk was a skewed with various papers for his boss to sign and various other things. This was the mess from which he surrounded himself with everyday but refused to fuss about. He examined his desk only to stop and gaze down at a picture of his girlfriend Tomoyo. They had met in photography class in their sophomore year of college in their fall semester. He saw her from across the room but she still caught his eyes. She was beautiful all the more everyday he gazed upon her and even he had to smack himself sometimes just to be sure he wasn't dreaming. He sighed. Even though he loved Tomoyo with every fiber of his being, to the very depths of his soul, there was still things about what happened before their relationship that were still left unanswered.

And now it all seemed to be rearing it's little head up and he wasn't quite sure Tomoyo was ready to explain or to let things go. Now Syaoran and Sakura were being thrown into the mix al because one wanted answers, and the other wanted to have an understanding of the other. Syaoran Li…never wanted to get to know about a person that was outside family or his job, rarely asked for advice and on top of all that; never failed to flirt with a single, beautiful girl. All of which he had changed on a drop of a dime for the sake of one woman: Sakura. Then on the other side, Sakura is becoming curious about his cousin and the relationship he shares with his family. Why was she all of a sudden becoming fascinated about the inside part of his family, he wondered. Sakura, as long as Eriol had known her, found that she had always been one of those kinds of people that didn't usually get in other people's business but now she was practically investigating Syaoran's family and personality. To top off all of that, Eriol didn't know if his aunt was being serious or not about her proposal about Meiling.

Eriol didn't know what to say to anything that was happening around him. It was as if everything around him was going into hyper drive and he was still going extremely slowly. He ran both his hands through his dark locks of hair. He didn't know what he was supposed to do now that he was stuck in the middle but he had to find out. Just like with the advice, Eriol had to find the answers. He nodded with determination and got swiftly out of his chair and went straight to the elevator. If anyone was going to tell him anything, it would be Syaoran. Ever sense they were little, Eriol had always been Syaoran's real friend. Syaoran went to Eriol for anything; about needing a place to stay for a few nights, or a shoulder to lean on or even just an ear to vent to and Eriol knew he had the same reliability from Syaoran that he gave. It was, after all, in Syaoran's nature to be loyal to those who are loyal and trustworthy to him. Gratefully that was a trait he got from his father. Unfortunately, Yelan couldn't understand that concept of her son.

It ashamed Eriol to know that Syaoran's mother knew almost nothing about her son. All Yelan knew about her son was his mistakes, anything else that reminded her of her late husband she shut completely out of her mind. It was like She was trying to forget that her late husband as Syaoran's father. It made no sense. The elevator door opened slowly with a light ding and Eriol stepped out onto the top floor and stood in front of Syaoran's door. Looking at his watch, which read 11:45, he remembered the state that Sakura had found Syaoran in earlier that morning. Then he shrugged and opened the door.

There in his office chair was Syaoran fast asleep still. Eriol looked around the office. It was still the same mess it was in that very same morning. Paper airplanes still were all over his office and Syaoran had a drool line down the side of his face. He chuckled at the boyishness of the scene before him. It reminded him of their college days. But he couldn't sleep anymore. It was time he woke up and started explaining some things. He walked around to face his chair and started shaking him awake.

"Syaoran."

"Hmmm…."

"Syaoran Li, get up." Syaoran whined and groaned but Eriol still kept shaking him until Syaoran peeked open his eyes.

"Eriol?" He asked groggily rubbing his eyes. Eriol rolled his eyes and leaned on Syaoran's desk.

"Yes numb skull. Its me...how you feeling?" Syaoran groaned and rubbed his head.

"I feel like someone ran me over with a 2 by 4…I've got kinks in places I didn't know you could get kinks in!"

"Well I would think so too after sleeping in an office a lot over the past two days."

"I have slept in a chair two days in a row haven't I? Once last night through this morning and yesterday in…"

"In Sakura's office. And that's something we need to discuss."

XXX

Meiling arrived in front of the company building and breathed a sigh of relief. She had called Yelan as soon as she got off her plane and told her that she would be coming straight to headquarters. Now that she was here with all her luggage, she didn't know if she was exactly ready to confront her aunt and her cousin, Syaoran. But either way she was still going to go through it all whether she was ready or not. Lugging all her bags in hand, she walked into the office building. Meiling had always been brought up around corporate offices but shes never been in one before. Walking over to the receptionist desk, she watched as the woman sitting at the desk looked at her disapprovingly. She didn't appreciate that at all.

"Um excuse me instead of scrutinizing me why don't you do your job and send a message up to Yelan that I have arrived but I'm going to go see Syaoran first." Yuki was offended by her comment but after having the conversation earlier with Sakura, she decided to keep her mouth shut.

"Name?"

"Meiling Li." Now Yuki was glad she kept quiet.

"Fine the message will be up."

"Good. You are competent then, for once." She said before turning and walking to the elevator. Yuki was so flabbergasted at being treated so insignificant that she would rather deal with Sakura all over again than with that girl! She picked up the phone and called up to the head boss to send the message she so rudely was told to send. In the elevator, Meiling was feeling very well about how she showed the receptionist who was above who. She wasn't usually that mean but it had been years since she had the authority over other people. And now she was going to see Syaoran. She was beginning to feel slightly dizzy from all the excitement but she knew it would all turn out alright.

XXX

Syaoran gazed at Eriol with a very confused expression on is face. Why was Eriol wanted to discuss what happened with Sakura's office? Nothing happened though…

"Nothing happened though Eriol…whats there to discuss?"

"That's exactly my point: nothing happened. Since when does 'nothing' happen when your in the presence of a beautiful female unless you don't find Sakura attractive.."

"Oh no!" Syaoran waved frantically becoming quite flustered. "I find Sakura very attractive, but also shes so…innocent…"

"And those other girls weren't 'innocent' enough?" This was turning out to be a very worthwhile conversation. He may even find out the true inner workings of his cousin's mind.

"Those other girls…were more than just not innocent. They didn't care about themselves…they even said so themselves…Eriol, I don't sleep around just because I can…" Syaoran sighed and ran his hands through his hair. It was a common trait among Li males. Eriol frowned. The Syaoran before him was much different from the arrogant, calculating, cynical Syaoran everyone knew him to be. He seemed human, a human whose made mistakes that even he regrets from time to time. This was the 'below-the-surface' Syaoran Eriol knew.

"Then why…"

"Because they wanted someone to hold them, to feel protective arms around them and for once feel…safe, cherished. And it touched me so I agreed to please them but they all left the next day and all of them are now dating and happy. We still keep in contact too. They're all sorry that I got in trouble because of them…" He looked up at Eriol, his eyes pleading and sad. He seemed so…small and human then. Eriol sighed.

"And Sakura?"

"Shes so…happy. Even after Mister Haynami ruined her office the first day she came in, she didn't mind it at all. Its so different from what I'm used to. Eriol, you know how mother is. If anything is messed up, she throws a fit and gets upset and throws all her anger at anyone who is near…which is mainly me…and Meiling is no better. Anyone who gives her an eye she treats them like they're 'beneath' her. Sakura seemed so…charming, so intriguing. Shes like a puzzle that I can't seem to put together. Its both exciting and frustrating at the same time!" Eriol scrutinized his cousin carefully.

"And you simply feel asleep in her office and offered her dinner and to give her a ride home?" here was the big test of truths.

"Well yes…It was quiet and I was tired from having to deal with another sleepless night and I just…fell asleep. And you can't say you have never offered dinner and a ride to your 'secret' girlfriend after shes spend an all-nighter working late." Syaoran had a point, Eriol had to admit that.

"But we were talking the first time I offered and the other times we were and are dating. That's one thing, you and Sakura are co-workers. That's something completely different."

"Well I felt bad…She worked really late on her very first day. That's not exactly fair. Yes, its and international corporation an its very demanding but it shouldn't make a person pull an all-nighter from the start."

"Syaoran, do you like Sakura?" Syaoran's head snapped in Eriol's direction. He didn't know how to respond to that particularly strange but so appropriate question. Did Syaoran like Sakura? Was Syaoran attracted to Sakura in a way that was beyond admiration? Was there something that by all means of common sense shouldn't be there? He wasn't even sure…

"I don't know Eriol…I really have no idea how I feel towards Sakura. I really don't. I can usually say whether I do or I don't like a girl but Sakura is like… something from a different universe that just happened to be born here. Shes like no girl I've ever met before…" Eriol was very happy he came to discuss all this with his cousin. Finally he was getting some kind of answers and that was a pleasing note in his books. First: he found that Syaoran was definitely feeling something for his girlfriend's delightful cousin. Second: he found that his dear cousin wasn't as much of a player as people made him out to be. And third: Yelan was going to make the biggest mistake of her life if she did intend to go with her plan on high drive. It would not only push Syaoran further away from her but it would cause office turmoil. That everyone else would have to deal with but herself. That was the depressing thing about having Yelan as complete head of the company. She could get away with anything she wanted. And if Syaoran married someone she shoved at him that would mean that she would have control inside and out the marriage. He gazed down at his cousin with much sympathy.

Here was a 25 years old who was under complete control of an over-bearing mother who practically blamed him for his own father's death. After being told that many years, you, as a person, tend to want to disconnect from that person. Everyone knew that Shu Lang was Syaoran's hero, his role model, the person that he thought could live beyond forever. Being told that you killed the very person you looked up to tends to make a person feel that it was all their fault even if it wasn't. The only person who didn't fully understand that was Yelan and at some points Meiling.

"Well Syaoran its alright not to know something."

"It is?" Eriol sighed at the question. 'Thank you Yelan.'

"Yes, and who knows, maybe you'll figure out whats going on in your head. That'll also give you a chance to get to know her on a deeper level than what you've seen of her or what opinion you've got about her may change or it could possibly stay the same or it could get better…"

"What happened with you and Tomoyo?" Eriol exhaled but smiled and leaned deeper into Syaoran's desk. This was so like college days that it actually amazed Eriol to remember that Syaoran and himself were both 25 and were both working in one of the most powerful corporations in the world.

"Tomoyo and I met in our second year of college, first semester."

"Wait, but you didn't say anything…" Eriol smiled down at Syaoran.

"If you remember I got more secretive during that time. Well she was the reason. She was the reason I spent hours in 'photography class' or in the library or doing research…she was the reason for a lot of things…"

"Oh I didn't know…why didn't you tell me?"

"You were busy trying to make it to the top almost killing yourself in the process."

"I still would've taken time to listen…" Eriol shrugged.

"Its ancient history, but we met that year and gosh that was the best year I had in college. She made things come to life. That's what I adore about her. We got to know each other better that whole year and we went out on our first date at the beginning of our junior year since she was in another class with me that year and I was beginning to wonder what it would be like to date her. Well something happened…" Eriol frowned.

"What happened?" Syaoran inquired. He never heard Eriol talk about someone personal to him. He rarely spoke about his parents or any friends outside the family. Eriol shrugged and looked at Syaoran. Syaoran could see the sadness in his eyes.

"I really don't know to tell you honestly. It was a Friday night when we went on a date and I thought things were fine till Monday. She came to class with red puffy eyes. I asked her what happened and she told me…she told me that she could never see me again and she ran out of the classroom."

"That's it? One date then its over? Then why are you two together now?"

"Well she didn't speak to me no matter how many times I tried and she was always with this honey colored hair girl. I didn't know who she was until the following fall semester. Sakura and I had accounting that fall together. She approached me first." He chuckled remembering how some random girl walked up to him and smiled at him and introduced himself.

"She recognized me as the guy that kept trying to talk to Tomoyo. Actually I owe a lot of good and happy memories to that day. Sakura and I became friends fast. Tomoyo still wouldn't talk to me and one day Sakura asked me why I hadn't asked Tomoyo out again. This surprised me because Tomoyo had been avoiding me like the plague and all of a sudden I was being questioned why I didn't try? Well I told her what happened and such." He shook is head remembering.

"What did she say?"

"I've never seen her as angry as she was just then. She told me not to worry about a thing. She even apologized for the way Tomoyo had been acting saying that it was all her fault."

"Did she say why?"

"No, but she stormed out of the library that day and I didn't see hair or hide of her all that weekend or the first following days. Finally the following Thursday guess who I get a call from?"

"Sakura?"

"No, Tomoyo saying that she wants to meet me so that we could talk."

"What did you guys talk about?"

"Well she started off about how Sakura was ticked off at her and wouldn't speak to her again until she talked to me, then I asked her why she was avoiding me. She said because all guys are the same, they want sex and she wasn't willing to have that sort of relationship. I was so dumbstruck! She got that from one date? No way so I got mad and I asked her why would she think that!"

"Your not like that. Your like a goody too-shoe!"

"Yeah it took me a year to get the courage to even ask her for one date! That's what I told her. I said if it took me that long for just one small date asking for sex would take more than a year. She jut stared at me. I told her I cared about her because she made things come alive and made me feel like every breath I took was worth something. She started to cry…" Syaoran's jaw dropped but Eriol held out his hand.

"She said that she didn't know. I held both her hands and asked her how could she know if she never gave me the chance. We started over from that day on."

"Just like that?"

"Not really, it took Tomoyo another year before she would even consider going on a date just the two of us. No, Sakura from then on played chaperone for us. I didn't mind that some of the time. Sakura is a very friendly girl and is very easy to talk to plus shes intelligent and remembers the neatest information but…"

"But you sometimes wanted alone time with your girlfriend?" Eriol nodded.

"Well yes actually. See by then she had opened her own fashion company, Sakura was her accountant and sometimes model and I had started working here. We were both busy and hardly saw each other…but I was and am patient. I was willing to wait till she was ready."

"Wow man…I give you props…I don't see how you could do it…And Sakura never brought a date with her while she chaperoned? As attractive as she is…"

"Not once did I ever see her with a guy or even talk about a guy but she is straight I do know that for sure. She just…for some reason stays away from guys…"

"Did you ever ask Tomoyo about it?" Eriol shook his head.

"Yes…I did and have a hundred times over…but I still have no answer to that. She won't tell me and she asks me to never ask Sakura about it either."

"That's odd…"

"Yes but whatever happened I think Tomoyo took it harder than Sakura does or did. She won't show any kind of affection in front of Sakura. She won't even touch me in front of her. Its frustrating sometimes but I haven't said anything about it…"

"Man that's not healthy…"

"I know its not but for Tomoyo, I'm willing to sacrifice whatever for her happiness. But there are things that are happening that I don't think shes going to quite be ready for…"

"What do you mean by that Eriol?"

"Well to be honest there may be things happening soon that none of us are ready for…"

"What are you talking about Eriol? Your talking in riddles again…" But Eriol wasn't given the chance to answer his cousin's question. There was a sudden banging on the door, a few screeches then the double doors to his office slammed open, smacking harshly with the side walls. And there strolled Syaoran and Eriol's worst nightmare, and they prayed it was just a dream and they would wake up soon. Her red eyes pierced both her cousins solidly and she grinned like the vixen she was.

"Syaoran! I'm back!" Eriol glanced away from his female cousin to look down at Syaoran. All the color in his face drained away from his face and it was nothing but sickly white. His mouth hung slightly ajar.

"Meiling…oh no…please say its not you…"

XXX

And there you have it! Chapter 3 is finally finished! I do hope you all enjoyed the chapter and now I must ask all you wonderful readers….

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW please REVIEW!

I hope to hear a lot of reviews. Bashing is tolerated but not wanted. Suggestions or thoughts is most welcomed!

~:Tigeret:~