Together Again

Story: Together Again

Storylink: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6707388/1/

Category: Card Captor Sakura

Genre: Romance/Drama

Author: SapphirusDea

Authorlink: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2713945/

Last updated: 07/26/2012

Words: 48941

Rating: T

Status: Complete

Content: Chapter 1 to 13 of 13 chapters

Source: FanFiction.net

Summary: Before they even started, their relationship had ended. Ironic
how a misreading of a phone number can result into her breakup with a complete
stranger–who was also currently one of the most eligible bachelors in Japan.

*Chapter 1*: Breakups

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS, as much as I wish I do. :)

* * *

1. Breakups. . .

"I am a sad, demented, and pathetic little ladybug."

". . . What did you just call yourself?"

A lovely young woman with light-brown hair -and, apparently, the one who just
called herself a pathetic ladybug-, wearing a marvelous green dress and had her
hair tied up in a messy bun, sighed after she set down her bottle of beer on the
table rather loudly, and looked at her best friend with sadness and exasperation.
"Siaolu's been avoiding me for a week. A week! Just because we had a stupid little
fight over what I want and what he wants. It's not even fair that I don't get a say
in this relationship."

"Yes, well, what he wants is also not fair for you."

"Hey, he's a man."

Her best friend gave her a grim look, "I can see that." The beautiful girl sighed
as she flipped back her long dark hair and took a sip from her glass of champagne
with grace, her dark amethyst eyes thoughtful as she took in her surrounding. The
bar was filled with people that night, and she tried not to gag as a drunk man
bumped against the seat next to her, smiled uglily -though she presumed he was
trying to smirk at her, and utterly failing at it- before walking away, swaying.
She didn't exactly imagine this to be the setting when her dear friend had asked
her to "Come meet me at the seventh level of heaven this afternoon so we can fly
sky high like a bunch of pretty, pink and fat little pigs!"

. . . So much for little pigs now.

"Sakura, he's not a good boyfriend," Tomoyo warned, giving the other girl -who was
currently drowning herself in a bottle of strong liquor down her throat- a stern
look. Said girl set her glass down on the table and glared.

"And why is that?"

"He's pressuring you to do something you don't want to do; real boyfriends wouldn't
do that."

"I'm just not ready! He's not pressuring me or anything."

"Not stopping when you first said no is pressuring. Actually, scratch that, it's
rape."

Sakura laughed humorlessly into her drink and swatted her hand, looking away.
"That's ridiculous, Tomoyo" she said, "I'm twenty-two, how is that rape?"

"Hey ladies," a young man suddenly appeared out of nowhere, leaning against the
table beside Tomoyo's seat. "Care to have a drink?"

"Get a life," Tomoyo spat, making Sakura chuckle at her cold demeanor, "or I'll
kick your ass right here, right now, and you can kiss the thing you call your
'manliness' goodbye." Sakura cackled, and Tomoyo glared as she watched the man
shrink away, grumbling.

"Hurray to Evil Tomoyo!" Sakura cheered, and raised her empty glass towards
Tomoyo's face, almost smacking her nose. The dark-haired girl pushed her hand down
forcefully and looked at Sakura in the eye.

"Break up with him, Sakura, he's no good."

Sakura raised an eyebrow, and sighed as she released her bottle and leaned back
against her small stool. "I don't know."
Suddenly, she threw her purse onto the table and searched through it, taking out a
small leather notebook in the process. "Then, Tomoyo, help me find another man.
I've got a bunch of numbers from friends who introduced me to-"

"Like hell I will."

Sakura glared.

"Daidouji-san?" A polite voice suddenly asked, though barely audible through the
loud sounds of the room. Tomoyo turned her head.

"Hiiragizawa-san!" Tomoyo exclaimed, smiling politely. "What brings you here?"

"Same to you," the man inquired, giving her a curious stare through his glasses.
"You don't seem like the kind of person who would appear in a condition like this.
I'm just meeting up with an old friend, but it doesn't seem like he's here, yet."

"I see," Tomoyo nodded, then gave a sneak of a look at Sakura who was back into her
gloomy state. "My best friend is going through a relationship crisis."

The man looked at Sakura, raising an eyebrow at her before returning his attention
back to Tomoyo quite comfortingly. "I see," he nodded, then straightened up and
walked to the other side of Sakura in long strides. "Miss?"

Sakura raised her head at the sound of his voice. "What?"

He chuckled, and sat down on the stool next to her as he gave her a charming smile.
He extended a hand towards her, "Eriol Hiiragizawa, a co-worker of Daidouji-san
there. You are?"

Sakura hesitantly shook his hand, a hopeful gleam in her eyes. She smiled back and
gave a small laugh, "Kinomoto Sakura. 22. Currently working at an insurance
company. Single."

Tomoyo slapped her forehead.

Eriol laughed before raising an eyebrow at her amusingly, tilting his head. "I see.
Which is why you are currently downing yourself in alcohol to forget the stress put
on you during your relationship crisis, I presume?" Sakura's smile immediately
turned to a frown before she turned to Tomoyo and glared. Said girl smiled back at
her cheekily.

"Don't worry, I know the feeling." Eriol said comfortingly, and started to reach
out for something in his pocket. "Though I probably cannot give you the best
service in this condition," he fished out a pen and eyed the leather notebook on
the table, "I think I know someone who will. May I?"

Sakura gave him a curious look as she handed him her phonebook and Tomoyo gave
Eriol a disapproving stare. He only winked at her, and opened the book to a page
near the back and scribbled down a few letters. "I gave you my number, just in
case," he said later, and handed Sakura her phonebook back. He nodded at Tomoyo. "I
will see you on Monday, then, Daidouji-san."

"Tomoyo," she suddenly said, though her smile wasn't particularly pleasant. "And
yes, I will see you on monday."

Eriol gave out a slightly-frightened laugh before he nodded his head to Sakura and
left. Sakura immediately dove into her book and flipped to the back, searching. "Li
Syaoran. . ."

"So much for helping," Tomoyo suddenly muttered, crossing her arms on the table.
"And here I thought he was going to come up with some brilliant plan of cheering
you up-"

"-But he did!-"

"-without having the idea of matchmaking you up with some random stranger."

Sakura smiled. "So?"

Tomoyo glared at her disapprovingly, then her eyes suddenly widened in curiosity
when she pulled the phonebook towards her and looked at the page. "Why do you have
Siaolu's number on here? Don't you have it on your phone?"

Sakura sent her a skeptical look. "Tomoyo-chan, you know I always delete other
people's numbers when I'm mad at them."

Tomoyo's eyes narrowed. "Oh, yes, and you always forget them. We've been friends
for years and yet you still don't know my number."

Sakura laughed.

"I'm gonna have to go," Tomoyo said, pushing her empty glass away. "As much as I
love the torturous experience of listening you go on about your relationship with
the horrible, disgusting little man, I have to work on a design stuck in my mind
for the past 8 hours." Tomoyo called for a waiter and handed him some tip and
money. She then blew a kiss to Sakura and waved. "Love ya, sis!"

"Sis, my ass, we're cousins." Sakura muttered irritably, but waved goodbye to her
friend affectionately, nonetheless.

* * *

"I. Cannot. Believe. This."

Stomping into her apartment, she shut the door forcefully and threw her bag on the
table, fuming. She then stood there, glaring at her purse, steam blowing out of her
ears for what seemed like hours, before she finally decided to stop assaulting her
bag and dug out her phonebook and ran into her room.

Sakura sat on her bed and huffed, crossing her legs before she opened her phonebook
and flipped to the page where her ex-boyfriend's number was currently kept. Yes,
ex, since it seemed that Sakura had found him kissing this other blonde outside of
his apartment when she had -coincidentally; BY COINCIDENCE, GOD DAMN IT!- drove by
his place, then walked in through the door together as if she wasn't there. Which,
technically speaking, she wasn't to them, but that doesn't mean that they could
just leave her there with her mouth open like a huge idiot, sitting in her car,
torn between cursing the life out of him and stomp into his apartment or crying
like a baby in the middle of a friggin street! Sakura, being the smart girl that
she was -though she forgot the point that she had been willing do date that son of
a. . . never mind- decided to drive back to her place, half-drunk –Tomoyo's going
to be so proud–, and be ready to scream the life outta that jerk-of-a-person she
used to call a boyfriend.
Oh, yes, technology, the best thing for her to break up with a cheating boyfriend.
How wonderful. Where were your guts, Sakura?

She punched the number into her cellphone, her nails making clicking sounds on the
plastic. Listening to it ring for three times -oh, too busy, huh?-, she finally
blew up when the other line clicked, and a deep voice answered into the phone with
a "Hello?"

"You. Little. Son of a bitch!"

". . . Huh?"

"Don't you 'huh' me, you jerk! I don't care if you have excuses for cheating on
your loyal girlfriend. I mean, just because I didn't have sex with you, doesn't
mean you can go off to some other stupid blonde and kiss her in front of your
apartment! What kind of freak are you? I've seen a lot of movies about this, and I
really cannot believe that I would actually meet a cheating jerk like you!"

"Wait, hold on-"

"I'm not ASKING FOR AN EXCUSE SO SHUT UP! I mean, you could've easily just said you
wanted a sex toy and get things over with, you asshole! And what, you had to wait
just to break my friggin heart? Well, congratulations you dick, you won! But let me
tell you one thing: Me, Kinomoto Sakura, am not that easily corruptible, even in
the hands of a jerk like you, Lee Siaolu, who is possibly the biggest asshole there
is on earth!"

"Oi, will you just-"

"Goodbye!"

Sakura shut her phone forcefully and threw it onto her pillow, fuming. Now, most
girls in the movies would've just cried their eyes out after that, but instead,
Sakura just felt anger. Horrible, disgusting, boiling anger. She took an eraser
from her table, and leaned over to erase her ex's number–

Before she realized that was not the number she just dialed.

Eyes widening, she paused over the book –which was actually quite a sight, seeing a
young woman leaning over a small book with both her arms raised and staring at the
object with horrified eyes–, and sat there for a few agonizing seconds before she
opened her cellphone again and checked the number she just dialed. No, that wasn't
Siaolu's number. That wasn't her ex's friggin number. She then looked back to her
phonebook, terrified, and realized she had just dialed Li Syaoran's number.

She just broke up with a friggin stranger.

Ho-ly shit. . .

* * *

He sat there, blinking at the phone -which was currently beeping in speakers-, his
mouth slightly agape and his expression twisted into utter confusion and shock. The
whole room stared with him as well, a few of which were currently trying hard to
keep their eyes from falling out of its sockets. Eriol dropped his pen and it fell
on the polished table with a 'clink' before he shook out of his daze and tapped his
best-friend on the shoulder.

"Syaoran?"

Said man immediately closed his mouth and cleared his throat.

The sudden sound woke everyone up, and they all straightened up in their positions
or adjusted their ties in attempt to act casual. Syaoran ran a hand through his
already-unruly hair, squeezing his eyes shut once as if trying to wake up from a
strange dream. A really, really strange and awkward dream. It didn't work.

Damn.

Taking a deep breath, he clasped his hands together on the table in front of him
and stared at the paper underneath, thinking. Now, if he hadn't called his
employers into his office for a short meeting about a few paperworks here and there
and the. . .disturbing call hadn't occurred, he would've been a perfectly fine and
handsome, and even dignified man. But no, God just didn't really agree with him
today. No, he didn't. In fact, he didn't even do anything when Syaoran woke up that
morning late for an important meeting, spilt half his cup of coffee on his new
shirt, forgot about the fact that he was supposed to meet his best mate at a bar in
the afternoon, skipped dinner and now his stomach was quietly growling for
attention, and just now having heard one of the most irritating break-up calls from
a total stranger he didn't know right in front of his co-workers.

Oh yeah, God must be enjoying himself up there.

Not that Syaoran knew if he really was. He wasn't even religious.

"Right," he suddenly said, his voice cracked from his still-in-shock throat, "um,
that is all today. Just remember to have all the paperwork done by this Thursday.
Clear?"

His employees just nodded, bowing to him politely before scattering out of the room
so they wouldn't have to witness their beloved boss from throwing into a fit. After
the heavy glass door closed with a 'snap', Syaoran shakily stood up from his
leather seat and bowed his head, his body twitching.

Eriol's voice was quiet and hesitant as he reached out a hand of comfort, "Okay,
Syaoran, before you get angry-"

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?"

Eriol sighed. So much for comforting.

* * *

Awkward for a first chapter? Sorry, I'll try to improve.

*Chapter 2*: are actually not that bad

Thank you for the reviews!

Disclaimer: CCS no mine. I do don't own it. CCS belong to some one else.

* * *

2. . . . are actually not that bad. . .

Sakura wept. Tomoyo sighed. Sakura wept as Tomoyo sighed.

People who passed them gave them weird looks.

"Can you believe it, Tomoyo?" Sakura exclaimed, her chin on the coffee table and
her arms crossed over her head. "I'm doomed. Doomed. I am doomed for life. I am
doomed, doomed, doomed, doomed, doomed-"

"Sakura, I get it, you're doomed for life for breaking up with a stranger. Can we
move on?"

Sakura pouted. "A hot stranger, Tomoyo; now I've got no chance with him. And I
didn't even break up with Siaolu. This is insane."

"Why didn't you break up with Siaolu, again?"

"Because! I was too angry and shocked! I mean, what if I accidentally called
this. . . Li Syaoran again, huh? That would make things even worse! I cannot risk
the chance of getting caught. . ." Sakura trailed off as she slid down her seat a
bit further. "I'm doomed for life. Li Syaoran's going to kill himself. Then he's
going to come and haunt me. And then I'll die." Tomoyo rolled her eyes. That's
nice. Sakura reached out for Tomoyo and gripped her arm. "I love you Tomoyo. You
can take all my belongings when I die."

Tomoyo rolled her eyes and pulled Sakura's hand off her arm, holding it and giving
it a squeeze. "Sakura, calm down, he's not going to commit suicide and then haunt
you," she took a deep breath. "Remind me why I'm friends with you, again?"

Sakura glared at her best friend. "You're not helping."

"Just relax, okay? He might know that you weren't actually talking to him. You said
'Siaolu' didn't you?"

"Yes. And I said my name. My name. Kinomoto Sakura. My friggin', flippin', stupid
name." Sakura's face suddenly brightened. "I know! I'll just change my name and run
away from the country! And then I'll change my phone number. That way he'll never
ever ever be able to reach me, and I'll never ever ever have to worry about losing
my life to some weird and scary and out-of-the-blue murder!" Sakura did a fist-
pump, almost punching an old woman passing by in the face. Of course, she was
oblivious to it all. "I am a genius!"

Tomoyo palmed her face and sighed. "Yes. Yes you are." She then gave Sakura a weird
look. "How do you know this Li Syaoran guy is hot, anyway?"

Sakura looked at Tomoyo as if she was dumb, which, right now, Tomoyo assumed she
was. "Because the Eriol guy was hot! Hot guys always have hot friends, you know!"

Tomoyo nodded. "Uh-huh."

Sakura suddenly gasped dramatically, a hand wavering over her opened mouth. "Oh my
god. What if he's gay? What if they're like, together, or something? That makes my
chance of hooking up with the either of them even more slim!"

Tomoyo rolled her eyes and whacked Sakura upside down on the head. "Silly. Why
would Hiiragizawa-san introduce him to you in the first place if they were
together?"

Sakura nodded dumbly, and laughed sheepishly. "Right."

Tomoyo's phone suddenly rang, and she reached down to answer it. Sakura gloomily
slid down her chair as she took a sip of her mocha. Tomoyo worried for the girl
sometimes; she was acting too gloomy, lately. "Hello?"

Sakura stared as Tomoyo smiled shyly into the phone and propped her chin onto her
palm and her elbow on the table. "Hey. . ." Sakura's eyes widened in slight
disbelief. "Yes, um, I'm actually with a friend right now. . .Yes, here. Do
you. . .? Really? Sure. . .That's fine. She needs some cheering up anyway."

Sakura glared at her, even though the dark-haired girl was too occupied to deal
with the moody lady. An idiot could tell she was talking about her.

Tomoyo's face brightened up and fell . . .and brightened up again. She nodded
enthusiastically. "Okay, I'll see you in a while. Bye!"

She ended the call.

"You have a boyfriend? A life? Since when did you have a life?"

Tomoyo glared at her best-friend.

"You're so nice," she said sarcastically, putting her phone away. "And yes, I do
have a life. Deal with it. Ha."

Sakura rolled her eyes–

And broke down wailing again.

. . .

"I'm doomed. I'm doomed. I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed-"

* * *

"I hate my life. I hate my life. I hate my life, hate my life, hate my life-."

Eriol sighed as he put away his phone and looked at Syaoran with exasperation.
"Syaoran, shut up. You're annoying."
Syaoran glared.

"You're not the one who just got humiliated a night earlier by receiving a stupid
blackmailing-ish call in front of your own co-workers. And I had a bad day, okay?
Deal with it, moron."

Eriol rolled his eyes.

"If I didn't have so much plans and things to do with my life, I would've killed
myself, hanged my neck, die, and go haunt that girl who dared ruining my
reputation."

. . .That's nice.

Eriol sighed dramatically, settling himself in a chair before Syaoran's expensive

yet plain-looking worktable. Having just being promoted into the boss of one part
of this huge insurance company a few days ago, Syaoran was just getting used to the
life of having to deal with numerous amount of paperworks and meetings and
employees and people.

And by 'people', he meant 'women'.

At age 25, Syaoran received his MBAs and immediately came to Japan to run the
company owned by the Li Corporation. Well, this insurance company was just a
beginning, seeing as it was smaller than many of the other businesses ran by his
family. He knew how to speak four languages fluently, his family was beyond rich,
and he played soccer and was responsible and was beyond handsome. Just looking at
him can actually make one drool.

Eriol backtracked, shaking his head. Ew. Ewww. Those were bad thoughts, seeing as
he was straight and was just mentally describing his own cousin as a handsome Greek
God. Incest much?

He had his eyes for a woman already, for heaven's sake.

"Don't make such a big fuss about it," he interrupted Syaoran's rambling, and said
man turned his head to send one of the most deadliest looks at him. "You're a man;
you have to get through all of these things. Toughen up!"

"Yes, well, usually when I get a call from a woman it's about her wanting me to get
in her pants." He leans back against his chair and sneered. "I'm not particularly a
big fan of hearing a special lady telling me I'm an asshole and then breaking up
with me."

"She doesn't know who you are. Remember when she called you 'Siaolu'? She probably
just dialed the wrong number." At this, he smirked. "Couldn't be surprised if it's
her–"

"What!" Syaoran exclaimed, literally jumping in his chair and slammed his palms
onto his table. "You know her? You know this persecutor? Who is she? Kinomoto
What's-her-face? I should go sue her."

. . .As much of a man he really was, Syaoran was a total pussy when he became
angry.

"You know, I really wish I wrote this down. Then I could make a whole movie about
it and watch people laugh their asses off."
Syaoran glared again. "If you do, I'm cutting them off before they could even
laugh. Including yours."

Eriol rolled his eyes. "What? Are you having a bad day today, as well? Geesh,
Syaoran, I feel bad for you."

Syaoran still had his palms on the table, frowning, before he relaxed a little and
bowed down his head. "I'm just. . .disturbed. Very disturbed. And I want to go home
and get some sleep. The only reason I'm still here is because my sisters are at my
place. . ." he cringed, "and they're still mad."

"So you're not having a bad day?"

Syaoran lifted his head and did a small shrug, standing up. "I sure hope not," he
sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. As he sat back down, his hand hit the
fresh cup of hot coffee on the table and knocked it on his lap.

Eriol eyes widened as Syaoran immediately seethed.

"THE FUCK!'

* * *

"I'm calling Siaolu for you."

Sakura eyes widened as she screamed and jumped towards Tomoyo and knocked them both
onto the ground, hands grabbing and tearing until Tomoyo cried and promised that
she'd never butt into her business ever again.

. . .No, Sakura didn't. But she was extremely tempted to.

"You need to make a move!" Tomoyo countered, waving her hand sternly as Sakura
reached over to grab her phonebook from the wiser girl's hands. "I mean, you've
always been too nice, and if he suddenly comes to you some day and ask you to sleep
with him again, you might actually give in to him if you get moved." Tomoyo frowned
at her. "I'm doing this for your own good."

"But I don't want to! I'm not ready."

"Then when will you be?"

Sakura shrugged nervously with her shoulders and hands. "I-I don't know. Tomorrow?
The day after? Next year. . .?"

Tomoyo glared disapprovingly.

"You know what, fine. I don't need to call him."

Sakura blinked at her confusingly.

The bell of the door rang, and a man clad in a white sweatshirt and black jeans
stepped into the room, his short blonde hair tousled from the wind. Sakura looked
at Tomoyo with wide eyes while said girl looked back at her smugly.
"I blackmailed him with a text."

. . .

. . .Excuse Sakura as she picked up her jaw from the floor in horror.

"You did what?" she hissed, pulling the both of them further down into their seats
as the man looked at around albeit nervously. "I told you, I'm not ready!"

"You're going to have to do it sooner or later." Tomoyo shrugged, and Sakura was
more than tempted to hit her in her pretty face. In fact, she should just hit her
in the face, right now. Smack her hard! That'll teach her a lesson to never mess
into her own bloody business ever again–

". . .Sakura?"

. . .Curse Tomoyo's abnormal strength for pushing her out of her seat and sending
her onto the floor. God, this was both horrifying and embarrassing.

Well, at least Siaolu acted like a gentleman and lifted her up.

"Hey, Siaolu," she murmured, looking at the ground. Almost right next to her,
Tomoyo shooed her with her hand as if asking her to get it over with. Sakura
gulped.

"Your friend texted me, and, uh, threatened me to come over here or else she's
gonna come over to my apartment tonight and stab me with a knife." Siaolu scratched
his neck. "She's joking, right?"

Sakura nodded and laughed sheepishly, wrapping her arms around herself. "Yeah,
sorry, she's kinda a creep."

Heh, that's right', in your face, woman!

"I have no idea how she got my number," the blond boy mumbled, "but is there
something you need to talk to me about?"

Sakura stared at him, hard, and he stared back. She could almost hear Tomoyo
mentally screaming to her and ordering her to, "Say it, Sakura, you idiotic moron!
You chicken without any guts!"

Well, Tomoyo was too poised to actually do that.

"I do have something to tell you," she said, taking a deep breath. He blinked at
her, almost innocently, tilting his head to the side. Aww, how cute.

She shook her head mentally. Psh, college guys are always cute. . .

Did she mention that he was a year younger than her?

"I saw you yesterday," she started, narrowing her eyes at him steadily. "I saw you
with that blonde chick at your apartment yesterday afternoon."

Siaolu's eyes widened.

"And I also saw you kissing her!" She continued, just as he opened his mouth to
counter. "I don't care if you say something about her being a partner in a project,
or something, I know it's not true."
Siaolu actually looked at her guiltily and closed his mouth.

"Let's just stop here. I don't think I want to be with someone who just uses me as
some physical pleasure and fun." she shook her head. "No, I don't think, I know."

People around them were staring, and Sakura didn't notice two more figures at the
café door. She could feel Tomoyo's proud beam radiating off her body.

Siaolu finally took a step back and nodded. "I'm sorry."

Sakura nodded back, crossing her arms and suddenly feeling very dominant. She
smiled sweetly at him, almost sickening sweet. "Also," she said as he raised his up
to meet her gaze, "if you dare cheat on any girl in your future life, I'll make
sure I'll come hunt you down with my best friend here and actually stab you in your
sleep. 'K?"

Tomoyo cackled quietly in her seat.

Siaolu's eyes widened, and he backed out of the room and around the two people
gathered there. Sakura exhaled loudly and dropped her arms.

Tomoyo clapped and pulled her down into her seat, beaming. "I love you, Sakura! I'm
so proud of you!" she gathered Sakura in a breath-taking embrace.

And when Sakura meant breath-taking, she meant it literally.

She wheezed weakly as she tried to pry her off her body, gripping for the dark-
haired girl's arms. "Bleh––bleh–To–moyo!"

Two hands gripped onto her friend's shoulders just as she was about to collapse and
pulled her away.

Fresh water was offered to her a moment later, and Sakura thanked the person
silently as she took huge amount of gulps from the glass. She felt dizzy, and very
dehydrated, and was still trying to return her breathing back to normal.

She loved Tomoyo, really, but she swore her best-friend was plotting to kill her,
or something.

"Yeah, we get it; we get it, Tomoyo, stop it." a voice muttered, his form hazy in
front of her and next to her friend – who was currently babbling-slash-cackling
away. "Tomoyo, seriously, you're scaring the kid behind us. Oh, look, now he's
crying."

Sakura sighed and rubbed her head. How could someone as graceful and kind as Tomoyo
have an alter ego that's so brash, bold, and so. . .weird? Seriously, she should go
and get her checked, or something.

"You okay?" a deep voice rumbled beside her, and she turned her head to meet the
most beautiful dark-amber eyes. Her eyes widened. "Or are you, like, sent into an
open-eyed coma? 'Cuz that happened to my cousin once, and it was freaky."

Sakura would've laughed at his comforting humor, but she was too distracted to do
so. The man in front of her was absolutely gorgeous. Gorgeous as in stunningly
gorgeous, with a strong jaw, high cheek-bones, sharp nose, and deep, penetrating
eyes.

Yup, whatever he was saying about a coma, she was definitely going through it.
Syaoran, on the other hand, was just staring at her in concern. The strange girl
with bright-green eyes so clear in her wide-opened lids, and her lips parted like
she was trying to catch her breath, was staring at him like he'd just grown another
handsome head. She's quite pretty, he admitted, but she's. . .really strange.

. . .And she's starting to freak him out.

He was tempted to rake his hand through his hair as his ego suddenly swelled. Oh
yeah, his greek god-like look was putting itself in use again. Heh.

Two slender fingers suddenly snapped themselves in front of him and Sakura.

"Sorry, dear, you know how I can get carried away."

Sakura's head whipped around as she glared.

"Well, now that that's settled, I have to admit that I admire your boldness, Miss."
Eriol suddenly said, smiling at Sakura. Her eyes widened in recognition.

" Hiiragizawa-san!" she exclaimed, before she slouched back in embarrassment. "Hi."

"Nice seeing you here, too." he chuckled, one eyebrow quirked up. "Looks like
you've entertained yourself quite well."

"We have," Tomoyo agreed, then sighed dramatically. "My, my, how eventful one day
could be. Well, if you spent more time with her here," Sakura glared, "you'll
realize that everyday is colorful."

Eriol laughed.

And Syaoran coughed.

"Oh, yes, I'm being too rude." Eriol suddenly said, clearing his throat and smiled
pleasantly. "This is my best-friend slash cousin, here. He's a workaholic, and was
spending too much time enclosed in his office. Or, um, he was just too scared to
come out. . ." At this, Syaoran glared, and Eriol suddenly gave Sakura an amused
look, much to her confusion. "I'm sure you two can introduce yourselves, right?"

Both nodded, and turned their bodies in their seats to look at each other. They
raised their hands, but they were on the wrong side. They changed it, and ended up
on the same side again. Finally, Sakura laughed sheepishly and Syaoran smirked,
clasping each others hands correctly.

"Hello-" Syaoran said.

"Hi-" Sakura said, as well.

. . .

Eriol and Tomoyo blinked.

"My name is-"

"I'm-"

. . .

Well, this was awkward.

They both cleared their throats.

"Um. . ."

"Uh. . ."

. . .

Eriol and Tomoyo leaned forward. And. . .?

The two sighed, and placed a pleasant smile on their faces. Sakura's heart jumped a
beat at the action. They both opened their mouths, and-

"My name is Li Syaoran-"

"I'm Kinomoto Sakura-"

. . .

. . .

. ! . ! . !

-insert more dot dot dots and exclamation points here-

Syaoran and Sakura blinked. Tomoyo blinked. Eriol smiled evilly.

The two were still connected by the hands, and they bolted up form their seats to
look at each other incredulously. Well, to be correct, they were looking at each
other quite terrifyingly.

"WHAT THE HELL!"

Eriol sighed rather contently in his seat and spread his arms back. This was going
to be interesting.

* * *

And they were kicked out of the café! The end!

No, just kidding. But they probably would be kicked out of the café for yelling
that out loud, though. Beside a little kid, nonetheless.

Anyways, thank for such kind reviews in the last chapter. I really appreciated it.
After all, it's the readers' support that make us writers feel inspired to
entertain them. Thank you, and I'll be back soon. Hopefully. :)

*Chapter 3*: because after it

 This update was so incredibly late. I'm honestly so sorry.
Hopefully the events will make up for it.

I also give my best wishes to Japan, the most incredibly recourse of our beloved
anime and other products. I send them all my love.

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura and I never will.

* * *

3. . . .because after it. . .

"I should just get rid of the stupid phonebook." Sakura mumbled as she leaned back
against her friend's desk. Rika looked up from her computer and smiled at her
sympathetically. "I mean, all it's been doing lately is bringing me bad fortune. Li
is completely pissed with me right now."

"Oh? You two are in last name basis?" the older girl teased, crossing her arms
while she looked up at Sakura with a silly smile. "You two are much closer than I
thought you would be."

Sakura rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Please. After the two of us realized who each
other was, he glared at me the rest of the afternoon, and I felt like he was ready
to grow fangs and claws and attack me, or something." At this, she leaned down
slightly. "Even though he would be a pretty hot predator."

"Kinomoto-san," an older woman suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and Sakura jumped
at her baritone. "Shizuke-san would like to speak to you in her office after lunch
break."

"About. . .?" Sakura prodded a bit further of her own manager, silently hoping the
lady wouldn't get angry at her and growl. Instead, the woman just looked impassive.

"About your new boss, of course."

* * *

"I've got a new boss?" Sakura muttered under breath incredulously, walking down the
empty hallway to the elevator so she could go to the cafeteria and feed her
complaining stomach. "Hope it's not some hairy old man, again," she remembered her
second boss, cringing at the memory of his crooked smiles. Strangely enough, the
part of the company she'd been working in for a year now changed heads practically
every month. Well, not every month, but wasn't four in a year a bit too over the
top? She sighed and looked down at her skirt.

She really didn't want to be here, but she also didn't have a choice.

The elevator dinged seconds after she pressed the button, and she tapped her foot
impatiently as she waited for the door to open. She took a deep breath as the metal
doors separated, but rather than letting it go, she held it unconsciously and
stared.

In the elevator stood a very irritated-looking Syaoran, tugging at his sleeve. When
he looked up and met her gaze, his eyes narrowed even more.

"What. The hell."

Sakura would've dropped her jaw at his deadly and rude tone if she weren't so. . .
horrified.

"You work here?" they both asked in union, after Sakura decided to let go of her
breath and take a new one so she wouldn't collapse.

"I do," she replied after a moment of awkward silence. She blinked when Syaoran
suddenly stopped glaring and instead sneered, crossing his arms and leaning back
against the metal walls.

"Well this is going to be interesting."

The doors began to close, and Sakura immediately jumped in as a reflex, silently
cursing when she realized the grave mistake she'd made. She worked on the 7th
floor, and it seemed that Syaoran had come from an even higher story, seeing as he
was waiting to go the the main lobby, as well. She took a deep breath and stepped
to the other side of the small closing, hoping to keep as far away from his as
possible. It'll be all right, as long as they didn't talk. If she didn't piss him
off, she might even walk out of the elevator alive. She looked up at the slowly
descending numbers, slightly despaired that the elevator didn't stop and new people
would walk in and could distance herself from him even further.

Hurry up and get down, she thought to herself, heart racing in anxiousness, you
stinking elevator. Hurry up and get the hell down!

The elevator suddenly stopped, and the space rumbled.

. . . Are you serious?

"Oh my god," she groaned, leaning back against the wall and covering her face.
"This is just like a horror movie." And so cliché.

"No kidding," Syaoran surprised her by agreeing, and he walked over to press the
emergency button.

It sounded, but Sakura highly doubted any people would be able to help them within
the next five minutes.

"This is bad," she mumbled underneath her breath, dramatically dragging her fingers
down her face so her skin would stretch, making a face. Syaoran stared at her.
"This is bad. Really, really bad. I hate this building."

"I get it now," Syaoran said, though not snappy. He looked at his cellphone. "So
there is signal," he said, and dialed something before he held the electronic to
his ear. Sakura looked at him hopefully, but he frowned after a few seconds.

"No one's picking up?" she voiced out his thoughts. He looked at her for a second
before turning away. "A phone could actually work in this freakin' place -which
would not happen in a movie- but there's still no one picking up?"

He gave her a quick look to shut up, then he took the mechanic off his ear and
dialed again. "Stupid people," he muttered under his breath, "I should fire them."

"What?" Sakura suddenly asked, startled. Syaoran gave her an unreadable look before
he smirked arrogantly, taking her off guard with a completely random question.

"So, how do you like this place?"

She blinked at him, wondering what the hell was wrong with his head. One second,
he's scaring the piss out of her, making her think that he was going to throw her
into a wall and bang her head or something, and now he's actually starting a
civilized conversation with her? "It's. . . okay," she finally managed to croak
out.

He nodded, "Do you like your boss?"

"Um, I guess?" she slouched back as she watched him dial again. "She's decent.
Tolerable. And I was supposed to meet her right after my lunch break."

"Is that so?" He sounded truly intrigued, raising his eyebrows. "What for?"

"I, uh," Sakura looked at her arms, confused, "apparently have a new boss."

Syaoran snickered.

"What?" she repeated, furrowing her brows. "Why are you even asking?"

He stared at her, tapping a finger against one of his crossed arms before looking
around nonchalantly. "A boss's impression is very important to their co-workers and
job," he finally replied, and gave up as he pocketed his blackberry. The screen
became black as he clicked a button on the top. "Not only is it important to the
boss himself, but it's also important for the employees. I know too many people who
complain about their managers, and, even if they are good at what they're doing,
they never end out great. I suggest you get close to your new boss and make a good
first impression, otherwise you will be screwed." He smirked, "And I'm pretty sure
you're good at making impressions."

Sakura blushed uncontrollably and looked away, pouting slightly. She scanned across
the elevator, sighing, and, for the first time, realized that it didn't have an
cameras. She then looked at Syaoran from the corner of her eyes, and he was staring
casually ahead. If only she had the guts to-

"What happened between you and your ex?"

"Huh?" Sakura dumbly replied, startled at his chivalry once more. Well, she
couldn't exactly consider it to be chivalry, but it was polite, and Sakura wasn't
sure if he still had that trait in him since he practically hated her. She took a
sharp breath, "Uh, he, um, he cheated on me."

He smirked again, "Thought so."

"What!"

"You threatened to chop him into pieces if he did, didn't you?" He leaned his head
back against the wall. "And I have to say that it would be a pretty interesting
scene."

"Sure, you could totally imagine me as a serial killer, scaring little kids in
their sleep and tearing people's throats apart. 'Cause I'm that scary. Roar."
Syaoran actually laughed.

She was surprised at how easy it really was to talk with him, and was surprised
even more when he actually gave her advice on how to treat her boss so she would be
far from the brink of getting fired and become unemployed.

"And remember, never raise your voice at them, no matter infuriating they could be.
Patience is virtue, really. You don't want to anger a person who has full power
over you." at Sakura's raised eyebrow, he added, "Maybe not full power, but you
have the idea. Also, never be fooled by their appearance. It's the worst." He
slouched back against the wall lazily but his look made him seem like a hungry
serpent. "Got it?"

"So, basically, when I meet this new boss, you want me to act like I am the
sweetest little girl there is and make a candy-like first impression?" Syaoran
looked thoughtful, then he nodded. "That shouldn't be hard. I took drama in high
school."

"Yes, that would put itself in great use," Syaoran muttered sarcastically, and
pulled on the hem of his sleeve. Sakura suddenly looked closer at him, and it
seemed that his expression looked more or less mischievous. He suddenly turned his
head and grinned at her, "I also suggest you not stare at your new boss, even if he
is as hot as me. You might plant an misinformed assumption in their head."

Sakura almost gaped.

She watched as he looked down at his watch and made an annoyed sound before
crossing his arms ago. Mimicking his actions, she looked down at her own watch and
gasped, realizing that her lunch break was already over and that she would be late
with her meeting with her boss. She cursed.

"Don't worry, I'll go with you, and explain to them what's happened here so you
won't get in trouble for being so late."

Sakura already raised a questioning eyebrow at him before the door suddenly clanked
and was dragged opened. Great, cliché-ness again. There always had to be an
interruption in the middle of an important thing. She rolled her eyes and let her
question go.

"I am so sorry, sir," a man in an orange suit apologized, tipping his plastic white
hat. He looked like a construction worker of some sort, and she will never know why
a guy like him would be here. Syaoran grunted.

"The other elevators are working fine?"

"The one across from the hall is. We don't know how it happened, but it seems that
there was a loose chain that pulled these two elevators together from the top," he
waved his hand to the right outside before pointing to the ceiling. "We'll try to
solve the solution as fast as possible."

"Make it quick," Syaoran ordered, and Sakura gave him a look that said 'What the
hell made you think you're the boss?' He walked out of the elevator and turned back
to give her a look.

"I thought you were late."

Sakura nodded and scurried out of the space, nodding her head at the worker as she
passed by. She caught Syaoran's footsteps and stared, still walking.
"Why is he listening to you?" Syaoran shrugged.

"He works here, and I was held captive in that thing for over 20 minutes. Of course
I can boss him around." Something in his tone told her he was lying, but Sakura
didn't get a chance to prod on further before she was dragged into a more cramped
elevator across the one she just came out of, and the doors closed.

She hadn't gotten a chance to ask him why he was here yet, she remembered, and she
looked to her left where Syaoran was currently standing. However, the next floor
came too quick, and she was pushed to the side as people rushed out of the elevator
and more rushed in. Soon, Syaoran was on the other side, and people were squished
in between their distance. She sighed and decided to let it go, again.

10 floors later, the door finally opened to her stop and many people rushed out of
the small, enclosed space which was already less than half-empty. Sakura looked at
her watch and rushed to catch up with Syaoran's long strides, already seeing her
boss's door. She smiled when Rika walked out.

Rika, however, looked troubled, and when she lifted her head to see both Syaoran
and Sakura walking her way, her eyes widened even more in recognition and horror.
She looked at Sakura with a quizzical expression.

Sakura, thinking that Rika was wondering what the hell she was doing with the guy
she called an asshole not an hour before pointed at Syaoran and shrugged. Rika
suddenly shook her head.

Before Sakura could stop to ask her friend what happened, she was dragged into her
boss's office by the arm, and her manager looked up at them, first angry, then
surprised. She sent them -or rather, Syaoran- a big smile and clasped her hands on
top of her desk.

"Li-san! I'm surprised to see you here with Kinomoto," she exclaimed, and Sakura
glared at her lack of politeness towards herself. Syaoran let go of her and nodded.

"We bumped into each other in the elevator, and it was stuck for almost half and
hour."

"Yes, I've heard, and I was slightly worried about Sakura here," she faked a frown
and looked at Sakura, who was ready to swear a number of infelicitous swear words
at the older woman. "I'm guessing that I won't need to introduce you to her?"

Sakura looked at her boss in confusion before turning to her companion. Syaoran,
however, was smirking. "It'd be nice if there'd be a proper introduction," he said,
and Sakura quirked an eyebrow. Her boss nodded to them, gesturing for them to sit
down. Syaoran complied, and Sakura followed, and she gracefully sat down with her
legs crossed on the soft cushions. She waited for her manager to continue.

The woman smiled and leaned back against her chair, raising a palm towards the only
man in the room. "Sakura, I would like you to meet Li Syaoran, this company's new
boss." Sakura blinked.

. . . What?

"And, more good news for you, you have been promoted into his own personal
assistant, where you could take the office a bit down the hall and work with him at
all times."

Sakura actually stood up, and looked at her current boss in a combination of shock
and horror. She could feel the smug smirk on Syaoran's face, and she clenched her
hands into fists at her sides, blood pouring up her neck and through her face. She
screamed.

"WHAT!"

* * *

"He knew! He knew! He knew he was going to be my new boss; he knew I was going to
be his personal manager and work with him at all times, and he actually gave me
advice on how to treat him!" Sakura tried to catch her breath, ignoring the looks
she was currently receiving from her co-workers and stared at Rika. Said girl
looked slightly petrified. "I mean, who even does that in these days? That's just
too cruel. He knew! And look!" She shoved a paper in front of Rika's face and the
woman yelped in response. "I only stepped into his office with him for one second
and he already gave me paperwork. Already. Gave. Me. Paperwork. He even sent me out
to get him some coffee!" Sakura gestured at the Starbucks cup on the table beside
her, eyes unbelievably wide. "What kind of person does that, huh? What kind of
freakin' person does that!"

"Sakura, Sakura, calm down," Rika warned, placing a hand on Sakura's knee as said
woman dramatically took in and breathed out air, waving her hand in cross of her
face. "He's just your new boss, it'll be fine. I mean, he doesn't seem like a bad
guy."

"Yeah, well, he hates me." Sakura hesitated for the millionth of a second, suddenly
remembering their conversations in the elevator. "I bet he's probably thinking of
millions of ways to torment me, now that I'm his personal assistant. I mean, in
work language, I'm basically his own slave!"

Rika actually rolled her eyes, despite the fact that she had always been incredibly
mature.

"I mean, he acted all nice and gentleman-like and all that chivalry crap before,
but now I know it's just been a trap! A trap! He's going to torture me!"

"Sakura!" another one of her co-workers hissed across the room, and waved her hand
frantically, gesturing for Sakura to go over. "Do you want to be late for your
first meeting with your new boss?"

"It's not going to be my first-!" Sakura started, but cut off her screaming and
instead cleared her throat and took a calming breath before she looked back down at
her friend. She was frowning. "When you get the chance to call Tomoyo, tell her I
love her. Please." She took her boss's coffee, stood and prepared to leave, but
leaned back in at the last moment. "Oh! And I love you, too!" With that, she
disappeared.

As the sight of Syaoran's own office -which was only a few doors down her old
boss's, who was currently at the door yelling at her soon-to-be-gone assistant
about moving her things out of the room-, Sakura actually gulped and pulled on the
edges of her suit, making them tighter around her body. The door suddenly bursted
open, however, when a woman with impossibly black hair and blue eyes stormed out of
the room, glaring at her. Sakura blinked a couple of times as the woman humphed and
stomped down the hallway in her high, black stilettos. She sent an incredulous look
at the lady's disappearing figure before making her way into Syaoran's office.
Even though he claimed to have only been there for a weekend and one day, it
already looked like he'd been there for a month. There were books on the full
shelf, plants and pictures placed around the room neatly, and he was swirling in
his leather chair from side to side, looking thoughtful. He smirked at her when
their gazes met, and he set both his arms on the arm-rests of his seat, his face
adorned with a sly look.

"Like your new office?"

"I haven't seen it yet," she bit out, wanting to point out the fact that she had
just been ordered to buy him coffee outside the building itself and never even had
a chance to return to her cramped workspace before she threw a tantrum at Rika. She
turned to look at the door before nodding her heads towards it instead, staring at
him now. "What was that all about?"

"Hamori Rina. She was just visiting."

Sakura walked over to him and smirked. "Girlfriend drama?"

"Ex," he corrected, before adjusting his pose so he could look up at her more
freely. He suddenly looked like he was thinking. "Not even an ex-girlfriend,
really."

"A one-night stand."

"Perhaps," he said, grinning. Sakura was at the side of his desk now, quite close
to where he was seated, in fact. He gave her a hard and piercing stare. "Why?
Jealous?"

"You wish," Sakura snorted, flipping her hair back.

Syaoran looked at the cup in her hands. "Mine?"

Sakura ignored him, "And what's with the problem between you and her, again?"

"None of your business. Give me the coffee."

"She wants to get back with you?"

"I know you want to get in my pants, but all I want right now is the coffee. Give
it to me, Kinomoto."

"I bet she realized that all you want is to get laid and that you have no actual
goal in life."

"Don't bullshit me, Kinomoto. You're making this more difficult than it really is."

"It's nice that people finally see you as the jerk you are, Li."

Syaoran smirked. "Not the way to talk to your boss, assistant."

"Well, you are a jerk."

"And you are easy."

Sakura's eyes widened, and she actually looked offended. "What?"

"Give me the goddamn coffee and go to your office to finish the work I just gave
you." he said, looking impatient.
Sakura, however, just looked pissed. She leaned forward, unaware that her position
gave him a pretty good view of her cleavage and that he was actually looking at it.
His eyes didn't stay down for long before Sakura made an irritated sound with her
teeth. "You wish," she repeated, and promptly pushed the cup's lid aside with her
thumb and dumped half of the warm liquid on Syaoran's shirt and lap.

Syaoran almost gasped, but his eyes only widened for a second before he raised his
gaze at her to send the most deadliest look anyone would've ever given. He gritted
his teeth, and grabbed her wrist harshly, though she didn't even bulge. "The
company's record this week is on the shelf," he said, his voice incredibly deep. "I
was planning to look over it and take some notes, but how about I just be the nice
boss I am and give the work to you instead?"

* * *

In my opinion, both Syaoran and Sakura are way to OOC, but that's okay, right?
Somehow, I can't really write either of them in-character. It's really hard.

Either way, I hope you still enjoyed it! If I made any mistakes or need any
improvement, please do tell me so I can make this story better.

*Chapter 4*: you will find a better guy

I am so incredibly sorry for this extremely late update. I just

didn't have the spirit to write this chapter until now, so, here you go! Hope my
readers can forgive me. -crosses fingers-

Disclaimer: Yes, I own CCS. Yes, I can fly. And yes, I own a purple-pink unicorn
with spotted black fur, and two pairs of goat horn grows out from its butt.
Gorgeous, no?

* * *

4. . . . you will find a better guy. . .

"Finish this by eleven, and I'll treat you lunch."

Sakura looked up from her desk and raised an eyebrow. "Nice to see you, too."

Syaoran sighed impatiently, and looked down at his watch as if anticipating for
something. Sakura took this chance to glance at what he'd delivered to her, and was
relieved to only find a few sheets of paper about writing emails for him to some
other companies. That was easy work for her, considering the emails don't have to
be necessarily long, and they were just thank-yous or nice-to-work-with-yous. She
grinned when he couldn't see.
"And there's a meeting in fifteen minutes," he suddenly said, and looked down at
her. "You didn't forget, did you?"

Silently, Sakura rolled back her chair and pointed to a calendar hanging on the
wall behind her, with Syaoran's handwriting printing in big red letters, "IMPORTANT
FACULTY MEETING AT 10:30" on today's date. She was glaring at him, considering the
fact that his words had taken up three spaces on the calendar, while he merely
smirked back smugly.

"Good, so you didn't. And did I mention that another company's coming?"

Sakura scowled slightly, and crossed her arms. "I reckoned."

"And you're learning," he added in, and promptly turned on his heals to enter his
office. Sakura sighed as she looked up at the clock on another wall, and slowly
stood up to adjust her outfit as Syaoran walked back out, carrying a folder with
him. Wordlessly, Sakura took it grimly and glanced at him. She then pointed to his
tie.

"It's crooked."

He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed again. "Yeah, sure."

"It's crooked," she repeated, and stepped forward to adjust it for him. He gagged
when he pulled too tight. "My bad," she said cheekily, obviously had done it one
purpose, and gave him a pat on the chest -more like a shove- before stepping back.
"Okay."

Looking as if he wanted to growl, Syaoran merely walked pass her to the other door
that led them to the hallway. She followed him, waving to a few co-workers as she
passed them, having gone use to the fact that she did this almost every consecutive
day after working for Syaoran for almost two weeks now. They entered a big room
with a long, polished table settled in the middle, and over fifteen men were
gathered on both sides of it, hands clasped and professional, with their
secretaries standing behind them holding notebooks and pens in their hands. They
were last again, Sakura thought, coming to a stop as Syaoran stepped in front of
his chair between the table, which was at the head of desk and in front of a white
screen. They weren't late, per se, all the others were simply early.

"Thank you for coming," he started, bowing slightly. They all bowed back. "I assume
your company is doing well?" he asked as they start to sit down, and he looked at
the man next to him. Sakura recognized him as one of the managers of the Shodka
Insurance company, slightly smaller compared to the Li Co. and closer to the
outskirts of the city. The hostile man grunted.

"Not as good as yours," he replied, though not sounding particularly pleasant.

Sakura fought back a swallow at the look he was sending to Syaoran.

"Due to the fact that it is winter," Syaoran continued, not looking at all
disturbed by the man's antagonism, "there is an increase of car accidents and
injuries in the cities, so more people are paying for insurance. And since it is a
fact, we have been receiving a higher amount of income, but our stocks are also
becoming unstable. Have you been keeping track of the mortgage you pay each month
for your company?"

"To come out clear, I just want to point out that it's not necessarily our company
that's having an issue here," the other man said instead, and Sakura sent him a
look. "We share our stocks, but because our companies are connected I've been
receiving complaints about your service rather than our own. People say the Li Co.
is taking in too much taxes, resulting into many debts."

"Debts are not part of this building's responsibility, Matsu-san," Syaoran replied
coolly, leaning back against his seat. "Our bank takes care of that, not me. And
I'm sure they're reasonable people; they don't get much benefit from running
families or small businesses into bankruptcy, if I remember clearly that that's
what causing most of the complaints."

"What about helping all people?" another man from the Shodka company inquired,
obviously bitter to this subject as well. "Not to be rude, but this is quite bad
service."

"Considering the fact that more people are complaining about your lack of insurance
coverage over them, I honestly don't think it's us that's having the problems. As I
said, debts and financial issues are not our full responsibility; however, people
pay us to provide coverage for them, and I've heard that you do not provide that
fully."

"There's too many people," Matsu said after a moment of silence, frowning slightly.
"We cannot make sure that everyone has the absolute best service – that's too much
pressure on us."

"Then I don't see our own service as an issue."

The man narrowed his eyes.

"Your service is, quite bluntly speaking, tricking the customers into buying your
insurance with an unreasonable amount of price," he continued, leaning forward in
his chair. Sakura absentmindedly dropped her pen and it landed on the floor with a
'clink'. "Our service has not yet been criticized for that, so I don't see any
reason, whatsoever, to. . ." he trailed off suddenly, and Syaoran stared patiently
as he watched the man's gaze slowly trickle to the body behind him. Sakura had
reached down to grab her pen, and too much of her cleavage was showing under her
professional vest and white button-up shirt. "It's. . . not our problem. . . about,
uh, yours."

Syaoran raised a questioning eyebrow, and continued to wait patiently. "Come

again?"

"If, I may rudely interrupt," Sakura suddenly stood up and pointed the pen to the
ceiling, causing Matsu to bolt in his chair and blink at her. "Having complaints
about not providing full service, as your commercials and papers have all said your
company included, seems to be a bigger issue and impact to our stocks, rather than
the people who don't use their own money wisely, and then blame their lack of money
on us. We have a perfectly reasonable amount of money that we request from our
customers, and, quite interestingly, we ourselves do not receive many criticism of
our service on that. Perhaps, sir, you are confusing the issue with something
else?"

The man simply gawked, and blinked, as Sakura, absentmindedly once more, started to
scratch her slightly-exposed chest with the tip of her pen as if trying to cure an
itch.

She could almost hear the whole room take in a deep breath at her actions.

"As my secretary so kindly pointed out," Syaoran continued after a long, pregnant
pause, "I hope this subject will not be brought up again if it really is not a
grand issue. Now I assume that there is nothing else you called this conference
for?" He cocked his head slightly, smirking. "This was what you called this meeting
for, I assume?"

Matsu quickly shut his mouth, cleared his throat, and adjusted his tie before
turning his head away in mortification and shock. Sakura simply stood behind
Syaoran will a hand on her hip, and leaned her weight on one leg, smirking as well.
To her -secret- surprise, he nodded. "Yes, um, no more. . . problems."

He quickly stood up, bowed, and the room was dismissed. After the people hurriedly
scurried away, muttering under their breaths, Sakura turned to Syaoran.

"That was too quick for a meeting."

"I know."

"It was completely useless."

"I know."

"And stupid."

Syaoran sighed and rolled his eyes teasingly, before smirking at her again. "I
know."

He stood up from his chair, and crossed his arms arrogantly as she patiently, and
sweetly, looked up at him. "You did well," he said.

"Do I get an extra large lobster this time?"

Syaoran rolled his eyes again, much to her amusement, and not-so-gently clasped his
hand on her shoulder. She almost winced. Almost.

"You pig."

Sakura's smile immediately turned into a scowl.

* * *

"So," Sakura drew out casually, tying a bib around her neck, "that man doesn't seem
to particularly like you."

"No man particularly likes me," Syaoran responded, and Sakura had the sudden urge
to pound him in the head – which she had done so many times already. "I mean, come
on, look at me, I'm gorgeous."

"Not this again," she muttered, throwing her hand to her forehead. Syaoran smirked.
"Seriously, you're soooo vain."

"Oh yes, that song. I've heard of it in English before; quite famous. You like it?"

Sakura glared at him darkly. "Vain. You. Are. Vain. I'm not talking about the
American song."

"Sure, of course you're not."

Sakura felt another urge to bang her head against the table.

"The Shodka Insurance company," he said after a moment of silence, absentmindedly

twirling his champaign on the table, "has always been a rival of us. We never had
the closest of relationships."

"Their company's not as good as ours, right?" Sakura asked, and sipped on her
Shirley Temple with a fancy straw. "I mean, our location is better, and our
building's better, and we have more customers."

"Yes. We're more thriving."

"They're jealous."

He shrugged at her, making a face. "I suppose."

"Tch, sore losers." Sakura muttered under her breath, frowning. She immediately lit
up, however, when their red, steaming lobsters arrived at their table. "Yes! It is
bigger than last time."

Syaoran chuckled amusingly, though somehow not losing his cold demeanor. He watched
for the first few seconds as Sakura grasped her food but pulled away at the
scorching heat, and went back again. Smirking, he broke off one of his lobster's
claws with ease.

"So, how's life?" Sakura continued, and clipped off her pincer as she looked at
him. "How's your family? I don't see you hanging out with your friends or family
often."

"That's because you always manage to leave early everyday without me noticing,"
Syaoran replied, narrowing his eyes at her.

"At least I finish my job."

He sighed.

"But still, I don't go home that early. At five or six, right? When do you go
home?"

He shrugged, and gave up fiddling with his food for a while as he leaned back.
"Usually around eight. Sometimes around ten."

She rolled her eyes, "You're crazy."

"Am not."

"You even come on weekends!"

"So?"

"So, what? Is your office, like, a second home to you?"

"Something like that."

"Hiiragizawa-san comes often to invite you out for dinners, and stuff, but you
never go. It's not healthy to be a workaholic."

"I've got nothing better to do."

"Oh please. You're young. You're rich. You can do whatever the heck you want."

"Are you implying something?"

"Yes. I'm saying you should loosen up a bit. Hang out with your friends and family
more."

At this, he sighed, and closed his eyes as Sakura stared at him in slight shock.
For a few moments, Syaoran did nothing, and Sakura was starting to get worried.
"Li. . .?"

"My family," he said quietly, eyes still shut, "is complicated." He opened his eyes
a crack. "I have four sisters, who all live in Hong Kong, as well as my mother. My
father passed away when I was little, so it was huge pressure on the family to keep
the businesses going. My father was also not the kindest of people."

Sakura cocked her head to the side, looking a bit worried. "How so?"

"He has the most crucial ways of dealing with rival companies. Not caring if
they're not even a threat, he drives them into bankruptcy. To be honest, many
families all over China don't have money because of how he ran the companies."

Sakura's eyes widened at each word, frowning even more as the words all sunk it.
She crossed her arms, and stared down at her lobster. "That's horrible."

"It is," Syaoran agreed, closing his eyes again. "He also basically ran all the
businesses by himself, because he did not want to share the profits. It's not only
stressful for him, many branches of the Li Clan were not happy because of his
actions. He was the eldest male of his generation, and before my grandparents
passed away, they never knew their son would take all the wealth to himself. After
he passed away, though, my mother just knew she couldn't run everything by herself,
so she gave many of the companies to my cousins and sisters." He opened his eyes,
and looked at her. "Most of the big businesses will still belong to me, though."

She sent him an uncertain look, still frowning. "So. . . is that good?"

He shrugged at her once more, and rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know. Many
people held grudges against him, so I might be dragged into this."

"But you're not like him."

"Other people don't know that."

"That's bloody stupid," she said, and stuck out her lower lip as she looked at him.
"That's not fair for you. You shouldn't be blamed for what your father did in the
past."

"But it is the Li family's responsibility," he said seriously, narrowing his eyes.

"I don't exactly have a choice. It is stupid, but I'm his son, so his problems are
mine. I'll just have to fix them for him."

"How about your mother? Will she be in trouble?"

"She'll have to be. It's not necessarily her fault, but the whole Li clan is
basically in trouble now, because they all play part in all the industries."

Sakura dropped her jaw in utter bemusement, and stuttered as she opened and closed
her mouth like a fish. "That's just. . . just. . . pathetic. Absolutely
ridiculous."
"I know." She couldn't see, but she thought he was rubbing his leg in frustration.
"And now the clan's much more strict than it was before. We have rules for where we
go, and have to report almost every news to each other. The elders can also tell us
what to do. We're also being watched almost every moment."

Sakura stilled, before turning her head around nervously. "Um, that's–"

"Not now, stupid. They're not that strict."

"Hey, do not call me stupid."

"So what about your family?" Syaoran quickly changed the subject, and finally
started eating. The tension was almost completely relieved as Sakura moved her hand
over her food, as well. "I'm tired of talking about mine."

"Well, I have an annoying older brother, a dad, and a mom. My mother passed away
when I was little, though."

He swallowed his food and nodded at her. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"No, it's fine. Same goes for you, actually." Sakura smiled a little as she bit on
a piece of meat. "My dad's a professor in Tomoeda, and my brother is an athlete. He
sort of goes around and plays soccer, actually, so I don't really know where he is
right now. Not that I care."

"You don't seem like a business type of person," Syaoran pointed out, and stuffed a
chunk of lobster in his mouth with a fork. Sakura wondered why the hell he was
using a fork for a lobster.

"I'm not. I'm actually a more athlete type of person, but I've always wanted to go
to college. And I wanted to live in the city, so working in a company is the best I
could do. There aren't that many job opportunities here, you know?"

"And we have the best pay, right?"

Sakura frowned and glared at him. "Shut up."

"Well you do seem quite fit," he suddenly said, and Sakura looked at him in
surprise. "You could be a model."

"A-a model?" Sakura asked, and could not control the blush that rose on her cheeks.
He smirked at her, and nodded once.

"Yeah. If, you know, the person who hired you is blind."

All of sudden, the fluttering and flattering feeling she had been experiencing flew
out the window like a boxer punching a bird. She growled at him. "You-jerk—Shut
up!"

She leaned forward, and mouthed to him, "F-you."

He smirked even more, and opened his arms. "I'm right here, baby."

Sakura spent the next few moments gawking at him.

* * *
"So? What do you think?" Tomoyo chirped, and clasped her hands a little too
enthusiastically as she stared at Sakura with stars in her eyes. Sakura blinked at
her for a moment before laughing nervously.

"I, um, love it. It's beautiful."

Beautiful was an understatement, actually, as the dress Tomoyo designed for her was
absolutely gorgeous. It was light green, strapless, and was held together behind
her back with numerous strands, so most of her backside was bare. It reached down
to her ankles, and was practically plain silk that flowed freely around her with
small silver embroideries stitched into the fabric as delicate designs. It was
magnificent.

"Really? I'm glad you like it! I've worked on it for two weeks. . . remember? That
time at the bar? This was the dress I thought of!"

Sakura smiled at her best friend, and gave her a tight hug before releasing her
with a fond look. "Thank you, Tomoyo. I absolutely adore it. It's gorgeous."

"Aw, thanks Sakura," she suddenly paused and tilted her head to the side. "I didn't
really interrupt your work, did I? Weren't you just finishing lunch?"

"Yes, I actually finished most of my work before eleven. We had a meeting, and I
did all my work, and Li took me out for lunch, so it's not a big problem. I
actually did him a huge favor at the conference, so he sorta owes me anyway."

"You two went out for lunch?" Tomoyo asked slowly, shock evident on her face. She
started fiddling with Sakura's dress. "Since when?"

"It's just a boss-employee treat, no big deal. There's absolutely nothing going on
between us."

"Is there. . . not?" Tomoyo sounded uncertain again, but Sakura didn't get to reply
when a woman suddenly walked into the room and gasped in joy.

"Oh my, that is one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen!" She exclaimed
happily, and walked over to the two women as Sakura blushed underneath her gaze.
"And the girl's beautiful, too. Who is this, Tomoyo?"

"This is my best friend, Kinomoto Sakura. She is gorgeous, isn't she?" Sakura sent
her a look and Tomoyo laughed. "And this is a friend of mine, Kobayashi Akemi.
She's sort of the manager of this magazine company: Two-hundred Percent?"

Sakura gasped in recognition, and smiled at the woman with glee. "Yes, I love that
magazine! You have the best fashion tips ever! But you're so young."

Akemi laughed, and flipped back her marvelous red hair as she nodded at Sakura.
"Yes, I'm actually like Tomoyo here. My mother used to run the business, and now I
am." She suddenly paused, and looked between the two with uncertainty. "Did I
interrupt something?"

"Oh no, it's nothing," Tomoyo said, smiling at Sakura. "I kinda brought her here to
look at a few more dresses I'm working on right now. So you gotta get out, they're
surprises for you!"

Sakura smiled and nudged at her, chuckling slightly. "You do not have to do that,
Tomoyo."

"Sure, whatever. You should probably get back to work. Keep the dress, actually,
you can wear that to the club we're going to this weekend."

"Do you ever tell me anything before you plan it?" Sakura asked exasperatingly, and
was pushed into the changing room by a much excited Tomoyo.

"Never."

Akemi smiled at Sakura comfortingly as Sakura entered the room.

"She really is beautiful," Akemi murmured as Tomoyo walked over. The dark-haired
girl nodded.

"She is."

"What does she do?"

"She works for the Li Co. currently."

Akemi nodded understandingly, and tilted her head in thought. Her face slowly
stretched into a grin, and she looked at her companion. "Hey, Tomoyo, next time you
finish a dress and have Kinomoto-san try it on, can I come and see?"

Tomoyo nodded, and looked at her questioningly. She blinked. "Yes, of course. Do
you have something in mind?"

The redhead nodded, smiling warmly. "I was actually thinking if I could hire her as
our new cover girl."

* * *

"I'm very confused," Eriol said, and watched Syaoran as he flipped through and
signed his paperwork with amazing speed. "What is going on between you and Sakura?"

"Nothing but business," Syaoran replied, not looking up from his desk. "She's a
fast worker, and does not complain much."

"I thought she dumped coffee on you two weeks ago."

Syaoran glanced up from his papers, and glared at his best friend with annoyance.
"I thought we went over this two weeks ago."

"You never did answer the question."

Syaoran sighed, and rubbed his forehead with two fingers as he closed his eyes,
suddenly wearing an expression of both irradiation and warmth. He shrugged one
shoulder. "She's not a bad person. I just wanted to pick on her that day, so it was
partially my fault."

"Woah, woah, Li Syaoran admitting his own faults? Are pigs flying now?"

Syaoran's face immediately hardened as he sent Eriol a glare.

"You don't. . . like her, do you?" he muttered a few moments later, and Syaoran
more-or-less jumped in his seat and stared at him as if he was crazy. His
expression was of utter bemusement and horror, and he opened and closed his mouth a
few times as if grasping for words to say.

"Wha-Hiiragizawa, that's. . . no. That's an utterly atrocious thought. How did you
get that idea?"

"Well, I assumed you didn't fire her because you like her. That makes sense, right?
I mean, why exactly did you not fire her?"

"The woman is annoying, and is not my type. I didn't fire her because I knew she
needs this job. I also don't have any last-minute employee I want as my secretary;
she is perfectly suitable for this. I'm also a new boss," he slowed down a bit, and
sank back in his seat with a sigh. "I don't want to make an even worse impression."

Eriol tipped his head. "So you care for her?"

"As an employee, yes."

"Stubborn pain-in-the-ass," Eriol muttered underneath his breath, and Syaoran

looked up, but did not hear it. Eriol sighed and looked at the clock. "It's nine,
you should go home."

"I'm not tired," he said, but his posture was betrayed by a yawn escaping from his
mouth, and he used a hand to cover it. Eriol looked at him skeptically. "I'm fine."

"Well, if you say so," Eriol grunted as he stood up, and stretched slightly. "Don't
over-work yourself again, Syaoran."

"Got it," Syaoran replied, and shooed Eriol away with a his eyes still on the
sheets. Eriol stuffed his hands in his pockets, and strode out of the room before
he shut the door.

"That does not make any sense," Eriol muttered to himself once he got into his car,
and started it. "She dumped coffee on him. That's a load of trouble." He paused,
looked up, and saw Sakura's figure as she scurried across the still-slightly-packed
parking lot and into the grand building. Eriol smiled slightly. "Oh well, who knows
what runs through his complicated mind." He drove off.

Sakura panted slightly as she finally entered her office, and grabbed her forgotten
jacket slung over her chair. She set her coffee down on the table, and saw that the
lights in Syaoran's office were still on. She blinked, and slowly walked up to the
door, opening it a crack.

To her surprise, Syaoran didn't look up or notice her, as he seemed a bit busy
covering his yawns as they came up continuously. Finally, after a few moments, he
rested his head down on his arms and laid himself over the table.

Smiling slightly, Sakura grabbed her full cup of coffee, and suddenly was thankful
that they had the same taste. She placed it softly next to his head, and left the
room without a word.

* * *
I hope this chapter somehow answered a few questions that people may have. . . I
read a few of my reviews, and one pointed out that Sakura's character was off. Yes,
she is an employee, and did what she did out of pure anger, but Syaoran didn't fire
her because. . . well, who knows? I don't think he even knows. (even though he
temporarily belongs to me here, haha)

And I absolutely love how you guys pay attention and actually point out my flaws,
by the way. It makes me happy but scared at what you'd say, at the same time.

If I don't update the next chapter within the next two months, feel free to sue me.

*Chapter 5*: if you learned your lesson

It is within a month! A miracle, no? Totally a miracle.

But I have to admit something shameful: I probably won't be able to update the next
one within one month.

And I have an excuse for that! I have excuses for almost everything. Anyway, the
computer I am currently using is my high school computer, so I won't be able to use
if over the summer when I turn it in. I'll have to use my own computer–something
that sucks. I can't use the keyboard like I can use the one I'm using now. Uh,
yeah. But I'm sure I can update it within two months, otherwise I've got issues.

So, I apologize. Um, enjoy it while you can? -innocent smile-

Disclaimer: Oh my dear word. Still don't own CCS. Like, dude, come on. I'm not a
saint, right, man?

* * *

5. ...if you learned your lesson...

"-And there is an appointment scheduled at three o'clock his afternoon for Li-san.
You need to make sure he gets the message and that he actually goes there so – are
you listening?"

Sakura jolted at the two fingers that snapped in front of her face before blushing
hysterically. "I-I apologize," she hurriedly said, bowing her head. "I am a little.
. . out of it today."

"No kidding," her ex-manager mumbled rudely, and Sakura strangled down the urge to,
well, strangle her. "But have you been listening? Please tell me you at least heard
some of what I babbled to you."

"Li has, uh, Li-san has an appointment at three o'clock this afternoon with his
mother. I need to make sure he gets to her office."

"Not really an office; a guestroom."

"The guestroom."

The elder woman nodded, and pushed her glasses up her nose. "Don't forget."

"I don't think I can," Sakura murmured to herself, and sighed as she sat back in
her leather chair and her older boss walked out of the room. She scrunched her nose
up at the amount of paperwork she had that day, and sighed again. "Well, this is
wonderful."

"What's gotten into you?" Syaoran suddenly appeared out of the nowhere, and Sakura
gave out a yelp. He quirked an eyebrow arrogantly. "Scaredy-cat."

"Scaredy-pfft," Sakura burbled, stuttering. "You just sorta came out of thin air.
Were you here this whole time?"

"No," Syaoran retorted, rolling his eyes childishly.

"Well, tch, it's none of your business. I'm a person, you know, I've got my own
problems to deal with."

"You mean you've got problems."

Sakura whirled around and sent him a dirty look.

"Fine, fine, like I care," Syaoran sighed, shrugging. "The only thing I care is
that you're getting your job done. And then having my money displayed out before me
on my table."

"Have fun with that, Mr. I'm-so-superior," Sakura mumbled on her breath. Syaoran,
however, heard, and smirked.

"Why thank you, love," he joked, the teasing rare humor showing up in his tone. He
turned on his heels, then, and left.

Sakura watched him go, her eyes narrowed in caution even if she knew he wasn't
about to do anything to her. Her cellphone rung just as he stepped out of the room,
and Sakura dug it out of her purse and smiled when she saw her best-friend's name.
"Hey, Tomoyo!"

"Sakura, love! Oh my sweet and lovely divine! How have you been, my cupcakes?"

"Oh, the past few days have been dreadful, my dear, without your presence beside
me! I feel suffocated in this terrible place, because I was never able to see your
beautiful face! Please, my love, save me from this nightmare!"

"You're poetry has improved, dearheart! Oh, how wonderful it is! Now can we please
stop this strange nonsense, and actually talk like normal people?"

Sakura laughed, and sighed dramatically as she threw her head up. "Thank you,
gawd!"

"You are so weird," Tomoyo laughed on the other line, and Sakura dropped her jaw in
mock offense.

"You started it!"

"No, seriously though, how have you been?"

Sakura shrugged cheerfully, though somehow a dreamy look slowly arose. "I've been
well. Nothing really interesting, to be honest. Li hasn't been too hard on me, so
life's good. How about-"

"-Wait," Tomoyo quickly cut in, and there was a pause as Sakura worriedly stopped
to wait. "Wha- who- WHO ASKED YOU OUT?"

"Who what?" Sakura exclaimed back, her face slowly bleeding a light pink. "No- no
one asked me out! What are you talking abou-"

"-Oh, someone asked you out, alright. Who is it? A friend? Do I know him? -gasp- Oh
holy mother screwer with a bucket, is it Li-san?"

"With a bu- what? NO! No, and a million times no! What got into your head? Helium?"

"No! Hyperness! Sakura, who is it?"

"It's no one," she continued to retort stubbornly, and crossed her arms. "No one
that you'd know, anyway."

"Ack! So someone did ask you out! Don't let this be some perverted asshole again,
woman."

"He's nothing of that sort," Sakura said, frowning while smiling at the same time –
which made quite a sight. "He's a true gentleman."

"Are you sure?"

"It's just a coffee date. For lunch. What could he possibly do?"

Tomoyo softly muttered an agreement, and Sakura could tell she was internally
battling on whether to tell her to cancel this date or continue to encourage her.
"You know what, good for you. What has it been, like, a month since you broke up
with that idiot?"

"About," Sakura said, nodding. "This guy's 24. He works in this building. A lot of
my co-workers like him, actually. Rika even said he was cute."

"Rika? The, like, most mature and quiet girl ever? She said he was cute? Oh, that's
gotta be something. I mean, she's always so loyal to her boyfriend that she never
even so far as compliment other guys who isn't her guy."

"I know," Sakura said, smiling. "So you'll be the first to know if anything more
happens, m'kay?"

"You betcha girl. Tell anyone else before, and you'll be dead before you know it."

Sakura let out a nervous laugh.

"Anyway, I gotta go. It was break for me, and I haven't talked to you in, like,
forever! Call me back quick, okay?"

"I will," Sakura said, even though she wanted to speak with Tomoyo a bit more. "I
love you! Don't over-work yourself."

"Hypocrite," Tomoyo laughed, and made a kissing sound over the phone. "I love you,
too!"

The line then beeped, and Sakura sighed as she shut her phone and leaned back
against her chair.
"So that's what's gotten into you," Syaoran's voice spoke up again, and Sakura
literally jumped in her seat once more and glared at him.

"The heck- stop doing that, would you?" she cried, clutching onto the arms of her
chair. He ignored the request and simply crossed his arms as he leaned onto the
door frame.

"Who is this guy?"

"Why do I need to tell you?"

"Because I don't want him to be a guy who brings you back too late and have you
miss your work."

"Gee, thanks for your confidence in me."

"Who is it?"

Sakura didn't catch the sharp edge in his voice, and sighed for the umpteenth time
that day as she leaned her head back. "Katonshi. Katonshi Kukai."

"That one?"

She opened her eyes and glared at him. "What other one?"

"I honestly thought you'd have better taste in men," he said simply, and she glared
even more. "Though I shouldn't have had my hopes up. Your last one sure proved that
your taste isn't that excellent."

"Oh, shut up," she said, and crossed her arms. "You're just jealous that people
actually like me for who I am, not just because of my looks and that they want to
get into my pants."

Syaoran's eyes narrowed dangerously and stood his ground. "Watch your mouth,
Kinomoto, don't forget who's the boss here."

Although Sakura didn't show it, she internally shrunk back in fear with a grimace.

She didn't look up as Syaoran crossed the room to enter his own office, so she
couldn't notice the hard set of his jaw, or the whiteness of his knuckles as he
clenched his fists.

* * *

"You okay with this?" he inquired politely, and Sakura nodded with a smile as he
pulled open the door for her and let her in first.

"It's great. Thanks," she replied, then waited as they both looked for a place to
sit. Kukai suddenly turned to her.

"I'll go get us the coffee. You go look for the seat?" his question was simple, and
it wasn't demanding. Sakura gave out a small laugh and nodded. "Vanilla mocha with
extra whip cream, yes?"
"Yes; thank you so much," she said, and watched as he sent her a grin and walk up
to the counter. She found them a small booth near the windows to look out into the
streets, and waited patiently for him to come back while fiddling with her phone.
Tomoyo had already sent her three messages, all asking how the date was going so
far. She rolled her eyes and punched back to all of them, "It barely even started
yet! I got it, woman!" and a wink.

Syaoran even sent her one, saying that he was leaving early and so could she.

"So, pretty cold today, huh?" Kukai returned with their drinks, sliding into the
seat in front of her. "Well, that's winter."

"Always the frosty season," Sakura added, and took her coffee. He sent her another
grin, and she blushed. "How have you been?"

He exhaled loudly and ran a hand through his messy hair, looking off to the side.
"I've been better. Days like these are hard ones."

"They are."

"I hate winter."

"I'm not surprised."

At this, he turned to her. "You're not?"

She shrugged, smiling. "No. You seem like the summer type of guy."

A grin slowly stretched its way onto his face, and he showed off white teeth with a
laugh. "I am," he paused to look at her. "Is that good?"

"Sunny is always good."

"So do you like sunny people?"

Sakura blushed prettily, and looked down as her shy side crept up. "I like most of
them, yes."

"That's a relief," he laughed into his cup, before he lifted it and drank. It was
then that she noticed that he was strangely, and quite bluntly, too familiar to
her. He was only a little taller than her, and lean, with tanned skin and rippling
muscles on his arms and jaw. His hair was brown and tousled, hardly looking like it
was ever tamed, and when his eyes were looking at her they were of warm
chocolate. . . Sometimes she imagined them to be a dark and brilliant amber. Such
as now, really. And even when Kukai leaned even closer to her.

"Sakura?"

She blinked, noticing that she had been staring at him the whole time. Sakura
gasped and blushed even more before leaning back. "Ah! Uh. . . so sorry," she
mumbled. Kukai simply laughed.

"Don't be. I get that a lot."

She glared at him teasingly.

"So how is your day so far?" he changed the subject, making her heart skip a beat
when he smirked. Too familiar.
Sakura nodded timidly as she sipped on her drink, and drew back when it was too
hot. "It's fine," she said, pursing her lips. "Had a lot of work to do, but I'm
fast." Well I practically flew through everything just so I can come to this date.

He laughed, a cheerful and warm sound to her ears, before drinking his own
cappuccino, as well. "That must be why you're Li's secretary."

She rolled her eyes. "I just feel like he made me his secretary just to torment
me."

Suddenly, the warmth immediately disappeared from his eyes, and they widened as his
voice abruptly became a bit cold. "Does he hurt you?"

Shocked and blinking at the sudden change of atmosphere, Sakura quickly shook her
head. "Oh, no, he doesn't hurt me. We just had a, uh, really strange first meeting.
Well, it wasn't even a meeting really. I had this. . .problem, and we–" she cut
off, embarrassed. "It's a strange encounter. Not a great first impression. We've
been giving each other a hard time since then."

Kukai nodded in understanding, but his eyes still seemed hard as he settled them
onto her hands. "Is he. . . a bad guy?"

Sakura blinked. "Of course he's not. He's just bad with me. He's a pretty good
person, actually."

Kukai let out an irritated breath between his teeth as he looked to the side. "How
can he be a good person when he wasn't?"

Although that sentence was clearly not for her to hear, Sakura worriedly looked at
him, unsure of what to do, before finally settling on resting her hand on his and
bringing his attention to her. "Hey, Kukai, you alright?"

As if finally realizing what he was doing, Kukai blinked at her in slight shock and
shook his head, his boyish side coming out again. "Oh, yeah, sorry. I just got a
bit carried away."

Sakura nodded at him, still concerned.

"It's nothing, really," he said at her expression, and grinned as he took her hand
instead. "Sorry I made you worried. I'm just being a drama queen. Well, er, king. I
suppose."

Sakura's frown line slowly disappeared, and she sent him a laugh before leaning
back. "Okay. Is it something you want to talk about, though?"

He shook his head. "It's no big deal."

"If you say so," she murmured, shrugging. She lifted her cup to her lips, then
paused and looked down. "Uh, Kukai?"

He had also been drinking, and paused to look at her. "Hmm?"

"You're still holding my hand," she said, her eyes still cast down. He blinked at
her.

"Yeah?"

A blush slowly crept its way up her face, and she smiled. She drank her coffee to
hide her glee. "Nothing."
In response, and clearly knowing what hers was, Kukai squeezed her hand.

* * *

Sakura cheerfully, albeit dreamily, skipped back to her office with a fresh cupcake
in her hand that Kukai had bought for her before they left. She hummed her way
through the stairs and the elevators, and down the hall to her office. It was a
cheerful environment for her.

Until she opened the doors, and it immediately became tense.

"Mother, I told you. I am not-" Syaoran cut off, standing, and sighing into his
hand as he lifted it to palm his face. Sakura paused in her figure at the door, her
hand still on the knob, and she looked at him through the door of his own office as
he stood near the windows. "Mother, I am not going back." A pause. "I don't care if
they want me to run another errand! I've got other cousins that can do it for
them." He paused again. "Mama, I don't see the need to go back. And no, whoever
told you I didn't like it here?"

Sakura bit her lip, unsure of what to do, as Syaoran continued arguing with his
mother over the phone. Slowly, she crept her way across the room after closing the
door, and stopping at his as she waited for him to finish.

"-I also don't care about that, Mother, you of all people should know that. You
know what? I hate it. I'm tired of you all telling me what to do, Mama. I don't
care what the Elders say." He paused then, and quiet down, before sighing patiently
and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "No, Mama, it's not because of that."

Sakura blinked, and watched him sigh again and look up at the ceiling in despair.
"Sure, I'll talk to you when I get home. You don't have to come at three, then." He
paused one last time, and closed his eyes. "By, Mama." Slowly, and tiredly, he
dropped his arm and ended the call.

Sakura sent him a worried look, and if he knew she was there, he didn't show it.
Syaoran turned around and sat back in his desk with a grunt, before tossing his
phone onto his table and rubbing the bridge of his nose again. Sakura cautiously
made her way towards him, and placed her cupcake on his desk.

"Hey," she softly.

Acknowledging her presence, Syaoran grunted.

". . . Do you. . . need to go home?" Sakura asked, and mentally kicked herself in
the balls at the stupid question. Then she paused, punched herself, and realized
that she didn't have any balls. In literal sense.

Syaoran dropped his arms to his sides with a sigh, his eyes closed. "Mm."

"I can drive you home, or something," she suggested, sounding a bit hopeful. "Well,
do you need anything first?"

"I'm fine. Just go, if you want to. You got all your work done, right?"

She blinked at his tired reply, never having seen this side of him before. He
looked truly upset. She nodded, even though he probably couldn't see, and frowned.
"I feel bad, though. You look worse than me. I'll drive you home," she said again.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and looked at her. "Fine."

Smiling, she stood up and helped him pack up, before taking his arm gently and
leading him out of the office, her dessert long forgotten.

* * *

". . . Is it too rude to ask what happened back there?" Sakura asked as they drove
down the road of the city. It wasn't too busy, nor was it unperturbed, but her
hands were sweaty as she clutched onto the wheel and waited for a reply.

". . . Yes," he replied shortly. And slightly offended, Sakura furrowed her brows
and muttered an, "Oh." "But it's nothing important."

"It must be important," she mumbled, frowning, but keeping her eyes on the road.
She heard him sigh, and was worried that he took that with resentment, and bit her
lip in anticipation.

". . . My mother wants me to go back to Hong Kong," he finally said, possibly

knowing that Sakura also knew that. "I don't want to."

"Why does she want you to go back?" Sakura asked softly, carefully, and looked at
him from the corner of her eyes.

"The Elders. The. . . older generations of this clan, who has almost complete
control over the whole Li family. With the exception of my dad, of course, when he
was alive. He was just too powerful." he paused, and cleared his throat. "They want
me to go back and run the business there, but they made up some stupid excuse of
how they need me to run errands for them. Like welcoming people from another
country; speak business. Just a load of crap." He sighed angrily, and ran his hand
through his hair. "I don't want to go back there."

Sakura peeked at him again, and frowned. "Is it bad?"

He shook his head. "Not bad, itself, just bad for me. And they want a reason why I
don't want to go back. . . I truly don't have one yet. I just don't."

Sakura also sighed angrily, and pouted as she steered the car. She clenched her
fists. "Well, why don't they understand? I mean, they really can't boss you around
like this. It's just not fair."

"It's not," he agreed, a stiff tone in his voice. "I think I know the reason why
they want me to go back, though."

"What is it?"

". . . I have a lot of cousins and siblings. Ironically, most of them are women;
only one guy, other than me, can pass down the Li name. Except. . . well, he's
infertile; he can't have children. So even if he adopts kids and names them with
our surname, they're not related by blood. My kids will truly be the only Li's in
this generation. So the clan all depends on me."
Sakura blinked in surprise, then furrowed her eyebrows in revelation and
realization. "Oh, wow. That's. . . tough."

"Yeah," he sighed out. And leaned back against the seat.

"But why do they want you to come back? You can have kids here, can't you?"

He sent her an almost-amused look, before closing his eyes and shaking his head.
"No, they won't allow it."

"They don't own you."

"They sorta do."

"Well- um, you can refuse, can't you?" Sakura by now was shaking, and she was
clutching the wheel so hard the car was trembling slightly as well.

He was silent for a while, and Sakura slowed down at an upcoming red light that was
only a block away. By the time he spoke again, Sakura was pressing the break pedal.

"I'm in an arranged marriage."

She pressed the break too hard, and the car squealed as it came to a stop. Neither
had the time to react or say anything though, for a large truck suddenly honked
their way over and crashed into the side of her vehicle.

The last thing Sakura remembered was the loud scream that escaped her lips, and a
pair of strong arms that circled around her and held her close.

* * *

Oh dear. Things are going well for them, aren't they? (I just realized: such a
cliché moment) Anyway, forgive me for the most-likely-to-be-late chapter next time.
You have to give me some credit, though. I'm not exaggerating this, but all (yes,
all) of the stories that I've been following, haven't been updated for at least
three months. Well, okay, one is two and half, BUT THAT'S STILL WRONG! I mean,
please spare me? I don't mind you asking for fast updates, I'm just saying I
shouldn't be hated. Hopefully, anyway. -innocent smile that seems more devious than
my first one-

*Chapter 6*: and you're lucky enough

Oh my god, I really can't believe I've been gone for two months.
I mean, usually, when I say a time, it really doesn't take that long at all. Two
months is an awfully long time; I honestly hated having to make you guys wait. But
now that I've got my own computer -for a little while, since it's not actually
mine-, I am finally going to update the next chapter and ask for all of your
forgiveness'. -apologetic smile-

I also think my writing has, how do you say this, de-proved over the past couple of
months. It's summer, and my brain's slightly fried. However, a chapter's a chapter,
and I truly did my best. Constructive criticism is most definitely appreciated!

Disclaimer: No. I did not spend the last few months demanding for ownership over
the series. Otherwise I would probably be sued right now.

* * *

6. . . . and you're lucky enough . . .

I feel, she thought, as her brain whirled in her head and she tried to gain sense
of direction, like crap.

Really, really, bad crap.

Sakura grunted and peeled open her eyelids, her eyelashes sticking together like
glue. Her vision blurred painfully white as she adjusted to the brightness, and she
groaned in pain. A headache was pounding underneath her skin, and she could
practically feel it, so she lifted a hand and pressed it to her forehead. It was
covered with cold sweat. "Blurghmfph."

"What in the dear world was that sound?" A soothing voice asked from beside her;
however, the teasing laced too much concern for it to be humorous. "How are you
feeling, Kinomoto-san?"

Like crap, she thought again. Didn't I just say that?

"Can you see me?"

Sakura turned her head slightly to the left, and nodded once, but immediately
regretted it.

"A headache, right?" The nurse asked; her uniform was also white and it was hurting
Sakura's eyes. "Of course. You've been unconscious for two days."

Sakura simply blinked.

"Have some of this," the woman instructed, handing over a glass of cold water and
two pills. "It will help the pain. I also suggest you to continue and rest for
today."

Sakura took the drink and medicine reluctantly, but she didn't have a chance to
croak out a reply when dark-haired Tomoyo came bursting into the room, her face
pale and frantic. "Sakura!" she cried with relief, and simply ran across towards
her and squeezed her tightly into an embrace. "I am so glad you're alive!"

I was! the victim thought, and she felt blood rush up to her face again. Soon
enough, the nurse and someone else quickly pulled Tomoyo away.

"Tomoyo, calm down. Sakura's fine, you can stop panicking now."

"I thought you wouldn't ever wake up!" her best friend continue to cry, and to
Sakura's surprise, tears were already gathering up and glistening in her eyes.
"Sakura, I was so worried!"
"I'm all right now," Sakura said, her voice cracking slightly. She gave Tomoyo her
best smile. "I'm totally fine. Don't worry now."

The paler girl clasped her hand around her friend's, and laughed tearfully. A hand
suddenly appeared on her shoulder, and it led up to an arm that was attached to
Eriol. He was looking down at her with a gentle smile. "We're so glad you're all
right."

"You guys came together?" Sakura said teasingly, and a light blush colored the pale
cheek of Tomoyo's face.

"Well, yes, because of both you were hurt-"

Both of us, Sakura suddenly started, her eyes widening in horror. Both of us: Li!

"Syaoran! What happened to him? Is he alright?"

* * *

"He was covering you when the ambulance found you in the car," Tomoyo carefully
explained, pushing the wheelchair that Sakura was currently occupying in. "So he
broke an arm and got a concussion. But otherwise, he's uninjured."

"This is all my fault," Sakura muttered to herself, palming her face. Her heart was
beating frantically in her chest. "It's all my fault. He wouldn't even be hurt at
all if it weren't for me."

"It's not," Eriol reassured her, his face more serious than she'd ever seen him
before. "You stopped at the red light, and you weren't even pass the crosswalk. It
was the bus that was driving too close; he did the illegal driving."

"But he was still in he car with me!"

"And how could that be your fault?" he gently comforted, smiling reassuringly. "You
can't see the future. You wouldn't have known that a huge truck was going to run
you over."

"He got hurt because he protected me."

Eriol shrugged at that. "That's what men do. I would even do that for you. But you
can't blame yourself, Sakura." He leaned over a little, and placed a hand on your
shoulder. "You really shouldn't. This was in no way your fault. It was the driver
of the truck." He stood straight, and his eyes suddenly darkened. "Who ran away
before the police came."

"We still haven't found that bastard yet," Tomoyo snarled, shockingly angry. "And
he was probably wearing gloves, because we couldn't find any fingerprints. He
probably stole the truck, too; the owner of it said he didn't lend it to anyone."

"We will find him, and he will take responsibility for all of this." Eriol looked
at Sakura. "We'll keep you safe."

Sakura could feel her body trembling as she saw the unconscious figure on the bed,
and the monitor beside Syaoran's head beeped steadily, but that did not help the
guilt in her stomach at all. She felt sick. Clasping a hand over her mouth, she
breathed loudly and deeply, despite knowing that Syaoran was alive and he will be
fine. Worry seeped through her brain like sponge soaking in water.

After a while, Tomoyo sent her back to her
now that Syaoran was unable to do his job.
woman was standing near the bed, a bouquet
she sighed in relief when the two strolled
you're alright."
room and Eriol left for a conference,
By the time the two arrived, a redheaded
of different flowers in her hands, and
in. She smiled at Sakura. "I'm so glad

"Kobayashi-san?" Sakura asked, grinning back. "What are you doing here?"

"Tomoyo told me that you woke up, and I was in the city, so I just decided to stop
by." She helped Tomoyo bring Sakura back on her bed. "It's a relief. You're not
injured badly."

"I'm not," Sakura laughed breathlessly, and a frown appeared between her eyebrows.
"You didn't have to come all this way."

Akemi shrugged. "I know. I just wanted to."

"Actually," Tomoyo cut in, smiling comfortingly, "Akemi also has something else to
tell you," she turned to the other girl, "right?"

Akemi smiled a bit doubtfully. "I don't want to put more pressure on you."

Sakura shook her head and continued to smile. "No, it's totally fine. Tell me."

The redhead took a deep breath, and looked at Tomoyo for reassurance. Then she
nodded and grinned. "Ever since I saw you in that dress Tomoyo designed for you
last time, I've been wondering if you were interested in modeling." She shrugged.
"Would you like to be our cover-girl this year? We have many spots."

Sakura blinked in shock at the offer and swallowed, her green eyes bewildered and
wide. She tilted her head, wondering vaguely if it was a hallucination, and then
laughed with relief when she realized it wasn't. She nodded. "I'd be happy to think
about it."

Akemi clapped her hands cheerfully. "Great. And don't worry; if you're not ready
for the job, I totally understand. Just call me when you feel like you know the
answer, okay?"

With that, the lovely lady sent her one last reassuring smile and left the room
after wishing her good health. Dazed, Sakura leaned back against her pillow, and
practically beamed when Tomoyo gave her an understanding smile.

* * *

"Sakura!" Kukai exclaimed, his face happy and flushed. He ran up to her and
enveloped her in a loose hug, to which she responded with a blush of red on her
cheeks. "I'm so glad you're all right."

"Yes, I'm fine," she said into his shoulder, and smiled at him when they pulled
apart. "Has anything happened while I'm gone?"

"We were all worried sick about you, if that's something," he replied, laughing. He
touched her cheek affectionately. "God, I wish I went to visit you, but I never had
the time. With Li-san gone, the whole building's been hectic."

"I can only imagine," she said, grimacing. "It's not your fault. Li is still
unconscious, and I only woke up yesterday." She tucked her hair back behind her
ear. "I had to come back, now that's he's going to be absent for a while."

"Yeah," Kukai nodded. He then clasped her hand. "I'm really glad you're not hurt."

Sakura blushed again.

"Do you have any idea who was driving the truck and hurt you?" Kukai suddenly
inquired, his eyes concerned. "Hiiragizawa-san told many of us what happened, and
that someone drove into you on purpose. Have you any idea who it might be?"

Sakura shook her head. "No, we have no clue so far. Apparently, the guy stole the
truck, because the owner had no idea what happened. Or he was trying to cover up
for him." Sakura shrugged as she breathed. "We've also been too caught up with the
company lately to look for evidence 24/7."

"Right," Kukai nodded, furrowing his eyebrows. "It probably will take a while."

Sakura frowned. "Probably."

"I'm sure everything will get sorted out," he reassured her, brown eyes glowing.
"And if anything happens and you're in trouble, don't be afraid to call for me."

Smiling, Sakura nodded shyly and he slowly pulled back.

"It's really my break right now, so I have to go." Kukai looked at a clock on the
wall with worry. When he turned back to her, he held out a bag of tea packs. "I was
going to give this to you because you were in the hospital, but now that you're all
right, do you mind giving this to Li-san when he wakes up?" He grinned lop-sided.
"It's a good remedy for head-aches. But don't drink it when you don't have one; it
gives you a stomach-ache."

"Thank you," Sakura said, taking the gift. "I'm sure he'll be very touched."

Kukai leaned down to kiss her on the cheek, before blushing a light red, an
unreadable expression on his face, and ran off to his office. Sakura hadn't had the
time to respond before Rika suddenly appeared from beside her and pulled her into a
tight embrace, and the rest of her co-workers welcomed her back.

* * *

The evening after, she had arrived in the hospital again with some flowers and the
tea Kukai had given her. The room had been filled with other presents and good-
wishes the building most likely had sent. She smiled sadly. That afternoon, one of
the nurses had called her and announced the news that Syaoran had woken up for a
moment, far earlier than the doctors had expected, but he had a major head-ache and
was fed with some sleeping pills and rested again. Eriol hadn't the time to stop
by, and Tomoyo wasn't as close to him as either of them, so Sakura suggested she'd
come alone. Sakura sat down next to Syaoran's bed, and sighed.

"I just had to miss you," she murmured to him, setting her flowers down onto a
table. The petals sprawled against the surface in a surreal fashion. She looked at
the bag of tea, and tore one open. "Might as well make one for you," she said, and
threw one into a cup. She poured some hot water into the mug, and turned when she
heard a woman's voice behind her.

"Who are you?"

The woman looked young, but the age in her eyes told Sakura otherwise. Sakura
slowed down her pouring and looked at the lady in shock. "My name is Kinomoto
Sakura," she said hesitantly, a shiver went down her spine when a flash of
recognition went through the woman's eyes. "And you, ma'am? Are you a friend of
Syaoran's?"

The woman straightened a bit, despite her already-formal posture. There was an
elderly man behind her who was looking at Sakura with interest and concern, but he
kept his head down to be polite. Finally, the woman parted her red lips and spoke.
"My name is Li Yelan. I'm Syaoran's mother."

Sakura started and spilt her cup of tea, and the water reached the flowers on the
table before the petals sizzled, and a few turned brown.

* * *

-shudder- That felt incredibly rushed. Are any of you confused? I sure hope not.
Hopefully that was all right.

And I might be able to update the next chapter within the end of next week. If I
don't, I don't deserve to write at all. Ha.

*Chapter 7*: But if you don't

Alrighty then! Now it's on with the show. Once again, thank you
all for your wonderful reviews.

Don't own Cardcaptor Sakura.

* * *

7. . . . But if you don't . . .

"Yelan-sama apologizes for not being able to greet you, Sakura-san," an elderly
man, Wei, said to Sakura kindly as he led her further into the mansion Syaoran was
living in. It wasn't the main house of the Li clan, as that was understandably
located in China, so it wasn't as grand of a size . . . Though that still didn't
faze to amaze her at the glorious chandeliers and the elegant decorations on the
walls. It was simply magnificent; she could hardly imagine anyone to live here.
Wei, she found out, had been servicing Syaoran ever since he was a child and his
father passed away. He was a gentle and kind man, and immediately filled her with
warmth and calmness at every single smile. Sakura settled herself in a fancy but
comfortable couch in the guest room, and watched as the old man poured her tea.

"She has been experiencing much trouble, lately, with the company," he continued,
and handed her the drink when he finished. "Though you are great help in managing
everything while Syaoran-san is absent, she still worries about other market
relationships because those were handled by her son."

"I hope she knows how regrettable I am," Sakura murmured quietly, a blush on her
face. She peeked at him doubtfully. "Does she hate me?"

Wei shook his head, "No, no, Sakura-san, she does not hate you. She understands
that she really has no reason to; you are not fully responsible for Syaoran-san's
condition. It is not completely your fault, so she doesn't hate you."

"I still feel awful," Sakura admitted, gulping down her drink and ignoring the heat
of it down her throat. "He was already having a bad day, and I just made it worst."

"Syaoran-san is a really kind man," Wei smiled supportively, and the comfort in his
eyes were enough to bring Sakura to slight tears – he reminded her so much of her
father. "He wouldn't hate you either. In fact, I would say that he quite likes
you."

At that, Sakura immediately leaned back and blinked thrice in sudden shock, almost
dropping her cup of tea. "I-I'm–I'm sorry?"

"Because of his family and who he is, he hasn't had a very bright childhood in Hong
Kong." Wei frowned a bit sadly. "Other kids were told to not become too close to
him, for he was from a powerful clan . . . Despite the fact that he was only a boy,
others were still too scared to befriend him, because of their fears of angering
him on accident. Li-san had made sure to have people fear him when he was alive,
and that just troubled Syaoran's life."

Sakura frowned, too. "That's horrible."

"Yes," he nodded. "So, as he grew up, he only had two close friends who sticked to
his side: Eriol-san, as you know, and Li Meiling-san, another cousin of his."

"Meiling-san doesn't live in Japan?"

"She hasn't learned enough Japanese to come, and she is also engaged with other
business issues in Hong Kong."

Sakura sighed, "At least there's still Eriol-san with him."

Wei smiled, "And you."

"What makes you think he likes me?"

He shrugged a bit, still grinning, and clasped his hands in front of him in a
formal way. "He still has not fired you, despite your . . . interesting meeting."

Sakura ducked her head. "He told you about that?"

Wei laughed. "Oh, he went a whole day hung over by that."

The front door of the mansion suddenly opened, and a few seconds later Yelan walked
in clad with a velvet suit and a fur purse. Sakura hastily stood up from her seat,
setting her cup down loudly on the table in front of her, and she and Wei both
bowed.

"Yelan-sama."

"Li-sama."

Yelan nodded at them both. "I apologize for not being able to welcome you today,"
she said, and walked into the room, sitting down on the couch in front of Sakura.
"There was an emergency meeting at the office, though I do not see the need of
having had it." She sighed, and accepted a cup of tea from Wei. She then glanced at
Sakura with serious eyes, and nodded politely again. "Please, sit down."

Awkwardly, Sakura complied and cleared her throat as she watched the older woman
take another sip of her drink, before she set it down soundlessly with gentle
grace. Sakura fought the urge to bite her lip at the simple, yet absolutely elegant
gesture, and tried to calm herself when Yelan cast her a wary glance. "I hope you
know why I invited you here today."

Sakura shook slightly with nervousness, frightened. "I-I think so," she said
softly, then cleared her throat when she realized that was too quiet. "I mean, is
it something to do with . . . my position in the company"

Yelan regarded her calmly, "I am not going to fire you, Kinomoto-san."

Sakura blinked. "Oh."

"Syaoran's condition is now completely stable, and I've heard from his doctor that
he had woken up already. Have you been visiting him often?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes. Every day."

"Well, that's quite interesting how I just met you yesterday," she sat back
slightly, but still straight, and fixed a heavy stare on her, which caused Sakura
to jump automatically. "I understand you are a great worker, Kinomoto-san, I've
heard that you are hardworking and concentrating, and you do your job with precise,
and on-time. I give you my gratitude for all the work that you've done for the
company while Syaoran is gone. You have just recovered not too long ago, and yet
you immediately went back to work. That's a very admirable spirit."

Sakura's eyes widened at each compliment the powerful woman had thrown to her, but
before she could reply, Yelan continued.

"However, what I don't understand is why Syaoran kept you, and knew that you were
capable of your job. I've heard that you were just an average employee before
Syaoran started managing; maybe I've heard wrong. And it didn't appear to me that
you made a great first impression on him with your call."

Sakura's face flushed redly again, and she restrained herself from yelling in
horror as she knew that even Syaoran's mother knew what she'd done. Humiliation was
written all over her face as she bowed her head in shame, and Wei smiled amusingly.
"I–Yes, I, um, did not make a very . . . admirable first impression on him. But I
hope you've heard that it was an accident! I did not mean to call him!"

Yelan nodded, still formal, but with a hint of a smile on her face. "Yes, I
reckoned that much."
"And, actually, I-I was a coworker for the previous boss that ran the company," she
stuttered hurriedly, her fingers creating wrinkles on her skirt. "Sort of, not
really . . . Not, like, her actual assistant, but, um, I was somehow promoted–"

"Yes, alright, I understand," Yelan calmly interrupted, holding a hand out. Sakura
had started breathing hard and was practically sweating beneath her clothes.
"However, you two do not have a . . . personal relationship?"

Confused, Sakura quickly closed her mouth and eyed the elder woman quizzically. She
shook her head, "Um, no, not really. He's, well, my boss, and I, um, suppose I'm
sort of . . . scared to be friends with him–"

"But there is no essential relationships between you two?"

Sakura was utterly bewildered. "I . . . do not understand–"

"You two are not sleeping with each other?"

Immediately, Sakura bursted a deep, deep red and shot up from her seat, shaking
frantically and with embarrassment. Yelan leaned back in shock and caution, and Wei
took a step forward and reached a comforting hand. "Oh! Oh, no! No, no, no, no, no!
I'm not-! We aren't-! We," she laughed nervously, "are most definitely not-! No. I-
no. No, we are not-" she cleared her throat in panic, and started to
hyperventilate. She shook her head. "Most definitely, not, Li-sama, we are not-"

"Yes, please, Kinomoto-san, calm down." the woman waved a hand, quite speechless at
the younger girl's reaction. Clearly, this was a sensitive subject to touch upon.
"Sit down, please, I apologize for your discomfort in this issue."

Wei pushed her down gently, but Sakura was still blushing profoundly. She stared at
her hands once she settled.

"I see you are an intelligent and modest young lady," Yelan compliment slowly,
somewhat hopefully, but Sakura didn't seem too delighted to hear anything. "You are
very resigned of your being; I appreciate that."

"Thank you for understanding," Sakura muttered eventually, still looking at her
hands. "Though I honestly have to say that I do not understand fully, myself, of
why he wanted to keep me. I . . . I try to be the best I can in my job, because I
need it. I suppose he understood that, so he kept me."

"Yes, that is an interesting subject," Yelan drawled, raking her eyes over Sakura
once in an almost considerable fashion. Finally, she took a breath, and regarded
her, once again, with utmost calmness. "Kinomoto-san, I hope you know why Syaoran
is so important to this clan."

Sakura quickly cooled down at the change of subject, and nodded. "Yes, I do."

"He is not only important to me, but he is the only man in the clan who will be
able to pass down the Li name and blood down the generations. He plays a very
valuable and high role."

Sakura nodded again. "Yes, I understand that. He told me, actually."

Yelan raised an eyebrow in interest. "He did?"

"Well, the day that we . . . got into the accident, he told me that he had only one
more male cousin in the family who is able to pass down the Li name, but he is
infertile."
"Yes, many others had passed away."

"They did?"

"My husband did not die of a disease or old age; he was killed in a plane crash."

Sakura's eyebrows shot up. "He did?"

"A private plane, yes. Syaoran had been too young then, so my husband had brought
the older boys of the family, at that time, around the world to gain experience,
only because it was an order from the Elders. Despite him being the most powerful
Li, they still had the power to tell him to teach the second generation. On the
plane's way to Germany, I remembered it was, it crashed." She paused to take a
drink of water, and Sakura assumed she was also trying to regain her posture. "Many
of us actually thought it was a murder."

"A murder?" Sakura asked in astonishment, surprised. "I didn't know that."

"I didn't think you would. I doubt Syaoran would really like to talk about it. It
is a stressful subject."

"I'm sorry for all the loss," Sakura replied, frowning. "It must have been horrible
for you."

Yelan almost sniffed, and looked at her. "Yes, it was horrible for all of us. It
was horrible for him, too."

"I understand the feeling . . . Of losing someone you love," Sakura smiled gently.
"But we all grow up and become strong enough to overcome it."

"Who did you lose, dear? A sibling?"

Sakura shook her head. "A parent. My mother. She died of an illness when I was very
young."

Yelan finally broke a sad smile, and her eyes started to water before she took a
breath and drank her tea again. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," she replied, shaking her head. She smiled back. "You are a very strong
woman, Li-sama. I've heard that you also have four other daughters. That is a
remarkable amount of responsibility, not just as someone who is important to the
clan, but also as a mother."

"I love my children, and I cannot afford to give up," she shrugged slightly, almost
as if saying, 'What can you do?' Then she looked up, and smiled once again. "It's
so wonderful that you understand."

"But, um, I've heard that Syaoran is also in an arranged marriage?"

Yelan's smile dropped, and she looked upset and troubled. She nodded. "Yes, he is.
It's unavoidable, though; many of us feel that he has absolutely no intention of
marrying or bearing children soon, so we are worried if it will be too late.
And . . . we also can't afford letting him have an affair with a woman who is not
capable of helping him carry on the responsibilities of the clan."

Sakura made a grim face. "Yes, I highly doubt he wants that, too."

"I do not agree with it. Many of us do not think it is fair for his life to be
arranged. But unless there is a more suitable woman for him other than the woman
we've chosen, we cannot let him decide on this."

"Can't you say something about it?"

Yelan shook her head. "No. As far as power, the Elders are not as powerful as my
husband, but they are stronger than me."

Sakura made a face and said under her breath, "That is so sexist."

Yelan smiled, and raised her cup to her lips. "It is."

After a moment, Sakura lit up with a sudden thought and blinked in curiosity. "Li-
sama? Have you heard from Eriol-san about the truck that hit us that day?"

Yelan set her cup down, and nodded. "Yes, I have. We are still searching for the
driver. It is interesting how hard it is to find him; he must have strong coverage.
The must be some power protecting him."

"Do you think we'll catch him soon?"

Yelan shook her head. "We cannot know for sure. Despite the accident being
committed in broad daylight, and in the middle of the street, no one knew who he
is. There is no trace of him."

"So, then, there must be some command involved."

"We've been considering that."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"The only thing you can do right now is to make sure no one dangerous or suspicious
gets too close to Syaoran. He is in a weak condition now, and you are one of the
closest people to him. You must keep him from anyone who might turn on him, or
might have the motion to hurt him. Keep an eye around him. It might even be someone
from the company."

Sakura nodded seriously. "I will make sure that I do that."

"I'm sure you will do your best then," she said, reassurance in her eyes. "I'm
counting on you to take care of Syaoran for a little while in the next few days. I
need to return to Hong Kong shortly for an Elders' meeting. Will you be able to
handle it?"

"I will be able to handle anything," Sakura said with determination, wrinkling her
skirt again. "I'll also visit him everyday."

"Why don't we go now, then?"

Sakura blinked. "Now?"

* * *

"Oh–God!" Sakura had exclaimed the minute she stepped into Syaoran's room. He was
sitting up, a white bowl of something in his hand, and he was eating from it with a
spoon. Realizing she might have said something inappropriate in front of Yelan, she
ducked her head and blushed. "Sorry."

Syaoran blinked at the two at the door, and set his food down reluctantly. "Mother?
And . . . You two came together?"

"Syaoran," Yelan smiled, and walked forward and embraced him before he slowly
relaxed in her arms. Sakura stood at the side, watching the affection that Yelan
was displaying generously. It was almost like she was a different person. "I am so
glad you are finally awake."

"Sorry, Mother," Syaoran muttered into her neck, but his face was hidden with
Yelan's hair so Sakura couldn't see either of them. "I could've woken up earlier,
but I was too tired."

"I know," she replied soothingly, and ran her hand over his back. "I'm just glad
you're finally all right."

"Mostly all right," the two finally drew apart, and Sakura saw a small smile on his
face. "Still got a broken arm, but that can be quickly fixed."

"Yes, let's hope that it can," Yelan nodded, smiling back. Finally remembering that
Sakura was still there, she turned. "And I was having tea with Sakura-san,
actually, just before we came. She's been taking great care of you these days."

Sakura looked at her in surprise when Yelan called her by her first name, and
Syaoran seemed surprised too. However, there was something else in his gaze that
Sakura couldn't completely recognize, and he finally nodded at her. "Hey."

"I," she breathed, clutching her fingers together with anxiousness until it almost
hurt, "I am so sorry. I'm–really glad you're all right. Really. I was scared that
you were hurt even more than I imagined, and I would . . . I would feel absolutely
terrible. I already feel like a horrible person. I'm sorry." Sakura bowed down at
the waist, closing her eyes in hopes of preparing for whatever words and insults he
might throw at her. However, he never did, and they were enveloped in stunned
silence for a while before he finally broke it.

"I don't blame you," he said, watching as Sakura shot up. "Eriol, actually, already
told me what happened that day. I don't blame you at all."

Sakura blinked almost incredulously at him. "You don't?"

"I mean, unless you want me to. I can totally fire you because of your horrible
driving, and because you want be to blame you, and then I'll just watch and settle
back in contentment as you roam about the streets in search of another job that
suits you the best."

"Syaoran!" Yelan exclaimed appallingly, slapping him on the arm. She didn't even
flinch when he jumped and protested with an, "Ow". "That was absolutely rude!"

"Well, I guess I deserved that terrifying image," Sakura said sarcastically, and he
grinned at her. "Thank you. Thank you very much."

"But I will consider giving you credit since, apparently, you've been taking good
care of me while I was out," he smiled. "I hope you haven't ran the company into
bankruptcy, yet."

"Does he always talk to you like this?" Yelan asked, pointing a finger at him as
she looked at Sakura. Sakura nodded.
"Oh, yes."

Yelan returned to her son with a scornful look. He only grinned back cheekily.

"Why, Mother, that is only our way of showing affection."

"Yes, well, affection has definitely changed its meaning these days," she ruffled
his hair, disheveling it even more, and then drew back with another frown. "You
really need to comb your hair."

Sakura almost laughed.

To her relief, they had spent almost two hours in the hospital with him that
evening, and the conversations were mostly light and relaxed. By the time Syaoran
finally got tired of catching up with everything, Yelan and Sakura had prepared to
leave. With a heavy boulder finally taken off her shoulders, Sakura walked out with
Yelan with an utmost feeling of joy and a strange warmth in her heart. The gladness
was almost enough for her to jump up and shout in celebration.

Yelan told her she'd be leaving in two days, and, surprisingly, had told Sakura
that she was good company, and that she'd like to meet up with her again. Honored,
Sakura complied without any hesitation, smiling pleasantly as she watched the woman
crossed the parking lot to her own private vehicle. Her driver and Wei, by the car,
bowed at her.

However, her sense of hearing had heightened also, due to the light weight in her
heart. Sakura looked to the side and saw a small motorcycle driving incredibly fast
towards the older woman, and, automatically, Sakura ran across the area between her
and Yelan, and pushed the woman down on the ground a few feet away from her spot,
and they landed on their side with Sakura's arms around her. The motorcycle missed
them by inches. By the time that any of them had reacted, the black bike had zoomed
away and mixed itself into the busy street of the main road.

Sakura and Yelan finally realized that someone was really trying to kill her and
her son.

* * *

Okay, does this really count as a cliff-hanger? I honestly tried to make sure that
it somehow doesn't, and that it was a conclusion. I hope that truly worked. -
sweatdrop-

Anyway, let's see how fast I can update this time, then!

*Chapter 8*: don't worry too much

OKAY! So, apparently, the previous version of chapter seemed to

have confused too many people . . . I've decided to rewrite it, as this you are
reading right now is the new version. I apologize for the lack of information and
subtlety; I hope this one will be better if you had come back. I didn't change the
chapter too much, only the unnecessary pieces, so you needn't worry if you think
you've missed something others are talking about.

Disclaimer: Once I get my hands onto Sakura's cards and take over the universe,
then yes, I will own Cardcaptor Sakura. Mark my words, that will happen. :)

* * *

8. . . . don't worry too much . . .

"Oh GOD, Sakura, are you alright?" Tomoyo hurried over as she entered the room, and
quickly pulled Sakura into a tight embrace with a worried look. When she pulled
back, her eyes were scolding. "Why did you end up in a car accident again?"

"It was a motorcycle actually," Sakura smiled, but she cringed at the deadly
threatening look on her friend's face as she clearly ignored that. Sakura rolled up
her sleeves and revealed a few bandages and scrapes. "It was no big deal; really, I
only got a few scratches this time."

"Still, that's horrible! How is it that - I mean, I know someone tried to hurt you
before, but I didn't think they'd go this far as to stalking you all the way to the
hospital! Ugh, this place also has horrible security. I'm going to hire a few extra
bodyguards for you and Li-kun so I can have them shoot the person to the death when
he finds you again, and then when the guy's dead, I'll walk over to his corpse
myself and tear his body into shreds-"

"Oh, Tomoyo, calm down," Sakura interrupted, laughing awkwardly and patting her in
the arm. The deadly look in her cousin's eyes sent a chilly shiver down Sakura's
spine. "Actually, to be honest, I don't think the person was after me this time."

Suddenly blinking in curiosity, Tomoyo leaned forward in anticipation. "What? Why

do you think that?"

"The person was trying to attack Sya-Li's mother," Tomoyo quirked an eyebrow at
Sakura's stumble of words, but said nothing. "She was crossing the parking-lot to
her car when this black motorcycle suddenly came out of nowhere and almost ran into
her. I just hurried over and pushed her out of the way. Hadn't Eriol-kun told you
this yet?"

Tomoyo shook her head, "No, he's been too busy handling all the paperwork and
interviews lately; I haven't had a chance to talk with him. Besides, this just
happened this afternoon."

"Yeah, I suppose. Poor Eriol-kun."

"So have you talked with Li-kun and his mother yet?"

"We have, but we didn't really get anywhere. Except, now, we really do know that
someone is trying to hurt either Li or his mom, possibly because of something Li's
father had done before he died." Sakura shrugged. "All I know is that a lot of
people hated him, but that's not enough to figure out exactly who."

"That makes sense. Li-kun and his mom are in a lot of control over the Li
cooperation, it's logical for them to be a target of ransom or murder so they can't
run their businesses anymore."

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. "Yeah."

"It's still horrible that you got sucked into this, though. You shouldn't have."

Sakura shrugged again. "It's not really their fault. I got myself into this,
really."

"Oh!" Tomoyo suddenly started, and thrust her arms around Sakura's body to hug her.
"I really hope they don't try to come after you now! That would be just horrible!"

Sakura laughed nervously into her friend's shoulder, and soon the laughter died off
to a troubled frown. It would make sense for someone to come after her now, since
Sakura might know too much already. Though the police had asked her if she could
remember the license plate on the motorcycle, Sakura couldn't recall, but she did
recall the faintest characteristics of the bike, such as the fact that it was all
black, and was a Kawasaki. That wasn't nearly enough information, though; the
hospital's security camera also proved that much.

However, Sakura was still sure that if she saw the bike again, she would recognize
it somewhat.

And then speaking of another proof that someone was trying to murder Syaoran or
Yelan, the tea Sakura had brought . . . But no, Kukai wasn't that kind of person.
As far as Sakura believed, he was one of the sweetest guys she had met. He would
definitely not do something like that, and there also wasn't enough proof that he
was the suspect. Until Sakura herself collected enough information to prove Kukai
guilty, she was not going to mention his name.

Biting her lip, she continued to frown, and Tomoyo's constant inquiries of
information were drowned from her ears for a long time.

* * *

"I'm fine, really, please go back to the hospital and take care of Li-san," Sakura
waved her hands at the two men behind her, who were sent to protect her on her way
back to work. Though Sakura had insisted that she did not need bodyguards, Yelan
forced her to think otherwise.

"At least have them drive you back," the older woman had said, her posture
absolute. "If something happened to you that is linked to this case and we have to
take responsibility, I do not want it to be that you rejected an offer and I was
ruthless enough to not have cared of protecting you. When I have the power to
prevent a bullet from shooting you in the head, I will use it, and you shall not
say otherwise."

It was quite a scary experience, actually.

"Yelan-sama told you to sen- bring- escort-," Sakura sighed, "help me on my way to
work, and I assure you this building has much better security now. Please. Li-san
also needs you more than I do."

"Li-san already has five bodyguards," one of the men said quickly, and pulled his
shades from his eyes to look at Sakura with blue orbs. The other man turned to him
disapprovingly. "We are here to keep you from harm. You have already experienced
enough issues in the past few weeks; I hope you understand that it is now the Li
clan's responsibility to keep you safe."

"Yes, I do understand that, but you don't need to bother with me. Nothing will
happen here."

"Sakura, you're-" an uncertain and troubled look arose on Kukai's face as he

approached, and the bodyguard quickly put back on his shades and stared at him, "-
busy. Right. I'll come back later then, or-"

"No! Wait!" Sakura reached out a hand, and turned back to the men in black.
"Please, I'm totally fine here. Don't worry about me. If something happens, you'll
be the first to know." Sakura tapped her pocket. "That's what this emergency
locator is for, right?"

They were hesitant at first, but eventually bowed politely and cast one last look
at Kukai, before leaving the building in a dark breeze. Sakura's coworkers all
scattered to the side when they walked by. Heaving a sigh, she pulled on a smile
and turned back to Kukai, who had reached her by then and held her hands.

"You really know how to get into trouble, you know," he said, squeezing her
fingers. "I thought you just left the hospital last week, and just yesterday you
were in it again."

"But I came back now, didn't I?"

"Hospitals are not safe places to be. Don't you ever go there again."

Sakura laughed half-heartedly, but the look on Kukai's face stopped her from that.
She still smiled. "Don't worry, it was nothing big. I'm fine now; I just got a few
cuts. And besides, Li is still there, so I'll have to visit him eventually."

"He has plenty of people who visit him, so why do you have to go?"

Surprised at the sudden desperation in his voice, Sakura blinked at him and flushed
a light red, and looked at their intertwined hands. "I'm really glad you're
worrying about me, but he's my friend, and he saved me during that bigger car
crash. I can't just stop visiting him anymore."

For a moment, Kukai just stared at her, and then finally he let out a sigh and
pulled her to his frame, hugging her tightly. He breathed into her hair. "You're
right, I'm sorry, I was just so worried about you."

She smiled and made a noise of a light-hearted decline. "I understand. Thank you,
actually, and I'm sorry for making you so troubled."

He shook his head. "I needed to be," he said simply, and tugged at her hand to the
elevator. "Do you have a lot of work to catch up?"

"Not too much, really, Hiiragizawa-kun did a fantastic job of keeping everything in
check, and he also happens to have his own secretary, so I didn't have a lot of
work to do." Sakura smiled happily. "So I'm actually, in some way, glad that I was
in the hospital. It gave me an excuse to not do too much work and 'overstress'
myself." Sakura giggled.

A small grin stretched across his face and Kukai hit the button to the elevator
door, his fingers still laced with hers. "I suppose you're thinking of slacking
off, then."
In mock-offense, Sakura dropped her jaw. "I do not slack off."

Kukai's grin grew wider. "Of course you don't."

The two entered the elevator, and thankfully it wasn't too full. A man was standing
in one corner, and another blonde chick walked in with them, her stride overly-
confident. Sakura found her vaguely familiar, but her view was somewhat blocked by
the crush on her side. Kukai squeezed her hand and ducked his head to whisper to
her.

"I heard that you got hurt because someone attacked you. Is that true?"

Sakura shook her head, and the small space dinged as the doors slid closed, and
they started ascending. She leaned up to whisper back. "It was Li's mother who got
attacked, I just saved her. Someone really is trying to corrupt the Li clan."

"It's gotten that serious?" Kukai sighed, frowning with concern. "And I suppose
you're now dragged into the situation."

Sakura shrugged. "Yes, I suppose."

"The police know, right?"

He sounded anxious, and Sakura quickly comforted him with a squeeze in the fingers.
"Yes, they know. Don't worry; I'm not going to get hurt any time soon."

Kukai nodded, and hesitated for a second, before leaning back to her again.

"Actually, I know you just came back, and you still might be somewhat busy," he
twirled a strand of her hair, and despite the fact of knowing that there were other
people in the room, Sakura only blushed and stared at him in awe, "I was wondering
if you are busy tomorrow night. I thought that last time I didn't get the chance to
welcome you back properly, maybe I can make it up to you on another date?"

With a fluttering heart, she accepted his offer and he smiled warmly, causing her
stomach to do another cartwheel. He squeezed her hand again. "Great, I'll pick you
up after work, or something, for dinner. You probably haven't eaten a good meal in
a while."

Sakura shook her head. "I haven't."

Kukai kissed her cheek, blushing. "I'll see you then."

"Yeah," she whispered, her blood pounding in her ears. The doors opened, and Kukai
quickly left the elevator with a teasing smirk. The other man in the elevator left
too, catching up to him. Before the doors shut completely, Sakura saw his shoulders
tense and his gaze harden as they met with the unidentified man. With a frown,
Sakura leaned back against the elevator wall as she lurched up again.

"Aren't you Kinomoto Sakura?" A husky and feminine voice suddenly spoke up from
besides her, and Sakura looked at the blonde in shock. She completely forgot that
she was there. Sakura nodded.

"Yes, I am."

The beautiful woman twisted her lips up in somewhat of a smile, but it was too
bitter to be friendly. She held out a hand. "I'm Satonshi Akira, Syaoran's fiancée.
Surely you've heard of me besides that?"
At the word 'fiancée', Sakura immediately blinked in surprise and went speechless.
The woman withdrew her hand, and that was the only way Sakura gathered back her
senses and remembered how to speak. Sakura nodded. "Yes, aren't you . . . a model?"

A look akin to irritation flew across her face, but it disappeared as fast as it
came. Akira smiled even more, and nodded confidently. "Yes, AneCan, you know? I've
been the cover girl for a long time now."

"Right, I'm sorry. I just don't really look at fashion magazines that often."

Akira continued to smile a bitter smirk. "Of course that's understandable. I'm
really glad you're alright, now, after you and Syaoran got hurt, of course. He's
still recovering, but I'm glad my fiancé is alive. And you saved his mother. I
thank you for that."

Her voice didn't sound thankful at all, Sakura noticed, but decided not to voice
that out loud. Sakura only smiled back as smugly. "It's what I was supposed to do."

"Now that everything's fine, have you heard of our wedding approaching yet?"

'Everything is not fine,' Sakura wanted to bite out, but repressed that urge to
scream at her. The thought of knowing that she was engaged to Syaoran only enraged
her more; that did not make her more superior at all. Sakura knew that Syaoran
might not even like her. "No, I haven't."

"Well, it's in five months, I'm sure you will be invited." The smile on the woman's
face was beautifully ugly, and Sakura bit her lip. "After all, Syaoran wouldn't
forget to tell you such an important day as this."

"Of course he wouldn't," Sakura barely managed to say before the elevator came to a
stop, and the doors opened. With a smug smile, Akira walked through the doors and
turned back one last time with a wink. "Just so you know, I love perfumes."

The doors eventually shut, and started going back down. With a curse, Sakura
realized that was where she was supposed to get off too, and the bitter taste in
her mouth was noticeable when she realized Syaoran was in an arranged marriage with
that kind of woman.

* * *

"Your fiancée is a terrible woman," Sakura bit out, ignoring Syaoran's faint
greeting of a "hey" when she entered the room. That remark caught his attention,
and he raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry?"

"You heard me. She's a little . . . wench." Crossing her arms, she sat down on the
chair besides his bed, and glared at the TV showing a soccer game was going on.
Syaoran turned down the volume, and raised an eyebrow at her.

"I see you've met Ms. Evil Cruella."

Sakura smiled. "I have."

"Well, that saves me a lot of time from spending possibly a whole day to express my
despise for that woman." Syaoran was brooding. "I can't believe I'm engaged to
her."

"I'm assuming that you don't like her?" Sakura inquired curiously. Curiously, just
so everyone was clear. Whoever said otherwise should get their heads checked.

He turned to her with a horrified look on his face. "Like her? I don't even want to
like her. That bi- woman is going to be the downfall of my life."

Sakura was glaring at him even as he finished, considering he almost said something
horribly rude in front of a dignified lady such as her. She huffed, and crossed her
arms again. "Good; so you do have a brain."

"I appreciate the accommodation," he said sarcastically, frowning.

"If you hate her so much, why is your mother still set on having her engaged to
you?"

"My mother's not. Not really, at least. It's the Elders who want her to marry me
because she's from a wealthy family who works with the government. If we get linked
somehow, then the Li clan basically has full control over everything." He huffed as
well. "Though I don't see why it's such a big deal; we already have enough money.
They just want me to marry some snobby rich chic because the Elders don't know how
to make better money for themselves."

"And you can do that?"

"Of course I can," Syaoran said, but his voice was a tone lighter. "I'm as good as
my dad, if not better."

"Well, you're a man of your own," Sakura said, feeling a little guilty at teasing
him in that particular subject. "You should definitely stand up to the Elders and
say that reason."

Syaoran smiled drily. "And what? Have them disown me?"

"Better than control you."

Syaoran grunted, but didn't make a comment. Seeing that as a sign of encouragement,
Sakura continued. "You do have an excuse for living independently now. Because of
your dad, people are trying to hurt you, but you're also a target because you're
connected to someone as powerful as the Elders. The people can't hurt the Elders
because they are too powerful, but once you stop whatever control they have over
you, it would be harder for others to touch you, then. You're not the knight in
this game; you'll be the King."

Syaoran started to smirk. "That's the wisest thing I've heard you say ever since I
met you so many months ago."

"Oh, please, I'm trying to help you here."

Syaoran breathed in loudly and leaned his head back against the bed, closing his
eyes. There was a tension near his lips that wasn't there before, and Sakura
couldn't help but notice how stressed he'd become since the crash. He also had
gotten slightly thinner. "Eriol said something very similar to what you just said
before."

"Really," Sakura said.

"I didn't listen to him."

"And you'll listen to me?"

That seemed to have hit a spot, as Syaoran's shoulders suddenly tensed even further
and he held his breath. Sakura held hers too, eyes wide, and suddenly Syaoran
turned his head towards her and opened his own. If she had the strength to move
under his intense gaze, she would've gasped upon seeing the brilliant dark amber.
He smiled a little.

"I think I can try."

She was blushing before she even realized it, so, quickly, she cleared her throat
and ducked her head, which caused Syaoran to look back at the TV screen with an
uncertain look on his face. Even though it was really only a short period of time
that she and Syaoran truly became friends, knowing him for many months was enough
for her to realize how amazing of a person he was. Despite the fact that she'd
persuaded herself that he was a taken a man, and she, hopefully, would be taken by
someone else too, that didn't help her heart from fluttering erratically ever since
he saved her in the crash, and, more profoundly, since he smiled at her when she
visited him with her mother.

They had been acquaintances when they were at work; funny enough, being his
secretary also consisted the work of being aware of Syaoran's habits or the way he
finished his job. She'd learned plenty of things about him without even having to
wonder, or spend a lot of time with him. It surprised her how much she
unconsciously noticed about the man throughout the short span of time, and it
surprised her even more when she just recently realized she didn't actually mind
knowing so much about him.

Smiling ironically, she recalled the first time they interacted with each other; he
still teased her constantly about that, but now their awkward and slightly-
irritating relationship had developed as far as him being an important person in
her life now. It wasn't only because of the fact that he protected her from getting
hurt, and he had to suffer greatly from that, but along the lines of spilt coffee,
rude remarks, eye-rolling, and tossed, crumpled paper did Sakura realize that she
was truly starting to find him endearing.

But that was an impossible subject to preach upon, and she knew that. However,
knowing that Syaoran might break off the engagement after hearing her speech gave
her a spark of hope and longing. She took a peak at him from the corner of her
eyes, taking him in from the strong set of his jaw to the deep thoughtfulness in
his gaze. She could hardly believe that she never thought him to be a possible
bachelor before . . . well, she had, actually, but that was before he started
bullying her when he realized who she was and had turned his life upside down in a
circle.

Never mind that, Sakura was suddenly entranced with the tingling sensation in her
fingers that she immediately lost her train of thought. The tips of her mouth
pointed downwards in bewilderment, and her eyebrows rose when she saw that he was
hooking his long digits with hers, almost absentmindedly. She sure could not tell
by the look on his face whether he was doing it intentionally or not; either way,
Sakura blew red again.

'Oh God, I really need to get a hold of myself,' she thought, biting her lip.

A turn of his head suddenly caught her attention, and Sakura's eyes immediately
trailed up to his. Green met bright brown in a battle of intensity, and for a
moment Sakura wondered if he was trying to read her soul. She was sure it was
plainly written on her face, what she was thinking, but she liked it when he looked
so concentrated. She felt like she was suddenly enveloped in a safe embrace,
despite the fact that they were barely touching.

She didn't even notice his hand near her cheek until they came in contact, and her
breath hitched as she blinked while his finger stroked her barely. There was
something hard in his eyes, and it was too deep for her to read. Unconsciously,
Sakura tilted her head forward when he leaned towards her, and his lips just grazed
the corner of her mouth when Eriol suddenly burst into the room, a folder in his
hands.

"I hate doing your paperwork, you little brat," he was yelling, and the two froze
at his outburst. Quickly, the air hung a silent tension that built up within
Syaoran's form, and Eriol started to back out of the room. Sakura jumped from her
chair all the way to the other wall and stared at the two in shock.

"Hate?" Syaoran calmly asked, but his eyes were flaming with built-up wrath. "Let
me show you what hate really his, son of a bitch."

Eriol shouted and darted out of the room, with Syaoran, despite injured, hot at his
heels, and the two yelled down the hospital hallway.

* * *

Despite that terrifying encounter, Sakura's memories of it were quickly washed away
when she went out for her date with Kukai. The dinner went excessively smooth, and
she was even invited to his apartment for some tea and casual chatting.

She was laughing when she got out of his car after they arrived at his apartment
building, but it was raining slightly, and the two jogged to the entrance of the
door before she waited patiently for him to unlock it. With a sudden start of
recognition, Sakura stared at a motorcycle right in front of the door sitting
almost alone in the half-empty parking lot. Her eyes furrowed in confusion, but
Kukai suddenly pulled on her arm and into the dry hallway. He laughed as he shook
his hair, and rain pattered on the ground. Hesitantly, Sakura smiled as well.

When they arrived at his apartment, Kukai quickly went to the bathroom to get them
a couple of towels. Sakura thanked him when he came back with one for her, and he
walked away again to the kitchen to boil her some tea. Sakura followed.

"Are you sharing this apartment with anyone?" She asked in curiosity, noting
another set of cups in the cupboards. They were much simpler than the ones he was
taking out. Kukai nodded.

"Yeah, but he's not here this weekend. And neither are a lot of people in this
building, actually, since it's close to Thanksgiving. I think the only people in
this section of the building left are me and these elderly couple downstairs."

'Can old people ride motorcycles?' Sakura wondered to herself, before laughing
mentally. 'Of course they can, riding motorcycles isn't that hard.' She paused
then, biting her lip. 'But that bike . . . It's really familiar. Kukai . . . Kukai
couldn't have been-"

"Here," said man suddenly interrupted her thoughts, and handed her a mug of water
with a tea-bag in it. He smiled when she took it with a murmured thanks. "Did you
have fun tonight?"

"A lot of fun," she said, nodding. The two walked back to the living room and sat
on his couch. "I wish we could do it again."

"We definitely should," he said, agreeing, and turned on the TV. As she sipped
quietly on her own tea, Kukai looked at her expectantly. "Sakura?"

She looked at him wide-eyed. "Yeah?"

"You don't happen to . . . like Li-san, do you?"

"Like him?" Sakura asked, blinking, and flushing slightly at a sudden image that
sprung to her mind that happened the previous day. "Well, he's not a bad guy, so
yes; I like him as a friend." She paused. "Why?"

He looked hesitant. "Well, it's just, the way you talk about him," he smiled a
little sadly, "makes me think that you see him as more of a friend."

Sakura was shocked. "Why do you say that?"

"When you were talking about him yesterday, you also said he was a friend. But you
really looked – happier, when you were saying that."

Her eyebrows were raised to her hairline by then. "I was?"

"I'm not meaning for this to make things awkward, Sakura," Kukai said, blushing,
but there was something else in his expression that made Sakura's stomach flip,
"but I really like you, and I was really hoping that we could start something
serious after this."

"Serious?" Sakura whispered nervously; Kukai set his cup down to lean towards her.

"I'm not pushing you now, I'd never do that, but I hope you know that you can
always trust me. I really want you to believe me, Sakura." He was just near her
lips now, and his breath was fanning her face hotly. Her own face was burning. "Can
you do that?"

Sakura held her breath, her eyes as wide as saucers. Slowly, she nodded, a strange
tingling in her whole body until his lips met hers, and she closed her eyes,
feeling his fingers thread through her hair. Her heart pounded furiously against
her chest, and she opened her eye just a little to see a burst of shocking brown
hair, so familiar to her, but not in the way of reminding her of Kukai. She
squeezed her eyes shut again, hoping that would help her from her hallucinations.

That didn't help; he must've felt her trembling beneath her touch, since he slowly
drew away and frowned. With shaky breaths, Sakura leaped up from the couch and
covered her flaming cheeks with her hands, and Kukai sat bewildered as she started
trotting back and forth between his sofa and the TV. She shook her head
frantically, wondering vaguely why the image of a certain dark-amber-eyed man kept
popping into her mind uninvited, and that only made her blush some more. She lifted
her eyes to meet Kukai's and tried to speak to him again, but the way he had just
talked to her . . . It suddenly didn't feel right.

She felt like she was somehow being brainwashed.

"Sakura?" he asked with a quiet voice, his eyes concerned as he stood up to take
her by the arms and dragged them from her face. "Are you alright?"
"I-I'm-yes, I'm fine, I'm sorry," she stuttered, eyebrows furrowing. Kukai
continued to coax her.

"Did I offend you somehow? I'm sorry; it must've been too fast for you."

'No kidding,' Sakura thought, but she couldn't say that out loud. Not when the
man's gaze in front of her seemed so worried and caring; she couldn't hurt his
feelings when he'd been so considerate of hers. He was a wonderful guy; he wouldn't
deserve to be hurt.

But no, there was something odd about him. She couldn't exactly see him as the guy
she went out with for coffee on their first date; no, that guy was . . . He seemed
innocent. There had been something down-to-earth and childish to his personality
when she was with him that day; now, he just seemed . . . somehow unctuous.

"I'm really sorry," Sakura pulled away; a look of hurt flashed across his face, and
she would've run back into his arms if not for the sudden anger that took place
instead. A chill ran down her spine, and she quickly backed to his doorway and
retrieved her coat and shoes. "I think I'd better go; it's going to pour soon, and
I don't want to get home too late."

"I understand," he said gently, but he followed her as she got dressed. She was
avoiding looking at his eyes, and was thankful that she couldn't tell if he was
really irritated or not. "I could drive you home."

"That's unnecessary, but thank you," she quickly replied, already opening the door.
When she looked back, Kukai looked normal again, though there was this tenseness
set in his shoulders that Sakura didn't particularly like. She was utterly
confused. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes," he said shortly, nodding his head.

With a shaky breath, Sakura said goodbye again, and left the room before she could
see what kind of man Kukai really was.

The bike outside his doorway was suddenly so familiar that Sakura almost screamed.

* * *

Yes, yes, hate me all you want. I ended it with a cliff-hanger again, boo-hoo for
me.

-sniff- But I'm sorry, I could not help it. -sniff- I was born this way!

-takes a deep breath- Anyhow, it's actually almost done. Surprise, surprise. Yes,
this story is VERY short. Short than most of what you've guys read, I bet. I only
planned for it to be, like, ten chapters, I think. Maybe eleven. Despite the fact
that there were very little SakuraxSyaoran moments, I tried to squeeze in their
improving friendship somewhat. How did it go?

Anyway, if you really do hope that I could somehow improve their relationship, go
ahead and say it. I'll try to fix it then. I didn't plan for it to seem so hurried
in the beginning, so that was some sort of a fail. ^^'
*Chapter 9*: Just remember that

Wow, I cannot believe it's been nearly two months since I

updated. I apologize for the delay, and Happy late Thanksgiving to all of you!

Disclaimer: I will destroy the universe once I get my hands on this series . . . I
think I said this before.

* * *

9. . . . Just remember that . . .

"I see you finally remembered me," Syaoran said, smirking, one eyebrow arched and
sitting on his bed. Sakura gave him a look and walked over with a bouquet of
flowers in her hands. "I was hurt, you know, thinking that you forgot me. How will
you ever make up the pain you inflicted upon my heart?"

"Oh, quit the drama," Sakura replied, a smile tugging at her lips. She fluffed the
flowers, straightening them in the vase next to his bed, and turned to look at what
he was watching on the TV. "Is that a soap opera?"

"Nothing to do with soap, nor opera, so no, that is not a soap opera."

Sakura swatted him on the arm - as gently as possible.

After he finally stopped chuckling and Sakura sat down on the side of his bed, he
sent her an interested look. "So where were you these days? You weren't with
Daidouji."

"How did you know?" she asked, pulling adsent-mindedly at the fizz on his blankets.
Syaoran shrugged.

"She was with Eriol, and he said you weren't with them at all." Then, he scrunched
up his nose. "I would understand why; they went suit-fitting for him, and I heard
the woman forced him to where nearly twenty outfits." Sakura choked a laugh. "Yes,
that's exactly what Eriol sounded like when he called me. Except he didn't seem
happy."

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Tomoyo. She likes forcing people to do

stuff. That's why we all love her."

Syaoran rolled his eyes with a small smile.

"Hey, aren't you stuffed in here?" Sakura suddenly asked, trying to change the
subject and refrain him from asking another one. "I'm hot, and I doubt you've been
outside today."

"Not yet."

"Let's go to the yard, then."

Sighing, Syaoran frowned and stared at her. "But I hate wheelchairs."

"Can't you at least use crutches, then? It's been nearly a month. Your leg should
be fine now, it's just your arm."

"My doctor is stupid."

Sakura swatted his arm again, and stood up. "I'll let you use crutches. Your
doctor's not stupid enough to check on you every five minutes to see what you're
doing. Come on."

"Well then, if you must," Syaoran said, and grunted as he tried to stand up. "I
think I've gained weight and lost muscles. I feel fat."

Sakura laughed, biting her lip to keep her laugh down. With a mock-hurt look,
Syaoran looked to the side and sighed again. "Oh no, there goes my heart, breaking
again."

"Just get up, will you?" Sakura choked out, pulling him up. On the other side of
the room she got his crutches, and handed them to him. "Are you going to be
alright?" She asked, still smiling. "Have you used them?"

"Yes, many times when I was younger." He let her lead him out of the doorway and to
the elevator.

"What trouble did you get to when you were small?" Sakura teased, and in return
Syaoran rolled his eyes.

"Oh, you know the usual. Cutting off my cousin's hair, chasing my sisters around,
setting Eriol's room on fire-"

"You're kidding." Sakura cut in, her eyes wide. "You must be joking."

He smirked. "I am."

"Well, I'm sure you're still a horrible kid when you were. I bet you gave Yelan
tons of headaches."

"Will you quit hurting my feelings?" Syaoran gasped, leaning against the wall when
they reached into the elevator. Sakura pressed the button to the first floor.
"Seriously, is this why you came? To pain me even more?"

With a small pout, Sakura crossed her arms and leaned on the opposite wall, not
looking at him. Though she was smiling a little, there was a flash of guilt in her
eyes. "No," she replied shortly, her voice too soft to be cheerful.

Syaoran's expression softened a little, and teasing turned into forgiveness. He

tilted his head back against the wall, looking at her through thick eyelashes. "No,
I don't suppose you are. You make me far too happy to seem like you're hurting me."

Sakura blushed, ducking her head, and the man across from her grinned in amusement.
Sputtering, she said, "W-well, I, uh, thanks. I wouldn't ever mean to hurt you, I
mean, not after what happened. Yeah, and you're recovering, so that's good. I
wouldn't, um, want to castrate you again-"

"Quick stuttering," Syaoran cut her off, his eyebrows arched in laughter. "I know,"
Just before the elevator stopped and the bell dinged, he leaned forward, whispering
close to her ear, "thank you for caring."
If it was possible, Sakura blushed even more, dumbfounded as he walked through the
doors that opened, and looked embarrassingly at the people sending her curious
looks when they entered. She quickly stood up and caught up to him, a silly smile
on her face.

"So, then, has anything interesting happened while I'm gone?" Syaoran piped up,
walking with her under the shades of the trees along the path to the backyard.
"How's the company? I bet they must be a mess without me. They love me."

"Ha, yes, they do," Sakura replied, and though she meant to sound sarcastic, it was
true. Though it's been a month, there were always at least one person everyday who
walked up to her and asked her how he was. And occasionally, he still received
gifts from them in his room. "The company is doing . . . well, I suppose. Poor
Eriol's been busy day and night."

"He must be."

"But he doesn't mind," she quickly added, in case he started to feel bad. "I mean,
he's working very hard, and I'm sure he wouldn't if he hated what he's doing. He
cares a lot about you."

Syaoran smiled, and sat down on a bench under the sunlight, tilting his head up
towards the light blue sky. He hummed in acknowledgement, a fond look on his face.

"Shodka's been bothering us a lot lately, though," Sakura continued, seeming a

little troubled. "They keep sending emails to me, saying that our service is still
lacking. One person even had the guts to say that we're going to regret it."

"Regret what?" Syaoran asked, quickly annoyed by the mention of their name.

Sakura shrugged. "Regret how we're managing our company, I suppose." She scoffed.
"Like they are so much better than us."

"Yes, well, just ignore them. They're not bothering you too much, are they?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine. I don't think they're still rude enough
to anger me, considering what happened."

Syaoran frowned. "Yeah."

"But other than that, everything else is fine. All the workers are doing their
jobs, and all the jobs are being carried on. It's just as if you were there. The
only thing is that the Elders keep calling or paying unexpected visits to the
office since Eriol's there, and you're not, and apparently, 'Eriol is not fit for
the job!'" Sakura tried to mimic the voice of one female elder at the office one
day, talking to Yelan. Sakura frowned in annoyance and sympathy for Eriol.

"Yes, well, the clan can definitely go screw themselves," Syaoran muttered, and
Sakura gasped at his language, smiling. "They all have sticks shoved up in their
asses."

"Syaoran!" She scolded half-heartedly, swatting him once more. This time, he
flinched a little and glared at her.

"Would you quit hitting me?" He exclaimed, eyes laughing. "I wouldn't mind if you
were hitting on me, but physical abuse is not endearing at all."

Sakura blushed again, looked and away and crossed her arms. She still smiled,
pinching her lips together. "Well, get used to it. I only hit people, don't hit on
them. If you expect anything other than that, you picked the wrong person."

He smirked and tilted his head back, closing his eyes as well. He was quiet for a
moment, both simply savoring the presence of each other after so many weeks, and
Sakura looked at him curiously as if waiting for him to say something.

"By the way," he suddenly broke the silence, causing Sakura to glance up at him in
surprise, "I've always wanted to ask you how you got so close to my mother." He
turned a little, a dark brow furrowed. "I don't think I've thanked you yet for
saving her. Have I?"

"No, and now's not too late," she said, and smiled. "She invited me to your place a
couple days after you first woke up. You wouldn't know, of course, since you fell
back to sleep like a pig."

Syaoran rolled his eyes, but ignored that. Instead, he looked interested. "So what
did she say to you?"

"She explained to me about the clan, your arranged marriage, your, um, father,
and," Sakura broke off, a little embarrassed to continue, and looked off to the
side, "uh, amongst other things."

Syaoran's eyebrows furrowed and he nodded in understanding, giving out a soft 'oh'.
"So, you know about what happened, then? The plane crash."

"Yes, it sounded awful. I'm so sorry."

Syaoran smiled a little. "I thought we went over this? There's no need for you to
apologize."

"I still feel horrible," she said, frowning. "That's why you have so many burdens
on your shoulders. All the other male Li's were killed."

"Yes, and . . . I'm not sure if she told you, but we think it might've been
murder."

Sakura nodded grimly, her lips pressed straight. "Yes, it's horrible."

"But it all makes sense, in some way," Syaoran continued, not sounding necessarily
sensitive about this subject. "Someone killed my father, the most powerful man in
the Li clan, and now they're trying to destroy the next generation. And maybe . . .
maybe the whole family."

"They've tried to kill you and your mother because you are the only one capable of
carrying on the Li blood and name," Sakura added, nodding as the pieces are fit
together. "But do you know who is able to do that?"

"Someone powerful," he answered, and bit his lip. "Though not as powerful as us,
otherwise he wouldn't think we are a threat or should be destroyed."

"Do you think it's possible that they might be in our company?" Sakura suddenly
asked, thinking about the man she spent the evening with a couple days earlier.
Troubled and a little hurt, she hoped Syaoran was going to say no.

Instead, he nodded his head, narrowing his eyes, and she slumped in disappointment,
"It might be possible."

"Well, then, you'd better recover quickly and catch him." She said, grinning
hesitantly. "We need you back there, and we need to find him fast before he attacks
again."

Syaoran didn't reply, still looking thoughtful for the next few moments, and then
he finally sighed and rubbed his temples. His voice rumbled lowly when he closed
his eyes and asked her, "So what else did my mother talk to you about?"

"Your arranged wedding," Sakura said. She frowned. "I still hate your fiancée."

Syaoran smirked. "Smart girl."

"She said the Elders can't find anyone else who is more 'suitable' to carry on the
Li name," she continued with disgust, and rolled her eyes. "Though I highly doubt
that she's able to do anything other than pose for camera lenses."

"Very true. She's not capable of bearing such a responsibility considering she has
absolutely no experience. She's just wealthy. But," Syaoran leaned back, shrugging,
"quantity over quality, right? The Elders only care about that."

"It's horrid. I can imagine her corrupting the whole clan. She's not even that
nice."

"She's not. Worse than my ex."

"I remember her!" Sakura exclaimed, but her smile quickly turned into a frown. "She
was horrible, too. And what is with blondes? Heck, this is Japan! There's not even
many natural blondes here!"

Syaoran smirked once more. "Very true, again." He sighed, looking up. "The women
who try to look foreign bug me. Looking natural is just much more appealing. And
besides, I have a thing for brunettes."

Sakura's heart skipped, and she took one quick peek at her light-brown hair, before
looking away, blinking. Syaoran noticed that, smiling. "Did my mother say anything
else to you?"

"Well, that was mostly it. We talked mostly about what we," she gestured between
her and Syaoran, "were just talking about. Although, at first, she did talk a
little about . . . us."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Us?'

Sakura nodded, and sensing her embarrassment, Syaoran continued. "What us?"

"Well, you know," the young woman muttered, looking to the side and trying to feign
casual, "she thought we had some other relationship out of the office. Other than
friends."

"Lovers?" Syaoran suggested, nearly laughing when she flushed the fifth time –at
least- that afternoon.

"Kinda, I guess, well," Sakura looked absolutely flustered, "I suppose, friends
with benefits."

Syaoran threw his head back and laughed, causing Sakura to redden even more. She
pouted. "It's so not funny!"

"I can never imagine you doing that with anyone," he said, trying to repress his
chuckling. Eventually, when she didn't say anything, he threw his arms behind the
bench they were sitting on and smirked. "And besides, I'd kill whatever man who
would suggest that to you."

"Thanks a lot," she said, rolling her eyes.

"It must've been awkward for you, talking with my mother about that, and all."

"You have no idea."

"Well then," he smiled, grinning way too funnily to seem completely kind, "I'll
have to thank her for that some day."

Sakura tried to retort, but the minute she opened her mouth, she closed them, and
leaned back, ducking her head at a particular wind that gusted their way. She
glared at him still, while he merely smiled back, smug.

Though was oddly comfortable for winter, there was a chilly breeze blowing around
them. After a while of silence, Sakura shivered a little, the wind hitting her
neck. Syaoran turned his head and looked at her. "You cold?"

"A little, yeah," she replied, nodding sheepishly. He looked at the thin coat she
had on, and it obviously wasn't meant for windy weather. He sighed, holding an arm
out.

"Come here."

Sakura's face turned red, and Syaoran immediately smirked. He laughed, quirking an
eyebrow. "See now?" He teased, but his eyes were not necessarily amused. "You're
face is turning pink from the cold. Come over here."

"I'm . . . not too cold," she murmured, but sat closer to him anyway. She let him
gently wrap an arm around her shoulder, and savored the warmth that his broad chest
gave off to her cheek. Sakura smiled, blushed prettily once more, and placed her
own hand on his further shoulder. He breathed warmly into her hair, tickling her
face a little.

"I hope you get out soon," she quietly mumbled, closing her eyes. "I miss you in
the office."

"It does feel strange without you around," Syaoran admitted, tightening his grip
around her.

"What, you're lonely without me?" Sakura suggested teasingly, grinning.

"Yeah," he replied, taking her by surprise. She looked up at him, her green eyes
wide, taking in his smiling amber. "More than you would know."

Heart beating and a little trembling, Sakura closed her small fists around the
shirt of his coat, blinking a little in bashfulness as he slowly leaned down, his
eyes set on her lips. Occasionally, his gaze flicked up, silently inquiring if it
was okay, and he brushed his mouth across her cheek, lightly, setting her face on
fire. Sakura tilted her face up even more when he kissed her temple, her forehead,
and her nose. Finally, his lips landed on its destined destination, and she closed
her eyes in bliss.

Too quickly for the both of them, Syaoran reluctantly pulled away for them to catch
their breaths, both their faces flushed. He traced a finger absentmindedly across
her face, blinking lazily at her and drawing light circles on her skin. She smiled,
quirking an eyebrow.
"You've wanted to do that for a while, huh?"

"Of course not," he lied, and pulled away. They both looked up, seeing the sun was
already setting for the afternoon, and then he looked back. "Let's go back to my
room."

* * *

"You never did answer me," Syaoran said when they arrived in his medical
confinement, and he sat down on his bed. "You know, about what you were doing these
days."

Sakura, still a little embarrassed about what just happened earlier, shrugged. "Oh,
nothing, you know. Just working in the office and hanging with my friends, of
course."

"What friends?"

"Friends in the building."

For a while, Syaoran looked blank, but then a quick narrow of his eyes told her he
didn't completely believe her. He threw his legs up on the bed and lay back as she
sat down on a chair not too far away. "You weren't with that Kukai guy, were you?"

Sakura blinked in surprise. "You remember him?"

"Were you?"

"Well," Sakura started, and then, looking a little uncomfortable and shamed, she
looked down at her lap. "He asked me for dinner to welcome me back. That's all. All
because I recovered."

"And you said yes?" His voice sounded incredulous, his eyes a little wide and
fogged with something else.

"He was a good friend! I couldn't just reject him."

"Did you guys just eat dinner?" He continued, and she glared at him a little,
warning him not to go on, but he still did. "Or did you do something else? He
didn't take advantage of you, did he?"

"No, he-"she broke off, uncertain of whether it was true. But Sakura quickly
recovered. "I mean, I went to his house for some tea, and stuff, but he-"

"You went to his house?" Syaoran sounded even more incredulous, his angered voice
startling the nurse that was walking in. She looked uncertainly at the two.

"Li-san? Your medicine is here, as well as your dinner."

"I'm not hungry," Syaoran replied gruffly, looking away to the side as the two
women in the room exchanged looks.

"Just leave it on the table is fine," Sakura replied instead, smiling

apologetically. The nurse complied, setting the tray on the table right next to
Syaoran's bed, and bowed a little as she walked out. Sakura immediately turned on
him.

"That was completely rude. And eat your food, or it's going to get cold."

"I'm not hungry," Syaoran grounded out again, and turned to glare at her. "So, you
went to his house. What did you do? Sleep with him?"

"No!" Sakura exclaimed, looking appalled. Her face was flushed with bemusement this
time. "How could you say that? We did nothing of that sort."

"Then what did you do?"

"That's none of your business."

"It is my business. You were the one who just suggested if the person who was
trying to kill me might be in the company, and now you're telling me you're off
with some Kukai guy that asked you out days after you recovered from a car crash.
Don't you think that's suspicious?"

"It's not suspicious," she said, a little hurt. "Kukai is not a bad guy, and how
would you know? You don't even know him. And sure, we did kiss a little at his
place, but it's not like it's a big deal!"

Syaoran had turned slightly pale by then, his eyes wide with surprise and something
not unlike betrayal. Ashamed that she just said that, Sakura closed her mouth and
blinked at him, her eyes watering from anger and guilt. She looked away for a
moment, and then looked back. "I mean, I-"

"Of course it's a big deal," Syaoran cut in, his amber eyes blazing. "It's a big
deal to me, because I thought that after we kissed-"

Surprised, he broke off, looking away at her in anger at himself. Disappointed that
he stopped, and hopeful that he would continue, Sakura stared at him for a moment
and flinched when he cursed softly, fisting his hands into his blankets. For a long
while, the atmosphere in the room was tense, and it was only set ablaze when
Syaoran quickly turned and snatched his cup of medicine from the tray and lifted it
to his mouth.

Suddenly, Sakura jumped up and reached a hand out, having the sudden feeling that
something was terribly wrong and out of place. "Stop!" She cried, her eyes set on
the cup in Syaoran's hand. Her reaction caused him to jump, and he spilt the
medicine over his shirt and blanket. The liquid turned the white sheet a sick
yellow color, and she knew immediately that wasn't supposed to happen. The medicine
was mostly water; it shouldn't contain anything that would stain.

Bewildered and obviously confused, Syaoran looked at her as she snatched the cup
from his hand, and looked at it. Of course she knew it was familiar. Sakura was
also hurt.

Although there were plenty of cups looked and shaped like this out in this world,
when she added up all the things that happened in the past month, there was no
mistake that it was Kukai who was trying to hurt Syaoran all this time.

* * *
Finally, I've got that out. I'm slightly embarassed, though, that all of you
figured out what happened before I even gave out subtle hints. Well, that's what I
get for trying to write a mystery. ^^'

Anyway, this chapter was far too short for my liking, but I suppose it's got a lot
cleared out. The original version of this chapter was much shorter, and it didn't
have enough SyaoranxSakura moments because Eriol and Tomoyo were with them, and I
knew that THAT wasn't going to work. So, here you go. The next few chapters will be
some sort of a cleanup, I guess.

And it should come out within a month, because that is when I have my next school
break. Excited for that. Maybe I can even write two chapters for the next update!
Let us cross our fingers, my friends.

*Chapter 10*: somewhere in the world

Disclaimer: What is this, I don't even -

* * *

10.. . . somewhere in the world . . .

"Kukai?" Sakura quietly asked. The man halted his tracks with a small jolt before
turning to her in surprise. His hair, wild and probably uncombed, fell across his
eyes in a shadow as he stared at her while she walked towards him and Sakura
swallowed. Kukai's smile was warm, but his eyes were not. "Hey."

"Good morning," he replied, and then looked around at the people entering the
building, his gaze wearing a curious mask. "You're rather early today. Usually you
don't come to work until nine," he teased, but when Sakura didn't smile, his smirk
fell too. "Is something wrong?"

"Can I talk to you in private?" She asked, and when Kukai nodded, she led them to a
small deserted hallway, reaching for his hand. "I have something to ask you."

"What is it?" His voice was concerned. Sakura took a deep breath, her green eyes
fogged over and darkened while she stared down at their interlaced fingers and she
frowned.

"Is there something between you and the Li family that I should know?" she quietly
inquired, not daring to look into his eyes. Kukai's breath caught. "Who are you,
really? Were you the one behind everything that's happened?"

"What are you talking about?" He breathed, reaching out a hand to cup Sakura's
cheek. She felt a great urge to slap him away, but she didn't. "Sakura, what's
wrong?"

"I know now. I know everything that's happened and how, and I know that it's you
who's been trying to hurt Syaoran and his mother." She looked up then, orbs
narrowed and serious as they pierced into wide brown eyes. "I just want you to tell
me it's true. If you confess, maybe things will be easier for you. Maybe, if you
turn yourself in, you'd have less punishment. Before it's too late, Kukai!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," he protested, taking back his hand as if
she'd scorched him. His expression wasn't warm anymore. "I had nothing to do with
any of this. How could you think so?"

"I think so because I saw the bike at your apartment," she began, counting off the
proofs in her head. "It was the same black bike the man drove that nearly killed
Yelan-sama. I'd recognize it anywhere."

"That's not my bike. It's my roommate's."

"I already found your roommate," Sakura quickly said, tightening her hold on him.
"I know him too. He was the one who ran after you after you got off the elevator
when you asked me on that date some time days ago. I already found him suspicious
then. The police are interrogating him right now, so we'll know pretty quickly what
exactly happened."

"Well then, you should be with him, shouldn't you, if you're so determined to make
me guilty," Kukai smiled bitterly, drawing away from her. His glare was menacing
and dark, and Sakura suddenly felt a tinge of regret and a want to see his
characteristic smile again. But she couldn't back down now. "You still don't have
enough proof, though. Do you have any fingerprints? Photos? Actual information to
confirm that I'm the culprit?"

"We searched in the records for information about the crash; the bus that hit us
belonged to a person, and we found that he was directly linked to Shodka. When we
went to investigate there, we saw a security camera showing a video of you going
there the afternoon we crashed. That's awfully suspicious to us when you're working
here."

"I had a friend there," he said stiffly, determined to keep his face blank and
succeeding at it. Sakura sighed mentally. "You can't say that I don't have any free
will to go anywhere just because I work here."

"I also recognized the cup from your house in your cupboard that you brought to
Syaoran yesterday. You mixed medicines with the hospital and almost fed Syaoran
poison. You let your guard down."

"Why would I need to? I have nothing to hide. And you can't base off information
from something you just saw. It's not proof. I bet the cup doesn't have any
fingerprints on it, either."

"The police found an empty box that used to have sodium hydroxide in the dumpsters
from your apartment house; the box had your fingerprints. The cup you gave to
Syaoran was filled with the chemical. How can I believe that you weren't planning
to do anything harmful?"

Kukai was shaking slightly, his fists trembling while he glared at her, his thin
lips pursed in an attempt to appear calm. Sakura was worried for a moment that he
would do something aggressive, something even more horrible. Quickly, she reached
for him again, and though he flinched at her touch, he didn't pull away this time.
"Please, Kukai, don't do anything stupid. So far you haven't really hurt anyone so
it's not too late to turn back! Just turn yourself in and everything will be
alright."

"Everything won't be alright, Sakura," he said to her, and in turn, he grasped her
wrist. She looked at him in shock. "Can't you see that I've already gone too far?
That I'm already suspicious of doing so many horrible things? The police are not
going to let me off this case, and my life will never be the same if I turn myself
in. I've already gotten to here; how can I turn back now?"

"I know you're not a bad person, Kukai," she said firmly. "You're good inside, I
know that. That's why I believe that, in time, everyone will forgive you; you won't
be punished if you be honest. I know that if you continue like this, you'll be sure
to be punished even more. Please," Sakura reached up to touch his face, and felt
the muscle in his jaw jump underneath her fingertips, his other hand clamping down
harder against her wrist, but she did not back down, "do the right thing for once."

"I've never been doing the right thing," he whispered to her then, sounding almost
desperate. He was trembling against her, his face twisting into a strangled frown.
Kukai breathed and closed his eyes, a fine line creased between his dark brows
until he opened them again, looking at her with sadness in his eyes that Sakura's
never seen before. "It's not like I wanted to do any of this. I was just angry. You
don't know how much my family has suffered because of the Li's. My dad died from
heartbreak when his small antique shop went bankrupt because of them. The rest of
the family were tight on money, we quickly fell to debt. When my mother got sick,
the hospital wouldn't give her treatment because the bank wouldn't lend us more
money, and she's still in the hospital. Shodka offered to clear our debt when they
said that I had to kill the Li generation, and they'd also help my mother. How
could I have passed on an opportunity like that?"

"Well-killing is not the way!" Sakura exclaimed; she was starting to sweat. "You're
still so young, too young to do something like this. Didn't you know what kind of
risk you were signing up for?"

"The Li's did many horrible things; the world wouldn't care at all if anything bad
happened to them. They deserve to die."

"The person who deserved to die is already dead," she said in a deadly tone, and
Kukai blinked at her, "and that's Syaoran's father. His father was a horrible man,
but now that he's gone, every Li is trying their best to make up for what he did
when he was alive. Syaoran's mother is bearing tons amounts of burdens on her
shoulders alone to recover all the relationships he's broken; Eriol isn't even
supposed to be here, but because he is related to the family, he has to run this
company in danger of you because he knew the Li's needed him; Syaoran is one of the
kindest men I've ever met. You don't know how wonderful the Li family is and what
they've done in the past few years, and killing them will do you no good. You have
no idea what you're doing."

"You're defending them so much," Kukai said to her, sounding a little lost. "How
would you know how I feel when I saw my own family fall apart because of what the
man did? One man is enough to prove that the clan is not as good as they appear to
be. You detest me so much because of this mistake I've made, but you don't think
they have flaws?"

"Of course they have flaws," she said, biting and releasing her lip. "Everybody has
flaws, but what matters is what they do to correct them. I love you, Kukai, I
always have, but doing this is just so wrong that I cannot support you on your
side. I have to protect Syaoran."

"You love me," he repeated softly, and eventually his iron grip on her weakened. He
suddenly looked so vulnerable, and, Sakura noticed, innocently hurt. "I-you're
saying you love me, and then you're admitting that you're completely devoted to
him."
"Kukai-"

"I love you, Sakura," he admitted, and to her surprise, he bowed his head down in
defeat and shame. "It's like in the fictional stories; the bad guy, the traitor who
isn't supposed to submit himself to emotions failed when he fell in love with the
enemy. I would've killed both you and him if I hadn't gotten to know you before I
accepted to do all of this. Both of you would've been dead right now if I hadn't
surrendered to this stupid choice." Suddenly, he laughed, and Kukai bent down
towards her to kiss her cheek. His eyes were glassy, his breathing shaking, and for
once Sakura saw the lost little boy inside him that he's been keeping to himself
all this time. "At least it feels like it was the one right thing I've done."

Sakura released a breath she hadn't noticed that she was holding. She smiled at
him, caressing the cheek that is slowly stained with tears, and then she let
herself cry a little as well. Kukai was giving up; he looked too weary to fight and
argue with her anymore, he wasn't even attempting to act. She reached up and hooked
her arms around his neck, lending him the shoulder that he would need to survive
through the months that are about to come.

She has accomplished her job.

* * *

"It's been such a long day!" Tomoyo exclaimed, happily stretching her arms out
above her and then coming back to nestle herself gently against Eriol, who laughed
lightly. On the bed, Sakura and Syaoran smiled at them. "So the case is finally
closed, huh? The bad guys are caught."

"We won't know exactly what will be charged on them until another week or two,
though," Syaoran said, shrugging. "It might turn out that the whole Shodka Company
has been planning this, and it's a big enough industry to make it difficult for the
police to completely shut them down. I guess we'll just have to wait."

"It may even take longer," Eriol observed from that, and released a sigh. "Ah, what
has it been? Four, five weeks since this whole thing happened?"

"It felt a helluva lot longer!" Sakura said, and when Syaoran sent her a look, she
laughed. "What? That was the best word to describe it!"

"But at least the major issue is finally settled," Tomoyo said, and her tone left
Sakura and Syaoran hanging. She was smiling a little strangely to them. Tomoyo
leaned back again, cheekily smirking at Eriol, who kissed the tip of her nose. At
that scene, Sakura jumped a foot in surprise while Syaoran's eyes widened.

"When have you two-?" Sakura began, lifting a hand weakly up into the air. The
newfound couple smiled at them.

"I know it may seem fast for you," Eriol began, laughing a little, "but Tomoyo and
I are engaged. We're getting married in May, just a couple of months away." He then
paused teasingly, smirking down at his fiancée. "Hey, that rhymed."

"Oh my god!" Sakura lurched up from the bed and into Tomoyo's arms, knocking them
both against the wall in the process. Eriol stood up, walking towards Syaoran who
had his hand out to him, laughing, and congratulating them in a tone that was
hardly audible against the midst of the excited mess.
"What-how-when did it happen?" Sakura stammered wide-eyed, her cousin blushing
prettily.

"Well, it's just that Eriol has been working so hard. I came to visit him often in
case because I was worried, and then it just went on from there; we became
extremely close." She shrugged a little helplessly, looking over Sakura's shoulder
at her engaged. "He's just so hopelessly charming."

"So when did he propose?" Sakura giggled, nestling her head in Tomoyo's neck and
wrapping her arms around her waist in a sisterly manner.

"Just a few days ago. Seriously," Tomoyo pulled away slightly, her eyebrows raised
to show that she was exasperated but amused at the same time. "I had literally just
heard the news of you almost getting run over by the motorcycle from Rika on the
cell-phone when I was talking to him, and while I was hyperventilating, he shouted
at me and asked me to marry him! Can you believe that guy?" Suddenly, she threw her
head back and laughed. "And then, when I was staring at him in shock, he took a
deep breath and suddenly looked at me with confused eyes, saying, 'Wait, Sakura got
in a car crash again?'"

"That is so cute!" Sakura exclaimed, and then waved her hand. "Not the part about
him being concerned about me, of course –but that's sweet-, but the way he asked
you to marry him. I'm so happy for you!"

"Oh, look there, you've sent the two girls over there into a female coma," Syaoran
pointed out from his conversation with his best friend, and the two laughed. Eriol
had a healthy flush on his face, his expression looked the happiest as it ever had
been for a long time. With a proud exhale, Syaoran clapped his mate in the back.
"Well done, Eriol, you've finally become a man like me."

"Like you? Oh please," Eriol rolled his eyes playfully, and nudged him lightly with
his elbow. "I'm a man because I'm responsible enough to tie down the knot and get
married! You're still not even on relationship basis with Sakura, yet."

"I don't need to hear that from you," exclaimed Syaoran, but he quickly turned back
to laughing. "Anyway, the main spotlight is on you, my friend. You're getting
married really quickly; I suppose you've already got the basics planned?"

"Tomoyo's happy to handle everything," Eriol looked at the dark-haired girl,

smiling fondly. "And I'm happy to handle everything to her. But I've got one
serious question for you, though; one that may test your ability as a friend."

"Test away."

"Would you so kindly do me the favor of becoming my man in honor?"

Syaoran laughed happily when Eriol mock-bowed to him, and he shoved his friend
playfully on the shoulder again. However, he didn't control his strength very well,
and Eriol grunted as he was knocked off the bed. Syaoran continued to laugh. "Of
course I would, you moron. To Hell with you for taking so long to ask!"

* * *

The next week, Sakura and Tomoyo met up at a local restaurant to discuss the dark-
haired girl's plans for her wedding day. They've already promised long ago to be by
each other's sides at their weddings every since they were young, so Sakura didn't
even have to ask whether Tomoyo would choose her as her maid of honor. The two
excitedly chit-chatted over the details of invitations, the place to book, the
decorations to build and the clothes to wear. Tomoyo happily announced that she
would be designing the clothes, and the photographers should be hired from staff
members of the Two-Hundred Percent magazine.

Sakura choked on her drink in surprise and slammed her hands on the table.
"Kobayashi-chan's magazine?"

Tomoyo chirped a cheerful "Yup!"

The bell on the restaurant door tinkled then, and Akemi Kobayashi arrived at the
perfect moment to enter their conversation. The two girls warmly welcomed her in,
with the red-headed girl immediately pulling out a list of photographers in her
company and scheduling to take couple pictures for Tomoyo. While the engaged girl
was looking excitedly through the backgrounds and scenes, Akemi turned to Sakura
and smiled.

"I'm so glad the Li issue has finally been settled after so long," she said, and
sighed. "I'm so glad you're alright too."

"It has been tough," Sakura admitted, remembering Kukai's solemn face when the
police took him away, and the sad smile he sent to her when he left. She still
remembered his confession clearly since that day, and she believed that she
wouldn't forget it for a while. However, her heart was not set on him at the
moment.

"Is the company faring out? Has Li-san returned back to work?"

Sakura nodded, "He has, and thank God everyone's been really beneficial and doing
their best to get back to the top again."

"That's a relief."

It was, really, for the sake of the Li Corporation that Syaoran's finally returned.
However, ever since he returned back to his position a few days ago, private
meetings with him has been scarce. It was a lot for him to catch up after he's been
gone for so long, so Syaoran has been too busy to talk with Sakura about anything
other than their work. Although Sakura wished something would happen between them
since Tomoyo and Eriol are engaged, her hopes have been nominal.

Akemi broke her out of her reverie, "By the way, Sakura-san, I hate to suddenly
impose this on you, but I was wondering if you would consider something for me."

Sakura politely looked at her friend, smiling expectantly. "Anything, of course."

"Do you remember when I asked if you could come over to my company and be my
covergirl?" Akemi grinned, her bright eyes gleaming even more. "I'm still hoping
for your response."

"Oh!" Sakura gasped in surprise, causing Tomoyo to look up as well; she must've
heard. "That position is still opened?"

"Of course, I was saving it for you." Akemi laced her fingers on the table then,
and smiled a little sheepishly. "I'm not meaning to trouble you or anything; I
would hate to force you out of a job you like. But I wasn't so sure if you really
were willing to come over and do this so I reserved the spot, and Tomoyo suggested
that you loved the idea."

Tomoyo nodded, smiling encouragingly. "I did, actually."

"I was so flattered when you first offered this job to me, Akemi-san," admitted
Sakura truthfully. Then, she looked down at herself warily. "But do you think I'm
best fit for this job?"

"I trust my eyes, and it says that you are perfect." Akemi nodded triumphantly.
"You are beautiful, but not extravagantly so; you wouldn't need too much makeup
because you're naturally pretty. I'm in need of people like that, because I want to
encourage women to not put on too much makeup; my past models were covered with
these . . ." she made a small gesture with her hands, fluttering her fingers, "icky
stuff, but you're attractive enough that you won't need it, but not attractive
enough to make people feel like they need to completely compare to you, but rather
be like you: more natural." Akemi took a deep breath and nodded again. "I talk too
much, but that's basically the idea."

Before Sakura could answer, she started again. "And another thing is that I want
people to recognize that you are just a normal person too! All the models I've
hired in the past couple of years trained for so long just because of this, and I
don't like it. It's just so stiff, so awkward. I want people to see that, as long
as they stay fit like you, they can be models too." She gasped a little, blushing.
"Would you look at that? I just made a rhyme."

Tomoyo smiled, rolling her eyes a little. "What a sense of déjà vu."

Sakura was blushing deeply by the time they were finished, and Tomoyo was giggling.
At the sudden realization that she must've embarrassed the emerald-eyed girl, Akemi
worriedly reached her hands out. "I didn't wish to make you uncomfortable! I'm
sorry."

"I-I'll do it!" Sakura exclaimed, and then closed her mouth, flushing again. She
suddenly looked very excited. "I'll do it if you'd accept me! I'll try my best!"

Akemi leaped at the girl, smiling happily as she drew her in for a friendly and
gracious hug. She squealed. "Yes, that's amazing!" When she pulled back, her eyes
were glowing with anticipation. "I'll send you all the information you need, and
you don't need to rush to get me yours. But the sooner, the better. If we get all
the paperwork these days, you can begin shooting by the end of next week."

Tomoyo clapped and reached across the table for Akemi's hand, squeezing it. She
smiled, "I told you so."

"I don't know what to say," Sakura said, cupping her cheeks with her hands. Then,
after a while, she remembered that she'll have to leave Syaoran at such a hard
time, and a new burden fell on her shoulders. She wondered how he was going to the
take news.

* * *

"Agh," Syaoran said, slapping his final piece of paperwork onto the table and
tangling his fingers in his hair. He leaned back, sighing. "Finally, done."

He heard a knock on his door, and before he had even permitted entrance, Sakura
unceremoniously walked in and handed him a fresh cup of coffee, a fixed look on her
face. He took it with gratitude, and smirked at her. "Something's just never
change, do they?" He teased, and sipped out of his drink.

"I guess not," Sakura shrugged, smiling as well. However, the smile quickly slipped
and she was staring at him intently. "Syaoran."

"Sakura," he mimicked her, setting his cup on the table. When she didn't smile, he
glanced at her worriedly. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's . . . wrong, I don't think. I just have some news for you."

"Spit it out, then," he nodded, and turned his chair just so he can face her
directly from where she was perched on the edge of his desk. "I hate seeing you
smothering things in like this."

Sakura blushed a little at that comment, twiddling her thumbs guiltily while she
peeked at him through her lashes. She noticed the enormous amounts of paperwork
stacked on his table by her side and grimaced a little, and then she looked down.
As Syaoran's patience started to wear out and he was beginning to feel a little
annoyed, Sakura spoke. "Do you . . . do you think that you need me?"

"Do I what?" he quickly blurted, obviously taken back at the strange question.
Sakura blushed, and then paled, shaking her head frantically in trying to rephrase
that.

"No! No, I don't mean like that! I just, you know, mean that, do you think you need
me now that you've returned back to work?"

"Oh," Syaoran breathed and leaned back against his chair, a little flushed too. He
shrugged. "You've been doing great so far, of course. But right now, it's mostly me
trying to get back onto schedule with everything that I've missed so far. I always
need a secretary, and, I suppose, it's nice to have a friend too."

"I don't know how to say this to you," Sakura said uncertainly, frowning. "We've
been through so much, and I want to always be here to help you, except . . ." She
looked guilty again. "Syaoran, I-"

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, and then opened them to show the conflict
she was facing inside.

"I want to quit."

Syaoran's eyes immediately widened, turning speechless for once in his life. Sakura
bit her lip, closing her eyes again, somehow hoping she wouldn't see the betrayal
he must have felt. She stammered again, trying to regain her posture, "I just, I
don't know, I don't feel like this place is the best for me. I'm not sure if you
noticed, but I've never really wanted to be involved with business or money or
things like that; jobs like these are challenging because I'm not as talented as
you. I feel as if my life is incomplete."

Syaoran reached out for her hand during the time she had her eyes closed, and when
his closed around hers warmly, she looked at him in surprise. He was smiling lop-
sided, an eyebrow raised.

"I know, of course. Why didn't I fire you when you first dumped that coffee on me?"

"You knew?" she blinked at him, an almost blank look on her face. He withdrew his
hand, looking mockingly irritated.
"Yes, I just said that, you just said that; why do you look so surprised?"

"I was just going with the moment!" she exclaimed, her pitch a little high. They
both winced and then she calmed down. "Sorry, that was too loud."

"I know you stayed here for this time because I got into that crash," he continued,
looking serious. "I know you felt like it was your responsibility to finish the
work here while I'm gone, and I'm thankful for that. But, you know, I don't want
you to feel responsible. I want you to feel happy."

Syaoran stood up, turning around to look outside the window at the dark and busy
street underneath them, his hands in his pockets. He sighed, and Sakura, eyebrows
creased, watched as he tried to clear his mind of something so he could turn back
to her again. When he did, he was smiling softly.

"Won't you be happy for me?"

She felt her heart leap into her throat, felt the slight fluttering in her stomach
as she was looking at his beautiful figure underneath the moonlight, and the way he
was smiling at her was enough to send her falling because after all this time, he
was there for her and she hoped that he would always be since she would be too and
he was just so perfect . . .

She eventually smiled at him, like a promise, and she nodded once just to emphasize
that yes, she would, since she was in love with him and all.

*Chapter 11*: you'll find someone

Disclaimer: Bah. There's an idea.

* * *

11.. . . you'll find someone . . .

"Good morning, Yelan-sama," Sakura bowed before she walked into the Li mansion, and
the elder women smiled at her graciously.

"And to you," she replied. Wei gestured for Sakura to come to their sitting room,
and already there, Syaoran was lifting a cup of coffee to his mouth with his legs
crossed and an arm thrown over the back of the couch. Yelan looked disapprovingly
at his position, and with a grin, he adjusted himself.

"Sorry, Mother," he said, sent Sakura a look, and went back to drinking coffee.

"He has horrible manners, sometimes," Yelan sighed, and as the two walked over to
where Syaoran was sitting, Sakura muttered under her breath, "You haven't seen the
worst of it."

"I heard that, you know?" He murmured back to her when she sat down, and while
Yelan was elegantly adjusting in her seat, Sakura elbowed him in the guts. "Ow."

"I'm very glad that you came here today, Kinomoto-san," Yelan began, drawing the
two younger adults to her attention. "It has been a long two months for us, but at
last everything has settled. How has your new job been for you so far?"

"It's wonderful," Sakura said truthfully, smiling. Indeed, the past couple of weeks
in the modeling industry have been fulfilling and fun; she never imagined that
being a model would be so relaxing and natural. Although, she supposed, she did
have a pretty laid-back boss.

"Hurry up, you lazy swines!" Akemi was yelling, clapping her rolled up magazine in
her hand as the photographers rushed with grimaces on their faces. "I'm telling you
that this has to be perfect, and when I say perfect, I mean perfect! DO YOU
UNDERSTAND?"

"Yes, Miss!" They all replied. Sakura, standing in a green kimono and a fan in her
hand, suddenly felt like laughing or dropping onto the floor.

"WHEN I'M ALL DONE WITH YOU STUPID PEOPLE, LET'S ALL HAVE AN AWESOME PARTY! YEAH!"

Sakura still felt like laughing.

"It's a pity that you left Syaoran's side," Yelan continued, and she turned to
glare at her son. "He's being a lazy swine now that you're gone."

Sakura suddenly felt a sense of cliché.

"Hey, Mother, shouldn't we be discussing about what's happened in court now?"

Syaoran rolled his eyes exasperatingly, obviously trying to change the subject. He
threw an arm over the back of the couch again, behind Sakura's shoulders, and when
his hand rested near her arm she slapped him with annoyance. The maids in the room
around them giggled.

"Yes, well," Yelan couldn't hide the smug smile tugging at the corner of her lips
either, "everything has been settled. Katonshi Kukai, the gentleman you've caught,
has been sentenced to a year in solitary confinement in prison as a punishment for
what he's attempted to do. However, I've heard of his situation, and it is quite
grim." Yelan cleared her throat, deliberately looking at Sakura as she spoke the
next words, "I've decided that I shall help clear him of his debt, aid his mother's
recovery, and restore his old antique shop. He will never be socially accepted into
any Li Corporations, of course, but he'll have a new start."

Sakura smiled widely, her eyes gleaming with gratitude as she bowed at the elder
woman. "Thank you so much, Yelan-sama."

"For what?"

Sakura looked up, still smiling sweetly, and clasped her hands on top of her lap.
"For being so kind."

Yelan smiled a little and nodded, but then the seriousness crawled back into her
eyes. "But as for the Shodka Company now . . . our clan has already sued them for
their sinister motives, and we successfully won the case with numerous witnesses
and supporters on our side, one that includes Katonshi-san. They are charged with a
million dollar fine and a temporary closing until they can find new positions,
though I highly doubt they'd be able to find anyone willing to do the job for a
while. Everything has been settled."
"Serves them right," Syaoran snorted. "That's what they get for messing with the
infamous Li Clan."

"Yeah, who's only male eligible for marriage and offspring is out playing poker in
the casino." Sakura said sarcastically.

Syaoran's mother, though, did not find that amusing. "You have been doing what?"
She asked her son, and immediately, the temperature in the room dropped four
degrees. Syaoran turned to the girl beside him, glaring.

"Thanks for killing me, Kinomoto."

"I was only pointing out that you should be focusing on family now!" Sakura
continued, looking at Yelan sheepishly. "And he has, my goodness, done very well at
it. He hadn't brought home a prostitute in months!"

Syaoran slapped his hand to his face while Sakura watched in fear as Yelan was
bursting with an aura of enraged darkness.

"Yelan-sama," Sakura began weakly; the situation was much like the time she'd
encountered Akemi on one of her bad days.

"This is called a locker room for a reason," Akemi was saying, her usually warm
eyes shining with a bright evilness that Sakura had never witnessed before. The man
before them, who had perversely snuck into the bathroom after Sakura but was
unfortunately caught by their boss, was cowering in fear, shrinking into the far
corner of the room. Sakura, in a pink bathrobe, was just staring. "Do you want me
to kill you? Because I will."

Akemi's smile twisted even more; her aura was absolutely overcoming the room it was
unbelievable! "Oh yes, I will."

There was a male –and girly- scream.

And then, of course, there was Tomoyo.

"Sakura-chan," she had said one time, her expression absolutely sweet and pretty
and her voice cheerfully bright. Sakura, however, knew better than the people
around her who were staring at the dark-haired girl in admiration. Sakura took a
step back, knocking a tipping bottle over in the process. "Tell me, exactly, why
you didn't announce that you've lost your virginity to a man I've never met?"

"I-I-I didn't-!"

"Oh, you've been a bad girl, Sakura-chan." Tomoyo reached into her purse, finding a
leather whip in the process. Sakura recognized the whip from a costume Tomoyo was
putting together for that Halloween. "Now, tell me, exactly, where this unlucky
bastard lives." Her eyes snapped open, and she was ferocious. A girl in the
restaurant was running around in circles, screaming. "I need to warn him about
Death's visit tonight."

So maybe Sakura exaggerated those certain moments a bit, but hey, she did feel the
room cool down ever so little.

Eventually, Sakura left for an extra shooting at work, and later that day she would
have to meet up with Tomoyo for her bridesmaid dress-fitting. Syaoran, who had
walked her to the car that he ordered to drive her to her job, accepted her
invitation to come visit her.
"I admit that Tomoyo does have some amazing talent," Syaoran said after he agreed.
Sakura looked at him in curiosity. "However, it seems, that there are more
appealing ways you could be altered."

"Like what?" She asked.

With a dirty smirk, Syaoran winked at her suggestively. "Like you wearing nothing."

A minute later, Syaoran had walked back into the living to his mother with a big,
red handprint on his face and a frown on his lips. "I was just joking," he
muttered.

"Kinomoto-san is a delicate young lady; I forbid you from using such vulgar
language to her." His mother simply said, and Syaoran gawked at her.

"She was the one who called me a bastard when she broke up with me."

With all the elegance she had, Yelan rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, Syaoran, I have some issues I wish to speak with you."

Syaoran sat down as Yelan set down her cup gently on the table, and though he knew
what she was going to say, he still patiently listened. Her beautiful dark eyes
regarded him calmly, and she rested her hands on her lap. "You do know that you are
to be wedded soon."

Syaoran nodded grimly. "Yes, Mother."

"Your fiancée has been a little uncertain after what had happened in the past
couple of months, but I'm sure if we return to Hong Kong and pay a visit, all her
family's doubts shall disappear."

Syaoran nodded again. "I understand, Mother."

"But retrieving back their devotion is not the biggest issue I had in mind. I would
like to know, Syaoran: Do you want to marry?"

Her son creased his eyebrows, looking a little confused. "I don't understand,
Mother."

Yelan was silent for a moment, her gaze a little far-off as she thought into space.
She smiled a little after a while, and nodded once. "I do like Sakura-san."

Syaoran was shocked, his eyes wide. Yelan continued, though, before he could say
anything. "Even though Sakura-san does not have any family name and does not come
from a perfectly-educated clan, as you have, I believe she is a beautiful young
lady with a charming personality, and the things she has done for us in the past
couple of months have been uncountable, we shall forever be in her debt. You have
become close to her in this past half a year, I've noticed. What do you think?"

"What does it matter?" Syaoran rebuked bitterly, narrowing his eyes. "The Elders
wouldn't let me pursue her, or anyone else besides the people they've chosen for
me. They're ridiculous like that."

"Syaoran," she scolded slightly, but her demeanor immediately melted in

understanding. "Sakura-san has done us many favors; she saved both our lives, and
yet she has not asked for anything in return. I find that remarkable, and possibly,
if you wish, you could register that in the Elders' minds."
"Persuade them into accepting her, you mean?" Syaoran asked hopefully, fully
intrigued. "Do you think I could do that, Mother?"

Yelan nodded at him. "You have my full support. But do you love her?"

"Of course I do," Syaoran smiled, looking stalwart and definite for the first time
Yelan had seen in a long time. "I've come to love nobody else but her."

* * *

"That dirty idiot," Sakura was cussing to Tomoyo as they attempted to stuff her in
one of her pale pink bridesmaid dresses, full of frills and lace that Sakura looked
more like a cake than anything else, "thinking that I should be naked for your
wedding. What kind of inappropriate images run through his mind all day?"

"Oh please, it's not as if you haven't ever fantasized him in your bed sometime in
the past." When Sakura opened her mouth to object, Tomoyo sent her a look.
Immediately, the former girl winced.

"Yes, I actually have," she admitted with a blush.

"Ugh, this is horrible." Tomoyo stepped back to observe her handiwork. Indeed,
Sakura looked like a dessert. "I wanted you to look ravishing. I wanted people to
want to eat you, but not in this way!" She shook her head. "No, no, next one."

"You're crazy," Sakura said funnily, sticking her tongue out. "So, Tomoyo, how
close have you and Eriol been so much that you've decided to marry in just a few
months?"

"Oh, you know, the occasional closeness. He and I are both very serious in
relationships; we do not delve into one until we are both certain of its becoming
something more. I know we've only known each other for a relatively short time, but
there really is this connection, you know?"

Sakura smiled. "That's sweet."

Tomoyo smiled back. "And you should learn from me."

"Ah, whatever. I'm definitely not thinking about being in a relationship any time
soon." Sakura paused for a second, looking a little hesitant, but she quickly
recovered. "So, is Eriol a compassionate lover?"

"He's passionate, alright." Tomoyo said. However, when Sakura tried to correct her
friend, the stylist woman continued with a smirk. "Did you know that our first time
was on his desk?" she winked.

"Syaoran's desk?" Sakura exclaimed with horrification. Tomoyo lurched back, shaking
her head.

"What is wrong with you and your dirty mind? We wouldn't ever do that!"

"Syaoran's perverseness is contagious!" Sakura knelt down, throwing her arms over
her head. "I'm sorry! I'm going to jump off a cliff now!"

"Oh, get up," her cousin dragged her up, and Sakura had a goofy smile on her face.
Tomoyo then reached back and threw a white dress with light green patterns into her
arms. "Get into this; we'll try again."

The changing room door closed behind Sakura after she walked in. Although her life
has been quite perfect, to say the least, she felt like she was missing something
again. It irked her to no end, having just left Syaoran's side because she wanted
to pursue her dreams, and then feeling like she just opened another gap in her
chest when she arrived. With a sigh, Sakura drew her pink dress off and changed
into the new one, allowing herself to take deep breaths while she did her work.

Tomoyo wasn't there when she came out, and instead, Syaoran was near the windows,
looking outside. Sakura suddenly felt a little conscious of her dress at that
moment; was it as horrible as the last one she'd put on?

She turned back silently, tense, but Syaoran seemed to have heard the clicking of
her heels for he turned at that moment to look at her. When they're eyes met, his
were wide.

"Sakura," he said, and his amber gaze trailed down over her appearance. His gaze
was like fluttering his fingertips gently over her body; there was nothing sensual
about it, but Sakura couldn't help but feel herself heating up underneath his eyes.

"Hi, Syaoran," she replied, turning back to him. She blushed, tucked a strand of
hair back behind her ear, and smiled at him. "What do you think?"

He didn't say anything for a moment, and when he did, he was blinking, "It's
great."

Disappointment clouded her vision for a while and caused her stomach to pummel down
slightly, but she quickly regained her posture. She looked around, faking to be
happy. "Where'd Tomoyo go?"

"She went to the restroom," he said, still looking at her. After an awkward pause,
he cleared his throat and pulled his hands out from his pockets. "She actually gave
me something, you see," he said, and walked towards her. Sakura noticed a black
leather box in his hands as he advanced near her. "It . . . compliments your
dress."

Syaoran lifted the lid open, and it revealed a beautiful green gem hanging off from
a diamond-studded chain; though the pendant was not emerald, it was still
marvelous. Sakura gasped in awe. Syaoran smiled at her, tilting his head to the
side. "Should I put it on for you?"

"Sure," Sakura breathed. She lifted her hair above her head, and her breath hitched
when, instead of walking around to her back, Syaoran rounded his hands behind her
neck and clasped the necklace on in front of her. She blushed as she felt the heat
of his body so near her, his lips so close to her cheek. If only she could lean in
just a little . . . just an inch or two forward . . .

However, Syaoran leaned away before she could do that.

Sakura felt disappointed again, and she dropped her hair, letting the auburn
strands fall just below her shoulders. She cleared her throat, blushing. "What do
you think?" She repeated again, expecting the same answer.

Syaoran, however, did not fulfill her expectations. Although he was farther away
than he was, she could still feel his minty breath hit her face from the distance.
She looked up, seeing in surprise that he was smiling again.
"You look beautiful," he said; a slender finger had reached up to touch her cheek,
sending a shiver down her spine. Sakura's lips parted, eyes wide. "I love green,"
he confessed; he was so close. "It's the color of your eyes."

She blinked in surprise at the gentleness of his voice; she had never really seen
him this way before, not even during the day they kissed. At least, she might've,
but at that moment, she had no time to remember something in the past. Sakura's
hand reached up to knot lightly into the fabric of his shirt collar, not tugging to
pull him in, but more holding him to make sure that he was there and with her. The
finger that was on her face traced down under her chin, and he tilted her face up
just a little, and was within a milliliter of kissing her.

They kissed, just a short while. And when they pulled back, both were just starting
to smile.

At that exact moment, Sakura had to sneeze.

The two jumped apart as she did that, and, embarrassed, Sakura covered her face
while Syaoran looked away with a blush clearly evident across his cheeks. Instead
of feeling disappointed again, Sakura felt absolutely angry that she had to ruin
the moment.

At least, her thoughts told her in the midst of her mind, she hadn't sneezed on his
face; rather, she pulled back and sneezed in the space between them.

Still though! How embarrassing.

The door opened a minute later, slowly, and Tomoyo carefully poked her head in. At
the sight of the two far apart from each other, she sighed in annoyance, and strode
into the room with her hands on her hips. "Well, at least we've got something
accomplished today." She looked at Sakura in her dress, finally smiling with
satisfaction. "Yes, that looks very nice. What do you think, Syaoran-kun?"

He was still blushing a little, but he nodded his head anyway. "Yes, sure, it looks
alright." Suddenly, with a huff, Syaoran walked over to a jacket thrown over a
chair and tossed it over his shoulders, holding it with one hand. "Now do you still
need me?"

"It's alright. We just wanted a male's opinion, that's all," Tomoyo smiled, and
waved at him. "If you need to be somewhere, go ahead."

Syaoran nodded at them, and when he caught Sakura's eye, they both blushed again.
He looked away, closing his eyes. "I'll see you."

"See you," she replied softly, watching as he strode out of the room. She sighed
when he left, feeling a little distraught. "I'm tired."

"What, but you haven't even tried out all of the dresses yet!" Tomoyo exclaimed.

"I thought you said this dress looked nice! You even gave me this necklace to match
it."

Tomoyo leaned forward, examining the expensive necklace around Sakura's neck, and
smiled. "Oh, yes, that is quite pretty."

Sakura blinked at her in confusion. Tomoyo met her eyes, and blinked back with the
same expression. "I thought you gave this to me."

Her cousin looked down, and back up at her again. She shook her head. "No, I didn't
get this for you."

It wasn't until after when Sakura was going home did she realize that the necklace
she was currently wearing was from Syaoran.

*Chapter 12*: that you can live with

Some of you may have noticed that I uploaded three chapters in a

day (some of you), and I PROFOUNDLY apologize for not having updated this story for
so wrong. In December and part of January, my house internet didn't exist, and I
was too lazy to go to the school or library to publish it. So I delayed it. And
delayed it. And delayed it . . . even when I had all three of these chapters
written out. I am so sorry. Thank you, reader, if you've come back.

But, good news: The next chapter should come soon! DEFINITELY not in half a year. -
sigh- At least I didn't decide to postpone all of this for a whole year. There are
many authors, whom I love of course, who don't update their stories consecutively
for three months each time. BUT THAT'S THE LIFE OF A HIGHSCHOOL-ER!

Disclaimer: Remember the hippogriff? Yes, well, funny story: I tried trading her
with CS, but Clow was insulted, and banned me from his Garden of Eden in his
animated world. So . . . don't tell him that I'm still writing about his
characters, or he'd kill me. :)

* * *

12. . . . that you can live with . . .

"-there's just so much that you can do with all these thingamabobs and crap going
all around you in one time, you know? Ugh, I need a shower. A bridal shower, maybe.
Where is my purse? I think penguins will look good in the wedding. What do you
think, Sakura? Sakura?" Tomoyo shook her best friend hard. "Sakura! Earth to ya!"

The green-eyed woman ceased her movements, setting the dirty eraser down, and the
sending Tomoyo a dirty look. "I heard you. The first time."

"So do you think penguins will be nice?" the bride-to-be continued to ask, blinking
innocently. "I'm going to be wearing all white and Eriol will be all black;
penguins are pretty cute, huh? Oh! How about cows?"

"Ugh," Sakura sighed, rolling her eyes playfully. "Are you sure you're not
pregnant?"

She received a fatal blow in the chest from Tomoyo in return.

After a while, the dark-haired woman leaned over to peer curiously at Sakura's
business; she creased her eyebrows in confusion, "What are you doing?" She pointed
to a small leather book in the lady's hands. "What is that?"

Sakura smiled. "It's my phonebook," she said, and started erasing again. "I'm
getting rid of all the names and starting over. All the guys in here were assholes,
anyway."

Tomoyo leaned back, muttering under her breath, "Took you long enough."

She was cast another dirty look. "I heard that, wench."

"But," she sighed, "I'm at least glad that you have finally figured it out. Could
there be a reason to all of this?" She nudged at Sakura suggestively, who in turn
shrugged in pretense.

"No, not really. Well, maybe it's because after all this Kukai mess, I've finally
realized that I don't need a boyfriend. I'm perfectly fine by myself."

"You sure that Syaoran-kun has nothing to do with this?"

Sakura looked at her friend strangely. "What gave you that idea?"

"I don't know," said the engaged woman, who looked away. "I just thought that,
after so long, you guys would've gotten somewhere, you know?"

"Well we have gotten somewhere; we've gotten really close as friends. He's
irreplaceable to me now."

"But that's not all, is there? Is there something more between you and him? You've
always been rather dense, Sakura, but this relationship shouldn't be so hard. It's
obvious that he likes you."

She looked at her friend with a troubled expression, "I don't know," she cringed,
and then she looked down, disappointed. "He's actually engaged, you know? His clan
Elders ordered him in an arranged marriage."

Tomoyo's eyes went wide. "Really? Are you sure?"

Nodding shamefully, Sakura ducked her head. "He told me that right before we got
into the car crash."

Forming a cringe, Tomoyo frowned and sighed into her hand, closing her eyes at the
newly found conflict. She'd been hoping that her friend would've finally come to
realize their feelings for each other and start something, but she never knew that
Syaoran was already engaged this whole time. Eriol hadn't told her either, and he
was on her side; he possibly also didn't know about that fact. Well, there went her
matchmaking plans, all of them down the drain.

"I'm sorry, Sakura," she murmured to her friend, heart twisting painfully at her
friend's disappointed look. Seeing the sympathy in the girl's eyes, Sakura shook
her head and smiled cheerfully, faked of course, and made a sound of nonchalance.

"It's nothing, I should've guessed. After all, he's the last male heir of the Li
clan. I wouldn't have expected any less. And, he's turning 26 soon," She returned
back to her previous duty, "perfectly suitable to become a bachelor."

"Yes, but, I'm assuming you have feelings for him," Tomoyo said gently. "Isn't
there . . . something you could do? I really think Li-sama likes you; you can tell
her about your relationship with him, I'm sure she could figure something out."

"Oh no, I can't trouble her with that," Sakura exclaimed lightly, looking
surprised, a flush upon her cheeks. "She's already been very understanding when she
found out that I quit my job right after Syaoran recovered. I can't possibly ask
for anything more." She shrugged, and looked outside her window. "At least Syaoran
is in good hands. The Elders know what they're doing, and they'll take care of him.
As long as Syaoran sits down his stubborn ass, he'll be happy."

"He won't want to sit down unless he's tired," Tomoyo teased, along with a trace of
bitterness in her tone. "And, I can tell you this, he is certainly not going to get
tired any time soon."

Sakura smiled at her friend, quirking an eyebrow as if she felt helpless, but there
was a trace of hope in her grass-green eyes. "Yeah, I guess not."

"And you? Are you sure you want to settle down without him?"

"I can't depend on him. I mean, not after what happened in the past few months. And
besides, I just said so, a few minutes earlier; I don't need a guy. I'm perfectly
capable of independence." Sakura was smiling brightly again. After a moment, she
looked down thoughtfully and picked up her eraser-infested phonebook, the pages
sticky with pieces of rubber. She snapped it shut, causing Tomoyo to look at her
with surprise, and with a grin and a well-aimed shot, she threw the book into a
trash bin underneath her desk. It rattled inside with a satisfying clank.

"See, I told ya," Sakura teased. Tomoyo shook her head with a smile and a roll of
the eyebrows.

"Took you long enough," she repeated. This time, Sakura didn't rebuke.

* * *

Syaoran shook his head as he watched Sakura clap her hands quietly in excitement,
humming in approval and smiling like a child. They were out in the seafood
restaurant again, both deciding to catch up and lay back hearing each other's
lives. The woman across from him stuffed her bib inside her collar and rubbed her
hands in anticipation. She looked around restlessly. "Where's the food?" She said.

"The waiter literally just took our order," Syaoran remarked, nodding towards the
kitchen. "See? He just walked in."

"Well, he's too slow!"

"You're too peevish."

"I am not! I just have a highly sensitive nerve system that signals my highly
developed brain to process faster, and therefore I prefer to do things speedily."
Sakura stuck her nose up haughtily, peering at him through her lashes. "I wouldn't
expect you to understand, of course, considering the fact that you are not as
advanced in intelligence as me."

"Oh," Syaoran mocked, throwing a hand over his chest. "You pain me, wise ol'
woman."

"I am not old," Sakura replied darkly, frowning. With a smirk, the tousle-haired
man pulled out his cell phone and texted her from underneath the table. Upon
hearing the bell of her own cell ring, she glared at him warily, and peeked at the
message.
"Fuck yeah, you are."

"Fudge you."

Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "Fudge?"

"I am an elegant woman; I do not use such vulgar language."

"Well then, same meaning. My bedroom door is always opened for service."

She faked throwing her phone at him over the table, resulting in some strange looks
from people around her. Sakura leaned back in embarrassment, pouting at him. "You
know I don't mean it like that," she said.

Syaoran shook his head. "I don't, actually. You can't blame me, you know. Numerous
flocks of women had come to me and said the same thing –well, close to meaning at
least- as you, except that really meant it literally." He sounded sarcastic, but
when he nodded and grinned slightly, Sakura blushed. "Ah, yes, those wonderful,
glorious days."

"Perverted cow," she muttered underneath her breath, crossing her arms. He raised
eyebrows, continuing.

"I'm glad we're able to have civilized conversations like this," he said, ignoring
her previous comment. "It's nice seeing you so pink. Pink looks good on you; now
you don't have to apply makeup to look so radiant all the time."

"I hate your sarcasm," she snapped, her fingers tapping against her arms.

"No you don't. You find it endearing."

"I hate your guts."

"But my guts are beautiful."

"I hate your egocentric, self-centered, deceitful, arrogant, overblown language and
completely pompous personality."

"Oh, wow, somebody looked up the dictionary."

"I hate you."

"But we've already kissed so many times!"

Sakura jolted back and ducked her head, stomping once on her foot, "Stop that! You-
you don't know how many inappropriate words I'm dying to throw at you right now!
Stop getting on my nerves!"

Syaoran looked down, clicked something for a few seconds, and smugly smirked at her
afterwards. Her phone beeped once more, and with a vein throbbing in her temple,
Sakura peered at it.

"You're lovely when your nerves are showing."

"I will kill you, drag you into a bush, and badonkadonk you alive."

"Badonkadonk?" He asked, clearly confused. "Is that even a word?"

"Bury," she deadpanned, slapping a hand to her forehead. "How is that word even
real in my phone?"

"It has the same type of imagination as you: messed up."

"SHUT THE HELL UP OR I WILL BADONKADONK YOU!"

"I don't what it means," Sakura said when he sent her a look, "but as long as it's
bad, I'll do it."

"Oh, you're so naughty."

Sakura promptly decided to ignore him for the next couple of minutes.

"Ah yes, speaking of the past, how long have we been friends?"

Sakura shrugged. "I don't know; six, seven months?"

"The pity; after all this time and you still have not come to my room even once.
Now that would be some real fun, wouldn't it?"

She looked at him darkly, growling, "Stop that or I will chop off your anatomy."

"Nah; you'd have too much fun staring at it then wanting to damage it."

Sakura was beet red.

Finally, Syaoran coughed, still looking rather amused, and ruffled his hair. It was
a habit, Sakura knew now, when he was thinking about something or had something to
do or say. She was still sensitive about the conversation before, and looked
gloomily down at her wine, twirling the glass on top of the table. Syaoran smiled
slightly as he watched her sneak glances at him.

"Has it really been seven months?" He asked her gently as his head tilted slightly
to the side. "Time flies by so fast."

"Yeah, it does," she agreed. A moment later, a grin stretched across her face. "I
still remember the first time we met. And the first time we talked."

"Oh, right. I actually recorded that conversation on my phone; it's able to do

that, you know?"

She immediately looked horrified, stilling her movements. "You're kidding me."

He flashed a smile at her, "You really believe everything people say, don't you?"

"Pfft," she said, leaning back again in her chair. She sputtered, "I-I just-I'm
pure-minded! I believe that people are honest! It's not like I've got a problem
with it, or anything."

"Right," he nodded, murmuring gently. He looked to the side, out into the street
through the restaurant's big glass window like he was far and deep in thought.
"That's one thing I like about you."

Sakura remained quiet for a moment, blinking at him in shock. She blushed, clearing
her throat, and asked tentatively, "What else do you like about me? A-as a friend,
I mean," she added when he turned to look at her.

"I . . . like the way you're not afraid to voice your thoughts," he counted off,
looking away again. Was that pink on his cheeks? "I also like how, in some other
times, you're as shy as a turtle. I like the way you genuinely care about other
people, and that you're so innocent at heart. It's rare to find in people these
days."

He cut off by abruptly looking down at his watch as a distraction, not daring to
look up at Sakura's flushed face again. She threw her hands over her cheeks,
frowning. She blushed too easily around him nowadays. After a moment of tense
silence, Syaoran leaned forward and rested his elbows on this table, his chin
propped on his laced fingers.

"I-I like the way you act so stubborn when you're sometimes annoyed," Sakura cut in
before Syaoran could say something when he suddenly opened his mouth. He stared at
her wide-eyed. "You act so immature during those times, but when something's very
serious, you become mature and responsible and thoughtful, and you put every effort
into doing what you think is right. I like that, because that means you're a nice
person; I like how you try to act so cold on the outside when you're kind on the
inside." She trailed off slightly, blushing and looking to the side. "And . . . I
like how I was able to break down the wall slightly so I could see who you really
are."

Syaoran smiled over his hands, eyes darkening with a rare fondness Sakura probably
only saw a pin-full of times in her life. The conversation they were having seemed
to have taken on a complete different turn, for Sakura was heating up with a bubbly
warmness, almost giddy; her heart was beating quickly but soothingly in her chest
and ears. Syaoran, at that moment, really was the most handsome man she'd ever seen
in her life. "Yes," he said gently, almost like a whisper, "I like how you were the
only girl who was ever able to do that."

He held out a hand across the table, and she took it. Sakura couldn't remember a
time when her body never jumped in happiness when their skin made contact. It was
probably impossible. His grasp, warm and reassuring as it tightened slightly around
her smaller ones, sent a pleasant shiver down from her arms to her toes. She was
blushing again.

"Will you wait for me?" Syaoran suddenly asked, springing her eyes up to focus on
him, eyebrows crinkled slightly in confusion. "There's . . . something I have to do
back in Hong Kong. I have to settle a business. I'll probably be gone for a while,
maybe a couple of months, but I'll hopefully be back for Eriol and Tomoyo's
wedding."

"Is it that important?" She whispered, hoping to find something in his eyes. The
only thing she saw was raw emotion; he looked a little torn, almost regretful. He
nodded.

"Family business," he confirmed; he would never lie to her, but Sakura felt like he
wasn't telling the complete truth. "I don't want to sound selfish; I've been acting
even more that way ever since I knew you, but . . ." his troubled look deepened and
receded at the same time, "if I succeed, you'd be the first to know when I come
back, and until then I want you to wait for me."

"He's getting married," Sakura thought to herself, though she would never allow her
panic to surface on her face. It was very important to him, so who was she to tell
him that she didn't want him to go? She nodded, suddenly finding it hard to swallow
and breathe. "Okay, I will," she promised, blinking at the sudden stinging in the
back of her eyes. "I'll wait for you, of course. And then we'll celebrate," she
smiled, squeezing his hands, and his eyes widened before his face melted into a
smile.

"Yeah, we'll do that."

The rest of the meal was a blur, occasionally with either of them sparking up a
short conversation, but Sakura couldn't feel the energy to be happy anymore.

As they walked out the restaurant close to each other, Sakura stopped the two of
them and held her fingers to her chest. "By the way," she said, "I never got to
thank you for giving me this necklace." She smiled. "I know Tomoyo didn't actually
give it me."

"Yes, well," Syaoran muttered, looking away with a small flush, "it looked nice on
you. I ran into Tomoyo one day at Eriol's place and she was working on that dress;
I just happened to run into that necklace afterwards. It's nothing."

"I think it's beautiful," Sakura said. "I don't care if it clashes with my purple
clothes; I love it."

"I'm glad," he muttered again, forcing a giggle out of her. After all, this would
probably one of the last times she'd ever see him so flustered, she thought.

A shadow crossed his face when he looked back down at his watch, and then he looked
up at the weather. It was darkening with clouds rumbling over ahead. Sakura wanted
to spend more time with him, just enough to make up for the time they'd be missing
when he was gone, and when she couldn't possibly have a future with him anymore.
Suddenly, Syaoran turned to her and leaned down, trapping her in his arms and
kissing her lips, sending trembles down her spine. She released a surprised gasp
against him, pushing his shoulders gently, but Syaoran did not comply to let go.
Instead, he kissed her harder.

Well, at least, this would be the last time she'd ever make a mistake in love.

* * *

The last couple of chapters define the art of Winging. You should try sometimes.
It's actually kinda fun. (next chap is the last, by the way)

*Chapter 13*: happily ever after

I admit, this wasn't what I meant by updating soon. BUT, I'm

being absolutely truthful: I have no internet access in my house since the end of
May, and this site is blocked in the public library, which sucked big time. -Sigh-
Alright, alright, go ahead and flame and blame me all you want, I won't argue. I
deserve it.

But, anyway, if you guys don't like this chapter, I'd be happy to write an extra
one. Whoever has an idea that can spark something me, tell me if you'd like, and
I'll write it!

Disclaimer: Okay.
* * *

. . . happily ever after.

The wedding came too soon. After several continuous months of hard work and
planning, Tomoyo and Sakura finally managed to patch up the last things they needed
to do in order to make the perfect day. The two woke up early in the morning –six
o'clock, Sakura had grumbled angrily- and she'd kicked the engaged pair out of bed,
and Eriol –albeit confused- was dragged away by his own parents, while Tomoyo
practically cried herself out of their apartment.

Though there weren't actually any tears –Sakura prayed thankfully-, Tomoyo's own
mother and her best friend had to chase her into the car. At that time, Tomoyo was
more anxious than hyperventilating, saying that she wanted to get the tears out
earlier so she won't have to shed them during the ceremony. The wedding was at a
local hotel, reserved under the Daidouji and Li cooperation, and the moment Tomoyo
took a peek at the scene she started fluttering like a restless bird, and started
scurrying out of the building. Sakura thought it was beautiful. Tomoyo, to both
their shocks, wanted to through a grenade at the white flowers.

"I told them," she'd said, as an excuse, glaring daggers around the place, "I told
them to use black carnations!"

Sakura said, "I'm sure they'd love to go to your funeral someday."

With the effort overcoming them, time flew by quickly, and soon Sakura was sitting
with Tomoyo in the dressing room as the bride bit her nails anxiously. Noticing
this nearly ten minutes later, Sakura slapped her best friend in the hand.

"No," she said, "don't make me handcuff you to the chair."

"You might as well."

"Don't make me ruin your wedding."

"No one would notice!"

"Don't make me tape your mouth shut so you can't saw your vows, woman!"

The two slouched back in their chairs as the ceremony was set up, and a stylist was
currently doing Tomoyo's hair. She suddenly threw her hands over her face and
started wheezing –at least it seemed so to Sakura-, and when she drew back her
fingers she was flushed. Lunging towards Sakura's arm, Tomoyo exclaimed, "I don't
want to get married."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Don't be so melodramatic."

"I'm serious."

"We're not on TV."

"Ohmygod, I'm turning into you!"

At that, Sakura narrowed her eyes and grounded out, "What did you just say?"

"I love Eriol," Tomoyo announced. "Isn't that enough? We don't need any stupid
papers or audience to verify our . . . our bond!"

"Tomoyo, I'd imagine you to be the calm one here," Sakura took her friend's hand.
"You want to get married. You want the pretty ceremony and beautiful white dress
and veil and to walk down an isle to give your groom a ring. You want to have a
reason to make out with him in public! So do it! No one wants to stop you."

"I do not want to make out with him in public," Tomoyo simply deadpanned, in which
Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Right. You want to jump him. Well everyone knows that."

"Daidouji-san," the hair-stylist interrupted, mirth twinkling in her eyes, "your

hair is done."

"Ohmygod, cut it all off," said Tomoyo, who patted her chest and started panting
heavily. She looked at Sakura with wide eyes. "I'm going to be a horrible wife,"
she said. "I can't cook, and I can't read him the newspaper, and I can't even wash
the dishes."

"I'd love to see a Tomoyo like that," Sakura said, and she grasped Tomoyo at the
cheeks. "Calm down, would you? You'll be fine. You'd be perfect." She then reached
down to grab her firmly by the hands. "What is the big deal? It's just a crowd, and
it's not like you've never seen them before. You've wanted for so long to get
married to Eriol, and you've planned for so long for the perfect wedding anyway.
You've already been through this much; don't go and chicken out now."

"But, I'm just scared," Tomoyo whispered, glancing at her with almost-sad eyes.
"What if someone says they don't want us to marry?"

"There will be plenty enough people on set who would kill him," Sakura said firmly.
"Or her," she added. "I'd be happy to."

"I shouldn't have invited so many people," Tomoyo finally sighed, rubbing her
forehead. "It's just, I don't want so many people looking at us. It's frightening.
Gargh, I should have thought of that in the first place!"

"Can't help it," Sakura shrugged, "they'd all hold a grudge against you and your
husband if you didn't invite them."

Tomoyo lowered her hand, her eyes half-closed, blinking thoughtfully. Finally, she
smiled a little, looking at Sakura underneath her heavy lashes with a small flush
on her cheeks. "Husband," she murmured, "I like the sound of that."

Sakura beamed, throwing an arm across Tomoyo's shoulders and saying, "Don't worry,
Tomoyo, you've got us. You've got everyone's love and approval, no one would want
to break you and Eriol apart. You're made for each other, alright?" Tomoyo smiled.
"You want to get married, so go and do it."

With a sigh, Tomoyo pulled Sakura into a tight and loving hug. Nearby, Tomoyo's
mother came to usher her daughter to change into her dress. Pulling them up, Sakura
led her to the changing room, and the dark-haired woman sent her a grateful look.
She said gently, "When you get married," Sakura blinked quizzically, "No one would
stand in your way."

"Aw," Sakura replied, "we'll worry about that later." She pushed Tomoyo gently into
the room, laughing, "Come on, Tomoyo. We're all waiting for your beautiful bridal
side!"
With a giggle, Tomoyo reached her mother and was helped changing into her dress.
Rika came up beside Sakura in a bridesmaid dress, smiling. "We should go and meet
up with the best man." She suddenly giggled. "Sorry, best men." She rolled her eyes
funnily. "Well that doesn't sound weird at all."

"Are they all here?" Sakura asked, and for some reason, she felt a little
breathless. Thinking of the possibility that she might be able to see him soon. . .
Sakura shook her head with a blush, repeating, "They're all here, right?"

"Uh-huh," Rika nodded. "We'll go meet them now. I already told Chiharu, so she's
probably already there." Rika took her hand, and glanced at the dressing room with
a smile. "I'm so happy for Tomoyo. I can't believe she's already getting married."

"Heart-warming, right?" Sakura smiled back. "Can't believe she's already grown up."

"Let's go," Rika said, tugging her gently. "We'll come back when Tomoyo's ready to
go. Her mother said that we should go over the walking order since everyone's here
now, so it should be quick." More quietly, she added, "Though I bet you'll need a
lot of time with him, right?"

Sakura blushed.

"Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time later. Let's go now. Li-san is waiting."

Li, Sakura thought, letting Rika pull her lightly towards the lobby. Syaoran, she
murmured under her breath, and smiled in remembrance. In the several months that he
was gone, he'd contacted her many times. He said that there were some family
businesses he had to take care of –along with some minor international businesses-,
and that he'd return a few days before his best friend and Tomoyo's wedding.
Although that was true, Sakura never got the chance to see him as she was busy with
her work and the wedding when she had time, and he had some company issues as well.
Eriol couldn't have handled it all. Sakura brought up Syaoran's own wedding subject
once, but to her surprise and dismay, he averted the topic. He replied that Eriol
and Tomoyo's marriage was more important.

But phone calls didn't ameliorate Sakura's anxiousness to see him. In fact, even if
she desperately tried not to, she only wanted to be with him more. Not as anything
special, she thought with a mental scorn to herself, but as a close friend. He
needed to come back soon. It was unacceptable that he left for so long.

Three men –and a woman- stood in the center of the lobby just a door behind the
wedding ceremony. Sakura could hear people speaking loudly through the walls, and
Rika greeted her own boyfriend –Sakura and Tomoyo's old college teacher and best
man- with excited glee, but she stopped moving and stared when the person she was
looking for came into view. He was sitting on a couch, leaned forward on his knees,
smiling with amusement as the other two couples displayed some very public
affection. He turned to her quick, though, when Sakura unconsciously clasped her
fingers around the necklace he gave her. Something flashed behind his eyes, but he
hid it and stood up from his seat, placing his hands in his pockets and walking
over to her.

Sakura could feel the body heat radiating off him when he approached her, and he
stopped with a small smile. She bit her lip, looking up at him, and they said
simultaneously:

"Hello."

"Hi."
Just like the first time they met, Sakura thought with some amusement.

Syaoran was the first to move, and his smile stretched wide before he reached out
and pulled her into a tight embrace. He breathed into her hair, as if unsure of
what exactly to say to her, but he finally settled down to, "Time flew by very
fast, huh?"

Sakura couldn't help but laugh. It felt great, ignoring the fact that it might be
because she'd held her breath in for so long. She hugged him back, giggling, "Sure.
Was that the first thing you could think of?"

He mock-sighed, saying with a grin, "That wasn't what I planned to say though."

"Oh?" With a curious look, Sakura pulled back, looking up at him. Her heart jumped
at their close contact, his hands around her shoulders, his amber eyes smiling
brightly at her. She said, rather timidly, "What did you plan to say?"

His grin was gorgeous. "That you look beautiful."

Pink flames engulfed her neck and her face, and Sakura giggled nervously, with a
little glee, and couldn't help but roll her eyes. "You didn't even see me then,"
she said, "how would you know?"

Syaoran shrugged, but she noted, he was blushing a little too. He reached up, and
his fingers touched the green necklace he gave her. His eyes grew warm when he
returned his gaze back to hers. "You've always been beautiful."

Sakura held in another breath, feeling as if her heart was bursting into flames and
melting into goo at the same time. She smiled, and wasn't even thinking when she
said, "I've missed you."

He dropped the pendant gently, reaching up and brushed a strand of hair from her
forehead, before he said with a murmur, "You have no idea." He dropped his hand
quick, and grasped her own that had been held together tightly, and he added,
"We've got a lot to do." He tugged at her and tilted his head to the other two
couples, who were now staring at them funnily. "Come on, they're waiting for us."

"Oh," Sakura said, not without some disappointment. She smiled at them nervously
when they returned to the group, and Chiharu, her and Tomoyo's old friend, gave her
a waggle of the eyebrows and a goofy grin before she said, "Great! Now everyone's
here. We should just go over what we need to do once we get out there." She pointed
at her boyfriend and said, "Yamazaki and I will go out first, after the first girl
sprinkles flowers over the aisle." She made fluttering gestures with her fingers.
"And then you guys will go out," she pointed to Rika and her boyfriend, "so Sakura,
and Li-san, don't forget to get the second flower-girl out and also the boy with
the ring, who-" she cut off, looking behind her at the door to the wedding, "I hope
has not swallowed the wedding bands."

Sakura giggled.

"That boy will come after you guys, but make sure you remind him to," Chiharu gave
a pointed look at her and Syaoran. "He's shy, but he eats everything, so make sure
nothing happens to the rings."

"I'm sure he'll agree to throw them back up if he does," Syaoran said, shrugging a
little. "I have my way with kids."

Sakura couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Chiharu was charmed though, and she smiled at Syaoran with satisfaction. She said
to Sakura, "He knows his stuff," the other two laughed, "take advantage of that,
Sakura!"

"Oh please," she said, glaring at Syaoran teasingly. "He'll be the one taking
advantage of me. Who knows what he might do once we get out there!"

Syaoran coughed delicately, saying underneath his breath, "Says the one who thinks
I'm totally hot."

Now she really glared.

Chiharu decided to kindly ignore Sakura's protest, and she added to Syaoran, "I'm
sure Eriol's told you, but here's just a reminder: You'll stand next to him once
you get up there, and then when we exit, you and Sakura will be the first to leave
again. You'll take the boy because he'll be standing on our side, and then we'll go
out." She smiled at them, pointing at their hands, "Do you need to practice walking
side-by-side?"

Sakura shook her head. "No thanks."

Syaoran didn't think so. "Sure."

She gave him a glare as he took her hand and grasped it in front of them, so they
stood shoulder-to-shoulder. It looked –and felt- rather awkward. "Like this?" Then
he dropped her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. "Or like this?" He looked
down, glancing at Sakura disapprovingly, "Sakura, baby, put your arm around my
waist."

"Idiot," she said, but not without a smile. The other adults standing in the room
burst out into laughter at their tactics, and Syaoran's chuckle near her body was
contagious. Sakura laughed too. "You're such an egocentric idiot!" She yelled.

He shrugged back, smirking at her and winking, "Don't get upset now, baby."

* * *

Tomoyo looked beautiful.

Beautiful was an understatement, really, for the woman practically glowed. Her pale
skin was flawless and radiant, and a natural blush stained the tops of her cheeks.
She glanced at Sakura a little tearfully when she returned, but she smiled when she
said, "I'm so nervous."

With an encouraging smile, Sakura walked up to her and clasped her hand. She looked
at her friend up and down, and finally released a breath and said, "You're
gorgeous, Tomoyo! You're beautiful." She laughed. "Why are you nervous? You're so
perfect!"

"Is everything ready?" She looked at Sakura expectantly, trembling with excitement
or anxiousness, or both. "Oh gosh, Sakura, I'm so nervous!"

"Everything's ready," Sakura nodded, smiling so wide her cheeks began to ache.
"We're all waiting for you. Let's go."
"I love you, Sakura," Tomoyo hugged her side when they started walking to the door.
"I'm so happy you're here with me."

Sakura hugged her back, and said, "Always."

Rika handed Tomoyo a bouquet and they all laughed tearfully, before Tomoyo's mother
kissed her on the cheek, and left before them. Sakura held the bride's hand as they
walked towards the lobby, and the dark-haired woman leaned closer as they walked,
whispering, "How did it go with Syaoran-kun?"

Sakura blushed, shook her head, and laughed, "Let's not talk about that."

"Why not?" Tomoyo protested. "We might not get the chance to until way after the
wedding. Maybe even tomorrow!" She paused, and looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Well, maybe that wouldn't be too bad. You could tell me all about tonight with
him, you kn-"

"Oh, shut up," Sakura cut her off with a red face. Tomoyo giggled at her look.
"That's not funny! Syaoran just got back, and I haven't even gotten a chance to ask
him how things turned out in Hong Kong." Sakura shrugged. "I mean, who knows, maybe
he's officially engaged by now."

Tomoyo rolled her eyes. "I highly doubt so."

Her best friend looked at her quizzically. "Why not?"

"A guy like him? He wouldn't go up and marry someone else when he's already kissed
you a dozen times. And it's not like Yelan-sama doesn't like you."

Sakura frowned, and started whispering, "But-"

Rika turned to her, pressing a finger to her lips. "We're almost there. He might
hear you!"

With a thankful look, Sakura pursed her lips.

"Don't worry," Tomoyo winked at her. "We'll figure something out."

Once they reached the lobby, the best men all greeted them. Tomoyo saw Syaoran, and
he took a step forward and gave her a small hug, whispering, "Congratulations."

"Thank you," she replied, smiling gratefully. Sakura took Syaoran's arm, but looked
back at her friend at the last moment, mouthing three familiar words.

Tomoyo blew a kiss at her.

The music played as the lobby door opened, and Chiharu and Yamazaki linked arms
together and walked into the aisle. Syaoran leaned down to Sakura's ear, and said,
"Are you sad to see your best friend leaving to get married?"

Sakura nodded, looking at him curiously. "Of course, I am. Aren't you?"

Syaoran shrugged. "Nah. Eriol's always been a hassle. I'm rather glad that he's
going."

She elbowed him in the rib, glaring teasingly, and said, "That's mean."

He grinned at her, holding her to him closer, as they were heading out soon. "I'll
miss him too, but at least I'm glad he's going to be with someone as great as
Tomoyo."

Sakura smiled, and nodded again, this time more confidently. "They're perfect for
each other." She leaned down, and softly ushered the second flower-girl out. She
bit her lip, tripped a little, but fixed herself and walked into the aisle while
throwing pink petals. Sakura turned around and looked at the ring-boy, who,
thankfully, was holding the rings instead of eating them. He nodded up at her look,
and blushed, staring intently at the wedding bands. Sakura turned back, and Syaoran
was smiling at her gently. Flushing a light pink, Sakura blinked up at him, and
whispered, "And you? Have you found the perfect one yet?"

It wasn't the good time to ask. Syaoran opened his mouth a little, almost as if to
reply, but he closed it, looked out at the aisle, and bit his lip. He held her
hand, and pulled a little, "Sakura-"

"Uh," she dumbly replied, and she tugged back at him so they could walk out. Arm-
in-arm, they strode slowly with the music down a flower-covered lane, smiling at
the people who've arrived. They both glanced up, and Eriol was standing there
nervously, sending them a tight grin, before Syaoran gave him a reassuring nod.
Sakura felt an odd sense of pride for Tomoyo, that everything had turned out so
perfect, and she found a great match. Heart fluttering, Sakura looked at Syaoran
from the corner of her eyes.

If only, she thought, when she and Syaoran reached the end of the aisle and parted
with a smile, things could be this perfect for them, too.

* * *

The wedding ceremony ended with a big applause. People burst into tears, Tomoyo and
Eriol passionately made out, and the music started playing an upbeat song as
confetti blew up in the air.

In the end, everyone gathered together at the hotel's restaurant to celebrate the
after-party. The newly-weds walked hand-in-hand after the crowds, smiling, having
eyes only for each other, and Sakura fought the urge to tackle them into a
smothering hug. But she decided that wouldn't be healthy.

Underneath the warm-lit dancing floor, she sighed with admiration for the couples
in each other's arms. She smiled at Tomoyo, who giggled and waved at her, before
pointing –quite noticeably- towards Syaoran. Yelan was there, talking with Tomoyo's
mother, and Syaoran stood up, walking towards her with a smile on his face. "This
lovely miss," he said, holding out his hand, "would you like a dance?"

Sakura laughed, giving him a look as she gave him her hand, and said, "When did you
become such a gentleman?"

He looked offended. "Whatever do you mean? I've always been a gentleman." He pulled
her up from her seat, and led her to the dance floor. Once there, he brought her
close and placed his hand on her waist.

She scrunched up her face at him, and replied, "Really? I don't remember it so. Who
was the one always telling inappropriate jokes and teasing me about my weight?"

Syaoran looked around, his tousled brown hair flipping and covering his eyes as he
searched with wide eyes. "Oh? Who? I don't know whether to shake his hand or kiss
him."

"Neither, please," Sakura laughed, and he returned back to her with a smile. She
tilted her head, and brushed his hair from his face. "Remember the first time we
met?"

"Yes," he said, a funny look in his eyes. "You called me a man-whore."

"Not that time," Sakura rolled her eyes, laughing again. "When we first met," she
repeated. "You were totally mean."

"You were the one who dumped coffee on me a few days later," he protested. He
shrugged. "Oh yeah, you're totally gentle."

"Well, I never said I was a gentle-woman," Sakura teased. Syaoran ignored that, and
pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms more tightly around her body. With his
breath right next to her cheek, Sakura paused with nervousness, and looked up at
him bashfully. Her heart fluttered restlessly, but she wasn't supposed to feel this
way. For all she knew, he really could be an engaged man right now.

"I've missed you," he whispered, gazing into her eyes. She bit her lip, whispering,

"Took you long enough to say that."

Syaoran chuckled, and his rumble vibrated between their bodies and made her shiver.
He looked at her with a look, his lips curling, and whispered even deeper, "Are you
cold?"

"No," Sakura immediately replied, blushing and looking away. "I'm fine. It's
just. . . how have you been? How did things turn out in Hong Kong?"

"Great," he said, nodding a little. "Everything's fixed. The Elders wanted to see
if I was totally okay, and they wanted me to catch up with some things back in
China. I also represented Eriol in several meetings because he couldn't come."

"Right," Sakura nodded, understanding. "He did well in the company, I heard, when
you were gone."

"It was a lot of work for him," he chuckled. "He kept complaining on and on each
time we talked about how I'm not there, but I think he was just nervous to get
married."

"I'm so happy for them," she glanced at the side, where Tomoyo and Eriol were
happily dancing together.

After a moment, Syaoran slowed their movements, and he sighed before grasping
Sakura tight and placing his chin on her shoulder. She blinked in surprise, trying
to look at him, but she couldn't, since he found the angle to breathe into her ear,
"About what you said before," she shivered at his voice, "before we walked down the
aisle," her heart fluttered without her permission, "you asked me a question."

"Yeah," she whispered, biting her lip. She felt nervous suddenly, as if he were
proposing, or something. When he didn't answer, she blinked curiously. "Syaoran?"

"Yes."

Sakura blinked even more. "Yes?"

"Yes," he repeated, pulling back, pressing their foreheads together. "Yes, I've
found the one."

Her heart leaped to her throat, and she paused, nearly tripping over her feet,
before she grasped at his shoulders and looked up at his face. He was staring at
her through his lashes, a small smile on his lips, and her eyes were wide when she
asked, "Who?"

Syaoran took a breath, and exhaled, breathing mint into her face before he said,
"Back in Hong Kong, I talked to the Elders about my arranged marriage and met with
my, supposedly, fiancée."

Sakura's stomach pummeled. She felt as if he just blew a punch into her gut. She
hastily pulled her head away, but his grip on her tightened and he closed his eyes,
pressing their foreheads together again. "Hold on, listen. I'm not finished yet."

She bit her lip, looking down between them, and suddenly felt like crying. If the
one for him really was his fiancée, he shouldn't be holding her like this. Not when
she was in love with him and he told her he loved someone else. But Sakura
swallowed, unwilling to hurt his feelings if she pushed him away, and listened with
her heart at her throat, ready to fall out and break apart on the floor.

"The Elders really wanted me to marry her, so they arranged our meeting," Syaoran
continued. "They said that she's perfect for me, that she'd be great for the Li
corporation. Funny thing is, the first moment I saw her, I felt something very,
very strong." He laughed, humorlessly, and Sakura trembled with both anticipation
and pain. He looked at her with a small smile, and finished, "I hated her."

Sakura's shaking stopped.

"She was terrible. Worse than I thought. But I already knew that, I guess meeting
her was just giving me a confirmation."

She couldn't help it. Sakura blinked at him, eyes wide, and asked with both
incredulity and hope, "What?"

"I was planning to break things off, anyway, no matter who she'd be," Syaoran
sighed. "She was so clingy, and it seemed that the Elders finally saw that side of
her and realized it too. You should've seen their faces," he chuckled. "They were
so pale."

Sakura couldn't find her humor. She blinked, opening and closing her mouth, and
repeated again, "What?"

Syaoran continued, his eyes understanding when he said, "I begged the Elders to
break off the engagement. I told them that she wasn't right for me, that I don't
want to marry her. And then I told them about you." She tensed underneath his
fingers, and he smiled. "I told them you saved my mother, you took care of me. I
did tell them you sort of nearly killed me in the first place," he chuckled again,
"but then I told them, I didn't care. I didn't care if they wanted me to marry
someone else, I didn't care if they'd be angry, and I didn't care that I was
inevitably and deeply in love with you, because that wasn't something I could
help." He shook his head, ignoring the fact that Sakura was completely still, eyes
wide, staring, her face growing red and paling at the same moments. He could hear
her heart, she was sure of it, but he didn't seem to mind because he smiled. "I
told them that I wanted to be with you."

Sakura had a hard time breathing as he lifted his hand, and traced her cheek softly
with his fingers. His other hand wrapping protectively around her back, and he
leaned back just a little so he could directly look into her eyes. Sakura's wide
eyes stared back at him, a million thoughts running through her brain, overloading
her, and she wanted to say so many things that she didn't know where she would
start, but he continued.

"I love you, Sakura," he said, firmly, definitely, his tone unyielding. "You're the
one. No one else. One main reason I went back to Hong Kong is to break off the
engagement to be with you. I love you."

Sakura was speechless again.

"And my mother loves you too," Syaoran said, looking at Yelan, but Sakura couldn't
follow his gaze. "It took a while to convince that that woman wasn't the one, and
that you're better, but I did it. I could've come back earlier, but it took some
time for them to change minds." He grasped her hand, looking into her eyes, and
repeating, "I love you, Sakura. Do you love me?"

Her mouth felt dry, but she felt like bursting into wild tears of happiness.

But her expression was too blank though. Nothing else, as far as Syaoran could
tell, besides shock was expressed on her face. He crinkled his brows with confusion
and worry, and he shook her gently, saying her name. "Sakura? Sakura, are you
okay?"

"You love me?" she finally whispered, slowly shaking out of her reverie. "You're
not engaged?"

Syaoran stared at her for a moment, before he shook his head and said, "No. Not
with anyone else."

"I-I thought, maybe, that you couldn't defy the Elders," Sakura said, still rather
breathless. "I thought you were going to give your fiancée a chance, and that you
might be with her. . . you might-"

"Fall in love with someone else?" Syaoran finished, one eyebrow raised. He laughed
humorlessly. "That's not possible. Not unless I die."

Sakura broke, and her mouth stretched into a smile. It was so bright, her laughing
eyes crinkled. She pressed her hands into his shoulder –which he slightly cringed
at- and smiled, saying, "I love you." Both their eyes widened. "I love you,
Syaoran. Gosh, I loved you so much, but I was afraid if I said anything, the Elders
would be mad at you. And you wouldn't-"

Syaoran seemed to have the habit of breaking her off, for he leaned down at the
moment, grasped her cheek, and kissed her hard on the mouth. Sakura remembered
their first kiss, back at the hospital, so, so long ago, and how beautiful that
was. But this, she thought, smiling, a few tears staining her eyes, this was so
much better.

. . .

After they pulled apart, Syaoran grinned.

"So, okay, I know you broke up with me, but I'm still deeply, irrevocably in love
with you. Can you give me another chance?"

. . .

Sakura laughed.
"Idiot. Don't break my heart this time.

Of course I'll give you another chance."

* * *

Hooray! 'Tis the end! I need to greatly thank the ones who've come back, or stayed
reading this story. I've been mean to you guys, so you deserve all my gratitude.
Due to my academic schedule, I may not come back here for a long time, but if
within August you guys have a great idea you really want me to write, I'll do my
best. THANK YOU ALL!