~I Love Her?...I Love Her Not? ~
-By Pnaixr0se8-
A/N: Hey everyone! This is the sequel to "I Just Wanted a Normal Life." I promised everyone a sequel so here it is! I emailed everyone who reviewed in the last chapter or anyone who wanted me to email them when I put the sequel up.
Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captor Sakura, the original anime/manga plot, or the original characters in any way. I do own the plot in this story and the new characters however in this fanfic. Please don't sue.
~~~~~
Chapter 1: The Unwanted Birthday
"Where the heck is he?!"
A fifteen-year-old, light brown haired girl stomped through the halls of the Li mansion muttering silently to herself. Her little brother had yet again gotten her into trouble.
"Oh no…Okaa-san and Otou-san are gonna kill me! How did I lose that stupid brother of mine?!"
She stopped in front of a set of double doors. She took a deep breath and stepped in.
Her emerald-eyed mother was sitting in front of her mirror desperately trying to fix her light brown hair.
The girl's amber-eyed father was staring at the same mirror trying to fix his tie. They were both dressed very formally. Her mother was in a white dress with spaghetti straps and the skirt covered her white sandals. The dress was tight on her upper body but when it reached her waist, it slid down loosely. Decorated at the waist were little pink cherry blossoms lined up all around her waist. She also had pink cherry blossom dangly earrings. It was obvious cherry blossoms were her favorite flowers.
The father had black pants, a dark green formal shirt and a black suit jacket over that. His tie was also dark green.
"Argh…Sakura, help me with the tie. I was never good at these things," the father said impatiently as ever.
Sakura giggled and helped Syaoran with his tie.
"Kozue-chan, you look pretty," her mother said happily when she finished fixing Syaoran's tie.
Kozue blushed. She didn't like what she was wearing though. She was wearing a silver dress much like her mother's except that there were no cherry blossoms. Her dress stopped above her knees and it was tight except for the skirt part. Her silver high heeled sandals made her feel like she was going to fall and her hair tied into a tight bun made her head hurt. She was more used to her usual tight jeans, boots, a shirt, and her long hair down.
"Thanks Okaa-san, but I'm not really used to it."
"Gomen, Tomoyo made all these dresses and you know how she is with clothes. But maybe you'll attract a cute boy," Sakura teased.
Syaoran smiled. "I think she already has her eye on someone already," he said slyly.
Kozue groaned. Not this again. Her dad was always teasing her, especially about Zak. "For the last time, Zak and I are only friends."
"Ooh…Yamazaki and Chiharu's son? He's kawaii!!!," Sakura exclaimed.
Kozue sighed. Her parents were so weird. But they were weirder than normal parents. Normal parents didn't have magic while hers did.
Her father, Li Syaoran, was currently the leader of his clan, the Li clan. The people in the Li clan are all descended from Clow Reed, a powerful magician, or his mother.
Li Sakura was currently the Card Mistress. The Card Mistress is the person who controls and owns all the magical Cards that Clow Reed had created.
Both of them are her parents so obviously she had magic that was passed down to her, too. All she can really do is locate anyone with magic and attack with the basic four elements, fire, wind, water, and earth. Her brother was the one who really got the magic. But when she was really mad, she could break things with her mind. Like once, a person from school called her family weirdos and she broke the globe that was nearby.
But basically, her family was pretty weird.
"So is your brother ready? Your grandmother will kill me if we're not down there soon," Syaoran said, talking about his mother, Yelan.
"Hehe…about that…ummm…well, I can't find him…" Kozue said.
Her little brother always got her in trouble. Oh how she hated that!
Sakura sighed. "I knew he would do this again. And I don't even feel his aura…he must be covering it."
"I know what he must feel though. I hated theses parties too when I was young," Syaoran said.
~~~~~
A green-eyed boy sighed deeply as he was sitting on a branch of a tree. He was staring at a little lake in front of him, glimmering in the sunlight. Soft breezes went by and his already ruffled dark-brown hair with light brown highlights blew around in the breeze. He was dressed similar to the rest of his family…and also similar to his life. All formal. He had what his father, Syaoran, was wearing. Black pants, a green dress shirt and a black suit jacket.
'You'd think my family would have found this hiding place by now, I've hid here some many times,' he thought, 'Why does everybody have to make a big deal out of my birthday?! I hate attention!'
"Don't we all?" a gentle voice that made the boy's heart jump said.
"Himiko…don't scare me like that," the boy said gruffly.
The girl, Himiko, just giggled. "My Otou-san is right. You act a lot like your father."
"Well just stop all your mind reading on me."
"Shun, you should really lighten up," Himiko said leaning against the tree.
"Mind your own business…" Shun answered.
Himiko just smiled sweetly up at him and giggled. Shun never understood why his best friend didn't flinch when he made a rude remark. Everyone else got scared. Maybe that's why she was his best friend. They've been together since they were young.
"What's so funny?" Shun asked.
"Well you've been up there all day that your parents are going nuts trying to find you."
"I've better get down there then," he replied jumping down.
For the first time he noticed what his friend was wearing.
Instead of her sneakers, usual jeans and tanktop or shirt, Himiko was wearing a powder blue dress with spaghetti straps. The skirt reached down to her feet, which had blue sandals. Her usual black, wavy hair that she usually kept in a loose ponytail was up in a loose bun. A long strand of hair fell near her eye making the hairstyle look much more fashionable. Her outfit matched with her soft blue eyes.
Shun didn't notice he was staring and Himiko waved her hand in front of his face. Shun finally woke up and looked away. Why did he just stare at her like that? Anyway, it was a good thing Himiko wasn't reading his mind at that moment.
"What's wrong? Are you sick? You're kind of red," Himiko said worriedly, examining his face.
"Mind your own business," he said looking away.
"Then we should be going back to the mansion," Himiko explained.
~~~~~
Their footsteps echoed through the empty halls as they headed to the ballroom. It wasn't actually a ballroom but it was the place where they have special parties. As they walked in, there were already lots of people there, mostly Yelan's friends or Li family friends. Classical music was playing in the background of all the talking and laughing.
Shun noticed his parents coming to them.
"Oh no…here come my parents," Shun said.
Himiko just giggled.
"Oh…thank goodness you found him…" Sakura sighed.
"Sorry if he caused trouble for you," Syaoran said half joking.
"Oh no, it's okay. I found him when I was walking here," Himiko replied.
Sakura and Syaoran smiled slyly.
Suddenly a blue haired man with glasses and a woman with gentle, violet eyes walked in.
"Oh no…not him…" Syaoran groaned.
Himiko and Sakura laughed.
Even after all these years, Syaoran still thought Eriol was annoying. Well, at least they were really good friends now. They were much closer now than when they were kids.
"Himiko…there you are. Why did you suddenly run off without us?" the woman asked.
Himiko turned bright red. "Oh…I…Sorry Okaa-san…"
Tomoyo looked at her and Shun closely and then after a while smiled.
"KAWAII!!!!!!"
"Tomoyo please…" Sakura said nervously.
Everyone except Shun sweat dropped.
"Huh?" Shun asked confused.
"Oh just ignore her…she gets that way sometimes…" the man beside Tomoyo said, "So…how are my TWO lil' cute descendants?"
"Eriol, don't call me that…" Syaoran growled.
"Don't call me that either," Shun said.
But Eriol ignored them. He went over to Shun and gave him a "noogy."
"So how is my second lil' cute descendant on his birthday?" Eriol asked.
"Very disturbed and bothered…" Shun said fixing his hair.
"My, aren't we acting like your father…"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Syaoran shouted.
Everybody around them stopped what they were doing and stared at them in shock. Li family members, especially the Li Clan Leader, Syaoran, should behave formal and polite, not shouting at the top of his head.
"Otou-san, you shouldn't shout in public," Shun said dully.
Syaoran sweat dropped.
"He's right you know. Your son knows more than you, Xiao Lang," a feminine voice said.
Syaoran froze.
"Sorry…" he mumbled.
A woman in Chinese robes stepped in. She had raven black hair and a pale face. Though she was older, Yelan still had her gift of controlling her son...out of love…right?
She turned to the people, "Please excuse my son. Continue on with what you were doing."
Everyone stared for one more minute then started talking again.
"Xiao Lang, does it hurt if you're on time for once?" she asked frustratingly.
"Sorry…"
"How can you be late when a lot of people are here to see your family?"
"Sorry…"
"I didn't expect this from you…before you usually were always on time."
"I said I was sorry."
She gave him a stern look and sighed. "The party will be starting in a few minutes…please be ready." Then she walked away.
"I think you got all the lateness from me, Syaoran. I'm so sorry," Sakura said.
"I think so, too," Eriol said.
Syaoran and Tomoyo kept in their laughter.
Sakura sweat dropped. Sure she still was late for a lot of things, but hey, they didn't have to rub it in. Mou…
"Excuse me but where's Spinel Sun?" Shun asked suddenly.
"Oh he's by your sister and Kero-chan, over there," Tomoyo said pointing.
Shun and Himiko walked towards the big table.
~~~~~
"Shun! Where have you been?!" Kozue hissed.
"Out," he said simply taking a seat next to her. Himiko sat in the chair on the other side of Shun.
"I've been looking all over for you!" Kozue whispered angrily.
"Sorry."
"Is that all you can say after you almost got me into trouble?!"
"Well…yeah…"
Kozue sighed. Her little brother was always like this. She looked at Himiko who was smiling through the whole time. She was glad Himiko was there. They were best friends even though Kozue was older. Himiko always seemed like a little sister to her. When their parents would get together, it would take hours before they finally left so Kozue and Himiko always gossiped and talked. They knew each other's deepest secret…which guy they liked. Long ago, Kozue admitted that she liked Zak a little bit. And when she asked who Himiko liked, Himiko suddenly blushed deep red and wouldn't tell. But Kozue forced it out of her.
'I can't believe Himiko would like that little brat of a brother of mine,' Kozue thought.
She heard a loud "Ahem" from Himiko and she knew instantly that Himiko had once again used her mind reading. Kozue looked at her and sweat dropped. Himiko was glaring at her.
"Himiko!" a cheery voice called out.
"Not this thing again…" Shun muttered.
"Hey! I'm not a THING!!!!!" A little, yellow, stuffed thing…I mean a yellow creature with wings popped out of nowhere with food in his mouth, "You know, kid, you're really turning into your father. Or maybe even worse," Kero said in between chews.
"I've heard that before," Shun said glaring at Himiko.
Himiko smiled.
A little black cat creature with wings also popped out. "Master Shun, I finished that book you wanted to borrow."
"Thanks Spinel Sun. I'll pick it up next time," Shun answered.
Shun was one of those quiet but smart ones. He liked reading whenever he had the time and Suppi liked reading too, so they got along very well, unlike Shun and Kero.
"Who cares about reading? IT'S PARTY TIME!!!!! LET'S EAT ALL THE SNACKS!!!" Kero shouted, "By the way, Himiko-chan, have you made those delicious chocolate brownies for me yet?"
"Sorry…I didn't have time, Kero-chan," Himiko said.
"NOOOOO!!!!!!!! Oh well…just make them soon!" Kero said. Then he flew off eating more food.
~~~~~
"Kozue, how are things going with your boyfriend?" Himiko asked later on hinting about Zak.
"I don't have one," she answered casually.
"Figures…" Shun muttered.
"HEY!!! It's not like you have a girlfriend!" Kozue replied.
"Whatever…"
"Well, she's right you know…you don't have one," a voice said behind them.
They looked behind them and saw a boy around their age. He was fourteen years old, a year older than Shun and Himiko, and a year younger than Kozue. Basically, he was in the middle. He had black hair that fell onto his ruby red eyes. He was also wearing something formal.
"Who asked you, Toji?" Shun said.
The boy, Toji, rubbed the remark off. "Sorry I'm late, my parents were late coming home."
He pointed to his parents who came in and walked towards Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo and Eriol.
~~~~~
"Meiling, what took you so long?" Syaoran asked grumpily.
"I just got in from work. Jeez…" the ruby eyed girl with long black hair said.
She was wearing one of the traditional Chinese dresses and her usual long pigtails were in two buns on each side of her head.
"Sorry we're late…" her husband said, "Meiling got so wrapped up in her hair."
"Kaji, I was not!"
Meiling and Kaji were now married and had one child. Toji.
"Never mind…" Syaoran muttered.
"Kaji, where's Toji?" Eriol asked.
"He's over there with his 'group'."
"Isn't that cute how Shun, Kozue, Himiko, and Toji are best friends?" Sakura said, "It reminds me of how we were like."
"Hi Auntie," Meiling said as Yelan walked towards them.
"Everybody's here, okaa-san," Syaoran said.
"Well almost everybody," Yelan said.
"What do you mean? Everyone WE invited are here."
"Everyone is here except one family…"
"And who is tha-"
"We're here!" a man said with his wife and kid standing next to him, "Ah…and I see that the famous leader is here as well." He sneered at Syaoran.
"What took you so long, Yurushi?! We were waiting!" Yelan said sharply.
"What are you doing here, Yurushi?" Syaoran replied gruffly.
"Well, we were invited of course," Yurushi's dark brown eyes darted to each person in Syaoran's group. His eyes stopped at one person.
"So, this is the famous Cardmistress. Well Syaoran, it seems that you've finally found someone," he said, "that's a surprise."
Syaoran glared at him.
"Syaoran, don't start this again," Sakura whispered next to him, "Don't get mad again."
Yurushi's wife sighed. "This is getting quite annoying. Let's all just be friends."
"I agree with Megumi," Meiling said, "Don't let this stupid competition start again. It was bad enough when we were kids."
"We're not here for a competition. We're here to wish a happy birthday to the future Li leader," Yurushi said glaring at Syaoran.
"Alright, alright everybody. Let's all calm down." Yelan said, "You two are cousins and you WILL get along as long as I'm around. This silly feud between the two of you has got to stop. You've been like this ever since you were kids. We don't approve of fighting within the family, you know."
Feeling the tension from where his parents were, Shun decided to go see what was wrong.
"I'll be back," Shun said and he walked to where his parents were.
"Hey wait up!" Himiko said behind him.
~~~~~
"Oh…they're here," Shun said simply as he got to where his parents were.
"Hello," Himiko said politely, not knowing who these new people were.
"Happy birthday," Yurushi said emotionless.
Shun nodded.
"You can at least say thank you, you selfish, spoiled baka," Yurushi's son said coldly.
"Ryu! Mind your manners!" Megumi scolded
Shun stood there and rubbed the remark off. "It's ok. I get that a lot."
Shun and Ryu glared at each other.
Eriol sighed. "It's like another Syaoran and another Yurushi."
Himiko sighed. Did Shun have to fight with everybody? "Shun, stop it," she said.
It was then that Ryu noticed Himiko. He suddenly put on a cute smile.
"Hello. I believe we haven't met yet," he said to her, pushing Shun aside.
"Oh. I'm Hiiragazawa Himiko. Nice to meet you," she replied.
"I'm Li Ryu. (A/N: Remember, his father is Syaoran's cousin.) May I call you Himiko?"
~~~~~
"Eriol, Ryu is trying to flirt with her! Our only daughter! The one that looks so kawaii with Sakura and Syoaran's son, Shun!" Tomoyo whispered to her husband.
"Shhh…we can't get between in their affairs."
"Demo…what about Shun? I know she likes her."
"She's thirteen, she'll handle it."
"I hope you're right."
~~~~~
"Umm…ok…" Himiko responded.
Shun stared at Himiko and Ryu.
'What the heck is he trying to do?! Trying to get me jealous?! Why would I be jealous? Its Himiko's life, she can flirt with anyone she wants to…right…? Anyway, why would I care? But why do I feel angry all of a sudden. I feel like punching that baka! Why?! Kuso… '
Shun made a fist. Anger was boiling up inside of him.
Syaoran felt his son's confusion.
"Okaa-san, start your speech now," he said, purposely interrupting Himiko and Ryu.
"As you wish." Yelan went to the front of the big room where a microphone was, while everybody went to sit down. Ryu sat with his parents at a table, while still staring at Himiko. Himiko went to sit back at the table with Shun following her angrily.
"What's wrong?" she asked him as they neared the table.
Shun turned away. "It's nothing."
~~~~~
"I hope everyone is enjoying the party and the food so far," Yelan said into the microphone.
A few people nodded and a muffled "The food's great!" came from Kero.
"As all of you know this joyous celebration is all for my grandson and future Li leader, Shun. Today, he is finally thirteen." Yelan continued.
People looked at where Shun was sitting while he tried not to look up at them. He felt Ryu's jealous glare looking at him.
"So let's all be joyous and eat our fill," Yelan concluded.
Everybody cheered.
~~~~~
"That baka gets all that he wants. He's not even appreciating it!" Ryu said angrily to his parents as they ate.
"Ryu, don't say that. He just doesn't want attention. Sakura told me that he's becoming much like his father. Maybe even worse," Megumi said, "But even though Syaoran was cold at times, he had a very kind heart. I'm sure Shun will be the same."
"Syaoran was never kind. I don't understand why he became the Li leader," Yurushi muttered.
Megumi sighed. "This really has to stop soon, you know. Your jealousy will get the best of you someday."
"Why would I be jealous of that no-good cousin of mine? I'm just saying that I should be leader! The clan needs someone that's kind and encouraging, not a baka like Syaoran!"
"Please, you're setting a bad example to Ryu. He's already starting to dislike Shun because he's taken the example of you hating Syaoran."
"He's not a bad example at all," Ryu spat.
~~~~~
"Meiling, what's the story of Yurushi and Syaoran?" Tomoyo asked at their table.
"Oh that's right. You've never met them have you?" Meiling asked.
Tomoyo shook her head no.
"Well ever since we were kids they've been competing at everything, at sports, martial arts, everything. So when Syaoran got the job of getting the Cards, Yurushi started hating him more. Then when he heard that Syaoran became the Li leader and married Sakura, the Card Mistress, he probably got even more jealous because Sakura's the strongest sorceress right now. And now here they are. Nothing's changed since we were kids. Me and Megumi, Yurushi's wife, always said that they had to get over their competing. The sad thing is that Megumi had an arranged marriage with Yurushi, so she didn't even have a chance to love anyone the right way."
Tomoyo listened carefully. "Jealousy can go a long way can't it?"
"Yup. Megumi's still tries to stop Yurushi from fighting with Syaoran. I feel sorry for her."
Eriol poked into the conversation. "But Syaoran's came a long way since his childhood. Sakura changed him. Syaoran would never want to compete for something that's not worth it," Eriol suddenly said.
"Why's Yurushi jealous of him anyway?" Kaji asked.
"Well…I have no clue."
Everyone thought about this for awhile.
"Meiling are you telling everybody about my past again?" a voice said behind them.
Syaoran was there glaring at her with a stern face.
"No…"
Syaoran just sighed. He sat down next to them.
"I don't understand why he hates me that much," he said.
"I don't understand why anyone would hate you," said Sakura sitting down with them. Sakura smiled. "Syaoran, you would never compete for anything that's not worth it right?"
Meiling rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you two are going to get all mushy now."
"What are you talking about?! That would be sooo KAWAII!!!!!!" Tomoyo said starry-eyed.
"Tomoyo calm down," Eriol said sweat dropping.
Kaji shook his head. "You guys just never change."
~~~~~
"Why the long face? The party was great! And we had lots of food!" Himiko asked Shun.
Himiko, Shun, Kozue and Toji were walking through the Li mansion. Himiko's parents and Toji's parents were staying the night so the kids also had to stay. Toji would stay in Shun's room and Himiko would stay in Kozue's room. They were very used to this because their parents would always spend the night since they were all best friends. Besides, this made Himiko, Shun, Toji and Kozue all best friends too.
"I don't know…It feels like something will go wrong…"
"Don't worry nothing's wrong! You just have to lighten up a bit!" Toji said.
"He's always like this. Always thinking that something would go wrong," Kozue said, "Relax, little brother, it's just you and your weird feelings."
"But-"
"No buts. I'm sleepy and right now all I want is to be on my bed."
They walked until they reached their rooms.
"Night…"
~~~~~
"Himiko, why do you like that grumpy brother of mine?" Kozue asked when they both got into their beds. Himiko had her own bed because she had slept over so many times that Sakura and Syaoran decided to get her a bed in Kozue's room.
Himiko was silent in reply.
"I mean, he's always mean and selfish," Kozue continued, "and he never smiles or anything."
"You wouldn't know. You're his sister," Himiko said at last.
"But really, there must be a reason."
Himiko sat up on her bed and looked at her friend. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Well, when we were five years old, there were these older boys bullying me around. They were around the age of eight or so I think. Anyway, they pushed me and I got hurt and started crying. Shun came running up to them and threatened to fight. I never saw him so angry," Himiko smiled at the memory, "they accepted the threats not knowing that was he trained in martial arts. They got a bad beating."
"Kawaii…"
"The thing is that I don't think he feels the same," Himiko sad sadly.
"Don't worry, I think he does."
"Hmm? How?"
"Well think about it. He always protects you, always helping you, and you're the only girl that's not family that he really talks to."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I see your class every day. The only person he talked to in your class is you."
"But you should see all the girls that want to talk to him," she mumbled.
Kozue giggled. "Yeah I know. I would never think that the other girls would want to flirt with him."
"Maybe the flirting works. I mean, the other girls are a lot prettier than me."
"Himiko, think positive. Besides, does he flirt back to them?"
"…"
"See? Besides I don't think he knows how to flirt. But I really think he should lighten up."
"I know there's soft spot inside of him."
"How?"
"Well I can read his mind without him knowing you know."
Kozue laughed.
~~~~~
"Shun…"
"…"
"Shun?..."
"…"
"Shun!?"
"WHAT!?"
Toji flinched. "Sorry…I just wanted to say happy birthday…jeez…"
"Sorry," Shun grumbled.
Toji also had his own bed in Toji's room. They were good friends after all, even though Shun would never admit it.
"What is the matter with you?" Toji asked.
"…nothing…"
"Now I really think something's the matter with you. You're staring into space. Is it something to do with the bad thing you think is gonna happen?"
"…yeah…"
"Well what?"
"………Don't tell anyone about it….but I have a feeling that it's got to do with Himiko……"
"What? Really?"
"Yeah…"
"So you're gonna watch over her now right?"
"Why would I do that?"
"Because…"
"Do you know something I don't?" Shun glared at him.
"Hey…I thought you'd notice by now. Sorry my mistake."
"Notice what?"
"You really don't know?"
"Huh?"
"Jeez you are slow at realizing emotions."
"What are you talking about!?" Shun was getting irritated.
"Hey sorry, but you should really find out yourself."
"JUST TELL ME DAMMIT!"
"Ok, ok…don't you…..love her?"
"Why would you think I love her? Don't you know that it's always wrong to assume things?"
"Look, the main thing is, do you love her or not? It just seems that you do, but if you don't then…she'll be heartbroken…"
"Why'd she be heartbroken?"
Toji sighed. "I knew you were clueless but this is ridiculous."
But Shun was still talking. "Why would I love her? Why would I ever love anyone? Love is a stupid thing, it just gets in your way…Love is stupid…"
"You think so?"
"…well yeah…"
"Tell your heart that."
Shun stared at the air. 'What did he mean? What does he know that I don't?' he laid down on his bed annoyed. 'I hate it when people don't tell me everything…kuso…'
~~~~~
'That girl….Himiko…she's something…' Ryu thought as he sat alone at his desk in his room, 'But it looks like she's really close to that baka Shun. And he calls himself a Li! Otou-san's right, Shun's family is a disgrace to the Li clan. Well, let's see what I can do about those little emotions between Shun and Himiko.' He smirked to himself. 'This is going to be fun…'
~~~~~
A/N: Okay finally finished with the first chapter. Hope you like it! Sorry it took long to get up! If you're confused with the characters and their relationships with each other, I'll put their relationships with each other in the next chapter. R+R!
Pnaixr0se8