Chapter 1:

Sakura sighed. She was forced into working at her brother's cafe to help pay for the new microwave. It wasn't her fault that she added an extra zero to the time.

"Sakura, mind going to that table over there?"

"Sure thing Yukito." Yukito was her brother's lover and almost a part of the family. It only made sense that he and Toya co-owned the cafe. She made her way over to the table and saw some of her schoolmates.

"Hey guys."

"Sakura." A girl with raven hair looked at her friend. "You're working here?"

"I'm paying for the new microwave." Tomoyo nodded her head in understanding before gesturing to the other two at the table.

"You remember Eriol right? He's back for the summer with his cousin Li." Sakura smiled at them.

"Nice to see you again Eriol. And it's nice to meet you Li."

"You too Sakura." Eriol said while the other boy just nodded his head in greeting.

"Um, I know everyone's order here but yours Li. So what'll you have?"

"Chocolate ice cream."

"Eriol do you still eat Vanilla?" Eriol nodded and Sakura left to get their orders promising that they would be ready quickly.

As promised Sakura came back with the three orders: Vanilla for Eriol, Chocolate for Syaoran and Butterscotch for Tomoyo.

"Here you go. Enjoy." Sakura left the orders on the table and went back to the counter where Yukito looked like he needed a break. "Yukito let me take over for you."

"Are you sure Sakura?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You look so tired." Yukito nodded and rested his head on the counter as Sakura kept waiting tables.

The day passed by rather fast and Li was walking around Eriol's neighborhood. He was bored to say the least. It looked like Eriol and Tomoyo were enjoying each other's company and he didn't want to interrupt that. As he walked he came across a park with a penguin slide. He made his way over to the swings and sat down. It was a while later that Li felt someone's presence behind him. When he turned around he was met with the same girl from earlier.

"Sorry. I always come here in the evening." She apologized. "Aren't you Li?" Syaoran nodded his head.

"Call me Syaoran. I hate it when people call me Li."

"OK Syaoran. I don't believe we've properly met. I'm Sakura Kinomoto."

"Nice to meet you." He answered not sure of what to say.

"Why are you here? I thought you'd be with Eriol or something."

"He and Tomoyo are catching up. I didn't feel like interrupting."

"Oh." Sakura sat down on the swing next to him. "So why did you come here with Eriol?"

"He came to visit Tomoyo; I came because his mother wanted someone to go with him."

"I see. So, how long are you staying?"

"Two months." Syaoran stopped swinging and looked at the ground. "So, do you want to hang out?"

"Huh?"

"I haven't ever been here before. Can you show me around?"

"Sure, but-" Sakura looked around. "I don't want to get caught by my brother."

"Brother?"

"Touya-Nii chan is nice, but he's so overprotective. He wouldn't hesitate hurting you if he saw you around me."

"Oh." He smiled. "I have four older sisters who used to dress me up, so I sort of understand." The girl next to him laughed.

"Dress up? That must have been fun."

"Oh it sure was." He answered sarcastically. "So, when can you show me around?"

"Well, Nii-chan and Yukito said I only have to work the morning shift tomorrow which means I get off at twelve. We can go to lunch, and see the town."

"That sounds good." Syaoran stood up and held out a hand to Sakura. "Can I walk you home, or will your overprotective brother hurt me?"

"He won't be home till eight, so I think its okay." She took Syaoran's offered hand and stood up. "Come on Syaoran."

When Sakura came home, she saw two men sitting on the couch.

"You're home early."

"Yukito was getting sick." The black-haired man answered.

"Is he alright?"

"He'll be fine but first, who was that brat?"

"Uh, brat?" She asked feigning innocence. It usually worked.

"That boy with you." Touya stated. Yukito only sat next to him surfing the T.V. channels. He knew better than to interfere in this.

"Onii-chan! What is wrong with you? He's just a friend."

"That's what they all say." Touya muttered as he crossed his arms.

"So, you and Yukito are the only good "boys" in the world. Is that it?"

"Sakura, that's not what-"

"Can it Touya! I'm going upstairs to my room, and don't you dare follow me." Sakura left and Yukito put down the remote. The coast was clear for him to talk.

"Touya, you should apologize."

"But-"

"Stop it, you're acting like a two year old. You should know better." Touya sighed and laid his head on his lovers shoulder.

"I'll go upstairs after she's calmed down."

"Alright, are we having pizza for dinner tonight?" Touya answered with a yes and picked up the phone.

"Half cheese, half veggie?" he asked.

"That's fine with me. What about Sakura?"

"Cheese." Touya answered as he dialed the number of the pizzeria.

Touya knocked on his sister's bedroom door.

"Who is it?"

"The pizza guy." Moments later the door opened and Sakura came out holding her favorite stuffed animal, Kero.

"Cheese?" She asked hopefully.

"Yes." Sakura bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Apology accepted Onii-chan." She said as she took a bite.

"Sakura?"

"Hmm, Yukito?"

"When is your father coming back?"

"In a week. He said he's almost done with the dig in India."

"That's good to know. Yukito and I are closing the café for the first month this year."

"First month? Why aren't you taking the second month off like usual?"

"Nakuru's getting married." Yukito said smiling.

"When?"

"June 26th. She wants you to be a bridesmaid." Touya stated. Sakura smiled.

"I'm going to call her right now!" She ran to the phone and called Eriol's older sister.

"Hello?" the person on the other end answered.

"You're getting married and you didn't tell me?"

"Sakura is that you? I was going to call you, but Yukito said you weren't home yet."

"Well I am now. So tell me all about it."

"Well, Shinji just proposed yesterday but we decided to get married by the end of the summer in Tomoeda. So we'll be coming next week."

"Does Eriol know?"

"He wasn't picking up his phone, so I asked Syaoran to tell him."

"You know Syaoran?"

"Of course he's my cousin. Have you met him yet?"

"I have, he's really nice." Sakura could feel her brother fuming behind her and smiled. "So I guess I'll talk to you in a week?"

"Yes, I can almost feel Touya's anger through the phone. Good luck."

"Thanks. Bye Nakuru."

"See you Sakura." Sakura turned around and smiled at her brother. "So about the wedding."

Syaoran walked into the café where he met Sakura. He spotted her at the counter and made his way over.

"Hi."

"Oh hey Syaoran." Sakura answered looking up. "I'll be done soon. Yukito said my last order was table five." Syaoran nodded and waited until she was done. After telling her brother she was leaving, she joined Syaoran.

"So where are we going to eat lunch?" he asked when they were outside.

"This cute resteraunt called Amoretti's. It's an Italian resteraunt and they have some amazing food."

"So, how long have you lived in Tomoeda?" He asked.

"All 17 years of my life."

"You're only a year younger than me."

"Only a year?"

"Uh," Syaoran said sheepishly, "I thought you were younger."

"A lot of people do, so I don't hold it against you. Here." She walked into a cozy resteraunt and Syaoran followed. They went and sat at a corner booth. As they looked over the menu, Sakura remembered the call from last night. "Syaoran?" She asked, when she finished choosing her order.

"Hmm?"

"Did Nakuru call you last night?"

"Yeah, do you know her?"

"I do. She and my brother are good friends since High School." Syaoran nodded when the infamous waiter interrupted.

"May I take your orders today?"

"Sure." She answered. "I'll take the Piadani Caprese."

"Me too." Syaoran answered.

"And drinks?"

"Water please." He answered looking to her for agreement. Sakura nodded her head.

"So are you excited about Nakuru's wedding?"

"I sure am. It's not everyday my cousin gets married. You're probably going to be a bridesmaid right?"

"I am. I can't wait till next week when she comes."

"Me either."

Two hours later the duo ended up back at Penguin Park.

"Do you like this park?" Syaoran asked.

"It's really important to me. When I was little my mother used to always bring me here, and almost every important thing in my life occurred right here."

"Do you still come here with your mother?"

"No. She died twelve years ago."

"I'm sorry?" Syaoran said unsure. "I lost my dad five years ago. It's not as recent but I sort of understand." Sakura sat down on a swing.

"It's alright. So, what else do you want to do?"

"How about ice cream?" Sakura smiled and waited for Syaoran before walking on.

"Let's go to my brother's place."

Hiya! So what do you guys think?

I'm getting to the romance…and more character building. Anyway, review please…it makes me so happy!

Kaoruhana