A/N: As promised, here is the start of a revised story. Expect many things to stay the same, but expect lots of changes as well. Please R&R. Constructive criticism is appreciated. It is my hope that you enjoy this story even better than the original. Have fun! :)

Chapter One: New Year's Eve

"Now Kohana, stick close to me and Uncle Eriol okay? We don't want you to get lost in this crowd tonight."

The little girl named Kohana looked up at the young lady in front of her and nodded her head. "Okay, Auntie Tomoyo!" It was New Year's Eve and almost everyone was out for the festival that was being held that night in Tomoeda. As it got closer to midnight, the people got more excited, chattering about the fireworks that would be starting in a few hours.

It was not Kohana's first time at the New Year's Eve festival, but it was certainly her first time with someone else other than her mother who was going to be busy until it was almost time for the fireworks. Auntie Tomoyo and Uncle Eriol were happy to bring her along with them and so they all agreed that they would meet up in time to watch the fireworks together.

With her favorite teddy bear in her arms Kohana waited patiently on her temporary guardians who were buying treats for them all while doing one of her favorite things in the world: people watching. Emerald eyes sparkled excitedly, watching in awe everything that was happening around her. She could not understand everything the people nearby said or did but either way she found it all to be very interesting.

Suddenly, some older kids ran past, bumping into Kohana and causing her to drop her teddy and get kicked a distance away from her due to all the people rushing by. Without thinking she ran after her teddy bear, pushing through the crowd the best way she could in order to reach it. A minute later, free of the crowd Kohana happily bent down to pick up her beloved stuffed toy and hug it. Now that her bear was back in her arms she was ready to return to Auntie Tomoyo and Uncle Eriol…

Something was not right. During the time Kohana had left to retrieve her teddy, the crowds had increased in size. She could not even see the booth that she left her aunt and uncle at. Fear struck her as she realized that she was now surrounded by a sea of people and was completely lost. Not knowing what to do, the little girl did what she thought was best: call for help.

"Uncle Eriol! Auntie Tomoyo! Where are you?" She kept screaming this repeatedly with no success. The crowd was too great and the numerous, loud voices swallowed up her own, small voice.

"Well, well, look who we have here." Kohana turned around thinking the voice belonged to someone she knew. The smile on her face immediately fell into a frown. She knew the owner of the voice, but the person was far from being liked by her to say in the least.

It was one of the older boys from her neighborhood named Shiro, a second grader at Tomoeda Elementary and a bully. He and his friends were all gathered together for the fireworks when they bumped into the little girl and decided it was time to get into some mischief. "Looks like someone here is lost. Why aren't you with your mommy?"

"Maybe she finally got sick of her and chose to leave her behind" another one of the boys volunteered.

Kohana took a cautious step back, holding her teddy close to her chest. "Leave me alone!"

"Why should we? Who is going to stop us? Your mommy?" The boys all laughed. Shiro eyed the toy bear in Kohana's possession and decided to yank it out of her hands, causing the little girl to scream in frustration. "I think your mommy really got sick of her and left you here. My mommy says all the time that you messed up your mommy's life. She says that you are the daughter of a slut!"

Kohana never really understood what the word "slut" meant but she always heard it being said by many of the mommies and daddies where she lived and knew that it was not a nice thing. She did not like it when people talked badly about her mommy. Her mommy was a good mommy! "Stop it! Give it back!"

Shiro took the teddy, dropped in on the ground and stomped on it. With a smile he said, "Make me."

Kohana looked down a saw a small stone. Quickly she picked it up and with anger in her eyes she threw it with all her might at the main bully in front of her. The stone made contact and hit Shiro square in the middle of his forehead. Screaming in pain the boy clutched his forehead which now had a small bruise. He looked up and started glaring daggers at the little girl. She was going to pay.

Shiro stomped over to Kohana and grabbed her by the arm, resulting in her screaming and demanding that he let her go. He was just about to pull at her hair when a different voice was heard.

"Can someone tell me what is going on here?" The boys stop dead in their tracks to see a tall young man standing directly behind the girl they were tormenting. Sharp eyes pierced the boys gaze and frightened them enough to drop Kohana's arm.

Shiro, being the leader spoke up despite the fear coursing through his body. "We weren't doing anything."

The young man raised one eyebrow in disbelief and crossed his arms. "I don't believe that for one second, but I'll tell you what. You are going to give this little girl her teddy bear back and leave her alone. If I see you messing with her or anyone else again, I will deal with all of you. Got it?" The boys were only brave enough to nod their heads. "Good. Now go!" They did as they were told and ran from the scene.

The young man shook his head at the retreating boys and turned his attention to the girl in front of him. Bending down in front of her, his eyes softened and became much gentler. "Hello there. The boys ran away so you're safe now. My name is Syaoran Li. What's your name?"

"My name is Kohana Kinomoto." The little girl looked up at the young man who saved her and became fascinated by his kind, amber eyes. "Thank you for saving me."

Syaoran smiled. "You're welcome. Now it seems that you are lost. Did you come with your parents?"

"No, I came with Auntie Tomoyo and Uncle Eriol." Recognition passed through Syaoran's eyes.

"Those sound like people I actually know…"

"Kohana! Where are you?" Kohana turned suddenly when he heard two familiar voices not that far away. Happily, she called out to the two voices. Within a minute or so Tomoyo came pushing through the crowd that was not that far away, with Eriol right behind her. Tomoyo immediately picked up the little girl and gave her a big hug. "I am so glad you're safe! I told you not to leave our side, you could have been hurt!"

Kohana looked up at Tomoyo. "I'm sorry, Auntie Tomoyo." She then turned to point at Syaoran. "He saved me!"

Tomoyo and Eriol looked at the young man in front of them curiously. Realization hit Eriol and a smile grew on his face. He held out his hand. "I did not expect to meet you here tonight of all places."

Syaoran smiled and took his hand in a firm handshake and then pulled him into a quick hug. "Likewise. I wanted to surprise you guys at school actually but that failed. Meiling and I are moving here to Tomoeda."

"That is quite the surprise!" Eriol turned towards Tomoyo. "Tomoyo, this is my cousin Syaoran…the one I have mentioned to you before. He and our cousin Meiling are from Hong Kong. Syaoran, this is my girlfriend Tomoyo."

Syaoran held out his hand to shake hers. "I have heard a lot about you."

Tomoyo smiled and returned the handshake. "Same here! It's nice to finally meet you and thank you so much for saving Kohana! Her mother asked us to watch her until we all could meet together to watch the fireworks. Would you like to join us?"

"Thank you, but I will have to pass this time. I lost track of Meiling and I need to find her before the fireworks start."

Eriol nodded. "That's fine. We have to find Sakura before the fireworks start too."

"Is that another friend of yours?"

"Yea, she is. She goes to our school so you can meet her then." Tomoyo grinned. "I'm glad to have met you and I hope we can become great friends."

"Bye Syaoran!" Syaoran waved at Kohana. The couple and Kohana then waved goodbye and went on their way.

Moments later Syaoran caught up with his cousin Meiling. "There you are, Syaoran! I was looking all over for you! What happened?"

Syaoran shrugged. "I'll explain it later. The fireworks are about to start." Seconds later flashes of bright light illuminated the sky in a diversity of colors. While admiring the view in front of him, Syaoran thought about his new life in Japan and wondered what was waiting for him there.

If only he knew that what was in store for him was much greater than he had ever anticipated.