chapterONE

Twenty-two year old Sakura Kinomoto squealed happily into the phone, doing a little hop. Across the room, her brother Touya eyed her strangely. Even after so many years of living with her, he still couldn't get used to her strange ways.

"Guess what?" Sakura asked giddily.

"What…" asked Touya, his voice a monotone. He didn't really want to know, but he knew Sakura would tell him anyways.

"Tomoyo is getting married! And I'm going to her place to help her plan her wedding!"

"Yay," Touya drawled, obviously not amused. But on the inside, he was dancing with joy. No Sakura in his house? Definitely a bonus. He watched her as she skipped out of the room and shook his head. How she grew up so abnormal around such a model citizen like himself, he didn't know.

Sakura peered into the mirror and gave a long sigh. It wasn't the first time this happened, but lately, she was becoming more and more depressed about herself. She was a plain-Jane, or so she considered herself. Growing up, she was never paid much attention, and even now, she wasn't much different.

It wasn't that she was ugly. Some could even describe her as cute, while pretty was still in her range. But she had grown up with Tomoyo Daidouji, who was drop dead gorgeous, with her long, raven tresses that could be easily styled and her pretty amethyst-coloured eyes. Any normal woman's beauty would diminish compared to her's.

Sakura hadn't seen Tomoyo in a long time, as they lived in different cities, but they talked on the phone regularly and nothing had changed between them. They were still as close as ever.

One Week Later

Sakura stepped off the plane, exhaustion still taking over her body. The fifteen hour flight was tedious and now all she wanted to do was sink down into a comfy bed and sleep for days.

"Sakura! Over here!"

Grinning, Sakura followed the familiar voice of her best friend, and ran over to her. The two girls embraced in a hug and it felt as if they had never been apart. Tomoyo's chauffeur took Sakura's luggage and they walked over to her limo.

Another thing about Tomoyo was that she was loaded. Her family was already rich enough, but then Tomoyo started her own fashion line, which was quickly becoming the next Dior or Channel.

Sakura couldn't help but feel jealous and inferior, but Tomoyo was a very nice person, and everyone whom she encountered loved her.

"So where's the lucky guy?" Sakura inquired curiously.

"Huh? Syaoran? Oh, he's at a meeting."

Judging by her words, Sakura could tell Syaoran was one of those rich business type of people.

"Listen, Sakura. Syaoran's a bit…reserved. He might come off as rude, but he's really not like that, and I hope you'll give him a chance, no matter how you perceived him to be."

"No problem," Sakura smiled.

"Okay, great. We'll be having dinner tonight."

"Oh. Are you sure? I mean, I wouldn't want to intrude to anything."

"What are you talking about? You're going have to meet him anyways."

Sakura smiled. "Sure, if it's not a bother."

"Wow," said Sakura, as she walked around, taking in her surroundings.

Tomoyo looked uncomfortable, as she always did when someone mentioned her wealth or something to do with it. "It's just a normal house…"

"I know…but the décor is amazing." Sakura was referring to the French-styled curtains that partially covered the big windows and the soft colours of the house.

"Well, get used to it because you'll be staying here."

Now it was Sakura who looked uncomfortable. "I can't do that. I mean, you and Syaoran…"

Tomoyo shook her head. "I'm not having my best friend stay in a hotel!" Her tone of voice said that she wasn't going to have it any other way.

Sakura sighed in defeat. "Okay, show me my room." Secretly she was glad.

"Sakura, this is Syaoran. Syaoran, this is Sakura, my best friend."

Sakura recoiled as Syaoran stuck his hand out. She hadn't expected such formality. She shook his hand, not surprised by the firm grip. The man radiated coldness. She felt like shrinking as his gaze seemed to bore down on her. At last, he released her hand and they sat down.

She had to admit, Syaoran was good-looking. Okay, he was hot. But there were plenty of good-looking people in the world, and most of them would be more welcoming than Syaoran Li.

Throughout the dinner, Sakura felt uncomfortable. There was much silence, and Tomoyo glanced worriedly at Sakura, eyes pleading. Tomoyo had warned Sakura and asked her to give Syaoran a chance, and now she knew what she meant.

Tomoyo's cell phone rang, and after glancing at her caller id, she excused herself, leaving Syaoran and Sakura alone with each other.

Sakura gave a nervous smile. "So…um…" she trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"If you have nothing to say, don't bother opening your mouth."

Sakura gaped at him. This man was beyond rude. "I was just trying to make conversation."

"I have no interest in talking to you."

Sakura clenched the knife in her hand. Why had Tomoyo picked him when she could have any other man?

Tomoyo returned to the table, looking a bit harried.

"Everything all right?" asked Syaoran.

"Hm…fine. So, I see you two got acquainted!"

"You could say that," Sakura mumbled, not oblivious to Syaoran's burning stare.

They resumed eating. Once again, silence fell over the table. Sakura sighed mentally. Althought she was more than glad to see Tomoyo, she knew it was going to be a long two weeks.

She had no idea how right she was.

"…so I decided that Sakura would stay with us!" Tomoyo finished enthusiastically.

"Hn."

Sakura could tell Syaoran wasn't too pleased with these accommodations. In the three hours she had spent with him, he never looked happy. Tomoyo didn't look too bothered at his attitude, so Sakura decided that maybe he was just always like this.

"Oh, and one more small thing…"

Sakura and Syaoran gazed expectantly at Tomoyo.

"That call I got while we were eating…there's been an emergency at Paris, and I'm flying there tonight, so you two will have to do some planning without me." She said it as if it was no big deal.

"What?" Sakura shrieked. Many thoughts were running through her head, the biggest one being, 'I'm going to have to stay here ALONE with HIM? That's not possible! I can't stand that annoying jerk face!' Actually, that was the toned down version. What she really thought had explicit words, followed by lots of punching Syaoran Li's guts out.

"Sakura, I'm so sorry. I know we were supposed to spend time together, but things just came up and I really have to go."

"No, um, it's okay. I was just shocked that's all. I guess I'll go pack my bags and find a hotel then."

"What do you mean, find a hotel? I thought it was agreed you were staying here!"

"Well, now that you're going, there's really no point in staying…"

"No! It's no trouble. I told you, I'm not having you stay at a hotel! Syaoran doesn't mind having you, does he?"

"No, of course not." But the glare he shot at Sakura told her, yes, he did mind, and she was in for it.

"See? It's settled. I have to leave now, so I'll see you in two weeks."

TWO WEEKS? Sakura thought it was going to maybe five days at the most…

Tomoyo gave Syaoran a small kiss and hugged Sakura goodbye.

"Have fun, guys. I'll miss you." And she shot off before any more protests could come.

Sakura turned to Syaoran and gave a shaky laugh. "Well, I guess it's just you and me…"

I'm not too sure about this fic. I might delete it and write something else. It all depends on reviews and my ideas, which right now, I have none.