Project CCS Chapter 2: Part 2: Family Matters, a card captor sakura fanfic

Project CCS Part 2: Family Matters

When the students entered the classroom that morning, there were piles of boxes waiting for them at the front of the room. "Children, hurry up and have a seat," Terada-sensei told them. They all scurried to their seats. By now, the desks were in rows, two side by side, and each person beside their match. "So...how are all the married couples?"

"I want a divorce!" someone yelled.

"Now, I hope you enjoyed your relaxing two weeks because I have a surprise for you all." Terada-sensei opened a box and pulled out a baby doll. Everyone gasped. "That's right! Each of you will receive your babies today. This is the second part of your assignment. During the next four weeks, you will name the baby, take care of it and record expenses like rent for the apartment, food, and things like that."

"Can I get a boy?" Sano asked.

Terada-sensei shrugged. "You pick one of these boxes and that determines its gender."

"What do you want to name our child?" Sakura asked Syaoran.

Syaoran shrugged. "I dunno."

Terada-sensei started calling couples up to his desk. Finally, when he called "The Li Family," Sakura jumped up, grabbed Syaoran by the hand and bolted to the front of the room. Terada-sensei smiled at her enthusiasm. "Now one of you go and pick a box." Syaoran decided to be difficult and picked the very bottom in the very back. He handed his package to Terada-sensei. Terada-sensei pried the box open, revealing a doll with small light-brown ringlets and dark amber eyes. "Congratulations, you are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl."

Sakura smiled and so did Syaoran.

"You two will hopefully have a name for the child by the end of today or tomorrow. Hold your wrists out, both of you," he instructed. They did as they were told. He snapped on their wrists a medical bracelet with a pink plastic key strung on a connected sling.

"What is this? Is this from the box?" Syaoran asked, pulling on the bracelet.

"Yes. On the baby's back," Terada-sensei turned the doll around to reveal a slot in its back, "is a slot to stick the key in. Inside is a timer and whenever it starts crying and hasn't been attended to for ½ hour, it will keep a record. The more 'neglect marks', the lower your grade will get at the end of the project. To stop the crying, just stick the key in and it will turn off. You two must keep a log of who takes care of the baby on certain days as well as your living expenses. Inside the box are some extra clothes to use. Every Monday, I will check your babies and you must bring them wherever you go. That's why the keys are attached to you and no babysitters at all. Any questions?"

"Yeah," Syaoran started. "Does this thing drool, or wet its diapers or whatever?"

"No, just cries. You have enough to worry about."

Sakura took the doll in her arms, cradling it while Syaoran took the box and walked back to their desk.

She played with the baby's hand, marveling at its likeness and resemblance to a real child. Syaoran found it quite silly about at the same time, endearing. Her eyes shown the innocence and purity that he adored so much. "Let's give her a unique name."

"Ok...but what?" Sakura asked, not looking up.

Syaoran looked to his 'wife' once more, marveling at her young beauty. He has dreamed of telling her how he truly felt; and often during these past few weeks, he wondered how it would be like if they were a real couple: husband and wife. He wished to be with her. Now they have a child to take care of. Can they do it with their small income now that there's another mouth to feed? Before Syaoran started worrying, he took a deep breath. The doll was plastic, Sakura and he were only 11 years old and this was a crucial project. Reality check: You're taking this way too seriously.

"What is it?" Sakura asked him.

Syaoran finally noticed he was smiling madly. "Oh, nothing," he said and looked away.

"Really?" Sakura wedged her pink cell phone between her ear and shoulder. She put a pink jumper on the doll. "Sano can't take care of the baby?"

"He has rehearsal most of the week. I don't think he can take it," Tomoyo seized her crying child. "Poor Kenshin..."

Sakura sighed. She tied a red ribbon in the baby's hair. "Hm...maybe next week." Just then, she heard her house phone ring. "Hold on Tomoyo-chan." While holding the child, the cell phone on her shoulder, she picked up the other phone. "Hello? Kinomoto residence?"

"Sakura?"

Her heart skipped a beat. "Syaoran-kun?"

"I thought of a name," he said.

"What?"

"A name. I was thinking of using 'Hope.'" They were both silent until Syaoran nervously responded. "Of course if you don't like it, we—"

Sakura smiled. "I love it! I like that name."

Syaoran sighed in relief. "Good. Ok...that's all."

Sakura giggled. "Oh, ok. Thanks. See you tomorrow."

"Yah, bye."

Sakura hung up the phone. "O-ho! So now Li-kun is making house calls?" Tomoyo giggled.

"No! He just called because we decided a name."

"What is it?"

"Hope."

"Oh that's such a pretty name!" Tomoyo cooed. "He sure cares about his 'family'."

Sakura laughed, slightly blushing.

"By the way," Tomoyo asked, " I don't hear any video games or loud talking in the background. Where's Kero-chan?"

"He's sleeping; I guess he got tired out playing the new Gran Turismo."

"Sakura! Dinner!" Fujitaka called.

"Got to go. Bye Tomoyo-chan." She hung up the phone, placed it on her bed and ran down the stairs to the dining table. She placed the baby on the table as Touya stared at it. "Who's...is...that?" he asked.

"She's Syaoran's and mine," Sakura smiled. "This is Hope, your niece."

"You're kidding right? Why is Terada-sensei making you carry dolls?"

"Because this is the second part of our project. The first part was the marriage and the second part is the family."

"Well, I think it's a great idea. It helps kids understand responsibilities at an early age," Fijitaka said.

Touya frowned. "A plastic doll can do that?"

"Her name is Hope," Sakura snapped.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Touya left the room to answer it. When he came back, he arrived with Yukito.

"Hi!" their guest greeted.

"Hi! Are you joining us for dinner?" Sakura asked.

"Yes," Yukito's eyes trailed to the little doll in her arms. "Oh wow! She's so cute!"

"Her name is Hope."

"That's a really great name for her!"

"Yah, Syaoran named her," she said, slightly blushing.

Yukito smiled but Touya just scowled and mumbled, "Hmm...my niece is made of plastic."

Yukito laughed. "Touya, you have no imagination."

"Um...Yukito-san?" Sakura addressed.

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you a favor? Will you be Hope's godfather?" she asked.

Yukito smiled sweetly. "Of course! I'm flattered you asked me!"

Touya rolled his eyes.

"Is that all we need?" Sakura asked her 'husband.'

Syaoran scratched his head with the pen cap on top of his pen. "I guess so." They had just finished writing down Hope's vital statistics.

"Here, hold her," Sakura handed Hope to him as she ripped out the written-on paper and got up. She headed to Terada-sensei's desk and put the piece of paper in his in-box. She headed back to her seat and reached out for the baby.

"Hey, you always hold her," Syaoran said.

Sakura was a tad surprised at his remark. "Sorry. Do you want to hold her?"

He slowly nodded his head. She smiled and allowed the doll sit on his lap. Sakura found it quite...sweet. In fact, she found it adorable that he wanted to have time with the child.

"Um, Sakura? May I take care of the child tonight?" Syaoran asked meekly.

She smiled. "Sure." Just then, the doll began to wail. She laughed. "Are you sure you can handle her?"

Syaoran pulled on his key, unbuttoned its shirt from the back and stuck the plastic key into the slot. Its crying stopped. Syaoran looked up at his wife. "It's no problem."

Syaoran sluggishly picked up the doll that laid beside him on his bed. He inserted his key in Hope's back, preventing her crying to go any further. He flopped back into bed and started to snooze. "No pro...zzz..." he muttered.

Meiling and Syaoran sat at the breakfast table, with their dolls close by.

"You don't look so good," Meiling said, looking up from her food.

Syaoran slowly nodded. "Hope cried about 4 times last night."

"Hm...I don't really have a problem with Yusaku," Meiling finished the rest of her tea.

Syaoran sighed. He just hoped he wouldn't fall asleep in class.

Sakura watched Syaoran put his head on his desk. He let out a long yawn. "Bottle..." he muttered. "Hope needs her bottle..."

Sakura giggled at the sight. She felt sorry for him. Syaoran slept, still cradling the baby on his lap, mumbling loads of nonsense. The class was awfully quiet, taking notes on Terada-sensei's lecture on history.

Sakura tapped Syaoran's shoulder with her pencil. "Syaoran, wake up," she whispered.

Suddenly, he sprang to his feet and said, "I need to change her diaper!"

The whole class stopped and stared at the now blushing-from-embarrassment Syaoran. He immediately sat back down and took a deep breath. Terada-sensei smiled. "I guess some parents had a rough night. Please try to refrain from falling asleep in class, Li."

Syaoran nodded. "Yes, sensei." He sighed. "That was embarrassing."

"Actually, I thought it was kinda cute," Sakura muttered.

"Huh?"

Sakura shook her head. "Nothing."

Tomoyo sat alone on the steps near Tomoeda field. She finished changing her baby, Kenshin, when she noticed Syaoran walking up to her. She gave him a weak smile.

Syaoran noticed. "What's wrong?"

"Li-kun...uh," Tomoyo looked behind him and spotted a figure coming towards them. "Sano-kun?" she stood to her feet as Sano came up to her.

"Tomoyo-san, I gotta tell you something," Sano said. "This Sunday, I can't take the child."

"But you said you'd try," Tomoyo argued.

"I know, but I'm pulling 3 shows that day. I'll be too busy. But you can take care of Kito--."

"Kenshin," Tomoyo corrected.

"Whatever, bye!" Sano ran away before Tomoyo could add a word.

Tomoyo sat back down. She sighed. She noticed Syaoran looking at her. She forced a smile. "He's very hard-working. It's not his fault."

"But he didn't have performances all week, did he?" Syaoran asked.

"He needed rest."

"He's making you do all the work and you know it. Why don't you tell Terada-sensei?"

Tomoyo shrugged. "I don't want to get anyone in trouble."

"But it's troubling you," Syaoran noted. "You have to make him work for his grade. I can tell you don't like taking care of Kenshin all by yourself."

"But how do I get him to work? I try but he cuts me off," Tomoyo explained.

"Grab his attention and hold onto it until you're done talking," Syaoran suggested.

It was Saturday morning. Sano heard a knock at his door. He opened it and stared in shock. "To-Tomoyo-san?"

"Good morning, Sano-kun," Tomoyo greeted. In front of her was Kenshin, which sat in a blue toy stroller. "You and I are meeting with Li-kun's family and Kintaro-san's family at the park. The 9 of us are going to take a nice morning walk."

"But...but..." Sano stammered. "I...uh...oh! I have rehearsal."

"Actually, I just came from your theater and talked with your director, Toshi-san."

"You did?" Sano gulped.

"Yes. And he said rehearsal isn't until 5 o'clock, so that gives you plenty of time to spend with your son."

"I...uh..."

By now, Tomoyo was on the brink of aggravation. However, she kept her smile. "I know you love acting but what you don't know is that we have to keep a log of who takes care of Kenshin. So far, your name is not anywhere in the log and if you keep making excuses, that log will still not have your name. Terada-sensei will fail you, therefore not allowing you to have extra-curricular activities until you make it all up."

Sano narrowed his eyes. "You wouldn't dare..."

"Try me," Tomoyo returned his glare. "If you don't play the good father I know you can be, you'll never work in this town again."

That's all it took for Sano to grab his coat and bolt out the door with his estranged family.

Sakura took a deep breath of the morning air. She sighed in contentment. "This is great; isn't it Tomoyo-chan?"

Tomoyo, armed with a camcorder, nodded in agreement. She ran her lens across the very cute scene: Syaoran pushing a pink stroller, Sano pushing a blue stroller and Kintaro pushing a purple stroller.

"Hey, why are the guys pushing the kids?" Sano growled. "Why aren't the girls--." He stopped his mouth once he saw the look Tomoyo gave him from behind the camera. "Why are we going out in public--." Another look and Sano went silent again.

"How'd you get him to come out?" Meiling whispered to Tomoyo.

She smiled. "He's a smart guy."

"Don't you want to relax and hang out?" Sakura asked Sano. He just released a defeated sigh. She turned to Syaoran. "Well, you're happy to be with us, right?"

Uh-oh. She gave him one of those smiles. Her signature "cheery-super-cute-he-nearly-faints-every-time-she-does-it" smile. Syaoran gulped.

Kintaro looked at Syaoran. "Li-kun, your face is red; really red. Did you get an allergic reaction to something?"

"Nope," Sano chuckled, "he just saw Sakura-san and went crazy."

"Shaddup!" Syaoran screamed.

"Hoe?" Sakura said. Meiling rolled her eyes while the rest began to laugh.

All of a sudden, the three babies cried in unison. In a panic, the fathers picked up their kid, stuck their key in and set them back in their strollers.

"You're videotaping every moment, huh?" Sakura asked her best friend.

"Of course!" Tomoyo cooed. "This is a big step in our lives: learning responsibilities, helping others and... blossoming relationships," Tomoyo looked at Sakura when saying the last two words.

Sakura knew exactly what she meant. She blushed, unaware that Syaoran noticed.

It was near noon when the families decided to head to a nearby ice-cream shop. The long hike up the hill was painful on their legs, so as soon as they bought their ice cream, they sat on rows of benches. The strollers were lined up next to the bench Kintaro and Meiling sat on.

"Delicious!" Sakura said. Tomoyo nodded in agreement.

A sudden wind struck, causing the wheels of the strollers to rotate. "Oh no!" Meiling cried. In a flash, the three strollers sped down the hill. Syaoran got on his feet and chased them, followed by Kintaro, then Sano.

"Geez, why are we chasing after dolls?" Sano asked in between pants.

"If they break, we fail automatically!" Kintaro answered.

"Crap! Someone stop those strollers!" Sano called out loud.

The strollers headed towards the lake. They hit the railing, and the babies flew out of their seats. The three fathers jumped after their kids.

When the wives caught up, Kintaro, Sano and Syaoran held their babies above them while they laid facedown in mud.

"Are you guys ok?" Tomoyo asked.

The boys got up and handed their children over to them. Sano frowned. "Yah...I feel gross."

"That was so cool!" Meiling exclaimed. "So heroic!"

"Eating dirt is heroic?" Kintaro crawled over the railing.

Sakura held her child tightly. "Thank goodness nothing happened to her. Thank you, Syaoran-kun."

He smiled at her, knowing he did a good thing.

Weeks passed. Terada-sensei was collecting the boxes from each couple. "Well, class, I hope you all liked this project. After I collected all the boxes, please place your desks in single rows."

Sakura looked away as Terada-sensei took Hope's box, with Hope inside. He headed back to his seat while everyone got to their feet, pulling their desk in their original spot.

"Sakura-chan, you look so sad," Tomoyo noted. "You're going to miss Hope, huh?"

Sakura sighed and nodded. Syaoran pulled his desk behind hers.

"So where's that doll you keep carrying around?" Touya asked.

"I had to give it back."

"Why?"

"So the next class can use it," Sakura turned the stove on.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Sakura walked over to the front door to answer it. Her eyes widened. "Sy-Syaoran-kun?"

"Good evening," he greeted.

"Go-good evening. Why--." Before she finished, he gave her a cardboard box. She looked at it, then him. "For me?"

He nodded.

"Do I open it now?"

He nodded again.

She pulled off the lid and recognized it immediately. Her eyes shined as she saw what was in the box. She pulled it out. "Hope!" She looked up at Syaoran. "But how?"

"I asked Terada-sensei. After he got all the info, he took out the battery and gave her to me," Syaoran explained. "Besides, I knew you would miss her..."

"Thank you so much!" Sakura hugged him tightly. He immediately turned an intense shade of red.

"Hey, who was at—." Touya stopped in his tracks as he saw Sakura embracing that brat. "Argh! What do you think you're doing, Gaki?!"

Syaoran suddenly went in defense mode. While he and Touya exchanged growls, Sakura sighed. "Syaoran-kun, would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Huh?'

"What?" Touya exclaimed.

"I'm cooking, so it's nothing fancy. It's just okonomiyakis," Sakura said.

"Sure," Syaoran answered.

"Great!" Sakura took him by the hand. "Let's go!" she led him to the dining room as she held onto Hope.

"Wait a minute!" Touya protested. He heard them in a fit of laughter. He slowly followed. He turned and stood at the doorway. The doll sat on the dining table. The kaijuu had a beautiful smile on her face as the gaki was helping her in the kitchen. The gaki was smiling at her. A soft smile curled on Touya's face. "I guess...there's nothing I can really do..."

...fin..

(Note: CCS doesn't belong to me. Woo-hoo! I'm done! Sorry I made everybody wait for so long! I had to make some good product for you all. I hope you enjoyed reading Project CCS cuz I had fun writing it. Later!)