"Darn it," Sakura muttered as she tried to shut her suitcase. "I didn't even pack that much this time."

Sakura shook her head sadly as she once again unpacked her suitcase. Sakura was average height for her age, looking rather young as she stood and packed up her suitcase.

"Uh, Sakura?" A voice called from behind her. "Isn't packing more effective when you put objects into the suitcase?"

Sakura turned and glared at the source of the voice. "I've been trying to pack over and over again Kero. I either run out of room or forget stuff I might need."

Kero raised his hands as if to ward off an attack and fluttered away from the door. "Sakura, I'm not questioning that. Do you need some help? I can try or Tomoyo could help you."

Sakura shook her head, flushing a bit. "I'm fine Kero. I just don't want to forget something."

Kero flew over to the suitcase and glanced curiously at some of the clothing. "Sakura, isn't that the bathing suit Mei Ling bought you? The one you said you'd never wear because it showed too much?"

Sakura's whole face turned scarlet and she turned away. Realisation dawned on Kero as Tomoyo entered the room, asking, "Sakura, you still aren't packed? I thought we got everything together last night."

Kero flew over quickly and behind Sakura's back asked Tomoyo, "Is she stressing out about her outfits because we're travelling with Li?" Tomoyo nodded slightly and Kero sighed. "Well, you give her a hand then, I'll play lookout. I'll change if he comes by." With that, Kero flew out into the hallway.

Tomoyo watched the tiny toy with a hint of amusement. The small cat-like toy was one of Sakura's guardians and closest advisors, who was actual a powerful magical entity. Cerberus, or Kero as Sakura affectionately called him, was incredibly loyal and caring for Sakura but he didn't know how to handle her relationship with Li. For that matter, Tomoyo didn't know how to help Sakura. Sakura seemed so worried about Li, like anything she did would drive him away.

Tomoyo sighed and helped Sakura pack. "You do realise," She told her cousin quietly as she helped put clothing away, "That Li loves you no matter what you wear, right?"

Sakura froze for a moment, before turning away. "But does he? I know he loves me Tomoyo, and I don't want to lose him. I can't lose him, not after everything we've been through."

"And you won't!" Tomoyo nearly shouted. "Sakura, get a hold of yourself. Why would you think he would leave you? Why would you lose him? Because other girls our age are jealous? Because others practically strip in front of him to try and get his attention? Syaron Li loves you Sakura and nothing will change that. If he was interested in anything else about you, he would have dumped you and taken any girl he wanted in the school."

Sakura blinked in surprise. "Have I really been that bad about this?" She asked quietly. Tomoyo nodded and Sakura sighed ruefully. Neither noticed that there was a sudden flash of light in the hallway and a soft click of nails on hardwood as Kero approached the room.

Neither girl looked up until a quiet cough caught their attention. Li glanced into the room and asked, "Ready to go? We need to be at the airport soon."

Tomoyo nodded and stood up suddenly. "Sakura's suitcase exploded though, can you help her clean it up? Kero and I can load the rest of the bags in the car while you do." Before Syaron could reply, Tomoyo and Kero were out the door, leaving the couple completely bewildered.

"You'd think she was still playing matchmaker," Syaron muttered as he bent over to help Sakura. Sakura for her part stayed quiet but looked over gratefully as Li helped her pack.

"So what's wrong this time?" Syaron asked. "You've been acting strange all week. Do you want to just stay here while I take this trip? You don't have to come."

Sakura shook her head. "It's nothing Syaron. I'm sorry I've been acting odd, I've just been fretting over nothing. And I have to come on this trip with you. You're mother's exhausted from forcing the other sorcerers to leave your family alone and you need to take over as head of your family. Your magic is strong enough. Also, it's time for me to be brought into the world of sorcery."

Syaron sighed. "Sakura, it isn't going to be easy or fun," He warned. "Modern sorcerers aren't as powerful as those of the past but they are cunning and most are stuck playing power games. I don't want you getting hurt during this."

"As if any of them could hurt me with Kero, Yue and you with me," Sakura laughed but Syaron wasn't laughing. She sighed and told him, "I won't do anything dangerous Li. Your mother is exhausted from dealing with all the sorcerers and she needs you to come home. Even with you there your family only has two magical beings in it. I am allying myself with your family to give your mother some breathing space."

"What if the other sorcerers and mages ignore that alliance as having no standing?" Syaron asked her. She gave him an annoyed look and he added, "I want you to come Sakura. Mother wants to meet you properly this time, rather than when you're in trouble and I want you with me. But what if the others don't agree with the alliance? Even mother can't figure out why you want to form the alliance."

"Because I love you Li," Sakura told him, "Simple as that. And if they won't accept the alliance by word alone, we do have a plan B. I am not giving you up Li, and I won't let anyone get in our way."

Li looked into her eyes and saw the same, rare fire that burned. The little carefree Sakura was gone for a moment, replaced with the Mistress of the Cards, the most powerful Sorceress in the world. Normally that fire died out slowly but it burned brighter by the moment.

Syaron smiled and wrapped his arm around her. Sakura was startled before relaxing into it. "Still haven't gotten used to the fact that you're willing to be this close," Sakura told him quietly. "Were we really in love all that time?"

"Probably. But we never thought anything of it. We were too busy fighting or competing. But that doesn't matter now." Syaron rested his head on hers. "We have all the time in the world."

They sat quietly for a moment, simply enjoying each other's presence until there was a loud honk from her brother's car. Both of them jumped, startled before flushing. "Well, we will have all the time in the world, once we catch our plane to Hong Kong." Syaron said sheepishly as he and Sakura grabbed her suitcase and ran.