CHAPTER FOUR: English

"Hey, looking good..!" Eriol complimented Syaoran when he entered the Café.

"I'm practically aware of that." Syaoran replied as he walks over to his friends. "Are we still waiting for somebody?"

"Nope, I think everyone's here already..!" Tomoyo happily uttered and then she added, "Let's go! The bar waits!"

It's been two months since Sakura left and Syaoran is more than in the mood to go bar hopping almost every other night.

'The area of England is 5, 362 square miles, about that of New York State. Roughly triangular in shape, the country is more than 400 miles long, north-south, and has a maximum width of about 300 miles. The English coast is indented by large river estuaries and bays: no place is more than 75 miles from the sea. The coastline is about 1, 150 miles in length.' Sakura sure knows the country. She's been happy ever since she started schooling. Everyone almost welcomed her in glee and not more than once she felt intimidated. She likes it here.

She's in the car on her way to her hotel-like dormitory. She just came from Winchester (her school) and she's more than happy to finally relax at home.

"Sakura, you have two hours until your Professor will arrive." Miss Chi Chi, her personal bodyguard mentioned when Sakura plopped on the peach couch and took off her shoes. 'Oh yeah… That's right.' She smiled to her self. 'I remember inviting my professor for dinner tonight.' I must say, she easily befriended one of her teachers.

"Hi, wanna buy me a drink?" A girl wearing a red tube and pink mini skirt walked up to Syaoran. He's sitting on a high chair; minding his own business with his liquor.

He eyed the girl from her head to toe "Not really." He muttered and then he took a gulp.

"C'mon" she insisted as she places her hand on his left shoulder "I'm sure you want to, hot stuff..!"

He dully stared at the dancing lights in the bar. "I sure am not interested." He said without giving her a second look.

The girl raised her eyebrow and snapped "You just missed a lot." And then she slowly began to walk away.

"Woe is me." He sarcastically said with much nonchalance and then he drank some more.

The others were having fun at the dance floor while Syaoran was just minding his own business at his spot when a guy walked in.

"Wow richy!" He began "I never thought I'd see you hanging around here." He also goes to Syaoran's school and they are just a bit more than acquaintances.

"Don't call me that." He uttered in a monotone.

"Ok, heir of the Li fortune, what's up?"

"Don't call me that either."

"Ok…" The guy rolled his eyes as he thinks of what to say next.

"Because England has a titled nobility, its social classes are more apparent than are those in republican countries. However, all classes are equal before the law and laborers have the same right as nobles." Sakura stated as the three of them eat their dessert.

"Brilliant, Missis Li, you sure know the country you are visiting..!" Said her Professor.

"Thanks Professor Jonson!" Sakura smiled more upon hearing his compliment. "I've been in England for two months now and I must say that I grow to fancy it more every day..!"

"That is very nice to hear, young lady." Her Professor, a tall English man with tamed eyes, very pointed nose and grayish beard. "But, let's set aside England for a while. May I know why you are already a 'Missis'? It is quite awkward when I call you 'Missis' instead of 'Miss' when you look so young." And then he took a glance at Miss Chi Chi who just nodded at him in approval.

Sakura childishly frowned with the unwanted question. "Well…" she started while playing with her fingers "It was an arranged marriage, sir."

"Please continue." He urged as he takes a sip from his cup.

"Well… Syaoran's grandfather wanted the daughter of my mother to be his wife… So… I was a bit unfortunate that I turn out to be a girl and made my fate to be like this."

"I presume that this 'Syaoran' is your husband, right?"

She kept playing with her fingers and shyly answered "Yes…" She blinked twice and added, "And it is in their traditions that the Heir of the Li Clan must marry at seventeen." Her Professor nodded and halted to ask for more personal questions.

Author's Notes: You may ask me "How do they communicate, woman? Are you telling us that Sakura is already fluent with their language?" Well actually, it is just a fact to be ignored. I'm so sorry I'm such a bad writer.
Another four months have passed and Syaoran and Sakura are hardly thinking about each other. Actually, there is no record that they actually thought of each other in a caring way.

'Tomoyo and Eriol left last week that's why I'm starting to get stiff bored.' Syaoran thought as he steps out from the car. 'I am not even sure where they went. All I know is that they left for abroad.' He entered the school gates and whispered to himself "No, I will not say it or even think of it- 'Man, everyone's leaving for abroad!' "There, I said it inside my head, dammit." He whispered but no one around seemed to notice him talking to him self.

'Why didn't I ask them where they were going?' Unusual thoughts went swimming in his head. 'If I am a friend of theirs, why didn't I bother to ask? Just like how careless I was with Sakura.' "Her name is Kinomoto." He corrected him self as he walks thru the corridors. 'Why?' "You wanna know why?" 'Because whether I asked or not, it won't make any difference.' "I wouldn't be half as bored today if I knew where they went."

"You said something?" The female teacher asked when Syaoran entered the classroom.

"Nothing." He plainly responded and went to his desk.

'If I'm a bit bothered about this, why don't I go to abroad as well? Any country..! Anywhere but here..!' "Foreign Trade and Tourism!" The teacher announced their lesson. But Syaoran kept thinking about his own business 'The elders won't allow it. I am meant to stay in Hong Kong because here is where I reside and here is where I will someday reign.'

"Heir of the Li Fortune…" He softly whispered to his self. 'It is the money I do not want. And it is also the same wealth that made me the man I am today- a famous face with a cold heart. … It's not even like me to think this way.' "Boredom is really getting to me e?"

'England is largely a Protestant country, although there is a sizable Roman Catholic population and there are numerous Jews, Muslims, and Hindus, especially in the larger cities.' Sakura proudly recited in her mind. It is the first time that Miss Chi Chi allowed her to take a stroll around the city without her companionship. She looked around the place like it was her first time. Yes, she already passed through these streets before but not as freely as this.

It is a not-so-wide street and big modern buildings with fantastic architecture are in her view. Her head is tilted upwards as she rummages her eyes with more views.

"Ow!" Seems like she bumped into a female person.

She quickly returned to her composure, held her hands together and bowed for apology. "I'm sorry." She recited. She's been in England for six months and her Japanese traits are still inclined within her personality.

"It's okay." The girl also slightly bowed and looked at her emerald eyes. "I was hoping to find you here, Li."

When Sakura returned the stare, she immediately realized who it was. "Daidouji..!" She exclaimed a bit; trying not to raise her voice.

"You got it." She smiled and showed Sakura the man beside her. "This is Eriol Hiiragizawa."

"Nice to meet you Hiiragizawa." She bowed at that. "You look really familiar."

"Maybe because you've seen me hanging out with your husband." He replied happily.

'HUSBAND? … Oh yeah… Syaoran…' "Y-yes… Probably." And then she turned to Tomoyo again "Why are you here in England?"

"Eriol has some business to attend to and I also came here for new ideas on my designs." She answered politely. "That reminds me… Have you made up your mind about being one of my models?"

"Well umm…" She started as Syaoran's angry face entered her mind.

"Syaoran told you not to go with it, didn't he?" Tomoyo frowned at her. Without further ado, Sakura nodded. "I knew it." Tomoyo snapped.

"You have your own volition to make decisions for your self." Eriol stated. "And being here in a faraway country is a possible help."

"And 'York' is so beautiful, isn't it?" Tomoyo added as she glances around the not-so-crowded place.

Sakura smiled and nodded. "It is the seat of one of two archbishoprics of the Church of England."

Tomoyo grinned at her "So, will you model for me?"

"Certainly."

Three months have passed and Syaoran's whines about boredom are long gone.

"Xiao Lang…" A soft motherly voice called out to him.

"Yes mother?" He stopped at his pace when he saw her mother by the door. He was supposed to be on his way out to the garage.

"Have you called dear Sakura already?" She asked him casually.

He raised his eyebrow and a sarcastic look plastered his face. 'Why would I ever bother to call her?' "No." He answered in a single word.

Her mother's lips made a negative angle. "Well, I think you should. She just called a while ago asking how things are in here."

'Why did she bother to call? She doesn't even like it here.' "Uh… Ok." Syaoran replied. "I'll try to call her when my schedule isn't so hectic." 'Yeah right.'

"Good. She's your wife, don't forget that" were her mother's last words before she went to the other side of the room. Syaoran scowled when she disappeared and then he thought 'Stop it with the 'wife' issues already. I'm really sick of it.'

"Ahh… Back so soon, Missis Sakura." Miss Chi Chi mentioned as she glances at her sophisticated wristwatch. Sakura just entered the living room.

"Well yeah… It's not really proper to stay out so late, right?" She happily responded as she walks over to the fridge.

Miss Chi Chi nodded in approval and muttered, "I think it's time that you call Hong Kong."

Sakura smiled more as she turns to her "I just did..!" and showed her the cell phone she is holding.

Miss Chi Chi nodded again in approval. "Seems like Missis Sakura is becoming a very fine lady."

"Thanks Miss Chi Chi!" She bowed for gratitude. "But I still like to be called as 'Sakura' though."

"Very well." She responded and smiled as she walks off.

And Sakura Li continued to learn more and develop her self throughout her first year in England.

END OF CHAPTER

Author's Notes: Was it short? Remember a review is what remains an author motivated. When she gets a review, she recognizes how much her work is being cherished, and would feel more obligated to go on.