What He Wants

Chapter 6

Loving


Author's notes: "Thank you" no longer is enough for parma-violets, who has patiently helped nurse this story. You are beautiful! (hearts and hugs)

Please please hit the back button if you don't like adult situations. I won't edit it out because I believe it shows something crucial about S&S's relationship, but I don't want to offend anyone who's too young to read it or who doesn't like reading about it.

The usual disclaimer: I don't own CCS and its characters, but the events that take place after S&S "fail" the Last Judgment are mine.

Also, please note that I DO know about the Sakura Card arc (that's why Eriol is here, hello), but since I chose to take off from the Final Judgment, none of the events of the Sakura Card arc take place here, save for certain references.


On the outskirts of Tokyo, in a tiny suburb called Tomoeda, a beautiful ghost was hovering in the bedroom of her husband. He was asleep, tired out from the excavation near Osaka, and in his sleep, he murmured her name. She smiled, and stroked his brow tenderly. In the next room, their son worked on an architectural plan for a new shopping mall in the area.

Her name was Nadeshiko Kinomoto, and she missed her husband Fujitaka and her son Touya. But most of all, she missed her daughter Sakura, who had disappeared sixteen years ago after failing to become the Card Mistress. Nadeshiko had known about it, and since it was her daughter's magical destiny, she had not interfered. But she had been distraught when Sakura had simply vanished one night...and Fujitaka and Touya believed she was dead. That had not been part of her destiny.

But Sakura was not in the land of the dead. Unable to move beyond Tomoeda to find out what had become of Sakura, Nadeshiko had mourned the loss of her daughter, and was alarmed when both her husband and Touya did not seem to take Sakura's disappearance badly. Even when she appeared to Touya, he seemed lost; Nadeshiko knew he had lost the one he loved many years ago.

And their feelings and memories...they did not know what was going on, and so they did not realize how much of a horrible loss it was that Sakura was not there.

Their memories are gone, she realized with dismay. Though he could not see her, Fujitaka still remembered her but at night, Touya would toss and turn and scream, "Yuki!" every now and then...but when he woke up, he never remembered his dreams. She had always known "Yuki" was a false form, but he was still a person, and she felt some of her son's pain.

But that evening, she suddenly realized that Sakura's aura had returned to the mortal plane. There had been a freak storm earlier, and though Sakura was distant, Nadeshiko rejoiced to know her daughter was alive.

What had happened and where she had been were mysteries...and Nadeshiko started when she realized that the other aura with Sakura was that of the little boy who had been in love with her daughter all those years ago.

And Sakura was coming closer to Tomoeda!

Nadeshiko smiled. Now how was she going to let Touya and Fujitaka know that their beautiful little Sakura was still alive?


The snow had disappeared as mysteriously as it had arrived; "freak storm," the airport announcers had called it. Despite their assurances that the weather would warm up now, Syaoran had bundled Sakura up in his jacket and an airport blanket in the waiting area as he watched for the limousine; he didn't want her catching a cold. He couldn't resist kissing her before he went outside again; she smiled up and returned the kiss, to his joy. He'd started when he'd sensed two auras, both strangely familiar. One resonated with him so strongly, he'd thought it was perhaps a sibling of his...but only one sister, Fuutie, was in Japan, as far as he knew.

What the hell am I thinking? He looked upwards, and the Cardcaptor who had been watching him quickly dodged backwards, so Syaoran saw nothing. Auras and magic don't exist, Syaoran chided himself.

Above, Cerberus gave a low growl.

"Cerberus-san? Why are you angry at Syaoran?" asked the young Card Master candidate.

"It was that little gaki's fault why Sakura was trapped in the dream dimension," snarled Cerberus. "And now he summoned her back into his life...and she's fallen in love with him...and from the looks of it, he's getting his powers back."

"Will that attract the cards to him then, sir?"

"Only the ones he captured. It would be awful if the ones she captured went for Sakura because her powers are still...can't you sense it?"

The new Cardcaptor closed his dark, thickly-lashed eyes and concentrated. Li was, indeed, getting his powers back; that he'd looked up just as the Cardcaptor was watching him was one indication. But as for Kinomoto, he could only sense a faint magical aura from her.

"Oh no," the young Cardcaptor said. His grip on the pink sealing rod tightened; it always amused Kero that the boy had never once commented on the ridiculous way the rod looked, especially in a boy's hands. "She won't understand, will she, Cerberus-san? And if she regains her memories...they were her friends, I remember Father saying that..."

"Indeed," Cerberus sighed. "Now...let's redouble our efforts. They are here; we must catch the last cards before Yue finds Sakura or Syaoran. We'll just have to stay around those two...lovebirds," Cerberus snorted, "so that our job will be easier. Thank Clow you caught Fiery and Earthy first...then again given who you are, Fiery was naturally attracted to you."

The Cardcaptor smiled. "Father says Li-san has an affinity for lightning, while I have an affinity for fire. Isn't that odd?"

"No, not really." Cerberus thought sadly of why he preferred to be in his true form most of the time these days—because of the blue-and-amber-eyed monster who could appear in their world any day soon.

"Er...if I may, Cerberus-san?" the Cardcaptor asked. He had been watching Syaoran as he stood outside the airport; Syaoran resonated strongly with him. He knew how Syaoran had grown up, what kind of a man he had become, and yet he felt sorry for Syaoran. "I...can feel that he loves her," the young boy with the brown hair and eyes ventured.

"I never said he didn't," Cerberus said. "Only...love can get in the way of so many things, and sometimes, we can hurt the ones we love."

The handsome young Cardcaptor, who seemed to be between fourteen to sixteen years old, frowned. "How can you hurt someone you love?"

Cerberus smiled. "You're still idealistic, little one."

"I believe that to love and be loved is the most wonderful thing. Like Father and Mother loved each other," he declared passionately.

"Ah yes, well, Eriol...your adoptive father Eriol drilled that into you, didn't he?"

The Cardcaptor nodded earnestly.

"Remember why Sakura was trapped in the dream dimension?" Cerberus asked.

"Yes. Syaoran's interference caused her to fail," was the prompt response.

"But he interfered because he loved her. And Syaoran failed to see the consequences of his actions. See what I mean?"

"Oh." The Cardcaptor paused to think it over. "Thank you for the lesson, Cerberus-san."

Cerberus sighed. "Sometimes I wish you weren't so polite."

"I'm sorry, sir," the Cardcaptor apologized.

"It's all right. It's your nature, after all," Cerberus said kindly. "Especially given who raised you."

The Cardcaptor smiled as he remembered his adoptive father, Eriol. Though he knew he had been adopted by Eriol as a baby—Eriol had taken care to explain this to him, and to reassure him that it didn't matter, he and his wife loved him anyway—he still loved his "father" dearly. He'd come from nowhere, and Eriol and his "mother" Kaho had taken him in and loved him. He resolved to call his mother later, and then his father in Hong Kong. "But sir, because of Libra, I foresee some emotional pain caused by confusion headed in the direction of Li and Kinomoto. Can I..."

"No, that would be interfering. I am sorry," Cerberus said. "But until you earn your name, you may not yet interfere."

"But I would have seal all the Cards, for me to earn my name," the Cardcaptor protested. And then a more pleasant thought occurred to him. "But once I earn my name, I will be able to find the girl I was destined for, right?" It was the thing that had kept him going since he first became a candidate a year ago, because he'd seen how love could bring out the best in people.

"And we're wasting time on this rooftop because...?" Cerberus smiled.

"I wish I could find someone to love as much as Li-san loves Kinomoto-san," the Cardcaptor said wistfully. "Someone who loves me as well."

"You will," Cerberus smiled, pleased at the double-edged answer he'd given. "All your answers will come when you've gathered all the cards. Now, let's go home and rest...and maybe we can have some pudding?"

"I made some before we left, Cerberus-san. Is chocolate all right?"

"Always," and Cerberus smiled.


As they were driven to the posh Grand Hyatt at Roppongi, Syaoran's SmartPhone went off. Sakura had missed a payment on her loan. But she had managed to make it, the penalties, and to advance the next loan installment as well that afternoon.

She never told me, Syaoran thought, she just went and found some way to handle it. Syaoran was slightly hurt that Sakura hadn't told him of her difficulties. Doesn't she trust me?

Then he felt slightly ashamed when he realized that she was in that situation precisely because of him; by all rights she shouldn't trust him to begin with. But since she had asked him for help with a job, he supposed it was a good thing. He placed an arm over her shoulders as she snuggled up to him in the limousine, enjoying the feel of her in his lap. Part of him admired Sakura's pluckiness and resourcefulness; she would make a magnificent partner in so many ways. But the other part, the cold one which still threatened to take over him, was disappointed that she'd managed to evade the trap yet again.

Why should I trap her? one side of Syaoran argued. I love her. That's enough for me. Why should I cause Sakura misery?

No, she has to belong to me, the cold side insisted. Body, mind, heart, and soul.

Do I have the right to force my love on her? the young boy in him insisted.

And the cold part of him sneered, Great time to develop a conscience, Li, just when you've succeeded in almost getting Sakura into bed with you!

Syaoran blushed and pushed his thoughts aside. He'd deal with them later, when they got back to Hong Kong. Instead he turned to Sakura, and said, "So where is your home town?"

"Tomoeda," Sakura answered. "It's on the outskirts of Tokyo." She pointed it out on a map, and Syaoran was surprised to feel a familiarity with the place.

Now why is that?

As they took the elevator to the large suite he'd chosen, he bent down to kiss her; she was irresistible, and when she responded with such lovely eagerness, he found himself drowning more and more in her.

He's such a wonderful kisser, Sakura thought, and as his hands traveled to her shoulders to caress them, she sighed. Their tongues entwined, and she kissed him back gently, trustingly.

And when she saw that there was only one large bed in the suite, she blushed, because she had been wanting to sleep next to Syaoran since they had become a couple. What will it feel like to be in his arms all night? She felt a thrill run through her. A thought made her smile: will we be able to keep our hands off each other tonight? She looked at him and blushed; she hoped not. Sakura was a little afraid; she had never made love, let alone even gone into heavy petting or making out, but when she looked at Syaoran, she knew she trusted him to help her through it. And by God he was just so handsome, and when he looked at her when he thought she wasn't looking, Sakura could feel the passion he held for her, and it made her feel wonderful.

Syaoran missed Sakura's meaningful glance at him as he was blushing as well; he'd been so confident when he booked the suite, but now that the bed was here, he suddenly felt embarrassed. Why do I always have to lose my composure when she's around?

"You want to change first?" Syaoran asked to break the silence. "I can change while you're in the bathroom."

"Okay," and Sakura pulled out a nightgown from her luggage. Outside, Syaoran stripped down to his boxers before realizing that he'd forgotten to bring sleepwear. He'd been traveling alone for so long, he'd packed automatically.

Oh god no, I'm going to be sleeping next to her almost naked, he thought, and a flush crept over his cheeks. Damn it, why am I blushing now?

So he crept under the sheets first, hoping to hide himself. The cold, arrogant side of him was screaming at him to just take Sakura, take her hard and fast now, to satisfy his lust for her. But he couldn't bring himself to even look at her.

Why the hell am I hiding?

He certainly had never hidden before; he knew he was very good-looking, and used to show his body off to the women he'd once been with to whet their appetites for him. But now he was somewhat ashamed of himself. It didn't make sense, not to the man in him, for him to be acting like a boy.

Before Syaoran could torture himself further with his own thoughts, Sakura came out of the bathroom in a pink nightgown, and he smiled; pink, it was always pink with her, and he suspected he would never look at pink again without thinking of her.

Sakura slid between the sheets next to him and giggled—was Syaoran blushing? He was so unpredictable at times; he could be suave and smooth one minute then be a blushing boy the next. But what was consistent was the way he treated her, the way he looked at her as if she was the most wonderful thing to happen to him. Sakura smiled lovingly at him; she hoped he could see what she felt on her face as well, and she touched his cheeks. They were burning. Sakura smiled, and affectionately pressed tiny kisses to his cheeks, his lips, and his nose.

Syaoran found himself swept up in his emotions, and for once, he was not annoyed by them. She was so sweet, so naïve and so trusting, he found himself responding to that in her. He then wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her near. Sakura smelled sweet, and she lay in his embrace quietly before turning to nestle against his chest. She happily snuggled up to the man she loved, and when her legs were tangled with his, she didn't protest; instead, she inhaled his scent, and kissed him before falling asleep.

Syaoran watched her in the moonlight slipping into the room through the bay windows. So beautiful, he thought. He kissed her forehead and whispered a wish that she would have good dreams. Surprised at his own tenderness, he moved to slide his tongue over her neck and shoulders, tasting her, savoring the sweetness of her smooth skin. He kissed nearly every inch of her shoulders, softly whispering her name. Had any of his former lovers seen him, they would never have believed how tenderly he was acting with Sakura.

In Syaoran's head, the little boy who was screaming at him to stop was drowned out by the man who was delighting in Sakura's body, in her responses. She was slowly waking up, smiling sleepily as her fingers tangled in his thick hair. As his tongue explored her neck and shoulders, his fingers found her small nipples, which had hardened under her nightgown. She sighed softly when he pulled the nightgown off her, continuing to kiss and fondle her breasts gently. She finally opened her eyes to find Syaoran loving her, and Sakura's breath caught; she flushed a bright red and gasped Syaoran's name. While he kept his eyes open to see her, she closed hers to enjoy what he was doing.

She was so beautiful, Syaoran moaned at the sight of her enjoying his touch. He gently teased a nipple with each thumb, then took one into his mouth. God she tasted sweet! Syaoran flicked them with his tongue, teased them with his teeth...her breasts swelled, and she ran her fingers through his messy cocoa hair, pressing her breasts to him and whimpering for more.

He then slid a hand between her thighs, gently rubbing her soft mound through her panties. Sakura gasped, and pressed herself back against him, eagerly enjoying his touch. Her underwear became moist, and Syaoran slid them swiftly off her, unerringly finding her small bud of pleasure, causing Sakura to gasp. He made light little circles around it with his fingers, observing her reaction carefully; clearly she liked it, because her hips were moving and she had spread her legs open without knowing it, and gasping, "Syaoran!" . She clung to his shoulders and buried her head in his neck, whimpering and biting her lip, because only Syaoran could make her feel that way.

"Oh Syaoran," she whispered into his ear, then gasped as his gentle stroking began to be more insistent, and his breath came faster in her ear as he kissed her, his tongue thrusting into her mouth possessively. As he gently teased her little bud, he suckled her nipples gently, alternating that with licking and sucking on her shoulders, which he now knew she loved.

Then he looked into her beautiful green eyes with his dark amber ones, smiled before giving her one more kiss, and slid himself downwards, placing his tongue where his finger had been. Sakura suddenly screamed, "Syaoran!" and her slender hips buckled in pleasure. He held her down gently and continued to taste her most intimate secret, savoring her sweetness, flicking the little bud with the tip of his tongue. Then he parted her labia and slid his tongue in, rejoicing at being the first to share such an intimate caress with her.

Sakura was nearly going crazy with pleasure; she pressed herself against Syaoran's mouth, and bit her lip hard enough to make it bleed slightly. She was moaning his name over and over; she loved him so much, and for him to create that giant thrill somewhere in her most secret region...she threw her head back, not knowing whether to scream or to cry for joy.

He was delighted when a long hissing breath and her tensed body told him that Sakura had reached her first orgasm. And I gave it to her! he rejoiced. Part of his triumph was possessive; he was proud that he could elicit such reactions from her. But another part of him was happy because she'd clearly enjoyed herself

Sakura couldn't put a name to what Syaoran had just given her—a sweet explosion of sensations that made her want to cry from sheer joy, and made her want even more, but it was so perfect that he had given it to her. Between her thighs, she could feel him; he was hard, and she was excited; were they going to make love now? She thought they would when Syaoran pulled his boxers off with an impatient sound, and bent back to kiss her; she could taste herself on his lips.

Syaoran paused as he slid back above her; she was moist, and very willing; she was flushed with happiness, breathing hard. I could take her now, and she will thank me for it, the cold part of him said.

I don't have a condom, he realized abruptly. He knew he would not be able to control himself if he took her innocence now; did he want to force her into marriage because she was pregnant?

With that realization, the small boy in Syaoran's head finally succeeded in making himself heard. At the very least wait until you have the ring on her finger!

Syaoran raised his head. Sakura opened her eyes and touched his cheek with one hand. Her innocence and trust swept him out of the sensual haze he'd been caught up in, and he groaned.

I have never hesitated before! Why did I stop?

Don't take advantage of her! the other part of him screamed.

"Oh no...I am so sorry," Syaoran apologized. He'd lost control around her, yet again. "Please forgive me, Sakura, sweetheart," he said gently. He had the feeling he would be apologizing to her over and over during this trip, especially at night.

"Sakura, I...I can't resist you," he said honestly, as he took her lovely face between his hands. "I...We're not...engaged...yet," he said softly, "and I should wait to make love to you when we are. Forgive me." He kissed her and crooned to her as she lay in his arms quietly; for a moment, he was terrified he'd scared her off, but she snuggled into his arms and kissed him. He smiled at her; clearly, she was becoming sleepy.

"Sleep well, little blossom," and he embraced her. "No bad dreams," he added gently.

All Sakura heard was, "I should wait when we are." She smiled, and hugged Syaoran back. Did he mean it? Was he really planning to marry her?

And she knew what her answer was going to be if that blessed event happened soon. She enjoyed being in his arms; he was so

When Sakura closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, Syaoran stayed awake, holding her, pressing kisses to her forehead. "I love you, Sakura," he said softly as she curled into him in her sleep. The cold part of him was completely silent, but had it been able to say anything to him, it would have told him he was being stupid. Yet he could not stop himself from saying again, "I love you so much, Sakura."

Though she could not hear him, she smiled in her sleep.


Sakura woke up in Syaoran's arms the next morning, and smiled, then blushed to realize she was naked in his arms...and so was he. She felt happy; the memory of what he'd given her the night before, those sweet, wonderful sensations...she reached up to kiss him. He'd pulled the sheets and the warm covers over them, which was why she had slept well.

Or it may be because he was next to me, Sakura smiled. She closed her eyes, remembering how Syaoran had touched and fondled her the night before, and pressed herself against him. She raised one arm to trace his eyelids, his nose, his cheeks...oh how she loved every bit of him!

Syaoran woke up, and smiled; it was a wonderful feeling to wake up next to the woman he loved.

"Good morning, little blossom," Syaoran said softly.

Sakura smiled, feeling the time had come for her to say something. "Syaoran?"

"Yes?"

"I love you," she said simply, her green eyes watching his own.

Syaoran started; he hadn't expected this of her. He never realized that this was what he'd been scheming and manipulating her for; now that the moment was there, he couldn't believe she'd said it first.

"You mean it? Because I love you, Sakura. Since I first saw you," he said before he could stop himself. "Oh, Sakura," and he kissed her tenderly.

He heard her gasp of pleasure. "Do you believe in destiny?" she asked him. "Because...I feel like I've always known you. It's why I trusted you so soon."

"You...you make the hole in my heart go away," Syaoran said softly as he touched one palm to her cheek. "I...it's like there's nothing for me but...it's you," he said almost helplessly.

She pushed herself upwards, and her lips found his. And he almost yelped when she bit his lip gently, playfully.

"Oops. Sorry," she laughed. He could see that she had meant to tease him, and he smiled. Syaoran was blushing but he had to admit he'd liked it. "No, I was just startled."

Sakura knelt above him and bent down to rub her nose against his. "I lovelovelove you, Syaoran Li."

He smiled, and gripped her waist, then pinned her under him. "Is this a contest to see who loves the other more? Because I have you beaten already," he said.

"And why is that?" Sakura reached up to kiss his cheek.

"I've always known I would love you. I've been searching for someone like you, sweet blossom. For so many years...I never even knew you existed just a few months ago and now here you are...and you're so beautiful...I love you, Sakura Kinomoto!" he groaned, and began to kiss her again.

Sakura ran her hands over Syaoran's chest, and curiously, she reached into his boxers, finding him hard and ready. Syaoran moaned and pulled her hand away from his manhood.

"No, please..,don't, sweetheart."

"Why not? You've touched...you...kissed...me there," she said playfully. "And...I think you like being touched, don't you, Syao-wolf?"

Syaoran's amber eyes glinted with mischief. "Because if you touch me there now, little blossom, you won't be able to have breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner," he said as he pulled both her hands up above her head and locked them under his.

Sakura blushed and giggled. "Can't see why I should mind," and she was reduced to gasping and whimpering in pleasure when he ran his tongue over her neck and shoulders. Syaoran forced himself to ignore her breasts, which were pressed against him, and the fact that she was completely naked under him.

"Tell you what, Sakura," he said softly as he kissed her with little affectionate pecks. "Let's get through the day...then tonight, I promise you can do whatever you like with me."

"You mean it?" Sakura smiled broadly; she had a few ideas already from the romance books she had hidden in her luggage.

"I promise, sweet blossom," and Syaoran kissed her. "Now let's get dressed for breakfast, then we're going to see the sakura blossoms."

"Hurray!" Sakura hugged him, grabbed her nightgown, slid it on, leapt out of bed and ran for the bathroom, cheerfully chirping about the sakura blossoms. Syaoran smiled; for some reason, Sakura's happy singing was familiar to him, and made him feel warm. He resisted the urge to join her in the bathroom, but when he found her panties by the side of the bed where he'd thrown them the night before, it took all his willpower to keep from following her in. Instead he focused on willing his erection away, then he stood up, chose a loose green madras shirt and jeans for the day, and tucked the tiny velvet box with the engagement ring in one pocket.

He took a robe from the suite's walk-in closet, wrapped it around himself, then sat down to wait for Sakura to come out of the bath. If she says yes, Syaoran thought, then we will make love. He closed his eyes, and smiled; given how she'd playfully attacked him this morning, he felt that every aspect of his life with her was going to be a joyful surprise from now on. I am happy with her. She makes me so happy. And that's only one of the reasons why I love her.

And the cold part of Syaoran finally died away with that realization.


Syaoran held Sakura's hand as they wandered through a grove of sakura trees in the private park near Asakusa Shrine. There was no one else around, and Sakura suspected Syaoran had had something to do with it. She was smiling widely, and every now and then she would pull her hand away from his and run over to a pretty bush, or point out something attractive, and he indulged her. Dressed in a yellow sundress and white sandals, she was a beautiful vision, and Syaoran realized how she had grown to become an auburn-haired version of her magnificently beautiful mother Nadeshiko.

He felt at peace for the first time in his life. The woman he loved was laughing and running through the trees; he thought of what a lovely picture it would make if sakura petals were floating around her. Syaoran had been thinking of the lovely vision when a sudden wind showered her in sakura petals. He gasped; it was such a beautiful sight. Sakura laughed and twirled in the petal storm; in that moment, Syaoran knew he would never be able to think of spring without thinking of her ever again in his life.

"Syaoran! Did you see that?" she called to him as he walked towards her.

"It was beautiful," he said quietly, "but not as beautiful as you," and he bent down to kiss her. The wind died down as they kissed gently.

He felt in his pocket for the engagement ring, and pulled it out of its velvet box. It was time.

"Sakura. I...uh...I know it's been...oh damn." The speech he'd carefully prepared vanished completely and he blushed.

"Syaoran? Is something wrong?" Sakura furrowed her brow and reached up to touch Syaoran's cheek. She felt like she would burst from loving him, and she wanted to make sure he was all right.

"I love you," Syaoran suddenly blurted out, and he held her hand. "M...marry me. Please, Sakura," and he was humiliated by the desperation in his tone.

"Hoee?" Sakura smiled broadly. "Do you mean it?"

Syaoran smiled at her weakly; his cheeks had gone a deep red. "I...I can't imagine a life...without you," he confessed. Damn it I've never said that to anyone before!

Sakura threw her arms around Syaoran. "Oh yes! Yes, of course!"

It was Syaoran's turn to ask, "Really?" He took one hand from around his neck and held it.

"Very much so, silly wolf," she teased. He slid the ring on her finger, and she gasped when she saw the pink diamond. "It's also in the shape of a rose!"

"Just for you," and Syaoran raised her hand to his lips so that he could kiss it.

He bent to kiss her, and this time, he was surprised when her tongue slid into his mouth. They stood there kissing, and Syaoran, giving in to a fit of whimsy for the first time since he was a boy, picked Sakura up and whirled her around, both of them dissolving into giggles. He collapsed on a pile of sakura petals, Sakura laughing above him, and she caressed his cheeks.

"Oh Syaoran," she said softly. He smiled, and kissed her again; when his tongue slid to her neck, she giggled and chided him, "We're in a public place, Syao-wolf."

"Don't care," he murmured sulkily, then laughed. He couldn't remember being happier in his life. "Love you."

"Mmm, love you too," Sakura said, and she kissed him back.

And then Syaoran's phone rang. He'd completely forgotten about it. "Excuse me, Mrs Li," and he rubbed his nose against Sakura's playfully. She giggled, and stood up.

"Syaoran?" It was Mei Ling. "Er...we have no idea where you are...and...well..."

Syaoran slapped his forehead; he'd completely forgotten to tell anyone where he was going.

"I...I'm in, er, Tokyo."

"You're what? Who are you meeting with?" Mei Ling asked frantically. "God Syaoran I thought...maybe your enemies...oh..."

"No...just...never mind...erm, what is it?"

Syaoran is stammering? Mei Ling stared at the phone to make sure she'd dialed the right number. She had.

"Your appointments...I mean, I have no idea what to do..."

"Uh...Mei Ling, I can't come back until next week." Syaoran heard Mei Ling gasp, but as he expected, she didn't say anything. "I'll fax over a temporary power of attorney for you. And you should look into pirating the Kurogane guy from Citigroup so that you'll have an able partner."

"Wh...Syaoran? You said we'd keep it in the family!"

"We will. And contact Mother. I'm getting married!" and Syaoran threw his head back and laughed happily.

A long pause, then Mei Ling asked cautiously, "Are you all right?" In the same tone someone would use when asking someone else "Are you on drugs?"

"Aren't you going to ask me who it is?" Syaoran teased.

Again, Mei Ling stared at the phone. "Who are you and what have you done to Syaoran?" she demanded.

"I am Syaoran. Now hang up; I want to go make out with my little blossom," Syaoran hung up.

Yelan Li, listening over the extension, groaned. "Oh God no," she said,

Mei Ling shook her head. "That couldn't have been Syaoran."

"It was," Yelan said sadly.

"Why are you worried?"

"He's in Japan," Yelan said sadly. "He might get his memories back."

Mei Ling smiled. "Does it matter? He's in love. And he sounds happy, for once."

Yelan slowly smiled. "You're right." But deep inside she was still very worried.

When his phone rang again, Syaoran was in the middle of kissing Sakura. He made to throw his phone away when Sakura held his hand.

"You have to answer it, Syao-wolf," she said.

Syaoran groaned. "Don't wanna. Wanna be kissing you," he said against her lips.

Sakura giggled. "Why do you sound like a small boy?"

"Maybe 'cause I am," and he reluctantly tore himself away from her and barked into the phone, "What?"

"Mr Li. We've found the gravesite of Nadeshiko Kinomoto in the Tomoeda Memories cemetery," said the detective he'd hired to find Sakura's family's graves.

"Good. Send me the location," Syaoran smiled; he knew this would make Sakura happy. "And of the brother and father, Touya and Fujitaka Kinomoto?"

A pause, then, "Sir...they're still alive."

Syaoran frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir."

"All right then. Send me the address."

Syaoran snapped his phone off and looked at Sakura, who was watching him curiously.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

She is sensitive to my moods, Syaoran thought. "When you...lost your family, who raised you?"

"I pretty much grew up alone...no, wait, I think my family was with me until college, then there was a car accident...no, a crash...I..." Sakura opened her eyes wide; memories were swirling and blurring in her mind's eyes, and she began to get a headache. Syaoran could see her reddening in pain. "I grew up with them...until I was in college...no, high school..." She was starting to sweat.

Alarmed, Syaoran grabbed her and embraced her. "What's wrong?"

"M...my head," Sakura gasped, right before she went limp in his arms.

Damn it to hell! What's happening to Sakura? Syaoran was furious, because there was nothing he could do, no one he could find and punish for what was hurting her.

And then he noticed that the wind had picked up around them. He cradled Sakura in his arms and stood up, walking away; to his surprise, the wind died down where they had been and followed them, buffeting them gently.

What the hell? Syaoran was getting angrier; he didn't like not having a physical opponent, and he didn't believe in the supernatural.

Or did he?


Preview of Chapter 7

"You're thinking of your parents, aren't you?" Cerberus asked.

"I love them," the Cardcaptor said simply. "They're responsible for the best in me, Cerberus-san."

"I know they're proud of you," Cerberus said, and the boy smiled.

Yet when the young Cardcaptor looked at Syaoran, it was like looking at a father he'd never known. Could Syaoran be his real father? He'd asked Eriol about it, and while Eriol hadn't said yes, he also hadn't said no.

The boy couldn't understand it, not even when Eriol or Cerberus explained that odd thing about souls in different dimensions.But he trusted his father, and so he accepted the answer he'd been given. Eriol had been insistent: "My son, you should understand that every soul is precious. Even those who are created, once they develop their own souls, their own hearts, they cannot be wantonly used and allowed to die. But without a heart, without a soul, a body simply becomes a place in which outrages can be committed. You'll understand once the cards are converted."

But the Cardcaptor knew he would be more than happy to interfere, to help save Syaoran once his love for Sakura was threatened. The boy believed in love, and in everyone's right to find their way to it. The Cardcaptor smiled at the thought of helping Syaoran, then frowned when he looked in another direction. "Cerberus-san, isn't that...the false form of the Moon Guardian?" and he pointed.

Cerberus opened his eyes wide in horror. It was Yukito Tsukishiro, and he was walking in the direction of Sakura and Syaoran.

"Get Sakura and Syaoran out of there, now," Cerberus commanded the Cardcaptor, who thought quickly, then released Rain. It had the added effect of distracting Flowery, and the Cardcaptor happily sealed the card, pleased that this capture had been so easy.

"Oh!" Sakura pulled away from Syaoran when she felt the rain. Syaoran opened his eyes, and quickly covered Sakura with his jacket, whisking her back to the limousine as fast as he could.

But he stopped outside the limousine. It was that aura again, and Syaoran was almost convinced he saw a young boy with brown hair and eyes who seemed like...was it even possible?

The vision quickly disappeared, and Syaoran, in response to Sakura calling for him to come in out of the rain, climbed into the car.

Yukito caught a glimpse of them, though, and he wondered why they looked so familiar to him. He shrugged, then went for the incense burners; he'd come to pay devotion to the god of memory in hopes of finding his memories.

Inside him, something stirred angrily at the sight of Syaoran, though.


Thank you to: Raine793 (And this time I'm one day ahead! No you would have to try hard to annoy me! ); Musette Fujiwara (You are very observant; wait, are you Tomoyo? Yikes! Re the new Cardcaptor, you hit one of the key points re the new card master: he has to protect Syaoran and Sakura! And...what do you think
Yelan would do for a son she fought the Elders for? :D); Cheeseycraziness (No, not Touya but you're somewhat warm LOL. They get even CLOSER here, and I hope someone notices just how much control Syaoran is using on himself! LOL); Keetra (I really do appreciate your reviews and what you notice in the story. I ought to dedicate a chapter to you as an apology for not being able to send you email yet you are still so wonderfully understanding about it! And re the new cardcaptor, you're warm! Wait till Chiharu and Yamazaki and Naoko show up!); xXxCherryBlossomxXx (You know I loved your new generation story but haven't gotten to posting a review. I have a weird question about it XD blush-thanks, I tried so hard to keep Syaoran-boy in character because it was so chilling writing cold, arrogant Syaoran at the beginning, knowing I was going to pair him up with sweet Sakura! The next person to remember does so much later; I can safely say that Chapter 7 is going to be very, very sweet for S&S ); Hououza (Amen. And yes, poor Syaoran is going to have to make up for a lot of what he did at the beginning. I wish I could answer you without giving the story away so what I'll say is, you're closer than you think!); SakuraLover (I am fine, thank you, just stealing time away from work to update! Well, you now know that Yukito has seen them, heh heh. You have to ask: what will happen when Touya and Yukito meet, somehow? ); KamichamaKarinLover25 (Please don't hate him! He has to work with Syaoran later in the story! XD); X.Wolf (Whoa, okay, thanks! XD Yes, they will appear but later; I've got the story planned out, and their appearance is a few chapters down yet); Sakuramsm (aw thanks! honestly an overactive imagination can be a curse sometimes LOL); AngelEmCuti (Do you really need to know who he is? PM me! But you must promise to keep quiet!); sakuraakamichelle (Yay! Thank you so much for that Technically he is Eriol's son but no. Yuki sees Syaoran first!); saphirablossom (Hey I just realized the first part of your pen name is the name of my favorite dragon! Aw, and thank you. Yes, Syaoran just needs the right trigger; everyone is waiting for a specific trigger for their memories to return--including the Cardcaptor, hint hint. Not Watanuki but oh so close! Hint again: the eyes, the eyes! XD); rondallagurl (here you go!); mizu dreamsxx (Haha no not Yamazaki...and I suspect you will want to wait for Chapter 7, heh heh); Pipi-chan (Heh heh, I suspect you're preoccupied with nachos LOL. Yes, my brain went for a walk as well and 189 should clue you in!); iNuQTpIe (Hurt as in emotionally. Please don't hate the new cardcaptor; he will play a role in keeping S&S together!); C.Babe (Oh my god you have no idea how oh so close you are! And here's the next chapter!); and chibiNeko192 (Thank you for seeing all the viewpoints, and for realizing how little S&S understand each other's feelings for now. How do you like this new preview? Hehe).