Hey guys! Me again, yay! Quick thanks to everyone as usual before getting on with the story:

Annie Baby: Thanks for your review! I certainly don't think I could take such obvious liking huh? I hope you enjoy this chapter :3

krazypig91: Hehe, I much prefer a not so rebellious Syaoran but the transition isn't allowed to be that easy! ;)

leatwerpenn: I'll never forget! I definitely will see this to the end (and also my sister won't let me NOT finish this story haha). I like the idea of Yelan just being like a normal parent wanting the best for their child. Thanks for always reviewing my chapters, I hope this one is up to your standards!

Annerlise922x: Thanks for your review, Syaoran's anger will all be explained in due time hehe!

Haine-91, Suikahime, neko-chiidesu, Lady Kathleen, EchizenRyoma ,GrossGirl18and cupid17: Thanks so much! I hope you all enjoy the update!

LunarRouge: Thank you so so much for your review. It means a lot to me to get such a wonderful review. I'm glad that you like how I am portraying the characters. In regards to Eriol & Tomoyo, one day they might get there, but the road won't be easy!

0jaz0: :3 I'm glad to hear you like the chapter. Goodness always prevails hehe

stateofpandemonium: Thanks for your suggestion, taken onboard. I already had a fair idea that I would include them (can't make his transition too easy :P). I hope that you enjoy this chapter!

weirdogirl: Thanks for woooving my story! Sorry about the long update but I hope you enjoy!

Timeless Eclipse: I've never heard of that song haha! Maybe I should listen to it...I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to have a look at your story. I haven't been able to read many stories at all lately. I will check it out eventually I promise!

Jaluna Rolik: Thanks for your review. Indeed a interesting turn is coming! Read on to find out, I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the last :3

..Me: Thanks for your review. I like that you think this story should have more reviews. To be honest, I'm quite flattered at the number it has already. :3

Inuyashangel: Haha! I like your thinking. On the Ryu part anyway :P Hopefully Tomoyo and Sakura's friendship is stronger than boyyys!

XPeanutButterX: Better keep on wondering, that question isn't going to be answered for a while yet :P Hope you like this chappie

lhaine07: Very insightful and you're right. She can't have it both ways, so how is she going to manage it? :3

Chapter Ten:

Avoidance, It Catches Up:

When Sakura arrived home, Touya and her father had already eaten.

"Tadaima," she called out as she walked towards the kitchen. She hadn't eaten since lunch and she couldn't wait to sit down to one of her dad's home cooked meals.

"Kaijuu!" A deep voice resonated from the lounge. "Dinner's warming in the oven and some baka called for you."

Before she could react to her brother's usual taunt, the latter part of his sentence caught her attention. Her thoughts immediately jumped to Li.

"Sakura?" Her brother questioned as he entered the kitchen. When she hadn't reacted to his teasing about her and her boyfriend, he had grown concerned. Usually when he would call Ryu a baka she would lecture him on how much Ryu was not a baka.

"Hm?" She murmured distractedly, turning around to face her brother, Sakura placed her dinner on the bench.

"Did you hear me? I said Ryu called."

Reality dawned on Sakura. Of course it was Ryu that called. Li didn't even have her number. She couldn't understand what had made her think of Li first and embarrassed, Sakura's cheeks flushed. "Hai, hai hai. I heard you Nii-chan." She hurriedly dismissed him before adding, "and I'm not a kaijuu!"

Picking up her dinner and grabbing the phone from the hook, she made her way towards the stairs, but not before 'accidentally' stepping on Touya's foot.

Once Sakura reached the landing, she turned towards her room.

"Sakura is that you?"

"Hai!" Sakura cheerfully spoke as she turned towards her father's room. Fujitaka was standing in the doorway.

Smiling, he confirmed he was checking she had made it home. "Where have you been?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Otou-san I should have told you but it was kinda last minute. I was helping a friend study."

"Ah." Fujitaka smiled. "That's alright, but maybe just give me a call to let me know next time ok? Just so I don't have to worry."

"Hai, of course." Sakura grinned back and made her way inside her bedroom.

Closing the door, she placed her dinner on her desk and sat down. Staring at the phone, Sakura hesitated. 'I'll call him later...' she thought, before placing the phone down and beginning her dinner.

Once she had finished her dinner, Sakura brought her plate downstairs and placed it in the dishwasher. Glancing at the notice board, she saw her father had written, 'Kero needs a walk tonight please.'

"Kerooo!" Sakura called out and shortly afterwards a small, curly haired, golden dog was racing towards her from upstairs. He was probably sleeping somewhere he wasn't meant to be, as per usual.

Clipping on his leash, Sakura lead him outside to begin their walk.

An hour later, Sakura returned home and let Kero off his leash and decided to watch some TV with Touya.

It wasn't until Sakura was about to head to bed that she remembered she had meant to call Ryu. Quickly taking her phone out of her school bag, she found she had several messages from him asking where she was.

Panicked, Sakura quickly ran up to her room where she had left the phone and dialled his number.

"Sakura?"

"Ryu! I'm so sorry. I was at a friend's studying and when I got home I took Kero for a walk and then-"

"It's okay." Ryu laughed. "I just got a bit worried but I knew you'd be alright. Who were you studying with?"

"Um...Li...I just helped him with things he didn't understand and we didn't study for that long..." Sakura knew Ryu wasn't all that happy with her hanging around Li, but she hoped he wouldn't get too upset about it.

"Oh." Silence ensued. "Right. Okay then."

Sighing, Sakura spoke up. "Ryu...if you don't want me talking to him, then..."

"No, it's okay. Really." However, to Ryu it was far from okay. Li was a trouble maker and was no good for Sakura in his view. He hated that Sakura seemed to actually enjoy his company, however he felt if he just bided his time, Li was bound to do something to show who he really was.

Relief washed over Sakura. She hadn't had any real intention to discontinue talking to Li and wasn't sure what she would have done had Ryu told her not to. Deciding to move on and ease the atmosphere, Sakura changed the topic and they talked lightly before going to sleep.

Sakura was sitting at her desk waiting for the teacher to arrive. Taking out her diary, she realised it had been a while since she had updated the pages. Flicking through to find today's date she spotted a note she had written as a reminder for...'Ryu's birthday! Oh my god.' His birthday was in a week's time and she had completely forgotten. It usually took her weeks, if not months, to figure out gifts to get him.

Quickly, Sakura reached for her phone and text Tomoyo, asking her to come shopping on Saturday to shop for a present. Shortly afterwards, the phone vibrated indicating a reply. 'Sorry, I can't go this weekend, I have to help Okaa-san at the store. I hope you can find something!'

Slumping in her chair, Sakura groaned. It was at this moment that the door opened and Sakura quickly sat up thinking it may be the teacher, however the brown hair indicated someone else.

Grinning, Sakura piped up as she tapped the seat in front. "Li, come sit here."

Amber eyes flicked towards her and softened slightly upon recognising Sakura. Without hesitation, Li made his way to the seat.

"Ohayo Kino."

Sakura blinked and struggled not to laugh. "Kino?"

Li shrugged as though not phased by her laughing at him. "Kinomoto's too long to say, I'm not allowed to call you Sakura." He reasoned.

Sakura felt her cheeks warm up as her name escaped from his lips. "Oh. Okay." She said simply, unable to think of a better reply.

All of a sudden, a bunch of yellow flowers appeared in between the pair. Looking up, Sakura found Ryu.

"Flowers for you, hun." Ryu spoke as he kissed her cheek and sat down next to her. He stole Syaoran a quick glare as he did so.

A huge smile spread across Sakura's face. "Arigatou! What are they for?"

"No reason, just wanted to spoil you." Ryu explained, giving Li a quick triumphant stare.

Li's face was blank, knowing full well what Ryu was trying to tell him. Rolling his eyes, he turned towards the front. He had barely been able to talk to her before her annoying boyfriend had shown up, he thought as he stared down the whiteboard.

"Ano...Li, let me know if you need any help today." Sakura's voice came at a whisper behind him.

The corner of Li's mouth curved slightly. He knew that would have bothered Ryu, so as if to add insult to injury, Li turned and smiled at Sakura. "Thanks Kino." As he turned, he caught Ryu's eye. Ryu's jaw was clenched and Li merely gave him a smug look before once again facing the front and settling down to begin the day's lesson.

The weekend had fast approached and Sakura was getting ready to go shopping for Ryu's present. Leaping down the stairs, Sakura approached Touya cautiously.

"Touya-kuun...what are you doing today?" She prompted.

Touya's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why."

Sakura adopted her puppy dog face and began her plea. "Ryu's birthday is coming up and I need to get him a present. But I need some help, and you're a guy so..."

"Thanks for noticing." Touya responded dryly. "But no way in hell am I going shopping."

"Please!"

"No, and stop with the face!" Touya snapped before walking away.

Frowning, Sakura realised she would just have to go by herself. Picking up her bag, she made her way to the bus stop.

During the bus ride, Sakura desperately tried to think of possible gift ideas. He liked soccer, any sport really, music, games. 'None of those are special enough' she thought frustratingly.

Giving up thinking about it, Sakura leaned against the window. Suddenly in her view was a familiar house. Sakura's face brightened, and she pressed the 'Stop' button.

Reaching the front door, Sakura rang the doorbell. A few seconds later footsteps could be heard and the door opened.

"Sakura!" Yelan spoke in surprise. "How nice to see you. I'll buzz Xiao Lang for you."

Yelan walked back towards an intercom system and pressed a button, "Xiao Lang come downstairs please." She made her way back to Sakura.

"How are you dear?"

"I'm good Yelan. How are you?"

"I've being doing very well thank you. I must say Xiao Lang has been behaving much better since your last visit, he's been almost pleasant to be around."

Sakura's eyes widened. Had Li actually listened to her?

"What did you want?" Li said as his mother came into his view. "Sa-Kinomoto, what are you doing here?" He said in confusion.

"I'll leave you two to it, and Sakura, you're welcome here any time." Yelan spoke warmly.

After watching Yelan leave, Sakura began her question. She suddenly realised how absurd the idea of Li shopping with her was. If her own brother didn't want to go shopping with her, why on earth would 'the rebel' Li? However, it was too late to back out now so she asked.

"I was wondering if you would come shopping with me."

Li raised an eyebrow.

"You see, it's Ryu's birthday next week and I need to get him a present only I'm hopeless when it comes to getting a guy a gift. I was hoping you could help me..."

"I see," was all that Li said when she finished. An awkward silence took over.

"It's okay if you don't want to," Sakura spoke up thinking his silence to be a no. "I can just go by myself, it's fine really." She began to turn towards the steps.

"Hang on. Let me tell Mother I'm going out."

Smiling, Sakura was vaguely aware that Li probably never usually bothered to tell Yelan his whereabouts.

Trudging along in the mall, Sakura let out a loud exasperated sigh. "Mou, you're not being much help Li!"

"I didn't say I would be." Li retorted.

Disappointment once again sunk in as Sakura still had no idea what to get Ryu. Li noted the Sakura's sad presence and looked around awkwardly. "Fine. Tell me what he likes."

"Sports, games, mu-"

"Well, if it isn't Li Syaoran, in the flesh." A voice to their left sneered.

Turning towards the figure, Li spotted someone familiar. Cursing under his breath, Li grabbed Sakura's arm and began to walk quickly.

"Oi. Li." The man said again as he began twisting around the shoppers to get to Li. "Who's this then huh. Pretty little thing isn't she, you wouldn't mind if I-"

Stopping abruptly, Li turned and glared. "Shut it, Hito."

"Moved on already then have you? Forgotten all about my sister?" Hito spoke out angrily.

Li clenched his fists. "I said shut it." He snapped.

"Why should I. All that shit with my sister and then you disappear on us? What the fuck Li?"

Li's glare turned harsh. His pulse was racing. He had tried for so long to forget about this, why did it have to come up now, with Sakura here?

Breathing deeply, Syaoran dropped his stance and turned around."Don't try to follow me Hito." He warned, knowing Hito knew better, before storming off.

Sakura quickly followed after him. "Li! Wait, who was that?"

Without so much as acknowledging Sakura's plea's, Li continued to race out of the mall.

Once outside, Li sat on one of the benches.

Sitting down beside him, Sakura watched him with concern. "Please Li, tell me what that was about?" She asked.

End of Chapter 10.