Disclaimer:

I have no affiliation with Cardcaptor Sakura or any other of CLAMP's works. Also any similarities to real life events or people are unintentional unless explicitly stated.


Even while asleep, Sakura was adorable. Her hair was splayed out like a halo and she had a pretty contented smile.

Tomoyo did not want to wake her, but it was almost noon and nearly due for Sakura's birthday festivities to start. She had the rose pink puffed sleeved jacket, skirt and bonnet ensemble with a white flouncy blouse ready for to be worn.

"Happy birthday Sakura," said Tomoyo, gently shaking her. Sakura curled up further into a ball. She wished she did not leave her camera downstairs. She was too endearing. "It is time for you to awaken."

Someone knocked on the door.

"It's me." It was Meiling's voice. Tomoyo let her in. She was already changed into the wide-lapelled, double breasted coat and matching skirt that Tomoyo made keeping in mind Meiling's request for a more streamlined silhouette. Her outfit and the ribbon wrapped around her top hat was the same buttercup yellow of Tomoyo's outfit.

Tomoyo wore a white flowing top under a tailored vest and bustled skirt. Her hair was curled and piled onto her head with couple only a couple of locks left loose and swept to rest on her shoulders.

"Is she awake?" asked Meiling.

"Not yet."

"Seriously? She really likes her sleep. I have an idea," she turned to address her cousin, dressed in a twilight blue long sleeved jacket with short cape, grey trousers and tall boots standing by the bedroom door. "Syaoran, come in here. Maybe if you give her a kiss she'd wake up."

"What are you saying Meiling?" Mr Li said, alarmed.

"Kiss her awake."

"What if she hears you?" He held onto the doorframe while Meiling tried to pull him inside.

"She's fast asleep. Hurry up and kiss her!"

"I can't kiss her while she's asleep!"

"Hey, brat! What is this about you kissing my sister?" said Cousin Toya, towering over the Li cousins. He pushed up the sleeves of his long double breasted jacket and cracked his knuckles threateningly. "You can't kiss her while she's awake either."

"I didn't do anything!" Mr Li shot a dark look at Meiling before returning the glare from Sakura's brother.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that that loudly. I forgot that he has a sister complex," whispered Meiling to Tomoyo.

"Brother! Stop it! I'm up!" yelled Sakura.

"Ah, the monster is finally awake," said her brother, relaxing his stance.

"I'm not a monster!"

"Cousin Toya, Mr Li," Tomoyo interrupted. "Would you kindly leave the room, please? We need to get Sakura dressed and ready for today."

Mr Li nodded. "Happy birthday, Sakura," he said with tenderness.

"Thank you," she replied sweetly.

Cousin Toya's eye twitched as he observed the two. He nudged Mr Li into moving and said to Sakura before leaving, "Happy birthday, monster."

"What did you say?!" She launched a pillow at the now closed door.

"Those boys…" said Meiling.

"Sakura," said Tomoyo, handing the girl a towel and the pile of pink clothes, "go freshen yourself up and then put on this. We will wait here and then head downstairs where some guests should be waiting downstairs by now."

"Hoe! It's almost noon." She scrambled out of bed and hurried to her en-suite bathroom. "Thank you for waking me up," said Sakura before closing the door.

"Did you see the way Syaoran looked at her? He's so obvious," said Meiling merrily.

"And Sakura was in such a daze." Tomoyo was greatly looking forward to today's festivities.


Syaoran walked to the parlour closely followed by Sakura's brother. It was a silent and awkward walk. He probably should try to get along with Toya Kinomoto, but every time they ran into each other they ended up glaring at each other.

Sounds drifted from the parlour.

"You better not make my sister cry."

Syaoran halted and looked at Toya Kinomoto but he just glared, walked over to his parents to exchange a few words, put on a bright yellow flat cap, and left.

He knew.

Syaoran gulped and forced himself to take a breath.

They were plenty of guests already in the room. Syaoran hung close to the walls and looked at the photographs adorning the room. There were many of the family and a younger Sakura. She was very cute even back then.

He paused in front of a large, rounded, stone tablet sitting on a pedestal. Its surface was carved with intricate glyphs and symbols. Some looked like animals, some resembled a cross with a loop at the head, and he even spotted one that he was sure represented an eye.

"Interesting isn't it?" Syaoran was startled to find Sakura's father, Fujitaka Kinomoto, standing beside him. "I picked this up on one of my archaeology digs. We deciphered the text at the university using some other bilingual artefacts. It says that when you die, your heart, and therefore your soul, is weighed against a feather, and if it is lighter it means that you have lived a virtuous life and may pass on through to paradise."

Syaoran recognized a symbol he once encountered during his magical research project. "This story comes from the same people who built the giant pyramids, correct?"

"Yes it is," said Fujitaka Kinomoto, "But even with our research and magical knowledge today, we still don't understand how they managed to build them and keep it intact after all these years."

Syaoran was going to ask another question when he heard a large commotion. He turned and saw Sakura entering the room. She looked beautiful. She always does, even after she had just woken up.

He felt the heat rise to his face. What was he thinking?

"It looks as if they're about to start the festivities," said Sakura's father. "If you want to know more, you should come over again. I have more artefacts that I could show you."

He walked to stand next to his wife and daughter.

"Thank you everyone for coming to our dear Sakura's fifteenth birthday," said Nadeshiko Kinomoto.

Before, Syaoran thought that people in Lecourt were asking for trouble when they told others when their birthday was. In Zhonguo, a year was added to a person's age in the new year to hide their true birthday. But Sakura explained that by letting people know when their birthday was, it meant that they trusted them, which was nice.

"As many of you already know, today will consist of a scavenger hunt in the city before a dinner and ball at the Amamiya Mansion. Please help me in thanking my niece, my son, who has already left, and Sakura's friend for organizing this amazing event. Now I'll pass it over to these young women who will now explain the rules."

"Thank you very much, Aunt Nadeshiko," said Daidouji. "Thank you very much for attending the lovely Sakura's birthday. We planned this so that everyone will have fun."

She held up a number of colourful envelopes. "Currently there are envelopes matching this but in different colours scattered at certain locations around the town. Each envelope will contain a clue that will lead you to the following clue or contains a task that one or both members need to complete before you receive the subsequent clue.

"No two group's route will be the same. The first group to arrive at the station with all their team's envelopes will receive a wonderful surprise."

"What's the surprise?" said Fye Flowright.

"It would not be a surprise if I told you," replied Daidouji, smiling.

"It's a really good prize," said Meiling. "I kind of wish I didn't help plan so I could win the prize myself."

"There is a time limit," said Daidouji, "once the station tower chronometer strikes three, could everyone please make it to the station."

"Also," Meiling added, "if anyone is stuck on a clue, you can find me by the fountain in the central park; I'll give you the next destination."

That would explain why they were wearing yellow garments. They needed to be clearly distinguishable from the public. They put a lot of thought and effort into this.

Daidouji clapped her hands. "Now, if everyone would please pair up we will begin to hand out the first clue."

"Syaoran, you and Miss Kinomoto are in a group," said Meiling dragging Sakura along. "Pick a clue." Sakura picked the pink one. "Okay, see you later."

No doubt Meiling and Daidouji were planning to put them in a group together all along.

"Let's see what's in the envelope?" said Sakura.

Inside were an old photograph of a girl with long hair and a folded piece of paper. The piece of paper read"

"Like mother like daughter, the task is for you to find,

a photo matching this one, the next clue is behind."

Syaoran remembered seeing a similar photograph before. Where was it though?

"Hoe," said Sakura, covering her face with her hands. "This is so embarrassing. Everyone is looking through my baby photographs."

"Don't be embarrassed," he said. "My sisters used to dress me up as a girl and take photos."

She laughed a little. "I'd like to see that, a little Syaoran in a dress."

Syaoran didn't tell her that his four sisters bullied him into a dress not long before he departed Zhonguo for Lecourt. He wasn't ready for that to come out yet.

"I remember where I saw the photograph," he said. He took down the photo frame of a little Sakura wearing the same dress as her mother from the opposite wall. Their faces were very similar. Sakura would no doubt end up resembling her mother.

He flipped the frame. On the other side was another pink envelope. Most other teams were still looking for their matching photo.

They said good bye to Sakura's parents and went outside to read the clue.

"Think of a pair of chimes or two gongs, but not its ring.

Think instead of a place that sells many things."

A pair of chimes or two gongs? What did it mean?

"Could it be Twin Bells? You know. The store that we went to on your first day here."

"Do you remember where it is?"

She nodded and pointed towards the park. "It's this way."

They were briskly walking down a path lined by sculptured trees when something moved in the corner of his vision.

He motioned for Sakura to stop. He heard another set of footsteps stop a moment later.

"What's wrong?"

"I think someone is following us," he said.


Meiling held her breath.

"What are you doing here?"

She jumped. Syaoran had snuck up behind her. He had become extremely good at masking his presence.

"N-nothing," she said, laughing to hide her surprise. "I have to make my way to my post, and it just so happens that we're going the same way. See you!"

Meiling didn't dare look back at her cousin and his soon to be girlfriend. She had heard that Syaoran made her cry yesterday during lunch, but neither of them would talk about it during the Magical Research period. They were pretty awkward to one another as usual. Meiling hoped that once they were alone during Miss Kinomoto's birthday she would have overheard them talking about it, but Syaoran noticed her.

Miss Daidouji at least would be keeping an eye on them in the air.

In any case, Meiling did have to get to her post. If anyone was stuck with a clue, they could go find her in near the fountain and get the answer from her.

It was a nice day, only a few clouds and feathers dancing in the wind. The weather was starting to warm up. It would be a nice day for relaxing in the sun.

Meiling sat on a bench shaded by the budding jacaranda tree and activated her chronophone. After a few seconds, Tomoyo's image appeared.

"Hello, Meiling. Have you arrived at your post?"

"Yeah, my cousin noticed me," she said. "Do you know where they are?"

"They have already received the present from Twin Bells and heading for the market place. It looks as if everyone has already reached their first location. The green group-"

The wind picked up, Tomoyo's image flickered and several people were knocked town. The wind stung her eyes shut.

"Hello. Meiling?" said Tomoyo. "Are you all right? Can you hear me? I thought I glimpsed a whirlwind at the park."

"I'm fine. It stopped," said Meiling, straightening her top hat. She assessed the damage.

A man in spectacles was helping upright a stroller. The baby was crying in her mother's arms. People were helping each other up, but besides from that, it looked identical as before, only petals and feathers dancing in the wind.

She smiled reassuringly, "I'll just help a few people out and contact you later."


Sakura opened the enveloped she received from the statue performer. Syaoran came closer making her dizzy with his scent and nearly made her drop Kero, the yellow, stuffed winged animal with a long tail and big ears she received from Maki as a birthday present.

"It's time for a challenge, it's time for a treat.

TRI and bake a tasty cake that OL will want to eat."

"A bakery?" suggested Syaoran. "Does "tri" and "ol" mean anything to you? They were deliberately misspelled."

Sakura took a step away and turned to face him. Her head cleared. "There's the Triol bakery where my brother sometimes works."

"Do you know where it is?" Syaoran asked. He frowned. "Do you think that your brother would be working there today?"

"He works at a lot of places. I can never figure out where he'll pop up," she said. "But don't worry. My brother says mean things but he truly is kind." She pushed up her right sleeve. "If he gives you trouble, let tell me and I'll give him a piece of my mind. He's a push over. I once convinced him to play tea party with me and Tomoyo when we were kids."

Syaoran's slight smile made Sakura's heart skip.

Sakura clicked her heels and jumped off. "We need to hurry if we're to beat the other teams."

Syaoran followed and entered the door of the Triol Baker after her.

"Welcome to Triol Bakery," said Mr Hiroyasu Ueda, the manager of the store. He recognized her as she walked in. "Hello Sakura. How may I help you today?"

Sakura took out the clue from her pocket and handed it to him. "We got this and I think that we're supposed to bake a cake here?"

"Yes," he said, returning it. "Come this way, Sakura. The person who handed me the clue gets the lesson, and the other tastes it."

"Hoe?" Sakura heart started to beat faster. Syaoran was going to taste the cake that she made, and he was an amazing cook.

"Don't' worry," said the manager, "we're only making a small one."

"Go on," said Syaoran, smiling gently.

Sakura nodded. She listened carefully and followed Hiroyasu's instructions the best she could. With his enchanted oven, it was baked in a couple of minutes.

She decorated the cake, but could barely look at Syaoran's face when she presented him the cake that she made.

"It's delicious," he said, smiling. Sakura let go of her breath and he passed her the cake. "Try it."

"Good job, Sakura," said the manager. "Here is your next clue."


Toya stopped the butterfly-horse and the two tall blond kids from Sakura's school exited the cab. Flowright, he was sure his name was, didn't stop talking the whole trip but somehow didn't seem to get on the other teenager's nerves. Toya was ready to dump him in the nearby lake.

"Walk down this path and talk to the guy at the booth wearing a yellow cap," instructed Toya. "He'll give you your next set of instructions."

He watched them until they reached past his sight. He then jumped onto the cab and urged the butterfly-horse forward.

He opened his pocket chronophone. Tomoyo's face appeared a few seconds after he called. "I've dropped the blue group and am heading to the east gate."

"Thank you for letting me know," she replied. "Have you encountered any trouble?"

"None, but I'll contact you if I do." He closed the chronophone.

The butterfly-horse was cantering along the cobbled footpath beside the lake. Toya closed his eyes. Where was Sakura now? He opened his eyes.

That was strange. He felt Sakura's presence in the middle of the lake. The last he checked, she was somewhere in the vicinity of the market. She couldn't have come here yet and Tomoyo would let him know if his co-worker had picked her group up instead.

There were a number of rowboats on the water. The sensation was there again coming from the centre of the lake. There was a small white object skimming the surface of the water, ripples forming in its wake turning into waves which churned the rowboats unsteadily.

Toya swore. He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Everyone move away from the lake!"

He concentrated on creating a barrier protecting people close by. The lake was too large for him to make a strong barrier surrounding the whole perimeter but others also seemed to have the same idea and helped contained the waves.

Most of the other boats were heading to the shore, but Toya saw from the corner of his eye a boat in the centre close to the shining white object at the centre of a spinning orb of water. The man with spectacles and a dark ponytail in the boat seemed to be rowing towards it. He reached his hand out towards the object. The orb of water scattered into millions of tiny droplets dispersing in all directions spraying everyone.

The Sakura-esque presence disappeared.

"Hey are you all right?" Toya called to the guy in the middle of the lake. The man waved back in response and rowed to the rental wharf.

Tomoyo flew down on her flying staff.

"Cousin, are you okay?" she said, slightly harried. "I noticed a disturbance from the air."

"I'm fine. The water was acting strangely that's all," he said. He scanned the area. "Everything seems calm now. But I can't be sure if it will happen again."

She had her thinking expression on. His cousin was the mastermind behind Sakura's birthday. All he did was ask his bosses and co-workers if they were willing to participate and she took it from there, handing out the envelopes and instructions.

"It would be safer to avoid this area for now," she said. "When you pick up new passengers, take them to the other locations once they've identified the locations. I'll talk to the others currently doing this challenge now and see if they still want to continue or move on. If it's the latter I'll arrange for their transportation."

"Okay," he said. "Be careful."

She took off to find the blond teenagers and he drove the butterfly-horse onwards.

Toya tried again to find the Sakura-esque presence but could only sense one on the other side of the park.

He arrived at his pickup point by the park's east gate. From the schedule that he was given earlier, it seemed that Sakura and her partner would be his passenger soon. Her partner had better not be that male Li brat.


Author's Notes:

-Happy Valentines Day! I hope that you enjoyed this non-angsty chapter =) Hopefully I didn't confuse anyone with who knows what. Let me know, either through comments or PM and I'll do my best to explain it without spoiling the future chapters.

-Omgosh. Trying to figure out how to describe what everyone was wearing in Tomoyo's POV was a struggle. After the New Year's chapter and the first chapter I tried to avoid it, but nope, here I am again.

-For your entertainment, here are some of the clue couplets I made up but didn't put into the story:

Go to where there is music and stalls in an open space,

Find the still performer in such a busy space.

.

The wise king of the snow today wears a paper crown,

help reveal the jewels and metal and then slide down.

.

Fresh fruit and meat you can haggle for a price,

Who you are looking for sells sugar and spice.