Fallen Through

By: Callista Miralni

Hello! First Fallen Throughupdate of the new year! The fic's been going strong for three years now with 146 reviews so far! I know I didn't update much last year and the year before and I got really behind with the story, but hopefully this year will be better.

During my off-years from the story, I learned a lot, emotionally and mentally. I'm hoping to put these experiences in the story, seeing as how Fallen Through relies solely on emotion, not just detail, to achieve the effect that seems to keep you guys reading, reviewing, and loving this story. I really want to thank all my reviewers, the new and especially the old, for your constant support and encouragement. Without you guys, there would be no story!

So I've decided that over the summer, when I have more time, I'm going to take all the chapters so far and edit the "fanfiction" element out of them, creating a story that is uniquely my own. It'll be posted on fictionpress(dot)com so look for it there under the same title. Who knows, the fiction version might do just as well as the fanfiction does!

So, without further ado, I, Callista Athene Miralni, present and take no credit for the original CCS:

-Chapter Twenty-Six-
-Stripped: Coming Out with the Truth
-Eriol-

"So, care to tell us the truth?" I asked, leaning back lazily in my armchair.

Kinomoto-san looked at me suspiciously. "Why do you want to know? You're not friends with my sister. None of you are, except for Meiling here."

Tomoyo-san looked at him angrily. "Yes we are! We may have not known Sakura-chan as long as Meiling-chan has but we care about her! Kinomoto-san, please tell us. We want to help heal Sakura-chan, to help her become the person I know she really is inside."

"It's not a pretty story." Kinomoto-san said grimly.

"And we're ready to hear a tragic fairytale." I answered back.

-Flashback: Nine Years Ago-

"Wahhh!! Meiling-chan, why do you have to leave?" Seven-year-old Kinomoto Sakura wailed, clutching on to her Chinese friend's arm.

Rae Meiling choked back her tears. "The Elders want me to. They want me to work as a gymnast professionally."

"Calling all passengers on Flight 294 with service to Hong Kong. Repeat, all passengers on Flight 294 with service to Hong Kong, you are boarding the plane now."

"Write to me Meiling-chan! Promise me we'll be friends forever!" Sakura said, holding out her pinky.

Meiling stared at her friend in shock but then smiled and locked her pinkie with Sakura's. "Friends forever."

-Five Years Later-

"Watashi wa Amai Kaori desu. Hajishimashite, minna-san." A girl with dark brown hair bowed in front of the class.

Sakura regarded her passively before returning to staring out the window.

Whatever...

-At Lunch-

"Hey- can I sit here?"

Sakura looked down and saw Amai-san underneath her cherry tree, waiting for a response from the silent girl.

"I don't care." she answered indifferently and continued to eat her onigiri.

"Say- you don't talk much or hang out with the other kids, do you?"

Sakura jumped down and mockingly applauded the girl. "Thank you Captain Obvious. If you'll excuse me, I have something to do in the art room."

A week later, the friendship was born.

A year later, the tyranny began.

-One Year Later-

"Did you see him, Sakura-chan? The new Chinese exchange student? He's so hot!"

Sakura stiffened at the mention of 'Chinese exchange student.' "No Kaorin, I didn't. What's so special about him?"

"Li Syaoran, Sakura-chan! Li-kun is so hot!" Kaorin squealed.

The two 'friends' reached their lockers. "By the way Sakura-chan, did you finish my essay?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Hell no. Do your own homework."

Kaorin froze and regarded her coldly. "Do as I say, Sakura-chan. One thousand word essay, is that so hard? After all, you should be grateful to me for all that I've done for you, kaijuu. One slip of my mouth and all your darkest secrets would be spilled to those who abhor your existence."

Sakura glared at her with an equally cold stare. "We're in the eighth grade Amai Kaorin. Don't threaten me with your empty threats."

Before Sakura even registered what was going on, Kaorin had pulled a pocket knife out of her pocket, grabbed Sakura's slim wrist and made a cut, drawing blood. The girl gasped at the sudden pain from her wrist and clutched it tightly, hoping to stem the blood flow.

"Maybe this will teach you not to mess with me Kinomoto Sakura."

"That, that, bitch cut her?!" Meiling screamed horrified.

Kinomoto-san nodded. "Not just cut, but Kaorin also physically beat Sakura up without giving her a chance to fight back. My sister was usually held down by the jocks who were three times her weight. You could possibly guess the rest seeing as how quickly I know gossip spreads around Seijuu."

"I do remember hearing that Sakura-chan cuts herself." I said. "Even the outcasts, rebels, and nerds feared her, for we thought of her as being dangerous and volatile."

"They say Amai Kaorin was wrongfully expelled by Sakura-chan because Sakura-chan lied to the administration and claimed that Amai-san was abusing her. I suppose that while everyone thinks that Amai-san was unfairly punished, I think that it was rightfully deserved now that I know the real story." Tomoyo added.

Nakuru took a step forward and spoke up for the first time since Kinomoto-san started telling Sakura-san's story. "Do you realize that you're now sworn to protect Sakura at all costs?"

We jolted in shock. "What do you mean?" I demanded. Is this some kind of sick induction into a secret cult?

"Kinomoto Sakura cannot reveal her identity to the general public, as she promised her father. Can you imagine the consequences behind that, especially since Sakura has a death threat hanging over her head? Kaorin would be ten times more famous if she managed to murder a sixteen-year-old multi-platinum recording artist. She'd get even more publicity for murdering Sakura than she would if she had ruled as Seijuu High's queen." Mizuki-sensei answered.

"We also know that Amai Kaorin is even more volatile and unstable than my sister. Did you know that Kaorin ordered her older brother Masahiro to rape Sakura when they were freshman? Masahiro, being a jackass, was only too happy to comply. He lusted after Sakura and if I hadn't walked in the room when he was about to do it..." Kinomoto-san shook his head ruefully.

"Don't worry Toya-san. We'll protect Sakura. After all, I think we've been doing that since we met her." Meiling reassured the man.

I turned away and stared out the window. Sakura-chan, with such a gruesome and dark past like that, I couldn't have blamed her for turning cold.

I couldn't, even if I tried, understand the pain that she was going through just living each and every day.

-Monday-
-Seijuu High-
-Sakura-

I walked through the hallways in a daze, my mind totally focused on the events that transpired last Saturday night. I had woken up in an unfamiliar room, wearing someone else's clothes, and to Li Syaoran's face.

Do you have any idea how discomforting and scary that is?

Yeah, sure, my scream woke him up from his nap. It also warranted a visit from Meiling next door who had heard me scream. I was so embarrassed, and come to think of it, I'm still embarrassed.

"Er... Kinomoto?"

I jumped slightly, my body tensing at the sound of the tenor voice. "What?" I asked, hoping my cold mask covered up the anxiety I felt inside.

Li regarded me oddly. "Are you alright? You look kinda spaced out."

Speechless that he was able to read me so easily, I brushed away his concern and answered, "I'm fine."

He followed me all the way to class. I forgot that we had sixth hour Religion together.

"Sakura-chan! Li-kun! Over here!" Tomoyo waved me over to the table where Meiling, Eriol, and she were sitting. We walked over towards our group and sat down, waiting for Kenji-sensei to start class.

"Okay class! Today's marks the final week in which our friendship project will come to a close on a daily basis in the classroom. We will be doing some wrap-up class work and yes, there will be an essay!"

"Essays? Why?" One of the jocks, I think it was that dumbass Riku, yelled. "That screws with soccer practice! Isn't that right Captain?"

All eyes focused on the teen beside me. "Well, that depends on the essays that Kenji-sensei gives us." Li answered evasively.

Kenji-sensei grinned at the Soccer Team Captain's favorable response. "You heard him Yamato Riku. Li-taichou says that homework comes first."

"Anyways, your essay will be private and personal thoughts regarding the people that you have befriended and learned about these past nine weeks. I know I said that at the beginning of this project that the due date would be at the end of the school year. Yes, this due date still holds true, but this week concludes the Morality portion of the project."

"You may be wondering why you're taking Morality to begin with. Morality is often associated with religion, right? But what we're studying is essentially religion, not in the Shinto, Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, etc. sense, but in the core principals of world religions. The moral values that help to shape and either better or worsen the declining morality of modern society. The school dearly hopes that by the time you graduate and enter the real world, you would have had instilled in you by your families and by the school some basic moral values that will help to better our society. Friendship is one of these moral values, but so many of you have so many friends! How are we to differentiate between our true friends, the ones who will lift us up and support us, and those who call themselves our friends for mere convenience? We can't. How are we to make new friends among all classes of society when we are too afraid to extend a kind hand for fear of our reputation? This is the true purpose of this project."

I quietly listened to Kenji-sensei's explanation. His words rang true in my mind and I stored this lecture in my memory, hoping to use it in a poem or a song later on.

"Your essay will consist of an introduction, three or four body paragraphs, depending on the number of people in your group, and a conclusion. Proper MLA format will be required. You are also required to use the twelve sentence structure that you use in your English class." Kenji-sensei explained. "This essay is due two weeks before the end of the school year. Which, by the way people, is in four weeks and that's not a lot of time. The faculty will know if you are 'bull-shitting' your essay and you will fail this required class. Do I make myself clear?"

The class mumbled a sort of "Hai, Kenji-sensei" before he let us have the rest of the class time to talk amongst ourselves.

"So Sakura-san, why did you cut your hair?" Eriol asked me suddenly.

Beside me, Meiling fingered the short honey-brown tresses pulled back in a ponytail. "I think it's cute Eriol."

"I needed a change." I answered. "Long hair is too troublesome when everyone in the junior class wants to skin you alive."

"We don't want to skin you alive." Li muttered from my other side.

I glared at the teen. "Well, you seem to be the exception to every rule created." I answered scathingly.

Li flashed me a lazy smile. "Damn straight I am."

"So, what're your plans for the summer?" Tomoyo asked, quickly changing the subject to maintain peace.

Meiling groaned. "Gym, gym, gym, and oh, did I mention gym?" She moaned, fixing her cousins with a pointed glare.

"Hey- not my fault. With me it was either compete in martial arts like you are with gym or play soccer for Seijuu and college." Li shrugged.

"I'm not doing anything." Eriol answered. "What about you Tomoyo-san?"

Tomoyo beamed. "I'm launching my designs this summer. Right now, I'm working on a deal to have Sakura Athene be my first promotional star. I might get to go on tour with her this summer!"

I raised an eyebrow, trying to remember if Ayame mentioned anything of the sort to me before. Gritting my teeth, it hit me then that my cousin-turned-manager was cutting deals with Tomoyo behind my back. Some cousin she is.

"I need to get a job." Li mentioned off-handedly. "What about you Kinomoto-san?"

Coming from Li, the question caught me completely off guard. "Umm... I think I'm touring all summer with Sakura Athene. She's doing a tour all over Japan and needs help backstage." I lied right on the spot. Well, it wasn't technically a lie- I was touring all summer but not as a backstage hand.

"Really? Maybe Syaoran could get a job with Miralni-san. That would be cool." Meiling piqued.

I could feel Li's gaze on me. "You'd have to talk to Tsukishiro Ayame then. She's the backstage manager and Sakura's manager." I answered coolly.

"Really then." Li said flatly. "Then I'll go talk to her after school."

Something in his words made a chill run up my spine. The bell rang and I escaped the room as fast as I could possibly go.

-Later-
-Li Residence-
-Syaoran-

Tugging my hair with frustration, I looked at the essay I had written for Daidouji- er, Tomoyo-san. I had already written my paragraphs over Eriol and Meiling but those were easy. I knew them well enough to rattle off their entire life's story for a large audience.

Daidouji Tomoyo is a true friend. She is a caring individual, willing to give others a chance at friendship. To me, she best embodies the qualities of a true friend. Tomoyo-san taught me many things since we started this project. One of them is that despite all appearances...

"People sometimes aren't who they seem. Tomoyo-san taught me that there are some people who are more beautiful and deserving of friendship than others make them to be." I muttered to myself.

Looking at my paragraph again, I highlighted the entire thing and deleted it with the touch of a button. It was crap- I didn't need to be a genius to figure that out.

Deciding a breath of fresh air was needed to calm my nerves, I stepped outside onto the balcony. A familiar figure grabbed my attention at the edge of my vision and I couldn't resist calling out.

"Hey!"

Sakura Athene looked up from the street to see me waving frantically at her from my balcony. She grinned and casually waved back. "Hey yourself Li."

"Why don't you come up here for a while?" I invited. I honestly don't know what possessed me to do such a thing, but whatever.

"You sure? It's getting late- I'm sure you have stuff to do before tomorrow."

"Just get up here Miralni. I wanna ask you something anyways without waking up my neighbors."

The few minutes seemed like ages when my doorbell finally rang, announcing the singer to my home.

"You called?" She teased me, a wide smirk adorning her lips.

"Come in." I sat her down on my couch and disappeared into my kitchen to grab a bottle of soda and the box of chocolate chip cookies (my personal addiction).

"Want some?" I offered, pouring the girl a glass of Fresca.

She nodded gratefully and took the offered glass. "So what's up Li?"

"Wow, straight to the point are we? Let's converse awhile: what were you doing out so late?" I smirked.

She caught on to my subtle sarcasm. "Meeting with my managers at a nearby cafe. We're planning on doing a charity tour throughout coastal Japan. Ayame wanted to get started and organize the whole thing."

I was startled that my opportunity had come so immediately into our conversation. "Really? I heard from a certain somebody that you were looking for backstage help with that tour. Any chance I could join the crew?"

Sakura gave me an unreadable look. "Who told you that?"

"Kinomoto Sakura. Know her by any chance?"

Although it seemed wrong to me at first, looking back on it, I'm glad I took this opportunity to observe. Sakura Athene's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, before settling into one of recognition.

"Oh yeah. Kinomoto-kun's sister. She doesn't talk much but she's a great help to Ayame backstage. Kinomoto-chan's kinda like Ayame's personal assistant."

"Huh, is that so? What else do you know about her?"

She flashed me a wry smile, emerald eyes bright with curiosity. "Why so interested? You know her or something? Or do you have a secret crush on her?"

I flushed, unsure of how to react. Yet again that same comment appeared. How unnerving.

"I sorta know her. We have a class together and she's the one who told me about the charity tour and the backstage help."

"What do you think of her Li-kun?"

I was caught off-guard by the question. What do I think of Kinomoto? She's interesting enough, shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Kinomoto possess a kind of charisma that draws people to her.

"She's not at all the person people claim her to be. If it weren't for my stupidity, I think we would've been friends by now."

Sakura Athene studied me for a moment. After what seemed like an eternity, she glanced at the clock and took note of the time.

"I better go before Kinomoto-kun sends the Army and the Navy after me and turns Tomoeda upside down searching for me. Thanks for having me over." She quietly excused herself.

I showed her to the door. "Thanks for keeping me company for a while." I said, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

She nodded absentmindedly before stepping out the door. I turned to walk back into my apartment when I heard her call my name.

"Li?"

"Yeah?"

"Just for the record," she said, drawing in a deep breath. "You're not at all who people claim you to be either."

I stared after her, gaze unreadable but I flashed her a lazy smile. "Thanks."

Sakura Athene casually waved goodbye before disappearing down the hallway. A sense of premonition struck me as I watched her leave.

It almost seemed as if this wouldn't be the last time Sakura would leave my apartment like that.

-Saturday-
-Daidouji Mansion-
-Tomoyo-

The phone rang in my room. I checked the caller I.D. but did not immediately recognize the name 'Tsukishiro Ayame' or the phone number.

The image of Sakura-chan's homework from weeks ago ran through my mind but I dismissed the thought and picked up the phone.

"Moshi moshi, Daidouji Tomoyo speaking."

"Ah, Daidouji-san. This is Tsukishiro Ayame, backstage manager for Sakura Athene. How are you today?"

Ah, the formalities of keigo. Being born in the upper-class forced one to learn it and to exercise it when the occasion rose. I, of course, was a master at it.

But then again, so would Tsukishiro-san be.

"Fine, thank you Tsukishiro-san. And you?"

The woman on the other end sighed but answered in a cheerful voice, "Excellent. Is now a good time to talk to you?"

"About our arrangement?" I clarified, sitting down at my desk and pulling out a marked manila folder from the file cabinet.

"Yes. If you're available this evening, I would like to sit down with you for dinner, along with a few of my colleagues and Sakura herself to discuss the issue. You are, of course, welcome to bring anyone along with you."

Glancing swiftly at my desk planner, I noticed the evening's slot was empty. "Sure, that's fine with me. Time and venue?"

"Does six o'clock at the Hanabi work for you?"

"Done. I'll see you there Tsukishiro-san." I made a motion to hang up when the manager's voice floated through the speakers.

"Oh, Daidouji-san? There's no need to dress formally- just something comfortable but classy."

I smiled in spite of myself. "Of course."

-Meiling-

I stepped out of the shower from my afternoon workout, freshly cleaned and more awake than I had been all day. Wrapping my hair up in a towel, I quickly entered my darkened room and picked up the clothes I laid out earlier that afternoon.

Tomoyo called and invited me to dinner at the Hanabi, along with Syaoran and Eriol. She was having a dinner meeting with Sakura Athene and her manager about the modeling arrangement Tomoyo spoke of earlier in the week.

I was excited to say the least. I hadn't been to one of these business dinners in so long, not one between a teenager and an adult at least. The last one was when Syaoran was convincing the Elders to let him move to Japan...

"Meiling? You done dressing up yet?"

Speak of the Devil, my cousin himself.

"Yeah." I called through the closed door. "Just give me a minute to do my hair."

Pulling the raven locks into my usual pigtails, I secured each of them with a long, blood-red ribbon. I slid the gold bracelet my mother gave me for my birthday last year and fastened the heart-shaped ruby necklace Sakura gave me years ago around my neck.

"Are you done yet?" I could hear the impatience in Syaoran's voice.

Sighing impatiently, I yanked my door open and stormed out. "I'm dressed. Let's go." I snapped back. Hey, if he was gonna give me lip, there's no way I'd go down without a fight.

It was one of those rare occasions that Syaoran allowed Wei to drive us anywhere in Tomoeda. The imported British Bentley, air-lifted all the way from Hong Kong, was waiting for us in front of the apartment complex. Wei, acting in butler mode, opened the door for us and we slid in.

"The Hanabi." Syaoran said in a cool, clipped voice.

Wei, used to this formality, smiled in spite of himself. "Of course, Bocchama."

-The Hanabi-

"Tsukishiro party."

Upon entering the high-class restaurant, a familiar head of raven caught my eye, escorted by yet another head of raven shot with midnight blue. I smirked upon hearing her voice; Tomoyo sounded exactly like one of those rich snobs that you see on TV all the time.

The maître, also used to this treatment, scanned the seating chart quickly. "Ah, if you will wait a moment, Miss, Kira will escort you to your table."

Eriol nodded and they scooted off to the side to get out of the way for the next person in line. I practically dragged Syaoran over towards them.

"Hey! I'm so glad you could make it!" Tomoyo said softly and with a hint of a smile.

"Tomoyo-san, if I had known you were bringing Eriol along as your date, I would have found someone other than Syaoran to bring me." I smirked.

Tomoyo colored faintly and shook her head. "Iie, that's not it Meiling. Eriol-kun offered when I called him. There's no need to have a date. Besides, Li-kun is always welcome to join us. I invited him too."

"Tsukishiro party? If you'll follow me, I will bring you to your table." A waiter said.

We followed him to the back of the restaurant, to the tables overlooking the garden in the back. The other members of the party were already seated; I noticed that Mizuki-sensei, Akizuki-san, Tsukishiro Yukito-san and Kinomoto-san were all there along with some other girl our age sitting at the opposite end of the table from them.

However, I did not count on Kinomoto Sakura being there, sitting next to that other girl.

I gave Tomoyo a glance, but she gave me a look that clearly read, "Act natural." Sakura-chan did not know that we knew her secret.

Neither did Syaoran.

"Ah, Daidouji-san, I'm glad you brought some friends with you. It would have been boring if it was just us three teens among these old people." The girl spoke, ushering Tomoyo to the empty seat beside her.

I gently pushed Eriol into the chair besides Tomoyo and sat next to him. Across from me, Syaoran took a seat next to Sakura. Her emerald green eyes flashed for a moment, before settling into a pleasant look.

Damn, she was a good actress.

Syaoran showed no sign of discomfort sitting next to the singer. He greeted her politely and with one of his infamous smirks before accepting the menu the waiter handed him.

I was floored. Since when did my cousin do that? To Kinomoto Sakura of all people?

Then I remembered that the teen in front of me was not my rebellious, outcast best friend, but a multi-million dollar celebrity recording artist. She was the same Sakura but at the same time she wasn't.

"I believe some introductions are needed." The teen said, casting each of us a calculating look. "After all, I can't call you guys 'you with the hair' all night long."

Sakura sighed and gave the girl a look. "Ayame, that was a lame attempt at sarcasm."

She sounded just like the Sakura I knew. I worried for a moment that Syaoran would figure out her identity by the end of the evening.

"Sakura, not everyone has your gift of instantaneous sarcastic comments. Those of us without must make every attempt to build their own skill." The Ayame girl answered.

"Tsukishiro Ayame, at your service. I'm the manager for Sakura Athene over here on my left. As you can see, we get along very well."

I was shocked- so was everyone else I think. We had expected Tsukishiro Ayame to be older, perhaps to be Mizuki-sensei's age. But a teen our age? Now that was unexpected.

"We don't get along at all." Sakura grumbled.

Ayame reached over to clamp a hand over the girl's mouth. "Ignore her; she doesn't know what's good for her. After all, that's why I'm her manager and she's the singer."

Eriol, impressed by her bluntness, offered her a hand. "Hiiragizawa Eriol, Tsukishiro-san. It was kind of you to invite us."

"Tsukishiro-san is someone else. Please, I'm Ayame- after all, my brother is here as well and he's also Tsukishiro-san."

Eriol nodded and gave her one of his unreadable smiles. "To my right is Daidouji Tomoyo, but you already know her. And to my left is my cousin, Rae Meiling."

I reached over Eriol to shake her hand. Ayame took it and said, "Rae Meiling? You're the gymnast my grandfather sponsors right?"

"Your grandfather?" I echoed tonelessly. What was she talking about?

"Yeah. He's the owner of Amamiya Tech, your primary sponsor. He's related to me through my mother's side." Ayame answered.

She turned to Syaoran and asked, "And who might you be, fine... young... gentleman who... refuses to give me his name?"

"Ayame you're being ridiculous." Sakura muttered, hiding behind her menu.

I eyed Syaoran, prompting him with my eyes to answer.

"Li Syaoran, Ayame-san. I'm no one important." He said at last.

"Important my ass. I'll bet you five gran that you're related to Hiiragizawa and Rae over here and that you're the heir to Li Corp."

I was stunned- so was everyone else around our side of the table. So she knew exactly who we were. Someone had done their homework.

"My uncle publishes with you guys in your archaeology journal." Ayame explained to answer the silence.

Syaoran nodded and his eyes strayed to Eriol's and mine. I gave him a look, one that clearly screamed, "Be on your guard."

"But enough of that!" Ayame waved her hand. "Let's enjoy dinner first!"

-Later-
-Tomoyo-

It was the dessert and coffee course of the dinner. By now it was about eight o'clock and the main seating area of the restaurant was completely filled with people.

"To business Tomoyo-san?"

I smiled to myself. Ayame was good. By addressing me by my first name, Ayame established an equal connection between the two of us. We were now business partners; with any luck, by the end of the night, that connection would be legally binding and without a doubt.

I pulled out the manila folder from the bag I brought with me. I handed her a copy of the packet I made, complete with full color sketches, materials list, and even a schedule of dates when each outfit could be worn during the summer tour.

"That's a lot of work you've done Tomoyo-san. I only expected rough sketches but you've exceeded my expectations." Ayame commented after scanning the packet.

I handed a pile of papers to Eriol and quietly whispered for him to pass them out to everyone around the table.

"That's a lot of outfits Tomoyo-chan." Kaho remarked as she thumbed through her copy of the file.

"Of course there're a lot of outfits Kaho. You know I make more than I actually use."

My cousin laughed. "How could I forget? Daidouji Designs would be no where without you. Daidouji Designs is you."

I then launched into an explanation for my side of the table. Each design was based on the music genre of Sakura Athene's music. Since the girl sang for the alternative rock style, a unique blend of skater punk and symphonic metal, her clothes must also reflect that style.

"You seem well-versed in different music styles to be able to pick that out." Sakura commented.

"She's a musician- Tomoyo will never tell you, but she's the soloist state champion for our prefecture. And she's the first soprano of Seijuu's choir." Eriol answered, earning himself an elbow to his ribs. I hissed his name to shut him up, blushing furiously.

"I own a few of your CDs and listened to them as I was designing the clothes." I explained my inspiration for the design.

The two nodded and Ayame prompted me to explain the use of the silver sakura petals as music notes on a faded staff splashed onto a black background that appeared so frequently in all the designs

"It's kinda neat. Don't you think we could use that for the next CD cover Sakura-chan?"

The said girl shrugged. "Whatever Ayame. The tour is called "Faded Sakura" to promote that album so why not? Ask Tomoyo-san."

I nodded my consent and promised to send the pattern files via email as soon as I could. We went on, picking out different designs, altering a few here and there to make them more tolerable to the summer heat. We went on, talking for an hour and a half. By the time we finished and closed the deal with a handshake, it was ten o'clock and the late night diners were on their main entrees.

"Ayame?" Li-kun asked as we stood up to leave the table.

"Yeah?"

"I heard you were looking for backstage help and I coincidentally need a summer job to occupy my time. Any chance I could..."

Ayame bounced over to him and seized his hand eagerly. "Oh my God, you are heaven sent. Yes we really need backstage hands... good God, how'd you know? I haven't even given the ads to Nakuru to run in Tomoeda Talks or the newspapers."

Li chuckled nervously. "I heard it from a reliable source."

"Who?"

"No one in particular."

"Right." Ayame rolled her eyes. "Tell me, damn it, so I can give them Hell and an extra-long break."

"Er... Kinomoto Sakura."

I held my breath. I didn't think Li-kun would actually blurt out that tidbit of information. Ayame's threat must have hit a nerve to make the normally tight-lipped Li-kun spill. The entire party seemed to hold its breath as we waited anxiously for Ayame's reaction.

"Kinomoto Sakura?" Ayame repeated calmly. She glanced at Sakura-chan before answering. "Oh, I see."

"Is that a bad thing?" Li-kun asked.

"No, not really. It's just... I didn't expect you to hear that from Kinomoto-chan of all people. Quiet as a mouse, no offence Toya."

The man grunted. "Well, it's not my fault the kaijuu- I mean Sakura- is the way she is. Blame that stupid what's-her-name, Kaorin."

"Now, now Toya, these young adults might be friends with her so watch what you say." Kaho lightly scolded her boyfriend.

Toya snorted. "I doubt that."

Yukito-san laughed. "That's just like you Toya. But Ayame-chan, Li-san is waiting for your answer. You should give it to him before you leave."

The girl colored faintly. "Right. Erm... Li-san, you can work for us. I'll let you know the details later, but you get paid quite nicely for this kind of job. Normally, I would make you hand in a resume and interview you but tonight's enough. Just talk to me sometime after school gets out. Kinomoto-chan would know how to contact me."

-Syaoran-

I nodded in response and turned to talk to Akizuki-san. I was surprised to see her at this meeting. As a member of the press, I didn't think she would be invited to a private dinner party.

"Li-san! We meet again coincidentally! I didn't realize you knew Daidouji-chan." Akizuki greeted me enthusiastically.

"I'm surprised that you're working at this late hour." I answered back.

Akizuki laughed and held Tsukishiro-san's arm tighter. "Working? Oh no, not me. Tonight, I'm here with my boyfriend, Yuki. And I've known Sakura forever, so of course she would include me, if she knows what good for her."

I looked at her. "So that's how you were able to get an interview with her." I mused aloud.

Akizuki gave me look, one that spoke hidden messages in her eyes. "It's all about the connections Li-san. It's all about the connections."

Indeed, it really was.

DONE! At long last! I'm really sorry for the late update, but we switched computers completely and I lost my flash drive that had the chapter on it so I was delayed. On top of all that, I had horrible writer's block. I purposely wrote a long chapter so that angry readers will have something to satisfy themselves with. I'm sorry!

Oh yeah as a note: Bocchama just means 'young master,' typically the heir of a family.

Please review?

Ja ne!
Callista Miralni