Six years earlier.
Syaoran Li was born in Hong Kong and, even though he had four older sisters, he was the heir to the Li Clan. The clan was a conglomerate of important Chinese companies that put the Li family in the ranking of most influential families of the world and it gave Syaoran the status of 'one of the most required bachelors' since he was born.
They were always in the media sight, from business publications to important magazines and of course, gossip tabloids. And that was particularly harsh for Syaoran and his sisters, but clearly, it could get worse.
So, when Syaoran's father, the co-leader of the clan, discovered he had a rare and aggressive form of leukemia, to avoid the spotlights he had to step down and leave everything in his wife's hands. There was a very promising treatment at Tomoeda's University, so he moved to Japan to battle for his life and Syaoran followed. Even though he was only 9 years old, he was very close to his father and couldn't let him go alone, so he transferred to Tomoeda Elementary School.
Life in Japan was easier, no one knew the faces of the Li family, so they didn't have to worry much about paparazzi and reporters. They rented a comfortable apartment that was a perfect fit for both. His father's treatment was progressing, and they were feeling optimistic.
Adapting to a new school would be a challenge, but Syaoran was the heir to the Li Clan, so he had what it takes to succeed. Soon he was one of the best students and a member of the soccer team. He didn't have many friends and a girl in his classroom, Sakura Kinomoto, was a particular pain in his neck. Everything she did, he had to best her, and as a cry baby that she was, there was a clear rivalry between them, until one day it all changed.
Tomoyo had a sick day. Sakura had other friends which were accompanying her to lunch, but none of them was quite the same as her cousin. While the girls were chatting, Sakura was daydreaming and looking at the tree leaves swaying in the wind, until she heard something that perked her curiosity. It was a low mew coming from a bush nearby.
She stood up and said that she'd meet the girls later and followed the direction of the noise. When she got to the particular bush, she saw something she wouldn't have imagined in a thousand years. Syaoran Li, her Chinese colleague was feeding a brindled cat while he petted it.
"Wow!" She let the surprised expression flee her mouth, which startled Syaoran. They stared at each other for a moment. "Li, I didn't know you had a cat!"
Syaoran stuttered "This is not my cat!"
"Good, because you can't bring animals to school," She said with a mischievous smile on her face, "Otherwise I would have to tell on you". Syaoran's face reddened and he stood up to face her but before he could do anything, she completed "But don't worry, your secret is safe with me, I wouldn't put an innocent life in the middle of our quarrel".
Syaoran sighed and sat down, bringing the cat to his lap. "I found her in the street. I can't have a cat back home, so I thought she would be safe here."
"Can I pet her?" Asked Sakura. He nodded and she sat beside him, petting the cat that was purring loudly. "She's so sweet!"
He nodded. "I bring food every day and stay a bit with her. If you promise to not tell a soul I can keep her here and you can pet her too."
"Hoeeeeh! I promise" She said, ecstatic.
He stared at her green eyes for the very first time "Are you sure I can trust you?" and thought that her eyes reminded him of his dad's.
"Let's make a pinky promise then. It's the most sacred kind of promise I know" Sakura offered her pinky finger to him. He warily tangled his pinky with hers and she chanted "I promise on this spot that if I tell a lie may a thousand needles prick me till I die" and smiled at him.
Syaoran felt a little restless. He just made a pact with a rival for the sake of a cat.
"Can I hold her now?" She asked, eyes sparkling. Syaoran put the cat in her lap, cautiously. "What's her name?"
"Persephone," He said, proudly.
Sakura widened her eyes at him. "Why Persephone?"
"My dad told me about this book about Greek mythology, Persephone is the goddess of spring, she's the daughter of Demeter and…" He started to chatter away. Sakura smiled while she petted the cat and Persephone purred loudly.
It was really tough for Sakura to keep her promise to Syaoran and not tell a soul, not even Tomoyo. It had been a few weeks since she found out about the cat and sneaking away was making Tomoyo suspicious that something was going on. In the meantime, Syaoran and Sakura became more friendly towards each other. The old rivalry started to bloom into a strange friendship.
But as autumn passed and winter approached, Syaoran started to worry that something was not right with Persephone. So, Sakura hid the cat in her school bag, and they took her to the vet, only to find out the cat was soon to be a mother and, therefore, school grounds were no longer safe.
"Don't worry Li, I'll take her home and talk to my dad. She can stay there at least until she has her babies and then we can find a home for the kittens" Sakura said on their way out of the veterinary, very excited about bringing the cat home.
"I really wish I could bring her home…" He said, dragging his feet.
"You can come to visit her too" Sakura smiled at him. He sighed. "Oh, that reminds me of something I wanted to talk to you. Can I tell Tomoyo about Persie? She knows something is up and I hate lying to her".
"Persie?!" He snorted but conceded "Fine, you can tell her. It's not like we're going to be kicked out of school now…" And crossed his arms.
"Hoeh! Thank you, Li! I'll tell you everything tomorrow at school! Bye!" And she went on her way back home, waving to him.
Syaoran waived back and felt reassured. He put his hands in his pocket and walked home with a smile on his face, thinking that at least now he was safe. And so was the cat.
Tomoyo's company became frequent, so did her camera. She cherished each opportunity to film whatever happened to Sakura or around them and Syaoran felt an unnerving feeling that he did not escape the paparazzi after all.
Persephone gave birth to four kittens, so Sakura decided that they should have a tea party to celebrate after school. Tomoyo baked a cake and Syaoran's father made him bring a special Chinese tea ("We always have to honor the Li's family name") since it was the first time Syaoran went to Kinomoto's residence.
There they met Sakura's brother, Touya, and his best friend, Yukito Tsukishiro. Touya Kinomoto and Syaoran disliked each other as soon as their eyes met. Yukito, on the other hand, had bewitched the boy… As what happened to Sakura. With Yukito's presence, their rivalry was as alive as ever.
The discussion about the kittens 'names took a long time, so long that Syaoran's father got worried and went to the Kinomoto's residence to pick Syaoran up. When he got there, Fujitaka asked him to join them for dinner.
"Thank you so much for receiving us tonight, mister Kinomoto. It's a pleasure to be so well received in Tomoeda," Syaoran's dad started the topic during the meal.
"You and your son are very welcome, mister Li" Fujitaka smiled in response. Touya and Syaoran squinted their eyes at each other.
"Syaoran Li was very brave to save the cat and the kittens from the street. We should thank him for bringing us together tonight" said Sakura smiling at Syaoran and for some reason, he blushed.
"Y-You would have done the same," said the boy, fidgeting with his chopsticks.
"You both were very brave indeed," said Yukito, smiling at both. Now Sakura and Syaoran's faces were red as beets.
"I wish I knew before so I could film you guys rescuing Persie" Sighed Tomoyo.
"I guess there will be many opportunities to film them together" Touya murmured almost to himself, scowling at Syaoran, who glared back.
After a very pleasant dinner, they sat in the living room to sort out the kittens' names.
"I think the female white kitty should be Lily," Said Sakura, broad smile on her lips "Because her mother is the Goddess of spring and it's a beautiful flower" Syaoran looked at her amused but noticed Touya's glare and faced his hands.
"You're such a sensible girl, miss Kinomoto," Said Syaoran's father, proudly. Sakura smiled at him.
"I agree!" Squeaked Tomoyo.
"All in favor, please raise your hands," Said Yukito. Enough hands rose, and the matter was settled.
Tomoyo suggested that one of the males was named Hermes, another Greek god, which was also approved quickly.
"Unfortunately, due to my poor health, we cannot bring one of the kittens with us, but I would like to suggest a name, following miss Kinomoto's reasoning. There's this gorgeous Chinese magnolia we call 'Mulan', which is also the name of a popular Chinese folk heroine" said mister Li. Syaoran smiled at his father.
"Agreed!" Said Tomoyo and Sakura in unison.
"Well" Started Syaoran, "I was thinking that the last male should be Kerberos. He was Persephone's husband's hound. He protects his pack" He smiled faintly.
"It does have a nice ring to it," Said Yukito. Syaoran blushed profusely and Sakura frowned.
"So it's settled, everyone!" Fujitaka stood, clapping "All of you did an amazing job. Let's continue to take good care of the little ones and hope we can find a happy home for them," all cheered "Excuse me, mister Li, would you like to see the books I told you about" Syaoran's father nodded and followed Fujitaka into his library.
"Touya, shouldn't we study for our test?" Suggested Yukito.
"N-not yet!" Grunted Syaoran and Sakura at the same time. They glared at each other. Touya half-smiled.
"Sorry Yuki, I can't leave the guest of honor unattended in the presence of my little sister" He replied, crossing his arms and staring at Syaoran.
"I'll catch every single frame of it, oh hohoho" Laughed Tomoyo, turning on her camera.
"Li, I need to talk to you alone right now" Squeaked a blushed Sakura, jumping to her feet.
Syaoran did the same and they exited the house.
"What?!" Syaoran stammered.
"Youcantlikeyukitobecauseilikedhimfirst" She said quickly and high-pitched.
"What?" He repeated, taken aback.
"I-I said… Lay off Yukito. He's my brother's best friend and I- I liked him first" She said, fists closed, and face flushed.
Syaoran stammered again "W-What? Y-you are such a scatterbrain!" He said, harshly "Why would you think that I…" He faltered.
"You are so heartless Syaoran Li" She answered, angrily "I wish I would never see you again!" She screamed and ran inside the house, almost bumping into his father and Fujitaka.
"What happened here, Xiao Lang?" His father asked him in Cantonese.
"W-we had a fight" Syaoran replied in Japanese and recomposed himself "I'm sorry, mister Kinomoto. I'll talk to her tomorrow and apologize. It was not courteous of me after all the trouble you had because of us" He bowed to Fujitaka.
Fujitaka smiled "Don't worry young mister Li, I'm sure Sakura's upset about not keeping all of the kittens, but she will come around".
Mister Li bowed to Fujitaka too "Thank you so much for your hospitality and generosity, mister Kinomoto. I hope we can talk more often. I'll return the book soon," Then he waggled his eyebrows to Fujitaka and said in a lower voice, so that Syaoran couldn't hear them "And don't forget my proposal, Kinomoto, we can unite our clans through one of my daughters and mister Touya and through the younger ones."
Both men laughed and Syaoran stared at them, not understanding how his dad could get along so well with his rival's dad.