Author's Notes: Thanx to all of the people who reviewed

Author's Notes: Thanx to all of the people who reviewed! I was hesitant to post my story but now I have more confidence. All of my chapters are pretty long . . . sorry! But I've got soooo many ideas floating around my head . . . anyway, up ahead are arguments, surprises, brotherly love and the departure. Go ahead and read already!

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Disclaimer: Don't own CCS.

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*~* Chapter Two *~*

"NO WAY! NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!!"

Sakura glared at her brother. "I was asking DAD, not you!"

Fujitaka sat down at the kitchen table. He looked at his daughter. She really wanted to go, he could tell. It was written all over her face.

"I haven't seen him in so long! And he's moving to the next point in his life, one that he's been working towards for a long time. I want to be there for him, that's all!" Sakura protested.

"Well . . ." began Fujitaka.

"Nope," stated Touya. "So what? He's obviously up to something. I mean, we haven't heard a word from the twerp for who knows how long and then, out of the blue, he invites you to his home for the Christmas break?! I don't think so!"

Fujitaka cleared his throat. "Um . . ."

"Syaoran's not a pervert, Touya, like you seem to think he is. He's a nice guy."

"Yeah, and he was being nice when he attacked you that time!"

Sakura paled. She hadn't wanted her father to hear about that . . .

Touya turned to his dad. "That's right! He attacked her, Dad. He's crazy, yelling something about Clown Cards or whatever like a little freak!"

Fujitaka smiled knowingly. "Yes, Touya, I know. He told me all about it."

They stared at him, their mouths hanging open.

"WHEN!!" they both shrieked.

"Just before he left, I believe. He told me a lot of other things, too. Very personal stuff. I understand that Syaoran's father is dead? Well, I guess it was like a father and son chat. The boy had a lot of stuff to get off his chest." His smile widened. "Actually, I probably know more about him than you do, Sakura."

"Wow, I never knew," Sakura whispered in awe. "So, you'll let me go?"

Her father nodded. "Of course, sweetheart."

'The boy needs you,' Fujitaka thought.

"YEAH!" shrieked Sakura, jumping up and down. "Thank you so much!"

Touya frowned and walked out of the kitchen. "Don't come crying to me when it turns out he wants somethin' from you, monster . . ."

Syaoran

The answer is yes! After a few minutes of debate, I finally got a yes from him and a big frown form Touya. Speaking of my Dad, he told me that you two had a man-to-man talk before you left. What exactly did you two talk about? And WHERE WAS I??

Anyway, send the details for my dad and I soon. I'm looking forward to the trip!

Sakura

Syaoran, after sending his e-mail to Sakura, went downstairs to the Li Clan library to find a book on discovering the meaning of a dream. He wished he had something like the Clow Cards so that he could use them.

He headed to the section where they kept all books related to magic. He scanned a few titles until he found one that looked useful. Hidden Meanings by an unknown author.

Syaoran blew the dust off of it and carefully opened the old book. The pages were turning yellow and the leather cover looked a little burnt. It looked as if a few pages were missing. And every word was handwritten.

He closed it up and headed for the exit. Syaoran decided to take it, just in case a strange dream popped up. When he turned around, he slammed right into someone.

There stood Alan, a smirk on his face. "What are you doing here?"

Syaoran glared at him. "I'd like to ask you the same thing, Alan."

His cousin glanced at the book he held. "Hidden Meanings? Having steamy dreams, Cousin?"

"You must be talking about yourself," he muttered, rolling his eyes and stepping past him.

As Syaoran walked away, Alan called out, "I think some Cherry Blossoms would liven this place up a bit- don't you agree?"

Syaoran froze. It was the middle of winter. There was snow outside. And there were no Cherry Blossoms on the branches.

Sakura . . .

He shook his head. Alan knew nothing about her. He was just being his usual strange self.

*~*

Syaoran immediately checked his mail when he returned from the library. There was a message from littleblossom2000, whom he guessed was Sakura.

He read the mail and smiled. He then went back downstairs to make the plans for her trip.

*~*

Sakura found herself constantly checking her mail the next morning. Finally, at 12:09, she got Syaoran's mail.

Sakura-

I'm glad you can make it. I've already called the airline. All you have to do is go up to the ticket counter and tell the person there that you have a reservation under the name of the Li family. Show your ID and then you'll be given your ticket. I'll be at the airport waiting for you, so don't worry about that. Your flight leaves tomorrow at five o' five am. Don't be late like you were back in our Card Capturing days.

Bring some classy stuff- you know, ball gowns, gloves, whatever fancy junk you girls wear.

Anxiously awaiting your arrival,

Syaoran

P.S. Wear some sneakers to the airport. You'll need them!

Sakura smiled. "This will be so much fun!" she cried, jumping up and down on her bed.

Kero raised an eyebrow at her. "Well, I ain't goin'. No way, not to that brat's house."

"Who'll feed you? Get you new video games?"

Kero sniffled. "Awww, man! This is so unfair."

Sakura giggled. "There will be tons of food at this party, Kero. I'm sure you can eat there."

Kero hung his head in defeat. "Okay. I guess I have no choice."

Sakura began to pack her things, pulling trunks and suitcases out of her closet and from under her bed. She threw any outfits that looked worthy for the trip onto her bed several pairs of shoes at the end of her bed. Sakura dug for her CD player, CDs and other junk. She also grabbed her Gameboy, just for Kero.

Touya walked past her room, then stopped, looking inside. "Whoa, monster! Did a hurricane fly through here or something?"

Sakura's head popped out of her closet. "I'm packing for my trip. I leave tomorrow."

"Short notice, huh?" Touya snorted. "Do you need to bring all of that?"

"Syaoran's family is real classy, so I want to impress them." Sakura glanced at the pile of clothes sitting on her bed. "Oh, I wish Tomoyo was still here! She'd be able to whip me up a couple of ball gowns in two seconds."

Touya could see the obvious panic in her face. He reluctantly pulled out his wallet. "How much, monster?"

Sakura's eyes widened. "Oh, Touya, you can't buy me some dresses!"

He tossed a few bills onto her bed. "That should pay for four dresses, Sakura."

"I don't need that much. The party only lasts for two days."

"Well then, buy two really nice dresses." He looked at his sister as she stood there, her mouth hanging open. "Well, go on! You've got a lot to do!"

She grabbed her money and hugged him. "You're the best brother a girl could have."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . I know . . ."

*~*

Sakura returned home, carrying two new gowns with a smile on her face. She finished packing and by nine PM, she was ready for bed.

Fujitaka smiled at his daughter as she placed the last of her luggage at the door. Her face was flushed with excitement as she surveyed the cases in front of her.

"I think that's everything!" she huffed.

He smiled. "Then you should go to bed. Tomorrow's a big day."

Sakura nodded and kissed her father's cheek. "Thank you so much, dad. I appreciate it."

Fujitaka led his daughter upstairs and tucked her in, kissing her forehead. By three thirty the next morning, Sakura was awake and showered. She slipped into her clothes- a pair of tight black pants that widened at the bottom and a large green sweater. Sakura was careful to put on sneakers, just as he'd asked.

"I wonder why . . ." she muttered.

"Huh?" questioned a sleepy Kero.

She shook her head. "Um, nothing. Into my book bag, Kero."

He obediently flew inside and within minutes, was asleep.

Sakura bounded down the stairs and accepted a glass of o.j. from her brother and a donut from her father.

After the quick breakfast, they headed to the airport.

Once they were there, Sakura went up to one of the counters. "Uh, my name is Kinomoto Sakura and I have a reservation under the Li family name."

The woman raised an eyebrow and typed something into the computer. "ID please."

Sakura pulled it out and handed it to the woman. She carefully looked at it, then her, and then handed it back.

"You must be someone special, Miss Kinomoto," the woman replied as the ticket was printed.

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, these are the best seats on the plane, reserved for Li family members and honored guests. We hardly see anyone get these seats. They're the best of the seats in first class."

Sakura flushed, embarrassed by the luxuries Syaoran had prepared for her. "I'm a friend of one of the family members . . ."

The woman smiled as she handed Sakura the ticket. "You're very lucky. Have fun."

They reached the gate just in time to here them announce that they were boarding. Sakura turned to her family and smiled. "I'll miss you guys. I promise I'll bring a souvenir."

Touya reluctantly smiled. "Say hi to the brat for me, okay?"

Sakura hugged him and laughed. "Of course."

She hugged and kissed her dad bye and then joined the line of people boarding the plane.

Fujitaka placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "She'll be fine. He's not going to hurt her."

Touya sighed. "They just grow up so fast . . ."

*~*

Sakura marveled at the sight of her seat. It was quite large and plush, made out of leather. She was apparently sitting by herself and she had tons of legroom. Sakura smiled and sat down.

A flight attendant approached her. "Miss Kinomoto, I would like to inform you that you'll be the first to leave the plane when we arrive in Hong-Kong."

Sakura nodded. "Why?"

"Safety reasons," was all she said.

She sighed and looked around. 'I've got to travel first class more often,' she thought giddily. She sat back and prepared for take off.

*~*

Syaoran stood in the empty airport gate with a few of his bodyguards. Behind him, the police and airport security guards were keeping reporters and other curious people from coming closer. He heard the reporters shouting all sorts of questions.

"Who's the mystery guest, Li Syaoran?"

"Male or female?"

"Is it another candidate for your wife?"

"Why the heightened safety?"

"Where's this person from?"

He ignored all of the questions and kept his eyes on the window, looking at a plane land on the ground. The people became more anxious behind him as the tunnel between the plane and the airport connected. In a few minutes, out stepped Sakura, looking more beautiful than before.

The people behind him began to take pictures like mad.

Sakura noticed him and smiled. She gave him a big hug. Syaoran returned the embrace, amazed at her beauty. Her loose, waist-length brown hair was silky and those green eyes were as big and beautiful as ever.

"What's going on here? Who are they expecting?" Sakura asked.

"You," smiled Syaoran. "Everyone monitors the Li Clan around here. Let's go."

Surrounded by bodyguards, they quickly approached another exit. This one was free of reporters and people.

"Wait! My luggage . . ."

"My guys have it," Syaoran told her as they approached a door. He peeked out of a small window and cursed. "Looks like the media found the limo."

The guards went out before them and pushed the people back.

Syaoran took her hand and pulled her out into the frenzy. People immediately surrounded them, shouting questions.

Somehow, as they neared the car, Sakura's hand was forced out of Syaoran's. They were separated.

The media surrounded her, asking questions.

She finally shouted out. "I'll tell you one thing! If you let me into the limo, of course."

Everyone was quiet.

"My name is Kinomoto Sakura."

After that, she jumped into the limo and it sped off.

"You handled that nicely," replied Syaoran.

She smiled. "Thanks. You know, we haven't said the proper hellos yet." Sakura pulled Syaoran into a hug again. "It's nice to see you again." She pinched one of his muscles, giggling. "My, haven't we grown?"

He flushed. "You don't look too bad yourself." Syaoran flushed even more.

Sakura laughed at his red face. "That was wild back there! I had no idea . . ."

"That my family was that popular? We own a lot of businesses all around the world, so we're like local celebrities or something." He paused. "Your Cantonese is very good. Where'd you learn it?"

"I took it in school. I was hoping that I would be able to come here someday, so I picked it up." She glanced out the window. "Is that your house?"

Syaoran nodded.

Sakura eyed the large mansion as the got closer to it. A menacing spiked gate in the front and a tall brick wall surrounded it. All that Sakura could see over the brick wall were two giant old-fashioned towers pointing to the sky. "Wow," she whispered.

As the limo pulled up to the gate, they found themselves surrounded by reporters. The vehicle slowed down and several security guards got out and began to shove the people out of the way.

Syaoran took a deep breath. What would his family say when they saw Sakura?