Author's Note: Thanx to all who reviewed

Author's Note: Thanx to all who reviewed! Not very many people hated the mean- mom thing. I promise to make things better between Syaoran and his mother, but that will come later. I can't promise about Mei-lin- I'm considering a sequel already and she has a very important part in that. Tell me if u want a sequel and I'll think about it. Also, the action in this story (yes, there WILL be some) is a bit slow. Oh, yeah, S+S romance ahead!

*~* Chapter Four *~*

The Lunch Party

An hour later, Syaoran sat at the head of the dinning room table with his mother on the other end. On his left sat Mei-lin and on his right was an empty chair.

All of the other guests sat along the sides, whispering amongst themselves.

"What's taking so long for the food to get here? I'm starving!" cried Mei-lin.

Sanori spoke up. "We're waiting for Syaoran's guest and Xiefa."

Syaoran frowned. Where was Sakura? Of course she had the tendency to be late, but the knew that she wanted to make a good impression with his family and being late wouldn't help her position at all.

'Is she hurt? In danger?' He was just about to get up and look for her when the door flew open and Xiefa stepped in.

"Soooory we're late!" Huffed Xiefa. "All my fault." She pulled Sakura into the room. "Don't be shy," she hissed.

Sakura hesitantly stepped in, aware that every eye was on her.

Syaoran held his breath. He thought that she looked beautiful. She was wearing a vivacious red gown, low cut in the front, tight in the waist and loose beyond that.

But there was one problem- everyone else had on calm colors like blues and whites and greens. Li's never wore red. Sakura stuck out like a sore thumb.

Mei-lin snickered.

Sanori pursed her lips. "What you are wearing is unacceptable! Go back to your room and-"

"It's all right, Mother," interrupted Syaoran. "I think she looks wonderful." He stood up and took her hand, leading her to the empty seat next to him. "Besides, I'm sure everyone here is ready to eat."

Conversation slowly resumed as the butlers and maids brought in plates of food on larger silver platters. Sakura smiled as her wineglass was filled with a rusty colored fluid and her plate of food was sat in front of her.

"This is so cool!" gasped Sakura.

Syaoran smiled. "Hey, I'm sorry about my Mom. My family's a bit old-fashioned."

"It's okay. I should have asked if there was a code for dress or whatever . . ."

"Nonsense!" spoke up Xiefa who was sitting next to Sakura. "Sanori's just being stuffy! I love your dress and you have the right figure for it."

Sakura flushed. "Thank you, Xiefa."

*~*

On the other end of the table, Sanori watched as her son and Xiefa engaged in a conversation with the Kinomoto girl. She was going to mess up all of her carefully laid plans!

Manoa turned to Sanori. "Why is Syaoran giving all of his attention to that hoyden and not to my daughter, his SOON TO BE FIANCEE?" she hissed.

Sanori shifted in her seat. "I wish I could tell you the answer, Manoa. But I promise, the wedding will go as planned."

"It had better. We've planned this merging for years and no tramp is going to destroy it." Mei-lin's mother glared at Sanori. "I want you to toast to their marriage so that this girl won't get any ideas into her head."

Sanori nodded and stood up, clearing her throat. All conversation died down as she raised her glass.

"I'd like to make an announcement," she began. "As you all know, my son Syaoran will be taking over the position as Li clan leader. And the leader of the clan must choose a wife, one of exemplary birth, grace, and connections. So, I proud to announce Syaoran's upcoming proposal to Li Mei-lin, my beautiful niece." Sanori snuck a peek at the Kinomoto girl, whose face had turned a pale color. "May they have many happy years and be blessed with a large family."

The Li clan clapped in approval.

Syaoran sat still as Mei-lin smiled at everyone, obviously happy. He then glanced at Sakura. She was sitting as still as he was, looking at the floor.

'What have you done, Mother? Have you ruined my chances with her?'

*~*

Once everyone was released from lunch, Sakura slowly made her way up to her room. She felt numb. She couldn't believe that Syaoran was marrying Mei-lin.

She couldn't deny that she wanted to be with him.

"Sakura! Wait up!" She stopped walking, hearing Syaoran's voice behind her.

He caught up with her. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and began to climb the large, winding stairs. He gently grabbed her elbow, stopping her and pulling her close to him.

Syaoran stared down at her. "Don't give me that. I can see it in your eyes that you're upset."

She sighed. "I . . . guess I was just shocked when I heard that you and Mei-lin were getting m-married."

He nodded. "I'm not sure about the marriage thing Sakura. I don't lave Mei-lin that way and I'm thinking about calling off the marriage."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes. And besides, I think . . . I love someone else. And I want to marry her, if she wants to marry me."

Sakura wrinkled her nose and smiled at him, placing a hand on his chest. "Of course she'll want to! You're the nicest guy I know."

Syaoran smiled back at her. Now all he had to do was somehow work up the courage to tell her how he felt . . .

*~*

Most of the Li Clan stood outside of the dining room's large doors, watching the exchange between Sakura and Syaoran.

Whispers of curiosity arose form some of the Clan.

Mei-lin gasped when she saw how close they were standing. She got even madder when Sakura rested her hand on her soon-to-be-fiancé's chest. "Do something, Aunt Sanori," she hissed.

Sanori frowned. They were already closer than she'd thought. He son had never accepted signs of affection from girls before. Her son looked so happy with her . . . maybe she shouldn't . . .

Don't be foolish, Sanori! A vice in her head cried. You must do this!

"Oh, Syaoran, I need you down here!" Sanori let out a sigh of relief as they backed away from each other.

Her son said something else to the girl, which made her smile and then approached them.

"Yes, mother?" he asked, sounding annoyed.

I'm sorry Syaoran, but . . .

"Come with me into the dinning hall. There's some people I want you to meet . . ."

Once they were gone, Mei-lin went off. "Just who does she think she is, trying to ruin my marriage? I swear, when I get her alone, I'll let her have it!"

Xiefa rolled her eyes. "They weren't doing anything wrong. Syaoran was just concerned about Sakura. They're friends, after all."

Feimei's eyes widened. "Oh, Xiefa, do you know that girl?"

"So her name is Sakura . . ." muttered Fuutie.

"Tell us about her, please," moaned Fanren.

Xiefa shook her head. How could she be related to these puffballs?

Author's Note: I actually edited this chapter to make Sanori seem not so harsh and uncaring. Not many people complained about it, but I think I noticed one. This time, Mei-lin's mother took care of that, also for the purpose of the possible sequel. Sorry for the short chapter, but my computer wouldn't open the file for a while and it got messed up so I didn't know where the chapter ended. (Like anyone cares.) Please R+R!!