Author's Note: I'm puttin this one up with Chap. 5 because they're both so short. Anyway, the chapter after this one is about the first party, so it'll be longer.
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Disclaimer: Don't own CCS.
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This begins were the last chapter left off.
*~* Chapter Six *~*
Mei-lin stomped around the Li mansion searching for Syaoran. She wanted to ask him about some things for their wedding- colors, themes, the guest list, location . . .
She skipped down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. Mei-lin glared at Sakura when she and Syaoran stepped into the kitchen from outside. 'What had they been doing out there alone?'
"There you are, Syaoran!" she cried, grabbing his arm. "I was just looking for you. We have some important WEDDING business to attend to," she hissed, putting slight emphasis on the word 'wedding', just for Sakura.
Syaoran glanced at the brown haired girl at his side. He would much rather stay with her instead of-
Mei-lin's shrill voice cut into his thoughts. "Well? We're wasting time standing out here." She pulled him away from Sakura and down a hall. "Your mother and my parents are waiting for us in the library."
Syaoran gave Sakura an 'I'm sorry' look as he was dragged along.
Sakura smiled a bit and twinkled her fingers at him. "Have fun!" she called out.
She sighed when they were gone. What was she going to do?
"Sakura! I'm glad I found you!"
Sakura smiled as Xiefa headed over to her. "Morning, Xiefa. What's up?"
"I thought you'd like to know that Mother, for some reason, has scheduled parties for the rest of the week."
Sakura paled. "H-hoe?" She'd only brought enough dresses for that night's party and the one on Thursday.
"So that puts my brother's proposal date on Friday instead of Thursday," continued Xiefa until she noticed Sakura's expression. "Is something wrong?"
She grasped the older girl's arms. "Yes! I don't have that many gowns! I only have two, not four."
"Oh . . . well, how about we go shopping?" suggested Xiefa.
"I don't have much money . . ."
Xiefa shook her head. "Just get your coat on. I'll take care of everything."
Sakura did as she was told and met Syaoran's sister in the foyer. "What are you planning?" wondered Sakura.
"I shall foot the bill."
"You can't do that!" she protested. "It's too much."
Xiefa winked at her. "My grandmother left me a ton of money, which will all probably go to waste. A few gowns won't put a dent in my wallet."
Slightly convinced, Sakura joined Xiefa in the limo.
"The place I'm taking you is the best in Hong-Kong. I'm sure you'll find two more gowns that'll fit you perfectly there."
Tears of gratitude formed in Sakura's eyes. "Thank you. You'll be the sister I wish I had."
'If I have my way,' thought Xiefa, 'you'll be my sister-in-law, which is close enough for me.'
It took the girls about an hour to pick out two gowns and matching accessories for Sakura. All of the items were quickly placed into large boxes and carefully placed in the limo. Along with the gowns, gloves, jewelry, shoes and hair things, Sakura got make up 'specially made for her complexion' and fans matching her dresses.
Despite all of the junk stuffed into the back of the limo- there wasn't enough room in the trunk- the girls still had enough room.
"Oh, that was fun!" gasped Xiefa as they headed back to the mansion.
"It was," agreed Sakura.
"And Syaoran will be blown away, along with everyone else in the room, when everything we bought is put together! Especially Mei-lin."
Sakura smiled at Xiefa. "You really want me to be with Syaoran, don't you?"
"Of course. I can see that he cares about you."
She frowned. "Then why hasn't he told me how he feels, if it's true?"
Xiefa stared out of the window. "He was taught that feelings made a weak man, a weak leader. And that's why he was always so serious when he was younger, I guess. But when he returned from Japan, he'd changed. He actually talked to me when I asked him what brought along his revelation. He gave credit to a girl, whom he didn't name, but I can guess was you."
Sakura smiled. "I never knew . . ."
*~*
Syaoran's attention drifted as he sat in the library with his mother, Mei-lin and her parents, listening to their wedding suggestions. Like their was going to be a wedding between the two for them.
His gaze wondered to the window where he saw Sakura and Xiefa climb out of a limo. 'They left?' he thought. His eyebrows lifted as several of the work staff came form the house and began removing packages form the car. A LOT of packages, in all shapes and sizes. Without thinking, Syaoran got out of his chair and went over to the window.
"What . . ." began Sanori. She joined him at the window and then pursed her lips when she saw all of the commotion outside. "Are all of those Xiefa's?"
The others had come to watch too.
"Well, I want to know!" Mei-lin left the library. Everyone followed her. They got to the foyer just in time to hear Xiefa order, "Jut place all of the boxes in Miss Kinomoto's room!"
Sanori could not believe her ears. Where had that chit found the money to buy all of that?
"What in the devil is going on?" snapped Sanori. All of the maids and butlers stopped in their tracks. "Well?" she demanded.
Xiefa stepped into the house with a pale Sakura behind her. "Oh, hello!"
"Xiefa," Sanori growled, "what are you doing?"
"I was just getting all of Sakura's belongings into the house. After all, you caught her off guard when you decided we were having four parties instead of two." She paused. "Syaoran told you we were having two parties, correct?" Xiefa addressed to Sakura.
"Yes," she replied.
"So we had to buy some things, that's all."
"Wait a minute," ordered Mei-lin. "Now I know that Kinomoto's father is no millionaire. How'd she pay for all of that."
Sakura winced. 'Here it comes . . .'
"I bought it all for her."
There was silence form the group.
Mei-lin broke the silence. "You never bought anything for ME and I'm going to be your sister- in-law!"
"Calm down," soothed Xiefa. "You've got plenty of money. Besides, Sakura and I are really close friends." She looked at the help, who were hovering around, unsure of what to do. "Just keep taking those boxes upstairs."
Xiefa met her mother's furious gaze. 'I won't let you destroy Syaoran's life, Mei-lin. I will fight you till the end.'
Author's Note: We're getting closer to the BIG stuff. Keep reading and R+R!
