Author's Note: GEEEEE, sorry!!! I didn't mean for this to take so long to write, but I had writer's block, SOL's a.k.a. standards of learning (stupid tests the state makes me pass of I can graduate form high school), AND I was sick! Not a good week for me. Anyway, who else is going crazy, waiting for some new CCS episodes?! I know that they won't take it off the air- remember that contest for kids who want to be voices for CCS characters. But this is ridiculous! I have nothing to watch but reruns of my other anime shows (except for Digimon, which, unfortunately, is building up to the season finally)! If anyone has any news about new CCS episodes in USA, then tell me please!
UHHH, anyway, S+S ahead, more evil Alan crap and less Mei-lin.
I think I lied about the S+S mush in my A/N on the other chapter . . . this was hard to write!!!!
*~*
Disclaimer: Don't own CCS. Clamp does.
*~*
This chapter picks up where the last left off.
*~* Chapter Fourteen *~*
A Family Divided
Sakura smiled and wiped her eyes, looking up at Syaoran. "It's been a long night," she whispered. "And I'm sure that no one is expecting us in the ballroom. We should go to bed."
Syaoran nodded, realizing that she was trying to be strong. "Yeah." He took her hand and led her up the stairs and to her room.
They stood outside of Sakura's door, not knowing what to say.
After a few minutes of silence, Sakura took Syaoran's hand. "Stay with me tonight."
Syaoran just stared at her like she was crazy. "What are you saying?"
"I mean, we don't have to DO anything, but I would feel a lot safer if you were there with me." And I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I've got this feeling that . . .
He stared deeply into her eyes. "Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"Alright. Let me get some things form my room and I'll be over as soon as possible."
Sakura nodded again and stepped inside her room, closing the door behind her. She would be honest with herself and Syaoran- she had no intentions of taking their relationship to THE next step. All Sakura wanted to do was be held by him.
Sakura glanced around the room for any sings of Kero. She spotted a note on her dresser.
Hey Sakura-
I went to stay with Xiefa for the night. She's got some awesome games and stuff, even new Xylon
Kero
P.S. How'd the marriage thing go?
Sakura let out a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't have to deal with Kero's big mouth telling her that she was crazy for letting 'the gaki' spend the night with her.
Sakura quickly slipped into a nightgown and sat at the vanity. She began to brush her hair, waiting for Syaoran.
She jumped up when she heard three soft knocks on the door. She rushed over to it and opened it a crack. When Sakura saw Syaoran on the other side, she happily stepped back to let him in.
"Hey," he whispered. His eyes strayed to her nightgown. It was made of some green silk. The front was cut into a V and sort of low. The fabric hugged all of her curves.
"Man," he moaned. "Could you put on something different? Please."
Sakura looked puzzled, then smiled. "Sure!" She scrambled into the bathroom and came out later with a totally unappealing white gown on.
"Thanks," he sighed.
Tonight's gonna be a long one . . .
*~*
Sakura hopped into the bed once Syaoran headed into the bathroom with his bag. She scooted all the way over to the wall and closed her eyes.
Moments later, Syaoran emerged from the bathroom. Neither of them said a word as Syaoran joined her into the bed, wrapping his arms around her. For several minutes, they just lay like that.
"Syaoran?"
"Shhh," he whispered into her ear. "Go to sleep."
"I want to talk to you . . . please . . ."
Syaoran opened his eyes and looked down at the top of her head. "What's wrong?"
"I-I just get the feeling that the duel . . . you won't win."
Syaoran said nothing for a while. "I know. I feel it too."
Sakura looked up at him, her green eyes wide. "What?"
"I've been getting that feeling, but I didn't say anything because I didn't want to scare you."
She felt tears well up in her eyes. "But . . ."
"But things will work out the way we want them to. Eventually."
"How can you be so optimistic? You're going to . . ."
Syaoran sighed. "I shouldn't have said anything. Look, this what we're feeling- it doesn't necessarily have to be true. Alan will not succeed Sakura. You have my word."
Sakura nodded, forcing back the tears. "But can we spend tomorrow together?"
Syaoran smiled. "Yeah. I'd love to. Now go to sleep, my Cherry Blossom."
Sakura snuggled into his chest and closed her eyes. I hope you're right, Syaoran. I really do.
*~*
The next morning, Sakura slowly opened her eyes to find herself alone in the bed. What . . . where'd he go? Is he okay?
She let out a sigh of relief when she noticed Syaoran sitting at her desk, his head in his hands.
Without turning around, Syaoran said, "Morning. How are you?"
"Fine. You . . .just scared me, that's all," she mumbled, climbing out of bed and stretching.
"Sorry. Why don't you take a quick shower and then we can go down for breakfast."
Sakura stared at his back. His voice was strange . . . like a mixture of sorrow and love and hatred, all rolled into one. I wonder what's wrong with him . . .
She reluctantly grabbed some clothes and headed into the shower.
Syaoran stared blankly at the wall. What am I going to do? I can't shake this feeling that I have. And I know I'm scaring Sakura. Just when she needs me the most . . .
He was pulled out of his thoughts by soft knocking on the door. Syaoran went up to it and opened it.
"You!" he growled. "What do YOU want?"
Alan snickered. "What are you doing in here? Have you been here all night?"
"THAT is none of your business. Now go away- Sakura wants nothing to do with you." Syaoran began to close the door.
Alan stuck his foot in the door. "Why don't we let Sakura be the judge of that?"
As if on cue, Sakura, dressed in nothing but a long pink robe, came out of the bathroom. "What's going on out here?" she asked Syaoran.
Alan shoved past his cousin and stepped into Sakura's room, his face twisted into a furious scowl. "Why is he in here while you're half-dressed?!" he demanded.
Sakura flushed, then tilted her head up, as if snubbing him. "I don't owe you an explanation."
Alan roughly grabbed her arm, pulling her close to him. "You're my fiancée as much as you are his!"
Syaoran's eyes narrowed. He grabbed his cousin's shoulder and pulled him away from Sakura. "Don't you lay another hand on her!"
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Alan roared.
Sakura stepped in between the two. "Stop!" she cried. "Please!"
Syaoran stepped away from Alan. "Get out," he hissed.
"Yes, Alan, please. T-that would be for the best."
Alan glared at both of them. He turned to Syaoran. "If I fond out that you two-"
Sakura sighed. "Look nothing happened! Just go."
Alan reluctantly left, shooting one last glance at Sakura.
She sighed when he was gone.
"I'm sorry," muttered Syaoran. "I wouldn't have opened the door if I'd know it was him."
Sakura smiled. "That's okay. Now, let me get dressed so that we can get some breakfast."
*~*
Ten minutes later, they headed down stairs to the dining room. As Syaoran had feared, most of the Clan sat at the table, waiting for their appearance.
They must be hungry for some gossip or else they would have all eaten breakfast at their usual time . . . Syaoran thought, frowning. He didn't want Sakura to hear anything rude that they might say about her. He slipped his hand into hers as they approached the table.
Syaoran pulled out a chair for Sakura and sat at the head of the table.
Dio cleared her throat. "Do you honestly think, Syaoran, that you should be sitting there?"
The whole dining room became silent. Syaoran glared at her smug face.
"I belong here, Dio, but the question is, do you? You're so fickle that you were ready to accept me when Mei-lin was going to be my fiancée, but you hate me now that I'm going to marry Sakura," he replied coldly. "People like you have no place in such a high position like you have. Maybe you should think about that."
Dio turned a bright red. "Alan's mother was my friend. Now that he qualifies for the position of head Li, then I will stand by him."
Before Syaoran could reply, Sanori stood up. "Please! No more of this. I fully stand behind Syaoran's decision and I believe that he will win the duel tomorrow."
"Now of course you would say that," replied another Li who was against Li's decision. "He's your son. But do you realize what he's about to do?"
"Yes," agreed someone else. "The Li Clan blood lines have been pure for over five hundred years. This girl is not-"
"I know what you all are thinking," interrupted Syaoran, "but Sakura's father is half of the reincarnated Clow Reed." (A/N: That sounded weird . . .)
"Only half!" Dio protested. "And I don't think that counts!"
Sakura watched in silence as a heated debate arose. Kero was right- the Clan could be harsh . . .
She was tiered of it all. She stood up. "QUIET!"
The people inside the room fell silent, all staring at her.
"I really hate to see all of you fighting this way. And I'm sorry that a lot of you don't like me, but I'm not going anywhere. I love Syaoran, and I'm going to stay by him no matter what." Sakura looked at al of the stunned faces. "I really didn't mean to cause any trouble," she said, her voice softer. "But once this whole fighting thing is over with, I want to become friends whit everyone in the family. I'm not really a bad person . . ."
Syaoran smiled at Sakura. She had guts to stand up to all of them.
"Syaoran, I, uhh, don't feel like breakfast anymore. Let's go."
*~*
Syaoran was worried about Sakura. He kept his gaze on her frowning face as they walked in the garden. Something's wrong, I can tell. Why won't she tell me anything?
"Sakura what's wrong with you?"
Sakura tuned to look at him. "Hmm? Oh, nothing." She grabbed his hand and stopped him from walking. She buried her face in his chest, tears threatening to spill over her cheeks. "Just hold me."
Syaoran stared down at the top of her head. What is going on? I'm so confused! She's being so moody . . .
He didn't ask her any questions and rested his chin on the top of her head, closing his eyes. They stood like that for a while until someone interrupted them.
"Well, isn't this sweet?"
They turned around to see Alan and Mei-lin standing behind them. Mei-lin's eyes were furious as she glared at them.
"What do you two want?" muttered Syaoran. Those two pop up in the worst places possible.
Alan kept his eyes on Sakura. "Don't you think I'm entitled to a little time with Sakura? After all, she's my fiancée too," he said innocently.
Syaoran made fists with his hands. "Like I'm going to let Sakura go anywhere with you alone!"
"Oh, come on, Syaoran," sneered Mei-lin. "Don't you trust Sakura?"
Syaoran glared at her. "It's not that I don't trust her. I just don't trust HIM."
Sakura sighed. Couldn't she have one peaceful moment with Syaoran? "I'll go. I'll be fine, Syaoran."
He hesitated. "Okay . . ."
Alan smiled, taking her hand. "Don't worry- we'll be back in a few minutes."
*~*
Sakura followed Alan helplessly as he led her into the shrine room in the garden. She stood with her back against the door, just in case she had to make a quick escape.
"What did you want?"
Alan gently placed his palm on her cheek. "Can't I just spend some time with you?"
Sakura turned her head away from him. "Say what you have to. I want to get beck to-"
"Syaoran! I hate him!" Alan turned away from her. "Don't get your hopes up- he won't win tomorrow. I will, and then I will have all that I've ever wanted."
Sakura glared at him. What's he up to this time? "What makes you so sure that Syaoran won't defeat you?"
"Because, my dear, I've got a fool proof plan. Nothing can go wrong."
Sakura took in a deep breath. "What plan?" she hissed.
"Oh, like I'm going to tell you! Then you'll run off and tell your little wolf everything." He snorted. "I'm not stupid."
She opened the door. "I despise you. You're nothing but a-"
He quickly grabbed her wrist. "You'll be singing a different tune once we've married."
Sakura shook him off and left. Syaoran has to be careful. I don't know what Alan's planing, but it can't be anything good.
She returned to Syaoran who was standing in the exact same spot he'd been in before. He swept her into his arms when he saw her coming.
Mei-lin glared at them. Alan told me that I would have him! Why's he going through with this duel?
"I've got to tell you something," Sakura whispered into Syaoran's ear. "It's important."
Syaoran stared deeply into her eyes, seeing the seriousness in them. "Okay. Let's go into the house."
Mei-lin stood there, fuming. He just ignored me! I'm going to get Alan!
"What's up, cousin?"
She whirled around to face Alan. "You promised me that I would get to have Syaoran!"
Alan smiled mysteriously. "Oh, you will. Don't worry, you will." Dead or alive . . .
*~*
Sakura's room . . .
"And he has some plan, Syaoran. Just . . .please be careful! That's all I ask."
Syaoran stared at the floor. "Don't worry- I will. Now let's put all of that behind us. How about we go out for breakfast. I'm suddenly hungry again."
Sakura smiled at him. Yes . . . everything will be fine. "Sure. Let's go."
Author's Note: SIGH That was a disappointing chapter! It wasn't my best work. The next chapter will be better. The big fight with a surprise ending! Hopefully I'll have it posted by Sunday at the latest.
