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1 Chapter Nine

1.1 Minna, arigato for the reviews!!! Now I have 12!!!! (happy dance) yatta!! Okay, now it gets good! DISCLAMER: I don't CCS even though I wish I do.oh well.

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*Sunday, Kinomoto Residence*

Sakura was sitting in her room, staring out the broken window. She wasn't doing much except for the staring into the abyss part. She became aware of someone running up the stairs [Tomoyo...] Tomoyo had been coming over every day for the past two and a half weeks. The door flew opened and Tomoyo was standing there.

"Sakura, get dressed!"

"Why?"

"Cause we're going out to the park. It's a gorgeous day and you've been in here too long. It's time to move on, forget that jerk." Sakura sighed.

"Easier said than done..." [Don't you realize your attempts are futile Tomoyo?]

"I'm not taking 'no' for an answer. Get dressed, eat lunch and you're coming out with me whether you like it or not! If you refuse, I'll dig up an old costume and make you go outside, in public, wearing it!!" Sakura cracked her first smile in two and a half weeks.

"Fine Tomoyo. I'll do it."

"Yea!" by one 'o clock she was ready and Tomoyo had dragged her to the park. Tomoyo was talking about recent events at school, but Sakura wasn't really listening. Around four 'o clock their stomachs were growling so they got some ice cream at a little cart. Sakura wasn't really paying attention to it and soon the ice cream was dripping down her hand. Tomoyo giggled.

"Sakura, if you don't eat it, it'll melt all over your hand."

"Huh?" she looked down "Hooee!" she started frantically licking her cone and hand. Tomoyo laughed and popped the end of her cone in her mouth.

"I'll be back, I'm going to the bathroom. Stay right here."

"Hai Tomoyo." Tomoyo walked in the direction of the bathroom, leaving Sakura by the fountain. When Tomoyo was out of Sakura's sight, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Sakura turned and found herself staring into Syaoran's amber eyes. She gasped and her ice cream fell to the ground with a loud splat.

"Shao... Li."

"Sakura... I need to talk to you..." She looked down.

"Why?"

"You never gave me a chance to explain." He looked around. Some people were staring. "Can we talk somewhere more private?"

"I'm waiting for Tomoyo."

"Please?" he pleaded. Sakura looked up and found his eyes again.

"... All right..." she sighed, "Lead the way." He led her to a grove of trees away from prying eyes. "What do you have to say?"

"What you saw that day wasn't what you think."

"Right. Let me guess. you were giving her CPR?" Syaoran sighed.

"Sakura, she kissed me! I... I don't know what she did, but I couldn't move... she's surprisingly strong."

"How..." tears stung her eyes and she gulped "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"You'll have to trust me..." he stepped closer to her "I never wanted her to kiss me. In fact, I don't even consider that a kiss. There wasn't any feeling behind it. It was like kissing a dead fish." A small giggle escaped Sakura's lips "Besides, I'm saving by first kiss for someone very special." Sakura looked up and saw the sincerity in his eyes. Her tears spilled over and she flung her arms around his neck.

"Syaoran." she whispered through her tears.

"I'm sorry Sakura... I've made you cry again." He slipped his arms around her waist.

"It's alright. I've just missed you... so much..." she pulled him closer, never wanting to let go. He pulled back and stared into her eyes. He smiled and whipped her tears away. Sakura smiled "I must look so messy now..."

"No... you look as beautiful as always." Sakura blushed.

"Sakura?" She turned to find Tomoyo standing behind them. She was walking toward them with a grin on her face. "I take it you two have made up?"

"Hai." Sakura nodded.

"I knew you guys would eventually. I'm afraid Kero-chan won't like this." She giggled "Syaoran-kun, why don't you kiss her?"

"Tomoyo!" Sakura exclaimed. They both blushed.

"Fine, don't kiss her." Tomoyo rolled her eyes "But we should get going. My mom wants me home by five 'o clock."

"Hai." Tomoyo started to walk away and Sakura followed but Syaoran grabbed her hand and stopped her.

"Sakura, I think we should settle things with the Reimeino's. I have a lot of stuff to tell you." Sakura nodded.

"I know, but let's wait a little bit. I want to spend some peaceful time with my friends." She gripped his hand. He smiled.

"Hai." They followed Tomoyo, hand in hand.

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*The next day, Tomoeda Senior High*

Sakura had finally come back to school and everyone was really happy to see her.

"Is everything alright?" Chiharu asked. Sakura stole a glance at Syaoran.

"Hai. Everything is back to normal."

"That's good. When you're sad, everything seems very depressing." Rika said. Sakura blushed.

"Arigato Rika-chan." Mizumi and Tenkou walked into class. When Mizumi saw Sakura and Syaoran together, her mouth dropped open.

"What the hell! I thought I had pried them apart for good!" Mizumi whispered to Tenkou [Good for you Cherry Blossom!] Tenkou thought. A small smile crept across her face. Later that day at lunch, Sakura was walking toward her table when she was stopped be Tenkou.

"Hello Cherry Blossom."

"What do you want Tenkou?"

"I just wanted to apologize on the behalf of my siblings."

"Why?"

"I feel bad. I never wanted them to o that to you and Little Wolf. It makes me ashamed of my heritage." Tenkou looked to the ground " I don't understand why Kano wants this so badly. He never intended to hurt you at first. Over the years... I think something in his soul died... and he became too much like Father. And Mizumi is even worse. She follows Kano around like a lost puppy and always does what he says. It's sickening. Chino never disagrees... in fact he barely talks, so he's no help."

"Then why don't you just leave? Refuse to do this."

"The problem is that they've threatened me. Kano said if I do something like that, I'd die along with you and Little Wolf." Sakura was horrified.

"They'd do that to their own sister?"

"Nothing will stop them from their goal... absolutely nothing."

"Tenkou!!" Tenkou cringed when she heard Mizumi's voice.

"I gotta go. Later Cherry Blossom." Tenkou ran over to Mizumi. Sakura stood there watching Mizumi and Kano yell at Tenkou. Syaoran approached Sakura, who was now glaring at Mizumi.

"What did Tenkou say to you?" she ignored his question.

"You were right Syaoran. We have to settle this now. It's getting outta control." She put her tray down and stormed over to Kano "Kano!" He turned, annoyed.

"Nani?"

"We're gonna settle this."

"When, now? What's the sudden interest in getting your but kicked?" Sakura ignored the comment.

"I feel there's no reason for you to kick Tenkou around that way. Tonight, ten 'o clock, at King Penguin Park. We're gong to deal with it tonight."

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*Later that day, outside the Kinomoto Residence*

It was five 'o clock. Sakura was walking over to Syaoran's apartment. She had told Fujitaka she was sleeping over Tomoyo's but was really going to Syaoran's apartment until it was time to go to the park. It was easier to leaving without worrying about her family. She showed up at his door and knocked. After a few seconds, the door flew open. Syaoran was standing there in just jeans. His hair was wet; it was obvious he had just gotten out to the shower. Sakura blushed when she saw his bare chest.

"Kon... Konichi wa Syaoran."

"Konichi wa." He blushed "Do you. come on in." He let Sakura in and closed the door "Make yourself at home." She sat on a couch while Syaoran ran into his room to get a shirt.

"I like your new apartment Syaoran." He came out, wearing a white tee shirt.

"I do too. It's bigger than my old one." He sat next to her "What exactly did Tenkou say to you today to make you challenge Kano like that?"

"Tenkou isn't like her siblings. She's a sweet and kind person who never wanted to hurt us... but Kano threatened her so she wouldn't leave. If we defeat them tonight, Tenkou will be free to do what she wants... I just hope we can reason with them first."

"I don't think they want to talk." Sakura yawned.

"Yea, I guess..."

"Are you tired?"

"A little. I haven't been sleeping very well lately..."

"You wanna take a nap? You can use my bed."

"That's sweet of you. Sure, I could use a nap."

"Come on, my room's this way." He led her to his bedroom.

"Arigato Syaoran." She yawned again and hugged him.

"You're welcome." On an impulse, he kissed her forehead and she blushed "Now, get some sleep. You don't want to be falling asleep while using the cards tonight." She nodded.

"Could you wake me up around 8:30?"

"Hai." He turned and left, closing the door behind him. Sakura climbed under the covers and inhaled deeply. She smiled [The sheets smell like his cologne.] Her eyelids fluttered and she fell asleep immediately. A few minutes later, Syaoran stuck his head in and smiled [Sleep well, my cherry blossom.]

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Neko-chan: (sniffs) That was. so beautiful!!!

Lunar-chan: Yes. it was very romantic like. (Smiles)

Neko-chan: I'm glad they made up. They are so kawaii together!

Sakura: I'm not angry anymore Lunar-chan.

Syaoran: Neither am I.

Kero-chan: I AM!!! I THOUGH I WAS FINALLY RID OF THE GAKI!!!!

Lunar-chan: I said, NO MORE YELLING!!!!!!!! (The wind from Lunar-chan's yell blew Kero-chan across the room) Don't make me put you back in the book again. I will reapply the duck tape.

Kero-chan: (sprawled on the floor) Ha. Hai. I'm gonna be good now.

Lunar-chan: Good. Now, in our next chapter (drum roll) there is the FINAL BATTLE! (Gasps from the crowd)

Sakura: Finally. I thought it would never come. I am so sick of these people!

Neko-chan: Well. I think you'll like the ending. I know I did!

Lunar-chan: Shhh! Don't give anything-away Neko-chan! (smiles) Okay... I'm not posting the next chapter until I have 15 reviews, so only 3 more people have to review! I'll see you peoples soon [hopefully] in chapter ten! PEACE!!!