I Just Wanted a Normal Life
By: pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS or the characters. But I did make up the additional ones. But they come later.

Chapter 2: Secrecy

Kinomoto Touya looked up as he heard footsteps bounded down the stairs. His eyebrow raised. It was impossible for his little sister to be up already! It was way too early for her. He looked towards his father who was sitting at the head of the breakfast table who only return a slight shrug. Seeing the short girl enter the kitchen, he chuckled. "Kaijuu? You're awake already? There must be some mistake. You never wake up early." He never passed up an opportunity to tease her even though he always received a painful stomp on his foot.

But today, Sakura didn't even seem to notice which was quite a surprise. "Ohayou..." she merely said, taking her usual seat at the table.

The onii-chan frowned as he observed his little sister's groggy expression, dark circles under her eyes, and the way her school uniform seemed to have been carelessly thrown on. Of course, being his overprotective self, he was curious and absolutely worried about her. She rarely looked this way and she had always been known to be quite the energetic type. "What's wrong, kaijuu? You look tired."

"Yes," Fujitaka added in concern for his only daughter, "you do look tired. Did you get enough sleep last night?"

She merely shook her head as she started eating the breakfast in front of her. At least it wasn't cold like it usually was. Today, since she had gotten up early, it was warm. "It's nothing." But of course, she was lying. Something was on her mind. And it bothered her a lot.

Touya let out a disbelieving grunt as their father looked on with worry. It was weird seeing his sister like this. "Now I know something's definitely wrong with you. You're not even mad that I called you your favorite nickname," he said, taking a bite of his breakfast. He glanced at his father, mentally asking if he knew what the problem was. But Kinomoto Fujitaka had no idea either and gave his son a baffled look.

Sakura frowned a bit at that as she played with the food on her plate. "That's not my favorite nickname and nothing's wrong. Don't worry about me so much."In fact, she truly was thankful that her family was as caring as they were. But right now, she only wanted to think quietly. She was still thinking back to her visit to Syaoran's apartment yesterday. There had to be a reason why he had recklessly stayed out in the rain and got a fever. And she had a feeling it had to do with someone important...really important. He was keeping secrets and although she tried hard not to be so nosy, she couldn't help but wonder what the secret was. And besides that, she had realized how alone he felt. Having a stark clean yet dull apartment like that had to reflect on your soul. And Syaoran was...well...blank. She truly was worried about him now. "I...I was just thinking about something last night. I couldn't get too much sleep..." she added, her voice low.

The two men glanced at each other. Obviously, Sakura was having quite a problem. All three heads turned as they heard yet another voice join the conversation. A groggy, annoying, high pitched voice that is. "You mean you were thinking about someone."

"Kero-chan," Fujitaka acknowledge with a slight smile. "Ohayou." He set a plate down for the small guardian and lay five whole pancakes on it with sugary syrup. It was his favorite. Ever since Fujitaka and Touya found out about Kero, it didn't take Fujitaka long to figure out which foods were his favorite. It actually had taken them a while to get used to a flying stuffed bear that really was Sakura's guardian, but they had come to terms with it. The three got along rather nicely although Touya always complained about the bear saying that he always ate food that they were saving for dinner.

Kero's comment drew Touya's attention and he looked curiously at the little bear. It was expected of the big brother to suddenly get defensive of his little sister. It happened a lot...especially when Sakura was around an amber eyed brat. Oh how Touya hated that Chinese gaki. Why? Well, Li Syaoran was getting a little too close to his sister. And it was obvious to the naked eye that the two could be more than just friends. Touya just hoped that the reason she hadn't stayed up late last night wasn't because of him.

It was his father who asked the question that was on Touya's mind. Fujitaka was as curious as he was and if something was bothering his daughter, he wanted to know what it was. "You were thinking of someone, Sakura?"

When she merely kept eating her breakfast, Kero responded for her, also as curious as the other two. "Well, she was dreaming of someone that's for sure." He had heard her say a name in her sleep as she tossed and turned. It was a name he rather loathed and he was wondering why the heck she would be thinking of that annoying pest.

"Of who?"

The guardian cleared his throat, a vein popping in his temple. "The gaki." Oh how he hated that kid and how he always acted like he knew everything. He had especially hated Li Syaoran when he first met him when he and Sakura were competing for the ownership of the Cards. That boy had been so stuck up and rude, yet now he and Sakura were practically best friends!

Immediately, the older brother spit out the coffee which he had been drinking. So his fears were confirmed. She had been thinking of him. "NANI!" he shouted in outrage, as he slammed his hands on the table causing nearly all of the components to go flying in the air. "Why would you be dreaming about that gaki?"

But no one replied. Sakura had already left the breakfast table before Touya had even exploded. She obviously didn't feel like talking at the moment.

Fujitaka sighed as Touya gripped onto the table menacing, almost looking like he was about to kill someone. Touya didn't particularly like Li-kun and Fujitaka knew why. That boy and his daughter had a relationship that could develop into something more than friendship any time now. As long as Sakura was happy, Fujitaka didn't mind. But obviously, Touya had a grudge on the boy for some reason.

But now, something seemed to have happened between Sakura and Li-kun. The concerned father only hoped that everything would turn out all right for them.

The usually cheerful girl met up with her best friend on a street corner, walking slowly and in a daze. It surprised Tomoyo mildly because Sakura would usually be rushing out, apologizing for being late in meeting with her. But today, she had come earlier than usual. The amethyst eyed girl looked at Sakura carefully. The girl didn't even seem to realize she was there. Sakura seemed to be in her own little world. Tomoyo just hoped that nothing bad had happened. Maybe this had something to do with Sakura's visit to Syaoran's apartment?

Sakura couldn't help but seem so passive today. Syaoran just seemed so distant yesterday and she was worried about him. What if he was in some kind of trouble? What if something bad had happened back in Hong Kong? Then a sudden thought made her frown. What if he had to return to China? She didn't want that. She absolutely didn't want that. She just knew it would feel so empty without him. Lately, she had been developing some new feelings for him...feelings that she had never felt before. Could it be that she liked him? It surely felt like the way she felt about Yukito those many years ago except much stronger, deeper. No. It couldn't be a crush, could it? Is wanting to be with him every second a crush? Is secretly watching him a symptom of a crush? It seemed so much more though. The way his eyes would always bore through hers when he talked to her...the sound of his slight chuckle reaching her ears...The way he would always help her out in dire situations...

Tomoyo looked at her friend's face in curiosity. Sakura was definitely in deep raven haired girl wanted to find out what had happened. "Sakura?" But she didn't get a reply. "Sakura?" she said a bit louder. Yet, the girl seemed to be oblivious to Tomoyo's calls. Finally, Tomoyo let out a slight smile and screamed, "SAKURA!" straight into her friend's ear.

The girl nearly jumped in confusion and surprised. She laughed slightly as she realized her best friend had been trying to get her attention. "Oh gomen ne, Tomoyo-chan. Something's been on my mind recently."

Tomoyo lifted a curious eyebrow. So she was thinking about something. And Sakura had been thinking pretty deeply about it too. "I can tell," she replied, a smirk forming on her lips as an idea formed in a mind. "Did it have something to do with your visit to Syaoran's house yesterday? Maybe something kawaii had happened and you're not telling me? Hmm?"

The other girl immediately blushed a deep red as she realized what her friend was implying. Something going on between her and Syaoran? N-No way... "T-Tomoyo! Nothing out of the ordinary happened! I just dropped by and he was sick in bed so I helped him." She looked at the cement ground deep in thought again, thinking about how Syaoran had been avoiding her eyes, trying to keep a secret within himself.

Tomoyo noticed the distant look on her face and immediately got serious again, leaving the teasing for another time. "What happened, Sakura?"

"Well..." Sakura started slowly, about to explain the situation. Maybe Tomoyo would have an explanation to all this...and to her growing feelings towards him. "It's Syaoran...he-"

"What about me?"

The two girls nearly jumped out of their skin as they turned to look behind them where the voice came from. Dark brown, unruly hair and amber eyes caught their attention as they realized the familiar figure and stopped walking towards their destination so he could catch up. It was Syaoran, looking much better than how he looked yesterday much to Sakura's relief.

"Syaoran-kun, I'm glad you're feeling better," Sakura said sincerely as she looked at him. No longer did he look weak or tired. He looked well rested and back to his regular self...almost. She caught him distinctly look away as she stared straight at him. There was that distinct glint of secrecy still...and she almost couldn't take it anymore. Although Syaoran wasn't a particular open person, he would still tell his closest friends what was bothering him.

"Thanks..." he said quietly. He couldn't look at her. He just couldn't. Syaoran knew that if he did he would regret making that choice with his mother...the choice to become the Li clan leader. Because...he'd miss her...immensely.

Tomoyo suddenly felt uncomfortable as they all stood there quietly. Syaoran felt even more closed up than before and was avoiding eye contact. What was Sakura about to say? Something about Syaoran? Would that explain why he was acting rather strange right now?

Coming up behind them, a fellow friend noticed the tense atmosphere in the air. "Looks like a party and I wasn't invited," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement behind his glasses. What had happened? Why was it suddenly all uncomfortable?

"Ohayou Eriol," Tomoyo said cheerfully, trying to break the ice. Yet she didn't seem successful.

Eriol gave her a confused look and she only shrugged in response. They had no clue what was going on. And it didn't seem like the two would start talking any time soon. Finally, Eriol cleared his throat and decided to do something about it. "Glad to see you're well, my little descendant," he said, a smirk growing on his lips. He was content when he saw Syaoran turn to him and glare like usual. "What happened to you yesterday? Did Sakura visit you?"

Still glaring, Syaoran nodded. Oh how he hated that guy...especially when he called him that stupid nickname. Then, turning to Sakura, he realized how he hadn't thanked her properly for stopping by the day before. "Um...Sakura?" he said shyly, averting his eyes away every so often. "Thank you for that...that..." He remembered the way she had suddenly kissed his forehead and unconsciously blushed. Damn. He hated when he blushed, which was pretty often. It always made him feel like a complete fool. "Erm...for helping me yesterday."

Sakura gave a small, sheepish smile. "No problem...I'm afraid I didn't help much though."

Syaoran shook his head immediately. That simple, innocent kiss on the forehead? That had helped...a lot. In fact, he thought that it was the reason he got better so fast. He had wanted to get better so he could go to school the next day to see her. "Oh no, you helped." He paused, the blush growing. "...Believe me."

Tomoyo and Eriol saw the interaction and smirked slyly. Something had happened...and they knew it by the apparent red tint on Syaoran's cheeks.

"Are we...missing something here?" Tomoyo asked ever so innocently. "What happened at Syaoran's place, Sakura?"

Sakura remembered the quick kiss on the forehead she had given him and blushed despite how much she knew Eriol and Tomoyo were going to tease her. Oh no...not in front of Syaoran! "N-Nothing! It's nothing!"

But the two matchmakers knew better. Tomoyo walked over to her and pointed at her bright red face. "You call this blush a nothing? Hmm?"

Eriol laughed, following her example. "Don't tell me, Sakura," he said, acting like Syaoran wasn't there although he was fully aware that he was. "You two probably kissed, didn't you?" Laughing even more at how the two faces grew even redder, he couldn't help but add more. "Tsk, tsk...Sakura why would you want to kiss someone as hideous as my cute descendant?"

A vein popped in Syaoran's head as he glared daggers at the azure eyed boy. That Hiiragazawa...he annoyed the hell out of him! "I'm standing right here, you know!"

Tomoyo giggled, whipping out her camera and focusing it on Syaoran and Sakura's faces. "Oh, how kawaii! I guess we were right after all, Eriol! They did kiss!" He zoomed the camera on Sakura's face. "Well? How was he?"

"T-Tomoyo!" she shrieked as she stuttered in embarrassment. "W-We didn't do anything like that!"

The other girl smiled innocently. "But do you admit that you'd want to? Honestly?" The camera focused in at Sakura's red face.

Syaoran looked at the emerald eyed girl, wondering what she would say. Of course, he was hoping that she'd say that she did...and oh how happy he would be if she said that. But it was impossible...right?

As Sakura stood there, stuttering incoherently, Eriol went up to Syaoran and whispered something in a low voice so that only he could hear. "I bet you imagine her lips on yours all the time, ne? Or maybe even a bit more? You pervert..."

The Chinese boy's face looked like a ripe tomato as images of what Eriol had said appeared in his mind. Embarrassed but filled with anger, he lunged towards that annoying little four eyes. "Why you-!"

Eriol dodged easily and grabbed Tomoyo's hand even though she was still recording. "Uh-oh. Maybe I went overboard. Let's get out of here before he eats us, Tomoyo," he said laughing while running away at the same time. Tomoyo didn't protest as she let herself be rushed towards the school, laughing quite loudly. She had gotten some really good footage of the two blushing next to each other.

As the two who were left behind watched their friends running away, they only heard one thing:

"KAWAII!"

Tomoyo...she'd never change.

Left alone with her, Syaoran, still embarrassed by all that was said, looked down and couldn't help but crack a smile. He was still angry at that darn reincarnation of Clow Reed and at that video camera freak girl but...they were his friends. He was used to it even though it embarrassed the heck out of him. Syaoran couldn't help but thinking...how much he was going to miss all of this. All this teasing...all the blushing...all Tomoyo's tape recording...All of it. His smile disappeared almost instantly as he realized how much he was going to miss.

His companion noticed the sudden changes in his expression and her worry got a hold of her again. "Syaoran...?"

He seemed to snap out of his reverie and he looked at her apologetically. "Ah, gomen ne," he said, his voice low, "something's just on my mind."

After a bit of silence, she walked towards him and lifted her hands to touch his face. It instantly caught his attention and he looked at her without averting his eyes. Sakura looked back, her emerald eyes boring into his. "Are you okay? You're hiding something…and I'm worried about you, Syaoran." A slight blush caught her cheeks once again. "I...I don't like seeing a frown on your face."

Syaoran was touched at her consideration, however he didn't reply for awhile. He guessed he owed her an explanation...he owed all of them an explanation. Besides, they'd have to find out sometime. He sighed, gently pulling away from her warm hands. "I'll tell you guys after school."

"Hoee?"

The school bell rang in the distance as they realized they had spent too much time lagging behind. Syaoran turned to her, a slight smile on his lips. "Come on Sakura let's go. We don't want to be late." Grabbing her hand tenderly, he ran towards the school, much like Eriol did when he had reached for Tomoyo's hand.

Sakura wasn't thinking about school though. Oh no. That was the least thing she could be thinking about. Right then, she was concentrating on the warmth around her hand.

He was...holding her hand...

Eriol, Tomoyo, and Sakura were all patiently waiting for the fourth person of their group to arrive. Sakura had told them about how Syaoran seemed to be keeping a secret and they had seen how worried she was. Sakura had a right to be worried. Syaoran usually told them everything even though he may not seem to be a person who would. Besides, it would be a logical explanation on why Syaoran had acted so weird today by always avoided eye contact.

They all looked up as they heard footsteps coming their way. It was Syaoran alright...and he seemed deathly afraid to tell them his secret.

"So Sakura told us you had to tell us something, Syaoran," Eriol asked curiously, eyeing his friend.

"Yeah. Is it important?" Tomoyo asked equally curious.

Syaoran took a breath in, seeing their expectant faces. He was afraid of telling them. Why? Because then, it would be official. He will really have to go through with it. "Well…The elders have chosen me to…to become the next leader of the Li clan."

The girls' eyes brightened. "Really? That's great!" Sakura exclaimed in excitement. Was this really the secret he had kept within himself? She didn't understand though. Why would he look so distant if he had just aquired a great title like that? This must've been a great honor for him! After all, it was the leader of a whole clan!

The raven haired maiden smiled as brightly as her best friend. "When are you officially the leader?" she asked.

"Since I can't go there and the Elders can't come here, they said we didn't need a big celebration for it this time," he said, his voice becoming softer and lower by the second,"So I already am…I guess."

"That's great news,"the Card Mistress excitedly said, turning to Eriol, "Isn't it great, Eriol?"

But, Eriol had a look that was the complete opposite from the girls. His eyes were wide and he suddenly looked paler than usual. "S-Syaoran, y-you can't!" he shouted angrily, "Y-You're not...serious are you?"

But he knew that it was as Syaoran looked at the ground silently. Eriol felt his whole body freeze. Syaoran couldn't do it...he couldn't be the leader. No...not him...not his friend. He forbade it! This couldn't be happening...Eriol would have never thought that the secret was this!

However, the girls stood there, confused at the whole situation. Wasn't it a time to celebrate? Why was Eriol yelling at him instead? "What's the matter?" Tomoyo asked in great shock.

But Eriol didn't seem to hear for once. He looked straight at the other boy, glaring at him with his suddenly dark azure eyes. The girls had never seen him this upset before...and they still didn't understand what was going on. "You can't be the next leader! I can't believe it! There are many other Lis out there who could be the leader! But I won't have you be the leader! I forbid it, dammit!"

Sakura touched Eriol's shoulder after his sudden explosion. She was surprised to find that he was trembling...from anger? "But Eriol, aren't you glad that he's the leader of the Li clan? Seems like a prestigious role..."

"That is kind of rude. To say he can't be the leader," Tomoyo said in equal shock. She would never imagine that Eriol would say something like that. There had to be something that she was missing here. Eriol wouldn't say anything that cruel unless he had a reason to.

The Clow Reed reincarnation shook his head slowly, looking down shamefully. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to be rude…he would be a perfect leader…but since there is a new owner of the Cards…he…he will…" He paused, looking at the confused girls. He couldn't tell them. Not yet. They wouldn't be ready. In fact, they'd be worst off than he was right now. He was in a state of complete shock, trying to register what Syaoran had just said. It was just so...unfair.

Sakura looked from one boy to the other, her curiosity growing with each passing she knew something had to be up."What? You'll what, Syaoran?"

Tomoyo and Sakura looked at him pleadingly, trying to figure out what was happening, trying to get rid of their growing confusion.

Syaoran looked at them guiltily. They at least deserved to know. But...he didn't have the heart to tell them. Looking away from his friends, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll tell you when you're ready…" He saw their upset faces, their worried glances. He saw how Eriol was steaming mad, how he had balled his fists in anger. Yes, he was happy that they cared and were worried. But...

...He couldn't. He just couldn't.

He couldn't tell them what was going to happen to him.