Hi everyone!!!!! I have a little warning; Sakura has a nervous break down kind of thing. Don't worry you'll understand later. Um.this is where I say I don't own CCS that CLAMP does. Oh and I don't write these stories for a profit. I just write them for entertainment purposes only. Ok now that that is over with, on with the fic.

"Talking" 'Thinking' **Dreaming** --------------------Scene Change-------------------

When All Else Fails.. Chapter 3- a strange new force

-----------------------Sakura's Room------------------

Sakura and Li let go of their hold of one another when a strange force made it's self-known.

"Did you feel that? It feels weird, almost evil." Li stated quickly.

"Yeah and it feels close, too. Let's see Kero. Maybe he knows what it could be." Sakura said.

Both left the room in search of the golden animal.

"Kero? Where are you?" Sakura shouted down the hall.

"I'm in the living room, Sakura." Responded Kero.

"And I have something to tell you. So please come quickly." She heard her father call.

"I'll be right there. Can Li come too, or is it a family matter?" she asked.

"He can come as well. It should involve him as well." Responded Fujitaki. The two teenagers entered the living room both noticing the unknown woman sitting by Sakura's father.

"What did you need to tell me, dad?" Sakura asked looking at the strange woman. She had long dark brown hair and very intense brown eyes. She had a somewhat pleasant face that wore a frown. Her eyebrows were furred as if she were just arguing. "Yes, Sakura. I would like you to meet my fiancé. Her name is Athena." He concluded with a slight smile.

Sakura suddenly felt very sick.

"She's your what? Please tell me your kidding?" She looked over to Touya and Kero for reassurance but saw their faces were very serious. "How can you have a fiancé and we've never met her before?" she asked meekly.

"Well to be honest, we only met about a week ago. It was kinda love at first sight." Fujitaki said looking at his new fiancé.

Sakura focused all her energy toward this Athena. She could feel a very peculiar aura generating from her.

"So you mean to tell me you barely know this woman and you plan to marry her?!" Sakura said almost yelling.

"Yes we plan to be wed next month. I hope that you shall find it in your heart to accept your father and I's engagement." spoke the woman. "It would mean so much to the both of us if you would be happy for us and learn to love me like a mother."

Sakura could hardly take what she was hearing. Her body started shaking uncontrollably and her fist clinched into fists.

"Don't ever think that I will ever love you like a mother. You are not my mother and never will be my mother. And as for accepting this engagement, I THINK NOT!" she screamed the last part as loudly as she could.

"Now you stop right there, young lady. I will not have you speak to Athena in such a tone. Now apologize to her right this instant." Ordered Fujitaki.

"I will not apologize to this stranger you have brought into our home." And with that Sakura ran out of the room.

Touya, Yukito, Kero, and Li all stared at the hallway stunned. Never had anyone of them ever seen or heard Sakura so infuriated. "I'm sorry, Athena. She's never like that." Fujitaki said.

"It's ok. I can understand where she is coming from. Just give her sometime and let all of this settle in." replied Athena. There was an uncomfortable moment of silence. Yukito quickly ended it.

"Well, congratulations on your engagement. I think t would be easier if Touya and I went to my house to study." He finished looking towards his friend.

"Yeah I agree. Li I think you go and talk to Sakura. She might need you." Touya added that last part so only Li could hear.

All Li could do is nod in response. He wasn't used to seeing Sakura so angry before. All three boys left the room in silence while Kero stayed behind.

This was going to be a very interesting change in all their lives.

End of Chapter 3

Well please tell me what you think. I know sakura is acting really OOC but anyway. That will come in to play next chapter.

Preveiw of Chapter 4- Uprooted Feeling of Loss and Pain

Why did Sakura react so strangely to the news of her father's engagement? Can Li comfort her or will she need to handle this by herself? What is Touya's reaction to the news? And what is causing the strange new force?