IDisclaimer: I don't own CCS (
Gomen ne for not posting soon.it's hard with so much school work and
everything, I would love to ditch school, but I guess then I'd never ever
get anywhere in life.well, enjoy!
And I'm starting to wrap things up soon.if there's stuff you don't get,
tell me so I can explain it all and get this story done with. Sorry this is
a bit long, though it isn't that bad.
~Ruby/I
Chapter 10- Holiday Secrets
Naoko gasped as she slowly opened up Michael's door. She turned on the camera's auto light and looked around quietly.
No one was there.
Being the adventurous one, she decided to dig through his stuff. She turned the camera off, but took out her penlight. Finding a type of journal, Naoko opened it up. It was computerized and had a password, but she broke through it easily. Curious, she started reading.
December 2
I got caught stealing a pair of sunglasses with Tristan. Oops. Dad was totally mad. Why the hell does he even care? Just about his rep mostly is all. Naoko sat next to me in Photography today, and I was totally freaking out. She can really do that to me. Usually, I flirt with anyone casually, but Naoko can always read my mind, and totally ignores me when I'm trying to flirt. She only talks to me when I'm.being myself? Well, anyway, I'm locked in my room right now with Thomas and Luke as my bodyguards for protection. More like jail keepers. It only Greg were here, he wouldn't hesitate to let me out. But Dad had to go and fire Greg. It's a good thing I found him a job working for Mr. Hurley. Mom and Azalea are still at NYC. Dad gets to visit them in NYC where Azalea is finishing up her shoots for her modeling agency. I'm stuck here in Japan. I don't get why Dad's so interested in me to learn business. It's not like I even want to. Zach's so much better at it, plus he actually wants to. Dad just doesn't like him cuz he's only my half-bro, well, I hope he can come here. Maybe Mom'll convince Dad to let Zach come here for a few days. Dad'd totally flip if I told him that I wanted to be an artist. Tristan's here throwing pebbles at my window. I'm thinking of sneaking out now. Wow, Thomas's sleeping, and Luke just went to take a piss. The good luck that I get these days. Maybe it's cuz I'm wearing the necklace that Naoko gave me last year on my birthday. Well, those stupid cameras can go to hell cuz they can't do a single thing about my escape.
December 10
I just found out that I got the lead in the school play this year. That's totally sweet! Of course Dad doesn't know about it at all. Sakura's playing Gina, the girl that my character likes in the play. I don't know why Naoko didn't get the lead, and she was awesome too. Well, she's God, which is a pretty big part also, though we aren't in any scenes together. Sakura and Naoko are really good friends though. Well, I went Christmas shopping, and I spotted that famous movie star, Meiji Kyoto with Naoko, Meilin, and Kasumi. I totally butted into that convo, though who knows if Naoko knew who he really was. Kasumi stared after him though, so I wonder if she likes him. I wonder if we'll see him again here. Kasumi's pretty too, with her dark brown eyes and black hair, but of course no one surpasses Naoko to me. (AN- he's totally appearing again, though maybe not in the name that you see here. Watch for him.) The Christmas Dance is coming up, Eriol and Tomoyo are going together, Yamazaki and Chiharu, Hiyoshi and Meilin are going, but just as friends, and I want to ask Naoko, but. I'm not sure. A ton of girls have asked me already, but I don't know who to go with. If Naoko does like me, she'll be totally disappointed, but if she doesn't she won't care. If she says yes, I'll take her to the special place. If she says no, I'll lament and moan, but I'm getting out of here soon anyway, so who cares. But since we've been to so many dances already together, I'm not that scared. I hate it here sometimes. Skateboarding tomorrow with Tristan and Tomaki. Syaoran is bugging me about Naoko, but why doesn't he ask Sakura? It's obvious that he likes her and that she likes him, but both of them STILL haven't figured out that they like each other. They're so hopeless. Maybe before I go, I can get them together. Funny, now I'm the matchmaker. I told Sakura that I liked Naoko at the first private rehearsal that we had, but I don't know if she can keep the secret. I'm pretty sure that she can though; she's matured a lot since I first met her, way back in seventh grade.
Naoko grinned, in spite of her situation. She quickly looked around. She walked to the door, grabbing the camera, and looked out the door. No one was in the hallway, so she returned to Tomoyo's room silently.
"No one was in there," she told the rest of the girls.
"Huh?" they all said in unison as they filed out of Tomoyo's room. After checking all of the guys' rooms, they all returned to Tomoyo's room.
"Where'd they all go?" Rika asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
Sakura was the first one to feel a force in the room. She spun around, giving a "Hey!" to warn the others, but it was too late.
*~*~*~*
Touya and Yuki walked into the kitchen just in time to see Kero wolfing down the last rice cake.
"Hey, I wanted that!" Touya shouted as he shook the little 'rag doll' up and down ferociously. The doorbell rang, and Touya mercifully dropped Kero.
Yuki followed Touya to the door.
"Hey Nakuru-chan!" Touya greeted the girl that he now knew was also Ruby Moon. He knew all about Sakura's 'extra activities' now. He had discovered Kero accidentally, or maybe not accidentally one morning, and the entire story had come out.
"Hi, Touya," she replied. "You guys are going to England when?"
"Well, probably around February or March, are you going to come with us?" Yuki asked her.
"You know I am," she replied.
"OK, well, Merry Christmas!" Touya told her. He grabbed some candy from the counter and handed it to Nakuru. She grinned at Touya. Spinning around quickly, she then handed Touya and Yuki each a new laptop computer.
Touya's eyes lit up. "Wow!" he whispered. "Where'd you get the money to buy this stuff?"
"Well, I've been living for such a long time, so I've got connections everywhere!" she said with a wink at him.
Yuki grinned at her. "Arigato Nakuru-san."
"Yeah, arigato." Touya echoed.
She blushed slightly, and then jumped onto Touya again. Touya rolled his eyes.
"Some people never change," he said exasperatedly.
*~*~*~*
"Ahh!" Sakura screamed, and a hand clamped down on her mouth quickly. A person with a steel grip was holding her. She could dimly see the other girls being attacked by.the guys?
She started laughing slightly as Syaoran picked her up gently. She avoided his eyes though, and saw Eriol talking with Tomoyo, who had already calmed down. Kent was laughing at Leisa, who was still screaming.
"Ahh, Syaoran-kun, help me!" Leisa said, and then she noticed him holding Sakura. Her face turned ugly. Syaoran scowled right back at her. Syaoran was content, just holding Sakura against him. He felt the warmth of her body seeping into him. He smiled blissfully. Sakura hid a smile as she saw Leisa glower. Michael and Naoko were just sitting together, and Yamazaki was tickling Chiharu. The rest of the gang was spread out in Tomoyo's room, which was huge. Rika and Tristan hung back a bit with Tomaki.
Hey, I've never known who Rika-chan liked. I know it's an older guy, but.wait a minute, is that an engagement ring on her finger?
As if she was reading Sakura's thought, Rika looked over and blushed as she saw the direction of Sakura's gaze.
"What are you doing?" Sakura demanded of Syaoran as he took her out of the room. He motioned for her to stay quiet, and they ended up in her room.
"Reach out with your senses again, and just feel," he told her as he gently laid her down on her bed.
Sakura threw him a confused glance, but she obeyed. She relaxed and reached out. She drew back a bit as she felt the world in chaos. She could sense two dark forces near them. She opened her eyes and stared at Syaoran.
"It's even worse than I thought," Sakura said to him.
"I never did like Kent that much."
"Hey, Kent-kun is pretty nice, as is Leisa-chan."
"They are our enemies!" Syaoran said.
"Yes, but they are also humans, Syaoran. I want to get to know them better before we do anything. I want to know why they're doing this, and why they're fighting. Don't you want to find out more about them? You can't just judge people on how they act! You'd be out of my life already if I did that."
Syaoran lowered his head, ashamed a bit at what he had just heard out of Sakura's mouth, biting on his lower lip thoughtfully. He remembered when he had first arrived in Japan. Sakura and him had not hit it off on the right foot. He had totally degraded her, but now they were close friends. That would never have happened if Sakura had hated him for attacking her that one day.
Outside the door, a lonesome figure dashed off without a sound. He was puzzled by the words that Sakura had just said and made a beeline for his cousin's room.
"Sakura, I admire you sometimes. You have so much perseverance and you are so honest." Syaoran said softly. "You look at everyone with their good sides. With me, I can't see anything but what they've done wrong. You're such a good Mistress."
"Hoe?" Sakura couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Syaoran-kun, you're so strong and so prepared. I wish I had your courage and skills. I'm so clumsy, lazy, and untrained!"
"Sakura, I trained long and hard for my skills, and my courage comes from within. You can do the same too." he paused, searching her eyes intensely.
"Syaoran, you can tell me anything. It's ok." Sakura said as she gazed deeply into his amber eyes. He stared straight into her innocent emerald ones.
It's now or never, he told himself.
"Sakura, I.I. lo."
"Help!" Leisa screamed as she came hurtling into the room.
Sakura looked around, confused. The rest of the gang came running in too. Sakura gave Syaoran a quick smile as their friends surrounded them.
IWhat was Syaoran about to say?
Now she'll never know how I feel about her. /I
Leisa had a weird smile on her face, almost evil-like, Syaoran noticed. He stared at her hard. She grinned at him.
"Hey, Syao-kun, wanna play?" she asked him, edging up to him and slipping under his arms. Syaoran turned a bright red and everyone giggled. Sakura's eyes showed her hurt though.
Hideyo appeared in the doorway of Sakura's room. Hiding a grin, he reprimanded the teenagers. "It's approximately two in the morning. Unlike you, some of us want our sleep. You should all be in bed right now!"
Most of the gang hung their heads and looked ashamed. Yamazaki grinned and started a new tale.
"Do you know that people who don't get a full night's sleep turn into these zombie like creatures that."
Chiharu bonked him on the head. "Don't you ever know when to be serious?"
"Otou-san, we were just going to bed," Tomoyo said. "Right guys?" Everyone smiled and nodded.
"Well, go on." Hideyo ordered everyone out of the room. Kent threw Sakura another glance as he exited the room.
Kent gazed at Sakura closely. He didn't know what to make of her. Listening to the conversation had made him question some things that had happened in his life. Leisa and him went into his guest room together.
His fingers went to a silver earring embedded deep into his right ear as he entered the room. It was a little orb with a swirl of red liquid in it. Glancing over at Leisa, he saw that she still had hers on her left ear.
Grimacing, he tried to pull his off.
"Kent-san, what are you doing?" Leisa whispered violently as she moved his arm away. "You know that it won't come off. We've already tried so many times."
Kent shook his head. "Don't you hate being caught up in this? Having to do whatever we are told to do? I want a free life where I can do whatever I want to do. I want to be free."
He dug even harder at his earring. Suddenly, a shock wave coursed through his body. He stumbled and doubled over in pain on the floor.
"Kent!" Leisa said, genuinely concerned as she rushed over to him. "Are you OK? I told you not to do anything," she said in a know-it-all voice, but she was sincerely scared for her cousin.
"Forget it cous, we were made to do this, so that's what we gave to do. I won't lose you again, like I almost did before."
"And I will be strong for you, so you won't worry for me cous," Kent replied. Yet, something in his heart kept nagging at him. He brushed it away, and decided to get some rest.
*~*~*~*
"Ohayou everyone!" Sakura shouted. "Merry Christmas!" She ran down the hallway, waking everyone up and ran directly to the tree. She had no trouble at all finding her presents.
Her friends filed in sleepily, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Soon, oohs and ahhs filled the room as present after present was opened.
Sakura received many presents, and her favorite was the brand new flute from Tomoyo, and the emerald earrings from Rika. Then, Sakura started to open Syaoran's present. It was wrapped in a pretty pink paper. She opened the present slowly and gasped as she took out the folded white dress. It was sleeveless and had gold sequins down both sides.
Sakura leaned over and gave Syaoran a big hug. He blushed and looked away quickly. He felt an angry presence in the room, and he saw Leisa's eyes flaring up. Her dark eyes were a fierce red.Wait, weren't her eyes gray before? He asked himself.
Syaoran went back to his own present unwrapping, though he was disappointed that he didn't receive a present from Sakura, he didn't show anything.
Sakura noticed his frustration though. She grinned as she remembered what she had done.
~ Flashback ~
"Wow!" Meilin said as she saw the final result of the scarf that Sakura had knitted for him. "You did a great job!" she congratulated her.
"Arigato." Sakura replied. "It's a good thing that you got him out of the house. How'd you do that?"
Meilin blushed as she remembered. "Umm, well, I told him what a jerk he was, and we sorta got into a mock fight, and he went off to sulk, probably in the woods. So, he shouldn't be back for awhile. Anyway, I'll just have him change in my room, so he won't suspect anything, I'll tell him that I spilled some.water all over the floor and it's really wet or some stupid excuse like that."
Sakura nodded
Two hours later, the entire room was decorated.
"Wow!" Sakura breathed. She was totally exhausted. Syaoran's room looked very nice though. There were green streamers flowing from every corner of his room, crisscrossing the full ceiling. Then, on his bed, Sakura had laid his present. She had written a quick card, but left it unsigned. She had no idea that he knew her handwriting by heart already.
~ End Flashback ~
Syaoran wouldn't find anything until he returned home his morning. The holiday cheer was in the air as Sakura looked around the room. Naoko was playfully ruffling Michael's hair. Yamazaki was quietly talking to Chiharu, his eyes open for a change. Tomoyo, of course, had her Sony V8 out and was taping everything.
The doorbell rang, and Hideyo called everyone to the dining room from breakfast. Fresh oranges were just delivered.
*~*~*~*
"Bye ya guys!" Tomoyo said as Sakura and Syaoran finally left. She collapsed on the coach. Eriol grinned at her and sat down next to her.
"Tired?" he asked her.
"Of course!" Tomoyo sighed. "I'm so glad Mom and Dad took time off work so that they could help me with this party. None of the servants are really reliable enough. Except for. never mind." "Hey, are you working on another outfit for Sakura-chan?"
"Of course!" Tomoyo replied. "Tell me more about Hiyoshi-kun. I need to start making outfits for him too. What size does he usually wear? How tall is he, what's his waist length, how much does he weigh."
Eriol sweat dropped.
*~*~*~*
"Meilin!" Syaoran yelled to her.
"Yes?" she asked sweetly as she entered his room.
"What did you do to my room?"
Syaoran had arrived home and found his room in a complete mess.
"Oh nothing." Meilin stopped as she saw his room.
"What did you do?" Syaoran repeated.
"It wasn't like this before!" she exclaimed. "Sakura-chan and I were getting a surprise for ya, so we decorated your room. Actually it was only Sakura. Where's your present? She'll be totally devastated if she finds out that you didn't get it! She spent so much time on it!" Meilin began tearing the room apart, looking for the scarf.
"Hey, what did she get me?" Syaoran asked. "And she came to decorate my room?"
Meilin nodded. "HERE! I found it! But who could've done this?" she asked as she stared at the drawers hanging halfway out, clothes torn out all over the place, the bedcovers ripped off.
Syaoran shook his head. "I don't know." He gently took the scarf. He felt the power that coursed through it. Without realizing it, Sakura had incorporated an immense amount of her power into the scarf by the effort that she made by working on it.
He smiled to himself. So she had done something for him. He gently wrapped the scarf around his neck. Meilin grinned.
*~*~*~*
Sakura arrived home, tired and hungry. She spotted a note attached to the refrigerator. Grabbing a can of Coke first, she took it down to read.
Little Kaijou, I just had to tell you that I'm leaving early. Yuki and I are both gone now, and we both received letters that said that we were accepted at Harvard University in Connecticut in the United States. I know my English isn't that well yet, but I'll improve. Tell otou-san for me, I couldn't reach him on his cell, I think that he's still working on his big architect project. He had to present it in a few weeks. I know that you are a big girl, but watch yourself. Take care, and love and hugs to everyone, Touya
"'Nii-chan's gone?" Sakura asked herself. "I always knew that he was smart enough, but I wish that I had said good-bye. I won't see him again until after summer break. When is he coming back, and how could he leave just like that?" Sighing, she headed up to her room.
*~*~*~*
"Hey Tomoyo-chan!" Michael greeted her as he saw her at the mall. "Did you find anything left over at your house? Maybe a blue electronic planner thing?"
"Umm, I don't think so Brown-kun. Some socks, Yamazaki-kun left his imaginative prank, a fake snake, and I know that Sakura-chan left her little rag doll at my house." Grinning to herself.
~Flashback~
"No, how could Sakura leave me here again?" Kero whined.
"Are you saying that you don't like it here? I can call her right now!" Tomoyo teased him.
"NONONO! I was just joking!" Kero pleaded as he hurriedly stuffed himself with some food from the huge platter in front of him. He tottered over a bit, and almost fell off of the table. "But you know, as my mistress, she should at least bother to call," he grumbled as he resumed his eating.
Laughing, Tomoyo headed inside.
~End Flashback~
"A rag doll?" Michael winked at Sakura and she blushed. "Oh. I thought that I left something there, but. well, thanks anyway." Michael told Tomoyo. She grinned and headed towards another store with Sakura.
Michael stared after them with a puzzled expression on his face. Where is it then?
*~*~*~*
Sakura groaned as her alarm clock woke her up again. Her eyes barely flickered open as she turned her alarm off. School. She thought as she sleepily yawned and then she sank deeper into her covers, her auburn hair tangled in the blankets.
Twenty minutes later, she bolted up. "HOE! I'm late!"
*~*~*~*
A very breathless Sakura slid into her seat in class under the stern gaze of a very disapproving teacher.
"Kinomoto-san, I'll see you after class."
Sakura nodded. She tried to stay awake and managed only until her fifth period, where she completely zoned out during a test. That was why she never felt the presence of the force.
*~*~*~*
Naoko entered third period, photography. It was one of the few classes that she had with Michael.
"Today, we are going to be taking pictures of the wonderful weather outside," the teacher said, "There are no birds outside, no flowers, no blooming trees, but the glistening snow covers all. It is beautiful work from nature." After the teacher droned on for a bit longer, she let the class split up into groups.
"Partners?" Michael asked Naoko.
She threw him a half-smile and nodded.
*~*~*~*
Naoko shivered. It was freezing cold outside. Michael and her were only half done with their roll of film, but the rest of the class were already done and gone.
She and Michael had ventured deep into the woods by themselves.
Naoko shivered again. Michael glanced over at her and slowly moved towards her. He took his jacket off and draped it over her. Naoko glanced shyly at Michael as he strode off again and smiled faintly. She snuggled in deeper and inhaled the scent of him.
"Arigato," she said softly. Michael didn't reply as he snapped a picture of a snowy owl grooming itself on a pine tree. As the owl spotted the source of the clicking noise, it flew off with a cry of outrage at being disturbed.
"OK, all done," Michael reported to Naoko, ten minutes later.
A light snow started to fall and Naoko leaned against Michael. He grinned. He had his own jacket on again, but he knew how cold and vulnerable Naoko was. She was always troubled now, about something that he couldn't place his finger on. She acted as if nothing was wrong, but Michael caught her staring out the windows sometimes, with hints of tears in her eyes.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Naoko asked Michael again.
"Yeah, I think so," he replied.
"Think?"
"I don't know really, but I thought that this was the way out."
Naoko checked her watch. "OK, we have five minutes left till sixth period starts, so we can take our time. But I really don't want to stay out here and get caught in the cold."
"Yeah, I don't really either." Michael stopped and stared at a tree that had three slashes on its side. It looked oddly familiar.
"We just passed this," Naoko said, reading Michael's mind.
"Yeah."
The snow started falling harder and faster.
"We're lost," Naoko said in finality.
Michael nodded, turning concerned eyes on Naoko.
"Gomen ne," he whispered.
"Hey, we can do it," Naoko reassured him.
"Good." He straightened. "C'mon, we'll find a cave or some sort of shelter." He told Naoko. She nodded and held onto his hand as he led her around, barely able to see him through the snowflakes.
*~*~*~*
Sakura and Syaoran huddled together in the gym with their other friends. School was over because of the snowstorm, but no one could go home because visibility was zero.
"Where are Naoko and Michael?" Sakura asked everyone. No one knew. Sakura glanced at Syaoran.
"I don't know." He looked concerned.
"I'm sure they're fine," Tomoyo told them.
"I hope so," Sakura said. She was troubled too. She looked out the window and shivered at the increasing number of snowflakes that were coming down.
"Matte, Sakura-chan?" Eriol asked her.
She concentrated on nothing but the nature outside. Then, she felt it. Her eyes flew open.
"Yeah," she replied. "I sense it."
OK, so how was this part? (Was that another boring repetition?) Anyway, I wonder what Sakura's going to do with her new power??? Hint hint, she's with Syaoran. I'll leave you to guess about what's going to happen. ~Ruby
Chapter 10- Holiday Secrets
Naoko gasped as she slowly opened up Michael's door. She turned on the camera's auto light and looked around quietly.
No one was there.
Being the adventurous one, she decided to dig through his stuff. She turned the camera off, but took out her penlight. Finding a type of journal, Naoko opened it up. It was computerized and had a password, but she broke through it easily. Curious, she started reading.
December 2
I got caught stealing a pair of sunglasses with Tristan. Oops. Dad was totally mad. Why the hell does he even care? Just about his rep mostly is all. Naoko sat next to me in Photography today, and I was totally freaking out. She can really do that to me. Usually, I flirt with anyone casually, but Naoko can always read my mind, and totally ignores me when I'm trying to flirt. She only talks to me when I'm.being myself? Well, anyway, I'm locked in my room right now with Thomas and Luke as my bodyguards for protection. More like jail keepers. It only Greg were here, he wouldn't hesitate to let me out. But Dad had to go and fire Greg. It's a good thing I found him a job working for Mr. Hurley. Mom and Azalea are still at NYC. Dad gets to visit them in NYC where Azalea is finishing up her shoots for her modeling agency. I'm stuck here in Japan. I don't get why Dad's so interested in me to learn business. It's not like I even want to. Zach's so much better at it, plus he actually wants to. Dad just doesn't like him cuz he's only my half-bro, well, I hope he can come here. Maybe Mom'll convince Dad to let Zach come here for a few days. Dad'd totally flip if I told him that I wanted to be an artist. Tristan's here throwing pebbles at my window. I'm thinking of sneaking out now. Wow, Thomas's sleeping, and Luke just went to take a piss. The good luck that I get these days. Maybe it's cuz I'm wearing the necklace that Naoko gave me last year on my birthday. Well, those stupid cameras can go to hell cuz they can't do a single thing about my escape.
December 10
I just found out that I got the lead in the school play this year. That's totally sweet! Of course Dad doesn't know about it at all. Sakura's playing Gina, the girl that my character likes in the play. I don't know why Naoko didn't get the lead, and she was awesome too. Well, she's God, which is a pretty big part also, though we aren't in any scenes together. Sakura and Naoko are really good friends though. Well, I went Christmas shopping, and I spotted that famous movie star, Meiji Kyoto with Naoko, Meilin, and Kasumi. I totally butted into that convo, though who knows if Naoko knew who he really was. Kasumi stared after him though, so I wonder if she likes him. I wonder if we'll see him again here. Kasumi's pretty too, with her dark brown eyes and black hair, but of course no one surpasses Naoko to me. (AN- he's totally appearing again, though maybe not in the name that you see here. Watch for him.) The Christmas Dance is coming up, Eriol and Tomoyo are going together, Yamazaki and Chiharu, Hiyoshi and Meilin are going, but just as friends, and I want to ask Naoko, but. I'm not sure. A ton of girls have asked me already, but I don't know who to go with. If Naoko does like me, she'll be totally disappointed, but if she doesn't she won't care. If she says yes, I'll take her to the special place. If she says no, I'll lament and moan, but I'm getting out of here soon anyway, so who cares. But since we've been to so many dances already together, I'm not that scared. I hate it here sometimes. Skateboarding tomorrow with Tristan and Tomaki. Syaoran is bugging me about Naoko, but why doesn't he ask Sakura? It's obvious that he likes her and that she likes him, but both of them STILL haven't figured out that they like each other. They're so hopeless. Maybe before I go, I can get them together. Funny, now I'm the matchmaker. I told Sakura that I liked Naoko at the first private rehearsal that we had, but I don't know if she can keep the secret. I'm pretty sure that she can though; she's matured a lot since I first met her, way back in seventh grade.
Naoko grinned, in spite of her situation. She quickly looked around. She walked to the door, grabbing the camera, and looked out the door. No one was in the hallway, so she returned to Tomoyo's room silently.
"No one was in there," she told the rest of the girls.
"Huh?" they all said in unison as they filed out of Tomoyo's room. After checking all of the guys' rooms, they all returned to Tomoyo's room.
"Where'd they all go?" Rika asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
Sakura was the first one to feel a force in the room. She spun around, giving a "Hey!" to warn the others, but it was too late.
*~*~*~*
Touya and Yuki walked into the kitchen just in time to see Kero wolfing down the last rice cake.
"Hey, I wanted that!" Touya shouted as he shook the little 'rag doll' up and down ferociously. The doorbell rang, and Touya mercifully dropped Kero.
Yuki followed Touya to the door.
"Hey Nakuru-chan!" Touya greeted the girl that he now knew was also Ruby Moon. He knew all about Sakura's 'extra activities' now. He had discovered Kero accidentally, or maybe not accidentally one morning, and the entire story had come out.
"Hi, Touya," she replied. "You guys are going to England when?"
"Well, probably around February or March, are you going to come with us?" Yuki asked her.
"You know I am," she replied.
"OK, well, Merry Christmas!" Touya told her. He grabbed some candy from the counter and handed it to Nakuru. She grinned at Touya. Spinning around quickly, she then handed Touya and Yuki each a new laptop computer.
Touya's eyes lit up. "Wow!" he whispered. "Where'd you get the money to buy this stuff?"
"Well, I've been living for such a long time, so I've got connections everywhere!" she said with a wink at him.
Yuki grinned at her. "Arigato Nakuru-san."
"Yeah, arigato." Touya echoed.
She blushed slightly, and then jumped onto Touya again. Touya rolled his eyes.
"Some people never change," he said exasperatedly.
*~*~*~*
"Ahh!" Sakura screamed, and a hand clamped down on her mouth quickly. A person with a steel grip was holding her. She could dimly see the other girls being attacked by.the guys?
She started laughing slightly as Syaoran picked her up gently. She avoided his eyes though, and saw Eriol talking with Tomoyo, who had already calmed down. Kent was laughing at Leisa, who was still screaming.
"Ahh, Syaoran-kun, help me!" Leisa said, and then she noticed him holding Sakura. Her face turned ugly. Syaoran scowled right back at her. Syaoran was content, just holding Sakura against him. He felt the warmth of her body seeping into him. He smiled blissfully. Sakura hid a smile as she saw Leisa glower. Michael and Naoko were just sitting together, and Yamazaki was tickling Chiharu. The rest of the gang was spread out in Tomoyo's room, which was huge. Rika and Tristan hung back a bit with Tomaki.
Hey, I've never known who Rika-chan liked. I know it's an older guy, but.wait a minute, is that an engagement ring on her finger?
As if she was reading Sakura's thought, Rika looked over and blushed as she saw the direction of Sakura's gaze.
"What are you doing?" Sakura demanded of Syaoran as he took her out of the room. He motioned for her to stay quiet, and they ended up in her room.
"Reach out with your senses again, and just feel," he told her as he gently laid her down on her bed.
Sakura threw him a confused glance, but she obeyed. She relaxed and reached out. She drew back a bit as she felt the world in chaos. She could sense two dark forces near them. She opened her eyes and stared at Syaoran.
"It's even worse than I thought," Sakura said to him.
"I never did like Kent that much."
"Hey, Kent-kun is pretty nice, as is Leisa-chan."
"They are our enemies!" Syaoran said.
"Yes, but they are also humans, Syaoran. I want to get to know them better before we do anything. I want to know why they're doing this, and why they're fighting. Don't you want to find out more about them? You can't just judge people on how they act! You'd be out of my life already if I did that."
Syaoran lowered his head, ashamed a bit at what he had just heard out of Sakura's mouth, biting on his lower lip thoughtfully. He remembered when he had first arrived in Japan. Sakura and him had not hit it off on the right foot. He had totally degraded her, but now they were close friends. That would never have happened if Sakura had hated him for attacking her that one day.
Outside the door, a lonesome figure dashed off without a sound. He was puzzled by the words that Sakura had just said and made a beeline for his cousin's room.
"Sakura, I admire you sometimes. You have so much perseverance and you are so honest." Syaoran said softly. "You look at everyone with their good sides. With me, I can't see anything but what they've done wrong. You're such a good Mistress."
"Hoe?" Sakura couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Syaoran-kun, you're so strong and so prepared. I wish I had your courage and skills. I'm so clumsy, lazy, and untrained!"
"Sakura, I trained long and hard for my skills, and my courage comes from within. You can do the same too." he paused, searching her eyes intensely.
"Syaoran, you can tell me anything. It's ok." Sakura said as she gazed deeply into his amber eyes. He stared straight into her innocent emerald ones.
It's now or never, he told himself.
"Sakura, I.I. lo."
"Help!" Leisa screamed as she came hurtling into the room.
Sakura looked around, confused. The rest of the gang came running in too. Sakura gave Syaoran a quick smile as their friends surrounded them.
IWhat was Syaoran about to say?
Now she'll never know how I feel about her. /I
Leisa had a weird smile on her face, almost evil-like, Syaoran noticed. He stared at her hard. She grinned at him.
"Hey, Syao-kun, wanna play?" she asked him, edging up to him and slipping under his arms. Syaoran turned a bright red and everyone giggled. Sakura's eyes showed her hurt though.
Hideyo appeared in the doorway of Sakura's room. Hiding a grin, he reprimanded the teenagers. "It's approximately two in the morning. Unlike you, some of us want our sleep. You should all be in bed right now!"
Most of the gang hung their heads and looked ashamed. Yamazaki grinned and started a new tale.
"Do you know that people who don't get a full night's sleep turn into these zombie like creatures that."
Chiharu bonked him on the head. "Don't you ever know when to be serious?"
"Otou-san, we were just going to bed," Tomoyo said. "Right guys?" Everyone smiled and nodded.
"Well, go on." Hideyo ordered everyone out of the room. Kent threw Sakura another glance as he exited the room.
Kent gazed at Sakura closely. He didn't know what to make of her. Listening to the conversation had made him question some things that had happened in his life. Leisa and him went into his guest room together.
His fingers went to a silver earring embedded deep into his right ear as he entered the room. It was a little orb with a swirl of red liquid in it. Glancing over at Leisa, he saw that she still had hers on her left ear.
Grimacing, he tried to pull his off.
"Kent-san, what are you doing?" Leisa whispered violently as she moved his arm away. "You know that it won't come off. We've already tried so many times."
Kent shook his head. "Don't you hate being caught up in this? Having to do whatever we are told to do? I want a free life where I can do whatever I want to do. I want to be free."
He dug even harder at his earring. Suddenly, a shock wave coursed through his body. He stumbled and doubled over in pain on the floor.
"Kent!" Leisa said, genuinely concerned as she rushed over to him. "Are you OK? I told you not to do anything," she said in a know-it-all voice, but she was sincerely scared for her cousin.
"Forget it cous, we were made to do this, so that's what we gave to do. I won't lose you again, like I almost did before."
"And I will be strong for you, so you won't worry for me cous," Kent replied. Yet, something in his heart kept nagging at him. He brushed it away, and decided to get some rest.
*~*~*~*
"Ohayou everyone!" Sakura shouted. "Merry Christmas!" She ran down the hallway, waking everyone up and ran directly to the tree. She had no trouble at all finding her presents.
Her friends filed in sleepily, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Soon, oohs and ahhs filled the room as present after present was opened.
Sakura received many presents, and her favorite was the brand new flute from Tomoyo, and the emerald earrings from Rika. Then, Sakura started to open Syaoran's present. It was wrapped in a pretty pink paper. She opened the present slowly and gasped as she took out the folded white dress. It was sleeveless and had gold sequins down both sides.
Sakura leaned over and gave Syaoran a big hug. He blushed and looked away quickly. He felt an angry presence in the room, and he saw Leisa's eyes flaring up. Her dark eyes were a fierce red.Wait, weren't her eyes gray before? He asked himself.
Syaoran went back to his own present unwrapping, though he was disappointed that he didn't receive a present from Sakura, he didn't show anything.
Sakura noticed his frustration though. She grinned as she remembered what she had done.
~ Flashback ~
"Wow!" Meilin said as she saw the final result of the scarf that Sakura had knitted for him. "You did a great job!" she congratulated her.
"Arigato." Sakura replied. "It's a good thing that you got him out of the house. How'd you do that?"
Meilin blushed as she remembered. "Umm, well, I told him what a jerk he was, and we sorta got into a mock fight, and he went off to sulk, probably in the woods. So, he shouldn't be back for awhile. Anyway, I'll just have him change in my room, so he won't suspect anything, I'll tell him that I spilled some.water all over the floor and it's really wet or some stupid excuse like that."
Sakura nodded
Two hours later, the entire room was decorated.
"Wow!" Sakura breathed. She was totally exhausted. Syaoran's room looked very nice though. There were green streamers flowing from every corner of his room, crisscrossing the full ceiling. Then, on his bed, Sakura had laid his present. She had written a quick card, but left it unsigned. She had no idea that he knew her handwriting by heart already.
~ End Flashback ~
Syaoran wouldn't find anything until he returned home his morning. The holiday cheer was in the air as Sakura looked around the room. Naoko was playfully ruffling Michael's hair. Yamazaki was quietly talking to Chiharu, his eyes open for a change. Tomoyo, of course, had her Sony V8 out and was taping everything.
The doorbell rang, and Hideyo called everyone to the dining room from breakfast. Fresh oranges were just delivered.
*~*~*~*
"Bye ya guys!" Tomoyo said as Sakura and Syaoran finally left. She collapsed on the coach. Eriol grinned at her and sat down next to her.
"Tired?" he asked her.
"Of course!" Tomoyo sighed. "I'm so glad Mom and Dad took time off work so that they could help me with this party. None of the servants are really reliable enough. Except for. never mind." "Hey, are you working on another outfit for Sakura-chan?"
"Of course!" Tomoyo replied. "Tell me more about Hiyoshi-kun. I need to start making outfits for him too. What size does he usually wear? How tall is he, what's his waist length, how much does he weigh."
Eriol sweat dropped.
*~*~*~*
"Meilin!" Syaoran yelled to her.
"Yes?" she asked sweetly as she entered his room.
"What did you do to my room?"
Syaoran had arrived home and found his room in a complete mess.
"Oh nothing." Meilin stopped as she saw his room.
"What did you do?" Syaoran repeated.
"It wasn't like this before!" she exclaimed. "Sakura-chan and I were getting a surprise for ya, so we decorated your room. Actually it was only Sakura. Where's your present? She'll be totally devastated if she finds out that you didn't get it! She spent so much time on it!" Meilin began tearing the room apart, looking for the scarf.
"Hey, what did she get me?" Syaoran asked. "And she came to decorate my room?"
Meilin nodded. "HERE! I found it! But who could've done this?" she asked as she stared at the drawers hanging halfway out, clothes torn out all over the place, the bedcovers ripped off.
Syaoran shook his head. "I don't know." He gently took the scarf. He felt the power that coursed through it. Without realizing it, Sakura had incorporated an immense amount of her power into the scarf by the effort that she made by working on it.
He smiled to himself. So she had done something for him. He gently wrapped the scarf around his neck. Meilin grinned.
*~*~*~*
Sakura arrived home, tired and hungry. She spotted a note attached to the refrigerator. Grabbing a can of Coke first, she took it down to read.
Little Kaijou, I just had to tell you that I'm leaving early. Yuki and I are both gone now, and we both received letters that said that we were accepted at Harvard University in Connecticut in the United States. I know my English isn't that well yet, but I'll improve. Tell otou-san for me, I couldn't reach him on his cell, I think that he's still working on his big architect project. He had to present it in a few weeks. I know that you are a big girl, but watch yourself. Take care, and love and hugs to everyone, Touya
"'Nii-chan's gone?" Sakura asked herself. "I always knew that he was smart enough, but I wish that I had said good-bye. I won't see him again until after summer break. When is he coming back, and how could he leave just like that?" Sighing, she headed up to her room.
*~*~*~*
"Hey Tomoyo-chan!" Michael greeted her as he saw her at the mall. "Did you find anything left over at your house? Maybe a blue electronic planner thing?"
"Umm, I don't think so Brown-kun. Some socks, Yamazaki-kun left his imaginative prank, a fake snake, and I know that Sakura-chan left her little rag doll at my house." Grinning to herself.
~Flashback~
"No, how could Sakura leave me here again?" Kero whined.
"Are you saying that you don't like it here? I can call her right now!" Tomoyo teased him.
"NONONO! I was just joking!" Kero pleaded as he hurriedly stuffed himself with some food from the huge platter in front of him. He tottered over a bit, and almost fell off of the table. "But you know, as my mistress, she should at least bother to call," he grumbled as he resumed his eating.
Laughing, Tomoyo headed inside.
~End Flashback~
"A rag doll?" Michael winked at Sakura and she blushed. "Oh. I thought that I left something there, but. well, thanks anyway." Michael told Tomoyo. She grinned and headed towards another store with Sakura.
Michael stared after them with a puzzled expression on his face. Where is it then?
*~*~*~*
Sakura groaned as her alarm clock woke her up again. Her eyes barely flickered open as she turned her alarm off. School. She thought as she sleepily yawned and then she sank deeper into her covers, her auburn hair tangled in the blankets.
Twenty minutes later, she bolted up. "HOE! I'm late!"
*~*~*~*
A very breathless Sakura slid into her seat in class under the stern gaze of a very disapproving teacher.
"Kinomoto-san, I'll see you after class."
Sakura nodded. She tried to stay awake and managed only until her fifth period, where she completely zoned out during a test. That was why she never felt the presence of the force.
*~*~*~*
Naoko entered third period, photography. It was one of the few classes that she had with Michael.
"Today, we are going to be taking pictures of the wonderful weather outside," the teacher said, "There are no birds outside, no flowers, no blooming trees, but the glistening snow covers all. It is beautiful work from nature." After the teacher droned on for a bit longer, she let the class split up into groups.
"Partners?" Michael asked Naoko.
She threw him a half-smile and nodded.
*~*~*~*
Naoko shivered. It was freezing cold outside. Michael and her were only half done with their roll of film, but the rest of the class were already done and gone.
She and Michael had ventured deep into the woods by themselves.
Naoko shivered again. Michael glanced over at her and slowly moved towards her. He took his jacket off and draped it over her. Naoko glanced shyly at Michael as he strode off again and smiled faintly. She snuggled in deeper and inhaled the scent of him.
"Arigato," she said softly. Michael didn't reply as he snapped a picture of a snowy owl grooming itself on a pine tree. As the owl spotted the source of the clicking noise, it flew off with a cry of outrage at being disturbed.
"OK, all done," Michael reported to Naoko, ten minutes later.
A light snow started to fall and Naoko leaned against Michael. He grinned. He had his own jacket on again, but he knew how cold and vulnerable Naoko was. She was always troubled now, about something that he couldn't place his finger on. She acted as if nothing was wrong, but Michael caught her staring out the windows sometimes, with hints of tears in her eyes.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Naoko asked Michael again.
"Yeah, I think so," he replied.
"Think?"
"I don't know really, but I thought that this was the way out."
Naoko checked her watch. "OK, we have five minutes left till sixth period starts, so we can take our time. But I really don't want to stay out here and get caught in the cold."
"Yeah, I don't really either." Michael stopped and stared at a tree that had three slashes on its side. It looked oddly familiar.
"We just passed this," Naoko said, reading Michael's mind.
"Yeah."
The snow started falling harder and faster.
"We're lost," Naoko said in finality.
Michael nodded, turning concerned eyes on Naoko.
"Gomen ne," he whispered.
"Hey, we can do it," Naoko reassured him.
"Good." He straightened. "C'mon, we'll find a cave or some sort of shelter." He told Naoko. She nodded and held onto his hand as he led her around, barely able to see him through the snowflakes.
*~*~*~*
Sakura and Syaoran huddled together in the gym with their other friends. School was over because of the snowstorm, but no one could go home because visibility was zero.
"Where are Naoko and Michael?" Sakura asked everyone. No one knew. Sakura glanced at Syaoran.
"I don't know." He looked concerned.
"I'm sure they're fine," Tomoyo told them.
"I hope so," Sakura said. She was troubled too. She looked out the window and shivered at the increasing number of snowflakes that were coming down.
"Matte, Sakura-chan?" Eriol asked her.
She concentrated on nothing but the nature outside. Then, she felt it. Her eyes flew open.
"Yeah," she replied. "I sense it."
OK, so how was this part? (Was that another boring repetition?) Anyway, I wonder what Sakura's going to do with her new power??? Hint hint, she's with Syaoran. I'll leave you to guess about what's going to happen. ~Ruby