Hi! Remember me?!?!? Probably not, huh? -_-;; All I can say is. I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY!!!!!! If you want to. here is a list of my pitiful excuses as to why I didn't get this next chapter typed more soon. Read if you would like:

~School started ( ~I have had TONS of homework and orals and yes. TESTS! ~I have four tests tomorrow but I'm ignoring them at the moment. (YOU LOVE ME!) ~I have had P.E. every darn morning at 7:30 and I have to catch the early- bird bus EXTRA early to get to school so when I used to type to this story before class, I no longer have the time. ~I have been taping Inu-Yasha programs on Saturdays ~I have driver's Ed and YES. THAT MEANS MORE TIME TAKEN UP AND MORE STUPID HOMEWORK ~I have been TRYING to not ditch or neglect my friends and hopefully continue what remains of my social life. (J/K part way) ~My Birthday was recently so I had to plan everything out and make invitations and clean and all that good stuff because it was my Sweet Sixteen. ^_____^ ~I have been TRYING to make a friend of mine start drawing to our comic book idea because it's one of the BEST ideas every and I want it done so we can publish it. (JadeWing, yes that's you so you better get busy!) ~And I have been typing out this poor excuse of excuses so I guess I better get busy. I'll do the thank you list next time because it takes up too much time at the moment. `-_-

Disclaimer: I. do. not. own. C.C.S. *sigh*



*What's gone on in the previous chap.*

*****Syaoran*****

I nodded and stood, then backed slowly away, head bowed in respect. When I closed the doors behind me I felt as if I was finally allowed to breathe. I heaved a sigh and headed to the Dining Hall. Breakfast would be soon and then I had classes. When and where would I fit in room to visit Touya? I winced. That would be worse than the Elders most likely. What a day this will be!

CHAPTER 26! WHAT A RELIEF!

*****Syaoran's POV still*****

It was a relief to know that we didn't have all of our classes today, but I was still uncertain about what happened with Tokurashi last might. And could we really count on Eriol? I didn't know if I even WANTED to trust him! I had a headache again and I knew it wouldn't go away any time soon. Why did I have to go through this? No, that wasn't fair. It was Sakura whom has to go through the worst of it. It's Sakura that Tokurashi wants dead.

I cringed. Knowing that made me want to be around her constantly, and I knew that even if she wasn't in danger I would want her in my company. But she is in danger, and something could happen at any moment, at any hour of the day. I hated not having all of my classes with her. I could only hope that she could handle herself for the time being. At least until I can find out where this psycho is hiding. Yes, I plan to find him. Yes. I WILL kill him!

By the time I finally made it to the breakfast hall I knew today would be one of the most stressful days of my life. I looked around at all the guys in the room. Anyone could be a traitor. Anyone could be HIM! But then again, Sakura would say that I was getting ahead of myself. Of course he wouldn't be here. He wouldn't DREAM of showing his face! Or would he? Just another stressful thought to bother me today. Great.

I spotted Sakura and she looked even worse than I did. She looked hassled and tired and I could just picture her trying to fend that yellow stuffed animal off, and answering every single question he had, not able to leave out any little detail. I felt bad for her. As I sat down though she actually smiled, and for some reason that lifted about half of the burden off of my shoulders.

"You're okay then?" I asked, trying to not show too much concern, and failing miserably.

Her smile widened. "Yes, thank you. How about yourself? It doesn't look like you got much sleep last night."

I slumped in my chair and scowled. "I got enough sleep, BELIEVE me. Eriol made sure of that." I still had to get him back for that. I had too much to think about last night and that sleeping spell didn't help me sort anything out! Though I did feel nice and rested, as if I might actually make it through the day in one piece. Let me rephrase that. I might make it in one piece.until I have to talk with Touya. THAT would be VERY interesting.

It took me a while to realize that Sakura was looking at me with a confused expression. I was about to answer when that stupid History teacher, Mrs. Ketsuji, stood up to say the usual thanks, and then everyone began to eat and the whole place picked up again. It would have been too risky to yell to her over the din so instead I just shook my head and began to eat. For once I was able to let go of my thoughts and worries and just concentrate on the task before me; filling my empty belly.

*****Sakura*****

That morning must have been the most hectic I have ever had to deal with. Not only did Kero get in my face and ask about a hundred questions per minute, even Yue came to check in on me, and my brother! Though he didn't know why. As it was my dreams were no comfort. I kept having playback over playback on everything that happened and then I would dream of several million ways Tokurashi would kill me off, or Tomoyo, or Syaoran, and my brother! It was horrible! I was almost shocked to find myself alive and in one piece this morning!

Now I have to sit here in Mrs. Hanaku's embroidery class, pretending that I am calm and collect, witch is the exact opposite of what I really feel! I want to yell, scream, throw something! But everything seems childish to me, and I knew that it would only embarrass myself and put one more thing on my mind that I had to fret about.

No, no, this just was not my day. Would it be anyone's if what happened to me had happened to them? I highly think not.

So, when we had to switch classes and I had History Of The Past, it wasn't that much of a comfort. 'That much' being that the only comfort was having Syaoran in class with me. He seemed relieved to see me also, as though breakfast would be the last time he would see me, alive anyway. I shivered at the thought. No, I needed to push that thought away. It was too horrible. I couldn't let this little incident rule over my life. Deep down, I knew that it was. I also knew that I couldn't stop it from happening.

*****Syaoran*****

After History of the Past I resolved to visit Sakura's brother. I BARELY ignored her questioning glance and left her in the hands of Tomoyo, Meiling, and that no good devil, Eriol. If he touches ONE hair on her head...

I made my way up to Prince Syaoran's chambers and knocked three times, patiently waiting for him to take his time to come to the door. BOY I did not want to do this!

Instead of the door being opened by who I thought would open it, a young man with glasses and grayish looking hair appeared. For some odd reason I blushed, but quickly snapped out of it.

"Hi," he said calmly with a gentle smile. I could feel magic coming from him. Powerful magic. Was he one of Sakura's guardians?

"Uh.hello," I said, not sure what I should say or do.

"Did you want to talk to Touya?"

I merely nodded my head. Speech must have left me at the moment.

"Touya! You have a visitor," the man before me stated as he opened the door wider to let me in.

"Who is it?" Came a voice from somewhere inside.

"Prince Syaoran, I believe."

There was a pause as I came in and the door was shut behind me. "Tell him to go away."

I blanched.

"Now Touya, is that how you treat your host? We ARE staying under the Li's roof in the Li's Kingdom, are we not?" He asked, still calm and smiling.

"Humph."

"It will only take a moment," I said, finally able to find my voice. "I think it would be for the best." I didn't want to sound too eager, or too worried. I must have been doing good. At least. I sounded convincing to myself.

Suddenly Touya appeared in front of me, dressed, but drying his hair with a yellow towel. He must have just gotten done bathing. "What's wrong?" He asked, glaring.

I blinked. Was I really that unconvincing?!? I glared back. "Nothing's wrong! I just came here to propose that you go back to your own Kingdom. They need you there. Who knows, they might be on the brink of revolution with no ruler there!"

He threw the towel in the bathing room and looked at me suspiciously, but led the way to a few chairs so we could sit down.

"You want get rid of us that badly, eh?" The man with glasses asked, smiling, but placing a hand on my shoulder also.

I blushed. "No! I mean. no. It's just that, I think it would be. better for Prince Touya there."

"And why is that?" Once again Touya was glaring.

I glared back, thoroughly annoyed. How could I have believed that Sakura was once Prince Touya? I was an idiot! Then again. at the time no one knew what the Kinomoto family looked like, or their ages. So I wouldn't have known either way.

I bit my tongue to keep from a bitter remark, but I had to think fast. I couldn't tell him about the danger he was in, especially the danger his SISTER was in. Then he definitely wouldn't leave, and I'd have a lot of things to handle. I took a deep breath. This would be harder than I thought. Curse that Eriol! I could have been able to think things through if only he let me stay awake. This was more trouble than it was worth!

"Well?" Touya persisted.

"Don't worry, Touya. It's not like he's hiding something from us," he friend chided.

"Yukito, I know him. I don't TRUST him. So whether you like it or not, I am not going to waste my time with him. Though I DO thank you for you hospitality, I must ask you to leave."

I stared at him. How dare he?!? Fine! If he wanted it that was, so be it! If he didn't want to talk to me, I would talk to someone who WOULD! I turned to Yukito. Now I was absolutely sure. "Fine, if you will not speak with me, then may I please speak with you, Prince Yukito? You ARE friend's with Sakura, aren't you?"

"Sakura?!? What does she have anything to do with this?!?" Touya practically yelled.

I winced. Of course he would act like this. Sakura was all he had left. The rest of his family.was gone.

"Touya, please calm down," Yukito persisted. You must. I will talk to Prince Syaoran-"

"BS! I will sit here and listen to every word he has to say! Do you hear me?!?" He asked in my direction.

I ignored him. Instead, I turned to Yukito, who was going to have a LOT of explaining to do on his part. But Touya was related to Sakura, and I knew that he loved her and wouldn't ever hurt her. For that, and that alone, I could trust him with this one thing.

:I need to speak to the guardian of the Cardmistress. Yue, please come forth." It was almost like talking to a dead thing that would blossom before me. It was indescribable.

Yukito went into a trance. Wings spread from his back and wound around him. There was a burst of magic and light, and then everything went back to normal. almost. When the wings unfolded to reveal Yue, with his shimmering white hair and cool blue eyes, Touya gasped. I finally let out the breath I had been unconsciously holding and relaxed. So far so good.

Yue looked deeply into my eyes and I held his gaze. "What did you want to talk to me about? And how do you know who I am?"

"I knew because I could feel you, even in your borrowed form. I am Xiao- Lang Li, a direct descendent from Clow Reed himself. I was there last night, with Sakura." At this the guardian rose his eyebrows and Touya gasped once again. "Also, the reincarnation of Clow Reed was among us. He has decided to help us though. I am still not convinced whether to trust him or not." Whether or not he was following all of this I continued. "You know what caused this," I almost said who, but stopped myself so Touya wouldn't get too suspicious. "We need help, all the help we can get. And Touya must go back to his Kingdom for safety, as well as to keep his people from rioting and rebelling. He is the heir to the thrown. Perhaps YOU can talk some sense into him."

Touya gaped like a fish, opening and closing his mouth, but I could tell he was over the initial shock, and it was more to what I had said than to the transformation that had just occurred right before his eyes. He must have guessed.

"I understand, and must say that I agree completely. It is time Touya learned the truth anyway. Touya, I will stay here. But you MUST go to your own Kingdom. It's what's best. I can protect Sakura. You know that. Besides, it's what I'm here for. You must leave sooner than later. Is that understood?"

Touya stared at him. "I-"

"I will answer all of you questions after he leaves. I'm sure Prince Syaoran has to get to class soon."

Finally Touya nodded his head. "I will leave tomorrow." I was about to protest and say that it would be best for him to leave tonight, but he interrupted, "Morning."

I sighed, visibly relieved, and could sense that Yue was too. He must also know that Tokurashi is here. Hopefully he won't spill. I would hate to be the heir to the throne without a King or Queen there. I could just sense Prince Touya's reluctance to go back and be berated by his advisors to marry and produce an heir as soon as possible. I almost laughed. He must have a worse headache than me!

I left the room feeling a great weight off of my shoulders. There was only one class left today, and that was Defense. with Sakura. I ate a quick sandwich that I had brought along with me and gulped down a canteen of water that I always brought with me when I was training or being physically active. Hopefully this next class would be a breeze.

*****Sakura*****

I was taken aback when Syaoran ignored me earlier on in the day, but when he didn't show up for lunch I was worried. What was he up to? What was going on? How come I was always the last to know everything?!?

I gloomily made my way down to the practice courts for Defense Class and dreaded what would happen there. Had I somehow made Syaoran mad? Was he preoccupied? Maybe he was still fretting about what happened last night. He needed to be more open, or else one day he'd explode! I giggled at that stupid thought.

"I'm glad to see that YOU'RE happy," came a gentle voice from behind me.

"Syaoran!" I gasped, then smiled when I turned at it really was him.

"How has your day been so far?"

I let out an exhausted sigh. "Tiring. Boring. The usual; you?"

"Same. Just add stressful and you could imagine it perfectly." He stated wryly.

"Why? What's wrong?"

He looked startled, then quickly re-gained his composure. "Oh, nothing. You don't need to worry about it Sakura."

"But-"

"Come on. We better hurry before we're late."

He ran ahead of me and I was more confused than ever, but I quickly matched his pace, following reluctantly. I would probably have to be Sumiki's partner again, and she was REALLY starting to irritate me! Why did she care so much about what Syaoran thought about her?

"Syaoran!" At first I thought it was Meiling, but I was wrong. It was Sumiki; who else?

"Umf!" Syaoran almost fell over with the impact of Sumiki's hug. I raised my eyebrows as he growled, "What are you DOING?!? GET OFF ME!"

She just laughed. "I'm so glad! We're in this class together too, do you watch me?"

I clenched my fists and bit my tongue to keep from remarking. Why did she bother me so much? She seemed nice. What was WRONG with her? Was it me? No, that couldn't possibly be it! Could it?

"HEY!" Sumiki automatically stopped giggling like a maniac. Meiling stomped over, hands on her hips, and glowered at the girl that was latched to Syaoran. "Just WHAT do you think your DOING?!?" She screeched.

I rolled my eyes and stomped away from the scene. Why was I always acting like this all of a sudden? This was a new feeling for me. What was going on?

"Alright everyone! Gather around!" Mr. Terada yelled loud enough for everyone to hear him over the din. "We're going to start hand-to-hand combat today. No swords, no arrows; no nothing. After a while we'll start with long sticks to see how well you can block, but for now I want to see how well you are without any weapons. Understood?"

Everyone nodded their head, murmuring "Yes," in sequence of the rest of the class.

"Good. Now, everyone grab a partner."

For some reason the first person I looked at was Syaoran, but he already had his hands full. Sumiki was batting her eyelashes at him while Meiling looked at him expectantly. Meiling and Syaoran were always partners. They grew up training together. It was only natural.

I turned in the opposite direction and looked at the other classmates. Naoko and Rika were already partners; Chiharu and Yamazaki were already partners; Tomoyo was sitting in the grass writing non-stop about what was going on for all the parents so they would be aware of what was going on here; no one was left. Even Hinruku and Roshiku were partners, and they were both new!

"Stuck with Sumiki again," I mumbled under my breath.

"What?"

I jumped, literally, and was then seized from behind, my arms to my sides. "Syaoran? Is that you? What are you doing?" I was trembling, I forgot how scared I was knowing that anyone here could be Tokurashi, and that I was vulnerable at practically any moment.

"Grabbing my partner, what else?"

He let me go so I could turn around and it took a moment for his words to register in my head. "Wh-what? You want. me. to be your partner?"

He nodded his head. "How else will you learn to be able to defend yourself? Not from Sumiki, I assure you. We'll train together, just like we did when you first came here."

"You're sure?"

He gave the tiniest of smiles. "I'm sure."

I looked over his shoulder and saw Meiling fuming, almost in tears, and Sumiki glaring at me. I gulped. "What about Meiling?"

"She knows this stuff like the back of her hand. She can probably teach Sumiki a thing here or there. Besides, I'm sure she won't mind."

At that Meiling's aura blazed like fire, her glare boring into anyone's soul. "Eh heh. uh.I-if you're sure."

I felt bad, but maybe it wasn't as big of a deal she was making it. If only I had known how wrong I was.

"Alright," Mr. Terada stated, clapping his hands for attention. "Now that everyone has a partner, get into your own space and pick numbers, either one, or two."

We all moved out of everyone else's space that they might need and faced our opponents. "Do you want to be one or two?" Syaoran asked.

"Um. I guess I'll be two. You can be one." I said with an unsure smile. Was he going to go easy on me? What if I wasn't prepared? What if I made a fool of myself?!?

"Okay! Now that you've all chosen your numbers, ones, you will try a various flow of three kicks and three punches, and number twos, you will block them. After that is done, switch. Twos will attack, and ones will defend. Go!"

I took a deep breath to get all of the jitters out of my system and watched Syaoran with keen attention. I got in the ready stance I had newly adopted and tried to relax while being alert, which was EXTREMELY hard to do. I saw his right foot move and my gaze shifted in that direction. I was completely unaware when he kicked with his left foot instead, and I only got out of the way with a little impact on my side.

"That was dirty!" I said, pretending to be angry.

He gave a careless shrug but I could tell he was enjoying himself. "I know."

I stared at him through silted eyes and was ready, this time watching every single part of him. He moved to the right and brought his left leg out but quickly switched legs and aimed a right kick at me. This time I was ready. I blocked with my left and wound my leg around his ankle, pulling him down. He looked shocked as he started to fall but back-flipped out of harm's way and landed in a crouched position. The next kick was so fast that I almost didn't see it. He spun and lashed out twice, with me blocking with my forearms, one after the other.

Forearms now numb, I waiting for the punches that had yet to ensue. The first one I spotted easily with no trouble at all, the second one I blocked lazily and received a nice bruised shoulder, and the third one he aimed at my right shoulder punched me in the cheek when I brought my hand up to stop it. I accidentally bumped his arm that time and his fist slipped upward and hit me right in the face. I pulled away, sore and panting while Syaoran continually apologized. I brushed his apologies away.

"It was my own fault. I should have blocked better. I'm just losing my energy, but now it's MY turn!" I smirked. "And I ;m going to get even!"

He seemed to feel a little better about that, but I could still see apologies written all over his face. I'd just have to make him NOT feel sorry. I held the power now. Not him.

The first kick I made was sloppy and lazy, making Syaoran think I didn't have any strength left. I stalled right before the second kick by sighing and wiping the sweat off of my face, causing him to let his guard down. Once he did I lashed out and aimed for his side, which he barely blocked in time. I felt contact and pulled away, not wanting to hurt him.too badly. [AN: grin]

My last kick feinted up, but I really tried to knock his feet out from under him. This time he was fully aware and knew me too well. He ignored my first attempt and easily jumped over my foot. I humphed.

The first punch I threw went straight to the middle of his chest. He caught it with his right hand. My second punch was aimed at his jaw, which made contact partially since he didn't see it fast enough to block it, he only had time to swing his head the other way. My third was the laziest of the three because I tried too hard and put too much effort behind it. Syaoran blocked by crossing his arms together as a barrier towards the impact.

The next three kicks [AN: Hey! Kix! Have you ever had that stuff? I don't like the berry kind but the plain kind is awesome! `-_- Sorry, just thought I'd say that] were easy to detect and I blocked them without much effort, however, he aimed a punch at me directly after I blocked his leg by my left shoulder and stared wide-eyed when he tried to punch me in the stomach, down and up. I couldn't do anything to stop it.it was getting closer.there was no way I could block it.unless I kicked Syaoran.hard.

I squeezed my eyes shut tight, waiting for the air to get knocked out of me.

"No," I whispered, just before I knew his fist would make contact.

*****3rd Person*****

Syaoran's fist was zooming closer and closer to Sakura's stomach. She closed her eyes, waiting for the impact. Syaoran realized she wasn't going to block and his eyes widened in horror. At the very last second he aimed to the right and wrapped Sakura in his arms as he knocked her over, not able to stop the speed he had gained from his attack. The twosome fell on their sides, Syaoran's arms protectively around his cherry blossom and Sakura cowering into her Little Wolf's arms. They landed with a thump and Sakura dazedly opened her eyes. Emerald green met amber as they stared for a few minutes. Finally Sakura found her voice.

"Why?"

Syaoran swallowed, not liking where this conversation was going. "Why what?"

"Why did you pull back. at the last moment?"

"Because. you didn't block it. I didn't want to hurt you." The words were out before he realized what he just said. He turned crimson. "Why didn't you block? Or attack to save yourself? I know you could have."

Now it was her turn to redden. "I could have kicked you, but that was all. I.also.didn't want to hurt you."

As the two lovebirds stood up and dusted themselves off, they didn't hear the "Kawaii," that was whispered by Tomoyo. They also didn't see a fuming Meiling with tears brimming her eyes. Sumiki glowered, thinking thoughts that weren't very pleasant. When class was over everything was normal; for the most part. No one saw a tear-streaked Meiling running toward the palace, planning to talk to a certain someone that happened to be related to the emerald-eyed princess. No one noticed the pair of eyes watching from the distance, a twisted smirk covering his face. He watched the emerald- eyed girl as she laughed with her friends and tugged at a certain Little Wolf that was lagging behind. No one noticed any of this stuff. except a certain blue-eyed boy that acted more mature than he looked, a certain teacher with pity in her honey eyes, and a certain mother with a pained expression on her face, worry apparent on all of her features.

"You better overcome this Xiao-Lang," she whispered to herself from the window of her dark study. "If you don't, all will perish. If you don't.your little cherry blossom with perish. We can't let that happen. I won't let it happen! All is falling into place, for the good. and the bad. Be strong. We're all counting on you, my little stone hearted Prince."

[I was going to stop here but I decided not to. ^-^]

*****3rd person*****

Meiling through herself at the door, knocking furiously. He had to be here! He just had to!

Not a second after she thought that the door was opened and she was staring up at a gray-haired man with glasses. "I need to talk to Prince Touya. It's very urgent!" She panted, nearly shouting in her state of sadness and anger.

The young man didn't even flinch, though he did look surprised. "Right this way."

He led her in the chambers and motioned for her to sit. A young man with dark brown hair and eyes looked up at her from his tea. He must have already been here for a while. He looked up at her with a dull, almost bored expression. "Yeah?"

"Am I interrupting something?" She asked, nervous all of a sudden.

He shrugged. "No. We just finished."

"Good. I need to talk to you. It is very urgent."

"Yes, you already said that. I heard you when you were talking to Yukito. You're related to that Li brat aren't you?"

"Syaoran is most definitely NOT a BRAT!" She yelled at the top of her lungs.

Touya winced. "Alright. My apologies. I didn't know you had feelings for the twerp." He held up a hand to silence her when she was about to object. "Does this have to do with Sakura too?"

She blinked. 'Too?' "I'd rather talk to you privately," she said, hinting the last word and glancing pointedly in Yukito's direction.

"He's not leaving," Touya said flatly at the same moment Yukito said, "I think I have something important I forgot about. I'll talk to you later Touya."

With that, Yukito left the room and Touya looked completely perplexed.

"Alright, what do you want?" He asked, folding his arms across his chest. 'She isn't like Nakuru is she?'

Meiling took a deep breath of air. "What's Sakura like?"

Touya blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. What's she like?" Now Meiling was glaring. "And you better tell the truth!"

"She-s the most kind and gentle human being on this planet. She's my sister, and no matter what, I will protect her. She can make anyone smile by just being her normal, happy self. Why do you want to know?"

Meiling looked down at her hands which were wringing the table cloth. This time she wasn't able to hold the tears in any longer. "I just had to know.who I lost my loving cousin to. I needed to know that she really truly isn't like the rest of those air-brains. I also needed to know.the truth. And now I do.



There! Isn't that sweet! I think so. I'm really sorry about this horrible chapter, but the ending wasn't TOO terribly bad. was it? And thank you SO SO SO SO much to all of those whom have been reading this! You are ALL the BEST! And I'm not just saying that! You are all my inspiration! Without you guys. I wouldn't be typing this right more! The more you pester me to get the next chap. Up, the faster I'll get it up! Guaranteed! Well, Hope ya like it! The end is in sight! I hope. `-_-