Falling Petals

By: Tear Drops

Chapter 9- Merry Christmas, Minna!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except this story and Thomas and Tina and their creations, k?

A/N: Hey minna-san! I know it's a few days after Christmas, and sorry that I'm late, but I hope you enjoy this chapter anyway. I think the next chapter will end up being Syaoran's Test. So, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Kero- *lifts juice up in a toast* to the New Year!

Eriol- *lifts up wineglass* to new ideas!

Spinel- * lifts sugar bag up* To more sugar!!!

Syaoran- *lifts up wine* To more sacred moments!

Sakura- *lifts up wine* To more peace and love!

Tear Drops- *lifts up wine cup* To NO MORE WRITER'S BLOCK!!!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After they boarded the 4:25 am plane to Hong Kong, Sakura fell asleep on Syaoran's shoulder. Tomoyo hummed a song while placing a hidden camera over Sakura and Syaoran, and Eriol sat smiling at his girlfriend's tricks. Syaoran smiled, he couldn't wait to get home.

*~*~*~*

"Sakura, Sakura, wake up. We're here." Syaoran said, gently shaking her.

"Huh? Oh sorry. I'm not used to getting up so early."

"It's ok. Mom said that Wei and Meilin would be waiting for us with the limo."

"Ok." Sakura stumbled down the stairs behind Eriol.

Wei stood with Meilin a few feet away, waving. As soon as Meilin saw them, she ran forward and hugged them all.

"HI!!! Come on! Aunt Yelan and your sisters aren't very patient when they know you are home with some special friends." Meilin grinned. Tomoyo high fived her.

"Go Meilin!!"

"The limo's out here! Let's go!" Syaoran led the group out of the airport, getting a lot of unwanted glances from girls and guys in the crowds.

*~*~*~*

The doors to the Li mansion opened before Syaoran could even touch the handle. Five women piled out. Yelan, in the lead, embraced her son.

"Oh Xiaolong! It's so nice to have you home! We've missed you!"

(A/N: Just for everyone's info, Meiling went home after the dance, and I don't remember any of Syaoran's sister's names, so I made them up. Please don't yell at me!!)

Yelan let him go and looked at the rest of the gang.

"Excuse me for being so impolite. My name is Yelan Li, you may call me Yelan. These are my daughters, Lin, Holly, Sarah, and Yang. We're all very happy to have you here. Please, come in."

Lin was the oldest of the four, with dark brown hair and golden tinted eyes, then came Sarah, who had light brown hair and blue eyes, after Sarah was Holly, with almost black hair and brown eyes, and finally Yang, with chocolate hair and Syaoran's eyes. They all hugged their young brother and welcomed the others. Meilin had skipped inside to get their stuff to the rooms.

The trio walked into the mansion in file. Yelan smiled and looked at each one in turn. One girl's eyes surprised her. They were so clear and innocent, but hid many secrets and pains. Her magic aura was extremely strong.

"You must be the Clow Mistress."

Sakura blinked and bowed.

"Yes, I am Sakura Kinomoto. It is very nice to meet you, Yelan."

Eriol smiled. Yelan knew who he was without even having to look. Tomoyo held up her video camera. This would be great!
*~*~*~*

"Wake up Sakura! It's time to go shopping!" Tomoyo's voice called.

"Err...." Sakura got up and looked around, remembering where she was. Her room at the Li mansion was a royal blue color with elegant ancient furniture. She slept in a huge queen size bed, just for her, with a bathroom attached to the room. The bathroom had a huge tub and a full mirror wall.

Yawning, she walked out to where Tomoyo was waiting. (Kero was in the kitchen, as was Spinel)

"Took you long enough!" Meilin commented, standing by the car.

"Eh.... Where are we going anyway?" Sakura asked.

"The mall!!!!" Tomoyo squealed excitedly.

*~*~*~*~*

Four hours later, they trampled back in the mansion holding many bags. Sakura headed up to her room, wishing she could sleep her life away, wake up and the world would be normal again. Whatever normal is.

Sitting on the floor, she took out the gifts she bought. For Tomoyo, she bought a package of sewing tools, new tapes, and a photo frame. Meilin, a framed picture of the gang after capturing a card, for Eriol, the Clow symbols on a gold plaque. Yelan was receiving a blossomed Japanese flower from home. Touya, Fujitaka, and Kaho's gifts were in the bag to go home.

Sakura took out a block of wood, paints, and knives. Carefully, she began to carve....

*~*~*~*

"We should give him a test." Thomas said.

"Why?! HE should forget her! And you..." Tina said, whipping around, "You need to remember why you're here!"

"Geez, T, I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it! Prove that you aren't on her side!"

"They will be tested, and possibly die."

"That's much better..." Tina answered with a wicked grin.

*~*~*~*

*Christmas Eve*

"Sakura, I've heard that you sing well. Would you do us the honor of singing a Christmas carol?"

"My pleasure. Any special one?"

"How about...Jingle Bells?"

"Sure."

"Xiaolong, be a dear, and play the piano."

"Yes mom..."

Syaoran sat down at the grand piano and began to play...

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..."

Tomoyo taped them singing and cuddled next to Eriol.

"They are so cute together!"

"Yea. My cute little descendent and half-daughter."

*~*~*

Sakura yawned. It was almost 11:30.

"Xiaolong, show our guests to their rooms."

"Yes mom...."

*~*~*~*~*

*Christmas*

Christmas morning was a beautiful sight. A light snow had fallen and the land was white. A large tree stood in the living room, lights blinking and stars shining. Presents were mounted all around the base in piles. Yelan ordered a feast to be made for breakfast, and a dinner feast.

After the large breakfast, presents were opened. Everyone was pleased with his or her gifts. Sakura kept her real gift for Syaoran aside, because he told her to meet him outside later tonight. She felt giddy with excitement. Tomoyo had given her a new outfit that was a light blue with stars at the breast. Eriol gave her a necklace to compliment the dress. Yelan gave her a Chinese heirloom bracelet covered in light pink stones. Meilin gave her a Chinese fighting outfit, like hers, only pink. Sakura was very happy, and everyone else was pleased with her gifts to them.

That night there would be a small dance, which most of China was invited to, in honor of Syaoran's return home, and Christmas. Yelan took pleasure in doing Sakura's hair in a Chinese fashion, and making her feel like she was home. Sakura smiled into the mirror, glad to feel like she was welcomed here, and not ignored. Meilin helped her dress in a green kimono with cherry blossoms floating down. Sakura blushed. She knew Meilin and Tomoyo were up to something!

At the time of the dance, after the guests had arrived and were seated, Wei made the welcoming anouncments.

"Yelan Li." Yelan walked down the stairs to the dining hall wearing a dark red kimono, her hair twisted up, with the flower in the bun. She took her seat at the head of the table.

"Xiaolong Li, heir to the Clan." Syaoran walked down the stairs wearing a forest green color, with a long sword and the clan symbol. He took his seat to the right of his mother.

"Meilin Rae, of the Li Clan." Meilin smiled and walked down wearing a blue kimono, her hair in her traditional buns. She took her seat to the left of Yelan.

"Our guests for this evening, Tomoyo Daidouji." Tomoyo smiled brightly and walked down, wearing a light lavender with small blossoms on the kimono. She took her seat next to Meilin.

"Eriol Hiirawagizawa." Eriol came down in a black-gray shade decorated with the Clow symbol. He sat down next to Tomoyo...leaving one space next to poor Syaoran.

"And Miss Sakura Kinomoto." Sakura looked nervous walking down, but tried to smile and not have a klutz attack. The Clan watched her carefully, after Yelan had told them who the girl was.

Dinner was wonderful. Everyone was filled up by dessert. Then the dancing began. Half of the girls present gathered around Syaoran, begging him to dance. Meilin and Tomoyo nodded. Meilin walked over, and took his arm.

"Girls, you're going to have to wait. The first dance is all ready arranged." She said.

The girls booed and Syaoran gave her a quick thank you look. He certainly didn't want to dance with all those girls!

*~*~*

**Later, about 10 o' clock.**

Sakura stood outside, looking at the moon. It was full right now, and shimmered on the snow. Someone tapped on her arm. She looked up, alarmed.

"Who...? Oh Syaoran, you scared me!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean too."

"It's ok." She smiled.

"Sakura, it's the last dance. I'll meet you in the gardens, ok?"

"All right." Eriol and Tomoyo walked over, asking them to dance. They accepted the offer.

*E & S*

As Eriol spun her around, he smiled.

"Are you having a fun time guessing what is up Syaoran's sleeve?" He asked teasingly.

She smirked playfully.

"I can guess...but he said after this dance!"

"Good luck Sakura.... I know you will be very happy." Eriol's eyes flickered with his past self.

Sakura hugged him. "Thank you Eriol. And thank you Clow too."

"Your welcome, Sakura. Now you better get out there before he does!"

Sakura smiled and slid out of the room to the gardens. Eriol adjusted his glasses and smiled at Tomoyo's approaching figure.

"You told him to get out there too?"

"Yup. Now...where did you plan for us to hide?"

"Follow me...."

*~*~* Sakura sat on a small bench by the fountain. Cherry trees and exotic flowers grew around it. It was like a whole other world. The bushes behind her rustled, but she didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"You came."

"Of course. Do you really think those guys could keep me there? Eriol let me escape."

"Yea. Tomoyo was my escape from the crowds of girls.."

Syaoran sat down beside her, figuring out how to say this the right way.

"Sakura..."

"Yes?" Her eyes turned to his, penetrating his soul.

"Sakura, remember when you captured the Void Card?"

She nodded, the images vivid in her mind.

"Well.... 3 years ago, I began to feel things again..... Remembering things that I couldn't because of the card...."

Sakura looked confused and hopeful at the same time.

"When I returned to Japan, I saw you again.... I knew what it was I had been feeling..." Slowly, he got up and kneeled before Sakura, taking her fragile hand. Looking straight into her eyes, he continued.

"I knew, and I know now that I love you, Sakura. I know we're only 15, so," He took out a small black box from his pocket. Opening it, he took out a small gold ring, with an emerald gem in a star on the center.

"This is a promise ring, Sakura. Please, say you will one day be my wife."

Sakura felt the tears well up in her eyes. 'Oh my god...oh my god.... He remembers! He loves me!' She smiled so brightly; her eyes gleaming, and hugged Syaoran.

"Yes Yes Yes! Of course Syaoran!!!!" She said happily. Then a thought came to mind. 'Thank you so much, Eriol, Clow- Sama.'

Syaoran felt his heart fill with love he only felt for Sakura. Carefully, he slipped the ring onto her finger, and spun her around, laughing. Putting her down, he smiled.

"May I have this dance, beautiful lady?"

Sakura giggled and blushed. "Of course, sir."

Eriol and Tomoyo watched up in a tree, smiling. Eriol waved his hand, and a light snowfall and little bubbles surrounded the couple, creating a special glow on them. Tomoyo smiled and kissed his cheek.

Syaoran and Sakura danced, in their own little world, oblivious to the magic that danced around them. All they felt were each other's heartbeats and the love that never had been lost.

*~*~*~*

Yelan watched her son and the Clow Mistress. She smiled. Her little Xiaolong finally found someone, which loved him unconditionally in return. They would make a wonderful couple. If they survived this new enemy...

*~*~*

Tina grinned, watching the two from above the mansion.

"Let them have their happy moment.....Soon it will all be gone...." She cackled and sent out a gust of powerful wind.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That's all for this chapter. Next chapter will be Syaoran's Test. I hope all of you reading this and at FanFiction.net have a very merry Christmas, Hannaka, Kwanzaa, and New Year. Ja!

Eriol, Syaoran, Sakura, Touya, Tomoyo, Kaho, Kero, Spinel, Yue, Ruby Moon, Meilin, Yelan, and Fujitaka-

*Wave and shout*

HAPPY HOLIDAYS MINNA-SAN!