Wow…I can't believe this…*sniffle* this is unexpected. I never thought that this story would receive as many reviews that it has for just TWO chapters…I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! This makes me extremely happy and I [hope] you guys will stick w/ me. Some of you, like Azure, knows that, well, I'm not the fastest updater (is that a word?) in the world. Hehe ARIGATO MINNA-SAN!! I owe you! On with the story!

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*italics/bold words* FF.NET is acting really weird _

Life of a Woman

By: Devils Sanctuary

"The Fiancée or is it the Fiancées?"

Sakura sweatdropped at Meiling. The ruby-eyed woman was *everywhere*. In and out of dressing rooms, out on the floor of the department store, asking questions, and basically making everyone's life crazy.

"*Meiling*! Can you *please* stop running around like a madwoman??" Sakura sighed at her new friend. "Come on! Please?"

Meiling turned around at the desperately pleading Sakura. "Hehehe, I can't help it. I LOVE CLOTHES! And look!" She dropped the accumulating pile of clothes in her arms on the floor and rummaged around for something. "Aha!" Meiling triumphantly brought out a semi-formal sundress. "It's for you, Sakura! I think it will look great on you!"

Sakura's eyes widened. She touched the fabric and exclaimed, "Meiling! I love it! I'm gonna try it on. Be right back." She rushed to a dressing room, tripped on her own two feet in the process, said 'hoe', and shut the door.

Meiling sweatdropped at the sight Sakura made. "Take your time, Sakura, take your time…" She mumbled to herself, "Don't want you ruining the dress in your haste. Heh heh."

After five minutes, Sakura still didn't come out. "Sakura, are you done?"

"Hoee, umm, Meiling can you help me zip up the back?"

Meiling fell on the floor. She got back up, rubbing her head, and thought 'Wow, is Sakura really a woman or still a young girl?' "Coming."

She poked her head in the room and found a sight she would never forget. She burst out laughing.

Sakura had her clothes strewn everywhere and a chair was knocked over. She was in the middle of the room, trying to look at her backside in the large mirror. "Onegai, Meiling, don't laugh, just help me get it on already," Sakura said irritably.

Meiling hiccupped and her eyes twinkled with mirth. "Sure, Sakura." She walked to Sakura's side and helped her zip the dress up. "There!" Meiling stepped back a few feet and examined Sakura. "Amazing…"

"Honto?" Sakura looked in the mirror and saw her reflection staring back at her. "Is that…. me?"

Looking elegant and poised, the person staring back at Sakura was a completely different Sakura. Sakura touched the glass. She wore a dress that fitted loosely but tight enough to show the soft curves of Sakura's body. It was pale pink that darkened at the tip of the first layer. Thin straps held the dress up and it had an imperial waistline. Small petals were embroidered on the top that gradually got bigger as the dress went down. Below the waistline, several sweet pea flowers were scattered on the fabric. The second layer, which was underneath the first layer, was dark pink with small sweet peas stitched as a border. It was a gauzier material than the fabric of the first layer and accentuated the curves of Sakura's body.

"Sakura, you look stunning! I bet Syaoran would think so too! We have to get his opinion."

"I don't think Syaoran would care much."

"Oh I'm pretty sure he will care." An glint of evil appeared in Meiling's eyes. "He's going to care, trust me. I have my ways. After living with him for so long, I know how to get him to help out."

"Ah, okay Meiling, whatever you say." She then pushed Meiling, who was thinking of ways to torture Syaoran, out of the room. "Now, out so I can change. Then we'll get some ice cream."

"Hai."

Five minutes later, Sakura came back out and they went to the cash register. Sakura fumbled in her wallet and gave a small "hoe". "Meiling? Can I borrow 10 dollars? I only have $11.80 and I need at least 10 dollars more."

"No problem, why didn't you say so? I could've paid for you." Meiling handed Sakura two fives and smiled.

"Thanks, Meiling," Sakura said gratefully. She looked at Meiling's empty hands. "Didn't you get anything?"

Meiling grinned. "Of course I did!." She swept a hand to the corner of the store. Ten stuffed shopping bags stood in a row waiting to be taken home.

Sakura's mouth fell open. 'Oh, my god, is this woman for real?'

"Don't worry about how we're going to take it out. The store delivers and some of the clothes are for you, too!"

"Meiling, are you serious!?"

Meiling eyed Sakura. "Certainly. Not unless you refuse my kindness?"

Sakura's mouth opened and closed. "I have no choice, do I?"

"Nope," Meiling said cheerfully. "Let's go!"

The two women chatted as they walked to the food court. They spotted a Baskin&Robbins and headed in. Sakura ordered a Mocha Latte ice cream, while Meiling opted for Raspberry Rampage. (have no idea if they are real names of ice cream ^_^)

"So, how did you meet Syaoran? I haven't had the time to talk to him yet."

Sakura stirred the rapidly melting ice cream. "Well, I was out jogging…..at 5:30 in the morning."

"Isn't that a bit early for jogging?" Meiling asked incredulously.

"Well, I had a lot on my mind and I really couldn't sleep. I had to get out of my apartment. Then, on my run, I ran into this, this disgusting man who was trying to rape me." At that word, Sakura shuddered, remembering what happened to Tomoyo.

"Oh, Sakura. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"Yes, well, it gets better. Before that, my best friend was also raped and stabbed to death by a man just like the one I met," Sakura said sarcastically.

An awkward silence took over but it was broken by Sakura's sigh. "I'm sorry, Meiling. I didn't mean to say it that way. I've been trying really hard to let go and it's hard, harder than I thought it would be."

Meiling patted Sakura's hand. "Don't worry. I'm here to listen anytime you want."

"I know, Meiling. And I appreciate it a lot."

"Syaoran's there for you too," pointed out Meiling.

Sakura smiled. "It's strange though, I haven't known either of you for more than a day. And yet, you've already accepted me and even bought me clothes." She gestured at the bags. "You don't know how much this means to me." Her eyes teared up a bit.

"Aww, Sakura-chan! Don't be sad at all! Syaoran approves of you, for some odd reason." Here Meiling giggled. "And if he does, then I do too. It's the least we can do for someone who's been through so much already." Meiling rubbed her head. "Oops, sorry if I got carried away there

Sakura shook her head. "Iie, it's alright. I don't mind. Now let's go back to your house. I can't stand being in a mall for too long."

Meiling checked her watch. "Demo, Sakura, we've already spent 4 hours here."

Sakura shrieked and jumped out of her chair. "C'mon! Let's get out of here!" She grabbed her friend's hand and rushed out of the shopping center. She breathed in deeply and sighed.

"Ouch, Sakura. I didn't know you hated the mall so much."

"Well, it's not that. Malls just remind me of Tomoyo. This is the first time in a long time that I've gone anywhere like here without Tomoyo and it just feels strange."

Meiling patted the girl's hand and smiled. "Cheer up, girl! If I know your friend, she must be very happy that you bought a beautiful dress all by yourself!"

Sakura laughed softly. "You're right, she would be ecstatic."

Meiling brought out her cell phone and punched in a number. "Let me call Wei so he can pick us up." She linked arms with Sakura and they casually strolled into the park opposite the mall. "Hello, Wei? Can you bring up the limo to the park across Tanaka Mall? We'll be waiting for you there. Arigato, Wei."

"Wei's your butler, right?"

"Hai but he's more like a family friend to us. I've known him for such a long time. Ever since I was born, I think."

"What about Syaoran?"

"Oh, him? The same except it was harder for him to accept me than Wei." Meiling chuckled at the memories. "I had such a huge crush on him back then. I wouldn't ever leave him alone and sometimes I think that was the best thing I could've done."

"Why?"

"Otherwise, he would've stayed the same. Cold-hearted, stubborn, and stoic." She shrugged. "Well, he's still stubborn and a bit stoic, but he certainly isn't as cold-hearted as he used to be."

Sakura looked at her, dot eyed. "He doesn't seem cold-hearted at all to me."

Meiling put on a thoughtful face. "Well, he's changed a bit ever since he took over his father's business. Now he's stronger than before and twice as stubborn. Business men." She shook her head in playful mourning.

Sakura laughed and looked around. "Oh, this place is beautiful!"

"Isn't it? I love coming to this park. It's Syaoran's favorite place around here. But don't tell him I told you so."

Sakura put a finger to her lips. "Mums the word. Oh, the limo's here." They started for the car when Sakura stopped.

"Sakura? Anything wrong?"

"Kero-chan! Oh, no! I completely forgot about him." She turned to Meiling with wide, glassy eyes. Sakura brought her hands in front of her.

"Sakura! Snap out of it! What's going on? What's wrong?!?" Meiling grabbed Sakura's shoulders. "Now, tell me. What's. Going. On."

She looked at Meiling with watery eyes. "I-I left it at home! I have to feed him!"

Meiling stared at Sakura in confusion. "What? You left what at home? A boy?"

"No, my little cat!" wailed Sakura.

Meiling fell on the ground. "Sakura, you mean to tell me you got all worked up like that for a CAT?!"

Sakura smiled sheepishly. "H-hai?" She threw her hands in the air. "I can't help it. He means a lot to me!"

Meiling laughed. "Sure, we'll pick him up on the way home. Come on. We're out of here!"

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"Syaoran! Are you there?" Meiling shouted out into the empty mansion. She turned to Sakura. "Hmm, I guess he's out searching again."

"Searching for what?" Sakura said as she struggled out of her shoes. "Ahh!" She lost her balance and fell with a thud.

"He's been here for a week looking for a new secretary for Li Foundations. His father is depending on him to find the best." Meiling grabbed Sakura's hands and pulled her up.

"Arigato." She brushed off her bum (hehe) and straightened her clothes.

"Want to go for a swim? We've got an in-ground pool behind the house." Meiling grinned. "And you can wear that new suit that I bought for you too!"

"Hoe….o-okay. But can I see what it looks like first?"

"Hai! I'll get it." She raced to her living room, where all the clothes she bought were put. She rummaged around the bags for a few minutes. "Here it is!"

Sakura walked into the room. "Whoa! Meiling, isn't that kinda too- revealing?" She gulped when she looked at it. The bathing suit was a bikini. It was wine red and skimpy-looking with lace everywhere. The top was a halter-top with very thin straps and the bottom was very small. Overall, the bathing suit showed off a lot more skin than Sakura was used to.

"This? Nonsense! Just try it on for me, please?" Meiling shoved Sakura toward the powder room. She sat down on the sofa and waited.

A voice floated down the hall. "Meiling? Are you there?"

She jumped up. "Syaoran! In the living room."

Syaoran walked into the room and sat down in a chair in the corner. "What are you doing in here?"

"Can't you tell?" She saw the blank look on Syaoran's face and told him to look around the room.

His head swiveled around. "Ooh, I see. Shopping again?"

"Yup. Got tons of clothes." Meiling smirked. "How's you and Miki?"

Syaoran opened his mouth to reply when a light, cheery voice interrupted.

"Meiling, are you sure this is a bathing suit? It looks a bit too provocative to be one," said Sakura as she walked in wearing her heels, unaware that Syaoran was in the room.

Syaoran, on the other hand, was more than aware of the beauty clad in barely anything, captivated in spite of himself.

"To be honest Sakura, it's lingerie," Meiling said wickedly, smirking at the only man in the room.

"HOE!! MEILING!!" Sakura blushed from head to toe and hit Meiling on the head. "Mou, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because then you wouldn't have tried it on," she said simply, as she rubbed her head.

Sakura sighed. "Well, at least it's just us two."

Meiling snickered. "Actually, just the *three* of us."

Sakura jumped, startled at the Meiling's words. "WHERE??!"

"Right here."

She whirled around and to her disbelief and horror, found Li Syaoran behind her sitting on the chair.

"S-syaoran…." She blushed even more when she realized he was looking her up and down. "LI SYAORAN, CLOSE YOUR EYES RIGHT NOW HENTAI!!!" She walked over to him and closed his eyes for him, smacking him in the process.

"Ouch, Sakura! Watch it!" He grabbed her hands and she attempted to close his eyes again. Syaoran tripped her, swept her off her feet and she landed in his lap. She looked up at his face and realized she was in his lap. Sakura promptly struggled to get out of his clutches. But to no avail, he was holding her too tightly.

"Mou, Syaoran, what are you doing? Do you know how this would look to you servants?" Sakura chided him, trying to get up.

"Yeah, it looks like something alright. Whatever happened to your dear Miki?" said Meiling, as she observed the two. 'Dear cousin, what are you doing?'

"Miki!" He sat up and almost knocked Sakura out of his lap. "Oh, Sakura! Gomen nasai." He set her on her feet. His hands lingered on her hips for a few seconds before taking them away. "Ano, you should go put on something," Syaoran said awkwardly.

Sakura, still blushing from his hands on her hips, walked to Meiling who was laughing hysterically. "Meiling! That wasn't funny."

"Here, put this on." Meiling handed her the pink sundress that Sakura bought earlier.

"I'll be right back." Sakura waved a hand at them while walking off.

"That's one strange woman," commented Syaoran as he watched her walk away.

"Of course she's a bit wired. Sakura's been through a lot and it's changed her a bit. Speaking of Sakura, what was all that about? Holding her in your lap? Hands on her hip?"

Syaoran frowned and shrugged. "I don't know. It just happened."

"What kind of explanation is that? You have a fiancée for pete's sake! Miki would be pissed if she found out you did that."

"Which is why she's not going to find out." He gave Meiling a hard look.

"Face it, you don't really love Miki, do you?" She crossed her arms and sat back in her seat.

"Yes, I do. I do love Miki and it's none of your business anyway," he said vehemently.

"It is my business if you do anything to hurt Sakura."

"I would never do anything to hurt her!"

Meiling sighed. "Syaoran, just don't lead her on like that. She's gonna to get hurt if you do and I don't know how it'll affect her."

"Okay, okay. I'll stay away." Syaoran ran a hand over his chocolate colored hair.

"No, Syaoran!" Meiling groaned. "I didn't mean stay away. I mean that you should try to keep your hands away from her body and try not to flirt with her, okay?"

"Okay, I'll try not to flirt with her."

"Flirt with who?"

Syaoran and Meiling jumped, startled at the new voice. "Sakura!" they both exclaimed.

Sakura giggled. "Answer my question, Syaoran."

"Well, I was just talking to Meiling, that's all." Syaoran looked at Meiling out of the corner of his eyes. She nodded.

"Did you mean flirt with me?"

Syaoran just nodded, surprised that she thought of that. Meiling sat there, surprised as well.

"Well, don't look that shocked, you two. I'm not that stupid." Sakura laughed at Syaoran and Meiling who were protesting, trying to cover their astonishment. "I'll let it go for now."

Syaoran just grinned at her, while Meiling rolled her eyes.

Syaoran opened his mouth to say something when Wei came into the room. "Yes, Wei?"

"Li-san, Yurimoto-san is on the telephone. She says it's urgent."

"Okay, arigato, Wei." Syaoran walked to the living room phone and picked up. "Hello, Miki? What's going on?"

Meiling and Sakura watched in curiosity as Syaoran's face paled.

"She's what!?…Now…When…A party!?…Is there any way out of it?" Syaoran sighed as he listened. "Fine, fine, but tell her not to come until next week so we can prepare. Okay…uh huh…no…yes…yes…okay. Ja." He hung up the phone, looking like the weight of the world had just settled on his shoulders.

"Syaoran! What did Miki want?" Meiling got up and went to his side.

Syaoran sighed again and said sadly, "She said that Mother wants to come down to visit us in Japan. She's also going to host a party here."

"No way! Now!?"

"We have a week."

Sakura butted in. "Can she do that? I mean host a party without your consent, Meiling?"

Now Meiling sighed. "Yes, she's the owner of this house, she just lends it to me whenever I come down here."

"Oh. Ano, she can't be that bad, can she?" Sakura said hopefully.

At that, both Meiling and Syaoran sighed.

"Hoe…" Sakura sweatdropped as she tried to picture Syaoran's mother, wondering if she was an ugly old lady who was mean and rude and or if she would be pleasant and nice. Then she sighed as well.

"Oh, yeah. Sakura, your dress looks great on you." Syaoran absentmindedly muttered that while he thought of the day his mother would arrive with dread.

Sakura blushed and Meiling smacked Syaoran lightly on the back of his head.

"What did I do now?!?"

Sakura and Meiling burst into fits of giggles at the stressing Syaoran.

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Syaoran stood at the edge of the balcony. It looked like his face was void of an emotion but if a person looked closely, they would see a myriad of feelings fighting within his eyes.

'This is so like Mother.' He closed his eyes and fingered the necklace around his neck. The blue star-sapphire ring glittered in the moonlight on the fine, thin gold chain. 'Miki….' He thought about Meiling's question.

*Face it, you don't really love Miki, do you?*

"Argh. I do love her…." He whispered the last part. "I do." 'Don't I?' He looked up at the moon, creamy white and glowing. He breathed in deeply and tried to rationalize with himself.' If I didn't love her I wouldn't be marrying her. I promised myself I would marry for love and only love. I can't go back on it. I can't.'

*FLASHBACK*

"Father, you cannot make me marry her!" Syaoran slammed his fist on the table and it left a crack.

"It will be good for you to settle down, son, and I really think that she can help you with that." Li Ryuko replied calmly, arms crossed and staring at Syaoran.

"No! I can't marry her!"

"Why ever not? Give me a good reason."

"Because, well because…." Syaoran stumbled on his words. He thought about a good answer. "Well, father, can I ask you a question?"

"If it helps, go ahead."

Syaoran quickly formed a plan in his mind. "You love mother, don't you?"

"Yes, of course." He replied, surprised at the question. "What does that have to do with your betrothal to Miyako-san?"

"Well, you and mother married out of love, didn't you?" Syaoran looked out the window as he asked the question.

"Hai?" Realization dawned on Ryuko's face when he realized what his son was getting to. "You, Li Syaoran, wants to marry for love?" he asked incredulously. Never had he thought that his cold, withdrawn son would want to marry for love.

"Is that so hard to believe?" He sat down on the office chair and put his fingers together. "I would rather be single and happy than married and miserable." Syaoran remarked.

Ryuko eyed his son carefully. "You really have changed, son."

"Hai, I suppose I have." 'More than you think, father.'

"And you don't love Miyako-san?" A shake of the head. "You've given both you and her a chance to see if it would work?" A nod. Ryuko sighed. "Very well, I'll announce the news to the Clan and you see to telling Miyako-san that the engagement's off. Let her down easy. She's a good girl and she was willing to be engaged to you in the first place." He mumbled, "I sincerely hope that girl hasn't fallen in love with him. Who knows what she'll do then," as he turned away and strode across the room and left Syaoran with his thoughts.

'Wait what does he mean 'who knows what she'll do' ?' Syaoran sighed and walked slowly out of the room as well.

END FLASHBACK

'What that girl Miyako did indeed.' Syaoran smiled wryly at that particular past event. 'She was always the dramatic one.'

FLASHBACK

A man and a woman stood on a bridge above a snaking river…

"WHAT?! Li Syaoran, you can't possibly back out of the engagement now!!" A raven-haired girl punched his chest furiously, raging at the thought that a man would actually consider breaking their engagement and going through with it as well. Her angry, passionate silvery blue eyes flashed their annoyance.

Syaoran looked down at Miyako in amusement. "I'm sorry but I can and will." He grabbed her flailing hands and captured her eyes with his. "Can you honestly tell me that you love me and care for me more than for my money?" He gazed hard into her eyes.

She stared back for a few seconds and her gaze faltered. She looked away. "I might care for the money more than you but that doesn't mean I don't care about you at all," she said softly. "I'm hurt that you think that I only care for your money."

Syaoran looked back at Miyako, eyes softening. "I'm sorry, Miyako, but it won't work out between us. You know that already."

Her arms fell down her sides. Tears flowed down her face and her head drooped. "Just…tell me why," said Miyako quietly.

"Do you know what love is, Miyako?"

Miyako's head shot up. "What do you mean, Syaoran?"

"Love is something special. It is between two people…or between a family. It keeps them together, strong and full of life. It binds them…like two souls bound together, equal with each other and in-step…" Syaoran commented, a faraway expression on his face.

"S-Syaoran?"

He snapped out of his trance. "Oh, Miyako, I'm sorry." He turned away. "I'm not certain that you understand what I'm saying…about love, but it's something I'm not yet willing to give away to another. I'm truly sorry if breaking this engagement is hard on you. It was never meant to be between us. My love for you is like a brotherly love, nothing more, Miyako."

Miyako stood there, a pained expression on her face. She sighed. For once in her life, Kamiya Miyako was giving up. Her hair covered her eyes as she peered at Syaoran. 'He really is serious about it…I never thought that I loved him that much. I-I don't want to give him up but-but I have to…for him.' Tears streaked down her face as she spoke those hard words. "Very well, Li Syaoran. The engagement is off." Silently, she slid her precious diamond ring off her finger and gazed at it. "You truly are a hard man to please, Syaoran. There might not be a single woman who can spar with you. I wish that woman good luck with you." With that, she walked up to Syaoran and slapped him. Then she dropped the ring into the river and walked away, out of his life.

END FLASHBACK

Syaoran lightly touched his cheek where she slapped him. 'She really could slap a guy.'

RING, RING, RING!!!

Syaoran picked up his cell phone. "Who would be calling at this hour?" he murmured to himself as he fumbled to hit the 'speak' button. "Hello?"

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my old partner Li Syaoran."

Syaoran tensed up. "What do you want Xie Huan?" he said harshly.

"How did you like that gunfire of mine?"

"Cut that shit, Huan. Stay away from Sakura or else. Don't you dare hurt her or anyone else. This is only between you and me."

Laughter ringed out the phone. "Do you honestly think that your threat has any effect of me? I'm after more than revenge now, Li. I'm sure you can figure out what I'm after. Watch out, and be very careful of who you trust."

"What do you me-Huan? HUAN!" He threw the phone down. "Kuso. What did he mean? What does he want?" His eyes widened. 'He wants SAKURA?!?'

That's all!!! Until next time, minna! I'm out!

P.S.- Finished 3 days before the end of the month~! Amazing, ne?