Dedicated to Cronocat.

I'm not sure what the age difference between Touya and Sakura is, so in this it's about seven years.

Chapter 8: Misery

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Seems it's my destiny

For love to cause me misery

Oh, I've been down this road before

Where the passion turns to pain

And each time I saw love walk out of the door

I swore I'd never get caught up again

But it ain't true

It takes what it takes

And sometimes we get too smart too late

One more heartache for me

Another night in Misery

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning Sakura stayed in bed until 11:30. Since she was usually up quite early Fujitaka went up to check on her.

"Sakura? Are you ok?"

"Fine." She called back. He came in and saw her still in bed.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Did you have a good time at the funfair?"

She stared at him and he smiled.

"I know you went. Touya's lack of ability to make up excuses is quite comical sometimes."

"Oh." She rolled over and stared at the wall. Fujitaka frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie, Sakura."

"It is nothing. I just made a mistake." She whispered. Fujitaka watched her a moment longer, then stood and said,

"Remember it's your brother's birthday. Get up and say happy birthday to him."

"OK." He left them room. Sakura continued to stare at the wall before dragging herself into the bathroom.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Syaoran, do you know what's the matter with Sakura?" Syaoran choked on his cereal. Touya took the opportunity to hit him on the back, though that may not have been to try and dislodge the food. As Syaoran started to breathe again, he said,

"No… I don't know." Fujitaka kept watching him. He stared at the table. Luckily Sakura came in. She hugged Touya.

"Happy Birthday! Where's your Zimmer frame?"

"Watch it, kiddo. I'm only twenty four." Touya said. Sakura opened the fridge and took out a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread. Putting a slice in the toaster, she poured some milk and drained the glass.

"I'm going to the hospital today. I want to give Yolei something." She told her dad. He nodded, confused at his daughters attitude. Talk about mood swings. The toast popped up and she seized it, munching as she pulled on her jacket. Fujitaka and Touya started to discuss an article in the paper as she walked out. Syaoran looked after her for a moment, then followed.

Sakura was climbing onto Kero. Syaoran stopped next to her and asked,

"Sakura? Can we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about." She said. Syaoran held up a hand.

"I'm sorry for kissing you. I don't know why I did it."

"Just don't talk about it. It never happened." Sakura told him. Syaoran shuffled his feet. Sakura pulled in her helmet. He asked,

"I felt something."

"No you didn't." she said.

"I did! And you did too! Otherwise, you wouldn't have kissed back." Syaoran insisted. Sakura looked at him through the visor on her helmet.

"Nothing happened. I didn't feel anything. Nothing is ever going to happen."

"Why not?"

She looked at him as she started the motorbike. Her eyes were sorrowful and full of misery.

"Because love hurts."

Then she drove away. Syaoran stared after her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sakura walked up to the children's ward and opened the door. There were only a couple of children left and they were playing quietly. There was a nurse looking at Yolei's folder at the bottom of her bed. Sakura went over and the nurse looked at her.

"Sakura."

"How is she?" Yolei was sleeping, her breath coming out in thin rasps. The nurse beckoned for Sakura to follow her into the office at the end of the ward.

"Is it getting worse?"

"Yolei's not got long to live, Sakura. I doubt she'll still be with us in a week." The nurse replied. Sakura sank into a chair. The nurse sighed, sitting on the edge of her desk.

"Her parents will be coming in later on. They're making… arrangements." Sakura ran a hand through her hair. The nurse took her hand.

"Sakura, you have kept that little girl going for much longer than anyone expected. She asked everyday if you were coming. You mean the world to her."

"She's only six years old." Sakura whispered. "She should have her whole life ahead of her."

The nurse rubbed her eyes.

"This is the hardest part of this job. Knowing that we're doing all we can, but it's still not enough. I just keep feeling we could have done so much more." Sakura stood up.

"I brought her a toy."

"I noticed. You can wait with her if you want."

Sakura went and sat next to the bed. Yolei was hooked up to lots of machines, needles going into her arms, sensors on her face and chest. But as Sakura held her hand gently she stirred. Her eyelids fluttered weakly, the pale, almost yellow skin wrinkling as she tried to smile.

"Hello… Sakura-chan."

"Hi Yolei. I thought I'd come and see you today. I brought you a present." Sakura held up the toy bunny so that Yolei didn't have to move to see it. The bunny was pink, made from soft material. Yolei's face cracked into a weak smile.

"It's kawaii. Thankyou, Sakura."

"That's ok." Yolei coughed, the movement racking her tiny body. Sakura felt tears rise up in her eyes and a lump in her throat. When she had stopped coughing she asked,

"Is Syaoran-kun here today?"

"No. He had to stay at home today."

"You should fall in love. And get married." Sakura stared at her. She had never told Yolei about the arranged marriage!

"Then you could have a little girl. And you can call her Yolei. Like in Cinderella."

Sakura smiled. Cinderella was Yolei's favourite story. She seemed to be able to relate it to just about anything.

"Did Cinderella call her daughter Yolei?"

"Probably. Yolei is a good name." Yolei said, matter-of-factly. Sakura smiled. She put the bunny into Yolei's hands and she cuddled it to her face.

"Sakura-bunny."

"Is that bunny's name?"

"Yes. Will you call your baby Yolei?"

"If I have a baby one day."

"You should. You and Syaoran. You are both good with each other."

"You think so?"

"Yes." Yolei yawned. Sakura stroked her hand.

"I'll let you go to sleep now."

"N'night Sakura-Chan. Night Sakura-bunny." Yolei said dozily. Sakura continued to stroke the tiny hand. Yolei closed her eyes, whispering,

"Yolei… good name."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

When Sakura got home Syaoran wasn't in. she walked into the living room, intending to catch some TV. But Touya was in there, with a tall girl. She had dark hair and eyes, and was very pretty. She jumped to her feet and smiled at Sakura.

"You must be Sakura! I'm Nakuru!"

"Hi…" The perky girl hugged her and turned to an embarrassed Touya.

"She's not a monster at all! She's adorable!" Sakura glared at her brother.

"I'm not a monster! Meanie." She muttered the last but under her breath. She sat down and looked around.

"Where is everyone?"

"Dad's gone shopping. And Syaoran, in case you're wondering, is with his mother."

"Wasn't wondering." She said quietly. Touya threw her a calculating look. Nakuru looked at her.

"Is Syaoran the guy you're supposed to be marrying?"

"You know about that?"

"It's all over the shopping centre."

Touya and Yukito both worked in a food shop in the main shopping centre; Apparently Nakuru worked in the shop next to theirs. Sakura liked her, she was fun and bubbly.  When Fujitaka came back he found them watching a movie and eating popcorn, laughing. He smiled and said,

"Sakura, do you know what time Syaoran's coming back?"

"No." she said. Fujitaka sighed. Touya glanced at him. He shrugged and went into the kitchen. Touya looked at Sakura.

"Ok, squirt. What's going on?"

"Nothing! Gawd, why does everyone think that something is going on?" Sakura said, her voice stressed. Touya folded his arms.

"Because yesterday, you and that brat were the best of friends. And now you don't even want to say his name. What happened?"

"It's not important, ok? Now shut up, I'm trying to watch the movie." Touya was about to make another remark but Nakuru put her hand on his arm and shook her head. His face softened as he wrapped an arm around her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tomoyo and Eriol arrived at 7:00. Syaoran was back, and sitting in the living room with the others. Sakura had been avoiding the room and she opened the door.

"Come in, you guys. I'm so glad you're here." She sighed. She led them into the living room and Tomoyo ran and hugged Touya.

"Happy birthday! I've got you a present!"

"Thanks, Tomoyo." Touya replied. He took the brightly wrapped parcel and opened it. A soft, blue jacket lay underneath. Nakuru seized and sighed,

"It's gorgeous! Did you make it yourself? You're so clever!" As Touya opened the rest of the presents Syaoran glanced at Sakura. She felt his eyes on her and looked up. But as she met his glance, she scowled and looked away.

"Sakura… it's your turn." Eriol hissed. She jumped and handed Touya the box.

"Happy birthday, Big Brother."

"Now there's something you haven't called me in a while." Touya said lightly, unwrapping the paper. He opened the box and grinned.

"Thanks, Sakura. I've needed a new watch for ages."

"I know. Your old one is gross." Sakura told him. Fujitaka stood up.

"Dinner should be ready soon. Come on through, everyone."

The dinner was great. Fujitaka was a great cook and they all felt like exploding by the end of the meal. Yukito gave Fujitaka two thumbs up.

"I haven't eaten that well in ages!"

"A compliment on food from Yukito! It must have been good!" Fujitaka joked. Yelan nodded and said,

"I'm so full!" Nakuru nodded in agreement and sighed,

"There goes the diet! I'll have to start again tomorrow."

Sakura looked at Tomoyo.

"Can I talk to you?" she nodded.

"Sure… just as soon as I can stand up!" Touya looked over at his presents.

"These are great. Thanks, everyone. By the way, I didn't know you had such good taste in clothes." He said to Syaoran. Syaoran went slightly red.

"Sakura picked it out. I had no idea what to get you." They all laughed and started to clear things away. Sakura seized Tomoyo's wrist and pulled her upstairs.

"What's wrong, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked, worried. Sakura sat on the bed.

"I kissed Syaoran. Last night."

"Really? Oh my god! What does this mean?!"

"Nothing! At least… that's what I keep telling everyone. But he said he felt something, and he wanted to know if I did too."

"What did you say?"

"I said no, of course!"

"Did you mean it?" Sakura stared up at her friend.

"That's the problem. I don't know."

Tomoyo sat next to Sakura and wrapped her arm around her.

"Oh, Sakura… You've been hurt before. And now you don't ever want to love again."

"I'm scared, Tomoyo. I'm having all these feelings, and I don't know what they mean. It's nothing like when I was with Leon."

"What does it feel like? When you see Syaoran?" Tomoyo asked.

"Like… well my heart kinda jumps. But that might just be heartburn."

"See? That's what I get when I see Eriol? That's love!"

"No! It's… heartburn." She finished weakly.

Fujitaka called upstairs,

"Girls! It's time for the cake!"

They went downstairs. Sakura looked at Syaoran and felt her heart was in her throat. Touya blew out the candles on the cake and made a wish. As he cut it, Fujitaka turned to Sakura.

"Got any plans for the rest of the week?"

"Just the usual stuff. I'm gonna go and see Yolei on Tuesday."

"How was she?"

"Not good… and I've got Karaoke on Wednesday. Just school and stuff otherwise."

"Why don't we go to the aquarium? You love the aquarium!" Touya said suddenly. Nakuru giggled.

"Those fish are so funny! I love fish!"

"Sakura used to pull faces at them when she was small." Touya told her. Sakura groaned.

"Touya, stop it."

"Dad, where is that picture of Sakura trying to blow her cheeks up bigger than the blowfish's?" Touya asked. Fujitaka went to the bookshelf and pulled out a photo album. Sakura buried her face in her hands as Touya showed everyone the picture.

(A/N: Has anyone seen that episode, with watery? When Sakura's blowing up her cheeks on the glass? Doesn't she look adorable in it??)

"Oh, she's so kawaii!" Nakuru squealed. Syaoran took the picture and examined it. After a few moments he grinned. Tomoyo seized it.

"Oh, I need a copy of this!"

They spent the next two hours looking at photos. Sakura's revenge was done when they found a picture of baby Touya with his head down the toilet.  Yelan took another photo album from the shelf and looked at the cover.

"This is the album from ages ago... a few years after you and Nadeshiko married. " She said. Fujitaka nodded and they all looked at the photos. Tomoyo picked up one of Sakura's mother.

"She looks more like Touya than you, Sakura." She commented. Sakura nodded and took out another picture.

"Who are these people, Dad? I can see you and Mother." There were five people in the picture, all smiling. Fujitaka and Nadeshiko were sitting on the grass and holding hands. Sitting next to them was Touya, aged about seven, playing with toy trains. And next to him was a much younger Yelan, her arms wrapped around a small boy.

"I had married Syaoran's father much longer before your mother and Fujitaka did. So my four daughters were already quite old."

"Four daughters?" Eriol asked. Yelan nodded. Sakura touched the photo.

"Then that boy is…"

"Syaoran." Sakura's fingers pulled away from the picture as if it were scalding her skin. Syaoran looked at her.

"You must have been born a couple of months after that."

"I guess so." She muttered. She looked at her mothers face.

"I can hardly remember her. Not like this. I can only remember her when she was sick." Yelan sighed.

"Even when she was sick, Nadeshiko was always happy. When I moved back to Hong Kong she would call me just to boast about her children. Not that I didn't do my fair share of boasting. I was very proud of my little baby boy."

"When did you… make the arrangement?" Sakura asked tentatively. Yelan studied her face closely, then said,

"It was a little while before your mother died."

* * * * * * * * FLASHBACK THINGY-BOB * * * * * * * *

Yelan knocked on the door to Nadeshiko's bedroom, Syaoran sitting in her arms.

"Come in!" Came Nadeshiko's cheerful voice. Yelan opened the door and went to sit beside the bed. Her heart almost split into two pieces when she saw how thin and pale her best friend was looking. Nadeshiko smiled and only then did Yelan notice the little girl in her arms.

"This is your Sakura?"

"Yes. Isn't she gorgeous?" Nadeshiko held the two year-old up. Her large green eyes regarded this strange lady. Yelan put Syaoran onto the bed and smiled as he stared at Sakura. She put out a hand and shook his, her face sincere. Nadeshiko looked at her friend.

"Thanks for coming."

"It's nothing, Naddy. You said it was urgent."

"I had an idea. You know how, when we were little, we always wanted to be sisters?"

"Yes…"

"Well, I had an idea! If Sakura and Syaoran get married we practically will be sisters!"

"Naddy, they're only two."

"I know that, silly! I mean, when they're older."

"An arranged marriage?"

"Yes! Of course, they'd get a say in it. We wouldn't force them. But then they could spend some time together. And we'll be sisters, just like we always wanted." She stopped to cough. As she stopped, she turned sadly to Yelan.

"Yelan… I haven't got long. You know that. So it's up to you. Don't give up on it, just because I'm gone."

"I won't. I'll do everything I can to try and get them together. Ok?"

"Ok."

They both turned to look at the two small children. Sakura was giggling as Syaoran pulled funny faces. Sakura grinned at her mother.

"Funny, mama."

"Is he funny?" she asked. Sakura nodded, then fell into another fit of giggles. Ending with her falling off the bed, and banging her elbow on the bedside cabinet.

* * * * * * * * FLASHBACK THINGY-BOB * * * * * * * *

"So that's how I got this scar?" Sakura asked, pointing at her elbow, where a thin white line was visible. Yelan nodded and Sakura glared at Syaoran.

"Even when we were kids you managed to torture me."

"Hey, you're the one who fell off the bed!"

"Because you made me laugh!" Sakura retaliated. Fujitaka coughed lightly. Sakura looked around at him and grinned sheepishly. Fujitaka laughed.

"Come on. It's time we started to tidy up a bit!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The end of another chapter. Did you enjoy it? Didja? Many thanks to all those who have reviewed! Reviews make Katie happy!

Lotsa luv 'n' huggles

Katie.