AUTHOR"S NOTES: Hey everyone! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated for a while. But I seriously tried my best. Can someone please grant me special powers? Coz I really really need them this month. Two people I know died and I cried for about 1 day straight. I got 2 exams and 13 assignments in one week. AND I still got all my extra-curriculars. Not good not good. So I'm really sorry and I'll try my best to update soon but no promises. But the more u review, the quicker I update ^_^

Thank you list:

*Sapphire Melody/Camellia*: Thank you so much for reviewing again. I really appreciated it, you're one of my loyalest reviewers, and I'm glad you liked the chap.

*Hikaru Ayumi*: lol, thank you for all you kawaiis and I'm really happy that you like this fic. And. AM I THAT PREDICTABLE?!?!? Oh wells, you'll see the answer to that question in this chapter and I hope you like it.

*Kelly*: cute? Awww. thank you. *blushes* I'm glad you like it. Thank you.

*Demi-kaijuu*: !!! HI!!!! I love your reviews!!! Lol. Thank you so much for reviewing. And yes, this is a PURE S+S story, so they will be getting together. or at least I THINK *laughs evilly* Well, last chapter you got to know more about Sakura's past, I sorta put that in especially for you ^_^! By the way, I read your fic. I don't think my review worked though. my comp sorta died before I got there. So I just wanted to tell you that I luv your fic. Please review again!!!

*Daydreamer5290*: OMG!!! You're the firstest EVER person to add my ccs fic to ur favz list!!! I AM SOOO HAPPY!!! THANK YOU SO MUCh, U R THE KEWLEST EVA! I'm not sure if the fic will get any funnier though. but I'll try. last chap was depressing, but I hope you liked it anyway. Thank you AGAIN!!! And please review this chap.

*CuTe*LiTtLe*TeAdYbEaR*: LOL! Don't you just hate it when you get hooked onto fics? That happens to me soooo much! Anyway, I'm really glad that you got hooked onto THIS fic though, it makes me feel soooo special.

*Transcendent Pig*: You found it funny? Wow! Thank you!!! Should I change a genre into humour then? Lols, anyways, I hope you like this chap.

*sakurapetalsntears*: thanks for your review and thank you sooo much for telling me you like the new fic idea. I dno when I'll b writing it tho. eheheh

*Star Silver Fox*: Lol, thanks for reviewing twice. short sharp shiny, thank you. Hope you like this chap.

*Anon*: Hi! Thanks for your pointers on the jap. but. uhh. I've got no idea who's got it right. it's probably you. but I'm weird. so. WHY DON'T I STICK WITH ENGLISH THEN?!?!? Uhh. I'm not sure, but thanks for your review, and I'm glad you like the fic idea as well. But for the fics sake. I'm really sorry but I think I might stick with 'Sakura no Kaijuu'. if that really bugs u then tell me and il stop it

*Joanne*: Thank you for reviewing Joanne ^_^ makes me happy when people review.

*Kura Xander*: WOW! Hehehe, two people in a row telling me that this is a 'great story'. eheheh. *runs around the house bragging*. *AHEM* please excuse that! Thanks for your review, and do please keep reviewing.

*darlin'*: hey!!! You really are a darlin' you know? ^_~, thank you so much for you review, made me feel speshal. 'fantastic story'? *blushes*, hope you like this chap.

*NEOGALAXY*: Yes yes. I was quite surprised at Syaoran's behaviour as well. (even tho I wrote it), but you'll get to see WHY he was so pissed in this chap. I think. And seeing that you were the only person to vote yes or no on the S+S mush topic. and you vote yes. I shall grant you your wish. BUT THAT WILL ONLY HAPPEN WHEN S+S actually get together. not too far from here. but not near either. so bear with me and try and still enjoy the coming chaps. Thanks for reviewing though. me=happy

*tidus2yuna*: HEY!!! I AM SOOO HAPPY!!! ME? To favourite authors list? WOW! But. eheheh. sorry, this is the only fic on ccs that I have up *sweatdrops* a new one IS coming your way though. just don't know when. U a final fantasy fan? SAME!!! But I haven't played FFX yet. I started the first disc tho. but I adored FF8. I mean HELLO??? Squall and Rinoa forever and ever haha. sorri, I'm getting a little sidetracked. And I wanted to tell you that I'm real happy coz I think u're the first aussie that's reviewed and I rekon that's speshal. Please review again. Eheheh. you going to check out my other stories??. well I only got this one up as ccs. but I started a looking for alibrandi one a while back

*Noise*: cute reunion? You rekon? Check out the next reunion after Chiharu's. That. would be Ryo's reunion. Not so cute, trust me on that one. Meilin? Nothing's happened with Meilin. she's going to come into the story asap. I luv her. but I'm just thinking HOW I can get her in. And you are the third person to say that Tomoyo is yelling at hatoshi. JEEEEZZZ. well you'll see in the chapter whether or not then ^_~

*Sakura Blossom161*: HI! Thank you for your review. I don't think ANYONE liked the part when Syaoran slapped Sakura. I'm sorry. I'll try not to do that again. but I hope that didn't put you off the story. I hope you like this chap and please review again.

*slver_wolf*: HI!!!! OMG!!! I was soooo happy when I read you review. "one of the best ccs fics I've read yet" *squeals happily like tomoyo*. but I maybe that's coz you haven't read a lot of fics then. but hey.. Maybe you have. I dno. it's just that I feel so so so speshal that you wrote that to me and I don't even care if u were lying. but I strongly doubt that coz ur so kool. well I hope you review again!

*LilAngel*: HAHAHAHA!!! You make me laugh lilangel lolz. You're the FOURTH person to predict that it's hatoshi. *sigh*. it's either you people are just super good and that you people are just super good. And I'm really sorry that I nearly made you cry. I swear. I rekon no one liked that bit with the argument. oh wellz. I hope you still like the fic and please review again coz I was really happy when I read yours

*anderson*: HI!!!!!! IT's you again!!! I'm am so so so so sorry that I didn't email you when I updated. I sorta was a tiny little bit lazy = P. But you still reviewed!!! I am so happy!!! But. *sigh* FIFTH PERSON to predict that it's hatoshi. am I really that boring?!? Oh wellz. and I agree with ya! I wanted to get Ryo slapped/punched as well but I wasn't sure if I wanted sakura to do that and Syaoran had already slapped someone. but I'll try put that in coz Ryo deserves it. And yes, if that happens, Tomoyo WILL tape it.

*seiko123*: hey! Thank you so much for you review. You're the first person to comment on my actual writing and say it's good! Yay! I suck at writing proper English! Lolz. Well I hope you enjoy this chap and please review after your reading. AHHHH you reviewed twice, I jus read ur other review and im on one of ur favourite fics?!?!??!? I FEEL SOOO SPECIAL and u made me feel speshal!!!! Arigatou gozaimasu

*Chibi-kerochan*: hey! Thanks for ya review and I know. it's sad isn't it. poor sakura, she did have it rough. Anyways, just wanted to tell you that I luv kero too. He is sooo adorable. I like kero-chan better wen he's little tho ^_^ well, enjoy the chap!

*to sita()*: HI! Thank you for your review! I feel so special. So many reviews. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story and I'll try my best to not get Sakura slapped again.

*Hey()*: HEY! If Sakura a little bit too dense for you? I'm sorry. I just like writing about her that way. If you don't like it, then I'll stop okay? = ) But hey. people studying psychology CAN be dense. I think.. Ehehehh.. ANYWAYs!!!!! You scare me SOOOOO MUCH seriously. You guessed my plot! Ahhh. I feel so stupid! Everyone is predicting my whole story!!! Anyway. you're partly right about you're idea. you'll see in this chapter and I sort of have a feeling that you might like it. Well I hope you review again! Bubis

*lil-syaoran-gurl*: hullo hullo, thank you for you review. I put up on my genre that this is now a romance/drama fic. That works out a little bit better then. I just noticed that this IS sorta like a little drama show, well there's way more of that coming your way and I hope you enjoy it and yes. there is a bit of twisting and turning in this chap so I hope you like it.

!!!*TO ALL MY REVIEWERS*!!!: hey everyone! Thank you so much for all your reviews! I'm so happy and I loved reading all of them. I hope you all enjoy reading this chapter and please review after reading. Also. can you all please read the author's note at the end?!? Please? Coz I'm putting up something important. And I'm extra extra sorry for getting Syaoran to slap Sakura last chapter, everyone disliked it. = ( I'll try, I'll try.

The story. AT LAST.

.

Last chapter:

The rest of them followed, entering the lift. Sakura tried to stay as far away as Syaoran. She knew that he was doing this on purpose.

On the other hand, Chiharu was growing more and more worried about Sakura, something had happened and she is not talking at all. And Takashi and Eriol were just plain surprised that Syaoran actually offered to go with them.

To cut things short. they all knew something was wrong. .

Sakura and the others left the lift to find Tomoyo standing outside her car talking to a man. or more like. yelling at a man.

They all edged closer to see who it was.

{DAYUM I should have put 'yelling at someone' so that person could have been either Ryo OR Hatoshi. bugger, oh wellz}

(^_)(_^) (^__^)(^__^)

. . . . . .

'Great' Sakura thought, 'just my luck to meet so many bastards and bitches in one day. What is it? National-let's-shit-up-Sakura's-life-day? Now breathe Sakura. I think we should have a little bit of pay back time now'

All of them were either in shock, thought, or fear. Eriol, Chiharu, Takashi, Syaoran and Sakura all saw him.

. Sukiteka Hatoshi. .

{MN: Special commendations for all of those people that guessed right: Hikaru Ayumi, LilAngel, Anderson, noise}

All of them were looking from Sakura to Hatoshi. Back and forth, not knowing what tragedy was about to take place. all secretly praying that it wouldn't hurt Sakura too badly. At least. that was what most of them thought.

Syaoran was still angry but had that light twinge of guilt that he is trying to ignore so he's a bit busy at the moment. But still. he wondered what was about to happen.

But none of them expected what Sakura was about to do.

She walked straight up to him

Head held up high

And with a confident look on her face.

. . .

Tomoyo was too busy yelling at Hatoshi to notice that Sakura was approaching them. But Hatoshi did. And once he laid eyes on the girl. he didn't want to look away. So he stared. Until eventually Tomoyo noticed that Hatoshi was looking behind her so she turned around and saw Sakura walking towards them.

'Uh oh.'

Sakura paused in front of the both of them. The rest of the gang was behind her; they had caught up and stood right there, next to her, behind her. supporting her.

Then Sakura flashed a smile.

A sugary sweet smile.

At.

Tomoyo..

And then..

She smiled at Hatoshi.

Chiharu and Tomoyo gaped. 'What the.'

"Konbanwa Sukiteka-san. How have you been?" asked Sakura in the sweetest tone. her smile. the way that she was standing. her look. her voice. if someone didn't know the story, they would have been thinking that Sakura was seducing Hatoshi.

But of course, we all know better.

"Look Sakura, I'm really sorry. I've regretted breaking up with you ever since the day that we parted. I still love you. I always have and I always will. Please Sakura. give me another chance. Please?"

Tomoyo and Chiharu bursted out laughing. But they stopped when they turned around and noticed that Sakura wasn't laughing at all. In fact, she looked as if she was buying his whole act. Tomoyo bit her bottom lip. Chiharu clenched her fist. But they weren't going to interrupt this. This was Sakura's choice. It was her battle.

But they started to get worried.

Sakura's facial expressions started to soften. She started to look less confident. vulnerable. She walked closer. up to Hatoshi.

Her eyes looked a little glassy, like they were filled with tears.

Hatoshi noticed that Sakura was softening up. 'Still the same naïve and innocent Sakura. that's my girl. now walk to me and fall into my arms' thought Hatoshi. Just to add a little more flavour to the whole scene, he said it again, "Sakura, I love you. I always have. I only tried to protect you. but I know that I was wrong in what I did. I'm sorry. I love you with everything I have, I want you back in my life. you are my all", just when she was standing in front if him.

Tomoyo turned around. she didn't want to see them get back together. Chiharu leaned against Takashi for support. Eriol just stood next to Tomoyo, supporting her. hoping the same thing that the rest of them did.

'Don't get back with the bastard', thought Syaoran.

Then he shook his head. She has nothing to do with him, it didn't matter to him whether or not she and Sukiteka get together. But. it was. just.

.

Sakura walked up to Hatoshi and heard those three words again. Then she smiled up at him. And then she placed her hands on his chest and leaned her head against his shoulder. He placed his arms around her waist.

He had won. he had gotten Sakura back.

Tomoyo turned around fully this time and leaned against Eriol. Eriol blushed. but this was unnoticed by Tomoyo who was too busy swearing. {MN: OOC I know.. and just in case you didn't see before. READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTES AT THE END. I decided to put it in the middle as a reminder so that you would notice = P}

Chiharu just sighed and tightened her hold on Takashi's hand.

But Syaoran? He looked emotionless. But he was far from what he looked, inside he was feeling ANYTHING but emotionless.

'AND SHE WAS yelling at me because Ichibera was being a tag along? When goes weak at the knees after just a few pathetic words. I knew it! SHE's just like all the rest of them. Women. such dramatical and moody people! AND I THOUGHT I should be feeling guilty. Well I guess that wouldn't be needed. SHE'S got SUKITEKA now. why would I need to worry about her?' he thought to himself. And yes everyone... it wasn't just you, I saw that little green monster of jealousy just shooting through Syaoran... but of course, HE didn't notice.

.

Sakura sighed, leaning her head against Hatoshi. (They were standing on a side) And then she caught sight of Chiharu and Tomoyo, who were both leaning against a guy. They were all staring at her. And then Sakura blushed a little. But she caught the girls' eyes.

And she winked.

The girls looked at her, slightly teary and perplexed. but finally understood and regained their balance and sniffed. then smiled.

"*sigh* Hatoshi? Hatoshi-kun?" said Sakura in a quiet sugary voice

"Yes Sakura? Hmm? You know. I'm so glad that you're back with me again. I knew you hadn't forgotten about me. I'm too special for you to forget. And I know you have loved me all through this time. Now you've come running back at me. We were just meant to be weren't we? Hmm? Sakura?" answered Hatoshi in a confident tone.

Then Sakura started shaking in his arms, she buried her head into his chest and shook even more.

Hatoshi was proud at how his words had gotten such an emotional response from her and held her tighter, "Don't cry Sakura, I understand, I know you feel the same. I know that you agree with me."

Then Sakura couldn't hold it any longer. She stepped back from Hatoshi and was laughing her head off.

Hatoshi looked at her.

"Sakura? Sweetie. what's the matter? What's so funny?" he asked, reaching towards her.

Sakura took a step back. STILL giggling. probably even harder than before.

Takashi, Eriol and Syaoran just looked at the pair confused, while Tomoyo and Chiharu smiled knowingly.

"*gasp* Chiharu.*giggle*, Tomoyo. come *gasp* here girls. *giggle*. Hehehehe" said Sakura between her laughs.

The girls stepped out and stood next to her while she leaned on them for support from all the laughing. Then she took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to calm herself. But that didn't work coz Tomoyo and Chiharu had started laughing next to her as well.

So there they were, standing in the car park of Li-Enterprises, three gorgeous girls standing there, giggling and leaning against each other for support. And four high positioned men of the Li-Enterprises standing there watching the girls laugh, having no idea what on earth was going on.

Until finally, Eriol was the first one to understand it all and he stood there and smiled at them.

The girls calmed down finally. And Hatoshi reached out and asked again,

"Sakura babe, what's the matter? What's so funny?"

Sakura took a deep breath, waved his hand away and fully regained her composure and looked up at Hatoshi with determined eyes.

"You"

"Me? What's so funny about me?"

"Your ego Sukiteka. Geez. Do you seriously think that I would go back with you after all that pain you've caused me? All that stuff you said before was just downright bullshit to me and it will stay that way for the rest of eternity."

Hatoshi fumed. Syaoran let a tiny smile appear on his face without thinking.

"YOU."

"Yes me Sukiteka. (Here she put on a Barbie voice) 'Oh darling, I know you've loved me through all this time. And here you come running back at me. I love you too' (normal voice now.) I mean seriously, you really badly need to get your ego checked coz its suffering from a bad case of indigestion.

YOU Sukiteka can go to hell. I DON'T and WON'T have ANYTHING to do with you EVER. So you can go running over to your 'darling gorgeous Ryo' now because she's here, in Tokyo city. In fact," here, Sakura turned around and pointed at Syaoran,

"If you need to know her whereabouts, ask your boss here, he would know for sure" and she turned back around, but not before receiving that deathly glare from Syaoran.

EVERYONE shot their attention at Syaoran immediately, but he just glared them all away.

"Now if you'll excuse me Sukiteka-san, I have to go have dinner now. Great! Look at the time! Do you know how much of my time you have wasted??? I better go now because I have caused my friends way too much hunger and boredom to stand here and wait for me. Let's go everyone."

"Saku--," started Hatoshi

"It's Kinomoto to you. And please, don't go for my looks because I sincerely doubt that you are wanting me again because of my 'personality' And finally, now you know how it feels to be hurt. but then again, I doubt you have a heart so I don't know if it's possible for you to be hurt" she said coolly,

and with that, they all turned their backs on Hatoshi and left to their car. Sakura had her arms around Chiharu and Tomoyo's waists, theirs around her shoulders, with the guys tagging behind.

'Whatever happened to the innocent, dense and naïve Sakura from back then. Ouch. that was feisty. But it just shows more why I want her. I want her so much. and I'm going to get her even if it's the last thing I do.' Thought Hatoshi and he got into his car, ready to follow them.

Eriol and Takashi were staring at Syaoran.

Syaoran was glaring at Sakura's back.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* In the car

(Chiharu, Takashi and Sakura all got into Tomoyo's car (Merc). the couple at the back, Sakura and Tomoyo at the front. Eriol and Syaoran got into Syaoran's car (Honda S2000).)

"Kami-sama!!! Sakura! You have me so scared that I was crying girl! Wow. our little Sakura has finally grown up and is standing up to people. Seriously Sakura I don't even think I can fish out insults as good as you. You should teach me so when Takashi lies again I can use them" said Chiharu

"Did you know that insults were --,"

BONK on the head of Takashi

"But then again, I still think hitting him on the head works better" smiled Chiharu while Takashi sat there rubbing his head.

Then.

All of them bursted out laughing.

While everyone was laughing and chatting, Sakura just smiled a little and looked outside the window for a moment, then a look of sadness crossed her face. She reached her hand up and touched her cheek. it was still sore. She remembered all the events that had happened tonight. Ryo. Hatoshi. all of it. She sighed. She was really looking forward to dinner.

"Sakura? Sakura-chan?" asked Tomoyo softly, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Yes?" answered Sakura, plastering on a fake smile, glad that Chiharu and Takashi were busy chatting away.

"You don't need to act anymore. if you need to let it out then let it out. What happened before? Ryo? What happened? With Li? Sakura? Are you alright?" said Tomoyo

"Yeah. umm. Can I sleep over your place tonight?" asked Sakura, indicating that she wants to tell her later.

"Sure, then I can take you to your lecture as well."

"That'll be great"

"Where are we going to have dinner?"

"Umm. I told them to go to the Hyatt. I feel like a fancy dinner tonight so yeah. I hope you don't mind."

"It's cool with me, as long as I get to eat. I'm starving" answered Sakura

Tomoyo giggled. And they drove on.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* In the other car. (Syaoran and Eriol)

"Syaoran?"

"What?"

"Do you have anything at all to tell your cousin?" asked Eriol, sweat dropping. He decided to ask seeing that they had been silent for the last 10 minutes and he really wanted to know what happened.

"No"

"Just say it Syaoran, or else, I'll have to ask Sakura, and if I have to ask her, then she'll probably cry and everything and then I will get uncomfortable and then so would she. Because both of us will be uncomfortable, it would be your fault because you didn't tell me what happened and I had to ask her and then I would come home and bash you up coz you got all of us uncomfortable, including Tomoyo because she wouldn't like to see Sakura uncomfortable. So, my dear little cousin, why don't you just tell me straight out?" said Eriol matter-of-factly.

"Eriol, you KNOW you won't be able to land a punch on me."

"So you're trying to say that you want me and Sakura to be uncomfortable for and that you want to Sakura to cry?" asked Eriol

Deadly silence.

"I slapped her."

"WHAT?"

"I slapped her across the face."

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT LI SYAORAN??? Didn't aunt Yelen and the Elders always teach you to not lay a hand on a girl and that's why you've never even trained with Meilin. And NOW you go around slapping gorgeously fragile girls across the face!?!?" shouted Eriol, turning his head towards Syaoran.

"Watch the road Eriol, I don't want to die yet."

"Of course you don't want to die yet because YOU Li-san have not told me why you slapped Sakura-san across the face AND you have not apologised to her for doing so yet, so of course I won't let you die." answered Eriol, turning his back towards the road. "So now, that I have promised that you will not die yet, tell me before I kill you."

"I slapped her."

"Syaoran, I already knew that unfortunate piece of information. Did you just forget that you told me? Then again, that is quite possible seeing you slapped Sakura across the fa -"

"Eriol, shut up."

"I won't shut up unless you tell me so you might as well because you're sooooo not getting out of this one" said Eriol.

Syaoran sighed, he might as well tell him, what was there to be scared about, HE was in the right wasn't he? It was Kinomoto's own fault... at least, that's what he tried to think.

"She got all emotional and accused me and swore and I didn't like her behaviour and I got all annoyed and then she pushed it even more and finally I met my limits so. I slapped her."

"What did she say?" asked Eriol seriously

"Ichibera came over and saw me. she saw us"

Eriol nodded understanding a little more of the situation now, but was still a little confused with some details.

Syaoran knew that he would need to tell the rest to Eriol so, "Ichibera grew up with Kinomoto. Sukiteka and Kinomoto were together, Ichibera bashed Kinomoto up to give him up. she didn't, she suffered a lot from Ichibera. Finally Ichibera got Sukiteka to drop Kinomoto and get with her. so let's just say their reunion was not too umm. cheerful."

Eriol sighed, and finally knew. so Ichibera was the same girl that Tomoyo told him about in the car last time.

"Why can't you just drop Ichibera? Syaoran? Why?" asked Eriol

"I hate her with everything that I have and I have seriously tried, I have tried soooo much to get rid of her but it just won't work because she. well. she's even MORE persistent than Meilin and her family has very strong ties with the company. I mean think about it. she got detectives to follow me and then SHE followed me to Japan. I can't stand her, but can't get rid of her. I really wish she would just get lost" answered Syaoran sadly.

"But what does all this have to do with slapping Sakura?" asked Eriol

"She accused me of being together with the bitch and made ME sound like the low life, I warned her, but she just wouldn't shut it, so. she pushed me over the edge. And then, I slapped her" said Syaoran, finally sounding a little ashamed of himself.

"But that still gave you no right to slap her. Don't you think that it's bad enough that she had to see Ichibera and Sukiteka again? Don't you think that it's enough to break her heart all over again? Did you even think about what she might be going through Syaoran? Did you?" asked Eriol accusingly

"Well she seemed more than alright to me when she was out there in the car park. And I know. I shouldn't have slapped her but SHE shouldn't have said those things about ME before she even got the matter straight. I am not going to apologise Eriol, and nothing you say is going to change that" Syaoran said, in a dry tone.

Eriol knew that noone whatsoever would be able to change his decision when he had made up his mind. So he just sighed,

"Well let's hope that it's as alright as it looks Syaoran. I really don't think that girl deserves more pain that she has already had."

Syaoran just sat there in silence. not agreeing but not disagreeing with it either. In some part of him. at the bottom of his heart. he DID agree with Eriol and seriously didn't want Sakura to get hurt anymore.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^ At The Hyatt, dinner (MN: I adore going to the Hyatt, the valet always gives us a good park spot ^_^ the food's average, but everything's classy ^_^)

Dinner was a very tense situation. Everyone was trying their best to hide it and cover it up by throwing comments in here and there. Takashi even lied more on purpose so that Chiharu would hit him to lift off some tension. But nothing was working well. Chiharu and Tomoyo would tell that Sakura was faking all of her laughs and smiles.

Syaoran and Sakura were very quiet. This was not unusual for Syaoran, but it was for Sakura. Eriol kept on eyeing the two and at one time he even looked at Sakura properly and could see quite well the mark that Syaoran had left on her from the slap. he cringed at the look.

(MN: eheheh, sorry folks, but I have no idea what to write about at the dinner, so let's just pretend that it was very quiet and boring, which it was so MOVING ON. *dramatic music* (Symph. No.5).)

They had finished dinner and were going to share the bill equally but something very weird happened.

The cost turned out to be approximately $30 (AUS) per person for the dinner, which included drinks and a tip for the waiter. And Sakura threw her credit card into the middle. And gave everyone's money back.

"Sakura! What are you doing?!? We're going Dutch girl!" said Tomoyo, a little too loud attracting a bit more attention than she needed.

"Don't worry about it Tomoyo, I'm paying this round" smiled Sakura, answering her back quietly

"But Sakura! You're still going to uni! You're the only one out of US that doesn't have a job and you're expecting us to let you pay for all of that???" asked Chiharu

"Hey Chiharu-chan! I'm not Kawaii Designs top model for nothing you know, Tomoyo DOES give me some fair pay. It's alright really, stop treating me like a baby" answered Sakura

"But - ,"

"No buts. I was going to take you and Takashi out for dinner since I saw you again but never got around it. Tomoyo? Well I can take her out any time coz she's seriously done so much that I would never ever be able to pay her back for" Sakura then turned to Eriol and. Syaoran, "And I needed to pay Eriol back for treating for breakfast last time" she gave him small smile and nod and finally looked Syaoran in the eye.

The sight of him made her want to wince but she held it back and still kept her smile on, but anyone could tell that it was a very sad smile.

"And you Li-san, well I never think I ended up paying you for the shirt, so dinner would have to do. But I'm sure you wouldn't care anyway."

Syaoran glared at her, not exactly sure what she meant by the last sentence.

"No thanks. I don't need women to pay for me. I'll pay my own part" said Syaoran in an icy tone.

"No Li. I'll pay. I don't like owing things from people. I only ever owe my friends" answered Sakura back in the same voice.

Syaoran glared at her. The other four at the table were lost but Tomoyo and Chiharu were shocked at what Sakura said. Sakura had never said anything so mean to anyone before. This was a first timer.

But shockingly, Syaoran agreed with her and let her pay. This hurt Sakura even more as that meant that they were no longer friends.

Tomoyo tried to think of a way to cheer Sakura up so she thought, why not go to the club downstairs? (MN: There's a club at our Hyatt but I'm not sure if there's one at all of them, just pretend)

"Sakura! Let's go for a dance downstairs!" mused Tomoyo

"Nah, I'm tired"

"Come on. Everyone else is going aren't they?" asked Tomoyo, throwing puppy- eyes at all of them. No one objected, not even Syaoran. Even he thought he could do with some relaxation.

"Yeah! Let's go Sakura!"

"Ok then" sighed Sakura a little.

And they all went downstairs.

.at the club.

.

.

Chiharu and Takashi made their way to the dance floor once they got in.

Syaoran and Eriol practically got all the girls' attention once they arrived and sat down at a booth away from the dance floor so it wasn't as noisy. So many girls were coming round ready to chat them up. But Syaoran just glared them all away and Eriol would decline them politely.

Tomoyo and Sakura weren't doing much different on the attention bit. So many guys were coming around them, fully ignoring the fact that they were sitting with two guys already. At one point, one guy that approached them was drunk. The dude was slurring and even tried to touch one of the girls.

"Please can you just get LOST? WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN A DRUNKEN FAG LIKE YOU SO GO PISS OFF SOME OTHER POOR GIRL YOU IDIOT!" screamed Sakura

The guy slithered away. Tomoyo was looking worriedly at Sakura. The last time she saw an outburst like this. nothing good followed it.

"Sakura. are you alri - ,"

"I'm fine Tomoyo. Please excuse me for a minute" answered Sakura

"Umm. Sakura I'll come with yo - ,"

"No you won't. Stay here and accompany Eriol. I'll be fine" and she picked up her bag and walked off with a small frown on her face.

Eriol was looking at Syaoran, expecting something from him. Nothing. Nothing at all happened, he was just drinking slowly out of his cup and glared some chick away.

Then Tomoyo turned to Eriol and Syaoran.

She gave them an impatient look and then,

"I know that you guys know what is going on with Sakura. I can tell. AND I know that you, Li-san" she said calmly turning her full attention to Syaoran, "have something to do with it." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Now I'm asking you both to tell me what happened before you all went to the carpark."

"I'm not -," started Syaoran

"Yes you are, You ARE going to tell me. Because I will be finding out sooner or later coz Sakura's coming over tonight. But I want to be ready for whatever she's going to tell me. So DON'T even think about saying 'nothing happened' and don't think about lying. So tell me right now." Demanded Tomoyo in a strong voice, unaffected at all by Syaoran's glare.

"*sigh*. Tomoyo-chan" started Eriol. "He slapped her across the face."

"WHAT???" screamed Tomoyo and Chiharu + Takashi (who had just returned from the dance floor and just heard the conversation) at the same time.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Meanwhile. with Sakura at the bar.

"Hey gorgeous, how can I help you tonight?" asked the bartender nicely.

"Umm. can you get me a Japanese Slipper for now thanks and put it on bill 29, my Hyatt gold card should be somewhere there" replied Sakura {MN: for all of you that don't know, a standard Japanese Slipper is served in a cocktail glass and has 30 mL Midori, 15 mL vodka and 30 mL lemon juice and poured in a shaker of full ice and then ready. I know ALL of my cocktails; I mix them and drink them and I LUV EM}

"Sure"

And that's how Sakura night really started. And after the first drink, she was starting to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. But she didn't know.. Not at all that a certain someone she hated had followed her from the car park and was watching her every single move. .

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^*^*^^*^*^*^*^*^ back with the resta the gang

"LI SYAORAN!!! You better have not have let me just hear Eriol say you slapped my best friend across the face" screamed Tomoyo making everyone there wince.

"Calm down Tomoyo. I think. I hope. we. just all misunderstood what Eriol said. I don't think Li would actuall - ," said Chiharu, trying to convince herself

"No you didn't hear wrong and you didn't misunderstand anything. It's true and don't think I'm going to apologize either" said Syaoran icily.

Tomoyo and Chiharu took a sharp intake of breath and Takashi tried to calm Chiharu down.

"Li. you don't know how much that would have hurt Sakura. you really don't" said Tomoyo, small tears forming at the rim of her amethyst eyes praying to God that Sakura would be alright.

"Why?" asked Chiharu in a strained voice

"Wait a minute. I remember Sakura saying something. something about being. something about you Li. you and. Ryo. Ichibera, I still remember her. What happened Li?" asked Takashi, thinking back to the conversation at the car park.

"Oh GOD NO! THE BITCH IS BACK?!? KAMI-SAMA!!! NOT ICHIBERA RYO!!! Please please please please, I beg you Li, I seriously beg you. don't tell me that you slapping Sakura had ANYTHING, ANYTHING at all to do with Ichibera OR Sukiteka. please?" pleaded Tomoyo, straining her voice, clasping her hands in front of her and her eyes were begging.

Eriol just sighed at the scene

There was a silence while the DJ stopped the music to change discs

The people dancing were still laughing and having fun without the music

But there was a silence.

At the booth where five young adults were sitting.

A silence that finally let the three clueless ones understand what was going on and.

Chiharu and Takashi tensed up.

Tomoyo froze.

Nothing else happened for another five minutes before.

Tomoyo and Chiharu stood up at the exact same time.

"SHIT! What the hell am I doing sitting here. Where is Sakura??? Oh my god. Kami-sama, please, let her be all right. don't let her do anything stupid, don't let anything happen to her" muttered Tomoyo as she gathered up her stuff and looked around.

But on the other hand, Chiharu was busy doing something else while Tomoyo was fretting her head off.

"DAMN YOU LI!!! WHY THE HELL DID YOU HAVE TO DO THAT?!? Do you know what??? After that first time she met you when us girls caught up she wouldn't shut up about you. She was really happy that she had met a new friend and one that had helped her so willingly. She was still guilty about your fucking shirt and she wanted to repay you for how you helped her. It was 'thank god Li-kun' this and 'Li-kun helped me this way' that. WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT HUMAN THAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT?

AND WHY? Out of all reasons. why did it have to have been because of Ichibera. She had suffered enough because of that bitch. Geez, I'm just wasting my time talking to you, you would never, ever understand what she had to go through" yelled Chiharu, letting only a small portion of her anger out.

"Takashi, get a hold of your woman" spat Syaoran looking totally unaffected.

But inside he was drowning. Drowning from guilt I guess you could say. He was still trying to say it wasn't his fault but he was fighting a losing battle.

Once again though, he was snapped out of his thoughts.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" he heard a girl scream.

MN: I think I'm going to leave you with a cliffy. I really don't like the way this chapter turned out. I was writing and writing and it just sort of dragged out by itself. If you review quickly I'll put up another 1000 words or so to reveal the cliffy. or else u can wait for another chap 2 come out. But whatever happens, please. I beg you.. Puh lease review. I mean, pretty please with icecream on top and uhh.. Put some puppy dog eyes into that as well

Note:

Takashi: head of his department in Li-Enterprises Chiharu: worker in her department (different from Takashi's department) Eriol: Co-executive of Li-Enterprises with Syaoran: Chief Executive Officer of Li-Enterprises Tomoyo: Chief Executive Officer of Kawaii Designs Sakura: Head model for Kawaii Designs and honours student studying psychology at Tokyo University Hatoshi: Board member of Li-Enterprises

Au revoir.. And await the arrival of Meiling, very, very soon