AN: Looking back, I realize that the last chapter was pretty pointless. Just character development, y'know. As a matter of fact, the next few chapters will be slow. But there's action coming, I swear. Just stay with me.

Four chapters in as many days? How many other fics can do that?

Disclaimer: If you think I own anything, you are f*#@&ed in the head. Seriously. I own nothing. Nothing but myself. And anything that came out of my own head. That's it.

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Sakura

As the alien flew his ship into our garage, I sent a look to Taro. It was one of those brother-sister-private-communication looks. It clearly said, "So what now, baka?" He shrugged, looking helpless. Great.

My brother and I were two of the quietest, shyest kids in the whole of Japan. And WE get the aliens? Good grief.

'Course, you should see us when we're alone. We're not shy with each OTHER, oh no. Living with someone your whole life will do that.

See, Taro and I are only a year apart. He's in the ninth year, I'm in the eighth. We have the same close-knit circles of friends. So we've hardly ever been apart.

As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever gone a week without seeing him. Crazy, that.

Sakura?

I smiled, turned. "Ranara."

I apologize for my brother's behavior. He had no right to demand that you leave.

I studied her. I could see a lot of myself in her. Quiet. Extremely close to her brother.

"It's all right. But why do you have to get the ship out of the yard? No one could see it from the street."

Ranara's countenance darkened. My brother and I have . . . enemies. It would be horrible if you got involved in the wars of the Andelite race.

I decided not to press the issue.

"Sakura!" The voice was Taro's, an urgent hiss. "It's Keichii and Hiro! Quick, get her away!"

Hoo, boy. The Dynamic Duo. Keichii and Hiro have made our lives miserable for as long as I can remember. Hiro lives next door.

"Ranara-san? Please, tell Mikan to stay inside the ship. And get out of sight."

Why? I am not afraid of any human.

Oh, I so did NOT have time for this.

"It would not do for them to see you. Onegai. These two are not exactly friends." I shooed her into the garage. "I'll get them out of here and then I'll come back." I saw her hesitate. "Hiaku!! Onegai??"

She smiled with her eyes. "We will be silent, Sakura." She bounded away into the ship. I breathed a sigh of relief and closed the garage door. Not a moment too soon, because here they came.

"Sweet little Sakura. What's going on, babe?"

That was Keichii. He was tall, skinny, and very pale. He also had spiked, purply-black hair and red contacts. Creepy-looking. He was leaning against the door frame with the even taller, muscular, brooding Hiro behind him.

"Buzz off, Keichii. You're on my property."

"Oh, no, sweetie. See, a few minutes ago, Hiro and I looked out my window. And you'll never guess what we saw."

My blood ran cold. Had they seen . . .

"What?"

"An awfully bright light. A spaceship, landing in your yard. And, oh yeah, a couple of big blue aliens."

They HAD seen. But did they believe?

I forced a laugh, looking away.

"You're insane. There were no aliens in my yard. There have never been aliens in my yard."

"Don't lie, Sakura. We SAW them."

I looked up, startled. Hiro. Hiro had just spoken to me. I may faint. I don't think I've ever heard him string two words together. He usually just . . . grunts.

Taro chose that minute to show up.

"Get out of here, you two. Leave my sister alone." Aww, Nii-chan, you're so cute. I didn't know you cared.

Keichii's face lit up. He always seems to like torturing my brother more than me.

"Oh, don't worry, Taro-chan." he said mockingly. "We will. But not until we meet the aliens you're hiding in your garage."

My brother gave an audible gasp. He glared at me, accusing.

"Hey! I didn't say ANYTHING."

"Taro, we saw everything. Don't worry, we won't try to hurt them." Hiro again. Now I WILL faint. I think that has to be more words than he's ever spoken in his life. I didn't even think he knew my brother's name. Taro was obviously thinking the same thing - he looked dumbstruck.

Slowly, Taro shook his head. "I don't think you COULD harm them. But . . . well, you might as well."

I gaped. Was he crazy?

"Are you crazy?"

"Sakura, we can't stop them. You know that. There's no point."

I couldn't stop staring. Who was he kidding? We could . . . we could . . .

Well. Maybe he had a point. I nodded, and pressed the button. The garage door raised, revealing Ranara standing in the doorway.

Maybe it was my imagination. But I thought I heard Hiro mutter something. One word.

It sounded an awful lot like "Andelite."

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Cliffhanger!! Woo-hoo!

Japanese terms

(And if anyone out there actually speaks Japanese, don't hesitate to correct my mistakes.)

Nii-chan: Short for Oniichan. Big brother. Can be both a respectful and a derogatory term.

Baka: Literally, stupid idiot. A bigger insult in Japan than here. (Y'know, 'cause they're all about the book learning.)

-san: An honorific. Like calling someone "sir", or "my lady".

Onegai: Please.

Hiaku: Hurry.

-chan: A diminutive. Like adding "y" or "ie" to the end of someone's name. Ex: "Sammie" for Sam, "Billy" for Bill.

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Thank you to my reviewers. But first off, I want to apologize to Chessrook.

I went back and read the note I left you in the last post. It sounded mean. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way . . . will you ever forgive me? You're my best reviewer. *hugs*

E-chan: o.O?! . . . No. Way. You read Animorphs, too?!! Jesus H. Christ!! We've known each other for how long? And we never mentioned it to each other?? Lordy.

Chessrook: Um, I would, except . . . I don't know the first thing about CardCaptor Sakura. I don't watch it. Sorry, hun. (And you know what they say about assumptions . . .)

Now. The rest of you. Review!! ^.^