Chapter Fourteen

Back for more punishment? – Part 3

"He's Syaoran Li?" Nadeshiko asked.

"Well, uhm..." Syaoran was lost of words as well as Sakura.

"Sakura?" Nadeshiko looked at her daughter as everything was so sudden.

"I can explain, Oka-san," Sakura began.

"I never knew," Nadeshiko cut in, "He is as charming as Yang."

"You know my father?" Syaoran asked.

"Your mother, Yelan never told you we were best of friends, I guess," Nadeshiko told him sadly.

"I know about you and your husband was good friends of our family just yesterday. I read my father's diary. It was written in it," Syaoran told her, thinking to himself better to leave out the letter his father wrote to him, "My mother never told me anything about our families being best of friends."

"I should have guessed it," Nadeshiko replied sadly, "Things didn't go well after we left Hong Kong."

"I think I will change out of these clothes," Sakura told them, as she pointed to her blood-stained clothes, "This is making me sticky."

"Go ahead, dear," Nadeshiko told Sakura, smilingly, "I will like to speak to Syaoran-kun for a moment in private as well." Sakura nodded her head and got off her bed. Good thing the blood didn't stain the bed for it had already dried on the way home. She got her clothes and went into her bathroom to take a bathe.

"So, Syaoran-kun, tell me," Nadeshiko started as soon as she watched her daughter went into the bathroom," How is your family doing?"

"My four sisters are doing the same job as I am. My mother is currently at home giving us the direct orders," Syaoran replied, looking at the floor. He was nervous. Very nervous, in fact. He didn't know what was taking over him.

"I see... You like the job?" Nadeshiko asked, noticed his nervousness.

"Not really, but I still have another job," Syaoran replied half-heartedly, "My mother owned another company you see, a rather famous shipping company, Ye Yang Co. I think you should have heard of it." Why was he telling everything to her? Something about her made him poured everything out. After Eriol, she and Sakura were the only ones able to make him do so. Just then, he saw Nadeshiko smiling at him.

"Yes, I know that company. I never thought it was Yelan's company though. It really surprises me," Nadeshiko laughed. Syaoran looked blankly at her. It was then he realized why his father wants to protect the Kinomoto. They are just like any other people. They have feelings as well. Just then, Syaoran's handphone rang.

"May I excuse myself?" Syaoran bowed as he went to side to answer the phone, "Hello?"

"Syaoran! Where are you?" Meiling's voice sounded over the phone.

"Meiling?" Syaoran asked in surprise. Why is his cousin calling his phone?

"Mo... Syaoran, I asked you where the hell are you? Your mother is looking for you," Meiling shouted.

"Oh... well..." Syaoran paused. Now what? Should he tell her?

"Syaoran..." Syaoran's mother's voice sounded over the phone.

"Mother," Syaoran didn't know what else to respond. Everything had pondered him all of a sudden.

"You are over at Kinomoto residence right?" Yelan sighed.

"Ah..." That was Syaoran's only reply. How did his mother know? Did she spy on him?

"Syaoran," Yelan started before Syaoran could say anything, "Tell them that I will be over at their house tomorrow."

"Yes, mother," Syaoran replied, still in a confusion state.

"Don't be too late, I'm at home waiting," Yelan told him.

"You are in Japan already?!" Syaoran shouted.

"Arrive here a while ago," Yelan replied. Syaoran could hear Meiling's giggles.

"Why didn't you inform me?" Syaoran asked.

"I thought you might be busy with Li Yong Yi's case," she replied. Syaoran made a face; he forgot about the case already.

"See you then," Yelan told him as she put down the line.

"Mother!" Syaoran shouted, but it was too late. He still has things to ask his mother.

"Your mother's on the line, I guess," Nadeshiko affirmed.

"Yeah, she told me to tell you that she will be over tomorrow," Syaoran sighed.

"Aren't you happy your mother is here?" Sakura asked. Syaoran was rather surprised to see her finished her bath. She was in a pink t-shirt and shorts.

"I see you finished your bathe," Syaoran told her, slightly blushed.

"You talk for a long time you know, Syaoran," Sakura chuckled.

"I did?" Syaoran asked, walking over to her.

"How about I say you talk for half an hour?" Sakura smiled at him.

"You are lying," Syaoran said and kissed her on the cheek. Sakura blushed. She loved him. Now and ever.

"Should we go down to meet the rest? I think your father would like to meet Syaoran-kun," Nadeshiko told them.

"Let's go," Sakura said as she held Syaoran's hand and pulled him along. Syaoran was rather shocked by her reaction, but slowly, held her warm hands tightly.

Nadeshiko looked as they went and sighed, "Kami-sama, please let my daughter has her happiness."

"Oto-san!" Sakura shouted as she opened the door to the living room. Every one of them looked around. They stared at Sakura and Syaoran whom stood there looking blankly back at them.

"How DARE you!" Touya broke the silence.

"Hoe?" Sakura wondered what she had done wrong.

"I'm going to kill you brat," Touya continued, "Let go of my sister's hand." Both of them looked at each other. Is holding hand a crime?

"What if I say no?" Syaoran smirked.

"I tell you to let go of her hand at once," Touya shouted, his anger building faster than ever. That Chinese brat is holding his sister's hand and he wouldn't allow that.

"Touya!" Sakura made a face at her brother. She didn't want Syaoran to let go of her hand. At least a little while longer. Tomoyo and Eriol giggled. Yukito decided to calm Touya down. Fujitaka was still looking at them.

"So you are Syaoran Li," Fujitaka smiled at Syaoran.

"Yes, Mr. Kinomoto," Syaoran replied. Silence took over them again. Fujitaka didn't know what to ask or say, either was Syaoran.

"Fujitaka..." Nadeshiko whispered as she bent down to kiss her husband by the cheek. Touya was still at the back making nice about Syaoran holding Sakura's hand while Yukito held him back, sweatdropped. Both Sakura and Syaoran ignored him.

"Yelan is visiting us tomorrow," Nadeshiko told him.

"Yelan?" Fujitaka looked at his wife who nodded in reply, "I see."

"Eriol," Syaoran called out to his friend who was still giggling with Tomoyo.

"Yeah?" Eriol asked still holding his laughter back.

"My mother is here," Syaoran sighed. What was making his friend laugh his head off?

"Your mother what?!" Eriol shouted in horror.

"She is here," Syaoran sighed even louder.

"I heard that," Eriol shouted, "Is you-know-who here?"

"Don't ask," Syaoran said, "I don't even know."

"Eriol?" Tomoyo looked at Eriol who looked rather pale, "What is the matter?"

"Is Meiling is here?" Eriol asked.

"Yeah, she is here," Syaoran smirked at Eriol who made a face.

"Meiling?" Tomoyo asked.

"Meiling Li, Syaoran's cousin. If she is here, her husband will be here as well," Eriol sighed, "That's spell trouble."

"Trouble with the CIA I say," Syaoran smiled. Yukito and the rest stopped their movements and stared at Eriol. (That includes Tomoyo.)

"Trouble with the CIA?" Fujitaka asked.

"Oh...well..." Eriol hesitated. When he looked at Tomoyo, she made a puppy face which Eriol couldn't help but tell the truth, "I was in the blacklist of the CIA before, but I managed to escape my punishment by working for them."

"You were what?!" They shouted almost at the same time. Eriol sweatdropped upon their reaction. Syaoran just giggled under his breathe.

"Honey, you never told me that," Tomoyo looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"I thought it might worry you," Eriol said.

"Oh, really?" Tomoyo smiled.

"cough, ahm... Syaoran, I think we better get home. Your mother is waiting for us to return," Eriol replied, "I will send you home on the way, honey."

"Okay," Tomoyo smiled as she stood up, "We bother long enough."

"Syaoran," Sakura looked at Syaoran. She didn't want Syaoran to leave so soon.

"I will be here tomorrow, Sakura, don't worry," Syaoran replied as he smiled at her.

"Promise?" Sakura asked. She wanted to be with him. His presence gave her the secure. The feeling she needs to keep herself. When she killed those people, everything was dangerous including Ian. Only Syaoran wasn't. He was the light in that dark world she found herself in.

"Promise," Syaoran smiled and peeked at her cheek again. Syaoran wanted to kiss her by the lips but stopped himself from doing it in front of Sakura's parents. Or so, in front of her brother. Sakura smiled and sent the three of them to the door.

"See you tomorrow then, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo told her friend.

"See you too, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura replied.

"Tell me what happen tomorrow okay?" Tomoyo whispered.

"Okay," Sakura replied.

"Cause I missed my chance of videotaping the cute Sakura in action," Tomoyo sighed.

"Tomoyo-chan..."Sakura sweatdropped. Tomoyo never changed.

"See you Sakura-chan," Eriol bid his goodbye.

"Sakura, have a nice night," Syaoran bid his goodbye to his love.

"Good night, Syaoran," Sakura told him and gave him a kiss. Quick one.

"Come on, Syaoran!" Eriol shouted. Syaoran looked at Sakura the last time and turned to leave with his friend.

"Sakura?" Nadeshiko walked to her daughter.

"Yes, Oka-san?" Sakura asked as she closed the door behind her.

"You like Syaoran right?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," Sakura replied honestly, "The only thing I know was that he is the only one who can stop me after Yang. I'm not sure if it's love. But what I know is I want to be with him."

Nadeshiko looked at her daughter who went off to her room. Fujitaka came and walked towards her.

"She found the right guy right?" Fujitaka asked.

"Yes, I guess so," Nadeshiko replied, smiling at her husband.

"Are you sure you want to go?" Touya asked Yukito as they walked to the doorway.

"Yeah, I need to go. Guess we can't finish the project today," Yukito replied.

"We can finish it some other day," Touya replied, making a face.

"You say it," Yukito laughed.

"What about your assignment?" Touya asked.

"Oh... that... I will have to keep it for a while," Yukito told him, "I think your family and the Li's still have things to settle."

"Thanks, Yuki," Touya smiled, "You are the best friend I ever find."

"How about we finish the project next week?" Yukito asked.

"Sure, you know how to come here now," Touya laughed.

"Yeah, I sure know," Yukito replied, "Bye then." And left.

Syaoran's side "I'm home," Syaoran shouted when he and Eriol returned home. They had sent Tomoyo home.

"How is my Syaoran doing?" Yelan asked as she looked over at her son.

"Same," Syaoran replied, bowing his respect.

"Syaoran! Eriol!" Meiling shouted as she ran towards them and hugged them.

"Meiling! You are choking us!!" Eriol shouted.

"Opps... Sorry," Meiling apologized as she let them go.

"Did my wife almost kill you?" another voice asked.

"You know something, I really hate your voice," Eriol smirked as he looked around to see a guy at the age of 30 with black hair. His name is Alex Hill.

"I see you still dislike me," Alex laughed.

"And you know why," Eriol made no expressions.

"We are not here to fight, Alex," Meiling reminded him.

"Okay," Alex looked at his wife.

"I'm coming with you tomorrow to Kinomoto's residence," Syaoran told his mother. Yelan smiled at her son. Like father, like son.

"I'm coming along as well," Eriol told them.

"Because of Tomoyo isn't it?" Syaoran laughed at his friend who turned apple-red.

"Whose Tomoyo?" Alex asked, noticing Eriol's face turned red.

"Don't you dare tell him, Syaoran," Eriol threatened.

"Why not?" Syaoran laughed even harder, "Tomoyo is his girlfriend."

"I'm going to kill you Syaoran!" Eriol shouted as he chased him around.

The next morning

"Touya, Sakura, time to wake up," Nadeshiko shouted as she walked up the stair.

"I'm awake," Sakura said as she came out of her room. She was wearing a white polo t-shirt with a jean.

"I'm pretty much awake myself too," Touya replied as he stood by his doorway.

"Get yourself ready Touya-kun, and Sakura-chan," Nadeshiko turned to face her daughter, "You look happy today."

"Syaoran is coming over," Sakura replied, smiling as she went down the stair.

"She is happy because that Chinese brat, who almost wants to kill us, is coming over. And I don't belief that she actually let that brat hold her hand," Touya hissed.

"Touya-kun, don't say that. You should be happy for Sakura," Nadeshiko beamed.

"How do I be happy?" Touya asked.

"At least Syaoran can stop Sakura to become a heartless killer," Nadeshiko replied sadly, "You know how dangerous Sakura can be if she lost control." Touya looked at his mother. Yes, he knew it would be best for her to be with that brat but he still disliked him. Nadeshiko sighed and walked down to the kitchen.

"Oto-san, is this okay?" Sakura asked as she helped her father to arrange the food.

"It's okay, Sakura-chan," Fujitaka smiled at his daughter.

Just then the doorbell rang.

"It must be Tomoyo," Sakura shouted as she ran and get the door.

"Goodmorning, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo greeted.

"Goodmorning, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura smiled at her friend, "You look awesome."

"You look awesome yourself too," Tomoyo told her as she took the video- camera out and started to video-trapping, "Sakura's cute reaction of the Li's. This will be a great one. Hohoho..."

"Tomoyo-chan..." Sakura sweatdropped.

"Tomoyo-chan, goodmorning," Nadeshiko greeted.

"Goodmorning, Aunt Nadeshiko," Tomoyo greeted.

"Goodmorning, my lovely Tomoyo," a voice called from behind.

"Hiiragizawa-kun," Sakura greeted, "Goodmorning."

"Eriol, goodmorning," Tomoyo peeked on Eriol's cheek.

"Sakura," Syaoran smiled at Sakura.

"Syaoran!" Sakura shouted as she ran and hugged him.

"How was the night?" Syaoran asked as he hugged her tight in his arm.

"It was lonely," Sakura replied, enjoying his hug.

"You must be Sakura-chan," A lady said as she stood behind Syaoran, "My husband told me all about you."

"You might be?" Sakura questioned as she pulled herself from Syaoran.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself," The lady smiled, "I'm Syaoran's mother, Yang's wife."

"Ah?! You are Yelan Li?!" Sakura shouted in shocked while Yelan smiled with Syaoran sweatdropped.

"You don't have to act so surprise Sakura," Syaoran sighed.

"But..." Sakura paused for a while, "She looks so young and beautiful."

"Thanks for your compliment, Sakura-chan," Yelan smiled at her and looked up to find her long lost friend, Nadeshiko smiling at her.

"Long time since we last met, Yelan-san," Nadeshiko smiled.

"But it feels only like yesterday," Yelan smiled gently.

"I miss you Yelan," Nadeshiko said as she hugged her friend. Yelan nodded as she hugged her friend.

"Shall we go in?" Alex asked, followed by Meiling.

"And you might be?" Tomoyo asked, looking at them.

"That's Alex Hill, one of the head officer of the CIA. The lady beside him is his wife, Meiling Li," Eriol introduced them.

"It's a pleasure to meet the famous Kinomoto. But I think we can talk about things inside the house," Alex added.

"Yes, we sure should," Nadeshiko replied as she invited them into the house.

"Yelan!" Fujitaka greeted as soon as he saw his friend.

"Fujitaka, long time no see," Yelan greeted, finding herself face with a totally happy-to-see-his-merry-friend, "And who are they? Oh... hi there Syaoran-kun, Eriol-kun." Syaoran and Eriol bowed as a return greet.

"This is Alex and Meiling. Alex works for the CIA," Yelan introduced Alex and Meiling.

"CIA? I see," Fujitaka looked at Alex.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kinomoto," Alex greeted.

"Let's all get settle down and chat about it," Nadeshiko replied as she led all of them into the dinning room. All of them settled down with a cup of tea each. Eriol sat beside Tomoyo and Alex, Alex sat beside Meiling, Meiling sat beside Nadeshiko, Nadeshiko sat beside Fujitaka, Fujitaka sat beside Touya, Touya sat beside Sakura, Sakura sat beside Syaoran and Syaoran sat beside Yelan. (A long list of sitting arrangement. Mind me.)

"So, what can I do for you, Mr. Hill?" Fujitaka asked Alex who looked across the table at Sakura and Touya.

"Call me Alex, Mr. Kinomoto," Alex replied, "It feels a lot better when that calling."

"Mr. Alex, we met one of your men, Yukito Tsukishiro yesterday," Fujitaka told him.

"Oh, I see you meet Yukito. Yes, he is one of my men. Somehow, I think he should have explained to you about our situation, Mr. Kinomoto," Alex replied with a smile.

"And I don't believe that the China government is behind all these," Fujitaka replied.

"They are not behind all these," Yelan spoke up, "The China government is also trying to find out who is behind all these."

"Therefore, the UN seeks your help, Mr. Kinomoto," Alex continued, "Are you willing to help us?"

Fujitaka smiled, "As a matter of fact, Mr. Alex, I have already started my research last night. And of course, I'm willing to lend the UN the help they need." Sakura and the others looked at Fujitaka who sat rather still in his seat. Yelan looked very surprised at her best friend.

"As a last wish from my best friend, Yang."

Finally I finish the chapter... I worked for three days... Finally...

In any case, this chapter I cut a bit here and there. Hope you guys don't mind. I left out the planning part. I will put it in, in the next chapter.

P.S. You guys are the best readers I ever had. Please do continue to support me.

My friend asks me to do a research. Where I'm from? [Hint: It's on the map but it's very small.] Can you guess it?

Next Chapter

Chapter Fifteen

When everything come to reality

Fujitaka explain the current situation of the black market. Things got messy here and there. Sakura and Syaoran planned for revenge but were stopped by Tomoyo and Eriol. Find out why in the next chapter.