Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura and this fanfic is simply a product of my imagination and I am not paid to do this.

Chapter V: Troubled Christmas

"Friendship's the best gift you gave me

All of your faith and loyalty

Your presence made me the best I could be

I sing this song from my heart

I sing my thanks to you"

It was finally Christmas and Sakura was singing a song Rhea composed, a song for her cards. Everyone listened to her, even the Sakura cards, who were hovering happily as they listened to their mistress.

"Since we met, so long ago

You have been my best friend

And now I believe that

You're the most precious part of me"

Sakura smiled as she paused while Eriol played the instrumental part on the piano.

"Though the darkness shadows me

Though how hard troubles can be

You have always helped me sincerely

I sing this song from my heart

I sing my thanks to you

Friendship's the best gift you gave me

All of your faith and loyalty

Your presence made me the best I could be

I sing this song from my heart

I sing my thanks to you

My friend, I thank you"

Everyone in the room applauded her.

"Your singing has improved." Tomoyo smiled at her as she filmed her friend.

Sakura blushed as she held out her hand. Her cards flew to her.

"Merry Christmas." She told her cards.

"Merry Christmas." The cards chanted back.

"Hey, what about me?!" Kero flew to her.

"A Merry Christmas to you too!" She hugged her guardian.

"And Christmas is not the only thing we should be celebrating!" Eriol smiled at Yukito, and soon they started singing Yukito a happy birthday.

"Hey Grandpa! Can you play some carols?!" Rhea asked Eriol.

"Don't call me Grandpa!" Eriol frowned. "- and sure."

Eriol started playing, and soon they were, laughing, giving each other's gifts and singing.

"I can't believe you invite that git!" Remus hissed at Rhea but she ignored him and urged Fei to sing the carols with her.

"So, did you like your gift?" Meiling asked Remus.

Remus looked at the box of chocolates. "What do I need this for? It will only give calories."

Meiling frowned and bit her lip.

"What about mine?" Tomoyo, shyly asked, giving him a set of fountain pens.

"Okay, I guess." Remus put it aside. "Why does Rhea keep on giving her prototypes to that Git!"

Tomoyo tried to smile.

"Thank you for the piano pieces, Daidouji-san." Eriol said as he stopped playing for a while and started opening his presents.

"Your welcome." Tomoyo smiled slightly.

"What's this?" Touya asked as he opened his gift from Kaho.

"You always asked for new sneakers." Kaho replied.

"Very funny. That was about three years ago, I prefer art materials now." Touya frowned as Kaho laughed. "By the way, Yuki, thanks for the sketch book."

"It's nothing Toya." Yukito replied. "Thank you for the organizer."

"Your welcome." Touya replied when Nakuru jumped at him. "Here's my gift, Touya-kun!"

"I would appreciate it if your gift is that you stop clinging on me, Akizuki!"

Yukito smiled and turned to see Elle looking at the gift Yukito gave her, a pair of earrings.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Yukito." She went slightly red.

"I think you should make yourself prettier more often." Yukito replied.

Elle smiled and gave him her gift, a handkerchief with a picture of a white rabbit. "Merry Christmas and Happy birthday."

"Thank you, Elle-san." Yukito smiled.

Elle blushed slightly, then ducked as Kero flew over her, carrying a piece of cake.

"Thanks for the gift!" Kero yelled at Meiling who was chasing him.

"When I get my hands on you, Stuffed Toy, I'll pound you 'til your stuffing go out!" Meiling swore.

"Looks like the chaotic Christmases never ends." Syaoran told Sakura who was sitting at a corner.

"Yes." Sakura blushed remembering her past Christmas, when Kero and her brother almost trampled their house chasing each other. It was also the last Christmas her father had in Japan before he left for Egypt.

"By the way, thank you very much." Sakura told Syaoran, showing the clip he gave her.

"Your welcome. Thank you very much for your gift, too." Syaoran smiled, he was wearing the green sweater Sakura gave him. "You are really improving in everything you do."

Sakura blushed.

"Now this is entertainment." Meiling popped out from behind the sofa with Tomoyo behind her.

"Hohoho!" Tomoyo filmed happily.

"Meiling! Daidouji!" Syaoran faced them angrily. "Can't you leave us alone?! It's Christmas."

"That's why we can't leave you alone!" Tomoyo smiled, continuing to film Sakura.

Sakura watched her friends, a little red, when somebody called her. "Kaining-san? The scarf really suits you."

Kaining blushed. "Miss Sakura, can I talk to you?"

"Sure, Why?"

"I think we should talk outside."

"Okay." Sakura nodded and followed him out the room.

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

"Is there something wrong, Kaining-san?" Sakura asked him as they reached the garden.

"Well…" Kaining turned to look at her. "Miss Sakura, you have to leave the manor."

Sakura looked surprised. "What?"

"Trust me, Miss Sakura, leave this place now!"

"But why?!"

"Because you have nothing to do with this."

"With what, Kaining-san?"

"Never mind!" Kaining pulled Sakura's hand. "You have to go leave this place now! You're in danger here!"

"Let go!" Sakura protested. "What do you think you are doing Kaining-san?!"

"Get your hands off her!" Syaoran suddenly appeared and pushed Kaining away.

"Syaoran-kun!"

Syaoran pushed Sakura protectively behind him. "What in the world are you doing, Hu?!"

"It's none of your business, Li!"

Syaoran glared at him. "I knew you couldn't be trusted the moment I met you. Hiiragizawa told me that your father was a member of Dark Veil. I bet you are too, and that this is just one of your plans!"

"Dark Veil." Sakura repeated.

"So what?" Kaining laughed. "Yes, you are right, Li. I am a member of the Dark Veil. But it doesn't matter now, you are too late!"

"What do you mean?" Syaoran glared at him.

Kaining grinned. "The Harthor family has long kept a weapon of infinite power. The last keeper has finally returned, her being here is going to change many things!"

"Her? You don't mean Miss Rhea?"

Kaining laughed. "If her mother just gave up a long time ago, everything should have been over now!"

"You are saying that Dark Veil was the one who had Miss Rhea's parents killed?"

"That girl was the only barrier Dark Veil had to face, but now, she's no more!"

Sakura pushed Syaoran aside.

"Sakura?"

Sakura suddenly punched Kaining in the face. "Don't you say bad things like that about Rhea-chan! I thought you were my friend! Why are you like this Kaining-san!"

"Miss Sakura…" Kaining stood up but Sakura moved away.

"Get away from her!" Syaoran hid Sakura behind him.

Suddenly, they heard an explosion.

"Rhea-chan!" Sakura ran to the castle.

"Sakura!" Syaoran ran after her. He stopped midway and glared at Kaining. "I'll take care of you later!"

Kaining touched his face, where Sakura had punched him. "It's too late…everything's finish by now."

Author's note: I'm sorry it took a long time for me to update, I thought I will have plenty of free time this summer vacation but I still have summer classes and my recent addiction to Ragnarok Online. I'm very sorry. Thank you for those who gave time to review me. Arigatou.