A/N: OMG I'm so SORRY for not updating for so long!! TT there really is no excuse for my slacking off, well actually its probably coz school has started once again for me. Well anyhow a great pat on the back for the really nice ppl who reviewed for my last chappie! you guys make me so happy!!! Personal thankyous are down below after this new chap of mine. :D u noe wah? I've written this chap like ages ago but I never really got around to finishing it so I'm really sorri again and I'll sorri again (haha that didn't make sense) if I ever, EVER do this again...well actually I mite coz I have this really gay geography essay and English assignment due on the same day --"gay teachers, honestly. But I'll pull through, you'll see!!!! YEaH!! punches the air : D

Well here is my new chap! I hope you enjoy it!! And please review and tell me what you think of it! It'll be greatly appreciated! Believe me, this is Julie Nguyen you're talking about! : D

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Chapter 5 : Blushes and the Invitation

Touya was still able to hear the irritating voice that belonged to no one else but his little sister ringing in his head. Just a few minutes ago he had only just escaped Sakura's ongoing questioning about Nakuru when he had dropped her off at her school.

Ever since the night two weeks ago when Touya had accidentally let Nakuru's name slip, Sakura has been giving him the 20 questions every possible hour of everyday just to try and squeeze some more facts about this 'friend' of Touya's. It was simply driving him mad just knowing it would be a very long time till Sakura would let this go.

He shook his head to rid of the depressing thoughts of his fate and focused his mind back on to pedalling his bike to school.

Even though the skies above were just the perfect blue and the sun was shining particularly bright today, Touya hardly noticed it. He had his upcoming exams to concentrate on. He hardly had time to relax nowadays.

Just the night before he broke his own record by staying up till 3am studying extra for his maths exam that was due today. This resulted for Touya to have to carry bloodshot eyes and a very grim face to greet his friends with. It wasn't the best look to have before sitting an exam but he was going to be present nonetheless.

Touya didn't even know how he had had the energy to even wake up this very morning. The three alarm clocks that went off (he borrowed from Sakura and Fujitaka) were immediately switched off by Touya himself before having him drifting back to the land of dreams.

It was going to be a long week for Touya and he knew it very well.

By the time Touya arrived at Tomoeda High School, he was in an even tired and worse-looking state then the moment he woke up. His head buzzing with last minute revision was interrupted as he let out a huge yawn. For three seconds his mind was at ease resting from too much thinking. As quickly as seconds go by, Touya was once again back on track with revising his calculus facts while chaining his bicycle to the bike race near the entrance gates.

On his way towards the gym hall where Touya's exam was held, he finally allowed his mind to relax. Coming into an exam with an over loaded mind wouldn't be a very good idea and Touya had had experience.

He looked at his watch and saw it read 7:50am. Since it was ten more minutes till exams would start, Touya decided to just sit around and take the load off for the remaining free time. Only then did he just take notice of what was held above him. The warm rays and the gentle breeze cleared his head completely of the stress that has been controlling him for the past few weeks.

It wasn't only the exams that have been on his mind lately but it was because of them that Touya has been stressing a lot. Each night not only does Touya carry a bundle of revision notes mentally in his head to bed, other thoughts somehow find a way to creep in during his sleepy state.

The little peck on the cheek that Touya received from Nakuru even now remained clearly on his mind. Why? He doesn't know himself even after deducing the feelings that would transmit through his stomach every time a single thought of Nakuru came up. (A/n: Touya's too stressed out now with his exams and his mind is too crowded with revision that he's too thick to figure it out yet...or it could just be because he's a guy. Ha-ha typical! : D)

The whole thought of once knowing Nakuru from somewhere else just didn't cut out for Touya anymore. Now that he has had a deeper look of her, Touya would have been sure to remember a girl like Akizuki Nakuru no matter what. It was just the way she laughs and the way she smiles, it was something that stuck on his mind. Her soft brown eyes would have been a sure give-away if Touya had seen it once before. How could he forget of such delicate eyes carried by a girl with a great personality? It wasn't only her eyes that stood out on Touya's already crowded mind. Her waist-length dark brown hair radiates beauty along with her other features.

Suddenly a hand was placed on his cheek and it abruptly shook Touya free from his thoughts of Nakuru.

"Touya are you feeling sick today because your cheeks are really hot...!"

"Oh no, it's nothing Nakuru," Touya brushed her hand away gently. 'Why am I blushing?' Touya questioned his well being mentally. It had only been a few seconds ago was he thinking of Nakuru and the heat within his cheeks burned more just knowing that. He quickly stood up and faced his friend. "So...eh...wha-...what are you doing here?"

Nakuru sweat-dropped

"Wouldn't you know why I'm here?" A smile was playing on her lips now.

What he had just asked hit Touya hard in the head and he felt like a fool who had just asked a very stupid question. What made him feel even denser was that he did do that very thing. He placed a hand behind his head and started laughing. He didn't try very hard to disguise its forcefulness and Nakuru noticed. But before she was able to say anything, Touya butted in with his obvious embarrassment.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha well that was a stupid question that I just asked wasn't it?" He didn't allow even a second for Nakuru to answer before he continued. "I think it's too much studying for me! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Well would you look at the time! (He looks at his right wrist where it should be the left wrist with his watch) It's 8am already? Well I better go now and get to my exam! Toodles!" and within a millisecond he was gone.

This left Nakuru with a half finished smile. 'That was...unusual...I wonder why he was rushing off without me considering I am in the same maths class as him. Touya is sure one strange man...'

'He's sure one hunk of a strange man!' Nakuru, surprised at her very own conscience, quickly erased the thoughts and started to make her way towards the great gym hall.

She didn't feel the icy navy blue eyes following her every step.

'Just a couple of more days and its show time...' Akito smirked within the darkness of the shadows.

::::::::::::Tomoeda Primary School:::::::::::

Ever since the incident on the afternoon when Sakura and Shigure accompanied by Syaoran collided, there have been some slight changes with the way Syaoran carries himself nowadays.

Syaoran is still known as the quiet and unfeeling one within the gang so the changes that have proceeded were hardly even perceptible. Only people like Fanren were able to notice. She has observed her younger brother for days now and realised the way he smiles has changed. It was slightly on the warmer scale, just slightly.

At school the changes were caught by Sakura too even though he still remained a contained person. It surprised her and everyone else when they heard Syaoran joining in the conversation, even if it was only a few words that came out of his mouth. He would only say such things like: "Me too" or "Yeah" or even "I agree". When he talks, everyone would lend an ear to listen to hear if it was really Syaoran speaking. Though these moments were rare, it was a start.

"So Sakura have you found out anymore about this Nakuru yet?"

Sakura glumly shook her head at her eager friend, Meilin. "Touya's sure a hard egg to crack..."

The moment she had went into her room that night she found out about this girl from her brother; Sakura didn't waste any time to call up her friends to update them with the hot new gossip. Using the three-way phone system, the three girls spent the late hours thinking up different crazy ways how this Nakuru would look like.

Tomoyo's idea of Nakuru's appearances was that she had long strawberry blonde hair with sapphire-coloured eyes and a small nose. Her ideal features were by far the most normal one compared to her other two friends. Sakura's ideal Nakuru was that she had short fluoro pink hair with large bulging green eyes and a much tanned complexion. Meilin's farfetched idea of Nakuru was that she had large muscly arms with matching muscly legs, her hair an extreme purple texture with deep crimson eyes and a nose full of boils. Meilin later said that she saw the person with these exact features on TV once in a wrestling match. Although most of their images of Nakuru were very bizarre and some just plain impossible for a high school student, the three had lots of laughs throughout the night.

"Bummer, I want to know what she looks like!" Tomoyo pouted. Her mind was once again visualising how this Nakuru would look like.

"I feel sorry for Touya to have you girls sucking out information about this friend of his out of him. It must really suck to be him..." Eriol said amusingly. He laughed at his own joke but was quickly silenced at the evil glares all three girls shot at him.

"After all that I have explained to you Eriol, you still don't understand! This thing with Sakura's brother is big okay? Maybe not big for you but it is big for the three of us!" Tomoyo prompted Eriol who was wearing an innocent look of a child's.

Somewhere along the line of the past two weeks, Tomoyo has finally stopped blushing (as much) like she used too each time Eriol would speak or even look at her. She has began showing a side of her towards Eriol that Sakura and Meilin knew very well and that was passion for everything she does and thinks about (e.g. Touya and Nakuru). It was obvious that the friendship between Tomoyo and Eriol has distinctly become much closer with her showing more of her true self. They have even begun to joke around like they've been friends ever since they were in diapers.

Eriol still with the innocent look slightly said, "Still..."

"Not another word from you mister!" and with that Tomoyo half-heartedly whacked his head. Everyone laughed except Syaoran who only gave a small smile.

The school bell rang out indicating it was the end of lunch time. All five stood up from the wooden benches and the table and started to make their way towards the school building once again for the afternoon classes. Syaoran always walks ahead of the group so that he could avoid any conversation with his friends but this time, he didn't succeed.

"Hey Syaoran!" Sakura suddenly appeared at Syaoran's right hand side that it nearly scared the living daylights out of him. He didn't show it though. "May I ask you something?"

Syaoran nodded, still looking ahead and walking. He didn't want to feel the weird feelings he gets the moment his eyes meets her beautif...her emerald ones.

"Well...would it be alright if I come over to your house this afternoon around five?" The question nearly made Syaoran lose balance.

"...Wh-Why...?" It sounded blunt but he couldn't help it. Syaoran has never had a friend over at his house before, not counting the time when he had to carry Sakura over there himself.

Fortunately Sakura didn't notice the tone he used. "Oh, I just need to ask your mother something that's all..."

Syaoran waited till Sakura would finish her sentence but realised that was that she was all going to say. 'What does she want my mother for?' he wondered.

By now they were already through the entrance doors and were walking up the next two flights of stairs and in their classroom.

Syaoran eventually nodded to Sakura's request and was given an unexpected hug from her. His face was burning up already faster than a blink of an eye as he felt the warmth of her body against his for a second time. The hug only lasted for no more than two seconds but for Syaoran, it was an eternity.

"Oh thanks Syaoran!" Sakura's emerald eyes glistened with glee. Her eyes noticed Syaoran's red face but she didn't give it another thought as she sat herself down at her own desk. Her two girlfriends on the other hand did give it more than just a thought. The two have been watching from the time Sakura approached Syaoran just a minute ago to the moment she hugged him. Tomoyo and Meilin took note of the blushed face Syaoran wore. Their eyes smiled with glee too but for a very different reason.

As for Syaoran, he slowly made his way to his own desk just behind Sakura. He didn't know what he had just got himself into.

:::::::::::Kinomoto Residence::::::::::::

"OH come on Touya, it's just for a little while!" Sakura who had taken a hold of her brother's arm once again tugged on it strongly, but to no prevail. Touya didn't even move an inch.

"I said no Squirt! His sisters are weird!"

"That's so rude of you! They're nice, much nicer than you'll ever be! Now come on!" she continued with her pulling on his one arm but again she failed to make him even budge. 'What is this? Does Touya work out or something?'

For the last fifteen minutes, Sakura has been trying to persuade Touya to walk with her to the Li Mansion but as stubborn as usual, Touya refused. She looked over at the clock hung on the wall in the living room. She had only another few more minutes till she had to meet up with Syaoran at his house. It seemed impossible within the remaining time that she was able to convince Touya, but she wasn't going to give up.

"Come on Touya, pretty please with a cherry on top??" Sakura had her hands in a pleading manner now.

"I don't like cherries and NO! That's final! Seriously I have exams to think about!"

This morning with the embarrassing episode featuring him and Nakuru caused Touya to be in an uncomfortable state throughout the four examination hours. He avoided having to sit next to her by seating himself near the back where most of the students labelled as 'bad' sat. It was a one time experience and Touya wanted to keep it that way. Luckily he doesn't have an exam tomorrow but the day after so he was able to stay home while the humiliation died down between the two. It gave Touya some relief.

"I don't want to walk by myself! Its going to be dark by the time I come home!"

"Then don't come home so late then!"

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"Quit it!"

"Fine! I'll stop pestering you with questions about Nakuru!" Sakura bowed at her brother's knees admitting defeat. She had no other options. It was bargaining time.

Touya, who had his arms crossed and his nose high up in the air, slowly looked down at his little sister. Bit by bit he grinned in an evil way.

::::::::::::Li Mansion:::::::::::::

Once the door bell rang throughout the whole mansion, Syaoran quick as lightning ran straight for the door. What made him do it? He doesn't understand himself. It was technically William's job but that didn't stop him.

He slowly opened it to see the smiling Sakura and her not-so-smiling brother. He understood why Touya wore a grim face and Syaoran didn't blame him. His sisters are just plain freaky girls.

"Heya Syaoran!" Sakura beamed at him which unexpectedly made his heart race. The mental cursing followed afterwards.

Touya just grunted.

"Hello, my mother is waiting for you in the living room so if you would just follow me...," he spoke in a very tidy manner which scared Sakura witless. It wasn't usual to hear Syaoran talk so formally or even at all.

Syaoran led the brother and sister down the long corridor and was able to hear the little gasps coming from Sakura. He must admit, the front door corridor was a pretty magnificent sight with all the portraits of past Li family members and priceless beautiful vases.

With every step he took, tension within Syaoran grew and again like always, he didn't understand the feeling. 'Why am I so nervous...?' Even with all these mixed thoughts and emotions running through his mind, his emotionless exterior still stood tall with pride.

As Sakura followed her friend, she observed him for a while.

She has never seen him without his uniform before. The last time she'd been at Syaoran's house, he was still wearing his school uniform. Right now he was wearing traditional Chinese pyjamas that were a pale lime green colour. She noticed the matching colour slippers he wore as well. Her mind was interrupted when another beautifully painted portrait of a very young woman with long dark hair caught her emerald eyes.

Touya wasn't far behind his little sister. It hasn't even been two minutes since he has arrived but he was already bored. 'I can't believe the lil squirt dragged me along, but I guess it's a good thing she won't ask any more questions of Nakuru...' Relief washed over him thinking that he was spared from her on-going, annoying interrogating.

Syaoran stopped at a pair of open doors and held his arm out indicating the two to walk in. Sakura and Touya walked in to meet the smiling eyes of Yelan. She once again was wearing an impressive kimono with fine-looking hairpins in her long slender dark hair. She stood up and bowed slightly to greet her guest. It was all very traditional with the Li family.

"Welcome again Sakura and Touya. Please sit down." Yelan graciously beckoned to the large jade-coloured sofa.

Both Sakura and Touya bowed back in return to thank the Li family's kindness before seating themselves down on the two-seater sofa. Syaoran remained at the door.

"So Xiao Lang told me you would like to ask me something Sakura dear, what is it that is on your mind?" Yelan asked smiling again. Whenever she would look at this little girl in front of her, she can't help but smile. It was something about her that draws Yelan to Sakura, besides her bubbly cute personality.

Sakura met Yelan's eyes and couldn't help but smile back.

"Well I'll just get straight to the point then...!" Sakura paused.

Syaoran, still at the doorway heard the silence and allowed one of his amber eyes to open. It was staring directly at his friend. He didn't notice the looming shadows that float behind him until...

"What's Sakura doing here Syaoran?" Fuutie's voice was heard quietly in his ear which scared the living daylights out of him and caused Syaoran to scream...like a girl.

Believe you me, he wasn't the only one surprised within this whole household. The looks on his mother and Sakura's face told it all and he couldn't help but go beetroot red.

Syaoran turned slowly to face the laughing figures of his older sisters. All four of them were practically sprawled out on the floor cracking themselves up after hearing their little brother's reaction. Fuutie in particular was nearly on the verge of happy tears.

"Oh My God Syaoran, that was hilarious!!!" Sheifa said after calming herself down. She could tell by Syaoran's face that he clearly didn't think the same. His glare was icy cold but yet his face was still as red as ever which wasn't a good look for him at all.

"Xiao Lang dear, are you alright?" Yelan's voice was heard from the living room. All Syaoran could do was mutter a yes and stormed off. The embarrassment got the better of him and Sakura noticed. So did Fanren.

Sakura was about to head off to find Syaoran but was held back by the Li sisters that once again cooed her like she was a new born baby. The same goes for Touya and he seemed pretty helpless under the two figures belonging to Fei-Mei and Fuutie. The four of them were wearing traditional Chinese outfits again but with different designs and different matching earrings.

Finally what seemed like an eternity for the Kinomoto siblings, the Li sisters finally backed off and placed themselves somehow on the same couch as Sakura and Touya, except Fanren who sat on the opposite sofa.

A cough was heard from Yelan.

"Now that my daughters have finally settled down, Sakura dear what did you want to ask?"

"Oh well, I just wanted to invite Syaoran to the beach house next week on Monday. Me, Touya and my dad are going up there for a few days and I wanted to know whether it would be alright with you..."

"Why, Of course it would be alright with me dear! I'm sure Xiao Lang would love to go!" Yelan exclaimed happily, the smile back on her face. The same question however didn't affect Touya in the same way.

'Oh WHAT?? I don't want this Li kid to come! What if his weird sisters are gonna tag along? Gah! They're crazy! Ah...damn you squirt!' Touya's mind began to be filled with images of him being touched and poked by the Li sisters while he was trying to enjoy the sunshine on the beach. He seriously felt like crying. 'It's the end of me...!'

"Oh Thanks Mrs Li!" Sakura's smile has somehow become more radiant. "Would it be alright if I just go tell Syaoran?" Sakura, already on her feet and when Yelan smiled a yes, she was out of the room. Not before though having been pinched on the cheeks by each of the Li sisters (except Fanren) on the way.

Yelan watched with tender eyes as Sakura walked out of the room.

"Oh mum would it be alright if we come too?" Fei-Mei eagerly suggested. Her arms were now around the very uncomfortable Touya. Sheifa and Fuutie began doing the same.

Yelan sweat-dropped after looking at Touya who was almost in tears. Fanren just laughed.

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Meanwhile outside Syaoran was sitting by Shigure's kennel while stroking the large shaggy one. His exterior was calm but really like every time, it wasn't like that at all.

He was still angry at his sisters for scaring him like that and each time he would think about this, the moment he screamed like...a girl would cross his path as well. Just the thought wanted to make him scream again.

Syaoran knew very well that he had made such a fool of himself in front of everyone...especially Sakura, which is why he had broke away. He didn't know what would happen if Syaoran had faced her. Would she have laughed? Would she have been horrified? Maybe but somehow Syaoran knew Sakura wouldn't be like that.

It has only been a couple of weeks since Syaoran had met Sakura the first time but something inside told him that she was different. Her smile was always so true and whatever she was feeling was never hidden from anyone. Sakura isn't afraid to show her true emotions, if she's scared, she whimpers and if she's happy, she laughs. In other words, Sakura Kinomoto is very much unlike him.

Syaoran found it weird that he'd noticed this but he didn't give it much thought. He just continued to stare up into the dark afternoon sky. The sounds of crunching grass caught his hearing and he quickly faced the mansion.

It was Sakura.

"Heya Syaoran...!" Sakura made her way over across the wide grass area and sat down on the other side of Shigure who had his eyes closed. Her eyes met with Syaoran's and she smiled. The smile wasn't returned.

"Why are you out here?" His tone icy cold but he didn't know why.

"I just wanted to check on you...you know...after...!" Sakura just stopped. She assumed that Syaoran hadn't gotten over his humiliation from before so together they just sat there staring at the purple skies.

Minutes passed and still not one had talked. Sakura felt comfortable on the grass next to the sound asleep dog but for Syaoran, it was different. He regretted having to speak to Sakura like that but it wasn't a thing that could be helped. He had stopped stroking Shigure by this time and had both his arms crossed around his knees. The silence was killing him.

Finally Sakura broke it.

"Syaoran, would you like to come with me and the others to my family's beach house next Monday for a few nights?"

The question nearly caused Syaoran to lose balance, even though he was sitting down. He looked over at Sakura and saw that she was no longer looking at the skies but at him. She was smiling again.

It was a few moments till Syaoran were able to answer. His eyes were still deeply absorbed into her emerald ones.

"Ah...!" This was all he could come up with.

"Don't worry, I came this afternoon to ask your mother and she said it was A-Ok with her if you come!" Sakura had her thumbs up and winked.

"I..." Syaoran looked away.

"Yes?"

"I guess...I'll come...then..." Tints of pink became visible on his face but since it was becoming dark, Sakura wasn't able to notice as much.

"Oh that's terrific! I'm so happy, we're gonna have such a great time, you'll see!" Her happy voice got Syaoran to look back and what he saw made his mind freeze.

There Sakura was smiling with her eyes closed towards him. The wind was gently caressing her face which caused her short auburn hair to gently move away from her beautiful facial features. Yes, Syaoran finally had just called his friend beautiful, it was the truth and he can't deny it. Sakura looked like an angel just for a few moments till she opened her eyes to reveal her emerald orbs. Only now did Syaoran notice that his heart was beating rapidly then ever before and it didn't show any sign of slowing down.

Sakura continued to smile at Syaoran but noticed his face was very red. 'I wonder why...?'

"What is it Syaoran?" Sakura placed a hand onto his forehead and felt the burning temperature. "Whoa...you're hot!"

Syaoran's eyes nearly popped out and when Sakura saw this, she realised what she must had sound like to him. Her hand was quickly removed from his forehead.

"Oh...I didn't mean...I mean! You are hot and all...I mean...ahhhh... but I mean in the hot hot as in temperature...when people get sick...hot..." Her voice slowly faded off. Now her face was as red as Syaoran and she knew it would be so she quickly looked away. Sakura had only just turned away for a few seconds till laughing was heard beside her.

It was Syaoran and he had his eyes shut laughing like there was no tomorrow.

'He's laughing...!'

Sakura couldn't help but smile at her friend. She has never heard Syaoran laugh so much or even as a matter of fact show so much expression. He was so quiet at school, during both recess and lunch that Sakura had thought it wasn't possible for him to laugh at all, but here he was, laughing. She discovered she liked the sound of his laughter.

"Hoo boy! That was funny Sakura," Syaoran gasped while wiping a small tear from his left eye. His face was no longer red and he was actually smiling at Sakura and she smiled back.

WOOF!

Shigure's bark scared both of them since he was supposedly sleeping just a moment ago.

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(A/N): Well there's you go mans! My 5th chap! Did you like it? ...or should I ask...did you hate it? XD I'm sorries if this chap is not very good if ur thinking I've disappointed you, well tell me what you thinks okay??/ OH YeaH!! I'm sorry again for not updating for a real long time! Forgive me!!! Xo well REVIEWS AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK MANS!!! : D I would really appreciate it!!!

ThankUs for RevieWers!!

Jedibubbles( ): OH Jedi Bubbles man!!! : D THANKS for your review man!!!! I'm so happy u thought that!!! You should feel real special! smiles OH YeaH! I'm sorries for the long wait, I'm blaming it on school : P please forgive me mans!! Oh yeah I would very much like to noe ur YIM or...what was it...AIM!!! If its easier for you, my email is on my profile page, if you don't mind checking it out that is... : D THaNkS for your REviEw Again!!! Your DA Best!!!

BlackFireDaragon-15: HEYS!! THanKs for your review man!!! Was that a good enough SS moment? I'm not too good with this kinda stuff but I hoped you liked it anyways! : D you think this story is cute?? Hehehe please continue reading man and ThanKs for your review again! OH yeaH! Would u like to become my friend?? Hehehe do you noe how scary that sounded in my head? Well : D anyways, I just wanna be friends with my reviewers coz I'm a nice person...yesh...: D well leave ur email address and I'll email ya! : D CyaS!

Azuremeiko: hehehe I'm so glad ur FInaLLy satisfied with the NT moments man!! Oo hehe sorries for not doing much in this new chap, but I promise I'll make sure i'll do better next time! ThaNks so much for your review man! It means a lot TT see I'm crying! Haha nah just jk jk , just showing how happy it makes me. Hehe : D THaNks again! JI MaN is the coolest friend!!!! : D

HEY!!! You see that small square button with GO written on it? Let me tell you, if you press it, all your dreams will come true if you submit me a review : D hehe of course I'm joking, man am I high at the moment? Oo well gotta goes now and have some dinner, I'm really really hungry!!! TILL next time! HaPPy Days EveryBody!!!!! I love You ALL!!!

P.S. It WAS MY BIRTHDAY JUST YESTERDAY!!!!! I'M 15 EVERYONE!!! WHOOP WHOOP!!!! I FEEL SO OLD....TT