A/N: Oh... Thanks fellows... Your reviews gave me the courage to update now! Have you heard about the tsunami on Southeast Asia? It's frightening! Thankfully, our country wasn't affected by that tsunami. It's fun to see the fishes out of water when the sea backed in but who knows, in that time, that a tsunami is coming? It wasn't anyone's fault... So sad... I was supposed to update last Dec. 31 (Dec. 30 in Europe and States, we're a day ahead) but my hands are too tired to type. Besides, I wanted to enjoy the last day of the year. I'm very excited... But not in the coming schooldays... again... sigh...
Thanks to:
Lil-Sakura-Angel – Oh, thanks for reading and reviewing. For you, here I am, updating. Thanks and review again!
Anime Fan Club Editor, Ayiki – Wow! I can't believe you're still reading my fic! I thank you a lot. About my fic, I've planned that everything will focus on Sakura and Syaoran. Tomoyo and Eriol are getting along already. Thanks for the second time of reviewing.
kenshinlover2002 – Yeah, why are they still pretending? They're silly. Nah, it's because Sakura's afraid of what her dad or Touya might say... Thanks for the review!
Rinoa Leonheartilly – No. Syaoran isn't getting married to someone else and I won't ever let that happen! Meiling is off with somebody in Hongkong. I don't have plans of involving her in the story but we'll see... Oh, this was your most awaited chapter since many people have reviewed. Thanks!
czakali – Yeah. They'll be together... Soon... Thanks!
silent-angel510 – Oh... Thanks for bothering to review... (Teary-eyed)
Pinaygrrl – Oh, so you're Filipino? Great! Promises should be kept... LOL. Thanks!
Illusion Dragon – That's terrible! I was horrified in your 16k 'PLZ. UPDATE SON!' But I still thank you for that!
kawaiiwolves – Wow! Thanks for trying to review!
Ngoc1231 – She loves Syaoran more than anybody else can. She didn't finish the game by going home so early. Anyway, your pen name sounds like a name of a rapper, isn't it? I'm so troubled... No one knows every time I ask them if they knew that name. I must've heard it somewhere. Tell me. Thanks for the review!
angelcrimson – Thanks for reading it. Yeah, another Filipino... Keep on reading and reviewing!
GoldRuby – LOL. It's ok being crazy even for a while. Thanks for your review!
dragonspirit888 – Please review again. Thanks!
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Chapter 11:
REMINISCE
Truly, Christmas Eve was tiring.
Syaoran rubbed his eyes then yawned. He was on his room that time and it was about 8 in the morning. He threw his blanket away from him then stood straight with his eyes closed. As he walked towards the bathroom, he accidentally bumped his forehead into the wall beside the bathroom door.
He was taken aback, "Ouch!" He scanned his fingers into his forehead. "Must be careful..."
He yawned again then entered the bathroom. After five minutes, he walked out of it freshly bathe with new clothes. In spite of his five-minute shower, his mind was still floating somewhere in space. In his own little world with Sakura, I suppose. The morning sunshine shone brightly into his room, making his sleepy eyes turn half-open.
He lay back again in his bed trying to sleep again when he heard voices of people from the garden. Though he could peek by his window, he decided to go down himself. With his half-open eyes, he walked out of his room, down the stairs and out the main door.
Unaware of what was happening around him, he walked down the doorstep lazily. Christmas Eve was over hours ago, but he still felt sleepy, for he slept past 1 in the morning.
"Oh! There he is!" Sakura stood from the chair of the dining table in the garden. "Syaoran, over here!" She waved her hand up in the air.
Syaoran smiled widely at her. His eyes fell on people around Sakura. First were Tomoyo, then Eriol, then Sonomi. 'What is she doing here?' he thought, 'Ah, of course, this is her daughter's house.'
Next to Sonomi was – Fujitaka – to his surprise, he paused in the middle of stepping down on land, "What is he doing here?" he muttered under his breath, "Ah, of course they're relatives." He smiled at his girl's father. Fujitaka smiled back.
His big smile faded when someone appeared from Fujitaka's back. To his horror, it was no other than Yelan, his mother.
Syaoran's POV
"MOM?!" I blurted out. I fell down on the land in my butt with eyes widely opened, a dropped jaw and trembling hands. Now, I'm awake.
"Stop, Syaoran!" Sakura ran towards me. Her warning was too late. Others ran after her then squatted around me. Sakura helped me to stand.
"Are you alright?" She asked in a worried tone. I turned my head into her then nodded. "Why are you so surprised?"
Am I still dreaming? Oh, I think I was having phantasm. My mother, of course, won't EVER bother to visit her own son here.
"My son!" a woman with features same as my mother appeared from the crowd.
"M-mom?" I found myself trembling as Sakura's hands were resting on my shoulders. "Why are you here?"
Mother walked closer to me then raised an eyebrow, "Is that the proper way of greeting your mother, Xiao Lang? Where are your manners?"
I blinked the quickly kissed her right cheek. "What are you doing here?"
Aunt Sonomi – well, that's how to respect a parent of your friend – led us all back into the Dining Table. Mother sat in her chair without a word. I sat next to Sakura while a housemaid was filling my glass with orange juice.
"Thank you." I said to the maid.
"You can now go back to the kitchen." Tomoyo ordered politely to the maid. "Want some bread, Syaoran?"
The housemaid bowed and went back to the mansion. I nodded then picked one.
"Oh..." Aunt Sonomi started. "Your son is very courteous, Yelan. Fujitaka is very lucky."
"What are you saying Auntie?" I asked.
"Oh, come on, Syaoran." Aunt Sonomi laughed. "Aren't you and Sakura getting along well?"
"How did you know that?" Sakura asked nervously. "Father... it's – well – um – it's – ugh - "
"It's ok, it's ok." Uncle Fujitaka stroked her hair. "I knew this will happen." He turned to me, "I've told you to take care of my daughter before, right?"
"Yeah." I nodded.
"And I met your mother a month ago to talk about our children's future?" He sighed. "He traced me just to talk about it."
"But why, Father?" Sakura asked. I placed my hand into hers.
Sakura's POV
Aunt Yelan sighed, "Xiao Lang was very lonely in Hongkong. He rarely smiles and I don't want that to continue. So, one time, I decided to talk to him about you, Sakura Kinomoto. All he wanted is to get back here to see you, my dear."
"Stop it, Mom." Syaoran whispered.
"I agreed by sending him here in Japan." She ignored Syaoran. "But in one condition."
"To return in Hongkong when you've broken my heart." Syaoran smiled at me.
"But I haven't broken his heart..." I said softly.
"I know." Aunt Yelan put out a handkerchief then started to wipe the corner of her eyes. "I just can't believe that my little Xiao Lang is in love. And with the help of my business partner, Sonomi Daidouji, I was able to trace Fujitaka Kinomoto. So, I informed him about Xiao Lang's feelings for his daughter."
"Oh... That has happened when my future son-in-law informed me about Syaoran and Sakura staying here." Aunt Sonomi laughed again, "You've made the right choice, Tomoyo, on Eriol. Right, Eriol?"
Eriol smiled, "But Tomoyo was the one who told me about it. And I told you that when we met, Auntie."
"Um... Mom... I was flattered..." Tomoyo blushed. "You know I love Eriol..."
"Goodness!" Father exclaimed, "The children in our front are all in love. My niece and my daughter are now young ladies."
"Eriol is such a good boy." Aunt Yelan smiled. "I know him since he's young. He's a distant relative and cousin of Xiao Lang."
"Mom, what exactly is your point for visiting me?" Syaoran asked curiously.
"Why? Is there something wrong for visiting my son?" She shook her head.
"What did you talk about, Uncle?" Syaoran asked my Dad.
"About your future."
"What exactly?"
"It's up to you." Father smiled. "Whatever decision my daughter will make, I'll respect it."
"In short, we want you to be – together." Aunt Yelan said frankly.
I was stunned. What did Aunt Yelan say? "Come again?"
"We want you to be together." Tomoyo, Eriol., Aunt Sonomi, Aunt Yelan and Father answered in chorus.
Syaoran and I exchanged looks then both stared down our feet then blushed. I was trying so hard not to smile. I can't believe this moment.
"So, kids..." Aunt Sonomi smiled, "This discussion is over."
"Right. Eriol and I will go with Mom." Tomoyo stood then pulled Eriol.
"Where are we going, my angel?" asked Eriol. "Auntie, I think we should leave Syaoran and Sakura with Aunt Yelan and Uncle Fujitaka, now to talk."
"Wherever my wings might take us." Tomoyo laughed.
"Ok, ok." Aunt Sonomi wiped her mouth with a table napkin. "Let's settle your future inside. Follow me Tomoyo, Eriol." She laughed.
Aunt Sonomi together with Tomoyo and Eriol went back inside the mansion. I watched them leave until they were nowhere in sight. Then I turned my head back to Aunt Yelan, who was smiling at me. I sighed. Eventhough she looked sweet and kind, I still feared her. I've imagined her as a strict woman, who hardly smiled and wanted everything to be in her control. But that was before I met her. Syaoran always scared me whenever he told something about her.
I stared at her unblinkingly.
"Is something wrong, my dear?" Aunt Yelan held my hand from the table. "There's a wonder in your eyes."
Her hand was very cold, as cold as ice. The coldness traveled from my hand throughout my body. I can hardly move my mouth. I was too nervous, "N-n-nothing, Madame..."
She laughed in a high-pitched tone, "I wouldn't mind calling me like that. But I prefer Aunt Yelan or just Auntie."
Syaoran took a grip on my other hand. "Don't frighten her, Mom."
His hand was warm. The coldness inside of me defrosted with its warmness. Aunt Yelan withdrew her hand.
"What foolishness are you accusing me, Xiao Lang?" She raised an eyebrow, with a cold voice. She turned to me. "Do I frighten you, my dear?" She asked kindly.
"Not really." I lied. She really frightened me.
"That's normal." My dad smiled. "Meeting each other's parent is really frightening. By the way, Syaoran, I will return to our house probably next summer. Stay here, huh? And don't leave my child unattended."
"Dad!" I snapped.
"I'm serious, Sakura." Dad eyed me. "It's not safe being alone these days. And I trust Syaoran for looking for you while your brother and I are on work."
"She's such a thick-headed, Uncle." Syaoran shook his head. "Once, she wanted me to stay away but of course I didn't leave her alone heading into a flower farm. She might lost herself."
"On that time, I was really annoyed." I nudged Syaoran on ribs. "It's because I thought he's only doing it because of my Dad's word. I thought Dad has gone crazy for leaving me alone in the house with a boy."
"What?" Aunt Yelan coughed. "You lived together on the same roof? Why no one told me?"
"Well, you didn't ask..." Father smirked.
"Oh my gosh, Xiao Lang!" Aunt Yelan freaked out. "Has something happened between you?" Her eyes widely opened.
"Auntie, calm down." I said.
"Calm down? I can't!" She shouted, "It's all Fujitaka's fault."
"Me? Why me?" laughed Dad.
"Tell me, Xiao Lang." She managed to calm down then exhaled, "Has something happened between you?"
"Yes, Mom." Syaoran answered.
"What are you saying, Syaoran?!" I bellowed. "Nothing has happened!" I stood, frowning.
Aunt Yelan stood too with fires in her eyes. " I can't believe this, Xiao Lang! I'll die here because of that revelation."
Father stood too. Now, Syaoran was the only one left sitting. "Calm down, Yelan. I'm sure nothing serious has happened." He forced her to sit down.
"Of course something has happened." Syaoran laughed. "I TOLD HER MY FEELINGS!" He shouted to calm everyone, including me.
I dropped back into my chair. "You're very naughty!"
Dad laughed then sat, "See? I've told you, Yelan. He can be trusted. Didn't you trust your own son?"
Aunt Yelan massaged her chest, "Sorry, I misunderstood." She sat again, "I nearly fainted. You almost gave me a heart attack, Xiao Lang. Don't do that again."
"Why? What are you expecting me to do?" Syaoran asked innocently.
I laughed. Syaoran has a good sense of humor in a wrong time. I watched Dad, Aunt and him all laughing and talking. Syaoran is a young man and I'm a young lady. And we're both in love. Good thing, we fell in each other's charms.
"You should've seen your face, Mom!" Syaoran snickered, "'Oh my gosh, Xiao Lang! Has something happened between you?'" He mimicked his mother's face, reaction and voice.
Aunt Yelan laughed hardly, too. She almost can't breathe. "This is the first time we - " she caught her breath, " – talked like best friends!" She laughed again.
---oOo---
After breakfast, we entered the mansion again. The elders had a non-stop conversation about their kids' future. So as a result, Tomoyo, Eriol, Syaoran and I decided to separate from them. We went to the library, where I dreamt of my nightmare before. Before I entered, I pulled Syaoran's sleeve.
"Why?" He asked.
"This reminds me of my nightmare, Syaoran." I explained.
Tomoyo and Eriol sat in a bench after they've entered. Eriol started choosing a book to read. On the other hand, Syaoran and I still haven't entered the library.
"It's just a nightmare." He reminded me. "Um... Sakura... I apologize for not giving you my gift for Christmas last night. Would you mind if I would give it to you this night?"
"Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed with my hand over my mouth. "I haven't finished my Christmas present for you!" I clapped my other hand over the other in my mouth. I was too talkative!
"What?" He frowned.
"I've talked too much!" I removed my hands over my mouth. "Ok. We'll exchange gifts tonight at 9 p.m., approve?"
He nodded then smiled, "Should we enter the library?"
"I think so." I looped my arm into his.
As we walked towards Tomoyo and Eriol, we heard a very loud laughter downstairs.
"What do you think they're talking about?" Eriol asked.
"Our future." Tomoyo smiled.
Syaoran and I sat together. "When do you think they'll leave?" Syaoran asked impatiently.
"Probably tomorrow..." Tomoyo shrugged.
"Tomoyo," I stated, "Syaoran and I have to return to Tomoeda by Wednesday, just before the New Year."
"Oh... how sad!" She shook her head, "Our parents will leave us probably tomorros and you'll leave on Wednesday!"
"I'm very happy for you Syaoran!" Eriol changed the topic. "Imagine, Uncle was in your side! Can you believe your luck?"
"Gee, thanks!" Syaoran laughed.
"But there's still another problem on hold." I said worriedly. "You know who he is."
"Touya..." Tomoyo and Eriol said together.
Yeah right - my overprotective brother. Can't he just mind his own love life?
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A/N: That was it. It's really lovely looking over the past memories. But not the sad ones... Anyway, what do you think of it? Do you think I should end it? I'm planning to but you can stop me and I can continue the story. Maybe 2 chapters and it's done if I wanted to. Say, what do you think? Tell me and don't forget to:
REVIEW! Click on the lower left of the screen 'Submit Review" it's fun, you know .
