Yea. Brain tumor. I'm mean, really mean. Sometimes I can't believe how mean I am. Mimi is so sweet, so innocent… I feel like hurtin my hands. But then, if I did, there wud b no update… hehe! Go forth and read!

Title: A Price to Pay

Summary: It's the usual… Syaoran is popular and Sakura is a nerd. Yet there is but one twist to this. Syaoran wants Sakura to do him a favor. He wants her to set him up with her twin sister, Saruka. But there is a price. Now, Syaoran owes Sakura…

Disclaimer: I don't own it. CLAMP does…

Rating: R (For Language and Possible Lemons/Limes)

Genre: Romance/Tragedy

Ages: Sakura: 16- Syaoran: 17

Dedication: This fic is dedicated to my Nee-chan, Susan! She's my inspiration and what keeps me going in writing! Lub u Nee-chan!

And now, time to begin…

.-.Chapter 10: If Only I Could and the Card Call

Suddenly, her cell rung. She got up and turned it on.

"Hello?" She murmured. It was late 12 and her phone woke her up.

"Sakura?" It was Kai.

"Kai, what's wrong?" Sakura asked.

"Mimi… she…"

"What happened to Mimi?" Sakura got scared.

"She fainted. We're at the hospital. Mimi got Riku's genetic disorder."

Sakura heart stopped beating as she felt her blood run cold.

"She's got a brain tumor." Kai whispered sadly.

"NANI?" Sakura shrieked into the phone. Sakura heard a thump in the other room and knew that Syaoran was awake.

"It…it's true. Just before we went to bed a few hours ago, oh, I was sleeping over at Chang's, Mimi feel unconscious. We rushed her to the hospital. Chang and Susan are in the waiting room and I'm outside. The doctors wanted to know if any of her family had a genetic disorder. Since my family didn't, I knew it was Riku. I told him about her uncle having a brain tumor and he…he…he said she acquired the same disorder as Riku."

Tears spilled out of Sakura's eyes. She stood up and tugged her sweater on. While she was talking with Kai, she pulled a pair of jeans on.

"How's she doing now?" Sakura asked as she buttoned her pants.

"Intense care. They have an air mask on her, and tones of wires, measuring her heart rate and brain waves."

"I'm coming right now, is it the local hospital?"

"Hai. Mimi would be happy seeing you there."

"Arigato, for telling me…" Sakura said silently.

"Hey, you're like a mother to Mimi… I'd say more of a mother than Saru ever was."

Sakura frowned. "Nani? Saru was a great mother!"

"I bet if you tell Saru Mimi's in the hospital, she wouldn't give two dogs shit about it."

"Not true."

"I bet you she'll leave it and stay at New York. Anyways, I have to go back, I'll be waiting for you to come by."

"Syaoran's coming too." Sakura said.

Kai sighed. "Ok sure, the more the merrier I guess…"

"You're going delusional. Go to Mimi, I'm coming."

'Thanks." Kai said before hanging up.

Sakura got out of bed, rushed to Syaoran's room and knocked. The door almost instantly swung open, revealing a pissed off Syaoran.

"Why the hell did you scream to loud? I was about to go to your room when I fell out of bed and bumped my fucking head."

Sakura couldn't take it any longer. She grabbed Syaoran-who at the moment was shirtless, with a pair of jeans on, which he managed to get on before he fell- and hugged him, crying her heart out.

Syaoran was confused, he patted Sakura's head and led her inside his room.

"What's the matter?" He asked tenderly.

"Mimi… she…she…she got Riku's genetic disorder."

Syaoran's eyes widened. "What? Are you sure it's Riku's genetic disorder?"

"Hai, that's what the doctor told Kai."

"You wanna go?" He asked sweetly.

"Can we?" Sakura asked.

Syaoran nodded. "Yea, we'll take my car."

So the two got out of his room, making sure not to wake anyone else up, and crept to his car. The car started and they zoomed to the local hospital.

.- Hospital -.

Sakura and Syaoran rushed out of the car and ran a marathon to the front desk nurse.

"Hi… Mimi Ota?" Sakura said. Saruka and Kai had decided to let Mimi get her father's last name.

"Mimi Ota? You mean the sweet two-year-old girl with a brain tumor? What relation?" The nurse asked.

"I'm her aunt, her mother's sister." Sakura said breathlessly.

"Fine. But no one besides family is allowed." The nurse said eyeing Syaoran.

Syaoran shrugged, "No biggie." He murmured. Sakura's eyes widened. She didn't want Syaoran leaving her.

"Oh, but he is family." Sakura said a bit to loud. They both looked at her.

"He is?" the nurse asked.

"I am?" Syaoran asked stupidly. He looked at the nurse and laughed nervously. "I mean… I AM."

"What relation?" The nurse asked.

"My fiancé." Sakura said in a ludicrous manner.

The lady eyed them both. "Fiancé?" She asked.

Syaoran frowned, wondering what Sakura was up to.

"Uh… yea… Mimi loves him a lot." She said smiling sadly.

The nurse shrugged and told them the room number.

As they were walking… I mean running to Mimi's room, Syaoran asked Sakura why she claimed him as her fiancé.

"I'll probably cry when I see Mimi. I find comfort in you."

Syaoran wondered what that meant but waved it away. As soon as they reached the room, Sakura rushed in to find her only niece tangled in wires, her father crying, Chang and Susan looking solemn.

"Mimi?" Sakura whispered. Kai looked up and saw Sakura and Syaoran standing there. He got up, rushed towards Sakura and hugged her tightly.

"Oh dear god, thank god you came."

Sakura returned the hug, in a bit awkward way though.

Syaoran's blood started boiling. 'How DARE he touch her!' he thought glaring at Kai, suddenly he realized what he was thinking.

'Wait, why do I care?' he asked him self.

Sakura wobbled over to Mimi and looked down at her fragile figure.

"Sweetheart?" Sakura whispered, touching Mimi's forehead, caressing her, and moving her short bangs from her face.

"Darling, Auntie's here." Sakura said, tears forming in her eyes. Syaoran saw her sadness and thought it would be appropriate and hug her.

He walked up to her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Sakura lost it completely and cry hysterically in his arms.

Syaoran rubbed her back, as he started whispering comforting words in her ears. Sakura's cries turned to sniffles and hiccups. Suddenly, Mimi stirred and opened an eye.

"Daddy?" She whispered hoarsely. Sakura pushed away from Syaoran's hug and looked at Mimi, rushing over and rubbing her tiny arm.

"Auntie…" Mimi coughed.

"Darling," Sakura cried, tears forming in her eyes again.

"Auntie, my head…" Mimi cried as she clutched her head. Kai rushed over and pressed the nurses button. Within seconds, a nurse and a doctor rushed in.

"Oh, we didn't know she had so many visitors." The doctor said looking at Chang, Susan, Kai, Sakura and then Syaoran.

"Oh, you already know Chang and Susan her guardians, and that I'm her father. This is Sakura her aunt by the mother and this is Li Syaoran…"

"My fiancé." Sakura cut in, trying to keep the act up.

They all looked at her, Chang, Susan and Kai were surprised, but Sakura shot them the 'ask later' look.

"So, what's the matter with Mimi?" The doctor asked.

"She woke up and says her head hurts." Kai said, worriedly.

The doctor rushed to Mimi, took her heartbeat, checked her brain waves and turned around, looking serious.

"I'm afraid this is getting serious. Her tumor is growing rapidly. Did her uncle have this type of problem?" he asked facing Kai.

"I don't know, he was her mother and Sakura's brother."

The doctor turned to Sakura. Sakura sniffled, "Riku died at 3."

The doctor's eyes widened. "Oh dear, that causes a problem. When I said she inherited his disorder I meant it. She might die…"

Sakura muffled a horrified gasped, tears sprung to her eyes and Susan let out a cry of despair. Susan lunged into Chang's arms and cried till her eyes bled.

Sakura clutched her chest, taking in sharp intakes of breath.

"Die…" She repeated, wondering if she heard correctly.

The doctor nodded, not being able to think that this is going to happen himself.

Sakura's waterworks began. She sank to her knees, crying her heart out. Mimi was wondering what was happening since the machines hum cut the sound. Kai was beside his daughter, trying to stop himself from crying. Syaoran bent down beside Sakura and hugged her as she moved into his arms, hugging him, while her face was buried in his shirt.

"Shh, Sakura… don't cry… not in front of Mimi." Syaoran reasoned. Sakura nodded as she wiped her eyes. She got up, looked at the doctor and thanked him.

"Arigato… but can we be alone for a while?" she asked.

The doctor and nurse nodded before leaving.

Sakura sank into a chair beside Susan, not being able to trust her feet.

Syaoran came up beside her and sat down next to her. He placed an arm around her shoulder as she leaned in on his shoulder.

"Death… Riku…" Sakura whispered, in the dead quiet room, her voice echoed. Mimi feel back to sleep and every now and then, Kai checked if she was breathing still.

"How… how did this happen?" Sakura cried silently.

Everybody bowed their heads.

"How come none of us, Saruka, Touya or me got a brain tumor, but it passed down to Saru's daughter?" Sakura asked silently.

Everybody looked at her, she was going insane.

"I wonder if my kids will have the same fate."

Syaoran got pissed. "Sakura, shut up."

Sakura looked at him, as she pulled out of his arms.

"You sound like a friggin' nun you hear. What happened fucking happened Sakura, nothing you can do can change it. Not even your stinkin magic can change that. Your youngest brother got a Genetic disorder, and it passed to your niece. Things like these happen. It doesn't mean any other kids Saru will have or even you will have are going to have the same disorder. It's a one in a million chance."

Sakura looked at him, knowing he was right, but wishing he'd just shut up.

"Besides, if you loose faith in Mimi now, then what'll happen? You're one of the bravest people I know Sakura. You've been through a lot. The death of your brother, two cheats, your sister, and even a niece. And now, your niece has a brain tumor, which is another weight. But you've been going through it all, and you've still managed. Hell, even the cards and I are another problem to you, but you've faced them, faced us. And now, stop being sympathetic to your self and pray for Mimi."

Sakura looked down and sighed. "I suppose you're right." She murmured.

And for the next hour, they were quiet. Not a peep was heard, just the humming of the machine.

Finally, the doctor returned and advised them to return home, getting some rest, and then come back in the morning.

Everybody left, sluggish, and sad. Syaoran drove them home, and they sat in his bedroom with his lamp on, just sitting, thinking of earlier.

Sakura finally, took out her cell phone and rung Saru's number. After a few rings, Saru picked up, sounding happy.

"Hello… ai! Ray stop it!"

"Saru?" Sakura whispered, softly.

"Saku? Hey, what's… RAY!" Saru shrilled.

Sakura frowned, as did Syaoran, who heard this.

(It's around 1:30am-ish in the morning.)

"What's going one?" Sakura asked.

"My boyfriend Ray is teasing me." Saru squealed.

"But wasn't Greg your boyfriend?" Sakura asked.

"Yea, but his girlfriend found out, now I have Ray."

Syaoran was shocked hearing this but Sakura wasn't.

"Does Ray have a girlfriend, apart from you?"

"Huh? Oh yea, but she went to Canada to visit her sick grand mother."

Sakura sighed, knowing her sister. "Hey Saru, can… can you go someplace private?" Sakura asked.

Saru suddenly stopped laughing and sounded serious. "Yea, why?"

"This is important."

So Saru put them on hold for a few minutes before picking up again.

"Ok shoot."

"Remember Riku's disorder?"

"Yea… what about?"

"Mimi… she got the… same one." Sakura said, chocking back tears.

"Wha…what?" Saru gasped.

"Um hmm. She fainted tonight and Chang, Kai and Susan rushed her to the hospital. Me and Syaoran figured out an hour ago or so."

"Oh god… but how?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out."

"Can't you use Clow Magic?"

"I would, but I can't… it's not possible. Mimi does posses some magical powers, which makes me neutral."

"Oh dear god… no… not…Mimi."

"You… you're gonna come down… right?" Sakura asked, knowing the answer.

"Oh Sakura, I wish I could, I really do… but it's not possible.

Sakura lost it.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT POSSIBLE? YOUR DAUGHTER, YOUR ONLY DAUGHTER IS IN THE DAMN HOSPITAL, DYING YOU HEAR, DYING AND ALL YOU CAY IS 'I wish I could'!"

"Sakura, what the hell is the big deal, she'll pass it and live."

"THE DOC SAID SHE'S GONNA DIE YOU BITCH! DEATH! AS IN RIKU!"

"Chill Sakura. I said I was busy, but she's my daughter, don't you know I wanna be there with her?"

"Then why the fuck aren't you here," Sakura hissed dangerously, Syaoran was seriously afraid now, "why the hell aren't you here? Gonna fuck Ray up good eh? I'm pretty sure Mimi would love a brother."

"Sakura, SHUT UP! I said I was fucking busy here can't you get it?"

"WHAT THE HELL IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN YOUR DAUGHTER?"

"MY FUCKING LEG MORAN!"

Sakura didn't know what to say.

"Leg?" She repeated.

"I was in a damn car crash two days ago. I didn't wanna fucking bother you about it so I kept quiet. You think I would go down to Hong Kong if I was in perfect condition."

"I… I… didn't know."

Saru snorted. "Obviously. Now get some sleep and keep me updated with Mimi ok?"

"Night." Sakura hung up. She turned to Syaoran and sighed. "It's a lie." She shrugged and lay down on his bed, feeling very dizzy at the moment.

Syaoran scrunched his face. "Lie?"

"She didn't break her leg. Me and Saru have a bond, both sisterly and magical. I would know it if she broke her leg. I didn't feel like arguing at the moment so I played along."

"Why doesn't she wanna see her daughter?" Syaoran asked.

"She's a filthy whore that's why."

"Don't say that about her." Syaoran said defensively.

"Why? After you know what she did to me, you still defend her? Still wanna be her keep eh?"

"Sakura, what the fuck is the matter with you? This isn't you."

Sakura sat up and glared at Syaoran. "This isn't me? You don't know the half of me Syaoran. Up till now, you thought I was a nerd. Recently you found out I was popular… so what is the real me… tell me… what is?" She asked.

Before any of them knew it, Syaoran leaned forward and captured her lips in his own.

He gave a small, soft, tender kiss before pulling back. Sakura looked at him, not knowing what to do, or say. Their second kiss in a few hours. How ironic.

"That's what you are, my girlfriend. Fake or real, you still are my girl." Syaoran said simply.

Sakura couldn't believe it. Oh, that nerve! Suddenly, they both noticed a yellow something floating outside his window. Syaoran rushed over, opened it and almost fell back.

"SAKURA-SAMA!" It roared.

"Kero-chan?" Sakura squeaked.

"Sakura, thank god you're okay."

Sakura frowned. "Ok? What does that mean?"

"I… Yue, Ruby, Spinal and I have found out somebody is after the cards, the Sakura cards."

Sakura's eyes widened. "What?"

"Yea, his name is Diamond and he says that the Cards were meant to be his, along with us four guardians. Ruby and Yue managed to keep all of Tomoeda safe for a while, but you seriously need to capture the cards."

Sakura's eyes widened, super wide. "Dia…Diamond?" She asked.

"Hai, you know him?" Kero asked.

"Oh dear, no…no… this is so not good." Sakura mumbled.

Kero and Syaoran looked at her. "Why?" Syaoran asked.

"Syaoran, Kero, do you guys remember the name Daisuki?"

Kero nodded and Syaoran gasped. "You mean Daisuki, the one who tried to kill Clow, but was sealed for generations?"

Sakura nodded. "Hai, I read somewhere that Daisuki also went by a second name, Diamond."

Kero cursed. "Oh this is not good. If Daisuki managed to injure Clow, that he died… then he can for sure get your Sakura."

"So much for having faith." Sakura snorted.

"Sakura, how many cards to you have?" Kero asked.

"Let's see… Windy, Fly, Shadow, Watery, Fiery, Wood, Rain, Jump, Sleep… 9 why?"

"Good… you have more than 7." Kero said sighing with relief.

"Doushite?" Sakura asked.

"You can do something now, called the Card Call."

Sakura was confused but Syaoran knew what he was talking about. "Card Call, you mean that she summons all 52 cards with the 9 she has and captures them all at once?"

Kero nodded. "Yea, but it takes a lot of energy. And for her to properly channel the Card Call, she needs 10 cards."

Sakura frowned. "10… I need one more than."

"Haven't you been sensing the card Sakura, it's faint, but there is one out there." Syaoran said.

"Yea I did, but I thought it was an inkle, never real."

"It's real, and I had a feeling it was twin, but the only way to capture it, is to use the same attacks."

Kero sat on Sakura's head and frowned. "This isn't good. We have to get all 52 cards before Daisuki gets them."

"Hey wait, Mei Lin is coming tonight right?" Sakura asked.

Syaoran nodded, wondering what she was getting at.

"Well, have you two been training together ever since or what?"

Syaoran's eyes widened as Sakura smirked. "Yea, so, you two can predict each others moves. Tomorrow, when she comes, we'll search for the twin. Capture it, and then we'll do the Card Call, before we leave back for Tomoeda."

Syaoran nodded. "Good ideas, as for now, get some sleep. The whole deal about Mimi, Saru and now Daisuki is tiring."

Sakura nodded and got up, Kero on her head.

"Oi Kero, how did you fly so far?" Sakura asked.

"Yue took me half way and then I flew the rest as Ceroberus."

Syaoran's eyes widened. "So you're Ceroberus?"

Sakura looked at him, "I thought you'd know since I was calling him Kero half the time."

"Didn't occur to me." Syaoran said stupidly.

"So you staying?" Sakura asked.

Kero nodded. "Yea. Yue will be down tonight."

Sakura nodded. She got up and hugged Syaoran. "Night Syaoran."

Syaoran tilted her face up and lightly kissed her on the lips. "Night Sakura."

Sakura walked back to her room blushing, as Kero yawned and flew to her bed.

'He kissed me… is it possible he likes me?' she thought before getting into bed.

'Not possible, he likes Saru… but then again…'

Sakura turned and shut her eyes, an image of Mimi popped into her head.

"Oh Mimi, please get better." Sakura whispered before going to sleep.

.- Yelan -.

Yelan and the Li sisters had woken up due to all the commotion.

"So, Sakura's niece has a brain tumor." Fanran said.

"Poor baby…" Fuutie said.

"Worse yet, Daisuki is back." Yelan said solemnly.

"Sakura and Syaoran need to work together on this." Feimiel said.

"Even if they are faking." Sheifa winked.

"Oh girls, don't worry, even if they are faking to be a couple, this entire episode with Daisuki will bring them together. As for now, girls, pray for her niece…" Yelan said.


Did you like this chapter? A lot happened and a lot more will happen.

Syaoran is having mixed feelings… will love happen for him as it did for Sakura?

Stay tuned to find out!

Lub, Sakura