AN: Hmm, I have nothing to say except: Thanks for all your reviews!

Now on with the story!

Affairs of the Heart

Chapter Nine

Sakura glared at Kari. "I cannot believe you brought him into this" she snapped as she marched into her office. She whirled around and looked at her, then looked at the tall man next to her. He had black hair, black eyes, and was staring at her with concern. He looked tired, but was still handsome. "And you tell me this while I'm working! That is so unprofessional of you, Kari. The descent thing you could have done is wait while I'm no longer working."

"Sakura, it was either during work or while you are at home with Kiyo, and we wouldn't be doing this if you hadn't lied and said you ended the affair when in fact you didn't. Don't you think I was being descent by deciding to do this while you are here instead of at home?"

"No, actually I don't. You're bringing my brother into this! What, did you think that he would knock some sense in me? Why are you involving everyone into something that isn't even your concern!" She looked at her brother. "How much did she tell you?"

Kinomoto Touya sighed. He knew his little sister would react like this. Being seven years older, he was the one who was always able to control his emotions and he was usually remote, while she would explode at even the tiniest things.

"That you are having an affair." He gave her a look. "Is it true? Are you cheating on your husband?"

She had that stubborn, mutinous look that she always has when she doesn't want to answer. But he learned that all he had to do was wait, and stare back at her until she gave in.

Only a minute passed before she answered him. "Yes."

Touya groaned as he realized that he had been mistaken. It wasn't a misunderstanding. His baby sister wasn't being faithful.

"Kari, can you please leave?"

Kari nodded once and left.

He sighed deeply, prepared to enter the war. "Who is it?"

She adverted her gaze. "I met him at a club."

He raised an eyebrow. "I've never seen you as a club girl, short-stuff."

She frowned at the nickname. He tried not to smile. When they were younger, he used to call her 'monster.' That lasted until she hit sixteen, then he switched to short-stuff, since she barely reached his shoulder. But once she turned twenty-one he forced himself to start calling her Sakura, although occasionally he would call her short-stuff.

"I'm not" she replied to his inquiry. "Only here and there do I go."

He stayed quiet as he considered his next question, so she took the time to ask one of her own. "When did you come?"

"Monday, three days ago. I'll be going back to Canada next Monday." He paused. "How long have you been seeing this guy?"

She bit her lip. "Three weeks, once it's Saturday."

Sakura found herself being able to answer his questions easily. Unlike Kari, he was calmly asking questions instead of demanding and there was no judgment in his eyes. That's one of the things she likes about her brother. He doesn't give an opinion until he gets all the facts.

She watched as he walked over to the sofa she has in the office and sat down. He patted the seat next to him, telling her to sit down too.

She did as told- or as untold- and sat next to him, waiting to be asked the next question.

"Have you and Kiyo been having problems?"

She shook her head, although it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him Kiyo's new personality that was emerging. So far, he was acting the way he has always acted around her, but she sensed the brute that was waiting to jump out from behind that façade. The problem was that she didn't know when it will come out.

"Has he been treating you right?" he asked.

She nodded.

"He hasn't abused you?"

She shook her head again. She wasn't staring at him, but at her lap, so she didn't see when something in his eyes flickered.

"When did he hit you?" he asked softly.

Her head snapped up and she looked at him, shock evident in her face.

"Sakura, I know you. You are like a walking dynamite. When someone turns on the fuse you explode. You would have snapped at me or grew angry when I even suggested that Kiyo had hurt you. Instead you just shook you head, and that only tells me that he did hurt you."

She looked at him, at his serious face. "It had been an accident" she whispered. "But lately I've been thinking that even though it was an accident, he had taken great pleasure out of hitting me. It was only one time."

She felt shameful for even admitting that tiny detail. So when he wrapped his arms around her she wanted to escape, to find some solitude. But then she would be running from the only person who knew her well, from the only person she could tell her secrets to and not be judged. Her brother was the only person who would never hurt her and who would always be here even if she reveals the most hurtful things.

"I'm sorry" she whispered.

"For what? Kiyo hurt you. He shouldn't have, accidental or not."

Although he was speaking calmly, it was completely opposite to what he was feeling inside. He was furious. That man had hurt his baby sister! His first instinct was to go up to him and kick the crap out of him, but he was no longer that impulsive boy. Especially when it involved Sakura. So he just soothed her and protected her, like a brother should.

After he sooths her, he will pay Kiyo a little visit.

"Do you think I am wrong for cheating on Kiyo?" She asked.

He considered what to say. "I don't know." He paused. "I must admit that I have never liked Kiyo, so my answers will always be seen as a hit towards him. But if you really want an opinion . . ."

"I do."

He sighed. "I don't think what you are doing is right. But I don't trust him, and I think you cheating on him is your way of admitting the same thing. This is your way of escaping something that you believed was true, but really wasn't. Sometime during the course of your marriage, your subconscious picked up on something that wasn't right about him, so you escaped it by having an affair."

Sakura thought about it, a frown on her face. Could that be true? Did somewhere along the line, sometime during three years of marriage, did her subconscious find something wrong with Kiyo? Maybe he had done something that revealed his abusive nature, but she didn't notice- although maybe her subconscious had.

"I know you Sakura" he continued. "You are a sweet, funny woman, and I know you didn't do this just because you wanted to, or because it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. You wanted to get away from the fact that Kiyo, the one you married, the one you fell in love with, was nothing but an illusion."

She pulled away. "Maybe. That certainly makes sense, especially with his abusive nature just barely coming out."

"When did he hit you?"

She bit her lip again. "Last week. Friday. It was an accident, though. I had accepted his apology. But then he tried to control me, tried to tell me what to do, like he was an adult and I was nothing but a child. That I could never forgive him for. But on Tuesday was when I really figured out that he wasn't the same man."

A moment pass before he said: "You have to leave him."

"I know."

"Now, I mean. Right this minute." He stood up and dragged her up with him. "You are coming back with me to Canada-"

"No."

He gave her an incredulous look. "Are you kidding me, Sakura? You can't stay here with an abusive husband!"

"I have to."

"Why?"

"Because I have a store to run. I have friends here. And Kiyo is a member of the Cabinet. He'll make up a story for my absence and if I don't go back to him, or if he doesn't find me, he'll destroy my reputation. He'll make up lies." She had thought all night about this, about what to do. Several times she told herself she would leave, but then came to the conclusion that she couldn't. How, when Kiyo will eventually find her? And even if he doesn't he might find some other gullible woman and marry her, and then beat her.

No, she couldn't leave. She has to stay with him so she can get enough evidence to bring him down. That's the least she could do to protect herself, and to protect future women.

"I have to stay. I'm sorry, Touya."
He sighed in frustration, seeing her stubborn look. "Fine. Stay. But if you stay then I'm staying too. In your Mansion."

She blinked. "Why?"

"He won't be able to hurt you while I'm under the same roof."

She knew Kiyo would find a way. Probably in their room.

"But what about your family? Mai, Haruko, Aneko and Amarante?"

Mai was Touya's wife, and Haruko, Aneko and Amarante were their kids. They were a loud, happy family and Sakura loved them dearly. She also knew that Touya seldom left them for longer than a week, especially when leaving out of Canada. So she had to ask about what he was going to do.

He was quick to answer. "I'll bring them over here."

She blinked at him. "You can't do that" she gasped. "You can't just ship your whole family half way across the world just for me."

"The hell I can't. You must have forgotten that Mai loves you too, and our kids love their favorite aunt."

"I'm their only aunt" she muttered automatically; that was always the same reply she gave Haruko when he always called her his favorite aunt every time she visits them, which is like twice a year.

"Look, all I'm saying is that we all love you and we all want to protect you. And if that means coming here and staying here, we'll do it."

"Kiyo might be mad" she stated warningly.

Touya frowned. "Right." He had forgotten that his brother-in-law doesn't like him, or his family. Mostly his kids, although the jerk has never really seen them. That's why Kiyo never came to Canada to visit them. Touya, of course, hadn't really cared. It suited him fine to have only his sister go and visit him.

But now he knew he couldn't have his whole family stay with Sakura. Kiyo just might beat her.

"Look, there is only one other alternative to all this: Are you willing to report Kiyo to the authorities?"

"Touya, I can't."

"Why not?" He was getting irritated by her attitude. More so because he can no longer tell her what to do. He had lost all rights to order her around when she hit eighteen, and that's what annoyed him the most. If he could, he would drag her, screaming and crying, to the airport and to Canada. Unfortunately, she would just hate him for doing it.

"Because. Will they believe me? My bruise is barely visible, friends see nothing wrong in our marriage, and he's a member of the Cabinet. Plus, if the cops investigate, they'll find out about my affair and they'll brand me as the bad spouse. They definitely won't help me."

He let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. It settles it. My family is coming over. We'll stay in a hotel, or maybe rent an apartment close by. But we'll visit everyday when you are at home."

"Are you sure?" She asked fretfully. She wanted them to be with her so badly. Not only did she not want to go through this alone, but seeing Touya and his family only twice a year just wasn't enough. But she didn't want them to go through all this trouble just for her.

"I'm sure" he said firmly. "I'll call Mai and tell her."

She smiled and hugged him. "You are the best brother in the world."

"I know." He glanced down at her. "Now. Tell me more about this guy you met at the club."

(Syaoran: Later)

Syaoran picked up his private line at his company when it started to ring. He answered it and was surprised to hear it was Chen.

"Xiao-Lang, it's Chen. I have some news to report."

"About the wife?"

"Yes. It seems luck is on our side because Mrs. Tsuchida is having an affair."

"How do you know?"

"Followed her from her mansion and almost every night she's been out with her lover."

"Chen, you need a life if you have been following her everyday."

"My life left me when my company crashed. Anyways, I would have told you sooner, but I wanted to make sure. I had a little doubt but now it is confirmed."

"How is it confirmed?"

"Well, before I would catch her giving him pecks on the lips. But a couple of days ago I saw her making out with him in her car."

Syaoran smiled. "So when are you going to compose those pictures and send them to Tsuchida?"

"I don't know; I want to try and take a picture of her lover. That might be a while."

His buzzer sounded. "Hold on for a minute, Chen." He pressed a button on the intercom and changed languages. "Yes?"

"Someone is here to see you."

"Okay."

He released the button and changed back to Chinese. "Chen, I have to go. Call me later, okay?"

"Got it. Hopefully the next time I call you I'll be able to say that I got the lover's picture."

He chuckled and hanged up the phone just as his door opened.

Syaoran was surprised, and pleased, when Sakura walked through the doorway.

"Well, what do I owe this pleasure?"

"A kiss" was her reply as she closed the door and walked towards his desk. She placed her hands on it and smiled, staring at him across polished wood. "Do you accept?"

He pretended to think. "Who will this kiss come from?"

"A beautiful, talented woman." She slowly walked around the desk.

He hid a grin and treated this like a business proposal. "Will I get benefits?"

"Oh yeah."

"And how long will this kiss last?"

"As long as our lungs could survive without oxygen."

"Is the door locked?"

"Of course." She finally reached him and sat on his lap. "So, I repeat. Do you accept?"

"Will I lose anything?"

"A couple of minutes out of your day."

Now he let his grin appear. "Fair enough." And he brought her head down to kiss her.

He loved kissing her. He let her take control, allowed her tongue to part his lips, and enjoyed himself as her tongue tasted him.

A few minutes later she raised her head and smiled. "How was that?" She slightly panted.

"Wonderful."

He sat back against his chair as she rested against his chest. Looking at the top of her head, he wondered why she was here. Even though she knew where he worked, she has never visited him, and he never expected her too. Although as pleasant as that kiss was, he knew there must be something that made her come.

"Now, what is the real reason you are here?"

"I have a question to ask."

"What?"

"This Saturday, do you have anything planned?"

He thought about it. "No, why?"

"Do you mind coming to the park?"

"No."

"Good. At twelve o'clock you will meet me at the park."

"Sure, but why do I have to meet you?"

Sakura looked up at him and smiled at his confused expression. It looked adorable. "My brother is in town, and is staying for a while. His family is coming tomorrow. He wants to meet you."

Touya had immediately called Mai after she finished telling him everything she knew about Syaoran. Mai had been ecstatic to visit Tomoeda and was, miraculously, able to book a flight that leaves in a few hours. With that taken care of, Touya had then insisted that he meet this new man in her life and persisted on meeting him until she gave in. She trusted her brother; he wasn't going to tell anyone. She also trusted Mai so she knew her sister-in-law wouldn't tell anyone either when she finds out that she is having an affair.

Sakura had been slightly worried about their kids, but then remembered that Haruko hasn't seen Kiyo since he was three-years-old- he won't remember Kiyo- and the twins have never met him. So she was safe.

"Meet me?" Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"You are asking too many whys."

"Well, pardon my curiosity."

She sighed. "My brother has always met the guys I went out with since I was sixteen. That still hasn't changed."

As much as Syaoran wanted to meet someone from her family, he wasn't sure if he actually would go through with it. She has told him how overprotective her brother was of her, and has told him how he scared most of her boyfriends away. Syaoran wasn't scared, or at least that is what he told himself, but he wondered what lengths her brother would go to just to get rid of him.

She must have sensed what he was thinking because she patted his chest comfortingly. "Don't worry. He learned to control himself. He won't scare you away. He'll question you, that's a definite, but he won't scare you."

"I'm not scared."

She smirked. "Liar. You are petrified."

He smiled. "Well, maybe a little." With a glint in his eye he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up before sitting her on his desk. She looked confused.

"What are you doing?"

"I've seen in movies the boss sleeping with a woman right on his desk." He placed his hands on her cheeks. "I want to know what the excitement is all about" he murmured, and placed his lips over hers.

(Touya: Mansion)

The moment Kiyo opened the door, Touya had to prevent himself from slugging him right then and there. His right hand had even moved a fraction of an inch before he clenched his hand, digging his short nails into his skin. He didn't want to hurt him because he feared Kiyo will hit his sister as revenge.

If Sakura hadn't been involved, Touya would have given in to the lion inside that was just waiting to tear the man in front of him into pieces.

But he was a little satisfied at the surprised and nervous face Tsuchida gave him before he smoothed his face, leaving it blank.

"Kinomoto?" He raised an eyebrow. "Well, this is surprise. Sakura didn't tell me you were coming."

His voice was monotone, but Touya heard a hint of anger.

"She didn't know. I just surprised her earlier this morning. I just wanted to come and talk to you."

Kiyo seemed to hesitate. "About?"

"About my sister."

More hesitation. "Did something . . . Happen?"

Yeah, you hit her, you bastard.

"I think so."

Because Kiyo didn't move from the door, Touya mentally shrugged and bullied his way in, pushing aside his sister's husband, and marched into the living room. A moment later he heard the door slam and footsteps.

He was seated by the time Kiyo came into the living room. Silently, he walked towards a seat that, Touya noticed, was the farthest away from him.

That's probably for the best. For Kiyo, at least.

"My sister has a slightly bruised cheek that, I'm sure, was much bigger. I can tell that it's been healing over time. Not only that, she seems . . . I don't know, nervous? Mostly around guys. This morning, every time a male visitor entered her store, she would keep distance between them, and she wouldn't allow them to touch her." He looked at him curiously after telling that white lie, seeing the young man sitting rigidly. He hid a satisfied smirk. If he couldn't kill him, why not mess with his mind a bit? "Do you know why she is suddenly like that?"

He shrugged. "I've never noticed a change."

"You sure? When this one man touched her hand she yelped and, for some odd reason, her hand flew to her cheek, as if to protect it."

Another white lie.

No reply came from the Cabinet member.

"I think someone hit her."

Kiyo paled tremendously, even though he tried to keep his composure. Does Touya know he hit Sakura? He sat as rigid as possible so he could prevent his body from shaking. Kinomoto Touya has a violent temper, and at times explodes. He was not a man to be messed with, and if Touya finds out that Kiyo had hit his sister and is controlling her like a puppet . . .

Well, Kiyo was as good as dead.

"Well, Kiyo? What do you make of it? Did some guy hit her? Someone she knows? Someone she trusts?" Touya was pushing his buttons as he studied him. He thought of his baby sister, probably scared to be alone with this man, and he had to clench his hands again. "Maybe a friend?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Touya suddenly knew how to hurt Kiyo without having him hurt Sakura in retaliation.

"You sure, Kiyo? You know how I'm overprotective of my sister. I would literally kill any man who harms her."

"I know."

He's nervous . . . Good . . .

"Well, that's why I need your help to help me find out who hit my sister."

"What makes you think anyone hurt her?" Kiyo snapped, getting angry. Touya was getting way too close to the truth.

Touya scowled. "You think I'm lying?" He snapped back. He stood up abruptly. "You think I would make something like this up?"

"Wait- I didn't mean to upset-"

"Are you the one who hit her, Kiyo? Because I strongly believe you did. There is no way for you not to notice a bruise unless you are the one who caused it."

Kiyo prevented the urge to run away. His brother-in-law looked pissed, face going red by the minute. "I didn't hit-"

Like a tiger, Touya was on him in seconds and picked him up by the collar, taking him off the chair. "I know you are lying, Tsuchida. I'm a cop- you know how I treat criminals who don't obey the law. You know I can make stronger men than you confess to bigger crimes. You know I can figure things out very quickly. Now, I will ask you again- Did you hit my sister?"

Kiyo debated whether to lie, and was close to actually doing it, but he was too scared too. Touya has always made him nervous, with him being taller, stronger, and being a cop. Kiyo was shorter, skinnier, and was a mere Cabinet member. In politics, Kiyo would always be the victor.

When it comes to brute force . . .

"I-it was an a-accident" he stuttered, although he cringed at the way he sounded. He could just hear his father laughing his head off.

"So you did hit her?"

"I only wanted her to let my wrist go. I didn't- I mean, I couldn't stop my hand from hitting her cheek."

Touya nodded calmly and let go of his collar. "See? Was that so hard? Don't you feel better now?"

Kiyo only had a few seconds to relax before pain shot through his jaw as he fell to the floor. With a groan of pain he held his jaw in his hand and looked at Touya, who still looked calm.

Too calm.

He bent down next to him and gave him a small smile. As small as it was, it was still deadly. "You know, Kiyo, I am going to pretend that this visit never happened. I am going to pretend that you didn't just confess that you abused Sakura. I am going to pretend that you aren't the jerk that you are. But I will not pretend to like you. I will not pretend to be your friend. And if you hurt my sister again I will do more than just punch your jaw. I'm a cop. I have connections. I can cover my tracks easily without anyone suspecting that I was involved in your, uh, untimely demise." He raised both eyebrows curiously. "Are we clear? Or should I make it more clearer?"

Kiyo's only answer to the threat was a glance away.

Touya smirked and stood up. "I'll let myself out."

A few seconds later, the slam of a door was heard. Kiyo stayed on his spot on the floor, still rubbing his jaw.

Sakura hadn't told her brother he hit her. Touya must have figured it out on his own, because she wouldn't have the nerve to blab it out. Besides, Touya has always been quick to put pieces of a puzzle together, and Touya has never trusted him from the moment they met.

Oh, how he hated him!

With a grunt he finally lifted himself off the floor.

Fine. He wouldn't hit Sakura. At least, not for this, because Touya, himself, figured out that he hit her all on his own. Yes, Kiyo wants to let go of the anger he's feeling, but he feared that if he lays one finger on Sakura he'll end up beating her all over and end up leaving her in all black and blue, and won't Touya notice that!

Kiyo didn't want to risk it. Touya was just too damn strong, and too damn mean.

But that doesn't mean Kiyo wouldn't hit her again. Touya would have to leave eventually. And even if he has to stay, he wasn't always around to protect his sweet baby sister.

And who says bruises have to be visible?

Sakura's thighs are always covered, and so is her stomach, her breasts, her back . . . There are a lot of places where he can hit her and where the bruises will never be noticed.

And he has the power to control her, to make sure she can never say a word of what he is doing to her. Kiyo will scare her so bad she wouldn't want to say a word. Not a single word.

There is always a way to get what he wants.

His father taught him that.

There is always a way . . .

(Saturday: Park: Tomoyo: 11:30)

Tomoyo checked her make-up as she washed her hands in the public bathroom. Eriol was waiting for her in their car. They had come here to see the sunrise, since they hadn't done that in such a long time and also because they needed a distraction. Waiting for Syaoran to figure things out was hell on their nerves.

She glanced towards the door when someone entered. It was a woman with auburn hair. She walked and stood right next to Tomoyo, looking down as she washed her hands. When she looked up she smiled.

"It's hot outside, isn't it?"

Tomoyo smile. "Yeah. Me and my husband were here since sunrise but now it's getting too hot."

"Oh, you're married?"

"Yes. For almost three years."

"Any kids?"

She hesitated. "I had a son, but he died . . . In a car crash."

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I've learn to deal with it. How about you? Are you married?"

Sakura hesitated. She didn't even want to mention Kiyo. His abusive side is still under wraps, but she's scared that if she mentions him it will come out. Even today he had gotten mad when she said that she would be going to the park, but when she said her brother would be there he grumbled and didn't stop her.

Touya was right. With her brother in town, Kiyo couldn't really control her.

"No, I'm not. I have a boyfriend." She grabbed a paper towel to wash her hands.

"Really?"

"Yes. He's so wonderful. It makes me wonder how he stayed single."

"What's his name?"

Before she could stop herself it slipped pass her lips. "Li Syaoran."

Darn it!

She hadn't meant to say his name. But then she figured that it doesn't matter. This woman was a stranger. It's highly doubtful that she knows him.

She heard a boy's voice followed by knocking on the woman's bathroom door. "Auntie Sakura!"

"I've got to go. It was nice talking to you."

"Yeah."

Tomoyo watched her leave the bathroom before turning back to the mirror. Her face was as white as a sheet.

Li Syaoran . . . That's Xiao-Lang's Japanese name!

Immediately she dried her hands and left the bathroom practically running. She had to tell Eriol.

Reaching the car, she skidded to a stop and yanked the door open.

"Xiao-Lang is having an affair" she blurted as she entered it and closed the door.

Eriol blinked. "Huh?"

"A woman entered the bathroom and we got to talking. Just a friendly chat. But then she said she had a boyfriend and when I asked his name she said it was Li Syaoran!"

He seemed to be in shock because he just stared at her as if she had grown a second head or something.

"Eriol, this is big! If Xiao-Lang is having an affair then this is going to be a problem because if Lydia finds out she won't wait to have a baby with him. She'll just kill him!"

"Look, just calm down. You might have been mistaken. Or maybe this woman's boyfriend just has the same name as Xiao-Lang. It's a coincidence."

Tomoyo glanced out of the windshield. "Is it a coincidence that her boyfriend looks exactly like our Xiao-Lang, too?"

Eriol looked out of the window and gasped. Sure enough, there was Xiao-Lang, walking towards a woman. But it was the kiss he gave the woman that convinced Eriol.

"If Lydia finds out" he said slowly "she won't be the one doing the killing. Sheng will."

Without another word he drove out of the parking lot and away from the park.

After Syaoran gave Sakura a small kiss and pulled back, she said "You're a little early."

"I wanted to make a good impression."

"You're meeting my brother, not my father." She took hold of his hand and led him to where Touya and his family was. When she approached she said "You guys, this is Li Syaoran. Honey, this is Touya, my brother, and his wife Mai."

Touya held out his hand. He had a piercing look that made Syaoran think he was trying to see into his brain to make sure his sister is in good hands. But he also had a smile, so that made it easier. "Nice to meet you, Li."

"The pleasure is all mine."

He looked at the woman standing next to him as she smiled. She was pretty. She had blonde hair that was too light for it to be natural, and brown eyes. "Well, it seems Sakura was right: you are the handsomest man I have ever met."

He smiled as he glanced at Sakura.

"Hey" Touya pretended to complain. "What happened to me?"

"You are the sexiest man I have ever met. There's a difference."

Sakura mentally sighed with relief. Both of them seemed to accept Syaoran because they were talking to him with friendly smiles on their faces, and both were genuine.

She had been right: Mai will keep it a secret. She hadn't approved of what Sakura was doing, but she wouldn't judge. Especially when they told her about Kiyo's new personality.

Three kids suddenly ran in between the four adults. They seemed to be playing a game, but Mai grabbed hold of the oldest while Touya went to grab the twin girls.

"This is Haruko, our oldest child."

Syaoran looked at the little tyke, who stared up at him with curious eyes.

"Haruko, what do you say?" Touya asked.

"You're tall" was what came out of the boy's mouth.

Syaoran grinned as he bent down so he could be at eye-level. "You're pretty tall yourself. How old are you?"

"Nine."

He was used to nine-year-olds because his four sisters, who were living in Hong Kong, had all made him an uncle thirteen times over.

"Wow. That's amazing. If you drink enough milk and eat healthy, I bet you would be as tall as your dad."

"Really?" He turned around and looked at his mother. "I want milk mommy. I'm too short. I should be-" he extended his arm up as far as it would go, even standing on his toes "-this tall!"

"You're just the right size, sweetie. But I'll give you milk later."

"This is Aneko and Amarante" Touya introduced as the two giggling girls held on to their father's neck. "Three-year-old princesses." He shook his head. "Spoiled rotten by their mother."

"Like Haruko isn't spoiled by his father?"

More and more Syaoran was getting comfortable with them as they all decided to sit and eat the food the women had brought. They talked about a lot of things, but mostly the married couple asked questions about him and his life, and most of the questions came from the brother. He answered their questions with ease, though, and carefully avoided mentioning his wife at home, who had thrown a snit when he said he would be going out. Lately it seemed that she was trying to keep him at home, although he has no idea why. But there was something else- something he couldn't quite grasp. There was something that he should have noticed, but didn't. All the things Eriol had said was still fresh in his mind, and he knew that whatever it was he can't grasp is somehow related to what his former best friend had said.

But for now, he pushed it towards the back of his mind. All he wanted to do was enjoy being around Sakura's family, and he was enjoying himself. Now he doesn't know why he was even nervous to begin with.

It was almost four as Sakura sat on the bench, watching Syaoran play with the kids. He seemed to be enjoying himself greatly, ignoring the fact that he was getting dirty on the ground. Haruko was shrieking with laughter, and the girls seemed to have fallen in love with this stranger that they barely met today.

"He seems to be enjoying himself" Mai said as she sat next to her.

"Yes, he does" she murmured softly, still staring. "Where's Touya?"

"Putting everything away in the truck." She tilted her head. "Had Kiyo ever acted like this around you?"

She shook her head. "Kiyo was always quiet. Not shy-quiet, but more like bored-quiet, you know? While everyone is talking he would stay quiet and only talk if necessary, as if everyone else isn't worthy of his attention." She sighed. "I don't know how I could have ever missed the fact that he is violent."

Mai looked at her sister-in-law with worry. She has always felt that Tsuchida was never right for her, but kept silent because she had no right to tell Sakura whom to marry and whom not to marry. But something has always felt wrong about Kiyo, like some evil aura was surrounding him.

Now she knew why.

When she was told that Sakura was having an affair, she had been shocked. And then she became angry when told that Kiyo had hit her. But she also became worried, because if he finds out that his wife is cheating on him, Mai wondered what he would do, and none of the scenarios were pretty.

But Syaoran was different. He seemed outgoing and didn't care about getting dirty. He also has experience with kids because he easily handled Haruko and the twins. He is definitely father material. But most importantly, he treated Sakura with respect. His eyes would always warm up when he looks at her, and they always held devotion in them as well.

He was perfect for Sakura.

But was he worth it?

Mai looked at her and saw how she stared him, a smile on her lips. From that look, it looks like he was.

She saw Touya coming and she stood up, leaving Sakura alone as she walked up to him.

"Did you put everything away?" She asked.

"Yeah." He looked at his sister, and then to Syaoran. "I like him" he said abruptly.

"Me too."

"I think he is perfect for Sakura, but Kiyo is in the way. I knew I shouldn't have let her marry that guy. Something in me just knew the marriage would hurt Sakura in some way." He paused. "They shouldn't have married so soon."

"Touya, they got married after being together almost the same amount of time we were together before we got married."

Touya sighed, because he knew that was the truth. Him and Mai married after being together for six months. Sakura and Kiyo had only dated for five months before tying the knot. Touya hadn't been able to object because then he would be a hypocrite.

As he stared at the man Sakura was dating behind her husband's back, he knew he would have never objected to her marrying him. Just seeing them together, talking and laughing, they acted as if they had known each other for years. That was a good sign for how right they were. His little sister had found herself a good man, but only after she found and married a bad one.

Sakura giggled when Aneko playfully kissed Syaoran on the cheek. He smiled and gave her a peck on the forehead. Amarante apparently wanted a kiss as well because she gave him a kiss on the cheek too. Haruko huffed because the twins were getting all the attention.

It was such a beautiful scene that she felt like weeping. She might never have a scene like this again in the future. Once Syaoran finds out she's married, and she knew he would one day find out, he will leave her. She wouldn't blame him, but how would she be able to let him go? He was a light that she never thought existed in her newly found dark world, a person who was so wonderful that she thanked the heavens that she was lucky enough to be with him.

It wasn't fair that she gets a taste of heaven after she is already married to a man who apparently came from hell. She knew fate was funny at times, but this was just cruel.

She smiled when Syaoran looked up to find her watching him. He winked and then continued to play with the kids.

Her gaze fell, eyes getting watery as she realized something. That tiny wink clarified everything, made everything crystal clear. A tiny action opened up a door that she never thought existed.

He was perfect.

What was imperfect was that she has fallen in love with him.

AN: The next chapter is the chapter that all of you have been waiting for because . . . That's when the Cherry Blossom and the Little Wolf find out the other is married! Please review! I need reviews to inspire me!