D'Amour

By Bex Drake

Authors Note: 01/01/04- Happy New Year all!! Apologies about the lateness of this chapter, but I have been hidden somewhere under a pile of exam revision, trying to have a life, trying to find out who I am and some other stuff that isn't really important but when it's all piled on top of you… important doesn't quite describe it.

I would like to thank Jen (strawberry-miow) for her help with this chapter!

Purple Raindrops

Sakura

She shivered; the growing distance between them was bothering her. She barely knew him and yet she felt like she had known him for years. The intensity of her feelings towards him scared her; when she was with him she felt more alive and when she wasn't… she didn't want to remember what that had felt like. Sakura wanted to analyse her feelings but she also didn't want to analyse them because she was scared what she would find out if she did. If she did love him, as she was beginning to suspect that she did, where did that leave her? Did he love her? The kisses certainly meant something, at least to her, but then he was a player…

She stood up, breaking away from his embrace in the hope that in increasing the distance between them she would be able to make her head work. The increased distance between them made no real difference to the ability of her mind to work, all it did was make her feel cold and distance, as if the silence between them hadn't done a good enough job on its own! She stood purposefully looking away from him and staring at the shop Meiling had entered, but she could feel the burning of his stare on her back and she knew that any minute soon she was going to loose the ability to ignore him and…

She found herself searching his eyes before she had even realised that she had turned around, a faint blush stained her cheeks. She bit her lip realising, as she saw something similar to concern in his eyes, that her attempts to distance herself from him might not be taken the way that they should be- she wasn't trying to distance herself from him, she just wanted a bit of space to think. She opened her mouth to speak and then shut it abruptly and looked at the floor. "Syaoran…" She began, her voice trembling wondering what on earth she would say to him. There was always the truth but… wouldn't that be more complicated in the long run than a lie? Perhaps it wouldn't be. She raised her head and found him looking at her intently, waiting for her to continue and something told her that he was not a patient person.

If she said how she thought she felt what would it do? Would it change things? They were supposed to be getting married, and she didn't fool herself into believing that they were getting married out of love. He seemed so close, and yet so distant. She no more knew what he was really thinking or feeling than she knew how a flower felt when someone picked it, she could guess but that wasn't the same thing. "Sakura?" He said, a tinge of worry in his voice bringing her out of her thoughts and away from her procrastinations.

"Shouldn't we go and check on Meiling?" She asked, deciding at the last moment that it would be safer to procrastinate, to put off the moment when she would have to explain to maybe never explain. He looked at her confused for a moment, almost as if he had forgotten who is cousin was in her absence.

"Yes." He replied she didn't miss the bitter tinge to his voice but she did miss the regret mingled in within the bitter tinge. He had felt like she was going to say something important, something so important that its absence felt like a loss.

"What do you think about… about our arranged marriage?" She asked in an attempt to change the subjects. A simple question, but one with a complex answer. If he said anything it could be taken to mean the opposite of what he meant and he didn't want that. Why did he care what affect his answer would have on her, after all she was no one important.

"I don't have to think anything about it." He replied scathingly, his lips twisting into a sneer as he watched her coldly. "I just have to do as I'm told." He said falling back on his favourite defence mechanism- push people as far away from you as possible.

Sakura bit back an equally scathing reply; "It doesn't bother you that you aren't going to marry someone you love?" She asked softly a faint red tinge appearing on her cheeks as she searched his eyes. It bothered her, she had always thought that if she was doing to get married then it would be to someone she loved just like her parents. It had never crossed her mind that she may end up marrying someone she barely knew, just so that two gangs could combine and become one. Even when she had been living with Uta she had never considered the idea that she might be forced to marry someone, although in retrospect she could see her Aunt doing that to her.

"No." He replied honestly having never thought about it like that before, but since he was thinking about it like that he wasn't sure if it didn't bother him that he would never be able to choose his wife. "Anyway, it's not like you or I have a choice." He pointed out pragmatically, "We've known each other a day or so but by tonight we'll be promised to one another, so it wouldn't matter if either of us fell in love because it could never amount to anything. The marriage has to happen no matter what." Sakura nodded, a sad smile tugging at her lips.

"True." She replied. "It's just… I don't know, I guess I always thought that if I married someone it would be because I loved them." She shrugged and bit her lip; "In fact I never thought that I would let anyone get close enough to marry them." She murmured softly smiling absently. She looked up, blushing realising what she had said. "I didn't mean…" She began her blush darkening. Syaoran placed a finger on her lips telling her to be quiet. Her lips felt like silk to his touch and he found himself gently tracing the outline of her lips. She looked at him her emerald eyes wide, then she kissed his finger; with a smile tugging at her lips she removed his hand and lent forward and kissed him. The whole world seemed to disappear as they stood kissing in the middle of the street.

Meiling

She returned to the window with all the ingredients Tomoyo and Eriol had told her that she would need for the cake, which she was supposedly going to make. If there was nothing better to do she might give it a try, if not then she would 'talk' Syaoran into making one for her- which was an art that she had only recently mastered.

She pulled a face remembering, as she caught sight of Syaoran and Sakura kissing, that he soon he wouldn't want her around as he learned to get along with Kinomoto- although he seemed to be good at it with little practise. She smirked; the scene in front of her would be perfect for the next time she wanted to tease him.

She bought the ingredients and left the store and walked up to Syaoran and Sakura who were still making out, she smirked. "You know you should charge for the show." She remarked sitting down on the bench. Sakura and Syaoran broke apart blushing; Syaoran glowered at his cousin it was so typical of her to interrupt when it was just getting to a good part. "How about £1 for ten minutes?" Meiling joked ignoring her cousin's glare.

"Meiling!" He warned. Looking at the cousin's Sakura found her mouth twisting into a smile, and as the 'argument' unfolded she found herself laughing quietly. Syaoran stopped talking mid-sentence and looked at her questioningly. She shrugged helplessly, trying to look innocent, as she caught Meiling's eye and her giggles grew worse. Syaoran looked at her suspiciously, then he looked at Meiling who returned his look innocently smiling, he frowned at her wondering what he had missed.

*Later that day…*

Sakura

Sakura stood in front of the mirror, her hair was wrapped in a towel and she stood dressed in a dressing gown having just come out of the shower. In four hours time the promise ceremony would begin and she would be officially promised to Li Syaoran. She smiled remembering Fujitaka explain it to her…

*FLASHBACK*

Fujitaka held up a thin sterling silver ring between his thumb and index finger, it glistened gently in the light. "This is a poesy ring." He explained. "Whilst the concept of promise rings may seem like something new and original it's not, as mythology and sacred texts tell us. In fact, rings have been used to seal promises since the beginning of time. In the sixteenth and seventeenth century in England or France, a wedding ring would invariably be inscribed with a sentiment of love, faith and hope: a short love poem or poesy. Usually a sterling silver ring, like this one, is used as a betrothal ring, which is often replaced with the same poesy ring in gold upon marriage." He placed the poesy ring into her hand, and she smiled looking at the intricate detail etched into it. On the inside some worlds were written in a looped flowing hand.

"Uncle?" She questioned. Fujitaka smiled at her.

"It says 'All I refuse and thee I chuse'. Once you put this on your finger you will be sworn to Syaoran, and he to you. The words against your skin will hold you to your vow. There is no way to change the promise, no way to break the bond. You will exchange rings in a short ceremony, in which all you will have to do is repeat after him." She let him take the ring back thinking about what he had told her.

"So this promise ceremony is more important than the actual marriage ceremony because once we go through it they'll be now way to back out?" Fujitaka nodded. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing Uncle?" She asked bluntly, wondering what his view on the whole thing was. Fujitaka looked at her thoughtfully wondering what had prompted the question; Sakura didn't usually ask questions for no reason.

"Why? Don't you want to?" He asked carefully, watching her. She bit her lip, and looked away from him staring off into the distance.

"It's not that I object or I don't want to, it's just…" She trailed off her emerald eyes troubled. "I just can't help feeling that it's too sudden." She sighed, "I always thought that I would marry out of love…"

"There are different kinds of love Sakura," Fujitaka said gently. "Some people are lucky enough to marry out of love others learn to love each other and that's what you've got to do." Sakura nodded, she knew that they would be expected to consummate their marriage and that she would be expected to bear his children and heir. Lars had suggested as much and Nariko had confirmed it when she had asked her outright. Sakura knew that Nariko wasn't very happy with the arrangement but neither of them really had a choice. Sakura knew she could not let the two gangs be destroyed and whatever her personal feelings were irrelevant. One must sacrifice the needs of the individual for the needs of the group, which were more important.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

She unwrapped the towel and watched her slightly dry hair fall down and frame her face before brushing her hair gently to get the worst of the knots out, then she plugged in the hair dryer and the curling tongues. Behind her, hanging on the wardrobe door was the dress that she was going to wear at the promise ceremony; it was Tomoyo's latest creation. For once Sakura was glad that her best friend kept designing her dresses. The dress was a masterpiece. It was simple, elegant, dress that was a pale almost white pink that would cling to all her curves when she put it on. She flipped the radio on Don't Speak by No Doubt began blasting out of it into the room, singing along to it she began drying her hair.

Syaoran

He sat on his bed, his clothes laid out neatly on it next to him, and ran his hands through his hair wondering if he was doing the right thing. He had always known that this was going to happen to him, but Sakura…

He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts, he wasn't sure why it bothered him that he knew that they were getting married because they had to wasn't quite what Sakura wanted- it wasn't exactly a good thing for him either because it would mean that he would loose his bachelor status and he would have to be more secretive about who he slept with. He did not like the fact that the idea of marriage to Sakura seemed more appealing than remaining a bachelor- besides it wasn't like he had a choice he reminded himself in an attempt to ease his feelings of uncertainty. In less than four hours time he would be promised to her, and she to him, and nothing would be able to break their contract once they had said their vows because the rings would forever bind them to their words. Was that really what he wanted? Did he really want Sakura bound to him because she had no other choice, or did he want something more?

Uta

Uta wasn't one for dressing up for important occasions; she didn't really see the point. Not that she counted where she was going tonight as anywhere special. It was just one of the 'perks' of the job and it would give her a perfect opportunity to begin her plan to destroy her niece and everyone her niece cared about, slowly one by one. It was the perfect plan. Once her niece was dead she would control two thirds of the gangs, which would mean that she could manipulate the other gangs and have her way. She was going to be queen of the gangs. But first she was going to destroy the little bitch, Sakura.

She looked at herself in the mirror and smirked, her brown hair flowed over her shoulders in loose ringlets, she reached out to the hair pin box and began slowly to pin it up leaving a few bits to frame her face and her wide blue eyes. She straightened her pale blue dress and put on a diamond necklace. Just as she had done up the clasp the door to her room opened and Zack entered the room, Uta frowned Zack was beginning to forget his place. She knew how he saw her and what he thought he would gain if she was his but that was not going to happen in this lifetime. On the plus side though, he was amazingly loyal. "You were right mistress," He remarked, with a bow. "The rumours are true. The Cherry Blossom and the Little Wolf were seen together in The Nest-Egg, where they both killed White Chad."

"Is that all Zachary?" She enquired coldly, not surprised by the news, turning around to face him her blue eyes colder than water just before it freezes. He shook his head that was the only news he had to give her. "Are you sure?" She demanded standing up. "Because I know you owe me an apology, you have no right to barge in here without knocking- do not forget who I am!" She warned grabbing a delicate lace shawl and securing it around her shoulders. "I want the limo out front in ten minutes, I'm going out."

Zack nodded, "Of course mistress. If you don't mind me asking, where are you going?"

Uta smiled at him pleasantly, "But I do mind you asking." She replied sweetly, "Because it is none of your business." Hiding a scowl Zack bowed and left the room, shutting the door behind him. He was beginning to get tired of following Uta's orders; she only seemed to be interested in her revenge rather than the welfare of the Raven's. He smirked as he walked along the corridor, he would let her carry out her little insignificant plans and then he would take over after all it was to his benefit if Kinomoto Sakura lived because she would take care of Uta making his route clear of any and all competition. Once the overhaul of the Raven's was complete, then the fun would begin. The Raven's would again rise to power and then they would obliterate the weaker Panther's and Wolves- or whatever their new name would be, and they wouldn't see it coming until it was too late. He laughed as he walked into the 'servants' area of the house, which was practically deserted and walked up to Marcus.

"The Raven wants to go out." He remarked coldly, roughling Aurelius Marcus's black hair as he walked by. Marcus grabbed his arm and twisted it, causing Zack to wince in pain. Marcus let go and stood up, straightening his suit briskly; he hated it when anyone messed up his hair.

"The same as normal?" Marcus asked lazily, placing his hat on his head his gooseberry eyes watching Zack closely, like a cat hunting its prey. To an outsider the question would have seemed perfectly innocent, which was how it was meant to be seen, but it carried a dark undertone, a deadly meaning. Marcus wanted to know if Zack wanted him to spy on the Raven, because he was aware of Zack's plans because it was he himself who had planted them there and cultivated them. The time was nearly right for them to bloom.

"Yeah," Zack replied with a sigh, and a sneer of distaste. "She's in a fantastic mood, by the way." He added sarcastically. Marcus smiled and sauntered by Zack and out of the room heading for the limousine.

By the time Uta made her way downstairs and out of the house the limousine was parked at the bottom of the steps. Marcus got out of the driver's side and opened the back door for Uta, shutting it firmly after she entered the car. "Where to Madam?" He asked turning the engine on and putting the car into gear.

"The Wolves Hall." She replied, looking out of the window. The limousine pulled away and drove down the drive and out of the gate, onto the public road before Uta spoke again. "Is everything going as planned?" She asked.

"Yes." Marcus replied with a smirk, "Zack wants me to spy on you again, what do you want me to do?" He asked, not bothering with any formalities. "He still believes he can steal the Raven's from right underneath your nose, boss." Uta laughed.

"I'd like to see him try to, Marcus, I really would." Marcus laughed,

"Don't worry, you'll get the opportunity. He's a fool to think that I would ever disobey you, and he believes that you are too busy plotting your revenge to notice the subtle moves he is making against you." He remarked casually.

"If I didn't know you better I'd be worried Marcus, you have a brilliant mind a dangerous mind, but I know that you'll never betray me because I know your secrets Marcus." Marcus inclined his head in acknowledgement of her words as he concentrated on the road. "It began over ten years ago and it will end soon." Uta remarked cryptically, Marcus kept his eyes glued on the road and gave no sign that he had heard her last comment.

Sakura

She was standing facing Syaoran, around them was a circle of people made up of the most important members of the local gangs. She smiled nervously at Syaoran when she caught his eye; he smiled back before casting his eyes around the room, as if he was remembering every single face for later reference. Amodeus Lars stepped forward; he was dressed in a black tuxedo, as were most of the men in the room, he nodded to Sakura before coughing pointedly. The room descended into silence, and Sakura could feel everyone's eyes on her, she tried not to show any reaction but looking across at her Syaoran could see the fear in her eyes- he was glad he was not the only one who felt uncomfortable. "Welcome to the promise ceremony that will link the Wolves and the Panthers together, so that they will become one gang. Tonight is your last chance to voice any doubts you have about the joining of the two gangs." Lars paused and looked around the room slowly; everyone stared back at him expectantly. "The union of the gangs will be complete when Li Syaoran, of the Wolves, and Kinomoto Sakura, of the Panthers marry in a weeks time." Sakura blinked surprised, trust her Uncles to spring it on her now when there was no possible way that she could comment. "Tonight, they will promise themselves to each other." He moved back so that Syaoran and Sakura were in fill view of their 'guests', both stood staring forward looking at no one. Syaoran surprised Sakura by reaching across and grabbing her hand then squeezing it reassuringly; she smiled at him before returning her gaze to the sea of people.

"Does anyone have any doubts?" Lars asked. Sakura frowned looking at the back of the crowd, hidden in the shadows was someone who looked eerily familiar but she couldn't quiet place them.

When no one voiced any doubts Lars nodded to Syaoran, who inclined his head in reply. "As no one has spoken up, then the ceremony can begin." Syaoran dropped Sakura's hand; slowly they walked into the centre of a large circle and stood facing each other- amber eyes searching emerald, and emerald searching amber. Both were doing it out of duty, but both were wondering if they were doing the right thing. Lars stood on Sakura's left, and Ieran stood on Syaoran's left both of them were holding a cushion on which was placed a delicate silver promise ring. The ceremony itself would be short, but once they had spoken their vow and sealed it with a kiss their words would be unbreakable. Sakura took her ring from Lars' cushion just as Syaoran took his ring from his mother's cushion.

"This ring, which is the symbol of my oath,

Which will hold me to the words I speak:

All I refuse and thee I choose." They said in unison, holding the others gaze, then they slipped their ring onto their ring finger and sealed their vows with a kiss. The kiss at first was soft, then it became more urgent as if the promise ceremony had woken up feelings within them. Their silver rings glowed slightly, sealing them to their promise. Frowning Ieran poked Syaoran hard causing him and Sakura to break apart blushing. They looked at the crowd to find people clapping and cheering; then they looked at each other confused and blushed more.

In the crowd Sakura caught sight of Tomoyo with a video camera, she frowned at her friend who just waved back cheerfully before she could do anything- like go off and strangle Tomoyo- Sakura found herself enveloped in a hug. She blinked and looked at Nariko who was drawing back, tears cascading down her face. "What's wrong?" Sakura whispered hugging Nariko again tightly.

"Nothing." Nariko replied Sakura pursed her lips unconvinced as Nariko pulled away and wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief.

"Congratulations!" She said smiling at both Sakura and Syaoran, before disappearing into the crowds. Sakura started to go after her but Syaoran grabbed her arm and shook his head.

"You can't go yet." He explained pulling her close to him and wrapping his arm around her waist, Sakura scowled at him.

"Why not?" She hissed, looking extremely unamused.

"Because they would take it as you slighting them." He said gesturing to the crowd Sakura sighed in resignation knowing that he was right. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek- it was a brotherly kiss. She wasn't sure what annoyed her the most the fact he had actually kissed her or the kiss was like one she would have received off of him were he her brother. She pulled out of his grasp and stood next to him like a 'good little girl' because she knew that she was on show tonight and half the people present would not know her and realise that she was the Cherry Blossom.

The line of people offering their congratulations on the upcoming marriage seemed endless, Tomoyo and Eriol were one of the last to talk to them. Tomoyo was wearing one of her own creations, as per normal, it was a lilac flowing silk dress that clung to her in all the right places her dark hair cascaded down her back. She leaned forward and hugged Sakura, who could smell Tomoyo's lavender perfume, and then she kissed Syaoran on the cheek. After she had done this she stepped back whilst Eriol and Syaoran hugged and Eriol kissed Sakura's hand. The two couples and best friends stood looking at one another. "Sakura, are you sure that you are doing the right thing?" Tomoyo asked, breaking the silence between them. "I know you want to help your Uncle but…" She trailed off, her violet eyes unhappy as she awaited Sakura's response- as Eriol did and Syaoran.

Sakura shifted uncomfortably aware of the attention being paid to her response, before looking at them each in turn: Tomoyo- her best friend, since… well forever. Eriol- Tomoyo's boyfriend, he looked like a nice guy and he seemed to really care about Tomoyo. And finally, Syaoran- the guy whom she was going to marry but had no idea what she thought and felt about it. It was typical of Tomoyo to voice the question that was plaguing her heart- it was like Tomoyo had a sixth sense about Sakura's feelings. "Yes." She replied simply looking Tomoyo in the eye. "I am doing the right thing, Tomoyo. I cannot let two gangs be destroyed by another's greed because I know it won't stop there." She swallowed. "Besides…" She smiled and glanced at Syaoran and winked at him. "I kinda like the fact that I'm going to marry the most eligible bachelor, even with his reputation." She added wickedly, Syaoran chuckled and Eriol smirked in response to her comment. Tomoyo looked at the surprised and then smiled, glad that Sakura was apparently taking things so well but she didn't miss the sadness in Sakura's eyes that she wasn't sure was entirely due to her elder sister's death.

Eriol smiled at Syaoran. "I thought you said you would be the last of us to marry." He joked, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "And it was only a couple of days ago that you said I'd get married before you did." Syaoran laughed.

"There's still time." He reminded Eriol, who scowled whilst Tomoyo blushed and Sakura smiled and shook her head biting back a laugh that was threatening to escape. She caught Syaoran's eye and struggled to keep her laughter contained but couldn't. She tried to look apologetically at Tomoyo whilst she was laughing because her best friend was glaring daggers at her.

A guy with black hair and gooseberry eyes walked towards the group of friends, he bowed respectfully to Syaoran and Sakura. "Congratulations." He said in a cool voice, Sakura felt vaguely uncomfortable under his gaze- like he could see things within her that she didn't want him to see. He moved towards her and Tomoyo moved out of the way. "Your Aunt asks if you will meet her outside, she would like to give you something." With a nod he turned away and disappeared into the crowds.

Sakura stared after him her emerald eyes oddly thoughtful, as if she distrusted his motives. Then she gathered her skirt in her hand, to make it easier and quicker to walk, and turned to Syaoran, Eriol and Tomoyo. "If you'll excuse me…" She began frowning Syaoran interrupted her.

"I don't think you should go on your own Sakura." He said quietly, worry entering his amber eyes.

"I'll go with her." Tomoyo offered, seeing the look of annoyance and determination that crossed Sakura's face. Syaoran sighed but relented, looking troubled. He watched as Sakura and Tomoyo walked together through the crowds deep in conversation and out of the door. He turned to Eriol.

"You did the right thing." Eriol replied, "Besides, she'd have gone anyway with or without your agreement."

Sakura and Tomoyo left the crowded room and walked outside, as soon as they left they room they instantly moved together sensing the tension in the air. Sakura silently cursed her stupidity; she wasn't carrying a gun because a) her outfit wouldn't allow it and b) she wasn't allowed to because of the ceremony.

"Hello Sakura." A voice purred it's dark seductive tones weaving a familiar shiver down Sakura's back. She glanced around but all she could see where shadow's, tentatively she stepped forward gesturing for Tomoyo to stay where she was. "It's been a long time Sakura, hasn't it?" The voice continued Sakura bit her lip in frustration. The voice was so familiar, she felt like she should know it without having to think about it.

Directly opposite from Sakura, Nariko walked out from behind a pillar. Sakura could see that she was trembling and without realising it Sakura took a step forward, then another, then another… until she was standing directly in front of Nariko. "What's going on?" Sakura asked as she removed Nariko's gag and began untying her arms. Somewhere in the darkness Sakura heard someone load their gun, she froze realising that she had done exactly as they had wanted her to- she had made herself an open target. She cursed under her breath, she should have been more careful. She took a step back from her Aunt and looked around, trying in vain to locate the person with the gun.

"Come on Sakura, you can do better than that!" The voice taunted, Sakura closed her eyes blocking off all distracting sounds as she tried to locate where the person was. Slowly the sounds of talking from the hall disappeared from her thoughts and she came to realise that there were four people standing in the paved area. Nariko was standing north of her, Tomoyo was standing south of her and the other person was standing either east or west of her, she wasn't sure which. The other person could have been anyone and she didn't know if there was one or two guns pointed at her, she was royally screwed.

"Who are you?" She yelled, looking from east to west in around the places where she believed that the unknown person could have been standing. Her right hand automatically went down to where her gun should have been and she cursed, she had known it was stupid to leave her gun behind but everyone seemed to think that no one would have been stupid enough to try and harm her on the night of the promise ceremony. She glanced at Tomoyo and then concentrated on trying to locate the figure.

"Get the hell out of here now Sakura!" Nariko instructed. "It's you they want, leave me and get out!" The laughter that danced out from the east indicated that the person was female.

"I wouldn't be so presumptuous Nariko." The voice purred. "Sometimes things aren't as obvious as they seem, take for example Ayame's death." Sakura shuddered; feeling icy fingers dance along her spin. Whoever the person was, she knew about Ayame and not a lot of people knew about her elder sister. "The wrong person was found guilty of her murder, thanks to your interfering." The voice taunted.

"What?" Nariko questioned weakly feeling her legs start to give way beneath her. The person laughed. The figure moved in the shadows, moving forward to get a clearer shot, they raised their gun took aim and fired. With only a split second to decide what to do Nariko dived in front of Sakura and took the bullet that was winging its way towards her niece, she cried out in pain and fell to the ground.

"NARIKO!" Sakura screamed, realising too late what her aunt had done. Crying she collapsed on her knees next to Nariko and began frantically searching for a pulse. Tomoyo ran towards her, but Sakura looked up tears streaming down her face. "Tomoyo! Get Syaoran and Lars." With a nod Tomoyo turned and ran back inside. Sakura pulled Nariko towards her and tenderly stroked her face, knowing that Nariko was dying and there was nothing she could do to help her. "Who the hell are you?" Sakura spat, "And what the fuck do you want?"

The voice gave a cold chuckle. "I am someone you know and someone you don't." It replied cryptically. "As to what I want… I want to destroy you; just like you did me over ten years ago, but first I am going to kill everyone you love. Nariko was the first and Syaoran will be the last." Sakura looked around, trying to locate the voice but to no avail. "Goodbye Kinomoto Sakura, Cherry Blossom." Sakura looked down at Nariko and discovered that she had died whilst Sakura had been talking, cursing herself silently, Sakura broke down crying still clutching Nariko's lifeless body.

Syaoran

"Syaoran!" Tomoyo called rushing towards him; he was in the middle of talking to an influential family within the Wolves, he turned to her scowling but she paid him no heed her worry for Sakura too great. "Sakura needs you now, she's outside. I'm trying to find Lars have you seen him?" With a polite bow Syaoran excused himself and rushed outside, passing quickly through the groups of people. He knew that something was seriously wrong, because something told him that Tomoyo would never be that rude unless it was an emergency.

The sight that greeted him when he left the hall was heart breaking. Sakura was bent over Nariko her pale pink dress stained with blood; Syaoran felt worry build up inside him hoping that it wasn't Sakura's blood that she wasn't bleeding. "Sakura?" He called tentatively running towards her. She looked up her face paler than normal and tear stained, he felt his heart contract painfully the pain in her eyes was unbearable. She stood up and stumbled slightly before running towards him and clutching him tightly as she burst into tears again, burying her face into his neck. Syaoran stood there hugging her tightly, wondering what on earth had happened. After what seemed like an eternity he felt her begin to calm down, her breathing become more even. Finally she drew back, but he could still feel her trembling so he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close to him. She smiled at him gratefully her emerald pools sad and detached. "What happened Sakura?" He asked just as Lars, Tomoyo, Eriol and his mother appeared. Lars immediately went over to where Nariko's body lay to check if she was alive and to see what had happened for himself, he shook his head sadly standing up indicating that she was dead. Sakura lent against him, in an attempt to compose herself. She pulled back slightly but stayed close to him, as if she were afraid of what would happen if she stepped too far away.

"I don't really know." She replied in a small voice, making Syaoran want to take her away and lock her away somewhere safe to protect her. She didn't belong in his world; he wondered why her Uncle had let her enter it. She was too innocent to survive in his world. "You were there when that guy came and told me my Aunt wanted to speak to me and I went off with Tomoyo." She paused and licked her lips, her eyes growing distant as she sought to remember and distance herself from the event at the same time. Then she began to relate the story as accurately as she could remember, Tomoyo offering suggestions and words whenever Sakura became stuck. When she had reached the end of the story her grief overwhelmed her again and she buried her face into Syaoran's awaiting shoulder, as he hugged her tightly and whispered comforting words to her that she was barely paying attention to.

"Where's Sakura going to stay tonight?" Tomoyo asked softly, voicing one of the questions no one wanted to. "She can stay at my house." She volunteered but Syaoran shook his head, his amber eyes solemn.

"No. That would put you in danger." Syaoran replied Sakura nodded in agreement with him drawing away from him slightly her eyes puffy from all the crying she didn't dare say anything for fear of crying again. "She can stay at my house." He said firmly looking directly at Lars. "She would have been living with me anyway, soon." He pointed out calmly. Lars looked thoughtful. Ieran smiled, proud of her son. It looked like Sakura was going to be as good a match for him as she had thought.

"Where do you want to stay Sakura?" He asked softly knowing that she should be the one to make the decision, she shrugged helplessly in reply her normally clear eyes cloudy with emotions.

"I guess…" She began, her voice trembling.

"Staying with me will be the safest place to stay." Syaoran pointed out rationally. "Both of your Uncles are staying in hotels and you don't want to put anyone in danger. My house is surrounded by security systems and I'll look after you." He offered, hardly believing what he was doing. Never before had he willing offered to look after anyone who wasn't direct family- but she just looked so lost. Sakura looked at him searching his eyes, as if she wanted to be sure of his intentions, then she nodded in agreement putting an end to the matter although Tomoyo was less than happy with the arrangement. Syaoran couldn't blame her, he knew that she just wanted to take care of Sakura like he did. "Mother, will you apologise for Sakura and I please." His mother nodded then she and Lars headed back into the hall.

"Take care, Sakura." Tomoyo said softly, before turning away. Silently she and Eriol walked off, to where his car was parked where they were going Syaoran had no idea and he didn't really care he just wanted to take care of Sakura. Carefully he guided her to his car and strapped her in before pulling off. They travelled in silence to his house, which Syaoran found very disconcerting the other times he had seen Sakura, been with her, she hadn't stopped talking and now that she wasn't talking the car felt eerily silent.

Once they arrived at his house Syaoran drew her inside and ordered one of his servants to prepare a guest room near to his, the servant bowed and hurried to follow his instructions. Whilst they waited Syaoran led Sakura to the kitchen and made a pot of tea, he took a couple of cakes from the cake tin and set a cup of sweet tea and the cake in front of her. "Drink." He instructed, with a sigh of resignation she picked up the tea and took a small sip of it. He sat down opposite her and drank his own tea watching her carefully. She seemed really fragile, fragile enough that a gentle breeze could shatter into a million pieces.

Half an hour later the servant returned letting him know that the room and bed were ready, so he led her up to the room and left her in there sitting on the bed before returning with one of his t-shirts which he knew would be a bit too big for her and serve as a perfect night-dress. She smiled gratefully at him and he left the room allowing her to get changed. He returned ten minutes later, also ready for bed, to say goodnight to her if she was still awake. He found her lying in the centre of the bed trembling, she looked up as he entered and made an effort to make herself stop trembling. "Are you okay?" He demanded she nodded and he knew that she was lying but decided to drop it. "Good night Sakura." He said turning to leave the room.

"Syaoran?" She whispered softly, he turned to face her.

"Yes?" He replied equally as soft. A faint blush tinged her cheeks.

"Will you stay the night with me?" She asked, "I wouldn't ask, only I don't want to be on my own." She confided. Syaoran swallowed, he wasn't used to girls asking him to do that. If he was honest he knew he purposefully picked girls that wouldn't do that, so he couldn't get too close. He sighed.

"Okay." He replied walking over to the bed and climbing into it. "I'll stay with you tonight." She smiled at him gratefully, although he was unable to see it because she had her back to him. She rolled over to face him, so that they ended up millimetres apart.

"Thank you." She whispered softly, as Syaoran turned the lights off by pulling the cord above their heads. She moved closer to him and rested her head just before his chest; he tenderly wrapped his arms around her drawing her closer to him until her head rested on his chest. Within minutes she was asleep smiling. It took Syaoran longer to drop off to sleep, as he lay there wondering what she was doing to him that was making him drop all the walls he had carefully placed around him.

Authors Note: 09/02/04- So there you have it, a couple of months late, the sixth chapter. I apologise for the length of time it took me to write this but life just got in the way. I hope that you liked this chapter, and hopefully the seventh chapter will be out soon- Bex Drake.

I would just like to say a special thanks to:

AmericanGirl1114: Sorry you had such a long wait until this chapter :( but I did my best to update ASAP! I'm glad you liked the last chapter, this chapter had a much more serious theme than the last one and I hope it reads as well as the last one.

Moonlight's Shadow: Thank you n.n

EcuaGirl: Uta isn't all there and Freja was only doing her job, you'll see more of her in later chapters. Is she like one of LWL's bad girls? I didn't purposefully make her like that, I just had a picture in my head and I thought that she could be the perfect opposite of Sakura- opps here I am giving away little plot secrets ^_~

Sarah: Yeah, Sakura did have a really tough life and she's scared from it but it isn't over quite yet.

Rumi ai no Pocky: Cool name, btw. I take it it means something? Thanks for telling me what onegai was and don't worry about the delay.

silverymare: Yeah, Freja will be in future chapters. I kind of like her; she mirrors Sakura in a way. Sorry for the delay, you've had to wait two months for this chapter which I *hope* will be the longest you'll have to wait for future chapters.

~riverwind: I'm glad that you liked the story so far, and I guess I'm starting to get into Sakura and Syaoran's characters because I'm trying to keep them as in character as possible but also make them unique to this story character wise.

RIDGEWATER: Thankies ^_^

tortured-soul-246: Thanks for the review, just as long as I get reviews I'm happy ^_^

Cherry Jade: Thanks ^_^

mara-jade17: I'm not sure if Meiling is going to make a cake, she probably will just to justify her cover story. This chapter was fun to write, but also hard- it was the hardest chapter to write so far because I just couldn't seem to get the right tone.

no name: Yeah, I noticed the lack of action and the fact I took so long over the first day. Hopefully from here onwards the pace will be faster and they'll be more action!

~*~NeCi~*~: *hangs head* I try to update as often as possible, but I'm not always happy with what I've written so I re-write which is what takes me so long in updating.

Cherryblossom-crystal: Yukito and Touya may pop in in later chapters, to be perfectly honest I'm not totally sure. I have a basic plan in my head, but that's all.

Scorpinac: When you reviewed I had about two-thirds of this chapter written, but I wasn't happy with it so I changed it a bit and then continued. Apologies for the wait.

synchrogirl: Thanks ^_^

To 'reviewer' and '….', whilst I doubt you will read this far I will comment on your reviews anyway. I am perfectly well aware of the similarities- many people have pointed them out to me- in the first chapter but if you had continued reading you would have noticed that the story has and is my own work.

Thank you to anyone who I have not mentioned for reviewing, and to those of you who read and don't review. Please review this chapter, my target of getting 100 reviews for this fic is drawing near and I'm very excited. Bex Drake.