Chapter 9

While Sakura calmed down, Syaoran went to the kitchen to get her some hot chocolate. He was still lingering on his last thought about her that he didn't pushed back. On his way back to the living room, the doorbell rang, so he stopped to open the door.

Expecting the worst again, he opened and found someone he least expected.

'Hiiragizawa…!'

The boy in front of the door smiled and answered. 'Hello to you to, my cute descendent.'

'Eriol…! Stop calling me that, will you?' Syaoran growled.

'Of course…' the boy named Hiiragizawa Eriol said in mischievous tone. Syaoran already turned around to let him enter. '…not.'

Syaoran noticed the luggage Eriol carried with him, and already expected what was about to happen, but asked nonetheless 'What are you doing here?'

They stopped in front of the desk where the two cups of hot chocolate were standing. 'I'm staying here for a while, visiting the school, probably your class, and helping you a bit making the right choices. That sort of stuff.'

'I suppose I can't do anything about that, eh?' It wasn't really a question, so Eriol just didn't answer. 'If you can bring these two cups to that room, I'll make another one.'

'Visit, eh? Ok, I'll just introduce myself.' Eriol said with a weird grin on his face and walked off.

Syaoran looked after him and wondered what was going on. There had to be something going on, or else he wouldn't be here. He turned away for an extra cup of chocolate. What are you up to, old friend?

-

Sakura was deep in thought. She was actually quite ready to tell her father and brother, and all thanks to Syaoran. He can be comforting after all. He really made me cheerful again!

Her thoughts went a different direction, without her realizing it. And he smiled. That was the first time I saw him smile! A smile really looks good on him…

Kinomoto Sakura she giggled I wonder if it sounds still that good if someone else says it…(now where did that come from?)

She heard the doorbell rang, and wondered who that could be. Did I interrupted him? Maybe he had already plans for the evening. She felt insecure, she didn't want to disturb him with anything.

A few minutes later a boy with dark hair and glasses entered the room, with two cups of hot chocolate. Sakura felt a very strong aura around him and couldn't help but stare at him. He has so much magic!

The boy putted the cups on the table, one in front of Sakura, and bowed to her. 'Hello, my name is Hiiragizawa Eriol. I hope I didn't interrupted you, for I came without telling so.'

Sakura stood up to shake his hand and said 'I'm Asy… no, not any more.' She giggled. 'My name is Kinomoto Sakura.' She shook his hand and sat down again, as he did as well. Not much later, Syaoran joined them again.

-

Tomoyo stepped out of the car as they stopped in front of her house. Her mother stepped out as well, and together they walked to the front door.

They had just been to Masaki, Nadeshiko's father. They came there often, because her mother loved the older man very much. They had been there for almost 3 hours, and it was already past eight.

They had just reached the door, when they heard footsteps running towards them. She turned to see her bodyguards already there to protect them. Behind them were two men, both breathing hard and slowing down when they saw all those female bodyguards.

Then she recognized them. Kinomoto Fujitaka and Touya. The first thing she thought was concerning Sakura. She isn't hurt, is she? But then she saw the happy look on Fujitaka's face, and knew it had to be something good.

Sonomi passed her bodyguards and glared at the man she didn't like that much. 'What are you doing here, Kinomoto?'

Fujitaka smiled and ignored her tone. 'Is Sakura here?'

'Sakura? No, I haven't seen her lately.' But for certainty she looked at Tomoyo who answered 'No, I haven't seen her since school, but we have been gone for quite a long time. Is something wrong?'

Fujitaka face fell from their answer. She said she was here. Where can she be then? 'We have just discovered something about Sakura and…'

'We…?' Touya asked, but Fujitaka didn't respond on that.

'…want to talk to her. Do you know where she might be, Tomoyo?'

A mischievous smile grew on her lips. 'Come in and tell us what happened, and then I will figure out where she is.'

'But I want to see her now!' Fujitaka complained.

'Gomen, but I'm the only one who probably knows where she is.' Touya glared at her, but Tomoyo just smiled innocently back. Fujitaka admitted his defeat and followed the lady's inside.

-

When the phone rang, Syaoran left his two visitors alone.

'Li-residence.' He spook in the phone.

'Li-kun? Tomoyo here! Is Sakura by any chance with you?'

'Yes, she is…' he said, wondering why she knew that and why she called. He heard Tomoyo giggling on the other end of the line, mumbling something very much like "I knew it!"

'If you don't mind, you've got some more visitors in about a half an hour.' She exclaimed.

'Why?' was al he could say, before she continued again.

'We have some REALLY good news! You wouldn't believe, if I would say it know. Which I will not, of course. I have to go now, make sure Sakura stays there a little bit longer! Bye!' and she hung up the phone.

'What…?' he muttered. Better news then Sakura has? I doubt it…

He entered the living room again and sat down, while the others looked at him in wonder.

Strange actually. I thought it would be a lonely evening, and soon this room is full with people. And to make it all worse, Eriol would love it. He makes friends way to easy.

'More visitors soon,' he pronounced 'and they want you to stay a bit longer.' He looked at Sakura, because Eriol sure wouldn't even think of leaving.

'Oh, ok. I don't mind.' She said. She just had her evening fixed, all her sad thought disappeared. Eriol seemed good company and Syaoran seemed to be more himself now one of his old friends was here. 'How about another game?' she said cheerful. The boys laughed. She sure liked games…although she lost most of the times.

-

Tomoyo almost squealed from excitement. She had just heard a quite unbelievable story from Fujitaka, but liked it a lot! I'm so giddy! They were riding in one of their huge cars to the Li-residence, all talking happily. Even Touya was happy, although he didn't like it that he was informed at the same time as she was.

When they reached the house – a huge one, but half as big as her own home – they all stepped out of the car and all wanted to be the first one to enter. But once in front of the door, Fujitaka was allowed to go first, though someone else rang the bell, before anyone could go back.

Suddenly she noticed that everyone around her became nervous. Even Kero, who hadn't moved yet, so no one knew for sure that he was alive, looked a bit nervous. 'Don't worry, she will be happy.' She said and the others looked doubtful but thankful at her, accept for Kero, who still didn't move.

-

The bell rang, and Syaoran motioned Sakura to open the door. 'Why must I?' she asked, but Syaoran simply said 'It's for you.' Sakura went to the front door and didn't see the mischievous smile on Eriols face.

Syaoran, of course, did see it and frowned. How much does he know this time?

'We better stay here for a while, don't you think so, my cu…' Eriol began, but Syaoran interrupted. 'Hai, hai! And stop calling me that. We'll go and look when their laughing instead of crying, right?'

'Right…'

Sakura opened the door and was more then surprised at the sight before her. There was a group people standing in front of the door, all quite nervous, but all exited. Fujitaka stood in front, next to him stood Touya, holding Kero, who didn't move at all, but did show a weak and apologetic smile. Behind them she saw Tomoyo, who was holding her camera, and Sonomi, both with starry eyes.

At first she was just surprised, but then, she saw the look on Fujitaka's face, and she knew that he knew as well. Although she would have thought that all the tears had dried, they came again and she jumped in the arms of a surprised Fujitaka.

His surprise didn't go away, but he enfolded her in his arms. 'Sakura-chan.' She heard him mumble. She smiled in his arms and said 'Otousan!' and then she giggled.

Who would have thought they knew? I didn't even have to tell them!

…ehm…

How do they know?

She let her dad go and looked at Touya. He was more then surprised when she jumped in his arms as well whispering 'Oniisan.'

Though Touya was happy, he couldn't help but tease her. He already knew how he was going to tease her the rest of her live. 'Little kaijuu…!'

She glared at him and stamped his feet. While he jumped around on one leg, he growled something like: 'Big brothers are supposed to do that…!'

Sakura began to giggle again, and soon the others joined her with laughter. Tomoyo went to her and hugged her as well. 'I'm so glad for you! You have finally found them! And even better…I'm your cousin! Well, a far away cousin, but a cousin nonetheless…!'

Sakura stared at her. 'You're… what?'

Tomoyo started laughing and choked out 'Didn't see that one coming, did you? OHOHOHOHOHO!'

It took her some hard thinking, but finally she understood. Her cousin Nadeshiko really was the same one as my mother! Should have thought of that sooner…

Sonomi also gave her a hug and then they all entered Syaoran's house. At first, they didn't want it, because they had to discuss some "mysterious stuff" (they pointed at Kero), but Sakura didn't mind that Syaoran and his friend heard, for they already knew about the cards.

When they all sat down – Syaoran and Eriol took care of the drinks, after Eriol was introduced – the questions began. At first, everybody asked everything, so no one knew what to answer. So Fujitaka had to tell how he found out first – he had recognized Keroberos from the past – and after that, Sakura had to inform them about how she found out.

When they realized, that Kero hadn't moved yet, Sakura held him at eye height.

'Kero-kun! You may move now…! Everybody is informed as you heard.'

Kero scratched his had and said with a small voice: 'Hai, hai, but I promised not to move!'

'And you did good!' Sakura giggled.

'And I may talk again? I have some questions myself.'

'Sure you can.'

'Okay! Then who knows where the remaining cards are? We have only found one!'

After that one, it was quiet for a while. Nobody had really thought about that yet.

'You're right…but aren't they supposed to show themselves?' Sakura asked.

'That's what they did in the past.' Syaoran said.

'How long has it been since the last one?' Fujitaka wondered.

'A week.' Syaoran, Sakura and Tomoyo said at the same time.

Sonomi looked at her daughter. 'You where there, Tomoyo? That's so reckless!'

Tomoyo just smiled. 'It wasn't even dangerous, mom, and I got to tape it all!' They all sweat dropped, for she was still filming the whole meeting.

'We'll see when the cards appear again. If it takes to long, lets say, another week, then we have to look for an answer on that question. Everybody agrees?' Fujitaka looked around the group, while everybody nodded.

'Okay, now that is settled, lets all go home. I want to spend some time with my daughter.'

They all rose from their seats and walked to the front door. When everybody was outside, Sakura waited for Syaoran at the door. 'Arigato, Syaoran-kun. For helping me earlier, and for letting them all use your house.'

Syaoran hid his blush when he heard her using his first name again. 'No problem, glad to help you.'

'Ai, ai, you have softened, in such a short time already…!' Eriol said happily when the door was closed. Syaoran glared at him, but didn't retort.

They walked to the living room again to clean the mess. While Syaoran tried to gather all the cups, Eriol cheated, using magic to let them all fly to the kitchen.

Syaoran laughed. Gosh, I really have mist him around…accept for the mysterious statements, of course.

'So, Eriol, why did you come, again?' Syaoran asked mysteriously.

'I don't like that look, Syaoran. What do you got up your sleeve?'

'He he, nothing much. That is, if you behave yourself…' he joked.

'Okay, I'm not here to visit you. There are some things that I want to see happening. Besides, I know you, your always messing everything up, so I'm here to prevent that.'

'That's cruel, Hiiragizawa, that's cruel.' Syaoran mocked.

'Of course it is, what did you aspect?'

You just wait, Eriol, I've seen you looking at her. It's pay back time for all the times you tricked me…

-

AN: Sorry for the long wait…! PLEAAASEEEE RR! I really need it! Hehehe, thanks for reading anyway!