A/N: Well, here you go, the next chapter of CinderSakura. I hope you all enjoyed Manami's little incident last chapter! Mwahahaha. I am so evil.

candy-chan-chan: Well, I don't really want to put Eriol into the story, because I don't think I have any use for him. He might come in, you never know!
Mariko: My goodness, that's only the beginning for the things that'll happen to Manami. Oops. -smacks self- Maybe Ishould just shut up now.
midnite cherry blossomz: Even if it doesn't come out, Manami still has enough money to buy, like, 10000000 more. )
orosai: Um, yes, it is. o-O

Disclaimer: If I owned Card Captor Sakura, I wouldn't be writing fanfics.

CinderSakura

By: Lotus Dreams

Chapter 16: A Business Trip

The room immediately quieted when Mr. Kinomoto entered. All of the people stood up respectfully, and only sat down after Mr. Kinomoto did. All except Nadeshiko, who remained standing beside Syaoran, clutching her folders and papers.

"As you all know," Mr. Kinomoto began, "Next week, we are going on a business trip to France. Those of who will be accompanying me, you know who you are. I am leaving the company to Touya for a week, because that is how long I am going to be in Paris. Please treat him as if it were me."

"Hai."

Syaoran was definitely going on the trip, since he was the foreign negotiator, and was quite fluent in many languages, as mentioned before. He was going to take Sakura as a sort of secretary, although it wasn't exactly his true intentions. (A/N: -winkwink-)

"This is an extremely important trip," continued Mr. Kinomoto. "It's the first time Paris has shown so much interest in our company, and I want to make a good impression on them." He fixed his gaze on Syaoran and couple of others.

He continued giving a long speech about the trip to the U.S., and negotiations, and whatnot. The meeting was concluded at around 4:30.

"You excited about going to France?"

Nadeshiko shrugged. "Not really. I've never really been that fond of planes."

Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "Really? Have you ever been on one?"

"Iie."

Syaoran laughed. "Well, that's come as a shock. I've been on a plane too many times, I almost miss being in the air and being served by those pretty flight attendants." Nadeshiko punched his arm. "Ow. I'm only kidding!"

Korin (A/N: Haven't used him in a long time!) hurried after Mr. Kinomoto.

"Mr. Kinomoto, is anyone else coming on the trip in your family besides you?"

Mr. Kinomoto's expression darkened. "Don't even mention it."

"Manami?"

"Hai. The little wench insisted on coming with us to France. I think she wants to escape Touya or something, I don't know. However, Touya backed her idea up, and I can't say no." Korin sighed.

"That girl is only going to cause us trouble."

"Well," said Mr. Kinomoto, "she's caused enough trouble already. How much more trouble can she cause?"


"Would you like some champagne, miss?" Manami forced a smile.

"Iie, demo, arigatou," she replied. The flight attendant smiled at her and wheeled her cart off. As soon as she passed Manami, her smile turned into a frown. The girl was traveling first class with the boss of a huge company and she wore such revealing clothes. Tube top and mini-skirt. Disgusting. You'd think someone like her would wear something more respectable, but no.

She came to Nadeshiko. "Ohayou," she smiled at her. "Would you like some champagne, miss?"

Nadeshiko smiled back. "Oh, iie, arigatou," she replied. "I don't drink champagne. But do you have any water?"

"Why, hai, we do, of course." She bowed politely and moved on. Now that was a person you'd respect. Polite voice, nice smile, nice clothes - plain white blouse with black skirt - she made so much of a better impression than the other hideously-dressed one.

"Here is your water, miss." Sakura smiled.

"Arigatou gozaimasu."

The flight attendant bowed again. "Do itashi mashite."

She smiled politely at Syaoran. "Would sir care for something to drink?"

"Merci beaucoup, mais non." Syaoran returned the smile.

"Vous parlez le francais?" she asked.

"Oui." The attendant looked impressed, and then left. Nadeshiko nudged Syaoran.

"What did you say to her?"

"Oh, I just said no, thank you, and she asked me if I spoke French or not, and I said yes."

"Je comprends." Syaoran laughed. Her accent was terrible. Sakura shrugged, embarrassed. "Hey. I can't help it. I'm not like you."


When they got off the plane, Manami puked. Immediately. Extremely gross mess not even worth describing. Manami kept stumbling as she followed her 'ojii-chan'.

After about 2 hours, Mr. Kinomoto and his men reached their hotel. Manami was still staggering very ungracefully behind Mr. Kinomoto. Luckily, she had her own room, so she spared everyone else the courtesy of seeing her puke again.

She entered her room, her stomach aching horribly. Stupid plane flight, she thought savagely. Who knew going in the air would be so sickening? It's all a part of the plan, she told herself, it's all part of the plan. The plan...the plan...

A knock was heard on her door.

"Come in," Manami gasped.

Nadeshiko entered. Manami's first instinct was to scream at her, but then her stomach felt queasy again, and she almost puked again.

"Hey," said Nadeshiko gently. "Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" snapped Manami.

"Well, iie," admitted Nadeshiko. "You need any help with anything?"

"IIE," said Manami firmly, "It's okay."

Nadeshiko shrugged. "You just don't look all that great, and I want to help you. After all, it's the least I can do."

"Just - leave me alone."

"Why are you always so hostile towards me?" said Nadeshiko angrily. "What is wrong with you?"

"NOTHING!" yelled Manami. "Just get out!"

"Why can't we be friends? At least tell me that."

"Why should we be friends?" snapped Manami. "Why don't you tell me that."

"We've grown up together Manami. I consider you one of my closest...people to me. But lately you've always been so harsh towards me."

"I - " Then Manami felt a horrible pain go through her head, and she swayed for a moment, then fell down. Nadeshiko rushed to her, and immediately helped her onto the bed. She felt her forehead. Wow, she thought, it's unusually hot. That plane really must have made her sick.

When Manami woke up, there was a wet cloth on her head, and Nadeshiko was nowhere to be seen. She tried to sit up, but her head ached so badly she lay back down. A couple of seconds later, Nadeshiko entered her room, with a tray of her dinner. She smiled at Manami.

"Glad to see you've woken up," she said. "We all missed you at dinner." She set the tray down and took off the wet cloth. "I'll be back, okay?"

Manami couldn't resist. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

Nadeshiko seemed confused. "Why not? I told you, I want us to be friends."

"But still...I've acted so rude to you, why are you nursing me?"

"Well, you're sick. I can't just leave you, can I? What are friends for?" Manami paused for a second, and gave a small smile.

"Yeah."


Nadeshiko left after a while. Manami lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. What are friends for? It troubled her. A lot. She struggled to sit up, and staggered over to where her suitcase was in her room. She opened it. Inside was a thick belt, which she did not need...but she had intended to strangle Nadeshiko with it.

It was a scary thought, killing someone, but Manami had an internal battle with herself and decided it was the only way she could live in peace. Mr. Kinomoto was probably still searching for the real Sakura, and knowing that Nadeshiko was supposed to be in her place made her extremely uneasy. Also, Nadeshiko stole away her Syaoran, and she wasn't going to take that.

But...Nadeshiko wanted to be friends with her, even after the way she had treated her. Manami felt her insides squirm. What are friends for? What are friends for? I want us to be friends. I consider you one of my closest...people to me. I want to help you.

She put away her belt for good. "Stupid Nadeshiko and her stupid friendship and her stupid kindness," muttered Manami. Then she threw herself onto her bed and cried.


Nadeshiko returned to her room exhausted. She got a room of her own since she was the only female to go on the trip. When she turned to close the door, she found Syaoran standing there. Sighing, she let him in and then closed the door.

"You've been in Manami's room all day."

"Yeah, well, she's sick," replied Nadeshiko. "From the airplane. I mean, she has a fever and everything."

"She's been really rude to you, yet you treat her like a sister." He kissed her on the forehead and wrapped his arms around her.

"Well, she has been somewhat of a sister to me."

"Somewhat?"

"I've lived with her for half of my life, I know her. If she's sick, then I have to take care of her."

"Has she ever taken care of you when you were sick?"

"When was I sick?"

"Good point."

"Manami's not that kind of person. Spoiled, perhaps, and occasionally rude, but she's not that kind of person."

"But you're not spending any time with me," whined Syaoran. "I was soooo bored, translating pointless salutations back and forth."

"Poor Syaoran-kun," teased Nadeshiko.

"Don't I get a kiss?"

"It's late."

"Onegai?"

Nadeshiko kissed him on the tip of his nose. (A/N: Aww...) "Now go. The other people will think we're doing something if you're not back in your room."

Syaoran shrugged. "Is that so bad?" Nadeshiko gave him a Look. "Okay, okay, I'm out, I'm out. Geez." He left, laughing.


The next day, Nadeshiko stood in a corner, taking notes as Mr. Kinomoto was talking with M. Lerante, the CEO of the company that was interested in Kinomoto Inc. Syaoran sat beside Mr. Kinomoto, translating for M. Lerante.

"We haven't come to a deal yet," said Mr. Kinomoto in Japanese. Syaoran translated in English. M. Lerante raised an eyebrow.

"Personellement, je pense que c'est trop tot." Syaoran's eyebrow twitched.

"He says, 'Personally, I think that it's too early'."

"Why?" inquired Mr. Kinomoto.

"Pourquoi?" said Syaoran.

"Parce-que j'ai besoin plus des informations. Puis, nous pouvons parler d'une affaire demain."

"'Because I need more information. Then, we can talk about a deal tomorrow'," translated Syaoran.

Nadeshiko erased her notes for the third time already. It was slightly difficult to write what they were saying because she wasn't sure what M. Lerante was saying until Syaoran said so, and even attempted to write in French, failing dismally.

When the long dialogue was finally over, Nadeshiko was immensely thankful. So was Syaoran.

"Say, you want me to take you out to dinner?" Nadeshiko yawned.

"Not today. Maybe tomorrow. I'm just too tired." Syaoran smiled and embraced her.

"Then sweet dreams," he whispered in her ear. "I'll be waiting tomorrow." Nadeshiko smiled dreamily.

"Sure."


Unfortunately, Korin couldn't go on the trip. No, he had a couple of family problems. Or so he said. What he was really doing was researching on the real Kinomoto Sakura.

So far, he hadn't gotten anywhere. The hospital records didn't show any ten-year-old rushed to the hospital the day Sakura disappeared. If he were to find 20-year-old females who had auburn hair and green eyes, that would take far too long, and besides, the possibilities would be endless.

Then his eye caught on something.

A copy of Manami's mini-biography. Parents: Matsuo and Makiko.

"Time to make a little call," he said to himself, and reached for the phone.


Well, that's all for this chapter. What information will Korin get? What's going to happen to Manami? Will Syaoran take 'Nadeshiko' out to dinner? Find out in the next chapter! Now please review!