*~*~A/N: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH!!!!! I'm laughing cuz you're all sad. Or am I just crazy??? *scratches head* I'll think about it.........newayz, I'm sooooo srry that I haven't updated earlier, but you see.........*whisper* come closer.........*readers come closer* I was grounded!!!!!! *readers cover ears* oopz! Did I say that outloud?!?!?! Okay on with the chappie and ficcy!!!!! For those who read other review responses.........you'll see clues in them so I suggest you piece them together!!!! LOL

This chappie is dedicated to anjuliet and cherry! For they are the closest to the real prediction to what is going to happen!!!

Thank you's:

anjuliet: As you can see.........you'll be very happy with a certain guy today!!!! LOL Next chappie, you'll see it soon, I'm gonna take up that offer on that idea you had abt Syaoran's mother. Buahawhahahahahahaha!!! LOL Thnx for reviewing!!!

I already: Ok Ok I'm predictable, you've got a point! I need to improve on them. Thnx for the review and advice!!!

cherry (x33_ridiculous@yahoo.com): My! You're very hyper and determined to figure out what comes next aren't you???!!! Well I'll tell you if you're right.........nope none of it was correct.........wait.........except for a few things and the part where someone gets killed! I was considering that, but I'm not a cruel person to slay a person so I don't think I'll kill someone, but that's still in consideration! You want a hint?!?!? Well let's just say: My fic is not like other fics Muahahahahahahah! Seriously, especially the Sakura running out on Syao thing. I mean, Come on! That's a lil dramatic, even for a person like me.........so you'll just have to see the outcome to this ficcy!!! Thnx for the review!!!!! You could still keep guessin tho!

YingFa-lilWolf-lover: That's right he's engaged! *gasps* Well atleast the child of Rioka's is not his. I think.........wait I'm the authoress I should know! Nvm! Thnk for reviewing!!!!

Drownin' in My Tears: As I said, I'm srry for not updating the usual time. I was grounded T.T neways you'll see what happens with our dear Rioka, Saku, and Syao love triangle LOL Thnx for the review!

Little Silver Kitten: Aww I like your scrnm! Why is evry1 getting kyoot scrnms these dayz??? Aw well, thnx for reviewing!!!

marlyn: I'll update sooner. How about that? I promise maybe by next Wednesday? Thnx for the reviews!!!

Little Silver Kitten: Yes.........I can be evil.........but I love the feeling of a reader's adrenaline rush of anticipation! It makes me.........in top of the world Muahahahaha! LOL Thnx for reviewing!!!!

linda-liu: Gladz you likez! Thnx for the review!!!

Catgirl MM: Ah! The reviewer that is the most hyper of them all! LOL Yes, I'm VERY ticklish!!! And if that was real I'd be dying with laughter. Fortunately, I'm wayyyyyy over here! While you're wayyyyy over somewhere. LOL! And yes, I read Inu-yasha I'm just getting started on it tho! Thnx for asking and for the review!

seiko123: Yeah, I wonder about the outcome.........you'll see there are some shocking things that all readers should pay attention to.........especially little things. Like thoughts on typos and such and such.........*Hint Hint* You'll see what I mean! Thnx for reviewing!

Myst (jackiwilliams@earthlink.net): AHHHHHH!!!!! Help me! I'm being attacked by worthless evil pecans!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!! They're capturing me with their crunchy goodness.........wait a minute.........It's just food *bites an evil pecan* YUM!!!! LOL Thnx for the review and Evil Pecans!!!!

S+S-fan: Aw shucks! I'm flattered!!!! A whole mob out to get me?! How thoughtful! LOL jm If I see anything suspicious I'll run for my life, aiite?! LOL Thnx for review!

Meow the chibi neko: I know huh? That's kind of sick and could you believe it's for _pure blood_! Come on! Their babies could get birth defects and nasty diseases caused by being related to the other!!!! EWW!!! LOL Thnx for the review!! Heres a cookie for your thoughts!!! *throws a cookie*

MagicKnightNancy: Thnk you for your review!

svetlaella: Well about Syaoran.........*ahem* You won't hate me for much longer *ahem* LOL thnx for reviewing~!!!!

sweet-captor: Tru dat Tru dat!!! Neone not Sakura should die.........but I like Rioka. I think I'll keep her around! Thnx for your review and thoughts!

Lan (spiritfighter12@aol.com): I wish I could just tie up the loose ends and finish this story, but I think this will have to last for about more than 20 chappies! Sad but true.........thnx for reviewing!!!

KaoruHimura66: Okay, I know the confusion is kind of odd but it fits all. Don't wrry I'll explain. Just ask your questions away and I'll most likely answer them! Thnx for reviewing!!!!

Dragonstar03: Thnx for reviewing!!!

Dang! I've never known about so much reviews!!!!! LOL I'm kind of new to all these reviews pouring in!!!! LOL on with the fic!!!!

!!!Disclaimer!!!: *sigh* Tooh tired tooh put up a fight.........CLAMP WINS.........for now.........soon I'll build up mah strength again and fight for what is mine!!!! Okay Okay for now.........Clamp owns CCS, not me!!! SO NO SUE!!!!

^*^*^*^WISH UPON A FALLING STAR^*^*^*^

by: maixwolfblossom

BETA READER: anjuliet

--Chappie Twelve--

--Is Finding Love Worth the Pain?--

Grey clouds formed around and in the outskirts of Hong Kong, the rain pattering away at windows.

The weather, making children pout and others drown in their grief.

The stormy breeze blew softly causing a window to be forced opened into a pale blue room.

A pair of neon green eyes opened as she touched her forehead, lying on her back.

A frown crossed her pale complexion.

Rioka had gotten her Xiao Lang, but the thing that was nagging her mind was the way he reacted.

~*~Rioka's POV~*~

I still can't believe he wasn't thrilled to see me.

Why did he shift his gaze to that emerald-eyed girl who burst into the room with that annoying cousin of.........wait.........she's my cousin too!

A look of marred my features.

I love my family but Meiling, agh she never liked me.

"Hey that emerald-eyed girl seemed oddly familiar.........no it couldn't be?" Rioka clapped a hand to her mouth, "Kinomoto Sakura?!"

There was a story behind all this. She once knew a Kinomoto Sakura in Tomoeda Elementary during first grade. They were once the best of friends and when Rioka moved to Hong Kong, they lost contact and she never saw Sakura ever again.

Rioka smiled and thought, '_Oh my! I've got to catch up with her!_'

(A/N: Ain't it a small world??? LOL yeah another shocker! Rioka's best friend used to be Sakura!!!)

Anyways.........my Xiao Lang.........why did he.........why did his eyes widened in sheer shock and disbelief? Did he not believe in my love?

(A/N: Well, yeah, you just left him standing, heartbroken, not even saying a proper good bye.........)

Well, too bad, he's now engaged to me and that's all that matters!

Well, all that should change once _I_ get to know him again.

Why did he turn away from me?

*~*FLASHBACK (~*~Normal POV~*~)*~*

Sakura looked at Syaoran in shock and felt a sense of..................loss.

Sakura glanced at the girl Syaoran is now engaged to, she seemed oddly familiar. The name, Seshumi Rioka, stirred a long-forgotten memory within her.

Syaoran, who seemed to have recovered from his shock, gave Sakura a disheartening glance. He didn't mean for her to see his engagement.

Slowly, he moved his glance to Rioka and stared at her with disbelief and with confusion.

'_Do I still have feelings for Rioka???_'

His brain clashed with his heart into a never-ending battle.

'_It aches my heart to see Rioka.........oh wait.........that's my stomach *growl*.........I guess I'm hungry? Wait wait wait what was I saying? Oh yeah.........and at that thought of her being my cousin sickens me._'

'_.........but has some of the love been salvaged from when we were together?_'

Syaoran put on a difficult face and thought out what would happen with his life if he would take the time to now Rioka again. He didn't want to hurt anybody with his resolutions.

'_.........and now.........I have to spend the next few months trying to get to know Rioka again.........Well I'm scared, what if the flame I used to have for Rioka gets out of control again and I end up hurting someone else?_'

The more Syaoran thought about it the more it became clearer to who he wanted to share his life possibly forever with and share his hopes and dreams with.

He finally came to a conclusion.

'_Well, there's no chance in hell I'm going to be stuck to someone like Rioka, again! I still want to make it work with Sakura and it will happen!!!_'

(A/N: Hooray for Syao! ~.^)

His mother and the elders were clearing out of the room.

Syaoran shrugged, moving away from Rioka.

The problem with Rioka was, she wouldn't quit following him.

Sakura, Tomoyo, Eriol, and Meiling whispered to each other.

Thinking that it was a bad thing to walk in such an affair, they all left the room with not another sound.

Out of the blue, Syaoran decided to follow them.

He wanted to talk to Sakura, he felt like he owed her an explanation and he wanted to start a relationship with her. That is, if she would allow him.

But someone pulled him back.

"Xiao Lang, I'm gl--"

Syaoran flinched hearing his name on her (Rioka's) lips, but he didn't turn around and when she touched his shoulder, he started walking away.

*~*END*~*

~*~ Rioka's POV~*~

Why was _my_ fiancé giving _me_ the cold shoulder?!

I know I hate to be possessive and all but this is well.........too much!

Did I do something wrong, but to find out that _I_ was a part of his family all along?

~*~Normal POV~*~

A baby's cries broke through her thoughts.

Rioka walked up to the brown, polished crib and gazed lovingly at her baby's face.

"Oh! My sweet angel, Rei Lang.........I almost forgot about you."

Rei Lang's sea green eyes opened up and he smiled innocently.

Rioka picked him up and he cooed at her smiling face.

"If only your father wasn't so messed up, you wouldn't have been born into such a situation.........and........." Rioka's eyes filled with unshed tears,"......... I thought I was.........falling in love with.........him."

(A/N: So you see, readers, two people who are engaged don't really know what they feel for each other. They thrive on the love from their past. As you can see, Rioka and Syaoran are like confused ducks.......... But on the bright side Syaoran made a great decision!)

She wiped the tears from her eyes, "Well, don't worry about your father.........he wasn't the man I thought he was."

Rioka place her 6-month-old son on her bed and started to get ready.

She hummed softly to Rei Lang as he began to fuss.

Rioka was a loving mother, but she also was the most stubborn person and wouldn't let anyone take what she thought was hers.

Her thoughts trailed to the time when she found out that her mother was an illegitimate Li and a half-sister to Syaoran's late father.

*~*FLASHBACK*~*

Seshumi Inah cast a look of shame at her daughter.

"How could you have been so careless?!"

Rioka looked down meeting the floor. She couldn't bear to meet her mother's eyes which held, dishonor.

"Okaa-san(mother).........I was under the influence and Ling.........he was drugged."

Inah's heart broke, "Why did you do this? Why did you even go to that party? I warned you, not go on one of your depression trips and now look at you! You're pregnant and unmarried! And what makes it worse is, you're ruining your educational future! I didn't want my first grandson born like I was!"

Tears of misery poured out of Rioka and she snapped back, "What was _I_ supposed to do? You made me leave Hong Kong! You and otou-san (father) stole me out of a relationship with someone I truly loved!"

Inah looked thoughtfully at her only daughter, "I thought you would fall in love with another man and I was right, Ling was perfect until.........well, you know, that night......... That's the thing.........that's why we moved here, back to Japan. "

Rioka ceased her sobbing and looked into her mother's raging eyes.

"I didn't want you to be involved with a family that would not recognize an illegitimate heir."

Rioka looked at her mother with confusion.

"I never got around to telling you this, my sweet Rioka, but I'm an illegitimate heir to the Li Empire and an aunt to Li Syaoran."

Inah saw the expression that crossed her daughter's face. She had the look of anger and then it broke out into an unbelievable smile.

Rioka's face glowed, "That means.........I can—we can go back?........."

"Rioka, what do you mean?" her mother asked uneasily.

Rioka gave a curious smile and replied innocently, "By any chance, okaa- san.........do you know the elders of the Li clan?"

Her mother gave a vague look, catching on to what her daughter was planning.

"Yes, but you can't do that! I know what you're up to."

Her daughter shrugged away the look her mother was giving her and smiled.

"Well, okaa-san, I know for a fact that the elders have been looking for a replacement fiancée for Xiao Lang since Meiling broke it off."

Inah broke into a grim expression, "Oh no! I'm not doing this."

"Oh onegai (please)! I really want to go back and see him!" Rioka pleaded.

*~*END*~*

After many arguments and shouting matches, Rioka got her wish to go back and to try to convince the elders to engage her with Xiao Lang.

Then her thoughts came to a time where she first saw her one true love for the first time in two years.

*~*FLASHBACK*~*

She spoke to Li Hynh and he agreed to evaluate her for the chance of being a candidate for Xiao Lang's fiancée.

All she had to do was keep quiet and not let anyone know that she had arrived to Hong Kong.

Rioka wandered around the familiar halls that she once ran around when she first met Syaoran.

Some of the memories hit her like a force field of pain as she came across the old hangout where she used to meet up with Syaoran. It was an oak tree where they confessed their undying love and sat there looking at the stars for many hours at a time.

She closed her eyes momentarily and traced the heart shape carving that contained a 'S+R'.

Rioka heard someone approaching and she climbed the nearest limb of the tree.

Syaoran crossed the pathway without taking a glance at the tree that once meant the world to him.

He stopped to the door where it led to the gym and took out his training sword.

Rioka smiled seeing the love of her life and decided to follow him using the longer way into the gym.

She stealthily made it to the halls and opened a hidden passageway. When she came to a portrait of Syaoran's grandparents she opened it up quietly and hid in the shadows watching her beloved train.

Suddenly, like he knew she was there, Syaoran lifted his head to the second floor where she was hidden.

Luckily, at the same time Wei tapped Syaoran on the shoulder and said something to him that made Syaoran look relieved.

Rioka thought this was as safe as she was going to get and left saying a few words smiling sadly, "We'll soon meet again.........and your world of loneliness will cease to exist.........."

*~*END*~*

Rioka snapped out of her thoughts and started to get used to the idea of being the new fiancée to Li Xiao Lang.

~*~Normal POV (Syaoran's Room)~*~

Syaoran paced his bedroom floor with his eyebrows furrowed in thought.

He was practically engraving a hole into his dark green carpet.

His mind was on a certain someone......... _an emerald-eyed_ someone that is.

He tried talking to Sakura yesterday, but she was hard to find and it seemed like she didn't want to be found.

Eventually, Syaoran cornered her when saw her at the most unexpected place.

A flow disappointment filled Syaoran.

*~*FLASHBACK*~*

Tomoyo, Eriol, Sakura, and Meiling all sat on the blood red carpet in Meiling's bedroom.

Meiling and Eriol were having a disagreement, while Sakura whispered to Tomoyo.

"Hey, Tomoyo. Does the name, Seshumi Rioka, ring a bell? Besides hearing it now?"

Tomoyo nodded, "I don't remember much, but it does sound familiar.........hey! Wasn't she our best friend in the first grade?"

Sakura thought about for a while and memories of Tomoyo, Rioka, and her came flooding back.

Tomoyo replied, "Yeah, she left when she moved here, to Hong Kong."

"Let's talk to her tomorrow. Besides, I don't even know where she is."

Suddenly the room became quiet.

All of them thought it were better not to talk about what they just witnessed and just talked about fashion and the latest clothing that was coming out very soon to Tomoyo's clothesline.

Eriol lit up with joy hearing that there was going to be more designs added in the men's section of 'Midnight Cherry Dreams' and that he was getting a limited edition set, as a gift.

"So, how long are you guys staying in Hong Kong for?" Eirol asked nonchalantly.

Tomoyo smiled and found herself heat up when Eriol smiled warmly at her.

"Oh, well, we have to stay in Hong Kong for at least five months because we have to handle some business here, but we'll probably stay for a while. Saku and I need the vacation, isn't that right?"

Sakura nodded and added, "Well, I really don't have anything to do and of course we'll be taking classes in the University of Hong Kong with you guys."

Meiling and Eriol's face glowed with happiness.

"That's great, then you guys could meet Kai!!!!" Meiling cried out.

Sakura felt a sudden urge to go to the restroom.

"Ey! Meiling-chan, can I use your bathroom?" she asked swaying a bit.

Meiling gave an evil glint in her eyes thinking up another plot to flush out Rioka. She never really liked the plot killing Rioka and she was still trying to get over the fact that the plot killer was her cousin.

Suddenly, an idea came to her.

"Oh sure, Saku, umm go to the last door to your left and you'll see a forest green door that should lead to a restroom, I believe."

Eriol opened his mouth knowing where that led, "Meiling! Isn't tha--"

Meiling stuffed her sock into Eriol's mouth.

Sakura gave a cocked eyebrow and left.

When she left, Eriol spat out Meiling's stinky socks.

"Yuck! Meiling! Why'd you do that for?! And isn't that bathroom Sakura's going to, Syaoran's private ba--.........Oh!"

Eriol raised his eyebrows.

Tomoyo on the other hand gasped and excitedly moved closer to Meiling.

"Meiling-chan, you are getting _evil_ ! I give you props, my sista!"

Meiling and Tomoyo high fived each other and started giggling, while Eriol spat out all the smelly stink from his mouth mumbling.

"*mumble mumble* Could've stuffed me up with better smelling socks........."

Unfortunately, Meiling heard what he said and grew angry, "What's that Eriol? Tomoyo is hot?! What?! HMM?! Tell her you have a paper doll life- size poster of her?! Yeah?!"

Eriol blushed as red as his cousin's carpet and clamped his mouth shut.

"That's what I thought." Mieling gave a triumphant smug look.

~@~

Sakura hummed the tune, "Have You Ever" by Brandy, walking slowly to her destination, but she forgot the directions as soon as she walked out of Meiling's room.

Thinking that she would be branded as a stupid monkey if she asked for directions again. She decided to explore inside rooms, holding in her natural instincts.

~~~~***~***~~~~***~***~~~~***~***~~~~

Syaoran knocked on Meiling's door and heared laughter. Thinking this was an answer, he walked in and saw Eriol's burning face of humiliation.

Meiling looked up when she heard her door open and greeted Syaoran.

"Well, hello! My sweet, dearest cousin!"

Syaoran's eyebrows furrowed, something didn't feel right here. He didn't see Sakura anywhere.

Eriol spoke up, his face back to normal coloring, "What gives us the delight of you coming into our presence, Xiao Lang?"

"Um, I was looking for........." Syaoran's face was void of emotion.

"Sakura?" Eriol smirked, finishing the sentence.

Syaoran's face burned up "N-no"

Tomoyo looked disappointed, "Oh.........okay, well, I'm starting to worry. Sakura should've been back by now."

Meiling and Eriol put up a thinking face.

Eriol spoke up, "Well, that _is_ serious, Tomoyo-chan, we should look for her, but we're kind of in a bind. We were discussing your plans for your next men's clothesline collection, remember?"

Tomoyo caught on to what he was trying to do.

"Oh yeah! Well, okay, Meiling would you be so kind as to look for our _dear_ friend?"

Meiling gave a sarcastic groan and put her hand to her face, "I don't feel so good."

Tomoyo bit her lip, "Aw, Meiling, you're too lazy!"

"You betcha, I am. Xiao Lang, can't you find her for us?" She then turened to Syaoran and smiled sweetly, a little too sweetly for her own good.

Syaoran was glad Meiling asked his unspoken request, but gave a grudgingly appearance to try to fool them, "Well, alright.........I guess I can spare some of _my_ valuable time to look for her. By the way, where'd she go?"

Eriol's glasses flashed dangerously for the second time that day, "Oh she went to a bathroom. Though we don't know _which one_"

Syaoran didn't get the message and shrugged, leaving them to "talk business".

~~~~***~***~~~~***~***~~~~***~***

While Syaoran traveled to the right of Meiling's room, if he waited a few seconds he could've caught Sakura coming out of a room humming a song.

"I guess that wasn't the bathroom." Sakura traveled at a slow pace and looked up to the ceiling, admiring the beauty of the artwork. It was a night sky filled with endless stars that seem to shine right through the paint of the black/violet colored ceiling.

Suddenly, she bumped into someone.

"Watch it, girl."

Sakura, who was enchanted by the art of the ceiling didn't look at the person she bumped into.

She dazedly answered, "Oh, I'm sorry."

It was Rioka, but she didn't pay any attention because she stomped off steaming about her plan.

Continuing on, Sakura found herself at the end of the hall and bumped into a forest green door.

'_Oh, I guess I wasn't lost after all._'

Sakura opened the door and steeped into the most beautiful restroom she had ever seen.

Fountains that had cherubs decorated to emphasize the beauty of nature, the faint smell of honey cinnamon, and the nature setting murals that surrounded the huge walls of the wonderful room.

~~~~***~***~~~~***~***~~~~***~***~~~~

Syaoran checked and knocked at every single bathroom in the mansion, all except one.........the one nearest to Meiling's room!

His precious private restroom!!!!!

Syaoran ran to the third floor and ran past Meiling's room to the end of the hall.

When he opened the door, he came face to face with Sakura, who was washing her hands.

(A/N: I just want to say! All the S+S mushy moments are coming! KAWAIIII!!!!)

"S-Sakura?"

Sakura lifted her head to Syaoran and smiled cheerfully, "Oh, hey, Syaoran- kun!"

"Um, may I ask what you're doing in my restroom?"

Sakura smile faltered a bit and she blushed, "Oh! This is yours? Meiling told me there was a bathroom somewhere. At least I think she meant this one? Aw well! This room feels so nice and it has a natural feeling to it. I see you like the color green?"

Syaoran nodded not trusting his voice, '_Yeah, like your perfectly beautiful eyes that _sparkle_ with joy and........._'

Sakura blushed blood red hearing his compliment, "Arigatou (Thank You)"

Syaoran realized his just blabbed out his thoughts and he slapped him self.

Sakura calmed down but felt a tinge of embarrassment, while Syaoran intensely searched her features.

"Okay.........do you need to use your bathroom?.........Never mind that's a stupid question. Just go right ahead."

Before she could reach the door Syaoran grabbed her hand and pulled her back making her land onto his chest.

Sakura's breathing quickened feeling his heart thump wildly.

"Don't go." Syaoran whispered into Sakura's ear making her shiver.

(")(") (") (") (") _ (") ("\^_^/") (") _ (") (") (") (")(")("\^_^/") (") _ (") (") (") (")(")

*~*~A/N: I guess I'll leave it here. The rest of the flashback is coming next chapter and it will be sweet and also a fast update! Rioka is not a bad person she's just confused because she can't really trust the people she trusted before. I like her, but she's really sweet so don't hate her!

JA NE,

maixwolfblossom