Thanks for all your reviews!

For those of you who don't know, the Mediator series is about a sixteen-year-old girl who can see, touch, kiss, etc. ghosts as if they were real. This leads to many problems...along with romance with a cartain hot Spanish ghost.
Anyway, it's amazing!

Okay, I watched two episodes of Oprah today (Yes, I am an Oprah fan) and it was all about Hurricane Katrina. If you have seen these episodes or even just one, you know how tragic and terrifying the situation in those five states are. (Especially if you live there or are, yourself, an American)
Anyway, I encourage anyone and EVERYONE to do anything they can to help the survivors in any way possible! I know us here in Canada at my school are going to put on a huge-ass fundraiser to help out!
Please help out!

Love of War
Chapter Seventeen: China

The day sail to China was beautiful. The whole time Sakura and Tomoyo were on deck, staring, wide-eyed, out at the diamond water.

"It's beautiful!" Tomoyo breathed, smiling at Sakura. "I can't believe that people say it's so dangerous."

Sakura nodded. "It is"

"Are you two going to stay over here the whole trip?" Eriol smirked, standing beside Syaoran, who was leaning against the railing, staring intently at his bride-to-be.

"You bet!" Sakura grinned. "I never want to get off this boat!"

Tomoyo sighed, resting her chin in her hands, her gray eyes staring brightly out to sea. "I want to live here"

Sakura giggled and walked over to Syaoran. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she leaned into him, the two looking out at the water.

"I'm glad your coming with me." Syaoran whispered in her ear, his breath hot on her neck.

"Me too," Sakura smiled.

By just getting on the large ship, Sakura was leaving behind so many things; her old life, her family, her pain. Though she hid it somewhat, she still mourned for her father's death along with the rest of her family. She hated to see so many people die to ruthlessly.

But she knew not that Syaoran hadn't meant any of it. He didn't know that he was fighting against the wrong people.

He knew now, and the past wouldn't repeat itself.

Sakura could see a softness in his eyes now, an ever-present smile lingering. She hadn't been able to see it before, but now it was clear.

Closing her eyes, she smiled, her back contently on Syaoran's chest. He would protect her, she knew. And she would protect him.

Subconsciously, Sakura ran her finger along her star key necklace, it seemed to hum under her touch, warm. This small trinket held the power of so many generations…not only the key, but Sakura herself.

Sakura had heard, not long ago, that if someone were to kill her, burn her body and spread the ashes on themselves, they would gain her powers.

She couldn't think of anyone in the world that would be so cruel to do such a thing.

"What are you thinking about?" Syaoran said, noticing her sudden silence. Eriol had walked over to join Tomoyo by the rail and left the two alone. "Japan?"

Sakura shrugged. "Not really. Just this thing that I heard a while ago"

"What is it?" He asked.

Sakura told him how one was to get her powers if they weren't family, or just a male in the family. "That's horrible," Syaoran said once she was finished her tale.

Sakura nodded, her eyes worried. "I doubt anyone would be cold enough to do such a thing, but really…you never know. I mean, whoever Doremi is working for, or even Doremi himself…I don't know"

He kissed her forehead lightly. "I won't let anyone hurt you"

Sakura smiled. "I know, thank you"

"Ho much longer till we get there?" Tomoyo asked, she and Eriol walking up to the two, noticing that they may be getting left out of an important conversation.

Syaoran looked out to sea again. "A couple hours at the least, maybe two"

Sakura smiled and grasped Tomoyo's hands. "This is exciting"

"Yes!" Tomoyo laughed. "Finally we get to travel"

The two girls broke out into fits of giggles, for some reason, and walked off.

Eriol smirked and shook his head. "What are we getting ourselves into?"

Syaoran grinned. "Hey, we'll never be bored."

(AN: I'm going to make up Syaoran's 4 sister's names)

"Oh my God!" Teshi shrieked as the group of four walked into the large mansion. "Catty! Sari! Koni! Get over here now!"

Tomoyo looked at Sakura with a nervous smile on her face. "I never expected Syaoran's sister to be like…this."

Sakura nodded blankly. Syaoran's sisters had surrounded them, pulling at their hair and clothes, shrieked about how "cute" they were.

"Guys!" Syaoran snarled, grabbing Sakura's hand and dragging her from the mob, Eriol doing the same to Tomoyo. "Leave them alone!"

"Oh come on Syaoran!" Sari giggled, reaching for Sakura again. "They're so cute! We haven't seen anything cute in a long time!"

Eriol laughed. "Shall we go find Yelan before Sakura and Tomoyo are murdered?"

Syaoran nodded, quickly dragging Sakura from the room, his sisters protesting loudly.

"I never thought that they'd be…like that." Sakura laughed as they stepped into a large, quiet, hallway.

Syaoran sighed, frustrated. "They've been that way since I can remember. Impossible!"

Tomoyo giggled. "This should be interesting. So who's Yelan?"

"My mother." Syaoran said. "I guess I never told you guys her name."

Sakura shook her head. "Nope. Well, I knew, but Tomoyo didn't."

Syaoran smirked. "Well, she's not like my sisters, though I bet she would be if she didn't have to be so serious all the time. But she's nice, I'm sure she'll like you."

Sakura nodded nervously. "I hope so"

"But," Syaoran said.

"But? There's a but? But what?" Tomoyo asked.

"I can't go in with you two, neither can Eriol." Syaoran said. "I've already sent a message ahead saying that two girls would be meeting with mother. But she doesn't know who you are. You're going to have to tell her"

Sakura's breath left her. "You mean…you aren't going to be there? What if she hates me when she finds out I'm Kinomoto?"

Syaoran shook his head. "She won't. But when she's ready, she'll call me in. Or if I hear anything bad, I'll come in. She doesn't like it when I'm in there, because then she feels pressured."

Great.

Sakura sighed, grapping Tomoyo's hand. They arrived at the large doors that led to Yelan Li's office.

"Good luck." Eriol smirked, waving to the two girls as they stepped into the room.

"This is so, so nerve wracking." Tomoyo whispered, her eyes fearful.

Sakura smiled as they approached Yelan.

She was tall, with long black hair that fell past her waist. Her face was soft and fine featured. She was beautiful.

"Welcome!" She smiled, turning to them. "You must be the two Syaoran sent me about"

Sakura nodded. "Um…y-yes madam"

She looked at Sakura, her eyes boring into the girl. "You're Japanese?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes. This is my friend, Tomoyo Daidouji. My name is Sakura…Sakura Kinomoto"

Yelan winced and took a step backwards as if she'd been slapped. "A Kinomoto? How dare you show your face in my household!"

"You don't understand." Sakura said, pleading. "I'm not here to cause trouble. You see, we've been tricked, the Li and the Kinomoto"

Yelan looked at her, but her glare remained. "How so?"

"I'm not quite sure," Sakura said. "Syaoran knows more about it. But I know that someone has turned us against each other, your niece, Meilin, has joined their side"

The woman's eyes went wide and she sank into her large leather chair, staring blankly at Sakura. "M-Meilin? What made her do…such a thing?"

"She did it long ago." Tomoyo said softly. "Much before Syaoran was lost on the island with Sakura"

Yelan's eyes focused on Sakura. "So…you are the girl he was with?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes Li-san"

Yelan sighed and waved her hand carelessly. "I've never cared for such formality around here. You may call me Yelan"

Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Yelan"

"So. Shall I bring in Syaoran then?" She said, ringing a bell at her side.

Syaoran and Eriol stepped into the room, Syaoran taking his place beside Sakura and Eriol beside Tomoyo.

"So you understand mother?" Syaoran asked.

Yelan shook her head. "No. Tell me all about how we were tricked into war"

So he told her. Everything he could think of came pouring from Syaoran's mouth.

When he was done, Yelan slumped back into her chair. "This can't be happening. So many lives!"

Syaoran nodded. "I know, it's bad, really bad. But we know that Doremi and Meilin are in the group, if we can find them then we may be able to find their leader"

Yelan nodded, her eyes clouded with thought. "Yes…but where would they be"

"Still in Japan." Sakura spoke up. "I hope. The last time we saw Meilin was in Japan"

Yelan nodded, her eyes flashing to Sakura's neck, the star key. "You are the Magic Holder? The Card Mistress?"

Sakura nodded. "I am"
"They are after you then." Yelan said thoughtfully. "If we can get them to come looking for you"

"No!" Syaoran growled. "I'm not going to leave Sakura to Doremi! Not in a million years!"

Sakura's cheeks flared.

Yelan stared at her son. "S-Syaoran? You talk of this girl as if you are her protector, as if you are in love!"

This time it was Syaoran's turn to blush. He turned to Sakura. "You didn't tell her?"

Sakura shrugged. "I didn't find the right moment"

"Tell me what?" Yelan asked.

Syaoran took a breath and turned to his mother. "Mom. I am…in love with Sakura. Just before we came here, I asked her to marry me once the war was over, she agreed"

He stood, waiting for his mother to burst into screams and angry shouts of "How dare you dishonor the Li family!".

But they never came.

Instead she stood and rushed over to her son, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "Oh Syaoran! That's wonderful news!"

There was silence.

No one could believe it.

Then Yelan hugged Sakura and the silence grew unhealthily cold.

"What's everyone so quiet about?" Yelan grinned. "Oh Sakura you must get my daughters to help you with the wedding, they'd love it!"

"No way!" Syaoran said, breaking the silence other than his mother. "Besides, we're still too young. So they, and you , will just have to wait. Plus we have to find Sakura's brother, Touya, first."

Sakura gasped. "Touya! Oh my God I almost forgot! What will he think of all this?"

XxXxX

"This will never work." Touya mumbled hotly under his breath. He was walking along a beaten path, his hands tied painfully behind his back, Yukito walking behind him, Kero on his shoulder.

"It'll work." Touya's father smirked. "Sakura will find out, thanks to the message I just sent to China, she should be there by now, and she'll come and try to rescue you. Perfect."

Touya hadn't been listening to the rest of it. He'd stopped at "China".

"C-China?" Touya stammered. "What is s-she doing in China? Doesn't that Li kid-"

"Yes Touya," Fujitaka smiled. "Your little sister, my daughter, is with Syaoran in China, meeting his family. They've probably figured out that they've been fighting the wrong people. But no matter, they'll never find out it was me."

"Uh yeah, they will." Yukito said icily. "When you try to kill Sakura."

Fujitaka shrugged. "She won't have time to think. It'll be over soon."

Yukito's gaze was acid, Touya had never seen him act so…feral. Touya had learned much about Kero and Yue over the past weeks; they really, really cared about their master, Touya's sister, Sakura.

"I will kill you if you touch her." Yukito snarled.

"Shut up." Fujitaka snapped. "You won't have a say in this, for when Sakura's dead you two will go back to…wherever it is you came from."

"No." Kero growled from Yukito's shoulder, he was very well chained up. "We'll be here, watching over you. For out master is the one with the power. You can't get rid of us so easily."

"Then I'll just have to kill you both." Fujitaka sighed.

Touya never thought that it would be possible, but he hated his father right then. If he had the chance, and he'd make sure he had that chance, he'd kill him.

Fujitaka Kinomoto was not the same. He was no longer Touya and Sakura's father, the life-loving man he'd once been.

"I know what your thinking Touya." Fujitaka smirked. "And believe me, you will never kill me."

"I will, when I get the chance." Touya growled.

"You'll go after that Syaoran boy before me." Fujitaka laughed. "Since Syaoran has asked Sakura to marry him."

Touya felt his face heat with anger.

Marry! Did he think that, just because he was gone, Syaoran could just nuzzle up to his sister?

Fat chance. Syaoran would regret the day he ever met Touya once he found them.

That was a promise.

Okay! Review! Touya's gonna hurt Syaoran! YAY! I love it when they fight!
Once again: SUPPORT THOSE EFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA!