Hello! Emerald. Blossoms here! First of all thanks so much for your reviews. I'm glad SS got together too. For those of you who have seen the movie, you guys have the upper hand on knowing what's about to happen. But remember, there are twists and changes in this story as well… -wink-

My mom's making me take Chinese school Saturday now, and my time is becoming more and more constricted with homework, activities, and starting my community hours. I promise I'll try my best.

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Review of last chapter

"I love you Sakura, I think I've always have." Sakura took a sharp intake. Her eyes opened, facing his amber ones. The emeralds he held so much love for filled with tears,

"I love you Xiao Lang. I Love you so much you have no idea how much it hurts." She whispered back, a few tears letting loose. Syaoran brought his hand to her cheeks, his thumbs gently wiping away the tears, kissing away the rest of it.

"I love you Syaoran, don't ever leave me. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth if I have to." Sakura whispered through her tears once they parted, she felt his gentle kisses on the top of her head, his lips lingered there. Sakura closed her eyes peacefully,

"Never."

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Chapter 13: Happiness only lasts so long.

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The sun rose up into the skies, its golden beams devouring the midnight blue that had covered the skies. Stars slowly danced their last dance before gently fading into the morning skies. Baby birds' chirped, mother bird flew to feed their children… and a pair of new found lovers found themselves being rudely awoken inside a beautiful, glassy patio.

Last night, the two had stayed in each other's arms, admiring the sky that had become so much more beautiful.

Sakura leaned against Syaoran's strong, firm form, his steady heartbeat pulsed gently against her back, her head laid peacefully against his shoulder. Her breathing was steady; her small hands laced with Syaoran's, his arms strongly wrapped around her waist. Syaoran's head leaned against the brick wall, Sakura in his lap.

Syaoran groaned, his consciousness attacking him. He felt something warm, something breathing by his side, and gingerly pulled it closer. His eyes slowly drifted open; his nostrils were immediately filled with the scent of sweet strawberries. Looking down, auburn hair filled his sight.

Sakura moaned gently as she felt the warmth of a new day creep against her body. She felt so safe, so secured inside his embrace. She leaned deeper into him, hoping to fall into blissful unconsciousness again. A soft hand ran itself down her hair, occasionally giving a strand of her auburn hair a soft twist. The hand rested itself against her neck, she opened her eyes. Looking up, her barely opened eyes met shining amber ones.

"Hmm…" was all she managed out. Syaoran chuckled, lowering his lips on her forehead, gently kissing it.

"Good morning." He whispered gently beside her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her body.

"I want the sun turned off…" she replied, not moving away from his arms. She turned herself around, her face digging into his chest, her arms around his neck, sitting on his lap. Syaoran continued his menstruation to her hair, making her unable to fall asleep anytime soon. Screaming out softly in against his chest in annoyance, she lifted her head, her eye brows raise.

Syaoran grinned, hearing her muffled scream. Soon her head rose, her eyebrows curved up in a cute look of annoyance.

"Li Syaoran if you—" Sakura got cut off from his lips pressed against hers. Instantly she dropped her protest, and kissed him back eagerly. Syaoran shivered feeling her hands roam freely around his head. Sakura parted from him, letting out a deep and content sigh.

"Don't think I've forgotten, because I haven't." she answered, seeing his triumphant smile. Syaoran chuckled, pulling her towards him.

"I swear I won't laugh." He whispered to her again, kissing the tip of her nose. Sakura sighed.

"What am I going to do with you?" she let out, moving from him and starting to stand up. Syaoran couldn't help but be disappointed, he had wanted so much to stay with her in his arms for at least another few hours.

"I'm not sure if you really want me to answer that, growing up in a church and everything." Syaoran teased. Sakura slapped him on his arm playfully.

"Such things to say Syaoran." She gasped, blushing slightly. Syaoran grabbed her hands, lacing them with his again.

"Sakura, I've got something I want to say." He said suddenly. Looking down at him, Sakura looked at him. He cleared his throat.

"Sakura, I- damn this was a lot easier when I ran it through my head…" he mumbled, "Sakura, I think I've been in love with you ever since the first day I saw you up on that hill, after I didn't see you again, I fell out of it. But when you came back into my life, this time as a fully grown woman, I couldn't help but let the beast inside me set free. I've never believed in love at first sight, but I'm willing to try. Sakura, I'm asking you now, to make me the happiest man alive, will you be with me always? Stay by my side and be the mother my children never had?" he asked with emotion. Sakura was in a state of shock when Syaoran presented her with the ring. It was a simple gold band with 4 colours: blazing red, cool blue, blinding white and fresh green.

"Fire, Water, Wind, Earth." She labelled each and one of them. "Our powers."

"The same powers that drew us together." Syaoran answered her. Slowly, carefully, he lifted the ring and slid it onto her slender fingers. At once Sakura launched herself at him.

"I love you Xiao Lang. I really do." Sakura cried. Syaoran hugged her back, kissing her gently.

"Me too." They stayed together for a while, the band feeling naturally comfortable on her finger.

"We've got a problem you know." He mentioned casually as they started to walk back slowly to the house.

"The children." Sakura finished. Will they accept her? She knew they liked her, as their nanny. But can they take another mother? "Do you think they'll agree?" Sakura asked. Syaoran chuckled,

"Trust me, if they're anything like me, they'll love you." He laughed.

Tomoyo wondered around the empty house. It was still early and almost no one was awake. The Master room was untouched, and so was the guest room Sakura had resided in. (Tomoyo still has not idea that Sakura came back) She missed her dear friend, and hoped that she would be able to work out her problems and come back. Ever since she had left Li-sama had never been the same.

Speaking about never been the same, Tomoyo herself was in a confused state. Mysterious feelings had begun to arise in her chest every time a certain someone would stray across her path, accidental or not. She knew she wasn't suppose to have feelings for people like him, ever since she was little, her mother had taught her,

"Tomoyo, sweetie, should you ever become a maid," Sonomi Daidouji, her mother, had told her, "You must always keep your restraint. You must never show weakness and always stand your ground."

Even when she was 10, and her mother had told her that, she could tell her mother was hiding the pained emotion she had been feeling. That was how her mother had had her. Her mother had been working as a maid for a very wealthy family. Her family, her parents, her siblings needed her support. Being the eldest, she took it on as her responsibility, to take care of her ill mother –Tomoyo's late grandmother- , and her 2 younger siblings. Then she saw him. Tomoyo's father. He had deep raven hair, like her own, and her amethyst eyes, but she had inherited her mother's beautiful heart, her beautiful looks, and her beautiful skin. The very things her father himself fell for. They both loved each other so very much, so much her Father was willing to leave his position, his job behind, just for her.

And they got married, they lived happily for many months, and he was more than enthusiastic when his wife had told him she was pregnant, pregnant with his first child. Her. During Sonomi's pregnancy, her father had taken extreme care of her. Even if they were running from the law, he saw to it she was his number one priority. Then, during her mother's 7th month, it happened. The household they had worked for had escaped from caught up to them. Her father had ushered her mother out, telling her to run, to run to safety, to keep her safe… to keep his unborn child safe.

That was the last time her mother had seen him. She had not known his fate, more than likely he had died during the fight, but she dare not look back at the house that held so many memories, the house that was soon engulfed in flames, illuminating the sky in a brilliant orange, a beautiful sight, for a sad, sad night.

"I'll always be with you…" was her mother's dying words to her as the cold hands of death slowly took her life from her, took her from her daughter.

A solitary tear ran unconsciously fell down her face as her heart was racked with pain. I miss you mommy… Unknowingly to her, she had stood deathly still for the past 5 minutes, and a certain someone had came up behind her.

"Tomoyo?" Eriol called from behind her. She didn't respond him. "Tomoyo!" he called again louder. She continued to stand still, until one drop of clear liquid dropped from her face and splatter onto the white floors. Worriedly, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Tomoyo shook out of her reverie, surprised at having another human being behind her. Turning around, she met the same midnight blue eyes that hid behind clear glasses stare back at her.

"Eriol!" she cried, her heart pulsing harder. The very man she had tried to escape from had returned.

"Tomoyo, are you all right?" he questioned, "You look pale." Tomoyo shook her head nervously, holding back the tears that started to form, the urge to hug him that started to rise. "Is it your family? Is something wrong?" Eriol asked, having no idea he had just hit the softest, most weak and painful spot.

Tears sprung from her eyes and rolled down. "I have no family." She whispered softly, her eyes cast downwards in shame. It took Eriol a couple of minutes before fully understanding. Firmly, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him, his right hand gently leading her raven head towards his shoulder, his left arm wrapped protectively and comfortingly around her waist.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of." He whispered to her. Tomoyo was lured to him by his comforting warmth.

"I have no one." Tomoyo cried. Eriol's hold tightened.

"You have me."

On the way home, Sakura wringed anything she could find in her hand. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest and she felt hot all over. The white house slowly came into view bit by bit, and the calming rush of the water fountain did nothing to ease her tense nerves. Her small hands gripped tightly onto Syaoran's, her knuckles turning white. Sensing her uneasiness, Syaoran squeezed her hand, using his other hand to stroke her hair gently.

"Don't worry, they all ready like you." Syaoran reasoned, seeing the front door of his house. Sakura took a deep breath.

"They like me as their nanny, not as their future mother." Sakura replied, "I haven't been so nervous to see them since I saw you clap your hands and them rushing down like a rush of animals." Syaoran chuckled, opening the door smoothly. He walked behind her, still holding her hands, his hand on her waist. Lowering his head, he whispered to beside her ears,

"Welcome home."

Before Tomoyo could get comfortable being so close to him his words had shook her. Removing herself from him she stared at him with unbelieving amethyst eyes.

"N-Nani…" She stammered. Eriol stared back at her with incredible intensity, his midnight blue eyes cracking with a burning fire of determination.

"I said you have me. You're not alone." He said. Tomoyo shook her head, walking out of his embrace, ignoring her yearning. Her blood ran cold and her body shook with fear. No… oh god no. Was this what happened to her mother? Had the man of her dreams confessed to her, and den in return she gave her heart to him? Was this how they spent their last few days of their lives not being hunted by police, not having to escape for the rest of their lives?

Was this going to happen to her?

Tomoyo was not a selfish person. She would move heaven and earth if it meant being with the one she loves, and the one that loves her back. What she couldn't stand was living the rest of her life after seeing her love being destroyed by the very people that had raised her.

"No…" she whispered in fear. "I can't…" Eriol jerked alert, hearing her whisper.

"What-what?" he finally said. Maybe he had rushed things, or maybe she was afraid of him, "Tomoyo… are you, afraid of me?" he said in a hurt whisper. Tomoyo shook her head, crystal tears falling, her hair covering her eyes that was now gleaming in the light.

"I'd never be afraid of you, never." She whispered, turning her back away from the hurt man, "It's me." She said.

It was approaching noon and the children began to awake. One by one, they descended down the stairs to be greeted by a nervous Sakura, and their smirking father behind a nervous Sakura and-was their sight deceiving them? - They seemed to be holding hands. A familiar smirk drifted through the 10. Upon seeing this, Sakura groaned,

"They are too much like you." Sakura muttered darkly, Syaoran laughed,

"So they'll have no problem accepting you." He responded. "Kids, I'm sure you know who this is." He said aloud, referring to the now shuffling Sakura.

"Yes, Father." They responded. Syaoran smiled,

"Do you like her?"

"Yes, father."

"Do you think she's pretty?"

"Yes, Father."

"Do you want her to be your mother?"

"Yes Fat- WHAT!" The house exploded with exclaims. Excited exclaims. Sakura groaned, rubbing her temple while her other hand was still trapped in Syaoran's. Syaoran, it seemed, was enjoying himself immensely, not answering any of the questions being asked by his children.

"I told you not to do that. You never listen!" Sakura accused him, shoving an accusing finger at his chest. Syaoran looked down at her innocently,

"I didn't do it!" he said in the most pouting voice he could muster. Sakura screamed out in annoyance, trying to break free of him… when his lips came down on hers. Immediately she froze, a crimson blush rising on her cheeks while chills ran down her spine feeling his tongue explore her mouth to its desire. Carina and Xiao Chen immediately ran to cover the eyes of Hitomi and Ying while giggles drifted through Alex, Sora, Kari, Tenchi and Yang. The two eldest watched happily while Alana was beside her self. Her inside were practically jumping with joy.

Syaoran pulled apart, pleased with her reaction, pleased with the silence that was placed upon them. Sakura breathed out,

"Oh my… Xiao Lang not with your children." She muttered embarrassed.

"You obviously don't know my children." He told her, spinning her around. All 10 Li children were sharing identical smiles, identical smirks, and the exact replicas of their Father's. Alana immediately rushed forwards, launching herself at Sakura.

"I've always wanted you as a mother!" she exclaimed hugging Sakura tightly. Sakura stood shocked at first, but then slowly reacted. She encircled her arms around the young girl's body, hugging her tightly.

"And I've always wanted a daughter." She said back. Alana's eyes filled with happy tears, feeling the warmth she once lost come back.

"Mother." She said cutely through pouting lips. Sakura positively beamed. "Can we go out and eat tonight?" Sakura thought,

"Xiao Lang?" she asked, turning to him. Syaoran thought for a second, before two faces came puppy pouting at him, Sakura with her emerald eyes gleaming with sparkles, and Alana, her dark amber eyes sparking with mischief. The 9 of them watched in amusement as they saw the famous, cold hearted Li Syaoran quiver and fall underneath the stares of his love of his life and his daughter.

Sakura was walking around the house. Now that she wasn't a maid or nanny anymore, she had nothing to do. Dressed in a one piece, sleeveless pink dress that ended a bit below her knee, her hair was let loose. Syaoran had decided to go to a fancy restaurant in town, and so here she was, dressed up like a Barbie.

"Sakura is that you?" a voice exclaimed. Turning around, Tomoyo practically ran to her, her raven hair following around her.

"Tomoyo!" Sakura cried hugging her, looking down she saw her amethyst eyes were tinted with wetness, "Tomoyo is something wrong? Have you been crying?" Sakura asked. Tomoyo stayed silent, walking her towards the nearest couch, she sat down her friend.

"When did you come back?" Tomoyo asked softly, trying to avoid the question.

"Yesterday." Sakura responded, lightly blushing, playing with the golden band on her finger. Tomoyo caught the sign and looked up at her slyly,

"Sakura there's something you're not telling me." Tomoyo said, eyeing her. Sakura giggled,

"Syaoran and I, we're engaged." Sakura said softly, happiness lit in her eyes as she looked at the band again. It was a simple ring, a delicate ring, the ring that would bind her with him, and the ring she would never change. Tomoyo squealed in happiness for her friend, thought a small part of her was envious of her. If only I could be like you, Sakura. To love whom I want to freely.

"Sakura! Congratulations!" Tomoyo cried, "Hey, you're going to be my Mistress then." She teased. Sakura blushed,

"I've never thought about it that way Tomoyo. Please don't. I don't want anything to change between us." Sakura said honestly. Tomoyo nodded, hugging her friend.

"I Promise, it won't." she said.

"Sakura!" Syaoran called. Sakura immediately stood up and took a glance at the clock on the wall. 7:45pm it read.

"Oh god!" she cried, "I'm late!" and rushed out, bidding a hasty good bye to her friend. Tomoyo could only laugh.

Next Morning

Sakura started to wake up slowly, feeling unusually warm. There was a peaceful kind of warmth that was coming from the bed, comfortable warmth that was slowly lulling her back to sleep. An arm tightened slightly around her, pulling her against him. Sakura sighed, leaning further against him; a head appeared by her side, lying on her shoulder. (By the way, she's sleeping sideways.)

Syaoran smiled to himself as Sakura continued to sleep. He gently kissed her cheeks, then her forehead, then her earlobes.

"How am I supposed to sleep if you keep doing so?" Sakura's agitated voice complained. Syaoran kissed her gently on the cheek, before allowing her to roll around and face him.

"Because it's almost 10:30 in the morning and it's time for you to wake up." Syaoran answered her, chuckling seeing her groan and squeeze her eyes shut.

"But I'm comfortable where I am." Sakura complained like a 5 year old, pouting slightly. Syaoran laughed,

"So am I. But we're not 5, or 9 anymore. So get up!" he told her, getting up as well. Reluctantly, Sakura left the warmth and comfort of her bed. She quickly walked to the washroom, before sticking out her head and sticking her tongue out at him before snapping the door shut. Syaoran ran his hand through his hair, sighing as he started to walk towards the washroom outside. It had been long (well at least since Sakura and him had been engaged) since he had been able to use his own bathroom. He smiled, and funnily enough, he didn't seem to mind.

Later on, Sakura and Syaoran both walked down. The children had busied themselves in trying to fit in as much pancakes as possible while Carina shook her head at her Xiao Chen, currently in a pancake contest with Alana, his light brown eyes focused, his amber hair in frenzy.

"Really, they are too much like you." Sakura shook her head as her fiancé decided to join his children. She took out two cups and poured in orange juice. Sipping hers quietly, she handed him his cup, in good timing too because he drained it in one gulp, washing the remainder of his pancakes.

"Thank you!" he smiled, returning back to his pancakes. Sakura shook her head.

"I'm going for a walk, should be better than watching you eat pancakes." Sakura said, walking away, ignoring the tongue stuck out by Syaoran.

Sakura breathed in the crisp morning air. She sighed in content as she watched the clouds peacefully drifted past her from above.

"God, Thank you for bring me to this family, and most importantly for allowing me to find Syaoran." She thanked silently. Suddenly, a bush shook from behind her; she felt her earth element tugging. Without notice, a few men in black suits jumped out at her, launching towards her… to find an empty spot. Sakura had all ready leaped out of the way, eyeing the 5 dark figures. Who are they!

"Get her!" a rough voice said. Fear rose up to her throat as she started to dash back towards the house. They were gaining on her! Breathing hardly, she sent a hard glare at the ground in front of her. Almost immediately, thorn vines erupted from the green ground, blocking the chasing figures from her. Two more emerged from her right, and she ran again. Her fear rose, afraid they would hurt her family. A whirlwind of sand blasted in front of the two's vision, shielding her. She sent a small blast of fire, heating them up. Getting tired, she quickly raised more vines from the ground, this time a ring of fire surrounded each of them. She ran from them, now separated from the black figures.

"We can't get her!"

"These blasted things are in the way!"

"Well cut them you imbeciles! We lost her! Damn it!"

Voices rang through the air as she continued to run to the house. She slammed open the back door, the family looked up at her surprise to see her tired shape.

"Sakura?" Syaoran asked worriedly, standing up, holding her against him, her tired frame ached with pain.

"Xiao Lang, there are people out there. They-they want you. They're coming." Sakura cried silently. "We must leave." A scream came from the front door.

"Carina!" Syaoran shouted, helping Sakura, they both ran towards the corridor. Carina stood as white as chalk, her trembling hands holding an envelope. Syaoran took the letter as Sakura led the weary girl to a chair before going next to her fiancé. Syaoran paled instantly.

Li Xiao Lang

General; Hong Kong, China

Military Service

"Oh lord!" Sakura exclaimed, tears forming in her eyes. The door blasted open, Syaoran and Sakura stood in attention, ready to bring their elements in play. Eriol stood at the door, his midnight blue hair in a mess, his glasses askew.

"Syaoran! Did you find a-" His speech was cut short as he looked upon the Li family, all pale, all white, and all trembling. And he knew they have found out.

The Master of the house, the Father of 10 children, the soon to be the husband of a young woman, was ordered by the government to be in service of his country. To lead them into a new territory, to lead thousands of men probably to certain death… and along the way, certain death would meet him.

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A/N: DUM, DUM, DUM! Wow… ha, ha haven't updated for a while. I'm sorry if I took too long. Gomen-ne! This chapter was… fun to write. Well please review!