Titel: Trust

Summary: Sakura likes Syaoran, but convinced herself of the opposite, when she figures out, he doesn't trust her at all. While capturing the cards, and living her hard life, Syaoran has to seek the truth behind all the mess. SS ET R&R

Disclaimer: noooooo I still don't own CCS, of course!

Answering review:

Cloverluck11: That certainly helped! Thank you, so much! I will try to do better! I promise! ;) and is you know more, that can improve my writing skills, please tell so! That would be great!

And thank you for reviewing:

- Krnanimegrl

- FlowerLover

- Takari love

- 1-2-3-sakura-3-2-1

Chapter Seven

Convincing Yelen

'I can't believe I missed all that!' Tomoyo said, a bit angrily, which surprised them, except for Eriol. 'I mean…you have made up, right?' She changed the subject superbly with blinking eyes.

Sakura and Syaoran looked sheepishly at each other with a blush on their face and nodded.

'Kawaii!' Tomoyo squealed while running up to them. 'Finally! It took you a while though…' She said while she first hugged Sakura tightly, and then Syaoran. 'So, Sakura-chan, now you are finally back amongst the living, want to have a girls night at my place?' Tomoyo smiled sweetly at her, with pleading, yet sparkling eyes.

Sakura sweat dropped. 'Tomoyo-chan… I'm not really back. I would like to be friends again, but I still can't do anything outside school, as much as would love to.' She sighed as the sad look appeared in her eyes again, hoping they would understand. But she just had to yawn, so Tomoyo didn't catch the hint.

Tomoyo frowned. 'What do you mean, you can't? You made peace, right? As far as I know, you're an official couple now! You can't say that this doesn't change anything… heck, then you don't even have time to make out with Syaoran-kun!' She had that dreadful look in her eyes, like this would overcome her, and not Sakura and Syaoran.

'Tomoyo-chan…' Sakura and Syaoran said at the same time, sweat dropping. Tomoyo hung her head low, so they couldn't really find out if she was giving up or… something else. Sakura yawned again and then suddenly spoke afraid. 'Hoe! I don't have time for this! Touya can come here any moment now!' She looked around, and saw to her surprise, her big brother stepping into view, from behind a nearby three. She sweat dropped again and backed up a bit, and so did the rest. 'Onii-san…!'

Touya didn't look to happy about what he had just witnessed. 'Don't onii-san me, squirt! I think you really went to far this time! How many people now about this already?' He demanded.

Sakura shrieked and hid behind Syaoran. She popped her head out beside his shoulder. 'I didn't tell them, they figured it out on their own! And only Syaoran and Eriol know about it!' She paused and looked at Tomoyo. 'At least, I think…?'

Tomoyo beamed happily: 'I know about it to! And Meilin of course, but that's about it. And we figured out on our own to!'

'Oh, great…' Touya mumbled while Sakura sighed deeply. 'And that's not even the worst thing… LI SYAORAN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY SISTER!' He yelled suddenly, fire in his eyes. 'YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY THE PERSON THAT DOESN'T DESERVE HER!'

Syaoran jumped a bit and hid behind Sakura, who gave him a weird look. 'Aren't you supposed to protect me? He is mad at me to, you know.' She asked with innocent eyes. Syaoran sighed, hitting her head softly. 'You do realize that you have an overprotective brother, right? So the worst thing that could happen to you, is that he screams his longs out, and he probably wouldn't even do that. But he could actually kill me, for all I know.' Sakura blinked her eyes a few times and then looked at a steaming Touya. 'You're right,' She answered. 'I think he is capable of doing that.'

While Touya wanted to prove that, Tomoyo came in between, still with her innocent smile present. 'Oh, before I forget it, I figured out why the cards keep appearing in Penguin park. I thought, maybe you wanted to know?' Touya stopped immediately in his frontal attack on Syaoran – with Sakura still in between – and raised a brow at Tomoyo. 'What?'

'I thought you would be interested.' She said sweetly. 'Why don't we all sit somewhere, and I'll explain it.'

'Our house?' Sakura asked Touya with puppy dog eyes. He just mumbled something that the rest couldn't understand, but Sakura's smile widened, so they figured it was okay.

Touya was about to explode a second time, when Sakura walked besides Syaoran, on purpose, and she slid her hand in his, sticking her tongue out to her brother. Syaoran shot nervous glances between the two, and was ready to run, as soon as Touya made a sudden movement. But as long as the actions all came from her side, and not from him, Touya wouldn't kill him… yet. So he just let her hold his hand, what he didn't mind at all, of course.

xxxxx

Meilin ran as fast as she could, following her intuition in finding Syaoran. She just had to find him within the next half hour, or else…

After she was left behind in Sakura's secret hiding place, she went home to feel miserable. She skipped the next classes, but that was okay. It was not that she never had disappeared out of classes before.

When she got home, it didn't take long or the phone rang. She answered it, and that was where the trouble began, again. Her hands shook, as she listened to Yelen, her aunt, who asked her some questions in demanding voice. She tried to lie, but there is just no way you can lie to Li Yelen.

So she told her everything she wanted to know…

Tears streamed down her face, as she ran faster. I'm sorry Syaoran…I really did all the things I could do wrong to you. She was passing Penguin park, and realized that she run straight at Sakura's house. She almost bumped in the door, as she desperately rang the bell a couple of times.

The door went open violently and she met an very angered Touya, and Sakura, Syaoran, Eriol and Tomoyo standing in the hallway, taking of their coats. She pushed Touya out of the way and went straight to Syaoran. Syaoran already framed himself, afraid that she would jump him as usual, but instead she threw herself at the ground, kneeling in front of him, hands, pleading above her head.

'Syaoran, I'm sorry! You know I can't lie to her!' She began. Syaoran was already fearing the worst. There is only one who sees trough every lie… 'She called, I tried to lie, but I couldn't! You know how she is!'

Syaoran's face went from pale to angry and scared at the same time. 'Mom is coming…' he uttered the words lifelessly. Their bystanders stood there silent, not getting the clue yet. 'Not know!' He cursed a couple of times in Chinese.

Meilin cringed on the floor, but spoke nonetheless. 'Syaoran, please! She comes with one of the elders and their guards. Go to her, take Eriol with you. I promise, I'll do anything to protect Sakura, I promise on everything that is valuable to me! Please Syaoran, I'm sorry!' Meilin was crying silent tears, but her entire body shook with each silent sob.

Syaoran cursed again, and then he got himself together again. He turned to Sakura, while he ignored Meilin. 'Sakura, stay with Touya and Meilin. Hide, on a place where you can defend yourself. It's no use hiding your magic, they will find you anyway. Use it to protect yourself.' He turned his head. 'Touya, Tomoyo, protect her at all costs. They probably wont hurt you two at once.' That only made the fear in those two rise.

He turned around fully, and stood over Meilin. 'Meilin, stand up, now!' She did so, as he demanded. 'Dry your tears, be strong, and protect her at all costs. You understand, Meilin?' She nodded. 'Okay, this was the last stupid thing you ever did, right?' She nodded again, while she got herself in control again. 'How much does she know?' He looked at her with the you-can't-lie-to-me-either look. 'Everything. She already seemed to know you loved her, before I said anything at all.'

'Damned, she knows me to well.' He turned around and motioned Eriol to follow him outside. Before he closed the door, he looked at Meilin. 'Don't you die on me, Li Meilin, for then I'll hunt you personally in your death.' Meilin mastered a small smile. 'They can only go over my dead body to get near her, and I certainly wont die.'

Turning to Sakura one last time, he said. 'I'm sorry it has to go this way. Be strong, okay? You can ask anything to Meilin what you want, she'll explain it.' With that he closed the door and disappeared from sight.

xxxxx

'You're kidding, right? Those are the options I have?' Sakura exclaimed in fear. She was momentarily using her cards to make a shield around the house, so no one could enter. Sitting back on a chair, she sighed heavily. After the capture of two cards, Light and Dark, she was already tired. This shield only made it worse.

'I think so.' Meilin answered, as she was armoring herself with weapons. 'Maybe the elders will have another solution, but I doubt it.' She gave some of her armory to Tomoyo and Touya, but only so that it wasn't visible on them. She had said, that they look like they have nothing to do with it all, but seeing weapons on them, that would change from innocent to guilty. 'It's only to protect you if it is really necessary. Don't use it recklessly, don't try to defend the others. That's my job.' She instructed Touya and Tomoyo.

Touya was only listening with half an ear, while Meilin was putting his weapons in his clothing. He was on the phone with Yukito, convincing him to come as soon as possible. In this battle, Yue was really needed. 'Yuki, now. This is serious, not a test for her strength. Just come, okay?'

Sakura was trying to keep her energy from draining, when she remembered something. 'Tomoyo-chan?'

'Hai, Sakura-chan?' She answered, while she was adjusting her clothes, so the sword like thingy Meilin gave was not visible.

'What was it that you wanted to tell us?'

Tomoyo looked up and met her eyes. 'Oh yeah! About Penguin Park. Um… let's see. I don't know the entire story about the Clow cards, so I don't know the reason behind it, but… The cards have some sort of home, or… how to call it? It's a place where every card comes from, like a nest, where all birds come from. Bad example…It's like their hiding place. All remaining cards are there, I suppose.'

Sakura blinked at her friend. A hiding place? That doesn't make any sense…Aren't the cards scattered around this place, trying to find the card mistress?

I'm lost…

'Ano, Tomoyo-chan… How do you know this?'

It was Tomoyo's turn to blink and stutter. Noooo! A cover, I need a cover! 'Well… I was walking in the woods, when saw the place. Yeah, I saw it, and recognized it as the Clowcards.' Really, really bad cover…!

'Right… If you say so.' Sakura said, not believing a word she said, but hey, everybody had their secrets, right? I sure have mine…

Tomoyo sighed. She is so gullible… thank goodness!

xxxxx

Syaoran ran to the airport, his green aura flaring around him. He looked stronger then ever, and his face stood angry. Eriol, besides him, had difficulty keeping in pace.

'Syaoran, calm down… It is your mother… who we are going against… That's more scary… then getting involved with Meilin… when she is mad.' Eriol tried to reach his friend, and luckily, he saw a small smile forming on his lips.

'I know Eriol, that's exactly what I am doing. I just have to be angry to stand strong. As you said, it is my mother, and she has such a strong aura…' A chill ran down his spine as he thought about the upcoming confrontation. His former plan was wasted now, because Yelen already knew everything that was supposed to be a secret.

'I don't mind if you're angry! It's just… that this long run… is really tiring me out…' Eriol huffed as he was clutching his sides, to ease the pain. 'My condition… isn't that great…!' Damn! Why isn't he tired at all?

Syaoran grinned at his friend, still running at the same pace. They had already reached the airport, and he could feel his mothers aura coming their way. He slowed down, Eriol almost bumping into him, when he saw her appearing from around a corner. He skidded to a halt in front of her and one of the elders, (his uncle to be precisely, Xiao Sen) being instantly collected, while Eriol was desperately trying to catch his breath.

'Well, hello, my son. You seem in a hurry to meet your old mother.' Yelen greeted informally in Chinese, catching Syaoran off guard. Her long black hair reached her knees and only gave emphasis to her strict and formal appearance.

Syaoran on his turn bowed stiffly, greeting her in Chinese as well.

Yelen waved her hand. 'Oh, come on. Why so formal? I am your only mother after all!' She insisted to link her arm with his as she proceeded to walk and greeted Eriol happily.

Syaoran eyed his mother specifically. Something is wrong…She is never this…uhm, happy? 'Mother,' He asked, his tone serious, eyes narrowed. 'did you drink?'

Yelen looked at him and started to laugh. Eriol and Xiao Sen, walking behind the two, sweat dropped at this question, although Eriol thought it actually might be true. 'I'm sorry dear, am I not allowed to be happy, when my only son has completed his mission, with Eriols help of course.' She turned and winked at Eriol, who wished he could run away. If only she knew the entire truth…He noticed a slight difference in those happy eyes. It's a fake… 'I mean, you found the card mistress, and with that a future wife! That's a reason to be happy, right?' She exclaimed looking Syaoran strict in the eyes.

Syaoran gulped. What…? Yelen laughed and slapped him playfully on the arm. 'Oh, don't worry. The engagement with Meilin is already canceled. She will find someone else, eventually.'

She steered him towards Sakura's house, without Syaoran noticing it. 'Mother, what are you talking about?' He asked weakly.

He didn't miss the change in her eyes, when a bit of the fury he had expected, was shown. 'Dear, you have fooled around long enough. The cards have found their mistress, so that means we can't take them from her anymore. The elders and I have consulted, and it is a fact that you and Kinomoto Sakura are going to marry.' Her tone changed from sweet to final, and Syaoran, for a moment, had no answer to that.

'We're here.' She said, and Syaoran was surprised to noticed they where at the Kinomoto residence. 'Eh?' Was al he could say. How did we get here so fast?

Yelen sighed. 'You're dealing with your mother, Syaoran. I know you better than anyone, so don't be surprised when I can manipulate you perfectly well.' She walked right trough the magic shield that Sakura had put around the house, and rang the bell.

As suspected… no one opened the door.

So she just opened it, like it wasn't locked at all.

Entering the house, dragging Syaoran behind her, she went to the living room, and saw Meilin… yes, in full armor. She looked from Meilin to Syaoran, and back, raising a brow. 'What?' Syaoran asked.

'You expected that worse from me?' Yelen ask, using her puppy dog eyes, which was so not Li Yelen.

Syaoran and Meilin looked at each other and shrugged. 'Well, yeah…' They said at the same time.

Yelen sighed. 'Okay, I guess you could expect that. Now tell me, where is my daughter-in-law?'

Meilin raised a brow at that question, until it hit her. 'NANI! You canceled the engagement that fast?' She screamed, making Sakura, Tomoyo and Touya popping there heads out from behind the kitchen door. Oops 'Aunt Yelen, couldn't you at least tell me so on the phone?' She asked with teary eyes. 'I wanted to marry Syao…' She mumbled afterwards.

Yelen laughed, again. 'Oh, Meilin dear. You didn't ask me on the phone. And besides, don't pretend that you didn't see this coming.' She said, while she reached the kitchen door, unaware from the others, and took Sakura's hands. Observing her, she discovered innocent emerald eyes, a strong pink aura and determination beyond words to describe. 'Well, aren't you a cutie. Welcome in the family, dear.' She kissed Sakura on both cheeks. 'My name is Li Yelen, and you can always come to me, if you need help.'

'Ano…' Sakura stuttered, becoming a bit red in the face. 'I need help.'

'Then tell me, what is the problem?'

'I don't get. What's going on? I had the idea that we could expect a full scale attack, and not… well, this.' She uttered the words in high voice, a bit scared of the taller women in front of her. She radiated authority, like she only accepted to be treated like a queen. Actually, she even looked like one.

Yelen smiled sweetly at her, without loosing her queen-like-look. 'Dearest, you don't actually expect me to attack my own daughter-in-law, now do you? Oh, scratch that. Of course you thought so, after all, Syaoran and Meilin probably told you that.'

'Well we expected that!' They both yelled, getting angry.

'Daughter-in-law?' Sakura mumbled numbly. Nani? What have I gotten myself into? Touya is gonna kill me! Hoe! 'Meaning… in marrying…'

'Yup! Marrying Syaoran!' Yelen exclaimed happily.

A loud 'HOEE!' was heard from Sakura and a 'KAWAII!' from Tomoyo, and at the same time, an angry Touya came out of the kitchen, towering over Yelen giving her his hardest glare ever. To his disappointment, she didn't cringe, not even a bit. 'Touya, I presume? I'm sorry, but there is no other choice. You have to live with it.' And in saying so, she pinched his cheeks a little, making him stunned in disbelieve, and more angry as well.

'Now it just happened to be that one of the honorable elders is here as well,' She turned to the older man in the room. 'so why not give her a full check of her magical powers, Xiao Sen-sama?' Xiao Sen, who had been standing on the side, nodded and came forward. But on that moment, Syaoran interrupted. He took Sakura's hand and dragged her outside the living room, upstairs. 'Just a moment, mother, be right back.'

Yelen didn't protest, only showed a vague smile.

In Sakura's room (he just happened to open the door to her room), he turned to her and held her shoulders. Before he could say anything she already started. 'Syaoran…! I'm just twenty, I can't marry yet.' She wined.

Syaoran smiled a bit. 'I know, I know.' He stroke her cheek to comfort her a bit. 'Sakura…' He knelt on one knee, taking one of her hands in his. 'I know it's a bit strange to ask you this, because everybody downstairs already assumes this, but… will you marry me, only…when we're a bit older?' He made it sound as if he wasn't sure of the question.

'That's the worst proposing I ever heard.' She said blinking her eyes.

'I know.' He said firmly and nodded.

'Especially, considering we just got together a few hours ago.'

'I know.' He said, his firmness falling a bit.

'And besides the fact that I obviously don't have a choice in this matter, whatsoever.'

He cringed a bit. 'If it depends on my mother, no.'

'And if it depends on you?' She asked, half hopefully.

He just hesitated for half a second. 'Then… we could delay the wedding for a few years, until you would think you're old enough, and in those years we could figure out something so you don't have to marry me. But…' This time he hesitated way longer. 'If it really would depend on me, after those years, I would still want to marry you, or that's what I think now.'

He looked her in the eyes, and all she could see was sincerity of what he said, and a bit of fear, that she would say no. 'So despite of what my mother wants, and what I want, tell me please what you want.'

She knelt in front of him and touched his face softly. 'Syaoran… I think it's best to delay it, so I can think about my answer in the next few years. I just… I mean… I care for you, I really do, but we can't say we were on good terms with each other the past year, and we made peace about an hour ago, so that doesn't say I suddenly want to marry you. But maybe…' She looked in his amber eyes which fascinated her so much. 'maybe marrying you would be all I wish for, at the end of the delay.'

Syaoran closed his eyes for a while and sighed. I just hope you really want to marry me by then…opening his eyes, he looked at the emerald pools in front of him, and he kissed her softly on the lips. 'Whatever you wish for.' He mumbled.

She hugged him, laying her face in his neck, as she asked: 'So on which terms do we agree with your mother? How many years?'

'Hmm.' He answered. 'How many years do you need? Twenty is, after all, not a very young age to marry. It has to sound logical.'

'Well… how about two years?'

'That's okay with me. Any more demands for my pour mother?' He asked, letting her go, and helping her up.

She smiled. 'Yes!'

'Eh…?'

'We have to finish school first. And your mother has to convince my brother. And the Clowcards are still mine. And…' She wanted to get on with her list, but was interrupted by an irritated voice.

'Don't forget the remaining Clowcards, Sakura. And most of all… DON'T FORGET ME!' Kero whined, as he flew out of the drawer that was his home.

'Kero!' Sakura exclaimed. 'I thought you where down with the others!' O o…I really did forget him… Hoe!

Kero mumbled something and flew trough the door opening, downstairs, to see who were "the others".

-Downstairs-

Sakura's powers and cards were being checked by Xiao Sen, while Touya and Tomoyo filled Kero in with the new people and the last update of all the news. (He was sleeping when the Dark and the Light appeared, so he didn't know anything at all about the last events.) Syaoran was talking to Yelen and Meilin, and he told his mother the conditions Sakura gave. After a whole lot of arguments from both sides, Yelen gave in, but demanded that Sakura and he were in China, every holiday, so that she could at least check on them once in a while.

When everything was settled a bit, Yukito came in, waving apologetic to all. 'Sorry I'm a bit late. Traffic, you know… So what was the hurry?'

'No hurry anymore, Yukito-san. Everything has been taking care of.' Sakura smiled sweetly, while she eyed Xiao Sen nervously, who was still busy checking her powers.

xxxxx

'NANI?' Chiharu exclaimed as the rest followed her in gaping at Syaoran and Sakura.

'Kawaii!' Naoko and Rika exclaimed.

'When? Are we invited?' Yamazaki asked.

Sakura and Syaoran sweat dropped and backed away a bit from the four overexcited friends. They had tried to explain some things about what happened to them, without mentioning the Clowcards, the wedding and the arrival of Yelen. But, as is clear, they failed about the part of the wedding. They glared at Tomoyo, who was the one that slipped.

'Gomen!' Tomoyo pleaded at them, using her sparkling eyes. 'But it is just sooo KAWAII!'

'I don't get it yet.' Chiharu said, calming down a bit. She was already surprised that Sakura had joined the group of friends again, but that she and Syaoran were getting married, that was way overboard. 'Aren't you deciding this a bit to fast? For all we know, you were still in a fight yesterday.'

'True.' Yamazaki said. 'Good point.'

Chiharu bumped him on the head. 'Of course it is! I'm not like you!'

Sakura and Syaoran looked at Tomoyo for an explanation. It was her fault for telling them anyway, so she had to come up with the excuses.

xxxxx

Touya paced circles in his living room, Yukito sat on one of the chairs, observing the irritated pacing man, a smile as always present on his face.

'I can't take this, Yuki! She has me cornered.'

Touya spoke of Yelen, who had convinced him of letting his sister marry the Chinese brat.

'She is just blackmailing Sakura, it has to be. She just comes barging in and telling MY sister to marry that… that…!' He muttered some unheard words, and continued his long strides in the small living room.

Yuki only smiled, like nothing was wrong.

'And she said YES…! Yuki! Are you listening?' Touya yelled at his friend.

'Of course, Touya-kun.' He answered. 'But you know why, don't you?' Touya just looked irritated back. 'She loves him, she was just smart enough to not marry him this instant. You should be proud of her.'

'But…!'

'Now don't try to ignore that fact. You can not always protect her. Just accept that. And I know for sure she is in good hands with Syaoran.'

'Yuki! On who's side are you!' Touya ranted.

xxxxx

Sakura lay in bed, and stared at the ceiling. What have I gotten myself into? She asked herself. She thought about that for a while.

It was strange though. It all went so fast. First she had a fight with him (no, it wasn't really a fight, we just ignored each other…), and then the next moment they are betrothed. How did that happen? It went to fast. It doesn't make sense.

Thoughts were twirling around in her head. Thoughts of what happened, of him. And in the end she came to an conclusion.

I still have two years, before I marry him…What am I saying? Hmpf… it is true, I really have no doubts about the fact that I will eventually marry him.

But I like him, maybe even love him already… so why not?

I will all go alright, in the end…

xxxxx

Being sick really has it's advantages. I finally have time to write…!

I promise I'll be sick soon enough, to finish this story.

But I do hope, you'll review before that. And you'll do that for me, right?

Kawaii-animal