Hey there. 1st chapter of mt new story. Had this idea floating about for a while and finally decided to jott it down. Please RR.

Disclaimer: Do not own Cardcaptor Sakura. (damn it...)

That's Show-Business

Chapter 1: Home, Sweet Home

"Otou-san, I'm home!" The tall honey-hair woman called out from the spotless hallway. She took off her black sunglasses, placing them in her coat pocket and put her suitcase on the floor, before looking around. "Hello, Otou-san?"

He must be out, she thought, placing a stray strand of her golden-brown hair neatly behind her ear. I did call him and say I was coming, so he must have ran to the store or something. She smiled. Her father was living alone now and probably thought he didn't have enough food for two people.

The woman took off her expensive leather coat and hung it up in the cupboard before walking into the living room and slouching down un-graciously into the couch. Her emerald-green eyes searched the familiar room for changes since her last visit. But everything was still the same. The same family photos, the same golden yellow walls, the same comfortable chairs. This was always going to be home.

She was just about to pick up the stray magazine from the coffee table, when she heard the front door open.

"Sakura?" The warm and memorable voice called out.

"Otou-san!" The woman jumped up and rushed from the living room virtually jumping into her fathers arms. "I missed you Otou-san!"

Anyone could have mistaken her for a teenager, rather than the twenty-four year old she was, by the way she reacted to seeing her father.

"I missed you too sweetie." Came his laughing reply. "Did you have a nice flight?"

Letting go of her father and standing back, she nodded.

"Yeah, but it was exhausting. I'm glad to be home."

"I noticed." The tall man laughed.

Fujitaka Kinomoto was always laughing when his daughter was around. She had the type of aura that made you smile when she was happy and made you genuinely sad when she was upset. He ruffled his hand through his straight brown hair and adjusted his glasses slightly.

"My, my Sakura-chan. I think you've grown..."

It was Sakura's turn to laugh now. She gave him another quick hug, before noticing he had a couple of plastic grocery bags in his hands.

"Let me help you with those." She offered taking one of the heavy bags and going through to the kitchen with her father.

Whilst unpacking the food and drink her father had bought, she noticed a strawberry cheesecake at the bottom of the bag.

"I know how much you like strawberries." Fujitaka smiled, turning from the cupboard he had just put some tins away in. "So, how's work been?" He asked, leaning against the kitchen bench and folding his arms across his sweatshirt covered chest.

Sakura half-smiled, putting the cake into the fridge and pausing at the question, before slowly closing the door and standing upright.

"I'm surprised you don't already know. After all, it's in all the papers and magazines..."

Fujitaka sighed.

"Sakura, honey, I don't believe what they write in the media. I believe you. I told you that when you first told me about your chosen career."

Sakura stayed silent.

She was an actress. A famous actress. She was in all of the newspapers at the moment though, because of a party she went to and she had apparently gotten drunk. She hadn't. It was an accident. She stumbled over the step of the club doorway and fell over. Of course, the press were they to snap the event and print it in every paper and magazine claiming that 'Miss Innocent' as she was nicknamed, wasn't so innocent after all. It wouldn't be such a big deal if Sakura didn't have a reputation as one of the most squeaky-clean actresses around. Her roles were always of the sweet high-school princess, or the virginal girl-next door. And also the fact that she never appeared to have a boyfriend gave her the cursed nickname of 'Miss Innocent'. So of course the press wanted to catch her out.

"Honey, I know you weren't drunk. You just tripped right?" Her father smiled. He knew her too well. Clumsy little Sakura, falling over all the time. She smiled half-heartedly and shook her head, ridding herself of the thoughts of the press.

"Yeah. Stupid really isn't it." She laughed.

"Well, lets get your suitcase upstairs. Your old room is the way you left it."

"At least home is always the same." She whispered when her father left the room.

Soon Sakura was unpacked for her weekend stay at home. She lay on her comfortable bed at stared at the pristine-white ceiling. She sighed. It really bothered her that her father actually bought the newspapers and magazines. It made her wonder if he really did believe her. He's my father though. He has to believe me. I've never lied to him.

Fed up of being alone with her thoughts she sat up and grabbed the TV remote, switching on the black television that stood in the corner of her girly bedroom.

"And in showbiz news, big-time movie star, Syaoran Li today broke off his engagement to producer Meiling Rae after their on-off relationship hit an all time low..."

Arrrgghh! Why'd I switch the darn television on? I hate hearing the name of that arrogant womanising bastard! She cursed switching the television off, but not before hearing how Syaoran had apparently bedded another movie co-star.

She stood up, straightening her calf-length dark denim skirt and brushing her shoulder length hair behind her ears again.

Maybe she could just go downstairs and read a book or something.

"Sakura!" She heard her father call from the foot of the stairs. "We have visitors!"

"Great.." Sakura sarcastically thought aloud. Just what I need after feeling miserable about my career: people to talk about how wonderful being a movie-star must be..."

She padded down the stairs, put on a cheerful face and entered the living room.

"Touya?!" Sakura gasped as she saw her older brother sitting on the sofa. Next to him sat a handsome, silver-haired man with glasses. "Y-Yukito!?" She blushed slightly.

The silver-haired man smiled.

"Hey Sakura." He said, leaning forward and waving.

"Hey kaijuu." Her brother said, "Staying off the booze?"

Any happy thought Sakura had of Yukito disappeared at her older bother's harsh words. He obviously didn't realise how much he had hurt her by saying them, even in a playful tone.

"Shut up.." She growled bitterly.

Touya's eyes widened slightly. "Hey kaijuu, it was only a joke. I know you would really go drinking, monsters can't hold their alcohol." He smiled, hoping that he had made it all better. Sakura stayed silent and sat down in the nearby chair.

"So, how are you Sakura-chan?" Yukito asked warmly, showing no acknowledgement of the previous conversation.

"I'm fine thank you, Yukito-san." she replied, her voice still tinged with anger. She suddenly forgot about the anger though when she looked up into the handsome eyes of her brother's best friend. She couldn't help but blush. Ever since she was young she had had a crush on him, because he was so sweet and kind all of the time. He was never mean or nasty like her brother. It seemed ridiculous that Touya and Yukito were such close friends because they were exact opposites.

"How long are you staying here for?" He queried, not put off by Touya's jealous glare.

"Just the weekend, unfortunately. I wish it were longer, I feel so exhausted, but I've got to speak with my agent about this new movie he has put me up for. The audition is next week."

Yukito nodded sympathetically.

"I'm leaving on Sunday afternoon." She added.

"Well then that gives me one and a half days to get you a going-away present then doesn't it." He flashed her his trademark smile, making her insides feel all warm and her cheeks heat up red.

"So what's this movie you're auditioning for then, Kaijuu? Godzilla?" Laughed her brother, who seemed slightly more teasing today. Usually he was sulky and over-protective.

"And what had gotten into you, Onii-chan?" Sakura smiled sarcastically, "You are acting slightly out-of-character; all this teasing is leading me to believe that you are jealous of my amazing acting talent, increasing fame and rising bank balance."

Touya snorted and scowled slightly. It was possible that Sakura had hit the target.

Fujitaka looked up at the clock that read ten o'clock.

"Oh, look at the time! I'd better hit the hay: I've got University in the morning."

"In that case we'd better get going, right Yuki?" Touya said, forgetting about Sakura's words. Yukito nodded. As they headed to the door, Touya smiled and put his hand on his sister's shoulder.

"Look, I'm being serious here. Stay safe. Don't do anything stupid, and don't go out to parties ok. That way mix ups won't happen."

Sakura couldn't help but nod and smile. He hadn't changed, he was still over-protective Onii-chan.

After the goodbyes were said and Touya and Yukito were out of site, Sakura and her father went to bed.

Sakura replayed Touya's words in her head.

Stay safe. I think he's worried because he can't protect me like he used to...

Thankfully she managed to drift into slumber in the comfort of her old bed. If it were any other room she wouldn't have gone to sleep quite so easily.

At least home is always the same... she thought as her dreams took over guiding her through the night.

Don't worry, it gets better (I hope) lol. just kidding, it does get better when Syaoran is introduced more.... ((winks)) Don't forget to RR to let me know where to put this in my list of priorities.