:D Thanks for the reviews! As a reward, a third chapter already! I wonder if I'll get serious into writing again… I hope so! Maybe I can get back into my old story.

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS… I'm just a fan….

"Lady Yelan, how nice to see you! You're looking rather well. And Shen, the same to you. My, my! Is that Syaoran?" Nadeshiko greeted them all happily, approaching Syaoran with open arms, to which he awkwardly embraced. "You've grown up so much. So strong, too. I hope your parents don't put you through too much?"

"No Ma'am, they treat me well. Any hardships I endure are my own fault and my own to deal with." Nadeshiko gave a pleased smile at this.

"Do come in, we wouldn't want to keep you at the door all day," Fujitaka said in his most welcoming way. As instructed the family entered and was taken to a sitting room off the side of the mansion. "Please make yourselves comfortable. There will be tea and pastries shortly."

Touya glared at the family, noticing something out of place. If his memory serves him correctly, there were four older daughters… "Excuse me, but lord Shen, did you not also have four daughters?"

As if the younger man's comment had been a joke, Shen began laughing. Touya grumbled something incoherent to this which Shen ignored. "Yes my boy, I do. They are no longer my responsibility though. They're all married, just as you should be."

The drabble went on from there, none of it really capturing the two youngests' interests. Sakura and Syaoran spent the majority of the time secretly staring at one another, occasionally catching glimpses at the others' staring eyes.

……………

Sakura wondered where Syaoran and his family had been all these years. She hadn't been paying any attention to their parents' conversation, almost wishing she had. Syaoran was so captivating though. The way he looked at her… She thought she'd go mad. It was mostly his eyes; they told so much, but held so many secrets, too. Almost like a secret yearning, a need, a desire. Surely not for her? After all, they'd only just met again for the first time in years. But had she not been looking at him in that way too? It was silly though; what girl wouldn't look at him like that? He was absolutely handsome with those piercing fiery eyes and tousled hair. She could even tell earlier through his light clothing that he was muscular. More so that some of the men she saw working under her father in the army.

What are you thinking Sakura? You hardly know him. He made you get punished as a child. You've always held that against him. Sakura shook her head to empty it of the controversial thoughts.

Meanwhile Syaoran was in a similar state of mind. He kept looking Sakura over, wondering what it would feel like to touch her supple skin, caress her cheek, run his hands through her soft hair, to kiss her rosy lips… She was much prettier than he had expected; she was very plain as a child, he remembered, so how had she changed so much? Tomoyo warned him too, he just hadn't been expecting this. She was more than just pretty or beautiful… He couldn't let himself get attached.

No…she was…prey. Nothing more. No emotions. He couldn't let himself get too serious.

……………..

Touya took some liberties to watch his sister and Syaoran from time to time while he and their parents spoke. Their stares the two had been sending one another did not go unnoticed by Touya's scrutinizing gaze. She can't like that brat! He's too old for her, and he's a bad influence. Doesn't she know that? His stature is no where near ours. He's not good enough for her. Touya glared at Syaoran.

Fujitaka looked at hi son as conversation once again was about him. "Touya? Something bothering you?"

"No sir, nothing. May I excuse myself?"

Fujitaka looked worriedly at him. "You may. Sakura, Syaoran? Would you two like to go now too?"

"If it wouldn't bother you,"—"Yes please," Syaoran and Sakura said simultaneously.

Fujitaka smiled and turned to talk once again to his guests after their children were gone.

………………

"Would you like to walk through the garden with me?" Sakura looked hopefully up into Syaoran's eyes, her hands clasped behind her back as she swayed from side to side.

Syaoran couldn't help but smile as he watched her. "Sure. I bet it's beautiful at this time of year."

Sakura's face brightened more, if it were even possible. "Yeah! I spend a lot of time pruning the flowers and stuff, so you can be assured it's perfect."

Syaoran chuckled. "I didn't think you'd be the kind of girl that gets dirty. I hope you have good taste." He followed her into the garden and closed his eyes when told, letting her lead him to who-knows-where.

"Okay you can open them now," she quietly said, anticipation evident in her voice. His eyes promptly opened, taking in his surroundings.

It was like Eden. A personal Eden with large thick trees everywhere, and instead of brush around them there were large areas of coppice, incorporated with flowers of all sorts. The garden was lush and clearly well taken care of. A few walking paths cut through with sitting benches near the prettiest regions. In the center of the garden was a large and very old cherry tree. Unfortunately it wasn't in season to blossom and stood bare, sticking out from the rest of the garden.

"It's gorgeous," Syaoran finally breathed out. He could stay here all day long just to think, read, relax. A gentle giggling next to him broke him from his reverie. "But one thing you could work on…"

"Hm? What's that? I'm open to any suggestions."

He paused, looking over the lone cherry tree. "You could add something over there," he pointed to the tree, "like, say, some peonies or sweet peas. Maybe even carnations or lilies."

Sakura contemplated this for a moment. "I've already got an area dedicated to Tomoyo with magnolia trees…and for mom, dad, Touya… You can have one too," she said with a smile on her face. "What's your favorite flower?"

Syaoran blushed a little and looked the other way. "It may seem kind of feminine, but I like peonies."

"What's so feminine about that? It's okay for a man to like flowers." Sakura walked toward her cherry tree, putting a gentle hand on it and gazed up longingly into its empty branches. "This tree has been here for a long time. We used to play under it. Do you remember? It was your favorite; you'd always tell me how pretty it is."

He sighed and pulled her close to him, leaning his head near to hers. He felt her confusion and her slow pull away from his grasp, only making him hold her tighter. He whispered in her ear, "It was never as pretty as you are now Sakura. I do remember, and I wish we'd spent as much time together as I did with Tomoyo. Maybe then I would know you better, or understand you the way Tomoyo does." He inhaled and rubbed the top of her head playfully. "I'd be honored if you added something to your garden for me." Smiling down at her he let go and then turned away, walking back to the house.

What…just happened? Sakura's mind was going crazy. What just happened was completely unacceptable.

Why did I do that? Couldn't I help myself? He sighed and looked up through the tree tops. But she looked so sad… It's like her emotions are infectious.

…………………

Touya let go of the branches he was holding back. That little brat. He really is trying to steal my sister. He scowled, his dark brows coming close together and his eyes glowing with a protective ferociousness. "Mother and Father would only let him pursue her. I can't tell them."

The young Kinomoto thought for a little bit. Ah yes… Set them up and then sabotage.

…………………

"It's getting late. I'm afraid it's time for us to take our leave. We must make it back in time for dinner with the Daidouji's," Shen stood up and explained, fixing his lapel.

"It's alright. I'm glad we could visit. Perhaps you could have dinner with us here tomorrow evening?" Nadeshiko asked.

"Sounds wonderful. What hour should we arrive?"

"I think five sounds nice, don't you think Nadeshiko?" Fujitaka asked.

"Perfect. We'll see you at five." Nadeshiko smiled at her guests.

Sakura hesitated before deciding to speak. "Is it alright if I take Syaoran with me to town tomorrow?" Her hopeful face looked more determined when she saw Shen and Yelan exchange looks. "Please?"

Yelan smiled almost knowingly. "Of course, as long as he wants to. You needn't ask us. He's a grown man who makes his own decisions."

Sakura beamed. "Thanks so much!" She bowed to them and then looked at Syaoran. He had an almost mocking grin on his face but she ignored it. "You won't need to dress that way tomorrow unless you want to…"

"We'll see," was all he said to her. "Thanks for having us," he bowed to the Kinomoto's, as did his parents. They all said their good byes and then the Li's left.

"Now Miss Sakura, what on earth was that 'bout?" Auntie Momo gave her a questioning look, took a side glance at Fujitaka and Nadeshiko, then back at the girl.

"You shouldn't worry about it Auntie Momo," Touya told her before wandering off, an irritated look on his face.