A/N: Wow! Fourteen reviews? I feel so loved! If this becomes really popular, I may start imposing a review requirement for each new chapter. As it is, I'm typing these up really quickly (probably because I'm so inspired!) Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

The Forgetful Bride

Chapter One

Fifteen years later...

"Rrrrriiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg"—

"Shut up!" Sakura moaned, picking up her alarm clock and throwing it against the wall. It smashed into tiny pieces as the twenty-three-year-old groaned and rolled out of bed. She slowly walked into the bathroom of her tiny, one bedroom apartment, hoping that a nice, hot shower would help her wake up.

Half an hour later, Sakura stepped out of the bathroom, her shower completed and her hair dried, thanks to the Windy card. She liked to use the Sakura cards now and again, just so that they knew she still cared about them and was glad to have them.

As she came out of the bathroom to get ready for work, Kero awakened and floated up out of his customary drawer/bed. "Morning, Sakura!" he said brightly, zooming over to play video games.

"Morning, Kero," Sakura replied, in a much better mood after her shower. She got dressed in a pink shirt and a jean skirt.

"So, how's Hiiragizawa-sama doing?" Kero asked slyly.

At the mention of her boss, Sakura blushed. "Eriol-kun is fine," she answered in a steady voice, slipping on white ankle socks. "Now, you know the drill—stay away from the windows, and don't make too much noise. I don't want the neighbors calling again."

"Yeah, yeah," the yellow, winged bear-like Guardian replied. "You're gonna go to the store after work, right?"

"I was planning to, why?"

"We're out of pudding."

A sweat drop appeared on Sakura's forehead. "I just bought pudding three days ago!"

"I know, but we're out again. It's like it evaporates into thin air or something!"

"Yeah, more like into your stomach," Sakura replied, poking Kero's tummy. "I have to get to work now, so I'll see you when I get back!" She put on her shoes and walked out to her car, actually on time for once.

Sakura drove down the streets of Hong Kong, on her way to work. She worked in a clothing store owned by Eriol Hiiragizawa, along with her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji. But Sakura and Tomoyo were more than just best friends; Tomoyo was also from Japan, and was Sakura's cousin.

Tomoyo had moved to Japan before Sakura, though, hoping to get started in a career as a fashion designer. When she'd met Eriol, he asked her to design clothing to sell at his store, and she immediately accepted. Later, when Sakura moved to the city, Tomoyo had convinced Eriol to hire on Sakura, as well. Now Sakura sold the clothes, while Tomoyo designed and made them and Eriol was the manager, in charge of the financing and marketing.

Sakura pulled into her usual parking spot and walked through the employee entrance to Daidouji Fashions, as Eriol had named the store. She never questioned the name; she knew that Tomoyo deserved to have the store named after her amazing clothing.

"Hey Sakura! You're just in time!" Tomoyo said as she walked into the break room.

"Another new outfit for me to try on?" Sakura asked with a smile.

"You know me too well," Tomoyo replied, returning Sakura's smile.

"Lay it on me, babe!"

A few minutes later, Sakura was wearing a beautiful, sleeveless, red silk dress. It hugged her curves perfectly, and had a thigh-length flared skirt that flew up as Sakura spun around. It had a wide, gold sequin ribbon that went around the waist, and the neckline was playful, yet modest.

"Tomoyo, you've outdone yourself yet again!" Sakura said after she'd changed back into her regular clothes, hugging Tomoyo tightly. "I love it!"

"That's great!" Tomoyo replied. "Because I want you to keep it."

"What? Are you serious?" Sakura fingered the smooth silk. "Do you know how much some of our customers would pay for this dress?"

"I know. But I want you to have it. You can wear it to Eriol-kun's Christmas party."

Sakura smiled; it would be just the thing to get Eriol to notice her. "Thank you so much! I'll definitely wear it!"

The two girls hugged again, and Sakura took the dress out to her car, making sure that it was out of sight so no one would steal it. When she returned, Eriol was already there.

"Ohayo, Eriol-kun!" Sakura said brightly, giving him a winning smile.

"Ohayo, Sakura-san," Eriol replied absently, looking down at a folder of papers in his hand.

Sakura looked around uncomfortably, unsure of what to say next. Tomoyo popped up behind Eriol and put her hands above her head, making a tree-like shape. She mouthed the words 'Christmas party' to Sakura, who caught on a moment later.

"So...your Christmas party is coming up soon, isn't it?" Sakura asked Eriol.

"Hmm? Oh, yes...listen, Sakura-san, I've got these quarterly reports to look over, so do you think you could go and open the shop?"

"Oh, sure..." Sakura said, trying to hide her disappointment with her lack of conversational skills. She walked into the front part of the building, which was the shop proper, and got ready for the business day. She swept the floors, dusted the counters, opened the blinds, checked the cash register, and finally unlocked the door, flipping the sign from 'Closed' to 'Open'.

About fifteen minutes later, the first customers began to arrive. Many were looking at Tomoyo's spring collection, and Sakura was taking many orders for the various dresses and outfits. However, other women were looking at the Christmas dresses that Tomoyo had made, which were currently on sale. With Christmas only a week away, they were searching for the perfect party dress.

(A/N: Sorry to interrupt, but I want to clarify one thing. When I say that Sakura is taking orders, it means that she's writing down what the women want, and in what sizes. Basically Tomoyo makes one or two of an original outfit, which is put on display in the store, and then women will give Sakura her measurements, so that they can get the outfit in the proper size. Tomoyo's not the only one who fills these orders, though; there are also other people who work for Eriol by making the outfits for the people. It's just that Tomoyo's the only designer.)

Around lunchtime, the shop had slowed down quite a bit, so Sakura was taking the opportunity to catch her breath. Suddenly, the bell on the door rang, indicating that someone had walked into the shop. She looked up, expecting to see another customer. Instead, her emerald eyes caught sight of a man entering the store, looking around expectantly. Much to Sakura's surprise, he was rather young, and even more surprising, he wasn't married--or, at least, there was no ring on his left hand. Most of the men that came to Daidouji Fashions were husbands looking for a gift for their wives.

"Konnichiwa. May I help you?" Sakura asked the young man, walking out from behind the counter.

"Perhaps...I'm looking for the owner, Eriol Hiiragizawa," the young man said. His eyes met Sakura's as he spoke--warm amber connected with bright emerald. Sakura thought he looked familiar, but couldn't place him. His eyes flicked down to Sakura's nametag. "Do you know where he is...Sakura?" he asked with a wink.

Sakura's eyes widened at his audacity. How dare he use her first name, and without an honorific? She didn't even know him! However, she played it cool, and said, "That depends on who's looking for him."

Before the man could reply, Eriol walked out of the back room. "Oh, Syaoran, you're here!" he said happily.

Syaoran? Why does that name sound so...oh, God, not him! Sakura thought frantically. Suddenly blushing, she turned to Eriol. "Syaoran?" she asked.

"Yes, Syaoran Li. My cousin." Eriol looked at Sakura with concern. "Sakura-san, are you feeling well? You look feverish."

"I-I'm fine, Eriol-kun, really," Sakura replied. "I'm just a little surprised to see Li-san."

"Oh, Sakura, why are you being so formal? After all, we're married," Syaoran told her, giving her another wink that Eriol couldn't see.

"No, no, we're not married," Sakura assured Eriol.

"Have you forgotten our wedding day already?" Syaoran asked, laughing. "I think you may have amnesia, Sakura." He slipped his arm around Sakura's shoulders.

"I do not have amnesia," Sakura insisted. "We're not married, really. Li-san, here, is obviously stuck in his own, deluded little world." She tried to remove Syaoran's arm, but his grip was too strong.

Eriol looked back and forth between the two, confusion clearly written on his face. "Err... I didn't even realize you two knew each other," he said lamely.

"Oh, yes. Eriol, remember when I moved to Tomoeda, Japan for a year, back when we were kids? I met Sakura then. It was love at first sight..." Syaoran smiled down at Sakura, who was several inches shorter than him.

"We were just kids! You were nine years old; you probably thought I had cooties," Sakura spat.

"Now, now, love, that's no way to talk to your husband."

"WE'RE NOT MARRIED!" Sakura cried loudly. Tomoyo stuck her head out of the back room, watching the whole thing with interest. Sakura's face grew beet red with embarrassment, and the broke away from Syaoran's grip, running toward the back entrance with tears running down her face.

Tomoyo came fully out of the workroom and approached Syaoran and Eriol. "Listen, buster," she said, poking Syaoran hard in the chest. "I don't know who you think you are, but if you think you can embarrass my best friend like that, you're wrong." She turned on Eriol. "And you! You just stood there and let this guy hurt Sakura! How could you do that? You know how she feels about you! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go help my friend." She stomped away from the two men, following Sakura's path.

"Well..." Eriol said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"What did that girl mean?" Syaoran asked Eriol.

"Hmm?"

"What did that girl mean when she said 'you know how she feels about you'?"

"Oh, that...well, I've noticed lately that Sakura-san appears to have...romantic feelings concerning me."

"And?"

"And what?"

"How do you feel about her?"

"Honestly, I have no other feeling for her outside of a professional standpoint. Yes, we're friends, but there's someone else that I have romantic feelings for."

"And who would that be?"

"The violet whirlwind that just passed by. Though she has no idea..."

"Well, have you told Sakura how you feel?" Syaoran asked Eriol loudly.

"Not in so many words, but I have made it perfectly clear that I hold no romantic interests for her."

"Well, obviously it hasn't worked, Hiiragizawa. She must still think she has a chance, judging by the way she so strongly denied my teasing." Syaoran walked toward the door.

"Wait! I thought we were going to go to lunch, celebrate your return to Hong Kong?" Eriol asked.

"I've lost my appetite," Syaoran replied with disgust.

A/N: Well, how did everyone like it? Like I told you, this is different from the actual book, but I highly recommend the real version to anyone who likes Romance or Christmas. Please review and let me know what you think of the story so far!

Also, I've gotten an idea for a new story, and I'd like everyone to tell me if they'd read it. I'll give you the synopsis:

The Wolf and the Flower
When the cold-hearted leader of the Li Clan, Syaoran, angers the powerful sorceress Meilin, she places a terrible curse on him. A week later, Sakura, a young herbalist with untapped magical power, finds a half-dead wolf with startling amber eyes. Can she heal his wounds, warm his heart, and find a way to lift the curse?

It's loosely based on "The Beauty and the Beast" but with a CCS twist. If anyone would read this story, please, please tell me!