Well, I'm happy that some of you really liked the beginning although it's really confusing but as you can see I'm trying my best to explain everything, bit by bit…Thank you for all the reviews.

And btw, Sakura and Syaoran made love in the last chapter, I just didn't put the lemon coz…well, I don't know how to write one, ehehehe

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Prologue: The Feud and Death

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Upon hearing the news, a woman with warm brown eyes attacked her only son with a hug enough to break his bones. Smiling in amusement, Syaoran kissed his mother's forehead. This particular woman he loves so much seldom cries.

"I can't understand you. I thought you would be happy if Sakura and I will end up together?" he joked.

"They are called tears of joy, you idiot," Yelan playfully slapped her son on the arm. "Call up your cousin. You, Sakura, Eriol and I will tell Cheng about your engagement."

But even before Syaoran could move, his cellphone started to ring. "It's Eriol," he said with a chuckle. Perfect timing. "I better tell him the good news," he declared before leaving to answer the call outside.

It was now Sakura and Yelan's turn to smile in amusement. Syaoran was like a little schoolboy. God, he's so excited. The only thing missing is him hopping up and down all over the place.

"Oh my God, my little boy is getting married," Yelan exclaimed that made Sakura to giggle. "Welcome to the family, Sakura."

"I'm glad it's not a problem to be a Hiiragizawa."

"Of course, you've always been family just like your sister Tomoyo," the old yet as beautiful as ever dark head woman said. Then smiled faintly as if to remember something. "You and Syaoran will fulfill my and Xenon's dream…"

Sakura automatically understood what she's talking about. It was the feud and the failed engagement.

"Definitely," Yelan added as if to convince herself more than in Sakura's case. She has this faraway expression etched on her face.

"You think this would even seal more the feud between the families?" Sakura asked softly.

"I hope so, child. I could still remember the root of all of this and it would be best if a friendship ended by an engagement will be mended by also an engagement."

"Yelan-san, if you don't mind…can you tell me again why in the first place that feud ever happened?"

Yelan motioned Sakura to sit next to her which she gladly did. "Well, the Hiiragizawa's and the Li's had always been friends. The two families then decided it would be best if Xenon and I will be married to each other. And I happily agreed coz, you know, I was in love with him. Xenon, though reluctant, agreed, too. I knew he cared for me. And I was even happier then."

Sakura nodded. She knows how it feels to know that you'll be married to the man of your dreams.

"But a month before the wedding, I just heard the news that he got another woman pregnant and married her. It was your mother, Sakura. Maybe he loved Nadeshiko even more than what he felt for me.

"My father was enraged when he learned that Xenon couldn't marry me anymore. I was a daddy's girl and he knew that I was totally heartbroken. He wanted to talk some sense to your father but couldn't find him so he confronted Cheng instead and accidentally shot your grandfather. One of Cheng's bodyguards acted on impulse. He shot my father and he died.

"And that was the start of more than two decades of this feud."

Sakura squeezed the hand of her soon-to-be mother-in-law. "Syaoran and I will make sure that everything's going to be fine."

"I'm truly delighted that it was you my son chose. How I wish Syaoran's father could witness your wedding…"

Sakura wanted to know, since the first time she met Yelan, who Syaoran's father is. But even before she could ask, the love of her life walked into the room…her fatherless little wolf…

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For the first time, the mighty Cheng Li looked so powerless when faced with Yelan, Sakura and Syaoran.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Xiao Lang."

"We love each other, Grandpa. Please give us your permission and blessings," Sakura begged.

The old man shook his head wearily. He then looked at her and Yelan. "Leave us alone. I want to talk to Xiao Lang privately."

Sakura stood up. "No, grandpa. Whatever it is you're telling him you have to say it with my presence."

"Cheng, why do you have top hinder their happiness?" Yelan calmly asked.

"Yelan, of all people, you know why…Please, Ying Fa, leave us."

Syaoran looked at Sakura. "Please, just wait for us outside."

Sakura reluctantly left the study room. Something might happen again. The last time the two talked, it was almost the end of her and Syaoran.

---

"Calm down, Sakura. Cheng couldn't do anything again. Maybe he just wanted to make sure that you and Syaoran really love each other," Yelan tried to reassure.

"Grandpa could say that in our presence."

Rika, a beautiful redhead and one of Sakura's cousins, approached her with a glass of water in hand. "Take a seat, Sakura. You're only making things worse if you continue pacing. You might breakdown any moment."

Sakura is really nervous. She can feel that something wrong is going to happen. And why on earth are Eriol and Tomoyo still not here? They promised to come.

And why are Syaoran and Cheng taking so long inside the room?

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"This is another dirty trick, Cheng! A very cruel trick!" Syaoran, who's expression is unimaginable, shouted.

"Xiao Lang…Xiao Lang…if that's not true, then why do you think I don't want you and Ying Fa together?"

"That's not true," he dangerously stated. "Death is sweeter compared to your so-called truth!" Agony, anger, pain, confusion…mixed emotions etched themselves on his face.

Cheng took a deep breath. He leaned his head on the swivel chair as if showing that by telling that to Syaoran took all his energy…his power. "Believe it, Xiao Lang. If I can do0 something about it…if money could only change the truth…I'd have done it ages ago just for you."

"Then why didn't you tell me the first time we met? God, that was two years ago! When Ying Fa and I first met!"

"I was afraid you would hate me, Xiao Lang."

What? The formidable Cheng Li was afraid he would hate him? And why, oh, why, does everything seem true?

"And I really hate you for this, Cheng! I can never forgive you for this!"

"I intend on telling you the truth when I die. So that your hatred wouldn't reach me anymore."

"You should have told me ages ago! And I wanna kill you right this moment, do you know that?" he roared. He wanna bang his head on the wall…he couldn't help the tears that fall…"I alone could survive the truth…but what about Sakura? You should have said it sooner!"

The old man's eyes widened. "Xiao Lang…You can't mean that…no, Xiao Lang! Tell me nothing happened, please." Cheng is not almost breathing as he awaits the next words of Syaoran.

"Yes. YES! And If I could only do something…If money could only have the way…I would alter time and make things back the way they used to be."

Cheng couldn't take it anymore. He clutched his own chest…as if wanting to snatch his own heart. He moaned in agony…

Xiao Lang immediately stood up and held the old man. He momentarily forgot his anger. "What are you feeling? Are you okay?"

The old man closed his eyes then opened them again to reveal the tears streaming his face. He took Syaoran's hand and placed it on his own chest. "For…Forgive me, Xiao Lang…"

"No, forgive me…I was angry. I didn't mean what I said," Syaoran whispered as he endures the tightening of his chest.

Cheng tried to smile. "I know…Xiao Lang, I know…and I know you understand me…but my granddaughter…"

"Please, don't talk. I'll bring you to the hospital." He quickly opened the door and shouted for help. "Sakura, call up the pilot. We'll take Cheng to the city hospital!"

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Cheng Li was immediately placed in intensive care. Outside, Syaoran was a loner. Even Sakura couldn't reach him. He doesn't want to talk to anyone.

After a few hours, the doctor came out. "He is very weak. The attack is fatal. Who is Yelan among you?"

Everyone started at one another. Syaoran raised his head. The doctor continued. "The patient wants to speak to her."

Ten minutes after Yelan talked to him, Cheng Li passed away.

----OoO----

Oh my, this fic is turning me into my SERIOUS self! But I hope you now understood the feud although a bit of it is still missing…

Stay tuned for the next chappie where you'll learn the truth! And please review.

Mwahugzzz,

SHAJIRA