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Dress-up

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Sakura fumed quietly, plotting inane revenge towards her best friend, Tomoyo whilst Syaoran chuckled in amusement. Her eyes turned into menacing slits and growled at him, her cheeks pink.

"Stop laughing!" She barked, her hands turned into a fist. "It's not funny!"

Syaoran shook his head, repressing his urge to laugh. "Oh, sorry for my mistake, it's hilarious." He downright laughed and clutched his sides in uncontrolled—well, happiness. "I just can't see you in a contest or a beauty pageant at that wearing some flimsy, ballooned up gown and so on."

Sakura glared at him and sneered. "So what you're saying is that I'm not good enough to join?" She spat angrily. "Is that it, Syaoran?" She didn't even wait for his answer as she continued. "Well, I'll prove you wrong because—because I know I can do it. I'll win the freaking pageant!" She stated proudly and smugly strutted inside the school with Syaoran following at her wake.

"Sakura," he smiled. "Don't take it too seriously." He caught up and clutched her arm, pulling her back. "I know you can do it, you just needed a little motivation."

Sakura looked at him, her gaze softening. "Let's—let's just go to class, onii-chan." She squirmed out of his secure grasp and walked towards their class. Syaoran shrugged and strolled forth by her side.

As they reached the classroom, Sakura swiftly opened the door and a familiar annoying boy welcomed (or rather, scared for Syaoran's sakes) their sight and smiled at them.

"Ohayo, Sakura-chan!" He piped happily. He cast one glance at Syaoran's direction and frowned. "Kinomoto-san."

Syaoran nodded his head, irritated, and turned his head away from them. He sat himself lazily on his chair and grunted under his breath. He glared at the boy as he talked to his Sakura.

"Mamoto-kun!" Sakura chirped jovially, her brown locks bouncing against her forehead. "Ohayo."

He shook his head and grinned. "Yasuke is fine by me, Sakura-chan."

She giggled. "Okay, Yasuke-kun."

Yasuke beamed and nodded his head and sat down on his chair not very far from Sakura's.

Subsequently, the door to the classroom opened and students came rushing inside with their bags strewn across their shoulders and vociferous chatters boomed across the room. Tomoyo, being one of them. She quickly spotted Sakura amidst the crowd and shouted, "Sakura!"

Sakura was still quite frustrated with her and so, ignored her and sat down on her seat. Tomoyo, being ignorant herself, didn't notice Sakura's mood change and strode towards her with a bright smile plastered on her face. She tapped Sakura on the forehead.

"Oy! Didn't you notice me?" She beamed. "So, Miss Minami told me that your first practice for the pageant is Monday next week and that the dress practice would be later after Dismissal."

Sakura's forehead creased but didn't make a sound. Concern quickly fleeted across Tomoyo's face and she patted Sakura's head softly.

"Sakura, what's wrong?" She asked as she took a seat next to her. Sakura grunted and faced Tomoyo, glowering.

"Nothing's wrong… Tomoyo-chan." She said venomously. "Just that you signed me up for something that I didn't want without my consent."

Tomoyo's eyes widened and sheepishly smiled. "Oh, that… well, I'm sorry about that, Sakura but I just can't help myself. I just know that it's your time to shine and I don't want you to lose an opportunity." Tomoyo explained seriously, patting the back of Sakura's back as she apologized. "I'm sorry."

Sakura's expression softened slightly and smiled back weakly. "Just—just try to tell me first before you do anything well—rash." She giggled and hugged Tomoyo tightly.

Tomoyo hugged back and giggled as well. "I promise."

The door opened once again and the teacher strolled inside, her auburn hair that was strangely the same as Sakura's as well as her emerald eyes that was matched as hers. She stood in front of them with a friendly smile.

"Ohayo class!" She beamed and some of the guys hooted appreciatively. "I'm your substitute teacher, Miss Nadesico Yuuko." She organized her things atop her desk and turned her attention towards the class. "Well, first of, I'll check your attendance."

"Megumi, Yuki?" She asked, the class became silent as one by one, their names were called.

"Present!" And it was until it was the Kinomoto's turn.

"Ki—" Miss Nadesico paused, her breath hitched and her eyes glazed over.

"Kinomoto?" She asked incredulously.

"Yes, ma'am! Kinomoto Sakura and Kinomoto Syaoran is present!" A gleeful voice boomed across the silence. Miss Nadesico quickly turned her attention towards the source of the voice and a silent gasp escaped her lips.

"Kino—Kinomoto?" She stuttered. "That's—that's impossible!"

Sakura and Syaoran's expressions stated utter confusion and amusement. "Why is it so, Nadesico-sensei?" Syaoran asked curiously. "Do you know our father? Kinomoto Fujitaka?"

Sakura nodded her head vigorously.

Miss Nadesico shook her head violently, trying to tell herself inwardly something that Sakura was quite curious of since her sensei was being open about it.

"N-never you mind," she stammered and cleared her throat and straightened herself up. "Now, let's start our lesson."

The class continued on without much of a conflict although… both Sakura and Syaoran kept giving surreptitious—er, skeptical glances to each other every now and then.

Classes finally ended and students excitedly turned to go home but unfortunately Sakura wasn't amongst them. She indecisively went towards the designated place and waited for the others to show up.

She scanned the room innocently and circled the place.

She examined the clothing that were gracefully draped across the hangers and stared at them in awe. She tested the texture and sighed wistfully. Her eyes draped closed and a soft hum escaped her lips.

Syaoran, who was there all along, watched his little sister in the shadows, smiling at her. His eyes roamed her lithe body and resisted the urge to drool. A normal guy would just think that she's just an innocent little kid but for Syaoran… she was so much more.

Her bountiful curves entices him all the more as well as her bright emerald orbs, her long slim legs and her—okay, um—her round, lush breasts. He averted his eyes away from temptation. His pants tightening rather uncomfortably.

Sakura bounced giddily around the room and stopped, staring at a long, lavender silken gown. It was simply decorated but was sophisticated and rather pretty.

"Oh," Sakura breathed and fingered the hem of the gown in longing. "Pretty."

Syaoran chuckled and silently nodded his head in agreement. Sakura was close on carefully yanking it off of its hanger and just put it on without care if whether someone would see her because she was just so distracted with its absolute prettiness!

"Oh, Sakura-chan, you're here." A voice foreign to Syaoran's ears had reached him. "So we can start."

"Hai," Sakura said and continued, "Miss Minami."

Syaoran's eyes traveled to the newcomer's face and his eyes turned into slits. "Oh," he muttered disappointedly. "Her."

Miss Minami, the youngest teacher of the lot, has hazel eyes and black flowing hair that's rather long for her. She flirts a lot with Syaoran and it kind of annoys him. He tried to avoid her in every chance he gets but she's just too… well non-persuasive.

He shrugged and stepped back further in the shadows, not taking any chances.

"Well, our theme is cherry blossoms considering that it is its festival." Minami said, scanning through all sorts of gowns and dresses. "And it fits your character well." She complimented.

Sakura blushed and bowed. "Um, thank you?"

Minami laughed. "Flattered, are you?"

Sakura blinked and tilted her head. "Huh?"

"You think you're all that then?" Minami mused. "How proud and sluttish."

Sakura reddened and frowned. "Miss—"

"—don't tell me otherwise." Minami waved her off. "It said so in your aura."

'Aura?' Syaoran thought angrily. 'That bitch!'

"But…" Sakura stammered. "I'm not…"

"Oh, whatever, dear." Minami scoffed. "I can tell that you're a whore. From your looks and all." She said, disgusted.

Syaoran fumed. "Perhaps you're mistaken," he drawled menacingly. "Perhaps you're the slut here, Kashimura."

Her eyes widened and quickly skimmed through the place. "I know that voice…" She thought aloud. "Syaoran?"

"That's Kinomoto to you," he spat. "How dare you tell such things to my—"

Sakura cut him off. "—sister!" She squeaked.

"Sister?" Minami said incredulously.

Syaoran scowled and went towards Sakura's side. "She meant…" He started but was also cut off by Minami's squeal.

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I wasn't thinking clearly!" She slapped her forehead slightly. "I apologize, sister-in-law."

"Sister—in—law?" Sakura stuttered confusedly. "But…"

"We're never going to be together, Kashimura!" Syaoran sneered angrily. "Are you daft?"

"Just in love," Minami sighed. "Are you?"

"No," Syaoran said, irritated.

Minami giggled and poked Syaoran's arm flirtatiously making him growl in disgust. "No, silly. Are you in love?"

"Yes, but not with you…" He murmured quietly. Minami disdainfully growled.

"And with whom are you in love?" She asked in a deathly whisper. Syaoran's gaze traveled towards Sakura's tensed form and smirked.

"That's for me to know and for you to never find out." He taunted and turned his back to them. "Sakura, I'll wait for you outside after your practice. Be careful."

And he was gone.

Minami looked at Sakura in curiosity. "You're a Kinomoto, aye?" She questioned, jealously. "You get to see Syaoran everyday, no? You get to talk to him everyday, touch him everyday—"

A quick flash of the past events passed by Sakura's mind in a blur.

—He brought his lips to hers, slid his fingers down and played with the waistband of her skirt. He crushed her frail form underneath his against the sink and didn't notice that the water at her back was soaking her backside—

Sakura choked and coughed and felt that she had gone to hell.

"Anything the matter, Sakura?" Minami asked without care. "Because if there is none, I'd like to start so we can finish quickly."

Sakura flushed and nodded her head.

Plenty of beautiful, extraordinary dresses were shown to Sakura and she just couldn't pick. There was one in particular that she had taken into liking but didn't quite fit her figure. It was a bit too big for her but Minami was quite enthusiastic that she looked… well, fat in her dress yet Sakura passed it off as confusion.

At last, a pale pink gown with little frills on the hem, and a rather revealing low-cut but Sakura didn't quite mind because she liked it. She loved it. And she's going to wear it.

Minami looked quite sour as soon as she saw Sakura's elegant form. She scoffed. "It doesn't suit you." She lied.

Sakura beamed at Minami, sensing her utter dislike. "But I like it so I'm going to wear it!"

Minami groaned and carelessly waved her hand. "Fine!" She spat. "You're dismissed!"

Sakura enthusiastically bounced on tip of her toes and said her goodbye to Minami. She hastily ran out of the room and left a scheming Minami watching her back in loathing.

Sakura scanned around the deserted hallway of the school and looked for Syaoran. Her eyes landed upon a lone form with his back against the wall on the far side of the hallway. She giddily ran towards him.

"Syaoran!" She screamed out his name in glee. "Hey!"

Syaoran tilted his head to look at her. Sakura stopped dead in her tracks. His eyes held anger, confusion and… fear? She took a step forward in concern.

"What's the matter, Syao?" She stretched out her hand and cupped Syaoran's cheek. "Is there any problem?"

He winced as her warm fingers came in contact with his ice-cold skin. He shuddered. "We… we need to go home now, Sakura. Tasuki-kun called me."

"Papa's assistant?" Sakura asked. "What did he want? How's papa?"

Syaoran guiltily averted his gaze and squirmed. "You'll find out as soon as we go there."

Sakura felt a tightening in her chest and fearfully followed Syaoran as they went to their humble abode. Silence ensued between the both of them and Sakura found herself in the state of boredom and curiosity.

She opened her mouth and readied herself to ask Syaoran what the problem was but—

"Don't ask me," he muttered darkly. "I won't answer you."

Sakura huffed and pouted. "Why?"

Syaoran said nothing.

Sakura groaned and scratched her head in frustration. "Please, Syao?"

They reached their home and Syaoran looked at her in sorrow. "Be strong, Sakura." He murmured and went inside, leaving a more confused Sakura. She sighed and followed suit.

"Ah, Miss Kinomoto." A voice reached Sakura's ears and she flinched. It sounded so solemn, so pitying, and so… regret-filled that Sakura found herself fearing what he would say.

"Tasuki-kun," Sakura bowed her head in respect. "What brings you here? Where's papa?"

Tasuki nodded his head and frowned. "Well, that's what I came here for." He said slowly and pointed at the couches behind them. "Let's sit down, shall we?"

Syaoran nodded his head and sat himself down as well as Sakura as she plopped herself on the soft couch. She looked expectantly at both companions and waited.

"Well," Syaoran choked out, fighting back tears. "Papa is in the hospital."

"What!" Sakura screamed, terrified. "Why? What happened? Tell me!" Tears falling freely from her eyes.

Syaoran wiped his eyes and murmured, "He got in a fatal accident and…" He couldn't continue as he choked on sobs.

Sakura wailed. "No… no, don't tell me… No!"

Tasuki closed his eyes. "The burial is on the upcoming fortnight."

Sakura cried.

Syaoran stayed silent but sobbed quietly.

"How… how did this happen? Why?" Sakura shook her head, disbelief etched across her face.

"I don't know," Syaoran whispered.

Tasuki opened his eyes and gazed at Sakura's flushed face. "Your father told me to tell you something before he… passed away."

Sakura choked and cried harder.

"He gave me a document," Tasuki continued. "It's adoption papers."

Syaoran's eyes widened in shock and Sakura gasped.

"One of you is… adopted."

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Next Chapter's Title: The Li Clan