Disclaimer:

I do not own any material from Card Captor Sakura and make no financial profits from this fanfiction.

Summary:

Sakura was separated for years from her family, that it nearly made her lose hope to reunite with her loved ones. But like everyone believes: miracle happens. Even though there will always be something obstructs on the way or at the end.

EDGE OF DESIRE

Chapter 12

"She is our daughter! She is Sakura!" Nadeshiko shouted, enraged when her husband refused to believe her for the umpteenth time. Both of them had left the party earlier, handing over the guests to their children.

Fujitaka stopped pacing and turned to her, "I told you there is not a proof enough to say that she is!"

Nadeshiko descended to a couch, covering her wet face with her hands. "Why i didn't realize it before?" She asked rhetorically, loathing herself from her ignorance all this time. Her daughter had been so close from her, but how come she did not feel it? She cried her heart out. "She is my Sakura." She breathed, tears endlessly streamed down from her eyes.

Fujitaka swallowed hard. He closed his eyes, restrained his frustration. How could this happen? How should he do if the girl was really their long lost daughter?

He spun towards the door when it was knocked. "Come in."

A man in black bowed to him and declared, "There is a guest for you and Nadeshiko-sama, Sir. He said his name is Yoshiyuki Terada. He is downstairs now."

Nadeshiko stood up, looked at her husband with hard expression. She quickly burst out of the room. He stilled for a moment before following her.

Yoshiyuki Terada was waiting for them in the living room. He looked awful and disheveled, like a person who had not slept for days. He rose up once the Kinomotos entered. It was time to reveal everything to them now.

"Oh, Yoshiyuki, where have you been? We were so worried." Nadeshiko said solicitously, reaching her junior and putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I have found your daughter." Yoshiyuki looked at both Kinomotos alternately. When they gasped, he quickly supplied, "She is Saki Maeda. There had been a conspiracy with how they managed the investigation. It was not a single accident. Kazuhiro was trying to avoid a car which sped through them uncontrollably, but it ended up crashing the hill. The other driver was Wang Wei."

"What?" Fujitaka whispered in great shocked. He quickly faltered to the sofa, his breathing became ragged. "The main assistant of Li Corporation?"

Nadeshiko, who was in the same shocked state as her husband, stared at him blankly, as if she demanded more explanation.

Yoshiyuki nodded and took out a photograph from his pocket and held it out to them. "This was why he hid all of it."

They looked at the piece as Nadeshiko started to sob uncontrollably.

Fujitaka tiredly succumbed into a sofa. He just got back from the orphanage and had talks with Sister Maeda, the head of the orphanage. Sakura was not there. He was glad though, he was still not ready to meet his daughter.

He also paid a visit to Tokyo Police Office with Yoshiyuki to clarify everything, as well as manage the evidence and witnesses for the accident. The witnesses were the occupants who lived surround the accident scene, while the two cars (one was Kazuhiro's and the other was Wei's) had been confiscated at the headquarters.

Wei had been arrested right after Yoshiyuki managed to run away and reported the whole things to his colleagues. Fujitaka had been given the chance to see him before they processed everything to the court. He had been in wrath and so willing to strike the man, who had made his family suffering, separating him from his own daughter for fifteen years.

"Why did you do it? What did we do wrong to you that you punished us like this?" Fujitaka snarled, as he tried to restrain himself to beat, pummel the old man into his senseless, only for letting him feel what he had been feeling all this time from losing his daughter.

Wei closed his eyes for a moment, swallowed hard and answered, "That was the day when i found out my Jia had congenital heart disease. I... I was so distraught, i spent hours for drinking and getting drunk. I could not think clearly that i drove my car in that kind of state. I did not see them coming..."

Wei took a deep breath as his chest felt the hurt that had been there since this all happened, "I was afraid that they would get me imprisoned. My Jia needed me. How could i be there for her if i was in jail?" He said pleadingly. "So i schemed so that the police would not accept the nun's report about Sakura and she took her in instead. But Sakura has been just fine until now. I regularly went to see her at the orphanage every time i went to Japan. I donated monthly to the orphanage and helped them with anything else. I... I just needed time for my Jia and then i already planned to tell you everything."

Fujitaka let a hollow laugh that sent everyone in that room shiver, "Do you think you could make that as an excuse? You made me lost fifteen years worth to spend with my daughter! You made me torture her for what i did to that orphanage!" He thundered. He stood up, kicking the chair in the process and hissed, "I'll make sure you'll pay for what you did."

He let out his tears, anger, anguish he had borne for fifteen years. He screamed and howled. Why this all happened to his family? What he had done to deserve this agony?

He stared at a frame on his desk: a picture of him, holding a baby in his arms. He traced the mirror covering it with his fingers. He whispered to himself, "My Sakura."

"Otou-san."

Fujitaka looked up to find his son entered the living room. He quickly wiped his tears. Touya neared him and stood there, staring at him expectantly, "So, how was it? Is it true that she is..."

Fujitaka did not reply, but turned his sight and sighed heavily again.

Touya felt his body weakened, his heart twisted in happiness yet sadness. He did not need answer anymore. His sister was finally found.

Nadeshiko waited patiently for Sakura at the orphanage. Sakura had not come back yet from her work. Nadeshiko did not want to visit her at the coffee shop, as it was not the proper place to deliver announcement like this.

She had talked to the sisters in the orphanage. They had been surprised to listen the complete story both from her and Fujitaka, especially Sister Maeda for she was the one who had found Sakura at the accident site. They shared to her about Sakura's childhood and everything. For them, Sakura was a very responsible and mature girl, as she was the oldest one of the kids. All Sisters depended on her to help them taking care of the kids. Sister Maeda ever said to the girl that she did not have to work and abandoned her education, but Sakura was stubborn. She insisted to have a job first and helped with the orphanage's financial. She only said that school could wait.

Nadeshiko also went into Sakura's room. It was small but warm. Sakura kept it organized and simple by for the decoration. Nadeshiko strode slowly. There were laptop and books neatly stacked on the desk. She took a pink book note from the pile and opened it. Sakura's handwriting was elegant and tidy. She seemed to be a clumsy girl. Nadeshiko smiled to herself, not realizing that tears dropped onto the surface of the book.

She rose up and spread her sight all over the space. This was the place where her daughter lived for fifteen years. She wiped her eyes with her hands as she got out of the room. There were laughter and voice of the children talking from the kitchen. She dreamily stared from a far at the kids. There were five other of them in this orphanage. Sister Maeda said they were lovely kids and Sakura was really close to them. At least Sakura was loved when she lived here, she thought.

"I'm home."

Nadeshiko's heart leapt at the voice. She shivered a bit in anticipation. This would be the first time she met Sakura, knowing the girl as her own daughter. Would Sakura accept her? Or would Sakura hate and be disappointed because Nadeshiko did not come to her and left her for fifteen years?

"Nadeshiko-sama? I didn't know you were here." Sakura said, surprised to see Nadeshiko. "You should have called me so that i could come home earlier." She smiled.

Nadeshiko stood silent, staring at the girl. Her girl. Her only daughter.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" Sakura asked worriedly, noticing the silent tears which started to stream down the older woman's cheek.

Nadeshiko stepped slowly towards Sakura, scrutinizing every bit of her daughter's appearance. She then gathered the girl into her embrace tightly as she started to cry. "Sakura... My Sakura."

"Ma'am?" Sakura asked, confused by the sudden outburst of the woman. But Nadeshiko had called her Sakura. Her real name. How did she know? At that time, Sakura saw the mysterious lady appeared again and stood near them, giving her a huge, warm smile.

Nadeshiko took a deep breath, "Do you remember when i told you i had a cousin who died in an accident?" When Sakura nodded her head, she continued, "At that time, my cousin was with her husband and my daughter. They were driving back to Tomoeda. The police found two bodies; my cousin and her husband, but not my daughter's. She was declared as missing since then."

Sakura listened at the older woman intently. She did not know that Nadeshiko had been suffering like that for years. It must be almost unbearable, to lose someone dearest to you. She could even compare it with her own case. But it still could not explain how the Nadeshiko knew her real name.

"I have tried for years to find my daughter, but to no avail. Until i asked Yoshiyuki to help me." Nadeshiko continued.

Nadeshiko felt her breath hitched, "You... You are my Sakura." Nadeshiko whispered shakily, cupping the girl's face with her hands, stared deeply at the emerald orbs she had been longing to see. "You are my daughter."

"What?" Sakura started to tremble, shocked at the older woman's words. Was this all true? Nadeshiko was her mother? It could not be real, right? She had been hoping for a long time to find her family, but they never came. She suddenly remembered the dreams she had always been having. "I saw... I saw them in my dream. I was with a woman whom i called 'obaa-chan' and then there was a crash."

"How could i not recognize you? You have been so close to me all this time. I was such a fool." Nadeshiko sobbed. She lovingly traced Sakura from head to arms, "I'm really sorry, Sakura. I really am."

"You are my mother?" Sakura stammered, tears started streaming down her face. "My mother? Am i dreaming right now?" She asked softly.

Nadeshiko nodded. She lifted her hands to gently wipe her daughter's tears. "Yes, i am your mother, Sakura. You are my daughter." She whispered.

Sakura took out the necklace she was wearing and fondled the emerald pendant. The 'K' letter, which was carved inside it, gleamed beautifully. She swallowed and stared at the woman, "This means i am a Kinomoto?" She asked quietly.

Nadeshiko fingered the pendant and smiled, "This was your grandmother's. She asked us to pass it to every Kinomoto's daughter."

"So, Fujitaka Kinomoto is my father and Touya and Tomoyo Kinomoto are my siblings?" Sakura asked, still could not believe it.

"They are." Nadeshiko replied. "Now let's get you back to our home."

Home. Sakura stayed still. She finally had a place to call home, the real one. She suddenly remembered something and silently asked, "But what about the others? Would they be okay with this?"

Nadehiko smiled reassuringly, holding her hands in hers, "They are your family, Sakura. They will."

"Can i call you okaa-san then?" asked Sakura tearfully.

Nadeshiko hugged Sakura again, closed her eyes as she sank in on how it felt to hold her daughter in her embrace. "Yes, you can, Sakura. You are my daughter." She could not stop saying those words.

Sakura clutched her mother tight. She smiled discretely and whispered, "Please take me home, okaa-san."

Nadeshiko had packed Sakura's things. The latter could not get any objection as she saw how happy her mother was at the prospect them living together as a one complete family at last. Sakura had not even said farewell to the kids; her mother saying that they could go back there any time she wanted. They only met Sister Maeda and Nagano as Nadeshiko delivered her gratitude once again for what they had done to Sakura all this time.

Sakura bewildered when their limousine passed the gate to Kinomoto Mansion. She never saw a very huge private residence like this before. She could not watch everything around the residence as it was dark already, but she noted to herself to find time to explore their house.

"Welcome home, Sakura." Nadeshiko whispered to Sakura's ear once the limousine stopped in front of the entrance to the mansion.

Sakura felt her heart thumping hard. She was about to meet her family: the one that she had gone up against with in these few months. What would they do? She really hoped that there would be no clash though.

Sakura followed her mother and smiled to her nervously. Nadeshiko squeezed her hand reassuringly as they went into a large, victorian parlor. Fujitaka Kinomoto was sitting there, buried in his paperwork, but it looked as if they were waiting for the ladies.

Fujitaka looked up to see them. He exhaled softly and stood up. He eyed Sakura, deadpanned and said formally, "Welcome back home, Sakura."

"T... Thank you, Kinomoto-sama." Sakura stammered as she bowed her head. She was still not sure on how to address the man. Would he be upset if she called him 'otou-san'?

Nadeshiko quickly gave her husband a disappointed look as to how cold the man was. Was it all he could do to welcome their daughter home? Could not he be warmer? Her son then quietly came in, joined them in the little reunion of the Sakura's return to their life.

Touya approached his sister, silent tears dropped from the corner of his eyes, as she agitatedly stared at the man whom she had interacted almost uncivilized to. But to her surprise, Touya pulled Sakura into a hug. "You are home, Sakura." He murmured. "I'm really sorry for all i have done." He added. He could not even think of those hard moments he gave her. How could he be that cruel? There was no reason for him to act like that even though he had thought Sakura was no one at that time.

Sakura lifted her arms and returned the hug. She patted his back, "It's okay, Touya-san. We were not in a situation to support an amiable interaction." She jokingly said, hoping to defuse the silence.

"You owe us almost sixteen years where you left us." Touya said, still could not believe what was in front of his eyes. His sister had come back to them. No one could separate them again.

"We are together again." Nadeshiko encircled her arms between her son and daughter. Tears could not stop streaming from her eyes.

Fujitaka doubtedly stared at what was happening before him, most to himself. He was happy for this encounter, but there was still strange feeling inside him. He could not easily let the fact that he had put such distress to his own daughter, could he? Would his daughter ever forgive him? His eyes suddenly fell onto the figure who suddenly showed up beyond the threshold.

"Okaa-san? Otou-san? Onii-chan?" Tomoyo's amethyst eyes bewildered at the uncommon sight before her. Her vision fell to the auburn haired girl next to her mother, "What is she doing here?" Her voice rose in fury.

Nadeshiko quickly reached Tomoyo, held her hands, "Tomoyo, i know this must be a shock for you, but we finally found your sister." She spared a glance to Sakura and back to Tomoyo, "She is your sister. She is Sakura."

Sakura set a dubious smile, worrying what lay ahead. "Hi, Tomoyo."

Tomoyo did not heed Sakura, but snorted and shot a burning look to her family. "What? Is this a joke? Because if it is, it's a foul one." She said lowly. Her family did not reply her, and she felt a sudden nausea wave attacking her. "No, it can't be. How in the hell is she going to be my sister?"

"Tomoyo, i know that there is a problem between you and Sakura, but we will get over it together as a family." Nadeshiko said, trying to ease Tomoyo.

But Tomoyo shoved her mother angrily and shouted, "No! Don't you understand how she has ruined my life? Don't you see how everything has fallen apart because of her? No, she is not my family nor my sister..." Her words broke in as her mother's hand came down on her cheek. A loud slapping noise was heard echoing in her ears. The others in the room gasped in shock to see them.

"Go to your room now." Nadeshiko growled, shaking as fury engulfed her being.

Tomoyo, with tears brimmed in the wide amethyst orbs, threw a last disbelieving look at her mother and stomped her feet, leaving the room.

Nadeshiko shut her eyes briefly, calming herself down. "Let's go see your room, honey." She put hands on Sakura's shoulders and led her out of the room without looking at her husband and son.

Sakura complied, though feeling a bit restless after what just happened. She would need to apologize to Tomoyo later, in spite of whatever the girl's reaction would be. They were family now. She would not take this for granted, not after she finally got them back. Her thoughts flew back to her said-pledge to the mysterious lady; she would do everything for her family. She needed to keep it.

They went to the second floor of the mansion. Sakura's eyes could not detach from sightseeing everything as they passed on. Nadeshiko smiled to notice her daughter. They reached a huge mahogany door and Sakura softly gasped as it revealed the room inside behind it.

"This is your room, Sakura. I always kept it clean even though it was empty." Nadeshiko said, leading the stunned girl around the room.

Sakura could see a lot of pictures of her younger version hung on the wall. Her mother had kept it, made the room as if she was sure that Sakura would come back here again. Sakura could not help but feeling guilty at those years she had left her mother being in sorrow. She kept her gaze on the pictures; one where she was held in her father's arms and one where she, her parents and Touya sat together as a happy family. There was only one thought in her head: how could not she remember any of those precious moments with her family?

"Touya's room is next door. But he will get married next year and has his own place with Kaho. Me and your father sleep at the other chamber next to Touya's." Nadeshiko explained with a smile.

Sakura turned and nodded at her mother. She suddenly hugged Nadeshiko and said, "Thank you, okaa-san. I really like the room."

"Touya?" Kaho walked to her office foyer where the tall man was looking down at the schoolyard.

Touya turned and sent her a weak smile. He had discreetly left his work, a thing that he rarely did, and slid to her workplace, seeking for consolation. His fiancee neared him and hugged him. "It is really her, Kaho." He whispered.

Kaho's eyes widened at this. It just confirmed his speculation yesterday. "I'm glad for you then. You have your sister back." She released her embrace to look at him.

"I can't believe i forgot how she looked like." He cursed himself disdainfully. "What kind of brother i am?"

"Don't blame yourself like that, Touya. Everything will be alright from now." She soothed him.

"Yeah, it will." He murmured.

Fujitaka strode his way inside the Amamiya residence. Sometimes he felt guilty for letting the old man living alone in such huge mansion. But Masaki was a stubborn one, saying that it would be uncomfortable if he stayed with his granddaughter's family.

The old man was enjoying his afternoon tea, sitting comfortably on the couch with the television on. He raised an eyebrow when he spotted his grandson-in-law entering the room. "What is it that made the face of yours, boy?" He queried even before Fujitaka greeted him.

Fujitaka sat in front of him and sighed, "So that was the reason. You have known all along about this, right?" He asked, squinting his eyes at the elder.

Masaki chortled at Fujitaka's face, which made the latter irritated as the old man acted like he knew a thing the others didn't. "But you are back as one happy family now, right? That's the only thing i want. I'll visit you all later if i have time." He indeed wanted to see Sakura as his granddaughter now that she had reunited with the Kinomotos.

"It is not that simple." Fujitaka refuted. "I made a lot of inexcusable mistakes to her. Oh, God." He wiped his face tiredly.

"Don't underestimate your own daughter. Sakura is really capable of forgiving. Trust me." Masaki encouraged him.

"I hope so." Fujitaka said as his eyes dimmed.

"We are going to Tokyo today, Sakura. There are a lot of things i want to get for you." Nadeshiko said enthusiastically once they finished their breakfast. Everyone else had already departed to their respective places of interest.

"You don't need to be so bothered, okaa-san. I think i already have everything i need." Sakura responded abruptly.

"No, it's not enough. Besides, it will be fun to spend a girl's day, don't you think?" Nadeshiko said, choosing a dress for Sakura to wear.

"Can Tomoyo go with us?" Sakura asked hopefully. She did not have much for mending the relationship that soon, but she had to try little by little.

Nadeshiko looked at her daughter and shook her head, "I think she has something else to do today. We still can go together any other day." She and Tomoyo had not talked to each other again. Nadeshiko assumed that Tomoyo would need sometime for her to think and calm down herself. Especially for what happened to her engagement with Syaoran... Speaking of which, there was something that nearly escaped from her observation. She would need to ask Sakura later.

"Ah, this is perfect!" Nadeshiko exclaimed as she pulled out a knee-length tunic dress. "All these dresses are Tomoyo's design. I think your size is almost the same as hers. You can wear hers for now. We will fetch everything you need later."

Sakura bit her lips at the sight of the dress, "I think, i will just wear shirt and jeans. I'm not too comfortable wearing short dresses." She said.

Her mother looked at her resignedly. "Alright. Go change then, sweetheart." She pushed Sakura lightly.

Nadeshiko took Sakura to shopping centres in Tokyo; wandering here and there, evaluating whether these or those goods would be needed for Sakura, and asking Sakura to fit in many formal and informal suits. While Sakura goggled at how many stuffs piled up in trolleys, which had been taken care by Nadeshiko's attendants. She never had had quite major shoppings like this once in her life.

They had lunch in one Chinese restaurant after Nadeshiko asked what kind of foods that Sakura liked. Sakura had answered that she did not have any particular foods as favorite. As long as it did not involve lots of meats, as she was never fond of meats and preferred green foods instead.

"You don't like meats, just like your great grandfather from my side." Nadeshiko chuckled. "What about your hobbies? And your favorite desserts and drinks?" She asked keenly. Like any mothers did, she wanted to know her daughter. Sixteen years of separation had made her miss so many things in Sakura's life. She might not be there when the first time Sakura got into school, had her first catfight with her friends, helped with her homeworks, gave suggestions about boys and many others. But Nadeshiko was right here now and she would replace those missing years by savoring current moments and in the future with her daughter.

"I like reading. We have a lot of books in the orphanage and when i worked at the library at Tomoeda University, the librarian allowed me to read and borrow many books which i haven't read before. I love musics too, but never had any extensive lessons about it." Sakura explained. "I am never a picky when it comes to desserts and drinks. I have always been a light eater."

"That explains how you have been so skinny. Well, starts from now, you need to pay more attention to your foods. No objection." Nadeshiko chided. She added more vegetables to Sakura's bowl.

Sakura smiled. It felt good to have someone to protect and care so much about her. "What is... Kinomoto-sama like? And Touya-san and Tomoyo-san?" She asked.

"I think you can already see it. Your father is a man with too much dignity and pride, sometimes you want to make him disappear for it." Nadeshiko smiled at the reminder of her husband's demeanor. "And Touya is an ambitious one. Your father was really mad when Touya enrolled himself to medical school, but he provided proofs that he could manage well enough between helping with family business and school. While Tomoyo is on her way to be a designer. She already involves in the family business and makes one of her own. She is a very high-tempered girl. Sometimes i can't deal with her." Nadeshiko laughed. "Come to think of it, i just realized that there is a person who can handle her. It is Eriol Hiiragizawa, her childhood best friend."

Sakura frowned at this new information. It explained how the younger doctor looked kind of protective to Tomoyo.

Nadeshiko stared at her daughter with a smile. She seemed unable to get her eyes out of Sakura. She just could not believe that she was finally here with her daughter. She suddenly remembered something that she noted to herself to be asked to Sakura. "Sakura..." She began. "Do you like Li Syaoran?"

Sakura shot her head up. She did not foresee that this question would ever show up in her family this early. How should she answer it? "We are friends." She answered carefully.

In a moment, Nadeshiko had considered to tell Sakura the fact that Syaoran was originally betrothed to her. But Nadeshiko had discussed this with her husband and Yelan, and they thought it was better to not tell both Sakura and Syaoran, since it would hurt Tomoyo. If Sakura and Syaoran wanted to make a relationship, it was better in a natural way without any knowledge about the betrothal. And she thought she was better to not prolong this conversation.

At that time, Sakura saw the opened purse of Nadeshiko's, disclosing a small photograph of two adults. Sakura frowned in shock as she recognized the adult woman in there. She looked up at her mother and asked shakily, "Okaa-san, who are these people?" She pointed at the old piece.

Nadeshiko smiled sadly and answered, "It was my cousin, Sonomi, and her husband, Kazuhiro. The one that i told you before, Sakura. You were with them in the same car when the accident happened."

That was it. Finally Sakura could reveal who was the mysterious woman all this time. She smiled.

Tomoyo slammed the door to her room. She passed Sakura and Nadeshiko on the way here; found them rummaging their shopping bags at the parlor. Sakura had paused and greeted Tomoyo, but she just sent a furious look to Sakura and carried on her way.

She threw herself on her bed, buried her face in a pillow and groaned in frustration. Why her family lived in such complicated life like this? She sighed desperately as she remembered those times she had said prayers, hoping that her sister would come back to them so that her mother would not be that miserable. Wasn't this what Tomoyo wanted? Her family got the long lost member back after those years in such agony?

She glanced at her cell phone on her hand. She had called Eriol earlier this morning, but his number was inactive. The message on the voice mail told her that he was currently in Hokkaido, having some field training, for a few weeks. She had not even talked to him again after Touya's party; where he had been trying to ignore her the whole time.

A few drops of tears dripped from her eyes as she realized this was hurting her more than when her family and Syaoran's decided to call off their engagement.

Syaoran sat on the couch in front of the fireplace. His eyes never left the flames who were dancing merrily at him, as if it was taunting him for his sorrow. He sighed heavily and leaned back.

"Hey, you."

He glanced at Meiling who placed herself beside him on the couch, with a book on her hand. He closed his eyes back, ignoring her greeting.

"I just heard about it. Saki Maeda is Fujitaka Kinomoto's daughter." Meiling said quietly. "Even though it was kind of sad, but i admit that it was also romantic, that you fell in love with the same girl over again." She stated.

He did not take his sight from the flames. His feeling had been right all this time; Tomoyo was not the one whom he was supposed to be betrothed to. It was her. Sakura. His mother had confided everything to him. He did not know whether they had told Tomoyo about this or not.

"So what are you waiting for, Syaoran? That girl was indeed the one you were supposed to marry. Now that everything was revealed, you can go your way." Meiling urged. "Don't worry about Tomoyo. That girl is really stupid to not realize that she has been in love with Eriol all this time. It's about time for her to realize it." She shook her head in disbelief.

Syaoran chuckled darkly at his cousin's words. He was really glad when he found out that Sakura finally had everything back now. He could ask as what Meiling said. But it was not that simple. "I can't just do it. It's not the time for me to think of my own interest. Sakura is now finally reunited with her family. This is her sacred moment. I don't want to perturb and be such a hassle."

Meiling rolled her eyes, feeling impatient at her cousin. "Alright then. It's up to you. But i won't be here in case you need shoulder to lean on again."

"What do you mean?"

"I already booked a ticket back to Hong Kong for next week. My voluntary job here is over. I have to go back to college." Meiling answered sadly.

Syaoran was silent for a moment. He would go back to be alone in this huge mansion. Well, it was not like a new thing though. "It's good then. At least i no longer have to see you being so depressed because of that Tsukishiro man." He finally said.

He did not get a reply, but a whack with a pillow in the face.

"Sakura, your father is on the way home with your great-grandfather." Nadeshiko announced as she entered her daughter's suite. Both of them just got back from the orphanage, since Sakura said she missed the kids there. Nadeshiko had decided to grant the orphanage a monthly allowance and tuition fee from the Amamiya Educational Foundation for the kids.

Sakura looked up at her mother in surprise. She had heard about her great-grandfather, even said that it was an incredible thing for a man to still be alive for their fourth generation. She had been looking for a chance to meet him as well.

"Let's get you prepared." Nadeshiko said, shining up.

They went down stairs, waiting for the men at the parlor. The maids had helped to serve afternoon tea for them, along with the cookies the two made yesterday. Sakura and Nadeshiko had spent much quality times together as daughter and mother. Between those times, Nadeshiko recounted about Sakura's childhood with them and the other family members' as well. Sakura had listened intently, hoping to know her family better.

"Ah, here they are, Sakura." Nadeshiko smiled as three men entered the room.

Sakura stood and looked up, surprised to find Masaki between the men. "S-sir?" She stuttered, while the old man laughed loudly.

Masaki strode to her great granddaughter and exclaimed, "Give your ojii-san a hug, Sakura."

Sakura was enveloped by the old man's arms tightly. "I never thought you were..."

"Yeah? I'm good at disguise, eh? Who would think the gray gardener was the head of Amamiya Group? I'm not going to waste my old age dealing with nasty business. Just give it to your father to handle." Masaki said, chuckling. "Look at you, my dear: all grown up." He patted his great granddaughter's head.

They sat on the sofa, as Touya took space beside Sakura. He smiled, held his sister's hand. Sakura awkwardly returned the smile.

"I and your mother already enrolled you at Tomoeda University for this new school year on April, for a private program." Fujitaka announced to Sakura. "You will take business and management study there. And then you can start learn the family businesses."

"Yes, Fujitaka-sama." Sakura responded silently. Whatever it was, she was grateful that she could continue her studies under her family's guidance. Everyone had duty and responsibility to the family to carry on.

"Don't worry, Sakura. I will help and teach you too." Touya smiled, put his hand on Sakura's back.

Sakura nodded at him, "Thank you, Touya-san."

Touya frowned and sighed inwardly. Even though it had been three weeks since Sakura had come back, she still addressed Touya and their father in formal way. Things needed to take time indeed.

Sakura and Nadeshiko spent the following days to study about their family businesses. Nadeshiko brought her daughter to every site of their family business along to the factories at the countryside as well. Sakura pushed all effort she had to study it all. Her family was known with their own achievements. Her great grandfather and parents were very respected business magnates, and both of her siblings were known as wunderkinds with all their talents. She wanted to make her family proud and showed them that she was capable too.

It was the first of April and her parents took her to the Kinomoto Group headquarters where a board meeting would be held. They said that they also would formally introduce her to the board. Sakura was extremely nervous. She could not stop fidgeting along their way to the Kinomoto Group Business District. Both Tomoyo and her mother sat on either side of hers. Tomoyo still had not talked to her.

Tomoyo set her poker face during the whole board meeting. Her parents and brother proudly presented Sakura to the other tycoons. Tomoyo just rolled her eyes and could not stop sneering as her parents boasting the girl, and everyone else seemed to be as enthusiastic as them.

Damn it, she was beaten by this wench. All her images as perfect daughter had been stolen by Sakura. And her nightmares were added by the next sentences from her father.

"As the beginning and practice for Sakura, she can join Tomoyo's first fashion line business which will be launched next year." Fujitaka announced, while the others mumbling in agreement. Nadeshiko held Sakura's hand, eyes staring proudly at her daughter. "Tomoyo will be helping her sister to familiarize and adapt the whole business process."

Tomoyo knew that she could not respond anything else but agreed to everything. She nodded as she pursed her lips, formed a tight smile. What else she could do?

"Sakura, could you come downstairs to the kitchen for a while?" Nadeshiko's voice was heard on the phone.

Sakura frowned, but said yes to her mother. Sometimes her mother was weird. She preferred to call everyone by phone even if they were in the house. Sakura strode downstairs to the kitchen. She lifted one eyebrow as she glanced from a far the room was dark. She stepped cautiously inside, adjusting her eyesight to the darkness. But suddenly the light was turned on and her mother, Touya and Kaho were there, shouting "Happy birthday, Sakura!" to her. There was a birthday cake on her mother's hands and they began to chant birthday song to her.

Sakura was all teary eyed to see her family celebrating the birthday which she did not even know. Her mother wiped her tears and said, "Today is your birthday, Sakura. It was twenty years ago that i brought you to this world." Nadeshiko spoke softly.

"Now make your wishes, Sakura." Kaho smiled.

Sakura complied and shut her eyes tightly. She did not want to ask for more. She only prayed that she could live happily forever with her family and all those people she loved. It was enough for her. She opened her eyes and blew the candles.

"Happy birthday, my daughter." Nadeshiko pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.

Touya and Kaho gave her birthday greetings and kisses too. Kaho then took a small box and handed it to her future sister-in-law, "This is from us, Sakura."

Sakura smiled and opened the box. It was an emerald coloured diamond earrings, its luminous sparkle dancing at her eyes. "Thank you, Touya-san, Mizuki-san. It's beautiful." She whispered.

Sakura never had a birthday party before, since she did not know her birth date. Sister Maeda ever said that they could celebrate it for her on the same day as New Year, but Sakura said no. She was not that keen of celebrating one and it was not a top thing either. But everything could change now once she was with her family now.

Sakura went into her room when Touya said he would take Kaho home and her mother asked her to go to sleep earlier since it was already a tiring day. Tomoyo and her father had not been home yet, it made Sakura wondering where they were. Speaking of which, what she had to do to win her sister? They were becoming distant as day went by much to Sakura's dismay.

She went to her desk to start reading some materials for tomorrow's lectures. Her college was started this week. It was a bit odd that now she came to Tomoeda University to study, rather than work.

Suddenly she was startled to see a box shaped pack next to her stacked books. She did not recall that it was there before, she frowned. She tore the wrapping carefully and her eyes widened as she noticed that it was a thin book with a perky familiar cover. It was a copy of The Little Prince novel, her favorite one. Inside the book, there was a birthday card with a writing: Happy Birthday, my daughter, and a signature of Fujitaka Kinomoto.

Sakura smiled widely. It was a perfect first birthday with her family.

The first days of her college were interesting. Sakura had learned a lot of things from her professors. The whole university was astounded to find out that she was the long lost Kinomoto daughter. She could hear them whispering as she walked through the corridors, their speculation about how were things going then with Tomoyo. She passed Tomoyo a few times, but she pretended to not see Sakura even though Sakura already waved her hand towards her. Sakura already asked her mother about what to do to Tomoyo. But her mother just waved it off and said that Tomoyo would come around eventually.

Sakura was really glad when she met her brother from the orphanage, Kei. He was accepted into the archaeological studies at Tomoeda University, just like he had dreamed all this time. It was like just the old times when she could go together to school with her brother and sisters.

Other thing that she was fail to predict, was the fact that Syaoran still went into the college as well. Despite her oblivion, he appeared before her that day and greeted her. She was not sure how to act now in front of him. In one side, she really wanted to be with him, shared with him how happy she had been now. But the other side, she knew that her relationship with Tomoyo would never be mended if she continued to see Syaoran.

"Sakura." He smiled to her, hands in his jeans pocket.

"Syaoran." She silently said. "How is your college?" was a lame thing to say.

"I will graduate this year." Syaoran responded. "I'm really happy you have found your family, Sakura." He said after a while.

"Thank you."

Syaoran's amber eyes pierced through her being, "I heard you take business studies? I thought you wanted to study literature or music."

"No, i wanted this." Sakura ensured him softly.

"I just want to see you happy, to see you do everything you want to do." Syaoran shrugged.

"I am, Syaoran. I am happy." Sakura said again, reassuring him.

"Well, then it's everything we all need." Syaoran breathed. He smiled again to her and started to leave. When he passed her, he stopped for a while to say something which made Sakura startled, "I will be here whenever you need and want me."

Sakura stood still, watching him go and sighed deeply. She then continued her way to go home, where Tomoyo must have been waiting for her to brief and instruct her about the project they would do together. At the limousine, she did her usual massage for her left leg. It started to feel hurt and swollen again after it had succumbed for a while before this. She mumbled her thanks to the chauffeur once they arrived at the mansion and strode inside. She did not realize when her legs started giving up at the sudden stinging pain she could not bear. Her mother's scream was the last thing she heard before she went to deep darkness.

I forgot to acknowledge some quotes i took from To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee for the previous chapter. If you guys have not read the novel, i suggest you to read it. It was such a touching story and definitely one of the best books i ever read.

In chapter 2, it was said that the piano in the orphanage was a gift from certain philanthropist. It was from Wang Wei.

Thank you very much for the alerts i received from:

chelsealovesya1995

ding: another reviews which made me smile :) you got it right, the anon donors were Masaki and Wei and the second part is Sakura's new life with the Kinomotos.

thunder2010: thanks for your helpful suggestion! i will be more thorough in this matter. I am indeed a HUGE fan of Grey's Anatomy and i got lots of inspirations for the medical parts in this story from them! think i'm gonna make their characters much nicer in the last chapters. And for the record, i do not find your reviews annoying! i love to read them :)

Guest

aritella

anon

edonis: yes, Touya only made the instrumental melody and Syaoran made the lyrics. And the donors were Masaki and Wei :)

hitsugaya girl19

mai-chan: i know it was cruel, sorry! :'(

sakura 42002

Guest

I got so much love since the last i updated. I really appreciate and thank all of you for the support! It really means a lot to me. Every time i heard the email notification in my phone, my heart couldn't help but thump hardly. I know, it sounds exaggerated, but that's really how i feel :') Also thank you too for everyone who reads but has not given any alerts yet.

See you at the next chapter!