Disclaimer: I don't own CCS, Clamp does. But I do own this story.

Pairings: Syaoran x Sakura, Eriol x Tomoyo

After so long, here's the next chapter! Hope you guys enjoy!

I'm sorry it took this long. Please forgive this irresponsible authoress!

Chapter Eleven

"Complications"

It was very bad.

How Sakura could think it would be a plain old regular dinner from the start, she didn't know. But by the moment she and Tomoyo stepped into the Morita household, everything went spiraling out of her imagination and control.

For some damned reason or another, Nao had gotten the impression that she wanted alone time with his son and ever since they finished dinner, he had all but dragged Tomoyo in the direction of his office where he held in display his collection of random treasures given to him by her father.

So now here she was, sitting next to Naoki outside in their garden, gently pushing herself backwards and forwards on one of the pair of children's swings while Naoki sat next to her just gazing up at the sky.

"Who uses these?" Sakura asked just to break the uncomfortable silence between them although Naoki didn't seem bothered by it at all. The man looked positively serene just sitting there.

"My sister and I when we were kids," he admitted. "Even though both of us moved out long ago, dad still keeps it here. He probably plans to let his future grandchildren use it someday."

The mention of grandchildren somehow unsettled her.

"Oh? You have a sister? Where is she now?" she asked, steering the conversation to another direction.

"She moved to Kyoto ever since she got married."

The mention of marriage unsettled her too.

"Err… What about your mother?" she pushed on, deftly switching the topic.

"She only recent left for a cruise with a few of her friends," he said, smiling at her. "She'll be home in a few days time though. She adores my dad. Being the kind of wife she is, I don't think she can manage to stay away from her husband for too long."

'Grandchildren, marriage, wife, husband,' Sakura thought, ticking off the words in her head.

This. This was exactly why she felt uncomfortable around Naoki.

Sakura never felt anything off from the man after they left the museum that afternoon. But as soon as they came to his father's home, he had been taking about marriage and family related things every single chance he got for some reason that it was almost suffocating her.

She smiled at him instead of saying anything more and they both fell back into the awkward silence that they had started with earlier all over again.

"That's pretty much it," Nao said with a nod and one last smile at the glass shelves before turning to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo smiled at him. "Thank you for taking the time to show me all this Morita-san. I'm sorry Sakura and I had to intrude so suddenly like this."

He chuckled and shook his head before leaning towards her and speaking in a low conspiratorial voice.

"I'm quite happy you were so enthusiastic in coming here, my dear."

"Oh? Why?"

Nao chuckled again. "I think I've thought of a way around Fujitaka's will for Sakura-san!"

Tomoyo had to try and suppress the joyous exclamation she so wanted to let go at that very moment. She settled on holding onto Nao's hands in appreciation instead.

"Oh, thank you Morita-san! Sakura would be thrilled! She so wanted another choice besides marrying Syaoran in order to inherit what her father had left behind."

"Yes, yes, I quite understand how she may feel about marrying someone as far up as Li," he nodded in almost grim understanding.

Nao paused then and looked at Tomoyo with a curious look on his face.

"Yes?"

"I've been meaning to ask you. You call Li Xiao Lang, Syaoran?"

Tomoyo nodded.

"I've heard of the man being referred to as such but most of the people I know from Tokyo who have dealt with the man don't refer to him so casually," he pointed out, still looking at Tomoyo curiously.

She fidgeted slightly. What was she supposed to say to that? Did Sakura want Mr. Morita to know of her real relationship with Syaoran? She couldn't think of it being a big deal. It was even a surprise that the Moritas didn't know Sakura was dating Syaoran considering how much publicity Syaoran had.

Nao seem to have noticed her own confusion but mistook the cause to mean that she didn't understand what he was trying to say which was proven in what he said next.

"Are you familiar with Li?"

His rather blunt question unnerved Tomoyo so much she reflexively shook her head.

"I… I just hear his name a lot. I work in Li Corp. although in a totally different department far far away from the top. So… Yes, people speak of him often in that manner in the office."

He nodded at this, seemingly mollified by her answer.

"So… So… What exactly are you thinking for Sakura to do as an alternative?" she asked quickly. She didn't even care if he thought she was prying or not. She just needed a change of direction in the conversation.

Surprisingly, the older man smiled widely at her question and gestured for her to take a seat on one of the chairs in his office while he sat behind his desk.

Tomoyo obliged.

"This is what I had in mind," Nao started in a low whisper in which case Tomoyo had to lean forward to catch every word. "I know Fujitaka's main concern was for Sakura-san to be happy and secured in marriage."

She nodded at this.

"Fujitaka's will, I'm thinking, will still be fully realized whether or not she'll be married to Li or not."

Tomoyo wasn't sure she fully understood what he was trying to say. What was he trying to say?

Nao chuckled at her puzzled expression.

"Marriage, my dear. As long as Sakura was to be surely and happily married, Fujitaka's main concern will be settled."

"So…" Tomoyo started, hesitating since she still wasn't quite sure of his meaning. "As long as Sakura got married, it's okay? It doesn't have to be with Li?"

He nodded, grinning at her now.

This was still not entirely good news. But it was a good change. Sort of. At least Sakura can find someone else easier to get herself married to than Syaoran.

'But…' Tomoyo thought, disappointed now as the gravity of what he said sunk in. She liked Sakura and Syaoran together.

"So," Nao continued, cutting off her train of thought. "I'm thinking, that as long as I'm assured 100% that Sakura would be happily married and secured in that marriage, it would be fine."

"You mean," Tomoyo started, not daring to hope he meant what she thought he meant just yet. "If Sakura were to only get engaged with the intention of getting married, then it'll be fine?"

Nao nodded. "But only if I'm sure the person she'll be engaged to is a decent man who truly does intend to marry her eventually."

Tomoyo nodded, smiling now.

This was great news! This gave Sakura and Syaoran more time to build on their relationship until they were ready for marriage. It should be easier to get a proposal for marriage before her birthday than to actually have a wedding.

"Which is why," Nao said, shocking Tomoyo seeing as she thought the man was done talking. "I think all this would work out if my son, Naoki, were to be that man!"

Tomoyo almost fell out of her chair. She had to grip on the edge of Nao's desk to steady herself enough to give him a look of incredulity.

Sakura? With Naoki?

"But… But Morita-san, you said-"

Nao held up a hand and nodded. "Yes, I know what I said. This is what I meant about a decent man I can be assured of to marry her. I can accept an engagement between them by Sakura-san's birthday until they do get around to getting married. I know my son very well too, so I can personally assure Sakura's welfare myself where he's concerned. He could certainly fulfill Fujitaka's wishes to the letter."

"But… So… Uhmm… So does that mean your reconsideration on the will only applies if it's Naoki-san?"

He nodded.

"So in the end, it's either marriage with Syaoran or an engagement with Naoki-san," Tomoyo stated in a small and almost dreamy voice.

Nao heard her, however, and couldn't help but chuckle. It was obvious that he missed the tone of disbelief and the look of horror on her face.

Sakura shifted uncomfortably. Yet again. She already lost count as to how many times the younger Morita unsettled her in just that single night.

"Sakura?"

Her head snapped up to look at him. She had already long since left the children's swing and had settled with perching herself on a large flat rock nearby instead. Naoki was still sitting in the same spot although had also settled on looking at her over the stars instead.

"Hmm?"

"Is something the matter?"

She shook her head furtively. The last thing she wanted was to let him or his father get wind of any negativity she might be feeling. Of course she knew that it was Naoki's father whom she was currently trying to win over but getting an even better impression through his son wouldn't hurt either.

Looking pacified, Naoki nodded.

Now that Sakura took a closer look on the man, it was only now that she noticed that he seemed quite distracted over something that was apparently going through his head.

"Is something the matter?" she threw back at him.

He ignored her, apparently not hearing a word she had just said.

So something was the matter then.

Sakura made quick snapping sounds with her fingers to get his attention.

It worked. He turned to look at her.

"What's the-"

"Sakura!"

Both Naoki and Sakura turned to look at the open back door where Tomoyo was standing with Nao behind her. It wasn't lost on Sakura the somewhat defeated look her friend had. Nao on the other hand still had his usual wide grin, which he had ever since they left the museum earlier.

"Are you sure you're all right?"

Tomoyo nodded mutely at her question and proceeded to crawl on top of the bed inside the room she and Sakura were sharing since they arrived in Tomoeda. The entire house's furniture was covered in white blankets to keep the dust from settling and to avoid having more to clean up afterwards, they decided on sharing a bad in Sakura's old bedroom.

"Tomoyo."

Sakura had only said her name but both girls knew it held meaning.

Tomoyo sighed and patted on the spot next to her in which Sakura went to sit on.

"I'm just tired, that's all," she admitted truthfully. "I spent most of the day entertaining Morita-san after all." She wanted so much to tell Sakura of Nao's new proposal but she just didn't know where to begin.

Sakura sighed a long sigh in response to this.

"You and me both. I had my share of stress earlier even if all I did was tlak to Naoki."

This got Tomoyo's interest.

"Don't you like Naoki? I though you two were getting along quite well all things considered."

Sakura gave her an almost disbelieving look. "Naoki's okay I guess but… I don't know. Maybe I'm just not used to talking to men anymore or maybe I'm just so used to Syaoran or something but I'm always on the edge with him for some reason."

Tomoyo had to try hard not to smile at this. So it was pointless to mention Nao's alternative for Sakura then. Simply judging from Sakura's face and the way she was speaking now about Naoki, there was in no way she would accept it.

Besides that, Sakura was much too in love with Syaoran.

It was ridiculous of her to even think that she'd leave him for anyone else.

Syaoran downed what was left in his champagne glass and placed it atop of a tray a passing waiter was holding.

So far the ball was going off without a hitch.

"Bored Mr. Li?" He looked up just as Eriol came to stand beside him. "That's the sixth time I've caught you checking your watch. Not only that but I'm sure people around must've caught you check on your cellphone more than once as well."

Syaoran made a rude and unconcerned sound at this. Truth be told, he hadn't even noticed his agitation. He must've been checking on his watch and cellphone without really knowing what he was doing. This surprised him.

"Heard form Sakura yet?"

He shook his head and Eriol sighed in reply.

"I haven't heard from Tomoyo either. You'd think those women would come running to where we were the moment they get back."

Before Syaoran could respond, a woman much older than either he or Eriol had come up and tapped Eriol on the shoulder.

"Dr. Hiiragizawa!"

"Ah, Mrs. Honda, what a surprise."

Syaoran watched as both exchanged pleasantries before Eriol was forced to pull the woman to the dance floor for a waltz. This was one of the few things that he enjoyed all night and that was watching Eriol being forced to dance with random women who were acquainted with him and his family out of courtesy. Of course Eriol had the choice to decline as Syaoran had since the party began but he was much too gallant for it.

It was a few minutes later that Eriol had taken his place back next to him and looking relaxed as if he'd been standing there for hours. Syaoran knew better though. He knew the man must've been exhausted.

"I think I'm gonna head out early tonight."

Syaoran smirked. He knew that line was coming soon after the kind of night he was having.

Eriol saw the look of smugness in his face and raised a brow at him.

"At least I can head out early."

Syaoran was about to retort but was stopped when his eyes landed on an oh-too familiar figure walking amongst the crowd across the dance floor.

She was wearing a simple black gown, much simpler compared to what most of everyone was wearing in any case but the gown hugged her every curve from its tube top bodice down to the top of her hips in a sort of bandage-wrap style until it flared down with the front hem ending in the middle of her thighs and the back only just touching the floor.

Eriol, who had been watching Syaoran, turned to follow his gaze until his eyes landed on Sakura.

He grinned and didn't even say a word as he left him standing there and maneuvering his way through the dance floor and over to Sakura.

Without warning, he took her hand in his and pulled her to the dance floor much to Sakura's surprise and- as he glanced over his shoulder –Syaoran's irritation.

"Well good evening, Sakura," he greeted cheerily as he stopped right in the middle of the large dance floor.

Sakura gave one last glance to the people around her who were quite obviously staring at her and Eriol even if there were a lot of other couples already dancing around them.

"Good evening Eriol. You surprised me. I haven't seen you in quite a while."

Eriol grinned at this. Of course she hasn't, he had tried his utmost to make sure of that.

"So," he began, trying to sound casual. "Did you come here alone?"

"Yes, I thought I'd come here and surprise Syaoran," Sakura admitted with a blush. "I haven't found him yet though."

"Oh I'm sure he'll be very surprised. He's been quite the character since the ball began, just so you know. I assume you haven't contacted him the entire time?"

She nodded and gave him a how-did-you-know-that? look.

Eriol leaned closer to her and whispered into her ear.

"He's been checking his cellphone over a hundred times. I assumed it was because you haven't spoken to him all night."

When he pulled back, Sakura's face had gotten even pinker.

"I… Errr…" Sakura was at a loss for words. Yes she had gotten to know Eriol and had spoken to him quite a bit before but they weren't exactly in really close terms yet to warrant him to say something personal like that. It surprised her. What made her embarrassed most of all was the fact that this man was just as high up in status in his own area of management that being spoken to so casually by him wasn't something she'd expect even if he was Syaoran's closest friend.

It was her turn to clear her throat.

"I-I-I was actually going to come here with a colleague of mine," she blurted out. She was at a loss as to what else to say. And they were talking about present company anyway. She might as well share this piece of random information while they were on the subject. She was also hoping this would move the subject from her and Syaoran.

"Oh?"

Sakura was glad that he looked quite interested in her random confession.

"Yes, but she wanted to go and surprise her boyfriend instead of coming to a company ball."

A somewhat excited and affectionate grin graced Sakura's lips as she said this and Eriol had to try to keep his interest and surprise from showing on his face and his voice. He already knew she was speaking of and thinking about Tomoyo. If that was the case then where was Tomoyo now? His place or her own apartment? Now that he thought of it, he didn't even tell Tomoyo where he was going to be tonight and the girl hadn't contacted him all night just as Sakura had with Syaoran.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, she's quite sweet. She adores her boyfriend. Earlier today, she told me she was planning on giving her boyfriend a-"

"May I cut in?"

He and Sakura both turned to see the CEO of Li Corp., standing there quite rigidly and looking thoroughly annoyed.

"Syaoran!" Sakura exclaimed with a wide smile up at him just as he took her hand from Eriol's and pulled her against his frame.

"Five minutes," Eriol said with a sigh. "You couldn't wait five more minutes?"

Syaoran raised a brow at him at this statement and Sakura was giving him a puzzled look.

With another exaggerated sigh, Eriol placed one hand in his pant pocket and held the other in the air in a casual wave as he turned his back on the couple.

"I'll see you two lovebirds later."

Syaoran and Sakura watched him leave before turning to look at each other.

"What was that about?" they asked each other at the same time.

Sakura giggled and rested her head against his broad chest.

"You smell good," she whispered.

He hugged her in return before leaning into her ear. "And you look delicious."

She pulled back with her face the shade of a ripe tomato.

"So," Syaoran said with a piercing look at her. "What did Eriol say to get you to look exactly like this earlier?"

A look of puzzlement crossed her face at this.

Syaoran pointed his thumb behind him. "Ever since you entered the hall, I've been watching you. Eriol got to you first, unfortunately. I didn't want to make a scene so I gave him five minutes of your time with him for a quick dance."

Sakura tried to bite back her smile.

"He was just talking about you. I got embarrassed because I didn't expect him to speak about things like that so casually with me."

"Why not? He knows about us."

"Well, we're not exactly as close as you two are."

"I suppose. Then what did you tell him afterwards? He looked like you got his interest quite a bit. No matter how openly kind Eriol is, he's not exactly the kind of man whose interest is easily taken much like myself."

"I thought so too," Sakura admitted and sounding impressed with her own accomplishment earlier. "All I did was tell him that I was supposed to come with a colleague of mine."

"Tomoyo?"

She nodded. "Yes but I didn't tell him that, he doesn't even know her. Kind of pointless to give names, don't you think?"

Syaoran had to force himself not to shout in laughter.

Author's Note:

So this chapter has been completed for some time now. I just didn't upload it because I haven't figured out the chapter following this. Ugh.

But! This update is way past overdue which is why I decided to upload this.

As for the next chapter, hopefully I can upload it by next month. No promises though but I'll try my hardest considering how busy I've been lately.

Also, regarding the recent issues I've been experiencing with my other story Lies and Love (it has somehow been the object of a lot of plagiarism attempts), I finally decided on re-uploading it to this website. I thank those who have supported me with that regard and also I highly encourage my readers to please not attempt stealing it once again. If you do want to use any of my stories for any reason, just please tell me before hand! That's really all I ask. It's hard to feel carefree in writing with the constant worry of my own hard work being stolen.

So, please, please, please!

That's it for now... Ja ne!

Raeny