Disclaimer: I DO NOT, and I MEAN DO NOT OWN the characters of CCS but the other characters are mine!!!
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Chapter 6 : France, Here We Come!
"France," Sakura looked at him as Syaoran wrinkled his forehead in confusion.
"Why?" Syaoran asked again.
"Because Vince Onni-chan is there," Sakura answered.
"What on earth Vince has to do with this?" Syaoran asked to get more information from Sakura.
"Because he's doing research on these mirrors," Sakura winked at him.
"And how did you know he's still doing that research?" Syaoran asked as he never knew that Sakura was still in contact with Vince.
"Baka. Sheifa told me last night that she and Vince went to France again for his research," Sakura glared at Syaoran, "I'm not jealous, okay?"
"Did I say you're jealous?" Sakura neared her face to Syaoran's as his face turned red, "You still jealous of him? He's like a brother to me. There's no need to be jealous of."
"I'm not jealous," Syaoran looked at her eyes and realized how near their faces were. He smiled at her and kissed her on the lips and that made Sakura's turn to blush brightly.
"Let's go have some sleep. Tomorrow will be a very busy day for the both of us," Syaoran smiled and put Sakura's hand into his. He walked with her into their room.
Next Day
"Oh, God! How about Hikari?" Sakura got up and looked at Syaoran who was still sleeping.
"Syaoran, wake up… Xiao Lang!" Sakura yelled as Syaoran finally opened his amber eyes.
"What's wrong, honey?" Syaoran smiled at her and brought himself to sit on the bed. Sakura looked at him, "What about Hikari? Is she following us? But it can be dangerous for her to follow us there."
"She won't be following us. After all, she has to go to school. I don't want her to turn out just like you. You're very slow at math," Syaoran smiled but yelped when Sakura pinched his rib.
"Say that again and you'll be dead meat, Li Xiao Lang," Sakura glared at him.
"She'll stay with Otou-san and Touya. You'd better call Otou-san and inform him about Hikari. Don't tell Touya we are going to find that mirrors or he too will come to France. Then, Hikari will be alone without her evil uncle," Syaoran explained as Sakura folded her arms.
"You're insulting my brother and your brother-in-law again. That's enough," Sakura said as Syaoran shook his head, "You forgot one word."
"Unacceptable brother-in-law," Sakura and Syaoran said in unison.
"I know you'll say that. Now go take your bath. I'll call Otou-san first," Sakura walked out from the room and went to Hikari's room.
"Hikari honey, are you up?" Sakura asked as Hikari had already woke up and ready to go to her kindergarten.
"I'm up, Okaa-san," Hikari said and wore her cap.
"Okaa-san wants to tell you something. Okaa-san and Otou-san are going to France tomorrow. So, you have to stay with Uncle Touya and Grandpa Fujitaka. Is it okay?" Sakura asked as Hikari looked away.
"When are you coming back?" Hikari asked back.
"Well… Okaa-san doesn't really know. But I'll try to come home as early as I can. Okay? Gomen ne, Hikari. I'll make it up to you," Sakura pleaded. Hikari turned her face to her mother and smiled, "Okay. At least, I won't hear Uncle Touya and Otou-san quarrel for some time. He… he… he…"
"You're naughty little angel," Sakura pinched Hikari's nose.
"Can I send you to the airport?" Hikari looked at Sakura with her glistering eyes.
"Of course you can. There's no need to ask," Sakura smiled as Hikari jumped around.
"Can I go home with Aunt Hana after that?" Hikari asked eagerly as Sakura was clueless but when she looked at her daughter's pleading eyes, she could not say no more, "Okay but behave yourself. Don't get Aunt Hana in trouble."
"Pinkie promise," Hikari tangled her little finger with her mother's.
"Let's go. I don't want you to be late for school," Sakura took Hikari's hand into hers and walked into the car.
"Where's Otou-san?" Hikari asked as Syaoran came while tightened his tie, "I'm here, angel."
"Otou-san, let's go. I don't want to be late for school," Hikari pouted as Syaoran quickly got into the car and drove off. He was driving when Hikari tugged at his shirt, "Is there anything wrong, angel?"
"Can we go out for dinner tonight?" Hikari asked as Syaoran nodded. He knew Hikari will be very sad if they leave her alone. So, right then was the perfect moment to just do what she says.
"Where do you want to go?" Sakura asked. Hikari tapped her head with her index finger and smiled, "I want to go to Grandpa's Place."
"Grandpa's place? You want to have dinner with Grandpa Fujitaka?" Syaoran asked as Sakura and Hikari burst into laughter, "That's not it. It's a restaurant called Grandpa's Place."
"Okaa-san used to bring me there when you were busy, Otou-san," Hikari explained as Syaoran nodded in understanding.
"Okay then. But right now, you need to start your lessons," Syaoran parked the car and lifted Hikari up to bring her out of the car. Sakura hung Hikari's bag behind her and fixed her clothes, "Be good, Hikari and listen to the teachers."
"Okay. Bye, Otou-san, Okaa-san," Hikari waved at them and ran to her class.
Night
"Otou-san, hurry up. I'm hungry, famished and starving. Hayakun… hayakun…" Hikari whined with Sakura smiled at her spoilt behaviour.
"I'm coming, little angel," Syaoran said and took her little hand into his. They walked into the car and left the house. They arrived at the restaurant and quickly ordered as Hikari was whining that she was hungry that she could eat a horse as Syaoran chuckled.
"I see, you're learning idioms at school now," Syaoran said as Hikari shook her had, "Iie, Aunt Aimi always said that."
"So, Aunt Aimi is a bad influence to you. Maybe I shouldn't send you to her after all," Syaoran nodded his head with a very solemn face to go with it, "Iie, Aunt Aimi is nice to me. I want to go to her house. Otou-san…. Please don't send me to anyone else." Hikari frowned at her father as Syaoran chuckled, "I'm just kidding. But I'm a bit jealous with Aimi now. She got all of my daughter's love."
"Iie, I love you even more, Otou-san. Don't worry about that," Hikari said as Sakura shook her head at her beloved husband and cute little daughter but she was shocked when Hikari hugged her tightly, "What's wrong, Hikari?"
"But I love Okaa-san even more," Hikari smiled as Syaoran frowned at her, "My daughter is such a meanie." Sakura and Hikari laughed at Syaoran, "Now, now Syaoran. Don't be sad."
"I'm not going to be sad over such little thing, Sakura," Syaoran snorted as Hikari chuckled at her father's ego. Syaoran was saved by the waitress who sent their food.
"Yeah!! The foods' here," Hikari clapped her hands together.
"Please enjoy your dinner, Li-san," the waitress said and left them to enjoy the food, "Arigatou." Sakura nodded at the waitress as she left their table. They had a good time chatting and eating together. After having their dessert, Hikari was deep in slumber as Sakura and Syaoran talked a little before Syaoran put Hikari into his arms and brought her into the car.
"She sleeps early today," Sakura said as Syaoran smiled, "She got a lot in her stomach. That's why she's so sleepy. She really reminds me of you."
"Hey, that's not a nice thing to say," Sakura pouted as Syaoran stole a kiss from her, "And that's what'll happen when you can't stop pouting like that."
"And that's not a nice thing to do," Sakura pinched his arm as Syaoran chuckled, "But it's nice to feel."
"Oh yeah? How about you feel this?" Sakura pinched his arms again but a little harder than before, "Ouch, that hurts."
"You know, I'm kinda hate to leave Hikari. I get the feeling I won't be able to protect her when I'm so far away," Sakura sighed as Syaoran stayed silent for a moment, "Don't worry, she'll be fine. I'm sure your father and Touya will take good care of her and beside I've asked Eriol to look after her. So, she'll have enough protection when we're away. Maybe you should stay behind. That way, you won't feel uneasy."
"No, I'll go with you. I won't let you go there alone. This is our business and I'm relieved that Eriol will look after her," Sakura smiled as Syaoran pulled her hand to his chest.
Next Day
"You be good, okay?" Sakura kneeled in front of Hikari as she stroked her head lovingly, "Okay, Okaa-san. I promise."
"Otou-san said he's sorry he can't make it today," Touya said as Sakura shook her head, "It's okay. I know how busy he is."
"Hey, gaki! Take care of my sister," Touya glared at Syaoran who glared back, "I'm doing it every day, Baka!"
"Why you?!" Touya clenched his fist as Syaoran smirked at him.
"Take care, guys. I'll come by to Kinomoto's every day to check on Hikari. So, don't worry too much," Hana said as Sakura nodded while Syaoran thanked her.
"Itterashai, Okaa-san, Otou-san," Hikari said as Syaoran gave a peck on Hikari's cheek. Sakura did the same but more reluctant to let go. Syaoran patted her shoulder as she stood in front of Hikari, "Be good and listen to Uncle Touya, okay? Aunt Tomoyo and Uncle Eriol will come by later to look at you. So, be nice to everyone."
"I will, Okaa-san. Don't worry. You better go now or you'll miss the plane," Hikari said as Sakura smiled at her lovingly, "I'll be back soon." With that, they left to get to their plane.
"I'm starting to miss my little angel, Xiao Lang," Sakura sat after she had bee seated for not even for a minute. Syaoran chuckled and gave her a tight hug, "We both miss her but we're barely off Japan yet."
"Don't tease," Sakura pouted with Syaoran still smiling at her, "I'm not teasing, I'm stating a fact."
"Have you called Vince that we're meeting him?" Sakura asked, though she was making her escape from Syaoran's teasing and Syaoran knew it, all of it but trying not to embarrass his lovely wife anymore, he answered, "I've told him we'll meet him at the dig."
"Do you think this will work?" Sakura asked as Syaoran looked at her, puzzled, "What will work?"
"Reviving Mei Xi, of course," Sakura explained as Syaoran sighed, "We'll have to wait and see and right now, you better let yourself get some sleep. To take your mind off from all of this, okay?"
"Hmm… I'll try," Sakura said and looked at the window, trying to get her mind off somewhere else as Syaoran mumbled, "France, here we come."
They reached at France airport later. They went to their hotel first to take some rest and get over their jet lag before they go meet Vince at the dig.
"Honey, wake up. Sheifa called just now and ordered us to go their apartment for dinner. Now get up and change already," Syaoran shook Sakura lightly but Sakura didn't budge. Syaoran smiled and gave her a kiss on the lips. She moaned as she finally opened her eyes slowly, "Syaoran…"
"Now get up. You know Sheifa. We'd better hurry before she comes running though I would rather stay in bed with you," Syaoran teased as Sakura pouted cutely. She sat up and stretched her arms. Syaoran had already taken a bath. He was putting on a black shirt. Sakura went to the bathroom and took a quick bath. As she was putting on her pants, the phone rang. Syaoran picked it up and was heard really annoyed with the caller, "Yeah, yeah, we'll be there in another fifteen minutes. So, just stop reminding us or else, we won't reach your apartment. You know how I hate nagging nanny."
Sakura winced when she heard Sheifa yelled from the other end, "I'm not a nagging nanny!!!" Syaoran hung up really quickly as Sakura chuckled at him who was rubbing his aching ears. He could still hear Sheifa's voice echoing in his ears.
"Ready?" he asked as Sakura nodded and put her arms around his. They took a cab and asked the driver to bring them to the Zhou's resident. Sheifa was waiting for them at the front door when they arrived, "Why are you standing here like a lamp post?" Syaoran asked as Sheifa pinched his arm as he winced, "What was that for?"
"That's for calling me a nagging nanny and this one for calling me a lamp post," Sheifa pinched again at the same spot but a bit harder than before, "Sis, that's hurt."
"Owww… did that hurt little Xiao Lang? Then, what's the use of training martial arts if you can't even bear that little pinch? Our ancestors will be very disappointed with you," Sheifa said as Sakura chuckled while Syaoran frowned at his sister.
"Well, at least, I'm better than you are," Syaoran said as Sheifa smirked at him and that really gave him the goosebumps, "Xiao Lang, you know you always said that when you had nothing else to say. That means I win, bro."
"I am not," Syaoran tried to defend himself helplessly.
"You are," Sheifa stuck her tongue out at Syaoran who yelled, "Am not!"
"Ne, Xiao Lang, stop being so childish," Sakura said as Syaoran glared at his wife who just smiled sweetly at him, "Yeah, you look just like Hikari when you do that."
"You two are hopeless. Just tell me the truth that you enjoy the cut and thrust of playing with my feelings," Syaoran thrust his hands into the pockets as Sakura pulled him towards her, "And what if I do, Xiao Lang?"
"You're going to pay when we get back to the hotel," Syaoran said as Sakura smiled cunningly, "Hey, lovebirds. Come inside already." Sheifa said as she had already reached the door but her brother and wife were still joking around that he forgot what they were arguing about just then.
"We're coming. Where's Vince Onii-Chan?" Sakura asked when they went into the apartment, "He's still at the dig. He'll be home late. They found something this morning. So Vince needs to be there."
"Oh, so you're lonely and desperately in need of a company. That's where we come in," Syaoran said as Sheifa pouted at her not-so-little brother.
"Hey, he's not like that, okay? This is his dream," Sheifa said as Syaoran snorted incredulously. Sakura smiled at Syaoran and Sheifa "Archaeologists are just like that. They're too curious for their own good."
"You're right, Sakura. I'm glad to have someone with the archaeologist's blood in the family," Sheifa nodded in agreement.
"You two can stop scheming against me. I would highly appreciate it," Syaoran took a sip from his glass while Sakura and Sheifa laughed heartily, "We're not scheming against you. We just feel the need to balance the equilibrium." Sakura smiled at her adorable sulking husband, "And what do you mean by balancing the equilibrium?"
"Well, you can't always be the one teasing, you need to feel what it's like to be teased," Sakura could not help but smiled at Syaoran who was trying hard not to frown. Sheifa nodded, "Yeah, you love to taunt Sakura. So, you need to know the feeling once in a while."
"But this is just not fair. It's two against one," Syaoran let out his frustration as Sheifa put the food on the table, "Well, aren't guys stronger than women? You always tell us that. So, it's fair according to your fallacy."
"I've told you to stop scheming against me, Li Sakura, Sheifa Zhao," Syaoran sensed the fatality to defend himself, "Are you giving up without a fight, Li Xiao Lang?" Syaoran glared at his sister who smiled wickedly, "No, I've been taught to respect women by the clan. So, I will do so."
"Oh… but I never thought you like being ordered around by the clan. It's not your style, little brother," Sheifa smirked as Sakura suddenly felt the need to stop the deadly conversation before it goes too far, "Now, now, Xiao Lang, Sheifa, are we going to eat or biting on each other all night long?" Sheifa smiled, "Yeah, you're right. Let's eat. The foods' getting cold."
"I'll only bite you, honey," Syaoran smiled as Sakura's cheeks had her usual crimson tint.
"Save it for later, Xiao Lang. I'm trying to eat," Sheifa rolled her eyes as Syaoran ignored her remark. They finally had their dinner without another biting conversation. Maybe that was their way to show affection. Well, who knows but it sounded creepy. Would you find it's usual if your family members lashing out at each other every time they met? That would be extremely creepy and eerie.
"You'd finally got hold of your cooking. It's delicious. Did you really cook all of these or did you buy it somewhere and put it on the plates?" Syaoran asked as Sheifa glared at him, "Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor, Xiao Lang. So, just shut your mouth up and enjoy what I'd been working on. You'll never know when you get to taste my homemade cooking ever again."
"Like I'm going to miss YOUR cooking…" Syaoran was cut off before Sheifa decided to throw her fork at him, "Xiao Lang, stop it. Let just pretend you just heard he said it's delicious and forget the things he said in between, okay?" Sakura suddenly felt they shouldn't be there with Syaoran and Sheifa could not stop bickering with each other. They were the best siblings in the world before. What turned the table around was still in secrecy between the both of them.
"Well, then maybe he should remember I tell him this and forget everything in between; he's an intolerable little brother!!!" Sheifa glared at him as Syaoran gritted his teeth, "Hey! What on earth happened to you two? I thought you love each other. I've never seen you bickering over such a simple meal. You two better talk now or I'll tell Vince Onii-Chan about this."
"Don't get him into this!!" they both said in unison as Sakura sighed, "Is it about me and Vince Onii-Chan? I've told you two there's nothing between us. He's like a brother to me. Satisfied?" Syaoran flinched at the word us.
"It's not about him and you, Sakura. It's about Sheifa and him," Syaoran looked at Sheifa who glared at him, "What's with them?"
"He's cheating on her. I saw them with my own eyes and Sheifa won't listen to me," Syaoran explained as Sheifa looked at him with shock, "So, that's why you told me he's not good enough for me. How's the girl look like?" Sheifa asked as Syaoran answered reluctantly. Sheifa could do the worst to the girl, "Long black hair, wears spectacles and grey eyes." Sheifa sighed deeply as Sakura patted her arms. She looked up at Syaoran and suddenly burst into laughter, "Xiao Lang, you silly wolf, that's his co-worker. She's married to Vince's best friend and also a good friend of mine. They were not cheating on me, they were working together. Where and when did you meet them?"
"At a hotel a few weeks ago," Syaoran said as Sheifa laughed harder, "They were in a convention, silly. He'd already told me he would be going with her and her husband was with them. Oh God, I can't stop laughing. You know, I know you'll protect everyone in the family. I love you for that, Xiao Lang. Next time, just tell me what you had seen rather than telling me he's not good enough for me. It was so confusing." Syaoran smiled at his own foolishness while Sakura put her arms around his left arm, relieved they were on good terms again. As they were eating happily, the phone rang and Sheifa quickly excused herself and answered the phone. She was smiling happily and hung up after finishing her talk with the caller.
"Vince just called. They found another one," Sheifa said happily as the couple looked at her with frowns on their faces. Sheifa took the liberty to elaborate, "They found another mirror, The Sapphire."
"You mean the seven coloured mirrors?" Sakura asked eagerly, "Yeah, that's the second one. The first one is The Turquoise."
"Did Vince Onni-chan know about the myth that said the mirrors can revive the dead?" Sakura asked again as Sheifa shook her head, "I'm not sure. Vince said he still trying to translate the script on the wall of the cave they found two months ago. Oh, and there's a Clow's sign on it. Maybe you both should see it. Vince has been cracking his brain to find the answer but still coming around to the same thing – nothing."
"Well, I'll say that a good news," Syaoran said as he put a mouth sized meat into his mouth. Sheifa and Sakura looked at him for further explanation, "That tells me that Vince is a bit lacking in the brain department. So, I'm willing to give him a hand."
"Xiao Lang, you've gone too far. You know that, don't you?" Sakura asked as Sheifa glared at him. Syaoran chuckled and put both his hands in the air, "Just kidding, Sis."
"Well, for your information, little brother, my hubby won't need your hand to assist him, he'll need brainpower from Sakura and manpower from you if you still insisting on giving him a hand," Sheifa smirked as Sakura chuckled, "Are you telling I'm no good at thinking, Sheifa?"
"No, I'm just insisting you to give him a hand," Sheifa stuck her tongue at Syaoran who could not help but laughed at his sister's childishness, "You are too good at alternating words but I'm good at thinking, because if I'm not, you'll be sure the Li Corp. has already gone by now."
"Fine, fine, I admit you are good at thinking, Xiao Lang. But the script is not in Chinese, Japanese or France. So, I just wish you luck. I'll bring you two to the dig tomorrow. Vince won't be coming home. He needs to analyze the mirror."
"That's fine with us," Sakura looked at Syaoran who nodded in agreement. They finally finished the dinner but Sheifa insisting them to stay for awhile but Syaoran declined, "No, sorry. Can't stay. Sakura and I need to call Hikari. We need to check up on her. Who knows what that stupid head is teaching my daughter now?"
"I thought only Mei Xi called him that. You sure pick up fast," Sheifa smiled as Syaoran shrugged his shoulders, "I'm a fast learner."
"And you're getting a fast reward for that," Sakura pinched him at the waist as Syaoran tried to dodge it but Sakura was too fast, "Sakura, you're evil."
"I'm evil, you're the devil. How many times I've told you to stop calling names at each other?" Sakura scolded him like a little boy who just broke a rule as Syaoran pouted cutely. Sheifa screamed and jumped around, "A Kodak moment. I've never seen little brother acts this cute. I wish Tomoyo's here."
"No worries, she has a lot of Syaoran and his cuteness. I'll ask her to send it to you," Sakura smiled meaningfully as Syaoran glared at her. Sheifa cannot help but smiled at the couple in front of her.
"We'll leave for now," Sakura said and gave Sheifa a bear hug. Sheifa smiled and felt all warm inside when Sakura did that. She was so happy to see them so happy after all the tragedies that happened to them. It was so relieving to see them happy in the inside rather than the outside. It's been awhile since she saw that glimmer of happiness in Sakura and Syaoran's eyes. But what's bothering her was Touya. He seemed to not know how to get over after what happened. He was still waiting for Mei Xi after all this time and the meeting with Hana was giving him hopes but Sheifa felt it was rather unnerving to start giving him a false hope… What would happen if she was not Mei Xi? What if she never gains back her memory? What if she was really the real Akimine Hana? She could go on with the 'what if' but nothing could be gained if she just sitting there. The only way to be certain that Touya could finally reach his happiness is to help Sakura and Syaoran finding about that mirrors.
Author's Note: I just want to ask if I should discontinue this story... I mean I have the plot all ready but somehow I feel like there's no one interested in the story... So, please tell me if I should discontinue this story... Thanks for reading...
I'm sorry, I'm really in a bad situation right now... And the mood swing isn't helping me too... So, pretty please... Help is in need... -Cry-