Yay Touya-ness! Love Touya. He's probably my favourite character in CCS and (in my opinion) deserved way more screen time (and a more awesome boyfriend/girlfriend because Yukito is bland and like a 3.5 relative to Touya's 10) than they gave him. Note: this chapter includes more TxN fluffiness.

Administrative stuff

Summary: Li Syaoran must return to Kinomoto Kingdom with the remains of his fiancée after her tragic demise. But a marriage is still required to unite the two families, and now Syaoran has his pick of the six remaining daughters of Kinomoto Fujitaka for the sake of both their kingdoms. Romance/Mystery

Ages:
Kinomoto Touya: 27yrs
Li Syaoran: 22 yrs (almost 23)
Kinomoto Sakura: 21 yrs
Kinomoto Tomoyo: 20 yrs
Kinomoto Ayame: 18 yrs (dec)
Kinomoto Meilin: 18 yrs
Kinomoto Chiharu: 17 yrs
Kinomoto Naoko: 16 yrs
Kinomoto Rika: 15 yrs

Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.

It's Only Love – Good News Travels Fast

Present

"My darling," Touya uttered gently as they approached the castle gates, shaking awake the sleeping figure next to him. She stirred slowly, blinking at the familiar surroundings.

"Why did you wake me?" she asked him drowsily, a pout forming on her red lips. "I was having a wonderful dream where you were the poor stable boy and I the lonely mistress of the house, cavorting in forbidden circumstances."

He chuckled at her expression, kissing away her frown a moment later. "That's it," he commanded, throwing on his rarely used princely tone, "no more romance novels for you, Nakuru. Your imagination is already twisted enough as is.

"And I woke you because we're almost home," he added before she could demand an answer to her previous question. "Also, I think Yumi-chan needs changing," he finished, handing off the almost one year old to his now fully awake wife. Yumiko gurgled appreciatively, not understanding that this was for her father's benefit more than her own.

Nakuru sniffed the air as she took the baby from her husband. "As much as you think otherwise, Touya, you are perfectly capable of changing a diaper," she scolded in an even tone as she made silly faces at their daughter. "And she doesn't need changing. If she did you'd definitely know."

"Then what's the smell?" he asked unconvinced by her appraisal.

Nakuru shrugged indifferently. "The horses most likely. Yumiko's fine," she told him blandly. "Isn't that right, Yumi-chan?" she asked the little girl who only giggled in response. Touya had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed.

"I bet your oba-san's are looking forward to seeing you again," she told the little one, bouncing the child on her knee. The little girl giggled again, her dark brown eyes lighting happily as she received her mother's attention.

"Are you sure you'll be okay here?" Touya cut in seriously, his eyes darkening with concern.

"Of course," Nakuru replied, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "There haven't been any problems at all this time, and I refuse to miss Ayame-chan and Syaoran-kun's wedding just because I'm pregnant. I promise to follow all the doctor's instructions and get lots of rest."

Touya nodded reluctantly, knowing he would have to simply concede the matter. It wasn't like he had any way of stopping her, and going against Nakuru's will could be like ramming your head against brick wall at times. They'd been in the country for the last few months as Touya had taken every precaution with their second child, whisking her away at the slightest sign of illness. He didn't want to risk a repeat of her last pregnancy.

He sighed with relief, watching his wife and daughter with a serious gaze. He had almost lost the both of them when Yumiko was born, and yet you'd never know by the look of them. They were both so full of life that Touya counted his blessings every day that he was with them.

Soon they were through the gates and on the castle grounds, their carriage pulling up along side several others. "I wonder what's happening?" Nakuru mused aloud, curious as to what had brought so many people to the Kinomoto castle all at once. She hoped that it was only because they had arrived early for the wedding, and not for some grave reason.

One of the courtiers opened the carriage door for them and Touya stepped out as Nakuru situated a slightly fussy Yumiko into her bassinet. Touya took the basket in one hand while guiding his wife down the steps with the other, his concerned eyes never leaving her form.

"Touya! Nakuru-chan!" a voice called loudly by way of greeting and the two turned to see Touya's best friend, Tsukishiro Yukito, racing across the lawn towards them.

"Yuki-kun!" Nakuru cried, returning his cheerful greeting in kind to the point that Touya had to restrain his five and a half month pregnant wife from racing over to meet him. Touya acknowledge his friend with a friendly nod of his head.

"You two sure are cutting it close," Yukito commented, stopping (just barely) in front of them. "For a second I was worried you might not make it in time for the wedding."

"You are looking well," he added with a courteous nod towards Nakuru. "And you, Yumiko-hime," he said, bowing to the bassinet also, which had been returned to Nakuru. Yumiko's expression beamed with delight even though she didn't know what was so funny about the situation – all she knew was that her mother was smiling and laughing, and that generally signalled her own happiness.

"What do you mean 'might not make it'?" Touya asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowing and his expression darkening as those around him turned to warm smiles. "The wedding isn't until next week. We arrived early so that Nakuru and Yumiko could settle in."

"How strange?" Yukito replied, his expression clouding a little with confusion. "The telegram must have been delayed. We sent it as soon as possible, but something must have held it up.

"No worries," Yukito concluded happily, his expression changing back to his usual smile. "All that matters is that you made it. Sakura-san would have been very disappointed if you hadn't."

Touya could imagine. Sakura would probably hold it over his head for the rest of his life. She would consider a failure to attend his own sister's wedding a serious crime, even if Ayame herself thought nothing of it.

"But why was the wedding brought forward?" Touya insisted, unhappy that he had been left out of the loop in his absence.

"It's nothing," Yukito replied assuringly, sensing Touya's worry under the pushy exterior. "Li-heika just had some business couldn't be left, so the wedding was brought forward."

Touya snorted derisively, unimpressed by the response. "Damn brat," he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. "Can't even make time for his own wedding. What kind of husband does that?

"Sakura's better off without him," he added in a low murmur meant only for his wife's ears.

Nakuru snorted aloud at his first comment, ignoring the second. "Says the husband who made me wait three weeks for our wedding night?" she asked sardonically.

Touya blushed at the recollection. He was, admittedly, slow to consummate the marriage, but thought he could hardly be blamed for that. Nakuru had scared him to death from the moment he met her, and while he loved her now in a way that defied reason, the marriage had been political one rather than one borne of romantic notions.

Much like his sister's upcoming nuptials . . . or so he thought.

"Now be nice to Syaoran-kun," she admonished lightly. "I'm sure he will make a very good husband and he will grant his wife her every desire.

"Even if she is not the one he truly wanted," she finished sadly, thinking back to a week almost a year and a half ago when she saw two people blossom under one another's influence. She couldn't help but feel disappointed that in the end, Syaoran had followed his head and not his heart.

Yukito nodded slowly, sharing in the sombre mood brought on by Nakuru's words. "He and Ayame-san would have had a happy marriage," Yukito said sincerely, "but I'm sure that Li-heika and Sakura-san will do their best to make their marriage just as happy."

In truth, Yukito thought Syaoran and Sakura made a much better match than Syaoran and Ayame, but thought it would be inappropriate to say with Nakuru looking so saddened by Ayame's passing.

Touya took a moment to digest the words, his expression turning furious as the words slowly sinking in. "That Li brat is marrying Sakura! How dare he?"

Nakuru, in contrast, actually looked quite pleased with the turn of events. She felt a little bad for Ayame – after all, to be shunned for her older sister did not look good – but she was overwhelmingly pleased that Syaoran had picked Sakura in the end.

"Why is that brat not marrying Ayame?" Touya yelled, becoming increasingly more furious with each passing moment.

"Oh dear," Yukito said quietly, turning his head from Touya's penetrating gaze. "It appears you did not get any of our telegrams.

"I'm very sorry, Touya-san," Yukito said with a quick bow of respect. "Ayame-san is dead and so a marriage was arranged between Li-heika and Sakura-san due to the importance of the alliance."

Touya was positively livid, his words coming out in nonsensical guttural groans. "He . . . she . . . his neck, that . . . I should . . . gaki!" was all that could be made out as he suddenly stormed away from his family and friend.

"Where's he going?" Yukito asked, blinking back his surprise.

"To try and talk Otou-san out of it," Nakuru replied with an easy smile, her amusement at Touya's extreme behaviour clearly evident. "And when that doesn't work, he'll try Sakura-chan. He'll only try Syaoran-kun if he's really desperate."

Yukito just shook his head. "I can't help but feel as though I'm missing something here," he sighed despondently, still watching an angry Touya storm towards the castle.

"We all are," Nakuru agreed consolingly, "but because it's Sakura-chan, it will surely be alright.

"Don't you think she and Syaoran-kun make the most adorable couple?" she added excitedly, distracted Yukito before he put any more thought into the matter. "I do. I think they're absolutely perfect together."

"I thought the same," Yukito admitted sheepishly as he offered Nakuru his arm. "I think they have much potential for happiness, and maybe even love."

"And best of all," Nakuru concluded giddily, "now I'll be doubly related to Sakura-chan. We'll be cousins-in-laws!"

"Nakuru-chan, I'm not sure it works that way," Yukito corrected cautiously, a sweat drop descending slowly. "And I thought you an Li-heika were only distantly related."

He paused momentarily, but catching Nakuru's disappointed look he hastily continued. "But now that he's marrying Sakura-san you guys will be in-laws."

Nakuru cheered up immensely at that prospect and demanded that he bring her immediately to Touya's sisters. Yukito did so, leaving Nakuru at the door for his own safety.

Rika, the youngest, greeted her happily at the door before guiding her sister-in low into the room. "Rika-chan, you look so kawaii!" she cheered at her littlest sister, wrapping the girl in a one armed hug as she flounced into the room. "You're all so kawaii!" she added as she saw four more girls all in their gowns.

"Arigatou," the five girls responded altogether as Nakuru sat down with Yumiko's bassinet and took the baby in her arms once again.

"Is . . . uh onii-chan here too?" Sakura asked nervously already knowing the answer, but a part of her wishing Touya would be unduly delayed. She knew her brother well enough to know he would not approve of today's events.

"Of course," Nakuru replied. "Don't worry," she added quietly, winking at Sakura, "I'll make sure he doesn't interfere."

Sakura sighed with relief and turned her attention to Tomoyo. "So can I get my dress on now?" she asked pointedly, crossing her arms over her robed form.

Tomoyo shook her head. "I've still got some finishing touches to do on it," she replied as she moved suspiciously towards the door. "I'll be back," she insisted, disappearing before any protests could be made.

"Hmm," Naoko said thoughtfully as her eyes scanned the room, taking in the sorts of details that only a writer would bother to observe. "How strange," she mused aloud, a slight frown creasing her features.

"What is it?" Rika asked, noting her sister's odd expression.

"It's nothing," Naoko assured her, "only . . .

"She left the dress."

"How could you allow that gaki to marry Sakura?" Touya exclaimed loudly at his father, making no pretence of small talk once they'd been left alone.

"Touya-san, I trust your sister's judgment in these matters," Fujitaka argued calmly, his expression unchanging, "and I trust Syaoran-kun to provide for Sakura and do his best for her.

"What happened with Ayame-san was unfortunate, but it was in no way Syaoran-kun's fault," he continued, his voice falling solemnly. "He did everything he could in the circumstances."

"You think that's what this is about?" Touya ejaculated. "Why her?" he continued by way of explanation. "Why Sakura?"

"Because she is the one he wants," Fujitaka replied. "And she is the one with the least to lose."

Touya's features narrowed questioningly at Fujitaka's response, and so the elder Kinomoto continued almost reluctantly. "Chiharu has been in love with Yamazaki-kun almost since birth, and their engagement is due to be announced at the end of the month. Naoko would lose her freedom and I know she has no intention of giving that up without a fight.

"Rika-chan has been exchanging love notes with the girls' sensei, and I know he has been working up the courage to ask my formal permission since she came of age," he said, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips. "Flourite-san has been attempting to court your sister Meilin for a while now, almost against her will. I know that given time, he'll win her heart and the two will be very happy. I think Meilin-chan would lose herself in a marriage to Syaoran-kun.

"Tomoyo is harder to read," he said frowning to himself as some cheer left his voice, "but I know there is someone and that loving him, whoever he may be, is not easy for her. It would not be fair on her or Syaoran-kun for the two to marry with another in her heart, and I think Syaoran-kun already knows that.

"You know how important this marriage is for us, Touya-san," he told his son, reaching out consolingly. "Our chance against Gensou alone may be good, but if he has the Li forces allied with him, our kingdom will be desecrated. Syaoran-kun is doing what he can to avoid bloodshed and I know his decisions were not made easily."

Touya sighed, his anger cooling somewhat through Fujitaka's explanation. "Don't you want more than this for Sakura?" he asked desperately, having nothing left to argue. "Sakura is too" he paused to find the right word, "artless to be subject to a marriage of convenience. Ayame-san would have withstood it, but Sakura needs to be loved. It's what she deserves."

"Love will come," Fujitaka assured him, his glasses flashing knowingly. "I doubt anyone could stop themselves falling in love with Sakura-chan, even if they tried."

"Now, Touya-san," he said pausing to ensure that Touya had nothing left to say, "would you please go fetch my lovely granddaughter for me?"

Touya snorted disagreeably, still put out that he had failed to convince Fujitaka to find a different bride. "You won't be saying that when she throws up all over your clothes," he sulked, looking about half his age at the moment.

"Fujitaka-heika," Yukito called cautiously into the room making sure it was safe to enter. "Nakuru-chan sent me over."

Fujitaka called him in warmly, knowing that Nakuru had likely foreseen his request. He greedily took the almost one-year-old up in his arms, smiling gently as she tried to steal the glasses off his face. "Hello, Yumi-chan," he cooed. "You are even more lovely than I remember, even if your Otou-san would say otherwise," he said proudly, his smile broadening as Yumiko returned the expression with one of her own.

"Your Ojii-san lies, Yumi," Touya protested, placing a kiss to the crown of her head. "I should go get ready."

Fujitaka just nodded and silently dismissed him, although not before giving Touya a meaningful look that seemed to convey the words 'don't you dare try to talk your sister out of this' in the nicest possible way. Tomoyo cornered him as he left.

"You were listening?" he asked sternly, not all that surprised that she had been, but irked all the same.

"Yes," she replied simply, without guilt. "It wasn't anything I didn't already know," she added bemusedly.

"So who is he?" Touya demanded in an icy tone. "Who is it that is breaking your heart, imouto-chan?" he reiterated with more concern.

"It's not important," she replied breezily. "That's not what I came to talk to you about."

"Talk then," Touya responded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Tell me why Sakura is marrying that brat."

"Because she loves him," she told him succinctly.

"He broke her heart," Touya replied sullenly. "He chose Ayame-san."

Tomoyo shook her head. "You and I both know that Ayame-san wasn't Li-kun's first choice, and for whatever reason he chose her, it has nothing to do with the reasons why he chose Sakura-chan."

Touya frowned at her, conceding her argument. "What aren't you telling me, Tomoyo-chan?" he asked suspiciously. "You know the reason, don't you?"

"Yes," she admitted, "but it's certainly not for me to tell, and you don't need to know."

"But how do you know?" he questioned, irked once more.

Tomoyo just shrugged. "Let's just say that Ayame-chan wasn't as careful as she thought."

"And knowing what you know, imouto-chan," he said quite seriously, his eyes darkening with concern, "if you were me, would you let her marry him?"

Tomoyo seemed to consider the question for a moment, before giving her brother a bright, sincere smile.

"Yes."

~ to be continued ~

Next chapter: The wedding.

Note:

I guess these two aren't quite so commonly seen in fanfiction, so a quick translation just in case the context hadn't alerted you to their meaning.

oba-san: aunt

ojii-san: grandfather

Also, does anyone know if there is a specific honorific or anything that should be used when referring to someone who is dead? It would be really helpful if anyone could let me know.