Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Dragon ❯ Sakura and the Camping Trip of Marriage ( Chapter 23 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"I'm sorry I slept late! I just need another moment to get ready. Just take a seat and I'll be done back in a second so we can go shopping," Sakura blurted out adjusting her clothes while rushing out of her room.

Syaoran nodded, not that she could see his reply. He sat heavily onto her bed and glanced around the room to be sure that Cerberus was still downstairs. He then looked at the mirror. "Sakura, there's something I need to tell you. It's about your attacker. Your mother thinks... Wait! My mother! Argh!"

The teen got up and paced around the room. "'Just tell her.' Easier said than done, Daidouji."

Syaoran now sat down at Sakura's desk. Part of the problem with his mother's suspicions was that Meiling was dead set against telling Sakura until it was proven true. His mother could be wrong. The evidence, while circumstantial, only seemed to support his mother's thoughts. Not telling Sakura could be seen as betrayal, yet telling her would betray Meiling. He shook his head and gazed at the floor.

He didn't immediately notice it, but there was something white peaking out at the base of Sakura's bed that certainly wasn't her pink bedsheets. Without thinking, he picked it up. He blushed realizing these were his girlfriend's panties, and they were still warm. She had worn these to bed and had only changed out of them when he arrived to take her shopping. Even her scent was still upon them.

"SYAORAN-KUN?!"

The boy jumped and the panties went flying. By whatever cursed luck of life, the panties bounced off Sakura's head.

"Ah, I, um, well..." Syaoran turned deep red. "Sorry."

Sakura looked to be on the verge of tears. "Why?"

"I... I don't know..." Syaoran trailed off.

"Go," Sakura ordered softly.

"But Sakura I... well... I'm sorry... I-" Syaoran babbled.

Sakura clenched her fists. "GO!"

Syaoran slouched as he got up. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to do that." He then dejectedly walked out of the house.

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Card Captor Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon

Chapter 23: Sakura and the Camping Trip of Marriage

Card Captor Sakura belongs to the fine ladies of CLAMP. Used without consent, all rights reserved.

By: Lord Archive

Author's Warnings:

This contains mature themes not intended for children under thirteen.

This series contains:

Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.

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Tomoyo frowned as Sakura swayed in front of her. The girl pleaded for help shopping for the upcoming school trip, yet did not explain why she wasn't going with Syaoran as planned. She wanted to know why, but had yet to figure out a way to approach the issue.

Sakura lifted a pink sleeping bag and compared it to a dark green one. The shades didn't match well yet the girl didn't immediately dismiss the bag.

"If Li-kun picked a lighter green, it could work," Tomoyo noted.

Sakura jumped and then shoved the sleeping bag back. "Why was I comparing it?"

"Don't you want one to match Syaoran's? You are going to be his 'wife' this weekend," Tomoyo noted.

Sakura pouted. "I'm not sure we are a match."

"Of course you are," Tomoyo assured her. "Though you do know that no two people are a perfect match. No matter how much you love someone and no matter how well you work together, you will have arguments"

"We never get into fights," Sakura pointed out.

"If only that was the case," Tomoyo retorted. "You've argued against me video taping you, and I've complained about secrets you've kept from me."

Sakura shook her head. "That's different."

"How is it different?" Tomoyo wondered.

"It's not... disgusting or perverted," Sakura muttered.

Tomoyo frowned. Her friend would have a different opinion if she knew what was on some of the stolen video tapes. "Panty shots and wanting to know what dirty and naughty things you've done with Li-kun."

Sakura growled cutely in frustration. "It's still not the same! He sniffed my dirty panties!"

"While you were wearing them?" Tomoyo wondered.

"Tomoyo-chan?!" Sakura squawked.

"Okay, so he picked up your panties and smelled them." Tomoyo folded her arms. "You haven't exactly been meeting his 'needs' lately, have you?"

Sakura blinked. "'Needs?'"

"When was the last time you two had any personal _special_ time?" Tomoyo pressed.

"Hoe!" Sakura blushed. "Ah, haven't really done anything since you were attacked."

"And like the gentleman he is, Li-kun hasn't pushed you to be intimate until you're ready. Just because you're not ready doesn't mean he doesn't want to be with you," Tomoyo pointed out.

Sakura huffed. "And what does that have to do with him doing something so disgusting. It smelled!"

"Yes, it smelled of your naughty parts," Tomoyo teased. "And Li-kun wants to smell those parts directly but you haven't let him so he had to go with the next best thing."

Sakura looked disgusted. "I hope he doesn't want to smell my ass!"

Tomoyo giggled. "That's not what he was trying to smell."

Sakura blinked, then blushed, and finally shrieked, "Hoooooooeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!"

------------------------

Syaoran sheepishly waved at Sakura as she walked on the bus, yet in the time it took her to walk to the back of the bus she switched from smiling to frowning and back five times before settling on looking away from him as she sat down next to him. He could feel her unease and could only sigh.

Sakura might not have sat with him had the seating not been predetermined into pairs. Each boy had a girl assigned to him. However as this was 'marriage training weekend camp' it was hardly surprising that there were more girls than boys on it. As such four girls found themselves paired with each other and Rika as the odd girl out would be paired with a teacher.

"So whose the husband?" a boy teased one of the female couples.

"Daidouji likes that role more than me." Meiling patted the boy on the head. "And you had better be a good wife to Sugimoto or she'll kick your ass."

"Hey!" the boy tried to knock Meiling's hand away, but only earned more laughter from those on the bus.

"Settle down everyone," Terada called out as he walked down the isle of the bus, sitting in the very back next to Rika.

Syaoran was a touch surprised to see the elementary school gym teacher helping on a junior high trip, but could guess they needed extra eyes around to make sure students didn't take their fake marriage for the weekend to try to have a not-so-fake honeymoon.

Teikei now stood at front of the bus. "We will now head out." He shifted as the bus lurched forward. He cleared his voice. "Please take the hand of your partner. Now repeat after me: For this weekend, I thee wed. To work, to learn, and to experience what it means to have a partner in life. I promise to respect my partner and my school, to not do anything that will cause any harm to either.

"You may now shake the hand of your pretend spouse." Teikei was not surprised that had been repeated by a few students. "And to make this clear, it is a pretend marriage. You may not have a pretend 'honeymoon.' That will cause harm to the school and potentially to the girl. This includes you, Yamazaki. It doesn't matter that you both actually are married. This trip is to learn about how to be better partners in life, which is more important to marriage than what happens in the bedroom."

Yamazaki opened his mouth, but his wife immediately had her hand over his mouth and hissed, "Say a word and I'll be a widow."

------------------------

The campgrounds consisted of a large field dominated by a long central single story building. The students were instructed to grab their stuff and store it inside the building which was currently set up as a large cafeteria with one end being a good size kitchen, while the rest of it was designed for open and varied uses.

"We will now all break up into groups to accomplish various tasks. You will be working with your partners, so choose which group you will be joining carefully. We will have need for construction, decoration, and cooking," Teikei informed.

Syaoran glanced at Sakura, "Cooking?"

Sakura thought about it for a second and then nodded. She led the way to join that group, which Rika and Terada followed suit.

At the same time Meiling and Tomoyo both said, "Decoration." They broke into giggles and went to their group.

Chiharu and her husband didn't even say a word as they joined the group for construction.

"Bet you want cooking," Asaba commented.

Naoko shook her head, "I don't particularly like any of the options. Decoration is more my speed."

"Cool, I'm good with that," Asaba agreed.

After six couples went to the cooking group, Teikei called out, "Kitchen duty is filled."

More than a few complaints went up at that announcement, most of them from girls complaining to their partner. A few girls dragged their boys to the decoration group in fear of losing that choice. As the remaining couples choose their jobs, neither were declared full.

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"Now there are six dishes that need to be prepared for lunch," the school's home economics teacher, Yamabuki, informed. "As you might guess, each couple will be assigned one dish to make. And don't think choosing rice will be the easy route as we will need to make a large quantity of it."

Syaoran noted that each of the six dishes came with a specific recipe While rice looked the easiest, the real issue would be the weight of the steam trays. He did not want to risk Sakura trying to grab one by herself. "Chicken teriyaki stir fry?"

Sakura nodded and took that recipe from the board. "I'll work on setting up the vegetables, you can work on the chicken."

Syaoran briefly held her hand to look at the paper she held to see how much chicken he needed to grab.

They went to the walk-in refrigerator to collect the ingredients Set themselves up at a pair of small cutting tables. Washed and then gloved their hands. Syaoran worked on removing the bones from the chicken while Sakura rinsed off the peppers.

"You seem distracted."

Sakura jumped and looked at the girl next to her rinsing a large amount of rice. "Ah, Misora-chan, um..."

"Here I thought you two had worked out the issues with Satome and your little flings," Misora commented.

Sakura pouted. "Don't listen to the rumors. I don't know how many times I have to say that it wasn't me."

Misora giggled. "Much like the exaggerated rumors of Hisao breaking up with me."

"Gotoh-kun didn't? Sakura wondered. "But you both were so upset?"

"He blamed me that my parents found out we're lovers. My ears are still ringing from their yelling," Misora joked.

Sakura let out a short laugh. "I think the only people who believe I'm still a virgin are my friends, Syaoran-kun, my brother and one of Syaoran-kun's sisters."

"What about your parents?" Misora wondered.

"I've spent the night at Syaoran-kun's home, and Dad, well, gave me some advice," Sakura almost whispered.

Misora blinked. "Advice?"

"Well, I'm not sure how he meant it, but 'make sure Syaoran-kun takes his time' does make me think," Sakura explained.

Misora laughed. "Wish Hisao had gotten that advice."

Sakura looked at the girl. "What is it like?"

"Intense, pleasurable and personal. That's all you're getting from me on that," Misora told her.

"I understand." Sakura nodded.

"What is the trouble with your boyfriend?" Misora questioned.

Sakura sighed. "It'd sound silly. I walked in on him doing something a tad disgusting and got upset."

"Was he wanking? Pissing in the street?" Misora asked.

Sakura flushed. "No!"

"I sniffed her panties," Syaoran whispered to the girls with a blush. "This isn't the best place for this talk."

Rika giggled. "Oh, I'd say housewives discussing things fit well for this weekend."

"And what of your mysterious older boyfriend?" one girl shot at her.

"I'm willing jail bait if only he'd take the hook," Rika replied with a knowing smile. "We've pledged to wait until the wedding night."

Misora put her hand on Sakura's wrist. "Have you ever sniffed one of Li's shirts?"

"Yeah," Sakura answered uncertainly.

"His smelly, sweat soaked and dirty shirts?" Misora stressed and got a nod in response. "And how is that any less disgusting than smelling the crotch of your panties? The panties likely were cleaner."

Sakura pouted, unable to think of a retort.

Yamabuki looked like her face was about to burst blood from blushing so hard. "Um, let's get back to work. The food won't cook itself."

Terada laughed nervously. "Yes, let's focus on the job at hand."

------------------------

Out in the campground field, the students were arranged into groups. Some were busy painting away on large pieces of plywood, while others worked on a skeleton structure of booths that the painted signs would be attached to.

Chiharu looked up as a teacher approached her. "Hello, Benten-sensei."

Takashi glanced over and also gave a quick greeting, before pounding another nail into the post.

Benten gave a grandmotherly smile. "Hello, Yamazaki. You're the fastest couple I've ever seen pick construction."

Chiharu shrugged. "Well, my cooking is passable..."

"For toxic waste," Takashi teased.

Chiharu glared at him. "But it'd be better to leave that to others. As for painting..."

"Her cooking is better," Takashi joked.

Chiharu sighed. "So, holding boards or pounding nails works best for me."

Benten giggled a little. "It's nice to see how well you communicate."

"We've been together since kindergarten. There would be something wrong if I do NOT know her," Takashi pointed out.

"True," Benten conceded. "It's still good to see you working well together."

"We have to. We are married after all," Chiharu replied.

"I have seen many marriages that failed because they forgot the basics to making a marriage work," Benten told them.

Chiharu smiled sadly. "I know. Keeping silent is a good way to be hurt."

Benten nodded. "If you ever need to talk to someone, I'm willing to listen."

"Thanks, but I think we're good now," Chiharu told her.

"Yeah, things are a lot better after we switched roles for a weekend," Takashi added with a knowing smile.

"That's good, best not to forget that it's not easier for the other person, just different," Benten related. "I'll leave you to your work."

The Yamazaki couple nodded and waved goodbye before getting back to building.

Benten wandered amongst the couples. Some had boys trying to impress their partners, other had girls chatting away, and a few were working quietly.

"So, who will be the ones to watch out for?" Teikei questioned.

Benten smirked at him. "And how many times have I told you to keep your eyes on the quiet ones, especially the ones who do not seem nervous. Sakurai and Tendo are too content with each. They are not so different than Yamazaki are, or Gotoh and Misora and we know why they've had issues lately."

Teikei nodded slowly. "I prefer the reaction of Gotoh's and Misora's parents. Forcing children to marry is ridiculous." He folded his arms. "I've talked to Kinomoto's father about her suspected... activities with boys, and he assured me if she slept with anyone, it would've been just with Li."

Benten laughed a little. "Good to see he's not a hypocrite."

Teikei looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Kinomoto's father was her mother's first year history teacher in high school, and she did not complete the second year as she was married and pregnant," Benten related.

"That helps to make some sense." Teikei shook his head. "Any others I should be worried about?"

"Well, I doubt Daidouji and Li-chan will be having a baby with each other," Benten teasingly joked. "Though it's really hard to say if anything is going on there. Ito and Ishida also Makino and Kasugano may become issues later, but I doubt they'd try anything this weekend."

"Few actually do try," Teikei commented. "I just worry at how many girls here won't finish school."

Benten nodded slowly. "Wish there was some way to protect them from themselves, but we've had a few too many quiet years."

"What do you mean?" Teikei wondered.

"I feel there are more girls at risk of not finishing school from this group than we've had in the last five years combined. Yamazaki, Kinomoto, and Misora are all high risk, Sasaki as well if the rumors are true. Another six girls would not surprise me, and there usually is a girl or two you don't expect to end up with such trouble. Sure, most delay having a baby with abortion, but some of these girls seem to want to have a family despite their age," Benten sadly related.

Teikei shook his head, not liking what she had said. "Any issues of the Satome kind?"

"I didn't know Satome was that much trouble. I'd keep watch on his friends. While we only know of threats of gang rape with them, they may have actually done that," Benten advised.

"They are definitely on my shit list. After I transferred one of them out of our school, the rest have cleaned up their acts. Just one slip up, one violation, and I'll kick them out," Teikei vowed.

------------------------

The students all sat at cafeteria tables waiting for the chance to grab diner. Teikei cleared his voice and called for them to all be quiet.

"This weekend is all about giving you a chance to experience what life is like after you finish school. Each of you are being handed a listing of jobs. Each job has a teacher listed with it. Once you finish eating, you will need to see that teacher and interview for the offered position. You do not need to work with your spouse," Teikei began. "You will note that different jobs have different pay rates. You've already earned monetary credits for what you've done today. If all you want is the most basic of foods and don't do any recreation activities, you need not work. However, if you want more than rice, you will want to work. The more monetary credits you earn, the more you can spend it on food, recreation, clothes, or other things-- including not having to help tear down what we built today at the end of the weekend. Also, monetary credits are given to couples jointly and how well you do over the weekend will be factored into your grades."

Sakura pouted at the hand-out she was to share with Syaoran. The front page listing much of what the Student Disciplinarian just said, but going into more details about the rules. The next few pages listed all the available jobs, while the last few listed services and prices for them. The monetary credits used hours and minutes of work as the method of value rather than fake yen.

"We're even going to have a movie theater?" Naoko commented, seated next to Sakura.

"With nothing but family movies," Asaba groaned. "We're not little kids."

"Do you honestly expect them to play adult movies?" Naoko shot back at her fake spouse.

Rika giggled from the other side of the table. "What jobs should we be looking at? I think I'll stay with cooking."

Sakura shrugged. "Waitress, I guess."

Chiharu nodded. "I was thinking the same thing."

"The clothing store," Tomoyo added.

"Of course," Naoko commented. "Not sure myself. A nice boring one would be good."

"Gym trainer," Meiling and Syaoran said at the same time, causing the girl to smirk and Sakura's pout to deepen.

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The interviews were winding down and many students were recruited in folding up the cafeteria tables to clear the floor. Teachers were guiding the couples to set up their sleeping bags in boy to girl to girl to boy order so that no girl would end up between two guys.

Sakura immediately took to a spot where she would be sleeping to the right of Syaoran, while Chiharu and Misora were to the left of their beloveds.

"Ah, so you prefer the left side of the bed, Li," Takashi commented.

Syaoran shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me."

Takashi grinned. "Have you ever slept on the other side of Kinomoto?"

Syaoran blinked. "When we were in a coma from that 'accident.'"

Takashi nodded. "You didn't exactly have a choice then. It's actually a proven fact that when a couple first sleeps in the same bed, they will repeatedly take the same sides of the bed they did that night."

Sakura pouted. "This is one of your tales again, isn't it?"

"One of the true ones," Chiharu added. "Regardless of where, I've always gone to the same side, even though it was less convenient for me at his house."

Misora smirked. "Thanks for the warning."

Gotoh grunted in annoyance.

"What if the girl and the guy both want the same side?" Meiling wondered.

"Then it'd be a fight while you sleep, but since you are sleeping it is less a matter of strength and more a battle of wills. You will attempt climb, shove and push your bed mate to the side you want while he defends his," Takashi related.

"That's a lie," Sakura piped in. "Even when we were recovering, at no time did I try to switch places with Syaoran-kun even when it was hard to fall back to sleep."

Takashi laughed guiltily. "It was worth a shot. Actually it's when the _couple_ first shares a bed which side is determined. Most people aren't inclined to use the left or right side when they go to bed. It's something that happens when sharing a bed. Li-chan could be with six guys and be on the left side for half the boys, and the right of the others and they wouldn't necessarily keep their side when sleeping with a different girl."

"Ah." Meiling nodded. "So which side I sleep on is meaningless today."

"Not that you'd be able to tell as you'll be between girls," Tomoyo added with a giggle as she took the side closest to the wall.

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As the sun began to rise, a few of the students began to stir and they quickly took advantage of using the showers on the far side of the building. There would be a long line for them come eight o'clock when everyone would be forced to wake up and get ready for the day.

The sound of two vehicles approaching broke the morning quiet, not that the slumbering teenagers noticed.

Teikei left the building letting Terada and Benten keep watch of the students and looked dumbly at a van backing up next to the clothing shop booth being guided by a woman in a business suit. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Daidouji Tomoyo-hime expressed her desire to have her van brought here," the woman replied, motioning for the van to stop. She then walked up to the back doors and opened them, revealing the sides of the vans had racks of clothes. "She said something about needing to run a clothing store and wanted a full inventory to work from along with the appropriate tools."

"Oh, good, you're here already." Tomoyo walked up to them drying her hair, having been among the first to wake up.

"Care to explain this?" Teikei demanded.

"Well, I put a call for my designing van after I saw what little inventory I would be working with after that one girl realized she had forgotten to pack her pajamas. What she got was hardly fitting for her in both fashion and size. With this I'll be able to offer her more alternatives and do a better job running the store. I'm sure you don't want her flashing everyone her underwear again," Tomoyo explained. "Of course you will be in charge of the keys."

"You do realize anything you sell will not be reimbursed," Teikei intoned.

Tomoyo smiled. "Of course, but this gives me a chance to work with girls and guys of all sorts of sizes, not just beautiful models. So it will be a useful learning experience if I decide to enter fashion design fully after finishing school."

Teikei frowned. "The van does offer issues...."

"True." Tomoyo nodded. "However the van shakes too easily." She pressed down on the bumper to emphasize it's movements. "Besides this is my workplace on the road. I hardly want anyone to make a mess in it. And as I said, you will have the keys. If you suspect any inappropriate behavior, you have full access to the van."

Teikei mulled it over and then glanced at a group of students who were watching them in confusion, his gaze focused on one girl wearing glaring pink pajamas that were two sizes too large for her. "I will allow it, Daidouji, but your first customer won't garner extra hourly notes. Tenkawa, come here. Daidouji will fix your pajamas."

The small teenage girl rushed toward them, hands tightly gripping the waist band of the pajama bottoms.

Tomoyo clapped her hands together. "That shade of pink simply doesn't work with your dark features. Let's see if I can find you a better look so you're weekend husband won't mind not seeing what he shouldn't see."

Tenkawa blushed and nodded.

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Syaoran sat deep in thought next to a sign with an unflattering and misshaped image of a body builder that marked where the 'gym' was. Unfortunately, his pay largely depended on having students. While not everyone was working currently, no one had yet to approach for exercise training.

"I didn't think you had it in you," Meiling chirped devilishly.

Syaoran merely glared at her.

"Sniffing her panties, really? You must be deprived," Meiling teased.

"Shut it," Syaoran barked.

"Well, meditating isn't going to cure your frustrations. Spar with me." Meiling moved into the ready stance. "We might be able to attract attention for the gym."

"Fine." Syaoran got up and waited for Meiling to make the first move. She attacked almost immediately.

"What is with you two?" Meiling asked mid-swing. "I know that Satome attacking Daidouji messed things up for Kinomoto, but you two haven't gotten your act together yet."

Syaoran scowled, his kick a touch sloppy, not that the growing spectators would notice. "It's none of your business."

"You dumped me for her and she's trying to be family, how is that NOT my business," Meiling retorted along with a palm strike that missed.

"And what about the secret you want me to keep from her?" Syaoran growled, pressing an angry series of attacks.

The audience gasped more at the comment than the furious attack.

"Because your mother is wrong," Meiling shot back, as she took out his legs. "It can't be true."

Syaoran flipped back to his feet. Words dying on his lips as pushing the issue would announce it to those watching. "I'm going to have to say something to Sakura soon. Not telling her isn't helping."

Meiling whipped out an attack and stopped herself short of hitting her cousin. While not clear to the spectators, the strike could've killed if she hit him with enough force.

Syaoran and Meiling took a few steps away from each other and bowed respectfully.

"Can you teach me how to do that?!" a boy from a different classroom called out.

"Beginning lessons are one hour notes per session per person," Syaoran informed.

Seven of the ten spectators stepped forward, notes in hand.

------------------------

Chiharu was ready to pull out her hair. For whatever stupid reason she wasn't just hired as a waitress but was made manager of the cafeteria. Sure Yamabuki-sensei was watching over everything to make sure things didn't get out of hand and no one got hurt, but that's all she did.

"Why didn't you stir the mix?" Chiharu questioned.

"I was just going to flip it," the girl replied.

Chiharu gave her an annoyed look. "It's burnt at the bottom. We can't serve it."

"Why not?" the girl replied. "It's just for a couple jerks."

"Try that attitude with a real job and see how long you're employed," Chiharu sniped. "Remake it."

"That's just the point, this is not 'real.' I'm never going to have to do this sort of shit for a living." The girl took off her apron and threw it at Chiharu. "You remake it. I'm out of here."

Chiharu bit back a scream.

Yamabuki stepped forward. "Save what she 'cooked.' It may just be her breakfast Sunday morning."

Chiharu blinked. "Huh?"

"We're not going to starve anyone, but chances are the ones who don't take this seriously will have no notes for food before the weekend is over. As such food issues like this end up being used to feed them," Yamabuki explained. "And if she thinks she's getting full notes for this, she is rather mistaken."

"Ah." Chiharu nodded. A nice bit of ironic revenge for the girl. Still she was down a cook.

"Chiharu-chan?" Sakura called out.

"Sorry, the order for table two will take a bit longer. We need to remake their order," Chiharu quickly replied.

"That's Rika-chan's table," Sakura reminded. "It's more that Asaba-kun hasn't come back from the bathroom yet. It's been almost an hour and we've got three deliveries sitting here."

Yamabuki smirked. "And there's another one who won't be getting full notes either."

"Did you want me to run them?" Sakura wondered. "I only have one table at the moment. Rika-chan can cover it."

"Yes. Thank you!" Chiharu let out a long breath. "Two more hours and I can drop this mess on Misora-san."

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"Are you doing the deliveries for the cafeteria? I thought Shinji had that job," Naoko wondered.

Sakura smiled sheepishly as she stopped at Naoko's shop, a 'travel agency.' "He disappeared on us after only doing two runs."

Naoko shook her head. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Did you want to place an order?" Sakura wondered. "I can't promise how long it'll take as we've also lost a cook."

Naoko thought for a second. "May as well order now so I'm not starving later. Sweet and sour chicken, and hold the peppers if you can. A cream soda would be great as well."

Sakura jotted it down on a notepad. "How are things going for you here?"

"Done with next month's chapter and tossing around ideas for later use," Naoko replied holding up a notebook. "In other words, nice and boring. I've only had a few stop by and ask what sort of travel packages I have. None of them are cheap enough to get without working."

Sakura blinked. "What sort of packages do you have?"

"Rowboat rentals, romantic walk to a waterfall, and get out of shop take-down time alone with your spouse," Naoko related. "The last obviously being the most expensive as it offers the best chance to not fake being husband and wife."

"Naoko-chan..." Sakura blushed and fidgeted "Well your order won't get made with me still here. I'll see you later."

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"You just can't go through the motion, you have to put power behind it. Imagine the person you hate the most where you're punching," Syaoran advised a girl.

"Megumi," the girl replied.

"Huh?" Syaoran wondered if that was who she hated.

"You can call me 'Megumi,' Li-sensei," the girl giggled.

"That would not be appropriate," Syaoran replied.

"You're not really a teacher and you don't need to be so formal," Megumi teased.

"I am qualified to teach martial arts," Syaoran returned.

"Really? You're a full master?" Megumi chirped in delight.

Syaoran nodded.

"Still doesn't mean you've got to be so stiff..." Megumi gave him a seductive look. "...Well, not all of you."

"Huh?" Syaoran blinked in confusion then felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Why don't you take a break for lunch? I'll finish up here," Meiling suggested.

Syaoran shrugged. "Thanks."

Megumi pouted as the boy walked off.

"My cousin may be clueless, but you're barking up the wrong tree," Meiling told the girl. "He already has a girlfriend."

Megumi smirked. "If no one was seeing him, then there has to be something wrong with him. And it's not like they're engaged."

"Officially, no." Meiling shook her head. "They may as well be, though."

Megumi's eyes gleamed as if taking on the challenge.

------------------------

"Tomoyo-chan, this is too much," Sakura complained weakly.

"I'm supposed to tip you," Tomoyo asserted.

"Ten maybe twenty percent, not over fifty," Sakura returned.

"You're putting in a double shift now. You deserve extra." Tomoyo motioned towards the three girls excitedly going through her dresses. "Besides, business has been good and I've made more than I need already."

Sakura pouted. Her eyes darting towards the trees behind the van. "All right... Enjoy your lunch."

Tomoyo nodded and waved good-bye as Sakura rushed to her next delivery. After a few questions from the shoppers, she got a chance to open her lunch. There were two full dinners in the bag. She took one and set it on the hood of the van and then opened the other. The one on the hood seemingly disappeared.

"Sakura-chan knows you're here," Tomoyo noted.

Kurogane's voice grunted from the shadow of the trees. "Not surprised."

"You really didn't have to come. This is not a good place to attack Sakura-chan. Too many witnesses, and too much risk to include Li-kun and Meiling-chan," Tomoyo pointed out.

"That would be assuming the enemy doesn't have mind control abilities. It would not be difficult to sway a boy's mind to try to take advantage of Kinomoto, and then it would be a matter of the presence of witnesses being an advantage," Kurogane countered.

Tomoyo frowned. "You do have a point. However, why are you near me instead of Sakura-chan then?"

"Kinomoto does not remain in one place and this offers the best vantage point," Kurogane explained.

"There are better positions than being here. You can't observe the entrances to the bathrooms from here," Tomoyo retorted. "Now what's the real reason?"

"If the goal is to hurt Kinomoto the most, it would be by making you have sex with her boyfriend," Kurogane muttered out.

Tomoyo blinked, blood draining from her face. That would be... pure evil. And she could not deny that could be an actual tactic. The incident with Reiko's ghost had already tarnished Sakura's name. Even if someone manipulated her to 'cheat' on Li, while it would hurt them it would change little of their situation. The betrayal Kurogane suggested would strike far deeper.

------------------------

The day of business came to an end for the students. They were all inside the building and in the process of setting out their sleeping bags.

Teikei called out to get everyone's attention. "We are halfway done with the weekend. Teachers are handing out the pay you have earned today. A few may find more than expected for services rendered, more will find less for not taking your job seriously. Some of you have done very well, showing you are prepared to enter life after studies. Daidouji and Li Meiling have run away with the most money earned, and yet both plan to work tomorrow. Usually at this time only one or two couple are in position to earn enough to not have to work the tear down on Sunday. Daidouji and Li can already afford that, and five other couples are poised to earn enough tomorrow to follow suit.

"Many of you, however, have to rely on your partner to eat anything besides rice tomorrow. While girls may be able to survive by marrying a man with means, guys are rarely so lucky to find a girl able to support them. And a few couples have already run through all of their money and will only be having rice and water for breakfast."

As students were opening envelopes, there were more than a few cries of protest, whether at decreased pay or lack of work done by their partner.

"Settle down!" Teikei barked. "For those you needing work tomorrow, I suggest talking to teachers to try and get a job. As for individuals who find their partner greatly lacking, there is a way to annul your partnership. Talk to the teacher that employed you if you wish to finish the weekend alone."

It came as no surprise that teachers were immediately swarmed for either work or to get a divorce.

------------------------

Sudden and violent movement caused a few students to awake and drew the attention of the two teachers on watch.

Nothing was said as Syaoran pulled the still slumbering yet thrashing Sakura onto his lap.

"Cover her mouth," Tomoyo regretfully advised.

"Huh?" Syaoran blinked. "Oh." No sooner than his hand clamped over her lips, her muffled screams managed to wake a few more students and teachers.

Sakura's eyes shot open and her eyes frighteningly darted around the room before fixating on Syaoran and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"Kinomoto, are you all right?" Terada questioned.

Sakura nodded, head still buried into her boyfriend's shoulder. "Just a nightmare."

Tomoyo sighed. "One she has been having for a while."

Teikei frowned at what the girl said. Whether the nightmare was about Satome hurting her, reliving Reiko's death, some combination of that or something different-- he could not be sure. The girl had enough reasons to have nightmares. "Would getting some air help you?"

Sakura nodded, slowly and shakily pulling away from Syaoran yet did not completely let go of him. He quickly stood up and began to guide her toward the door with Tomoyo following behind them.

"I'll keep an eye on them," Terada vowed.

"I'm sorry," Sakura apologized with a flickering gaze at the numerous questioning looks cast at her.

"Try to get back to sleep," Teikei advised quietly, scanning the students and taking a quick head count to make sure none of the students snuck out during the disturbance.

The cool crisp air allowed the girl to shake away the remnants of her dream.

Terada smirked at the nervousness Li was casting toward him. "You don't have to worry about me. Nothing said will get back to the others."

"Besides, Rika-chan, that is," Tomoyo's attempt to tease fell flat to own ears. She shook her head. "He's Rika-chan's fiance and he already knows about Sakura-chan's magic."

Syaoran stared at the now sheepish looking teacher. "Oh..." He shook his head. There was a more important matter at hand. "Do you remember anything more?"

Sakura pouted at him, pulling away from him completely. "I... nothing specifically."

"What do you mean?" Tomoyo pressed.

"It's just a feeling..." Sakura clenched her hand over her chest. "When the dream ended I felt... hatred... pure hatred."

"Was it the enemy's hatred?" Syaoran wondered.

Sakura shook her head slowly. "That hatred... was all mine. I still don't know why, but whoever I was facing, I hated him... hated him more than I ever felt for Satome."

------------------------

The kitchen was thankfully more organized the second day. Chiharu found herself doing less as the girls and one guy took care of all the orders as they came in. Still she kept watch to make sure everything was kept in order.

"Yamazaki-chan, why are you taking this all so seriously?" a girl asked as she was rising a batch of rice.

Chiharu shrugged weakly. "Because I'm likely to be doing this for real in a few years, Tendo-san."

"Don't trust your husband to support you?" Tendo replied.

Chiharu wagged her finger. "He won't be able to fully support me and any children we have until after college. That's over six years of mounting bills." She then pouted. "And that's assuming nothing happens to him. Anything can happen and it's best I'm prepared for that."

Tendo shook water out of the rice bin. "What could happen?"

"He could be hurt or get sick. My father was only thirty-eight when he died from his illness, which has left little money from my side of the family beyond my house," Chiharu pointed out.

Tendo frowned. "You're really putting my notion of you having a dream romance to bed."

Chiharu laughed. "We may be grade school sweethearts, but nothing has ever been picture perfect. The entire reason I'm married now was because my father was dying. Not to mention that I was hardly ready for everything marriage entails, and I'm not just talking about sex. Marriage changes things. I can no longer think of things in the here and now for myself. I have to keep the future in mind for Takeshi, myself, and our families. My life is no longer my own."

Tendo busily loaded and set the steamer before she sighed. "You've given me a bit to think about. It's because I heard you got married that I even gave it a chance, considering my family has been friends with my boyfriend's for years. I've known him so long, we've even bathed together when we were little."

Chiharu looked at the girl quizzically. "And you don't think of him as a brother?"

"Did you?" Tendo wondered.

Chiharu nodded slowly. "A bit, especially when... well, when the question of sex first came around."

"Well, I understand that feeling. The first time I kissed Taiki for real, it felt weird. I still might have issues if he had not reminded me of a promise we made when we were four that he still fully intends to fulfill. That we'd love each other forever." Tendo held a hand to her chest. "He devoted himself to me... He made me feel special in a way I've never felt before. If it was anyone else, he would've been one scary stalker."

Chiharu giggled. "I could say the same for Takeshi. I've only recently learned that he put me first in his life even before we were engaged. I suppose your parents support your relationship."

Tendo gave a curt nod. "They are rather happy we've started dating and I doubt we'd get in trouble if we became lovers."

"Ah." Chiharu shook her head. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Trust me, rushing into things can cause all sorts of problems, and I'm not just talking about my own experience."

Tendo motioned toward the other end of the kitchen where Sakura was putting in an order. "Is that her problem with Li-kun? Did they rush?" Tendo wondered.

Chiharu shook her head. "The problems they face are more from others."

"It's a shame that they can't make the most of this weekend. Last night Li-kun was so tender with Kinomoto-san, and yet today they've still hardly talked at all," Tendo observed.

"Yeah... I doubt the so called 'panty incident' is the reason they're having issues right now. It's just an excuse." Chiharu sighed. "I'm not even sure what the real problem is. I just wish all of Sakura-chan's problems would go away. It has been too long since she truly smiled."

Tendo smiled slightly. "She just needs to fall in love with him again, like I have with my boyfriend."

Chiharu nodded.

------------------------

As the hour was coming to an end, Syaoran observed his current batch of students. He was allowed to show them the basics and have them practice some forms, however he could not let them spar against each other. 'Too much risk of injury,' was the reasoning. Without that risk, there would be no improvement, no real learning.

Syaoran's observation of his students was interrupted by some guy calling out, "Li-kun, why do you put up with that bitch?" The reply was a harsh glare to the tall basketball player.

The students immediately stopped to watch.

Yoshikawa walked right up to the boy. "She went around fucking the jocks all because she thought you screwed your cousin. Don't go saying that bullshit that she didn't or give that lame ass excuse that it was Reiko's ghost possessing her. I know better. I was one of the guys who got to screw her. And now she's all upset at you for sniffing her panties because she's not giving you anything? She's using you, Li-kun. Taking you for whatever presents you buy her. Once a richer guy comes along, you'll be out on the curb."

Syaoran clenched his hands and teeth tightly, very much wanting to castrate the guy. Fifteen different ways passed through his head, half of them causing potentially lethal injury as well. He had to remind himself that the jock wasn't worth the trouble he'd get in. "Believe as you want, it won't change the truth."

"Nor will deluding yourself. Don't say no one warned you. She might not be putting out now, but what about the next time she decides you're a jerk?" Yoshikawa turned around. "I'd understand if she let you tap her fine ass, but she's not."

Syaoran could feel himself growling. He was thankful Meiling was not around as she would've done some unpleasant things to Yoshikawa.

"Ah, Li-kun?" one of his students questioned.

Syaoran glanced at the clock above the main entrance of the building. "Hour is up. Meiling will handle the next session when she gets back."

"Have you really not done anything with Kinomoto-chan?" the student pressed. "Even if she was possessed, there's still five guys who got to see and fuck her. That hardly seems fair."

Syaoran laughed bitterly. "Fair to me or to her? That a half-dozen guys have touched her body without her permission."

"So, Satome did get her," another boy surmised.

Syaoran did not reply.

The lone girl of the group frowned deeply. "So that's why she's having... issues. Guys have done perverted things to her and now she's... scared, isn't she?"

Syaoran nodded.

"It's time for lunch, let's go," one of them commented and the group left.

Syaoran wasn't exactly pleased that Terada was waving him over now.

"You showed a remarkable amount of restraint. I don't know if I'd be the same if someone said that about my fiancee." Terada frowned. "I don't think I'm the only one who overheard."

Syaoran muttered a curse seeing Sakura running straight for the clothing store and Tomoyo. If she had run anywhere else he would've given chase. He finally muttered out, "It's because I don't blame Yoshikawa. If I didn't know the real truth, what he said makes a lot more sense. And what guy wouldn't have sex with her if they didn't already have a girlfriend?"

Terada chuckled. "Understanding and accepting are two different things. You still wanted to punt him through a wall."

"Castrate, actually." Syaoran frowned. "Don't repeat that. Sakura would get upset."

"Yeah, I know, considering Satome," Terada agreed.

Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "How much have you been told?"

"Probably as much as my beloved knows," Terada replied.

Syaoran gazed over the grounds. Where they were standing and the noise, it was unlikely they would be overheard. 'Unlikely' didn't mean that no one could be eaves dropping. "How did you end up with her, anyway?"

Terada chuckled lightly. "The same way you ended up with Kinomoto, unexpectedly finding myself in love with someone that, well..."

"Didn't seem possible to fall in love with given the situations," Syaoran finished.

Terada nodded. "Kinomoto was your rival in a contest. With me, well you know. It was not a good idea, yet still, here I am." He sighed. "If you asked me before I graduated, I would've told you there was no way I'd ever love someone like my fiancee. I know when the truth gets out there will be trouble, that I should have walked away from her, I just can't."

"We don't know why Sakura is being attacked. One of the theories is that whoever is responsible wants to break up my relationship with her. That if I walked away from her, she would no longer be at risk," Syaoran admitted.

"I can see that." Terada kept his eyes off Syaoran to maintain his watch over the students. "Yet walking away from Kinomoto is the last thing you want to do."

"Almost the last thing," Syaoran corrected, with no need to say what that would be. "We've been through so much already, she's lost too much. I can't walk away now. It would make all the pain she has faced already meaningless." He clenched his fist. "I just wish the worst of it was over."

"Yet the worst may yet to come," Terada feared for them. "The nightmare would suggest that it hasn't."

------------------------

Tomoyo frowned as Sakura suddenly barreled into her, sobbing. She looked over at her assistant. "I'll be back shortly."

The girl merely nodded dumbly as Tomoyo guided Sakura around the van.

Sakura bit back a sob. "Kurogane-san... can anyone see us?"

A gruff, "No," came from the tree above the girls.

"Twin make a copy of us and Illusion cover us as we go into the forest, release," Sakura intoned quietly.

Tomoyo shook her head as now she was the one being lead away, far enough that Kurogane should not be able to hear them. "So... you know about my boyfriend."

Sakura nodded. "I'm glad to see he's watching after you. I was afraid you were dating him was just to get me another bodyguard."

Tomoyo smirked sadly. "Wish I could say there wasn't some truth to that."

"Yet he's here protecting you, not me," Sakura persisted.

Tomoyo could correct her friend, but this was not a time to tell her. "You did not come to talk to me about my love life."

Sakura found a fallen log and sat heavily on to it. "Yes, the problem is with mine. I haven't been fair to Syaoran-kun, have I?"

Tomoyo looked at her friend thoughtfully. "What do you mean by that?"

"I got so upset over him sniffing my panties, yet other guys have seen 'me' naked and even done things." Sakura squeezed her hands tightly together. "I've even seen him."

"That may not sound fair to him, but neither has it been fair to you," Tomoyo returned. "You didn't ask for any of that to happen."

"I know that, but shouldn't I be doing more for Syaoran-kun?" Sakura wondered.

Tomoyo leveled her gaze at her best friend. "And repeat Chiharu-chan's mistake?"

Sakura blinked in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

Tomoyo frowned and looked away. "When Chiharu-chan was first with Yamazaki-kun... she wasn't ready. She let herself be with him for his needs even though she didn't want to. And when he learned he had been hurting her, he was hurt as well. Is that what you want? To hurt Li-kun just so he can feel fleeting pleasure?"

"No!" Sakura shook her head fiercely. "NO! I don't want to hurt him!"

"You will if you don't share in love and pleasure," Tomoyo insisted.

Sakura bowed her head. "Maybe it would be better if we just ended it."

Tomoyo's eyes widened. "Why would you even think that?"

Sakura scuffed the dirt. "Not being with Syaoran-kun is hurting him as well. And... all the talk about our future. Dad mentioned I was trying to decide what career choices I'm interested in doing that only a few of us will do what we listed on that assignment. The one 'career' I wanted to list was Syaoran-kun's housewife. What if when I get older... I don't love him anymore. I had loved Yukito-san, I really had, yet now I don't see him as anything more than as a brother."

Tomoyo gazed at her friend thoughtfully. "Yes... in time things may change. But which would you regret more: taking your chance at love and failing or not running away from it when you had the chance? Playing it safe will help keep you from being hurt, but where will the joy in your life come from? Your brother would certainly approve of you being a coward in love, to never have a boyfriend."

Sakura pouted. "He would like that, but I certainly wouldn't."

"And that question of uncertainty will come up for any boyfriend you ever have," Tomoyo pointed out.

Sakura sighed. "But I don't want any other boyfriend."

Tomoyo poked Sakura's chest, "Then don't continue this silly talk of ending it with Li-kun. Instead work on what's truly troubling you so you can be with him fully."

Sakura pouted. "If only that was something easy to do."

Tomoyo smiled knowingly. "The best things in life are worth fighting for."

Sakura nodded with a sense of determination.

A glint formed in Tomoyo's eye. "And I know just a way to help."

------------------------

The rowboat rocked as Syaoran guided the boat out to the middle of the small lake. "Wouldn't it have been better to save our money and not have to deal with take down tomorrow."

"I didn't pay for it, Tomoyo-chan did." Sakura looked away. "She thought we could use are remaining time this weekend better if we talked sooner."

Syaoran frowned. "She didn't have to do that."

"Tomoyo-chan made it clear she didn't need the money. When she rented the boat for us, she paid to have herself and Meiling-chan exempt from tearing down everything tomorrow and she still has enough to get meals for two."

Syaoran blinked. "You mean for Meiling-chan as well?"

Sakura looked confused and then squeaked. "Hoooooeeee! I mean for Kurogane-san. He's hiding in the trees behind Tomoyo-chan's clothing store."

"Ah, you just surprised me with how you said it," Syaoran commented.

Sakura flushed a little. "Sorry. But it is good to see that Kurogane-san isn't here just to help protect me when he's keeping a constant eye on her."

Syaoran grimaced. "You do know that she could be a target as well? That hurting her would be a blow to you as well."

Sakura gave a shallow nod.

"Sakura..." Syaoran called out, words dying on his lips.

"I'm sorry," Sakura blurted. "I shouldn't have gotten so upset. I... I don't even know why it bothered me so much." She laughed nervously. "I had such perverted thoughts of you sniffing the clothes I left at your place."

"You know I've never touched them. I still don't even know why I even picked them up," Syaoran professed.

"Don't you know?" Sakura wondered.

Syaoran shook his head. "Not really... Maybe I was hoping to have a fight with you so I wouldn't have to tell you..."

Sakura blinked and began to twitch nervously. "Tell me what?"

"Mother believes she knows who is behind the attacks..." Syaoran trailed off.

Sakura quickly relaxed and then bowed her head. "Oh."

"Meiling doesn't want me to tell you who that is," Syaoran reluctantly added.

Sakura's eyes widened and then she looked down and almost whispered, "Don't tell me."

"Huh?" Syaoran uttered.

A little more firmly she repeated, "Don't tell me."

Syaoran looked at her in surprise. "But Sakura..."

"I have a few ideas myself," Sakura admitted. "I didn't want to say anything about it either, especially if you didn't suspect it." She swallowed nervously. "I know there's a chance... someone in your family might be responsible. If that is the case and the likely reason... I... I don't want to put a face to the enemy and then learn we were wrong."

Syaoran looked at her in surprise. He suddenly burst out laughing.

Sakura pouted at him. "What's so funny?"

"I've been dreading telling you of Mother's suspicions for so long, and you already had that much figured out. And I suddenly thought of all the times Hiragizawa played us for fools. We should've at least suspected him, yet I got jealous and you'd look obviously cute when he played his games."

Sakura leaned forward. "'Obliviously?'"

"'Oblivious CUTE," Syaoran stressed. "I was clueless as well."

"You know you can still be clueless." Sakura grabbed him by the shirt and gave him a quick peck on the lips, hoping no one noticed.

------------------------

Saturday came to an end and Teikei once again addressed the students as they prepared their sleeping bags for the night. "I would like to congratulate Daidouji and Li Meiling for breaking all records, even if done in a bit of an unorthodox method in Daidouji's case by bringing outside material to the weekend. However, such competition and surprises can happen in real life. Don't expect others to play by the rules, regardless of the type of job you have in the future. I'd also like to congratulate Li Syaoran and Kinomoto, Gotoh and Misora, along with Kanzaki and Mizuhara for also earning and saving enough so they will not have to participate in the take down. Orimoto, having divorced her partner for the weekend, has also earned enough today to avoid the work as well. Let's give them a round of applause for their accomplishment."

After a the polite clapping ended, Teikei continued, "Now some of you, are completely broke. Not even a quarter hour note to use for breakfast tomorrow. There will be one last chance to earn notes so you won't be limited to rice for lunch. Those of you who need to earn money, go see a teacher about remaining job openings for tomorrow. Jobs will be given to those who need it most first. Those of you who are close to earning being out of tear down may still get a chance to qualify. Any unused notes from the weekend can be redeemed for certain rewards at school, including the purchase of food or candy from the school cafeteria."

Naoko glared at her boyfriend. "If you had done your share we wouldn't have to work tear down either."

"With crappy deliveries and no tips, I wouldn't have made enough even if I had stuck around," Asaba defended.

Sakura blushed. "I did quite well when I took over for the deliveries."

Asaba glanced at her. "Gee, I wonder why a cute girl would do so much better than me at getting tips."

Sakura stuck her tongue out at him.

"You seem to be in a better mood now," Naoko observed.

Sakura giggled. "Apparently Syaoran-kun and I were keeping the same secret from each other."

Meiling blinked. "What do you mean by that?"

Sakura pouted. "I'd rather not get into that, especially here."

"She had the same thoughts as mother in regards to a certain problem, just without the specifics," Syaoran told her.

"Which I still don't know, nor care too," Sakura added.

Meiling huffed. "I think the whole idea is garbage."

Tomoyo couldn't help but smile. "Well, it's good you've worked that out. I've had my suspicions as well and didn't want to voice them."

"Nor did I, because it would be bad if I was wrong." Sakura shook her head. "Besides, there could still be other options."

Asaba glared at them. "What are you talking about?"

Sakura became flustered. "Um, well, er... you see... ah..."

Tomoyo leveled her gaze at him. "It's a secret that was being kept from Sakura-chan and it involves her. You can hardly expect us to tell you when Naoko-chan doesn't even know of it."

Naoko tapped her chin. "Maybe not _know_ about it, but if I'm reading between the lines the right way, I believe I have an idea what this secret is." She turned to her boyfriend. "And no, I won't even tell you what my suspicion is. It would be harmful even if I'm right, and more so if I'm wrong."

Rika looked over her friends in confusion "I have no clue what you're all talking about.

Chiharu let out a slight chuckle. "Think I'm better off having missed what they were saying."

------------------------

Tomoyo laid on a beach blanket, enjoying the sun. She almost dozed away when Sakura took the spot next to her, still wet from a swim. Her friend seemed content but then frowned, shrugged, frowned and shrugged again. "Something bothering you?"

Sakura blinked. "What do you mean?"

Tomoyo gave her a wry smile. "I know you're thinking about something."

Sakura looked around and saw they were relatively alone before she sighed. "I don't know. I, ah, kind of thought Syaoran-kun had been nervous about something else."

"Something else?" Tomoyo wondered.

"Well, I mean, we did just have that future jobs assignment and now this marriage weekend..." Sakura trailed off.

"OH!" Tomoyo chirped. "You thought he might ask to make the weekend for real as his fiancee."

"Well... yeah. And I was nervous because he was nervous and well... I was being silly," Sakura finished with a pout. She then shrugged. "At least I don't have to worry about that just yet."

Tomoyo nodded. "I don't think you were entirely wrong to think that. With Li-kun, he's the type of guy who'd ask with a weekend like this, after lots of planning to make it perfect." She then paused in thought. "Or right after he makes love to you."

Sakura flushed. "It's mostly the last one that I still don't feel ready for and if we were truly engaged..."

"You'd feel more obligated." Tomoyo shook her head. "And I suppose telling you what I told Chiharu-chan would be just as meaningless."

"What did you tell her?" Sakura wondered.

"Mostly that just because it was expected that she would be with him, it didn't mean she had to do it. That if she felt uncomfortable, she should stop." Tomoyo frowned deeply.

Sakura shared the frown. "And even though she was... she didn't stop it."

"Yes," Tomoyo answered simply.

Sakura turned over on her beach towel. "I suppose I'm not in all that different situation now as she was then."

"I know you feel pressure to be with him. That everyone thinks you've already slept with him or those other boys. But the only ones you need to truly worry about is Li-kun and yourself. It doesn't matter what others say. Only go as far as you're comfortable with," Tomoyo advised.

"That may sound simple, but I don't think it's that easy," Sakura replied.

Tomoyo let out a sad laugh. "Chiharu-chan said much the same to me."

------------------------

The sun began to set and tear down had been finished. The various store signs were broken and set up into a pile. All of the students and teachers were gathered before the plywood.

Teikei moved before the stack of wood. "For most of you, when these stores are set to fire, it will be the end to weekend and your marriages. For others it may be a preview of what life will hold for them, particularly for Yamazaki. Some of you may well end up truly married to the partner you had for the weekend, and others who believe they will marry their partner may soon find different love interests. Regardless, I hope you take the experiences of this weekend to heart. If you took the weekend seriously, you will come to find the experience to be helpful in the future."

Terada lit a torch and tossed it onto the pile of wood.

"Once again you are single. Whether you continue your time with your partner or mingle with others is up to you," Teikei finished, and a teacher proceeded to turn on a radio and a love song was playing.

Sakura blinked as Syaoran immediately grabbed her hand and guided her to into a dance. "I didn't think you'd be so quick to dance."

"I just wanted to tell you this bonfire is not the end," Syaoran vowed.

Sakura blushed. "W-What do you mean?"

"I don't care if someone in my family objects, or anyone else for that matter. The only ones who have a say is us, and I want to be with you always," Syaoran pledged.

Sakura leaned her head against his chest. "And here I thought you were about to propose."

Syaoran's eyes widened. "I... ah... well... um..."

"Good." Sakura giggled. "I'm not ready for that either. I do hope to marry you someday, but let's just take it all one step at a time."

Syaoran smiled. "Yes."

There were those who looked upon the scene and smiled, and others who scowled in jealousy.

------------------------

Coming Next:

Chapter 24: Sakura and the Return to the Summer Cabin
Sakura returns to where she met a kindly old man.

Author's Notes:

This took a LOT longer to finish than expected as the first few scenes were written a year before the final ones. There were quite a few distractions, many of which are over. Hopefully I'll have a more regular release assuming more distraction don't pop up.

OMAKE! OMAKE! OMAKE! OMAKE! OMAKE!

"You want me to what?"

"Capture the cards you let loss on the world!" the stuffed animal retorted.

"And how was I to know opening the book would do that?" was the retort.

The small lion-like creature waved it's paw. "You still caused it!"

"Look here, I wasn't the one asleep at the wheel!"

The window shattered as an unimaginable gust of wind blasted the house followed by an ear piercing screech.

"What the hell was that?!"

"The Fly card!" the plushy informed. "Let's go, Card Captor Ichigo!"

"Don't call me that!" Ichigo growled.

"If we don't hurry, it'll cause even more damage!" the magical creature insisted.

"Fine." Ichigo looked at the wand he had been given. "But why does this have to be PINK?!"

The creature beckoned him from the window. "Because Urahara is a twisted person. Now let's go!"

"Just because I'm helping with this one doesn't mean I agree to be a card captor, Kon." Ichigo jumped out the window and reluctantly began an adventure that would change his life.



Ichigo and Kon are from Bleach and belongs to Tite Kubo and Shounen Jump, all rights reserved.

More scenes of this may follow, particularly intro of Syaoran's replacement: Rukia.