"And how are you doing, Hiiragizawa-san?" asked Tomoyo innocently, materialising before Eriol and blocking his direct path towards Syaoran and Sakura.

"Much better now that I have the pleasure of seeing your face regularly again, Daidouji-hime," he replied smoothly.

"I'm glad," she replied calmly, looking him straight in the eye, "then you will not suffer too much if I resort to drastic measures to keep you from interrupting any developments between our families because you won't ever forget my face after that."

"Your lovely visage is rarely far from my thoughts, my lady, but do I detect a threat, Daidouji-hime?"

"Princesses make promises, not threats," came the cool reply as Tomoyo turned to walk away, her thick lavender tendrils passing across Eriol's cheek with enough force for it to sting, despite its soft texture.

Eriol watched her retreating back with an amused smirk as he paused by Meiling's table.

"The Elders will not be happy with this development," he remarked.

"What the Elders request of me and how I follow their directions are of none of your concern," she replied flatly, her legs propped on her desk, her chair balancing dangerously on its back legs.

She didn't like to admit it when he was right, but Meiling was caught. As disdainful as she was of the Elders, she was still part of the Li family and was subsequently obligated to do as they ordered. But it had taken them so long to finally reunite…

"What the hell do you think you're doing, acting like such a stranger towards her? Weren't you in love with her? Didn't you promise to come back for her?"

"Don't jump to conclusions, Meiling," he replied as indifferently as he could in his current state of harassment. Damn that Eriol!

"Don't you 'Meiling' me! She waited for you all those years even though the only thing she ever received was silence and…"

"Nobody asked her to," he snapped back, "And how can you respond to silence with anything other than silence?"

"I realise this may be a difficult concept for a socially awkward idiot such as yourself to comprehend, Syaoran, but conversations have to begin somewhere and they generally require second party participation," she retorted sarcastically.

"How could I begin when the last thing I told her was goodbye?"

"It wouldn't have killed you to at least reply to her letters, Syaoran! Writing doesn't take up all that much time and… What? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"What letters?"

"Huh?"

"What letters?" he repeated.

As a mutual understanding quietly dawned upon the pair, confusion was quickly replaced by anger. There was, after all, only one person who could be held accountable for such actions.

Eriol.

As the days progressed, Syaoran had gradually begun to talk to Sakura, if only to help her with her math work during lunch hour. He couldn't, after all, risk conversing with her in any other way that might suggest greater intimacy, or meet with her outside of inevitable conditions without raising alarm. Meiling sighed a little, recalling Syaoran's insistence that she didn't clarify the misunderstanding with Sakura because he didn't want her to have to acknowledge so soon the ridiculous feud that would invariably affect their futures and their friendship. As always, all he could do was try and protect her from afar and hope for the best.

"Idiot," she grumbled under her breath as Tomoyo, now seated beside her, giggled delightedly, filming the pair happily.

The sound of gunfire echoed through the underground parking lot and an old man, leaning against his limousine, sighed and replaced his weapon in the holster hidden beneath his blazer.

"Mr Amamiya…"

Masaki Amamiya raised a hand to signal that he had not been hurt and his personal bodyguard, a young man of about thirty, stopped a respectful distance away from his master. The attempts on his life had been steadily increasing in the past few years, with his competitors and enemies convinced that old age would finally slow him down.

And so it had. Were it not for his bloodline, he would have died a long time ago, but blessed as he was with a sixth sense of sorts, he had evaded the grim reaper for more decades than most people were able to remain sound of mind. It was time, however, to announce the next target of the assassinators after the wealth of the Amamiya Empire.

"Ano…" she stuttered.

After their tentative days together, Sakura had become so confused that she was no longer certain how she should be addressing the boy who sat beside her and so she had resorted to not addressing him by any name altogether. The boy with the chocolate brown eyes gazing rather indifferently at her working out glanced up casually to hear her out.

"My great grandfather is holding a ball this weekend. I've never been to this sort of event and I was hoping…"

"I will be attending," interrupted Syaoran, not missing the beautiful expression on Sakura's face as her eyes lighted up, "as the Li family's representative. Meiling will be accompanying me as my partner so we will be present if you require any assistance."

If Syaoran felt any guilt or devastation upon watching Sakura's expression crumble and her eyes water, he did not show it. Instead, he excused himself for soccer practise. After a moment, Sakura beamed cheerfully at him, nodding enthusiastically, thanking him for his time yet again.

"I will not cry," she mumbled furiously to herself, rubbing at her eyes with her sleeve, "I will not…"

Suddenly she felt a hand tug her wrist gently away from her face and a sweet smile appear before her.

"You'll wrinkle prematurely and ruin those beautiful green eyes if you keep that up," he teased gently.

Sakura gasped in surprise as she recognised him, "You're the senior from the other day!"

The boy with the beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair smiled and mock bowed, "I'm honoured that our Sakura-hime remembers a lowly peasant such as myself."

Sakura blushed immediately, earning herself a laugh from the stranger.

"Alexis Fitzroy," he said, taking her hand and kissing it by way of introduction.

"Sakura Ki… Amamiya," she stammered, as he pulled himself upright to his full height.

"So, Sakura," he began, causing her to blush yet again to hear herself addressed so informally, "Tell me. What is your relationship with our infamous Syaoran Li?"

"Relationship?"

"Is he your lover?" he demanded with a smile.

"No!" she replied quickly. Too quickly. He raised an eyebrow.

"A crush, then."

Sakura hadn't realised that it was possible for her to redden any further, but her cheeks seemed to defy reason. Alexis smiled, bemused. She was cute, very cute. And very beautiful.

"Alas!" he cried dramatically, "Your heart already belongs to another, but! I shall persevere as Syaoran Li is undoubtedly a very worthy opponent. Be careful, Sakura-hime, or I may just steal your heart from him."

With that, he handed her a paper rose that seemed to materialise from within his jacket pocket and walked away, leaving Sakura completely speechless. Well, it wasn't everyday a girl found herself caught in such a bizarre situation.

"Congratulations, Saku-chan, you just caught the eye of the most popular boy in school and he has effectively made you the primary target of almost every female student on campus," remarked Meiling, staring at the retreating senior, "I must say though, he is very…"

"Delicious?" offered Tomoyo, materialising between the two girls with a wide grin that told Sakura that her cousin had caught every second of that rather awkwardly embarrassing moment on tape.

"So, Saku, dearest, if you insist on pining after my silly cousin," – "I am not pining!" – "then may I take the liberty of stealing away your French prince?"

"What do you mean?" asked Sakura, puzzled. French prince? Tomoyo and Meiling blinked at one another, then stared at Sakura.

"Sometimes I wonder whether you live in a different dimension to us," commented Meiling, eyebrows raised, "Fitzroy is a French aristocrat who mysteriously decided to study in Hong Kong when he could have had the opportunity to go anywhere and do anything."

"He's also very eligible and very single at the moment," added Tomoyo, the corners of her lips turning upwards.

"No way," insisted Sakura.

"It's not like anything would develop anyway," sighed Meiling, "You're much too passive when it comes to relationships, even though you attack homework and monsters head on. Where is the logic in that, I ask you?" she demanded, the last question addressed primarily to Tomoyo.

"Who knows?" sighed Tomoyo, echoing Meiling's despair, "I wait so long for my little girl to grow into a beautiful princess and yet she'll never find somebody because all they can do with her is stare at her…"

"Hey!" Sakura protested.

"It's true though, you have no game," remarked Meiling sympathetically.

"Game?" she queried, confused now.

"Boys need more than just a pretty face, Sakura," Tomoyo instructed, "They need somebody who can match them in strength of mind. A pretty face will turn heads, but a clever mind will keep that head turned."

"My my, what sort of tutelage are you ladies providing our young Sakura-hime?"

"Not your concern, Hiiragizawa," spat Meiling, glowering.

"Is it not the concern of the student body to protect our lovely princesses from corruption and sin?"

Meiling wasn't sure how to respond when a number of the boys from their class suddenly appeared behind Eriol, cameras in hand, nodding furiously in agreement.

"Then I must request that you remain further from her vicinity, Hiiragizawa-san. Surely your face is more than enough to scar her for life," retorted Tomoyo casually, her tone dripping with honey sweet sarcasm, her smile as beautiful as the rose in all its thorned glory.

"Your words pain me, Tomoyo-hime," he cried, placing a hand over his heart, "I had not imagined you to be so superficial."

"I speak not of the face you were born with, but of the manifestation of your heart in every expression that contorts your physical appearance."

"So really," he surmised, a subtle smirk playing on his lips as he stepped closer towards her, "You've assessed my physical appearance and found me faultless, though you dislike me so much. Am I that attractive to you, hime?" he asked allowing a strand of her hair to slide smoothly through his fingertips.

"Very. You're the fly to my spider's web," she whispered, the euphony in her voice thinly concealing a poisonous threat, before moving effortlessly to her seat just as the teacher appeared.

"Touche," remarked Meiling, grinning, "And that, Saku-chan, is how the game is played."

Sakura stared blankly at Meiling, who seated herself upon the teacher's request, and frowned, feeling more conflicted and bewildered than ever.

"What game?" she hissed at Meiling, pouting.

"You look gorgeous Sakura!" gushed Meiling, clasping Sakura's hands between her own as the debutante blushed and mumbled her thank you.

It was another one of Tomoyo's creations after that insistent cousin of hers had steadily worn out even her sensei, who had eventually admitted defeat upon observing the gown. Tomoyo had turned a basic slip of a white satin dress into a river of different pink and white layers that trailed after their mistress. The sweetheart neckline, decorated with a simple pink bow, ended in a multitude of straps that fell gently over Sakura's otherwise bare arms.

"The cherry blossom lives up to her namesake. You are the blossom that lords above the rabble, Sakura-hime."

"Fitzroy-san!" she gasped in astonishment, "I hadn't realise you'd be attending tonight."

Alexis stared at her with his usual look of bemusement before kissing her hand gently as he bowed to his hostess, replying, "My father sends his regards and deepest apologies, but his health keeps him away tonight. I am representing him at this gathering."

Without letting go of her hand, however, he stepped closer, causing Sakura to blink in astonishment, "But please, Sakura-hime, I hope that to you I will at least be Alexis, if not beloved."

"Amamiya-san," greeted Syaoran coolly, materialising before her and rather effectively removing Alexis from her line of sight.

Sakura was unsure whether she had stammered a reply, but she recalled curtseying as she had been instructed and vaguely being surprised by how tall Syaoran had grown – tall enough to block even the French nobleman. Alexis, raising an eyebrow, smirked at this and, bowing to Meiling and Tomoyo who stood beside Sakura, casually sauntered into the crowd. Sakura blushed as Tomoyo elbowed her sharply, causing Sakura to finally look away from the Li cousins.

"And you say you're not pining," muttered Tomoyo as she grinned brightly at the approaching guests.

"I am not pining!" Sakura hissed in return, her pout instantly turning into a beautiful smile as more people began to filter through the entrance.

"Ah, it is the Li family's young master. I'm honoured by your presence," drawled a voice that made the hairs on the back of Syaoran's neck stand up.

"Amamiya-san," he greeted in returned, bowing coldly. Inwardly, he smirked as the old man visibly stiffened in annoyance and rage.

"How dare you…"

"Stop," commanded Masaki. His assistant fell back immediately.

"You are as impetuous as ever, I see," the older gentleman remarked calmly.

"I will give my respect where I believe it is worthy, Sir," he retorted.

"And yet you are a dog of the Li Elders," commented Masaki almost idly as he turned to walk away before Syaoran had the opportunity to gain his composure.

"Meiling, put that away. Don't forget what we're here for."

The girl beside him scowled as her shuriken disappeared into the folds of her dress. But of course. For a Li to appear at a ball held by the Amamiya Company, there could only be ulterior motives. As a child, they were taught honourable traits, only to be reduced to underhanded trickery for the sake of the company. It wasn't the first and would not be the last time that Meiling cursed the elders for such hypocrisy.

"How you found her?" continued Syaoran dispassionately.

"The girl in the pastel blue western-styled ball gown with brown locks at one o'clock. She's currently talking to the heir of a chain of high class hotels all along the coast of some foreign country or another."

Syaoran raised an eyebrow at her cousin.

"What? He's not that important. Who cares about the details? Just hurry up and let's get out of here before Sakura sees you," she snapped impatiently as she left her cousin's side to saunter up to their target.

A sudden exclamation marked Syaoran's cue as he casually watched Meiling from the corner of his eye. His cousin, dressed in a deep red mermaid dress, was currently caught in the arms of the unknown heir, cleavage heaving, eyes watering as she stared up at her would be "saviour", whose suit she had "accidentally" spilt her cocktail all over when she'd "accidentally" tripped over. The girl he'd initially been talking to had been promptly forgotten, try as she might to exclaim at being splashed by the drink. As the poor boy, mesmerised by one very experienced Meiling Li, was coaxed into taking her upstairs to a bathroom, Syaoran casually walked past and offered the brunette his handkerchief.

"You are not hurt?" he asked gently as the girl stared up at him in surprise.

"Li-sama!" she breathed, shocked at his acknowledgement of her existence and awed by his presence.

He looked at her with an expression of great puzzlement, "Do I know you?"

She felt her heart sink momentarily but, emboldened by his presence, she made an effort to speak, "Forgive me for my rudeness, I only know you by reputation. I am Hsui Mei Hua. My father, Director Hua, is from the Shin Wa Shipping Company."

Syaoran smiled and bowed, formally introducing himself, adding, "But please, call me Syaoran."

The girl blushed despite herself when her eyes met his beautiful brown eyes that made her heart stop. Here was the Syaoran Li, the infamous playboy of the Li Corporation whom she'd been warned against time after time, and yet, she could not help but fall in love with that smile, that light laugh, the gentle touch of his arm around her waist as he guided her away from the rabble to the balcony.

"I have a confession," admitted Syaoran, eyes downcast, an expression of troubled guilt written all over his face. Hsui Mei felt her heart stop beating. Was this the moment she'd heard about? The moment when he would admit that he knew exactly who she was and that his superiors had sent him? But that he didn't want this to end in the same way?

"I may have purposely asked my cousin to disrupt your interlude with that boy because I was a little jealous that he was talking to the most beautiful girl in the room and I wasn't. Was that too selfish of me?" he asked mildly, looking away from her as though thoroughly embarrassed by his confession.

She blinked in surprised, then giggled. Was this the suave lady killer that her cousin had described to her? Was this the cool, collected, indifferent Syaoran Li?

"Will you laugh at my distress?" mock-demanded Syaoran childishly, causing Hsui Mei to laugh again. This time, Syaoran joined her and sighed as though the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

"This is nice."

Hsui Mei blinked at her companion. Nice? What did he mean? Syaoran glanced sideways at her and noted her confused expression.

"It's rare for me to have an opportunity to simply be myself. It isn't appropriate as the heir of the Li clan. Thank you for allowing me to so selfishly monopolise your time, but I'm sure you're dying to rid yourself of this useless boy who can't even be who he wants to be."

Before she could even attempt to protest at his assertions, he swept up her hand in his own, took a step forward and stared deeply into her eyes. Hsui Mei felt her throat constrict and strangle her words into nothing.

"But will you do me the honour of allowing me to see you again? I have nobody else."

It took everything she had to nod, and then he was gone. Hsui Mei fell against the balcony railing, completely dazed and distracted. Had Syaoran Li just made her his confidante?

"Well?" asked Meiling softly, materialising from behind a curtain as she moved in step with her cousin.

"Done. Yourself?"

She nodded her affirmative, her thoughts flickering momentarily to the boy who was currently passed out in the bathroom upstairs.

"Sakura!" she exclaimed in surprise as her friend magically appeared before them.

Without giving anybody any time to react, a resounding crack echoed through the noisy hall. Syaoran blinked. Then blinked again. When he met Sakura's green eyes, they were blurred by the tears that threatened to fall.

"Why?" she demanded so softly, in such a heartbroken tone, that Syaoran could feel his own heart, the heart he had though had turned to ashes long ago, breaking along with her own.

When the girl turned around and pulled her shoulders back as best she could to rally her spirits and finally walk away from the boy who had haunted her dreams for so many years, all Syaoran could do was watch her retreating back despite Meiling's hissing.

"Sakura!" cried Tomoyo as a wave of silky purple strands brushed past Syaoran to fall in step beside the girl who was trying so hard not to weep.

"You idiot! Go after her and tell her that everything's just a misunderstanding!" snapped Meiling, "She's been waiting for you for so long, this might be the final straw. If she hates you now, Syaoran, you'll never have another chance!"

Hate? That was right. No matter how many times he ignored her, disregarded her existence, or failed to appreciate her pain, still she hung on, hurting more and more, time after time. And it wouldn't get better. Not while he was the next in line to become the Li heir. Not while the Elders still dictated his movements. No. It might be best that she hate him for now. Not when he wouldn't be able to do anything but continue hurting her.

"Sakura! Are you okay?" asked a very concerned Tomoyo. It wasn't like her cousin to not so much as speak a word. It wasn't like her not to openly cry and then smile moments later. But then, she hadn't seen that in a long time. Not since Misaki Amamiya had come into the picture.

"Saku…"

"Daijoubu, Tomo-chan. I'd always thought that Li-kun hadn't forgotten, that he was simply waiting… but while I've been waiting for him all these years, he's been learning how to make girls smile and yet he won't even look at me, even though I've suffered for so long… waiting for him to come and comfort me…"

Tomoyo almost stepped back when Sakura turned suddenly to face her.

"Tomoyo, I will be strong for myself. Li-san will no longer be there to save me so I have to learn to stop falling."

Tomoyo could only respond to Sakura's determination with a look of compassion and despair, "Sakura, you don't…"

"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming to the Annual Amamiya Company Ball. I am sure that you are all intrigued as to why the ball was held a month earlier than previous years. The truth is that even I, Misaki Amamiya, am beginning to notice grey hairs in my beautiful black locks."

His guests laughed politely at his joke; Misaki was, after all, renowned for his steely grey hair. He'd been that way the moment he turned thirty, though many of his colleagues swear he was born that way.

"I would like to announce, tonight, my appointed heir to the Amamiya Company."

A wave of surprised murmuring swept across the audience and he waited patiently for it to die down before he continued.

"Sakura Amamiya, may you please come and stand next to your great grandfather."

Wordlessly, Sakura walked forward and Tomoyo instinctively grabbed her cousin's hand. Together they walked arm in arm towards their great grandfather who stood at the top of the staircase. Upon seeing this, Misaki gave an undecipherable smile.

"My dear friends, may I have the pleasure of introducing to you my two very beautiful great granddaughters, Sakura Amamiya and Tomoyo Daidouji. An old man's greatest comfort is knowing that he is able to entrust his greatest achievements to a reliable future generation. Sakura, do not disappoint me."

Sakura bowed to her great grandfather and stood silently by his side as he continued his speech. But almost nobody was paying any attention although nobody spoke. Sakura, along with the rest of the audience, knew precisely what was being implied.

Screw up and you'll be replaced.

But whether she would live to see her replacement was another matter entirely. Suddenly, Sakura could feel a million pairs of hostile eyes on her, ready to make use of the inexperienced little girl or devour her whole.

Excuse the delay! Uni and all that. Hope you enjoyed it!

s2. Winteresque