Author's Note: My first CCS fanfic so be nice :D

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS or the characters.

Prologue

I never thought it would end this way. I guess I was so busy worrying about death, I never stopped to think there could be something worse. And now it's too late. They've already been through my room, destroying anything that could ever suggest you were here. For a long while after I drank that stupid formula, I simply cried. You held me, even though it was killing you to see me like this. Then we lay facing each other on my bed, just talking. Telling each other the things we never had the courage to say before and other things that I thought I would have plenty of time to tell you, when we had all the time in the world. When I can't talk anymore, you kiss me like you've never kissed me before and whisper that you love me and I'm crying again. And the darkness is begining to take me. I can't feel my hands. I'm so scared, my whole body feels like it's trembling. I try to keep awake but the pull of my conciousness is too strong and as I give myself over to oblivion my mind gives me one last reprieve, one last glimpse of our time together.

I guess thats what happens at the end. You start thinking about the begining.

Chapter 1

I think it's fair to say it started the day I was supposed to die.

"Sakura, wait for me!" Tomoyo's voice grew breathless as she struggled to keep up with me on my skates.

"Sorry, Tomoyo, I can't stop," I panted, equally out of breath. "Touya's coming back from University today and if I'm late for the meal dad will kill me!"

"But you forgot your school bag!" At this I swerve to a sudden stop. I take the sac from her and smile gratefully at my best friend. "Thanks, Tomoyo. I'll see you tomorrow, kay?"

"Okay. Say hello to Touya for me!" She calls as I speed off again.

"Say hello to Eriol!" I reply, grinning. It's short lived, fading as soon as I glance at my watch. This was all stupid Sensai's fault! If he hadn't kept me behind to finish those sums I failed I wouldn't be so late! Despite the fact that I am now seventeen years old and will soon be going to university myself, I still can't seem to get a hang of maths. I might as well be reading Sweedish for all the sense it makes to me.

My head is full of the last sum Mr. Smith made me work on as I approach the lights. Which is probably why I never saw them change to green, or spot the van speeding too quickly towards me. I turn in time to see it hurtling towards me and squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the impact. It's lighter than I expect. And coming from the wrong direction, throwing me towards the sidewalk, rather than direction the van was going. For a long moment I simply sit shaking in the warm pair of arms that are holding me. Then, slowly, I open my eyes to find myself staring in to the most intense Amber gaze. His eyes literally rob me off any thoughts. I stare blankly back at him, forgetting that we are sat in the middle of the side-walk.

"Are you okay?" He asks, his voice rough but in a soothing way. This finally springs me in to action. I practically leap out of his arms and kneel in front of him instead.

"I..I'm fine. I think," I reply, though my head is starting to spin and I feel really sick.

"Come with me," The boy says, taking my hand and guiding me through the crowd that it starting to gather around us. I try to ask him where we're going but by now my whole body is shaking and I put all my concentration in to not throwing up. We arrive at a small cafe I've been in a few times before with Tomoyo and Eriol. He sits me at a table then orders two cokes and a chocolate Sunday without taking his eyes off me. When the waitress heads off to get his order he leans across the table towards me.

"What's your name?" He asks.

"Sakura," I mumble, my head spinning.

"Full name," He orders.

"Sakura Kinomoto,"

"Birthday?"

"18th April (A/N: I didn't know her real birthday so made it up). What is this, the spanish inquisition?"

"I'm checking you haven't got a concusion," He replies, smirking. "Phone number?"

"Now you're just hitting on me," I tease but real off the number anyway. He nods, satisfied. When the waitress places the drinks and icecream on our table he pushes them all towards me.

"I'm not hungry,"

"You're in shock. You need sugar," When I hesitate his mouth turns up in to a smile that makes me feel ridiculously flustered. "It'll make you feel better, I promise,"

Nodding I take the spoon and begin to eat. I'm surprised to find he's right. I don't finish the sunday but I do chug both cokes and by the end of it I don't feel so fragile.

"Better?" He asks. I nod and his eyes light up in this way like he's laughing at me but I don't know why.

"Thanks," I say, glad that my head isn't spinning anymore. Until I see the time. I swear a little too loudly and jump to my feet. "I'm sorry, I have to go. Thank you for your help,"

"Where are you going?"

"Home. My brother's coming home today and dads going to kill me for being late!" I moan, pulling my jacket on and getting the buttons all mixed up in my flustered state.

"I have a car," He tells me, standing. "I'll take you,"

I hesitate. Even if this guy did save my life and is incredibly gorgeous, he's still a stranger.

"Not allowed to take rides from strangers?" He asks, smirking. I don't reply but I don't think he's expecting one. "Look how about I introduce myself formally? Then we aren't strangers, right?"

"Right... " I agree, grinning. He takes a step back, his face becoming solemn.

"My name is Syaoran Li," He says, holding out his hand.

"Sakura Kinomoto," I place my hand in his and a jolt of electricity shoots up my arm. I think he notices it too because he lets go too quickly.

"Pleasure to meet you," He adds, winking. I'm still a little unsure but another glance at the time has me following him out to his car. I have to hide my shock as I climb in to the passenger seat. I don't know much about cars but I know this thing must be pretty fancy. The interior is all cream leather and smells brand new. I want to ask how someone his age can afford something like this but stop myself. It isn't any of my buisiness, afterall. But he can only be a couple of years older than me. I bounce impatiently in my seat as we hit traffic and he chuckles. While he drives I study him out of the corner of my eye. His dark hair is messy, but in a windswept way that kind of suits him. He's wearing torn jeans and a plan white T-shirt but still manages to look insanely attractive. He catches me watching and I turn away quickly. We reach my street in five minutes flat.

"Uhm, could you stop here, please?" I ask.

"Isn't your house up there?"

"Yeah but if my brother see's me getting out of a guy's car he'll kill us both," I explain, frowning slightly.

"I think I could handle Touya," Syaoran mutters, smirking.

"Even so,"

He sighs but the car slows all the same. I unbuckle my seatbelt and smile. "Thanks for the ride and everything,"

"No problem,"

I'm suddenly reluctant to leave even though I'm seriously late by now. For a long moment we just look at each other. There's something going on behind his eyes but I can't figure it out. Sighing quietly, I open the passenger door and let myself out. I run all the way to my front door. Just before I head inside, I turn back to see Syaoran parked in the same place watching me. I can't see his expression from here but for some reason a shiver runs down my spine. I hesitantly raise my hand and give a quick wave before letting myself in.

"Sakura!" Dad calls, rushing to greet me. "I was so worried! What happened?"

"Sorry, dad. I got held behind at school," There's no way I'm telling him about my near-death experience. He'll just freak out and lock me in my room until I'm thirty. "Where's Touya?"

"Right here, Kaiju!" A voice calls from the kitchen. I'm too happy to see him to be mad at that damn nickname. I run to meet him, throwing myself at him. He catches me easily, swinging me around a few times and making me squeal. "I missed you, kid,"

"I missed you," I reply, pulling him in to another suffocating hug. "How's student life?"

"Hard work. But fun,"

I had worried that when Touya came back, things wouldn't be the same as before. But we squabble over the dinner table just like always and then bicker over who is going to do the dishes. I don't forget about Syaoran but I push all thoughts of him to the back of my mind until later that night as I lie in bed, staring up at the dark ceiling. Just as I'm on the edge of sleep, my good mood from Touya's return suddenly bursts like an overblown balloon. I think back to our conversation in the car. Hadn't Syaoran said he could handle Touya? But I don't think I mentioned my brother's name. In fact, I'm certain I didn't.

I shiver and pull my blanket up and over my head, telling myself not to be so suspicious. But I can't help feeling a little nervous as I finally drop off.

I guess I should hae realised right then from that first meeting that Syaoran Li was trouble. I should have stayed away and never thought of him again. But, of course, I didn't.

Let me know what you think :)