Sometimes You Can't Make Things Go Your Way

A revision of the story A Tear In the Sand

By Diamond Wolf Returns

Disclaimer: You know I have to get this done so I don't get sued and all that good stuff… Anyway, I don't own CCS and never will, but perhaps I may become a successful manga artist and create a wildly popular manga series myself. Hey, one can only hope right?

Chapter 1: Surprise, Surprise!

By the way… italics mean thoughts! 

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"Oh I just can't wait!" Sakura thought, anxiously tapping her fingers against the wooden desk. She sighed impatiently and glanced at the clock. "Not too long now!"

Suddenly, the bell rang and Sakura shot out of her seat, her short brown hair fluttered around wildly due to the sudden movement. Just as quickly, she grabbed Tomoyo.

"Oh! I'm so happy!" Sakura exclaimed loudly, causing some of her remaining classmates to stare. Sakura ignored them and turned to face a bored looking Tomoyo.

"I know, I know," Tomoyo muttered, obviously annoyed. She flipped her long black hair over her shoulder and stuffed a few more books into her already overflowing bag. "You've told me a thousand times!"

"I just can't believe it though. It has been so long since I've seen him. I wonder what he looks like." Sakura murmured trying to picture Syaoran, with his brown hair falling in front of his dark eyes, his devilish smirk, and his equally devilish attitude. "Probably gorgeous," Sakura added blushing.

"Miss Kinomoto, Miss Daidouj! I must ask you two to leave. I am late for a meeting as it is!" The girls' teacher suddenly said angrily. She was waving around a briefcase that was issuing papers around the empty classroom.

"Sorry Sensei," Tomoyo said. She bowed politely which in turrn was met by a flustered sigh from the teacher. Tomoyo then threw her bag over her shoulder and dragged a dreamy looking Sakura out of the classroom. They were soon followed by the teacher, who rushed down the hall, papers still flying from her purse.

Sakura and Tomoyo walked down the hall slowly, chatting on and off about their weekend plans with Syaoran. "I'd like to take him to all the places we went as children, like Penguin Park and Tomoeda Elementary." Sakura declared. Excitement dripped off her words.

Tomoyo smiled at the short-brown haired girl next to her," Yeah, I want to video tape Syaoran and you at the airport, okay?" She said, her usual good mood returning and her annoyance diminishing.

Sakura chuckled loudly, perhaps a little too loudly because a few teachers looked out of their rooms to hear the commotion. Usually, all the students left in a huge hurry on Friday afternoons to go to some University party or whatnot. It was unusual for any student to be left in the halls more than a few minutes after the bell rang. "Typical Tomoyo! Do you have a home video library of all those movies you shot over the years?" Sakura asked.

"Well actually—" Tomoyo began, but was cut off by the university's theatre teacher.

"--Tomoyo! I need your help! We have this problem. You see Nayami was supposed to stay after to rehearse with the cast for the spring play of Phantom of the Opera, but she's not here! We need someone to sing in her place!" the overly dramatic and flaky theatre teacher cried. He was known for his sudden outbursts and frequent idea changes. It made for a very hectic play-work schedule. Knowing him, he probably forgot to tell Nayami to stay after for rehearsal.

Tomoyo nodded and then turned to Sakura," I have to help out. I'll meet you guys at the new Italian restaurant around the corner at six sharp. Sakura, don't be late!"

"Oh Tomoyo! Can't he just get someone else to sing or practice a different part? I mean, our best friend, whom we haven't seen in several years is visiting TODAY!" Sakura blurted, as if the teacher wasn't standing right there.

"I know, but theatre is important to me. The airport is such a hassle anyway. I'll just meet you at the restaurant. That's fine." Tomoyo said quietly. "But I did kinda wish to tape your reaction when you saw him again," Tomoyo added. She sighed, and then gave Sakura a hug.

"Bye Tomoyo, see you at six."

"Bye," Tomoyo said following the teacher.

Sakura drove quietly to the airport, pondering over the things she would say to Syaoran when she could finally speak to him after all this time. "It's been how many years?" Sakura thought out loud, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel. Tap tap tap tap They played in rhythm with her beating heart, which increased its thumps with each mile that closed the gap to the airport. She was nervous, what could she say to him now after all these years? Sure, she'd played the scene out in her heads several times, but it was never like the real thing. Cold sweat tickled her forehead.

What if he doesn't remember our promise? What if he doesn't feel the same anymore? Sakura gulped back these questions and more like them as she pulled into the airport parking lot. She stepped with some reluctance out of the car and then, unable to walk any further, she rested her head against the car roof. "Sakura, get a hold of yourself. You used to be the card mistress for goodness sakes! It is just Syaoran…" Sakura commanded herself. She grabbed the car door, slammed it shut, locked it and walked defiantly to the front doors and into the baggage claim.

She glanced quickly at the clock. 4:11… "Syaoran's plane doesn't even get in till 4:40! Why was I in such a rush to get down here?" Sakura thought, finding a bench to sit down on. She closed her eyes and slowly allowed the memories she'd been trying to forget over the years come rushing back.

Sakura was fourteen again, standing in front of fourteen-year-old Syaoran. Tears filled her green eyes, holding back the realization that she would soon be separated from her best friend. The thin strands of hair that framed her face were let loose, only to be caught by the tears now running freely down her rosy cheeks. "Syaoran, I… I can't" Sakura murmured struggling to get the words, emotions out.

Syaoran looked away, unable to look at the sadness stamped on his friends face. "It's, It's not my fault, S-sakura," were the only words he could manage to get out. His light brown eyes were focused on the ground. He was holding back tears, fearing that if he started to cry it would not only ruin his manly visage, but also that if he began, he never could stop.

"I-I-I know Syaoran and that's what makes it so hard. We're both put into this situation… and not by either of our choices." Sakura whispered choking back sobs. She was grasping onto her lilac colored skirt with such force, she was surprised ten, little holes were not ripped into the thin fabric. "Can't you train here? Without your mother and sisters?"

At that, Syaoran turned to look at the girl in front of him," I'll be back you know…." He swallowed back his tears once more and looked Sakura square in the eye.

Sakura gave a half-hearted smile in reply." How long?" she asked wiping her tears. Her death grip on her skirt relaxed as she saw the promise in Syaoran's eyes.

"I'm not sure. As long as it takes." Syaoran said. He furrowed his brow then added," I'll try my best to hurry through it so I can get back…. To you…"

Sakura smiled sincerely at his words." To-to me?" She asked wiping the last of her tears away. She, suddenly feeling shy, looked down at her toes only to find that Syaoran was pulling her chin up to face him again.

"I want to look at your beautiful face for as long as I can before I go…" Syaoran said, blushing slightly.

"Syaoran?" Sakura looked into his eyes. She could feel tears welling up in them again; she pushed them from her eyes and mustered up every ounce of her courage to speak once more. She felt that if she waited any longer she would never be able to get the words she so desperately wanted to say out. She believed that if left in that bottomless pit of her heart, the pain of keeping her emotions in would be too unbearable and leave her feeling helpless for the rest of the years till his return. "Syaoran? I realized this a long time ago, as soon as I got over my childish infatuation with Yuki. I, I love you Syaoran. With all my heart." As soon as she uttered those three little words she felt lighter, as if she were floating.

"I'm glad because I love," he paused and let go of Sakura's chin. "Because I love you too, Sakura. And I believe that I always will." Syaoran said, he too felt the load being taken off his chest. The truth was out there on the table, he knew she loved him; he didn't have to wonder any more. With that knowledge, he took Sakura into his arms and hugged her tightly, before pulling her away again. "I'll be back for you…" Syaoran murmured, he gently kissed her on the lips then let go off her.

A small murmur of satisfaction escaped Sakura's lips, only to be replaced by a gasp as she felt Syaoran's arms slipping from around her waist. "Wha?" Sakura asked as she watched him back slowly away.

"I have to go Sakura, but I'll be back. I'll write every day… I love you Sakura…" Syaoran yelled as he was making his way towards the jet way.

Sakura could feel the tears growing stronger as she saw her friend slipping away from her. "I love you too Syaoran…" she whispered holding her hand out to reach for him, but he was gone.

Sakura came back out of her memories with a jolt. She could feel hot tears rolling down her cheeks, escaping the barriers she set for them. She quickly wiped them away, while simultaneously trying to wipe the memory from her mind as she had done so many years before. "It's been five years but the thought of his goodbye still brings tears to my eyes." Sakura said quietly. She threw her purse over her shoulder and stood up to get a better look at the clock. 4:30 I was out of it that long? She shrugged then walked to the bathroom to do some last minute freshening up.

Upon entering the bathroom she instantly felt better, until she looked at the ragged picture of herself in the mirror. Smudged mascara lines ran down her face showing the trails her tears had taken. Her hair, which she had always struggled with, was sticking out in different places. The barrette that managed to contain her tresses for only a short amount of time sat crooked in her hair and now only contained a few infinitesimal strands that wouldn't have bothered her if they escaped the barrette's grasp anyway. She sighed, Maybe I should just grow my hair out. It'd certainly be easier to work without it hanging in my eyes all day long!

She quickly finished up in the bathroom and slowly walked out knowing full and well that once she exited the room she would probably see her childhood friend. It wasn't till she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder that she realized she had been holding her breath. As soon as she felt the weight on her shoulder she let it all out along with a small shriek. She never was good at being surprised.

"Sakura…" The person behind Sakura murmured gently whirling the emerald-eyed girl to face him. He looked deeply into her eyes. A look of shock covered Sakura's face as she realized who the man was.

"Syaoran!" Sakura cried, feeling the tears returning to her eyes, much to her dismay. She watched as a small smirk played on her friend's lips. Then, she turned her stare to his familiar eyes the small golden specks in them shined brilliantly. Next, she brought her eyes down to his lips and blushed in remembrance of the touch of his to hers. Her blushed deepened as she came to the realization that she was staring at him. She scratched her head and looked away." I'm, I'm, uh sorry. It's just been so long," Sakura said gazing, embarrassedly at the floor. Her mind was reeling. Ugh! I haven't seen him for two seconds and I already was gawking at him. He must think I'm an idiot.

He chuckled lightly and swung his bag over his shoulder," I missed you Sakura."

"I-I-I missed you too," Sakura replied, but she didn't lift her eyes from the floor.

"Why don't we wait over by the baggage carousel till the others get here?" Syaoran said pushing Sakura lightly in that direction. He figured she wouldn't move otherwise.

Sakura nodded then looked at Syaoran's face again," What? Others? Who? Syaoran… you didn't say anything about anybody else!" Sakura said, confused.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Syaoran said setting his bag down. He quickly ran to the carousel to grab a red, filled to the brim bag. Then motioned for Sakura to help. "Hey Sakura, can you grab that blue one. That's ours too."

Sakura shrugged and quickly grabbed the bag. It was equally as full. Ours….?

"Thanks," Syaoran called while grabbing yet another bag. While he wasn't looking Sakura took the chance to watch him and note any differences. He was wearing an everyday business suit, which was strange for Syaoran; he never wore anything fancy. Five years had done him good. His boyish body was left behind, replaced by a tall, well built young man. Training had also done him good. He was significantly stronger. Even through his business suit Sakura could see the benefits (muscles).

Syaoran once again caught Sakura looking at him and again she hid her face as if she was ten again. Syaoran only laughed. "Do I look that different?" He asked Sakura. She nodded, blushing. "Well you look like the same old Sakura. Perhaps a bit taller and a bit more womanly, but it was thanks to your hair that I could sneak up on you."

Sakura smiled lightly and, to change the conversation, she said," So is that the last of your bags? If so, we can go sit over on that bench and wait for the 'others'…" She pointed to the bench she was previously sitting on.

"Yep, that's it. I'm sure they'll get here in a minute. They had to use the restroom." Syaoran said pulling two of the bags over after Sakura. They both sat down and Sakura immediately turned to Syaoran.

"So how was your flight?"

"Long…especially with a two-year-old next to me." Syaoran replied looking out into the crowd.

"Yeah, being next to or behind or in front of little kids gets old after a while. So how have you been? I've been fine. I'm a freshman at the University here. I'm majoring in… Syaoran?" Sakura said only to find Syaoran wasn't listening. He was waving at a young lady and small toddler. She blinked slowly, clearing her eyes, making sure it was them he was waving to and not his cousin or someone else. But, as much as she tried to blink the image out, the little girl was running to Syaoran, arms outstretched and the woman with long black hair that swirled lightly down to her waist was shuffling slowly behind her. A look of happiness spread on the woman's face in direct contrast with Sakura's, a look of horror was letting itself be known. No, no it can't be.

Syaoran was turning to look at Sakura, he was smiling, "Here are the others."

Sakura gulped and looked owl-eyed back. Everything started to go in slow motion for her. She wanted to pretend this wasn't happening. It can't be… Please God! No!

"This Sakura, is my wife Yun and my daughter Nami. Yun, Nami, this is my good friend Sakura," Syaoran said motioning to his family. That was it, exactly what Sakura had been secretly dreading and now it was really happening. Syaoran has a family! No room for me…

"Oh Sakura I've heard so much about you! Nice to meet you!" Yun cried, bowing enthusiastically. Sakura bowed too, just to be polite, but she couldn't say anything. The words were caught in her throat. So she just stared and waited for someone to jump out and say 'You're on a hidden camera T.V. show called Punk Your Best Friend!' but of course she knew deep down that this was real, her mind just refused to believe it.

"Because I love you too, Sakura. And I believe that I always will." Syaoran…you liar….

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Ooh! Diamond is so bad! What is poor Sakura going to do?

Thank you for reading this, it is my first chapter after creating my new account. Keep in mind it is just a revision of my old story A Tear In the Sand. I thought my other fic had a good idea but I kinda took it in the wrong direction and I wrote it too sloppy and too fast. I have written several stories since then so, I think, my writing has gotten better. Don't worry I'll definitely write more fics! I'm just getting started. By the way PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I need the support and back-up. You know authors need to know that their work is good every once in a while. ;)