Summary: Syaoran went back to Hong Kong, promising Sakura in the evening of summer's eve that he'd come back before summer would take its leave. But he never returned. And 4 years later, at the end of summer, he finally went back but...

A/N: All I can say is... it's not your average happy ending kinda SxS fic...

Once upon the Evening of Summer's Eve

By: dream-eater-is-hungry

Syaoran's POV

I stepped out of the airport, luggage in hand. I took a deep breath and let the familiar scent of Japanese soil engulf my senses. It's good to be back. 4 years... 4 years since I had last been here, 4 years since I had last seen... Sakura... I wonder how she's been. She must be angry at me. After all, I did promise her 4 years ago... and without any intention to, I broke it...

FLASHBACK

I stood outside the Kinomoto residence, the pale moonlight bathing the house in a warm yet eerie glow that didn't fail to send shivers down my spine.

How should I tell her? Should I even tell her? Of course I should! She's your girlfriend, Syaoran! She has every right to know about this! But I wonder how she'll take it... Maybe I should've just called her or left a letter or something. I shook my head. No, I gotta tell her...

I swallowed a lump that had formed in my throat. I took a step forward but then I suddenly turned around. I'll just tell her tomorrow... I just couldn't muster up the courage to tell her now. Maybe tomorrow... I'll have the guts to tell her. Yes, tomorrow. As I was about to go back home. I heard someone call my name.

"Hey, brat!" a voice called.

I stopped in my tracks. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. Only one person called me that, Sakura's older brother, Touya. Usually, I wouldn't let this name-calling, but tonight, I wasn't in the mood to squabble with him. Ignoring him, I continued on my way.

Suddenly, I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I spun around. Touya.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his usual gruff voice filled with brotherly concern.

I shrugged off his arm. "Nothing..." I mumbled, "I gotta go..."

But before I could take another step, I felt his grip in my shoulder tighten. He sighed then loosened his grip. "Okay, but if you wanna talk or anything..." his voice trailed off.

At this, I turned my gaze to Touya. Is this... the same conceited and cold hearted Touya Kinomoto that I know? It can't be...

"Cut the act... will ya?" I retorted.

People always told me that one day, my big mouth will get me in serious trouble. And I think there was some truth in those words, because the next thing I knew, a fist had collided with my jaw. I landed roughly on the cold pavement. As I rubbed my sore back and massage my bruised jaw, I did not notice that Touya walked up to me until he spoke.

"Here I am, offering you help and you thank me by telling me to 'cut my act?'" he exclaimed, his voice dipping with obvious irritation.

I bowed me head. I wasn't in the mood for this. I've got bigger things to worry about than this.

Touya's eyes softened. "Here..." he offered kindly.

I looked up and saw that Touya had his arm outstretched. With some reluctance, I accepted his gesture.

"You look like you've got something on your mind.. wanna talk about it?" he asked once more.

The next thing I knew we were sitting on the sidewalk, and we were having what girls call, heart to heart talk. Never thought it was possible, huh? Touya and I, talking civilly? I told Touya everything, and after I did, I felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. I bowed my head, burying them in my hands.

"And now I don't have the guts to tell Sakura..." I whispered.

An air of silence hung between us. "That's surprising... you? Have no guts? Then again, I would've felt the same way if I was in your place..." he replied, "but you should really tell Sakura you know..."

"I guess I should..." I murmured.

"Do you want me to go get her or you wanna wait until tomorrow?" he asked.

"I think..." I answered, 'I think she ought to know now..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah"

Touya stood up and started walking up inside. He laid a hand on my shoulder. Puzzled, I looked up to him questioningly.

"You can do this..." he assured me, giving me a warm smile.

I smiled back in return, a rare gesture that I only reserve for Sakura. As I waited for Sakura, I turned up to admire the stars.

'Such beautiful stars...' I mused.

"Beautiful aren't they?" a soft voice said behind me.

Sakura.

"Touya said you wanted to talk to me..." she said, sitting down by my side.

I nodded. I didn't have the guts to tell her or even just face her, but I must...

"Sakura..." I started, finally meeting her gaze, "I have something to tell you..."

From the tone of my voice she mustn't have thought it was good news. "Go on..." she whispered.

"You see... my mother is asking me to go back to Hong Kong for a while..." I explained, avoiding her eyes.

She was silent. Oh no, this isn't good. I started to panic. She wasn't taking this well.

"Well, bon voyage then," she said, forcing to sound cheerful.

I looked at her. She was smiling. But I knew that inside, she was otherwise. "Sakura..." I started, looking for the right words to maybe comfort her.

"Look, Syaoran," she started, "its okay... If you have to go back, then there's noting I can do about it...""Just promise me you'd come back, okay?" she whispered.

She turned to look at me, her pleading eyes rimming with tears. "Okay..." I replied, my lips curving into a smile.

"Promise?" she asked, extending her fisted hand with her pinkie sticking out.

You can be childish at times, Sakura, but your innocent childish traits never fail to make lift my spirits every time. "Promise..." I assured her, locking her pinkie with mine.

END FLASHBACK

Promise... I promised her that evening 4 years ago on summer's eve... but I never fulfilled my word. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. What kind of a guy am I? Or the better question was what kind of a boyfriend was I, to break my promise and not even call her or anything, explaining my prolonged leave?

As I gazed out the cab window, welcoming the familiar sights of Tomoeda once more, I contemplated on what I'll tell her when I finally see her again. Part of me wants to turn back but I couldn't do that to her. Even if I was separated from her for 4 years, it doesn't mean that I forgot about her nor did it mean that I had stopped loving her. I always loved her, and still am. I just hope she still feels the same way.

The taxi cab hailed to a stop in front of a familiar house, Sakura's. I paid the driver and headed out the cab. I walked towards the front door and took a deep breath. This is it. I'm going to see her again, after so long. I rung the doorbell and waited in anticipation for someone to answer the door. I held my breath, as footsteps drew nearer and nearer by each passing second. The steel doorknob slowly started turning. I closed my eyes, the suspense was killing me.

"Why hello young man..." an elderly voice greeted me.

My eyes flew open. Instead of the auburn haired girl that I expected to see, in her place, was an elderly old woman in her mid 60's smiling up to me. "Sakura?" I whispered.

"Sakura?" the old lady repeated, her forehead wrinkling in deep thought. "Sakura! Oh you mean that bubbly little girl!" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling.

At this, my eyes lit up with hope and recognition. "Yes, is she here ma'am?" I asked, my words tumbling out of my mouth in a hurry.

"Oh, she doesn't live here anymore, young man," she replied, "her father was offered a job abroad and her whole family moved to the States a year and a half ago."

T.B.C.?

A/N: Uh-oh... this was only meant to be a one shot... looks like its gonna end up in chapters.... Btw, all my fics are on-hold until Christmas... too much homework...