FANFIC – HOW TERRIBLE IS A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE?

Before Syaoran departs for Hong Kong he swears that he'll never leave Sakura for another. Sakura does the same. When he comes back six years later, he'll find out just how terrible a death of a loved one is…

Chapter 1 – Departure

Syaoran waited on a bench for the announcement of the leaving plane to Hong Kong. Beside him was Sakura who looked anxious. Her cheeks were tear-stained from crying all night long and her eyes were red-rimmed from the lack of sleep the previous night. All night she had stayed up crying her heart out and wishing that her loved one wouldn't have to leave for Hong Kong the next day.

Syaoran turned to look at Sakura. She was staring at something, so he followed her gaze. When he found nothing of interest, he grimaced; he knew why she was so silent: she didn't want to leave. And for a fact, neither did he.

He reached out and gently squeezed Sakura's hand. Sakura turned to look at him, and he gazed back. Unable to find words to say, he leaned forward and kissed her.

It was short, and he pulled back as a voice on the PDA announced, "Passengers for the Hong Kong flight please proceed to the gates immediately."

Syaoran stood up, and Sakura followed suit. In silence she accompanied him to his gate. She bit her lip and clenched her fists in an effort to stop herself from crying. As he was about to step through, he turned back to her and called softly, "Sakura?"

His girl looked up at him. "Yes, Syaoran?"

He took a few steps towards her and bent down to whisper into her ear. "Sakura, before I leave…I want to swear this. I hereby swear that I will never, ever leave you for another. I'll come back, and that time it'll be forever."

He straightened, and Sakura couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She ran towards him, embracing him and crying her eyes out.

Syaoran wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on her head. They stood like that for a time as the other passengers walked past them through the gates. Finally Sakura let go and looked up.

"Syaoran, I too hereby swear that I will never, ever leave you for another," Sakura's quivering voice came. She stood up on tip toe and planted a final kiss on his lips.

This was longer than the previous, and when she finally pulled away, she whispered, "Don't forget me."

Syaoran smiled, but it was sad. "Forget you? Never."

With a final smile that Sakura knew from earlier years, he turned his back and stepped through the gate. He didn't glance behind. In fact, he was letting his tears fall freely. If he turned back, he knew he wouldn't be able to advance onto the plane.

Sakura watched him until he turned and was out of sight. The guard at that gate asked, "Ma'am, are you supposed to be on that flight?"

A bit surprised, she turned to face him. Then she shook her head and left.

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or any characters in it.