Note: I don't own any of the characters only the storyline. I'm not claiming any of the characters to be mine.

Chapter 1 The Meeting

It was a cool, cloudless night. Sakura Kinomoto was driving home after a retreat they had at the mountains. She was feeling very calm, rejuvenated and happy. It was her first time attending such an activity. She was convinced that she should go on trips like that more often. She knew she also had to give time for herself to relax, unwind, clear her mind and just be herself.

Being on her senior year in high school, she knew that pressure would start to build in the coming years, more than the pressure she had endured during elementary, junior high and high school. She knew that she had to learn how to deal with it and she decided that joining this kind of activities would be one of them.

Sakura, a beautiful, successful young woman with long brown hair and deep green eyes, was really not in a hurry to get home. She wasn't even due to come home until the next day. She just tried to enjoy the scenery as she passed it slowly.

It was spring so everything was in full bloom. She couldn't help but smile as she took quick glimpses at the side of the road. But all of a sudden, as she was coming close to an abandoned church, her car started malfunctioning. Soon, her car had fully stopped.

She wasn't really worried because she knew it wasn't that serious. But she thought that checking the engine wouldn't hurt. So Sakura opened the hood and stepped out. The lamppost nearby gave ample light as she surveyed the condition of the car. But as she was about to check the engine, rain suddenly fell. Sakura hadn't noticed the quick build up of clouds above.

It was starting to pour really hard so without thinking twice, she closed the hood and went inside her car. But then she noticed that it was still getting stronger. Sakura was afraid that the strong winds could cause the tree nearby to collapse onto her car. She quickly got out, shut the door and ran towards the church.

By the time she reached the church, she was soaking wet. She was drenched from head to toe, all the way to the skin. It was cold and she was starting to feel it. She was starting to shiver so she decided to walk away from the door. As Sakura walked inside, that was when she realized that she was all alone inside an old, abandoned church.

Thinking about how sudden the storm outside was and that it was miles from the nearest residence made Sakura shiver more. Sakura didn't mind being alone. She just hated supernatural things. Just listening to ghost stories were enough to scare her out of her wits.

Her phobia with ghosts developed when she was younger. Her elder brother, Touya, used to scare her. Being a medium, he could see things beyond other's eyes. He usually used that gift to tease Sakura. She was still trying to get over that but she was finding it very difficult to do so especially when she found herself in an archaic church.

Sakura then looked around and saw that a lot of the religious relics were still intact. It calmed her a bit. At least, she thought, she was in a once venerated place.

But out of one corner, what Sakura didn't know, was a man. He had young features, one could say that he was at the same age as her...if he were alive. He had unruly brown hair and with intense brown gaze. From the shadows, he slowly walked by the railing to get a better look at the girl who had suddenly come.

As he looked at her, he could not believe that he was seeing what he was seeing. For a minute, he thought that he was dreaming. He had longed to see her again for a very long time and now that he had seen her again, he was having a hard time accepting it was real. He didn't know what to do. He wanted so much to go to her and hold her in his arms again or taste her sweet lips but he was afraid of frightening her. He knew and had accepted that he had long since died but his spirit remained in the world still because he was torn away from the love of his life by fate.

He had promised his life to her and yet he wasn't able to fulfill it. He had seen what his death had caused her and because of that, he couldn't move on. He had seen the pain he had caused her. Just thinking about the pain she had endured made him long to hold her in his arms again, more.

The years he waited and waited, hoping that one day he would find his love again, had now come to an end. She was there but still he could not move on. It seemed to him that now that he had found her, it was more difficult to move on without professing everything to her.

If only he could approach her. But he could see, from the moment she entered the church, the fear her aura was generating. He could see her shivering. Oh what he would have given up for him just to hold her and keep her warm. He finally decided approach her. He slowly descended from where he was. He was careful not to be felt. But no matter how he tried to keep his aura, he didn't know that Sakura had already felt him.

As he made his slow descent, Sakura could feel him more and more. Sakura crossed her arms and tried to comfort herself. At that moment, she didn't know what made her shiver, if it was from the cold or the fear of a supernatural presence.

When she couldn't take it anymore, she quickly turned and started to look around. Sakura frantically looked around, trying to see who was there. He quickly stopped in his tracks. He didn't say anything. He could see that she was really afraid. "Who's there? Is anybody there?" Sakura said, her voice was shaking. No one answered. "Please...is anybody there?" She said again.

Sakura could still feel that someone was looking at her. She could sense that whoever it was, was still there. She could feel goose bumps run up and down her spine. Sakura continued to look around, hoping to get a glimpse of whoever it was. He debated awhile and finally decided that it was better if he approached and talked with her.

He finally got the courage and said, "Don't be frightened. I will not harm you." Sakura quickly looked at his direction as he stepped into the light. Sakura's heart was beating hard. A man with a calm expression then stood in front of her. She couldn't help but step back. He quickly said, "Don't be afraid. I will not hurt you. You're safe here." Sakura hesitated. "I'm Shaoran. Please believe me, I will not hurt you." He said.

Sakura calmed down a bit but still didn't speak. "I'm sorry if I frightened you. I didn't mean to." Shaoran said.

To his surprise, she smiled back at him and said, "Don't worry about it. You caught up in this storm too?"

Shaoran smiled a little. It had been a long time since he last smiled. He then said, "Yeah...you could say that. Um, if you don't mind me asking, what's your name?"

"Oh I'm sorry, Shaoran. Pardon my rudeness. I'm Sakura. It's nice meeting you." She extended her hand. As Shaoran extended his hand to shake hers, he wished so much that he could touch her and not go through.

Before he knew it, he was holding her hand and was shaking it. Shaoran was surprised and relieved all at the same time. He figured that his desire was so great that fate allowed him to be as if he were alive. "It's nice to meet you too, Sakura." He then said. Sakura just gave him a warm smile.

Shaoran then took off his jacket and handed it over to her. Sakura was surprised as the gesture. He noticed this so he said, "You're shivering a lot. It's hard not to notice you're cold since you're soaking wet."

Sakura took the jacket hesitantly and replied, "Thank you but are you sure? You might be the one who would get cold."

"Don't worry about me, Sakura. The cold doesn't bother me at all."

"Are you sure?"

"You need it more than I do."

"Thank you."

Sakura wore the jacket. It was surprisingly warm. She couldn't believe how warm it felt both inside and out. "Your jacket's warm. Are you definite you don't mind?" Sakura commented.

Shaoran couldn't help but laugh. He noted how good it felt to laugh. He felt so alive inside. He had felt something he thought he'd never feel again.

"What?" Sakura asked.

"Oh nothing. I just can't believe you could be so...innocent." He replied.

Sakura blushed a little. "It just feels it isn't right. I mean, you might be cold and you're not telling me." Sakura replied.

"I appreciate the concern, really I do but like I said...the cold doesn't bother me, not a bit." Shaoran answered.

The more he talked with her and looked at her, the more certain he became that it was indeed her. It reminded him so much about the days when they were together...all the times they've spent and how much he truly loved her. But he knew she would never remember him. How could she? It all happened in a previous lifetime. She was a different person now. He knew she was leading a very different life from when they were lovers.

He snapped back into reality when she asked, "So Shaoran, what brings you here? I mean, were you on your way home or were you going somewhere?"

"To tell you the truth, Sakura, I'm on a journey." He answered as he sat next to her.

"Journey? What kind of journey if you don't mind me asking?"

"It's somewhat hard to explain and a long story." Shaoran replied.

"Well, I hate to break it to you but I think we'll be stuck here for a long time. I won't mind listening to you but that is if you still want to relate it. I'm not forcing you to if you don't want to." Sakura said as she turned to him and smiled.

Shaoran looked at her and returned her smile. He couldn't believe she was still the person whom he fell in love with a long time ago. She had the same smile and spirit. "Let's just say that the journey I'm in is a journey of searching for the past so that I could make amends in the present." Shaoran said.

To his surprise, she said, "I know what you mean. I, too, feel that way. I'm not complaining about my life, don't get me wrong, but I feel something inside of me is missing But unlike you I don't know where to start searching for it." Sakura then turned back at him.

"Maybe it's just in front of you but it's not yet the time to see it. Anyway, I'm sure you will find it someday." Shaoran replied.

A smile escaped Sakura's lips. She then answered, "Yeah. I believe in that too. That's why I'm keeping my eyes open because you might never know when it comes knocking at our door."

Hope then slowly lit up in Shaoran's heart. He reasoned that if Sakura was feeling this way, there was a chance for her soul to remember after all. Right at that moment, Shaoran vowed to always look after her and help her in anyway he could.

"I hope that whatever your journey, you find whatever you are looking for." Sakura commented.

Shaoran smiled at her and said, "Thank you, Sakura."

"Your welcome, Shaoran. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

"Likewise, Sakura, likewise."

Then there came silence. Thoughts of the new Sakura and the Sakura he knew from long ago filled Shaoran's mind. A part of him wanted to shout for joy for at last, he had seen the love of his life, his soul mate once more. But a part of him wanted to break down because he knew that there was only a small chance for her to remember him if not at all.

Sakura, on the other hand, was a little confused. Something inside her told her that he was familiar. Somehow she knew him. Whether it was in a dream or a distant memory, she didn't know.

"Sakura" Shaoran said, breaking the silence. Sakura turned to him. "Aren't you...um...won't your family get worried that you're still not home?"

"No. I'm not expected to be back until the morning. I planned to surprise them by coming home early but my car broke down and it started raining so here I am."

"Your car broke down? Do you want me to take a look?"

"Sure but there's really nothing to worry about. I'm sure it's not something serious."

"Yeah but it's better to be safe than sorry." Shaoran commented.

"How about you? I mean, need a lift? I could drive you to wherever you need to go." Sakura offered.

Shaoran couldn't help but smile. 'Indeed she has a good heart.' He told himself. "Don't worry about me, Sakura. I haven't far to go." He replied.

"I insist Shaoran."

"Sakura, there's something only I must do. But thank you so much for your generosity." Shaoran replied.

"I understand. Hey look! The rain is lifting." Sakura said.

Shaoran gazed outside, feeling disappointed. If it were up to him, he would never want the rain to light up so that they could be together as they were that very moment. But Shaoran knew that that was being selfish of him. He only wanted happiness for her and he knew she wouldn't be happy that way.

Sakura walked towards a window. The window possessed a stained glass painting but you could still see the outside.

"The roads around here are dangerous after a strong storm like this one. It is better to wait a few more hours for the water to seep into the ground. I would not want you to find yourself in a flash flood or landslide." Shaoran said as he approached her.

Sakura turned back to him. She could see nothing but comfort in his eyes. "I guess you're right. It is indeed better to be safe than sorry." She replied.

"Are you from these parts?" She couldn't help but ask.

Shaoran grinned and said, "No. But believe me, I've been here long enough to know these kinds of things."

Sakura smiled. "Don't worry. I won't doubt you again. I would be stupid not to consider it since you are base it from experience."

Shaoran grinned and shook his head. He then went back and sat down but Sakura stayed where she was. She stood there and continued to look out the window. She then looked at the painting on the glass.

As her eyes traveled upward, she couldn't help but step back. She marveled at its magnificence. It was only then that she was able to comprehend that the glass bore the image of the angel Gabriel, the messenger of God. As the clouds outside cleared, the moon was uncovered. The moonlight slowly danced as it touched the glass making the illusion of the angel coming alive.

"It's magnificent, isn't it?" Shaoran commented.

"Yes it is." Sakura replied as she continued to marvel.

"That's the only image that has remained intact through the years." He said. Sakura quickly turned to him. Shaoran noted that Sakura herself looked like an angel sent from above. The moonlight made her look more heavenly. He then said, "That's the only one which still isn't broken among all the stained-glass windows."

Sakura then started to look around. Shaoran was right. That was the only window not tarnished or broken. She then turned back at the image. "It's amazing. The image of the arch angel Gabriel is the only one intact." Sakura said as she touched the glass.

Shaoran stood and walked back towards her. "Some people say it's because he's waiting for someone...someone whom he's going to deliver a message to." He said.

"But don't they have the ability to go to that person?" Sakura questioned.

Shaoran smiled and replied, "Yes. Angels do have that ability but it doesn't mean that what they're saying isn't true. They just say those things to put reason in something they can't explain."

"I guess so. But what if they're right? I mean, he is God's messenger. Maybe he does have a message, who knows? Anything is possible, right? We just may never know." Sakura replied. She wanted so much to believe that there was indeed a message from heaven.

Shaoran could see this in her eyes. "It is possible, Sakura. I guess the message is just different from person to person." He then said. Sakura gave a nod.

She then closed her eyes and remained silent. Shaoran too was quiet as he looked at her. Sakura then opened her eyes and said, "My mother died when I was young. I never really got to know her." Sakura then smiled and added, "That's why I always prayed that He send His messenger and then probably I could see my mother even just for a little while or I could send a message to her."

"Oh Sakura..."

"I don't know why I'm telling you this but...I know you probably saw why I wanted so much to believe in that. I guess I was just saving you the trouble of asking." Sakura said as she sat down.

Shaoran looked at her for a while before joining her. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I didn't know." Shaoran said.

Sakura turned to him and smiled. She then said, "It's ok. It happened a long time ago...even before I knew the meaning of death." She then added, "I just miss her so much. My father, sometimes even my brother, would tell me great stories about her. I would even dream about her sometimes. Then the feeling inside, wanting to be with her again, intensifies."

"I know exactly what you mean, Sakura. I feel that sometimes too." Shaoran replied.

Sakura looked at him. She didn't want to force him to say something he didn't want to express so before he could speak again, she said, "We don't have to talk about this if you like. I can see how much it pains you. I'm sorry if I brought the subject back."

Shaoran returned a warm smile before replying, "You truly have a good soul, Sakura. But don't worry. I've been holding this in for so long I know it's time for me to let it out." Sakura returned a small smiled and remained silent

Shaoran then extended a hand to her. Sakura took it and allowed herself to be led away to a seat. Shaoran then sat beside her. He then started by asking, "Have you ever been in love, Sakura?" Sakura nodded. "Then you know how it feels to have your whole world complete. You know how every minute you spend with the person you love could feel like heaven and how each moment you spend away seems like an eternity. Everything else didn't seem to matter to me other than her safety and her happiness."

Sakura could see in his eyes the depth of the pain Shaoran was feeling at that very moment. "I can see you loved her very much." She commented.

"Yes, I truly do..." He replied.

"I hope she knows how lucky she is to have you loving her." She then commented.

Shaoran looked at her straight in the eyes. It was hard for him to hold so much emotions and words inside. The innocence he saw in her seemed so unbearable. But he knew it wasn't the right time to tell her the entire truth.

"No. I was the lucky one because she loved me for who I really am." Shaoran said before continuing, "We were engaged to be married. Nobody knew that we had promised each other our lives because a war broke out and was called away. When I came back, I learned that she had died. That was when I learned that she had a congenital heart disorder. She was sick from when she was born. Her last words were of love for me." He explained.

Pain was evident in his tone. Sakura could feel for him. She chose to remain silent because she was fearful to say the wrong words. She didn't want to bring back more pain than what she already had. "It's hard for me to move on because it's hard for me to forget her." Shaoran finally said.

"Nobody's expecting you to forget her, Shaoran." Sakura quickly said. Shaoran looked at her. "Moving on doesn't mean forgetting her...forgetting your love. It will always be there no matter what happens. The love you felt for her was genuine so it's simply impossible to forget. I know the pain I've felt so far in my life can never compare to your pain but I know you will find bliss. You will find happiness again, Shaoran. I'm sure of it. As they say, there's no other way but up when you fall. I know she would have wanted you to be happy. I know I would if it were me." Sakura said.

Shaoran smiled at her. 'If you only knew how right you are. And if you only knew it's you before, now and forever.' Shaoran thought. He nodded and said, "I'm sure she will." The irony of it all struck him to the very essence of his being.

"Just tell me when you find her. I would want to meet her someday so that I could tell her how lucky she is to have you." Sakura said.

Shaoran couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" Sakura could not help but ask.

"Nothing. But seriously? Would you really do something like that?" He answered.

Sakura crossed her arms and replied, "Sure. Why wouldn't I?"

"Gee I don't know...maybe it's because you don't exactly know who I am?" Shaoran answered back

When he realized the words he had just said, he remembered the pain saying it. He was extra careful not to show her.

"Don't I?" Sakura answered.

Shaoran was taken aback a little. But he still didn't show. 'Could she remember?' He thought hopefully.

"We've been talking for the past hour and I bet this is not the last time that we're going to meet. I think by the time you introduce her to me, I would have already known you well enough." Sakura added.

'I should have known that was wishful thinking.' Shaoran told himself. He did not deny that he was disappointed but he still refused to show her anything. "What makes you so sure that this won't be the last time we'll be together?" Shaoran then challenged. He was curious what she would say.

"Something inside me tells me that it isn't so. Besides, you are a very interesting person, Shaoran. You've experienced a lot in life and still you continue to fight life. I would want to see you finally attain happiness." Sakura answered.

"I'm touched." Shaoran replied.

Indeed he was. He knew and believed that there was still hope for Sakura to remember him and how they were before. It was a long shot because it wasn't amnesia they were talking about but literally an entire lifetime.

Sakura smiled at him and then said, "I'm serious, Shaoran. I'm not playing with you."

"I wasn't really doubting you, you know. But I'm grateful you said it anyway." Shaoran replied.

"I just wanted to make sure you knew just like a friend of mine did with me." Sakura answered.

"Do you mind if I ask you to share with me your life experiences? I'm just curious of the things which were responsible for molding you to be the person you are now." Shaoran said.

"I had a feeling you would say that." Sakura replied.

"You don't have to...I mean, we don't have to talk about it if it's too personal."

"It's not that personal. But let's just keep it between us." Sakura said.

"I promise. Besides, why would I tell?" Shaoran assured her.

(To be continued...)

Well guys...what do you think? I would really like to know what you think so please, please do send in your reviews. You could say anything you have in your mind right now. I would really, really like to hear from you before I put up the next chapter. Thanks!

Michiko