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Chapter one: We meet again

On his way back to Japan he didn't know how to feel. Instead of looking out of the window to see the view, the guy was staring back into his own amber eyes. His messy, milk chocolate, brown hair was the same as it had ever been. But instead of the little arms and upper body he had eleven years ago they were replaced with the strength of a twenty year old and in his young eyes sat the business wisdom to rival any long term CEO's. In the time that he had been in Hong Kong he had never forgotten about his friends that he had to leave behind: Sakura, Tomoyo and Eriol especially Sakura. He didn't think of her all the time like he used to but she was always somewhere in the back of his mind. He had on a dark brown suit and a dark brown and light brown tie. He was finally returning to his old stomping grounds where magic, danger and courage were always to be found. That was the only child hood he had. When he returned to Hong Kong it was all work and no play from there. "Master Li we will be arriving soon." His private jet pilot told him. "Alright." Was all Syaoran said. He felt his heart drop as the plane descended.

Sakura was full of joy and pep today. Her college classes were going great and she had managed to go to school close to home. The newly built community college she went to was such a brilliant idea. When she was little she didn't understand why they needed so many schools in one area but now she understood the advantages of it. Today the sun shined perfectly and there were hardly any white fluffy clouds in the sky. Her short brown hair glistened in its newly cut style. It was cut to fit her face perfectly and bring out her emerald green eyes. The sunlight bounced off of her white collared shirt and she could feel a sweet, cool breeze tickle at her legs from where her shins were exposed by her Capri pants. She also wore a slick pair of gym shoes that made it easy and comfortable to walk around campus in. The clock tower in the middle of the campus began to ring just as she made it to the door of her first class. "You're on time today!" Tomoyo shrieked from the height of the tiered seats in the class. Sakura giggled. "Leave it to my best friend to notice something so minor." She said and headed to where she was sitting. "Well you haven't been late to a class since Syao…" But Tomoyo didn't finish her sentence. She hadn't mentioned Syaoran to Sakura for many years now. Sakura just giggled and smiled at her friend. "Since Syaoran left, I know Tomoyo. He's not a plague. You don't have to act like he doesn't exist because I used to like him. I don't mind." Sakura said sounding very over a love that had come about so many years ago. Tomoyo's long, dark, pretty hair was swept elegantly over her shoulder into a gorgeous curled pony-tail. She had on a light blue, short sleeved blouse and a dark blue skirt with some matching designer baby doll shoes. Around her wrist was a light blue and dark blue diamond bracelet. But the look she wore on her face was not as elegant as the way she was looking. It was sad. "Don't look at me like that Tomoyo. I'm fine. Really I am. If Syaoran were to walk in here right now I wouldn't even be fazed." Sakura said very surely.

When Syaoran arrived he felt a little nostalgic. The airport seemed the same and the ride back to his old town seemed the same but he could tell that some things had changed. There were new boutiques and shops in places they weren't before. There were also new faces and children in town that he had never seen or met before. As they pulled into the drive way of his old mansion he remembered how much he missed the place. The way the sunlight shown across the grass reminded him of the days when the sun would shine just like that when he would meet up with Sakura and Tomoyo. He smiled to himself and his heart warmed. Wei opened the door to his car and Syaoran stepped out. "Welcome back Master Li." Wei said. Syaoran looked at him and smiled. "It's nice to be back." He said and headed inside the house. The first thing he did was go check to see if his mother had left him any new messages. He stood is his old foyer. It was still the royal red color but it was decorated less extravagantly than it used to be. Just some mahogany furniture was splayed here and there against the walls with the same pictures of his family hanging against the wall. On one of the mahogany tables lay the new cordless phone and sure enough a red light was blinking on and off signaling that a message had been left on his answering machine. He pressed a button and he could hear his mother's voice. Hello sweety. When you make it back go and get comfortable. I know you had a long flight so I want you to relax. But, tomorrow you will finish your business studies at the new University that was just built near your old elementary school. You aren't walking around the company any more so try to act your age. Finally, make sure that you're properly registered and I'll be by in seven or eight months with your newly picked fiancé. I know how much you didn't like the last one. I'm hoping that you pick someone soon. Your betrothal deadline is coming and you need to be at least engaged to someone by then to be in line for the inheritance of your father's assets he left behind. I hope I haven't put too much pressure on you. Well that would be the reason that you were sent back so you could choose between where you wanted to live and escape the pressures of your family obligations. I want you to be happy Syaoran. I love you. Try a relax the best you can sweety. Then the answering machine clicked and there were no more messages. Syaoran just stood there. He couldn't stand the many obligations he had to submit too. He went upstairs to his old room where everything was still in place. He flopped down on his bed like he used to when he was in fourth grade. He sighed and his brown bangs rippled in his breath. As he laid there he realized he was going to have to do something to get his mind off of what his mother had just said. He jumped up and went to his closet. When he realized that he didn't have anything to wear he knew that he was going to have to go shopping.

Tomoyo and Sakura were on their way out of class and headed to the plaza for another Tomoyo-grand-shopping experience. Or at least that's what Tomoyo called it. For Sakura it was just another way for her best friend to get rid of all the money that was burning a hole into her credit card. "Tomoyo, I don't know why you take me shopping with you. I can't fit any more of the new stuff you've already bought me into my closet." Sakura said joyfully exasperated. Tomoyo linked her arm into Sakura's. "Well, my dear, Sakura just use one of my many walk in closets. I'll just choose one for you when I get home." Tomoyo said letting nothing stop her from spending money and having fun with her best friend. Suddenly Sakura spotted a candy store. There was a new type of candy that had just come out and she was dying to try it. "Oh Tomoyo please let me go into that candy store for just two seconds. I promise to meet you in whatever clothing store you're about to drag me to." Sakura asked pathetically. Tomoyo crossed her arms but could not bring herself to tell her Sakura no. "Fine but you have to try on double the outfits since you're ditching me momentarily for candy." She said. Sakura sighed. "Fine, it's worth it if I can get to that new candy." She said and walked off before Tomoyo could make her promise to do anything else out of guilt.

A certain dark haired boy had returned from England and was searching for a certain dark haired girl but his search had failed him all that day. He decided that he would check where she used to live tomorrow but now he needed some candy to tide him over until he could find the girl who was the real cause for his sweet tooth. For him, she was the sweetest person to ever live; beside his old friend Sakura. He walked into the candy store and reached for something with a big "new" sign over it. It was a new kind of chocolate with an assortment of flavors whipped in with it. Just as he was about to grab it another hand of fare complexion was reaching for it as well. "Oh I'm sorry you can-" But the guy never got to finish his sentence. He was looking at a familiar face that was a lot prettier than it used to look. Her green eyes were wide with surprise. "Eriol?" Sakura said in disbelief forgetting about the candy all together.

Syaoran arrived at the plaza and headed for the area that seemed like a good spot to get clothes. He wasn't a slow shopper. He picked up what he thought would look good, quickly tried it on and headed out the store after purchasing it. This took him thirty minutes. As he headed out the door a girl with long dark hair was rounding the corner. Syaoran was so focused on getting back to his car that he didn't pay attention to anything that was going on around him. But the girl stopped in mid stride when she realized who had just walked by her. "Syaoran?" Tomoyo questioned to herself.

"Eriol!" Sakura had shrieked and gave him a big hug. "H-hey Sakura I can't believe I ran into you here." Eriol said embracing her back. He could feel a sense of relief wash over him as he let go of her. He knew from experience that where ever Sakura was, his beloved Tomoyo was as well. "We have to go find Tomoyo now! I'll text her and see where she is." Sakura said as she pulled her pink phone out of her pocket. Eriol put a hand on her phone before she could send a message to Tomoyo. "Don't tell her I'm coming with you. I want it to be a surprise." He said. Sakura understood. Eriol and Tomoyo had been discussing their feelings over the internet while he was in England. Then suddenly he had disappeared from Tomoyo sometime this year and she couldn't get in contact with him. Now that he was here though, Sakura knew that he could explain everything in person and they could kick off their relationship the right way.

Tomoyo wasn't sure how to feel at the moment. She rationalized in her mind that the young man she had seen couldn't possibly Syaoran and headed into the store. Right after that she got a text from Sakura. She explained to her where she was and began looking around the store and picking out a plethora of things for Sakura to wear. A chime went off in the store when someone entered. Tomoyo wasn't paying much attention. She was too busy looking at the most expensive emerald dress in the store. "Tomoyo." Sakura said. She couldn't see her friend. "I'm in the back. Come look at this green dress. I think it would look marvelous on you." She shouted sweetly from the back of the store. When she saw her friend's head she started pulling the dress off the rack. "Tomoyo." Sakura said when she was in the same vicinity as her friend. "Finally now-" But Tomoyo did not get to finish her sentence. The green dress slowly slipped from her hands as she stared at the person behind her best friend. His dark hair shined in the light of the store. A handsome smile graced his lips and a happy longing sat in his eyes behind his round glasses. He was taller than he used to be. He looked strong and healthy in his navy blue suit. "Eriol… is it really you?" Tomoyo asked with glassy eyes. Eriol stepped from behind Sakura and walked up to Tomoyo. "Yes. I'm so glad to see you. I just got back today and I spent all day trying to find you. Sakura found me in the candy store and-" But Tomoyo was now hugging him and tears spilled down her cheeks. This was the moment that Eriol had been waiting for since he had gotten off the plane. "I missed you soo much." Was all Tomoyo could squeak out since she was so choked up. "I know love. I'm here now though, and I won't be going anywhere from now on. I can stay here as long as I like." He said. Tomoyo looked up in surprise. "Really?" She asked. Her voice was as soft as ever with surprise. "Really" He said rubbing his nose against hers making her squeeze her eyes together and giggle.

Sakura was so happy to see the two of them together that she could feel her throat close up and tears collect at the corner of her eyes. They deserved to be together. For the rest of that day Sakura, Tomoyo and Eriol spent time shopping and catching up. By the time they called it quits the sun was disappearing behind the horizon and the sky was pink and purple with twilight. "Are you sure you don't need us to walk you home?" Tomoyo asked Sakura. Sakura smiled in a goofy way. "No. I'm close enough to home that it wouldn't kill me to walk. Besides, you and Eriol have a lot more catching up to do that doesn't involve me." She said. Tomoyo and Eriol blushed. "See you tomorrow at school then. Take care." Tomoyo said shaking off her blush and hugging her friend goodbye. Sakura began to walk in the direction of her house carrying the many things she didn't pay for. "Don't get married overnight." Sakura shouted as her last retort. Eriol blushed and rubbed the back of his head in an embarrassed manner. "Sakura!" Tomoyo shouted. Sakura laughed, waved and finally rounded the corner.

As Tomoyo and Eriol walked to her house they talked about why Eriol had disappeared from their online chat. "I didn't mean to. Things just started happening very quickly for me. I was told that I didn't have to stay in England to run the company because I handled everything so well. Then by that time, I had to prepare to move and my computer was infected by a virus and I had just got a new phone because I was under attack from another company. It got so bad that I couldn't even use anything electronic for a while because I was being investigated by the rival company. They had tried to frame me and put some false charges out against me. It was really very crazy." He finished. Tomoyo understood. She hugged his arm close to her. "I'm just happy that you're here and that you're safe." She said lovingly. Eriol's hands were in his pockets as she held on to his arm. He felt like the happiest guy in the world. "I'm so glad that I found you again. I wonder if Syaoran has gotten back yet." Eriol said thinking aloud. Tomoyo nearly fell over. "What? You mean you've talked to Syaoran Li over the years we've all been separated?" She said stopping and looking at him in disbelief. "Why yes. Syaoran and I have so many things in common with this whole running a business thing and moving away from the people that we cared about most that we just kind of stayed in contact. He said that he was returning to Readington soon as well." Eriol said. Tomoyo nearly dropped her shopping bags as she said, "Then the guy that walked past me earlier that looked like Syaoran was…" Eriol couldn't understand why Tomoyo was so surprised. "Hasn't Syoaran been keeping in touch with you and Sakura?" He asked stupidly. "The day he left was the last time we all had ever spoken to each other." Tomoyo said. Eriol raised an eye brow. They soon arrived at Tomoyo's mansion. "Is your mother home?" Eriol asked excitedly. "Yes she sure is and she would be very happy to see you again. But after we finish catching up with her I want to know why you thought Sakura and I were still in contact with Syaoran." Tomoyo said. They made their way up her imperial looking drive way and through the huge oak doors of her house.

Syaoran had finally had time to sit down from today's events. He made sure that he was all clear to start classes tomorrow and that he had enough new clothes to last him until the end of the week. The house was no longer uninhabited. Syoaran's mark could be seen everywhere he liked to be. In the living room now sat some of his favorite books and a new T.V was brought in just because he didn't like the look of the old one. The chefs in the kitchen were making something new for every meal time so the kitchen bustled often. At the moment, Syaoran had on a pair of slack pajama pants and a black t-shirt. He was completely comfortable with is black socks to match. It was a big difference from the usual suit he had to wear everyday back in Hong Kong. As he made his way to the living room he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and texted Eriol.

"So he lied to you and told you that he was still speaking to Sakura and me?" Tomoyo said still filled with surprise and confusion. "Yes. He had me believing that all of you were still on good speaking terms. It never dawned on me to check to see if he was speaking the truth because he's so close to all of us." Eriol said. He no longer had on his suit jacket and he was sitting in the immaculate powder blue living room with Tomoyo and her mother. Tomoyo's mother was just as perplexed as they were. "Maybe he didn't want you thinking badly about him for deciding to cut his ties with Sakura." She finally said. She was wearing a gold-yellow robe with a matching set of pajamas underneath. Eriol felt his high tech phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it and looked at the message. "Speak of the devil." Eriol said looking critically at the text. "Well what are you going to say to him?" Tomoyo asked in a worried manner. "I'm not going to say anything. We are adults now. He dug this hole then he will have to dig himself out of it." He said and put the phone back in his pocket after texting that he would meet him at his new college tomorrow. "Well, Tomoyo, are you going to let Sakura know that Syaoran Li is back in town?" Her mother asked. "I don't think I should. It's not like they'll run into each other any time soon if Syaoran is so bent on staying away from everyone except Eriol." She said to her mother. "I don't know Tomoyo. I have a weird feeling that Syaoran will be running into you and Sakura whether he wants to or not." Eriol said looking at her with that old mischievous smile he used to wear back in their old card capturing days.