Once upon a Time

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura doesn't belong to me. It belongs to Clamp.

Konnichiwa! This part is kind of sad, but it is S+S in the end so don't worry! Please read, enjoy, and review!

****Sakura's POV****

So cold. My hands.

Tired. I haven't slept in days.

Warm hands envelop mine. Comforting.

Concerned amber eyes look down. Eyes that hold much empathy.

But he does not know. He's never felt it. The burning within my heart. The accusations I could have saved them. He knows not.

I haven't looked in a mirror for days, but I sense my disheveled semblance. My brown hair I washed yesterday only because Tomoyo forced me, the clothes I've worn for the fourth time. Bloodshot eyes.

I see him wince. Good. He knows what I'm feeling.

"Sakura are you okay?" he askes.

I force my lips to curve upwards. I mumble something barely discernible, even to my own ears. Of course I'm not okay.

The dream. Today I dreamed of the crash.

The crowd. Milling around, as if it were a social event. The remains of otou-san's car. Onii-chan's lifeless face when they retrieved him using the stretcher.

I was told later that my family had swerved in time to miss a pedestrian. The small boy of eight had appeared from nowhere, and otou-san barely dodged him. He rammed into a tree instead. They were both killed, but the boy got away.

The mother was sorry. Her haggard face and sad eyes pleaded to be forgiven for her son's actions. I did what was customary of the matter. An anguishing smile and assuring words erupted from my mouth.

She was relieved. I was torn inside. I had no friendly otou-san to make breakfast for me, and no mocking onii-chan to stomp on.

*********

Once upon a time, a genki girl of ten frolicked in the bright land of the sun. A smile graced her face, and her frequent laughter was the sound of bells. Then came a time when misfortune visited her soul, and vestiges of happiness were not found. Sorrow became her. Pain. She is known today as Sakura Kinomoto. Streaming tears and pasted smiles have become her emblem. Deep sorrow, anguish from which there is no ascending.

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*****Syaoran's POV****

Her hand was so cold. So bony.

"Have you been eating?" I asked softly.

Two weeks after it happened, 17 year old Syaoran still saw the tears that encrusted her face, the redness of her eyes.

"No," squeaked Sakura.

"Why don't we go to my house. I can make you something. Do you like chow mein?"

School was over. Sakura was submissive, so I led her by the hand to my house. She said nothing on the way.

When we reached my apartment, I helped her sit down. She collapsed, her frail figure tiny in the chair. She was emaciated, deprived of food. I felt like any second now she would dissolve into the pale curtains, never to return…

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. It scared me, to imagine life without Sakura.

"So is Sonomi your temporary guardian now?" I asked.

Sakura nodded. Only 16, she had to wait two years until she could live on her own. Her family gone, she couldn't live with them anymore. Tomoyo was completely amenable to Sakura moving in with her.

I stood up. Rummaging around the pantry, I procured noodles and vegetables. As I began chopping them, Sakura slumped lower in her chair.

"Thank you, "came a hoarse whisper.

Shocked, I heard Sakura speak. Ever since the accident, the girl had barely uttered a word.

"No problem," I said gently.

Then she smiled. Her lips curled up. The lifting of dark curtains, to reveal the sun within. She was beautiful.

"You should smile more, like you used to," I answered honestly.

A faraway look in her eyes, Sakura commented, "I did, didn't I. Smile a lot. But I don't now."

Her eyes flashed. Staring at him, she added mournfully, "Syaoran, I can't go on like this. There's no point in living."

Shocked, I rushed to Sakura. "Yes there is! What about your friends?"

"But…my family is gone."

No. This could not be happening. Sakura, the girl who added a smile to my face, was losing hope.

I shook her shoulders harshly. "Get a grip on yourself Kinomoto. Stop kidding around."

"I'm not joking Syaoran," replied Sakura softly. Her emerald eyes held tears, tears that proved this was no façade to gain attention. "Please let go of me. You're hurting me."

I glared at her. "You're being selfish Sakura. Stop it."

" I'm just getting in the way of everyone else. There's no point."

Desperately, I pressed, "Sakura, what about me and Tomoyo? We care about you. You'd be breaking our hearts."

A small smile played on her lips. "We're just friends Syaoran. You and Tomoyo mean a lot to me, so I don't want to bother you."

Grabbing her arm, I stared into her eyes. But I saw not an ounce of optimism, of faith. "Damn it Sakura. You know that's not true."

Her face was wet. "Yes it is," she said softly. "Please take me home." Then her face changed, and she added, "but I don't have one."

I held her, while she sobbed violently in my arms. Occasionally, she would look up, with expressions ranging from trust to thankfulness. At least she trusts me.

"Syaoran, can you do something for me?" she asked, hesitantly.

"Anything," I replied firmly. I would do anything for her, travel to the ends of the earth.

"Be my onii-chan. Not for real…but pretend."

My heart stopped beating. Without knowing it, Sakura had delegated the single most distressing blow to my soul. Her brother. Her friend. But nothing more.

Covering my reluctance, I tried to answer brightly, "Sure."

"Thank you, otamodachi. I love you."

I smiled, a painful smile that I to forced to my face. Love between friends. Platonic love, nothing more. "I love you too, Sakura," I said quietly,"but more than you think."

****************

To be continued…

Hello. Please review! If you don't, I won't continue. I had this idea gnawing at me, so I decided to free it by writing this fic. Again, please review, tell me if it sucks or if it's good. I'm really busy, so I won't continue if no one reviews. Thanks, and ja ne!