The Answer's Are Right In Front Of You

Sarah: Hey everybody! This story took a lot of thought and process so I really hope you enjoy it. It's the first story I've actually taken the time to think about really hard and written out summaries and details of each and every chapter. I have like this binder with all these notes and sticky notes. LoL. The first chapter's a bit confusing but it gets better! I promise! Also, this story is S+S and T+T. I've become really fond of the Touya and Tomoyo couple, so I added the couple into this story. Eriol's in the story, but E+T are just friends. So I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They all belong to the wonderful CLAMP! I DO own characters I made up such as Kyra and Miss Tanaka. I'm not going to write this every chapter so…I'll say it again. I do not own any of the characters of Card Captor Sakura as they belong to CLAMP. I do though own Kyra and Miss Tanaka. Thank you!

Just the Beginning

"And they lived happily ever after." Sakura sighed as she looked down at the small girl beside her.

If only life could be so simple.

"All finished?" said a female voice poking her head inside the big room.

Sakura looked up and smiled at the tiny lady standing before her. She had straggly brown hair tied up in a loose bun falling into her hair. She was in her late 30's but looked like 20. Her bright blue ocean eyes were her prettiest feature. "All done, Miss Tanaka!"

"Good. Come on now."

Sakura looked back down at the small girl in the bed and tucked the book in under the girl's pillow, tucked her in and kissed her forehead before exiting the room.

Sakura followed the lady out of the room and to the main hall by the desk.

"Thank you so much Sakura. It's been so great having you here and all the kids love you. Kyra has also become very fond of you, I see." The women said looking in at the girl Sakura had just said good night to.

Sakura smiled and said good bye and left.

Snow gently fell to the ground, covering the earth with a soft white blanket engulfing the small city.

Sakura looked up at the sky. Every Friday she went to volunteer at the small orphanage. Once she turned 17 and was in grade 11, she had found the small quaint orphanage and had immediately become a volunteer there. She soon became fond of the small Kyra and fell in love with the adorable children.

Sakura's thoughts were interrupted once she entered the warm house and smelled something delicious.

"Hey onii-chan!" Sakura said bounding into the kitchen and looked at the cookies on the counter.

"Hey kaijuu. Those ones are hot, take one of those." Touya said pointing to the neatly shaped Christmas trees fancily decorated.

Yukito entered the room with a bag. "I got more frosting and sprinkles. Oh, hey Sakura!"

"Hey Yuki! Why all the baking you two?"

"For the school carnival. It's in three days. On Monday."

Touya had volunteered as a tutor at Seiju High School, tutoring students after school. Yuki and him at remained good friends, who had taken a few part time jobs to support himself. After, Touya had taken on a few jobs at the school and becoming very involved. He was asked to become a full time teacher, but refused to, saying it would take up to much of his time. He much preferred the one on one thing with after school.

"So, why are you baking?"

"Because I volunteered to help with refreshments. So don't eat to many kaijuu."

"Sakura no kaijuu!" Sakura screamed as she walked around the counter and stomped on his foot. Sakura took a few more cookies and running up the stairs ignoring Touya's complaining of taking to many cookies. Opening up the door revealed Kero playing video games. She handed him the few cookies she managed to grab and dropped to her bed and began to nibble on her own.

She looked over at her desk. Photo's lined the desk of her days in middle school when her and Syaoran had been going out. But he left…years ago. She was so happy then. The elders had called him back. He refused to go at first, before his mother came and took him back herself. Sakura had cried every day since he had left. Lately, she had been gaining back happiness, trying to keep busy.

He had promised. Promised to come back just for her. But that was years ago. 3 years ago. She wasn't even told why he had to go. She even missed him at the airport to say good-bye.

Flashback

Sakura sat down beside her favourite tree and sighed. Silent raindrop tears fell from her eyes as the wind blew around her face, her hair falling around her framed face. He's gone. He's gone and I never even got to say good-bye. Sakura thought.

"He's not gone yet. You can feel him still, can't you?"

Sakura looked up to find Eriol sitting in the tree smiling.

"What are you talking about?" Sakura asked wiping away her tears.

"He's still here. Still in Japan. At the airport. You have time, my Sakura. To get there to say your good-bye's."

Sakura's emerald eyes widened as she raced towards the parking lot and had quickly found a cab. Thoughts raced as she arrived at the airport. She had just ran from school. Left Eriol. Her brother would go crazy.

She ran inside and frantically looked around and wound up at the desk asking if the plane left. The man had shaken his head and pointed in a direction that had Sakura running for dear life.

Just let me see him one last time.

She found the exit and saw Yelen, his mother look back at her and smiled. Syaoran had briskly walked past his mother and not noticed Sakura's warm pink aura. She had tears spilling over when the tall women walked over to Sakura and put a piece of paper in her hand before giving her a hug and quickly leaving to the plane. She had seen him…but had missed her chance to say anything. She slowly walked over to the big windows and put both hands up on the windows pressing her face to the window and looked out at the big plane and hung her head. She walked away never looking back as tears spilled over and back into the nearest taxi back to school. Luckily lunch had just ended and the bell had rung. So she would be a little late. She would make up something.

Once Sakura got back and settled down in class, she realized the piece of paper still grasped firmly in her hand. She slowly opened her hand to reveal the soft velvet that wasn't paper crumpled up.

She set it down and examined it. Carefully she opened it up to reveal a small cherry blossom flower and a small wolf pendant inside. Picking them up, showed a soft heart embroided in the centre of the velvet blanket.

He promised. Please keep it Syaoran. Your mother believes in us. So I should to.

End Flashback

So far, he hadn't. And Sakura had kept the small token Yelen had given to her at the airport. She had long finished her cookie and Kero had fallen asleep at the video games in the middle of eating a cookie. She gently picked him up and put him in the small drawer and laid the cookies down beside the small Kero-sized bed and tucked him inside it.

Turning to the desk she opened up a small faded box. It held a tiny bouquet of Nadeshiko's. They had belonged to her and had held them at her wedding. A picture of her mother was also in there along with one of her favourite necklaces. Sakura had remembered her father telling her about it. She closed her eyes and softly sighed.

He had given it to her on their first anniversary. She remembered he told her they had walked along the lakeshore before he told her that seeing a shooting star with the one you loved most, was a sign of being together with that person forever once one had passed over the couple. He had kissed her and then given her the necklace holding a shining diamond in the centre of it. Nadeshiko was so overwhelmed and was so happy telling him that the small necklace was beautiful and she had loved it.

Sakura opened her eyes and exhaled. Also the small velvet piece was inside and Sakura gently took it out and sat down on her bed. She reopened it and looked down at the small cherry blossom flower and little wolf pendant and picked the two up holding them close to her heart. She believed he would come back and she would continue to hold that close to her without letting go until she was absolutely sure.

She fingered the heart and felt the soft velvety cloth. Folding it back up she placed it back in the box. She changed for bed and fell asleep, her thoughts drowned.

On Saturday morning, Daidouji Tomoyo woke up and heard the birds chirping, as the sunlight streamed into her room. Groaning she pulled the pillow over her head and screamed into the bed. She was tired, grumpy and extremely unsatisfied. After spending a horrible afternoon with her mother's friend's son, she had gone home very unhappy. She had put on a happy face for her mom though.

Lifting up the pillow she looked over at the purple digital clock on the table beside her bed. Her eyes widened as she jumped out of bed and started racing around her room. She had Science this semester and Sakura's brother; Touya had volunteered to tutor Tomoyo every Saturday at 1. It was already 12. She had an hour to get ready and head over to Touya's apartment.

Grabbing some clothes she raced into the washroom and got a quick shower, changed into a white sweater and a pair of jeans and quickly dried her hair and pulled it up into a ponytail and grabbed her small backpack and ran down towards the kitchen.

"Good Morning Miss Daidouji. On your way out for tutoring I see."

"Hai. Can you make something quick and easy? I'm starving."

"Of course Miss Daidouji."

5 minutes later, Tomoyo had finished a bagel and some juice and was out the door. She refused to let her driver drive her around when it was a short distance. She loved looking at the beautiful winter scenery. She pulled on her jacket as she said good morning to the doorman and pulled her backpack over her shoulder.

Snowflakes fell all around her decorating her jacket with a white snowy pattern. Ice patches were being uncovered as men shovelled the sidewalks. The park was quiet and empty. Snow covered around the penguin.

Reaching the apartment, Tomoyo invited the warm air outside and quickly shut the front door. She smiled as she dusted off the snow from her jacket and headed to the elevator. Pushing the tenth floor button she waited until she reached it and stepped out. It was empty, yet cozy and inviting. People had different decorations on their doors. Soft Christmas music could be heard from different doors and the smell of delicious homemade dinners and treats wafted down the long narrow hall.

Reaching Touya's door she reached up and firmly knocked. She had to admit that she'd grown quite attached to these Saturday afternoons. It was fun and she'd become quite fond of Touya. Yeah, he was attractive and maybe hot, but she couldn't love him.

She knocked again impatiently wondering if he were home.

"Sorry Tomoyo. I was over at the house baking. Sorry I'm late. The kaijuu says hey."

Tomoyo smiled. Yup, definitely hot. He held 3 containers filled with cookies.

He caught her eyeing the boxes and smirked. "Maybe if you can finally answer some of the questions I give you, you can have a cookie."

"Oh goodie! Now he's bribing me with cookies!" Tomoyo said sarcastically as he finally unlocked the door and let the two into the small warm, cozy apartment.

Dropping her bag on the floor she dropped onto the couch while Touya went into the kitchen to put the cookies away.

"Ready to study? You have that big mid-term Friday, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I've been studying and studying, takes awhile to cram it all in my brain." Tomoyo said as he grabbed her bag and pulled out her textbook and binder.

"It does. You'll get it soon."

After an hour of studying the two had both had enough and were ready to take a break from all of it.

"These are great cookies!" Tomoyo said taking a sip of milk.

The two had a plate of cookies, a glass of milk each and were lounging on the couch. It was Tomoyo's favourite part of going over to his apartment. She always got closer to him and spent time talking about things unrelated to school, getting to know him better.

"So are you going to the carnival on Monday?" Touya asked.

"I don't think I should, I really have to pass this, I'm doing really bad in the course."

"Your studying way to hard. How about this. I'll take you to the carnival on Monday and then from Tuesday to Thursday I'll help you study." Touya drew in a deep breath. There. He had asked her. He'd been attracted to the younger girl, but she had grown up so much. And he was slowly falling for the beautiful, happy young woman.

Tomoyo smiled slyly. "Touya asking me out, ne?"

"N-no. I was just wondering, if you…and I…could…go…together."

"Touya's asking me out." She drawled leaning on his shoulder placing a hand lightly on his chest.

"Fine, so maybe I am." He said removing her hands.

She smiled. Bingo. "Good, wouldn't want to go and seduce you to far."

He blushed and she just smiled. "Now, can you help me with this question here. I was given these for homework and had lots of trouble with it when I tried it in class and gave up. That devil teacher tried to help me, but she just confused me more." Tomoyo said leaning against him, her feet propped up on a cushion.

Monday came sooner then Tomoyo hoped, and school flew by and she had Sakura over in an instant. Sakura sat on her bed leaning against the wall as Tomoyo pulled out almost every outfit in her closet.

"SAKURA! You've GOT to help me! He's your brother! You should know what he likes!" Tomoyo asked having a panic attack.

"Tomoyo! Will you relax! The carnival isn't for three hours." Sakura said slightly irritated.

Every year, she would watch her friends go with dates to the carnivals, and every year she would go refusing to go with anyone. It was getting her slightly depressed.

"How about the purple kimono you have." Sakura said her eyes drifting to the closet.

Tomoyo's eyes twinkled. "That'll be perfect!"

Sakura laughed. "I can't believe you like my brother!"

Tomoyo just smiled. "Now for you!" Tomoyo said taping her chin.

"Oh no. No way! Remember last year!"

"Oh! But that was so much fun!"

"No way!" Sakura said putting her hands up in defence.

Sakura sighed unhappily. Sure, Tomoyo made a great outfit, but she was again alone. Alone, for yet another carnival.

"Thinking of Syaoran, ne?"

Sakura whirled around to face Eriol. She blushed and nodded. "Hai, of course."

"When did you get back?" Sakura asked.

"A while ago?"

"How long is 'awhile ago'?" Sakura said giving him an old look.

"A week."

"And you haven't showed your face for a whole week! I can't believe I didn't sense you!" Sakura said surprised.

Eriol smiled. "Come, I'll buy you a soda." He said leading her to the booth.

"Hey kaijuu, having fun?"

Sakura groaned and looked up at Touya. Putting on a fake smile she said "Hai! Of course! It's been great so far."

She smiled smugly and said as he handed her a soda "So where's Tomoyo?"

"She called and said she's running a bit late and that she'd meet me here." Touya said looking away from his sister.

Sakura giggled and turned away. "I'm going for a little walk. See you later Eriol."

She turned and walked towards the field where she had once captured the Glow card back in her card capturing days. Boy did she miss those days. But she always carried them with her, along with her wand and her cell just in case anything ever happened.

A Card Captor Mistress could never be too careful.

She sat down a sipped at her soda and sighed looking out over the pond. She missed him. No phone calls, no letters, no nothing. She let a tear fall from her eye before wiping it away.

She stared at the ground and closed her eyes hoping the stinging in her eyes would go away forcing the tears to go away.

Her eyes flew open when she sensed an aura close by.

She jumped up and looked around. She could sense it. It wasn't Eriol's or Syaoran's.

"Card Mistress."

Sakura whirled around to face a man in a dark black robe and hood covering his face.

"Hai."

"Master has been waiting. You are to come."

"Umm, I don't think so." Sakura said whipping out her key. She called her chant and it extended.

"Your pitiful cards will not work on me Card Mistress." As the man raised his hands and a dark shield covered her.

"Shield Card! Surround me and break the barrier! Shield!"

The man didn't seem to flinch as she walked out of both barriers. She whipped out another card.

"Look. I've had a bad day. So PLEASE can you just leave me alone! The boy I love is gone and my best friend is going out with my brother! And now some guy, your master, wants to see me! No thanks!" Sakura said as she called upon Fiery. The attack was blocked and Fiery returned to card form.

"I do not wish to fight. Please come in peace." The man said quietly.

"NO! I already told you." Sakura said getting ready to get out another card.

"As you wish." The man raised his hand as a spark of fire appeared.

"SAKURA! MOVE!"

And the next minute Sakura was on the ground as she heard a whiz fly by her and someone breathing heavily on top of her.

"Are you okay?"

That voice.

It was only one person.

She pushed the person off and looked him in the face.

"Syaoran!"

"We have someone to deal with right now, you know." He said getting up and looking around.

"Not now. I'll be back." The man said before disappearing.

"Sakura. Are you okay?" he said offering her a hand.

"Umm…I think so." She said taking his hand and stood up. She looked in his face as tears formed in her eyes and pushed him away and started toward the carnival.

"Sakura! Wait up!" Syaoran said slightly confused as he ran after her.

She jerked around and glared at him. "Not one phone call. Why didn't you send me any letters? Anything! Any sign!"

Syaoran sighed. "Sakura, I really did try. I tried everything. My mother was trying to help but the whole clan was against it."

"Then why are you back."

"Because they knew that a dark force was coming and that I should come here to protect you. I jumped at the opportunity to see you. Gomen-nasi Sakura! I'm really sorry!"

Sakura sighed as she walked over to him and gave him a hug and buried her head into his shoulder. "I missed you."

"I missed you to Ying Fa." Syaoran said quietly.

Sakura smiled and looked up. "Come on! Let's go back to the carnival! I want to see if Tomoyo's here. Although she'll end up spending most of her time with Touya." Sakura giggled.

"Why him?"

"Because he asked her out."

"He what!"

"He asked her out to the carnival."

"Kami, be with her." Syaoran said shaking his head.

Sakura laughed harder as he stopped her. She stopped laughing and looked up at him. Amber met emerald as he slowly leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.

"I really missed you." He mumbled against her lips.

"Me too." Sakura said as she looked up at him and smiled. She pushed gently on his shoulder. "Your it!" She said with a twinkle in her eye and ran off towards the fair.

"You won't get away that quickly, Sakura!" he said running after her laughing.

Tomoyo calmly walked over to the booth Touya had volunteered at. He immediately sensed her presence and looked up at her and smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey." She said as calmly as she could hope her voice wasn't too shaky. She was no doubt nervous about this but she had wanted it so badly.

"Enjoying the carnival so far?"

"Yeah, serving food has been a blast!" He said dripping with sarcasm.

She laughed. "When can you leave?"

"As soon as Yuki gets here."

"Great! I haven't seen Yuki for ages!"

He smiled and turned to serve another customer.

"Tomoyo! Hey Tomoyo! Look whose here!"

Tomoyo looked up to see Sakura being chased by a dark haired teen.

"Syaoran!" Tomoyo said as a smiled pulled at her lips.

"Gotcha!" Syaoran said as he caught up with Sakura and wrapped his arms firmly around her waist. "Your it now."

"But I've got who I want." She giggled.

"Ahem!" Tomoyo said giggling. "It's to bad I don't have my video camera with me."

The two looked up to face Tomoyo and blushed. "It's good to see you again Syaoran!" She said giving him a hug.

"You too. You guys have all changed a lot."

"Well, you've been gone a long time!" Sakura said.

"Not long enough for that gaki." Touya said casting a glare at Syaoran.

"Oh come on! Give it up you guys!" Sakura said rolling her eyes.

"Hey guys! Syaoran! Good to see you!" Yukito said walking up to the booth.

"Hey Yuki! Thanks for covering the rest of the carnival for me." Touya said picking up his jacket and pulling it on.

"No problem. See ya later!" Yuki said as he waved good-bye.

Touya took Tomoyo's hand in his and walked towards some other booths.

"So, my cute little descendant is back finally."

Syaoran rolled his eyes and turned to face Eriol. "I'm surprised you didn't sense it oh Great Clow Reed."

"Oh, but I did."

"Then why didn't you tell me he was coming?" Sakura asked.

"You didn't ask, my dear Sakura." Eriol said with a smile.

"Hiirigiwaza and his mind games. No time for them." Syaoran said with a wave of his hand.

"OK OK! Let's go have some fun now! Would you like to join us Eriol?" Sakura said before Syaoran decided to do something stupid.

"No thanks. I'm supposed to go meet somebody. I'll see you to later." And with a smile and a wave he was gone.

"To weird." Syaoran said as the couple turned and headed for some rides.

Eriol sat in his chair by the fire with a look of concern on his face.

"And you're sure of this?" A woman said looking into the fire.

"Positive."

"But she can't face this!"

"I know that the two have been put to the test before and they can do it again. They're meant for each other and they can do it together. With a bit of training and guidance of course."

"Of course."

"Let's just hope that this time, Clow Reed is right." Kaho said as she looked up at him with hope in her eyes.

Sarah: Yay! First chapter finished! I hope you all really enjoy this story! I'm hoping it'll be my first very good story! I thought of this one time during Math class. The most worst class EVER! So your mind tends to drift off to other things. Maybe that's why people tend to fail math easily. LoL! Anyways! Thanks for reading and please review! Ja ne!