Hearts Unsealed

By: pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura or any of its characters. They all belong to CLAMP.

Summary: Because of that dark, fateful day nine years ago, he had been forced to give up the only thing that had ever made him happy, to resign himself to the guilt of not being able to protect her, to look into dull, distant emerald eyes and know that he had been forgotten forever and would never be remembered. As for her, she has been living with gaps in her memory – in her heart – that have just been waiting to be filled. And with trouble arising with the Cards, a string of circumstances might actually lead her to finally find what she's been missing.
(Note: Continuation of the anime if Void had been able to take what was precious to Sakura's heart)

Chapter 1: Unrest

For the past nine years, he had always felt as if he was becoming less and less of himself. Not just in a metaphorical sense either. It was difficult to explain without making it sound like nonsense or making him seem like a dramatic teenage boy. The only way he could explain it was that it felt like pieces of his heart and his soul were being… eaten away.

And whenever that feeling came about, he would always find himself in this sort of situation. Clutching onto the front of his shirt with one hand – the concentrated area of where the pain was originating from – and shaking heavily, Li Syaoran willed his body to rise and sit up on his bed. Groaning slightly at the pain, his jaw clenching, he finally opened one amber eye to find that it was the middle of the night. He cursed under his breath, trying to contain himself.

He had grown used to this over the years – this inexplicable gnawing sensation that came at night. But lately it was becoming worse. For the past few nights he had been sure that by the time he woke up he would be but an empty shell. Or maybe his body wouldn't even be there at all. Somehow, someway…he knew there just wouldn't be a trace of him if this kept up.

When this first began, he thought he knew what it was. He was sure that this was what they called "heartbreak."

After all, because of that dark, fateful day nine years ago, he had been forced to give up the only thing that had ever made him happy, to resign himself to the guilt of not being able to protect her, to look into dull, distant emerald eyes and know that he had been forgotten forever and would never be remembered.

But after some time, he realized that even though he did think heartbreak contributed quite an amount to this strange ache, something about it just…made him realize that it was more. And as he concentrated, desperately trying to ignore the pain, he felt it again.

The same, strange aura. It felt familiar but distinctly different at the same time.

Sighing, he doubled over and fell in fetus position covered by his bed sheets, letting the pain finally seize him. Whenever it came, he had no choice but to welcome it anymore. Besides, he didn't care if he woke up and didn't know or understand anything. He didn't even care if he ever woke up.

After all, it couldn't be much worse than the life he's already been living.

A gentle smile. Her hair framing her face. The bows she'd sometimes put in her auburn hair. A light blush on her cheeks.

He would give anything to go back to those days. Even though he had never been able to call her his even back then… it was a lot better than resigning himself to pretending there was a life without Kinomoto Sakura.

Financial charts. International updates. Status reports. Conference calls. Businessmen and women in suits.

Ah, the wonderfully bland world of business.

Being part of the highly esteemed Li family meant being able to indulge in the thriving family company. Although, behind the suits and the briefcases, being part of the Li Clan also meant having magic running through your veins. 'Luckily' for Syaoran, the Li Clan Elders had given him a high position in the corporation: C.E.O. He had been trained for the position since right after high school and was plunged into the business world just a few years ago.

He was one of the youngest C.E.O. in any internationally credited business in the world.

Usually, he got his work done and his responsibilities taken care of in a blasé yet efficient way. He wasn't really passionate about his career, but he knew he had to get it done to keep his Elders happy. It was his duty to his family. But today…

Forgive Syaoran for his lack of interest, but he just could not keep his eyes open. Bleary eyed as he sat at the end of the conference table, he tried to keep his focus on the projected pie charts and bar charts but failed. Last night's events had left him unable to get more than an hour of sleep. Not only that, but his mind was caught up in the reason behind why this pain had come with a vengeance the past few days. And that aura…

"…and that concludes the status reports overseas. Mister Li, would you like to begin evaluations?"

Syaoran was silent, staring blankly into space.

"Mister Li?"

Snapping into reality, Syaoran cleared his throat. "Actually…let's leave the rest for tomorrow."

A slight slur of whispers arose from his fellow colleagues at his uncharacteristic lack of focus. Furthermore, he had never cut a business meeting short. But no one complained as they started to slowly file out, still whispering, no doubt making Syaoran's behavior the latest gossip of the corporation. When the room was finally empty, he heaved a sigh, his body feeling heavy.

"Tough night, Xiao Lang?"

He jumped at the voice. His cousin – who also doubled as his personal assistant – sat in the swivel chair nearest to him, crossing her legs. Her long raven black hair, usually tied up in two pigtails, was pulled back in a sophisticated top bun.

"It must've been tough if you didn't even notice me walk in. What happened?"

Syaoran took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. Thankfully, he had kept the pain he felt at night a secret from everyone all this time. Not even Meiling knew about it. "Nothing Meiling."

She was silent as her ruby eyes appraised his haggard appearance. She knew better than to pry her hot tempered cousin, despite her concern. "Well, you might want to freshen up. The meeting with those business interns from overseas was bumped up since you cut your meeting short."

The man sighed, apparently forgetting about this latest news. He didn't bother redoing his tie or putting on his jacket, too tired and distracted to care. "Bring them in."

Meiling nodded and quietly walked out into the hall, reentering with a group of bright eyed, young interns.

Syaoran stood, forcing a strained smile as he looked at the group. They all bowed to him fervently, regarding the young business leader greatly. After all, many of them were his age and he had already attained such a position. He returned the action humbly.

"As you all know, this is Li Xiao Lang," Meiling said dutifully. "Although most of you will not be directly working with him, he appreciates the work that you all will put into the company. Some of you will be working in our Beijing branch here. The rest will be stationed at our main branch in Hong Kong, where Xiao Lang usually is working when he is not on business trips."

Many "Thank you's" and compliments were heard from the group and Syaoran just nodded.

"Does anyone have any questions for him?" Meiling asked.

"Li-taichou," the man in the front said excitedly in Japanese before switching to a heavily accented Mandarin. "My name is Shimizu Keiji. Thank you so much for this opportunity," he babbled quickly, eyes bright. "Is it true that you lived in Japan when you were younger?"

Immediately, Syaoran's body tensed. Meiling noticed his reaction from the corner of her eye.

Japan.
Tomoeda, Japan.

A flurry of memories flew through his mind. A stuffed, flying animal. An eternally recording video camera. Magical cards.

Bright, emerald eyes.

"Well then," Meiling interrupted, beginning to shoo the young business interns out of the conference room. "You will be updated on your post tomorrow so-"

"Hai," Syaoran said. "I did."

He caught eyes with the Japanese man who had asked the question.
Dark brown hair and excited chestnut eyes.
A simple brown suit and a bright red tie.

Meiling finally ushered the group out of the room, the interns too excited to really notice that Li Corporation's executive leader had been lost in his memories. Meiling looked back at her cousin, a frown on her lips as her heart ached for him. He was twenty-one years old but still feeling the effects of nine years of heartbreak. And lately, it seemed to be coming with a vengeance.

At least they'd finally be able to go back home to Hong Kong tomorrow. She would cancel all his plans for the day. He needed a break.

Syaoran watched as the Japanese intern was walked out of the room.

Why the hell would someone decide to leave Japan…to come to this?

If Syaoran had been blessed enough to switch lives with that man, he would be on the first plane back to Japan, heading to a small town called Tomoeda.

If only.

Syaoran had argued against his assistant for a long time. But stubborn Meiling hadn't given in. No matter how angry he had gotten or how much he had insisted that he was fine or how much he had tried to use his status in the Li clan over her, in the end she won.

"Li Xiao Lang! Put on some jeans and just take a walk! You don't have to work twenty four hours seven days a week! I'll cover for you. Now I BETTER not see you at work!"

He sighed, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets. He was actually sporting normal clothes this morning, the first time in a very long time. No one noticed him or bothered him with reports or argued with him about figures today, which, Syaoran admitted, was a relief for once.

However, he had still found himself in the financial district of Hong Kong, walking through a sea of business suits and people on their cell phones. Actually, the Li company headquarters was only a few blocks away. He had been restless at home, unable to get the nightly pain attacks out of his mind.

…Although…this walk didn't seem to be doing him any good. After all, here he was still thinking about it.

Last night had been as brutal as ever. The aura had gotten stronger as well. Each night was just progressively getting worse. He wasn't sure if he could even physically handle it any more.

Sighing, he analyzed the strange aura in his mind, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration. He knew what it felt like…

It felt like Sakura's magic…warm and full of life. But at the same time…it didn't. There was just something about it that felt inherently different than hers. And each time he realized this he would get a familiar pang of worry in his heart. What if something was wrong? What if she was in trouble?

He forced the thought away, feebly assuring himself that Sakura had the Cards, Kero, and Yue. But most of all, Sakura was Sakura. She could face any hardship and overcome any obstacle…just because she was herself. Her greatest weapon after all, was that heart of hers. That heart of hers was just so strong and so full of hope and love. Its gentleness could cut through the coldest of people – even Syaoran himself.

She had kept him humane with that heart of hers. It had started from the very first time they met. Even though his mind was filled with the idea of the Cards and his duty to his clan and getting stronger…hers was filled with just being happy and wanting to keep everyone safe.

She had a heart of pure gold.

In all honesty, he was lucky for just knowing Kinomoto Sakura. She had saved him, allowed him to actually feel. Allowed him to love. And every day, he mentally berated himself for not being there with her in that tower that dark day. For not arriving just a few minutes earlier. For not letting his own heart be stripped away of its happiness and love.

Because nothing was harder than seeing her standing in front of him, weary from the magic. Eyes dulled.

"Who are you?"

And that's what he'll forever be. A stranger. That was his punishment. After all, he had failed at saving the heart that he treasured even over his own. He didn't deserve to be remembered.

Sighing, he suddenly realized that he was standing outside the front revolving doors of his own company, a crowd of people hurriedly walking inside and while others left. How had he gotten here? Meiling would kill him if he –

Amber eyes widened.

It was only the back of someone's head. Someone's short auburn-haired head. The woman was staring off into the revolving doors of the Li building, clad in a collared shirt, a skirt, and thigh high socks, with a small crossbody bag draped over her shoulder. Such casual attire in such a formal business world she was currently standing in the center of.

The sea of people disappeared. The only two people in the world were him and this familiar woman standing a few feet in front of him.

He still couldn't believe it. There was just…no way.

"S-Sakura."

She heard. The auburn head turned, a familiar phrase leaving the woman's mouth. A phrase that he hadn't heard in the longest time. "Hoee?"

Brilliant emerald eyes met his.

She looked confused for a second before her eyes suddenly widened.

And before another sound passed either of their lips, that gnawing pain reached him, burrowing itself into his chest and stronger than it had ever hit him before. It was the first and only time he had ever felt it in broad daylight...

The pain forcefully made him tear his eyes away from hers, much to his dismay. His hands clutched desperately at his shirt. He faintly heard a groan erupt from his lips but he wasn't sure. His heart was beating too loudly and too quickly for him to be certain. He felt his body weaken, his legs starting to collapse. He was falling forward, starting to feel his body numbing with agony.

The last thing he remembered before everything went black was feeling slender arms catching him.

He felt so incredibly…warm.

I'm back with this new fic! I recently rewatched the CCS series and movies and fell in love with it and the characters all over again.

To those who are reading Restraint, my other still incomplete CCS story, don't worry! I haven't given up on it! I actually just recently updated it. It's just that it's so angsty that it's been difficult for me to write it, which is one of the reasons why it's difficult for me to update. Plus, with life and what not going on, it's getting harder to find time to just write.

I know this one may seem angsty for now, but I have big non-angst plans for it!

Thanks for taking time to read this! Please review with any comments or constructive criticism!