Hello! Sorry for updating SOOOO late. Gomen! m(_ _)m It's already summer and it makes me more lazy to type. XDD I've been reading fanfics and watching animes every day that I forgot to update this story.. XD any anime suggestions? X3

Chapter 3

My Dearest

-Caught Off Guard-

"Syaoran!"

Bang.

"Papa! Papa! Papa! " Syaoran called to his father who is lying on the ground, pooled in blood. He held Syaoran's face as he cried…

"I'm..glad.. that you're all right.."

"Papa…" Syaoran held his father's hand..

"I'm sorry Syaoran… Take care of your sisters and your mother okay? Be brave my son. I love you so much..remember that." He smiled to his son, as his hand let go of Syaoran's face and he closed his eyes..

His father had died in front of him..he protected him.. His father died because of him..

Because of me..

"NO!"

Just a bad dream. Another memory of the past he wanted to forget. Syaoran woke up, sweat all over his face and his hands were trembling. Why can't he move on? He can't forgive his self for what had happened. He blames his self for his father's death.. If he hadn't protected him from the gun shot, he wouldn't die.. it's all his fault.

It was still 3:30 in the morning.. He didn't want to go back to sleep so he went to his room, where he practices Kendo and martial arts. He let all his frustrations loose. He punched and kicked hard. After all the stunts, he lied on the floor, panting.. He relaxed his self and closed his eyes…

He was in a dark place and void of objects except for a large window where light reflects and the only source of light. Beside the window, he saw a little girl crying and holding a gray teddy bear.. he wondered who that girl might be so he went to her, only finding that no matter how many steps he walk, he couldn't reach the girl. He felt as if it was his fault why the girl is crying..

"Please come back… did you already forget me?" the little girl said looking at the bear on her arms.

Forget? Why is that little girl crying? He thought. Then, the girl vanished.. he was now alone..

Then he heard a voice..

Syaoran, you should remember.. the person with a special place in your heart.

"Who? Remember who? I don't know-"

Open your heart and you shall find..-

"Syaoran-sama."

He woke up from his butler's voice. The dream was cut-off..

Weird..he thought. Earlier, he dreamt of his father.. now a little girl she didn't know.

"Good morning Wei-san." he asked, massaging his forehead.

"Good morning as well Syaoran-sama. I shall inform you that your breakfast is ready on the table."

"Stop being polite all the time Wei.. you're like a family to me." Said Syaoran. The old man chuckled. "Anyway, what time is it?"

"It's already 6:30 Syaoran-sama. You should get into uniform and eat your breakfast."

Syaoran nodded and excused his self. He went to his room and change to his school uniform. Just as the school year started, he began dreaming of weird events, including the past with his father. And now, a little girl whom he couldn't recognize but seems to be a part of his past.. He wonders what could be the meaning of all of this.

On breakfast, he was eating alone. He was living in an apartment only with his butler since he was a kid. His mother is in Hong Kong and would have occasional visits because she is busy with their business, while his sisters already have a family except for the youngest. He decided to live in an apartment than to live in their family mansion, which is also here in Tomoeda, because it's too big for Wei and him to live.. and it would make him feel more alone than he was right now.

After breakfast, he bid goodbye to Wei-san and thanked him.

He was used to it. Evers since he was a kid, he was always alone. His parents on business trips, his sisters were there but he refused on playing with them because he doesn't want to play with them with dolls. He would practice martial arts or play with his violin.

He did the usual. Go to his locker, change into his school shoes, get his books and this day, he will go the SC room for duty. Before opening the door, he heard a sound of guitar and familiar voice singing along with it. It must be Sakura.. he thought.

I'll always carry on the dream I had with you.

He leaned his head on the door, his hand on the doorknob. He decided to listen for a while..

Being with you was so wonderful; There was no one else.
But when I woke up in the morning, you weren't there.

Every time she sings, his mind calms. He always finds it relaxing to hear her music. It draws him to her more.. He didn't realized the song had stopped and suddenly, the door opened..

xxxxxxxxxx

Sakura brought her guitar in school since they won't have any cheerleading practice after class and they'll be practicing the song they're going to record for their first single release. She decided to compose a new song.. She went to the SC room for duty and since it was still a little early, she decided to play first..

"I'll always carry on the dream I had with you." Through composing music, she could express her feelings and let out all the feelings inside her. Though she has a cheerful facade every time she faces people and her friends, still, there's a part of her that is empty…

She glanced at the door and saw a shadow through the space between the door and the floor. She stopped and placed her guitar on the table and walked to the door. She is planning on surprising the person behind that door..

"Goo-"

He lost his balance and expected that he'll fell flat on the floor when Sakura got a hold of his two shoulders to support him. They had an eye contact for a few seconds. Syaoran stood up fast, slightly blushing.

"I-I'm sorry Li-uh-Syaoran-senpai. I never thought that you were..leaning on the door. I planned on surprising the person but well, with what happened to you..uh..he he" she said scratching her cheek with her finger.

"Ah.a..no..It's okay." He stuttered with his words. "I didn't want to bother you.. with..you. .playing..and-"

"Oh no no no.. You should have come in. You didn't have to wait for me to finish. What if I didn't stop playing? You might have waited there for so long. ."

Actually he just wanted to listen and didn't want to come in because he knows that she'll stop by then.

He changed the topic. "You know, I can't think that you're a clumsy girl but sometimes an alert one. You have saved me a while ago from landing flat on the floor.."

"Oh that. I would call that one of my skills. Haha"

They proceeded inside the room. They then started their duty and silence fell. Syaoran broke the silence and suddenly asked, "Is that a new song you're composing?"

"Yeah. It has become a part of my life to compose songs. I love music and when I feel like it, I compose songs..." While Sakura is answering his question and arranging some files in the cabinet, he didn't notice his self looking at Sakura as if he was in a trance. She reminds him of someone he met before.. He didn't realize htat Sakura was done talking and she was done with the files. She went in front of him and snapped her fingers calling him. "Ano, Syaoran-senpai? Are you okay?"

He felt as if he had known him before..The warm feeling he gets when she's near, as if it washes away the coldness in his heart..Wait! What is he thinking? What am I thinking? He heard someone calling his name.. "Li-senpai. Hey,"

He noticed that his mouth was open and saw close to his eyes two familiar emerald eyes.. He went back to his composure and felt blood run on his head. "Wha-wh-what?" he stuttered looking away.

"I'm asking if you're okay. You're spacing. You're staring..straight at me but when I.."

He realized what he has done.. "Uh. Yeah." He faked a chuckle. "I'm just thinking..of something.." But Sakura wasn't contented with his answer. She brushed his bangs away and touched his forehead. That gesture made Syaoran blush even more.

"Are you sick? Your face is really red." Sakura frowned, worrying.

"No! I'm fine! Really! You don't have to worry about me. Aha ha ha"

"Hmm. Okay."

Syaoran felt guilty, but he doesn't know why. He glanced at his watch and said, "Uh, maybe we should get going to our classes? "

Sakura nodded and smiled. They gathered their things and locked the room.

"I'll be heading to the gym, it's our PE class for first period." Sakura said.

"Me too, PE class as well."

"Really? That's great! Let's walk together."

While walking along the hallways, students were looking at the two, talking animatedly.

"It's Kinomoto-san and Li-senpai right?" said one of the students standing at the corridor.

It was a n amusing scene to see those two together, and a miracle for most of the girls who had a 'secret' crush on Li, to see him talking casually to a girl and not in his usual stoic face. They felt jealous at Sakura but they seem not to have grudge on her. They don't have any reasons to hate her. Almost everyone knew her around school, especially she is the granddaughter of the owner of the school and she is a kind person who smiles even to the people she doesn't know and not the kind of girl who flirts with guys.

"I envy Sakura-san! She's close to Li-senpai.."

"I think they look cute together. Do you think they are dating?"

"If they are, they will be a great couple!"

The pair seemed to be oblivious to the talks/whispers about them. On the other hand, a blond-haired guy can hear them, especially his classmates' , He felt a tug in his heart. He has 'liking' for Skaura for a long time but he still can't admit his feelings to her, afraid to be rejected. The pair is walking towards him and saw that Sakura had seen him.

"Sora-kun! Ohayo." Sakura greeted with her usual cheerfulness.

"Good morning Skaura-chan and Li-senpai"

"Good morning Mizuno-san"

"Uhh.. Heading to your classes?" Sora asked.

"Yup! Me and Syaoran-senpai were heading to the gym. We had the same time for PE class."

"I see.." he felt a little jealousy in him but hid his feelings, but Syaoran sensed this.

"By the way, we have a meeting after class." Syaoran intervened.

"Okay. So, see you later." Sora smiled.

"Bye Sora-kun!"

He waved his hands plastering a smile on his face. Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder..

"Oi!"

Sora was taken by surprise and saw his classmate. "You got me there, Natsu."

"Jealous there, aren't you?" Natsu said in a clever tone.

There's no hiding it, afterall, he is Sora's bestfriend.

Sora rolled his eyes. "No Natsu. I don't have any reasons to be jealous."

"But you like Skaura, right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"She's with Li-san! I bet that guy likes her too."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, as you can see. He becomes different around her, and girls on our class who are 'fans' of him saw it too. You should confess and ask her before Li-san gets in your way!"

His friend is right..maybe. He is a good observant. It made him worry and gets him into thinking whether he should confess already. He remembered the feeling s he had a while ago, it is a feeling he never had before. Though he became jealous with other guys who flirt around Sakura, the jealousy he felt is somehow different. It is like Li will take her away from him and he doesn't want to happen that. He knows that he is not in the position to be possessive with Sakura especially he is not her boyfriend but he can't help himself from feeling that way. He had known Sakura for a long time and he only loves her since.

His friend was waiting for a reply but he only shrugged not feeling like to answer. He walked inside the classroom, sat on his chair and looked outside the windows. 'Sakura...", he sighed. What is he going to do?

"I won't lose."

Xxxxxxxxxx

"Araaaaaaa...Sakura-chan's class is the same period as ours!" Taiga exclaimed when she saw Sakura at the other side of the gym. She called Sakura and waved her hand to her and Skaura waved and smiled in reply. "What a coincidence eh, Syaoran?" Teru said while elbowing Syaoran's waist. Syaoran, who was leaning on the wall with his arms crossed against his chest, replied, "What do you mean Teru?"

"Nothing." He said with a grin on his face.

A while ago, he saw Sakura and Syaoran walking together. He saw a different Syaoran as he talk with Sakura. He knows Syaoran well and he isn't the one who 'easily' befriends with people he just met especially with girls. He is a type of guy who doesn't easily socialize and it's one of the things he doesn't like most. He doesn't trust people easily.. Maybe Sakura could break the walls he had built around his self?

Xxxxxxxxxx

"Next Kinomoto!"

Upon hearing her name, Sakura stood up. It was her turn to show the skills she learned in gymnastics. Their teacher wants them to show what they know in gymnastics so he'll know who are skilful and how they will be handled. She moved to the mat and breathed deeply.

At the mention of Sakura's name, Teru, Taiga and Syaoran, who were sitting on the floor across the gym where sakura's class is, and some of their classmates who were playing basketball, decided to watch Sakura. They know Sakura is an athletic girl and is very good at it. Adding up to that, she is famous for she is one of the best cheerleaders in their school.

Sakura started to move and do the stunts she knows very well gracefully. She did them like a ninja but at the same time looks like a magical girl they watch in animes. Her classmates, though used and know too well that Sakura is good at gymnastics, were still amazed. Some of them have their mouths open and some eyes staring intently at her each move. Also, you cans see her ever loyal best friend Tomoyo videotaping her. She finished her move with a complicated tumbling and landed standing eyes closed. Then she heard squeals and claps. Even those who aren't their classmates who have seen, clapped. She scratched her head feeling a little shy with the attention she got. She never got used to it.

"Excellent Kinomoto-san. As expected, you're really the best in this class." Her teacher said patting her back. Sakura blushed at the compliment given to her.

"Thanks sen-"

"Li! Watch out!" they heard someone shouted.

On the other side of the gym, a certain guy was really caught with the moves shown by Sakura. Syaoran was still staring in wide awe at Sakura even though she was done. Teru can see this through the sides. He cansee his face with a slight tint of red and with mouth open. He thought that Syaoran looked like a little kid who was brought in a candy store. They haven't noticed the basketball going to their direction not until someone called out Syaoran's name.

"Li! Watch out!" Syaoran heard his name and looked at the direction only to be hit by the ball. Syaoran failed to miss the ball as he wasn't in his mind. He fell unconscious as the ball hit hard on his face. He was immediately surrounded by her classmates and Teru and the person who had the fault brought him to the clinic.

Sakura and her classmates saw this and were quite shocked. Some of the students inside the gym gasped, mostly the fan girls. For Tomoyo, who is mysteriously giggling whispered to herself, "I see what you did there.."

"Uh, Tomoyo are you okay?" her classmate asked her curiously.

"Oh yes, I'm fine! I have just seen something amazing." Tomoyo grinned.

Surprisingly, Tomoyo had sensed Syaoran's staring at Sakura a while ago and she even caught it in videotape. But she'll keep the video secret to Sakura. It was quite a funny scene after all.

Sakura, who was a little worried run to Taiga and asked what happened. "Syaoran was hit by the ball and he failed to notice it. Don't worry Skaura, he'll be all right." Taiga replied as she smiled at Sakura reassuring her.

Xxxxxxxxxx

"You can go back to your class now. Good thing the force of the ball isn't too strong or else your nose is broken. " The nurse said as she was done tending Syaoran's bleeding nose.

"I'm so sorry Li! I lost control of the ball and didn't mean to..hit you." Syaoran's classmate said nervously. He's afraid and is expecting to receive a death glare from Syaoran. But instead, Syaoran only said, "It's all right, it was an accident." He stood up from the bed and went outside the clinic who was then followed by the surprised Matsuhara.

That gesture of Syaoran made Teru surprised as well. He adjusted his glasses. "Guess he's changing.?", he thought and looked outside the window. He knew Syaoran wasn't someone who would easily say something like that calmly. For all he know, he would just ignore the person or glare at the person.

Xxxxxxxxx

Classes are over and Student Council Meeting is net. Syaoran is putting his books inside his locker and thought of what happened earlier. It was the first time he was able to miss a ball since his senses are quick. He was trained well since he was a kid in fighting and sensing attacks. Bu this morning, he was caught off guard...and it's because of Sakura. He didn't know what she did to him and he doesn't know why she affects him so much.

"Ah Syaoran-senpai!"

A petite girl came running towards him.

"How are you?" she asked.

Great. Speaking of the devil. The girl in his thoughts just came to him.

"Oh, still normal. My nose just hurts a little."

"I'm glad." Sakura said sighing in relief.

They walked together to the SC room when Sakura decided to talk.

"Ano, Syaoran-senpai, we'll be recording our first single this Saturday at Eriol's studio. Do you want to come with us? I just thought of inviting you since Takashi and Eriol will be there."

Syaoran thought for a second and nodded. "Sure, since I don't have any plans this weekend."

Sakura smiled and told him how excited they were to have their first single. Syaoran find it amusing to see Sakura talk cheerfully like a little kid. It really makes him happy to be around her..

xxxxxxxxx

The meeting went well and they talked about the plans for the upcoming events, their budget and also did some reports. They organized all their activities so as to prevent problems in the future since they're all in other clubs and they have to be responsible enough to do their duties.

"Meeting dismissed."

Xxxxxxxxx

As Sakura laid on her bed that night, she closed her eyes and thought of the amber eyes she had seen earlier in the morning. It looked so familiar yet different. She couldn't understand but it bothers her a little. It's like the innocence of him wasn't there anymore and there is guilt and sadness. Whenever she caught glances of him, he looks as if he's always in deep thoughts. She's a little curious to know what was it that causes him to be in that state. She wants to ask but is afraid that he might get mad that she's asking him something that is not her business. Also, they aren't close friends in the first place.

Then her thoughts rifted again to the person she thinks about almost every day.. her little wolf. She can't remember her face anymore, except for the amber eyes and the smile that makes her heart smile. How is she supposed to see him? If they meet again, what will happen? Does he still remember the promise they made with each other? Will she ever see again the person who causes her pain and happiness?

Sakura turned on her sides and hugged her pillow tightly.

"..little wolf.."

Please Read and Review! Onegai! I need reviews so I'll know what you think about my story! Comments,suggestions and violent reactions are very welcome.

Special thanks to Mishrav Mikura , sillyhappyperson , SKDiaz ! Thank you again!

Mishrav Mikura: you'll see in the next chapters. ;)

Also, I might be updating the next chapter by June. ^_^ ja ne~!