Moving On

By: SoulSister

Rated: PG-13

Disclaimer: CCS belongs to Clamp, Kodansha and *gags* Nelvana. Jinhua Long, Kenta Yanagi and Xiatian Li are my own original characters and can't be used without my permission.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this earlier. All the names of my titles have come from song lyrics and they obviously don't belong to me. So far, they belong to (in used order):

P. Michelle Branch: Goodbye to You

1. Jennifer Lopez: I'm Gonna Be Alright

2. Brian McKnight: Still

3. Christina Aguilera: The Voice Within

Yay! It's my birthday!!! *Does a happy dance* I won't tell you how old I am (can't be too careful) but lets just say it feels good to be a year older ^^;

Once again, thank you to the kind reviewers. It's your support that keeps me going and wanting to do more. I hope you like this chapter ^^.

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Chapter Three - You'll find the strength that will guide your way

*Last chapter*

Upon their arrival, everyone looked up and the guy who was obviously Eriol gave Chiharu an amused look." Found yourself another boyfriend Chiharu-san? " He asked, earning himself a playful punch in the arm from Yamazaki.

" Despite the temptation, " she began teasingly, " actually, no. But this is way better ".

The violet hair girl, Tomoyo, raised an eyebrow at her." Who is he then Chiharu-chan? " She asked, gazing at Syaoran with the others curiously. They clearly hadn't recognized him yet.

Chiharu grinned at them." Minna-san, I'd like to re-introduce Li Syaoran! " She said dramatically." Say hi Li-san ".

**********

" Umm… hi? " Syaoran said, turning a light pink.' Could this situation be anymore awkward? ' he wondered, waiting for the others to respond.

For a moment, everyone from the group was shocked into silence. Then suddenly Tomoyo let out a squeal of joy and leapt up, grabbing Syaoran into a tight hug." Omigod, Li-kun! It's so good to see you again! " She exclaimed happily.

Syaoran let out a gasp of surprise as Tomoyo unexpectedly glomped him and nearly fell over backwards, causing the others to chuckle lightly." Daidouji, onegai… can't breathe! "

Tomoyo, suddenly realizing how tight she was holding him, blushed and quickly released him." Gomen nasai, I didn't realize. Daijoubu desu ka? " She asked, while Syaoran tried to get his breath back.

" Sure, I'm fine " he replied after a few moments, smiling weakly." No harm done ".

" Well that's good " Yamazaki remarked, grinning." It looked like she'd nearly killed you. Good to have you back Li " he added, clapping Syaoran on the shoulder.

" It's nice to be back " Syaoran replied honestly. He then turned towards the other two at Yamazaki and Tomoyo's side." Konnichi wa Sakura-san, Hiiragizawa " he said with a stiff politeness towards Eriol. Though he wasn't going to go out of his to be nasty towards the blue hair man any longer (he'd noticed the engagement rings), Syaoran still didn't like him yet.

But as usual, Eriol just smiled politely and said, " Welcome back to Japan, little wolf ". This of which, Syaoran just nodded to.

' At least he's stopped referring to me as his "cute little descendant" now ' he thought, remembering the hated nickname from times past.

Then, suddenly, Syaoran realized that Sakura still hadn't replied to him and he looked towards her warily. Taking in her shocked expression, it was obvious seeing him here overwhelmed her.

' But considering the circumstances, I'm not really surprised ' Syaoran thought, sighing in mind.

*Flashback*

It was the first day of summer for children in Japan and it was also the day Syaoran was leaving for home. His mother had called him only two days beforehand and had announced that he was to be going back.

" Go back?! But mother, I can't go back now! I have too many friends here ".

" I'm sorry Xiao Lang but this is the way things have to be. The elders want you back here so you can start your training to become to the clan leader and I dare not disobey them. And you won't either, young man ".

" But mother! "

" But nothing Xiao Lang! I expect you to be on that plane, 11 a.m. sharp! And if you're not, I don't think you want to face the consequences ".

She hung up on him after that. Something which his mother rarely did and Syaoran knew she meant business. It was either come home now or be disowned later. And despite the fact that Syaoran desperately wanted to stay in Japan, he couldn't dishonor his family like that.

So two days later, Syaoran arrived at the airport an hour early. He got his ticket, checked in his bags and an hour later, Syaoran was back on his way to Hong Kong without having said a word to anyone about his departure.

*End of flashback*

Syaoran knew his up and leaving without saying goodbye would hurt a lot of people, especially Sakura. But if he'd stayed around any longer, his will to leave would've been lost and he probably would've ended up staying here.

' But does she understand that? ' he wondered, desperately searching her eyes for the answer. The shocked expression Sakura had been wearing had now been replaced with a cold, detached stare.

She regarded Syaoran for a moment with a weary glance, then gave him a smile which he could tell was forced and said, " Konnichi wa Li-san ".

The "Li-san" was like a punch in the stomach to Syaoran and he wince slightly, but only enough for Sakura, Tomoyo and Eriol to see. He didn't want the others to know how hurt he was by Sakura's reaction to him. Even though he did deserve it, and they all knew that.

After a few moments of an awkward silence, Sakura looked down towards her watch and frowned." Oops, I lost track of time. If I don't leave now I'll be late for my last class. Ja ne minna ". She then grabbed her backpack, pushed her way past Syaoran and Chiharu and was gone.

Watching her go, Syaoran's heart gave an involuntary drop. Even though he wasn't in love with Sakura anymore, it still hurt to see how mad she was with him. (A.N.: Have no fear S+S fans! That won't last long).

Upon seeing his expression, Tomoyo felt a flash of sympathy." Don't worry Li-kun, it's not your fault. Sakura-chan's just having a rough time right now " she told him, not wanting to tell him about Sakura's ex just yet.

Syaoran just shook his head and shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. " Oh, don't worry about it. It's fine " he replied, trying to convince both them and himself.

Obviously seeing the subject needed to be changed, Yamazaki spoke up." So, Li, what classes do you have? " Realizing what he was trying to do, Tomoyo and Chiharu both gave Yamazaki a small smile. ' Thank God he's a talker ' Tomoyo thought.

**********

As Sakura swiftly made her way across the quad, she hopelessly trying to stop the frantic beating of her heart. This day was *definitely* not turning out the way she wanted it too.

Not only had she slept in really late this morning, but she was also late to one of her more important classes and had also ran into Kenta along the way, which definitely hadn't been pleasant.

' And now, just to make things even better for me, Li has to show up! ' she thought sarcastically.' Someone up there must *really* hate me '.

But as soon as the anger and frustration had come, it was now replaced by sadness and Sakura sighed heavily.' Why did he have to come back now? Of all the times, why did it have to be right after Yanagi-san and I split up? Is this some kind of cosmic joke? ' she wondered.

Finally having reached her destination, the girl's washroom, Sakura walked into one of the stalls and plopped down onto the closed seat. Burying her face in her hands, she let out the breath she was holding and slowly began to tremble.

Behind her eyelids, tears began to well up and Sakura sniffled.' Shimatta, not again! Why do I keep breaking down like this? ' It seemed she couldn't go a few minutes without wanting to cry anymore.

Especially when she was wasting them on guys like Kenta and Syaoran.' They don't deserve your love and they don't deserve your tears. So buck up and get with it Sakura! ' she ordered herself.

Lifting her face out of her hands, Sakura slowly stood up and made her way over to one of the mirrors. Examining her face for damage, she gave a smile and was glad that she'd chosen a run-proof mascara that actually worked. Hopefully it would last to the end of the day.

After checking over her hair and straightening her clothes, Sakura stood up back and gave herself a hard stare.' Come on Sakura, now isn't the time to be weak. Be strong Sakura, be strong '.

Now repeating those words in her head, Sakura exited the bathroom and headed towards her last class, praying that the mantra would work.

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Wow. This one actually turned out to be fairly short; of which I'm surprised. I expected it to be longer but, oh well. Less to edit this way.

The next chapter for this fic may not be up for a while though. I had all these past chapters written up during the summer and they were just floating around until now. But if you have patience with me, I'll try my best to get it up within good time.

Also, I'm trying to start up a new contact list for anyone who wants to be notified when I update my CCS fics. So anyone who wants to be on it, just tell me in your review and leave your email if you're not a registered author. Thanks and ja ne ^^.