Love you Long Time

Chapter 7: Words Taken to Heart

As days passed by Eriol had noticed the slight change towards Sakura's attitude. She was smiling a lot more, laughed more often, became more open, her dull eyes had gotten shinier and glossy like it had always been, there was a slight spring in her step and she was radiating her old innocent, cheerful personality. She had caught much attention from the male employees and the women started to idolize her even more, chatting and stealing her away every chance they got. Even so, she always made time for him.

He was glad that he had taken her ice skating even if his body still ached from all the times he had fallen down. It was worth the pain to see her like she was now however despite everything; it was still obvious that Sakura was still holding back. One guess why.

He was leaning on a desk pretending to look at paperwork, however he couldn't really concentrate. Sakura was only meters away from him laughing once more at the jokes the male employees were telling, so they could have extra time with her and admire her 'beauty'. In their terms, her assets.

Eriol didn't really like it one little bit because they were the type of men he didn't trust. They were the type of men who had only one thing in mind and would stop at nothing to get what they want.

His fists curled into a ball at the thought of them doing something to Sakura. It was obvious she was oblivious to their intentions, thinking that they were just being nice and being just good friends. She still can't see the bad side to people and it would definitely get her into big trouble.

Just as long as he was here, they weren't going to lay a finger on her or even touch her for that matter.

When he saw one of them just looking her up and down with lust in his eyes, he couldn't take it anymore and walked over to her.

"Hey" she beamed and gave him a hug surprising him at first however returned it, getting disappointed looks and glares from the jealous men.

"Well guys it was nice talking to you" she smiled as she and Eriol walked over to his office and closed the door.

She sat down with a smile on her face looking happy however, on the inside she was feeling slightly dizzy, her headaches wouldn't stop and she just felt like taking a long rest. She had to pretend that there was nothing wrong because she didn't want anyone to worry over a small headache, especially Eriol.

"I was on the phone with Tomoyo earlier for who knows how many times" she said giggling. "She wants to know if we would like to come over her house on Saturday night".

Eriol shrugged as he sat down opposite her, behind his desk. "I don't mind, I haven't seen them in a long time". He said smiling.

Sakura nodded. "Yeh I wouldn't mind either, I'll tell her later" and suddenly she felt lightheaded and felt like vomiting. She held onto the arm rests tightly because she was pretty sure she was going to faint, everything was spinning around her.

Eriol noticed and became worried. Her cheeks seemed more flustered than usual and she was looking slightly pale. He immediately sat down beside her and held her hands, assuring her that he was there for her. "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

She gave a small smile and nodded. "I'm fine" she lied making Eriol frown.

"Sakura…" he was about to say something when she decided to interrupt him and change the subject.

"You know Zack has been asking about you" she said, shocking Eriol.

"He has?"

Sakura nodded and looked at their hands realizing that they were still intertwined and blushed. "Yeah, he hasn't seen you in a long time and he misses you. He wants to know when you're going to come around".

Eriol gave a small smile. He felt needed and loved and that meant a lot to him, it meant even more because it was the son of the woman he loved, that needed him.

"I bought him a football the other day but he won't let me play with him because apparently I can't catch, kick or throw the ball properly". She said making a face at him, earning a chuckle.

"He only wants to play with you"

Eriol smile grew bigger. "Well I'm free anytime, so just tell me when you want me over and I will be there".

Sakura's eyes lit up. "Well how bout Saturday, so that way we could both go to Tomoyo's house together".

"Sure" he said.

"Great, just come by anytime you want" she said kissing him on the cheeks and giving him another hug, making Eriol blush.

She let go and stood up gingerly. "I really should get back to work, I've been putting it off for long enough" she smiled and waved him goodbye.

Eriol waited for her to leave and took a deep sigh. He loved her more and more each day.

When Saturday came, he dropped by around lunch time to be greeted with an excited Zack and a beautiful smiling Sakura, who was wearing a plain white summer dress. They both gave him a long embrace on the front lawn and passerby's had to stop in admiration.

Crazy as it may seem, from afar it looked like a happy family embracing each other from a long time of separation.

They were in the back yard which was full of cherry blossom trees and a wide variety of wild flowers, playing sports whilst Sakura grabbed a book that she was reading and lay down on an outstretched chair. She could hear the laughter of both males and all she could do was smile and glance from her book to them every now and then.

"Are you just going to lie down here all day?" Eriol asked smirking, throwing the ball from one hand to the other, sitting down just below her feet.

"Yes" she retorted never leaving her eyes from the book.

Eriol shook his head, "Come and play with us".

Sakura put her book down and averted her gaze towards him and shook her head. "I don't think that it is a wise idea playing in a dress".

Eriol gave her a mischievous smile, earning him a glare from the blushing Sakura. She bent down and grabbed one of Zack's inflatable toys and threw it at him.

Eriol started laughing, "I was only messing" he poked his tongue.

Sakura shook her head at him and couldn't help but laugh also before feeling lightheaded once more.

She decided that it was time to stop reading, so putting the book down onto the table; she lifted her knees towards her chest and held her white dress to her legs.

She was amazed at how well Eriol and Zack got along together. Eriol treated him like he was one of his own and did everything in his power to make him happy. He bought him everything he could want and played with him non stop whenever he wanted.

She gave a small smile as she watched he weave his magic and his sport talents on Zack, earning a cute little pout.

He was definitely be great with kids and would make a great father some day.

Eriol looked over at her direction and winked.

She waved to both of them, when a thought had hit her. He still doesn't have a girlfriend. He was handsome, smart, kind, caring, loveable, a great cook and was quite a gentleman. What kind of girl in their right mind wouldn't want him?

Her thoughts were broken when Eriol had let Zack tackle him and he fell backwards onto the ground.

She couldn't help and start laughing at the heart warming sight.

If Eriol ever decides to have a girlfriend, she would be one very lucky girl.

She then noticed that her flower beds beside him were looking very dehydrated. Getting up, she walked up to her precious flowers and picked a wilted one up delicately. I've been neglecting them. She said to herself.

"You finally decided to join us?" Eriol asked.

Sakura shook her head and showed him the flower. "My garden is dying" she said sadly and then turned around to face Zack who was standing by the sprinkler system.

"Zack, could you please press the green button" she yelled.

"Red one? Okay mama" he yelled back and quickly pressed it and all of a sudden the sprinklers for the lawn popped up, wetting both Eriol and Sakura.

"Zack!!! I said green button" She yelled trying to shield herself from more water getting on her.

"Yellow?" Zack shrugged his shoulders and suddenly the water fountains started to spit out water.

Eriol couldn't help but laugh at the situation. It was either Zack had became deaf in the last 5 minutes or he found it amusing to make fun of his mother.

"Zack!!!" she yelled and tried to make it across the lawn, to turn everything off when she slipped backwards.

Zack was on the other side laughing in hysterics and pressed all the other buttons. He knew that he was going to get in really big trouble later, but it was worth it.

Eriol quickly ran over to Sakura's side but slipped on the process as well, getting covered in mud. Argh my good jeans…

"Yuck" he heard Sakura say as she sat up and noticed that her plain white dress was now brown. She gave Zack an evil glare and then stood up once more only to slip again.

Eriol could feel his face burning when he noticed her dress was going slightly see through and hugging her curves. He quickly had to avert his gaze but when he heard Sakura scream, he turned around and laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" she scolded and crossed her arms. "My dress is now ruined"

Eriol continued to laugh but Sakura threw mud at him.

"Come one Sakura, you have to admit this is funny".

"Hey don't have all the fun" Zack said sliding towards the pair, all three of them, now in a pile of mud.

"You are in big trouble young man!" Sakura said giving him another glare, but soon it turned into a smile as she took the young boy in her arms and wiped mud across his face.

"Unfair" Zack pouted and grabbed some mud and threw it at Eriol.

"Oh it's on" he said grabbing more mud and throwing it at mother and son.

The mud fight continued for half an hour when Sakura decided that it was enough; not wanting anyone to catch a cold.

Eriol carefully walked on the lawn to turn off the sprinkler system and walked back to help Sakura and Zack up.

Sakura's backyard was now drenched and full of mud and all Zack said in his defense was "At least you don't have to water the garden for a very long time".

Once they had dried off, gotten themselves clean and Eriol returned from his house, they drove over to Tomoyo's.

Though there were only three people living there it looked like a mansion, mainly decorated with Italian Architecture. Fountains, sculptures, paintings and pictures, you name anything Italian, it's there. When they arrived everyone greeted each other like they have only met for the first time in many years. They chatted and talked about the days that had gone by and what they were up to now and once dinner was ready everyone gathered around the table and Eriol being the perfect gentleman he sat down Zack and pulled the chair out for Sakura.

Yukito and Tomoyo smiled as they looked starry eyed at how Sakura and Eriol made a perfect couple. They looked as though they have known each other so well that one can tell what the other was thinking, with just one look in each other's eyes.

Tomoyo had to stop herself from yelling out cute, but didn't stop the little schemes her devious mind created to get them together. They were both laughing at Zack's antics and at Sari's appetite, which she inherited from her dad.

If only Sakura knew she said to herself and snapped out of her thoughts as Sakura started to talk to her.

All four of the adults started to reminisce about the yester years once more, making sure that they didn't mention a certain name or mention a certain memory with him in it.

Everything was going great until Tomoyo accidentally mentioned one and immediately, pictures of Syaoran flashed before Sakura's eyes.

Sakura put her fork down, all of a sudden loosing her appetite.

Tomoyo felt bad as she noticed that Sakura hadn't spoken or touched the cake she loved so much. You still love him don't you?

Thinking that something needed to be done about this, she lightly kicked Yukito underneath the table and he looked at her, realizing what she wanted.

"Hey Eriol, come have a few drinks with me" he said.

Eriol nodded. "Excuse me ladies" he packed up his plate and put it in the dishwashing machine. He then headed out towards where Yukito headed, leaving Tomoyo, Sakura and the children by themselves.

Tomoyo looked in Sakura's direction. "Kids go play in the entertainment room. I just need to have some time to talk to Auntie Sakura".

Both kids nodded and did what they were told and ran up the stairs.

"I will wash the dishes" Sakura said getting up and grabbing some dirty plates and stuffing it in the dishwasher.

"Sakura…"Tomoyo stood beside her, adding more plates and cutlery into the mix.

Sakura pretended that she didn't hear her and continued to clean.

Tomoyo knew what was going on and wanted to hear it from Sakura but seeing as though she wasn't going to get an answer, she wasn't going to wait. This has been going on for far too long. She said noticing Sakura's skinny figure and her pale complexion.

"Sakura, you know that you cannot continue on like this. Have you seen what you are doing to yourself?"

Sakura stopped what she was doing and looked down onto the ground, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I know this may sound terrible but you have to accept Syaoran's death and let him go". Tomoyo said placing a hand on Sakura's back, making her cry even more.

"I can't Tomoyo I love him too much. I'm afraid that if I let him go, I will start to forget him". Sakura turned and cried on Tomoyo's shoulder.

"Sakura, you know that you can never forget Syaoran even if you wanted to. You really deserve to be happy".

"Syaoran deserved to be happy too. He didn't deserve to die so young."

She still continued to cry, hugging her best friend for support. "How can you stop loving someone when you have loved them all your life?" she asked.

"You can't, but Sakura please tell me this. If you were the one in Syaoran's place and Syaoran was left alive, what would you want him to do?"

Sakura became silent and thought about the question.

"To live his life and continue on without me" she whispered.

Tomoyo nodded. "And tell me, If he was acting like the way you have been acting for the past couple of years and you had to watch him from the heavens above, what do you think you would be doing?"

"Trying to find a way to tell him… that it's alright to be happy and move on"

Tomoyo knew that this was really hard on her but she needed to stop holding back.

"Don't you think that Syaoran deserves to rest in peace without always having to worry about you".

Sakura nodded, as her head was still on Tomoyo's shoulder.

"It's about time that you start living Sakura. You've held onto pain for far too long and if you continue to hold onto it, eventually you will miss out on everything life has to offer. I'm not saying forget him; just release his hold on your heart. It's stopping you from having something really special. Stopping you from realizing what is right in front of your nose and that someone, has been waiting all his life long for you". Tomoyo couldn't have made it any more obvious for Sakura because there was one man she knew that was there for her from day one. Seeing as she was older, she thought that Sakura would have gotten the hint.

Sakura slowly lifted her head up and her emerald eyes met Tomoyo's amethyst ones.

"Who?" Sakura asked making Tomoyo sweat drop and nearly fall down.

"I'm sure that you will figure it out" Tomoyo smiled reassuringly.

Sakura took a deep breath in and exhaled loudly. She didn't know if she could let go of Syaoran. It was just so hard.

"Remember all the memories you have shared and all the good times. Keep them in your heart and with that, you know you can never forget him".

Sakura looked at her like she had just read her mind, but this was Tomoyo we were talking about. She always knew what to say when it comes to understanding ones feelings.

Sakura gave a small smile when she came to a realization. So this was the main reason why she was so persistent on us coming. She said to herself.

There was a moment of silence when Sakura decided to break it.

"I will try" Sakura whispered however she was still unsure.

Tomoyo's eyes lit up and hugged her best friend tightly. "I'm so happy to hear" she squealed and then started to drag Sakura up the stairs.

"Tomoyo, where are we going?" Sakura asked confusedly.

"I've made tons of clothes that I want you to try on" she replied excitedly.

This time it was Sakura's turn to sweat drop. It's been a very long time since Tomoyo had done this for her, but it felt nice. It really comforted her.

Hours passed by and Eriol and Yukito were just talking about whatever men talked about when they were drinking, when Eriol looked over at his watch. "Holy, 2 am? I haven't stayed up this late for a long time".

Yukito chuckled. "Same here, It seems that old age is getting to us".

Eriol laughed and nodded because it was true.

"You want another drink?" Yukito asked.

"No thanks, I still have to drive Sakura and Zack home" he told him with a loving, protectiveness in his voice.

Yukito noticed and smiled. "You really loved them don't you?"

Eriol remained still and sighed. "More than anything". He looked up towards Yukito and continued on. "I really want to be more than just her friend but you and I both know the only man she will ever really love is Syaoran".

"Just have faith in her. Once she finds her way, she will realize what a catch you are". Yukito replied hoping that he was right.

"So what are you two lovely gentlemen talking about" Tomoyo asked leaning by the door way, with a very dizzy looking Sakura beside her. The two men stood up as the girls came down and sat beside them.

"Just things" Yukito smiled and Eriol nodded looking at Sakura.

"You really do not look so good".

Sakura smiled as she held her spinning head. "I'm just a little dizzy looking and wearing all the clothes Tomoyo had made for me".

Tomoyo giggled.

Sakura stood up, "It's getting late and I think that we should be getting home, thank you both for a great night".

"Thank you for coming" Yukito said placing an arm around Tomoyo.

Eriol went upstairs to carry a sleeping Zack and carefully placed him securely at the back seat, before helping Sakura carry all the bags of clothes she received from Tomoyo in his car.

They said their goodbyes and Tomoyo whispered in her ears. "Remember he has been waiting all his life for your love".

Sakura looked at her confusedly hoping to get the name of this man she keeps talking about, but all she got from her was a wink.

Trust Tomoyo to give me puzzles she said and walked into the car, waving her best friends a goodbye.

When they had arrived at Sakura's house it was 3 am, and Eriol had just tucked Zack into his bed.

Sakura stood there deep in thought about what Tomoyo had said, whilst watching Eriol.

"Well I better get going, it's really late" Eriol said getting up and looked into her emerald eyes noticing her spaced out look.

"Sakura" he said waving his hands in front of her face, waking her out of her thoughts.

"Oh, sorry Eriol"

Eriol took a deep sigh. "Did you want to talk about it?" he asked her concernedly.

Sakura shook her head "I'm fine" she assured him.

He looked at her. Tomoyo has said something he said to himself. "If you're sure"

She nodded and smiled at him.

"Well like I said before, I better get going."

"What??" she asked disbelievingly, walking outside Zack's room and closed the door so that she didn't wake him up. "It's so late Eriol; I don't want you driving at this hour".

Eriol felt his heart tighten at her words and how she felt worried for him. "Sakura, I live 20 minutes away, I'm pretty sure that I can handle it".

Sakura crossed her arms and glared at him. "No, you are staying in the guest room and that's final".

"I do not want to trouble you and there is no need to worry about me". He retorted.

Sakura gave him a look that meant 'do not argue with me' and he sighed, his face slightly red.

"Sakura..." he started talking when she interrupted him.

"Eriol..."

"Your so stubborn you know that right" he said giving in, he was kind of tired anyway and wasn't really in the mood for arguing.

"I'm probably about as stubborn as you are" she said leading him to the guest room and opened the door.

Eriol looked at her and smiled. "Thanks" he said .

"That's alright" she said fluffing the pillows. She then walked over to him and placed both her hands on his shoulders, went on her tippy toes and kissed him on the forehead. "Thank you for today, It's been great having you around" she beamed a smiled making Eriol feel weak at the knees. "Goodnight and sweet dreams" she whispered and walked over to the door.

"If you need anything just wake up me". She closed the door leaving Eriol with a big smile on his face.

"Goodnight" he whispered and turned off the lights, took off his shoes and lay down on the bed. He could smell Sakura's scent on the pillows and he gave a smile. He had stayed over at her house many times before when she wouldn't eat, but he never seemed to stop blushing every time he was here, knowing that she was only a couple of doors away from him.

He closed his eyes and soon had fallen into a deep sleep.

Sakura however went to her room and clutched a picture of Syaoran close her heart. She started to cry once again as she stared at the picture, but soon realized that she had cried too long for him.

Tomoyo's words really got to her and she was thankful that she had a wise best friend like her.

"You know I love you with all my heart and I always will…but I think that it's about time I fulfill my promise" she whispered as she wiped her tears away. No more holding back she smiled, but soon faltered as she felt a headache coming towards her again.

She tiredly put the picture back on her dresser and took comfort underneath her sheets as she closed her eyes, hoping the pain would go away in the morning.

Author's Notes: I know that was a pretty boring, apologizing in advance but think of the bright side. Sakura is finally letting go… meaning Eriol and Sakura fluff from here on in!

Thank you for your reviews, they are always inspiring.

Always Chikka