Hey again you readers! I really don't know what happened to my last chappie, so I can't
really explain to you why it wasn't there..... *clears throat. But I think it should be fixed by
now.^.^(no duh after all I haven't updated for like forever! And you just don't know how sorry I
am for not writing more for you guys. It's not that I didn't have time, it's just that I was so
stuck on what to write. (you're probably thinkin yea right, sure........)But I really hope you
forgive me and enjoy this chappie!:P

Ps: I really liked the reviews you guys gave me. Thx for taking the time haha :)
~A Love Before Time~

BY: Silent Wanderer.
Sakura pushed her salad around with her fork. The day couldn't get any worse. She had
barely passed her math exam, failed to bring her gym strip which meant she couldn't participate
in the class and to top it all off Li was definetly acting hostile towards her.

"Sakura? you okay? Why aren't you eating? Are you sick?"

Sakura gave Tomoyo a reassuring smile, though she had to force it out. "I'm okay, I'm not
hungry and no I'm not sick." She watched the hurt expression on her friend's face. "Thank you for
asking Tomoyo." she quickly added.

Tomoyo gave a quick nod. "Sakura? you would tell me if something was wrong right? I mean
we are friends."

Sakura sighed. She knew she was going to have to come clean, it was either that or having
to live with an unhappy friend. Sakura put down her fork and leaned against her usual oak tree.

"Look Tomoyo, I have this friend right?" She didn't wait for a reply from Tomoyo, instead
she just kept on going.

"Well atleast I think he's my friend, anyways that's not the point. All I know is that
he's been acting strange around me ever since I...well I guess you could say I revealed some
stuff to him unwillingly."

Tomoyo just looked at Sakura. "This friend's a he?"

Sakura flashed her hands infront of her face and began frantically going up and down with
them. "Yeah it is but don't worry it's not Eriol don't get mad!"

Tomoyo gave Sakura one of her rare disgusted looks and pulled her swaying hands to a
halt.

"Well then why don't you just apologize for what you said to him? What did you say to
him?" she asked.

Sakura bit her toungue uneasily. "I don't know." she mumbled. "That's what's bothering
me." She crossed her arms and placed them on her knees. "Anyways even if I try to say sorry,..
which I won't." she managed to throw in. "He's not the kind of person who would understand, so
why even bother?" Slowly she put her head into her arms, cradling it.

The bell suddenly rang. Tomoyo got up and collected her things. "See you last period
alright?" She could tell Sakura was depressed, her diluted eyes seemed to say it all.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Last period, Sakura was dreading last period. It meant Simon and Sakura was beginning to
think the cause of change in Li's personality was because of him. She walked into the classroom
muttering everything Simon was.

"Hey Sakura!" Tomoyo greeted. "Wanna sit with me? It's just a work period today, nothing
special."

Sakura smiled and treaded over beside Tomoyo, glad that she had asked before Simon even
had a chance to.

Tomoyo gave her friend a mischievious grin. "You know that problem you were telling me
about?"

Sakura sighed. "Yeah. you know just forget about it, I'm sure it's just him being him."

Tomoyo shook her head. "Sakura? How come you never told me Simon was your ex boyfriend?
He said you still had feelings for him so I said you would go on a date with him tomorrow
afterschool. Isn't that great?!"

Sakura's jaw dropped. "I don't have feelings for him! Why did you believe him?" she had
quite an urge to begin strangling her friend.

"B..but I already promised him. Wasn't he the guy you were talking about during lunch?"
Tomoyo looked as if she was about to cry. The corners of her eyes were already crinkling.

"Hey it's okay Tomoyo It's just that I'm grounded and I can't go out with him." She
thanked her grandmother mentally for grounding her in the first place. "not that I have any
interest in him either."

Tomoyo glanced over to Simon who seemed to be fidgeting around in his chair while
listening to a young girls mindless chatter. Probably bored of it.

"But what am I supposed to tell him? It was already promised, and what do you mean you
don't like him? Why would he lie?"

Sakura processed all the questions that were just demanded. "Fine, I'll go and talk to
him myself later to sort this out, and I don't like him. Every word that comes out of that dirty
mouth of his is a lie so don't listen to any of it."

Sakura saw Tomoyo's eyes widen.

"What?!"

"So there is another boy isn't there?"

"Uh, what are you talking about?" Sakura began to gain interest in her textbook. " Just
because I told you it was a guy doesn't mean I love him."

"But you also haven't told me which boy so it must mean you want to keep him a secret."

Sakura's hand reached for her pencil. She didn't remember picking it up. Everything
became black.

Past Events

"Very nice of you to present yourself to me again Miss. Kinomoto."

Sakura felt dizzy. " Li?"

Simon sneered as he heard that despicable name come from Emike's mouth. "Of course not
my sweet, it's me Simon."

Sakura's pounding head ceased. "Simon?! whoa! why am I here?"

Simon examined Sakura. Something was different. "Emike? did something happen between you
and.." he scoffed. "Li?"

Sakura didn't answer, she didn't know how. She couldn't even begin to comprehend why even
Emike would be with someone like Simon. This Simon looked and appeared to act like the same Simon
she knew and learned to hate in her time.

He smiled and gave notice for everyone in the room to leave. Slowly he sauntered over to
young Sakura and and placed a knuckle under her chin, pulling it up so their eyes met.

Sakura's body tensed. If Emike was here she might have pulled away but then she might not
have. What am I supposed to do?

"Do you really love this Li Emike? I could give you so much more you know that."

Sakura shook her head while trying to advert her eyes from him. "Li..uh, Syaoran" she
quickly corrected. "Loves me Simon."

"It takes two for a marraige Emike. Li might love you but do you love him?"

Sakura could thought about the question while Simon waited impatiently. Suddenly she
began to feel Emike taking control again and she didn't want to even think about what they do,
alone. " I have to go, I'm sorry." Quickly she broke from Simon's embrace and ran out of his
mansion.

Outside, she had no idea where she was going but she kept running. "Stupid dress." she
muttered. She wasn't sure why, but her eyes were watering. "What's wrong with me? I've never been
the crying type." Deep inside she was feeling funny. Like she had betrayed Li.

Her eyes darted to a small carraige heading her way. She stopped.

"What if it's Simon again? I'll turn any second now and who knows what she and Simon do
on their alone time?"

But try as she might her legs couldn't carry her any farther, she was too tired.

Slowly the carraige window was raised. "Emike?! where were you? I was looking for you
everywhere. What happened?! and why did you go out alone again?!"

Sakura didn't say anything. Instead she smiled and entered the carraige. Inside Li put
his arms around her.

She couldn't even begin to say thank you when Emike took control.

" It was so terrible." Emike whispered, hoping Syaoran would somehow forgive her and
comfort her like he usually did.

Sakura awakes

"Ow my head's pounding." Sakura waited as her vision cleared.

"So you're finally awake eh? you gave your friend quite a shock."

Sakura's head jerked to the direction of the voice and she was quite taken back at who
she saw.

"What are you doing? Why am I in..." she looked around. "Your car?!" she reached for the
door. " What in your right mind would even begin to think I would want to enter your car? This
is a kidnapping!"

"Uh Sakura? I'm driving you do know that right?"

Sakura frowned and leaned into Simon's leather seat. Thank god she was in the back.

"Take me home right now."

Simon smirked that quirky smirk of his. " Did I hear a please?"

"Just do it."

He nodded. "That's what I plan to do. Jeez Kinomoto what do you think I am? I'm not going
to hurt you."

Sakura glared at him. "Don't call me that."

"What Kinomoto? Your boyfriend calls you that, won't you let your ex do the same?"

" Do you practice being annoying or does it jut come naturally?"

Simon didn't answer. Solemnly he let out a sigh. "Sakura? why can't we just get along? I
already told you I was sorry didn't I? Why can't you just forgive me? You're so stuborn
sometimes."

Sakura crossed her arms. "Is that the reason you dumped me?" she mumbled placidly.

Simon pulled his convertible infront of Sakura's mansion. Abruptly he turned around to
face Sakura. "Look." he began in a exasperated tone. " I didn't transfer just so I could get you
back Sakura. I'm here so just deal with it."

Sakura yet again imagined her fist ramming into Simon's face. But it would be such a pity
to hit that handsome face. That olived skin, those dark mysterious eyes, and that beautiful
tousled hair that fell over his eyes...she shook away her thoughts.

Simon seemed to be grinning. "Something wrong?"

Sakura reached for the handle to the door. "Just leave me alone and I'll be able to deal
with it fine."

"Whatever you say Sakura. See you tomorrow afterschool."

Sakura didn't bother to ask what he meant by that. She ran to the front step and looked
back. Simon hadn't left. Instead his eyes were plastered on what appeared to be her window from
her room.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

"Why did Sakura allow him to take her home?" Li's watched as Simon drove away. "What is
she thinking? He obviously has an attraction to her, does she?" he put the locket back onto
Sakura's shelf so she wouldn't have noticed he was examining it again.

He smiled slightly as she made her way ito the room and plopped herself down onto the
bed.

"Problem?" he asked in a bored tone. Though he only asked so he could hear her sweet
voice once again.

Sakura rose from her bed and just looked at Li. "You're asking me?"

"Is there anyone else in the room?" he wondered if he had heard wrong. Something in
Sakura's voice seemed wrong.

"Like you'd care." she grumbled as she picked the locket up. Biting her lip she parted
the heart to reveal two thinner hearts holding a small picture each.

On the left was a picture of none other than Simon. His hair blew in the wind. The
second surprised Sakura. It wasn't the picture it was before. She wondered how he had found a
picture like this. Her hand traced over the small photograph. It wanted to rip the picture out
yet her heart wanted to keep it in.

Sakura was plopped on top of Simon, laughing and he was tickling her so he could get up.
Her lips slowly curved into a small smile. He really was so cute.

Maybe I should give him a second chance, I mean it's not like he meant to hurt me right?
He probably had a good reason to why he did what he did. But now he's back and nicer than ever
so maybe I should just give him another chance.

Li really didn't like the look on Sakura's face. It was very disturbing and quite
familiar. She looked so happy but not a very good happy.

"Stop it."

Sakura cocked her head. "Stop what?" she frowned, not understanding what she did wrong.
"Looking at the locket?"

"No. Looking like you just entered paradise when you look at the locket."

Sakura shrugged and placed the locket around her neck. She shuddered as the cold metal
touched her skin. "Li? have you seen my backpack?"

"No."

Another smile found its way to Sakura's lips. "it must be in Simon's car. I'll go and see
him so I can get it. Grandma will understand. I have to be able to do my homework." she floated
off her bed and slinked over to her phone. "I'll call his cell phone."

"Kinomoto?" Li treaded over to the phone and gently took the phone away from Sakura.
"What did he do to you?"

Sakura smiled. "What do you mean?"

"A day ago you hated the man and now..well" he pointed to the mirror. "Go and look at
that expression on your face."

Sakura brushed the thought away. "Well you know I was just thinking I could give him a
second chance you know? We could be friends again." she grabbed the phone back from Li and
punched in the numbers before he could stop her again.

"Hello?" Simon's voice sounded confused. Not many people knew his cell phone number.

" Uh, Hi. It's Sakura."

"Sakura?!" Simon straightened in his car. " Never thought the infamous Sakura would phone
me. I'm flattered you remembered my number."

"Hehe yeah. Can I ask you something?"

Simon began to wonder why The girl on the other end of the line was acting nothing like
the Sakura he knew. "You're asking? I would think you would be demanding."

Sakura grinned. "No I was just wondering if you had my backpack? I think I might have
left it in your car."

"Are you sure you didn't do it on purpose?" he heard a small groan come from the other
end. Most likely a male. "Sakura? Is your boyfriend in the room with you?"

"Hey! he is not my boyfriend."

Li jumped at the thought of this. He averted his eyes as Sakura looked at him. Slowly he
faded and left the room, not wanting to hear anymore of the conversation. No matter how much he
wanted to stay.

A sigh escaped from Sakura's mouth. "So is it there in your car?"

"Actually it is in fact. Want me to come over?"

"Uhh, NO! I mean I need to check something out. Meet me at the cemetary okay?"

"Anything for you Sakura."

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Sakura wrapped her coat tighter around her body. The cold, brisk wind was hitting her
face like ice shards and weaving its way into the locks of her hair.

"When are you getting here?"

"Right now."

Sakura jumped as his hoarse voice blew against her skin. "You should warn somebody when
you do that!" She was suddenly embarassed that his locket was around her neck. She quickly
pulled and wrapped her scarf around her neck.

Simon tried not to smile as he saw a thin gold chain push out from Sakura's scarf. "So
here's your backpack."

"Hold it. We're going to check something and you're going to help me."

Simon followed."Why didn't you ask your boyfriend to come with you?"

"He's not my boyfriend okay?"

"Oh I believe you, I just like hearing it."

Sakura bit her lip from smiling. "Anyway he's not very talkative and I don't think he'd
be very happy if he knew what I was doing."

"So you're going behind his back?"

Sakura ignored him, though she knew he was right. She stopped as she reached two large
tombstones.

"Something wrong?"

Her hand trembled as it pointed to the first tombstone. "Read it."

Simon checked it over and grinned. "Oh yeah I've been here alot. He was one of my
ancestors. My parents say I look just like him at this age."

Sakura stared at Simon. "His wife was Emike Kinomoto?"

"That's what it says. Something wrong?"

"No, no this is wrong." she whispered frantically. "I'm going to change this. I have to
go Simon."

Simon reached out and caught Sakura's arm. He studied her somewhat tear drenched face
that was inches away from his own. "You know something don't you Sakura?"

"No. It won't be like this. I don't know anything." she reached for her backpack. "I'll
find my own way home."

"You sure?"

"I can take care of myself." she took one last look at the tombstone and started to
saunter out of the cemetary.

Li followed close behind Sakura. The determined look on her face told him something had
happened. He wondered if she should be rubbing her forehead like that every once in awhile.

"What was she thinking?" his pulse was racing with worry. "Desperate little fool. Why
does she have to help me?" his expression darkened as he watched her fall to her knees and not
get up.

Past Events

"Three days until your marraige Emike. You are so lucky to find someone as Li. You can
tell he loves you very much."

Sakura glanced around the room. It was some sort of women gathering. Perhaps it was tea
time.

A large lady took a sip from her cup. "Well i think it's just truly romantic that our
leader has found someone he can spend the rest of his life with, Don't you Hortensia?"

A thin, bony lady eyed Sakura. "Yes Helena I think it's just marvelous."

Sakura wondered if she had heard the mocking skepticism in Hortensia's voice. She
precariously opened her mouth to say something, but thought better and shut it.

"Emike?" Tomoyo waited for Sakura to answer.

"Yes?"

"Li wants to see you in the courtyard."

"Oh." Sakura rose from her chair and followed Tomoyo in silence.

"Good luck." she mentioned quietly as they entered. Sakura watched her friend leave as
she thought about why she had said good luck. What was it supposed to mean?

Li's head snapped to Sakura's direction as she strayed towards him. Something was yet
again different about his fiancee.

"Hello." he greeted impassively.

Concern rose within Sakura. "Hi..uhh, Hello. You wanted to speak to me?"

Li wasn't sure what to say anymore. He had practiced. Why did it seem so hard now? he
stared into Enike's green orbs, hoping to find what she was hiding.

"Are you okay Li?"

"you called me Li."

Sakura cursed under her breath. "Yeah I meant to call you Syaoran hehe sorry?"

Li shook away his thoughts and stopped himself from looking at Emike while he spoke. "I
have something to tell you Emike. I just wanted to say sorry first."
What!!!! what was he going to say? Will it be bad? I mean he did say sorry first. *ahem
Well I am sorry for making you guys wait so long for this chappie but you won't have to wait long
for the next one. Or maybe I should make you wait a little longer.. hehe after all I did recieve
more reviews that way... :P Yes well I know I said Sakura would meet up with Emike's ghost but
things kinda changed. BUT HEY!! don't worry cause it'll happen soon. Bye for now! -silent wanderer.