AN: I'm sorry if this story doesn't end well. School's started and the first week just ended. And already, I have done an English essay, History quiz, and millions of homework. I've got to complete this Biology essay and practical in two days! I'm not doing too well, but I'm happy that I've got my TRC!

Disclaimer: I don't own.

Chapter 10: Leaving

Sobs erupted from the small forlorn figure at the corner of her room. Her shoulders shook from all the intense sobbing as tears continuously streamed down her face.

"Why me?" she whispered hoarsely.

Unknown to her, a tall figure stood at the door, staring sadly at the girl.

I feel bad. She's probably going to hate me too for not telling her when I knew. Syaoran thought. Wait a moment… why do I care if she hates me or not?

"Damn it…" Syaoran cursed as his brain continued to fight with him.

Sakura's sobs brought him back to reality and he stared at Sakura.

"Err… Sakura?" Syaoran said as he walked towards her.

Sakura's sobbing stopped abruptly and he was surprised that he could do that.

"Sakura?" Sakura whispered to herself.

Syaoran stood puzzled. Why was she repeating her name to herself? Oh no! I just called her Sakura! Damn, damn, damn! What's wrong with me?!

"Eh… Sorry about that. It slipped out," Syaoran apologized.

Sakura lifted her head slowly. Shaking her head, she told him, "It's alright. I guess you can call me Sakura."

"Thanks." Syaoran said unsurely. "Err… call me Syaoran then?"

"Ok!" Sakura broke into a wide smile, making Syaoran sigh in relief. At least she's not mad at me.

Silence filled the room as Sakura just stared at Syaoran and vice versa.

Syaoran gulped. He was unsure whether to bring that topic up.

"What is it?"

"About just now…" Syaoran began. He immediately stopped when Sakura sighed and cradled her head in her hands, rocking it.

"Uh huh…" Sakura said reluctantly.

"Well… it's not your parents fault."

"Which parents? The foster ones or the traitors? Huh?" Sakura demanded rather forcefully.

Syaoran sighed sadly. He wanted to help her. Help her to open her eyes and realise everyone's love for her.

"Your real parents… And I don't just mean the royal highnesses but your real parents. The ones who love you a lot."

"How can you be so sure?" Sakura whispered.

"I'm not. But… you won't know if you don't give them a chance, right?" Syaoran continued when she didn't reply. "Just give them a chance, Sakura. Plus, you don't want to be left alone in this world, right? I know you yearn for parents. Your real parents."

Silence again.

"You're right… I should give them a chance. You're right about not wanting to be alone. You're right about me wanting my real parents. You're right, Syaoran." Sakura said, lifting her eyes to meet those of Syaoran's.

"So… What now?" Syaoran asked; glad to have helped her in a way.

"I want to confide something in you, Syaoran. Please…" Sakura begged, her eyes squinting.

"Sure."

"Well… you've told me about the cards. You helped me give a chance to my parents. You have helped me to live, in a way. I don't know what I would have done if we didn't have this conversation. Probably kill myself?" Sakura joked, but inside she knew that that was what she had intended to do.

But Syaoran stared at her seriously. He seemed… worried for her. If he really did, he certainly didn't express it openly. Sakura could just read it in his eyes.

"Well anyway," Sakura continued. "I know that the mess in my room still is a puzzle to you and Meilin."

Syaoran just nodded in confirmation. It was like he was dedicated to listening to Sakura forever.

"I was just… scared and angry. It was an outburst. I know I was just being childish but I can't help it. I was terrified because I was afraid to be alone. I just stepped into the years of adolescence and suddenly, I fly to Japan and start this weird life of mine. About schooling and all, I have to depend on Mrs Kinomoto… my mom." By now, a fresh set of tears was released and Sakura hugged herself.

"It's not your fault." Syaoran said softly. "Anyone your age would have the same problem. They would probably be just as lost as you are."

Sakura let out a short laugh. "You really think so? And there I was thinking that I was the worst-off teenager in the whole world."

Syaoran allowed himself to laugh a little too. "No you're not." He bravely sat down next to her and hugged her. During that moment, he had realised something different. He had never felt it before. It was a tug at his heart. He was supposed to be the cold leader of the Li Clan but here he was, a teenage girl softening his heart.

Sakura's muscles stiffened when Syaoran embraced her. But she soon relaxed. It just felt so right… Both teenagers didn't know that what they were feeling was the beginning of something great. But it would be in a while before they met each other.

Sakura took a deep breath. "Mom…"

Nadeshiko spun around on instinct. She was speechless.

Fujitaka came to her rescue. "Sakura…" he said with a smile.

Sakura was nervous. She turned to Syaoran and he squeezed her hand, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Dad…" Sakura acknowledged making Fujitaka smile wider.

"Oh Sakura!" Nadeshiko had tears in her eyes and she seemed to be debating to herself whether to embrace her daughter.

"Mom, Dad." Sakura said with more courage. "I'm sorry… I was a bit too… harsh just now. Forgive me?"

"Of course, my cherry blossom," Fujitaka said since Nadeshiko was too lost for words.

"You forgive us? You forgive me?" Nadeshiko asked, hope in her eyes.

"Yes mom," Sakura offered them a smile making Nadeshiko's tears fall.

"Don't cry…" Sakura told her mother as she walked towards her and hugged her.

Nadeshiko cried harder and hugged Sakura back. "I love you, I love you, I love you." She repeated.

Sakura sniffed, she was starting to cry too. "I love you too, mom" she turned to face Fujitaka. "I love you too, dad."

Syaoran was happy for Sakura. He finally understood his feelings… he had feelings for her. For Sakura. He knew he couldn't deny that but he wouldn't tell her either. He didn't want Sakura to have an extra burden to worry about.

"I'm leaving, Meilin." Sakura announced to her first girl friend in Japan tearfully. "I've found my real parents. Well… actually they found me!" Sakura laughed and Meilin could only laugh with her.

"I'll miss you, Sakura." Meilin pulled her into a hug. "I'm sure Syaoran will miss you too."

"I'll miss you too. Same for Syaoran," Sakura could only smile saying his name. There was no mistake; their relationship had to be more than friends. It just had to be. It was the best feeling she had when she was around a guy or just hearing his name. Syaoran…

As if reading her thoughts, Meilin added, "Have you said your goodbyes to Syaoran yet?"

Sakura smiled sadly, shaking her head. "Not yet, I'll tell him later."

"You do that, girl."

"Sakura…"

Sakura froze hearing Syaoran's voice.

"What are you doing?" Syaoran asked.

Dang. How could I be so careless? How could I leave the door open like that? Sakura tried to cover up but lying.

"Just cleaning up," She shrugged carelessly.

"You're leaving without telling me," Syaoran stated accusingly. "How could you?"

"Syaoran… I'm not," Sakura desperately tried to change the topic.

"How can you still lie after I've seen you packing your bags?"

Sakura looked down, ashamed.

"I'm sorry Syaoran. It's just that… Mom requested me to go back to their place with them."

"To meet your brother?" Syaoran asked. He wanted her to say that she would be come back.

"My brother? Ahh… yes, my brother. A brother I've never met." Sakura answered sadly.

"So that's all, right? You're meeting your brother and then come back here?" Syaoran asked. He hoped he didn't sound very hopeful.

The look in Sakura's eyes almost killed him. "I'm leaving… probably for good."

"No you can't," Syaoran said firmly. "You can't and you won't. You're coming back. Say you're coming back," Syaoran strongly insisted. He even approached her and was shaking her shoulders recklessly.

"Syaoran…" Sakura chocked out. "You're hurting me…"

Syaoran stopped whatever he was doing. He looked down at his hands in shame. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hurt you Sakura. I…I…" Syaoran dropped his head, his bangs covering his eyes.

"I'm sorry…" he whispered hoarsely and sprinted out of the room.

"Syaoran…" Sakura said painfully, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Syaoran ran through the hallways, turning at the corridors and into an empty room.

How could I? He scolded himself. How could I cry?

Syaoran felt so angry at himself for crying. Just for a girl. He would get over her. He would. He didn't want to hurt her in anyway. She seemed… fine going back to her parents for good. He could visit her… but it wouldn't be the same. He could be her friend still… but was that what he wanted?

"Syaoran…" Sakura cried, her tears soaking her pillow cover.

I don't want to go too… but… my parents… I'm just as lost as I was before finding my real parents. Sakura thought as more tears poured out.

Sakura didn't feel like leaving too. Her body was making her go but her heart strongly wanted to stay… to stay with Syaoran. Others might think that having such strong feelings for another person within days wasn't possible. But it was what Sakura felt. It was what she realised she had for Syaoran. For the sake of her parents, she was going to leave. She was leaving her happiness behind.

Syaoran was debating with his heart whether to let her go or persuade her to stay. What he was going through was absolute torment… a choice that could determine one's happiness. A choice that might affect his future.

Finally, Syaoran came to a conclusion. Sakura might not feel the same. She might just think us as friends.

And so, Syaoran decided to give Sakura up without even trying for her sake.

I don't want her to go through what I'm going through. She'll leave to find her own happiness and I'll go back to Hong Kong. That way, she'll probably forget me and she won't suffer. She won't suffer. I won't let her suffer.

"Bye Meilin," Sakura stepped forward to embrace her friend. "I hope to see you soon."

"I want to see you soon too!" Meilin smiled. "I'll go visit you! I'll bring Syaoran along too! That's if he want to go."

"Thank you!" Sakura broke the embrace and let her eyes wander across the porch for any signs of him.

"Sakura…" Syaoran said from behind.

Sakura's heartbeat seemed to stop. He was here… to bid her goodbye. She turned around slowly and immediately regretted it. She would probably break down again after seeing his face. His serious face and his brilliant amber eyes. But now… Sakura seemed to notice that he was not that serious these days. He would break into a smile frequently or even laugh… along with her.

Sakura shook the thoughts from her head.

"Bye Syaoran…" she managed to say.

Syaoran was silent. Sakura was worried that he was still mad at her for lying to him about leaving.

"I'm sorry about that…" Sakura apologized.

Syaoran seemed surprised. But it turned into a small smile. "Bye Sakura..."

Sakura smiled sadly, she was troubled. She wondered if she should go and hug him. She still remembered the first hug they shared. It was when he was comforting her and she loved the feeling of it.

But before she could move a muscle, Syaoran had already wrapped his arms around her possessively. "Goodbye…"

Sakura returned the embrace. "Bye Syaoran…"

That's all for this chapter. The next one would probably be the last already. Sakura's leaving and Syaoran… has lost all hope, almost all. Will they still get together? Mwahahaha. You all can probably guess the ending and to reassure… I like happy endings. I hope for it to end happily too! *winks*