The Strength Within

By: Firefly.Tenshi

Full Summary:

Syaoran comes to Japan searching for the cards 1 year too late. Sakura went through a traumatic event while becoming the Cardmistress. She takes a leave of absence before Syaoran came. Syaoran becomes best friends with Eriol, they were inseparable at school, but when Sakura came back that all changed. Eriol spent all his time with Sakura and she clung to him for support. She too weak, quiet and feeble for the cards to choose her as the master or so Syaoran thought. What happens when he discovers her identity?

Syaoran – 19 years old

Sakura – 18 years old

Eriol – 19 years old

Tomoyo – 19 years old

Touya – 24 years old

Yukito – 24 years old

Chapter 11: Sakura's Lost Friend

"What are you doing over here?" an unknown, cold, feminine voice asked. Syaoran couldn't say or see anything voluntarily. "You know you aren't supposed to be here. This area is strictly off limits to people like you."

"There was no sign that said I couldn't be here," he heard himself respond to the pink blob hovering over him. Suddenly he was pushed to the ground. His world was black, like his other dreams.

"Well, that's too bad for you, isn't it? Now get out of here!" the person yelled as he was pushed down.

Syaoran was brought to another scene, this time it was different he could see. His focus was on Sakura and another person.

"Yukito, I love you!" she blurted out.

"Sakura, I like you too," he replied. Sakura's eyes widened in shock and Syaoran saw her light up with hope and joy. "But the person you'll truely love isn't me, Sakura-chan. You love your father, right?"

"Yes," she answered automatically but she was confused. Yukito still had his soft smile on his face.

"What about me?" Sakura looked confused. Syaoran didn't really understand what was going on.

"I like you…" she answered.

"Aren't those two the same feeling?" Yukito suggested. She stared blankly at him.

"The feeling of love for your father, and your feelings for me… aren't they very similar?" She closed her eyes and thought. Syaoran looked at her intensely and watch all the emotions wash over her face. He could see the sadness settle upon her expression but she hid it well and he was sure Yukito didn't catch it.

Suddenly the scene changed and he was watching Sakura by herself on the swing set at Tomoeda Park. Her tears falling to the ground, no one to catch them and her cries echoing through the air, no one to hear them. Syaoran tried to reach out to her, but he couldn't touch her. The heartache she was going through was evident.

"I couldn't cry in front of you, Yukito. I couldn't make you sad. I know I really liked you, not the same as my dad," Sakura cried by herself. The wind seemed to be howling around her and it was raining intensely. Syaoran felt helpless, all he could do was stand and watch while his friend cried her heart out and the weather pounded against her tiny body.

He couldn't take anymore of the scene and forced himself awake. Syaoran was drenched in a cold sweat. He couldn't believe Sakura went through such a rejection. Her first love was Yukito? Her brother's boyfriend. That must have been so traumatic for her. Wait, he was getting ahead of himself. It was just a dream, the chances it was true were zero to none. He lay back down on his bed and thought about the dream. The look on Sakura's face and hurt in her eyes. It just seemed to make the world stand still. "Grr…why does she do this to me? She isn't anything special. I mean she is the Cardmistress but that's nothing special…"

The last few moments before he had to get out of bed were spent thinking about the dreams. As soon as his alarm rang he turned it off and then took a cold shower. This was no way to start his first day of university. He put on a robe then went to the kitchen and made breakfast. Eriol greeted him as he sat down to eat his food.

"Hey, where's my food?" Eriol whined.

"Oh get it yourself and I'm the guest here," Syaoran yawned. Eriol pouted but started to make his own breakfast.

"Master Syaoran, here are your clothes for the day," Wei said. He was holding pressed, brown, corduroy trousers and a light blue button up shirt.

"Thanks Wei, but you don't need to do that for me anymore. You can sleep in," Syaoran said.

"That's kind of you young master but I enjoy serving you. In fact, I wouldn't have anything else to do," replied Wei. "I'll just leave these on your bed."

"Wei is so good to you," Eriol commented.

"I know."

"You're lucky to have someone so loyal."

"Wei has practically raised me. He the closest thing I have to a father."

"Yeah, I can see that." Eriol nodded. "Oh, are you excited for your first day?"

"Yeah, kind of looking forward to it…"

"It should be good it's also Sakura's first day. How come you're coming in as a first year?"

"Well because I took a year off before going for my A-level and AS-level courses. I needed to learn about the company and deal with my celebrity status."

"Oh right, I forgot. I'm starting second year, so I'm not so sure I'll be seeing much of you. We can meet up whenever, just text me."

"Alright," Syaoran said. He finished his breakfast and washed his dish. He changed in his room, grabbed his car keys and left. He got into his car and sped down the street toward university.

He parked his car in his reserve spot. He got out and surveyed the campus, this was where he was going to spend the next few years of his life. He grabbed his side bag and his map then made his way toward his first lecture.

He took a seat somewhere in the back and got out his lap top ready to take notes. He was rather early and students had started to pile in 5 minutes after he came. A slender woman came in with a soft smile on her face. She introduced herself then finished the administrative information for the course. As she started covering the course material and Syaoran was taking notes like no tomorrow.

The professor dismissed them so Syaoran decided to head to the library to study since he had time before his next course which would start in an hour. He quick looked at his map and found the closest library.

He found himself staring at two gigantic wooden doors. He turned the knob and pushed the door open. The library was majestic. It had rows upon rows of books and a ceiling that was miles high. He loved the old, musty smell that entered his senses. There were a few people around, but probably not the normal amount since it was first day of university. He decided to sit in the corner somewhere when he heard a slight struggle. He went toward the noise, he saw something that surprised him.

Sakura was on the floor and another girl was holding her arm. Then Sakura shoved her away causing the girl to fall and her friends to gather around her.

"Hey what's going on here?" Syaoran asked as he approached the girls.

"I was just trying to help her up when she just pushed me away," the other girl said.

"Sakura, why did you do this? I can't believe you would do something like this," Syaoran said.

"I..." Sakura started.

"Hey Sakura, you better come with me. We're going to be late for class," a guy with bright blonde hair and blue eyes appeared. Sakura nodded and then glared at that other girl.

"Syaoran, we'll have to talk later," Sakura said. With that she left the library.

"I'm sorry about what she did. She's not like that normally," Syaoran said to the girl. He noticed she had straight dark strawberry blonde hair and bright hazel eyes with specks of green. In other words, she was gorgeous. She didn't dress like a bimbo, in fact she seemed sophisticated. The kind of girl he was looking for.

"I'm sure she had her reasons," she said.

"Still it's no excuse to be so rude when you were trying to help her up," Syaoran said. "But anyways, what program are you in?"

"Oh, I'm in medicine," she said with a smile. "What about you?"

"I'm in political science or something," Syaoran said carelessly.

"What, you don't know what program you're in?" she teased. Syaoran redden in embarrassment. "I was joking."

"Oh I'm Li, Syaoran. You can call me Syaoran," Syaoran said.

"My name is Kobayashi, Yukari. Call me Yukari," she smiled. "I feel like I've met you before?"

"Maybe you just saw me in magazines or something," he suggested.

"Wait you're that Li, Syaoran?" she exclaimed. Syaoran blushed slightly and nodded. "Wow, what are the chances? Well, I mean I feel like I've met you before."

"Yeah same," agreed Syaoran. He thought for a few moments. "Did you go to schools in Tomoeda or in Hong Kong?"

"No… I didn't," she said thoughtfully.

"Well, the only place I've been was Club Rouge, but I didn't really stay there for long," Syaoran said.

"I think I may have met you there. I went there on the weekend," She smiled.

"Did I dance with you? Were you that girl in the black dress?" Syaoran's eyes widened. Maybe this was the girl that made his heart race the other day.

"Yeah! I was wearing black. That must have been how I met you. I wonder why it seems so fuzzy," she asked thoughtfully.

"Well, you did run off almost right away. We only said like two sentences to each other or you could've been incredibly drunk," Syaoran smirked.

"Oh yea, I had to go, my friend needed me," she laughed nervously. He couldn't believe he found the girl he danced with. What were the chances?

"Don't you have class? I mean you're in medicine and I know Sakura is too," Syaoran asked.

"Well I'm in second year and she's in first year, plus there are so many med students, you know?" she said. One of her friends signalled that they were going to leave. "I actually have to go, but here's my number."

"Oh thanks," Syaoran took her number and quickly pulled out his business card. "Here you go."

"Thanks. See ya around," she waved and left.

Syaoran smiled at the small paper. This was definitely a good day, meeting the girl that he was compatible with was not an ordinary event. He looked at the time and realized that he was going to be late himself.

The rest of the day passed by rather quickly, he only he was compatible with was not an ordinary event. He looked at the time and realized that he was going to be late himself.

The rest of the day passed by rather quickly since Syaoran only had three classes. He didn't see Eriol at all until he went home. When Eriol heard about Yukari, he nearly spit out his water.

"What? You met a girl?" he coughed.

"Yeah, and why do you seem so surprised?" Syaoran eyed Eriol suspiciously.

"You were never that into girls. This girl must be something special."

"Yeah, she really seems special. I don't know there's something about her. She doesn't seem effected by my celebrity status. I feel really comfortable around her and she seems so familiar."

"Those are qualities really hard to find in a girl, especially for you. I mean only Tomoyo and Sakura aren't affected by your immense popularity."

"I know it was just by chance I met Yukari."

"Well you'll be able to tell Sakura, Tomoyo and Meiling of your girl tonight at dinner."

"What's happening at dinner?"

"I invited them over, we're cooking. Didn't I tell you?"

"No and I'm not going to cook."

"You have to cook or I won't get dinner finished in time unless you help."

"Well that's your problem."

"No it's yours too, you don't want to keep three hungry girls company while I'm protected in the kitchen."

"Fine, fine I'll help."

Syaoran rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Not that he bragged or anything, but he made darn good food. He and Eriol could conjure up something that could rival the Iron Chefs, er, maybe not. But it was definitely better than what most restaurants charge big bucks for.

'Ding-dong' the bell rang continually, and loudly.

"I'm coming," Eriol yelled, "just stop that infernal ringing."

The ringing stopped while Eriol washed his hands. "Syaoran just keep stirring that pot please."

Eriol opened the door fully and something sprang at him. "I missed you Eriol."

"Jeez, it's only been what, a day?" he rolled his eyes. Syaoran couldn't see, but knew it was Sakura.

"Are you sure you two aren't going out?" said a voice foreign to Syaoran. It was deep, and definitely didn't belong to a female.

"We aren't, I swear. Just really close," Sakura responded.

"You could've fooled me," another somewhat familiar voice chipped in. "By the way, where is my dear cousin? I haven't seen in so long."

"He's in the kitchen," Eriol replied. With that, Syaoran felt some clamp onto his neck.

"Ah, Meiling, you're choking me," he gasped.

"But I missed you so much. I know we weren't that close the last time we met. But like, I think we should've spent more time together. So now I'm going to overcompensate."

"Jee thanks Meiling," Syaoran remarked.

"Eriol, Sakura, do you think you guys could move aside and let us in," Syaoran heard Tomoyo say.

"Oh, my bad," Sakura apologized. Syaoran was trying to listen to their conversation, figure out who the new guy was. "I didn't mean to Tomoyo and…"

"Is the food done?" Meiling asked. Syaoran looked down at the contents of the pot. It was done alright, few more minutes and it'd be just a bit too crispy.

"Yup it's done," Syaoran said as he took off the stove and sloshed it into an empty dish.

"I never knew my cousin was a grade-A chef," Meiling commented.

"Well, Wei did teach me just in case he had to go out like today," Syaoran informed.

"Oh where is Wei?" Meiling inquired.

"He went to Kyoto to meet with an old friend. He won't be back for at least three of four days."

"That must be tough life for you," she teased. Syaoran shot her a glare but she shrugged it off and skipped off into the living room. Syaoran followed suit met his house guests.

"Syaoran glad you could join us," Eriol welcomed enthusiastically.

"Yeah, me too. But the neighbours downstairs don't care to know," Syaoran retorted.

"Aw, Syaoran. I'm just glad you're here," Eriol smirked and Syaoran rolled his eyes.

"Oh, Syaoran I want you meet a very good friend of mine, Takaishi Takeru. He's studying Japanese culture and history or something like that. He's already on the varsity basketball team for Tokyo U and he's only a first year. I swear he'll be the next Yao Ming," Sakura gushed as she introduced her friend. He was the guy from the library, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Syaoran felt a twinge of anger got through him, or was is sadness or maybe disappointment. He wasn't quite sure, but her recollected himself and reached out his hand.

"Nice to meet you…" he said. No emotion really reflecting in his voice, he was being as tame as he could be at the moment. 'Who is this guy? How did he get so close to Sakura so fast? Why in the world does she befriend the better looking males in the human species? Wait, not that he's good looking, I mean I'm not gay or anything. Or am I? Wait, what in the world? Get a hold of yourself, Syaoran,' he mentally kicked himself.

"You okay?" Sakura asked, "You kinda zoned out there."

"Er, everything's fine. Just, you know, thinking about stuff," Syaoran laughed nervously.

"Okay, if you say so. But I have to say, if this happens every time you think, I think you should a little less of that if you know what I mean," Sakura teased.

"Very funny," Syaoran replied dryly. The group watched the exchanged between the two in amusement.

"Man, you guys are like a sitcom," Tomoyo giggled.

"Anyways, how was your day everyone?" Sakura asked.

"I didn't do much. Just skipped a bunch of classes and that's about it," Eriol said thoughtfully.

"Hey! You go to university to learn, not to sleep," Sakura scolded.

"Well, it's not my fault that I would fall asleep even if I went to class," he replied.

"Well I had a great day designing clothes and everything. Oh, oh, oh, Sakura you have to try on my latest designs and Takeru you too. I think you guys would look really suit your personalities.

"Tomoyo, I don't know how I got sucked into this. I swear it's your entire fault Sakura. I swear if I hadn't met you in Tomoeda High, I wouldn't be subjected to this torture," Takeru complained.

"Hey! Wearing my clothes should be an honour. Fine Syaoran, you appreciate my work right? Well you'll get to model it," Tomoyo smiled, extra sugary. Syaoran laughed uncomfortably; there was no way Syaoran could get out of this with feeling Tomoyo's overreacting wrath.

"Oh yeah, for sure. You can count on me."

"Meiling, did you double check the overseas orders? It's very important the line has a good start up reputation internationally," Tomoyo said.

"For the tenth time today, yes I have. I checked in the morning, at lunch and before I handed it off to the Fedex guy," Meiling said, exasperated.

"Sorry, I know you probably did everything right. I'm just nervous you know," Tomoyo said.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you're line will do fine," Eriol piped up.

"Thanks for the support, I appreciate it," Tomoyo smiled.

"Okay, I'm famished you guys. I need some substance, you know, food," Sakura complained.

"Oh that's what we forgot to do, damn. If Wei was here he would've made something," Eriol lied.

"I can smell the food, you can't hide it from me. I swear I will hunt for it and eat it all by myself," Sakura dared as she started to get up.

"Alright, alright, I'll get the food. Sakura and Meiling just set up the table, while Syaoran and I bring out the food," Eriol dictated. In no time the dinner was on the table and the six of them were enjoying their meal with some pleasant conversation. Syaoran noticed that Sakura and Takeru seemed particularly close. She would put more food on his plate and he would protest weakly. Then he would shove some onto her plate and Sakura giggled softly. This got Syaoran even angrier and slightly confused.

"How was your day Sakura?" Eriol asked.

"It went really well. I got to see Takeru and he's taking biology with me," Sakura said.

"Why are you taking bio?" asked Tomoyo.

"Well it's just an elective. Plus, I really enjoy science, I was choosing between either science or Japanese culture and history for my major," Takeru responded and Tomoyo nodded, accepting that answer.

"Are you sure that's the really reason," Syaoran glared and Takeru looked back confused.

"Uh, yeah," he answered softly. Everyone else looked at Syaoran.

"Whatever, I'm going to clean up," Syaoran said as he gathered the empty bowls and plates and disappeared into the kitchen. He rinsed off some of the dishes and put them in the dishwasher when he heard some one walk up behind him.

"What's wrong Syaoran?" Sakura asked as he turned around.

"Nothing, nothing's the matter," he answered curtly.

"I can tell something's wrong."

"Everything's changed so much it seems even you've changed a lot."

"Is this about that bimbo at the library? She was so stupid. I swear she was filled with nothing but air up there."

"She isn't stupid. Don't judge people by their appearances," Syaoran started.

"God, I'm not judging her just by her looks. She such a snake, I can't believe she has a little gang to follow her" Sakura commented.

"She's a nice girl, and her friends seem nice. Why don't you give her a shot Sakura? Maybe she ran into you, but she tried to make up for it. But she was trying to help you up. Yukari deserves your respect, she's in your program and she's your upperclassmen," Syaoran countered.

"Oh, Yukari is her name. Sure doesn't suit her at all," Sakura scoffed. "She wasn't…"

"Whatever, Sakura stop being so childish. I can't believe you're acting this way," Syaoran shook his head. He turned around and rinsed of more dishes. "Plus I like her okay. She's the first girl I met that makes me feel, well, normal."

"She makes you feel normal? Are you saying that I nor Tomoyo nor Meiling make you feel normal? That's the way you feel? Open your eyes Syaoran! She's a liar! I never thought you were such a bad judge of character," Sakura cried, tears threatening to spill. Syaoran didn't expect her to react this way. He felt rage pulsate through his veins, 'Don't I deserve to be happy? What, Sakura's happiness was worth more than mine? I have to make Sakura happy and follow whatever she says at any cost, even my future?'

"Me a bad judge of character? Then I suppose being your friend was a mistake. I let you tag along behind me all that time in middle school, I don't know why but I let it happen. Did you know you were such a burden? I didn't want to hurt you since you were a girl, that was the only reason I couldn't say anything," Syaoran punished Sakura with his words. The look on her face was beyond description. She ran out of the apartment, Takeru followed her.

"Whoa, what just happened?' Meiling commented a few minutes later.

"I think that's what you call a broken friendship," Eriol replied.

"Syaoran, what was that for?" Tomoyo asked.

"I didn't do anything wrong. When I went to the library, I found her. She had fell or something and Yukari was trying to help her up and she pushed her away," Syaoran claimed.

"Are you sure that's what happened?" Tomoyo doubted.

"Yeah, I asked Yukari. That's what she said. Sakura never stuck around long enough to explain her beef," Syaoran said.

"I don't know man, Sakura doesn't do stuff like this," said Eriol.

"Maybe she changed a lot more then you thought," suggested Syaoran.

"She may have a back bone now, but no way would she lash out at someone for no reason," Tomoyo said thoughtfully.

"Plus, she doesn't need me anymore, I mean she has all those guys chasing her. And Takaishi is there for her," said Syaoran.

"Is that what this is about? Are you jealous of Takeru?" Eriol laughed.

"You're jealous of blondie?" Meiling repeated.

"No, I'm not," Syaoran exclaimed. "But why can't I find someone I like? I like Yukari, and I don't need her approval. It's not going to work if every time I bring Yukari to hang, you guys ditch or something."

"Oh we'll ditch you alright and it's definitely not because of Yukari. I don't know what was going through your head but until you sort it out don't even bother talking to us," Tomoyo spit. "I think its better that we go."

Tomoyo and Meiling left the apartment and Eriol closed the door behind them. He turned around and glared at Syaoran.

--------♪--------

AN: Well another chapter ended. Two new characters have been introduced and I know I stole Takeru from Digimon but he is one of my all-time favourite characters. Wow, did a lot of things happen. Boy was Syaoran brutal but I can't wait until the next chapter. Just a few things to clarify:

SakuraJade: Thank you so much for the critique, seriously. I'm glad you reviewed in so much detail. I wanted to explain some of what you brought up earlier, but I didn't get to do so in the story since it would be too boring to go through.

Starting with Syaoran. He took 2 years in senior school then a little break to learn about the Li Corporation then he took 2 years to do a non-compulsory matriculation course or something like that... This is something that can be looked up in wikipedia. I got my research off of there since I myself do not know much of the Hong Kong education system.

With Rika, a restaurant isn't something that only one person does alone. Her partner for the restaurant brought in the money. But the restaurant is thought of as hers, since she is the head chef and became well-known as a chef. In the manga, she is described as being "perfect" especially with wife qualities, so I have decided to exaggerate this aspect. Also, in the last 4 years, she may have gone through training while in high school (side job).

When it comes to Chiharu, she's a top reporter on the internet. Her blogs, reviews and reports are followed by much of Japan, thus she is a famous reporter but not in the sense of professional. She is going through university to get her degree. I suppose I should've said that she was an internet reporter and it would make more sense.

Plus, Eriol tends to exaggerate certain aspects and it would be too boring to cover all these details. Plus, Sakura has given them a little boost with developing their talents, unintentionally. Just a little luck wink. This was my thought process. You don't have to accept, it may be too perfect, but then again why else would Touya have jobs everywhere in Tomoeda that Sakura happened to show up? He he.

Adazu: Thank you! Yup, I guess Sakura has changed, got a bit meaner it seems…

Hououza: Well, still don't know what that vision occurred… But now you know who that girl is, someone new

Ellabell: I hope it is soon enough for you.

Chelsea34: five years or so went by, sorry for not clarifying that before

Rosedreamer101: they are now 18 and 19 years old

Oohlala82: Hope this was quick enough for you

AngelEmCuti: I'm glad you enjoyed it, that's good to know.

Thanks for the Reviews!!!

Please review!!!