Author's note: I have no idea how it got this long. All I remember is typing like crazy and stuff, haha. This was supposed to be two chapters but since I didn't want to drag their separation out, I just made it into one relatively long chapter. Enjoy the chapter! Some parts could be taken out but since I already wrote them… I decided to just keep them in the end. I hope you guys like it.

Has anyone been paying attention to the latest E3 Conference? Oh. My. Gosh. I seriously want a PS4. I've never owned an Xbox. I've been a Nintendo-Sony girl since I was in kindergarten. I said to myself that once I've found 10 Xbox exclusives that I really want, I'd buy a console but so far, I've been stuck at 4. Halo and COD don't really appeal to me. Anyway, I'm saving up already. Absolutely loved the Sony Conference! Final Fantasy 15 looked amazing! Nochtis is just sooo XD. I feel like I'll be drooling all over the TV when I play the game. He is just too… *sigh* Vincent Valentine has always been the best looking FF character I've seen but Nochtis makes me think Vincent who? And then there's the announcement of Kingdom Hearts 3. I was crying while watching the trailer. Seriously. I'll finally play with my little, sweet, lovely, Zola again. He's the sweetest, nicest, cutest, most wonderful boy that ever lived (gushes like a school girl). Sorry, had to get that out of my chest. Hopefully, I'll be done with this fanfic before all these lovely games are out. Not good to have too many distractions after all. Also, can I just say… Kuroko no Basuke is just soooooo amazing. I love my darling Kuro-chin! And Shingeki no Kyojin is also one of my current loves. Oh, Rivaille, you dashing, cute, amazing, little push pin, you! XD

As for the reviews:

To Anony: I'm feeling very well these days, thank you very much. I've been seriously trying to learn Japanese so my time is a bit split. I don't feel like dragging it on so it would be resolved fairly quickly. I hope you like the new chapter. Thank you for your review.

To Ifra: Thank you for leaving a review. Ah… just read the chapter, haha. Enjoy. :D

To nadia alaska: Thank you for your review! I hope you weren't waiting too long for this chapter. :D

To jeah: Gosh, sorry for making you late. But still, thank you for the review. How much its changed? Quite a lot actually. I have better proofreading skills now so there are less typos, haha. Also, I was able to improve on the story quite a lot. The old plot was simple. It was supposed to be just 14 chapters. I'm glad I took time and thought about the story well. I'm much happier with how things developed here than in my original idea. I also found my old literary vocabs again. I got stuck with all those science-y terms because of my college course but I was able to rediscover how to write fiction. I'm glad I decided to write again. :D

To Laury Rose: I almost died swooning over Nochtis, haha. I was really distracted the last time so I updated late. This new chapter's faster so I hope that makes up for last time. Sakura and Syaoran will both be very happy at the end. Thanks for the review! XD

To James Birdsong: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like the new chapters. :D

To Littlepuppylost: I'm glad I could help! It's always good to find an escape when the real world gets too taxing. I'm not sure whether you'll be happy or stressed with this chapter though. I still hope you'll like it. Thanks for the review. :D

To kiran: Sorry, forgot to say this last chapter. Just write it! If have friends you can trust, you can let them read it first. They'll be able to give you criticism. If not then just post it online and see what other people think. It's better to write it than just leave it hidden forever. Good luck!

To everyone who added it to their alert/favorites list, thank you as well. Now, on to the chapter!

Title: Memories of a Heart

Rating: T

Summary: No, I don't know her. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've seen her. But despite that, why does my heart race when I look at her?

Full Summary: Sakura lost her first love in a tragic accident three years ago. Syaoran's life was saved by a heart transplant operation three years ago. A chance meeting by a grave marks the beginning of a love that will heal her, and a love that will transform him. They say that there are two kinds of memories, memories of the mind and memories of the body. Will memories of a man's love remain in his heart even when it beats in another person's chest?

Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura and all its characters belong to CLAMP. All I can ever do is wish it was mine. I'd be happy not owning the entire thing, really. I'd be ecstatic if just Touya was mine, ohoho.

-oOo-

Chapter 29: Resolution

Main dining room

Fujiwara Estate

Kanda-cho, Japan

June 11, 2009

6:23 AM


It was quiet at the breakfast table once again. The fight Xiao Lang and Fanren had a few days ago still cast its shadow over the people living in the house. The children didn't know what was going on but they knew enough to keep their noses out of it. All three of them were quietly eating their breakfast. It was unusual for them as they were always trying to get everyone's attention at the table. Fanren's husband only knew that his wife and her brother had gotten to an argument. Confident that his wife could resolve the issue, he didn't interfere with her at all. Shiefa was joining them today. She, too, was keeping silent. She had told both Eriol and Kaho about her visit to Sakura. They were all anxious about what would happen in the future. They were tense and on edge, all wondering how Xiao Lang was doing. However, the person they were most interested in had yet to grace them with his presence.

After a few more minutes of silence, Xiao Lang finally entered the dining room.

"Good morning," he greeted them all with a smile before taking his usual chair.

Everyone looked at him for a second, unsure that what they saw was really real. He was served immediately by the help. Everyone watched as he took a tentative sip of his coffee.

The silence was broken by the children greeting him. "Good morning, Uncle Xiao Lang!" they said together. Just like the adults, they had instantly noticed a difference in Xiao Lang's disposition.

"Good morning, Fuu, Rei, Ling," he returned their greeting.

All three children beamed at him.

"Good morning, Xiao Lang," Fanren greeted him with a tight lipped smile.

"Good morning," he answered with a smile. It wasn't pained or forced.

It wasn't just Fanren who was wondering at the surprising change in Xiao Lang.

"Are you feeling better now, Xiao Lang?" Shiefa dared to ask.

Xiao Lang finished placing food on his plate before turning to Shiefa and answering. "Yes, of course."

Shiefa looked at him for a second before nodding and saying, "I see."

They returned to their meal but everyone was eyeing Xiao Lang from the corner of their eyes. He was very different from how he had been the past few days. He looked as if he had a better night than any of them. There was none of the despair or misery that hung about him in the last few days. He still looked exhausted but he seemed better than he had been before.

"Ah, yes, Ling?" Xiao Lang said as he turned to Fanren's youngest.

Ling swallowed his bite of pancake before replying. "Yes, Uncle Xiao Lang?"

"Would it be all right with you if I don't see you off in the mornings? I have a lot of work to catch up with so I have to go directly to the office from now on."

Ling didn't look happy about it but he nodded nonetheless. "Uhm. Okay, Uncle Xiao Lang."

Xiao Lang flashed him another smile. "Thank you. I'll still be picking you up after class so don't be too sad, all right?" Ling perked up at hearing this. Xiao Lang then turned his attention to Eriol. "Eriol, I'll need some files brought here from the Hong Kong office, can I leave their transfer to you?"

"Of course, Xiao Lang," Eriol answered immediately.

He then turned to Kaho, "Kaho, I need to confirm some things with regards to our Amamiya account."

"I shall have all the files brought to you as soon as we get to the office, Xiao Lang," Kaho replied.

"Let's finish up the meal and head down to the office. We have a busy day ahead of us."

Eriol and Kaho nodded. The sight relieved Shiefa and Fanren. Xiao Lang seemed to have recovered from his slump. They were still worried about how things would go with Sakura but for the meantime, they were satisfied to see Xiao Lang acting more like his normal self.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Room 309-B

Satou Memorial Hospital

Tomoeda, Japan

June 11, 2009

9:32 AM


The doctors had given the okay signal for Sakura to be released today. Her father had left the duty of helping Sakura to Touya since he had classes at the University in the morning. Touya had asked leave from work for the day so he could help his sister. They were almost finished with packing when they heard a knock at the door. They heard the door open and in a few seconds, Yukito came into view.

"Hello, Sakura!" he greeted her cheerfully and moved to embrace her.

"Yukito-san!" she cried out in surprise. "Good morning!" she managed to say before she was pulled into Yukito's embrace.

Yukito put a look of mock hurt on his face. "Can you believe it? Touya didn't tell me about you being confined! I found it out from your father's students! Some best friend, right?"

It was Touya who answered. "I'm sorry, things were just really hectic for a while."

Yukito just laughed it off. "I'm joking." He looked towards Sakura, concern evident in his features. "But everything is fine now, yes?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes! I'm being discharged today."

"I see, that's good to hear." Yukito released Sakura but kept his arm around her waist. Yukito pointedly ignored Touya as he raised an eyebrow at Yukito's action.

"I'm sorry to worry you," Sakura said.

Yukito smiled at her in reassurance. "It's nothing. Are you well enough to walk around?"

Sakura returned the smile. "I've been all right since yesterday but they insisted I stay until today."

He thought for a moment. "If you're free today, would you like to go out on a date with me?"

"Really? Aren't you busy?" Sakura said with wide eyes. Yukito was a post-graduate student. He also had a part-time job. Sakura only saw him during those few times he came home with her brother. Since the time when her brother started working for their great-grandfather, she rarely had chances to see Yukito.

"School foundation day coupled with summer break," Yukito answered with a big smile. "We're free for a few weeks."

"Oh, I see," Sakura said in reply.

Yukito raised an eyebrow "Is that a yes?"

Sakura didn't have anything to do later. She had already phoned the school to ask for leave. "I'd love to, Yukito-san."

"That's great,"Yukito said and finally released her. He scanned the room and asked, "Do you need help with anything?"

Touya, who was busy packing some miscellaneous items in a bag answered for them. "No, it's all right. I brought home most of everything last night." True enough, there was only one bag in sight.

"You're doing night duty?" Yukito asked his best friend as he made himself comfortable in a chair.

"Yeah, I stay with her at night while my dad is here most of the day." Touya didn't bother looking up from what he was doing.

Sakura, having nothing to do, sat down beside Yukito and listened to him talk to her brother. They had been inseparable since high school. Since her brother was so busy with work, she knew they both made the most of the time they were actually together.

"And you're still working with your great-grandfather?" Yukito passed Touya the thermos jug on the table.

"Yes," Touya answered and placed the jug inside the bag.

Yukito frowned a little. "No wonder you don't have time for anyone else. Courting her seriously, are we?" he asked with a mischievous grin.

Touya froze and Sakura whipped her head to watch her brother's reaction.

Courting? This is the first I've heard of this.

"Courting?" she said out loud. She looked towards her brother who was still frozen in his place. She stared at him like he was a newly discovered alien species. "Courting?" she said once more, her voice a little louder than before.

"I hate you, Yukito," she heard her brother growl at his best friend.

Sakura squealed like a little girl. "Oh my gosh, Niisan! Why didn't you tell me?" she ran to him excitedly. Touya was making it a point not to meet her gaze while Sakura did everything she could just to do so. It was like they were playing tag with their eyes. "Who is she? Can I meet her? Can I meet her? Who is she? She's sure to be the prettiest, most beautiful, most sensible, most perfect woman in the world!"

Yukito was laughing unabashedly at Touya's discomfort.

"Sakura, you've just recovered! You shouldn't be jumping around like this," he scolded her. He was trying to keep his voice serious but Sakura wasn't buying it.

"Come on, Niisan!" she started to tug at his shirt. She wanted to know who it was. Finding a girl who matched her brother was near impossible. You'd have an easier time trying to spot three supernovas in one night.

Instead of stopping her, Touya sent a glare towards Yukito. "I will kill you as soon as I get my hands around your pale, gangly neck."

"Does she work for great-grandfather?" Sakura frowned when her brother refused to answer. She turned to Yukito. "Is she someone we know, Yukito-san?"

"Don't-"

But before Touya could stop him, Yukito already whisked himself to Sakura's side. "Sakura, you remember our discussion about Touya's salt-in-coffee mishap?"

"The same girl?!" Sakura said excitedly.

"Argh. I give up," Touya threw his hands up in defeat.

"Does she work for great-grandfather?" Sakura asked again.

"…No," her brother said simply.

She frowned again. "Eh?" Her brother wasn't exactly cooperating.

Yukito sighed. "Sakura, do you think Touya would start up a relationship with one of your great-grandfather's employees?"

Sakura thought about it for a millisecond. "No. Niisan wouldn't want to embarrass great-grandfather, grandfather or grandmother by preying on the female staff," she said thoughtfully.

Touya raised his eyebrows at Sakura's choice of words. Yukito chuckled. "It's someone from the other camp."

"Other camp?" Sakura echoed.

Yukito looked at Touya dubiously. "You haven't told them anything?"

Touya shook his head and continued packing. "It wasn't important."

"Wasn't important?" Yukito said in mock anger. "What if Sakura was dating someone behind your back? How would you feel?"

It was Sakura's turn to freeze. Touya turned to her, eyes flashig. "Are you seeing someone?" he demanded.

"No!" Sakura answered immediately.

Not anymore. I mean… temporarily, anyway. Not technically. That still counts as no… right?

She turned away from her brother's burning stare in order to hide the blush on her cheeks.

"Sakura…" he said dangerously.

She crossed her hands over her chest. "This is such an embarrassing conversation, Niisan. Besides, we were talking about you," she said with a pout.

Touya wouldn't see her face but her profile would tell him she was pouting.

Yukito put an arm around Sakura. "Forgive him, Sakura. Touya's been lost in love for a while now."

"Are you two ganging up on me?" Touya asked.

"Why don't I become your real brother instead?" Yukito tried to persuade Sakura. "I'll make a better brother than Touya."

Sakura laughed at what Yukito was saying. "Maybe." She tried to look hurt. "Niisan doesn't even want to introduce me to her. He's probably ashamed of me. I know I'm not decent or anything. He'll probably hire a supermodel to act as me when he does the introductions."

"I'd never do that to you, Sakura," Yukito said as he embraced her.

"I know, Yukito-niisan," Sakura answered as she returned his embrace.

Touya rolled his eyes. "Stop that, you two."

"Yukito-niisan, Kinomoto-san is acting so mean," Sakura said as she buried her face in Yukito's chest.

"Don't worry, Sakura-chan. Yukito-niisan will give him a strict talking to once you're gone. I'll give him a good bruise or two so he doesn't treat my sister so badly in the future."

Touya scratched his head in frustration. "Fine, all right? Ask me whatever. Just stop that stupid act."

Sakura and Yukito laughed together and sprang apart immediately.

"So, who is she? When will I get to meet her?" Sakura said as she clung to Touya. This was something Sakura wasn't going to pass up.

"She works for a company that's trying to make some big project here in Japan. They tied up with the Amamiyas to make things happen. Masaki-san is letting me deal with them."

"Oooohhh. Office love," Sakura said with a laugh.

Touya flicked her hard on the forehead.

"Oww!" she said as she rubbed where he hit her. "Yukito-niisan…" she cried out, her voicing sounding exceedingly spoiled.

"Enough of that." Touya pulled her to his side before Yukito could go near Sakura. Touya looked down at her. "Since you insist on finding out who she is, I'll introduce you during the big party Masaki-san is planning."

Sakura smiled. There were very few things that her brother would deny her.

"Big party?" she repeated.

"Yes. Masaki-san wants to celebrate the success of the partnership. He's invited everyone of merit in Hong Kong and Japan."

"Oh, so it's also a party for a job well done?" Yukito asked.

"Of sorts." Touya replied. "He wants you to come," he said to Sakura. "I've tried to convince him otherwise but he's dead set on it. Anyway, I'll just chase away any hooligans who try something."

Sakura could not help but laugh.

Niisan and Syaoran really are so alike sometimes.

She blushed a little. Even just thinking his name made her heart beat a little bit faster. In order to distract herself from thinking of him, she turned back to her brother who was answering a question Yukito had asked him. "When is this exactly?" she asked Touya.

"In three, maybe four weeks' time," he replied.

"I'll promise to build you up as the most perfect man in existence, Niisan." Sakura gave him a sloppy salute and Touya could not help but crack a smile at that. "Also, I'll be telling her you fought down 3 leopards and one raging hippo during our last safari trip, all right? We have to be consistent with our stories."

Touya and Yukito laughed at what Sakura just said. "Let's add a lioness protecting her cubs to that, all right?" Touya added with a smile.

Sakura returned her brother's smile easily. "Of course!"

Touya looked back at Yukito. He didn't say a word but Yukito smiled after a few seconds. Sakura didn't really understand but she guessed they had one of those mental conversations really close people have. Nothing was said but they reached an understanding.

"Can I have Sakura for the day, Touya?" Yukito requested as soon as Touya finished packing.

Touya let out an exaggerated sigh. "Even if I said no, you'd do whatever you want anyway."

Yukito laughed at Touya's reply. "True."

"I'll just settle our account and then we can leave. I can join you for lunch."

"I won't do anything to Sakura, Touya. You can leave her in my care," Yukito said with another playful smile.

Touya rolled his eyes. "Shut up."

Yukito laughed at Touya's answer. "I haven't spent time with you in a while too, Touya, so I want to have fun with you guys for the next days. You guys are my brother and sister, you know?"

Sakura smiled at Yukito. He had been like a brother to her. "I think of Yukito-san like a brother, too."

"Thank you," Yukito said happily.

Touya shook his head but there was a smile playing on his lips. "Let's get things done so we can continue the family day then," he said with a grin.

"Hai!" both Yukito and Sakura answered together.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Sidewalk near the penguin slide

Penguin Park

Tomoeda, Japan

June 11, 2009

1:45 PM


Yukito, Touya and Sakura had lunch at a nearby café after they had dropped off Sakura's things at their house. Touya was supposed to be with them the entire day but he had received a call from their great-grandfather during lunch requesting him to report to the office. He reluctantly agreed and headed directly there right after he finished his meal. Now, it was only Yukito and Sakura left. They had just finished their meal and they were now having a casual stroll down Penguin Park. They were walking arm in arm, enjoying each other's company.

"It's been a while since we've walked around Tomoeda like this," Yukito commented after a while.

"Hai," Sakura answered.

"Have you been well, Sakura?" he asked her. Sakura could hear his concern for her. It was all too obvious. "You collapsed, yes?" he spoke before Sakura could answer him.

Sakura nodded. "Well, that was because I spent the entire night out in the rain."

"Why?"

"Uh…" Sakura thought of how she could answer Yukito. If she started, she would have to tell him everything.

"Does it have something to do with the person you're seeing now?"

"Eh?" Sakura looked up to his face and met his eyes. She opened her mouth to answer but no words came out. She thought Yukito was just teasing her brother before but it seemed like he knew more than he let on.

Yukito smiled at her. "Our friends have seen you out with someone. They have different accounts but the person you're with is always the same. Well, at least the description is more or less consistent. They never leave out smart-looking, rich-looking, and good looking." He said the last words with a small laugh.

Sakura opened her mouth to answer but Yukito placed a finger on her lips, effectively silencing her. "You don't need to say anything, I'm completely fine with it. I won't ask for an explanation."

Sakura simply nodded. He must have noticed how uneasy she had become. If it was her brother, she would probably be downing a glass of truth serum right about now. She was so grateful to Yukito right then.

"Does Touya know?" Yukito asked her.

Sakura shook her head. "I don't think so. He's been so busy with his work at the Amamiya offices that I don't think he has time to hang around with anyone else. Great-grandfather left him in charge of this big project. I don't know what it's about. I didn't want to bother him with anything unnecessary when he's so busy."

"I don't think he'd consider anything that involves you unnecessary."

She looked down to the ground, not wanting to meet Yukito's eyes. "I don't want to be a bother."

Yukito seemed to have accepted her answer. He asked her, "Do you have things under control?"

Sakura nodded, a bit unsure. "I think I do."

"Can I be filled in on the details?" Yukito asked her gently.

His face told her that he would understand even if she refused. However, Yukito was a person who knew the pain Sakura had felt. She had listened to his advice before and it had helped her. She hoped it could help her once again.

"Of course," she said with a smile.

She spent the next few minutes telling Yukito about Syaoran. She didn't hide anything from him. As she was speaking, she felt slightly guilty that she was telling everything to Yukito when her father and brother were left out of the loop. Yukito had always been family to her and he was one of the few people who understood her feelings. If it was anyone else, she would have to explain everything. She didn't need to do that with Yukito. Yukito knew what she was going through because he went through the same thing. That was one reason why she was always honest with him when it came to her feeling about Shuichi.

After she spoke, Yukito was silent for a while. Sakura waited silently for his verdict. Eventually, Yukito spoke again. "If things are like that, I'm sure Touya would want to support you even more."

"Niisan already is. Just him being around is support enough." It was the truth. Sakura only needed to see her brother and father to know that she had their full support.

Yukito didn't press her further. "So how are you holding up?"

"I'm working things out on my own. I know what I'm supposed to do but I'm lost on how I have to do it exactly."

"Why don't you revisit places?" he suggested.

Sakura met his gaze once more. "Places?" she echoed.

Yukito gave a small nod. "Yeah. I'm sure there are places that always make you remember him. It was like that with my parents. The more I visited those places, I guess, the more things sunk in with me. I was able to make peace with it and move on."

"Places, huh," Sakura said it to herself.

Go to places where I have memories with Shuichi, huh? It's a start.

"I can go with that," Sakura said after a few seconds.

"Do you want company?"

She looked back at him, her eyes wide. "Oh no, I couldn't impose on you, Yukito-san. You must be busy with university and things so-"

"I want to accompany you," he said as he cut her off.

Yukito's company was very welcome actually. Sakura wasn't confident that she could go through such a task alone. There was a part of her that feared she could break down if the memories and grief overwhelmed her again. It was getting better now but if she relived everything, she wasn't sure how she'd react. "Is it really okay?" she asked in a small voice.

"Do you not want my company?" Yukito asked in a whisper.

Sakura shook her head. "I'd love to have the pleasure of your company, Yukito-san," she answered honestly.

Yukito seemed pleased with her answer. "If you need someone by your side, I'll be there. I know you can do it on your own but you can think of me as insurance. When things get to much, you can hold my hand, cry on my shoulder or hold on to me."

She was grateful for the sincerity he heard in his voice. She thanked him for his offer and didn't say more. At that moment, she briefly thought that it would be great if it was Syaoran who was by her side.

"Anything for you, Sakura." He gave her one of his biggest smiles. "Since we've walked off our lunch, I heard about this wonderful dessert place…"

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Seats in the most secluded corner

Marie Antoinette

Tokyo, Japan

June 11, 2009

3:07 PM


Tomoyo found herself in another café with Eriol. She didn't know how it happened but it became natural for them to be together like this. Their topics of conversation had always been about Sakura and Xiao Lang though. They talked a bit about work but it was mostly concentrated on those two individuals. They were up to the same pattern today. Eriol had called her out again this morning. They had met a few days ago and Tomoyo knew it had to involve Xiao Lang and Sakura again. She wondered if Sakura had spoken to Xiao Lang after she had left her cousin. She had wanted Sakura to really think about things. Before she could continue her brooding, her thoughts were disturbed by the sight of Eriol walking towards her.

He sat down after giving her a greeting. A waiter came and took his order. He turned back to her as soon as the waiter left. "I have to thank you," he said with a smile.

"Hm?" Tomoyo said with a raised eyebrow. She was sipping her cup of chamomile tea.

Eriol's smile didn't change. "I just talked to you a few days ago and already there has been a profound change."

Tomoyo caught on immediately. This outcome meant that Sakura had indeed gotten in touch with Xiao Lang. Tomoyo was glad that her cousin wasn't hiding anymore. She was interested in what transpired between them. It would have been a phone call for sure, seeing as Sakura had been confined to the hospital and her discharge was today. "Is that so?"

"Yes," Eriol said with a nod.

Tomoyo let out a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad Sakura understood."

Eriol stared at her for a few seconds. He looked like he was waiting for her to say more. Unable to wait anymore, he spoke. "Uhm, has she filled you in one what happened?"

She shook her head once. "No, not really. After I spoke to her in the hospital, I haven't had the time to talk to her yet." She had wanted to give Sakura space to think on her own. Sakura always had the tendency to put other people before her. If Tomoyo was there, her cousin would subconsciously consider Tomoyo's feelings when she made her decisions. That wasn't what Tomoyo wanted. Tomoyo wanted Sakura to think about what she really wanted for herself.

"I see." She heard the disappointment in his voice. It seemed that she wasn't the only one who was in the dark.

Their conversation was interrupted by the reappearance of the waiter. Tomoyo waited patiently until the waiter laid down Eriol's food before continuing.

"What happened to Xiao Lang?" she asked

Eriol shrugged. "We don't know. He just seemed fine this morning."

Tomoyo raised an eyebrow again. "There's quite a big difference between not fine and fine, Eriol."

He chuckled at her response. "I apologize. What I meant was that he wasn't as gaunt as before. Something changed. Maybe Sakura called him over the phone or something."

"And you were so excited to report?"

Eriol shrugged again. "We were interested in what happened. Also, there really is no point in reporting if we don't really know what happened. I was hoping you could fill me in." He looked at her hopefully.

As much as she wanted to help him, she herself knew nothing of what happened. She had been hoping that he would have to fill her in. "I was actually hoping you'd do the same," she admitted.

"So she hasn't told you anything."

"No. She's still figuring things out," she replied.

Eriol took a sip of his tea. He was thinking of what to say to her next. "She told Shiefa she loved Xiao Lang," he said finally. "Was that your doing?"

Tomoyo nodded. "I thought it would be best if she understood her true feelings."

He took in her words. "Shiefa also told us that Sakura said she'd come to him in the future."

Despite his reason for asking her out today, Eriol already knew more than Tomoyo did. Tomoyo couldn't help but laugh. "You said you wanted to hear from me but you know way more things than I do. Why did you even invite me out?"

Eriol smiled at her. It was his most charming smile yet. "Who knows? A whim? A need to escape work? Fulfilling my duty to report? There are plenty of reasons, I suppose."

Tomoyo kept the smile on her face. She didn't find anything wrong with his answers. "I see."

"I hope Sakura figures it out soon," Eriol said before taking another sip from his cup.

"I do, too," she said in agreement.

"I want to thank you again. For talking to her, I mean," Eriol told her. He wore his most sincere smile.

Tomoyo returned the smile. "You're welcome. Although I must say, I did it more for Sakura. Xiao Lang is just lucky he got anything good out of it."

Eriol only laughed at her answer. She wasn't being completely truthful but Eriol probably saw through her anyway. She had done it for Sakura but there was a part of her that also wanted to see Xiao Lang happy. He's had it rough for years now and he deserved to be happy as well. Tomoyo was glad she could become friends with Xiao Lang. She was able to meet his family and all the other people around him. She hoped things would go well with Sakura and Xiao Lang. Tomoyo was looking forward to getting to know them more. Eriol, most especially. Tomoyo blanched when she realized what she just thought. She immediately picked up her cup and took a hasty sip just to hide the slight blush that appeared on her cheeks. She felt the hot tea scald her tongue but she didn't mind. Thankfully, Eriol didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Tomoyo hated how calm and cool he could be. But what's more, Tomoyo hated how he seemed to look more handsome than he did the last time they met.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Lobby

Amamiya Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

June 11, 2009

3:21 PM


Touya had been out of the office for a few days to watch over his sister. He just asked Jin to bring all his paperwork to him. It was the first time they would see each other in days. They were supposed to work out the details for the big ball Masaki Amamiya wanted to hold but he put them off to care for Sakura. His great-grandfather had allowed him to go to Sakura. Masaki would have gone himself but he was just too swamped with work. Touya had offered to lighten the load thus his daily homework of the past days.

The extra work was actually a good thing. It distracted Touya from worrying about Sakura. He had almost lost it when he saw Sakura collapsed by the front door. He was glad that his father was as composed as always. They had been beside themselves with worry as they waited for the doctor's verdict. They had been lucky it was just fatigue. She had also contracted a cold. Touya knew it had been raining for two consecutive nights in Tomoeda. Somehow, he wouldn't be too surprised if she stayed out for two days in a row. That would explain why she had been drenched to the bone when they saw her. Aside from worry, the work also distracted him from the guilt that ate away at him from inside. Sakura was his responsibility. Their father had left her in his care. He should not have left her alone. He had just carelessly assumed she would be all right even if he left her alone for a day.

The recent events told him just how wrong he was.

His sister didn't say a thing but Touya instinctively knew that something was wrong. Their father had been the same as always but Touya knew that their father wasn't as ignorant as he seemed. Only Touya was left in the dark. Although that didn't sit well with him, Touya knew enough not to pry. Once Sakura was ready to talk, she would go to him. That was always how things had been. Still, it didn't mean that he could just forget about it like that. There was only one thing that would cause her to do something like that. She had been getting better in the last few weeks but this incident showed that she was still fighting her demons. Touya hated that he couldn't help her. That was the main reason his eyebrows were almost drawn together these days.

He was broken out of his thoughts by the sounds of several high-pitched voices. He looked forward and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw all of the people that were gathered in the lobby. It looked as if almost a quarter of the Amamiya employees had gone to greet him. He returned all their greeting and thanked them for their kindness and concern. His smile was practically pasted on. He felt like a superstar being greeted at the airport. He didn't like the experience at all. All he wanted to do now was go to his meeting and get all his work done. He had not gotten much sleep in almost a week so he wanted to stock up again. After almost 15 minutes, he finally found himself on his way up to his office. Jin was there to greet him the moment the elevator doors opened. Touya sighed in relief. Jin was one of the people he wanted to actually meet today.

"Warm welcome?" Jin asked with a knowing smile. Jin was holding a set of folders. Touya knew they were his work for the day.

"You should have warned me," Touya muttered as he took the files Jin offered.

"The women from the different departments threatened to dismantle my car if I said anything," Jin said in his defense.

Touya let out another sigh and looked at his secretary with narrowed eyes. "I see."

"Anyway, Miss Kaho has been waiting for almost thirty minutes," Jin said as he opened the door to their conference room.

He walked in as Jin held the door open and he instantly met eyes with Kaho Mizuki. She stood up and gave him a respectful bow, her smile as open and inviting as it had always been.

Kaho offered Touya her hand. "It's been a while."

Touya took it and gave it a light squeeze. "Yes, a while. I apologize for my tardiness"

"You've been busy?" she asked with a small tilt of her head.

He answered with a nod. "Here and there."

She must have picked up on his strange aura because she asked, "Is everything all right?"

He shook his head at her great intuition. He had long learned that it was useless trying to lie to this woman. He gestured for her to take a seat before taking his own and answering her question. "I was just worried about my sister for a bit."

Her eyebrows came together in a delicate frown. "Is something wrong?"

"She was hospitalized for a bit but she's out now," he answered. "I was helping with her discharge this morning."

She let out a relieved sigh. "I'm glad to hear that." She met his gaze then. "What seems to be the problem?"

It seemed that she would not give up until she knew everything Touya was thinking. There was always something oddly comforting about sharing things with her. She would always listen intently, her judgement always reserved for herself. Her thoughtful and mature manner awed him sometimes. She seemed as wise as their father. He believed that was the reason he always felt he could be honest with her.

"I've been trying my best to be someone she can count on. Ever since we were kids, she's always gone to me when she needed help. Now, though, I feel like she's dealing with something on her own. He hasn't said anything so I don't know what I can do to help her. "

Kaho smiled at him and he felt a little kick to his stomach at the sight. "And that's a bad thing?"

Touya had to think about what she just said. Was Sakura keeping her distance a bad thing? He wanted to say yes but he knew that it was selfishness on his part to say so. "I guess not," he said with a shrug. "I'm just worried she's taking on something alone and not asking for help."

"Is she usually like that?"

He paused before answering. He didn't know if it was right sharing this but one look at Kaho's concerned face and he was already talking. "No, only recently. She's been in a bout of depression for some time now. It's just recently that she's bounced back to her old self. She'd feel guilty about how she was then. We had to give her extra special care and attention. She feels bad about how she made us worry so now she's being too independent. I wish she'd tell me what was wrong at least."

Kaho nodded in understanding. "I think that she wants to solve this on her own because it's something for herself."

"Why do you say that?" Touya asked with a frown.

She met his eyes. "Sometimes, there are things you have to do alone or they lose meaning. It's something that's personal. It's something you don't want anyone to influence. You want to come into your own. It isn't because you don't want to involve other people. It's because you want it to be just you. Weren't there some things that you felt you had to do on your own?"

Touya had to think about her words. He couldn't think of having experiences like that. Then again, his sister had already experienced so much despite her young age. Surely there were things that she needed to think about on her own. "I must admit I've never encountered such a thing."

"Then you'd have a hard time understanding her need for solitude now." Touya had to nod at that. Kaho smiled at him once more. It was a smile of reassurance. "All you need to do is support her. Make her understand that you're there whenever she needs help."

"It just feels like she's trying to do too much on her own," he grumbled. It was a complaint, he knew. Part of it stemmed from the fact that Sakura was now being a bit distant. He couldn't blame her. He had been distant himself and he had tried to make up for it but nothing he did seemed enough. Right now, Sakura was keeping something from him and it looked as if she wouldn't be revealing it any time soon.

Kaho did not judge him for his words. He only saw understanding on her face. "If it looks like that then what she's trying to do must be important to her. She'll come to you when she's ready. She's always been like that, yes?"

"That she has," Touya said with a nod. He looked back at her and studied her closely. After a full minute, he spoke, "It's odd. Sometimes, it feels like you know who my sister is."

Her response was to tilt her head slightly to the side. There was something else in her eyes, like a small secret only she knew. "I can imagine. I've seen you take care of your staff. I can tell how much different you'd treat her. With you taking care of her, it's not hard to imagine how she'd be raised."

Touya found himself laughing at her answer. "You really are too amazing."

"Thank you," she said with another one of those enigmatic smiles.

Speaking of his sister made him remember his promise. He wanted Sakura to meet Kaho. Kaho was continuously proving herself to be such an adept individual that Touya really wanted his sister to meet her. Kaho's level-headedness and wisdom was always something Touya was grateful for and he was hoping that Kaho could be something of a friend to Sakura. Touya was very particular with the people Sakura associated with and Kaho was someone he approved of wholeheartedly. The only snag in this was that he could only introduce them at the party they were having in a few weeks. Masaki Amamiya had intended to introduce the both of them to high society. He had been hoping his father was averse to the idea but he surprised Touya by leaving it in Sakura's hands. His father had trusted their judgement regarding their own lives and he let them decide what to do. He was somehow grateful for this but he didn't like the thought of Sakura having too much freedom. Call him overprotective but he wanted to make sure Sakura was safe at all times.

This party they were going to was a party to celebrate their successful partnership with the Lis of Hong Kong. Everyone of importance in the business circles of Japan and Hong Kong were invited. To introduce his sister to those kinds of people was just asking for trouble. There was no end to the people who wanted to be a part of the Amamiya family. Sakura was just being introduced as a new avenue for people to exploit in order to get into the family. Maybe that was one reason why he wanted to introduce Sakura to Kaho. Kaho understood his stand on Sakura's involvement with their world and so she might be one of his allies in protecting her.

He looked at her and saw she was waiting patiently for him to speak. Not surprisingly, she immediately understood that there was something he wanted to say to her. He hesitated for a second before speaking. "Would it be all right if I introduce my sister to you?" Even to him, the request sounded weird.

Her eyes widened by a fraction but and her lips broke into a smile. Her expression told her that his request had not been quite what she expected. "That's quite a… unique thing to ask."

"Is it?" he asked.

Kaho gave a small nod. "I've never been asked something like that before and people have been making requests of me for years. Besides, is that something you really ask?"

Touya frowned. "Is that so?"

She laughed at the look on Touya's face. "I find it an honor. Not to mention exciting."

"Why say that?" Touya wondered.

Kaho was smiling openly. "I'll get to meet your sister. She's the one person you've sheltered, protected and cared for since she was a child. It's like you're sharing your treasure with me. I'd feel honoured to be introduced to her."

"Is that what is seems to you?" Touya never thought of it like that.

"I want to think it that way," Kaho replied.

Touya just shrugged. "I like your company. And I think you'd be a good acquaintance for her," he answered honestly.

Kaho gave a small bow. "I feel honoured to have your approval. I too, think that your sister would be a marvelous person to get to know." She flashed that smile again, that smile that she knew a secret. Touya ignored it. Still, saying good things about his sister was always the best way to get to his good side.

"That she is," he said with a smile.

"Does this mean President Amamiya convinced your father?"

She cut to the heart of his dilemmas so easily. "My sister wants to go. Since that's the case, my father won't stop her."

"You failed in convincing your sister?"

Touya shook his head. "I didn't try to convince her. I thought she'd like it better if I didn't meddle too much."

He voiced out his honest feelings. He had indeed intended to deter Sakura from attending should their great-grandfather insist to bring her along. However, seeing her try to be independent made him realize she would appreciate it more if he let Sakura make her own decisions. It hurt him a bit, to feel so unneeded but if it made Sakura happy then he could deal with it.

Kaho contemplated his words. "So in around a month's time, Sakura Kinomoto will be introduced to Hong Kong high society."

He let out a sigh. "Unfortunately."

"I don't think it would be that bad," Kaho tried to reassure him.

He just shook his head. "A lot of the bachelors at that party will see my sister as a ticket to get into Masaki-san's good graces. I won't let anyone use her like that."

It was a good thing he mastered his death glare. He could easily scare away any man who overstepped certain boundaries Touya set for people who tried to get acquainted with Sakura.

"Very commendable," Kaho said after a while.

"It's the only thing I can do for her now."

She smiled at his answer. "Have you prepared?"

"Yes." He had considered everything about the party. It was the last thing he had to accomplish for his great-grandfather. He wanted to do a flawless job right to the end.

"Are you sure it's all right to be in Hong Kong?"

Touya had wondered at that as well but his great-grandfather told him that it was a sign of trust on their part. Even if some people would look at it as the Amamiyas submitting to the Lis, both families knew what was really going on. Besides, Masaki really wanted to show up the different families in Hong Kong. He wanted to show them just how the Amamiyas did things. He had commanded everyone who would be attending to look their very best. He had even gone to the trouble of giving spa gift certificates to the employees who would be joining them. Masaki fully intended to show the Amamiya might and being impressive physically was just the beginning. No one could say that the Amamiyas were not taking advantage of every opportunity handed to them by their association to the Lis. This little detail was secret though so he did not say it out loud. Instead, Touya just gave a nonchalant shrug.

"Everyone will want the break. And it's Hong Kong. There are a lot of things to do in Hong Kong."

Kaho laughed once more. "That's true."

"Things will be done soon enough," he said to himself.

Unfortunately for him, he didn't say it low enough. Kaho heard his word clearly. "Is this the only job you'll be doing for the Amamiyas?"

Angry at himself for making such a slip, Touya could only nod, not trusting his voice right then.

"You'll be returning to your normal life after this?"

For some reason, Touya could not face her despite the fact he could feel her gaze burning through the side of his face. "I probably will," he said finally.

"It's such a waste. The Amamiyas could use someone like you."

Her words sounded honest, sincere. "I have lots of uncles and grandfathers to take the reins." That was true as well. There were so many people who could do the things he did.

"I think Masaki Amamiya had the right idea bringing you into this world. You belong here."

Touya was glad for her praise but he didn't bite. "I don't really have a reason to stay. I like my life. My normal life."

"I don't think they'd let you go just like that."

He finally looked back at her. "I still have the option to say no."

Kaho looked a bit disappointed. "That's true."

"I need a good reason why I'd continue a life like this. So far, no reason has been enough to outweigh my old convictions. I don't want money. I don't want power. I want what my parents have. I want the life they gave me. I was lucky that I got the better end of the deal. I'm free to do as I want and free to go wherever I want. I'm not bound to anything I don't want to be bound to."

"So it's your freedom that's most important to you." There was a slight sound of distaste on her voice.

Touya shook his head. "It's not so much my freedom. There are some things that will always be the top priority in my life. My dad and my sister will always come first to me. They come first before any of the things I want. I want to be close to them so I can be there whenever they need me. I don't want to be trapped in a huge building like this, day in and day out, my only priorities completing the reports required of my position."

Kaho watched him closely during his outburst. She remained silent for a long time after Touya had spoken. The stretching silence was beginning to make Touya uncomfortable. He felt like he said something stupid and embarrassing.

"May I be introduced to your father?"

The sound of her voice as well as her request took him by surprise. He stared at her for a few seconds. "Excuse me?" he asked, completely baffled.

She laughed at his reaction. Eventually, she composed herself and simply smiled at him. "I want to meet the kind of man who can raise someone to be like you." When Touya raised his eyebrow in doubt, Kaho laughed once more. "It was a compliment. For both you and your father."

Touya stared at her for a while longer. She was truly someone beyond him. Instead of being bothered by this, he actually felt happy. He wanted to get to know her even more.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Parlor on the first floor

Li Main House

Central, Hong Kong Island

June 14, 2009

9:46 AM


It was another morning at the Li Main House. Xiao Lang had returned to Hong Kong for the day in order to get copies of important documents in his office. Shiefa had returned to her husband's house and Fuutie was busy at her atelier. Xiao Lang was left alone in the house. He was grateful for this since he wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone. He was about to go to the office when he saw his mother reading the newspaper in one of the parlors on the first floor. He gave a knock and waited for his Mother to acknowledge him. He watched as she folded her newspaper slowly before finally turning to him.

"Good morning, Mother," he greeted her as he entered the room.

She indicated the space beside her and waited for him to take a seat before speaking. "Good morning, Xiao Lang. Will you be here long?"

He shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I came to get some files. I'll be heading back to Japan tonight."

His mother frowned slightly as she listened. "Please get proper rest. I don't like you travelling here and there without properly resting yourself, Xiao Lang."

"Yes, I understand," he said to reassure her.

Yelan Li reached for his hand and Xiao Lang did not resist her. "Your sisters are worried about you."

"Are they?" he answered evasively. He didn't particularly want to talk about how he was feeling.

"You seem distant. It's like you've returned to who you were months ago." She cupped his cheek with one hand and gently turned his face towards her. Brown eyes identical to his own stared him down. "The you before you met Sakura."

As always, just hearing her name did magic on him "Really? Do I really seem that way?" He reached up to touch his mother's hand.

Yelan gave a nod. Her concern was both in her eyes and in her voice. Him perking up at her name revealed that whatever he was brooding on was related to her. Yelan would not miss it. "What's happened? You have been courting her seriously, yes?"

"I have."

She raised an eyebrow at his answer. Past tense. Yelan took even those little details as information. Xiao Lang wouldn't put it past her to figure out that something was wrong. His sisters would never tell her outright but she immediately understood everything with a few minutes of observation. "What seems to be the problem?"

Xiao Lang knew that refusing his mother was futile. "She and I have decided to be apart for a while. More specifically, she requested that we part for the meantime so she can deal with her own problems." He didn't mean it but he sounded like he was whining at the unfairness of it all.

Damn. Another slip. I've told Mother more than I intended to again.

"Do you feel useless to her?"

Yelan understood his feelings better than he did sometimes. He had been happy to hear from her and he was willing to give her the space she needed but a small part of him felt frustrated that he could not do anything more for her. He could easily give way but what he wanted was to be by her side, ready to support her whenever she needed it. He wanted to know everything about her. He didn't want her facing her demons alone. He wanted to be fighting them at her side.

He slumped gently pulled away the hand his mother placed on her cheek. "Honestly? A little bit. However, Sakura wants to be independent. How can I stifle that desire?"

"You do not like denying her things?"

Once again, his mother saw through him. He indeed had that problem. "More like I can't. I want to give her everything she wants. Anything in my power to give, I will give."

Yelan nodded absently. "And that's why you acquiesced to her request no matter the pain it would cause you." It was a statement and not a question.

Xiao Lang's lips turned to a straight line. It was a few seconds before he could speak again. "She said it was something she had to do. Even if I waited to help, I might just bungle it and lose everything. I almost have and I won't do anything stupid ever again."

Yelan turned him to face her. "You truly care for her to the extent of giving everything of yourself? To the extent of denying everything that would make you happy just so she would be?"

He thought about her words for a moment and found them to be true. He cared for her more than anyone. "I do," he said with a sharp nod. "Nothing else matters to me but her." He gave her an apologetic glance.

Yelan did not seem to be offended by what he said. "This…thing… she has to do…" His mother was carefully testing the words. "Do you know anything about it?"

Xiao Lang shook his head. "No. But I can hazard a guess." Yelan gestured him to continue. "She was supposed to be married three years ago. Her fiancé died in a car accident."

Yelan was still for a second. "I see."

"I think she's trying to understand what she really feels about me and her late lover."

"You've told her how you feel about her?" Yelan asked gently.

Xiao Lang let out an exhausted sigh. "Yes. Very emphatically, I might add."

Yelan's lips twitched. Xiao Lang realized she had just suppressed a smile. "And how did she take it?"

"Not very well in the beginning," he answered.

"She still loves her late fiancé?"

"I love you, Shu."

The memory of her words assaulted him. He had almost forgotten about that incident. He shortly relived the pain he felt at hearing those words.

Does she still love him?

"That's what she's trying to figure out, I think." There was hesitation in his voice despite his attempt to sound neutral. "She feels something for me but she hasn't come to terms with his death yet."

"And so she wants closure," Yelan said simply.

"I believe so," Xiao Lang answered with a small nod.

"And you believe you'll have a chance once she gets this?"

"The next moment I appear in front of you… know that I belong to you from then on."

Her words floated to the top of his mind and he could not help but smile.

"She's already mine, Mother."

"Oh?" She raised her eyebrow at the confidence she heard there.

"The moment she appears before me again, she'd belong to me. She said so herself."

Yelan finally gave him a small smile. "Ah. I see."

He found his confidence lifting his mood. "I'm willing to wait for her. I don't care how long it takes but I'm afraid when it comes down to it, my will would succumb and I'd go to her. If I get impatient, I feel that I would regret it."

"You will make it, Xiao Lang," Yelan told him. She gave his hand a light squeeze. Xiao Lang was grateful for the act of reassurance from his mother.

"I hope so."

She brushed away the stray strands of hair covering his face. "Don't lose hope. If Sakura takes long to let her old feelings go, it is because she loves so deeply. Once she gives that love to you, she will give you everything of herself just as you give everything of yourself to her."

Before he knew it, he was already speaking. "I love her so much, Mother. I can't even begin to describe how much she means to me."

Yelan nodded in understanding. "She will not remain unmoved by your love."

"Do you approve of me being like this?" he asked in a whisper. It was a hidden fear of his. He did not want his mother's censure.

Yelan laughed and Xiao Lang had to look up at her in concern. "Xiao Lang, I will only be disappointed if your fail to make her yours despite the weight and intensity of your feelings for her."

Xiao Lang laughed with her. "I want to see her soon."

"Patience, Xiao Lang," she reminded him.

"I know, Mother. Thank you for listening."

Yelan moved to take him into his arms. "Stay strong, Xiao Lang."

"I will," he answered as he returned her embrace.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Seats near the counter

Unnamed Japanese restaurant

Tomoeda, Japan

June 14, 2009

11:55 AM


"How are things, Sakura?" her cousin asked as she took a sip of the tea she ordered.

Tomoyo had called Sakura out for lunch at one of the family restaurants at Penguin Park. She didn't say anything but Sakura knew Tomoyo was anxious to know what was going on between her and Syaoran.

"I'm fine, thank you," she answered with a smile.

"Any progress with Xiao Lang?" Tomoyo queried.

No beating around the bush, huh?

Sakura thought about how she would answer. "I wouldn't really describe it in those words."

"Have you spoken to him?"

She nodded. "Just one phone call several days ago." Tomoyo leaned back on her chair, deep in thought. "Are you going to report this to his sisters?"

Tomoyo, Eriol, and Syaoran's sisters were all in league with each other. All of them were trying to help her relationship with Syaoran along. It was nice to have people looking out for you but they did such outrageous things sometimes. She only knew the things Tomoyo did. Judging by how Syaoran described his sisters, she assumed most of the other weird things that happened to her were due to his sisters' interference.

"Depends on your answer," Tomoyo replied. When Sakura kept silent, Tomoyo continued, "They wanted to know what is really going on between the two of you."

"Momentary separation," was all Sakura said.

The confusion was obvious in Tomoyo's face. "Why?"

"Because I want closure."

Tomoyo stared at her for a long time, her hands moving automatically as she ate her asparagus stalks. Sakura returned her stare as she started on her own unagi-don. "You're thinking of him, aren't you?" her cousin said after finishing off her entrée.

Sakura couldn't deny that. "I don't want to go to him the way I am now. I don't want to be wishy-washy. When I go to him, I want to be sure of my feelings."

"He's lucky." That was all Tomoyo said before raising the teapot and pouring tea all over her ochazuke.

"What?"

"I said Xiao Lang's lucky." She ate a mouthful of rice and flashed Sakura a grin.

He's lucky to be treated the way I treated him? I don't think so. I'm still thinking of ways to make up for my behavior towards him.

Sakura didn't agree with Tomoyo. It was Syaoran who always gave. That's the reason why he was the one hurting more. His feelings for her were genuine and true. She didn't want his feeling to be returned half-heartedly. "I want to return his feelings properly. I know just how serious he is about me. I want to be the same towards him."

Tomoyo was beaming at her. Since she was so supportive of Syaoran, Tomoyo was always happy when Sakura said how she felt about him. "So how are you holding up?"

"I have a starting point now and I think I'm doing well." Her thoughts strayed to Yukito's advice and she nodded to herself.

I've started but I don't really know when it ends.

Her cousin looked thoughtful for a second. "Closure, huh? Sounds easy but getting it will be hard for sure."

Sakura was of the same opinion. In truth, Sakura was still confused with regards to what she had to achieve. It was easy to say that she wanted to sort out her feelings. She was actually lost on when she knew she would have accomplished this. Everything was so abstract. She wondered if Tomoyo knew the answer. Sometimes, Tomoyo knew more of her own feelings than she herself did. "How do I know when I do get that? I've been wondering for a while now. Even if I did everything I could, how do I know that I've gotten what I needed? That I've done what I should? Is it when I finally feel nothing for Shu?"

The smile Tomoyo gave her told Sakura she understood Sakura's plight. "You remember my relationship with Sakai-kun?"

Sakura's lips curled disgust as she remembered the name. "That bastard?" she spat out angrily. That was a name that had been completely blotted out from her memory. They had reached a decision to forget about that event a long time ago. Aside from Sakura's true lineage, Tomoyo's association with that man was one of the Amamiya and Daidouji's best kept secrets.

Tomoyo let out a little laugh. "I'm glad you're still angry at him for what he did to me but there really is no need."

She wasn't accepting any of the things Tomoyo was saying. Sakai Yuusuke was Tomoyo's ex-boyfriend. He had gotten together with Tomoyo for the sake of her money and he kept several women on the side. Tomoyo's family had been kind to him. He was a very distant relation of the Amamiyas and so they welcomed him. They paid for a great school and they gave him weekly allowances to spend. They were all shocked to learn that he had been using all the money they gave him for boozing and womanizing. They had caught him with his other girlfriends having fun in the apartment the Daidouji's bought for him. They had severed all ties with him after that.

"He took advantage of you, Tomoyo," Sakura ground out, her anger at hearing his name increasing the more she thought of him.

"Because I let him do so. I saw the signs but didn't pay attention to them."

"But still-"

Tomoyo reached out and held Sakura's arm. "That isn't why I brought it up, Sakura." Sakura let out a long steadying breath before nodding. It was an indication that she was listening. Tomoyo smiled in gratitude before speaking. "I was devastated with what he did but I knew I couldn't be that way forever. I was bitter and angry and that didn't do me any bit of good. I got my closure when I accepted what he did to me and decided not to let it affect me anymore. I think that getting closure isn't about bringing back things to zero. It isn't about forgetting everything. It's about acceptance. It's about learning from your mistakes and moving on. I accepted what Sakai-kun did to me. I forgave him. I learned to be harsh with my criteria for men. I didn't want to get tied down by what happened to me so I let go of all my negative emotions. The moment I decided that, that was my closure. Closure isn't something that's given to you. I think that it's something you decide for yourself."

Despite her anger at hearing that particular name, Sakura could not help but listen to Tomoyo's words. "Something I decide for myself…" she repeated the words, not really comprehending.

"It's when you feel that you can bury the hatchet. It's when you let go of all the negative feelings and just focus on the positive ones. I don't regret loving Sakai-kun. I truly did love him. I don't want to be ashamed of the feelings that were so important to me then. I accepted what happened. There are just some things that don't happen the way you want it to. Life can be unfair but we don't need to be bitter about it all the time."

Her cousin's maturity had never ceased to amaze Sakura. She was head-strong and beautiful for it. Sakura had always looked up to her. Tomoyo had always been one of the rocks she clung to when the waves of her emotions threatened to pull her under. As always, she blew away all of Sakura's doubts and questions. Everything Tomoyo said made perfect sense. She scooted closer to hug her cousin and Tomoyo held her tightly.

"I won't worry about you, Sakura. You'll know and decide for yourself. You won't make a mistake. I trust you. Please, give yourself the chance to be happy."

Sakura simply nodded and hugged Tomoyo tighter.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Backseat of one of the Fujiwara cars

Tomoeda Fourth District

Tomoeda, Japan

June 17, 2009

1:46 PM


Xiao Lang noticed that Ling had been pouting for a while now. He had been silent since they got in the car at his school. Right now, they were on the way home to Fanren's house. Ling, ever the chatterbox, would usually talk Xiao Lang's ears off. Today, he was just sitting silently in his spot, looking at the moving scenery. He had not been as cheerful ever since that hospital visit to Sakura. Feeling responsible, Xiao Lang sought to reassure his nephew.

"What's wrong, Ling?" he asked as he gently placed a hand on top of his little head.

Ling looked up at Xiao Lang for a long while, seemingly unsure whether to voice his concerns. Eventually, his curiosity won out. "Are Sakura-oneechan and Uncle Xiao Lang never going to become friends again?" he blurted out.

Ah. So that's what you've been worried about. I'm not surprised.

"Why do you think that?" he asked the little boy.

His nephew looked down and avoided Xiao Lang's eyes. "Well, because… Uncle Xiao Lang still comes to pick me up but he doesn't go and talk to Sakura-oneechan anymore. Before, Uncle Xiao Lang always shooed me away just so he'd be alone with Sakura-oneechan. And then everyone keeps talking about this other person Sakura-oneechan is with. They say he always comes to get Sakura-oneechan after class. What if he's trying to take Sakura-oneechan away, Uncle Xiao Lang? That's not right! We saw her first." By the end of his tirade, Ling was huffing in anger. He seemed to be really affected with what was going on with him and Sakura. Xiao Lang was slightly worried about those rumors but he brushed the thought away. He and Sakura had an understanding. He had decided to trust her.

She said she'd come to me… that she would be mine. Those are the only things I'm holding on to right now.

"Is that what's been bothering you?" he asked.

Ling looked up at him in surprise. "Aren't you going to do anything, Uncle Xiao Lang?"

It's not like I can do much about it. I can't even go near her.

"I'm sorry to worry you," he told his nephew. What more could he say? If he started speaking, everything he had been keeping in would start spilling out. "Sakura and I are in a complicated state right now." It was a feeble excuse but it was the only thing he could give. Ling didn't look satisfied with his answer. He gently mussed Ling's hair. "Sakura has some things to think about. She asked me to allow her to think on her own. I told her she could. I can't go back on my word, Ling."

"But-" he started to say.

Xiao Lang cut him off before he could say any more. "Right now, I want so desperately to be by her side. However, she told me that there was something she had to do on her own first. What she wants to do is very important to her. It won't mean anything if I help her. "

His nephew furrowed his brows. "I don't get it, Uncle Xiao Lang. Why can't you be like you were before?"

"We can't go back anymore, Ling," he said gently. "Sakura and I can't be friends anymore. I wouldn't want that."

Ling's frown deepened. "But why? Sakura-oneechan is-"

"Ling, I wouldn't be satisfied with just being a friend. I want to be so much more."

That's right. Being friends is not enough.

It was clear that the things Xiao Lang was saying were beyond his nephew. He looked as if he was trying hard to understand what Xiao Lang was trying to say. "Uhm…"

Xiao Lang smiled at his nephew. "I love her, Ling. I want more than friendship."

Ling took in a sharp intake of breath. "So Uncle Xiao Lang likes her like Mama likes Papa?" he sounded excited as he spoke, almost the opposite of how he was earlier.

"Yes, I do," he replied. He found that he liked saying he loved her. It rolled off his tongue so naturally.

His nephew was clinging on to him, his eyes shining. "Really? So Sakura-oneechan will become Auntie Sakura?"

Xiao Lang found himself blushing at the thought. Somehow, it had a nice ring to it.

"Not so fast!" he tried to say while trying his best to keep a stern face. Unfortunately, his facial muscles were forcing his face into a silly smile. Having Sakura as his wife was a very good thought. "Let's go back a few years, all right? Let's not be too excited."

Ling's smile fell. "But, Uncle Xiao Lang said-"

"I know what I said. However, things like that can't be decided so easily. Besides, even if that's what I want, that might not be what she wants."

His nephew looked like he was thinking about what Xiao Lang had just said. When Ling spoke, his voice was unsure. "Hmm, so Uncle Xiao Lang is letting her think if she wants it?"

Xiao Lang put both his arms on Ling's shoulders. "Let's put it this way, the reason we're separated now is so we can be together in the future." Ling didn't seem to understand. "I know it sounds confusing but Sakura will be back before you know it."

"Does Sakura-oneechan like Uncle Xiao Lang, too?" he asked Xiao Lang.

"Maybe," Xiao Lang answered.

"The same way Uncle Xiao Lang likes Sakura-oneechan?"

Xiao Lang nodded. "She's trying to figure that one now that we're apart temporarily."

"So, it's okay if you're not together now?" Ling was trying desperately to understand their situation.

"Yes, because we'll be together soon enough," Xiao Lang replied.

Ling stuck out his lower lip. "I still don't get it, Uncle Xiao Lang."

"Sakura isn't sure of her feelings for me yet."

"But Uncle Xiao Lang said-"

"She's making sure of her feelings right now," he added hastily. "If she sees me, she might get confused. So in order for her to make the right decision about her feelings, I have to stay away from her in the meantime. Do you understand?"

His nephew was silent for a while. "Only a little, Uncle Xiao Lang," Ling answered apologetically. "I'm sorry."

Xiao Lang shook his head slowly. "No, I should have explained things to you so you didn't have to worry about us."

"I think Sakura-oneechan really likes Uncle Xiao Lang. She looks so happy when you're together. Besides, Uncle Xiao Lang's really amazing after all so…"

Hearing Ling say those words brought a smile to Xiao Lang's face. He gently mussed his hair. It was his way of showing his nephew affection.

"You'll be all right, right, Uncle Xiao Lang?" Ling asked in concerned voice.

"Of course I will. You don't have to worry," Xiao Lang said with a smile.

"Okay. But it's okay not to like that person with Sakura-oneechan now, right? Mama said not to hate people I don't know but I really don't like him, Uncle Xiao Lang. I try to catch him but I haven't seen him yet. All the teachers are talking about him."

Xiao Lang laughed at his nephew's worries. "Don't spare him another thought. Have you ever met any man better than me, Ling?"

"Uhm… Football-niichan comes close."

His left eye twitched. He had almost forgotten about that fiasco. "But he isn't any better, right?"

Ling shook his head. "Nuh-uh! Uncle Xiao Lang's much cooler!"

Xiao Lang grinned at his nephew. "Right? There could never be a man that could take Sakura from me since I'm the best man there is."

Ling thought about it for a bit and then nodded. "Yeah!" he was smiling happily again and Xiao Lang was glad. "I'll help so that Sakura-oneechan will become my Auntie real soon."

He couldn't stop himself from laughing. "Then I'll count on your help."

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Benches by the sandbox

Tomoeda Preparatory School

Tomoeda, Japan

June 19, 2009

1:12 PM


Xiao Lang was waiting for Ling in one of the benches near the sandbox. It was his usual spot now. He usually sat here alone, waiting for school to be out. Today was different, however. At the bench adjacent to his, there was seated a man he had never seen before. He wouldn't usually give him a second glance but Xiao Lang couldn't seem to get the man out of his mind. The man was more or less his height. He had silver-gray hair and he wore large, round glasses. He looked like someone from a magazine. He'd seen them on Fuutie's table every so often and the man looked like he belonged on those pages. He had a kind demeanor, like an elder brother. Xiao Lang wanted to stop but he could not help but compare himself to the man seated near him. His laid back, at ease behavior annoyed Xiao Lang for some reason.

He heard a sound and saw from the corner of his eye that the man was answering his phone. "Hello?" he heard him say. The timbre of his voice was a cool tenor. It was warm, kind and reassuring. Xiao Lang didn't like the sound at all. Xiao Lang could only see his profile but he was certain the man's smile was open and kind. He was the kind of man that drew people to him. Xiao Lang knew his irritation was irrational but something inside him didn't like the man. At all.

"Waiting for Sakura," Xiao Lang heard him say again.

The sound of Sakura's name coming off of his lips sent a shock of electricity down Xiao Lang's spine. He had to stop himself from standing up and demanding an explanation.

Who the hell is this person?

His companion carried on with his conversation, oblivious to Xiao Lang trying to eavesdrop on him. "Well, sorry if you feel that way."

He heard his companion laugh and he felt his irritation increase. Even his laugh sounded wonderful. It pissed him off.

Relax, Xiao Lang. It's stupid to be angry at nothing.

Xiao Lang pushed down his irritation and tried not to eavesdrop anymore. He had almost succeeded when the man spoke.

"No, she and I have a date tonight. Jealous?"

Xiao Lang stood up on reflex. He called on all that remained of his self-control to stop himself from charging the man. He noticed the man give him a curious glance but he ignored it. His mental faculties were concentrated on rooting him to the spot. After a moment, the man went back to his phone conversation and Xiao Lang sat back down.

"I can't take my sister out to dinner?" Xiao Lang heard him say.

Sister?

All his irrational thoughts made sense immediately. This was the man Xiao Lang had been itching to meet. He must have subconsciously known that it was him. His eyes wandered to him and looked at him closely. He had been bull-headed in believing that everything Sakura said about him was untrue. She was his sister and so her eyes had embellished what she saw when she faced her brother. Seeing him now, he had to concede that Sakura was partially right. He was an impressive individual. He was slightly less well-built than Touya Amamiya. Touya Amamiya had been the most impressive man Xiao Lang had encountered in his life. His confidence, his bearing, his air of authority and his breeding were top of the class. He even looked good. He remembered seeing his employees gush all over him during those rare occasions he was at Li Industries. Xiao Lang brushed those thoughts away and focused on the man near him.

"But she is," he said into the phone. "She told me I'm the best big brother in the world. Much, much better than-"

He had been cut off and Xiao Lang was anxious for the conversation to continue.

"Hai, hai," he said with a laugh.

What are they talking about?

"What are you so angry about? I've been much better than you as of late. I've been with her almost every day for two weeks now, you know!"

Xiao Lang ground his teeth to keep calm. He was sure he'd have to see a dentist with how hard he was biting down on his jaw.

I've been pining away for her every day and you get to spend time with her because you're related? It's unfair! I hate guys like you who get everything just because of blood.

It wasn't rational, Xiao Lang knew. He was a patient man but seeing a person have the one thing he most desired was making him angrier than he anticipated. Here he was, dying from thirst and there stood a person swimming in an infinity pool, enjoying himself thoroughly.

Amidst his angst, only Sakura's name could drag him back to reality. "Sakura is very important to me," he heard him say.

She's the most important to me. More important than you could ever know. Why do you have her and not me?

Xiao Lang slumped his shoulders. He was jealous of him. He grew up with Sakura. He knew her better than he did. He was closer to her. If forced to choose, Sakura would choose her brother over him. He could stay with her and stay by her side and no one would be angry. No complications. In his case, there were so many other things she had to think about before they could be together. Xiao Lang already knew she was coming to terms with her lost lover. That was the only reason he could think of that would make her stay away from him. He would wait, that was certain, but the wait was more than painful. And now seeing someone who had everything he wanted with no trouble at all… it incensed him.

"Oh, wait. School's out. I'm going to go pick her up! You can join us if you want."

Xiao Lang looked to the building and saw the deluge of students coming from the classrooms. Her brother moved towards the classroom. Xiao Lang watched him as he went. His own feet had grown roots. He couldn't go to her. There was a barrier thicker than a mile separating him and Sakura now. He bit his lower lip hard, grumbling at how unfair the world was.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Chairs near the entrance

Cat's Tail Cafe

Tomoeda, Japan

June 20, 2009

11:56 AM


It was one of those rare Sundays that Sakura and all her friends were free. They had agreed to meet up for brunch at a café in Tomoeda. Rika could not join them but she decided to introduce her children to them before they went to the pediatrician. She had given birth to twins two years ago. Her husband, their old teacher, was with her. Just as he set them down, Sakura and her friends attacked them. Their children were identical copies of a little Rika. Rika's husband still felt awkward confronting his former students not as students but as equals. He sat at their table, waiting for the young women to finish with his daughters.

"Aren't you the cutest thing ever!" Chiharu gushed as she kissed Rui, the little one who was attached to Rika's leg.

"They're so precious, Rika!" Tomoyo as she tried to get the attention of Rue, the twin that Naoko had taken.

"Thank you," Rika said with a blush. "It's been hard. They're in the terrible two's so Yoshiyuki-san and I have to work double time. "

"Are you working now, Rika?" Naoko said as she handed the Rue to Sakura. Rue had immediately reached out to Sakura the moment Naoko took her.

"No, I'm a full time mother," Rika answered her. "They might be a handful but they give us so much happiness."

"I can see that," Tomoyo said as she gave Rue big smile. All the young women were charmed with Rika's twins.

Rue, the twin that Sakura was holding, was making faces at Sakura. Sakura made faces of her own that sent Rue into a fit of giggles. The little girl seemed oblivious to everyone else.

"She likes you, Sakura," Rika said with a laugh.

"All kids like Sakura," Tomoyo added.

Sakura smiled at the both of them. "Thank you. I like kids, too."

They played with the twins for a while until Rika's husband came to Rika and told her that their appointment at the clinic was less than an hour away. They had never seen this side of Terada-sensei before so they could not help but tease him.

"Fatherhood suits you, Yoshiyuki-san," Tomoyo said with a laugh. She purposely called him the same way Rika did.

The sight of their former teacher blushing red was priceless. All of them had to join Tomoyo in laughter.

Terada-sensei didn't back down but he instead addressed Tomoyo the way he did when they were children. "Come now, Daidouji-kun. There is a time and place for things like that."

Everyone burst into laughter. Rika's kids joined in as well. After a few moments, they had to bid the happy family farewell. The four young women who remained reluctantly said goodbye to them.

"They look so wonderful when they're all there," Naoko said wistfully.

"I know," Chiharu said in agreement.

They went back to their table and flagged down a waiter to order their meal. The food was not long to arrive and they started to eat while continuing to catch up with each other. The topic of interest just happened to be Sakura and Syaoran.

"How are things with you and Syaoran?" Naoko asked all of a sudden.

Tomoyo froze but Sakura wasn't affected at all. Lately, she was very comfortable with conversations that involved Shuichi and Syaoran. She didn't feel the stabbing pain she usually did before. She thought a second of their status and frowned a little. Things between her and Syaoran were not ideal but there wasn't much she could do about it.

"Things are a bit complicated between the two of us right now," she answered honestly.

It seemed that everyone save Tomoyo were interested in how things had developed since they had last seen Sakura and Syaoran together. Her honesty with her answer eased some stiff shoulders and Sakura hoped it would tell them she was all right with the direction of the conversation so far. They had been guarded with their words the last time so Sakura went out of her way to tell them that she was much better now.

"Why?" Naoko seemed puzzled.

Sakura could understand. She and Syaoran were quite close that time. They had even wrestled in the restaurant! From how they were then to where they were now, anyone would wonder what happened.

"I wonder about that, too." Chiharu added. "He seems to really like you. The last time we were together, he had eyes only for you. We might as well have been table decor for all the attention he gave us."

Sakura found she didn't really remember how things went when he was with them that time. She remembered her talking to Fanren and then to Syaoran but she could not remember how her friends had acted towards him.

Was I only focused on Syaoran?

She felt herself blush at the thought. Thankfully, her friends didn't think anything of it.

"My fault really," Sakura said with a small smile. "He didn't do anything wrong."

"Is that so?" Naoko asked with a raised eyebrow.

Chiharu swallowed a mouthful of her salad before speaking. "I think he's okay. I mean, if a guy acted like that towards me, I'd feel super secure. Hell, if Takeshi treated me like that, I'd feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet."

Naoko nodded. "Yeah, I see where you're coming from. He seems to really be into you."

Sakura had to raise an eyebrow at what she was hearing. It was like all her friends were rooting for Syaoran. "Are you guys all on his side?" she asked them.

"I am," Tomoyo answered immediately.

She smiled at her cousin. "You already told me that."

Tomoyo shrugged. "And I'll say it again. You are, too, right?"

That was something Sakura couldn't deny. She was on his side. Wasn't she staying away from him now just so she could return to him soon? It was a fact now and Sakura wasn't troubled by the thought. Truthfully, she only felt warmth when she thought of him.

I want to see him soon.

Sakura smiled and answered, "I guess I am."

"Eh?" Naoko said in surprise.

Even Chiharu seemed confused. "Then why aren't you together?"

"It's… complicated." It was the probably the most infuriating answer she could give them but Sakura held her tongue. She didn't feel like talking about her circumstances with Syaoran. If possible, she only wanted to talk about it once she resolved everything. She wanted Syaoran to be the first one to know her answer.

Tomoyo was looking at her without word.

"Are you angry at me?" Sakura asked her cousin.

Tomoyo smiled at her. "No. You more or less belong to him already so…"

While Naoko and Chiharu stared at Sakura in disbelief, Sakura returned Tomoyo's smile. "I do."

She waited for the guilt or self-loathing to assault her but nothing came. Acceptance had been the first real step to everything. It felt so much better being honest about what she felt.

"Wait, you mean… you like him, too?" Naoko asked seriously.

Sakura simply smiled. "I do."

"What?!" Naoko cried out. Her surprise was not enough to mask her excitement at Sakura's confession.

"I'm so glad for you, Sakura!" Chiharu said as she reached for Sakura's hand. Chiharu gave it a light squeeze and Sakura smiled in response.

"Thank you," Sakura answered sincerely.

Tomoyo seemed glad as well. She must have been happy that Sakura was now so open about her feelings. "That's good to hear."

Chiharu couldn't quite keep the excitement out of her voice. "I hope everything works out for you. I know you deserve to be happy, Sakura."

"He'll need a lot of luck," Naoko said with a shake of her head. "Dating Sakura is a complete nightmare."

"Why do you say that?" Chiharu asked. It wasn't exactly a very optimistic thing to say. Sakura understood what Naoko was saying though. She and Tomoyo only laughed. Chiharu looked at the both of them, completely lost.

"Well, he'll be going against Touya-san right?" Naoko explained.

It was only now that this little detail seemed to have presented itself to Chiharu. She laughed as well. "That's true."

"It's no problem." Sakura said with a smile. "I'm sure I can make my brother understand."

When Chiharu managed to stop giggling, she reached out to Sakura again. "But still, when you get together, introduce us to him properly."

"If there's even anything left when Touya-san's through with him," Naoko said with another laugh.

"So true!" Chiharu and Tomoyo said together.

I really missed this.

Sakura watched them silently. It had been so long since this kind of atmosphere surrounded them. Shu's death had brought a cloud of negativity over them all, Sakura most especially. She had missed goofing around and laughing with her friends. Her life had been filled with so much laughter before. The loss of Shuichi dispelled all of that. Now, here they were again. It wasn't the first time she realized how much her life had changed. Still, she liked her old life better. She liked her old self better.

Oblivious to Sakura's inner thoughts, Naoko continued to talk about the crazy antics Touya had done in the past. "Shuichi was terrified of him, wasn't he? That's why most of his attempts were behind Touya-san's back."

"I never got to ask but how did he take the news that Shuichi had proposed?"

It was another test, Sakura knew. They were gauging her reaction to the topic It would have caused her to breakdown before but now, Sakura could calmly reminisce about those times. They were wonderful memories. Shuichi had given her so much happiness. She had forgotten that in the midst of her grief.

Sakura smiled to reassure them. "That was the first time I saw my brother look like that. Purple suits him, surprisingly. I also learned that it really is possible to go through all shades of it when you're angry."

All of them burst into laughter.

"Those were good times," Chiharu said as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

She knew that Chiharu was happy for her. And it wasn't just Chiharu, Sakura could see it all on their faces. They were glad that she seemed to be doing fine. Things that had been clouded by grief seemed so much clearer now. Before, she could only remember the pain but now she could remember joyful moments as well. She liked this better. Much better.

"Yeah. They were," Tomoyo agreed.

"You sound like old women lamenting the loss of your youth!" Naoko scolded them. "It's not over yet! My best years are still to come! Once my drama gets finished, I'll write and even bigger, more ambitious story "

Naoko was cheering Sakura up in her own unique way of encouragement. It was sweet of her.

"Of course!" Chiharu added excitedly. "My life as a newlywed is about to begin!" She turned to Sakura and took both Sakura's hands in hers. "Sakura-chan, please be together with Xiao Lang come my wedding. I'm making the two of you part of my wedding. No backing out, all right?"

"Wouldn't that be weird? He doesn't even know you guys." Sakura was surprised at Chiharu's sudden request.

"But we've already met. He didn't pay much attention to me but we were introduced. I'm thinking I could let you guys do the veil part."

Tomoyo was at the idea like a terrier at a bone. "That would be interesting! I stand by that suggestion 100%, Chiharu. I already have a dress in mind. They'd be wonderfully matchy-matchy. I love it. I'm a genius! They would look so wonderfully earthy and brown and beautiful! Like the King and Queen of the Fae! I'm starting on the dress and calling Xiao Lang's personal designer to make it come true. Your color scheme is sunflower yellow and sage green, yes?"

"Uh… Tomoyo?" Sakura tried to call her attention but Tomoyo was already sketching the dress on her table napkin just as she mumbled a word now and then. She was clearly lost in her own little world.

"It's a day event so the length…" Tomoyo wasn't paying attention to anyone anymore.

"I think it's a good idea, Sakura," Naoko tried to persuade her. Sakura didn't see Syaoran buying it though. "We can get to know him better and if we don't like him we can tell him to take a hike."

"Right?" Chiharu seemed happy that everyone was on board with the idea. "And since I'm Sakura's friend, wouldn't he feel that he had to give his beautiful girlfriend's friend a super wonderful, super-generous, super luxurious, super-expensive gift - like a car or a yacht or a condo unit - during her wedding? Let's not forget that the said friend even made him a part of her wedding!"

"That's your plan?!" Sakura said incredulously. She couldn't find it in her to be too angry though. Hearing Chiharu refer to her as Syaoran's girlfriend made her heart flutter.

Chiharu didn't seem chastised. "He's loaded isn't he? That's like pocket change! I can't expect Takeshi to be able to afford things like that easily."

"You're shameless!" Sakura continued with a small laugh. Chiharu was unrepentant and Sakura loved it.

Tomoyo, Naoko and even Chiharu joined her. They couldn't stop laughing.

This is what my life should be like. My life is a world of laughter and happiness. I won't ever let it be darkened ever again.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Grassy area by the west entrance

Penguin Park

Tomoeda, Japan

June 27, 2009

5:45 PM


The sky looked as if it was on fire. Sakura had laid down a mat at one of the grassier areas of Penguin Park and she had been staring at the sky for a long time. She simply watched the clouds make their merry way in the sky. She couldn't remember a time in the past few days where she had time to herself like this. All of her friends and her family were all vying for her attention all the time. Her mother's family, her great-grandfather, her grandfather and her grandmother were requesting her company almost every day. Her other friends, having heard from Chiharu and the rest, also wanted to spend time with her. Her life was finally returning to the way it had been before Shuichi's death.

Life is becoming normal again.

She found herself talking and laughing more. It was a stark contrast to how she had lived the past three years. Life continued on without waiting for her. She had a lot to catch up on but she knew the people around her would help her along the way. She returned to staring at the sky. Although she felt as if everything was normal, there was a small nagging voice that kept popping up in her head. She had been happy with her family but somehow, it wasn't enough for her. She had been out with her friends several times but it wasn't enough for her. Every time she went out, her thoughts would inevitably stray to thoughts of a young man.

Is it not enough because you aren't here anymore?

Her life had been entwined with his for a while now and having him absent left such a gaping hole in her heart. It had been unexpected. She didn't expect to feel so lonely. She missed his company, the sound of his voice, even the way he'd tease her. But most of all, she missed the strong arms that wrapped around her, making her feel warm and safe. Being alone by herself, she felt her loneliness even more.

I want to be by your side, Syaoran.

She thought back on Tomoyo's words. She had said that the only time Sakura could really be sure was if she was with Syaoran. There wasn't a definite end to things. Only she knew when it ended.

I decide my finish line. I decide when it ends.

Sakura repeated the words to herself. She turned to her side and caught sight of the coat that Syaoran had given her. The coat was draped over her bags and shoes. It was the only thing she had that had any direct connection with him. It was stupid but she unconsciously found herself using it all the time. Tomoyo must have noticed but her cousin chose not to say anything. It was a whim of hers to be always wearing it and she was glad it went with anything. It was the only way she could feel close to him now. People might call her stupid but she didn't mind.

I can't get you out of my head anymore.

No matter what she did, her thoughts now went to him. No matter who she was with, it was his company that she craved, his voice that she wanted to hear. She was happy that her life was back to normal but that wasn't what she wanted anymore. She wanted those nights he would take her out to dinner. She wanted those afternoons he would drop by her workplace. She wanted him back. He had left his mark in her life and now she didn't want to lose that.

Is this what Tomoyo meant?

She reached for the coat and buried her face in the soft material. It was not as warm as Syaoran but it had to do.

Is this my limit? Can I not go on without you anymore?

Sakura could still remember her life before she met him. If anyone asked her if she wanted to go back to that time she'd probably refuse. Syaoran would not be a part of that life. She didn't want one where he wasn't there by her side. If she kept being this way, Syaoran would only drift away from her. She didn't care about anything anymore. All she wanted was to go to him. Steeling her resolve, she sat up and looked back at the sky.

I want to see you soon. I don't care about the consequences. I'll choose you over everything else. There are some things that I'm not sure of yet but I'm sure of what I feel for you. I can't stand being away from you for a second more. I'm getting a good night's rest and then I'm coming to see you.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Xiao Lang Li's office

Li Industries Satellite Office

Tokyo, Japan

June 27, 2009

6:01 PM


It was another day at work. Another day of endless paperwork. Another day of working himself to the bone... Another day without Sakura.

He leaned back on his chair and heaved a heavy sigh. He was slowly getting used to these types of days. They were similar to his days before he met Sakura. All he needed to do to get through the day was to become too absorbed with work. It was the same strategy he used before. It had been working for more than two weeks now. It helped that he did not see her. After their last phone call, he had not gotten in touch with her. He also made it a point not to accidentally see her at her work place. After his encounter with her brother, Xiao Lang had decided not to go to Ling's school at all. Xiao Lang was sure he would not be able to stop himself from going to her when she was right in front of him. Ling was unhappy when he told him but his nephew could do nothing but accept.

He had managed three days of this before cracking. Hearing no news of her drove him out of his mind. Without telling anyone, Xiao Lang asked Wei to hire a private detective to watch her. He didn't want her privacy to be breached but he did want to know what she was doing every now and then. Unfortunately for him, everything the detective gave him only increased his frustration. He had instructed him not to take pictures. He did not want to see her face now that he could not touch her. In addition, he didn't want details. All he wanted were general facts. So general they could pass as gossip. It was the only way he could appease his guilty conscience about having her tailed. All he got were text reports. And although he looked forward to them every day, each word just aggravated him. He had debated whether or not to end the investigation but in the end, his reluctance to be completely cut off from her won out. That was the reason a corner of his room contained folders detailing Sakura's whereabouts and dealings for the past few weeks.

I wonder when did I regress to being like this? I'm no better than a stalker.

None of the reports reassured him. Sakura had been continuing her life normally. There had been no change in her schedule. She was going out more often after work. Worse, she had been seen in the company of a man more often than anyone else. She had been meeting with the man after work several times. Xiao Lang thought back on his accidental meeting with her brother and wondered if he was the man in the report. He did overhear him say that he'd been seeing Sakura. He felt a small bit of relief at this. It wasn't another man, at least. However, his jealousy could not be easily appeased. It took quite a lot of self-control not to tear up the reports that detailed her dates with this man.

I don't know how much longer I'll last, Sakura.

Xiao Lang was a patient man. He told her he'd wait and he intended to do so. However, keeping his sanity while waiting was another thing all together. He had only realized too late that his idea of spying on her was doing more harm than good. He didn't want to admit it but his confidence was slowly being chipped away. She was continuing on with her life like nothing happened. She didn't even feel affected by the loss of his presence. He, on the other hand, was not fairing too well.

She had burned a place for him in his very soul and her absence was always an acute pain that shot through his body much like physical pain.

If you don't come to me soon, I don't know what you'll end up coming back to.

He was miserable. He couldn't believe that long ago, he had actually thought he could go on without her. He kept himself awake at night thinking of her. He'd flop down on the bed and then the next thing he knew it would be an hour before sunrise. He tried his best to seem unfazed in front of Eriol and Kaho but he was nearing his limit. It should be against the laws of nature for someone to have so much control over someone else.

Xiao Lang looked back at his table and saw the report for today. It was such an unremarkable folder. Normal. Just like any other folder you've ever seen. Its contents were of a different matter, of course. He looked at the folder in disgust before finally caving in and reaching for it. The only thing in the folder was a picture of Sakura at a restaurant. Xiao Lang growled in annoyance. He had given strict orders not to take pictures. The idea of Sakura's very image on anyone's viewfinder angered him. He looked at the picture again and regretted it instantly. Sakura was wearing in an emerald green dress. It had a simple cut, sleeveless with a square neckline, cinched at the waist with the hem an inch or two above her knees. She wore nude peep-toe shoes with her bangs pulled back by hair clips, causing her entire face to be visible. Even from this far away the green of her eyes could be seen. She was mid-laugh in the picture, her eyes crinkling in that unique way, her smile the only accessory that she needed. The way she looked would definitely turn heads. Xiao Lang just knew that every pair of eyes in the restaurant would be directed at her. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to gouge out all the eyes of the people who had dared to even sneak a glance her way.

She looked happy and carefree whereas he was wallowing in misery.

The picture was taunting him… telling him that he didn't have a place. He was about to throw the picture away when he noticed a familiar coat hanging from her chair. It was the coat he had given her. There was something of him in this picture after all. There was something of him that was close to her – something that reminded her of him. The thought alone transformed everything about the picture. For a few moments, he didn't care that she was the center of attention in the restaurant or that he wasn't by her side. He remembered the reason they were apart in the first place.

The fact that you're happy like this means you're doing well, right? You said you needed to figure things out and I can assume this picture means you're making headway on that as well, yes? This means you'll be right here by my side soon, right?

He waited for a few seconds, as if waiting for a reply. That little flame of hope inside him started to burn brighter. Surprisingly enough, seeing this picture of her lifted up his spirits. He smiled as he continued to stare at her face. She was the very image of perfection in his eyes.

My future wife really is too beautiful. Enjoy looking at her while you can, bastards. She'll be mine soon enough. When that time comes, you won't even be able to touch her with a fifty-foot pole.

On impulse, he gently pressed her picture to his lips. He stared back at her smiling face, wishing it was turned towards him.

I'm still waiting, Sakura. Please come back to me soon.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Sakura's room

Kinomoto Residence

Tomoeda, Japan

June 28, 2009

8:29 AM


The light spilling in from the windows bathed Sakura's room in golden light. It was so similar to her dream that it took a few seconds before she realized she was already awake. There were tears in the corner of her eyes. It was a normal occurrence these three years but it was different this morning. All those other times, it was because she had the same recurring dream. Those were the nights she dreamt of Shuichi walking away from her. She had always woken up crying from those dreams. This time had been completely different. She couldn't remember all the details but she did remember seeing Shuichi's smiling face. They were facing each other and he was smiling at her. It was those smiles he wore when she did something that made him happy. She slowly wiped the tears away. It had been a while since she had seen Shuichi's smiling face.

Am I crying because I'm happy? Was Shuichi happy because he knew I was doing well now?

Sakura sincerely hoped that was the case. She certainly felt at ease. Those other times, she felt a heaviness in her heart that threatened to crush her. Now, she felt as if she had a very good night's rest. She felt energized and ready for the day's tasks. She had made her resolve last night before going to bed. She had important things to do today.

Was that your answer, Shu?

She looked at the clock and saw that it was already late in the morning. She got up and made herself presentable before going down for breakfast. She had left her slippers upstairs and was going down the stairs barefoot. Her feet barely made any noise as she descended. As she walked into the kitchen, she saw her father replacing the picture of her mother in its frame. They had so many pictures of her mother that they changed it every now and then. Her father did not notice. Sakura watched her father stare lovingly at the picture of her mother and Sakura found herself smiling. No one could doubt her father's affection for their mother when they saw him like this. She waited until he noticed her before entering and taking her seat.

"Otousan, good morning," she greeted him with a big smile.

He took a seat at his usual spot. The food had already been laid out. Her father had been waiting for her. "Good morning, Sakura," he returned her greeting with a smile just as big. Her mood must have oozed out of her because her father commented, "You look happy today."

"I am," she answered as she accepted the bowl of rice her father offered her.

"Do you have anything planned for today?"

It was a Sunday and she usually went out with her friends. She had been doing that for almost a month now.

"I have someone to see today," she replied.

Two people to be exact.

"Oh, I see. That's too bad. I was wondering if you could accompany me somewhere for a while," her father said in a disappointed voice.

Sakura felt a little guilty. She had been a bit distant with her father and brother for a while.

"How long do you need me, Otousan?" she asked.

Her father smiled. "It's all right, Sakura. If you have somewhere to be then it's fine. We can go another time."

Sakura felt even worse. Her father always put their wants before his own. "No! I can stay with you! I haven't spent any time with you in a while, Otousan."

"Then, until after lunch, can you accompany me until then?"

That should give me enough time for today.

Sakura nodded. "Hai! That'll be more than enough time for what I have to do."

Her father looked happy. "All right. Until after lunch then."

They both had to stare at the entryway when they heard steps going down the stairs. Both of them thought they were the only ones in the house. After a few seconds, Touya appeared before them. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed. His clothes were crumpled and his hair was standing up at odd angles. Sakura could only imagine what the employees at the Amamiya offices would say if they saw her brother like this.

"Good morning," he greeted as he took a seat.

Their father immediately stood up to get him his meal.

"Niisan, you're here?" Sakura said in surprise. "I thought you were sleeping at Junichi-san's."

Touya had informed them a few days ago that he was going to be staying at their grandfather's house for the next few days to finish his work for their great-grandfather. He told them that he was reaching the end of his job so there were a lot of final preparations being made.

"Yeah, well, I came home early morning," he answered with a sleepy yawn. "I can't sleep very well in their house."

"There must be too much foam or feathers or something in the beds," Sakura said with a little laugh.

Their father returned and set down Touya's breakfast in front of him.

Touya thanked his father and then smirked at her. "Yes, something like that."

"What are your plans today, Touya?" their father asked him.

Touya smiled widely. "For once, I'm actually free on a Sunday. I'm going to catch up on the sleep I lost. I've got things to do for great-grandfather from tomorrow on so I might as well rest now."

"I see," Fujitaka said and handed him his rice.

"Did you need me for anything?" Touya asked before stuffing his mouth with fresh daikon salad.

"It's nothing. Sakura and I were going out today."

"Would three be a crowd?" he asked Sakura after he swallowed what he was chewing.

Sakura swallowed her own mouthful before replying. "Of course not, right, Otousan?"

Fujitaka looked worried, however. "Don't you need to rest, Touya?"

"I can do that tonight. It's fine if I stroll around, too. All I need is a break from all the paperwork," he said with a shrug.

Their father seemed relieved and happy. "Then you're welcome to join us."

"Great!" he said before going back to his meal.

Breakfast at the Kinomoto table continued. These were the few times that they could be together now and Sakura treasured such moments.

"You really aren't seeing anyone, are you?" Touya asked her all of a sudden.

Sakura was so surprised that she choked on her miso soup. It seemed her brother had not let that little detail go. It had been almost three weeks already! She chanced a glance at her father and saw that his expression barely changed. He was completely composed but Sakura was rattled. She didn't want to lie to her brother but she didn't think she could tell him everything about Syaoran just yet. Still, she decided to be a little honest. If things went the way she wanted, she'd be categorized as "dating" in a few hours.

"Not now. But maybe in the future, I guess." Sakura made it sound like it didn't matter much. "Why?"

Touya looked at her for a few moments before answering. He was trying to read the expression on Sakura's face. "Nothing," he said finally. "I just felt like asking."

Sakura had to marvel at how amazing her brother's instincts were. "I'll introduce him to you properly, Niisan. I won't hide this time around. I'll even brief him on the minimal requirements for you to allow him to see me. The criteria haven't changed, have they?"

Touya chuckled at her words. "Silly girl," he said and affectionately messed up her hair.

She smoothed down her hair and smiled at him. "You don't have to worry about me, Niisan. I'm fine."

"Yeah, I can see that," he said as he finished the last morsels of his meal.

Fujitaka placed a tray of fruit slices in front of them. "Then let's eat up and get started on today, shall we?"

"Hai!" they answered at the same time.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Home office reserved for Xiao Lang Li, Kaho Mizuki and Eriol Hiiragizawa

Fujiwara Estate

Kanda-cho, Japan

June 28, 2009

1:53 PM


It has been almost three weeks since the big Xiao Lang-Sakura-almost-but-not-really-a-break up drama. The tense air had completely disappeared and things have gone back to how they were. Still, no one ever spoke to Xiao Lang about it. All of them allowed Sakura and Xiao Lang to deal with it. It was slowly grating on the Li sisters but Eriol and Kaho were not unduly affected. They were both too busy with work to give it any thought. Xiao Lang was doing the same. He had been burying himself in work so he wouldn't brood too much about it. He kept up with appearances but the cousins knew the waiting was also getting to him. And so he used work as his solace. It was Sunday now but Xiao Lang was still in the office finishing up his work.

Eriol leaned back and stretched his aching muscles. He had been hunched over his computer for more than an hour now. He was busy looking over the accounts of one of their Indonesian ventures. He closed his eyes, leaned on the back of his chair and let out an exhausted sigh.

"You need to rest every once in a while, Eriol," he heard Kaho say from her seat.

Kaho had been working for even longer than Eriol. When Eriol arrived, Kaho had already been slaving away at her own table. "That should go the same for you, Kaho."

His cousin looked up from her computer screen and gave him a smile of reassurance. "I'm all right, Eriol. We have an important soiree in two weeks and I have to make sure everything's in order."

"This is the last stretch with the Amamiyas?" he asked.

"Yes, we'll announce the joint venture to the community," she answered and turned back to her work.

Kaho's work with the Amamiyas was ending with this soiree. It was no surprise that she wanted it perfect. This was a big venture and it would help increase the company's earnings. In addition, it would solidify their relationship with the Amamiyas. If this went well, the Li family could count the Amamiyas as one of their closest business partners in Japan. They were holding the soiree in Li territory but the Amamiyas will make sure they won't appear as anything but equals. Eriol looked back to his cousin and saw that she was just staring at her screen.

He watched her for a full minute before asking, "What's wrong?"

She looked towards him and replied, "I was just thinking that with this done, Xiao Lang doesn't really have enough reason to stay in Japan anymore."

The main reason for their temporary stationing here was to finish Daidouji and Amamiya business projects. That was the front they told Yelan at least. The real reason was because the Li sisters wanted Xiao Lang to be closer to Sakura.

Eriol gave Kaho an understanding nod. "We still have the Daidouji account."

"Which is more or less done," Kaho added.

"True that," he replied.

Eriol just submitted the final marketing plan for Tomoyo's line in Hong Kong. Only a few more meetings to finalize the details and it would be receive the go signal. Eriol gave it around the same time as Kaho's party with the Amamiyas. Once that was done, they had no reason to stay here. In fact, staying here would only be disadvantageous to the company. They had done well for almost three months but Eriol feared their extended absence would finally show its detrimental effects. It was best for Xiao Lang if they returned to Hong Kong immediately. Xiao Lang could keep his sanity because he was close to her. If he went to Hong Kong and had a sea put in between him and Sakura, they didn't know how that would affect him.

"I wonder how much longer do you think he can wait?" Eriol asked after a moment of silence.

"You're underestimating Xiao Lang. He can wait."

"What is he's so old and wrinkly that he can barely stand?" Eriol asked with a little laugh. The image of and aged Xiao Lang with a cane amused Eriol.

"I don't think it'll be that long, Eriol,"

Xiao Lang had been surprisingly calm despite everything. "Still, it seemed that we don't really have to worry about him right now."

Kaho nodded. "He seems balanced and on-point with everything. Although he still lacks sleep."

That was what they both noticed. Even after exhausting himself the entire day, Xiao Lang was finding it hard to sleep. He didn't say anything but you could see the effects of sleep deprivation on his face.

Eriol frowned. "Yes, he does seem to get uglier by the day. If he isn't careful, when Sakura does come to him, he'll be so ugly that Sakura wouldn't want to be near him anymore."

Kaho broke out in giggles. "I don't think Sakura's that shallow."

He looked at Kaho and smiled. "It's amazing that we can just joke about it now."

"That's true," Kaho answered and returned the smile. "Besides, they'll be meeting soon."

"What do you mean by that Kaho?"

"She's coming," was all she said.

Eriol's mouth was left hanging. "She's coming?" he repeated.

Kaho nodded.

"I will make sure to have surveillance cameras placed everywhere," Eriol said with a snigger.

All of a sudden, the door flew open and Fuu came rushing in.

"Kaho! Help!" Fuu shouted as she ran to Kaho's side. "I'm going out on a date and mom's not here. I need help getting dressed!"

"Does your father know, Fuu?" Kaho asked seriously. She had not been informed of this. Fanren and her husband had left strict instructions not to let their children out without the proper escort.

"Uh…" Fuu couldn't answer.

"I'll cover for you," Eriol said as he walked to the two ladies.

Fuu looked up at him happily. "Thanks, Eriol!" Fuu was beaming at him.

"But I'll have to add 3 more people to your escort." he told her, his smile not wavering a centimetre.

"Eh?! No way, Eriol!" The smile on Fuu's face transformed into a scowl.

Eriol didn't even flinch. "You're too young and you're a Fujiwara. Better safe than sorry."

Kaho decided to let Eriol do the talking. She was willing to help Fuu, of course, but her safety was the highest priority.

"No fair!" Fuu complained.

Eriol did not seem to be listening to Fuu's protests. "Also, he's only allowed to touch your hand. Right up to your carpals." He tapped his hand to show where they were. "Anywhere else and he loses a limb. Particularly the distal portion of his leg. I have 6 people capable of doing that from a distance of 50 meters and they are all coincidentally part of your escort today. Am I clear?"

"You're worse than my dad," Fuu said with a pout.

"Oh no. I'm much, much nicer. Your dad would lock you up, tell your date you're coming to the appointed place, and then after the guy shows, he'd have his retainers put the guy into a sack, tasered, and then thrown into the Tokyo Bay. All this in a span of one or two hours. You can choose his way or my way. My way, he can still live or your father's where… well…"

He let the threat hang.

Fuu's shoulders slumped in resignation. "Ugh."

"I'm glad we understand each other," Eriol said in his usual cheery voice. "Anyway, enjoy."

The little girl stuck out her tongue at him. Eriol's smile only grew wider.

Kaho shook her head and stood up. She held a hand towards Fuu. "Come along now, I'll help you."

She led Fuu away. The door blocked out all the complaints Fuu had been saying. Eriol was amazed that Kaho had enough patience to deal with it. Eriol never had the patience to deal with adolescent ramblings. He wished Fanren good luck. She'd have three adolescent children in the future and Eriol could only imagine what chaos that would bring.

Just then, his phone started to ring. He picked it up and answered.

"Hiiragizawa here."

"Good afternoon, Eriol-san!" said the voice from the other line.

He had not heard this voice in a while so it took Eriol a few seconds before he recognized who it was. He was wondering why she decided to call him. "Good afternoon, Sakura. How may I help you?"

There was a slight pause before he heard her again. He could hear her hesitation. "I would just like to ask if you know where Syaoran is right now."

Eriol raised his eyebrow. Sakura didn't need to go about this in a roundabout way. She could have called Xiao Lang directly. Xiao Lang would drop everything for her. "Why not call him yourself?" he asked.

She paused again. "Uhm… I'm not mentally prepared yet."

He smiled at her response. He understood what was going on now. His job was to make sure things went smoothly for them. "I see. Right now, he's at the office. He'll be heading home right after he finishes his work. "

"Will he be there for a while?"

"I don't think so. When we left, there wasn't really much work left so-" he trailed off.

"I see," she answered. He wasn't sure but he thought he heard disappointment in her voice.

"Do you need to talk to him, Sakura?" If she was resolved to go to him then Eriol was going to help her.

"I do," she replied. "But if it's like that then I think I can go another day. I still have somewhere else to go to now and I might take 3 hour before I can actually get to your office."

She was still the same. Even now, she was thinking of what was most convenient for other people. Eriol knew that the sooner they talk, the better it would be for everyone. If it was only keeping him there for that long, Eriol was confident he could do it.

"I'll handle it," he told her. "I'll be sure he stays there until you can come."

"Really?"

"Just make sure you do go to him, all right?"

"Yes! I will," she answered happily.

There was one last thing Eriol needed to confirm. "Sakura?"

"Yes?"

He smiled and continued speaking. "If Fanren asks where her brother is tonight, would it be correct if I say that he's spending the evening with his girlfriend? "

There was a slight pause before Sakura answered him. "That sounds about right," she answered him. There was no hint of doubt in her voice.

That was all Eriol wanted to know. It was up to him now. "Then leave everything to me."

"Thank you. Eriol-san!" she said before she ended the call.

It seemed that everything would be resolved now. And just in time, too. He wished the both of them the best. They had a lot of things to talk about and the sooner they could work things out, the sooner everyone around them could breathe easier. He dialled Xiao Lang's number and waited for him to answer.

"What is it?" Xiao Lang asked as soon as he answered.

"Are you still in the office?" Eriol could hear the sound of shuffling paper.

"I'll be done with these papers in an hour and I'll be heading home then," Xiao Lang answered.

That wouldn't do. Sakura asked for around three hours, "Could you wait for me for a while?"

"What?" he asked. He didn't sound pleased at Eriol's request and Eriol didn't blame him. Xiao Lang was probably exhausted.

"There's an important file I need you to look through. It slipped my mind and I had to go to the Daidouji offices to get it." Eriol was glad they were having this conversation through the phone. If they met face to face, Xiao Lang would have undoubtedly seen through him immediately.

"Can't this wait tomorrow?" he asked, obviously annoyed.

"No, I have to give it back today."

"Then let me sign it at home."

"The office is nearer."

He heard Xiao Lang sigh. "How long will this be?"

"Just promise me you won't leave until I get there," he told Xiao Lang.

"Must I, Eriol?"

"Please, just for today. I won't make any inconsiderate requests ever again." Eriol was nowhere near giving up.

"Fine. I'll wait in the office," he heard Xiao Lang say from the other line.

"Promise me," Eriol told him.

"Why?"

"Just promise me you won't leave until I get there," he insisted.

"Fine, I promise. Are you satisfied?" Xiao Lang replied.

Eriol sighed in relief. "You'd better be grateful," he accidentally blurted out.

He heard a low growl and Xiao Lang was already talking. "You make me wait for who knows how long and -"

Eriol cut him off before Xiao Lang could retract his promise. "Oh, believe me. You'll be so grateful you'll build me a mansion in the New Territories."

He ended the call and smiled. Since he was feeling generous, he would even allow the both of them to have this evening alone. Eriol had decided not to say anything about this to anyone else. Once Xiao Lang joins them, Eriol will make sure he tell them everything. He walked back to his chair, ready to get back to work. He was going to sleep well tonight and he was looking forward to tomorrow.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

In front of Shuichi Kimura's grave

Tomoeda Cemetery

Tomoeda, Japan

June 28, 2009

4:12 PM


Sakura enjoyed her date with her brother and father so much that she completely forgot about the time. Had her father not reminded her, she would not have left them until evening. It had been great spending time with her family once again. She was having so much fun that she almost forgot her task for today. It was almost five now. She had called Eriol and he had promised to keep Syaoran at the office until she arrived. She was really grateful to him. She really wanted to see Syaoran as soon she could.

She had rushed here so she was still trying to catch her breath. She walked the familiar paths while trying to slow the pace of her heart. She looked around and found herself smiling. The cemetery always managed to look different to Sakura each time she visited. She was slowly making her way to Shuichi, the usual bouquet held in one arm and a few sticks of incense in the other. The sky was clear and the sun shined down on everything. It was a beautiful day and Sakura's heart was just as clear as the sky. She had come here today for a reason. She had come here today to finally close the door that had been keeping her in the past. She wished he had dressed more nicely. She had always dressed up when she went to Shu. It was just one of those things she liked doing for him. After a few minutes, she reached the Kimura family grave. It had been cleaned recently. The sight brought a smile to her face.

"Hello again, Shu," she greeted him happily.

Sakura knelt down, placed the flowers in front of the grave and lighted the incense sticks. Her disposition was completely opposite to how she had been when she had been here last. She figured Shuichi was probably worried about her. She wanted to reassure him that she was going to be fine. She wasn't really expecting for him to answer her. For now, she just felt like she had to say it.

"I'm sorry about how I was the last time I was here. You really didn't need to hear any of my problems. But still, I'm glad I came. You've always been a source of strength for me and I've always been grateful for that. You've been worrying about me, weren't you?" she asked as she placed a hand on the tombstone. She smiled again. "You don't need to anymore. I was really confused that time and just dumped everything on you. I apologize. I've been trying my best to clear my head. These few weeks I've been visiting places where I have memories of you."

She had taken Yukito's advice and visited the many places that she and Shuichi had memories of. She went to their school, their usual haunts… She even dared to go by his house. She only realized then that all her memories of Shuichi had been in Tomoeda. Their world had revolved in such a small place. Regardless, it had been a great little world. Each memory she had remembered were all happy. She had not expected that. Shuichi had only given her happiness and she loved him for it. However, those things were now all memories. They were wonderful, yes, but they were now in the past. They could never be a part of her future. She didn't want to be stuck in yesterday. She wanted to wake up to a great tomorrow.

"I've been saying goodbye, Shuichi," she whispered. "I can't move on if I keep dragging you with me."

Unconsciously, she had been saying goodbye to her attachments. She had been slowly cutting away the little threads that bound her to her past. It had been slow, but not painful. She had expected to feel the usual stabs and pangs that she associated with Shuichi's loss but none had come. All she needed to do was finally let go.

"I'm letting you go now. I'm sorry it took me so long. You can rest easy. I'll be all right from now on." Sakura leaned her forehead on his grave. "Thank you very much for everything. You were the first person I loved so completely. I love Shu, that will never change. But now, I love someone even more. I want to be with him. I want to stay by his side. I know I'll be happy with him. You'll be happy for me, won't you?"

She stayed there for a long while before finally standing up. Her eyes were smarting but she kept her composure.

From now on, I'll always be smiling when facing you.

She gave him her best smile. "I'd like to say I'd name my son after you but my future husband might be the jealous type so I won't say something like that," she said with a little laugh. She placed her hand on his gravestone once more. She briefly relived a few of the wonderful memories she had given her. "Goodbye, Shuichi."

She turned her back on his grave and started walking away with confident strides. She had done everything she could. There was just one last test.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Fifth floor corridor

Li Industries Satellite Office

Tokyo, Japan

June 28, 2009

7:35 PM


Sakura was shaking as she walked to Syaoran's office. Eriol had given her instructions on how to get there and her nervousness only increased the closer she got to it. She even had a speech memorized in her head. She had started to make it the moment she left Shu. He hoped it sounded better when she said it out loud than it did in her head.

She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, neither of which was considered appropriate attire for a reunion like this. She wished she had picked out something better. She looked at the paper bag she was carrying and frowned. Eriol had told her that Syaoran had not eaten yet so she decided to bring him some dinner. She was starving as well. Unfortunately, the only place she came by on the way here was a McDonalds. She doubted Syaoran would eat it but anything would taste good if they were hungry, right?

Look at the bright side, Sakura. At least you'll find out whether he likes french fries.

Her little joke calmed her down a little. And just in time, too, because she finally arrived at her destination. Sakura stared at the impressive double doors for a few seconds.

Syaoran is behind this door.

Using that as strength, she slowly pushed the door open.

"I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed?" said a voice from further inside.

That wasn't the welcome she was expecting but the sound of that voice caused her heart rate to speed up. She turned to the source and saw Syaoran lying on the couch. His coat was by the armrest and he was using his arm to cover his eyes. He had not seen her yet.

"Uhm, I'm sorry. I can come at a later time if you're busy. I mean… I…"

He raised himself from the couch the moment she started speaking. He stared at her for a long time, a look of disbelief frozen on his face. Sakura felt embarrassed at the scrutiny. She wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion. Their time apart had caused the air between them to be slightly awkward.

Sakura gathered her courage again. "Good evening. Eriol-san said I could find you here. But I see you're resting. I could come back at a later time and -"

She cut herself off as Syaoran stood up from the couch and walked towards her. He stood in front of her, inspecting her from head to toe. Sakura kept quiet as he brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. He then cupped her face with both his hands and moved them closer so their faces were almost touching. Sakura's felt heated up but she didn't dare move. He stared at her intensely for almost a full minute before breaking into a handsome grin.

"You're real," he said with a little laugh.

"What made you think I wasn't?"

Syaoran released her and smiled. "I thought that since I wanted it so badly to happen, my subconscious would conjure up a dream of it or something."

Sakura had to raise an eyebrow at that logic. "That doesn't sound so believable."

Syaoran only smiled and offered his hand. Sakura looked at it for a second before reaching out and lacing her fingers across his. He led her to the couch he had been lying on. He regarded the bag she was holding and offered to carry it. Sakura gave it to him. He was ever the gentleman. Sakura smiled at his actions. it was one of the things that was ingrained in him - one of the things that made him Syaoran.

"What is this?" he asked as he placed the paper bag on top of the table.

Sakura took a seat, it was a bit hard since Syaoran refused to let go of her. "Dinner, I guess. Eriol-san told me you haven't eaten yet. I haven't either so I thought we could share," she answered.

He was already bringing out the contents of the bag. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yes."

By then Syaoran had already brought out everything. Sakura had ordered a Big Mac, large fries and soda for each of them. Sakura couldn't help but smile when Syaoran stared at the food for a while longer.

"What in the world did you bring me?" he asked as he inspected a soda cup.

"Fastfood," she answered simply.

"I see," he answered with narrowed eyes.

"I'm sorry it isn't fancy. There wasn't anywhere else so…"

I knew he wouldn't like it.

"Is this something you like?" he turned to her and asked. Surprisingly, the smile on Syaoran's face didn't disappear.

"Not really. There just wasn't anything else. Besides, if you're really hungry anything would taste good, right?"

He looked back at the motley display in front of him. "I suppose that's true."

He reached for the burger and tried to open it with one hand. Ever since they linked hands, Syaoran had held on to her tightly. He was doing everything with his free hand. As reassuring as it was having him firmly holding her hand like this, it seemed uncomfortable while he went on with his other tasks. "You'll have an easier time if you let go of my hand," she said with a small laugh.

Syaoran smirked at her. "I'm not letting you go. You might go and disappear on me again. "

Seeing his smirk made her realize just how much she missed seeing those expressions appear on his face. It had been almost a month since they saw each other last. Just being close to him was a relief. She felt safe and at ease. She wondered how she survived so long without him. She was overcome with emotion and she leaned her head on Syaoran's shoulder. Part of her wanted to be closer to him and part of her wanted to hide her embarrassed face. She was smiling like an idiot, his presence like her own brand of happy drug.

"I won't go anywhere," she whispered. "This is the only place I want to be now."

All of a sudden, her stomach made a loud sound. Sakura's face felt like it was on fire. She felt Syaoran's side shaking and he started to laugh.

Lovely marble-tiled floor, please swallow me up now.

"How many times have I heard that already?" Syaoran asked as he laughed. "I'm sure I'll be able to tell it apart from anyone else's"

Sakura frowned and used her free hand to disentangle her other hand from Syaoran's.

"Oh? Are you angry?" he teased. He held her hand even tighter, her efforts at separating their hands rendered completely useless.

"I want my fries," she said with a pout. "I can't eat with your hand in the way."

Syaoran ignored her words and pulled her into an embrace. Sakura's mind blanked out and any angry thoughts she had disappeared. She buried her face in his chest just as he wrapped his arms around her. She felt him rest his chin on her head. She had wanted to be held like this for so long.

"You're really here, right? I'm not imagining it or anything?" he whispered.

"I'm here," she answered and wrapped her own arms around him.

She felt his arms tighten their hold. "I've missed you."

"Same here," she said with a smile.

This is where I should be.

As if mocking her, her stomach made another audible noise.

Syaoran didn't hold back his laughter this time. "I think I should feed you now. Your stomach is clearly saying that I'm not taking care of you properly."

He let her go and planted a kiss on the top of her head. They started to eat then. Sakura was glad that nothing seemed to change between them. This meal was just like the many other meals they had together. He had not said a word about the food. Then again, he might just be like Sakura. Right now, Sakura couldn't taste anything. It was like her brain focused everything on Syaoran. She couldn't tell you if the fries were too salty or if the burger patty was juicy but she could recount all the words Syaoran had said today.

After a while of thoughts like these, Sakura realized she had been wrong to think that nothing had changed. Everything had. This was the first time she was with him after she admitted that she loved him. She had always looked at him like a friend but now he was so much more. She saw every bit of him in a new light. She had never remembered being so happy just watching him. Even the sight of him licking salt from his fingers sent her heart racing.

I really do love you, don't I?

Being with him now and finally understanding everything she felt, she wanted to laugh at herself. Had she realized her feeling earlier, she could have spent a lot more time with Syaoran like this. They spent a long time talking after all the food was gone. It was useless banter but they didn't mind. They were together and that was what mattered.

Syaoran had been in the middle of telling her about Shiefa's new addiction to mangoes, a fruit which was commonly found in tropical countries, when Sakura remembered one important agenda she had in coming here.

"-said that she wanted fresh fruit. All they're selling are the dried variety so she had one of the help fly to-"

"Syaoran?"

He stopped his story. "What is it?"

"Could you kiss me again?" she asked seriously.

Syaoran regarded her calmly. He was staring at her so intently that Sakura felt she had to explain such a weird request.

"The last time you kissed me, I wasn't really paying attention so I thought that this time, I might-"

Sakura couldn't finish what she was saying because Syaoran had pulled her towards him and captured her lips in his. She really hadn't paid attention last time. She thought he kissed the same way as Shu did but the way he kissed her now was completely different. Last time, it had been gentle and chaste. This kiss was neither of that. It was a white-hot kiss of passion that sent liquid fire down her veins. She was drowning in the intensity of it all.

She had never been kissed like this.

All her life she was treated like a porcelain doll. She had been treated with the utmost care. Even Shuichi was gentle when he held her. It was the same with his kisses. They were always the most gentle of kisses.

Syaoran wasn't kissing her like that.

He was plundering every inch of her mouth and she loved it. He wasn't treating her like a breakable object. He was devouring her mouth like a starved animal and heat of his kiss was spreading down to the very marrow of her bones. She felt the velvet of his tongue brush against hers and she shivered. The way he was kissing her was too much. She couldn't get her bearings. She felt like she was falling but she didn't want him to stop. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him against her. She needed something… anything to hold on to. If she didn't, she was afraid she'd fall down a bottomless ravine where there was no escape.

How could I have ever mistaken him for Shu?

Syaoran broke the kiss and Sakura felt as if she'd been doused with a bucket of cold water. She was panting hard. She looked up at Syaoran and saw that his eyes were glazed and unfocused. He was breathing just as hard as she was.

"I knew I should have paid attention," she said as soon as she managed to find her voice.

Syaoran smiled at her in response. He gently pushed her down on the couch. "You haven't said one thing yet." He was leaning over her, her entire vision full of him.

Sakura didn't know what he was talking about. "What do you mean?"

"You said you'd answer me properly."

Syaoran laid down beside her. It was hard cuddling in such a small space but then they were forced to be so much closer so Sakura wasn't really complaining. She rested her head on his chest so she could hear the steady beat of his heart. It never failed to calm her down. She thought for a while and then remembered what it was that he was referring to. During their last phone call, Syaoran said that he loved her. She replied that she'd answer him properly when they met face to face. Before she could speak, Syaoran already beat her to it.

"I love you, Sakura," he whispered into her ear.

She felt the words soak into her very soul. The happiness she felt increased each time he said it to her. She looked up and stared into his eyes. "I love you, too," she whispered back.

The smile that split Syaoran's face was dazzling. He leaned down and captured her lips in another kiss. This wasn't as rough and desperate as their last kiss but it was just as passionate. Sakura poured everything she could not put into words into the kiss. Her joy for meeting him, her relief that he had not forsaken her and the love she had for him. She poured everything into the kiss and hoped Syaoran could understand. As they continued, Sakura realized that Syaoran was doing the same thing. She understood it in this kiss. His pain when he thought he had been rejected, the anxiety of waiting and the profound happiness he felt holding her close to him like this. She accepted all the feelings he poured into this kiss in the same way he accepted all of hers.

And so they continued. Seconds. Minutes. Hours. Days. Sakura lost track of time, completely lost in him. They broke apart after almost an eternity and Syaoran pulled her so close she could feel his exhale of breath fanning the hairs on her head. He traced the dark circles under her eyes with her fingers.

"Now that I take a good look at you, you aren't as beautiful as I remembered."

She wondered why he looked happy as he said this. He was meticulously inspecting her face, his fingers tilting her head this way and that.

Of course I'd be ugly. I haven't been sleeping since that time.

"I'm glad to see you were just as miserable as I was," he said in a low voice.

Sakura looked up at him and really looked at his face. He looked tired and old. It was a far cry from the young, handsome face that arrested her the first time she saw him. He had dark circles under his eyes and his skin tone was uneven. He had blotchy skin patches here and there. She had to laugh at how they both looked.

"Being apart doesn't really suit us, huh?" she asked as she buried her face in his neck.

Syaoran's only answer was to embrace her again. She never wanted to be apart from him. She listened to the sound of his even breathing and sighed in contentment. Sakura closed her eyes and felt exhaustion creep into her limbs. She felt safe, here in the circle of his arms. Being with him now, she knew she had made the right decision. Her mind was filled with nothing but him. The doubt, uneasiness and confusion fell away from her. it felt right being with him.

I want to move forward… with you.

-oxoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Xiao Lang Li's office

Li Industries Satellite Office

Tokyo, Japan

June 29, 2009

8:41 AM


Xiao Lang woke with a start. He scrambled to get up and looked around him frantically. He was alone in his office and the morning sun was illuminating everything. There was no sign that anyone else was in the room. He covered his face with his palm and sighed.

Was it just a dream?

He tried to recall what happened last night. Sakura had finally come to see him. She had brought him dinner. They had shared that meal and scattered everything all over the coffee table. He looked to that same table and saw it was spotless. There was no sign of it being used for anything in a while. He did not remember exactly how but they ended up lying on the couch together. His last memory was of her telling him she loved him. He looked around again. There was no trace of her at all.

Am I so far gone that I even hallucinated such a wonderful fantasy?

Hallucinations couldn't be ruled out. He had not been sleeping well for days now. He barely got an hour's sleep every night. However, there were things he remembered that he knew he just couldn't conjure up on his own. He could envision it in his head perfectly. He could still feel the heat of her skin through her clothes and the softness of her body as it was pressed against his. He also remembered her putting her arms around his neck, pulling him impossibly close as they kissed.

Did I really just imagine it all? My imagination is wilder than I thought.

He looked around one more time. It looked exactly the same as it had yesterday.

He leaned on the large couch. He thought he was in heaven. Waking up to reality, he was back thrown back down to hell. He felt his eyes start to water. Before his tears could actually fall, the door to his office opened. Xiao Lang turned lazily to the intruder. He was forced to stare at the person who just entered. She was illuminated by the morning sun and she appeared so bright that Xiao Lang had to squint a little to look at her properly. She was wearing a simple t-shirt and denim jeans but she stole the air from his lungs. She seemed like an apparition - his very own goddess that fell down to Earth.

"Good morning," she greeted him with a smile. "I woke up earlier and tidied up. I can't believe it's almost 9 AM! I must have been really exhausted. I can't even remember when I fell asleep." She gave a little laugh and slowly walked towards him.

Xiao Lang returned the smile and held out his hand towards her. She placed her hand in his as soon as she was near enough. He held her hand firmly and pulled her down to sit on his lap. Sakura blushed but did not pull away. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled deeply. Her intoxicating scent filled his nostrils. He kissed the column of her neck and then spoke, his lips still touching her skin.

"Don't ever do that again. I was afraid I imagined last night," he scolded her softly.

"I'm sorry," she replied as she placed her arms around his neck, seemingly comfortable with their proximity. "Aren't we a bit forceful today, hm?"

Xiao Lang could feel her fingers playing with the strands of hair on his nape. Each small action sent chills licking down his spine. As revenge, he pressed open-mouthed kisses on her neck. He smiled when she cried out. "I think I can indulge. You've put me through a lot after all," he said before he kissed her neck one last time.

Sakura sighed. "Then just this one time. We can stay like this for as long as you want."

You really are mine, huh?

Even with Sakura in his arms like this, Xiao Lang was still finding it a bit hard to believe that he wasn't dreaming. Something like this was straight out of Xiao Lang's fantasies. He raised his head and looked into her eyes. Because they were so close, he could see his reflection in them. He stared at her longingly. Sakura smiled at him and rested her forehead on his, her green eyes not allowing his own brown ones to look away.

"It's really late in the morning. Shouldn't you be getting ready for work? When I went out to throw the garbage, a lot of people were already moving around. I guess we were both pretty tired, huh? "

"Is that so?" Xiao Lang said absentmindedly.

He wasn't really paying attention to what Sakura was saying. He reached up and traced her lower lip with his thumb. Sakura's blush deepened but she didn't pull away. Xiao Lang couldn't stop looking at her. It was as if he was looking at her for the first time. He had been besieged by so many emotions last night that he had forgotten almost everything else. Having had a good night's sleep and having his biggest dilemma resolved gave Xiao Lang's mind ample space to think of other, less innocuous things. It may have been because of the sunlight spilling into his office or the fact he was highly inebriated with her presence that Xiao Lang felt hotter the longer he looked at her. The sight of her slightly dishevelled hair, her parted pink lips and her chest rising and falling in clockwork motion left his mouth feeling very dry.

She was beautiful. And the best of all – she was his.

Just the sight of her sent him to a pitch of excitement he had never known before. He raised his right hand and cupped her cheek. Sakura smiled as he caressed her skin with his thumb. He couldn't control himself anymore. His desire for her was overflowing. Hugs, caresses, kisses… they were nowhere enough. He gave up trying to fight.

"I want you so badly now," he said in a husky voice.

Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her down for a kiss. He held nothing back, his awakened desire threatening to consume him. He kissed her fiercely and deeply, his tongue taking in everything of her that it could. Aside from the pleasure he received from kissing her, there was the added bonus of hearing her make those breathless gasps that drove him crazy. There was only one thing that was better than all of that though. Just the fact that Sakura was kissing him back just as fiercely made him so ecstatic he wouldn't be surprised if they were floating up to the stratosphere right now.

He broke the kiss and lowered his head to suck at the pulse point in her neck. Sakura just clung to him tighter, her breaths coming short and fast. He wanted to mark every inch of her so everyone would know that she belonged to him.

"Syao…ah!" Sakura was squirming in his hold but he only sucked harder. It didn't matter to Xiao Lang. There would be no escape for her… not that she was doing much to resist anyway.

Sakura buried her fingers in his hair and the feel of her small fingertips against his scalp was making him lose his mind. For the first time in Xiao Lang's life, he felt like a full-blooded male. He had but one thought – to possess this woman who held sway over everything he was.

He gently manoeuvred them so she was lying on the couch with him looming above her. He crashed his lips against hers as his hands started to wander. He moved his hands under her shirt and started skimming the exposed flesh. His hand was exploring the small of her back, his mind reeling from the pleasure of touching her bare skin. He released her to take a good look. He wanted this memory burned into his brain. Her skin was flushed, her kiss-swollen lips were the reddest he had ever seen, and her hair was splayed around her head like a halo. Her eyes were clear, like emeralds. There was no sign of doubt or fear or hesitation in them at all. The sight of her destroyed whatever self-control he had left. She reached up to cup his face and he sent her a questioning look. She smiled and pulled him down for another kiss. He obliged her happily.

You're driving me insane. Kisses aren't enough anymore. I want everything you can give me.

His hand brushed her belly and he could only imagine what her bare skin would feel like against his own. Before he could act on that, however, a loud noise broke through his lust-induced haze. The only remaining rational part of his brain told him that it was the sound of things falling to the floor. He broke the kiss, his mind already preparing the words he'd be hurling at the intruder. He turned to glare at the person but froze in place.

Xiao Lang was greeted with the sight of a slack-jawed, wide-eyed Touya Amamiya.

-oOo-

Author's note: I really hope I didn't overshoot the T rating. I had to tone things down. FF's ratings are kind of strict. Also, this is by far my favourite cliffhanger. I loved writing it, haha. You guys wanted Touya and Syaoran to meet so bad so I decided to pool together 2 chapters just so you get what you want. It's a cliffy though, haha. Anyway, thank you for reading the chapter until the end. Please leave a review and tell me what you think. See you next update!