"The Separation"

Syaoran stared at the man who was glaring down at him with a skeptical look on his face. "What the hell is your problem?" Syaoran barked, standing tall from his desk to intimidate the man.

"That's what I should be asking you. Do you know what you're even doing here? You're just adding unnecessary problems in her life that she doesn't need!" Akinari said angrily.

Syaoran stared at him, unbelieving that the man was being so bold with him. "Uh…and you standing here isn't adding unnecessary problems in her life?" he asked, clenching his fist. He was just itching to punch that look off Akinari's face.

"I gave you a fair warning, Dr. Li. I warned you not to pull her into your disgusting game of perversion, yet you did!"

"I didn't pull her into anything! Sakura's not a game to me and everything up until now has been nothing but real. I don't need you, of all people, to come in here and talk about things you have no knowledge of," Syaoran said.

He was surprised that he had not yelled or jumped the man yet. He knew that if Sakura were here, violence would not be the answer. She would tell him to calm down and rationalize his decisions before acting out on his emotions.

During all their sessions together, there was one thing he knew to never forget; and that was to never act out based on your emotions. Feeling an emotion that was out of his control does not mean he should have sex.

He was now realizing this applied to every aspect in his life, rather than just with sex. Violence would not fix the problem, just like sex would never erase what made him feel those negative emotions.

"Are you in love with her?" Akinari suddenly asked.

Syaoran's death glares stopped, turning into a look of shock at that question. "What?" he asked quietly.

"You're in love with her…" Akinari repeated, but much quieter this time.

"Why the hell are you trying to interfere with our lives?" Syaoran asked, clenching his fist.

"I'm not the enemy, Li—"

"You sure as hell aren't the hero either!"

"Just let things end here, Li. No more sessions, no more visits, and no more hangouts on your own time. I know it's selfish to say and do, but this is all for the better. You can save Sakura's career if you refrain from having anything to do with her."

Syaoran's eyes widened, not believing the man had just said that. "What?"

"Sakura's been through—"

Before Akinari could finish his sentence, Syaoran was at his side, landing a hard punch to his stomach, shutting him up. "You turn her in, you lose your job and reputation wherever else you decide to go," Syaoran threatened, moving back from him.

Akinari coughed, clenching his stomach before he looked up at Syaoran before shoving him, causing Syaoran to stumble back and bump into his desk behind them.

Syaoran was quick on his feet, throwing his fist at Akinari's face hard. Akinari glared at him before letting his emotions take control of his actions and returning a punch to Syaoran's face.

Feeling his adrenaline rush, Syaoran attempted to grab Akinari's collar to pummel his face, but Akinari dodged him, moving away from him. He wiped the side of his mouth, glaring at Syaoran who attempted to move towards him again, but stopped when Akinari held up a hand. "I…didn't come here for this, Li, so I advise you to keep that temper of yours under control," Akinari said tightly.

Syaoran made a move to attack him again, but he stopped, realizing he was acting based off his emotions right now.

"I don't care about my job or my reputation when it comes to…Sakura. She's been through enough in her life because of bastards like you and I refuse to allow another one of you to come in and ruin her again," Akinari said, sounding a bit strained from the pain.

Syaoran glared at him, lifting his fist to throw another punch to his face this time, but he stopped. "Don't you dare try and put me in the same category as that bastard who hurt her. I would never hurt her in any way—"

"But, you already did! She's already hurting because of you and you guys aren't even together. You'll do just like him! I can already see it happening now, and do you know who she'll come crying to? Who's going to have to watch her suffer in pain again? Me. And, I cant let that happen again. Sakura's too precious for this world and she doesn't deserve any of this, so could you please, Li…. Just, please! Spare her life, her career, and if none of that is good enough for you, spare her happiness," Akinari said, voice sounding so desperate that Syaoran did not know a man could sound.

Syaoran just stared at his face, words not even able to come to mind to tell him. One part of him wanted to kill the man for even being in his presence, defending her like she belonged to him, but the other part; the rational part, telling him that Akinari just did not want Sakura to get hurt.

Syaoran took a deep breath and then released it. "No, I'm not giving her up," he said in a finalizing tone.

Fuck the rational side.

"How could you claim that you have such strong feelings for her when you can't even—"

"I would never hurt her! In all the months we've grown closer together, hurting her has never even been a thought in my head. I can make her happy—"

"And, so could Eichii."

"Don't you dare try and compare me to that bastard," Syaoran said, grabbing the collar of Akinari's lab coat.

Akinari remained calm, grabbing his wrist tightly to pull them from his coat. "And, this temper of yours just proves that you'll just hurt her like the last guy."

It was like a huge blow to his stomach, hearing the man say that.

Akinari moved back from him again, adjusting his clothes. "Tell me, Li. What is the difference between you two? You've already hurt her multiple times. She's cried because of you already and you're trying to stand here and tell me you won't hurt her?"

When Syaoran did not say anything, shocked to the core at Akinari's boldness, Akinari moved over to the desk to pick up the newspaper. "I didn't come here to fight with you, Li. You are still my boss and I am still on the clock, so you have every means to fire me. But, I won't just sit around your hospital and pretend like all of this shit going on has nothing to do with Sakura," Akinari said angrily. "I gave you warnings first, but I have no more warnings to give."

Syaoran's brows scrunched together. "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying it's more of a threat now. I have to turn Sakura in at this point if any questions rose about me knowing your personal involvement with her. My license will be on the line too. Why should I do that for a man who can't even keep his genitalia area to himself or his temper under control?" Akinari asked, clenching his hand around the newspaper.

"I would never hurt her," Syaoran whispered. This was the only thing that made sense to him right now.

"I'm not like that bastard. I would never hurt her on purpose…and I would never leave her the way he did…"

Akinari stared at him for a moment, looking thoughtful, making Syaoran uncomfortable.

At this point, he was not sure if Akinari was being serious or not. It almost seemed unbelievable that the man would ruin his own friend's career. Syaoran understood that he could get in trouble too, but a friend would never do that to a friend they care about…right?

"How much do you know about Sakura?" Akinari asked suddenly.

Syaoran looked at him, glaring to build his wall of defense back up. "What?"

"How much do you really know about her?" he asked again.

Syaoran swallowed, not sure if this was a trick question or not. "I know enough to know that I want to protect her…keep her safe from everything," he said confidently.

"How could you keep her safe when you're the one person putting her entire life at risk?" Akinari asked quietly.

Syaoran's instinctive emotion was anger at that statement, but he decided to push it down, remembering Akinari say something about his temper hurting Sakura.

"I…I can save her from all of this. I can prove to her that I'm a man she wants to be with…and I can show her that I'll never leave her," Syaoran said.

"Do you know that she can't sleep at night?" Akinari asked, ignoring everything else he had said.

"She's been sleeping at night since we started getting serious."

"Then, you would know that when she does sleep, she wakes up at 2:37am every night because this is the time that Eichii tried to kill her," Akinari said.

Syaoran's breath caught in his throat. He had slept with Sakura multiple times and he had never seen her wake up at this hour if they were already sleeping.

"Every night at 2:37, when she sleeps, she wakes up and experiences the same thing that happened to her that night, and it's not fair. She has no one to comfort her at times like that, because no one knows what she's been through. No one understands her pain…and no one can save her from that pain besides herself. But, there are selfish people like you, who think they can come in and be the hero to benefit themselves," Akinari said distastefully. "So, no, you don't know enough about Sakura to protect her."

"She's strong," Syaoran said before Akinari could walk out and end the conversation. "She's the strongest person I know. You're right, I don't know everything about her, but I do know that she's strong. Despite everything she's been through. She can still smile. She still wakes up every day to face her own problems, while carrying the load of hundreds of people's problems. She's not a glass doll, so stop acting like she could be broken at any time!"

"I know she's not perfect. I know she's been through it all and deserves nothing but treatment of a glass doll, but who's to say that's what she wants? She's lost more than one loved one, and then one of them killed themselves, while she was there…trying her best to save another person…" Syaoran stopped, feeling the back of his eyes burn with angry tears. It was not just him who she wanted to help. It was everyone she could get her hands on.

"So, no, I'm sure that no one could ever match up to what she truly deserves. No one could ever understand her pain and probably never will. But, that doesn't mean that I can't be there for her in every possible way I can when she needs someone."

It was quiet in the room, neither one of them speaking a word to the other. Syaoran was almost tempted to tell the man to leave but wanted to hear what he had to say.

"Take a seat, Li," Akinari said, sitting in the chair across from Syaoran's desk.

Syaoran stared at him skeptically, wondering what the man is trying to get at. He hated this man…this was the man he felt threatened by because he was trying to take his Sakura away from him.

"There's something you need to know about Sakura and it's not just a few seconds…sit," Akinari said calmly.

Hearing that it was about Sakura, Syaoran sat down at his desk, staring at the man hard. Just because he would have a decent conversation with him does not mean that he trusts him.

"You're right. Sakura is strong, and she does deserve to be treated like a queen…but she's not strong enough to take on her battles alone. She needs someone who—"

"I don't need you to tell me what kind of man she needs," Syaoran interrupted rudely.

"Just listen. She needs someone stronger than her. And, I'm in no way telling you that you're not strong, but she needs someone stronger than her. Someone stronger for when she…" Akinari sighed, shaking his head. "Eichii is not dead."

Sakura held the pillow tightly to her chest as she drunk the hot cocoa from her favorite mug.

"Here are more blankets if you need them, sweetie," a kind, gentle voice said from behind her.

Sakura leaned forward, placing the cup on the table as she accepted the blanket from her father's hand. "Thank you," she said softly.

Her father smiled at her gently before sitting on the couch beside her.

She had decided to pay him a visit after the big bomb dropped. The first place she thought to run to was Tomoyo's place, but at the very last second, she turned and took the road to her old house.

She had nearly scared her father to death, knocking on his door at four in the morning after leaving Syaoran's place. But, instead of turning her away and assuming she is a mad woman, he accepted her with open arms. And, what felt like she had not done in forever, she broke down and cried in her father's arms, letting go of everything she had been holding in for years.

What made her even happier was the fact that her father did not question her behavior or spur of the moment actions. He just comforted her and made her feel valid for the things she felt.

"No one could ever invalidate the way you feel because they're your emotions; it's your tears and your problem that you have to deal with," he had said.

And that had only made the dam break even more.

"You doing alright now?" Fujitaka asked gently.

Sakura smiled at him a little, nodding her head. "I'm still sorry for springing up on you like this," she said quietly.

"Of course, you didn't. This is still your home, so you're welcome to come here any time. Even if it's four in the morning," he added the last part teasingly.

Sakura laughed softly, shaking her head. "I'm still sorry," she said, laying her head on his shoulder.

He let out a soft sigh, nudging her head off his shoulder. She looked at him, only to see him smiling and patting his lap.

She grinned, feeling like the old times before everything became serious in life.

She laid her head on his lap with the pillow resting under her head.

When he ran his hands through her hair, she hummed, grinning like a child on Christmas morning.

Her father continued to stroke her hair gently, soothing her like he used to in the old times. He had not even asked her anything, which swelled her heart even more. She knew that he had seen the news—who hadn't?

He had been on campus today, so she knew the students were talking too. He had to be aware of it. He was just not saying anything about it.

"How were your sessions this morning?" he asked.

"They were great. Mr. Kau came in today. He asked about you," she said.

"Oh, I haven't heard from him in a good bit since he graduated. I'm assuming he's doing fine now since the accident?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes. He's doing fine...everyone's doing fine, which is relieving," she said, mostly talking to herself.

All the patients she saw today were doing fine. None seemed on edge and they were all willing and cooperating.

"Well, that's good. Have you heard from your brother?"

Sakura smiled, nodding her head. "We usually talk at least once or twice a week. He says that he'll be down in two weeks or three from now. Nakuru's excited about it too."

"She is. Yukito's going to spend Christmas day with us as well. Do you still keep in contact with him? He constantly asks about you every time I see him," Fujitaka said.

Yukito lived closer to her father, so they often crossed paths with each other. It almost made Sakura jealous that they saw each other more than she saw them.

She shook her head. "No, not recently. I haven't even had much time to think about it with all that's been going on in my life. I guess that makes me selfish, huh?" she asked with a sad smile on her face.

Her father touched her face, making her look up at him. "Of course not. Don't you ever doubt and question yourself. You are the most selfless person alive that I know—"

"Oh, you know that's you," Sakura interjected with a blush on her cheeks.

"For you. I do everything in my life for you and Touya, so you guys could look at me and see me as a good example of a good person. You are not selfish, honey. Don't you ever doubt your character."

Sakura smiled sadly, sitting up from his lap. "Oh, what should I do?" she finally asked, wanting to get everything off her chest.

"Whatever your heart is telling you to do," he said, not surprising her one bit. It was like her father to always know when or what was bothering her.

"If your heart's telling you to do something and it's not causing you or anyone harm, you listen to it. Your heart could lead you to your happiness."

Sakura's eyes teared up, mouth wanting to spill everything to her father, so he could tell her what to do, but she knew she could not. If she would decide to have anything with Syaoran, she needed to keep his name as cleared as possible to her father, even if it was not already cleared.

"What should I do if one part is telling me something, but the other is telling me another thing?"

"Then, you wait and feel the situation out. I like to believe that your heart has never failed you or made you have any regrets in life, so it will be the same thing with this situation you're dealing with."

Sakura smiled at him and then hugged him tightly.

He's right.

"Just think about everything and the outcome of the situation...will it all be worth it?"

At that very question, it made Sakura wonder about that for the very first time.

"Will you please pick up my calls or answer my text? I'm worried sick about you and don't even know what to do with myself without you. You're not at your home, I always seem to miss you when you're at your practice. Just please. Call me when you can and—"

Sakura ended the voicemail, unable to hear his voice anymore. It had been three days since everything went down. She was glad that Syaoran cleared everything up yesterday, and for confirming that nothing romantic was going on between them, besides a platonic relationship. That still did not stop the weird looks she received from others and the angry glares she received from women she was sure he has slept with.

And most importantly, it did not stop the people from following and watching her every move to see if she would see and meet with him again. This town was just too small for her.

A loud buzzing sound knocked her out of her thoughts, making her rush to the source. It was Akinari calling her for the first time that day.

She sighed, deciding to pick up the call she had been avoiding. It was not like she's in love with him, so there was no reason to distance herself from him too.

"Moshi...moshi," she answered uncertainly.

"Thank God, you've decided to finally pick up," he said in an exasperated tone.

"Sorry...I just...needed space," she said quietly.

"You've had three days to get it together without my harassment, so where are you now?"

Sakura frowned. "I've been staying at my dad's and Tomoyo's," she said.

"That explains a lot," he said, sighing.

Sakura held her shirt tightly over her heart, not ready to see him yet. "I've still been at my practice every day, taking patients," she said, letting him know that she was not disappearing on everyone.

"I know you wouldn't do that. You're too selfless for that because you put others needs before your own..."

When he trailed off, Sakura knew there was more. "What is it?"

"I hope you're putting yourself first right now," he said.

She took a deep breath and then released it. "Let's go out, Aki," she said, deciding to settle things with him.

Just because there was a conflict between her and Syaoran did not mean she has to have it with everyone else. Plus, she still has this event to go with him to this month.

"Come over," he suggested.

The first thought that crossed her mind was Syaoran. She knew he would not like that and would flip if he were to find out.

Stop it, Sakura. He is not your boyfriend and you're trying to get over him!

Despite these thoughts, she still went with what her heart was telling her to do. "Let's meet at the usual cafe," she said.

"Okay, that's cool with me. I'll see you in about an hour?"

She nodded, though he could not see her. "That'll be fine."

They bid each other goodbye before Sakura went to get ready.

Just as promised, they were sitting in the usual cafe an hour later.

Sakura took a sip from her cup of coffee, staring at Akinari's hand as he texted someone back.

"You...uh...been good?" he asked, sounding distracted.

"Do you have somewhere to be?" Sakura asked instead of answering the question.

"No, it's my patient," he said before switching his phone off. "Now, how are you?" he asked again.

She swallowed. "As what? Your friend or patient?" she asked cautiously.

Akinari sighed, shaking his head. "Friend, Sakura. I think you forget that we're still friends sometimes," he said sadly.

"It's just..."

"I know it's hard sometimes trying to distinguish between the two. A therapist is like a friend to a patient. As a therapist, the patient isn't the therapist friend, though. Right now, we're out as friends and nothing else. I'm trying to comfort you in a mutual friendship right now."

Sakura smiled at him sadly. "You're right. I'm sorry..." she said quietly.

"How are you holding up? I've seen the news and... the pictures," Akinari said carefully.

Sakura looked at him, catching the plural sound in the word. "Pictures?" she questioned.

"You haven't...? Yes, Sakura. They've caught more than one picture of you guys together. One at a bar downtown and you guys were headed to some restaurant some other time," Akinari explained, shocking Sakura even more.

Now she understood. These reporters were building this case within the last few months.

She let go of an awkward laugh. "It sucks living in a small town, huh," she said quietly.

"What are you doing, Sakura?" Akinari asked softly.

"I...at this point, I don't know. I started this and now, I don't know how to end it," she said.

"A patient, though, Sakura. Them, of all people? I wouldn't be hard on you at all if you didn't decide to take Li-san under your care, but you were still interested in him. He's your patient, though."

Sakura sighed, dropping her head. "I know…I've decided to stop seeing him," she said, dropping her head.

"What?" he asked, sounding like he could not believe her.

"After I saw the news, I ended it. I know the consequences of getting caught with a patient and I…I don't think it's worth losing my license over," she said.

"You don't sound convincing at all."

She sighed, annoyed with that response. "What do you expect me to do? I know it's wrong and that I shouldn't pursue this with him, so even if I wanted to, I wouldn't."

"You want to, though," he said.

Sakura looked at him with wide eyes. "What?"

"You want to be with him. Admit it, you're in love with him," Akinari said confidently.

"I…of course I'm not in love, you idiot. I just…appreciate his character. If I were truly in love with him, then I would've chosen to stay with him," Sakura said.

"Your neck says it all," he said, eyes landing on her neck.

"W-What?" she asked, subconsciously touching her neck. The spot her hand automatically landed on was a little sore, making her remember the other night. She knew he had left a mark in plain sight the other night, but she had been covering it with makeup for these past days.

How could she act so stupidly and forget to cover it today?

"I-I…" She did not know what to say; how to explain herself to him. There was nothing she could say.

Akinari let out a short laugh, making her cheeks flame even more as all the blood in her body rushed to her face. Or, so it felt that way. "The fact that you slept with him, knowing full well that he's your patient says enough," he said, shaking his head.

That shut her up immediately, unable to defend herself for once in a long time.

"I'll admit it. You've changed Li-san, Saku. You've helped him, I mean. The moment I walk into the doors of his hospital, I can't help but notice it. For that, I'm glad. We've helped another person in our community…but, was it enough? Because you're not helping him anymore, will he revert back to his old ways? That is when we can both determine if you've truly helped him."

Sakura sighed again, feeling her annoyance rise with the man sitting across the table from her. "Who's side are you on? Are you telling me to stop therapy with him or keep helping him until he's fully better?" she asked.

"I'm telling you to do the right thing," he said.

"The right thing would be to stop seeing him when I know I have feelings for him—that I do want to be with him," she said.

She could feel the hot tears brim her eyes at that confession. That was the first time she had ever said those words out loud.

They had so much more meaning to them now.

"I'm glad you're admitting your feelings—"

"Stop it! Just, stop it because you said that you're my friend right now, not my therapist," she said, sensing him try to slip into the therapist mode that all therapist slip into. "Are you going to turn me in?" she asked before he could even say another word about her behavior.

"Of course, I won't. I would never do that to you," he said.

Hearing the honesty and sincerity in his tone, Sakura could feel herself relaxing. She knew she could trust him.

"I mean, I may have said some threatening words to Li-kun, but I would never do that to you. I love you way too much for that," he said, smiling at her.

At hearing Syaoran's name, everything else went unheard. "What did you say to Syaoran?" she asked.

Akinari shook his head, chuckling. "Nothing you should worry about. I just gave him a little something to think about before he tries to hurt you. Just a man to man talk," he said.

Sakura frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"A talk that stays between two men," he said.

Sakura sighed, knowing he would not tell her.

"Seriously, though. He is—or, was, just a patient…just make sure nothing like this happens again. If something like this happens again, it's termination of license if someone finds out, okay?" he said seriously.

"I know…I just…got caught up in my feelings is all…"

"I know, it happens to everyone sometimes. How we learn from it determines how we will grow from the situation," he said.

Sakura sighed again. "You're right. I just wish that…this could all stop and disappear," she said.

"Nothing's ever that easy. Just hope and pray that it all blows over quickly," he said, smiling at her. "By the way, you don't think that Li-kun would…do anything, like ruining your career, right?" he asked worriedly.

Sakura scoffed. "Of course not. Syaoran may be a lot of other things, but he's not evil. He would never do anything like that. He's kind…and very trusting, I think," she said timidly.

Syaoran may have done and said some hurtful things in the past, but she knew that he would never do anything to sabotage her life. He had been so sweet and caring over this past month with her.

"You think?"

She nodded. "I would be a fool to completely trust a man with his history."

"You're right."

"Uhh…could you do me a favor?" she asked.

"Sure, of course."

"My group session's on Friday night…Syaoran attends them, and everyone know him there…so I'm sure that they'll have questions about everything that's going on so far—"

"Oh, Sakura, no…they know he's your patient?"

She dropped her head again. "I know. I just…I don't know what I've been thinking this entire time. Now, I have them to worry about too, because one of them could expose me…"

"Are they those type of people?"

Sakura shook her head. "Not that I know of…"

Akinari sighed, shaking his head. "What's the favor?"

"I was wondering if you could hold the sessions for the next couple of Fridays. Once he's seen you, he'll take the hint and stop coming," she said sadly.

Akinari stared at her for a while, as if he were trying to read her. "You know the girl I was telling you about a few weeks ago?" he asked after a few moments.

"What about her?" she asked, confused at his sudden change of topic.

"Turns out, I like her," he said.

Sakura grinned, forgetting all about her problems. "Really?"

He nodded. "She's great. She has all the traits I look for in a partner."

"What's the catch? I hear it coming…"

"She's a run away from an abuser. She's been living in Tomoeda, hiding from her abusive husband for the last two years…" he said quietly.

Sakura's breath caught in her throat at hearing the news. She could not understand why Akinari would bring this up to her, of all people.

"I just found this out after we've been talking for a month or so now. Now, I have to decide whether or not I can take on this baggage. She has major trust issues, always skittish and lying about certain aspects of her life…" he said.

Sakura swallowed, nodding her head. "So…what are you going to do?" she asked.

Akinari shrugged. "Is she worth everything I have to put up with because of the last guy in her life?"

"Well…if she has all the traits you want in a woman, I'd say yes," Sakura said uncertainly.

"Who's to say that the man won't find her, though? That's something I have to fear every day too. Not only will her life be the one remaining in danger, but so will mine be," he said. "But, will it all be worth it? That's what I have to find the answer to. That's what we all have to find the answer to in situations when it comes to things that could lead to love."

For some reason, Sakura could not help but wonder if he were throwing hints out to her.

"I will do the sessions for you and try to clear your name as much as possible. Just thought I could give you something to think about," he said.

Sakura smiled at him. "Thank you…and, I hope you come to a conclusion for your problem."

"I hope the same for you," he said before taking a sip from his cup.

Sakura looked at him, noticing a scratch on his mouth. "What happened to your face?" she asked.

Syaoran's leg bounced up and down under the table as he kept looking down at his phone.

A full week and a half had passed since he last saw and heard from Sakura. It was like she disappeared off the face of the earth.

He left messages and calls on end. Every single opportunity he had, he called her, sent her a text, left her voicemails. None of it worked.

She was never home, and she was apparently never at her practice. He had the shock of his life on Friday night seeing Akinari at the group session, announcing that he would be leading it.

It made his blood boil even more, so he just stormed out of the practice. He was extremely close to calling a search team out to find her.

After his meeting with Akinari, he knew what he could do to make Sakura trust him; to see how much he felt for her.

After Akinari told Syaoran that Eichii was still alive, he proposed a deal, telling him that he would spare his job if he told him where Eichii was. Once Akinari revealed Eichii's whereabouts, he sent him on his way. That was all he needed to hear.

For some reason, he could sense the emptiness in Akinari's threat, so that is why he was still fighting to see Sakura. He just wanted to know she is alright and safe at this point.

Her absence was driving him mad. Never mind the "No sex for Li Syaoran," because he still had his hand for that. He just wanted to know she is alright.

"Li," a familiar voice called, snapping him out his thoughts. "Just because you send her one hundred messages a day doesn't mean she'll respond to them."

Syaoran glared at the man softly, already on edge due to his irritation with Sakura's absence.

"Unless her phone is turned off, she's seen the very first message you sent her and chose not to respond to it."

Syaoran looked at Watanabe, annoyed that he was even here now. After postponing their meeting multiples time, Syaoran was on the verge to calling the entire lunch meeting off. "Why the hell are you so late?" he asked, glaring at the man.

Watanabe shrugged, sitting in the chair across from him. "Things to do," he said casually.

The man's attitude was ticking him off even further. How could he plan a brunch and then cancel on him multiple times, show up late when he finally decides to go through with it, and then act rude about it?

Syaoran took a deep breath, trying to calm his raging heart. He could do this. He could keep his temper under control like he had been before Sakura decided to disappear on him. "I thought we were good," Syaoran said calmly.

When Watanabe did not respond, Syaoran said, "We've been keeping up with each other's lives and the times we've given in."

"The times I've given in. You're a week and a half clean, apparently."

Was that bitterness Syaoran detected?

"That's a good thing. You should be happy for me."

"How are you doing it?" he asked. "What's your secret to not giving into the urges? I've seen the news and I know that you have a lot of stressful events coming up. So, what are you doing to keep yourself from trying to feel?"

"Uhh…" He wanted to say it was because Sakura has not been around, but knew it was not possible. Plus, he did not use Sakura to make himself feel better.

Matter of fact, he was not even sure that he used sex to get rid of negative emotions he felt anymore. He may still feel the urges, but that is because it was just an instinctual thing. He had been doing it for more than half of his life, so of course his body still gets the urges.

"My hand and…control," he said awkwardly.

"Your hand," Watanabe said.

Syaoran sighed, feeling pathetic. "Yes, I've gotten my thoughts under control. Once you do that, everything else should go fine for you," Syaoran said confidently.

Watanabe stared at Syaoran for a moment, making him uncomfortable. "What?" Syaoran questioned, annoyed.

"I've been getting better too," he said.

Syaoran nodded. "I know and—"

"So much better, to the point where…I don't want to have this inability to not have kids anymore," he said quietly.

Syaoran stilled at hearing that statement. "…What?"

"I have a fiancée. I started attending therapy because of her a year ago. She was done with the cheating, so I decided to get help. And, now…because she sees that I've been getting better and haven't cheated on her since…before therapy, she's talking about our future and how she wants kids…" He stopped.

Syaoran did not know what to say, so he remained quiet.

"She doesn't know that I got a vasectomy years ago before we even met. It was because of the stupid urges. I thought I didn't want any kids at the time, but…my soon-to-be wife…I can't see us not having kids together anymore. The one and only thing that only we can make and share…I can't see that not happening anymore, so I…"

As if Syaoran sensed the next thing he would say, he smiled, suddenly understanding where the man is coming from. "I know this great surgeon who's success rate for reversals are high."

"Are you sure you don't want to go to Li's event? You told him that you'd be there to support him," Tomoyo said, applying the makeup to Sakura's face.

"Yes, but that was before everything that happened. Besides, he probably doesn't even want me there anymore. I kind of did him wrong by disappearing on him like that. I feel really bad about it, but...I think that's what's best for the both of us. We aren't good for each other," Sakura said, meaning every word spoken.

"Open your eyes," Tomoyo instructed.

Sakura opened her eyes so her best friend could have a look at her.

Tomoyo nodded in approval before telling her to close her eyes again. "Why do you say that?" Tomoyo asked after Sakura closed her eyes again.

"Because...he triggers a side of me that I always keep hidden and I trigger a side of him that he's not afraid of showing. We have good conversations, a good time together, but we also argue a lot."

"That's because you're stubborn, Sakura," Tomoyo said, giggling.

Sakura smiled softly. "Not as stubborn as he is, though. He always wants his way and when he doesn't get it, he throws tantrums like a child would. It's so annoying," Sakura said.

Even though she complained about that, she miss it. Matter of fact, she miss him.

It had been almost three weeks since she had last seen him. It was a struggle not answering any of his texts or calls that he gave her every day. She had been staying with Tomoyo and her father for the last three weeks as well to avoid the man.

It was just her way of getting away from everything too.

Even though things were slowly going back to normal in her life since she stopped seeing him, she was not happy anymore.

She could feel herself seeping back into that hole of nothing that Tomoyo and everyone had said she lived in since her deceased boyfriend. However, it was a lot different this time.

She did not feel this—whatever it is she is feeling—when Eiichi died. She felt sad and like a failure because she failed him; to save him from his demons. But, now, she did not feel sad and like a failure since Syaoran left. She felt lost and lonely, like a huge chunk of her life was taken away when she stopped seeing Syaoran.

"Well, if you feel that it's best for you, I'm fully on your side and for your happiness more than anything else," Tomoyo said, smiling at her. "Now, let's see what color lipstick you should wear..."

Sakura thought about Tomoyo's statement. Since she stopped seeing Syaoran, her nights were even horrible again. She felt that event play over and over again every night at 2:37am. She could only conclude that it was because she did not have any distractions anymore, but deep down inside, she knew it was because she did not feel that protection anymore.

A protection that only Syaoran could offer her. She miss him.

"Here is the perfect color—"

"I think I'll drop by the ball," Sakura said. "Just to see if he's doing alright, you know...have some type of closure within myself to know that he's doing alright."

Tomoyo turned to her with a smile on her face. "Just let me know when you get there, and I'll stick by your side," she said encouragingly.

Sakura smiled at her, nodding her head. "Thanks."

"Now, give me your lips."

Sakura smiled, letting Tomoyo work the rest of her magic on her face.

As soon as Sakura slipped the expensive green and gold dress on, her phone rung, making her jump in surprise. She picked it up, looking at the caller ID.

Her heart clenched in her chest, seeing Syaoran's name.

Shouldn't he be getting ready right now?

She pressed the phone off, ignoring the call once again.

Three weeks had passed, and the man was still being persistent with her. She had been right to think that Syaoran is way more stubborn than she is.

As soon as the call ended, a text came through right afterwards.

She picked her phone up immediately, reading the text.

'I know that I'm bugging the hell out of you, but just...please...answer my calls. I really miss you and want you here tonight. This event and this deal won't feel complete if the one important person in my life isn't here...'

Sakura read through the text a few more times, feeling the hot liquid burn the back of her eyes. She blinked the tears away immediately, not wanting to ruin Tomoyo's makeup.

Her phone rang again just as her mind decided to pick up the next one Syaoran would call. Instead, it was Akinari.

Oh.

She picked up the phone.

'Hey, I'm downstairs,' he said.

She smiled. "Okay. I'll be down in a few minutes," she said.

"30 minutes," he joked.

She giggled, hanging the phone up on him. Sakura turned to the full length mirror, examining Tomoyo's handiwork.

Her hair was pulled up in a high, curly ponytail with her bangs curled and framing her face. There was a green and gold butterfly clip in her hair that made the style look even fancier.

Tomoyo had treaded lightly with the makeup. A bit of foundation, eyeliner, gold eyeshadow, and mascara complimented her emerald eyes. Tomoyo stuck with a light shade of red to apply to her lips to emphasis the Christmas theme, though her green, sparkling gold dress was enough to.

At the thought of her dress, her eyes landed on the expensive material covering her body.

Though the dress revealed enough to catch the eye, it covered just enough to keep her warm.

It has a V-neck, revealing a bit of cleavage with its off-shoulder strap that has gold soft feathers around it. The upper part of the green sparkling dress fits her like a second coat of skin, but it fell gracefully down her hips to the floor. Though the fabric is silk and soft to the touch, there is still sparkling gold embedded in the material, making her appearance glisten.

She had to admit; Tomoyo outdid herself in this dress for the event.

Sakura picked up her gold scarf and the jacket that would keep her warm in the cold, snowy night.

After taking one more glance at her appearance, she noticed the light blush would not leave her cheeks.

She took a deep breath before slipping the gold heels on her feet and walking out of the dressing room to Tomoyo's room.

"You look gorgeous!" Tomoyo exclaimed as soon as she walked out of the room.

Sakura's face heated up even more as her best friend complimented her with a camera in hand, snapping pictures. "Because of you," she said sheepishly.

"Oh, honey, it's you who makes this look boom!"

"Mou...isn't Aki downstairs?" she asked, hoping to get the attention off her.

"Hold on, you have to pose for me," Tomoyo nearly begged as she continued to snap the photos.

Sakura giggled, not knowing what to do with her best friend.

Tomoyo instructed her to do a few poses before she called an end to the mini photoshoot.

"Okay, let's get you downstairs, because Aki's waiting. Come on, so his pants can be knocked off," Tomoyo teased.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop it," she mused, still letting Tomoyo lead her downstairs.

As soon as they reached the end of the stairs, Akinari spoke, "The star of the show."

Sakura looked at him, feeling flustered at the compliment.

He chuckled, walking over to her. "You look absolutely stunning," he said before kissing her forehead lightly.

She smiled. "You clean up well too," she said softly.

"I would suggest taking pictures, but I know we all must get going," Tomoyo said, looking a little disappointed.

"You took pictures before we got down here, though," Sakura said sheepishly.

"Yeah, but not with you guys together," Tomoyo said, nudging her suggestively.

Sakura giggled, being reminded of how her friend truly is.

"You know I can't have enough photos of you." It was like Tomoyo to obsess over her.

"I wish I could've seen the outlook of your appearance too," Sakura said, looking at her sadly.

Tomoyo waved it off. "I'll have pictures to show you. Besides, I won't be leaving until another hour when Eriol decides to get off work."

"Alright. And, thank you," Sakura said, hugging her tightly. "For everything."

Tomoyo giggled, shaking her head. "You can stay here as long as you want, honey. My home is your home," she whispered back in her ear before they pulled apart.

"I'm not sure yet, but I may be back here after the event."

Tomoyo nodded. "Have fun, you two." She waved at Sakura as they made their way to the door.

"You too," Sakura called over her shoulder as she put the warm, red coat on.

Akinari said his farewells and then led Sakura out the house.

As soon as the night air hit her skin, she shivered. "God, it's freezing," she said, wrapping the scarf around her neck more to keep warm.

Akinari wrapped his arm around her, offering her some of his warmth.

Sakura smiled at him, appreciating the kind gesture, but she still felt cold.

When Syaoran would hold her, everything always warmed inside her body, no matter the weather.

Even that night Meiling arrived and he left his apartment, it had been freezing, but as soon as he wrapped his arms around her, making her feel like she was the only thing he needed to survive, she forgot all about the cold. She had thought the connection between them was just lust, but every part of her body told her it was something else.

Her heart told her it was something more. She miss him. Not the sex, not the weird things he made her feel in those moments of intimacy or their time spent together; she miss Li Syaoran.

She miss his amber eyes that looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. His mouth that had spewed so many hurtful things, yet from where she could hear the cry for love with each word spoken. She miss his loving touches that made her feel protected and like he would never let anyone, or thing hurt her in this world.

She just miss him.

And, for some reason, she felt that there was not a thing in this world that could help her turn back time and change things to the way she wished they could be.

"You okay, Sakura?"

Instantly, she was snapped out of the trance of realization at hearing that voice. "Eh?" she asked.

"We're here," Akinari said.

Sakura looked around, seeing that they were sitting in Akinari's car, parked outside a hospital.

"When did—how did we—" Sakura took a look around her again. "Why are we at the hospital?" she asked, lost out of her mind. How deep in her thoughts was she? Did he mention that the plans were changed? What was going on?

"Uh...the ball? Remember? Are you okay, Sakura?" Akinari asked, looking at her concerned.

"No—I mean, huh? The ball? I thought we were—" She stopped, trying to process everything going on right now.

And then, it hit her. The entire time, everyone had been talking about the same thing. She had told Tomoyo that Akinari had something else going on somewhere else, which probably confused Tomoyo too about knowing she would be here.

Syaoran had told her it was a charity banquet, while Akinari called it a Christmas ball, so she assumed they were two different things.

She felt so stupid.

"Look around, Sakura," Akinari said.

She looked around, seeing so many cars that she did not know could all fit here. It almost looked like the entire Tomoeda had invited their friends and families to the event apparently.

"He won't even notice you're here. There's way too many people here and he's going to be too busy talking with the higher ups, so don't worry," he said in a caring tone.

Little did he know, Sakura was not worried about that. It was the fact that she was here as Akinari's date after Syaoran had asked her to be his. They left on a bad note because of Akinari's name, but now she was here with him as a date?

Sakura's eyes closed, head suddenly spinning. She did not know if she could do this anymore.

A hand grabbed hers, making her look in his direction. "I promise you that it's going to be okay. I wouldn't have brought you here if I thought otherwise," he said.

Sakura swallowed, nodding her head nervously. "You're right. I'm just overthinking things," she said, smiling at him uncertainly.

He squeezed her hand gently. "Come on," he said, opening his door and making his way to her side to help her out.

He grabbed her hand, gently leading her inside with him. She held his hand tighter, wanting to believe that Akinari was right, but something told her otherwise. Syaoran would spot her.

Before the night was out, he would find her there and she would not know how to react when he did.

A/N: Sorry for the late update! The next chapter is already done, so you guys won't have to wait this long agian! Again, thank you guys so much for the reviews(I think I responded to them? lol. I have too much going on, if it isn't obvious :P), follows, and favorites. Thanks to my beta, thedeviantme! Her helps is also much appreciated!

What did you guys think of this chapter, aside from the torture of our lovebirds being separated? And the cliffhanger?

One more week before the semester is over, so updates should be a bit more frequent, as I'm not even going to pick back up on my hours at work. I'm literally mentally, physically, and spiritually drained, so I need a break lol.

Anyway, I'm going to try and get some rest, since it's extremely late! If it isn't obvious from looking at almost every update I post with my stories on Fanfiction, I have insomnia, so I suck at getting rest, bleh.

Ja ne!