Valentine's Day in Tokyo, part 2:Kataomoi-one sided love
Currently listening to: The Best of Slayers, disc 2

Same story...different outcome.

Syaoran froze. The words bore through him like a drill.
"I love you..."
(He said 'I love you' to her. How dare he. I thought he was gone, how can this be...) His racing mind came to a halt. "But...what will she say?" he whispered to himself. He looked apprehensively at the couple on the ground. Sakura's face was red, and Eriol was smiling [but still holding her hand, much to Syaoran's dismay]. "I...I.."Sakura began. Eriol raised a finger to her lips. "It's okay, Sakura-san. You don't have to answer me now. While you think, how about taking me for a little tour?" Syaoran cursed to himself. (That's right, he hasn't been here before...) His mind was churning. (What if she says yes? I don't know what I would do...) Another thought hit him. (But...even if she turns him down, there's still no guarantee she'd ever love me...)
When he looked down again, Eriol was leading a somewhat dazed Sakura away from the tree. Syaoran's face twisted in anger. Tears of fury and anxiety formed on his face. "Kuso!!!" he exclaimed, after the two were out of sight. He jumped down and ran away, still crying. He was unable to sleep that night.

The next day, Syaoran trudged to school. All he could think about was Eriol. The same one who came to Tokyo when they were ten and swept Sakura off her feet. He then remembered their first meeting... He had glared at her all day. To make it worse, he attacked her. (How could she forget that? Hiiragizawa is everything I'm not.) He pushed back fresh tears and entered the classroom.
"Ohayo, Syaoran-kun." A bright voice made Syaoran look up. His heart raced. "ohayo, Sa..." He stopped dead in his tracks. There, in the seat next to Sakura, was Eriol.
In his seat.
"This is *my* seat." he said gruffly. It was hard to contain the anger he felt at that moment. "Oh, be nice, Syaoran-kun," Sakura said with a nervous laugh. "Eriol-kun hasn't seen me in so long. Besides, it's just for today, right?" She looked at Eriol for support. "Whatever you wish, Sakura-san."
Syaoran felt sick. He looked for another seat, but the only empty one was across the room. He slumped into the seat and hid behind a book. He shifted his gaze to the scene across the room. There, Eriol was helping Sakura with her math. Syaoran's grip on the book tightened.
"Li-san?"
(that BAKA!)
"Li-san!"
(I hate him)
"Li-san!!"
"NANI?" he shouted. He looked up to see the teacher standing above him. "S-sensei, sumimasen, I..." He was at a loss for words. Embarrassment mixed with anger when he saw Eriol smiling from the corner of his eye. "Do you hate math so much, Li-san?" the teacher inquired. "Oh, no, of course I don't, what would give you that idea?" Syaoran asked nervously, averting his eyes to avoid the teacher's gaze. The teacher smiled. "Because you are holding your textbook with a death grip, Li-san." Syaoran looked down at his book and turned crimson. The cover was a bit bent from his grip. A few students giggled, much to his dismay. (I hate being the center of attention, this is terrible...) He glanced at Sakura, who gave him a reassuring smile. The kind that said "Daijoubu, Syaoran-kun." The smile that made him tongue-tied and weak in the knees. It made the ordeal all worthwhile. The lunch bell rang. Syaoran walked dreamily to the playground, his troubles forgotten.

When he got there, he did the first thing that came to mind. The first thing that came to mind every day. He looked for Sakura. He spotted a familiar head of auburn hair. (There she is.)
"Sa-" he stopped when he saw him. Eriol. Sitting with Sakura. In *his* spot, nonetheless. His adrenaline was pumping. He started seeing red. (How dare, he, this morning was bad enough, but lunch time is the only time I get to be alone with her. How DARE he.) His books dropped unnoticed to the ground. His rage was building, amongst his growing fears. Without a second thought, he ran to the couple, muttering profanities along the way. "HIIRAGIZAWA!" he screamed, almost ferally. "Nani desu ka, Li-san? Eriol said with a smile. This angered him even more. (Why does he always have to smile that damn smile? Why does he have to be polite? WHY does he have to be here!) "You *know* what, Hiiragizawa," he said coldly. "Whatever do you mean?" he asked, inching his hand towards Sakura's. (That's it, I can't take it, he is so dead) Syaoran's fury was at the limit. Images of the past flashed through his head.
'Ah, Sakura, named after the beautiful trees that grow in Japan.' (How dare he)
'Please call me Eriol, Sakura-san.' (It's not fair)
'You look beautiful, Sakura-san' (Why couldn't I be like that!!)
Eriol did everything HE should have done. So polite, almost cloyingly nice... (That's it.) He closed his hand into a fist and swung with all his might, his anger making it all that much stronger.
"Li-Kun!" A familiar voice made him halt. He froze, and then he realized who it was. And what it meant. (Sakura.) He looked up, his fist inches away from Eriol's face. He was smiling. Syaoran growled one last time before turning to face Sakura. "What is wrong with you. LI-kun?" She was scowling. Hearing her say his name like that made all the pent up anger fade into fear. (She hasn't called me that in ages...) Sakura looked at him with angry eyes. He flinched as if struck. He regained his composure, and looked to the dirt. "I-I'm so sorry, Sakura," he finally managed to stutter out. He looked at Sakura's face, filled with anger and worry. (I did this to her. Why do I always have to hurt her so?) He took off, leaving a somewhat shocked Sakura in his dust, and a smiling Eriol in his place.

(I can't believe it.) Syaoran was at his favorite Sakura tree. (How could I do that to her? I'm always hurting her...why can't I control my emotions?) His heart was tearing to pieces. (Maybe...maybe I'm just not meant for her...but that damn Hiiragizawa...) He got a sudden flare of anger at the thought of Eriol, wrapping his arms around his own love. "KUSO!" he bellowed, punching the tree. His hand hurt, but it took his mind off his aching heart. Something pink fluttered from the tree. His valentine. Somewhat tattered from being left out all night, but still legible. He picked up and looked at it sadly. "How could I ever think..." he whispered morosely. He started to tear it, but didn't have the heart. He let go and watched it flutter to the ground.
"Syaoran-kun?" His ears perked. He turned quickly, and saw her standing there. He felt a pang in his heart. "Syaoran-kun, I'm worried about you. Is something wrong? Did I do anything?" Her face broke his heart. The pain and worry she felt...all because of his own stupidity. He sighed. "No, you never did anything to hurt me. I'm so sorry, Sakura." She looked at him quizzically. He sighed, and turned away. "I didn't mean to get in the way, Sakura, but when I saw him with you..." his voice broke off. "I saw that you were happy. You really deserve somebody like him. He is polite, kind...and he treats you like a queen." His eyes began to water.
"...I guess I was mad, not just at him...but at myself. He did everything right. He is everything I'm not." He tried to hold back the tears, but it was no use. "I just want you to be happy, Sakura. That's all I ever wanted for you. I...I just didn't think it would hurt so much if it wasn't with..." He wiped his eyes and faced Sakura. He felt a pang of guilt when he saw tears streaming down her face as well. He fought back an overwhelming urge to take her in his arms and kiss away the tears. (Baka, you hurt her again...)
"Please don't cry, Sakura. Don't feel bad for me, it hurts me more than you could ever know." Sakura rubbed her hand across her eyes, wiping away the tears. "Syaoran-kun..." He looked away, unable to look at her face full of pain. "I just wanted to tell you...that ...I love you. It scares me, but still...being around you makes me feel so...so alive. But...don't be sad for me, please. It's not your fault that I'm in a one-sided love." He sniffled a bit.
"I love you so much it hurts, Sakura. It hurts to see you like this. I don't deserve you, Sakura. You are too kind, too gentle for a person like me." Fresh tears gathered on his face, and he sank to the ground. "I just want you to be happy, Sakura. And...if it isn't with me...that's okay." He buried his face in his hands. "Just..please, Sakura, don't cry. I am so stupid. It's all my fault. Please, Sakura, don't cry for me." He broke down, crying uncontrollably. (I never thought it would hurt so much.) He was surprised when a hand brushed his face. "Sakura..." he whispered. She was kneeling next to him, and she was crying too. "Syaoran-kun, I spent a lot of time with Eriol-kun these past couple of days. In that time, I think I have come to realize what true love is." Syaoran's heart was sinking, his world crumbling before him.
"I remembered when he first came here...how kind and gentle he was...I was amazed." Syaoran stiffened. The tears kept falling. He helped me, he cared for me...even the whole battle was for my own good. As I sat with him I recalled the time he helped me with my bear...he had said he wouldn't laugh because I made it. He took my by surprise."
(It's true...)
"Then...he kissed my hand. He gave me a flower when I was sad, he complimented me endlessly...when I am with him it's a good feeling....yes I think I love him."
(Oh no I knew it!!!)
"I am so sorry Syaoran-kun." She cried more. "I never wanted to hurt you like this. You have a special place in my heart, I will always love you." She looked down, the tears falling fast down her red cheeks. "But with Eriol-kun...it's different. I can't explain it. I feel happy with him, I feel complete. It doesn't make sense I suppose...but I can't help my feelings. I am really very sorry....please forgive me."
Syaoran looked up wistfully. "Sakura, when I say I love you...I mean that. But because I love you...I want you to be happy." (Sometimes...)
"I know you can't help how you feel. I know I can't. Love is not a logical thing."
(When you love someone...)
"So I do forgive you...no I more than forgive you, I wish you the best. There will be another."
(The best thing...)
"So don't cry for me. Hearts get broken every day. It's part of life. But if you ever need someone...just know, I will be here for you."
(Is to let go.)
Sakura smiled. "Arigatou, Syaoran-kun. That means a lot to me." She walked towards Syaoran's slumped figure. She kissed his forehead. Syaoran looked up with a smile. He took a deep breath. "Sakura...I'm fine. So what are you witing for? Go to him, tell him how you feel." He smiled endlessly, his face unwavering. "You're right!" Sakura got up with a start. She was blushing. She ran off to find Eriol.
Syaoran stood there silently. He saw Sakura in the distance. She was telling Eriol something...
"E-eriol-kun..." She began. "Yes, Sakura-san?" Eriol asked hopefully. "I wanted to tell you, I...I...I love you!" she blurted out. Eriol smiled...a wide, true smile. Tears formed on his eyes. "I am so happy, Sakura-san." He began to cry, tears of utter joy. Sakura wiped them away with her hand gently. He looked up, shocked at the touch, but nonetheless happy. She leaned in closer. "I love you, Eriol-kun..." He wrapped his arms around her. Their lips met for just a moment, feelings long kept inside came out. "I have been waiting for this a long time, Sakura-san. I was afraid you wouldn't return my feelings, that you would hate me, that you would..." Sakura placed a finger to his lips. "It's okay," she said with a smile. "You know, I missed you so much when you left...I didn't know how much it would hurt until you were gone..." Eriol looked up.
"I didn't want to leave...but I didn't want to interfere...I thought you were in love with Li-kun, so..." Sakura smiled as fresh tears ran down her face. "That's so sweet. But the most important thing is that we found each other, right?" Eriol nidded in agreement. No words were needed, everything was understood. Their lips met in another kiss, young love fulfilled.

Syaoran stood motionlessly. "Of course I love you Sakura..." He began to cry. "Of course I don't want you to be with him. It's not okay...it hurts." He sank to his knees. "I don't want to gave you up...but you were never mine to begin with, and never will be...I just love you so much Sakura, I just want you to be happy."
(It is because I love you that I want you to spread your wings and fly...you can go far in life...I just wish I could have been the one to be with you as you did.)
"You're the only one, who was I kidding...you are the only one for me, Sakura." He broke down and cried for hours.

The valentine was carried away by the cold, harsh wind.

*Author's notes*
What a story_ I never thought I would pair these two(ducks flying garbage)but I think it's time for a change of pace^_^ But to keep everyone happy I made alternate endings...I just feel like this one is sad poor Syaoran ;_; But I hate it when I want a story to turn out one way and it ends up another. So was this a good idea? Does anyone actually like this ending? Maybe one day I'll write some S+E mush there are so few S+E stories:P I tried to tack some on the end though^_^ I was toying with the idea of Sakura choosing nobody WAHAHAHA that would be evil though:P Please tell me what you think of this story^_^ Thank you for reading^_^
Lisa-chan