Time Frame: Right after Syaoron asked Sakura to dinner but before she could answer.

hhhhh

"Yes," replied Sakura.

It took a few seconds for the answer to sink in for Syaoron. He had been expecting rejection even after the talk with Eriol that he hadn't realized that Sakura had said yes. But when he realized her acceptance his face changed from a stern expression set ready to accept disappointment to one of pure joy. His head snapped up and he immersed himself in those wonderful pools of emerald. "R…r…really? You'll go to dinner with me?" stammered Syaoron.

"Yes," repeated Sakura, as she shared his joy at the prospect of finally going out on a date.

Even though on the outside Syaoron remained as stoic as ever, on the inside he was doing cartwheels and he had the almost uncontrollable urge to just pick her up and kiss her until the end of time. But he remained the ever in control Clow master. However, his expression softens considerably. He even had a faint grin on his lips.

"Then… how does tonight sound?" asked Syaoron.

"Uh… perfect," answered Sakura.

"Then I'll pick you up at 7,"

"Okay."

And with that Syaoron left to get ready for the date with the girl of his dreams.

hhhhh

It was 10 minutes before Syaoron had to go pick up Sakura and he was going crazy. He had already made reservations at a nice Chinese restaurant. He had already finished dressing but he was stressing over whether or not the night would turn out the right way. He wanted his first date with Sakura to be perfect. He didn't want to leave anything to chance. As soon as he picked her up he would give her a bouquet of roses. A dozen pink ones surround a white one. Then he would drive her to the restaurant in his Audi. They would have dinner then go for a moonlit walk in the park. He just hoped that his plan would work the out the right way.

Just then there was a knock at my door and I proceeded to answer it. I had expected Eriol, Tomoyo or Ming to come down and ask me how I was doing and if I was ready but I wasn't ready to see Liz at my door. She had on this look that I knew all too well. She had tried to ask me out a few times and every time she had the same look on her face. At first I wasn't sure what the look was but one of my teammates had told me that it was the seductive look she used to get her guy, and it usually worked, usually. Most guys would have melted in her hands by now, but then again I am not most guys, and besides I was already head over heels in love with my cherry blossom.

"Hello," said Liz. "I was wondering if you would like to go with me to the movies."

"Hi," I replied. I hadn't been expecting her to be so direct. She was usually so coy. "I'm afraid I can't, I already have plans. Sorry." I was just trying to be polite even though I didn't feel so polite at the time.

She had a disappointed look on her face as she turned and left without another word.

I was surprised that she would leave so readily. But I didn't have time to worry about that. I had to pick up Sakura and if I wasn't there in 2 minutes then I would be late, and that would start the night off on the wrong foot. So I quickly grabbed the bouquet and my overcoat and rushed upstairs to pick up Sakura.

As I neared her room I saw that Xin was in the hallway talking to someone. As I walked up to the door I noticed that he was talking to Sakura. I instantly became flushed and felt the all too familiar pangs of jealousy and rage well up inside of me, I was ready to burst until I saw Sakura.

She was absolutely stunning. She had on a white silk blouse with a light pink cashmere sweater over it. She was wearing a pink silk georgette skirt down to just above her knees and white boots coming up to just below her knees. Her hair was a little longer than I remembered it. It fell to just above her shoulder. Her hair was left free and it fell about her like amber waves of an ocean that I could not reach. Her face held the same innocent happiness to it. And her eyes were as brilliant as ever.

The moment her eyes met mine she instantly brightened. She seemed to be quite glad to see me so I was able to guess what Xin was here for.

Xin saw the change and turned to see who it was that she was looking at. I could see the utter contempt in his eyes and a part of me was glad. Because this meant that I had spoiled his plans and that suited me just fine.

"Hello Xin," I said courteously but coldly.

"Li," he huffed out as a response. "So what do you say beautiful? Wonna go out with me?" he asked as he turned back to Sakura.

"Sorry but Sakura and I have a date," I interrupted before she was forced to answer him. I moved up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. This really made Xin made and he stormed of in the direction of the elevator with a visible scowl on his forehead.

I was cheering inwardly at this victory and turned back to see Sakura blushing furiously.

I also blushed and felt a bit embarrassed at my forwardness.

"Oh… how kawaii!" exclaimed Tomoyo and Ming from inside the room. I turned to see Tomoyo with her camera recording everything and Ming taking pictures with her digital camera.

Sakura and I sweatdropped while Eriol just shook his head at the pair recording our first date.

"Well we better be off before the restaurant gives away our reservation," I said. "And these are for you Sakura," as I handed her the flowers.

"They're beautiful," she said with a smile that could outshine a million stars.

"Maybe but they are not even close to matching you," I said.

She blushed at my compliment and then I took her hand and led her down the hall.

Behind us there were large flashes of bright light and a constant red light.

hhhhh

The pair arrived at the restaurant within a half-hour after they left campus grounds and were shone to their table. Their coats had been taken. Syaoron was wearing a black wool and cashmere blend overcoat and Sakura was wearing a simple white down coat that went down to her knees.

Shortly after they sat down they ordered their meal. As they waited for their food they stared to make small talk. Syaoron asked what happened with Xin and Sakura began to relate the story.

a Flashback c

It was about 15 minutes before Syaoron was to pick her up and she was still not ready. She stared to panic, she had been trying to pick out an outfit for over an hour and she was no closer now than she had been an hour before. She finally plopped down on her bed trying not to cry. She was going to ruin their first date and Syaoron would hate her for it.

Tomoyo had become exasperated and finally decided to take charge of the situation. She went to Sakura's closet and pulled out a few articles of clothing and flung them on the bed. "Where these," she commanded.

Sakura looked at the clothes and thought about it for a moment. Then after deciding that it was better than nothing, she put them on. Just as she was about ready there was a knock at the door.

"Well I guess I won't have to go and rush him," said Eriol.

Sakura giggled a little as she opened her door to find that it was not the object of her affection standing there but instead someone she had never seen before.

"Hello, I'm Xin," introduced the young man with a smile on his face.

"Uh… do I know you?" asked Sakura.

"Not exactly, I'm in your calculus class," said Xin.

"Oh… hello, what can I do for you?" asked Sakura.

"I was wondering if you would like to go out with me?" queried Xin.

"Uh…" muttered Sakura as she tried to find a good way of letting him down easily. Just then she saw her little wolf coming to her rescue and she smiled. She saw him and had to keep herself from throwing her arms around him. Syaoron was wearing a forest green turtleneck cashmere sweater, a pair of black micro fiber slacks and black oxfords. He looked as handsome as ever and with his unruly auburn hair made him even more handsome and she felt safe just being around him and his green aura.

a End Flashback c

As Sakura finished her short monologue she saw that Syaoron was visibly bristling as if he was ready to kill Xin for even asking her out and putting her in such an awkward position. She could sense that it was in part due to jealousy, but mainly because he felt so protective of her that he didn't want anyone to cause her undue stress. She was touched by his concern and was about to reach for his hand when the food arrived. They ate in relative silence and snuck glances at each other. They didn't need to say anything to be happy all they needed was to be near each other. After they finished and had their plates taken away, they were served desert. As they slowly ate desert they simply stared at each other.

Meanwhile outside the window the pair were sitting at there were two sets of watchers. The first set were their friends while the second set were Liz and her brother looking on and fuming. Neither group noticed the other.

As Tomoyo and Ming saw that the pair of lovebirds had stopped talking, they decided to set their plan into motion.

They began to instruct Sakura on what to do to make Syaoron squirm and lose control.

"Tousle your hair a little," Tomoyo instructed Sakura through the earpiece she had on.

She did as instructed and Syaoron looked at her more intently while he was trying to tell her about some of the things he did during the fall term.

"Rest your head in your hand."

"Sweep your hair over your ear."

"Touch your throat."

"Lightly touch his hand."

"Slide your feet up his leg a little."

"Bite your lips."

By this time Syaoron was beginning to breathe heavily and had all but stopped speaking. He was losing himself in the wonderful emerald pools. As Sakura's hand came in for another tantalizing touch, Syaoron took it in his hand and held it. He had become putty in her hands and was giving in to his instinctual desires. He slowly leaned in for a first kiss and she was meeting him half way. They were mere centimeters apart when the waiter brought over and dropped the check on their table. Syaoron came back to the real world and noticed that he had been so close and yet still so far. So with a low groan he pulled back. Sakura giggled as she heard him groan. And the two girls outside while disappointed that the moment was lost, was still giggling about how easy it was to strip away all of Syaoron's inhibitions. Eriol just shook his head at the weak-kneed response from his descendant. He had been expecting that Syaoron be stronger than that.

After he paid the bill they left the restaurant and started to walk to the nearby park.

As they walked, Syaoron finally made up his mind. He would tell her tonight. He knew that there would be dozens of guys banging down her door to get a date with her and he knew that he would go crazy from it. He didn't want Sakura to keep thinking that he felt nothing for her. He felt that if he didn't tell her soon then he would lose her forever.

He knew the park well and knew that there was a small lake near where them. So, he turned to her and took her hands.

"Sakura close your eyes," he said.

Sakura did as she was told with a smile creeping onto her face. But then a sudden pang of uncertainty hit her. 'What if he just wants to tell me that he doesn't feel anything for me beyond friendship? What if he just wants to tell me in a gentle way so as not to hurt my feeling? What if he doesn't want to look me straight when he tells me? What if…?' She was about to open her eyes when she felt herself being led somewhere. She decided to keep her eyes shut and to follow him.

He led her to a clearing next to the lake. It was a peaceful place. Surrounded by a beautiful field and with the full moon shining on the lake, it looked even better.

He let go of her hands and walked behind her. He slowly slid his arms around her waist, giving her plenty of time to pull away. But she never did. After his hands were finally clasped in front of her she rested her hands on his.

"Open your eyes," he said.

She didn't want to, she felt so comforted and warm ion those wonderful arms and she never wanted to leave them. However, she finally opened her eyes slowly. What she saw before her took her breath away. It was just so beautiful and what made it even more incredible was the thought that Syaoron cared enough to share this with her.

"I found this place a year ago when I was walking through the park. It was so peaceful and beautiful. It was one of the few places in the city where I felt like I could be at peace with myself," explained Syaoron. "Once I was wandering around the park while I took a break from studying and I found myself here on a night similar to this. The beauty just took my breath away. And at that moment a memory came to my mind. Do you know what memory?"

Sakura shook her head.

"It was the memory of that time we had the trip to the beach. It was of that night when I found you alone on the beach. The beach by itself would have been beautiful, but with you there it became even more so. And I just thought what it would be like if you had been here with me."

By now Sakura's eyes were starting to water and she was trying hard not to cry the tears of joy she wanted to.

Syaoron turned Sakura around in his arms and try to see into her eyes. But her eyes were downcast and no matter how he tried to get her chin up so he could gaze into the eyes that warmed his soul, she just wouldn't look at him. "Sakura I have something I need to tell you and I can't tell you if you won't look at me. Please Sakura look at me."

Eventually she turned her face up to him. He saw the tears that were threatening to burst and he felt that it was his fault. He quickly pulled her into a tight embrace and felt her arms cling to him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't cry," was all he could get out as he tried to comfort her.

She was still sniffling when he pulled back, but he could see that the tears were gone. He looked into her eyes and suddenly everything else melted away. All his worries were left behind as he fell into the world where there were only two people, Sakura and himself. It was a wonderful world where nothing could ever break them apart.

"You said you had something to tell me?"

Sakura's question brought him out of his daze and back to the real world. He blinked a few times and just stared at her. He could never get enough of her. Unknown to him he softly blurted out the word "Aishiteru."

Sakura gasped and felt as if she was lighter than air.

Syaoron was instantly berating himself for being so forward. 'Damn it she doesn't feel the same and now I've just ruined our friendship."

He started to pull away when suddenly Sakura pulled his head down for a kiss. She broke it all to quickly. "I'll understand it if what you just said was not exactly the truth, I'll understand if it was just a spur of the moment thing and I would never hold you to it, I'll understand… "

As Sakura began to babble, Syaoron just smiled. He put a finger to her lips to silence her. "Shh… I meant what I said and I would never take it back."

"Are you sure? Because I would never hold it against you if you did."

"Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up," said Syaoron as he pulled her in for a second kiss.

Their second kiss was filled with all the pent up emotions they had been trying to sort out; it lasted for what seemed like an eternity.

After they finally broke the kiss they just held each other. "So does this mean that we are now a couple?" Syaoron asked as he stroked Sakura's hair.

"Yes I think it does."

"Good," said Syaoron with a broad smile.

While in the bushes there was a red light and behind the red light someone whispered, "Oh… how kawaii."

Unknown to everyone was the other set of eyes watching the happy couple. This set of watchers were carefully watching and planning all the different ways they could get back at the pair of card captors.

The End?

Hell no!

More to come so stay tuned…

hhhhh