SN: hey everyone...I'm baaaaaaack!!!!! Hehehehehehe.don't mind me, I'm hyper at the moment, hell! I'm always hyper!! Well, here's chapter 3. Hope all you ppl out there like it, and oh yeah THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS!!!! More than 9 reviews for 2 chapters, it's nice to know ppl out there are reading and liking your fic. Trust me, for me 9 reviews is a lot! I'm just an author starting out and getting more than one is truly great! Well, I'm gonna 'quit ma bitchin' cuz that's probably what all you ppl out there want me to do so you can read on.

Disclaimer: me don't own nothing except Jake! And why am I telling you this? Good question. Even I don't know the answer! I mean, all you pplz out there know I don't own ccs and if I did I'd be filthy rich and would have made this into a show! What do those ppl that force us to put a disclaimer think we are? a bunch of monkeys without brains! Who'd be dumb enough to _think_ I'd own ccs! Nelvana (although they shouldn't cuz they fucked up the series!!!) and Clamp (talented ladies I tell ya, they make some of the best animes out there.) owns them!!!

I Do?

Chapter 3

Key: _enforced words_

(SN: Can ya believe it? I don't even start the story and I'm already adding a SN! Anywayz, I'm starting this chapter with a flashback on how Syaoran left)

~*Flashback*~

"Hey Syaoran! What's up?"

Tomoyo asked in her cheerful voice. Syaoran had asked her to meet him at the park. For what? She didn't know.

"Tomoyo, there's something I have to tell you. My mother has called me and told me I have to head back to Hong Kong tomorrow morning. She said the elders said that they need to see me and that it's urgent"

"but you're coming back though.right?"

"I don't know.mother said the elders didn't seem to happy. They might be calling me back so..I can receive my punishment"

"punishment? For what?"Tomoyo asked confused

"for not brining back the cards"

"but.you're going to leave? And what are you going to tell Sakura? You know she doesn't come back from her family vacation for another day"

"I know, but I don't think I'm going to tell her anything"

"WHAT! How can you just leave without telling her anything! I thought you loved her! plus, I can guarantee you that she loves you back!"

"I'm sorry Tomoyo, but the reason to why I'm doing this is because I love her. If I say good-bye, I know she'll be sad. And if she loves me like you say she does, she'll be even sadder. I don't want her to cry a tear over me. so it's better that she forgets me and goes on with life. I know that someday she'll meet someone who can make her very happy and will stay with her forever. If I tell her how much I love her now, I'll only be hurting her, because I'll be gone for years."

"you are still hurting her by leaving and not saying anything. She'll think you didn't care enough to even say good-bye"

"trust me Tomoyo, this is for the best. Please take care of her for me. good-bye Tomoyo, hopefully one day, we'll meet again"

~*End of Flashback*~

'I should have listened to Tomoyo'

Syaoran thought. Now thinking back, he really should have told Sakura he was leaving. He never thought she would get _this_ angry with him. he took in a deep breath

"Sakura, you see, the reason I didn't tell you was because I knew my leaving would affect you."

"Yeah well, what affected me more was that you didn't even bother to write a note or something. If felt as if you didn't care about our friendship.

"I'm sorry if I ever gave you that idea. Our friendship meant a lot to me.and it still does! That's the whole reason why I came back to Tomoeda."

"but why didn't you come, or at least call a lot sooner! Why did you distance yourself from us?"

"it wasn't my chose"

"what do you mean?"

Sakura asked confused. Syaoran then took a seat at the couch and decided that the best thing to do was tell Sakura the truth.

"the reason I went back home was because the elders called on me. they called on me so I could receive my punishment on not retrieving the clow cards. In their eyes I had failed and disgraced the name of the Li Clan. I wasn't worthy of becoming the future leader of such a prestigious clan."

"What are they talking about Syaoran? You would make a great leader!"

"to them, No. so anywayz, I had to under go a series of punishments until I became the official leader of the clan, which was at the age of 21.

"So you go named leader of the Clan this past July? That's great!"

"Yeah, but before that, my punishments were not going out of the country for no reason at all, I had to undergo intense training, and I couldn't communicate with anyone that wasn't family. I talked to Eriol sometimes because since he's practically family but other then him, I haven't spoken to no one."

"so all this time, you've been under punishment for not getting the clow cards?"

Sakura now felt extremely guilty. If it weren't for her, Syaoran would have gotten the cards and not have gone through all that.

Syaoran then gave her a smile.

"don't worry, it's not your fault. The cards were destined to be yours, not mines. The hardheaded elders can't seem to understand that though. Plus, the worst part is now over. I decided to return to Japan now and visit all my friends."

"that's great, because I missed you too Syaoran"

Sakura said while blushing a bit.

"Meiling says to tell you that she says hi"

"how is she?"

"she got married last year"

"That's good"

"yeah, it is. Ummm.so, you're getting married in a few days huh?"

Sakura looked down at her engagement ring and started to play with it. it somehow seemed out of place. As if it didn't belong there.

"yeah, Tomoyo's making my dress"

"that's typical Tomoyo"

Syaoran said as he smiled.

'I should be happy for her. hopefully Jake can make her as happy as I wished I could'

he then got out of his seat and did something Sakura clearly wasn't expecting. He gently pulled her up and enveloped her into a warm hug.

"Congratulations Sakura, you deserve the best. I'm really happy for you"

Sakura in the other hand, wasn't paying attention to what Syaoran had just said. being in his arms made her feel as if she would melt. His arms were so warm and comforting and his voice made her feel as if though she was in heaven itself.

'in all the years that I've been dating Jake, I have never once felt this way'

Syaoran then pulled away, much to her disappointment.

"It's getting late, you should go home"

"home?"

Sakura asked confused. She was still on cloud 9

"oh right! Home! How stupid of me!"

Sakura blushed furiously.

"Well, ummm.bye Syaoran, see ya around!

She said as she closed the door behind him.

'what the hell is wrong _with_ me!?'

Sakura thought as she made her way to her car.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Day 3)

"Sakura, what took you so long?"

Tomoyo said as she dragged Sakura around the house and into one of the many rooms.

"I just finished your dress yesterday night! It's so KAWAII!!! And you are too so that makes a perfect match!"

Tomoyo squealed out in delight as she took the dress out of the closet to show Sakura.

"Wow, Tomoyo that dress looks magnificent! You really outdid yourself this time!"

"Don't I always?"

Tomoyo asked with pride in her voice (SN: I'll describe the dress later on)

"now, try it on."

(a few minutes later)

"Sakura you look beautiful!"

Tomoyo squealed out in pure delight as she admired the dress on her friend.

"Thank you so much Tomoyo. It means a lot to me that you finally accepted what Jake and I have"

'no, I haven't excepted it yet. You belong with Syaoran, _not_ Jake!!'

Tomoyo thought secretly.

"you know what Sakura? I've been thinking.you know, marriage is a big step in life.are you sure you're doing the right thing?"

Sakura turned to look at her friend. She couldn't believe her ears.

"Tomoyo, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm just saying.are you sure Jake is the person you'd want to spend the rest of your life with? Especially now that.now that."

"Now that what, Tomoyo"

"Now that Syaoran's back. You can't blame him for being gone for so long. I know he already told you why"

"So you want me to break off my engagement with Jake just because my child- hood crush all of a sudden showed up!?"

"Well, you loved him all this time! And I know you still do! You can't deny the fact that you still have feelings for him!"

"yes I can! I love Jake _not_ Syaoran, understand that Tomoyo! And one more thing, I am _not_ calling off my wedding!"

Sakura was now really angry. How dare Tomoyo come tell her who she loved and who she didn't love.

"look Sakura, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for this conversation to steer that way"

"yeah well, it did"

"yeah, and I'm sorry. I'll promise I'll never mention that again"

"I'm sorry for getting all mad at you too Tomoyo"

"lets not fight again, deal?"

Sakura smiled at her best friend

"Deal!"

"now about the dress, I think it."

Sakura didn't here what else Tomoyo was saying because she zoned out for a minute there. She was thinking to herself.

'what if she's right? No! what am I saying!? I love Jake! Syaoran is just a friend that's all.right?'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(meanwhile)

"So Syaoran, what are gonna do?"

Eriol asked.

Syaoran gave out a long sigh

"I might as well as well go back to Hong Kong. I have nothing holding me back here now do I?"

Eriol looked at his friend with sympathetic eyes

'poor Syaoran, all of this must be hard on him'

"you know what Syaoran? Since Sakura has already gone on with her life, I suggest you do the same. I don't mean to sound cruel but, I think it's better if you don't dwell in the past"

Syaoran threw his friend a grateful smile.

"I think for the first time in you life, you're actually right!"

he said jokingly. He then got serious though.

"but you have a point. I should go on with my life. It's obvious Sakura already did and it's time I do too. I'll see for when I can get tickets to go back to Hong Kong.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(later that evening at Eriol and Tomoyo's house)

"so what time are Sakura and Jake coming again?"

Tomoyo asked as she set up the table in the dining room.

"6:00pm. Syaoran is coming too."

"WHAT! Syaoran, Sakura, _and_ Jake are all coming.at the same time!!"

Tomoyo said as she turned to look at Eriol.

"Yes, I told him to come because he'll be leaving in a few days"

"OK, explain"

"well, I was talking to him this morning and we came up with the conclusion that it as better if he went back to Hong Kong. After all, Sakura _is_ about to get married. He should move on too."

"now how will they _ever_ get together!?"

Eriol let out a sigh

"Tomoyo, you have to accept the fact that, they've gone on with life."

Tomoyo looked down at the floor.

"I know, it's just.

"DING-DONG"

"It's probably them"

Tomoyo said as she rushed to get the door. She opened it and saw Sakura and Jake standing there

"Sorry we're late"

Sakura said as they entered. Tomoyo just laughed.

"I'd be more worried if you were on time!"

She then led them towards the dining room when all of a sudden the doorbell rang again.

"I'll get it!"

Sakura said as she made her way to the door.

"No! Sakura wai."

To late, Sakura had already opened the door.

"Syaoran? What are you doing here?"

"I uhhh.Eriol invited me over for dinner"

"Syaoran! Good, you're here! Come in."

Tomoyo said as she got between the two. She then led him to the dining room where Eriol and Jake were sitting.

"Hey Syaoran"

"Hey Eriol"

Syaoran then turned to look at Jake

"Hi.Jake.isn't it?"

"Yes.you're Syaoran right?"

"Yeah"

Syaoran said as both of them shook hands.

"I have to go get the food"

Tomoyo said standing up from her seat

"I'll help"

Sakura said as she too stood up. She then followed Tomoyo into the kitchen. Once they were in there, Sakura turned to Tomoyo.

"How could you do this to me!? I thought you were my best friend!"

"Look Sakura, I didn't do anything! Eriol was the one who invited Syaoran. I didn't know until the last minute. And anywayz, you say he's just a friend right? Well then why is all this affecting you?"

Sakura just stood there quiet. she didn't know what to answer.

"Here, take this to the table"

Tomoyo said as she handed her a platter.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(1 hour later)

"and remember the time when Eriol filled up that hole with sheep's!"

Sakura, Tomoyo, and Syaoran started laughing at the memories. They had all finished eating and were now reminiscing about the past.

"and.and.what about the time he made Sakura fight that overgrown teddy- bear!"

Tomoyo said while holding her stomach from laughing too much.

"Seriously Eriol, what was it with you and stuffed animals?"

Syaoran asked while laughing. Eriol just shrugged and grinned sheepishly. This sent the girls into another laughing frenzy.

While the rest were enjoying themselves, Jake just sat there playing with his desert. He knew what they were talking about. But since he wasn't in Tomoeda at that time, he had nothing to say about the situation.

'Sakura and Syaoran are very close'

he had to admit he was a bit jealous of Syaoran. He seemed to know Sakura a lot better then Jake did. Suddenly, his cell phone went off and everyone stopped talking. After he got off he looked at everyone.

"I'm sorry you guys, I have to go to my office. There has been a failure of some sort and they need me"

"Awwww.just when the conversation was getting good"

Sakura pouted.

"you can stay if you want"

"how will I get home though? We came in your car"

Tomoyo then kicked Syaoran from under the table. He let out a low grunt and everyone turned to look at him.

"uhhhh."

he hated being in the spotlight

"When I leave, I can drop you off by your house Sakura"

Sakura's face automatically brightened up

"Thanks Syaoran!"

"well, I gotta go. Bye Tomoyo, Eriol, thanks for dinner. Bye Syaoran"

Jake then went to Sakura and gave her a peck on the cheeks.

"bye sweety"

he then left.the three continued on with their conversation.

(3 hours later)

"Thanks for dropping me off"

Sakura said to Syaoran as they came up to her apartment door.

"No problem. Well, I gotta go. Bye"

"bye"

Sakura answered back. She then felt the urge to do something.

She leaned forward as to give him a kiss on the cheeks, at that same moment, Syaoran moved closer as to hug her. Absentmindedly, their lips met into a soft quick kiss. After that they pulled away slightly but stayed staring into each other's eyes. They then did something that neither of them was expecting. Sakura tightened her arms around Syaoran's neck and brought him down so their lips could meet again. Syaoran did nothing to stop it. He too tightened his arms around her waist and gave into the kiss.

~*To Be Continued*~

SN: OK, that chapter took me some time to write up but oh well.I finished! Anywayz, what ya think of that ending? I'll probably have one more chapter and then chapter 5 will be the ending. I'm sorry if this story is going fast for some of you, but my original intention was to make it a one-shot. Since I got a bad case of writer's block though, I decided to cut it up into chapters. Oh well, review pleaze! Should I go on? tell me what ya think! You can also e-mail me at quttieprincess@hotmail.com if you got something to say ^_^ well, me gots to go and finish writing my chapter 2 for "the new girl" I'll c-ya all later!

~Starrie