Suppi: OMG I am just getting over the fact that Tomoyo and Eriol are now lovers. Sniff* my master is in love with purple haired- lady

Fruity: Ah Suppi, this is only a fanfic, in otherwords it's not real

Suppi: Shut up your ruining my moment. Hehehe Eriol and Tomoyo sitting in a tree…

Fruity: Oh boy this is going to be a long chapter. I can see it

Chapter Thirteen

I can't take the time till I next see you smile

"Owwwwww," Sakura winced as she looked in the mirror, to see a face that she hadn't seen in a long time. For the past three and a half months, she had kept the mask on, taking it off only when she went to sleep and when she was taking showers. However, today was different, she was forced to take off the mask, when her scar began to act up again. Behind her, she could see Tomoyo still sleeping from the reflection of the mirror.

Thank god it's a weekend, Sakura thought. She knew that Tomoyo came into the dorm very, very late last night. Sakura was curious at what happened last night, but she kept her questions to herself, leaving it for a later time to ask them. Tomoyo after all was exhausted, judging by her looks.

Geez Tomoyo, you didn't even bother to change. Sakura pretended to scold the sleep girl, soon after, though she tucked her friend into bed, letting her gain her beauty sleep.

Good night Tomoyo, Sakura giggled. Her mood changed soon, once she gazed out the window. Her eye's went back and forth from outside to the silver mask lying on the table, back to outside. Carefully Sakura attempted once more to put the mask on, but like before the pain of fire burning, reached her skin.

"Owwwwwww!" she exclaimed, almost waking up Tomoyo. Sakura placed the mask down once more.

"I guess, I'll have to go out without it." A voice inside her head warned her though, "it's not a big deal, I am only going around to walk, for a bit, it's like nobody I know will see me."

She headed out for the door when she held her breath and turned to see the mask, beckoning her.

"I better bring it for security," Sakura grabbed the mask and quickly shoved it into her handbag, and out the door she went.

Sakura caught the attention of several people on the way to the market, she knew it was the hideous scar. This was her first time walking out on public, without the mask, and considering how it was going so far, Sakura betted it would be the last time as well.

The market was normally busy, but for some strange apparent reason, today, it was desolate. Fate seemed to take a turn and blessed Sakura. As she walked from cart to cart, buying food, clothes, you name it, she received the same treatment, from all the shopkeepers. A stammering greeting, and not to mention constant staring at the right side of her face, where the scar resided in. By the time she reached the tenth cart, her patience was growing thin, at how people looked at her as though she were a hunchback or some kind of alien.

"Why," the young girl shopkeeper, turned, "H..hh..Hello," her face immediately went pale.

"By god what happened to your face," Sakura was taken back by the girl's arrogance.

"How dare you," she hissed angrily

"What's going on?" another voice from behind spoke. Sakura went flabbergast at who it was. It was her professor.

Akara couldn't believe her eyes. She was first attracted to the cart, by the bright pink era, that auburn haired possessed. Then by how the salekeeper seemed to insult the girl by accident. Akara, approached the cart, only to come face to face with the same two-year-old girl, she met long years ago.

"A..A..A" Sakura was tongue-tied; she had no idea what to do or how to get out of this situation.

"Sakura Kinomoto?" Her professor's grey eye's met with her emerald one's. The scar didn't even seem to be noticed.

"Y.Y..Yes," Sakura hadn't been called by her real name for such a long time that it seemed weird to be called that again, it felt like herself, her real self had been resurrected.

The professor could tell that the poor girl was confused. She also could see a dark scar, on the right side of her beautiful face, from the corner of her eye, she chose not to pay any attention to it, though.

"Forgive me," she brought out her hand in front of her, "I am Akara Lendina. I was a dear friend of your mother, Nadeshiko. Though, I have to say you mustn't remember me, you were only two years old, when I last saw you."

Sakura began to recall the memory that was buried beneath all the things that had clogged up her mind lately.

"You look like an angel. Are you my angel?"

"Yes, I will be your angel, and I promise I'll protect you"

Sakura couldn't resist staring at her professor. When she first saw her standing in front of the classroom, she had a feeling that they had met before, but didn't exactly know where.

"I..I remember you. You said that you would be my angel, and that you would always protect me." Akara was enlighten at how good of a memory Sakura had

"Yes that's right." Her grey eyes beamed with pride. Silence followed, Sakura didn't know exactly what to say that wouldn't give away her cover.

It was Akara who broke the silence. "You know, you remind me a lot a student of mine. She had the same eye's as yours, I believe similar voices, and even the same e…" Akara stopped, realising the mistake she almost made. Her magnificent powers was something she wanted to keep secret, even from the child she was sworn to protect, by Nadeshiko, after her tragic death.

"A..Aha," Sakura glanced around nervously, " I guess that I have those kind of faces you know."

Akara's grey eyes peered her suspiciously. " I suppose." Akara glared at the cart for a second before returning her gaze back to Sakura, " Where are you staying Sakura? I must find out your phone number so that we can keep in contact."

Akara had to make sure that her suspicion of Cherry and Sakura being the same person was true.

"Ah. I am only visiting here for a short while," Sakura lied. She began to feel guilty about lying to her professor

"That's strange, it's almost the end of the first trimester, right. Why are you here, shouldn't you be in University right now,"

Akara was asking her so many questions that it made Sakura feel like she was on trial, in jubilee court.

"I just needed a break that's all," Sakura's mouth lied, but her face deceived her, in making it crystal clear that she was lying. A fool could see that.

Sakura saw her professor's mouth opening.

Uh Oh she's going to ask me another question. Panicking, Sakura quickly thought of an excuse to leave.

"Gomen I have to go Miss Lendina. See you soon," and with that the auburn haired girl scurried off, frightened like cats were with bathes.

Akara shook her head in disapproval, "See you on Monday, Cherry." She remarked, before going about her daily business, in the market, which she purposely made desolate for a reason.

Sakura didn't stop running, until she was several blocks away. Grasping onto her knees, she heaved deeply, trying to catch her breath.

"That was too close" she muttered.

However serendipity had more surprise up her sleeve, for right at that moment, Sakura was being watched from behind.

"Sakura?" Sakura's head shot up, in alarm. She knew whom that voice belonged too.

Oh shit she cursed

Shoaran, busily rushed for the market, he wanted to beat the congestion and the long line-ups. However when he arrived there, he was surprised to find hardly anybody there, one or two people at the max. Shoaran scratched his head in puzzlement.

"Oh well, more food for me," he replied.

From cart to cart he went, buying all the necessities of University, while doing this, his mind went back to Sakura.

Was she alright?

How was she doing?

Was she still angry with him?

What University did she go too?

So many question, and yet not singles answer for one, not even Tomoyo answered him. Although she forgave him, she refused to tell him anything

Shoaran, you really hurt Sakura with that lie

But..But

I know. I know you were trying to save her, and I am grateful for that. But Sakura doesn't know that

What do you suggest I do?

Leave her be Shoaran. Let her move on with her life, and you move on with yours.

I can't

Tomoyo looks depressed at her cup of tea

Try Shoaran, at least try.

"Damnit," he mumbled beneath his breath

"What was that sir." The food clerk asked him

"Nothing." Shoaran collected what he came for, and as he was just about to leave, he saw her.

An auburn haired girl

Even though the girl had her back facing towards him, he recognised that era, immediately.

"Sakura?" he called out to her

Sakura felt an overwhelming of emotions within her heart, love, hate, sadness, anger, joy, all colliding and creating a rumble within her. She turned around revealing only the left side of her face. There he stood the same Shoaran she had fallen in love with eight years ago. Although she had seen him for the past three months, it was different seeing him without the mask on, as though he really, really saw her. (Does this even make sense? Oh well I don't care)

"Shoaran!" Sakura held her breath, afraid to breathe. Her heart was thumping so loud.

Shoaran smiled, Sakura was still the same, even through the many changes that life had tossed him, she remained the same. He felt himself being absorbed into her emerald eyes. Everything about the past, forgotten, he slowly approached her.

Sakura came close to turning all the way around, when something popped into her mind.

The scar

No he mustn't see it.

Shoaran saw her eyes enlarge, they were filled with panic, and horror. He felt like he was going to lose her again. Much like how someone is given a gift and has it taken back. For a minute, Shoaran felt himself stop breathing completely, as Sakura turned her back to him, and sprinted for her life.

"WAIT!!! SAKURA!!!!", he dodged at bullet speed after her.

Sakura ran as fast as her legs would go, true she was a fast runner, she knew that Shoaran would catch up to her. She remembered how fast he was when they were young children, probably by now he advanced. Desperate, she pressed herself to run even faster, she didn't care if her legs would hurt for a week, she needed to get away.

Shoaran sensed that he was catching up to her. He was within an arms reach, when Sakura seemed to push the turbo button and ran faster then ever. Scared of losing her again, Shoaran pushed himself to run even faster.

Eriol sung as he continued on his walk, with a couple of roses in his hands. His face red from thinking happy thoughts of his new love Tomoyo. He gazed below at the city of Kitasato. From the large hill he could see every single thing as far as the eye could see. Eriol came close to tearing his eyes away from the magnificent view, when something caught his eye. Below he saw a girl, who looked like she was running for her life, he held his breath when he saw her almost fall, from turning a corner. Behind her, she was persuaded by a dark chestnut haired boy, who looked desperate to reach her. Eriol gaped, once he realised who the two were.

"Sakura and Shoaran," he mumbled under his breath.

He wondered exactly what Sakura was doing without her mask? Oh well he would ask her later.

Eriol sighed, as he raised his hand in front of his head. His blue era began to glow, especially around his hand, as he focussed every fibre of his being into this one thing that he was about to do.

" Sorry my cute descendent," he gazed pitifully at Shoaran, who was trying so hard to reach for his only love, "But I must help Sakura,"

And with that said he whispered the words of the incantation, releasing a powerful spell.

Shoaran came close catching up to Sakura.

I am not letting you leave, not this time

However, it wouldn't be so. Shoaran first heard it, rumbling and constant crashing of tin garbage bins. He turned his head, to see about ten large garbage bins rolling down full force down the hill, heading straight towards him.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he yelled, as he managed to dodge them all.

After the garbage bins past he eyed them apprehensive, it seemed like they were purposely aimed for him. He was so distracted that he didn't even notice a straggling garbage bin that clanked him hard, right in the head, knocking him out.

Sakura stopped when she heard it

BANG*

She turned around to see Shoaran unconscious on the sidewalk.

"SHOARAN!" she rushed to help him, but an invisible forcefield stopped her. A voice echoed within her mind, as Eriol telepathically spoke her.

"Sakura, what were you doing without your mask?" he scolded her in a paternal tone.

"I just…" Sakura felt ashamed

"Never mind, just leave."

"But…"

"No buts Sakura, please don't make my efforts in vain."

Sakura nodded, trying so hard not to cry. She turned the otherway and ran from Shoaran, for what seemed like forever.

She stopped at an empty street, digging to her purse; she snatched up her mask. Her fist clenching it hard, she began to hate this mask, hate the scar, she hated everything that was happening. Closing her eye's, she carefully placed the mask on, feeling it's power and energy once again becoming a part of her.

In the distance, Akara watched quaintly, as she saw Sakura place the silver mask on the side of her face. Akara felt her heart beat faster, as she watched Sakura's pink era begin to glow even more, as the mask became united with her. Sakura's short hair grew long, and flaming red, and the silver mask remained stationery on the right side of her face. After the reuniting, Sakura's era returned back to normal. Akara, now knew the truth, and it disheartened her deeply

Sakura Kinomoto was Cherry Fia, and Cherry Fia was Sakura Kinomoto.

Akara closed her eyes " my dear child, what have you done,"

And with that she vanished into the darkness of the shadows, as though she were never there.

Shoaran groaned as he arose from the ground, to his surprise, a tonne of people who were there before, were. An old couple gazed at him disapprovingly and stalked off muttering something about a "bum hogging up the street,"

Shoaran rubbed the back of his head, where the garbage bin had met with him.

"Owwwwwwwwww" he nearly forgot why he had been there in the very first place, when he recollected the his brief meeting with Sakura

"Sakura!" he whispered wondering why she had fled from him. Urgently he rose, attempting to find her. However, when he turned the corner all he saw was a group of ordinary people.

Shoaran mumbled in frustration, as he came close to leaving when a large mass of red hair caught his attention.

"Cherry!" he exclaimed

The lovely red head turned to greet him, with sad eyes. Shoaran saw this.

"What's the wrong?" he asked with his voice filled with concern.

Cherry raised her hand to touch her shining silver mask; "Oh it's nothing Shoaran."

"Did someone make fun of you, cause if they did, wait till I get my hands on them." He clenched his fists and pretended to punch someone.

Cherry smiled and laughed at this. Shoaran stared at her, with wonder; she was like an angel.

"Ah Cherry," he remembered Sakura again,

"Yes," her emerald eyes were filled with happiness. Shoaran shuddered, at how similar they looked to Sakura's.

"I was wondering if you saw a girl with auburn hair and eye's like yours," Shoaran began to regret asking Cherry that, since the minute he mentioned it, her eye's began to fill with gloom once more.

"No Shoaran I haven't," her eyes went down to the concrete sidewalk. Shoaran opened his mouth to say something, but somehow couldn't.

"I have to go study, for mid-term exams, bye," Sakura excused herself before Shoaran could ask anything else.

Filled with toil and sorrow, she ran the rest of the way back to the University, refusing to push her fears aside.

Shoaran watched the red head disappear from his site. Until now, he didn't realise how much she had in common with Sakura, making him slightly nervous.

Why does she remind me so much of Sakura?

He couldn't help but ask himself.

Hidden with Shadows, a pair of grey eyes pierced at Shoaran. Akara's voice spoke just above a whisper, that only the creatures within the shadow could hear her

The answer is soon to come, Shoaran Li, Master of the Li clan.

Suppi: Whoa. What's with this Akara person, she sounds evil to me

Fruity: She's not evil, the only reason she sounds evil, is because you don't know what her motivates are

Suppi: Motives, smotives she evil. EVIL! I TELL YOU!

Fruity: Suppi stop it

Suppi: Help somebody get the priest, my partner has been possessed by the devil

Fruity: For heaven's sake. I think you've been eating too much candy

Suppi: Candy! Where?

Fruity: I am surrounded by idiots