Chapter Thirteen

Card Captor Sakura

~starjade~

* Crystal Tears *

Falling into the

* Stars *

a/n: FINALLY! dun dun dun duuuuuuuuuun....God this is fluff mania!...don't flame me PLEASE!

Sakura walked across the ballroom , her face set in determination. If he didn't like her back....that was all fine and good. She wouldn't care...

Sakura shook her head. Right now she wouldn't think of what he might say. He could refuse her for all she cared! But she had to get it out of her system. If she didn't do this , then all her life she would look back and think , this was one challenge that she backed down from.

Who knows , he might return your feelings , said a voice at the back of her mind. She scoffed at the thought of it , but it still brought a warmth to flood through her body.

She slowed down as she came from behind him , ready to ask. Yet Syaoran and his mother didn't notice her there , too involved they were in their own conversation.

She was about to back off , when she heard her name. Curiously she leaned forward to listen in.

" -absolutely not , mother. I was not doing such a thing."

" Yes you were Syaoran. You do have feelings for Sakura , and you know it."

Sakura felt a grin spread over her face. He liked her! A blush grew on her cheeks as she leaned forward a bit more to hear what he said next.

" No I Do Not." Syaoran growled , enunciating his words. Sakura felt the grin slide from her face immediately as he continued , " I do not need a wife , nor did I ask for one. I don't need her for a wife , I don't have any feelings for her of ANY sort-"

Suddenly he stopped talking , and noticed Sakura's aura. Sakura fought the tears that were forming in her eyes. No , no Sakura. Don't do this , she warned herself. Syaoran turned around and for one moment , looked at her. Sakura felt herself melt and she turned around quickly as he stared at her.

" Sakura??"

Sakura felt herself losing the battle against tears and she quickly sprinted for the nearest exit , nearly tripping over her beautiful gown. She heard voices calling after her , but she closed her ears off , and raced for the doors , quickly pushing at the heavy golden door, and then the next one after it , and met a wave of icy cold air. She ran outside , panting in the cold air that hung like a heavy black cape around her.

No , don't do this , Sakura! She thought , angrily. Stop running! Stop feeling this way! Your are not supposed to concern yourself over his answer! Remember your vow! You are not supposed to feel as if he drove a knife straight through your heart! It's wrong , it's wrong...yet these pleas fell short. She didn't stop running , blindly racing forward.

Why are you doing this , Sakura , she asked herself.

WHY DO YOU CARE?

Sakura let out a sob as she knew the answer.

Because I love him.

Sakura stopped , shocked , feeling the icy cold wind whip around her bare arms , releasing her hair from its twists and whipping it around her face. She looked all around herself , searching for excuses , searching for reasons but she stopped and the sobs came. Lonliness hung over her , wrapping Sakura up in it's icy , bitter clutches , digging itself into her skin to suffocate her heart making tears flow faster down her frosty cheeks.

She knew it was true. She loved Syaoran Li. She loved everything about him , that coldness about him , that sweet inner side he had , that cute way he blushed around her...

Yet he didn't love her back.

Sakura collapsed on the grass , trying her hardest to stop the sobs that were racking her body , trying to dry the tears that flowed endlessly from her emerald eyes. Finally she got control of herself , and sat on the grass , staring blindly at the castle in front of her. A blank mask overtook her sad face and all that remained of her sadness was her red , cried out eyes.

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

Syaoran gaped after Sakura's form , as she ran out the door. Where was she going , he thought to himself. He remembered how her face looked when he finally noticed her. Like something had exploded. Her eyes had gone all watery too...was she crying? Over what he had said? He didn't say anything that bad did he?

" I do not need a wife , nor did I ask for one. I don't need her for a wife , I don't have any feelings for her of ANY sort-"

Syaoran eyes widened as he saw Tomoyo break free from Eriol and race towards the door. Does Sakura care? Did she feel the same way...he did?

Syaoran finally unfroze his legs and came after her. He didn't notice the smile on his mother's face , or the wink she exchanged with Queen Nadeshiko. He put a hand on Tomoyo's shoulder , and said , " I think I should go."

Tomoyo nodded and said determinedly , " I'll go with you. Why was she crying? What happened?"

Syaoran eyes glazed over as he just replied , " I'll go by myself."

He pushed open the ballroom doors and looked around . Was she in the castle ,still? Trusting his instincts he quickly made a decision and ran to the door leading outside the castle. Ice cold air rushed at him , and he stepped outside , his eyes adjusting to the dark.

" SAKURA!" He called out , walking around. Shadows fell upon the grass , creating a larger depth to the forest behind the castle then there actually was. He felt concern and worry race through his body as he ran about looking for the girl he loved.

Wait a minute...Loved?

Uh oh..

Syaoran stopped in his tracks. Did he actually...love the Kinomoto Princess?? Of course not..

" Do I love her?" he asked , to no one in particular. He ran a hand through his hair , deep in thought. Pictures of Sakura raced through his mind. Her cheerful smile that caused him to blush like crazy , her warm touch , her emerald eyes that held such kindness and determination...

" Of course I don't love her! There is no such thing as love...right?"

He groaned , as he searched for an answer. She made him feel...like he was flying. He felt powerless around her , he felt vulnerable , he felt she could control his every move..

And he didn't care. He didn't care that she could do these things to him. He felt a need for her , a need for her to be in his arms..

Noooooooo....was all that was going through his mind.

Syaoran suddenly knew that his mother was right. There was such thing as love...and he loved Sakura Kinomoto.

Oh god....He was getting mushy!

Suddenly a figure sitting in the grass caught his eye and he rushed quickly toward her. Running , he came upon Sakura , staring blankly at the castle. Relief surged through him like an enormous wave. He sighed and stood over her a bit troubled at her vacant expression.

He tentatively asked , " Sakura? Um , are you-"

" Oh , hello Syaoran. I didn't see you there!" Sakura said in a surprised tone , cheerfully jumping to her feet. She smiled at him , but suddenly frowned. " What are you doing here?"

Syaoran stared at her , and mumbled ," You were crying-"

" Oh , I accidentally ripped my gown , and I was so sad over it. It is quite a beautiful gown , is it not?"

Syaoran was absolutely bewildered. Sakura was acting so....weird.

Syaoran exhaled slowly , and asked , " Are you okay then?"

Sakura nodded and smiled at him cheerfully. Syaoran noticed the redness in her eyes and the puffiness. He grew even more concerned about her behaviour. What was Sakura doing out here anyway? He felt even more perplexed than before.

" Sakura , we should go inside.."

" Why? The stars are so pretty , don't you think?"

Syaoran looked up at what she was looking at.

" Yes , they are quite beautiful.."

Suddenly Syaoran was struck with an idea. Could it work? Maybe Sakura would be cured of this strange behaviour...

Syaoran quickly grabbed Sakura's hand and shouted , " I'm going to show you something."

She yelled something , but Syaoran couldn't hear it. He ran towards the castle , dragging Sakura along. It was a balcony just off his room , that had the perfect vision of the lake , the moon and the stars. It was beautiful , but Syaoran never appreciated the beauty of it. Now , he knew that Sakura would.

~~~***~~~~

Sakura felt her body being dragged along , as they burst through the doors of the castle. Sakura remembered how cold she was feeling , even though she tried to remain normal on the outside. She was never going to show Syaoran how hurt she was. Right now , she had no idea what Syaoran was up to but even though she felt like running to her room and collapsing in sobs , she followed , holding her sadness in.

He climbed up the stairs , still holding Sakura's hand. She was shouting protests , but he ignored them as he wrenched open the door to his room , and went into it. Sakura gasped at the finery of the room. It was not even close to her room back at the Kinomoto castle. Her room was a closet compared to this. Huge canopy bed , foreign rugs , crystal windows...

Syaoran led her to the door and then to the balcony. Sakura , confused followed , but suddenly halted and gasped. All around her was a velvet cape of twinkling stars. She rushed out , forgetting Syaoran was there and clung to the balcony , squealing in delight.

" It's beautiful!"

She could see the moon , reflecting off the lake. Grinning , her eyes turned happy as she viewed such a beautiful sight.

She twirled around and her eyes fell on Syaoran who was watching her. The happiness slid from her eyes as she said coldly , " Thank-you for showing me this."

She began to walk off the balcony , when he stopped her.

" Wait a minute , Sakura." She stopped , wanting to race inside , to save herself any other pain , but she had to remain normal.

" What is it?"

Suddenly , it was like Syaoran had a new light in his eyes. First he looked around nervously , and stared out into the stars. He ran his hand through his hair and he mumbled under his breath uneasily. He paced back and forth acting jumpy .Sakura waited until she couldn't take it anymore.

" Okay , Syaoran , if your going to act like a fool , I'm going to leave."

Syaoran gaped at her before retorting , " I'm not the fool ! I wasn't the one sitting outside freezing to death!"

Sakura whipped her head towards him and snarled , " Gods , Syaoran , you never do shut up , do you?" She huffed , trying to push down all feelings for him. She renewed her anger as she reminded herself of his words and glared at him. She made a motion as if she was leaving , but Syaoran's voice broke through the silence, breaking a bit.

" Wait."

Sakura glared at him.

" Why should I wait? Huh?" She crossed her arms , narrowing her eyes at him in defiance.

Syaoran sighed , a different look on his face. He didn't have that mean edge in his eyes anymore , and almost looked lost.

" Sakura , I promised myself that I wouldn't fall in love 'cause I truly believed there was no such thing as love."

Sakura looked at him incredulous. Huh? What the heck was he saying? Syaoran leaned against the balcony , staring up at the stars , his jaw clenching as he fought to say the words deep in his heart. He looked a bit surprised too , like he couldn't believe he was saying what he was actually saying.

" Uh.." was the intelligent answer she came up with.

" Yet there was one day when I dreamed of a girl that l-loved me. She was b-beautiful , the girl of my dreams. Days later , I saw the same girl in real life. Yet I never said a word , because my pride was too great to admit that I w-was in l-love. I'm not sure she feels the way I do as well , though , and I wanted to a-ask you about that."

Sakura was shocked. She opened her mouth to say something , but closed it and looked down. Great , more pain. He was now going to rip her apart again , by telling her that he liked some other flimsy girl , and wanted her to say no to the engagement so he could run off with her.

Sighing , she held back a wave of fresh tears as she whispered , " What do you want to ask me?"

Syaoran looked up at the stars , as a flush started from his neck to wash over his entire face.

" What should I do? Should I tell her I love her , or should I wait?"

Sakura felt like she couldn't breath , as if someone was cutting off her air circulation. Her breath came in ragged puffs. God this was even more painful then before...there were so many excuses she could come up with for his words to his mother. Now...

"Who is this girl?" was all she could choke out. And she thought she was over the pain that he didn't like her...Syaoran liking another girl , now that was a whole new issue..

Syaoran blushed, as his eyes took on a faraway look

" The most beautiful girl in the world. I think that you might know her ,Sakura. You might know her very well."

That was the last straw for Sakura. She could hear her heart cracking , the shards falling to floor , tinkling as it hit the ground. No , she wasn't going to take ANY more pain!

Rage filled the empty void in her heart and she whirled around , yelling ," Who the hell are you talking about , Syaoran ? How dare you care about someone this much without consulting me first? She's probably using you ," here she gasped as her imagination and anger ran wild , " maybe even using you for your money! Maybe she wants to assassinate you! Damn , Syaoran , why do you always make such foolish choices!"

She paced back and forth as Syaoran stood watching her with wide , unbelieving eyes. Finally he burst out laughing , nearly falling off the balcony in hysterics. Sakura stormed up to him , her emerald eyes smouldering.

" Why are you laughing , huh? Am I doing something amusing to you? I'm trying to teach you on how to pick a decent girl for once!"

Syaoran was holding his side as peals of laughter escaped him. Sakura finally had enough of him. He's mocking me , she thought. He doesn't take me seriously. Grr... how dare he love somebody else. Here tears began to roll down her cheeks as she imagined Syaoran with another girl. It hurt her so much to think of him loving someone else.

Slowly she turned around , trying to control her tears. Syaoran loves somebody else , was all that was repeating through her mind , as she began to walk away.

" Sakura , wait!" cried Syaoran , who had finally got over his laughing streak. Sakura ignored him , hurt. She walked away faster ,wiping her eyes quickly.

" Prince Li , please do not address me in any other way than Princess Kinomoto. I must leave to my own chambers , for it will be a very busy day tomorrow-"

Sakura was suddenly wrenched to a stop as a hand grabbed hers. Slowly the hand began to pull her towards him ,until twirling her to face them. Sparking amber eyes met hers. She leaned back a bit in fear at the look in his eyes. Syaoran put an arm around her waist pulling her gently against him. Sakura looked wonderingly at him , surprised at what he was doing. What was he doing? Sakura thought , not wanting to relax in fear that he would reject her. She was close enough to hear his heart beating through his shirt , to feel his muscles , to breathe in his musky scent..

Syaoran smiled down at her and gently said , " Sakura , are you sure your using me for my money? Do you really want to assassinate me? Do you think I was foolish in my decision of loving Sakura Kinomoto? Because if you do,"

Here Syaoran leaned down until he was level with her shocked eyes ,

" Please tell me and I won't do what I'm about to do."

Sakura was not even able to process what he had just said , before Syaoran leaned down slowly , and almost timidly , kissed her. She gasped as the room began to swirl around her. Surprise and shock enveloped her , and she held herself quite stiffly . His lips were warm, his arms around her protectively. She gave a gasp of surprise before she began to relax and put her arms around his neck instinctively. She felt like she was flying , and her head began to swirl. Syaoran was so gentle , and he kissed her with such love and passion that she never thought the cold distant prince would have.

Finally , Syaoran separated from her. He pushed back , stumbling away from her and ran his hands through his hair , nervously. His eyes held an expression of shock , fear , and longing.

" Oh god , I'm sorry Sakura. I never meant to do that without asking you.."

Sakura in the meantime was trying her hardest to take it all in. She wasn't hearing him babble on about how sorry he was . She had to breath in and out trying to control her raging feelings. What an turbulent emotional ride she went on! Pain , anxiousness , fear , love , sadness , anger...she felt like she had experienced every emotion known to mankind in just this one night.

Looking at Syaoran , she could see him still talking , running his hands through his hair nervously , his face red with embarrassment....but all that was going through her head was

SYAORAN LOVES ME!

She gave a happy giggle and he stopped , confused. He peered at her through the darkness of the room trying to see if she was laughing at him , or..

" Sakura??"

Sakura just gave him a smile and began to leave. She glanced back once , and he was standing there looking lost and vulnerable...and so adorable. She raced back to give him a quick kiss.

" I love you too , Syaoran."

With that , she left as quickly as she could , giggling the whole way. Of course she didn't notice the two pairs of eyes that were looking upon the entire scene , snickering behind the dresser door...

a/n: WAY TOO MUCH FLUFF! gods , what have I been thinking...

I'm not much of a fluff writer , but man , this was like , fluff. Maybe I can be a fluff writer...

AT LEAST BE HAPPY THEY GOT TOGETHER! *cheers* But don't be happy for long , cos you know who in the carriage is going to come ! ( okay , maybe you don't know you know who in the carriage...ah well , you'll find out soon enough!^^)

Oh and PWEEZE REVIEW! please , please , please , please?

You know the slower you review the longer it takes for chapters to come out!

Of course the exact opposite for faster chappies!

Come on...REVIEW!