Chapter Nineteen

Card Captor Sakura

Crystal Tears

~starjade~

Leaving

The announcement shook the air , and tore apart any other happiness or hope that may have lingered in the Kinomoto Kingdom. Fujitaka stood defiantly in the middle of the parlour , as the shocked residents tried to bring themselves together.

" What?" Sakura whispered , her voice trembling. Fujitaka smiled warmly at his daughter , but Sakura saw none of the warmth.

" I cannot stand my daughter being in such a torturous place. She will be coming home , and she will be engaged to Prince Melikon. Prince Melikon had been asking about my daughter for quite some time , and now I have accepted his offer of marriage. He will be coming in a week."

Nadeshiko had finally gotten control over herself and was rapidly turning an angry red. " Fujitaka! Did you not receive my letter?? I clearly stated that you were not to do anything rash! You were to leave me to sort out this problem!"

Fujitaka faced his wife and explained , " Sakura is my daughter, as well. I cannot just stay at the Kingdom , on the sidelines, expected to do nothing!"

Nadeshiko pursed her lips , angrily. " Fujitaka , I do not like this at all! You will leave-"

" No I will not! Sakura and all the Kinomoto people will be leaving-"

" Fujitaka! Listen, Sakura is not going anywhere-"

" Yes , she is! Don't you understand that they are coming in a week-"

" Do I care? Why do you insist on breaking Sakura's heart again-"

" I am doing what is best for our daughter-"

" STOP IT!" shouted Sakura, her hands on her ears. Everyone swivelled around to meet Sakura , who was shaking. She could not take her parents fighting. They never fought , yet now they were fighting . Over her. Her eyes took in the room , at Yelan's pale face , Tomoyo's scared expression , Eriol's angry one , and Syaoran...

She felt herself choke and she quickly blurted out , before she could consider it over , " I will do whatever you want me to , Father. This I promise."

Syaoran's head snapped up at her words , and he stared disbelieving at her distraught expression. Nadeshiko gazed upon he daughter , tears coming to her own eyes. Fujitaka nodded , as if he expected no less.

" Good. We are leaving tomorrow."

Sakura's eyes shot up , and her eyes were wide. Tomorrow???

" I expect all the Kinomoto people to pack their things today , for the carriages will arrive tomorrow morning. Thank you." He nodded at his wife and then followed one of the servants to a guest room.

The whole crowed cleared away. Nadeshiko , angrily followed Fujitaka , her heels snapping and her skirts billowing behind her . Tomoyo's eyes filled up with tears as she gazed at Eriol once and then ran down the halls to god knows where. Eriol had also turned on his heel , walking as if he did not care. But his shoulders sagged and Sakura knew that he was feeling great pain and loss.

Sakura glanced at the two remaining people. Syaoran was staring off into the distance , and Meiling was looking at the floor , an unreadable expression on her face. Sakura shook her head , blinking hard. I hope you'll be happy , Syaoran. I truly hope so , she thought and left slowly , climbing the stairs with precision.

Meiling turned to look at Syaoran , who looked lost and distant. She felt tears come to her eyes as well , and she thought, Syaoran , I know now that you will never love me. She walked away sadly as Syaoran was left , still staring off into the distance. He sighed as Meiling's steps receded and he glanced around himself at the empty parlour. Empty , he thought. Just....empty.

He felt the thought squeeze him and he ran upstairs to his room.

Don't leave me Sakura.

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

Sorrow hung over all the rooms in the Li Castle. It was now a lost cause...no more hope was left for the seemingly perfect couple. The servants had grown to admire Sakura's kindness and cheerfulness. She had been a welcome change to the snotty princesses they had grown to know. They knew she was perfect for Syaoran....but it was not meant to be. It was a sad thought , and they all knew that with Sakura , the Li Kingdom would be prosperous. Yet.....

Sakura stared at the empty suitcase in front of her. It lay on her bed , and her wardrobe was flung open. Soon the suitcase would be full , and she would be leaving the Li Kingdom forever. Maybe she could come back to visit....

Sakura smiled sadly , as she picked up the first gown and placed it carefully in the pack. She couldn't stand the idea of Syaoran with another woman....it tore her up inside as she thought of him kissing Meiling or hugging her and she flung the next gown angrily into the pack. She would just have to forget Syaoran.

Sakura picked up the next gown and she gasped as the silk met her fingers pleasantly. It was the emerald green gown that she had worn on the engagement. She smiled softly , and a drop fell into the gown. Her eyes widened and she thought , was it raining. She touched her cheek where it had fell from , and she was surprised to find that it was wet. She had been crying and she never knew it.

Sakura shook her head angrily and packed the rest of her gowns away. She took another pack out and put all her necessities in this one , her jewellery , her wand and costumes. She tied up the packs with some string and set it down near the door. Tomoyo still hadn't packed , and she reflected on that thought sadly. Even though Tomoyo had never told her , she knew how Tomoyo felt about Eriol. It was as painful for her as it was for Sakura. She was leaving the one she loved as well....

Sakura sat down on her bed gently. Maybe Prince Melikon would turn out to be the man of her dreams. Maybe he was nice , kind , and would treat her with respect and they would slowly fall in love? Her image of Prince Melikon blurred into Syaoran...and she knew. The only man of her dreams would always be....

Sakura got up and walked out the door. She drifted down the hallways as if under a trance. She stopped suddenly , and her hand raised to knock on a door. She gazed at the door surprised and she realised she had arrived to Syaoran's door. Foolish , she swore to herself. You are absolutely foolish.

She turned around to leave and the door opened suddenly. She froze as she sensed the person come up behind her.

" Sakura?"

The voice made her want to melt and she felt her resolve to leave without emotions melt along with it. She told her body to walk away , but she couldn't . A warm touch at her hand made her eyes flutter close as the person took her hand.

Suddenly her eyes shot open as the person pulled her hand and turn her around. Bright amber eyes met hers and Syaoran asked softly , " Why are you here?"

Sakura felt her mouth close up and she choked out , " I don't know."

Syaoran stared at her and tears came to her eyes and flooded past her eyes. She collapsed against his chest and his arms came around her. He put two fingers under her chin and tilted her head up and kissed her. Sakura could hear that stupid voice at the back of her had telling her to break away , or leaving would be harder than it already is. Sakura pushed the voice away and kissed him back. Their lips met in a flurry of emotions and they could each feel the raw pain they had been feeling all in that one kiss. Soon the kiss turned into much more and Sakura felt herself drift away in his kiss , but she knew that she couldn't..

She broke away breathlessly.

" I promised my father..." she whispered , her voice trailing off. She turned away and ran down the hallway , surprised at the amount of strength she needed to pull away from his arms. She never needed someone this much in her life....

Syaoran watched as Sakura disappeared around the corner. He let out a soft moan as he went back into his room. She was leaving him , forever , and he couldn't to a damn thing about it.

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

Tomoyo changed quickly into a dress that she had laid out yesterday before she had packed. It was the day she was dreading....since yesterday. She sighed and put on a cheerful smile. At least leave looking happy. She glanced at Sakura's sleeping form and tried to wake her up. Finally , after shaking her and pulling her hair , Sakura went into the washroom to change. Tomoyo grabbed her stuff and hoped that Eriol was downstairs.

Tomoyo raced down the stairs and looked around her, at the crowding up parlour. She couldn't find Eriol! She went on her tip toes trying to find a navy haired man , but still no luck. She turned around and BAM! Ran straight into the chest of someone. She rebounded back , her arms flailing , letting go of her luggage. The man caught her arms and brought her back up.

" Easy there , Tomoyo!" a cheerful voice said , and Tomoyo looked into Eriol's navy blue eyes. She nearly melted right then and there.

" Hi , Eriol." she said , her voice trembling. She was going to leave....without ever telling Eriol how she felt.

Eriol looked at her curiously and picked up her luggage for her. Tomoyo took the luggage from him and looked down. Eriol put his hands in his pockets and said , " So...your leaving."

Tomoyo nodded. Eriol coughed a bit and then spoke again , " I'll miss you."

Tomoyo looked up , eyes shining. " You will?"

Eriol nodded smiling lopsidedly. " Yah....your a good friend. I had fun with you here."

Tomoyo smiled. " Me too ....I'll miss you too."

Eriol grinned at her and someone patted her shoulder. Tomoyo looked around and Sakura stood behind her , luggage in her hands.

" Hey , Tomoyo," Sakura said , her voice cheerful. Her eyes held sadness and Tomoyo knew Sakura was trying hard to be cheerful. About leaving and marrying another man , Tomoyo had no idea how Sakura could stand it.

" Well , we're going back to Kinomoto Kingdom. We get to see your brother and Yukito and Kero and.....everyone! It'll be fun , won't it?" Tomoyo asked , smiling.
Sakura's eyes brightened just a bit. " Yes , it will. I can't wait to see them!"

Eriol grinned and Sakura noticed him. " Well , I'll leave you two to your own private chats..." Sakura rose her eyebrows at Tomoyo , and Tomoyo whacked her on her arm as Sakura walked away.

Tomoyo opened her mouth to talk to Eriol when Fujitaka yelled out , " The carriages are here! All Kinomoto residents come on!"

Tomoyo felt her heart sink and she looked at Eriol. Eriol's eyes seemed to be sad....

" Look , Eriol. I was hoping...we could write to each other. You know , until I come back to visit..." Tomoyo looked at Eriol hopefully and Eriol smiled.

" We'll write to each other." he answered and Tomoyo grinned.

As the carriages rolled up , Tomoyo grabbed her luggage and said , " That's it! I'll miss you a lot , Eriol and you'll always be a good friend to me." She quickly hugged him , blushing and Eriol looked around nervously.

" Yes...and Tomoyo? Before you leave.... I just wanted to tell you something."

Tomoyo looked at Eriol curiously. " What?" she asked.

Eriol smiled a bit and whispered , " I know you don't feel the same way.....but I love you."

With that he walked away fast , before she could say a word. His back retreated into the shadows of the hall and Tomoyo felt her heart swell with joy. He loved her! ERIOL LOVED HER!

She couldn't believe it! And yet....he still didn't know that she loved him back. With a sad smile on her face , Tomoyo turned and headed for the carriages. Someday she would tell him. She would tell him. And then they'd be together forever.

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

Sakura heard Fujitaka's call and her heart dropped as she scanned the crowd for a chestnut haired man. If she could only say goodbye....

All of Syaoran's sisters came up to her and gushed , tears in their eyes. Sakura smiled and wiped away their tears , smiling as they told her how they wanted her to be Syaoran's wife. Sakura couldn't tell them how much she wanted that to be true and only hugged each of them tightly and whispered goodbye.

She grabbed her luggage and turned around and nearly ran into Syaoran. Syaoran stood serious and commanding over her and she stared up at him. She wanted to jump into his arms , tell him that she loved him and they would always be together....

But she didn't.

Sakura smiled , her smile wobbling just a bit as she whispered , " Thank you , Syaoran. For being there for me. I'll miss you....a lot. But we'll always be.....friends." At that word she had to breathe in fast as she stared at Syaoran's clouded amber eyes.

Syaoran didn't take Sakura's outstretched hand. Instead he backed away and said quietly , " I still love you."

With those simple four words he turned away and walked back. She stared at him tears in her eyes. Quickly , without looking at anyone , she grabbed her luggage and ran out of the front parlour , heading out into the sunlight of the day outside , her feet pounding on the pebbled walkway as she raced to the carriage. She threw open the carriage doors and leaped inside , collapsing against the seat. She sank low , sobbing quietly. Tomoyo sat beside her , her eyes holding their own sadness as she held onto Sakura.

Syaoran stood at the entrance watching as the carriages began to roll away. Fujitaka and Nadeshiko rode in the first carriage, then the rest of the maids and body guards and then Tomoyo and Sakura. He watched as the carriage holding the girl he loved roll away from him. He saw it all and he wanted to beat up something hard. He'd practice with the sword again later. For the rest of the day.

Sakura twisted around in her seat and saw through blurry eyes Syaoran's figure as he stood at the entrance his hands in his pocket , staring at the carriage. She felt it burst at her heart and she couldn't take it anymore.

Quickly she leapt up , and twisted out of the carriage so half her body was out dangerously. Tomoyo shouted at her but she didn't listen. She yelled , " I LOVE YOU XIOLANG! I always will!" And with that the carriage rolled out of the castle gates and into the Kingdom beyond.

Syaoran's head snapped up at the words and he felt it flood through him. She still loved him...and she called him by his real name. HE felt frustration grow and he pounded the wall behind him.

" I love you too," he whispered as he punched the wall.

Unbeknownst to him , Meiling was at the other end of the hall and she heard his words. She sagged against the wall , painfully. She always knew it....but she couldn't bring herself to admit it. Syaoran loved someone else.

Quickly she wiped away her tears and made her way to Syaoran.

" Syaoran?" she spoke. Syaoran stopped punching the wall and froze.

" What?" he asked , his voice quiet and dangerous.

Meiling took a deep , shaking breath.

" I'm ready to beak the engagement."

a/n: Another cliffy. Am I good at this or what?? Finally , FINALLY Meiling comes to her senses. A bit late , isn't it? But who knows what this good news might do. And what about Prince Melikon? Is he going to be the man of Sakura's dreams.....or the man of Sakura's nightmares?

And how will Syaoran get Sakura back?

FIND OUT IN THE FUTURE CHAPTERS OF Crystal Tears!

( and remember I'm the author....)

REVIEW AS WELL! I ONLY UPDATE WHEN I GET MORE REVIEWS! MORE REVIEWS! PWEEZE?