Once upon a time

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura doesn't belong to me. It belongs to Clamp.

*Sniff* when I reread ch.1, it was so sad. This is pathetic; my own writing is making me cry ^-^ Or maybe it sucks so much that I'm crying in disbelief that a story could possibly suck that much! Whichever! Anyway, I'm really into angst right now, with all the angst that I write, so expect it. I will, however, make it a HAPPY ending, so don't worry. Please read, enjoy, and review!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*****Sakura's POV****

There I stand, on the brink of the sea.

Nothing but the ocean, a vast eternity of water and coldness. Yet, it fits me so well. My mood exactly.

So close…so near to death. The distinction between life and infinity so fine.

The gentle breeze lifts my auburn hair, flying in the wind. My face is turned towards the weak sun. I am standing ontop of the bridge, the barrier that protects me from the ravages of the ocean. Nothing can stop me now.

I smile, and I lean, lean down….falling…

*******Syaoran's POV******

Wearing my sweats, I take my morning jog. It's such a wary, dismal day. The sun is up, but barely, not shedding any light.

As I near the bridge, I see a lonely figure atop, the breeze swaying her hair. Slender, with auburn hair, I know who she is. A faint smile on her lips, she leans…

Oh God…kami-sama… she's going to fall…

"Sakura! Stop!!" Sprinting, I run to her. Just in time to catch her in my arms, her bony arms clutching at my shirt.

"What the hell were you doing Sakura!" I screamed angrily. "You could die! Do you know that?!"

I shake her roughly. Dammit! What stunt was she trying to pull?

"I'm sorry Syaoran-kun. Gomen," she whispers. "I made you mad again, didn't I?"

I glare at her. "What were you trying to do? Kill yourself?"

Her eyes are empty. She says nothing, but I know what the silence means.

"Please don't yell at me Syaoran," she says, her voice barely audible.

I don't want to, but I feel myself soften. She's so tiny, skinny. Defenseless. What would I do without her?

"Oh God Sakura. Do you know what I would have done if you were dead?"

"I-I-I-'m sorry. You must hate me."

Whoosh. Out went all of my anger. I can never stay mad at her. "No, I don't hate you Sakura. But you have to promise me that you'll never try that again. Promise?!"

"I can't do that," she says softly.

I shake her again. "Kuso na Sakura. Say it." My dark amber eyes bore into hers, and she looks away.

"Stop Syaoran. You're hurting me."

I stop shaking her. My rage is gone, to be replaced by hopelessness. "Onegai Sakura? For me?" I implore quietely.

She looks up at me, emerald eyes confused. Slowly, she looks away and says, barely discernible, "I promise."

I don't push her to sound more confident. I know she's in mental pain.

Carrying her light body, I take her to Tomoyo's house.

*******Regular POV******

Tomoyo's house…

"Ding dong"

On opening the door, Tomoyo sees a ragged Sakura in Syaoran's arms. But that was impossible! Sakura was upstairs, sleeping!

"Sakura-chan, is that you?" asked Tomoyo anxiously.

"It's Sakura," answered Syaoran hoarsely.

"Oh Kami-sama…" Pulling Sakura out of Syaoran's arms, Tomoyo led her to a nearby sofa.

"Where was she?" questioned Tomoyo, fearing the answer.

"The bridge, overlooking the river," replied Syaoran shortly, his face hard.

"She tried to jump off, didn't she?" whispered Tomoyo, already knowing the answer.

Syaoran said nothing.

"Oh God Sakura-chan. Arigato Syaoran-kun, for saving Sakura." Tomoyo hugged Sakura as she cried, but Sakura was inert.

Breaking off in mid sob, Tomoyo said," Look at me, being so selfish. Take Sakura to bed. She must be tired."

Syaoran nodded dully. He carried Sakura upstairs, and tucked her in bed. Kissing her on the forehead, he looked at her ravaged face. Once so angelic, it still was, but he could see the places where the anguish lied. He used to admire her strength, her ability to always smile when things were against her. Yet, that was gone now. He desperately hoped the tough side of Sakura would come through. Closing the door softly behind him, he uttered a prayer for his one-side love.

*******************

Once upon a time there was a cold boy of ten, fiery amber eyes and arrogance that refused to be deprecated. Glares from the boy were reputed to freeze fire, and never did he show his true emotions. Yet, inside he was a kind and considerate, a heart as pure as gold. When he met a certain emerald-eyed girl, he hated her for the cheerfulness that she wore like a favorite blouse. He was jealous, the way she was capable of laughing and talking, always overjoyed with life.

Slowly, her heartwarming smile and gentle, compassionate deeds won him over. Sakura never ceased to amaze him. No matter what, happiness was her being. She taught him hope, love, and the meaning of existence. Beautiful, spirited, innocent…she was untouchable. Over the years, he had grown to love her. The only person to breach his hard exterior, and touch his heart within.

But Sakura didn't know of his changing feelings. Impossibly naïve, she hadn't noticed the way he looked at her or held her when she was sad. She thought nothing of how he embraced her like a delicate flower, afraid of crushing her, or the way his eyes were so gentle.

Then her family died. It was painful to see how the incident tortured her innocuous soul. The honey brown hair that sparkled from combing was tangled and knotted in clumps, emerald eyes hazy, and perpetual bags under her eyes, proof the sandman never visited.

She was not eternally happy. She had sorrow and sadness like everyone else. She was vulnerable to the evils and melancholy of life.

He would stand by Sakura forever. Even if she never saw him as more than a best friend. She deserved better than him. She deserved to be a princess in a land of thriving flowers and lithe unicorns, a place where a smile would always graze her face and laughter her constant companion.

***********************

To be continued…

AN- What did you guys think? It was sad, wasn't it? Don't worry, in the end it will be S+S! Right now, Sakura is sad and stuff, but there are a lot of S+S moments. Later, as she learns to love again and be happy, it won't be so angst-sty. Ooopps, just blurted something out ^_^ As a favor, could you guys (readers) please review? It would mean a lot to me, and I would be very happy. I would like to know how you guys like this, or if you think it sucks. Reviews motivate me to write faster. Thanks, and ja ne!

If you have time or if you believe that cleaning your room is the most exciting thing in the world, I would appreciate it if you would read & review my fics:

"Love your Enemy": Sakura is an intelligent, quiet girl who used to be cheerful and happy before something terrible happened. Yet now, she hardly ever smiles, wears clothes sizes too big for her, and glasses that hide her true beauty. She is still kind to everyone, and the only person able to stir any emotions of hate in her is Li Syaoran, whom she's hated for practically her entire life. Can he help her get over her issues? The one thing Sakura is most frightened of is falling in love.

"Best Friends": Syaoran and Sakura have been best friends for practically their whole lives. Yet, when Sakura starts dating, Syaoran can't help but feel jealous. Slowly, Syaoran falls in love with his best friend, and Sakura is confused by her emotions. Do things change?