Until we meet again

By Mana Lugia

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS, never have, never will.

Dictionary, I guess:

Gomen = Sorry

Matte = Wait

Hentai = Pervert

Hai = Yes

Kawaii = Cute

Oniisan = Brother (referring to Touya)

Arigato = Thank you

Hanyaan = Something Sakura says when she's in a happy state

Hoe = (pronounced Ho-yee) Something Sakura says when she's panicking and stuff.

Aishiteru = I love you

Baka = Idiot/moron

===========================

He looked up, and stared at the tree. It was quite a sight. The tall cherry blossom tree was in full bloom, spreading its beauty to everyone through the many blossoms, which are falling down slowly, like feathers floating in the wind. He wondered if this would be a good time to tell her. After all, Cherry blossoms are *her* favorite flowers, and telling her while they are in bloom would not only be romantic, but will also distract her enough so she would let him down easier. However, they were scheduled to go out on an outing with Tomoyo and Eriol, so he doubt he'd have any time to try.

'Speaking of *her*, where is she, anyways? She better not be late again...' It was at this moment when he heard the sound of running footsteps. "Ahhhhhhhhh!" He heard a familiar voice scream. He turned around in time to see someone crash head-first into him. They fell to the grass with a thud, he being on the bottom. "Oww..." He heard the other person say.

"Um, Sakura? You're sitting on me..." He said. The person on top of him blinked, and suddenly noticed that she was sitting on him. Getting up quickly, a faint red appeared on her cheek. "Um, gomen, Syaoran, I wasn't watching where I was going, I was a little rushed..." She apologized quickly. A faint crack of a grin appeared on his face. "Sleeping in again, huh, sleepyhead?" He commented. She blinked for a second, and then playfully smacked Syaoran on the back of his head. "Syaoran! You're so mean!" She teased. "Anyways, I'm so sorry I'm late. Kero had to grab that extra stack of pancakes before we left."

"Speaking of that stuffed animal, where is it anyways?" Syaoran wondered out loud.

Sakura giggled. "Kero and I were halfway out the door when he suddenly decided not to go when dad was talking to Touya about making cake for dessert."

Syaoran shrugged. "I don't care about the stuffed animal anyways. If he doesn't show up, all the better for me." This comment got him another smack on the back of his head. "Fine, fine, I won't say that again...."

"Good!" Sakura pouted. Syaoran could have melted right there. Sakura looked so beautiful, so cute to him when she does that. He just wanted to hug her and kiss her right there, but his self-restraint kicked in. Embarrassed, he tried to look away. "I wonder where Eriol and Tomoyo are, they promised to be here on time," Sakura wondered.

'Knowing the two of them, they're probably having a make-out session in the bushes' Syaoran thought, as an evil grin creeped into his face. Sakura looked at him oddly.

"Syaoran, are you ok? You're grinning, did I say something funny?" Syaoran suddenly realized what he was doing and tried to cover it up. "N-no, it's nothing. I guess they just got caught up in traffic. Look, there they are!" He pointed at the pair  who were approaching them. As they approached, Syaoran noticed Eriol's shirt was a little wrinkled. He walked up to Eriol.

"Been busy in the bushes, Hiiragizawa?" He whispered into Eriol's ear, going for a direct attack. Eriol only smiled.

"Hey, at least I have the guts to tell her like a man," Eriol whispered back sweetly, before giving Syaoran the innocent smile. Syaoran felt blood gushing up his head, and couldn't decide if his face was red because of a blush or because he wants to punch Eriol that badly. Meanwhile, he heard a shout from Sakura.

"Hey, are you guys coming with us or not?" She yelled. It turns out that while the boys had their little exchange of words, the girls had already started walking and are pretty far from the guys. "H-hey! Matte!" Yelled the guys as they chased after the girls, who started running too. It was then when Eriol got an evil idea.

"Hey, girls! Your skirts are flapping in the wind when you run! It's a very nice view from back here!" He yelled. His plan worked. The girls stopped running, allowing the guys to catch up. Just when the guys caught up to them, Tomoyo began slapping Eriol, while repeatedly yelling "Hentai!"

*~*~*~*~*

The group had finally arrived at their location, a serene spot by the lake. The lake was surrounded by many cherry blossom trees, and the hundreds of falling petals presented the lake a very dreamlike feeling. Syaoran picked up a pebble from the ground, and skipped it as far as he could across the tranquil waters, causing ripples to shake up the still lake. Eriol grinned, and followed suit, and skipped his rock further than Syaoran's did. Refusing to admit defeat, Syaoran picked up another rock and skipped it, and so began the competition.

Meanwhile, Tomoyo brought out her picnic basket, while Sakura laid the picnic blanket on the ground. After setting out all of the food, Tomoyo went back to what she loves to do best, and started taping everyone.

"Did you *have* to carry that around with you everywhere, Tomoyo?" Sakura asked, still amazed that her friend carried the video camera everywhere she went. Tomoyo just smiled sweetly. "Look at the camera, Sakura!" She pointed the camera at Sakura.

Sakura immediately tried to change the topic. "Um, let's start eating! Guys, come and get it!" She yelled to the boys, who seemed to have turned a competition of skipping stones to an all out war of chucking rocks into the water. Stones were being thrown into the lake so fast that it seems as if the lake started to boil.

Syaoran wasn't thinking anymore. He wanted to beat Hiiragizawa so badly it wasn't funny. Throwing stones here and there, he grinned at Eriol. "Having trouble keeping up, Hiiragizawa?"

Eriol turned and smiled. "Of course not, my cute descendant, but I think a certain someone wants your attention," he winked. Syaoran stopped, and heard Sakura call them for lunch. He glared at Eriol. "Fine, but this isn't over," he stated, before walking back towards the food.

The group sat down and started digging into the various food items Tomoyo brought, while admiring the beatiful landscape. Syaoran was in awe. No matter how many times he sees them, cherry blossoms always struck him as the prettiest flowers he's ever seen. Especially the one who was sitting right across from him taking a bite out of her sushi.

"Beautiful..." he mumbled to himself, lost in his thoughts. "Huh, what is, Syaoran?" Sakura asked. Syaoran suddenly hit reality. "U-um, what did you say?" He asked. "You said something was beautiful, what is it?" replied Sakura.

'CRAP!' Syaoran thought, as he tried to make up a good excuse. Eriol came to his rescue. "Hey, remember when we did this last year?" He tried to make a conversation. "Oh, I remember! Sakura was so kawaii last year when she wore that costume I made for her!" Tomoyo squealed, while Sakura turned a deep shade of red.

"I didn't need you help, I could've done it myself," Syaoran whispered to Eriol.

"Whatever you say, descendant," He whispered back.

"I told you to stop calling me that!" Syaoran yelled, and then realized his folly and looked awkwardly at the girls, who had no idea what just went on. "Um, sorry about that."

Meanwhile, Eriol stood up. "Well, Li and I are just going back to skipping the stones, alright?" He declared, and then dragged Syaoran away before he could say anything.

"What are you talking about? I never agreed!" Syaoran exclaimed once the two reached the edge of the water.

Eriol shrugged. "I just wanted to talk to you." Syaoran was confused. "About what?"

"You know what I'm talking about," Eriol stated. Syaoran quieted down. "What are you going to do about it? You can't keep waiting..." Eriol trailed off.

Syaoran was quiet for a moment. "Why can't I? I've kept it from her for a few years now, and I can keep it for a while longer. If I tell her, it's only going to hurt me, after all."

"You never know until you try, just look at Tomoyo and I. Besides, you know very well that she's one of the most popular girls in the school," Eriol rebuttled. That drove Syaoran into another round of deep thinking.

"You know, Hiiragizawa... Sometimes, I really want to kill you," Syaoran muttered.

Eriol grinned. "Whatever, descendant, but just think about it, ok?" With that, he walked back to join the girls. Syaoran stood there, looking at his image in the lake, trying to figure out what he was going to do. After a while, he gave up and went back.

*~*~*~*~*

Eriol's words still lingered in Syaoran's mind after he got home. Even when he picked up his sword and started training, he could still hear Eriol.

"You can't keep waiting..."

"She's one of the most popular girls in the school,"

The words kept circling around Syaoran's mind, driving him close to insanity. Should he tell her? He doesn't know. He was afraid of what she'd say. Did she feel the same way towards him, or is he just a hopeless dreamer living on an illusion? But if this is an illusion, does he really want to go back to reality? Fed up with training, he put on his jacket and left for the park.

The park was empty, since darkness was fast approaching. The sun was slowly setting, and all that remains were the ghosts of the children's laughter. He sat on the swings, trying to place his thoughts in order. What will he say? How would she react? She means the whole world to him... If he tells her, things might change, and he doesn't want to take the risk of losing her. This is too frustrating. "Ugh!" He yelled out loud.

"Syaoran?" A voice came from behind him. It was Sakura. Syaoran gulped, and turned to look at her. He felt blood starting to rush up his face again. Damn, he really has to stop doing that. "S-Sakura," he sputtered.

Sakura took the swing beside him and started swinging on it a little bit. "Gomen, I didn't mean to disturb you," She apologized.

"It's ok, I wasn't doing anything important anyways. Why are you here so late?" Syaoran asked.

Sakura looked at the sand beneath her feet. "Well, I wanted to talk to Tomoyo about something, but she went to Eriol's for the night, so I came here to do some thinking..."

"Oh?" Syaoran said.

"Um, Syaoran, do you mind if I ask you a question?" Sakura slowly asked.

Syaoran nodded. "Sure, what do you want to ask me?"

Sakura hesitated a little, unsure if it was a wise choice. "Syaoran, have you ever felt like you loved someone?"

Syaoran felt his heart jump. Did she know already? Did he make himself that obvious? Slowly, he nodded. "H-hai..."

He felt Sakura was hesitating, apparently debating whether or not she should tell him what's coming next. "Well, um, there's this guy I like..."

Syaoran felt his heart stop. She likes a guy already? Damn, that's a blow to his heart. Now he's even more sure that she'd never love him like that, and that it's useless to even try. Syaoran felt a lump in his throat, and a warm liquid began to well up in his eyes. He quickly rubbed it away, pretending as if it was dust in his eyes.

"...I think I am in love with him, and it hurts me to not tell him. Do you think I should tell him how I feel? I'm afraid of what he's going to say..." She asked.

Syaoran felt his world shatter. He still can't believe that Sakura already had her eyes set on someone. He understood Sakura's pain. She had told Yukito about how she felt about him, and Yukito only told her that it was a fatherly kind of love that she held for him. Slowly, he replied. "Well, I can't give you the answer to that question, because I am not you. However, you should figure out yourself if it's a wise choice to tell him. I know how you feel though, sometimes I really don't want to change what I have now for the unknown results, even if theres' a chance of it being better."

"Um, Syaoran, do you still love that person?" Sakura asked slowly.

"Hai, she's the best thing that's ever happened to me..." Syaoran answered. "But I don't know how she feels about me, and I don't really want to know right now."

They fell silent. "Well, I think my dad'll be worried if I don't return soon, so I'm going to go now. Good night, Li-kun!" She waved as she ran off. Syaoran sensed that something was bothering her, moments after their conversation began. He wondered what it was.

*~*~*~*~*

Syaoran laid on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. Her words had stabbed him directly. While he felt somewhat happy that she loved someone, he also felt tinges of jealousy for whoever it was she held her affection for. After their encounter at the park, he had been feeling very moody. Upon reaching his apartment, he had punched his pillow so many times he could swear it was going to break apart at any moment. He heard the phone ringing, but he stayed down. Screw whoever it might be who's calling at 10 at night. He'll answer the phone when he cares.

He heard Wei, his servant pick up the phone, and started speaking chinese. 'That's odd, I don't know anyone who speaks Chinese in Jap- Crap!' He thought. It must be his mother. Just then, Wei came in with the phone.

"Master Li, your mother wishes to speak to you."

Syaoran took the phone from Wei. "Mother? Why do you call all of a sudden?"

"Li Syaoran, why are you still in Japan?"

"Wha-What do you mean, mother? I have to protect Saku-"

"Don't give me excuses, Syaoran. Your last letter told me that Sakura has already converted all the cards to Sakura Cards, and therefore your duties in Japan are finished. There are many things here that need to be done, and I request your return to China as soon as possible."

"But mother..."

"Did I say request? I mean I demand that you return. Your plane leaves this Saturday at 7AM. Get packing"

*Click* The phone went dead, and so did Syaoran's heart. This is it, just when he thought he suffered one blow, another one pounded what remained of him into the ground. He had to leave Sakura, his Cherry Blossom, his angel, his everything... Well, this is it. He sighed. He's going to need help from Hiiragizawa first thing tomorrow.

*~*~*~*~*

"Oh my, this is indeed a pickle you've got there, descendant," Eriol said as he took a sip of his tea.

"I came here for help, not for you to state the obvious, Hiiragizawa. And stop calling me your descendant!" Syaoran growled. Eriol was not the least bit intimidated. The two are sitting in Eriol's dining room, after Syaoran followed Eriol home after school. He had briefly explained the situation at school to get Eriol's interest, but it was not until they sat down with some tea before Syaoran told Eriol everything.

"Well, the way I see it, you don't even know who Sakura loves. For all you know, she might be in love with you, Syaoran," Eriol reasoned.

Syaoran stared into his tea, looking at his reflection. "I'm afraid. I'm afraid that you might be wrong, and that would hurt me to know her response..."

"The fearless leader-to-be of the Li Clan, the great warrior Li Syaoran, who has toughed through flaming spirits, the powers of time, defeated the strength of power, and hell, even survived my tests. This is what you've been reduced to?" Eriol mocked. He smiled as he easily dodged Syaoran's punch, and caught it with his own hand. "Now now, let's keep this peaceful, shall we? I just had the place cleaned up yesterday."

Syaoran sat back in his seat. "I-I never learned about feelings back in the clan. It's always been fight, fight, kill and things like that. How am I supposed to know that all my training to build a stone wall around my emotions was going to end up in vain? The stone wall became nothing but rubble when I met Sakura..."

"Now now, don't fret. You have a whole 2 days left to decide what to do. I can't give you any advice other than general ones. After all, I can't control your life. But, it is my opinion that you tell her somehow," Eriol advised him.

They stayed silent like that for a while, before Syaoran got up to leave. "Arigato, Hiiragizawa. But tell anyone about this encounter of ours and you die," were his parting words.

Before he exitted the door, he could have sworn he heard Eriol pick up a phone and dialing. He shrugged. Who would Eriol call anyways?

From inside the house a loud feminine sounding "KAWAII!!!!" could be heard through the phone.

*~*~*~*~*

'Well, this is my last day in Tomeda, I suppose,' Syaoran sighed as he walked through the classroom doors. He's going to miss the people who had made life in Tomeda enjoyable for him, especially Sakura. Sitting down in his desk, he fell back into thought. He stayed up all night trying to decide on whether or not he should tell Sakura, and still couldn't make up his mind. Every time he thought of Sakura, he would fall back on his bed, forgetting what he was doing.

"Hoeee!!!! I'm late!" He heard a voice from the halls. No doubt, it was Sakura. The classroom doors opened, and a frantic looking Sakura raced into the room.

"Slow down, Sakura, you're actually early today. At that rate, you're going to die of exhaustion," He grinned as he looked up at Sakura. One look at her face caused blood to flow into his head again, so he tried to look away quickly before Sakura spotted his red face.

"Huh? Oniisan lied to me! I'm going to bash him good when I get home!" Sakura exclaimed. "Ohayo, Syaoran!" She gave him a warm smile like she does every morning.

"U-uh, Ohayo, Sakura-," He sputtered out, afraid that she would guess his secret.

At this moment, Eriol walked in with Tomoyo, and they walked up to greet the two. Tomoyo held in her hand her video camera, and almost immediately began taping.

"I'm gonna call this tape 'The day Sakura wasn't late!'" She declared. Sakura's face reddened a little.

"B-but I'm not always late! I come here on time sometimes!" She argued.

Eriol laughed. "Name 2 times that you weren't late, Sakura?"

Sakura furrowed her brow, trying to find examples. "Um, there's today, and uh... uh... um..."

"And the thursday four weeks ago," Syaoran cut in. Sakura flashed him a grateful look. Eriol and Tomoyo gave each other a knowing look. Realizing how obsessed that action made him look, Syaoran quickly turned and pretended to look out the window.

The teacher came into the class. "Ok class, settle down."

"Does she know?" Eriol whispered to Syaoran as he walked by on his way to his seat. Syaoran shook his head. "You better do it soon..."

"Shall we get to our seat already, Mister Hiiragizawa?" The teacher asked impatiently. Eriol quickly apologized, and the class began.

*~*~*~*~*

As Syaoran packed up the last of his things, he couldn't help but think of Sakura again. She's been hard to get out of his mind since their encounter in the park and the phone call from his mother.

'Well, Syaoran, you only have 12 hours left, what do you plan to do?' He thought to himself. 'I want to tell her, but I don't want to see her reaction...'

Wei walked into the room. "Master Li, you forgot to put this in your pack," He held a set of clothing.

"Arigato," Syaoran thanked. "Hey, Wei," He called as Wei walked out the door.

"Yes, Master Li?"

"Say... you want to tell someone something important, but you don't want to see their reaction... how would you do it?" Syaoran asked.

Wei stood there thinking. "I would just write a note or a letter about it and send it to that person, I suppose, why do you ask, Master Li?"

"N-no reason. Thanks a lot," He thanked Wei again.

'A letter... That could work...'

*~*~*~*~*

"Oww, my stomach hurts..." Kero whined while holding on to his stomach. Sakura gave him a look that meant "I told you so."

"I told you not to eat so much cake. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing, you know," She lectured.

"Whatever, Sakura. My stomach hurts too much to listen anyways. I'm gonna go sleep in your closet tonight, I think I'm going to have to fall into deep sleep if I ever want to get rid of this pain," he said as he flew into Sakura's closet and settled in her bag.

Sakura sighed. Kero really needs to learn self restraint. Shaking her head, she settled into her bed, and turned off the lights. She slowly fell asleep, dreaming of the one she loved. A smile creeped onto her face. "Hanyaan..."

*~*~*~*~*

He watched as she turned off the light, and waited until he was sure she was asleep. After all, he didn't want to be caught. Slowly climbing from the tree, he opened her window slowly and slipped in, careful as to not make a sound. He could hear her mumbling "Hanyaan..." in her sleep.

'Thinking of that guy she loved again, I'll bet,' he thought dejectedly.

Quietly slipping the letter on her desk, he went out the window, and went home, confident that he has done everything he needed to do.

Sakura woke up with a start. "I thought I heard something..." Looking around, she couldn't see anything in the dark, so she went back to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*

Syaoran sat on the seat of the plane, looking out at the place he has lived for the past few years. He's going to miss this place. He knew that once he returned home, the chances of coming back are slim to none. He smiled bitterly. Well, at least he told her, even if he wasn't manly enough to tell her outright. He didn't want to know she didn't love him, not just yet, anyways.

The plane started moving, and climbed into the clouds, leaving behind a trail of smoke. But for Syaoran, he had already left his heart there, and all that was returning was an empty shell.

*~*~*~*~*

Sakura woke up, rubbing her eyes. She saw Kero waking up at the same time in the closet. "Feeling better, Kero?" She asked.

"Of course! I feel stronger now! I'm ready to eat some food! When's breakfast?"

Sakura sweatdropped. Typical Kero. Shooing Kero downstairs, she started getting dressed, when she noticed a letter on her desk. It was just a white envelope, with a single "Sakura" written on it.

'That's odd, I don't remember it being there...' She thought as she opened it. Inside was a letter, which looks like it was scribbled quickly.

Dear Sakura,

            By the time you're reading this, I will be already on a plane back to China (The plane left at 7). Mother has requested for me to return home ASAP, and I did not want to tell anyone until after my departure. I know I've been mean and selfish to you all these years, but Sakura, you're one of my best friends here. Thank you for making my time here memorable. Even though I am leaving now, I have to do one last selfish act. I know you told me about how you loved someone, but I still want to tell you...

Aishiteru, Sakura.

I fell hopelessly in love with you, but I didn't want to tell you because I feared what you might say. You might be laughing now. The great warrior of the Li Clan, afraid? But it's true. I'm sorry for telling you this, and I hope you tell him how you feel. I'll bet he loves you just as much as you love him. And if he doesn't, I'll personally come back to Japan to kick his ass.

~ Li Syaoran

Sakura held the letter, paralyzed by its contents. She felt tears starting to flow, dripping onto the letter. Slowly, she whispered to no one in particular.

"Baka, Syaoran... You're the only person I love... Come back to me..."

======================================

Well, this fic will prolly be a TBC (to be continued) fic, but I think it works well as a standalone. If I messed up on the japanese, blame the fact that I'm not Japanese :D

Anyways, love it? Hate it? Indifferent? Review with comments/criticisms. No flames tho :D

~ M.