THANKS to all my very nice readers who reviewed! I got SEVEN reviews for chapter 16! Break the record for any chapter! YAY!

To mevneriel: Thanks for liking my chapter 15 and 16, I'll try to keep up the good work!

To Kasumi: You are so smart!! I don't know if that guy is Touya's past life; I haven't decided yet. :P The truth behind Shiro and Kuro is revealed in this chapter, and it's a little different from your guess, but you are not far off. Arigatou for bothering to answer my A/N ramblings and questions!!

To Kella: Shiro won't become like Kuro! I promise! He's not only sweet and cute, but talented too! Heh heh heh Thank you for loving this chapter, I hope you like this one too, though it is a little short….but I figured you (and my other readers) would probably want a faster update right?

To Mistress Sakura: I'm glad you like that towel scene thing! I was smiling when I wrote that. Yup, Sakura will remember her past soon, not just her past, but about her past life too. Don't worry about Yue and Yukito, they are in good hands. *author looks back at the two bishounen chained to her extra king-sized beds* heh heh heh

To mArmaLadEb0y x3: A new reader!!! Thanks for reading and reviewing, I hope you continue reading AND reviewing the fic!

To Lau: The two broken legs thing is abit too much ne? But I wanted Sakura to be a damsel in distress for a while, thought it would be cute hehehe. Shiro IS the good guy, and Kuro's the bad guy, and the explanation is in this chapter! Thank you again for reviewing!

To Moon Sorceress: Yes, I am a wicked author and I love being one! *mwuahahahahahaa* Thanks for your enthusiasm, here's the newest chappie! Yay, I wouldn't mind dying now if I get to reincarnate in the anime/manga world with cute guys…………maybe in my dreams……*sigh*

CHAPTER 17: PAST LIVES

"Lord Kuro!"

"Suisen, Matsu, what are you two of you still doing here? The victims of the recent epidemic needs your assistance NOW."

Suisen and Matsu (the dark-haired man) bowed their heads respectfully as their lord reprimanded harshly.

"My lord, we are going right now." Suisen answered in that smooth voice of hers, now slightly trembling.

Kuro frowned at the tremor in her voice. "Suisen, please see me after you are done. I want to speak to you."

"Yes, my lord." She bowed again, and conjured a circle of blue flames and she stepped into it. Matsu did the same, only difference is the flames surrounding the circle he conjured were red in color.

Hey, you are not suggesting that the stupid jerk Kuro is my past self, are you?

Shiro, you are making me crack up with laughter. YES, he is you, and right now you are insulting yourself.

No! How can I be this………….this……..THING? I'm not like that at all! I mean, look into that guy's eyes! They are pure evil.

I guess I should explain things a little, especially to a dimwit like yourself.

If I can kill you, I will. NOW EXPLAIN.

Kuro didn't always used to be like this. In the past he was not evil, but a kind person. He's the most popular ruler across the seven realms.

Wait a minute. Seven realms? In my world there are no realms, only one earth. Sure, there are other planets but it's believed that no humans exist on them.

Shiro, things are very different in the past. Unlike what many humans believe, God didn't take seven days to create the different things on earth, but to create the seven realms. The seven realms are all rather similar with only slight variances. And unlike earth, most of the humans in this world have magical abilities. It's only natural that the most powerful magician becomes the ruler of each of the seven realms. The occupants in one realm cannot cross over to the other, but they can communicate through telepathy. Everyone here has telepathic abilities.

Okay, I think I sort of understand. Do you know why this 'realm system' was demolished and now we have earth, were most of us are just normal folks with no magic?

Hey, I'm not God, and I'm not a historian so how the heck do I know?

Fine fine, no need to get agitated. So what happened to change Kuro, my past self into this evil fellow now?

The usual human emotions. Lust, hunger for more power, and jealous. Initially, he loves all his people almost equally, but he started developing romantic feelings for Suisen, and then he gets jealous of her abilities.

What's her abilities?

Suisen has white Magic, the strongest in the seven realms. Even Kuro doesn't have her healing powers, because his magical alignment is different.

Okay, but he's already the ruler of the realm! What's there to be jealous about? And I thought you said he likes Suisen?

Yes, he has contradicting feelings for her. And the powerful only seeks to become more powerful, such is human nature. To see a power that one can only wish for and not harness makes Kuro jealous of Suisen.

I have another question, how is all this linked to my present life?

You will see.

Hey, don't give me the crap about 'it's not time yet' ok!

All right then, a hint. Kuro, your past life, did a terrible thing just before he died. He made a vow, a curse, that will affect Suisen's next life. And now Kuro is reincarnated in your present life, to fulfill that vow he made. So, you have to protect the reincarnated Suisen.

WAIT! I thought I AM Kuro's next life??? How can I be the person harming Suisen's next life and also protecting her?

Kuro's soul split into two before he died in this realm. His conscience reincarnated into you, Shiro. And Kuro's evil soul reincarnated into someone else.

Right, and this soul-splitting thing is a common occurrence huh?

No, only powerful magicians can do that, and it's usually intentional, with plans for their future life.

So, who am I suppose to protect?

…………………..

Hello?

"Hey, Shiro! Wake up!" Sakura woke up in the morning and managed to get out of the room somehow. She saw Shiro sprawled on the floor, unconscious, and got pretty worried.

"Huh?" Shiro sat up slowly and rubbed his eyes to get the blurriness out of them.

"Oh, you finally woke up! I have been calling you for the past 5 minutes and you were out cold. I was so worried I nearly called the ambulance!"

"Ame-chan, sorry to make you worry." Shiro smiled apologetically.

Shiro added, "How did you get out of the room by yourself?"

"Eh, I crawled out." Sakura blushed. She sensed something was wrong, and struggled to half crawled, half drag her body out of the room to Shiro's unconscious form.

"I must get you the crutches now. But first, let's have some breakfast." Shiro carried Sakura in his arms in set her down on the sofa. "Wait for a while, okay?"

Sakura nodded and smiled gratefully. He's such a nice guy.

She's so sweet, and cared about me so much just now. I think I'm falling for her. How can I? She's just a kid! Ahhhhhhhh! I'm so confused, and there's that stupid vision I had of the past. Who is Suisen in this life? How can I protect someone I don't even know! Damn!

Shiro whacked himself on the head as he walked to the kitchen.

Yukito, Touya and Eriol didn't go to school in the morning. They continued their search for Sakura. Fujitaka, Syaoran and Tomoyo soon found out what had happened to Sakura, and started to look for her too. Tomoyo, with her mum's extensive contact network, financial resources and manpower, searched the whole town entirely, but still no trace of Sakura. They decided to print Sakura's photo on Missing Person Notice on major newspapers, magazines and other media. The notice could only be printed tomorrow, at the earliest. All they could do now, is to wait for news.

Meanwhile, Shiro bought the crutches for Sakura and returned home, looking forward to seeing her again.

"Tadaima!" Shiro called out cheerfully, the first time he is able to do so since moving to this town. He was getting lonely coming back to an empty house day after day, and now was glad that there's someone waiting for him to return.

"Okaerinasai!" Sakura replied, smiling at Shiro as he entered the living room.

"How's your day, Ame-chan? I hope you weren't too bored at home alone."

"Oh, I'm fine! I was watching the television and read some books just now. I didn't know you were interested in music."

Shiro looked at the books on music that he had put on the coffee stand. "Yes, I play the piano, and I'm interested in the history of music, as well as any news on it."

"Can you play the piano for me sometime?" Sakura asked eagerly, raising hopeful bright green eyes to Shiro.

Man! How can I reject your request when you look at me like that? If you ask me to jump out of the window now, I probably would have done so too. "Ah, sure, but I don't have a piano now, only an electronic organ." Shiro walked to the cupboard on the far side of the living room and took out a portable organ. He set it up and asked, "So what song would you like to hear?"

Sakura looked thoughtful for a while, chewing on her bottom lip as her mind searched for a song name.

She looks really adorable nibbling her lip like that. Shiro thought as he gazed at Sakura admiringly.

"How about the song in the movie You've Got Mail……..I think the name of the song is Anyone At All." Sakura suggested finally.

Shiro nodded, "I like that song a lot, and I remember how to play the tune, but not really the lyrics. Why don't you sing along as I play the song?"

Sakura blushed. "But I don't think my voice is any good…….."

"Please Ame-chan, I promise I won't laugh if you sound like a hyena." Shiro teased as he cast a lopsided grin at Sakura.

"All right, I will try." Sakura opened her mouth as the first few notes of the song drifted from Shiro's playing.

(A/N: I hope you know the song, but I'll be typing the lyrics out all the same. Now, imagine the tune of the song played out with an organ.)

Funny how I feel, more myself with you

Than anybody else than I ever knew

I hear it in your voice see it in your face

You've become the memory I can't erase

You could have been anyone at all

An old friend calling out of the blue

I'm so glad it was you

Wasn't in the plan, not that I could see

Suddenly a miracle came to me

Safe within your arms, I can say what's true

Nothing in the world I would keep from you

You could have been anyone at all

A stranger falling out of the blue

I'm so glad it was you

Words can hurt you if you let them

People say them and forget them

Words can promise

Words can lie

But your words make me feel like

I can fly

You could have been anyone at all

A stranger falling out of the blue

I'm so glad it was you

As the final notes of the song faded away, Sakura smiled at Shiro, who had a wistful look on his face.

The lyrics of the song……….describes how I feel for Ame-chan. And she sings most beautifully.

"Your playing was great!" Sakura enthused.

"No, it's nothing compared to your voice." Shiro shook his head and murmured.

"Arigatou." She blushed at the compliment. Sakura had felt really touched by the song. She was really glad that out of any strangers who could have saved her, Shiro did. Shiro, the guy with his kind words, gentle eyes and strong arms, who has made her feel so welcomed and at ease, like they are already old friends.

They gazed into each other's eyes in comfortable silence.

-----------TBC-------------

A/N: If I pair Sakura up with my own character, Shiro, you girls/guys will probably kill me right? And no, you can't have Yue if Sakura ends up with Shiro. Heh heh heh. So what do you think? Should I have Sakura and Shiro share a passionate kiss in the next chapter?

I love the song "Anyone at All", I hope you have heard it before…..it's a simple but touching song.

Sakura is going to be found by her family and friends in the next chapter, but will her memory returns? And is Kuro's physical form finally going to appear? Review, and stay tuned for the next chapter! Arigatou!