Chapter Seventeen

Card Captor Sakura

Eyes of Mist

*starjade*

The Denial

Syaoran gaped at the sight before him, his eyes wide with fear and shock. A feeling of indescribable emotions swept through him , from head to toe and he felt light headed.

No..

No..

This cant be happening!

His eyes wide , he took a step forward, trying to make sure the image before him was real, and this wasn't just another dream..

Sakura...


Sakura Kinomoto...was Cherry Blossom.

The woman he had loved for so long...so long...and she was right there before his very eyes!

How could this be? Images flashed through his mind, one after another , whizzing so fast he could hardly comprehend what he was seeing. Green envelopes on her desk, the telephone conversations, the similarities, same favourite subjects, same likes and dislikes, same family situation, they both lived in the same city, and the Cherry Blossom Dance...

'My little wolf...'

Syaoran's eyes widened. Cherry Blossom....he remembered his Japanese lessons...it meant...Sakura..

God , how could he be so foolish? So dumb, so....so...dense...His eyes grew watery as he gazed at the lonely girl who sat by herself on the bench, her eyes bright with happiness, those auburn locks falling to frame her face, that smile that played around on her lips as she gripped the teddy bear with excited fingers..

God, she was beautiful.

He remembered how it felt like to hold her, to feel her hair on his cheeks , to touch her smooth skin, to kiss her....a longing tore at his heart and he took a step forward.

And then another.

And another.

He was going to his cherry blossom, his love..

Another step.

Suddenly, unbidden, a flash of a boy with navy hair and glasses appeared before him.

Eriol...

His best friend..

' I love her, Syaoran. I love her so much...'

What was he doing? Syaoran stared down at his feet, appalled. He was betraying his own best friend....the one who everyone wished would settle down, become happy with one woman.....The flash in Eriol's eyes as he looked upon Sakura...he truly loved her.

And here he was betraying his best friends trust.

He took a step back.

No..

He stared at the only woman he had ever loved and felt his eyes burning with unshed tears. Bye, Sakura. I love you...

He turned and ran.

********

Sakura waited.

And waited.


And waited.

The cold air whipped at her bare skin as her hair flew around her face , and her smile became more forced as the minutes ticked on. The moon shown in bright pools of luminosity and she stared at it, knowing it was growing late.


Fighting back the tears, she rose her head and searched the park, wanting to believe with every corner of her being that he was there, hiding, ready to come out with a grin on his face to wrap her up in his arms and save her...save her..

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Where are you? Little Wolf......please, come. Please tell me your real, please tell me you love me , please...." Sakura whispered to the dark night, tears running faster and faster down her cheeks. She stood up, her muscles aching and she turned around in circles, her eyes bright with sorrow, searching and searching for Little Wolf.

He didn't come.

He wasn't going to come.

He had stood her up...once again.

Perhaps he didn't know how much she loved him. Or how much of an effect this would have on her....Maybe....Maybe...he was in some accident and he wanted to come , but he couldn't because....because...

Just face it, Sakura thought bitterly. He doesn't feel the same way you do. He thinks of this all as a game, as some fun pen pal to play with as the time p-passes...

Her heart thumping slow against her chest, her heart drowning in darkness, she turned and walked down the musty streets back to the mansion. Her head down low, she felt as if time had stretched out, so each second felt like a minute. Her steps echoed in the silence and soon the Daidouji mansion loomed in front of her like a bad omen.

Carefully, she went up the stairs and paused to collect herself. She then opened the door and a figure came rushing at her.

" Sakura!" Tomoyo shouted, her voice full of worry. She wrapped her best friend up in her arms and then leaned back to stare into Sakura's face.

" Did he....come" Tomoyo asked hesitantly. Sakura looked into her best friend's eyes and tried to make herself look as uncaring as possible. Slowly she shook her head.

Tomoyo's eyes widened. " Oh, Sakura..."

Sakura attempted a smile. "Tomoyo, it's alright! It was fun while it lasted, but now I realise, I was never in love with this mystery guy anyways. It was probably just the fascination with this unknown guy that brought me into this mess. I'm okay, now, really...."

Tomoyo's eyes narrowed. " Sakura, you don't mean that."

Sakura let out a laugh. " Yes, I do, Tomoyo. I know now that the man for me is Eriol. He'll protect me and he'll always be there for me. So lets go to that engagement party and dance our heart out!"

Tomoyo's eyes filled with tears. " Your lying, Sakura. I can see it in your eyes. You still love this Little Wolf. Your just putting on this facade for a reason I'm not sure of. But Sakura, you can't...you can't just marry Eriol, knowing you love another! You don't love him and you can't marry him! Lets go in there and tell them the marriage is off-"

" No. I'm getting married to him. I've made up my mind."

Tomoyo groaned. " Sakura, stop it!"

Sakura blinked back burning tears. " No , you stop it! I'm serious this time. I will marry Eriol. Little Wolf is in my past and I'll never bring his memory back. So lets go to that party."

Tomoyo shook her head sadly and took her best friend by the arm. They walked into the doors where a party was raging, music up high and the tinkle of glasses rising above the noise. Laughter and conversations were stopped as Sonomi shouted, " The bride to be is here!"

A cheer went up in the crowd and Sakura smiled. Sakura's father bounded over to her and wrapped his arms around her. Sakura leaned her head against his chest, sighing.

" I'm so proud of you , daughter. You look so beautiful tonight...always be happy, alright? Always," Fujitaka said, patting her back, emotion threaded through his voice.

Sakura nodded. " Alright , daddy. And thank you...thank you for being there."

Fujitaka smiled and turned around. " Let the party begin!"

The band struck up once more and a boy came running up to Sakura. He grinned and Sakura attempted a cheerful grin back.

" Let's dance , Sakura!" Eriol said. " Or should I say, wife?"

Sakura felt her heart drop at those words and some of her feelings must have showed in her expression, for Eriol said worriedly, " What's wrong, Sakura? Are you alright?"

Sakura grinned. " I'm alright! Come on , let's dance!"

Eriol grinned back and grabbed her hand leading her out to the centre of the dance floor. Sakura danced her heart out as the night wore out, trying to pour out her feelings and her heart, into her dance.

Soon, faster than she had hoped for, it was time for the engagement ceremony. Both Fujitaka and Sonomi led Sakura into the centre of the room as Yelan held Eriol's shoulders.

Fujitaka cleared his throat and began, " Tonight is a joyful night in Tomoeda, Japan. Tonight, my daughter is getting engaged to Eriol Hirrigizawa. I always hoped to see this day...and I'm glad I'm here to see my daughter happy. I know Nadeshiko must be looking down at us from the heavens above, smiling at this joyful occasion. May these two always find happiness in each other."

With that, he handed Eriol a ring and Eriol smiled brilliantly at Sakura. Sakura watched, detached, as he slid the engagement ring on her ring finger. The room erupted into cheers and Sakura felt dizzy.

Yelan started to talk as well, but Sakura couldn't hear. All she could see was the ring on her left hand. What was she doing? Was this right?

Yelan handed her the ring, but Sakura's fingers didn't close around it and it rolled off the palm of her hand. It dropped to the floor with a clang and began to roll away. Yelan tried to grab it, but it rolled past her outstretched fingers. Sakura watched the ring move, as it rolled and rolled before it stopped at someone's feet.

The person reached down and grabbed the ring. Sakura's eyes followed the hand as it rose and rose and her eyes finally settled on his face.

Syaoran...

Suddenly, the most exquisite sensation flooded through her body at the sight of him and she felt as if she couldn't go wrong. Syaoran was here, he was here for her. He'd protect her from Little Wolf, he'd help her through her life.

She smiled as he came closer, but he avoided her gaze.

Finally, he came up to them and he silently handed her the ring. She gaped at him.

" May you two always be together," Syaoran mumbled.

Eriol grinned at his best friend and clasped his hand. " You'd better be by my side through all of it!"

Syaoran let out a hint of a smile." Always."

Sakura blinked at Syaoran, but there wasn't any time to analyze her feelings. She slid the ring on Eriol's finger and the room cheered the couple on. Eriol wrapped her up in his arms, but her eyes were on Syaoran. Over Eriol's shoulder, she watched as he turned away and walked far away from them...

Away from her.

**********

Sakura watched as Eriol turned to her. The noise of laughter and conversations were high in the air and a women on the intercom was speaking rapidly about flight changes. Her family stood around her and Tomoyo was holding her hand tightly.

Tomoyo knew she needed the support and she was the only one who knew what Sakura was going through.

" I guess this is goodbye for now...you'll be coming for a visit in a month or so, so its not like I'll miss you too much..." Eriol started out , a tint of red on his cheeks. " But...I just wanted to say...your the only girl I've ever...I've ever even thought about staying with. Your so....your so different from the rest of them and I-I well, I-"

He quickly kissed her cheek and hugged her and turned away. " Bye, Sakura! I'll miss you."

Sakura nodded as he ran off to join his foster mother. He was a nice boy...they'd have a nice life together, Sakura mused.

Tomoyo nudged her. " I'm going to go help with the luggage , alright?"

Sakura smiled. " Okay. Come back quickly."

Tomoyo grinned and ran to her father who was busy loading their suitcases. Sakura wrapped her arms around her body and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She turned around and her eyes widened.

Syaoran stood in front of her , his eyes watching her. When he saw that she was watching him as well, a blush flooded his cheeks and he turned away.

Sakura took a deep breath. She'd have to say goodbye to him too. He was going with them as well, for he had finished the catalogue. She still hadn't seen the cover picture he had chosen out, but she'd see it soon.

Quickly, she made her way over to him.


"Hey , Syaoran...What's up?" Sakura asked, hesitantly.

Syaoran turned to her and Sakura saw him gulp. What was wrong with him? " H-hey , Sakura."

" Guess this is goodbye, isn't it?" Sakura said, trying to sound cheerful. " Hey, at the end of all this, we'll sort of be related. I'm marrying your foster brother, aren't I?"

A muscle jumped in his jaw and Sakura frowned. " What's wrong , Syaoran?" She asked, worriedly.

Syaoran turned away. " Look , Sakura...I'm sorry for acting rude to you this past months. I just wanted to say...your a good friend. I didn't have many friends back in Hong Kong...and your......I just wanted to say thanks."

Sakura's jaw dropped. It's not everyday you hear Syaoran Li saying thanks. " Don't say thanks, Syaoran! Your a really good friend. I don't have a lot of guys as friends, and its me who should be saying thanks. I'll miss you when your gone."

Syaoran turned around to meet her eyes and Sakura felt her cheeks warm up and a tingle that started from her head to her toes raced through her spine. His eyes were a smouldering amber and Sakura felt herself gulp.

" I g-guess this is goodbye, isn't it," Sakura choked out, her eyes not leaving his.

Syaoran nodded, shortly. All of a sudden, he hugged her. His arms actually went around her! Warmth spread through her body and she rested her head against his chest and sighed with happiness. Why did this feel so right?

She rose her head and went up on her tip toes to kiss his cheek. But at that same moment he turned his head and she ended up with her lips against his.

Sakura felt her knees grow weak and was grateful that his arms were around her , for it was all she could do not to faint right there and then. His lips were warm and she felt herself kissing him for all she was worth. Distantly, she was aware that he was kissing her back and that this kiss was going way too far, but she pushed all coherent thoughts out of her head and concentrated on Syaoran.

"Flight 886 ready for take off. Flight 886."

Both of them broke away at the same time, the intercom's voice breaking them out of their stupor. Their eyes were wide with shock and fear.

" I did it again.." Sakura mumbled. " I'm sorry..."

Syaoran just shook his head , his eyes filled with an emotion Sakura was scared to define. He backed away from her and Sakura looked around herself. No one had saw...thank the goddesses. Sakura turned around and her eyes met Tomoyo's. Tomoyo had seen!

Tomoyo walked up to Sakura and said softly, " It's alright. No one else saw. Only me."

Sakura felt tears in her eyes. " What does this mean, Tomoyo? What does this all mean?'

Tomoyo shook her head, sadly. " I don't know...I don't know."

They watched as Syaoran and Eriol waved to them as they passed through the gates. Fujitaka came over and rested his hands on Sakura's shoulders. Sakura watched as Syaoran turned around once and his eyes met hers.

What does this all mean?

a/n: I know. I KNOW! Very late updating. It was all this damn computer's fault. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I TYPED THIS DAMNED CHAPTER?? * breathes in and out* wooh. Sorry there. My computer broke down and I'm in the process of retyping EVERYTHING because I dont have enough sense to save my files on a disk. Lol! Please review alright?? FOR MY SAKE????

Luvyalotz,

StarJade