Author Notes:

Ok, chapter six is finally up. Sorry about the delay, but I've been really busy and hadn't had much time to post. Ok, this chapter is fully Sakura-sided. Not much action, lots of reflecting on her side. Lots of her troubled thoughts are presented in an easier way, it'll help you get a better picture of her personality at this age, and it'll give you a good look inside her head. Anyway, remember I like to pick over on the same spot throughout the different chapters, so this is not the last about Sakura's feelings. You'll probably find it incomplete, but I'll pick up later on. I expect you'll like this chapter.

To some of the things my dear reviewers asked:

Yes, this will have lots of E+T especially in the following chapters. Just wait until chapter 7.

No, I'm not 25 or a major in literature (or anything for the fact). I'm way younger. And I do study English at school, cause it's not my first language.

This is obviously dedicated to my faithful reviewers, whose support means the world to me.

"I'll say goodbye for the two of us: When the truth breaks the silence"

Part six: "A new horizon awakens"

by cherry blossom

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shinning brightly, and the sky was the most intense shade of blue. Birds were singing and the sound of a cascade falling nearby could be heard. In the middle of a deep, thick forest a young girl could be seen resting beside a tree, sleeping peacefully.

A mild breeze started blowing, making the leaves of the trees rustle. Some sunlight poured through the shadow the tree offered the girl, directly into her eyes. She mumbled something incomprehensible and held her hand to her face, trying to block the light that was bothering her sleep. After a minute, though, her hand got tired, and she decided to get up. Yawning, she stretched and started crawling out of bed.

Only she realized she wasn't in bed at all. Disconcerted, she sat up and rubbed her eyes, and took a look at the scenery around her. What a beautiful place she thought pleasantly I wonder where I am She tried to remember what had happened, or how she had gotten there, but it gave her a headache, so she decided to leave her mind rest for a while. I'll remember eventually she told herself Meanwhile, I might as well enjoy this place

As she got up, her muscles screamed in complaint. She vaguely wondered what she might have done, in order to be so sore. Massaging her neck, she decided to explore a bit this place. She had only walked for a short while when she indistinctly heard the sound of running water. Water she thought I'm thirsty Following the tone, she came to a beautiful cascade, that led to a pool, everything surrounded by rocks. She got near the pool, and looked into its calm, crystalline surface, seeking her reflection.

A thin, pale girl, with honey colored hair and deep green eyes looked back at her. She touched her face, surprised at how she could feel her cheekbones completely. When did I get so thin? She shook her head, trying to shake the feeling of uneasiness that had settled upon her as well. Remembering she was thirsty, she cupped her hand, filled it with water and brought it to her mouth. It felt pure and cool. Heavenly she thought pleasantly.

Then a thought struck her. Was this heaven? It seemed paradisiacal enough. But then she remembered her muscles. People don't get sore in heaven. At least I don't think they do. But if I'm not in heaven where am I? There was something insistently tapping her mind, as if wanting her to remember something. But what? She couldn't figure it out and it was starting to make her nervous. She gazed into the pool again, but her reflection looked as confused as she felt. Frowning, she got off the rocks and started walking disorientated, her eyes darting in all directions, as if expecting something to jump at her any second now. She suddenly spotted a beach and headed in that direction, walking quickly.

The beach was breathtaking, as everything else in this place. Palm trees surrounded it, their long leaves moving with the wind. The sand was white and fine, and the sea was of the most intense aquamarine color and looked quite calm, the waves gently caressing the shore. She looked at the sky, realizing it had clouded over a bit, the wind was a bit cooler and the sun wasn't shinning so brightly anymore. A perfect match for her feelings, she thought uneasily.

The beach was beautiful, indeed, but there was still something about it. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but the place irradiated a feeling of loneliness somehow. She walked up to a palm tree that stood on a dune, alone. She put an arm around and rested her head against it as she stared at the horizon beyond the sea. There was something familiar about the whole situation. She sighed and lowered her head. As she did, she noticed she was wearing a black torn dress that didn't belong to her. When did I get this outfit? As she fingered the material, she noticed for the second time how thin she was. She had always been slim, but she looked almost anorexic now. What has happened to me? she thought worriedly and concentrated with all her might in remembering....remembering what? Frenetically, she searched through her memories, but she couldn't recall a thing since the say she left Syaoran.

"Syaoran" she whispered to herself. It hurt so much to think about him. But why had she left him in the first place? Ah, yes, the dream and everything. She had been so sure of her actions. Why wasn't she now? What had happened after she left him? Why couldn't she remember? What the hell was wrong with her?

Suddenly the wind turned its direction, and she saw something fly with it. She ran after it until it came down, half burying itself in the sand. She picked it up and examined it. It was a pink card. On one side it had a star and on the other.... she hesitated before turning it around. And when she did, the world turned itself around.

It all came back to her, like a splash of cold water down her spine. The blurred memories of that dark place were so intense, so harsh, they sent her over the edge. She fell on her knees, breathing sharply and shaking uncontrollably. She hugged herself as she struggled to keep herself together. She held a trembling hand to her heart, trying to soothe its pain somehow. Breathe she instructed herself Just breathe.

She searched for her key and once she found it, held it against the Light Card she had picked up. Staring at them, she began recalling the actions that had led her out of that place.

The Special Place, the night she had collapsed and was prepared to die, but then her memories had come back to her and she had finally started clearing her mind and heart, the finding of her key, the time he had confronted her and tried to talk her into the dark side...

She gasped. Hell, he had almost succeeded. But in a display of brilliancy she had been the one who played with his mind. She had let him think she was a stupid girl, but instead had long before traced a plan to put an end to him. She learned how his mind worked, and could deceive it. She misled him, and in the first opportunity, she had taken the Light Card on him.

And what a surprised look in his eyes when she did so. I guess no one will ever see me as a clever person. They think I'm still the sweet, naive 10-year-old she thought sadly. Of course, she had become a hell of an actress trough out the years after her childhood. She hadn't intended to change, it had simply happened. She had grown more reserved and cautious. She had also become quieter, and didn't nearly smile as much as she did before. Her friends noticed, but thought it was because of Syaoran's absence. Their thoughts were confirmed when Syaoran came back, and she appeared to become the cheerful girl again. But they didn't know she was faking it...

She simply sat there, for a few moments, dazed by her own thoughts. Then suddenly she tilted her head up, determined.

Enough self- pity. I must find a way to go back to Tomoeda before it's too late. I'll spend the night here and set off first thing in the morning

Sleepily, she blinked. She was very, very tired, and she just had to lie down for a while...

Finally, Kinomoto Sakura allowed herself to rest.