Author's Notes: I'm SO sorry for the wait! I've had this chapter written for a while, but I haven't had any time to update…really, really sorry! Anyways, I'm glad you liked this chapter, but unfortunately Sakura won't remember everything yet. You see, the loose ends of this story will be coming together in the next chapters. And when everything is finally explained, bye-bye fanfic! I can't wait to finish it once and for all!
Thanks a lot to my faithful reviewers! I really LUV you guys! I also want to dedicate this chapter to Anime Queen as a very very very delayed b-day present (Sep 22nd! I didn't forget!). Thanks for all your support, Anniki!

Enjoy, and stay tuned for next chapter!

"I'll Say Goodbye for the Two of Us: When the Truth Breaks the Silence"

Part Twenty-One: "Revelations"

By cherry blossom

"Unbelievable," muttered Carter to himself as he looked at the chart in his hand. "Simply unbelievable." He glanced at Syaoran, who was smiling and holding Sakura's hand, and back to the papers he was holding. He shook his head, incredulous.

Eriol had to bit back a laugh. Poor Carter…he probably thought he was going crazy. First Syaoran had arrived with the weirdest symptoms, and now he had recovered in the strangest way... Well, Eriol hoped the doctor refrained from asking himself too many questions, and simply accepted Syaoran's recovery for what it was – a miracle.

The blue eyed man watched the couple of Card Captors. Syaoran was sitting up in bed, nodding at something Sakura was telling him. They were holding hands. Eriol felt a small smile tug at the corners of his mouth. It was definitely refreshing to see them like that again. Still, his mind wasn't in peace yet. There was something about Sakura missing stuff that unsettled him more than it should…

"So can I go now?" asked Syaoran hopefully, interrupting Eriol's thoughts. Carter cleared his throat.

"Well, I think you'd better stay for observation, Mr. Li," he replied.

"But I feel fine! I haven't felt this well in a long time!" Syaoran whined.

"Now, Syaoran, don't be childish," interceded Sakura patiently. "Dr. Carter only wants to make sure there are no complications."
Carter nodded and shot Sakura a grateful glance. "It'll only be a few hours," he added.

"Fine…" accepted Syaoran. "But Sakura stays with me all the time!"

Carter smiled at him and nodded. "No problem. I'll come to check on you in a while," he consented, and exited the room. The four friends were left alone now.

The moment the door closed Tomoyo rushed towards Syaoran and gave him a big hug.

"I'm so glad you're ok, Syaoran-kun!" she said in a hushed voice. "And you too, Sakura-chan!" She hugged them both.

"No hug for me?" asked Eriol in a pretended hurt voice. Tomoyo laughed.

"Don't be jealous, darling," she said sweetly, and gave him a quick kiss. Eriol put his arms around her and she sighed happily. Just like Eriol, she had the vague feeling that it wasn't all over, but unlike him, she couldn't help feeling relieved. Things were so much better now…If they all faced it together, what could go wrong?

"I'm glad too, of course," affirmed Eriol. "But I don't think we should relax that much."

"Oh, don't be so paranoid Eriol-kun," said Sakura distractedly, not even looking his way. She was too busy staring lovingly at Syaoran, whose eyes were fixed upon hers likewise.

Eriol frowned slightly. "I'm not being paranoid. I just think we should be alert…something's telling me this is not over yet…"

"Why wouldn't it? Are we missing something…?" interrupted Syaoran, a note of irritation in his voice. He didn't want to worry himself with that. Now that Sakura was with him again, all his problems seemed far away and he just wanted to get lost in her eyes forever…
Tomoyo gave Eriol an understanding smile. "I know you're worried, sweetie," she said warmly. "But let them enjoy themselves for a while. Besides Syaoran is right…what makes you think we are missing something?"
Eriol's frowned became more pronounced. "Because we are…" he said quietly, and, with that statement, the daze Sakura and Syaoran shared suddenly broke. They looked at him.

"We're still missing what really happened to Sakura."

With that, they all found themselves back in reality. Even if things were right now, something terrible had happened and they couldn't just forget about it. No matter how much they wanted to.

Syaoran bore an expression of half-comprehension. "What happened?" he asked. "Didn't you remember everything, Sakura?"

Eriol bit his lip. Syaoran was going to react very badly to the fact that Sakura had been hurt so horribly that her own mind couldn't take remembering them. And it would make it even worse when he found out he, Eriol, didn't have the vaguest idea of who could be behind of this. Oh no, Syaoran wasn't going to like this at all.

***

Relieving her worst fears again wasn't easy for Sakura. It had been hard talking it over with Eriol and Tomoyo, but doing it with Syaoran was even worse. Especially since, as she spoke, he was lying in the hospital bed she had put him into. Besides, the auburn haired girl dreaded to see what his reaction would be. She didn't want to upset him any further.

However, it was Eriol who – understanding Sakura's feelings – decided to tell the story. That meant she could just focus on breathing in and out while holding Syaoran's hand. It seemed very important to maintain physical contact, as if the memories brought back by the tale might sweep her away.

Syaoran behaved pretty well through almost all of it. Sakura could feel him tense up at certain parts, particularly those in which her own inner torment was described, but it was evident he was doing his best to control his fury. In fact, it was perfect until Eriol reached the bottom line of the story. When Syaoran finally understood that his cherry blossom had been done unimaginable horrors and that he couldn't make whoever's fault it was pay, things got nasty.

First his reaction was of total disbelief. How could they not know who had done it? It was ridiculous! Who would he pay back then?
The next step was fury. First directed to Eriol, who was apparently supposed to simply know who was responsible. The blue haired man's glasses fell and shattered as Syaoran grabbed him roughly by the shirt and demanded an answer. Tomoyo's pleas were ignored and it wasn't until Sakura yelled at him that he let Eriol go.

His hatred was directed then to himself, to whoever had done it, and to the world in general. He began trashing up the whole place, ripping the curtains apart, throwing the flower vases against the wall…He even punched the door so hard, his fist went all the way through it into the hallway. Then, Sakura's cries got to him and he crumpled on the floor, rocking backwards and forwards, cursing his own weaknesses… The thought of Sakura leaving him by her own free will hurt enough already, but knowing that she had been tricked into it, and done god knew what to her because he hadn't been good enough to protect her… No, there was no name for something like that.

Sakura, tears in her eyes, hurried towards him and her arms around him. Syaoran cried bitterly on her chest as he hugged her fiercely.

"…ever forgive me…?" he said between sobs. "…failed, again I failed…"

"It's no one's fault but mine!" she declared firmly. Why did he have to react that way? She just couldn't take him suffering anymore! And it scared her so much when he lost his temper like that…what if he hurt himself too badly?

"Sakura, my Sakura…" whispered Syaoran, his head still resting on her warm chest. "I love you so much…"
Sakura began whispering soothing words in his ear, and it was then when Eriol decided it was time to leave. He quietly took Tomoyo's hand and they exited the room.

***

Once outside, Tomoyo didn't waste a minute.

"Quick Eriol, do something! Someone's bound to have heard all the noise, and they'll think Syaoran is too dangerous to get out!" she said hurriedly.

"It's already done," replied Eriol softly, and waved his hand around the corridor. Sure enough, it was empty.

"I thought something like this might happen…" he explained. Tomoyo nodded.

"Of course…but why did you tell him everything then? You could have softened things a bit…" she complained. The scene had been quite scary…Tomoyo had never seen Syaoran so angry in her entire life.

"Circumstances are too weird and dangerous. We can't afford to hide even the tiniest bit of the truth…" Eriol frowned. He was getting that horrible chill on his spine, the one that indicated horror before them all.

"But his reaction was terrible…I thought he was going to punch your head off your neck!" whispered Tomoyo in a shaky voice. The image of Syaoran's fiery eyes was stilled fixed before her own.

"Don't be silly, darling. You know I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself," he said reassuringly. "And you, if it were to be the case," he added, though he was sure Syaoran would never dare raise a hand to Tomoyo. The amethyst eyed girl frowned at this statement.

"I'm not doubting you're abilities, Eriol," she said softly. "But I fear for Syaoran and Sakura. How will they stick together when so many things threaten to break them apart?"
Eriol nodded gravely. He understood what she was saying. "I know, Tomoyo. But sticking together is the only way they'll be able to win over those things…" He left his mouth open, as if about to speak further, but then decided he'd better not to.

"What?" Tomoyo inquired, slightly angry at the fact that he was holding back something. "You said we weren't to hide even the tiniest bit of-"

"I was thinking," Eriol interrupted, not wanting to hear the reproach, "I was thinking that whoever did this knew exactly what we've just said: that they cannot make it without each other."

"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled. She somehow knew that what he was saying was accurate, but she felt too tired to do the connections herself.

"You'll know soon enough. I'll tell Sakura and Syaoran too," he replied, and blinked several times tiredly. His glasses were still lying, shattered, on the floor of Syaoran's room, and he was getting quite dizzy without them.

"How come, with everything you can do as the reincarnation of Clow Reed, you can't improve your eyesight?" inquired Tomoyo, in an amused, slightly teasing tone. She knew it was a stupid, irrelevant comment, but it had somehow struck her funny in the midst of all their worries.

Eriol sighed. He was wondering the exact same thing.

***

By the time their friends had finished their short conversation, Sakura and Syaoran had calmed down, but still remained in the position they had adopted before Eriol closed the door behind him and Tomoyo.

Sakura was trying with all her might to envelope Syaoran in her warm aura, to send him positive and caring feelings, to ease the pain in his tormented heart. She was concentrating so hard on that, she actually forgot her own grief, which was fine with her. Syaoran came before even herself.

The Chinese man, on the other hand, was clinging on to Sakura, surrendering to her warmth and love. For once, he let her be the one to protect him instead of the other way around. And it felt so good…Yes, it was bliss to rest in her arms, accepting everything she was offering. Syaoran only had one memory of ever being hugged like this, and it went all the way back to his early childhood.

**Flashback**

It happened when he was about four-years-old. He was still a normal, enthusiastic, open child back then.

One day he had been playing around the house, when he accidentally broke his mother's favorite flower vase. He knew Yelan cherished it like nothing else, for it was the only thing she possessed that had belonged to her mother. So he had spent an hour collecting every single piece of it and had fixed it the best he could, all by himself. The result, of course, wasn't too great given he was just a four-year old with some glue and tape. But still, even at that age he knew that he had to take responsibility for his acts, and that night he had approached his mother's bedroom fearfully, holding the vase in one hand and a flower in the other.

He had rehearsed a long speech in front of the mirror, with his best spoken apologies, but when he caught sight of his mother he forgot all about it and broke down like he had never done in his short life. And then, something unexpected happened. Yelan, who was very keen on keeping affection displays at minimum, had pulled him into a tight, loving hug. Little Syaoran was so surprised he had even stopped crying.

"But I broke your favorite vase!" he had said in that cute, high-pitched voice that characterizes young children. Yelan smiled kindly.

"It's only a vase," she had replied calmly, gently caressing his hair.

"But it's grandma's. I know how much you like it," he had insisted.

Yelan's expression turned serious then. "Even if it is, it's only a material thing. The effort you put into trying to fix it, and the courage you had to tell me the truth are what really matter," she had said wisely, and taken the vase from Syaoran's hand. Syaoran had timidly offered the flower as well, and the woman had placed it in her hair.

The mended vase still rested proudly on the little table where it had always been. Syaoran, on the contrary, had been careful to never break anything again, and with the years had turned into the quiet, lonely boy who did everything with extreme caution and method. He had never cried like that again, either.

Until that night.

**End of flashback**

Sakura's hug had brought back the happiest memory of his childhood. Just like Yelan, she was holding him comfortingly, selflessly offering everything and wanting nothing in return, except for his happiness. He felt like that clumsy little kid again, and the best part of it was knowing that Sakura loved him with all his faults. He sighed as she ran her hand through his hair softly. He would have loved to stay like that longer, but he wasn't a child anymore. Syaoran reluctantly drew back a bit, until his face was at Sakura's level again. She tenderly kissed him on the forehead.

"It's ok, dear," she whispered. "We'll be ok."

"I'm sorry," he said sorrowfully. "I didn't mean to loose control like I did…"

"I know."

"I just…" Syaoran bit his lip. "I just want to find the bastard who did this to you and-and…" He closed his fist tightly. He didn't know what he wanted to do to him. Death seemed a too kind punishment.

"I know, Syaoran, but you have to keep yourself together. We need to be calm t-"

"No! I can't be calm! That's what people have been telling me to do ever since you went missing, but I'm not a calm person!" he said through clenched teeth, and lowered his eyes to avoid her look. He knew it was probably upsetting Sakura, but he couldn't control it. He was just too furious.

"Please, Syaoran…" she pleaded softly. "It scares the hell out of me to see you like this. And I know you're blaming yourself for it, when it's not even your fault. No, let me continue" she added, when she saw he was about to protest at the last statement. "It's your own self-blaming that brings you down. I swear, Syaoran, you are your own worst enemy…Cause nothing makes you feel as bad as you do when you take everything upon yourself…"

"But Sakura, it really is my-" he began.

"No, it's not! I was the one stupid enough to get tricked into it. I was the one who let darkness take over me. I am the one who has been treating you like dirt ever since you rescued me! Me, me, me!" she blurted out hurriedly and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want to relieve it again…

"Nothing would have happened if I had been good enough to protect you…" he stated stubbornly.

"Again with that! I am the only one responsible for myself! I know you mean well in wanting to guard me from everything evil, but you can't take my mistakes upon yourself!" she insisted loudly. Why did he have to make things harder than they already were?

"But Sakura…" he whispered sadly. "If something did happen to you, what would happen to me? As selfish as this may sound, I don't mean to protect only your happiness…It's my own, too, I'm guarding. I'm terrified of what I may become without you…"

Sakura closed her eyes tightly once again, trying to blink back the tears. She wanted to find words to redeem his pain, but she didn't get a chance to do so. Because something was happening at that very moment. A horrible feeling crept down her spine. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She heard Syaoran asking her what was wrong with her, but she couldn't reply.

Suddenly, all the lights went off. Even the sun disappeared, and the Card Captors were left in total, thick darkness. For a second, everything was silent.

"Tender words, Li. We'll see how long they last in Earlington…" a cold, grave voice resounded in their ears.

Fortunately, Syaoran managed to grab Sakura's hand before they were swept away by a black whirlwind…