A Memory's Return

Written by: SakuraKChan

Disclaimer: Card captor Sakura belongs to the wonderful CLAMP and all those other people and I am only borrowing them for my own and other's fan type enjoyment. So please do not sue because I am poor!

Look for my author's note at the bottom!

With Rain Comes Regret:

Soft pitter-patters, made by the cool rain outside, echoed against the window of one of Hong Kong's prestigious accounting firms. Seated in an office chair, all the while staring out the window as the rain softly fell to the window and left splatter trails along it, was Syaoran Li. The rain's soft 'music' echoed through his head, all the while bringing unwanted memories and thoughts.

He wanted to forget all about her, his best friend and his first (and maybe only) love. However, as much as he tried, he could not bring himself to force away those emerald eyes from his mind's eye. He should move on, he argued with himself. Being a highly successful and rich accountant, he could find himself any new girl. He had many beautiful women flirting with him incessantly, yet they were never acceptable enough to his tastes.

The 'relationships' extended only as far as to the end of the first date. It was during that first date that he would begin to notice flaws in his date. Syaoran would always find himself displeased with the girl's, (He always referred to them as girls…play things to him as he never found himself seriously falling for one of the women), eyes. The eyes were either never emerald or if they were emerald they never seemed to have the same glimmer as a certain emerald eyed beauty once had. Next was their hair. If it did not have that golden-brown shine or a bounce with each step the girl took, it was unsatisfactory.

Syaoran dropped his head, angrily, onto his desk and let out an emotionally painful growl. Why must everything center around her?, he silently thought to himself as his eyes lowered in pain. He shut his eyes tightly, his hands now pressing against them as he clenched his teeth. I must get her out of my head. Not meant to be, that is what we are. I cannot be with her. Forbidden to be with the one I love, to see the one I love, that is the position I, unfortunately, am in. Moreover, if….even if I was allowed to be by her side, she does not know of my feelings. Certainly, she would be angered with me for leaving her for so long and if she were not angry then she would accept me back…but only as a friend. I do not know what is more painful, going through all these years without seeing her bright and beautiful eyes as she smiles at me and feeling her touch as she hugs me or holds my hand or knowing that I can see her but having her not feel for me in her heart as I do for her. Which would be more damning?, he shook his head hoping to rid himself of his thoughts only to end up failing.

With a soft click of the door, Syaoran brought his head up in curiosity only to find his partner, and original founder of the Shuo Accounting Firm, standing now in front of his desk.

Jun 'Shuo' Lok, being the jolly man he was, would constantly tell the story of how this firm was his greatest achievement thus the name Shuo. Jun decided later on to adopt the firm's first name as his own middle name as his own joke and in a way as a badge of pride for his life work. Jun was about fifteen years older than Syaoran. However, despite their age difference, Jun still looked as though he were in his twenties regardless if he was almost forty. Syaoran gave Jun's good nature credit for his dashing looks. The man seemed as though he never had a worry in the world and in Syaoran's opinion, he was the best boss to work for, that is until he became his partner and then Jun became the best partner to have.

Syaoran smiled to his partner, and someone whom he considered a best friend as well, and cleared his throat as he sat back in his chair. "Is there anything I can do for you, Jun Xiansheng?" he replied with a joking smile as Jun Xiansheng, was his joke with Jun. Jun laughed a bit and seated himself in one of the chairs, which were usually there for clients, in front of Syaoran's desk. Jun cleared his throat a bit and sat straight in the chair, his face now turning serious, "Xiao Lang, I have been thinking this through for a while and I have finally decided that I want to extend our firm overseas." Syaoran smiled a bit and nodded, feeling a bit happy about the idea since he was the one whom mentioned to Jun about the idea of expanding their company. Jun let out a small cough and continued, "Well, it has been mentioned to me that Japan may be a good place to set up our new development…" At the mention of Japan, Syaoran's eyes widened. He felt fear bubbling up in his chest, as he knew what Jun would ask him next. Jun looked back at him with a small, hesitant smile, "So, the reason I came to see you is that I would like to ask of you to represent us over in Japan. I know you have a history there and can speak the language far better than I can. I also have immense trust in you and I know that you will represent us well over there. So, I would like to appoint you as the new owner of the Shou Accounting Firm: Japanese Branch!" Jun stood up and grabbed Syaoran's hand with a grand smile, shaking it happily. He was so happy and excited that he did not notice how his partner's face greatly paled.

Syaoran swallowed the gulp in his throat and forced a smile. When Jun had explained that he located the branch in Japan's capital of Tokyo, Syaoran felt some relief. Tokyo is a huge place. The chance of running into her there are slim to none, he smiled a bit feeling somewhat relieved and, though he denied it, a bit disappointed.

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Syaoran drove home that day with a heavy heart. He knew he had to clear this opportunity with the elders of the Li clan, something he had always hated about his clan. No matter what he did or where he went, he had to clear it with the Elders. His successful position meant nothing to them. The only thing on their minds was his father's retirement or death, whichever came first, for then Syaoran would have to lead the clan and the Elders made sure to prepare him for that day.

As he entered his lavish apartment, Syaoran's mind wandered to the Elders causing him to growl under his breath. If it were not for them then maybe, just maybe, I would have been able to be with her. Yes, I would be happy with her in my arms everyday telling her that I love her. No, no it might not have come out that way. Maybe, I would have told her I love her and she would give me a disgusted look while running away and I would never see her again. On the other hand, perhaps she would look at me with a sad look as she told me she thought of me as nothing more than a brother. Maybe, she would smile and tell me she loves me too and then …. His thoughts drifted, causing a small smile to form on his face as his mind lived through his fantasies.

A small thump broke him of his thoughts. He scowled and frowned looking down onto the ground where he found a picture of him and his beloved leaning against each other and smiling. He smiled too, at the memory, but then frowned as it also propelled him back to the present, back to reality. He shook his head violently and slammed an angry fist down onto the table that once held the small picture frame. "I cannot have her! She belongs in her own world now and I in mine. She has her own life right now and I have no right to intrude in on it. It is better this way. She must have forgotten about me by now and moved on preferably with a boyfriend or maybe she is married…", he paused and frowned at that thought, his fist now unclenching and grasping onto his shirt, over his heart. He could feel the pain in his heart, pure emotional pain slipping into physical pain. His eyes clenched shut and he slid down in the chair he sat in. Slowly he let go of his shirt and reached down onto the ground, picking up the fallen frame. He smiled softly as his finger traced over the young woman's face. Yes, that was the only one whom he could call a woman, in his own mind. She had only been fourteen in the picture, yet since he discovered his feelings for her, he had only thought of her as a woman and never as a girl. Girl was the name that he would call the rest of the female species, with the exception of his own family members. No, none of them deserved the title that only belonged to her.

He frowned, yet again and placed the frame back onto the table, only this time it was facing so that the photo faced the table. He decided that it hurt too much to look at it and stood up from his seat. He walked over to the phone, his hand hesitantly hovering above it until he finally picked it up and made the phone call he had been fearful to make.

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Before he realized it himself, Syaoran found himself in the foyer of his family's estate. His mother walked up to him, smiling, happy to see her son. "Ni hao, Xiao Lang, I am glad to see you, my son" Syaoran nodded his head in greeting and respect to his mother as she then turned and led him into the conference room. He gulped a bit as he looked about spotting the numerous Elders seated around the room. The head Elder, Shen Yul, walked up to Syaoran, bowing his head in respect, "Ni hao Master Xiao Lang". Syaoran winced at his words. He always hated the Elders calling him Master, however with the Elders they frowned upon any other type of treatment. However, he nodded and bowed his head as well in respect, "Ni hao, Elder Yul. As you may know I wish to discuss with you a very important matter." Shen nodded and gestured over to the round table where all the Elders seated themselves. He walked over to one solitary chair that stood in the middle of where the Elders sat on both sides of. "You may be seated here, Master Xiao Lang.", Shen stated as he went to his own seat at the opposite side of the table, facing Syaoran.

With a nod and a nervous gulp, Syaoran walked over to the chair and sat down. He hesitantly looked up to the Elders and smiled nervously, afraid of what they would say. He cleared his throat and explained to them of the proposal that Jun had offered him. The Elders were eerily silent during the whole ordeal.

The silence was maddening to Syaoran as many thoughts ran through his head. He was afraid to meet her there; however, he was excited about the prospect of the job. Yes, he was the partner at his firm, yet he still had to rely on someone else and this opportunity would allow him to spread his wings and have his own hand at running a business alone.

As he finished his clarification of the situation, he lowered his head and clasped his hands together, nervously twiddling his thumbs. He heard the Elders mutter amongst themselves, as though they were deciding or perhaps discussing with each other on the matter. It felt like hours to Syaoran and he vaguely began to notice the base of his shirt collar was wet from sweat. Blushing a bit, Syaoran gently swiped a finger underneath his collar, hoping to wipe up any remainder sweat from his nervousness.

Finally, when Syaoran was beginning to lose all hope that they would answer, Shen Yul stood up with his hands clasped behind his back as two other elders; one on each side; stood up beside him. Shen cleared his throat slightly and looked over to Syaoran, whom finally placed his head higher up to look back. "Master Xiao Lang, we have congregated our thoughts together and have decided to allow you to take this opportunity. We believe that it will strengthen your leadership skills and your independence. However…" Syaoran was about to let out a sigh of relief when he heard the 'however'. He gulped a bit, nervous at what the Elders' restrictions would be. The Elder looked him in the eye, indicating he was about to continue and silently asking for attention, "…there, of course, will be a few restrictions. First, we demand that you remember that this is not a pleasure trip. This is solely for the purpose to develop your skills as future leader of the Li Clan and you shall treat it as such and no further. Second, as this is not a pleasure trip, you are not to befriend anyone whom may interfere with your focus on your leadership skills. This specifies romantic interests. This directly specifies Kinomoto-san, as they would refer to her in Japan." Syaoran kept back the frown that was itching to appear on his face and lowered his head. "Do you understand all of the restrictions and agree to adhere to the restrictions." Syaoran reluctantly nodded, "Yes, Elder Yul, I understand and agree to the restrictions." He could feel regret bubbling up in his chest, but it was too late to think of that now. The only thought that should and would now be in his mind is how to perform at his best in Japan to please both Jun and the Elders. That would be the only way to obtain success.

Author's Note:

I want to thank all that reviewed:

Babybluestarangel: Sorry I did not update soon enough. I ran out of inspiration but I will try my best to update more often =D

TaRe-ChiBi: Yes Sakura is feeling a bit of angst towards Syaoran for leaving her; you will see more as hopefully, I get more inspiration on what to write n.n.

Kuramas Kitsune: Well you little fox (j/k) thank you so very much for your compliment. I tried hard to not have bad grammar but I also run it through MS Works so that helps me out too.

Sorry again to you all if this seems a bit short. I was stuck on the last part and I wanted to have this out for you by today. So I will make the part that I was stuck on, part of the next chapter. O.K. a question to all of my reviewers. This may seem a bit insignificant but do you think I should go with Sakura's hair color in the anime (More of a golden brown) or the manga (auburn). As always any comments, questions, and constructive criticism are welcome.

Ja Ne,

SakuraKChan