---------------------------------------------- Stars By: Ceres E-mail: miyacka@yahoo.com Chapter One: Falling Stars ---------------------------------------------

Hikaru and I had our typical date. We went bowling in the morning, had lunch in a fast food restaurant and watch a romantic movie.

Actually, Hikaru had been such a gentleman from the start. I felt very close to him due to the fact that we only met now. I do not know why.

The day is almost over. We are about to get home for the party.

"I hope you have enjoyed our little 'date' Sakura," Hikaru told me smilingly. "Because I surely did. Tomoyo is right. You are such a fun and interesting girl."

My cheeks went pink. "Really? You're not bad too Hikaru. And I enjoyed every moment of our 'date'..."

He smiled and pulled me closer to his side, placing his arm over my shoulders. "It is too bad, Sakura..."

"What is bad, Hikaru?" I've asked.

"When you are here with me physically," he said quite slowly. "You are thinking of someone else."

I looked down the ground. Tomoyo had certainly told him about Li.

"Well," I do have...someone in my mind." I said cautiously. "But he is not here."

He patted my back. "He would be back."

My lips curled into a little smile. "Thank you."

"But if he won't come back, Sakura," he told me, leaning closer to me. "I am here...waiting. For I love you, Sakura..."

He leaned down to my lips and kissed me. This is so fast for we had only met now. I do not understand myself so I kissed him back. After a while, he had finally released me.

"I am honored," he told me. "That you had given me a chance---to feel you. Even this maybe the first and last."

I gave him a faint smile but I didn't say anything. Although inside, I am already screaming. I am already insane.

"If he doesn't come back," I bitterly thought. "Probably. Just probably, I would love you."

We had walked for about ten minutes more, and then we arrived at home.

I turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. Touya was already there looking a little angry with us.

"Where had you been?" Touya asked. "You are five minutes late."

"Um, Touya, it is my fault," Hikaru said suddenly. "I'm so sorry..."

"Well next time, you must know that we are worried sick from the second Sakura steps out of this house," Touya said impatiently. "If ever you have that little, 'date' again, remember this, Hikaru and Sakura..."

"Don't you trust me?" Hikaru cut my brother's 'sermon'. "I could understand that for we only met now. But why can't you trust Sakura? She is no longer a kid. She is eighteen years old---a maiden in full bloom. She is no longer the little child whom you have to take care of Touya...I only have one wish...could you trust her?"

Touya didn't open his mouth. He stared down the floor. He seemed both guilty and a little sad, but I was relieved to see that he is no longer angry.

Hikaru is just so brave. And I think he had helped me gain some trust from Touya.

"I understand," Touya finally said something. "Go to the dining room now. Father, Tomoyo, Kotori and the others are there already. Even Rika, Chiharu and Naoko are already there. They are just waiting for you guys..."

"Thank you, Touya."

The three of us walked to the dining room and happy faces had welcomed us.

"Happy Eighteenth Birthday, Sakura!" they have all greeted.

"Thank you to all of you!" I smiled so broadly, I thought my face would crack. "I wouldn't have reached this age without you...all of you!"

I didn't think that I could get very sentimental until now.

Then the party went on. Everyone had eaten, chat and just had fun being with each other. Nine o' clock came. All of our friends started bidding goodbye to each and one of us. I didn't realize that the time had moved well, so fast.

"Goodbye, Sakura!" my friends chorused. "And have a happy birthday!"

"Thank you to each one of you!" My father, Touya and I gave them our smiles and our warmest gratitude as they one by one walked away.

"Sakura," father said. "It is best for you to accompany them up to our gate."

"Right!" I smiled. I ran to follow them. But suddenly, the only person I saw is...

Hikaru.

"Sakura..." His eyes were so gentle and serious.

"Hikaru, where are they?" I asked. "Where are Tomoyo and the others?"

"They left. Mom called our personal helicopter. They would be home in no time."

"And you?" I've asked. "What are you doing here all alone?"

"I wanted," he grinned at me. "I wanted to have some more time..."

"With you...only with you..." he continued. He walked closer to me. He held my trembling hands. And bend down to kiss me.

I kissed him back. But I know...this is wrong. However, I felt special warmth in him. It is something that I yearned for a long time ago.

"Syoaran!" a shrill voice suddenly entered my ear. I jerked myself away from Hikaru. And found two special people behind me.

"Syoaran!" she repeated in a softer tone. I saw her. I am sure that I have met her before. She had grown. Meilin. She is more beautiful than before. Her black hair danced with the wind as she struggled following someone.

...Someone...

...Syoaran...

He had also grown with time. He is much taller than me now than the last time I've saw him---and he is more handsome too. But surely, he is still the same Syoaran whom I've met and loved a long time ago.

"Meilin," he had finally spoken. "There is no point of staying here since the stars had suddenly became meteors, shooting down the earth and aiming to my heart. The stars had fallen Meilin. Let us go home."

"Syoaran, I understand," she walked beside him. Syoaran placed his arm on her shoulder. Meilin's eyes moved to my direction. Her eyes were filled with anger.

"You promise you wouldn't hurt him," Meilin stressed. "You promise you would take care of him and make him happy. You promised me you would love no one but him. But now, Sakura...I hate you! I hate you!"

"That is enough, Meilin," said he. "Let us go home."

"Syoaran...Meilin...I am...Forgive me."

"Sakura," Hikaru came encircling his arms around me. "It would be alright."

No, it won't be. I am sure of that.