.:le:.
.:aki sakura:.
.:Anime-fangirl1:.
.:animelover1129:.
.:AnimeObsessionFantasy:.
.:anjuliet:.
.:Avelyn Lauren:. I think you misread what I wrote at the end…I didn't mean that I was going to write a chapter on the reception, so I'm really sorry! I know you looked forward to it, but I figured this story has to go on, and if I stall, it'll take too much of my time before it ends. Hope it's okay with you!
.:AyaChan714:. Don't worry about my writing! I think anyone can write well as long as they work on it. I've written for years, and it's only now that a lot of people like my writing. It's just a matter of practice
.:babybluestarangel:.
.:BlAcKDrKWolF:.
.:Carmela-chan:.
.:Cherrie-fan:.
.:cherrixwolf:.
.:Cherry Jade:.
.:ChiChi-san:.
.:confusedlilpnay:.
.:crazy azn angel:.
.:Di:.
.:dunkmoonX:.
.:Garfunkelzsnugglebunny:.
.:Hikaru Ayumi:. Wow, I'm really sorry that you didn't enjoy my story, but if you didn't like it, why bother reading it? I think that your opinion is your own, and I respect it, but haven't you heard of the saying, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all?" I'm more than welcome to accept constructive criticism, but not flames. Sorry.
.:hikaru-wings:.
.:Illusioner 1412:.
.:Inu13/SakuraSyaoran:. You have hilarious conversations! I read them and I just laugh out loud =D Thanks for entertaining me! You like Marmalade Boy? I haven't seen any episodes, but the drawings are just really nice. Is it a romance anime?
.:japanfan:.
.:JenniferHall84:.
.:just-for-me-22:.
.:Karen:.
.:kawaii syaoran luver:.
.:Kikakai:. Have patience, girl! Yes, I have put TE together, but Just think about it: if SS get married now, there won't be any story to tell, right? But I promise, the next few chapters will focus on them.
.:lilgtazn35:. I'm glad you didn't fail math! Happy to make you happy! =D
.:maixwolfblossom:.
.:missk:.
.:Nari Dragon-girl:.
.:Natalie:.
.:princez-nikki:. Your review for Ch. 28 confused me a little. I didn't know what you meant when you said it got boring, but you were just joking, and then it's all right, you guess? Not entirely sure what you were trying to say, but if you didn't like it, I apologize!
.:Psyciandra:.
.:Ss-Miny-Otaku-Lover:.
.:SakuraandLiForever:.
.:SakuraSyaoranForever/Starfire Star:.
.:Sakuraxhearts:.
.:sally:.
.:ScarleT RoSe5:.
.:seiko123:.
.:sherina:.
.:Sofia:.
.:Stargazer:.
.:SulliMike23:.
.:SyaoranzCherryBlossom:.
.:synchrogirl:.
.:Tanuki (jo-chan:.
.:tomoyochan-kawaii:.
.:Umi:.
.:winter-wildcat:.
.:Yummei:.
Tomoyo took out all the clothes she had inside her drawers. Opening the huge suitcase, she practically threw the clothes into it, upset and depressed at what was happening. Sure, she was supposed to be happy, but leaving the place she spent her years after college…it was just a sad thought. And the fact that she was leaving her best friend broke her heart. Tomoyo kept the tears inside as she swallowed and continued to grab her clothes. Sakura was in the living room, separating her items from Tomoyo and Eriol's, and tried to think of other things. Eriol was emptying out the bookshelves and such that he used in his own room with Syaoran's help.
Syaoran stood up from the carpeted ground and dusted himself off. "I'm done," he muttered.
Eriol nodded in understanding and stood up as well. "Wanna go grab something to eat? I don't think Tomoyo or Sakura cooked anything."
"Yeah, let's go." They both exited the room, and separated, one heading to the living room, and the other to another room.
Sakura took out a dark blue book that was slightly thick, but the pages were old. Opening it carefully, she recognized her own writing. She glanced at the date and saw that it was written about 10 years ago when she and Tomoyo were only 14 years old, and they made the idea of writing in a notebook just for the two of them and they would pass it back and forth, writing letters worth a page to each other. Sakura felt her heart lurch at the memory. "When we're 22 years old, we're going to live together and keep this with us so that we won't have to decide who gets to keep it!" Tomoyo's bright voice rang in her ears. She read a paragraph of her own delicate writing.
"Sakura?" Syaoran's deep voice interrupted her reading.
Startled, she jumped and turned to face him. Sending him a wan smile, she returned her attention to the book. "You and Eriol are done?"
"Yeah. We decided to go out for lunch. Are you done?" He walked over and knelt down beside her.
She nodded. "Just…thinking…that's all." Sakura glanced at him and felt her eyes tremble at the softness his held. "Tomoyo's leaving." He understood how she was feeling.
He touched her cheek tenderly, and she leaned against it, closing her eyes to keep the tears in. Syaoran continued to watch her, and soon, she started to cry. He let go of her cheek and wrapped his arms around her eagerly. She fell against his chest, sobbing quietly, letting out her sadness. Syaoran felt the same, for he was also, in a way, losing his best friend. Minutes passed. Sakura closed her eyes and rested on him with comfort. Syaoran realized that Sakura had started to fall asleep in his arms. Tempted to continue holding her, he remembered that he was still hungry, and it was definitely not the time to take a nap.
"Sakura?" He whispered in her ear.
"Hmm?" She whispered back, turning her face so she faced his neck.
"We're going out to eat lunch, and when we get back, you can sleep, all right?" He looked down at her lovingly, stroking back her auburn hair.
She frowned and slowly opened her eyes. "I wasn't sleeping," she mumbled. "Just thinking."
He hid a smile and kissed her cheek sweetly. "Come on."
She nodded, but didn't move.
Syaoran looked back at her. "What?"
"Can you…can you ask Tomoyo to come here for a second?" She asked in a quiet voice.
He nodded. "Hold on."
Syaoran walked out of the living room and towards Tomoyo and Eriol's room. Before he was about to knock on the door, he heard muffled sobs. He knew it was Tomoyo then. Understanding what had been happening, Syaoran realized the deep friendship she and Sakura shared. Although women were emotional, he felt sadness envelop him as well, for the third or fourth time, feeling that pang of frustration, knowing his best friend was leaving him too. Forgetting that momentarily, he knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Eriol opened it with a sad look. It seemed like such a melancholy day.
"Sakura wants to talk to Tomoyo before we go out to eat," Syaoran said in a quiet voice to Eriol.
Eriol nodded in reply and walked over to Tomoyo. Leaning down on her, Syaoran could only assume he was repeating what Syaoran had told him moments ago. Tomoyo stood up and covered her eyes from Syaoran. She passed him and walked into the living room. Eriol and Syaoran stayed by the door of the room and waited patiently for the heart wrenching sobs. Within 5 seconds' time, they heard their lovers' cries. The men looked down with hearts pounding and realization hitting like bricks.
"I don't know why we're worrying about this now." Syaoran started in a strained voice. "I mean…you're not leaving until later tonight, right?"
Eriol nodded. "The truck isn't coming until 6."
"Yeah, so…we…" Syaoran found it difficult to find the words he was trying to tell Eriol. "I don't get…why they're crying…now…"
"They're women. What else can you expect?" Eriol replied.
Syaoran glanced at his friend. He waited a moment and spoke. "How long…have we known each other?"
They shared a meaningful look. A few minutes passed.
"Showlan," Eriol let a sad smile reach his face.
Syaoran felt his chest tighten. He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Errol."
When they were little kids and had met for the first time, they had called each other by those names. Eriol chuckled softly, remembering the memories of their great friendship. Not once did Syaoran break a smile, but often, his eyes were bright, reflecting the smile that would never show upon his face until Sakura came. At the same time, Syaoran remembered everything Eriol had done for him, all the things any best friend would do. Before he could even think about it, Syaoran embraced Eriol in a bear hug. Eriol returned it wholeheartedly.
----
Sakura and Tomoyo sat on the couch and waited for the truck. The living room was basically filled with boxes and suitcases. Syaoran and Eriol were cleaning up the remainders of the two leftover rooms. The sun was already setting while the gloomy apartment room filled with the last rays of sunlight. Tomoyo couldn't speak a word, but tried to control her tears for her baby. Sakura had no more tears left in her, but her sorrow was digging deep inside her heart. Minutes ticked by so fast.
"At least it's good for the baby, right?" Sakura whispered to Tomoyo, who was right beside her with a tissue box in one hand. "You guys can live…in a big…beautiful house…"
Tomoyo smiled.
"How long is the drive going to be?" She asked.
"About 15 minutes I guess. We don't live that far…" Tomoyo said quietly.
Sakura smiled at her friend and bent down, kissing Tomoyo's stomach. "Little Syaoran, you're going to have a great house and the best parents in the world." She whispered.
Tomoyo's tears strengthened.
"I promise I'll visit you every single day. I'll be the best aunt ever…"
Tomoyo touched Sakura's shoulder. She looked up at her. "Sakura, you promise me too."
Sakura broke into a tearful smile. "I promise I'll visit you every single day. I'll be the best…best friend…" her voice broke. "I'll be there for you forever, Tomoyo."
Tomoyo hugged her best friend tightly, crying on her shoulder. "I'm being too emotional!!" She wailed.
Sakura laughed and rubbed her back. "It's okay."
----
It was 1:00 in the morning the next day, and both Syaoran and Sakura were lying on the couch, her on top of him. A blanket was draped over both of them while Syaoran clutched her in his arms tightly. She rested her head on the nape of his neck, her breath tickling him. Hours passed by, and as soon as the light rays of sunlight appeared through the balcony glass doors, Syaoran's eyes opened slowly. He suppressed a yawn at the weight he was carrying.
Glancing down, he saw Sakura's bright halo shadowed on her beautiful auburn hair. He bent down and kissed her hair lightly. He thought about what had happened the day before, and how the place seemed so empty. The place was slightly in disarray, but Syaoran could just envision the two vacant rooms. Sakura stirred and shifted slightly in his arms. He felt her legs already entangled with his, trying to stretch out.
"Morning," he murmured as soon as sleepy emerald eyes faced him.
"Hmm?" She asked tiredly. After yawning, she laid her head back down. "I feel blue."
"I know you do," he replied.
"What are we going to do now?" Sakura lifted her head up once again and propped her arms on his chest, resting her chin on them. "I feel like a big part of me is missing right now."
Syaoran pulled back a bit of her hair and gazed deep into her eyes. "That was some wedding, huh?"
Sakura's eyes widened a little at the change of subject, but smiled nonetheless. "Yeah. Tomoyo was beautiful…not to mention Eriol! Very handsome."
"How 'bout me?" Syaoran teased with mock hurt in his voice.
Sakura giggled a little. "What about you? You weren't the one getting married, were you?"
Syaoran held her hips and squeezed them. She squealed. "But I'm going to be your husband someday…so what'd you think of me?" He continued to ask.
She turned heavy pink at the husband part and kissed him quickly. "I thought you were very handsome, Syaoran!"
"That's what I'm talking about," he pushed Sakura downwards.
"Aah! What are you doing??" She protested as she felt herself turning.
As soon as Syaoran got far enough, he pulled her underneath him so their positions had changed. He smiled at her.
Sakura gripped him tightly. "So that was your plan?? You scared me!!"
"Yeah I know, but it was worth it," he lowered his face so they were only centimetres apart.
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked in a quiet, soft voice.
His gaze flickered back and forth from her eyes to her lips. "Yeah?" He replied in the same tone.
"How did I look at the wedding?" She murmured shyly.
Syaoran felt like laughing. She was interrupting the almost-kiss with a question like that. He chuckled. "You looked so beautiful, Sakura…but to be honest with you…you're the most beautiful when you're simple…you're not wearing any make-up…" he whispered, "or anything for that matter." There was no hint of playfulness in his voice.
"Syaoran!" She smiled and held him tightly. "Kiss me."
He looked into her eyes once more, and dove in for the long-awaited kiss.
----
It was 10:00am, and the four had already planned to meet somewhere for lunch. At the new house, Tomoyo walked around the new house with sadness, anticipation, and excitement. Eriol was checking every room to see if nothing was wrong. Noting a few walls to be repainted and a couple curtains to get washed, he walked out of the large master bedroom and went in the living room where Tomoyo was.
Romantically weaving his arms around her waist, he touched the bulging stomach and felt the baby kick. Tomoyo relaxed in his arms and rested her head on his shoulder, sighing softly. He turned her around and they faced each other with contented silence. Eriol kissed her full lips almost hungrily, but kept it sweet and light.
"We've got so much stuff to do…" Tomoyo complained, sitting on one of the set-up couches. "And I've got back pain!"
Eriol grinned. "Syaoran and Sakura are coming over after lunch, and the three of us are going to clean up this house, all right?"
"So I don't have to do anything?" Tomoyo asked in a hopeful voice.
He laughed out loud. "No, you don't have to do anything," he replied in a good-humoured voice.
She grinned and swung her legs over on the couch. "So since we have 2 hours before we'll meet the two, how 'bout letting me sleep a bit?"
"Good idea," Eriol bent down and hooked his arms underneath her. She started to protest, flailing her arms about. "The bed's the best place to sleep in, Mrs. Hiiragizawa."
She giggled. "I love being called that!" She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Carrying her to their room bridal-style, Eriol carefully laid her on the comfy bed, putting the covers over her. Tomoyo smiled up at him, and slowly her eyes began to close. Eriol felt his heart relax with content and happiness. His dreams were coming true. He had a wife…and a son coming…he had a house…he had a family…once again. Eriol leaned on their door and watched Tomoyo's stomach rise and fall, her breath coming in a slow, calm rhythm. He smiled and opening the door, determined to start working on their precious house.