Summary: After five years of Sakura and Syaoran being split up, unspeakable circumstances have required them to reunite. How will Sakura Kinomoto, now a player be able to stand seeing the man who deceived her as an innocent and naïve young girl? Will Syaoran be able to win back the only woman he's thought about for the past five years? Can the ex-best friend's love rekindle? Although Sakura said she wasted her last breath, she needs to learn sometimes, you've simply just got to breathe.

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or anything like it. It belongs strictly to CLAMP.

Note: Please remember if you want me to e-mail you, you should tell me that you want me to and not just leave your e-mail okay? Thanks!

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Just Breathe

By: SweetBabyGurl

Chapter 9: Merciless

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Sakura sat before the computer, one leg leaning against the desk, the other on one of the legs of the forest green chair she sat on. She was currently typing an e-mail to a friend from Japan she had previously worked with before bringing up her own company. She stopped for a moment, taking time to sip her ice cold cola that sat before her. She was feeling particularly lazy that day, so she stole one of Syaoran's forest green t-shirts and matching track pants which seemed to be swallowing her whole. She was constantly pulling up the sleeves and top of the shirt. The pants stayed in place because of the drawstring but had to be careful when she walked because they were pants and socks in one for her. She began to type away busily at the things had occurred when she heard someone sneeze from the frame of the bedroom door.

"Had fun raiding my closet dear Sakura-chan?" He asked as he stopped behind her, his hands leaning on the back of the chair. She quickly closed the box she was working and turned around to face him with a smile. The e-mail was basically all about him, and she didn't want him to know anything about it. Lord knows how he would tease her for decades to come.

"Yes actually I did. I particularly liked the boxers with the pink hearts and fuzzy teddy bears," Sakura smirked.

"Oh God. Those are still there?!" Syaoran cried, his eyes wide, as he dashed to his closet in search of the embarrassing boxers. At this, Sakura fell off her chair and onto the green carpet as she howled with laughter. "What's so funny?" He asked, shooting her a glare before turning back to look for the boxers.

"I didn't actually see the boxers! I was just teasing you!" Sakura exclaimed as she clutched her stomach from laughing so hard. Soon, her laughter had died down and saw Syaoran standing before her with a light smile on his face. "What?" She asked, completely clueless. She thought he get all mad at her and then begin to tickle her just like he used to. He slowly walked over to her and sat down next to where she was.

"It's nice to hear you laugh again," he whispered in her ear. Sakura nervously laughed as she was about to stand up and return to the e-mail, but Syaoran had made a tug at her – rather his sleeve making her stay put. "Can we just… sit down and talk? Like old times?" Sakura bit her lip subconsciously. Things did feel like they were going back to how they once were, and yet it was different. Now, he didn't seem like that playboy he was when they were younger. He seemed like he had matured and actually gotten some sense knocked through that thick head of his. Slowly, she nodded.

"So," she asked, clearing her throat, "what do you want to talk about?"

"How are things with you in Japan?" He asked as he took her hand and began to play with her fingers. He used to do that with her all the time, especially when the two began to date, and she felt her hands getting clammy.

"Well… um… I have my own company. We create and edit software for lots of different kinds of governments and stuff. And don't worry, I don't think you'll be seeing anymore ex-boyfriends any time soon," Sakura said to him as she tried to crack a joke to lighten the mood.

"But I wanna kick all their asses," Syaoran mumbled just loud enough for her to hear as he held her hand to his face.

"And why is that?" She asked with an eyebrow raised. Although she tried to remain serious, she couldn't help but to let the smirk she was trying suppress show.

"Because they don't deserve you. You're too good for them," Syaoran mumbled one more as he took both of her hands in his own. Sakura looked at him, an expression of shock on her face. She was sure that they were going to get into a fight because of that one, but now... now he was being so sweet to her. What was going on? And why was it affecting her so much?

"Any other girlfriends in Hong Kong I should know about? Just in case any of them come back to haunt you," She asked with a playful smirk.

"Nope. I haven't really dated anyone since you," he replied quietly. Now Sakura was even more shocked. He didn't date anyone after her? Did he really care about her so much? She noticed how his gaze was still on her hands that sat in his lap. Now this was the Syaoran she had fallen in love with in high school. The sweet, caring and loving Syaoran she knew so well. And slowly, she felt her vow fading away as she felt herself falling in love with the man who broke her heart all over again. She allowed herself a soft smile as she laid her head on his broad shoulder, shocking the both of them. Syaoran was shocked at the action while Sakura was shocked at the comfort and warmth that was still there… even after so many years.

"Hello, I'd like to speak to Kinomoto Sakura please," a voice asked from the door. Just as he/she finished their sentence, they saw Sakura run down the stairs, her face alit with joy as Syaoran soon came following after a smirk on his face.

"You are going down Kinomoto Sakura!" Syaoran shouted as he chased after the auburn haired girl who had just slipped and fallen to the floor with a hard thud.

"Oww," Sakura murmured as she rubbed her backside. She saw a shadow before and began to beg. "Syao-kun it isn't fair! These pants are way to big for me and they made me fall and hurt myself. It's your fault! Why'd you have to buy such big pants for?" she pouted, acting like a small child.

"I'm guessing you're Kinomoto Sakura?" A woman with flowing blonde hair and small hazel eyes asked. Sakura looked up to the girl before her and decided she neither liked her or trusted her the moment Sakura's emerald eyes laid on her hazel ones.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Sakura asked, trying to be polite, but couldn't help but to keep the iciness from her voice.

"Ying Fa!" The two heard him call as their heads turned to him once they heard the sound of his voice. He immediately looked at the two and walked over to Sakura, helping her up.

"You okay chibi?" He asked with a smirk.

"Mou! I'm not chibi," Sakura pouted again with her arms crossed over her chest. Syaoran merely laughed and kissed her on the cheek.

"My name is Aika. And Kinomoto Sakura, your fiancée, is the father to my daughter," she said in a bitter tone. Sakura and Syaoran's eyes widened in shock as they looked at one another. Sakura felf her eyes widen even farther, but this time in recognition. Sakura eyes blazed with fire as she slapped the woman before her across the face.

"Come on now Aika. Don't think I wouldn't remember Daniel's baby sister," Sakura spat looking at the crying girl up and down.

"Now, now Sakura. No need to use violence. Aika, go to the car," Daniel said in a smooth voice as his sister nodded and walked out. As he stepped out from the doorway, Daniel let out a sigh. "You would have thought things would have been so much easier. But no. You always were one to make things so difficult, weren't you Sakura? Why won't you just leave him?! You'd be much better in my arms. Plus, it would save me a lot more trouble of tearing you two apart." Sakura let out a growl and was about to punch him in the face when she felt two muscular arms hold her back and was place behind Syaoran. Apparently, Syaoran wanted the first shot, but had to move Sakura in order to do so.

"Stay away from us… or else," Syaoran spat at Daniel, who was currently on the floor, holding his broken nose as Syaoran left the threat hanging. Syaoran wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist as the two walked up the stairs never looking back. Daniel on the other hand simply let out a smirk.

"Well isn't this going to be fun."

Sakura and Syaoran were out taking a walk in the park while eating ice cream. Sakura decided that she really should give Syaoran another chance. It was like what Tomoyo had said before, people really do change. Speaking of Tomoyo, Sakura really needed to call her. It had been a while since the two got a chance to talk.

"I'm glad you gave me a second chance my cherry blossom. I promise I won't screw up this time," he whispered before taking some of her strawberry ice cream.

"Hey!" Sakura exclaimed with a smile as she pulled her hand away so he couldn't get anymore of her ice cold treat. She giggled as he watched her jog away, her eyes never leaving his. He smiled at her brightly shaking his head as he looked down to where his cell phone was. She ran back up to him and allowed herself to be wrapped up in his arms as she finished off her cone.

"Hello?" Sakura heard Syaoran's voice speak over the phone as she looked up to him. A look of terror seemed to corrupt his face as it immediately paled. "Which hospital?"

"Oh my God," Sakura breathed. She knew that it had to be Yelan. Sakura felt the tears well up in her eyes, but held them back, knowing she had to be strong for Syaoran. The moment Syaoran shut his phone the two made their way over to the mansion so they could get to the hospital.

Once the two arrived at the nearby hospital, they saw Feimei, Fuutie, Fanren and Siefa all sitting together huddled in a heap. But what really got to Sakura the most was the fact Eriol was there also with the utmost fear on his face. She knew how much Eriol cared for Li Yelan, but there was definitely something else on his mind. The first thing that came to her mind was Tomoyo, but shook it away knowing that couldn't be it. Sakura slowly made her way over to the distressed Eriol.

"Eriol-kun… what is it?" Sakura asked him as gently placed her warm hand on the back of the usually calm Eriol. His head was buried into the palms of his hands. And much to Sakura's surprise, his eyes and face were red from the crying as tears continued to make their way down his cheeks.

"T-Tomoyo. Sakura. We were playing a-around in the p-park and sh-sh-she ran across the s-street. She go-got hit by some d-driver then they drove off. S-she's in the ER right now," Eriol stuttered out. The moment Eriol had finished speaking, more than enough tears fell from Sakura's eyes and Eriol returned to his former position. Sakura suddenly collapsed into a chair before her world went black.

"Fuutie! How is mother?!" Syaoran asked the moment he reached his sisters. He joined the group hug, but refused to cry knowing someone had to be strong for them all.

"Sh-she was coughing and we were giving h-her her medicine and then she held my hand and and and then let go! I didn't hear her breathing Xiao Lang! She's gone!" Fuutie wailed as she clutched onto her younger brother's shirt. Syaoran's face paled even further as he held onto his heartbroken family. Suddenly, he frantically looked around for Sakura and saw her in the corner with Eriol. He would have thought she was just sleeping if Eriol wasn't shaking her shoulders. He immediately left his sisters and ran over to her.

"Sakura! Get your ass awake! I can't lose you too! You're my best friend!" Eriol screamed as he continued to shake her. Syaoran pulled him off Sakura as he took his friend into a hug.

"Tomoyo got hit by a car," Eriol sobbed. The two tightened the hug quickly before they both let go. Syaoran picked up Sakura and took her to a nurse while Eriol stood back and watched. Syaoran sent Eriol a meaningful glance, as Syaoran knew what it was like to lose someone you cared the most about.

It was approximately five hours later after Sakura woke up. Syaoran sat at her bedside, his head cradled in his hands.

"Baby… where am I?" Sakura asked, her eyes tearing from corner to corner of the room.

"Shh, you're in the hospital," he whispered to her soothingly.

"Oh God! It wasn't a dream! How's your mother?! Is Tomoyo alright?!" Sakura exclaimed as she felt the tears fall from her eyes once more. When Syaoran didn't say a word, she got even more terrified. "Syaoran!"

"Mother… didn't make it. Her lungs weren't working. She died from internal suffocation. And Tomoyo… she's in a coma right now. There was a lot of internal bleeding… and they don't know if she's gonna make it either," Syaoran whispered. Sakura's sobs worsened with every word he spoke. Finally, she pulled him up onto the bed as the two stayed in one another's arms, crying out their hearts with every fiber of their souls.

'How can you be so merciless Kami-sama? How?' Sakura thought over and over again in her mind as she tried to see through her own tears and wipe away Syaoran's.

TBC

Readers: -Sniff- That's so sad :( Well, at least Sakura and Syaoran are together now right? Thank you to all of the people that reviewed the last chapter, it means a lot to me. I'll try and get the next chapter up soon. How is everyone supposed to cope with Yelan's death and Tomoyo in a coma? What will Eriol do, knowing that the one he loves the most might never open their eyes again? Find out in Just Breathe: Of Endings and Beginnings.

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