A/N: dammit! My language's gone bad! AHHH! Well, this fic is still rated PG. It won't be rated PG-13 cuz there are a lot of my reviewers who aren't thirteen yet… Oh well, doesn't matter. Life ain't fair.

**

Chapter 3: Protect

            "God, Li! Why must you be so stubborn?" Sakura cried.

          "Because I am stubborn?!" Syaoran asked played impatiently. "Now, can we get a move on?"

          "There's no we, there's only 'I'!" Sakura yelled. "I want to leave."

          "SAKURA!" Syaoran said, shaking his head.

          "What did you say?" Sakura suddenly turned around, eyes flashing vigorously.

          "Your name," Syaoran answered calmly. "I found it in your backpack along with two leaves of cherry blossoms."

          "You do not go barge in someone else's backpack looking for goods!" Sakura growled.

          "Hey, chill Kinomoto! It's not like I did break in your home and steal you!" Syaoran chuckled, than realized what he was saying. It really was like what he was saying. The Kinomotos and Li's are at war, and now, he's practically "stealing" Sakura away from her home! Sakura's eyes were flaming now, and without a moment of hesitation, she grabbed a sword that was on the ground, and flung it around Syaoran's neck.

          "One more filthy word, Li, one. More. And you are dead." Sakura flashed her eyes warningly.

          "Hey, you Kinomoto filth, why don't you just cut me in half?" Syaoran said in a playful smirk, and turned to Sakura. She seemed to be in a state of shock as she didn't notice Syaoran's sudden kick at her causing her to spring backward and hit onto a wall.

          "Well, Kinomoto?" Syaoran asked. "Here," he threw her bag in her direction. "I don't need your bag and your dirty looks. Or the info about the necklace. Go home to where you belong."

          "…" Sakura opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She wondered about the sudden change of his mind. Syaoran walked outside toward the sunlight, and inhaled deeply. Far away, he smirked at her, and dashed away.

          "Damn Li. I would very much like to leave, thank you," Sakura said to no one in particular, and picked up her bag. It has his scent. That Li's scent. And I have to admit, it's quite refreshi—SAKURA KINOMOTO! Stop daydreaming! A voice called inside her head as she realized that she had been attracted to the Li guy.

          "I didn't even know his name!" Sakura growled. "Just wait till I tell Touya 'off with his head'!" she thought out aloud as she got up and walked into the sunlight. It was a refreshing feeling and the soft rays hit her face.

          "Finally outside?" a cold voice said sarcastically.

          Sakura turned around, a sword wrapped tightly in her hands. "Oh, the Li Darcy!" Sakura smirked.

          "Darcy?" Syaoran asked in confusion.

          "From Pride and Prejudice?" Sakura replied shortly. "You don't read, do you?"

          "Pride and Prejudice? Mind, I do read, for your information, but I am fairly shocked for you compared me with him—who is Elizabeth, or Lizzie, should I say, to be played? You, perhaps?!" Syaoran asked, smirking, and walked away. (AN: Darcy + Lizzie are lovers, but Lizzie hated him at first cuz he's so proud.)

          "There is no Lizzie. She is a kind and gentle girl, unlike you, you Li!" Sakura howled, but Syaoran kept on walking.

          "Have it your way then, Kinomoto! And remember, everyone likes a kind and gentle girl!" Syaoran waved good-bye as Sakura blew up, her face as red as an apple.

          "ARGH! That guy gets on my nerves!"

          Dammit. Now where should I go?!! Sakura thought aloud in her mind. "ALL LOST IN A FOREST!! WHAT AM I TO DO?!!"

**

          Okay. For 3 days and 3 nights I have been walking endlessly without water. And now I'm all thirsty and sweaty. Sakura complained as she sat next to a pine tree.

          "I wish I was with that Li guy… At least I'm not starving and thirsty." Sakura thought out aloud. She stared around her. Darkness surrounded the forest. Endless darkness. As it spread its wings to expand, Sakura blew a fire, and stayed next to it.

          How crazy of her to think to stay with the person who abducted her?!!

          He did save your life, mind. A voice rang inside her heart.

          "So?"

          I dunno. It's your life. The voice rang again, but grew fainter and fainter.

          "Some advice." Sakura said sarcastically.

          She stared at the bag next to her. As she looked inside, she found the necklace with a wolf's tooth dangling on it.

          "Wolf…" she whispered. "I miss you so much…"

An auburn-haired girl about six sat on a bench beside the Kinomoto side of the lake and cried into her lap.

          "Why are you crying?" a voice rang behind her.

          The girl screamed, and turned around. A pair of glittering amber eyes stared down at her, and the person jumped over the bench. He had messy chestnut hair and was wearing a Chinese Robe—for "little" boys.

          "Who are you?" The girl asked in confusion.

          "You're a Kinomoto." The boy sighed, and looked over at the sky. The girl noticed a shiny sparkly tooth in a black lined necklace around the boy's neck.

          "What's that?" The girl asked, reaching out her hand to touch it.

          "OW!" The girl shrieked as the boy slapped her hand. "Don't you just go barge in to someone else's stuff when you're not asked to!" the boy said angrily.

          "Sorry…" the girl apologized, and looked down at her lap. Suddenly she felt strong arms on her shoulder as if she was being protected.

          "It's alright, Sakura," the boy smiled. Sakura raised her head, and stared into the eyes of the boy. "H-how did you know my name?"

          "You're the snobby princess aren't you?" the boy asked. "Um, yeah, I guess…"

          "Care to keep a secret for me?" the boy asked.

          "Um…"

          "Don't cry just because your mother died," the boy smiled, "she just wants you to be happy, that's all…" the boy smiled.

          "How? What?!" Sakura asked in confusion/

          The boy took off his necklace and placed it on Sakura's neck. "Here, it's for you." He smiled.

          "But…"

          "That's our little secret. Promise me to never tell, 'k? Keep the necklace, and think of my words whenever you're sad or lonely, Sakura, and think of this kiss that I give you." The boy said gently, and bent down to kiss Sakura on her cheek.

          "You'll be fine, snob!" he teased, and chased away.

          "WAIT!! I didn't even know your name!" Sakura yelled.

          "Wolf." Was the echo of the boy's voice.

          "Wolf…" Sakura repeated and smiled. She wasn't going to cry anymore. She wasn't going to cry anymore.

…

Wolf

…

"Wolf…" Sakura felt the word escape her lips.

          Syaoran watched Sakura from above the tree, and saw Sakura holding the necklace to her chest.

          Don't cry. Don't cry, Sakura, just like you promised Wolf that you wouldn't cry. Sakura told herself. A single drop of tear escaped from her eye and fell on the tooth. Then everything blacked out.

A/N: wah?!! Isn't that kawaii?!!! Please review!! Loltz…