thank you so much for the wonderful reviews and for staying so faithful to this story. THANK YOU!!! Florida was such a blast especially that I spent it with close friends. It was awesome and your warm reviews welcomed me back.

disclaimer: Nope. I don't own anything.

-----------------------------------------

It's Never Too Late

---

Syaoran rolled and tossed on his bed. He can't go to sleep no matter what he does. He can't find the right position that will drift him off to a deep slumber. What reason? A certain woman named Sakura Kinomoto won't walk out of his mind.

It's quarter pass two but there's no touch of sleepiness in him. Finally, he had enough and just sat upright on his bed and buried his head on his hand. He can't close his eyes...every time he does, he sees her radiant face, smiling and looking straight at him. It's getting ridiculous. But there is absolutely nothing he can do. It's like she's taking over his world.

"Sakura..." he whispered.

"I need to talk to her...I need to tell her how I feel...it hurts to hold it in"

And that was the only key in making him fall asleep...to finally make up his mind that he's going to confess tomorrow... a day before his wedding.

---

Ciara was on her bed, crying her heart out.

It hurts...it hurts so much that you just want to die and just let it all go. To flush it all off and forget about everything.

She didnt' know what to do about what she heard. All she felt was that she wanted to get out of that place where she heard that heartbreaking news. It's not a joke. It's not an object of fun for she had heard the serious voice of Syaoran saying that he fell in love with Sakura all over again.

She remembered how she ran out of the house and just prayed that a huge bus will hit her and take her straight to heaven. Now, she's on her room, wasn't able to sleep because of the heartaches that she's feeling.

She loves him...she loves Syaoran more than she could love anyone else. He was everything she ever wished for. Ciara needs him so much that her body aches for him all the time. And he loved her! He loved her...she felt it...but not anymore. Why!? Because Sakura showed up out of nowhere.

Ciara's heart was like hammered to little pieces. To know that the man of your dreams was yours...until someone shows up, totally unexpected and takes him away. But he loves Sakura now...and that's what matters for he is after all the man of the relationship. Someone is bound to get hurt...but Ciara was willing to take that risk...

Ciara wiped her tears off... although a lot more fell down.

"I have a day to arrange everything. But THERE WILL BE a wedding that's going to take place tomorrow" she determinedly concluded with streaming tears on her cheeks.

---

"Sakura!? Good thing that you're awake. Come on, let's have breakfast"

Sakura nodded and held her toasted bread and put butter on it.

"Do you have anything planned for today?" Tomoyo asked.

"No not really. But I just want to...unwind...go to the park and walk alone" she replied.

Tomoyo just looked at her, sympathy evident in her eyes.

The hours passed by unusually fast. The cousins were just watching the television when Sakura got up.

"I'm going to take a shower and go somewhere, Tomoyo. I need to do something or else my mind will just fly to something I'd rather not think about"

And with that, she went upstairs to her room and prepared herself and after several minutes, she came down and headed outside.

The weather is dark and gloomy, depicting her emotions inside. She just wants to melt down. That way all her problems would vanish too.

Sakura did go to the park and tried to walk off her stress and problems. She tried to think of something else...think of good memories that can erase all negative ones.

Sakura tried it...but she ended up thinking about that wonderful day at the beach when the four of them were playing with the water...and her mind will wander off to Syaoran and she'll be thinking about him and the wedding all over again.

"I'm pathetic" she groaned.

'Okay...think about your dad...that's safe' she ordered herself.

Sakura then thought about her father...how is he doing? Is he fine...?

'What is he doing at this very moment?... Maybe he has found another love? No, my dad won't do that. He still loves mom'

But at the mention of love... Sakura's mind will go back to square one and think about nothing but Syaoran again.

Finally she just gave up. There's nothing more left to do. No use in pretending that she'll ever move on. She loves him too much that she can't even bear to not be with him for a day...especially now that she's used to having him close by.

She then found herself on the verge of tears.

She sat on a bench and closed her eyes.

---

"Let's go, Eriol"

"Where are we going?"

"Let's go to Tomoyo's house!" Syaoran urgently said.

"What for?" he asked.

"I don't care what you will say, Eriol. I need to talk to Sakura" Syaoran spoke.

"I know that it's wrong and unfair for Ciara... I'm so sorry but I have to talk to Sakura...maybe that way, I can settle things..." he continued, his voice breaking.

Eriol merely nodded and followed Syaoran to his Lexus car and rode in silence as the weather turned gloomier every moment.

They arrived at Tomoyo's house to see her preparing dresses on the living room.

"Hello, Tomoyo" Eriol greeted quietly and gave her a kiss. "What are you doing?"

"Oh. I'm just fixing our dresses for tomorrow's wedding"

And with that, she smiled at Syaoran and he just raised his eyes to meet hers.

"Tomoyo...where is Sakura?"

"She's not here"

"Do you know where she went?" he questioned.

"No... all she said is that she wants to unwind and walk alone in some park. Please...don't bother---"

"I'm sorry, Tomoyo...I have to talk to her"

"No, Syaoran! You have hurt my cousin enough!" Tomoyo said, louder than usual. Eriol was actually shocked. But somehow, Syaoran looked like he was expecting it.

"I know I have. That's why I think that I need to talk to her..." Syaoran sadly responded.

"Why can't you just leave her alone? She is suffering all throughout this week and you are not helping. Just let her have her private time will you?" Tomoyo said, trying to calm down.

She's not the type of person that will shout. But she can't take it anymore. Her poor cousin is the one who always have to suffer. The world is being unfair to her.

Syaoran kept his mouth shut. Tomoyo snapped out from her anger and went to him and faced him.

"I'm so sorry...it's just that Sakur---"

"No...there's nothing to apologize for...Tomoyo, I know that it was so hard for her...because I know how she feels for me..."

Tomoyo's eyes grew huge.

"But believe me...I'm probably hurt as she is because I love her too..." Syaoran quietly said.

"But time was against us and so is fate...that's why I need to tell her"

And with that he stepped out of the door, leaving Tomoyo there, rooted at her spot.

"Eriol...he knows... And he does love her too?" Tomoyo asked him unbelievingly, her eyes almost crying.

"I'm afraid so. He heard her pour out her feelings when she was drunk. I have no idea what sort of things Sakura said that night..."

"What will happen to Ciara?..."

"I don't know...this is so confusing" Eriol sighed.

---

Sakura opened her eyes and found herself on the same bench that she sat on thirty minutes ago.

"I took a nap?" she laughed herself and glanced at her watch.

'Wow...I came here at three and now it's six? Time sure flies fast...and before I know it, tomorrow will come and—"

She shook her head and tried to dispose of her thoughts. She walked a little further on the park until a restaurant surfaced from the trees.

'Green Garden' was the name of the place. She went in and saw that it's beautiful and elegantly made. Tables are made of mahogany and the atmosphere is so fresh since it's full of flowers and small potted trees.

Sakura settled herself in a table for two beside the window that overlooked the lovely garden outside the restaurant.

'I definitely have to remember this place. This is so pretty' she thought fondly.

A waiter came up to her and took her order. She asked for a salad and tea and just gazed at the garden while waiting.

It soon came and she had a hearty meal. If only her friends are there with her, joking around. But she's the one who asked to be alone, didn't she? But she can't help but think and imagine that if Syaoran is there, it would be more enjoyable.

For awhile, she just sat there, staring at the scenery. Her eyes went up to the sky. Anytime now, it can rain...

"Sakura..." a male voice woke her from her thoughts.

Sakura immediately stood up, got money from her bag and left it on the table without even looking at the man...

Is it too hard to ask for a little time to be alone? All she wants is to have a day for herself.

"Sakura" he once again called out.

She quickly walked out of the restaurant, choosing the pathway leading to the garden. Tears were springing on her eyes. She doesn't want to talk to him. It will only cause more pain...to see him and to be with him...it will make her ache for more if she continues to meet with him.

Game's over. No more playing around. This is the real thing now. They almost did something off the hook yesterday and she can't afford that to happen again. Her body cries and yearns for his touch but she has to deny it from herself. Because to have him near will be a mistake.

Sakura continued to walk fast out of the place...the gate...it's far. If only she can reach it sooner, she can run and just hide for the moment.

'Please...no more...' she desperately thought.

She started hearing thunder but she continued to head out. She was actually regretting in taking the garden path for it took her forever just to get out.

Sakura can hear the man's footsteps following her, but she won't dare look for she might fall on his spell and stop short.

Then she heard his sound closer and before she knows it, the man caught up with her, took hold of her wrist and turned her around.

"What do you want, Syaoran!?" she pretended to be angry, but still not looking at him.

"I want to talk to you..." he replied.

"There's nothing to talk about. Now let go. I have to be somewhere by now" she hissed.

"Don't lie. I know you have nowhere to go. Just please talk to me"

Sakura stopped moving and fidgeting on his grasp that he let go of her.

"Sakura...if you won't talk to me because of what happened yesterday...I'm—"

"No!" she cut him off. "This has nothing to do with what almost happened yesterday!"

For awhile, they stood in silence, the wind getting stronger by the second. Dark clouds are covering the sky and thunders are getting clearer in your eyes...the trees are rustling because of the gust of the wind.

It's so hard to pretend to be mad. There's no reason for her to but she wants to leave the impression that she's angry. She hates her life. It gave nothing but pain but somehow, when she's with him, she can't feel anything.

But right now, she needs to pretend. If she turns soft, she will fall...one thing she doesn't want to happen anymore.

Syaoran remained quiet and Sakura got impatient. The rain will soon drop from the heavy-looking clouds...

They looked at each other's eyes, drowning themselves on one another's pools. Then there it is again, Sakura is being sucked by an invisible force that will lead to her heartbreak.

Syaoran took a step forward, wanting to be closer but Sakura moved back.

"If you don't have anything to say, I think I'll go" she snapped.

Sakura turned her back to Syaoran and started walking, her feet getting heavier in each step she takes. She doesn't want to leave him. All she wants is to run back and jump on his arms.

Something inside her saddened. 'As if that's possible'

Sakura is almost nearing the gate. She's almost free...but that was when she heard a breaking voice that shouted at her...

"Sakura...I don't know if I want to marry Ciara anymore!"

Sakura stopped short...but never faced him. She then heard footsteps and she felt him close to her.

"Syaoran...what are you talking about?" tears are forming but she blinked them back. She can't cry---not in front of him.

"Please don't ask me...I have no idea what to answer. All I know is that I'm not sure about my future anymore..."

Sakura continued to have her back face him...she doesn't want to see his face.

"You are not making any sense!!" she replied.

"I think that Ciara is not the one for me..." Syaoran told her, his voice cracking badly.

Sakura finally turned around with unbelieving eyes and met his. It's full of sadness and misery...she then looked down.

"Ciara is perfect for you! You two are meant together...so stop your nonsense and go marry her!" Sakura ordered him.

It turned out that it seems she's trying to get rid of him...but for now, she doesn't care.

"Sakura...you don't understand..."

"Of course I do! You love her and she loves you...that's what matters. Stop being stubborn and think that she IS the one for you! Don't be ridiculous!"

Syaoran shook his head. "You're something, you know that..."

"How can you understand something that you don't even feel!?" he yelled, his temper rising up. Anger and hopelessness all pent up...there's nothing to do that can control it.

Sakura turned quiet with the sudden sharpness on his voice.

"Do you think I like this!? Do you think I want to have this kind of problem!? NO! I don't! If only you know how confusing it is...if only you know how much it drives me crazy..."

Sakura was silent...

"I was SO sure that I love her...I was so positive that she's the one for me. I thought that she will be the woman I want to spend forever with! I had fun with her, I like her company, I love kissing her and hugging her..."

"I wanted to MARRY her and be happy for the rest of my life! To have a family with Ciara as my partner...I thought that I could never love another woman again as much as I loved her..." he spoke out loud.

"Then what happened?..." Sakura squeaked, scared.

Syaoran's eyes softened a little and took a deep breath.

"Then you appeared out of nowhere..."

The air got chilly and the wind got stronger and seconds after, raindrops fell from the vast sky, immediately soaking the two, being outside in the garden.

Sakura's eyes grew huge, her emerald eyes bringing out tears but she can't wipe them off. She was paralyzed.

"What?" she weakly asked.

"I was going along fine...no confusions or dramas, everything was great. All is planned and my heart was willing to settle with her..."

She slowly shook her head, her hand on her mouth, saying the one word..."no" over and over...

"But then you came...so unexpected and everything that I thought I knew I felt for Ciara was forgotten..."

"I'm not trying to blame you. This is not your fault. All I'm trying to say is that I need you...more than I could need anyone else..."

Sakura gasped. But no words would come out. She didn't even think of this scenario! She didn't even dare hope that Syaoran's love will come back for she saw it herself! She saw how much his eyes held love for Ciara...and it seemed that they have a world of their own.

Then all of a sudden, he's going to confess that he needs her!?

"I don't know how to explain it, Sakura. But these past few days, you were always in my mind. Trust me, I was trying to get rid of you, but no matter what I do, you kept on popping in my brains that it's getting annoying!" he exasperatedly explained.

"But---" was the only thing she can mutter.

Syaoran's voice lowered. "Seeing you can make me happy and it can complete my day... I'm out of myself when you're not there...please, try to understand..."

"But---I—that's Im—" she stuttered, tears freely flowing on her cheeks.

Syaoran waited for something clear to come out but nothing did...

"Sakura...not only did I adore the kisses that we shared but---"

This time, Sakura finally spoke, cutting him off...

"Syaoran! Those kisses didn't mean anything! You know that!"

It was Syaoran's turn tear up. "But when we were at the beach...something special happened that neither of us can change...Saku---"

"No!" then she faked a scoff.

"Listen to yourself. Listen to what rubbish you're saying! You said it yourself, we were being silly! We did something that was absolutely crazy and weird! We had a talk...and we both agreed that we were playing around. Playing around, Syaoran, playing around!" she angrily said, her hand making all kinds of gesture to prove her point.

Sakura can't let herself ruin a relationship that will be wedded TOMORROW just because the man enjoyed kissing her! If only she can understand how much the problem is way deeper than that...

Syaoran laughed... a sad laugh..."Please don't say that thing all over again" his eyes closed, probably preventing the tears to fall.

"Don't say what all over again!?" Sakura asked, annoyed.

He sighed. "Please don't say that those kisses didn't mean anything...please don't say it the way you did six years ago when we shared a kiss..."

"No...it's going to hurt me like it did years ago..."

Sakura's eyes grew large once again as it dawned to her what Syaoran is talking about. They did share a kiss long ago but she bluntly said that it's wrong and was a mistake...she had no idea that Syaoran was terribly hurt by her words.

Sakura closed her eyes... 'Why is this happening?'

Sakura faced the other way and started to walk faster than before...she wants to get out of this dumb garden...and she wants to hide and wake up from this horrible nightmare...

But before she can move farther, a voice called out again.

"Don't walk away...Sakura, I love you"

She all over again stopped short and Syaoran followed her and turned her around, facing him. He brought up his hand and started stoking her hair, tears on his eyes.

"Sakura...I love you too much that it hurts already...to think that you came just when I'm engage is intolerable"

She searched Syaoran's eyes...she was hoping that he will smile and say "I'm just joking! I got you!" but then she realized that what she's thinking is just stupid.

Sakura started crying...hard

"Why are you telling me this!?" she demanded, his hand holding hers.

"I need to let you know...I need to let it all out or else I'll explode, Sakura"

"That's impossible!" she sniffed.

"What do you mean impossible. Its happening!" Syaoran yelled back.

"Why won't you accept the fact that I love you! Why!?"

"Because you're engaged, Syaoran! ENGAGED!" she screamed.

Good thing that they are far from the actual restaurant...or else they will hear this quarrel.

"Sakura..."

"Syaoran...you don't love me...maybe you just felt---attraction because Ciara was away and you needed warmth and...I--- I was the only girl around that can give you your needs and m-maybe----" she babbled.

"No. Believe it or not, I tried convincing myself that your reason IS the explanation why I'm feeling these kinds of emotions...but no. I love you"

Sakura gulped in a huge amount of air...it feels so good to hear Syaoran say that he loves her...it feels so wonderful to know that he feels the same way...but one name can ruin it all...'Ciara'.

Sakura pulled away from Syaoran's grip and her eyes narrowed.

"What about, Ciara then huh!? What do you think she will say about this? Stop being selfish and think about others too...not just you" she angrily told him.

"I don't know!" he then put up his hands on his forehead.

"What do you mean you don't know!? You have to know!"

"I—I have no idea!"

"Syaoran...how can you love me when we just spent four days together! FOUR DAYS!!!" she screamed.

"Be logical...what you're trying to say is utterly impossible!"

"I can't be logical right now...it's not me.. it's my heart that---" he mumbled but Sakura kept on rattling on like she didn't hear him.

"How can four days of being together take the place of your love for Ciara when you fell for her three years ago!?"

"I---"

"How can you say you love me when you are going to get married tomorrow?"

"I—I—"

"This can't happen. You're going to hurt her. How can you do this? How---"

"I DON'T KNOW!" he shouted, halting Sakura's blabber.

"Please don't ask me questions 'cause no matter how you search me, I don't have any answers to present..." he whispered.

Sakura took a deep breath and closed her eyes, sending more tears down her flushed cheeks.

"I don't know how it happened. I don't know why...there's a not a thing I know or can understand at the moment...don't ask anymore but please...I beg you... don't ask me why I'm so in love with you"

She was taken aback and finally looked up from the ground and stared at the eyes of the man she adores more than anything in the wide world.

"Syaoran...I—I ---oh my God!" and she broke down. She can't control it...she has been trying to hold back from the very beginning.

"No matter how I try to say that I can handle the situation, I have to admit that it's out of our hands now...I'm sick and tired of pretending that we can be fine being just friends...but no, Sakura...I can't pretend anymore"

"My body aches for you...I know that I can live with Ciara...she's a wonderful person. But I--I can't live without you..." he softly spoke

Sakura desperately wiped the tears away, but they kept on coming.

"I love you more than you'll ever know"

"More than I did when we were younger..." he added.

She was quiet as a shadow...Syaoran walked closer and hold her both hands.

"And I know that you love me too..."

And with these words, Sakura's eyes became large again.

"How---no--- you can't know---how..."

"I heard you say it yourself...when you were drunk and out of yourself...but that's not important. I know you love me..."

Sakura pushed her away. "NO! I---"

"Tell me, Sakura. Say it in my face...say it...that you don't love me!"

Sakura shook her head no. She can't do it...she can't say that.

"See? I know that you do...but Sakura why now?" she sadly questioned her.

"I don't know...Syaoran...stop it!"

"Why did you realize it too late?" he asked painfully. "The wedding is tomorrow...there's nothing we can do, everything is already prepared..."

The rain is still pouring...Syaoran's anger is mounting...he neared a tree and punched it as hard as he can...

"Damn...why did it take so long...why did you show up when I already proposed to Ciara?Damn it!"

The tree shook as Syaoran hit it twice more.

Sakura sniffed. "We should forget about this. This night never happened. We have to forget and move on! We are not meant to be!"

"Move on!? Forget you!? Are you out of your mind!?"

Sakura nodded. "We have no choice! Besides, your love for me will soon vanish if you just love Ciara once more!"

"How can I love her when you're always INSIDE MY MIND!?" he hissed loudly.

"We have nothing to do..."

"YES WE DO! We can go somewhere...somewhere and start all over!"

"And WHAT!? Leave all these people?...what will happen to Ciara...she loves you!"

Syaoran fell silent. "Why did I have to meet her..."

"Syaoran!? Can't you see!? She's the one for you...we are not going to end up together...learn to accept THE TRUTH!"

Syaoran scoffed. "You make it sound so easy...do you have any idea how hard and painful that will be for me!?"

"My mother said that thinking of yourself once in awhile is not being selfish...and right now all I want is you!"

"Well, now is not the time to think of yourself! Ciara has been torn up already...her family broke because of her parents' divorce, boys playing with her heart. Men liking her for her looks and body...you're the one who actually showed her the meaning of love"

Syaoran was shaking his head slowly.

"You're the one who brought color in her world...then all of a sudden, you are going to waltz in there and say you don't want to marry her!?"

"Sakura...I didn't mean to hurt her. It's just that—"

"No... she had enough. You know you love her...you have to forget about...me" she forced out, crystal tears dropping from both eyes.

"Forget about you...you mean for the rest of my life I'm supposed to go insane 'cause I'm not with you?"

Sakura broke down again, her shoulders shaking and her throat getting tighter.

"Please...stop it. Don't say those words..."

"But they're true...I want you" he soothed.

Then she wiped her tears as if to stop herself from crying.

"We have to let go. I never loved you and you never loved me. We were strangers to each other...the wedding will occur tomorrow but I'm not going to speak to you...I can't"

"Then we will never see each other again...we have to go and live separate lives..."

"Goodbye, Syaoran"

With that farewell, Sakura walked away. And she was surprised when two hands grabbed her waist and pulled her.

Sakura found herself being kissed by Syaoran. Right on the lips. A soft but hungry kiss that can melt her. Initially she responded and for awhile, her problems and heartaches are gone and everything seemed to be alright as he deepened the kiss.

He wrapped his arms tighter, never wanting to let go but right there, Sakura snapped back to reality...THIS IS WRONG!!! Something was shouting so she pushed him away. But his grip was tight and he didn't want to let go.

"Get away from me!!!" and she pushed again. This time, harder and he finally lost his grip and moved back.

She slapped Syaoran's face...not too violent but she still did.

"Wake up, Syaoran! We can't be together!"

And she finally ran out of the place, hoping against hope that Syaoran is not following her. It turned out that Syaoran was rooted on his spot, his hands on his cheek and he was crying on the isolated part of the garden.

Sakura ran harder...harder than she had before, her tears falling down and the stupid rain won't stop dropping from the sky.

"Someone run me over...someone run me over" she prayed but the streets were empty and there is no way a car will run her over for there are no cars around.

"I love you, Syaoran but we have to forget each other..." she mumbled grieving.

---

"Syaoran!? What happened? You are soaking wet!"

Syaoran collapsed on the sofa and cried.

"She said that I have to forget about her...forget about her!? How!?" he sobbed.

Eriol finally understood. "What are you going to do about it?"

It took him several minutes to answer. He wiped his tears and suddenly his eyes turned cold...

"If she wants me to marry Ciara...if that's what will satisfy her, then I will"

---

"Sakura!? What happened?!"

Sakura just ran to her room and dived on the bed as Tomoyo entered it and sat next to her.

"Just kill me now...please. I don't want to live anymore..."

"Hey. Don't say that! What in the world happened!?"

"HE LOVES ME TOO!" she sobbed hard on Tomoyo's lap

"But he's going to get married. I told him to..."

There was silence in the room.

"I don't want to go to the wedding tomorrow. I can't go to the wedding tomorrow. I can't!"

"But Ciara said that you have to!" Tomoyo said rather too quickly.

"What!?"

"She was here. She was right here awhile ago, getting her gown. She emphasized that you have to go..."

"But I can't, Tomoyo!"

"I'm sorry, Sakura. I'm just passing Ciara's message that please go because you are going to be held important on the wedding tomorrow. She even said that the wedding might not happen if you're not there"

"What!?"

"I know. I asked her that too...but she was just teary-eyed and said that no matter what, please be there"

She sniffed. "Wow. It's like she knows that I plan on not going"

Then they heard the phone in Sakura's bedroom ring.

"No. Please don't answer, Tomoyo"

So the answering machine blared and it was nobody else but Ciara.

"Sakura!? I just want to tell you that you are really important and needed for the wedding tomorrow. Sorry for the short notice but I can't emphasize how much I need you there tomorrow. Bye. See you there"

Then that was it...no explanation or whatsoever. Sakura and Tomoyo stared at each other.

---

Ciara put down the phone and smiled sadly.

"Sakura...you are a wonderful person... "

"I have no choice but to do this... Everything is arranged already. I just need your presence for the...surprise to happen" she told herself quietly.

"There will be a wedding that will take place tomorrow"

----------------------------------

Dramatic confrontation beats all option that I was thinking on how to let the two know that they love each other...

(shuddering) What could Ciara be thinking!? Ever heard of nice people turning mad?...Do you think that she IS mad?

Next: THE LONG-AWAITED WEDDING!...but it's not the finale yet...there's something that will happen...what is it, you ask!? REVIEW to find out! Haha...

REVIEW REVIEW! I'll see you on the next chapter.

Push that button right there