Disclaimer: The author is in no way affiliated with CLAMP, and so has no rights on Card Captor Sakura and its characters.

Dedication: To Lucy. Thanks for the mental slap. I needed that.

Beyond All Words

Chapter Four Secrets Revealed, Secrets Concealed

hitokiri_tomoe

Syaoran walked along the halls of Tomoeda, humming to himself and not realizing that it was Sakura's piece that he was humming. Tomoyo caught up with him.

"Li-kun, have you seen Kyoichi-kun?" she asked with a bright smile on her face.

Syaoran smirked. "Well, Tanako-san said he wanted to finish a project with his group mates, Daidouji-san."

Tomoyo pouted. "Oh, Li-kun, douzo, do not tease me so!" (douzo:please)

She gave him a playful swat on the shoulder, and Syaoran laughed. Tomoyo looked slightly embarrassed.

"I am getting sort of close to him, aren't I?"

"Not really. You're just getting very close to him."

"I hate your sense of humor." The two of them laughed and then Tomoyo was quiet, and Syaoran got lost in his own thoughts, particularly thoughts about a green-eyed girl with ginger colored hair.

Finally, Tomoyo spoke up. "You—you don't think it's bad, do you?"

"Hmm?" Syaoran was forced to go back to reality.

"About me and Kyoichi-kun. Do you feel bad about it?"

"Why would I feel bad about it?"

Tomoyo hesitated. "Well, since he is your best friend, do you not feel threatened, because he—"

"Finally took it into his head to get a girlfriend?" he continued the sentence with mirth in his eyes. Tomoyo just looked at him, her expression troubled, but a small bit of hope reflected in her eyes.

"Y'know, Daidouji-san, I'm surprised you even thought about it. I never even considered it. If Tanako's happy, then so am I. And besides, it's not as if I'm turning him over to a complete stranger. Anata wa watashi no tomodachi." (You're my friend)

Tomoyo beamed at him. "If I'm your tomodachi, then why call me Daidouji-san?"

"Then what am I supposed to call you?"

"Tomoyo-chan, silly!"

"We may have a problem here. Kyoichi might think I'm moving in on you if I start calling the way he does." Syaoran had a mischievous smile on his face.

"Oh that won't be a problem. He calls me "honey" most of the time. Not that I don't object."

"Honey? I've never known Kyoichi to be so corny."

"Li-kun!!!"

"Just kidding, Tomoyo-chan!" Syaoran said, laughing. Both fell silent, each lost in each's own thoughts. After a few minutes, Syaoran decided to break the silence.

"Umm… Tomoyo-chan?"

"Hai?" (hai: yes)

"Do you know Kinomoto Sakura?"

"The mute girl?"

"Hai, the one."

"Not much, really. But I've heard some stories."

"Can you tell me?"

"Well, I see her quite often and she's always with her brother. I've heard that she… used to talk. Before high school, that is…"

He grew interested. "And?"

"I heard something about something bad happening, though I can't remember…"

"You can't?" he sounded disappointed.

"Well, I know that she has a relatively sunny disposition, considering her condition. That's brave of her, isn't it? Why do you ask, anyway?"

He turned as red as a tomato. "N-nothing, really, j-just heard her name, that's all!"

Tomoyo smiled, but said nothing. They resumed walking. After awhile, Tomoyo glanced at her watch and her eyes widened. "I have to go now, Li-kun. I promised Meilin-chan I'd meet her at the park."

He squeezed her hand. "Matane, Tomoyo-chan" (See you)

Tomoyo smiled and sped away.

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Sakura heard the door close, but she did not turn her head to see. 'It's probably oniichan' (oniichan: older brother)

She continued to play her new piece slowly. She was still learning it.

"Konnichiwa," the voice was not Yukito's. She stopped playing. (Konnichiwa: customary greeting used from 10 am to about 5 pm)

'Who was it again?' she turned to see and her green eyes collided with liquid amber ones. She felt her face turning red.

"Oh, gomen. Did I disturb you?" (gomen: sorry. Informal type of greeting) Syaoran said in a worried voice. Sakura quickly shook her head, and then gave him a reassuring smile. She got off the piano seat, and motioned Syaoran to a seat. He sat on one of the couches and she sat on one beside him. She gave him an expectant smile.

"Oh, well, I just came by to give you this," he held up his hand to show a single white rose, and Sakura's hand flew to her mouth.

"A little gift from the florist down the street. I told him I've met this new girl and he got all excited… Well?"

Sakura's eyes were brimming with tears. 'Why is he doing this?'

"Oh, c'mon, it isn't so bad. The florist didn't go out of business, you know."

Sakura smiled through her tears as she took the rose and placed it on the piano.

"Well, I guess I better go now. Matane," and he rose to walk out of the room, but Sakura stopped him. He turned to face her. Sakura bowed before him, a customary 'thank you' bow and then she tiptoed up and kissed him on the cheek. He turned a bright shade of red and she gave him an impish smile.

"Arigatou, I guess I'll be going now." (arigatou: thank you) Sakura waved and he left the room. Once he was gone, she picked up the rose and sat on a couch. She had a wistful smile on her face as she sat contemplating the rose.

'What is this for Li Syaoran? Tell me. I've met you only two days before, and yet, here you are, giving me gifts I don't deserve'

The door opened and Yukito stepped in. Immediately, Sakura's face turned sad and she hid the rose from her brother.

"You're done practicing already?"

She nodded and picked up her things. She walked out of the music room without waiting for her brother. On her way out of the school building, she dropped the rose into a trash can.

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To be continued...