Background: After the capture of the Void Card, Syaoran put up a valiant fight against his mother to stay in Japan, unfortunately Yelan did not waver and, to the dismay of both Sakura and Syaoran, he had to return home. This however didn't stop him from visiting often, sometimes against the wishes of his family and sometimes without they're knowledge. Syaoran's mother is not pleased with her son's behaviour, but her affection for the Card Mistress has led her to a compromise with Syaoran.
At the Beginning
By: Lady Jessica Silverflame
Chapter One: This I Promise You
The Airport was a frenzy of activity as seventeen-year-old Kinomoto Sakura stood anxiously with her best friend Daidouji Tomoyo in the mists of the gate leading from customs. Minutes before a voice had boomed over the intercom announcing the arrival of Flight 3442 from Hong Kong.
"Do you think Li-kun snuck away again?" pondered Tomoyo as she raised her ever-present video camera to her eye, she was dressed simply in a lilac skit and blouse and her long, dark hair tied back into a tight bun.
The videotape whirled as it captured the image of the lovely Card Mistress on film. The years had done nothing but allow Sakura to become more radiant. Her auburn hair now fell to the middle of her back, swirling around her slender frame as she walked. She turned towards her friend, her bright emerald eyes, which still held the magical twinkle of her childhood, sparkling. Her light summer dress of the same color danced around her, highlighting every curve of her body.
"I hope not" Sakura replied, frowning slightly "after the last time I doubt his mother would forgive him for another escape attempt." Both girls laughed as the passages began to exit through the gates. Sakura felt, rather than saw Syaoran's entry, his aura instinctively reaching out to mingle with her own. A bright smile spread across her features as she took off into the crowd. Spotting Syaoran off to the side she slowed her pace, the future Li Clan leader turned to her almost immediately a soft smile adoring his lips. He had grown immensely in the last five years. Muscles now finely sculpted from his training, he was dressed simply in a white collared shirt and brown slacks which were slightly wrinkled from his long flight.
"Sakura" Syaoran breathed, before closing the distance between them and enveloping her in his arms. "I missed you," he whispered against her lips before claming them with unhidden desire. Wrapping her arms around his neck, the Card Mistress returned the embrace eagerly, just as thankful to be with him as he was with her after so long.
Parting for breath, Sakura giggled "missed you more," she countered.
"Kawaii!" came a high pitched squeal from behind them. Sakura groaned into Syaoran's chest.
"Don't you ever give up?" Syaoran questioned, the teen video-grapher, his perpetual frown returning.
"Never!" Declared Tomoyo "Meilin-chan and I went through to much to get you two together for me to miss taping ever second of it!"
Syaoran sighed, "some things never change."
Sakura smiled brightly up at him "Meilin didn't come with you this time?" she asked.
Syaoran moved away from her for a moment to pick up his bag before taking her hand and gently interlacing his fingers with hers, "Iie, I'm actually here on a compromise."
"Compromise?" questioned Tomoyo as the duo reached her, they started for the exit.
"And an ultimatum" Said Syaoran "I must be finished all business here in two weeks."
Sakura frowned and when she spoke there was a slight quaver in her voice "Business?" Sakura's stomach gave a horrible lurch and her heart broke at the thought of Syaoran being forced to break up with her, to never she him again. The tears began to well in her eyes and before the Card Mistress could stop it a large tear rolled down her cheek. Raising a hand, Sakura attempted to wipe away the evidence of her heartbreak.
Syaoran caught the move out of the corner of his eye and as though he had read her mind his heart squeezed painfully in his chest for making her question his love for her. "Iie! Sakura, Koishii, Don't jump to conclusions! I'm not going to leave you, I could never leave you." Her wiped the tear from her cheek.
"Demo, you said…"
Syaoran cut her off "I'll explain everything after." His eyes were sincere as they reached Tomoyo's waiting limo.
Sakura favored him with a smile. Baka! He's right don't jump to conclusions, you don't know what's going on so don't worry! still the unease settled uncomfortably in her stomach. As much as Sakura respected Syaoran's Okaasan, her power over her son and his decisions had always worried her. How far the Li-Clan Monarch could go to keep Syaoran in Hong Kong was unsettling.
Syaoran smiled in relief as the sadness disappeared from his love's features and gentle kissed her brow. "How does lunch sound?" Tomoyo piped, gently changing the subject "I know how terrible airplane food can be."
As if on cue Syaoran's stomach grumbled irritatingly "Now that you mention it…" he trailed off. Sakura giggled.
"I promised Kero we'd bring him back dessert."
"Like the stuffed animal needs it he's probably consumed ten times his body weight already." Syaoran grumbled.
"Syaoran!" Sakura chided with a slight smirk.
Lunch went by with excited discussions; who was dating who, strange auras, graduation from High School and the prospects of what was next.
"I thought you wanted to go to University, Sakura?" Syaoran asked.
Sakura shook her head "so did I, but I think I'd rather wait until I absolutely sure what it is I want to do" She smiled "Tomoyo's going to be a doctor."
Syaoran turned to her "you were accepted?"
Tomoyo shook her head "Iie, not yet. It's alright though, I think I might want to see the world first." She sighed "think of it Sakura! We could go traveling together and I could tape you in a completely different country!" Starry-eyed, Tomoyo lost her self in a daze of all the amazing outfits she could create for they're journey.
Sakura stared dumbfounded "Hoe…"
Syaoran just laughed "perhaps you will be able to travel sooner than you think."
The Card Mistress looked up, "nani?"
"I wanted to wait till later to ask you, but since this involves Tomoyo as well, I think now would be the right time."
At the mention of her name Tomoyo snapped out of her daydream "Right time for what Li-kun?"
Sakura bit her lip, bracing herself for whatever should come.
The future Li-clan leader took a steadying breath and met the eyes of his beloved "I want you to come back to Hong Kong with me."
Author's Notes:Wow, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Forget about the Japanese words and my total lack of romantic writing experience but the plot alone is enough to make my head hurt. In case you didn't understand my mindless rambles (I have yet to meet a person who does) I'm really not sure where this is going. I'm trying hard not to have this end up like The MOUSE's fanfiction Dimensions (Don't get me wrong I loved that fic, but people seem to get angry when you copy them too much. BTW the MOUSE rocks! All of the Japanese I know I learned from her fanfictions!) Anyway your feedback and ideas are very much appreciated; hopefully I'll get an idea for the next chapter soon. Until then God Bless: )