Story Name: Portrait of a Little Wolf

Author: DarkxDiamonds

Disclaimer: Sigh… Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me. All characters are fully copyrighted to CLAMP and any related affiliates…

Comments: I'm actually very surprised that I've made it this far with my stories. Whoever knew that I would actually write a sequel that some people wanted to read!

So welcome to the wonderful world of Portrait of a Little Wolf! Sakura has run, leaving Syaoran to marry Meiling. But destiny isn't done playing with these hearts. The story unravels again … this time with Syaoran…

Chapter One

There came a small bang from the other room. Syaoran twitched and kept his gaze riveted to the sky. A whimper followed but he didn't move. His entire attention was focused on the passing clouds. He didn't want to think about what was happening in the other room.

Meiling had been with child for nine months. It was time. A time that every mother had to have faced. Now … it was Meiling's turn. The voices began to grow. A cry, a whimper, a sudden demand, a soothing song. The frequency rose and it grew. Syaoran plugged his ears. He didn't want to hear. Instead, he wanted to visualize something else. Someone else.

Her gentle hands and melodic voice floated through the chaos around him. Sparkling eyes greeted him and her radiant skin cam in front of his eyes. He wanted so badly to reach and touch her, hold her. Keep her to him forever.

But he knew it couldn't be. She was long gone. She could be dead as far as he knew. He shut his eyes and tried to grasp her again. "Sakura ... my cherry blossom ... where are you?"

She came to him, her arms outstretched, her eyes glimmering. And he relished in her beauty and her goodness. He bathed in her light and her love. Hadn't she said that she loved him?

Surrounded by his thoughts, he drifted into oblivion. His true feelings overwhelmed him and he sought an escape from the harsh and bitter reality. His life with Meiling dissipated from him as he floated.

For how long he was in this state, he didn't know. But something struck him. Something awkward and strange. Something that didn't belong. Silence.

He stood up abruptly and listened. The clock ticked rhythmically and he waited. And then the whispers came. Instinctively, Syaoran knew something was wrong.

But he could contain himself. Everything will be fine ... I can't worry myself ... Meiling and the child will be perfectly all right ... Quietly, he sat back down and resumed daydreaming.

// Outside //

The girl paused, glancing at the house. She might have been called young. She might have been called old. Both of them are correct. Neither of them are correct.

Her eyes roved at the windows and her lips began to tilt upwards. It was the sad smile of remembrance, of days better than the present. And her eyes locked onto one window. It was then that her face transformed. She grew young again.

But one thing remained unchanged: her eyes. Eyes that had once glowed in love and hope had dimmed in luminescence. It was the erosion of time and love. And of a broken love.

She held her head in a way a queen would. And despite her clothes, she looked like one for a moment. But she lowered her head submissively and continued down her path.

// Later //

There was a small cry and it grew into a wail. Syaoran sighed. Well ... it's over ... He stood and walked to the door.

There were hushed voices. Leaning against the wall, he tried to untangle them, but they were lost to him. And still he waited, his impatience growing each minute.

It was ten minutes until the nurse came out holding a small bundle. She handed the baby to him and, feeling awkward held his child close to him.

And he realized something strange. He didn't feel the elation his friends had told him he would feel. But he had had his doubts. He did not love Meiling ... and he felt a repulsion for the child.

He glanced at the nurse to see her sorrowful look. Staring at her, he grew worried. What ... about ... Meiling? He handed the child back to the nurse and hurried through the door.

He was shocked with the smell of blood. And something else he couldn't identify ... but worse. And he looked on the bed to see Meiling still lying under the sheets. He hurried over to her.

"Meiling? Meiling ... it's over ... " He didn't know what else to say. She didn't respond. Looking closer, Syaoran realized she wasn't even breathing.

"Eriol! What did ... what happened?! She's not breathing! Do something!" Eriol looked at him sadly. "It's too far beyond my grasp. She's gone Syaoran." He turned so that Syaoran could only see his back.

Syaoran wasn't sure how to respond. She ... she's dead ... He turned back to the bed. "Meiling ... oh Meiling ..." The tears wouldn't come, but the truth hit him with a shattering blow. Meiling ... she'll never talk to me again...never pout or cry again...

Clasping her hand, he shuddered violently as the rain began to fall outside.

[Author's Comments:] Yay! Chapter One is done! *starts dancing* Yeah, I um ... kind of killed of Meiling .... I'm sorry to those that felt that maybe she should continue living, but in order to accommodate my later plans for this story ... she had to die. So you will find out more about this story! Thanks for reading! Please review and give me some comments! ^^