Story Name: Portrait of a Little Wolf

Author: DarkxDiamonds

Comments: I'm so sorry! . I took a huge break off writing and started working on my CCS domain ... a lot. Well, I'm back again and I'm more determined than ever to keep writing and finishing this series!

So.. my thanks to kaede-chan, Amadeus16, DarkJadedEyes, linda-liu, aSwtXiaoLang, Kawaii-Syaoran, KiKaKai, ms. pac man, AnimeLover, lilBlueAngelL1223, rainingstars, Ongiri Momoko, Simplicity, Dragonstar03, cherryberry-chan, AnimeObsessionFantasy, wo-ai-ni-kai-hiwatari, and Sutaru!

Chapter Four

"I still don't know why I agreed to come back ..." she halted at the porch. "I feel so ... strange. Like I really shouldn't be here." She glanced back worriedly at Syaoran. "Meiling's quilt still needs to be finished." He shook his head. "Tomoyo needs to see you. She's been worried about you ever since you left."

That's right ... I've only sent a blanket to her ... "Okay. But only for Tomoyo." She set a resolute chin and walked down the familiar passages of the house. Has it ... really been that long? I feel like I could go back to work right now and just make a few beds... She laughed at herself.

Step after step echoed in the dim hallway. Tomoyo ... how will she think of me now? After so long? The door loomed in front of her once again. Sakura's eyes roved across the well worn wood and the dark loops in the surface. Here I go. Her hand trembled slightly as she clicked the lock. Tomoyo ... please don't hate me ...

"Hello ... Tomoyo-chan." She tried her best to sound cheerful and pasted a smile on her face. Tomoyo immediately tensed at the sound of her voice. "Sakura ... is that ..." she turned and caught sight of her tall silhouette in the doorway. "Sakura-chan!" She gave what was between a small leap and jump and somehow ended up in front of Sakura and hugged her. "You've come back!"

"Actually, Tomoyo ... Syaoran brought me. I'm never going to serve here again, I'm afraid." She looked down. "I'm sorry I never contacted you or anything. I ... guess I was scared." There was no need to go on. Tomoyo smiled. "Don't worry about something like that Sakura. I understand ... and all that matters is that you're here, you're safe and all right, and I know it. Besides ... you never really belonged here. As a maid."

Sakura blinked. "Everyone needs their hardships and that sense of just ... poverty. It helps you appreciate what you really have later in the future." Tomoyo looked at her strangely. "Sakura ... you've grown so old in so little time."

Sakura looked down and her hair covered her eyes. "What do you mean by that?" Tomoyo stared at her. "You learn from pain, Sakura. That's how everyone learns anything worth knowing. Pain teaches you important things. But not as important as the lessons that love can teach."

Sakura knew what her friend meant. "Tomoyo ... Meiling just ... died. It would be so ... just wrong. Don't even think about it." Tomoyo shook her head. "Everyone must move on in their life. Part of life is love. You cannot just stay in one spot and mourn. Time will go on no matter what. It will not wait ... just for you."

Sakura sat on the bed that had once been hers. "I don't know what to believe anymore. Maybe I just need time. Maybe I'll know ... some day. But for now ... I'm going to wait. See what my heart and mind decide together. And then ... who knows?" She coughed nervously.

Tomoyo watched her. "I know you don't want to hear this Sakura, but you've really changed." She tensed. The exact same thing I told Syaoran ... "But you're still a young girl ... in love."

"Tomoyo ... just drop it." Sakura turned around and glanced out the window. "I told you I'd see and listen to what ... it is. Then, if the time comes, maybe I'll grab for it. Or maybe ... I'll just let it slip." Her last words held so much sorrow, that it almost broke her friend's heart.

Tomoyo sat down next to her. "I can't help but feel frustrated. But I will leave you .. to follow whatever you feel is right. But know, everything and everyone must move on. No matter what." The two friends sat in silence as they contemplated the situation. Sakura nodded. "It's good to be back, Tomoyo."

[Later]

"Thank you ... for bringing me back. It helped ... known that Tomoyo wasn't mad at me. So ... arigatou." She couldn't look him in the eye. He smiled and nodded. "That was no problem. "You're welcome back here anytime at all. Keep that in mind, will you?"

Sakura beamed and nodded. "Thank you ... so much ... for so many things." She looked past him. "I better go now. Meiling's quilt will not sew itself." She laughed emptily at her attempt of a joke. He gave a small chuckle and watched her run off.

When she was out of sight, he turned around and headed to his studio. Propped on an easel was his latest work. Taking out the palette, he added a few more strokes of emerald and stepped away. The picture was perfect. The second one is better than the first ... but still cannot rival it.

With a strange little grin on his face, Syaoran washed his brushes and thought of where to place ... it. Somewhere ... where no one but me can see. I do not wish to share this one. Not at all. He thought a little longer and leaned back. Perhaps it will do...

[Sakura Kinomoto's Home]

She stitched quietly and efficiently in the night. If someone had just glanced at her, they would have said she was completely concentrated on her work. But that would not be true. The truth was, her mind was flying everywhere. It was in another realm.

I know ... my feelings are still there ... but what can I do? Meiling .. how could I disrespect her by stepping into her shoes? Even though I think we both still ... love each other.

She grew more intent on her work. I'll do this step by step. For now, I just need to finish this. The rest of the night was shrouded in darkness and the silence of an empty heart.

[A/N]: Hey! ^^ Me again! Hope you guys liked it! Please tell me what you think and review?