Story Name: Portrait of a Little Wolf

Author: DarkxDiamonds

Comments: Wow, I got lots of comments on the last chapter! ^^ Thank you all! Of course, I'm too lazy to type all the names in here again ... *sweatdrop* but thank you all anyway!

Once this story is completed, I don't know what exactly to write next. ^^;; It's such a weird writer's block ... ugh. -__- Well, thanks for keeping up with the story for so long! It makes me feel so happy to know that some people like it!

Chapter Five

Sakura hesitatingly looked at the quilt again. The colors were clashing, yet there was a strange peacefulness to the loops and butterflies that occasionally appeared on the surface. She sighed deeply and knocked three times on the door resolutely. There's no going back now, whether or not I can help it. She took a little comfort in the thought as footsteps approached and a hand gently slid the lock out of place.

"Good morning Tomoyo!" Sakura greeted her brightly. "We're having beautiful weather lately, aren't we?" Tomoyo laughed lightly. "Agreed, Sakura-chan. Do come in!" Tomoyo stepped out of the way to let her in. "So what is your purpose today?" Sakura felt her cheeks burning despite everything. "I finished Meiling's quilt and I thought I should bring it over here as soon as possible." A strange blanket of doom covered the room again. "I still can't .. accept that she's ... gone." Shaking her head quickly she recovered herself. "But that is indeed the past and I suppose I must move on."

"I will get Master Syaoran immediately." Tomoyo gave a polite bow and ascended the stairs. Sakura blinked and realized that Tomoyo had bowed to her. A bow - not a smile or a nod of her head. A bow. Did it mean that she had risen out of her stage already? That she was not even considered equal to her dearest friend? Sakura bit her lip in worry and stared down at her feet.

He quickly appeared down the stairs and gave her a smile that made her cheeks burn. "Sakura! Done already?" She grinned slightly. "Of course. Why else would I be here?" A strange look appeared on Syaoran's face - almost like disappointment. It was soon replaced with his normal pleasant expression. "That's amazing." He beamed genuinely at her. "May I see it?"

Sakura unsteadily unwrapped the package that she had been holding. "It's not too detailed but ... I did my best. I think it will be long enough. For Meiling." She found it difficult to meet his eyes once again. "I still don't know if I chose the right design for her ..." she indicated the dismal pattern she had created, "but it just seemed to fit." Syaoran noticed the dreariness, the pattern that looked like the clipped wings of birds.

"Thank you Sakura." She nodded awkwardly and kept her submissive position. "It was no problem. I'll see you at Meiling's funeral ... tomorrow." She gave a hasty smile and jumped off the porch. Syaoran was left to stare after her, speechless.

A breeze fluttered past and Syaoran caught a scent of fresh and brittle flowers. He watched the leaves blow past his feet before he shook his head and closed the door.

[Later]

Giving a final grunt, Syaoran jumped down from his stool. His eyes scanned the area. It looks perfect there. And that's where she'll stay. No matter what. He rested on his bed. Every night I will see you smiling back at me. I will have you with me ... even if you do not truly love me. He closed his eyes in thought. You will be mine. Forever.

He fingered the quilt that she had made and hastily had given him. In this quilt ... I see bitterness ... jealousy ... and a small ray of hope - the greatest evil of all. Or perhaps the greatest good of all. Sakura ... you always place a part of yourself in your work.

Sighing, Syaoran closed his eyes and realized how tired he was. In five minutes, he was fast asleep.

[The Next Day]

In Japan, it is required that those of close relation to the deceased wear white. Friends, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are required to wear black. Properly dressed in her depressing outfit, Sakura watched the white paper fall over her. Meiling ... are you really gone? Out of life and out of memory? She watched the brittle fire burn as the wind tossed it dangerously.

Sakura watched in numbness as Meiling disappeared into simple ashes that was later collected in a small urn and given to Syaoran. Good bye ... Meiling.

She closed her eyes and resolutely turned around. It's over. The deafening silence hung behind her. I didn't belong here anyway. I wasn't a friend or anything like that. I bet Meiling is having a fit now ... where ever she is.

Syaoran watched the unsteady figure leave and turned around the face the priest again. "So in the eyes of God ... it would not be wrong?" The priest shook his head. "No. Absolutely not. But God tells me the first marriage was not with love."

Syaoran turned his eyes away. "God told you correctly." The priest watched the flickering of his eyes. "Then go and follow what your heart tells you to do. Do not let it slip between your fingers. Like before." Syaoran bowed. "Yes, Father."

Syaoran would later wonder how a strange could possibly know so much about his life. But at that given time and moment, he knew that he had been given a message and he needed to follow it.

[Later]

"Tomoyo!" He closed the door quickly and heard her silent footsteps. "Yes, Syaoran?" He paused as if wondering what to say next. "Will you answer a question?" She hesitated, startled at his request. "To the best of my abilities."

"Why have you stayed to serve in this house even after Sakura ran away? And even after you were happily married to Eriol?" She blinked and Syaoran carefully watched her face change.

"I guess ... it was mainly because I knew Sakura would come back. She truly does love you, Syaoran. It just scares her, though. It scares her a lot. She's lost her mother and then her father. She's scared that if she grows close to you, she may lose you as well."

She paused, realizing what she had just revealed. Sakura would have been furious. Tomoyo felt herself growing smaller. I'm so sorry, Sakura-chan ... There was no going back now though. "May I go now?"

He nodded, still perplexed and slightly confused as Tomoyo hurried off. Five minutes later, he had not moved from his position. Is what Tomoyo said .. true? Is that why ... she's afraid?

[Author's Notes:] Wee ... here's the latest chapter. :) I hope you liked it ... haha. Syaoran and Sakura's fates have been sealed by my pen and paper ... there's no going back now! But just wait! The story will be different, I promise!

Kokoro