Tied By Fate
By: pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captor Sakura or any of the characters.

Chapter 18: Selfish

The tiring class passed quietly as Tomoyo anxiously waited to get out of the wretched place. She couldn't believe that she was here rotting in this place while her best friend was depressed, and Li-kun was all the way in Hong Kong!

Why the heck was she in school?

But she had no choice. That morning, before the school bell rang, she and Eriol had visited Sakura again. She looked a bit better, a bit stronger, but still a long way from becoming fully restored like before. Sakura still didn't seem like the Sakura Tomoyo had always known. But, Sakura had a different look in her emerald eyes that morning. Tomoyo had noticed and was sure that Eriol had noticed it, too. She looked...

...determined?

But to do what?

The raven haired maiden was both curious and nervous about that look in Sakura's eye. What could her best friend possibly be determined to do in this seemingly hopeless situation? But yet again, maybe it was a stupid idea. Maybe Sakura's newfound idea was going to get herself hurt.

But all Tomoyo could do was sit in this dumb, little chair and wait for that final bell to ring.

She had requested that she call out sick at school and take care of Sakura, but the Card Mistress adamantly refused. In fact, it was the first time since Li-kun had left that she seemed stubborn. Tomoyo and Eriol couldn't go against her word.

In their classes, the two worried teens watched the minutes tick by slowly, wondering what on earth Sakura was planning...

...they didn't know that her plan was already in action.

"Are you sure, Sakura?"

The girl silently gave a grim nod as the toy guardian heaved a sigh in confusion.

"All right then. I'll give you your private time. I don't know what you could possibly be thinking about though. You've been thinking since yesterday," Kero grumbled as he floated out the window with one last look at the girl who had covered herself with her bed covers once again. He sighed again, floating a bit higher in the sky so that he wouldn't be seen in public. He knew exactly why his mistress wanted more "time for herself," as she put it. She wanted to think about that damn brat. Kero swore under his breath and promised himself that when that gaki was in his hands again, he was dead meat.

No, he was even deader than dead meat.

As the Card Mistress peeked from under her blanket, she got out of bed as soon as Kero was out of sight.

Time for action.

Sakura was done with moping and being depressed. She had to see him. She paused as she threw a suitcase from her closet unto her bed.

Syaoran...

It felt like ages since she had last seen him even though it was only a mere two days. Sure, she was exaggerating, but something just didn't feel right without him there. To others, she might seem like she was infatuated with a usual teenage crush on some boy and was going too far. But no, this was no mere crush.

This was love. Yes, she was young but even teens have the right to feel love, right?

Besides, wasn't the whole reason why she and Syaoran were "connected" because they were soul mates? Meiling had said so herself...and she also had given up her love for Syaoran because of it. Sakura felt guilty that her new Chinese friend had to do that yet at the same time, she was happy with the thought that she was able to love Syaoran freely.

Meiling had said that...that Syaoran loved her back. Sakura had to know if it was true.

She had to work fast because her father would soon get home from doing errands and she wanted to leave without anyone knowing. Why is that? Well, first of all, she just knew that Kero and Onii-chan would throw a fit if they knew she was going to go to Hong Kong. Then everyone else would be worried that she was going alone and would want to come. It wasn't that Sakura didn't appreciate everyone caring about her and she did think that she would be pretty lonely on the plane, but...

...she wanted to do this herself. This was the one thing that she needed to be completely independent for.

As she threw some various clothes in the bag, she realized that she was being brash and quite hasty in her decision. After all, where was she going to get the money for the ticket if there was any room left? How was she going to get to the airport? How was she going to find him when she got there?

Oh well. She'd get past all that somehow just to see him.

Just for him.

"Xiao-Lang-sama," said faithful Wei as he knocked on his master's door. He had a tray full of food in one hand. "Your lunch is ready. Would you like it?"

But the butler only received a muffled, "No thank you," from behind the door. He sighed deeply and placed the tray of food on the nearby table, noting that the breakfast tray was still there and untouched.

Syaoran hadn't eaten since he had gotten home yesterday. Wei was really starting to get worried. Something drastic had happened to his young master. And although most of the time, Syaoran was able to get through problems since he'd had a lot of them in the past, it didn't seem like he'd be able to get through this one. Wei had never seen Syaoran lock himself in his room for this long. No one had seen him since yesterday and the last person who did was Meiling. She didn't seem too happy either. Had they fought?

Everything simply puzzled him and Wei simply didn't know what to do anymore. He didn't have any way of helping or comforting the two young Lis...especially Xiao-Lang.

Wei shook his head slowly as he walked away. "I'm getting too old for this..."

A Chinese girl with fiery ruby eyes watched as he walked away. Meiling turned to the door which Wei had just been in front of a couple of seconds ago. Damn Syaoran. He's so stubborn. He's going to starve himself! Jeez.

Was he still angry about yesterday? She knew she shouldn't have gone that far but she couldn't help herself. She was just so angry. After all, Syaoran left the one place where he was happy. And it was impossible that Sakura didn't love him. After talking to her on the phone before she had confirmed that. Sakura did love Syaoran. There was just some big misunderstanding.

Meiling needed to talk to him. Both he and Sakura were miserable and she couldn't sit back and watch it unfold. She had to talk to him, try to make him see that Sakura did love him.

She took a seat in a nearby chair. Now she just had to be patient until he came out of that damn room.

"Well, I hope Sakura-chan comes back soon."

"So do I! Cheerleading practice hasn't been the same without her."

Tomoyo gave a faint smile at the loyal friends and was thankful that they hadn't asked exactly asked why Sakura had been absent for the past two school days. She usually wasn't out unless she had a fever or something along that line.

Eriol took a bite of his lunch and closely watched Tomoyo's expression. It may not seem recognizable to others, yet if you look closely, it was obvious that the girl hadn't gotten sleep the night before and had tried to cover up her bags with makeup. And even now, she looked tired and distressed. It definitely wasn't one that he wanted on her angelic face because it didn't fit her personality at all. Sighing, he secretly and discreetly placed a hand over hers which was lying on top of her lap and squeezed it gently.

Tomoyo glanced at him and gave another small smile, trying to reassure him that she was alright even though she wasn't.

Across the lunch table, oblivious to it all, Chiharu and the others were discussing the sudden departure of their new friend.

"You know, I really thought Li-kun was starting to like it here," Rika commented.

Naoko nodded. "I've noticed that too. It's like he's opened up more. I remember the first couple of days we knew him, he was as silent as a log and would never smile."

"Yeah, and he was pretty mean sometimes," Chiharu added while eating. She suddenly smiled when she remembered a memory of not too long ago. "Hey, you guys. Remember when we saw Sakura-chan and Li-kun running through town and we followed them to the Sakura blossom park?"

Naoko's eyes lit up behind her glasses. "Oh yeah! It was like a perfect love story! 'Destiny strikes two unknowing, young souls in a flurry of blossoms.'"

As the three girls sighed and Yamazaki rolled his eyes, Naoko's romantic sentence caught Eriol and Tomoyo off guard. Destiny? Did they know about Sakura and Syaoran being connected? But how was that possible?

Yamazaki saw the surprised looks on their faces and sighed. "Don't mind them. They're just being girls. Remember when I read that book you kept reading over and over again, Eriol? About soul mates and destiny and all that? I told them about it and they got all gushy." Yamazaki stuck out his tongue in disgust.

Realization hit the sorcerer and both he and Tomoyo sighed in relief. "Ah, yes. I remember now."

"Hey!" Rika exclaimed suddenly. "I bet I know why Sakura-chan's been absent! Or at least it would be pretty romantic if this was the reason. Maybe she's upset that Li-kun left."

"If that's so, she must really love him," Chiharu said.

Tomoyo silently looked at her untouched lunch. Wow, it was as if their friends had gotten it completely without even knowing. Sakura did love Li-kun a lot...

...they had no idea that her love for him was greater than they thought.

"I can tell you what's happening right this minute," Yamazaki added, going into one of his lying moods. "I bet Sakura-chan's going to scrounge up some money, pay some private owned boatman to sail her to Hong Kong, and she'll have to battle through storms and huge tidal waves in a tiny fishing boat. All just for Li-kun. It'll be so long since we've last seen her that everyone would think she's been lost at sea and then-"

His fiery girlfriend slapped the back of his head and sighed. "I know why Li-kun left. He was tired of hearing your darn stories!"

As the others laughed, one person didn't seem to be amused by the story. In fact, she was finally starting to figure out why Sakura was so full of determination that morning, why she had been so persistent on Tomoyo and Eriol going to school. For once, Yamazaki's story wasn't all that crazy.

Tomoyo uncharacteristically mumbled a slight profanity.

"Hey, Tomoyo-chan," Naoko said curiously as she spotted the silent and stricken girl. "You alright?"

The raven haired girl jumped from her seat and turned to Eriol suddenly, her voice sounding surprised and even slightly nervous.

"Eriol! She's going to Hong Kong!"

Syaoran lay on his back on his bed, not particularly doing anything except staring up at the ceiling. He hadn't moved from that spot ever since he had woken up from his sleeping. Actually, he hadn't really slept a wink the night before so he hadn't moved from that spot ever since he came home and collapsed on his bed intending to try to rest.

He had been thinking about everything that had happened, which was a lot to think about. And he knew that he was having an emotional breakdown. He didn't like it at all. He didn't like feeling all these emotions at once, or reliving all the memories at once. Maybe that was why he had been trained to the extreme when he was growing up. After all, training was a way to get away from all of it, to forget anything hurtful had happened to you. All you focused on was getting stronger and perfecting every single aspect about your technique. But Syaoran didn't even feel like training now, even though he knew it would probably take his mind off things.

Of course, a certain someone still continuously plagued him, ate away at his aching soul. Part of him wished he would forget all about the past couple of months. Because then, the pain he was feeling now wouldn't be so immensely strong. But then again, a bigger part of him argued that going to Japan was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. Not only had he realized that the guilt he felt about his father was unnecessary, he also realized that he actually could be loved. He found out that his mother didn't blame him for his father's death and that he actually did have some friends who cared for him. He also found out the greatest lesson of all.

He found how to love...truly and unconditionally...

...But he also found that love, if you were him, was the most painful thing of all...more painful than guilt, more painful than responsibility, and even more painful than being unloved. Because if he hadn't fallen for Kinomoto Sakura, he wouldn't have cared at all if she loved him or not. He wouldn't be aching and pleading for her to finally notice him as more than a friend. He wouldn't be wishing that she were in his arms, loving him the same way he loved her.

But the plain fact was that he did love her. He did care if she loved him or not. He did ache and plead that they would be more than friends. He was wishing that she was his.

But she wasn't. Simply stated: She didn't love her.

Yes. Love was cruel. Very cruel indeed.

And even though he was clearly confused already, his "dear" cousin of his decides to throw in even more thoughts to jumble and baffle his mind even more. That argument with Meiling was still ever so clear in his mind. She had insisted that Sakura...did love him. But that was preposterous. It was a load of bullshit. Meiling hadn't been there like he had. He had clearly watched her run off to Yukito, her love. So what Meiling said was impossible.

But why was it bothering him?

He knew why...

"Think about it, Syaoran. Whenever Sakura had looked at you, talked about you, was around you...her eyes lit up. And when you smiled, she would return the biggest smile anyone had ever seen. You think that was only because she thought of you as a friend?"

"That's bullshit. Why the hell would you notice all of that?"

"B-Because...I used to do all of those things, Syaoran. Of course I'd notice something when someone else did the same."

Her words rang through his mind, echoing and echoing until he thought he'd go crazy. It was simply impossible! Sakura loving him back was simply out of the picture!

But he knew that Meiling had an eerie point.

Thinking about the conversation, he suddenly felt guilty once again. His cousin, the girl who he had always cared for as a little sister, had loved him. She had loved him so much that once she found out that he had found another, she had forced herself not to love him any longer. Meiling had even tried to push him and Sakura together. She wanted him to be happy yet it was a no-win situation for her whether Sakura loved him back or not. He just simply couldn't return the feelings to Meiling. Syaoran knew that she realized that now and yet was still trying to be her normal, peppy self.

He smiled a bit at his cousin's courage and strength.

The feeling of guilt reminded him about what happened at the cemetery with his father, and about what happened at the hospital with his mother. Hadn't he promised himself that feeling guilty was not going to help the situation? That whatever the situation was, it was already done and can't be changed or taken back?

Yes. Syaoran didn't have to feel guilty about not loving Meiling the way she loved him. He didn't have control over his feelings after all. Besides, Meiling was sure to find someone she deserved with that willful personality of hers.

Sighing, he finally got up from the bed and stretched. Syaoran had also remembered that he had promised he wouldn't run from his responsibilities anymore. Before, he had blamed himself that his father had died which gave him a reason to hate his own life, his responsibilities. He couldn't hide from what he was destined to do anymore. This is where life lead him, this is what he would continue to follow. Whether or not his father had died, or if Sakura actually did love him back, this was his life now. He couldn't be thinking of what-could-have-been's or what-if's.

Besides, doing his duties as clan leader will help get his mind off everything.

He had prolonged his return as leader long enough. He had to face it sometime.

After showering and changing in his own private bathroom adjacent to the room with his bed, he took a deep breath, standing in front of the exit of his private room.

"Alright. I'm back."

He opened the door.

Sakura did a mental checklist. Luggage with clothes; check. Note to Onii-chan and Otou-san; check. Her savings; check. Message to Eriol and Tomoyo on their phones; check.

She felt ready for this, even though she really wasn't. First of all, her savings was definitely not enough for a ticket and even if it was, all the seats will most probably be taken. The next chance she'd have to actually acquire a seat is in a month or two if she's really lucky. After all, airplane tickets are mostly ordered months in advance. Second of all, she still had no idea where in Hong Kong she'd find him. And lastly, what about her trip ride home?

But she was so restless knowing that he wasn't here and soon the restlessness turned into recklessness. Sakura would find him even if she'd have to search through the huge city of Hong Kong twice over. Besides, she had the Cards. They'd help her out. They had always come through for her whenever she needed them.

Holding the bag of clothes, she looked out the window silently. Sakura would miss her hometown and she had no idea when she'd come back. She suddenly had a pang of homesickness just thinking about leaving her beloved home. But it still didn't stop her determined mind.

"I'm going to find you, Syaoran...I'm going to tell you how I feel..."

There was a very good reason why she was so reckless. She was in love. And she probably wouldn't love another man like this again. Li Syaoran had stolen her innocent heart. And knowing the stubborn Card Mistress, we all know that she'd go to the depths of the ocean and even climb the highest mountain for him.

She was in love. And nothing was going to get in her way. She's follow her heart wherever it would take her. Sakura wasn't going to sit around and mope anymore. If he wasn't coming back, then she'd go to him. It was as simple as that.

Meiling almost couldn't believe it when the door finally opened. She had been impatiently sitting in that seat for well over two hours afraid that if she left her spot, he'd suddenly come out. She had almost fallen asleep when she heard the noise of the doorknob turning. She thought that she'd blow her top off when he finally did come out but now that he did, her frustration had left her. Now it was pure determination. She'd get him to listen to her somehow.

As soon as Syaoran opened the door, he was greeted by a stubborn looking Meiling who had her hands on her hips. It had surprised him. He didn't think that she'd start talking to him until things had cooled off after that fight yesterday. She might have felt better, yet his anger wasn't totally out of his system yet. He knew she meant well but...he just couldn't help it. Call him a hypocrite for feeling guilty about their argument a few seconds ago, but his anger was still there.

"N-Nani? Meiling?"

She frowned, her eyes flashing a deadly, dark red. "Now I have something to say to you, and you're going to listen closely and carefully, okay?"

Meiling's sudden brashness caught him off guard, too. Syaoran couldn't even get a word in before she started blabbering away again.

"I don't know what happened between you and I'm not asking for you to tell me. But I could tell that you're heartbroken because you think Sakura doesn't love you back." The Chinese girl saw Syaoran open his mouth in reply but stopped him. "Nuh-uh. You're not going to speak until I'm finished! Now where was I? Oh yes. Even though you may think that, Syaoran, I have very good reason for you to believe that she does love you. In fact, I had called last night and she confirmed it-"

The clan's leader's eyes widened. "YOU WHAT?"

"Oh yes, it's the truth. Now there you have it. Your proof. Not to mention the way she looks at you, the way she smiles at you, the way she talks to you, the way she-"

Syaoran was looking quietly at the floor. There she goes again. "Meiling," he said in a surprisingly quiet voice, still not looking up at her. "Please stop. There's no use. She doesn't love me. If she did than I wouldn't be here as miserable as I am. My heart wouldn't be aching so much. She's happy without me-"

Suddenly a sting came across his face. As he tried to register what happened, he just stood there dumbly. She had just...slapped him!

"Goddamn it, Syaoran!" Meiling yelled, her voice reverberating through the halls. "Stop thinking about yourself for once! Sure, you're hurt badly. Sure, you're heart broken. But if you just look deeper, it'll all stop! If you would just stop being stubborn, you'd realize that Sakura does love you!"

"Meiling-"

"Aren't you two 'bonded'?" Meiling screamed. "That's the simple proof that you two are destined to be together! If you don't believe that then why don't you try thinking of her for a change? Her feelings! If you're so sure that she's so damn happy without you, why don't you use your 'emotional connection?' You'll see then. She's damn miserable without you! I know it, she knows it, Eriol and Tomoyo know it...and if you'd stop being so selfish you'd know it, too!"

With those stinging words, she turned on her heel and angrily left him, her shoes clicking away. Syaoran still stood there, dumbfounded by the way she had acted and the words she had said. Quickly and silently, he did what she advised him to do. He closed his eyes and concentrated hard to forget all about his own emotions. Noting that his shield that prevented her to feel them was somehow still strongly blocking his misery, he focused solely on her. Her smile, her face, her heart, her inner soul. He still couldn't feel anything different when he started worrying that maybe he wasn't 'bonded' to her anymore. He sincerely didn't want that to happen. It was his last way of feeling close to her and without their 'connection' he would truly feel–

Suddenly, a burst of pain emerged from his chest. He reeled back, leaning weakly against his bedroom door, one hand clutching at his chest. His breath quickened as the sting quickly enveloped his whole body which caused him to start trembling greatly. His knees buckled under him and next thing he knew, he was kneeling on the ground, still trembling and still leaning against the door.

Sudden emotions pounded in his head like an enormous headache.

Unrelenting sorrow. Piercing heartbreak. Fierce determination. Incredible loneliness. The hunger of need and want.

Then there was something else. Something he had never felt from Sakura before. Yet it was so familiar...So familiar indeed. It felt like a burning desire...passion...unconditional worry, concern and care for someone...

Syaoran could only come for one explanation for the strong emotion.

Love.

Suddenly, all the emotions, plus his own to make it worse, was too much for him. His hold on the door slipped and he fell weakly, his body still trembling and throbbing. Then suddenly everything blacked out.

The last thing he remembered was that overwhelming emotion of love.

Unknown to him, his emotional shield had cracked just a bit.

Sakura, the luggage being pulled behind her, quickly headed down the stairs. Her father would return any minute now and she had to get out of here quickly. She quickly grabbed a few things she'd need for the trip like some snacks for the plane and a brochure on Hong Kong that Otou-san had gotten when he went on business there for work. As she climbed back up the stairs, she felt a sudden tingle and stopped in surprise. Pressing her hand against her heart, she noticed that the tingle was slightly...painful. It didn't hurt much but was more like an annoying itch that you couldn't reach. Suddenly, an image of Syaoran came to mind. C-Could it be? Could he possibly be letting her feel his emotions again?

Well, it certainly was a confidence booster.

Bounding up the steps and heading to her room, she was more determined than ever. Maybe her plan will work! Maybe by tomorrow she and Syaoran will finally be together!

Destiny sure was sweet sometimes.

Making up her mind to use the Fly Card from her bedroom window to get to the airport, she opened the door and suddenly everything came crashing down.

Two very concerned people were waiting for her patiently. One had been pacing back and forth and the other was anxiously sitting on the bed.

Sakura couldn't believe her eyes. This couldn't be happening when everything seemed to be going so well. "T-Tomoyo-chan! Eriol-kun! H-How-"

The one who had been pacing, Eriol, smiled slightly and gently. "You underestimate us, Sakura-san. We're you're friends. We know you more than we know ourselves sometimes."

The anxious one on the bed stood and headed towards Sakura silently with a blank look on her face.

Sakura knew what was coming next. Here came the scolding, the worry, the guilt she'd feel once Tomoyo started yelling at her. This was why she hadn't wanted them to know her plan. "Now Tomoyo-chan, I know you're probably going to yell at me and say how worried you and everyone else will be but I just want you to know that...I-I really love him. With all my heart." Sakura sighed and looked guiltily at the floor. "I was extremely desolate when I found out that he...left. I thought that it was because my newfound love for him was hopeless, otherwise why would he leave? But what Meiling said to me gave me hope. Sh-She...gave up her love for him for us to be...together. She had said that it was fate. I don't want her tremendous sacrifice to go to waste and I know I'm not helping anyone by just crying under the covers. I miss him...and I love him so much that if he...rejects me...sometimes I think it'll be all over for me. But I'll regret it if I don't tell him how I feel, right? Telling him and getting rejected is worse than not telling him and not knowing what would've happened." She looked up meekly at both of their faces. "I know you guys think it's probably stupid of me to be this careless and to follow his so blindly when I don't even know if everything will turn out all right. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to find him! But I...I just..." Feeling quite defeated and expecting a sharp reply to answer, she looked down at the ground again. Hopefully they'd understand. Please let them understand.

Suddenly she found herself in Tomoyo's warm embrace. Startled, she did nothing but hug her best friend back.

"Oh, Sakura-chan! That was beautiful! I wish I could've recorded that!"

Sakura and Eriol felt themselves sweat drop in their friend's response. But Sakura was ecstatic with joy. "D-Does that mean..."

Tomoyo pulled away slowly, still holding her friend's hands, a smile on her face but a tear escaping her eye. "Of course we understand. Did you really think we were here to scold you? Please, Sakura-chan! We're your friends! We don't want to hinder you!" Tomoyo's voice suddenly got very quiet and serious. "Of course we'll be worried. Heck, I'll be more than worried! What if things don't work out and you return to your depression? But we're willing to take the chance because we do truly believe that you and Syaoran-kun are meant for each other. Besides, you two are miserable without each other. I know I'd be miserable if I was away from the person I love too."

Eriol gave a secret smile to the girl talking to Sakura. He felt the same way as she did. If ever Tomoyo was away from him, he wouldn't know what he'd do. So he knew the feeling.

Tomoyo continued, detesting the thought of being away from Eriol. "But anyway, Sakura-chan. Go get him. Bring him back home."

Sakura's face was alight with joy as she looked at her friends' encouraging expressions. She couldn't believe it. They were allowing her to go! Bouncing up and down like a little girl, she seemed like she was almost back to the old, bubbly Sakura. "Oh Tomoyo-chan! Eriol-kun! I can't thank you enough!"

"Not so fast!" Tomoyo interrupted and Sakura stopped. The amethyst eyed girl brought out an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Sakura.

"Hoee?" Curiously, Sakura opened the envelope and nearly cried out in happiness. It was impossible. Tomoyo and Eriol were the best friends ever! "Th-This is...!"

Tomoyo smiled her usual uplifting smile. "Yep. How could you get to Hong Kong without a ticket, eh? Eriol and I both chipped in. And no, don't feel bad that we did it. It's our way of helping."

"I also called Meiling in Hong Kong. She knows the situation and was thrilled actually. She agreed to come and pick you up from the airport," Eriol added with a smile. "Good luck, Sakura."

The emerald eyes lit up once again as she stood there, sputtering stupidly. "Oh wow...this is...I mean..." She broke into a delightful grin. "I don't know how I'm gonna repay you!"

Eriol shrugged. "I just agree with what Tomoyo said. Bring him back." His eyes glinted behind those glasses. "I miss teasing that guy."

Sakura gave them both a big hug before standing before them one last time. "I will! Don't you worry, everything's going to turn out great!" Another childish grin appeared. "I'm sure of it!"

The couple smiled at her enthusiasm and couldn't help but notice that little "Sakura motto" that she had used from all those years ago when she had been Card capturing. It still hadn't left her. The way she somehow tried to pull through even in the most dire circumstances was still there. Although she had taken a day off from the cheerful Sakura to be depressed, she was back. And hopefully, she would stay like this. But Sakura was right. Everything would turn out right. They were sure of it.

Eriol and Tomoyo watched as Sakura called upon the Fly Card and the wings sprouted from her back. Usually, Eriol would be telling her that flying out in broad daylight was dangerous, but in this situation, he didn't.

Before Sakura leaped out of the window with her luggage and the new ticket, she momentarily looked back at the two standing side by side and smiled widely. "Oh yeah, and before I forget...congratulations!"

The two was confused. "For what, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked.

Sakura giggled. "Duh. On getting together! Don't think that you don't know!"

The couple was astounded as blushes appeared on both of their cheeks. "How'd you-"

"Did you forget? I'm your friend!" She stuck out her tongue playfully and the two watched her fly out of the house, her great white wings flapping gently.

Eriol chuckled as he turned to Tomoyo. "Guess we couldn't keep it to ourselves forever. She was bound to find out."

Tomoyo nodded, a delighted smile on her face. "I don't mind though. I'm happy being with you," she said quietly as Eriol's arms wrapped around her waist. "I hope Sakura-chan gets to be happy, too. She and Syaoran-kun deserve each other."

The azure eyed boy gave a little pout. "Since when have you been calling him 'Syaoran-kun,' eh? First name basis..."

"Ah, you dummy! Jealous about a little thing like that?" Tomoyo said with a laugh. "Well, honestly, it feels like I've known him forever, if that's possible. It does feel empty without him here."

Eriol nodded in agreement. His kawaii, little descendant belonged here with them.

Amber eyes woke up with a start. His cousin and his butler were there looking down at him.

He realized the comfortable, soft bed underneath him. He was in his room. What had happened?

Suddenly, as if on cue, a headache starting pounding and he sat up in a flurry, groaning and clutching his head.

"Syaoran!"

"Xiao-Lang-sama," Wei said in worry as he pushed his master back on the bed to lie down. "Please, don't strain yourself." He momentarily looked at Meiling. "I'll go get a rag and water to cool down his head."

Meiling nodded and thanked him for his concern and loyalty. As he hurried away, she turned back to her cousin whose head was still pounding. She suddenly felt extremely horrible for saying those things to him. "Oh, Syaoran. I'm sorry. I should've have said that. I-I was just so-"

"No, Meiling," he replied feeling the pain subside a bit. "You...you were right."

The Chinese girl simply looked at him silently, examining his expression. She knew she was right. She just didn't know it would hurt him so much. Did he believe her now? Did he believe that Sakura returned his feelings?

Suddenly Syaoran let out an aggravated cry and held his head in his hands. "I-I can't believe that I...I let my feelings take over me...I focused more on myself instead of her! Damn!" He pounded a fist against the night table next to his bed. Meiling jumped at the suddenness. "Ugh. I can't believe that I'm that...self-centered and selfish!"

"Syaoran..."

He closed his eyes, concentrating hard again on the image of the emerald eyed girl. He felt all of those feelings again. Except now, the fierce determination had grown into a nervous yet excited anxiousness. And the emotion of love?

It was still there all right. Even more vivid and stronger than before he had collapsed.

But he didn't get it. All this loneliness...her anxiousness...her love. Why was she feeling all of this? Why would be lonely when she was with Yukito? Unless...

No. It was impossible...right?

Suddenly the notion that Sakura could possibly return her love wasn't quite impractical any more.

Wait...what was he thinking?

Oh he was so confused. So very confused.

"M-Meiling...d-do you think you can...leave me alone for awhile?" he requested quietly.

The worried cousin was reluctant in leaving him alone. Last time she had done so, he had collapsed due to the extreme burst of emotion that he realized Sakura's was feeling. He had opened his mind to her after experiencing all that pain.

But she couldn't go against his wishes. Besides, he had a lot to think about.

Hopefully, the little surprise for him tomorrow would clear his mind a bit... Tomoyo and Eriol's plan was excellent!

Sakura would be here. And everything would turn out all right.

As Syaoran listened to the door shut, he closed his eyes again, in deep contemplation and bafflement.

Sakura...all those feelings...why? Could...it be possible?

Another crack in his shield. Another emotion for Sakura to ponder about.

Sakura found herself instantly woken up. Blinking her bleary eyes, she looked out the window of the airplane and saw all the billowing white clouds. Her ticket had been for first class. Eriol and Tomoyo must have had to pay a lot for the ticket. She promised to make it up to them somehow.

Suddenly she realized why exactly she had woken up. Another wave of emotion was filling her. It was only slightly stronger than the sliver of pain she had felt before and it was different from it.

It was...confusion...?

Syaoran was confused.

Both emotions seemed to connect her with him even more. She was close...so close to reaching him. If only he'd put down the shield. She didn't care if she'd get hurt.

She just wanted to feel fully connected with him again.

I'm almost there, Syaoran...almost...