-Chapter Four-

Experiencing First Love

You're not who you are…

You feel lost…

Lost.

"What is this place…? Hello?"

A young man with long, silver-white hair walked cautiously down the platform of dewy grass, towards the light that flickered and shone in the distance. He wondered where this source of light came from while the rest of the area was pitching black. He could feel the wet, bristle of grass tickle underneath his bare feet as he walked over them and down the path of unknown.

"Yue-kun…" a faded voice called out to him. It continued, beckoning him to walk towards the light.

Yue jerked his head to the side; sharp silver-blue eyes shifting around, searching for the one who called his name. Very vague memories were resurfacing but still, confusion and fear were clear in his curious eyes.

It was time he got answer.

Slowly, a figure appeared, standing near the light. His outline became clearer and bolder as he stood there, looking at Yue with much recognition. Yue could not make out the characteristics of the man's face because it was hidden underneath a large, brown cloak, casting shadows over his face. All he could see were those wise azure eyes concealed behind rimless glasses.

"We meet again, my friend."

You just don't understand it…

So you choose to ignore it…

You're confused.

"Who are you?" Yue whispered harshly to the stranger.

"That is unimportant for the time being," answered the man, smirking as he continued, "It's been quite some time… Haven't it, Yue?"

Anger flushed through Yue's system. He was tired of unanswered question and not knowing his past too well. He was weary of this man who invaded his dreams and told him nothing of his past but the fact that he knew him from somewhere in the past.

"Tell me," Yue retorted firmly through gritted teeth while keeping a calm gaze.

The man shook his head, eyes gleaming mysteriously. "Yue… always so curious… always want answers… a reason for everything…" He smiled coyly. "But you know… not everything has answers… Everything is always unexpected…"

Yue clenched his fist tightly, hitting them against his side as his white wings wavered out frenziedly from behind him, going unnoticed, for he did not know he had wings nor did he know that the man present in front of him was Clow Reed's spirit in another form. His eyes flashed furiously as he glared dangerously at the man who would not give a name or at least a nickname.

"I don't understand… What do you mean?"

The man chuckled. "It is time that you go back to where you belong… It is time…"

There is no answer for everything…

Some things are difficult…

But it's a moment to discover…

To find yourself.

"Time? Time for what?" Yue questioned, crossing his arms annoyingly as he watched the man depart from his sight, slipping quietly away until Yue was faced once again with the still darkness of his cryptic dream world.

"You are not real…" Yue muttered. "Why should I listen to someone who is not real?" He looked distraught. "Yet, he's so familiar… as if he is… perhaps… real… or maybe… once real?"

"Yue-kun," an echoing murmur whispered to him.

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"Yue-kun!"

Yue's eyes snapped open, revealing bloodshot eyes and apparently, not a good night of sleep. Finally aware that he's back in his own little room, he saw Sakura standing over his bedside, concern visible in her emerald eyes as her mouth moved to say something but he heard nothing.

"What?" Yue whispered softly. "Are you okay, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura looked puzzle for a moment. "I was just about to ask you the same question… When I called your name a couple of times, you didn't wake up… I was worried." She blushed, making him blushed too.

'So… she cares for me?' "Don't worry, I am fine… You know, I'm supposed to be watching over you, not the other way around," informed Yue.

Sakura flushed and playfully slapped him on the arm. "I am fifteen now; capable of taking care of myself thank you very much."

"Did you not have another fight with Li Syaoran last summer?"

Sakura blushed, remembering Syaoran; he had gotten cuter from the last time she saw him. "I was fourteen then and I could have handled it much better than you thought."

Yue shook his head, disagreeing with Sakura. "By kicking and scratching?"

Sakura blushed harder. "Stop teasing me, Yue-kun. Now get up; you promised me to escort me to the market so I can pick out a kimono for the festival."

"When did I… Why don't you go with Daidouji-san?" Yue asked, groaning and pouting at the same time.

"Come on Yue-kun, you never go out… It is time for you to have fun!" Sakura exclaimed enthusiastically while clasping her hands together with her eyes shining dreamily. "Maybe you can find someone special to go to the festival with."

Yue arched an eyebrow forward, puzzled by Sakura's statement. "Who said that I was going…? And with someone special?" His face distorted and his eyes squinted halfway closed, "Nah ah, I'm not going anywhere!" confirmed Yue.

Sakura leaned onto the bed and her eyes pleaded desperately. "Oh please Yue-kun. Otou-san won't let me go anywhere without an adult; and Onii-chan doesn't even want me to go at all, not wanting to go through the trouble of protecting me from weird guys. You're my only option… Oh please!" begged Sakura.

Giving into Sakura's cute little pouts, Yue agreed, but only on one condition and that was for Sakura to stay out of trouble when Syaoran would come back this summer – meaning - no fighting.

"Deal!" Sakura squealed and hugged Yue tightly. "Come on… wash up and meet me and Tomoyo downstairs."

"Hai." Yue smiled sheepishly, not noticing how happy he felt at seeing Sakura excited for something so simple.

Simple.

Oh, he didn't know what he was in for.

X.Market Place..ox

The weather was nice and cool, yet the sky was fogged up, foreshadowing the rain that would soon plummet down to the Earth. Let's just hope not, for the festival was tonight. Down the road, Sakura, Tomoyo and Yue came strolling through many people, who were scurrying away, also getting ready for tonight's festival. People made way for them, noticing that they're royalty. As they passed by, Sakura would smile kindly at them and greet a few.

"Good morning princess…" an old man greeted.

She clasped her hands and bowed. After greeting numerous people, she checked up on Yue, seeing as he was trudging behind them. Her eyes rolled and a somnolent smile came up to her face. "Yue-kun, come on, hurry up… Let's not waste the time," Sakura called out, motioning her hands for Yue to walk a little faster.

Finally coming up to her, he looked down at her, looking down because Sakura's height only reach below his shoulders. "Must I walk into this shop?" He asked, his voice sounding a bit edgy, clearly loathing to be here and especially around such people.

Sakura laughed at the funny look displayed on Yue's face. "Don't be silly Yue-kun." She felt Tomoyo nudging her gently and she turned to her questioningly.

"Sakura-chan, I see a kimono that I want to get but that girl is going to get it before me. Now come on!" Tomoyo pulled her into the shop while Yue followed quietly, trying to seem as invisible as possible, just like air itself. His quiet steps trailed behind Tomoyo and Sakura who were sharing a conversation with a girl at the moment.

"Hello, my name is Daidouji Tomoyo and this is my cousin, Kinomoto Sakura… What is your name?" Tomoyo asked politely, while at the same time, keeping her eyes on the kimono that was in the girl's hands.

The girl with slightly slanted ruby eyes smiled courteously and greeted them in a keen Chinese accent. "My name is Rae Meiling… Nice to meet you all."

Tomoyo bit her lip anxiously as Sakura sweat dropped, unsure of what Tomoyo was about to do. "So, Meiling-chan… Are you going to try on that kimono?"

Meiling beamed. "I don't see why not… This kimono is gorgeous! I am definitely going to buy it and wear it to the festival… Say, are you guys going to go to the festival too?"

Sakura laughed and grinned brightly. "Yes, we are as a matter of fact." Wondering where Yue was, she turned around, eyes blocked by a tall man in a white long sleeved button shirt for that was all she saw. "Hoeee!" Sakura cried and her head shot up, looking into familiar eyes of silver-blue. "Yue-kun, you scared me… So, you finally came in, huh?"

Yue furrowed his eyebrows in disappointment. "I was here the whole time," he whispered, turning his gaze away. So, he succeeded in trying to be invisible, but he didn't want to be invisible to Sakura.

He didn't know why.

There was no answerto that.

"Sorry Yue-kun, you were so quiet I didn't know you were behind us." Sakura grabbed Yue's wrist and gently pulled him into the group. "Meiling-chan, this here is Yue-kun… my best friend!"

Meiling smiled as her eyes glittered, "So, just friends eh?" she muttered and snickered to herself. "Nice to meet you Yue-san," she greeted at last. "Are you planning to buy a suit for the festival?"

Yue blushed and was about to shake his head 'no' but Meiling locked her arms with his. "If you are, I'll help you pick out something that'll match you perfectly!" She pulled him away from Tomoyo and Sakura but stopped for a moment to turn around, "Daidouji-san… You've been eyeing this Kimono for awhile now, so here." She handed Tomoyo the white kimono with beautiful pink designs of cherry blossoms on the bottom of the dress.

Tomoyo squealed. "Ah, arigatou Meiling-chan! And-And have fun with Yue-kun." She turned to look at Sakura and smiled brilliantly. "Everything worked out well! You see, you got the dress you wanted and Yue got a date!"

Sakura's mouth nearly hit the ground and she sputtered out her words. "S-So, this kimono… wasn't really meant for you?"

Tomoyo giggled. "Oh No, Sakura… clearly this dress won't look good on me but you! See these cherry blossom designs…? It symbolizes you. Now try it on in the dressing room this instant!"

Sakura flushed. "Hai!"

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"Come on Yue-san, try on this white suit! You'll look heavenly in it!" Meiling exclaimed joyously as she looked up at the young man with starry eyes. "Exceptionally perfect!"

Yue opened his mouth and pointed one finger at her to retort but Meiling had already thrust the outfit into his arms and pushed him into one of the male's changing rooms. "Now Yue-san, come out when you've finish dressing so I can see how you look!"

He sighed as his hand came up and ruffled through his silver-grey hair; obviously finding this time spent with this strange girl a waste of time because he didn't know her personally. "But- I did not come here to try on these strange clothes… Where is Sakura?"

"Don't be silly Yue-san, you are meant to be a male model! I'm sure Kinomoto-san wants you to pick out an outfit for the festival too." Her eyes glimmered. "Do you happen to have a date by any chance?"

Yue blinked, wondering if Sakura had a date but then it hit him… Meiling wanted to go with him! He opened the yellow curtains and looked at her despicably, having no intention to go with her but there was anticipation in her eyes. He sighed heavily, broad shoulders slumping a bit. He didn't want to upset her, yet he was upset himself.

"Do you want to go with me," he forced himself to say, disbelieving how kind the words came out to the girl he only knew for a couple of minutes.

He indeed, was changing.

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Tomoyo rapped gently against the wall where Sakura was inside changing. "Are you done yet?" Tomoyo called out. "Come on Sakura-chan, it shouldn't take that long! You've been in there for fifteen minutes… I want to see how you look! Come out now!" she pressed.

"One more minute!" Sakura called back, buttoning up the last button. "Almost… Done!" She came out, at the same time, from the other side of the dressing room, Yue came out.

"Wahhh! Kawaii Saku-chan!" Tomoyo squealed delightedly as she embraced the embarrass girl.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"Sakura-chan! It's beyond okay! It fits you perfectly… Absolutely-"

"Beautiful…" finished of the sentence by another person.

Both Tomoyo and Sakura shot their head in the direction of the voice. Intense amber eyes looked back at them. Immediately recognizing the boy, Sakura flushed and her eyes narrowed together distastefully. "Li-san… What are you doing here?"

Syaoran shrugged and smirked. "My cousin dragged me here." He turned his head to the girl with her hair up in odangos. "Look, here she comes now," his eyes narrowed, "with Yue-san?"

"Kinomoto-san, you must buy this suit for Yue-san!" She shrilled, still clutching onto Yue's arm closely as she shoved him by crowds of gasping girls and jealous boys.

Yue had his head down, feeling quite humiliated. "Please Meiling-san…" He picked up his head and through the corner of his melancholy eyes, he saw Sakura's dazed expression. He noticed that she was already fitted into the kimono that was supposedly meant for Tomoyo. He must admit; Sakura looked pretty cute, no… beautiful was his word. His thoughts wavered away as girls began swarming over him, swooning all at the same time.

Sakura saw the look in Yue's angelic eyes as girls throughout the store, dashed to him to take a good look at his handsome structure. Yue looked desperate to get out of the mess. She wanted to laugh at how different he seemed; many men would want this much attention from beautiful girls.

"You should buy Yue-kun that outfit… It suits him well," Tomoyo told her, sparkles evidently in her eyes.

"I will…"

"Don't forget to buy the kimono for yourself," Tomoyo added.

"I won't forget," Sakura laughed.

Meiling and Syaoran were standing beside Tomoyo and Sakura. Syaoran, unusually quiet without his usual crude teasing, was standing right beside Sakura, taking several glances at her. Sakura wanted to creep away from him because he was making her uncomfortable.

"Know what?" Tomoyo began; Sakura knew what Tomoyo was going to say and so, fiercely shook her head in opposition, trying to stop her cousin but failed. "We should all go to the festival together!"

"That's an excellent idea!" Meiling exclaimed, keeping an eye on Yue.

Sakura scowled. 'What prank will Syaoran start?'

X.The Festival..ox

The night skies were filled with colors from exploding fireworks; music played happily as people swarmed around Tomoeda's festival site. All the ladies were dressed up in intricate kimonos and all the men had on Japanese suits.

Tomoyo was wearing a lavender kimono with the bottom hem flaring out and next to her was Meiling, wearing a sparkly red kimono with yellow flowers imprints all over. Then there was Sakura, standing out as the most beautiful girl of the bunch, because her kimono was ever so simple yet extravagant compared to her peers. Hers was the white kimono with a couple of cherry blossom designs strewn to the bottom corner of her flowing skirt.

Syaoran, apparently not in the mood of festival celebrating, was in his cotton shirt and black slacks as a cape wrapped around his neck; the same clothing from when they were in the market. Atop his head was that golden crown; he wore it proudly despite his odd apparel coming to such a memorizing event.

As the music blare louder and the excitement just about beginning, the group slowly went their separate ways. Meiling dragged Yue away while Tomoyo went elsewhere, maybe hooking up with a guy for the night of celebration, leaving only Sakura and Syaoran to fend for themselves.

Syaoran gaped at Sakura plainly, while his feet brushed the dirt ground. "It's you and me now, Sakura-chan."

Sakura glared at him. "Syaoran, I don't wish to fight with you… I had promised Yue-kun I wouldn't so… So don't make a scene."

Syaoran chuckled and shook his head halfheartedly. "Oh Sakura-chan, we should end this childhood feud now that we're both mature." The music was beginning to surround them as the chestnut haired boy inched closer to her. "… To resolve everything, how about a dance?"

Before Sakura could say 'no', his fingers laced themselves within hers and his other hand snaked around her waist as he carried her into the cluster of dancing people, enjoying the night away.

Sakura blushed, feeling him pull her closer. She could smell his scent of sandalwood and spices as he swept her off the feet. She felt shaky and a blush made itself visible across her face as he smiled at her, twirling her and then wrapping his arm around her once again.

"Sakura…" he began, knocking her out of trance, her eyes now attentively focused into fierce amber eyes. "I know you held a grudge against me ever since that incident three years ago and I apologized for all those times I've hurt you," he whispered softly. "I wanted to be alone with you because… I wanted to tell you that I'm not that little boy anymore."

Sakura felt the blood rushing to her face. 'What is he saying?'

"I was a real jerk back then for taking Kero away from you… pulling your hair… putting mud in your morning juice… and etcetera."

'No wonder my orange juice tasted funky!'

"I wanted to tell you how much different I am. I've changed over the years… and I think I developed…" He blushed, looking away for a brief moment before he locked eyes back with hers, "feelings for you, Kinomoto Sakura."

Sakura gasped. "Syaoran… I." Strange feelings were enveloping her and she couldn't breathe, leaving her wordless, not knowing what to say. Perhaps, she felt the same for him too?

The boy's amber eyes flickered and a scowl came upon his smooth features. "It's okay if you don't feel the same. I just wanted you to know; that's all."

Sakura blushed. She had feelings for him all along too, even Yue didn't know that. It had started last summer. She had always told Yue everything, even more so than Tomoyo! But this was an exception.

"Syaoran-kun… I do feel the same way." She had finally let it out of her system, finally knowing that Syaoran never hated her this whole time, but in fact, had a major crush on her.

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"Yue-kun!"

Yue groaned and stomped right over to the annoying girl by the game stands. "Yes, Meiling-chan?"

"Oh please Yue-kun! Will you win that cherub stuffed doll for me?" She blushed. "The one that looks kind of like you."

Yue was struck back. 'Why does everything look like me?' He smiled kindly. "If you really want it."

Meiling smiled eagerly and clasped her hands together. "Yes, please get it for me!"

The man behind the counter handed Yue three balls to throw at the bottles stacked up in a pyramid sort of way. "One ball is necessary," Yue whispered as he picked up the ball. He looked at his surroundings, his eyes squinting, leveling his pupil to his target. He tossed the ball, and with a 'clank', the bottles tumbled down. Yue laughed. 'That was easy.' The man handed him the doll and Yue thanked him for it.

"Her you go…" Yue flipped around, not seeing Meiling anywhere. "Meiling-chan?" He then spotted Meiling talking with two guys… Touya and Yukito! So, Touya did go to the festival after all! Yue clenched his fists, offering a squeak from the stuff doll as he marched right off.

Someone would surely appreciate his hard earned gift, and that would always be…

Sakura.

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Sakura and Syaoran were relaxing on a small table, sharing small conversations while they waited for everyone's return. "You know that I was the one that pushed you into the water, not Touya," Sakura whispered, flushing as she apologized.

"No big. It was a refreshing bath anyway." Syaoran grinned, his cunning eyes flashing at her, "Let's just put our bad past behind us and start all over. So how's your family…" His hand covered up her hand. "I see that Yue hasn't changed a bit… He still looks the same… And it looks like he doesn't age either."

Sakura smiled. "You don't get wrinkles in a matter of five years, Syaoran. He's not ancient, I think. He should be around twenty by now." She laughed heartily. "It's nice to have a normal conversation with you, once in awhile."

Syaoran tilted his head slightly, letting his chestnut bangs sweep to the side of his face. "No… Really!" he said almost sarcastically; the same way he would when he was a little boy.

Sakura playfully punched his shoulder and laughed quietly to herself. "You're real bold, Li-san." From the corner of her eyes, she saw Yue walking towards them. "Hey, Yue-kun, over here!" Sakura shouted and waved her hands in the air. Yue finally spotted them and scurried over.

"Sakura-chan. Li-san," he greeted softly, while looking down at his dark shoes.

"Where's Meiling-chan?" Sakura asked.

Yue's face scrunched together. "She ditched me," he replied dryly.

Syaoran shook his head. "Figures… she always chase one guy after another. I'm just happy she's not clinging onto me!"

Ignoring Syaoran, Yue spoke up, "Sakura…"

But Sakura interrupted him. "Yue-kun, look what Syaoran won for me." From underneath the bench, she revealed a large brown bear and placed it on the table for him to see. "It was the most difficult game but he beat it for me!"

A blush formed across Syaoran's face. "It wasn't that hard Sakura-chan."

Yue stared at them, eyes darting back and forth at each of them, wondering why they were so nice to each other. Then it hit him. He had told Sakura to stop fighting with Syaoran… But this was beyond being nice. What could it be? Then it hit him again… much harder this time…

This was what you call… love.

The angel-like doll fell from his hand as he stood frozen in his tracks.

"T-That's a nice bear," he stammered. 'Way nicer than this small doll.' "The night is getting darker… I guess I will be going home now… I feel tired." he whispered brokenly at watching Syaoran wrapped an arm around Sakura's shoulders. He felt his heart tear apart and didn't know why. 'What is this feeling?'

"If you're tired Yue-kun, you can go home." Sakura smiled warmly.

Yue's heart was aching terribly. "G-Good-bye." He stormed from the scene of the two young lovers and rode a carriage home.

Alone.

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A/n: Used to be 10 ½ pages. But now it's ten! Should I be shortening my chapters?