Forgotten Friendship… Remembered Love

Prologue - "Remnants of Summer"

"You can't catch me! Nyah! Nyah!"

"I'm coming! You just watch out!"

It was almost the end of summer. Two kids were chasing each other on the beach: a little girl with auburn hair and emerald eyes and a small boy with chestnut brown hair and amber eyes. Their guardians watched over them, smiling.

"The children always have fun when they're together, don't they, Yelan?"

"Yes, they always do. They are now so close to each other! I hate to think that we would be the ones to separate them," Yelan shook her head.

"Don't you agree, Fujitaka?"

"I agree. It's because of your Syaoran that my Sakura has got over the death her mother fast. Sakura and her mother were really close before. It's only been a half a year and already, she can talk cheerfully about it. She can now face her mother's picture and tell Nadeshiko all about her day, instead of crying every time she sees her mother's picture. I thank you and your son for that, Yelan." Fujitaka replied.

"It's nothing Fujitaka. It is only the right thing for us to come here to Japan. Nadeshiko has been a great friend and with Sonomi, and of course you, they helped me get through the loss of Syaoran's father," Yelan paused for a moment before continuing. "Your wife has always been there for me when I needed her, even though we live in different countries."

A moment of silence passed between the two as they remembered the past. They smiled as they looked at their children happily playing. Slowly, their smile began to fade.

"Yelan, how are we going to tell them they must separate? I haven't told Sakura about it yet. Have you told Syaoran already?" Fujitaka asked.

"Yes, and he didn't like it one bit. And I must say, so do I. But our business in Hong Kong is in tough times, we are needed there…" Yelan's voice trailed off as she looked sadly at her son.

"So… how do you think I am supposed to tell Sakura? No doubt she will take the news the same way Syaoran did." Fujitaka shook his head sadlly.

"Syaoran asked permission to tell Sakura himself. He will take care of it, he said. And I agreed. I hope you don't have any objections, Fujitaka."

Fujitaka smiled, "Of course not. It's really nice of Syaoran to volunteer. I am glad that my daughter has a friend like him."

They continued to watch their children, lost in their thoughts. While the two grown-ups had their discussion, the two toddlers were still happily playing in the beach.

"Ne, Sakura-chan…" the boy suddenly called the girl.

"Nani, Syaoran-kun? What is it?" the girl asked while she ran towards the boy. She suddenly tripped resulting to have her face buried in the sand.

"Mmpph-mmpphh…" Syaoran tried to hold his giggles… and failing.

"Hmph… You don't have to laugh, Syaoran-kun. It was not funny!" Sakura said while pouting.

"Gomen, Sakkie-chan," Syaoran said sheepishly. "But it is funny and you are so cute when you pout!"

Sakura was now smiling. "Thank you Syao-kun! What did you have to tell me?"

Syaoran bowed his head, "Um, Sakkie-chan, before that… I… I want to give… you something. Here." Syaoran showed his closed fist to Sakura.

"Eh? Nandesuka?" Sakura asked. Syaoran opened his hand slowly. On his palm was a delicate little hair clip in the shape of a cherry blossom. It's small pink petals shimmered in the light of the setting sun.

"Kirei na! Is this for me Syao-kun?" Sakura asked.

"Hai, Sakkie-chan," Syaoran answered, slowly raising his head.

"Arigato Syao-kun! Demo… why? It's not my b-day yet you know." Sakura questioned.

"It's… it's… um… it's a… a… 'remember me' gift. So you… so you won't forget me… when I… when I go back to Hong Kong… tomorrow." Stuttered Syaoran.

"You're going… away? But… but why?" Sakura's emerald eyes suddenly filled with tears.

"I… I'm sorry, Sakkie-chan. Okasan said it's because of business. I'm really sorry, I don't want to go… but okasan… she…" Syaoran's voice trailed off, unable to continue any longer. Syaoran bowed his head again, not wanting to see Sakura's expression.

"It's okay, Syao-kun," Sakura said, smiling faintly. "Just don't forget me, okay? Even if I don't have anything to give to you, you won't forget me. We're still friends, right? Ne, Syao-kun?"

"Of course, we're still friends! And we won't forget each other, ever!" Syaoran said. "But still, Sakkie-chan… Gomen na sai…"

"Iie, Syao-kun, it's not your fault. It's nobody's fault! You have to go back to Hong Kong because of your family. It's nobody's fault, ok?" Sakura tried to make Syaoran smile.

"Okay, Sakkie-chan. You'll come see us when we go, won't you?" Syaoran asked hopefully, raising his head slowly.

"Of course, Syao-kun! I'm sure otosan would allow me.

Syaoran looked so happy with Sakura's reply.

"Arigato Sakkie-chan!" Syaoran was so happy he hugged Sakura. "Sakkie-chan, please promise me you won't forget me okay? And that you won't ever, ever lose that pin? And when I come back… you'll still have it… okay? Promise me?"

"Promise! Pinky!" Sakura replied enthusiastically.

"Pinky!" Syaoran sealed the promise with Sakura.

The two friends linked their pinky fingers in promise. They both smiled at each other. Suddenly, a boy's voice rang in the air.

"Hey, Kaijuu! Gaki! Come back here now! We're going home!" Sakura's elder brother, Touya, yelled.

"Sakura not kaijuu! And Syao-kun not Gaki! Onii-chan!" Sakura shouted in response.

"Let's go, ne? Sakura-chan?" asked Syaoran.

"Hai! Let's go! Let's go!" Sakura said happily.

My first fanfic! So please, please, please review. I just wanna know your opinion. Questions? Clarifications? Violent reactions? Anyway, please review since I'm new here and everything. Thank you very much!

I hope that you like this... I'll try to improve the upcoming chapters!