Summary So Far: 16 years old Sakura Kinomoto and Syaoran Li have been friends since they were little and now as they move from junior to high school they're relationship becomes more. Is Sakura ready?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from this story…

Sakura: And never forget it!

Part Two: The Joys Of Love

Just as they had watched it rise over the hills, Sakura and Syaoran watched the sun set. It had been a fantastic day.

Warm golden light washed Sakura's face as she rested her head on Syaoran's shoulder and sighed.

You asleep over there Sakura?" Syaoran laughed and Sakura straightened up and pretended to rub her eyes of sleep.

"I sleep easily when I am content," Sakura half-lied. She was very content but of course, she had not slept.

"You're a terrible liar Sakura," Syaoran laughed more and ran his fingers through the girl's hair.

"Thank you for the perfect day Syaoran, I had loved it so. Right now I have no worries, no cares, no feelings…well except for joy, the joy that comes with loving you…"

It was a silent moment, they did not speak, breaking the silence would have been like the breaking of a precious and most loved piece of jewelery.

From across the park a bell chimed signaling that it was already seven o'clock in the evening.

"Is it really that time already? We might have to hurry to get back on time," Sakura wondered aloud and looked at Syaoran with a pleading look on her face.

"Don't give me that. We said we'd be home by sunset and I think it has officially set."

"Oh, you just always want to be on time for things because you don't have a family to whom you don't want to go home to!" Sakura teased and Syaoran looked stunned.

"Sakura I-"

"Well, I guess I'll be going now then," Sakura said quickly and stood up.

"Can I have a good night kiss at least?"

Sakura softened and sat back down. She knew she was eager to kiss Syaoran, she had never kissed his properly before, all Syaoran would be expecting was a peck on the cheek, she could surprise him…

Sakura leaned closer to her friend her hair falling around her face softly as she did so and Syaoran was surprised. His eyes lit up and obediently he moved towards her.

Her head next to his Sakura waited for Syaoran to make the final move, the last few centimeters.

"I um…er that is to say: may I Sakura?" Syaoran suddenly backed away with his face red and his eyes glassy.

"I, Syaoran that's really kind of you to ask, of course you may."

Syaoran still looked wary, "Are you sure? I mean are we…ready for this?"

Sakura laughed softly, "You sound so serious, besides, we've spent an entire day together, doesn't that count us as ready?"

"Yeah, ok…"

Later….

The sun had settled behind the mountains and Tomoeda was shrouded in darkness. Sakura crept along the quiet street to her house. A few lights sparkled from inside and she could see the silouette's of two people inside.

"Toyo must have Yukito over to study, or maybe dad came home early from that seminar…" Sakura thought out loud as she carefully opened the front door. She expected to hear Yukito's cheery greetings, her brother's resolute mumbles but was met with a sound quite different.

"Oh Akira! You spoil me! Stop it won't you!"

"Sorry Nina I couldn't help myself!"

The voices drifted over to Sakura from where she stood in the entrance hall and she grew more anxious. Who were Akira and Nina? She didn't think Toyo had any friends called those names…

"Sakura!"

Sakura froze, the voice had grown louder and now she could tell someone…or something was coming around the corner to talk to her.

"Get out of my house! You're not supposed to be here…Toyo?"

"What are you doing here so late Sakura? And what's with the yelling, why am I NOT supposed to be in my own house?"

Sakura blushed then retaliated by saying, "Well, who's Akira and Nina then?"

At this point a girl had walked in to see what the commotion was. She had fair hair and was wearing a school uniform similar to the one Toyo wore to his cram school.

Toyo laughed and introduces his lady friend, her name was not Nina but Ami and she and him were in a play at the local theatre. Akira and Nina were their characters…

"I – Oh – I can't believe – I'm so sorry" Sakura bowed to Ami and turned to scowl fiercely at Toyo. She was about to head upstairs when he grabbed the collar of her shirt.

"Now, where were you and what were you doing out so late?"

"There is a simple answer to that Toyo: I was having the time of my life," Sakura said and whipping from her brother's grasp marched upstairs to her room and the anxiously awaiting Kero.