Author's note: This is the last chapter of this AU story and I'm glad that despite how different this fic was from the usual fluffy stories one gets to read in CCS, some of yu actually supported this. Thank you to the following people who reviewed and added this fic as their favorite: apol, Blue Wind Sinia, Carmela-chan, CCS02, Cherri-star, Cherry Mizuki, chikichiki, darksessho, deVilblOssom,dina-chan, garota.invisivel, Kirika, krn-peaches, KyteAura,Lady Arabella Malfoy,Look at Her, Ningyo,nylsaj, OoFiizUgLii, Sarritichi,Silent Whimpers, snowylove-angel, Starlight Ellie, twinkstar, Who Ah Yooo and yuesaoyran.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own CCs and never will I. Sad, but true.

Clear Skies

by: kotsch

Summary: Sakura: The succesful businesswoman. Syaoran: The devoted environmentalist. Two people w/ different principles and ideals. But if love will intercede between them, can they put their differences aside?

Chapter Ten

After one of their sketch sessions at the park, Sakura and Syaoran decided to take a break in one of the coffee shops along the street walk.

"Do you like me as a model?" Syaoran asked her with curiosity, his eyes looking at her finished sketch work seriously.

Sakura blushed.

How will she tell him?

The truth is, Syaoran was the type of model who could inspire any artist with his job. It's because his looks were almost perfect. He didn't have any poor angle to sketch with. He has character. A strong personality. Even his mood's portrayal all comes out naturally. And because he had confidence in himself, he didn't get shy even if he posed infront of a lot of people.

And because Sakura was speechless, he bugged her even more.

"Well-? Why can't you answer my question?"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm afraid you might boast if I told you my opinion."

"That means I'm a good model then." He chuckled.

"Tell me, why is it that you seem to already know a lot of things about modeling?"

Syaoran looked at her eyes and in an instant, Sakura could feel her heart pounding loudly in her chest.

"Because I'm comfortable with the artist."

"Ha! I don't believe you!" She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Isn't it that we're enemies?"

"I don't know about you. But if you're going to ask me, whenever I'm with you, I don't feel like I'm with my enemy anymore." He replied, his words barely audible. "I already see you as a…friend."

Sakura stared down at her shoes.

She was afraid to admit that she also feels the same way about him.

She couldn't anymore imagine that she stayed in Milan without Syaoran by her side. And that's saying something considering the fact that they were only here together for only less than a week.

"Sakura, look at me…" Syaoran pleaded softly.

She looked back at his face and was even slightly surprised at the intensity of his eyes.

"Am I still not your friend?"

"What's this for, Syaoran? What's your real purpose for befriending me?"

"This is for…for the feelings that we have for each other." He blushed. "Maybe this time, you won't deny the feelings that you have for me. And we both knew that the reason why we can't straighten out our feelings is because…we were not friends yet. And now, I want us to finally set all our differences aside and be friends."

Sakura could feel her heart being crushed. She suddenly remembered something.

That fateful night wherein he took away something which he shouldn't have.

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

Syaoran saw her face and a look of despair was written across his own face.

"I know what you are thinking." He said sadly. "That night. Sakura, you know, that night for me was one of the most memorable things that ever happened to my life. Although I knew how different it was for you. I know you're still hurt by it. But if you can't learn to forgive me, then how will we start anew?"

She hastily wiped off the tears on her face. "It's really hard to just forget about it, Syaoran…"

Syaoran paused. He couldn't help but look down in shame.

"I know."

"Do you know what you took away from me, Syaoran? It's the feeling of a woman who's going to give herself for the first time with the man she loves the most. I cannot know anymore that feeling, Syaoran. And it's because of the fact that when you took away my virginity, I was drunk."

Sakura's eyes glistened with more tears.

And because Syaoran's head was down, she wasn't able to see the pain and guilt in his face, obviously blaming his self. His face was that of utter despair and dejection, obviously reflecting his emotions.

Sakura and Syaoran separated on that day with a heavy heart, feeling once more the barrier between them, reviving the gap that they thought was already broken.

She was even surprised when he called her up the next day, his voice hoarse and sad.

"I'm going home. My flight's already scheduled this evening."

Sakura was dumbfounded when he heard his statement. Isn't it that he was already giving up that easily?

And she even thought that he'd be willing to comfort her, to be by her side, no matter how much time it may take.

But a part of her self still believed that Syaoran was not going to wait for her. That pessimistic side of her still refused to even believe that they're going to be friends. That is reality. And that is the truth.

Sakura could feel the anger welling up inside of her.

"So you've already come to your senses, isn't it? You've already realized that you don't have to stupidly wait for a girl, who isn't ready to be friends with you, when there are dozens of women already waiting for you back in China who's even willing to get past being just your 'friend'!"

"I'm not giving up, Sakura." He replied quietly. "I'm just giving you some space. I've decided to just wait for your forgiveness. Anyway, isn't it that we've already became close to each other these past few days?"

Sakura could hear him sighing on the other end of the line.

"We already created lots of good memories that I will treasure." Syaoran continued. "If I'll always be by your side, we'll even create far better memories together but the pain you're feeling will still not go away. I know that the pain you're nurturing inside your heart will not go away that easily, for it's already a part of it. The pain I've caused in your heart needs to heal, in a right manner…in a right time. That's why I'm leaving."

Syaoran paused for a few seconds, carefully choosing his words.

"I-I hope, when I leave, you'll weigh all the good moments that we have and that pain you're harboring right now. Whichever of the two outweighs each other, then choose that one."

She was speechless at all the things she just heard. She can't believe that it is really Syaoran who is talking to her. The last thing she remembered is the soft click of the phone on the other line, followed by the dial tone.

On that night he went away, she could feel the immediate loneliness to her surroundings.

She couldn't help but remember how Syaoran used to call her up, on this hour, just to chat with her. They could just go on and on for hours over the phone by just simply talking. She couldn't deny the fact that he's fun to talk to…it's no wonder if she could feel herself getting more attached to him.

She must admit that she misses those moments she had with him.

The next day, she decided to take a walk in the park, hoping to pour all her feelings to her passion, which is sketching.

However, she found herself not in the mood to sketch. Her hands felt tired. She even saw her surroundings in a different way, as if it is flat…colorless.

She misses him. She misses how good model he was.

What a perfect sketch model Syaoran really was! Sakura mused, recalling his handsome features.

Sakura stayed on for like this in a week. She tried to indulge herself in a lot of activities. Going to the movies, eating in a restaurant, going to the park, sketching…but somehow, being all alone seems to be so sad. She couldn't help but realize how empty she really felt all by herself.

She was surprised when a single tear rolled down her cheek. Here she is, sitting all by herself in the café they used to hang out every afternoon. She couldn't help but stare at the empty seat infront of her, recalling how Syaoran used to tell her stories which never failed to make her laugh.

She now realized Syaoran's true intention. He wasright that after he left her with good memories to cherish with, he decided to just leave.

She discovered that you'd only get to appreciate the importance of a person when he was already far away from you.

And now, Sakura was choosing which one she harbors the most: the good moments that they've weaved together or that night he took away something important from her?

When she finally came to a conclusion, she was even awed at its revelation.

In a matter of just one week missing him, she couldn't believe how he immediately dissolved all the hurt and pain she's feeling.

She was healed. Almost instantly.

Fujitaka Kinomoto decided to call his one and only daughter, whom he misses so much, in Milan.

"How are you, lady? You know, I'm just waiting here for your call so you could tell me all about the recent developments of your life there. I am trying to treat you as a real adult but it seems that I cannot bear any longer not hearing anything from you." Fujitaka said affectionately. "Of course, you already told me the fact that you were not really pregnant at all. But as to what happened between you and Syaoran now, I'm in the dark. And now, I heard that he's already back in Hongkong. I really can't figure out why you're still there. When are you coming back, my precious?"

Sakura smiled slightly. Although she's a full grown-up woman now, her father sometimes treats her like a baby. His trying his best to give her all the freedom she could get with regards to her personal life but just like any typical father, his over protectiveness and love towards her still reigns.

"I'm coming home soon, Dad. Don't worry." She assured him. "When I return home, I am no longer that confused, emotionally immature woman who talked to you almost a month ago. I think I have gained enough emotional intelligence after what I've gone through here."

"That's good to hear! Anyway, why don't you get connected to the Internet so you could read the latest news about the issue regarding our proposed factory in Hongkong."

Sakura couldn't help scowling at her father's statement.

"Dad, isn't it that we've already talked about this matter before? You know that I don't want to be involved with that project anymore!"

"Why don't you just take a look first and see for yourself, okay?" Fujitaka replied gently.

And because her father was persistent about it, Sakura decided to follow his instructions. She immediately went to the online site of the leading newspaper in Hongkong. And she saw that one of the headlines tackles about the factory that they weregoing to build in Hongkong.

When Sakura read the article about it, she was very much surprised.

According to the news, both the Green Lovers and Fujitaka Kinomoto, along with his business partners, already made amends with each other. They already resolved the conflict peacefully through good negotiations. A factory will still be constructed in Hongkong but it will no longer be a shampoo and detergent-producing factory. Instead, the products that will be manufactured will be native foods and native decorative products. The members of the Green Lovers didn't object at the idea anymore because they agreed that there would be no more wastes that these products will produce which could harm the environment.

And the best concession that the Kinomoto Holdings obtained is the fact that the entire soon-to-be employee under them signed a contract stating that they will not form a union. They promised that they will let the factory grow and prosper first before creating a worker's union to protect their rights and to look out for their future.

And who would not rejoice about all these developments? Sakura even saw a picture of her father and their associates together with the members of Green Lovers. All of them looked so happy, as if they were with their closest friends.

Tears of happiness flow freely from her eyes. Who would've thought that the two opposing groups resolved their differences after all?

Nothing is indeed impossible in this world. As long as there is communication. Everyone is willing to give. And most important of all, everyone is willing to love.

Sakura couldn't help but think that only she and Syaoran were the ones left who wasn't able to come to terms with each other.

She hurriedly left Milan the next day with a clear mind.

She decided to just drop by in Japan to have a small chat with her father and immediately boarded the next flight to Hongkong.

As soon as she reached Hongkong, Grace and Simoun were both very happy to see her. They were even surprised that she brought a lot of suitcases this time. It seems that she's planning to stay in the country for a very long time.

"Sakura, we missed you so much!" Grace exclaimed, happiness written all over her face. "It's been a long time since you last visited this place!"

"I've already learned to love this place you know." She smiled. "Hmmm, Simoun? Are you…fishing out in the sea again?"

"Yes, Sakura."

"Who's your company when you venture out in the sea? Is it still…Xiaolang?" She asked him tentatively.

"Who else? When he left for Milan, I decided to stop fishing for a while. I decided to just wait for his return." Simoun replied. "He even told us that the two of you always see each other back there. I really wanted to ask him why he left the place earlier than you but I guess, I'm really shy to ask him."

"Do you know what time he'll be dropping by the house today to fetch you, Simoun?"

"Same as before. Around one o' clock in the afternoon."

"Will it be okay that before the two of you go out in the sea, I could get to talk to him?"

"Of course, Sakura. I don't mind. Anyway, you could just talk to him today and I'll tell him that we'll just go fishing tomorrow."

Sakura's lips lifted into a genuine smile.

"Thank you very much, Simoun."

Sakura stood patiently in the terrace.

She knew that Syaoran's old pick-up truck already arrived in their backyard. She absolutely heard it.

She just told Simoun earlier to tell Syaoran that he could just go upstairs to the terrace where they could talk privately.

Sakura's heart felt like it was about to burst as each minute passed by while she waited for him upstairs. Her hands felt a little bit clammy from nervousness. She didn't really know why she felt that why but she couldn't help it. She's really nervous to see his face once again.

She looks really beautiful that afternoon. She looks so fresh and delicate. She's wearing a simple summer dress with floral pattern in it, and she decided to let her hair just loose.

She's also holding her favorite sketchpad in her hands. She already sketched something in one of the pages in the pad. Something which she only captured from her imagination…

"Sakura…" His voice was suave and gentle when she first heard it, and it still didn't changed when he called out her name.

She turned around to face him, a gentle smile written in her face.

"You're absolutely right. When you left, that's when I learned how to weigh everything. The good, the bad. The sweet, the pain. The love, the hate."

"And…? Which of them won?" Syaoran asked hopefully.

"The good, the sweet…and love." She replied quietly, her eyes looking back at him anxiously.

She reached out for him and gave to him the sketchpad that she's holding.

Syaoran accepted it and that's when he saw the beautiful piece of work drawn in it.

The image from Sakura's mind, drawn in the sketchpad, was the two of them hugging each other. The setting was not in Milan, but in the seashore in Hongkong, where they first met.

He looked at her happily, his eyes crinkling into pure joy.

He hurriedly walked towards her to cross the remaining gap between the two of them. In an instant, he embraced her longingly and searched for her lips, which he longed to kiss once more. And unlike their first kiss which was passionate and possessive, this one is much gentler and slow, as if they're taking their time to express their feelings to one another. Sakura could feel her heart still beating erratically now, but not anymore from nervousness. If ever, it is because of overflowing happiness.

And maybe if they weren't too out of breath to catch some air, their intimate kissing might have go on forever…

Sakura sighed contentedly, inching herself more inside his arms.

"How right you were. When you left me alone in Milan, that's when I came to my senses."

"It was kind of a risk. But I'm quite sure that somehow, I already have a place inside your heart. That's why I've been waiting for you to return ever since the first day I arrived here." He replied.

"Maybe if you didn't leave me soon enough, maybe up to now, I'm still harboring that pain inside of me…"

"You know, if you really didn't remember anything that night, then you'll certainly remember our honeymoon night." Syaoran looked at her amusingly. "Don't you think that's much better? For you, our first night will be our honeymoon night!"

Sakura rolled her eyes and pinched him playfully at his side. "Aren't you fast? Imagine, you're talking about honeymoon already?"

"Even a very grand wedding wherein everyone in the town is invited could be prepared in less than a month!" He declared happily.

"What? You're really rushing me aren't you?"

"We're going to talk to your father as soon as possible. This coming weekend."

Sakura stared at him in surprise. It's the only thing she managed to do after she heard him talked about wedding and stuffs like that. But she wouldn't have it any other way. She's happy now and nothing could change that.

Why do they have to wait for so long if they could get married right away?

She suddenly felt his soft lips pressing against her left ear, murmuring something.

"Promise, in our honeymoon, you will experience two orgasms or maybe more than that!"

Sakura felt her cheeks heat up as she glanced at his face smirking back at her.

"You're so naughty, Xiaolang!"

Syaoran sighed loudly. "It's really good to hear if your name is being spoken out loud by the person you love. It's really a very sweet endearment… my Sakura."

And as their lips met once more, Sakura couldn't help but close her eyes.

Syaoran, Xiaolang, Little Wolf…all of these means the same to her. These are the names of the one and only person she loves the most.

THE END

kotsch

A/N: Yay! It's finished! I'm happy! How do you like it guys? I hope it's not that bad… I'm really sleepy now but I decided to finish this story now so I could continue with my other fics. Just want to thank everyone who reviewed and read this fic. Arigatou Gozaimas everyone! Ja!