Hello everyone!

I've been working on this story for a while now and really, it's pretty much done so all I have to do is upload them onto the site. I hope you enjoy it. (I did my best to keep this story short and sweet.) Odd...I've never written in first person before...ANYWAYS, I'd like to know what you think and if there are any questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer them soon. Thanks!

Because it was difficult for me to think up a title, I might change it, but I'm not sure. Let me know what you think!

Stray Memories

Part I

Maybe I am not the one who loves you the most, but you are the one I love the deepest, with all my heart.

-Hyde

Hi. My name is Sakura Kinomoto, eleventh grade student at Haru High school. This is my second year at this prestigious school. My dad really wanted me to go here ever since I was a child. My brother Touya finished High school here. It used to be split into two sections; section A was an all boys' school while section B was an all girls' school. This year, that tradition was altered slightly. The boys and girls sections are now interconnected and is opened to all students.

It's a high-status school and I worked hard to pull my grades up to get back in this year. I was especially glad when I heard that the two sections were now linked.

Over time everyone has a story. This one's mine.

I've never been very social so I can't say I have many friends, just a few acquaintances. But when I was just a child, I remember a dark eyed boy that I spent my time with. I did almost everything with him and then one day…he just disappeared.

The others later told me that Syoaran had been in an accident and he couldn't stay in our neighbourhood anymore. When I asked them why, they said he had amnesia. Of course I didn't know what that was at the time - all I knew was what they told me, which was that staying in our neighbourhood would hurt him and bring back horrible memories.

They never told me what kind of memories, but I always thought that he would've have been fine because if it had been me in his place…I had no doubt that our time spent together would have outweighed any bad memories experienced.

Sad, isn't it? In a way I began to withdraw from the world after that incident. I was really young, but when Syaoran left, I cried. At first I didn't believe my dad that I would never play with Syoaran again, but after a few weeks the truth finally began to set in and I cried. But now? Just maybe I had found Syaoran again.

Maybe.

I first noticed a young boy in the hallways. I don't know why I immediately thought of Syaoran. I thought time had made me forget, but the moment I saw this person, I thought of my childhood friend. I think it might have been the hair. It was dark and shone blue under the sunlight. If there was one thing I remembered clearly about my friend, it was that his hair was always an outrageous colour. Even after being scolded by his parents, Syoaran would always find some way to dye his hair a pink or a green. Of course it was never a permanent colour as he didn't have the money. Plus, the downside of having permanent colour meant that you would have to keep wasting money if you wanted a new colour every week. No, instead he bought the dye that was found in aerosol cans.

I remember because once in awhile he would let me spray his hair pink. He never would let me spray his hair another colour. Just pink. There was some logic behind that, however faint and childish it was but the only thing I remember now when I think back on it was something to do with my name. The name Sakura and flowers.

Anyways, I became obsessed with this blue haired individual. I wanted to ask if he was who I thought he was. But the thought that I would bring back horrible memories always came back to me. Besides, that's the reason he left right? Because if he had not, he would have been reminded of something horrible. For all I knew, I could've been one of those people capable of causing him bad memories. Syoaran's family probably thought it was best for him to start a new life. The amnesia had happened at such a young age and it would've been easier to just start his life over.

I kept an eye on this blue haired boy all through my tenth grade year and learned that his name was Eriol Hiragizawa. This should have discouraged me, but instead I wondered if his parents had purposely changed his name. That's why I had been so glad when the boys' section had been integrated with the girls' section that year. Instead of only catching glimpses of Syaoran, I was capable of maybe approaching him.

I wanted so badly to tell him who I was and I had many chances to confront him. Every time I had my chance however, I would chicken out. He was always hanging around this other kid named Li. They practically went everywhere together. Maybe I was jealous, I don't know. All I did know was that this hazel eyed boy had a glare in his eye that intimidated the hell out of me.

Li was the name that everyone called him. I mean didn't this kid have a first name, or was it a last name? I've never heard anyone call him anything else. I guess Eriol (Really I should be saying Syoaran, but we'll just stick with Eriol-kun for now) knew him more on a personal level and so probably did call him by his first name, but I've never been close enough to hear him call Li's name.

Getting back on track, Li was almost always with Eriol and that left me no room to talk privately with him. Li's hair was a chestnut brown and his short messy style was the only thing that resembled Syoaran. (Even now, I can't help but compare everyone I see to him.) When I finally did meet Eriol for the first time, it was just the first day of spring.

That day, it was warm.

I suppose I wasn't looking at where I was going…

The moment I crashed into the stranger, the force pushed me to the ground.

"Hey! Watch it!…"

"Sorry!" I replied trying to see who it was I was saying sorry to because the crash had pulled my glasses right off my face. I reached around trying to feel them out. I wasn't exactly blind without them, but it was still fuzzy and the bodies walking past me weren't helping. Besides, I was starting to get a little worried that someone had come along and accidentally stepped on them.

"Damn, what'd you do this time? A girl too." A noticeably handsome boy with blue hair elbowed the boy rubbing his shoulder and bent down towards me.

I was speechless as his face came closer and he handed me the glasses I had been looking for.

"These are yours? Sorry, my friend wasn't looking at where he was going. He'll be more careful next time."

I just nodded dumbly. His 'friend' came in view as soon as I put my glasses back on.

Li.

Of course who else could it be?

"I'm sorry! It was my fault. Really." I picked myself off the ground and gave Li a slight bow.

Li stopped making such a big production out of rubbing his shoulder and frowned. "Geeze kid, spaz much?" he grunted as a hand came out like lightning and slapped him in the head.

"What the hell was that for? This girl almost breaks off my arm and now you want to give me a headache?"

Eriol's face didn't falter. "Apologize to her."

"Fuck off, you apologize to me." he started rubbing his head at this time. "Besides, she hit me, if I apologize where's thejustice in that?"

"Your logic," Eriol began carefully, "is as stupid as you are. And button up your uniform when you're in school dummy."

I blinked at their confrontation. It was only when I heard a misplaced rustle behind me that I realized a crowd was forming in the halls. I've never been one for attention and the murmers surrounding me were getting to be quite awkward. I gathered my things and cleared my throat.

"Really, it was my fault. I'm just going to go. I'm really sorry." I turned to leave, but jumped at the sound of anger. Real deep anger.

"If you want to apologize, you go and do it. Who asked the dumb brat to apologize anyways? Go to hell." he gave the crowd a withering glare and then turned that glare towards me, making my hair stand on end. He walked off without another word.

I stood, unable to move then. The thought that I had just ruined my best friend's relationship was a little too much. I hadn't exactly planned it like this, but I had finally gotten Li away from Eriol. I should have felt happy about what I did, but I didn't know how to face Eriol. He didn't know who I was and he probably hated me now.

Turning to face him, I hesitated. It was my chance to tell him who I was. After all these years I finally had him in my grasp and what was more, Li was no longer around.

The perfect opportunity.

Nevertheless, that one look I took while facing Eriol hadn't feel right. I bolted. Naturally he didn't try to stop me.

I hadn't expected him to.

When I stopped running, my face felt hot. Too hot. I was blushing? I didn't know whether Eriol was Syaoran, but I knew I had felt something the moment I first saw him. Only just then, it hadn't felt right. Something snapped in me and I ran. I didn't know what was wrong with me…Syaoran and I had been best friends. I couldn't help but think that Eriol wasn't trying hard enough on his part. Didn't I mean anything to him at all? It made me…almost sad to think that none of his old memories had ever resurfaced.

It's been a while since I've cried for Syaoran.

"Eriol wants to know about his past Sakura. You deserve to know why he really left and why he hasn't tried to make any contact with you." Encouraged, I ran back in the direction whence I came. When I realized he had left, I quickly ran in the direction I usually saw him take home. After all, I had watched him for almost a year now.

Hiding behind the bushes, five minutes later, my stomach fell.

Li…why was this guy always around? "I guess it's my fault he's not walking with Eriol." I made a face. "He yelled at Eriol. Jerk. Syaoran doesn't belong in hell…you do." I rambled on silently as I watched his leisure gait. As I grew all the more bitter, a large dog came running up to Li and I had half a mind to warn the dog to run for his life, else he get kicked to the other side of the world.

However, what I saw then made my breath catch.

Li placed his bag on the ground and bent down slightly to stroke the dog's long white hair. I watched as his eyes flashed with a childish innocence. I watched as his smile melted into a lop sided grin that made the sun pale in it's radiance. All of it made my heart hurt.

I felt like slapping myself. No wonder I couldn't have faced Eriol after the incident earlier. I should have recognized my guilt. The boy in front of me was the person Eriol saw and who I never thought was. Eriol had been able to see past that harsh exterior. What sort of friend was I if I couldn't accept his friend? After seeing Li like this…I wanted to get to know him. I wanted to get to know Eriol's friend because then we'd be closer.

"Do you plan to stay in those bushes forever? I know you're there."

I jumped then. Hesitating, I emerged from my hiding place and noticed the surprised look on his face. Obviously, he had returned to his regular self.

"What the hell do you want now? Just seeing your face makes me want to run. You already apologized. Are you here to beg for forgiveness now?"

His words pierced me. He barely knew me and yet he had already decided that I was just an insignificant individual. I didn't feel that I was justified to get angry however. I had done the same thing to him earlier. "I was looking for your friend Eriol-kun. I thought he would be with you. I really wasn't stalking you or anything."

"Who said anything about stalking?" Li picked up his bag and stood back up. "Besides, you were in those bushes pretty long. Any sane person would have noticed that I'm alone. I can't say that I'm exactly flattered that you were admiring me."

"I wasn't-" I stopped short as he took a step towards me. My height barely reached his shoulder. "You saw me?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Of course I saw, what am I blind?"

My throat seemed to tighten at his words and my mind flooded with memories I thought I had locked up for good.

-Past-

"Saku!" Syaoran pushed apart the rose bushes to see if his friend was hiding there like she usually was. "Ouch!" pricking his finger, he pulled back and growled. "Why do I get dragged into playing this dumb game?" he sighed and headed for the main door to get a band-aid. "She can wait a little longer for hurting me…" he grumbled as his hand reached out for the door knob, freezing when he caught movement from the corner of his eye.

Sakura huddled just inside the backseat of her father's car.

He blinked in disbelief. "How did I miss that?" forgetting about his band-aid, he smiled mischievously, running to the car window. He pressed his face against the glass before yelling "Found you!"

Sakura jumped from the abrupt declaration. Shaking, she looked up at the window only to widen her eyes in fear at the monstrous look Syaoran made against the glass.

"Hey, how long are you going to stay in there? Come out already. This is dumb and I'm hungry."

Sakura recovered herself and unlocked the door to get out. "You're very good at this game Syaoran. You always find me."

Syoaran shrugged, placing his arms behind his head. "That's only because you're so easy to find. I know I'd be able to find you no matter where you go. I mean what am I, blind?"

Sakura smiled. "You're hand. I'm sorry you got hurt trying to find me."

"What? This?" he showed her his hand which had now swelled up slightly. "Don't tell me you moved so you could see if I was hurt. Give me a break. Is that the reason I saw you?" he thrust his hurt finger out right in front of Sakura's face. "Does this look like it'll kill me?"

Sakura shook her head, wondering why he was getting all mad. "It looks like it hurts though. I can make it better. I know how." before Syaoran could react, Sakura leaned forward and kissed his finger.

"Hey! Stop that! Eww Saku…" he allowed her to usher him into the house where she went in the bathroom and came out with a band-aid.

"I can do it myself." he grumbled, snatching the thing from her fingers and doing his best not to look flustered and embarrassed by her kiss.

-End-

It's my turn to find you now, isn't it Syoaran?

"Stop,"

I pulled myself back into reality and looked up at Li.

"looking at me like that!" his temper flared and the kind eyes I saw before were now completely gone. I also couldn't help but notice that the dog was also missing. Probably scared by his anger.

Refusing to yell back, I averted my gaze. "Sorry, I-"

"Stop apologizing! Damn it, you're starting to give me a headache." he closed his eyes and then reopened them. "Look, let's get a few things straight. I'm not going to get between you and your boy toy Eriol-kun," he imitated. "But don't think that I'm going to help you nab him just because we're friends."

Undignified, Sakura's fists tightened. "I didn't say anything about him being my boy toy."

"Whatever. I've seen the way you girls stare at him. Like he's a slab of meat for the main course." he shuddered. "I'm not helping. I hate girls like that."

His words wanted to make me cringe, but instead I replied, "It's not like that. Eriol-kun is special…I wanted to talk to him because maybe he'll get to know me more and maybe even you and I…" I blushed wondering if the words I just blabbed were as outgoing as I thought they were.

"You…" Li's face was in bewilderment. "What are you…saying?"

"Nothing! Forget it." If I had told him everything then, I knew there was a good chance he would've leaked out everything to Eriol, thinking my story was just a way to get closer to him. I couldn't have that. I'd just have to find Eriol th next day and try to confront him.

I just wanted to get closer to him so I could be happier.

"I didn't mean to bother you or waste your time. Really. I'm going to go now okay?"

Li gave me a glare as if to say 'good riddance'. I hoped he would've shown me some of the kindness I saw earlier, but all proof that he was capable of showing such compassion was long gone now.

As I walked away from him that day, I was left feeling strangely bereft. And if I didn't hear wrong, under the rustling of the cherry blossoms trees, my own heart was saying there was no turning back.

"My notebook…" I dumped all the contents of my bag out and only then was I satisfied that my Japanese history notebook was missing. "I remember I put it in my bag yesterday. Maybe I left it in class?"

That's when it hit me. I crammed my books into my bag and ran out the door.

"It must have accidentally dropped when I crashed into Li-san." I ran as fast as I could've to the train station. If I arrived earlier, I would have had a better chance of finding it. "Maybe it's still lying on the ground. I was one of the last people out of the school yesterday…there should still be a good chance of it being there."

Anxiously, I approached the area where I had crashed into Li and with a keen eye, searched every nook and cranny; anywhere the book could have been kicked into. It was nowhere in sight.

"I was in such a rush to get away from Eriol-kun, I didn't even check if anything had fallen out of my bag during the crash." my mind flew back to yesterday in order to logically go over what happened. I couldn't stay there very long however. Eriol's face kept appearing in my head and all I could picture was his smile as he asked if I was alright.

I blushed furiously until it occurred to me that Eriol may have picked up my book; just like he had picked up my glasses. I looked around for anyone that may have seen him and settled for a few girls walking down the hall.

"Excuse me, have you seen Eriol-kun anywhere?" I was pretty sure they knew who I was talking about, but I noticed that they looked at me with a frown.

A girl with big blue eyes answered. "He's in the cafeteria."

"Thank you very much!" I smiled warmly, wondering whether their deepening frown was supposed to discourage me. I suppose it should have as I knew the cafeteria they were referring to wasn't the regular cafeteria. It was the cafeteria that actually served meals like a restaurant and only those that could afford it would go inside. I had never been inside before now and I wondered what it would look like.

When I entered the glass doors, I realized that I recognized no one. There was no cafeteria line up and the tables and chairs were decorated ornately with flowers and rich coloured table cloths. Half of the cafeteria stretched outside almost like a balcony, separating the inside and outside with more glass doors. The ceilings were high and the scent of cooking food enveloped the air I was breathing. It was all very pretty.

I looked around for a familiar blue haired boy and saw that it really wasn't hard to spot him. Awkwardly, I went across the room and through the glass doors to the large balcony. Eriol sat by himself at a small table, one arm resting on the table and another on the back of his chair. He seemed to be enjoying the spring air.

"Eriol-kun?"

He looked up and then gave a kind smile. "Sakura-chan."

I was hardly able to hide my blush. If he really was Syaoran, this would've been the first time in eight years that I heard my name come from his lips. "You know my name?"

He smiled expectantly. "Sorry. I read it off the history notebook you dropped yesterday. You were in such a rush, you must have forgotten it."

"Oh." I said in relief. "So you do have it. That's great."

"I thought you were angry at me because you took one look at me and ran. That's why I gave the book to Li. He said he would give it back to you when I gave it to him this morning."

"I'm not angry at all Eriol-kun! I'm sorry for running." I suddenly felt extremely rude. "I hope you can resolve things with your friend."

Eriol laughed and I saw that I had nothing to compare the sound to. It'd been too long since I heard Syaoran laugh. Nevertheless, it must've sound as warm as his.

Eriol rose from his chair in a swift movement. "You forgot all about your book as soon as I said something about you being angry at me."

"Huh?…I uh," I looked to the ground. "I'm..sorry." I said uncomfortably. "I didn't mean to offend you yesterday."

Eriol shrugged. "Not at all. You don't know me, I don't know you, why would I be offended?"

Despite his smile, his words hurt. I wanted to leave suddenly. "That's right, you wouldn't happen to know where your friend is now, would you?"

He tapped his long pointer finger on his chin. "He likes to take walks. He's probably somewhere around the grounds." his smile softened then.

I looked up at him, half expecting him to tell me this was all a joke. That he was Syaoran.

"Will you go and search for him?"

There it was again…that calm look…as if he knew I was searching for him. But why? If he knew, why wouldn't he reveal himself?

"Yes. I'm going to find him." I looked up directly into his eyes, almost determinedly. And yet that level and knowing look didn't leave his eyes. "I need my book for class this afternoon." I added.

"Good luck then." was all he said. "Li isn't the easiest to get along with." he gave a small wave and with his hands in his pockets, he walked back inside.

I was unable to confront you again. After all this time…it just has to be this hard.

"Hey! Please wait-" I watched in disbelief as Li's body vanished from my sight into the crowd. At this point, I was starting to think he was purposely ignoring me.

"…"

When I had first spotted him, he was in the courtyard, looking quite uncomfortable with the attention he was receiving from three young girls. They seemed to be pressing him for something and I watched as he tried to fend them off…or at least that's what it looked like he was doing. Oddly enough, the moment I came within five metres of him, his attitude changed completely and both he and the three girls started walking away.

Undefeated, I followed them, only to lose sight of him in the hallway crowd. Incidentally, the girls he had been with seemed just as puzzled as me to where he had disappeared to. This is what started my suspicions. He couldn't have possibly been ignoring me.

Walking back outside, I began strolling around the school's path, hoping I'd run into him. I didn't have very much time until the school bell would ring and I couldn't believe my ears when it did ring. What was wrong with this person? I was almost sure he had seen me…why did he leave in such a rush? I sighed and went to class. I'd have to try looking for him during lunchtime.

That was exactly where I was then, and where Li had once again vanished from my sight. All I wanted was my book! I felt like crying. I could only imagine the things the sensei would say to me. I wasn't about to be scolded on Li's account!

Following him out of the crowd, I watched him dodge around the corner of the school. Sighing, I resumed the chase, but as I winded the corner, I could see no one. I felt like pulling my hair out.

I checked my watch and heaved in defeat. I only had a few minutes left to prepare for a lecture from the history sensei. Today was the day when our sensei would call on someone in the class and have them read out a memorized section of the history book. That book I had…it was the notebook I needed, in case he also wanted us to read out our responses from the day before. Everything I had written was in that book.

"Darn you…" my fists tightened in anger. "Would it kill you to give me back my book? Bastard…"

"Hey, who the hell are you calling those names?"

I blinked in surprise. "Who…w-who said-" I looked around me. I was perfectly alone.

"Idiot…" the voice said in exasperation. "Look up would you."

I did and saw none other than Li lounging on a sturdy branch up in the tree just above me.

"How did you-" I stopped short, getting directly to the point. "My book. I need it for my next class."

"Why?" he continued looking at the sky as if I weren't there.

I thought his question was just to make me angry. "I'll get in trouble."

"Well, just don't go to class then. Dummy. I mean why would you go to class only to get yelled at?" he stretched lithely on the branch and if I hadn't been so irritated, I would've admired his balance.

"I've been trying to get your attention for a while. I know you noticed."

He finally acknowledged me with a look. "Yeah so? I told you just looking at you gives me a headache."

This time, I couldn't hide my anger. "Why you!…"

He seemed so amused by this, he burst out laughing. Between the chuckles he managed to make out, "So you're vocabulary is made up of more than the word 'sorry'?" he stopped laughing altogether and looked down at me. "That's good. Just because you don't know me, doesn't mean you have to be all nice and flowery. I hate it when people force themselves to be nice."

I met his gaze. "It's because I don't know you that I'm being polite, it's not nice to be rude to someone you don't know."

"I didn't say that." he went back to looking at the sky. "I meant that you could have yelled back at me when I was being rude to you. People who just take everything the world hands out to them; who accept everything, good and bad. They're useless."

"What if they can't do anything about it?" I grumbled, stopping once again and peering up at Li. This was the second time I saw that sliver of kindness and sense in him. "You know, if you're capable of being nice, why don't you actually use that to your advantage and be nicer?"

"Because the world needs people like me, that's why. Just like I'm sure they need cherry blossom girls like you."

I wondered if he knew my name with that comment. "Did you read my book?"

"I may have ran my eyes over it."

"You can't do that, it's rude. Besides, class is almost starting. Could you give it back now? Thanks for keeping it safe."

"Who says I did that?"

I was alarmed by that. "What? Don't you have it? Eriol-kun said-"

"Oh, I see. So I am the in between guy." He sighed and pushed himself up so he was sitting on the branch instead of lying on it. "Well never mind, that guy is too stupid for me to hang around with anyway." he waved his hands in front of his face.

"You're still angry at each other? But I thought you had resolved everything." I made a guilty face. "Sorry."

"You-" he swung himself down with a smooth motion. "are really," he pushed a finger against my forehead. "stupid." he looked down at me with a superior glare. "I'm leaving now. I feel suffocated by this conversation. See-ya." he gave a small wave as he started to amble off.

"My book." I ran in front of him. "I need it. I'll leave you alone after."

"You mean until you want to get closer to that so called friend of mine. Then you'll come running back. Odd…I always thought that I was the better looking one." the bell rang just then. "If you don't start running, you're going to be late."

"Li-san. Please give me my book."

He blinked, going back to his amused expression. "Li-san huh?" he smiled in a shrewd way . "That has a nice ring to it. It's always with the Li-kun, Li-kun." His voice went a few octaves higher. "Li-kun! Can I walk with you? Li-kun! Would you like to share my lunch?" he returned to his normal tones. "Li-san shows respect. I like that. What's your name again cherry blossom?"

"If you know it, then don't ask!" my temper flared. "Give me the book!"

He reached for his back pocket, unruffled by my anger. "I know your name?" his face lit up. "You mean this book?"

Just as I hoped, Li pulled out a small notebook titled Japanese History. I was ecstatic as I snatched it out of his hands.

"Yes, thank you. I'm going to class now, you should too." I quickly ran off.

I didn't know then that I had been tricked.

"That bastard…"

As I held the buckets of water just outside my classroom, the soft snickers of students passing the hallway made me want to weep in pity. Pity for myself.

I was tricked!

I should have known…That bastard!

To be continued…

Yes, I'm sure everyone's wondering what Li did to Sakura as I'm sure you can just imagine. I really like writing their conversations...even if it's just yelling and nonsense. Well thanks for taking the time to read this! I'll update this one in a more consistent matter hahaha.

-silent wanderer