Hello again! Just one more exam and I'm free everyone! But, yes everyone seems to be wondering where Syaoran was, and what he was doing...you don't exactly get the answer in this chapter, but you will don't worry. (Syaoran wants to keep it a secret!) Stay tuned to figure out what he did...AND, thank you for reviewing and please do not be depressed by this chapter, I didn't like writing it much either. Something just didn't flow...enough badmouthing my story, please do not let that deter you from actually reading...haha

Stray Memories

I continued to mutter angrily at myself. Though Syaoran may have wanted me at his party, a person like me would hardly have been suited for a celebration as prominent as Syaoran's 18'th birthday. I was too simple to be with all those other people. I understood that.

But even accepting the truth, I was a few blocks away from my house when I bumped against a solid mass in front of me. I stumbled back and my hand flew to my nose, which had taken most of the impact. I looked up. "Sorry! I wasn't looking-" my eyes widened. "Syaoran!" I took another look at him, in case my eyes were seeing illusions.

Syaoran.

Part VI

He towered over me. He was dressed in a black suit, that hung tautly to his body. His shoulders were broad and with his hair, slightly slicked back, his eyes like flames, and an undone tie flaying in the wind, I couldn't deny his anger. As he looked down at me, his chin was tilted slightly to one side and his eyes burned into mine. I felt that I should have been scared.

But I wasn't.

He had left me alone and I had fallen into his trap. The embarrassment of being kicked out of his house was too much. I levelled my gaze to match his. If he was angry, I had all the more reason to be the same.

Then again, maybe I was just trying to show him that I was capable of not always being nice. That I wouldn't take everything the world handed out to me, good or bad. That I wasn't "useless".

After a moment of silence, I heaved a sigh and said "Your party looked nice. Have fun, I'm going home." and I started to walk away.

He was speechless for a while and that allowed me to take a few steps before he caught me. "What the hell did you say?" his voice was loud, but I didn't flinch. "You're going home!"

I was irritated with that look again. As if I was the stupid one. But then, I knew perfectly well he was leaving today.

"I said have fun at your party. What do you want from me?" I frowned into his face, perfectly understanding that I was just managing to fan the flames with my words. The angrier he became, the more satisfied I would be.

And If not being included on the list had been a joke, it hadn't been funny. I could've almost imagined Syaoran waiting at the gate of my house, timing to see how long it would take for me to get kicked out of his mansion. The thought however, didn't last long.

It was hard for me to think so bitterly of Syaoran.

He looked like he was going to say something, but instead, he glared and grabbed my hand. "We're going, hurry up."

I yanked my hand back. "I told you I don't want to!" Despite his tugging and my arm going numb, I still felt the need to protect Syaoran's gift, so I made sure to hold it away from him.

He stopped pulling at my words. "You don't want to?…" his words came out harshly and formed the sentence into more of a statement, rather than a question. He was careful with his next words. "What are you trying to say?"

He was entirely serious so I hesitated. In the end, I retorted back with my own unleashed anger. "Nothing! I'm not saying anything. Don't I have the right to decide whether or not I want to go somewhere or not? I don't want to go!" I froze when I finished. Looking up, I hoped Syaoran wouldn't look hurt.

He looked down at me for almost a minute. "Why are you so angry?"

"I'm not." I snapped.

He sighed. "What's your problem? It's like there's two of you. The old you and then…" he waited. "then this. I don't remember pissing you off this much you know."

His words hit me somewhere and it hurt. He was right. I wasn't like how I used to be. I wasn't. I kept my eyes to his chest as I replied. "If you don't like it then just leave me alone. You're going to be late for your party. Bye." I turned to leave, but once again, he grabbed my hand.

"Stupid! I told you I wanted to be with you!" he spun me around with a strong enough force that all I could do was stare at him.

I looked to the ground, unable to meet his penetrating gaze.

"Did you know how happy I was to find you? I don't care who you are compared to then, it's all the same to me. I want to be with you. Why else would I ask you to wait for me? I told you to not always be so nice." He scoffed when I failed to answer him back. "You idiot, why can't you process that? Do you think I'm the kind of person that would play around with just anyone!"

I just stood there being scolded. "I-I didn't say that."

"Then what's your problem!"

"I was just at your party." I said without emotion.

"What?"

"I was told that I wasn't included in the list of invites, so I left. Obviously there was a reason why I wasn't on that list."

He glared at me. "What the hell? Who told you to go off alone? I was coming to pick you up! Do you know how long I waited! I could've have been at the party already if it wasn't for you." he stopped when he realized the immensity of his words.

I was surprised to hear he was waiting for me however. I almost felt touched at the thought. Nevertheless, I answered "Sorry, for keeping you from your grand party."

He sighed in irritation, placing a hand on my bowed head. "Shit…why does this always happen? Why can't anything ever work out?"

I was thinking the same thing. After all this time, when I had finally found Syaoran, everything was falling apart. It made me doubt our relationship. Especially when I thought about the long three years before us.

"Here, let's just skip the party and go somewhere else okay?"

I looked up in surprise and shook my head. "No, everyone's waiting for you. It's wrong to keep them waiting. Just go."

"Fuck them! You think I'm going to spend my last day in Japan trying to make them happy? Now let's see…" he tapped his finger on his chin. "Let's go…hmmm no…what about…"

I looked up at him then. He wanted to be with me? The thought that he would ignore his responsibilities altogether just to spend time with me made my heart beat fast. I knew how important his coming of age was. He was going to take over the Li corporation.

Stupid. Didn't he know that there were more important things than us spending time together? How could he have been so reckless and think only about our relationship? Just thinking about it made my heart feel funny. He was always saying things like that. It always managed to make me want to smile through my disbelief.

Before I knew what I was doing, I reached out and held tightly onto a part of his tie that was swaying in the wind. I pulled it down with all I had, until his face was inches from mine. The abrupt attack seemed to surprise him.

"Ow, The hell are you-"

I placed my lips softly on top of his. The moment seemed to last forever and I could hear my heart beating against my chest. My temples throbbed. "Thank you." I whispered against his lips, smiling into his widened eyes.

When I released his tie a second later, I placed my hand in his and dragged him in the direction of the mansion. I couldn't meet his gaze and I decided it was best if I didn't look back at all.

"I'm sorry. I'll go with you to your party. Everyone will be waiting for you." I felt like my blush was stained into my cheeks. This had been our second kiss and I had initiated it. I barely knew what to do with my lips and to initiate something like that, made my heart race.

It was only when we were at the front porch that I decided I would chance it and look back at Syaoran. His face was blank and I couldn't tell what he was staring at. It definitely wasn't in my direction though. His free hand covered his lips and I could tell he seemed to be trying very hard to suppress a blush. He looked embarrassed and angry at the same time. I revealed a frown that I was unable to hide, dropping his hand like it was poison.

"Stop looking like that…" I muttered under my breath, as I gestured for him to knock.

He didn't move, ignoring me and dazed by his own emotions.

Sighing in frustration, I took the duty upon myself and pressed the door bell. It was slightly embarrassing to be back.

The man that had kicked me out opened the door in surprise. He looked down at me as if I was garbage, but I didn't run away.

"Please miss. You must leave. I have informed you that you are not invited to this party. I do not wish to escort you off the property."

"I wouldn't have come if I wasn't invited." I stated, the idea that Syaoran was particularly useless at the moment was just in the back of my mind. I cringed when the man took me by the wrist, tightly. "W-wait!"

"Sorry miss. You have no business here." He fought off my struggle. " Please do not want to make a scene."

"Let go of her."

The next thing I knew the pressure on my wrist lessened dramatically, and a look of terror had appeared on the man's face when I looked up. His hand twisted in an unnatural way as I turned to Syaoran.

Syaoran's features were harsh and a side of his mouth quirked up in a dark smirk. "Don't touch her." he said, continuing to smile. "If she ever wants to come into this mansion, you'll welcome her, alright?"

The man nodded, as he seemed overcome with pain. "Master Li…I-I didn't see you there! Yes, of c-course! Any friend of yours is w-welcome."

"Syaoran's eyes narrowed and his smile grew larger. "Good. Now apologize to her." He gave a quick kick to his shin and the man fell down on his right knee. His cry made my ears cringe.

"I'm sorry miss. It won't h-happen again!"

At this time, I pried Syaoran's hand away from the attendant. "Syaoran, let go of him! You're going to break his hand!" I turned frantically to the attendant. "It's okay, I forgive you!"

Syaoran just looked at me, his entire mood changing back. "Are you okay? What do you want to do with him?"

I stared at him in disbelief. "Just let him go. I'm fine." his words took a while to register in my head. They were harsh and cruel, but…I couldn't help but feel something for his sincerity. I felt guilty for ever doubting him.

"You're sure?" he asked seriously. He turned to the attendant and tightened his grip on the man's lapel. "You can kick him around if you want."

I couldn't tell if he was joking or not, but nevertheless, I tugged his hand away from the terrified man. "It's fine, let him go. Are you crazy?"

"He was grabbing you, and you think I'm crazy?" Syaoran pushed the man's hand and lapel easily away and entered into the mansion. "My head hurts." he growled.

I sighed when we were inside. It wasn't me who had the split personality. Syaoran was capable of pity and most of the time acted like an idiot around Eriol, but to others he was almost a monster. He had a temper that maintained a short fuse. His strength was overwhelming at times. He was simple. Too simple I thought. Quick to be happy and even quicker to be angry. Like a child. It was probably why when he spoke so seriously to me at times, that it made my heart beat faster.

"You picked a nice dress." he commented out of the blue.

I had been angry at him, but his words caught my surprise and I didn't know what to say. The murder was gone from his eyes, like it had that day he had stated his glare was the only look capable of getting rid of the girls that flocked him.

He seemed to wait for an answer. "Hey, say something when someone compliments you. And take off that jacket, it's summer!"

"Oh." I said dumbly, doing what he asked. When it was off and one of the servants in waiting took my jacket, he stared down at me. "Quit looking at me like that. It makes me self-conscious."

He frowned. "You look at me all the time." he stated almost too bluntly. When he saw a look of surprise on my face, his curiosity grew all the more larger. "Ohh, so you thought I didn't notice? Anyways, I suppose someone like you should feel that way."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, indignantly.

He opened his mouth to make a snide remark, but didn't have the chance to answer because a crowd of attendants came over towards him.

"Everyone is waiting young master. Please join the festivities."

"Madam has just arrived young master, she would like to see you."

"We are all awaiting your speech."

I stared dumbly at the scene. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. His lifestyle was quite different from mine. Just watching made me dizzy.

Syaoran however, seemed indifferent as he brushed off everyone and reached out to take my hand, tugging me into the lounge I had been admiring earlier. I pulled my hand from his just as we entered and he glanced at me in suspicion. He couldn't say anything because the entire room was filled with applause and Syaoran was brought to the stage.

"Sakura-chan!"

I followed the sound of the voice and saw Eriol signal me to sit down at one of the tables near the stage. I smiled at viewing a familiar face and went over to sit down.

"Sakura-chan, you look pretty. You came with Li then?"

"Thank you." I smiled. "You look very handsome too, Eriol-kun." I blushed at his smile and sat down at the table. "Hmm, I came with Syaoran. I told him he didn't need to pick me up, but he did anyways. How stubborn." I laughed.

"He really likes you, neh Sakura-chan?" that calm smile of his had returned and was dancing on his lips.

"I don't know about that." I replied. "He probably doesn't know what he wants. It'll be good for him to leave Japan and see other parts of the world."

"And you'd like that?"

I had an idea that he would ask me that and I was determined to not show how uncomfortable I really felt. "Of course I'm happy for him. Actually, I think he's really happy to be given the responsibility of taking over the corporation."

Before he could reply, the stage microphone went on and I looked up to hear the applause welcoming Syaoran onto the stage. While the clapping began to fade, I wondered what he would be saying. More than that, I wondered whether he had the capability of talking in front of such a large group of strangers.

He waited for silence, his face hard to read. I was almost proud of the dignified tone he took.

"There is no doubt that the Li corporation is beginning to diminish, but the thought that it will continue to diminish is an ignorant one." He was calm with his words, as if the whole speech had been imprinted already in his head. "As of now, many of you are wondering who the current leader is, and if due to the last leader falling under sickness would the whole corporation fall to ruins. Perhaps it would all go to my mother? Perhaps anyone who is attempting to destroy the corporation would think it a good idea to take advantage of the last leader presiding, due to his condition? Then every one of you would be wrong." He gave a determined smile. "As this day marks my eighteenth birthday, I am able to announce that I will be taking over my family's corporation, completely coming in power when I am fully experienced. If anyone tries to hurt this corporation, they will first attempt to find a way through me. I am here to announce my leaving to America today."

At this point, the applause had turned into an uproar. I also moved my hands in a weak clap. Syaoran emanated the strength of a leader. I may have doubted him before, but I could see that Syaoran really was needed. He hadn't told me much information regarding the corporation and I never felt the need to ask him. The fact that the cameras and the paparazzi were going off like no tomorrow made me wonder what I had gotten myself into. Waiting three years for a someone that was probably now one of the most famous individuals in all of Japan? It scared me.

As I looked back up at the podium, I saw that an older man was now speaking, Syaoran just beside him. I didn't pay attention to the man's words because Syaoran caught me thinking and stared down at me with a curious gaze.

When he came down, everyone rose from their seats and began to mingle. A few young ladies quickly found their ways to Eriol and I noticed the same situation with Syaoran. Who wouldn't want to be the heir of the Li corporation's centre of affection? Even as I was thinking it, it felt ironic that in fact, that was the last thing I wanted. Even though I loved him, Syaoran and I were so different.

All I wanted was to see Syaoran happy.

I watched as Syaoran pushed past his admirers, coming towards me. And as he approached me, I couldn't meet his gaze. I took to staring at the carpet instead.

"Sakura, I want you to meet my mother." he didn't wait for me to get up, just pulled me lightly to my feet and urged me over to a prominent looking woman who were having a conversation. When she noticed the two of us, I saw that her eyes lingered over our clasped hands before coming to rest directly on me. I quickly pulled my hand from Syaoran's.

"You-"

I cut him off, smiling at his mother nervously. "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Li."

"And you." she replied, eyeing her son's slight outburst. "Syaoran has told me much about you. You must have been surprised to find my son again."

I didn't know if she was being particularly hostile, but I could feel that she wanted to protect her son and I respected that. I continued to smile. "I'm glad I found Syaoran again."

"We were close." Syaoran added, almost carefully, as if he was testing his words with his own mother. 'I remembered her easily after I found out who she was."

She gave her son an odd look and then turned back to face me. "I knew your father, Sakura. I respected him."

"I'm sure he feels the same towards you. He told me to tell you hello."

"Did he now?" she turned to her son. "And has Syaoran told you anything else interesting about me?"

"Mother-" he stepped in.

"Of course." I announced, stopping him. "Syaoran too respects you very much. I could tell."

She didn't say anything for a moment's time. Finally she gave a short smile. "It's unfortunate that my son must take leave so quickly just after you met."

I nodded. "It is." I could feel the heat from Syaoran's gaze on the back of my neck. Suddenly, his form appeared in front of me, almost like a protective barrier. I didn't particularly think it was necessary and I knew his mother didn't mean to sound so threatening. I reached out to stop him, but stopped at hearing his words.

"Mother, stop it. Sakura has told me that she is willing to wait for me for three years. After that time, I will come back and see her."

"Syaoran?" she seemed surprised by her son's words of possession. I knew I was. He had grown serious again.

"I told you she's someone special to me." He gave a soft smile to his mother. "I just wanted you to know that I'm not taking over the corporation to make you happy. I'm not doing it as a favour for you to allow me to be with her. It's because I know what my responsibility is, but aside from that, I promised Sakura I would come back to Japan and see her one day."

"Y-you…what are you saying? You can't possibly-"

"I love her mother."

Even before my eyes could widen, paparazzi went off in all directions. I stood there, unable to move, feeling that I was sinking into the floor. A look of anger and genuine surprise appeared on Syaoran's mother. The entire crowd was mumbling and pointing to the girl who the heir to the Li corporation had just admitted to be in love with. Me.

Time seemed to be freeze. From my peripheral vision, I saw the attendants attempt to stop the cameras from going off, but it was to no avail. They had been invited to take pictures and record the announcement of the new leader of the large corporation. They just never expected to also sneak in an even more interesting event. I wanted to hide my face.

Syaoran…did you know your mother wouldn't approve? Is that why you were doing this?

"You cannot be serious Syaoran. You are still so young. Both your father and I have constantly warned you at a young age to not get into any relationships. If this is just a phase, I will not question you. However, even I cannot approve of this. You are the heir to your father's corporation. You cannot associate yourself to just anyone." She looked almost pained.

My heart was racing. I knew there was another reason to why she was opposing our relationship. Somehow, Yelan still labelled me as a burden to Syaoran. It was the reason why she had dissociated her son from me in the past.

"She is not just anyone." Syaoran replied with a forceful tone. "We grew up together,"

At that, the journalists scribbled down Syaoran's direct quote. No one had known about our past up until then. No one in Japan had even known the Li corporation had an heir.

"She won't be a phase mother. I intend to keep my promise to her. I will come back to her."

"I will not allow it." She seemed to dislike the fact that her son was being so free with words while cameras were flashing. "You will come to your senses now or you will leave today and come to your senses in your time away from her."

Syaoran didn't reply back. His fist shook at his side.

I couldn't stand it any longer. It was too much. Somehow, somewhere inside of me, I knew there was another reason to why Syaoran's mother didn't accept me. I just didn't know what it was. I wanted to stop the entire confrontation, but I didn't know how to. What right did I have to speak out then?

Silently, I looked up and when all I could view was Syaoran's back, I was grateful. I was entirely sure that the cameras hadn't caught a clear picture of my face…yet. I swallowed my guilt and tugged gently on Syaoran's jacket, pressing my face into the fabric.

His anger dissipated as he looked behind his shoulder at me, my movement catching him off guard. Faintly, I heard a curse and there was a brief pause in the entire room.

"I've said what I've wanted to say, and up until now, I have always done of what you have asked without any question. I will arrive at the airport on my own."

And with that, he pulled me quickly out of the room and back outside of the mansion.

We had been walking in silence for quite some time now. I looked up at Syaoran, only to see the anger that was evidently there. I gave a brief sigh and suddenly stopped walking.

"You didn't include me on the list because of your mother." I stated sullenly, out of the blue.

He stopped then too. "She never told me about you back then. I told her you would be coming, but I knew she wouldn't add you to the list."

"That's why you insisted on picking me up." I smiled. "Thank you."

Syaoran glanced at me and the tense lines on his face quickly vanished. "I had something to do. That's why I was late in picking you up."

"What were you doing?"

"You'll see." he put a long finger against his lips and winked. "Secret."

I eyed him suspiciously. "...we should be heading back, it's almost time for your flight."

He shrugged and kept walking, tilting his head slightly back to look at me. "You think?"

"Of course, you only have a little over an hour now."

"Hmm." he had a thoughtful look on his face. "I'm starting to have doubts of whether I really want to leave."

"What?" I asked. "Didn't you say it was your responsibility? You felt so strongly about it."

"Well I feel strongly about you too."

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. "How can you say that so easily? After your own mother told you to forget about me too."

"She never told me about you Sakura." Syaoran's face was unreadable. "She kept me away from you. I can't forgive her for that."

"She's your mother Syaoran. Plus, I found you eventually."

"I had headaches because I was always trying to remember you." he whispered harshly. "And she never tried to tell me why. I don't care, I'll make her understand."

I frowned, teasing him, I asked "So does this mean you're giving up on me? You've made your decision to leave right?"

Syaoran tossed me an un-amused look. "You think I'd give you up that easily? Would you give up on me that easily?"

I just stared at him.

"Hey! What's with that pause? What the hell are you thinking? What other answer could you have!" He came over and leaned over me, glaring.

I shook my head, taking a step to close the gap between us. "I wanted to say…" I rested my forehead on his chest, "Thank you Syaoran. Thank you for today." I felt grateful to Syaoran. "I thought I was going to be angry at you because you told the whole world we were together, but you got me out after. Thank you."

He seemed pleased by my actions and slowly, I felt a pair of warm arms wrap around me. "Forget it. So, what did you get me as a gift? You did say you wanted to get me something didn't you?"

His gift was in my hand bag, hanging from my shoulder, but I had more important thoughts in my mind and I didn't answer him. "You know, this is probably the best goodbye we can have. I won't be able to see you off with your mother waiting."

"I told you I don't have to go." he leaned his head in so that his lips brushed my ear. "If you tell me to stay, I will you know."

My face felt like it was on fire. "I-I want you-"

"Yes?…"

"I want you to go." I sputtered quickly.

His whole body seemed limp for a second and I waited for his usual outburst. Instead, he released me and took a step away so that he could look clearly at me. "Do you really want to get rid of me?" His serious eyes made me hesitate.

"Hey, you know that's not what I want." I waved him away. "Stop looking at me like that, it makes my heart hurt." I bit my lip as I realized what I had said out loud. Carefully I raised my gaze to Syaoran.

I couldn't believe I had said that in front of him.

"What…did you say? I make your heart hurt?" he smiled in surprise and before I knew what was happening, his lips touched mine in a brief kiss. "You shouldn't say things like that if you're trying to get rid of me. It only makes me want to lock you up and keep you to myself." he grinned and gave me a quick hug. "I knew you wanted me to stay with you!"

I almost choked when I tried to speak. "Get away! Get away!" I fended him off. "You can't just do that so suddenly. It's not fair! Kiss thief!" when I allowed one of my eyes to open, I saw Syaoran contemplating. He seemed to have ignored everything I had said.

"Hmm, we left Eriol all alone. I wonder if my mother is pounding him for answers." he smirked at me. "I seem to have secrets from mother and she likes to think I tell Eriol all about them. Wonder if she's put him on the rack yet. Poor guy."

I was alarmed with his words. "Let's go back and get him. I can't believe we left him alone. Will it really be that bad?"

He grabbed my arm before I took to take even two steps. "Hey." he said, annoyed. "You failed."

"Failed what?"

"My test. If every time I bring up someone of the opposite sex and you get all excited like that, how do you expect me to ever leave you alone! Three years is a long time you know. Someone could just some come and pick you up."

"What are you trying to say?" I frowned. "I have standards you know." I crossed my arms.

"Of course you do." he grinned. "You're with me aren't you? I'm a pretty great person. My standards on the other hand…" he stopped to smile down at me. "obviously are a little more flexible huh?"

My fist shook. "You…" Just before my hand was about to swing out at him, his words halted me.

"Sakura…" he smiled. "You're beautiful. Stop believing me when I say otherwise."

Something caught in my throat.

"I meant what I said back there Sakura."

I looked up at him.

"You heard me didn't you?"

I didn't answer.

"Well?"

"I heard." I answered.

"Good. Because I don't want you to care about what anyone says about us okay? If we're together, I'll be happy."

Those words…'If we're together, I'll be happy'. It's because of those words, that I'll continue to follow you. Your happiness, makes me happy.

I bobbed my head up and down, unable to speak. Then, out of nowhere three men in black approached the two of us. I tried to make out their faces, but the sunglasses they wore prevented it. I glanced over at Syaoran and saw that he was unfazed. Had he been expecting it?

"Master Li, we were told to escort you to the airport."

If he was surprised, he hid it well. "Were you now?" Syaoran asked. "Well, why don't you go back like the good little dogs you are and tell 'Madam' that I said I would be arriving at the airport on my own. She's getting along in the years and I don't blame her for being hard of hearing."

"Madam has ordered us to bring you back." One of the men reached out and I almost pitied him for what I knew would happen next.

Syaoran twisted the man's arm, locking it behind his back. The man tried wrenching away, but was unable to.

"Leave." Syaoran said, stopping to glance over at me through heavy lidded eyes. "If you touch her, I'll start breaking fingers."

At that point, I wondered whether or not these men were taking Syaoran's threats seriously or whether I should prepare myself for their attack. I watched in disbelief as the man took to the latter, lunging at Syaoran altogether.

"Stop!" I yelled in warning, but even then, I knew these men were professionals. With Syaoran's strength, it took two men to secure both his arms. The third man that had been in Syaoran's grip, fell to the ground, thankful for his free arm.

"Let him go!" I cried angrily. "What are you doing? He said he would be at the airport didn't he?" Syaoran continued to struggle and the other men were using most of their energy to suppress his power. They began to pull him away and I saw that a large black limousine was parked just off the sidewalk.

I didn't know what to do then. Did I have the right to keep Syaoran here with me? Even if he stayed here with me, we wouldn't have long before he did have to leave.

Three years…three years.

Finally, I forced my feet to move and I ran in front of the car, in front of Syaoran and his capturers. My hands flew out horizontally to stop them from moving any further. All four men took a moment to look at me.

"I-" I pulled out a small blue bag from my own handbag and held it out. "Syaoran, you know it's time for you to leave anyways. You have less then an hour before the flight and the car will take you there faster than if we walk or ride the bus." I looked up and placed a hand on one of the large men's arm. "Please, you can let him go. He'll go with you."

Syaoran stared down at me, trying to move his hands , only to realize that someone was still gripping them tightly. Growling, he wrenched one hand free, glaring daggers at the other man who held his other arm. He let go immediately too.

"Uh- this is for you. Happy birthday." I gave him the blue bag and he accepted it in a sullen way as if slightly dazed by the powdery blue tone. "Don't open it until you're on the plane okay? You should get going now. I-uh-I'll wait. I'll wait for you for sure." I tried to give the warmest smile I could give. "I will as long as it continues to make you happy."

Syaoran smiled warmly at me and my heart felt like it would explode. Placing his arm on the back of my head, he pushed me closer to him, his lips brushing my head softly. "It does. I'll come back." he whispered. And then after the lingering touch, he released me and climbed into the car with ease.

I couldn't see his face and he didn't take another look back at me as the limousine's engine started. I watched as the door shut in my face and even Syaoran's profile was lost to me. I took a few steps, following the car as it began to drive off, waving and hoping the tears that I could imagine falling were really not there at all.

As I walked home, I kept glancing at my watch, counting the minutes to when Syaoran's flight would be taking off.

Just a little over thirty minutes.

to be continued…

Well, sadly, this story is about to end soon don't you think? Just a few more chapters and it's going to wrapped up. Bye bye Syaoran!