Well everyone, this is part one of the last chapter of stray memories. I had to split it up because it was getting so long and I kept adding things in. The final final chapter will be up this same week, so hopefully you'll look out for it. If you still have questions after this, I would be glad to answer them back as quickly as I can. Thank you very much for all your comments and reviews. Perhaps in the future you will take a look back at this little story of mine. I enjoyed writing it very much and your support has been amazing. Arigato!

Stray Memories

Part IX

My heart beat faster as the airplane started down the runway. "Syaoran!" I screamed, waving with everything I had. "Come back soon! Good-bye! I'll wait so take care of yourself! Syaoran!"

The last image I had of him, was a sad smile and a short wave.

Three years until he would come back.

This was day one.

Eriol offered to walk me home and even insisted for my consent as he had promised Syaoran. Finally, I relented. At the gate of my house however, I couldn't hold in my curiosity any longer. I turned back just as my hand was reaching for the gate. "What exactly did Syaoran tell you?"

Eriol's placed a long finger on his lips. "Secret." he murmered, beginning to walk away. The act reminded me slightly of Syaoran and a pang of emotion bloomed inside my chest. I watched Eriol take a few steps and then stop. I thought he had changed his mind about telling me. Instead, without looking at me he said "Take a look at your mailbox later today would you?" and then he kept going down the street.

I frowned. "The mailbox?" I walked directly to it and lifted the lid, taking out the small envelope inside. It was addressed to me with distinct handwriting. Eriol had told me to take a look at the letter later that day, but I knew there was no doubt in his mind that I would look at it immediately. My predictability unnerved me. I decided to wait until opening it. A part of me wondered what Eriol had put inside the envelope, but I was already too exhausted from the day. My throat hurt and I knew I would get quite the lecture from Touya as soon as I entered the house. He had always been protective.

"Sakura-chan."

I looked up in surprise. "Tomoyo-chan?" she was the last person I thought I would see that day.

She gave a small bow. "It's really not my place, but I just wanted to see how you were doing. Are you hurt badly?"

I walked down the steps to Tomoyo. "No. I'm fine really. And I meant what I said Tomoyo-chan. I won't reveal who was behind everything."

"Thank you." she sniffled. "Kamui promised he would leave you and Li-san alone."

I was somewhat shocked to see tears form from the corners of her eyes. I smiled sympathetically. "Neh Tomoyo-chan, let's be friends from now on okay?" I placed a hand on her shoulder.

She nodded behind her tears, smiling. "I'm sorry, Sakura-chan. Sorry for what I did in the past."

I looked at her carefully. She was really apologizing for things she didn't do and it made me smile to think of what Syaoran would say to her if he had overheard. I however, didn't despise the word 'sorry'.

"Un hmm." I shook my head. "Let's forget about our past. We'll make new memories starting from now on."

Back then, I had used the exact words to Syaoran because they were the truth. Now, I wanted Tomoyo to have the chance to start over too.

One year later

Touya cackled at his last comment as he flipped restlessly through the magazine he was looking at. His body was stretched on the sofa and as I brought a tea tray over to him, he sat up and pointed to a picture in the magazine. "Hey isn't this your boyfriend?"

I placed the tray down. The thought of Syaoran made my head go light headed. The first year hadn't gone by fast enough and I'd begun to realize just how difficult it would be to get through the next two years. What surprised me at that moment was that Syaoran had actually allowed himself to be on a magazine. "Let me see." my interest however lessened dramatically when I saw who Touya was pointing to. "That's not my boyfriend. I told you, he's just a friend. You know who Eriol is."

"Yeah, but I swear he looks different every time he appears in one of these things…" he smiled in bewilderment. "He also seems to discard more and more of his clothes every time he appears here too. He'll be nude soon."

As I reached for the magazine, he pulled away and gave me a stern look. "You sure have weird taste in friends Sakura. Are you sure you really like this gaki? I didn't like him when we were kids and now, he's just a bigger nuisance."

I frowned. "If you are referring to Syaoran, than you can stop it. Anyone can see that you like him."

Touya suddenly pretended to choke at my words. "What! I just said I was grateful he saved you okay? That doesn't mean I like him, or any body part of his thereof. Stupid brat, now he has something against me for the rest of my life."

"Because he saved my life." I half stated as a question, trying to make it obvious that Touya was being the stupid one.

"Damn straight." he answered. "I'll repay the debt one day and then we'll be on even ground again." He smirked. "Meaning I'll be above him again as we could never be on even ground." he laughed at my glare. "So if you're ever in trouble, let your big brother know first okay? I don't think I'll be able to handle that gaki having another thing to hold over my head ever again."

"You like him and you know it!" I rammed my foot down onto Touya's and snatched the magazine from his loosened fingers. "Anyways, Eriol has standards..." I took a closer look at the picture. There was no doubt that he was being slightly more free with his choice of clothing. He had on a tight pair of jeans, decorated with a flashy jewelled belt. He looked like he was at the beach. His feet were bare, his hair was flying in all directions and over his body draped an unbuttoned grey shirt, revealing in my opinion, quite a lot. My eyes bulged. "That guy…" I frowned, as I never supported Eriol's hobby. I knew he didn't need the money. The thought that he enjoyed modelling made me shudder. "No wonder all those girls smother him at school."

"Don't worry." Touya said, snatching back the magazine. "If you're one of those 'smotherers' I'm sure he won't be that interested."

"Don't say it…" I growled.

Touya couldn't hold it in. "It doesn't look like he'd go for little monsters like you."

I started to leave the room. "If I'm a monster, you're just a bigger one! We're related you know!" I yelled and went into my room, slamming the door with everything I had. The impact caused a small white envelope to fall from my dresser.

I froze. It had been a year since I had first looked into that mailbox.

The letter.

Everyday I told myself I would open it, but that always led to the next day. It was only later that I had learnt that it wasn't from Eriol, but was in fact, from Syaoran. It was from my Syaoran... and because it was, I wanted to be able to have something of his, in case there was one off day that I would feel too lonely. His small letter would keep me company.

For the past year, I had supressed all my thoughts of Syaoran during the day. I functioned as normally as I could and I never heard Syaoran's name brought up in the conversations I was in. I thought Eriol was one of the reason's why. Over time, I learned more about Syaoran indirectly through Eriol. Before, I hadn't gotten to know what kind of person Eriol really was, but since Syaoran's departure, Eriol had always gone out of his way to keep me company. Perceptive as he was, Eriol had always seen through my false expressions. I didn't like how he went out of his way in order to keep a smile on my face. His kindness was disheartening and it made me feel as if anything, I should be happy for him.

I understood why Syaoran had chosen Eriol to be his friend so long ago.

But, the night wasn't like the day. At night, I didn't have Eriol around me. I was alone with my thoughts and it was then, I realized how useless it was to push my thoughts of Syaoran away. His eyes, warm, but holding that dangerous glint always managed to invade my thoughts. I was reminded of the heartwarming looks he would give me. And although I wanted to avoid the garden square, where I had first seen Li as Syaoran, I would sometimes find myself wandering back to the old swing. A year had barely passed and my heart ached with every passing second. I didn't even dare to think of the next two years ahead of me. I knew I had to hold out as long as I could before opening Syaoran's letter because if I read it too soon, I wouldn't have anything of his left when I felt even more alone.

It was silly really. I never imagined someone would want to be with someone else so much. That's why I stopped myself from thinking about Syaoran because I didn't want to bother anyone with my childish feelings. It made me wonder what emotions were going through Syaoran in America and whether he was feeling the same way I was. I had known three years was a long wait, but I didn't think about how a part of me had already grown to be so familiar and comfortable with Syaoran by my side. It was only then that I saw how unnoticed and necessary he had been for me.

I knelt down to the envelope and picked it up. My fingers trembled with anticipation as I turned the letter so the flap faced me. I took a deep breath as I was painfully careful while opening the envelope. I was determined to read it. Syaoran had probably intended for me to read it the day he left, but unintentionally, I hadn't. I had been held back, but at that moment, I pushed aside my fear of having nothing else of Syaoran's to hold onto after. I would after all, still have his words.

It was a simple sheet of paper, folded neatly into three sections. My eyes read the words.

Sakura:

How are you? I guess you know why I was late that day. I'm writing this letter but I should go pick you up to go to the party. I want you to be able to read this after I leave for America. Eriol says he'll tell you about the letter immediately after seeing you safely home. But knowing you, some time's probably past and you're only opening it now. You brat…what if I had something important for you to do for me? It wouldn't have gotten done for days and days!

But it doesn't really matter when you read this. If you do I'll be happy. I didn't tell you earlier, but we probably won't have much conversations on the phone when I leave. Sorry. I don't know how things will go, but if I get the chance to write to you, I will. I'll send my own private messenger over too. When I come back, I'll even let you see my own private plane. You'd like that right?

Sakura. I'll really miss you…so phone me everyday okay? I know you'll want to no matter how much you deny it. But other than that, I want you to know that more and more of our memories are coming back Sakura. Maybe, one day, I'll be able to recall them all. For now I better go, before you get mad at me for being so late. Wait for me Saku.

I want to see you.

The person you most love, Li, Syaoran.

I was unnerved at how ironic it was that in my attempt to not be predicatable, I had actually been even more predictable and had Syaoran guessing that I would be saving his letter. Nevertheless, I choked out a smile through my own tears as I read the last line. "Moron…" I whispered. "Who says you're the person I love most?" But I had to smile. He had written this before I had told him I loved him, which meant he had known my feelings for him even then.

Still clutching the letter, I reached for the phone, dialling in a number I knew so well.

I wanted to hear his voice. I only hoped I wouldn't be met with disappointment again.

Two years later

"Don't wave to him Tomoyo. He has enough attention already." I tried to get Tomoyo's attention away from Eriol as we ate lunch together in the cafeteria. Tomoyo had transferred to Haru High just this year and I was more than happy to show her around. We had become good friends and I thought she was a better companion than Eriol, who really wasn't being a good companion at all. The women around him prevented any conversation we would have had.

I wasn't however, blind to Tomoyo's feelings. She liked Eriol.

"As a friend," I started, picking at my lunchbox. "I should warn you. Eriol is nice, but he isn't serious with his relationships. Don't get pulled in by his gentlemanly act Tomoyo."

"Sakura…didn't you use to like Eriol?"

I blushed. "No no no. It was just a little crush. I thought he was someone else."

"You thought he was Li-san?" Tomoyo smiled as if she knew something I didn't.

I didn't say anything for some time. It had now been two years. I liked to think that I had become used to Syaoran not being near me, but the memory of his smile still made my heart clench. My fists tightened at his name. I still didn't understand why just hearing it made me stiffen so easily. I even had to bite my tongue in order to stop the urge of crying. Since reading Syaoran's letter, a year ago, I hadn't heard from him again. He had been right. It was difficult for me to contact him and though I wrote a few letters to his address, I wasn't ever sure if he had properly received them because I was never at any point, given a reply.

"Sakura, I didn't mean to bring him up." Tomoyo's eyes widened. "What was I thinking?" she whispered under her breath. She smiled warmly in a genuine effort to cheer me up. "Here, I baked these this morning just for you. Want to have the first taste?"

I looked at Tomoyo. I was doing just that. I was pulling my friends into my grief and I wanted to hit myself. "Sorry. I wasn't thinking about Syaoran." I lied, stopping myself from doing just that. I consoled myself that Syaoran wasn't one to forget about his past so easily.

And that made me want to believe that he hadn't forgotten about me.

Tomoyo looked skeptical.

My mind raced. "I didn't exactly think Eriol was Syaoran." I laughed nervously. "Where are you getting these ideas from Tomoyo? You've been talking too much with Eriol. Anyways, even if I had thought what you think I had thought, it was only because I thought Eriol could have been Syaoran that I even thought I liked him." I was babbling.

"Sakura-chan! That hurts!" Eriol slid into an empty chair at our table.

I flinched. This day was growing worse by the second. "You heard? I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry! You're very handsome Eriol."

Eriol ruffled my hair. "You said that to me once. I thought Sakura-chan was cute the first I saw her too."

I ignored Tomoyo's suspicious look and poked at my food with my chopsticks. "Oh…" I said lamely, hiding a blush.

He just laughed. "But, Li..." he studied me as if trying to see whether I was bothered by the topic. He must have thought I was fine because he continued. "he moved faster I suppose. I knew he was attracted to you the moment you crashed into him." Eriol smiled. "He's scary, but I saw it."

"Crashed into him?" Tomoyo echoed.

"I'll tell you later." I answered, trying to stop the conversation and salvage what little dignity I had left. But, I was unable to suppress one last question. "How did you know Eriol?"

Eriol chuckled softly, slightly amused by my question. "Remember that evil glare he has sometimes? He never directly gave it to you."

"Yes he did." I answered quickly back. "Everytime I approached him."

Eriol shook his head. "That's something else entirely. This look he only used to get rid of all the girls that approached him. You were the first one he only yelled at."

"Only yelled at?" I asked, wondering if that was better.

"Yep." he answered cheerfully, picking up his own pair of chopsticks. "I think...he liked your company even then. That's how I knew to leave you alone. He didn't know it, but if I didn't, he would have gotten a lot more angry without knowing why."

I blinked at his words. "More angry?" I wasn't sure if that would have been possible but I was starting to sound like an echo. Eriol certainly knew how to read Syaoran perfectly. I wondered if I was ever capable of doing the same. So I mentally reminded myself to ask Eriol for advice on how to read Syaoran's character even better, later that day. I didn't ever want to make Syaoran angry if I could have avoided it.

Tomoyo smiled. "You're a very good friend Eriol-kun."

Eriol turned to Tomoyo and smiled his kind smile. "Well we're good friends now aren't we Tomoyo-chan?"

"Yes." she answered without thinking.

I looked from her to him. The look on Eriol's face was dangerously luring.

"So from now on, you can just call me Eriol okay?" he leaned into my lunchbox and picked up a sushi roll.

Tomoyo couldn't hide a blush. "Hai." she answered, cheerfully.

I sighed. My advice had had no effect on her. I opened my mouth to question Eriol's intentions towards Tomoyo, but at that moment the entire cafeteria broke out in quiet whispers.

"There's some sort of package coming into the cafeteria."

"They say it's from Li-san!"

"No way! Isn't he supposed to be busy in America? What kind of package is it?"

"Is it a donation for the school?"

"Hmm, I wonder what this is about." Eriol asked, just under his breath.

I didn'y say anything. The day was definitely turning worse by the second. Why did Syaoran have to be everywhere? Everyday, his name was on someone's lips, his corporation on the television, his face on magazines and now his packages to my school. I wanted to leave the entire whispering room. How could I forget about him when every little aspect of him was surrounding me? A hard lump grew at the bottom of my throat.

He was everywhere...everywhere, but by my side.

Eriol seemed completely puzzled and he stood to see the commotion. "Wonder what he's up to now." he turned to Tomoyo. "Did you hear about this Tomoyo?"

Tomoyo looked uneasy. "There was talk about it this morning in class, but the girls always gossip about Li. I didn't take them seriously."

I sat back in my chair and frowned as the rumours quieted down. Why did they have to make such a large commotion just because Syaoran was donating something to the school? It unnerved me however, that the school seemed to be the higher priority for Syaoran when compared to me. But just as I was about to take my lunch and leave, one individual cried "There's the deliverer coming now!"

My eyes widened as the whole entire cafeteria went silent. A man in a grey suit, came through the cafeteria doors, holding the largest bouquet of red roses I had ever seen. My mind flashed with the thought that he was approaching me. I waited for him to change his direction, but he came directly at me, kneeling just a few inches away. His gloved hands held out the bouquet in front of me. The fresh smell made me dizzy. I went to pick the man up.

Rising and saying his thanks, he gestured for me to take the bouquet. "These are for you Miss. Kinomoto."

"For me? Are you sure?" I asked, my heart beating rapidly. Was that the package everyone was talking about? My hands shook as a flash of Syaoran's face appeared in my thoughts. "Is there a card?"

"They are from Master Li. Freshly picked and ordered to be sent to you. Please."

Speechless, I took the bouquet. "Syaoran sent this?" I couldn't control my shaking limbs.

"Yes." he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small white card. "Here is the card attached." he gave a slight bow and I couldn't help but do the same.

"Good day Miss. Kinomoto. Master Li gives his regards."

It was a while before I could move. Even with the room being as crowded as it was, I couldn't have felt more alone. I stared at the man who had delivered me the flowers. He left through the courtyard doors from the balcony. My feet had half a mind to catch up with him and ask if he would take me to see Syaoran.

I didn't know how long I had been standing there when I felt a small shake on my arm. I looked down at Tomoyo's worried look. Eriol had a satisfied smile on his lips.

"Are you okay Sakura?"

"I-I'm fine." I looked a my friends gratefully. I couldn't control my voice for long however. "I'm going to go...drop my things off." and without looking back, I dashed off to the locker area.

I breathed out a shaky sigh when I reached my locker. I was glad to see it was empty because I felt emotionally unstable at that point. I leaned against my locker and awkwardly opened the card to read what was inside.

Sakura:

I tried phoning you last night, but you weren't home. Where were you? Stupid! You should have stayed in your room, waiting for my call. Was Eriol with you? It should have been dark in Japan when I phoned. You shouldn't be out at night. It made me worried. Plus you made it so I wasn't able to sleep so I went to our garden to pick these roses. The gardener said that the colour red would be suitable, but since I don't know much about flowers I believed him. Just in case though, I added a yellow, blue and white rose too. I hope you like them. I haven't had the time to write you a letter, so I sent this in my private jet. It arrived pretty fast huh? If you don't think so, feel free to express your anger towards the messenger.

One more year Sakura. I want to see you again.

-Syaoran.

I looked at my present, completely unaware of anything else. Sure enough, there was an unmatched yellow, blue and white rose in the sea of red. Something felt like it was blocking my throat and I clutched the roses to my chest. I remembered back to last year when I had opened his first letter and had later tried phoning him. No one had picked up that day.

Before I knew it, I was doubting whether you remembered me.

I'm sorry Syaoran.

I couldn't fall asleep that night. I knew I was being childish, but afterschool, I had sprinted home immediately in the event that Syaoran would try contact me again. The truth was, I hadn't been home to pick up his call the other night because I had taken a stroll to the old garden square.

I glanced at the clock on the small wooden dresser at the side of my bed. It was midnight and the moonlight was coming in through the balcony windows. I had waited all day, but Syaoran hadn't phoned. I didn't think he would be up this late and I highly doubted he would have called me just to speak with me at midnight. I was restless. I wondered when I had grown such irregular sleeping patterns. It must have been since the day Syaoran had gotten onto that plane to America.

Sighing, I decided it was best to stop thinking. I pulled my gaze off the phone and turned onto my side. My eyelids were growing heavy, but it was then that they caught bright flashes shining rythmically from my cell phone. It was portruding from my school bag. Leaning over my bed, I reached for the phone.

It was a text message. I smiled, looking forward to reading Eriol's kind words. It wasn't odd for him to send me a message this late. It had always made me wonder whether or not he knew I didn't sleep well during the nights.

I lay back down at my side and flipped open the phone cover. I couldn't think after I saw who it was from.

From: Syaoran

Topic: Restless

Good night Sakura.

I'm thinking of you, so sleep well...

I typed my reply.

From: Sakura

Topic: Still up

Good night Syaoran.

Thank you for today.

I hit send and placed the phone down beside my pillow before falling asleep.

Three years later

Sakura:

This is going to be the last letter I write to you. I won't expect any from you from here on in either. It's almost been three years hasn't it? I have to say, I'm a little relieved that this is finally going to end. Our time apart was nice. It made things clearer for me. I hope you're still the understanding person I knew three years before. You can forgive me for never replying to your letters right? Sorry. The corporation's been busy and I haven't had the time. It would be a waste for you to keep writing. I just wanted to say that I might not come back as planned. I'll try finding you if I do.

Give Eriol my regards. Goodbye.

-Syaoran.

That was the first page to Syaoran's letter.

I looked up from the letter, not knowing what to think. My silence must have alarmed Eriol who was standing behind me, probably reading the letter over my shoulder. He gave a small push on the old garden swing I was sitting in. The abrupt movement woke me up from my thoughts and I looked at Eriol.

His expression was odd; a mixture of surprise and laughter. "Sakura, are you crying?"

I stared at him, but then quickly averted my eyes. "Stop it. I'm trying to read my letter."

He shrugged, grasped the swing's harness and I immediately stopped swinging. When I failed to continue reading however, he tugged the letter from my fingers and started reading out loud. I almost didn't want to hear. It was embarassing enough to read it alone, never mind have Eriol read it for me.

"I don't want to hear right now." I stopped him.

"Sakura..." he entreated. " Listen to the rest would you? There's probably an explanation."

I sighed and yanked the letter back. I frowned at what I read.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Sakura, you better not be crying or anything. Don't you know by now that I have a way with words? I hope you didn't take my meaning wrong. I don't want you writing to me anymore because I'll be coming back to see you soon and so there's no need for you to. My flight might be later than I had originally thought. We're in the middle of signing a contract with one of our partnerships. So don't cry alright?

Anyways, I lied. I did take a look at your gift. It was the first thing I did in the limousine that day. I really liked it Sakura. It's our picture album from when we were kids right? You were cute then. It's nice to have something of our past. There's a few empty pages though. When I come back, I want to fill them up.

Sakura. I should tell you, that day when I found out someone had kidnapped you, I thought I was going to go insane. You don't know how happy I was to see you that night in the hospital room. I wanted to keep you with me all night, but keeping you would have made it harder to say good bye again. Funny, but it hurt more than when I had allowed those idiots to beat me up.

I have something to give you when I come back. Never begin to doubt I'd leave your side.

-Syaoran

I swallowed unevenly and even more unsteadly went to look back at Eriol.

His face was warm and knowing and his eyes were calm but laughing as he gazed back down at me. It was as if he knew all along what Syaoran had been doing.

I blinked when he waved a camera infront of my face. "I couldn't resist. I'll give you a copy of your expression." he laughed and before I could answer, he gave me a large push on the swing. I grabbed the harnesses, instinctively and looked back on Eriol's smiling face.

"Smile Sakura!"

Eriol has always been there for the long three years I've waited for you Syaoran. I admire your ability to see the good in someone.

And after all this, please don't make me have to leave you.

It's almost time for us to meet again.

- And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend.

-For Good from the Broadway Musical Wicked