Once again, thank you so much for your support and I hope you enjoy the ending. To think, I actually finished something I started...

Stray Memories

Part X

My hands wouldn't stop shaking. I didn't remember the last time I had felt so excited. Today was the day Syaoran would return. I hadn't received a phone call, but instead, his secretary had phoned me the day before yesterday and told me when he would be arriving.

I couldn't stay still. At first, I walked around the area, but due to the crowd, I kept crashing into people. Plus, it may have been wishful thinking on my part, but I kept catching a faint lingering of expensive cologne in the air every time someone accidentally brushed past me. It reminded me of Syaoran.

After pacing for quite some time, I decided to go sit down and control my agitation. I sat in the waiting area along with Eriol and Tomoyo, not able to believe the size of the crowd that was awaiting Syaoran's return. It made me wonder how they had all found out.

But as soon as a reporter screamed out "There's the plane!" I forgot all about my thoughts.

Watching the landing from the glass window was impossible. Everyone who had someone important on the plane was pressed against it. I sighed and stayed where I was, wondering what Syaoran's reaction would be at seeing me. My heartbeat was racing and my eyes were permanently glued to the airport entrance where the passengers would come through.

"Sakura, you're really excited."

I turned to Tomoyo. "Really?" I laughed uneasily. "I hope he recognizes me."

She smiled sweetly. "You've ignored every word Eriol and I have said to you for the past hour. I'm glad to see you're so happy though."

I smiled. For the past three years, Tomoyo had become someone I cared very much for. And it was true. We did manage to make many memories over the few years. I shook my head. "Sorry. I guess I'm a little too excited."

"No, it's great." Tomoyo answered. "To love someone so much…I admire that so much. Keep it up Sakura. Li-san is probably excited too."

"A lot more excited." Eriol added, laughing as if he knew that was the truth. And if my eyes hadn't deceived me, I would have sworn that his eyes had flashed tenderly towards Tomoyo at her comment.

I smiled and nodded as I turned my attention back to the entering passengers. I couldn't believe my eyes when the last child ran through the doors. "Did you see him?" I asked.

The two individuals beside me shook their heads in unison.

I stood up then, hoping Syaoran would be able to see me. I was in disbelief. "We missed him..." I stated.

Eriol rose too, lifting his sunglasses off slightly to view the crowds. "The news reporters haven't spotted him yet either. They look as confused as us."

"But he was on this plane wasn't he?" Tomoyo frowned. "Perhaps he took his private jet?"

Realization hit me then. "That's right. In his letters he always mentioned his private jet." The idea that Syaoran would sit in a public plane when he had his own private one didn't seem likely. "Then his plane hasn't arrived yet." I sighed as my energy finally diminished itself. Except, just as I was about to sit back down, a warm hand covered mine, tightly embracing it.

"It's okay Tomoyo, I'm fine." I turned around and my breath stopped.

Syaoran.

His eyes were covered by a dark pair of sunglasses, his head even covered with a knit hat, but the smile that radiated from him removed any doubt in my mind of who he was.

Before I could say anything, Eriol rushed up to Syaoran, and placed a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back from me a few steps. Eriol's eyes flew carefully from reporter to reporter as I started to open my mouth to protest. I shut my mouth as soon as I saw the reporters were still searching for the leader of the Li Corporation.

Eriol turned to Syaoran. "You dummy." he half hissed, half said in surprised amazement. "Phones exist you know and in case you didn't realize, you're entire plan of staying unnoticed will blow up any second if we don't split up." Eriol seemed to wait patiently for Syaoran to let go of my hand and when he didn't, stopped him from saying anything back. "Even covered up, you're too noticeable so if you don't let go of Sakura soon, you're going to give yourself away. They all have their eye on her, you know that."

I looked up at Syaoran when he immediately released my hand. He gave a small nod to Eriol, and as if he was never there, he slipped out of the waiting area. My heart leapt from its position, but Eriol pulled me away from Syaoran's direction.

"Neh Sakura-chan. You're going to have to leave here on your own, or else these reporters will get suspicious. Go ahead." he smiled warmly. "Syaoran's waiting for you."

I swallowed. "Where did he go?"

"He says you'll know. We'll stay behind for a while longer and pretend we're still waiting. It'll be a while until they grow suspicious." he signalled me to go once again and I looked at Tomoyo.

"Go ahead Sakura. Li-san will be very happy." she smiled up at Eriol. "We'll wait here a bit longer right Eriol?"

He gave her a warm smile I had never seen before. "Hai." he answered.

I didn't need anymore support. I gave the most grateful thanks I had ever given in my life and forced myself to walk at a normal pace, in order not to attract attention as I walked out of the airport. Perhaps my leaving the two friends had worked out in their own favour, but in my thoughts I had only pictures of warm smiles and chocolate brown hair.

I was completely out of breath as I arrived at the garden square. I forced myself to take the last few steps into the area and my face lit up as soon as I saw a lean figure sitting on the edge of the stone fountain.

He must have heard I was out of breath because he took off his sunglasses as he looked up. They were Syaoran's eyes. I took the first step to him, then another and another. Before I knew it, I was just a foot away from him, completely in his reach. The shock I felt was indescribable and tears came out from the joy I felt. My hand still tingled from the reminiscence of his warmth. I was scared to move.

He studied me and gave me a distant acknowledgement. His head and his eyes however, were warm and understanding.

Was this my Syaoran? I had thought he would've have been…happier to see me.

At first, the idea that Syaoran probably wasn't who he was three years ago flashed through my mind. He had been placed in such a professional environment that he had been forced to quickly learn how to take charge. He had dealt with the harsh realities of business and he had learned to deal with difficult individuals. Was he still the childish, simple and kind person he once was? I hadn't even begun to think that Syaoran would come back, changed. At that moment however, it seemed too true.

I remained immobile, watching to see if there was still a spark of Syaoran's character in his oh so familiar body.

"Syaoran." I wanted to see his smile again. I reached out my hand, but stopped when I began to hesitate. His expression didn't change for one second and I didn't know what to do. "Syaoran..." I whispered. "It's me, Sakura." I almost felt the need to introduce myself to him.

He looked up right into my eyes then. "You...did you..." his face cringed. "just tell me who you are?" His eyes were warningly ticked off.

I blinked in surprise and there was no doubt in my mind that he looked angry.

His voice however, made me smile and I couldn't bottle my emotions any longer. I leapt forwards without thinking, wrapping my arms around his neck. The force threw the both of us backwards into the fountain pool and surprised me. When I felt Syaoran's arms pull me closer on top of him as if he wanted himself to receive most of the blunt impact, I mumbled something in protest and dug my face into the ruffles of his clothing.

The water wasn't deep and it was a few minutes before Syaoran said anything.

"Are you hurt?"

The sound of his voice made my heart feel even more funny. I wanted to treasure the sound of it. But I also wanted to clobber myself for jumping on him so spontaneously. "No-I'm fine. Y-you must be cold. Let's get up. Sorry, you're the one who's probably hurt." I felt clumsy and awkward. But the moment I pushed myself off him, Syaoran's hand on my back pushed me back down.

"In a minute." he replied.

My cheek hit his chest immediately and I took a deep breath of Syaoran, the fresh clean smell of alcohol and expensive cologne wafted to my nose. I smiled and dug my face into his wet clothes. "Were you drinking on the plane?" I asked, his clothes muffling my voice.

He lifted me up so my face was no longer facing his chest, but extremely close to his face. "Yeah." he answered. He seemed tired as if he hadn't been able to get a good night's rest. "It's your fault."

"My fau-" My breath caught as I felt his arms wrap themselves around my waist. My eyes grew unfocused at being so close to him. I couldn't finish what I was going to say.

"I'm going…to kiss you." he whispered.

I couldn't think and so I just nodded, the movement so small, I wasn't sure if he detected it.

My lips immediately met his. I was uncertain, but Syaoran's soft pressure against my mouth made me want to respond to his warmth. He gave the smallest of a push on the back of my head to encourage me and my hesitation shattered. I returned his gentle kiss with my own and when I grew to his pattern, his tongue probed gently against my lips, warningly as if holding back in case I wanted to pull away. His warm hands which were resting against my back made me light headed and I opened my mouth to him. When I felt like I no longer had any control of my senses, I moved my own tongue from it's safe haven in the back of my mouth and tentatively upwards. I gasped at the sensation I felt when it made contact with his own tongue's warmth. My senses blurred.

When we pulled apart I felt disoriented and as I focused on Syaoran's face, my face flushed. It didn't help my disposition when he smiled. His entire being seemed lit up from just a few minutes ago and I felt like my heart was pouring with emotion.

"I'd never forget you Sakura." he whispered. "Not ever again." When he realized I was incapable of answering, he smiled again, this time pushing himself out of the water and pulling me up with him.

On our feet, he pushed the hair from his eyes, his profile in my view. I couldn't stop staring. When he saw that I was looking up at him, he gave a surprised glance and blinking he stared back down at me. I looked away almost immediately in embarrassment for getting caught and he released an irritated short growl. With one free hand, he wrapped it around my shoulder, pulling me back to him. My cheek crashed against his chest.

"I didn't think…" he cut off his own trail of words. "I missed you."

My throat caught. It was a nauseous and almost euphoric happiness I felt. It was almost overwhelming.

"Syaoran." I said, thinking it was rare to see him in such a serious mood. "Keep talking." I looked up at him. "I missed your voice."

Syaoran brushed my bangs from my eyes. "Crap…" he uttered quietly. A silent curse followed. "How am I going to leave you again?"

"I saw you on television and magazines."

"I didn't see a picture of you at all." he growled, urging me to lift my head by pushing gently against my chin.

I couldn't contain a blush as he gazed down at me. "You had our picture album."

He leaned down. "I like looking at a moving you." he whispered against my lips.

I swallowed. He was deterring me from asking what I really wanted to know. "Syaoran? Will you be leaving again?"

For a moment he was silent. I'd never seen him at a loss for words. It almost looked like he was wondering why I would even ask such a thing. If I hadn't been so eager to hear his answer, I would have started to tap my right foot in impatience.

"Your mother didn't try to stop you from coming back to Japan?" I asked, taking another approach.

He smiled sadly. "I told you." he whispered. "I really don't know how I'll be able to leave you again."

"But you're going to." I said, finishing off his statement.

"Mother does not deny our relationship. She couldn't however, stop nagging."

I tensed. "What did she say?"

He thought for a hesitant second. "Her exact words were... 'How could you pick something like that? Oh, Syaoran, just forget about this one. I'll choose the right one for you.'" He sighed sullenly. "And then some other drabble about shaming the family."

I felt miserable. Syaoran's mother still believed I wasn't good enough for her son. For all I knew, she had already picked out a fiancée for him back in America. That day I'd been kidnapped, I had felt almost happy. I was sure Yelan had learned everything about her son's past, so I had also assumed that that would have been enough for her to accept me. To accept that Syaoran's safety would no longer be threatened just by being with me. Did it all mean I would have to forget about Syaoran after he left, this time for good? That I wouldn't even be able to wait for his return? I didn't know what I had expected Syaoran to say, but in the back of my mind, I'd wondered whether Syaoran had come back to exchange respectful goodbyes. He wasn't one to send an impersonal letter, telling me the truth. But why then? Why had he kissed me the way he had?

I couldn't hold in a defeated sigh. "I understand Syaoran. I'm ruining your relationship with your own mother."

He smirked as if he was amused. "You sure are. Her constant nagging was giving me a headache."

Was I missing something? I felt like I was at the butt end of his joke. "You know, that smile of yours isn't very suitable at this time." I felt like crying. We were about to go our seperate ways and Syaoran was cracking jokes that only he seemed amused by. I started to shake involuntarily. "I hate this." my eyes began to blur. "Why did I ever have to find you again?" No. That wasn't right either. Finding him was the best thing I had ever done. But at the moment, I was a mixture of emotions swirled together and I didn't know what to do.

He stopped smiling. "You...regret finding me?"

He sounded so disheartened I had to look up. "No, of course not!" I cried, to fix the damage. My voice however, came out irritably. I should have been the one being consoled! "I wanted to stop your headaches, not cause you more. But now...what do we do?" It was a stupid question. I knew what I had to do. I had to let Syaoran go. But I couldn't get my mouth to form the words. I needed him to say the final words.

"Don't cry Saku." he pulled me over to him in a swift move. "I have mother's approval."

"What?" Was that why he had been smiling all that time?

He smiled down at me. "I don't need her permission to love you Sakura."

"That doesn't answer my question." I said, feeling slightly confused and warmed by his smile at the same time.

"I'm not leaving again. Not for a while."

Hearing that, I almost wanted to hit Syaoran for all his hints otherwise.

"Why was your mother nagging so much then?" I frowned. "Li, Syaoran, if you're lying to me...I'll...I'll clobber you!"

He grinned. "There's my Sakura." he laughed at my narrowed eyes. "I was buying...a gift for you in America. Mother thinks I have..." he made a face. "bad taste." he said it as if that could never be the case.

"Like a souvenir?" I asked.

He leaned down to kiss my the crown of my hair. "Something like that." he whispered.

I was growing dizzy with Syaoran's gentle gestures. "Can I see it?"

"Do you have any other questions?" he asked wolfishly.

I frowned as I realized I did. "I thought you were going to arrive in your private plane."

"Why? The news reporters would have been over me in a second if I did. I wanted to be able to blend in. You know...when I saw you, I didn't think I've ever been that happy in my whole life. Who knew how dangerous you'd become to me."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't see you come out. That's why I thought you were coming in your private plane." I watched as Syaoran smiled mischievously. "Where were you?" I asked, somewhat suspiciously.

He shrugged. "At the airport. I was there a while before you even arrived."

I looked at him, confused.

"You're a lot cuter than before you know." he leaned down.

I flushed. "What about my question…"

"Hmm. I want another kiss. Then I'll answer." he still had that roguish smile.

"That's blackmail." I stated.

He leaned down so our faces were inches away. "Close your eyes." he ordered, ignoring me.

I studied him and when I realized he was serious, I blushed and slowly closed my eyes. As soon as our lips touched however, I opened my eyes and pulled away. "Your turn."

"That was hardly a kiss…" he glared at me and I had to smile. I had missed that look. His expression softened at my smile. "Fine. I had bought two tickets, the first one was pre-ordered for me. It was the plane everyone was waiting for, the one all the reporters thought I was on. But, a few hours earlier I had bought another ticket under an alias. Both planes were headed for Japan, but mine arrived an hour earlier. No one but me knew I was going to catch the first plane."

I was dumbfounded. I hadn't thought Syaoran could have been capable of such a plot. My admiration dwindled a little with some thought. "So why did you reveal yourself after the second plane arrived? What was the point of that? We could have left earlier!"

"I was watching you. I thought you would notice me, but you didn't. I even brushed past you a few times, but you looked so agitated that if I grabbed you then, you would have jumped and caused a scene."

I blinked. "Oh." I said, looking to the ground. It hadn't been my imagination. The expensive cologne I had smelt really had been Syaoran's. I bit my bottom lip. "Sorry. It's because I was so excited…to see you." I looked up when he didn't say anything. As if he had any right to be angry with me. "Your last letter...it wasn't funny you know."

He frowned as he thought back. "Ohhh, that letter." he laughed at my glare. "Did Eriol take the picture like I asked?"

I was unamused. "You asked him to take that picture?"

Syoaran shrugged innocently. "The pages of my picture album need filling."

"Tch. You two..." I crossed my arms. Though I was happy that Syaoran's personality had remained intact for the last three years, he too had changed, however slightly. I thought his shoulders appeared to be more broad and he even seemed leaner than before. It made me wonder if he ate right. My view turned to his hair. "Syaoran, let's dye your hair. For your album." I added. "How about pink?"

A disgusted look came on his face. "Are you serious? I can't believe I actually let you dye my hair before. I won't let just anything enter this album." he emphasized it like the album was worthy of giving his life for. "And you," he stated forcefully. "If you ever start introducing yourself to me again, I may be forced to clobber you."

"I suppose we're even then." But I laughed at how ridiculous I must have looked. One look at Syaoran's serious face would have made anyone think that I had insulted him. In my defense however, he had looked entirely unapproachable. I stopped laughing at his expense and to make the scowl vanish from his face, I smiled warmly. "I missed you Syaoran." I couldn't stop looking at him. Just gazing up at him made me happy. I was making mindless conversation so I could keep looking at him.

"As you should have." he grinned, taking his hands out from his wet pockets.

"You!" But I was laughing again as I jumped into his open arms. He caught me and picked me up with ease. I placed my hands on his shoulders and smiled down at his face.

"In university now aren't you Sakura?"

"Second year." I confirmed, proudly, looking down in curiosity at his soft smiling face. "What's with that look?"

He beamed like a child. "It's not illegal anymore."

I didn't have time to even react before he pulled me into his embrace. A wave of heat came over me as I could do nothing to erase my blush.

The sakura petals were blowing and enveloping us as we stood under the large cherry blossom tree. The old swing swung softly in the gentle breeze and it was then that I knew I would never be happier.

"Syaoran?"

He smiled down into my face. "What?"

"You don't still have headaches do you?"

His lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah, whenever you're around me." he winked. "I think…they're for a slightly different reason now."

I laughed. "Syaoran?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I know." he whispered.

I smiled.And he brought down his head so that our lips met.

Finally, after always searching and hoping,

You were able to recall who I was

In the past, every step you took brought you further away from me.

I remember how alone you were and the tears that were inside you.

"Hey Syaoran?..."

"Now what?"

"What gift exactly, was your mother nagging you about?"

Just the silence that surrounded you, made me want to stay by your side

Your memories were hidden somewhere in your past

And you were never allowed to cry after our silent good bye

"She was helping pick out something important. Not that I needed the help."

"So you did find something?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

So, I'd like to stay in this embrace for as long as I can

You're still searching, but there is a smile on your face

I'll continue waiting…

And I can see as we stand here under the sakura trees

You've finally found a course to your stray memories

"I love you, Sakura.Will you marry me?"

Fini