Title: Somewhere, Somehow

Author: EviL PunK

Rating: PG-13

Author's Notes: I hope you all had a very merry Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa! As I type this chapter, I realize that our Christmas vacation is coming to an end and it'll be back to school in less than two weeks! Gah, I hate my school. They suck at marking vacations and such. Anyway, back to the story!

Chapter Nineteen

You Can Still Be Free

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"Get Sakura and Syaoran together!"

Both women squealed in delight, jumped up and down while clapping their hands.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun!" Tomoyo gushed with stars in her eyes

Meiling nodded in agreement, "You know what? We can also get Eriol to join our amazing plan! He's Syaoran's best friend, as far as I know"

Tomoyo smiled and her face turned slightly pink at the mention of Eriol's name. Meiling noticed this and grinned

"Does Tomoyo have a crush on Eriol?"

Tomoyo blushed, "Oh, stop it."

Meiling chuckled, "Seems like getting Eriol was a great idea. Let's call him now?"

"You have his number?"

"Nope, but I'll call Syaoran and ask for his number"

It took three rings for Syaoran to finally pick up his ringing cell phone.

"Hello, Syaoran?"

"Meiling! Are you at Daidouji Designs!?"

Meiling blinked, "Yes, but that's not what I called about"

"Is Daidouji-san there!?"

Meiling frowned, "Yes, but she's busy so stop interrupting me!"

Syaoran silenced himself.

"Now, do you have Eriol's number?"

"That's what you called for!? Jeez! Thanks for wasting my time!"

"Syaoran! Give me Eriol's number before I bite your head off when I get home!" Meiling threatened

Syaoran grumbled and muttering something about women and reluctantly gave Meiling Eriol's number.

"Thanks! See you later" Meiling hanged up and turned to Tomoyo, "Shall we call him now?"

Tomoyo nodded. Meiling called Eriol, telling him everything and the plan about getting Syaoran and Sakura together. Immediately, Eriol agreed.

After hanging up, Tomoyo and Meiling began talking about their first plan: Have a small get-together will four of them at Meiling's house.

"Syaoran!" Meiling yelled once she arrived inside the house

Syaoran, who was at the living room watching TV, was about to take a sip of his tea when he got startled by Meiling. He almost spilled tea down his clothes.

"Meiling, for once, could you not scream so loud?"

Meiling ignored him and sat beside him, "Cousin dear, I'm going to have a small get-together with some friends here at home"

"So? Go have your get-together and leave me out of this"

"But I told them you would be joining us"

"Well, I'm not. So, tough luck"

"C'mon Syaoran, please? It's just lunch and some chit-chat here and there. C'mon, I promise you, it won't be boring" Meiling pleaded, pouting at Syaoran

"Oh no, don't give me that face!"

Meiling knew Syaoran always gave in to her pouts.

"Syaoran…" Meiling said, tugging on Syaoran's sleeve like a little girl

Syaoran sighed and held his hands in the air, "Alright, alright, I'll join your get-together"

"Yay!" Meiling cheered, hugging him

In Sakura's case, Tomoyo simply called Sakura at her house.

"Are you free tomorrow afternoon, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked over the phone

"I haven't made any plans, so yes"

"Do you mind if you come along with me to a small get-together with my friend? She would love to meet you"

"Sure, I'll go." Sakura replied. It's better than staying at home, watch old reruns on TV and such.

"Really? Great! I'll come pick you up if you want"

"Alright" Sakura agreed

"Oh, by the way, it's just lunch and some conversation"

The next day, Sakura woke up to her alarm clock. She hit it with her hand and reluctantly got up from her slumber. She stared at the time and saw it was 8am. In a few hours, Tomoyo's going to come and pick her up.

She went to the bathroom and took a shower and got dressed in a simple shirt and shorts. After doing so, she went downstairs and saw nobody there. She figured Touya and Kaho were still asleep. Sakura went inside the kitchen and made herself a ham and cheese sandwich. She sat down on a chair and contemplated on things.

Firstly, there was Aki. She hasn't seen him for days now and she completely forgot about him ever since that incident. He's a good guy and all but ever since she yelled at him, Sakura felt guilty.

Second, there was Syaoran and his fiancée Amaya. Sakura didn't regret that punch she threw at Syaoran. He deserved it. Sakura placed a hand on her neck and felt there was nothing around her neck. She frowned and wondered where the necklace Syaoran gave her was. Then it hit her; she kept in somewhere in the room. For once, she didn't care where it was. She'll get a new necklace soon.

Gah, I have a fucked up love life! If you even call it a love life.

Sakura thought angrily. She shoved the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth and retreated upstairs to get dressed for what Tomoyo calls a get-together. She wore a spaghetti-strapped white dress that fell down to her knees with a handkerchief hemline. She wore white sandals to go with it. She brushed her hair, and let it fall down to her shoulders. Soon enough, Tomoyo arrived. She signaled herself that she was there by honking on the horn of the car. Sakura went down and rushed outside.

"You look kawaii!" Tomoyo gushed as Sakura sat beside her in the passenger's seat.

"Nothing special, but thanks" Sakura replied

Tomoyo smiled and soon drove off to Meiling's house.

"So, where's this get-together you're saying?"

"It's at my client's house. We didn't have time to finish up everything so we decided to continue it at her house, along with lunch. I promised her you'll be there."

"Oh, okay" Sakura said, not bothering to ask who the client was. Tomoyo discreetly breathed a sigh of relief.

When they arrived at Meiling's house, Tomoyo rang the doorbell. Sakura looked around and marveled at the flowers surrounding the house. Instead of a butler, as they were expecting, the door was opened by none other than Meiling.

"Tomoyo!" Meiling exclaimed, hugging her and Tomoyo hugged back. When they pulled away, Tomoyo turned to Sakura.

"Meiling, I want you to meet Sakura Kinomoto, she's my model and my best friend" Tomoyo smiled

"Pleased to meet you, um…" Sakura began to say but didn't know Meiling's surname

"Pleased to meet you too Kinomoto-san. And please, call me Meiling" Meiling smiled

Sakura smiled and nodded, "Then please, call me Sakura"

Meiling nodded and opened the door wider for them to come in.

"Lunch will be served any minute, make yourself at home. My maid will serve you some juice" Meiling said before heading upstairs. Sakura and Tomoyo sat down on the couch and waited.

Upstairs, Meiling rushed to Syaoran's room and opened the door, praying that Syaoran's already dressed and ready for lunch with her friends, but much to her dismay, she found Syaoran sleeping on the bed, snoring and with some drool visible at the corner of his mouth. Meiling glared at her cousin and shook him roughly so he can wake up. Luckily, Syaoran woke up, glaring at Meiling.

"What's the big idea for waking me up!?"

"You get inside that bathroom," she pointed at the bathroom door, "wash your face, clean yourself and get dressed! My friends are already here!" Meiling ordered, taking Syaoran but his collar.

Syaoran rolled his eyes before walking inside the bathroom and shutting the door behind him, "Fine, whatever"

Minutes later, their lunch was about to start. Meiling was already fed up. The food is already there, her guests were there and what's missing? Or rather, who's missing? Syaoran! Her imbecile of a cousin, Syaoran, that's who!

"I'm very sorry! He's running late. You two can start eating while I get him" Meiling apologized and ran upstairs.

"Her other guest is already here and he's still running late?" Sakura wondered, looking at Tomoyo

"I think her guest is her brother or something…cousin maybe" Tomoyo shrugged, pretending she didn't know.

"After I leave, I better see you walking down the stairs, pronto!" Meiling's voice echoed in the house. She went downstairs, into the dining room and sat beside Sakura.

"I'm so sorry. He can be so stubborn" Meiling apologized again

"Alright, Meiling, I'm here already" Syaoran announced, before stepping inside the dining room. Everybody looked to see who was there. He was about to step inside when he saw a familiar glint of emerald. His eyes widened and saw Sakura with the same expression. Meiling noticed the awkwardness and of course, the silence, she stood up and scooted over to Syaoran.

"Well, you're finally here! Sakura, Tomoyo, I want you to meet Syaoran Li, my cousin. Syaoran, Sakura and Tomoyo" Meiling introduced, pointing to each one

Silence still filled the room.

"Well, shall we continue eating?"

Meiling went back to her seat beside Sakura. Syaoran sat down beside Tomoyo and across him was Sakura, avoiding his gaze while eating. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence. Soon, Meiling and Tomoyo left the dining room to go to the library within Meiling's house to discuss over some things. Syaoran and Sakura were left alone with each other. Sakura was still avoiding Syaoran's gaze.

"Um…can we talk outside? In the garden, if you don't mind" Syaoran said

"Okay" Sakura whispered, standing up.

Syaoran stood up as well and led the way to the garden. Syaoran glanced behind him; Sakura was still following him with her head down. Syaoran was relieved that she didn't stand up, walk towards him and punch him again. Syaoran opened the white door for her that led to the garden. Syaoran followed and closed the door behind him. He stood with his hands in his pockets, wondering what to say first. He turned around and spotted Sakura admiring an array of bushes with red and white roses. The sun was behind her, making her look like she's glowing. Syaoran stared at her figure. She looked like an angel, so beautiful and delicate. Syaoran already wanted to beat himself up right on the spot from hurting Sakura.

Sakura turned around, diverting her attention from the roses to a guilty Syaoran. Sakura looked away. She too felt guilty for punching Syaoran the other day and not giving him a chance to speak. But…Sakura no longer needed an explanation; all were explained already, all were lies.

"Sakura…"

Sakura looked up and saw Syaoran standing before her, his eyes filled with guilt and sadness.

"Do you want to sit down?"

Sakura nodded as they went towards a white bench and sat down. No one spoke until Syaoran did.

"It sure is a nice day…"

"Yeah…" Sakura muttered

Syaoran realized that this was getting awkward.

"Listen, Sakura…" Syaoran stood up and crouched in front of Sakura, "I know you hate me right now, but please, hear me out. The truth is…"

Before Syaoran could continue, Sakura stood up, glaring down at Syaoran. Syaoran quickly stood up on his feet with a confused look on his face.

"Sakura?"

"I don't want to hear any explanation; especially from you!" Sakura pointed a finger at Syaoran, "For all I know you could be lying to me again! Is that what you think of me, Syaoran!? Some idiotic, dense girl thinking I'm never going to find out about your lies!? Well, think again!" Sakura hissed, stepping on Syaoran's foot, using her heel.

Syaoran cried in pain as he hopped all the way inside, trying to catch up with Sakura.

"Sakura! Wait! Please!" Syaoran called out, grabbing her arm

"Let go of me, you bastard!" Sakura yelled, retrieving back her arm

"What's going on here?" Meiling asked, suddenly appearing with Tomoyo

"I'm sorry Meiling but we have to go. C'mon, Tomoyo" she snapped, giving Syaoran one last glare

Tomoyo ran after Sakura, but not before giving Meiling an apologetic look. When the door closed, Meiling sighed and looked at Syaoran who was still in pain.

"What happened?"

"I tried telling her the goddamn truth!" Syaoran said, still hopping on one foot, "And then she stepped on me!"

"Syaoran, you're not going to–"

Meiling was cut off when the door opened, revealing Eriol.

"Am I late?"

"Eriol!" Meiling went towards Eriol and give him a hug, "You just missed the action"

"Really? Damn." Eriol cursed

"Sakura and Tomoyo just left"

"Oh, so that's them who were leaving. Damn. So what happened before I arrived?"

Meiling told him everything and even laughed when Meiling mentioned about Sakura stepping on Syaoran's foot.

"It's not funny! And it still hurts…" Syaoran said, pouting

"Oh, stop being such a baby!" Meiling said, "Anyway, Syaoran, you're not going to get Sakura like that; you have to approach her slowly."

"Yeah, don't bring up "the truth" subject first. Give her time to trust you again"

Syaoran frowned, "Fine. But I better get her back before that fucking wedding arrives" he stood up and was about to go upstairs when his cell phone rang. It was Amaya.

"Syaoran! I have decided where to hold the wedding!" Amaya shrieked in his ear

Syaoran held the phone I few inches away from him.

"Where?"

"It's in this beautiful church I found!"

"Just tell me where!"

"Here in Tomoeda! It's supposed to be back in Hong Kong but I just couldn't resist the church I saw! Isn't this great!? Oh, I'm so excited with the wedding preparations! We have to be together to prepare, okay Syaoran?"

"Yeah, sure…" Syaoran muttered and rolled his eyes before hanging up

"Amaya?" Eriol asked

"Who else?"

"Are you sure you're going to be alright, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked when they arrived in front of Sakura's house.

"Yeah, I'm going to be fine. Sorry for dragging you out of Meiling's house that way. She hates me already, doesn't she?"

"No, no, no. Of course not, Sakura. I'm sure she doesn't hate you." Tomoyo reassured her while hugging her best friend.

"I hope you're right"

Tomoyo didn't respond.

"Tomoyo?"

Sakura looked up and was staring at something behind Sakura.

"What are you looking at?" Sakura turned around and saw a person standing in front of her door.

It was none other than Aki.

Author's Notes: Sorry for the delay! I was thinking how to end this! Anyway, ooh, it's Aki! What's he doing at Sakura's house? And sorry if this was a boring chapter.

Rushi Star: I'm trying my best to place more SS moments. Thanks you for the review.

Amanda Kazuki: I'm also trying my best not to make this story too predictable. And they will end up together. Thank you for the review

Greenleaf Blossom: I'm trying to update as fast as I can. But when school comes around, I'll try my best since my grades are already slipping and I need to pass in order to move on to second year high school. Thanks for the review.

Thank you to the following as well: dream-eater-is-hungry, Sakuralover, twilight-star1, La SaLLe -6Re3n ArCh3r 15, Ngoc1231, dyemui, dragonspirit888, Illusion Dragon, MiniSparky, EKoolcat369, Sakura-miaka, Tinaptran, midnite cherry blossomz, l x lmysticalxstarzl x l, chikichiki, Lily20, ori-chan, gUrLa-aYa-16, CrAzY-SiLLy-Me, wandgirl, Rema, LiLAznDevil, choclitfudge, Tamer Shadow, Rinoa Leonheartilly, maixwolfblossom, sakura kinomoto, tenshi cherry blossoms, bubbles and anonymous! Thank you all!