Authoress' Note: S'been a while huh? Over a year, if I'm not mistaken. Whoa.

I've done some revisions to this chapter. (it's old..) and honestly, I've forgotten most of my plot.Yikes. I guess this is what happens when writers get lazy.


Seventh Bell
Chapter Two - Sleepless

Sleeplessness…

It was a clammy night, nearing the beginning of March. A storm had just ended so the sweet smell of rain was still lingering in the spring air. A chestnut haired boy, no older than 16, was laying face down and wide awake in his bed. Groaning, he gradually turned his head to face the slowly ticking clock on the wall- which was silently laughing in his face.

"Four AM," he garbled to himself.

He thought he had already gotten used to sleepless nights. After the occurrence about five years ago, he never truly had a good night's sleep. Since then, the hours of darkness (and even daylight, at times) were spent listening to the clan Elders and his mother criticizing her. He pretended he didn't care; yet deep down, he truly did.

Just then, the phone rang. The boy leaped out of bed and shuffled over to the phone in the hall. Well, you must think you're the shit, calling at four AM and expecting someone to put aside sleep to talk to someone of such importance, huh? Well, that's what he wanted to say. However, his tiredness (and the fact that he wasn't actually sleeping) only allowed him to mumble, "Hello?"

"Oh, Mr. Li, did I wake you?" the deep voice on the other end asked.

"No," he glowered. "Actually, you didn't."

"Well, that's good. I know how important one's sleep is and I just wouldn't forgive myself if I knew that I had bothered someone's rest."

Li's rolled his eyes, "Just tell me what you want."

He heard a slight chuckle from the other end. "Well, Mr. Li. I think I may have something that would be of your interest."

"Look, whoever the hell you are, I'm not concerned with any kitchen appliances, vacation time shares or any other piece of shit you're trying to sell me," But then he paused for a second. He could use a vacation. "Especially at this hour!"

"No, I'm afraid you have the wrong idea. I'm not selling any of those things, Mr. Li."

"Well, I'm still not interested in whatever it is. Good-"

"Really," the voice interrupted, "Even if it's the Clow Cards?"

Li's eyes narrowed. He felt the heat from someone's stare come from behind him. He spun around; the window before him showing him the emptiness on the night. A tree nearby, almost invisible in the darkness, with rustling leaves caught his eye. "Clow Cards," he murmured aloud. "I'm listening…"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The cherryblossoms were different, Sakura noticed. Perhaps, the atmosphere was just different, or her frame of mind. Things changed so quickly- she learned that the hard way...

Kaoru's? The limo stopped suddenly, in front of Kaoru's- the most popular diner in Tomoeda- right down the street from Twin Bells. It was famous for fabulous green tea and strawberry cakes that Sakura, Tomoyo, Chiharu and Rika would eat afterschool.

Sakura cried as she was dragged out of the limo by her raven haired friend. "Oh, Tomoyo! What if he thinks I'm shameless for putting this skimpy dress on?" Sakura whimpered. "He'd think I've changed so much... and he would say I'm not the same girl he loved before."

"Well now, aren't we hopelessly optimistic? And what did you say about my dress?" Tomoyo questioned, teasing Sakura.

"Absolutely nothing," she responded hastily.

Tomoyo giggled, "Don't worry about that. He'll think it's classy and gorgeous on you."

"I hope so."

After much effort of pulling Sakura through the diner doors, and many stares from the people on the sidewalk, Tomoyo had finally admitted defeat. Out of breath, Tomoyo laid her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Sakura, what's the matter? He's waiting for you."

"I know, Tomoyo. It's just that. It's been such a long time, I hope he still likes me the way he did before… or even more than that." She explained, "Even though I know he loves me, I can't help but feel nervous around him."

"It's alright," she reassured as she took hold of Sakura's hand and led her through the doors. Sakura shut her eyes tightly, fearing what might happen when she saw him again. As the two entered, they were greeted by half the townspeople who were eating their breakfast. The clatter of the silverware on the china leaked into the atmosphere along with the fragrance of green tea. Tomoyo guided the frightened Sakura around the many tables and seats until finally they came to a halt. Sakura felt her friend's gentle hand slip away from her own.

Sakura opened her eyes bit by bit. Okay, Sakura, She told herself as she looked around at the familiar people surrounding her. You just need to… She glanced forward at the table in front of her. And there he sat; arms open wide, smiling his winning.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, Sakura?"

Breathe…

She felt her skin get hot as she dashed toward him, the one person she cared for most, her number one. She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaped onto him, nearly knocking him off his chair. His draped his arms around her and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Eriol," she breathed into his neck.

"I've missed you, Sakura." Eriol whispered as her embraced her once more.

"And I've missed you, too" Sakura hummed. She felt the color rush to her cheeks and it was if the world had stopped. It's been a long time since she has felt this way.

"How adorable," Tomoyo squealed from behind them, camera to her eye.

The individual at the other end of the table scoffed. Tomoyo turned her head and lowered her camera to find a chocolate haired chap sitting with his leg crossed while sipping a cup of tea. He glared at her and right then she knew he was saying, 'You can't be serious. It's revolting.' She smiled slyly as she took a seat next to him. A giggle from the other side of the table caused Tomoyo to circle her head to where Sakura had now taken a seat. The sight of them together again brought a beam to her once again.

Sakura placed her hand on the table, which was always sticky from spilled tea. A ghost of a smile was still visible on her face as felt a scorching glance from across the table. She looked up abruptly to find a tepid amber gaze from the person across the table. He placed his cup down after a sip and continued to look forward. He rested his elbow on the table and placed his chin on his hand. As Sakura stared at the stranger's messy hair, she licked her lip.

Eriol's strong yet gentle hand had found hers. She gasped when she turned to face him and laughed nervously. He leaned over and softly said, "Happy Birthday." His breath on her ear sent chills down her spine and a blush to her cheeks once more. She managed to nod slightly as he pulled a tiny deep blue box from out of his pocket. He opened it and pulled out a silver colored bracelet, with seven bells hanging from a pathetic looking chain. With no doubt, the very tea in the chipped cups before them cost much more than the bracelet did. Surely, all of those bells would fall off in no time at all. And Sakura could tell right away that it would turn her wrist as green as her eyes. But, it didn't matter to her at all. Eriol clasped it around her left arm with glimmer in his royal blue eyes.

She shook her wrist giving it a jingle. Kaoru, who was at the counter at the time, turned to face toward the doors, expecting more customers.

"It's beautiful," Sakura lied. "But, you really didn't have to get me anything. Just seeing you was the best gift of all!"

Eriol let out a breath and looked down at her tenderly. "I can't say that your birthday was the only reason I came to see you, Sakura. There is another reason why I came all this way," he admitted.

"Something else, like what exactly?"

"Well," he began, "It's about the cards."

At that moment, Sakura's glisten had died away. "What about them," she asked solemnly.

Eriol tried his best to keep a cheerful face. "I would have known about this sooner, you know. I mean, I have all of Clow's memories, so I should have known about this long before. However, even now, these remembrances aren't as clear as the others. I suppose that Clow must have tried to forget about them."

"Forget about what, Eriol?" Sakura's eyes pleaded for him to continue.

"You do know about the concept of Yin Yang, correct?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Well, when Clow created the fifty two cards, he used purely his white magic. However, we all know that white essence has to be balanced with the darker; one cannot exist without the other. Not even Clow's cards are an exception to that. So, in the end, he created three more cards completely from black enchantment. And—"

"Those three cards are here," Sakura mumbled as she squirmed in her seat, "They're here aren't they? That's why you came back."

He whispered, "Right. But, Sakura, this won't be like those times before. These three cards' power are equal to that of the fifty two. It won't be as easy." He looked across the table, "That's why I brought over Mr. Shaoran Li to help us."

Sakura glanced quickly at the one whom Eriol was introducing her to. She had forgotten that Tomoyo and a stranger had been there. "Erm, hello." She said, nervously, horrified of his glaring eye.

"Mr. Li is a descendant of Clow himself, so he should be of much help. Tomoyo has graciously offered her pool house for our 'home.' So we will be staying there."

Li finally spoke after his many moments of silence, "Hiragizawa, is my presence here absolutely necessary?"

"Not at all." He answered with a smile.

"Wonderful. Daidouji can take me to her house so I can plan out how to capture these cards while you two sit and drink tea all day." He stood abruptly, bowed slightly to Sakura. Tomoyo stood smiled at Sakura and Eriol, shrugged and followed Li out to her limo parked outside.

The two sat noiseless for a moment, listening to the limo from outside drive away. "Interesting guy, that Li." Sakura mumbled.

"Well, he has somewhat of bitterness for you already." Eriol laughed and took a sip of his tea.

"Hoe? Bitterness?" Sakura asked quizzically. "I've only met him not even ten minutes ago! And we haven't had an actual conversation…"

"Well, for years, he has had to put up with his relatives. They told him he was a disgrace since he didn't fulfill his duties of capturing the cards. So, now is his chance of retrieving his honor." Eriol told her. "But let's forget about him and the cards for now. We'll have a lot of time to think about that. Let's just enjoy each others company for now."

Sakura grinned and she felt her cheeks become warm again, "Eriol?"

"Yes, Sakura?" Eriol moved over to Sakura, gazing warmly at her.

"I-I know I haven't been able to say this before; I wasn't able to return your feelings. But I know for sure now." Sakura swallowed down nervousness. "I love you."

Eriol ran his fingers through Sakura's ginger hair and pulled her closer to him.

As the two embraced, Eriol felt his heart sink.

A growl was heard form Sakura's stomach. She laughed nervously, "I'm starving. I'll go get some food. Kaoru, I'll order—"

Eriol watched as Sakura skipped over to the counter to order. He smiled to himself. He never thought that one day he would find someone he cared for as much as he cared for Sakura. Just then he felt his heart drop in his chest again, something that happened to him often, when he lied. Now, he wasn't always a liar. Actually, it just started as some good fun between him and Yamazaki when he first came to Tomoeda. However, he became addicted. Lying was his drug, his taste of a dream in a frightening reality. He figured, if he could lie well enough and often enough, he would convince himself that truth was a big dream. What more would he want? A few words could give him whatever he wished.

Sakura bounced back to the table with some tea. "Want more?" she asked.

And he was successful. Here he sat, looking at the one person he cared for the most, tangled in a web of his own lies so even he couldn't tell the difference between his own words and the truth.

"Eriol?"

"Yes, please." he answered quickly, his eyes not leaving his cup.

He wondered…

"Sakura?" he asked, still not looking at her.

She poured the tea, spilling some and answered. "Hmm?"

"I love you, too."

She smiled- as the words escaped his lips- his heart had dropped.


Authoress' Note: Thanks to those who review; I appreciate it very much!