Kremlin Dusk

A/N: The plot is mine, howeverCLAMP isn't.My first priority fanfic, so I'll probably update as soon as I can. Big thanks to all the readers and reviewers!

Chapter 9 – The Return of Mei

Sakura's eyes widened in astonishment and her mouth opened slightly, "You love me? You want to marry me?" She stuttered.

She couldn't believe her eyes or her ears. The one guy she had never seen cry before was crying right before her eyes. When they were young, he said that he'd never cry over a silly cry and here he was just crying.

How long had he loved her exactly? This was just too sudden for her to comprehend. She just stared at his injured form lying on the bed and her eyes watered.

"Sakura, please say something. Just forget I ever said that. We can just stay friends. Sakura, I don't care if you don't love me back! Please say something I'm begging you." Thomas cried. She just kept on staring and every silent second that passed, it tore into his heart more.

"I…I'm so sorry!" She cried and ran out of the door and down the hospital corridors. Sakura was disorientated and had no idea where she was running to. The only word running through her mind was 'run'.

Tears were streaming down her face for some reason and people stared at her strangely. Turning a sharp corner she bumped into someone.

She groaned and rubbed her heard. The person she bumped into had already stood up and offered a hand. "I'm really sorry for bumping into you." Sakura apologised without looking up.

"It's okay. I was thinking."

Sakura gladly accepted the hand and stood up. Have I seen you from somewhere before? They thought in unison.

"Would you mind if I asked why you're crying?" The person asked curiously.

"Something happened between my friend and I...I just ran…"

"Well I'm sure whatever happened between you and your friend will work out fine. It's okay…it couldn't have been that big a deal could it? If your friends then it shouldn't matter what happened right?"

"He just asked me out of the blue to…"

Suddenly a loud screech was heard and a tired Syaoran came to a halt in front of the two. He was panting like a dog that just won a race. He bent over a little to catch his breath.

"Sakura, I've been searching for you everywhere! Thomas told me to find you. When you suddenly ran out of his room I came in and he told me to chase you. You run pretty damn fast Sakura." Syaoran explained in between breaths.

"Syaoran meet my new friend…her name is…" Sakura introduced stumbling on her words. What was her name anyways?

Syaoran was bent over still trying to catch his breath. His bangs covered his view and he waved a lazy hand up.

"Meiling Rae."

Syaoran's head suddenly snapped up and his posture straightened. He looked sparkly and neat now.

"You two know each other?" Sakura asked confused.

"Hey honey." Syaoran grinned and gave Meiling a peck on the lips. "Sakura, this is my fiancée Meiling Rae. Mei this is Sakura Kinomoto, a childhood friend of mine."

So this is her? Why do I feel so sad? I'm over it. I'm happy for Syaoran. There's no way he would ever love me. Baka Sakura. Thomas loves me and all I can think about is Syaoran. Thomas protected me and got hurt, I can't do this anymore!

"It's very nice to meet you Rae-san. I've heard so much about you. I can see why Syaoran is so in love with you!" Sakura spoke cheerily.

"Pleasure to meet you also Kinomoto-san. Strange I haven't heard anything about you. How long have you known Syaoran for? How did you meet?" Meiling interrogated Sakura.

"Uhh…umm…" Sakura stuttered.

"You came to visit Thomas didn't you Mei? Please stop interrogating my friend." Syaoran asked firmly. "Let's all go together!" Mei linked arms with Syaoran and dragged him off leaving a fuming Sakura to tag along.

"Hey Mei, Didn't expect you to come. Well, I didn't want you to come just because I was lying pathetically in a hospital bed with an injured eye." Thomas spoke with seething anger.

"Are you okay?" Mei asked with tears in her eyes. "Yeah! I'm fine! Please…please just leave!" She ran out of the room crying. "You didn't have to be so harsh on her!"

"What do you expect Syaoran? She left me standing at the alter for you! After all that happened how can I still call you a friend? You were supposed to be my best man at the wedding… You fooled me! You don't deserve Sakura! You told me that if I helped you, you'd break it off with Mei. I was desperate! You knew I was desperate! I was such a dumb ass to believe you! You Li's are very cunning!" Thomas yelled accusingly. He hated almost everything about Syaoran.

Syaoran looked down at the floor regretfully. "I better go after her…" And he ran out.

About 15 minutes later Sakura came bouncing into the room with some food. "Thomas? What happened? You're all red! Are you okay? Nuuuuurrrsssee!"

Thomas shook his head profusely and chuckled. "No, no, I'm fine. Where have you been? It seems as if you were gone for ages."

We'll just forget that incident ever happened… They thought together.

"I couldn't find anything decent to eat so I ran to the nearest store to get you some food. It was like a 20 minute walk…" Sakura explained. "I have udons, tempura, prawn crackers…" Sakura listed and continued.

Thomas just smiled and laughed. How can you make me feel so happy Sakura? I never thought I'd be happy again…

While they were eating very happily on their food Sakura stopped and said two words. Then everything became clear.

"I do."

I'll protect you and love you forever Sakura…even if your heart truly lies with him….

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Next time: Sakura's fame is rising and she meets a mysterious man who has been following her. Who is he? Are there talks of a double wedding? Will Thomas ever regain his eyesight?

How was that? Tell me! R & R! I don't know how many chapters are left. I wanted to give you a preview, but I'm not sure where this will go…yet! As soon as I complete this story, I'll be happy!

Luv White