Author's Thanks

Lil-Sakura-Angel

Different Girl

coca24cola

review lord- Wow, nice idea you have there… But our minds are sort of different! Ahehe?

Doggie-Love 3) Pretend that your Sakura just so he will like you (even though he isn't real)– We're the same at this one..! ..Yep, you are obsessed!

animelover2

soojan- Wow! That's great news! I think I'm gonna cry huhuhuhu! Hehe! I'm just so happy that your friend Emily told you about my fic. Thank you!

MCR rocks!- Hey? Are you MCREADER?

Vampire Jazzy

Gemini Wind this has to be one of the best Sakura Syaoran fics ever.- Oh my! Thank you ever so much! Thank you! Thank you!

cristal-shian

Illusion Dragon WOW! This is such an AMAZING fic! It rocks! It has all ther teasing, the problems and love that's perfect SxS!- Oh wow! Thank you for that my beloved reader!

Anna dh

Kawaii bunny Poor Sakura...and that Kioku girl...I don't even like her...heehehehehe- Ehehehe! Cute review!

Tsubame

sunflower-power24

Professional Toilet Flusher- Hihihi! Nice pen name!

Sanoske, Duo & Hiro- (sweat drops)

cool aya

yukyungtang

EKoolcat369- Ahihihi? You're so funny, my friend!

PnkSaKuRaSyAoRaNS2

Mirokusbabigurl

BriAnna

lil wolf lover

Pinaygrrl

Rushi Star

kawaiiseeker987

kura52- Wah! Add mo ko! Add mo ko! Others, add me rin ahahaha! 13: Familiarity

"Sakuraaaaa!" A girl with long purplish black hair came running over to an auburn-haired girl. She quickly threw her arms around her best friend when she gained on her. They are now at Hong Kong International Airport. "Ooooh! How I've missed you!"

"I missed you too, Tomoyo!" Sakura replied to her friend who is 2 inches taller than her.

"I'm soooo happy to see you!" Tomoyo exclaimed at her.

Sakura was grinning all the way when she noticed few people behind her best friend. She blinked twice, "Your bodyguards?" she pointed the three tall girls wearing dark shades in black outfits.

Tomoyo, still wearing her charming smile, nodded, "Yep! … Say Sakura… You mentioned in your last e-mail that you have a bodyguard too! Is he here? Are you with him?"

The two of them started to walk over to Tomoyo's limousine when she answered, "He's not here."

"Oh?" she replied while one of her bodyguards gently closed the door beside her. "How come?" She suddenly chuckled, "I bet you don't want him here! Hehehe! You stated that he was a lot annoying, wasn't he?"

It was a very very long time ago when they last exchanged e-mails. "Well… Let's say I was wrong. Ahehe?" she told her best friend.

"Sakura…" Tomoyo had a worried tone, "are you ok? You don't sound so good."

Sakura was just sitting and nonchalantly looking at the ground. She quickly lifted her head then said, "me? Of course I'm ok!"

Tomoyo's eyebrows twitched with doubt. Although they have been separated for a long time, she still knows her best friend quite well, "really?"

"Yeah…" she nodded. "Well ANYWAYS.., I haven't seen you for a long time Tomoyo! You look prettier!" she complemented.

Tomoyo's hair didn't change much- still the same length and the certain curls, but her bangs are now a bit more stylish than before.

"Thank you! I can say the same for you! You look splendid, Sakura!"

"Ahihi?" she sweat dropped.

………………………………………………… After 2 days; Where Syaoran is

Syaoran lazily opened his eyes. It's morning and he doesn't feel like getting out of bed. He is fully awake now for he had slept for 13 hours. His eyes, that are somehow red and brown, are fixed on the ceiling. His eyes. Those amber eyes of his, they totally fit a handsome guy like him and it made the ladies just scream and want to be its apple. But no, none of them seem to be the right one for him. The one he chose was the one he didn't expect to like from the start, or did he?

He blinked. He thought of the days that had gone by. Most of them were wasted on shit. Like Sakura, he let his chances pass by.

He still lay lazily on his bed, not willing to move a muscle. He sighed. "Mother…"

…………………………………………………… Flashback

'Knock knock' there was a knock on the door and it was followed by a "Come in!" by the owner of the bedroom- Syaoran.

After for a few seconds, Yelan walked in. As soon as he caught sight of his mum, he stood.

"Sit down." His mother said without any formal tone. She sat next to his son on his bed. "Xiao Lang, we both know that in the past, you have cancelled a LOT of engagements…And it pissed off the elders. They commented that they were indifferent about you because you keep on reasoning that you have already fallen for another.

A/N: If you prefer, see chapter 6

And that another is your childhood friend… And now that Kioku's here-"

"Is she really my childhood friend?" Syaoran suddenly butt in.

"Y-you don't recognize her? You be the judge."

"Well… Actually… Mother… I really don't think that Kioku was the girl in my past." Syaoran still has his doubts in him and he wouldn't let him self be bluffed.

"Don't worry. She is. …As I was saying…Now that Kioku's here, I expect you to be on a positive side this time."

"But…"

"Xiao Lang… We have long waited for the heir to be finally engaged and settled. Don't fail us this time, please."

Syaoran blinked and had a confused surprised look plastered on his face. His mother's word really struck him. She rarely says 'please' to him. Even though it isn't much of a plead, but still… It is unusual. And it just had to make him all so warm inside.

"Ok Mother," he smiled and added, "I also have been waiting for my female childhood friend's return."

……………………………………………… End of flashback

Syaoran still lies on his bed. "I also have been waiting for my female childhood friend's return." He repeated.

Thoughts swam in his head. 'I feel sorry for my mum...And a little for the elders too. All I thought then was that they only think of themselves. And I still do think about that right now. But I guess, this time, they made an effort for me. I give them credit for putting up guts and making Kioku be my fiancé.

Kioku. Kioku. I don't really feel anything familiar with her name. I've asked her why I don't feel a thing. She told me that maybe time had melted the bond between us.

Really? Is that the reason? … Even if she is my childhood friend, still, I didn't feel much about her then. It was just an excuse. A lie.

But not totally a lie. Damn, I'm messed up! Well anyways… I'll put my mind in order. … Not totally a lie…Why? I had this tiny bit crush on her when I was 7… Like I noticed before, she was very pretty. But I don't really feel anything whenever I see Kioku. She is pretty though; different beauty. But still, I am not attracted to her. But vibes came electrocuting me whenever I remember her…Even just her name.

Sakura.

Just a slight thought of her makes me feel chills coming down my spine. Sakura, she is also pretty. My pretty angel. It's funny isn't it? I came to like someone who acts way younger than her age.

But… What am I gonna do? I can't be all so in love with Sakura when Kioku is my fiancé. To think I was crazy over the issue Yukito being Sakura's fiancé… What am I gonna tell Sakura now? Dammit. She was happy when Yukito called off their engagement. And now…I'm the one who's engaged.

Will I ever be free to wed the one I truly love?'

Syaoran blinked, "now where did that come from? Will I ever be free to wed the one I truly love? I didn't think I had something like that in me. Ahahaha!" He smiled at that thought. "It's good to smile once in a while." Then the smile faded.

'I can't let Sakura know that! Besides, she's in Japan and I'm in Hong Kong… I can't let her know that… But… What about the wedding? When I finally wed Kioku?

… I'm sure Sakura has somebody else by that time.' His heart wrung.

Knowing that as a fact or just a mere possible thing, he put his mind in a new view. 'I guess I have to move on too.

To where? Haah… Mother… I will not fail you. Well… I'll try.

I don't wanna wed someone I don't love. That's a fact. So… I have to have feelings for Kioku.'

He finally left his bed and stood. He went to his bathroom and took his morning routine.

………………………………………………… Where Sakura is

"Tomoyo!" she cried out at her cell phone. She's alone in her hotel room.

"Yes Sakura?" her best friend is on the other line.

"Tomoyo! Waaaah! I'm so bored! Can I come over?"

"Oh Sakura… I'm terribly sorry… I'm busy. I have work to do."

"Can I come and help?" she said as she sits on the couch.

"Hehe… Thanks Sakura, but there's nothing in here you could help me out with… You know..?"

"Oh… I understand. Oh well… I'll just wander around a bit!"

"No Sakura! You might get lost!"

"Don't worry Tomoyo! I'm not new here!"

"Oh yeah… I'll keep that in mind. Ahehe? Take care, ok? Promise me you'll be fine."

"I'll be fine! Promise!"

"Ok..! See you then!"

"Yeah, see you!" Then Sakura hanged up the phone. She threw her cell phone at the other couch. She told her self, "Well… No other place to go..! I'll just go to the place where I always hanged out…"

………………………………………………… Syaoran

After his breakfast, he went to their terrace.

'What do I know about her? About Kioku? What do I know?

My childhood friend?

Is that all? Well… I reckon that's what I have now…'

He decided to go to the place where he usually meets his childhood friend- the playground.

He walked thru the streets. The playground isn't that far from their mansion. As he continued his walking trip, memories came swimming in his mind. He recalled the times when he was walking in the streets with Sakura. He sighed. '…It was fun.'

The amber-eyed guy seems to be walking for quite a while now. 'I…can't…help…it…' he thought. He had been thinking of Sakura all the way. All the things he passes by seem to be making him remember her- even the telephone booths or the sidewalk itself.

Until finally, he noticed the plants near him and he reckons that behind it is the playground.

"Sand sand sand..! Sand in the sandbox..! Sand in my pants..! Oh sand sand sand..!"

Syaoran heard a female voice chirping and it's coming from the playground. He smiled a little, "Maybe it's Kioku..!" he whispered to himself. "That chant sounds so familiar. I'm sure it's the song I was supposed to sing when I was very young."

The thought of Kioku in the playground made him feel something different. 'Sakura… Where are you now? What are you doing? If only you were here… So that I have someone to tease and play with… I'm in the playground… Where are you?'

He used his left hand to shove off the leaves that are in his way. He wasn't very happy at that time. And he was actually wearing a slight frown. He misses her.

As expected, he saw the one singing. He saw a female girl sitting at the edge of the sandbox. Her eyes were fixed on the sand so she didn't notice Syaoran coming. She looks like that her age is nearly the same as his. She was slightly playing with the sand; feeling it's roughness.

She once again chanted, "Sand sand sand..! Sand in the sandbox..! Sand in my pants..! Oh sand sand sand..!"

Syaoran's eyes widened. He was wondering why this girl, who is not Kioku, in his view knows this chant. As far as he remembers, he and his female childhood friend made that chant; and only the two of them know it. 'Maybe Kioku have taught that to someone else… Well… Good timing! There's someone here who is a friend of Kioku! I could ask some things about her..!'

He kept his ground. His feet haven't taken another step. He is still standing there, watching the girl play alone.

"Sand in my pants..! Oh sand sand sand..! Sand monster come take me awaaaayyyy..!"

Shock plastered his handsome face when she yelled that latest line. The voice sounds so familiar. Everything came so familiar. Her voice. Her hands. Her smile. Her hair. Her eyes.

Small and childlike.

Light complexion and dainty.

Sweet and gentle.

Auburn.

Emerald.

"Sakura!" he suddenly screamed.

The girl suddenly stopped then lifted her head. She looked to see who just screamed. As soon as their eyes met, Syaoran noticed the same astounding emerald eyes that he wished it would only twinkle just for him.

Her eyes widened with surprise and glee. "Syaoraaaaaan!" she screamed in delight and quickly took of running towards him.

While he watches his missed angel running over to him, quick thoughts came entering his mind like 'No… This isn't Kioku's friend! I-it's Sakura!'

She embraced him tightly as soon as she reached him. She buried her head between his neck and right shoulder. Her arms were wrapped tightly around him. "How I've missed you…" she whispered.

His eyes were closed, also savoring their unexpected meeting. He was also holding onto her tightly.

After their embrace, Sakura kept her gaze at her beloved. She was so happy she got a little teary. She grinned at him. "Sniff." She sniffed as she wipes a tear from her left eye with her finger. She kept her grin at him, "How are you?"

"Fine! Fine! Just fine! How about you?" he was extremely happy and also can't help himself from grinning.

"I'm soooo happy!" She exclaimed then she spread out her arms. "I'm so happy I got to see you again!" then she wrapped her arms around his body again; resting her head on his chest. "I missed you!"

"I missed you toooooo!" he cried out and then he quickly gave her a peck on her cheek.

"Hihihihi!" she giggled at that.

He blushed a lot, so did she. They kept their eyes gazed at one another.

"Excuse me." A female voice came in and it had to make Sakura let go of Syaoran.

Sakura blinked trice unsure whom the hell the girl is and why she butt in. Sakura wore a confused childish frown and her eyebrows formed a negative angle. "Who's she?" she asked Syaoran.

The other girl put her left hand at her left hip and spoke up before Syoaran could answer, "I'm Syaoran's fiancé!"

Sakura's eyebrows still have this negative angle and her childish frown turned into a serious frown. She blinked and then faced him, "Is that true?"

Syaoran ran his right hand thru his brown messy hair. "W-well…"

"Of course it's true!" Kioku snapped. "Tell her Syaoran!"

"Is it?" Sakura eyed him with a pleading look on her face. She looked like she wanted to hear that it isn't true. … He took a deep sigh and with much hesitation, he slightly nodded. … Water came flooding in her eyes like an overflowing dam. Then she ran away. … He rolled his fingers making a fist; he gave Kioku a quick angry glare then ran after Sakura.

. - . I had come too close to happiness and have it swept away . - .

"Sakura, wait!" he caught up to her then grabbed her left arm.

"WHAT?" she cried out to him.

"Let me explain!" he exclaimed.

She glared at him with serious fury. "Explain." she uttered with greeted teeth.

"It was all my mum's idea, I promise!"

"And?" she muttered to him as if looking for more explanation.

"HEY! What's this all about!" Kioku butt in again.

Sakura eyed her angrily as she pulls away from Syaoran's grasp and then she ran away.

END

Author's Notes

Wah! Why does everything turn out negative lately? Ehehehe? Oh well…

Please stay tuned.

Neat reviews please. Thank you! Hihihi!