Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own anything about CardCaptors Sakura. The whole series belongs to CLAMP.
Chapter 2.
Sakura chewed on a small piece of pancake for the zillionth time, unaware of Touya's constant stare in herself. Yukito, who was also sitting at that table, made a small, barely visible, frown.
"I don't think you could chew that any longer," Kero finally said, causing Sakura to jump from her seat. He was coming down the stairs, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"K-Kero-chan. You scared me," Sakura admitted, breathing heavily. She brought her hand to her chest, unknowingly revealing the heart locket she'd kept hidden for years and just decided to put on today. Touya glanced at it quickly, letting out a small sigh. "Tomoyo-chan should be here any minute. I'll go change clothes" Yukito nodded and she walked out, without even finishing one pancake. Sakura stared at her reflection in the mirror, perfectly aware that the dress Tomoyo had picked out for her to wear the next day would be accentuating her flushed cheeks. She hadn't resisted the urges to try it on. Kero appeared and stared at her.
"Sakura?" he said, surprised. She blushed and looked back at him, as he nodded approvingly.
"Tomoyo-chan made it for me… along with an entire new wardrobe that should last longer than 3 lifetimes," Sakura explained, admiring the way it hugged her body perfectly. "She's ordered me to wear it tomorrow. I just…"
"Will that kid be there?" Kero asked. Even though he disliked Syaoran, he still knew he was important to his master. Sakura shrugged.
"I'm not sure. He is Xie-Fa's brother, but… I don't know. I think I'll be in the Li's mansion," Sakura whispered. Kero arched one of his tiny eyebrows, floating near by her face.
"You mean we'll be in the Li's mansion, right?" he inquired. Sakura frowned, looking back at him.
"You're saying… you'd come with me?" she asked, obviously touched. He nodded hastily. "Kero-chan!" Kero struggled to breathe as Sakura wrapped him in a tight hug, delighted.
"Just keep me away from any kids who might see me as their plush toy… and feed me regularly," he pointed. Sakura smiled brightly and nodded.
"I should get dressed… properly dressed. Can you start packing your stuff? I'm going to handle some things with Tomoyo before I leave," she said. Kero nodded and went towards the desk, going through his belongings, while Sakura put on a simpler, flowery sundress. It still looked beautiful on her, though it belong to an older collection… one from a few years back. They heard some honking and Sakura smiled, lifting Kero before placing him on her purse. "I'll be back later!"
"Ohayou, Sakura!" Tomoyo exclaimed, before smiling at Kero as well. She bowed her head towards him, then welcomed them inside the limo.
"Wait, I-I wanna take my bike. I don't want my last sight-seeing of Tomoeda to be through a limo," Sakura said. Tomoyo made a small surprised face, then smiled and nodded.
"Sure. It should be nice," Tomoyo agreed, whispering something towards her driver. "He'll be following us anyway. We might need him to take our things" Sakura nodded slowly and took out her bike, helping Tomoyo get on the backseat. She was holding her video camera, much to Sakura's dismay.
"Kawaii!" Tomoyo exclaimed, once Sakura started riding. She found herself giggling, stopping by a huge market to get some stuff. It'd be a nice way to say bye to the city. Even Kero seemed to be enjoying himself after buying some huge ice-cream cones.
"Kero-chan!" Sakura protested. He'd just gotten a brain-freeze. Tomoyo giggled, staring longingly at her best-friend.
"Sakura? I wanted to talk to you," Tomoyo whispered, her cheeks burning a deep red color. Sakura looked up at her and smiled gently, urging her to go on. Tomoyo looked away this time, blushing even more. "I-I'm pregnant" Sakura's emerald eyes grew bigger and she opened her mouth in shock.
"Tomoyo-chan? Shiawase!" Sakura exclaimed. Tomoyo smiled and looked down, receiving a tight hug. "What did Ishiro say about it?" Tomoyo frowned this time. "Y-You haven't told him?"
"I'm not… sure about it," Tomoyo whispered, shaking her head. Sakura tilted hers, confused.
"Is something the matter?" Sakura softly asked. Tomoyo recomposed immediately and shook her head, putting on the best of her smiles.
"C'mon. This is your day," Tomoyo stated, getting up while dragging her friend.
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"SURPRISE!" everybody yelled. Sakura grew pale, then turned back to smile at Tomoyo. Touya, Yukito, Chiharu and Takashi Yamazaki, Rika Terada and Naoko Yanagisawa stood before her. They were some of her closest friends, and many more from school were also there… Derek one among them. He seemed unusually quiet, sipping down a bottle of beer.
"I-uh… Thanks?" Sakura stuttered. She managed to smile at all those people who'd gotten together to give her a farewell party. Touya and Yukito were sitting aside, her brother looking too somber to be at a party.
"Sakura-chan! Did you know the very first farewell party was given by-," Takashi started, up until he was dragged away by his spouse… Chiharu.
"I cannot believe you'll be gone," Rika, who'd turned into a really beautiful young lady, and wife to their former teacher. She'd led Sakura aside, and they were sitting face to face. Sakura looked down slowly. "Are you sure you're doing it for the right reasons? I mean, maybe you'd prefer somebody to go with you" Sakura shook her head.
"I'll be fine, Rika-chan. Thanks, but… I really need to do this, for myself," Sakura stated. Rika hugged her tightly, up until Derek approached. Sakura brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, looking up surprised. "Bell-kun?"
"Can we talk? Outside?" he asked. She glanced back at Touya, who was staring at them, and nodded slowly. They walked towards the Daidouji's back garden, a place that brought her back one too many memories about Syaoran. "I… I've always liked you, Sakura-chan" She looked away, blushing, and he grabbed her hand. "I know your heart does not belong to me at all, but… I wanted to know if there was a slight chance you might let me in"
"D-Derek, I… I really care about you, as a friend. I can't really give my heart to anybody right now," she stuttered, looking away. He made a small face, though he'd seen it coming.
"It's ok. You're still pretty darn perfect to me, Kinomoto. I guess… I might see you once you come back," he muttered. She nodded and he left in a hurry, leaving her to sit down in the bench, which was crowned by cherry-blossoms. She had shared her first kiss with Syaoran there… and also their last. Soon enough, it was time for Yukito to appear. He noticed the absent look in her emerald eyes and stood beside her, watching the younger girl he cared so deeply about. It was a shame he'd never gotten to see more than a sister in Sakura.
"Sakura-chan?" Yukito warily said. She got up quickly, a faint blush covering her cheeks, and glanced into his eyes.
"Do you want to go for a walk with me? I love this place," she offered. He smiled and nodded, holding out his arm. Sakura linked hers with it, and they walked along the small path. "How's Onii-chan?"
"He's inside, talking with Yanagisawa-san," he pointed, referring to Naoko. Sakura nodded. "He'll miss you a whole lot. You know that, right?"
"Hai," she whispered. Tomoyo appeared soon after and rushed towards them, smiling a little. "Tomoyo-chan!"
"Everybody wants you to come back. We're having cake now," Tomoyo announced. Sakura let out a small sigh and followed Tomoyo, Yukito trailing behind. The party lasted for just a few more hours, until Touya decided to call it a night. Sakura could really use some sleep. She tearfully hugged all of her friends, then followed Touya and Yukito back to their house. Touya lit up the fireplace, sitting down in front of it, and stared at their parents' portraits. Yukito had already gone back to his room, when Sakura made her way down the stairs. He glanced up at her.
"You already packed your bags?" he inquired. She nodded slowly, approaching. "What is it?"
"N-Nothing. I just wanna stay here," she whispered. "Can I?" He nodded, trying to act as if he just didn't care, and moved aside to give her some room.
Yukito followed the light towards the living room, hours later, then smiled at the scene in front of him. That was a definite Tomoyo-moment to capture. Touya was leaning back against the couch, Sakura sitting with him. They had a blanket loosely wrapped around them. Even Kero was part of it, resting in between Sakura's hair. Yukito smiled and grabbed his own video camera, taping them for just a couple of minutes before going back to his room. Both would really need that taping a lot.
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Tomoyo watched, her eyes filling with tears, as Xie-Fa hurried one of her servants with her own luggage. She was obviously videotaping that moment. Touya had wrapped his arms around Sakura, who seemed about to cry as well. Xie-Fa glanced at them, smiling a little, and whispered something to Yukito, who nodded.
"Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo slowly started. Both girls hugged tightly, before Tomoyo pulled out a wrapped box.
"Tomoyo-chan! You've already given me enough things," Sakura weakly protested. Tomoyo shook her head, urging her to open it. Inside lied a brand new video camera, along with a few short tapings. "Nani?"
"Just… I want you to remember us. And… maybe you could show us a little bit of Hong Kong. I'll try to come and see you as soon as you're settled in," Tomoyo whispered. Sakura nodded slowly, gulping back some more tears, then hugged Yukito gently. Kero was saying his goodbyes to Tomoyo now. "I baked these for you… and there's more in one of the boxes I gave Xie-Fa. I hope you enjoy China this time" Kero nodded slowly, then floated back to Sakura's arms.
"Bai - bai!" Sakura exclaimed, waving at them. Xie-Fa waved as well, then both young women made their way inside the plane.
"Are you excited?" Xie-Fa inquired. Sakura gave her a terrified smile, causing Xie-Fa to laugh. "Don't worry. Mother will be really nice to you" Sakura managed to nod, glancing down at the beautiful white dress she was wearing. Kero was inside her purse, his eyes closed. "You look beautiful, by the way. My kids will love you"
"Arigatou. I'm sorry, I'm just…" Sakura whispered, shaking her head. Xie-Fa nodded. None of them had touched the 'S' subject yet.
"You'll attend several parties while we're there. I hope you got enough dresses… or we'll just have to take you shopping. There's not good enough places near home, but we always travel," Xie-Fa continued. Sakura nodded.
"I-I have some…" she stuttered. They finally got to the last gate and Sakura took a deep breath, stepping in. There was no turning back now.
End of chapter.
AN: Ok, this chapter was longer than I intended, but… Sakura and Kero finally get to Hong Kong next one! (cheers).
Hope y'all like…
LuBi.