Erm…I hope you guys like this chappie. Kind of long and maybe you won't like the fact not much (in my opinion) happens – but I needed to get Li into Tomoeda! So here it is! Please review!
S.
Summary: It's been eight years since Syaoran left Tomoeda – and he promised he'd return. That promise was never fulfilled…will destiny right itself? How will the unpredictable Eriol, the spaced out Tomoyo and the nutty Meilin help? Hmm…it does seem pretty improbable! Let's see! S+S
Disclaimer: I'm no where near talented enough to own a manga! CCS isn't mine!
Lost Goodbye
Still Sakura's P.O.V
"Hoe…?" He knows my name…? I felt my breathe hitch a bit and I stared down at the desk, wishing the floor would swallow me up…
At break it was time for the Spanish Inquisition: picture poor little me sitting in the middle of a horde of curious, turned on teenage girls…hoeeee!
"How do you know him?" Someone must have heard his little comment about my name…
"Are you two going out?" Tomoyo must have hinted it to someone…
"Of course they are, look! She's blushing…" Oh, Sakura! Why are you blushing?
"Are you really Sakura?"
"Hoe…? No!"
"So he's definitely single?"
"Hands off him! He's mine!"
The conversation continued like this for a while, until Tomoyo, who had gravely been staring at the ground looked up and asked quietly (so no one could hear):
"Do you remember when Eriol first came?"
"Hai, very well," I smiled at the memory – it was very similar to what was happening now: a gaggle of girls swooning over him.
"Do you remember how Li-kun was so protective of you?" She smiled a little, "And how aggressive he was towards Eriol-kun? I thought that was so kawaii!" Stars flashed in her eyes – but I sensed she was telling me this for a reason.
"Tomoyo-chan, he probably only did all that because he was worried about the cards…" I blushed at all the memories – sometimes I came to the conclusion Tomoyo had also. That he was somehow…protecting me. My heart almost burst with hurt…why did he make a promise he wouldn't keep? If he was such a good friend, why couldn't he do what Meilin did? Send letters and phone and…
I shook my head. No…that was who he was…I didn't know him anymore. Syaoran…do you even care that you've no longer started haunted my nights, but my days too? Your rare smile…your protection and loyalty…your friendship…I valued you. What could I have done to make you value me too? Very little…
"…what I'm trying to say, is that, Eriol has been sensing something and he's worried that you…and Syaoran are involved. He didn't want to mention anything directly to you because…because he doesn't want you worry." I shook my head and looked at Tomoyo, eyes widened.
"Hoe?"
"So you haven't sensed anything?" She looked relieved. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was too busy in my own little world to listen to her, my best friend. I'd make it up to her later.
"Sakura!" The gaggle of girls suddenly realised I wasn't answering their all-important questions.
"Hai?"
"Is it true you were seen kissing him?"
"HOEEEEEEEE!"
Syaoran's P.O.V
"What?" Meilin's jaw-dropped. I felt self-satisfaction wash over me.
"You heard me – I'm going," I said coolly, throwing a stress-ball in the air and then catching it expertly; loving the fact I'd shocked her.
"But…but…" She spluttered, "But you were so against it! Why the change of heart?" I scowled. We were sitting around in the private lounge, lazing in the afternoon sun. My sisters were out shopping (as per usual) and my mother, Li Yelan, was away on a business trip (ditto).
"Heart has nothing to do with it – this was a purely rational decision…"
"So you read the letter, huh?" She suddenly regained her composure and I hated the smug grin on her face.
"Th-that has nothing to do with it!" I spluttered – the sudden role-reversal was killing me. I squeezed the stress ball tightly - it gave a squeak in protest.
"Sure. Whatever," she rolled her eyes, "So we're leaving tomorrow then?"
"Whatever you like," suddenly the question that had been bugging me a lot recently came to my lips, "Why do you care so much about me going to Japan?"
"Huh?" Yay! I'd caught her off-guard…damn, I was such a child.
"Well, when we were kids you tried…really hard to keep me from…everyone…" I said, choosing my words carefully.
"You mean Sakura?"
"…"
"Syaoran, you really are funny sometimes," she said, giving me an unexpected smile.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Do you really want to know why?"
"Would I be asking you if I didn't want to know the answer?" She rolled her eyes – but then thoughtfully looked out of the window.
"Actually, it was something Daijoudi said to me a few years ago," she looked at the carpeted floor – over-plush and too warm for a day like this, "That loving someone isn't about your happiness – it's often about your pain. But most importantly love is about making the one you love as happy as possible…" I gave her a strange look. Sometimes Meilin surprised me…I wonder what she meant, "But…" she looked at me suddenly.
"What?"
"I really, really don't know what I saw in you!" She said, giving me a completely confused look – I dropped to the floor, twitching. She grinned widely, "Anyway, should we tell them we're coming or not?"
"I…" This hadn't occurred to me. "Maybe not," I said carefully, thinking about how I'd ignored Sakura for eight years…that I needed to see her before giving her a call.
"Syaoran?"
"Hai?"
"I answered your question – answer mine!" I threw the stress ball in the air again, my eyes following it, and nodded for her to continue, "Why are you going to Japan?"
"Because…" I'd already prepared, myself for this, why was it so hard to say? "As head of the Li Clan and…and direct descendant of Clow Reed, I need to protect everyone from the evil magical forces…"
"'Everyone' being Sakura?" I jumped up and yet… I couldn't bring myself to retort – her name had that effect on me…weak man that I am.
Sakura…she would surely hate me…I abruptly left the room and…I felt my heart stir. I scowled and one of the maids caught my eye – she jumped, seeing my vicious expression.
"Are you new?" I barked at her. She nodded…what a strange girl – she had an odd aura. Her eyes were small and dark – her hair too-short and even darker than her eyes. She seemed almost, but not quite…a magical aura…
"Do you want anything, Li-Sama?" She asked mutedly, looking into my eyes directly. She gave me the chills and I shook my head.
"Nothing – go." She scuttled off, but I saw her look behind her shoulder – at me. I shook my head again and pushed her out of my mind…I suddenly felt really, really tired. I started thinking about my trip to Japan…I was so nervous.
Sakura…she hates you.
Sakura's P.O.V
It had only been two days with Naruto in my life…and already the world had changed.
Firstly everyone seemed to know my name – the whole of school! And this made me intensely uncomfortable – Tomoyo seemed to think it was the bit of luck that I needed.
"Just go with it! You always moan that you're the girl that no one can remember the name of and such…" She laughed at my expression.
Secondly, he had been paying a very close interest in me and my life (Tomoyo seemed to be super starry-eyed about this too…hoe!); the only guys that had ever paid interest in my presence was my brother (yeah, like I really needed the attention he gave me!), Yukito-san (but only because he is so kind and thoughtful), Eriol (well, he was just a gentleman and he would have to be nice to me because he loves Tomoyo and she's my best friend…) and Syaoran…and he…he needed me to catch the cards…
But didn't he, at times, do things that had nothing to do with cards or magic or Clow Reed…? Didn't he comfort you when Yukito rejected you…? Offered you a shoulder to cry on…? Didn't he protect you before himself when capturing those cards…? Didn't he…?
Stop. He never did that for you…he did that for himself! If any harm came to you then how could he capture the cards - on his own?
This had never occurred to me. Why, oh why, was I still thinking of him? I was such a pathetic little girl…he never saw you as his friend…so let it go.
But that was just it – I couldn't let go. I doubt I ever could…he was just…I…he was Syaoran. What other explanation was needed?
As I was busily thinking about all this, walking back home, I felt a hand on my shoulder – I felt so tired…exhausted. I turned around groggily and tried to focus on the face.
"Hello, Sakura," Naruto. I knew I had to reply…but I felt so tired I thought my jaw would not mange the effort of opening…
"Hi…" I managed to mutter. I stared up into his eyes – blue…like the pinnacle of the sky.
"Are you okay? You look…" he brought his hand to my face and brushed a lock of hair behind my ear…it felt…weird. I shuddered and took a step back. I saw his eyebrows contract a little, "You look tired…beautiful, but tired." I blushed deeply and hoped something, anything, would rescue me from this strange, handsome, boy.
"I…I have to go home," I whispered, but then I felt myself sliding forwards…He grabbed me and I felt him lift me up. I was so…tired…
Darkness. Black. Nothingness…loneliness…I cried out his name…this time no voice replied and this, somehow, made everything feel worst.
Third Person (P.O.V)
He unbuckled the seat belt and sat there for a moment, soaking in what was once his dearly loved home – Japan.
The air was humid and it smelt different…tasted different…he breathed in the freedom, the capacity for joy…I breathe the air she breathes, he thought idly, before correcting himself with a slap on the forehead – he saw some of the other first class passengers look at him oddly…but he just scowled at them and they went back to getting their luggage.
He turned to look at Meilin who was currently yelling at some poor air-hostess for pouring tea all over her new dress. He smiled – but then felt inexplicably tired again…he looked up at the air hostess again and tried hard to focus his eyes…she looked familiar…dark eyes…
I tried to reach her, awkwardly walking in between chairs - but some strange barrier was blocking me, I looked down and Meilin was there, glaring at me.
"Stop giving her the eye," she said, and when he looked up it was too late; she'd gone.
Once again he pushed it out of his mind – this was difficult, because Syaoran was one of those people who was sure and decisive about everything (A/N I wish I was like that…I'm never sure about anything!), to the point of arrogance. And he was so sure that had been a magical aura…
Then again, he mused as they got into the chauffeur-driven car, he had just arrived in a country with the most magical being that had ever existed, rivalling even Clow Reed…he blushed as he thought this. It was weird thinking that the ten year old picture he had of Sakura as somehow 'powerful'…every time he thought of her he just wanted to protect her. His perpetual scowl deepened…she hates you. And you hate her. So stop thinking about her.
But when they started driving into Tomeda (it sure hadn't taken a long time, he thought with a gulp) he tried to breathe deeply and try to think of something, anything, other than the giant surge of memories reaching him – this was where they'd walked to go to the teddy-bear store, over there was the ice-cream stand where Sakura had treated them all (and had somehow known he liked chocolate), and there was the Museum…where he'd first saw her. He was so selfish, only thinking of the cards and the development of his own magical skills…
That hadn't changed! Because that was what was truly important, he shook his head and, catching the sight of Penguin park (where they'd fought so many cards), he quickly turned to Meilin to talk about the memory of the 'fight card' (really, just to distract himself from the all-too familiar scenery) – she was fast asleep, drooling slightly. He was starting to wonder why all the incessant jabbering had stopped…
He looked out of the tinted car window and suddenly he saw…it couldn't be…he tapped the partition between driver and passenger – it slowly rolled down and the car stopped.
"Let me off here – I, um…Meilin will direct you where to go." He sharply poked Meilin in the ribs – with a yelp she woke up. He didn't bother wasting precious time explaining why he'd jumped out but, by the eardrum-splitting scream she let out, he was pretty sure she wasn't happy about it.
The car rolled off smoothly – he quickly jumped behind a tree and poked his around the corner just to be sure – he silently watched
From the distance he could see a tall, incredibly handsome, boy, with blonde hair, carrying a girl bridle-style – the girl appeared to be knocked out. She was petite, her honey coloured hair shone healthily in the sun and her skin had this radiant glow – but what really, really made him sure that it was her…even though she was quite far off into the distance he still felt the pink, soft glow of her aura – of kindness and thought and magic…his whole body turned to jelly.
She has a boyfriend…
What did you expect? A pretty girl like her? What? That she'd not find anyone and just keep pure and innocent forever…? What was he thinking…she was probably just as innocent and pure…maybe…maybe the guy had drugged and kidnapped her! He clutched his fist – then he saw the guy lean down and…he kissed her forehead. He felt as though his heart had been plucked out and chucked across the floor…he got the mental image, for some weird reason, of Meilin and Tomoyo jumping up and down on his heart whilst shouting 'Serves you right! Serves you right!' in squeaky voices.
He paused, feeling the pounding of his heart in his ears – what could he do…? Only one option: run away, like the coward he was. He stole one last glance at the duo…and then he ran as fast as he could – feeling his eyes glaze over, his throat burn…he was so sure she'd…he was so sure…what…? That she'd just be the same…?
He leaned against a tree and breathed deeply; what was this feeling? Why did he even care…? He could have sworn he heard a faint laughter behind him…and this spurred him on. That laughter…cold. Pitiless…he started to run again, and didn't stop until he was outside the Li residence.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sakura's P.O.V
What a strange week – after the whole collapse, or whatever it had been, I woke up in bed, in the darkness…and the world seemed slightly wrong. I felt as though something different, but familiar, had come back…I felt a reluctance…someone didn't want me to know they were around; I realised it may have been Eriol, that maybe he was hiding something from me – maybe it was about Tomoyo? I smiled faintly. They were such a cute couple – I didn't quite understand why Tomoyo had gone all cold on him suddenly…
Anyway, it was really none of my business. I sat at my window-seat, looking out at the tops of trees and roofs and skies…it was night, so stars burned brightly and…I started to think about stuff…
Ever since I collapsed I had been perpetually tired. Everyone was starting to notice – how could I tell them that I felt like sleeping forever? That was how tired I felt…and I was very confused about Naruto's behaviour towards me.
After being so interested in me and thoughtful, suddenly, after the collapse, he'd been cold. Not that I cared…I just really hate it when people are mad at me. I hoped, inwardly, that I hadn't said anything stupid in my sleep when he was carrying me and stuff…I blushed a little.
But the best news was: Meilin had arrived! I was so surprised – which was her intention, I guess – and from tomorrow I'd spend as much time with her as possible…because she was my friend…because she lived in the same house as Syaoran…because I wanted to know if he had stayed the same, or changed dramatically…but she had been busy with paper work and visiting family all week, so I'd only got one brief phone call and then nothing! But from tomorrow, we'd all decided to go shopping! I let a smile touch my lips…Tomoyo was going to feel like her birthday had arrived early!
But the Clow Cards were still missing…and lately, whenever I'd touched the remaining cards, they'd felt colder and…less alive. This worried me no end – I tried to talk to Eriol about it, but he seemed very distracted and…I had a feeling Tomoyo wasn't the only reason. I hadn't managed to tell him – but I would, after tomorrow, I thought resolutely.
I started playing with a bit of loose string in the cushion by my side…I was just so curious about what Eriol was hiding…if it was him.
I let my mind go blank and slowly allowed my aura to reach out – I closed my eyes in concentration – if anything would interrupt my now I'd feel it in physical pain. I let my aura find Eriol's and gently, very gently, I opened my eyes. He was in his room, and Tomoyo was with him – he appeared to be apologising, or explaining himself – she looked worried and hurt…I let myself hover there…and I suddenly realised that I probably shouldn't be watching this – it looked pretty private…I also realised the weird feeling wasn't from him.
Internally, I frowned. Then who was it…? Were there are other magicians in the vicinity…? Meilin perhaps…? But she didn't have any magic…I bit down on my lip. It was worth a try – this feeling was bothering me…and maybe it was the answer to the dreams, to finding the cards.
Once again, I let my eyes flutter close and my aura canvassed Tomoeda…it found Meilin, sitting on the edge of her bed, her face in her hands. It was obviously not her…but…it was close. I felt a flutter of another aura…
I gasped – and felt myself tumbling to the ground. I bit down on my lower lip hard and tasted blood, keeping in a scream – it hurt so much – my whole being felt stretched and so, so wrong…
Once I'd caught my breath a little I tried to discredit what I'd felt…his aura…his voice…
Syaoran was in Tomoeda. And no one had told me - I didn't even know.