A/N: I'm so so sorry for taking this long to update. I haven't been online for quiet sometime due to so and so. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Special thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chappie. I'll remember to put ur names up in the next chapter.

CHAPTER 7
Any Regrets?

(Normal POV)

"Are you two ever going to catch up?" Eriol asked with an agitated look on his face which was exposed by the wrinkles on his forehead and the rolling on his eyes.

Sakura and Tomoyo looked at each other walking far behind Eriol and Syaoran. They giggled then walked more slowly than before.

Eriol shook his head confused before giving Syaoran a quizzical look. Syaoran simply relaxed his shoulders.

"I wonder what they are talking about." Syaoran said smoothly though the feeling of not knowing was eating him alive.

Eriol walked ahead of Syaoran and said in a half whispered "You must be glad that things turned out your way."

Syaoran shrugged. A tiny spark glowed in his eyes. It could have been the sun but Eriol was sure that it was pride.

"Not yet." He replied.

"So what are you going to do? Hit her head with a block of wood and hope that she will forget what a jerk you can really be."

Syaoran shook his head and chuckled. If Eriol knew what he was feeling, he wouldn't have made fun of him. Syaoran turned away from Eriol and stood still.

"Why are you just standing there? We need to get to the lake before nightfall."

Syaoran folded his arms across his chest "I'm waiting for Sakura….and Tomoyo too of course."

Eriol rolled his eyes and released a sigh.

When the girls caught up Syaoran made sure he walked alongside Sakura and at the same pace as her. Eriol and Tomoyo walked far ahead of them. She did not show any indications of exhaustion. She was calm and had what he would defy as a cute little smile on her face. Her eyes glowed, he was so caught up with looking at her that he suddenly tripped over a rock and fell on his stomach.

"Syaoran!" Sakura yelled.

Syaoran did not move immediately. He felt so self-conscious.

"Syaoran are you alright!" she yelled again this time stooping and leaning towards him.

Syaoran turned around and lay on his back. The only thing that kept the moment alive was Sakura.

"I'm alright. It's only a little fall."

She laughed quietly to herself "You should really watch where you're going."

She held her hand out for him. He looked at her before he took the friendly gesture. Just as he expected, something happened when he touched her hand. Time stood still and everything else disappeared. He could feel his blood rush through his veins. He wondered if she felt too. She pulled his hand well enough for him to sit up.

"Are you hurt?"

He was not sure if he could speak after what had just happened. He managed a smirk.

"And you always said I was the clumsy one."

"Well you know…um…yeah."

"Speechless. That's a first. Are sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine." He managed to finally speak.

As she stood up so did he.

She placed her hands on her hips. "We've got a lot of catching up to do. I can't see them anymore."

"Neither can I."

"Do you know the way?

Syaoran nodded "Kind of."

"So this makes us lost." Sakura said in an unstable tone.

"Don't worry about it. I think I know the way..."

Sakura rolled her eyes "We are lost in the woods in the middle of nowhere. Are you serious." She pointed out with bitter sarcasm.

"Look at the bright side, you are stuck with me and I'm pretty good at this nature stuff."

Sakura did not look convinced. She heaved a sigh then looked around. Suddenly she felt like a small fish in a big ocean.

"Let's go this way." Syaoran decided.

"Why? Are you just guessing?"

Syaoran rubbed his chin with his index finger "Don't you trust me."

"Let's not even go there."

"I remember something about moss and direction…something like that."

Sakura shook her head "Fine…whatever you say but if something goes wrong you are to blame."

They walked for a few minutes before Sakura popped a question she never thought she would ask.

"So…" she started in an uncertain tone that drew all of his attention to her. "How was Hong Kong?"

His eyebrows shot up as though he was experiencing the most important moment of his life.

"It was just fine. At first it was a total nightmare I couldn't wake up from." His eyes were full of emotion almost as though he was going to cry

"How come?"

"My father died my first week there. That is one of the reasons I left." His tone grew softer and more depressing.

"Sorry…" she did not know what to say.

"I inherited everything." His tone remained distressing.

"Everything?" Sakura asked to ensure that she was hearing right though she did not want to make him say it again. Her tone was a mixture of sympathy and curiosity.

"Yes. Then I had big shoes to fill. I was only twenty, everyone expected so much from me. I was frustrated. I didn't want to be there…I wanted to be here in Japan, but there was no escaping."

Sakura had gained a certain level of understanding. She realized that she was so busy thinking about the way she felt that she never took time to consider his feelings.

"What made you decide to come back?"

It felt a little too early for him to tell her everything. He came back to Japan because of her. She was the one thing he needed the most and the one thing missing in his life.

"Work." He lied. He didn't know what else to say.

Sakura looked at him and smiled. "If it makes you feel any better. I'm glad you came back."

"Why? Did you miss me." He said winking at her.

"Nope." Her eyes fell on the ground then shot back at him "I think everyone else did."

………………………….

They had walked for almost half an hour before they finally reached the lake. The water stretched beautifully across the land. The trees were lush and green. You could see their reflections clear on the water.

Syaoran and Sakura looked at it and embraced it for awhile. They reluctantly tore their eyes away from the wonderful scenery and unto each other.

"Didn't I tell you that I knew the way?" Syaoran flashed a boyish grin.

Sakura beamed and exhaled. "I'll race you to that tree over there." She pointed at a pine tree a short distance from where they were standing.

"How old are you." He said lightly.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say that you were afraid of a little competition."

Sakura started running. Syaoran sighed before he ran after her. He quickly managed to catch up with her. Before Sakura could run any faster, he grabbed her waist.

"Stop it Syaoran! You're cheating." She yelled and giggled at the same time.

He started to tickle her. She lost her balance then managed to find it before falling roughly on the ground. He, while trying to hold unto her, fell right on top of her. She lay on her back and looked up at him. She was still laughing and he started to laugh soon after that.

When the laughter died, he remained on top her gazing longingly into her eyes. They were both out of breath. Her breathing rate was slightly faster than his. Feeling her warm breath on his face stimulated an instant need in him. He grabbed her wrists as though trapping her. He leaned his face closer to hers. Her face seemed to be saying 'kiss me now.'

"Syaoran…" she whispered.

"Yes." He said softly ready to feel her soft pink lips.

"You've got dirt on your cheek." She said chuckling after that.

Syaoran loosened his grip on her. He took one last look at her before moving. He lay on his back next to her.

"Syaoran…I can't believe Tomoyo and Eriol are still not here? Do you think they are looking for us."

"I don't know. We used a short cut."

"I'm sorry." Sakura spoke in sudden a compassionate tone.

"For what?"

"You're father. I always thought that you were on some kind of vacation." She felt like she had to say more but still, the words came out wrong.

"It's fine."

Sakura turned her head to look at him. His tone was calm and confident. It sounded as though he was trying to hide something deeper.

She wanted to hold his hand but something stopped her, fear.

……………………………

Eriol and Tomoyo arrived at the campsite a few minutes later. They were surprised that Syaoran and Sakura got there faster than they did but what surprised them even more was that they were getting along.

At sunset Tomoyo and Eriol were chasing each other around down at the water's edge. Sakura and Syaoran sat a 'safe' inches from each other. They glanced at the lake and at Eriol and Tomoyo. They could hear Tomoyo laughing.

"Wouldn't it be cool if they finally got married?" Sakura sounded envious.

"Yeah, it would be." He looked at the ground "Hey, what's your brother up to these days?"

Sakura chucked "I can't believe you are asking me that. I thought you never liked him."

Syaoran beamed "I didn't. We never understood each other."

"He has a girlfriend…he won't admit it but he's afraid of commitment."

"I'm not surprised."

The way they spoke to each other and their body language showed that they felt comfortable around each other. They were running out of reasons to argue.

……………………………………….

(Syaoran's POV)

I sat alone in the dark. I did not bother to look up. The stillness made the moment feel long and melancholy. I heard the sound of footsteps which suddenly stopped a short distance behind me.

I sat still for a while longer before rapidly turning around. I caught Sakura standing with her arms crossed. The trees shadowed her face. I could not see her expression but I knew that she was startled.

"Sakura?"

She gasped and turned away pretending to not notice me. "I'm sorry…um I couldn't sleep; as usual."

"You don't have to hide in the dark. I don't mind the company."

She slowly approached me. She sat next to me quiet and motionless. Now I could see her face. The bright yellow moon highlighted her exquisite features. It unveiled her bright emerald eyes, her porcelain skin and her silky crimson lips.

She wore denim shorts and a tight t-shirt. She always looked breathtaking.

"Isn't it beautiful?" I said gazing at her thoughtfully.

She smiled "Yes…the water is so inviting. Doesn't it make you want to swim?"

I looked up at the lake "Not really."

"To be honest Syaoran; I came here because I want to go swim; I know it sounds crazy because it must be freezing in there but I still feel tempted to do.."

Not once did our eyes meet. She had developed a sudden fear of gazing into my eyes.

She stood up "Come on. Let's go swim!"

I looked up and shook my head "I don't think so."

"Syaoran, it's our last night here. We might as well. If It was up to me…I would never go back home."

She held my hand and pulled me with such strength that I found myself standing up. She strolled closer to the lake and allowed the water to touch her feet.

"Come on Syaoran!" she said looking back at me.

I tucked my hands into my pocket. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Not yet."

She took off her T-shirt and her shorts. I bit my lower lip and my eyes widened. What was she trying to do to me? My palms were suddenly sweaty. I tried my best not to let my gaze linger on her body but on her face. She was now wearing a baby pink bra and matching underwear with two cherries on the side. Most would consider this normal male behavior, but there was nothing normal about it when I was trying not to look too distracted or interested.

"Why are you? What are you…?" I ran out of breath before I could finish my sentence.

"Calm down will you. It's no big deal now right?"

I shook my head and made a squeaky sound. It was a big deal.

She ran into the water. I moved closer and watched her swim in a circle.

"What would Ryu think if he found out that his innocent Sakura is swimming half naked in front of me?"

She giggled "He would understand. He's an understanding guy you know. It's not like I'm doing it for your entertainment. I'm doing it for me."

I almost laughed. Something strange had come over her and I would be stupid not to take advantage of it. I took off my coat then my t-shirt and ran into water. I could hear her laughing out loudly.

We played around for a short time. Soon she swam near me. She kept looking at me and smiling. It was like seeing her smile for the first time. I could not help smiling back. It felt like she was speaking to me though she did not say anything.

"Any regrets?" I asked.

"No. What about you?"

She looked up at the stars for awhile before she looked back at me "Ask me tomorrow morning."

"Sometimes I feel like I don't understand you as much as I think I do." I confessed.

She drifted closer to me "Me too." The smile on her face faded "Sometimes I wish I was more like you. You don't care about anything. You just…live."

We stood on higher ground. We looked at each other. I held her hand and pulled her warm body closer to mine. She kept her eyes fixed on me. Her skin felt smooth against mine. The love I had for her ran through me and the warmth ran down and stiffened my legs. I slowly wrapped my hands around her waist. She did not move. She gave in so easily that I slightly felt guilty.

"That's not true. I care about you. Don't freak out but when I came back from Hong Kong the only person I wanted to see was you; more than anything, so I stalked you. I followed you every where. At first I didn't recognize you. Your short hair was now long…" I paused and embrace her. "I could not believe it. You looked even more beautiful than I remembered you."

She laughed nervously as though she did not believe me "How long were you following me?"

"One day. I just had to see you. I wanted to know how you were without interfering."

She was quiet as though waiting for me to say more.

"I'm not sorry for doing it, I missed you so much."

We were quiet. It was awkward but felt right. I cold feel her breath on my face. Her lips slowly parted and she closed her eyes. I kissed her lips gently. To my surprise she let me. I then looked at her.

"We shouldn't be doing this." She whispered. Her tone emphasized tranquility.

"I know we shouldn't be doing this but…."

I kissed her again and this time she kissed me back.

She freed herself from my grip and sighed "This is wrong." This time her tone was bitter.

How could it be wrong when it felt so right? The way she held me and the way she kissed me said otherwise. I wanted her even more.

"Wrong?"

She shook her head "I must be dreaming this."

She walked out of the water to the lake side. I quickly followed her. Water slide from her auburn hair and dripped on her toned shoulders. She shivered then wrapped her hands around her chest.

"You'll catch a cold." I ran over to my pile of clothes and picked out an olive coat. I wrapped it around her shoulders.

She coyly smiled.

"So what happens after this?" I asked trying my best not to sound anxious.

She did not move nor speak. She glanced at me, her glance made me weak. I managed a wearily smirk.

She cleared her throat then suddenly spoke "What is it about you that makes me loose control. Sometimes I just feel like I need to stay away from you but…." She paused then looked away.

"You always seem to find me."

It felt like a second chance. I sat on the ground and she sat across me and glared at the lake. She hugged her legs and leaned her head on her knees. She licked her lips then quickly rubbed her eyes. I could tell that like me, she had many things on her mind.

"There is something nice about all this." She spoke tenderly.

"What?"

"Sitting here…next to you." She paused then added "Not saying anything."

I beamed "Yeah it is. Do you know what's also nice?"

Her eyebrows shot up.

"Talking; I know we talk now more than we used to but we never talk about what really matters. We never talk about us."

She picked a pebble from the ground, placed it between her fingers and tossed it.

"What happened to us Sakura? We were perfect for each other." I looked at her. She was so quiet that I felt like I was talking to myself.

"The only time I've ever been really happy is the time I was with you." Those words marked the end my emotional constipation.

"Really?" Her left eyebrow jerked as she glared at me with intensity.

"Yes Sakura."

The radiance in her eyes disappeared "You look happy to me. You have a supermodel girlfriend, a fortune and a smartass personality."

I nearly laughed "I'm a mess. I don't have passion for anything."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

"If you needed me so much, why did you leave without telling me anything. I would have understood."

"I wrote you a letter. I wanted to tell you face to face but everything happened so fast I never got a chance to."

"Which letter?" She sat up.

"The letter I told my mother to deliver to you."

She sighed "I never got any letter. All I got was a message from your mother…"

"Message? What did she say?"

"Never mind." She said lightly but I could tell that she was hurting.

I grabbed her shoulders and she gasped. Her body was cold.

"Tell me Sakura! What did she tell you?"

She looked straight into my eyes "She said you left for Hong Kong and you told her to tell me that you didn't love me. That leaving was your way of breaking off what we had. I never believed her. I went to your apartment. It was empty. I made up all sorts of excuses for you until I had no more. I realized how naive I was being. After a year everything I felt for you died." She simply pretended to laugh it off.

"Sakura…I can…I'm still…" I unintentionally started the statement in a hoarse overbearing tone. I wanted to tell her so much. I held my breath and tried to think it through; ironically there was nothing to think about. I was in love with her. It was the only thing I had ever been certain of.

She flipped her hair back and looked at me.

"Syaoran, don't spoil this moment. Please." She pleaded.

I was quiet.

"We better get back. You might catch a cold."

"No I'm fine."

She stood up "Goodnight Syaoran."

I wanted to say more. I wanted to beg her to stay but I couldn't. Something held me back.

After she was gone, I did not move. I began to understand why she found it so hard to trust me again.

…………………………

(Normal POV)

Early the next morning Syaoran wondered if the events of the previous night were a blissful dream or reality. It seemed almost too good to be true. Sakura acted like nothing happened. She spoke about the weather, home; cooking…she spoke about everything but him. He did not say much. As they hiked through the woods Syaoran tried to catch up with Sakura. When he did, he gently held her hand.

"Syaoran what are you doing?" she asked coyly.

"Last night…do you remember?" Syaoran whispered.

She sighed then looked at him. "What do you want me to say?"

"It's not what I want you to say."

"I wasn't thinking straight. I wish it didn't happen. I thought about it all night and it was a mistake." She shook her head.

"Mistake? Is that what it really was?"

"Don't you understand? I can't be with you because I know how it will all end. Giving into you is too risky. I'd rather be with someone I can count on like Ryu."

"I see. You are afraid to be with me."

She sighed "I don't know."

Syaoran faked a smile. "No matter how long you date Ryu, even if you marry him, you two will never have what you and I had."

"And what's that?" she shrugged and started to walk away.

"We had Passion and lust. That's why we kissed last night." He spoke with pride and confidence.

Sakura flushed as overwhelming images of the two of them flashed in her mind. "Syaoran I'm going to be smart for once and go with who is good for me rather than…" she paused "…you."

………………………………………….

A/N: I've changed the genre to angst cause there is just so much happening.

R&R please -