Note: Thank you for all the wonderful and encouraging reviews. Sorry if the update is late, I've been pretty busy with the last couple of months.

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Memory Lane

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"Who are you people?" Syaoran asked as they got inside a long, black limousine. People that passed by looked at them fearfully. He arched a brow at this.

"I'm Li Meilin," the girl earlier said, her fierce red eyes softening. "Don't you remember me?"

Syaoran stayed quiet and looked outside the tinted windowpane. The green pastures outside gave Syaoran a needed peace. They passed by a cherry blossom field and he emitted a sigh.

Sakura…

"So Syaoran," Meilin started. "Are you excited to see Aunt Yelan again?"

Syaoran averted his eyes away from the scenery and scowled. "In all honesty, I am not."

Meilin frowned and her forehead creased in confusion. "Why not, Xiao Lang?"

Syaoran ignored her and turned his attention back to the tranquil environment outside. In the background, he could hear the girl's annoyed groans. He rolled his eyes at her through the window's reflection.

"Stop your whining," Syaoran snapped at her. Meilin shut up, her eyes wide and her cheeks tainted dark. She pouted at him.

"You're different than I've imagined you to be, Xiao Lang," she whispered disappointedly. "I thought you remembered me…" She trailed off and emitted a sob. "I've missed you, Xiao Lang."

Syaoran glared at her and sneered. "So sorry to disappoint but I've never known you as anything in my life. I never acknowledged you as my friend nor my relative."

The car passed a bump.

Meilin opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the car door opening, an old man stood there in front of them, smiling. "Miss Meilin, Master Xiao Lang," he bowed. "I am your assistant, Wei."

Syaoran's eyebrow arched upward. "Wei?"

Wei nodded his head and bowed and a line of maids bowed as well, curtsying for them as they strode on the space left out for them. Syaoran was pleased to see that he was that special.

He looked up and scanned his surroundings. His jaw dropped and his eyes grew large. There, in front of him was the biggest mansion he had ever seen! It was elegant, sophisticated, and—and it was obvious that they were filthy rich!

"Master Xiao Lang," a group of elderly men that looked older than a hundred years old bowed to him. They looked superior to the others. "We are pleased to see that you have finally come."

"Come," Wei said as he led him and Meilin inside the mansion. Syaoran eagerly complied. Meilin remained blank and minute by minute, gave Syaoran hopeful looks. "Mistress Yelan Li is waiting."

Syaoran tensed up as he heard his so-called mother's name. He straightened himself up and looked directly at his mother's cold brown eyes. He winced.

"Xiao Lang, my son," she said blankly. "Finally you have returned to where you truly belong."

I belong with Sakura…

But Syaoran remained silent and waited.

"Well, a feast is in order," Yelan clapped her hands slightly and a group of maids waited for her orders. "Prepare a reunion!"

The rustling of feet occupied the silence and Syaoran watched as butlers and maids alike bustled around the mansion with no emotions, whatsoever passing their faces. He confusedly looked at Wei, who just ignored him.

Are we this cold?

This thought passed by his mind a couple of times but the answer was always the same. Yes. It was obvious, really. They cared, yes, but they never showed it. So it's the same as being cold towards who you care for the most.

"Master Xiao Lang?" Wei asked, not looking at him. "Are you thinking about your… sister?"

Sakura?

Hell no! I think of her more than that… much more, he thought dreamily.

"She's not my sister, Wei," Syaoran gritted out. "She's my girlfriend."

Wei was rather taken aback but amusedly arched a brow at him. "Rather, Miss Kinomoto?"

Syaoran huffed and grunted out a, "yes."

"If it's going to please you, Young Master, I already asked someone to fetch her for you."

Syaoran's eyes twinkled mirthfully. Sakura. Just the sound of her name gave him such shivers that were really—arousing. Think, Sakura, wearing a nightgown with absolutely nothing underneath the teaser.

He felt that familiar tightening on his pants whenever he thought about Sakura. He shook his head. Not now! He looked at Wei, pleased with his way of thinking and smirked. "Thank you, Wei."

"Think nothing of it, Master Xiao Lang."

Syaoran eagerly waited for Sakura's arrival.

&

Sakura blinked.

What the hell just happened?

She looked around curiously and saw expectant eyes staring at her. She yelped in surprise as her friends started to talk continuously, their eyes widening with every word.

"Who are they, Sakura?"

"Are they your relatives? Are they, huh?"

"Kura-chan! Why are you so shocked?"

Sakura's head started to whirl.

She broke.

"I don't fucking know!" She hissed. "So will you pansies please stop bugging me!"

Instantaneously, the crowd disappeared and Sakura gained a short piece of mind. Why did Syaoran go with them? Are they part of the Li Clan? Where the hell did they go?

Her mind completely went blank.

So many thoughts… head hurts… ow.

She clutched her head soothingly in her hands, rocking herself back and forth.

"Sakura?" Tomoyo's soft voice reached her ears. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," Sakura murmured. Her eyes fluttered open and her face paled and a frown rested on her lips in concern. "I'm so worried."

Tomoyo pitifully rubbed Sakura's back. She hushed Sakura soothingly and whispered, "Don't worry. He'll be back."

Sakura nodded her head innocently. "He will… I know he will."

Tomoyo smiled.

&

Dim lighting showed a tall silhouette that stood motionlessly near a large window. Slowly, it moved and walked towards a large mahogany table in the middle of the room.

Four elderly men stood in front of the table, unmoving.

"He's weak," one of them murmured. "So weak."

"And certainly distracted," another piped.

One tilted his head to the side to stare directly at Yelan Li's blank eyes. "It's the girl."

"We must get rid of her!" The last one cried. "She's undeserving and certainly unacceptable in our clan!"

Yelan kept quiet but looked at the elders stiffly. She averted her eyes away from them in a matter of moments.

"We will not kill her or get rid of her in any harsh way." She said sternly.

"Then what will we do?" One of the elders hissed. "He will not accept his position if she is there to distract him!"

Yelan looked down and whispered, "We will erase his memory."

"All of it that includes her?" He spat.

She closed her eyes guiltily. "All of it."

&

"Sakura Kinomoto?" The teacher called out from the outside of the room. "Come here."

Tomoyo raised her brows in concern, as Sakura stood up slowly from her chair, confused. Sakura hastily went outside the room, leaving heavy murmuring following her out.

She closed the door noiselessly behind her and turned to face her professor and—and a bunch of men clad in black?

Sakura pursed her lips.

"Is anything the matter, sensei?" She muttered.

Terada-sensei stared at one of the men in black and muttered to her, "you're excused from all of your other classes, Sakura. You can go now."

"Go where?" She panicked. "Who are you people?"

A man stepped towards her and bowed his head, surprising her. "Sakura-sama, you're presence is needed in the Li Mansion."

"Li… Mansion?"

Syaoran!

They… have… Syaoran! I have to go! Sakura thought distractedly.

"L-let's go."

&

"Wei," Syaoran called out. "Has she arrived yet?"

"Not yet, Master Xiao Lang." Wei said, standing still. "But aren't you supposed to be at your feast?"

Syaoran shook his head. "I don't want to be in there."

Wei raised a brow. "And why is that, young master?"

He stood there alongside of Wei and whispered quietly, "They're all strangers."

"Xiao Lang," Yelan called out from the inside of the room. "Where are you? Come here, my son!"

Syaoran looked rueful but followed the source of the voice. He entered the room and gasped as a luminous light blinded him. His eyes adjusted to slowly to the white light. "You must forget her, Xiao Lang. She doesn't deserve you."

Syaoran screamed angrily. "Fu—fuck off! I love her! Can't you sodding idiots understand that?"

A wave of chuckles reached his ears and he growled. "What is so damn funny?"

"You've grown stubborn, Young Xiao Lang. You don't know what you're thinking about anymore." The person scoffed. "Love? Poppy-cock."

A petite voice followed. "Just enjoy the party, Xiao Lang. It would be all over soon." His mother. It was his mother.

Syaoran growled louder. "I need to see Sakura, now!"

Yelan closed her eyes tightly. "She's not going to be here."

Syaoran's eyes widened, but still blinded by the light. "W-what do you mean?"

"She needs to be rid off."

"No!" Syaoran shouted. "Don't touch her!"

"Will you forget about her?"

Silence.

"Xiao Lang?"

"I—I can't." He stammered, closing his eyes tightly. "She's too important to me."

Someone scoffed. "Turn off the lights." The lights faded away as Syaoran opened his eyes leisurely. Finally, his surroundings became clear.

The usual dining room but some of the details changed. A long table has been sent out and large candles adorned the sides of the columns. Silken cloths covered the ceiling as it cascaded down, creating an elegant effect. And floating globes designed the room as it flickered constantly.

"Important, aye?" Said one of the elders, his crooked cane rattling in his hands. "More important than your responsibility in your own clan?"

Syaoran pursed his lips. "It's not my fault nor hers. You left me and I've never even known that you guys even existed until now."

"Now it's our fault?" One chided.

"This is absurd!" The other said angrily. "Let's just bloody hell get on with it!"

Yelan rubbed her temple in exasperation. "Please, gentlemen." She mumbled, gaining the attention of the people inside the room. "Can't we just talk about it and—"

"—We're sick and tired of talking, Yelan!" One of the elderly spat. "Now we need to take action!"

Syaoran glared at the elderly and drawled, "you wouldn't dare."

One grinned. "Watch."

And in a flicker, Syaoran dropped to the ground, unconscious with Yelan shouting in the background.

"Xiao Lang!"

&

Sakura shivered ominously, sensing something had gone wrong. She turned to the man beside her and asked, "Mr., where exactly is the Li Mansion?"

"Not too far away, Madam." He said emotionlessly. "We're almost there."

Sakura nodded her head and sighed. "Is Syaoran going to be there?"

He looked at her but stayed stoic. "Yes, Young Master Li would be there."

Sakura sighed wistfully. Syaoran…

"Madam, if it wouldn't be rude to ask but… aren't you Master Li's step-sister?" He asked, his brows slightly raised. "From what I've heard, you became… an item of some sort whilst staying siblings."

Sakura blushed and stammered. "Well—I—that is to say…"

The guy chuckled. "Personal thing, then? Well, it's quite alright if you don't answer it, Madam Kinomoto."

"Sakura is fine," She said cheerily.

He smiled. "In my opinion, miss—"

"—Sakura!" She intruded.

"—Sakura," the guy chuckled. "You're perfect for each other."

She flushed and smiled wryly. "I just hope his family feels the same way."

The guy chuckled once again. "I'm positive that they'll agree with me on that."

Sakura giggled. "I hope so."

&

"What have you done to him?" Yelan screeched.

"Nothing harmful, I assure you, Yelan." One murmured. "He's just asleep."

"And when he wakes—"

"—He has already forgotten that retched girl."

Yelan's eyes widened. "And when's that?" She said shakily. "You shouldn't have done that!" She screamed. "My Xiao Lang!"

One of the elders chuckled, gaining a heated glare from Yelan. "Don't worry, Yelan… he'll wake up as soon as…"

"Syaoran!"

"Aah," one hissed, disgusted. "The girl has arrived."

"I thought she wasn't supposed to come?" Yelan's eyes grew large in surprise. "Elderly!"

"Shh, we have our plan."

"Syaoran?" Sakura's voice traveled towards the room. "Hello mister, is Syaoran here?"

"Oh, yes, miss Kinomoto." Wei's voice reached their ears. "He's been expecting you inside."

"Thank you!" Footsteps followed the sound of her humming as she neared the room. The door opened leisurely and her head peeked in slightly. "Oh."

Syaoran's eyes fluttered open in a beat. Yelan jumped back in shock as the elders laughed out in malice.

"Syaoran!" Sakura squealed as she threw herself towards Syaoran's scrunched form. "Thank God you're alright!"

Syaoran looked around emotionlessly and stopped at Sakura's lithe form. He scowled and pushed her away roughly. Sakura squeaked in surprise and looked at him in confusion.

"Syao—"

"Who the hell are you?" He spat out venomously.

Sakura felt her eyes stung. She reached out to him slowly, her hands wavering. "Syao—are you joking around? Please don't, it's not funny—"

"Shut up, you peasant!" He hissed. The elders sniggered as they watched the scene while Yelan stood still, her eyes tilted to the side, not wanting to see the situation. "Don't touch me, you filth!" As he swatted her hand away.

Sakura emitted a sob. "Syao—"

"You don't deserve to say my name!" He said flagrantly. "I don't even fucking know you!"

Sakura gasped and choked out, "Please… try to remember…"

"Remember what?" He scoffed. "I don't know you… Mother," he turned to Yelan's tensed figure. "Please, get her away from me!"

Sakura cried, her tears trailing down her cheeks, tainting the hurt in her heart. "I—I…"

"I'm sorry, Miss Kinomoto but—" Yelan murmured apologetically. "Wei! Please escort Miss Kinomoto outside the Li grounds."

Wei stepped inside and his brows raised at Syaoran's glaring form, sensing the change of aura. "Of course, Mistress." He led Sakura's weeping form outside.

Yelan glared at the elders. "What have you—"

"—well, Xiao Lang, welcome back."

Syaoran's eyes closed painfully and eventually passed out.

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End Note: Please review. Make an artist's day happy.