A/N: Thank you all for the awesome reviews! An early update for you all!

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Let Go

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"Okay, okay, places everyone!" Minami's voice echoed through the room, her voice booming. "Have everyone gotten their gowns on?"

A chorus of agreement and disagreement resounded throughout the room as several girls fought over their gowns' designs and texture. Sakura, however, stayed silent and waited for the final practice for their pageant.

Her heartbeat raced to its full content as she paced around the backstage of the gym. Her forehead creased as she looked past the full-length mirror in front of her. Her gown looked a bit too loose than before. The undersides of the hem looked slightly burnt and torn as well as the neckline.

Overall, the gown was in awful condition.

What could have caused it to be like this? Her head was aching and her knuckles were already white. She was in the verge of hysterics when she heard a familiar voice ringing in her ear.

"You can do it, Sakura."

Syaoran!

She turned her head quickly at the distant voice but—nobody was there. Disappointment overcame her as her body weakened at the feeling of nervousness. Syaoran wasn't there with her to cheer her up. Her eyes watered and her body ached.

Her heart ached.

She missed him terribly. But no use on crying now. She had practice and she didn't want to ruin it. Syaoran wouldn't approve of her doing so. The old Syaoran, that is.

A tear rolled down her cheek unnoticed as she went towards the other girls. Their faces beaming brightly and happily, she was jealous to see them like that. If only Syaoran was there to comfort her, if only her father didn't leave her, and if only…

"Kinomoto!" Minami's angry voice radiated throughout her body as she cringed at the sound. "Daydreaming, aye? Wake up and get ready! We're ready to start."

Sakura shook her head from the cloud of mist running through her mind and strolled towards the stage. Some of the girls looked at her oddly, their laughing faces directed at her miserable one. She knew. They all thought the same. As soon as they heard that she and Syaoran had a sibling affair—

—it started.

Gossip ran like wildfire. Their eyes would follow her as she walked down the hall. Their lips would form words of foul meaning about what they had and what they were going to do. But they didn't know that Syaoran was no more.

Because Xiao Lang replaced him.

They didn't have to know. Sakura would just have to keep it a secret. They obviously wouldn't even care if she told them. So she didn't.

It wasn't really hard. Pretending. It was as easy as falling in love with your own brother. But of course, Syaoran was different. He wasn't really her brother but by law and the church, he was. But they didn't care.

Apparently, that just made it all the more interesting.

Sakura came back to reality as she heard the blazing sound of music ring throughout the gymnasium. Her ears strained to hear the words that Minami was desperately trying to yell out. Veins popped out from her forehead as she rubbed her temple in frustration.

"Lower down the volume!" She screamed in a high-pitched tone.

The girls sniggered at her and tossed their flowing manes zealously. One girl in particular, Ryoko Matsumoto rolled her eyes apathetically at Minami and whispered to some of her peers. They laughed.

The music died down leisurely. "Well," Minami sighed. "Let's start, shall we?"

"First of, the gowns would be the first one to be worn. Alphabetically, you'll all get out one by one. Wait for a few seconds and after the first one got out, another one would get in." Minami said. "The bathing suit portion would be next."

"Bathing suit portion?" Sakura echoed. "I didn't know that part would be included."

Ryoko smirked at her and rolled her eyes. "Don't you want to show off your body, Kinomoto? I know that you show it a lot to your brother."

Sakura glared at her. "First of all, Ryoko-chan, Syaoran is not my real brother. And second, I'm not a slut like you!"

Ryoko hissed. "Listen Kinomoto, you'll pay for what you said."

"Hush!" Minami screeched. "Will you please shut the fuck up, you lot! I've gotten through so much already. So now, let's just start our practice peacefully."

Groans of acknowledgement followed her statement afterwards.

Sakura ruffled her hair slightly and moaned.

"My day just couldn't get any worse."

&

"Master Xiao Lang."

Wei stepped inside the large, decorated room and bowed. Syaoran looked at him and waved a hand nonchalantly. He held a magazine on one hand and in the other was a medium weight. His muscles were tensing as he continued to lift it.

"What is it, Wei?" He gritted out.

"I've waited for you this morning," Wei started. "Your school had started a few hours ago."

"School?" Syaoran asked, his brows raised. "What school?"

"Tomoeda High."

"Huh," Syaoran said, lowering the weight down to the ground. His eyes slightly glazed over. "Sounds familiar."

"Really now," Wei murmured. "Sounds like you're slowly remembering what you have forgotten."

"Do you think so?" Syaoran mused, a small smile fleeted across his face.

"Yes."

"Well then, let's go to Tomoeda High." He proclaimed, his eyes glistening. "Let's find out who I really am."

&

"KINOMOTO!" Minami shouted, her eyes ablaze. "What do you think you're doing?"

Sakura took a small gulp and looked around at the others. They were giggling at her. She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Uhm, walking?"

"For Heaven's sakes," Minami slapped her forehead in exasperation. "You walk like a deranged penguin!"

Sakura frowned at her. "I do not."

"Yes, you do," Minami growled. "Now, strut normally and just model the gown you're wearing."

Sakura pouted but did what she was told.

She certainly did not walk like deranged penguin!

Her hands created a small fist as she strutted along the catwalk. Her auburn hair bounced across her back as she lightly stomped her feet on the ground with each step. She was fuming when she reached the end and turned around slowly.

She gritted her teeth. "There. Happy?"

Minami smirked maliciously. "Fine. But you still walk in a deranged sort of way. Next!" She yelled out.

Sakura groaned aloud and strolled towards Minami. Her knuckles white and her cheeks flushed. Her eyes were dangerously narrowed as she spoke softly to Minami so no one can overhear. "You're going to pay for this."

"As if," spat Minami. "I know that your brother dear is gone."

"What?" Sakura questioned innocently.

"Liar," she chuckled darkly. "Don't you fool me with your innocent act, Kinomoto. He was gone since he was called out from class by some people in black."

Sakura bit her lip. "I don't know what you're talking about. Syaoran is just at home—"

"Don't play crap with me!" Minami growled. "Now, get your ugly little arse out of the stage and change in your bathing suit… now!"

Tears were threatening to spill in Sakura's eyes but she held on. She wouldn't cry. She just wouldn't. Minami didn't deserve to see her in her vulnerable state. Sakura ran back to the changing room and plopped down at the floor, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Her bangs hid most of her face but not all. Her lips were quivering and her head was bobbing. Most of the girls pitied her and almost walked to her to comfort her but…

"GET OUT HERE, YOU LAZY BUMS!" Minami's voice rang throughout the stage and made the girls jump in surprise. "It's already the bathing suit portion and I expect that you're already in your suits!"

Sakura wiped away her tears. "I can't take all this pressure anymore."

"Sakura?" A small voice called out. "Are you alright?"

She looked up and saw Nadesico-sensei frowning at her. "Oh, sensei," she stood up hastily and ran her fingers through her hair. "I'm sorry. I'll go out there now and—"

"What's wrong?" Nadesico asked, concerned. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Iie," Sakura shook her head. "I'm fine, sensei."

"Are you sure?" Nadesico patted Sakura's head softly. "Well, if you're alright."

Sakura smiled at her, her appearance unkempt but she didn't mind. "I am. Arigato, sensei." She turned to leave but Nadesico's voice halted her.

"Wait, my dear. If it's okay with you, may I ask who your father is?" Nadesico murmured; her face filled with expectance.

"My papa?" Sakura echoed. "His name is Fujitaka Kinomoto."

Nadesico's eyes widened. "Fu—Fujitaka?"

"Yes. Do you know my father?" Sakura asked quizzically, her brow slightly raised.

Nadesico shook her head in disbelief. "No, no, it can't be."

"Why, Nadesico-sensei? Do you know him?"

"You—you should go now, my dear. They're waiting for you." Nadesico uttered shakily.

Sakura looked at her weirdly but nodded her head. "See you later, sensei."

Nadesico crashed her upper body at the wall for support as she lost her balance. "She can't be my—no, he couldn't be him."

Could he?

&

Sunlight streamed inside the tinted limousine and the air outside passed by warmly. The temperature was humid but inside, the coldness was riveting. Syaoran's aura was as cold as ice. He didn't know that all would change in a matter of time.

"Master Xiao Lang," Wei said. "Do you remember anything from your past?"

"Unfortunately, no." Syaoran muttered. "Mother said that it will all come back to me but until now, all I could remember was my name."

"Really now?" Wei turned his head to look at Syaoran. "Don't you remember Miss Kinomoto by any chance?"

"That girl with the auburn hair and green eyes?" Syaoran grumbled. "Well, she does look vaguely familiar."

"Of course," Wei agreed. "You knew her before."

"Oh?" Syaoran mused. "I don't remember her one bit. A stranger to me, apparently. How come you know of her?"

"Because frankly, you do."

Syaoran shook his head. "No, I never seen her before."

Wei stayed silent. I want Master Xiao Lang to know everything but I need to look after him. His whole clan would be displeased with me if I said anything further.

"Wei?" Syaoran asked, obviously waiting for his answer.

"We're almost there, Young Master."

Syaoran looked outside and saw the main building of Tomoeda High. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. He turned to look at Wei and say something but the door opened at his side. He stepped outside and basked the feel of the warmth of the wind.

Various students were outside the school grounds, looked at him in acknowledgement. Some of the girls waved at him and the guys smirked at him. He raised a confused brow at their gestures.

"They look at me as if they know me." He murmured to himself.

He strutted towards the entrance of the school, ignoring some of the comments he was getting.

"Hey Syaoran! Nice move you made with Sakura." A blond winked at him.

Syaoran raised a brow at this. "Sakura?"

"Syaoran?" A confused voice said. "Is that you?"

He turned towards the source of the voice and saw a girl with long, purple locks and amethyst eyes. "It's Xiao Lang." He replied. "But yes, my Japanese name is, indeed, Syaoran."

"Of course I know that," she rolled her eyes. "Oh, Sakura would be so shocked when she knows that you're here now!"

"Sakura?" Syaoran asked again. "Who the fucking hell is this Sakura everybody is talking about?"

Tomoyo jumped back terribly shocked. "You've forgotten her?"

"Yes," Syaoran said dryly. "And who are you again?"

"Tomoyo!" She exclaimed. "Tomoyo Daidouji, remember?"

"No."

Tomoyo groaned. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing actually," Syaoran replied wryly. "Now, if you please, I need to go to my class."

Tomoyo watched him stroll away, a small frown playing about her lips. "He forgot Sakura."

&

"Sakura-chan," Eriol said with a smile. "How was the practice?"

She plopped down heavily on her chair and sighed tiredly. "It was awful. I've been picked on the entire afternoon." She murmured unhappily. "Minami-sensei really hates me."

Eriol chuckled and patted Sakura's head like Nadesico did earlier. Sakura giggled at him. "There's nothing funny about that!" Sakura added when Eriol told her she was being childish.

Eriol grinned at her and winked. "But it is, my cherry blossom, it is."

Sakura froze.

My… cherry blossom?

Only Syaoran called her that. She tried her hardest not to cry in front of Eriol. She strained to smile at him. "Well, for me it isn't."

Eriol noticed the change of her aura suddenly and decided to make her laugh. "You look like a large pumpkin now, with your blushing and all."

"A pumpkin?" Sakura giggled, arching a brow. "Couldn't you think of anything better to say than that?"

Eriol shrugged but laughed. "I'm poor at making people laugh."

Sakura smiled. "But you definitely cheered me up." She took a step towards him and hugged him. Eriol reddened and Sakura blushed, inhaling his rich, intoxicating scent.

Sakura cuddled loosely towards his built form. Maybe… it's time for me to let go and find another. She looked up and beamed at Eriol's sheepish face.

I just need to find the right person for me to move on to…

The door opened at the classroom with a squeaking noise and was closed abruptly. "—Eriol?"

Sakura and Eriol turned to a shocked Tomoyo, tears streaming down her cheeks.

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End Note: Feed me with your reviews. I crave them.

Next Chapter's Title: Coming Back