This story has been neglected for a really long time. Sorry.

Chapter 6

"Cyou?" Sakura said quietly, standing up slowly as he walked towards her.

"Yeah," he said, holding back laughter. "Hi."

"Really?" said Sakura, tears welling up in her eyes. She ran towards him and jumped into his open arms. He laughed and spun her around, glad to see her happy again.

When he set her down she held his face in hers and smiled. "How long has it been since I've seen you?"

His grin widened. "Nine years, one month, two weeks, and four days..." He laughed. "And every second in agony."

She smiled. "Thank you."

"How long has it been since I've seen you?" Sakura asked expectantly. Cyou sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Three months, one week, and two days." He took her hand and kissed it. "And every second in agony."

She smiled. "Thank you."

"Why are you here?" she asked as they walked through the immense private tea garden. It really was private; Sakura didn't remember seeing anyone since Syaoran ran after the maid in the hallway(no doubt to seduce her or something else horrible) or Chiharu.

"Well, I joined the army." His blue eyes sparkled as he looked down at Sakura. "Because of you."

Sakura paused. "You joined the army because I told you to?" She laughed. "One time?"

He grinned. "If I hadn't joined the army I'd still be at home, blacksmithing like my dad." He sighed deeply. "And I wouldn't be seeing you right now."

Sakura stopped walking, a small smirk on her lips. "You joined the army so you could see me again." She clasped her hands behind her back. "Because you had a crush on me."

She expected him to backpaddle, or blush, or laugh it off. But instead, he grabbed her face and looked at her seriously.

"Yes."

Sakura felt her face blush. Cyou was cute. Okay, he was really cute. His mousy brown hair was hanging down over his eyebrows, as always. His ice blue eyes were wide with emotion. And he was very close to her.

"May I kiss you?" he whispered.

Sakura's blush deepened. "I-"

"Just kidding!!" he yelled, jumping back and laughing hysterically. Sakura would have killed him, but she was too embarrassed. There she was, thinking he was completely serious, and she was so about to say yes...

That boy was good.

"Haha, yeah, good one..." she laughed, punching his arm lamely. He grinned and put his arm around her waist as they kept walking.

She savored his touch.

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"This is my room," Sakura said reluctantly. Cyou's arm dropped from her waist as he opened the door for her.

"After you, mi'lady," he recited, bowing deeply. She rolled her eyes and walked into her room in a bitter mood.

"Oh, actually, I shouldn't be here. I'll see you at dinner," he said, grinning, and ran before she could say anything. Sakura sighed, closed the door, and slid to the ground slowly. She shouldn't have thought he was serious. More-so, she shouldn't have believed him. They were friends. Nothing else.

"Just friends," she whispered, malice coating her tongue.

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Hot baths were always good after being rejected. Sakura sank deeper into the mix of water and soap, soaking away all her anger. He was... ugh. Either a complete gentleman, by not trying to make out with her the second he saw her, or absolutely infuriating by tricking her like that. She secretly hoped that he was serious, but just chickened out at the last second. Yeah. That's all.

As she imagined different outcomes of their encounter, involving very naughty thoughts, there was a knock on the bathroom door. "Sakura?"

"Who is it?" she asked, heart racing. The towel was on the other side of the room. And getting it would require getting out of her steaming sanctuary.

"Is this a bad time?" the voice asked, turning the knob of the door. She screamed, sprinted to the towel, and quickly wrapped it around herself before slamming the cracked door closed. After taking a few steady breaths, she cracked open the door.

"...Cyou."

He blushed when seeing her in a towel, and averted his eyes to his feet. "Uh, sorry..."

"What do you need?" she snapped, not being drained of all her bad feelings toward him. If he would have just left her alone, she'd be fine, but no.

His shoulders slumped. "...Never mind. Sorry." He bowed and walked out of her room, leaving her dripping and hopelessly lost in emotions.

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After he left, the water felt cold and horrible. She put her towel back on and walked into the bedroom, wondering what Chiharu picked out for her that night. That was when she saw the large black box on her bed, beckoning to be opened.

Sakura swallowed slowly and picked up the letter on top of the box.

Thanks for being so pretty, or else I wouldn't have known where you were ever again. Hopefully this will help you look as amazing as I know you can.

It didn't need to be signed. Sakura knew that's why Cyou interrupted her wonderful bath, to give her a present. Great.

After laying the note aside, she slowly lifted the lid of the box to find a pure white silk gown, adorned with small crystal beading. A gasp escaped her lips as she lifted it up, noting the intricate patterns down the back of the dress.

"What do you want to be?" Cyou asked Sakura with a grin.

"I want to live in the castle," she exclaimed, "and wear a big white dress, and dance with the prince!"

She halfway wondered how he remembered something so small and insignificant as her dream of dancing in a white dress with the prince of Li Kingdom. But her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden onslaught of tears.

Then she laughed.

"I love you, idiot."

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So now we all know who Cyou is. Isn't it exciting? Yeah, we were so close to that kiss. But he knows better. Good boy.

Throws Cyou cookie

He might not appreciate it as much as you guys, but he deserves it.