Sakura and Touya entered the room. Their father got up from the bed to get
some more water for his wife. "I'll be right back." He whispered as he
walked past them out of the room.
Sakura and Touya walked together, cautiously to the bed. "Hey mom." Sakura brushed her hand through her mom's hair.
Touya sat down and rubbed his mom's arm. She was not responding and her breathing was irregular. She couldn't hang on much longer and they both knew it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fujitaka leaned over the sink as he let the cup overflow with water. He cried for his family, for his wife, and for himself. 'Things weren't suppose to be this way. She wasn't suppose to leave me like this' Tears streaked down his face dropping into the sink below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yukito watched over Syaoran as he began to shake. Every few minutes he would mutter Sakura's name under his breath, and Yukito pitied him for that. He had always known that Syaoran liked Sakura. He just hoped that Sakura could see it soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fujitaka walked into the quiet room where his children and wife presided. Sitting next to his children he looked at them with his swollen eyes. "No regrets."
Touya embraced his father and whispered, "No regrets."
Sakura hugged Touya's back and cried lightly. Nadeshiko remained in her position as if she was in a coma. They all released their hug simultaneously. And Sakura bent down kissing her mother's cheek before standing. "I need to look after Syaoran. If you need me I will be upstairs." She walked out of the room leaving Touya and Fujitaka behind.
Fujitaka looked to his son and sighed. "It's coming to a close. Get some rest, all we can do now is wait."
Touya nodded and stood up. Turning back to his mother, he bent down and kissed her forehead. "I love you mother. I hope you feel better soon." With that, Touya too left the room.
Fujitaka turned to his wife and spoke quietly. "It's just you and me now sweetie, and soon you will leave and I will be alone. I love you so much and I will miss you greatly." Crawling under the blankets, he took her in his arms and nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck.
A tear slid past her eyelid as she took in as deep a breath as she could manage. Fujitaka missed the wetness but caught the change. Holding her securely, but without hurting her, he tried his best to relax.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Touya walked in his old room as Yukito was laying out blankets on sleeping bags on the floor. There hadn't been a bed in the room since he moved out, but his parent's had never changed anything that was left in it.
"Hey." Yukito greeted quietly.
Touya walked into the room and closed the door. "Thanks Yuki."
He looked away and continued fixing the makeshift beds, "I didn't want you to have to deal with it when-"
"I mean it Yuki. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being here for us, and caring for my mother like your own. I can only imagine how you dealt with this when you were so young."
Yukito continued to look down. "I'm tired Touya. I'm going to go to bed." Crawling into the bed closest to the window he looked at Touya. "Wake me up if you need me." Lying down, he rolled over and closed his eyes pulling the blankets taught around him.
He didn't smile like his normal self. That always worried Touya, but he couldn't blame him with the whole situation they were all facing. Touya struggled to remain in control and with everyone around it was easier to keep himself together. Sighing, he crawled into the bed not far from Yukito and whispered, "Goodnight Yuki. Sleep well."
Yuki closed his eyes as a few tears finally escaped. Touya's words had stung him, opening the wound that he had healed long ago when he had meet this family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura sat next to Syaoran with her legs crossed continuing to dab his forehead. He was shaking uncontrollably and murmuring. She felt bad about making him sick, but her mind stayed with her mother.
Going on the trip to clear her mind cost her a lot of time. Would it have made a difference? Could she have changed anything? No. She knew it wouldn't have done anything, but there was still the 'what if' lingering through the air.
Syaoran moved to his side, and then rolled to his back. Sakura laid down next to him running her hand over his t-shirt soaked with sweat. "Syao, I'm sorry." She whispered.
"Sakura?" He chocked out dryly.
Sakura sat up and asked hastily, "Do you want some water? Are you hungry? What can I get you?"
Syaoran breathed for a minute and mouthed, "Water."
Sakura jumped up and ran downstairs to get a cup of water. Before going back up she slipped quietly down the hall. Peeking in the room, she could hear her mother's struggle to breath and her father's quiet sobs. Whispering into the night, "I love you."
Slowly going back upstairs, she found Syaoran right where she left him. She placed the glass of water on her nightstand sitting on the bed. Tears quietly streamed down Sakura's cheeks as she laid down her head on Syaoran's chest.
Syaoran continued to shake, he couldn't help it, but he was fully aware of the situation. Tears left his eyes as he placed a hand on top of her head. 'I need to be here for her, but not like this.'
Sakura clung to his shirt and drifted off into her dreamland.
There were no trees, no leaves, and no kind sounds. . . just darkness. Even though she couldn't see, she could feel the heaviness in the air around her. It felt like death. "Mom." Sakura called out. "Are you here?" Sakura walked around in the nothingness looking for something, anything. After traveling around blindly for a few minutes, she gave up and sat down. Pulling her knees up she rested her head on her knees closing her eyes.
Sakura felt the light before she could see it. Sitting up she looked at the source. Focusing on the bright light, she strained to see the figure in the middle. Once her eyes adjusted she say the beautiful lady. "Mom." she breathed out. Her mother smiled and nodded her head.
"What's going on? Are you okay? What are you trying to tell me?" Sakura stared jumping up from the floor. A breeze blew by but her mother remained silent. Walking forward she reached out her hand and it paced right through her. "Mom, please. . ." Sakura begged as tears came to her eyes.
Nadeshiko closed her eyes and smiled, but still said nothing.
"Why won't you talk to me? What's going on?" She sobbed and spoke quieter. "I need to hear you." Tears streaked her cheeks.
Nadeshiko opened her eyes and opened her spoke as an echo. "I love you my daughter."
Sakura shook her head. "No, please don't."
Nadeshiko backed away and the words, "good bye" floated around Sakura, mocking her.
"NO!" Sakura screamed, bolting up in bed.
"Sakura" Syaoran whispered.
Turning to him, remember where she was, placed her hand on his forehead. "Your fever has broke. Do you feel better?" She asked using the hand not on his head to wipe away tears.
Opening his bloodshot eyes, he looked drained. "I love you." He whispered and breathed in closing his eyes.
'What?' She screamed in her head. Jumping out of bed she back away from the bed. 'He's just tired. He's delirious! I can't' She turned and left the room heading downstairs. 'I can't deal with this right now.'
She ran down the hall and through her parent's door to find her father on his knees at the side of the bed holding his mother's hand. She couldn't hear him, but she could see the tears sliding down his face as he looked to her and spoke calmly, "She's gone."
Sakura didn't speak as she walked slowly into the room and knelt behind her father leaning against his back and hugging him tightly. There they both silently cried as the sun was beginning to rise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun awoke him and he sat up quickly. "Touya." Yukito said as he continued to focus out the window.
Touya sat up and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept well, but he was sure that everyone else in the house had the same kind of night.
Yukito continued hearing the movement behind him. "It's over."
Touya's eyes widened and he jumped up.
Yukito remained in his place and watched the beautiful morning bring in such a horrible day.
Touya ran as fast as he could without stumbling down the stairs. Pushing the door opened he saw what he was hoping would never come, but knew it would.
"Dad." He whispered as he walked over to his sister and his father. He looked to the still form of her mother, white like a ghost. All color was now fully drained from her. He closed his eyes as he reached out and took her cold hand in his. "At least she's not hurting anymore." He whispered out.
Fujitaka closed his eyes and dried his tears. Standing up, he walked away from the comfort Sakura had given him and walked out of the room.
Sakura still had streaks down her cheeks as she looked to her brother. She couldn't look at her mother. That would make it too real. "What now?"
He didn't answer her as they heard their father talking on the phone. "My wife passed away and I need some assistance. Yes, thank you." And then there was silence.
Sakura was the next to leave the room. Walking past her brother, she touched his arm gently. The hard part wasn't over yet.
Sakura walked out to the living room and found her father sitting on the sofa. He looked up at her and smiled. "How is Syaoran?"
Sakura pulled her hair behind her ear and looked away. "His fever broke."
Fujitaka nodded his head. "That's good." He paused and she looked up to his sad eyes. "Go see to him. There is noting more you can do here."
She cried as she turned and obeyed him. Running up stairs she opened her door quietly. Syaoran was sitting up against the backboard of the bed and drinking the glass of water she had brought to him last night. He said nothing as she quietly sat down next to him and laid her head in his lap. Gently, he stroked her hair and waited for any response.
A few minutes past and she spoke up. "She's gone."
Syaoran closed his eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Sakura closed her eyes letting Syaoran's movements calm her down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hours past, and the house remained quiet. The hospital had picked up Nadeshiko a while ago and Fujitaka was busy cleaning the kitchen and making food. Sakura and Syaoran had moved downstairs, Syaoran lay on the sofa with blankets and Sakura lay on the floor. Yukito sat in his favorite chair and Touya sat at the kitchen table watching his dad move back and forth like he had a hidden purpose.
Yukito bent over and asked quietly. "Have you called your friends yet?"
Syaoran was about to answer, but Sakura beat him to the punch with a dry "No."
Yukito sat back and looked out the window. "They are probably waiting to hear form you."
Sakura pulled into a ball on the floor and sighed. "I know. I just don't know how to tell them."
Yukito nodded his head not loosing his connection with the outside.
Syaoran sat up and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. "I'll do it."
Sakura closed her eyes. "Thank you Syao."
He dialed the number and waited.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eriol almost fell out to chair as he ran to get the phone. Looking at the number he flipped it open. "Are you okay?" He blurted out.
There was a sigh on the other line and a mild "yeah."
Eriol sighed hearing his friend voice. "You sound better."
"Yeah." Syaoran responded.
Eriol looked at Tomoyo and slowly asked, "And Sakura's mom?"
There was no response.
Eriol closed his eyes and Tomoyo looked away trying not to cry. "I'm sorry. How is Sakura doing?"
Syaoran again didn't answer.
Eriol was beginning to worry. "When's the funeral?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
Eriol nodded his head and head nothing but silence in the background on the other end. "Are you still with Sakura?"
"Yeah."
Eriol was running out of things to say when he heard a light voice in the background, and then Syaoran ask, "Are you sure?" And then "Ok."
"Eriol?" Came a gentle voice on the other end.
"I'm here babe." He replied with gentleness.
"Thank you for everything. You are welcome to join my family tomorrow when we say goodbye to my mother." Her voice was steady as she spoke, but he could hear the hurt.
"Thank you, we will be there." Eriol paused for a moment. "Do you need anything?"
Sakura sighed over the phone and quietly said, "No thank you, we are okay."
Alright." He gave in. "I'll call you tomorrow if I don't hear from you before then."
"Okay."
"Sakura?"
"Yeah?"
Eriol sighed. "Take care of yourself."
"I will. Talk to you later Eriol." Sakura said before a dial tone ended their conversation.
Eriol flipped his phone shut and walked over to Tomoyo kneeling in front of her. "Now is the time to be strong for our friends."
Tomoyo nodded as she embraced Eriol. "I know." She whispered as she squeezed the tears out of her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day went by slowly and quietly. Night came again and Fujitaka turned in early. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." He spoke for the first time all day since they took Nadeshiko away.
Everyone nodded their heads in understanding. Touya stood up and turned to Yukito. "I'm going to turn in too."
Yukito stood and followed him upstairs without a word.
Walking into the room and onto his bed, Yukito lay down and pulled the blankets over himself. He had lost another important person in his life. It seemed as if it was never ending.
Touya didn't know what to say, so with his bruised and broken heart, he laid down on his side of the room in his own bed. His heart ached for the lose of his mother, and for Yuki. 'He shouldn't have to keep feeling this. I don't know how he has survived for so long.'
They both let darkness overtake them into the nothingness of sleep washed over them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura was sitting on the couch, legs brought underneath her and Syaoran used the rest of it. Sakura was looking at nothing in particular, and Syaoran was looking at her.
"You feeling better?" She asked him without moving.
"Yeah. How are you doing?" He asked bravely.
Sakura turned her attention to him. "You look better."
Syaoran sighed. "Thanks for helping he out. I know how hard it was on you to do that."
She looked away and responded, "I couldn't lose two people in one day."
Syaoran didn't know what to say. He hurt for her and he didn't know how to make everything better. Not for something like this. It took time.
"Did you mean what you said?" Sakura asked bluntly.
"About what?" He asked quietly. She didn't reply immediately and he thought she didn't hear him.
"That you love me."
Syaoran was blown away. 'Did I say that? When?'
Sakura smiled and looked at her knees. "You told me after your fever broke."
"I-" Syaoran paused and looked at her profile. 'What do I say?'
========================================================
HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THE CHAPTER. SORRY TO LEAVE YOU AT A CLIFFHANGER, BUT IT WON'T BE FOR LONG. I'M STUCK AT THE AIRPORT FINISHING IT UP. HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GOOD CHRISTMAS.
Sakura and Touya walked together, cautiously to the bed. "Hey mom." Sakura brushed her hand through her mom's hair.
Touya sat down and rubbed his mom's arm. She was not responding and her breathing was irregular. She couldn't hang on much longer and they both knew it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fujitaka leaned over the sink as he let the cup overflow with water. He cried for his family, for his wife, and for himself. 'Things weren't suppose to be this way. She wasn't suppose to leave me like this' Tears streaked down his face dropping into the sink below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yukito watched over Syaoran as he began to shake. Every few minutes he would mutter Sakura's name under his breath, and Yukito pitied him for that. He had always known that Syaoran liked Sakura. He just hoped that Sakura could see it soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fujitaka walked into the quiet room where his children and wife presided. Sitting next to his children he looked at them with his swollen eyes. "No regrets."
Touya embraced his father and whispered, "No regrets."
Sakura hugged Touya's back and cried lightly. Nadeshiko remained in her position as if she was in a coma. They all released their hug simultaneously. And Sakura bent down kissing her mother's cheek before standing. "I need to look after Syaoran. If you need me I will be upstairs." She walked out of the room leaving Touya and Fujitaka behind.
Fujitaka looked to his son and sighed. "It's coming to a close. Get some rest, all we can do now is wait."
Touya nodded and stood up. Turning back to his mother, he bent down and kissed her forehead. "I love you mother. I hope you feel better soon." With that, Touya too left the room.
Fujitaka turned to his wife and spoke quietly. "It's just you and me now sweetie, and soon you will leave and I will be alone. I love you so much and I will miss you greatly." Crawling under the blankets, he took her in his arms and nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck.
A tear slid past her eyelid as she took in as deep a breath as she could manage. Fujitaka missed the wetness but caught the change. Holding her securely, but without hurting her, he tried his best to relax.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Touya walked in his old room as Yukito was laying out blankets on sleeping bags on the floor. There hadn't been a bed in the room since he moved out, but his parent's had never changed anything that was left in it.
"Hey." Yukito greeted quietly.
Touya walked into the room and closed the door. "Thanks Yuki."
He looked away and continued fixing the makeshift beds, "I didn't want you to have to deal with it when-"
"I mean it Yuki. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being here for us, and caring for my mother like your own. I can only imagine how you dealt with this when you were so young."
Yukito continued to look down. "I'm tired Touya. I'm going to go to bed." Crawling into the bed closest to the window he looked at Touya. "Wake me up if you need me." Lying down, he rolled over and closed his eyes pulling the blankets taught around him.
He didn't smile like his normal self. That always worried Touya, but he couldn't blame him with the whole situation they were all facing. Touya struggled to remain in control and with everyone around it was easier to keep himself together. Sighing, he crawled into the bed not far from Yukito and whispered, "Goodnight Yuki. Sleep well."
Yuki closed his eyes as a few tears finally escaped. Touya's words had stung him, opening the wound that he had healed long ago when he had meet this family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura sat next to Syaoran with her legs crossed continuing to dab his forehead. He was shaking uncontrollably and murmuring. She felt bad about making him sick, but her mind stayed with her mother.
Going on the trip to clear her mind cost her a lot of time. Would it have made a difference? Could she have changed anything? No. She knew it wouldn't have done anything, but there was still the 'what if' lingering through the air.
Syaoran moved to his side, and then rolled to his back. Sakura laid down next to him running her hand over his t-shirt soaked with sweat. "Syao, I'm sorry." She whispered.
"Sakura?" He chocked out dryly.
Sakura sat up and asked hastily, "Do you want some water? Are you hungry? What can I get you?"
Syaoran breathed for a minute and mouthed, "Water."
Sakura jumped up and ran downstairs to get a cup of water. Before going back up she slipped quietly down the hall. Peeking in the room, she could hear her mother's struggle to breath and her father's quiet sobs. Whispering into the night, "I love you."
Slowly going back upstairs, she found Syaoran right where she left him. She placed the glass of water on her nightstand sitting on the bed. Tears quietly streamed down Sakura's cheeks as she laid down her head on Syaoran's chest.
Syaoran continued to shake, he couldn't help it, but he was fully aware of the situation. Tears left his eyes as he placed a hand on top of her head. 'I need to be here for her, but not like this.'
Sakura clung to his shirt and drifted off into her dreamland.
There were no trees, no leaves, and no kind sounds. . . just darkness. Even though she couldn't see, she could feel the heaviness in the air around her. It felt like death. "Mom." Sakura called out. "Are you here?" Sakura walked around in the nothingness looking for something, anything. After traveling around blindly for a few minutes, she gave up and sat down. Pulling her knees up she rested her head on her knees closing her eyes.
Sakura felt the light before she could see it. Sitting up she looked at the source. Focusing on the bright light, she strained to see the figure in the middle. Once her eyes adjusted she say the beautiful lady. "Mom." she breathed out. Her mother smiled and nodded her head.
"What's going on? Are you okay? What are you trying to tell me?" Sakura stared jumping up from the floor. A breeze blew by but her mother remained silent. Walking forward she reached out her hand and it paced right through her. "Mom, please. . ." Sakura begged as tears came to her eyes.
Nadeshiko closed her eyes and smiled, but still said nothing.
"Why won't you talk to me? What's going on?" She sobbed and spoke quieter. "I need to hear you." Tears streaked her cheeks.
Nadeshiko opened her eyes and opened her spoke as an echo. "I love you my daughter."
Sakura shook her head. "No, please don't."
Nadeshiko backed away and the words, "good bye" floated around Sakura, mocking her.
"NO!" Sakura screamed, bolting up in bed.
"Sakura" Syaoran whispered.
Turning to him, remember where she was, placed her hand on his forehead. "Your fever has broke. Do you feel better?" She asked using the hand not on his head to wipe away tears.
Opening his bloodshot eyes, he looked drained. "I love you." He whispered and breathed in closing his eyes.
'What?' She screamed in her head. Jumping out of bed she back away from the bed. 'He's just tired. He's delirious! I can't' She turned and left the room heading downstairs. 'I can't deal with this right now.'
She ran down the hall and through her parent's door to find her father on his knees at the side of the bed holding his mother's hand. She couldn't hear him, but she could see the tears sliding down his face as he looked to her and spoke calmly, "She's gone."
Sakura didn't speak as she walked slowly into the room and knelt behind her father leaning against his back and hugging him tightly. There they both silently cried as the sun was beginning to rise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun awoke him and he sat up quickly. "Touya." Yukito said as he continued to focus out the window.
Touya sat up and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept well, but he was sure that everyone else in the house had the same kind of night.
Yukito continued hearing the movement behind him. "It's over."
Touya's eyes widened and he jumped up.
Yukito remained in his place and watched the beautiful morning bring in such a horrible day.
Touya ran as fast as he could without stumbling down the stairs. Pushing the door opened he saw what he was hoping would never come, but knew it would.
"Dad." He whispered as he walked over to his sister and his father. He looked to the still form of her mother, white like a ghost. All color was now fully drained from her. He closed his eyes as he reached out and took her cold hand in his. "At least she's not hurting anymore." He whispered out.
Fujitaka closed his eyes and dried his tears. Standing up, he walked away from the comfort Sakura had given him and walked out of the room.
Sakura still had streaks down her cheeks as she looked to her brother. She couldn't look at her mother. That would make it too real. "What now?"
He didn't answer her as they heard their father talking on the phone. "My wife passed away and I need some assistance. Yes, thank you." And then there was silence.
Sakura was the next to leave the room. Walking past her brother, she touched his arm gently. The hard part wasn't over yet.
Sakura walked out to the living room and found her father sitting on the sofa. He looked up at her and smiled. "How is Syaoran?"
Sakura pulled her hair behind her ear and looked away. "His fever broke."
Fujitaka nodded his head. "That's good." He paused and she looked up to his sad eyes. "Go see to him. There is noting more you can do here."
She cried as she turned and obeyed him. Running up stairs she opened her door quietly. Syaoran was sitting up against the backboard of the bed and drinking the glass of water she had brought to him last night. He said nothing as she quietly sat down next to him and laid her head in his lap. Gently, he stroked her hair and waited for any response.
A few minutes past and she spoke up. "She's gone."
Syaoran closed his eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Sakura closed her eyes letting Syaoran's movements calm her down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hours past, and the house remained quiet. The hospital had picked up Nadeshiko a while ago and Fujitaka was busy cleaning the kitchen and making food. Sakura and Syaoran had moved downstairs, Syaoran lay on the sofa with blankets and Sakura lay on the floor. Yukito sat in his favorite chair and Touya sat at the kitchen table watching his dad move back and forth like he had a hidden purpose.
Yukito bent over and asked quietly. "Have you called your friends yet?"
Syaoran was about to answer, but Sakura beat him to the punch with a dry "No."
Yukito sat back and looked out the window. "They are probably waiting to hear form you."
Sakura pulled into a ball on the floor and sighed. "I know. I just don't know how to tell them."
Yukito nodded his head not loosing his connection with the outside.
Syaoran sat up and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. "I'll do it."
Sakura closed her eyes. "Thank you Syao."
He dialed the number and waited.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eriol almost fell out to chair as he ran to get the phone. Looking at the number he flipped it open. "Are you okay?" He blurted out.
There was a sigh on the other line and a mild "yeah."
Eriol sighed hearing his friend voice. "You sound better."
"Yeah." Syaoran responded.
Eriol looked at Tomoyo and slowly asked, "And Sakura's mom?"
There was no response.
Eriol closed his eyes and Tomoyo looked away trying not to cry. "I'm sorry. How is Sakura doing?"
Syaoran again didn't answer.
Eriol was beginning to worry. "When's the funeral?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
Eriol nodded his head and head nothing but silence in the background on the other end. "Are you still with Sakura?"
"Yeah."
Eriol was running out of things to say when he heard a light voice in the background, and then Syaoran ask, "Are you sure?" And then "Ok."
"Eriol?" Came a gentle voice on the other end.
"I'm here babe." He replied with gentleness.
"Thank you for everything. You are welcome to join my family tomorrow when we say goodbye to my mother." Her voice was steady as she spoke, but he could hear the hurt.
"Thank you, we will be there." Eriol paused for a moment. "Do you need anything?"
Sakura sighed over the phone and quietly said, "No thank you, we are okay."
Alright." He gave in. "I'll call you tomorrow if I don't hear from you before then."
"Okay."
"Sakura?"
"Yeah?"
Eriol sighed. "Take care of yourself."
"I will. Talk to you later Eriol." Sakura said before a dial tone ended their conversation.
Eriol flipped his phone shut and walked over to Tomoyo kneeling in front of her. "Now is the time to be strong for our friends."
Tomoyo nodded as she embraced Eriol. "I know." She whispered as she squeezed the tears out of her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day went by slowly and quietly. Night came again and Fujitaka turned in early. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." He spoke for the first time all day since they took Nadeshiko away.
Everyone nodded their heads in understanding. Touya stood up and turned to Yukito. "I'm going to turn in too."
Yukito stood and followed him upstairs without a word.
Walking into the room and onto his bed, Yukito lay down and pulled the blankets over himself. He had lost another important person in his life. It seemed as if it was never ending.
Touya didn't know what to say, so with his bruised and broken heart, he laid down on his side of the room in his own bed. His heart ached for the lose of his mother, and for Yuki. 'He shouldn't have to keep feeling this. I don't know how he has survived for so long.'
They both let darkness overtake them into the nothingness of sleep washed over them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura was sitting on the couch, legs brought underneath her and Syaoran used the rest of it. Sakura was looking at nothing in particular, and Syaoran was looking at her.
"You feeling better?" She asked him without moving.
"Yeah. How are you doing?" He asked bravely.
Sakura turned her attention to him. "You look better."
Syaoran sighed. "Thanks for helping he out. I know how hard it was on you to do that."
She looked away and responded, "I couldn't lose two people in one day."
Syaoran didn't know what to say. He hurt for her and he didn't know how to make everything better. Not for something like this. It took time.
"Did you mean what you said?" Sakura asked bluntly.
"About what?" He asked quietly. She didn't reply immediately and he thought she didn't hear him.
"That you love me."
Syaoran was blown away. 'Did I say that? When?'
Sakura smiled and looked at her knees. "You told me after your fever broke."
"I-" Syaoran paused and looked at her profile. 'What do I say?'
========================================================
HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THE CHAPTER. SORRY TO LEAVE YOU AT A CLIFFHANGER, BUT IT WON'T BE FOR LONG. I'M STUCK AT THE AIRPORT FINISHING IT UP. HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GOOD CHRISTMAS.