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Property of AmyLeah

A Little Too Late

A/N: Okay, I actually had a hard time writing this chapter. I had a lot of ideas, but I just couldn't seem to make up my mind. In the end, I had to write my ideas on separate piece, close my eyes and pick. And Ta-da!

Chapter 2

The night was silent, except for the sound of heavy rain hitting the ground. Sakura felt nothing but the cold night breeze brushing against her legs. Her cloths wet, clinging to her like a second layer of skin.

She sat on one of the swings of penguin park. She had her head hung low, her long bangs covering her face. Completely and utterly in a trance.

She promised herself that she would not cry, she promised herself that she would do anything to see him happy.

"At least I didn't cry during the wedding," she muttered under her breath.

"You did great, kiddo!" a voice said.

Sakura stood abruptly, surprised at her brother's sudden appearance. "Touya! Don't do that. What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? I've been looking for you! Dinner is getting cold and dad's freaking worried! Have you any idea how stupid you've been lately!" his voice echoes throughout the whole park.

There was a pregnant silence between them. Sakura bit down on her lips hard. "I'm not stupid," she said softly. 'I just- I just wanted to-"

"To what, Sakura? You went over the moon for that brat and look where it got you? If you weren't so selfless, you'd probably see it earlier. He had eyes for Tomoyo and you knew that didn't you?" even though she refused to look at him, she knew he was livid.

"Sakura!" he hissed

"I know! I know, ok? I know Touya! Just d-don't," she trailed off. "I promise I'll be fine."

She took a step forth and that was all it takes before she was plunged into darkness.

"Sakura, honey? Please wake up," the sound of her father's voice was very distant and barely clear.

It was as if she was breathing underwater. She felt warm hands clasping her cold ones.

"Sakura? Sakura please, I take every back. I take it all back!" Touya begged. She felt small droplets of water falling on to her skin.

Plop!

Plop!

Plop!

Tears? Why?

Sakura wanted so much to just stay where is now, enveloped in the darkness, completely isolated. An escape from whatever she had known as paradise or what she thought was paradise.

She was in the far corner hugging her knees to her chest, clad in nothing but the clothes she wore at the wedding.

Sakura?

"Who's there?" she stammered out, quickly jumping to her feet. Her eyes squinted; searching out into the dark parts of the room.

Sakura, honey. Please?

"Daddy? Daddy?" she shouted, her voice reverberated around the room.

Sakura. Please open your eyes.

Don't leave me!

I don't want to lose you!

Sakura!

At the last shout Sakura felt herself being pulled.

Her eyes fluttered open revealing those emerald gems. "Daddy?' she croaked out.

"Oh God Sakura! Touya call the doctor, she's awake. My baby's awake," her father cried.

"Dad, you're crying," she said, her voice barely recognisable to herself. She raise a shaky hand to wipe her father's tears away.

Her father wore a small weary smile on his face. 'It's alright now honey. It's alright," Fujitaka's voice was always reassuring. You'd feel yourself lulled by it, even just for a split second.

A few days later, Sakura was released from the hospital. The doctors had thought she might have a brain concoction, but was proven terribly wrong.

Now, she was back at work doing the same thing over and over. She leaned on the counter with a hands supporting her head. Her emerald eyes fixed on the crowd before her. She hadn't gotten over him, and she never would.

Giving out another breathy sigh, Sakura push herself off the counter, ready to serve yet another customer.

"Welcome to Piffle Princess's Café, may I take your order?" a line she used so often. So often she herself is tired of it.

"Can I have some blueberry muffin, a strawberry milkshake and… you?" asked a familiar voice.

Sakura looked up from the cash register and her eyes went wide, "Eriol!" she gasped out.

Eriol smirked, his blue eyes shimmering in the morning light. "Hello to you too, Sakura," he leaned to the counter, nearing his face to hers.

Sakura could feel her cheeks burning. "Y-your order will be r-ready in fifteen minutes," she squeaked out, thrusting a number board at him. "P-please take a seat!"

Eriol just stared at her, amused by her sudden reaction. "Right," he said softly before throwing her a quick glance and went over to sit at the corner.

Sakura dashed off in to the kitchen, clipping Eriol's order on the oreder line. Her face was still flustered. "Hey, Kinomoto who was that?" asked Chiho, the fry-cook, unclipping the order. "He's handsome!"

"He's a friend," she said, slowly making her way back to the counter.

Chiho grabbed Sakura by the arm and said, "if he's a 'friend' of yours than why are you blushing?"

Sakura pulled her arm away, "I'm not blushing!" she retorted. "Anyway, I h-have to take t-the customers' orders."

Chiho just shook her head and narrowed her eyes at Sakura, before a loud beeping sound interrupted her observation.

Sakura sighed. She was relieved that Chiho was busy with the food. When Sakura turned her eyes back to the crowd of people, she caught Eriol's eyes staring at her.

She turned away, confused by his strange action.

It was 11pm, closing time for the café. Sakura was beyond exhausted.

"Sakura, great job today!" Tamomo, the manager hollered out. Sakura just waved her hand and smiled a small smile.

She had her head hung low as she walked down the quiet street. Sakura could hear the faint sound of music from a far. A club perhaps, or teenagers throwing ridiculously wild parties.

Her pace slowed down as she passed Syaoran's apartment. She hesitated as she walked up the front door. Her fingers slowly grasped the knob, turning it clockwise.

"Locked," she muttered dryly. Of course it'd be locked, who would want burglars to come in like they were invited, she thought. Not to mention, the house looked dark and abandoned, as if it was slowly disintegrating into dust. Just like her.

"Reminiscing good old memories I hope," a voice said. Making her squeal.

"Eriol!" her face showing much surprise. "W-what-"

"Sakura, let him go," his voice hushed her. His deep blue eyes staring at her intensely. As if she was nothing more than a sneaky mice. And he was the cunning cat, trapping her.

Her eyes widened.

"Let him go, Sakura. Nothing will heal unless you let him go. They're happy aren't they? Syaoran and Tomoyo, I mean!" he inquired. His voice stern and strong.

Sakura stood still. Her emerald eyes, suddenly found that her shoes were very entertaining. She teethed her lip, trying to speak. To defend her feeling; her vulnerability.

"Look at me, Kinomoto!" he bellowed. Eriol refuse to see his friend so weak by love. He came back from England just weeks ago, to fulfil a promise he made to Tomoyo; as Syaoran's best man.

Yet, he couldn't help but notice Sakura's pained expression during the wedding. How could she be so selfless and yet, let herself suffer the unnecessary consequences. Eriol curled his fingers, forming a fist.

Suddenly, Sakura found herself caged between the apartment door and Eriol's tall, lean figure. His eyes fixed on hers.

Something struck Sakura like lightning. For the first time, behind those thick glasses of his, she saw how beautiful his eyes were. How handsome her really was.

Sakura felt her cheeks burning. Her green eyes evident to the effects he had on her. "E-Eriol, mind giving me a little space?' she squeaked out as she placed her hands on his chest, trying to push him away.

She could feel her knees weakening.

Eriol just smirk, leaning into her more. Teasing her with their current distance, pushing her buttons all too eagerly. "Why? What so wrong about this space I'm giving you?"

Sakura's breath hitched in her throat. Eriol's playful expression fell and was replaced by a serious one. "I wasn't joking, Sakura. Let him go," he whispered in her ear.

Eriol placed his hand on her nape and the other on her hip. "It won't do you any good. It'll kill you. This obsession of yours, your determination and hope will wear you out, it'll kill you if you don't let it go," his voice was gentler than before.

Sakura felt his hand running through her auburn locks. Her heart beat slowed down and her breathing returned to normal. Sakura felt warm, yet wet trails running down the sides of her face.

She leaned into his touch and cried. Her arms wrapped around Eriol's torso.

Eriol felt vulnerable and helpless seeing Sakura in these situation. His jaws clenched as he felt anger bubbling in his chest. He cursed Syaoran for not realising Sakura's feelings.

Eriol closed his eyes and listen to Sakura's cries. He kissed the top of her head repeatedly, reassuring her, comforting her.

Unconsciously, Eriol has made an unbreakable promise to himself - and to Sakura.

I'll never let anyone hurt you. I'll take care of you. I'll take care of your heart, Sakura.

The following weeks, Eriol would always be seen hanging around Sakura. Whether it's day or night, Sakura could feel his eyes watching her every move. Normally people would feel uncomfortable and terrified.

But the aura he gave out was the one of those that she would willingly let her guard down for.

Eriol leaned on the wall behind him, waiting for Sakura to immerge through the wooden door. He checked his watch countless time, impatient to see her again.

A soft click broke his thoughts. He saw the silver knob slowly turning.

Sakura came out, clad in a yellow summer dress and dark blue skinny jeans. She flung her sling bag over her shoulder, feeling exhausted.

Tamomo had decided to give her the rest of the day off, saying that summer was the perfect time to find love.

Sakura smiled at the thought, perhaps Eriol was right, maybe it was time to move on.

Eriol, over the time the spent together, Sakura saw a side that she never saw before.

From the outside he looked like this guy who had everything in life, the perfect guy who was strong and good in whatever he does. The type of guy that would make any parents proud to have for a son.

But on the inside, he was this vulnerable guy, always looking out for other people. He puts his friends first and himself last. Even in his own twisted way, Eriol is the type of guy who wishes he'd be accepted.

"Sakura?" his own voice seemed unfamiliar to him. "Ready to go?" he said gesturing to his car. Sakura smiled and intertwined their fingers together.

He was slightly taken aback. "What?" she asked, the corners of her lips lift up to a small sly smile. "Is it alright with you?"

Eriol stared at their joined hands and felt his chest clenched. He looked up into her emerald orbs and said, "Yes. Yes it is, love!"