Disclaimer:

Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me. CLAMPS owns it.

The song "Don't Dream It's Over" is owned by Sixpence None the Richer.

Summary:

Sakura was separated for years from her family, that it nearly makes her lose hope to reunite with her loved ones. But like everyone believes: miracle happens. Even though there will always be something obstructs on the way or at the end.

EDGE OF DESIRE

Chapter 4 - Don't Dream It's Over

Don't dream it's over, when the world comes in. They come to build a wall between us. We know they won't win. - Sixpence None the Richer

She sighed once again and walked to reach her wardrobe. It was that time when she stopped her step, realizing something. She quickly turned her body. An elegant figure of short brown haired lady was kindly smiling at her.

Sakura froze for a few seconds. The normal reaction which people usually did when they found a stranger in their room, was surprisedly screaming. But her body was not provoked by this lady's appearance. Instead she felt a warm tingling in her heart, like she had known the lady for a long time.

"Excuse me, Ma'am. Who are you?" Sakura asked, still in amazement. She took a few steps near the lady. Now she could see the lady clearer. She was like in her late twenties. Her hair was a very short brown one, which emphasized her firm face. Her eyes reminded Sakura of a glowing faceted amethyst. The lady wore red classic suit that really fitted on her. "If you would like to meet the Sisters, their rooms are on the second floor. But i think they are already asleep by now."

The lady kept smiling at her. "I'm here to meet you."

Her voice sounded so gentle in Sakura's ears.

Sakura blinked and gaped as she was stunned by this lady's words to her. She was about to say something when the door behind her opened.

"Saki, is there someone with you? I heard you were talking." Sister Nagano showed up with curiousity on her face.

"Sister." Sakura approached her quickly. "There is a lady in my room, and i think she would like to meet one of the sisters here." Sakura turned her head to see the lady who was still standing near her bed.

"Where?" Sister Nagano asked. Her eyes scanned the room. "I do not see anyone here."

"What?" Sakura looked at Sister Nagano confusedly. The lady was exactly standing right in front of them, and the light illuminated the room enough for them to see.

The lady smiled softly to Sakura, aware of the girl's confusion, "She cannot see me."

Sakura tried to digest the lady's words which made her more confused.

Meanwhile Sister Nagano started to look worried at her. "Saki, i don't see anything at all. I think you are too tired. You always come home late at night."

She walked to the door, threw a last stern look at Sakura, "Go have some rest, dear."

"But..." Sakura was shocked. She turned to the lady again after both of them were alone. Her emerald eyes met her amethyst one. If Sister Nagano could not see her, it only meant one thing.

Sakura slowly whispered, "Who are you? Are you a ghost?"

The lady chuckled softly and shook her head. "I'm not a ghost, but i'm not living either."

"So, why are you here?" Sakura asked. This really made no sense to her. If Sister Nagano could not see her and she was not a ghost as well, then what was she? However Sakura did not think that this lady had a bad intention to her. Her aura was kind of good and... calming.

"I'm here to tell you that everything happens for a reason." The lady smiled again.

Sakura felt her breath hitched. She would still not believe that the lady was not a ghost. There were no reasonable explanations for this. She still needed to think. Was she finally becoming a paranormal, being able to communicate with something that was not real or might be a ghost?

The lady neared her and embraced her face, made her facing the unusual amethyst orbs, "I will be here whenever you need me."

Sakura headed to the university at the usual time. She did not remember how she had fallen asleep last night, but when she had woken up, the lady had been gone. Or perhaps Sister Nagano had been right. She just had been too tired last night, that it had made her imagination.

The agreement with the Kinomoto Group occupied her mind back. Her final decision was not to tell Sister Maeda and other Sisters about this. They already had loads of responsibilities on the orphanage which needed to be concerned more. Sakura had to try to solve this problem alone.

Sakura sighed heavily. She had to think ways to collect the money. December had almost been over, and four months of time was really short.

"Maeda-san."

Sakura looked up, and found Ms. Kimura, the head of library, interrupting her activity of watering the flowers at the university backyard. "Yes, Ms. Kimura?"

"I need you to help me reorganizing the books into each sections. Some of them have just been repaired, and there are new books coming too today." Ms. Kimura said, looking from her crescent glasses.

Sakura nodded and put down the watering can. She knew that organizing a library with thousands of books was not an easy thing to deal with. Ms. Kimura often asked her assistance to label new books, record the codes, repair the books damaged by the students, and other errands.

She was always happy to be at library. She liked to see thick books neatly organized on the shelves, and the smell of new and old books. Moreover, the kind-Ms. Kimura always let Sakura stay there to read whenever she liked. The older woman always told Sakura every time there were new books coming. Sakura could even get a chance to borrow them.

The books in the university library were really different with the orphanage's. They got more non fictional books here for the students' reference. It let her learn the same thing as the students did.

She always thought that if she had a chance to get into college later, she would choose music studies or language and literature. It would be exciting. After she was finished the college, she might become a lecturer or researcher.

She sighed to imagine all those possibilities. It always pleased her whenever her mind created a future for herself, like what would she become or what would she do. She imagined if she came back with her parents. She would have a mother and father who loved her. Perhaps she even had siblings. They would live happily ever after, just like those in fictions. She would surely do her best to repay their loves to her.

If she just had had other skill of a paranormal, beside seeing ghosts, she would have loved to see how would her future have been liked. She shook her head, chuckling to herself. She had imagined and hoped too much. And sometimes it was dangerous.

She moved to place the books which had been repaired to each shelves. Ms. Kimura always complained on how quick the students damaging the books. But Sakura thought that it was normal. Even it was a good sign that the books were read. It meant that they were useful, not only becoming mere ornaments.

When she reorganized the literature section, she caught a glimpse of The Little Prince from its spine. She smiled inwardly. She took it out from the shelf. The simple cover of the book showed a little prince stood on a planet, with sun, moon and stars around him. It was her most favourite book ever. She did not remember when she had started to read it. But fortunately it was one of the granted books at the orphanage.

It was already lunch time and she had no appetite. She decided to reread the book. She sat on a chair next to a window and started to turn the page. She chuckled silently when the writer had even already brought a humour of boa constrictor on the first page.

"Le Petit Prince. It's good."

Sakura lifted her face to find a pair of amber eyes narrowing towards her. The Li heir sat a few seats away from her. She instantly cursed herself to not look around first before picking a seat. She forced a thin smile, "Thank you."

Syaoran smiled. He put down Kotler's book which he had been reading. "I didn't praise you. I praised the book."

"Oh." Sakura looked down, feeling embarrassed. Her face turned to crimson red in second. "I thought you meant to appreciate my choice. I'm sorry."

Syaoran chuckled. He straightened up himself and kept looking at the shy girl, "I see that this is not the first time you read that book."

"How do you know?" Sakura raised her eyebrow. She felt suspicious of this sudden behaviour of his. She knew that he had helped her sometimes ago. But still, they did not even know each other. Added by the fact that he was that Kinomoto girl's fiancee, she had to keep alert. Those perfect couple were not supposed to act nicely to a janitor like her.

"How much will you pay me to answer your question?" Syaoran grinned at her.

Sakura just glanced at him cynically and decided not to heed him any further. She went back to her book, but again interrupted by a sudden movement. Syaoran Li now sat right in front of her.

He rested his chin against his hand. "Do you know that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a real aviator, and that the Little Prince was inspired when he was stranded at Sahara? He was about to break the speed record for a Paris-to-Saigon flight in a raid and win a prize of 150,000 francs."

He noticed the girl trying hard not to listen his babble. Her forehead frowned much deeper as he talked. And he did not know why it made him wanted to annoy her more. In other words, he enjoyed it.

"Do you know as well that Saint-Exupéry's wife was said to be the inspiration for the petulant rose character?" He said again, ignoring the fact that she was ignoring her. He kept his vision at her bowed-head figure, pondering into her striking-auburn hair. That colour almost hurt his eyes.

"Do you know that..."

Sakura suddenly looked up from her book and stared at the blabbing man, cut his speech and blurted impatiently, "I know that this book was inspired by the writer's experience. I know that this book has been at the second-rank for best selling books ever published worldwide, and i know that the fearsome, grasping baobab trees, were meant to represent Nazism attempting to destroy the world." She took a breath and formed a forced curve on her porcelain face. "And i know really well that i don't want to be disturbed anymore. Just because i am a janitor, doesn't mean i have no knowledge or know nothing."

Syaoran was dumbfounded by her outspoken utterance. He held his laughter, since he still remembered they were in a library. "So, you found me annoying..."

"Didn't i make myself clear? I don't want to be disturbed."

Syaoran nodded and stunned. "What if i say that there is a real Museum of The Little Prince in Hakone?"

Sakura quickly lifted her head. Her emerald orbs widened. Actually, she acted irritated because she had been humiliated earlier by this guy at the start of their conversations. But now was another story, "Are you lying to me?"

Syaoran smirked. He leaned his body forward, "So there's something that you don't know about The Little Prince?"

"It seems that you read a lot. So i let you search about the museum by yourself." Syaoran said before she could say more. "Anyway, are you allowed to read books here? Moreover, the lunch time is already over."

Sakura sighed audibly. This guy clearly tossed and turned her willing for not heeding him. "It's none of your business."

"What is it that you're reading?" She felt her mouth slipped without her permission. She indeed had been wondering what he was doing here. Since library was unlikely a type of place for him to be. Once again, she was fail to pretend not caring.

Syaoran turned his eyes to the Kotler's book. "Oh, this is for my research."

"What? You do research? I don't believe it." She frowned.

"Why? I do research." He emphasized. "I like studying and writing. Isn't it said on my face?"

"A rich kid like you?" Sakura automatically shook her head. "What do you write? Academic research only?"

Syaoran smirked again to know that this girl couldn't help to fall into curiosity about him. "I write fictions too. Well, actually, i'm just starting."

They stared at each other's eyes for a while, before Syaoran looked away. He felt his cheek getting warm. He reached his jeans' pocket as an attempt to hide his face. He took out a white handkerchief and shoved it to her. "Your face. It has dirt on it."

"Oh." Sakura quickly lowered head and took the handkerchief from him, "Thank you."

"It seems that you always make me lending you something every time we meet." Syaoran smirked that he could make her redden as he did too.

"You can read it, once i finish." He added slowly, "Of course, if you're interested."

Sakura smiled warmly, "I'd be delighted. Just tell me if you're done with the fiction. Anyway, I'm sorry, i have to go back to work."

"Okay." He smiled back. He was stunned when she said her goodbye and went out from the library. He did not know whether he liked what was in his heart right now. But he suddenly got up and ran. He totally forgot something.

"Hey!" Syaoran shouted, running to her. "What's your name?"

Sakura stopped and turned around. She could only gaped when she heard his question.

"I mean, we talked for like half an hour. It would be kind of strange if i still did not know your name." He added.

"Oh." Sakura nodded. "My name is Maeda. Saki Maeda."

Syaoran smiled, "My name is..."

"Syaoran Li, i know." Sakura cut, chuckled to see him surprised, "So, i'll see you around, i guess."

Fujitaka put down his pen and stood up. He looked at the clock on his office desk. It was already six. He let out a tired sigh. It meant that he had been at the office for almost twelve hours. End of year was always a busy period for every company.

He took his phone and texted his wife to remind her for their dinner in one hour. He realized he had been pretty occupied lately that he almost did not have spare time to spend with Nadeshiko. This dinner should pay his guilt.

The restaurant was located at the city center. His secretary had already made reservation earlier for them. He smiled as he saw the restaurant sign board appeared closer; Golden Blossom. This restaurant was classic. Nadeshiko and him had had their first date here, and they had always been tied to this place from then on.

His wife arrived fifteen minutes after him. She did not look as eager as he wished. Her face seemed weary, which he knew where it was from. He greeted her gently, "How was your day, Nadeshiko?"

"It was like usual. Nothing was special." She answered listlessly while reading the menu. "I'd just like to have strawberry waffle."

Fujitaka observed his wife carefully. He finally asked the thing that had made him worry these days. "You seem busy nowadays. What are you doing exactly?"

She raised her eyebrows, rather sarcastic. "What do you think i'm doing? I'm looking for my lost daughter."

Fujitaka sipped his coffee, not heeding her sarcasm. "I have been thinking to speed up the engagement party for Tomoyo and Syaoran. I have talked to Yelan about this. It will be held a month after Touya's engagement."

Nadeshiko quickly looked up with a huge shock expression on her face. "Why didn't you discuss it with me first before going to Yelan? Didn't you think that this is something that both of us need to agree?" She shook her head in disappointment. Furthermore, she thought that there was something more important most of all, "And have you talked to both Tomoyo and Syaoran? You have to know what they'll say."

"There is nothing to discuss more. Besides, it is only three months earlier than we planned before. We all have agreed about this from a long time ago, Nadeshiko. Do you remember?" asked Fujitaka, pleading for his wife to understand.

"Who told you to make that stupid decision at the first place?" Nadeshiko snapped angrily. "It would be much better if you just cancelled that engagement, not concluded another alternative."

Fujitaka slumped down and let out a tired sigh. "Nadeshiko, i know what you meant." He held her hands and looked at her desperately, "Why don't we just stop? Until when do you want to live like this?"

Nadeshiko held her reply when the waiter served their orders. She stared at the strawberry waffle which was served with chocolate ice cream in front of her. Drop of tears began to drip on her cheek. "Do you know why i always order this waffle? Because it reminds me of her. She was always there to watch me cooking waffles." Her daughter's small face slipped on her mind. Her breath hitched. "I am so helpless that i can't even do anything besides something that can remind me of her."

Her tears fell on to the cake as she bowed her head. "But it never taste the same." She whispered.

Fujitaka turned his sight down to the ivory floors of the restaurant. It was not because he did not love her daughter. It was not because he did not care for the fact that was she still alive or not. It was because he did not want to be hurt anymore.

The pain of fifteen years in waiting was already too much than he could bear. He had been devastated by the fact that all the things he had done to find his only daughter had been a mere vain. Now everything seemed impossible. And he did not want to feel that pain again. So there, he stood by his own shield.

A few days had passed since Sakura had encountered the Kinomotos. Sakura sat behind the counter of the Autumn Blossom coffee shop, with a newspaper and highlighter on her hands. Her emerald orbs scanned the job advertisements section. She already had had the panic attack to look for another extra money. She needed to move fast if she wanted to keep the orphanage safe.

She finally caught a small advertisement from a local lifestyle web portal named Tomoeda Central. They were looking for a part-time worker to manage their database. She rolled down to see that the requirement was apparently not too difficult for someone who had not taken a university degree like herself. Moreover the advertisement said she could do the work remotely. She then marked the advertisement and kept in her mind to call the employer as soon as possible.

It was already nine o'clock when her boss, Yoshiyuki Terada, a handsome man in mid thirties, entered the coffee shop. There were only Sakura, Takashi and a new worker, Jun, left. The last two were on their night shifts for weekends.

Sakura smiled and greeted him, "How are you, Terada-sama?"

"Saki-san, you're still here?" Yoshiyuki asked in surprise. There were two cake boxes in his hands.

Sakura nodded, "I want to take an overtime. I already told Rika about it, and she said yes. I hope you won't mind."

"Overtime?" Yoshiyuki frowned. He glanced at the wall clock behind the counter. "But i think you need rests more than overtime."

Sakura shook her head, "It's okay for me, Terada-sama. I want to accompany Takashi and Jun. Maybe i will stay for two hours more." She turned her gaze at the boxes in her boss' hands. "Can i help you with those?"

"Oh, i am going to keep this in the fridge. Rika has been craving for tiramisu recently." Yoshiyuki answered with an implied smile.

Sakura's eyes widened as she realized what his words meant, "Rika is pregnant?"

Yoshiyuki nodded and chuckled delightfully. A happiness light shimmered in his face. Takashi and Jun who curiously came from the kitchen, let out excited shouts to congratulate the soon-to-be father. "It is only two months, but she has always been craving for something sweet all of sudden."

Sakura stood still with an opened mouth, feeling surprised yet touched for her friend and employer, "That is a really great news, Terada-sama! I will surely meet and congratulate her next time!"

Yoshiyuki nodded again, "Alright then. Don't stay out too late, Saki-san! See you again, Takashi-san, Jun-san!"

He walked out of the coffee shop and walked to his home. He was lucky to have dependable workers like them. The coffee shop had not been intended to be a long-run business at first. But since he had married Rika, it had proven as something to keep her busy when he was not around for duties.

When he stepped into his house, suddenly something came into his mind, made his frown. He abruptly halted. And his hands slowly took out something from his left pocket; a photograph of a little girl with auburn hair.

Yukito sighed in relief as he washed his hands clean after two-hour appendectomy. It had been his first solo surgery and he was happy that he had not ruined it. It would be a great news to be spread along the hospital. That bastard would surely be pissed off to hear that he was already one step forward than him, he smirked.

He took his bag and walked slowly along the hospital corridor. All nurses and surgeons smiled and greeted him on his way out. Today was surely his day. Nothing could ruin it, even the past memory of a certain red-haired woman.

His steps were suddenly halted when he reached hospital lobby, spotting someone that he had been looking recently. With a determination to not let him lost the patient again, he practically ran to reach her. He stared at her, astonished."You?"

Sakura bowed and smiled to him, "How do you do, Sensei?"

Yukito replied her smile. This mysterious patient still had the same warm aura like in their last encounter. "How have you been? I have been searching for you lately."

"I apologize to make you worried, Sensei." Sakura greeted clumsily. She was still surprised by herself and did not understand why she felt the need to meet this young doctor who treated her a few months ago. "I would like to ask you something."

"I have lots of questions too." Yukito cut quickly. "What is your real name? And why did you fake your identity?"

Sakura looked at him with a guilty face and bowed to him again, "I'm really sorry, Sensei. I had no choice that time. My real name is Saki Maeda."

Yukito sighed sadly. Sometimes this job really drained out his emotional side. "We have a lot of more to concern than that now. What would you like to ask me?"

Sakura was silent for a moment, deciding whether she really needed to ask this or not. This was not her current priority anyway. Or rather, she did not want to understand this.

She drooped her head, ignoring his stare. Somehow she found that she could not stand looking at his grey orbs. It was too intimidating, in tender way.

"Yukito, you haven't gone home? Good. Miyake still wants to discuss something with us."

Sakura was about to open her mouth when other tall figure showed up from behind Yukito. She instantly cursed herself to the fact why she should see this man everywhere? What did he do here anyway?

Touya was suddenly startled when he saw to whom Yukito was talking. He cynically gazed at Sakura. He snorted, "Why do you seem to be everywhere?"

Sakura turned to Yukito nervously, "I'm sorry, i have to go now, Sensei."

"Wait." Yukito stopped her and took out a post-it note from his pocket. He rapidly wrote his numbers on it and gave it to Sakura. "Please don't hesitate to call me if you want to ask or need something."

Sakura nodded and smiled to him, as she caught a glimpse of Touya's glaring at her.

Yukito let out a long sigh as Sakura disappeared from his view. He glanced at Touya, who was still having an irritated look, "Why did you have to show up at time like that?"

"Now it was my fault too?" Touya frowned at him sarcastically. "Anyway, you know her? What did she want this time? Did she ask you for money?"

"It's none of your business." Yukito snapped. He acknowledged that even though Touya could be a total jerk, but it was not typically Touya to be so arrogant in front of strangers. They could have been enemies these years, but he still knew what Touya was like. "And why did you talk about her like that? Did she look like a beggar to you?"

Touya shrugged nonchalantly, "She came to my father's office to ask us not to execute her orphanage. So irrational."

Yukito quickly looked at him in surprise, "What? She is an orphan?"

"She seems to be. Why do you seem to be so interested in her? How did you know her?" Touya frowned suspiciously.

Yukito did not heed him this time. They kept walking silently in the corridor, with Sakura still occupying his mind. He felt something in his heart, like caring for the girl. There was something that made him questioning a familiarity in herself.

He had to find out more about her.

Tomoyo quietly went into her room. She had been watching television in the living room, when her parents had arrived, yelling at each other. Her mother, with a red face, had looked so furious. While her father had been in despair.

She never saw them like this before. They had always been harmonious and full of affections at each other. At the age of theirs, they had been the role models for perfect couple to their friends.

Tomoyo felt uneasy since she wanted to be happy for herself after her father had given her a really good news this afternoon. Her engagement with Syaoran would be held three months earlier than what they had planned before, and the preparation would be started soon. Of course he had been her fiancee since their births, but this ceremony would make it more official.

She smiled widely to herself. This was what she had really wanted all this time. She really loved Syaoran, even though sometimes he acted so cold to her. People said that an arranged married would be a hell to live for anybody. But she would never think that way. This was one of the greatest gift life had brought to her.

In her daydream, the face of a sapphire eyed man suddenly showed up. Eriol. I have to tell him about this good news, Tomoyo thought. She grabbed her cellphone and pressed his number.

"Tomoyo?" She heard his typically hoarse voice over the phone, the one which always calmed her. "Tomoyo, are you there?"

She jerked a little and snapped herself back to reality. "Oh, sorry. I just want to talk to you. Are you on your night shift?"

"I'm doing some paper works. But i can talk to you." Eriol answered. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Why do i have to be not alright for me to call you?" She lay on her bed, staring at her room's ceiling. From that position, she could see many plastic decorations in sun, moon and star shapes, stuck on its surface. She turned off the lamps and it became glowing in instant. It was not real, of course. She sighed in relief. This view had always accompanied her to sleep since she had been a child. It was comforting. "Anyway, i want to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"My engagement party will be held a month after Touya's." She answered with a wide grin on her porcelain face. She waited for Eriol's excitement for a few seconds, but there was nothing. "Eriol, did you hear me?"

"Yeah. Congratulations then. I'm happy for you."

Tomoyo frowned. On the contrary, he had not sounded happy at all. It had been cold, like everytime he was upset. "Are you sure you are really happy? Because you weren't heard happy at all."

"Whatever, Tomoyo. Do you have any other things to say? I'm really busy right now."

Tomoyo raised her eyebrows. She did not believe what her best friend had just said. Eriol never rebuffed her like this before. He was always indulgent and gentle towards her all this time, even at her worst moment. Most of other people would simply ignore and dread her for her rude behaviour, but never did Eriol.

But before she realized of her own fear, the long dial tone suddenly welcomed her ears. An uneasy feeling enveloped herself in either despair or disappointment. She did not know. Did he start to give up on her too?

Her cellphone rang shortly, telling her a new received message. She touched the screen and opened an attachment from one of her college friends. Her eyebrows got higher as she transferred the picture into her brain. She was sure that it was a picture of the library in her university. And her eyes caught two figures inside it: the man who she had adored since she had been a child, and a girl with light auburn hair.

Sakura had sat inside the bus for already an hour. It took her much longer way than usual to her home. There was a huge roadwork at the center of the city which affected the traffics all over the town. But she liked it anyway. She could pay more attention to everything on the way, like new supermarkets or new restaurants. She had lived here since she had been born, and Tomoeda never bored her. It might be a small city, but it gave her life. She loved its green view, with a lot of trees adorned along the way. It was really beautiful on autumns. She exhaled comfortably.

She should have not come to the hospital today. It might have just made Mr. Tsukishiro worried. But like the mysterious lady had said to her last night; everything happened for a reason. She still wanted to stick to those words for now.

She took off in front of the Block Fifth alley, where she could already see her orphanage. She walked slowly as the cold wind blowing softly on her face. There were not much buildings around the orphanage. Instead there was a huge green field in the corner of the alley which she and other children usually used for playing around. She stopped her steps and looked at her surrounding.

Fifteen years had passed and this place had not changed at all. She could picture back the memories when she and the children had played hide and seek, soccer or basket ball. Her eyes scanned the orphanage building in brick colour. They had painted it together with the sisters too the last four summer. She remembered how Nana had complained all day long at the very warm sun and its later effect to her skin. And the little food shop at the left side of the building which was run by the sister to keep their budget.

She smiled sadly. She never imagined to leave this place even once. She dreamed to stay here forever. They were their family. The place to call home for her. She would never lose it, right?

Sakura sighed and went on her steps inside the orphanage. It was already ten in the evening. Everyone must have already been in their rooms, she thought. But as she passed the living room, she heard someone speaking. She then peeked and saw Nana standing in front of a mirror with sheets of papers on her hands.

"Nought's had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content."

Sakura smiled as she looked at her sister. Nana was beautiful when she read dialogues. Her voice, her expressions and her gestures. Anyone could see her burning in her passion.

Sakura felt pride and envious at the same time. Nana already found her passion since early age. She knew what she wanted to do and she could live it up.

How she wished she could be just like Nana.

"Tis safer to be that which we destroy. Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy."

Suddenly Nana turned around and her eyes met Sakura's. She glared at her, "How long have you been there?"

"Oh, i just arrived a minute ago." Sakura answered, being snapped back at her reverie of Nana. She smiled to her sister, "Is it Macbeth? You were really good, Nana."

Nana sighed impatiently. "There would never be a perfect moment for my practice here. All of you will just annoy me after all." She stomped her feet and went out of the living room.

"Nana, I..." Sakura began, but Nana had already disappeared to her room. She sighed sadly. She could never have a right time to properly talk to Nana. It always ended up terrible.

She then dragged her feet to her room. Her body was suddenly attacked by extreme fatigue. It seemed that she had to take some medicines again tonight.

When she entered her room, she once again saw the amethyst eyed lady from yesterday, standing at the same spot. And the lady smiled again to her.

A forty-five year old woman took off from her black limousine at the Li Mansion. Her head looked up elegantly, made her silky ebony-black hair shimmered at the sunlight. Some maids welcomed and bowed to her respectfully. It had been a long time since her last time here.

Yelan Li sighed and walked inside her house. It was still the same, quiet and lonely. She always felt guilty to leave her only son alone in this huge place. Her daughters were all married and lived abroad for pursuing their careers, which left her no choice to stay in Hong Kong, managing the headquarter of Li Corporations.

"Okaa-san?" Syaoran appeared from the living room and looked startled to see her mother. Her mother abruptly went to hug him. "Why didn't you tell me you will come?"

"Oh, Syaoran. My son. I miss you very much." Yelan embraced her son's face. "I'm sorry that you always have to be alone all this time."

Syaoran smiled back to her mother. He was glad to see his mother's kind face, which was only showed to her children. Sometimes he was grateful that he had a mother who was not greedy and arrogant like any other female socialites he knew, with Nadeshiko Kinomoto as an exception too. Even though his mother never called him regularly, he never doubted her loves and cares for him and his sisters. "It's alright, okaa-san. I'm always fine here. I never feel alone with all my activities."

"Of course. Tomoyo always accompanies you too, right?" Yelan smiled as they sat on the unique Chinese couch which she had brought from Hongkong.

Syaoran forced a smile on his face. He nodded. "Will you stay here for a long time?"

Yelan sighed sadly, "Unfortunately i won't, dear. I'm here to manage and prepare you and Tomoyo's upcoming engagement party."

Syaoran nodded again. He had already heard that. Tomoyo had never stopped talking about it since yesterday. She even had asked him to accompany her looking for gown or other stuffs that he did not really understand today.

Yelan glance shortly at him. Somehow she understood what was inside her son's head. "Anyway, you and Eriol will start the managing director positions of the K&L Hotel as of early January. I already asked Touya to join, but he refused and said that both of you will be enough."

"I got it, Mom. I have already prepared some frameworks to discuss with Eriol and others." Syaoran smiled, reassuring his mother. He never wanted to make his mother worry. He knew that she already had a lot of responsibilities. Ever since his father had passed away, she had already took over the huge Li Corporations.

"Yelan-sama." A grey haired man appeared from the front door. "We should leave for a meeting with Kinomoto-sama." He then smiled and bowed to Syaoran.

Syaoran smiled back. Wei had been Li family's assistant for a long time. Syaoran respected him like his grandfather. "How do you do, Wei-san?"

"Never been better to see you, Syaoran-sama." Wei greeted him.

Yelan got up and sighed. She kissed Syaoran again, "See you tonight, son."

It had been only about half an hour, and Yelan had to leave her home again. Having a huge business like this was tiring. She hoped to retire and had her children replace her, but she knew that they still had a lot of things to do. She did not want to spoil it.

She glanced at Wei who sat beside her. She saw him staring at his phone, looking at a young girl's picture. "How is Xiao Jia, Wei? Is she better?"

"She is fine, Ma'am. Thank you for asking." Wei answered flatly. His throat was like being choked whenever he heard his daughter's name.

She sighed, "I told you that she could join us wherever we go. I will support her. It's not good for her to stay alone in Hongkong."

Wei did not look at his superior, "You don't have to, Yelan-sama. You already did very much for my family."

Yelan did not answer. Wei always turned her offer down at his daughter. She did not understand why. Wei already served the Li Family for a long time. She did not see a reason to not help him as a family. But Wei had another think about it.

Wei entered the limousine after he escorted Yelan to the Kinomoto Business Headquarters. He turned on the machine and led his way to the road. He did not need driver to take him this time. He needed to be alone.

He turned on the GPS and typed an address into it. He always had a bad memory for directions. Moreover when the neighbourhood was being constructed into spaces for Kinomoto Group Business Districts. The layout of the area had changed. He turned to Soka District, the quieter area of Tomoeda. It had been a long time since the last time he had been here. But it was getting clearer in his mind as he entered the fifth block. He felt his sweat dripping on his neck, despite the cold conditioner.

He stopped the limousine in a safe distance. The surrounding had not changed yet. Even the brick-coloured building in front of him.

It had been fifteen years and the guilt had not left him. It was getting bigger instead. And it would never leave his side.

Suddenly his old eyes caught a young girl's figure going out of the building. Her auburn hair was bright, reflecting the afterglow. She looked as exactly as he had remembered. Nothing had changed. Nothing had not been supposed to change.

And he felt crystal drops started to dampen his wrinkled cheek.

Nadeshiko walked slowly on the main road of the Yaesu District. She had just met and talked to Yoshiyuki on his investigation of the accident. He had said that there was something strange on the process. It had been years after but there was still no result. Tomoeda was not as big as Tokyo. It should have not been long and difficult way to go.

She had never thought about it before. She had always said this to her husband indeed, but she had just realized. She had been waiting for fifteen years. It felt just like yesterday when she had given birth to her daughter, taught her to walk and talk for the first time, heard the 'okaa-san' word from Sakura's small lips. And now she had passed one and half decade living without her daughter, not knowing whether she was still alive or not.

Her sorrow had been eating her life. Sometimes she wondered whether she should give up. People said that you would find what you were looking for, at the time you forgot and not look for it. But how she could ever forget her own flesh and blood?

She lifted her head to the dark sky. It was almost new year. She remembered her childhood. She and her mother had been very busy every time nearing the new year. They would have decorated the whole house with ornaments. Her most favourite moment had been cooking new year's foods like toshikoshi soba, osechi ryori, otoso and ozoni. She then would have played hanetsuki or takoage with her cousin, Sonomi. And the very most important was visiting a shrine during shogatsu. She would have worn a new kimono which her mother had made for her every year.

She always longed to do all of those with Sakura. It would be a very sacred mother and daughter time. She had not had that chance even once.

She drooped her head. She felt her tears coming down. She really hoped that she could do it someday.

Right, it was not the time to give up yet. she said to herself. She wiped her eyes with her palms. Everything happened for a reason. That was what Sonomi had always said to her. As long as she had not found the reason yet, she had to fight.

Suddenly she was pushed roughly to the side of the road, made her fall off. The next time she saw a lightning figure ran away from her. She realized that her purse had been grabbed. She wanted to catch the snatcher, but the road was crowded by people. She was sure that he or she had run far.

"This is not my day." She sighed weakly. Luckily she held her phone on her hand. At least she could still call her husband or kids to pick her up.

"Excuse me, Ma'am. Is this yours?"

Nadeshiko lifted her head up, slowly scanning the figure of the young girl, who had suddenly come up in front of her, from down to up. She was startled to see the girl. Her body was not able to move. The girl reached her hand and returned her purse when she did not respond. The girl then smiled and left from her sight.

Nadeshiko snapped herself back, her heart pounding quickly. She ran to catch the young girl. Her eyes blindly swept the crowds to find her. But the girl had already disappeared.

Nadeshiko bit her lips. Her breath was panting. She was sure that she had seen it. She had seen the emerald light in that young girl's eyes.

I'm really really really sorry for keeping all of you wait again!

Thank you very very much for the alerts and reviews from this amazing readers:

ding: thank you very much for your review! please keep anticipating :)

Slam'in Burst: thank you, dear ;) sorry again for the long waiting! :D

sakura 42002

.3363

Shinobi of life

Deenawin

and of course to other readers who have not dropped any alerts :)