A/N: Hmm... I think this must be my longest chapter at the moment... oh well, yeah, I changed the summary for this a bit, but i guess it still doesn't say much... I don't want to promise anything with the summary since I'm not quite sure yet what's going to happen.

moondoc: Thanks for trying with the summary... I guess we're both stumped on that until I know for sure if this is going to head to where I hope to

Emerald Sakura711: Guess you're not going to be waiting much longer

rawritskim: Painting's here, hope you can envision it in your mind

to those I haven't replied to: A very heartfelt thank you for reviewing

to those who dropped by and read it: Thank you for increasing my hit points for the story, may some of you leave a review so I can take your patronship of my story personally.

And now, it's on with the story, and let's all see the secrets unfold

Chapter 4

For Sakura, the day couldn't have been slower. Even though it was only the morning of Tuesday, Sakura was restless. The package Syaoran sent won't be arriving until the next day, but her excitement of getting a piece of anything from Syaoran couldn't be pacified.

Tomoyo had to laugh when Sakura didn't even react when she placed a ridiculously bow on top of her head. It was a half-sewn piece of white cloth that Tomoyo would turn into a bow for the gown she was planning to make Sakura.

With a start, Sakura looked at Tomoyo curiously, until a thread dangle between her eyes. Belatedly, she cried out, "Hoe."

"Seriously, Sakura-chan, everyone is thrilled for you, even the teachers are glad you're happy. But you should come down to earth for a bit before lunch is over. You haven't eaten a single bite." Tomoyo chided her gently. They were outside in the school yard having their lunch under one of the many trees.

Sakura looked down at her lap and found it fascinating to see that she had her lunch box open since she didn't even remember opening it. "Oh." She said sheepishly before gripping her chopsticks and started eating. "Ne, Tomoyo-chan, what do you think it's going to be?"

"I honestly don't know Sakura-chan. But knowing it is Li-Kun, it is probably something very beautiful." Tomoyo replied, polishing her own lunch.

"Maybe it will be a hair ornament. Or maybe it will be a dress. Or another teddy bear that he made by himself." Sakura continued to chatter in between bites as Tomoyo looked on resigned. She would have shifted the topic to something else if she wasn't so worried that Sakura would fall into her depressed state again.

When Wednesday afternoon finally arrived, Sakura had all but rushed to her house. She kept calling out to her friends to hurry up as she skated her way home, stopping every few blocks to wait for them to catch up.

She basically hurtled herself through the door, startling Touya and Yukito from their gardening. It was Touya's day-off from work so he asked Yukito to come over and help him weed out the garden.

"What's going on?" Touya called out to Sakura's back. Receiving no reply, his face took on a grim appearance and he was preparing to charge right in to demand an answer when he spotted Tomoyo and the rest of his sister's gang climbing up their front path.

"Konnichiwa." Tomoyo bowed to him and greeting and the rest followed suit.

"Konnichiwa." Yukito called out cheerfully from where he was crouched down near a rose bush. Touya frowned but returned their greeting.

Noticing Touya's sour face, Tomoyo quickly explained about the package Syaoran had sent for his sister. Touya mood darkened considerably, he wrinkled his nose in distaste, he had never really liked the brat to begin with, but it has become obvious that he's the only one who could get Sakura from her pensive mood these days.

After getting Touya's permission, they all filed in to the front hall and found an excited squealing Sakura in the living room, jumping in front of what appears to be a big board wrapped in brown paper. "Come on you guys, hurry up. I want you all to be here to see what Syaoran-kun sent me." Sakura invited them over when she noticed them standing outside the entrance.

They filed in to the room with a resigned smile on their faces, knowing that this would be end in a moment. Sakura's excitement seemed to have rubbed off as they all leaned in closer as Sakura started to tear off the wrapper. An edge appears first, revealing that the item was artwork with a small delicate frame bearing a vine design. The top slides off to reveal a mass of white wings, and when it was completely uncovered, a loud gasp of surprise and delight took over the room.

The painting was a sight to behold. An angel with suspiciously auburn-hair similar to Sakura's was floating against a backdrop of gray clouds and yellow light. It was a scene of a darkened sky after the rain when the light from the hidden sun pushes through to trace a pattern on the sodden ground. The angel's hair curled around her ears, and the rest tumbling outward with the wind. Her clothes were a simple radiance in the gloomy darkness leading down to a cliff jutting out towards the turbulent seas, just below her glowing feet. Her eyes an astonishing green, shining with sadness at the destruction her painted eyes had observed.

Her friends murmured among themselves about the resemblance, but Sakura felt deeper, as if Syaoran was telling her a message. Lightly, almost reverently, she touched a finger to the oil, tracing the contour of the angel's face, watching the eyes that reflected the color of her own for clues.

It was the ever-observant Tomoyo who noticed the letter that had fallen along with the wrappings. Picking it up, she tapped Sakura on the shoulder, startling the other girl from her musings. "I think Syaoran wants to tell you something."

"Thanks." Sakura smiled a little dazed, having almost forgotten that she wasn't alone in the room. She looked at her friends and found them observing her reaction more than the painting. "It's beautiful."

They all nodded their agreement, commenting on Li-kun's ability to spot something so beautiful and resembling Sakura in looks. Sakura blushed at their comments and clutched the letter to her heart, wanting to savor the contents later when she's alone.

Noticing this, Tomoyo quickly suggested that they have tea first so they could all head back home in a bit. With a start, Sakura remembered something else.

Asking her friends to wait, she reached behind the painting for several small packages. With a blushing and contented smile on her face, she handed them over, saying sheepishly, "Syaoran-kun sent this over for everyone to enjoy. I'm sorry I forgot about them."

Excitedly, Yamazaki opened his package first to reveal a sci-fi book and started to tell a story. "Did you know that sci-fi stuffs are real? People got scared of the aliens that lived among us that they said that aliens are a figment of our imagination. Our ancestors whoever had made a pact with these aliens to live in harmony with them, and they disguised their spaceships into some of the small islands we see today. However, life on earth isn't what the aliens dreamed it would be, and technology develops slowly that they are planning to... mmph."

Chiharu clamped a hand against Yamazaki's mouth and dragged him towards the kitchen. "Let's go prepare for tea."

The others watched them head off with tolerant stares. It was like Yamazaki to spin another of his tall tales, luckily, Sakura had outgrown her gullibility for any of his stories.

Rika exclaimed over a pair of hair ribbons, which Mei Ling apparently had chosen for her why Naoko excitedly squeal over several books of horror novels. Syaoran got Tomoyo a new bag for her camera, and he inserted a note inside thanking her for looking after Sakura in his absence.

Tea was served and eventually her friends had left saved for Tomoyo who stayed behind. Touya and Yukito came in after the last of them was out the door with twin curiosity on their faces. Left with only those who knew of her secret, Sakura felt more at ease in handing out a package for Yukito. Syaoran had even gone to the trouble of giving Touya a package, which the latter accepted with a scowl. With Tomoyo in tow, she grabbed the last package, a box of chocolates, and headed for her room, letter safely hidden in her pocket.

Kero greeted her with a big smile when she opened the door. "Something exciting was going on downstairs. I can smell some goodies." He rubbed his paws together, looking at Sakura expectantly for treats.

With a laugh, Sakura handed him the package and told him it was from Syaoran. Kero's eyes narrowed until he noticed that the chocolates were one of his favorite kinds. "Oh well, that kid wasn't that bad." He flew off with the box towards the desk to enjoy his sweets.

Sure that they wouldn't be disturbed, Sakura sat on her bed and motioned for Tomoyo to do the same. Slowly, with trembling fingers, Sakura took out the letter and unfolded it in her hands. With a deep breath, she began to read:

My Dearest Sakura,

I bet you've realized that the angel looked like you. It was the first thing that drew me to it. But upon closer inspection, I noticed several things. Besides the eyes and hair, the angel is very much like you. You both have a kind heart who cries and feel pain for others, strength to fight for their sake, to offer comfort to those who need it. You are like the light after the storm, the hope that brightens even the darkest of days.

In the days when I feel most alone are the days I recall your smile and my heart's burden will lighten considerably. Because I know that wherever you are, you will continually smile for the people around you, and you will continually try your best to cheer anyone up. It is one of the things I learned from you, and one of the many things I love about you. I may not be there right now, but I hope that every time you see this painting, know that I am thinking about you even you're not with me.

Love,

Li Xiao Lang