DISCLAIMER: I do not own CCS…CLAMP does. I also don't own She's all That, A Walk to Remember and The Notebook.

NOTE: Words in Italics mean the characters thoughts. Please read and review! This is my first fanfic! The storyline is based on the movies She's all That, A walk to remember and The Notebook.

Summary:

He was a typical teen…conformed and popular…she didn't belong and was misunderstood…their paths are thrown together and their lives are changed forever.

It all comes down to who's by your side.

This chapter is dedicated to my best friend Looney Tunes.

Chapter 7: Stars and the Departed

The world seemed to stop and the only thing Syaoran could feel was his erratic heartbeat. It thumped uncomfortably in his chest and the sound ringed in his ears. He could feel his vision becoming blurred by tears. No! No, don't cry Syaoran. Don't cry! Get a hold of yourself. How does CPR go again? Think Syaoran, think! Syaoran's mind was blank with all of his knowledge from Physical Education lessons down the drain. He just couldn't think straight.

'Syaoran! Five quick breaths and thirty deep compressions. Quickly!' said Eriol.

Syaoran laid Sakura down and tilted his head towards hers. Their lips met briefly and Syaoran couldn't help but feel shocked at how cold her lips were in contrast to his warm lips. He did five quick breaths and had just finished doing his fifteenth compression when Sakura violently coughed and spluttered water out. Syaoran felt relief spreading through every part of his body. As Sakura was taking long gasps of much needed air, Syaoran could not help but ponder at how Sakura had nearly drowned. Tomoyo had told him that Sakura was a strong swimmer.

'Oh Sakura, we thought we'd lost you!' Tomoyo came over and flung her arms around Sakura giving her a tight bear hug.

'What happened out there Sakura?' asked Eriol, his eyes filled with concern and confusion.

'I was just swimming a bit when I got caught in this rip. And then I started getting cramps and I just couldn't swim anymore!'

'Thank goodness you're alright!' Tomoyo squealed, giving her best friend another hug. Everyone was still looking at Sakura, their eyes full of worry.

'Go and play your game guys. I'm fine, I swear!'

'Are you sure you're alright Sakura?' asked Eriol.

'Yeah I'm fine, really. I just need to rest a bit. Go, shoo!' Sakura shooed them away but she could not ignore the fact that there was still one person who was very close to her. She could feel Syaoran's eyes on her. Oh what the heck. You're going to have to speak to him sometime. Sakura turned her head and looked straight into Syaoran's apprehensive eyes. He flinched but otherwise stared directly back at her.

'You saved my life.' Sakura said softly.

'Yeah.' whispered Syaoran.

'I guess we're even then!' said Sakura as she laughed. Syaoran couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. He couldn't forgive himself for not looking after her the other night.

'Thank you Syaoran. I don't know how to repay you,' said Sakura sincerely. I can not believe that Syaoran Li's lips were on mine and I was bloody unconscious! A mouth to mouth with Li and I was half dead! Why?! Why?!

'Ooww!' Sakura could not help but start crying. She had just been hit hard in the head with the group's volleyball. Syaoran could see MingMei hurrying over with a look of fake worry on her face. He could see malice in her eyes.

'Oh, I'm so sorry Sakura! Did I hit you?! Next time make sure you're not in our way okay!' and with that MingMei flounced away. Sakura looked like she had been smacked in the face. Bitch.

'Are you alright Sakura?' asked Syaoran nervously.

'Yeah. I'm used to bitchy girls.'

'You know you can repay me for saving your life.' said Syaoran.

Sakura rolled her eyes.

'What?'

"I want to take you out again."

Syaoran thought about what he had just said. I'm not really asking her to go out with me…no of course I'm not…I'm just asking her to go as a friend.

Sakura looked surprised at Syaoran's request.

'This is so I vote for you right?' Oh right the bet. Keep your mind on the bet Syaoran.

'Yeah.'

"Well I would but no thanks. Nah uh! Sorry Syaoran…you're nice and everything but every time I go out with you something bad seems to happen! I mean at the party I got cyanide poisoning and I still don't know who did it…and now at this beach I got caught in a rip and nearly drowned. It seems as if there's a lot of bad luck when we're together…It's a sign that we should keep our distance from each other…" Sakura smiled a small smile at Syaoran.

"Sakura…it's just coincidence! And besides I saved your life…the least you can do is get to know me better so you can vote for me!" Syaoran's eyes were pleading.

"Okay…okay fine...where are you taking me then?" questioned Sakura.

"It's a secret…I'll pick you up at 7:00pm tomorrow." said Syaoran.

"I hate secrets! Come on Syaoran, tell me where we're going!" commanded Sakura. Sakura looked annoyed with a small pout on her pink lips. Syaoran thought she looked unbelievably cute.

"You'll just have to wait and see!" Syaoran grinned. Sakura groaned. Where the hell is he taking me?!


"Wow Sakura…Syaoran asked you out properly!" Tomoyo squealed. Sakura held the phone further away from her ear. Sometimes Tomoyo could be very loud; especially when she got excited.

"How many times do I have to tell you Tomoyo?! He just wants to get my vote." explained Sakura.

"Sure, sure." Tomoyo said in a knowing voice.

"Tomoyo! We're just going out as friends! And besides it's not as if we're going to fall in love or anything…I mean, remember I made him promise not to love me…not that that would happen anyway!" exasperated Sakura.

"Well if you say so. But I still reckon you'd be the cutest couple!" exclaimed Tomoyo.

"No, no…you and Eriol would be the cutest couple!" teased Sakura.

There was silence. Sakura could just imagine Tomoyo falling off her bed and flushing heavily at the thought of her beloved Eriol.

"You always get back at me for teasing you about Syaoran!" Tomoyo huffed. Sakura just laughed.


Syaoran was surprised at how quickly the day had gone by at school. He saw Sakura here and there but didn't get a chance to talk to her properly. He didn't know why but he felt his chest flutter at the thought of taking out Sakura alone. He found her intriguing, different and strong in personality. He wanted to know more about her. Eriol suggested that Syaoran was getting too interested in Sakura. Syaoran vehemently denied it but couldn't help feeling that Eriol was partly right. Sakura was very different to the other girls he had dated. She wasn't self-obsessed and was genuinely interesting. He was changing…he could feel it…but he didn't know if he could accept it.

Sakura looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a totally different person than who she was just two weeks ago. She and Tomoyo had spent hours going through her old clothes to find a good outfit. She thought she looked pretty cute.

She was wearing her skinny jeans, black singlet top, cropped purple jacket, purple ballet flats, purple earrings and her hair was sleek and straight. She had put a bit of sea-green eye shadow on which highlighted her emerald eyes. She was glad that she was dressing up now…she didn't know why she didn't dump her baggier clothes sooner but the clothes she was wearing now just seemed to feel so much more like her. She felt like she was expressing herself and she knew she was changing. But she didn't know if this change was for the better or worse. Ring! Ring! Sakura's stomach seemed to do multiple flips at the sound of the doorbell. Must be Syaoran! Be calm Sakura. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Sakura felt nervous at seeing Syaoran but she didn't know why. He's just a friend after all…isn't he?


Sakura's brother let Syaoran in and gave him a tight smile.

"Sakura will be down in a minute. Remember what I said Li." Touya walked away while Syaoran just gulped. Man brothers can be scary…but then again I'm not nice to my sisters' boyfriends either…Syaoran heard footsteps and looked up to see Sakura walking down the stairs. She looks so beautiful…her eyes look so green!

Syaoran couldn't help but stare at Sakura.

"Earth to Syaoran! Hello! Anyone in there?"

Syaoran snapped out of his thoughts of Sakura and said weakly, "Hey. You look nice."

"Ummm…thanks. So we ready to book it?" asked Sakura.

"Yup…let's go." As Sakura followed Syaoran to his car she couldn't help thinking about how good he looked. This boy is so damn fine! Why does he have to be so hot?! It's torture! Syaoran and Sakura got into the car.

"So Syaoran…where are you taking me?" queried Sakura.

"You'll see." Syaoran answered. After ten minutes of uncomfortable silence Syaoran pulled up outside the cemetery and cheerily said,"We're here!"

Sakura's face went pale and she looked scared.

"Are you shitting me Syaoran Li?! You took me to a CEMETERY to get to know me better?! Not to mention I'm scared to death of ghosts!" Sakura screeched.

Syaoran just laughed. "It's alright Sakura. I set up something and you'll like it trust me!"

Syaoran held out his hand to Sakura.

'Come on Sakura!'

She took his hand but she didn't trust him.

Sakura shivered as she walked, but Syaoran's hand was a warm source of comfort to her. They abruptly stopped and Syaoran said,

"Wait here for a second okay? I want to get the stuff ready."

"Are you kidding me? You want me to stand here for a few minutes…alone?!" Sakura squeaked. She sounded like Mickey Mouse on helium.

"Sakura…it's only for a few minutes. I'll be back." With that Syaoran darted off into the darkness. What kind of idiot brings a girl to a cemetery?! And out of all the places he could have taken me he takes me to a cemetery! My biggest fear is ghosts and he takes me to a cemetery…unbelievable!

Sakura stood rooted on the spot. The leaves on the tree rustled around her and the branches seemed to form frightening shapes. The moon was bright and cast its moonlight on some of the headstones. Sakura could feel the crickets chirping and to her it seemed to get darker. Sakura couldn't help but think about ghosts. Calm down Sakura…there are no such things as ghosts! There are no such things as ghosts. Just keep saying that to yourself Sakura. There are no such things as ghosts…

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Sakura let out a bloodcurdling scream as someone placed their hands on her shoulders and screamed "Boo!"

Sakura felt like she had just had a heart attack. She slowly turned her head around to the grinning face of none other than Syaoran Li.

"OH. MY.GOSH. YOU IDIOT! YOU GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!" yelled Sakura. Syaoran seemed to cower under Sakura's fiery stare. He put one of his fingers to his lips and said softly, "Shhhh…you're disturbing the dead."

Sakura was silent for a moment before she shouted, "THEY'RE ALREADY DEAD! And if you try anything like that I'll make sure that you get a good funeral of your own!"

Sakura's eyes seemed to glow with an impish light as she lunged at Syaoran, her arms outstretched. Syaoran gave a short yelp before he tore off into the night, running as fast as his legs could carry him. Syaoran could feel Sakura gaining on him, and although he knew Sakura didn't really intend to hurt him he knew he couldn't underestimate her. After all…she's quite feisty! Syaoran kept running until he reached some cracked, old tombstones. He started to get tired so he put his hand on one and huffed and puffed. Not more than a second later Sakura appeared in front of him looking triumphant. "I've got ya Li!"

Syaoran put both his hands in front of him and puffed, "Alright Sakura, you win! I surrender!"

Sakura's mouth spread into a wide smile making her look very beautiful with the moonlight illuminating her face.

"Finally! Anyway, are you going to take me to that thing you set up?" asked Sakura.

"Yup, just follow me." Sakura followed Syaoran through multiple lines of headstones until they reached a small clearing surrounded by large oak trees. There set up, was a picnic blanket, one pillow and what seemed to be a basket of food.

"Wow Syaoran…this looks great…the food….picnic blanket and…one pillow! Why don't you chuck in a condom too while you're at it! I am not going to sleep with you! Are you trying to seduce me?!" Sakura screamed at Syaoran till he was practically on the floor. Syaoran pulled put another pillow from out of nowhere.

"Sakura relax! I just thought it would be nice if we looked at the stars and talked. And since I thought it would be more comfortable laying down I brought pillows for comfort! And I brought two pillows…if I was seducing you Sakura I would have only brought only one pillow! But see two pillows! " Syaoran hopelessly kept pointing at the two pillows. At that tense moment Sakura burst into laughter. 'But see two pillows! One! Two! TWO!' Syaoran kept hopelessly pointing at the two pillows, looking scared for his life.

"Oh Syaoran…dude relax! I was kidding…just wanted to see your reaction…It was priceless!"

Syaoran spluttered like a fish out of water.

'You…you…did that for fun! Sakura Kinomoto. You have got to be the most twisted person ever…with the weirdest sense of humour! At least you were only joking around."

"Well Syaoran I was kind of joking." Sakura gave him a small smile and laid herself down with one of the soft pillows under her head. Syaoran followed her example, making sure he was laying on his pillow.

"Hey Syaoran…do you mind moving away a bit. You're too close for comfort."

Syaoran shifted away from Sakura, embarrassed.

"So if you look up there Sakura, you'll see the Ursa Minor constellation." Syaoran pointed to a group of stars that twinkled brightly.

"That's a nice group of stars…what other ones are there?"

And so time continued to pass as Syaoran told Sakura more about the stars that he had learnt as a child. Sakura started to really love the constellations and stars and when Syaoran started testing her on some, she easily remembered them. Her favourite was by far the Draco constellation. When the stars were joined up it looked like a dragon. Even though Sakura was enjoying herself with Syaoran she couldn't help but feel sad being in the cemetery. It made Sakura think about her mother; she could clearly remember the day her mother was buried here. The sadness Sakura felt must have shown on her face, because she realised Syaoran had just asked her, "Sakura…are you okay?" It was then that Sakura realised she had been silent for a long time.

"Of course I'm okay, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because…"Syaoran brought one of his warm fingers to her cheek and touched it gently. He then put his finger in front of her eyes. Sakura was confused at why Syaoran had just done that.

"Because Sakura…you were crying." It was only then that Sakura realised she had tears on her cheeks and that Syaoran had just wiped one away. She could feel her face going red.

"Oh…it's nothing. Don't worry about it." Sakura gave Syaoran a weak smile.

"Obviously it's not nothing if you're upset about it. Come on, tell me what's going on."

Sakura took a deep breath and sighed. She wanted to tell Syaoran about her mother, but if she did that she would be making herself too vulnerable. If she told Syaoran, it would be like falling off a cliff. But the question was: Would he catch her? Or would he let her fall? After a few silent seconds, Sakura decided to give Syaoran a chance. She hoped that if she ever fell, he would be waiting at the bottom, ready to catch her.

"Well its just…coming to this cemetery reminds me of my mum."

Syaoran's face became ashen and he felt the blood drain out of his face.

"Oh Sakura…I'm so sorry! I forgot that your mum…"

"No it's okay. I just miss her a lot, you know? My dad and brother are so great to me but they don't understand me like my mum." Syaoran was captivated at Sakura's calm face as she looked at the stars. Sakura continued on.

"My mum taught me a lot of things. She taught me how to surf and always showed me new sports. Dad would teach me how to cook and Touya was always teasing me. We were one big happy family. And then one day it all just fell apart. Mum got cancer and she just left me. Cancer. It's funny how one word can change everything. And then not too mention the doctor told me I had…"

Sakura's face went pink.

"You had what?" Syaoran asked.

"Oh nothing…I was just getting a bit thin, that's all." Sakura continued to look up at the stars, not meeting Syaoran's eyes.

"Enough about me. Tell me why you like hanging out in cemeteries? Cause if you haven't noticed…it's a bit weird." Syaoran gave a small laugh.

"I like hanging out here because it's one of the best places to look at the stars. There aren't many bright lights around here. The cemetery is also the most peaceful place I know. No one disturbs me here. And in a way, you can be with the ones you love. They may not be here physically, but you can always feel their spirit."

Sakura was surprised at this side of Syaoran.

"I guess you're right…Hey did you see that? Syaoran, did you see that!?" Sakura sat up excitedly.

"Yeah I did! Who would have thought? A shooting star! That was so cool!" said Syaoran.

"If you had one wish what would it be?" asked Sakura.

"One wish? Well I want to become a doctor and do something really special. Like, I know as a doctor you save lives, but I want to do more than that. For example, finding a cure for a disease."

Sakura was becoming more and more surprised at Syaoran. She thought his wish would be to become Prom King or something.

"What about you Sakura? What would you wish?" asked Syaoran as he turned towards her. Sakura turned towards Syaoran so that there noses almost touched. She looked straight into his eyes and said quietly, "I want to witness a miracle. And I also want to get married in the same church my mother got married in.'

Syaoran could feel his face heating up as Sakura's eyes looked at his eyes. He could feel the onset of that funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. And again he could feel his heart start to beat more quickly. This is ridiculous. How come every time Sakura gets close my body goes haywire? This doesn't happen with anyone else…Sakura looked at her watch and gasped. She had lost track of time.

"Syaoran, I'm sorry but you better get me home. It's late."

"Oh right…sorry Sakura. Let's go." With that Syaoran and Sakura got up and started to pack away. They made their way into the car and drove in silence until they reached Sakura's house.

"Thanks for taking me to the cemetery Syaoran. I'm glad we're becoming friends. I guess I'll see you at school." She got out of the car and walked into the house. When she got up to her room, Sakura peeked out of her window blinds to see Syaoran driving away. Sakura felt weird inside and she believed it to be Syaoran's fault. Every time he got near her, her palms would sweat and her heart would race. But she was glad that she didn't get tongue-tied. What is this feeling? I've never felt this before…palms sweating…I only do that when I'm nervous…why would I be nervous around Syaoran? Pull yourself together Sakura. He's just your friend. Your undeniably really hot, sexy, good looking, understanding friend. Sakura sprawled on her bed and put her pillow over her face. Why does Syaoran have to be so good looking! He's making everything harder. You can't fall for him Sakura. You will only hurt him! You can't fall for him! You just can't! And with that last thought Sakura surrendered to her tiredness and fell asleep as Syaoran sped off on his way home.


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Firstly I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry for not updating sooner! Okay moving on…

I hoped that you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please review! I really enjoy reading all your comments and constructive criticism.

I'd like to thank my editors Sarah and Jennifer a.k.a. UnknownKunoichi and of course to anyone who has read my story! For this chapter my editor Sarah did all the editing because I needed to update this real fast and could only get one person to edit. So thanks a heap to Sarah!

I'll try and update when I get a good number of reviews!

Cheers

Cheeekabee17