Author's note: I just want to say that I would NEVER purposely or intentionally copy someone else's fan fiction and I am terribly sorry if my storyline resembles someone else's! :( This is only the fourth chapter in this story so I hope you will all give it a chance to develop as I have still some of the plot to expand. I appreciate every single review though and I hope you all will keep reading! :D

Tomoyo's POV

Flashback

It was a peaceful August afternoon when I walked home from my cousin Sakura's house.

Sakura's mood had affected me in a way that kept me smiling so much the fact that stormy weather was threatening didn't even bother me.

Our house rested upon a hill and towered three stories tall. As I made my way up the drive way I pondered on the thought of Sakura and Syaoran.

My heart went out to her and I only cursed my inexperience with boys as I proved to be no help to her. All I could do was gush and offer my full support and encouragement to her. She was so lucky, to be kissed by Syaoran Li, I wasn't jealous. I may have had a thing for him but hey, every girl in Tomoeda has a thing for Syaoran. Of course now that I have come to realise my friends crush on him, he was completely hands off for me. I didn't mind at all because I doubt I ever would have tried anything with him. It was inevitable that Sakura and Syaoran would end up together. They were perfect for each other. Like ying and yang.

My brain independently pondered on the thoughts of myself and Eriol. A friend of mine I've admired for a long time now. I always wondered if our friendship would resolve into mature feeling on some other level.

I shook my head. My mother would never allow that. A girl can dream though can't she?

Upon entering my house my mother was talking at rapid speed into the phone and by the way she was waving her hand around and laughing that annoyingly fake laugh I could tell she was speaking to Yelen Li.

"You're so right Yelen, I said the exact same and- oh of course." She agreed to whatever Yelen said.

I rolled my eyes half ashamed at my mother. She harboured no embarrassment for any of her actions. Although it was because of her and Yelen's friendship Syaoran and I know each other. And from that I introduced him to Sakura. For that I'm thankful of my mother's unhealthy obsession with the Li's.

I started for the stairs to unpack when my mother snapped her fingers at me and pointed the armchair as to signal me to stay here, a stern look consuming her face briefly.

I feared I did something wrong. With my mother it seemed I was constantly doing something wrong whether it was not looking polished enough for school or not winning enough awards or even for not thinking about my future too much.

She paced around the room in her black work suit intently listening into the phone. I sat obediently crossing my ankles in the lady-like manner my mother would approve of.

"Of course Yelen! Tomoyo and I will be there. Thank you again Yelen we would both be privileged to do so."

Again she spoke on my behalf, a habit she liked to do which, after sixteen years I suppose I didn't care anymore.

"Oh Yelen where were you earlier in my life?" My mother laughed. "You have it all sorted out and really," She put her hand to her heart as if Yelen was in the very room watching for a genuine reaction from my mother. "I am so honoured you considered Tomoyo and so is she. It's a perfect plan."

Plan? I groaned inside thinking all sorts. When my mother planned something with Yelen it was usually a pathetic attempt for my mother to up her social standing.

Mother called herself a socialite, I called her a parasite.

A parasite that latched onto the wealthy.

Once hanging up she punched the air with both hands and shouted "Yes!"

Turning to me she leaped across the room and fell to her knees as she reached me.

"Tomoyo," She said with her lavender eyes gleaming with mischief. "You are blessed to have a mother like me!" She grinned and looked as if she would explode if she contained herself any longer.

"What's happened mother? Are we having dinner with the Li's again?"

"Not just dinner my dear Tomoyo." She squeezed my hands. "It's thee dinner."

"Thee Dinner?"

Her thumb stroked my hand as she smiled gingerly.

"Tomoyo… wouldn't it be marvellous if I said that in the near future you could possibly become the future Mrs Syaoran Li?"

For a minute I couldn't process what she meant but when it sank in I felt myself go pale.

"What? You can't possibly mean that….you want me to- I mean, you set me up with Syaoran?"

She must have taken my tone as one of shock and excitement rather than horror.

"Yes! Don't thank me yet Tomoyo you have to impress Yelen first but we've been having brunch with them for so many years you practically have it! You'll be set for life."

I snatched my hands from hers and stood up.

"You can't do that!" I fumed. "I'm not an object to be inspected then purchased! I'll decide who I'll be with and not you! Besides I don't even like Syaoran and he doesn't like me, he likes Sakura! I could never do something like that to her." I was raging my mother had plotted this all up, in fact I bet she was planning this for quite some time.

My mother grew up very poor with hardly a penny to her name. So when she met my father she was determined not to ever go back to poverty. She was still starved for money even though we had more than enough. She wanted to be Li rich and so she was using me. I wouldn't allow that,

However her whole posture changed. She stiffened as she stood up and walked across the room in threatening strides stopping a foot away from me.

"First of all Tomoyo, Syaoran is quite fond of you. Secondly you will do as you're damn well told. Never forget everything I do is to secure your future. You think I enjoy licking Yelen Li's ass twenty four seven? No! But why do I do it? Because that stupid stuck up bitch can give you things your father and I can never give you. Thirdly, don't' you ever let Nadeshiko's little brat interfere with you're future. She's messed up too many things for us already."

I was in shock. Mother has never spoken that way about aunt Nadeshiko. When she was alive my mother and her were competitive, and Sakura and I were the main weapons, I always thought the competitive streak had died the day Nadeshiko did. But even now my mother was still trying to compete with her beyond the grave.

"Mother…. I can't do what you're asking me to do." For the first time I picked vigorously at the ends of my hair.

"I mean, Sakura really likes Syaoran. She has for years… he kissed her… she's my best friend I-I, please don't make me do this. Besides… I think I like… someone else." I fidgeted trying to get her to realise the scenario.

"That Fucking piano boy? Get that stupid fucking notion out of your head Tomoyo because I will not see my daughter marry a musician." She said musician as if were a foul word. My heart sank a little. I didn't know how I felt about Eriol but my mother stamped out any notion of me ever thinking about being with him on another level.

"I'm not planning on marrying him mother, I just said I think I like him-"

"Well don't. I never had time for musicians and never will. Besides, there's something about the boy I don't like." She dismissed Eriol and went back to the previous conversation.

"Oh Tomoyo," She said grabbing my shoulders lightly and leading me towards the open fireplace. She placed me in the chair and sat opposite me holding on tightly to my fingers.

"Syaoran doesn't like Sakura. Yelen explained he was confused. He was confused, in denial is how he put it."

"Denial about what?"

"Isn't it obvious? Denial about his feelings for you. You can be so naïve sometimes sweet heart. Who do you think insists you accompany me to their occasions and lunches?"

"You?" I said starting to doubt myself.

"No! It was Syaoran; it was always Syaoran who insisted you were there." My mother said this with such determination I felt myself become swayed.

"If he had feelings for Sakura, then why is it she's never at any of their parties, or lunches? He may have kissed her, it was wrong to mess with her feelings and I know you care about Sakura but is her silly little crush over him going to stop you from responding to Syaoran? He is a handsome boy Tomoyo, and he wants you."

My mother went on to explain that Syaoran was too shy to admit he had feelings for me. Kissing Sakura was merely a way to confirm he wanted me. It was cruel and apparently he's admitted that to Yelen. I didn't want to believe it.

At that moment I didn't know what to believe. Syaoran and I have been friends for years. Is it possible that I've grown on him?

"Just come to dinner with me Tomoyo, you'll see for yourself. I promise."

I went for dinner. It felt like an outer body experience.

Syaoran sat beside me and showered compliments one after another to me. Swayed by my mother from earlier I responded to his flirtatious behaviour. It was difficult to stomach the guilt I felt the whole evening. I felt like the biggest bitch on all of Japan. I was some friend. Only that night did I realise how handsome Syaoran really was. I looked at him as more than my childhood friend.

The boy I knew as stand offish, moody and temperamental had vanished and left behind this charming different person. He was sweet in every way a girl would hope for. I liked him more and more as the night passed and by the time we were driving home I was smitten. It was awful to have suddenly sprouted these feelings for him. But going by his approach to me tonight, my mother was right. But why now? Why start liking me now?

Something was off with the whole thing.

My mother bombarded me with questions. She examined me for my response.

"You maybe right mother. Syaoran does seem to like me… a lot. And he's changed but I'm still confused. I know you're doing all this for me and I really am thankful but mother… I can't physically hurt Sakura by starting a relationship with him."

My mother slapped me so hard I thought I would surely fall into a coma.

"I REFUSE to let Nadeshiko's bastard ruin this for us! You've seen it for yourself Tomoyo! You've seen the riches of the Li's! You've seen what could one day be yours! And you'll pass that up so Sakura can have her pathetic little crush! I will NOT allow it!"

"Stop it! Don't talk about her like that mom she's your niece!"

"I couldn't give a shit! For God sake Tomoyo she excels you in so many ways are you going to let her take this from you too?" My mother raged.

She twisted a metaphorical knife into my chest. She was right in the sense that Sakura was better than me in so many ways. She was prettier than me, she had more friends, more successes, everyone loved her and I admit to feeling bitter and jealous of her but nevertheless I managed to overlook it.

"You're Fathers Company is slowly falling into the shitter Tomoyo/ Any day now the stock could plummet and I'm not going to watch you live your adult life in poverty because Sakura doesn't get what she wants. You have to sacrifice certain things Tomoyo for Gods sake!"

I felt my world come to a halt. Did I have feelings for Syaoran? I did now. They were small, but there was room for them to develop. After tonight I was certainly interested in him. By the way he spoke to me I started to think maybe it was true. Maybe he did like me.

Was she right? Was I giving away the chance of a good life for another thing Sakura could have.

I was tired of always being second best to her even in my mother's eyes. All I wanted to do was to make my mother proud of me, to love me and not see me as a failure I sometimes felt next to Sakura. Could I do that to her though? Would she do that to me?

Never.

Standing up I faced my mother with an attitude very different from earlier. A more understanding one.

"Ok mother. If you think it's for the best. I will… not shy away from Syaoran's feelings."

I never saw my mother smile so much in all her life. I felt warmth as she bestowed one of her rare hugs onto me. I was doing what she wanted. It made her happy, that's all I wanted.

It would hurt Sakura in more ways than one. But if Syaoran really didn't like her… then I was doing nothing wrong right? She would get over it right? She can't miss what she never had.

End of Flashback

I saw Syaoran every day after that night. I can not speak on behalf of Syaoran but I started to develop deeper feelings fir him. I never planned to, but I did.

Sakura took it so hard. After she saw me outside the school gates kissing Syaoran she did not speak to me for a solid six weeks after that. It stung to see her emerald eyes snub and shun me everyday. She made no attempt to speak to me and avoided any contact with both Syaoran and I. It hurt so much I considered breaking it off with Syaoran for good. But every time I tried I would get distracted by his beautiful smile or his gleaming eyes and I coward away.

We'd have our rough patched like normal couples of course. Sometimes he'd show me no love for weeks on end, he'd bury himself in work to the point it felt like I didn't see him at all. But when he showed the kindest touch…it was all worth it. My mother and I became closer than ever and I felt like I was making her proud.

Sacrificing my friendship was almost worth the reward I'd get.

I nagged at her so many times I and made so many flimsy un-heartfelt apologies I think she only started speaking to me again to for fear I'd go to extreme measures.

It wasn't the same though. Our friendship had been shook to a level that could not recover fully. I was in denial of course. How Sakura can even look at me I don't know. I deserved a lot worse. I tried hard in other ways to redeem our friendship in ways that didn't involve Syaoran. Slowly we were getting back to the way we were. Syaoran and Sakura's relationship was never as close and I suppose that comes back to trust. He did break her heart and so she had a right to be wary of him. But if he never liked her in the first place, I wasn't doing anything awfully wrong.

I never expected to go to the same college as Syaoran, nor did I predict myself moving in with him, you may be shocked to hear I never expected to be engaged to him, of to fall so deeply in love with him. Once I never considered us to go beyond friendship but I fell for him hard over the past few years.

I thought I'd have to force myself to love him…. But that just came naturally. I loved him, and I didn't want to let him go for fear of the consequences.

The rest is history.

It was too late to bring up the past. Too late to properly apologise to Sakura. My poor friend never even received an explanation as to why I did what I did. To be honest I still can't understand fully myself either.

So there you have it.

The pathetic story of how Tomoyo Daidouji betrayed her best friend in pursuit of her own happiness. Do I hate myself? Yes. I sometimes wonder if Syaoran ever thinks about this. I never found out what possessed him to take a liking to me. He hurt my best friend but then again, so did I. To lose sakura completely would kill me, If it still hurt her to see Syaoran and I now, she never showed it. I needed her though. Only she could be my moral support.

Throughout our relationship Syaoran and I avoided the subject. As I said, too much time has passed to bring anything up. It hurt, but after all these years I've learned to block out the guilt, to mentally block remorse for Sakura by insisting to myself nothing would have come of her and Syaoran. It's funny, how your conscious can diminish into an ignorable white noise when you ignore it long enough.

I prayed with all my heart that in being with Syaoran, I have not upset something beautiful that could have been.

I sat on my bed planning Sakura's twenty third birthday, when my phone vibrated.

I'm back in Japan. Want to see you very soon.

Eriol.

I clutched the phone in my hand.

Eriol… that was another story.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sakura's POV

The sound of my phone ringing harshly woke me out of my sleep.

"Hello?"

"Morning monster, I heard you got fired."

I moaned making sure Toya heard my distaste of the subject.

"First of all I believe the term is 'let go' not fired. Secondly, that was almost a week ago, you're only hearing about it now?"

"Yeah work has been insane lately. Dad called me to let me know. I thought you would have told me!" He huffed down the phone.

"It's not something like talking about."

"Well send me your résumé and I'll forward it to some guys I know."

"Thanks Toya, I'm… not exactly jobless at the moment though."

I explained what I was doing for Tomoyo and Syaoran.

"…I don't approve Sakura. But I know you'll do what you want anyway." He huffed again.

"It's just a pre wedding gift. Nothing more Toya." I assured.

"Fine, just don't let that little punk push you around or anything ok?"

"Sure," I said rolling my eyes. "I'll e-mail my resume after lunch or something." I wasn't expecting anything because Toya was not in the architectural field, but he had connections I suppose.

After hanging up I flopped back onto my pillow trying to fall back to sleep.

Again my phone buzzed.

Happy Birthday Saks from your favourite drinking buddy,

Reggie.

As usual Reggie wishes me a happy birthday a week early. I don't know whether he generally forgets my birthday's February twelfth of maybe he's just single again. He usually texts me when he gets dumped.

I didn't reply… I never reply. He wasn't a terribly bad guy I just wasn't interested. Besides, I haven't spoken to him in almost a year.

Oh well.

It was only when I heard the sound of pots and pans moving around I snapped open my eyes and grinned.

Eriol was always an early riser.

"Morning!" I said as I descended into the kitchen.

Eriol smirked over his shoulder, "And the same to you Ms Kinomoto."

I plonked myself down on the kitchen stool and laughed to myself. It was the first time since I moved in that someone other than I was making breakfast.

He whistled while he cooked and the whole apartment seemed to be filled with new life. It felt warmer, not so empty even though it was only us two.

"Jet lag?" I asked pulling out the newspaper to examine the headlines.

"Nope." He said producing scrambled eggs and toast.

"You don't have to cook for me Eriol."

"It's the least I can do considering your putting me up until I get a place of my own."

"I don't mind! In fact I insist on it! It gets pretty lonely here anyway." I confessed whilst digging into breakfast.

"Well I appreciate it."

It was as if the last year and a half had never happened, as if Eriol never left. I don't remember the last time I had such a natural conversation. Talking to Eriol had a calming effect on me. My personal psychiatrist you could say.

"You seem a lot…. At ease, than the last time I seen you." I picked at my food hoping I didn't step in deep waters too close too his arrival.

His blue eyes darkened and I could see he was thinking deeply on our past encounter before he left.

"I'm better now. You seen me at my worst, I'm sorry for that. You didn't deserve the abuse I gave you." He looked down almost ashamed and I placed my hand reassuringly on his.

"It wasn't abuse Eriol. You said it like it was. You were right anyway. I should have left when you did; staying here didn't do any good. I admire you for leaving."

"Well don't." His voice deepened as he retrieved his hand from under mine. "It was a cowardly thing to do. Up and leave without even telling Syaoran. I'm ashamed of myself." I hated when he said that. Regardless of what he said, he wasn't a coward. He was brave.

"Thank you for your concern though."

We resumed talking about the weather in Tokyo until I dared another question.

"So what do you think? About the whole engagement, I mean." I tried to say it in a casual way but Eriol was too smart to overlook it.

He rested his head on his fist and contemplated while looking up at my ceiling. He had funny habits like that.

"… I don't know yet."

"Yet?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," He said still admiring my ceiling. "We'll see. It'll be interesting to see how this all turns out." He shot his eyes at me.

Peculiar as usual, Eriol liked to live in riddles and enigmas. I didn't know how to reply to that but I found myself smiling.

"So what are your plans for today?"

"I think I might go see Tomoyo."

I dropped the fork out of my hands and didn't hide the fact my jaw dropped. He said it so naturally, so blunt.

"Um.. s-so s-soon?"

"I want to give her my congratulations. Both of them. You start work today don't you? Syaoran will probably be there so I guess I'll talk to Tomoyo." He shrugged and went to wash the dishes.

"So um, does this mean that… you're completely over Tomoyo?" I moved nervously in my seat not knowing what he would say.

I saw his shoulders tense then relax. The apartment suddenly seemed claustrophobic. The question floated in the air and I held my breath for the answer.

"Are you completely over Syaoran?"

My lips snapped into a tight line. I guess I walked into that one. I didn't know how to answer that, I guess he didn't either.

Fair enough.

Answering a question with a question… he hasn't changed.

"Don't you start work today?" He said glancing at the clock moving of the subject quickly.

I shuddered. Work. Eriol seemed to take my new job quite well actually. I expected him to be like 'Is that such a good idea Kura?' or the whole 'don't walk into a situation that will put you in emotional distress' or something along the lines of that.

"Yeah, I'm soooo exited." I said sarcastically while pulling on my jacket.

"Have fun. Oh and Sakura?"

"Yeah?" My hand rested on the door handle.

"Be careful ok?" There it was.

His eyes were full of warning. A warning to keep my guard up.

"Same to you. Also…. If you do see Tomoyo…" I hesitated.

"I'll be fine." He assured. "Just fine."

Syaoran's POV

When Tomoyo left for work I made my way up to the attic.

Climbing up the ladder I hoisted myself up into the dingy blackness and switched on a miserable light.

I sighed, I doubt Tomoyo even knows about there is an attic.

Now where did I put it? Pulling apart everything it was no where to be found. Checking one more time in the far right corner I found it sitting cosily among Christmas decorations. I ran my finger along the dusty edge and pondered on whether to open it again. A sharp piece of brown paper jutted out from the seal of the box.

It was the letter.

I can remember exactly what's inside it. A catalyst to my life.

Did I want to be reminded of its' contents? No. It was best left alone for now.

I threw a small blanket over it, mentally shielding things I didn't want to remember from childhood.

I sealed the attic door and made my way to the car. Sakura was starting to work on the house today and I didn't want to keep her waiting. I had a plan in mind I must confess, an ulterior motive. I didn't know where this plan was going but nevertheless it was something.

As I walked through the entrance of the kitchen I was stopped by a sharp voice.

"Where are you going?"

I turned around to see my mother sitting at the top of the table filing her sharp nails. Why is there always someone new in the house?

"To the house… Sakura's doing up plans to convert some of it."

Her eyes turned sharp.

"I was never told about this."

"First of all, I don't have to inform you about every aspect of my life, secondly Sakura is a good architect and thirdly, why are you here?"

"I'm meeting a client and thought I'd stop by to speak with Tomoyo."

"Speak with Tomoyo? Why?" I said curiously.

"It has occurred to me after our last meeting that Tomoyo has perceived me the wrong way."

"Oh? And how would that be? Maybe the fact you couldn't care less about her?" I scoffed.

"That's not true! If it were then I never would have allowed you to be with her. I would have stopped that years ago."

She has that right anyway.

"I need to talk to her and make it clear that when she becomes part of this family she must think and act like a Li. The child has no back bone, she takes everything Fanran and I say too seriously and I can't have it! The only way for that to happen is if I take her under my wing like I did my girls. She thinks I hate her and that's not true, she is a charming girl I just despise her lack of… Li-ness."

Li-ness?

I shuddered. Images of being married to someone who resembled Fanran or Sheifa was a sickening thought.

"Well she's at work and she won't be home till late."

"Then I'll come back tomorrow evening. Now if you will excuse me." I said turning towards the door.

"What's that in your hands?" She said eyeing up the box in my hands.

"Nothing. Just colour schemes for the house Tomoyo choose." I lied.

"You're father would not approve of you disobeying me. And he would not have approved of this whole situation. If you consulted me first I would have supplied you with a perfectly good experienced architect."

"Sakura is just as good as anyone and I'll hire whoever I fucking want to!" I snapped becoming sick of everyone lately.

She stood up and slammed her cup down onto the table.

"Don't you DARE speak to me that way Sy-" She stopped mid sentence.

Her reft hand suddenly flew to her heart and for a moment... she didn't move a fraction.

Oh shit! shit, shit, shit no!

As I feared she fell back into her chair breathing hevily, rushed. I ran to her side holding her handd. Her coughs became semi-violent and I rooted like a mad man around her purse until I found an inhaler.

"Just relax and breath." I said placing the inhaler into her mouth. "I'll call a doc-"

"I'm fine!" She said in a calmer tone. She slowly sat up and breathed deeply until her iron grip on my arm easing of. "I'm stressed. A minor ashtma attack, nothing more."

I sat down and calmed my racing heart. That was close. Too close. I shouldn't have snapped like that.

Despise her apperance, she had a very weak heart. She suffered two heart attacks and a stroke in the past two years alone.

"Look, maybe you should skip this meeting." I suggested.

"I'm fine, and tell no one about this!" She warned. She hated admitting this weakness.

"I'll say nothing." said throught my clentched jaw.

She proceeded outside to her chauffer. Before getting into the car she turned to me.

She masked her eyes behind black diamond studded sunglasses but I just knew she was scowling.

I waited until her black limo slid down the hill like a snake until it disappeared out the gates.

"That was close." I said to myself. At least she was with people all day today so if anything happened she would not be alone. That woman would never let anything cripple her.

Sighing loudly I gently placed the box in the back seat and started the car. I suddenly thought of her offer with Tomoyo. She was right though, if she disliked Tomoyo then she wouldn't have approved of our friendship to begin with. Just like she disapproved of Sakura's friendship with me.

Looking at my watch I saw I was late and just hoped Sakura was still there.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I stood waiting for Syaoran to arrive. Behind me stood the in process production of Tomoyo and Syaoran's house.

The building was laced with scaffolding and all around me was covered in sand hills and garbage skips.

It was five minutes passed. He was five minutes late and with every second that passed by I felt like leaving.

A cold breeze blew through me and I shuddered. The house was not complete but from what I saw it certainly didn't need a west wing. In fact, I felt like I was only contributing to a waste of money.

I heard the low rumble of Syaoran's jeep as it crept up the hill.

He killed the engine a few meters from me.

I tapped my foot to show my obvious impatience.

"Hey sorry I got caught up." He said while taking a box of stuff out of the boot.

"It's ok I mean, I got all day just to wait for you- Hey where's Tomoyo?" I questioned as he walked up beside me carrying a cardboard box with a lilac blanket mysteriously hiding its' contents.

"She's working."

I completely forgot about Tomoyo's work at a fashion magazine. She was and editor and so a majority of her time was consumed by work.

"So it's just us then?" I thought aloud.

"Yeah, that doesn't bother you does it?" he said jokingly while playfully nudging me.

"If you don't get in my way there shouldn't be a problem." I said casually walking ahead of him with his laugh echoing behind me.

The inside was much bigger than it looked from the outside. I gawked at the massive stairway which split on the second floor into two opposite directions. Looking up I saw the roof was almost finished but bits of plaster still often drizzled down on us.

"Syaoran, this place is so big, why do you need any more work done on it?" I said still gawking.

"Let me show you." He grabbed my hand, a gesture that caused me to blush immensely. At the very end of the hall stood an old brass door

Syaoran opened it causing a rush of light to flood through the doorway. I winced while poking my head into the small room.

The walls had peach plaster and I then realised a tiny window sat in the middle of the back wall.

"What is this room?" I said as I entered it.

"This, was the previous owners last house."

"What?"

"Yeah. He lived in this room. When he bought the land he went bankrupt and so couldn't afford to build the rest. His bed was there," Syaoran pointed to the left hand corner of the room. "His kitchen was there and the fire place is still here."

I then noticed the small fireplace which was nestled under a blanket of soot.

"He lived in this one room?"

"Pretty amazing isn't it? He died of old age about a year ago. No one bought the place since. I want you to do something with this room. I don't know… make it different or something. Knock down a few walls, go crazy." He said patting the walls which resulted in plaster crumbling. How anyone could live here?

I wandered over to the tiny window and saw that an entire view of Tomoeda was visible. Already a thousand thoughts fired through my head on how to convert this place.

I was too busy in my own thoughts to notice Syaoran behind me. His body heat radiated off him. The hairs on my neck started to rise.

Why does he always have this effect on me? Even after all this time I can't be around him or even think about him without my body having some type of reaction.

"What do you think?" His breath tickled on my ear.

"I have s-some ideas. It won't take too long do write up the plans, maybe a week or so." I crossed my arms across my chest and side stepped past him.

"Sakura," He said catching me by the elbow forcing me to face him.

"What?" I said avoiding contact with him. To be alone with him felt like breaking a rule. Glancing out the window Tomoeda seemed so far away. I shouldn't be here.

"Do you remember, a while ago I tries asking you for a favour. It was outside my house do you remember?"

"Yes. What do you need?" He still clung onto my elbow.

I seriously panicked on what he wanted to ask me. It was the fact he said he couldn't ask anyone else.

His touch and intense look made my stomach twist slightly in fear.

"Well…" He turned his head away from me…. Embarrassment maybe?

Wait… he couldn't want to talk about… no! Why would he bring all that up? I mean, it was years ago. We were kids. But what else could it be? He obviously wanted to talk to me without Tomoyo, and we were in a semi-isolated place…

I braced myself, but dreaded what he was going to say at the same time. It was the conversation I've been waiting a long time for. Though I thought I was over it… maybe this would finally put my mind to rest and finally… I could move on completely.

"Sakura…I need you to… to…." He hesitated.

I didn't even realise I was leaning in to him with anticipation until his amber eyes flickered towards mine, causing me to gasp.

"I need you to… teach me how to dance."

I didn't move for a second. I just stood there staring at him.

When his words processed in my head my whole body collapsed into a broken posture.

Dance?... he wants to…learn how to dance?

I stared at the floor, examining its greyness. I'm an idiot. To think he'd mention…all that stuff. Get a grip Sakura.

"I-I don't understand, I don't know how to dance." I scratched the back of my neck and broke from his grip.

"Well, Tomoyo's been talking constantly about our first dance as husband and wife and I kind of just realised a while ago that I've two left feet. It's just a slow dance… but you know yourself how I am. It's the only thing Tomoyo has any control over."

Back in the day, before he kissed me, when I started having serious feelings for him, Syaoran was meant to take me to the prom. I thought him how to slow dance and by God, he couldn't dance to save his life. He would stumble all over the place, step on my toes anything that could have went wrong did. It amused me though.

He never did take me to prom anyway.

"Sakura?" He asked again when I didn't respond.

I could hear Eriol's voice in my head cautioning me to think this through. Alone with Syaoran? Conjuring up old memories? I could see his stern look face, warning me to be guarded with my feelings. But Eriol would not advise against it…. It wasn't anything too serious. It was just… dancing.

I laughed to myself. Getting worked up over something as silly and innocent as this.

"Um… sure Syaoran. I guess I'll re-teach you how to dance." I picked at the end of my skirt not knowing whether or not I got myself into deep shit.

He laughed pulling me in for an unexpected hug.

His manly smell overwhelmed me. I felt crushed against his buff chest and I wondered if he could hear my heart punch my ribs at that moment.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow for work boss." I said pulling away from him and saluting him.

His warm laugh filled the tiny room.

Watch yourself Sakura….Never forget where you both stand…..

Seeing his minute dimples I ignored the familiar feeling warming my chest.

Yeah… I'll be fine…..

You all probably hate Syaoran for asking that of Sakura but as I said, it all happens for a reason :)

Just thought I'd give Tomoyo's side of the story :P

I have not read 'A little too late' but I read the summary after reading some of my reviews and I guess my storyline is very similar to it and I can understand how some people think I'm trying to interpret it differently. But I assure you I have no intention of copying it. To copy someone else's work defeats the purpose of the aspect of fan fiction and is a waste of time.

Please remember there are over 16, 000 CCS fanfics so no matter what there will always be a story similar to another.

I really hope you keep reading as I plan to carry this story throughout until the end. :)

Thanks!