Hi again readers. Sorry for the delay. Please enjoy this chapter, and to all those who reviewed, I really don't know how to thank you. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and once again Thank you! I'll reply to your questions in the next chapter, or email you personally myself. .

A love Before Time

Past Events

The flowers were picked up, the wine was chosen, decorations were being hung, food was prepared, and the outfits had been threaded. It was all done. Everything was all done. Just the last minute touch ups were being handled.

"Will you say the vows first sir, or is Miss. Kinomoto to conclude first?"

"She will." Li waved his hand to dismiss the irritating man. If he was to carry on with this wedding he'll be happy to hear the girl's vows first. Her lies. After all, hearing them would make it easier to read his own.

"And the one to walk her down the aisle, is to be Mr. Donovan?"

Upon hearing the name, Li gave a dark glare to the man, indicating him to leave. Without hesitation he did. Talking business with a furious Li was the last thing anyone would do. It was like committing suicide.

Everyone in the household was beginning to think it odd how Li was roaming the hallways with a glazed over look over his eyes, and how he would barely eat during meal times. He was doing his best to avoid his fiancée, and when he was with her, he turned colder than anyone had ever seen. They also noticed Emike's growing impatience with the lord.

It was obvious to see that neither one of them wanted to see each other, and right now if they had a choice, both people would gladly leave the room. That was because at that moment the two did find themselves in the same room. It wasn't like the two wanted to be there. No not at all. The last minute arrangements needed to be made by both individuals, and it had dragged out long enough. Finally his mother had forced the couple into the same room to talk things out, and tie up the loose ends.

Li's mother had never been one to support this marriage Li had wanted so bad. She had thought Emike was nothing but trash. Trash that her son had found one day on the street. Was Emike even fit to be a mother? never mind a wife. At first she hadn't said anything, believing her son's infatuation with the girl would dissolve slowly. But that wasn't how things played out. In fact, Li's love for the girl grew and developed further and further as time passed. That was when she began to have her doubts. Perhaps they were perfect for each other? accepting this, she had prepared everything. Nothing was done without it passing through her. And so everything was under her influence. It wasn't until a week ago that she noticed her son begin to gain back his coldness the Li household had grown accustomed to over the years. It was quite a surprise for everyone. No one had seen him like this since before Emike had come flouncing into his life. It was part of the reason Li's mother allowed the marriage. Because this Emike woman brought her only son happiness. What suddenly caused this personality disorder? They hadn't fought. There was no evidence that supported it. Things had been playing out nicely, and the wedding would have been promising. It was to be a grand event. Emike would have bared her grandchildren. So what had happened?! It was as if Li woke up one day, and began to see he didn't want this. Well it was too late. She couldn't possibly change plans now. Everything was in order, everyone knew when the event was happening. To cancel now would be disastrous. People would talk! They would talk of her son, Li. But then, what was more important, her son's happiness, or his reputation? All she knew was that if Li didn't console things soon with Emike, a cancellation was very likely. That was why the two were put together in the same room at that moment. She just prayed Li's tongue would be mild enough to keep the conversation civil.

Li averted his gaze to the decorative vase of flowers in front of him, virtually the only piece of furnish in the whole entire area they were occupying. The blandness in contrast to the deafening silence was more than he could stand.

"Is there a problem Emike?" he volunteered, acting as if everything was fine.

"I'm not entirely sure myself Syaoran." she plunged back into talking before Li could say anything. Whether that be commenting on how stupid this conversation was, or that she no longer had the privilege to call him by his first name. "Perhaps it has gone unnoticed by you, but in regards to your behaviour for the past few days, many of us residing in the household are seeing a drastic change."

"That you think I'm oblivious to." he simply stated.

"Not at all. If you were oblivious to such a thing, you would not know what you were doing, but in this case you seem to be in full control of what you're feeling. And if I may say Syaoran, your emotions are having quite a toll, concerning everyone."

"In other words, the majority of the people in the household think I've developed some sort of resentment towards them, that was never there before? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see this as no concern of theirs." Li couldn't believe how ridiculous this discussion was. His mother had caused a confrontation between him and Emike to explain himself of his behaviour?

"Well yes." Emike replied confidently. "Individuals inside the manor are wondering why you've developed such a display of bitterness you had not had before. This is their concern. Has something happened?"

Li rolled his eyes. "Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side Emike. Are you a fool?"

"I..." she was surprised by the abrupt question. "Is it me?" her meek voice made Li's eyes narrow. "You must think me a fool… to be able to display such resentment towards everyone else."

Because of you…It's because of you Emike.

"Is that so?" he had a large urge to tell her the problem lied only half against her, and Sakura was his main issue here. Pushing aside his feeling, he leaned farther back in his chair, and crossed his arms. "Well I suppose I should just lean to the truth and tell you I do not plan to change and to anyone who wants to take that differently and try to 'fix' me, will fail miserably. Do you plan to try Miss. Kinomoto?"

He hadn't called her that for as long as she could remember. The lost of familiarity left her oddly bereft. "I do not think it would make a difference, like you said." Contrary to what he might think, Emike was no fool. For the past few weeks she had been battling with her feelings, doing her best to play out her plan, but day by day it was becoming more and more tedious. Somehow she knew if she carried out with her end, this bereft feeling would never subside. But why? Why when things were too late?! In a way she knew a part of her didn't want this with Simon, but now it seemed almost sinfully wrong. Had she taken Syaoran for granted? Emike had been looking into those soft spoken eyes for so long now she didn't dare think she had missed something in them. Except...she did. The real warm amber jewels were hidden under that coat of dark, unreadable pupils.

He stretched as lithely as a cat in his chair. He was obviously not bothering to act as gentlemanly as was proper.

"And so we are at an impasse."

Emike hesitated, playing with her gloved fingers. "Please Syaoran. I deserve to know the reason. Please."

"What the hell is that?"

Sakura looked at her placement of materials on the carpeted floor and then looked back at Li. "You promised to help me remember?"

"That was before I saw all this junk." he scanned across the crystals, to the candle wicks, and lingered his gaze on a small tan pouch in Sakura's hand. "No. Find yourself another guinea pig."

"But you said you would help!" she could barely hear the whine in her voice as she squared her shoulders and gave him a steady look. "You said if I left Simon's house you would-"

"So? You came freely." Li lounged on Sakura's bed taking sharp looks at her equipment every now and then, as if making sure she didn't come near him with any of those sharp pointy shards.

"As I recall it, you forced me."

He gave her an unamused look. "And I don't recall you objecting."

"You were pulling on my arm." she shook her head. "Besides, you're right I don't need you."

He sat straighter then. "Indeed?"

"I'm sure Simon can think of something. And if he can't, at least I can return the equipment he so graciously lent me." she bent down to gather her things, sure that he would stop her any second, but was never going to know whether or not it would happen, because her door swung open at that moment.

"Sakura! Surprise?" A smiling Tomoyo wandered into the room and looked over the room. "Did I hear voices? Oh! I'm sorry, did you have company Sakura? I'll leave."

"No, it's okay Tomoyo. No one's here." she ignored the scoff from her bed, and welcomed her friend in, surprised at seeing a blue haired young boy enter in as well. "Eriol...Did you both come to see me?"

"Of course, you know you've been acting differently for the past few days, we just wanted to spend some time with you." Tomoyo gave a bright grin.

"Of course." Sakura sputtered, almost touched by the affection they showed for her. A warm feeling bloomed in her stomach, one that was only familiar when she was able to catch a glimpse of Li's smiles. "Did you want to go downstairs?" she offered, tossing a look at a indifferent Li lying on her bed, looking if not a tad too comfortable against her sheets. At the mention of switching rooms he turned to her.

"The blue haired brat on the right has to go." he indicated Eriol with a nudge of his chin, while the statement caused a small chuckle fall from Sakura's mouth. She turned to her friends. "Kitchen then?"

Sakura sipped at her tea, savouring the taste. Eriol and Tomoyo came to see if I was okay…What am I supposed to tell them? Eriol's already suspicious but he wouldn't intrude. And Tomoyo...she wouldn't press either but to lie to them? Lie to them like I had lied to Syaoran. I c…can't.

"Sakura?" Tomoyo put down her own ceramic cup on the counter, worried. "You're shaking."

"Oh." Sakura ducked her hand under the counter. "It's cold isn't it?"

Eriol raised an eyebrow as he was rummaging through the fridge. He didn't need to see Sakura's twitchy fingers to hear the disparity in her soft spoken voice.

"Hey Sakura…This may be overrated but…" Tomoyo smiled warmly, an effort that didn't do its job in hiding her true feelings. "Anything you tell me…I mean, I won't think any differently of you. And I don't want to guilt you into telling me but I just wanted you to know that even if I won't be much help in what's bothering you, I'm…" she looked to the ground. "still here."

Sakura didn't move. Instead she opened her mouth. "Thank you. I never thought you weren't there for me Tomoyo. But I-"

"Need time?" Tomoyo finished off for her. She nodded. "I really didn't mean to intrude. Anyways, I'm pretty busy for the next few days. We'll talk later then." she pushed out of her seat and left the room without another word.

Sakura looked at Eriol. "I wasn't rejecting her."

"I didn't say you did." he picked up Tomoyo's unfinished drink and slugged it down.

"Yeah well, you're face is starting to make me feel bad so stop it."

Eriol gave an odd laugh. "Now see, if I was making you feel bad I'd just come right out and say whatever it is I gotta say. But I'm not doing anything right now. Sorry to say it, but you're making yourself feel bad, beautiful." he placed the mug in the sink and gave Sakura a calm look before he walked out. "You know…if I didn't know any better Sakura, I would swear I had saw you standing right outside in the back hill right before we came inside the house. Except it vanished as soon as I laid eyes on it." he gave a mysterious grin. "Then again, it hadn't felt like you either."

Sakura charged to her room not thinking as she immediately began pulling at her window. The sharp edge pierced her skin but she hardly noticed as she finally pulled free the lock and raised the ancient thing.

Emike. Eriol was talking about Emike. Sakura's eyes scoured the backyard. On the hill…Please, where are you? Maybe I don't have to carry out with the ritual to find you if you're already here. She waited for a long time, not keeping her eyes plastered to one area, afraid that she would miss something. Her grip on the window ledge grew taut. Why won't you come out? You say you love Syaoran and yet you've never even once come and see him. Why? Why are you doing this?! I just want it over…It would have been better if I hadn't woken to Syaoran's face…You're growing too attached Sakura. Syaoran doesn't belong to you…

A warm hand gently pried Sakura's hand from the ledge and carefully raised it.

Sakura's eyes widened as she spun around. Maybe it was because she had been looking for Emike that she was so paranoid, but despite the soft grip, she had thought when she turned she would be faced with her counterpart. Then again, maybe it was because she had been referring to Li as Syaoran in her mind more regularly now that she said what she at that moment.

"Syaoran…"

His mouth was grim, but his eyes shone with almost a half surprised, half knowing twinkle. He seemed to know that Sakura was about to correct herself, so he glared at her. "Shut up." he ignored the look he gave him and tugged her hand closer to him. "Feel much?" he asked.

Sakura dropped her gaze to her right hand. Oh, that's right. I cut myself. She frowned at what she saw. Whether the laceration was small, deep, or long wouldn't be revealed until the blood was cleaned. The palm that had been cut while she had been urging up the window, and the wound was steadily dripping red liquid. Her wrists were lightly drizzled in dried blood, and the nooks between her fingers were caked in with semi wet liquid. Strangely, her arm felt soothingly numb. She noticed the warm glow from Li's own hands.

"What are you?…"

"Don't move. We'll wash that off." he sat her down on her bed.

Sakura did as she was told, the glow remained even as Li took his hand from hers. "The glow…it's warm."

Li quickly emerged with a wet towel. "It won't heal it. It's just there so you won't feel the pain." he kneeled and pressed onto the cut. "Damn" he muttered under his breath. "What were you doing?"

"The window was stuck." Gosh…Li's never shown concern for me. Not like this. He's…less scary when he's like this.

Li tilted his head to give her level look. "Just because it doesn't hurt doesn't mean you should be smiling like a dolt."

Sakura's face fell. "You sure know how to ruin moments." she said, grumbling. Quickly, she snatched the towel from Li. "Here, I can do it myself."

"What's the matter now?" Li rose to his feet, and planted himself on Sakura's bed.

"Nothing, you're right. I want to see how bad it is." she instinctively waited for any pain to hit her as she pressed the towel down on her cut. Nothing happened. Looking down she saw a small, deep laceration. "You think I should go to the hospital? That ledge was a bit rusty, and-"

"Stop playing me around!" Li grabbed the towel from Sakura.

"I'm n…not." Sakura reached for the towel. "The ledge really was a little rusty."

Li raised his arm higher. "Don't you think I would have suggested medical attention if you really were hurt?!" he barked his words, but if Sakura was affected by his yelling, she just blinked.

If I really were hurt? He would have told me?…Sakura had to suppress her emotions then. He had known even before I had begun to think I could be infected. He had been…looking after me? She didn't know how much longer she could keep her feelings controlled.

"Uhmm, I'm going to put something on this before the glow wears off." she got up and reached one last time for the towel.

He yanked her unhurt hand so she collapsed back on the bed.

"Hey…That hurt." she moved her hand, making sure the bed was unstained before turning. Li pinned her to the bed, his body concealing hers.

"Syaor-Li what are you doing?" her breath caught as he inched his face closer. His eyes penetrated through her.

"I want you to stop it. Tell me what you were doing. What you're going to do with the earlier junk."

"But I…" Sakura swallowed.

"You can tell me." he breathed the words out. "Sakura."

Sakura pressed against the bed to escape from Li's heat. His hands were plastered on either side of her head, but she was severed by the warmth of just being this close. "Nghhh…" Sakura tried to squirm away.

Li's head fell beside hers as if he no longer had the strength to hold it up. "Does it take that much effort to be this close to me?" his voice was slightly muffled from the mattress.

Sakura grew alarmed. "No! of course not!" The answer to his question? It didn't take any effort at all. Sakura always wanted to be close to Li. She could even begin to feel him in her presence when he wasn't visible. It was her own natural instinct. Alarmed, her hands wrapped around his arms. "I actually…really-"

Li lifted his head back, this time leaving almost no space between their faces. "like to be with me?" he finished for her, his lips curving into a soft smile.

"Well…yeah..." Sakura's heart throbbed. Her head was pounding.

"Does it mean that much to you?..." Li gave a soft smile. "Sakura…"

Something bloomed inside Sakura's heart then. He had said her name. Not Emike's, but hers. The realization only made her head and heart want to explode. She didn't do anything as his lips came closer to hers.

Li's body shook as he leaned in for what he sought. Just once. If not forever, then just this once. His lips grazed Sakura's and for a moment he had to pull back, sharply. What the? Why can't I…?

Sakura felt the pressure leave from her lips and she gazed up at a very disdained face. He had been so close to kissing her that she had just shut her eyes to stop herself from being pulled into his warmth. Now when he pulled back, she didn't know what to think. She reached out in mid air but pulled back before she was able to touch him.

"Hey…we better go and finish what we started." Sakura rose, and Li moved out of her way. Except when she took an uneven step, a flash of worry came across Li's face as his hand snapped out to level her.

Sakura shook her head, knowing she had to fight to stop herself from returning to the past. "I can't go back." Sakura whispered harshly. "Not yet."

Li stared at her. He didn't know how she was going to deal with it when she did return, and he didn't want to ask. He also knew he couldn't wipe that soft frown on her face, so instead he released his grip and nodded his support. "Whatever you want Sakura."

As he watched Sakura redistribute the crystals, Li gave one last look to the pig's blood sitting on the edge of her desk. He didn't say anything but something had seemed off from the moment he laid eyes on his determined Sakura doing what she was doing. But he hadn't said anything. It was to make her happy right?

In reality he had no idea what Sakura was trying to accomplish with her "borrowed equipment" as his eyes flew to the absorbed young girl.

You don't want to see me in the past…Of course not. You were the one that hadn't said the words back.

The one who doesn't know what she wants.

The emotion that shone in Li's eyes at that moment would have worried Sakura so he teared his pained face towards the window. True, in reality he had no idea what she was planning, but it didn't matter. Because what he had said in the past had been true. And in reality… he trusted her with his life.

Why didn't you say the words back?! Little brat…

As Li continued to gaze out the window, hiding his expressions, he began to think of what would happen if Sakura would make the wrong choice. That is, the choice that would leave him without her. He knew there was a chance that he could guilt her into staying with him, but Sakura was someone who stuck to her guns. He would only manage to make her depressed. That was why this was the least he could do for her. To do what she asked at this moment. Whatever it was.

No matter what I do…Even if I never hear the words from you…Why?!…Why can't I hate you?

"Uhmm, okay so that should be it. Are you ready Li?"

The feeling sunk deeper inside Li. He ignored it without a second thought. Taking one last look out into the clear sky, he turned to face Sakura. He thought he would have to force his face into an uncomfortable position in order to keep the girl from worrying, but as soon as he laid eyes on her, he knew that wouldn't be necessary. A customary sly grin fell into place as an appealing idea came into his head, immediately after spotting Sakura with a candle in her hand, and a large bucket of water alongside her feet.

It doesn't matter. I will acquiesce to anything she asks…

Because I love her.

"Mother!" Li allowed a exasperated sigh, running his hand through his loose hair.

Yelan remained sitting at the table where earlier Li and Emike had been conversing in, except now the young girl was no where to be seen. She patiently sipped at her tea. "Syaoran. If you aren't going to treat your own mother with respect, I will not answer you." The jewellery that was hemmed along her dress jingled as she reached for the sugar.

"Moth…" Li begun to growl until he saw his mother was serious. He sat back down in his chair. "You're being unreasonable." he sighed once again, not taking the cup of tea his mother offered.

Yelan placed it in front of her son anyways. "I'm not the one that has chosen to marry. Now if you can't even carry out a simple conversation with your fiancée, then I must say it is you that is being unreasonable."

"She left on her own accord." Li slumped in his chair like a two year old, and swirled a small spoon in his tea.

"She was practically in tears son."

A pang of guilt crossed his features for the slightest of a moment. "I'll check on her later." he mumbled. "Is that all?"

"No." Yelan replied, strictly. "I don't want to tell you that you should have listened to me in the first place and not have declared the wedding to be so early, especially when you've had but a few weeks to truly contemplate the situation. You had so much to deal with the past few weeks with the mergers and all…But what is done is done."

"And?"

"And," she continued, undeterred. "You should never have been this hasty." she stopped mixing her tea. "What I want to know is why her? You've come by so many offers and each time you've turned them down without a second thought." her ruby lips were put in a sad line. "I've asked of you to not marry any one of those ladies but only to give them a chance."

"I obeyed you did I not?"

"Do not use that tone towards me Syaoran." she looked her son in the eye. "However, you're right. You have always heeded to my requests. You took each one of those ladies and courted them." Her despaired eyes were somewhat glazed as she gazed at Li. "Did you realize…that the way you treated all those women…"

Li studied his mother. This was the first time she had mentioned his past offers, and courtings.

"No one could ever tell you didn't mean what you said to those women. You smiled at each one as if they meant more to you than the whole clan. Your eyes lit up whenever they had something to say. And most importantly, you treated them as though they were the only thing you saw in the world."

Li remained silent, stirring his tea.

"And yet, at sunset every night you would sit outside on that hill of yours and stare up at the sky as if waiting for something to happen." Yelan shrugged. "I suppose I may be conjuring my own ideas, however, I would come to you every night as you sat on that hill as well."

"I remember."

Yelan smiled then. "Then you remember what I would ask you every night?"

"I do."

"I'd walk up to you and ask still lost? It started when you were a child, as a sort of teasing because you would walk around outside before sitting down on that hill, though…"

Li pulled his gaze from his mother.

"You never would answer me. And so the offers kept coming. If you recall, Emike arrived here soon after." Yelan touched her temple. "You treated her as you treated everyone else, so I never thought you to succeed into marriage. You're announcement caught me off guard." she sipped the last of her tea. "You visited that hill less often after. That was when I decided to give in and allow the marriage. Perhaps it was because I had been so blind to the emotions between the two of you that I had opposed to it at first."

"Enough mother." Li rose from his chair and released the spoon in his hand. The silver clanged against the wooden table. "I have work to attend to." he walked to the door, surprised when the two guards pushed their swords to stop him from moving farther. He waited.

Yelan nodded in approval, ignoring the tense looks on the sentries, as they were not allowing the passage of their own lord through the door.

"I allowed the marriage son. You will carry it out." when Li didn't say anything, Yelan pushed herself out of her own chair. "Syaoran…" her hand wrapped around her son's shoulder as she indicated the others in the room to leave.

"My earlier question. Why? Of all your offers. How were you not able to turn away Emike like the others? Why did you fall in love with her?"

"I saw her." Li answered in a blunt way. "I saw her on that hill."

Yelan grew puzzled. "Is that why you've always…You witnessed Emike on that hill before you two met?"

A silent scoff fell from Li's lips, as he heard his mother's insinuation. "I will continue with the wedding mother. You need not worry." he pushed the door and walked out.

I saw you on that hill…Li strolled to the window in the hallway. His face darkened as his gaze fell to the hill. The area where he would trade his vows with Emike. On that hill, I saw you…

Sakura.

"Dad! You're being dumb about this." Touya leaned against the alleyway's concrete wall, checking to see if any passing strangers were suspicious of him having a conversation with thin air.

"I'm sorry I had to pull you out of work. I should come back later."

"Forget it." Touya stopped him. "It's just a part time gig. Anyways I'm on break. You didn't interrupt anything. Just tell me what you learned."

Fujitaka smiled at his son. " I spoke to Li."

"Which one are we talking about?" Touya rolled his eyes.

"The one from the past. I believe before I arrived, he and Sakura had already met."

"What did he say?"

"He wouldn't tell me much. Touya, it may not be right to speak of all this."

Touya gave his dad a tilted look. "Awe c'mon dad. How's he supposed to know if you accidentally leak out a few points. I mean it's not like I can do what you do." his eyes widened as he realized what he had said. He averted his face to the side. "Sorry."

"It's fine son." Fujitaka placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "But you're right. You deserve to know what's happening with your sister. But first, how are your studies going?"

"Studies?…" Touya hesitated as he rubbed the back of his head with his right hand. "Great I guess. The university here is slower than the one back home, so it's been easier for me. The workload's been smaller."

Fujitaka nodded his approval. "Is Yukito still back home?"

"Yuki? Yeah I guess. I haven't spoke to the guy for a while." Touya brushed off the subject. He'd grown up with his best friend, and the first few weeks had felt odd without him and his happy attitude.

Sighing, Fujitaka looked at his son. "Touya. Li cares for Sakura." he continued as he received a sharp look from his son. "Remember when I told you of an Emike he was to wed? Well it seems he will carry out with the wedding."

"That's good." Touya stated.

"However, if Sakura does go back to see him. There is a good chance that he may cancel the wedding because of her."

"What the… Why? I already told you this was stupid dad. It'll never happen. They live in different time periods. It's impossible. Right?"

"Touya…"

"No!" Touya screamed. "Answer me dad."

"I wouldn't know son. I'm just transferring what I know to you."

Touya's fist shook. "Well, what else did he say?"

"He wants to cancel a merger with another clan, something he didn't do the last time."

"Will it change the future?"

"It may. Different people may be born instead. Other problems may also arise."

"Will Sakura be born? You and Mom?" Touya pushed himself off the wall with his foot and uncrossed his arms anxiously.

"We won't be affected. It may not be for sure though. Our line doesn't extend that far."

"Well if you're sure…" Touya frowned, a finger rested on his chin. What was he thinking leaving Sakura alone. He told her he wasn't going to lose another family member. Probably sitting in her room all cozy with the Li brat.

"Touya?"

"Hmm?" he looked up.

Fujitaka seemed to hesitate. "It may be best if we leave Sakura alone."

"What do you mean 'alone'?" his eyes narrowed as he studies his father. His suspicions proved themselves to be correct with the man's next statement.

"I mean that we should leave Sakura to her own problems. We may burden her even more if we help."

"You don't know that." Touya said confidently. "Anyways, I've left her alone for a long time already. I'm going to have a talk with her after work."

"But Touya…"

Touya gave his dad a hard look. "It'll be fine dad. I have to get back to work. Come see me later okay?" Pulling on the company's cap, Touya jammed his hands into his pocket and ambled into the shop.

Sakura stood by her bed, immobile and completely drenched. A long, white candle was in her hand, the smoke still coming from it in wavy strands, even after being put out.

Li held a large water pail in his hand, trying to hide his amused face from the girl's unreadable expression.

"Are you okay?" he asked with feigned concern.

Sakura's fingers twitched against the candle.

Once.

Twice.

Slowly, her grip tightened and she lifted her face.

"Am I okay?! AM I OKAY?! I was fine until you poured that water over me you jerk!" she took an angry step towards him.

Li had a confused look on his face. "But you were on fire…" he pointed dumbly to the candle. "I didn't want to see you hurt so I put it out."

Sakura's eyes flashed dangerously as she gestured to the candle. "This is a candle." she gritted. "I was holding it…" she took in a careful breath and took another step towards Li. "I WASN"T ON FIRE!" she threw the wax tube at him with every ounce of her strength.

Li caught it with ease. He dropped the pail and examined the stick. "You weren't on fire?…" he ran a finger along the wax. "Candle." he repeated, as if hearing the name for the first time.

Sakura's breathing grew hard, as her whole body grew tense. "I'm wet." to her disbelief he didn't seem to care in the least.

"So this candle holds fire?" he touched the nubby string at the top, now slightly black from the fire.

Her temper reached its limit then. Her hand swung out and hit Li square in the stomach.

Li gave a slight groan as he dropped the candle to the ground.

"Moron! You have candles in the past! How could you think I was on fire!" she bombarded him with consistent blows to his chest. "I'm going to kill you!"

Li tried to ward off her hits because she was surprisingly strong. Over her name calling, he raised his own voice. "It's just a little water. You can go dry off and fill the pail back up while you're at it."

"You!" Sakura forced him to move backwards against the wall. "Don't you boss me around! This is your fault! Idiot!"

Li grabbed Sakura's wrists to stop her from giving anymore blows. He raised her hands over her head so she wouldn't be able to control them. "Temper, temper Kinomoto." He looked down to see his shirt had worked their way from his pants. "I was just learning what that instrument was."

Sakura struggled from his grip. "You knew what it was." her eyes narrowed as she shot him a threatening look.

"Hmm." he bent down to look her in the face. "I don't think you're in the right place to be making threats."

Sakura pressed her face closer to his. "This is your fault, you dolt!" she hissed her words. "Being dead doesn't give you the right to be stupid. Let me go! Liar!" she pulled against his strength. "You knew what you were doing!"

"Did I?" Li cocked his head. "Though…It was entertaining while it lasted wouldn't you say?"

Sakura opened her mouth, but quickly clamped it back down. He was too close again. She shivered involuntarily.

Li's eyes ran over her body, causing Sakura to glow a deep red. Her arms were still pinned up high in the air, so her position only made the situation more awkward.

"Did you want to change before we start?"

He had thought she was cold because she was drenched but it didn't matter because as soon as Sakura realized she was wet once again, she glared at Li. Leaning in, she gave him a smug look. "I'll get you back buddy. You just watch your back."

Something caught in Li's throat as he saw Sakura lean in. He hesitated and she took the chance to pull away from his grip. Even as he rubbed his temple, reminding himself what Sakura was capable of doing to him, Sakura had relit all four candles and placed them within the crystals.

"Okay, step in Li."

Crossing his arms he did as he was told. He watched intently as the lights were turned off.

"Li?"

"What?"

"After I finish reading the words from the paper would you leave the room for a while? Don't ask why. Please?"

Li gave her a tight look. "You brat…" he indicated to her hand. "Once I leave that cut won't feel like nothing."

"What?…" Sakura looked down at the warm glow surrounding her hand. "Oh. But really it'll be fine. I'll manage. Please Li?"

Li cast her an irritated look. "If that's what it takes for you to hurry up then fine."

Sakura nodded her thanks, and dropped her gaze to the sheet of paper. As she read, she sprinkled the red powder over the flames.

A large green glow wrapped around Li, as blue smoke rose from the crystals. Li opened his mouth to say something but as the glow rose higher and Sakura's soft voice created a gentle hum in his ears, he could feel himself grow lighter. His alarmed eyes searched for Sakura but darkness enveloped him. The smoke was gone, but the glow sheathed him from the outside.

Damn it. What's that brat doing?

Even as he tried to vaporize away from the area, he was held in reserve. It was silence everywhere.

"Kinomoto!"

Li took a step in a direction. The light that hit him was almost like direct sunlight as pulled his arm over his eyes.

Sakura stopped reading for the slightest moment. Something had flashed in her heart then. The paper blew in her hand, as the brisk wind from outside blew inside. The sound made Sakura cringe as she read the last word on the paper, and said the name.

"Emike."

Immediately a flash of midnight black appeared in the centre of where Li had once stood. Sakura waited for the figure to come fully into view.

She held the paper close to her chest, but even as the pain had subsided, Sakura wasn't looking at the figure forming. Her eyes were glued to her hand, shaking as it grasped the paper tighter, and tighter. The cut had quickly reopened and was slowly staining the paper. She dropped it with a short gasp.

Until a drop of glistening water followed the paper to the floor, Sakura hadn't known her face was streaming with tears. She grazed her face with her unwounded hand, and shivering she pulled it down to see the tears.

Tears. I'm…crying.

"You found me."

Sakura's head snapped up then. The tears in her eyes flashed brilliantly into the air from the movement. The glow from her wound was gone like he had said.

Sakura looked around the room. He was gone.

Just like she had asked.

-silent wanderer