Chapter 36 Shaoran's Confession

Shaoran knew that it was the moment he was waiting for. It was time for him to speak up. There was no more time to waste. He blurted out, "No, Sakura. We are not together anymore."

Sakura could almost have dropped dead in surprise. Shaoran was inside the room and he heard her say the truth. He heard everything. Sakura was lost for words as she closed her eyes. She was going to tell him eventually but she honestly didn't want him to find out that way. It was like this huge relief swept through her because now she didn't have to lie anymore and at the same time, another part of her wanted to die. It was something that he wasn't supposed to know…not like that.

With the silence that fell after he spoke, Shaoran could guess what was going through Sakura's head. He knew her well enough to know that with what just happened, it had completely taken her off guard. He knew that Sakura might resent them for going into that sort of tactic but it had to be done and there was no way that he would regret it. He wanted her to know his side of the truth. He wanted her to know that she didn't have to carry that burden alone. He wanted her to know that he was there…that he loved her. Nothing could have stopped him from that. Not anymore.

Tomoyo was glued in her place. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to leave or stay. She was torn whether to head out the door or just be there as a witness to it all. Although, a huge part of her wanted to stay to find out how things turn out. She couldn't help it. But she respected Sakura and Shaoran's privacy so she opted to leave. She was stopped when Shaoran held up his hand to make her stop. Looking into his eyes, Tomoyo understood that Sakura would be needing her after Shaoran had said what he needed to. She nodded and kept silent.

"Sakura, Rika and I broke up. It just wasn't meant to be and it's not your fault. It was never your fault. It was wrong of her…wrong of me to have made you feel that way." Shaoran then said. Sakura was still silent. She still hadn't uttered a response while she continued to change.

"I'm so, so sorry, Sakura. You're right. It never crossed my mind how you felt because I was stupid. I was so absorbed with my inner demons that I tuned out my heart and my rationality. I took you for granted and I wasn't there for you when you needed me to understand the most."

It was the first time Shaoran was actually speaking truthfully about how he felt. Sakura was surprised by the suddenness of it all. Tomoyo, on the other hand, was completely taken off guard. She hadn't known this side of Shaoran before. She knew and understood now why Sakura had been saying that they weren't that different and the reason why she let her heart fall for him.

"I honestly don't know right now what I can do to make you believe me but…I did like her and I care for her but it's just as friends and I can see that clearly now…that's because…I really love you…Sakura. If you don't feel the same, that's ok. But at least now you know the truth. I'm not running away anymore." Shaoran said as he laid a single white rose with pink and blue ribbons tied to it on the table and left the room.

When he said those words, Sakura felt her heart sink and expand at the same time. She had finished dressing up but chose not to re-enter the room. She stood there by the door as a smile swept across her face. When she heard the door on the outside close, she exited the comfort room.

Sakura and Tomoyo's gaze met, not really uttering a word. Tomoyo had a knowing smile on her face and Sakura knew what it meant. "Don't say anything." Sakura said as she went over to the table where her bag was and saw the white rose Shaoran had left her. She picked it up and smiled.

"I know you told me not to say anything but I just have to say it." Tomoyo said walking towards Sakura.

Sakura turned to her and waited for her to say whatever it was that she needed to say. Tomoyo smiled and said, "Li-sempai is quite a catch, Sakura. I'm happy that you both have finally found each other again. This was a long time coming. You just have to be honest with how you really feel about him. I think he already knows but he still needs you to say it. I know he won't force you into something that you don't want."

Sakura smiled and nodded as she finished fixing her stuff. "Yeah. I know. I was going to tell him. Actually when he started to speak, I was almost finished dressing up. I finished before he actually ended his speech a minute ago."

Tomoyo's grin widened and eyed her friend. She then said, "Then why on earth didn't you come out? You two could have kissed or something?"

Sakura started to laugh as they both headed for the door. She then replied, "Save the drama, Tomoyo. That's not exactly our style. You should know that Shaoran and I are more subtle than that. Besides, he was in the moment. I didn't want to disturb him. That would be quite a shame since he never really, openly admits that sort of thing."

Tomoyo started laughing and Sakura laughed with her as they exited from the room. But their mirth died down when they saw Shaoran standing there at the corridor.

"I'll leave you two now. I'll head to the others." Tomoyo said as she started walking down the corridor.

Sakura stood there for a moment before finally walking towards Shaoran and smiled. She then handed him back the rose. She could see the confusion in his eyes. She smiled again.

"I was going to tell you. I never intended for you to find out that way. I guess it was decided for me that it should be that way. I have still so much to tell you and I want you to give that to me in person, not because you left it for me. You will know when the time is right. Just let me tell you what I really need to and we can start talking from there. We can still talk about anything right?" Sakura said.

Shaoran smiled and replied, "Yeah. We still can. So are we cool?"

Sakura started to laugh. She then looked at him straight in the eyes and said, "We've always been cool, Shaoran. I told you. You just always put it off proportion that's all. It's complicated but we've always been cool."

Shaoran smirked as they both embraced. Sakura could hear the smirks and cheers from the others down the corridor. "Besides, you're not off the hook yet." Sakura said as she broke off from him and they started walking towards the others. "None of you are." She added as Shaoran smirked.

Touya grinned and was about to say something when Sakura beat him to it, "Save it, 'nii-chan. You're not getting off that easily. I know you, well, all of you had something to do with this."

Tomoyo and the others hid their smiles as Touya looked at his sister innocently.

"What are you talking about, imouto-chan? I'm hurt that you actually think that I am capable of such a thing when I don't even know what thing you are talking about."

Sakura shook her head and gave him a yeah-right look. "Quit the innocent act, 'nii-chan. It doesn't suit you. And like I'm about to believe that you hadn't done anything. I know you, all of you so you are not getting off that easily."

"But we did bring you two together, Sakura, so just this once, cut us some slack." Eriol said.

Sakura started laughing. "I can't believe that you really did something like this, Eriol. You of all people. I should have warned you to stay away from my brother. He can be a bad influence sometimes." Sakura commented. Eriol grinned.

"Oh yeah have you heard?" Eriol then proceeded on to say.

"Heard what?" Sakura asked innocently.

"You won! You took first place!" Eriol announced excitedly.

Sakura was taken by surprise. "Oh ok…" was all she managed to say.

"Right. Winning the figure skating competition and all you manage to say is 'oh ok'." Ryu commented.

Sakura turned to him and smiled. "But I didn't do it alone. It's a surreal feeling, yes, but it's not just my triumph. Eriol was the one who made the song. Tomoyo was the one who made the dress and the make-up. Coach was the one who had me take up ballet and dance class. Mikagami-san was the one who pushed me extra hard to get the moves right. All of you for supporting me. So thanks guys." The others smiled.

Someone then called Sakura from behind. She turned and saw her Coach motioning her to come. She gave a bow and turned to the others. "Excuse me for a minute guys." Sakura said.

Before she was able to run, Shaoran took her bag from her and said, "I'll take this. Go on."

Sakura looked at him a little surprised but nodded. She didn't actually have the time to argue with him as she dashed to meet with her Coach and one of her teammates.

"This is Mr. Yoichi Koda, Director of the Figure Skating Board of Japan." Coach Alekzeeva introduced the man in the suit to Sakura and her teammate as the two of them bowed in respect.

"Before anything else, I would like to personally congratulate the both of you for a job well done in this competition." Yoichi Koda said as he presented them with their respective medals. The two girls smiled shyly and thanked him. He then proceeded on to say, "Well as you know, the Olympics is coming up and we are in the process of selecting talented young athletes as yourselves to represent our country. With the results, I would like to personally inform you that you two have been chosen to be part of team Japan in figure skating."

It took a minute for Sakura and her teammate to process what had been said. They both felt like the rug had been pulled from under their feet. It was a great honor to have been chosen. "So? What do you say girls? Preparing for the Olympics is another ordeal, physically, mentally, spiritually. Will you accept this proposal?" Coach Alekzeeva said.

Sakura and her teammate looked at each other. No words were spoken as they both smiled and nodded happily. They shrieked with delight. Yoichi Koda then handed them both official letters bearing the emblem of the Olympics and the Japanese team crest. They accepted the honor and bowed. The man smiled and left.

"We start training tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy yourselves for the job well done." Coach Alekzeeva said as she hugged both girls and left herself.

"See you at practice tomorrow." Sakura said. Her teammate beamed and nodded before they parted ways.

Sakura smiled, still couldn't believe what she was holding in her hands. She then started to walk back to the others. She beamed at them. When she got to them, she said, "Looks like I'm quitting the cheerleading squad."

"What? Why?" All of them asked.

Sakura smiled and held the letter up, showing the Olympic logo and the Japanese emblem. All stared at what she was showing them. As realization took hold of all of them, they congratulated her. She smiled at them, not really knowing what to say.

Touya took the letter and said, "Well, Sakura, I've got to hand it to you. This is a great accomplishment, not to mention a great honor to represent Japan."

"Yeah I know. To tell you guys the truth, I was planning to quit figure skating after this tournament but then when this opportunity came up, there was no doubt in my mind that I have to go. I just want to see how far I can go and well, it's a great way to interact with people from different countries. It's going to be an interesting experience which I know I'll be able to use after I've finished college. I'm sure Coach Asahi and the others will understand why I need to quit the squad." Sakura explained.

She then turned to Eriol and Tomoyo. She smiled and said, "Don't worry, you guys. I'm not going to ask you to create something for me. I might ask for advice but that's it." Both smiled at her.

Tomoyo then said, "Sure. We will be spending a lot of time together so it's a must to keep the communication open. But right now I think I better be going. I need to get these papers back to my mom. I'll call you with what happens later." Sakura nodded.

"As for me, congrats Sakura. I knew you could do it. I'll be heading to the dance studio now. Mikagami-san is going to kill me. I'm already late as it is so catch you guys later."

Sakura started laughing and said, "Here. Take this with you. Hopefully it will pacify Mikagami-san's rage and go easy on you." She then handed him her medal that Yoichi Koda had handed to her together with the letter.

Eriol smiled and took it, promising to give both back to her the next day.

"See you later you guys. We…need to go somewhere but here." Ryu said as he, Touya and Yukito left.

"How come I have a feeling this was all part of the plan?" Sakura commented when they all left the two of them.

Shaoran smirked and replied, "This I'm not sure about. But I am going to guess the same." Sakura looked at him and smiled.

"Are you ok with my bag there? Because honestly I'm not feeling right having you carry it. You know me."

"Don't worry about it. It's fine. But since it's just the two of us here, you want to go somewhere? Promise. It's my treat."

Sakura started laughing. "You still haven't change, Shaoran. Like the only reason I come with you is when you are the one whose paying. But since you are paying, why not?" She said as she winked at him. Shaoran laughed and led the way.

(to be continued…)

Now the truth's out. I'm sure you can guess what happens in the next chapter. Only two more chapters guys and we have to say goodbye. Anyway, I placed the Olympics part as a form of tribute to the upcoming Olympic games. Go world! Hehe. I know all the athletes around the world are going to showcase their best in their events so kudos for being chosen to represent your country and good luck on your events. ^_^ Being chosen is an accomplishment in itself so I think all of them are already winners. ^_^ Thanks for reading and reviewing this far. I do hope you still continue on with me to the end. Thanks.

Michiko