Last Update: May 20, 2015

I've removed most original authors notes from this chapter. I'm just updating now because I was reading over and realized I didn't record when I switched from Syaoran to Sakura in the original. Hope this clarifies things.

Sakura's POV

Everything is going fine. At school, everything is normal. At work, things couldn't be going better. At home, my dad is finally starting to show interest in his family and Touya is still blissfully unaware of it.

Still, for some reason I just have this feeling that it's too good to be true. It's as if I'm just waiting for something to go wrong. As much as I want to tell myself that everything will be alright, I can't shake the feeling that there's something just waiting to go wrong.

Heaving a sigh, I push myself up and turn my back to the blank paper that's been weighing down on me.

"Everything alright?"

The voice slows my steps as I approach the window. Sighing again, I lean my head against the glass and fold my arms over my body. "Yeah."

There's a moment of silence followed by the sound of a book being closed. "You sure? Two days ago you were worrying over how your brother was going to react to the news that your dad has been talking to you."

Lifting my head, I stare out the window and down at the tiny figures moving slowly towards the school building.

"It's not that."

Behind me, I can hear the sound of the only other person in the room standing up and footsteps as he approaches. A few feet away, close to my left, the sound stops and in the reflection of the glass, I can make out the person's face as he watches me.

"Did something happen?"

I can't help but smile at his words. His voice dripping with concern, and his eyebrows scrunched together.

"Didn't I tell you already?" Turning to face him, I step closer and pull his hands into my own, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Try not to worry so much, Syaoran. I'm going to be fine."

He squeezes back and says firmly, "I'll hold you to that."

All of Wednesday and Thursday, I've been trying to do my best at paying attention to everything that's going on around me, but there are times that I just slip up.

During class, I was looking out the window and didn't even notice that the teacher was calling on me until Syaoran lightly poked me between the shoulder blades a few times with his pencil. Confused, I turned around, ready to glare daggers at him, only to have him gesture forward. By the time I realized Mr. Terada was calling my name, he was already standing next to my desk, towering over me.

Then, on the way to lunch, I wasn't really paying very much attention when I walked smack dab into Tomoyo and sent both of tumbling. I ended up apologizing probably a million times for that. Still am, actually. After all, I landed on top of her and practically crushed her.

Not only that, I also mixed red and green paint when I was getting ready this morning. I ended up just adding some yellow to the mix and then putting more green off to the side and making a tree. It was ridiculous. I felt like a kindergardener. Plus, just to top it all off, Syaoran saw it and made this face. Not just any face, it was as if I could feel him judging me. Oh, and he also looked like he wanted to laugh at my unoriginality. He ended up regretting it, thought. I gave him my best Touya-death-glare impression, which immediately made him redirect his attention to his book.

Currently, it's Thursday afternoon and I'm waiting for Chiharu to hurry up and finish changing so that we can head out. Ruby was more than happy to lock up the café for the rest of the week, so Mrs. Matsumoto has been letting Chiharu and I leave earliest since we're the youngest employees.

Walking up to the changing room door, I bang impatiently. "Chiharu, are you almost done in there? It's been over ten minutes!"

"Don't rush me," Chiharu yells from the other side.

"Why? Is it because you have to get ready for your date with Yamazaki?" I taunt.

"It's not a date!" she booms, throwing the door open and marching out, forcing me to quickly step back. "It's a casual outing between two mutual friends."

"Right." I point a finger down at what she's wearing. "That's why you've got on a dress."

She swats my finger away. "It's a casual dress."

"Maybe for late spring, early fall, but winter is almost here. The temperature has dropped close to ten degrees in the past week alone."

"You're exaggerating. Besides, you know me. I'm always warm!"

Disgustingly so. While the rest of us are freezing our butts off, Chiharu is always just sitting around taking in the breeze and saying how nice it feels. As much as it pains me to admit, I'm extremely jealous of her because of it. The only thing that makes me feel better is looking at Syaoran, who hates winter in Japan because he says it's way colder here than in Hong Kong.

"Stop rubbing it in my face."

She grins slyly.

"No matter what you say, I know the real reason. You just want to impress Yamazaki."

That wipes the smirk right off her face. Blushing like mad, she starts to object, but I quickly continue.

"Although, I don't know why, since it's obvious that you two have been in love with each other since- well- forever."

Now I'm the one grinning.

"Takes one to know one."

"Excuse me?"

Once again grinning, she states, "You and Li are always making goggly eyes at each other when the other isn't looking."

Damn her. "No we don't."

"Yes you do."

Grumbling, I mumble, "Okay, fine. Maybe I do, but Syaoran doesn't, so it's not the same."

Chiharu rolls her eyes and slings her purse over her shoulder with a sigh of forfeit. "I give up. I can't win an argument like this with someone as dense as you."

"Part of me feels like I should be offended by that, but I won, so I'll let it go." Smiling at my win, I spin on my heel and pleasantly skip out of the café.

Syaoran's POV

"Where is she?" I squint, trying to see off into the distance through the window. For crying out loud, there's fifteen minutes before class starts. She's never this late. More and more people are starting to show up from all directions.

Suddenly, there's an object that flicks into my line of sight. My eyes follow it as the figure weaves around the other students and towards the school courtyard. It's been so long since I last saw Sakura use her rollerblades that I almost don't think it's her.

Feeling more excited than I would like, I push away from the window and head out of the room.

I'm walking briskly down the hall, almost to the front of the building, when someone comes racing around the corner.

"Ah!" The person, who- of course- turns out to be Sakura, yelps as she runs right into me and stumbles back.

"Whoa there, slow down."

"Syaoran!" Her head shoots up. "Sorry about that," she says sheepishly.

"No big deal. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Trying to get to the art room, of course. I got sidetracked this morning talking to my dad, and didn't even realize how late it was until I glanced at the clock."

"Oh, how are things going on that front?"

We turn and head down the hall towards the art room.

"Good. I still haven't told Touya, but I plan to tonight. He gets off work early, and I figured I'd take the opportunity to corner him. Not gonna lie, though, I'm kind of a nervous wreck right now."

"So I've noticed. To be fair, though, you have been a 'nervous wreck' all week."

"Normally, I'd be yell at you for that, but since I already ran into you, I'll let it slide."

"Ran into me? More like tried to bulldoze me."

"Don't push it."

"Why are you still following me?"

"Moral support?"

"Not good enough."

"Because I'm bored?"

"So you decided to follow me? Why not Yamazaki? Or better yet, why not Eriol? The two of you seem to be best buds."

"Um, first of all, Eriol and I are not 'best buds' and second Takashi has some sort of 'outing' with Mihara tonight."

"What? Are you serious? So that's why Chiharu took off work today? They just had one of those yesterday."

"I know, he canceled our game night for it."

"Game night? Are you for real? You have game nights on school nights?"

"Wei doesn't have a problem with it."

"Wei is way too nice to you."

I can't help but smirk.

"What's with the face?"

"Nothing. That sentence just sounded weird."

"They're homophones. When did you start finding things so funny, anyways?"

"Are you saying I'm not a funny person?"

"I'm saying that you aren't the type of person who finds others funny, not that you yourself aren't funny." She pauses. "Although, I suppose you yourself aren't a particularly 'funny' person."

"I resent that statement. I can be funny when I want to."

"Sure you can," she agrees sarcastically.

We stop in front of Twin Bells and Sakura turns to face me.

"Anyways, I have to go, so as much as I would like to stand here and talk to you about your sense of humor, I can't."

"Disappointing, but I guess I'll live."

"Right. Well then, I'll see you on Monday."

"Oh, that reminds me! You're mom's anniversary, it's on Sunday, right?"

"Yeah. Still have to talk to Touya about that."

"I'm sure you'll be able to."

"Maybe so, but what I'm really worried about is how he's going to react."

"What's the worst he could do?"

"You'd be surprised. I've really gotta go now." She turns, but then stops a few steps away. "Oh, and you better not still be here when I get out."

I raise my hands to my sides. "I actually have to make dinner tonight, so that won't be a problem."

"Good." She nods her approval. "I'll see you Monday, then."

"Monday it is. Be careful on your way home."

She rolls her eyes. "Always am."

"Just making sure."

"Goodbye, Syaoran."

Chuckling, I just give her a small wave and turn around when she's out of sight.

That girl sure is something else.

Sakura's POV

Friday night, I'm laying in bed, staring at the ceiling and debating how to tell Touya about our dad when, out of nowhere, there's a loud knock on my door. I push myself up into a sitting position and call, "Come in."

The knob twists and the door moves inward to reveal the dark haired man on the other side.

"What's up, Touya?"

My brother glances around my room looking slightly nervous, with his hands behind his back, holding something. He steps cautiously into the room, immediately alerting me that something is up. Touya is never this polite. The knocking, the cautious steps. Definitely something fishy here.

"Nothing much," he says, sounding casual. A little too casual.

"Yeah, that's why you're holding you're holding something behind your back right now." He scowls. "You can't lie to me, Touya. Spill."

His hard look fades into one of affection and amusement. "Yeah, I guess you're right about that, squirt." He pulls one of his hands out from behind his back to ruffle my hair.

"Hey! Knock it off!" I swat his hand away.

Chuckling, he brings his other arm from behind his back, takes a few steps away from me and holds out perhaps the most adorable dress I've ever seen- excluding Tomoyo's creations, of course.

"Wow," I whisper, rising to my feet. "It's beautiful." I allow my fingers to run over the scarlet fabric. After a moment of taking it in, I pull my hand back and look up at my brother. "Where did you get this? It almost looks familiar somehow."

He lays the dress on his arms to look it over. "It used to be mom's."

My eyes widen. "What?"

"Yeah, it was down in the basement. I've been waiting until you're old enough to give it to you, and I think you're big enough now that it should fit you."

"Fit me?" My eyes flick from the beautiful dress to the man holding it. "You want me to wear it?"

"That is what I had in mind. I thought you might want to wear it on Sunday when we go to see mom."

I gasp, covering my mouth with my hands. "N-no, Touya, I can't."

"Sakura..."

"It's mom's; I wouldn't feel right wearing it."

Touya lays a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Sakura, mom would have wanted you to have it. Just imagine how happy it would've made her to see you wearing it. She loved this dress."

My eyes wander down to the dress once more. He's right. Mom used to give me some of her old things, and it always made her happy to see me with them. Remembering her smile, I reach out and gently take the dress, transferring it from Touya's arms into mine.

Lifting my gaze to my tall brother, I give him a genuine smile and promise, "I'll treasure it."

Touya smiles back down at me and says, "I know you will."

For a moment we stand in silence, then I turn to put down the dress and Touya begins to take his leave. "Um, Touya, wait!" He stops in the doorway and looks over his shoulder, awaiting my words.

Now or never, Sakura.

"There's something I need to talk to you about."

Raising his eyebrows slightly, he turns around. "What is it?"

"It's... It's about dad."

The tranquil look on Touya's face instantly dissipates, replaced by one of irritation. "What about him? Don't tell me he did something stupid, or I'll-"

"No!" I quickly interject. "It's nothing like that, it's just..." My gaze wanders to my feet. I knew that this was going to be hard, but I never knew how hard. I force myself to look up at my brother again. "Please don't freak out, but I think he's changed."

Touya's jaw almost drops from the disbelief. It's as if he finds the mere thought to somehow be absolutely and ridiculously unfathomable. "What do you mean, he's changed?" Touya demands.

"What I mean is, he hasn't been drinking as much recently. I don't even think he's drinking at all, to be honest."

"That's not possible." He immediately shrugs the idea off, dismissing it.

I shake my head. "Touya-"

"No, listen to me, Sakura, people like him don't just suddenly stop drinking. It's been seven years. If he were going to stop, then he would've done it a long time ago."

"But I'm telling you, Touya, he's changed. I've been talking to him, and-"

"You've been what?" His face begins to turn a brilliant shade of red.

"Just hear me out, okay?" From the way he's fuming, I highly doubt that'll be possible. "It's been two weeks now, and he's-"

"Two weeks?" Touya's voice booms, making me both jump and cringe. "This has been going on for two weeks and you never said anything?"

"I'm sorry, Touya. Please, just listen to me. He wants to go visit mom with us." My words only seem to add fuel to the fire.

"He what?" His voice is dangerously low.

"I'm begging you, calm down." I put emphasis on the last two words.

"I will not calm down, Sakura. If he thinks he can just up and waltz right back into our lives, he's got another thing coming!"

"Stop shouting! He wanted me to talk to you about it. The reason I was so afraid to tell you was because I didn't want you to do something that you'd end up regretting later," I cry in defense.

"Damn right I'm going to do something, but don't count on me regretting it later." Before I can stop him, Touya has already turned and stormed from the room.

"Wait! Touya, don't!" I race out after him, nearly tripping on my way down the stairs. "Please, just hear me out!"

"Damn it, where is that bastard?" Touya throws open a random door and then turns, barreling down the hall towards the study. "Fujitaka!" He slams the door open and it hits the wall with a loud bang, leaving a dent in the drywall.

I race into the study in time to see Touya reach across the desk, grab hold of our father's shirt collar and force him to his feet. Touya glowers down at our father as he reaches up and grabs Touya's hands, trying to free himself.

"Touya," he starts to say.

"Shut up!" Touya snaps. "What do you think you're doing, talking to her? If you've got something to say, you can say it to me, otherwise keep it to yourself. Don't you even think about trying to take advantage of Sakura just because she's willing to listen to your sorry ass."

"Touya, stop!" I grab hold of his arm, but he shrugs me off.

"That's not my intention. Please, listen to me, son."

Looking disgusted, Touya forcefully throws him back as if trying be rid of him. He stumbles back, tumbles over the chair and falls to the ground. His head meets the wall with a painful thunk.

"Dad!" I race around the desk and fall to my knees next to him, reaching out but hesitating to inches away from his head, afraid to touch it and potentially hurt my father. Much to my relief, he slowly begins to pull himself upright.

"Don't call me 'son' as if we're family."

Furious, I whip my head over to my brother. "What do you think you're doing?" I scream.

"What am I doing? Open your eyes, Sakura! He doesn't really care about us!"

I can feel the tears running down my face, as I cry back in a hoarse voice, "You're wrong!"

"Am I? If he loved us even a little, he would've been there for us when we needed him. But was he? No. He let us fend for ourselves while he went out and drank his problems away."

"Stop it," I beg, my head down.

"No! I've had enough of this." Next thing I know, there's a painful tug on my arm, and I'm being pulled to my feet. "We're leaving, Sakura."

I'm unable to do anything as Touya roughly forces me along behind him out of the study and away from our father. I can hear him calling out after us to wait as we go.

"Let go of me, Touya! He's hurt!" I thrash violently against my brother's grasp, but, in the end, my attempts are futile.

"He's lasted this long. One little bump on the head won't kill him. If we're lucky maybe it'll teach him not to try doing anything like this again."

Terrified by his dark words, I find myself too in shock to do anything but follow his order when he tells me to put my shoes on and allow him to pull me out the front door. Even as the cold autumn night breeze hits my face, I'm too numb to move. But then I look up and catch a glimpse of the man pulling me along behind him. Every singe fiber of my being refuses to identify the man in front of me as my brother. That murderous glint in his eye. It's not from the same man who raised me. It's from someone cruel and savage.

Someone who's not Touya Kinomoto.

Someone who's not my brother.

Touya's POV

"Enough!" Sakura's voice trembles as she twists her arm free of my grasp. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm getting you away from that monster. I'm protecting you."

"I don't need your protection! I'm not a child anymore!"

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes! So stop treating me like one!"

"I only treat you like on because you can't take care of yourself! The only reason I've allowed you to stay here this long is because I knew you wanted to be here. If not for that, I would've taken you far away, long ago."

Tears cascade down the brunette's face, her emerald eyes bloodshot and glistening as the last rays of sunlight wane over the horizon. She glares at me with such disgust that I begin to feel sick. But I shove away the pain for the sake of getting her as far away from here as possible.

"We're leaving." I state, taking her hand again, but she pulls away.

"No." Her voice is stern and unyielding.

A frustrated sigh escapes my lips. "Do not test my patience, Sakura."

"I'm not leaving him here alone! What if something were to happen to him?"

I scowl. "Then good riddance."

Sakura looks at me as though I've stabbed her through the heart.

Disappointment.

Hatred.

But most of all, betrayal.

She pulls her lips back from her teeth, sneering at me. In the most venomous voice I've ever heard from her innocent mouth, she hisses, "I don't even know you anymore."

Before I have time to think twice, the words are tumbling from my mouth. The only thing on my mind is the emotions swirling in her once untainted emerald eyes. "I could say the same to you."

The next thing I know, she's gone. Shoving past me and running down the street. I can feel my heart breaking. Everything around me blurs. None of it matters. She's all I have. What have I done?

Pulling away from my thoughts, I turn and stumble down the front porch after her. My feet carry me to the end of the road before my knees finally buckling beneath me.

"Sakura!"

My sister. My family. My everything.

She's gone. I've scared away the one person I live to protect. The reason I stay on this Earth. I'm alone. There's nothing left for me now. I'm all alone in this cruel, messed up world. My only salvation.

Gone.

And I keep asking myself, over and over again, one question. The same exact question a million times, and never being able to come up with an answer.

What have I done?

Very dramatic chapter. So is the next.

Note: The dress from this chapter that is Sakura's mother's is actually in the canon. Episode 16 of the anime to be exact. Sakura's great grandfather gives it to her. The difference is that the dress I'm using is meant to have been Nadeshiko's when she was older.

Also, this was the chapter that I hit 100k words, so let's all do a little mini cheer. We've made it this far. Thanks for reading, and please continue. And, of course, if you have time, then I'd love it if you dropped a review.