RECAP: Last chapter... they got to England, stayed the night... Sakura took Syaoran out to dinner and they had a confusing time of it... Then they were just driving out to Eriol’s, getting lost and such.... pretty noneventful average setting up chapter.

Chapter 8 - A little risque and a bit too lengthy

Syaoran tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, watching with mild concern as Sakura ventured to the front door by herself. He picked the apple juice stain on his pants for a moment, then resumed his watch. Sakura was nervously walking up the large stairway onto the stone porch. No pleasant greeting yet... Syaoran began to feel more than justified in his idea to burst in and attack without bothering on formalities. Sakura finally got to the door. She gave a worried look over her shoulder, then hesitantly reached out to knock on the door.

Then she waited. And waited. And waited some more. Syaoran reached for the key in the ignition to restart the car. He dropped his hand as he saw movement at the door. Sakura was talking to someone who wasn’t showing his face to the outside. The door was barely open. Syaoran squinted to make out anything, but the mysterious greeter remained well hidden. Sakura didn’t look completely distressed, so he did his best to relax. A moment later she turned to the car and waved at them with her hands to come in.

Syaoran reluctantly got out of the car, keeping an eye on the door as he did so. Tomoyo and Chindra hurried up the steps to Sakura. Syaoran sighed and kept his spot in the back. Here I am endangering my life to help them out and they won’t listen to one bit of advice... He lingered on this complaint all the way to the steps. He looked up. He blinked once as he waited for the image in front of him to register. Slowly he recognized the man at the door. He seemed unchanged by the past few years. It was the creepy chauffeur guy. He held the door open wide now, letting them in.

Sakura gave Syaoran a look that said ‘can you believe it’s the same old guy that picked us up two and a half years ago’, then turned and headed into the large entryway. Syaoran glanced back to the car which held their luggage. Sakura didn’t seem too worried about bringing it inside. Syaoran grumpily followed them into the house. He made sure to send a glare the old man’s way before leaving the outdoors behind him. Syaoran slowed to a stop a good distance from Sakura and the others, looking around. Everything seemed fairly familiar. He looked passed them to the large door that led to the large room they had battled in. Syaoran could remember them running in here, just after he had told Sakura how he felt when she found everyone had been replaced. He willed himself to think about something else.

They stood huddled around in the room for a while. The creepy man shut the door, letting the bang it created echo dramatically for a while. The room seemed so cold and dark with the sunlight shut away. Finally Sakura took the initiative to say something.

"Is Hiiragizawa-kun here?"

The man gave a curt nod. "He is aware of your arrival. He wishes me to show you to your rooms."

Syaoran was the first to frown at this. Luckily, Sakura once more spoke out. "Rooms?"

"Yes," the man responded factually, "Right this way."

Sakura frowned as she watched the man walk around them towards a hall. "We wanted to talk to Eriol-kun, not stay in ‘rooms’."

The man continued like he hadn’t heard a thing. Sakura reluctantly walked after him, Tomoyo and Chindra following suit. Sakura glanced around for Syaoran, wanting more than anything to see his protecting hand around. He was lagging in the background, looking around at the different passageways that branched out from the main enterance. Sakura sighed and looked ahead of them, where they passed down a broad stone hall. They turned to a large flight of stairs on the left and walked up them. Sakura exchanged worried looks with Tomoyo, then looked ahead to the hall they walked down. It was well carpeted with an expensive red rug. Doors lines the sides. Sakura looked at it all with amazement. Eriol had to have alot of money.

The man stopped at one of the doors and turned to it, taking a large pile of keys out of his pocket. He pulled out the right one and put it into the keyhole of the door. He opened the large wood door, revealing a well furnished room inside. "For you, miss," the man said, motioning for Chindra to enter it. Chindra looked at them with worry.

"Well, um... I guess I’ll meet you guys back out here..."

Sakura nodded, not knowing what else to do. Chindra stepped into the room and hesitantly shut the door behind her.

Sakura glanced back to see where Syaoran was. He was just jogging up the stairs, looking like he was pondering something or another. He gave Sakura an unreadable look, then began evaluating the situation. Sakura opened her mouth to inform him, but was cut off by the old man.

"Miss, I fear Hiiragizawa failed to mention you to me."

Sakura frowned, then realized the man was talking to Tomoyo. Tomoyo looked distressed. She gave a weak smile. "I’m not a magician like them. I’m just a normal girl tagging along."

The man looked unconvinced. "I suppose you would do best in this room," he said, unlocking the next door down the way. It looked just as nice as the first.

Tomoyo smiled gratefully. She stepped into it willingly, shutting the door behind her.

Sakura glanced at Syaoran. It was just them and the old man now, just like two and a half years ago. The man continued down the hall. Sakura searched Syaoran for some kind of solution. He didn’t seem to have anything in mind. He just continued to look irritated about the whole thing. Sakura let out a short sigh of frustration with him, then continued to watch the old man. He stopped and unlocked a door a few doors down from Tomoyo’s room.

"Here you are, miss," he held the solid wood door open for Sakura. She looked in, then glanced at Syaoran.

"I’ll meet you back out here, okay?"

Syaoran nodded a very small nod. Sakura reluctantly pulled the door shut behind her, vanishing into the room. Syaoran bit on his lower lip, then put his attention back on the old man.

"You, sir, will stay here." The man opened a door across the hall. Syaoran walked towards it purposefully. He paused.

"When is Hiiragizawa going to show up?"

The man shuffled a bit, looking annoyed. "Hiiragizawa-sama will be pleased to meet with you over dinner. I’m afraid he is currently involved in his work."

Syaoran gave a glare that would have sent the average person running away. "Let him know we don’t appreciate his stalling."

"Yes. I will have your luggage up immediately."

Syaoran watched the man disappear down the hall. He looked over his shoulder at the room he had been led to. It was well kept, well decorated, and very expensive in taste. He could see a window in the far wall. He let go of the door, watching it to see if it would stay open on its on. It shut. He left it that way, figuring he had time to look out the window before congregating back in the hall. He walked past the large bed and dresser and stopped at the window. It overlooked a courtyard. There was a vast pool that was open. Beyond it were various paths through an intricate garden, along with the usual sculptures and statues. Syaoran looked around for a while, hoping to catch a glimpse of his enemy. He was no where to be found.

Syaoran let out a long breath, feeling his thoughts drift. He glanced towards the door. He didn’t want to meet up with all of them in the hall. They could take care of things by themselves. His opinion didn’t matter much, anyways. He was just there for manpower. Syaoran looked back out the window. He would like to jump out into the garden and be completely alone. With a long sigh, he forced himself back to the door and out into the hallway. Sakura immediately took the time to smile at him in her conversation with Tomoyo. The three girls herded over to Syaoran’s door. He let out another sigh as he shut the door behind him. This was going to be another miserable five minutes. He tried to cheer himself up, thinking it was better than having to ride in the car with all of them.

Sakura watched Syaoran for a while. He was looking the other direction, his eyes unfocussed and thinking about something. She tried to hold onto her dissipating smile. "Well, what do you think?"

It took Syaoran a second to realize they were all watching him for an answer. He shrugged. "He’s scared. He doesn’t want to deal with all three of us. So he’s trying to stall."

Sakura nodded agreeably. "Well... how will we get him to see us?"

"He’s going to try and split us up," Syaoran speculated. "That’s his only chance. The old guy said something about a dinner tonight..."

Sakura frowned. "Did he?"

"After you guys were in your rooms," Syaoran explained.

"Oh." Sakura glanced at Tomoyo and Chindra. They seemed happy to let them make the decisions. She looked back to Syaoran. He stood with those impatient amber eyes piercing into her. She shifted under them. "Um.. So we’re just going to wait around until dinner?"

Syaoran looked down the hall, then opened his mouth to answer. He stopped, noticing the old man returning with their luggage. He eyed their hallway congregation suspiciously, then dropped bags along the doors. He turned and continued back to the car for the rest of their stuff. Syaoran let out an annoyed breath. "I can’t stay here. It took three days to get here. I at least have to leave tomorrow."

Sakura bit her lip, trying to not let him get to her. "Well... there’s not much we can do right now, right?" An idea hit her and she glowed at the thought. "Besides, you can’t leave without us, you have the only car."

Syaoran soured at this thought and responded by looking at something unimportant across the hall.

Sakura sighed at Syaoran’s obvious display of irritation, then looked to Tomoyo and Chindra. "Well, do you guys just want to get some rest in our rooms until dinner? I’m sure that man will come by and tell us when we need to go..."

Chindra nodded. "Sure. I’m tired enough, it sounds good..."

Sakura looked at Tomoyo. Her friend had seemed preoccupied the moment they had entered England. She couldn’t blame her. But she couldn’t help but worry about her and what conflict she was dealing with. Of course, Tomoyo would refuse to admit anything of the sort was going on. Tomoyo noticed Sakura and smiled. "Uh... I may go for a walk. My legs got cramped during the trip."

Sakura didn’t think it was the best idea to go wandering around in Eriol’s mansion. But she knew her friend was smart about this kind of stuff. She slowly decided to agree. "Okay. Well, I’m going to try and rest too, I suppose." She looked back to Syaoran. His eyes were still looking in some unimportant direction. The old man entered the awkward silence and set the rest of the bags down at Sakura and Syaoran’s doors, then stopped in front of them.

"Dinner will be served in three hours in the dining hall."

Sakura smiled gratefully. "Alright, thanks."

The man sort of glided away. Sakura shivered watching him, then reminded herself of Syaoran. She looked at him once more. Still nothing. "Are you going to stay here, Li-kun?"

Syaoran blinked, noticing the attention was once more on him. "No," he answered simply. There was a corridor down on their left that was interesting him. He started towards it without another word. Sakura watched him go, then sighed. She looked back to Tomoyo, forcing a smile. "Have a nice walk, Tomoyo-chan."

Tomoyo smiled in return, then headed back down the way they had come. Sakura and Chindra exchanged smiles and returned to their rooms.

Sakura stepped onto the plush rug set out around her bed and let out a long sigh. Syaoran was so incredibly frustrating. She plopped onto the end of the bed, hitting her leg on a post. The room spread out in front of her. She yawned, then stood back up. She didn’t feel tired, now that she had gotten a few more intimidating glares from Syaoran. She walked over to the fancy fireplace ahead of her and leaned down to look at it. The hearth had intricate designs on every visible piece of metal and stone. She shook her head. Too fancy for her. She stood back up and looked around the room. Nice furniture everywhere. She walked over to the glass window and peered out at her view.

A large field expanded over an immeasurable distance. The sides were lined with forest. An occasional stone wall or hedge cut through the land. If Moondust were here, we’d be having a blast out there...Sakura imagined herself outside running the horse across the field, wind whipping her hair around, air cutting across her face. It was a pleasant vision. She pretended it for a while more, then walked back to the bed in defeat. The room was glowing with warm sunlight, but something about it remained dim and untouched by the light. She laid on the bed on top of the blankets, staring at the canopy above her. She had always wanted a canopy. She yawned and turned over on her side, watching the window. A single tear was making its way to the surface. She blinked hard and it was gone.

Just like that, he’s going to be back in Hong Kong. I was really too late.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Syaoran found himself in another dark hallway. He stepped down it carefully, eyes straight ahead. Streaks of light leaked in from unusual cracks in the walls and ceilings. He made his way by that light, not quite sure where he was trying to go.

The air had been getting progressively damper and grown more stale the further his path into Eriol’s house had gone. He figured he was somewhere just below ground level. He slowed as light became more scarce. His footing slipped. He quickly found his balance. He had reached another flight of stairs. He squinted for any light that might be ahead. He could see nothing. He continued blindly down the steps, taking them one at a time. He almost fell once more. He realized he had hit level ground again. There was something beside where he walked, moving slowly. Syaoran quieted his breathing and identified it as water.

He continued walking, occasionally stepping in puddles. He kept in a straight line, putting a good distance between himself and the water he walked alongside. A light ahead began to illuminate his steps. Light began bouncing off at his side, assuring him his assumption was correct. He turned and looked at the water once things were visible. He was walking down a narrow sidewalk along some kind of underground waterway. He looked ahead at the light that poured in from the ceiling. He must have been inside some kind of well. He continued with purpose towards the light, wondering where the opening surfaced.

It took his eyes sometime to adjust to the sunlight, but they slowly did. He slowed to a stop as he reached the furthest wall. Sunlight was right above him now. He looked around for a flight of stairs. He found, instead, a long, rusted ladder. He walked to it, giving it a hearty shake. It seemed sound enough to climb. He climbed onto the first step. It held. He continued carefully up the side of the wall. He could soon see the stone opening of the well above him. He quickened his pace, anxious to see where it came out. Finally he reached the top step. He reached his arm over the stone and pulled himself up. He hung over the side for a minute, looking around. It was the courtyard. It looked much different from this direction, but it was definitely the same garden he had overlooked earlier. He frowned, looking around for Eriol. He was, of course, no where in sight. Syaoran glanced up at the windows in the wall nearby. He picked out which window was his, then looked back to the garden. His eyes caught something walking nearby. He lowered himself slightly and watched.

A girl with long dark hair was walking slowly through the garden, her eyes saddened and downcast. It was Tomoyo. Syaoran quickly got onto the ladder and made his way down again, not wanting to be spotted. He hurried back, then hopped onto the ground once he was about four steps above it. He brushed off his arm which had caught a rough rock, then turned and began to head into the darkness once more. He stopped quickly, spotting the shadow of a figure. He stood watching it for a while, then relaxed slightly as he recognized it. "What are you doing here?" He asked in annoyance.

"I was bored," Sakura answered simply.

"So you followed me all the way here?" He asked skeptically.

Sakura shrugged, then stepped forward a little. She looked towards the ladder curiously, then back to him. "You really shouldn’t be here, Syaoran-kun."

Syaoran frowned. "Thanks for the continuing gratitude."

She stepped uncomfortably close. Syaoran glared at her warily. She smiled."I can handle this. I am the Cardmistress, after all. You’re just going to get hurt, I don’t want that to happen."

Syaoran shook his head. "I have to help. I told you that. You know it’s going to take all three of us."

Sakura continued to step closer, smiling a smile that wasn’t her own. Syaoran narrowed his eyes, watching her suspiciously. "What would make you think that?"

Syaoran looked her over. It was definitely her body, her clothes from that day, even the same hairstyle. His eyes slowed on her pants. Either she had found some way to wash her clothes in ten minutes, had brought an identical pair of clean ones, or she was missing a vital apple juice stain. "Ah, I see. Illusion. Nice one Hiiragizawa. You can quit with the bullshit."

Sakura’s twin glared at him. He stepped back to a comfortable space from her, glaring back.

"You really don’t get it, do you? I mean, you’re really not supposed to be here. You’re pathetic, you know that? After all this time, all that hurt she caused you, you’re still following her around."

Syaoran continued his glare. "After all this time, you still won’t leave her alone. I’m going to make sure you get what’s coming to you, you bastard, even if that means having to help her to do it."

She shook her head, smiling. "Continue to justify it, Li-san. You always were good at fooling yourself." With that, the illusion vanished. Syaoran found himself looking back into the darkness. He let out a long breath, wondering why Eriol didn’t bother to attack him further while he was alone and weak. His thoughts were interrupted by another familiar voice.

"I never liked you."

Syaoran frowned and stepped further into the darkness, keeping an eye on the water that flowed on his right. "I never liked you either, Keroberus. Deceiving someone so innocent is truly unforgiveable."

Keroberus’s gold eyes seemed to glow in the dark. They watched Syaoran in a narrowed, challenging way. "What of yourself? I have just done what needed to be done. I was following orders. You on the other hand, have you told her what kind of a person she has helping her? What kind of a person she is trusting to help her? A killer, a liar, a complete insult of a man?"

Syaoran let out a sigh. "If you’re going to corner me in some dark tunnel away from the others and kill me like this Eriol, go ahead and do it," he said loudly, letting his voice echo down the walls and off the water.

Kero stepped into the sunlight a little more, letting it shine down his rippling coat. "Eriol had no such intentions. Don’t try to think so lowly of him. I’m merely a messenger. He was trying to prompt you into making a sensible decision before needlessly throwing your life away."

Syaoran glowered. "I’m touched he’s so fucking concerned."

Kero picked up a pawful of sharp claws and held them out threateningly. "I on the other hand, would have no problem exterminating one of my longest lived irritations."

Syaoran tensed his muscles, ready for anything he might throw. "I’m sure Eriol would be glad you got rid of me."

Kero let out a sigh. "Well... I would have to answer to the fact of your indisputable absence..." He lowered his claws. "It’s just so tempting." He opened his mouth, fire collecting at blinding speed and shooting out towards Syaoran. Syaoran thoughtlessly hurled himself into the water beside him. He stayed underwater as long as he could handle, calling out his sword in the process. He surface, looking wildly around for Kero. The only trace of him was echoing laughter. Syaoran scowled and looked towards the ladder to see the shadow of something big flying out. He tredded the water for a few moments before finally climbing back onto the damp and dark stone path. He returned his sword and headed back towards the way he had came grumpy and dripping.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sakura wandered back down the hall to her room. It seemed her plan to sleep was very shortlived. She hadn’t been able to stand it any longer. She wanted to go try to talk some more sense into Syaoran. Unfortunately, he seemed to have disappeared from the building. She had felt his aura numerous times very close by, but every time she thought she would be sure to spot him around the corner, he wasn’t there. She figured he must be hiding from her. So she continued to walk in a slumped and defeated posture, slowing in front of her door. She felt a faint sense of his presence. She glanced over her shoulder hopefully. Nothing but an empty flight of stairs was in her view. At second thought, she realized the feeling was coming from below her feet. She sighed and continued into her room.

He’s got to be the most frustrating person I’ve ever met... All this way to England to finish my troubles with the Cards and I’m still obsessing over him. Maybe he really doesn’t want to feel for me anymore... She collapsed onto her bed, hitting her leg on the bed post again. She cursed under her breath, then reluctantly sat up. Or maybe I’m just being scared again. I’m expecting alot, wanting him to completely change in two weeks. Wanting him to trust the very person that ruined his life in only two weeks. She got to her feet and walked back over to the window. The field remained the same inviting block of space she had looked out into earlier. She let out a long held breath. I just need to talk to him more, one on one. If he’d ever be around to talk to...

She walked over to the closet of the room, wondering what might be hiding inside. She opened it and discovered an array of dresses. Her eyes widened happily. Something exciting, at least. She began pulling them out. They were all old, expensive, and Sakura’s taste. She marvelled at the chances of something like that happening, then decided to try one on. She searched through the different dresses then picked out one with lots of black lace and ribbons. She quickly pulled the thing on, finding it perfectly her size. She didn’t bother to wonder at that. She buttoned up all the parts that needed buttoning, then hurried over to an old looking mirror on the wall. It looked wonderful. She spun around a couple times, then trotted around the room pretending for the moment that she was a princess. She looked back out the window. It would be fun to go running around with the dress on. She rolled her eyes at her childish notions and continued to the closet to find another one to try on.

She froze, feeling his aura nearby. She concentrated hard, trying to decipher whether it was still below her or not. It wasn’t. She rushed to the door, completely forgetting herself and her dress as she entered the hall. She immediately spotted him walking up the stairs. There was something disheveled about his appearance. She frowned, watching him approach. He wasn’t looking up at her. Sakura stepped cautiously after him. "Are you alright?"

Syaoran glanced up, noticing her for the first time. He shrugged. "Yeah," he mumbled, heading in a straight line towards his door.

Sakura frowned. His hair was dripping wet. At second glance, his clothes were soaked as well. "What happened?" She exclaimed, hurrying beside him towards his room.

"Nothing," Syaoran said, rubbing one eye and yawning.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "You just happen to be competely soaked..."

Syaoran shrugged and opened the door to his room, slipping inside before Sakura had the chance to stop him. She scowled at the door as it shut loudly behind him. She waited for a moment, hoping he would come back and explain himself. He didn’t. She let out an annoyed sigh and knocked. When that knock was unanswered, she knocked again. She continued knocking relentlessly until he finally opened it. He was obviously irritated. Sakura tried to pretend not to be surprised that he didn’t have a shirt on as well as tried not to stare because he didn’t have a shirt on.

"I was trying to change," Syaoran said in aggitation, keeping the door half shut as a means for some modesty.

Sakura blinked and looked away, blushing. "Sorry, I just was... wondering what happened."

Syaoran glared her down for a second, then reluctantly opened the door and turned to head for his shirt. Sakura frowned, watching him walk casually into his room. She hesitated, then followed, leaving the door open behind her. Syaoran pulled on the shirt he had been about to put on when he had become fed up with her persisten knocking and answered the door. "Sorry, I just thought you were blowing me off..." Sakura continued, trying desperately to excuse herself for interrupting his changing.

"It’s okay," Syaoran muttered, sitting on the edge of his bed. "I went down into some well or something. Eriol used the Twin to make a copy of you. And then Keroberus showed up and tried to kill me with some fire, so I had to jump in the water in the well."

Sakura frowned. "A copy of me?"

Syaoran looked at her in a way to say ‘yes’.

"Well... what did it do?" Sakura asked nervously, walking over to his window to see what kind of a view he had.

"Just told me to go home," Syaoran answered, noticing for the first time that she was wearing some elaborate dress he couldn’t imagine she owned herself. It was either one of Tomoyo’s creations or she had gotten into something.

Sakura admired the courtyard for a moment, then turned back to Syaoran. "And then Keroberus just showed up? And started trying to kill you?"

Syaoran shrugged and stood up, walking over to pick up his wet clothes from the wooden chair they draped over. "Why not? I was alone and vulnerable."

Sakura sighed. "I don’t get you. You said he was going to try and split us up, cause that’s the only way he had a chance. And yet you go off walking alone..."

Syaoran searched around for a place to put his wet clothes. "But I know Eriol. He isn’t going to kill me in any way that’s not extravagant and brilliant." At Sakura’s look of concern he sighed. "He’s not going to kill me, anyways."

Sakura managed a weak smile. "Well... Next time you take a walk, take me with you. Maybe we could get a hold of Kero together."

Syaoran glanced at Sakura skeptically. Her emerald eyes shined brightly at him. She looked beautiful in whatever dress she had found. He sighed and looked somewhere other than her. "Sure..." he mumbled, not able to think of much else.

Sakura frowned slightly, watching him curiously. She looked back to the window. "You have a really nice view of the courtyard..."

"Yeah," Syaoran agreed, not daring to walk over and look out at it with her.

"My window shows this really pretty field... It would be fun to run Moondust through, come look at it!" Sakura hurried to the hallway, hoping he would follow her. Very reluctantly, he did. Sakura rushed by her bed, slowing as she noticed all the dresses she had thrown across it. She remembered the dress she wore. She turned and smiled sheepishly at him. "I, um... got bored and started looking through the closets..."

Syaoran tried to not look interested. She had caught him a little off gaurd turning and smiling like that. "You’re lecturing me on not going on walks, and you were trying on clothes you found in his house?"

Sakura let her smile fall, the continued over to the window. "Well... it seemed fun at the time..." She looked out at the field, willing herself out once more. "I wonder why Eriol has dresses hanging around in his closets..."

Syaoran walked to the window, keeping a wary distance between himself and Sakura. He looked out at the field. It was a pretty field. He wasn’t quite sure why Sakura was so excited about it, but he shrugged it off. It would be one of the things he would have used to find funny and attractive about her. He couldn’t let himself see that now. "I’m sure he has all kinds of weird shit lying around..." Syaoran muttered, eyes on the far hedge.

Sakura glanced at Syaoran. He was doing his best to avoid to pay attention to her. She sighed, looking back outside. He was just in complete misery around her. She let out a long sigh, trying to find a good solution for it. He just has to be more comfortable around me! "Can you walk me down to that well?" Sakura asked hopefully, watching him carefully.

Syaoran was able to keep his eyes outside the entire time he thought it over. "I guess," he said finally.

Sakura smiled happily. "Great! Um... just let me change and I’ll meet you out in the hallway."

Syaoran turned and headed to the hallway in response. He felt his shoulders slump in defeat. He was just signing his death wish now. He kicked himself mentally several times for letting her get to him at all, then pulled her door shut behind him. He looked down the hallways as he always did in precaution, then waited leaning against the wall for her to change. I have no one to blame but myself if she hurts me again... I shouldn’t be doing this. Syaora watched warily as her door opened. Sakura stepped out into the hallway looking like she was ready to go hiking. Syaoran walked passed her wordlessly, heading for the hall he had gone down earlier.

Sakura hurried after Syaoran, slowing once she was at his side. He could tell she was looking for something bright and cheery to say to him. He was thankful she chose not to say it. Syaoran continued wordlessly, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. It seemed the entire house was something to be suspicious of.

"Did you happen to see Tomoyo-chan when you were out walking? I looked for both you guys for a little bit, but I didn’t see either of you..." Sakura finally said, glad to find something solid to talk about.

Syaoran frowned, remembering Sakura’s friend. He could only imagine what Eriol’s little replacing scheme had done to her mind. "She was out in the courtyard earlier," Syaoran answered.

"Oh..." Sakura replied, not knowing what else to say. She tried to recover. "Well... what was she doing? Did you guys talk or anything?"

Syaoran shook his head. "She didn’t see me. I saw her from far away."

"Oh..." Sakura looked around at the house’s changing decor. They had gone down at least three floors. Everything seemed dimmer and more dismal. "I hope she’s okay. This must be really hard for her, being here..."

Syaoran let out a big sigh of irritation. Sakura frowned and looked at him questioningly.

"What? You’re not still suspicious of her are you?"

Syaoran took a moment to glare at her, then continued looking ahead of them. "She’s out walking around by herself in Eriol’s mansion. I could take one guess what she was looking for."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Tomoyo-chan just needed some time to herself. She’s still sorting everything that happened back then in her head."

"That’s exactly why she’s dangerous..." Syaoran mumbled, not really caring to argue his point any more. Sakura was just too stubborn to recognize any danger. He turned down a dark hallway, not slowing the slightest.

Sakura looked ahead of them nervously. It looked pitch black. She glanced at Syaoran with worry. He didn’t bother saying anything of forewarning. She set her lips in a thin determined line, preparing herself not to get scared by any creepy dark hallway.

"So..." Sakura started nervously as the light sources became more and more scarce. "You went walking in this without any light earlier?"

"Yes," Syaoran answered factually. He was watching where he stepped. The rays of light seeping in from the cracks in the ceiling and walls seemed to end suddenly. Their walk became almost blindingly dark. He cautiously proceeded.

"Um..." Sakura started, no longer able to see the floor in front of her. Her foot bumped into something that moved. She hopped to the side, eyes looking wildly through the dark for the culprit. "What was that!?" She asked in her nervous, timid voice.

"What?" Syaoran asked, slowing as he noticed her stop.

"My foot... it hit something, it moved..." Sakura shifted around in fear.

"Probably a rat or something. I’m sure they’re all around here..." He waited impatiently for her to start moving again. Very slowly, Sakura began moving forward again. He could tell by listening to her footsteps, she was keeping much closer to him. He tried to ignore it.

Sakura bit her lip and tried to tough it out. She tried to sneak a little closer to Syaoran’s side. Now would be a good time to be able to cling to his arm. "It’s kind of creepy down here..." Sakura commented. Just as her sentence trailed off, she found her foot lose contact with the ground. The ground, it seemed, had ended or something. She tried to regain her balance, only succeeding in sending herself falling backwards.

Syaoran, luckily, somehow heard the whole thing happening and managed to catch her before she banged her head back on the hard, cold stone. "There’s steps there," He muttered, carefully helping her up.

Sakura smiled weakly at him, though it was impossible for him to see it. She let out a shakey breath, facing him and holding desperately to his arm. He stayed still for a moment, letting her recover. After a good amount of time passed by, he turned and began to head down the stairs. Sakura remained clinging to his arm. He hesitated, then reluctantly allowed her hand slip onto his. She continued quietly down the steps, holding tightly to his hand. Syaoran thanked the darkness for veiling his expression.

"Thanks," Sakura finally said softly, once they were on level ground and a good ways away from where she had almost fallen. She bit her lip, then courageously laced her fingers through his. He didn’t respond, but he didn’t reject her. He was having a hard enough time dealing with the stress of it all. He couldn’t keep old feelings from creeping in, at least not for that moment. It was too good of a memory to block out. Warmth crept up his arm. Her hand fit so naturally within his. There had never been anything he had done away from her that had completely compensated for missing it.

"What is that?" Sakura finally spoke once more, her voice pointing to their left.

"The water," Syaoran explained quietly, feeling completely drained. Light was starting to glow down the path. He would no longer have the security of the dark to hide under. He didn’t know what to do with his hand. He let her keep it for a while longer.

"Oh. I’m not too close or anything, am I?" Sakura glanced to her left cautiously.

"What?" Syaoran asked, looking at her with worry.

Sakura didn’t pick up on what he was thinking. "The water. I’m not going to fall in, am I?"

Syaoran let out a long breath. He was completely in a downward spiral. But he felt compelled to let it go on. The feeling worried him. "No," he finally answered.

Sakura could see a light up ahead. She was slowly able to see in front of her. She dared to look at their interlocked hands. She knew Syaoran would be pulling away from her any second now. She watched the water flow beside her as she walked. It was an odd thing to have open under a home. "So you can climb up the well to the courtyard?"

"Yes," Syaoran answered, staring ahead of himself glumly.

Sakura glanced at him before looking back towards the falling light. His eyes were looking far away, almost sorrowful. Completely different than when they had left the room. Always changing moods... I can’t keep track! Sakura pondered how long she could keep hold of his hand before he would take it back. She had missed him so much. Glimpses of the old him like this were what she thrived on. But she could sense the distress she was causing him. It would probably be better to try and make him comfortable. She reluctantly released her hand from his, smiling at him as she did so. He didn’t recognize her smile. He only shoved his hands in his pockets and continued going, the same far off look on his face.

Sakura decided to watch the water on her left until they reached the end wall. Water continued through some underground pathway. Sakura looked around and spotted an old, rusted ladder. "That’s safe?" Sakura asked skeptically, walking over to it. She glanced to Syaoran. He looked completely depressed. He dragged his eyes up to the ladder and nodded. Sakura chewed on the inside of her lip for a moment, watching him, then reached out and gave the ladder a shake. It seemed Syaoran was right. She hesitated, then forced herself up onto the first step. Everything seemed sturdy enough. She continued up, glancing down self consciously to see if Syaoran was following. He let her get up a good distance before he started climbing after her.

"This is really high up..." Sakura said nervously, keeping her eyes from looking down. She could almost reach the end of stone with her fingers. She slowed as she reached the top of the ladder and carefully climbed onto the edge of the stone, peering out at the new surroundings. She could see Syaoran was waiting on her. She didn’t waste any time throwing herself onto the stone and carefully getting off the ladder. She carefully edged away from the opening the well, glancing over her shoulder to watch Syaoran. He was already up, with little effort on his part. She smiled at him, then looked back around at the courtyard. She could see a far off path that looked familiar. It had been where Eriol had taken her walking. When he had tried to take the Cards from her, convincing her it was the right thing to do.

"I remember walking over there with Eriol, last time we were here," Sakura said, pointing towards the path. She looked at Syaoran when she didn’t hear an immediate response. He looked off in the direction, still looking desperately depressed. His amber eyes shifted over to meet hers. Sakura blinked away, slightly startled to see any emotion in him. "Should we um... should we walk around?"

Syaoran let out a long sigh, then got to his feet. He walked to the edge of the stone and hopped down to the grass below. "Maybe Eriol’s hiding somewhere..." He mumbled, trying to regain some of his dignity.

"Yeah..." Sakura answered absently, carefully lowering herself to the ground. She looked around with alert eyes. His words registered at a two second delay. "I doubt he’d be outside..."

"You’re right. He’s probably with Tomoyo somewhere inside," Syaoran responded, not able to contain himself. He looked quickly to his right in order to avoid the amusement he would gain from seeing Sakura scowl.

Sakura let out an annoyed puff of breath and began trekking in an indignant manner. Syaoran reluctantly walked after her.

"So Syaoran," Sakura started, staying very calm and collected, "What are you going to do when you get back to Hong Kong?"

Syaoran glanced at her with worry. She sounded fake. She was probably just trying another approach at getting him to open up. He sighed. "Probably finish high school, make more money... The things normal people do."

Sakura glanced at him skeptically, very ungracefully tripping over a tree root as she did so. She cursed at her luck and continued with her thought. "A seventeen year old that can more than support his family and do advanced calculus past midnight isn’t what I call normal."

Syaoran just looked at his feet, forgetting that they were scouting the area for a moment. He reminded himself and snapped to attention. "Mm," he responded, not really knowing what else to say.

"I thought I remembered you saying something about not wanting to be normal..." Sakura said, smiling with satisfaction as she caught him in a contradiction.

"Some things change," Syaoran muttered, glancing around a hedge cautiously.

Sakura shook her head. "No...I’m not convinced you really mean that. You went on about how miserable everyone else was..."

"And I’m not? Look, get it into your head, that was a completely different fucking person, the one you’re talking about. It’s getting really frustrating, how everyone keeps expecting me to become him again."

Sakura bit on her lower lip in worry. She walked along in silence for a while, trying to find a good response for him. There really wasn’t one. She could either get upset with him and end up in some spitfire match that ended with her crying and him extremely angry, or she could swallow her pride and attempt to say something caring, risking irritating him away. "I..." She sighed. She wanted to point out that he was still the same person, under it all. She wouldn’t want to have to prove it to him. "You are the same person, Syaoran. You wouldn’t... we wouldn’t be getting along like this if you weren’t. And... And I can just tell."

"You can just tell..." Syaoran repeated, trying to emphasize how pathetic it sounded. "Well that’s quite convincing, Sakura, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree."

Sakura scowled at him. She saw some chairs set around a very romantic fountain. Sitting down sounded like a wonderful idea. She hurried to a chair and sat down, willing Syaoran to do the same. He reluctantly sat down in the chair across from her. He looked around, seeming disinterested.

"So..." Sakura searched for some kind of strategy. She couldn’t find one. Strategies were useless. Syaoran didn’t need plans or methods of winning him over. She would just continue to show him she really did care about him. "So after you left, I started working at an ice cream place," Sakura said, glancing up to see what he thought. He didn’t seem to think much of it. He rather had found something curious about the fountain nearby. She took a breath and continued. "I worked with this kid named Botan, who I recently found out Chindra likes. But um, I worked there all the time. Plane tickets are expensive, I guess. And um... it wasn’t much fun. It sucked, really. School was just like normal, except without the excitement of having you and Meilin around. And... Chindra moved into her own little apartment. Her and me and Tomoyo hung out alot, resealing cards and stuff..." She glanced at him hopefully. He watched her with an incredous glare.

"What are you doing?"

Sakura smield sheepishly, looking at her feet. "I’m telling you everything that I did after you left." She looked back up at him. "I’m trying to make you more comfortable talking to me. I don’t know, is that so wrong of me? Or do we have to keep being so fake and superficial around each other? I can... I can understand why you’re being like you are, really, I can... It’s just... I told you how I felt. And... you have to know, you don’t have to lie to me. If you hate me, please just tell me. But there’s nothing worse than watching you completely block off every emotion in your head." She watched him hopefully. He had his teeth pressed together and was looking at something or another on the ground beside him. He looked stunning, of course. Sakura let out a sigh, trying to get him to respond. He finally dragged his eyes up from the ground to meet hers. He startled her with those sorrowful, melancholy eyes again.

"I wish it were that simple."

Sakura frowned. "It’s as simple as you make it."

Syaoran decided to refrain from responding. He looked around at their garden surroundings. He looked at the flowers behind Sakura. He looked at the fountain beside her. He kept his eyes away from her pleading emerald ones. He searched for some kind of witty response. Luckily, at that very moment, he was saved from the responsibility as Sakura suddenly jumped out of her chair and tackled him to the ground. Syaoran laid in a sort of stunned silence that would come from being randomly tackled to the ground, then blinked unsurely at the face above him. She was looking around in worry, seeming to forget she was pinning him down. He finally found his voice.

"What the hell was that?"

Sakura glanced around, sure she would find what she was looking for. Not seeing anything, she very sheepishly got to her feet and offered him a hand. He ignored it, watching her expectantly for an explanation. She looked to her left, searching for something smart to say. "Um... I thought... I thought there was something about to hit you, just then..." She bit on her lower lip, slowly realizing how dumb she looked at the moment. She looked to Syaoran with grave severity, hoping she could make up for everything with a very solemn look. "It was like... when in my dream... I don’t know... I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye..."

Syaoran brushed off his previously clean shirt and watched Sakura carefully. She definitely was believing what she was saying. Then again, it wasn’t like her to just do that randomly... she had no reason to. He shook his head. "It would have been nice to at least have a heads up."

Sakura sighed, looking around in paranoia. This is all I need to get Syaoran more comfortable around me. Start having hallucinations... She sighed, looking back at him apologetically. "I’m sorry, I just really thought..."

Syaoran eyed her warily, then looked around at their surroundings. "Well... I don’t know either. There’s nothing around." He looked back to her. She was fidgeting with the bottom of her shirt, obviously feeling pretty stupid. "You’re not going to be doing that alot, are you?"

Sakura let out a sigh. "It’s just... that dream is so horrible, Syaoran! And I really thought that you were about to get hurt or something..."

Syaoran let out a long breath, softening slightly. "I can keep myself safe, Sakura."

Sakura looked into his eyes with such compassion that worried him. She stepped closer, daring to touch his arm to add to her point. "I know you don’t care to hear it, but I really am sorry. Sorry for dragging you into all of this, making it so confusing... I just... I can’t forgive myself if anything happens to you. So... sorry for having to deal with my paranoia but... better safe than sorry, right?" She smiled weakly at him, hoping with all her heart he wouldn’t give her a fake response.

Syaoran could feel himself completely drowning. He couldn’t gather the willpower to shrug her off. He looked to the ground, shrinking under her touch. "Please stop telling me you’re sorry."

Sakura let her hand slide off his arm. "But I am," She retorted, confused.

Syaoran looked back at her, his amber eyes giving him away. "You contradict yourself. You said you’re glad to see me, but all you talk about it how sorry you are I’m with you."

Sakura shook her head profusely. "No, no I’m not sorry you’re with me... I mean, maybe I am. But only because it’s not fair to you. I love seeing you, being with you, but... But it’s selfish of me, to ask for your help and time like this, especially when...that dream..."

Syaoran watched her for a moment, then looked back towards the house that surrounded them. They shouldn’t be standing around so vulnerable. He had let her get to him quite enough. "We should get back inside."

Sakura glanced at him to see his expression. Back to the emotionless state again. She let out another sigh and nodded reluctantly.

"Should we go the way we came or try to find another way in?" Syaoran asked, turning to look around at the possible paths.

"Another way," Sakura said quietly, not feeling like walking in the cold dark well a second time. Syaoran wordlessly began walking down a dirt path. Flowers lined each side. Sakura looked around at them in general appreciation, then kept herself on guard.

I can’t be so jumpy... But he takes it so lightly, I mean... really, what if his life is in danger? He should be thanking me for things like that... Sakura watched the back of his head as he walked. Maybe... I should just take a better approach... work out a hand signal or something... She sighed. He wasn’t going to go for any of it. He would rather pretend his life wasn’t in danger of mortal doom every second of the day. She couldn’t really blame him.

"So do you still take judo?" Syaoran asked completely out of nowhere.

Sakura looked up in alarm, then slowly registered the question. "Oh, uh.. yeah. Only in the summer, but... I’m a green belt..." She laughed sheepishly.

"Belts don’t mean much when it comes to real life," Syaoran commented quietly. He glanced down a path that went to some main doors of the house. He paused, then decided to take it.

Sakura shook her head. "I don’t know, I mean... You definitely fight at black belt to the... whatever degree you are in real life..."

Syaoran shook his head. "Not what I mean, I meant... I was just trying to say you were getting stronger with your magic, that’s all."

Sakura ignored her blush and continued behind him. They were heading to a pair of double doors. "Well....thanks," she bit her lip, wanting to brush off the compliment. The mature thing to do would be to accept it. She forced herself quiet. "Well... How’s your training? I mean, I didn’t think there was much left for you to learn, you were so good at it..."

Syaoran pulled the doors open to the house, looking inside for a moment before allowing them both in. They were in another large room, who knows where. Syaoran picked a good direction and started walking down the hall. "There’s always more to learn," He answered in his smart-alec and arrogant way.

Sakura rolled her eyes and continued beside him. She looked around at the hall they were in. It looked like they were lost. They walked on silently for a while. There was almost an incident when Sakura thought she saw something after Syaoran, but just before she made a move she realized it was the mirror they were walking by. She let out a long breath, trying desperately to relax. She glanced at Syaoran. Whatever sadness that was apparent earlier was dissolving away into a new version of his emotionless expression. This one was, at least, a little less aloof, and a little more in touch with the reality around him.

After a few more corridors of nothingness passed, Sakura began to feel restless. She wanted him to change right then and there. She scolded herself for being ridiculous and began conjuring a more sensible plan. We just have to keep going on these walks and stuff... I’ll have to face up to some more scary dark hallways because that seemed to have a dramatic effect... maybe after dinner we can go out and explore again... She cast a wistful look his way. His fiery eyes were shaded by his hair and his eyelashes. She sighed and looked the other direction quickly.

I just need to calm down and let things happen... I guess..

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He would want to see me. The door loomed in front of her. It was a good, solid, oak door. The grandure of it was just an expression of its inhabitants. And there it stood, totally shut and cut off from the rest of the world. The more she tried to convince herself, the more she began to doubt her actions. She felt a slight twinge of guilt, like she was doing something wrong. I just want to talk to him. There’s nothing betraying about that. I could do my best to advise him into a calm negotiation.

Tomoyo let her hand dangle in midair, continuing to contemplate. They would all be getting together for dinner in only a half an hour anyways. Perhaps she was being a little irrational. But she felt so drawn and compelled, like she was really needed. She stared at the door, willing it to open for itself. She could not bring her fist to knock. Her hesitation to make contact was as strong as her want to make contact. She battled them in her mind, weighing the consequences of each.

I’m not even sure if he would recognize me. Recognize me for who I am, anyways. Not as some puppet he made...She watched the door with sorrow. Her hand dropped to her side. And yet... why do I feel so strangely? Maybe his spell is still lasting on me? Or maybe there was a part of me he was unable to replace? He wanted to feel, but he wouldn’t let himself. Vivid memories of him flashed through her mind’s eye. She could see faint flickers of something through his cold blue eyes. He wouldn’t release it. He would stay in control. I can’t fool myself hoping I was the one thing he didn’t control. He could control everything. I am just a pawn.

Tomoyo glanced to her left quickly, seeing something out of the corner of her eye. A mirror reflected that somewhere down the hall, Sakura and Syaoran were making their way down a stairwell. She hurried away from Eriol’s door, forcing her mind to shift gears. At least these two are understandable... She searched for a good hiding place. Behind a door and a table, she crouched down, pulling her small camera from her pocket. She could hear Sakura talking all the way from where she knelt on the floor. She picked out the words ‘guitar’ and ‘good’. From there she began to piece together a conversation about how Syaoran shouldn’t give up on music. Syaoran was taking it all in fairly good nature, as far as Tomoyo could see. She zoomed in on their expressions as they came by. There was something softer in Syaoran’s eyes. She smiled. Sakura was at it again. She followed their backs until they turned around a corner, then shut her camera off.

I hope Sakura-chan finds Syaoran, at least...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sakura eyed the door across the hall suspiciously. It was awfully quiet. Almost an intentional silence. Chindra and Tomoyo had met her in the hallway. Syaoran, it seemed, was biding his time until the last possible second. Sakura looked towards the stairway where the old creepy man was gliding his way up. She watched him in amazement for a moment, then looked back to Chindra.

"So... just keep an eye on him, just in case," Sakura repeated in a whisper for the thousandth time. Chindra nodded quickly, glancing with worry at the man approaching them. Sakura glanced sneakily at Tomoyo to catch her friend’s expression. Tomoyo was remaining way too calm for the situation. They were about to all go have dinner with Eriol. Eriol, the very person that had the nerve to replace Tomoyo and erase Chindra out of existence. She shook her head, looking away. Tomoyo was just a rock.

"Is the gentleman ready?" The man asked, clearing his throat with a polite cough.

Tomoyo smiled at the reference to Syaoran being a gentlemen. Sakura stifled a laugh. "Um, I think-"

Syaoran emerged with perfect timing, as usual. He gave everyone a glare that told them to stop looking at him, then shut the door behind him and walked to the distant side of the group.

"If you would all follow me," the man said, floating across the hallway towards the stairs. Sakura fell back beside Syaoran. He didn’t seem to appreciate her company. She shifted to an uncomfortable spot not quite beside Syaoran or Tomoyo.

They followed the man down the stairs and headed towards the entry room. Sakura began to shiver with anticipation. Who knew what Eriol would be planning. They would have to stay on their gaurds. Sakura, especially, wanted to keep a close eye on Syaoran and his life’s safety. They walked to the doors of the main dining hall. They were now open in invitation. Sakura looked into the room anxiously.

There was the same solid table sitting out in the middle of the room. Bowls were sitting on it. Sakura could spot the signature rolls from where she walked. Her mouth watered the instant she saw the steaming bread. Her steps quickened slightly. She looked to the head of the table. Eriol wasn’t in the room yet.

"Is Hiiragizawa-kun coming to dinner?" Sakura asked curiously, slowing as she approached the table.

"Yes," the man said amidst his glide, "Hiiragizawa-sama will be with you momentarily. He was just cleaning up."

Sakura nodded cordially, then looked up in worry as Syaoran walked to the other side of the table. She reluctantly pulled out a chair and sat down, watching him closely. Chindra walked over and took the chair beside him. Syaoran had taken the chair closest to Eriol’s designated seat. It figured. Sakura switched to sit across from him. Tomoyo sat beside her, not making any expression or certain complaint of seating choices. Sakura looked across at Syaoran, forcing her eyes over the rolls. He was glaring in the direction of a door, expecting Eriol. Sakura looked towards it, then turned to Tomoyo. Her friend sat with a pleasant expression on her face, though looked it looked almost indetectably strained. "So are you-"

"Hello everyone," Eriol’s cool voice carried over the silence as smooth as silk. Sakura turned to see him entering, the same welcoming smile on his face that had been present at their last entrance. He slowed at the head of the table, his blue eyes twinkling the way only his could. He had grown taller and filled out a little more than the last Sakura had seen him. All in all, he had just become more handsome. Sakura gawked, then looked back to her food, reprimanding herself. She glanced up at Syaoran. His rebellious, uncontrolled image contrasted sharply with Eriol’s picture. She let out a sigh and forced a smile.

"Hello Hiiragizawa-kun," Sakura responded, watching him as he sat into the large gothic chair. His eyes focussed lazily on her, his pleasant smile remaining.

"Ah, Sakura-san, you’ve grown more beautiful with your age, I see."

Sakura smiled weakly, not sure what else to do. She searched for a response, but Eriol picked up where he left off.

"All of you have grown," he added, giving a glance to Syaoran and Chindra. He did not acknowledge Tomoyo.

Syaoran took no time before jumping in. "Listen, you bastard, we don’t want to go through this bullshit again. Last time you made us sit through a fucking dinner before you tried to kill us, what’s the fucking point?"

Eriol smiled at Syaoran, then shook his head and rested his eyes on the plate in front of him. "Li-san, you never change, do you?" He brought his eyes up. "Is everything so simple with you that it can comfortably be solved by violence?" His eyes turned to Sakura. "Would you wish to kill me?"

Sakura stared in stunned silence for a moment, panicking for an answer. She shook her head slowly, becoming more definite.

Eriol responded with a sad smile, then looked back to Syaoran. "It is different this time, Li-san. I’m afraid we do not have the luxury of simplicity."

Syaoran scowled. "Stall all you fucking want. We all know you don’t have a chance against us."

Eriol held a steady eye on Syaoran, then went back to the table. An uncomfortable silence settled over the table. Chindra was shifting over in her seat, looking around with anxiety. Sakura jiggled her leg unconsciously.

"What are we waiting for? We shouldn’t let this food go cold." Eriol smiled in encouragement and took the first roll as an example. Sakura helped herself to two, quickly acquiring butter. The food seemed to offer a blanket of security for the silence. Sakura found herself easing into better conversation.

"You have the best bread, Eroil-kun."

Eriol smiled in response and said nothing. Sakura took a bite of the roll, ignoring the disgusted look Syaoran was giving her. She was at least going to enjoy something while she was in England. "But... I was wondering about the room situation. Are you planning on having us stay?"

Eriol looked up from his plate. "It’s been quite some time before I’ve had guests. I do hope the rooms were maintained..." At Sakura’s reassuring nod, he continued, "I’m sure you are exhausted from the travelling. Jet lag can last a good while. It would be pointless to try and come up with any sensible solutions while you are half asleep and nauseated."

Sakura slowly nodded. He did have a point. She felt tired at that hour. She couldn’t imagine a good battle after dinner. She would faint of exhaustion for sure. She glanced up at Syaoran’s loud and annoyed sigh. He looked the other direction, glaring at nothing in particular. He was, yet again, refusing the rolls set in front of him. No idea what he’s missing out on.

"There is plenty of hot water in the room at the end of your hall, if you’d like to wash up," Eriol continued, breaking apart his bread. "Feel free to walk through the courtyard as well. It is good to get some fresh air after being stuck in those horrible airplanes..."

Sakura glanced over at Chindra to see how she was dealing with everything. She was reluctantly biting into the bread. After that bite, she enthusiastically took another one. She smiled sheepishly at Sakura as she noticed her look. Sakura smiled back and looked to her plate. She looked up as she heard someone enter the room. The old man glided in with a bottle on a tray. He stopped at Eriol’s seat, picked up his goblet, and poured in a glassful of the wine substance in the bottle. He walked over to Syaoran.

Syaoran handed him his glass. Thank God... Syaoran took it back, full, and looked at it in appreciation. It was because of times like this he valued alcohol. He took a drink, savoring its taste. Eriol, of course, had somehow picked up the best wine Syaoran had ever tasted. He glared at him for no particular reason, then resumed his glare across to the wall.

Sakura bit her lip nervously, looking at the full glass in front of her. She had no idea what kind of an alcohol tolerance she had. She hadn’t drinken anything in her life, asides from possibly a taste of something her dad had every now and then. She hadn’t wanted to. She glanced over at Tomoyo. Tomoyo took a polite sip, her eyes inconspicuously watching Eriol. Sakura picked up the glass and took a similar small sip. It was sweet, but slightly sour. The taste lingered in her mouth when she swallowed. She squeezed her eyes shut for a second, letting it go down her throat, then looked to her roll.

"I can get you water, if you’d prefer," Eriol said, not even looking up from his plate.

Sakura looked up, irritated he had noticed. She shook her head bravely. "No, uh, it’s fine. Good, really."

"It’s very good wine," Chindra commented quietly, taking another drink of hers, then finishing off her second roll.

"I’ve had better cough syrup," Syaoran muttered under his breath completely lying. Eriol pretended not to hear him.

"It’s one of the oldest I had," He said, smiling and shaking it around like all professional wine testers do. He reached out and took something of a potato substance from a bowl. Sakura looked at it on his plate and decided she wanted some. She took some. The table became a flurry of passing and eating. Even Syaoran participated (grumpily) in getting some food.

"So how have you been since we last saw you?" Sakura ventured in, looking up from her forkfull of food.

Eriol smiled warmly. Sakura found herself staring at him. She looked back to Syaoran to dilute the image and continued into her food.

"I’ve been well, though... There have been some worries in my mind of your visit."

Sakura frowned. "What, you knew we were going to come?"

Eriol nodded. "Eventually."

"Well... I mean, you just disappeared. We never came to any conclusions. All of the sudden we un-erase Chindra and then you’re just gone. You’ve left a lot unexplained."

Syaoran glanced at Sakura across the table. She was being more direct than he had thought she was capable of. Perhaps she was getting a little less naive. He threw the thought out of his mind as he thought of their rejecting his advice of blitzkrieg.

Eriol nodded slowly, not looking up from his food. "Yes... It may not have been the most reasonable choice for that moment but it was one I had to make."

Sakura sighed at his cryptic answer. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Eriol chewed thoughtfully for a moment, then took a drink from his glass. "I suppose it means everything has its time. And that was not the time for conclusion."

Sakura gave a disatisfied sigh and took a long drink from her glass, forgetting what it was. She involuntarily shivered after swallowing it. She ate silently for a while. The sounds of clinking forks and glasses setting down echoed through the room. Sakura glanced at Tomoyo. She hadn’t said anything since they had sat down. She stirred around her food, thinking what it might mean.

"Why should I trust you enough to sleep in your home, I mean... how do I know you won’t erase me out of existence again?" Chindra asked boldly. Sakura looked over at her. Her brown eyes burnt passionately. Sakura couldn’t blame her. I bet I’d be a little bitter if I met the person that had completely taken away a year and a half of my life. She frowned, looking at Syaoran sitting next to her. They matched way too well. She resigned to her food in jealous concern, forgetting the importance of Eriol’s response.

"You have my word. And if that isn’t enough, be assured that you can keep that from happening again, being the growing magician you are."

Chindra glared unsurely. She shook her head and went to her food. Sakura looked up a moment after he answered, finally snapping out of her silent jealousy. She smiled weakly for Chindra, then glanced at Tomoyo again. It wasn’t like her to be so distant from a conversation. What she saw disturbed her enough to look away immediately. Tomoyo was looking towards Eriol with the most emotion Sakura had ever seen her friend have. Her eyes were in some kind of desperate pleading. She dared to sneak a furtive sidelong glance at Eriol. He had his drink raised to his mouth, taking a long draught of wine. His eyes, however, looked just over the tip of it, calmly staring down Tomoyo for an endless instant before returning to setting down his glass on the table. Sakura bit her lip, anxiously shovelling in a mouthful of the potato dish. She didn’t think she was supposed to see that. I wonder what that was about...

Sakura finished the contents of her plate quietly. She managed to catch a few looks at Syaoran when she thought he wasn’t paying attention. He was doing his best to remain uninterested in everything. Still, something had changed about him. He seemed unable to keep his hateful front up against her. Maybe I’m finally making progress? Maybe... She swallowed and glanced at him wistfully. He noticed her this time, giving her a questioning glare. She tried to pretend she was looking at the wall past him. He didn’t seem too convinced. She looked back to her plate when it was safe and collected the last of the food. She let her thoughts drift back to Tomoyo and Eriol. She smiled at her friend, hoping to evoke some kind of explanation. Tomoyo just smiled absently, her eyes a little too involved with the plate in front of her. Sakura sighed. I wonder what she’s really thinking? I can’t help but be a little worried what he could do to her... Sakura took a short sip of her drink, scanning her eyes casually over the table to catch a glimpse of Eriol. He continued eating his food with a cool sophistication, looking totally affable and comfortable.

Weird... Sakura looked at her glass of wine. She had barely drinken three fourths of it. She had finished her food, now it just sat, wasted. Everyone else seemed to have made great headway into their drinks. Hers loomed in front of her. She took a breath and took another long drink. Her eyes seemed to spin for a second. She shut them for a moment, starting to fret over the effects the alcohol might have on her. She hesitated, then took another long drink, glad to see it halfway empty. She sucked it in, then took a long drink, swallowing it before she had a chance to taste it. It was now at a comfortable low in the glass. She swallowed the remnants of it and sat back into her chair, feeling drowsy.

Tomoyo cast a worried look at her friend. Sakura’s eyes were starting to look a little glazed. She held back a smile and looked to her own plate. Poor Sakura-chan... She’s not going to feel very good later on... Tomoyo couldn’t help but smile. She must have no tolerance for alcohol whatsoever... She smiled at Sakura. Sakura managed a smile. She looked very tired. Tomoyo shook her head and looked back to her food. She couldn’t help but feel like Eriol’s eyes were on her. And yet, any time she dared to look at him, he was involved in something else.

"Your house is beautiful," Tomoyo forced out, smiling hopefully down the table at Eriol. He looked up, making no expression whatsoever. He seemed to have gone stone cold the moment she spoke. He blinked at her, then forced a weak smile, looking back to his food.

"Thank you," He responded quietly, not skipping a beat.

Had Sakura not been so involved in debating whether she was drunk or not, she may have noticed the odd exchange. Syaoran, on the other hand, was scowling profusely. She’s completely obsessed with him... He frowned in thought, wondering what Eriol’s response could mean. Could he possibly.... Syaoran watched him in thought. Eriol glanced at him in question. Syaoran scowled back.

"As I said, feel free to walk around as you please," Eriol said, setting his fork down on his plate. "The pool in the courtyard is open, if you’d like to swim. The bathroom is at the end of your hall. There’s also a library downstairs. If you get hungry, feel free to come by the kitchen. But I’m afraid I must finish my work before I can spend more time with you." He stood up, pushing his chair out. "I will do my best to finish it before tomorrow. And tomorrow, we will come to the conclusion."

Sakura managed to glance up, eyes twitching in ways she hadn’t thought possible. Chindra frowned. Tomoyo held her sorrowful stare. Syaoran scowled. "Tomorrow?" He asked, his eyes narrowing in challenge.

"Yes," Eriol replied calmly. "Tomorrow."

"You better not have anymore fucking excuses," Syaoran muttered, looking very irritated.

Eriol nodded politely, then excused himself out of the room. Syaoran watched him disappear behind the door, then let out a long sigh.

Chindra glared towards the doors, shaking her head. "He’s scared," She said simply.

Syaoran nodded in agreement. "Who knows what he’s planning. This was a bad idea, ‘negotiating’."

Chindra let out a long sigh, then looked to Sakura for more guidance. "Do you think we can really talk out of this?"

Sakura blinked to attention. "Urm...I dunno..."

Tomoyo smiled, looking at the plate in front of her. The action drawed Syaoran and Chindra’s curious attention. Sakura remained looking at the last place she had brought her eyes to.

"You are unusually quiet, Daidouji-san," Syaoran commented.

Tomoyo looked up, smiling weakly. "I will leave the solving of magic problems for the magicians."

Syaoran glared at her for making a good excuse. He looked back to Sakura. "We should probably go back to our rooms, he could be listening or something." He frowned as it took Sakura a second to blink her way over to him. Her eyes looked slightly glazed. She nodded in agreement.

Syaoran got up, followed by the rest of them. They made their way to the door.

"We have to stay on our guard tonight, in case he tries to pull anything," Syaoran continued. Sakura didn’t respond. He glanced over at her. She seemed unbalanced.

Sakura remained quiet for a while, being unusually focussed on walking. Tomoyo watched her uncertainly. "Sakura-chan..." Sakura blinked, looking back at Tomoyo and smiling.

Syaoran shook his head. "You’re drunk."

Sakura frowned, realizing he was talking about her. She shook her head immediately. The action caused the room to complete a full 360 degree turn around her. Tomoyo grabbed her elbow to steady her. "I am not," Sakura retorted.

Syaoran watched her continue into her drifting walk, not in the least convinced. "Yes. You are," He confirmed.

Sakura shook her head, concentrating a little more on staying straight. "How could I be, that was just a little glass of wine, not vadca or anything..."

Tomoyo smiled sympathetically. "I think he’s right, Sakura-chan. You just can’t handle much alcohol."

Sakura stopped and glared at the both of them. "I’m not! I’m just tired!" She cried, getting a little too upset about it to be sober.

Tomoyo slowed with her friend, shaking her head kindly. "It’s nothing to get upset over Sakura-chan, it happens to people all the time..."

Sakura shook her head, forcing herself towards the stairs. "Well, believe it if you want guys, but I’m not."

Chindra grinned as she watched Sakura amble her way up the stairs in front of her. She was determined, at least. "Has she ever drunken anything before?" She whispered to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo smiled, shaking her head. "She never wanted to."

Syaoran couldn’t help but be amused. Sakura was trying so hard to look normal. She wasn’t the least bit persuasive. He kept closeby down the long hallway in the case she’d fall. Tomoyo and Chindra followed suit, keeping a close eye on her. She stopped at her door, not seeming to notice they had all followed her.

"So what are you guys going to do?" Sakura asked, yawning and then blinking her eyes back into focus.

Tomoyo shook her head. "I think you should go to bed."

Sakura frowned, stomping her foot. She had to grab the wall to find her balance. She had no idea how ridiculous she was looking. "I’m just tired!"

Tomoyo smiled, nodding quickly. "Yes, which is why you should go to bed..."

Sakura pouted, looking irritated. She finally nodded slowly. "I guess..."

"We’ll figure out what to do with Eriol later. You go in and rest."

Sakura smiled appreciatively at Tomoyo, then glanced at Syaoran. He looked amused. She wondered what was so entertaining for a brief moment. Her eye lids weighed down. She looked towards her door, cautiously taking her hand off the wall beside her. "Well... later..." She yawned, opening her door and stumbling towards her bed. After she was a good ten feet away, Syaoran sighed, walked over, and shut her door for her.

Tomoyo giggled. "That’s going to be something to watch later," She laughed, patting her camera.

Chindra shook her head. "That’s just cruel..."

Tomoyo smiled, nodded in agreement, then became serious. "Well I guess I’m going to go for another walk, since there’s nothing else to do. What are you guys doing?"

Chindra glanced at Syaoran, then back to Tomoyo. "I don’t know, I think I might go check out the library he was talking about..."

Tomoyo nodded in agreement, then looked to Syaoran.

"I’ll stay here I guess," He mumbled, not really wanting to leave Sakura’s general perimeter with her in such a delicate state.

Tomoyo smiled warmly. Syaoran really was starting to give in to some of his old self. She hoped Sakura wasn’t giving up. "Could you tell Sakura-chan I went for a walk, if she wakes up any time soon?"

Syaoran nodded reluctantly.

"Well... I’ll see you guys later I suppose," Tomoyo said, smiling. Chindra nodded, then they parted ways. Syaoran walked across the hall to his door and escaped into the solace of privacy. He walked over and sat on the corner of his bed, feeling slightly tired.

His thoughts drifted immediately to her. It was just like her to do something so innocent and accidental. He looked towards the window. Tomoyo is probably looking for Eriol again. Who knows what she’s really thinking... Syaoran couldn’t help but feel some doubt at the thought. Tomoyo did seem sincere in her friendship with Sakura. Still, he couldn’t put it past Eriol to play some kind of mind game with the girl. He got to his feet and walked over to the window, looking for nothing and everything in one look. It eluded him.

I can’t escape this, can I?

______________________________________________________

Sakura opened her eyes. Her body felt ten times heavier than she remembered it being. She tried to adjust her eyes on the spinning ceiling. It slowly settled into a solid color. She looked around the room, searching for defined shapes and colors. They took a little while to come into view. She frowned. Why did I wake up? She glanced towards the window. It looked about sunset. Why am I sleeping so early? Her stomach panged with a fresh wave of nausea. She cringed and sat up, feeling even more dizzy than before.

This headache’s horrible! Slowly it hit her. I drank all the wine... at least... all that one glass... She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to remember a more distinguishable memory. It ran from her. I was sitting there wondering whether I was drunk, then... then what? We must have walked back up here... She looked around the room. It was very quiet. Her stomach waved around again, this time sending unpleasant feelings up her throat. She forced herself onto her feet and headed for the door. There was no one in the hallway. She was glad. She made her way down to the bathroom in the hall and locked the door behind her. She collapsed against the wall and shut her eyes.

Her stomach rolled around in repulsive waves. She shut her eyes tightly, preparing herself to throw up whatever good food she had enjoyed in the dinner she barely remembered. The wave passed. She wondered if it would have felt better if she just threw it up and got it over with. She took a few deep breaths, then slowly got to her feet. The sink was in front of her. She looked at the mirror that hung above it. She looked terrible. She turned on the water and got a handful of water, then splashed her face. It felt good. She did it again. It was great. She continued doing it until she got tired of bending over the sink. She glanced over at the bath tub at the other corner of the spacious bathroom.

It would be much more practical to just take a shower... The thought of having hot water running over her made her stomach immediately feel a little better. She looked around for towels. There was a closet to her left. She opened it. Towels were plentiful. She took a big fluffy one and walked over to the tub. There was a shower completely installed. She figured it would be smarter to take the shower, even though a bath sounded beautiful. She turned on the water, fiddled until she got the water hot, then collapsed to sit on top of the toilet cover. She took another few breaths, trying to calm her raging stomach. She stripped off her clothes, then jumped under the hot water.

The shower was just what she needed. She stood under it, almost drifting into sleep a few times before reminding herself she was standing. The hot water soothed away some of the ache in her head. Her stomach slowly settled into a comfortable place in her midsection. She stood for endless minutes, giving no heed to the fact she was using up all the heated water. Her skin slowly warmed up. She let the heat permeate her entire body before she finally turned the water off. She immediately wrapped herself in her chosen towel and sat back down. Steam rose out of the room. She closed her eyes again, letting the silence roar through her head.

She sat there for a long while, trying to clear her head as best she could. If she sat perfectly still, it was almost as if she didn’t have a headache. The slightest movement, however, caused the room to lurch in sickening ways. She forced herself up, leaving the sanctuary of her towel and hurrying back into her clothes. She wiped the steam off the mirror and looked herself over. She looked a little better. She brushed through her wet hair until it looked decent, then stepped back. Maybe Tomoyo brought some medicine for a headache...

Sakura set her towel over the edge of the bathtub, then bravely headed back out into the hallway. The air seemed freezing. She hugged her arms around her chest and headed towards Tomoyo’s room. She glanced at Syaoran’s door as she passed by, then directed all her attention to Tomoyo. She knocked on the door and waited. When no answer came, she knocked again, pondering where on earth her friend could be.

"She told me to tell you she went for a walk," Syaoran’s voice cut down the hallway. Sakura spun around, pausing to steady herself. Syaoran leaned coolly in his doorway a ways down the hallway. Sakura smiled weakly at him.

"Oh...Thanks." She glanced at Tomoyo’s door once more, then turned. Syaoran was about to slip back into his room. "I don’t suppose you have any medicine for headaches?"

Syaoran stopped, turning and shaking his head. "Sorry. How do you feel, besides the headache?"

Sakura let out a long breath. "Terrible. I took a shower and it helped a little... I don’t feel as sick... But I have no idea why people would do this on purpose." She walked towards her door, staying in the middle of the hallway. She stopped in front of him. He was looking back at her. It hit her that he had actually started the conversation and initiated her attention. She quickly tried to take the opportunity. "Um...are you busy? I mean, am I bothering you?"

Syaoran glanced to the floor in deep consideration. Sakura watched him carefully. A week ago he wouldn’t have hesitated before saying ‘yes, go away’. Now he looked like he was actually almost halfway glad she asked. He met her eyes, startling her once more with that deepset sadness. He shook his head. Sakura smiled broadly at him, taking no time to sweep passed him into his room. She slowed her pace as her head began to swim with the movement and plunked down into a chair set by the window.

"I didn’t say anything stupid, did I?"

Syaoran shook his head, reluctantly shutting the door and following her in. "No. You weren’t that drunk, though."

Sakura nodded weakly, turning her head to gaze out the window. Dusk had settled. Everything had a grey glow to it. Sakura looked back to Syaoran. He sat on the edge of his bed, looking bored. "Well I really feel dumb. It’s pathetic."

Syaoran managed a weak smile in response. His eyes drifted over to her. She still looked like the alcohol was hanging onto her. Through it all she managed to look beautiful. He sighed and looked away.

Sakura waited for Syaoran to respond. He didn’t. He seemed side tracked with something. She searched for something to talk about. "So Tomoyo is out walking again? What’s Chindra doing?"

"Last I knew she was going to the library. That was a couple hours ago, though."

Sakura looked back out the window. "Oh. Eriol has his own library?"

"Apparently," Syaoran answered, rubbing his eyes sleepily and leaning back on his elbows.

Sakura shook her head. Her head pounded. She massaged her temples for a moment. "Eriol didn’t forget anything when he built this house..." Syaoran nodded in response. She sat up straight, blinking her eyes awake. "So Tomoyo went for a two hour walk? What have you been doing?"

Syaoran sighed. "Just.... sitting around."

Sakura frowned skeptically. "Sitting around?"

"And thinking," Syaoran offered, looking out the window lazily.

"Ah," Sakura finally said. She leaned her head on her hand, shutting her eyes as a particularly strong ache surged through. She opened her eyes to find Syaoran watching her. He almost looked concerned on her behalf.

"You know... when I was in Hong Kong, I found getting fresh air sometimes helps," Syaoran said, hating himself as he said it.

Sakura looked at him, brightening slightly. She carefully got to her feet and looked out into the courtyard. Everything was starting to look dark. She turned to Syaoran sheepishly. "Would you mind going with me? It’s starting to look creepy outside..."

Syaoran looked like a deer in headlights. He blinked and looked towards his door. He let out a sigh. "I guess," he mumbled, getting to his feet and heading to the door without looking back. Sakura smiled to herself and headed after him, slowing to keep her stomach at bay. Syaoran walked into the hall quietly, heading towards the stairs. Sakura stepped up beside him and walked with light contentment despite her heavy head.

"So... none of you felt sick or anything?" She asked, being extra cautious as she made her way down the stairs.

"Um...no," Syaoran responded. He didn’t bother to add he had such a sadly high alcohol tolerance, he could have drunken the whole bottle and probably been alright. "I don’t think, anyways," He added, not sure if Chindra or Tomoyo were good at hiding it.

Sakura let out a sigh, feeling even more embarassed than earlier. "But you’re a regular at it?" She finally guessed.

Syaoran bit on his bottom lip for a while. "I suppose so," he agreed. "But... I dunno, I was pretty good at acting normal. Like.. I went to training a couple times with a hangover. My sensei caught on eventually but... I managed to get by for a while."

Sakura bit down her smile. It shouldn’t really be funny. The thought of Syaoran going out and doing stupid teenage activities was sad. Still, she could imagine him barely scraping by with a pulsing headache and nauseous stomach. "Quite respectable of you," She laughed sarcastically.

Syaoran let out a sigh. "I know."

Sakura yawned and glanced sideways at him. He was unreadable. "You know you-" She trailed off, noticing Chindra coming down the hall. The girl was emmersed in a book, unaware of their presence. Sakura smiled. "Hey!"

Chindra looked up, surprised. She smiled. "Ah, out of bed are we?"

Sakura sighed and tried not to blush. "Yeah... hey, you wouldn’t happen to have any headache medicine would you?"

Chindra shook her head apologetically. "Sorry."

Sakura shrugged. "It’s alright. It was my fault..."

Chindra smiled sympathetically. "Well it happens to everybody. Don’t sweat it."

Sakura shrugged. "Well... what are you up to?"

"Going back to my room to read, maybe take a shower, then I think I’ll sleep for a couple days."

Sakura grinned. "Sounds wonderful. I’m going to walk outside and try to clear my head and then I think I’ll follow suit."

Chindra nodded, giving Syaoran a glance before smiling. He was just following her around everywhere. She felt like rejoicing for her friend. "Well I suppose I’ll probably just meet up with you guys whenever in the morning."

Sakura nodded. "Okay. Oh, um, have you seen Tomoyo walking around anywhere?"

Chindra shook her head after a pause. "Nope."

Sakura shrugged. "No big deal. Well, enjoy your book."

Chindra smiled warmly. "Thanks. Hope you feel better."

Sakura smiled weakly, waiting for Chindra to pass them. She glanced at Syaoran. He seemed to have spaced out in the conversation. He gave her an annoyed look and continued on towards outside. Sakura let silence settle over them for a while, trying to enjoy just being with him again.

"So..." Sakura started, following Syaoran down the last hallway before the courtyard doors.

"So..." Syaoran responded, not giving any effort.

Sakura sighed. "Did you get in a lot of trouble when your sensei found out you had been drinking?"

Syaoran shook his head. "He didn’t really care. Just told me not to do it again."

Sakura smiled grimly. "Did you?"

Syaoran let out a short breath. "Yes. But I ended up going on a mission or something, so he didn’t know."

"Ah," Sakura responded, following him through the doorway to the outdoors. There was a quiet breeze blowing, rustling the treetops gently. Leaves crashed into each other with the gentle grace of a summer wind. The pool was nearby, and reflected the last of the light in the night sky. Sakura smiled. It was so romantic. She glanced at Syaoran. He didn’t seem to care. "Well Syaoran-kun, I hope you’re careful about it. For some reason beyond me, it’s very addictive..."

Syaoran shrugged. "I know. I’m fine, it’s just... I guess you wouldn’t know unless your life was fucked up but... It’s one of the few things that makes life tolerable."

Sakura let out a long sigh. She headed over to a swing that was secured onto a big oak tree. She sat down gratefully, watching Syaoran to see if he would sit beside her. He did, though a good ways away. "I hate to hear you say things like that, Syaoran-kun."

Syaoran looked at her warily, then looked out into the garden. "I’m not going to lie to you. I mean, you just have no idea, how pointless life is when no one is looking out for you, caring about you in the least..."

Sakura frowned, watching him carefully. "But your sisters, Meilin-chan, I-"

"My sisters don’t even know who I am," Syaoran interrupted coldly. "To them, I’m a source of income, a highly successful boy with quite a future, someone a little strange but lucky none the less. All they see of me is what I let them see of me. They have no idea I could be unhappy."

Sakura kicked her feet into the ground, frowning. "Meilin-chan-"

"Meilin might see through me. But Meilin is just concerned because she’s known me so long. It’s just habit for her, to follow after me. She doesn’t care for me, she would just rather not have the inconvenience of not having me around."

"But I care about you, Syaoran. I love you," Sakura said, feeling pathetic as she said it. She bit into her bottom lip nervously.

"Those are weak words, Sakura," Syaoran said through his teeth, glaring at her in a way that made her want to hide under a nearby rock. "I left Japan after you told me you didn’t care. And I left for two and a half years. Two and a half fucking years that you never called or wrote or... or anything. I could have dropped off the face of the planet and you wouldn’t have cared. For all you knew, I did. And that was fine with me. It was perfect, because I was able to spend that time forgetting about you and everything in Japan. Then you just show up all the sudden..."

Sakura let out a long breath. "But don’t you get it? I mean, I was really trying to keep you safe..."

Syaoran shook his head. He wasn’t going to stay dull and emotionless this time. "No. Why would you just show up now and decide to get my help anyways? Did your dream go away for a while or something? You decided it was okay?"

"I didn’t want to! I didn’t, but I finally decided I had to, because it was the only way all of this would settle. And, if you remember, I’ve been begging you to go home since we left. I hated myself for doing what I did. But I really thought it was the right thing..."

Syaoran let out a long sigh. "You could have... called. Written a letter...I don’t care. Anything would have made me hope I was wrong. But you just seemed to reinforce what I didn’t want to believe. And so I finally accepted it, moved on and changed. Now you just expect me to give all of that up for some story about a bad dream and some bad feelings..."

Sakura felt herself getting frustrated. She also found her headache getting very strong. "Syaoran I just... I just wanted you to be happy and safe.... I’m really sorry about it. Really, I am, it was the dumbest thing I could have done, and I hate myself for lying but... But I mean, don’t you see why I..." She trailed off. She couldn’t find the right words. She dared to look at him. An intense scowl covered any emotions that could have been trailing around in his head. She took a deep breath and attempted to take his hand to emphasize her point. He took it back.

"Sakura..." Syaoran started, looking the other direction. He left her name hanging in the air for a while. Finally he turned to her. "I’m sorry I didn’t guess something like that was going on. And I’m sorry you didn’t tell me. But... I’m different."

Sakura looked back into his eyes for a while, nodding in agreement. She let out a long breath, leaning over her knees. He was a tough one to get to. She pondered how tired she was for a long time. The wind blew through her hair. Her head didn’t feel quite as heavy. She yawned and rubbed her tired eyes. Finally Syaoran stood up.

"You should get back and get some rest."

Sakura looked at him, trying to force a weak smile. It didn’t come. She nodded slowly and got to her feet. She felt dizzy. She waited for it to pass, then trailed behind him towards the door. They walked down the hallway silently. Sakura fell into step beside him. They slowly went up the stairs. She glanced at Syaoran. He was becoming unreadable again. She knew he would want to split up and go to their different rooms. But some part of him, she felt, was giving her attention once more. She didn’t want to give up when she felt so close. They were approaching their rooms now. Sakura glanced towards Chindra’s door. All was quiet. She looked to Tomoyo’s. The same.

Syaoran was stopping at his door now. He stood there, hesitating for a moment. Finally he turned back to Sakura. His eyes were heavy and deep upon her. "You should... you should stop wasting your time on me."

Sakura looked back at him for a while, feeling mentally drained. She doubted any other teenage relationship on the planet was as dramatic as theirs. "If I go, I’ll just be sulking about how I’d rather be here with you. Might as well save myself the misery, right?"

Syaoran looked at her for a moment. He looked at the floor. He looked at the door over her shoulder. If she wants to save me, why should I try to stop her? How can I be hurt by that? He opened the door behind him and let her in.

Sakura waited for Syaoran to turn on the light before heading back to the chair she had sat in earlier. She watched him happily as he walked to the edge of the bed and sat again. She smiled broadly at him. "Thanks for going out there with me. I think it did help."

Syaoran gave her an acknowledging look before zoning out.

Sakura continued to watch him, trying to figure out what on earth he was thinking. She sighed with defeat and looked back out into the window. Everything was black. "I wonder if Tomoyo is still out there?"

Syaoran glanced towards the window, momentarily ignoring his conflicting mind. "She isn’t being very smart about any of it. She’s going to get hurt."

Sakura continued to look into the night scene, worried he might be right. She sighed and looked back to him. "He took so much from her. I can’t blame her for wanting to see him."

Syaoran let out a sigh and shook his head. "She’d be better off staying away from all of it. I know I would, if I could."

Sakura nodded reluctantly. "But I trust her. She’s just doing whatever it is she needs to do. Just like I need to relentlessly bother you."

Syaoran may have slightly raised one side of his face in what may have been a very small smile. Whether it was or not is up for interpretation. He sat quiet for a while, staring at the wall in front of him. Sakura shuffled around in her chair. She yawned, then sat up straight.

"It’s so different, not having a television constantly in the background or anything. It’s so... quiet."

Syaoran nodded in response. He could feel her eyes watching him. He reluctantly looked at her. She looked tired. He wondered why she bothered putting the effort to making conversation when she could be sleeping. She was thinking about asking him something deep again. He didn’t mind.

"Will you be able to trust me again? Like... even a little bit?"

Syaoran let out a long sigh. He stared hard into the floor for a while. He dragged his eyes up. "I guess we’ll see." He glanced towards the door for no particular reason. Sakura sat quiet, thinking over his answer. He looked back to her. "You flat out lied to my face, Sakura."

Sakura nodded reluctantly. "I’m so sorry... but..." She let out a sigh. They were talking in circles. "I can’t apologize to you anymore Syaoran. What I did wasn’t right. You can... you can go on hating me, I’ll understand."

Syaoran eyed her warily. "I don’t hate you."

Sakura blinked in alarm, looking at him immediately. He was giving her one of his heaviest looks. She felt her eyes tearing up at the sight of it. She felt like repeating his sentence a few hundred times. If I ran over there and hugged him, would he be freaked out? She settled with just envisioning it for the moment. "I’m glad," She managed quietly. She contemplated adding ‘how do you feel, exactly’, but decided it was pushing it. She tore her eyes away from him, searching for something else intelligible to say. Nothing came.

"Tomoyo is in love with him," Syaoran said after the silence was unbearable. Sakura looked up questioningly.

"What? Eriol-kun?"

Syaoran nodded.

Sakura frowned, thinking it over. "I mean... I know she has a lot of weird memories about him...I don’t think she loves him."

Syaoran smiled. "Maybe if you hadn’t been drunk you would have noticed the looks she was giving him."

Sakura shook her head. "I dunno... I mean, I caught them looking at each other once... But Eriol... he doesn’t care. And Tomoyo-chan... she’s just confused. She has all these memories she wants to straighten out with him. That’s all it is."

Syaoran shook his head, unconvinced. "She had visions of all of it, right?"

Sakura nodded slowly. "Y-yeah... but..."

"So to her, it’s like it all really happened. Maybe those years of her life were replaced by someone else. But to her, it’s like she did all of it. And I’m sure she can’t help but feel something for him. She was one of his most valuable assistants. Who knew what went on with them."

Sakura bit into her lower lip, thinking. Eventually she sighed in defeat. "It’s all so unfair. So messed up... I never thought Eriol-kun would do anything like this."

Syaoran shrugged simply. "I always knew he had it in him."

Sakura grinned. "You were paranoid of him from day one. But that’s not to say you’re not paranoid of everyone at first..."

Syaoran shook his head. "He’s different. He’s too smart for his own good. The only hope we have is that he slips up somewhere obvious."

Sakura rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Yeah..."

Syaoran looked at her with almost a sympathetic eye. "If you’re tired, you should go to sleep. Tomorrow we should fight him. I really shouldn’t stay longer."

Sakura nodded warily. "Yeah... but I’m not tired." At his skeptical expression she laughed. "Okay, maybe I am. But Syaoran, I was completely depressed in Japan all that time. I would stay up every night pining away at how much I wanted to be with you. Now that I can be, it seems completely stupid to go to sleep early."

Syaoran looked the other way, not knowing what to think. "Well... it’s your own damn fault..." He mumbled.

Sakura smiled sheepishly. "I know." She picked at a nail on her hand for a while, then looked back up at him. He was just staring off into space. His eyes seemed a little calmer every hour. She wondered if she could really be having an effect on him at all. She glanced towards the window. It was a black void. She looked back into the yellow lit room. "Do you really think Eriol just wants to hurt us?"

Syaoran let out a sigh. He sat quiet for a while, pausing in the intelligent way he did. "Eriol wants control back. I don’t think his number one priority is causing us damage but... I don’t think he’ll go out of his way to avoid it. He’ll do what must be done, I guess..."

Sakura nodded, her expression turning grave. Her dreams were vividly flashing through her mind. She looked back at Syaoran with teary eyes. He wasn’t watching her. She was glad. She rubbed her tired eyes once more, then looked to the floor. "That’s why I should have left you in Hong Kong," Sakura finally said in a quiet, weak voice. She gathered up more strength and continued. "I know you think it’s dumb... maybe it is. Maybe the whole thing’s childish. But I..." She trailed off, her voice starting to give out. She cursed the tears that sprung up.

Syaoran frowned, watching her. She did not look at him. She really thought, with all her heart, she was going to cause him trouble. She was willing to live alone and miserable just so he would be spared. She had never stopped being selfless. "I’m not going to let anything happen to me, or you, for that matter," Syaoran said reassuringly. The smart thing to do would have been pull her into a hug and let her cry onto his shoulder. But she sat alienated in that chair and he sat on the edge of the bed.

Sakura sniffed loudly. "I’m sorry! I hate breaking down like this all the time... I’m like a freaking drama queen..."

Syaoran grinned. "I know you only do it if you mean it."

Sakura managed a weak smile, keeping her eyes on the floor. Her smile faded quickly. "I don’t want to lose you, Syaoran-kun...Not again." Tears continued to tumble down her cheeks. Syaoran felt it agonizing him. He couldn’t stand it.

He got to his feet and walked hesitantly to her. He stood in front of her a moment. She didn’t look up at him. He looked down at her. She brushed her tears from her face. She feels so much pain for me. Maybe she was being honest all along... He leaned down and wordlessly picked her up. Sakura seemed slightly bewildered by it, but said nothing to stop him. He walked her to the side of the bed and gently laid her down. She stared at him in astonishment. He picked up the blankets and quietly laid them on her. She watched him silently, her eyes drying. He walked passed her, heading towards the door.

Syaoran flipped the lightswitch. He paused for a moment for the blackness to settle. Sakura watched him through the dark, not moving from where he had placed her. He walked back to the bed, looking through the dark a moment longer before quietly slipping under the blankets next to her. He laid perfectly still on his back, staring at the ceiling. She laid perfectly still beside him, barely breathing. He shut his eyes. It made no difference. He left them open. Sakura hesitated, then moved closer to him. He laid his hand on her arm. She laid hers across his stomach and leaned her head on his chest. He shut his eyes and slept.

______________________________________________________

Tomoyo tried to steady her once calm hand from trembling. The door in front of her was the only thing seperating her from him. She stood before it yet again. She needed to make a decision. She could either confront him and know the truth, or live ignorant of the truth and safe from any dangers ensnared within it. The doorknob called to her hand. She knew it wasn’t locked. She almost felt as though he was expecting her. Thinking of it, it wasn’t beyond him to forsee it. She inched towards it. Her hand moved almost unattached from the rest of her. She grasped the cold metal knob. She twisted it. It turned smoothly. She pulled the door open, looking calmly into the study spreading in front of her.

Eriol’s blue eyes looked up with calm irritation for a moment. She looked back into them. He would not intimidate her. She understood him. She was his threat. He was not going to scare her into irrationality. Their eyes held for an endless second, conveying messages words could never encompass. Eriol dropped his eyes to the paper in front of him, smoothly returning to his writing.

"It is late. You should be resting."

Tomoyo stood in the door way, straight and poised. She clasped her hands together. "Perhaps I am resting, and this is simply another dream of a memory not my own."

Eriol set down his pen, looking slightly perturbed. He stared at the paper in front of him for a good while. Tomoyo stood patiently. He looked back up at her. "What would you have me say?"

Tomoyo took a step forward boldly. "The truth."

"Of what?" Eriol responded, his eyes on her prudently.

Her eyes narrowed in an almost indetectable manner. Eriol detected it. "Is what I have felt another of your creations? Did I maintain any control of myself, through your control?"

Eriol took his pen between his fingers and tapped it. It was not the pen she had given him. It was plain and ugly. "I cannot say."

Tomoyo took another step forward. "Why is that?"

Eriol glared at her. "You were a vessel for my bidding. Your purpose for me was to keep them apart, to sustain direction over them. You have failed. What you felt was of no importance to me."

Tomoyo’s eyes shined. She pleaded with her look. "Are you so frightened to feel for anything?"

Eriol looked back to his paper. "There is no need to feel."

Tomoyo continued to his desk, peircing into him with her eyes. "You once called me your love."

"What better way to teach Sakura the lesson of trust than to show her the betrayal of loyalty?" He began writing again. Tomoyo placed her hand on his cold hand, stopping the writing process. He clenched his teeth for a moment.

"I have seen you through the lens you wished me to see you in. And now I see you as you are. You are your greatest enemy."

Eriol slowly retracted his hand, glaring coolly into her large grey eyes. He blinked calmly. "It is flattering, nonetheless, to have such a desirable attention. However, you have been mistaken. You are still the weak and powerless girl I replaced out of existence."

Tomoyo slid her hand back to her, tears beginning to make their way to the surface. "You have felt for me, Eriol-kun."

Eriol smiled sympathetically. "Touching, Tomoyo-san. If you would like to make some kind of bargain on your friend’s behalf, please do continue. But if you are just going to continue this tirade about old feelings you have been having, it may be better to consult your Sakura-san."

Tomoyo stared at him for a long hard while, trying to hold back the tears. A few escaped down her cheek. She let them. "What is the point of this, Eriol-kun?"

"The point?" Eriol asked, looking up at her and leaning back in his comfortable leather chair. "The point is, I have caused you and your friends much harm. And now I would like to reclaim the responsibility to myself."

Tomoyo looked at him with determination. "Why would you care if you have caused us harm? You do not feel sympathy for us."

"I feel sympathy for the sheer reason I have been such an obvious source of pain. It’s not in my nature to be so destructive and careless."

Tomoyo bit into her lower lip to steady it. "You do feel."

Eriol stared at her coolly, not moving from his comfortable position.

Her eyes were watering over at an overwhelming rate. "I wish with every part of me you will stop deceiving yourself."

His eyes continued to stare with their levelled serenity.

Tomoyo waited with a futile hope he would say anything. He was not going to say anything. He wouldn’t show her feeling. He was working on completely making it disappear. Soon there would be nothing left. Perhaps there was already nothing left. She let her tears stream down her cheeks freely. She would not be ashamed. She felt for him openly. "I still feel for you," She said quietly.

Eriol’s eyes may have shifted for a split second. Tomoyo paid it no heed. She turned quietly and walked towards the door. She hesitated, her back turned to him, then reluctantly pulled the door shut and continued down the hall. Eriol leaned into his hand, fingers tearing into his hair.

________________________________________________________________________

Sakura took a gasping breath, eyes flying open. She blinked cluelessly for a moment, remembering where she was. It hit her. She settled back against the pillow, taking a deep breath. The dream had been worse than it had ever been. It had been different. It had been completely out of order, jumping everywhere. Wild emotions had ran through, torturing her at every turn. She hadn’t been able to make sense of a single thing. And through the entire thing, she had felt Syaoran falling. She hadn’t been able to save him. Just as she woke up, she had felt him completely leave. It had been the worst feeling she had ever felt in her life. She still felt it just as strongly. She turned onto her side, facing him. His amber eyes blinked awake, reflecting what little light was in the room.

"Bad dream?" He guessed in a whisper. It seemed appropriate for the silence in the room.

Sakura nodded grimly. She looked back at him, surprised her eyes weren’t watering uncontrollably. She wrapped him in a tight hug, squeezing her eyes shut. "The worst," She whispered back, arms pulling him as tightly as possible to her. He tolerated it for a while, then gently pulled out. Sakura looked into his eyes. He looked back into hers.

"I’m going to be alright," he whispered, looking at her in all earnest and grave sincerity.

Sakura bit her lip for a moment, then leaned her head against his shoulder. "I don’t know," She said, her voice quivering.

She shivered irrepressibly. Syaoran stroked down her arm consolingly. "I do."

Sakura pulled away from him after a minute, settling onto her back. She stared at the ceiling for a while. It held no answers. She turned her head to him. "I’ve never felt so strongly about anything... And I feel so sure that .... that this is really going to happen..."

Syaoran gave her a weak smile in response, not knowing what else to do.

"What do you think Eriol will do?" She asked, turning her head back to the ceiling.

"Try to take your cards, get into a battle... lose to all three of us."

Sakura smiled weakly. "I guess..." She looked back at him. He watched her in concern. She stared into his eyes for a while, marvelling at him. She had finally found him. Maybe her dreams were just trying to force her into seperating from him again. Maybe it was all part of Eriol’s plan, to keep him away. To keep her weak. She slid her hand onto the side of his stomach. She frowned as her hand met his warm skin instead his Tshirt.

Syaoran picked up on it immediately and flushed. "Oh, uh..." He quickly slipped away from her, leaning over the side of his bed. "Sorry, I must have done that half asleep..."

Sakura grinned. "It’s okay." She watched him search around for his shirt for a while. "You have your pants on, right?" She asked after a moment, a little more worried about that fact. Syaoran turned for a second to look at her.

"What? Oh, yeah..." He turned back, hitting his elbow on something. "Damn it... Yeah, sorry, I just never sleep with my shirt on..." He fished around in the darkness. He must have thrown it half way across the room. Pretty good for being half asleep.

Sakura grabbed his arm, pulling him back up. "It’s alright," she repeated. He looked at her uncertainly.

"Are you sure? I mean...sorry, I don’t even remember-"

Sakura shook her head, laughing. "It’s okay! It’s not a big deal. Besides, it’s one of the few chances I’ve gotten to see you without your shirt."

Syaoran frowned for a moment, not sure how to take it, then reluctantly collapsed back on his side. He rubbed his sore elbow, then watched her. She looked back at him.

"So the obvious question is, why were you always so modest about that?" Sakura asked, laying on her side to face him.

Syaoran thought for a while. Eventually he managed the kind of shrug you can do when lying on your side. "I dunno... How often do you walk around with your shirt off?"

Sakura blushed brightly. "That’s different!"

Syaoran smiled for a moment, then shook his head. "Not really. The only difference is, you happen to have more tissue built up than I do."

Sakura refused to look at him for a moment, trying to find the best possible defense. "Well... Maybe anatomically. But we both know it has different meaning in culture, I couldn’t just walk around like that, no way."

Syaoran smiled, then looked passed her to the dark window. "Maybe I was making a cultural point."

Sakura laid there quietly for a while, looking around at the dark room. Finally she sighed. "Is that really why?"

Syaoran made a noise almost similar to a laugh. "I just hate the superficial attention it gets. Guys only do it to get more girls. It’s like the guys version of wearing a slutty bikini or something."

Sakura smiled weakly. "You didn’t have to do it to get girls, anyways..." She guessed, keeping a close eye on him. He looked back to her, his amber eyes looking sad. He smiled weakly, shrugging again.

Syaoran watched her for a while, feeling terribly about himself. She had no idea what a horrible person he had become. And the most painful thing was, she didn’t care. She was determined to love him no matter what. He let out a long breath, settling his hand on her arm. She made no objections. He massaged her shoulder, hoping to convey some of his regret to her without having to say it.

Sakura smiled sleepily, his touch lulling her into sleep once more. "Well for the record, I don’t think it’s superficial right now. You are merely being comfortable while you sleep."

Syaoran smiled a small smile in response. "I guess. It’s weird, I’m sorry."

Sakura shook her head. "Don’t be." She shivered violently and suddenly as his hand caught a ticklish part on her arm. He watched her for an explanation. "I’m...um, ticklish."

Syaoran frowned for a minute, his hand retracting in thought. "What....there?" He asked, doing it again. She giggled uncontrollably and pushed him away.

"Yes, quit!"

Syaoran eyed her apologetically, keeping to himself. A minute later, he attacked her again. Sakura laughed loudly, trying to get out. "Syaoran, if you don’t stop, I’m going to start screaming!" He just laughed in response. Sakura wriggled an arm out of his hold and desperately tried to find a ticklish spot on him. He moved back slightly as she caught him on the side of the stomach. She tickled him savagely. He laughed the most real laugh she had ever heard him laugh. She stopped, watching him in amazement. Syaoran went back on his side, smiling broadly at her.

"No one’s tickled me since I was like... seven..."

Sakura grinned. "Well... I hate being tickled. I can’t stand it. Touya used to pin me down and tickle me till I’d start crying."

Syaoran smiled at the thought. He looked into her eyes. Her green eyes were sparkling. He jumped on her, pinning her arms with one hand and tickling her again with the other. She shreiked. "Syaoran! I mean it!" She pushed him vainly with one hand, then wriggled uncontrollably. It was just too much. She laughed irrepressibly, tickling him back. The action made him weak for a minute. She threw him back on his side with a leg and tickled him back feircely. He pulled her tightly in against him with one arm. She kissed him. He kissed her back. She pressed her hand into his back, searching for something to steady herself on. His hand squeezed her shoulder. Finally she drew back, trembling and out of breath. She looked at him in a mixture of fear and awe. He shook as well. She stared into his eyes, searching for what he felt. It was the same as she felt. She looked down and nervously began unbuttoning her shirt. Syaoran’s eyes widened watching her. He slowly frowned.

"Wait...." She was already halfway down. "You shouldn’t-"

Sakura cut him off with another kiss, pulling off her shirt as she did. Syaoran reluctantly accepted it, shivering as her warm skin pressed against his. He hesitantly slid his hand around her smooth stomach. She seemed to be waiting for him to do something. Sakura pulled him closer still, waiting for him to undo her bra strap. He didn’t. She carried on without that, her hand sliding down his solid, defined stomach. His hand ran over her leg, making her feel dizzy. She fumbled for the button on his pants. His hand caught her. She stopped, waiting for him to let go of her hand. He didn’t. He laid still beside her, breathing heavily. She breathed the same, staring at him in shock, waiting for an explanation. He just lay, trembling. Finally he took her hand and set it back at her side.

"I can’t, I’m not...I didn’t..." He let out a sigh of frustration with himself. "I’m not a-"

"I know," Sakura said quickly, curling up against herself feeling miserable. "It doesn’t matter..."

"It does," Syaoran insisted, staring at her. She wasn’t looking at him. "Sakura I... I don’t deserve any of this. Don’t waste yourself on me."

Sakura frowned, looking at him passionately. "But it’s all my fault! You wouldn’t have if I hadn’t..."

Syaoran shook his head. "I’m not ending your innocence with my stupidity."

Sakura could feel tears welling up in her eyes. She blinked them away in anger, turning onto her back. "It’s my fault," She insisted quietly.

Syaoran watched her unsurely. "Sakura..." She was upset. He sighed. He had been a complete idiot, once more in his life. "I...If you were any other person, I would. But..." It wasn’t helping anything. "Would you... would you be with me, when we get back?"
Sakura frowned, reluctantly looking at him. "Of course I would," She said finally.

Syaoran smiled weakly. "Then let me show you what little self control I still have for you."

Sakura looked towards the window, blinking away the last of her angry tears. "But if I was anyone else..."

Syaoran sighed once more. "Not now, but... I would have... and not cared... In Hong Kong, when I kissed you, I wanted to prove to myself it didn’t matter. But I couldn’t do it. You’re too...pure or whatever it is you are."

Sakura turned to face him again, eyes shining with tears. "I’m not a little girl, Syaoran. Is that what you think of me as?"

Syaoran looked down for a moment, thinking. He looked back into her eyes painfully. "No. More of... an angel figure."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Right." She sighed a long sigh, her eyes watering still. "You could show anyone else that kind of love, but not me?"

Syaoran bit into his lip. "It wouldn’t be love. It would be selfishness and self gratification."

Sakura crossed her arms over her chest, shivering. "You can’t do it for love?"

Syaoran shook his head. "I’ll show you I can, if we wait until then."

Sakura frowned. "Until when?"

Syaoran sighed his own sigh. "Until we can be together."

Sakura couldn’t help but feel the bitter jealous tears that made their way around. She tried to force them away. She smiled a weak smile. Syaoran was doing whatever self sacrifice he could for her. She should be totally touched. "Thanks," she said weakly, meeting his eyes for the breifest of seconds. He smiled in relief.

Sakura turned her back, lying on her side. Syaoran laid against her, his hand stroking down her bare arm. She let out a peaceful breath.

"Was it just Chang-san?" Sakura finally asked, staring blankly towards the wall.

Syaoran sighed. This was going to be very painful for her. "No," He responded quietly.

"Was she your first?"

"No," Syaoran responded again.

Sakura bit into her lower lip, refusing to feel for that moment. "Who was?"

Syaoran rested his hand at her shoulder, letting out a long breath. "I, um...I don’t remember."

Sakura frowned despite her efforts to be numb. "You don’t remember?"

"I was... It was about a year and a half ago. I um... It was like the second time I had gotten drunk and... I was at some party... I woke up the next morning and figure out the rest."

Sakura swallowed hard. "You don’t even remember what she looks like?"

"No," Syaoran answered pathetically. "I don’t remember one bit of it. I um... That night, Meilin had showed up... she started asking me about you and I got upset..."

Sakura sighed. "So... how many others?"

Syaoran chewed on the inside of his lip for a while. "I um... I really don’t know... For a while, it was just like that... go to a party and escape... use a different one... I don’t remember much of any of it. Like it’s some kind of nightmare... I ended up deciding it would be easier to just use one for a while... so... I did..."

Sakura dug her nails into her palm, feeling the strong effects of jealousy. She sniffed miserably. Syaoran squeezed her shoulder sympathetically. She smiled weakly. "Well...I’m... I’m sorry..."

Syaoran frowned. He pulled her over, turning her towards him. She looked at him with wary eyes. "I’m sorry," he said, holding her gravely. She looked down, shading the tears that continually threatened to surface.

Sakura finally collapsed against his chest. She ran her fingers down the gently sloping muscles in his arm. He laid still for a while, blinking with tired eyes at the window across the room. Sakura tried desperately to get rein on her jealousy. She leaned her head back, getting a better look at him. He was gorgeous. She sighed a long sigh. What could she had expected? She blinked the tears away once more. He finally cares... I should be thrilled.. She forced a smile. She patted his arm affectionately. "You have got to be the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen in my entire life."

Syaoran frowned, backing up enough to be able to look her in the eye. He shook his head. "No..." He mumbled, not knowing what else to say.

Sakura sighed a despondent sigh. "You deserve to be lying here with some supermodel named Yvette or something."

Syaoran tried not to laugh because it seemed she was being serious. He finally smiled. "Not unless you have a secret life I don’t know about..."

Sakura seemed not to hear it. She dropped her hand off his side. "Do you think you could ever be attracted to me?"

Syaoran watched her skeptically for a moment. She really was being serious. "Sakura, you’ve got to be the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, I always thought that."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Thanks, but you don’t have to lie-"

Syaoran shook his head, grinning. "I’m not. I always thought you were beautiful, but when you showed up in Hong Kong, older and everything... I don’t know. What I just did was like a hormonal miracle. I don’t know where that strength to stop you came from. I wanted nothing more than to completely attack you and tear off your clothes..."

Sakura giggled. "Well that’s so sweet Syaoran-kun. I still don’t believe you."

Syaoran sighed, then shook his head. "Whatever. Don’t, but it’s true."

Sakura glanced at him. He looked so cute, almost innocent, staring at her with his sleepy eyes. She reached over and ruffled his hair. He frowned, watching her cautiously.

"I always wanted to do that," Sakura explained.

"What? Mess up my hair?"

Sakura shook her head. "No, just play around with it. You’ve got the coolest hair, you know?"

Syaoran watched her uncertainly for a moment, then sighed. "Whatever. Do as you please, I don’t mind."

Sakura took the invitation and cuddled closer to him, running her fingers through his hair. He shut his eyes for a while, then yawned. "You’re putting me to sleep," he mumbled. Sakura grinned.

"We’re going to be so tired tomorrow..."

Syaoran opened his eyes again, wrapping his left arm over her. "I feel more awake now than I ever have."

Sakura smiled and nodded in agreement, then continued fiddling with his hair. Eventually she gave up and returned her hand to his arm. The warmth of his skin transferred onto hers. She shut her eyes. "Do you think, when we get back, I could move to Hong Kong with you?"

Syaoran pulled her tighter and into a more comfortable position. He yawned again. "If you want. But... I would rather move to Japan..."

Sakura’s hand stilled and laid motionless on his arm. She found herself drifting into sleep. "You don’t have to. I would love to move to Hong Kong with you. Your life is there. I want to go there."

"No..." Syaoran yawned. "I’m going to get away from everything there. I don’t want you to live through that hell. We’ll live in Japan... by your family..." He let silence hang for a while. "I’ll get a real job. I won’t kill anymore..."

Sakura let out a contented breath. "I suppose it would be... okay..."

Syaoran tightened his arm around her for a moment as a hug, then let them drift into silent and peaceful sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Woahahaha! I’m going to have the editor read that and assure me that it is okay for all of our innocent eyes to read! Maybe I’m being a little um... immature about it, but I hate writing those physically affectionate parts.. It’s embarassing! Anyways, omg, it’s so close to the end! Next chapter or the one after that. AHH! The sadder news is that school starts tomorrow, I just BARELY finished this in time before the horrible scam of public education consumes my schedule once more. So I’ll try to finish this up as quickly as possible, but you know how it is... I’ll have like no time to do anything. And another sad thing is that our walls upstairs in the living room are being redone so my parents are moving down into the basement as a temporary living room. AHH! How am I supposed to write under these conditions!??

Not much to hint at... The end is near. Sakura and Syaoran are on some stable ground finally, I think. Tomoyo and Eriol are interesting. How this ending is going to work out, not even I know for sure... AHH!

Anyways, I need to go to work, clean, visit with the boyfriend, and do the many things that need being done before school attacks me tomorrow.

BTW THIS IS THE LONGEST CHAPTER EVER IN MY ENTIRE STORY!

Comments!!! [email protected] or Syaoranchic on aol/yahoo

-Your doting author, SyaoranFan4Life