RECAP: Last chap Sakura was still in Hong Kong, let’s see...there was a party that she and Syaoran went to but they ended up leaving early to see Syaoran’s mom in the hospital... Sakura was reading a book Syaoran wrote when he was five- then her and Syaoran had a little fight and were mad through the play, then finally made up by the grace of Syaoran’s charm =) , a big moment came up but the opportunity slipped by for the third freakin time, um...They had been researching up on Clow Reed but Sakura fell asleep, then was so luckily carried to her room...that’s about it. She had just fallen asleep at the end of the last one.

Chapter 39 - A whole chapter about a twelve hour period

That’s definitely a force. Syaoran sat up, looking around with attentive eyes in his dark room. The only light within was from the digital clock on the bedstand; reading two seventeen in its bright numbering. He slipped out of the sheets of the warm bed and temporarily shivered as his bare skin was met with the fan’s breeze. He walked over to his closet and grabbed the first battle outfit he saw, then walked over to a large chest and pulled out and sword and sheath. After strapping that on, he carefully tiptoed into the hall.

He had awoken groggily with some sort of knowledge that something was outside- some sort of magic, but it slowly expanded into the sense of a card. He walked down the hall instead of down the stairs, and as quietly as he could he opened the door to Sakura’s room. Nothing moved within as he peered in. She was still asleep. Syaoran hesitated- not sure if he should wake her or seal this by himself. He inched over and carefully knelt down beside her and cautiously touched her shoulder. She didn’t stir a bit. He shook her shoulder a little, but she remained asleep. Sighing inwardly he more sharply shook her arm. Sakura made a groaning noise and turned over, easily returning to her even breathing.

Syaoran sighed and stood up straight, looking at her. He might as well seal it for her. Maybe that would nonverbally prove how he felt. Then he could just slip the card into her clothes somehow, and she’d find it and... Well it has to be sealed anyway. Someone has to do it. He left her room stealthily and continued out of the house without making a sound. The outside was starting to cool down at night as it was the end of the summer, and Syaoran was glad that his battle outfit kept him so warm. He walked down the quiet sidewalk amongst the tropical trees, concentrating on where he felt the force.

Now that he and Raion were on good terms, he figured transportation would be quicker going that way, so since he was heading towards the stables anyway, he decided to get his horse out. He walked down the dusty path to the cement aisle of the barn and didn’t bother with a bridle or halter, holding confidence that he would need none of it to steer.

The force began to feel significantly stronger as he ducked into Raion’s pasture. It was close. Now Syaoran just had to keep an eye out for anything unusual. So far none of the scenery was screaming or talking, and there were no stranded waves or flames roaming the ground. Maybe it’s not an attack card. What did she say she hadn’t sealed? I should pay more attention... Syaoran found Raion was actually running up to him, something the black stallion had never come close to doing- aside from maybe trying to charge over him. Syaoran grinned and pet the horse’s thick coal black neck. Raion was almost completely invisible in the dark- his coal black body total camouflage in the night- much opposite of Moondust. Syaoran grabbed hold of the horse’s mane and jumped up, then cantered the horse over the pasture fence towards the feeling. He stopped quickly as he felt the presence of someone else come by.

Syaoran, slightly panicked to be found out and about at night, quickly moved Raion against the wall of the barn and waited silently as the footsteps continued towards them. "Syaoran! Where are you?" Sakura’s voice called out in a sharp whisper.

Syaoran- releived and glad to hear her- moved Raion around the side of the barn and found her standing at the end of the aisle. "So you finally decided to awake?" He asked, smirking.

Sakura glared, then suddenly ducked as a shot of light flew by where her head had just been. She stood back up, apparently unbothered by the phenomenon. "It’s the shot card. I could sense the-" She quickly jumped to the side, but wasn’t sucessful to outdo the quick speed of the magic, the shot grazing her arm. She winced and clung to her arm. "Mamoru!" Sakura called, bringing up her shield.

Syaoran jumped from Raion. He landed solidly on his feet and pulled Sakura over to Raion. "Quick, get on and he’ll move for you, I’ll trap it." Syaoran said. Sakura was about to protest but he seized her leg and threw her up on the huge horse.

Sakura looked down with wild eyes. "But what if he-"

"He’s made for this, don’t worry." Syaoran said, dodging a shot himself and then hurrying away for some glass.

Sakura frowned, then looked at the task at hand. Shots were pelting down on her, her shield just bouncing them off. Sakura decided to give the shots a moving target, and before she ever signaled the horse to move consciously, he seemed to read her mind. Soon she was in a smooth rocking canter, much larger and much quieter than Moondust’s stride. She panicked as she looked forward for some reins. There wasn’t any! What was Syaoran trying to do, kill her? She couldn’t steer without them. So instead she found herself moving to Raion’s rules. She tried not to worry about what she was going to do when she needed to stop.

Syaoran hurried through the barn, shielding his head with his arms. The horses inside the stalls snorted and made all sorts of ruckus as these bullets of light were flying past the stalls’ sliding doors. He ran into the tackroom, looking around wildly for a a mirror. Nothing, not even the smallest compact laying around. He jumped out of the way of a remarkably accurate shot and rushed over to the window. Unsheathing his sword and jumping out of the way of some more shots, he wedged the end of the blade in the edge of the window and pulled it out, cracking the glass as he did so but managing to get it out in one peice. He grabbed the glass and ducked under a shot and then stood up, holding the glass to the side of him. It theoretically should work- glass reflected as did mirrors. The bullet of light jumped at him again and Syaoran stood steadily, watching it slam into the glass.

Instead of bouncing off, the glass shattered to the floor. Syaoran jumped back as the window was showering back, getting out of the glass’s way. He looked up quickly, finding himself unarmed, then took off out the tackroom to find Sakura. He sprinted down the aisle and out into the dark night, looking around for a dark black stallion and a small girl on top. Instead he saw a concentration of light shooting down in the distance, and he figured the light wouldn’t just be shooting randomly. He ran towards the destination and could make out the sillhouette of a running horse, so he quickly chased after it.

"Sakura!"

Before she ever said anything, Raion began running in Syaoran’s direction. "It’s not giving up! It’s not normal for the shot to be so persistent, is it?" She asked, slightly breathless.

"No...!" Syaoran said, running alongside Raion’s giant stride and trying desperately to keep up.

"Watch out!" Sakura shouted, seeing another shot go at Syaoran, who was vainly running his hardest. "Mamoru!" She called a shield to him, and immediatly the shots seemed to bounce off something invisible just off him.

Syaoran, starting to tire, decided horseback would be a better way to do this. He grabbed a handful of Raion’s thick black mane in front of Sakura, trying to keep from getting dragged as Raion seemed to ever increase his speed, and jumped up, holding tight to the mane with his left hand. Syaoran landed harshly behind Sakura, immediatly grabbing more mane with his right hand around her to steady himself before letting go. "Gomen!" Syaoran shouted over the wind.

Sakura, a bit shakey, tried to scoot forward a little more, but since Raion was moving, it seemed it was all in vain, and that Syaoran kept slipping forward. He didn’t seem to notice, however, since he was preoccupied trying to turn himself around. Syaoran carefully threw his leg over and turned around, finding himself looking backwards. It was slightly stomach churning. He put his leg back over the side, almost falling sideways as he went off balance.

Sakura grabbed Syaoran’s arm, confused about what he was doing. How were they sitting back to back? "What are you doing!?" Sakura asked.

"Put the shield down," Syaoran said, unsheathing his sword carefully to keep from hitting Sakura, looking determinedly at the shots coming just short of his face as they bounced off Sakura’s shield.

"Nani!?" Sakura asked, confused.

"Just trust me," Syaoran responded, carefully putting his hands on Raion’s rump. He prayed the horse wouldn’t decide to buck.

Sakura took a shakey breath and let the shield go.

Syaoran grit his teeth and quickly moved his sword to deflect the shot away. The light hit with tremendous power but bounced back off. Syaoran found himself sliding off the side, and he would have fallen off had Sakura not grabbed his arm again.

"You’re going to fall off!" She said over the wind.

"I’m trying to reflect-" Syaoran stopped to hit off another quick bullet of light. "The shots back at the main body..." He said.

Sakura felt him slip off balance again and quickly tried to find a way to hold him on. She reached back with her arms and locked elbows, securing the position out. "Thanks," Syaoran said, finding his arm movement limited as he tried to hit another shot with his sword. He couldn’t let these hit him or Sakura; they had no shield up. She was trusting him to do this.

He swung it against a shot and sent it careening away, but it was angled, and didn’t shot straight back as was Syaoran’s goal. He tried again on the next peice, reaching out wildly to keep it from hitting Sakura.

Sakura tried to look over her shoulder to see what was happening. She could see a gleam of silver as a sword flicked uncomfortably by, then saw that light was shooting back. So he was trying to deflect them back. "Have you hit it yet?" She asked, shouting over the clashing sounds of his sword.

"Dammit," Syaoran muttered under his breath. This was very hard. It seemed that it was impossible to hit it dead on. "Not yet."

"Do you want me to use my staff?" She asked. She didn’t need to, though, because she found Syaoran was unlocking his arms from her. She looked over her shoulder. "What are you doing!?"

Syaoran quickly tried to stand up. He had hit the shot, and for a short period of time the Shot was disabled. He had to seal it quickly. Syaoran couldn’t get to his feet. With his teeth gritting as they were ever increasing the distance from their hurt foe, he pushed on Raion’s rump with his hands with all the strength his arms could muster and sent himself into a front flip.

Syaoran landed badly on his feet but ignored it and sprinted at the Shot- the form that was already getting up. He took his sword back to slash at the card, but the Shot jumped to life and moved away by the power of the Jump. Syaoran quickly turned to see where it was now, but little bits of fire began pelting around him, much as the shot did. The cards must be combining. Firey and Shot. He couldn’t hit the fire back, it didn’t have the same resilience that the Shot had. He jumped out of the ring of fire trying to entrap him and sprinted around as the shots of fire continued to come down and hit him.

"Water!" He called, throwing a card in front of him as he ran.

Water swirled around, hitting the fire around him. But it wasn’t enough. Soon even more fire was upon him,, more than he could face.

"Syaoran!" Sakura shouted, seeing the flames enclosing around him. "Mizu o yaru (give water)!"

Water hit the fire around him for the moment. She slowed to a stop and held out her hand. "Come on, I have an idea!" She said quickly.

Syaoran looked up unsurely, then seeing more fire and electricity starting to make their way over, he took her hand and sprung up. Raion needed no coaxing, and was running again. "I can’t do this from here," Sakura said over her shoulder.

Syaoran leaned around her. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"I can’t steer and do this at the same time, we have to switch," She explained.

Syaoran wished she hadn’t said that. The fire was hitting around them and hitting the shield ever closer. They couldn’t get off and take their time. "Scoot back as far as you can, and duck, alright?" He asked.

"Alright." Sakura agreed. She couldn’t back up, he was right behind her. But now his hands were pushing hard on her shoulders, what was he doing? She turned to see, but she found that he was standing now, not sitting behind her. She pushed on Raion’s neck and tried to scoot back quickly. She remembered to duck, and waited for him to do whatever he was doing to do.

Syaoran balanced off of Sakura’s shoulders and looked at the horse’s withers gingerly. This was going to hurt. Alot. Syaoran took a deep breath and half hopped half stepped over her, landing sharply in front of her. He grimaced for a second, then forced himself to compose, knowing he was going to be sore for a while.

Sakura gripped him loosely with her left arm and held her staff with her other hand. "Make him go in a circle." She said, concentrating deeply and forcing her power into her staff.

Syaoran effortlessly pushed Raion into a circle, glancing to his side to see what Sakura was doing. She was only holding onto him with this hand, which, Syaoran found, had caused him to forget the initial soreness from landing so painfully as he had.

The shots were coming just as Sakura expected. She brought her staff down and sent a line of power drawing over the ground. "Tighter circle!" Sakura shouted, her power faultering slightly.

Syaoran didn’t know quite what she had in mind, but spun Raion in a very small circle, close to the rollbacks that he had been practicing in the mounted training. Sakura finished the circle perfectly, forming a circle of power that was gleaming with electric pulses. The shower of shots that came down bounced off wildly in every direction- so fast that Sakura’s eyes couldn’t follow all of them. There was bright explosion of light and then Sakura saw the forms of the cards start to form. Before she had to do anything else, Syaoran had already shouted some type of Chinese.

He slammed his sword into the air, sending a huge wind out as a large wall of seemingly raw power was sent at the cards. Sakura watched him with amazement. His eyes were shining with the reflection of the light, truly looking like they were on fire, a scowl of detemination on his face, his hair blowing about... Sakura, asides from general admiration, felt very strongly a feeling that couldn’t be mistaken. She frowned, her mind boggled.

Syaoran, ignorant that anyone would ever be watching him when he was unaware, saw that the cards were hit with the blast of power he had sent at them. Maybe that attack was worth something after all. He jumped down, grabbing Sakura’s arm and pulling her along with him. They weren’t going to let the card get away this time. He swung his sword through two of the forming creatures.

Sakura took up her staff. "Return to the guise you were destined to be in!" She shouted, bringing it down. Four different swirls of power sealed into cards. Sakura found two sliding down into her hands. Firey and Shot were in her hands. She glanced to her side where Syaoran had the two he sealed. The Jump and the Dash were in his hands. He looked up and held them out to her.

"Looks like they’re unbreaking the seals you’ve put on them." He said.

Sakura took the cards from him and looked down at them warily. More disformed and disfunctional cards. "Great." She said dryly.

Syaoran felt piteous. It must seem like a never ending circle for her. "You-" He stopped, looking up as he sensed more auras entering their domain. Syaoran glanced to his left, then saw distant figures. One he could see was Sensei Wanti, the others he couldn’t guess. They all had flashlights, and though they were far off, it was still something to worry about.

"Hurry," Syaoran said, taking off towards the right side of the barn. He had confidence that Raion would find his way back to the pasture.

Sakura hurried after him, noticing the distant points of light heading their way. Had Syaoran been able to sense that? He did have strong powers, she had seemed to forget, since he seemed always powerless and tired in Japan from the power stealing scandal. She followed him around the side of the barn, stopping as he did. She glanced nervously around as she seemed to realize that they were totally alone in this dark part in the night, but her nerves were releived as voices came by, causing them both to be on their guard. Syaoran peered slightly around the edge, then came back.

"...I’m sure I heard something." One voice said.

"There was definitely some power down here a bit ago." Another voice said.

"What’s Raion doing out?"

"Pest. He always breaks out of that fence. I told the barn manager to put some more wire...." The second voice said. The voices slowly disappeared as they walked out in the distance.

Sakura and Syaoran let the breath they had been holding in unison.

"Maybe we should have let them see the cards, so they’d pay attention to your case." Syaoran said sarcastically.

Sakura smiled and nodded, though her mind was slightly preoccupied. She glanced at him, then took a step back unsurely.

"What’s wrong?" Syaoran asked, frowning.

"Hmm?" Sakura asked, looking up. She met his eyes and found that he was watching her with confusion. "I, uh, n-nothing." She laughed to throw the whole thing aside. She turned to leave, wanting to get out of this situation as fast as she could. She was too scared.

Syaoran grabbed her arm. "You’re lying." He said, peircing into her green eyes. They seemed to dart away immediatly.

Sakura hesitated. Although it had only been a dream, she had dreamt it so many times... it must have some significance to it, right? In my dream I want to tell Syaoran how I feel. But why do I see that arrow against him? I can’t tell him, but I want to? She swallowed and turned to face him, looking up at his large amber eyes.

Syaoran frowned. What was going through her head? Syaoran wished he knew some telepathy. He searched her eyes, but they held no answers for him. She was only gazing up at him, seemingly content, as if waiting for him to do something. "D...do you want me t-to...to..." He hated not being able to say the right words.

Sakura didn’t know what to say. She had promised herself that if the opportunity came by again, she would follow through with it. This definitely felt right, why should she let a little uncertainty stand in her way? Not bothering to answer she swallowed hard and pulled him close, meeting his lips softly and the only way she knew how.

Syaoran’s eyes went wide. She had caught him totally off guard. How could he have known that had been what was going through her mind? He shut his eyes quickly, trying to savor the tingling sensation that had anhiliated gravity, but it seemed to be over so fast, she was already drawing away from him. Syaoran opened his eyes and looked into hers with mild curiosity. Now who knows what was going through her mind. She only gazed back at him with a funny expression that almost looked like a smile.

"Did you check that side?" A close voice asked. Sakura looked up with alarm, going to walk away. But Syaoran saw that the man walked the other direction, and they were in no danger. He looked back to Sakura. She was looking the other way, not seeming to mind the sudden end. But he didn’t want to let it be over so quickly, he had hardly realized what was going on before it was over.

"...Might as wait until morning to check." A distant voice said.

Sakura tried to get a hold of herself and she lightly broke away from Syaoran. He was looking at her, ignoring the incoming invaders. He didn’t want it to stop. "We should probably get back before they find us." She said, smiling with dazzle at him.

Syaoran grinned back. He couldn’t remember feelings this way ever. "Yeah." He reluctantly agreed. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed that it had to end so seemingly fast. Of course, it had been wonderful and everything, but he found it hard to enjoy anything when you have no clue what’s going on. I should have been paying more attention! That was hardly,...I mean, it was just so quick and so shallow... But never the less he had to agree, he was willing to do anything, even if it mean to stop.

Sakura couldn’t help smiling more. Syaoran’s change to a complacent attitude struck her as funny. She took his hand and pulled him along the side of the barn. They paused momentarily at the edge to peer around and see if anyone was by, then continued down the sidewalk to his house.

Sakura found her eyelids starting to to droop. All that power she used on top of the fact that it was the middle of the night seemed to have it’s affect on her. She accidentally bumped into Syaoran several times as her feet lagged behind her. "Maybe you should carry me again." She said jokingly, glad to see his house in the distance.

"Again?" Syaoran asked, smiling and playing with her fingers. "I thought you were asleep."

Sakura blushed and took her hand from him, crossing her arms. "I-I was. I just thought...since I woke up and found myself asleep in the guest room, and I hadn’t ever walked up there..."

Syaoran made a laughing noise to say he wasn’t convinced but said nothing else. He silently opened the door and let Sakura slip in, then continued inside. Sakura silently walked up the stairs, trying to silence her footsteps. She hoped Syaoran wasn’t going to make this into another affair, she was still nervous about everything, she didn’t want him stopping her and...

"Oyasumi," Syaoran said, slipping into his room.

"Oysaumi," She answered.

Sakura smiled to herself and continued down the hall on her tiptoes. He never tried to scare her into anything. Much the opposite. He was so patient with her...She had totally turned away from him when they had went on that walk earlier, but then he held no grudge against her... She carefully walked into the room and shut the door, then collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

That was so perfect, and... She let out a sigh of happiness. Syaoran’s so perfect sometimes, why does he waste all of him time around me, helping me? She felt slight disappointment that he hadn’t said anything, though. Had she expected her dream to reenact itself? But actions spoke louder than words, Sakura reminded herself. And his actions definitely pointed towards something absolute. He had felt so warm being so close, ... He hadn’t seemed to find it awkward. But that thought sort of disturbed her. Had he known she was terrified? Had he been scared as well? He hadn’t seem it.

Sakura turned over on her side. Quit it! She scolded herself. Your reasoning screws up everything. Just take it for what it was. She yawned and pulled the covers around her, then fell asleep almost immediatly.

_______________________________________________________________________

Sakura’s eyes slowly opened, then shut again. Her room was bright, she could tell, as her eyes stung with the force of the sunlight hitting them in their sensitive state. I wonder how long I slept in? It’s so bright out, it’s probably almost noon! Sakura forced her eyes open and sorely sat up, turning to look at the clock next to her.

She gasped. Two thirty! Good heavens! She threw the blanket off her and jumped to her feet, then almost fell as she was still sleepily off balance. She, irritated with herself, forced her feet across the room despite the general aches along her body. Sheesh I didn’t use that much magic last night. I sealed two cards, used my staff thing, the shield...okay maybe I did. But still, that’s no reason for me to sleep in so late! Syaoran’s going to think I’m horribly lazy!

Sakura almost ran into the door as she thought of his name. The latter half of the fight came vividly to her mind. She paused to enthrall herself in the memory for a second, then looked at the door, blushing. She didn’t really want to go out into the house and face him again, did she? But that had been everything she wanted- why should she be shy about it? But what if he didn’t really like it? I mean, he could have kissed me goodnight, too, right? He probably just didn’t want to because he found out the first time well enough that I’m an awful kisser.

She glumly opened the door and began down the long hall. Well it’s not my fault. I haven’t had the same kind of practice he’s had. She shook her head, hurrying faster down the hall towards the stairs. Shut up! If I really want to know I’ll ask him, and if I don’t, I’ll ignore this stupid arguement. She trotted down the stairs, starting to feel slightly apprehensive, afraid of spotting him, the first seconds of awkward silence there would be...

"The sleeping beauty finally decided to wake up." Syaoran said dryly.

Sakura blushed. She had something to say but she decided not to say it. "I’m sorry, I don’t know why I was so tired." She said, walking into the kitchen where Syaoran was frying something. "Someone should have woken me up." She retorted.

Syaoran shrugged and half turned to see her. "I just woke up like fifteen minutes ago, anyway." He admitted.

Sakura smiled as he turned back around to get his food.

"D’you want some eggs?" He asked.

"Sure." Sakura answered brightly. She watched his back for a while, then sighed and leaned against the island in the middle of the kitchen. She couldn’t help but notice they seemed to be skating around a certain subject. But Syaoran was probably only trying to keep respect for her and keep from embaressing her.

"I think those cards used more magic than we realized." Syaoran commented, stirring around the scrambled eggs.

"M-hmm." Sakura agreed. She looked out the window. "I just wonder what I’m supposed to do when even more of them begin ganging up on me." She said quietly.

Syaoran took the pan off the burner and turned to her. "Yes, I wonder that too. But I also wonder why they haven’t already done it. It seems as if..."

Sakura watched him with curiosity. "As if...?"

Syaoran looked up. "It just seems sometimes like...like someone’s playing with you or something. I mean, think about it- the cards are very powerful by themselves, if they all allied against you, which they easily could, they could get the freedom they want." He explained.

Sakura nodded, though she couldn’t help but avoid his eyes. "I know what you mean." She forced her eyes up, looking at him with determination. "I’ll talk to Eriol when I get back. That will have to straighten out everything."

Syaoran looked the ground, thinking. He knew it was selfish of him, but he just didn’t like the thought of Sakura talking with Eriol alone. Even if he had proved himself a good person, Syaoran couldn’t trust him. But he couldn’t let a little jealousy sit in the way of Sakura’s protection. He went back to putting the eggs on a plate. "Of course." He mumbled.

After portioning it out, he held out the plate for Sakura to take.

"Thanks." Sakura said, taking it over to the glass table. She sat down and set the plate in front of her, then looked up as Syaoran sat down in front of her.

"Have you flown alone before?" Syaoran asked Sakura.

Sakura looked up from where she was tracing her fork over the plate. She got some eggs on the fork and looked up. "No." She answered, smiling worriedly. "The only time I’ve ever flown was when I visited Hong Kong- you know, like in sixth grade..." She said. She took a mouth full of eggs and chewed.

"I’d go with you but..." He sighed and leaned back in his chair. "It seems hospital stay is very expensive," He said, his voice lowering slightly.

"Oh, no, it’s alright." Sakura said, smiling. She wanted to continue by telling him how sweet it was for him to offer, or that she was very greatful for all his compassion, but she couldn’t get herself to do it, and only occupied her mouth with more food.

Syaoran sat up, accidentally bumping her knees under the table. "Sorry." He muttered. He glanced up and saw that Sakura was in thought, and hadn’t even noticed anything. "You...You’re very quiet," He commented.

Sakura looked up, slightly startled. "Oh, sorry. Could I, um, use your phone?"

"S-sure." Syaoran agreed. He pushed out his chair to go get his handphone.

"No, it’s alright, I know where it is." Sakura said, bounding up the stairs quickly.

Syaoran looked after her with bewilderment, then, shaking his head, sat back down to finish eating his breakfeast/lunch.

Sakura hurried into his room and found the phone, hurrying to get somewhere private before Syaoran had the chance to follow her. She retreived the phone off the computer desk in his room, then headed down the hall to the guest room. Shutting the door quietly behind her, she laid on the bed and quickly dialed out a number to Japan.

"Hello?" A fimiliar voice answered.

"Hi, listen I don’t have long-"

"Sakura! Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your flight?"

"Goodness, Tomoyo, how long do you think it takes for me to get ready? My flight leaves at nine." Sakura said.

"Well you should leave at least two hours early, I heard that on television, in case of delays and things."

"Alright. But listen, that’s kind of what I was calling about. I don’t suppose, I know it’s going to storm later this weekend and all, but..."

Tomoyo sighed heavily on the other side of the phone. "Sakura, you know you can’t stay another day. I know Touya is really starting to doubt this plan, and I’m getting sick of being cooped up in my house to keep him from seeing me since I’m supposed to be on my trip.

(Sakura thinks: Staying in Tomoyo’s house is hardly beind cooped up)

"Me and Kero are just worried about you, you know...-"

"Syaoran is no problem with me Tomoyo, I don’t know what happened between you two, but it’s alright. Just let it be." She said, letting out a breath in exasperation.

"Sakura-chan, please listen closely, you know I wouldn’t lie. It’s just, it seems that he has no reason to help you, and I think you might be better off by yourself, fighting the clow cards and all."

"Are you saying he’s incapable of helping just to help?" Sakura asked, keeping her tone as under control as she could.

"I’m just saying, well, I don’t want to argue this on the phone. Don’t be mad at me Sakura, please! I just want you back home, that’s all. I don’t mean to sound so depressing."

Sakura sighed. Tomoyo’s sincere tone kept her from being horribly angry, though the feeling was still there. "I-I guess. I’ll see you tonight, then." She said glumly.

"Alright, see you later," Tomoyo said, enthusiasm in her voice.

Sakura turned the phone off, then tossed it to her side, collapsing. What had I hoped to accomplish, anyway? It’s not like I thought I had any chance of delaying. I’ll just have to go back. It’s my home after all, I can’t ignore that, I just wish...just wish other people lived there as well. But he lives here, I should accept it. But it sucks!

Sakura swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked back down the hall, putting Syaoran’s phone back. She went down the stairs and found that Syaoran was no longer sitting at the table. Grabbing her plate of starting to get cold eggs, she turned and went in the kitchen where Syaoran was washing off the dishes. He glanced at her to let her know he was wondering about who she called, then went back to looking at the soap and water in front of him.

Sakura leaned on the counter’s edge and hurriedly finished her food. "What time are we leaving to go to the airport?"

Syaoran would have rathered ignore the reality until it couldn’t be ignored, but she brought him back. "Probably around seven." He answered. He couldn’t help but ask. "You seemed in a hurry to use the phone." He commented, keeping his eyes on the plate in front of him.

Sakura finished the last of her food and pulled the faucet to her side of the sink, rinsing it off. "I was pleading with Tomoyo," she answered.

Syaoran grinned to himself, towelling the dishes off. "Pleading?" He asked, though he knew very well what she meant.

Sakura picked up the other dishes in the sink and washed them off, concentrating on that. "To see if I could stay longer." She said with a sigh. She handed the dishes to Syaoran to dry off.

Syaoran half grinned. "I thought you didn’t even want to be here."

Sakura leaned against the counter, facing him. "I didn’t mean that," she said quietly. "I really miss...In Japan, ..." She sighed again. "Your help really means alot to me." She admitted.

Syaoran had silently set the plate in his hand on the counter. He put his arms around her waist, drawing her closer. Sakura was looking right back- slightly frightened but trying to get a hold on her nerves. Syaoran leaned towards her, but a rude knock on the door made them both look that direction.

Sakura stepped back, slightly releived for the interruption. But then again, she hadn’t really minded it. But she was petrified. But she wasn’t. Stupid me, why can’t I have normal feelings for a change?

Syaoran was going to ignore the door knock, but Sakura, it seemed, would rather him answer it. He walked away from her and over to the door, glancing sideways to make sure Sakura didn’t follow him. He opened the door just a little and blocked the open spot with his body.

Meilin smiled. "Hey!" She said brightly. She frowned, seeing that he was blocking the doorway, and peered around him. She looked to the kitchen, where Sakura, who was blushing, leaned against the counter.

"What are you doing here?" Syaoran asked with annoyance.

A smug grin came over Meilin. "Oh, I see. I was just coming to say bye to Kinomoto, but sorry, didn’t mean to, uh, interrupt."

Syaoran glared. He moved more in the way and lowered his voice. "Listen come later or something."

Meilin kept her grin. "I didn’t mean to ruin the moment, sorry. I know how hard it must be to get her where you want her."

Syaoran shook his head. "I’m just trying to...trying to tell her, you know-"

"Hey Meilin!" Sakura said happily, on her tip toes to look over Syaoran’s shoulder.

Meilin smiled widely, seeing the paled look on Syaoran’s face. "Hi, I was coming to wish you a good flight, if it’s possible."

Sakura smiled. Syaoran opened the door widely, annoyed. "Thanks! Well hopefully there won’t be any delays, since the weather seems nice enough."

"Yes, good thing that hurricane blew over."

Syaoran, with exasperation, stalked away, leaving the two girls to chat.

"He seems to be in a bad mood." Meilin commented.

Sakura looked over her shoulder. "I dunno." She said. Is he really that upset that she interrupted us? But why should he be? It’s nothing special for him, probably.

"He hasn’t said anything..." Meilin asked.

"What?" Sakura asked, perplexed.

"Nothing. Well, I’m going to-" Meilin was interrupted as a dog bounded around her feet. She sighed. "Fuwa, you weren’t supposed to follow."

Sakura knelt down and pet the dog behind his ears. The puppy lolled around, enjoying the attention.

Meilin grinned and gave the pup a forceful shove. "Go find Syaoran!" She encouraged. The dog ran in a circle. Meilin jumped at him, and the puppy hurried away into the house. "Let’s see how long this takes." She said.

Sakura grinned. "Does he not like dogs?" She asked.

"He does, deep down, I think, but outside it would girlish to like little animals." She explained.

Sakura smiled. "That’s understandable." She remembered something from Japan. "Oh, ah, Komai says hello."

Meilin’s eyes widened and seemed to shine. "Does he really!?" She asked excitedly.

Sakura nodded. "Yeah."

"What exactly did he say?" Meilin asked.

"Just that if I saw you around to tell you he said hi."

Meilin sighed dreamily, looking into space.

"Meilin!" Syaoran’s voice shouted from another room. "Get your dog out of my house!"

Meilin grinned smugly. "Oh, come on Syaoran, be a sport!"She called back.

Syaoran came back into the room, looking highly irritated as Fuwa ran between his feet and made it hard to walk. "Him, you, out."

"Geez, you don’t have to get all twisted out of shape! I’m just saying goodbye to Kinomoto!" Meilin said, though her mischeivious grin said otherwise.

Syaoran rolled his eyes and pushed the dog out with his feet, grabbing Meilin’s shoulder on the way and ushering her outside. "We appreciate, Meilin. See you later." He shut the door to her back and then leaned on it. He glanced up and saw that Sakura was standing politely.

Sakura tried to keep from jittering with nervousness. He had thrown them out so abruptly, now he was alone with her again...He wouldn’t try to...to continue that, would he? She glanced worriedly at Syaoran, who was still leaning against the door. Things had gotten so complicated and awkward. She truly hoped she wouldn’t always be afraid of being alone with him. She never used to be.

So now what? "My sister’s are going to be home soon." Syaoran said, seeing the far clock.

"Oh..." Sakura replied.

That stupid deafening silence Sakura dreaded was hanging over them again. "So what are we doing until I leave?" She blurted out.

Good question. "Whatever." He knew that wasn’t a good answer. "We can down to the stables or something."

Sakura figured a change of atmospheres would be good. "Alright." She agreed. Syaoran turned and opened the door, then they walked down the sidewalk to the barn.

They walked silently a length apart down the sidewalk, both pretending to be interested in something off in the distance. They found that the stable was bustling with activity midday: The indoor ring had several different riders in it, some jumping over the course set out, then many people out in the large outdoor arena. Syaoran walked down the aisle and slowed to a stop in front of Iata’s stall. The pony nickered a greeting and tried to fit his nose through the bars on the stall door.

Syaoran’s expression softened, Sakura noticed, and he opened the door, slipping in. He pet the pony’s muzzle, then looked up at Sakura. "You can come in too, he doesn’t bite."

Sakura smiled and carefully let herself in, not wanting to let the pony get free of the stall. The little animal nudged her with his nose and sniffed her hands. Sakura laughed and pet him on the neck. "I don’t have any food, sorry."

Syaoran smiled, seeing Sakura’s bright eyes sparkling with all the innocence and beauty inside her. She glanced at him and saw that he was watching her, then quickly looked back to the pony, afraid she had embaressed him. "Sakura..." He started, glancing down at his feet and then looking back up, meeting her eyes and looking into them for a second to confirm himself. "I want to tell you, before you leave, what I have been thinking- I mean..."

Sakura fidgeted uncomfortably. She could feel it again, that horrible reminder that kept flashing pictures in her head. Syaoran was trying to tell her something, but she couldn’t answer back, because it would kill him. But she couldn’t stop him from saying it, could she? He wouldn’t understand. "Syaoran, you don’t have to-"

"No, what I mean to-"

"Syaoran!" A fimiliar boy’s voice exclaimed.

Sakura looked up to see Teller had just stopped in front of the stall, his oblivious smile peering through the bars. She let out her breath with releif.

"Yeah?" Syaoran asked, walking around Sakura with annoyance in each step and stepping out into the aisleway. He held the door for Sakura then shut it and latched it.

"Ah, you know, a while ago, when you said I could ride Iata?" He asked.

"You want to?" Syaoran guessed.

Teller grinned and nodded. He looked to Sakura. "Are you going to ride?" He asked, not bothering to hide the hope in his voice.

Sakura couldn’t help but smile at his constant energy. "I don’t think so."

"Are you looking to impress someone?" Syaoran asked, his eyes on the indoor arena where Jin and Mandu were riding around.

Teller looked down with guilt. "I’m sick of the stupid mares dumping me in front of her. I figured, maybe if I hurry before she gets off, and she sees me ride around..."

"I’ll get his saddle, then." Syaoran said, sighing. He walked down the aisle to the tackroom and found Iata’s saddle and bridle, then returned to the stall where Sakura and Teller were already talking.

He undid the latch to the door and slid it open, then went in and set the saddle pad and saddle on the pony’s back. Iata moved around irritably, not wanting to have a saddle tightened, being so used to having his riders ride saddleless. He slipped the bridle on and threw the reins over his neck, then tightened the girth. He led the pony out onto the aisleway and Teller grinned ear to ear.

"He looks kind of rough." He commented.

Syaoran shrugged. "If he likes you, you’ll be fine."

Teller hopped up into the saddle and adjusted himself, then looked towards the arena. "I’m off, then." He was smiling nervously as he turned and went into the arena.

Sakura leaned on the wall and watched Teller walk the horse around, occasioningly looking around at the other riders. Mandu seemed a beginner, along with Jin, and both kept a slow pace. Jin did try to jump over one of the lower jumps, but his horse refused and moved to the side last minute. Mandu looked like she was horrified to be seen with such a lowlife, and kept walking her horse in small circles at the far end of the arena.

She glanced at Syaoran as he walked over and leaned on the wall next to her.

"Do kids ride him much?" Sakura asked.

"No, he’s mine and boarders’ horses only get ridden by their owners." He explained.

Sakura watched Teller ride around for a little while, horribly nervous that Syaoran was going to start talking at any second. She didn’t know what to say.

"Teller!" Syaoran called after a while.

Teller glanced over, then clucked at the pony to trot. He smiled brilliantly as he approached them. "He’s great!" Teller exclaimed. "Lexi was probably just trying to make me look bad on those idoit mares!"

Syaoran grinned. "Listen, see that triple line over there?" He asked, pointing towards the jumps discreetly.

Teller looked over his shoulder and nodded. He then frowned and shook his head. "I can’t-"

"Jin’s horse ducked out on the first one. Iata could do this whole course blind. You won’t have to do anything, just drive him up and let him do the rest."

"But the wall..." Teller complained, looking at the fake brick wall that was at the end of the line of jumps.

"It will be all the more impressive. Quick, go now, Mandu’s facing you."

Teller looked hesitant, then tightened the reins and pulled Iata around. He set his shoulders back and kicked the pony into a fast gait.

Sakura grinned and crossed her fingers for Teller’s sake. He went over the first one well enough, then Iata went on cruise control, going in a perfect line from jump to jump. The little pony soared over the wall, and Teller landed with a thrilled smile on his face. He cantered around the outside of the ring, then slowed to a trot, going around by where Mandu was. After a while, he came back towards them, a dejected expression now replacing the smile.

"That was fantastic!" Sakura exclaimed.

Teller shook his head. "She didn’t even watch, probably."

"Who cares, at least you’ve shown yourself." Syaoran said.

Teller hung his head. "That wasn’t good enough. She’ll never like me."

"You don’t have to prove anything for her, she isn’t even good enough for you. Really, I mean, look; she can’t even trot on that old bag of a horse with a western saddle and one hand on the horn." Syaoran said, nodding towards Mandu.

Teller glanced over and laughed, though it was against his will. "But..." he sighed. "You’re probably right." He paused. "But all the girls in my grade are so ugly!"

"You’ve got to look a little deeper than that..." Syaoran muttered. He fiddled with the noseband on Iata’s bridle, pushing the horse’s nose away as he tried to nip Syaoran’s hand. "Maybe you should try a different approach."

"Like what?" Teller asked.

"Like stop trying so hard. You’ve got a lot a life left to win a girl over." Syaoran explained.

Sakura watched them talk with amusement. Never, never in her life would she have imagine Syaoran would be giving younger boys tips about girls. But there was no mistaking this advice.

Teller nodded in agreement. "Right. Okay. I can do that." He turned Iata and looked ahead with new found determination. "Just be cool about it..." He coached himself as he walked the pony away.

Syaoran shook his head. Teller was definitely a more interesting person than the average. He leaned on the wall again and looked around, catching a glimpse of Sakura as he did.

Sakura watched him. "You’re different."

"Hmm?" Syaoran looked at her.

"You’ve changed alot." She repeated, smiling.

"I’m sorry." Syaoran said, not sure how to respond.

"Oh, no, I mean you’re just...so much nicer, that’s all. You..." She sighed, pausing her sentence. "You’re much better to be around." She elaborated.

Syaoran grinned unsurely, still looking at her as she looked back into the ring. "What are you saying?"

Sakura looked sideways quickly, then back to Teller. "Just, ah, what I said. That you changed."

"There was something else," he guessed, leaning more in front of her so she’d have to look at him and quit looking for a distraction.

"I-I don’t know what you mean." She said unsurely, stepping away.

Syaoran sighed loudly, letting her know his protest. "Do you want to go ride?" He asked.

"Shouldn’t we be going to see your sisters so we can make sure I have a drive to the airport?" She asked, trying to get out of the romantic trailride idea.

"I guess," Syaoran replied, pushing some stray arena sand around with the toe of his shoe.

Sakura waited for him to make a move, but seeing that he wasn’t going to, she began the way down the aisle back towards his house. She knew that Syaoran was lagging behind her somewhere. Why am I so scared to hear him out? I’m scared that he’ll say what I’m longing to hear? Just because of some stupid dream that keeps getting in the way? Why does my life have to be so stupid and complicated? She fell back beside him and walked quietly back to his house, well aware that he managed to kick every pebble sitting astray on the sidewalk from the barn to the house. What’s he so irritated about, anyway?

It’s no good. Why’s she making me try so hard? I thought for sure she felt the same way, but she keeps looking the other way, taking any little distraction she can...I don’t get it. Why are these women so damn complicated, anwyay? We couldn’t just both admit how we feel. I know how I feel about her, but it seems that she doesn’t care to hear it. Maybe I’m missing something. Syaoran opened the door for her and they entered the house, it being much louder than it had been before they had left.

All four sisters were home, walking to and fro in the kitchen. Meilin was there, also, all fixing something somewhere. They looked up and smiled warmly at Syaoran and Sakura’s enterance. "Hey, you almost missed your own party!" Rana said.

"What is this?" Syaoran asked, glancing at the cake as he walked to the counter.

"It’s a going away party. We were going to just eat out at the airport, but we figured we could get better food at the shopping markets here." Lai explained.

Sakura blushed, looking at all the food. "You guys didn’t-"
"Honestly, you’re too modest. Any friend of Syaoran’s deserves a going away party at their exit!" Diakal said, setting a pan out of the oven.

Syaoran tried to shoe away the puppy at his feet. Fuwa gave a puppy bark and pounced at Syaoran’s ankle. He sighed with dismay. Yet again, stuck and totally outnumbered with girls. He glanced at the dog and found it to be another female.

"Don’t look so distraught, Syaoran!" Lai said, grabbing her brother by the arm and dragging him into the kitchen. "You can- wow! You’re finally growing! Look, Rana, he’s almost as tall as me!"

Syaoran tried desperately to get away.

Rana walked up to him and studied his heigth. "By george he is as tall as me! You’re growing up Syaoran! Growing up to be a handsome young man. And real men cut the cake." She thrust the cake cutting knife by the handle into his hand.

Syaoran reluctantly took it and walked over to the cake, figuring that if he took his time that the embaressing talk would be kept to a minimum.

Sakura looked at all the food with still a blush. They were so nice, they didn’t have to do all of this for her! She seated herself on a stool that was around the island and absent mindedly watched Syaoran cut the cake. I wonder if he’s annoyed with me because I seem to be trying to ignore him every time he turns serious? Sakura ignored that. She was only in Hong Kong for a little while longer, she might as well enjoy it and the food.

__________________________________________________________

At six, Sakura felt overstuffed. She had eaten to her limit. She sat back on the couch and thought glumy. Is this what Kero feels like after he eats? Why would anyone eat this much voluntarily? She shifted sitting positions, accidentally bumping Meilin’s elbow in the process. Meilin just moved over a little more and continued to watch television, her puppy jumping over her lap eagerly.

Sakura grinned and ruffled the pup’s ears, trying to move away as the dog tried to give her a bath in slobber. Syaoran walked by, looking at Fuwa-fuwa and shaking his head, then plopped on another couch. "You’re not going with us to the airport, are you?" He asked Meilin.

"Well I’m glad I’m invited, but sorry, I can’t." She picked up the attacking pup off Sakura and dropped the moving ball of fluff on the floor. "Mother’s making me go to stupid piano lessons."

"Too bad." Syaoran muttered.

Meilin gave him a sour look and jumped at him, attempting to tackle him but only getting his ankle as he had jumped away so quickly. "You are so mean to your nicest cousin!" She said, dropping his ankle.

Syaoran sighed and looked her dead in the eye. He opened his mouth to say something, then shut it, standing up. He walked out of the living room and stopped at the front door. "Come on, Meilin, I’ll walk you home."

Meilin looked across the room with wide eyes. Syaoran never offered that. Figuring he was joking, she got up and walked over to the door. Instead he surprised her by opening it and stepping out onto the sidewalk.

Sakura frowned, looking ahead at the television, though not really watching it. I guess I’ll just stay here then. She leaned back on the couch and sighed. Syaoran was so confusing sometimes.

Syaoran walked down the sidewalk, knowing Meilin would catch up. She shut the front door and hurried after him. "Do you think Sakura will really appreciate you leaving her with your sisters?"

Syaoran ignored that. "She won’t listen to me."

"What?" Meilin asked, walking her fastest to keep up with Syaoran’s large stride.

"I...I keep trying to tell her, and she just...I don’t know. She looks the other way, is very distractible, it just seems like she doesn’t want to listen to me."

Meilin sighed. So that’s what he wanted her for. Advice. Advice in the one category she hated touching. She would have to put that aside. If she really loved Syaoran, she would want him to be happy. He couldn’t be happy with her, she’d figured that out a long time ago. "Did you stop to think she might just be scared?"

Syaoran frowned, confused. "Of what?"

"Just...it seems she probably has a handle on what she thinks you’re trying to tell her, and that’s some pretty strong stuff. Maybe she’s just a little nervous."

"Well what am I supposed to do?" Syaoran demanded.

"Be patient with her and...and just, just tell her." Meilin felt like locking herself in a dark room and weeping for days. This was one thing Meilin wanted to hear more than anything, but Sakura didn’t want to hear it. Life’s cruel unjustice was a big pain in the butt sometimes.

"But my sisters are going to be hanging around us the rest of the time..."

Meilin didn’t know what else to say. "So just lose them or something, I don’t know."

Syaoran sighed heavily, slowing. "Alright. Thanks, Meilin." He said, turning and heading back to his house at a jog.

Meilin watched him go, ignoring the heavy feeling in her eyes. She tried to get a rein on her mixed feelings, then walked to her house. Good luck, cousin.

______________________________________________________________________

Syaoran squirmed miserably in the car seat. They were stopped at the shopping market where Rana and Lai had ran in to get a ‘few’ items. It had been over a half hour since they parked the car. Syaoran had seized the oppurtunity and offered that he and Sakura would stay in the car, but, Daikal decided she didn’t feel like shopping either, and so the three of them sat bored as they awaited the other sister’s return.

"Have you heard any more about Chindra’s family?" Syaoran asked Sakura in effort to start a conversation.

Sakura turned from where she had glued her eyes out the window. "No, nothing. My family just thinks she decided to go get her life straight, and didn’t contest anything about the sudden disappearance." She answered.

"I wonder if all of that was true then..." Syaoran said quietly.

Sakura looked at him with slight surprise. "I don’t doubt it at all. Chindra wouldn’t lie to me."

"I’m not saying she lied, but she could have gotten the wrong facts. The story just seems so sketchy, there’s no stories to prove anything. All of the Clow’s history is about his becoming a sorcerer, I just don’t see where that could have fit in."

"But how do you explain all that stuff I saw at Uncle Guan’s house. I saw that girl, the one related to my family however that is, and that one related to Chindra. And the, Chindra told me that her family had been giving crystals to use magic with, much like the cards, and we found my necklace in that book. There’s got to be truth in there somewhere."

Syaoran sighed, nodding in agreement. She was right, there were some things that matched up. But he had a hard time beleiving that Clow Reed was their enemy, that went against alot of truths they had trusted in before.

"Hopefully I can talk to Eriol about it."

"But if Clow’s supposed to be an enemy, why would you tell him you know his secrets?" Syaoran asked, realizing this for the first time.

"I’ll bring it up subtly." She replied indignantly.

Syaoran grinned at her stubborness and looked back out the window.

Rana and Lai returned with a cart full of food. It took them a while to unload it into the trunk, then they opened the doors. Rana slid in beside Syaoran, forcing him to move back over by Sakura. Lai sat in the front, flashing Sakura a smile as she sat down.

The rest of the drive to the airport consisted of loud stereo music and the sister’s shouts out the window at an even remotely good looking guy. Syaoran sunk lower in his seat, looking dismal. Sakura grinned, her eyes sparkling. "How do you survive with them?" She asked over the sound of the wind coming through the windows and sunroof.

Syaoran muttered something, but the sound of the wind drown out his voice.

"What?" Sakura asked.

Syaoran leaned closer and Sakura froze for a second, thinking he was going to kiss her, but he was only trying to talk into her ear. "I think about other things." He repeated.

Sakura nodded slowly to show she had heard him, but was too afraid to go into that subject in depth, so looked back out the window, smashing herself against the side of the car.

They drove slowed to the traffic of downtown Hong Kong, still making alright timing on the airport expressway. All too quickly Sakura found they were slowing to park in the parking lot across the way. They all filed out, and Sakura’s mind switched to travelling mode. She looked nervously at the huge airport in front of her. She was going to be all by herself.

They walked across the street and headed down the long sidewalk outside the airport, looking for the doors that were for the airlines Sakura travelled on. They stepped in, then Sakura fell in behind his sisters, walking along side him. He had quieted alot, and looked very depressed. Sakura felt bad. Did her leaving affect him that much? She remembered when he had last left. She had promised herself she wouldn’t let him hurt her again. But it’s more the other way around this time. I’m so sick of airports.

They walked up to the checkout counter and slowed to a stop. Syaoran took Sakura’s arm. "We can beat them if we use the computer." He said, nodding towards the computer check outs.

"Do you know how to use them?" Sakura asked unsurely.

Syaoran shrugged. "They’re self explanitory."

Sakura shrugged, waiting for him to take his hand off her forearm. He did and walked towards the computers stealthily, his sisters standing oblivious in the long line. Sakura hurried after him, slightly wary to be caught alone. What’s my problem, anyway? Syaoran is Syaoran, he’s not scary.

He stopped in front of one of the computers and touched the screen to start. He went through it very quickly, putting the tickets through the the slot and setting the information. He retreived all the things within three minutes and held them out triumphantly. "Done."

Sakura couldn’t help but smile. She took the tickets from him and then looked back to the line where his sisters had hardly progressed. "We should probably go get them."

Syaoran looked down, his eyelashes shading over his eyes. "Yeah..." He replied. But he didn’t want to. He’d rather get away from all of the people there and have Sakura alone.

Sakura watched his hesitance, then shrugged it off, walking over to the line. Rana noticed her and frowned; having never realized they had gone. Sakura held out her tickets with a grin, and the three of them ducked under the nylon divider.

"Very cool, I didn’t like that line." Lai said.

"Not many people do," Sakura agreed. They all looked around the airport a minute, then Lai spoke again.

"Well we should probably get you to your gate."

Sakura nodded. She glanced sideways at Syaoran, who seemed indifferent to the whole affair. That’s just his way of dealing with things. Sakura walked behind them all, finding herself beside Syaoran again. He wasn’t doing alot of talking, not that that was unusual. They slowed to a stop in front of the security check.

"Well this is as far as we can go without a boarding pass." Rana said.

"But it’s been great having you here!" Daikal said.

"You have to promise to visit again!" Lai said.

Sakura smiled, overwhelemed. "Of course..."

Syaoran glared hard at the floor. This wasn’t how he wanted to say goodbye at all. But any second she would walk through that tall open plastic door and be through the security check, on the other side. She couldn’t come back after that. She would get on the plane, go to Japan, and nothing would be different than when she left.

It took him a second to notice Sakura’s hand held out in front of him.

She smiled warmly and yet apologetically. "I hope we see each other soon." She said sincerely.

Syaoran took her hand and shook it, though it was so superficial he almost wanted to grimace. "Likewise." He muttered. Why did his sisters have to be there, ruining it all?

Sakura took her hand back and took a deep breath. "Well, I better get going. Thanks for having me."

The three sisters stood teary eyed, smiling and waving goodbye even as Sakura had turned and was showing a security guard her boarding pass. She set the small suitcase Syaoran had lent her to put her only other set of clothes in and set it through the Xray machine, then walked through metal detector. After that she was done. She grabbed her bag off the moving belt and continued without looking back, trying to save herself the hardship. Once she reached the T in the broad hall where she had to follow signs to get to her gate, she felt the bitter tears start to sting the corner of her eyes. She took out her ticket and looked at the blurry numbers and matched it to the sign, then continued down.

"That was very lame." Rana said bluntly.

"Yeah, you shake her hand goodbye?" Daikal asked jokingly, slapping him on the back of the shoulder.

Syaoran set his jaw as he turned with them. He glanced over his shoulder. How could he just let her leave like that? Likewise. What great last words. Who knows how long I’ll be before I can see her again. And why should she wait for me? He looked over his shoulder worriedly. The security check was getting further and further away. He slowed a little, falling behind his sisters. It’s too late, she left. Maybe we’ll see each other again. But for now I just have to let her go.

No I don’t. Not like that. Syaoran turned swiftly and walked purposefully to the security check. He slowed as people went through. He didn’t have a boarding pass. He wouldn’t be let through. A horrible feeling of dejection hit him, thinking his hopeful thoughts had been in vain.

This is just an obstacle. Am I letting it stand in my way?

Syaoran sized everything up. The small hall people could walk through if they were exiting the gates was only guarded by one guard. He looked to the metal detectors. Numerous guards stood around. He came up with an idea and decided to take it.

He shut his eyes and frowned with deep concentration. Feeling the power in him, he opened his eyes and pointed the energy at the X ray machine. Instantaneously large shots of electricity jumped out of the box, alarming all the guards and causing a good amount of chaos. Syaoran looked to the chair the exit guard was sitting in and sent a good shock up the chair’s metal legs. The guard swore and jumped to his feet, then noticed all of the electricity flickering dangerously through the wires around the security system.

Seizing the chance, Syaoran hurried through the exit and then slowed casually down the hall. He didn’t want to be caught suspicious. He figured he was safe by the time he reached the end of the hall. Now he was free to find Sakura. He looked left to right, then found her aura to the right, so he hurried down, looking left to right at the gates in that hall. It would be his luck he would get there just after she boarded her plane.

"Flight 264 to Tokyo will now begin boarding children or passengers in need of assistance. Flight 264 to Tokyo will...."

Syaoran cursed under his breath and quickly searched for an attendant with the microphone at a gate. He spotted one only a few gates down, setting the microphone down as she had just finished the announcement. Syaoran looked through the crowd of passengers at that gate and immediatly spotted Sakura. She had her back to him, but she was standing and stuck out from the rest to him by the faint pink glow of her aura around her. He grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.

Sakura’s eyes widened largely. At first she seemed speechless, but words came. "Syaoran, you shouldn’t of..."

"Sakura, I just have to know, if you....I mean, I have to tell you-"

Sakura put her finger to his lips, and just in time by her opinion. She ignored her nervous feeling she had when she stood this close to him and only concentrated on getting away without hurting him. "Please, don’t, not before I leave."

"...Flight 264 to Tokyo will now begin boarding by rows, rows 18 through 24..."

Sakura fidgeted to go but Syaoran firmly held on to her with his arms. "Why won’t you let me speak?" He asked.

Sakura looked down, trying not to let the overwhelming emotions get to her eyes. "I just can’t."

"Why not?" Syaoran persisted.

"You wouldn’t understand." She said, still insisting on staring hard at the ground.

Syaoran tilted her chin up, searching her eyes. "I might."

Sakura looked sideways, at those feircly burning eyes, then to the other side of him. She couldn’t explain this now, and why should she? She was about to leave. Why had he followed her and screwed everything up? He had to make it into a big emotional ordeal.

"Flight 264 to Tokyo boarding rows 11 through 17..."

Sakura turned as much as Syaoran would let her to look worriedly at the door she needed to go through. She looked back to Syaoran, who still stared at her, frowning, waiting for her to explain herself. Sakura opened her mouth to speak, but there was nothing. She had no idea how to explain this. Stupid dream! She prayed her actions would be a consolation and put her arms around him, kissing him fiercely.

Syaoran was still disturbed that she had no answer for him, but wasn’t going to protest this, and found himself returning it, slightly surprised at the intensity of her. This was far more than Syaoran had ever had on stage, and the literature sensei would have been proud of how this fell under her category of ‘passion’. He felt totally weak, yet totally over the world at the same time. Her soft hand felt so warm against the back of his neck, and had he not been in such a faraway place, he might have heard the whistles of bystanders that were witnessing the fiery moment. All too quickly he felt cold harsh air hit his lips again, and found her warm arms had left him.

Sakura dreaded the longing she saw in his eyes. He couldn’t say anything, not now. She had to leave and figure out whether this dream could be truth or not. Gathering herself and trying to get her weak knees to move, she fled. She felt the heat of his eyes on her back the whole way down the terminal, but she just kept rushing away. She was hardly aware of anything as she went down the narrow aisle of the plane and found her seat, and didn’t even notice the mother and daughter that sat down next to her. She only stared out the windows and tried to think, yet tried to keep her mind blank all at the same time.

This feeling was so strong, so strong it scared her. Nothing like this had ever been in her before. Why am I so afraid of it? I know we feel alike, yet I’m so afraid. Because of this stupid dream! I’m afraid I’m going to hurt him! Maybe fate doesn’t want us to be together. It feels like that. She couldn’t beleive what she had just done. She had never known much about boys, asides that they were slightly different and had a tendency to want some things more than girls. But here she had been inspired enough to kiss him! Not even the not-so-frightening peck on the lips she had given him just the night before. No, this was much different. She couldn’t help but think, that felt so good, he was...perfect.

But what have I done to his feelings!? He knows I was trying to ignore him, that I didn’t want to hear him...Would he understand I’m just scared? Is he patient enough to understand? Or is he going to see that I have just scarred his feelings, and not want to put himself through that again? Is he going to promise to himself he won’t go after me again, as I promised myself? I just have to hope we will be able to see each other again and fix this before it totally tears us apart. Before me and my stupid dreams and magic tear us apart.

Um...I don’t know. This chapter was going for dramatic but I hope I didn’t end up at a corny cheap imitation of drama. Well anyway, take it easy on me, I tried.

Things only get more depressing from here on. At least I think so. I’ll try to have some alright parts, but you know, it’s hard when you get all this turmoil going. All the crazy magic stuff should be tying together pretty soon, cause this first part is going to finish up in a while. (my ‘while’ is very relative. It’ll probably take me a good twenty chapters to get to it)

Well thanks everyone for comments and keep them going!! [email protected] or [email protected]

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Later all~

-Your struggling author SyaoranFan4Life-