Opening the door to his apartment, Syaoran walked in, and despite the long walk he had taken to clear out his muddle head, he still felt angry. Angry of the letter that had arrived that afternoon, which ordered him to go back to his domicile, and get married to a cousin he hardly knew.

True enough, he barely knew Li Meilin. It had been seven years ever since those card capturing took place, and Meilin had soon gone home after that. The last she heard of him or even got hints of his present life had been when he sent her that letter two Christmases ago, and the letter had only been sent for he'd felt obliged to do so, because he knew that he had to.

Because he had to...every deed he had done for the clan had always been because he had to. To carry on his duty, and to make seem useful under the careful scrutiny of the Elders. But now this-this never-ending betrothal to Meilin...it had all been too much. Hadn't staying in Japan even after the Clow Cards had been caught meant that he simply wanted out? By staying in Tomoeda District, he had been called a traitor, and a betrayer to the Li Clan by them.

Yet, they were still attempting to manipulate his life, to make him the head of the Li Clan, and carry out the heavy burden that they did.

But that hadn't been the problem. He wasn't afraid of the excessive responsibility. If that been the reason, he would take it automatically.

The problem was that going back there meant facing once again the Elders who would enervate the energy out of him, tire him out, reject him and only use him when they felt like doing so.

And he would be alone once again.

He punched the wall with an angry fist. This was all asinine. Why couldn't they just choose someone else? Why couldn't they just get the fact that his link to them was already broken?

Why couldn't they understand?

Feeling that he needed a breather, Syaoran walked across the bare floor and sliding the glass wall, stepped out to the terrace. He rested his palms on the balcony, and heaved a heavy sigh.

Ara...he was probably just being selfish. They were after all, his family. He had a duty to take care of, and he should feel obliged to accomplish it. He should go back - he had no reason not to.

So what was making him stay here? Was it Yukito?

Certainly not. His childish infatuation to the older person had long been gone. There was someone else that was preventing him to make up his mind. Someone with auburn hair, someone with green eyes. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Someone named Kinomoto Sakura.

The familiar warmth crept up his face, and he shook his head to get rid of the feeling; an attempt that failed. He shouldn't feel this. It was wrong. And even more wrong if he stay in Japan.

Because what good would it do if he stay, when all he could do was to dream of something that only come true in preposterous fairy tales? Staying in Japan just because of a girl who was unaware of him as being more than a fellow card captor sounded stupid, and definitely obtuse.

So if it sounded stupid, why was it so complicated coming up with a choice? Why couldn't he just make up his mind?

And why had she suddenly become a part of his decisions?

He decided not to answer that; things were already complicated enough as it is.

Just make up your mind, he told himself frustratingly. What is so complicated about it? Stay, or not stay. Stay, or not stay. Stay...

He wearily touched a hand to his forehead. The situation shouldn't be too complicated, but in coming upon a decision correlated to Kinomoto Sakura, he certainly found it very hard.

Sakura woke up, finding herself curled up in a ball. Memories of yesterday's incident fleetingly came back to her, and she groaned inwardly. She suddenly didn't feel like going to school that day.

Getting up, she trudged slowly towards the bathroom and there, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, seeing to her distaste that her eyes were red...no doubt a result from the news that had come slapping her the previous day.

She grimaced. Her reaction the day before was certainly inexcusable. She should feel happy about Syaoran, and congratulate him for the matter. She should be pleased that her friend had found someone he liked. She shouldn't feel...like this. Like her heart was being torn into pieces, of which putting them back together was a hopeless case.

The forlorn teen slipped into her school uniform and headed downstairs. Maybe she should miss school today, just so she didn't have to face anyone.

She shook her head. No.

She wouldn't, for skipping was certainly not a habit of hers, and avoiding her friends - particularly Tomoyo - was definitely inevitable. All in all, they would question her, and that in particular, is what she was trying to evade.

12:00 noon - Seijou High

Two girls could be found having a conversation in an isolated spot near the school building. Partly hidden by a tree, a person couldn't see that they were there unless they take a second look. Figures - their conversation was something to be considered private.

'Come on, Sakura. Something's up. I can sense it,' Tomoyo asserted, insisting that Sakura tell her what was wrong. But much to the raven-haired girl's frustration, her best friend stood firm on her ground, and shook her head.

'Nothing's wrong, Tomoyo-chan. See?' Sakura grinned brightly, but the videographer wouldn't buy any of it - she had known Sakura for a long time, and she knew a fake smile when she saw one.

'Sakura, I'm your best friend,' Tomoyo spoke with an anxious tone, 'surely you can tell me whatever problem is you're thinking of? You've been awfully quite through all our classes.' Again, the jade-eyed teen merely shook her head, still smiling that toothy smile of hers.

Tomoyo sighed. This is getting rather annoying.

All of a sudden, she noticed someone come into view, and realized that very moment who the figure was. Luckily, Sakura was facing her, thus she did not see the silent approach the person made.

Almost hastily, Tomoyo made an input. 'Fine - I'll leave you here alone, all right?' With him, she silently thought. 'I'm off!' Seeing her best friend nod, she walked away from the secluded area.

Tomoyo knew that she should grab her camcorder before it was too late, but woe for her, the blasted thing happened to be sitting on her bedside table right at that very moment...

Hearing Tomoyo's departure, Sakura gave a sigh of relief. Her smile slid off, and all the emotions she was feeling finally became visible on her face.

Her mouth sardonically curved a tiny bit upwards. With all the mixture of pent-up feelings she was keeping inside, it amazed her to have actually managed to plaster a big smile on her face the whole time Tomoyo was there with her, despite her best friend seeing through it all.

But it wasn't only Tomoyo that gave her that somewhat sickening concerned look. Everyone did, and just by looking at her, too...

Had she been that obvious?

Behind her, Sakura heard a noise, akin to a twig snapping. Turning around, her face met Syaoran's, and she felt herself go pale.

'Syaoran-kun...'

Syaoran stared at her observantly. He didn't reply till after several seconds had gone by.

'Can you explain to me why you've been all quiet the whole morning?' he asked.

Sakura paled even more at the question. She had a strong urge to walk away so as not to tell him anything, or reveal anything she was feeling. But that never worked.

So instead she forced herself to smile that false grin. 'There's nothing to explain. I was just thinking, that's all. More than I usually do.'

Just thinking? What does she take him for?

His thought must've been seen on his face, for Sakura seemed to be growing more and more uneasy as each second passes, and even more when he spoke his next words. 'You're lying. More, you're lying to me.'

'I'm not lying!' she said frantically. 'Oh...p-please, do excuse me. There's something that I need to attend to.' She backed away, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. Sakura looked up to look pleadingly at him, but stood speechless when she met his steady gaze.

'A few days ago, I promised you that I'll tell you any of my problems,' he started quietly, 'and now you can't even do the same? Friendship doesn't work like that, Sakura. And I'm...' he looked away. 'I'm you're friend.'

Hearing that, it was Sakura's turn to move her gaze onto something else. 'It's...it's something that I can't talk about with anybody,' she mumbled. Especially to you. How are you supposed to react when I...say it? Understand my actions, please!

All of a sudden, she felt Syaoran's grip leave her arm.

'It's me, isn't?'

'You don't want to say it, because you're saying it to me...'

Sakura looked up at him, and nearly choked when she saw his expression.

Sadness.

God forbid...it wasn't supposed to be this way! He wasn't supposed to be hurt; she didn't want him to be hurt.

She heaved a sigh; her shoulders slumped as in if defeat.

'Congratulations,' she whispered.

Syaoran looked at her with a confused expression. 'What?'

'Omedetou on your engagement, Syaoran-kun. I wished that you have told me, but now...all I can say is I hope that you're happy, and wish you well on your trip.' She felt tears start to form in her eyes, and she gritted her teeth tightly. Before Syaoran could see, she turned around to walk away, but for the second time that day, a hand had grabbed her wrist.

Sakura tried to pull away. 'Please, Li-kun...let me go.'

But this isn't over yet. You actually think that I'll let it end like this?

'Sakura...I'm not going back,' he said softly. Sakura didn't move. He moved closer, and putting two fingers on her chin, he brought her face to meet his. 'I'm not going back...because I can't.' With his thumb, he gently wiped away the lone tear that had escaped and started falling on Sakura's cheek, his heart twisting painfully at the sight.

'And because of this.'

Pushing his face forward, he kissed her.

Stars exploded in her eyes.

Sakura didn't move. She felt Syaoran's lips move over hers, the feeling of it sending shocks running up and down her body. She would've dropped to the ground right then and there, had it not been for his arm holding her waist. A dream...it had to be. He couldn't be kissing her right there and then, could he? He couldn't be so strong; he couldn't feel so warm, his lips so soft. All in all, this was the most ecstatic thing that ever happened in her entire being.

Moments later, Syaoran broke the kiss. Opening his eyes, he didn't leave her gaze.

'You were the one who mysteriously brought back my history book, and saw the letter, weren't you?' Sakura nodded silently.

'Sakura...till that letter came, I wasn't aware that I was still engaged to her,' he explained huskily. 'And I'm not going back. There's too much in here that I can't bring up to leave.

'You were always the one who said that I should follow my instincts. Well, I am. I'm following my heart, and it's saying that I love you.'

I love you.

Shocked and stupefied, Sakura stood frozen for a moment, though regaining her composure later on, had flung herself closer to him, the tears now flowing uncontrollably down her face. Tears of happiness. She never knew that he felt the same. And being informed of it, she had never felt so overjoyed. Through her tears, she whispered the same, and in response, Syaoran held her tighter. To both of them, this was more than they could ever ask for.

Oyaoya - my goodness
Kami-sama - God
Ara - Oh
Omedetou - Congratulations

All right, all right. That was corny, I know. But nonetheless, I would love to hear more from you, so R+R. ;] Much of this was inspired by old-timer, and the CCS fanfic author, Syaoran no Miko, especially the last parts. Review her stories, or indulge her with you emails now!