Yes, Sakura + Syaoran may seem far-fetched, underdeveloped, so on and so forth, however, they are kids. Kids usually dont even know what love is, its already a honorable feat that they knew they had some type of conection. Yes, they concluded it as love, because that's what they felt, well at least Sakura, when they were around Yukito. Sakura even said it herself that she felt pain when Syaoran was leaving, something she never expereinced before. So is it really far-fetched?
I think I should break it down, so its more easier to understand:
1) Development
I for one, think this realtionship had minimal development, however, it was enough for us to see they liked each other. Syaoran had a little bit of a crush on her, but it soon changed when Sakura got rejected by Yukito. He sacrificed his own happiness and feelings, so Sakura could be happy. He didn't want to trouble her.
Soon, Sakura started to become even closer to Syaoran, until he told her he loved her. Of course, she was confused, because she just got rejected from her crush, and now her close friend had confessed to her. Maybe Sakura was abrupt with her desicion, maybe she didn't think through things more, perhaps she was just looking for some comfort, the point is she thought she loved him, and so be it.
People have to understand that love doesn't mean hot passionate kisses, or showing your affection 24/7 in some way or form. I've always believed that love meant happiness. If you truly cared about someone, and they made you happy, and you thought it was love, so be it. Syaoran made Sakura happy, vice versa, so yes they did love each other. It might not be deep and wise, or passionate and hot, but they think its love, and that's what counts.
2) Age
Sakura and Syaoran are young, they are naive, they have simple desires. They are childern. But children can love, they can experience something wonderful, and perhaps never forget. With everything they went through, I don't think their love was thin, I think it was just blooming. Even in the manga, Sakura waited for Syaoran, regardless of how long, she waited. Doesn't that say something? Sure it may not be realistic, but its as realistic its going to get when talking about CLAMP. She waited, he came back, and they were happy. To them, happiness = love.
Now, I remember an interview I read awhile back, with CLAMP talking about CCS, and a certain question led to one of the woman to say the whole point of CCS was to show the different love people have. For example, Yukito x Touya is shonen ai, Sakura x Tomoyo is shoujo ai. Sakura and Syaroan is a another kind of love as well, which is hard to understand to some people because there isn't much to it. I mean, like I said, hey wanted happiness from each other, they felt comfortable around each other, sure they didn't talk much, but they are children who are going through something extraodinary. They aren't going to have a deep and meaningful conversation, because they are kids. Kids who go to the park and smile at one another.
So, what does that mean? A love based on happiness. Hell, if I were a little girl, and I met a boy who cared about me, and worried about me, and made me happy, I'd conclude as love. I wouldn't have a deep conversation with him, because I'm little. It just doesn't work like that for them. With all their problems out there, their love was a void from all their problems, where they could enjoy something simple like happiness.
I posted this in the other forum, and here's the rest of my reply XD
As for you're questions:
Yes Sakura does love Syaroan
Sakura loves Syaoran because he is a kind sweet boy, who made her feel something...different then what she usually felt. She felt special in fact. Syaroan was mean to her, neglected her, but then, he started to worry about her. This made her feel something because she got through to him. Someone she wanted to be friends with became closer to her. However, she started to feel something other than friendship, she started to notice his worries, his questions his presence meant more to her.
She shows him love by making that bear for him, and waiting for him. She shows she loves him because she's devoted to him, she waited for him. She makes him feel better, like a smile, a hug, or even a scarf/yukuta. Sakura shows her love just fien, frankly. I think that kissing thing is coming into play....
There doesn't have to be a reason to love someone. I can easily say why does Touya love Yukito? Or why does Fujitaka love Nadeshico, or perhaps even why Tomoyo loves Sakura? Love doesn't need a reason, and it isn't suppose to be questioned. Love is infinite, it defys all laws of logic, reasoning, whatever. Love is love, no matter what.
Uh...no. Sakura is emotionally and physically attached to him. Did you not read/watch that playground scene? Or perhaps the one at the ski lodge