♥…Simply Innocent Love…♥

…Ch 1…

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Morning sunrise captured the aftereffect of heavy rain past its glory. Beautiful. Magnificent. A golden scene to behold. Dewdrops glazed the fresh patch of green grass that surrounded the mansion. Plit. Plat. Plit. Plat. Beads of rainwater slipped off tree leaves and fell to the wet pavement, making a 'plopping' sound at its final fall. Window panes were fogged from the cool mist of passing storm. The air was pleasantly humid, and smelt of spring's arrival. Already flowers had begun to bloom, such as peach blossoms, lotus blossoms, snow willows and more, surrounding the vast yard of the Li Estate with its intricate beauty and refineries.

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Over to the left side of the manor, a young girl, anxious for a fresh breath of air, bustled out from one of the double doors that led her to heaven's garden. She wanted a brief escape from reality, or more specifically, from doing her chores. Finally at her spot, she fell to her knees, sighing contently to herself. 'This is my sanctuary,' she thought as a feeling of warmth encompassed her. Whether it had been a place to rest or reflect, Sakura had made it an oasis of her own. This 'oasis' blocked out random disturbances, and welcomed the tranquil sounds of nature's undertakers. The silence it lent was endearing; in any case, it was something Sakura never took for granted.

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At the moment, Sakura was residing near a glistening pond swimming full of various water creatures and floating full with an assortment of exotic water plants. She watched readily with poignant green eyes as one tangy looking burgundy fish swooshed from the water and leaped high into the air. The water vibrated brilliantly from the playful dance exercised by this strangely animated fish. She was fascinated by its fluid motion in water, apparently distracted to notice a scruffy looking boy coming out from the very same double doors she came from.

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As if wittingly, the fish plummeted back into water, managing to splash water at her. "Itaaiiii!" she hissed, hands instantly at her face.

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From the distance, amber eyes glinted.

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He had heard her.

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"Oi ! Oi ! Oi ! Sakuraa-chaan !"

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Sakura's hands gradually fell to her lap, and she looked up with sharp eyes. 'Oh no… .. .' she thought. She sprung to her feet as clumsily as possible, almost toppling over and nearly scaring the daylights out of all the fishes at her wake. The fishes swam to the other side of the margin as far away from her as they could. With a sweat drop on her temple, she looked apologetically at them. "G-Gomen…" she trailed.

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"Oi Sakura! Why didn't you fold the clothes ? And do the dishes ? And clean your room ?" yelled an annoyed tone, of reasons.

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Her eyes suddenly went crossed. 'Kuso… .. !' she thought. Without a moment's ado, she made a quick dash through the cavernous part of the garden, searching for a place to hide.

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As she moved, the figured, who had been shouting her name the whole time, followed her discretely. Even though she could hear the sway of grass as feet moved behind her, trying to plot her location, she continued on relentlessly. A ball of tension and anticipation formed within her as she sensed the figure getting warmer and warmer each second. She didn't want to be caught yet! Stifling a laugh, Sakura hastily situated herself under a cherry blossom tree that had yet to flourish fully. Pink and white petals twirled in her fervid movements, undoubtedly causing a noise that could be heard ten feet away, which was quite convenient to the person who was actually ten feet from her. Sakura blinked a couple of times and then gulped.

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"I..think.." she whispered, out of breath, "..I'm..safe..for..now. ..There's..no..way..he..could..find..me..cuz'..he's..too..stupid..and – SYAORAN !..?" she screamed suddenly.

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Arms caught her by the waist and prevented limbs and muscles from moving. Sakura budged weakly, and he tightened his grip. "Stupid, you say ?" he whispered gauntly. He let out a rippling – somewhat exaggerated – laugh that made his chest rumble against her back. She bit her lips in amusement, smiling at his display of light humor.

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"Syaooo, you're suffocating me," she pouted, eyes squinting.

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"That's what you get from running away from me," he said roughly to her.

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"I didn't run away from you, Syaooo!" she said, sulking.

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Syaoran chuckled at her cuteness. "Oh really, neh ? Can you explain to me why you suddenly vanished when I woke up this morning, eh Saku-chan?"

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"Ahh ! Syaoran ! All I wanted was five minutes of fresh air, and already you're freakin' out. Eventually I'll get the chores done, but right now I just wanna' relax. I swear; you get more possessive each passing day. I'm not a slave, you know. Plus, isn't it your turn to wash the dishes? How come I have to do all the chores in the house? What do you and Touya do anyways? I mean, come on… .. ."

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Sighing heavily, Syaoran let her go and then flipped her around so that she faced him. "Shh," he told her, fiery amber eyes examining her pretty complexion. "You talk too much, Sakura."

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Her jaw twitched and she looked up. A blush unknowingly claimed both her cheeks. He looked so handsome under the blazing sun with his golden brown hair styled messily – on purpose – and sexy bad boy looks that'll make any girl swoon if she was to cross path with Li Syaoran. "Ehh ?" Sakura choked. She could barely form words at this point, too caught up in the intent stare Syaoran had on her. He cupped her face, and she could feel the cuffs of his sleeves rubbing gently against her cheeks; it was soothing in a way. She closed her eyes for a second and then opened it, looking curiously at his smooth, very deceiving features.

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"I like girls who are shy, modest, and reserved," he said lightheartedly. Sakura frowned at that, and Syaoran smirked. "You're really something else, Sakura. You're definitely not a woman. You're really feisty and bad-mannered. What man would want to marry you?" Sakura gave him a dirty look, and Syaoran kept his stoic expression. "Hehe… what word would describe you, hm? What was the word that Touya called you? Oh yea, I remember now. It's kaijuu." At this point, Sakura was giving Syaoran a menacing look. Syaoran shuddered at the ugliness. "Gods, you look the part too, Kaijuu."

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"Mouuu, Syaoran-kun ! Don't call me that ! I hate that word !" Sakura heaved, opening her mouth to say more, but Syaoran beat her to it.

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"Not a word, Sakura," he warned her. "I dislike noisy girls, especially the whiny types. They're annoying."

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Sakura frowned, feeling a bit dejected. "What are you tryna' say?"

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Syaoran laughed gently. "Oh forget it. Your brain can't decipher my words, anyhow. So why would I bother explaining? Besides, you need to be punished for slacking off on your chores. I couldn't make breakfast this morning because the sink was overloading with dishes and silverware. Heck, I'm still in my pjs cuz' you didn't do the laundry. As your older stepbrother, I will punish you with spanking. Close your eyes, Sakura. This might hurt," Syaoran said; there was a mischievous smile growing on his face.

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Sakura's face flushed in embarrassment. "You can't do that! I'm too old to get spanked."

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Syaoran sighed. "Fine, I'll slap you, how about that?"

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Sakura's face twisted. "You can't do that either. Guys aren't supposed to hit girls; didn't your mom ever teach you that?"

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"Oh but, Sakura, you're anything but a woman. Now close your eyes. I'll do it quick."

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Sakura scowled. 'No way ! Hell no way !' she thought angrily. She was intent on keeping her eyes open at all costs.

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Syaoran's head leaned in towards her. "Oh Sa-ku-ra," he hissed. Sakura's eyes widened and she saw the very same mischievous smile take on a glint in his eyes. She knew from that look that he was up to no good. She had known that on the first day she was introduced to him, and it was the day when her father and his mother got engaged. After Yelen and Fujitaka were married, Sakura, Touya and Fujitaka immediately moved into the Li Estate; it had been three months now. Syaoran's every intention was to make Sakura's life a living hell; at least, that was what he told her.

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Right now, Sakura was feeling sorely suspicious of this dark prince. She would never fall under his manipulative ways. She would never allow him to slap her silly. She had pride and dignity. Sakura breathed in heavily, trying to keep herself from lashing out. She was feeling suddenly angry at the fact that Syaoran was now her older stepbrother; which meant that he could rule her life and boss her around whenever he liked. Sakura couldn't stand it anymore. It. Was. Unfair. Having one brother was enough, but Syaoran? She was going to explode!

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"Sakura ?"

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Watery eyes looked at him. "Iie, iie, iie ! You baka ! Why do you have to be so mean ? What did I ever do to you ?" she cried, her hands forming fists. "I've always been nice to you, and you always been so mean. Tell me! What did I ever do to you to deserve all this hate? Wah, you are a real jerk Syaoran!"

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She was surprised to hear him chuckle. "Ah sweet cherry blossom, you actually believed me? After all this time..?..? I would never hit a girl. My mother did teach me better. Hah, you're so gullible."

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The tears in her eyes slipped. "N-Nani ?"

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Syaoran grinned softly. "Never mind. So you're gonna' do those dishes or what?"

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Sakura looked at him oddly. He should have thrown spiteful remarks at her by now. It was his duty to make her cry. But today… eh ? She flinched when he suddenly took her hand to press a handkerchief in her palm. Okay, now she was confused. 'Why the sudden changes?' she thought. This was very different of him. Normally, he would have criticized her and told her to stop crying. But today… Sakura was simply confused. Was it possible that he had something up his sleeves, or was this his way of telling her that he was growing up and changing for the better, that this was how he was repenting for the way he had treated her in the past?

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"Hello ? Sakuraa ?" Syaoran shrugged when he saw Sakura standing there in a sort of daze. He put his hands behind his head and began walking away.

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Sakura shook her head and lifted her hand that held the handkerchief. "C-Chotto-matte Syaoran-kun !" she said. "I'm coming."

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Syaoran turned around, tapping his foot. He saw Sakura walking towards him, her silken honey brown hair swaying with her movements; he rolled his eyes. "Any day now, Sakura."

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Sakura smiled and started to walk along side with Syaoran, until Touya appeared out of nowhere.

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"Where were you guys ? I was looking all over the mansion and couldn't find you two. What are you guys doing here?" He eyed Syaoran and wrinkled his brows. "Why are you still in your pjs, Gaki… and in broad daylight too?" He turned to Sakura and scoffed. "Did you brush your teeth, Kaijuu? Cuz' it's all yellow and nasty looking."

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Syaoran and Sakura clenched their teeth.

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"I am not a Kaijuu !" Sakura screeched.

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"And I am not a Gaki !" Syaoran added in furiously.

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"Jeez, malevolent are we. Well, anyways, get on inside. It's a bit chilly outside and father and stepmom Yelen would be upset of one of ya' got sick or something. If that's the case, I'm not being the soup and tissue boy this time. See ya' later fools. Ja. Ne." Touya stuck out his tongue and flicked his hand, demonstrating a type of effortless 'goodbye for now' gesture. Just when he thought they weren't paying anymore attention, he muttered "Losers…" and then shook his head as he began walking away.

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Syaoran and Sakura growled, raising their fists in the air. They started muttering incoherently and then looked at each other once Touya was gone. Sakura blushed and then sighed. "I'm sorry."

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"What do you mean you're sorry ? You spent sixteen frickin' years with him ! I'm the one that should feel bad for you !" Syaoran interjected. He looked at her with sly golden eyes and grinned. "Come on, let's get back inside. I don't want none of us getting sick either. Imagined being cared by him… Yeesh…" He tilted his head, looking up at the sky. "Good weather, huh? Hehe… .. ."

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Sakura beamed. "Yup. This is the start of spring." She quickly stole a glance at him, and for some reason, she felt her heart beating faster than usual.

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Disclaimer: CCS belongs to Clamp. ®

Notes: Kinda' a taboo fic'. Spicy too, eh? – lmao – I hope you guys liked it. If you guys liked it, how 'bout sending some reviews? Pretty please:D