Note: This fic is slight A/U, so the characters personalities are altered a little. So please bear in mind that any OOC is not due to bad writing, but is actually planned that way.
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS or any of the characters, I do, however, own my own original characters that appear in this story.
On with the story!
'HerFirst Real Kiss' – S&S two-shot
Part One: Emerging.
It was a beautiful day. The birds were chirping noisily from their perches. The sun was beating down in the flawless blue sky. Colorful butterflies flew lazily through the air. A garden of vibrant flowers was blossoming beautifully. All of this one Sakura Kinomoto saw whilst staring out the window in the middle of English class.
Sakura Kinomoto was a dreamer. She loved to daydream, and she had lived many through many incredible and dangerous adventures- all in her mind. Sakura loved to write, and it was her main means of communication. It was also the main reason she was left mostly to her own devices at school. If it weren't for the support of her best friend Syaoran, Sakura would have been doomed to live out her years of high school in a bleak, lonely existence. As it was, people still teased her regularly-
"Hey dreamer. At it again are we?"
Sakura blinked and turned around in her seat. She came face to face with a smirking teenage boy with black hair, and if his eyes had been open, Sakura would have seen green eyes glaring back at her.
"Um." Was all she said.
"Are you mute, or just stupid?" the boy taunted.
"Hey shut up Yamasaki."
Yamasaki turned, and came face to face with Syaoran Li. Immediately his smirk vanished.
"Apologize to Sakura."
"What? No way."
Syaoran gave Yamasaki his famous death glare. They both stared at each other for a moment, until finally, conceding defeat, Yamasaki turned once again to Sakura.
"Sorry."
Sakura didn't reply. Instead, she sent a small smile in his direction, and returned to gazing out the window.
"Dude, seriously! Why did you give me that glare and stuff? I thought we were buddies."
"We are. But I don't like it when you pick on Sakura."
It was after school, and Syaoran and Yamasaki were walking home from school. They'd been friends since elementary school, but lately things had been tense between them. It all started when they had first met Sakura . . .
FlashbackIt was the first day of high school, and Syaoran felt nervous, though he would never admit that to any living soul. He met up with Yamasaki on the way to school.
"Hey what's up?" Syaoran greeted his friend.
"There's a new girl in town." Was his reply.
"Huh?"
"On my way to the bus stop, I saw a moving van unloading stuff, and I saw a bunch of girly things."
"Oh." Was all he replied.
"Dude I wonder if she's hot."
"Is that all you think about?" the words were out before he could stop them.
"Syaoran?" Yamasaki gave him a queer look. "Dude its high school. There's going to be so many hot girls. Don't you remember our plans?"
"Yeah I remember." He said it more to pacify Yamasaki, than actually agreeing. It had been a difficult summer, full of many changes. Truth was, Syaoran wasn't interested in the things that used to amuse him. Syaoran wanted something to do something more meaningful in his life than watch girls and flirt. Just then, the bus approached, and Syaoran was saved from responding further to Yamasaki's comments.
It wasn't until the end of the day that Syaoran first laid eyes on Sakura. They had just finished the usual introductions of rules and regulations for English class, when there was a knock on the door. The teacher answered it, and spoke quietly to the person on the other side. Then the door was flung open, and a young teenage girl walked in, followed by their sensei.
"Class, I'd like to introduce you to your new pupil, Sakura Kinomoto. Sakura has moved to Toemeda all the way from Tokyo. Please give her a warm welcome. I'll need a volunteer for someone to show her around tomorrow. Anyone?"
Not a single hand was raised. Everyone was too busy talking about other things. One glance at Sakura Kinomoto told them exactly what they needed to know. That she was no one special, and that she didn't need to be bothered with. She was wearing a pair of blue jean overalls and a loose white top. Her hair was braided into pigtails, and she was wearing a simple pair of sneakers. Sakura looked like she was much younger than her actually age of 15.
"Well then I guess I'll have to pick." The sensei said after a few moments of awkward silence.
"Syaoran Li."
Startled at his name, he looked up just in time to see Sakura walking towards him a dreamy smile on her face.
"You will show her around tomorrow and help her get settled."
The bell rang just then, signaling the end of class, and saving Syaoran from replying.
"All right then! Have a good day!"
"Dude you should just bribe some poor sucker into doing it."
"No it's fine."
"Why would you want to be seen with her anyways? She looks like a five year old."
"Look I said it's no big deal, so just lay off."
Syaoran and Yamasaki were having an argument, and it was rare. They almost always agreed on things. But Sakura, however, was a different matter entirely.
"Syaoran what's wrong with you?" Yamsaki asked.
"Nothing's wrong with me."
"Well there's gotta be a loose wire in that brain of yours. Why else would you hang around that geek?"
"Because the sensei asked me to, and I'm a nice guy."
"What? Since when are you a nice guy? Your nickname isn't Syaoran 'the bad ass' Li for no reason is it?"
"Look Yamasaki those days are over. Things change."
With that, Syaoran walked away, leaving a shocked Yamasaki in his wake.
"Hello I'm Syaoran Li."
After having realized that her locker was next to his, Syaoran set about introducing himself. He'd spotted the girl leaning against the wall, looking very lost in thought. Now she blinked and looked at him with lovely emerald eyes for a moment, as if coming back to reality. She smiled shyly at him.
"Don't talk much I take it."
She shook her head.
"Not really."
Syaoran smiled. Maybe this is what's been missing in my life. He thought. True friendship and happiness. Syaoran looked at Sakura, who was once again lost in thought, and uttered the words that would change both of their lives forever.
"Well shall we?"
End flashback
Now it was feeling like when they'd first met Sakura. Yamasaki still hadn't quite forgiven Syaoran for befriending Sakura. Well it was all about to come to an end. Truth was, Syaoran couldn't stand Yamasaki. He was far too arrogant for his own good, strutting around campus like he owned it.
"Well Sakura can kiss my sorry butt, because she's a retard."
"That's it!" Syaoran felt anger rising in him like lava rising in a volcano. Without warning, he swung his arm back, and punched Yamasaki in the face. His head snapped back, and he stood there in shock.
"You are such a stupid jerk!" Syaoran yelled at him. "If anyone is the loser around here, it's you."
Syaoran walked away, leaving a still shocked Yamasaki staring at his retreating back. What . . . what just happened? Yamasaki wondered?
"I saw what happened."
"What?"
"Syaoran, why did you punch him?"
Syaoran sat in the booth, and stared at the mess of food on the table. He had met up with Sakura on the way home, and asked her if she was hungry. She had replied with a noncommittal shrug, which he took as a yes. Now they were both seated at the table of the fast food place, and Sakura knew that something was up with just once glance.
"Syaoran?" Sakura repeated, her emerald eyes looking concerned.
"He pissed me off." Came his reply.
"If it was because of what happened in English class-"
"Sakura, can I ask you something?"
Caught off guard, she nodded.
"Why is it you can talk non-stop around me, but you don't talk around anyone else?"
As soon as the words were out, Syaoran regretted them. He saw the look on her face.
"I'm sorry-" he began, but was for the first time ever, cut off by Sakura.
"No I think it's time you know why I don't talk much around people."
She took a deep breath, and Syaoran knew something big was coming.
"When I was younger, I was a huge talker. I talked to everyone about everything. But one day, everything changed." Syaoran could see her struggling to continue, and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Giving him a small smile, she continued.
"I overheard something terrible. Snmething I wasn't supposed to know. And me, being the gossip I was, told the one person I shouldn't have."
"What was it?" Syaoran asked, almost afraid for her to continue.
"I overheard one of my father's friends talking to a man dressed in black. They were planning on killing my mother." Her voice took on a flat tone. "Well naturally I told my parents, who didn't believe me. But the next day, the men came, and killed not only my mother, but my father too. And they told me if I ever told anyone anything that they would kill me too." Now Sakura couldn't hold it in anymore. Her shoulders shook as she buried her face into hands and sobbed.
"Oh Sakura." Syaoran reached over, and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry."
She removed her hands from her face, and smiled at him. "It's ok. I'm content living out my life as a dreamer. I live in my fantasy world where my parents are still living, and I don't have to be afraid of talking."
"I'm not sure that's the healthiest thing to do." Syaoran said gently.
There was silence for a few moments, and Syaoran knew the silence wasn't exactly compaionable, it was more of the awkward kind.
"How long has it been?"he asked, trying to forget his last comment.
"5 years. My brother has been taking good care of me." she whispered.
"Oh right. You did mention you had a brother."
"He's all I have."
"What about me?" Syaoran pretended to be hurt. Sakura smiled at him. "And you of course."
"That's better." He grinned at her, and was rewarded with a small chuckle.
"I suppose we really should eat."
"Yeah I suppose."
As they began eating, Syaoran smiled at her.
"Sakura?" he asked.
"Yes?"
"Thank you for trusting me." He said quietly.
"Well you're the only person besides my brother who has treated me like a normal human being."
"It's their loss."
She smiled at him. "Thank you."
They finished their meal in a companionable silence.
After that fateful day, things seemed different between Sakura and Syaoran. It felt like something had shifted- at least in Syaoran's perspective. He couldn't stop thinking about her, and when she smiled his way, he felt his heart beat faster. Is there something wrong with me? He wondered. It wasn't until the annual winter fashion show came up that he began to figure out what was going on.
Tomoyo Daidouji was the most popular girl in school. Not only was she head cheerleader, she was also a great singer, and a great sewer. So it was no surprise that she was asked to organize the fashion show. She got all of her popular girlfriends together to discuss recruits for models, which would be announced tomorrow.
"So girls, I called this meeting to talk strategy. We need hot girls to model the outfits I'm creating."
"Well we're obviously going to be in it right?" Chiharu asked, flipping back her hair.
"Yes, but we need at least one more girl. Four models aren't enough."
"Well what about Meiling?" Naoko asked.
"No she's off traveling this week."
"Oh."
"Why don't we just recruit one of the geeks? Lord knows they could use a huge makeover. We could make our school more beautiful by getting rid of the ugly ducklings." Rika said, examining her perfect French manicure.
"Come to think of it . . . that's actually a good idea Rika." Tomoyo said beaming at her. She smiled back, and gave the other girls a smirk. "And I know just the girl!"
"Who?" they all asked.
"Why Sakura Kinomoto of course!"
They all gasped.
"Are you serious?" Chiharu asked.
"Of course. She's the ugliest duckling of all, and the most stupid. She hardly says a word, so being speechless will be a normal thing, and besides- I think it's time we pulled a little 'prank'"
She motioned for the girls to come closer, and told them of the plan that she had thought of when Rika mentioned recruiting a geek as a model.
"Brilliant!" Naoko said, when she finished.
"Isn't that kind of mean though?" Chiharu asked.
The other girls just looked at her.
"It's not mean! It's just a silly prank and besides, it's required of the most popular girls in school to pull at least one prank."
"But it's usually on the boys." Chiharu pointed out.
"Are you disagreeing with me?" Tomoyo glared at the girl, who looked abashed.
"No."
"Good. So it's all set up. So I'll fill out the announcement, and next week, Sakura's going to 'expose' herself to the world as a model." Tomoyo laughed at her genius plan. Oh I'm good. She thought. "And I'll need you girls back here tomorrow for fittings."
"No problem."
"Sure"
"Ok with me."
"Yeah."
Soon the girls left, and Tomoyo wrote the announcement, and put it in the office for tomorrow morning. Have fun Sakura. She thought.
Sakura was sitting in math class when it happened. It had started off as a normal, typical math class. People were talking loudly, gossiping about whom was dating whom, and other such things that bored Sakura to death. The teacher was due to arrive any moment. Sakura opened her notebook, and began writing a new story that had been rolling around in her brain all night, and that morning.
The water was rushing all around me, threatening to engulf me in the dark walls of suffocation-
And then I woke up with sweat drenching my pillow, and tears streaming down my face. It was the nightmare again. I could never set foot in water, every time I went to the lake with my family, I could feel that fear rushing through me again-
"Good morning students and faculty! It's now time for the morning announcements!" shaking her head slightly, Sakura put down her pencil, and listened to the announcements. She was one of the few who actually paid attention to them. It's better to stay on top of things. Sakura thought.
"Lunch for today includes Salisbury steak with mashes potatoes and green peas, and carrot cake for desert."
Yummy. Sakura thought, glad that she had brought her own lunch, one that she had made the evening before. Cafeteria food is so disgusting; I'm surprised no one has had food poisoning.
The rest of the announcements were read with nothing unusual, until the very last one.
"And finally, I'm proud to announce the top models in out upcoming fashion show! Tomoyo Daidouji, Rika Sasaki, Chiharu Mihara, Naoko Yanagisawa, and finally . . . Sakura Kinomoto! Congratulations! And please report to room 101 after school. That is all"
Sakura's head snapped up at the mention of name, and suddenly all conversation stopped. Everyone turned to look at Sakura, who was now looking down at the floor.
"Sakura? How in the world did she get to be model?" someone asked. Now all of theconversations turned to her. Sakura did her best to tune it out. She was far too bewildered herself to really think about it. Me? A model?
"Alright class. Settle down." The sensei came in, saving Sakura from thinking too much more. Math was her worst subject and it usually took most of her concentration to do it properly, much to her disappointment.
When math class let out an hour later, Sakura found herself surrounded by people.
"How'd you get to be model?"
"Yeah, did you bribe them?"
"You're not pretty enough to be a model."
"Enough!" a loud voice broke through the crowd, who parted to let Syaoran through.
"Sakura!" He said when he reached her; she gave him a half smile.
"Go away!" Syaoran yelled at the crowd, who went of still grumbling and giving Sakura dirty looks.
"Are you alright? I heard what happened." Syaoran said as soon as they were alone.
"I'm fine, and everyone knows."
"Do you know how-"
"No I don't! Can everyone just stop asking me that?" seeing the look of shock on Syaoran's face, she recoiled. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Syaoran! It's just been confusing. I didn't mean to yell at you." Her voice was now barely above a whisper.
"It's ok. It's just that I've never seen you really annoyed or angry before."
But now Sakura had gone quiet again. Syaoran sighed.
"Come on, let's get to class."
She nodded, and followed him to class, wondering how many more taunts she'd have to endure before school ended.
As it turned out, everyone seemed to have something to say to Sakura. Most comments were standard teasing, some were quite nasty, and there was one comment that nearly sent her to tears.
"I think Tomoyo has had brain damage if she's picking the ugliest girl in the school. Wait didI say girl? I mean it. You're an it."
By the time Sakura approached room 101, she felt like she had been through a war. Everyone against her. Only Syaoran stuck by her side, and got rid of everyone when he could. But when she was alone, which was often, the people overwhelmed her.
Sakura took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
Sakura opened the door. She'd been in room 101 a few times for various reasons, but now it looked like a dressing room, with fabric draped everywhere, and sketches of bodies in clothing, and a sewing machine.There was also a dress makers dummy in the corner.Tomoyo was sitting at the table, along with Naoko, Chiharu, and Rika.
"Sakura! You made it!" Tomoyo smiled at her. Sakura gave a weak smile back.
"These are the girls." She gestured around the room. "I'm sure you know who they are."
Sakura nodded. Everyone knew who Tomoyo was, and all of her friends. They were practically legends at school.
"Well come have a seat! We don't bite." This set them off laughing, and Sakura's smile grew less tentative. She took a seat at the furthest end of the table.
"Now that we're all here, let's begin."
An hour passed, and Sakura found herself immersed in a world completely different from the one she lived in. These girls made fun of every other girl in the school. Saying nasty things that made Sakura cringe on the inside. Why are these girls so mean to their friends? She wondered. If this is what popularity is like, I don't want any part of it.
"Ok Sakura, I need to get your measurements so I can make your outfit."
"Oh?"
"Stand here." Tomoyo instructed. As Sakura got measured, she wondered what kind of outfit Tomoyo was making her, and she also wondered if Tomoyo was going to show her how to model.
"Um Tomoyo?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"Yes?"
"I really don't know how to do this." She whispered. Tomoyo simply smiled at her.
"It's fine. Don't even worry about it. Now move your arms like this."
Sakura obeyed, and wondered how this was all going to work out. After all it's in a week. But hey! Maybe things are finally looking up for me.
"Alright girls! We're done for the day." Tomoyo said, a few minutes later. "I'm going to complete my sketches and start sewing tonight. I'll see you back here tomorrow for more fittings and rehearsal."
"Yeah."
"Sure."
"Ok."
"Sound good to me."
Sakura merely nodded, and gave a tentative wave goodbye. As soon the girls left, Tomoyo smiled to herself. She fell for it hook, line and sinker. Perhaps if my modeling career doesn't work out, I can be an actress. Tomoyo laughed and flipped back her hair into a ponytail. She sat back down at the table, and started working on what was to be the highlight of her senior year.
A week passed, and Sakura spent most of her time after school with Tomoyo and the girls, preparing for the fashion show. She felt happy with her life, and was a little more talkative to other people. Syaoran noticed the change in her and felt his heart beating much faster than normal every time he spent time with her. He had now figured out that there was something else there. Something else other than friendship hanging in the air between them. The question was: how did Sakura feel?
"So how's the fashion show going?" Syaoran asked Sakura. It was the night before the big day, and Syaoran took Sakura out for dinner to celebrate. I wish this were an actual date, and not just hanging out. He thought to himself.
"Oh it's going great! I've got two outfits to model. I just hope I do a good job."
"You'll do just fine Sakura."
"I hope so."
"I have faith in you."
Syaoran smiled at her, and she smiled back. He felt the familiar feelings that now engulfed him whenever he spent time with her. All too soon dinner was over, and Syaoran took Sakura home.
"Break a leg tomorrow." He said at the doorway of the apartment.
"Thanks."
Impulsively he reached out and hugged her. Surprised, Sakura hugged him back.
"What was that for?" she asked, when they broke apart.
"Just because" he winked at her, and walked away. Sakura stared at him for a moment, and then shrugged. She unlocked the door and went into her apartment for the night, feeling both nervous and excited about the events to come.
I really hope I do a good job tomorrow!
"Places everyone! Places! Naoko! You're up first! Chiharu, get on deck!"
Tomoyo was running around, getting everyone organized. The fashion show was starting in five minutes. Sakura had been put last, which made her all the more nervous.
"Don't be nervous." Tomoyo said, when Sakura confided in her earlier. She leaned in close to the girl, and said. "Don't tell the others this; but I've saved my best outfits for last, and you're wearing them."
"Really?"
"Yes. So stop worrying. Just relax."
Meiling had come back from her travels, and was the MC. Tomoyo checked that everyone was in their positions, and then gave the all clear signal. She could hear Meiling welcoming everyone and the sound of applause. Sakura fought down a wave of nausea and smiled. I can do this. I can totally do this. Sakura wasn't up for twenty minutes, so she had a few minutes to kill before she had to get changed. She knew Syaoran was watching and waiting for her. Her brother had to work, but he had sent her flowers, which she now fingered lovingly. They were pink roses. Sakura felt honored, and happy that her brother cared enough to send flowers in his unfortunate absence.
"Sakura! Time to get changed!" Tomoyo called.
"Ok!"
Sakura made her way to the dressing room, feeling another wave of nausea hit her. Fighting the urge to puke, she took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Feeling a little better, she took the dress with the matching slip (as the dress was a little see-through) off the hanger. She put on the slip, (that barely covered anything, and left Sakura feeling practically naked.) and was about to put her dress on, when there was a loud knock on the door.
"Just a minute!" she called, but the door was thrust open, and a very distraught looking Tomoyo came in.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh it's horrible! There's been an awful accident! We have to leave now!"
"Just let me get changed-"
"There's no time!" Tomoyo seized her hand. "We have to leave now!" as Sakura was being dragged down the hallway, she asked what had happened.
"It's too awful for words!" Tomoyo said, "Go through here! It's quicker!"
"What-?"
Suddenly she felt herself being pushed though black curtains, and into a very bright spotlight.
"And here we have Sakura Kinomoto sporting a very revealing nylon slip dress!"
She heard laughter, and felt the room spinning. What's going on? Then she heard Tomoyo's voice, cold and cruel.
"Sakura, did you really think you were good enough to be a model? I guess you really are as stupid and pathetic as you look."
The room was full of laughter. Everyone was pointing at her. Sakura felt dizzy, and the room spun faster and began to look dim and dark. What's happening- and Sakura suddenly felt the world go completely black as she fainted.
Syaoran lunged through the laughing crowd, mad enough to kill them with his bare hands. How dare they? Those girls are vultures. But as he reached the stage, he saw that he wasn't quick enough. Someone else had caught her just before she had hit the floor.
"Sakura!" he yelled out. But she was being carried off, and by the time he reached the stage, she was gone, and now Tomoyo was coming out wearing the outfit meant for Sakura.
"And now we see the lovely Tomoyo wearing a beautiful clubbing dress-"
Before anyone could say a word, Syaoran leapt onto the stage, and grabbed Tomoyo by the hand, dragging her backstage. Tomoyo fought tooth and nail. But Syaoran's grip was strong.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he spit at her.
"What do you mean? We were just having a bit of fun."
"You stupid little cow! How dare you do something so horrible to such an innocent girl?"
Tomoyo simply laughed.
"Syaoran, Syaoran Syaoran." She shook her head. "You could do so much better than that thing. Like me for instance."
"You're sick!" he growled.
"No I'm beautiful and popular. I'm the queen of this school"
"Well after today, consider yourself de-crowned you monster!" he yelled, walking away, leaving a pissed off Tomoyo is his wake. That guy needs an attitude adjustment, and I'm just the one to give it to him. This is just the beginning of Sakura's troubles. She thought. She quickly adjusted her outfit, and went back out to receive the praise she so deserved.
Sakura felt something wet dripping on her face. Opening her eyes, harsh white light stabbed at her eyes.
"Ouch that's bright!" she sat up, and looked at the surroundings around her. Everything looked unfamiliar. "Uh… where am I?"
"You're in the nurse's office." A voice startled her. She turned and saw a young boy standing over her. He has cerulean colored eyes and long dark brown hair in a ponytail. He sported a black leather jacket and blue jeans with a white t-shirt.
"Who are you?" Sakura asked, forgetting to be shy for a moment. He smiled at her, and she felt butterflies in her stomach again, though she had no idea why.
"I'm Jackson Reid."
A/N: Yeah I'm ending it there! But stay tuned for part two! God Bless CelestialMoon17.