Hey guys! This is a very short fic, well, I don't know if its 2 or 3 chapters, all I know its an AU and its kinda OOC specially for Syaoran. So just bare with me, ok? I want at least 20 reviews in these, ok?
To give you an overview, this first chapter is only Sakura's POV and the next is Syaoran's and for the last chapter, it's a normal POV.
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS! How many times do I have to tell you that? Oh, get a grip!
P.S.
Ummm…. This is my story, so if you want to copy it just at least ask permission, ok? Actually I've finished this story last year when our teacher forced us to narrate our some heartbreaking story. (this is true story, I mean this 1st chappy—it's my own experience. But mind you, I'm only seventeen, I just want them to be older than me. Ok? Moreover, the following chappies are just the work of my imagination.)
so on with the story….
Chapter 1: Growing up
~~Sakura's POV~~
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
"I can't think!" I said on impulse as my throaty voice booms in the room. It's been quite a while since I had a time like this. Sitting comfortable in my chair. Tapping my newly sharpened Faber castel pencil in my right hand as I gaze at the white sheet in front of me. But is this it? Sitting? Tapping? And gazing?
I slowly averted my eyes to the clean sheet and focus myself on the only décor in my room. My masterpiece. The faded varnish of the frame implies the years of its stay in the white wall. Added to it were the various types of spider's habitat located in different sides of its rectangular form.
My first ever –I must say—work of art…
***Flashback***
"Hey, What are you doing here all by yourself?" a fifteen-year-old guy with almond-shape eyes said as he grabs the baseball cap that was resting on my head.
"Hey! What you've just did is not a good greeting to a hero like me!" I proudly said back, as I tried to retrieve my precious garment.
The guy stared at me with a baffled look, "Eh? You? Hero? How come?"
"Well, you're now speaking to the representative of our school in the International Art Competition." I said flatly while making my eyes teased his deep ocher one.
It took a while before my friend register shock on his face. "Really?" he said, dropping my cap in the process.
"Finally." I sigh; my shoulder slumping back to its relaxing position. "I thought it might take you years to figure out what I have—"
"—Congratulations!" he yelled like a mad man while lifting me in the air. "I know you'll did it! I know you'll make it to the elimination round!" still flinging me around like a small child. "And besides, you're Sakura-chan, my best buddy!"
"It's Zach, not Sak—whatever!" I pouted while clarifying his statement, and then… I snigger as I realized something… "Mr. Xiao Lang Li!" grinning proudly after his angelic-face turned into something… abstract?
"Oh, fighting back, huh?" he said as his feature turns devious.
My eyes widened in realization, "No, you're not—HAHAHA!" I laughed, leaving my unfinished phrase behind, as calloused fingers keeps on tickling me.
***End of flashback***
"Oh, Syaoran-kun." I sighed as I focused again on the canvas. It's not really that beautiful, yet just what Syaoran—that's what I call him—said: "The color was lame but the message is very clear. Yet people who don't use the eyes of their heart will not understand it." Heck! I don't know what he ate that afternoon that causes him to said that.
But one thing's for sure. Even though I didn't get the first prize, that painting gave me the award that I want…
Growing up.
Pretty weird, huh? You might say that it's very absurd. But it's all right; you're not the first person who said it. That's what all my friends tell me when I said that to them.
Me? Learning to grow up, just making a simple art?
"Maybe they're right…" I instantly answer the question in my head as I try to scan the small room before me. Pink bed sheets, collection of teddy bears, set of pencils and other drawing materials, different kinds of sports attire, and of course, complete manga (Japanese comics) volumes of all my favorite animé. A 'very childish room' I may say.
But really, I did change. I did grow up.
My late great grandma used to say that giving up is the sign that you grew up. She said that handing over something is good because you'll gain a much better thing than what you have before.
No…
I didn't throw in the towel the things that are in my room. What I mean is, I grow up because I gave up something more important than these stuff.
Just now… I come up to realize that.
Just like Kero, a pure breed of Japanese bobtail cat, my pet friend and my very first best friend. My parents gave him (Kero) to me as a present on my third birthday. For me, he's the best. We grew up having each other. In fact, Touya, my very annoying brother always teased me that I look like a cat myself. But it didn't bother me… because I have him.
Yet one day, an unexpected incident happens. It was the day before my 7th birthday, a day wherein Cherry blossoms flourish at their best. Kero and I were having our usual walk at the park when a four-year-old girl came running towards us. Then all of a sudden she hugged my friend and called her 'Pinky'.
Very funny name for a cat, huh?
Then she starts to cry. I was shocked. I didn't know what to do. It was my first time to see someone crying…(Well I'm not bragging, but to tell you the truth, our family is considered a perfect and a jovial one, even though my mother died when I was four—but that's another story to tell.) Then a lady in her late twenties patted my head and asked me if I can give Kero to the lonely girl. She told me that the little girl lost her cat that looks like my friend. (I never really regarded Kero as my pet; it's more of a friend.) I felt different kinds of emotions as questions starts to attack my innocent mind.
But… do I have a choice?
My heart was crushed as I offer my friend to her. "He's a present from my parents…" I said, "… and it really made my happy when I received it…so here… my present for you, hope you'll be happy too." I added while I try to control the tears that are forming in my eyes. Then I run…
I felt happy and sad at that time. It was the first time that I give something, not just 'some' thing but a special one. Then I bump into someone…
***Flashback***
"I-I'm s-sorry…" I said between my sobs as I bowed down, "I d-didn't… look to… where I w-was g-going." Rubbing my little hands to my swollen eyes.
"It's all right!" a squeaky voice rung in my ears.
Then I received it… the 'much better' thing that my grandma was telling me. It has messy chestnut hair; deep, concern, twinkling, amber eyes and a very handsome smile.
***End of flashback***
"My first ever Xiao Lang!" (little wolf) I exclaimed as I take a glimpse on the picture beside my pencil case. It has Syaoran and me in it. I was twelve years old and he was thirteen then, he was hugging me and wearing his trademark smile, and giving the camera a peace sign when 'tousan took picture of us. "And now, it's our eleventh year as best friends" I whispered in the coming April zephyr. Yup! Tomorrow's my 18th birthday. Time surely flies quickly this day, ne?
I look back at the empty sheet in front of me. Then after sometime, I start to scribble; lines, curve and straight lines, shapes, and etc. I really don't know what to draw. Then something caught my attention… it was a green band, made of thread, rounding my pinky finger. And again… I remembered him. He's the one who made this ring. Well at first, it was placed on my index finger. But of course, I'm not an 8-year-old girl anymore whose fingers were as thin as French fries…. I'm going to be a woman tomorrow…
"Yeah, tomorrow…" I somberly said. It's not that I don't want to be an adult or to celebrate my birthday but, just now… I remembered something. The ring reminded me, again…
***Flashback***
"Here..." The 9-year-old Syaoran said while extending out a newly made ring. "…take this," he said demandingly.
Confusion arises from my head, "Huh? What for?"
Amber eyes started to glow, "Since I'm your best friend, I want to help you…"
"How?"
"This ring…" he said while placing it in my index finger, "…will remind you that you should give up something special you have for those who needed it most."
"Just like what I did last year?" I asked inquisitively.
"Yes."
"B-But why?" I answered back. Is he nuts? He wants me to give up something special that I have.
"So that you won't feel bad about giving up Kero. Its just that, I remember the day when you said to me that you want to be generous, just what you've done to your cat. So… here's the answer…tomorrow's your birthday right?" he asked as I slightly nodded my head, "… Let's just say it's your birthday deed for the year. And a reminder that you're growing up every time you give up something…" running his fingers to his messy hair.
"You sound like my grandma!" I said jokingly.
"Then maybe…" widening his eyes, "I'm your grandmother! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!" imitating an old lady.
The day ended with best friends having a stomachache.
***End of flashback***
So it kept on going that way every year. It was really hard for me to do that. But it's my choice, so I must do it. And besides, the smile that I got from the person I offer the sacrifice is just quite overwhelming. But now… just now… I feel sad.
Tears started to roll on my cheeks as my pencil left my shaking hand. "Do I really need to continue this endeavor? Do I really have to?" I said as the tears blurred my vision. I gaze up again at the painting that's hanging on the wall, as I remembered another scene in my life…
It was a week before the submission of the artwork for the contest when a very unwelcome incident happened. Otousan and oniichan caught in a plane crash. They decided to have a trip to Egypt for another digging but I wasn't allowed to go because of the contest. At that time, my heart starts to crush all over again. Just like the first time I made an act of unselfishness. I have nowhere to go… I don't know any relatives other then my cousin Tomoyo who's in England with Aunt Sonomi and Grandfather. Syaoran-kun was the only one who comforted me in my darkest hour…
***Flashback***
"This is so unfair!" I angrily said to him as his embrace on me tightened. "Why did He have to take my love ones away from me? I'm only fifteen! Are my sacrifices every year's not enough?" raising my jade eyes to him.
"Shhh… don't talk that way." He said seriously while brushing my auburn locks gently, "Maybe… it's just their time… maybe He has other, bigger plans for you." As his ocher eyes stared at me with a calm feature. "Please, for me… Let this event be your deed for the year…"
"But it's too much! I don't want to grow up if it'll be like this. I don't want to give them up…"
"I know." Cupping my face as his thumbs wipes away the salty water in it. "But, it will pay off soon." Then he smiled at me. "You said a smile from the person you helped is enough payment for your sacrifices, right?"
I nodded.
"Then let my smile be the payment for your grief. I know it sounds weird but I hope it'll make your heart a little bit light." Smiling sweetly as he kissed my forehead. "Hey, guess what?"
"What?" I said somewhat bewildered.
Then he beamed at me as he petted my auburn hair, "I know now what you'll draw in your canvas!"
"What?"
"You should draw the things that's important to you, starting to Kero!" raising his thumbs up for reassurance, "It'll be the best!"
"Thanks." I said as I slowly fall into a deep, resting sleep.
***End of flashback***
But now… there's only one left that wasn't sacrificed yet…
I didn't want it, though… "But I have to… for the happiness of other people… and of course… for you…" I solemnly said while I stand up and walk my way to the painting, slowly touching the pictures in it; Kero, my cosmos plant, simple things, my family and the last was a smiling Chestnut-haired guy with deep, loving amber eyes, "Do I have to give you up?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaminari: so what do you think? Is it ok? I hope you like this one! I assure you that you'll not wait long for the other chapter. So I want you to review this one and I want many reviews. NO FLAMES please! Ze ze! Zoi gin! Maan maan haang!