The Bond that Binds Us

Chapter Two: Meetings, Coffee, and Pains

"Have you eaten?"

"No,"

"Do you need a drink?"

"No,"

"What time is it?"

"No,"

Sakura furrowed her brows and stared at the man sitting in front of her. His brown hair fell over his forehead in curls, his amber eyes fixated on the draft she gave him, and his lips moving in frustration. She crossed her arms and legs.

"You hate me a whole lot, don't you?"

"Yes,"

She grumbled again. "Can't you just look at me and answer me properly?"

He looked up, and for a single moment her heart managed to thump hard. "Yes, I do hate you a whole damn lot, now could you please concentrate with me and think about your mind-map?"

She made a face, grumbled and came around the wooden table. They had decided to do their work in the park, but when Sakura said that there would be a lot of people passing by and making a lot of noises, Syaoran had brushed her off and yelled at her to sit on the park bench. And here they were, sitting and hating each other like there's no tomorrow.

"I was thinking of doing this topic," she took out another script and pointed her finger to a question on 'why bio-degradable items are better for the environment'. "I think I can answer it just right-"

"Geez, are you dumb or something?" Syaoran snapped and snatched the paper from her hands. "Can't you do something more constructive, more professional and worth thinking long hours for?!" He huffed annoyingly and shook his head.

Sakura stared at him. What did he just call her? Damn this man!

Syaoran glanced at her, sighed heavily and returned the paper. "Look, I prefer, if you want to do something worth thinking over, is this question," he pointed to the last question about Unions and poverty-relief organisations. "It may sound controversial for some but I think it's worth the marks you want to have,"

Sakura stared at him, then to the paper, "I-I guess so,"

Syaoran looked at her, "Good," and returned to scrutinizing the empty paper pad she had set aside in front of him.

Sakura couldn't help but laugh. "If you're trying to make words appear, I think you're doing a bad job at it," she took the pad from him.

"Shut up," his face turned into a shade of pink, "I'm just thinking of what structure your mind-map should be." He took it back.

She raised a brow. "Hey, look, whatever it is I'm still doing a mind-map. It doesn't matter what format it will be: fishbone, circles, clouds, rainbows – it's still a bloody mind-map!" She tugged.

"No! I got it under control," he tugged on it but this time had to struggle with her hands still glued to it. "Give it here!" He frowned. "Let go, you stupid woman!"

Syaoran didn't realise how harsh he had said it because normally, for him, saying 'stupid' isn't as insulting as 'bastard' or 'dumbass'. But when he had said it to her, it must've affected her real badly for the expression she held now was one he never wanted to see on a girl. At all.

Abruptly, she tore her hands from the pad, looked away and picked up her books from the table. Syaoran blinked. "H-Hey, hey, wait a minute!"

"Look, Li, I don't think this pairing is going to work whether we tried to make it so or not," she spoke in a low voice. "I'm sure my professor would work things out and change mentors for our sakes," she glanced slowly at him, as if not wanting to look at him in the first place. "I-It was nice meeting you anyways,"

Syaoran stood up and was about to speak when she turned to walk. "You can keep the scripts; I have copies back at home,"

And she left.

Great, now he has to apologise and make it up to her. He knew it, they're all depressed. Sighing, he collected the papers, grabbed his duffel bag and looked around the wide-open greenery, porches, playgrounds, and the amphitheatre just across the basketball court.

She sure walked away fast for a depressed girl like her. Grumbling, he searched for her. Even if it wasn't crowded, she wasn't easy to find. For about half an hour, he searched the park, nearby shelters and playgrounds. OK, maybe he shouldn't be looking for her there-

"Uhm…" A timid female voice spoke behind her, and a tap was felt on his shoulder.

He turned around and stared at the shrunken girl standing bashfully in front of him. Her books were close to her body, her auburn hair falling over her face. It somehow amused him how she looked like to him now. And he couldn't help but grin.

"Well then, looks like guilt has gotten the better of you, huh?"

Sakura looked back up to him. "I didn't come here to apologise for anything!" She snapped, then quickly looked away and mumbled. "I'm just here for the script, I realised I have copies of a different set of papers…"

Here, he snorted.

"What's so funny?" She snapped again, her face flushed with embarrassment. "At least I'm brave enough to come back and talk, not like some people."

Syaoran roared with laughter. "Yeah, foolish and stupid is what I call that!"

Like before, she silenced. And Syaoran stopped laughing to look at her. Oh no, not again. He slapped a hand to his forehead.

"Geez, look, I'm sorry I said that. I didn't know it affected you in some way-"

"Well, maybe you should!" She yelled into his face, snatching the paper from his hand. "And I am not being sensitive, OK? I-It's just that…" she looked away. "Never mind. I'm leaving,"

Syaoran stared at her retreating form. "Hey, wait,"

"Come to school tomorrow, alright, in the canteen? We'll do things properly this time," she spoke in a low tone again. "Bye,"

And she left, again.

Slapping his hand to his forehead once more, he grumbled. Geez, girls these days are as depressed as he thought! No wonder his cousin was acting the same and isn't anywhere near changing. Well, since she's not thinking of continuing the discussion, he might as well head back to his place, too.

He glanced at the direction she took and found her small frame along the pathway out of the park. Somehow, he felt… he felt…

What did he feel?

"Argh! Whatever it is, it's stupid and she's too depressed to even walk straight," he grumbled and looked back to where he was heading. "Good riddance that I don't have to deal with her today,"

But he still looked back to the direction she took.

Guess he did feel something… somewhat.

"I'm sorry if I was late,"

Tomoyo looked up from her second cup of coffee, smiled up to the navy-blue haired man looking down at her, and shook her head. "N-No, not at all," she paused and sheepishly giggled, "I came early."

Eriol smiled and took his seat across her, ordering his coffee as well to a waiter standing behind him. "So, what's up?"

"W-Well, n-nothing, really," she fumbled with her fingers, "I… I just wanted to see you…" She blushed madly.

Eriol grinned. "I wanted to see you, too,"

Tomoyo turned to him with a cloak of hope on her furious heart. "Really?" Her eyes brightened and Eriol chuckled. Quickly she looked down in shame. "I-I'm sorry,"

"Oh come on now, don't be," Eriol motioned his hand under her chin to cheer her up, "I didn't mean to be so intimidating towards you,"

She blinked. "Intimidating? Pfft, you sure are full of yourself,"

There was an awkward silence and Eriol and Tomoyo could only stare at each other. A heartbeat later they chuckled and sipped their coffees, talking about all sorts of things: like how they came about to this average town and how big their families are.

"I'm an only child so everybody depended on me a lot," Eriol nodded in thought. "But it wasn't pressuring me in any way… surprisingly,"

Tomoyo nodded with him. "I'm an only child, too, though my mother is just the opposite," she sighed. "But it helped that she's making me disciplined and grounded. I don't prefer wild-child acts," she shook her head sternly.

Eriol smiled at her, rested his elbow on the table and watched her tentatively. Tomoyo caught his eyes and blushed again, biting down on her lip and looking away. "Do you always do that?"

"D-Do what…?" She timidly glanced at him.

"That." He motioned his head as if to point to her face, "You're fair-skinned, but now I can see the blood rushing through your face!" He chuckled.

Tomoyo blushed harder and covered her face with a napkin. "I-I'm so sorry…!" She cussed under her breath and prayed Eriol wouldn't see her as a fool. But when she felt a gentle touch to her chin, she followed the pull and found him smiling gently at her.

Great. She's in love.

"I like that in you," he spoke huskily, "so don't stop,"

Tomoyo shook under his warm touch and lightly pushed his fingers away. "O-OK,"

Eriol held his smile and nodded in respect to her personal space: he liked that in a girl, too. He adjusted his spectacles for a moment, collecting his hands together in a professional way, and nodded. "I hear Syaoran's paired up with your friend for… a project or something?"

Tomoyo's eyes finally returned into its beautiful shade of lavender, with a childish hint sparkling within. "Oh my goodness, I almost forgot about them! Yes, yes they are!" She giggled, "What did Li say about it?"

"Well, for starters he said-"

Tomoyo blinked, stared down her bag and blushed. "I-I'm sorry," she dug deep, pulled out her cell-phone and clicked it on, "hello-"

Eriol watched her; her face had scrunched in worry and from the looks of it, it's either her mother or it was…

"It's Sakura, something's happened," Tomoyo stood up and grabbed her bag, "I'm sorry, but I have to go and see her if she's OK,"

Eriol smiled and stood up as well, coming round the table to stand beside her. "It's alright, I had fun drinking coffee and talking to you," he softened his smile. "May I have the honour of inviting you to coffee again someday?"

Tomoyo blushed under his eyes and looked down. "Y-Yes,"

"Well then," he came closer, closed his eyes and left a soft kiss to her smooth cheek. "I'll call you,"

Tomoyo stared wide-eyed at him, held her warm cheek, blushed harder, and nodded furiously. "I-I-I'll see y-y-you, then…!" She squeaked, hurriedly made her exit and waved.

Eriol could only laugh.

"Thanks!"

Tomoyo waved to the shopkeeper, exited from the shop and crossed the road to their apartment. Right when she had left the coffee house she immediately called Sakura to ask where she was and if she's alright enough to eat something. Sakura, as usual, wouldn't refuse anything so Tomoyo bought noodles and omelette-rice for the poor girl.

When she had climbed the stairs and unlocked the main door, the sight of Sakura's shrunken figure sitting on the sofa with her legs together and her chin on her knees almost made Tomoyo drop everything rush up to her. But Tomoyo knew well that she wasn't to be brash when Sakura's in such moods. So quietly, she walked to the kitchen, poured the noodles in two bowls, peeled the plastic open and scooped the omelette-rice into two rice bowls, poured some juice and carried them all out on a tray.

Once she was in the living room and had set the food down, she sat beside Sakura, waited for her to realise her presence and hugged her when she had opened her arms.

"Let me guess,"

Sakura nodded.

"Oh, Sakura, I'm sure it wasn't that bad, right?" Tomoyo patted her back, "Come on, eat something, then after that you can tell me what happened."

Sakura pulled away and nodded slowly. Taking the bowl that Tomoyo had given her, she slurped her noodles and sighed. Tomoyo patted her head and slurped her own noodles.

"… I'm not stupid, or dumb, am I?" Sakura suddenly queried and Tomoyo choked, her eyes wide-eyed upon her glum-looking friend.

"Sakura!"

"Tell me, Tomoyo, please. You're my friend so I expect an honest answer from you…" Sakura continued again. Her green eyes had lost its shine and she looked pale. Tomoyo grew worried.

"Sakura," she placed her bowl down and held her shoulders, "look at me and tell me why you're asking me this, because I don't think it's about what happened with you and Li anymore, is it?"

Sakura looked into her eyes. Paused, and shook her head slowly.

"So? Spill,"

Soon, her eyes were tearful and Tomoyo pulled her in for an assuring hug.

"I think I am stupid and dumb, Tomoyo…" Sakura mumbled into her hair. "I don't think I can ever do anything right-"

"Oh stop it, Sakura, please! I've told you over and over that you are intelligent in anything you have passion for: and that is to strum your guitar and write songs for my band!" Tomoyo pulled away and held Sakura's face, "Isn't that proof enough that you're not stupid and dumb?"

"But that's different!" Sakura looked away, "I-I'm talking about… you know…"

Tomoyo's shoulders dropped and she sighed. "Look, if this is about your brother again-"

"Well, what's wrong with reminiscing pains that have turned me into a total sap?" She snapped at her, "So what if I cringed at the mention of stupidity and dumbass-ness towards my being? Tomoyo, look at me," she paused, "I can't survive here, least of all prove myself to my father and brother that I am nowhere near stupid and dumb. So why should I even continue-"

"Now listen here, lil' missy, and listen good!" Tomoyo grabbed her shoulders and pointed a finger at her, "You are not stupid, you are not dumb. You are going somewhere to proving yourself to your father and brother so don't quit! And don't you ever dare tell me that you've decided to leave me. You hear me?" She didn't mean to sound fierce but it was the only way her words could delve inside poor Sakura's head. Soon, she calmed down, sighed heavily and pulled her in for a hug. "I love you, you're like a sister to me so whatever happens we stick up for each other. If you're struggling, I struggle with you. If you're happy, I happy with you," she smiled brightly. "OK?"

Sakura's tearful eyes watered ten-fold and she shut her eyes. "Thank you, Tomoyo, and I'm sorry,"

"It's alright," she spoke softly, "I always forgive you, right?"

Sakura pulled away, wiped her tears and smiled at her. "Yeah, you always do," she chuckled gently. "So what did you do while I was away?" She continued with her noodles.

Immediately, Tomoyo blushed beet red. Sakura eyed her. "Tell me you didn't kiss him and decided to marry him, already?!!"

"Oh my goodness, no way! Sakura!!" Tomoyo squeaked, "Sheesh, I am not shallow, alright?" She crossed her arms, her blush still caught within her cheeks. "B-Besides, if you really wanted to know… w-we just had coffee,"

Sakura slurped the last of her noodles and drained her juice. "Really?"

"Oh come on now, do I really look that shallow to you?" Tomoyo defended but Sakura could only shrug, a grin plastered to her face. "Whatever, but all I know is that we talked and decided to have coffee again sometime," her eyes wandered around before looking down at her noodles and slurping them up into her mouth. "No biggie,"

"Oh sure…" Sakura munched on her omelette-rice, "no biggie,"

"Why are you giving me that look? That's supposed to be my look!"

"I am your sister, you know, so whatever look you got, I'll have one just the same," Sakura chortled.

Tomoyo glared at her. "Yeah, and like all little sisters, they're annoying,"

Sakura grinned and stuck out her pink tongue.

Tomoyo snorted and they roared with laughter.

"Where in the world have you been? Have you forgotten about the meeting I scheduled for you or did you ignored it, deliberately?"

Syaoran grumbled at his mother standing outside his room with her hands on her hips. He had just returned from the courtyard where he had trained with his sword several hundred times and was too tired to discuss anything to her, so he just fell onto his bed and pretended to snore.

"Goodness, Syaoran, when will you ever learn?!" Yelan stormed into his room and shook his shoulder. "This isn't time to slack around and ignore important meetings! Have you forgotten what is to happen at the end of this year?"

Syaoran snored again.

"Syaoran!"

"Geez, Mother, stop yelling already!" Syaoran growled, rolled over and sat up. "If you must know I was out training at the courtyard and I am beat, alright? Now leave me alone," he grumbled, fell back and grabbed his pillow for a squeeze.

Yelan huffed, crossed her arms and looked up. "Well, from what I heard you had escaped the meeting to meet up with a girl," she paused, noticing Syaoran's eyes had flipped open and a hint of red had painted his cheeks. "What was her name again?"

Damn that Eriol.

"Oh, alright!" He sat back up angrily, "I was paired up with a gril from the school I used to be a student in and we just talked about her topics," he watched his mother. "It's not like I'm doing anything else-"

"You do know that you're to be married with a politician, right? Not some average girl with average grades who don't know a single thing about politics-"

"Haven't you heard my ranting or have you turned deaf? I said I don't want to marry Meiling!" Syaoran shook his head. "She's my cousin for heaven's sakes! Isn't that wrong already?"

"Cousin or not she is the very image of a wife you should have by your side! And during the handover ceremony is where you two should be at and seen as a couple!" Yelan retorted at him. "Even if you refuse I will not cancel the arrangement I have made and the plans I have thought of, you hear me?" She made a move to stand but Syaoran called her back.

"Mother-"

"No, Syaoran, you need utmost discipline and if you still rebel against my wishes then there is nothing more I can do but wish you and Meiling the best," and with that she slammed his door.

Syaoran sighed heavily; great, his mother's angry, Kinomoto's depressed, Eriol's roaring in victory…

What else could go wrong?

His bedside telephone rung and he grumbled. Reaching for the handset, he croaked a hello.

"Get ready a tuxedo, man, 'cuz I am going to ask Tomoyo her hand in marriage!" Eriol yelled into the receiver.

Immediately, Syaoran slammed it back down and fell to his bed again.

Well, there's that…

-End of Chapter Two-

Author's Note: How? How is it now??? Oh gosh i'm anxious to write the next chappie. But i dont know about y'all though. Are you alright with this? Please do REVIEW! Please?