Hey people! Here's chapter 2! Thank you guys for all reviews! They really mean a lot to me. I'll try my best keeping up to a weekly schedule. Life is getting in the way *sighs*. Hope you guys like it.
Disclaimer- I do not own Clamp or any of the other authors, stories, franchises mentioned in the chapter.
Chapter 2
If people were the weather
"I'm home" Sakura called out as she entered her apartment.
It was a 2-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room in a residential area . The rent wasn't too expensive as both Sakura and Tomoyo had TA jobs in their university plus money saved up from all the part-time jobs they had taken before.
"Tomoyo-chan are you there?" Sakura called out taking off her shoes.
"In the kitchen" came a voice a little distance away.
"Sakura-chan where were you?" asked Tomoyo as Sakura entered the kitchen. You didn't take an umbrella and you left your phone too! I was worried you might have gotten lost or something" Tomoyo said placing a cup of hot tea in front her on the kitchen counter.
"You worry too much Tomoyo-chan. It started raining so I waited it out at Aki-chan's" Sakura said as she accepted the cup of tea gratefully.
"Well can you blame me, you know how you are with directions Sakura-chan. You without a GPS is the same as leaving you on an isolated island "Tomoyo said smiling lightly.
"I'm not that bad Tomoyo-chan! I can find my way to all my university classes without a GPS now you know" Sakura said in triumphant voice.
"After getting lost the entire first semester Sakura-chan" Tomoyo said giggling slightly.
"Okay okay I'll admit I'm not that great at it but who needs direction sense when you have smartphones!" Sakura said raising her hands in the air.
"People who tend to forget their phones like a certain someone I know" Tomoyo said without missing a beat.
Sakura sighed "Alright alright I'll try to remember next time. So how was your day?
"Oh, nothing out of the ordinary. I met with Naoko-chan for lunch to discuss the screenplay for the summer project. We still can't come up with a solid idea" Tomoyo said sighing.
"Ohh what are the topics you need to choose from" Sakura asked.
"That's the thing, we can choose anything we want. Who knew freedom to choose could be weirdly constricting" Tomoyo said wistfully.
"Don't worry, everything will surely be alright. If anyone can make a good movie it's you Tomoyo-chan!"Sakura said as she washed her tea cup in the sink.
"Thank you Sakura-chan" Tomoyo said smiling sincerely. So, what did you do today Sakura-chan? I thought you were going to the library to check out a new book?"
"I did go to the library and I found the book too. I started reading the preface just to check out the story and by the time I realized it I had already read a hundred pages and it started raining. Since it was still drizzling I thought I could make it home before getting too wet but then it started pouring so I ran into Aki-chan's" Sakura said sitting on the kitchen counter.
"Ohh I wish I had come. We haven't been to Aki-san's since our exams started. I miss him playing the piano. How is he?" Tomoyo asked leaning on the counter.
"Ah Aki-chan had some business to attend to so he wasn't there. A new guy called Syaoran Li was there. You know Tomoyo-chan I couldn t decide what I wanted so he told he'd make me something like a surprise and it turned out to be my favourite honey milk! He made it just like how Onii-chan used to make it! Apparently, he used to drink the same thing with his sisters too. But can you believe it Tomoyo-chan he works in a tea shop and he's sick of tea. And then I said "Sick of tea! Thats like being sick of breathing" and he actually recognized it!He likes Avatar as much as I do! He even managed to do an accent, but I think mine was better hehe and he watches Naruto! He was all "I don t go back on my word! That s my ninja way! And then he-"
"Tomoyo-chan when did you get the camera out?" Sakura asked a little embarrassed.
"Ohohohoh don't mind me Sakura-chan" Tomoyo said with a sparkle.
"Ahahahah sorry I guess I became a little hyper there" Sakura said sheepishly.
"There's nothing to apologize for. Sakura-chan's best shot is when she's all excited!" Tomoyo said happily.
"Ahaha Tomoyo-chan... Ohh I need to go back tomorrow to Aki-chan's. Li-kun gave me his umbrella" Sakura said smiling remembering the exchange they had had.
"This Li-kun seems like a very nice person doesn't he" Tomoyo said with a little glee in her eyes.
"He really is! It's so much fun talking to him!" Sakura said grinning jumping up and down seated on the counter.
"Tomoyo-chan you should come with me tomorrow and meet him. I'm sure you'll like him! "Sakura said enthusiastically.
But I think he said he was part-time, so I wonder if he'll be there" Sakura said a little uncertainly.
"Well we ll find out tomorrow Sakura-chan. I'm curious about the guy that can make you so excited."Tomoyo said eyeing Sakura with a smile.
"Yay! Let's go tomorrow! I can't wait" Sakura said raising her arms in the air.
"Okay okay Sakura-chan let's get started on dinner" Tomoyo-chan said looking at Sakura's childish antics laughing.
Somethings would never change.
Syaoran Li glanced at the sky that was slowly clearing up. The air was cool and crisp with the scent of wet earth from the rain that stopped. The streets were empty owing to the weather and the time. It was already 9:30. He had spent more time then he had anticipated helping Akiyuki-san after he returned to the shop.
He looked at the convenience store a block away and decided to just get a bento box, feeling too tired to go back home and cook dinner.
After getting his food Syaoran walked at a slow pace towards his apartment. He lived close-by to the tea shop, so it wasn't a big deal. And he somehow found himself a bit reluctant to return to his apartment. The silence that he usually welcomed in his apartment seemed a bit out of place today.
He turned the corner that lead to his street.
Almost home.
"Meooowww"
Syaoran stood there silently staring at the obstacle that had place itself in-between him and his destination.
It was a small black kitten. She sat there licking her paws, giving of an air of superiority like she owned the street. She was small with the most piercing green eyes.
She sat there seemingly undisturbed by his presence. Syaoran figured she was probably going to ignore him so he stealthily made his way around her trying to get past her.
"Meeeeooowwww"
Syaoran turning slightly and looked at her. Her eyes were staring right at him. It felt like her gaze was burning a hole in him.
They stood like that for a minute.
Finally, Syaoran sighed. "You hungry?" he asked the cat.
Wow what am I doing. Does she even understand what I'm saying?
He walked towards the bench on the side-walk and sat there and motioned for the cat to come closer. He opened his box and split everything in half. He then started piling the food on the box lid and placed it down near her. Do you have any allergies I should know about Cat-san?"
"Meeeeowww"
"I'll take that as a no I suppose" he said to himself. Syaoran ate in silence accompanied by the cat.
"Next time I'll get you something more from the convenience store" he said.
The cat made no sign showing that she had heard him and wolfed down the food.
"You'll eat anything under the sun, won't you? he said chuckling to himself.
Anything under the sun huh. His thoughts drifted to back to a certain someone who had the same piercing emerald eyes as his new friend here. How her eyes lit up when she spoke, how enthusiastic she was with just about everything. How he found himself actually smiling at her and how he wasn't really embarrassed about geeking out with her and how she hummed that song to-
"Meeeoooowwwww"
Syaoran blinked snapping out of his thoughts and stared at the cat. "You know what, you re right I should probably go home and get some sleep".
The day was as bright and sunny as any summer day would be. It seemed liked yesterday's rain was from a dream. Sakura and Tomoyo walked down the road from their apartment after having a light lunch at home. Sakura hummed a light tune and walked with a slight skip in her steps heading towards Aki-chan's.
"What's that tune you keep humming Sakura-chan" Tomoyo asked after a while.
"Ah was I that loud?" Sakura asked a little embarrassed.
"It's actually ...I'm not sure" Sakura said with her hand on her chin thinking. It s been stuck in my head for a while now and I don't know if it's a song with lyrics or it's language or even if it's an actual song" she said scrunching her eyebrows.
"It could be a commercial song or an intro to a news channel too" Tomoyo said thinking.
"I don t think I'm ever gonna figure out where it's from." Sakura sighed.
"Chin up Sakura-chan you'll forget about in a week or so" Tomoyo said smiling."Ohh Sakura-chan I need to stop by the electronics store. I need to get a new memory card and a charger for my camera. Why don't you go ahead, and I'll meet you at Aki-chan's when I'm done?"
"No problem. See you at Aki-chan's" Sakura said waving as they both took separate routes.
Sakura turned the corner and spotted someone walking a little distance in front her. She somehow instantly recognized that messy mop of brown hair.
"Hey Li-kun" she called out.
The man in front of her jumped, dropped the bag he was holding, tripped on his foot and fell on his back.
"Oh my God I'm so sorry I didn't mean to scare you! she said rushing over to help him up. I m really really sorry!" she said picking up the bag and offered him a hand.
Syaoran looked up at the outstretched hand and Sakura's worried face.
"It's not your fault. I wasn't paying attention so don't worry about it" he said taking her hand.
"Are you sure you're okay? Does it hurt anywhere?" she asked pulling him up. His face was flushed red.
"I'm really fine. I'm not hurt" he said reassuringly. Seeing that the worried look on her face remained "Look I'm fine" he said, and he proceeded to jump up and down waving his arms in the air like a wave.
Sakura blinked. She couldn't help but break into a smile. "Okay I think you hurt your head" she said giggling.
Seeing that she was smiling again Syaoran stopped jumping. "I'll survive" he said taking the bag from her.
"But I'm still really sorry" Sakura said looking a little uneasy.
"You worry too much. I'm alright. Are you heading to the library?" Syaoran asked trying to change the subject.
"Nope I'm going to Aki-chan's! Does your shift start soon?" she asked walking beside him.
"Ah yeah I'm heading there too"
"Then let's go together!"
Syaoran grunted lightly in response. Both proceeded to walk beside each other in comfortable silence.
Syaoran glanced at the person walking beside him. There was slight skip to her steps. She looked happy. So...carefree.
If people were the weather, then Syoaran would be a cloud. He was a quiet person by nature. A bit aloof. Always observing and listening. Always there, but whose presence was fleeting, like a cloud.
"Is something wrong?"
Syaoran snapped out his thoughts.
"Huh-uh no. Why?"
"You seemed kinda spaced out. Like you mouth was hanging open and you had this distant look in your eye"
Syaoran snorted "I'm fine and my mouth wasn't open either."
"Uh huh yeah sure" Sakura said smirking.
Syaoran blushed a little averting his eyes.
"I get like that too sometimes" Sakura said with a distant smile.
Syaoran gave her a side glance.
"It's funny how lost you can become in your own mind, I always think I'm focussed but then I try focussing on focussing. And then you wonder, why do people need to focus. Sure, you can concentrate more but then doesn't your thinking become narrow? You're so 'focussed' on what you're doing that you miss everything around you."
Syaoran looked her a little bit surprised. Sakura seemingly lost in her thoughts missed it. Syaoran smiled lightly.
"You probably have a bad direction sense don't you"
Sakura snapped out of her thoughts."Wha - Ha - How" How'd he figure that out.
"How'd you get that idea" she said eyeing him curiously.
"Just a feeling. I'm right aren't I" he asked with a light smirk forming on his face.
Now it was Sakura's turn to blush.
"Wh - Eh - well sure I might end up wandering a little bit but that doesn't happen all the time" she said a little flustered.
"Not all who wander are lost" she said folding her arms sticking out her chin.
"Lord of the Rings " he said
"Correct" she said grinning.
"Well, being poetic doesn't change the fact that you're bad with directions" he said with a light smirk.
"I'll survive" she said returning his words back to him.
Syaoran couldn't help but let out a little chuckle.
Syaoran had never been the one to start a conversation. Wherever he went he usually answered questions directed to him. Maybe hold a conversation out of formality. He was never rude. No, he would never say or do anything that might hurt someone, atleast on purpose. It's just that he never went out of his way to talk to people and the people who tried to start a conversation were usually discouraged by the lack of response and would stop all together. Not that he was bothered.
That suited him fine.
He preferred observing people. It always amazed him how different people would act around different people. In the immortal words of Holden Caufield "I was surrounded by phonies". Again, this didn't really bother him. He was never one to judge. Everyone had something to hide, something they needed, and they would act accordingly to achieve it. That was the way the world worked.
He never understood the phrase 'wear your heart on your sleeve'. No one could do that right? Display your every emotion, lay your heart bare to the world? Yet here was someone who spoke of her thoughts, however random they were, open for the world to hear.
Hell, leave the world. To him. No one ever did that to anyone let alone him. And here he found himself listening, replying, teasing her even. Was there anything to gain? Probably not. Yeah, he was a cynic. And yet he found himself wanting to talk to her more. Not to gain or to learn or to hide. But just... Yikes maybe I do need my head checked.
If people were the weather, Syaoran would be a cloud. She'd be the wind.
No.
She'd be a whirlwind.
Once they had reached, Syaoran opened the door to the shop.
"Welco - Ara Syaoran-kun. Thank you for coming to help out again" said a kind voice.
Akiyuki-san was a tall man with salt pepper hair. He looked healthy and fit considering his age. And his almost permanent, kind smile seemed to take ten years off his face.
"Ah eh no it's my pleasure" Syaoran mumbled scratching his cheek lightly. He moved towards the back room to change his clothes.
"Good afternoon Aki-chan" Sakura said with a bright smile behind Syaoran.
"Sakura-chan! It's been a while hasn't it. How are you?"
"I'm fine! How are you Aki-chan?Tomoyo-chan said she'd come in about half an hour. I was actually here yesterday but you'd gone out. The rain was pretty heavy wasn't it! Ah that's when I met Li-kun! I didn't know you were hiring Aki-chan. Well a little extra help isn't bad. I was pretty surprised but Li-kun was very nice. I had fun talking to him!
Akiyuki-san smiled. He d know Sakura ever since she was a child, so he was long since used to her enthusiasm and energy.
"I'm glad to see that you're happy Sakura-chan. So, you met Li-kun yesterday?
"Yep yep. I met him on the way here too. That s why we came together"
Akiyuki-san was surprised to say the least. He had known Syaoran for a while now. He knew that deep down Syaoran was a polite, hard-working, kind boy. But he also knew that Syaoran was a shy, silent young man . He mostly kept to himself and well... spaced out a lot. Not that that ever distracted him. He always finished the work given to him flawlessly.
So, to hear that he was fun to talk to made Akiyuki-san very happy.
"I hope you continue to get along well with him Sakura-chan"
"Un!" she said smiling.
At that moment Syaoran walked out wearing an apron. " Are you ready to order?" he asked in a professional tone.
"Ah yeah I'll take the usual please" Sakura said without thinking.
"Eh? Um - that would be?"
"Hm? Ah sorry! That was out of habit. One green cheese tea with a slice of cheesecake please" she said.
Syaoran blanched. Huh? Did I mishear her.
" One slice of cheesecake and one green...cheese tea?" he asked confused
"Yep!" she answered cheerfully.
Syaoran looked at Akiyuki-san with a panicked expression. Um Akiyuki-san, what s green cheese tea?" he whispered frantically.
"Hmm? Ah that's a Sakura-chan special" he said with a chuckle. Why don t you prepare the green tea first?"
"Hah okay" Syaoran said a little uneasy. The thought of cheese and tea together made him a bit queasy. Once he finished the tea he called over Akiyuki-san.
"Um so how does cheese fit into this?" he asked still a little sceptical.
"Hahaha I was the same too at first but Sakura-chan was very confident that it would taste good. I didn't teach you how to make it because I still haven't put in the menu yet. Sakura-chan has...eccentric tastes so I was going to ask someone else to taste test it. Why don't you taste it too and if it's nice we'll put it on the menu?"
"Ah so that's how it is. Yeah I'll taste it too" Syaoran said nodding.
"The steps to make it are on the post-it note on the back shelf. Just follow the steps. I need to go the Neighbourhood association's meeting now. I'll be back in half an hour. Can you handle the shop while I'm gone please?"
Syaoran who was already focussing on the note with directions nodded absentmindedly.
Akiyuki-san chuckled a bit. "Ah Sakura-chan I'm sorry I have to leave. Will you be here for a while? I'll be back in half an hour"
"Yep, I'm waiting for Tomoyo-chan so I'll be here. Don't worry" she said smiling.
"Is that so? Well I'm off then. If you need anything ask Syaoran-kun". he said leaving the shop.
I hope they can be good friends he thought smiling.
Syaoran studied the instructions thoroughly.
Okay Step 1-prepare the cheese. Mix milk, cream cheese and cream cheese powder until even.
Wah that's a lot of cheese he thought as he gathered the ingredients.
Step 2- Cover the cheese foam with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Huh? 2 hours? That can't be right.
He went through the directions again and found that it did say 2 hours. A bit stumped he went to the refrigerator to place the bowl. As he placed the bowl inside he found a similar looking bowl sitting there with a label that read Sakura cheese .
This wasn't there yesterday... Wah Akiyuki-san must be psychic. And weird naming sense.
Step 3 -add spoonsful of cheese.
Huh...This is pretty sim-
"Pretty simple right?"
Syaoran glanced up. He was so absorbed in the cheese tea he almost forgot about the other presence in the room.
"Ye - yeah it is" he said a little bit flustered realizing that she was grinning at him.
"Hehe I know what you're thinking but trust me this drink is really good! And it's not because I have weird tastes! It really does taste good. You try some too. Aki-chan told you to, right?"
"Well I'm still a little sceptical because somehow cheese and tea in the same sentence doesn't sound right" Syaoran said mockingly.
"Anything with cheese is delicious Li-kun! Cheese is milk's leap towards immortality!" she said with pride.
"Clifton Fadiman"
"Hehe correct again. That's three!" Sakura said taking the drink from him.
"You're keeping score eh?" he asked with a light smile.
"Yep. It's not every day I meet a guy like you " she said smiling.
Feeling his face heating up he quickly turned around to go get a plate for the cheese cake.
Once he placed the slice in front her he turned to take the portion of tea he had prepared for himself to taste.
He looked at the cup with apprehension. He took a deep breath and reached for the cup.
"You don't have to look so nervous Li-kun. It's just tea" she said smirking.
"I'm not nervous. I'm just...savouring the smell" He said defensively.
"Uh huh yeah sure" she said still smirking. He turned to face the cup again.
Well ... Here goes nothing Syaoran thought and took a sip.
His eyes widened in surprise. He looked at the cup and then Sakura whose face was plastered with a smug smile.
"It's good isn't it! Haha I knew you'd like it! She said jumping up and down in her seat.
"Ahem I never said I liked it." he said defiantly.
"Maybe you didn't but your face did she said cheekily.
"We - well I suppose it isn't too bad" he said thinking.
"I wonder if it'll taste better with whipped cream?" Sakura said excitedly.
Syaoran wordlessly went and got a can of whipped cream from the fridge.
"Only one way to find out"
After topping their drinks with whipped cream (Sakura's having just a little extra).
"Kanpaaiiii" Sakura cheered.
"Ka - Ka - Kanpai" Syaoran said a little surprised and embarrassed.
They both took a sip their eyes widened.
"This is actually really good!" both of them exclaimed at the same time.
Sakura looked at Syaoran and grinned. Syaoran couldn't help but grin at her too.
-Beeep-
Both turned to see a someone holding a camera.
"That was so cuuuuteee" Tomoyo squealed.
"Tomoyo-chaann!" Sakura whined.
"I just wish you were wearing the clothes I made you" Tomoyo said in regret.
"Ahahaha Tomoyo-chaaan. Oh yeah this is Syaoran Li!" Sakura said gesturing to where Syaoran was standing."Li-kun, this is my friend Tomoyo Daidouji"
"Huh - oh - oh yeah - um nice to meet you Daidouji-san" Syaoran said. Why is she walking around with a camera?
"Ohohoho I can see what you want to ask Li-kun. I'm a film major. But I have my camera with me at all times to capture any Sakura moments" Tomoyo said gleefully.
"Uh right yeah" Syaoran said. As if that made sense. What the hell are Sakura moments?
"So, you're the Li-kun Sakura-chan has told me so much about. It s nice to meet you too" Tomoyo said eyeing Syaoran.
Both Sakura and Syaoran blushed a little.
Tomoyo smiled.
This is going to be fun .
Please R&R Note- I actually have no idea about the recipe. I found it on the internet, so I take no credit for it. But I have heard of cheese tea and my reaction was the same as Syaoran .Anyways, my version of Sakura has quirky tastes so that s why I included it. And keeps messing with my formatting ughhhh.
And another thing. I keep calling the tea room Aki-chan s because I couldn t think of a name. I am open to name suggestions. As for the reference links for imagery I m still looking so I will post them in the next chapter. Okay that s enough from me. Once again thank you for your reviews and kind words. They give me laiifffff. See you next chapter. Cheers!