Just a little tidbit for you readers out there… Syaoran is twenty-eight years old and MeiLin and Sakura are twenty-seven. Oh! And a reminder: I do no own Card Captor Sakura or any of the characters. As well I like for you readers to know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting reviews. Keep them coming and so will the chapters. Ha ha I'm such a tease. P
Chapter Two: Knock 'Em Out
"Sakura"
She was right here, standing behind the counter with her arms halfway deep into a large mixing bowl kneading what could only be cookie dough while singing along to with the music playing in the bakery. Her light honey-brown hair was sloppily piled into a messy bun at the top of her head with a few strays flying about and her eyes were cast down displaying her long lashes against her cheeks, which were covered in flour.
-Cute- he thought –she hasn't changed much, not that I can see past the counter and behind that colossal mixing bowl.-
Her head snap up at the sound of bells ringing from when they opened the door. "MeiLin-san!" she said looking excited as she walked around the corner towards them wiping her hands off her pink apron then pausing to remove it and hang it on the hook. But the he could see. Sakura definitely wasn't the awkward teenager she used to be. No, at twenty-seven years old, Kinomoto Sakura looked more womanly than he would like to admit. He was an engaged man for crying out loud! Yet he couldn't help the way his eyes scanned her petite frame, she was wearing a simple light green t-shirt, a pair of light denim shorts that looked well worn and white addidas sneakers. As she walked past him to hug MeiLin, he caught her scent, vanilla and delicious. The sound of hiscousin's voice brought him out of his reverie.
"Sakura-san you're a mess! Where's Chicharu today?" MeiLin said while wiping Sakura's face clean with her hands.
"We can't all look like you MeiLin-san!" Sakura responded jokingly pushing away MeiLin's hands, "Takashi-kun took her again today."
"Again? Does that boy realize he's taking away your only help? Selfish bastard!"
"MeiLin-san!" Sakura exclaimed looking shocked at the words coming out of his cousin's mouth, "They are married now. Takashi-kun can do whatever he wants with his wife."
Wife. That was news to him. The fable telling Takashi finally tied the knot with the fiery Chicharu. Unable to contain himself, he laughed out loud catching the attention of the two girls.
"Oh.. aaa Sa-Sakura-san guess who came t-to visit? Ha ha, it's Syaoran!" said MeiLin stuttering like an idiot. He couldn't for the life of him figure out why she was so nervous. Looking down he saw Sakura look at his cousin like she had grown another head. I guess she's confused too. Slowly, she turned her gaze his way letting their eyes meet together for the first time in ten years. Syaoran's breath escaped him as he got the full impact of Sakura's angelic face. Ten years did her well he thought as he looked her over. Her eyes were still as green as ever fringed with thick dark lashes, her cheeks were naturally rosy and her lips, her cherry pink lips, looked plump and kissable.
"Ohayo gozaimasu Syaoran-kun, shibaraku desu." She said, her expression turning flat and unemotional. He nodded at her, "It's been a while, you look good." He told her truthfully.
"MeiLin-san, are you here to pick up your usual slice of cake?" Sakura asked his cousin while turning away from him.
"Hai! I thought we could celebrate the return of a good friend!" MeiLin said, her voice shaking and her expression worried. What the hell is wrong with her?
"Good idea MeiLin-san! This was quite a surprise, né Syaoran-kun?" Sakura said while smiling up at him, his breath caught again when she smiled, it was the same friendly, sweet, innocent smile he remembered so well from his childhood, "We should have dinner together tomorrow night so that we can inform all our friends tonight of your arrival."
"Hai, I'll call you tonight so we can plan the dinner." MeiLin said before he could even get a single word in. So he just nodded agreeing with his cousin.
"Sounds like a plan!" Sakura said while clasping her hands together and looked up at him again, "I'll see you again tomorrow then Syaoran-kun."
"Hai." He responded as MeiLin and him turned and left the bakery making the bells ring again. I'm looking forward to it, he added silently to himself.
Sakura POV
Oh! This was just pure torture! Her heart was still racing from her previous encounter with Li Syaoran. He looked so handsome, she thought recalling how he looked in his dark grey three-piece suit. Again she felt her face flush with embarrassment; hoee! He probably thought I was homeless! She looked down at her work clothes, her sneakers were tattered, shorts frayed and her shirt was ratty; she didn't even want to think about how her face must look like, covered in fluor. It was just so unfair that he looked so dashing and she felt so dumpy. He looked good, really good. In the last ten years there was no doubt that he grew about eight inches taller and a lot more muscular, judging by the way his suit fit him. His hair was the same, still uncontrollably messy, and sexy.
"Stop it!" she scolded herself out loud as she locked the door to the bakery, "he doesn't want you anymore, he made that perfectly clear. Why can't you just move on?"
Because I am such a fool, she thought answering her own question in her head. Looking up at the darkened sky she heaved a heavy sigh. What a long day, and I still have to cook dinner for Kero-chan and me.
Looking around, she made sure no one was in sight. "Release, Fly!" she silently chanted and wings started growing out of her back and lifting her from the ground. Quickly, she shot through the sky and flew in the direction of her one bedroom apartment.
Seeing her apartment building ahead, Sakura gradually and carefully lowered herself in the dark alley beside the building. When her feet touched the ground she commanded fly to return and made her way inside the apartment complex. Entering the elevator she thought to herself, Tomorrow will be an interesting day.
o.o.o
"Finally! I thought that couple would never leave!" said Chicharu co-owner of Nedesiko Bakery along with Sakura. "Hai, they were very indecisive." agreed Sakura who was glad that Chicharu had worked today.
"Oi! I'm so excited to see Li-kun tonight! Does he look good Sakura-san?" Chicharu asked. Sakura just nodded. In a matter of seconds her mood darkened. MeiLin had indeed called last night to arrange plans for dinner tonight, but she had also warned Sakura in a whispered rush the reason behind this impromptu visit. Good thing MeiLin warned her too, who knows what she would have done if she was caught off guard. I'm such a baka. Yes, it was true that Syaoran and her ended on good terms and it was also true that she agreed with Syaoran that she thought their relationship was childish. Truth was though, she was one big fat liar. Though she would never tell him that. She let him go thinking if it made him happy it made her happy too.
"Okay, well Takashi and I will see you later tonight then" Chicharu said while walking in the opposite direction as Sakura. "Hai!" Sakura said waving her hand and started towards her home.
When she reached her building she was greeted by her best-friend Tomoyo. "Ohayo Tomoyo-san! Ogenki desuka?"
"Ohayo Sakura-san! I'm doing fine. You won't believe the outfit I made for you tonight! You are going to look so kirei!" Tomoyo squealed as she dragged Sakura into the elevator and through her front door where they were greeted by Kero.
"Ohayo Tomoyo-san! Did you bring me any sweets?" Kero-chan questioned while staring at Tomoyo's oversized bag which was probably filled with endless amounts of girly things.
"Gomen nasai, Kero-chan. But I'm sure Sakura-san will bring you something from dinner, né?" Tomoyo answered giggling at the now grouchy guardian beast.
Turning around, Tomoyo shoved Sakura into the bathroom ordering her to have a quick shower so she could get her ready. Normally, Sakura would protest about Tomoyo dressing her up. But tonight, she really did want to look pretty. Several few minutes had passed and the washroom door swung open letting out a fog of steam and out stepped Sakura in her bathrobe and towel wrapped around her head. Going into her bedroom she noticed Tomoyo had already set up her vanity with all the required necessities needed to transform her. Feeling a sudden jerk, Tomoyo pushed Sakura into the chair in front of the vanity and slowly advanced her carrying a scary looking eye lash curler in her hand.
o
o
shibaraku desu: long time no see.
ogenki desuka: how are you?
