Disclaimer
See Chapter One
Dedication
To all my batchmates. To my teachers who are undeniably ecstatic we're leaving. To my closest friends, Lauren, Issa, Nesti, GG and Gennie. We've went through a lot. And for that I salute every one of you. I love you guys. Happy graduation and cheers to college!
Butterfly Kisses
Caterpillar - Assault
-9 years before Sakura is married to-
"Happy birthday, Sakura!"
I beamed at the birthday celebrant after her circle of friends sang the traditional birthday song.
Sweet
16 today
She's looking like her mama
A little more every day
"Uncle Fujitaka?"
I turned to see my daughter's best friend smiling expectantly up at me. "Yes dear?" She motioned to the dV8 in my hand. "Oh, right. I'm sorry. Here," I carefully handed it to her. "My apologies for the disturbance, Uncle," Tomoyo said as she slipped the gadget to her right hand and smoothened her cerulean dress. I shook my head. "It's fine, it's fine. I quite enjoyed videotaping your performance," I volunteered to record the moment when she had to lead everyone to sing the song earlier, even though it was a semi-formal party.
"You know, I still marvel at your patience in recording Sakura's everyday life. Not to mention those card capturing days," I chuckled. My daughter's wild adventure was forced out to me four years ago when I caught her supposedly just a yellow bear stuffed toy playing Tekken 5—and with so much enthusiasm, I might add. I was even more shocked, if that was humanly possible, when the stuffed bear (who insisted that I call him the great guardian Keroberus) explained how I became the half reincarnation of Clow Reed. Of course, I never got the chance to use my powers, since Sakura was already the Card mistress.
We then turned to the party going on. The visitors have started eating. "I must admit the pleasure's all mine. Watching those tapes of Sakura dressed in my outfits helped me criticize my works, therefore made me a better couturiere," Tomoyo grinned, "as for her daily living though, I do it out of habit, I guess. At times I wonder too why I still haven't outgrown this hobby of mine. I hope you don't mind, though" she smiled sheepishly. This young girl proves to me again and again why she's Sakura's best friend over the years. They're alike and yet different in so many ways.
I pushed up my eyeglasses and grinned at this young woman. "On the contrary, I enjoy watching my copies of those tapes. It's not like every father out there is privileged to keep an eye, and a hi-tech one at that, on his daughter," Tomoyo grinned back at me. "At times I feel like I'm this secret agent spying on—"
"Dad!" A voice of aggravation interrupted. Tomoyo and I turned to the direction of the voice. At first it was Sonomi, dressed in a lovely lavender gown, who caught my eye. But even her magnanimous presence was not able to match the person beside her.
What we saw was my son.
Who was walking towards us in fury.
Which entirely matched his enraged, red face.
That could only mean—
"Why is that brat here? We aren't even on good terms!" Touya demanded, brusquely brushing his hair away of his eyes. I followed the direction of his glare and saw Sakura talking with, who else, Syaoran. Meiling, who has just joined us, muttered, "Don't make me laugh, Kinomoto. When are you even in good terms with Syaoran?"
Tomoyo intelligently cut in. "Calm down, Touya. Sakura, the birthday celebrant, in case you forgot, invited Syaoran. She said this celebration wouldn't be complete without him for, well, obvious reasons," Tomoyo reasoned out. Touya raised an eyebrow at that. "And I do believe there's nothing wrong with Li attending your sister's birthday party, Touya. They're lovers, after all," I replied patiently. Anyhow, Li has attended Sakura's birthday bashes before. And Touya's reactions have been the same every time, every year.
"Lovers don't assault each other, Dad," Touya growled. That one night he saw Syaoran fighting Sakura was the only thing he could use against Li, which is why he was still using it then, even after six years. It's either that, or he was still upset at Sakura's revelation yesterday. I gave them my blessing, of course, but that was after I had a talk with Li. I had to be assured that Li would keep her safe and well provided for, that he would not cheat on her; and Li did just that. Now, they're officially a couple.
Others may say that we overreacted, since they aren't going to get married, at least not in the near future. But they did not know that this was their destiny—they were soul mates, as Clow Reed had foreseen. It was Eriol, the other half of Clow's reincarnation, who informed me of everything. "Better now, than later," he had said.
Nevertheless, Li respected and went through all these. And besides, Sakura often talked about how her first boyfriend would be her first kiss, her first everything and how they will be married later on. My thoughts were interrupted by a low growl from Touya. Now that I look at my eldest, anyone would be led into thinking that Touya was the father in the family with his over protectiveness and all. "Dad, you may forgiven him for his assault but—"
"Attack. It was an impulsive attack. Recognize the difference, Touya,"
We spun around to see Sakura herself looking annoyed. "Same difference, monster," Touya shrugged. "Li was very repentant about it, I assure you," I explained quickly before Sakura had the chance to explode on his brother, "You just have to let it go because Sakura already has."
"We all have," Tomoyo added.
"So?"
"History, Touya," Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Never been good at it."
"Touya."
This got their attention. My son then turned to me. In my 40 years of life, I have never felt the need to use this tone, especially with my children, until this moment.
One
part woman
The other part girl
"Excuse us for a minute," I told the girls solemnly. "Dad better put some sense into that thick head of Touya or I'll resort to the gun," I heard Sakura say smugly before we went away from their hearing range. Up to now, I still wonder what that gun could have been. His fiancée, Kaho, perhaps?
"Touya," I began, "take a good look at your sister."
Touya gave her a forced, second-long glance then turned back to me. I flashed my eyes at him. He groaned and finally fixed his eyes on Sakura. She was clad in a voguish forest-green dress that accented her eyes. The lone jewelry she wore was a genuine, russet-centered necklace. I know for a fact that its reddish-brown core was a rare find; it must have cost the one who gave it (Mrs. Yelan Li, as I would later find out) a fortune. Her make-up was light, her hair loose and curled. When Sakura caught my gaze, she smiled and waved a little. However, she acknowledged Touya's look with a frown and a raise of an eyebrow.
To
perfume and make up
From ribbons and curls
Touya sighed. "The last time I checked, she was just a child who adored stuffed toys and worshipped strawberry ice cream," he looked down. I supposed that Touya has gotten too used to protecting Sakura. And now that he knows she could handle everything by herself (wouldn't be possible if not forced, I tell you), he felt unwanted and unneeded. I gripped his shoulder in what I hoped was a comforting gesture. "As a matter of fact, she still does," I replied, recalling last week, how Sakura begged her older brother to give her his last spoon of ice cream.
Naturally, Touya hadn't.
But when Sakura ignored him for two whole days, he bought another gallon just for her and left it in front of her room.
It was signed anonymous, of course.
"The point is that Sakura has changed. And it was for the better," I said gently. "We can't always keep her from making mistakes because in it she grows," He sighed.
Trying
her wings out in a great big world
But I remember
"Maybe," Touya said thoughtfully, "I last checked too long ago," I smiled at that. Every so often, I would be amazed at how fast my children grow. It all seemed like yesterday...
"So Dad," Sakura interrupted my thoughts. With her sudden appearance was Li Syaoran. I glanced at Touya. I bet he was trying to ignore his sister and Li's clasped hands. He really let all those words sink in. "Can Syaoran live peacefully within five meter radius of Touya from now on?" Sakura teased. Li looked earnest but his eyes told me otherwise. "What made you think I felt unsafe near your brother Sakura?" he asked innocently. He and Sakura shared a slight snicker. I shook my head in amusement. These two may be the most powerful sorcerer and sorceress who ever lived but they were still sixteen year old teenagers all right.
"Whatever," Touya muttered. Just then Li stepped forward and bowed low to me and Touya. "I know it was very wrong of me to attack Sa—
"Try assault."
"Touya!" Sakura warned.
I cleared my throat to stop them. Li looked up, and then bowed even lower. "I know it was very wrong of me to assault Sakura," Sakura glared at her brother, "and now that I realize it was very rash of me," he paused, "I swear on my honor that I would never do it again," Li straightened up.
"What honor?" Touya muttered, Sakura nudged him in his ribs. "And with that I formally request for your forgiveness," Li sincerely said and bowed again, "and consent for my deeper relationship with Sakura," he added. I smiled at the young man. Such maturity was exceptional at such an early age. I sighed, smiling.
Sakura and I were amused at Li's apprehension, which was barely well concealed. "You have gained my respect and trust, Li. And rightfully so. I am very impressed," Even though he apologized to me long before, not many teenagers nowadays would do what he did. And I admire him for that.
Touya scoffed slightly. "Fine," I let out a breath. Sakura hugged my arm in anticipation. Then Touya stared into Li's eye, as if to make sure Li would catch everything he'll say. "Look," he began, "she has gone through a lot" he glanced at Sakura. I'm certain Li would be most aware of that. "And, listen carefully brat, if you even think about hurting my sister, Clow master or not, I warn you Li, far worse things than what you have experienced in card capturing would come your way. I'll make sure of that," he told him. I was pleasantly surprised when Li nodded understandingly. "I do have sisters and cousins and, for what it's worth, I believe I would react similarly if necessary," he slightly smiled. "You better, brat," Sakura pouted but smiled quickly when Touya patted Li on the back and told him quietly, "Take care of her, okay?" Li answered back. "I will. I promise,"
Touya inclined his head and looked away as Li breathed, relieved. Sakura hugged her brother. "You don't know how much this means to me. Thank you, Touya," she kissed him in the cheek and glanced at me victoriously as if to say, Finally, daddy!
I nodded, proud of Sakura and Touya. I didn't miss the small, resigned smile on Touya's lips when Sakura ran off with Li to tell her best friend, and probably her other friends as well, the good news.
As soon as they were out of eyesight, I beamed at Touya. He shrugged. "I had no choice back there. Now that I think of it, I believe I was forced to give my approval. Tch," he shook his head, as if regretting what he had done. I grinned accusingly. "Don't expect me to believe that. You've always known this was going to happen someday, although even I never expected it was this soon," I remarked. "Maybe it was because I just know that brat will love and protect Sakura, if not already. I'm not really sure how and why I know, but I just do," He smiled and sighed, something he must have inherited from me. I sense that my once (and maybe still) overprotective son has learned to trust Li—trust Li so much that he gave his approval easily. At least not in the way that Sakura and I have imagined—which consisted of fire, metal and blood, mind you.
"Yeah, well," he shrugged and took two cups of wine from a waiter who just passed by, delivering drinks. He handed me the other one and gave a lopsided grin. He then raised his goblet and said, almost uncharacteristically, "Here's to us sharing the title of 'the men in Sakura's life' hereafter," then he added, "or maybe even long before but who cares?" I chuckled and toasted with him.
"Cheers!"
Tsuzuku
And that concludes the third chapter of Butterfly Kisses. I told you it wouldn't be all drama. That was what I had in mind as to how Touya would accept Syaoran in the family. Not that he has a say or anything...well, he does but it's still Super Fuji who had the last say. But it all turned out well, yes?
Anyhow, we're nearing the end of this fic. Just two more chapters and I'm done with this baby. When I uploaded Love From my Future, I thought it would be my first finished fic, but no one can ever really tell, right? So there.
Thanks for reading and do review.
