Hello everyone. I'm so deeply sorry for the wait. This month had been was busy. I didn't even have time for myself. Working day and night. I'm literally sleep deprived. Anyways, I'll try my best to not make you wait another month for the next chapter. For those who compaint about the grammar and other mistakes, i apologize. English is not my mother language. I'm trying to get a beta. Until, then I'll try harder. Another correction, this time about our little Li-kun. From where I come from, we write it and pronounce it Shaolan. And I actually like it better like this. So... deal with it ^^. Now, on the with story!

Chapter III : Did you know… ?

Sakura's POV

I was lying in my bathtub, playing with the bubbles covering my body. The unmistakable scent of cherry blossoms was filling the room while a soft tune was echoing in the background. The half drunk glass of wine in my hand and the perfect setting for my night of relaxation was completed. I had pushed it back, way too tired to waste the time. A quick shower, a light diner, correcting my kids' copies and I was sleeping. The whole week followed this boring routine, even if I didn't like it myself. But the need and the strength, I had none of them to even think about trying. However, today events had left me on some kind of high that I knew beforehand it was going to be tough thing to get a little shut eye. So...Why not celebrate?! Celebrate my current state of euphoria, the trepidation caused by tomorrow friendly meeting, the warmth still lingering on my hand. Celebrate the start of something new.

I took another sip of my red wine, humming in delight at the light burning sensation when the liquid caressed the inside of my throat. Tomoyo was right again, it was a good one. I recognized the tune playing in the background and smiled. The sound of the zither, principal instrument in this song, gave an exotic atmosphere. For a second, I felt like Shakira, slightly undulating my body in the narrow space of my bathtub while I sang along with Katy Perry. As the lyrics were leaving the barrier of my lips, I could tell how perfectly the words seemed to match my case. If my premonitory dreams were considered as my third eye then Shaolan and I were the legendary lovers the singer was speaking so highly of. I smiled thinking about the pictures my mind was generally playing in my head once I was asleep. If this was really what was going to happen, the future couldn't be brighter. Tomorrow couldn't come any faster, now that I was in peace with myself. Spaced out, my buzzing phone nearly went unnoticed. I picked it up without even looking.

"Sakura!?" My cousin seemed to be relieved. "Where the hell were you? With Naoko-chan and her endless imagination, she nearly made me believe the ground had split open underneath your feet and suck you up. Don't ever ignore my calls, hear me?"

"Sure thing, Mom…" I answered both sarcasm and boredom evident in my voice. This scolding thing was getting old. "What do you want? Weren't you supposed to be in the middle of bonding session with Mina-chan? Don't tell me you dump your own daughter?" I joked.

"Very funny. Actually, I was the one dumped." I raised my eyebrow at the revelation, my silence enough invitation for a thorough explanation. "She fell asleep. Children, those days, can't even pull an all-nighter. Pathetic."

"Yeah… Pitiful…" I added with a false blasé attitude. "Now that we laughed about the unusual education given to poor little Mina-chan, how about we get straight to the point."

"You aren't as confused I thought you would be after our conversation, earlier…" she stated after a minute of silence. "Did you figure out what you want to do with Li-kun?"

"Somehow…" I sighed. "I decided to believe in me, in my power, whatever you want to call my gift. I will take things as they come and let the chips fall where they may."

"My, my! Finally, you came to your senses. This is the Sakura I know. Then, I shall witness this fairy tale of yours and your future happiness." declared my best friend, acting almighty. "When are you going to stop the little dragon torture?"

"I already ended it." I said flatly. Then her words registered in my head and I blushed crimson red. "And I did not torture him!"

I thought I would receive some embarrassing remarks but Tomoyo kept quiet. I waited – this ought to be my best friend playing her drama queen –but after more than three minutes, I was getting scared. Thinking the raven haired woman had the nerve to hang up on me, I was ready to let this drop and enjoy my bubble bath once more. But the seething tone used for yelling my name literally squashed any idea I had for the rest of my night.

"Well, it seems that you didn't tell me the whole story." I shivered. I could feel the malice leak thought the phone and I thanked good for being so far from her wrath. "Why not start everything from the beginning. And don't you dare keep any detail from me."

I nodded and started with the story. I told her everything. From how I ended up crying, again, in the Penguin Park and how I wished for an answer to how coincidentally, the man behind all my distress came walking on me. I gave her my impressions, my feelings about our meeting. I didn't forget to tell her that I was the one proposing him to get back home nor didn't I fail to describe how eager and ecstatic the Li heir was to take my hand. The whole time, the blush on my cheeks persisted, constant evidence of my unwilling admittance. Or maybe it was the proof showing how much this simple touch had affected me. Either way, the Hiiragizawa wife didn't want to end my agony, demanding to know what I had in mind for tomorrow. It was a real ordeal to finally make her remember that she actually said herself (the previous chapter is there to prove it, Tomoyo) that this was none of her business and that I had to go at it, alone, like a big girl. Or the grown up I was supposed to be when she and Rika-chan weren't babying me.

-o-o-

The scene was no different from last night. The room was bathed with warmth despite the AV being on. An intoxicating smell assaulted my nostril the second I took a whiff. It made my head feel dizzy, a burning ache that had never consumed me before lit up. I tried, even if it didn't seem possible, to bring myself closer to the body I was sleeping on. The delighted response I got was toned muscled arms wrapping themselves around my waist, attempting the very impossible task I was speaking of previously. I sighed contently, still ignoring what was without saying my growing desire. My fingers ran lazily on the hard chest, earning myself a muffled groan from the sleeping man. The little devil I was couldn't shy away from the tempting opportunity to tease my lover. Smirking, a part of me – very small part I may say – abashed that merely few months of intimacy had been enough to make me into the minx I was now, I lightly exhaled. My breath fanned over the hot skin my hand was desperately trying to remember, goose bumps rising under my touch.

I smiled; somehow my mind was still trying to process how we had ended up together, how easy it was to love one another. Breathing wasn't as natural as tending each other's needs. I brushed my nose the crook of his neck, taking in the scent that never failed to drive me insane. I whispered in his ear, using my most seductive tone while I called his name. Under my palm, I could feel his heartbeat increase as his breath came in short pants, my feline grin stretching once again my lips. There couldn't something funnier than this little game of mine. And I was sure there was nothing more gratifying for my fragile ego. Pleased by his body's reactions, it was still not enough to satiate the inner vixen that my pure maiden personality couldn't restrain on those nights. I needed more of his sheepish struggles, more of his breathless moans and definitely more of his increasing warmth. Biting gently on his earlobe, my smirk grew wider, because I knew what to do to get all of that and some more.

My fingers were moving up, even so slowly, exploring each tiny millimeter of the skin on display. They were tracing every curve, each heavenly-drawn muscle until the sleeping man couldn't hide any longer his aroused state. The hardness pressing against my belly was impossible to ignore. Instinctively, I slightly ground against his hot thick member, a louder groan escaping my target' lips, his face distorted by pleasure. The burn was beginning to become unbearable so I decided to hurry things up. Licking my way down, starting from his ear, leaving a red mark on his neck after I lingered here for minutes, my tongue finally came across his erect nipples. I flicked my wet appendage around it, playing with the little bud before biting and tugging it. The action was enough to wake my chestnut haired boyfriend. He looked at me, sleep and lust battling for dominance in his eyes. Finally, he settled for lust as he launched himself at my lips, capturing them in a mind-blowing kiss. Before I knew it, our positions were reversed and I found myself pinned on my back, breathless.

"Sakura…" groaned Shaolan, fighting the urge to burry himself deep inside of me. I just smiled innocently, tilting my head on the side, for the effect. "Hungry for punishment, I see? I should indulge you."

I raised my hips, causing our body to touch in our most private parts. I had to bite my lips to muffle to moan trying to break through. Conscious that my little game had affected me as much as it did to him, the Li heir didn't waste a second in reenact the gesture, torturing me until I was nothing more than a whimpering mess. I knew exactly what he wanted me to do and I was killing us both by enduring the ache that was turning out to be painful. Even with dazed green eyes, it was impossible to miss his grinded teeth or the sweat dropping from his forehead. When the heat inside on my belly demanded to be quenched, I conceded victory.

"Please, I need you." I begged, my voice turning out to be more seductive that I had wanted.

He didn't need to be told twice. Hell, he was barely restraining himself from coming here and there. So without an ounce of reluctance, he sheathed himself deep within me. I gasped, my eyes growing wide, as I welcomed the intrusion.

-o-o-

I woke up with a start, my body still tingling from the sensations. I couldn't believe the scene my subconscious decided to play in my dreams tonight. The crimson shade of red tainting my cheeks would, without a doubt, never leave. And I knew I was damned to blush every single time my eyes would land on him. Strangely enough, the first thing that crossed my mind was the face Chiharu made when she learnt about Shaolan and the innuendos behind it. I snorted disgustingly, refusing to believe that my libido had chosen this very moment to finally awake. Where was this divine luck my friends were always talking about? How could God, my body and my own mind betray me in such grand fashion? I wanted to die and I cursed myself from actually inviting the very object of my unwilling fantasy to spend the day with me instead of giving away crucial information about me. It would have been easier to hide the blush, now a permanent feature of mine. I took a look at my alarm and groaned. The sun would be rising in another four hours. And here I thought my sleep would not be disturbed anymore.

Taking my robe sitting on armchair beside my bed, I put it on and walked out of my room, heading for the kitchen. Seconds later, I was sitting on my sofa, a bowl of raspberries my hand. I was still trying to erase those pictures from my mind. I didn't want to dream about... that again. I couldn't help but blame my friend for getting my head in the gutter. Even so, deep down, I was ashamed to admit that I hadn't been as pure as my friends claimed me to be. I was no fool. Love how I viewed it ten years ago was all about butterflies and flowers. But ever since I started to have those dreams, I knew better. Afraid of my own friends' reactions, I kept quiet, never revealing how much I remembered, beside Shaolan's voice. I never told anyone about the times I woke up, sweating and bothered. As those four years passed by, I learned to yearn for the gentle kisses and the sweet nothing whispered in my ear. At the time, I discovered a more sensual side of me. And this new Sakura lusted after this man she couldn't remember. She wanted nothing more than to taste the sinful pleasure taunting her every single night. Thus, the childish vision I had was shattered while the bottomless feeling consuming me now was growing into what I knew now.

"Tomorrow's going to be a long day…" I sighed before I ate the last red fruit. "Let's see if I can have some more rest."

Washing the bowl, I took the glass of water and returned to my room. When I was laying again on my bed, my thoughts drifted once more. Will it really be as wonderful as my dream made it out to be? I couldn't wait for this dreamscape to be the reality I live every single day. So, not afraid to bask in the addictive pleasure that my dream had to offer, I closed my eyes and let myself wander in this world.

-o-o-

There was a time when nothing could catch me off guard. My premonitions seemed to always prevent my life from ever becoming a thrilling and breathtaking adventure. And the burden of knowing everything had often taken its toll on me, leaving a bitter end in the story of my life. However, those days were long gone now and I couldn't help but regret those times of peace and ease. Since Shaolan came to my life, everything was like a rollercoaster. My gift, apart from telling me how bright our future would be, was quiet concerning my pursuer's intention. So, to my horror, the Li heir was destined to be the one and only source of strain on my weak heart. And I never thought an active woman like me could be weak-hearted. Today had been the proof of this newfound theory of mine. When I had thought the subject of my night fantasy would come with his son, so the little child could clear the awkward atmosphere I knew would be felt, the chestnut haired man was all alone when I opened my door for him this morning. It was just the start. However, today, I learned something too. No matter how hard I would have tried to stay away from him, it would have been vain.

So we were all alone, sitting face to face. Despite the coffee table between us, I couldn't shake the impression that there was still not enough space between us. Like I thought, the atmosphere was awkward and heavy. The air was so thick I had a hard time just trying to breathe. Or maybe this was just my imagination because my guest seemed to be quite comfortable. Actually, ever since he saw me open the door, he was just smiling like an innocent child on a night of Christmas Eve. I was torn between the fact that a smile like his should be prohibited – because I was irrevocably addicted to it – and the idea of kicking him out of my house before my raging hormones forced me to ruin prematurely 24 years of virgin celibacy. Yes, I had been right to think that seeing him after such steamy dream was definitely not my brightest idea. No, I didn't expect me to be slightly flushed when I came to invite him in. And I'm sure as hell didn't predict he would force me into accepting his help – well, he didn't have to argue much either – to take care of me for the rest of the day.

That's why I was doing my best to not cross his eyes. I knew they were foggy because of the flash of pictures I couldn't keep out of my head. That's why I excused myself when I felt I needed to cool my head. But with my eyes cast on the ground, I didn't see him get up to help me. So, clumsy as ever, I couldn't avoid the collision. We both found ourselves entangled in each other. When our eyes met, so many scenarios played in my head and all of them were quite unorthodox. It went from me kissing the living daylights out of him from turning last night dream into reality. Actually, my body was screaming for me to act on both ideas, the main goal seemingly to be to eradicate all possible space between our bodies. For once, both mind and heart seemed to be agreeing together. And I would have act on those feelings. I would have quenched the burning fire inside of me. I would have done all of that and much more, if my eyes didn't catch that. Lying on the floor was Shaolan's open wallet and inside of it something that should have never been there. A picture of me.

"Where did you get that?" I asked him, pushing myself away. The "me" on the picture was younger and that alone was enough to confuse me. "And since when?"

He didn't answer, his smile flattering. He got up, took his wallet and put it back in his back pocket. Since I knew him, I never thought he would be reluctant to give me something I demand. But I guessed there was a first time for everything. He sat back on his seat, before finally his eyes met mine again.

"Will you believe me, even if the truth seems to be far-fetched?" I nodded, not trusting my voice at the moment. "I asked Eriol for it after the wedding."

"Why?"

"Everything started about six years ago, when my family arranged my marriage. At this time, my wife-to-be was my best girl friend. We were more like brother and sister, even after the wedding. I tried my best to make it work but I couldn't see her as anything more than a sister. We couldn't even sleep together." I cut him again.

"But, what about Shao-kun?" My answer came faster than I would have thought.

"Artificial insemination." I nodded and let him go on with his story. "One day, my wife woke me up, saying that I keep struggling in my sleep, calling a girl name…" he looked at me. "Your name. I was shocked and it had been hard to convince her that I wasn't cheating on her. But the dream about the unknown girl never ceased to haunt my night. Our relations started to become a little shaky and our friendship couldn't take it. Eriol's wedding was a blessing in disguise. I never thought I would meet you there. Now that I knew you were real, the others girls were meaningless, even if it was my own wife. I felt awful when she died, because I couldn't bring myself to be sad. All I could think about was that I was finally free. It took me four years to overcome my guilt, four years that I wasted. I was really lucky to bump into you when I picked Xiao Lin. But you didn't remember me so I played along. I'm sorry."

My ears must have betrayed me because I could swear he said he had been dreaming of me for the past six years. Somehow, I had the feeling that Tomoyo had a hand in all of this, even if it was a little. I promised myself that I will thank her next time I see her. But right now…

"Did you know…" I started. Shaolan looked up to me. "That I dream about you too?" Surprise etched on his face as he slowly shook his head "no". "Every night, for the last six years, I dream about this man. And every time I woke up, all I could remember was his voice. I knew it was you the second you open your mouth that day. But I keep on fighting against my own feeling. Against you…"

"Well… We're both quite stubborn. It should have been expected…" he tried to explain with a small smile. "Maybe we should stop wasting time?"

"Maybe…" I answered, quite unsure of what should be done now.

"How about we start now?"

Before I could comprehend what he meant, he was up. The next second, the Li heir was bending above me. I froze, my mind going blank from the scent I could never forget. His face was barely inch away from mine and I could feel his breath fanning over my skin. When his lips accidentally brushed mine, I lost all reason. My hands reached for his hair, pulling him over me. And I kissed him, with all the pent-up frustration of those six years, with all the burning desire gained from my dreams, with the unconditional love I had been unable to fight. Finally, I felt complete. The hole, left in my heart after Yukito-san kind rejection, was filled now. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. My blood was rushing in my veins. The taste I never could remember in my dream, the one I yearned for, was richer that I had imagined. It took over my senses, blurred the line between the pure and the uninhibited "me". I wanted more and I was dead set on getting just that.

I lightly suck on his bottom lip and he was all too eager to give me entrance. Experimentally, I caressed his tongue with mine, lowly whimpering at the feeling. Shyly at first, we explored each other, battling awkwardly for dominance that none of us were willing to give up. With each passing second grew our confidence and we were back at hungrily devouring each other. Unfortunately, all good things were bond to come to an end and soon the need for air became impossible to ignore. Reluctantly, I pulled myself away from him. Our breaths were coming out in short pants, my face as flushed as his. He smiled down at me and I literally melt on the spot. However, this time was different. Yesterday, I would have controlled myself and avert my eyes. Today, I simply captured his lips in another kiss, a sweeter and more innocent one but charged with same feeling.

"Did you know…" The brown haired man never looked up, too busy raining butterfly kisses all over my face. "That this was my first kiss?"

"I would have never guess."

With this, the third chapter is over. Since it had been post late hours of the night - or maybe should I say in the early hours in the morning - there may be more mistakes. I'll read it over again later, when I had my share of sleep. Please review and wait patiently for the next chapter. Love you all.

Saphir Blue