My Only Wish
END OF PREVIOUS CHAPTER...
Sakura looked down at her hands as she examined every line on her palm. Tears blurred her vision as every drop plummeted down the drain, unidentified among the water gushing out of the shower head. Now that she finally had a moment to herself, her fear resurfaced, she really thought she wasn't going to be able to wake up from the darkness that engulfed her in her unconscious state.
There was a constant pang in her heart, she was so afraid of failing in her mission and not being able to return to her family. She hadn't seen them for over a century and she did not wait for that long in vain… she couldn't possibly imagine herself failing.
She wished with all her heart to return home to the family she missed and loved dearly.
She wanted to return especially to Saki… the child she had left to the care of her father.
Once all this wishing business is over and done with
Once I have completed my purpose and disappear…
She would be able to live her life the way she wanted to live it, granting happiness to her family and child and not those of people she didn't love or care about.
She sighed, her hands in tight fists.
She couldn't wait.
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MY ONLY WISH : CHAPTER SIX :THE FIRST
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Sakura came out of the shower, fog and steam escalating at her wake. Breathing in deeply and exhaling with a smile, she got out of the bathroom humming to herself. A good crying session always worked wonders regardless of the constant sniffling and red swollen eyes. Although the dark, terrifying feeling still hung somewhere deep within her mind and heart, she felt somewhat at ease, relieved and content. She was so close yet so far, the time span of a year was all that was standing between her and her true happiness. Walking up to the window, she pulled the white silken robe that cascaded gracefully around her petite form closer to her skin and let her eyes venture out to the gardens below. Spring was at its peak, the variety of colours was entertaining her searching eyes. Gazing across the expansive greenery up to the horizon where the land met the sky, she couldn't help but feel the familiar breeze caressing her hair carrying with it the sweet perfume that was only existent in her own world. She laughed to herself, shaking her head lightly – distance and time does test ones limit to the point of delusion.
Changing into the clothes Meiling had let her borrow and then blow drying her hair until it fell into gentle, sleek tresses around her shoulders, she headed for the door with thoughts of breakfast making her smile all the broader. The moment she opened the door, Syaoran strolled in, his mop of damp chocolate hair unruly on his head, an irritated look on his face,
"Are you planning to make me wait any longer?" He stated dully, taking in her lively, glowing face, bright green eyes, naturally flowing locks of hair and her sun-kissed shoulders and arms. She wore a plain green singlet that brought out her eyes and Meiling's tight designer jeans that enveloped her long legs like a glove. Syaoran shook his head disapprovingly; trust Meiling to pick something like this out of her whole wardrobe.
Sakura smiled brightly, feeling rather in the best of moods, "Sorry! I didn't realise how long I stayed in the shower," she muttered, nudging him on the arm, "So what do you think?"
Looking at her again, he stated flatly, "Not bad."
"Not bad? Is that all you've got to say?" she raised a brow and sighed, "Heck why do I even bother trying to fish compliments out of you."
"There's nothing to fish."
After having breakfast, Syaoran called out to a servant to get his car prepared. After 10 minutes, another servant scurried back to report that the car was already out at the front, in her hands were a pair of black Versace stilettos with a gleaming green gem on each of its heel.
"What are those for?" Syaoran enquired looking down on the pair of heels in irritation, "I didn't ask for them."
"Sorry sir," the servant bowed lower, eyes focused on the floor, "Ms Meiling has ordered these to be given to Ms Sakura for her to wear out today. She left them before she headed off to school this morning."
Upon hearing this, Sakura who was standing beside Syaoran, squealed in delight and took the shoes from the helper, "Thank you so much! Syaoran was going to make me go out in these." Sakura looked down on the plain black slippers she had on, "Completely ruins this whole outfit."
"That girl never forgets anything." Syaoran muttered under his breath and nodded in consent.
"And pardon me Ms Sakura, Ms Meiling also ordered to have you wear this as well," the girl took out a plain but stunning gold chain necklace with small but distinct pearls hanging delicately from it. "Ms Meiling said to tell you that she's sorry that she remembered these the last minute that she didn't get around to giving it to you personally. She also mentioned to have fun today even though you're going to be stuck with…." She looked up to Syaoran in fear and coughed the rest of her sentences as she couldn't possibly say the exact following words.
Sakura laughed amiably, "Go on say it, if I were in your shoes, I'd be more scared of Meiling than Syaoran that's for sure."
"I'm sorry sir, I'm only following orders," the helper murmured, "That was all Ms Meiling told me to do and say."
"How annoying is it that Meiling tend to still be around when she's not literally around."
"These shoes are so pretty!" Sakura exclaimed ogling them in excitement, "Let's go."
Taking out his phone, Syaoran speed dialled Eriol's number as they walked out front to his car. Eriol picked up after three rings, "Tomoyo's macho macho man, Eriol speaking."
"I really didn't think it can get any worse than the sex-god bull before but you have proven me wrong yet again," Syaoran said trying not to die of embarrassment on behalf of his cousin and best friend, "What in hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm actually working on proving to you that you are better off as a woman since you complain and babble on like one." Eriol tutted happily on the other line, a tinge of impatience in his voice, "Tomoyo has actually just arrived, I don't have time to chit-chat dear cousin, what can I do for you."
Before Syaoran could reply, he heard Tomoyo's familiar 'hohohohohoho' in the background and other sounds that he'd rather think of as unidentified quirks of nature. Truly Eriol and Tomoyo lived in an alien world of their own. "Eriol! Are you there?!"
"Keep your pants on!" Eriol replied to Syaoran's impatience accompanied by the recurring 'hohohohoho' in the background.
"I just wanted to ask you where's the best place I can go to get clothes for girls? You know tops, jeans, and ummm under garments sort of thing?"
"Why don't you go to Tomoyo's clothes shop eh? She's got everything there, even designer labels and shoes and accessories. Tomoyo will call someone to help you when you get there okay?"
"Is that the one in Tokegyashi?"
"Yeh, that's the one, it's on the main road, it's hard to miss, pretty purple building."
"Thanks."
"Have fun!" Tomoyo interjected into the conversation, "Get her heaps of stuff from the Sweet Lolita range okay?"
Syaoran had to admit that Tomoyo was totally something else, the moment they were 5 steps away from the doors of her infamous clothing store, four tall, gorgeous women came out to usher them inside. Sakura snorted to herself, slapping Syaoran on the arm to remind him to control his wandering eyes, "Haven't you seen women before?"
He rolled his eyes and walked ahead of her, "They were hired to be looked at trust me."
"Fine, be an ass." She muttered dryly and followed behind him. The doors were held open by two tall, gorgeous men clad up in sophisticated suits. Both winked flirtatiously without shame at Sakura which made her giggle in delight, "Seems like they intend to satisfy female customers as well."
Syaoran glared at the two men and walked back to Sakura's side, holding her by the shoulders.
"What are you doing?" She asked surprised, "Don't worry I don't intend to go anywhere now." She winked back at the two men and walked straight inside the store.
"They looked like they were going to eat you up," he replied casually, almost dragging her away from the welcoming entourage, "Besides, its clothes we came here for."
She elbowed him lightly and smirked, "If didn't know any better, I'd say you're jealous."
"No, I'm not." He grunted back.
"Really? Even the slightest, tiniest… little bit?"
"No, I'm not. Really."
"Whatever you say." She said playfully, inclining her head around to smile at the direction of the door. He tightened his hold on her so she wouldn't be able to turn around and urged for her to walk faster.
"I so believe you. You are not jealous at all."
He didn't bother replying although he was quite irritated; people should really just learn not to ogle at things I own. I may not literally own her but she's with me. That should be signal enough. I'm going to get these shit heads fired.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he failed to notice Sakura staring at his irked facial expression. He seemed to have also forgotten that she could easily read anything that went through his mind.
"How about this, a proposal?" she chirped, nudging his side for his attention, "You're not allowed to look at those girls, and I'm not allowed to look at those guys."
"Fine." He answered dully, "But if they keep on looking, I'm allowed to punch them out."
"And if they," she said, nodding her head to the girls in front of them, "do the same, I'm entitled to do the hell I want as well."
"Deal."
"Deal."
They were led to a huge, elegantly furnished room. Purple velvet curtains flung sensually from the windows, a sparkling chandelier hung high and mighty from the ceiling, creating shimmers of glittering light. Every inch of wall had a built in shelf full of expensive, designer clothing. Corners were adorned with beautiful and flawless mannequins posing while wearing fashionable coats, shirts, skirts and jeans. The entire room was so delicately feminine, tinged with soft pink and purple enhanced with a surreal fairytale atmosphere. Sakura had found herself the paradise of perfect clothes.
"I've never been here before, but the commendations I have heard about this place have been true to their word," Syaoran muttered out of nowhere, "No wonder Meiling is here every weekend."
"I would be too," Sakura gushed, walking to the nearest shelf to check out the clothes, "It's like heaven in its own right."
"Alright, go look around, try everything you like."
"Are you serious?!" she beamed and on the verge of jumping on him.
"Yeah. I'm going to check out the other shops outside, you'll be fine on your own right?"
"I think you're forgetting something?"
"Oh crap!" he cursed, sighing deeply, "Don't tell me I have to stay here with you all day?"
"Unless you want me to have another fainting relapse, feel free." She said but added cheerfully, "It won't be that bad, sit somewhere and I'll model the stuff for you?"
"Argh, have you seen this room, 12 big, full shelves to go through and did I mention this is only the first room?!"
"How many rooms are there?" she asked curiously, excited to see the others, she had no doubt they were going to be as glamorous as the one she was in at the moment.
"I heard there are 4 more. I don't intend to spend the whole day here. We have to go to my cousin's house this afternoon, your school uniform was sent there." He replied flatly and headed to the nearest cushioned chair by the change rooms, "Hurry up already."
Syaoran called for assistance and two of the women who welcomed them earlier came strutting in, their hair flowing radiantly behind them. He could only wonder where in hell Tomoyo got such good looking employees; they were most likely amateur models who were still waiting for their big break. He took a quick glance at Sakura and found her busily scanning through the racks which meant he was free to have a casual conversation to preoccupy him. But before he could utter a word, he heard Sakura sneer menacingly, summoning the girls who were swooning over him.
"Hey!" she called out to the two women, "Yeah, I meant you two bimbos."
They looked at her in surprise, obviously out of words. No costumer had ever addressed them in such a vulgar way.
"I doubt my boyfriend there would be in need of your help, I'm the one who needs the clothes so come here and carry the things I point out to you."
The girls complied and walked to stand beside her, looming over her petite form, "What would you like us to carry for you Mam?" the taller one droned on, giving Sakura an annoyed look.
Sakura looked up at her sweetly and pointed to the shirt in front of her, "This one. If you weren't so busy flirting with my boy friend then you would have known."
"It was our fault Mam, I apologise." The other said sincerely, Sakura knew this one at least valued her job more than the other.
You couldn't even last 5 minutes of our agreement? Syaoran nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard her voice in his mind. He looked up to where she was and saw that she had an angry expression on her beautiful face. He shrugged his shoulders in defeat and turned his head to stare somewhere else.
Sakura turned to the two gorgeous girls waiting for her order, at this she smiled all the sweeter, "Get one of every top, skirt, jeans, everything. I want to try out everything of every kind. I'll be in the change rooms waiting, don't dare take too long."
The two girls looked at her in disbelief, fully regretting messing with the petite, green eyed woman. "Yes Mam."
She glided to the change rooms, satisfied, "Oh and by the way, I'm not sure if I'm a size 4 or 6 so I want those sizes in everything. In every damn colour you have and style."
"Yes Mam." The two hurried off to fetch the other workers and in no time, after climbing every top shelf and scurrying through every rack, Sakura had 8 workers altogether, in line right outside the changing stall she was using, in their arms, piles and piles of clothes in hangers.
Syaoran sighed, shaking his head in disbelief, "Are you really trying on all of these?!"
"Yes. I would just hate to have you sitting there, waiting all day." She replied sarcastically, "Just sit there and shut up."
He grunted and decided to have a little nap instead but before he could even decently settle into proper sleep, he felt someone poke him on his arm, "What do you think?"
Opening his eyes, he almost fell back as Sakura came into view wearing a cute, faint pink and white chequered backless top, held together by a thin ribbon around the neck and securing it in place by bowing it up at the back. She had tight white ¾ denim pants on with black heels which had lace straps that had to be tied all the way up to her knees.
"And you're suppose to wear this where?" he enquired dryly as she spun in front of him; he hated the fact that foreign eyes were on her, namely those drooling model guys.
"To go out where else? Isn't it so cute?"
"Hideous. Try the next one."
"Argh, fine."
The next she tried on was a plain, white summer dress which looked modest enough from the back but the moment she turned around to face him, he instantly ordered for her to change.
"This is already quite covered. I'm not a bloody nun Syaoran."
"Covered?! Your …stuff are spilling in the front."
"My breasts have every right to do what they naturally do," Sakura said, rolling her eyes, "You sound like my overprotective grandpa."
"Next!"
"Damn it, you're a pain. Just go back to sleep."
"No way. I can't believe I even thought of leaving you to choose your own clothes. Good God."
Sakura returned to the dressing room and tried on something else glumly, "What about this?"
He looked up and finally smiled in approval, "Not bad."
"I knew it, you old fashioned prick." She tutted unhappily, tugging at the baby blue shirt she had on which had a high neck line and covered pretty much all of her torso except for her arms.
"Stick to this stuff okay?"
"If a girl walked past you wearing this stuff, I bet you wouldn't even give them a second glance," she said stubbornly, returning to the change rooms. He only smiled in response; all he knew was that this girl was so clueless. Everything she tried on managed to look stunning no her, even that stupid plain shirt complimented her features. Not that he was ever going to tell her that.
"No need. Now I know!" she called out from inside the changing room, thankful that she was out of his sight as she was practically blushing like a tomato.
"Stop doing that!" he called back, "that was a personal thought!"
"I can't help it," she exclaimed in defence, "You never EVER say what you really mean. And it's really frustrating you know that?"
He grunted and expectantly looked up when the change room door opened revealing Sakura in the same clothes Meiling had let her borrow.
"You're not going to try out the other ones?"
"Nah, let's check out the next room." He stood up and nodded his head in agreement. He walked ahead settling himself on a chair beside the changing rooms on the other room. Sakura grinned and quickly went through the other clothes the helpers had in their arms, "I'm going to take this one too, this, that…this…this …that. Can you bag them now for me before he sees them?"
One of the tall men nodded his head and hurried off with the clothes she hand-picked, "Hey! Don't forget that cute pink chequered top I tried on first."
The next room, to Sakura's delight had a punk theme to it. The shelves were filled with black shirts with cool prints on them. Syaoran sighed and immediately stood up from his sit, "I doubt you'll want anything from here do you? Let's hurry on to the next room."
Before she could protest, he was already out the door, heading to the next room. Sakura hurried to the closest shelf to her and took out 5 different black printed tops, "I want these please, one of those black tight jeans right there," she pointed and turned her attention to the other part of the room, "God, and see that lace black and red corset right there? That too, the skull necklace over there, 2 black patterned stockings, 3 tights, those studded belts and that choker."
"Yes Mam." Sakura followed her "boyfriend" to the next room, leaving the helpers scurrying for everything she asked for, carefully bagging and packing all the items.
Syaoran blended perfectly in the next room, it held preppy-styled clothing and he was pleased to see there was one such room. He already went around himself while she was looking in the previous room, a pile of finely knitted clothes were already in the change room. She stomped straight to the change room and started to change, she knew she had no choice – besides she practically got the ones she wanted without his knowledge anyway.
She came out first with a high-waisted black skirt which went down to her knees and tucked in as her top was a white satin blouse which matched her white stilettos. She looked in the mirror and couldn't help but admit that it didn't look bad at all. It was sophisticated, classy and a bit conservative but it was sexy. "Syaoran! Do you want to see or not?"
He turned to look at her from the other side of the room and just nodded his head. She sighed and returned back to the change rooms, "No harm in saying, yes it looks great" she murmured to herself. Syaoran was like an unfeeling, brick wall unable to mutter a single compliment. She was growing used to it.
He approved every single outfit she tried on after that and added three more coats, leather boots, hats, scarves and different styled shoes and heels. Of course, she had the chance yet again to sneak in a couple of flirty-preppy clothes when he ventured ahead of her. She couldn't believe that he purposely missed a particular Dolce and Gabbana dress! The moment she stepped into the fourth room, there was no question that she was exhausted and fatigued. She had already probably tried on 100 or so outfits and her head was starting to hurt. Though, all sense of dreariness seemed to disintegrate as she realised that the fourth room held formal clothing and gowns. She nearly died from their beauty and splendour.
"Pick 3 and hurry so we can go to the last room already." Syaoran ordered and sat by the change rooms again.
"I want that red one, that black one and that pink one please," she said to the assistant, "I'll take those, they're my size so I'm sure they'll fit okay."
"You're not going to try them on?" Syaoran asked, he actually wanted to see her try out these dresses.
"It'll be fine, let' go."
"Whatever you say."
The last and final room held accessories and jewellery of all sorts and brands. There were also cosmetics and perfumes on one corner and more shoes on the other. Syaoran left Sakura to choose whatever she pleased as he leaned against the register desk. He looked down to his wrist watch and sighed, "Bloody hell, we practically spent the whole day here." It was nearly 5 in the afternoon.
Sakura returned beside him, piling up everything she had chosen by the register, "That's everything."
Syaoran called out to an employee and ordered for everything to be carried to his car, "Here's the key, just put everything in the trunk and the back seat. One more thing, do you sell suitcases here?"
"Yes Sir."
"Perfect. See all those clothes, put them all in suitcases. I'll get them too."
"Yes Sir."
"I want to pay now. Get someone to fix this all up for me."
One of the girls rushed in to tend to the register, handing Syaoran a long list of all the things he had purchased. The list ran for nearly 6 pages and as Sakura looked over his shoulder in curiosity of what it was, she nearly fainted as she managed to see the grand total printed boldly in the last page.
"Oh my god, that's a lot. Syaoran let me get rid of stuff."
"What for?" he grunted, handing his credit card to the girl, "It's fine."
"I'll feel too guilty!"
"Good, feel as guilty as you can possibly feel."
Sakura slapped him on the arm and reached out for his credit card, "Can I have that back please?"
The girl looked at them uneasily, unsure of what to do. Syaoran nodded his head to signal the girl to do it but Sakura was shaking her head, convincing her not to do it.
Another helper approached them out of nowhere with a wide smile much to the girl's relief, "Sir, before you go, I have been ordered to show you the sixth room."
Syaoran raised a brow, "I thought there was only five?"
With Syaoran's attention diverted, Sakura vaulted unto the desk and snatched Syaoran's credit card with a triumphant look on her face.
"The sixth room is exclusive to special costumers sir, and it is only granted to those the madam has allowed."
"What's in it?" he asked, looking at Sakura's sneering face, "We're not going to bother if we don't need to."
"But I must insist, I have been ordered to make sure to show you the room. You will not be disappointed with the Sweet Lolita range."
"Sweet Lolita?" he asked absently, if he remembered correctly when he had called Eriol earlier, he had heard Tomoyo say something about the particular range. "Fine, let's go."
Sakura pocketed his credit card and skipped ahead with the helper who was leading them the way unto a passageway to the back. Syaoran rolled his eyes at Sakura's back and turned to the cashier girl, "Charge it straight to my personal account."
"Yes Sir."
They stepped into a darkened room, Sakura could barely see anything. Behind her, Syaoran was tapping his foot impatiently; he couldn't see a thing either.
"I'll just go and turn the light on, wait a moment." The helper said simply, his footsteps gradually disappearing as he walked straight ahead into the darkness. Sakura couldn't help but wonder as to how in hell he didn't trip or walk straight unto something. She turned around to where Syaoran was supposed to be but naturally she couldn't be sure since it was so dark so she reached out and tried to feel for him.
"What is it?" he asked as he felt her fingers caress his chest, "Scared?"
"No." she denied indignantly but quietly sighed when she was assured that he was near. It wasn't her fault that he breathed so silently that he might as well not have been there.
He lifted his own hand and took hers from his chest, squeezing it to reassure her, "I'm just here don't worry."
She blushed a deep red, as much as she was tempted to brush away his grasp, his hand somewhat made her less frightened. The darkness reminded her of the same darkness she had struggled with when she had been unconscious. That same feeling of failure and doom crept to her mind accompanied by a nipping sense of loneliness. There was no way in hell that she would fail to go back home.
She jumped in surprise as the huge light bulbs overhead came to life one by one, emitting peculiar red beams of light. Once all the lights were lit, she looked at her surroundings and gasped in embarrassment. She didn't dare turn around to look at Syaoran as she knew he would have been blushing as well.
In front of them were shelf after shelf of kinky lingerie, leather, metal, feathers… Sakura became wide eyed with the variety. In the corners were huge glass cubes with mannequins inside wearing the merchandise and posing raunchily… in all sorts of unimaginable angles. The helper came back with a cheeky grin, "Once the shock passes, I can assure you that you'll be able to look around and appreciate what we have here."
Sakura giggled uncertainly and nudged Syaoran, "Heard that, let the shock pass…."
"I know, I heard. I'm going to kill Eriol."
After a few more minutes, Sakura started wandering around, realising that the helper was true to his words. Walking past the erotic section, she found the real good stuff: Victoria's Secret, Simone Perele, I.D. Sarrieri, DKNY, Felina… It wasn't long until she had a whole basketful and was grinning like an idiot.
Syaoran walked up to her with two Jezebel silk night gowns and shoved it in her basket, "Are you nearly done?"
"Are these for me or your girl friend?" she asked curiously, fingering the fine material, "They're so pretty."
"Are you done?" he asked again, walking to the door. Yuri wouldn't even come close to looking good in those.
"Thanks Syaoran!" she called out after him, "And who's Yuri?" She figured it was non other than his current girl friend. But she could really care less; she was the happiest person at that moment without question…. Who would have thought the almighty brick wall would spend senseless on her?
She watched as he headed straight for the parking lot, she felt his credit card in her pocket and ran after him, "Idiot! We haven't paid for the stuff!"
"I already did." He retorted with a smirk that made her shake her head in disbelief, "Hurry up, Eriol's been expecting us since 4, it's like 7 already."
"How did you pay for it when I've had your credit card all this time?!"
"Get in the car."
They reached Eriol's place at 8 o'clock that night, Sakura was looking forward to meeting this cousin Syaoran always muttered about. She wasn't surprised to find a looming mansion similar and as big as the one Syaoran's family had. The garden was as expansive as well and there was a huge, marble fountain in the middle of the driveway. The building itself on the other hand had an exquisite grand entrance with white marble pillars surrounding it. Two butlers waited by the door and instantly bowed down as Syaoran and Sakura got out of their car. Even the men tending to the garden bowed down as they passed by them while they were in the car.
She followed him quietly inside the mansion and was surprised to be welcomed instantly by a tall, cheery guy with midnight blue hair. A stunning girl with long raven hair and amethyst eyes stood beside him, their arms linked tightly. Was this the infamous cousin who Syaoran have threatened to kill numerous times for meddling with his life? She didn't get that vibe from him at all; he seemed very mature, graceful and friendly.
"Ah finally, we thought you wouldn't show up!" Eriol cooed and glanced down at Sakura, smiling at her warmly, "You must be Sakura."
Sakura beamed in return and remembering that she was suppose to French, confidently went up to the couple and kissed them one by one on both cheeks. "Echante!" (Pleasure!)
Tomoyo giggled and accepted the gesture, "You are so pretty! When Eriol told me about you, I didn't know what to think, I mean, now I'm glad I didn't let him host you. He'll be drooling over you girl!"
Sakura reddened and shook her head, "I don't think there will be a need if he has a girl friend as stunning as you."
Eriol walked to Syaoran and nudged him, "I thought she wasn't French?"
"She isn't." he grumbled.
"Could have fooled me."
"How did you find my store hm?" Tomoyo asked excitedly, "Did you like it?"
"Liked it??!" Sakura gushed, "I loved it! I would live there if I could!"
Somehow they ended up sitting in one of the lower verandas, sipping old-fashioned English tea. Tomoyo and Sakura were huddled together in blankets in a soft lounge while Eriol and Syaoran sat properly by a glass table.
"I heard you're going to start school tomorrow?" Tomoyo asked, sipping some more from her mug.
"Yeah, I'm actually kind of nervous."
"You'll be fine, don't worry. You'll have Syaoran to show you around campus since he'll be responsible for you while you're here in Japan."
"Hopefully we'll have some classes together."
Tomoyo grinned, "Yeah you have three with me: English, Math and Latin."
"How do you know?" Sakura asked curiously slightly surprised, "I don't even know what classes I'm taking yet!?"
"Didn't you know? You'll have the exact timetable as Syaoran." Sakura's eyes widened, she was slowly realising just how many strings Syaoran had to pull to get her into their school and he also had no choice but to find a way to get her into every single class he took. She wasn't going to be able to wander off from him after all.
"So if that Yuri girl gives you trouble, tell me and I'll deal with her okay?"
"Yuri?" Sakura had heard this name already before.
"Yeah, Syaoran's current girl friend," Tomoyo said thoughtfully, "To be honest, she can be quite scary, clingy and over protective. I never really got along wit her. I don't know what Syaoran sees in her."
Eriol overheard this and chuckled, "The answer to that is simple darling Moyo, she serves as the perfect combat Barbie that defends Syaoran from all the other scary, clingy, overprotective girls that run after him."
"I can't help it that I'm so irresistible," Syaoran muttered happily, "I have no complaints, and she does the job quite well."
"She'll eat Sakura alive tomorrow you know that?" Tomoyo stated, sipping some of the hot chocolate from her mug, "Yuri doesn't do too well with people that intimidate her throne."
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself. I'm no push over," Sakura smiled, "And she can have Syaoran to herself all she wants."
Syaoran feigned hurt by clutching at his heart, "You heartless woman!"
The four laughed whole-heartedly, unaware of how time was passing by so quickly. It wasn't long until Syaoran urged Sakura to get up and they headed to the car to head home. Eriol and Tomoyo escorted them to the front entrance of the mansion and bid them both good night. They watched as the black Porsche drove out of the drive way and as it disappeared out of sight, the couple looked at each other knowingly.
"Those two are so going to end up together, I can feel it!" Tomoyo said, leaning her head gently unto Eriol's shoulder, "What do you think?"
He nodded his head quietly and led her inside; he couldn't deny the extent of his curiosity. Syaoran had been very vague with the details about Sakura; he just prompted him to do the necessary bribing and what not. Being the nice cousin that he was, he didn't dwell much on asking questions. But now that he had met this stranger, she was everything he thought she wouldn't be. She was decent, well mannered, educated, sophisticated and pleasant. Eriol couldn't understand the reason for all the secrecy… but he would deal with the latter some other day.
Sakura slumped in bed with a sigh, she was so tired. It was nearly midnight, they had arrived home just mere 2 hours ago but she was whisked away by Meiling the instant she stepped into the mansion. They engaged in a long, casual French conversation in the kitchen as Meiling ate some biscuits and Sakura couldn't excuse herself until Meiling herself decided to retire for the day. Sakura found her very captivating, the moment they started talking, Sakura didn't even realise an hour had passed. Meiling was very opinionated and possessed a charming sense of humour. Sakura knew that they would get along very well.
Her thoughts were abruptly cut short by a knock on the door. Sitting up, she urged for the person outside to come in. She shook her head in disbelief when Syaoran's mop of chocolate, unruly hair came into view, "Still not in bed? I don't know about you but I'm exhausted!"
He chuckled and stepped into her room, brushing his hair out of his eyes in a gesture to hide the slight embarrassment he felt.
Sakura raised a brow, "Are you okay?"
"Actually," he said quietly, looking at her straight in the eye, "I wanted to discuss my first wish."
She gasped in surprise and motioned for him to close the door behind him, "Sit down."
Syaoran hesitantly took a sit by the end of her bed, on the floor, facing away from her, "I've actually been thinking about this for awhile now."
"What exactly have you got in mind?" she asked gently, ignoring the weird tension between them. Sakura could sense his discomfort and slight desperation. She knew that he still felt at odd with the whole situation, he still most likely find it hard to believe that she truly had the power to grant him his desires.
"Well?"
"I wish…" she could barely hear his voice but she did not need to hear it all to know. With those 2 simple summoning words, blinding light radiated from Sakura's form and when Syaoran managed to turn his head to look at her, he almost toppled back in disbelief.
Lying seductively on the bed was Sakura, dressed no longer in her silk green pajamas but in the same red corset and shorts that she had been wearing when he first met her. She was like a whole different person, stripped of innocence.
She looked at him with her piercing emerald eyes, beckoning him with a long perfectly manicured index finger, "Come here and tell me your wish."
He rose to his feet, clearly bewildered, "Sakura?"
"Yes, that is my name," she slurred in a piercing, sweet-dripping voice, "Don't look so surprised, this is genie protocol, it's only right I look like one when I grant you your wish right?" She grinned.
He exhaled in relief, "Woman! And here I am thinking you've been possessed!"
"Nope! Body, heart and soul… still Sakura," she assured him and laughed, "You should have seen the look on your face!"
"I can't believe this," he stated dryly, his cheeks red in embarrassment, "So what's going to happen now?" He looked away; he didn't like seeing her in such skimpy attire that drove his male hormones in hysterics.
"I do have the power to grant you what you want… but are you positive that you're not going to regret it? Remember, once I grant a wish, its permanent and irreversible."
He nodded, his eyes darkening and turning sombre. She tilted her head to the side and looked at him, "Things happen for a reason Syaoran… perhaps you should come and speak to me about this again when you have a clear head."
"No," he grunted impatiently, "I'm sure I want his… "
Closing her eyes, Sakura penetrated his mind, slightly flinching against the darkness, sadness and loneliness dwelling there.
The last thing she heard was his yearning voice,
"I want her…"
Before the power within her surged out and she knew in her heart that she had granted him the thing that will change his life.
Four more wishes to go…
A/N: yes yes more boring stuff.. i deeply sincerely apologise for the delay. iv had this chapter for a month on mah comp but i didnt wana post it cuz i got annoyed wif it but then i cldnt write anything else so just figured i'l post it then. im sorry if it was a let down... and if u havent noticed lol! yes mah writing simply deteriorates as chapters go on... perahps its the lack of interest on mah behalf. u know wen ur so pumped up for a new story..most of the tym such enthusiasm just naturally dies down..and re reading the crap got me even more pissed off... arghhh everything's such a mess!! and mah writing is givin me the shits -.-
but i do promise to finish this thing even if it kills me. i already know the story line... the only problem is mah committment to keep writing.
as always, any flame, comments, suggestions... death threats for the inhumanely slow update
are all welcum.
much luv..the authoress. (whu herself knows she sucks :P)