AU PAIR
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.
Chapter Seven: the Sergeant and the Pacifist
"You," he was shocked, who would have thought the girl he kept randomly seeing practically everywhere would end up at his doorstep. The girl who became news and internet famous within a few hours? They stared wide-eyed at one another, completely taken by surprise, making the situation awkward for the other two. Haku looked from face to face before giving his girlfriend an arched brow look. Were they missing something dire here? She shrugged her bare shoulders, not understanding it either. The look Sakura held was one of confusion, her lips parted slightly as she just plainly stared. Syaoran had a similar look but the gaze in his eyes said he recognized her.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Sakura finally voiced, blinking out of the trance first. She eyed the man standing at the door frame of what she thought was the most beautiful two story house ever. It obviously had a woman's touch to it, the white picket fence held tight together so it circled the small, yet spacious grassy front. Bushes with strange orange and yellow flowers blooming within its depths, sat up against the house's front until the bush disappeared around the corner. His name was Syaoran, she caught that part as he apologized calmly, that no they didn't know one another, he has just seen her around lately. Her eyes traveled over him, taking in his professional collared shirt and Dickies pants. She hadn't realized he'd spoken again until Rika responded.
"This is Sakura Kinomoto," he nodded his head once, still standing in that doorframe. Rika turned to her friend, amused. "Apparently you're famous already; maybe we should hide you for awhile before any more reporters' storm on your parade." She whispered lowly. Sakura flushed, remembering yesterday's incident with the plaza's destruction. It wasn't her fault, she swore.
"So…right…"Haku glanced at the two girls, whispering something before turning to his superior. "I hope this isn't too much. I figured both of you are in need of help so meeting might work out. Unless you got a babysitter,"
"No," Syaoran couldn't help but sigh as he finally stepped aside. Meilin stood there at the end of the narrow hall, arms crossed as she took a position of an angry mother. He rolled his eyes, welcoming the three into his home with a tight lipped expression. "Tskuino, this is my dear cousin Meilin Rae Li, First officer in the distressed flight team." Haku's eyes lit as he saluted properly, getting Meilin to loosen up as she released him from his respect. "Meilin, this is second officer Haku Tskuino and his girlfriend Rika Sasaki. Of course, their friend Sakura….Kinomoto." he stared into space for a moment, trying to figure out where he heard that last name before. The four greeted each other, Meilin's mood changing as she took in Sakura.
"So you're hoping to babysit my monster cousin." Violet eyes leveled up emerald strangely. Sakura shifted slightly, unnerved by the stares. "Lyrianna deserves the best, what makes you think you can handle that kind of position?"
"Meilin," Syaoran snapped, giving her a warning stare that made her shrug her shoulders lightly. "I apologize, after Jaenelle left the way she did, Meilin has been a tad over protective of my daughter." He directed that statement to Haku more then Sakura but no one took notice. The two nodded while Sakura just stared, keeping her sharp gaze on the raven haired soldier. "Are you three hungry? Meilin made lunch for this occasion."
"Yes, thank you." Rika placed an arm through Sakura's dragging her forward and down the hall where Meilin led them. Syaoran stayed back with Haku, grabbing his upper arm before he could follow the girls. Brown eyes narrowed just slightly as he watched them disappear around the corner to the dining table.
"She's a pacifist." His words were low, accusing as he gave his second officer a glare. Haku couldn't help but keep the amusement from his face as he shook his head.
"She's that environmentalist I told you hung around Rika. Sakura's friendly, a bit out there, but she's friendly. Give her a chance, talk to her, both of you need help. She's got debts up the ass and you need a babysitter before next week right?" Syaoran stared, debating something in his mind before patting Haku lightly on the shoulder. Without another word, the two walked after the girls only to stop short. Sakura was staring at the table of food, as if uncertain of something. The arrange of fruits and salads looked amazing, two rice bowls set up on either side of the table, as well as a few bowls of teriyaki chicken and vegetables. Haku knew exactly what was going through her mind as she gave the food a long once over. Ignoring it the best he could, he gave Syaoran a half smile before taking a seat next to Rika and Meilin. That left Sakura to sit next to Syaoran so they could talk, if they ever talked. It seemed the only words they've exchanged were at the front door and barely that.
"Is something wrong?" Syaoran managed to ask, confused at the way she just stood there. Meilin rummaged in the kitchen, getting drinks for everyone. When she stood up from bending in the fridge, the look on her face was pure amusement. Her observation of the girl before was now over, replaced simply by some kind of amazement. Sakura turned to the man of the house, face putting on a fake smile. Shaking her head, brown strands of hair slipping away from the protective clip she had placed against her scalp, she sat down in the empty chair. Rika seemed to scowl, giving Sakura a silent warning that went unnoticed by the boys. Silence enveloped everyone then, letting in the sounds of the outside world in as cars passed and birds chirped. Somewhere in the distance, Sakura could make out a grandfather clock within the house.
"Why don't you tell us about yourself, Sakura?" Meilin suggested, placing cold beers before everyone. The brunette jerked, wincing in embarrassment right after.
"What would you like to know?" her voice was low, the awkward situation her friends had put in her making the inside of her stomach clench. She was nervous, there was no reason for her to be, but there she was sitting in a stranger's home about to eat lunch with them and trying to get a job; a babysitting job at that. Usually interviews went on about her experience in the field, what she studied, and so on. Telling them about her was something she truly hadn't talked about since high school when they were forced to sit in circles and talk about culture so the students could get to know one another. She must have revealed a look on her face because Rika came to her rescue, beer in hand as she pointed a manicured nail.
"Sakura went to Middleton University for six years." Her words seemed to echo through the house, seeping into Sakura's brain as she gingerly took the fruit and placed some on her plate.
"What did you study?" she wasn't sure who asked that but she wasn't surprised they would. Everyone was always curious to what she studied for especially since she spent two more years in college and didn't study for Law.
"Environmental Science and Oceanography." Her words were abrupt, letting them know straight on without beating around the bush. She must have shocked Meilin because the girl's mouth hung open slightly as she took in the slight girl across from her. A whole new gaze set upon those judgmental violet eyes. "I studied History as well but my degree came from the Environmental Sciences." Why she added that last bit, would probably eat away at her subconscious later. She took three history courses to make her dad happy, to get her older brother to stop nagging at her that she was the fruit of the family.
"You spent six years studying about the world?" Meilin truly was shocked. For some reason the way her eyes changed expressions as she gave the girl another once over made Sakura uncomfortable. "Oh!" beer slammed on the table, foam rising to the top as her eyes grew then. The three other occupants at the table stared at her while Syaoran buried his face in his hands in embarrassment for his cousin. "You're that girl from yesterday, at the plaza, then the news the other day right? You're the environmentalist that got caught inside the corporation building and dragged to…" her words stopped there, realizing they were all staring at her now. Not just Haku and Rika, but Sakura and Syaoran. Syaoran's expression was that of embarrassment mixed with disapproval while Sakura had a look of shock and horror. The two looked so much alike right there; Meilin couldn't help but cut her own words off. "Sorry, but it is true right? You were the girl from yesterday being harassed?"
"Yes," face flushed, fingers began to play with the strawberries on her plate, and she couldn't help but wonder if she ran now would they forgive her? Rika and Haku, that is. "He was…relentless for a story. All that damage wasn't my fault, though, most of it was because he thought he could hound me like some kind of prey."
"Don't worry, I'm not judging you. That guy's an asshole, straight off. He likes to get into military business way to much; a lot of his reports are lies." Meilin defended. Sakura looked up, meeting her eyes. She was smiling, which astounded her. "He's known for snooping around the base for details our media liaison doesn't speak of."
"Can I ask why you studied environmental science?" Syaoran asked, getting the two girls attention. Haku sputtered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as he gave Rika a stare before turning to Syaoran to respond. Before he could even interrupt and warn Syaoran of the mistake of asking someone like Sakura a question, she had answered with a kick under the table. Rika must have felt it too because her look was teary eyed as she kept in a laugh. The couple knew her too well, it was discomforting.
"Are you asking because you're in the military or because you're truly interested in it?" her words took on a whole new tone, one Rika knew of well and one that made Syaoran arch a brow. Seeing her true colors didn't surprise him but hear the way she spoke did. Warning flags went up his spine, tickling his bones as he contemplated on her question. He was intrigued by her, especially with the way she only chose fruit to place on her plate while everyone else ate otherwise. He was intrigued by the way she was uncomfortable being there and comfortable at the same time, like she was born for such interrogations, prepared was more like it.
"Why don't you tell me the general of it?" he commented through a sip of liquor.
"Well if you must know Sergeant…" he stiffened, no one was supposed to know his true rank. Even Meilin stiffened, for she had the same line of work in a whole other department. "Have you ever noticed the change in the world day by day? How the weather isn't the same season after season and the animals are going instinct faster then what scientists predict with the climate changes and population growth?" he nodded his head slowly. "Well my father told me about this one war when I was little. Why he told me about it at the age I was, was beyond me, but he told me it and told me that my great-great-grandfather had been in that war and because of the destruction and turmoil I realized wars such as the one our country is in now, have been destroying the earth day after day, century and decades after century and decades. I believe the plants and animals and little tiny specks of species deserve way better then what the humans are giving them."
"Aren't we giving them the respect they deserve? We have zoos and aquariums, and biotech globes for plants." Sakura laughed, head shaking as she let he fingers destroy a melon.
"We have all those because people want to see these bizarre creatures that are so magnificent they're dangerous and feared by us. We enslave endangered animals to protect them only because humans feel sorry that we destroyed their natural habitat when buildings and factories came into play. When wars began to create weapons of mass destruction and chemically based explosives, the human population destroyed plants that no longer exist except in those biotech globes." She smashed the melon, using the fruit as an object for her sudden anger.
"So you blame humans for their destruction?"
"I blame war,"
"War has nothing to do with it though."
"War has everything to do with it; you're just too blind by it to see the truth."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, you're just to blind to see that centuries ago the human race started raging war on one another, destroying the habitats for animals, destroying the plant life and making things ten times worse for us now then they should have been." They fell silent. The grandfather clock, ticking in the background, a dog barked next door as a truck rumbled by on the street. Sakura's fingers played with the rim of the plate, body shaking as she tried slowly to regain control. Adrenaline had kicked in merely because of his questions, because of his obvious denial. It wasn't even that big of a deal and she got worked up over something she believed in. It reminded her so much of her family and all their pointless arguments about why she shouldn't believe in what she believed in. That people and war were necessary to gain balance in this world. Without it, they would be overrun by plants and animals and the human population wouldn't exist. Wasn't she there for a babysitting job? The topic of discussion wasn't close to what she would have expected for someone looking for a sitter.
"You're a pacifist," she frowned, confused. Was he accusing her for it?
"You're a belligerent military nut," she countered so easily, so quickly, he scoffed. "Let me guess something about you." She pointed a finger, wrist angled as she waved around the house lightly. "You have a weapon in every corner of your house, under your mattress, in locked drawers and cabinets. Being military means you have great expectations for this country and this world, ignoring every aspect that if it weren't for plants and water reserves we wouldn't be alive, we wouldn't be able to make those weapons you have hiding. Without animals there wouldn't be meat for carnivores to devour and survive efficiently. The cycle of life is nothing but a Disney movie, a fluke some nut came up with a long time ago." She got to her feet then, scooting the chair back a bit. "A belligerent military nut that sees only blood and death, and maybe objects of products the world destroys. Excuse me," just like that she left, arms wrapped around her stomach tightly so she didn't portray the tremble she had eating at her bones.
Syaoran was shocked. He stared at the front door as it snapped shut, the only thing in his minds eye was her dark colors. The long skirt she wore a flutter of fabric that left the room in a blur. Her short hair bouncing as she angrily walked out. No body said anything for a moment, leaving the silence of her leave imprinting on their minds. That grandfather clock chirped to life at that moment, the gong sounding once to let them know it was half an hour past one. They spent an hour talking about one subject. A subject she obviously took to her soul. Glancing at her plate, Syaoran took in her uneaten fruit, untouched beer and the napkin stained red from when she squished the melon to a pulp with just her fingers. Turning his head, he caught sight of the dumbfounded look on Haku and Rika's face before turning to see Meilin gaping at the door with her beer. Was that amusement he saw in her face? It wasn't like Sakura told him off with her statements and he did ask her the inevitable question Haku obviously tried to deflect to no avail. It was obviously a subject she had strong feelings for, like he with his military attitude. His mind reeled with thoughts and her words, before he got to his feet as well, beer in hand. Without so much as a word or explanation, he left the three at the table and went into the other room. Meilin was the first to speak after that, blinking rapidly.
"Who wants rum?"
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The nerve of him! She thought arms wrapped around her stomach as she carelessly walked down the block. Her skirt flapped in the warm wind, cars passed by and gave her a strange look. Some even slowed down, taking in her small skin tight tank top that gave them much to revel in while she walked hugging herself in anger. The anger was apparently non noticeable, for the passerby's went so far as a few whistles here and there. Everything just seemed to seep into her bones, creating a void of anger from the pits of her soul and come out. She flipped off one car and screamed at another. This block she walked down was nothing next to her own. All the houses around her were one or two story buildings with gates and grass, like a community block for the rich. Family cottages and senior citizen easy access mansions to wish for, like in the movies. The only thing going through her mind was the conversation she just left behind, the conversation that shouldn't started in the first place. It had been clear on Haku's face that he was going to stop his superior not to ask her about why she loved the world as much as she does, it was clear on Rika's that she was curious to how the conversation would turn. It was Sakura's bad for getting involved in trying to be a babysitter. The whole lunch meet was because Haku said Syaoran Li needed a babysitter for his daughter. Not get interrogated for something she believed in.
Walking a little slower now, Sakura stared up at the street name. She managed to walk down three blocks, the neighborhood changed course, the houses no longer two stories and much closer together. You could tell by the way the grassy yards were turning brown with the season; leaves littered the street and the driveways. Some of the houses didn't even have yards. That's how much neighborhoods had different settings. Syaoran Li lived in the rich part of Middleton, close to the base and close to the city. She was amazed he didn't live on base. Most military families did, it was convenient, cleaner, restricted, and well paid for by the government. They didn't need the dreaded traffic early mornings and late nights. They didn't need neighbors that didn't respect the nation, or neighbors that had issues with the law. You already knew who lived next to you because for all you know they were on the same team as you, bearing the same rank as you if not superior. Tucking a chunk of her hair behind her ear, she gazed back down the street. It was a long stretch, leaves tumbling away from the ground as it caught in the wind. Biting on her lower lip she debated briefly if she should go back and apologize or just go home. A bus stop would be close by and she had enough points on her pass to get a ride closer to her apartment.
The side of her breast began to vibrate, surprising her into a small jolt. Awkwardly reaching into her bra for her slim cell, she glanced at the name written across it. Deciding against answering it, she pressed end and returned it back to her bra for safe keeping. Rika and Haku could spend the day together; she didn't want to go back. Mind made up, she crossed the street easily and began making her long way to a bus stop. By time she found a one a mile outside of the clean neighborhood, her legs were tired. The phone had gone off and on that entire walk and she still refused to answer it, letting her best friend know she was furious. Even though deep down she knew she was out of line for walking out like that, for exploding on a man she didn't know anything about; she couldn't go back. She already walked out, why would she return now? In a flutter of skirts she sat on the green wooden bench and cross her legs at her ankle. Sakura was fairly content with the prospect that she was not going to return to that house of military lackeys. She had enough of the military, had enough of dealing with them, and she reveled in the fact. Cars passed, people walked by, and she sat there having an argument in her mind.
For some reason, sitting at the bus stop, watching car after car pass by she couldn't help but think of her family. It was only her father, older brother, and her now. When her mother died of a strange illness, it had left the family in pieces. She never was the same after that, going through school trying her hardest to make her father appreciate his only daughter while his son, the oldest by five years did exactly what their family had wanted from him. Sakura had been the opposite, trying to make them happy by finding a different route in the world. A world where it was all about bloodshed and respect, a world that wasn't for her. The day she graduated from high school, top of her class, was the day she had the argument with her father. An argument that lasted a straight week until she moved out and went to college months early, an argument that had her brother reeling and given the silent treatment. They both had thought she would change after high school, thought she would come around if they spent a year over seas looking at military bases and enjoying a family vacation, meeting long lost family that only came around during the holidays, if that. What they hadn't figured was Sakura already planned on joining the refugee team, protesting wars, and saving animals and plant life. The day she stopped talking to her brother was the day she disrespected her father and joined the environmentalists. It was on this day, six years ago when it all went down.
As an orange and white bus rumbled to a stop, she wiped at her face and got on. Nothings going to change, she will still be Sakura, angry at the world for mankind destroying it, angry at herself for thinking she could change her families minds about what she believed in, and angry that she had just got in an argument just like that day.
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Syaoran didn't know when it was Haku and Rika had left the house. He didn't particularly care, all he knew was that the house was finally quiet, aside from the music he blasted in the garage. He had locked the door from the inside, not wanting to be disturbed. Even Meilin knew when to give him space; she'd known him all her life. Working on his car gave him relief, a clear head, and kept him busy for the time being. Usually at least, for some reason at the moment it wasn't working. Now was the time he wished he was back on duty, just one more week, less than that and he would be able to have a bigger distraction to keep his mind in check. That's all he wanted, for his mind to be in check while he completed one simple task of fixing his car. For the few hours his company had been over, he managed to clean out his car, change the oil and work on that small issue he still hadn't figured out. The roader was grinding, even after he replaced it with a brand new part; it seemed to deject the piece. He had half a mind to go back inside and ask for Haku's help, knowing the soldier had exquisite knowledge about cars. That would only mean he would talk about her. That girl that just came over and refused to eat, talk all high and mighty about the world, and left unexpectedly. Grease slicked hands fumbled with the wrench and he swore, hearing it clank against the floor by his head. Twisting, he snatched it back and slid out from beneath his car. 10 years, screamed in fury and he turned it off with a groan.
She had been invading his mind for the past two hours. All he could think about, the moment his mind wandered, were those green eyes bright as day as she gave him that look of superiority. Syaoran had been intrigued by her. The way her eyes kept the same spark throughout their conversation, the way she managed to destroy a piece of watermelon with just her two fingers, and her speech. Sakura knew exactly what she was talking about when she talked down the military. It had been like she was telling the president how to run his country, reminding them of the world around them; reminding them that there was more to it then just guns and warfare. All pacifists were strange, but this one, this one girl had gotten under his skin by simply being there; by simply breathing. Sakura had been smaller in build and height then Rika, but he knew from the way she held herself and spoken about things only she knew, that she was stubborn. Maybe even knew how to defend her own in a battle. That was how much she intrigued him and she'd only been there for an hour.
He could easily tell, from living with Jaenelle, that Sakura wore designer clothes. One thing he knew about women, was their bite had a lot to do with what they wore and yet this girl had been different. She didn't act like a fashion princess, she didn't wear makeup that covered her original features, she didn't seem at all like the female he pegged her to be the moment she walked through his front door. Sakura Kinomoto, the pacifist. Why was she invading his mind while he had other things to be worrying about? If he closed his eyes, let out a breath, and relaxed his mind he would see her face. The way her light brown hair tucked behind her ears, the way her nose moved with her expressions, and those eyes. Emerald green was hard to come by and she had bright ones. She was unique in mind, body, and soul. He wished they had another go at talking, he wanted to hear her talk, hear her opinion. Suddenly frustrated with himself for thinking about a girl he barely knew, Syaoran began replacing what he took out under the car. He needed to find a different distraction. Once everything was in place and cleaned off he got in the car without warning Meilin that he was leaving and decided it was time to get Lyri. Her three year old mind was as good as he could manage, even if he'd get her earlier then usual.
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Paramore was a calm relief to listen to in the comfort of one of your best friend's homes. Instead of going home, Sakura had decided to take the bus to Tomoyo's condo not knowing if the girl would be there or not. The relief that washed through her when her friend opened the door wearing short-shorts and a hello kitty tank top was one of pure delight. It had been awhile since the two worldly girls were together, just the two of them. No military boyfriends, no gossipy friends, and no press. The last time she had seen Tomoyo Daidouji had been on the set of the newsroom, letting her friend interview her regarding the trespassing at the Middleton Corporation. With everything that was going on and all those cameras around, the two hadn't had time to catch up. For years it had been just the two of them. They grew up together; it was almost like they were sisters for they were inseparable up till college. Tomoyo's love with cameras and needing to voice her opinions world wide had gotten in the way while Sakura's love for the environment had kept her from having a social life. It was like a reunion the way they talked and began making a mess in her off white kitchen. Having not eaten at Syaoran's, they decided on making cookies from scratch.
With music blaring, the two girls made a field day out of being just that…girls. Flour caked every corner of Tomoyo's white counter, sugar spilled on the floor, milk puddles began to form designs and the smell of a hot oven began to tickle Sakura's nose. At one point chocolate chips were being used to press into the dough but ended up being eaten on its own as the two girls giggled and laughed, making faces with the gooey substance they created. Sakura Kinomoto was not much of a cook, in fact, she was terrible at it. The first batch of cookies ended up deformed and burnt to tiny crisps on the pan. They needed strength to peel it off and decided on the second batch, to spray oil before placing the cookies on it. Tomoyo wasn't much of a cook either but she knew the basics and she knew when cookies looked like cookies. As the second batch finished, the look of them made their mouths water and stomach scream for the sugar. Taking apart the soft bread of delight, Sakura and Tomoyo tried their tongues at the desert. The look on their faces, however, would have made a witness laugh out right. Third batch of cookies later, Sakura was eating a yogurt cup on a beige rug as she allowed her friend braid her hair.
"Ready to tell me what's on your mind?" Tomoyo asked her voice was like a smooth cadence that sent chills run through Sakura's arm.
"What makes you think I have something on my mind?" she countered, trying her hand at diverting the conversation. She felt the tug on her hair as a clip was set in place, keeping the braid intact.
"I took Psychology with you for two years, remember?" Tomoyo laughed, starting on a new braid. "You're also wearing Rika's clothes, so that means you either went on a blind date or you're out of your own. I have some quarters if you need the change." She added that last part as an after thought, making Sakura flush crimson, spoon in her mouth.
"Both," Sakura scooped up the last bit of dairy into her mouth, trying to think about the best way to explain what happened only a few hours ago. "Haku means well but he thinks I want to work for his superior officer, taking care of his daughter. The interview wasn't even an interview, I feel like I was being interrogated." Again, she thought, remembering her family for the second time that day.
"You need a job, don't you?" her breath was on her neck, face coming up to rest on her shoulder as she finished the second braid. "What kind of interrogation did they give you?"
"The inevitable question of why I am a pacifist."
"I see,"
"Is it really that big of a deal that I want to protect the world, not kill it?" Sakura found herself asking, both mentally and physically. Holding her friend around the shoulders, Tomoyo leaned back against her couch like she was holding a child. Sakura continued without as much as a breath of wait. "I never told you this, but when I got arrested, the military picked me up and Yukito gave me this look like…like I was thirteen again getting in trouble by the principle at our school for planting those flowers in the garden. This time, I didn't take in consideration that I would hurt someone. I was just doing my job; he knew that, he was just doing his job by letting General Takata bark at me for the truth."
"Someone was allergic to your flowers again?" Tomoyo asked with a smile, making Sakura pinch her lightly.
"No," sighing, she wiggled away from Tomoyo and got to her feet, heading for the kitchen as the timer dinged to life. "I make one choice in life and it's like the whole world is against me. Literally," huffing, she opened the oven taking in the heat with a wince as she pulled the third batch of cookies out. They looked clean, cooked, and delicious. She smiled, hoping the rumor about third times the charm was true for such time of need; sweets.
"No body is against you, everyone just doesn't see what you see." Tomoyo had gotten to her feet as well, crossing the distance from her sun room to the kitchen easily. "Was this man asking you out of curiosity or to start an argument?"
"Umm," Sakura paused, spatula in hand as she stared at nothing.
"Sakura please tell me you at least saw through your conversation before walking out on them." Tomoyo's eyes twinkled knowingly, watching her long time best friend hold the kitchen utensil with guilt. It was the moment her hand went back down, narrowly missing the hot tray of cookies, did she laugh. "Tell me about this guy you so carelessly told off before coming here."
"What is there to tell you? He's a sergeant in the army at the age of twenty whatever. I could tell by the way he flinched that his rank was supposed to be a secret to the public, but the way he…gave me this look when he knew I was 'that girl' from the television, 'that girl' that ran from the news reporter yesterday, 'that pacifist' I wanted to slap him." Sakura bellowed, groaning as she attacked one of the cookies from the pan with her fingers. In seconds the searing pain of being burnt rocked through her fingers and up her arm, making her yelp as she rushed to the sink. The cold water cooled her sore hand, relieving her of the pain. "Oh and to top it off, sergeant Li is one of the SRT members so if I did chose to be his daughters babysitter, my social life would be zilch. Again."
"Oh my," Tomoyo hid her smile, watching her friend chill her burnt hand, rambling on about a man she thought she hated.
"What?" Sakura turned to her, catching that strange look. Before she could answer, the door opened and shut loudly. Keys jangled as boots made a thumping noise on the welcome mat.
"Hey babe, you here!" a male voice yelled out, echoing off the white plastered walls. Boots thumped against the tile floor, coming around the corner that hid the large room and kitchen from view. Sakura turned the facet off, grabbing a towel as she leaned her body against the counter, snatching up a cookie carefully this time. Tomoyo's face lit up at the voice, her hands going to her long black hair as she smoothed it out easily. "I forgot my papers...do…"
"Hello," Sakura smirked, brow arched as she took in the dumbfounded male that walked into the room. He paused in his steps, hands wrapped around a large device that looked strangely illegal. Blue eyes widened when he realized the voice that said hello hadn't been Tomoyo's. "What's that you got there?" Sakura asked, cookie in her mouth.
"Nothing," he glanced at Tomoyo before turning back to Sakura. "How's the world treating you, Kinomoto?"
"Oh bite me," she spat, moving away from the counter and heading for the couch. "The day you tell me what it is you do for a living, will be the day I tell you how my life has been treating me." she finished, plopping herself down on the leather couch with grace. His laugh was deep, rumbling from the depths of his toned stomach as she walked the rest of the way through the room. Kissing Tomoyo soundly on the lips he started up the stairs hidden behind another wall. "So, Eriol finally moved in?" she asked, eyes narrowing as she gave her friend an arched brow look.
"Yes," she was crimson, hands clasped together as she remained in her spot between kitchen and sun room. "Do you two always have to be snide?"
"Of course, he owes me for that prank last year with the sparklers." Tomoyo frowned, watching as Sakura crossed her legs, fixing her skirt easily around her. "How do you do it, go out with a guy that has a secret job he's not permitted to talk about?"
"Oh, I know what he does." Sakura stared at her, mouth wide. Eriol took the moment to walk down stairs, arm wrapping around Tomoyo easily as he kissed the top of her head once more. "No, we aren't playing the guessing game." She added as an after thought when Sakura got cozy.
"Damn,"
Eriol chuckled, "You girls have fun…making a mess of the kitchen. Are you staying long, Sakura?" he asked. Tongue out, she gave him the middle finger in return for knowing exactly what he meant by that question and shook her head at the same time. "Well see you later, if you're not here by time I'm off work. My glorious, glorious, job." He was out the door before Sakura could throw a pillow, making Tomoyo giggle in her stance. Grumbling, more to herself then to her friend, Sakura decided on remaining on the couch, letting the music seep through her kindly.
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Before picking up Lyri he made a stop at the base. In the back of his mind, he wanted his Commanding officer to let him return from leave early, wanted to see his new team members as they did the dreaded hours of PT. Wanted to get her out of his mind for good. Driving had helped, going down the road till he reached checkpoint had gotten his mind off of thinking about Sakura Kinomoto and back to thinking about how much Jaenelle had royally screwed up his life. Parking his mustang, he climbed out of the seat and clambered his way up the post. The brick walk way was littered with leaves, the wind picking up its gust and making it harder for the gardeners to keep up with the plants. Syaoran couldn't help but groan inwardly at the sight of trees set up around the walkway, the bushes and plants circling monuments and the flag pole. Her words had a whole new meaning to what he could see and it sickened him that he even let her under his skin. He finally figured it was the way she directed her words to make it seem like the world had a chance outside of the war, the famine, the diseases that made him think about her; it. Giving a salute to the passing flag at the steps of the building, he took the stairs two at a time in urgency.
It was easy to mistake him for a common soldier, and it made him take pride in knowing no body besides Haku and his team knew who he really was in the SRT. She, however, had merely said the word in passing and it took him by surprise. She knew from the start that he was a sergeant and not some soldier taking part in wars. She knew just by looking at him. Straightening his collared shirt, he entered the large building of defense and walked in. Few heads turned, one head in particular gave him a frown as he approached the round desk set in the middle of the lobby. Dressed in a collared shirt and dark Dickies, he looked like any other civilian touring the base. He held no smile as he approached forward, eyes on the secretary of military affairs. She was a woman that had few smiles and even less quirks to her lips. Her blond hair set up in a bone at the base of her neck, a single winged clip on her uniform. She gave Syaoran the once over, perfectly manicured nails tapping at the keyboard even as her brown eyes watched him approach her desk.
"Sir," she addressed him kindly, her voice echoing through the room.
"General Takata in his office?" he asked coolly, standing erect before her clean counter. She was fast to type in something, eyes not at all wavering or straying to take him the brute before her.
"As a matter of fact he is, but he's in a meeting. Shall I tell him you've arrived…?" she stopped at trying to figure his name, hoping he would give it instead.
"No that's alright," he sighed, giving her a half smile before going back out. He could feel the stares, could feel the strange looks he got until the tinted windows blocked the view of his retreating back. It was wishful thinking wanting to talk to his commanding officer.
He hadn't quite figured out why he was wasting time when he should just go get Lyri from school. Walking the few steps towards his car, he stopped. Trainees would be out on the field doing drills for another hour or so. Whether his SRT team would be there would be just pure luck, which he didn't think would be true. Just as he turned on his heel and began making a slow way against the wind to the fields, his name was being shouted out. It echoed off the air, taking him first by surprise, then in confusion. The continuous 'Sergeant Li' usually meant one of his team mates, yet, Haku was the only one alive to be current. Looking over his shoulder, he watched as a tall figure made stride steps towards him. Hand raised to protect his green hat from flying off his head, the other gripping papers tucked away in a folder. Light eyes danced in anticipation as he tried catching up to Syaoran in the wind, just as it picked up gust he paused, letting the weather beat around him before he continued again a little more faster.
"Lieutenant Tsukishiro…?" he stared agape at the tall soldier trying to catch his breath. It was clear he'd been basically running to catch up to him. "What can I do for you?"
"I apologize; I saw you in the lobby and realized there were undocumented papers I need you to confirm." He paused, opening the thin folder with difficulty as papers began to flutter. "You've been on leave for a month, correct?" Yukito's eyes suddenly drew down on him, business-sharp.
"Correct, I will be back on duty May first at 0900 hours." The lieutenant nodded, scribbling something down in the corner of the folder before flipping through some papers before they flew away with the wind.
"Jaenelle Marswick Li is no longer a part of your household, correct?"
"Correct," Syaoran frowned, collecting his thoughts immediately. "Sir, if this has to do with the divorce papers, I didn't think it…"
"Jaenelle Marswick came in filling out paperwork regarding she no longer is part of the insurance the military has allowed to cover, since she is your family by marriage. It's a bit strange she came in without a lawyer as witness, the department just wants to confirm everything is true and correct with the husband; you." He gave off a weak smile, eyes crinkling at the corners in genuine peace. "It's a bit confusing but once your divorce papers have been completed and signed off with the military then everything will fall into place."
"Thrilling," he growled more to himself then to answer the statement. Rubbing his hand through and over his hair, he gave his superior a look of distress. "Personal opinion, sir, does this kind of thing happen a lot? She doesn't want a lawyer involved because she doesn't want our daughter involved in it any more then she already is. I'm being forced to find a nanny since she…well…Jaenelle didn't give warning that she's divorcing me."
"The truth, Sergeant Li…this kind of thing doesn't happen. Lawyers are needed simply because they help organize everything and take care of the legal stuff. The military doesn't give relief to those that aren't prepared when it comes to children, which, I'm sure you've figured out." Handing over the folder and a pen, he pointed at a line at the bottom. "Sign, date, and things will fall into place." Syaoran did as told, scribbling his name across the thick black line after briefly scanning over what it was he was signing. "Off topic, you don't look to well. Is everything alright?" he asked, surprising Syaoran immensely.
Handing back the papers he shrugged. "Finding a nanny is a lot tougher then I thought." Standing still, eyes following the folder as Yukito tucked it away beneath his arm for safe keeping, he found himself relaying more personal information then he'd thought in those few minutes he stood before the solider. "Have you ever met a pacifist, Lieutenant Tsukishiro?" The look that passed across his hazel eyes was one of familiarity and astonishment. "I met this woman today and I believe she chewed me out as kindly as she could manage. Her eyes were so fierce; I don't think I've ever seen a shade of green that could get any greener." He explained quickly.
"Pacifist's are known for their strong beliefs in peace." Once again, the corner of his eyes crinkled in a smile. "I know a very strong-willed pacifist that used to chew her family out before she even learned the word 'peace'." Yukito mentally laughed to himself.
"I see," Syaoran stared at nothing as he remembered Sakura for the millionth time that day. "If that's all you need, Lieutenant…" he saluted, words trailing off making the soldier before him salute back and release him. Turning on his heal, Syaoran headed back to his car, forgetting all about his original plans to bug the trainees for information. Yukito Tsukishiro watched his retreating back, heading shaking slightly. Sakura, whatever it was you said to this poor soldier, has him baffled beyond belief. He thought, turning on his own heel and heading back to the office.
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(Midnight)
The wind had picked up to the point that trees were leaning dangerously in one direction, the threat of breaking making the sirens for storm warning to blare through the late night. The sound echoed off walls and tunnels, making windows shutter and car alarms go off. The storm would brew and pass without hesitation, leaving animals to hide in the closet shelter they could find. Street lights flickered, trying with all its solar powered might to stay lit, making walking up the walkway rather awkward. Leaves flew across, swirling in a dance as a lone figure walked hastily up. The house she approached had only one light on inside, a television screen that made the glow eerie by itself. Soon as she stepped forward that last step to the door, a light went off, illuminating the doorstep and her figure. Biting on her lower lip she had a slight argument in her head, whether or not she was making the right decision. After half a day of arguing and making pro-con notes, she figured it was. Those notes could easily have been wrong on so many levels. Breathing uneasily she let loose her closed fists and wrapped a few short times on the hardwood door and waiting, dancing on the soles of her shoes. Her mind chanted, her heart fought against her chest, and the inside of her stomach twisted along side her fingers as she knotted up the hem of her borrowed jacket. It was when the door opened and a dark figure stood in place of the blockade did her mind shut off completely, leaving only her pounding heart screaming in her ears.
Dark gaze stared wide eyed, his hand unconsciously smoothing out messy locks of hair. She opened her mouth before he could say anything. "Look, I need a job and you need a babysitter. If we can start over, without the dramatics and background interviews that would be great." She paused, biting her lower lip as she took in his unleveled look. "Start over?" something in his gaze flickered and she briefly wondered if she was making a great mistake and should just walk back to Tomoyo's condo. After a minute of silence, she itched to back up but then, to her surprise he stuck out his hand, face serious.
"Syaoran Li," smiling, she took it tightly letting her sleeve ride up slightly.
"Sakura Kinomoto,"
To be continued…
Finished. I figured I wouldn't be mean and put that last piece in there because, well, obviously she's going to work for him. I hope everyone liked this long chapter. It was indeed one of my longest. I'll try and keep them all like this, but as writing goes, coming up with stuff to fill in the gaps gets hard. Right, so what did you think?
And I am a giant fan of the world is small, everyone knows everyone some way or the other.