Summary: I had known her just about all my life. But there wasn't any real serious connection. Just the frequent hello, good evening, goodbye took place that I never returned. I never stopped to think about her really. I always thought she was just like everyone else out there. I was wrong though. She isn't like everyone else.

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or anything like it. I only own this plot.

Freefall
By: SweetBabyGurl

As I sped over to Sakura's place I thought back to that insolent jackass. Yamashito. Who the hell did he think he was? Coming in and speaking to Sakura as if they were long time friends or something. The nerve of him. Didn't he know that I was after her right now? When the bet was over and done with he could do whatever he wanted to. But for now, he just needed to back the fuck off. Tapping my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel since I had met with a red light I was just dying to run, I dug into my pants pocket to pull out my cell phone that was vibrating. I looked at the number, furrowing my eyebrows together since I didn't recognize the digits displayed across the screen, the backlight blinking furiously, as if commanding me to answer.

"Li speaking," I answered cautiously.

"I know your little secret," a sing-song voice crooned delightedly.

"Yamashito," I bit out. "Never mind how you got this number, what the hell are you talking about?" I asked, feeling hatred course through my veins and something akin to dread. If he really did know abbot the bet, I was absolutely screwed.

"Saa Syaoran-chan. That's no way to speak to your dear friend. I just wanted to let you know that you needn't go to Sakura-chan's place any longer to pick her up for your date," he told me. I hesitated for no more than a mere seconds that seemed like an entire eternity and a half.

"Oh?" Was the question that flew from my mouth before I could stop myself.

"I'll be replacing you. Ta-ta!" His last remark came through the phone, as my mouth opened agape first in confusion. When realization dawned only moments later, though, it wasn't a pretty sight to behold. Not dwelling on what had just happened and completely forgetting his comment on my 'secret'; I sped over to Kinomoto-san's place curses I had no idea I knew flying from my mouth. Like hell he was going to replace me.

----------

"Yamashito-kun," Sakura remarked, surprise evident on her face. "This was quite unexpected."

"Yes, yes, I know. But there has been a slight change of plans you see. Li-san seemed to forget a very important previous engagement, and he didn't want to disappoint you, so he asked me to take his place," Ryoko said quite happily. "And I'm glad I have the honour to do so. You look absolutely amazing Kinomoto-san."

"A-arigotou. You're welcome to call me Sakura if you like Yamashito-kun," she remarked happily, a faint blush staining her cheeks at the compliment, climbing down the remaining steps, carefully not trip in her fancy shoes.

"Only if you call me Ryoko; I insist," he told her charmingly with an almost angelic smile, causing her to nod and blush ever so slightly once more to his pleasantries.

"Ano, Yamashito-kun, May I borrow Sakura-chan for a moment? I need to speak to her about girly things. You know, lipstick, liner, mascara," Meiling told him sheepishly with a smile of the same manner before dragging her away into the kitchen, no intention of waiting for an answer from the guest in the doorway.

"Meiling-chan, what's up?" Sakura asked, utterly confused.

"Don't go with him," Meiling stated in a rough, angry whisper, arms crossed against her chest.

"But Meiling he's just… wait. What?" Sakura asked, now even more confused, the emotion easily read on her face.

"Syaoran and Yamashito never have really liked each other. They're barely friends. If what he were saying were true don't you think he would have sent someone close to him? Plus Syaoran always has the decency to call whenever he cancels plans on anyone! I just don't trust him and I don't want you to get hurt," Meiling asked, not having a good feeling about Ryoko.

"I don't know Meiling-chan. He's been nice to me all day. I think you're just worried for me, and I appreciate that, but I think it will be fine," Sakura smiled, touched that her friend would be concerned about her. "Don't worry about me. If it makes you feel any better I'll call you when I'm on way home or if he leaves for the bathroom or something to update you and Tomoyo about how everything is going. I promise," Sakura tried to assure her. Meiling smiled weakly in response. Completely blinded by her excitement to go out and have some fun, she wholly missed how strained it was, content that the ends of her comrade's lips were tugging at all. Giving her one quick hug, she turned around and left the house in tow of Ryoko.

"This is not going to go over well with Syaoran," Meiling mumbled to herself, wincing when the door shut behind Sakura, signalling their departure.

-----------

"You have got to me fucking kidding me!" I exclaimed, slamming my hands that were currently clenched into fists hard onto the steering wheel as I rolled down the window with clenched teeth. I watched him for my side mirror; a large – very large – man who seemed like he wouldn't be able to chase away a baby with his weight. How the hell did he become a police officer? I snorted. No wonder crime rates were so high. Rolling my eyes, I sighed before turning to him.

"Do you realize the speed at which you were travelling Syaoran?" The police officer questioned me in a familiar clipped tone, obviously none too impressed, pulling out a yellow pad of paper from his utility belt. Officer Shihara and I went way back. He was the first officer that ever put me into jail when I was 12 years old, by the way. That was when I had officially committed my first "crime". If you call yelling at an old man who nearly ran you over with their electric wheelchair a crime, then so be it. I went in under the accounts of 'disturbing the peace'. It was then that actually going to jail sparked my interest. If something so trivial could get me in the slammer, what else could? Of course at first I was scared out of my ass since my mother was actually taking her sweet time – a day in fact – to bail me out. She was intent on "teaching me a lesson". She always said 'if you did something stupid enough to end up in jail, then you probably deserve staying there for at least a night.' Ah, good old mom.

"No, I didn't Shihara. I'm late for something important, so I wanted to reach there as soon as possible. It won't happen again," I forced out as politely I could with a smile that probably seemed almost cynical considering my state of mind.

"That's Officer Shihara to you, you hooligan, and it better not happen again. Well, you were 80 km/h over the limit, so you'll be paying $160. Have a nice day," the officer enlightened me almost a little too pleasantly before shoving the slip of paper into my outstretched hand and trotting away, waddling from side to side due to his unbelievable amount of excess weight.

Knowing that I would only end up getting another ticket, I slowly pressed on the gas, quickly accelerating as I sped – well not literally this time since that stupid ass was tailing me in case he would gleefully be able to give yet another ticket – over to Kinomoto's house. That bitch had better not have left with him, since I knew that asshole beat me over to her place this time because tubby over there just had to catch me speeding. Of all times!

----------

By the time I reached Kinomoto's place, it was already 8:00. I was a half hour late, and I was pissed beyond belief. I didn't even get the chance to make it to the doorway, let alone pull up to the charcoaled driveway, the sight before me making me narrow my eyes in both interest and agitation. I was too far to hear what they were saying, but Sakura seemed rather nervous with the sheepish smile on her face, and much to my amusement, Ryoko seemed annoyed. Albeit my annoyance surpassed his, it made me feel a little better she was able to piss him off to some degree. What she did was beyond me, but I mentally gave her a pat on the back for her handiwork. It wasn't surprising despite the fact that she went off with him. I snorted. Who would actually want to go anywhere with that ass? Never mind she was probably more than desperate to go with anyone who would take her anywhere, but I'd rather have Satan himself in my presence than that idiot.

What I didn't expect though, was when he walked her up to the doorstep and upon turning to bid him what I assumed was good night, he pulled her gently toward his chest by her shoulders and planted a sound kiss upon her lips before walking away, getting into his car and driving off, leaving her astounded at the events that had just occurred mouth left hanging open.

TBC

Readers: Hey there everyone! How was this chapter? I kind of had some writer's block for a while, so taking that into consideration, hopefully this chapter isn't too bad. Well, happy new year everyone and I wish you all the best for 2006! Take care and don't forget to drop me a review letting me know what you think alright? Thanks a lot and ja ne!

-- SweetBabyGurl