Disclaimer: I do not own Itazura na Kiss or Card Captor Sakura.
Chapter 7: Sakura, and the Tennis Match
Sakura stared at her empty room in sadness. All her bags were packed and waiting for her in her father's car. Yelan had insisted that Sakura take all the clothes that she had bought for her, and all of the stuffed animals. However, she did leave Suppi-chan to Feimei.
"What do I want with this?" the younger girl had asked taking the angry looking purple creature.
"All girls need a friend to talk to," Sakura said smiling down at her. Even though Feimei still acted as icy as ever Sakura had really started to think of her as the little sister she never had.
Hugging Kero to her chest she made her down the stairs, and out to where her father was waiting with the parked car. Yelan gave her one last tearful hug, and then rushed inside. Leiyun patted Fujitaka on the back, and wished him the best of luck.
Syaoran leaned against the door, and stared down at the girl who had invaded his life not too long ago. It seemed like just yesterday he had opened his locker to discover her love confession. He honestly had no idea who she was until his classmates told him about her. He was not surprised to hear she was ranked in the lower part of the grade; considering that there were lots of errors in her confession.
Sure he had been confessed to before many times, and just like with her he had rejected them point blank. He hadn't expected to ever see or hear from her again after that. Just like the rest they would be deleted from his internal database so to say. But he would never forget the next day when she had looked up at him with those fiery emerald eyes, his favorite color, and told him about how much of a jerk he was. He had to admit it had caught him off guard.
Then of course when he heard from his father that a family friend was moving in he was a little annoyed at first. He liked his privacy, and liked how everyday was pretty much the same. He knew the routine, and he knew what to expect. But when this girl moved in it had turned his whole life upside down. Now each day was different, and he never knew what to expect. It was fun… It was weird to think that his life would go back to the way it used to be.
When he had finally got home last night; he found Fujitaka was already back and speaking with his parents about the move. He decided to avoid the living area, and just head up to his bedroom instead. There he found Feimei excitedly waiting for him bursting with the good news.
"Did you hear?! Sakura is moving out!" she said jumping up and down.
"Oh… really?" was all he said as he sat down his bag, and lay tiredly upon his bed.
Feimei frowned staring at him. She had thought he would be happy to be rid of the girl.
He felt like he should say something to her, but he found that no words could come out. She stared at him one last time as if waiting for him to say something. Fujitaka looked at him for a moment too, but then seemed to give up and get in the car. He thought about saying something mean and snide like how would used to, but he found he just couldn't make himself. So instead he stared at her, and watched her get into the car and drive off.
Walking back up the stairs towards his room he came to a stop in front of her door. He walked inside and was taken aback by how empty it was. It was like all the light had been sucked out. Shaking his head he went to leave, but not before noticing a small thing lying on the bed.
Frowning he walked up to her bed, and reached out for the small object. His hand closed around the Starkey necklace as he slumped onto the bed.
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"WHAT?!" her friends screeched loudly the next day. All heads turned in their direction to see 3 girls seated underneath a cherry blossom tree.
"When did you kiss?!" Chiharu said shocked.
Sakura had decided it was time to reveal to her friends that she and Syaoran kissed. "It was after the graduation party."
Tomoyo sat in stunned silence, but then picked up her recorder sadly. "I wasn't even there to tape it," she lamented.
"What about Meilin?" Chiharu asked. Syaoran was really starting to give her a headache.
Sakura shrugged. "I really don't know what's going on between them," she said truthfully. "But she is partly the reason why we decided to move out. Oto-san doesn't think it's appropriate for us to live there if he has a fiancée."
"There is something strange about that whole situation," Tomoyo said shrewdly. "But Sakura-chan what are you going to do now?"
"I've decided that I'm going to try and forget him. For real this time," she added after seeing the dubious look of her friends. "There is nothing connecting us anymore," she explained.
"I wouldn't say that," Tomoyo said patting her shoulder. "I think he really cares for you. He just has trouble expressing his feelings."
"Well I say good riddance," Chiharu said much to Tomoyo's annoyance. "He's never showed the slightest interest, and then he kissed you but made it out to be a joke. I think instead of shipping you and Syaoran we should all be shipping you and Julian. I'm team Julian!"
Sakura blinked at her friend's as the bickered back and forth. She didn't really understand shipping, but she had to admit to herself. Julian was very sweet, and he seemed to genuinely care about her. However, it didn't seem like he was interested.
Little did they know over across the way Meilin sat with Syaoran and laughed with glee. "Hear that! She's finally giving up. Who's this Julian guy?"
Syaoran sat in silence and stared across the way at Sakura. She laughed as Tomoyo and Chiharu bickered. She was the only person he had ever known who would throw their head back and laugh like she did. Blinking he stood up, and walked away.
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Sakura entered the apartment that her father had found that night, and turned on the lights. She sighed as she looked around. The white board that they used to communicate said that Fujitaka was away on a seminar.
It was quite a small apartment, and her father tried to tell her it was only temporary. She really disliked being by herself, and tried not to think that at this very moment she would probably be giggling with Yelan about something. Syaoran would probably be sitting on the couch reading, and Feimei would be glaring at her while she helped chopped the vegetables.
A knock came at the door and Sakura's heat beat sped up. Perhaps it was a robber? Or a monster come to eat her flesh. Hoe! Did ghosts learn how to knock?
She was just searching around desperately for a weapon when a voice called, "Sakura I'm not a robber, monster, or ghost. Let me in!"
Heart quieting she opened the door to see Julian standing there with a big smile. "I've heard that you could use some cheering up."
Sakura smiled gratefully and let him in. They sat down at the kitchen table, and Sakura ate her rice omelet with relish.
"I remembered how much you like rice omelets," Julian said smiling.
"They are my favorite!" she said cheerfully digging in. She wore a bright smile, and beamed at him through bites.
He watched her sadly. Finally he couldn't stand it and reached for her hand. She stopped smiling and sat in shock as he held her hand. Looking at her earnestly he said, "Sakura you don't have to pretend to be happy in front of me. I know you're hurting. Tell me how you really feel. Don't hide from me."
She gulped and tried to hold back the tears. She really was not a crier. She tended to hold things in so as not to bother other people. But seeing his earnest look she couldn't help it she broke down. After awhile she quieted and looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry. I usually am not like this."
"I know," was all he said. "Sakura, if you ever need someone to listen to you I'm here for you okay? I'll always be here," he added.
Back at the Li household Yelan was on strike. She refused to come out of her bedroom. Feimei tried to plead with her mother, but it was no use. Every time she would yell, "This is all Xiao Lang's fault!"
Leiyun sighed and rubbed his temples. What was his house coming to? This really couldn't be great for his health.
Feimei marched to her brother's room, and opened the door without asking. She found him like she had been finding him lying on this bed. He said he wasn't brooding, but she knew better. "Gege, come help me rollerblade."
"What?" Syaoran asked distractedly.
"Come teach me to rollerblade. Sakura had started, but she never finished," Feimei said a little sad.
Syaoran smirked and looked over at his sister. "So you do miss her."
"What? No! Why would I miss someone that stomps around in the mornings, and is always constantly talking," Feimei huffed leaving.
He couldn't help but to wonder what Sakura was up to now. Had she had dinner already? He imagined she was probably washing dishes, and dancing around in that ridiculous teddy bear apron of hers right about now. She would also be talking nonstop about the day's events to his mother, and the two would laugh together.
He would then say something just to annoy her so that she would give him that look, and probably result in her chasing him around the living area.
He sighed in frustration and looked over at his phone. Should he text her? He picked up his phone and began typing: Hello? How are you? Hope you're well. Mother says hi. No… no… he thought deleting the message. Feimei says to stop slacking and to teach her to rollerblade. No… he thought again deleting that message. You better not be hanging around that guy he typed again before deleting it quickly. Finally he typed out: I miss you. His finger lingered over the send button, but he never sent it.
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Sakura had graduated to the tennis court finally, but unfortunately right now she was only a ball collector. Her friend's had asked her why she even bothered to continue with tennis, but she told them cheerfully: "I won't give up just because of Syaoran-kun!"
She glared at the spiky headed devil as he walked around like a cat stalking all his prey a.k.a the freshman on the team. Looking at the green tennis ball in her hand she almost had a half a mind to chuck it at his head. She was considering this when she heard a voice say, "Still throwing things at people's heads huh?"
She spun around and was shocked to see Syaoran. She was even more shocked to see him dressed for tennis. "What are you doing here?! I thought you didn't come to practice."
"Why am I not allowed?" he asked grinning making his way onto the court.
Sakura watched him go dazed. Meilin had said that part of his agreement to be on the team that he didn't have to come to practice. So what was he doing here? He looked quite handsome in his white, welling fitting tennis attire. She shook her head quickly. No. Not good. She was supposed to be getting over him.
"Meilin do you think-," Kai was trying to ask her when she sprinted off screaming Syaoran's name. His eyebrow twitched at seeing her give him a big hug.
He had fallen for Meilin pretty much as soon as he saw her. She had quite the fiery spirit, was smart, good at tennis, and it helped that she was gorgeous. He really didn't understand himself. Around girls he was usually so suave and debonair, but around her he turned into a tongue tied school boy.
Syaoran didn't understand how lucky he was. Not only was Syaoran rich but he was smart, athletic, and had someone like Meilin that loved him unconditionally. It really pissed him off that Syaoran didn't have to work hard for anything. It all came to him naturally whereas he, Kai, had to work hard for everything most especially after his father's company went bankrupt.
Glaring he reached for his flaming racquet, and pointed it at his nemesis. "I challenge you again Li Syaoran."
" Aren't you tired of losing Mizuki? I just don't want you to embarrass yourself again," Syaoran said bored as ever.
"Fine. If you feel so confident to put it that way let's make this interesting," Kai said smirking and using his ability to find his opponent's weak spot. "Let's do a doubles match. I'll be paired with Meilin-san and you can be with," he pretended to think about it for a moment. "Kinomoto."
"EH?!" Sakura said surprised.
"This hardly seems fair," Syaoran said crossing his arms.
"Oh? What is this? The great Li Syaoran-sama is afraid? What's not fair about it? Both are girls and both are freshmen. Seems fair to me," Kai said wickedly.
Meilin smirked and twirled her racquet. "Don't be a spoil sport Syaoran-kun," she called. She smirked over at Sakura. She was looking forward to taking her out.
Sakura shook her head pleadingly at him, but Syaoran ignored her pulling her over beside him. "We accept."
"Just don't get in my way," he growled to her taking his stance.
She glared at his back, and gripped her racquet. She'd show him… she was tired of hearing him say that.
The match commenced with Kai serving a ball directly at Sakura. She screamed and ducked. First point 15-0.
She didn't know why Kai intimidated her so much but he did. She was positively afraid of him when he got a hold of a racquet.
Meilin served the ball aiming for Sakura as well, but this time Syaoran was there to hit back. The game continued like this Sakura avoiding balls, and Syaoran running all over the court. They both seemed to be purposefully hitting them towards Sakura.
One ball came and hit her right in the leg making her gasp. Syaoran saw red for a moment while he glared at Kai's general direction. Kai laughed almost manically, and Meilin smirked at her.
When Kai went to serve the last time Sakura was ready and went to hit the ball back. She was going to show Syaoran what was she was made of. What she didn't count on, however, was Syaoran running over too. She swung her racquet as hard as she could with eyes closed. She heard an "umph" sound, and a body hitting the ground. Peeking through her closed eyes she gasped. "Syaoran-kun! I'm so sorry!" she said bending down.
She had hit him directly in the stomach. He crouched holding his stomach and coughing. Kai laughed with glee, and Meilin tossed her hair. "I said don't get in my way!" he yelled in annoyance.
"I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to-"she said fretfully.
She expected him to continue to reproach her, but was instead surprised when he said, "I know you didn't mean it can you help me up?"
Stunned she helped him into a standing position. They met Meilin and Kai at the net. "Don't feel too bad Syaoran-kun," Kai said smiling. "Everyone has to lose eventually-"
"Rematch," Syaoran said simply making everyone look at him in surprise. "Same partners," he added making Sakura stare at him in shock. "In one weeks time I challenge you to a rematch."
Kai grinned at the opportunity to beat him again, and play with Meilin on his side. "Deal," he said holding out his hand.
Syaoran shook it and the two parted ways. Meilin glared at Sakura as she walked away. "But Syaoran-kun why did you say same partners?! I'm only going to get in your way again."
"We practice," he said coming to a halt making Sakura run into him. Turning he said, "Everyday we are going to practice. You will be a tennis player by the time we are through."
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Tomoyo shook her head as she listened to Sakura explain that her and Syaoran would be practicing every day after school. To her it seemed like a good excuse for them to see each other.
"But what about forgetting him?" Chiharu asked. "Won't it be hard after seeing him every day?"
Sakura nodded sadly. "I don't think I'll ever be able to forget him."
"You never forget your first love," Tomoyo added. "Well maybe spending time with each other again will be good."
"But they've spent time together before. How will this time be different?" Chiharu said frankly.
"She's right," Sakura spoke up. "But I have to try my best no matter what. Whatever my situation with him is I just have to remember that everything will be okay in the end. I have to believe that."
After school Sakura dashed to tennis courts. She was still putting on one shoe when she ran straight into Syaoran. He sighed and said, "Always late." She smiled at him apologetically. "Let's get to work-"he started to say before Kai marched up.
"What are you doing Kinomoto? Collect the balls."
"We need to practice-"Syaoran tried to say again but Kai cut him off.
"You're forgetting Syaoran that Kinomoto never passed the test to get to practice on the courts. Rules are rules," he said grinning. Looking at Sakura he used his racquet to push her towards the end of the court. "Get going Kinomoto!"
"Hai!" Sakura said giving Syaoran an apologetic look before dashing away.
Syaoran sighed in exacerbation. He watched as Sakura crawled around and retrieved the balls. This would never do. Making sure Kai wasn't looking he pretended to retrieve a ball from her basket. "Stop looking down," he whispered. "Keep your eye on the ball. Move in the direction you see the ball coming from."
She blinked at him as he walked off. She considered what he said for a moment and nodded. For the rest of the practice she pretended to be picking up the balls, but instead she was secretly practicing what Syaoran told her to do. Every time a ball came in her direction she followed it with her eyes, and moved in its direction.
She was exhausted by the time practice was over, and very much looked forward to a nice hot bath. Waving at her friends she went to leave for the locker room when a hand caught her blouse.
"Not so fast," Syaoran said.
"But I'm so tired!" Sakura whined.
"He never said we couldn't use the court when practice was over. C'mon let's get to work."
She sighed and followed after him with stooped shoulders, but stopped at feeling the rain. She smiled gleefully. "Oh no it's raining. That's too bad…" she said shooting him a side glance.
"Swing your racquet a hundred times," he commanded ignoring her rain remark. "And tomorrow we start practicing in the morning."
That night they practiced late into the evening until she thought her arms would fall off.
That night when she got home she was surprised to see that Julian had come for dinner. He frowned at seeing all the bruises on her legs. "Sakura-chan, are you okay?"
"Sakura-san has joined tennis. She has been working very hard," Fujitaka explained while getting dinner ready.
Julian watched her as she sat down slowly with sore muscles. "Doesn't Li-kun play tennis too?"
She tensed for a moment and said,"Yes… in fact that was who I was practicing with." She went onto tell them about the wager between Kai and him.
Later, Sakura escorted Julian to the bus stop. They were walking in their comfortable silence when he asked, "Sakura… are practicing so hard in tennis because you want to be around Li-kun?"
She considered his answer for a moment. "It has been nice to see him again," she said deciding to be truthful.
"It's hard to forget someone. You can even try moving on or moving away, but sometimes you can't," he said averting his eyes.
"I always thought that I was the one that needed to forget him. Or to be with him that I needed to change everything about myself," she mused. "But I'm starting to think that I am good enough." She said coming to a stop at the bus station. "I'm tired of chasing him and becoming someone that I'm not. From now on I'm going to have confidence in myself."
Julian smiled at her and ruffled her hair. "That's my Sakura-chan."
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For the next week rain or shine Sakura and Syaoran met at the courts early each morning. Day by day Sakura gained confidence in her tennis abilities. Syaoran would order to her to stand up straighter and she would. He would say to lunge, and she would. He admired that anything she did she put her whole heart into it and gave it 100%. He first noticed this trait in her when he helped her study for their test.
They were working on serves, and after a couple of tries she finally sailed it over the net. Sakura laughed in glee, and in her excitement she launched herself onto Syaoran giving him a big hug. "I did it! I did it!"
He stood still as a statue, and let her hug him. Awkwardly he gave her a small pat on the back.
Meilin watched them from afar with that same sinking feeling in her chest. Sakura had a way of thawing out the ice that always seemed to covering Syaoran. Ever since they were little Meilin and tried time and again to get close to him. She played the same sports he did, and studied the same classes but it seemed no matter what she couldn't get through his icy exterior.
She watched as Syaoran teased Sakura about something, and she tried to throw a ball at his head. He caught it sending Sakura into a fury. She launched herself at him only making him laugh. The two chased each other about, and Syaoran laughed the whole time. Had he ever been that carefree around her?
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Yelan sat her kitchen table and drank her tea sadly. The house was so quiet without Sakura. Syaoran pretended like he liked the mundane, but whether or not he would admit it Yelan knew he enjoyed having Sakura around.
"I'll be home late," he announced grabbing his bag and heading out the door.
Yelan watched him go with sharp eyes. Something was different about him this week. With a wicked gleam in her eyes she thought of a plan.
Feimei could easily be persuaded to tell anything as long as there was sugar available. Yelan sat the plate of cookies in front of her youngest and took a seat. "What's this for?" Feimei asked suspiciously.
"You've been so good lately I thought you deserved a treat," Yelan said innocently also placing down a glass of milk.
Feimei shrugged and dug in. The sugar took its affect fast. "So where is your brother? He seems to have been working hard this week."
"He's been at tennis practice every night," Feimei said dunking a cookie.
"Oh I see, tennis, but I thought he didn't have to practice?"
"He has a bet or something going on with one of his teammates. Him and Sakura are partners," she said munching happily.
"Ohhh so he's been seeing Sakura-chan," Yelan said with happiness.
"She's been trying to forget about him I guess. Even though I overheard that two have kissed," Feimei found herself saying before she could stop herself. She gasped at seeing her mother's face. "But it's just a rumor!" she tried to say, but it was too late.
"I knew it!" Yelan yelled excitedly. "I knew he liked her too! Now we just need to get her back."
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It was the day of the big game, and Sakura dressed nervously in the locker room. Meilin came in as well and regarded Sakura.
"Well I have to admit. You've worked hard. I admire that at least," she said unpacking her exercise gear. "However, I hope you know that you've caused Syaoran a huge inconvenience this week."
Sakura stared down at her lap ashamed. She did know.
"You have a funny way of showing that you love someone," Meilin said coldly.
"Thank you," Sakura said standing and bowing to Meilin.
Meilin turned around surprised. "Why are you thanking me?"
"Because I know you really care about him too, and that you're just looking out for his well being. He's very lucky to have a friend like you," Sakura said smiling.
Meilin blanched. "S-Stop talking stupidly," she said hurriedly grabbing her things.
"I look forward to playing against you today. Good luck!" Sakura called racing out.
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They all met on the court, and the whole school seemed to have come out to watch the show down. Sakura gulped seeing Kai stalk around with his confident grin. As if reading her mind Syaoran said, "Don't be afraid of him. He's all talk. Besides I'm here with you."
She smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you Syaoran-kun!"
"C'mon let's not let a whole week of practice go to waste huh?"
The matched commenced with Kai serving. He smirked at Sakura, and she swore she saw his eyes flash behind his sunglasses. The ball flew towards her, but she remembered all her training. Swinging her racquet she hit the ball, but unfortunately couldn't get it over the net.
Kai and Meilin stared at her surprised. "Good job! I knew you could do it!" Syaoran cheered.
Sakura continued to try and hit the ball, but she just couldn't get enough power to get it over the net. Luckily, with Syaoran as her partner they were one score away from tying their opponent going into the final round.
Sakura took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She could do this she had practiced all week. Syaoran believed in her, and she believed in herself. Again, Kai threw the ball, and brought his racquet down with force.
Time seemed to stand still as she watched the ball come towards her. She vaguely heard Syaoran say her name, but her whole attention was with the green ball. Swinging her arm back she brought her racquet forwards putting her whole body weight into it.
Meilin's smirk was wiped off as the ball soared passed her head. She gaped in astonishment.
"Wow! She's the first female besides Meilin Li to score against Kai!" her team mates cheered.
Sakura's smile was triumphant, and she looked towards Syaoran with glee. She went to run and give him a hug, but she didn't notice a stray ball that had rolled onto the court.
"Sakura! Be careful!" he tried to warn, but it was too late. Her foot rolled on the ball, and she came down hard on her ankle. He rushed towards her, and gently touched her ankle. When she recoiled in pain he said, "I think you've sprang it." Looking towards Kai he called, "I'm calling it Kai. You win."
Kai cheered, but Meilin stared as Syaoran bent down and secured Sakura safely in his arms carrying her away from the court.
Looking up at him she blushed and said, "I'm sorry Syaoran-kun… we lost again because of me."
Looking down at her he smiled and said, "I never thought we were going to win anyway."
Her heart melted at seeing his smile. It changed his whole facial features, and made all her sides turn to jelly. If it was even possible she thought she fell more in love with him at that very moment.
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Sakura was surprised when Syaoran invited her over to dinner. "Mother would like to see you," was his explanation.
The school nurse had deemed her ankle not broken but sprang, and had wrapped it up carefully. Putting her weight on Syaoran the two made their way home.
"It will be nice to see your mother again," Sakura mused. "I've missed her a lot. Has Feimei got any further in her rollerblading? How is Leiyun-san?"
Syaoran had to hide his smile. He really had missed her endless chatter.
Both were surprised, however, when they saw Fujitaka's car parked in front of the house. "Why is Oto-san here?" Sakura wondered.
Walking in both were greeted by loud party poppers. In instinct alone Syaoran shielded Sakura, and she cowered behind his back. Both calmed down when they realized it was just their parents.
"What's this all about?" Syaoran asked annoyed getting his heart back to normal speed.
But they had their answer before them. Up hung a banner that proudly read: "Welcome back to our home Sakura-chan!"
"EH?!" both exclaimed.
"You're moving back in Sakura-chan!" Yelan squealed.
"EH?!"
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Author's Note: So that was short lived huh? Haha. For some reason, and I don't know why, this has been one of my favorite to write so far. I think it's because I really feel like Syaoran made some big steps in this chapter. What do you guys think? Please let me know!
Please review!
