AN: Sorry for the late updates due toa bit of writer's block and exams combination. Does this seem like Harry Potter to you guys? I hope not. R&R.
Chapter characters:
Sakura Kinomoto – 17
Tomoyo Daidouji – 17
Syaoran Li – 17
Eriol Hiiragizawa – 17
Chapter 8 – Halloween Night Part I
"Tomoyo-chan, are you sure this isn't too revealing?" Sakura asked.
"No, not at all," replied Tomoyo, who had just finished changing into her own costume.
"You know, just because I let you make my costume, you didn't need to make this revealing. I gave you a few inches and you ran a mile," complained Sakura. She turned away from the mirror and gave Tomoyo a glare. Tomoyo shrugged off her glare and started to do her own make up. She attempted to put make up on Sakura, but Sakura wouldn't let her. Sakura turned back to the mirror and grimaced. She was wearing a strapless dress made out of a base layer of white silk and a sheer layer of shimmering material. The top was figure hugging and felt really tight. From the waist down it flowed to the floor and had a slit from her thigh down the side. On her back were two translucent wings made out of sheer material, beads and a wire frame. Tomoyo had curled Sakura's hair and put some glitter in it.
"Sakura-chan here you go, these are the heels you'll wear," informed Tomoyo. She was holding out white heels, which had a criss-crossing strap on the front and a strap around the back. It had a little beading on it.
"Heels? No way. They are so uncomfortable," rejected Sakura as she backed out of the room and down the stairs toward the main entrance. Tomoyo grabbed her own heels too and chased after her.
"But those are the only shoes that go with that outfit," Tomoyo pouted. Sakura sighed, she was never going to win this battle. Once she got to the main entrance, she took shoes and held them in her hands, pouting at them. Tomoyo put her own heels, which was similar to Sakura's, over black fishnets. It went with her dark fairy costume. She was wearing a black dress with thin straps. The top was light grey was covered with black lace, black star and circle beads. The skirt was puffy and ended just below her knees. Sakura sat on a chair and put on her own heels.
"When are they coming? It's 18:45 already," Sakura complained.
"Don't worry Sakura-chan, my Eriol has learned that he should never rush a lady. That's why they're a little late," answered Tomoyo with a grin. Sakura was slightly confused but just rolled her eyes. She dug into her purse and took out her cell phone and connected her headset to it. She then started to listen to music she had downloaded on to it. Five minutes had past and still the guys weren't there. Sakura started to get annoyed, she didn't like being late. She was always late as a child and teased for it. She stood up in annoyance but fell back down because she was off balanced. Tomoyo giggled and the bell rang, cutting her off. She walked to the door and opened it.
"Hey guys," she greeted the two men at the door.
"Sorry we're late. Traffic was killer for some reason," Eriol grinned.
"Well, you caused the traffic because you decided to drive 2km/h," retorted Syaoran.
"Tomoyo you look exquisite tonight," complimented Eriol as he walked into her home.
"You look quite dashing yourself," Tomoyo said as she gave him a kiss. He was dressed as a vampire (AN: not very creative, I know).
"Well, you did make this costume. Did you expect any less?" he questioned. She giggled in response.
"Did you guys forget about me?" Syaoran asked, he was blocked from entering.
"Yes, actually we did," laughed Eriol. Syaoran gritted his teeth. He walked in and looked around for Sakura.
"Guys, where is she?" he asked. Tomoyo and Eriol looked around. Sakura had disappeared. She walked back into the foyer eating an apple. Syaoran's mouth dropped open.
"There you are, Syaoran was getting worried his date had runaway at the sight of him," teased Eriol. Syaoran hadn't responded, instead he walked up to Sakura in awe.
"You look stunning," he said, still in a daze. Sakura tilted her head to the side and smiled.
"You look charming yourself," she smiled. He was dressed in a traditional Li-clan costume. "Come on let's go."
Sakura grabbed her purse and head out the door, with impressive balance. The others followed her lead. She got into the driver side of the car.
"Eriol, pass me the keys," she ordered. Eriol took the keys out of his pocket and threw it to her. "Now get in already."
"Can you drive a standard?" asked Eriol. She nodded in response. Syaoran got in the passenger side and Eriol and Tomoyo were in the back.
They got in the car, she then turned on the ignition, changed the gear and raced off toward the Li mansion.
"Shouldn't you slow down a bit?" asked Tomoyo. Sakura smirked and sped up. Tomoyo yelped in response. Sakura had driven them there in 6 minutes flat, whereas it would normally take 20 minutes from Tomoyo's home. She put the car in park, turned off the ignition and opened her door with a big grin on her.
"Aren't you guys going to get out?" she giggled. They were frozen in place. Slowly they got out. When the doors were closed, she locked the doors and threw the keys to Eriol who dropped them. She clapped her hands together. "Okay guys, snap out of it."
They shook their heads and the sudden noise and turned wide eyed to Sakura. Surprise still etched on their face. They started to walk. Tomoyo walked beside Sakura and Syaoran and Eriol walked ahead of the girls.
"Where did you learn to drive like that?" asked Tomoyo and Sakura smiled.
"Well, let's just say the night life in Hong Kong taught me a lot."
"You came from Hong Kong? What school?" asked Syaoran. Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. 'Why is it so important?' she thought.
"I went to the Li Institute of Hong Kong, it doesn't have anything to do with magic. I was recommended to come here from Li-sama because of that," informed Sakura. She walked into Syaoran, who had stopped walking the instant Sakura said that. "Hey! Watch it, people are trying to walk!"
"You went to the Li Institute?" asked Syaoran turning around with surprise seemingly fixed on his face.
"Yeah, what's it to you? Oh yea, you're the next leader of the Li-Clan. What a pathetic leader, doesn't even know how to walk." Sakura rolled her eyes and walked around him. She hated it when people acted brainlessly. "To let you know, I was the top of the school in Hong Kong."
Tomoyo and Eriol also stopped and looked at Syaoran and raised an eyebrow, they were definitely impressed. They knew the Li Institute well, because it was the associated institute. The two schools competed for the highest marks in academics.
"Come on you guys, we'll be late for the dance," yelled Sakura. She had almost made it to the mansion. All of them ran to catch up with her.
"You mean you're the girl that keeps beating Syaoran?" Tomoyo asked in disbelief.
"I guess, how am I supposed to know? I don't really pay attention to the rivalry the two schools have," she said casually. "You guys get off it. It's not that important anymore. I mean, don't I beat Syaoran now too? I thought we settled this sort of issue before."
"Yeah, but this means, you have beat him all this time," said Eriol.
"Well at one point I wasn't into my studies, or training. I was just enjoying life, but one day I, I changed and took life more seriously. Now it's time for the dance. This conversation will be continued later," she concluded. She walked through the threshold of the mansion and was greeted by the butler. Syaoran caught up with her and walked beside her in silence as they headed toward the main hall. As they entered, they gave their name to the announcer then descended down the stair. The hall was decorated in dark colours and the main lights were dimmed. There were only flashy dance lights to illuminate the dance floor and candles beside the staircase banisters and on the tables.
"Introducing, Kinomoto, Sakura and Li, Syaoran," he yelled. Everyone looked up at them and whispered. They were the two most desirable students in the school. Sakura and Syaoran walked down the stairs calmly as if no one was looking at them. They made their way quietly toward the head table where they were to sit. "Now introducing, Daidouji, Tomoyo and Hiiragizawa, Eriol."
"Syaoran! How come you're with her? You're supposed to be with me. Why did Aunty force you to come with some one so annoying?" Meiling complained in an annoying loud tone.
"Meiling, I was never supposed to come with you. Plus, Kinomoto asked me and I accepted," he lied. Sakura looked over at him and smirked.
"Why would you say yes?" she boiled.
"Because, she's the only one who had the guts to ask me," he made up.
"Well I asked you," she argued.
"No you assumed. You kept talking about your 'beautiful costume' and how we'd be the best dressed coupled. I told you I wasn't going with you," he scoffed.
"Humph, fine. If you get bored you can always dance with me," she sweetly said. She then glared at Sakura, and stomped off.
"Phew, I didn't think it was going to be so easy to get rid of her," he sighed.
"So, embarrassed about asking me," she teased.
"No, I just didn't want people to think that I actually like you," he blushed causing her to raise an eyebrow.
"Really," she doubted.
"Sakura-chan, why don't you ask Syaoran-kun to dance?" whispered Tomoyo.
"What? Why would I want to dance with him?" she asked.
"Well, he is your date and plus you guys look so cute together. You can't deny me this wonderful opportunity to see the two cutest people in the world dance with each other," she replied with a puppy dog face.
"Somehow, I'll learn how to say no to that face," Sakura said rolling her eyes.
"Hey Syaoran, do you want to dance?" asked Sakura.
"Huh? Me? Uh, sure," he stuttered. They stood up and headed for the dance floor. The song suddenly changed to a slow piece. Sakura raised her eyebrows suspiciously at the timing of the song and looked back at Eriol, who was avoiding eye contact with her purposely. Her eyes narrowed, she'd get him back. She felt Syaoran stop, so she did the same. He turned and faced her. He nervously brought his hand up to rest on her waist, by this time his face had turned into a tomato. Sakura just smiled at the cuteness of his action, but then remember that "SHE DID NOT LIKE HIM". She took charge and placed one hand on his shoulder and took his free hand into her own. Before Syaoran knew what happened, Sakura was leading the dance while he just followed. Then realizing that he had just fallen into a role of submission that a woman was suppose to carry out, he took charge with no challenge from Sakura. She knew two people leading the same dance would just lead to embarrassment and trouble.
"So, you're finally out of your daze, huh?" she commented. He responded with a barely audible grunt. "If that is your only way of communicating, this will be a very boring dance. Imagine, being stuck with a partner that can't open his mouth."
"Well it's better than being with a partner that can't shut hers."
"Finally your first word, I'm so proud of you."
"Har har, where do you get your humour from? A skunk?"
"Well now that isn't being to nice to your date, who can reveal at anytime that you asked her out, in a very dorky manner might I add." His face turned red yet again.
"You wouldn't."
"Try me," she smirked. He glared at her, but she shrugged it off easily. "My arm is getting kind of tired, I haven't danced formally in long time. Would you mind if I put it on your shoulder instead?"
"Sure," he stuttered, "but where do I put my hand?"
"Anywhere you want but preferable on my waist," she said indifferently. 'He sure is stiff for the being the so called most desirable male in the school and this song is way too long,' she thought. Sakura looked around the room and saw Eriol and Tomoyo with Cheshire cat smiles on their faces directed at her. She gave them a glare; oh, she would definitely get back at them for this. She turned her attention away from them, and realized that Syaoran was actually starting to loosen up and pulling her closer. She too relaxed and let him bring her closer. Even though her mind was telling her to back away slowly at least, her body wouldn't listen. She just seemed to melt in arms, especially when he had relaxed.
Syaoran, too, had felt the connection. His mind was telling him to push her away, but yet another case of mind-body coordination being replaced with heart-body coordination. Slowly his mind gave up this losing battle and let his body go. He still couldn't believe that he was dancing with his former enemy and rival. His body kept bring her closer as they danced, until finally he felt her head rest on his shoulder softly. A soft smile grew on face unconsciously.
"Syaoran, this feels nice," Sakura said softly, so only he could hear it. She couldn't believe what she just said, while he was also in disbelief of her comment. He felt her starting to move away and he didn't want her to.
"I know," he replied impulsively; his mind in even more disbelief. She relaxed again and melted back into his arms. The song was only now drawing to a close, but they still stayed in each others arms. The moment was slowly fading away, as was the connection. They released each other right at the end of song, but still maintained eye contact.
