Whoo! Updated chapter here! Please enjoy!
Chapter 9
Love Her, Hate Him
Syaoran's POV
"Syaoran… Syaoran… do you know… when a teddy bear's birthday is?"
"No… when is it?"
"When you put a ribbon to it and give it a name… it becomes his birthday!"
"Ah…"
"And when you give it to someone you love… and they name the bear after you… their love will be returned."
"I see."
"Syaoran… may I give you a teddy bear?"
My eyes snapped open, and were greeted by the familiar darkness of early morning.
I sat up and rubbed my forehead from the sweat. Beside me was a clock that showed the luminous numbers: 5:00.
It was so early but… that girl… that voice...
"What the hell… was that…?" I muttered aloud.
Sakura's POV
"Sakura-chan… do you feel better?" said Tomoyo worriedly.
"Oh yeah, I'm feeling a lot better… the medicine Li gave me worked great," I said smiling widely.
"That's good to hear," said Rika smiling.
"Then Sakura-chan… are you going to the festival dance tonight?" asked Naoko.
"Oh… eh…" I started.
"Oh course she's going; everyone is," said Chiharu.
"Well… uh…" I said.
"Are you going with anyone? Is it Li?" asked Rika.
"Well… no…" I said.
"EH?" they all said in unison.
"Er… I don't plan on going," I said.
"What? Why?" said Tomoyo as the rest stared at me.
"Well… I…" I started.
"Is it because you don't have a date?" said Chiharu. "It's a couple dance after all."
"More like a wannabe ball," said Naoko nodding. They all began to mutter.
"GUYS," I said as loudly as I can, but not so loud as a scream. They all stopped talking and froze.
"I'm not going… because… I'm… well, I don't want to," I said.
"…"
Then they exploded.
"Are you insane?" said Chiharu.
"It's the last dance!" said Rika.
"Everyone's going!" said Naoko.
"The school year is almost ending," said Tomoyo. "It would be nice if you had some fun before the end…"
"Ah… well… eh…" I stuttered.
"Hey Kinomoto," said a voice.
I turned around and saw a pretty cute guy smile at me. It was Ishimaru Kazuma; a classmate.
"Do you want to go to the dance with me?" he said.
I froze. Whoa! A guy asking me out! WOW!
I blushed. "Uh…" I said.
Why am I hesitating? I shouldn't be… I should say… 'YES'
But… something is making me stop. But what?
"Hey, I'll pick you up at eight-thirty, don't be late," he said grinning. Then he turned and sat on his seat.
"Then it's settled!" said Chiharu. "Now you have to go Sakura-chan!"
"Ah… fine…" I said, sighing.
"Hey Li, are you going to the dance?" said Eriol suddenly. I turned around and saw Li just come in drop his backpack on his desk.
He looked at me. Then said, "Probably not."
"Eh, why?" said Eriol.
"Uh… it's a little lame," said Li.
"Oh… but Takashi and I are going," said Eriol. "Aren't a lot of girls asking you out?"
"Uh… yeah I guess. But I said nothing but 'no' this whole morning," said Li. "But…"
"Li-kun!" said a familiar annoying voice. Li sighed.
"What is it Meiling?" he said.
"Go to the dance with me," she said grasping his arm. "It's going to be so fun!"
"Uh… I don't—" started Li.
"C'mon Li," said Takashi who sat down next to him. "Ishimaru is going with Kinomoto and I'm going with Chiharu."
Li stared at me.
"Sure Meiling, I'll go with you," he said suddenly. Meiling smiled.
I stared.
Li turned away from me and sat down.
What's his… problem?
"Hm…" said Tomoyo staring at Li.
"What's wrong?" I said.
"Oh nothing," said Tomoyo as the bell rang.
Syaoran's POV
Hmm… so Kinomoto is going with Ishimaru.
I didn't think she'd even get a date.
"Hey Li," said a voice. I turned and saw Kinomoto looking at me with a questioned look.
"What?" I said looking away.
"Hey are you mad because I got a date?" she asked.
"No, why would I?" I said.
"Well, you're face was kind of pissed…" she said.
"I'm not pissed," I said, my voice shook a little impatiently. The next words made me blurt it out… knowing that it would make her mad.
"And I'm glad… I'm glad I'm going with Meiling!"
Her face twisted to anger. "You don't have to rub it on my face!" she said. "And I'm glad I'm going with Kazuma!"
"Oh so you're ditching the formalities now? Are you his bitch?" I said.
"No I'm not!" she said. "Don't get mad because people like me!"
"I think he only asked you out because he felt bad for you!" I said.
"That's not true and if you were so angry, you should've asked me out first!" she snapped, and stomped off.
I stared.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hmph what was her fucking problem?
"Don't get mad… just because I was right," I muttered as I collapsed on the couch.
There was a knock on the door.
"Who is it…?" I said.
It opened and I saw my mother. "Don't you have tutoring today?" she asked.
"No… she's going on a 'date'..." I said annoyed as I made quotes with my hands.
"Oh? I thought she was going out with you?" she said.
"What? Don't be stupid Mom," I said standing up. "She's too nerdy."
"I think she's cute," she said. "And she reminds me of someone…"
"Huh, so you do pay attention," I said.
"Syaoran… are you still…?" she asked.
"Yes," I interrupted. She frowned.
"I did it for the best… and I didn't know what was going to happen—"
"Well if people did stupid shit like that wouldn't you be pissed off as well?" I said sharply.
"Syaoran…" said Yelan.
"Get out of my room," I said turning away. "I want you out of my sight."
"…"
The door closed and there was silence again. Then I lied on my bed and opened my cell.
Mom… don't act stupid… I know what happened.
"Mother… where is she? Where did you take her?"
"She's going away. She has to… it's for the best."
"What are you doing Mom! What's wrong with you?"
"Syaoran… don't cry… please… I know it's hard but…"
"You don't know ANYTHING!"
Sakura's POV
Hmph what was his freaking problem?
"Don't get mad… just because I was right," I whispered as I flopped on my bed.
I opened my cell and tried to text… Li…
Wait. Why should I text him? What's wrong with me? I have Kazuma…
He's so sweet and kind…
Ring Ring Ring!
"Huh…?" I said as I looked at my cell. It was from Kazuma.
Hey Kinomoto-san. How are you? I miss you already.
"Aw…" I whispered. He's SO SWEET!
I text him back.
Hey Kazuma-kun. I'm good, just a little mad at someone right now. Thanks for worrying!
A few seconds later…
Ah really? What's bothering you?
Ah it's nothing. I just fought with my friend a little.
Aw, I hope you feel better. I wanna hug you right now. Will that make you feel better?
IS HE THE SWEETEST GUY OR WHAT?
I sighed and looked at the new text messages that popped out again. Then my smile turned into a disgusted frown.
Hey idiot you forgot our lesson today.
Stupid… damn… Li…
Sorry I was busy.
Keep track on what you're doing for once.
You're such a freaking brat.
Two text messages came out at once. One from Kazuma and one from Li.
Kazuma's:
I'll take that as a yes. Next time I see you I'll hug you right on the spot!
Then from Li:
Next time I'm only paying you half. So be a good little girl and come on time now okay?
I texted back:
Listen you little fag, you can't just give me half, you owe me full price. You're lucky I'm not even taking double because you didn't even call me before. So be a good little boy and listen to what other people ask for once, you snot!
"Hehheh…" I said as I pushed the SEND key triumphantly. But then…
I gasped as I saw who the text was sent. IT WENT TO KAZUMA!
"Oh my god," I said as I texted my ass off to him.
Sorry, that wasn't for you! But I'll be looking forward to it!
But… that one WENT TO LI!
"WHAT THE HECK?" I said.
One for Kazuma:
Oh my god Kazuma-kun that wasn't for you! I'm sorry!
One for Li:
Wait it WAS for you! I texted the wrong thing to you before! You're still a little brat!
Both of them texted me at once again. Surprisingly it was the same sentence.
Who else is writing to you?
"Crap," I muttered.
To Kazuma:
Oh it's no one don't worry.
I added a heart icon at the end and sent it.
Then to Li:
None of you business!
No icon.
They both messaged me once more.
Kazuma:
Oh okay. Then I'll see you tomorrow!
Li:
Whatever it's not like I give a damn.
I sighed. This is so weird…
Syaoran's POV
"Hey Meiling… I'm not going to the dance tonight… ask someone else," I said on my phone.
"What? Why?" she said back.
"I don't feel like okay? Just ask someone else. Later." I hung up.
Then I got a call from Eriol.
"Yeah?" I said.
"Why did you turn down Meiling? You finally going to Sakura-san?" he said.
"How did you know I wasn't…?" I started.
"Once something happens that involves Meiling she spreads the news in about a few seconds," said Eriol.
"Oh yeah…" I said.
I heard Eriol chuckle a bit.
"Well I'm not going," I said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because…"
"You wanted to go with Sakura-san didn't you?"
"…"
"Ha, so that was it…"
"Wait, NO! Not that!"
"Uh huh… sure."
"Shut up man."
"Sakura-san's really cute isn't she? It's hard not to like her, even for you."
"No, it's just…"
"Hey dude… just go. If you're really that uncomfortable you can just hang out with the guys."
"Maybe," I said, and I hung up.
I got another call again; this time, it was Daidouji. Huh… how did she get my cell? Probably from Eriol…
"Li… are you mad at Sakura-chan right now?" she asked.
"Aren't I always?" I said sarcastically.
There was a pause from her end.
"Uh… not really," I said.
"Hmm… so are you really going with Meiling?" she said.
"No… I'm not going at all," I said.
"Why not?" she asked.
"What is up with you people asking me that? It's because I don't wanna go okay?" I said irritated.
"Li, you should go," she said. "I know it's selfish but… I don't want her to be with him."
"Her? Him?" I said.
"Ah never mind. Anyway, you should go… besides… I'm sure you want to," she said. "You're just not realizing it."
I sighed.
Sakura's POV
"Eh… how is this?" I said.
"JUST DARLING!" sighed Tomoyo as she marveled at my dress. "It suits you perfectly!"
"You look so adorable!" said Rika.
"And beautiful altogether!" said Naoko.
"Don't forget your mask!" said Chiharu as she fitted a small pink eye mask on me.
"Ahaha… thanks guys," I said blushing from embarrassment. We were at the girl's bathroom, getting ready for the dance. Everyone was dressed up so formally, and it was a rule of the dance to weak a mask (Chiharu said it brings out the fun, but I don't get it…).
"This will be so fun…!" said Tomoyo.
"Aha… yeah," I said.
"Wow Kinomoto-san… you look beautiful," said a voice behind me. I turned and saw Kazuma dressed in his suit and a red mask.
"You look beautiful too," I said, my last words sounded awkward.
Kazuma laughed. "Funny and cute," he said smiling. "Just my type."
I blushed. Tomoyo was recording me. Naoko smiled. Rika beamed. Yamazaki was going to say something, but Chiharu punched him and then smiled as well.
"Well… is it okay I can take her?" he asked Tomoyo.
"She's all yours," she said. "But make sure her dress doesn't wrinkle!"
"Okay," he said. Then to me he asked, "Shall we dance?"
"Sure…!" I said. "I'm not that good though."
"It's okay… you can hug me if you want to," he whispered. "And I'll lead the rest of the way."
"Okay," I said, blushing a bit.
The song was not that slow, but at an even pace. It was fun, even though Kazuma was the one who did most of the dancing.
Tomoyo was dancing with Eriol, Chiharu with Yamazaki, Rika with a teacher (Mr. Terada?), and Naoko was in charge of the food so she just watched us.
Then the DJ did another song as a break and Kazuma and I sat on a table.
"Hey you were pretty good!" said Kazuma. "You can dance."
"Eh, not really," I said fanning myself from the heat.
"Hey Sakura-chan, I need Kazuma to help with the food," said Naoko. "Do you mind if I take him for a bit?"
"Oh, it's okay go ahead," I said.
"Ah Kinomoto-san, I'll get us some drinks when I'm done," he said as he walked to the food tables.
"Okay, see you!" I said smiling.
I just watched my friends dance on the next song and laughed when Chiharu nearly strangled Yamazaki when he tried to say a fact about dancing too much.
"Hey are you alone?" said a voice.
Hmm that voice…
I looked up and saw a guy with a black mask on.
Wow he was kinda hot.
"Will you dance with me?" he asked offering his hand.
"Uh…" I said.
Eh I'm sure Kazuma won't really mind.
"Sure… but I suck," I said smiling, taking it.
"Don't worry about that," he said smiling a bit. Then something hit me. No not physically... but a feeling.
This feeling...
I felt it before...
But when?
Then when we went on the dance floor the DJ started slow songs.
"Huh?" I said.
The guy slowly wrapped his hand on my waist and grasped my hand softly. "This kind isn't so hard," he said.
"Oh… uh…" I said blushing. His face was barely touching mines and he held me close.
He was right. It wasn't that hard; the guy showed me a pattern of the dance and as soon as I got the hang of it, I didn't need to use his feet anymore as guidance…
Tomoyo recorded again. "Aren't you cute Sakura-chan…" she whispered.
Then there was a part where I spun around and I tripped on his foot. "Whoa," he said as he caught me.
One more centimeter and our faces would be touching. It was so weird. It looked like we were kind of hugging…
"Ah… I'm sorry," I whispered as the song ended.
"It's okay," he said, but he didn't let me go.
"Um…" I said.
He placed a hand on my cheek.
"Oh…" I said blushing more furiously.
"Do you…" he started. He pressed his body on mines. "…want me…" He leaned on to my lips. "…to pull away…?"
I closed my eyes shut and felt his lips brush only slightly against mine—
"Hey Kinomoto-san…" said a voice. The guy quickly let go of me and looked at my left. It was Kazuma.
"Hey… uh… I got you your drink…" he said staring at the guy.
"Oh Kazuma-kun… we were just…" I started.
"Just teaching my friend how to dance that's all," said the guy grinning as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"Huh… friend?" I said. "Do I…?"
"Sheesh Kinomoto, you're so thick," he said and took off his mask.
"L-L-LI?" I gasped staring.
"The one and only," he said putting his mask back on.
"I thought you were going with… Meiling," I said.
I thought… he was hot.
"Well I wasn't gonna go anyway, but… meh," he said shrugging.
Oh my god I thought he was HOT!
"Ah… oh…" I said the heat rising to my face again. Was he going to kiss me? That was so weird!
"Hey what's wrong Kinomoto, you sick again?" he asked trying to touch my forehead.
"Oh n-no," I said dodging his hand. He stared, but with a weird look on his face.
Li… what were you trying to do?
"Ahh the dance is already ending," said Chiharu sadly.
"Well it was fun," said Rika smiling.
The crowds were leaving and the some of the cleaning crew started picking up trash.
Rika, Naoko, Chiharu, and Yamazaki left early. The other guys helped put the tables away.
Tomoyo went to me and we were alone at a corner. "Sakura-chan, you're red… what happened?" she asked.
"Well… I kinda… danced with Li," I said. She smiled.
"That's nice," she said.
"No, it's not…!" I said. "It's… it's weird!"
"How so?" she said.
"W-well before… before I knew who he was… from that mask… I… well… I kind of thought he was…" I started.
"Cute?" she asked. I nodded, blushing to a cherry. She beamed.
"Why is that weird?" she asked.
"Well I don't know… I guess because we fight and stuff I didn't really..." I said. Then I finally remembered something. That feeling before... I felt it at the play. When Li was acting all kind...
I guess I sort of... liked that feeling...
NO!
Argh, stupid Li and your wannabe-nice-personality crap!
"Sakura-chan… there are a lot of things in the world that we don't understand," she said. "So…"
She placed her hand with mine on my chest. "Whatever decision you make… pick the one your heart feels better towards to," she said smiling. "And… I think that is the best way."
"Okay… thank you Tomoyo-chan," I said. I sort of didn't get that. What did she mean by...?
She nodded. "See you tomorrow Sakura-chan!" she said. She and Eriol went on her limousine and drove away.
"Kinomoto, you need a ride home?" said Li as he went to me.
"Oh… uh…!" I said.
"Oh, I'm taking her home," said Kazuma.
"Do you even know where she lives?" said Li slightly glaring at the guy.
"Guys…" I said.
"Kinomoto-san… which one of us would you like to take you home?" he asked.
"Ah," I said.
Oh no…
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
"Whatever decision you make… pick the one your heart feels better towards to."
Tomoyo-chan... were you talking about this?
I closed my eyes for a second. Then I looked at Li.
"I'm sorry…" I said.
To be continued…
Hey guys, I hoped you enjoyed! Please review as always. Oh, and try out my new story Love Letters of Tokyo! Another CCS fanfic that I made!
