D I S C L A I M E R:
Aside from the plot and the unknown characters nothing is mine. Cardcaptor Sakura is officially owned by CLAMP.
S A P P H I R A – H I M E:
Whoa! It has been more than a month since I last updated! This is probably the longest wait I ever made you, lol! I'm so sorry. Well, just like how I promised in my profile updates, I would start updating Topsy Turvy again since it's our vacation. You should thank my beta-reader, she managed to beta this chapter in one day! Updating would have been delayed if it weren't for her help, so let's thank her, neh? Well since it's been a while since I last updated, I guess it would be a good idea to make a brief skimming on the previous chapter, just to refresh your minds. Oh well, I won't make you wait any longer! On to the story! Enjoy reading!
S P E C I A L N O T E:
For my old readers, you'll notice that the format of my intro is different. This is because I was inspired by the amazing bayo-bayo! She has amazing stories and until now, I'm hoping that she will come back to the fanfic fandom. If not for bayo-bayo's stories, I will not be as inspired as I am in writing this fic. Cheers to her!
S P E C I A L T H A N K S T O :
My new awesome CCS beta-readers, Final Fantasy Princess and Bubblewing! Topsy Turvy wouldn't have been able to update and continue so soon if not for their help. Thank you so much!
T O P S Y T U R V Y
… "In love, giving up does not mean the same thing as losing"… a CARDCAPTOR SAKURA fanfiction
T.T © SAPHIRA-HIME
C.C.S © CLAMP
CHAPTER TEN :
"His Cousin the Antagonist or Not?"
Can you let go of your most important person to someone
you know could make her happy?
Hiiragizawa Eriol had never been this entertained in his life. His efforts to come to Japan were not wasted. After all, his cousin never failed to amuse him. He secretly chuckled while he gave Sakura some of his meatballs, which she shyly accepted. He was almost tempted to look at the Li heir's direction just to have a perfect view of his murderous face.
He's so easy to tease, he thought quietly to himself, chuckling more. Eriol was certain that Syaoran was on the verge of losing his patience as he watched him and Sakura converse happily. They were currently eating in an expensive Italian restaurant that he himself had chosen because he knew Sakura loved pastas.
"Eriol-kun, how long do you plan to stay here in Japan?" Sakura asked while taking a bite of the meatballs he gave her.
"I'm not sure," Eriol began while giving the not so infuriated Syaoran a glance. "I'm planning to stay here until I finish my goals."
"Goals? What do you mean?" Sakura asked a bit confused. She knew for a fact that Eriol was not an ordinary tourist. He was well knowledgeable in the customs and traditions of Japan. He was even more familiar with the country than her so visiting Japan's tourist spots was out of the question. "Does your family have some business to attend to?"
"Well, it does have to do with my family but not quite," Eriol answered mysteriously, smiling as he noticed Syaoran's body flinch. "It's more of a personal purpose."
"Oh," was Sakura's only reaction, getting more curious. "I hope you'll be successful Eriol-kun," she said, smiling brightly. "I know you can do it." The two suddenly turned to Syaoran's direction when they heard him bang his fist on the table. "Syaoran-kun, is something wrong?" Sakura asked worriedly to her best friend.
"Sakura, do you want dessert? I could order one for you," Syaoran uttered, not answering her question. "Strawberry as usual, right?" Darn, he let his emotions take over. Sakura did not have any idea how wrong her encouragement was for Eriol. She'd be engage to his cousin if Eriol was successful with his goal and he couldn't allow that.
Sakura gave him a confused look, getting more worried. She decided not to ask Syaoran if there was anything wrong, knowing that he wouldn't give her a satisfying answer if his English cousin was around so she said instead, "Sure but could you share the ice cream with me? You can add chocolate with it too."
"Got it," Syaoran answered quickly while signaling the waiter.
"You share food?" Eriol asked interestedly as he watched the two. "If I didn't know you better, I would think that you are a couple."
"H-Hoe?" Sakura reacted embarrassedly, blushing lightly. "It's not like that Eriol-kun. Syaoran-kun and I are just friends." A wild smile formed on Eriol's lips when Sakura answered. She was helping him make his plans easier and smoother to execute. He smirked when he saw Syaoran's fist clenched tightly at his side.
Yep, his strategy was unquestionably working without flaws.
"I see. Well, that can't be helped considering my cousin's sexual orientation," he voiced calmly as he ignored the dangerous stares Syaoran was giving him. "I guess that means good news to your suitors then. They'll be thrilled to know that you're free to go out with anyone."
"Ye-yeah," Sakura replied timidly, hoping that her embarrassed reaction was not that obvious to both her companions. "Besides, even if Syaoran-kun turned out to be what he is supposed to be I'm sure that we'll still just be friends," she continued while feeling the painful stab on her chest. "Right Syaoran-kun?"
"I never thought about that," he answered in a low tone while refraining himself to grabbed his cousin and throw him to the deepest depth of the Mariana Trench. How courageous of Eriol to open this subject in front of him.
"That's certainly a waste for my cousin," Eriol comforted, aware of Sakura's hurtful expression. He almost wanted to smack himself for not noticing Sakura's behavior toward Syaoran for the past hours. It definitely had changed. If he had known then he wouldn't have opened up this topic that would hurt the emerald-eyed girl's feelings. "Sakura-chan, don't worry. I'm sure Syaoran-kun would be happy for you if you meet the right person destined for you, right dear cousin?"
Syaoran begrudgingly nodded, knowing that what Eriol said was true. If Sakura ever found the perfect guy for her then no matter how much he hated to give her up, he would if it meant her happiness.
"Sakura-chan, I hope you'll consider me in your list too," Eriol-kun added, giving her a grin. "It would be an honor to be the person by your side."
"E-Eh?" Sakura asked with incredulity. "Eriol-kun, what exactly do you mean?"
"I meant what the words meant to say," Eriol answered, smiling while shaking his head at the same time. "Sakura-chan, you never changed. You're still gullible. I'm just messing around. Don't think about it too much."
Sakura relaxed a bit, believing that Eriol was just humoring her, "Ha-Hai."
"Demo, if there's a possibility that I meant every word, do you think I have the chance of winning your heart?" Eriol intriguingly asked.
"I don't know," Sakura answered with a surprising calm tone. "Eriol-kun is a nice person. I'm sure that whoever catches his heart would be lucky. I can't really say that I can refuse him."
"Wh-What?" Syaoran asked in a high tone. "Sakura, are you saying you don't mind being with this idiotic cousin of mine?"
"Syaoran-kun, that's not a nice way to address your lovable cousin," Eriol corrected, as if admonishing him. "Besides, you know very well that I would never hurt Sakura-chan. If you ask me, I think you would be more relaxed if you are familiar with the person Sakura-chan is with."
"Sakura is still young, she does not need guys yet," Syaoran answered through gritted teeth. "Eriol, please don't give my best friend such weird ideas."
"Sakura-chan is seventeen, it's normal for her to fall in love," Eriol argued, smirking at his cousin's defensive reaction. "And you as her best friend have to support her."
"Syaoran-kun, Eriol-kun is right. I'm old enough to fall in love," Sakura defended the English man. "Besides, I don't think my parents will appreciate it if I stayed single forever."
Syaoran was silenced in defeat. Sakura had clearly just implied that she wouldn't be staying with him forever and that hurt him uncontrollably, "Gomen, I'm tired. Can we go now?" Syaoran asked after a minute of silence. "I still have to go to the office after I drop Sakura off at her house."
"Oh, you have to sign some documents, right?" Eriol remembered. "I can get it for you and bring it to our home. You can go ahead and drop Sakura-chan at her house." Syaoran was stunned with his cousin's kind offer. It made him wonder more about his true motives.
"We could do that. Thanks Eriol," Syaoran thanked him while motioning Sakura to come with him.
"But how about the ice cream?" Sakura asked, remembering their order.
"I'll just ask the manager to deliver the dessert to your house later," Syaoran informed while grabbing her hand. "It's getting late. I don't think your brother will appreciate it if I brought you home past your curfew."
"I guess you're right," Sakura hesitantly agreed. "Let's see each other soon Eriol-kun," she said before waving Eriol goodbye.
"Hai, tell your brother that I'll be you visiting your house when I have the chance," Eriol informed, smiling warmly. "Take care both of you."
"You too," Syaoran muttered before exiting the restaurant.
"I'm glad Eriol-kun visited us," Sakura informed her companion happily as they walked home to her house. "I'm sure you're happy as well, neh Syaoran-kun?"
"Tch, how could a person be happy if someone trespassed his house?" Syaoran asked in a plain tone. "My cousin coming here means nothing but more headaches."
"Aw, don't say that. I could tell that you're grateful of his presence," Sakura commented smiling. "You're lucky to have a cousin. I don't remember having one."
"Well, I supposed you're right," said Syaoran, remembering Sakura's family history. Until now, they were not sure who her mother's parents were. Sakura's father was an orphan because his parents died in a car accident and he was an only child so his family was out of the picture. The parents of Sakura's mother, however, were still unknown to them. He could probably have hired private investigators for them but Sakura and Touya declined his offer, saying that if their grandparents really cared for them then they would have come for them after their parents' funeral.
"Eriol-kun cares a lot about you, I can tell," Sakura continued her smile widening. "And I know you do too."
"I wouldn't mind expressing my sincerity for him if only he would stop acting like an idiot," Syaoran muttered in a humorous tone. "I guess I shouldn't take Eriol for granted, huh?" Sakura nodded happily as they continued walking.
Syaoran refrained himself from heaving a sigh as he thought about Eriol's words.
"I came here because I decided to confess my feelings and…propose to Kinomoto Sakura."
"Demo, if there's a possibility that I meant every word, do you think I have the chance of winning your heart?"
Syaoran was astounded when Eriol declared his purpose to him. He confessed that he had feelings for Sakura and he was planning to tell her when the right time comes. Honestly, Syaoran didn't know how to treat his cousin after Eriol told him about his true motive. Was he supposed to be angry and despise Eriol? Or should he be grateful that Sakura would surely be safe and happy with Eriol?
His greatest fear was coming to him too quickly. Syaoran was hoping that this issue would come later but it seemed Fate wouldn't grant his wish. He was about to lose his best friend and he didn't know what to do.
Can you really bear not to be with her anymore? Syaoran's conscience asked him. Once Sakura decided to settle down it wouldn't be you she'll be depending on.
Syaoran knew that fact from the start and he was prepared for it…or so he thought.
It was a wonder why it was so hard to accept that Sakura would be leaving him someday. Syaoran was certain that their friendship would never be cut off but he also knew that Sakura wouldn't always be there for him anymore. He would have to step back and let someone else take his place. Syaoran curled his fist tightly into a ball. It was not easy to keep an apathetic face in front of Sakura as he tried to allow the painful reality to sink in.
He couldn't be with Sakura…forever.
It was an inevitable fate.
His thoughts were disrupted when he felt Sakura's warm hands touching his left arm, "Syaoran-kun, are you all right?" she asked worriedly. "I asked you if you wanted to rest in our house while we waited for the ice cream to be delivered."
"Th-That's fine with me," Syaoran answered, wondering how long he had been daydreaming. "So long as Touya wouldn't mind."
"I can defend you against him," Sakura assured with a wide grin. "I'll use my famous stomping foot technique if he says anything bad about you." Syaoran blinked for a few seconds before he laughed well naturedly as Sakura demonstrated her so-called famous stomping foot technique, his worries slowly subsiding.
"You never fail to amuse me with your childish ideas," Syaoran joked while ruffling Sakura's hair. "I appreciate your fearful defense though."
"Syaoran-kun, don't underestimate my powerful stomping technique!" Sakura exclaimed, laughing as well. "This will defend you without fail!" Syaoran just continued laughing as Sakura continued talking about how she could beat her brother. "I'm glad you're smiling again. You looked like an old unfortunate guy when you scowl," she commented.
"Is that so?" Syaoran asked playfully. "Then I guess you should stay with me for the rest of your life if you don't want your best friend to look like an old doomed man." Sakura suddenly stopped laughing after what Syaoran said, her green emerald eyes turning serious as she looked at him.
"Syaoran-kun, are you sure you wouldn't mind if I stay forever with you?" Sakura asked, her voice in an inaudible whisper.
"Why do you ask?" Syaoran inquired, immediately aware of the seriousness in her tone. "Does this something have to do with what Eriol said? Tch, I told him not to insert any absurd ideas into your mind."
"It's not him," Sakura assured while she stared at the million stars in the sky. "I've been wondering as well."
A moment of silence passed them as the two continued to stand in the quiet street of Tomoeda.
"Will it make you happy? Being with me I mean," Syaoran asked slowly while contemplating his words carefully. "If there's another person who could make you happier than I do or if there's someone you want instead of me then Sakura…I'm willing to let you go."
Sakura gave him a painful expression, unable to hide her hurt, "I see. Then that means you wouldn't mind if I start going out?" she asked in a cold voice. "You'll still be fine even when I'm not with you?"
"Hai, I don't mind if you start dating guys and yes I'll be fine even when I'm not with you."
"Good. I'm glad we're clear about that," Sakura uttered, not looking into Syaoran's eyes as she tried her best to keep her tone intact. "Syaoran-kun, let's hurry up. We wouldn't want our ice cream melting now do we?" she asked while starting to walk again.
"If it's going to make you happy, then I'm willing to pretend that everything I just said was true."
Sakura stopped in her tracks and turned her direction back to her best friend. She gave him a questioning look, not understanding what Syaoran meant.
"I'll be willing to pretend that I'm getting along with whichever guy you choose to date and I'm willing to make myself believe that I'm fine without you," Syaoran told Sakura warmly. "Sakura, I will gladly give up my happiness for you even if it means giving you up."
Sakura felt her heart racing as she heard Syaoran's words. She couldn't help but be thankful for the blessings God gave to her, especially this boy in front of her.
"Baka, then why didn't you say so?" Sakura asked as she gazed into Syaoran's sincere amber orbs. "I told you, didn't I? If I ever will leave, my destination will always be by your side." She then gave him a wide bright smile and lunged herself to him for a hug. "Because Syaoran-kun is my most important person and that will never change."
Syaoran was startled when Sakura jumped onto him. He smiled as he caught her, realizing that his worries were not worth a dime. It seemed even being together for eternity was not impossible for the two of them, "Oi, you can't take back your word anymore. If you do then I'll tickle you incessantly until you give your word back."
"Syaoran-kun, there's no need to worry," Sakura grinned while pinching his cheeks. "Even if you push me away I'll be the persistent leech which would continue to stick onto you for the rest of your life."
"Sounds fair to me," said Syaoran, laughing. He couldn't help but wonder how his life had come to this. He chuckled as he thought that irony was the best genre to describe their unusual situation.
Why?
He was gay and yet he was extremely lucky to have what guys would never have.
He has Kinomoto Sakura staying with him forever.
The dim light of Syaoran's lamp in his office was the only thing that revealed Eriol's grim face as he read the documents in front of him. It was clear that he was not thrilled at all with the written letters hand printed by none other than the head of the Li Clan.
He was now taking his words back. It seemed his motives were not going to go well as planned.
"How displeasing," he muttered while placing the documents back into the folder.
After seven years of no communication with his cousin, they suddenly came crashing into his life again, with no breaks or warnings.
T O B E C O N T I N U E D . . .
S A P P H I R A – H I M E:
Hiya! So how was this chapter? It's been a while since I last wrote a chapter for this story. I thought I was losing the flow, luckily I didn't. Things would be much more intense on the following chapters and the good news? I have finished writing another two chapters for Topsy Turvy! That means updating will be faster, probably by next week, depending on my awesome beta-reader! Oh, I hope to hear from you guys soon! I miss you so much! I hope you didn't get the impression that I had left this story because I never would! LOL! Thank you so much for your unending support!