The Accidental Playboy Chapter 10: Sakura's Turn
I own nothing but Sakura's dates, especially cute little Nico.
Uh, question, am I doing something wrong? Chapter 9 had the fewest reviews of all, so . . . please do drop me a review and let me know what I'm doing wrong? I have some free time and intend to be writing this week . . . so I can fix whatever the problem is. Thank you!
Thank you to Skei-Fyr for graciously betaing this on short notice!
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Being the Date Diaries from Hell Night 4: What Could Have Been
Sakura was preparing for her fourth date, and she was no longer enthusiastic about proving to her father that she could date other boys. They were the problem, in her opinion.
The boy who was her date the first night, Shihibiki Murasaki, had been smolderingly sexy. He was quite handsome: like Syaoran he had brown eyes and unruly hair but unlike Syaoran, he knew he was sexy and was openly trying to seduce Sakura. Apparently, he was a model and he was proud of his beautiful body.
Worse were the corny lines he used on her: "Your magnificent jade green orbs fill me with desire!" (Orbs? Does he mean my entire eye is green? Sakura wondered) "I want to touch your silky cornfloss hair!" (Sakura remembered raising her eyebrows at that one; she thought corn floss looked like something to toss into the trash), and "Sweet princess, were you to choose me I would be happy forever!" (Not with you, Sakura thought; Syaoran never said such corny things but she still wanted and loved him.) Come to think of it, did every sentence of his end with an imaginary exclamation point?
He'd worn a skin-tight shirt he'd somehow gotten rid of after dinner. Sakura's eyes nearly popped out when, to fill a lull in their conversation, he'd taken his shirt off then invited her to touch his abs—in full view of the other diners in the restaurant—and managed to kiss her cheek and promise her he would be "the best ever for your first time" as he knelt next to her chair.
"My first what?" Sakura spluttered.
"First time making love; I know you don't have a boyfriend and you're a beautiful innocent virgin whose maidenhood sings out to me in a beautiful love melody," Shihibiki whispered as he knelt next to her. Sakura looked around, highly embarrassed and thoroughly annoyed by his flowery language; the older couples in the restaurant were watching them curiously.
"Get up! Get back to your seat!" Sakura said frantically. He obeyed but kept giving her smoldering looks that made her fear for her innocence, especially after he took her hand to kiss it, then placed it on the crotch his pants, revealing that he had a large erection. "I'll be gentle, my beautiful flower. I have hotel reservations," he whispered again, soulfully. "And I promise the road to heaven will be paved with flowers as lovely as you; I will shower the bed with flowers before I end your lonely innocence at last!" He tossed his hair for emphasis and placed the back of one hand against his forehead in a dramatic look that showed off his angled facial planes.
"No thank you!" Sakura almost shrieked. She fled after that, pretending she needed the restroom, climbing through the window of the toilet in the restaurant, and catching a cab home, never mind the expense.
Why would her father set her up with that pervert? Sakura knew he was testing her and Syaoran but still, this was a bit out of hand . . .
Or was he testing their ability to cope? Sakura's breath hitched. Was Syaoran going through the exact same thing right now?
Poor Syaoran! Sakura felt sympathy towards him. It never crossed her mind that he would be tempted; she loved and trusted him that much.
The second night was no better: she'd been picked up by a rich, arrogant boy. Like Shihibiki, he was handsome; he was the typical bespectacled good-looking college boy. But when he presented her with a box of flowers, he promptly told her how much they cost. He'd introduced himself as Honda Tachiyuki, and insisted that she change into better, more expensive clothing. At the gourmet restaurant in a hotel in Tokyo—they had been taken there in a limousine, and Sakura found herself thinking it would have been romantic had it been anyone but Honda with her—he talked about himself, his ambitions, his plans, everything about himself all night, barely pausing for breath before proposing that Sakura marry him.
Incredulous, Sakura asked, "Marry you? Why?"
"You're pretty," he said, his eyes sweeping over her. "You look good on my arm, you're not too bright—meaning you're easy to control and bring to heel—and you seem very obedient. Marrying the daughter of a great archaeologist will give me that common touch, very handy for when I run for council in my area."
Sakura stared; had he just insulted her so baldly and shamelessly?
Then he spoke the words that sealed his fate.
"And you're still a virgin; I mean, you're too dumb to be a slut."
"Well thank you," Sakura said frostily as she threw her napkin down. "This gourmet meal was merely expensive starvation. You're a boring, self-centered ass, and I don't care if my dad hears about that from you because it's the truth! And if you ever come near me again, I'll kick your million-yen pants into oblivion. You hear me?"
Tomoyo would have dropped to the pavement in shock had she heard Sakura's crude words . . . then filmed it, Sakura found herself thinking. Come to think of it, what was her best friend up to?
Honda had the nerve to follow her and ask that she pay "her half" of the bill. She gave him one hard slap on the face with the promise, "There's more where that came from—and I'm generous with that currency!"
The third night had been uncomfortable and boring; the boy named Hiroku had been reading lines from a piece of paper he had hidden up his sleeve. As all her previous dates, he was handsome; blond hair and blue eyes hidden behind glasses vaguely reminded her of Yukito.
But he made Sakura wonder why he'd bothered to take her out because there were many long, awkward silences in which he looked everywhere but at her. She felt sorry for him because he was quite uncomfortable. Finally, she asked, "Are you okay?"
"Uh . . . I only did this 'cause I needed to see what it was like to date a girl."
"Er . . ." Sakura frowned. What did he mean by that?
"You see," and he gave her a small smile, "I really do prefer reading books. But my friends say a guy shouldn't reach twenty without ever having dated—that would be freak-like. So I asked my favorite professor if he knew someone I could date, and, well," he shrugged, "here I am."
Sakura began to laugh. "You really shouldn't force yourself to date, you know."
Hiroku merely looked at her. "I intend to experience all I can, so we shall finish this dinner, and I shall escort you home."
And that was exactly what happened. Thankfully he didn't try to kiss her at the gate; Sakura thanked whatever gods there were that it never occurred to him. She felt vaguely like she'd been part of some experiment, though, when she glanced out the window and saw Hiroku writing notes in his little pocket notebook.
So on this fourth night, when the doorbell rang, Sakura was reluctant to answer. She did a final check of her purse: pepper spray from Tomoyo and Meiling, Swiss army knife Syaoran had given her on a camping trip two years ago, police whistle from Eriol, enough money for a cab in case she had to run away again . . . Okay, she was good. She didn't bother checking her reflection; whoever this was would have to accept her as is, in a simple pink shirt and comfortable old jeans and the funky purple sneakers Yukito had given her for her last birthday. She wore no makeup unless you counted lip gloss, and she'd simply clipped her bangs back.
When she opened the door, she had to fight the urge to flee to the toilet and fix herself up. Standing there was a cute boy with dark hair like Touya's and big green eyes like hers, and he was wearing an appealing smile and a simple outfit like hers: a light blue polo shirt and jeans and sneakers. The urge to go 'hanyaan' was hard to resist; while Syaoran was devastatingly handsome and had that sexy undercurrent to him, this boy was simply adorable—like a teddy bear you wanted to hug.
"Hi! Are you Kinomoto Sakura?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah," Sakura managed to smile without blushing. She liked him on sight; he seemed nice and nothing like the first three disasters.
"I'm Nico Nazume," he said cheerfully, holding out his hand to shake hers. Sakura was surprised to feel a little thrill, and inordinately pleased that he blushed a little when his hand touched hers. "I'm your setup for tonight. Hope I'm not too hideous for you."
"You'd have to try harder, believe me, to beat the creeps who came ahead of you, Nazume-san." Sakura said, then stopped, surprised at how easy it was to talk to him.
"Oh, just 'Nico-kun' is fine. Well, that's always good news," he grinned, "to know that I'm low on the monster-meter. Thank God I hid my tail and horns tonight."
They both laughed, and when Nico said, "Shall we?" Sakura nodded, and they left the house, talking easily along the way. He was a pleasant half-Italian boy; handsome like his predecessors, he had intense eyes and a cheerful demeanor much like Sakura's own. He vaguely reminded her of Yukito in how he smiled, and when he turned out to be funny and sweet, Sakura found herself enjoying his company. It was so easy to talk to him; none of the shy blushing awkwardness she had with Syaoran now, just the easy banter of what they had before they'd become a couple.
And he liked her too; he told her so, straight out, as they walked to the amusement park.
"You know," he said as they walked through the streets of Tomoeda, the setting sun fading over the taller buildings, "I'm glad my date is you."
"Really?" Sakura smiled; he'd put her at ease with his jokes and chattiness. She'd found out that he went to a high school in faraway Nagasaki and was a senior like her. He was in town to visit relatives, and would be returning home the day after.
"You're cute, you're sweet, and you're unaffected," Nico said, smiling happily. "It's been so long since I've met someone so real like you."
"Well, me too," Sakura replied. "My dad had the idea that I should date a lot of boys before going steady." Her shoulders drooped. "It isn't all it's cracked up to be and I don't see why some girls think that dating lots of guys is great. I'd prefer to get to know one guy better, a really nice one."
"Might that be me?" His eyes twinkled, and Sakura giggled. "I'm kidding; I don't mean to be intrusive."
"No, it's not a problem," Sakura smiled. "I'd like to get to know you. Let's be friends?"
"Gladly!" Nico held out his hand, and Sakura saw his pinky was up. "Shake on it with pinkies?"
She held hers out, and when her hand touched his, she felt a thrill go through her again. He was shaking their pinkies and chanting the 'may a thousand needles prick me if I lie' formula that went with it. Then when it was done, he looked at her, and they both laughed.
"Come on, the park's nearby now. How about if I race you to it? Three, two . . ." Nico began.
Sakura bolted before Nico could finish counting down; he managed to chase her down but Sakura wasn't a cheerleader for nothing, and she beat him by several strides. They laughed at each other, and when Nico took her hand, Sakura let him. She liked holding his hand, and from the way he refused to let it go, so did he.
How come it was so easy for her to see what Nico felt?
They spent two happy hours playing games and trying out the various rides. He was fun and easy to be with, and they raced through the park like children, hand in hand, making silly little dares with each other, sharing cotton candy, even getting into the Tunnel of Love and scaring each other silly with ghost stories. Nico turned out to be just as much of a wuss when it came to ghosts as Sakura was, and they clung to each other through the ride, screaming their fool heads off, until the boat had exited the tunnel. Needless to say the lovers near them were not pleased.
What had bothered her was how the date ended. They were on the Ferris Wheel when Nico had turned to her, a wistful look on his face.
"You're amazing," he said.
"Thanks! So are you," Sakura said.
"I just feel a little jealous," he said as he looked out of the windows of the car they were in. "I know this is a setup and all, but I know you'll be going back to your boyfriend after this."
"How . . . How did you know?" Sakura asked.
"I was told at the beginning by my dad what this was for. He's friends with yours. I went along 'cause I had nothing else to do and I thought it was a good way to pass the time." He smiled to try and reassure her. "But really, I enjoyed myself. I'm glad I met you. Thank you, Sakura-chan."
Sakura smiled, a wistful look in her eyes. "Oh Nico-kun, I'm happy to be with you too. And I'm sorry about, well . . ."
But she hadn't even thought of Syaoran all night . . . and that was what bothered her. The night had been all about Nico.
What kind of a girlfriend was she to forget Syaoran in another guy's company?
"It's okay," he shrugged. Then he shyly put a hand over hers. "I just wish I'd met you earlier."
He looked at her, and it was Sakura's turn to look away. They were nearing the ground, and to her shame, she realized she liked him, that had there not been a Syaoran, she might have . . . Nico was so near, and his lips . . .
What am I thinking? Sakura scolded herself. I have Syaoran!
Nico was quiet as he walked her home and she reached out for his hand to reassure him. He held it, and gently caressed the back of it with his thumb.
"Do you know," he said, raising the hand that was holding hers, "it's like this movie I watched with my first girlfriend in middle school. In this light I don't know where my hand ends and yours begins."
Sakura looked, and he was right. The way their fingers meshed together was just so right, and she had to keep her mind on Syaoran just to be sure she remembered she was already with someone who was kind and loving and who always considered her feelings.
"I never felt this way with her, the way I do with you. How strange," Nico murmured so softly, she almost didn't hear it.
When they got to the gate of the Kinomoto house, Sakura looked up at Nico. The night was over for them, and yet she found herself wondering if she would see him again . . .
No! Remember Syaoran! She scolded herself again.
As Nico watched her struggle with herself, he made it even worse for Sakura when he kissed her hand instead of her cheek. "Um . . . if you ever find yourself alone, someday, just look me up online. Okay?" He smiled, then walked away, leaving Sakura to her thoughts.
He was kind and sweet and utterly considerate too . . . like Syaoran, except he was more cheerful and a little easier to talk to and a lot less shy. Sakura realized that she had wanted him to kiss her; the attraction between them had been very difficult to deny, and a sense of shame engulfed her. How could she even have thought of it when she had Syaoran?
As early as now, he would forever be the "what if" in her life. Wouldn't he?
"Nico-kun!" Sakura called before she could stop herself.
He turned, surprised, and quickly walked back to her. "What is it, Sakura-chan?"
Now that he was back what did she intend to say? What was there to say? She stood there, her mouth open; to her shame she was making incoherent sounds because she didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry," she finally got out. "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry I called you back just like that." She bowed her head.
Tilting her chin up gently with one hand, Nico looked at her; in the starlight, his eyes were dark and the way he looked at her . . . it was different from the way Syaoran looked at her—it was tender and sad and longing and sweet, all at the same time. But she wanted it to be different, so that she would have that memory . . .
I'm such a greedy, selfish idiot! Sakura fought back tears that were threatening to spill. Why did Nico have to come along now?
"I know I'll never forgive myself if I don't at least try," she heard Nico murmur, and then his lips were on hers.
It was a very gentle kiss; he didn't even ask to enter her mouth with his tongue, but he savored her lower lip, trapping it between his own and pressing down on it softly. No other part of their bodies touched, but still the kiss was thrilling Sakura, much to her surprise. It was nothing like kissing Syaoran—Sakura loved Syaoran's kisses but this was Nico, and the thrill he gave her was different, like a sweet ache you get when you know you can't have something. He had his own scent, his own presence that was just Nico.
All too soon Nico pulled away and touched her cheek. "I'm sorry. Forgive me for that. But I don't regret it. At least you can say I was the one who did it, not you. You're truly an amazing girl, Sakura-chan. I'm glad I got to spend time with you."
Were his eyes welling up? He smiled, squeezing them shut, and then he ran away, leaving Sakura alone with her confused thoughts.
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Being the Date Diaries from Hell Day 5: Sakura's Torment
The next day in class, she could not look Syaoran or anyone else in the eye. She stared down at her desk. It wasn't cheating if they weren't a couple at the moment, right?
No, she knew she was trying to justify herself. How could she, after all she had already put Syaoran through?
But she had wanted that kiss! How could she have been so selfish when she knew Syaoran loved her?
And she loved Syaoran; she was sure of it; when she sneaked glances at him she could feel the love threatening to overwhelm her. She could trace his nose, his eyes, his chin, his lips forever with her eyes, and she knew they had a bond from the intimacies they had already shared.
But she was so confused. Why then was the memory of Nico so sweet if the love for Syaoran was overwhelming?
What made it worse was how Syaoran watched her with concerned eyes, then very kindly backed off, sensing she was upset over something. Later, a rose appeared in her desk, and Syaoran gave her the first love letter she'd ever received in her life.
As she read it, she began to cry because it was so beautiful and heartfelt. What he said didn't matter; it was that he'd laid himself bare and confessed that he missed her, that he felt incomplete without her, but wanted to be strong for her. He said he looked forward to the day they could be together again—and then he said he loved her, and wished it were easier to say the words to her.
How could I have betrayed Syaoran?
Returning to homeroom, she'd ignored Eriol and Tomoyo and thrown herself into Syaoran's arms and kissed him for all she was worth—the kiss was an apology and an expression of love and all she felt.
But later, she felt even guiltier. What kind of a girl was she anyway? How could she not appreciate someone so sweet and loving? How could she even think of someone else?
Too bad berating herself did not make the problem go away, and when the final bell rang, Sakura ran home and threw herself on the bed, wishing she could just cry and get it out of her system. But the tears would not come and she finally fell asleep, tired and confused, waking up only in time for her 'date' that night.
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Being the Date Diaries from Hell Night 5: Sakura's . . . Blast from the Past?
On the fifth night of her 'dates', Sakura gaped at the handsome, bespectacled older man sitting across her who was smiling benevolently.
"Y-Yukito-san?" she stammered. She'd received a note telling her to meet her second date at the Twin Bells café, and she'd gone there, apprehensive. Now, it was her first love sitting across her at the table.
"Don't worry," Yukito smiled as he sipped his orange tea. "I agreed to this because it was either that or you'd be set up with some random guy. It was your brother's idea."
"T-touya? My onii-chan?" Sakura said incredulously.
"Yep." Yukito got started on a pastry platter, eating at the incredible pace Sakura had gotten used to. "He told your dad that since you, ah," and Yukito paused and smiled, "had a crush on me as a child, it would be a good idea to see if you still, er . . . liked me."
"I do!" Sakura smiled.
"But not that way, not anymore," Yukito chuckled, "because you love that boy Syaoran." He tossed a whole muffin into his mouth, and Sakura's jaw dropped.
"How do you know?"
"You smile so nicely when I mention him. And, Touya-kun said so." Yukito leaned across the table and added, "Touya-kun hated him enough to go and see him personally a few days ago, and so I know this Syaoran must really love you too if no bloodshed resulted. Touya-kun wouldn't react so badly otherwise. And then there's the whole business of your dad, who seems to have caught you two up to some, uh . . . naughtiness." He held up a hand. "No need for details, Sakura-chan."
Blushing, Sakura looked away. At least her dad hadn't told Yukito and Touya exactly what had happened.
"I came here, really, to give you advice."
"What is it?" Sakura asked eagerly.
Yukito smiled. "Never lose sight of what you want, Sakura-chan. Don't let distractions get in the way."
"D-Distractions?" Sakura began to pale. Had someone seen her with Nico?
Yukito paused to sip some hot chocolate, then, "Distractions like other guys. That's why I broke up with your brother."
It was a good thing Sakura wasn't eating or drinking, or she would have choked to death on it. "Ah, uh, Yukito-san, I . . ."
Yukito grinned. "Sorry, Sakura-chan, but I did go out with Touya-kun in high school. He was a wonderful person, really, and I loved him. But we broke up after we were almost done with college because, well . . . I got distracted. I still love him, and his fiancée Nakuru though. But it doesn't change that things are over for us now."
Sakura, to her horror, began to cry; the pent-up tension and confusion over Nico overwhelmed her. Yukito moved his chair closer and held her gently, like an older brother.
"Now, now, Sakura," he said gently. "Cry now, but after five minutes, I'm going to ask you what happened. Okay? And I'll try to help you as best I can."
Between sobs, the story of Nico came out. Poor Sakura was feeling guilt and sadness and love for Syaoran and the sweetness of a crush on Nico and the embarrassment and shame of being 'a cheater,' as she called herself.
Yukito listened patiently as she unburdened herself, then when it was over, he smiled.
"Sakura-chan, one kiss does not make you a 'cheater', especially since there was no intent to lose sight of your Syaoran. Rather, think of it this way. You were given a chance to see who and what else could be out there for you. I think that's what your father wanted—for you to experience what it's like to see other boys, so that you can compare Syaoran to them. Maybe you should ask yourself this: Which of them can you imagine with you five years into the future?"
A long pause as Sakura thought hard and carefully. Then she realized something.
She couldn't imagine life without Syaoran; she didn't even want to think of a world without him. Even if she saw Nico with her in college or afterwards, Syaoran was always there somehow.
But not just as a friend. Sakura wanted his love. Nico she could imagine as a friend who might turn into a lover. But she wanted all of Syaoran: his friendship, his love, his passion for her.
"Sy-syaoran," she whispered. Losing him would be the worst thing, and she shuddered to even think about it.
"When bad times come," Yukito said as he patted the girl he loved as a sister, "think of whom you want to be there with you . . . and who is the one who will forgive you when something like this happens."
"Should I tell Syaoran the truth then?" Sakura asked apprehensively.
"It's up to you. But ask yourself why you will tell him about this. There has to be a good reason," Yukito pointed out. "Telling him has to make your relationship move forward, not backward. You don't just unburden and absolve yourself by confessing; that's selfish because the burden then becomes transferred to the other person."
He paused as his double order of carbonara arrived, along with his upsized strawberry milkshake, and he began to twirl the noodles around his fork. "But then that's no excuse for keeping a secret that can hurt someone else. Whether or not you tell him is not for your own sake—it's for his. You have to decide what's best for him. And you have to forgive yourself first, Sakura-chan. Remember," and Yukito's eyes twinkled, "this was a test. You learn from good tests. Bad tests simply place a hurdle in front of you. A good test teaches you in the taking. So go home and sleep on this, and ask yourself what all this has taught you."
Sakura smiled, finally. "I think I already know: that I love Syaoran. I don't know where we're headed but wherever it is, maybe it will be all right if we're with each other?"
"Good girl." Yukito raised a hand and summoned the waitress. "Now, how about if we celebrate with some ice cream? One Godzilla Split with the twelve scoops, and a strawberry milkshake here, please!" He turned to Sakura and asked, "What will you have?"
End of Chapter 10
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I'll be honest: I can end this in a few chapters, unless you're interested in seeing some complications for SxS. Let me know in your review if you want me to reach 20 chapters or to end this and focus on Spoil of War. Thanks!
Thank you for your reviews. To puasloma, (grins). To sootyxsnowpetal, LOL why do I feel you're talking from experience? As for Fujitaka, he IS a teacher and apparently a good one in the series, so wouldn't he be the type to teach interesting lessons? Yeah, I can end this soon; I know how it ends, but the story can be stretched if I toss in a certain little complication. Do let me know which you like? Heck yes, that's why I write; we want something like this somehow to happen to us—re Spoil of War. As for this story, let's just say a few awkward moments with my own boyfriend contributed to the LOLs. Thanks for the review and I'm glad the story cheers you up! To Takagouzawa Hikari-san, LOL check your tank top! But my guy friends happily contributed their horror stories when I asked. AHAHA re Lelouch! Give me emo Suzaku anytime. To SoraChan01, Aw, but don't you feel sorry for the tortured SxS? To StandingOnTheRooftops, LOL! So am I, although I'll be leaving them soon (baaaww). Aha! You work with TwiMoms XD I loved that you suggested that just as I wrote in Nico for Sakura. Don't worry, I have something like that planned for Syaoran in the next chapter, and thank you! No, that was a good idea, not rambling at all. To neko-chiidesu, Don't worry, Sakura gets some torment too. Yes, Fujitaka does like poor Syaoran. The fangirls get their comeuppance soon, don't worry. To lhaine07, how to please and woo Sakura XD Can't tell you what Tomoyo's plans are but can't you guess? Heehee. To pApAw, But Sakura has her own challenges here! I'm sure Syaoran appreciates your cheerdance! To Akemi-kun, ahaha! Of course I won't be writing Syaoran's letter so that you can imagine it. The list is of the bad girls I mentioned in an earlier chapter. Wonder why? Heehee XD To SyaoranOfDarkness, yay! Haha, you must LOVE his royal scepter, eh? Arata is more like an expensive call girl--who might also be a bimbo on your command LOL. Eriol won't appear for a bit yet, though, sorry. If the plan's a Tomoyo, it'll be evil! To chainedheart999, don't sue, I'll send you Syaoran tonight, will that do? Promise to send him back in 24 hours though XD (ha I wish) Nope, as you see Sakura has to do that too Nope, Khandi is not a Fujitaka, just a Fujimata. I think the joke on Suzaku is, I really doubt he'd ever be a playboy because he's too nice and naive XD To goddess-training, wow thank you! As I said, Fujitaka is a teacher...My only beef with the PJ movie, Percy was too hot! Oh Gods imagine when they cast the rest, if ever (swoons). Grover PWND in the movie (hearts) Enjoy this chapter, and if you've finished the series check out my faves for the PJ story there! To Moons-chan, LOL I love sweet, naive Suzaku and making him cool and mischievous was fun. Plus technically he and Syaoran are related; same CLAMP family haha! confession: I love romance too (now talk about the obvious!) To Daphne Lacrymosa, He seems so meek and kind in the series, but there are hints he can be mischievous so I played on that! To butterflyKISSU, I believe Suzaku is going to take care of all the hussies in a later chapter. Mmm. XD To lunarwing, I'm sure someone somewhere has used that idea, somehow XD Don't tempt me to send Syaoran up that tree now! To Black wolf chics, Aww, I wasn't gone THAT long...was I? XD I won't leave my stories unfinished, don't worry. To Sakura-chan Master of the Clow, Haha! Thanks for that, and here's the answer to your question! To MikoKagome1113, Yes, Sakura has dates too. Of course trouble follows those two around--I think they do it on purpose. I got the idea from the Sakura and Syaoran and the Elevator episode of the anime where they gang up on him about the teddy bear he made. LOL those two are awful! To cutekitty398, Aw don't pout. Syaoran will get through this, don't worry. To xCrazyKindOvWeirdx, I bet you can guess! You shouldn't worry about Syaoran though XD Sakura isn't the suspicious type--which is why I made her go through the date with Nico. Guilt galore! Re Fujitaka and Arata, some things are better left a mystery XD She taught him how to relate to a woman, how to love her, etc. No sex! heck ExT are probably just messing with poor Syaoran. To xSapphirexRosesxFanx, Nuts in a good way, don't worry XD To Nennita-chan, Glad you liked it. Resolutions in a few more chapters! To Nadrixam, Syaoran is such a cute combination of calm and stoic and gullible, I feel like Yamazaki at times when I put him through stuff XD Tsubasa indeed; I SWEAR I will write a crossover! I wasn't happy with the ending though. To bangag pa, I love Fujitaka too! Yelan reappears at the worst possible moment XD Shh, don't give away the future plans! To rosedreamer101, got who he is now? XD To paladin3056, I'm glad you liked it! Syaoran, based on the manga and anime, doesn't have eyes for anyone else but her, and I promise he'll make it out 'alive' XD Re Fujitaka and the last laugh, since this chapter was long already, you'll see in the next one! To cres-cres, yay! I adore playing with his character as a joke XD He'll do his thing soon...