Wooooo! At last i have managed to update :D I know a lot of you will be glad i havent dropped this story and im sorry it took ages but right now im preparing for my A Level exams in May so i really dont have the time to update as fast as i used to, but im doing my best. This chapter wiould have been up two or more weeks ago but we lost internet connection in my house and as soon as i got it back, FanFiction were having problems with their login page. Ah well.

I would just like to point out that I know i havent totally kept with the same writting style as the original author but in all fairness she was American and I am English. We have been brought up learning very different styles of writting and i am doing my best but it is hard for me to try and change something ive been doing all my life.

Sorry if i ranted a little "/

Anyway, please enjoy!


Chapter 12
You win some, you lose some

The fireworks were long over and the after party was in full swing, but Sakura was in no mood to chat and dance. As she stood out on the balcony she sighed to herself. Syaoran's words echoed around her head and she found her mind wandering back to the time when they had been together. There had been days when it was clear Syaoran was only in the relationship for the fireworks, but there were also days that were different. Days when he had the spark and flair of a man truly in love.

"Thinking about me, are we?" The sly voice could only belong to one person and Sakura snapped out of her thoughts, instantly angered.

"What do you want Li?" she spat. Sakura knew she was being observed, but she didn't care. At this point, she just wanted to be far away from the man currently occupying all thought in her mind.

"Well people are looking for you. You've been out here for ages, alone." He emphasized the last word for effect. "I've come as company".

"Well I want to be alone. Please leave." Sakura stated firmly before turning to gaze out into the night sky. Syaoran didn't leave. Instead he moved up behind Sakura and whispered in her ear.

"Come now Ying Fa, you know you don't mean that. Is something wrong? I could comfort you. Or make love, like we used to" At these words, Sakura tensed. "You'd like that wouldn't you? I can make you scream like before and satisfy you in a way Rui never could".

That was the last straw for Sakura.

"You are nothing in comparison to Rui. It's over and done within about five minutes and you have NO IDEA how to pleasure a woman. You only care about your needs. AND, you don't even make up for it in size because frankly I've seen larger a manhood on SHEEP!" The whole room had gone silent at this point and although she didn't realise it, Sakura had just informed everyone including the committee and Rui of Syaoran's failures in the bedroom.

Too overcome with anger, Syaoran ignored the silence. "Oh yeah, then how come I've had you screaming my name over and over time and time again? How come you'd beg me for more, even when we were practically fighting for air? How do you explain the fact that despite you having a boyfriend, you can't stop thinking of me?" His last point had been a stab in the dark, but the reaction he got just confirmed he was right in what he said.

To this day Syaoran could not think of a time that he had been slapped as hard as he had then. Sakura ran out the room, past all the guests and home, even as Rui and Tomoyo attempted to call after her. Syaoran just stood on the spot. He had been humiliated in front of thousands of people, his cheek ached but his biggest concern was that he had just blown any chance of Sakura ever loving him again.


Tomoyo tapped softly on Sakura's door.

"GO AWAY" came the muffled yell.

"Sweetie, it's just me. Please let me in Saks." Tomoyo said, opening the door cautiously.

Sakura looked up from her bed. Her eyes were tear stained and she had make up all down her face. She wore a baggy top and shorts which were crumpled but Tomoyo suspected that at this point, Sakura wasn't concerned with how she looked.

"He ruined my life Moyo. Rui left me after the party. He said he couldn't handle all the history between me and Li. I really loved him and I blew it because I let that idiot get under my skin!"

Tomoyo rubbed Sakura's back soothingly. "It will be ok Sakura. Rui really loves you too and he'll come round. You'll see. He just needs time. Don't let Li bother you. It's the big day tomorrow and after that it will be all over, win or lose. If he sees he's gotten to you then he knows he's won. We can't let him think that, can we?" Tomoyo added, looking at Sakura who perked up.

"I guess not" she mumbled. "Thanks Moyo, you're a great friend."

Tomoyo smiled. "I know" she giggled.


The next day was the day Sakura dreaded the most. Sitting in the waiting room of the committee hall was her worst moment. She had an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach and no matter how hard she tried she could not shake it. That, combined with the fact that Syaoran was sat opposite, watching her every move, were what had caused her to decide this. After an hour, she snapped.

"What the hell are you looking at Li?"

"I was just analysing your body" he replied airily "It turns out I'm not the only one who is less than satisfactory in the looks department". Sakura jumped out of her seat, enraged.

"How dare you! You're a pig Li and I hate your fu..." at that point, the meeting room door opened and out stepped Fujitaka-san.

"We are ready for you" he announced "but please do take your time if we are interrupting". Blushing, Sakura hurried into the room, followed by a smirking Syaoran. Inside, the room felt tense as all the committee members awaited their arrival. Once everyone was seated again, Fujitaka spoke. "We can all agree that these past few weeks have been rather...well... interesting shall we say?" He smiled at the other members who nodded in agreement. Sakura felt herself sink into her chair with embarrassment. "Syaoran, your shows provide imagination and flair whilst yours, Sakura, show passion and intelligence. It has been a very hard decision to make, but we have reached a unanimous opinion." Sakura held her breath, certain she was going to lose. She glanced over at Syaoran, who oddly looked equally as scared. It felt like hours before Fujitaka spoke again. "It is our opinion that you should both work together as one to produce the jubilee show".


After the shock had worn off, Sakura had been left feeling annoyed. There was simply no way she and Syaoran would be able to work alongside one another as partners. Yet she had accepted the committee's terms anyway. In a way, she had to for the sake of her business. However it meant she would have to spend valuable hours of her time with Syaoran. Great!

Syaoran had too been left feeling rather annoyed. He had been sure he would win, especially after Sakura had made such a fool of herself on several occasions. His mind drifted back to a certain pink costume and how he had spent nights dreaming not of the dress, but of the woman who had worn that piece for one single night. A shudder ran down his back as reality hit him, hard. He knew that deep down he was only mad because he had assumed that by winning, he would have finally earned his revenge on Sakura for not coming to their wedding and then he could have finally forgotten about her. Clearly that was not working as right now all Syaoran could do was think of her and the time they would be spending together...alone.

In fact, the pair had arranged to meet up to discuss how they would plan the jubilee in between all their other shows. As expected, the phone rang and Sakura picked up at last.

"Hey partner" came the voice Sakura loathed.

"Don't ever call me that" she replied

"Ooohh touchy are we? Look I was wondering what you were doing later?" he quizzed, pondering if she was still with that idiot Rui. I twang of jealousy shot through him but he shook it off.

"Nothing. Why?" Sakura asked cautiously.

"Great, we can meet up then. I'll be there to pick you up in ten. Bye!" Before Sakura could argue, Syaoran had put the phone down. Cursing, Sakura threw the phone on the receiver and rushed to change into more attractive attire.

As he said, Syaoran pulled up in front of her house ten minutes later. He knocked softly on the door whilst his mind drifted back to past experiences where he had picked Sakura up for a date. She wouldn't return home again until the next day because they were so busy... Syaoran mentally slapped himself for even thinking in the way he was. He needed to regain his cool before Sakura notice.

All chance of that happening was lost when she opened the door. Dressed in a light purple summer dress, light pink shawl and ballet slippers, Sakura looked the epitome of sexy but subtle. Syaoran couldn't help realising that the heart shaped top of the dress truly did justice to her perfect breasts and made him feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Well are you going sometime today?" Sakura asked impatiently. Coming to his senses, Syaoran led Sakura to his limo.

"Where exactly are we going?" she asked.

"Back to my house" he replied "Where we won't be bothered by press."

Sakura knew his answer made sense, but she couldn't help feeling a little suspicious anyway.


Around half an hour later and Syaoran pulled into the drive that Sakura knew all too well. She had been here many times before, discussing wedding plans, meeting family and occasionally, making love with Syaoran. The thought sent a shiver down Sakura's spine as she stepped out onto the path that led to the front door. Syaoran opened it and allowed Sakura to enter first. She gawped and as she looked around. The whole house was filled with a most intoxicating scent. Not only that, but since she was last here Syaoran had redecorated. Gone were the gruesome animal heads and in their place hung family portraits and pieces of delicate art.

"You like what I've done with the place?" Syaoran asked, noticing Sakura's interest.

"It's certainly...different from the last time I was here" she replied, trying not to show she was impressed.

Syaoran chuckled softly as he took off his jacket and hung it on the nearby coat stand.

"Where are your maids?" Sakura asked as she allowed Syaoran to remove her own pink shawl. In the past, at least half a dozen maids worked for Syaoran and by now they would be busy making tea for the pair.

"I don't have maids anymore. I feel I should do more for myself so I live here with just the family butler Wei. Its quiet but I like it that way" he replied. Sakura looked at Syaoran in awe. The man she had once known was evidently long gone and in his place were the makings of a true gentleman.

However, then Sakura remembered why she was here. How Syaoran had ruined her long tern relationship and embarrassed her.

In an attempt not to let her anger take over, Sakura asked "Well, are we going to get down to business or what?"

Syaoran nodded and directed Sakura to a comfy sofa by the fireplace whilst he sat in an armchair opposite. After clearing his throat, he spoke.

"Obviously you have commitments to your company as do I" he began. "We each have other displays aside from the jubilee that we must prepare for, but we also need to meet on a regular basis to truly impress the queen. Therefore, I propose that we meet up every Tuesday and Friday to discuss the jubilee and all other days can be spent on our separate commitments. If you have a show on our meeting days then we will simply rearrange for a more suitable day." Syaoran looked to Sakura for confirmation. Her eyes seemed emotionless as she gazed into the fire.

After a moments silence, she spoke up. "That seems fair to me. Why did you need me to come all the way over here though? Could we not have had this conversation over the phone or in public? It's not as though we have said any gossip for the press." Sakura turned to look at Syaoran. Her deep green eyes bore into his amber ones and she couldn't help but notice their likeness to the flicker of the fire.

"That is true, however there is something else I wish to say that no one but you should hear" he said, his tone softening.

Sakura's breath hitched in her throat. She wasn't quite sure why, but she suddenly felt giddy and excitable. It was a similar feeling to when Rui was about to propose, yet slightly more nerving. Sakura nodded "Go on".

"I wish to apologise to you. These past few months I have done nothing but be cruel to you and there was no need for it. I feel so guilty for all that I have put you through and all that I ask is forgiveness" Syaoran refused to meet Sakura's gaze as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Sakura remained silent as she searched Syaoran for some signal that this was yet another one of his pranks.

The signal never came.

"That's alright Li. I never took your pranks seriously anyway. It's just like you to make stupid comments and claim you love me just to appease the audience. However, I suppose if we are to work together then I need to forgive you. Your apology is accepted." She said monotonously. Syaoran felt a pain in his heart when he realised Sakura still didn't realise he generally had feelings for her. However, she clearly did not return those emotions, so Syaoran chose to push them to the side.

"Well I am very glad to hear that. I think that is all" Syaoran said, standing. "Shall I take you home?"

"If you could" Sakura replied, also standing. They left the house and drove back to Sakura's home in almost complete silence. As Sakura got out of the car, Syaoran called to her.

"I shall arrange to see you on Tuesday then Sakura"

Sakura nodded and watched as he drove away. Letting herself in the house, Sakura collapsed in a heap on her bed. Maybe she had been wrong, but she felt sure that Syaoran would have argued with her when she said he didn't really love her. Undecided on whether she was hurt or just annoyed, Sakura fell asleep.


OOOOOoooo so what did you think? Chemistry is starting to emerge lol

Please review xx