XxX hOnEy... XxX
(A/n I know, I know, I am an absolute arsehole. I keep promising to upload soon but I just manage to drag that 'soon' on for eons. And always with the 'sincere apologies' though I continue doing it. Oh and did I mention I am an absolute PLONKER? Okay well then I guess we can proceed with the story. Thank you so much for the reviews. Please keep giving them. 3)
Diclaimer: No Copyright Infringement is intended. This work of fiction is purely made up of my insane notions and of course, some of CLAMP's fantabulous characters!
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Tomoyo smiled sadly. "Oh," she looked at down at her shoes. "Did you miss her?" "Of course I did,"
"Did you...did you love her?"
"I loved her very much," He laughed in spite of himself. "I wear my heart on my sleeve, Tomoyo."
"What about you? What was the reason you and your last boyfriend broke up?"
"Oh, um, everything was going perfectly until one day when I went by his house to check up on him because he was off school sick; I found him making out with another girl," Eriol pushed his hair back.
"I'm sorry that happened to you,"
So this was why she was so sensitive when it came to ending it with Jed. "You think he'll assume that we've been seeing each other the whole time you've been with him,"
Tomoyo nodded. Eriol thought for a second. "Do you know what? That's fine. Until you break it off with him, we won't do anything that friends don't and no matter how badly I'll want to, - and believe me, I'll want to very badly- I won't even try to kiss you,"
Tomoyo giggled. "Well thank you, uh...I guess."
. . .
Touya Kinomoto was a college student. His college was situated only a few yards from his former school. This being the case, whenever he returned home after a day at college, Touya had to cross over to his old high school. He would sometimes take this opportunity to sp- look out for his younger sister who also attended this institution of learning. While crossing the road, Touya saw the vermin that was Syaoran Li coming out of the school gates. He smiled cruelly when he remembered the pleasure he got from using Li as a punch-bag. "Hello, pretty." He sneered. He paused a moment before adding, "Or should I say, 'Not-so-pretty'?" he stroked his own jaw before smiling. Syaoran gritted his teeth at Touya. He glared at him before assuming a fighting stance. "You shut up," Touya grinned maliciously at the command. "Who's going to make me? You?" he laughed grimly. Syaoran clenched his fists harder and was about to throw a punch when he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Sakura. She only had to whisper his name for him to let down his defences. When she appeared before him, Touya glared at his sister in disbelief. Pushing Syaoran aside, he pulled his sister away from him and grimaced at her. "What do you think you're doing?" he whispered at her sharply. "What do you mean?" Sakura asked him in a calm manner.
"I don't want you hanging around with that twerp," Touya told her. Sakura laughed but was forced to quieten when she saw the expression on his face.
"You're serious? Since when do you get to tell me who I can or can't hang out with? Syaoran just happens to be one of my best friends,"
Touya frowned. "He also just happens to be the idiot you stupidly had to fall in love with and who broke your heart; and if you're not careful, he's sure to do it again,"
"Go home, Touya," This time it was Touya who laughed out loud. "I'm not letting you walk alone with that son-of-a-,"
"We're not going to be alone. There's Tomoyo and Eriol," Sakura looked over and gestured to Tomoyo and Eriol who were now standing beside Syaoran.
"And who exactly is this 'Eriol' boy? Hmm? Were you planning on telling me about him or-"
"No! Shut up! Kami-san... It's nothing like that. Eriol is Tomoyo's b-... he's just our fr-...he's Syaoran's cousin, Ok?" Touya smacked a hand on his forehead. "Great...Another twerp(!)" he sighed before observing the dark-haired boy. Unlike the unkempt Li boy, -who's uniform was treated more as a fashion statement, with the dangling tie and the baggy trousers- Eriol's uniform was immaculate and as opposed to the trainers –designer, he guessed- that Li wore, this other boy wore the appropriate footwear and looked much more smart than his rebellious kin.
"He's as much 'trouble' as...Tomoyo for goodness' sake," Sakura insisted. Touya was now examining Eriol's behaviour. "Oh yeah? Let's see, shall we?" he made his way towards the threesome. Sakura ran after him.
"Hey Tomoyo," Touya gave her a nod. Tomoyo smiled before returning the greeting. Sakura caught up to Touya and punched him on the arm. He seemed unfazed. She sighed and turned to Eriol. "Eriol this is my pathetic excuse for a brother, Touya," then gesturing to Eriol she said to Touya, "This is Syaoran's older and much wiser cousin, Eriol Hiiragizawa,"
"So you're the guy who's had it in for my little cousin since he can remember?" Eriol said in a serious voice before breaking into a grin. He offered a hand to Touya. Touya gripped the boy's hand and came right out and asked what he wanted to.
"Tell me Eriol, what exactly are your intentions with my sister?"
Eriol's brow perked up, as did both of Tomoyo's; Syaoran's eyebrows lined and Sakura sweat-dropped before anime-falling backwards. Eriol's brow fell back into place and he replied in a calm manner, "My intentions are most honourable, I would say. I have grown fond of Sakura but my heart lies elsewhere," Touya nodded in understanding.
"That's such a shame. Why she couldn't have found someone more like you instead of-"Touya could not end that one sentence for Sakura had quickly gained her composure and leapt onto him. "I cannot believe you.-" Touya squirmed out of Sakura's grip and made a good distance from her. "Calm down Kaiiju. I'll see you at home," he said before running off. Sakura was seething.
...
Fujitaka Kinomoto smiled as he took another bite of his dinner. Sakura frowned. "Dad! It's not funny! I was so humiliated," she cried as she glared at her brother.
"You're brother only has your best interests at heart, sweetheart," Fujitaka assured her.
Touya grinned childishly at Sakura and stuck his tongue out at her.
"Yeah Sakura, it's 'cause I care,"
Fujitaka turned to him. "And you, Touya. What you did to that boy is inexcusable. You will apologise the next time you see him," his father instructed.
"What? No way! He had it coming," Touya tried to protest but his father was unyielding.
"You will apologise," Fujitaka cleared his place setting and walked over to the kitchen.
Sakura finished her food and looked up at Touya. "...all because you care," she gave him a sickeningly sweet smile. Touya threw a carrot stick her way when Fujitaka stepped into the kitchen.
...
The next day at school(Thursday)- as the four friends were heading to different classes- Eriol caught up with Sakura. He walked along side her. A few feet from Sakura's next class, Eriol held her back.
"Hey," he started. Sakura cocked her head at him as to pose what he wanted, "Yes?"
A big gap between them, Eriol stepped back to let the other students pass. Then he narrowed the gap and the students proceeded to pass by behind him.
"How are you doing?" Sakura processed the question for a few seconds before replying,
"I'm good. How are you?"
Eriol looked her intently in the eyes.
"No, I mean... How are you doing?" She sighed. "I'm goo-ood. How...are...yo-ou," she said it slowly just so he understood her.
"Sakura-"
"What do you want me to say? 'I'm fine'? Well I'm not. I feel like sh-" She remembered that Eriol didn't like it when people cussed. She took a deep breath. "I'm upset and I'm so mad I want to punch someone,"
"So why all the acting? You don't have to put on a brave front-" he was interrupted by Sakura.
"Actually, I do. I don't want people stupid Syaoran worrying about me because then I'll feel guilty, won't I?"
"Sakura," Eriol placed a hand on her shoulder. She hugged him suddenly and began to cry. Eriol patted her comfortingly. When she let go of him, Sakura felt foolish. "Sorry,"
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Sakura's heart beat quickened. This was the first time after the break up that she and Syaoran were alone. There would always be Eriol or Tomoyo or even both but never just her and him. They were in her bedroom. He needed help with some assignments and she had offered to help him seeing as she had already handed hers in.
Syaoran watched his friend. She was a very pretty girl and even though they broke up, he was still attracted to her. He smiled suddenly. Sakura cleared her throat, feeling uneasy under his gaze. "Stop that," she said.
Syaoran grinned. "Stop what? I'm not doing anything,"
"You're looking at me,"
"You're looking at me,"
"I don't like it."
"You didn't complain when we were going out. If I remember correctly, you actually liked it," he smirked in satisfaction when Sakura blushed.
"Yes, well...that was then,"
"And if you will wear those shorts, 'Kura" he looked down at her slender legs and let his eyes travel up to meet her face.
Sakura frowned. "Oh puh-lease. Don't flatter yourself, honey. It's a hot day." Then she smiled and ran her hands over her thigh-skimming shorts. "You afraid you might not be able to control yourself again, Syao?" she said, referring to the incident at the park. Instead of blushing, Syaoran put a hand on her back and pulled her against him. "That's exactly what I'm afraid of," he whispered in her ear. He put his hand over hers and ran it down the side of her shorts before letting her go. Sakura swallowed. Her breathing turned shallow. She looked up at him; her eyes were set on his lips for a second. Beyond his teasing grin, Syaoran's eyes revealed a sense of seriousness.
Sakura placed a hand on his cheek, the other on his chest. Syaoran's grin faded and he closed his eyes. Her hand was warm under his skin. He could no longer help it and kissed her. He had missed the warm feeling he received when they kissed. He had missed the sweet scent of her skin and the way she put so much feeling into one single kiss.
He fell backwards onto her bed and Sakura was still kissing him, her hands either side of him on the bed. His hands were on her waist and travelled up her body. He pulled her down so she was on top of him, fully. Syaoran moaned his pleasure into the kiss as his hands found their way to her backside, crushing her into him. Sakura let out a small soft moan of approval and smiled into the kiss. Alas, their moment was interrupted by a very livid Touya who flung the door open and saw them at their not-so-finest hour.
The two teens turned their heads to the door and parted immediately; knowing the outcome of this could not and would not be good. As her brother was about to give Syaoran a thrashing, Sakura flung herself between them. "Daddy!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, knowing that this time Touya meant serious business. Startled, Fujitaka almost dropped his cup of tea to the floor. He put it on the table and hurriedly made his way up the stairs.
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"What were you thinking?"
Fujitaka had made sure no harm had come to Syaoran and sent him packing. Syaoran ran as fast as his legs could carry him and didn't look back once. Downstairs in the dining room, Fujitaka was preaching to his daughter and failed not to hint the importance of abstinence. Sakura turned pink with embarrassment.
"We weren't doing anything, daddy." Sakura said to her father.
"He had his grubby hands on your-all over you!" Touya remarked, cheeks flushing furiously. Sakura gave him daggers before turning to her father again.
"Daddy, nothing happened, honestly,"
"It would have if you had even one more minute alone with that son-of-a-"
"Touya," Fujitaka barked.
"Dad, forbid her from seeing him again!"
Fujitaka sighed and turned to Sakura. "What is going on here, anyway? I thought you and Syaoran had decided it would be best if you stayed friends?"
"We did,"
"Then what's-"
"It was one kiss. One kiss, daddy. It meant nothing." As she said the last word, Sakura's eyes lowered in gloom. She wished she hadn't even said it.
"Aw, come on, Dad; don't fall for this innocent act of hers. I told you, didn't I? That boy is no good. Just you wait the next time I see him, I'll-"
"You will do nothing. I'm glad that you are looking out for your sister but son, this is her life, not yours." He ruffled Sakura's hair. "And I believe in my daughter, she is not foolish. She takes after your mother in more ways than one,"
"It's not your precious Sakura I'm worried about," Touya mumbled.
"As for Syaoran Li, invite him to dinner some time Sakura," Touya almost choked on air.
"What?" "What!?" Sakura and Touya said at once.
"Yes," their father developed, "it will be a good opportunity to learn more about him. I'm sure he will not be as bad as you make him out to be, son," he concluded and sipped his tea while reading the newspaper; leaving his children to look at each other in uncertainty.
"(Stupid little bastard)" Touya grumbled as he walked around campus with his hands in his pockets. A few heads turned his way but he did not acknowledge them. Why did Sakura have to fall for such an ignorant, two-timing, prick of a boy? He had reasons for disliking the boy; it was not just out of spite. His hatred of Syaoran Li had developed long before he had noticed Sakura's change in attitude toward the boy.
Roaming around town with his friends, Touya often saw Li on what he could only account were dates with several young girls. He did not want his sister to be one of those girls. And if that boy truly cared for her like he said he did –and knowing how she felt about him- he would not do this to her. But he was just so...he was such a...
"...hypocrite," Touya told his comrade that day. "I trust him as much as I trust a rat with cheese," Yukito laughed.
"The question is: do you trust Sakura?" he said wisely. Touya lit up a cigarette and took a long puff. He exhaled furiously and watched the smoke pollute the air. "Not around him, I don't. She was lying on top of him, for fuck's sake!" he took another drag of the cigarette.
"It seems to me like you're being over-protective of Sakura. She's smart and old enough to look after herself. You need to face up to the fact that your baby sister's growing up," Yukito informed him. Touya dropped the cigarette. He put his hands back in his pockets and stamped on it.
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Tomoyo handed a can of Coke to her friend and sat back down on her bed. She took a sip of her own drink and laid it down on top of her desk. Grinning, she turned to Sakura and stifled a laugh.
"Shut up!" was Sakura's remark.
"I wish I could have seen the look on your faces when he walked in on you two," Tomoyo laughed. Sakura put down her drink. "So, what? Are you and Syaoran back tog-?"
"No. He's just-" the brown-haired girl sighed heavily. "He's probably with some other girl right now doing the exact same thing. He's taking the absolute piss, I know he is; but I can't help it Tomoyo; I liked it." She smiled and collapsed back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "It just felt so...right. His lips on mine, his hands on me, his scent on my skin...he gets me so-" Tomoyo looked at Sakura –who was hugging a pillow- and raised an eyebrow.
"-hot?" she giggled. Sakura let go of the pillow and smiled timidly. She sat back up and looked at her hands.
"What am I going to do?"
"How about control yourself?"
"You sound like my father. 'Abstinence'," she quoted. "I was ready to die,"
.
.
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"I know I shouldn't have kissed her, but I can't seem to have any control over my body around her!" Syaoran walked around in a circle and tried to make sense of things. "Why does she have to be so damn hot?" Eriol chuckled. "You think that's the reason?" Syaoran stopped walking. "What else? She's gorgeous. And a really good kisser,"
Not seeing the need for his cousin to inform him of this, Eriol asked "What did her brother say anyway?"
"He didn't. Oh Shit! He is going to kill me."
"For kissing her?"
Syaoran flushed. "Well, it didn't exactly look that innocent,"
"How innocent did it look?"
"She was kind of, like, on top of me on the bed and I kind of had my hands on her behind..."
"Ohh," Eriol's eyes widened. He stood up and placed a hand on Syaoran's shoulder. "It was nice knowing you," Syaoran tutted. "Cut that out." He resumed his circled walk. "I broke up with her so that I wouldn't lead her on and yet here I am- doing just that,"
.
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"Say," Tomoyo began, "how can two people who are so alike be so hostile toward each other?"
"Huh?" Sakura's eyebrows stitched up. Tomoyo rolled her eyes at her dim friend.
"Touya and Syaoran,"
"My brother and Syaoran? Alike? What are you on about?" She asked, looking at Tomoyo like she was crazy.
"Yes. Anyway, Touya doesn't like Syaoran because he refuses to believe that just because he comes from a wealthy family and is good-looking –and has had an uncountable number of girlfriends at any one time- that he isn't a good person and there's also the small reason that he doesn't want you going out with Syaoran for these very reasons.
Syaoran doesn't like your brother because he thinks that Touya is being prejudice towards him and enjoys tormenting him- which he so obviously does- and therefore hates that he has to prove himself to Touya. Then when he found out that you had feelings for him, he panicked and pushed you away; not wanting to give Touya yet another reason to dislike him." Tomoyo grinned sheepishly. "What did you think of my theory?" Sakura looked at her expressionlessly and blinked slowly. "This is me pretending to know what you're talking about. Anyway, what do I do with Syaoran?" when Tomoyo opened her mouth to give another remark, Sakura corrected herself. "About Syaoran; what do I do about Syaoran?" Tomoyo laughed right out.
"I think you need to let Syaoran know that he was the one who ended the relationship, not you; that he needs to stop taking advantage and let you move on," Sakura groaned. "Do I have to?" Tomoyo nodded. "It's for the best, Sakura. I know it seems harmless you two messing around like that, but what about when he goes with you one day and some other girl the next? You'll be devastated," Tomoyo's mobile phone beeped. "Which is why you have got to try and get past this now. I'm telling you in a few weeks time you'll be like, 'Syaoran, who?'" Sakura attempted a smile, "Yeah. Right."
Tomoyo picked up her phone and then handed it to Sakura. There was a text message from Jed on the mobile phone. Sakura read it out loud. "Hey babes, how are you doing? Football practice is going great. Missing you loads. Love, Jed. Kiss, Kiss, Kiss, Kiss, Kiss, ..." Tomoyo stopped her there. "Okay, okay," Sakura continued, "I gotta go. I'll phone you tonight," she handed the phone back to Tomoyo.
"You haven't told him yet?" Sakura asked.
"I'm waiting until he comes back- I don't want this affecting his game." Tomoyo explained. "I feel awful. I really like Jed and he's always been a good friend to me; but I know Eriol is the one," Sakura laughed softly. "Listen to you. 'The One' ha ha,"
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Syaoran had Sakura cornered at the lockers, his hand leaning against the wall beside her head. "You're the one who broke up with me, Syaoran. You need to stop taking advantage and let me move on," Sakura said in her utmost serious voice. Syaoran nodded and a couple of 'uh-huh, uh-huh's escaped his mouth.
"Want to make out?" he said when she had finished.
"Sure,"
"Really?" Syaoran's eyes brightened.
"No!" Sakura pushed him away gently and walked on. Syaoran followed behind. He stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets. "Alright, alright. I was only kidding. I'm sorry about what happened at yours as well,"
"What, the making out, getting caught or you running away bit?" Sakura smiled inwardly but it didn't show it in her voice. Syaoran took his hand out of his pocket and ran it through his hair. He laughed uneasily. "Yeah...sorry about that. I was-"
"Don't worry about it. You just stay out of Touya's way."
"You think I intentionally get in that tram-" he stopped himself. "Your brother's way?" Then, remembering what her father told her, Sakura stopped and turned to face him.
"Do you want to come to my house for dinner tonight?" Syaoran looked at her as though she had grown a second head.
"Uh, no."
"Tough, 'cause you're coming. 6.30pm don't be late; Touya's cooking today,"
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"Any family here in Tomoeda, Syaoran, or is it just yourself and your guardian?" Fujitaka asked, seemingly pleased with Syaoran. So far he had asked the young man about his family- His mother lived in Hong Kong with his four siblings (all older sisters); his father had passed away when Syaoran was but six, three years older than Sakura when her mother died, and Syaoran had decided it was for the best he move to a new place to avoid haunting memories, and accompanied by the family's loyal butler Wei, he came to Tomoeda where they had been stationed for six years.
"There's my older cousin, Eriol. I don't think you've met him, he's only just moved here recently," Syaoran's eyes slid over to Sakura to question her. She shook her head gently and smiled. Syaoran returned his attention to Fujitaka. He had been dreading this dinner but once he was introduced to Fujitaka and learned a bit about him, Syaoran was glad to have been invited.
He admired Sakura's father. He was a professor at University and taught Palaeontology- a subject which fascinated Syaoran tremendously. A fact which he did not let people know; he had a reputation to think of, of course. Besides, who in their right mind would have a bizarre interest in the fossils of mammals that existed over a billion years ago? None of his friends, that was certain.
"It's hard to believe we're even related, the way he acts,"
"Is that right?" Fujitaka asked. Syaoran took another bite of the delicious platter and nodded.
"Mmhm. He's a good guy and good fun when you get to know him, but he's quite an introvert. Full of wisdom, considering his age- how many seventeen-year-olds do you see acting like they've just walked out of the 19th century? Overall, he's one of the best friends a guy could ask for," Syaoran concluded.
Touya said nothing to Syaoran throughout the whole evening. He spoke only when spoken to by his father or when he felt the necessity to tease his sister with witty remarks. He contributed no more, no less. Sakura was not her usual boisterous self either. She smiled and acted in a courteous manner, though the only real banter was that of Syaoran and Fujitaka's.
Sakura watched attentively at the two. Her lips curved slightly at the cheerful look in Syaoran's eyes when he was chatting to Fujitaka. She knew what it was like to lose a parent and how it felt missing them. She liked seeing him happy. When they cleared the table and their guest had left the house, Sakura stood behind her father- who was sat back down on his chair- and put her arms around his neck. "Thank you, daddy," she said and kissed him on the cheek. Fujitaka smiled up at his daughter.
Touya gave Syaoran a head start and when he reached the next street he trailed behind him. Touya caught up to him and put a hand on his shoulder from behind. Syaoran figured that this was coming and didn't say anything. He held his head high and waited. Touya eyed him suspiciously. "Well? No wise-ass comments?" he asked mockingly. Syaoran didn't budge.
"Go on, if it makes you feel any better." He said before adding, "You know, I didn't force your sister to fall in love with me. I never even realised that there was a slight possibility. But if you want to stand there and blame me, go ahead."
Touya watched him, and extracted his arm behind him. Syaoran closed his eyes and Touya smiled. (A/n Touya smiled!! Ha ha!!) He patted Syaoran's cheek lightly and put his hands in his pockets before walking away. Syaoran opened his eyes and watched him, the moonlight leading him back home.
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When Touya walked into the house, Sakura looked cross with him. Her hands on her hips, she asked, "What did you do to him?"
"I don't know what you're talking about,"
"Yes you do. You've beaten him up again, haven't you?"
"I resent that. You make me out to be such an animal!" Touya grinned cheekily. He tousled her hair and then ran up to his room.
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(A/n Well, the title did speak for itself. Lol. So...what do you think? Good? Bad? Love it? Hate it? Tell me! REVIEW!! D)