Chapter Twenty-seven

Fireworks

Syaoran started to laugh.

"You've lived your whole life in this town, Sakura... but I knew you wouldn't know this place."

Sakura snorted and gave him a little punch with her helmet to his belly. He grunted and took it out of her hands, stowing them both on the seat of the motorbike.

Meanwhile, she surveyed the curious place where they were.

It was a small hill, there were still houses only a few hundred metres back that were already lit up because it had gotten dark.

But the road ended and had turned into a dirt path, ending where Syaoran had left the motorbike. Just ahead it was all grass, on the sides there were some trees and she could see that there was a cliff at the end of it all.

"Wait for me there, I'll be right with you," he muttered, pointing to the grassy area in front of the cliff.

Sakura started walking on the grass and cursed under her breath as one of her heels sank into the wet ground. She heard his laughter and saw him reach forward to place some sort of huge blanket on the ground. Then he went to her, picking her up and carrying her there in his arms.

"I'll be back in a minute," he said, leaving a kiss on her lips.

She nodded, blushing slightly because she had been in his arms. Sakura noticed that she could see the end of Tomoeda in the distance, and a little further away were the lights of a nearby town. In less than a minute Syaoran was sitting next to her, two cans of beer in his hand.

"We can drink a toast now that your parents are gone," he added, extending one to Sakura.

"Where did you get them?"

"I saw that they were left over from the school party, and I thought no one would notice if I took a couple of cans."

Sakura rolled her eyes. They both laughed and toasted. He pulled out his phone to check the time.

"It has to start soon."

"What?" Sakura asked curiously.

"You'll see. Just look towards that village in the distance."

Sakura leaned on his shoulder. It was a little windy and her dress was very thin, so she felt a chill.

"Are you cold?" Syaoran asked, touching her arms.

"A little."

He moved to stand behind her, taking off his jacket and covering her shoulders with it before wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her left shoulder.

"You've always been so thoughtful with me," Sakura murmured as she slipped her arms through the sleeves of his jacket.

"I know. I should have realised earlier that I was acting this way with you because I had strong feelings for you."

"Weren't you like this with Meiling and Natsumi?" she asked, puzzled.

Syaoran shook his head.

"Only with you. Ever since I met you, you've been very special to me... you know that."

She smiled, kissing his cheek.

"I like the way you smell, Syaoran. I've always liked it," she murmured, closing her eyes and smelling his jacket.

"And I like yours," he whispered, nuzzling his nose into her hair.

There was a small explosion and Sakura opened her eyes, a little startled. A circle of bright red light had just appeared just above the village Syaoran had said.

"Are those fireworks?" she asked with a smile.

More started to appear. Each one was a different colour and shape and lit up much of the sky with their bright colours.

"Yes, I saw them last year from my house and thought I'd watch them with you this time. I hear they launch them every year on this day, I guess they're having a party there today."

"I love it" Sakura replied, touching the arms around her until she intertwined her hands with his.

The two stood in silence, watching the light show until it ended a few minutes later.

"You were planning on bringing me here, weren't you?" Sakura asked, turning to look Syaoran in the eye.

"Yes, for days now."

She pursed her lips, looking away.

"Is this your place to bring the girls?" she asked, feeling a little annoyed.

Sakura heard a soft chuckle from Syaoran as he noticed the jealous tone in her voice.

"No. I've known this place for a few months and I've always come alone."

"And how did you find it?"

Syaoran twisted his face, grimacing.

"I found it one day, when I was sad and didn't want to go home. I was riding around Tomoeda on my motorbike until I ended up here."

"Why didn't you come to my house if you were feeling unwell?" she asked, frowning.

"Because that was the day I told you I was in love with you," Syaoran said, sighing.

Sakura felt a pang in her heart and looked down.

"I'm sorry... I'm sure you had a terrible time, and I couldn't comfort you."

Syaoran lifted her chin with one hand, forcing her to look at him.

"It doesn't matter now. Everything turned out well in the end and we're together," he replied before kissing her.

Sakura lost herself in his lips, until she remembered how late it was.

"I have to go home. My parents will be waiting for me, and Touya knows I'm with you."

He growled under his breath.

"That fucking brother of yours gets under my skin. He never lets us be together."

She couldn't help but laugh at seeing Syaoran so angry.

"Think about how soon we'll be far away from here, and no one will be able to keep an eye on us anymore."

He smirked, imagining his new life in Tokyo where he would share a flat with his two best friends and could be with Sakura as much as he wanted.

"I can't wait."

Sakura smiled back.

"Take me home," she asked, startled as she looked at the time on her wristwatch.

"I have something for you first," he said, reaching into the pockets of the jacket Sakura was wearing.

Syaoran pulled out a small white packet and handed it to her. Sakura furrowed her brow, puzzled by the gift, and opened it by tearing the paper.

A small silver ring fell on her skirt. She picked it up and looked at it carefully, very surprised.

"It's exactly the same as the one you gave me a while ago," Syaoran murmured, showing her the ring he was wearing on his finger.

Sakura saw that he was right. The ring had their names on the inside and on the outside their initials, exactly the same as on his. She put it on her finger and it fit her perfectly.

"It's my size... how did you know?"

"Touya gave me one of your rings a few days ago to know your size, so I got it right," he admitted, laughing a little.

Sakura hugged him tightly, sighing.

"I like it a lot, but... if they see us with the same ring, they'll realise that we're together."

She heard a snort from Syaoran.

"I don't think anyone will look at it enough to notice... and besides, I don't care. Let them all find out," he growled in annoyance.

"Don't say that, Syaoran. If my parents find out, they might force me to study in a city other than Tokyo to keep me away from you."

Syaoran rolled his eyes, sighing.

"Okay, I'll keep it until we leave Tomoeda," he agreed, pulling away from her.

Sakura took off the ring and handed it to Syaoran, who put it back in his jacket.

"I'm sorry. You know I'd love to wear it, but..."

"Yeah, I know. I hate your parents more and more, they're so controlling," Syaoran muttered angrily.

He stood up, taking Sakura in his arms again and taking the blanket as well, walking back to where he had left his motorbike.

Fifteen minutes later, Syaoran stopped the motorbike outside Sakura's house. She had just gotten off when Nadeshiko came out into the garden, a sign that she was waiting to see her arrive.

"You're late," the woman said as she opened the gate.

Sakura sighed and Syaoran gritted his teeth.

"We went for a drink to celebrate our high school days being over," Sakura replied, handing her helmet and the jacket back to Syaoran.

"It was a non-alcoholic drink, right?" Nadeshiko asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," Syaoran mumbled in a deep voice.

Sakura could tell he was annoyed, but luckily Nadeshiko didn't know him that well.

"Be careful with the traffic, Syaoran. By the way, I really liked your mother. She seems like a very nice woman."

He nodded, getting back on the bike.

"Goodnight," he muttered before starting it up.

Sakura watched him leave and walked into the house behind her mother.

"I don't mind if you go with him for a drink, but let me know so I don't worry," Nadeshiko said as they climbed the stairs.

"I didn't realise what time it was, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, but don't let this happen again," Nadeshiko replied, patting Sakura's head.

She went into her room and closed the door. As soon as she disappeared, Sakura pouted.

"And it's only ten o'clock at night. I'm old enough to come back a little later," she growled, dropping her shoes by her bed.

Just as she had changed into her pyjamas, she heard the door to her room opening and saw Touya walking in.

"Are you going to scold me too?" Sakura asked, annoyed.

Touya shook his head and sat down on the bed next to her. He looked down at her hands, frowning.

"He didn't give it to you?" he asked in a whisper.

Sakura sighed.

"Yes, but I couldn't keep it. If mom or dad sees it they'll get suspicious, and I can't hide it here either because they might find it in one of their secret checks."

Touya snorted.

"I know... I'm jealous, I want to go to Tokyo and get out of here too."

She smiled, draping an arm around his shoulders.

"You'll be coming there with me in two years. Besides, they'll let you come visit me from time to time."

"Can I go? Really?" Touya asked, his eyes sparkling.

"Of course, but only if you promise to stop watching Syaoran's every move."

Touya snorted again.

"All right... I'll trust him and think that he'll treat you well. I know he's a good boy, but I don't want anyone to make you suffer."

"Syaoran won't hurt me, he loves me too much for that," Sakura said, leaning her head on her little brother.