Hanging by a Moment

Chapter 4

Disclaimer:

Yeah…if I had the cash I would buy CCS—thing is I don't.

Author's Notes:

Don't ask me why I have a sudden interest in this fic. I'm currently stuck with a big chunk of writers block for Of Lions and Dragons so… this fic is just a bit easier and less complicated. Oh yeah and don't bother telling me I spelled 'nandemonai' wrong…I know already, ne? I just happened to find that error in the first two chapters. And there are two ways to spell Meiling's name…I just like adding the 'g' better, okay? I know I spelled her name differently in the beginning of the fic. Yeah…okay…I'm done.

Chapter 4

Mizuki Kaho stirred from her light slumber and allowed herself a slight yawn. Turning her attention to the window at her side, she lifted the covering and smiled upon the dark expanse of ocean stretching beneath the plane. The obsidian night was almost indistinguishable from the looming sea below and as her eyes darted about the plane, she beheld most of her students in a light slumber. She had not even remembered how she was placed with a majority of her former students, "Just luck I guess…" Kaho thought happily to herself, a soft smile breaking her lips.

But it is said that happy moments don't last forever. The sensei lost the contented demeanor of the previous moment and suddenly frowned upon two students seated a few rows behind her. These two students had never been in her class before; they must have transferred while she had been in England. Masayuki Keizo and Hazuki Akemi. Trouble. Bad feelings and contempt simply radiated from them.

But then, her gaze traveled to the opposite aisle. The two young people seated here could not be any more different from the previous pair looked upon with a hint of disdain. Kaho smiled inside and out, these two were certainly some of her brightest gems.

Li Syaoran, the once icy and cold young Leader of the Li Clan. He had transferred to Tomoeda in the fourth grade and by the time Kaho had landed a position as his teacher, he had already begun to develop a sort of protectiveness of Sakura.

Sakura. The one seated next to the young sorcerer. With her bright emerald eyes and innocent nature, one would not expect her to wield such tremendous power as that which lay inside the Cards of Sakura. But she did. And she had successfully completed her destiny, maybe gaining such things that she would never have anticipated. Kaho began to giggle quietly. Syaoran sat slightly slouched down in his seat, his head almost level to that of Sakura who sat up completely straight, legs tucked under her body. The young sorcerer's ocher eyes were averted slightly to the side, ocher depths scanning the young woman next to him with nothing other than admiration and….It was almost as if he was not looking at her but rather into her. Into her soul; something he surprisingly seemed to know very well. The pair had a quite touching way of constant understanding, mostly unspoken. She turned away from her silent watching and returned to her light slumber.

Syaoran smiled gently, he could not explain it but he felt content to just gaze at Sakura. It was not that he cared only for her looks, to him she was beautiful, yes, but he loved her.

Who she was, what she did for people.

What she did for him.

He watched her and allowed himself a small chuckle, secretly thanking the gods she was wearing headphones, eyes closed listlessly, mouth forming the words to whatever song she was listening to.

Sakura began to relax a bit. The tune of the song was just so comforting; though still not nearly as comforting as Li Syaoran, her secret love sitting a mere few inches from her own body. ((AN: If anyone is curious, the song Sakura is listening to is Yubiwa from Escaflowne the Movie. Hehehe such a great movie)) Gradually, Sakura lost sense of where she was, the only thing present was the feelings; soon her mouth began to form the words to the song.

Namidaga atokara afuredashite
Saigono egaoga nijinde mienaino
Ikanaide ikanaide kokoni ite
Sora e hikari kakenukete iku

Afterward, tears started to overflow
I could not see the last smile because of the blur
Don't go, don't go, stay here
Run past the light and ascend to the sky

Konnani chiisana watashi dakedo
Anata wo dareyori seiippai aishita
Arigatou ikutsumono taisetsuna kimochi
Tewatashite kuretayone

Even though I am such a small thing
I loved you more than anyone
Thanks for your many endearing thoughts
Which you gave to me

Sonnatoki zutto watashiwa
Kiekaketa hikoki-kumo wo miteita

At that time I was
Watching the gradually disappearing contrail

Wasurenaide hitorijanai
Hanaretemo te wo tsunaideiru
Hajimeteno koi hajimete shitta
Konna kanahimiga arukoto

Don't forget, you are not alone
Even though we are far apart, we are together
I found I fell in love for the very first time
I learned the depth of sadness

Nanikaga shoumetsushitemo nanikaga futatabi yadotte                                                                                                              Wakareni kureta hohoemiwa tsuyoku ikiyou to iu
Anatakarano messeji

When something is lost, something else replaces it                                                                        The memory of your parting smile gives me strength to live
A message from you

Itsu kitto aeru futari naraba
Tookutemo hitomi mitsume au
Kibouto yumeno subete wo kakete
Yakusoku wo shiyou yo
Anohino hageshisa wo daite
Ashita saku mirai wo ikiru

Surely we will meet again
and from a distance will recognize each other in a glance
in all our hopes and dreams
Lets make this promise
clinging to the strong memory of that day
I can look forward and live

Syaoran blinked and raised his head off his hands. Only moments before Sakura had been silent, tilting her head to and fro in soundless motions. Now a beautiful song left her lips, and quite honestly he was entranced. ((AN: I don't know if Sakura-chan would sound as lovely as Yoko Kanno did when singing that song but let's just pretend, ne?)) The young sorcerer gazed lovingly to the woman at his side. Her voice had been adorable when younger, but with age it had blossomed beautifully. Syaoran almost hated to cease the exquisite melody leaving Sakura's lips. With obvious mischievousness, the amber-eyed young man lifted the headphones from Sakura's ears and chuckled when she continued singing.

"…It looks like someone has memorized her lyrics."

Sakura stopped mid breath and a crimson red blush tinted her cheeks. Only deepening in intensity as she found her eyes gazing deeply into the tawny orbs of Syaoran; shining with a supremely impish gleam. "Syaoran-kun!" Sakura exclaimed blushing. She playfully punched his arm and pouted when it seemed to take no effect on the young man. "Mou…"

Syaoran chuckled in response to the irresistibly adorable mope Sakura gave him and fought hard to keep back his growing blush. Sakura's bottom lip protruded slightly and she faintly pressed her top teeth into the flesh. Wide emerald eyes gazing up to him in a silent plea. She reached for her headphones.

And Syaoran raised both of his arms above his head, removing them from the Card Mistress's reach.

Sakura got to her knees and reached for them again.

This time Syaoran darted his arms to his right.

Sakura was not expecting this. From her position on her knees she figured she would have just leaned into Syaoran's strong arms. However, the strong support she had anticipated suddenly darted away and she found herself falling forward, twisting mid-fall and landing on her back. Right in Syaoran's lap. ((^_^))

Syaoran gasped and blinked.

Sakura gasped and blinked.

Someone mumbled from an adjacent aisle. "Mou…get a room."

Sakura then let a devilish little smile turn up the corners of her mouth.

Syaoran arched an eyebrow. "Nani? What are you smiling about?"

The teen sorceress sat up but didn't leave her position. Instead she draped her legs sideways over Syaoran's lap. Still sporting the elfin grin, Sakura giggled. "I think you did that on purpose."

Syaoran immediately blushed deep red and began to stutter. This one time, however, Sakura was not oblivious. She watched in confusion as the pink tint rose to her handsome friend's face. What was this? Was he blushing? Becoming flustered and embarrassed over her? She cocked her head to the side as he managed to stammer. "N-Nani?! That's rid—I would never—you—and then—and I just…" Syaoran trailed off as Sakura began giggling and returned to her own seat. He blinked, then closed his eyes as realization hit him. "Sakura…you're just messing with me, aren't you?"

The cheerleader giggled again. "Hai. It's simply too fun to pass up."

"I'll get you back for it." Syaoran stated crossing his arms and praying his pink cheeks were not betraying his mind.

Sakura raised an eyebrow skeptically and reached her fingers over to Syaoran's washboard stomach; vaguely visible through the thin material of his t-shirt. He was praying to the gods that she would not tickle him.

The warrior felt his muscles tremor from her touch and he silently wondered if she discerned it. Then all at once, a memory came flashing back to him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"But I can't…" Syaoran's warm amber held a look of forlorn sadness. "I've been trained to handle all sorts of things but…rejection was never one of them."

"Who says you'll be rejected?!" Meiling exclaimed, immediately clamping her hand over her mouth as she received a swift kick in the leg and a warning look from Tomoyo.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Gaining a bit of confidence, Syaoran grasped Sakura's slender hand and smirked as she gasped. This time he saw the blush coloring her cheeks. Grasping her other hand in his strong one, he raised them both above her head and twisted her gently against him. Her back pressing into his stomach, head against his chest. His fiery eyes flickered with a playful fire and he breathed low against her ear. "I will get you back, Sakura…that's a promise."

Sakura's breath quickened and she could do nothing but stare into the eyes of her former captor. He had turned her immobile and she had no intention of leaving her position. Almost tenderly, Sakura brushed her fingertips along Syaoran's cheek and he unintentionally closed his eyes in bliss. Sakura had not expected that to happen. Was this the payback? Was he only pretending? Or did the touch of her fingertips upon his skin really do so much to the warrior? It hurt to think that this was not real. It hurt so much, a physical aching throbbed within her chest and she closed her eyes, willingly drifting to sleep on Syaoran's chest. "Kami-sama…onegai, one day make my dreams reality. It—it hurts so much, onegai.." Sakura uttered one last word before falling to sleep. "Syaoran…"

She said  it with such feeling and emotion that the warrior in question actually stopped breathing. Her hand slowly drifted from his face and he caught it gently before it fell to her side. "This hurts…Kami-sama it hurts—an indescribable ache. Why? Why do you taunt me? Having her this close knowing I can't have her…"

Syaoran contemplated his succeeding action carefully. No would know. Just one little kiss. He bowed his head and faintly pressed his lips to Sakura's forehead. The girl stirred in her sleep, an idyllic smile adorning her lips.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"S-sugoi…" Meiling and Sakura dropped their bags to the floor and gaped open mouthed at the suite they were sharing with Tomoyo. It was no doubt the most elaborate room in the entire hotel, compliments of Daidouji Sonomi making sure her daughter and Sakura were 'quite comfortable'.  The walls were painted a soft pale blue and white paneling ran around the perimeter of the room, covering the bottom half of the walls. When one entered, there was a small dining area to the left and a living room to the right; complete with a video game console, DVD player, and a surround stereo system. The carpets were a plush pink and the couches were covered in a tropical floral pattern. Daidouji Tomoyo brushed past her two friends with a smile and motioned for them to follow her into the suite.

"Tomoyo-san…isn't this a bit…" Meiling cleared her throat and once again scanned what was visible of the extravagant suite with her ruby eyes. "….extravagant?"

Sakura nodded from the doorway and ran her fingertips over the tropical carvings engraved on the furniture. "Hai…this room is big enough for five people, Tomoyo-chan…"

Tomoyo shook her head vehemently, violet girls springing back and forth. "Iie…okaa-san insisted we stay here." She paused and winked at her friends. "Ne, would you like to see your rooms?"

Meiling and Sakura nodded as they followed Tomoyo down a long hallway branching off straight from the entranceway. Tomoyo stopped in front of one door and opened it onto a room decorated in red prints and various Chinese design. "Meiling-chan, this is your room."

"Wai!" The young raven-haired woman exclaimed flopping onto the bed and gazing up at the ceiling. Her ponytails strung out about her, she turned to Tomoyo in the doorway. "You've had some time to plan this haven't you?"

"Hai!" Tomoyo quipped. She then proceeded down the hallway with Sakura in tow and opened another door decorated in lilac and lavender. A wide screen TV took almost an entire wall and Sakura giggled.

"Let me guess, this is your room, ne Tomoyo-chan?"

Tomoyo nodded and shut the door behind them as they continued down the hallway. The last door at the end of the hall opened by Tomoyo's hand and revealed a room relating to no one better than its new occupant. The walls were pale pink, the carpet a pearly white. A queen-sized bed rested cattycorner in a small niche and a bureau and vanity table rested against the other walls. While Sakura could only gape open mouthed at her overgenerous bedroom, the amethyst-eyed artist could only smile and tread softly over to the glass doors adjacent to the bed, opening them onto the sultry zephyrs of the Bahamas. "We each have a balcony, a private bathroom and phone access." Tomoyo said from the balcony turning to her best friend. "Something wrong?"

Sakura was gazing confusedly to the queen-sized bed. "Why do we need such big beds?"

The aspiring artist laughed and did not answer her friend at first. Before she exited the room however she whispered. "Just in case Li-kun wants to drop by for a visit."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"HOEEEEEE! TOMOYO-CHAN! TOMARE!"

Syaoran raised his head from unpacking as a certain audible scream passed through the walls; he chuckled slightly to himself. "At least I know I'm not the only one that Daidouji picks on…" He stopped unpacking and frowned. "But I'm sure it's for a different reason, she would never pick on Sakura about me, ne?" Syaoran shrugged his shoulders and fell back to his bed gazing up at the ceiling. His room was every bit as elaborate as the girls; he was just used to it. ((AN: For god's-sake he lives in a damn mansion)) He stared at the door that connected him to somewhere in the girls' room. Just one knock…just to see whose room it was. With a sigh, he raised himself off the bed and gently padded over to the door on bare feet, knocking once. Footsteps were barely audible from the other side and Syaoran gasped when the door opened to reveal a figure in the doorway…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN: Hahahaha what a retarded cliffhanger, ne? Gomen ne minna-san I'm in a 'mood' right now so…yeah. I decided to add a word bank and all but I'm really tired so if I mess up don't yell at me.

Mou --- sheesh ((used to express frustration))

Nani --- what ((questioning, duh))

Hai --- yes

Kami-sama --- kami means divine, sama is lord ((kami are also spirits))

Onegai --- please

Sugoi --- awesome, amazing, wow etc ((u get the drift))

Iie --- no

Ne --- used at the beginning of the sentence it's like 'Say, did you" = "Ne, did you''/ Used at the end of the sentence to get someone to agree with you

Wai --- woohoo, yay etc.

Tomare --- stop

Minna-san, I have only a week and a half left of summer so I guess I didn't write as much fanfics as I promised, huh? *Sighs* Oh well, high school sux but…yeah….maybe my sophomore year will be better, I don't know. So I'll try to write as much as I can but I don't know how heavy the homework load will be so don't start chucking tomatoes if a chapter isn't up in a decent amount of time, okay? Okay! *goes into chibi-mode* I'm going to sleep now, oyasumi!