CardCaptors
When the Last Teardrop Falls
Part: One
Chapter: Eleven
"I knew it!!" Madison cheered waving her hands high into the air. "I told you that you had a thing for Sakura, but NO!!" she continued happily.
"Madison..." Li began quietly.
"You had to deny EVERYTHING I say didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?!" Madison asked eagerly.
"Madison I..." Li made an another attempt to tell her something.
"Just wait until Sakura hears this, now there will be a story!" Madison giggled in excitement.
"Madison!!!" Li yelled in annoyance. Madison was silent.
"I just realized that I liked Sakura about half an hour ago," Li panted. "I've been having feelings all year, but I never knew what they meant until half an hour ago!" he added.
"What?!" Madison asked surprised and confused at the same time. "That has got to be the most lame excuse I've ever heard!" she stomped on her bed.
"But it's the truth Madison!" Li begged her to believe him. "But I need your help," he said reluctantly.
"Oh, so now you need my help, well well well," Madison teased feeling a bit superior towards Li.
"I'm serious Madison, Sakura..." Li began unsure if he should continue to tell Madison what his true feelings are. Li pushed away his fears and swallowed up his courage. "Sakura means a lot to me, and I don't know what I would do if she didn't feel the same way," Li confessed.
"Now that's...kawaii!" Madison sniffled. "You should tell her that..." she cried.
"I can't," Li took in a deep breath.
"And why not!?" Madison protested.
"I'm not ready yet," Li sighed sadly. "So promise me you won't tell her anything until I'm ready!" he begged.
"I promise," Madison replied very seriously.
"Just wait until I'm ready..." Li clutched his hands into a fist.
"Great!" Madison complained.
"Hey! You aren't not the one who has to do this!" Li argued.
"No, you do," Madison replied seriously. "So back to those feelings, how did you figure them out?" she asked curiously.
"Well after thinking about all we've been through, especially yesterday and today, the feelings just seemed to build up and become more clear to me," Li thought for a moment.
"Wait a minute...did you say...build up?" Madison rewound.
"Yes..." Li said nervously.
"So how long do you think you've been liking her?" Madison asked getting deeper into Li's personal life. Li was silent.
"Tell me please Li," Madison begged, but not in the teasing way. This time she was just as serious as Li. Li still didn't reply.
"Look Li, I understand that you're not used to opening up to people, but when we're dealing with my best friend Sakura, it goes deeper than that," Madison confessed. "So please, please tell me Li," she begged once more.
"I suppose it began a few months after I met Sakura," Li replied slowly.
"What?! so you have been denying it all these years!!" Madison burst in anger.
"No, I only realized it half an hour ago," Li reminded.
"Okay, I'm lost," Madison sighed.
"You know those feelings I've been having?" Li questioned trying to help Madison understand.
"Yeah..." Madison thought about the question.
"I think those were signs, but I've just been too obsessed with my Clow mission to actually stop to think about what they meant," Li continued. "They were telling me about Sakura, and the truth about how I feel towards her," he concluded.
"Oh, so everytime you had those feelings, you just pushed them out of your mind, because you and Sakura were strictly business," Madison said understanding Li a little more.
"Exactly," Li leaned back in relief.
"You're soo stupid..." Madison mumbled. "So, why are you telling me this and not Sakura again?" Madison asked going back to the original question. "Do you finally trust me?" she asked anxiously.
"No, I'm doing this for Sakura, she deserves to know the truth," Li corrected.
"Oh you sure know how to make a woman feel special," Madison said sarcastically.
"I'm sorry, I'm just really tense and nervous," Li shook his head.
"It's alright, I understand," Madison forgave him.
"Thanks Madison, I'm really glad you're with me on this," Li smiled thankfully.
"Now, since Christmas is coming up, what are you going to get her?" Madison asked throwing another question at him.
"Christmas?" Li asked in confusion.
"You know a Christmas present?" Madison rephrased her question.
"Present?" Li even more confused. Madison did an anime fall.
"Hello?" Li asked after hearing a loud thump coming from Madison's phone line.
"Okay, you don't get out a lot do you?" Madison rolled her eyes. Li was shocked that Madison used the same lines that Sakura used around him.
"Alright, you have to go get her a present before Christmas," Madison warned.
"What?! I don't know what to get her!" Li screamed worriedly.
"Fine, we'll go to the mall tomorrow and get her something nice okay?" Madison suggested.
"But the malls are closed tomorrow," Li bit his nails. Madison sweat dropped.
"Fine, on Monday, don't be so picky!" Madison grumbled.
"Oh, sorry," Li apologized after realizing how hard he was being on Madison.
"It's alright," Madison smiled. "You've changed a lot Li, I mean ever since we met you," she began. "Before I could never imagine you with Sakura, she was way too good for you," she continued.
"Thanks...I think..." Li mumbled.
"But now that you've changed, you have really proven yourself worthy of Sakura, you two have been through high and low, think and thin," Madison reminded. "Now, I really hope that you steal her heart, she needs a guy like you," she confessed.
"I'm glad you're supporting me," Li sighed.
"No problem Li," Madison smiled. "Well, see you on Monday," she reminded about to hang up the phone.
"Oh and Madison," Li called after her.
"Yeah Li?" Madison asked putting her ear back to the phone.
"Thank you," Li closed his eyes. Madison paused for a moment then began to smile slightly.
"No Li, thank you," Madison replied. "Bye,"
"Bye," Li smiled and hung up the phone.
Monday Afternoon, at the Mall...
"I think she might like this!" Madison yelped dragging Li to another store. Li moaned in annoyance after being pulled and shoved into another store.
"I've been into, possibly, every store in this mall!" Li comaplined.
"Stop whining, you know she is worth more than this anyway," Madison reminded. Li smiled at the sound and thought of Sakura's name.
"No, wait, she might like this better," Madison laughed pushing Li into another store.
'I could be wrong...' Li sighed as he followed Madison to yet another store. As they walked inside Madison heard some familiar voices. Soon she realized it was...
"I love this store Sakura!" she heard Chelsea scream.
"Run Li!" Madison tackled him out the store.
"What was that for?!" Li panted dusting off his pants.
"Sakura was in there!" Madison practically yelled to Li causing everyone at the mall to stare at the two. Li pulled Madison to a small corner of the mall.
"You should be a little quieter you know," Li rolled his eyes.
"Well, I was trying to help you," Madison pouted.
"Right, if Sakura didn't see us, she would probably HEAR us," Li crossed his arms.
"Do you want my help or not?" Madison glared at Li.
"I'm sorry Madison, I really do want your help, and I really do appreciate it!" Li quickly apologized. "I'm just really nervous and scared," he admitted.
"Aww...you're so cute," Madison smiled as she played with his cheeks. "I really like what Sakura has done to you,"
"I'm not a stuffed animal you know," Li mumbled.
"Let's go back to shopping, shall we?" Madison smiled linking arms with Li.
"Lead the way," Li played along. They began laughing to the next store.
"Li!" Madison called from behind a tall shelf.
"Yeah?" Li replied trying to follow the sound of her voice. "Where are you?" he asked looking through each aisle.
"I'm in the last one, I think I found something perfect for her!" Madison cheered.
"That's great! Let me see!" Li yelled anxiously as he ran to the last aisle. When Li reached the aisle, Madison quickly held up a small item to show Li. He grinned and nodded his head in agreement.
"It's perfect," Li smiled with a speechless expression on his face.
"Why thank you," Madison bowed proudly as she handed it to Li.
"I'll go pay for it, do you want to go catch a bite to eat afterwards?" Li suggested heading for the front of the store.
"That sounds fine to me," Madison shrugged.
They headed to the food court, it was packed with people. Finally Li and Madison found a spot to eat. They took turns guarding their seats while the other person went to go get their food. Li, of course let Madison get her food first. He grew to be a true gentleman during the past two years he spent in Japan. Life seemed to go by really fast. But soon it would all be over.
"I never knew how hard it was to shop for girls," Li sighed in his seat staring at his food.
"No, just the one you love," Madison shrugged still chewing her food. Li smiled but had no reason to argue with her.
"I still don't know how to thank you Madison," Li scratched his head in frustration. Madison put her utensils down and patted her mouth with a napkin.
"You really love and care for her don't you?" Madison gazed at Li seriously. He nodded with a twinkle of despair in his amber eyes.
"It's a story of Romeo and Juliet," Madison smiled. Li smiled back weakly. Madison noticed this and decided to go back to the original question.
"How to repay me huh?" Madison rubbed her chin. "Well, you could start by getting me what you got Sakura," she smiled. Li laughed.
"I would have to get you a blue one," Li played along as he began to cheer up. They both began to laugh enjoying eachothers company.
"Oh hi you guys," Chelsea greeted as she headed in their direction.
"Oh hi Chelsea," Madison smiled as Li nodded. Sakura peeked out from behind Chelsea with wide eyes that looked like they were going to flow with tears at any time. Li took one look into her eyes and switched from a shocked and speechless expression, to a sympathetic and sorry expression.
"Hey Madison, are you on a date with Li?" Chelsea teased eyeing the "couple."
"No," Li quickly replied still not being able to find the courage to take his eyes away from Sakura.
"I was just hanging out with him," Madison nodded her head agreeing with Li.
"Why didn't you call me?" Sakura asked looking at Li a little heartbroken.
"I...uh..." Li shook his head sadly.
"Um, hun," Madison mumbled waving her hand infront of Sakura. "Are you asking him, or me?"
"You," Sakura replied angrily.
"Then can you ASK me?" Madison rolled her eyes.
"Why do you care so much Sakura?" Chelsea asked a little cluelessly. Sakura gazed at Li for a moment, a little hurt from the scene. There was a slight pause before she answered.
"I don't" Sakura shook her head turning away from Li. Li felt like there were a million knives piercing through his heart at that very moment.
"I guess we'll see you guys around," Sakura waved giving them a weak smile and left.
"Sakura, is sooo in love with you Li," Madison giggled. Li slowly turned to Madison, giving her a very angry glare.
"She thinks I'm in love with YOU," Li groaned trying to pull out his hair.
"But didn't you hear the questions she asked?! And her face at all?!" Madison tugged on the coller of Li's shirt. "She was sooo jealous!" she cheered.
"ARE YOU MAD OR JUST INSANE!?" Li lost his temper. Everyone in the food court stared at the odd couple. Li quickly calmed down.
"The girl of my dreams, think that I'm going out with her best friend," Li clutched his fists. "Now tell me, is that good or bad," he mumbled through his gritted teeth.
"It could be both..." Madison shrugged. Li gave her a blank expression, trying to resemble what exactly was on her mind.
"I'm going home," Li concluded and sat up from his seat.
"But Li, you can't," Madison stood up.
"Watch me," Li replied coldly and began to walk to the exit. Madison grabbed his sleeve.
"All this, for Sakura?" Madison asked in confusion.
"Anything for Sakura," Li nodded shaking away Madison's grasp and continued walking.
"She loves you," Madison assured him. Li stopped walking, but didn't turn around. He stood tall and confident, taking in a deep breath.
"Not from where I'm standing," Li sighed opening the door slowly.
"She just doesn't realize it yet," Madison paused, "Just like you didn't," she concluded. Li stood there motionless for a few more seconds, then walked out the door.
"What has come over me?" Li asked himself as he walked home. He kicked some pebbles along the walkway in frustration. "One minute I think I don't like Sakura, and finally when I do admit it, I go all gaga!" he yelled outloud. Li stomped his feet on the ground in anger. "All this, for Sakura?" he doubted himself. Li slowed down his pace and took in deep breaths. "It's all worth it, but I feel like it's going too fast, I can't seem to control myself though," he sighed looking up at the sky. "Nobody said love was easy, you have to give up many things, take many risks, and perhaps hurt someone too," Li concluded thinking of the way he's been acting lately. Li thought of Meilin for a moment. "I'm sorry,"
"Li!" A familiar voice called out. Li stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around to see the most beautiful pair of emerald eyes stare right back at him.
"Oh hi Sakura," Li smiled. Sakura slowed down her running to a simple stroll until she stood face to face with Li. She just stood there staring right at him with a shine of sadness deep within her eyes. He studied her eyes and he too grew sad.
"Is there something wrong?" Li asked worriedly. There was a slight pause, as if she had already answered the question earlier.
"Madsion, are you and Madison," Sakura stumbled over her words, not wanting to say what should've been said. Li gave her a surprised expression and quickly answered.
"No, no, I wouldn't Sakura, never," Li assured her he waved his hands around to express his frustration.
"Then what was that back there at the food court," Sakura asked putting her hands around her waist awaiting an answer.
"She was helping me out with something, really Sakura it was nothing," Li reached for her hand feeling like he owed her an apology somehow. Sakura then realized what was happening and blinked rapidly, as if she were waking up from a daydream.
"Oh, Li, I'm sorry, what was I thinking, I don't know what cam over me," Sakura quickly apologized as she drew her palm to her head to check her temperature. Li lowered his head in disappointment but somehow brought up enough courage to put on a weak smile.
"It's okay Sakura," Li tried to smile. "I know what you mean," he concluded and walked away. Sakura reached out for Li, wanting to apologize for her last statement, but it was too late. She stood there staring at the dark figure until he was no longer in sight. Sakura slowly fell to her knees and wept softly.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sakura woke up fairly late that morning, because she did catch that much sleep the night before. She spent basically the whole night thinking about what happened at the mall and at the park the day before. She also couldn't get her mind off of Li. Flashes of Li's face flew past her and through her mind the whole day. She simply couldn't get him off her mind! She had wanted to apologize more than anything in the world to him, but she had obviously said something to make Li walk away. She just couldn't figure out what. Sakura was still half-asleep on her bed when she heard a loud sound of tintinnabulation. Sakura slowly dragged her lifeless body to the side of her bed, and lazily picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Sakura muffled.
"Sakura?" Madison asked nervously.
"Oh, hi Madison," Sakura tried to sit up on her bed, but only found herself on the ground.
"I heard that, are you alright?" Madison laughed.
"Just peachy, I just feel like I came out of the rinse cycle of my dish washer," Sakura moaned as she tugged on her blanket as if she were climbing a mountain.
"I called yesterday, but Tori said you were asleep already, is something wrong?" Madison asked worriedly.
"Don't ask me questions like that," Sakura grumbled. "You're just taking advantage of the fact that I'm half-asleep," she continued rolling onto her bed. "You know I'm liable to telling you things that I don't want to tell you when I'm like this," she concluded.
"If you could remember that, I guess you aren't as asleep as you claim you are," Madison laughed. There was a slight pause.
"Huh? What did you say?" Sakura sniffled.
"Nevermind, I was wrong..." Madison sweat dropped. "I heard you sniffling, were you crying yesterday?" she changed the subject.
"Just a little bit," Sakura admitted.
"What happened?" Madison asked curiously.
"I know I'm going to regret telling you this," Sakura sighed. "But it's what happened with Li yesterday," she continued.
"Oh my gosh," Madison gasped. "What happened,"
"We just got into a little arguement, then near the end, I think I said something that must have gotten him upset so he left," Sakura concluded.
"Well what exactly happened?" Madison asked in great interest. Sakura told Madison the whole story. Every time Sakura told her what she had said, Madison gasped.
"Yeah, so that's basically what happened," Sakura concluded extremely tired.
"Whoa..." Madison sighed sadly. She thought about how Li probably felt that whole time. 'Poor guy...' Madison thought. 'Only if Sakura knew...'
"Why did you take it so badly though?" Madison asked hoping to get the reaction both Li and herself would want to hear.
"I don't know," Sakura thought. "I guess it just hurts me to see him like that, I mean after all we've been through, I've never seen him so upset, and I'd hate to be the one to make him feel that way," Sakura admitted. Madison smiled, finally her friend was getting the picture.
"Yeah, you two have been through a lot haven't you?" Madison reinforced Sakura's feelings. "Like when you captured the Freeze Card," she reminded. Sakura was silent and tried to remember exactly what had happened.
*Flashback*
"One, Two, One, Two," Sakura counts quickly hoping it'll help with her balance as the Freeze Card flows behind her.
"Watch out!!" Li screams pushing her out of harms way. They slide on the rink safely.
"Thank you Li," Sakura says worriedly holding on to him as they stand up.
"Nevermind, just seal the card," Li remindes her.
"Yeah," Sakura nodds confidently. She sees the card coming towards them right behind Li.
"Watch it!!" Sakura screams pushing Li out of the way. Sakura gets attacked by the card and goes flying high into the air falling straight to the hard ice below.
"Sakura!" Li yells in horror watching his partner fall. He then skates up to the card and attempts to break the ice. Sakura slowly goes back onto her feet and uses the Jump Card to attack it. The Freeze Card attacks Sakura, pushing her back onto the rink and sliding into an ice wall. Li quickly runs to her aid.
"Get up!" Li beggs. The ice slowly begins to crawl onto her arm.
"No!!" Li cries out and begins to puch the ice away. "Come on!" he grunts in frustration. "Let go!" he yells punching the ice relentlessly as it spreads along her feet. Sakura moans in pain as she begins to wake up.
"Sakura get up!" Li says shaking her while letting her sit up. "You have to seal the card!"
"What?" Sakura asks half dazed.
"Listen, I'm going to draw freeze out," Li begins telling her his plan. "You go look for a chance to seal it," he concluded as he gets up to skate. Sakura nodds and begins to stand up, getting ready to seal the card when it comes her way. Li goes ahead and skates towards the card. The card sees Li and immediately goes after him.
"Here it comes, ready?" Li warned Sakura as he turned the corner quickly approaching her. He began to skate faster dodging each and every blow that surfaced from the solid ice below him. He quickly turned from left to right, barely missing the previous attacks. Sakura stood tall and strong clutching the sealing wand in her hands, waiting for the chance to finally seal it.
Li is quickly approaching Sakura, almost falling over but he is almost to his destination, with the card still gaining. Sakura sees Li getting closer and raises her wand in the air ready to seal freeze. Li quickly breaks left leaving the card to go right for Sakura. Freeze raises from below the surface presenting itself to Sakura.
"Seal it!" Li yells coming to a complete stop.
"Freez Card...Return to your Power Confined!" Sakura commands. Slowly the head of the card begind to break off, and the reast off it's body follows until it materializes into a Clow Card. It floats away from Sakura and goes to Li. They looked at eachother with relief in their eyes and smile.
*End Flashback*
A smile came upon Sakura's face, and she felt like she was going to cry.
"Yeah," Sakura laughed as a tiny teardrop fell from sparkling emerald eyes and slowly glided down her cheek. "Li was so brave and determined to capture that card," she continued to laugh at the memory. "...and to keep me out of harms way..." Sakura concluded slowly then paused. Madison smiled in relief, she knew that Sakura would soon figure out her feelings for Li.
"What's wrong Sakura?" Madison asked with a small grin upon her face.
"Li, he means a lot to me Madison, I guess I just never took the time to realize it," Sakura thought in a dream state.
"What are you saying Sakura?" Madison asked anxiously. Sakura paused for a moment, trying to choose her words.
"I'm saying, that without Li, there will forever be an emptiness inside of me," Sakura confessed. Madison took in a deep sigh of relief.
Finally her two best friends in the whole world were getting the big picture. Even though the two realized their feelings for eachother, Madison knew that there would still be many more complications left to over come. This may have seemed to make things easier; but then again it added a lot more problems to the situation.
'Let's hope love will conquer all...' Madison sighed nervously.
~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~
Well I hope most of you are happy now! Finally they realize their feelings for eachother,
it's just ashame that they didn't tell eachother...HEY! it's better than nothing. HA! poor Madison
is caught in the middle of it all, and she can't tell either of the two even though they both like
eachother, but that's just the way I'm writing it so...DEAL!
Well I'd like to thank everyone who read this chapter for putting up with all my other
boring ones. I really really appreciate it! I hope you enjoyed this one, and please tell me what
you thought of it in your review.
*Ahem* In the next chapter, it's the day before Christmas Eve. Aww how nice. Li and Sakura
haven't seen eachother for a long time and Li thinks that Sakura is ignoring him. Actually she is
sooo in love with him that she can't bear to be around him. Confused? GOOD! Then read it!
*Ahem* Also Meilin finds out about Li's feelings for Sakura, how does she take it? I don't
like Meilin much, but after writing this part, I do feel a little sorry for her.
*Ahem* After talking things out with Meilin, Li feels forced to confess his secret to Madison.
But what secret? And how will she take it? Two Words: READ ON!
When the Last Teardrop Falls
Part: One
Chapter: Eleven
"I knew it!!" Madison cheered waving her hands high into the air. "I told you that you had a thing for Sakura, but NO!!" she continued happily.
"Madison..." Li began quietly.
"You had to deny EVERYTHING I say didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?!" Madison asked eagerly.
"Madison I..." Li made an another attempt to tell her something.
"Just wait until Sakura hears this, now there will be a story!" Madison giggled in excitement.
"Madison!!!" Li yelled in annoyance. Madison was silent.
"I just realized that I liked Sakura about half an hour ago," Li panted. "I've been having feelings all year, but I never knew what they meant until half an hour ago!" he added.
"What?!" Madison asked surprised and confused at the same time. "That has got to be the most lame excuse I've ever heard!" she stomped on her bed.
"But it's the truth Madison!" Li begged her to believe him. "But I need your help," he said reluctantly.
"Oh, so now you need my help, well well well," Madison teased feeling a bit superior towards Li.
"I'm serious Madison, Sakura..." Li began unsure if he should continue to tell Madison what his true feelings are. Li pushed away his fears and swallowed up his courage. "Sakura means a lot to me, and I don't know what I would do if she didn't feel the same way," Li confessed.
"Now that's...kawaii!" Madison sniffled. "You should tell her that..." she cried.
"I can't," Li took in a deep breath.
"And why not!?" Madison protested.
"I'm not ready yet," Li sighed sadly. "So promise me you won't tell her anything until I'm ready!" he begged.
"I promise," Madison replied very seriously.
"Just wait until I'm ready..." Li clutched his hands into a fist.
"Great!" Madison complained.
"Hey! You aren't not the one who has to do this!" Li argued.
"No, you do," Madison replied seriously. "So back to those feelings, how did you figure them out?" she asked curiously.
"Well after thinking about all we've been through, especially yesterday and today, the feelings just seemed to build up and become more clear to me," Li thought for a moment.
"Wait a minute...did you say...build up?" Madison rewound.
"Yes..." Li said nervously.
"So how long do you think you've been liking her?" Madison asked getting deeper into Li's personal life. Li was silent.
"Tell me please Li," Madison begged, but not in the teasing way. This time she was just as serious as Li. Li still didn't reply.
"Look Li, I understand that you're not used to opening up to people, but when we're dealing with my best friend Sakura, it goes deeper than that," Madison confessed. "So please, please tell me Li," she begged once more.
"I suppose it began a few months after I met Sakura," Li replied slowly.
"What?! so you have been denying it all these years!!" Madison burst in anger.
"No, I only realized it half an hour ago," Li reminded.
"Okay, I'm lost," Madison sighed.
"You know those feelings I've been having?" Li questioned trying to help Madison understand.
"Yeah..." Madison thought about the question.
"I think those were signs, but I've just been too obsessed with my Clow mission to actually stop to think about what they meant," Li continued. "They were telling me about Sakura, and the truth about how I feel towards her," he concluded.
"Oh, so everytime you had those feelings, you just pushed them out of your mind, because you and Sakura were strictly business," Madison said understanding Li a little more.
"Exactly," Li leaned back in relief.
"You're soo stupid..." Madison mumbled. "So, why are you telling me this and not Sakura again?" Madison asked going back to the original question. "Do you finally trust me?" she asked anxiously.
"No, I'm doing this for Sakura, she deserves to know the truth," Li corrected.
"Oh you sure know how to make a woman feel special," Madison said sarcastically.
"I'm sorry, I'm just really tense and nervous," Li shook his head.
"It's alright, I understand," Madison forgave him.
"Thanks Madison, I'm really glad you're with me on this," Li smiled thankfully.
"Now, since Christmas is coming up, what are you going to get her?" Madison asked throwing another question at him.
"Christmas?" Li asked in confusion.
"You know a Christmas present?" Madison rephrased her question.
"Present?" Li even more confused. Madison did an anime fall.
"Hello?" Li asked after hearing a loud thump coming from Madison's phone line.
"Okay, you don't get out a lot do you?" Madison rolled her eyes. Li was shocked that Madison used the same lines that Sakura used around him.
"Alright, you have to go get her a present before Christmas," Madison warned.
"What?! I don't know what to get her!" Li screamed worriedly.
"Fine, we'll go to the mall tomorrow and get her something nice okay?" Madison suggested.
"But the malls are closed tomorrow," Li bit his nails. Madison sweat dropped.
"Fine, on Monday, don't be so picky!" Madison grumbled.
"Oh, sorry," Li apologized after realizing how hard he was being on Madison.
"It's alright," Madison smiled. "You've changed a lot Li, I mean ever since we met you," she began. "Before I could never imagine you with Sakura, she was way too good for you," she continued.
"Thanks...I think..." Li mumbled.
"But now that you've changed, you have really proven yourself worthy of Sakura, you two have been through high and low, think and thin," Madison reminded. "Now, I really hope that you steal her heart, she needs a guy like you," she confessed.
"I'm glad you're supporting me," Li sighed.
"No problem Li," Madison smiled. "Well, see you on Monday," she reminded about to hang up the phone.
"Oh and Madison," Li called after her.
"Yeah Li?" Madison asked putting her ear back to the phone.
"Thank you," Li closed his eyes. Madison paused for a moment then began to smile slightly.
"No Li, thank you," Madison replied. "Bye,"
"Bye," Li smiled and hung up the phone.
Monday Afternoon, at the Mall...
"I think she might like this!" Madison yelped dragging Li to another store. Li moaned in annoyance after being pulled and shoved into another store.
"I've been into, possibly, every store in this mall!" Li comaplined.
"Stop whining, you know she is worth more than this anyway," Madison reminded. Li smiled at the sound and thought of Sakura's name.
"No, wait, she might like this better," Madison laughed pushing Li into another store.
'I could be wrong...' Li sighed as he followed Madison to yet another store. As they walked inside Madison heard some familiar voices. Soon she realized it was...
"I love this store Sakura!" she heard Chelsea scream.
"Run Li!" Madison tackled him out the store.
"What was that for?!" Li panted dusting off his pants.
"Sakura was in there!" Madison practically yelled to Li causing everyone at the mall to stare at the two. Li pulled Madison to a small corner of the mall.
"You should be a little quieter you know," Li rolled his eyes.
"Well, I was trying to help you," Madison pouted.
"Right, if Sakura didn't see us, she would probably HEAR us," Li crossed his arms.
"Do you want my help or not?" Madison glared at Li.
"I'm sorry Madison, I really do want your help, and I really do appreciate it!" Li quickly apologized. "I'm just really nervous and scared," he admitted.
"Aww...you're so cute," Madison smiled as she played with his cheeks. "I really like what Sakura has done to you,"
"I'm not a stuffed animal you know," Li mumbled.
"Let's go back to shopping, shall we?" Madison smiled linking arms with Li.
"Lead the way," Li played along. They began laughing to the next store.
"Li!" Madison called from behind a tall shelf.
"Yeah?" Li replied trying to follow the sound of her voice. "Where are you?" he asked looking through each aisle.
"I'm in the last one, I think I found something perfect for her!" Madison cheered.
"That's great! Let me see!" Li yelled anxiously as he ran to the last aisle. When Li reached the aisle, Madison quickly held up a small item to show Li. He grinned and nodded his head in agreement.
"It's perfect," Li smiled with a speechless expression on his face.
"Why thank you," Madison bowed proudly as she handed it to Li.
"I'll go pay for it, do you want to go catch a bite to eat afterwards?" Li suggested heading for the front of the store.
"That sounds fine to me," Madison shrugged.
They headed to the food court, it was packed with people. Finally Li and Madison found a spot to eat. They took turns guarding their seats while the other person went to go get their food. Li, of course let Madison get her food first. He grew to be a true gentleman during the past two years he spent in Japan. Life seemed to go by really fast. But soon it would all be over.
"I never knew how hard it was to shop for girls," Li sighed in his seat staring at his food.
"No, just the one you love," Madison shrugged still chewing her food. Li smiled but had no reason to argue with her.
"I still don't know how to thank you Madison," Li scratched his head in frustration. Madison put her utensils down and patted her mouth with a napkin.
"You really love and care for her don't you?" Madison gazed at Li seriously. He nodded with a twinkle of despair in his amber eyes.
"It's a story of Romeo and Juliet," Madison smiled. Li smiled back weakly. Madison noticed this and decided to go back to the original question.
"How to repay me huh?" Madison rubbed her chin. "Well, you could start by getting me what you got Sakura," she smiled. Li laughed.
"I would have to get you a blue one," Li played along as he began to cheer up. They both began to laugh enjoying eachothers company.
"Oh hi you guys," Chelsea greeted as she headed in their direction.
"Oh hi Chelsea," Madison smiled as Li nodded. Sakura peeked out from behind Chelsea with wide eyes that looked like they were going to flow with tears at any time. Li took one look into her eyes and switched from a shocked and speechless expression, to a sympathetic and sorry expression.
"Hey Madison, are you on a date with Li?" Chelsea teased eyeing the "couple."
"No," Li quickly replied still not being able to find the courage to take his eyes away from Sakura.
"I was just hanging out with him," Madison nodded her head agreeing with Li.
"Why didn't you call me?" Sakura asked looking at Li a little heartbroken.
"I...uh..." Li shook his head sadly.
"Um, hun," Madison mumbled waving her hand infront of Sakura. "Are you asking him, or me?"
"You," Sakura replied angrily.
"Then can you ASK me?" Madison rolled her eyes.
"Why do you care so much Sakura?" Chelsea asked a little cluelessly. Sakura gazed at Li for a moment, a little hurt from the scene. There was a slight pause before she answered.
"I don't" Sakura shook her head turning away from Li. Li felt like there were a million knives piercing through his heart at that very moment.
"I guess we'll see you guys around," Sakura waved giving them a weak smile and left.
"Sakura, is sooo in love with you Li," Madison giggled. Li slowly turned to Madison, giving her a very angry glare.
"She thinks I'm in love with YOU," Li groaned trying to pull out his hair.
"But didn't you hear the questions she asked?! And her face at all?!" Madison tugged on the coller of Li's shirt. "She was sooo jealous!" she cheered.
"ARE YOU MAD OR JUST INSANE!?" Li lost his temper. Everyone in the food court stared at the odd couple. Li quickly calmed down.
"The girl of my dreams, think that I'm going out with her best friend," Li clutched his fists. "Now tell me, is that good or bad," he mumbled through his gritted teeth.
"It could be both..." Madison shrugged. Li gave her a blank expression, trying to resemble what exactly was on her mind.
"I'm going home," Li concluded and sat up from his seat.
"But Li, you can't," Madison stood up.
"Watch me," Li replied coldly and began to walk to the exit. Madison grabbed his sleeve.
"All this, for Sakura?" Madison asked in confusion.
"Anything for Sakura," Li nodded shaking away Madison's grasp and continued walking.
"She loves you," Madison assured him. Li stopped walking, but didn't turn around. He stood tall and confident, taking in a deep breath.
"Not from where I'm standing," Li sighed opening the door slowly.
"She just doesn't realize it yet," Madison paused, "Just like you didn't," she concluded. Li stood there motionless for a few more seconds, then walked out the door.
"What has come over me?" Li asked himself as he walked home. He kicked some pebbles along the walkway in frustration. "One minute I think I don't like Sakura, and finally when I do admit it, I go all gaga!" he yelled outloud. Li stomped his feet on the ground in anger. "All this, for Sakura?" he doubted himself. Li slowed down his pace and took in deep breaths. "It's all worth it, but I feel like it's going too fast, I can't seem to control myself though," he sighed looking up at the sky. "Nobody said love was easy, you have to give up many things, take many risks, and perhaps hurt someone too," Li concluded thinking of the way he's been acting lately. Li thought of Meilin for a moment. "I'm sorry,"
"Li!" A familiar voice called out. Li stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around to see the most beautiful pair of emerald eyes stare right back at him.
"Oh hi Sakura," Li smiled. Sakura slowed down her running to a simple stroll until she stood face to face with Li. She just stood there staring right at him with a shine of sadness deep within her eyes. He studied her eyes and he too grew sad.
"Is there something wrong?" Li asked worriedly. There was a slight pause, as if she had already answered the question earlier.
"Madsion, are you and Madison," Sakura stumbled over her words, not wanting to say what should've been said. Li gave her a surprised expression and quickly answered.
"No, no, I wouldn't Sakura, never," Li assured her he waved his hands around to express his frustration.
"Then what was that back there at the food court," Sakura asked putting her hands around her waist awaiting an answer.
"She was helping me out with something, really Sakura it was nothing," Li reached for her hand feeling like he owed her an apology somehow. Sakura then realized what was happening and blinked rapidly, as if she were waking up from a daydream.
"Oh, Li, I'm sorry, what was I thinking, I don't know what cam over me," Sakura quickly apologized as she drew her palm to her head to check her temperature. Li lowered his head in disappointment but somehow brought up enough courage to put on a weak smile.
"It's okay Sakura," Li tried to smile. "I know what you mean," he concluded and walked away. Sakura reached out for Li, wanting to apologize for her last statement, but it was too late. She stood there staring at the dark figure until he was no longer in sight. Sakura slowly fell to her knees and wept softly.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sakura woke up fairly late that morning, because she did catch that much sleep the night before. She spent basically the whole night thinking about what happened at the mall and at the park the day before. She also couldn't get her mind off of Li. Flashes of Li's face flew past her and through her mind the whole day. She simply couldn't get him off her mind! She had wanted to apologize more than anything in the world to him, but she had obviously said something to make Li walk away. She just couldn't figure out what. Sakura was still half-asleep on her bed when she heard a loud sound of tintinnabulation. Sakura slowly dragged her lifeless body to the side of her bed, and lazily picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Sakura muffled.
"Sakura?" Madison asked nervously.
"Oh, hi Madison," Sakura tried to sit up on her bed, but only found herself on the ground.
"I heard that, are you alright?" Madison laughed.
"Just peachy, I just feel like I came out of the rinse cycle of my dish washer," Sakura moaned as she tugged on her blanket as if she were climbing a mountain.
"I called yesterday, but Tori said you were asleep already, is something wrong?" Madison asked worriedly.
"Don't ask me questions like that," Sakura grumbled. "You're just taking advantage of the fact that I'm half-asleep," she continued rolling onto her bed. "You know I'm liable to telling you things that I don't want to tell you when I'm like this," she concluded.
"If you could remember that, I guess you aren't as asleep as you claim you are," Madison laughed. There was a slight pause.
"Huh? What did you say?" Sakura sniffled.
"Nevermind, I was wrong..." Madison sweat dropped. "I heard you sniffling, were you crying yesterday?" she changed the subject.
"Just a little bit," Sakura admitted.
"What happened?" Madison asked curiously.
"I know I'm going to regret telling you this," Sakura sighed. "But it's what happened with Li yesterday," she continued.
"Oh my gosh," Madison gasped. "What happened,"
"We just got into a little arguement, then near the end, I think I said something that must have gotten him upset so he left," Sakura concluded.
"Well what exactly happened?" Madison asked in great interest. Sakura told Madison the whole story. Every time Sakura told her what she had said, Madison gasped.
"Yeah, so that's basically what happened," Sakura concluded extremely tired.
"Whoa..." Madison sighed sadly. She thought about how Li probably felt that whole time. 'Poor guy...' Madison thought. 'Only if Sakura knew...'
"Why did you take it so badly though?" Madison asked hoping to get the reaction both Li and herself would want to hear.
"I don't know," Sakura thought. "I guess it just hurts me to see him like that, I mean after all we've been through, I've never seen him so upset, and I'd hate to be the one to make him feel that way," Sakura admitted. Madison smiled, finally her friend was getting the picture.
"Yeah, you two have been through a lot haven't you?" Madison reinforced Sakura's feelings. "Like when you captured the Freeze Card," she reminded. Sakura was silent and tried to remember exactly what had happened.
*Flashback*
"One, Two, One, Two," Sakura counts quickly hoping it'll help with her balance as the Freeze Card flows behind her.
"Watch out!!" Li screams pushing her out of harms way. They slide on the rink safely.
"Thank you Li," Sakura says worriedly holding on to him as they stand up.
"Nevermind, just seal the card," Li remindes her.
"Yeah," Sakura nodds confidently. She sees the card coming towards them right behind Li.
"Watch it!!" Sakura screams pushing Li out of the way. Sakura gets attacked by the card and goes flying high into the air falling straight to the hard ice below.
"Sakura!" Li yells in horror watching his partner fall. He then skates up to the card and attempts to break the ice. Sakura slowly goes back onto her feet and uses the Jump Card to attack it. The Freeze Card attacks Sakura, pushing her back onto the rink and sliding into an ice wall. Li quickly runs to her aid.
"Get up!" Li beggs. The ice slowly begins to crawl onto her arm.
"No!!" Li cries out and begins to puch the ice away. "Come on!" he grunts in frustration. "Let go!" he yells punching the ice relentlessly as it spreads along her feet. Sakura moans in pain as she begins to wake up.
"Sakura get up!" Li says shaking her while letting her sit up. "You have to seal the card!"
"What?" Sakura asks half dazed.
"Listen, I'm going to draw freeze out," Li begins telling her his plan. "You go look for a chance to seal it," he concluded as he gets up to skate. Sakura nodds and begins to stand up, getting ready to seal the card when it comes her way. Li goes ahead and skates towards the card. The card sees Li and immediately goes after him.
"Here it comes, ready?" Li warned Sakura as he turned the corner quickly approaching her. He began to skate faster dodging each and every blow that surfaced from the solid ice below him. He quickly turned from left to right, barely missing the previous attacks. Sakura stood tall and strong clutching the sealing wand in her hands, waiting for the chance to finally seal it.
Li is quickly approaching Sakura, almost falling over but he is almost to his destination, with the card still gaining. Sakura sees Li getting closer and raises her wand in the air ready to seal freeze. Li quickly breaks left leaving the card to go right for Sakura. Freeze raises from below the surface presenting itself to Sakura.
"Seal it!" Li yells coming to a complete stop.
"Freez Card...Return to your Power Confined!" Sakura commands. Slowly the head of the card begind to break off, and the reast off it's body follows until it materializes into a Clow Card. It floats away from Sakura and goes to Li. They looked at eachother with relief in their eyes and smile.
*End Flashback*
A smile came upon Sakura's face, and she felt like she was going to cry.
"Yeah," Sakura laughed as a tiny teardrop fell from sparkling emerald eyes and slowly glided down her cheek. "Li was so brave and determined to capture that card," she continued to laugh at the memory. "...and to keep me out of harms way..." Sakura concluded slowly then paused. Madison smiled in relief, she knew that Sakura would soon figure out her feelings for Li.
"What's wrong Sakura?" Madison asked with a small grin upon her face.
"Li, he means a lot to me Madison, I guess I just never took the time to realize it," Sakura thought in a dream state.
"What are you saying Sakura?" Madison asked anxiously. Sakura paused for a moment, trying to choose her words.
"I'm saying, that without Li, there will forever be an emptiness inside of me," Sakura confessed. Madison took in a deep sigh of relief.
Finally her two best friends in the whole world were getting the big picture. Even though the two realized their feelings for eachother, Madison knew that there would still be many more complications left to over come. This may have seemed to make things easier; but then again it added a lot more problems to the situation.
'Let's hope love will conquer all...' Madison sighed nervously.
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Well I hope most of you are happy now! Finally they realize their feelings for eachother,
it's just ashame that they didn't tell eachother...HEY! it's better than nothing. HA! poor Madison
is caught in the middle of it all, and she can't tell either of the two even though they both like
eachother, but that's just the way I'm writing it so...DEAL!
Well I'd like to thank everyone who read this chapter for putting up with all my other
boring ones. I really really appreciate it! I hope you enjoyed this one, and please tell me what
you thought of it in your review.
*Ahem* In the next chapter, it's the day before Christmas Eve. Aww how nice. Li and Sakura
haven't seen eachother for a long time and Li thinks that Sakura is ignoring him. Actually she is
sooo in love with him that she can't bear to be around him. Confused? GOOD! Then read it!
*Ahem* Also Meilin finds out about Li's feelings for Sakura, how does she take it? I don't
like Meilin much, but after writing this part, I do feel a little sorry for her.
*Ahem* After talking things out with Meilin, Li feels forced to confess his secret to Madison.
But what secret? And how will she take it? Two Words: READ ON!