Author's Note: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thanks to all those who gave me such wonderful reviews! I thoroughly appreciate them. It's what keeps me excited about writing! I'm sorry about not getting the last chapter out that quickly. I actually had it written and ready to go two days after I posted my first chapter, but I had to figure out a different method to upload my new chapter so it took a few more days. (Long story.) Once again, please remember that I am super busy with school etc. but will try to write as much as I possibly can whenever I get the chance. Anyway, since I know you are all eager to read more…here is Chapter 3!
"I'll see you tomorrow my Cherry Blossom," he whispered into her ear. She reluctantly eased her grip on his shirt and so he leaned up and placed a kiss gingerly on the top of her forehead. He couldn't be sure, but he could swear that her lips curved up ever so slightly into a small grin.
Summer cont'd
By Shayna
The sun filtered through the glass double doors in Sakura's room, awakening her from a blissful slumber. She stretched out dazedly, slowly opening her eyes to the world that had long since been awake. Memories of the night before slowly came back and she wondered how she had gotten up to her bed. She remembered watching TV and figured that she must have fallen asleep on the couch. A slightly crimson shade rose in her cheeks as she wondered whether her dreams of Syaoran carrying her off to bed and whispering into her ear could really have happened. Quickly, she dismissed the thought as wishful thinking. Either way, she had somehow ended up in her bed.
Looking beside her, she realized that Tomoyo was not present. This left her even more puzzled. She quickly scanned the room to find that she wasn't present anywhere. This was when her eyes finally met the greetings of the outside.
She gasped as she slowly got up and padded her way over to the doors of the balcony, pulling them open. As she stepped into the sunshine, she closed her eyes, savoring the warm feeling of the sun streaming across her face. Opening her eyes again, she took in the lovely view around her. Green eyes met green trees and green grass, and then, crystal blue water of the lake, which was surprisingly farther from the cabin than she had originally thought the night before.
"Wow," she whispered to herself, admiring the absolutely stunning scenery surrounding her. There wasn't another soul or trace of one anywhere in sight. It was simply nature in its purest form. She smiled broadly at the thought of being in the midst of such beauty.
However, she soon brought herself back from whatever cloud she was floating on and decided to head back inside to find the others. Of course, this would be after a shower and a change of clothes. She was still in her old clothes from the day before.
Downstairs, Eriol and Tomoyo were snuggled on the couch watching TV, leaving Syaoran in the kitchen with the task of cooking breakfast for everyone. He was currently contemplating what to make while rummaging through the contents of the fridge and cabinets as well as the variety of cooking utensils he had to work with. Deciding not to go overboard, he picked the always-practical pancakes and got to work.
All clean and dressed, Sakura proceeded down the stairs.
"Ohayo minna!" she greeted cheerily.
"Nice to see you awake, finally, Sakura," greeted an amused Tomoyo.
"Hey! I just happen to enjoy sleeping very…mmmm! What's that smell?"
"Syaoran's cooking us breakfast!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
"If you're hungry, I'm sure you'll find something appetizing right through that door," pointed Eriol suggestively. Sakura gave him a quizzical look but then proceeded through the door to the kitchen.
As soon as Sakura was through the door, Tomoyo was off like a shot fetching her camera and sneaking to the other door to the kitchen to tape through a small crack.
"Ohayo Sakura," said Syaoran without turning around. He had sensed her aura long before she walked down the stairs that morning and had easily felt her enter the room.
"It is a good morning isn't it? And whatever it is you're making smells delicious, Syaoran."
"Thanks," he said, turning towards her for the first time that morning to flash a small smile at her. Just that little smile made her heart do flip-flops. The only thing she could think of to do was smile back.
She was gorgeous when she smiled. No, she was gorgeous no matter what, but that bright smile could make any man's heart melt like ice cream on a sunny day. In fact, her smile was like a sunny day. She could brighten an entire house with the light from her smile.
He then noticed her outfit. It would never amaze him how wonderful she could look in something so simple. She was wearing a baby blue spaghetti strap top with khaki shorts and simple white tennis shoes, her key pendant strung about her neck. Her hair was in a simple style and some of her hair in the front fell carelessly in front of her eyes. He wished he could run his fingers through it and inhale its wonderful fragrance, but he doubted he would ever get the chance to. Last night had been the closest he had ever gotten to her. Had anyone else looked at her that morning in that kitchen, they may not have thought her to be anything special. But to him, she was a sight to behold.
"So, what are you making?" she questioned him curiously.
"Food."
"I know that, baka. Could you be a little more specific?"
"Breakfast," he answered with a slight smirk.
"I know that, too! What kind of breakfast?" She asked him with growing urgency.
"The kind that you eat," he added with growing amusement at her frustration.
She finally got fed up and wandered up to the stove he was bent over.
"Ah, ah, ah! No peaking until I'm done," he smiled, obstructing her view.
She tried to get around him, but to no avail. It was like he knew every move that she was going to make. She tried using her arm to shove him away, but he easily caught it and spun her slightly so that she was facing away from him. He then encircled his arms around her waist and brought her close to him. He leaned his mouth close to her ear.
"I said no peaking," he whispered. A shiver ran the length of her spine as she felt his warm breath against her neck and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks.
A muffled squeal was inaudible to the two as Tomoyo covered her mouth before she could shriek, "Kawaii!"
Syaoran slowly released Sakura and turned back to his cooking.
"Well, I guess I could let you help me with breakfast," he said, quickly changing the…um, rather interesting atmosphere in the room.
"Really?" she asked, slightly hopeful.
"Sure. Why not? You can set the table."
"Syaoran!"
He chuckled at her. "Fine," she grumbled in protested agreement. She wandered around the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets and drawers until everything was set up.
"Almost ready," stated Syaoran.
"It's about time."
"Hey! Cooking is an art."
"Blah blah blah. Just hurry up and dish out the pancakes."
"Don't you…hey! How did you know I was making pancakes?"
"I'm not a complete moron, Syaoran. And I know you better than you may think." She smiled with satisfaction at puzzling the Almighty Syaoran.
"Want a taste? They're hot off the grill," Syaoran asked.
"Yeah!" Sakura replied enthusiastically.
"Okay. Open your mouth and close your eyes and you will get a big surprise," he recited the child's limerick. She did as instructed and he cut off a small piece and stabbed it with a fork. There she was, standing still in the kitchen with mouth open and eyes closed. All he could do was grin at her anticipation.
"No peaking this time," he teased.
"Alright already!" She was once again growing impatient just standing there with her eyes closed.
Finally, he placed the small piece in her mouth and she concealed it with her lips.
"Mmmmm…" She savored the taste as she chewed.
"You can open your eyes now."
She did, and blushed slightly.
Tomoyo was trying her very hardest not to make a peep while taping such a scene. She was holding her breath and covering her mouth at the same time, turning slightly blue. Had the moment lasted any longer, she may just have burst from sheer delight.
Syaoran turned back to the kitchen counter and handed Sakura the small platter of warm pancakes, which she deposited on the kitchen table.
"TOMOYO! ERIOL! BREAKFAST!" she called loudly. Tomoyo just about jumped through the roof, but made her way around to the front door of the kitchen after carefully putting her camera away.
Soon enough the four friends were around the table, enjoying the food and talking about this and that.
"So, what do you guys want to do today, now that we're all settled in?" Sakura asked.
"Well, I hear that these woods are absolutely gorgeous and that there are a few trails around here that we could easily find and follow," answered Tomoyo.
"Doesn't sound so bad," commented Eriol.
- "I think the fresh mountain air will do us all some good," said Sakura.
"I guess I'm up to a nature walk," agreed Syaoran, happy to go anywhere with Sakura.
"It's settled then. A nature walk it is," Tomoyo confirmed
They set out about a half hour later and followed the rocky path that they had driven in on until they met a sign which said "Highway and Nature Trails" with arrows pointing in their respective opposite directions. They walked a little farther until they met another sign with arrows pointing down different paths. One was for a mountain trail, another for a forest trail, and the other for a river trail. Not feeling up to an uphill hike, they agreed on the forest trail and headed up the small dirt path.
It was clearly evident that not many people came through often, for the trail was sprouting grass and in some cases completely covered in green. Everything surrounding the trail seemed untouched by humans at all.
They walked in peaceful silence for a while, enjoying the sunshine and the beauty of the nature around them. Eriol reached out and grasped Tomoyo's hand pulling her close to him. She leaned gently against his side as they walked, a calm smile adorning her lips.
Syaoran watched Eriol in envy, wishing that Sakura would be willing to lean against him if he ever mustered up the courage to make a move. He knew he wouldn't, at least not now, but he would gladly accept her in his arms nonetheless.
Sakura caught a glimpse of the happy couple and secretly wished that Syaoran would be that openly loving towards her some day. But she knew it was just wishful thinking and decided it was best not to torture herself over it. Still, it was a nice thought.
"It's hard to admire the true beauty of nature when you're suck in the city all the time," thought Sakura aloud.
"Yeah," said Tomoyo, "I was excited when my mom said she had bought a cabin up here and I couldn't wait to get up to see it. But I wasn't expecting it to be so soon, and I definitely wasn't expecting this. This is better than anything I could ever have imagined it to be. It's perfect."
"It wouldn't be as perfect if I wasn't here with you, Tomoyo," remarked Eriol.
"You know you don't have to sweet-talk me," blushed Tomoyo, "but I can't say that I don't like it," she finished.
"Syaoran, you haven't said much. What do you think?" asked Tomoyo, redirecting the attention away from herself.
"I think it's a shame that not everyone gets to see this. Maybe if they could see for themselves just how magnificent nature is by itself, they would stop tearing it down and destroying it. I just hope that places like this will still be around for future generations to see."
The whole group agreed and thought deeply about it to themselves when they reached a fork in the trail. There was a sign that said, "Trails meet up 1 mile," with a picture showing that there were two separate trails that merged again a little ways up.
"You don't mind if Eriol and I go up one trail on our own, do you?" Tomoyo asked, innocently enough. But anyone who was looking carefully enough should have been able to spot the little red devil-Tomoyo hovering just above her shoulder with a suspiciously mischievous grin plastered on its evil-intending face.
Feeling too guilty to deprive the two from their time alone, Sakura and Syaoran reluctantly agreed, much to the delight of Tomoyo and an equally smug Eriol.
The auburn-haired duo headed down the trail on the right while Eriol and Tomoyo took the one on the left. As soon as they were out of earshot, Eriol spoke up.
"I'm surprised that your little plan worked, Tomoyo."
"Do you dare doubt the all powerful Matchmaker Tomoyo?"
"Not anymore. I'm just glad it worked."
"Yeah. They deserve to be together."
"I wasn't talking just about them," he whispered as he leaned in close to her. She blushed slightly but greeted his invitation as he enclosed her lips with his.
So whaddya think? Questions? Comments? Complaints? I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as I possibly can. I hope you liked it! Thanks again for all of the wonderful reviews! I really appreciate it. Oh, one more thing: I'm sorry, but I won't e-mail you when I post a new chapter. I'd love to write and get to know you all, but I don't want to give out my e-mail address to anyone. I'm a strictly anonymous writer. Sorry.
