FALL PLAY
by Daidouji Tomoyo

DISCLAIMER: (gotta love these! = P) Card Captor Sakura/Cardcaptors © CLAMP/Kodansha. "Fall Play" is a fanfic written by----- ME! This story takes place sometime during the series (or maybe an alternate scene..?)--- Meiling and Eriol are present in this, both are students along with Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, and others at Tomoeda Elementary School.

To the readers/reviewers: Dude.... didn't know that would give me tons of reviews... j/k! =P Don't worry, more mush (yeah right... I'm not good at mush =P) coming right up.... ^^;;

Here's a little Japanese lesson concerning how you write people's names... =P (someone actually emailed me telling me how "wrong" I am when I write the characters' names ... welp, for someone who studied Japanese for four years, I might as well write this down--- this little Japanese people's names rule of thumb thing... or whatever you call it):

+ if you're Japanese and when you write your name in Japanese script AND when you mention it in the everyday Japanese language, LAST NAME goes first before the first name.
+ if you're Japanese and when you write a foreign name in Japanese script AND when you mention it in the everyday Japanese language, FIRST NAME goes first before the last name.
+ if you're Japanese and when you write a name that has a FOREIGN FIRST NAME and a JAPANESE LAST NAME in Japanese script AND when you mention it in the everyday Japanese language, FIRST NAME goes first before the last name.
+ if you're Japanese and when you write a Japanese name AND when you mention it while speaking in English or in some other language, it's acceptable to have either LAST NAME going first or FIRST NAME going on first--- though most likely, FIRST NAME would go first.

In other words, to that person who emailed me my "mistake," Eriol Hiiragizawa's name is mentioned with his FIRST NAME first before his last name. Thank you.


Also, I've gotten kinda lazy looking for people with good S + S fics so I can host 'em on my site.. if you have a really good S + S fic and would like it to be part of my little S + S fanfic archive, go visit my site Cherry Blossom, Little Wolf at http://kinomoto.nu/cblw. I know I plugged this already at the bottom but then again... please visit...? ^^; Thanks much! In addition, I made up a mailing list form in the site too, so go visit and sign up if you want to have email updates regarding my fics and the site. ^_^

Thanks for the reviews, minna-san! I really do appreciate it. ^_^
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CHAPTER 9: All The World's a Stage

Tomoyo came over my house tonight to pick me up so we can head to the school auditorium for our final meeting. And as usual, she always had that worried look on my face.

I know that I haven't been completely honest, but I have been trying to avoid the Syaoran-Meiling kissing subject ever since that horrible day. I avoided Tomoyo and the others everytime they tried to bring up the subject, plus I even tried to avoid making any personal contacts with Syaoran or Meiling as well. Everything else ever since was strictly to rehearsals. I'm the director, they are the actors, the actors must follow the director, and that's it. Sure, I was still on my usual happy self but then again, Tomoyo and those who knew me closely felt that I was being a meanie-poop--- even meaner than Syaoran too, they said. But then again, how can I be that mean when all I did was do what I was supposed to do in the fall play project. I stood up to everyone, especially Syaoran and Meiling and their little kissing scenes. I did not let their little kissing fiascos get to me--- why? Because all I am to them is their director. That was it.

In fact, I was even strict at my directing as well. I had troubles with Syaoran who still kept staring at me everytime he was about to do a kissing scene with Meiling during rehearsals, it was like his eyes were completely focused towards me instead of her. I told him that he shouldn't be staring right at me when he does all his kissing scenes but he always complained at me that he still wasn't used to kissing without seeing me. For some reason (and I still am puzzled by this up to now) that looking at me while he does his kissing scene with Meiling made him feel comfortable and at ease whenever he does the kissing thing. I still don't get it. I mean, Meiling is one of the prettiest girls I know around and yet Syaoran's dazzling eyes (yes, I still admire and dream about his wonderful brown eyes...) were still looking right at me. Weird, I thought.

"Sakura-chan!" I heard Dad calling me from downstairs. "Tomoyo-chan's here! Are you ready?"

"Anon, Father, anon!" From out of nowhere, I started busting out my words in Shakespearean English. Maybe I was either excited for the meeting or that I was getting used to hearing and speaking in Shakespearean English all this time that I have forgotten that I'm a Japanese-born girl with the mind of Shakespeare. I heard Dad and Tomoyo laughing downstairs as I dashed down to meet with them. "I meant... uhh..."

"I know what it means, sweetie," Dad chuckled. "I studied Shakespeare in college too, you know." I gave him a small smile as I embraced him. "Now, you girls take care, okay?"

"Thanks, Dad!" I replied with my happy smile once more.

"Thank you Kinomoto-san," Tomoyo bowed in respect as Dad went back to his den to work on his lesson plans for his archaeology classes in college.

"Oh Tomoyo-chan," I smiled at her as I headed towards the shoe closet, "hold on a sec, lemme go get my shoes." I went inside the shoe closet when I noticed Tomoyo following me from behind.

"Sakura-chan, we really do need to talk..." I heard Tomoyo's serious tone from behind.

"Sure, what about?" I asked, not in the care of the world at all.

"Li-kun..." Right away I gasped to hear Syaoran's name again that made me hit my head against the low ceiling of the shoe closet.

"OW!" I rubbed my head gently as I finally took my favorite pair of blue sneakers that matches my usual blue pair of jeans and my soccer jersey-style t-shirt. "Tomoyo-chan... I told you never to mention that name around me again!"

"I'm really serious this time, Kinomoto Sakura," for the first time Tomoyo actually went against me. Normally she just accepted what I wished, but this time, it was different. "You're not your usual self for the past few weeks now, you know."

"I was just doing my job as director, Tomoyo-chan," I frowned as I sat on the couch, putting on my shoes. Tomoyo followed me and sat right next to me. "Did I do something wrong...?"

"Sakura-chan, you really do need to know what happened that day---"

"Tomoyo-chan, I don't want to think about it again.. I've seen it all... Meiling kissed him, Syaoran kissed him back---" Before I can continue, Tomoyo just shook her head at me. "What? You've seen it before your eyes!"

Finally I tied my shoe strings and we both headed towards Tomoyo's limousine, where all her female bodyguards have been waiting next to the door. We hopped in there as the limo drove right to Tomoeda Elementary. We continued our talk there. What was Tomoyo trying to tell me, I thought. It was bad enough that those two have to kiss, but the worst part was that they did it in public without even caring who was ACTUALLY watching! Then again, who am I to talk? I mean Syaoran doesn't even know how I feel about him in the first place anyway... "I was there along with you, Sakura-chan, but the only difference was that YOU ran away. I stayed."

"What are you talking about?" I was getting a little irritated at her that I wanted to scream my lungs out. I already told her and the rest of my friends never to talk to me regarding Syaoran and Meiling ever again, but I guess I realized that I was only being stubborn overall. I promised myself that I would make both Syaoran and Meiling happy, therefore I decided to be their director and nothing else BUT the director of the play. I guess there was something wrong with that one too.

"Here's the story, Sakura-chan..." Tomoyo felt free to tell me the whole story about what happened that day.

**FLASHBACK MODE**

"I.... I.... I...."

"Sakura-chan?!"

"I forgot, I gotta talk to the teachers about something... I'll meet you all later in the auditorium... bye everyone!"

**END FLASHBACK MODE**

"I remember that part, Tomoyo-chan... it was the time when I finally decided to run away so I wouldn't have to watch all of that..."

"We all remember that, Sakura-chan... but then..."

**FLASHBACK MODE**

"Meiling!! Stop it!!" Tomoyo stood up from her spot and was about to grab Meiling from behind. "Poor Li-kun!"

Ugh... where is it...? Syaoran thought in his mind as he slowly moved his fingers gently on Meiling's spine. At the same time he closed his eyes and chanted magical words repeatedly ever since Meiling wrestled him down and attempted to kiss him. These magic words "shielded" him from Meiling's lips-- even if it looked like they were really kissing, Syaoran was not able to feel her lips and vice-versa. It was one of those rare magic spells that he hardly used that he learned back from his childhood training. There's no way that Meiling is ever going to feel my lips on hers... no way... ugh, where is it...? He continued to move his fingers gently on Meiling's spine when suddenly--- Ah! Found it! Immediately with both his right pointer and middle finger, he touched a certain point on her spine, causing Meiling to feel pain on her back.

"OWWW.... THAT HURTS.... XIAO LANG!!" Meiling was forced to get up, trying to search and feel that certain point that gave her that very hard pain. While Meiling was busy trying to look for it, Syaoran immediately got himself up and looked around the picnic area.

"SAKURA?!" Syaoran yelled while Tomoyo and Eriol stood up from their seats as well. "WHERE'D SHE GO?!"

"She ran off to the auditorium!" Tomoyo informed him.

"Oh no..." Syaoran sighed deeply to himself as he dashed off immediately. "SAKURA?!!!"

"HEY LI-KUN, WAIT UP!!" Tomoyo chased after Syaoran.

"Hmmm.... this could get very interesting..." Eriol smirked and followed Tomoyo from behind.

"Ooooh, this is sooo cute!!" Rika sighed happily.

"Let's go and look for them!" Naoko told the others as she, Rika, Chiharu, and Yamazaki followed Eriol and Tomoyo from behind.

"HEY!!" Meiling cried out towards all of them. "WHERE ARE YOU ALL GOING--- DON'T LEAVE ME HERE...." She tried to get up, but the pain was still there on her back. "Oww... how could you do this to me, Xiao Lang...? Don't you want to feel and taste my sweet lips on yours, my love...?"

**END FLASHBACK MODE**

"Hoe..." It was the only word that came out from my mouth. Syaoran probably got caught off-guard that he wasn't quick enough to get himself away from Meiling. Then again Meiling is a martial artist after all; she knows when her opponent is completely off-guard and that's the time where she attacks. And the surprising part was that Syaoran didn't even bother say sorry or say anything at all to Meiling after what he did to her back? Whatever in the world he did, actually...

"Accupressure, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo explained to me. "Li-kun did some accupressure attack on Meiling just so he can get out of that mess... plus he did some numbing spell on himself or on Meiling or something like that so he doesn't get to feel gross and... well, you know..."

"Oh my goodness..." I sighed deeply. Baka Sakura!! Why the heck did you run away, you moron?! You could've pulled Meiling away, but then again Meiling would know that this whole thing was bothering me...

"Li-kun also felt your aura or something and led him to the trees nearby the auditorium... he was too afraid to get through the trees and face you but he did feel you, Sakura-chan... he said that you were in pain and that you wanted to cry, but you held your lip and tried not to cry... is that true, Sakura-chan...?" I kept myself silent, trying not to talk about how I felt. I guess it was already obvious that I was jealous of both Syaoran and Meiling and their constant kissing during the play, even if that kiss wasn't for real or not... who knows, maybe it could be for real and they wanted to show off their love for each other in front of everyone... but then again, that's what Meiling would do, but Syaoran wouldn't be the type of person to show off. "Then it is true..."

"Tomoyo-chan..." I murmured softly. "How can I be so..."

"You're in love, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo placed her arm around me and patted me lightly. "It's part of being in love..."

I sighed and curled myself on my seat. "I... I guess..."

Tomoyo chuckled softly and said: "We're here at the meeting... let's make the best of it before tomorrow's opening night!"

"Yeah!" I returned my smile to her as the limo finally entered the parking lot of Tomoeda Elementary. Alright, it's final meeting time...

We had a little celebration during that party. Everything--- the costumes, the props, the settings, you name it--- were complete and ready to be shown off for the play. The actors and such were still rehearsing their lines but no script in front of them, which was a really good sign. Tomoyo and I looked around to see if everyone was present. It looked like everyone was present except for one person...

"Meiling," I called out to her when I spotted her talking to Chiharu, Rika, and Naoko at the first row seats. I ran to them and greeted at them, as they returned their greetings. My first words to Meiling were "... where's Syaoran-kun...?"

Meiling sighed deeply and said: "He didn't want to go... he said he doesn't feel well..."

"OH NO!!" I shrieked shockingly. "THIS IS BAD NEWS!!! HE CAN'T BE SICK!!! COME ON, TOMORROW'S OPENING NIGHT!!!"

"Calm down, Sakura-chan," I heard Naoko from behind as she placed her hands on my shoulders. "Li-kun isn't literally sick... he just said that he didn't feel like going.."

"What?! Why?!" I sighed deeply. I was even looking forward to see him again too... and not to mention finally talk to him in private about what happened... I feel so bad for being such a cold, nasty meanie-poop throughout the rest of the rehearsal days...

"He won't talk to me, Kinomoto..." Meiling whined and pouted right at me. She looked like she was crying almost, which sorta gave me a little suspicion. What was wrong with Syaoran, I thought... "Do something, Kinomoto... I'm so worried about him..."

"What can I do...?" I sighed deeply. "Look... um... I'll try and..."

"Please, Kinomoto... please...?" Meiling suddenly shed some tears and from out of nowhere, she murmured: "551-9807..."

"Hoe...?" I blinked in confusion. Meiling suddenly took out her cell phone from her purse and handed it to me. Then she repeated those numbers again. "What...?"

"Xiao Lang's cell number... he..." Meiling wiped off some of her tears and continued on, "... he said for me to... give you his cell number..."

"Hoe...." I gulped and stared at the cell phone. Tomoyo and the others just smiled at me, nodding at the same time.

"Do it, Sakura-chan!" Naoko cheered on. "Call him..."

"Call him, Sakura-chan!" Both Chiharu and Rika cheered on as well. I turned to Tomoyo and she just smiled at me. Well, what can I say, I thought. I guess things may be different tonight, even if he's not around.

"Okay... but it'd be easier for me if I talk to him alone..." I warned everyone.

"Just... just get him to talk and ask him why he doesn't want to come tonight..." Meiling pouted. "Ever since we started kissing he's been acting really cold to me in private... he was only nice to me whenever you and everyone else is around..."

"Alright, alright..." I smiled a bit at Meiling as I decided to run backstage and in an empty area. I looked around to be sure that no one as around. As the coast was clear, I turned on Meiling's cell phone and started dialing Syaoran's number.

I do hope his phone is on... and I do hope he's around. Come on... please answer, Syaoran-kun...

"Hai... Li desu... moshi-moshi...? (Hello, Li speaking... hello?)"

Syaoran-kun... oh how refreshing it feels to hear your voice again...
I blushed heavily and deeply crimson red, enjoying the sweet sound of that very male voice of his. "Guess whoooo?!"

"Oh great... I hate guessing games..." I giggled softly. I haven't laughed happily ever since our first phone call. Boy, it felt so good...

"You're a poor sap, Li Syaoran!" I decided to tease him a little. "We've only talked once and you forgot how I sound already over the phone? You call yourself unforgettable? Yeah right!"

Then from the other line, I heard him chuckle softly. "I miss your sweet, cute voice, Sakura..."

"Awww..." I blushed even more than ever. I feel like I was completely happily in love with him once again. "I miss your voice too, Syaoran-kun..."

"Actually... I miss everything about you, Sakura... I thought that you and I would never---"

"Shhh..." It was my turn to hush this time. I felt as if I wanted to just stay here at my little dark corner backstage and talk to him all night. "Let's just forget about everything... okay...?"

"Well... not everything... there are other things that I wanted to cherish about you and me, Sakura... of course, that would be a secret..."

"Man, I hate secrets..." I frowned but giggling at the same time.

"Now we're even." I laughed even more. Ah, just like the old times again.

"Hey Syaoran-kun, listen," I was ready to bring up the subject on why he didn't show up tonight. "How come---?"

"--- that I'm not there tonight?" Man, he probably must have read my mind---magically. "I have my reasons, but don't worry about me, Sakura... I'll be ready for tomorrow."

"But you're missing all the fun!" I told him.

"I miss you more than fun itself, Sakura..." Syaoran-kun... gosh, stop it... this is no time to make Kinomoto Sakura be transformed to Kinomo-TOMATO Sakura...

"Syaoran-kun..." Now I wanted to escape big time... escape from this party, run over to Syaoran's apartment, and spend the whole night alone with him, just like long ago when we spent the whole day in a stormy school day in our classroom alone, trying to teach him how to kiss. "Syaoran-kun... you don't know how much I missed you..."

"Uhh... I don't need to guess, right?"

"Oh be quiet!" I laughed once more, trying to regain my usual goofy self around him. "Anyway, one more thing... about Meiling..."

"I guess I'll have to forgive her..."

"Eh?" Forgive her, I thought. What did she do? She just did what a dutiful bride-to-be should do to her hubby-to-be, right?

"Personal stuff... I've been avoiding her for awhile now, but of course, during rehearsals I didn't have a choice, you know?"

"Well.. um... I do hope that you guys work things out--- especially that tomorrow---"

"I know... but you shouldn't worry. I just didn't feel like partying tonight... you guys can have fun, but I'll see you all tomorrow..."

"Awww..." I sighed sadly. "Now that Meiling gave me your cell number, can I call you tonight...?"

"I'd probably be asleep then and my cell would be off... but I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay?"

"Awrighty then, Romeo," I blushed and chuckled. "You have a good sleep now... nighty-night!"

"Goodnight, Sakura." We both hung up and skipped back to the party happily and with a huge smile on my face.

I handed Meiling's cell back to her as I told everyone the news that Syaoran was not in a mood for partying tonight, but he will be here tomorrow, so everything is just fine. Later during the night I finally gave my final word speech to everyone, basically telling everyone the great job that they have done and all that schnazz. Tomoyo also had her final words in addition to Terada-sensei and Mizuki-sensei. After all the touching speeches (yeah right...), back to partying again with food, folks, and fun.

I also talked to Meiling about Syaoran and told her exactly the same thing as I did with Syaoran. I told them that they should work some things out before opening night tomorrow, so in that way, we all perform our presentation with carefree smiles and moods. Not only that it will ease everyone down, but it will also keep them from getting these stage frights. For the first time Meiling and I actually got along with no accusations and stuff and Meiling even gave me a bunch of thank yous for being such a good director--- and just being a good person all along. She finally apologized for her behavior at me but that also didn't change the fact that she was still in love with Syaoran. I hated competition myself, but then again, what's there to compete when she and Syaoran are the definite couple anyway? I wished they weren't engaged though so both of them would be free--- then the boys would also get to fight over her while the girls do the same for Syaoran. Oh well, another one of my weird thoughts again.

Finally the party was over and the backstage crew and myself decided to clean up the mess we made. Luckily it was only the table that was placed in front of the stage and not the stage itself or else our sets and props would be ruined. Everything else was perfect and ready for tomorrow night. Woohoo, I thought. Look at all the hardwork that we did... everything was just well worth it.

I was sweeping the floor of the stage and was about to sweep the area near the curtain when I overheard voices again. This time, I can recognize who these two voices were, since both of them were boys anyway...

"I have never felt nervous before, Yamazaki..."

"You? Nervous? Whoa, what's up with you, Hiiragizawa...?"

"I can't help myself... could this be love...?"

"How should I know? You practically flirt with every single girl in class including Mizuki-sensei herself!"

"I'm a growing boy, Yamazaki! It must be my male hormones kicking in already... I'm growing up way too fast!"

I can hear Yamazaki laughing quietly. "Hiiragizawa, what can I say? You were born a gentleman... and you're really popular with the ladies... well... second most popular to Li, of course!"

"Yamazaki, I can't stop thinking about what I just said to her... about the opening night of A Midsummer Night's Dream in Tokyo... I was just teasing her at first because I was just having fun but now... what is this feeling that I'm getting for her...?"

"Whoa, Hiiragizawa, you sure know how to find your way to a girl's heart..."

"I was just teasing around, Yamazaki... it makes me feel invincible when I tease around like that.. you notice how I always tease Li a lot...?"

"I'm talking about teasing the girls! So.. anyway, about that Midsummer Night's Dream thing that you asked... how did she take it...?"

"She thought it was for real... I was going to play a mean trick on her but... I just can't seem to be motivated on doing that anymore..."

"That's kinda mean but sounds fun, Hiiragizawa... so... uhh... how are you going to face Mizuki-sensei now...?"

"I wasn't talking about Mizuki-sensei, Yamazaki..."

"Wha--- you weren't?!" He wasn't?! So that mysterious girl who was swooning over Eriol that day when I overheard them talking and flirting behind the curtain wasn't Mizuki-sensei...? But... that's just weird... okay, now I'm confused...

"I admit, I have my special fonding of Mizuki-sensei, but that's just a fling... but this girl... such a sweet, beautiful darling lass... is someone more than just a girl for me to tease... am I making any sense to you, Yamazaki?"

"Well... let me tell you something... did you know that Shakespeare once said---"

"'All the world's a stage,' Yamazaki?"

"DARN IT! YOU STOLE MY FAVORITE LINE!" I heard Eriol laughing softly as I just shook my head. Idiots, I thought to myself. Just wait till I tell Tomoyo about this!

"So... what are you gonna do now, Hiiragizawa?"

"Tomorrow night--- after performance--- I shall confess my feelings to her..."

"I still don't know who you're talking about, but... if it's the girl who I think it is, then... whoa, man... good luck to you!"

"Why thank you... I assure you... my heart is not playing around with me and I'm sure that this certain princess would be happy when she's with me..."

"Man... I need to be more romantic like you so I can shut Chiharu up from all her whining and complaining ..." The boys laughed again as I decided to walk away before they catch me eavesdropping. I wonder who the lucky girl was? Could it be Tomoyo-chan? But then again if it were Tomoyo-chan, I would know, right? Ah well...

That night, we all went home and thanks to that night, it feels like good ol' bubbly Kinomoto Sakura has returned after how many weeks of suffering in sadness and in anger seeing the boy I love and his fiancee "showing off their affections" to everyone in public. I felt so blissful and so wonderful after that little chat with Syaoran on the phone. I'm so happy that there really was nothing drastic that happened to him that could cause a major problem in tomorrow's show. Eriol is Li's understudy, but then again, who would be playing Benvolio if that ever happens, you know? Major problem indeed. Anyhow, Tomoyo brought me home and I decided not to tell Tomoyo what I heard from Eriol and Yamazaki's convo behind the curtain. That wouldn't be fair, I thought. I want Tomoyo to find out herself and see what Eriol's true feelings are.

I'm very sure that I will be having a wonderful sleep tonight. I can't wait till tomorrow!


Next day came. I had a strange yet somewhat wonderful dream last night. It kind of related to the Clow Cards that Kero-chan revealed while he was telling me my love fortune with Syaoran a long time ago. I still remembered them--- The Sword, The Glow, The Fly, and The Wood. I was right the first time, it marked some kind of a location. I found myself flying on open air, feeling in total bliss, then later landed somewhere at the center of a very dark and green forest, seeing all these strange glowing all around me like fireflies as the stars. The sight was so beautiful, then later I felt someone's arms placed tightly around me, holding me comfortably and in a protective way, not letting me go. I couldn't tell who it was but I gently placed my head against his chest. We ended up cuddling each other when we sat down underneath one of the trees. The mysterious person whispered something on my ear but I couldn't tell what he said since what he said was not very clear to me--- like he was talking to me in some foreign language or something. Then all of a sudden, I fell asleep in his arms. The next thing I knew, I woke up again--- an hour before the time that I had to leave for school.

Could it be Syaoran, I thought to myself. The dream showed the representation of The Glow, The Fly, and The Wood, but what about The Sword? Could the mysterious person be The Sword? I don't understand... I hate interpreting dreams sometimes. I wonder if it's a "precognitive" dream like Kero-chan always talked to me about--- but then again, that only works on locating the Clow Cards. But this one that I had was just really weird. But even then, that mysterious person took me in lovingly and gently and we cuddled lovingly to each other. What a wonderful dream... what a blissful feeling.

That morning was like the actual opening night. It was our first dress rehearsal, performing certain scenes from the play that we chose from the play--- kinda like sneak previews of our play. We will be performing in the morning and in the afternoon before we can actually get ourselves really ready for tonight. In the morning, the whole Tomoeda Elementary will be watching. In the afternoon, only select classes from Seijyou High School (Touya better not be there or I would be so embarrassed, but I don't mind seeing Yuki-san there!) will be watching our dress rehearsal. We decided to perform five scenes-- one from each act. Act One, Scene 1; Act Two, Scene 2; Act Three, Scene 1; Act Four, Scene 5; Act Five, Scene 1. Everything else, they will have to come tonight so they can see the whole thing. On our dress rehearsal, there will only be one kissing scene there, which is the famous balcony scene (Act Two, Scene 2), only so that Syaoran wouldn't be too nervous kissing in public tonight and another good reason is very valid--- I was the one who personally chose those scenes.

The dress rehearsal went by smoothly, with a lot of cheers and praises from both Tomoeda Elementary kids and the Seijyou High people. It was actually jinxed or bad luck or whatever because in the play itself, I would be the one presenting the play, since I'm the director. Tomoyo is still playing the Chorus/Announcer of the play, but I had to present the play, since I'm the director. I saw Touya right smack at the center of first row along with Yuki-san and Akizuki Nakuru-san, Touya and Yuki's girl friend (I heard that she's Eriol's cousin or something like that, but I know for sure that she's one of Eriol's guardians, just like me and Syaoran having Kero-chan and Yue as our guardians). Touya was actually snickering at me, trying to torment me or whatever while I was presenting the play to the audience before we started. Luckily I did not studder while he was making stupid faces at me, but right after I did my part, I did plan to get back at him one way or the other for attempting to mess me up. He had better not do the same thing to me again tonight or he's REALLY going to get it.

After school everyone went home early so they can freshen themselves up for tonight. I was the last person to leave, since I wanted to be sure that all the props and such are in proper order and to be sure that nothing is wrong with them. Tomoyo was supposed to do this, but she had a dentist appointment, so I told her that I'll go and inspect everything for her. She didn't want me to do that, but after the wonderful position that she got me in to for this play, I wanted to return the favor for her. After the inspection I went home myself.


At last, it was only three hours away from opening night. I dressed myself in my usual everyday clothing, but I packed my semi-formal dress in one of those suit bags or something, just so to make this opening night as formal as possible. Kero-chan actually helped me out on it, since he always informed me more of Shakespeare's interests and stuff on how his plays should be presented. He wasn't much of a formal-type of guy, Kero-chan said. Shakespeare was an ordinary commoner with a lot of talent and imagination, and since his company became so popular among the common folk that he was often invited by Queen Elizabeth I herself to have his theatrical company perform some of his plays in the Royal Court. At the same time I started talking to him about the trip to England, that is, if the representative guy did choose our class to represent Japan in this summer camp thing there. Then Kero-chan told me that if we ever decided to meet the Royal Family and never really have a chance during summer camp (well, what he meant was that if meeting the Royal Family was not included in the summer camp plans, that is) that we should bug Eriol about it. I asked him why and he said that Eriol is close friends with the Prince of England or something like that and that he can arrange a meeting with at least one member of the Royal Family. Wow, lucky, I thought to myself. Then again, with Eriol, anything is possible, you know?

Dad and Touya were all dressed neatly--- not too fancy, but nice enough--- for tonight's play. They will be heading off to the auditorium three hours later, but I had to be at the auditorium three hours early to do backstage stuff, you know? Since it was still daytime I decided to rollerblade my way to school along with my suit bag and my backpack with my accessories stuff so I can dress up neatly backstage. I wanted to look nice for opening night, but I wanted to change back to my everyday clothes during the stage cleanup. On the way I met up with Chiharu, Naoko, and Rika, who also have their stuff with them for makeup and things, just chatting along. I decided to join the chatter, being my usual everyday self, talking about school, the play, and for the first time, boys. Naoko also talked about her writing. She said that during her spare time she writes a story--- most likely a horror story, to be exact, since she was so obsessed with them. Rika and Chiharu just talked about boys, with Rika talking about some older guy that she had a crush on (kinda like me when I had Yuki-san as my first crush, but I wonder how old this guy is...). Chiharu started complaining about Yamazaki again, which obviously was nothing new. Then later we started talking about Syaoran and Meiling, which is obviously my least favorite subject to talk about. I don't really talk about Syaoran that much to anyone except for Tomoyo, and personally, I would rather talk to Syaoran himself without any "backup" from anybody else, you know?

We finally arrived backstage and the actors started doing their last-minute rehearsing. Again, I ended up helping out Syaoran and Meiling again with their scenes... luckily I didn't have to suffer watching them kissing in public again. Boy, seeing that still drove me nuts, even if everything was not even for real. Goodness, I hope not. And Syaoran still has a problem about kissing, not on the fact of doing it, but the fact that he wouldn't be able to do it without him looking at me. I was afraid that Meiling would be whining at me again so I decided to pull Syaoran out backstage to have a word with him. "What's wrong, Syaoran-kun...?"

"I know this sounds stupid, Sakura, but... I just can't get used to kissing without seeing you..." He said. "I don't know how to say this to you but ever since... well... um..."

I found myself blushing, thinking of what he might say next, but I replied: "What's on your mind, Syaoran-kun?"

"I'm not nervous, Sakura, if that's what you're wondering. But I do have this problem... it was really easy when you're around or when I see you... that's why you always find me looking at you everytime I kiss Meiling..." I blushed even more, but tried to hide it away from him. How could he be looking at me and kissing Meiling at the same time? That's just way to weird... unless...

"Let me see..." I started thinking about resolving this little problem. Then, I remembered the little convo last night between Eriol and Yamazaki that inspired me to say what I was about to say to him. "There's a famous saying that Shakespeare said during his time... he said---"

"'All the world's a stage,'" Syaoran immediately interrupted me with that same quote.

"Dang it, how'd you know?" I frowned at him while he just smirked right at me.

"Sakura... everybody knows that saying... Shakespeare is very popular, you know that," he smirked at me as I just shook my head.

"Well anyway, what I'm saying is that... you gotta learn how to picture everything your way now. What I mean is that... you need to use your imagination for you to do what you were supposed to do, especially with the kissing stuff. You have to learn how to do things without something else in your way now." I glanced out right at the stage and smiled. "The stage is your world know. There is no one else or nothing else out there except for yourself and the stage. I guess that's what Shakespeare-sama meant when he said that... you know? The stage is your world--- there is no props, there is no audience, there is no director, no nothing! It's only YOU, YOURSELF, and THE STAGE, Li Syaoran!"

He stood silent, probably thinking of what I just told him. He glanced at the stage with the curtain closed. He scanned around the props that were just waiting to be shown for the play, plus the rest of the actors all getting themselves ready and dressed up in their costumes, practicing their roles, and such. Then he turned his eyes right at me and said, "I won't fail you, Sakura... I'll do my best... only because you want me to..."

I shook my head and chuckled a bit. "No no, don't do this just for me, do this for everyone--- for yourself, for our class, the school, the audience, and FOR THAT DARN SUMMER TRIP TO ENGLAND!!"

Syaoran smiled a bit and nodded. "Hai... Sakura-chan. I'll do my best. Thanks." We stood silent again, just like we always end up. Again I started to have this feeling again. Oh I wish I could just kiss him right then and right now... but then again, I still refused to let everyone know what exactly happened between the two of us that day before he finally convinced himself to kiss Meiling in the play.

Besides, Meiling was waiting for him backstage too, watching right behind me. "Uhh.... um..." Both of us had our sweatdrops falling from the back of our heads, trying to figure out what we were supposed to say afterwards, along with our usual constant blushing.

"Well... you'd better get yourself ready," I smiled warmly at him. "We've only got so much time to prepare before the actual time of the presentation..." He nodded slowly as I continued. "I wish you and everyone else well, Syaoran-kun."

"Thank you, Sakura," he replied with no studdering on his words. "... for everything."

I fell silent again, thinking of the right words to reply to that. But since this was not the time to get all mushy at him, I simply gave him a simple reply: "You're always welcome, Syaoran-kun!"


At long last, the hour has finally arrived. I dressed up in my semi-formal dress--- a simple short-sleeved white dress with a small cherry blossom print on the top right of the dress's top. This came along with white knee-hi's and my white flat shoes. I was to present the play to the audience (and Touya better not be making any stupid funny faces at me again or I'm gonna smack him flat right after the play), feeling completely ready to show myself off in front of everyone. Behind me were the cast, cheering and rooting me on. I looked at them and gave them my best smile at them. I noticed Syaoran standing there, looking very dashingly handsome in his Romeo costume. Though he was always dashingly and charmingly handsome by himself, he always had this powerful aura of a prince that surrounded him. Sigh...

After the little introduction by Terada-sensei and Mizuki-sensei, I heard my name, giving me the signal to get up on stage and finally said my words: "Thank you for coming, minna-san! After almost two months of rehearsing and researching and preparing for our version of Shakespeare's Most Powerful Tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, what you are about to see may probably give you a reminder about how quickly love develops despite of young age. I guess I can relate a bit to Romeo and Juliet, not just on the fact that they're both from feuding families or the fact that they're deeply in love with each other, but the fact that how children can truly make a difference in the ugly sides of the real world. Parents all have the responsibility to teach their children the true meaning and the various facts of life, as well as the usual school stuff and other activity stuff that kids always go through in their lives. The children learn a lot from their parents, and there will always be a point where children will take advantage of what they learned to reteach their parents the mistakes that they have done. I guess although it was unexpected, the tragic deaths of these two star-crossed lovers resulted in a very high valuable lesson that both the Montagues and the Capulets learned. As Prince Escalus said in the play, see how God decided to destroy the innocent lives of your children through your utter hatred... In other words, parents should also need to learn to listen to their children's feelings, as much as the children listened to their parents' feelings..." I tried to be as simple and as honest and as meaningful "Kinomoto Sakura style" as I can with my little speech, and it looked like I caught everyone's attention. I also saw Dad and Touya sitting at the fourth row with Dad smiling and Touya remaining still. Next to Touya were Yuki-san and Akizuki Nakuru-san, also giving me the same smiles. Finally, I ended my little speech. "... We all worked hard to make Romeo and Juliet as believable and as convincing and as powerful as it was in the original script written by the great William Shakespeare himself... and I do hope you all enjoy the show. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu (Thank you very much)." I bowed down in the usual traditional Japanese way as I received a lot of cheers and praises from all sides of the auditorium from the audience to the sound and light crew to the people at the sides and at the back of the stage.

I glanced at everyone and at the stage all around me... and Shakespeare was right. "All the world's a stage!"

As the theater folks would always say--- the show must NOW go on...

To be continued...

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Woo! At last... the best stuff happens in the next chapter! =P I do hope this would make up the "evilness" in ch. 8 tho'... ^^;

Comments? Questions? Reviews? Email me--- lucca@rikku.nu--- or just visit my website--- http://kinomoto.nu! Want to have your Sakura & Syaoran fic hosted? Visit my S&S fanfic archive: Cherry Blossom, Little Wolf - http://kinomoto.nu/cblw