OH MY GOD!!!!!
I just checked my reviews for the first time.
I can't believe it! I have 12 whole reviews!! That means People ACTUALLY READ MY STORY! AND WHAT"S MORE, THEY ACTUALLY LIKED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Hopeless romantic faints from shock*
Wow. I'm touched. Thx to all those who gave me such nice reviews. I luv you all!!!! You make me feel warm + fuzzy inside. I really appreciate it.
I also know some Japanese now, thanks to Satsuko, Fantasy, and Ly the werewolf.
Hai=yes
Iie=no
Ohayu=hello
Ja ne=goodbye
Arigato=thank you
Baka/ gaki=brat
Onichan=brother (I think -_-`)
Gomen=sorry (I think -_-`)
-Also, I was talking to a friend of mine, who got her story copied without permission by some jerk, and put under their own name. I felt awful for her. I just want you to know that IF ANYONE COPIES ANY PART OF MY STORY WITHOUT MY PERMISSION, I WILL TRACK YOU DOWN, REPORT YOU, AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE THROWN OFF FANFICTION.NET. DON'T MESS WITH ME.
Disclaimer: I don't own cardcaptor sakura, obviously, or I wouldn't be spending my time writing fanfics on the net, would I? I would be hiring bodyguards to protect me from my anime-crazy fans, and buying a game cube so I could play super smash bros melee (great game! =D)
Thoughts in italics~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Lesson not soon to be Forgotten
Chapter 3
Syaoran stood nervously outside of Sakura's front door the next afternoon, debating with himself on whether to ring the doorbell, or to knock. He knew that this afternoon was going to be full of opportunities for him to mess up in front of Sakura or to leave a bad impression.
"Here goes," he muttered under his breath. Just as he was reaching up to ring the doorbell, the door swung open. "Ohayu Sa—" Syaoran glanced up to see Touya's face sneering down at him.
"There is no Sakura here. You must have the wrong address, gaki." Touya glared down at Syaoran. Syaoran shot him his trademark death glare in return.
He heard Sakura's melodic voice from inside the house. "Onichan, let Syaoran in!" Never removing his sight from Syaoran, Touya called to Sakura.
"Syaoran? Syaoran isn't here. It's just a pesky salesman." With that, he slammed the door shut in Syaoran's face. A few moments later, the door opened once again, this time revealing an out-of-breath Sakura.
"Sorry about that, Syaoran!" she said, smiling brilliantly at him. Syaoran felt his face heat up. "C'mon in." She led him to the living room, where a purple-faced Touya sat on a sofa. "Errr…Touya," Sakura said cautiously, "we're going to work on our math now." Touya grunted, glaring at Syaoran suspiciously. "Soooo…. can you… leave?" Touya rose silently and proceeded out the door.
"I'll be watching you, baka. Touch my sister, and you'll die." He threatened under his breath as he passed Syaoran. Syaoran stopped himself from making a scathing remark for Sakura's sake.
"Hooooeee…" Sakura sighed hopelessly. "Gomen ne, Syaoran. Touya's a little…" She paused, searching for the right words. "Over-protective. Do you want something to drink?"
"No thanks. We should get to the math."
"Hai. You're right." Sakura's eyes sparkled warmly. "Thanks again for coming over, Syaoran. You didn't have to help me, but you did. I really appreciate it."
Syaoran's face flushed. "No problem, Sakura."
*An hour later*
"So the Pythagoras Theory only works on right angled triangles. The hypotenuse—that's the longer side of the triangle—is always referred to as C squared, and the other sides as A squared and B squared. Do you understand, Sakura?"
Sakura bit her lip, trying to digest all this new information. After a moment, she smiled at Syaoran. "Hai, I think I've got it now. Can you give me a few problems to try and solve?"
"Sure," He said, passing her a worksheet. Syaoran watched Sakura lovingly as she bent over the sheet. She pushed a strand of her golden honey-coloured hair out of her deep, tender eyes, as her brow furrowed in concentration. Syaoran felt his heart melt into a watery puddle, and smiled to himself. I love you so much Sakura. I promise, I'll tell you how I feel before I leave today.
"Syaoran?" Sakura's musical voice woke him up from his daydream. "I finished."
Syaoran's auburn eyes quickly scanned her sheet. "Congratulations, Sakura. You're a quick learner. You got them all right!"
"Really? That's great!" Syaoran glanced at her beaming face. It was contagious. He allowed himself a smile.
Sakura and Syaoran suddenly heard a low, grumbling sound. Sakura raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
Syaoran blushed and clutched his stomach embarrassedly. "Ummm… I kind of skipped out on breakfast. Sorry."
Sakura giggled good-naturedly and gave Syaoran a reassuring smile. "We can fix that. I've got a cake I can pop into the oven. It'll be ready in no time."
"Arigato. That would be great."
Sakura stood up. "I'll be right back," She said, and went into the kitchen. Syaoran remained seated on the couch, and closed his eyes wearily. He had made up his mind. As soon as Sakura returned from the kitchen, he would tell her that she was the light of his life; the one who could always make him smile; make him laugh. She was the one person that made life worth living for Syaoran, and made him believe that true love did exist. But how would she respond?
"Oh Sakura…" he murmured softly.
"Yes, Syaoran?" Syaoran jumped at the sound of Sakura's voice. She had already returned from the kitchen without Syaoran noticing, and was now looking at him quizzically.
"Errrrr… do… you want to try some more math problems?" he stuttered quickly, his face reddening.
"Sure," she said, smiling at him. After she had finished the math questions correctly and received Sayoran's praise, Syaoran took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he was about to do.
"S-sakura?" he inquired apprehensively.
"Yes?" Sakura replied, turning in her seat to face Syaoran.
"I…uh…I've been meaning…to tell you…that I …uh…I—"
DDDDDDDDDDDIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Hoe!" Sakura squealed with a start. "Gomen Syaoran, that must be the oven timer. I'll go get the cake. It'll just take a second." With that, she rushed off to the kitchen.
Syaoran sighed. So close, and yet so far away. She must think I'm an idiot now, he thought to himself ruefully. I sound so dumb when I stutter. Oh well. At least I tried to tell her… maybe it's an omen that I should just leave it today and try again some other time, he said to himself.
'No way!' A voice in the back of his head that sounded remarkably like Jiminy Cricket told him. 'You're not leaving today until you tell her how you feel! You love Sakura, and you can't hide it anymore!'
I must be going crazy… he told the little voice in his head. Not only am I talking to myself, but I'm answering myself as well. Syaoran groaned inwardly.
"Hey Syaoran! Would you like some cake?" Sakura emerged from the kitchen, carrying two plates of strawberry shortcake.
Syaoran grinned at her. "I'd love some. It smells delicious," he added, accepting a piece of cake gratefully. He took a bite. Sweetness filled his mouth at once, and he savoured it blissfully.
"Wow, Sakura," he said once he had finished. "That was amazing. I didn't know you could cook so well!"
Sakura's cheeks were tinged with pink from Syaoran's kind compliments. "Arigato gozaimasu, Syaoran!" she said happily.
He carefully put down his plate. "Sakura, there's something I've got to tell you." Syaoran said quietly, his face glowing scarlet.
Sakura gave him a questioning look. "Hai, Syaoran?"
Syaoran gulped. "You see, Sakura, I…well, the truth is…that… Sakura, I—"
"CCCCCCAAAAAAAKKKKKEEEEE!!!!!! Yaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!!"
Syaoran and Sakura jumped up in surprise as a fuzzy yellow creature resembling a stuffed toy hurtled towards them.
"Kero!!" they shouted angrily.
Syaoran glared with intense dislike at the sugar-obsessed guardian beast he unfortunately knew so well. One interruption after another, he thought to himself bitterly. I'll never get around to telling her at the rate we're going.
Kero's small black eyes darted back and forth across the room excitedly. "Sakura! I came down as soon as I smelt the delicious aroma of strawberry shortcake!
So where-is-it-where-is-it-where-is-it-where—" Kero suddenly noticed Syaoran and frowned. "Heeeey…why's the kid here?" he asked suspiciously, wearing a look identical to Touya's.
"Stupid stuffed animal," Syaoran muttered. Enraged, Kero glared at Syaoran. "Wanna say that again to my face, baka?" he challenged.
"Syaoran is tutoring me, Kero," Sakura explained impatiently, obviously disapproving of Kero's sudden interruption.
But Kero didn't hear her. He glanced from Syaoran, to the empty plate in front of him, then back to Syaoran, and then back to the empty plate. Syaoran could almost see the cogs working inside Kero's head as he made the obvious connection. Kero gasped in shock.
"YOU…ATE CAKE…? MY CAKE??!!" Kero bellowed. Syaoran winced and covered his ears gingerly. It was amazing that such a loud yell could come from such a little creature.
"HOW COULD YOU LET… HIM… EAT MY CAKE, SAKURA?! HOW COULD YOU??" Kero burst out, sobbing uncontrollably.
Sakura sighed, irritated. "Kero, we didn't eat all the cake. I left some for—"
"HAVEN'T I BEEN A GOOD GUARDIAN BEAST FOR YOU, SAKURA?? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS? I—"
"KERO! There is a piece of cake for you in the kitchen!" Sakura snapped heatedly. It was one of the few times that Syaoran had heard Sakura raise her voice.
Kero's tears stopped immediately and he went starry-eyed. "Really?! Thanks, Sakura!" and he flew into the kitchen cheerfully, completely oblivious to his temper tantrum.
Syaoran stared after him, his mouth agape. How does Sakura put up with him? He thought, appalled.
Sakura looked after Kero with an exasperated, yet fond smile. "Gomen again, Syaoran," Sakura apologized wearily, but giving Syaoran a breathtaking smile nonetheless. "What were you going to tell me?"
Syaoran glanced at the kitchen to make sure that Kero was out of earshot. He then turned to Sakura, his face painted crimson. "Sakura…I…I…I lo—"
"Alright you Chinese gaki, you are sitting WAY TOO CLOSE to Sakura!"
Syaoran whipped around and saw Touya's snarling face two inches from his own.
"Touya, go away!" Sakura said, her hands on her hips.
"Sakura, look at this gaki!" Touya exploded furiously. "Remember when he tried to hurt you when he first came here? I saw it with my own two eyes! And," he said condemningly, pointing an accusing finger at Syaoran, "I bet he's just trying to hurt you again!"
Sakura looked at Touya in disbelief. "Look Touya, I don't know what you're talking about! Firstly, Syaoran is not a gaki. Secondly, we might not have been very close in the beginning, but Syaoran and I are great friends now. Thirdly, I know that Syaoran would never do anything to harm me. He's always looking out for me. So leave him alone!"
Syaoran gazed at Sakura, touched by her care and faith in him, and for defending him against Touya.
"Fine."
Syaoran could tell that by Touya's tone of voice, he did not believe Sakura in the least.
"I just came to tell you that I'm going to Yukito's house for a while to work on a homework assignment." He glared at Syaoran. "So don't try any funny business while I'm gone, baka." And with that, he strolled out the door.
Sakura turned to Syaoran, and he was stunned to see her close to tears. "I'm so sorry, Syaoran. You've been so kind and thoughtful to come over and help me, and all you do is get yelled at. Gomen ne for putting you through all this."
Syaoran touched her arm gently. "Sakura, it's not your fault. It doesn't even matter. It was all worth it, because I got to spend time with you." Syaoran spoke from his heart, and from his powerful feelings for Sakura.
Sakura gazed at him, a little surprised by his beautiful words, but then smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you Syaoran. You're such a wonderful friend to me."
Syaoran winced. A friend… was that all he was to her? He'd soon find out.
"So anyway," she said lightly, "what were you saying before Touya barged in?"
Syaoran looked at Sakura, who was waiting expectantly for his answer. One glance at her creamy white skin, flowing honey hair, and dancing emerald eyes, always full of life, was all the encouragement that Syaoran needed to tell her how he felt. It was now or never. He didn't feel as nervous as before, for some reason. He swallowed.
"Sakura, I love you."
Oooooooooohh!! Cliff hanger! I'm sorry to those who really hate cliff hangers, but personally, I love them! They keep you, the reader, wanting more, right?!
Well? Whatja think? R+R! ** Give me ideas!!!!! **
I'm sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up, but I'm a really, really slow typer. Please have pity on me!
Ciao!!
