Syaoran was itching his neck. He had returned to his room to find a pair of neatly pressed khaki pants and a tan polo shirt lying on his bed, both in his size. His mother, no doubt, knew what he would wear to dinner and had taken a precaution. The khakis were comfortable- but the shirt was itchy and stiff. Now he was waiting at the dinner table. Syaoran was privately glad that his mother chose a casual setting- well, for Yelan, cutlery, napkins, and two glasses was casual. However, Syaoran vividly remembered a time when guests had come over- Yelan had set the table with three kinds of forks, two kinds of knives, three kinds of spoons, four different glasses, and seven courses. He winced just thinking of it.
Syaoran started to wonder when everybody else was coming. Yelan and him were seated, but the others weren't there. Late, as usual, at least with Sakura. He looked at the dining table. Was he hallucinating, or was everything reminding him of that girl? Cherry blossoms were overflowing in vases along the whole room. The napkins and tablecloth were pink. The dishes and glasses had a vine pattern, the very color of Sakura's emerald eyes. Yeah, he thought, probably part of the matchmaking plan. Remember, he reminded himself, you're supposed to hate her today. The reminder came just in time. The door opened, and Meilin breezed in, wearing a blue dress. Tomoyo was next, in a purple tank top, with lavender sweater, and loose, black pants. Next was Sakura. Whatever Tomoyo did to her, the effect was simple, and very pretty. Sakura's hair was still in the same style (Syaoran suspected that she had fought to keep it that way), but she was wearing some makeup. Sakura had donned a pink peasant top, with green embroidery. She was also wearing a pretty pink skirt. Catching himself one millisecond from gaping, he remembered to scowl at her, in way of a greeting. It helped him a little.
For the rest of the day, after their "fight", Syaoran had refused to think about Sakura. His was of thinking was 'I love her, but I don't want to think about it. Later.' Now he was facing it. Through great self-control, he didn't blush. But great self-control couldn't stop the rush of- adrenaline? Love? - that ran through him.
Click. Back to reality.
"Sorry," Meilin was saying. "We were just talking to Sakura." She smiled sweetly at Sakura. Sakura sent a murderous glance at Syaoran. He returned the gesture. Tomoyo rolled her eyes, exasperated with Sakura.
The rest of the dinner went smoothly. Somehow, Meilin and Tomoyo had maneuvered it so that Syaoran and Sakura were sitting together. They stiffly ignored each other. During dessert(strawberry ice cream!), Syaoran felt a sharp poke on his knee.
"Ow!" he yelped, putting his hand there. Another hand slipped him a note. "Sorry," he said casually. "My foot fell asleep."
~*~
Safely in his room, Syaoran read the note.
Syaoran-kun: our plan is working! Tomoyo and Meilin have scolded me for fighting at least 10 times already- lol! Um…let's use the cards tonight. I have some good ideas *wicked grin* Meet me at midnight, under the cherry blossom tree(at our bench.) This is so fun! Sakura*
Syaoran grinned. He felt young again- plotting and scheming. This was getting to be a lot of fun!
~*~
Syaoran was already waiting at the bench when Sakura came.
"Do you have a flashlight?" she asked. Syaoran smiled and turned it on.
"Good. Let me sit down."
"So- I'm guessing we're going to scare them out of their wits?" Syaoran asked.
"Yup. They're pow-wowing in Tomoyoe's room. Except…I don't know what room that is," Sakura said.
"I do," Syaoran said. "But before we go, what's happening tomorrow?"
"Uh…we get along perfectly. And, we have to get two boys to throw at them."
"I have an idea for Tomoyo," Syaoran said. "He's uh…. my relative. His name's Eriol."
"Okay," Sakura said. "But what about Meilin? We need someone good for the little mastermind," Sakura said. They sat in silence for a little while. Suddenly, Sakura gasped.
"What? Or, who?" Syaoran asked. Sakura grinned.
"Touya."
Syaoran was taken aback, for a little while. Then, he started laughing.
"Yes!"
"Okay, we can bring them in for the ball," Sakura said.
"What ball?"
"Oh, your mother told us, that she's holding a ball next week. It's going to be for a lot of the Li clan, and Tomoyo and I can invite a few guests too."
"Oh, boy…." Syaoran knew his mother was up to something. Now he knew just what it was.
"Okay, let's go scare some people!" Sakura stood up. Syaoran stood up too, and led her to where Tomoyo's room was.
"It's there, the third floor up, in the corner- it's a bay window."
"Okay, I see it." She sat down in the grass, and took some cards out of her pocket.
"Which cards are you going to use?" Syaoran asked.
"I was thinking of Windy, to rattle the window a bit. Then, maybe, use your flashlight to put light in their windows, and make some sort of pattern. I think they'll be scared enough by then." Sakura used windy, and within a minute, Tomoyo's window was being besieged by howling, creepy winds. Then, Syaoran used his flashlight to dance it around her window, making eerie patterns. It was enough. They heard a shriek, and the light was turned on.
"Okay, I think we better go now," Sakura warned. Syaoran turned off his flashlight, and they went inside.
They parted at the stairway.
"Remember, tomorrow- we get along perfectly. We ought to call Touya and Eriol tomorrow, too," Sakura said.
"Yup-good night Sakura."
"G'night, Syaoran."
Okay, okay, not much romance. In fact, none at all. It's all just plotting, so far. But you have to wait till the ball- be patient! I admit, this is was sucky chapter. Horrible. If I get reviews, they'll all be flamers. I don't care- still review!!!