******
Sakura woke early in the morning, sleepy and with an aching cheek. She
turned her head as a cold cloth rub across her cheek. A strong
hand pressed it gently against her, and she whimpered slightly.
" Come now, Miss. Where's the grit you were so eager to show last night?"
She bolted upright, nearly overturning the bowl of water that was in her lap. Another pair of hands pushed her gently back down.
" Miss Kinomoto, please lie still."
She blinked as Tomoyo pressed her towards the pillow.
" Sakura, please. Monsieur Eriol can not treat you if you do not stop moving."
" Eriol?"
" Yes, Monsieur Eriol is a doctor. He can help with your bruise."
*******
Syaoran angrily pushed off from the wall, swimming across to the other side of the pool. His mind wandered back and forth, to and fro, but always the same thing came up, Sakura Kinomoto. The lady was full of surprises. He remembered that night, how his heart had nearly stopped as the robber struck her with the handle of his pistol. And how angry he'd been when he'd recovered from the shock...and...Syaoran laughed. How shocked he'd been when instead of more tears, he'd seen a face just as angry as he. This girl was not a rich daughter. Or at least, she hadn't been born into a rich family. Not, that he cared. For him, her riches were in a different currency, one much more attractive than faces on money.
He shook his head. Nothing was turning out the way he'd expected. Like the conversation he'd had late that night, in the lounge with Eriol.
******Flashback******
Syaoran sat with Eriol in the men's lounge later that evening, when he finally told Eriol what was on his mind.
" ...I just find it odd, that there would be a robber on board the ship."
" Syaoran, it is completely unsurprising." Peter Harkin's murmured, still a bit drunk, but more sober since the dinner," This ship harbors ruffians of every kind."
" Pardon?" This alarmed Syaoran some.
" He means the second and third class." Eriol explained.
" I wouldn't say they're all ruffians, Mr. Harkin's. I've found these people very honest, hardworking folk."
" You haven't traveled this world. I've met enough of their rabble to know that they're all despicable. I'd hate to be caught with one of them."
Neither Eriol or Syaoran agreed with Peter, but he didn't seem to care - as though his mind would reflect everyone else's opinion.
" Suffice it to say," Syaoran continued, after a long silence," I'm still not sure that was all completely random."
" What made you think that?" Eriol persisted.
" Yes, how did you come about that conclusion?" Peter smirked," Perhaps the robber took the staircase."
" That's just it." Syaoran looked up," Ms. Kinomoto's room is not even close to the 2nd/3rd class staircase. That's on the other side of the ship."
" What are you saying?" Eriol inquired.
" I'm saying...that perhaps...some of our first class passengers are not who they say they are."
******
" Oh, Sakura," Tomoyo fretted," Won't you at least let me dim that awful bruise just a bit?"
Sakura sighed.
" No, Tomoyo. It's a badge of honor for me. I will finally see everyone in their true light."
Tomoyo continued to murmur worriedly, wondering how anyone could harm her sweet Sakura.
" With your sweet smile, and your sweet eyes, and your sweet nose, and..."
" Enough!" Sakura laughed," Anymore sweetness, and I'll be a candy."
Suddenly a voice behind her spoke. " Sugar itself would be bitter in comparison."
Sakura whirled around a little too suddenly. Her hat slipped into her hands, as she saw Syaoran standing somewhat bemused before her.
" Good morning, miss." He bowed, than extended an arm. " Would you care to take a turn about the boat with me?"
Tomoyo was bursting to squeal in excitement, as Sakura shyly took his offered hand. Suddenly, it seemed like leaving the bruise was a mistake.
******
" I apologize for such a terrible evening last night, Ms. Sakura."
" Pardon?"
She looked at him startled. They hadn't said a word for nearly five minutes.
" Oh." She said finally, after the meaning of his words sunk in," No. No. You didn't ruin my evening. I just wasn't in much the spirit."
" What would put you in the spirits, then?" He raised an eyebrow in amusement.
She sighed. Leaning against the deck railing. Syaoran stood beside her, his eyes furrowed in concern.
" Are you well?"
She stood silently for awhile, then shook her head.
" I don't know. I keep thinking back to that robber. I don't understand. What was in Ms. Kinomoto's room?"
Syaoran watched the waves grasping at the side of the ship. Finally, he reached out and took one of Sakura's hands in his. Startled, she looked up, only to find herself trapped by a gaze so sincere, it pained her to know that she concealed something from him.
" Do not worry yourself, Ms. Sakura. I will get to the bottom of this. One way or another."
And she knew he would....
******
" Ah, Sakura! Tell me, would you and your handsome young beau wish to join us at the Cafe Parisien?"
Sakura turned four shades of red as Mr. Harkins and Ms. Kinomoto walked up beside them. She couldn't help noticing how Syaoran's grip tightened slightly on her arm.
" He's not..." She started to protest.
But, the two adults ignored her objections, so she clamped her mouth shut, as Syaoran gently led her towards the little French sidewalk cafe.
******
It looked much like any other dining room with the windows closed, but
when they were opened, it was like sitting under a long verandah, on a
sidewalk of Paris next to the sea. The breeze gently wafted through the
windows, but nothing so strong as to upset any meals or wicker furniture.
They all sat down, listening to the sounds of the gulls.
This morning, Sakura had been starved, having not eaten since the night
before. But now, as she listened to all the strange foods that Mr. Harkins
was ordering from the quaint French bistro, she found her appetite had
escaped her. Frog legs, parboiled with a side of...she didn't want to know.
Suddenly, Tomoyo saved the day, for which Sakura would always be thankful.
" Pardon moi, monsieur Harkins," She said sweetly," My friend Sakura
and I, have very delicate stomachs, and I'm afraid that the foods you ordered
would be much too rich for our taste."
" Of course, order whatever you like." He said with the same wolfish
grin.
Tomoyo looked to their two gentlemen as well.
" Do you have any preferences, Monsieur Eriol, Monsieur Syaoran?"
Both of them shook their heads. She smiled, and politely waved to a passing waiter.
" Pardon moi, garcon? Oui, je desire quatre croissants, deux pour moi
et cette mademoiselle ici, et deux pour les monsieurs ici."
" Tres bien, mademoiselle."
" Et, un pot de confiture, hmm, confiture de fraise, s'il vous plait..."
Sakura watched as Tomoyo's finger skimmed the menu. It took her five minutes more to finish the orders, after which she placed the menu in the waiter's hand; he promptly left to fill the order.
" What did you order us, Tomoyo?"
" You'll see."
They talked for some time, before Mr. Harkin's meal appeared. It smelled horrible, but both Ms, Kinomoto and Peter Harkin's seemed to be enjoying it, her in particular. Syaoran and Sakura looked up anxiously as their meals were placed before them.
" Bon appetit."
The waiter bowed, lifting the lid.
" Ah, plain and simple I see," Peter Harkins laughed," Jolly good."
On each plate, a fresh croissant steaming, with a dollop of strawberry jam and fresh cream cheese. Beside it, a steaming mug of hot French chocolate, wonderful in the cool morning breeze that blew in from the open windows. Sakura ate hers slowly, but with some gusto, sipping and savoring her chocolate. Syaoran watched her over the brim of his cup with amusement. Everything seemed such a new experience to her. And indeed it was.
******
If you know enough French to correct me, I'd be more than happy to change
her words. But, that's about as far as I'll go, I won't change what they're
eating.