DISCLAIMER: CCS NOT MINE, SONGS [THOUGH NONE IN THIS CHAPTER] ARE MINE,
STORY IS MINE...
Sing for Me: Chapter Eight: Love's Misleading Path
Tomoyo had come home early that evening as she had promised and this pleased Sakura for two reasons:
Well, this just instilled the fact that she could always depend on her best friend and... She could derive from her early return that Tomoyo had been able to resist Syaoran successfully while maintaining interest. It was something only Tomoyo could do.
That was why when Tomoyo began [after that evening] to spend day after day with Syaoran that it hit Sakura so hard; she of course, kept this to herself.
Instead of fuming or brooding, both rather un-Sakura, she wrote and wrote...and wrote some more.
Finally, sick of sitting with her pen and paper, having already weaved about ten new songs out, she put on the look she had discarded days before, nearly forgotten even and took on her transformation: into Hisui.
Hair tucked under the floppy hat, form disguising clothes, androgynous overall effect, no jewelry, no make-up.
She sighed and wondered if life would be simpler if she really was a boy and then threw that idea out the window. She liked being herself.
She wondered that she had ever even thought this disguise necessary; lately she had been out numerous times in her normal attire and either not been recognized or been left alone by her fans. She wondered at that.
Without thinking really, she made her way to Destiny where she was not surprised to find Eriol, who smiled brightly at her...or in his eyes, 'him'.
"Ohayo Hisui-kun!" he called as Sakura/ Hisui walked in.
"Ohayo Eriol-kun, daijoubu?" Sakura asked.
"Good, good, and you? I haven't seen you since the day you gave me the tickets. Cherry said you were sick the night of the benefit," Eriol added the last part, concern written all over his pale complexion and Sakura smiled warmly at him, but a crooked smile she had developed, just for her role of Hisui.
"Urm...ahem, hai actually I was. I'm alright now though." Sakura reassured him. Sighing suddenly, Eriol sat down in a chair and as there were no customers at that moment, Sakura too sat down, facing him questioningly.
"What's wrong Eriol?" she paused and then added, "Is it a girl?" To her surprise, he laughed.
"Well, no and yes."
"Eh?" Sakura had nearly used her trademark "Hoe" but caught herself in time, thanking whatever heavens there were for her brief moments of conscious action.
"Actually, it's about two people."
"Two?" Now Sakura was really confused.
"Hai. Do you know who?"
Sakura shook her head obliviously.
"Sakura and Syaoran" was his simple answer.
The names sounded slippery like water, unattainable but forever in a steady and traceable motion.
"What about them?" she asked, acting with all the composure she knew she lacked in reality.
"I was trying to figure that out myself in fact. It seems that Syaoran is rather interestingly affected by your...cousin did you say? And she is always," he paused with an almost sad smile, "always responding to him."
"Why wouldn't she?" Sakura asked, perplexed still but also intrigued.
"It confuses me. I suspect the two of fancying each other, and yet they insist on acting opposite of their true feelings, or so I guess." Eriol's voice was even and soft-spoken as always, clear and with that impending tone of reason that made everything he said sound right.
And this was no exception.
"Perhaps, perhaps you're imagining it? I...I mean, I can't imagine why he would like Sakura-chan," Sakura said, feeling odd speaking not only in third person about herself, but unbeneficial to her as well.
"Iie. I am positive at least that Syaoran likes Sakura. I wonder how she feels about him though...it would be too bad," Eriol commented.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.
"Well, I don't know if you know this already, but he's dating her best friend, Tomoyo right now," he paused and in that pause, Sakura felt her gut wrench...yes, he was going out with her wasn't he? Eriol continued: "And I think she might be falling for his...charms...if you know what I mean; and he's not serious."
"Nani?" Sakura's voice broke.
"I don't mean to seem rude, but I know Syaoran and the way he looks at Tomoyo, well, even if he holds her in higher respect than his other...um..." Eriol for once was at a loss for words.
"Conquests?" Sakura suggested with the least bit of sardonic dryness.
"H-hai. Even if he respects her somewhat, he does not love her...and I would not like to see her hurt," Eriol let silence reign again and Sakura took the moment to see a cloud come into his eyes as he said those last words, full of concern, caring, and...
"You like her?" she asked quietly.
"I am not so sure. At first, if you must know, I was spellbound by Cherry/ Sakura. Your cousin is very talented and very beautiful, full of light." Sakura took every precaution in her not to blush.
"You think so?" she asked softly, nearly forgetting who she was supposed to be.
"Hai, don't you?" Eriol asked quizzically. After mentally slapping herself, Sakura nodded.
"Hai, hai! I just...never thought about her being beautiful, you know, being my cousin and all..." Sakura defended valiantly and she could tell, regardless, that Eriol was sizing up her defense with what he had heard. He let it go.
"Right, but now, now I'm not so sure," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Well, you see, when I began to suspect Syaoran of liking Sakura, I felt willing to give up my...liking for her, for him, if it would make him happy. It was then that I supposed love was made of sterner stuff, you know, the 'I'll never give her up, try and kill me if you want but I won't let you have her' type of thing, ne?" he smiled ruefully this time.
Sakura felt like sharing that rueful smile.
So he didn't like her...or at least he wasn't certain.
She was about to question him further, but suddenly the door slammed open and in stormed Syaoran looking like he was straight out of Hell, fire in his amber eyes and a very upset-looking Tomoyo right behind him.
Before Sakura could say anything, he threw a paper down on the table in front of her and Eriol and she knew just why he was so angry...or so she thought.
There on the front of the paper was a picture of Eriol and Sakura, the angle was such that it looked, well---it looked rather suggestive. Eriol's profile was cut off because Sakura was there in front, and it gave the impression that they were having a rather intimate moment...in their apartment hallway. Sakura felt sick. Who would do this?
Eriol paled and frowned at what he saw. They had never done anything of the sort, perhaps they had been that close, but the way the picture was positioned...he shook his head in a flabbergasted state of muteness.
Syaoran was a bit more perturbed and verbal about it too.
"What the hell is this?" His voice was harsh and Sakura sensed more than simple disturbance in the air between him and Eriol.
"I have no idea," Eriol said simply. If Syaoran were going to jump to conclusions, he would let him.
"No idea? Hirigizawa..." he growled, obviously put into an amazing disarray due to the article. Sakura read it aloud, soft but loud enough for all present to hear. Even though Syaoran had already read the article at least fifteen times, he seethed anew with each word she spoke and Tomoyo had to push him down into a chair. Sakura read:
"Found outside Cherry's apartment, a local singer Eriol Hirigizawa was seen with Cherry herself. The two seemed rather close and as some might recall, this is not the first time the public saw these two musicians together. Recall the Children's Benefit not but a week or two ago? There too, they were seen, dancing closely. Here it is obvious the two artists are more than chums, but exactly how much? Is this a fling? Or has the beloved Cherry, Japan's idol and star, found her soul mate? Romance is in the air and rumor has it, Cherry and Eriol are..."she stopped reading, having seen enough.
The nerve.
She felt like yelling too, like throwing something---or someone---but knew that as Hisui, she could not react so violently without suspicion falling fast to her.
"So?" Syaoran glowered again.
"It's nothing," was Eriol's reply.
"Nothing? What do you mean 'nothing'? This," he emphasized, shaking the article as he snatched it out of Sakura's hands, "doesn't look like 'nothing' Hirigizawa."
"Look Li-san," Eriol bit back icily, "I said it was nothing."
Syaoran felt suddenly another pair of intense eyes upon him as he was about to launch into a verbal attack on Eriol and he turned. And he saw Hisui it seemed, for the first time.
"Where is she?" he asked Sakura.
"I don't know Li-san. Demo, I, I know she wouldn't ever do anything like this and---" she was cut off and shocked by a bitter laugh from Syaoran.
"Oh wouldn't she? I knew she was clever but this takes the cake..." he mumbled to himself, storming out of the coffee shop, Tomoyo apologizing for both of them as they left.
"How could he even think she would do that?" Eriol breathed in disgust. He was past appalled with Syaoran Li momentarily.
"She wouldn't" Sakura insisted, half to the air, half to Eriol.
"I know," he said.
"I should be going. Sakura probably hasn't seen this yet..." and Sakura bid him farewell, exiting Destiny.
Two seconds later she ran back in.
"Gomen Eriol-san, I know this must not be the right time, demo, here are some more tickets, for you and Syaoran. It's to 'Cherry's' concert tomorrow night. Think you can make it?" She asked and then added, "She wanted you to come." And it was true.
She had been scared seeing Syaoran act so volatile, she had been confused when Eriol acted so enigmatically cold to him I his responses, and now she wanted clarity and thought that maybe on her concert night she might get it.
"Why?" he asked.
"She..." Sakura paused, thought about it and then decided rather spontaneously, something that could either flare up in her face or save her, "she wants you to sing with her."
Eriol was surprised to say the least.
"Nani? Me?" he asked, for once in his cultured life, speechless.
"Hai," Sakura smiled, "I told her your songs and voice are exceptional, and seeing as how she already knows how sincere you are, she wants you to sing one she wrote with her tomorrow."
"H-hai, demo, when should I meet her and where?" he asked tentatively.
"Her apartment, noon, okay?" Sakura confirmed.
"Alright, I'll be there."
"Arigato gozaimasu Eriol-san! She'll be so pleased," and with that the Sakura whirlwind swept away, leaving Eriol anticipating what was to come, or not.
"Calm down Syaoran," Tomoyo insisted, crossing her arms, willing to be just as stubborn as he was if he didn't come out and say what she thought she knew all along.
She was glad he had decided to affirm her suspicions---no matter how inadvertently---before her heart had become completely his.
That would have killed her.
As it was, she had managed to safe guard, enjoying his charms and flirts, without getting terribly attached, though she had become fond of him, it was certain.
"Calm down? Aren't you the least bit upset?" Syaoran asked, irritated.
"Not really, why should I be?" she asked bluntly.
"B-because...because...I mean, what if he hurts her huh?" he grasped for straws.
"Why would it bother you? I thought you two had an eternal feud of rivalry in put-down contest going on," she mentioned wryly.
"T-t-that's not the point Tomoyo!" he sputtered.
"Then what is Li-san?" she asked and he stopped; she had used his last name...whoo boy...that wasn't good. He knew.
"Nothing. Sorry Tomoyo-chan," he said, erasing his frown and letting his shoulders lift a bit by letting the anxiety in him down for a bit. He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her gently, and Tomoyo lightly pushed her hands against his chest, distancing herself from him slightly.
"Syaoran," she paused and he was glad she was back on his first name.
"Hai my sweet?" he asked.
"Do you like my Sakura-chan?" she asked politely.
"N-nani?" was his response.
"Do you like my Sakura-chan?" from Tomoyo.
"Wait a minute, 'your' Sakura-chan?" he asked doubtfully.
"Hai, she is and always will be mine, always my friend, always there for me," Tomoyo explained, smiling patiently.
"Ah I see," he said, even though he quite mostly did not.
"I wonder, do you really?" she thought aloud. He smiled at her and drew her closer to him.
"Let me show you 'really'." And he bent his head down to hers, ignoring the truth in what she had been asking him about, the point she had been getting to.
Tomoyo was no fool and she had seen the pure jealousy and frustration in the little wolf after seeing that tabloid, after Eriol's vague responses. And even if he was blind, she wasn't.
So she did what she had to do, and pushing him away softly for the last time, she looked kindly up into his confused eyes and whispered:
"I know you love someone..." she paused and then finished, "and it's not me."
The next day, Sakura stood waiting outside her apartment dressed in a light green tank top and black jean overalls, red converse all star shoes giving her a childish look that was both cute and innocent. When Eriol arrived she greeted him happily.
"Konnichi-wa Eriol!"
"Konnichi-wa Sakura-chan," he replied.
"Arigato gozaimasu, I mean, for agreeing. I just know this is meant to be a duet and you're the only one I know on such short notice who can sing well," she explained, waving her hands animatedly, obviously anxious about the whole thing. He laughed.
"Relax Sakura-chan. It's not like I'm gonna back out on you now or anything, ne?" And with that they set off for the studio.
Eriol agreed with Sakura after reading the lyrics; it was definitely meant to be a duo. He was impressed with her lyricist skills once again and praised her shamelessly, repeatedly bringing a flush to her cheeks.
Every time she looked at him though, throughout their whole practice---and it was a successful one---his face turned a bit darker, his eyes turned amber, his hair became messy and brown...just for a moment.
And then he was sweet, kind Eriol again, amiably speaking to and fro with her about the performance that night.
And then he chose that moment to segue into something that she had pushed to the back of her mind until then.
"Did you see the Tabloid by the way Sakura? Did Hisui show you?" Eriol asked, serious now.
"Er, hai. I know we didn't really do anything like that though, so it's okay, ne? I mean, it'll all blow over..." she trailed off.
"You realize that by having me sing with you tonight, especially this song, it may look as though we are confirming their...their rumor, don't you?" he asked.
"Hai, demo, things will be okay. Lies are uncovered in time and the truth is revealed. Don't worry so much Eriol-kun. Remember: Zettai daijoubu! The invincible phrase," she added, grinning widely.
"As long as you know Sakura-chan," he gave in, allowing himself a half- smile.
"I know," was her reply.
Even later, after Eriol had gone, promising to meet her at the concert amphitheatre before the show later, she found herself walking, walking, walking...
And she ran into something.
Or rather, someone.
She looked up and was lost in amber.
Syaoran was as startled as she, staring down into her wide green eyes, trying to push away the emotions inside him that were clawing at him to be noticed.
"Ehehe...hi there Li-san," she greeted weakly.
All he did was nod his head.
"Um, where's Tomoyo-chan?" she asked. The briefest of updates last night had informed her that the two had split, but she had not really seen Tomoyo; she had only received her call on the cell phone.
"I don't know," was his gruff response. He was still trying to collect himself from the break-up. He couldn't remember a time when any girl had ever broken it off with him; he was the initiator and the stopper, the commencer and the master. And Tomoyo had just told him it was over, pretty much.
"Hoe?"
"I said, I don't know. Why don't you find her yourself Miss Cherry?" he scowled and went to push past her.
And he might have gotten away...
If she hadn't grabbed his sleeve.
"Nani? What are you doing cherry blossom?" he frowned and she frowned back at him.
"Is something going on?" she asked, clueless.
"What do you mean? 'Is something going on'? Kami-sama, are you totally oblivious? Everyone knows," he added scathingly.
"Knows what?" Sakura asked, dreading the answer.
"About you and Hirigizawa," was his terse answer and she could her the brittle tone in his voice.
"What about us?" she asked and then remembered the tabloid and quickly amended, "You didn't believe that farce did you?"
"I'm not sure what to believe," he fairly exploded. "You're nice, you're cold, you're warm, you're a child, you're...you're the most damned confusing person I've ever met!"
"Am I?" she asked softly.
"Hai," he replied vehemently and added, "And you confuse me until I'm not sure I even know what I feel anymore."
With that he stomped off and Sakura ran home.
Lo and behold, Tomoyo was there, seemingly waiting for her, happy as ever. One would never have guessed she broke it off with one of Japan's leading bachelor's one night earlier.
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura cried happily, tackling her in a hug.
"Oof! Sakura-chan, hey there. Shouldn't you be getting ready for your performance?" she asked, smiling.
"Hai, hai, demo, I have to tell you something," Sakura said, not sure if she was saying the whole truth or just a sudden whim, but it seemed a lot deeper than that.
"Hai?" Tomoyo prompted patiently.
"You know how I wasn't sure about how I felt about Eriol-kun? How I said he made me feel warm and safe but how I felt nearly the same in Syaoran's arms that night we danced?"
Tomoyo nodded and Sakura continued.
"Well, I figured it out," Sakura smiled happily.
"And who's the lucky man?" Tomoyo asked.
"I wrote a song for him," Sakura said almost shyly. Tomoyo was still smiling but her curiosity was getting the best of her. She asked again.
"So who is it?" she hinted.
"Who what?" Sakura feigned ignorance, widening her green eyes playfully. "Sakura-chaaannnnn!" Tomoyo fairly whined and lightly punched Sakura in the arm. "Tell me! Onegai!"
"Who?" Sakura asked.
"Hai, who!" Tomoyo nodded and added coyly, "Who do you love?"
"I love..." there was a pause. "You'll have to wait and see tonight!" she finished, grinning and Tomoyo face faulted, falling off the edge of her chair.
"Eh, daijoubu Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked, looking down.
"Hai, hai," came the resigned reply.
---------------------------------------------
Hope you liked this chapter! WHO does Sakura choose? And you better not think it's all happily ever after that, whoo boy no! Remember our not-so- good-friend Koi from the benefit? [Miss Gold-digger?] Well, if you recall, she had adamant plans to sink her hooks into one of our two beloveds, Eriol or Syaoran.
And we wonder where this is going...~_~
Review if you can! Thank you for sticking with me so far; I hope you all continue to do so until the end of the story.
[Whenever that is]
Next time: The duet, the revelation of Sakura's love, the return of the eviiiilll Koi, and some other stuffs too maybe, ne?
That is, if you all review. ^_~
To those of you who have already, MANY THANKS. They mean the world to me!
-Kaji Hikage
Sing for Me: Chapter Eight: Love's Misleading Path
Tomoyo had come home early that evening as she had promised and this pleased Sakura for two reasons:
Well, this just instilled the fact that she could always depend on her best friend and... She could derive from her early return that Tomoyo had been able to resist Syaoran successfully while maintaining interest. It was something only Tomoyo could do.
That was why when Tomoyo began [after that evening] to spend day after day with Syaoran that it hit Sakura so hard; she of course, kept this to herself.
Instead of fuming or brooding, both rather un-Sakura, she wrote and wrote...and wrote some more.
Finally, sick of sitting with her pen and paper, having already weaved about ten new songs out, she put on the look she had discarded days before, nearly forgotten even and took on her transformation: into Hisui.
Hair tucked under the floppy hat, form disguising clothes, androgynous overall effect, no jewelry, no make-up.
She sighed and wondered if life would be simpler if she really was a boy and then threw that idea out the window. She liked being herself.
She wondered that she had ever even thought this disguise necessary; lately she had been out numerous times in her normal attire and either not been recognized or been left alone by her fans. She wondered at that.
Without thinking really, she made her way to Destiny where she was not surprised to find Eriol, who smiled brightly at her...or in his eyes, 'him'.
"Ohayo Hisui-kun!" he called as Sakura/ Hisui walked in.
"Ohayo Eriol-kun, daijoubu?" Sakura asked.
"Good, good, and you? I haven't seen you since the day you gave me the tickets. Cherry said you were sick the night of the benefit," Eriol added the last part, concern written all over his pale complexion and Sakura smiled warmly at him, but a crooked smile she had developed, just for her role of Hisui.
"Urm...ahem, hai actually I was. I'm alright now though." Sakura reassured him. Sighing suddenly, Eriol sat down in a chair and as there were no customers at that moment, Sakura too sat down, facing him questioningly.
"What's wrong Eriol?" she paused and then added, "Is it a girl?" To her surprise, he laughed.
"Well, no and yes."
"Eh?" Sakura had nearly used her trademark "Hoe" but caught herself in time, thanking whatever heavens there were for her brief moments of conscious action.
"Actually, it's about two people."
"Two?" Now Sakura was really confused.
"Hai. Do you know who?"
Sakura shook her head obliviously.
"Sakura and Syaoran" was his simple answer.
The names sounded slippery like water, unattainable but forever in a steady and traceable motion.
"What about them?" she asked, acting with all the composure she knew she lacked in reality.
"I was trying to figure that out myself in fact. It seems that Syaoran is rather interestingly affected by your...cousin did you say? And she is always," he paused with an almost sad smile, "always responding to him."
"Why wouldn't she?" Sakura asked, perplexed still but also intrigued.
"It confuses me. I suspect the two of fancying each other, and yet they insist on acting opposite of their true feelings, or so I guess." Eriol's voice was even and soft-spoken as always, clear and with that impending tone of reason that made everything he said sound right.
And this was no exception.
"Perhaps, perhaps you're imagining it? I...I mean, I can't imagine why he would like Sakura-chan," Sakura said, feeling odd speaking not only in third person about herself, but unbeneficial to her as well.
"Iie. I am positive at least that Syaoran likes Sakura. I wonder how she feels about him though...it would be too bad," Eriol commented.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.
"Well, I don't know if you know this already, but he's dating her best friend, Tomoyo right now," he paused and in that pause, Sakura felt her gut wrench...yes, he was going out with her wasn't he? Eriol continued: "And I think she might be falling for his...charms...if you know what I mean; and he's not serious."
"Nani?" Sakura's voice broke.
"I don't mean to seem rude, but I know Syaoran and the way he looks at Tomoyo, well, even if he holds her in higher respect than his other...um..." Eriol for once was at a loss for words.
"Conquests?" Sakura suggested with the least bit of sardonic dryness.
"H-hai. Even if he respects her somewhat, he does not love her...and I would not like to see her hurt," Eriol let silence reign again and Sakura took the moment to see a cloud come into his eyes as he said those last words, full of concern, caring, and...
"You like her?" she asked quietly.
"I am not so sure. At first, if you must know, I was spellbound by Cherry/ Sakura. Your cousin is very talented and very beautiful, full of light." Sakura took every precaution in her not to blush.
"You think so?" she asked softly, nearly forgetting who she was supposed to be.
"Hai, don't you?" Eriol asked quizzically. After mentally slapping herself, Sakura nodded.
"Hai, hai! I just...never thought about her being beautiful, you know, being my cousin and all..." Sakura defended valiantly and she could tell, regardless, that Eriol was sizing up her defense with what he had heard. He let it go.
"Right, but now, now I'm not so sure," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Well, you see, when I began to suspect Syaoran of liking Sakura, I felt willing to give up my...liking for her, for him, if it would make him happy. It was then that I supposed love was made of sterner stuff, you know, the 'I'll never give her up, try and kill me if you want but I won't let you have her' type of thing, ne?" he smiled ruefully this time.
Sakura felt like sharing that rueful smile.
So he didn't like her...or at least he wasn't certain.
She was about to question him further, but suddenly the door slammed open and in stormed Syaoran looking like he was straight out of Hell, fire in his amber eyes and a very upset-looking Tomoyo right behind him.
Before Sakura could say anything, he threw a paper down on the table in front of her and Eriol and she knew just why he was so angry...or so she thought.
There on the front of the paper was a picture of Eriol and Sakura, the angle was such that it looked, well---it looked rather suggestive. Eriol's profile was cut off because Sakura was there in front, and it gave the impression that they were having a rather intimate moment...in their apartment hallway. Sakura felt sick. Who would do this?
Eriol paled and frowned at what he saw. They had never done anything of the sort, perhaps they had been that close, but the way the picture was positioned...he shook his head in a flabbergasted state of muteness.
Syaoran was a bit more perturbed and verbal about it too.
"What the hell is this?" His voice was harsh and Sakura sensed more than simple disturbance in the air between him and Eriol.
"I have no idea," Eriol said simply. If Syaoran were going to jump to conclusions, he would let him.
"No idea? Hirigizawa..." he growled, obviously put into an amazing disarray due to the article. Sakura read it aloud, soft but loud enough for all present to hear. Even though Syaoran had already read the article at least fifteen times, he seethed anew with each word she spoke and Tomoyo had to push him down into a chair. Sakura read:
"Found outside Cherry's apartment, a local singer Eriol Hirigizawa was seen with Cherry herself. The two seemed rather close and as some might recall, this is not the first time the public saw these two musicians together. Recall the Children's Benefit not but a week or two ago? There too, they were seen, dancing closely. Here it is obvious the two artists are more than chums, but exactly how much? Is this a fling? Or has the beloved Cherry, Japan's idol and star, found her soul mate? Romance is in the air and rumor has it, Cherry and Eriol are..."she stopped reading, having seen enough.
The nerve.
She felt like yelling too, like throwing something---or someone---but knew that as Hisui, she could not react so violently without suspicion falling fast to her.
"So?" Syaoran glowered again.
"It's nothing," was Eriol's reply.
"Nothing? What do you mean 'nothing'? This," he emphasized, shaking the article as he snatched it out of Sakura's hands, "doesn't look like 'nothing' Hirigizawa."
"Look Li-san," Eriol bit back icily, "I said it was nothing."
Syaoran felt suddenly another pair of intense eyes upon him as he was about to launch into a verbal attack on Eriol and he turned. And he saw Hisui it seemed, for the first time.
"Where is she?" he asked Sakura.
"I don't know Li-san. Demo, I, I know she wouldn't ever do anything like this and---" she was cut off and shocked by a bitter laugh from Syaoran.
"Oh wouldn't she? I knew she was clever but this takes the cake..." he mumbled to himself, storming out of the coffee shop, Tomoyo apologizing for both of them as they left.
"How could he even think she would do that?" Eriol breathed in disgust. He was past appalled with Syaoran Li momentarily.
"She wouldn't" Sakura insisted, half to the air, half to Eriol.
"I know," he said.
"I should be going. Sakura probably hasn't seen this yet..." and Sakura bid him farewell, exiting Destiny.
Two seconds later she ran back in.
"Gomen Eriol-san, I know this must not be the right time, demo, here are some more tickets, for you and Syaoran. It's to 'Cherry's' concert tomorrow night. Think you can make it?" She asked and then added, "She wanted you to come." And it was true.
She had been scared seeing Syaoran act so volatile, she had been confused when Eriol acted so enigmatically cold to him I his responses, and now she wanted clarity and thought that maybe on her concert night she might get it.
"Why?" he asked.
"She..." Sakura paused, thought about it and then decided rather spontaneously, something that could either flare up in her face or save her, "she wants you to sing with her."
Eriol was surprised to say the least.
"Nani? Me?" he asked, for once in his cultured life, speechless.
"Hai," Sakura smiled, "I told her your songs and voice are exceptional, and seeing as how she already knows how sincere you are, she wants you to sing one she wrote with her tomorrow."
"H-hai, demo, when should I meet her and where?" he asked tentatively.
"Her apartment, noon, okay?" Sakura confirmed.
"Alright, I'll be there."
"Arigato gozaimasu Eriol-san! She'll be so pleased," and with that the Sakura whirlwind swept away, leaving Eriol anticipating what was to come, or not.
"Calm down Syaoran," Tomoyo insisted, crossing her arms, willing to be just as stubborn as he was if he didn't come out and say what she thought she knew all along.
She was glad he had decided to affirm her suspicions---no matter how inadvertently---before her heart had become completely his.
That would have killed her.
As it was, she had managed to safe guard, enjoying his charms and flirts, without getting terribly attached, though she had become fond of him, it was certain.
"Calm down? Aren't you the least bit upset?" Syaoran asked, irritated.
"Not really, why should I be?" she asked bluntly.
"B-because...because...I mean, what if he hurts her huh?" he grasped for straws.
"Why would it bother you? I thought you two had an eternal feud of rivalry in put-down contest going on," she mentioned wryly.
"T-t-that's not the point Tomoyo!" he sputtered.
"Then what is Li-san?" she asked and he stopped; she had used his last name...whoo boy...that wasn't good. He knew.
"Nothing. Sorry Tomoyo-chan," he said, erasing his frown and letting his shoulders lift a bit by letting the anxiety in him down for a bit. He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her gently, and Tomoyo lightly pushed her hands against his chest, distancing herself from him slightly.
"Syaoran," she paused and he was glad she was back on his first name.
"Hai my sweet?" he asked.
"Do you like my Sakura-chan?" she asked politely.
"N-nani?" was his response.
"Do you like my Sakura-chan?" from Tomoyo.
"Wait a minute, 'your' Sakura-chan?" he asked doubtfully.
"Hai, she is and always will be mine, always my friend, always there for me," Tomoyo explained, smiling patiently.
"Ah I see," he said, even though he quite mostly did not.
"I wonder, do you really?" she thought aloud. He smiled at her and drew her closer to him.
"Let me show you 'really'." And he bent his head down to hers, ignoring the truth in what she had been asking him about, the point she had been getting to.
Tomoyo was no fool and she had seen the pure jealousy and frustration in the little wolf after seeing that tabloid, after Eriol's vague responses. And even if he was blind, she wasn't.
So she did what she had to do, and pushing him away softly for the last time, she looked kindly up into his confused eyes and whispered:
"I know you love someone..." she paused and then finished, "and it's not me."
The next day, Sakura stood waiting outside her apartment dressed in a light green tank top and black jean overalls, red converse all star shoes giving her a childish look that was both cute and innocent. When Eriol arrived she greeted him happily.
"Konnichi-wa Eriol!"
"Konnichi-wa Sakura-chan," he replied.
"Arigato gozaimasu, I mean, for agreeing. I just know this is meant to be a duet and you're the only one I know on such short notice who can sing well," she explained, waving her hands animatedly, obviously anxious about the whole thing. He laughed.
"Relax Sakura-chan. It's not like I'm gonna back out on you now or anything, ne?" And with that they set off for the studio.
Eriol agreed with Sakura after reading the lyrics; it was definitely meant to be a duo. He was impressed with her lyricist skills once again and praised her shamelessly, repeatedly bringing a flush to her cheeks.
Every time she looked at him though, throughout their whole practice---and it was a successful one---his face turned a bit darker, his eyes turned amber, his hair became messy and brown...just for a moment.
And then he was sweet, kind Eriol again, amiably speaking to and fro with her about the performance that night.
And then he chose that moment to segue into something that she had pushed to the back of her mind until then.
"Did you see the Tabloid by the way Sakura? Did Hisui show you?" Eriol asked, serious now.
"Er, hai. I know we didn't really do anything like that though, so it's okay, ne? I mean, it'll all blow over..." she trailed off.
"You realize that by having me sing with you tonight, especially this song, it may look as though we are confirming their...their rumor, don't you?" he asked.
"Hai, demo, things will be okay. Lies are uncovered in time and the truth is revealed. Don't worry so much Eriol-kun. Remember: Zettai daijoubu! The invincible phrase," she added, grinning widely.
"As long as you know Sakura-chan," he gave in, allowing himself a half- smile.
"I know," was her reply.
Even later, after Eriol had gone, promising to meet her at the concert amphitheatre before the show later, she found herself walking, walking, walking...
And she ran into something.
Or rather, someone.
She looked up and was lost in amber.
Syaoran was as startled as she, staring down into her wide green eyes, trying to push away the emotions inside him that were clawing at him to be noticed.
"Ehehe...hi there Li-san," she greeted weakly.
All he did was nod his head.
"Um, where's Tomoyo-chan?" she asked. The briefest of updates last night had informed her that the two had split, but she had not really seen Tomoyo; she had only received her call on the cell phone.
"I don't know," was his gruff response. He was still trying to collect himself from the break-up. He couldn't remember a time when any girl had ever broken it off with him; he was the initiator and the stopper, the commencer and the master. And Tomoyo had just told him it was over, pretty much.
"Hoe?"
"I said, I don't know. Why don't you find her yourself Miss Cherry?" he scowled and went to push past her.
And he might have gotten away...
If she hadn't grabbed his sleeve.
"Nani? What are you doing cherry blossom?" he frowned and she frowned back at him.
"Is something going on?" she asked, clueless.
"What do you mean? 'Is something going on'? Kami-sama, are you totally oblivious? Everyone knows," he added scathingly.
"Knows what?" Sakura asked, dreading the answer.
"About you and Hirigizawa," was his terse answer and she could her the brittle tone in his voice.
"What about us?" she asked and then remembered the tabloid and quickly amended, "You didn't believe that farce did you?"
"I'm not sure what to believe," he fairly exploded. "You're nice, you're cold, you're warm, you're a child, you're...you're the most damned confusing person I've ever met!"
"Am I?" she asked softly.
"Hai," he replied vehemently and added, "And you confuse me until I'm not sure I even know what I feel anymore."
With that he stomped off and Sakura ran home.
Lo and behold, Tomoyo was there, seemingly waiting for her, happy as ever. One would never have guessed she broke it off with one of Japan's leading bachelor's one night earlier.
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura cried happily, tackling her in a hug.
"Oof! Sakura-chan, hey there. Shouldn't you be getting ready for your performance?" she asked, smiling.
"Hai, hai, demo, I have to tell you something," Sakura said, not sure if she was saying the whole truth or just a sudden whim, but it seemed a lot deeper than that.
"Hai?" Tomoyo prompted patiently.
"You know how I wasn't sure about how I felt about Eriol-kun? How I said he made me feel warm and safe but how I felt nearly the same in Syaoran's arms that night we danced?"
Tomoyo nodded and Sakura continued.
"Well, I figured it out," Sakura smiled happily.
"And who's the lucky man?" Tomoyo asked.
"I wrote a song for him," Sakura said almost shyly. Tomoyo was still smiling but her curiosity was getting the best of her. She asked again.
"So who is it?" she hinted.
"Who what?" Sakura feigned ignorance, widening her green eyes playfully. "Sakura-chaaannnnn!" Tomoyo fairly whined and lightly punched Sakura in the arm. "Tell me! Onegai!"
"Who?" Sakura asked.
"Hai, who!" Tomoyo nodded and added coyly, "Who do you love?"
"I love..." there was a pause. "You'll have to wait and see tonight!" she finished, grinning and Tomoyo face faulted, falling off the edge of her chair.
"Eh, daijoubu Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked, looking down.
"Hai, hai," came the resigned reply.
---------------------------------------------
Hope you liked this chapter! WHO does Sakura choose? And you better not think it's all happily ever after that, whoo boy no! Remember our not-so- good-friend Koi from the benefit? [Miss Gold-digger?] Well, if you recall, she had adamant plans to sink her hooks into one of our two beloveds, Eriol or Syaoran.
And we wonder where this is going...~_~
Review if you can! Thank you for sticking with me so far; I hope you all continue to do so until the end of the story.
[Whenever that is]
Next time: The duet, the revelation of Sakura's love, the return of the eviiiilll Koi, and some other stuffs too maybe, ne?
That is, if you all review. ^_~
To those of you who have already, MANY THANKS. They mean the world to me!
-Kaji Hikage