Silent Reflections and Supermarkets
"No! Don't take it off! It looks good on you!" Kai insisted, referring to the shiny, thin emerald band placed on Syaoran's forehead.
Syaoran blushed and shrugged. "I dunno! It feels weird! And anyway, it's embarrassing! Everyone is staring!"
"Yeah! So? In my eyes staring is a good thing. It gives you attention." Kai paused, "Then again…." he trailed off blushing furiously .
Syaoran raised an eyebrow. Kai was known to be one of those people who scowled at everything. Syaoran himself, referred to it as "Limited bullshit tolerance"
Syaoran and Kaiju were sitting uncomfortably on the plane bound for Japan. Empty peanut rappers lay scattered all over the floor and the seats.
"Man! What's with all the peanuts?" Syaoran grumbled. "Where are all the chocolate bars?"
"You and your chocolate!" Kai grinned.
"My love for chocolate is very COMPLEX! Don't piss me off when I'm suffering from lack of sugar and calories!" Syaoran warned Kai with a small grin.
Kai shook his head and laughed.
Kai seems more relaxed and open minded. His bark really Is worse than his bite! Syaoran thought amused.
"Humph! So much for leg space! My legs are completely numb. I'm probably paralysed or something." Kai angrily interrupted Syaoran's thougts, trying to re-position his legs so that he was comfortable, accidentally whacking Syaoran in the process!
"Oops! Sorry Syaoran!" Kai apologised.
"S'Ok!" Syaoran grunted. "I'm gonna go to the toilet, and stretch my legs out." he added.
Kai leant back, attempting to let Syaoran through, but since there was little space, Syaoran tripped over Kai's legs and landed violently on the floor, legs still tangled in Kai's. Everyone turned to look at them. Syaoran, bright red, pushed himself up and de-tangled himself. He quickly got up and made his way toward the end of the plane.
Kai burst out laughing amongst the many snickering passengers. Syaoran turned around, giving Kai one of his famous glares, immediately silencing Kai.
After all! Kai thought, Syaoran can be quite scary when he wants to be!
***
Kai felt Syaoran slide further into shoulder. His soft amber hair tickling his neck. Kai blushed with pleasure, listening to his soft snoring. Suddenly Syaoran gripped Kai's arm forcefully, muttering desperately. At first Kai couldn't make out what Syaoran was saying, but after a while he caught the words "Sakura please!"
Kai immediately froze. Jealously slowly creeping into his body. That damn Kinomoto girl. Why does she always cause Syaoran so much pain. Why does he after all this time still love her? Kai clenched his fists, his face twisting into an ugly grimace.
Syaoran stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He blinked, still adjusting to the bright light.
"Huh? It's so bright, but isn't it night?" Syaoran pondered out loud.
"It's the aeroplane lights," Kai softly explained. Syaoran gasped as he realised that he had been resting on Kai. Syaoran hurriedly moved back against the window. "Gomen nasai Kai," Syaoran apologised, clearly embarrassed.
Kai said nothing as he looked away from Syaoran. I really don't mind. Kai sadly thought.
"What's wrong Kai?" Syaoran asked bemused. "Kai?" Syaoran tried again when Kai stayed stationary and rigid.
"You were talking to me Li?" Kai asked, slightly aggravated.
Oh-oh! Syaoran thought, slightly unnerved, recognising the name switch. Something's up with him! I didn't know he got so touchy when people ACCIDENTLY fall asleep leaning on him! I'll have to remember that for the future!
Syaoran looked away from Kai and exhaled as he leant back against the seat. He happily grinned as he gazed admiringly at the city lights. Almost back! He realised. Almost there again! Syaoran's smile faded. Will I see her again? What'll happen? I don't like this feeling of rejection. Why am I so nervous, yet excited? Oh Well……I hate it when everything is all silent and boring - it gets me thinking too much!
***
Kero switched sides, trying to get comfortable. He couldn't sleep seeing as though Sakura hadn't stopped snoring and fidgeting all night. Geez! I can't get a decent sleep around here anymore! Sakura sleeps like a Rhinoceros with a stomach ache! If only that Li kid could see her now! He'd run straight home and hide for a month!…If he was here.. He added. Anyway! I must be going mad thinking about HIM! It's because I'm sleep deprived.
***
"Nice place you've got!" Kai complemented Syaoran, no longer hostile toward him - Syaoran gladly noticed.
"Thanks! Konnichi wa Wai!" Syaoran added.
"Ohayoo gozaimasu! Master Syaoran." Wai greeted Li with a smile. "And to you too, Master Kaiju!" Syaoran hid a grin as he saw Kai wince slightly at being called 'Kaiju'
Anyone would hate being called 'monster!' Syaoran reminded himself, then inwardly sighed, remembering how much Sakura detested being called 'kaiju' by her older brother.
"Please, call me 'Kai!" Kai insisted.
"Certainly Master Kai. I'm very pleased to see you both again." Wai said.
"I think I'll unpack my things now," Kai said dragging his suitcase into his new room.
Wai nodded. "Do you boys want something to drink? Tea perhaps?" Wai offered.
"No thanks." Syaoran replied sinking into the comfy couch.
"Do you know how Sakura's doing?" Syaoran suddenly asked.
Kai stopped rummaging in his bag to listen to Wai's answer.
"I believe she's doing well." Wai informed Syaoran.
"Oh! That's good…" Syaoran muttered.
"I could invite her over for lunch or afternoon tea," Wai offered.
"No, it's alright, I was…just wondering."
Wai studied Syaoran for a few seconds, a worried expression on his face, as he watched Syaoran sadly fiddle with the zipper on his jumper.
"I think I will make some tea after all." he said, walking into the kitchen.
"Blast! We seem to be out of milk!" Syaoran heard Wai cry out from the kitchen.
"Wai, I'll get some." Syaoran offered.
"Then I'll come to!" Kai hurriedly cried. "I REALLY need some exercise! And besides, it'll be great to see the town!" Kai eagerly explained.
"Well if you're sure," Wai half apoligised.
"See you later Wai!" Syaoran grinned in spite of himself. "C'mon Kai!"
Wai watched Syaoran and Kai disappear into the hallway, hearing the door close softly.
***
"Kaiju! Here's the shopping list!" Touya yelled.
"I'm NOT a kaiju!" Sakura angrily whined. She picked up her bag and closed the door behind her. Still fuming over Touya.
"Ohayoo Tomoyo!" Sakura cheerfully called out to her best friend.
"Ready to go?" Tomoyo asked Sakura, after she had returned the greeting.
"Yup! Oh, and by the way Kero-chan asked me to buy him some extra pudding! I still owe him for helping me do my chores!" Sakura added. Tomoyo laughed and together they walked down the street, towards the shops.
***
"I've forgotten how beautiful Japan is!" Kai told Syaoran.
"Hong Kong is just as beautiful!" Syaoran insisted. They both moved aside to avoid collision with an old women.
"Ahh! Here it is!" Syaoran bent down to get the milk.
"Great. Where are we going now?" Kai asked.
"You can wait by the exit, or take a look around or something while I pay for this. Oh! While I'm here I think I'll buy some chocolate! Update my emergency supply!" Syaoran grinned as Kai shook his head. "I think I'll take a look around here since I'm sure you'll take a long time choosing your chocolate. Oh wait! On second thought I better stick around, you'll need some help carrying that truck load of chocolate!"
"Very funny," Syaoran rolled his eyes. "Although, you may have a point there!"
Syaoran turned, about to make his way towards the confectionary section, when he heard a strangled cry from the next aisle. Syaoran sprinted around the corner and sweat dropped. "What Kai?" he impatiently asked.
"PEANUTS!" Kai yelled, pointing at a stack of peanuts. "I swear there's too many peanuts!" Syaoran chuckled and retraced his steps back towards the chocolate.
"And, we'll need some peanuts for the cake!" Kai heard a girl say. A short, brown haired girl with sparkling emerald eyes came towards him, walking with another girl with curly dark hair.
"Kero-chan should like THAT!" the curly haired girl chuckled, then stopped, seeing Kai.
Kai immediately recognised the girls from a photo he'd seen. They had been standing next to Syaoran and his cousin Meiling at a park. He glared at them.
Sakura gulped then quickly grabbed a packet of peanuts, while Tomoyo looked behind her. She gasped as she saw a boy that looked remarkably like Li, standing in the check out line.
She only took her eyes off the boy, when she heard the other boy whisper something to Sakura, his tone was very dangerous.
"Stay away from Li!" he muttered. Sakura stood stunned as she watched the boy walk away.
***
Oh my! Who is that creepy boy? Why is he glaring at me so hard? What did I do?
"Stay away from Li!" The boy muttered.
NANI! What did he say? I..I..don't understand. How does he know Li-kun?
"Sakura? SAKURA? Are you alright Sakura?" Tomoyo's voice cried in her head, tearing her thoughts away.
"Tomoyo.." Sakura whispered. "What h-happened? I-I I don't understand?"
Sakura turned to look at Tomoyo. She was looking at Sakura, and yet, it seemed as if she was thinking about something totally different. Her eyes were glazed over, which frightened Sakura even more.
"Tomoyo? What's wrong, you look like you've seen a ghost! Was it that boy? Do you know him or something?" Sakura cried. She clenched her fists to stop the tears from coming.
"Sakura. I think we should just go!" Tomoyo muttered urgently.
"But we haven't finished getting everything yet! If we were to leave now, Touya would be furious!"
"You're right. Forget about it, I kinda just freaked a bit that's all! C'mon! What's next up on the list?"
***
"Oh come on! Just say it!" Syaoran muttered.
"Say what Li? Kai asked
"That I'll need all the staff to help me carry all this chocolate home!" he laughed. Then stopped abruptly. "What's wrong Kai?"
"What makes you think that something's wrong?"
"Well, either you're still pissed off at peanuts, or I'm right in saying, you're a bit quiet!"
"I'm ALWAYS quiet Li."
"Sure! Whatever you say!…..Oh come on! I'm not baka! What's up?"
"I said nothing Li, so just drop it!"
Syaoran looked at Kai strangely and said nothing.
"Sir? I'm free now."
Syaoran turned around again and payed for the stuff they bought.
All the way home Syaoran and Kai said nothing. Kai was confused about his feelings.
Li is right! I am always talkative. But only around him for some reason. I don't normally socialise with ANYONE! No one can be trusted these days. Not even my Dad! So why do I trust Syaoran? I know I'll probably end up getting hurt! Well not anymore!
Syaoran glanced at Kai. Looks like he's deep in thought! Best not disturb him. WHY SHOULDNT YOU! The back of his mind argued. He pissed YOU off! The trip probably just made him tired! His true colours are coming through! Just the same old arrogant boy who orders you around as if you were a servant!…..Why did I think that? He didn't order me around or anything! He just got a bit edgy when I asked if something was wrong!
***
"I'm going to the bathroom 'K?" Kai said nothing. Syaoran frowned. Fine! Be that way! He walked up to the sink, and gazed into the mirror. That emerald band takes some getting use to! This is the first time I've really seen it! I guess it's always going to be there now! Hmm, apart from that it's just the same old Syaoran! Long amber hair falling in my eyes, grim expression. Everything seems the same! So why has everything changed?! Syaoran hit the bench with his fist.
Why can't things just be THE SAME?! Why can't I see Sakura? Why do I have a stupid band on my forehead? Why are Kai and me hostile to each other now?
Look Li! Calm down. Ranting and raving, and hitting the cupboard, won't solve anything. Stop getting so worked up and deal with it!
Syaoran turned the tap on, ready to wash his hands. He watched the crystal water, elegantly flow out of the tap and disappear down the sink. He reached his hand forward, ready to fell the cool sensation of the water when….. "OWWUCH!"
Syaoran's cry sounded throughout the house. Kai and Wai ran into the bathroom to see what had happened. Syaoran was standing there, looking at his head.
"What happened Syaoran?" Kai worriedly asked.
"N..n..nothing. I just burnt my hand….that's all."
Kai walked forward and felt the water. "But Syaoran! It's cold water!" He exclaimed.
"Nani?" Syaoran felt it again. It was dead cold. "But! It was boiling before! It burnt my hand!"
"Maybe, it was turned on hot before, and so it was hot when you turned it on!"
Syaoran shook his head.
"Well! How do YOU know then?" Kai asked, irritated.
"A gut feeling," was all Syaoran said.
Suddenly the phone rang. "I'll get it!" Wai said and walked towards the phone. Kai sat back down on the couch, but Syaoran remained where he was. His eyes never left the trickling water.
"Syaoran! Phone!" Wai called. Syaoran sighed and slowly turned off the tap. He walked into his room and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Syaoran! It your mother."
"Ohayoo mother, " Li automatically responded.
"I take it you got back safetly," His mum said.
"Yes mother, thankyou for ringing, but I'm fine."
"That's good to hear. Call me soon alright?"
"I promise!" Syaoran said half sighing. His mother laughed.
"Alright then! I'll let you get settled in. Bye honey!" and she hang up.
Syaoran listened to the dial tone for a few seconds then replaced the phone.
He stepped back into the bathroom to take a shower. He stepped inside the shower, enjoying the sensation of the warm water falling on his back. He tilted his head so that the water could soak his hair. His leant forward again squeezing the shampoo out of the bottle. He rubbed it into his hair, feeling the lather, on his hands. He had of course removed the emerald band.
He rinsed the shampoo out and sighed. He loved showers! They were always so relaxing. He wondered what it would feel like to have a shower with someone you loved. Their warm wet body next to yours…WHAT AM I THINKING? Syaoran scolded himself. He went bright red and hurriedly turned the water off. Stepping out of the shower, he wrapped the green towel around himself and brushed his damp hair out of his eyes. He got dressed and put the band back on.
But he couldn't help wondering what Sakura was doing at that very minute.
TO BE CONTINUED…….
In chap 3, everyone goes to the beach for a vacation. Sounds pretty boring and typical? Well, guess who's there, as a special guest? ERIOL!!! Yeah, and can't say too much, but let's just say Sakura suffers from a scare and guess who's there to comfort her! ^_^