Let me just say, it was a good thing I realized the time. When I got home, Touya raged at how I was so late. And as always, my father didn't even raise his voice. He knew I was over at Shaoran's house, but naturally I wouldn't admit what I had been doing! The non-school related events, anyway. I fed a half excuse to Touya.
"Studying? And what were you studying?"
"Math." I chose the subject Shaoran was best at. And my worst.
"And you're late because of it??"
"Tou-ya! Stop it! What do you care so much, anyway?"
"I think I have a right to care when I see my sister wearing guy's clothing!"
My mind goes blank. I forgot! And that's one thing I can not hide! "I spilled some tea on myself, okay? That's the reason why."
"Pul-lease! Oh I know you!"
Dad was laughing. "All right, all right, you two stop. Sakura's home and in one piece and dry, so there's no more need to worry. Give us a call next time?" He raises eyebrows in my direction. I nod. As soon as I run upstairs to the safety of my room and close the door, I lean on it and sigh heavily.
"Sakura! Where've you been?!" Kero's little face pops right in front of mine.
I wave a hand in irritation. "No 'hi'? I feel appreciated, Kero." I drop off my bag and collapse on the bed. I couldn't contain the smile that crosses my face. Shaoran was so nice to me. It was astonishing...
"Oh right. Hi." He floats to the bed, hovering over my chest. "Now can I ask?"
"I was studying, if that can answer your question. Didn't you hear the roaring of Touya from up here? He was doing that, you know." I close my eyes.
"I heard him. I just couldn't hear you. But from the one-sided part of the conversation I did hear, I think you went to that annoying brat's?" I hear a pause and feel him glancing me over. "And according to the new pants and shirt, I'd say yes."
"Yup. He wasn't feeling the greatest though." I thought of how amicable Shaoran had been. Not simply because of his lending of the robe -which was incredible enough- but particularly during my breakdown. My breakdown. It was pitiful, really. I never planned on weeping in front of him. I just remembered the walk to his apartment, then Tomoyo, and then everything crashed...
"Uh-oh, you're getting that pensive face," Kero sounds thoughtful, concerned. "You were grinning just ten seconds ago! What is it?"
I open my eyes. He isn't in front of me. I find him beside my head, sitting. "Nothing. Just thinking."
"Thinking never constitutes as "nothing thinking". There's always a thing."
"No really, Kero. I just...don't want to discuss anything right now. I should probably-"
"Sakura! Dinner!"
I gesture at Touya's voice. "Eat. I'm starving. Shaoran's not the best host. Only tea and biscuits." And those I had to get myself. "I'll bring you back something. Dessert?" I smile in what I hope is an engaging way and go downstairs.
I eat my dinner, being a bit quieter than usual. Dad picks up on that and asks what's wrong, I respond that I'm thinking of school when I am so very not. Dessert is a special treat. A sweet and fluffy strawberry cake. It's so scrumptious, I down two slices before cutting a third for a certain hidden beast. Not without some playful hassling from Touya about getting fat, first.
Kero lets out a whoop as soon as he catches sight of the treat. He digs in right away and I open my backpack, turning my back so he can't see its contents. I don't even need to be worried. He was in heaven and barely noticed crumbs falling on the bed, let alone anything green in my bag. I laugh at his bold lack of table manners. I stare out the window, watching the sparse clouds hanging in the darkening sky. No stars out yet.
Shaoran, how are you doing? I hope you're better. Boy, it's going to be strange tonight. You won't be with me to help. Just like the very beginning.
------
Capturing was no cakewalk. Tomoyo naturally asked if Shaoran was going to with us when I arrived alone, and I had to say no. Normally, Shaoran would either already be with me or would show up halfway, and that helped. I was very let down when I finally got the Clow card Sakuraized because it took a long time and I was quite tired at the same time. I was consoled by Tomoyo and Kero, and that cheered me up some.
At home, I get ready for bed. As I climb in, Kero says, "You did well today, Sakura."
"I guess." I pull the covers up to my chin. Silence passes. Then, "Kero, what if Shaoran weren't around? And we had to do the capturing like today, without his help? I mean, you saw how I did today. Not my complete worst, but it took so long."
The winged animal snuggles into his miniature sleeping bag inside my open desk drawer. "But you will have help. Shaoran will be up and fighting in no time. And what's with this sudden "what if" question?"
"No, of course not!" I shut my eyes, not wanting him to catch on to anything in case he looks my way. "Just a hypothetical question. You're the one always preparing me to expect the unforeseen, right? So that's what I'm doing."
"There's nothing else?"
"Positive. Just looking ahead." ...At what I have to do once Shaoran's gone. And my best friend. But I don't want them to. What say do I get in this deal? Absolutely nothing. Just a big sad shock and no say. "I'm really tired."
"We can talk more tomorrow. G'night." A tiny yawn followed.
"Good night." My eyes remain closed, but I knew sleep wasn't going to descend easy. I just kept thinking and thinking. Mainly of Shaoran. And in all these weird ways, ways that I've never considered him before. At least an hour passes before I sit up. I quietly slide out of bed, going to my bag. I take out the heap of silk and examine it in the faint moonlight. I can hardly make out details, but it wasn't really important. I wasn't going to stare at it the rest of the night, that's for sure. I slip it on, suddenly feeling warm about wearing something of his. The visit...It had been a very long time since I'd heard him joke so freely. Or was the first time? It's been so long. Maybe he is under more stress than I think. Maybe that's why he got sick at such a time. And maybe I'm just analyzing this just a little too much.
As content as I could get tonight, I finally sleep.
------
"What the heck!?"
"Mmm...what?" I mumble, still half in my dream world.
"Wake up! And do some explaining, please!"
My heavy eyes open slowly. I must be really weak. My pajamas are like lead. Dragging. And there's a lot of it. Just like my mess of blanket which trails on forever. Hmm, I don't remember buying this set of pj's before. They feel like absolute heaven. So soft. So why wouldn't I have gotten one?
"You're up. Good. Now to the explaining!"
My arms flop to my sides. I sleepily focus up at the ceiling, blinking away fatigue. "What'd you get me up for? And what's with the yelling?"
An insistent tugging on my sleeve was his answer. I lift my head, then see myself. I sweatdrop, finally understanding what Kero is so neurotic about. "Oh man." My head drops back down.
"So what's this? Correct me if I'm mistaken, but that outfit resembles a very distinct appearance to a certain person who we've come to know and love."
He was being sarcastic, but that last part creates a funny sensation in my stomach and I laugh outright at it, earning a strange look. "Look, Kero-"
"I'm looking! What do you think I'm doing?" He crosses his small arms.
I sigh. "Okay, okay. He was sick, and because of that, he knew he wouldn't of been able to Captor last night. So he let me use it. He knows I like it."
"Use it? Like it?" Kero's tone turns dull.
"Yeah." I sit up. "I've always liked the kimono so he let me borrow it. It's like one. End of story."
Kero's head shakes. "Okay, I get the point. Well, now that you're up, you might as well get going."
"Go? Go where?" I sit up straight.
"School, maybe?" He says as if this should have been obvious. He points at my clock.
"Hooeeeee!"
--------A/N: In the next chapter, Sakura has some girl chat and girl thoughts. Please review!