Do You Remember Me? I Remember You
By Rainbow Dreamer and co-author Cryst and Ying Fa
*Dedicated to Cryst and Ying Fa, who have helped me with this story. If it weren't for you both, none of this would of happened. Arigato.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT, I repeat, do NOT own CCS. It belongs to Clamp!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Who is the mysterious redhead who keeps staring at Sakura? *Dun Dun DUN* Well, like, duh, I'm not going to tell you BUT, I want all of you to know and thank Usagi yf for naming the redhead guy! (I changed his name a bit, gomen. It can be his nickname.) Also thanks to Cherryz Angel for you suggestion! Tee hee! Well, what are you doing? Read on! Don't you want to know the redhead's name?? LOL.
IF YOU REVIEWED FOR THE LAST CHAPTER, LOOK FOR YOUR NAME UNDER SPECIAL THANKS BELOW!
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Tina: "it won't be long now." Hehe. You'll know later! Read on! Kimmy: There are pineapple moon cakes! (I live in Taiwan, am an American born Chinese) Anyhow, thanks for reviewing. Looking forward to seeing you review for later chapters! I Love Li Syaoran: Thanks once again and thanks for wishing me luck on my SATs! I really do hope I do well! ( Cryst: Hehe. I like my redhead! Anyhow, email me once you're done! Thanks. Sweetcherry: I hate it too when I don't have time to type. I love writing and getting my ideas down! Usagi yf: Thanks for you long review! Did you get my email? I think Ryu's a great name! Hmm.. Most things in you email will be answered in this chapter or in my email. Thanks! Keep reviewing please. Emerald Rose: Wow. New reader!Yay! Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like my fic and as for Kali, keep reading and you shall see. Kawaii Cherry Wolf: Hehe. This chapter's just for you girl! It's really long ( Oh, and your welcome about me reviewing your story. Cherryz Angel: Wow! That's such a long review and I'm so glad that you're willing to spend so much time on it! It's really appreciated! And for you suggested names, thanks! Even though I didn't use it (GOMEN about that) but if I have a future character I need, I'll consider your names first. And I probably will put up one fic a week. This chapter is long and up early! A gift to all you people out there! Orchid Angel: Thanks for wishing me luck on my SATs.. Its' this SATURDAY! Ahhh! Anyhow, just keep reading and you'll see what happens with Syaoran!
TO ALL OF YOU READERS: A great thank you and this chapter is up early for all of you! Thanks, thanks, and more thanks. I can't say thank you all enough for the support you have given me. Once more, thanks, Rainbow Dreamer.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Friends?
*** Sakura's POV ***
"So, Sakura how was the first day of school?" Meiling demanded as she walked backwards so she could see me. I smiled.
"It was fine." I responded.
Meiling glared playfully. "That's all I get? Fine?" She asked.
I giggled. "What else am I supposed to say? It was just. different." I replied. Meiling sighed and stopped walking. Looking straight at me, she asked the question that I was avoiding most. She knew me too well. How was I supposed to answer that? Being in the same school as Syaoran without him knowing me..?
I must have been lost in my thoughts for a while because I hardly noticed that I was in a coffee shop with Meiling.
"Better Sakura?" She asked, her ruby eyes worried.
"Hoe?" I asked, not knowing what she was referring to. I guess I gave the wrong answer since Meiling's eyebrows scrunched up into worry.
"You're so spaced out. Tomoyo and Eriol left a while ago on a little date. You don't mind, do you?" My best friend repeated herself. I blinked a few times before smiling brightly.
"Of course not." I smiled again to reassure Meiling. "They've all been worried about me and it's time they spent a little sweet time together."
"You don't mind?" Meiling repeated again in the same tone. Somehow it seemed more serious though. Her ruby eyes were serious and comforting at the same time. I don't know what came over me as I felt a tear roll down my cheek.
"To tell you the truth, it reminds me of Syaoran and me. It hurts a bit every time I see a couple walking by or something that reminds me of him." I whispered, tracing my cup handle unconsciously. I didn't even remember ordering a drink, forget what I what had ordered.
"That's because he's part of you," Meiling's steady and calm voice made everything seems clearer and more confused at the same time. He's everything in me yet I'm not a part of him.. not anymore.
"I'm afraid to be close with him," I confided. I could hear my voice cracking. "I'm afraid that I'll lose him again. I don't want my heart to break again." Tears rolled down my cheek. One fell into my drink, making ripples. I stared at my cup, not wanting to meet Meiling's eyes.
"Your heart is always right, so follow that." Meiling said with a smile and gave me a one armed bear hug.
"Come on, let's get you back to the hotel. I'm sure that stuffed animal of yours is hungry." She said, trying to draw a smile on my face. I gave her a smile, although it felt awkward and out of place. She saw and hugged me again and led me home.
"Arigato Meiling. You're the best." I thanked her at the doorway. Meiling just grinned and walked down the corridor. Closing the door behind me, I took up to Kero's challenge in a Super Smash Brothers game on the Nintendo he had lugged from Japan. At least that would take my mind off of Syaoran for a while.
*** Syaoran's POV***
Why did I run away from Kali? Ugh, I was acting all weird. I'll make it up to her tomorrow, I promised myself. Lying frustrated on the bed in my room I tried to sort things out until Meiling came home.
My thoughts wouldn't let me alone as I sat at my desk trying to get my homework out of the way. Here I was, doing my best subject yet I was getting these weird answers. Not only I was feeling stupid but I thinking about Sakura. Like a video, I had no control over my mind as the scene in the temple and today's running repeated over and over again. My hand brushing away her tears. Sakura in my jacket. My arms around her. Her face as she tried to smirk. Her laughter rang in my ears. It sounded like heaven.
*Wait! What you thinking baka! You don't even know her! * A little voice argued with me. True, Meiling never did tell me my direct relationship was between Sakura and me. *So stop thinking about her! * The voice commanded.
I sighed and tilted back dangerously on the back legs of the chair. Staring up at the ceiling, I slammed the chair back onto all fours. Gr! This was so frustrating! Why do I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't know anything?
"Are you done talking to yourself?" An annoyed voice asked me. I groaned without turning to see whom it was.
"Where'd you go?" I asked. Meiling snorted and I turned around to see her arm crossed before her chest with one eyebrow raised.
"I should be the one asking that. You should see yourself dazed; it's pretty amusing." She retorted. I glared at her.
"Well, your lucky that mirrors don't laugh when they see you." I retorted right back. She grinned, her red eyes shone with amusement.
"Sweet." She replied, sitting herself comfortably in another chair.
"So where'd you go?" I asked again.
"The coffee shop." She replied. "Sakura was a little dazed out too so she and I went for coffee."
"Oh." I didn't know what to say now. I had spent the last hour thinking of her, waiting for Meiling's return, yet now I had no idea to say.
"Still thinking?" She asked wickedly yet a hint of concern was inside.
"Shut up." I growled. Meiling smiled, sincerely this time, and patted my back.
"Let it flow cousin." She replied. "Why not just do what you heart says?"
"O0o, deep~" I mocked. She grinned and swatted me hard on the back.
"Didn't you know? I'm a professional psychologist now, with both your problems and Sakura's." She replied, standing up and heading out my room. "Seriously, Syaoran. Think of what I said." With that, she sauntered out my room.
Sakura was having problems too? Oh yeah. I caused all that. "I'm such a baka," I mumbled to myself. I was surprised not to here a voice agree. I looked at the gray bear on my table. Fixing its blue ribbon, I asked, "What do you think I should do?"
Oh great, I'm even talking to stuffed animal now. Math. Math will get my thoughts away. Concentrate.
*** Sakura's POV at school ***
"Ah! Run, run, run!" I called to my friends running a bit slower. I could see Tomoyo giving me the evil eye as she ran holding onto Eriol's hand. The three of us ran up three flights of stairs and touched base at our classroom. We sat in our seats right as the bell rang.
"Safe!" I cried. Tomoyo turned from her seat before me and glared.
I smiled sweetly at her, knowing she would lecture me later. She sighed and gave me a smile of her own. Tomoyo could never stay angry with me for long. She was simply just too nice and sweet.
I almost fell asleep during Math. Who cared about calculus anyhow? It was pointless, especially the vectors that they were learning now. Meiling turned a winked at me and I stifled a yawn that almost escaped my mouth.
"Miss Kinomoto, would you please answer number fifteen?" The teacher asked me. Darn! I forgot that today was the day the teacher would ask questions. I stared at number fifteen in my book. Ugh! Numbers were spinning in my head. Think, Sakura. Vector addition..
A voice behind me whispered "magnitude 12, direction 34.5 degrees." Without thinking, I blurted out what I heard, "Magnitude 12 and direction 34.5 degrees!"
The teacher nodded. "Yes, that is the correct answer, Kinomoto." Walking off, she went to ask another student. I turned around to see who had told me the answer. The guy who sat behind me was sleeping, never mind him saying the answer. My eyes fell upon Syaoran but his eyes were on his book, his hand calculating the next question. Who had told me the answer?
Meiling giggled and whispered to me to pay attention. Sighing I nodded. Just another fifteen minutes and I would be free. "Yes! Class's over!" I couldn't help exclaiming, stretching my arms after the teacher left the room. Tomoyo smiled as she gathered her books.
"It wasn't that bad Sakura. I mean, you even got today's question right today." Tomoyo complimented. I shook my head, my amber curls swinging.
"I didn't know it. Someone in the back row told me the answer, right Meiling?" I explained, turning to Meiling for some explanation. Meiling grinned and shrugged.
"I don't know," She replied evilly.
"Hey! I complained. "Eriol, did you see who told me the answer during math?" Eriol sat in the back row, so maybe he knew.
"No, why?" He asked. He had his arm around Tomoyo comfortably. I doubted that he was even thinking over what I had asked him.
"Hmph!" I said. "Well, I have gym next. Meet you guys later!" Grabbing my bag, I dashed to the bathroom to get changed before heading to the track.
As I did stretches in running shorts and a tank top, I noticed that Syaoran was talking with the coach. Catching a few words about running, I jogged over to them. "Ohayo sensei." I greeted.
Syaoran grinned at me. "No good morning to me?" he joked. I returned his grin and bowed formally.
"Ohayo, Li-kun," I said my voice dripping with sarcasm. Our coach chuckled.
"Well, ohayo to you too Kinomoto." Our coach said with good humor. "Li and I were just talking about the track team. That reminds me, tryouts are today after school, want to come and try?"
"Hai!" I said enthusiastically. It was great that I could continue running here.
"Right then. Meet you after school, you too Li." He instructed. "Everyone fifteen laps! Come on! That's right, get your feet moving! I want to see air under those feet!" He barked. Syaoran gave me another grin.
"Still want to challenge me?" He taunted.
"Hey! I lost just because I was laughing!" I complained as I felt a blush running up my cheeks.
"Yo! Get running!" The coach demanded. Nodding the two of us set off running. I didn't notice it yesterday, but Syaoran and I were running at the same pace, same motion and all. Even our breathing was at the exact beat. I smiled bitter sweetly. Even though he forgets me, he still runs just like me.
*** Flashback (Japan) ***
Syaoran and I joined the track team and we both tried to outdo each other every time we ran. Each time we would challenge each other to match the other's every motion and every beat. Of course it was silly and stupid and all, but after a while, I found Syaoran pacing with me.
"You're actually pacing with me!" I had exclaimed. He snorted inelegantly.
"You're pacing with me!" he retorted.
"Am not!"
"Are to!"
The fight would go on and on, but we would still be in sync. We would often tease each other that one was pacing with the other, but over a long period of time, both us created a system that both of us were perfectly well with. My coach in Japan thought it was totally amazing, but it simply meant to me that we clicked.
*** Present (Hong Kong) ***
I almost sighed out loud. We still click, I noticed. It was sad acknowledging all this.
"Hey, Kinomoto, you okay?" His sweet voice full of concern broke me away from my memories.
"Hoe?" I asked. He grinned.
"Nothing. Why do you always say that?" He asked, curious.
I shrugged. "I don't know. It's just something I say. Just like how SOMEone always smirks." I replied.
"Hmph! Looks whose is talking!" Syaoran fumed, knowing that I was talking about him. I grinned. It was always interesting to see Syaoran get mad.
"Race you!" I cried, taking off before he could say anything. I laughed as I ran backwards to see him.
"Hey! Cheater!" He shot back, running fast towards me.
"Ah!" I squealed, turning around of my heels and sprinting towards the end. I could hear his breathing as he ran up to me. "Hoe?" I asked when I saw him. He smirked. Not wanting him to be boastful, I quickened up my speed and beat him by a bit.
"I win!" I shouted gleeful through heavy pants. Syaoran glared at me through his amber hair as he bent down to catch his breathe.
"That's because you started first," he denied. I just smiled sweetly at him. He growled, but he gave me a smile. I stared at his smile.. It was the same exact smiles he gave only to me when we were together. I could feel my heart beating uncontrollably fast as I melted under his sweet smile. Oh Syaoran. This was too much. I keep imagining that we're together. but we're not. He's moved on and doesn't even remember me. That was what hurt the most. I was still waiting for him.. Just like I promised.
*** Syaoran's POV ***
"Kinomoto?" I asked. Her face had become incredibly sad compared to the moment when she had beaten me in running. She looked up, her green eyes sparkling.
"Oh, gomen." She apologized. Wiping her eyes, she saw me looking at her and grinned. "It's nothing. I'm just so happy that I'm crying."
"Whatever." I replied coolly. "Really, what's wrong?"
Her emerald pools met mine and I felt myself swimming in that sweetness. "Nothing," She whispered again. I could see tears in her eyes again. I wanted to wipe them away.
"Gomen, excuse me." Without waiting for my answer, she dashed off running towards the girl's restroom. I sighed, running my fingers through my unruly hair. What had I done now? Why is it me whose always making her cry? D*mn.
"Dude, that was cold." A voice said. I turned and faced the voice calmly.
"What do you what Ryoko Kai?" I demanded, my voice quiet yet threatening. The redhead just smirked at me, his hands tucked in his baggy jeans.
"Hey, buddy, just warning you there a bit." He replied smoothly. I just groaned and rolled my eyes.
"Ryoko, you're going to meet your death sooner than expected one day if you keep saying these stuff." I said with a sigh. Ryoko just grinned; he knew me. He and I were friends since I came last year.
"Yeah, well. I know I've lead a full life, unlike someone else." Ryoko replied, his green eyes flashing. I growled and had my arm around his neck.
"You're a dead boy." I said threateningly.
"Li-kun?" Sakura's voice broke through my thoughts. I could feel myself heating up. This was so embarrassing, letting Sakura see this side of me.
"Oh, um, you're back," I mumbled, my brain failing me. Sakura nodded, observing the two of us.
"Yeah, I am." She replied slowly.
"Hey, I'm Ryoko Kai." Ryoko grinned at her. "You're a lifesaver. Couldn't have come in a better moment. One second later, I would have met my death." Ryoko continued dramatically. Sakura stared at him before laughing, her voice like angel's music to my ears.
"Hi, I'm Sakura Kinomoto." Sakura introduced with a smile.
"Your name fits you wonderfully, Kinomoto-san." My friend replied. I just rolled my eyes. "So, how do you know my buddy Syaoran here?"
"Oh," Sakura said. "Well."
"We're friends." I answered. Sakura looked at me, our eyes locking for a brief moment before she smiled.
"Wonderful. I'll see you guys later then. I have to got to my baby." Ryoko said, winking at Sakura.
"Your baby?" Sakura asked surprised. Ryoko grinned at her innocent face.
"Yep. My guitar, man, is my baby. Her name's HS."
"Yeah, stands for high school," I joked. Sakura laughed.
"No really, what does it mean?" She asked smiling.
"HS stands for honey sweet." Ryoko replied, giving Syaoran a playful smack on the back. "Corny, but my baby's stuck with that name."
"But I think it's sweet, don't you Li-kun?" Sakura asked me with her green eyes.
"Yeah, um kind of." I replied stuttering. I saw Ryoko give me a weird glance and I shot a glare at him.
Grinning at both of us, he sauntered off.
"Whose that?" Sakura asked as she watched him go off.
"He's a friend of my mine." I replied. "Quite different from me, but we get along." Sakura smiled her sweet first class smile at me.
"That's wonderful though, Li-kun!" She exclaimed. "Friends are so precious to me."
"Yeah." I replied, but my mind was thinking somewhere else. We were friends now.. Does this mean I'm dear to her as well? If I had caused her to cry, if I was important to her before. that means that I was a friend with her before!
"A last hundred meters?" Sakura challenged me. I broke away from my thoughts, making a mental note to ask Meiling later.
"I'm not going to let you win this time," I warned. Her laughter rang through my ears blissfully.
"On your marks, get set go!" our coach cried, motioning us to run. Sakura moved together and both of us dashed towards the finish line. The two of us not wanting to lose to each other. I didn't even notice the students gathering beside us to watch.
"Wow! Li and Kinomoto are super fast!" "Yeah, they're even running in sync! No, I mean it! Look at their feet!" True to the watcher's eyes, the two were running at the same pattern. The coach watched, his eyes interested. Never had he seen two people take off from the starting point like one. Their motions had been exactly the same, so much the same that it was frightening.
I ran, trying not to look at Sakura every so often. When we were almost at the finish line, I saw a cherry petal fall into Sakura's hair. That just through me off balance. A cherry blossom. but they weren't in bloom yet.
"I win!" Sakura danced gleefully. She had won by a little bit, the second I saw the cherry petal. She smiled and looked into my eyes.
I couldn't help but smile back. "You were just lucky." I said. Sakura grinned triumphantly and stuck her tongue out. I laughed.
*** Sakura's POV ***
I could not believe I won Syaoran! Syaoran wasn't mad though, he was smiling. Suddenly he stopped and looked at me. I stared back, wondering what he was going to do. He got closer to me, his face right next to mine. My heart thudded. I reached out his hand and went to my hair. I must have titled my head in confusion, for Syaoran grinned.
"A cherry blossom." He said, handing to me the pink petal from my hair. As I reached for the petal, our hands collided. I could feel my skin tingle as I felt his warm hand on mine. I immediately blushed and took the petal from him.
"Where did this come from? The trees are not in blossom yet." I mumbled, trying to cover my blush.
"Well, where ever it came from, it made you win the race with me." Syaoran replied calmly. "Well, I'll see you after school for the tryouts then?"
"Hai." I responded. He nodded and walked off to change. I watched him go before looking at the petal in my hand. Where had this come from? What did Syaoran mean that it made me won the race?
"Hoe!!" I yelled. "It's almost class!" Dashing quickly to the changing room, I switched clothes with record speed and set off sprinting my fastest towards my music class located on the other side of campus.
I yanked the door open and slid into seat before the teacher came in. Looking around, I spotted Tomoyo sitting two seats away from me. She smiled at me and I smiled back. Turning back, I noticed someone familiar sitting next to me.
"Kinomoto." He said coolly. I smiled.
"Hey Kai." I greeted. He grinned and nodded his head slightly at the teacher. Nodding, I turned my attention to the teacher.
I found out that Kai wasn't kidding when he could play the guitar well. The music came out so smoothly and perfectly; there was nothing wrong about it at all. Closing my eyes, I let the music flow into me.
"You play really well," I complimented with a smile.
"Arigato." He replied and set his precious guitar in the case. Tomoyo came over to us.
"Hi Sakura." She greeted me. After I returned the greeting, she turned to Ryoko. "You play exceedingly well."
"Arigato. You sang really well." He replied. I nodded in agreement. Every time Tomoyo sang was perfect. "You too, Kinomoto. Your chorus with Daidouji was well done too."
"Ah, none as well as Tomoyo." I said. "Tomoyo, did you meet Ryoko Kai yet? He's a friend of Li's. Kai, this is my best friend Tomoyo Daidouji." The two nodded and greeted each other warmly.
Seeing the time, the three of us parted. Tomoyo and me headed for our lockers to get our lunch to meet Meiling and Eriol for lunch. "Oh yeah. Tomoyo, are you doing anything after school?" I asked as we walked outside into the warm sun.
She smiled at me. "Gomen, I have a date with Eriol-kun. Why do you ask?"
I shook my head and smiled back. "No, it's great. You and Eriol go have fun with your date. I just have track tryouts today after school."
"Really? That's so great, Sakura! I'm so happy for you!" She squealed. I smiled. Tomoyo is always so supportive.
"Arigato. It's okay, I'll ask Meiling later if she can walk me home." I replied. "I'm still not familiar around here." I said embarrassed. Tomoyo giggled and nodded. As we settled down on the soft grass the four of us started talking happily about our classes.
"Meiling, do you have to do anything after class?" I asked.
"What for?" She replied, her mouth full of rice that Wei had packed her.
"I have track tryouts this afternoon."
"Really! Wonderful!" She exclaimed. I blushed.
"It's not like I'm in already." I pointed out. Meiling stared at me as if I were crazy.
"Of course you'll get in!" She replied confidently. I smiled.
"So, can you stay after school with me?" I reminded her.
Meiling sighed and waved her spoon around dramatically. "Gomen, Wei wants me to come back home directly today."
"No, it's okay. Really." I stressed, trying to convince my three worried friends.
"But you don't know your way around." Tomoyo objected.
"And you can't talk Chinese." Meiling added.
"And you'll probably get lost." Eriol concluded.
I glared at my friends. "Hey, I'm not that stupid!" I defended myself. "I got from the airport to the hotel myself!"
"This is different." My three friends countered. I sighed.
"But I want to join and I'm not going to ruin your plans." I insisted stubbornly. It was my friend's turn to sigh. They knew it was useless to argue with me.
"Make sure you get home safely and turn on your cell phone." Meiling demanded me.
"Remember to talk Chinese, not Japanese." Tomoyo reminded.
"And don't go off wandering; you'll get lost." Eriol repeated. I held in a sigh and grinned at all my friends.
The rest of the day passed by as a blur as I was so excited with the tryouts. After constant reminders from my three friends, they finally left me after walking me to the track. The tryouts were easy actually, just a testing of 100, 400, and 1500 meters. It took a while, but running with Syaoran was a bit interesting even though it kept reminding me of the past when he and I had tried out together.
"Those who passed," our coach said, reading off a list from his book. A lot of people had tried and they were all anxious, at least I was. "Li Syaoran."
I looked over at him and grinned, mouthing a "congrats."
The list went on. "Sakura Kinomoto." Yes! I had made it. Syaoran caught my attention and gave me a thumbs up. I could feel myself blushing a bit.
As I walked out from the bathroom in flared jeans and spaghetti strap, Syaoran ran over to me.
"Hey, great work." I congratulated him.
"Yeah, you too." He replied. We walked to the front gate. After he noticed that no one was going pick me up, he asked, "Who is going to bring you home?"
Oh yeah. No one was going to pick me up. Smiling I shook my head. "Um, I'm going home alone."
"Do you know your way around?" He asked.
"Umm. yeah." I replied. Syaoran raised his eyebrow and looked at him. I couldn't meet his amber eyes.
"I'm walking you home." He said, not letting me argue. "Where do you live?"
"No, it's okay! Really. It's really close." I said, trying to convince him to leave. Syaoran just looked at me skeptically.
"Where do you live?" he asked again. Darn. I forgot how stubborn he could be sometimes. I just couldn't win against him.
"Hua Shin Hotel." I said, giving up. He grinned at me.
"Well, your lucky you live pretty close." He responded. "Want to go for a drink before I send you home? To celebrate us getting in the track team?"
I looked at him. He was grinning at him. I felt my cheeks flush. "Hai."
We ended up in a small pretty drink place called O' Mango. After we both ordered a tropical fruit smoothie, I stretched comfortably.
"Remind me that I owe you a drink, Li-kun." I said with a smile. He shook his head.
"My treat." He answered.
I frowned. "I can't let you do that! You're walking me home and you're also treating me to a drink?"
"Stick with it." He said with a smirk, drinking a sip from his drink as they were placed before us.
"Meanie!" I said playfully. He stuck his tongue at me. "Hmph!" I said, punching his shoulder back jokingly. Then his eyes met mine and we laughed. I wished time could stop right now.
*** Syaoran's POV ***
Why did I invite to get a drink with me? Now I'm so nervous, but it feels so nice to be with her. She's always laughing and her emerald eyes are full of life.
"So, I heard from Meiling that you're staying in Hong Kong for a while." I said, trying to make conversation. Sakura smiled brightly and nodded.
"Hai. My dad has some job here. He's an archaeologist." She replied.
"Cool. I've always been interested in that stuff." I said enthusiastically. Sakura nodded, knowing that he liked it.
I paid for the drinks; Sakura just couldn't win over me. She was still grumbling when I walked her home. It was so kawaii that's she so considerate.
As I walked her up to her room, she turned and looked at me.
"Li-kun? When we were talking with Kai, you said we were friends." My mind whirled. Why did she have to bring it up? I searched my brains for an answer. Her eyes were looking at me intently.
"Well, um." I mumbled. I could tell that she was nervous as I was for she was avoiding eye contact now.
"I know that you don't really. um.. Remember me," She whispered.
"Gomen!" I cut in. "Really I am. I've been thinking about you a lot," I said, my face blushing crimson. Had I really been so stupid as to say that out loud? "Um. yeah, I was just trying to see if I could. um, remember you." God, I always say too much when I'm nervous.
I felt Sakura's eyes on me and I looked up to those bright emerald eyes. They were teary. "Ah! Gomen, did I say too much?" I asked fumbling for a handkerchief. Sakura's eyes fell on the blue handkerchief.
"That handkerchief." She said, staring at it. I swore and stuffed it back down the pocket of my khakis.
"Gomen." I said quickly. Instead Sakura shook her head and smiled at me even though her eyes were watering.
"No, it's okay." She said. I could tell she wanted to say something, but was trying to find the words to say it.
"Can we be friends?" She asked me suddenly, as she raised her head up searching for the answer in my eyes.
I think my heart just failed me. Either that or it was just pounding too fast.
*** Haha! Cliffhanger! Gomen. It's just that if I wrote even more, it'd been like 100 pages. Hehe. I have to stop somewhere. Sorry, I mean really sorry, about the cliffhanger. Please review! How do you like the redhead's name? Kai, for you information is a Chinese last name. It's one of my friend's last name. Hehe. A Chinese redhead. How interesting. Review people! Arigato~! Rainbow dreamer.
By Rainbow Dreamer and co-author Cryst and Ying Fa
*Dedicated to Cryst and Ying Fa, who have helped me with this story. If it weren't for you both, none of this would of happened. Arigato.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT, I repeat, do NOT own CCS. It belongs to Clamp!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Who is the mysterious redhead who keeps staring at Sakura? *Dun Dun DUN* Well, like, duh, I'm not going to tell you BUT, I want all of you to know and thank Usagi yf for naming the redhead guy! (I changed his name a bit, gomen. It can be his nickname.) Also thanks to Cherryz Angel for you suggestion! Tee hee! Well, what are you doing? Read on! Don't you want to know the redhead's name?? LOL.
IF YOU REVIEWED FOR THE LAST CHAPTER, LOOK FOR YOUR NAME UNDER SPECIAL THANKS BELOW!
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Tina: "it won't be long now." Hehe. You'll know later! Read on! Kimmy: There are pineapple moon cakes! (I live in Taiwan, am an American born Chinese) Anyhow, thanks for reviewing. Looking forward to seeing you review for later chapters! I Love Li Syaoran: Thanks once again and thanks for wishing me luck on my SATs! I really do hope I do well! ( Cryst: Hehe. I like my redhead! Anyhow, email me once you're done! Thanks. Sweetcherry: I hate it too when I don't have time to type. I love writing and getting my ideas down! Usagi yf: Thanks for you long review! Did you get my email? I think Ryu's a great name! Hmm.. Most things in you email will be answered in this chapter or in my email. Thanks! Keep reviewing please. Emerald Rose: Wow. New reader!Yay! Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like my fic and as for Kali, keep reading and you shall see. Kawaii Cherry Wolf: Hehe. This chapter's just for you girl! It's really long ( Oh, and your welcome about me reviewing your story. Cherryz Angel: Wow! That's such a long review and I'm so glad that you're willing to spend so much time on it! It's really appreciated! And for you suggested names, thanks! Even though I didn't use it (GOMEN about that) but if I have a future character I need, I'll consider your names first. And I probably will put up one fic a week. This chapter is long and up early! A gift to all you people out there! Orchid Angel: Thanks for wishing me luck on my SATs.. Its' this SATURDAY! Ahhh! Anyhow, just keep reading and you'll see what happens with Syaoran!
TO ALL OF YOU READERS: A great thank you and this chapter is up early for all of you! Thanks, thanks, and more thanks. I can't say thank you all enough for the support you have given me. Once more, thanks, Rainbow Dreamer.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Friends?
*** Sakura's POV ***
"So, Sakura how was the first day of school?" Meiling demanded as she walked backwards so she could see me. I smiled.
"It was fine." I responded.
Meiling glared playfully. "That's all I get? Fine?" She asked.
I giggled. "What else am I supposed to say? It was just. different." I replied. Meiling sighed and stopped walking. Looking straight at me, she asked the question that I was avoiding most. She knew me too well. How was I supposed to answer that? Being in the same school as Syaoran without him knowing me..?
I must have been lost in my thoughts for a while because I hardly noticed that I was in a coffee shop with Meiling.
"Better Sakura?" She asked, her ruby eyes worried.
"Hoe?" I asked, not knowing what she was referring to. I guess I gave the wrong answer since Meiling's eyebrows scrunched up into worry.
"You're so spaced out. Tomoyo and Eriol left a while ago on a little date. You don't mind, do you?" My best friend repeated herself. I blinked a few times before smiling brightly.
"Of course not." I smiled again to reassure Meiling. "They've all been worried about me and it's time they spent a little sweet time together."
"You don't mind?" Meiling repeated again in the same tone. Somehow it seemed more serious though. Her ruby eyes were serious and comforting at the same time. I don't know what came over me as I felt a tear roll down my cheek.
"To tell you the truth, it reminds me of Syaoran and me. It hurts a bit every time I see a couple walking by or something that reminds me of him." I whispered, tracing my cup handle unconsciously. I didn't even remember ordering a drink, forget what I what had ordered.
"That's because he's part of you," Meiling's steady and calm voice made everything seems clearer and more confused at the same time. He's everything in me yet I'm not a part of him.. not anymore.
"I'm afraid to be close with him," I confided. I could hear my voice cracking. "I'm afraid that I'll lose him again. I don't want my heart to break again." Tears rolled down my cheek. One fell into my drink, making ripples. I stared at my cup, not wanting to meet Meiling's eyes.
"Your heart is always right, so follow that." Meiling said with a smile and gave me a one armed bear hug.
"Come on, let's get you back to the hotel. I'm sure that stuffed animal of yours is hungry." She said, trying to draw a smile on my face. I gave her a smile, although it felt awkward and out of place. She saw and hugged me again and led me home.
"Arigato Meiling. You're the best." I thanked her at the doorway. Meiling just grinned and walked down the corridor. Closing the door behind me, I took up to Kero's challenge in a Super Smash Brothers game on the Nintendo he had lugged from Japan. At least that would take my mind off of Syaoran for a while.
*** Syaoran's POV***
Why did I run away from Kali? Ugh, I was acting all weird. I'll make it up to her tomorrow, I promised myself. Lying frustrated on the bed in my room I tried to sort things out until Meiling came home.
My thoughts wouldn't let me alone as I sat at my desk trying to get my homework out of the way. Here I was, doing my best subject yet I was getting these weird answers. Not only I was feeling stupid but I thinking about Sakura. Like a video, I had no control over my mind as the scene in the temple and today's running repeated over and over again. My hand brushing away her tears. Sakura in my jacket. My arms around her. Her face as she tried to smirk. Her laughter rang in my ears. It sounded like heaven.
*Wait! What you thinking baka! You don't even know her! * A little voice argued with me. True, Meiling never did tell me my direct relationship was between Sakura and me. *So stop thinking about her! * The voice commanded.
I sighed and tilted back dangerously on the back legs of the chair. Staring up at the ceiling, I slammed the chair back onto all fours. Gr! This was so frustrating! Why do I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't know anything?
"Are you done talking to yourself?" An annoyed voice asked me. I groaned without turning to see whom it was.
"Where'd you go?" I asked. Meiling snorted and I turned around to see her arm crossed before her chest with one eyebrow raised.
"I should be the one asking that. You should see yourself dazed; it's pretty amusing." She retorted. I glared at her.
"Well, your lucky that mirrors don't laugh when they see you." I retorted right back. She grinned, her red eyes shone with amusement.
"Sweet." She replied, sitting herself comfortably in another chair.
"So where'd you go?" I asked again.
"The coffee shop." She replied. "Sakura was a little dazed out too so she and I went for coffee."
"Oh." I didn't know what to say now. I had spent the last hour thinking of her, waiting for Meiling's return, yet now I had no idea to say.
"Still thinking?" She asked wickedly yet a hint of concern was inside.
"Shut up." I growled. Meiling smiled, sincerely this time, and patted my back.
"Let it flow cousin." She replied. "Why not just do what you heart says?"
"O0o, deep~" I mocked. She grinned and swatted me hard on the back.
"Didn't you know? I'm a professional psychologist now, with both your problems and Sakura's." She replied, standing up and heading out my room. "Seriously, Syaoran. Think of what I said." With that, she sauntered out my room.
Sakura was having problems too? Oh yeah. I caused all that. "I'm such a baka," I mumbled to myself. I was surprised not to here a voice agree. I looked at the gray bear on my table. Fixing its blue ribbon, I asked, "What do you think I should do?"
Oh great, I'm even talking to stuffed animal now. Math. Math will get my thoughts away. Concentrate.
*** Sakura's POV at school ***
"Ah! Run, run, run!" I called to my friends running a bit slower. I could see Tomoyo giving me the evil eye as she ran holding onto Eriol's hand. The three of us ran up three flights of stairs and touched base at our classroom. We sat in our seats right as the bell rang.
"Safe!" I cried. Tomoyo turned from her seat before me and glared.
I smiled sweetly at her, knowing she would lecture me later. She sighed and gave me a smile of her own. Tomoyo could never stay angry with me for long. She was simply just too nice and sweet.
I almost fell asleep during Math. Who cared about calculus anyhow? It was pointless, especially the vectors that they were learning now. Meiling turned a winked at me and I stifled a yawn that almost escaped my mouth.
"Miss Kinomoto, would you please answer number fifteen?" The teacher asked me. Darn! I forgot that today was the day the teacher would ask questions. I stared at number fifteen in my book. Ugh! Numbers were spinning in my head. Think, Sakura. Vector addition..
A voice behind me whispered "magnitude 12, direction 34.5 degrees." Without thinking, I blurted out what I heard, "Magnitude 12 and direction 34.5 degrees!"
The teacher nodded. "Yes, that is the correct answer, Kinomoto." Walking off, she went to ask another student. I turned around to see who had told me the answer. The guy who sat behind me was sleeping, never mind him saying the answer. My eyes fell upon Syaoran but his eyes were on his book, his hand calculating the next question. Who had told me the answer?
Meiling giggled and whispered to me to pay attention. Sighing I nodded. Just another fifteen minutes and I would be free. "Yes! Class's over!" I couldn't help exclaiming, stretching my arms after the teacher left the room. Tomoyo smiled as she gathered her books.
"It wasn't that bad Sakura. I mean, you even got today's question right today." Tomoyo complimented. I shook my head, my amber curls swinging.
"I didn't know it. Someone in the back row told me the answer, right Meiling?" I explained, turning to Meiling for some explanation. Meiling grinned and shrugged.
"I don't know," She replied evilly.
"Hey! I complained. "Eriol, did you see who told me the answer during math?" Eriol sat in the back row, so maybe he knew.
"No, why?" He asked. He had his arm around Tomoyo comfortably. I doubted that he was even thinking over what I had asked him.
"Hmph!" I said. "Well, I have gym next. Meet you guys later!" Grabbing my bag, I dashed to the bathroom to get changed before heading to the track.
As I did stretches in running shorts and a tank top, I noticed that Syaoran was talking with the coach. Catching a few words about running, I jogged over to them. "Ohayo sensei." I greeted.
Syaoran grinned at me. "No good morning to me?" he joked. I returned his grin and bowed formally.
"Ohayo, Li-kun," I said my voice dripping with sarcasm. Our coach chuckled.
"Well, ohayo to you too Kinomoto." Our coach said with good humor. "Li and I were just talking about the track team. That reminds me, tryouts are today after school, want to come and try?"
"Hai!" I said enthusiastically. It was great that I could continue running here.
"Right then. Meet you after school, you too Li." He instructed. "Everyone fifteen laps! Come on! That's right, get your feet moving! I want to see air under those feet!" He barked. Syaoran gave me another grin.
"Still want to challenge me?" He taunted.
"Hey! I lost just because I was laughing!" I complained as I felt a blush running up my cheeks.
"Yo! Get running!" The coach demanded. Nodding the two of us set off running. I didn't notice it yesterday, but Syaoran and I were running at the same pace, same motion and all. Even our breathing was at the exact beat. I smiled bitter sweetly. Even though he forgets me, he still runs just like me.
*** Flashback (Japan) ***
Syaoran and I joined the track team and we both tried to outdo each other every time we ran. Each time we would challenge each other to match the other's every motion and every beat. Of course it was silly and stupid and all, but after a while, I found Syaoran pacing with me.
"You're actually pacing with me!" I had exclaimed. He snorted inelegantly.
"You're pacing with me!" he retorted.
"Am not!"
"Are to!"
The fight would go on and on, but we would still be in sync. We would often tease each other that one was pacing with the other, but over a long period of time, both us created a system that both of us were perfectly well with. My coach in Japan thought it was totally amazing, but it simply meant to me that we clicked.
*** Present (Hong Kong) ***
I almost sighed out loud. We still click, I noticed. It was sad acknowledging all this.
"Hey, Kinomoto, you okay?" His sweet voice full of concern broke me away from my memories.
"Hoe?" I asked. He grinned.
"Nothing. Why do you always say that?" He asked, curious.
I shrugged. "I don't know. It's just something I say. Just like how SOMEone always smirks." I replied.
"Hmph! Looks whose is talking!" Syaoran fumed, knowing that I was talking about him. I grinned. It was always interesting to see Syaoran get mad.
"Race you!" I cried, taking off before he could say anything. I laughed as I ran backwards to see him.
"Hey! Cheater!" He shot back, running fast towards me.
"Ah!" I squealed, turning around of my heels and sprinting towards the end. I could hear his breathing as he ran up to me. "Hoe?" I asked when I saw him. He smirked. Not wanting him to be boastful, I quickened up my speed and beat him by a bit.
"I win!" I shouted gleeful through heavy pants. Syaoran glared at me through his amber hair as he bent down to catch his breathe.
"That's because you started first," he denied. I just smiled sweetly at him. He growled, but he gave me a smile. I stared at his smile.. It was the same exact smiles he gave only to me when we were together. I could feel my heart beating uncontrollably fast as I melted under his sweet smile. Oh Syaoran. This was too much. I keep imagining that we're together. but we're not. He's moved on and doesn't even remember me. That was what hurt the most. I was still waiting for him.. Just like I promised.
*** Syaoran's POV ***
"Kinomoto?" I asked. Her face had become incredibly sad compared to the moment when she had beaten me in running. She looked up, her green eyes sparkling.
"Oh, gomen." She apologized. Wiping her eyes, she saw me looking at her and grinned. "It's nothing. I'm just so happy that I'm crying."
"Whatever." I replied coolly. "Really, what's wrong?"
Her emerald pools met mine and I felt myself swimming in that sweetness. "Nothing," She whispered again. I could see tears in her eyes again. I wanted to wipe them away.
"Gomen, excuse me." Without waiting for my answer, she dashed off running towards the girl's restroom. I sighed, running my fingers through my unruly hair. What had I done now? Why is it me whose always making her cry? D*mn.
"Dude, that was cold." A voice said. I turned and faced the voice calmly.
"What do you what Ryoko Kai?" I demanded, my voice quiet yet threatening. The redhead just smirked at me, his hands tucked in his baggy jeans.
"Hey, buddy, just warning you there a bit." He replied smoothly. I just groaned and rolled my eyes.
"Ryoko, you're going to meet your death sooner than expected one day if you keep saying these stuff." I said with a sigh. Ryoko just grinned; he knew me. He and I were friends since I came last year.
"Yeah, well. I know I've lead a full life, unlike someone else." Ryoko replied, his green eyes flashing. I growled and had my arm around his neck.
"You're a dead boy." I said threateningly.
"Li-kun?" Sakura's voice broke through my thoughts. I could feel myself heating up. This was so embarrassing, letting Sakura see this side of me.
"Oh, um, you're back," I mumbled, my brain failing me. Sakura nodded, observing the two of us.
"Yeah, I am." She replied slowly.
"Hey, I'm Ryoko Kai." Ryoko grinned at her. "You're a lifesaver. Couldn't have come in a better moment. One second later, I would have met my death." Ryoko continued dramatically. Sakura stared at him before laughing, her voice like angel's music to my ears.
"Hi, I'm Sakura Kinomoto." Sakura introduced with a smile.
"Your name fits you wonderfully, Kinomoto-san." My friend replied. I just rolled my eyes. "So, how do you know my buddy Syaoran here?"
"Oh," Sakura said. "Well."
"We're friends." I answered. Sakura looked at me, our eyes locking for a brief moment before she smiled.
"Wonderful. I'll see you guys later then. I have to got to my baby." Ryoko said, winking at Sakura.
"Your baby?" Sakura asked surprised. Ryoko grinned at her innocent face.
"Yep. My guitar, man, is my baby. Her name's HS."
"Yeah, stands for high school," I joked. Sakura laughed.
"No really, what does it mean?" She asked smiling.
"HS stands for honey sweet." Ryoko replied, giving Syaoran a playful smack on the back. "Corny, but my baby's stuck with that name."
"But I think it's sweet, don't you Li-kun?" Sakura asked me with her green eyes.
"Yeah, um kind of." I replied stuttering. I saw Ryoko give me a weird glance and I shot a glare at him.
Grinning at both of us, he sauntered off.
"Whose that?" Sakura asked as she watched him go off.
"He's a friend of my mine." I replied. "Quite different from me, but we get along." Sakura smiled her sweet first class smile at me.
"That's wonderful though, Li-kun!" She exclaimed. "Friends are so precious to me."
"Yeah." I replied, but my mind was thinking somewhere else. We were friends now.. Does this mean I'm dear to her as well? If I had caused her to cry, if I was important to her before. that means that I was a friend with her before!
"A last hundred meters?" Sakura challenged me. I broke away from my thoughts, making a mental note to ask Meiling later.
"I'm not going to let you win this time," I warned. Her laughter rang through my ears blissfully.
"On your marks, get set go!" our coach cried, motioning us to run. Sakura moved together and both of us dashed towards the finish line. The two of us not wanting to lose to each other. I didn't even notice the students gathering beside us to watch.
"Wow! Li and Kinomoto are super fast!" "Yeah, they're even running in sync! No, I mean it! Look at their feet!" True to the watcher's eyes, the two were running at the same pattern. The coach watched, his eyes interested. Never had he seen two people take off from the starting point like one. Their motions had been exactly the same, so much the same that it was frightening.
I ran, trying not to look at Sakura every so often. When we were almost at the finish line, I saw a cherry petal fall into Sakura's hair. That just through me off balance. A cherry blossom. but they weren't in bloom yet.
"I win!" Sakura danced gleefully. She had won by a little bit, the second I saw the cherry petal. She smiled and looked into my eyes.
I couldn't help but smile back. "You were just lucky." I said. Sakura grinned triumphantly and stuck her tongue out. I laughed.
*** Sakura's POV ***
I could not believe I won Syaoran! Syaoran wasn't mad though, he was smiling. Suddenly he stopped and looked at me. I stared back, wondering what he was going to do. He got closer to me, his face right next to mine. My heart thudded. I reached out his hand and went to my hair. I must have titled my head in confusion, for Syaoran grinned.
"A cherry blossom." He said, handing to me the pink petal from my hair. As I reached for the petal, our hands collided. I could feel my skin tingle as I felt his warm hand on mine. I immediately blushed and took the petal from him.
"Where did this come from? The trees are not in blossom yet." I mumbled, trying to cover my blush.
"Well, where ever it came from, it made you win the race with me." Syaoran replied calmly. "Well, I'll see you after school for the tryouts then?"
"Hai." I responded. He nodded and walked off to change. I watched him go before looking at the petal in my hand. Where had this come from? What did Syaoran mean that it made me won the race?
"Hoe!!" I yelled. "It's almost class!" Dashing quickly to the changing room, I switched clothes with record speed and set off sprinting my fastest towards my music class located on the other side of campus.
I yanked the door open and slid into seat before the teacher came in. Looking around, I spotted Tomoyo sitting two seats away from me. She smiled at me and I smiled back. Turning back, I noticed someone familiar sitting next to me.
"Kinomoto." He said coolly. I smiled.
"Hey Kai." I greeted. He grinned and nodded his head slightly at the teacher. Nodding, I turned my attention to the teacher.
I found out that Kai wasn't kidding when he could play the guitar well. The music came out so smoothly and perfectly; there was nothing wrong about it at all. Closing my eyes, I let the music flow into me.
"You play really well," I complimented with a smile.
"Arigato." He replied and set his precious guitar in the case. Tomoyo came over to us.
"Hi Sakura." She greeted me. After I returned the greeting, she turned to Ryoko. "You play exceedingly well."
"Arigato. You sang really well." He replied. I nodded in agreement. Every time Tomoyo sang was perfect. "You too, Kinomoto. Your chorus with Daidouji was well done too."
"Ah, none as well as Tomoyo." I said. "Tomoyo, did you meet Ryoko Kai yet? He's a friend of Li's. Kai, this is my best friend Tomoyo Daidouji." The two nodded and greeted each other warmly.
Seeing the time, the three of us parted. Tomoyo and me headed for our lockers to get our lunch to meet Meiling and Eriol for lunch. "Oh yeah. Tomoyo, are you doing anything after school?" I asked as we walked outside into the warm sun.
She smiled at me. "Gomen, I have a date with Eriol-kun. Why do you ask?"
I shook my head and smiled back. "No, it's great. You and Eriol go have fun with your date. I just have track tryouts today after school."
"Really? That's so great, Sakura! I'm so happy for you!" She squealed. I smiled. Tomoyo is always so supportive.
"Arigato. It's okay, I'll ask Meiling later if she can walk me home." I replied. "I'm still not familiar around here." I said embarrassed. Tomoyo giggled and nodded. As we settled down on the soft grass the four of us started talking happily about our classes.
"Meiling, do you have to do anything after class?" I asked.
"What for?" She replied, her mouth full of rice that Wei had packed her.
"I have track tryouts this afternoon."
"Really! Wonderful!" She exclaimed. I blushed.
"It's not like I'm in already." I pointed out. Meiling stared at me as if I were crazy.
"Of course you'll get in!" She replied confidently. I smiled.
"So, can you stay after school with me?" I reminded her.
Meiling sighed and waved her spoon around dramatically. "Gomen, Wei wants me to come back home directly today."
"No, it's okay. Really." I stressed, trying to convince my three worried friends.
"But you don't know your way around." Tomoyo objected.
"And you can't talk Chinese." Meiling added.
"And you'll probably get lost." Eriol concluded.
I glared at my friends. "Hey, I'm not that stupid!" I defended myself. "I got from the airport to the hotel myself!"
"This is different." My three friends countered. I sighed.
"But I want to join and I'm not going to ruin your plans." I insisted stubbornly. It was my friend's turn to sigh. They knew it was useless to argue with me.
"Make sure you get home safely and turn on your cell phone." Meiling demanded me.
"Remember to talk Chinese, not Japanese." Tomoyo reminded.
"And don't go off wandering; you'll get lost." Eriol repeated. I held in a sigh and grinned at all my friends.
The rest of the day passed by as a blur as I was so excited with the tryouts. After constant reminders from my three friends, they finally left me after walking me to the track. The tryouts were easy actually, just a testing of 100, 400, and 1500 meters. It took a while, but running with Syaoran was a bit interesting even though it kept reminding me of the past when he and I had tried out together.
"Those who passed," our coach said, reading off a list from his book. A lot of people had tried and they were all anxious, at least I was. "Li Syaoran."
I looked over at him and grinned, mouthing a "congrats."
The list went on. "Sakura Kinomoto." Yes! I had made it. Syaoran caught my attention and gave me a thumbs up. I could feel myself blushing a bit.
As I walked out from the bathroom in flared jeans and spaghetti strap, Syaoran ran over to me.
"Hey, great work." I congratulated him.
"Yeah, you too." He replied. We walked to the front gate. After he noticed that no one was going pick me up, he asked, "Who is going to bring you home?"
Oh yeah. No one was going to pick me up. Smiling I shook my head. "Um, I'm going home alone."
"Do you know your way around?" He asked.
"Umm. yeah." I replied. Syaoran raised his eyebrow and looked at him. I couldn't meet his amber eyes.
"I'm walking you home." He said, not letting me argue. "Where do you live?"
"No, it's okay! Really. It's really close." I said, trying to convince him to leave. Syaoran just looked at me skeptically.
"Where do you live?" he asked again. Darn. I forgot how stubborn he could be sometimes. I just couldn't win against him.
"Hua Shin Hotel." I said, giving up. He grinned at me.
"Well, your lucky you live pretty close." He responded. "Want to go for a drink before I send you home? To celebrate us getting in the track team?"
I looked at him. He was grinning at him. I felt my cheeks flush. "Hai."
We ended up in a small pretty drink place called O' Mango. After we both ordered a tropical fruit smoothie, I stretched comfortably.
"Remind me that I owe you a drink, Li-kun." I said with a smile. He shook his head.
"My treat." He answered.
I frowned. "I can't let you do that! You're walking me home and you're also treating me to a drink?"
"Stick with it." He said with a smirk, drinking a sip from his drink as they were placed before us.
"Meanie!" I said playfully. He stuck his tongue at me. "Hmph!" I said, punching his shoulder back jokingly. Then his eyes met mine and we laughed. I wished time could stop right now.
*** Syaoran's POV ***
Why did I invite to get a drink with me? Now I'm so nervous, but it feels so nice to be with her. She's always laughing and her emerald eyes are full of life.
"So, I heard from Meiling that you're staying in Hong Kong for a while." I said, trying to make conversation. Sakura smiled brightly and nodded.
"Hai. My dad has some job here. He's an archaeologist." She replied.
"Cool. I've always been interested in that stuff." I said enthusiastically. Sakura nodded, knowing that he liked it.
I paid for the drinks; Sakura just couldn't win over me. She was still grumbling when I walked her home. It was so kawaii that's she so considerate.
As I walked her up to her room, she turned and looked at me.
"Li-kun? When we were talking with Kai, you said we were friends." My mind whirled. Why did she have to bring it up? I searched my brains for an answer. Her eyes were looking at me intently.
"Well, um." I mumbled. I could tell that she was nervous as I was for she was avoiding eye contact now.
"I know that you don't really. um.. Remember me," She whispered.
"Gomen!" I cut in. "Really I am. I've been thinking about you a lot," I said, my face blushing crimson. Had I really been so stupid as to say that out loud? "Um. yeah, I was just trying to see if I could. um, remember you." God, I always say too much when I'm nervous.
I felt Sakura's eyes on me and I looked up to those bright emerald eyes. They were teary. "Ah! Gomen, did I say too much?" I asked fumbling for a handkerchief. Sakura's eyes fell on the blue handkerchief.
"That handkerchief." She said, staring at it. I swore and stuffed it back down the pocket of my khakis.
"Gomen." I said quickly. Instead Sakura shook her head and smiled at me even though her eyes were watering.
"No, it's okay." She said. I could tell she wanted to say something, but was trying to find the words to say it.
"Can we be friends?" She asked me suddenly, as she raised her head up searching for the answer in my eyes.
I think my heart just failed me. Either that or it was just pounding too fast.
*** Haha! Cliffhanger! Gomen. It's just that if I wrote even more, it'd been like 100 pages. Hehe. I have to stop somewhere. Sorry, I mean really sorry, about the cliffhanger. Please review! How do you like the redhead's name? Kai, for you information is a Chinese last name. It's one of my friend's last name. Hehe. A Chinese redhead. How interesting. Review people! Arigato~! Rainbow dreamer.