A/n: New chappy! Came out a bit later than expected but it's 'cause FF.net was down for a few days.
Kero: And 'cause of lack of interest of this story.
LiL DreameR: Quiet you! Ehehe... Not much reviews, but I'd like to give a biiiiig thank you to the ones considerate enough to leave their opinions with me:
Black souls: Fight! Fight! Fight! Uhhh, I mean, thanks for the review! All those people mentioned kinda made me dizzy but I say, better dizzy from review than not dizzy from no review! Lol! Thank you, Laira, "Me" (you.. Hehe), Thomas, Alex, Kai, Katlin, and all the rest!
SakuraandLiforever: Shanks fer da birthday greeting! *Beams* Don't worry, things get turned around in this chapter! And everyone's trying to murder Bobby! Thanks for the review! I appreciate your time and thoughts!
LiL DreameR: Arigatou! And to tell ya'll, it's a looong chap... Yay! And oh, Neh! I'm getting tired of my penname LiL DreameR. Should I change my penname to this prettier one I have in mind? I want to but I don't know. Shanks! Now on wit the story!
Disclaimer: Ahahaha!! I have over $350 from birthday money! Now I... Still can't own CCS. Bummer.
For My Love
By: LiL DreameR
Chapter Thirteen: Touya's Turn
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hayaku, Sakura!"
"Hoe!!" Sakura yelled, running back and forth throughout her room, her yellow ball-o-fluff following at the tail. [Hayaku: Hurry]
The sixteen-year-old Card Mistress ran out the door with her bagpack and hat flying, only to be stopped by her guardian.
"Sakura, don't forget the gift!!"
"Hooeee!!" She fell down the stairs with sweatdrops running down her head and scrambled back up. "Shh!! Otousan is still home!" she yelled at the little Kero plushy and grabbing a package off her desk at the same time. [Otousan: Father]
"Oh, no time to worry about that! You're late!" Kero jumped up and down, down and up, prodding Sakura out of her own bedroom. "Have a nice day at school. Say hi to Tomoyo for me!"
"Hai! Ja ne!" she panted, jumping her stairs three at a time. [Ja ne: Talk to you later]
"Sakura-san! We have to hurry!" Fujitaka came flying from the dining room into the kitchen, a worried look plastered on his face. He grabbed his keys off a table and called after Sakura, "I'll drive you! Come quick!"
Sakura's came dashing in, her eyes dizzy. @.@ "Cowing, Okousan!" she muttered, mouth stuffed silly with muffins. She made a quick grab for her coat and the two hurried for the family van.
The trip to Seiju was the only time for Sakura to catch her breath.
Then it was a quick good-bye and thank-you to her father and she raced into the building. Dashing up the stairs, Sakura skipped three stairs at a time and slid.. more like slammed... open the door to her homeroom.
Pant... Pant...
"I'm-I'm he-here!" Sakura wheezed, the class plus Terada giving her all their attention. Silence built up in the classroom.
"A few more minutes and you might have made it, Kinomoto-san," Terada commented, looking over some papers. The class resumed their usual chatter.
Sakura groaned, taking up her usual seat.
"Gambatte ne, Sakura-chan!" a sweet recognizable voice chimed next to her. [Gambatte ne: Try your best]
Sakura's emerald eyes brightened immediately and flung herself onto the one the voice belonged to. "Tomoyo-chan!! You're back in school!"
"Hai," Tomoyo answered kindly, giving back the hug. She looked over Sakura's shoulder, her long raven hair flipping, and smiled sweetly at the teenage boy behind her. The boy gave her a sad smile back with sympathetic sapphire eyes, his glasses shimmering in the light.
"Tomoyo-chan, I've missed you so much!" Sakura gushed happily. Another teenager smiled fondly over the scene, happy that the one he cared for the most was once again cheerful. "Oh!" Sakura exclaimed, digging into her bagpack. She pulled out a tiny wrapped gift. "For you."
With a bow from her friend, Tomoyo gladly accepted the present and unwrapped it slowly. "Oh my! It's beautiful!" she gasped, holding up a silver chain necklace with a single lily magnolia adorned on it. (A/n: For all of you who don't know, lily magnolias are Tomoyo's favorite flowers other than cherry blossom.)
"It's an apology gift for not being able to help you... that day," Sakura stretched. Her auburn head looked sorrowfully at the floor.
Tomoyo smiled meekly at the group listening on, Sakura, Eriol, Syaoran, and Meiling. "Even though... Even though my virginity has been taken away from me unwillingly..." Tomoyo felt Eriol flinch slightly, which caused her attention to be brought to the ground. "My dignity sure has not been. Let's capture this character that has been causing so much mischief.. and bring him to justice!" Tomoyo's voice was raised with determination and ambition.
The four friends looked at each other... and smiled with pride and respect for their courageous friend.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Keiri ne, Tomoyo-chan!" Meiling goggled, fussing with the new chain she was about to put around Tomoyo's neck. Sakura giggled happily next to her odango-haired friend while Tomoyo stood still as Meiling clasped the hook.
Two boys not far away from the three girls observed the scene before them. "Kinda sad, if you ask me," the one with the messy chocolate hair commented.
The other teen with the navy blue hair next to him jerked. "Why's that, Syaoran?"
Syaoran shot a glare. "Li," he said coldly.
Eriol just smiled determinedly. "Syaoran."
Syaoran sighed and gave his dear ancestor a fiery glare. "Whatever." His amber eyes rolled to the ceiling.
"Hey, be glad I'm not calling you cute descendant anymore," Eriol chuckled lightly.
"Oh, thank the Lord," Syaoran muttered on the sarcastic side.
"So, anyway, what's sad, Syaaaaoraaan." Eriol just loved to tease his distant relative.
Syaoran shot him the Shut-the-hell-up-Hiiragizawa look.
And pissing off his dear descendant made the fun even better!
Poor Syaoran threw his arms up in defeat and let a groan. "Fine, whatever."
"You didn't answer me, though."
"Well, it's pitiful that Meiling hasn't ever gone out on a date nor has had a boyfriend yet," he stated in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Well, you know, not like you're Speedy Gonzales, either, Mr. Takes-Six-Years-To-Tell-Sakura-You-Love-Her. Plus, I heard your an overprotective cousin, eh?" Oh, how lovely life is when your ruining someone else's.
Syaoran turned bright red and had the biggest urge to put his fist through his ancestor's chuckling face.
But what stopped him was when the class scurried over to their seats as the classroom door slid open. In came their oh-so familiar 'big-boned' music teacher, Hirosho-sensei.
"Good morning, class. The Christmas Concert is less then two weeks away. Gather into your groups and practice hard for it," Hirosho announced before settling down into her comfy desk, looking over her usual mysterious papers.
Meiling, after she stopped raving over the necklace Sakura gave Tomoyo, joined Syaoran in a lonely corner after Tomoyo went to join Eriol. "Why so lonely, cuz?" she joked, putting her arm on his shoulder. He shoved it off with a raised eyebrow.
"Hai, Syaoran-kun?" a jolly voice greeted into his ear. He could feel a warm breath on his neck.
"Gah!" he yelled, lunging forward to crash into the closets and knowing exactly who that jolly voice belonged to. "S-Sakura!"
Sakura scampered over to his side with a worried expression. "Syaoran-kun, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Syaoran saw the concerned gleam in her emerald eyes and smiled graciously. For once, he was able to fight down a blush... Just a little at least.
Sakura stretched at her hand and pulled Syaoran to his feet. She wiped him off a little bit... Blush from Syaoran... and gave him a big hug around the waist. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders in response, glaring over at his snickering cousin.
"Oh, Sakura-san, there you are!"
Syaoran's ears perked up, his enemy senses were alert. Ahh, yes! The Smith kid was coming to claim his partner. =Not if I can help it,= he thought, bringing Sakura closer to himself. "May I help you?" Syaoran asked Bobby coldly.
Bobby smirked an unusual one and spat, "Why, yes. Sakura and I need to practice our song. You could do that later, Li."
"Excuse us, Smith. Could you give us a moment?" Syaoran managed through gritted teeth. Meiling fortunately shrunk into Sakura and Syaoran's shadow.
But Bobby looked poised. He stayed in the position of tapping feet. "I'm sorry, Li. I know Sakura's your girlfriend, but she's my partner. And we need to work on our song. Now if you could only let go of your death grip on her and join that cousin of yours who's shrinking into the shadows..."
"Just one second, kay, Bobby-kun?" Sakura asked Bobby with extra sugar, making Syaoran frown. The two walked off towards the middle of the classroom, his arm around her waist. Meiling scrambled to her feet to follow, her black odangos swishing as she caught up with Sakura. Her ruby eyes took one last glance at the lonesome Bobby and turned her attention back to the group with a red face.
In the background, Bobby's fair skinned face was red with fury. "Oh, you wait, Li" he muttered before stalking off to flirt with a group of giggling girls for the time being.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Tomoyo-chan, I love you so much!!" Sakura cried, squeezing her best friend in a tight hug. Sakura giggled like crazy, hugging her self in a very insane way. The spectators, Tomoyo, Eriol, Meiling, and few snooping classmates, looked upon the scene with raised eyebrows.
"C-Calm down, Sakura," Meiling stuttered with a sweatdrop. "You're with Syaoran every other second, so it doesn't matter now that you have him as your concert partner."
Sakura just chuckled silently in response.
Syaoran was extra happy as well. "Arigatou, Tomoyo," he thanked with a bow.
"No problem, Syaoran-san! I was happy to help my ultra kawaii couple!!" Tomoyo's lip quivered with happiness, hands folded to her chest with starry eyes.
Even though he was a bit disappointed in himself for taking advantage of a friend's position, Syaoran was pleased that his plan had worked. Tomoyo was Hirosho's favorite student, having a beautiful voice and being the greatest singer in school and all. So he thought, maybe -just maybe- Tomoyo would be able to convince Hirosho to swap partners with Bobby Smith. And Hirosho, wanting to please her favorite student, said yes.
Tomoyo's happy face turned into a concerned one and stared intently at the smiling Meiling. "Demo, I'm worried that Meiling-chan might not want to work with Smith-kun..." [Demo: But]
The Chinese girl looked away and pinked. She opened her mouth to say something but...
"It's okay! Meiling-chan likes Bobby-kun!" Sakura popped out between Meiling and Tomoyo and exclaimed excitedly, but only loud enough for them to hear. She held up her pointer finger knowingly.
"EHHHH?!?!" Meiling yelled horrified and looking horrified as well. "To hell with that idea!!!"
"Oh my, Meiling-chan," Tomoyo giggled, holding one of her hands to her mouth to suppress a few Ohohohos! "Actually, I noticed that, too, Meiling-chan!"
The odango-haired girl "Humphed!" and looked away, unaware that her eyebrows were arched in a worried position.
Syaoran grinned in a pleased manner, proud of his girlfriend for embarrassing his cousin. He gave her hand a squeeze, and she smiled in her innocent, angelic way, making him blush a deep red.
Meanwhile... On the other side of the music room...
Bobby fumed with anger as he watched the cheery group of five laugh and talk freely. He aimed a deathly glare at them, but once his defiant stare hit Syaoran and Tomoyo, his crystal-like blue eyes turned flaming red.
"That ungrateful ass bitch... I save her from a rapist, and this is how she repays me?!" he spat viciously. "My damn conscience... I shoulda let her be fucked up." He whispered the last part before sauntering off steamingly to a dark corner in the room and waiting for the bell to ring regarding the end of class.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A shadow sat in a large red chair in front of a blazing black fire. He adjusted his glasses to see into the fire better. He concentrated hard, staring fixedly as the black flames licked for the fireplace mantle.
In the flames was a scene of a familiar street in Tomoeda. It's raining. The familiar street is void of cars, pedestrians, and animals. A girl in the Seiju High uniform comes walking down the empty road. She holds an umbrella, and a bagpack is swung over both shoulders. The girl's raven long hair is getting drizzled lightly as it sways while she walks. Her amethyst eyes look lonely. "Halfway home," she says with a sigh.
Eriol was looking into the past.
He wanted truthful responses to his unanswered questions.
Tomoyo in the past stops abruptly in the middle of the drizzling rain. She shivers. "I feel like I'm being followed," she whispers.
Eriol leaned forward in his chair, as if he was watching a horror movie. Yet, he left his concentration intact.
Tomoyo shakes her head, wisps of wet hair shower her already soaked surroundings. She laughs. "Of course I'm not being stalked! I'm just being plain paranoid!"
As on cue, a knife comes swinging towards her neck by a masked man.
Eriol was on his the edge of his chair. He gripped the arms tightly with anticipation.
"Eriol-kuuuun!!!" a sing-song voice chanted, entering the room.
Eriol fell forward anime-style. The scene vanished, and the black flames were replaced with red/ orange ones. His focus was disrupted.
"Nakuru..." he sighed, massaging his aching temples.
Nakuru sweatdropped, rubbing the back of her long honey-ish haired head. "Go-Gomen, Eriol. Miss Tomoyo-chan is here, though!" Her cheerfulness returned as she turned on her heel into the kitchen. "I'll make some cookies for you guys! Suppiiiiii-chaaaan!!! Wanna help me?" (A/n: She, it. Whatever.)
Eriol sighed as the door squeaked open again. "Hello, hello? Anyone in here?" the soft voice called. A raven haired head with deep lilac eyes peered into the large dark room.
Eriol stood from his high red chair and bowed to the lady. "Konbanwa, Tomoyo-chan," he greeted. [Konbanwa: Good evening]
Tomoyo came inside and left the door slightly ajar. "Konbanwa, Eriol-kun." She bowed also to the gentleman, a few lavender strands slipping out of place. Once up, she headed straight for his arms. "So why'd you call me here?"
The half-reincarnation of the legendary Clow Reed hugged her back. "Sit," he nodded over to a couch that replaced his red chair magically. She strode over and sat down, as Eriol suggested. He sat next to her. (A/n: Don't you dare think anything naughty, you hentais!)
~*~Eriol's POV~*~
"Sit," I nodded to the couch that magically took the place of my old chair. Sweet Tomoyo-chan obediently sat down, and I realized that I sounded like I was giving my sweet an order. I cringed slightly before sitting down. I don't think she noticed.
"Tomoyo-chan," I started, placing my hand over her pale ones. She smiled that innocent smile I fell in love with. "I just wanted to tell you... I'm sorry for not being there. It's all my fault you were.... I should have went to school that day. You-"
Tomoyo placed her small finger onto my lips to silence me. "Daijoubu desu," she said. Her melodic voice melts my heart. [Daijoubu desu: It's alright]
"I love you, sweet Tomoyo-chan,"I mutter, looking into her beautiful amethyst eyes.
~*~Tomoyo's POV~*~
"I love you, sweet Tomoyo-chan," Eriol-kun told me.
Sweet Tomoyo-chan. That was his all-time favorite nickname for me. And I loved it.
"I love you, too, Eriol-kun."
He looked at me with his caring sapphire eyes. Those mysterious eyes that I fell flat on my face for. But now, I could see his eyes filled with worry.
"Nani?" I ask gently.
He caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. His hand felt warm and soft against my cold skin.
Eriol brought out a tiny velvet box from his trouser pocket. He asked me to open it.
~*~Normal POV~*~
Eriol's hearts quickened as Tomoyo lifted the box out of his hands.
Tomoyo opened the tiny velvet box gingerly, her fingers carefully prying it open. Inside was a shimmering golden ring with a sparkling diamond placed on top. (A/n: Hah! What'd you think it was? A condom? Lol!)
"Oh my..." Tomoyo gasped loudly. Her right hand was clamped to her mouth.
Eriol, pleased with her reaction, took the ring from its slot and slipped onto one of her fingers. Tomoyo's lip quivered. "It's a promise ring. A promise to never leave your side ever again," he whispered into her ear huskily.
Tomoyo's eyes sprouted tears. She sobbed and threw herself onto him. "Oh, Eriol-kun!"
And then they shared a passionate kiss, Tomoyo's arms around his neck while the diamond ring glistening blindly in the light of the fire.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was music class once again, and two loud squeals were heard from a corner of the classroom. The whole class stared wide-eyed at a honey-haired beauty with large green eye and an odango-styled ruby red eyed attractive lass. Both mouths twitched as the gave an innocent wave to the onlookers.
The class resumed their chatter.
Sakura and Meiling blinked at each other before consuming starry eyes. The girl they cornered looked a bit frightened.
"That's so romantic!" Meiling raved, checking out Tomoyo's finger that had the big ring on.
"Kawaii!!!" Sakura squealed, stealing the hand away to inspect it.
Syaoran and Eriol grinned to each other, watching the girls rave from some distance. "So you actually did it, Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran slapped him on the back proudly, maybe a bit too hard. "Never knew you had that much courage!"
Eriol rubbed his back, wincing. "More courageous than you'll ever be, Syaaaaoraaan," he teased, shaking his head.
"Shut up."
Eriol chuckled, coughed, then became serious. "When'll you give Sakura yours?"
Syaoran's grin turned neutral as he stared longingly at the Cherry Blossom. He fiddled with a tiny velvet box inside the pocket of his school trousers. "When she's ready."
"When who's ready, Syaoran-kun?" a girly voice asked behind him.
"Gaaaack!!!" Syaoran fell forward with a thump, surprised at the familiar voice.
"Oh, Syaoran-kun, I'm so sorry! That's twice this week!" Sakura exclaimed, flinging herself to the ground to help him.
"No, it's my fault. I dozed off," he stated, both getting up. Sakura dusted him off, making him blush at the body contact.
Eriol chuckled. Syaoran glared. Eriol said his good-bye before joining Tomoyo. Sakura waved her farewell.
"Meiling-chan already joined Bobby-kun." Sakura smiled cutely. "Shall we start then?" she offered.
Syaoran nodded mutely, and hand-in-hand, the made it to one of the empty desks.
Meanwhile... With Meiling and Bobby...
Meiling found it hard to fight down a blush that was creeping up her cheeks. Bobby stared at her with interest.
=Maybe this girl isn't as bad as I thought. She may be... fascinating,= he thought, sensing Meiling's awkwardness and squirming. She seemed sort of nervous.
"So... Meiling," he started in hopes of making conversation, "you're related to Li?"
Meiling nodded numbly, avoiding his gaze by busying herself with a school uniform button. "Cousins... Smith-kun," she muttered.
Bobby arched his eyebrows. He felt sort of... bad for her. "You may call me Bobby, Meiling," he offered kindly. [Honto: Really]
Meiling raised her head. "Honto?"
"Hai."
She smiled with true gratefulness. "Arigatou, Bobby-san!!"
The rest of the period, the two, instead of discussing boring songs, talked about their lives and got to know each other quite well. Meiling glowed with happiness.
Back with Sakura and Syaoran...
The two sat in the back of the room, side-by-side, hand-in-hand. Sakura's head rested on Syaoran's shoulder quite comfortably. They stayed in their position, watching their noisy classmates and enjoying each other's company.
Syaoran looked at Sakura's auburn head with soft eyes.
When'll you give Sakura yours?
Eriol's voice repeated over and over inside of his head.
When she's ready.
That was his answer.
When she's ready.
Question is, when would he know when she's ready? (A/n: Gawsshh... I make it sound like he's asking her to... err.. you know.)
You'll just know...
Wha-? Where'd that answer come from? Syaoran looked sideways and behind him, looking for someone who possibly might have whispered that. But no, that voice... was coming from inside his own head.
"Syaoran-kun."
Maybe someone's talking to him telepathically. Or maybe he's just talking to himself again...
"Syaoran-kun!"
... Without him being aware of it.
"Syaoran-kun!!!"
"Gahh-!" Someone called his name, surprising him as he fell back into his chair. He hit the floor with a thud.
"Ohhh..." Sakura moaned, kneeling next to him. "That's fallen number three... All because of me."
Syaoran rubbed the back of his head that hit the tiles. He grinned sheepishly at her as he up-righted his chair. "No, it's alright. But that's must be a record or something," he joked.
Sakura and Syaoran shared a laugh before settling into their previous position.
"Syaoran-kun?"
"Hmm?"
"What's on your mind? You seem a bit dazed just now," she asked worriedly, taking her head off his shoulder momentarily.
Syaoran frowned, feeling his shoulder become lighter. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about... that Shen bi-atch. He keeps appearing, disappearing... Then, appearing.... It's getting quite annoying."
Sakura smiled in understanding and laid her head back down head on his shoulder. Syaoran positioned his head on hers, taking in her sweet honey scent.
"So what song should we do, Syaoran-kun?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
During lunchtime, the weather outside was clear and beautiful, but still pretty cold. Some brave souls decided to eat outside and enjoy the beauty of winter, while others, like our gang, were too lazy to get their coats so they chose to have lunch inside.
One of those brave souls was our very own Bobby Smith.
"I need some time to myself," he muttered, his warm breath visible in the cold December air. His eyes caught on a withered sakura tree.
"Or maybe you need someone to bring you your lunch, Bobby," a squeaky voice mocked from a nearby branch. Bobby didn't need to think twice about that high-pitched voice. He just stuck his hand into one of the leave-less branches with a sigh, and it came back gripping a small lunchbox basket.
"Shut up, Gumbonean. Go away," the blond-haired teen hissed.
The squeaky voice, belonging to his little guardian Gumbo, muttered incoherently. Things like "Ungrateful" and "My precious hard work" was heard just before a red blur with a stubby tail disappeared amongst Seiju's many trees.
Bobby sighed, the basket full of food swaying as he walked closer to the school gates.
Sakura's face ran deep in his thoughts. "Ying Fa," he whispered longingly. His goal was the sakura tree just past the gates and he looked at it deeply. His eyes were tired... And he closed them, his senses guiding him to his destination.
He heard a distinct laughter inside his head, a jolly full-of-life sort of laughter that he didn't recognize as his precious Cherry Blossom.
"Mei Mei."
Mei Mei, Madoushi's younger sister, had that laugh. Bobby remembered her laugh... Oh, her laughter, so energetic, so lively. He reminisced about the days in his past life. Before Shen became vengeful and so full of hate. When he was just a little child, when Mei Mei was his own best friend. He remembered her clear-cut laughter, when they used to play in the mud and such...
"Konnichiwa," a soft voice greeted, cutting into his train of thought.
Bobby's crystal blue eyes snapped open. He was already at the school gate; the cherry tree just a few meters away. A man in his early twenties stood barely outside the iron gateway.
A man known as Yukito Tsukishiro.
All happy thoughts raced out of Bobby's head as his innocent smile was replaced by a menacing smirk. His cold blue eyes stared intensely into Yukito's warm ones.
Yukito's eyes were slowly closing. Fatigue was taking over his tall body, but just before he could hit the floor, angel-like wings sprouted from his back. The soft feathers embraced Yukito and out emerged...
... Yue, Sakura's cold Moon guardian.
Bobby's smirk deepened as Yue flew over the fence. His bow and arrow materialized out of thin air, its sharp edge pointing dangerously at Bobby as he hovered above the ground.
"Shen, what the hell are you doing here?!" he demanded, seeing straight through Bobby's disguise.
Before Yue could do anything, Bobby's stuck out his hand and chanted something under his breath.
Yue froze and slowly, slowly plummeted back to Earth. Bobby caught him just in time and smiled too sweetly. "Nice little trick I learned from my gluttonous brother, eh? I heard he did the same thing to you a few years back, that Clow," he sneered maliciously.
His hand glided above Yue's fainted features and turned back into Yukito. "Ahhh... The best friend of my next victim..." Bobby snickered right before the silver-haired man woke up.
"Ore?" Yukito's sleepy face examined his surroundings. "How'd I get here?" [Ore?: Huh?]
Bobby's gave him a childlike smile. "You fainted a minute ago."
"Suka... I thought I stopped doing that..." Yukito pondered his thoughts before climbing the high fence and jumping it. He waved to Bobby, who waved back. "Arigatou! Ja ne!" [Suka: I see] [Ja ne: Talk to you later]
"Ja ne..." Bobby looked at Yukito's retreating figure darkly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two men walked down Tomoeda's familiar street, dressed in identical outfits. "Weird how all of a sudden the store let all the employees out early. Makes me wonder why," the shorter one, with glasses and silver-ish hair, brooded.
"Yeah..." The taller one, with messy black hair and piercing black eyes, kept his focus on the rode ahead.
"Oh yeah, I met that Bobby Smith kid Sakura was talking about while walking over from getting our lunch. I passed by Seiju."
"Yuki..." was all the other guy had to say, still having his eyes on the sidewalk.
"You know, Toya! The kid from America who's cousins with Dan in our class. By the way, I fell asleep again on the street. I thought I stopped doing that!" Yukito laughed, his chocolate eyes filled with mirth.
"Asleep?" Touya asked, surprised.
"Yeah, Toya. Like..." Then and there, Yukito fainted on the street, leaving his sentence hanging.
"Oi! Yuki! Yuki! Wake up! Yuki!" Touya exclaimed, his voice filled with panic. He slapped his face a bit, but all it did was make Yukito's glasses slide off his nose. "Oi, Yuki!"
"Don't bother, Mr. Sixth Sense," a deep voice sneered.
Touya's head swiveled in the direction of the voice. A boy, younger then him for about six years, stood a few meters away. He was dressed in robes of all shades of black, and he clutched a creepy looking something with an eerie moon at the top. "Who the fuck are you?!"
Bobby's misty eyes leered lazily at Touya. His moon staff pointed at him, giving off an unnatural glow. The man stayed still, clutching the unconscious other tightly. (A/n: Ergh... I'm not too fond of yaoi so I'm too good at writing it... Gomen ne.)
"Relax, Touya, I won't hurt you," he soothed, moving forward. Touya grip on Yukito tightened when Bobby swung his staff like a pendulum.
Yukito disappeared into thin air, causing Touya to panic. He shot the deadliest glare ever over to the mystery person and flipped him off. "Where the hell did you put him?" he whispered icily.
Bobby didn't flinch. He made no sign of terror. Touya lunged for him when he did not answer, but Bobby was too quick.
He held his staff high and the moon glowed again, making Sakura's brother freeze and back away. His body glowed a dark shade as he was caught in a trance.
"There," he sneered, examining the unmoving Touya. "Maybe that'll keep you still. Can you hear me?"
Touya nodded ever-so slightly.
"Good." A mischievous smile played on his pink lips.
Bobby circled Touya, his bleach-blond hair slicked back and his azure eyes shining. (A/n: If you don't know how to picture Bobby, just imagine Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. ... Draco is so damn sexy. Lol... Tom Felton!!!!!)
"I'm here to discuss matters..." Draco's... I mean, Bobby's... (A/n: SORRY!) eyes flickered. "... about your sweet darling sister and her sniveling prat of a boyfriend.
Touya turned his head to Bobby in interest.
"Oh? What's this? Ms. Sakura has not told you she was going out with Mr. Li? Then why don't I fill you in on the details."
Bobby leaned over to whisper things into Touya's ear. He whispered things that made Touya clench his fists firmly until his knuckles burned white. He whispered things that made his Adam's apple bobble up and down in his searing throat. He whispered things that made his eyebrows dig deep into his lids.
His one last whisper made Touya's black eyes blaze with red hot flames.
And with this, Bobby was satisfied.
His staff shrunk slowly as and he handed a few items to the man too furious to even move. He smiled in approval and disappeared from sight.
Touya walked stiffly to Penguin Park and waited... With a moon key and a few black cards clutched tightly in his hands.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"... And so they all died. The end!" Meiling's cheerful voice bounced from tree to tree as she skipped backwards, facing the four.
"Oh, that's comforting." Syaoran rolled his eyes, arms positioned behind his neck.
Tomoyo smiled, hugging her coat to herself seeing as it was the middle of December. "So, how's everyone's concert practice going?" She shivered, and Eriol spotted her. He gathered her up in a warm embrace and they walked like that.
Sakura gloved hand held Syaoran's, swinging it lightly back and forth. "Oh, it's going good. Syaoran-kun and I have already decided on what song. Ne, Syaoran-kun?"
Syaoran kept his blush down, letting Sakura rock their twined hands.
"How about you, Meiling-san?" Eriol asked, looking curiously at the girl who was still walking backwards steadily.
"Oh, it's okay. Bobby-kun and I still haven't decided on a song, but we're getting to know each other." Meiling turned on her heel to face frontward but froze immediately when she heard the chatter behind her stop and the crunching of feet in the snow cease.
"Bobby-kun?" Tomoyo whispered silently.
At that, Meiling realized her mistake. She blushed hotly as they rest of the group passed her, snickering and smirking.
"First name basis already, eh, Meiling-chan? Looks like the two of you are getting closer," Sakura teased gleefully. Meiling watched as the four of them disappeared around the corner to Penguin Park. Her cheeks were red, from both blushing and the cold.
"M-Matte!" she stuttered, picking up her feet to catch up with the gang. She rounded the corner and-
BAM!
She collided straight on with a frozen Tomoyo.
"Tomoyo?" she asked, frightened at her friend's strange behavior and sprawled on the snow-covered ground. She looked forward to see what she was staring at, to see what the whole group was staring at. [Matte: Wait]
Touya?! Sakura's older brother?!
Meiling quickly dusted herself off and ran to the rest of the group.
"Onnichan? what are you doing here?" Sakura asked sweetly, moving forward to her brother. His face did not confront the group, it was drawn to the ground. [Onnichan: Big brother]
Touya slowly lifted his face to meet his sister's...
Sakura gasped in surprise and stumbled back, falling into Syaoran's arms. Touya's red eyes flickered menacingly at the boy, hatred and loathing dripping like tears.
Touya advanced towards the couple. The key he gripped swelled to its proper size. "O-Onnichan?! What are you doing with that?!" Sakura yelled, worry clearly visible in her panicky voice.
"Get away from him, Sakura," was his response. The couple stepped backwards as Touya slowly proceeded to walk towards them, his white-knuckled hands still clutching the moon staff. When they didn't react, he yelled angrily, "I said get away!!" and swung the staff at them both.
Syaoran pushed Sakura away just in time and dodged the attack swiftly. Sakura landed with an "Oof," and was helped up by her boyfriend, who looked back from her to her brother back to her, eager for some answers. Sakura stared helplessly with an unknowing look.
"Touya!!!" Sakura screamed as he repeatedly attacked Syaoran with physical attacks, a few verbal ones here and there. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"To hell with this asshole, Sakura!" Touya yelled, rage in his unnatural eyes. Syaoran, unable to even talk, only dodged his attacks, confusion and recognition both swirled in his autumn eyes.
Sakura looked on nervously, thoughts and guesses filling her panicky mind. "Sakura!" she heard a deep voice behind her call. She twirled, her uniform skirt flowing.
Eriol blocked away Tomoyo and Meiling from the scene. Both were pretty pissed off from not being able to see, but knowing Eriol's good intentions. "Shen's controlling your big brother's anger! I could feel the aura!"
Sakura nodded, speechless that Shen, who already sunk low enough to have her best friend raped, is now turning her own sibling against her and her friends.
Sakura dived for her key, but gasped when Touya chucked out a black card from his pocket and summoned it. "Sword! Release your fury on this pathetic idiot." Gray mist swirled around the top of the moon staff, and once it was cleared, a double-edged sword gleamed in the midday's sun.
Sakura yelped, diverting Syaoran's attention from Touya to her. "Syaoran!" she yelled.
But it was too late. Touya had swiftly slashed through Syaoran's shirt, blood trickling at his exposed chest. "Dammit, Touya, that was my good shirt!" Usually, Sakura would have been giggling at the comment, but on the circumstances, she held a horrified look with tears dwelling in her eyes. =Enough bullshit,= Syaoran thought. He dug for his pendant, mumbled a few chants, and held his sword high in a steady stance. His amber eyes digging into Touya's blood reds.
"Sy-Syaoran-kun?" he heard Sakura's feeble and shaky voice question.
He didn't bother look to see if she was crying, because he already knew. "Don't worry, Sakura, I won't hurt him. Please don't cry." His gaze never broke with his opponent's. Sakura smiled, reassured by his simple words.
Two men, eyes locked, standing in combating positions with gleaming swords held high... One girl, tears threatening to fall, shivering slightly from the winter cold in the sidelines... Another guy, holding back two pissed girls, watching intently on the scene before him... It seemed as if time has stopped, waiting for the other to move... or even flinch. But no, no one moved, not even an inch. (A/n: Whoa... Another one of those I-didn't-know corny rhymes... Lol. Okie, for the next scene, think of Syaoran's Theme from the CCS Soundtracks... Slow, very slow... And then... WHAM! The pace quickens really fast!)
WHOOSH!
Touya had decided to make the first move, jumping forward and bringing the Sword down rapidly on Syaoran. But Syaoran was faster, dodging the attack just in time. The Sword slashed at the bloody snow.
Syaoran ran, not knowing where, but ran. He generally did not run away from a worthy fight, but for Sakura's sake, for his 'future' brother-in-law's sake, he decided to make nothing more than a scratch on the possessed Touya.
Yet, Touya unfortunately thought just the opposite. He ran after the boy, smirking wildly. "Aha! A rat is worthier for my sister than you are!"
Syaoran was unmoved by his words. They bounced off him like light on a mirror. He sprinted over to King Penguin, hopping up the stairs towards the slide. Touya followed, his lips snarled. Syaoran produced an ofuda from his trouser pocket and thrust it to the sky. "Petals of Wind, come forth!" he called as the ofuda struck his sword with full force. Halfway up King Penguin's ladder, the Wind Syaoran summoned lifted Touya's hands and feet and he went flying to the snowy ground.
Syaoran took this time to skid down the slide and make his getaway. While doing so, he sweatdropped. Well, so much for that 'No scratch' thing. He headed for the swings unintentionally, taking his chance for a quick glance at Sakura. His hand reached for the metal of the swing.
ZAP!
"Shit!" he yelled, withdrawing his hand. Little sparks played along the chain he was just about to grab. Syaoran spun, spotting Touya, with no cuts visible but his face very dirty, walking towards him holding the moon staff and the recognizable Thunder Card. His thoughts wandered a bit to the time he first battled with Sakura back when they were ten. They were capturing Thunder and oh, he was sooo mean-!
No! No time to think of that now!
A smile played on Syaorn's lips. =Two can play at that game.= Pulling out another ofuda, he summoned, "Raitei shourai!" The lightening burst from his sword, heading straight on for Touya...
... But then, he remembered.
Any attack like that could just be eaten up by the moon staff. Syaoran cringed and smacked himself mentally for his stupidity. [Rairei shourai: King of Thunder, come forth]
As the lightening was absorbed into the staff, Touya gave him a shrewd smirk. He set himself ready to strike that 'gaki' with his own attack... With the moon on top glowing with lightening and the staff being focused properly, Touya....
... Collapsed?!
Yes, he collapsed into the snow, head on. The staff fell forward, returning to its original key form before hitting the ground. The black Shen Cards floated into a neat pile next to the key. [Gaki: Brat]
Behind where Touya stood before he fell stood Sakura, tears running down her pink cheek while a quiet sob escaped from her quivering lips. In her hands she held... A pan?! (A/n: Umm.. Erm... the Create Card?)
Still bewildered, Syaoran ran to Sakura and gathered her up in his arms. He rocked her back and forth, cooing and telling her not to cry.
"I knocked out my own brother," Sakura whispered shamefully from his chest.
Syaoran told her that it was alright and Sakura tightened her grip around his waist. It was alright, Syaoran thought. But it was kinda funny how Sakura knocked him out... With a pan. Hmm.. Maybe it was a magical pan or something. A smile played on his lips, comforting his distressed girlfriend. He spotted the trio not far away, pulling something from the bushes.
It was another unconscious body of Yukito Tsukishiro.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Right when you heal from one injury, it just comes back and pokes you in the ass," Syaoran mumbled, a pissed off look in his eyes. "Ouch!"
"Gomen, Syaoran-kun!" Sakura giggled. "Just a little bit more, okay?" Syaoran closed his eyes as Sakura rubbed ointment into his burning wound. She wrapped some cloth over her wound and patted his well-toned stomach. "All done!"
Syaoran sighed in relief, sinking into the Kinomoto living room couch.
Across from the two were Eriol, Tomoyo, and Meiling, tending to the unconscious Touya and Yukito.
"Tea and cake, anyone?" A worried masculine voice entered the living room holding a tray of six cups, six plates, a few utensils, a teapot, and a small delicious cake. Syaoran hurried to stand and bow, but his injury refused to let him. He winced and Fujitaka noticed. "Sit, please, Syaoran-san. We don't want that injury to get worse, now do we?"
Syaoran nodded in response.
Fujitaka set down the tea, Sakura rushing over to help her aging father. "Arigatou, Otousan!"
"Thank you, Sakura-san," he added. The two passed around four cups of tea and poured two more for themselves. "I never imagined my daughter would inherit mag-" Fujitaka laughed, but was interrupted by a screeching sound.
"Sakura!" a screechy voice yelled from upstairs. "I smell cak~~ie!!" Kero-chan skidded to stop upon laying his beady little eyes on Sakura's father. He fell limply to the ground with sweatdrops running down his large head.
"It's okay, Kero-chan" Sakura picked up the imitation doll, who shuddered. "Otousan knows."
Kero, who was placed on the table, jumped up and suddenly came to life. "Nani?!"
"We told him after we came in the house, levitating Onnichan and Yukito-san who both were knocked out cold, and Syaoran with a huge gash across his torso. We couldn't have just told him any old thing," Sakura explained knowingly. She cut a piece of cake for her miniature guardian. "Kero-chan, my father, Fujitaka. Otousan, this is Cerberus, Guardian of the Seal."
"Konnichiwa, Cerberus." He stuck out his finger for Kero to shake.
He accepted delightingly and exclaimed, "Konyanyanichiwa, 'nother Clow-san! Wai wai! Now I could raid the fridge with you home and without you home!" Sakura had also explained to her father about him being Clow Reed's other reincarnation. He took it surprisingly well. [Wai Wai: Yay yay!]
After giving the little raving guardian a twitchy smile, Fujitaka turned his attention to the lovely couple in front of him. "So are you going to tell Touya and Tsukishiro-kun when they wake up?"
Sakura and Syaoran both nodded and answered in unison, "Hai."
To be continued...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/n: Gomen! The ending was sloppy, but I wanted to get this chapter out so bad that I didn't care how it ended. Gomen!
Kero: Tsk, tsk. Bad thing for an author.
LiL DreameR: Neh, shuddup, Kero-chan!
Kero: *Repulsive look*
LiL DreameR: Please, review, minnasan! Come on, it can't be all that bad... (Kero: *Snort* Cough... Yes, it can... Cough) --;; Well, I begged and I don't want to anymore, so please?
Leave your e-mail address and a reminder if you want me to remind you when the next chappy comes out! And oh, tell me if I should change my penname... I seriously AM getting bored with this one! Ja ne! Review onegai!
~*~LiL DreameR~*~
Name change, anyone?