Alone Again…

"O-ooh!" Sakura groaned, clutching her head as sunlight streamed through the glass window. Stabbing her eyes. She huddled at the middle of the bed certain that she had died during the night and gone straight to hell. Her head pounded so miserably and feel as though her tongue had been wiped by a sandpaper. She silently promised that if she survived the next twenty-four hours she would never, never touch another drop of alcohol all her life.

There was no sympathy in Yue's expression as he handed her a cup of freshly squeezed mixture of lemon and lime juice plus some grounded bitter medicine for her hangover. "Drink it all and fast"

Sakura threw him a weary glance, hating him for the way he stood there with that holier-than-thou look on his face as though he get some satisfaction from her agony. Brushing a tangled hair from her face

"Why am I here? Take me back home" she said angrily

But Yue refuse to answer her, he just look down at her insolently lifting one eyebrow.

Sakura knew that this is his place… she had been here before, back when she was still a kid… when her dad would go, out of town and leave her to Yue for babysitting…

Sakura knew it was useless asking him, giving a defeated sigh, she took the cup, brought it in her lips, and then backed away. "What is it?" she said disgust in her face.

Yue folded his arms across his chest. "Drink it"

Suspicion flashed in her eyes "Not until you tell me what it is"

"Drink it!"

"No!"

Yue haven't been able to sleep last night, plus the fact that he had been working all night interacting with Fujitakas business concern from all around the world, had worn his patience, he was in no mood to put up with Sakura's antics.

Bending down, he placed a palm flat on the mattress on either side of her, his face only inches away from hers, and looked at her straight in the eyes. "Either you drink it, young lady or I'll pour it down to your throat"

Her heart standstill, Sakura lowered her gaze and brought the cup to her lips, convinced that he would indeed pour the foul looking and smelling drink down her throat if she did not obey. When she hesitated and give him a pleading glance from beneath her lashes, he said angrily "all of it"

Taking a deep breath she drink the foul smelling drink in a single gulp.

For a several second she sat without moving, a bewildered look clouding her face. Then suddenly her eyes flared wide and her hands flew to her throat. The plastic cup clattered on the floor and with a curse Sakura stood up from her bed. But her foot was caught by a tangle of sheet and she hit the floor hard, landing on her hands and knees. Yue was about to help her get up, when she suddenly bolted up and run towards the bathroom, not bothering to close the door.

Her stomach, mouth and throat felt like it was on fire. "I'll kill you" she swore between gasp, unaware of the steadying hands he had placed on her shoulder as she throw up on the sink. "I'll kill y- Arghhh"

A sympathetic smile softened Yue's feature as he gently stroked a lock of the soft brown hair that spilled over her shoulders. 'That'll teach you, little one,' he thought, cause he definitely know what's Sakura been experiencing this minute… but he knew she will feel better after wards.

Sakura struggled to catch her breath "Ar-are you trying to poison me?! What w-was it?!" she managed to get the words out in a choked voice.

"Drained water from my socks, it says to be very effective in getting rid of a hangover" he said softly, amusement dancing in his violet eyes.

Surprise, rage and disbelief flash in Sakura's eyes. But she can't do anything she's to weak move much more to fight.

Suddenly she felt two hands went under her knees and the next thing she knows Yue is carrying her again towards the bed.

Putting her gently on the mattress, Sakura groaned burying her face on the pillow, too weak and miserable to do anything.

"I'll deal with you when I get back," Yue said, untangling the blanket from her legs and drawing it up over her. Picking the dropped plastic cup as he went out. On the door he look back at her again, a smile formed at his sensuous lips as he shook his head and walk away.

It was in the middle of the afternoon when she heard a persistent knocking on her door, finally Sakura woke up from her pitiful sleep.

"I am coming! I am coming" she answered irritably, clutching her loose robe for modesty since all she have under it is a flimsy bra and panty. Everytime she tried to move, the room seem to spin making her feel dizzy and nauseated.

"I can't believe you have move here" Tomoyo burst out excitedly as she enter her friend's room. "Did you kno-" she stop suddenly, her eyes growing wide as she look at Sakura's wild appearance. "Oh my gosh Sakura! What happened to you?"

"Please don't… shout" Sakura whispered hoarsely as she made her way back to her bed.

For a moment Tomoyo just stood there, with an open mouth.

"Are you ok?"

Do I look ok, she wanted to snap. But she stop herself knowing that Tomoyo meant well. Since she cant say what she wanted she didn't say anything at all. She felt so miserable more so when she finally remembers what she did last night, especially when she remembered when she kissed Yue. Yue! She must really be out of her mind. She hated Yue! She hated him! Her hands knotted into a fist as a wave of confusion swept over her. Just who was she trying to convince anyway.

Seeing how Sakura move, Tomoyo made a sympathetic clucking noise on her tongue and immediately decided to take control of the situation. "Tell you what" Tomoyo said with cheerfulness that made Sakura want to gag "Go the bathroom, splash some cold water on your face, change your clothes while I to the kitchen and make you some tea. That should help you feeling better in no time. And then you can tell me last night and I'll tell you of the things that has been said. You won't believe it Sakura, it's incredible!"

Sakura walk to the bathroom slowly, not wanting to say a word afraid that she might not be able to control her words once she open her mouth. However she feel so irritated at Tomoyo, the way she act… it looks like she's so familiar with Yue's place… Tomoyo's acting like she's the hostess and she, Sakura, is a guest! Besides how did Tomoyo know that she's here? And who let her in, in Yue's flat?!

By the time Tomoyo returned from the kitchen with a tea tray, Sakura had washed up and change into another robe that is lying on the chair, she almost felt like human again. But there were dark circles on her eyes that were, this morning, too large and luminous on her pale face and the drink that Yue made her took up was still stinging at her stomach. When she got her hands on Yue it would be hard not to kill him. It would be long time before she forgive him… how dare he poison her with the drained water from his sock… thinking about it makes her want to throw up again.

Sakura sat on bed tucking her legs beneath her… there was a weary expression on her face. Leaning back against the pillow that Tomoyo made up for her, Sakura accepted a cup of steaming tea in a way, where Tomoyo describe as a notable lack of graciousness.

Long lashes threw a violet shadow against Sakura's pale cheeks and unruly hair spilled around her slim shoulders as she bowed her head toward the teacup. For a moment Tomoyo allowed herself to be consumed by envy. It wasn't fair, she thought, that Sakura should still be beautiful despite her present circumstances, while she have to do so many thing with herself to be more beautiful; but then, she thought smugly, getting a grip on her jealousy, true beauty came from within, and she knew she was more beautiful than Sakura, beautiful in a way Sakura would never be. Sakura was selfish and spoiled and uncontrollable, all things Tomoyo knew men hated in woman. All things she knew Yue hated about Sakura.

Careful not to let her thoughts show on her face , she began picking up Sakura's clothes scattered carelessly on the floor., chatting cheerfully as she moved around the room.

"How long will you be staying in Yue's place" Tomoyo ask with a tinge of jealousy

"I don't know… but I'll get out of this place as soon as I regained my strength" Sakura answered while sipping her tea. There was short silence. Finally Tomoyo break the silence by asking the question that has been nagging her mind the first time she enter this room.

"umm… tell me Sakura…" Tomoyo ask "is this Yue's room?"

"Yup" Sakura answered unaware of the thoughts swimming in Tomoyo's head. For Sakura being in Yue's house or room is nothing knew, when she 's still a kid her father would leave her in Yue's care, Yue's flat have one two rooms, one was for him and the other one is for his guest…. it was mostly use by her before. But she would often come into room his when she was just a little child… and as she grows older she would often come into his room when she got angry at him… to put anything in his bed just to annoy him… and one time she threw an icy- cold water on his sleeping form.

Sakura wince as she recall how angry he has been at her, that is the last time she entered his flat and the start of them always getting annoyed at each other. She was 14 back then and he was 27.

"Do you know what Eriol look like when he went to the gym this morning?"

With Tomoyo's voice Sakura quickly pulled her thoughts back… thankful that she caught herself up before she delved deeply into her memories and relieved the scene she saw when she was 14… afraid that she might discover something living inside her that she thought have been dead for a long time… and that would have been disastrous.

"wh-what?" Sakura ask again guilt redden her face as she saw the way Tomoyo looks at her.

"I said do you want to know what Eriol look like when he got to go to gym this morning?" Tomoyo said while folding her dress.

Sakura look up from the teacup , her eyes nervously following Tomoyo's movement.

She turned a questioning gaze on Sakura unable to hide her curiosity any longer. "His faced is all bruised and everyone who knew what had happened last night says that Yue beat him up when…." She hesitated " Is it true? Did something happened between you and Eriol? You can tell me Sakura I pro-"

Sakura grew even paler. "No. It's not true! How can you think of such thing?!" she protested angrily "Nothing! You hear me, Nothing, happen between Eriol and me. And Yue did not beat him up. He only hit him once" She didn't know why she suddenly need to defend Yue. He had never thought of her as anything but a stupid, silly,spoiled little girl, who doesn't have enough sense to fit at the end of the needle.

Tomoyo shake her head in surprise. "Yue sound so angry when he called me up last night looking for you, I never thought he would end up beating up Eriol. I was even more afraid for you… afraid that he might get so angry at you and beat you up as well" Tomoyo pause "why are you looking at me like that"

"It was you wasn't it?" Sakura demanded, emerald eyes blazing with anger "You're the one who told Yue where I was last night!"

"It was late" Tomoyo explained with a calm voice but her eyes tell Sakura how guilty she is "I was afraid something might have happened to you. And I didn't tell him much"

Sakura's hand shook with hurt and anger, slamming the teacup down with so much force that it break into pieces.

Tomoyo's forehead puckered in disgust. "Now look at what you've-"

"You liar! traitor! You told him I was with Syaoran too, didn't you?" she demanded. And when Tomoyo didn't answer Sakura drew back her hand and slapped her as hard as she could.

For a moment the two girls stood at each other in a horror, Tomoyo rubbing her bruised cheek and Sakura fighting down an overwhelming wave nausea at the thought of what she just did. Tears filled Tomoyo's eyes. " Sakura. Please…. I didn't mean to get you into trouble"

"Like hell you didn't! You did it on purpose just so you could get close to Yue and show him what a perfect little angel you are"

"I didn't!" Tomoyo said defensively , but the anger and guilt that show in Tomoyo's eyes only confirm Sakura's suspicion.

"That's why your jumpy yesterday when I visited you, wasn't it? That's why you could hardly look at me at the face. You knew you will betray me! you knew Yue will eventually call you and you were hoping that he gets angry and punish me. How can you do that to me?!"

These accusation cause a sob in Tomoyo's throat and she head for the door.

"Oh, no, you don't!" Sakura stepped into her way. Preventing her escape, she face her angrily, arms akimbo and raw fury boiling like a summer storm in her emerald eyes. "What did you do when you told it to him, Tomoyo" she said spitefully , not caring if her words hurt "Did he pat you on the head and tell you what a good little girl you are for telling everything to him? Did he tell you how well mannered and sensible you are and how he wished I were more like you? Did he tell you how suitable you are to be his sweet, obedient little wife? Did he tell you-"

"That will be enough!" The angry masculine voice came from the doorway, causing Sakura to whirl around in surprise and Tomoyo to lower her eyes in humiliation as hot tears spilled over her hands as she held her still stinging cheek. Yue stood just inside the doorway, feet apart and arms folded across his chest, his brows knitted together above hard, unforgiving eyes that missed nothing in the scene before him.

Sakura's nerve were drawn tightly like a guitar string, and cold prickles rose on her skin. But she would not let Yue see her fear. With haughty toss of her head , she turned her back to him.

For a moment no one spoke, and the only thing that can be heard inside the room is Tomoyo's sob. Finally Yue stepped to one side of the door, and held it open. "Tomoyo, I think you better leave now."

Tomoyo did as she was told without arguing, and Yue had to stop himself before he falls into the old trap of wishing that Sakura is also that pliable and bendable.

He saw Sakura flinch at the sound of the door closing. Her back were still at him but he did not have to see her face to know that she was still hurting. And he had witnessed enough of the scene between her and Tomoyo to know the reason why. Something knotted inside him, for he knew only to well the pain of betrayal, suddenly he felt an unfamiliar surge of compassion for her.

Sakura was the first to break the thick silence between them. "I suppose your going to yell at me for hitting Tomoyo" she said acidly, bracing herself for the coming scold.

Another long uneasy silence passed before Yue answered and his answer caught Sakura in surprise. "How can I teach you how to control your temper, if I don't know how to control mine?…" he said quietly, feeling her anguish as acutely as though it was his own.

She turn around and stared at him. Suspicion darkening her green eyes, unaware that in her heated fight with Tomoyo her robe had loose its tie and her bra and panty is the only thing that stood between her nakedness and in Yue's gaze. Then with flushing face, she grasped the front of her robe and cover herself.

"However" Yue continued sharply, jerking his eyes up back to her face. "this does not excuse you from what you did last night. Not only did you disobey me, you also deliberately behaved in a manner that you knew that I will find objectionable. I don't tolerate disobedience from any man under me and I certainly wont tolerate it from you. For the next week you are grounded in this house. You will go nowhere, you will received no visitors. If at the end of the week, you have learned how to act like an adult then the punishment will be lifted, but if not the punishment will extend. The choice is yours Sakura either you grow up or you continue to act like a spoiled child, in which case you will be treated like one."

Sakura become very still , her expression almost like trancelike as he scold her. Suddenly it bloomed into fury.

"You will do this! You will do that!" she mocked, angry at herself for being so weak for wanting to defend him to Tomoyo earlier, angry at herself for letting her guard down, making her mind slip to the time when she was still a child. "I am not one of your men and I refused to be treated like one! You have no right to treat me like a prisoner in your home! I will leave this place, I promise you that! And I can't bare being near you… listening at your voice makes me wanna puke!" It was a weak threat but she was angry she can't think of anything.

He eyed her evenly , his own anger carefully held in check "you just remember one thing little one, I know you've never had spanking, but if you try to leave this house without permission, that is precisely what you are going to get "

Sakura's chin jerked up defiantly. Yue did not missed single emotions that flashed on her face. Outrage. Fear. Confusion. Scorn. Doubt. This man is crazy. First he tried to poison her now he's threatening her with physical harm. "Father would see to it that your put to prison if you even lay a finger on me" she said, the haughtiness of her tone was marred by the tremor of uncertainty.

A cruel cold smile twisted his mouth "I wouldn't be so sure of myself if I were you, Sakura" Yue said, raking his eyes over her in undisguised contempt. "One of these days your going to have a rude awakening, and I can assure you little one, it wont be pleasant" He shot a scornful look around him on his way out of he door, then ordered tersely "Clean up my room."

Sakura look at the close door, only when she was sure that Yue is out of earshot, did she let her tears fall and pressed her face on the pillow… she is so angry and hurt. "You two are just the same" she said bitterly between her sob "both of you have betrayed me."

Hi, finally I was able to write another chapter. I hope I can write another chapter this week.

Thanks for reading my fanfic, please review. Thanks again.

Bluemermaid