Chapter 4: The Seventh Day: Ice Cream Incident

Sunday. It is the day of rest and relaxation. God rested on the seventh day when He created the world. It is a day for reflections and a day for families to get together. It is a day like none other as Sakura will soon find out.

Her day began as usual. Having slept in a little, she woke up around 9:00 am. Sakura have slept most of the day on Saturday to regain her strength for today's shopping spree with her best friend.

She was feeling fine. All is right in the world. All except that unknown craving for something, someone. She couldn't put her mind to it. She didn't recognize the feeling of need. She never felt that before and it was getting worse. It seemed only to grow stronger and stronger as time went on. Sakura wasn't sure of anything anymore. It was true. She couldn't trust herself. She couldn't even hypothesize the cause of this feeling except that it had something to do with Syaoran Li.

Syaoran Li. The boy who dared to kiss her. Not once but twice!
----

Syaoran's POV

Damn! Damn! Damn!!!

"ARGHHH!!!" *THUD*

I was mad. No. Mad is understatement. I was furious! How could she do this to me? Didn't I tell her to not interfere?

At the time, I was training by myself when Wei brought me the message. It simply stated that I need to return to Hong Kong by Monday for a week.

What the hell does she want now?

I didn't take the news well. Leaving for a week would ruin any progress I might have made. As evidence of my anger, the punching bag laid on the floor mat. Done with my morning exercise, I decided a cold shower might do me good. If martial arts couldn't help me control my emotions, temperature might. I took my shirt off and wiped my sweat, then went to take a shower. I stayed in the shower for a long time to think while freezing water washed over me.

I could possibly salvage whatever when I return. A week? That's too long. She might have forgotten me then. I need to make her want me, need me ... remember me...

I smirked. All I have to do is win Sakura's heart before I go to Hong Kong on Monday's flight. Today is not yet lost.

After showering I ate my breakfast in silence with Wei. Wei rarely talked, but when he does, it is wise to listen. The man is a fountain of knowledge. He had tutored me from childhood and I am the man today partly thanks to him. Besides mother, he is perhaps the only person I truly respect.

"I will be out all day today."

"Will you return for dinner, Master Li?"

"Would you stop calling me that? I don't like it. In answer to your question, I don't know. I might eat out."

"You will enjoy the last few moments of your youthful freedom before going back. I understand. Don't stay out too late."

"I can't promise I won't." I smiled at the old man. He was very perceptive. 'Don't stay out too late.' That's something any dad would say to his daughter/son going out on a date.

Well...let's get this day started. I have a date with destiny.
----

I checked my watch. The time read 8:40, which is still early for some people. I walked around a bit knowing not exactly where it will take me. Sunday was slow. Not too many people. The streets weren't crowded with cars and noise like on weekdays. The air actually smelled cleaner!

At that point in time, my wanderings have led me to a known ice cream shop. I have stopped here a few times. They make some of the best chocolate ice cream in town. Good thing that it's open on Sundays. At such an early time too! The sign said that it had been opened since 7:00. Business waits for no one.

I walked inside and the bell chimed to make note of my entrance. The waiter/shop owner looked at me and went back to his work of cleaning the tables. He had his apron, his cleaning towel. A typical waiter.

"How can I help you, young man?"

"Chocolate milkshake and a secluded table." I didn't want a brain freeze just yet. Besides...milk is good for you right?

"Haha. You always have to have 'a secluded table' every time you come here. Why is that, Li? Hehe"

The shop owner was a cheery man. He was nice to his customers. He was always willing to serve anyone and was usually found to give more ice cream.

"And you always ask the same question. Why is that?"

"Hehe" He raised his hand in defeat. "You got me there."

There was no other customers at 8:40, so I took a seat to the far in the back. His place was L-shaped and the seat in the corner was pretty secluded. You wouldn't unless you were really paying attention.

"Here you go. Enjoy your milkshake."

After a while, I saw Sakura walking by the place with her friend through the window. She seemed to notice me, but gave no recognition. My blood boiled.

How dare her!

The bell chimed.

Huh?

"Good morning, Sakura-chan, Tomoyo-chan"

She's a regular customer?

"Good morning!"

"Good morning!"

"What can I do for you?"

That was her voice. She entered because of me? I smiled. I ducked out from view hoping to entice her curiosity. Indeed it did. I could feel her eyes searching for me. I could sense her confused.

"Any customers beside us?"

The owner looked at my table and didn't see anyone. Sakura looked in direction also.

"No. It's been a slow morning."

Why? He's lying? What is this owner up to? He's helping me.

"Oh"

She sounded a little disappointed and really unsure of herself. She might have thought that she was hallucinating when she saw me. I made a small noise and that caught her attention. Tomoyo's ears were perked as well.

"Oh, I'm going to use the facilities. Be right back, Tomoyo."

I heard her footsteps coming toward the back away from the owner and her friend. It so happened that the facilities were situated in the back, but could that be the reason why she's coming? I didn't think so. Soon, she was out of view from her friend and the owner. She would see me any moment now walking by the table because I was laying on the semi-circular restaurant-style seat.

She did see me. She did stop.

I smiled and pulled her down on top of me. She didn't seem to resist too much. I was surprised she didn't make any noise. It was as if she had expected it.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her. The taste of cherry entered my mind as I prolonged our kiss. It was really surprising when I found that she was trying to enter me. Her tongue was asking for entrance and so I allowed it. It didn't last long as she was now conscious of her actions. It was also due to her lack of breath. She sat up with her legs straddling my hip. Her eyes were wide open and she looked like she was about to scream.

"I-I--I..."

"Where are you going?"

"Mall"

"I'll see you there."

I smiled at her. It was really my first time smiling at a girl so honestly.

She got off and walked back to her friend.

Maybe I underestimated myself. She's already fallen. A little confused but I think I can clear that.

Smiling at the thought of kissing her again, I finished the rest of my milkshake. I thought of touching her here and there. I thought about her reactions. Would they be favorable like now? A new, unfamiliar feeling sauntered in my mind, but I quickly suppressed it. Martial arts is great...discipline is great...

I'll see when I'll get to the mall.