Timeless
Chapter 4 : Attraction
Author : butter-fly
Gomen nasai for the very late update! I have been lazy hehe and please if this happens again please give me a kick in the butt (e-mail me). Right, on with the story..oh yes I'm looking for a beta reader, so if anyone is volunteering I'd be grateful.
The flutterer,
Butter-fly :)
The events of the other night still left a print in his head. They were most probably linked with the four murders that Eriol told him about. He knew that it troubled Eriol greatly, few things pass by the sorcerer unnoticed. Now, it troubled him also. Should he extend his stay in Japan? Perhaps he should, there were many things he need to settle here in Japan with Sakura's identity still unknown and with these brutal murders and dark powers. And the elders, he groaned inwards would have a field day about his incompetence.
"Li-san, breakfast is ready," Wei announced to him.
Li got up from the couch and entered the dining hall where Sakura was already seated. And as always she seemed to radiate a youthful aura that brightens the room. They ate in silence, as usual. Sakura was stuffing her mouth with pancakes and some of the honey dribbled at the side of her mouth, leaving a yellow stain near her mouth. Li saw the stain and thought how yellow, how out of the place the stain was, how disturbing. She finished her pancakes and sat there watching him with interest as he ate.
And still the yellow stain bothered him. He cursed under his breath and reached out with a napkin to wipe off the honey near her mouth. She was startled but she didn't move away. Unconciously his eyes met her emerald ones and for a moment the green depths were what he saw, all thought fleeing his mind. Her small hands came up and gently took the napkin from his hands and in turn wiped the smudge of chocolate on his chin.
"Kawaii ne!" Tomoyo's cheerful voice broke into their little world.
They jumped apart from each other as if they were burnt and the napkin fluttered to the floor. It just so happened that they both reached down to get it and their heads bumped into each other. Sakura sat back up and rubbed her head while Li picked it up and dumped it on the table. He grunted, shoved back his chair and strode purposely to his own room.
Wei, appeared like the diligent man-servant he was and cleared away the plates. "Ohayo, Miss Tomoyo-san. Can I get you anything?"
"Ohayo Wei-san. Nothing for me," she said to him and turned her attention to the somewhat dazed Sakura.
"Sakura-chan, so how was your morning?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
Sakura smiled sheepishly at her with a blush creeping up her neck. Tomoyo pulled out a measuring tape from her bag and indicated for Sakura to stand up.
"I'll just be taking your measurements. Spread your arms," Tomoyo said as she measured the length of her arms, her deft fingers moving expertly with the tape.
"Say, Sakura-chan want to go shopping with me?" Tomoyo asked, once she finished what she came here to do.
* * *
Eriol sat down on his favourite chair and tried to sort out the events that had been happening recently. Too many things that would lead to something bigger, a catalyst to an even larger reaction. Perhaps he had been somewhat lulled by the peaceful days that he had not been as perceptive as he was supposed to be.
He jumped at the sound of the phone ringing beside him. He shook his head at himself and picked up the phone.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Ah, ohayo Eriol-sama," came the feminine voice from the other end of the piece.
He smiled, "Mizuki-san, how is England?"
"The usual," she answered and paused for a moment. "Do you need me there, Eriol?"
"You help would be most appreciated but there is no need," he told her.
"It's getting stronger Eriol, I can feel it extending its fingers over Japan," she said softly.
"Iie, stay in England. Nakuru and Spinel is with me, you need not worry."
She said nothing for a moment and let out a sigh, "Men and their pride."
Eriol chuckled, "You know only too well, Mizuki-san."
After he hung up the phone, he grew more worried. Things were more serious than he thought. And for the first time in so many years, Eriol Hiirazigawa felt lost and clueless.
* * *
She was angry with him, he knew so. That was why she refused to talk to him, answer his questions or even glance at him. Despair and fear of being alone once more crept into his heart and made it thumped harder. Never, he would never be alone again he couldn't bear the vile liquid of lonelines he once drunk.
"Yasha...forgive me please. You may do whatever you please with me but please talk to me," he pleaded.
"You disobeyed me, Hoji. My concern for your safety means nothing to you, is it?" she said in a soft tone.
"Of course it means something to me. Please don't be mad, I can't stand it when you're mad at me."
"Swear that you'll never disobey me ever again," she told him.
He bobbed his head up and down, "I swear I will never disobey you Yasha, by the shadows of the Dark Gods."
"Good boy," she cooed and then her face took on a serious expression as she said to him, "Not at all simple, those two whom we met in the forest."
"You needn't worry about them, Yasha. Their auras don't even measure up to mine," he said arrogantly.
"Never underestimate your enemies, brother dear. There is something familiar about them that I can't put my finger on."
He raised an enquiring brow, "I do not sense anything."
"It's just like you to be foolish. But since our sacrifice yesterday, our powers have increased. The Dark Gods are pleased with our offerings, we will be able to return back to our world soon enough."
"Over a thousand dawns, Yasha. Things must have changed," he said thoughtfully.
"It will be fun to twiddle some things when we return, a little chaos will harm everyone but us."
"But what about her?" he asked, his tone dropped a tone lower.
"She's still imprisoned, isn't she? Why worry?"
* * *
"Is it just me, or is there some sort of chemistry between Li-kun and that new girl you brought in?" a pretty brown-haired girl asked Tomoyo quietly.
Tomoyo giggled softly and answered, "So it isn't just me, Chiharu-chan. They are so kawaii, ne!"
"Hai. Who is she anyway?"
"A new friend. She's really very sweet," Tomoyo said.
"There will be a lot of disappointed ladies when they see Li-kun with her," Chiharu said with a giggle.
"Well, did you make sure to get that extra security I told you to?"
Chiharu nodded, her brown-curls bobbing up and down, "Hai."
"Good, Li-kun hates it when he has to deal with adoring fans. I try to get on his good side once in a while," Tomoyo said in a slightly exasperated voice to Chiharu.
"Ah, he is very popular among the population of young women in Japan. He's like some prince from a fairytale, don't you think Tomoyo-chan?"
Tomoyo's eyes crinkled up with amusement, "Sure, a prince with an ice for a heart."
"Even ice can be melted, Tomoyo," a familiar husky voice came from behind her.
She spun around and was immediately pulled into a pair of strong arms, "Eriol!"
Chiharu discretely moved away to give the loving couple some time alone.
"How is everything going?"
"On schedule. What's wrong love? You look as if you haven't been sleeping well," she asked worriedly, her fingers tracing the dark lines under his eyes.
"Iie, I'm fine. It's just the late shifts I've been having, Tanaka-sensei had to take an emergency leave so I had to take over some of his shifts."
"Why don't you go home and rest?"
He nodded, "I will. I just wanted to see you for a while."
She smiled sweetly up to him, the person who brighten up her life and made her heart feel as if it were going to burst everytime. "Aisheteru, Eriol," she said softly into his ear and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
His eyes darkened into the darkest sapphires and he held her in his arms for a moment longer. She was the most precious thing to him.
He hated it, all the flickering lights, the thick make up that made his skin feel like plastic and the yells from the public being held back by some security. And all for one promise that he had made against his better judgment. Well since he owed Tomoyo a favor so when she asked him for this, he had to do this for her. Still, he didn't like this one bit. He had piles of paper work to go through and projects he had to oversee yet here he was, standing like an idiot while the cameras snapped away.
She seemed happy, he thought to himself as the corner of his eye caught sight of Sakura. She was surrounded by a group of girls who undoubtly worked for Tomoyo. They were cooing over her, smiling while applying make up on her and fixing her hair. Although she couldn't speak to them, she smiled widely and nodded happily at whatever they were saying. He almost felt contented watching her being so animated. He caught himself before a smile could curve his lips, what was this ridiculous feeling he was feeling?
"Li-kun, Li-kun!" Tomoyo called him.
He turned to face her with an impatient frown which made her smile widen. "When is this even going to start?"
"Gomen ne Li-kun, we're starting now so if you could please move to the background over there."
"Hai, hai," he answered and walked to the red-brown background that Tomoyo's crew had set up. It was still spring so they had to get imported autumn colored trees and place them on area. Leaves were painted bright yellow, red-brown to get the autmn effect and they were poured onto the ground.
Sakura was standing at the set amidst the autumn coloring looking absolutely and innocently puzzled. She gave him a bright smile when she saw him which he did not return.
"All right, Li-san stand right over there. Okay, now stop. Sakura-san, I want you face Li-san. Yeah, that's it now Sakura-san put your hand on his chest, no higher. Yes, look upwards both of you. Right right, now smile naturally," the photographer spoke and began snapping away.
Syaoran looked every inch a handsome man wearing a dark brown knitted vest over a cream-yellow colored long-sleeved collared shirt and fitting cream-yellow colored pants that emphasized his long muscular legs. Sakura was his suitable match wearing a rather snug fitting cream-yellow shirt with brown leaf patterns decorating the end of the long sleeves and a short pleated brown colored skirt and to complete the outfit knee length stockings.
"Li-san, smile smile," the photographer said.
Syaoran bit back a retort and smiled a little wider. Kami, this better end soon.
"No, no Sakura-san not you, you're smiling too widely now. Yes yes keep back the original smile..ah, yes yes..."
The camera clicked a few times before the photographer looked up to them. "Okay, now Sakura with both hands grab hold of Li-san hand. Li-san, right I want it to look like you were leaving and she just grabbed your hand. Look suprised, okay. Oh, and Sakura-san look down and a small smile."
Unfortunately, he was dealing with one emotionless young man and one 'genki' girl who looked puzzled. What he got was Syaoran glowering at the hands that were holding his right hand and Sakura smiling uneasily as she caught Syaoran's frightening gaze. Ray, the photographer groaned inwards.
He opened his mouth to say something but Tomoyo beat him to it, "Behave yourself, Li-kun or we might just take up the whole day."
Syaoran threw her a cold glare and sighed. Ray quickly seize the chance to take the shot which he thought was perfect, Syaoran sighing and Sakura smiling was as natural as it could be. They changed into another set of clothes, this time the color was a deep-red brown hue.
"Close shot! Sakura-san lean against the wall okay, Li-san one hand against the tree," Ray called.
Li looked at Sakura, their faces so close that their breath mingled. They were so caught up with each other that they hadn't heard Ray calling for them to change clothes again. If he were to move his head a little, his lips would brush hers. So close, so tempting.
"Sakura-san!"
Sakura's head snapped upwards and her mouth came into contact with his. Both amber and emerald eyes widened in surprise and the crew stared at them open-mouthed. Syaoran felt that instant desire to deepen the kiss but he pulled away and stalked off to the dressing room leaving a very red Sakura. Tomoyo, who had been rolling the film, gave a little giggle of happiness that she managed to catch that particular moment.
Things are getting really interesting for these two, she thought slyly.
Syaoran flick a glance at his watch. He was waiting for Sakura to finish up so that they could go home together. He was about to go in search of her when she came through the door with a huge candy in her hand.
"About time, you sure are happy," he grumbled.
She smiled up at him with a faint blush and held up the candy.
"I'll pass, come on let's go," he said as he started forward.
* * *
"Where is she?" Kereberos whined. He was hidden in Yukito's pocket with his bear head jutting out slightly.
Yukito smiled softly, Kereberos had found this world weird but he hadn't. It was indeed strange that he should feel so at ease here as if this place was his home. He didn't find the machines in this world to be weird, his hands knew exactly what to do to make them work.
"Yue cannot sense her aura at all," Yukito said.
Kereberos looked up from the pocket with narrowed eyes, "Yue or Yukito, aren't you the same person? Sheesh, I don't know why you have to have two names," he grumbled.
"Because we are two different people who happens to share this body. Yue is Yue and I am Yukito."
"What's that suppose to mean? I don't have two names!" he said crossing his arms.
Yukito chuckled, "People are staring at me, and they must think I'm crazy talking to myself."
"Focus, Yukito or Yue whoever...we have to find Sakura!"
"Hai, hai. I'm hungry, let's eat first," Yukito said, already making his way to the food stall.
Kereberos slinked deeper into the pocket, "That's another thing I don't get about you, you're always hungry! Yue..he hardly ate."
* * *
Night descended with a twinkle of distant stars and a crescent moon. Syaoran felt restless. It had just been days since that photo shoot and he kept a distance from Sakura. She awoke funny, warm butterfly feelings that came from the pit of his stomach. A feeling that he had not felt for a member of the opposite sex before. And he wanted to kiss her silly ever since that day when their lips brush against each other. She is only a child. He banged a fist against his desk. Damn that girl for obsessing his mind and damn him for not being able to get her off his mind.
He got up from his chair and stalked out of the room. In the living room, Sakura was watching some television game show with Wei. He stared at her for a moment, finally he raked a hand through his hair and said loud enough, "I'm going out for some fresh air." His hand reached out to grab his coat and he closed the door behind him.
There was hardly anyone on the streets, at such a time. He walked the silent road to the park, knowing he felt frustrated with the feelings that Sakura had aroused in him. And the darkness that comes, fear has begun to spark deep within his heart. The gravel crunched under his feet as he continued walking. Then he stopped in his tracks.
"Come out," he said dangerously.
No one came out and it made him angry. He turned and stalked towards the source of heavy breathing.
"Sakura?" he asked in suprise.
She stood there, caught, with a pink flush on her cheeks.
"What are you doing here?" he asked quietly, shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his coat.
She just looked down at her feet without answering him. "Go back, Sakura," he told her and turned his back to her.
Syaoran knew that she didn't do as he said as he heard her footsteps. Ahh..suit herself. But to come after him...was to tempt him.
When he reached the park, he chose the bench facing the lake. It was quiet and it helped soothe him until the source of his frustration happens to sit a few centimeters from him. From the side of his eyes he caught her watching the lake with a contented look on her face. He was about to reach him limit to how much he could stand being so close to her and not kissing her.
"Sakura, you really should have gone back," he told her roughly and pulled her into his arms.
She stared up to him with wide beguiled emerald eyes, innocent.
"I'm going to kiss you, sweet Sakura," he whispered huskily into her ear. She blushed furiously and licked her lips. He groaned and took her lips in a hard kiss. His tongue urged her to open her mouth. And when she did, he pulled her even closer to him his hands spanning her tiny waist. One of her hands reached up to touch his neck and he deepened the kiss even more. The wind blew furiously, and he broke the kiss. Sakura's face was pale and his body tensed up.
"Maa..maa when we traced the strong aura, I never expect to see this," a quiet male voice said.
Syaoran's body jerked as he heard the aura word and dragged Sakura up with him. He pushed her to stand behind him.
"Who are you?" he snarled, his fingers dipping into his pockets to fondle with his talisman beads.
"Sakura?" the person asked.
* * *
I sincerely hope that you guys are satisfied with the somewhat mushy part between Sakura and Syaoran. And please continue to review, it's what keep me going.