SakuraXRan fanfic... ^_^ R&R please!!

Disclaimers: Weiß Kreuz and its characters are NOT mine! (how i wish!)

Chapter 3: Tsumetai ame ga konya wa furi tsuzuku

"Sakura, are you alright?" Mrs. Tomoe asked as they entered the house. "You've been awfully quite on the way home,"

"I'm fine," Sakura lied as she went up to her room. But deep down she felt confused. She loves Ran, her best friend's brother, the man who was her first love. How was she going to refuse Mrs. Toshiyuki's suggestion that she'd be Hikawa's date on his birthday? She had no special feelings for Hikawa, before and after Hikawa's family left for France.

Sakura entered her room and sat on her bed. She was a little bit tired from all those conversation between Hikawa's and her parents. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table, it was exactly ten thirty in the evening. She sighed, then stood up to change into her nightgown.

What should I do....? I know there's no reason for me to actually refuse Hikawa's mother's wish to be taken by Hikawa as a date. But why do I feel awful at the mention of it? Sakura thought. Sakura scolded herself as she went into the bathroom to change. That's because you love Ran...

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It was early Sunday morning, Sakura woke up, rubbing her eyes. She was surprised to see Aya, all dressed up, sitting at the corner of her bed.

"A-Aya-chan?" Sakura called.

"Sakura, come on, get up." Aya replied.

"Huh?" Sakura said sleepily.

"You promised you'd help with the shop today," Aya stood up, her hands on her hips.

"I-I did?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, you did. So get going," Aya urged. "Ken and Omi had gone to do errands today, so it's just me, you, onii-chan, and Yoji that's left to work in the shop."

"Oh...yeah, I remember..." Sakura got out of bed and chose some clothes from her closet. Then she entered the bathroom. Aya sat on the chair by her dresser to wait for Sakura as she took a quick bath.

Twenty minutes later, Sakura left the bathroom wearing a white halter top and blue jeans. She completed her outfit with a pair of black sandals.

"Sakura... you never told me you wore halter tops." Aya said, smiling.

"Uh---I didn't?" Sakura felt embarassed. "I think I'll go change my outfit," she said, walking towards her closet.

"N-No! I mean, it looks good on you," Aya replied. Sakura's really pretty in that outfit! Wait'll Ran sees her! Aya thought.

"You sure?" Sakura asked.

"Completely." Aya smiled at her.

"Okay then, let's go." Sakura replied as she took the blue backpack from under the desk.

"What's in the bag?" Aya inquired.

"Umm... my school books. Just in case I've got spare time in the shop." Sakura answered.

"You won't need them," Aya said, trying to talk her out of bringing her school bag.

"But---"

"Come on, you can leave it here," Aya replied. "We've gotta hurry. It's almost time to open the shop."

"Oh, ok." Sakura left the bag on the floor, and followed Aya who was already out the door.

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"You're here at last," Yoji said as Sakura and Aya arrived in the shop. "We were about to open the shop,"

Yoji eyed Sakura and whistled.

"You're all dressed up, Sakura. Do you have a date or something?" he asked.

"N-No," Sakura shook her head. She and Aya went to wear the aprons that hung behind the back door.

"Then I'll be your date," Yoji teased.

"Yoji-kun!" Aya scolded. "Sakura, don't mind Yoji,"

Sakura fell silent as she went behind the counter.

"Aya---" Ran came in the room, carrying two flowerpots containing white roses. Then he noticed Sakura's outfit. He took a second look on her, and raised an eyebrow.

"Don't even think about it, Ran. She's my date," Yoji spoke.

"What are you talking about?" Ran turned to Yoji, a death glare plastered on his face.

"Yoji-kun, Onii-chan, stop it." Aya stood between them.

Just then, a customer came in. The four turned to see who it was.

"H-Hikawa-kun..." Sakura said as she recognized the man.

"Hi, Sakura!" Hikawa replied as he approached Sakura.

"You're here early, we haven't even opened the shop," Sakura informed him.

"I just came to see you, I called you, but your mother said you already left. I figured you'd be here." Hikawa smiled.

"Oh..." Sakura blushed.

"You work here?" Hikawa asked.

"Uh, yeah. I only work during weekends, but I also work on weekdays when they're short on people." Sakura babbled.

"I see." Hikawa replied.

"What brings you here?" Sakura asked him.

"Um...I was wondering if I can take you out to lunch later.." Hikawa scratched his head.

He's certainly not the usual business-type guy today...I wonder what happened? Sakura thought.

"Umm...I'm afraid she couldn't." Aya cut in. "You see, we lack people who works here today."

Aya-chan... Sakura looked at her friend.

"T-That's right," Sakura agreed. "Maybe some other time,"

"Well, if that's what you want." Hikawa smiled at her. "I'll come by your house tonight?"

"Um...fine with me..." Sakura replied half-heartedly.

"See ya then," Hikawa winked at her like he did the day before.

"Bye---" Sakura said.

When Hikawa was gone, Aya walked towards Sakura.

"Thanks for rescuing me, Aya-chan." Sakura smiled at her friend.

"No problem." Aya told her. "By the way, you didn't call me last night, care to fill me in the details?"

"Uh---sure." Sakura started telling Aya exactly what had happened the night before.

"Really? His mother wants you to be her son's date on his birthday?" Aya exclaimed.

Sakura nodded.

"Will you girls continue your conversation later?" Ran said, irritated.

"Onii-chan!" Aya growled. Yoji laughed at Aya's reaction.

"Um... I'll tell you the rest of the details later, ok?" Sakura said, not wanting to be the reason for another argument.

"Ok," Aya smiled at Sakura. "One more question though,"

"What?"

"Is he anything of value to you?"

"Who?"

"That guy."

"Hikawa-kun? What do you mean?"

"I've noticed he still likes you."

"How can you tell?"

"He came by so early to see you."

"But---I don't feel the same about him."

"Won't you give him a chance?" Aya asked Sakura, wanting to irritate her brother. Maybe it would clearly give him the hint.

"I like him, I just don't feel the same like he does to me."

"How can you be so sure that you don't like him? You'll never know, maybe you might fall in love with him..." Aya told her. "Unless...."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you're in love with someone else," Aya replied.

"But----"

"Forget I asked...." Aya said. She knew somehow that he brother wasn't taking the hint. Ran remained undisturbed by their topic.

Sakura was still puzzled what Aya was trying to say. She was about to ask Aya what she meant when Yoji spoke.

"Hey, Aya, I'll be going out today," he said.

Aya looked at him. He knew exactly what she was thinking. "Where are you going?"

"Oh, just around, I was thinking of shopping," Yoji smiled.

"I wanna come too," Aya took of the apron she wore. "Onii-chan?"

"I'm coming too," Ran put the flowerpots on the floor.

"Umm..you can't leave the shop, Onii-chan!" Aya said.

"Sakura's here to stay..." Ran protested.

"You can't just leave her alone here, she's a girl." Aya answered.

Ran rolled his eyes.

"Sakura, stay here with my brother, okay?" Aya turned to Sakura.

"Uh---yeah." Sakura said shyly.

"Well, we'll be back soon." Yoji told Sakura. "I'll take you out later," he teased.

"Yoji-kun!" Aya called. She was already outside the shop.

"Okay, okay." Yoji followed her outside.

"Yoji-kun, how did you know what I was thinking?" Aya asked as they walked away from the shop.

"Well, I guess it's an opportunity for them to talk while Ken and Omi are gone." Yoji smiled sheepishly.

"So you knew Sakura likes my brother."

"All of us knew, even before you woke up," Yoji put his hands behind his head.

"I see," Aya continued walking.

"Do you think Ran would talk to her while they're alone?" Yoji inquired.

"I don't know, you know my brother doesn't like talking," Aya replied.

"Yeah, ever since you got----" Yoji stopped talking.

"You don't have to be reminding me about it, Yoji-kun." Aya smiled at him.

Yoji sighed as they headed towards the shopping district.

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Sakura remained silent even after Aya and Yoji had left. She just sat there behind the counter without anything to do. Aya didn't even tell her any errand that she could do. She sighed. She looked Ran's direction. He continued taking out flowerpots of roses and putting them in the shelf.

"I-I think I'll go water the flowers." Sakura jumped out of her seat.

"No." Ran said.

Sakura was surprised.

"But---there's nothing for me to do," Sakura spoke.

"I'll be the one to do it." Ran looked at her. "You stay here,"

"I've nothing to do, please let me help," Sakura insisted.

"I'm finished here anyway," Ran told her.

Now, that's odd. Sakura thought.

Ran went to water the flowers that were still grown in flowerpots. Sakura watched him do it. His expression was quite different than usual. It showed irritation.

Maybe he got angry at Yoji-kun for taking his sister with him. Sakura sat back down. She put her chin on her hand that was on the counter and sighed again.

"That guy---Hikawa, is he your boyfriend?" Ran asked.

Sakura stared at him. "Huh?"

"I asked if he was your boyfriend."

"N-No." Sakura shook her head. Now where did that question come from?

"You like him?"

"Not a bit. Why do you ask?" Sakura replied.

"Just a bit curious."

It's the first time I've heard him ask about my personal life. Sakura thought.

They were cut off with silence.

It's no use being silent, Sakura said to herself. But what should we talk about? Love? Nah...that's out of question. School? But he's not studying anymore. Aya? What about her? Weiß? No, that would make him angry. What can I ask him about? She sighed again.

Sakura tapped her fingers on the counter and looked at Ran as he went down to the basement to rest. She remained seated on the chair. It was still quite early, so there were no signs of girls coming over to see the boys. There was absolutely nothing to do, so she took a quick nap, resting her hands and head on the counter before her.

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It's been half an hour since Aya left. Ken and Omi haven't returned yet. I wonder what's taking them so long... Ran thought as he climbed up the stairs to check on Sakura. Why am I supposed to check on her anyway?

When he caught sight of Sakura sleeping, he crossed his arms.

She's supposed to be watching the shop while the others are gone. And this is what she does? Ran approached her.

"Sakura..." Ran tried to wake her up, but she won't. I wonder what she did last night to make her so tired.... Ran thought. Then he decided to take Sakura downstairs in the basement so she can rest comfortably.

He carried her to the basement and let her sleep on the sofa. He went upstairs to watch the shop while she slept.

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Sakura woke up, only to notice that she wasn't in the shop anymore. She looked around, it wasn't her room either....she was in the basement! But who could've taken her down there?

She stood up, and climbed up the stairs to check the shop. Ran was there, alright. And a customer had just left.

"R-Ran-san?" she called.

Ran looked at her. "So you're finally awake."

"Did you---were you--?" Sakura mumbled.

"I brought you down to the basement to rest." Ran said.

"I---thank you for---" Sakura hesitated. Thank you for what? She thought. "Thank you for watching the shop while I was asleep." She blushed a bit.

"It was nothing." Ran looked away. Why am I even bothering to talk to her? It's been two hours since Aya and Yoji left. And I'm still stuck with her! What do I do with her now? His mind thought.

Sakura glanced at the clock in the shop. It was a quarter before twelve noon.

"A-Are you hungry, Ran-san? Maybe we could go somewhere to eat...." Sakura asked.

Ran was silent. Maybe he's not hungry. Sakura thought.

"Well, um...nevermind me..." Sakura was about to head towards the back room when she heard Ran speak.

"There's a restaurant nearby, maybe we can go grab a bite there." Ran said, taking off his apron.

"Um..." Sakura didn't want to force him to eat lunch with her.

"Let's go." Ran was on his way out the door.

"But---" Sakura protested. Ran had already turned the shop sign from OPEN to CLOSED. She took off the apron she was wearing and followed Ran.

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Ran and Sakura entered a restaurant just a few blocks from the shop. It was the same place where Ran had taken her when Sakura insisted that she wanted to talk to him. They took their seats in a booth in a corner.

"What would you like?" Ran asked her as the waiter came to hand them the menu.

"I--" Sakura hesitated as she peeked into the menu.

Ran watched Sakura as she read the availabled dishes in the menu.

"I-I'll have grilled chicken, please." Sakura told the waiter. "And also, I'll have mango juice."

"How about you, sir?" the waiter faced Ran after writing down Sakura's order.

"I'll have the same." Ran answered.

The waiter walked away.

Sakura had a surprised look on her face. Ran looked in her eyes.

"What?" Ran growled.

"Why---why did you take me here?" Sakura seemed interested to know.

"It's the nearest one around here. Why do you ask?"

"N-Nothing."

"You're still studying?"

"Yes. I've still got two more years before I graduate from high school."

"How about you?"

"I prefer not to talk about myself."

Sakura fell silent. It was no use bringing up a certain topic, since Ran wouldn't talk about himself.

I wish this day would end soon. She thought.

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How was it? Read the next chapter to know what happens! ^_^