A Dark Theatre
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KanbiAme: Wow... business is now the new word of my life...It's seriously like crazy...I'm directing a play (and it's from Shakespearean times)...and homecoming is this week..so I'm building a float.... went to an Evanescence concert....I had to work hard and have straight A's ... I'm worn out ... But here's your chapter...
By the way, about the Bill thing, there is a reason after that: My friends and I all really love Shakespeare, some more than others ::cough:: Becky ::cough:: ..anyway, we all went to a Thespian conference about a year ago, and went to a Shakespeare class, and it was called 'Don't be afraid of Bill' and after that saw one called 'The works of Billy S.' ..So ever since then we all call him Bill, or Billy...
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS
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Eriol and Sakura found a small table in the back of the café. Eriol's styrofoam cup of coffee steamed as Sakura looked down into her tea.
She looked up at him. "So why are we here?" she asked.
Eriol folded his hands on the table. "You're playing around Sakura."
"What are you talking about?"
"One minute you're clear as a bell. The next we can't find you with a fog light. You've got everyone lost and confused. Especially the little wolf."
"Eriol...I don't understand."
"Tomoyo asked me to mention this all to you. I'm only saying what she wrote down for me." He held up a piece of paper between his fingers. "Kinda like a monologue." He paused, and sweat dropped. " 'It's girl stuff.' She said, cuz I didn't understand it either. So if you can't understand it, imagine my position."
Sakura blushed. "I guess it'd just be easier if I talk to Tomoyo." She skidded her chair back a little bit. "Well I guess I'll.."
"Wait Sakura." Eriol reached out for her hand, and she stopped from getting up. "There's one more thing I need to talk to you about."
-
Brooke stood on a bridge in the park. It was amazing how fast time was flying. Only a few minutes ago she'd been relaxing with the girls. Now she was in the park, waiting for Takashi and Ryan to come back from the airport. They'd gotten the call a little while earlier...
-Flashback-
Ryan had just confessed that he might be harboring feelings for Brooke when his cell phone began to ring. He blushed, "Excuse me." He whispered, then flipped open his phone. "Ryan here." He answered.
After a short conversation on the phone, he closed it and turned back to her. "Who was it?" she asked, still trying to cool the heat from her cheeks.
"That was Pierce. He was Reese's best friend. He's flying in, he'll be here in about an hour. I need to head down to the airport to get him."
"Alright." Brooke stood up. "I'd go with you, but I need to talk to Chiharu." They were now walking into a small living room that connected their rooms. Only Takashi occupied the room.
"Go where?" he butted in.
"To the airport." Ryan replied. "Wanna go? I don't much feel like going alone."
"Lemme get my coat."
-End Flashback-
The wind picked up a little as Brooke tightened her coat around her. Her breath quickened, then caught in her throat as a figure approached her from the other side of the bridge.
-
"What else is there to talk about?" Sakura asked, drawing her hand away from Eriol's.
"Well. It's Syaoran actually."
"What about him?"
"Has he said anything weird to you? Or done anything?"
Sakura's mind instantly flashed back to the kiss they had shared the previous day, and the one they had almost shared that day. She paused. "No. Nothing. Why?"
"Oh, I was just wondering." Eriol paused also, then in a hushed voice, leaned over to her, "I don't know if you've noticed. But you've been the apple of his eye since the first day of school."
Sakura sat back astonished, then gave a nervous laugh. "Ok Eriol. I'm gonna go now. If you have anymore 'Takashi Stories' to tell, please, tell Chiharu. She'll put you back in line." Her eyes traveled slowly around the café, wondering if anyone else had heard what he had said. On the opposite side of the room, a figure sat at a table alone, their face hidden by a menu. Sakura took her tea in hand, and walked over to the figure. She gently pulled on the menu, and it came free of the man's hands. "Syaoran? Do you ever give up?" She threw the menu back at him, then left the café quickly.
Eriol got up with his coffee, and joined his friend at the other table. "Nice try." He commented with a sip of his coffee.
"She scares me sometimes, ya know?" Syaoran whispered. "What did you say to her anyway?"
"Just the obvious."
"And that would be?"
"Well if it's obvious, then you should know already. Right?"
Syaoran groaned, and slammed his forehead against the table. "Fuck you too, Eriol."
-
A silent phantom watched from the tree limbs above the bridge. The girl below him, still the most beautiful in his eyes, looked sadly into the frozen river. He wanted to hold her to him, tell her that everything was going to be okay. Yet he could never be with her. Not now.
-
Slowly Brooke's breath came back to her. It was amazing how much they were alike.
Ryan approached, and crossed over the bridge. He stopped and smiled at her. She just stared back at him. Her eyes wandered over his figure. From his black Doc Martin boots, his faded blue jeans, his dark gray turtleneck sweater, to his blue letter jacket. The snow falling around him, settling into his red hair. She smiled slightly, before turning and looking down into the water below.
"Thought you might be out here." Ryan whispered as he stood next to her, and looked down into the frozen tide.
She nodded, before then looking into his brown eyes. "I wonder if this is wrong." She whispered back.
He gently reached up and brushed some of her blue hair back behind her ear. "I wonder that too." He admitted. "But then I think, he was my brother, right? He cant be the one to look after you, I'm sure that he'd rather have someone he knows will keep you dear to them have your heart, then someone he couldn't trust." He kissed her softly on the lips. "I would never break my brothers trust."
-
The phantom above smiled sadly, as a ghostly tear formed in his eye. Ryan was right. That was how he felt. He looked down on two of the dearest people to him, and smiled. "I'm glad you're here Ryan." He whispered, his voice lost in the wind, "She'd be lost without you." Slowly, the phantom faded into the snow, until it disappeared completely.
-
Sakura looked at the clock on her bedside table. It was nearly noon already. "Where did all the time go?" she whispered in the silence. There was a knock on the door, and she invited the person in, "It's open."
The door opened, and Tomoyo came in. She sat on the edge of Sakura's bed and sighed. "We're going to California."
"When?" Sakura asked.
"Day after tomorrow. Mrs. O'Malley insists we stay for Christmas. But none of us are sure we want to impose."
"Either way, I don't think it'll be very merry."
"But we have to try, Sakura."
"What's the point in trying Tomoyo?" Sakura barely whispered.
"Are you just going to let him die Sakura?" Tomoyo asked. "Are you just going to let them all die in vain?"
Sakura looked at her friend in confusion.
"Sakura, look, your mother is dead. Your step-mother is dead. And now, Reese is dead. We all understand that. They died for the right reasons, they died selflessly. Their deaths meant that someone else could live. Your mother for you and Touya, your step-mother for your sister and brothers, and Reese for all of us. They died so we would have a future. And if you just sit here and sulk all day, you aren't giving what they wanted.
Reese wouldn't have died if he hadn't cared for us. For Brooke. But where's Brooke? She's out there, living her life. Because Reese wanted her to. Because he died for her, so that she could continue living." A tear slid down Tomoyo's face. "I know that it hurts, you're saying goodbye to someone you barely knew. But he'll always be with us. He's probably in this room right now, mooning us, or laughing his ass off because we're all so sad. He doesn't want us to be sad Sakura."
"It's just so early." Sakura whispered.
"I know. And it's affecting all of us. But Reese would want us pranking on each other again. He'd want us smiling, even if it is the day after he died."
"You're right Tomoyo."
"I know I am. As always."
Sakura giggled softly. "I've let them all just die because I've hidden in my shell." She looked to the door, where an audience had gathered, Takashi, Eriol, Chiharu, and Syaoran stepped into the room. "I don't want to be sad anymore."
"Then lets rejoice in the fact that people love us enough, to give up their own lives for our happiness." Chiharu said softly.
Sakura nodded, and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"If he were here right now," Syaoran began, as he sat down on the bed next to Sakura.
"He would be dancing around in the snow in Tomoyo's underwear." Eriol continued.
"And we'd all tell him how purple isn't his color." Chiharu finished.
The six friends broke into laughter as the imaged danced in their mind's eye.
"He may be gone," came Brooke's voice from the door. Ryan and a stranger behind her, "But let's have fun, cuz he's still here." She put her hand over her heart.
-
Behind Sakura, Reese's phantom stood, buttoning up his pants. "Geez Tomoyo, how'd you know I was mooning you?" he said with a laugh. He looked at his friends one more time. Glad that they were all moving on. He didn't like all this seriousness. He smiled, then once again, disappeared completely.
-
The day slipped by in silence, as everyone caught up on some much-needed sleep. The next morning however, everyone was restless and ready for some action. It was shortly after 5:30 in the morning when Sakura's door opened, and Syaoran entered. Sakura sat up in bed. "This isn't more hot chocolate is it?" she questioned.
"Don't worry." He chuckled back, "I've given up my dream of being a butler. I guess you could say," he paused, "It fell down the stairs."
She laughed. "Why are you here then?"
"I volunteered for my next occupation. Alarm clock! Sent in to wake you up personally. If you pay extra I sing a song and do a dance." She raised an eyebrow at him, and laughed shaking her head. "No, actually, I got last shower, and they all want to get out of here soon. Shopping, then back to the house to pack. Then up to the theatre to lay flowers for Reese."
Sakura swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Ok." She got up out of bed, and Syaoran turned back to the door. "Hey Syaoran." He turned back to her. Nearly nose bleeding because of the short gray shorts and tight pink tank top she was wearing.
"Yes?" he got out.
"I'm sorry for what I said yesterday."
"Don't be. Yesterday was a hell. You were forgiven before you did anything." He looked down to the floor to hide a blush. "I don't think I could even get mad at you in the first place anyway."
She silently walked closer to him. "I'm also sorry about the other day." She looked straight into his brilliant Amber eyes. "I was surprised and lost my balance."
He stared into the Emeralds before him. "We all lose our balance at times."
"No, that's not what I was apologizing for."
"Then wha..." he began, but was cut off when she placed a soft kiss on his lips.
"I'm sorry because I didn't get to react the way I wanted to." She blushed. Then opened the door behind him. "Now if you don't mind," she placed a hand on his chest, and pushed him out the door, shutting it in his face.
-
" 'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la..."
"Takashi, will you ever shut up? It's like the 14 millionth time you've sung that one phrase. You'd think you could sing another song. Or at least finish the one you've started." Tomoyo complained as they all walked through the streets of Boston.
Takashi stuck his tongue out at her. "You're just jealous because my voice is so beautiful." He said in a sing-song voice.
Chiharu sighed, "Right, come on Tak!" she grabbed his arm and dragged him off into a store.
"Those two kinda scare me." Eriol said blandly as he watched them enter a bakery.
"No kidding. They are so much alike." Syaoran said back. He looked around the shops as they passed.
"Hey guys! I lost my coat a few days ago. I need to get a new one." Sakura piped in from Tomoyo's left.
"Alrighty. Let's go in here." Tomoyo pointed to a small shop that had coats, hats, scarves and gloves in the window across the street.
Tomoyo and Sakura entered the store while Syaoran and Eriol stood outside in the cold.
-Inside-
Sakura walked among the racks of coats and sweaters, while Tomoyo looked over the hats on the wall behind her.
"Anyway Tomoyo, I never really did figure out what the point of Eriol's speech was yesterday."
"Oh that." Tomoyo blushed. "It's not really anything now."
"Oh come on Tomoyo. Tell me." Sakura whined, as Tomoyo put a black hat on her head, and giggled.
"Ok, I'll just hint I guess." Tomoyo turned to the coats, "There is something, or someone rather, that is demanding your attention, and you're giving mixed signals."
Sakura blinked. Was she talking about Syaoran? "I don't know what you're talking about." Sakura said softly with a blush.
Tomoyo pulled a coat from the rack and held it up to Sakura. "Perfect."
"What that I don't know what you're talking about?"
"No stupid. This outfit." Tomoyo turned her friend to the mirror on the opposite wall. "See."
Sakura looked at herself. She was wearing her normal clothing, faded blue jeans, a white shirt, and was now completed with the black hat and a black pea coat. "Hey." She said. "This looks good."
"I know. No need for applause." Tomoyo bowed to her friend with a laugh. "Lets pay, and then we can hunt down Chiharu and Tak at the porn store."
Sakura sweat dropped. "Tomoyo, you're horrible."
-Outside-
Eriol and Syaoran walked back to the front of the store after visiting a coffee vendor across the street. Both had 2 cups of steaming coffee in their hands. "It's so cold."
"Syaoran stop complaining."
"I'm not complaining. I'm just saying."
"No Syaoran. That tone of voice was most definitely a whine." Eriol retorted.
"Shove it Eriol."
There was an awkward silence as they both drank some coffee. "So, Syaoran, how are things with Sakura?"
"Fine."
Eriol waited for more. "That it? Just fine?"
"Yep."
"Nothing....Exciting happen?"
"Nope."
"Nothing at all?"
"Nope."
Eriol scowled seeing his friend's lips turn into a smile. "Liar."
"Yep."
"So...What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Syaoran, you're impossible."
"I know." Eriol gave him a look. "Fine fine....I'll tell you."
Eriol waited again. "Well?"
"She kissed me."
"She kissed you?"
"Is there an echo out here?"
"When? Where?"
"On the lips."
"Get your mind out of the gutter Syaoran."
Syaoran laughed. "This morning when I woke her up. She said that she hadn't gotten to react properly when I kissed her the other day. Ya know, when we fell down the stairs."
Eriol put a coffee filled hand to his ear. "Do you hear that?" Syaoran scowled this time. "Why yes...it's bells. In the distance."
"Fuck you too Eriol."
There actually was a soft tinkling of bells, as the shop door opened and Tomoyo and Sakura came out. The two girls looked down at the boys from the steps. Eriol had his Cheshire cat grin, and Syaoran looked like he was about ready to kill someone.
"I don't think I even want to know what was going on out here." Tomoyo said as she took a coffee from Eriol.
"Neither do I." Sakura commented. Syaoran turned to her, and held out his hand with her coffee roughly, causing it to splash out of the paper, burning his hand. He dropped both cups he was holding instantly. "Geez, Syaoran, are you ok?" She said frantically as she stepped towards him.
"I'm fine." He bit out. "Just a little burn."
"Lets get you somewhere to rinse it off." Sakura said.
"I said I was fine." He bit out again. He then turned on his heel, and headed swiftly down the crowded street.
Sakura looked on in confusion. "What just happened?"
Eriol smiled at her. "He just needs to get used to being teased."
Tomoyo looked to her boyfriend. "About what?"
"The truth." He replied. "Come on, we'll get Sakura another coffee." They turned and began walking towards the coffee vender.
Sakura shouted after them. "No really, it's ok!" but they were already lost in the crowd. She waited for them to come back to her, but she wasn't really thinking about them. 'Syaoran' she thought, 'what's wrong with you? Why are you being weird?' She looked to the sky as another light snow began to fall. 'I hope you aren't off on your own too long.'
-
Once again, the specter watched from a rooftop above. He watched as his friend made his way through the crowded Boston streets. He sighed. Some people were just helpless.
-Syaoran-
I slowed my pace as I came to the end of the crowded streets. I ducked into a Dunkin' Donuts and went into the bathroom. The cold water felt good against my burned hand. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would have been. Maybe my hands were just numb from the cold, because the more I rinsed, the more pain shot through my hand.
I dried my hand off, and headed back out of the store. Conveniently across the street, there was a drug store. I went in, and searched the aisle until I found some burn relief cream. I bought it, and put it on in yet another bathroom. After I wrapped my hand in some thin gauze, I washed my face in the cold water. I looked up into my reflection.
"Geez Syaoran." I said to myself. "You're a real mess you know that?" I dried my face on a paper towel, and left the bathroom. I wandered around aimlessly, miscellaneous thoughts taking over my mind.
'I didn't mean for any of that to happen. I wasn't actually that mad until I spilled the coffee. I was actually more embarrassed. But I didn't want her to see it. So I freaked. And now here I am. She's probably mad at me again.' I slowed my pace again as I passed a store. I looked into the window. 'I wonder.' I back tracked the dozen paces, and went into the store.
-
Sakura continued to follow Tomoyo and Eriol until it was nearly 11 o'clock. Eriol's cell phone began to ring. He pulled it from his coat pocket, and answered it. "Eriol." He answered. "Yeah. 20 minutes. See ya." He hung up, and turned to the girls. "I expect I can leave you girls alone for a while?"
"Who was it?"
"Just a friend. I have some business to attend to. We'll meet up at 1 at the car, ok?" Eriol kissed Tomoyo on the cheek. "See you girls later!" he ran off into the crowds, and disappeared the way Syaoran had.
"Well, that was weird." Tomoyo turned to Sakura. "So, now we can get the rest of our shopping done." She took Sakura by the arm. "What are you getting Syaoran for Christmas?"
Sakura blushed. "I hadn't thought of it."
"Don't worry girl! I'll help!" Sakura sweat dropped as Tomoyo pulled her into yet another store.
-
Eriol ran down the streets until he came to the location Syaoran had given him. He leaned over to catch his breath as soon as he reached his friend. "What's the big rush?"
Syaoran looked at his friend. "You owe me."
"Why would I owe you?"
"You embarrassed me, then caused me to burn my hand, making me yell at Sakura. The least you can do is help me pick out a Christmas present for her."
Eriol sighed in defeat. "Fine. But you're not getting my money!"
"Don't want your money Eriol. I have plenty of my own."
"So what do you have in mind?"
-
1 o'clock soon came around, as the 6 friends all met at the suburban. They all loaded their bags into the back, and then got in themselves. The ride back to the house was eerily quiet for this group. The tension between Sakura and Syaoran (who were next to each other in the 3rd row) was high, as each thought the other was mad at them.
When they arrived at the house, they all carried their things up to their rooms, and began packing. Soon after Syaoran had put everything he had bought into his suitcase, he headed down the hall to Sakura's room. He knocked softly, and entered at her invite.
Sakura stood at the foot of her bed, her suitcase open before her on the bed. Tiny bags of things tucked between layers of clothing and belongings. She turned around to see him.
"Oh Syaoran!" she said brightly, closing her suitcase quickly. "Hi."
"Hey." He said. "Can I sit?"
"Sure." She pointed him to the chair or the bed. "Where ever you want." He opted to sit on the chair that was across from the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed. "So, what's up?"
"I just wanted to apologize for earlier." He paused. "I didn't mean for it to come out the way it did. And I'm sorry if I burned you too. Don't be mad at me."
She looked at him with smiling emerald eyes. He was surprised at how much laughter they held within them. "And here I was, thinking you were the one mad at me."
"Why would I be mad at you?"
"Because I was the one you were handing the coffee to, and I didn't drop the subject after you got burned. By the way, how are they?"
Syaoran brought his hands forward, Sakura gasped seeing the thin gauze. She hadn't seen them earlier because he kept them within the pockets of his jacket. "I'm fine, really. It just hurts a little."
"Have you put anything on them? I'm sure Chiharu knows where there's some burn ointment." Sakura stood up.
But Syaoran reached for her hand with his good one. "Thank you, but don't worry Sakura. I already did everything that can be done."
She sat back down, but his hand didn't leave hers. "Oh." She was at a loss for words. They sat for a few minutes, in an oddly comfortable silence. After a few minutes, Sakura finally looked back up at him, and the strangest thing happened. She looked straight into his eyes, and saw something she'd never seen in a person's eyes before. She gave a small gasp.
"What?" he asked concerned.
She giggled. "Your eyes."
"What about them?"
"Well, just now, when I looked into them." She looked straight back into them again, "I thought I saw something."
"Saw what?"
Sakura blushed. "Myself." She whispered.
It was Syaoran's turn to blush now. "Oh." He said softly. He stared gently into her emerald pools. "There might be a reason for that you know."
"Really?" she hesitated. "Why?"
"Because..."
"Hey you two! We gotta get going if we're gonna get to the theatre and back before dinner time." Came Eriol's mischievous voice from the door.
The two in the room instantly jumped apart from each other. "We're coming." Sakura answered. She stood up, and looked back to Syaoran, but he was already looking away. Obviously trying to cool the blush on his cheeks. Little did she know that he was also trying to slow his heart down, because it had sped up so rapidly at his near-confession.
-
The cold wind cut through the coats of every person who stood outside the theatre that night. Though he was an out-of-towner, everyone in the town had showed up to pay their respect. Chiharu and Takashi led the group up to the front steps. A framed pictured of Reese had been laid among the flowers. Tears came to Sakura's eyes as she looked at his cheerful smile. She gently laid down her flowers, yellow roses, for friendship. Everyone followed after her.
The owner of the theatre had handed each of them a candle. They stood there as the dark fell upon the town, silent. The only warmth from the freezing wind, was the tiny flame of the candle each held.
As the tiny flames flickered out, they all turned around, and walked back to the cars, and headed back to the house.
-
"Well, we weren't exactly home for dinner." Chiharu said when they opened the front door, "So how about we order some pizza?"
Everyone shouted in agreement, as Brooke picked up the phone. "I'll call!"
As the group settled down in the living room, Reese's family, and Pierce joined them. They sat around the fire chatting about nothing until the sound of the doorbell echoed through the massive house. They all jumped up at once to answer it.
The guy who stood on the other side of the door was a bit shocked to see the dozen people come out to him. He was invited inside as the 6 pizzas in his arms slowly disappeared, and a check appeared in his hand. In a whirlwind of miscellanies voices he ended up back outside on the porch. He scratched his head. "What just happened?" he asked as he turned around and walked back to his car. "Weird people."
Everyone was happy as they ate. It was as if their days of sadness might actually be lifted. Yet in every single one of their hearts, it seemed almost unnatural. Should they really have been this cheerful so soon after his death?
Little did they know, that upon the chandelier above them, he sat, watching as they enjoyed their pizza and company. It was amazing how much Reese wished he was human at that moment. He wanted nothing more than to have a slice of that pepperoni pizza, and to pick some sausages off of another and put them down the back of Syaoran's shirt. Reese laughed to himself, when suddenly everyone looked up in his direction. He gulped.
"Did you hear that?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah," Syaoran continued. "Sounded like someone laughing."
"Do you think it was a.."
"NO TOMOYO! DON'T SAY IT!"
"Say what?" Eriol asked.
"Gh..gh....gh....gho..."
"She's trying to say ghost." Syaoran said with a laugh. Sakura screamed and covered her face with a pillow. "Aww...Our poor little Sakura afraid of ghosts?" he teased, as she slapped him.
"Of course I'm not afraid of gh...gh....gh..."
"Ghosts?" Ryan continued.
Sakura screamed again as everyone laughed at her. "Geez people. Have some compassion." She said through the pillow.
"It's not a ghost guys." Brooke said. "It was just Eriol." She pointed.
Eriol looked up at her losing his usual Cheshire cat grin. "No it wasn't."
"Then who?" they all wondered together.
From way above them, the phantom gave out a small sigh, then disappeared from the house. He'd leave them alone for a while now. He didn't need to be complicating things.
-
The next morning was madness.
The door to Sakura's room opened slowly as a figure slipped into the shadowy darkness. Again. The figure crept up next to the bed, and screamed as loud as possible in Sakura's ear.
Sakura woke up screaming herself. She put a hand over her heart as the light was turned on and Tomoyo popped up next to her.
"What IS it with you people and waking me up?" she shouted.
Suddenly the door flew open, and all the occupants of the house were on the other side. "What's going on?" asked Eriol, who had a toothbrush hanging out of his foamy mouth.
"Nothing. Just Tomoyo trying to wake me up." Sakura said sharply.
Syaoran stepped forward. "Aww....Tomoyo, I told you I wanted to be an alarm clock!"
"Well I stole your job, if you want to complain I'll take that towel from around your waist."
Syaoran blushed and looked down. All he was wearing was the towel. He slowly backed into the crowd, then dashed down the hall way back to his room.
Tomoyo sported Eriol's trademark grin as she turned back to Sakura. "I win." She said.
"Why are you waking me up?" Sakura asked as she looked at the clock. "It's freaking 3:30 in the morning! It's not even light out! I only went to be a few hours ago."
"We have a plane to catch in case you've forgotten." Came Takashi's voice.
"Yeah. So get up and get ready. We leave at 4." Chiharu said as everyone went back to their rooms.
-
3:59 rolled around, as everyone loaded their bags and suitcases into the cars. Then they drove silently to the airport. "Why is everyone so quiet?" Takashi asked cheerfully from the drivers seat.
"We had energy for a little while, but now we're just pooped." Tomoyo said from the backseat.
"Yeah. I just want to go back to sleep." Chiharu said as she rested on Tomoyo's shoulder.
They arrived at the airport and sat down to wait. Sakura sat in her chair, nodding off every few seconds, then shaking herself awake. Syaoran saw this from the row facing her, and moved over next to her.
"Oh, ::yawn:: hey Syaoran, what's up?" she said sleepily.
Without a word, he took his jacket, and wrapped it over her body, then pulled her head onto his shoulder, and held her. They both blushed as they waited silently.
Soon they were boarding the plane, and once again, Syaoran sat next to her, and this time, Sakura just cuddled up to him without a second thought.
-
Sakura stood in the center of a park. It was a foggy day, and she could barely see a foot in front of her. "Hello?" she whispered into the white dense vapor, but nothing returned to her ears. "Hello?" she said again, louder this time.
"Steph?" Came a distant voice. It may not have been her name, but it was comforting knowing anyone was out there at all.
"Hello!" she called out to the person again. She picked up her feet and began running in the direction of the voice. "I'm here! Find me!" she called.
"Steph? Where are you?" The voice seemed familiar to her. Where did she know that voice?
"I'm over here!" she was out of breath. She fell to her knees.
"Where are you Steph?" the voice began becoming more and more distant. Suddenly the fog became less dense, but only for a brief moment, as Sakura could make out the figure of a man, walking away from where she knelt.
"I know that man." She whispered. She tried calling out to him, but couldn't find her voice. Tears came to her verdant eyes as she whispered to herself again. "No, please don't leave me. Not you too." There were suddenly footsteps behind her. She whipped her head around, only to look up into the un-welcoming blood red eyes, of Butch Green.
"Lover boy won't come for you now Steph, I got you first." He slowly reached into his coat, and held a gun slowly to Sakura's forehead. "Goodbye."
Sakura closed her eyes tightly, and screamed as he began to pull the trigger.
-
It was the scream that woke him first. In the seat next to him, still fast asleep, was Sakura, screaming bloody murder. Syaoran jumped out of his skin as he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her gently.
"Sakura! Sakura!" he called to her frantically. "Wake up Sakura!" Everyone on the plane was now watching the scene.
Sakura opened her eyes, and looked around scared, before her eyes met the comforting amber of his. "Oh my gosh Syaoran!" she cried, as she buried her teary face in the crook of his neck and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back with the same force as he gently brushed back her hair and whispered to her.
"It's ok Sakura, it was only a dream. It's ok." He whispered, as one would to a child in distress.
She slowly calmed down in his arms, and built up enough confidence to talk about the nightmare she'd just had. "He called me Steph." She whispered to his neck. "It was foggy, and someone was calling to a girl, Steph." She continued, tears still falling from her eyes onto Syaoran's' sweater. "The fog cleared, and I saw the one calling. It was you Syaoran. You were calling to Steph. But you walked away when I tried to call to you. I started crying, and he was behind me. He called me Steph. Steph....."
Confusion was clear on his face as he rubbed her back. Tomoyo and Chiharu knelt next to his seat in the aisle. "It's ok Sakura. You're not Steph. We don't even know anyone named Steph." He didn't even have to ask who the 'he' was. Syaoran already knew.
Sakura looked at him with blood shot eyes. "What do I do?"
Syaoran blinked, she was asking him? He looked over her with his amber eyes, he leaned down to her ear and whispered, "I don't know. But stay close to me, and let me worry about that."
She nodded, and leaned forward into his chest. Calming herself down, she concentrated on the sound of his heartbeat, and the warm feeling she suddenly had in the pit of her stomach.
Chiharu turned to Tomoyo, "What was that about?"
"Forget it." Syaoran whispered to them. "She'll tell you one day." He turned back to the beauty leaning on him, and kissed the top of her head.
_-_-_-_
KanbiAme: yay! R+R if you love me! R+R if you don't! ::I've said this before I think...:: Until later! Bye!
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KanbiAme: Wow... business is now the new word of my life...It's seriously like crazy...I'm directing a play (and it's from Shakespearean times)...and homecoming is this week..so I'm building a float.... went to an Evanescence concert....I had to work hard and have straight A's ... I'm worn out ... But here's your chapter...
By the way, about the Bill thing, there is a reason after that: My friends and I all really love Shakespeare, some more than others ::cough:: Becky ::cough:: ..anyway, we all went to a Thespian conference about a year ago, and went to a Shakespeare class, and it was called 'Don't be afraid of Bill' and after that saw one called 'The works of Billy S.' ..So ever since then we all call him Bill, or Billy...
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS
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Eriol and Sakura found a small table in the back of the café. Eriol's styrofoam cup of coffee steamed as Sakura looked down into her tea.
She looked up at him. "So why are we here?" she asked.
Eriol folded his hands on the table. "You're playing around Sakura."
"What are you talking about?"
"One minute you're clear as a bell. The next we can't find you with a fog light. You've got everyone lost and confused. Especially the little wolf."
"Eriol...I don't understand."
"Tomoyo asked me to mention this all to you. I'm only saying what she wrote down for me." He held up a piece of paper between his fingers. "Kinda like a monologue." He paused, and sweat dropped. " 'It's girl stuff.' She said, cuz I didn't understand it either. So if you can't understand it, imagine my position."
Sakura blushed. "I guess it'd just be easier if I talk to Tomoyo." She skidded her chair back a little bit. "Well I guess I'll.."
"Wait Sakura." Eriol reached out for her hand, and she stopped from getting up. "There's one more thing I need to talk to you about."
-
Brooke stood on a bridge in the park. It was amazing how fast time was flying. Only a few minutes ago she'd been relaxing with the girls. Now she was in the park, waiting for Takashi and Ryan to come back from the airport. They'd gotten the call a little while earlier...
-Flashback-
Ryan had just confessed that he might be harboring feelings for Brooke when his cell phone began to ring. He blushed, "Excuse me." He whispered, then flipped open his phone. "Ryan here." He answered.
After a short conversation on the phone, he closed it and turned back to her. "Who was it?" she asked, still trying to cool the heat from her cheeks.
"That was Pierce. He was Reese's best friend. He's flying in, he'll be here in about an hour. I need to head down to the airport to get him."
"Alright." Brooke stood up. "I'd go with you, but I need to talk to Chiharu." They were now walking into a small living room that connected their rooms. Only Takashi occupied the room.
"Go where?" he butted in.
"To the airport." Ryan replied. "Wanna go? I don't much feel like going alone."
"Lemme get my coat."
-End Flashback-
The wind picked up a little as Brooke tightened her coat around her. Her breath quickened, then caught in her throat as a figure approached her from the other side of the bridge.
-
"What else is there to talk about?" Sakura asked, drawing her hand away from Eriol's.
"Well. It's Syaoran actually."
"What about him?"
"Has he said anything weird to you? Or done anything?"
Sakura's mind instantly flashed back to the kiss they had shared the previous day, and the one they had almost shared that day. She paused. "No. Nothing. Why?"
"Oh, I was just wondering." Eriol paused also, then in a hushed voice, leaned over to her, "I don't know if you've noticed. But you've been the apple of his eye since the first day of school."
Sakura sat back astonished, then gave a nervous laugh. "Ok Eriol. I'm gonna go now. If you have anymore 'Takashi Stories' to tell, please, tell Chiharu. She'll put you back in line." Her eyes traveled slowly around the café, wondering if anyone else had heard what he had said. On the opposite side of the room, a figure sat at a table alone, their face hidden by a menu. Sakura took her tea in hand, and walked over to the figure. She gently pulled on the menu, and it came free of the man's hands. "Syaoran? Do you ever give up?" She threw the menu back at him, then left the café quickly.
Eriol got up with his coffee, and joined his friend at the other table. "Nice try." He commented with a sip of his coffee.
"She scares me sometimes, ya know?" Syaoran whispered. "What did you say to her anyway?"
"Just the obvious."
"And that would be?"
"Well if it's obvious, then you should know already. Right?"
Syaoran groaned, and slammed his forehead against the table. "Fuck you too, Eriol."
-
A silent phantom watched from the tree limbs above the bridge. The girl below him, still the most beautiful in his eyes, looked sadly into the frozen river. He wanted to hold her to him, tell her that everything was going to be okay. Yet he could never be with her. Not now.
-
Slowly Brooke's breath came back to her. It was amazing how much they were alike.
Ryan approached, and crossed over the bridge. He stopped and smiled at her. She just stared back at him. Her eyes wandered over his figure. From his black Doc Martin boots, his faded blue jeans, his dark gray turtleneck sweater, to his blue letter jacket. The snow falling around him, settling into his red hair. She smiled slightly, before turning and looking down into the water below.
"Thought you might be out here." Ryan whispered as he stood next to her, and looked down into the frozen tide.
She nodded, before then looking into his brown eyes. "I wonder if this is wrong." She whispered back.
He gently reached up and brushed some of her blue hair back behind her ear. "I wonder that too." He admitted. "But then I think, he was my brother, right? He cant be the one to look after you, I'm sure that he'd rather have someone he knows will keep you dear to them have your heart, then someone he couldn't trust." He kissed her softly on the lips. "I would never break my brothers trust."
-
The phantom above smiled sadly, as a ghostly tear formed in his eye. Ryan was right. That was how he felt. He looked down on two of the dearest people to him, and smiled. "I'm glad you're here Ryan." He whispered, his voice lost in the wind, "She'd be lost without you." Slowly, the phantom faded into the snow, until it disappeared completely.
-
Sakura looked at the clock on her bedside table. It was nearly noon already. "Where did all the time go?" she whispered in the silence. There was a knock on the door, and she invited the person in, "It's open."
The door opened, and Tomoyo came in. She sat on the edge of Sakura's bed and sighed. "We're going to California."
"When?" Sakura asked.
"Day after tomorrow. Mrs. O'Malley insists we stay for Christmas. But none of us are sure we want to impose."
"Either way, I don't think it'll be very merry."
"But we have to try, Sakura."
"What's the point in trying Tomoyo?" Sakura barely whispered.
"Are you just going to let him die Sakura?" Tomoyo asked. "Are you just going to let them all die in vain?"
Sakura looked at her friend in confusion.
"Sakura, look, your mother is dead. Your step-mother is dead. And now, Reese is dead. We all understand that. They died for the right reasons, they died selflessly. Their deaths meant that someone else could live. Your mother for you and Touya, your step-mother for your sister and brothers, and Reese for all of us. They died so we would have a future. And if you just sit here and sulk all day, you aren't giving what they wanted.
Reese wouldn't have died if he hadn't cared for us. For Brooke. But where's Brooke? She's out there, living her life. Because Reese wanted her to. Because he died for her, so that she could continue living." A tear slid down Tomoyo's face. "I know that it hurts, you're saying goodbye to someone you barely knew. But he'll always be with us. He's probably in this room right now, mooning us, or laughing his ass off because we're all so sad. He doesn't want us to be sad Sakura."
"It's just so early." Sakura whispered.
"I know. And it's affecting all of us. But Reese would want us pranking on each other again. He'd want us smiling, even if it is the day after he died."
"You're right Tomoyo."
"I know I am. As always."
Sakura giggled softly. "I've let them all just die because I've hidden in my shell." She looked to the door, where an audience had gathered, Takashi, Eriol, Chiharu, and Syaoran stepped into the room. "I don't want to be sad anymore."
"Then lets rejoice in the fact that people love us enough, to give up their own lives for our happiness." Chiharu said softly.
Sakura nodded, and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"If he were here right now," Syaoran began, as he sat down on the bed next to Sakura.
"He would be dancing around in the snow in Tomoyo's underwear." Eriol continued.
"And we'd all tell him how purple isn't his color." Chiharu finished.
The six friends broke into laughter as the imaged danced in their mind's eye.
"He may be gone," came Brooke's voice from the door. Ryan and a stranger behind her, "But let's have fun, cuz he's still here." She put her hand over her heart.
-
Behind Sakura, Reese's phantom stood, buttoning up his pants. "Geez Tomoyo, how'd you know I was mooning you?" he said with a laugh. He looked at his friends one more time. Glad that they were all moving on. He didn't like all this seriousness. He smiled, then once again, disappeared completely.
-
The day slipped by in silence, as everyone caught up on some much-needed sleep. The next morning however, everyone was restless and ready for some action. It was shortly after 5:30 in the morning when Sakura's door opened, and Syaoran entered. Sakura sat up in bed. "This isn't more hot chocolate is it?" she questioned.
"Don't worry." He chuckled back, "I've given up my dream of being a butler. I guess you could say," he paused, "It fell down the stairs."
She laughed. "Why are you here then?"
"I volunteered for my next occupation. Alarm clock! Sent in to wake you up personally. If you pay extra I sing a song and do a dance." She raised an eyebrow at him, and laughed shaking her head. "No, actually, I got last shower, and they all want to get out of here soon. Shopping, then back to the house to pack. Then up to the theatre to lay flowers for Reese."
Sakura swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Ok." She got up out of bed, and Syaoran turned back to the door. "Hey Syaoran." He turned back to her. Nearly nose bleeding because of the short gray shorts and tight pink tank top she was wearing.
"Yes?" he got out.
"I'm sorry for what I said yesterday."
"Don't be. Yesterday was a hell. You were forgiven before you did anything." He looked down to the floor to hide a blush. "I don't think I could even get mad at you in the first place anyway."
She silently walked closer to him. "I'm also sorry about the other day." She looked straight into his brilliant Amber eyes. "I was surprised and lost my balance."
He stared into the Emeralds before him. "We all lose our balance at times."
"No, that's not what I was apologizing for."
"Then wha..." he began, but was cut off when she placed a soft kiss on his lips.
"I'm sorry because I didn't get to react the way I wanted to." She blushed. Then opened the door behind him. "Now if you don't mind," she placed a hand on his chest, and pushed him out the door, shutting it in his face.
-
" 'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la..."
"Takashi, will you ever shut up? It's like the 14 millionth time you've sung that one phrase. You'd think you could sing another song. Or at least finish the one you've started." Tomoyo complained as they all walked through the streets of Boston.
Takashi stuck his tongue out at her. "You're just jealous because my voice is so beautiful." He said in a sing-song voice.
Chiharu sighed, "Right, come on Tak!" she grabbed his arm and dragged him off into a store.
"Those two kinda scare me." Eriol said blandly as he watched them enter a bakery.
"No kidding. They are so much alike." Syaoran said back. He looked around the shops as they passed.
"Hey guys! I lost my coat a few days ago. I need to get a new one." Sakura piped in from Tomoyo's left.
"Alrighty. Let's go in here." Tomoyo pointed to a small shop that had coats, hats, scarves and gloves in the window across the street.
Tomoyo and Sakura entered the store while Syaoran and Eriol stood outside in the cold.
-Inside-
Sakura walked among the racks of coats and sweaters, while Tomoyo looked over the hats on the wall behind her.
"Anyway Tomoyo, I never really did figure out what the point of Eriol's speech was yesterday."
"Oh that." Tomoyo blushed. "It's not really anything now."
"Oh come on Tomoyo. Tell me." Sakura whined, as Tomoyo put a black hat on her head, and giggled.
"Ok, I'll just hint I guess." Tomoyo turned to the coats, "There is something, or someone rather, that is demanding your attention, and you're giving mixed signals."
Sakura blinked. Was she talking about Syaoran? "I don't know what you're talking about." Sakura said softly with a blush.
Tomoyo pulled a coat from the rack and held it up to Sakura. "Perfect."
"What that I don't know what you're talking about?"
"No stupid. This outfit." Tomoyo turned her friend to the mirror on the opposite wall. "See."
Sakura looked at herself. She was wearing her normal clothing, faded blue jeans, a white shirt, and was now completed with the black hat and a black pea coat. "Hey." She said. "This looks good."
"I know. No need for applause." Tomoyo bowed to her friend with a laugh. "Lets pay, and then we can hunt down Chiharu and Tak at the porn store."
Sakura sweat dropped. "Tomoyo, you're horrible."
-Outside-
Eriol and Syaoran walked back to the front of the store after visiting a coffee vendor across the street. Both had 2 cups of steaming coffee in their hands. "It's so cold."
"Syaoran stop complaining."
"I'm not complaining. I'm just saying."
"No Syaoran. That tone of voice was most definitely a whine." Eriol retorted.
"Shove it Eriol."
There was an awkward silence as they both drank some coffee. "So, Syaoran, how are things with Sakura?"
"Fine."
Eriol waited for more. "That it? Just fine?"
"Yep."
"Nothing....Exciting happen?"
"Nope."
"Nothing at all?"
"Nope."
Eriol scowled seeing his friend's lips turn into a smile. "Liar."
"Yep."
"So...What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Syaoran, you're impossible."
"I know." Eriol gave him a look. "Fine fine....I'll tell you."
Eriol waited again. "Well?"
"She kissed me."
"She kissed you?"
"Is there an echo out here?"
"When? Where?"
"On the lips."
"Get your mind out of the gutter Syaoran."
Syaoran laughed. "This morning when I woke her up. She said that she hadn't gotten to react properly when I kissed her the other day. Ya know, when we fell down the stairs."
Eriol put a coffee filled hand to his ear. "Do you hear that?" Syaoran scowled this time. "Why yes...it's bells. In the distance."
"Fuck you too Eriol."
There actually was a soft tinkling of bells, as the shop door opened and Tomoyo and Sakura came out. The two girls looked down at the boys from the steps. Eriol had his Cheshire cat grin, and Syaoran looked like he was about ready to kill someone.
"I don't think I even want to know what was going on out here." Tomoyo said as she took a coffee from Eriol.
"Neither do I." Sakura commented. Syaoran turned to her, and held out his hand with her coffee roughly, causing it to splash out of the paper, burning his hand. He dropped both cups he was holding instantly. "Geez, Syaoran, are you ok?" She said frantically as she stepped towards him.
"I'm fine." He bit out. "Just a little burn."
"Lets get you somewhere to rinse it off." Sakura said.
"I said I was fine." He bit out again. He then turned on his heel, and headed swiftly down the crowded street.
Sakura looked on in confusion. "What just happened?"
Eriol smiled at her. "He just needs to get used to being teased."
Tomoyo looked to her boyfriend. "About what?"
"The truth." He replied. "Come on, we'll get Sakura another coffee." They turned and began walking towards the coffee vender.
Sakura shouted after them. "No really, it's ok!" but they were already lost in the crowd. She waited for them to come back to her, but she wasn't really thinking about them. 'Syaoran' she thought, 'what's wrong with you? Why are you being weird?' She looked to the sky as another light snow began to fall. 'I hope you aren't off on your own too long.'
-
Once again, the specter watched from a rooftop above. He watched as his friend made his way through the crowded Boston streets. He sighed. Some people were just helpless.
-Syaoran-
I slowed my pace as I came to the end of the crowded streets. I ducked into a Dunkin' Donuts and went into the bathroom. The cold water felt good against my burned hand. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would have been. Maybe my hands were just numb from the cold, because the more I rinsed, the more pain shot through my hand.
I dried my hand off, and headed back out of the store. Conveniently across the street, there was a drug store. I went in, and searched the aisle until I found some burn relief cream. I bought it, and put it on in yet another bathroom. After I wrapped my hand in some thin gauze, I washed my face in the cold water. I looked up into my reflection.
"Geez Syaoran." I said to myself. "You're a real mess you know that?" I dried my face on a paper towel, and left the bathroom. I wandered around aimlessly, miscellaneous thoughts taking over my mind.
'I didn't mean for any of that to happen. I wasn't actually that mad until I spilled the coffee. I was actually more embarrassed. But I didn't want her to see it. So I freaked. And now here I am. She's probably mad at me again.' I slowed my pace again as I passed a store. I looked into the window. 'I wonder.' I back tracked the dozen paces, and went into the store.
-
Sakura continued to follow Tomoyo and Eriol until it was nearly 11 o'clock. Eriol's cell phone began to ring. He pulled it from his coat pocket, and answered it. "Eriol." He answered. "Yeah. 20 minutes. See ya." He hung up, and turned to the girls. "I expect I can leave you girls alone for a while?"
"Who was it?"
"Just a friend. I have some business to attend to. We'll meet up at 1 at the car, ok?" Eriol kissed Tomoyo on the cheek. "See you girls later!" he ran off into the crowds, and disappeared the way Syaoran had.
"Well, that was weird." Tomoyo turned to Sakura. "So, now we can get the rest of our shopping done." She took Sakura by the arm. "What are you getting Syaoran for Christmas?"
Sakura blushed. "I hadn't thought of it."
"Don't worry girl! I'll help!" Sakura sweat dropped as Tomoyo pulled her into yet another store.
-
Eriol ran down the streets until he came to the location Syaoran had given him. He leaned over to catch his breath as soon as he reached his friend. "What's the big rush?"
Syaoran looked at his friend. "You owe me."
"Why would I owe you?"
"You embarrassed me, then caused me to burn my hand, making me yell at Sakura. The least you can do is help me pick out a Christmas present for her."
Eriol sighed in defeat. "Fine. But you're not getting my money!"
"Don't want your money Eriol. I have plenty of my own."
"So what do you have in mind?"
-
1 o'clock soon came around, as the 6 friends all met at the suburban. They all loaded their bags into the back, and then got in themselves. The ride back to the house was eerily quiet for this group. The tension between Sakura and Syaoran (who were next to each other in the 3rd row) was high, as each thought the other was mad at them.
When they arrived at the house, they all carried their things up to their rooms, and began packing. Soon after Syaoran had put everything he had bought into his suitcase, he headed down the hall to Sakura's room. He knocked softly, and entered at her invite.
Sakura stood at the foot of her bed, her suitcase open before her on the bed. Tiny bags of things tucked between layers of clothing and belongings. She turned around to see him.
"Oh Syaoran!" she said brightly, closing her suitcase quickly. "Hi."
"Hey." He said. "Can I sit?"
"Sure." She pointed him to the chair or the bed. "Where ever you want." He opted to sit on the chair that was across from the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed. "So, what's up?"
"I just wanted to apologize for earlier." He paused. "I didn't mean for it to come out the way it did. And I'm sorry if I burned you too. Don't be mad at me."
She looked at him with smiling emerald eyes. He was surprised at how much laughter they held within them. "And here I was, thinking you were the one mad at me."
"Why would I be mad at you?"
"Because I was the one you were handing the coffee to, and I didn't drop the subject after you got burned. By the way, how are they?"
Syaoran brought his hands forward, Sakura gasped seeing the thin gauze. She hadn't seen them earlier because he kept them within the pockets of his jacket. "I'm fine, really. It just hurts a little."
"Have you put anything on them? I'm sure Chiharu knows where there's some burn ointment." Sakura stood up.
But Syaoran reached for her hand with his good one. "Thank you, but don't worry Sakura. I already did everything that can be done."
She sat back down, but his hand didn't leave hers. "Oh." She was at a loss for words. They sat for a few minutes, in an oddly comfortable silence. After a few minutes, Sakura finally looked back up at him, and the strangest thing happened. She looked straight into his eyes, and saw something she'd never seen in a person's eyes before. She gave a small gasp.
"What?" he asked concerned.
She giggled. "Your eyes."
"What about them?"
"Well, just now, when I looked into them." She looked straight back into them again, "I thought I saw something."
"Saw what?"
Sakura blushed. "Myself." She whispered.
It was Syaoran's turn to blush now. "Oh." He said softly. He stared gently into her emerald pools. "There might be a reason for that you know."
"Really?" she hesitated. "Why?"
"Because..."
"Hey you two! We gotta get going if we're gonna get to the theatre and back before dinner time." Came Eriol's mischievous voice from the door.
The two in the room instantly jumped apart from each other. "We're coming." Sakura answered. She stood up, and looked back to Syaoran, but he was already looking away. Obviously trying to cool the blush on his cheeks. Little did she know that he was also trying to slow his heart down, because it had sped up so rapidly at his near-confession.
-
The cold wind cut through the coats of every person who stood outside the theatre that night. Though he was an out-of-towner, everyone in the town had showed up to pay their respect. Chiharu and Takashi led the group up to the front steps. A framed pictured of Reese had been laid among the flowers. Tears came to Sakura's eyes as she looked at his cheerful smile. She gently laid down her flowers, yellow roses, for friendship. Everyone followed after her.
The owner of the theatre had handed each of them a candle. They stood there as the dark fell upon the town, silent. The only warmth from the freezing wind, was the tiny flame of the candle each held.
As the tiny flames flickered out, they all turned around, and walked back to the cars, and headed back to the house.
-
"Well, we weren't exactly home for dinner." Chiharu said when they opened the front door, "So how about we order some pizza?"
Everyone shouted in agreement, as Brooke picked up the phone. "I'll call!"
As the group settled down in the living room, Reese's family, and Pierce joined them. They sat around the fire chatting about nothing until the sound of the doorbell echoed through the massive house. They all jumped up at once to answer it.
The guy who stood on the other side of the door was a bit shocked to see the dozen people come out to him. He was invited inside as the 6 pizzas in his arms slowly disappeared, and a check appeared in his hand. In a whirlwind of miscellanies voices he ended up back outside on the porch. He scratched his head. "What just happened?" he asked as he turned around and walked back to his car. "Weird people."
Everyone was happy as they ate. It was as if their days of sadness might actually be lifted. Yet in every single one of their hearts, it seemed almost unnatural. Should they really have been this cheerful so soon after his death?
Little did they know, that upon the chandelier above them, he sat, watching as they enjoyed their pizza and company. It was amazing how much Reese wished he was human at that moment. He wanted nothing more than to have a slice of that pepperoni pizza, and to pick some sausages off of another and put them down the back of Syaoran's shirt. Reese laughed to himself, when suddenly everyone looked up in his direction. He gulped.
"Did you hear that?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah," Syaoran continued. "Sounded like someone laughing."
"Do you think it was a.."
"NO TOMOYO! DON'T SAY IT!"
"Say what?" Eriol asked.
"Gh..gh....gh....gho..."
"She's trying to say ghost." Syaoran said with a laugh. Sakura screamed and covered her face with a pillow. "Aww...Our poor little Sakura afraid of ghosts?" he teased, as she slapped him.
"Of course I'm not afraid of gh...gh....gh..."
"Ghosts?" Ryan continued.
Sakura screamed again as everyone laughed at her. "Geez people. Have some compassion." She said through the pillow.
"It's not a ghost guys." Brooke said. "It was just Eriol." She pointed.
Eriol looked up at her losing his usual Cheshire cat grin. "No it wasn't."
"Then who?" they all wondered together.
From way above them, the phantom gave out a small sigh, then disappeared from the house. He'd leave them alone for a while now. He didn't need to be complicating things.
-
The next morning was madness.
The door to Sakura's room opened slowly as a figure slipped into the shadowy darkness. Again. The figure crept up next to the bed, and screamed as loud as possible in Sakura's ear.
Sakura woke up screaming herself. She put a hand over her heart as the light was turned on and Tomoyo popped up next to her.
"What IS it with you people and waking me up?" she shouted.
Suddenly the door flew open, and all the occupants of the house were on the other side. "What's going on?" asked Eriol, who had a toothbrush hanging out of his foamy mouth.
"Nothing. Just Tomoyo trying to wake me up." Sakura said sharply.
Syaoran stepped forward. "Aww....Tomoyo, I told you I wanted to be an alarm clock!"
"Well I stole your job, if you want to complain I'll take that towel from around your waist."
Syaoran blushed and looked down. All he was wearing was the towel. He slowly backed into the crowd, then dashed down the hall way back to his room.
Tomoyo sported Eriol's trademark grin as she turned back to Sakura. "I win." She said.
"Why are you waking me up?" Sakura asked as she looked at the clock. "It's freaking 3:30 in the morning! It's not even light out! I only went to be a few hours ago."
"We have a plane to catch in case you've forgotten." Came Takashi's voice.
"Yeah. So get up and get ready. We leave at 4." Chiharu said as everyone went back to their rooms.
-
3:59 rolled around, as everyone loaded their bags and suitcases into the cars. Then they drove silently to the airport. "Why is everyone so quiet?" Takashi asked cheerfully from the drivers seat.
"We had energy for a little while, but now we're just pooped." Tomoyo said from the backseat.
"Yeah. I just want to go back to sleep." Chiharu said as she rested on Tomoyo's shoulder.
They arrived at the airport and sat down to wait. Sakura sat in her chair, nodding off every few seconds, then shaking herself awake. Syaoran saw this from the row facing her, and moved over next to her.
"Oh, ::yawn:: hey Syaoran, what's up?" she said sleepily.
Without a word, he took his jacket, and wrapped it over her body, then pulled her head onto his shoulder, and held her. They both blushed as they waited silently.
Soon they were boarding the plane, and once again, Syaoran sat next to her, and this time, Sakura just cuddled up to him without a second thought.
-
Sakura stood in the center of a park. It was a foggy day, and she could barely see a foot in front of her. "Hello?" she whispered into the white dense vapor, but nothing returned to her ears. "Hello?" she said again, louder this time.
"Steph?" Came a distant voice. It may not have been her name, but it was comforting knowing anyone was out there at all.
"Hello!" she called out to the person again. She picked up her feet and began running in the direction of the voice. "I'm here! Find me!" she called.
"Steph? Where are you?" The voice seemed familiar to her. Where did she know that voice?
"I'm over here!" she was out of breath. She fell to her knees.
"Where are you Steph?" the voice began becoming more and more distant. Suddenly the fog became less dense, but only for a brief moment, as Sakura could make out the figure of a man, walking away from where she knelt.
"I know that man." She whispered. She tried calling out to him, but couldn't find her voice. Tears came to her verdant eyes as she whispered to herself again. "No, please don't leave me. Not you too." There were suddenly footsteps behind her. She whipped her head around, only to look up into the un-welcoming blood red eyes, of Butch Green.
"Lover boy won't come for you now Steph, I got you first." He slowly reached into his coat, and held a gun slowly to Sakura's forehead. "Goodbye."
Sakura closed her eyes tightly, and screamed as he began to pull the trigger.
-
It was the scream that woke him first. In the seat next to him, still fast asleep, was Sakura, screaming bloody murder. Syaoran jumped out of his skin as he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her gently.
"Sakura! Sakura!" he called to her frantically. "Wake up Sakura!" Everyone on the plane was now watching the scene.
Sakura opened her eyes, and looked around scared, before her eyes met the comforting amber of his. "Oh my gosh Syaoran!" she cried, as she buried her teary face in the crook of his neck and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back with the same force as he gently brushed back her hair and whispered to her.
"It's ok Sakura, it was only a dream. It's ok." He whispered, as one would to a child in distress.
She slowly calmed down in his arms, and built up enough confidence to talk about the nightmare she'd just had. "He called me Steph." She whispered to his neck. "It was foggy, and someone was calling to a girl, Steph." She continued, tears still falling from her eyes onto Syaoran's' sweater. "The fog cleared, and I saw the one calling. It was you Syaoran. You were calling to Steph. But you walked away when I tried to call to you. I started crying, and he was behind me. He called me Steph. Steph....."
Confusion was clear on his face as he rubbed her back. Tomoyo and Chiharu knelt next to his seat in the aisle. "It's ok Sakura. You're not Steph. We don't even know anyone named Steph." He didn't even have to ask who the 'he' was. Syaoran already knew.
Sakura looked at him with blood shot eyes. "What do I do?"
Syaoran blinked, she was asking him? He looked over her with his amber eyes, he leaned down to her ear and whispered, "I don't know. But stay close to me, and let me worry about that."
She nodded, and leaned forward into his chest. Calming herself down, she concentrated on the sound of his heartbeat, and the warm feeling she suddenly had in the pit of her stomach.
Chiharu turned to Tomoyo, "What was that about?"
"Forget it." Syaoran whispered to them. "She'll tell you one day." He turned back to the beauty leaning on him, and kissed the top of her head.
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KanbiAme: yay! R+R if you love me! R+R if you don't! ::I've said this before I think...:: Until later! Bye!
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