Chapter 3
Christmas BreakSL: Hey! Chapter 3! These chapters are longer then my old stories chapters! LOL! No wonder it's taken a lot longer to write them all. Anywayz! It's time for Kero to do the disclaimer!
Kero: I don't know how I put up with you! Sarah doesn't own any of these characters because they all belong to CLAMP!
SL: I'm a nice person you meany! Leave me alone! *pouts and stomps off*
Kero: Hehehe…she's going through a period of depression. Anywayz…Here is Chapter 3 for you all.
Chapter 3
Meilin had left a little over an hour ago and Sakura had helped Syaoran finish decorating the apartment. She loved it saying it looked beautiful. Meilin had stayed for dinner and then she had watched a movie with them then left. Sakura had retreated to her room to start break homework and get it over with. It was unlike her but she should do It anyways. She closed her Math book after an hour. She decided to get that one done first since it was the hardest. She didn't have any homework for Phys. Ed. She just had to do her History and Cooking. Then she had to practice singing. The teacher had given each of the students a different tape and when the class got back, she'd be grading them on it. She pulled out her History textbook and binder and started her work.
Later on she heard shuffling outside her door. She curiously opened it slightly and saw Syaoran come in with a bunch of bags.
'I didn't know he left.' She thought to herself. She watched him drop some off in the kitchen and then went to his bedroom. She bit her lip and quietly followed him to his room. He had closed it slightly but enough to look in. She peered in through the crack and saw him drop the bags on his bed. He pulled out wrapping paper and other things. She backed away. 'He went Christmas shopping!' she smiled. She hopped back to her room and quickly finished her History and Cooking homework. 'I'll practise singing every other day.'
"Syaoran! I'm going out! I'll be back later!" Sakura shouted as she pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater.
"Need the car?" he shouted back.
"Yup!" She said as she zipped up her jacket and pulled on her gloves and scarf. She grabbed her room key and his car keys and ran down to his car and jumped in.
"Okay…I can do this!" Sakura said to herself as she turned on the car and pulled out of the parking lot. She had passed her driving test with flying colours and had driven a few times, but hardly ever. She didn't really know Hong Kong that well; only that It was a huge city. "I'll just drive around until I find a store." Sakura said to herself. She found the store her and Syaoran had went to many times and went in there.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
Sakura hummed to herself the tape she had to practise. Taking out the wrapping paper she dumped everything else on the bed and began taking off price tags and such.
"I don't have tape!" Sakura said as she knocked on Syaoran's door.
"Yea?"
"I need tape! I don't have any." Sakura said. Syaoran came to the door and handed her a roll of tape and then closed the door. 'What did I do!' she thought angrily as she stomped back to her room.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
She took ten packages she had wrapped and carefully put them in a big brown box that she soon taped up. She took a strip of paper and her address book and wrote Tomoyo's address. She wrote the address and put on some stamps and then pulled on her shoes and walked down to the front desk. It was all connected so that they only had to stay inside to walk from the rooms to the front desks of the wings. Each wing had a cafeteria and a dining hall and a small lounge area where they kept a air hockey table, ping pong table, some couches and a big screen TV. Beside the front desk was a post office. She went to the front desk and gave it the lady, since it wouldn't really fit in the slot to be delivered outside campus. She took her house key and checked her mail and realized it was empty.
'Shit! Syaoran must of done it when he went out!' Sakura thought to herself running back to her room. She slammed open the door and saw the pile of letters on the front table. She picked it up and noticed that Syaoran hadn't gone through it unless he would of noticed a bunch of letters for him to. She picked through the pile and quickly drew out any for her. Most were from Tomoyo, Eriol, and crew. Others were from Meilin and other friends she had made at school. She took them to her room and dropped them on her desk. Then she took the rest of the wrapped presents and snuck out to the living room and placed them under the tree. She gasped as she saw the bunch of other presents there. She smiled and placed her gifts there and then went back to her room, grabbed her letters and flopped onto the bed as she opened them up and read them. There were about 15. The only one she wanted was from Touya. She rolled over and looked at the picture beside her lamp and sighed. It was a picture of her at her grade 8 graduation. Natalie didn't come because she was drunk and Touya had knocked her out so the two of them could go. She had a wonderful time. Touya had left after the ceremony so she could come home and not get in trouble. She stayed at the dance with Syaoran who made it seem like a fairy tale night. She sighed. She missed her brother so much. She was in a hidden disguise away from her friends in a different country and with her love. The one she loved. She sniffed. She couldn't cry again. She couldn't even show him it was she. She just couldn't. The school administration could find out and contact Natalie. She set the Christmas cards up on her desk and heard the phone ring.
"SAKI! Phone!" Syaoran shouted out to her.
"Got it!" She yelled picking it up. 'Who could be phoning me?'
"Sakura?" a voice asked.
"Tomoyo!" Sakura squealed. "What are you doing phoning me!" Sakura said as she jumped onto her bed.
"I had to! So I guess your staying there for the break, huh?"
"Yeah…it's way to dangerous to go back there!" Sakura said sadly. "So why did you just HAVE to phone me?"
"Guess what! I got a letter from Touya!"
"YOU WHAT!" Sakura screamed.
"Whoa, what's with the screaming?" Syaoran said leaning against the doorframe.
"Hehehe…hold on." Sakura said into the phone. "It's an old friend and were just catching up on new stuff. Sorry!" Sakura smiled. Syaoran nodded and walked back out.
"Sorry, Syaoran came to see why I was yelling." Sakura said.
"Ohhh! How are things with Syaoran!" Tomoyo giggled.
"Ha Ha! We aren't close to each other Tomoyo! He doesn't know it's me! NOW tell me what Touya said!" Sakura said anxiously.
"Awww! That's to bad!" Tomoyo mopped. "Well, he said:
Hey Tomoyo and Eriol,
I wrote this letter in hopes that the postal office wouldn't figure out it's me and send it to Natalie. So write me back if you get it. I really hope Sakura is doing okay. I miss her so much. Tell her that. They put her on the news as missing as did me when I first ran away. I have one year left of University. Then I'm coming home. I want Sakura to move back to the States with me. That way Natalie would never get us. But I couldn't leave our house. Hopefully we can figure out a way to get it back. Anyways, I hope to hear from you two.
Touya
Sakura sniffed. "I miss him so much. Tomoyo! Please! Don't tell him where I am!" Sakura said.
"Why!"
"Because---I don't want to move. I want to stay here. Because once this Natalie thing passes over, I'm going to tell Syaoran who I am…and that I love him." Sakura said.
"KAWAII!" Tomoyo squealed.
"Hehehehehe…right." Sakura said. She stayed on the phone for another hour before Syaoran called her for dinner.
"So whom were you talking to?" Syaoran said as he put a plate down in front of her.
"Just an old friend from Japan. I haven't talked to her in ages and I miss her like crazy!" Sakura said.
"Oh cool. Well, tonight I'm going out. This girl I met in Math asked me out so I think I'm going to try her." Syaoran said taking a bite of his food.
Sakura's heart stopped beating as the blood rushed from her face. "Oh, that's nice." Sakura said as she slowly started to breath again.
"Yeah. So I'll see you later, Saki!" Syaoran said as he cleaned up and got ready before heading out. Sakura sat there stunned and began to slowly clean up the dishes.
The phone rang again. "Uhg! Stop ringing!" Sakura grumbled as she stomped towards it.
"Hello?" Sakura said as nicely as she could.
"Umm, hey. Is Saki there?" a masculine voice said.
"Speaking." Sakura said.
"Oh, hey Saki. It's Brian, from your Cooking class. Umm…I was wondering if you wanted to go to a movie or something?" Brian said. Sakura bit her lip. She loved Syaoran, but he was out on a date too. But he didn't love her.
"Sure Brian! I'd love to see a movie!" Sakura said smiling.
"Great! I'll meet you at the theatre at 8:30!" Brian said before hanging up. She smiled at the phone before putting it back in its cradle. She had an hour to get ready. She ran to the washroom and got a shower, re-did her hair and then quickly blow dried it and pulled it into a ponytail. She got dressed into a pair of jeans, a green sweater, matching socks and dark green sneakers. She opened up her jewellery box, the one Syaoran had given her the day before he left, and pulled out a small chain that held a diamond with a small cherry blossom in the middle of it. Syaoran had given that to her as a Christmas present one year. She smiled at her image and ran out to the kitchen. It was 7:50. She noticed a note on the counter.
Hey Saki,
If you need anything just call my cell phone. I'll be home
By 9! See ya!
Syaoran
Sakura smiled at his sincerity and ran down to the parking lot and groaned. He had taken the car. She had to take the bus over and made it in record time. She hugged her body tightly as she ran inside and looked around for Brian. She knew what he was like but what choice did she have? Looking around she noticed him near the popcorn/candy stand………..with Joyce. She fought the urge not blow up and casually walked over as the two kissed.
"Hey Brian."
"Oh, hey Saki. What's up?"
"Oh nothing. Hey Joyce. Hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just have a date with Brian, that's all!" Saki said.
"I do? Oh yea! Let's go babe!" Brian said as he wrapped his arm around Sakura's waist.
"Yea right! See you later loser!" Sakura said slapping his face and running off crying. She looked around and saw the bus just leaving. She groaned.
"Excuse me!" Sakura said to a man at the bus stop. "When will the next bus be coming?"
"Not for another hour miss." Sakura groaned as the snow started to pick up. She walked back to the movie theatre entrance and slumped down on a bench and took out her cell phone. In situations like this she'd usually call Eriol or Tomoyo. But neither of them were there. She glanced at her watch. It was 9:30. She called her apartment to see if Syaoran was home.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
Syaoran slammed the door shut once he got home. Never again was he going out with that ditzy blonde. Taking off his jacket the phone rang and ran to pick it up.
"Hello?" he said sounding frustrated. He heard muffled cries and a few sniffles.
"Syaoran?"
"Saki? What's wrong?"
"Well…after you went on a date…Brian called and well…" Sakura broke down again.
"Where are you?"
"Movies."
"I'll be there in few! Hold on!" Syaoran said before hanging up. Running downstairs, he ran straight for his car. While driving his thoughts wandered to Saki. Why did he care for her so much lately? Cookies…putting up the tree…watching movies…making dinner. Everything seemed important when he did it, just for her. Was he falling for her? He shook his head. No! Sakura…he loved Sakura. But she reminded him of her so much. Her emerald orbs…her laugh…her smile. She even had a few bruises. And he had noticed a few auburn strands in her hair. Maybe it was just coincidence. But was coincidence real? He sighed as he stopped in front of the theatre. He saw Sakura sitting on a bench crying.
"Saki! You okay?" Syaoran said running up the steps towards her. She looked up crying and shook her head. She noticed her shivering and took of his jacket and wrapped it around her, leading her to the car. He turned up the heat for her and began the drive home.
"Arigatou…Syaoran." Sakura whispered before falling asleep on his shoulder. He smiled halfway at the sleeping figure and sighed. If only life wasn't so frustrating.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
Sakura's eyes fluttered open. She moaned as she looked over at her clock. It was 10:30am. She groaned as she pulled the pillow over her head remembering the previous nights events. She didn't want to face Syaoran. Not yet. She noticed her panda leaning against the bed frame and the nightstand to keep from falling over and it held a piece of paper.
Morning Saki,
I guess we both had sucky dates, eh? How about we go out today? To
Make up for yesterday? I've made breakfast and I'll be waiting when you get up.
SyaoranShe smiled and jumped out of bed as she danced around with the panda.
"Will you shush Sakura! I'm trying to sleep!" Kero groaned as he snuggled further into his little bed. Sakura giggled and opened up her closet. She smiled and pulled out a long jean skirt and a baby pink t-shirt, with pink socks and sneakers. She got a quick shower, dried her hair and pulled it into a ponytail like the previous day and pulled her outfit on and ran out into the kitchen.
"Morning Saki. Want some breakfast?" Syaoran said flipping the pancakes.
"Sure!" Sakura said as he put some on her plate and she pulled out some syrup dumping it on her pancakes and started to eat. "Yummy!" Sakura smiled happily as she put the dishes away. He smiled a little and cleaned up the kitchen.
"So, would you like to go out, to make up for yesterday?" Syaoran said.
"Ano…sure." Sakura smiled. He grinned.
"Great. I'll be ready in ten minutes." Syaoran said as he took of the apron he was wearing and went to his room. Sakura sighed and fell onto the couch. She had a date with Li Syaoran! She squealed happily. Although…it was with Saki. Not Sakura. Why did it have to be so complicated!
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
Touya sighed and fumbled with his keys as he opened the door. Dropping his stuff by the front door he clicked the button on the answering machine and listened to the messages as he went through the mail
Hey Touya!It's Professor Sant. I would just like to congratulate you. You were selected to be on the exchange teachers. You might have gotten a letter on it. See me tommorow on it. What you will do is choose the school of your choice any where in the world. And you will teach there for three months. And then return here for June and finally graduate teachers college. Almost over, isn't it! *laughing* Anyways, I have more phone calls to make. See you soon Touya!
The answering machine beeped and went on with other messages. Touya deleted them all, mostly just girls asking for dates. One thing flashed in his mind as he came across the envelope from Professor Sant's class.
Sakura.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
"Let's go Saki!" Syaoran said taking her hand and leading her to the concession stand. He had taken her to a movie and bought the tickets, yet didn't tell which movie it was yet.
"What would you like?
Choose anything."
"I can pay for my own you know." Sakura said.
"Nuh-uh. This is my treat today." Syaoran said.
"Fine." Sakura said and pointed to popcorn and a drink.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
"Finding Nemo? Isn't that like...a kids movie?" Sakura said.
Syaoran shrugged taking a sip of his drink. "Heard it was good. You'll like it." he said opening the door.
Sure enough later on, Sakura bounced out of the theatre happily talking excitedly and rapidly like a child.
"Whoa! Calm down!" he said looking at his watch. "Lunch time." He said as he headed for the door.
"Wow! Wait up!" Saki laughed running after him.
He held her hand leading her to a small corner café.
"Awww! It's so pretty!" Sakura said as she was seated.
"I know most of the best places in town." Syaoran said as the waiter left after taking the order.
"You must. You're the Li Clan leader sort of! You should know all of Hong Kong!" Sakura said with a wowed look on her face. He smiled and the waiter came back with some food.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
Eriol sat in his study and closed his books waving his hands over them. "Done!" he said smiling.
"Awww! That's no fair! I don't have magic!" Tomoyo pouted.
"Okay, but we only do this once!" Eriol said waving his hand over her books.
"Yay! Thank you Eriol!" Tomoyo said throwing her arms around his neck.
"No problem. At least were all done our break homework…we have time for other stuff." Eriol said smiling evilly.
"Ne! Eriol! Dirty thoughts!" Tomoyo said slapping him playfully and falling into a kiss. She gasped. "I forgot to send Sakura's gifts to her!" Tomoyo screamed running out of the room.
"Moment ruined." Eriol chuckled to himself.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
Sakura held Syaoran's hand as he led her up the stairs. They had gone for a walk in the park and now they were back home.
"Syaoran! It's Christmas Eve, ne?" Sakura said as she bounced into the apartment.
"Hai Saki." Syaoran said closing the door.
"Can we open one present? Please! We always did it back home!" Sakura said taking off her jacket.
"Nope. We wait till tommorow. Meilin said she's dropping off some tonight." Syaoran said as a knock came at the door.
"Package for Miss Saki Mei." The man said.
'For me? Cool!' Sakura thought as she signed the paper and taking the box. Sakura burst out laughing as she opened the box.
"It's from all my friends!" Sakura said taking out the package and a letter." Sakura said placing them all under the tree and jumping on the couch to read the letter.
Hey Saki!
LOL! Sakura! Of course! Have you told Syaoran yet! You better or Eriol and I will come down there ourselves to help! We miss you guys so much! Tell my cute little descendant hi! That was Eriol! Anyways! We miss you and hope your doing great! We used all fake names on the packages and stuff so Syaoran won't suspect! So planned out, ne? Miss you lots and tell Syaoran!
Tomoyo and Eriol
PS: Tell him!
PPS: A gift for Kero at the bottom!
Sakura smiled to herself and dug out the bottom package and quickly his it in her room as another knock came at the door.
"Ohh! So lucky! We get lots of stuff!" Sakura squealed as this time Syaoran sighed and took the box.
"Stuff from Meilin and the Clan." He said stuffing them under the tree.
"I love Christmas! Don't you Syaoran!" Sakura said looking happily around and dancing toward the kitchen getting out a few cookies.
"Sure. It's beautiful and all. But I miss spending it with my friends. At least I have one I can spend it with. And my cousin. But---where'd you get that." Syaoran said stopping it mid-sentence and pointed at the necklace. Sakura's heart stopped as she quickly thought up a lie.
"My…brother gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday." Sakura said turning
around. 'Buy it! Buy it! He can't
recognize it! Oh no…'
"Can I see it?" Syaoran asked.
'He had his name and mine engraved!' "Sure." Sakura said. He took it carefully and flipped it over and handed it back.
"It's nice." Syaoran said getting up and leaving. Sakura looked dazed and flipped it over. She collapsed happily on the couch relived. It had worn away. She would have to tell him. She couldn't stand being around him like this and not being able to actually BE with him. Tommorow. Tommorow was Christmas. She would tell him then.
"I'll try to anyways!" Sakura said to herself. She got a plate of cookies, a glass of milk and some cake and went to her room. "Kero? You still up?" Sakura said closing the door.
"Yup!" Kero said turning around from his Xylon Warriors game. Sakura had managed to save up enough money to buy a TV and then get Eriol and Tomoyo to send over her old game system from Natalie's house when she was out shopping one day. Sakura had laughed when she read the letter when they were almost caught.
"I got us a snack." she said putting some on a separate dish for him as she quickly changed into some warmer pyjamas. She had been cold in the skirt. She grabbed her snack and plopped on the bed beside Kero and began eating her snack.
"Do you think Syaoran will be mad that I didn't tell him that I'm me?" Sakura said as she swallowed a piece of her cookie.
"Nah. The brat loves you. As much as I hate to admit it, he does." Kero said as he managed a smile.
"Awww! Thanks Kero!" Sakura said giving the little guardian beast a hug before falling to sleep.
~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~
Syaoran lay awake on his bed thinking. 'It's not Sakura…but she's so much like her. The necklace, bruises, voice, eyes...just…everything! I know! I'll phone Sakura tommorow! Right before I open presents, although Saki will tear me apart waiting! She must be at home with Natalie. What was holding me back from phoning her! Baka! Baka Syaoran!' he scolded himself. He shook his head before drifting off into sleep.
SL: Uh oh! Syaoran is going to phone Sakura! But Sakura was planning on telling Syaoran! Syaoran before, Sakura during present time! What will happen!
Syaoran: I don't know. You're the author. Thing of something, oh mighty one!
SL: Oh stop being so sarcastic!
Kero: Go Syaoran!
SL: Everyone gangs up on me!L Meanys!
Sakura: Baka Syaoran! Don't be mean to Sarah! She's depressed!
Syaoran: Bah! Sorry Sarah!
SL: *smilez and waves* Bye-Bye Everyone! The next chapter will be out on August 30th! See ya!