AN: Aiyz thankies for the reviews ^^ Ahhh they're so comforting =P Well, things are rolling on now and I would like to stress that you have read the warning in Ch.1 because I don't want to write something and then have you guys going "OMG, THIS IS SO WRONG, I HATE YOU" or something along those lines. Remember, I have warned you to read the warning numerous times...mehehehe ^^;; And with the warning you might be able to guess what might happen. Anyways, onto Ch. 6. =)
OH, I almost forgot. To um, I think it was Summer Rain, you were on the right track before =P I just wanted to show a bit more of Yori's background which should explain future things a bit better...so yes...his dad is not that much of an important character. He's just...there, lol ^^;;
Disclaimer: CCS doesn't belong to me, it belongs to CLAMP =(
Chapter Six: Floating
-Back into the future (at the hospital)-
Syaoran's Point of View
I sat mesmerized by her sweet voice, the loveliest music to my ears. She still wasn't facing me, but her voice brought me pure joy and comfort. Sakura Kinomoto was actually speaking, and telling me what happened whether she knew so or not. But I believed, that Sakura was waking up from her little fantasy world. She was coming back to reality with every word she spoke.
So I listened.
"And Syaoran's e-mail brought the sun back and burned away all the bad," her voice continued to say. "But what puzzled me the most was Tomoyo. She called the next morning, a Saturday I remembered clearly. Instead of sounding excited, she seemed worried. Distraught. A negative emotion."
I swallowed, wondering what she would say next.
And she surprised me yet again. Turning to look over her shoulder, her emerald eyes were not dull and glazed, but glassy. That was a change. This was probably the first time the real Sakura Kinomoto looked me in the eye eversince she sank into insanity. I felt my heart beat quicken, my palms going clammy with anxiety. "...Sakura."
"But I never got to ask Tomoyo about her queer behavior. No...I didn't," her voice grew soft and shaky. "Someday I wish someone would tell me."
I wondered if that was hinting towards me. I could guess a reason about Daidouji-san's behavior, though I'll never be a hundred percent sure.
Before my arrival at Tomoeda after five years of absence, I had called Daidouji-san's house before e-mailing Sakura. I didn't know why I had done that, perhaps I had been shy due to the emotions running in my mind. And so, when I announced my return, Daidouji-san had squealed so loudly that it made me wince and drop the phone. I didn't know why, but maybe because I knew Daidouji was probably almost a sister to Sakura, so I told her everything.
I told her about my training to become the leader of the Li Clan. I told her about the elders being strict and cutting off my chances of communication to Japan or anyone that would bother my training. But even if the elders did do that, Sakura would dance around in my mind from time to time. But most importantly, I told Daidouji-san about my feelings towards her best friend. I told her that the thing I wanted to tell Sakura when I came back was a simple three-letter phrase. Anyone could guess now.
Yes...the simple phrase you would find on Valentine heart candies. Yet, when I told Daidouji-san, her squealing and delighted voice seemed to evapourate in a second. I didn't know then, why she had a sudden 90-degree turn in her voice. But when I actually arrived and placed my feet on Tomoeda soil, I knew then that Daidouji-san was worried for me.
For my heart being crushed.
Because when I came back to a place I use to call home, Sakura had a boyfriend. That would be like a slap in the face, but strangely, I was calm. I didn't overreact, nor did I jump out and rip that boy apart.
"And then I finally fell asleep and woke up on a bright, sunny morning. The day Syaoran returned."
I looked back at her, shaking my thoughts out of my head and returned my full attention to her and only her. I can deal with my own thoughts later, but now I will simply sit on the white hospital bed and listen to my ying fa tell her story. Whether it will end good, or bad, I will always stand by her. I will help her recover.
-Back to the past (Sakura's story)-
I had leapt out of bed in such a quick manner that I had fallen off my feet when I landed on the carpet. Sprawled on the carpet, I couldn't care less because I had finally awoke from last night's sleep which meant that today was...well, today. I'll call it Syaoran Day-- or not. That sounds kind of...strange. I'll just call it Saturday. Yes, it was a Saturday morning and I would probably be seeing Syaoran in less then twenty-four hours.
But then I realized he didn't really tell me when he would arrive or where he was living. I wondered if he still had his old apartment here, or if his family had sold it...I would have to ask him when I saw him! Maybe he still remembered where I lived...and maybe he'll just pop up and surprise me. As all these possibilities ran through my mind, I heard the sizzling of oil on the pan and onii-chan using the washroom.
Living with him for so long, I can even tell what his footsteps sound like compared to otou-san's. Excitedly, I hurried out of my bedroom and knocked on the washroom door in a light rhythm. "Hayaku onii-chan~! I've got to use the washrooom and they you can use it tooo but after when I'm done," I sang childishly but I still didn't care because Syaoran was coming back!
I heard the tap stop running as Touya opened the door with his toothbrush sticking out from his mouth. He glared at me and mumbled in a barely understandable voice, "Kaipoo, oop tso erky."
I blinked at him confusedly before he shook his head and retreated into the bathroom. A few seconds later he came out again without the toothbrush, placing a hand on the doorframe. "Kaijuu what are you doing?! Up so early..."
Beaming, I ducked under his arm and into the bathroom. "Arigatou onii-chan! Neh, you're the best best best onii-chan anyone could ever ask for!" I giggled at his face which seemed utterly perplexed. After a moment of silence, he ruffled my hair and made a face.
"But you're still a kaijuu," he stated and went downstairs.
Smiling to myself, I brushed my teeth and washed my face while humming a tune to myself. Glancing down at my wrist, I noticed it wasn't as red as last night. Just a bit pink in the tone and wasn't too noticeable to the human eye. Satisfied, I joined my family downstairs at breakfast which was already laid out and waiting for me to devour. Skipping to my seat, I noticed otou-san and onii-chan were both giving me a curious glance.
"What's causing our dear Sakura-chan to be go genki early in the morning? And it's a Saturday too," Fujitaka laughed but curiosity danced in his gaze.
I jabbed my fork into two pancakes, stuffing half of them into my mouth and nearly choked. Gulping down a glass of orange juice, I regained my composure and replied merrily, "An old friend's coming back!"
Touya twitched and stopped mid-way from biting into his pancake. "Who?"
I turned to him, still smiling. "I don't know if you remember him or not, but it's Li Syaoran! You know, the guy...with the brown eyes and stuff?" I turned to dad and added, "Remember his mother? Yelan Li?"
My otou-san nodded slowly, "Yes...now that you bring it up, I do remember the Li's...the Li Clan wasn't it?"
"Hai! And now he's coming back," I finished off my pancakes and grinned.
Touya twitched once more before slapping his glass of orange juice onto the table's surface. "Ah that chinese gaki is back...bah, why is he back? No one wants him around in Hong Kong? Or did he get kicked out of his so called clan thing?" Touya muttered all the while glaring at his plate.
I pouted and shook my head, "No, he's just coming to visit! I think at least...and why do you have to be so mean to him?! You never told me why..."
"Touya-kun didn't tell you?" Otou-san echoed in amusement. "Ah, well it's because Li-kun broke his Barbie."
Touya twitched and cleared his throat awfully loud. "Now, let us forget what we have just heard and have a peaceful breakfast with nothing about the gaki and nothing about the past and--"
I burst out laughing while onii-chan turned a shade of red to blue to purple. Shaking with laughter, I managed to get a hold of myself before asking, "Nani?! When did you ever have a Barbie?! I thought I was the only one back then into Barbies! AHAHAHAHAHA, it runs in the family!" I declared while choking with restrained laughter.
Onii-chan glared and sighed in defeat. "Bah, it wasn't exactly my Barbie," he sent another glare to otou-san who sweatdropped. "It was actually yours, kaijuu. You thought you lost your gymnastics Barbie but actually I had confined it in my room because uh...yes. Just because."
"Because he needed a female figurine to play the role of something...if I do remember correctly," Otou-san continued with thought. "I think Touya only had soldiers and he wanted to play make-believe."
"OTOU-SAN!" Touya nearly shrieked.
I choked on my juice and spat it back into the cup. "Onii-chan! I never knew you would steal your own little sister's Barbie! Shame on you!" I pointed an accusing finger at him while laughing. "And why would you hate Li-kun so much if he broke MY Barbie?!"
"Well, it had been a year already so it kind of became MINE," Touya grunted.
A whole new wave of laughter hit me as I continued, "So you don't deny the fact that you did have a Barbie!"
"GAH, KAIJUU!"
"Hehehehe, I know one of onii-chan's deep dark secrets!!" I sing-songed teasingly as I jumped up from my seat. "I suppose you fell in love with my Barbie since you're still so upset about Li-kun breaking it! Well, I'm going to call Tomoyo and ask her about something. Ja!"
I turned away from the steaming Touya and my amused dad and quickly ran to the living room. Picking up the receiver, I speed dialed Tomoyo's, my adrenalin running like crazy in my veins. After three rings, Tomoyo's voice rang clearly into the phone. "Moshi moshi, Daidouji residence."
"Tomoyo-chan!!" I squealed. "You know, Syaoran comes back TODAY!" I nearly screamed into the phone and realized I could very well be making Tomoyo deaf. Sweatdropping, I quickly apologized.
"Ohoho, it's ok Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo assured in a bright tone. "Seeing you so excited and happy for Li-kun's return makes me happy too! Ano, do you know what time he arrived?"
I bit my lip in thought. Sighing, I shook my head to myself before replying, "Iie...he only e-mailed me before he went on the plane last night..."
"Which means..." Tomoyo seemed to be hinting something.
I blinked and thought a bit more. "Which means...?" I echoed uncertainly.
Tomoyo giggled and said, "You silly girl! It doesn't take a whole night for him to fly from Hong Kong to Japan!"
Letting Tomoyo's words sink in, I nearly jumped up and hit the ceiling. Hopping from one foot to the other, I replied in utmost zest. "HOE!! Tomoyo-chan!! Do you know what that means?! It means he's probably HERE, in Tomoeda! Oooh, Tomoyo-chan!!" I paused and suddenly realized something. "Hoe? Do you think I'll still be able to recognize him? Hoee...what if he's here and I walk by him and I don't even know it's him?!"
Tomoyo giggled once more, this time a strange knowing giggle. I wondered what was up, but kept it to myself as Tomoyo replied. "Weeelll, as a matter of fact...you do know that I knew before you about Li-kun's return..."
"...Hai..." I answered slowly, wanting to clearly understand Tomoyo. Right now, I could tell she was trying to make me anxious on purpose. Grumbling, I nearly screamed once more. "Tomoyo!! You're hiding something!!"
"Ohohoho, you know me too well," Tomoyo stated and I agreed fully. "Well, he's here!"
"Yes, I know," I mumbled. "But where..."
Tomoyo laughed, "Here, silly!"
"Tomoyyoooo stopped talking like that! I understand you yet I don't think I'm getting the right idea because the tone of your voice tells me that there's something to what you're saying!" I whined.
She paused and seemed to be mumbling something not audible to me before replying, "Ano...I have to go to the bathroom."
"NANI?!" I shrieked. "TOMOYO! You can't leave me right now when you're trying to tell me something! You're not going to be that cruel and just leave me hanging, right?!" I asked in a hopeful voice.
I could imagine Tomoyo giggling before her voice came back, "Well, someone else will hold onto the phone while I'm in the bathroom. Ok?"
"Hoe??" I blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?!"
I got no reply.
Growling in annoyance, I was about to hang up the phone when some noises came from the other end of the phone. Raising the phone back to my ear, I was just in time to hear a voice.
"...Hello?"
I swallowed. It was a male voice. A deep, gentle, male voice. I swallowed once more. Tomoyo's...brother? But she didn't have a brother...Tomoyo's father? But...Tomoyo's father had died when she was a child...Tomoyo had a boyfriend?! HOE!! That was it! Maybe that was why she had been acting so weird before!
"HOE!!! You're Tomoyo-chan's boyfriend!!" I squealed in delight.
I heard a cough from the other end and wondered why Tomoyo's boyfriend was being so shy. Enthusiastically, I continued speaking. "Don't be shy! I'm like a sister to Tomoyo-chan! If you want to know what she likes, or what to get her for Christmas, I'm the one to ask! I can tell you all about Tomoyo, and you'll know her inside out! I mean, I even know her deepest secrets, but I can't tell you that unless she allows me too...demo, I still know alot more! Like--" I was speaking so fast that I had to suck in a breath. I was about to continue when the voice cut in.
"Sakura."
I choked on my own tongue and went into a fit of coughing before asking in surprise, "How do you know my name?!"
"Sakura, I'm--"
"Oooh! Of course! Tomoyo would have told you about me!" I laughed at my own stupidity. "Ano, where are you from? When did you meet Tomoyo-chan?! You don't sound like a guy from our school--"
"SAKURA!!"
I held the phone away from my ear before grimacing. "Aiy, why did you just scream my name?"
"You're not letting me talk," he muttered and continued before I could answer. "I'm not Daidouji-san's boyfriend."
More surprise rang through my mind. Daidouji-san? Oh dear...I had just made an awfully embarrassing mistake...me and my stupid brain... "Hoeee....gomen-nasai!! I was thinking too quickly and--"
"It's okay," he cut in and chuckled. "You can stop talking so fast. Breathe."
I let out a breath and laughed. "How'd you know I wasn't breathing?"
"I just know," he said casually. "Demo, Sakura..."
Then it finally sunk in that this guy was calling me by my first name...why would some stranger call me by my first name? Confused, I thought about the males that did call me by my first name...Yori, sometimes onii-chan, otou-san...Yukito-san...that was pretty much it...well...wait. Time seemed to stop as another name surfaced from my muddled mind. I gasped as his voice came clear and rich.
"I'm Li Syaoran."
My mind was a swirl of colours as I skated down the familiar street to Tomoyo's mansion. That deep, rich voice kept ringing in my mind as my heart beat quickened with exhilaration. I had been such an idiot, jumping to conclusions and thinking he was Tomoyo's boyfriend...I laughed to myself as the cherry blossoms pranced in the air, eventually falling to the ground beneath them.
"I'm Li Syaoran."
That statement had caused me to fall silent before screaming so loudly that both onii-chan and otou-san had come running in, asking if I was in danger or something. I guessed he must've winced at how loudly I had yelped, but he had chuckled and I had said I was going to Tomoyo's right away.
And that was where I was going now. To Tomoyo's. The nerve of her for keeping this from me! She had Syaoran staying at her house for a good whole day and she didn't even let it slip! Oooh she was going to get it when I saw her! Smiling to myself, my excitement grew as I reached the iron gates which were open and welcoming me in. I wasted no time and skated the fastest I had ever skated and nearly rammed into the solid oak door.
Ringing the doorbell twice while taking off my roller-blades, I thought an hour had elapsed in a mere minute. Ringing it once more, the door finally clicked open to reveal Tomoyo's cheery eyes. "Oh hello Sakura-chan!" she greeted as if it were some normal event.
Jumping into the house, I quickly grabbed her hand. "Where is he?! Oooh Tomoyo!! How could you!! You're so evil!" I accused and laughed at the same time. "Your punishment will be..." I pretended to be in deep thought before brightly continuing, "not wearing your clothes for three months!"
I burst out laughing at Tomoyo's expression of utter horror before she shrieked, "Iie!!! Sakura-chan!! You can't do this to me! Onegai?!" She grabbed both of my hands, her eyes turning round and hopeful.
Laughing, I loosened her grip from my hands and smiled, "I was just joking with you Tomoyo!"
My friend let out a grateful sigh before she looked up at me with twinkling eyes. "Demo, I bet you're desperate to see Li-kun! Neh?"
"Of course I am!" I cried in exasperation and ushered her up the stairs. "You're hiding him upstairs aren't you? Or downstairs? Or maybe in the back yard? Oooh where is he Tomoyo-chan?!"
Tomoyo giggled and took my hand, leading me pass her room and her mother's to a room I hadn't been in before. The door was closed, with a pair of green slippers laying beside it. I glanced from the slippers to the door and reality finally sank in. Syaoran was in the room, just a wall away. It was so much closer then the ocean and the towns that had separated us for five years.
Without a moment's delay, I grabbed the knob and opened the door with such force that it swung back and hit the wall. Running in literally blindly, I first took in the room that was utterly green. Green bed covers, green carpet, green curtains...every bit Syaoran. At least, the Syaoran I remembered. Catching my breath, I finally noticed the figure coming back from the balcony adjoining the room. As the figure slid back the glass door separating the room to the balcony, he finally looked up and met my gaze.
I felt my breath catch as familiar amber eyes that never left my mind met my gaze. This time, in reality. A few strands of his messy chocolate hair fell into his eyes, his lean and tall figure dressed in a forest green sweater and khakis. I finally managed to suck in a breath, afraid I would break this perfect moment and wake up to find out this was one of my silly dreams again.
Cautiously, I opened my mouth.
"...Syaoran?"
The young man didn't respond. I was suddenly afraid that this wasn't him. I forgot that we were in Tomoyo's house, I forgot that Tomoyo was probably standing behind me. I forgot that the room even existed. But only he was standing before me. And finally, he nodded. I let out a breath. His lips parted. He was going to speak. Anticipation coursed through me like nothing before.
"Sakura."
That voice. The same voice from the phone. It was different than in my memories, but Li Syaoran was no longer an eleven-year-old boy making paper stars with me. He was a seventeen-year-old young man. But nonetheless, I was sure that he was still the Li Syaoran I had known.
And his next movements confirmed my thoughts.
He was walking across the room, coming closer to me by the second. My breath was coming short once again, but I didn't care. At last, he was a few feet away from me, his hand rummaging in his pocket before finally pulling out a miniature jar. A jar filled with beautiful green paper stars. If I wasn't mistaken, those were the very stars I had gave him the day he left.
Looking into his eyes, he merely nodded, once again confirming my thoughts.
I finally found myself falling back to reality, and without thinking, I had jumped onto him and embraced him in a bear hug. He stumbled back a few steps, but that didn't matter. He smelled of pines and the scent of airplanes. Smiling the widest smile I had ever smiled, I felt his arms wrap around me and I felt like I could feel his smile too.
Yet that moment of pure bliss was shattered when I heard Tomoyo cough slightly and I turned to look over my shoulder.
And to my utter confusion, I met the deep green eyes of a familiar somebody.
AN: Mehehehehe, so sorry for the long update. School. Yep, it's all the school's fault. Mehehehe ^^;; Well, R+R and more Syaoran in the next chapter of course =)