Disclaimer: I plan to take over CLAMP one day! Muhahaha! Er, until that day
comes, CLAMP owns CLAMP... and CCS.
I rather think this is the part where I fling myself to your feet and grovel for forgiveness. Oh right, I have a little time left before I lose all dignity...
Thank you ETERNALLY list:
pinklover-sama: Thanks a lot, pinklover-sama, keep writing your stories, okay? You better. =)
THE BOOKWORM: I did. =O A bit slowly, but I did. =P Thanks. =)
Rebecca: Thanks. And yes, it is definitely S+S! =D
abc: Thank you. =D
sweet-cookie: Thanks a lot for always being here. =)
kawaiitenshisakura: I uh, sort of updated soon. Heh. =P Thanks. =)
meinien (x2 =)): Thanks for both the reviews, and for trying to be so helpful. =) You're the best. Thanks again, meinien-san. =D
white cherry blossom: Thanks. ^^
sweetliliacblossom: Lol, no, only Mei-Fa in this story. Hehe. Thank you. =)
wicherwill: I'm sorry for making you wait so long... o.o Eien is funk-ay! Heh, thanks a lot! =)
fireangel: It's you! Thanks a lot, and sorry 'bout the wait. *Runs* =)
Black kat: Thank you. :)
flame of ice: Yes, quite a shame indeed. =) Thanks.
janice: Janice-san! Thanks, as always. ;)
ac4cherryz: Thanks a lot, I try to keep everything straight and stuff. o.O =D
Sam: Thanks. :)
Crystel: Yay, I got my point across! *Throws confetti* Thanks! =)
sylversuicune-88: S+S coming your way. =O Thanks. :)
d: You're back! Thanks. =)
rainbow-dreamer: Rainbowy! I told you I'd update this week! Keep writing, and thank you. :)
apol: Hehe, match making fun! :D Thanks apol-san. :)
Sweet Madison: Thanks again. =)
Dark-Lighten-Shadow: Thanks. =P
ying_fa: I will, don't worry. ;) Thanks.
Pink Cherry Blossom: Thank you, I can be rather confuzzling sometimes. O.o
ash: UPDATE now! O.o Thank you, replica. =)
*Sexy Vixen*: I haven't seen you in a while. Thank you. =)
snowylove-angel: Thanks, your review was really encouraging. =)
Sakura-jr17: Thank you very much. =)
Megami no Hikari: Uh huh! =) Thanks a lot!
Heero's Goddess: Thanks. ^^
Ewokia: I haven't seen you in a long time. Hey! Thanks. :)
Moon Pheonix: Thanks! Is it really? What a coincidence. ^^
Midnight Star24: Thanks! :)
kawaii*cherry: Appreciate it, thanks. ^^
Lady Starlight so kiss my ass: Nice name. XD Thank you. =)
Angel of Wind: Thanks!
Pochacco (x2 Hehe): You're freaking me out. o.o Lol, thank you so much. =)
Di (x2 =P): Di! Thank you, you are ever so encouraging. =)
Diane: Thanks! =)
Taterbaby123: Did you? That would have been boring, I don't like boring stories. Hehe, thank you. =)
Danielle: Thanks! =)
love-card: Arigatou! =D
Rumiko" I updated! =D Thanks!
tin: Thanks a lot. ;)
Yes, I'm aware that I've had almost two whole months for this chapter. *Cough* Once you finish reading, and I typing, I'd be more than obliged to help you all think of er, clever ways to rid me of my existence. =P I support a knack for making murders seem like accidents. XP
Trial of Fate
By Ash Night
Chapter Ten
Together, the four girls had consumed what was left of the chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Mei-Fa had looked tired from her long day at school and Sakura had insisted that she went upstairs to take a nap. The twenty- three year old lawyer had tucked the little girl in and was gracefully coming downstairs, unaware of the big smile on the child's glowing face as she slept peacefully.
"Is she really taking a nap, Sakura?"
Sakura Kinomoto smiled and nodded at her friend as she entered the luxurious living room. "I just finished tucking her in, Meiling."
"And she's actually sleeping?" Meiling's ruby eyes lit up with amazement.
"Mm-hmm." Sakura sat down on the sofa with her two friends, noticing the awe in Meiling's voice. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Meiling looked up with a smile on her lips. "It's just that our little Mei-Fa dislikes naps."
Tomoyo glanced over at her raven haired friend, the sly smile was still on her face.
"Oh," Sakura scratched her hair puzzlingly. "I guess she was just tired then."
"Right." Meiling laughed good-heartedly at Sakura's innocent response. "That must be it."
"What's so funny?" Sakura asked naively, not knowing what her friend was getting at.
"Oh nothing," Meiling assured her with a grin as she headed towards the main door. "I have a little errand to run, I'll catch you girls later, okay?" Without waiting for a reply, Meiling closed the door behind her.
"She's still laughing herself away," Sakura noted, hearing her laughter fade off outside. "What was so funny?" She demanded as she turned to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo smiled at the attorney. From the confused look on her face, Sakura really didn't know what was so amusing. "I think," Tomoyo giggled, feeling the need to help out her best friend, "Mei-Fa has taken quite a liking to you, Sakura."
The emerald eyed beauty smiled a little as she raised her brows. "I really think she was just sleepy, Tomoyo. After all, Mei-Fa is such a sweet little girl, she likes everybody."
"I'm not finished yet," Tomoyo tried to contain her laughter. "It's funny because everybody seems to realize it except for you." Her laughter erupted into a fit of giggles.
"Ah," Sakura grinned. "You were both laughing at the expense of my foolishness, huh?" She teased.
The violet haired designer shook her head lightly. "Just your sweetness and silliness."
"Same difference."
Tomoyo laughed. "Sakura?"
"Yah?"
"You still haven't told me what happened that other day at the museum."
Her memory is just too good... Sakura thought wryly to herself as she decided to start off with a rather important question. "What did you think of the fortune teller?" She asked casually.
Tomoyo thought her friend's question was pretty odd, she stared at Sakura.
"What I mean," Sakura thought of ways to phrase her question as she often did in the very few times she spent in court as an actual lawyer. "is, how did you feel about the sort of things Sylvie told you?"
"Sakura," Tomoyo wrinkled her forehead. "Are you asking me if I believe that lady's words?"
"Basically." Sakura kept a steady gaze on her friend.
Tomoyo shifted in her seat. "That's a little hard to say, Sakura." Sakura's gaze was making her a little uncomfortable, there was no question about it, she was treating her like a witness being called upon to the stand. Her friend was making her feel as if what she had to say was the most important thing to her, she felt awkwardly special.
"Take your time, ma'am."
Tomoyo saw the smile tugging at the lawyer's lips and started laughing. "You're just too much, Sakura." She shook her head.
"It's a habit, sorry about that." Sakura informed, her eyes still smiling. "You don't have to answer my question if you don't want to."
"I just don't know if I believe it or not," Tomoyo answered. "It's not as if I have a reason to believe in stuff like that, I don't really have a reason to not believe in it either."
Sakura gave her friend a tender smile. "That's fair enough."
"So," Tomoyo tried teasingly. "Are you still going to tell me what happened that day that freaked Mei-Fa out? What was so 'twisted'?" She asked, remembering Sakura's exact words.
"I thought I had figured out why Chin wanted her daughter so much, except it didn't make any sense at all." Sakura sighed and explained to Tomoyo what happened with Mei-Fa that morning before they went to the museum. She waited for a response from her friend.
"Wow." Tomoyo was in a state of surprise. "You believe her, don't you?"
"How ever did you guess?" Sakura asked sarcastically, lifting her arms into the air.
Tomoyo gave her a genuine smile. "It's in your eyes," her smile deepened as she used the little girl's precise words. "I can see it, just like Mei-Fa."
The corner of Sakura's mouth tugged up a little as she raised her brows, giving her friend a knowing look. "Do you think it's possible? Do you really think a mother would use her child like that, just for the money?" Sakura shuddered at the thought.
"I've never met her mother, but you have..." Tomoyo pointed out. "What do you think?"
"My answer's obvious, from what I've seen of the woman," Sakura remembered the things Li had told her about his ex-wife and the way she had acted when they were introduced. "I guess I was only looking for an answer that would prove me wrong, something that could show me she isn't half as bad as what my instincts and first hand knowledge screams out to me..." She trailed off. "I'm not making much sense, am I?"
Tomoyo's amethyst coloured eyes sparkled. "You're making perfect sense." She admired a lot of characteristics that her friend had, but she actually envied this one. "I know you try to see the good in everybody, Sakura, and you're not making an exception for Chin, are you?" She smiled.
"I hope not," Sakura agreed honestly. "There has to be something underneath all that make-up, right?"
"If you say so." Tomoyo told her.
"I'd feel much better if you didn't look so doubtful, Tomoyo." Sakura laughed.
"Sorry," Tomoyo apologized and forced a smile. "What made you think you were wrong?"
"Made me think what was wrong?"
"That Chin wasn't going to make money off of Mei-Fa's psychic abilities..."
"That still makes me sick whenever I think of it," Sakura made a disgusted face. "Mei-Fa insisted that her mother didn't know, nobody knew."
"Hmm."
"Welcome to my dead end," Sakura said sarcastically with a grin. "I'm beginning to think I'm trapped forever."
***
Li Syaoran stepped out of his expensive jeep, giving his door a gracious slam. He hated to admit it, but he was hardly able to get any work done today. His mind seemed to block everything out except for Kinomoto-san. Sakura. He thought back to that petty argument that they had when he had taken her out for dinner, was Sakura mad because of that? They kept silent after that little squabble, it was ridiculous really. Then why the hell did he feel so damn guilty!? He had to apologize to her. He had to.
The tall man walked towards his front door and searched his pockets for the house keys. He turned the doorknob and stepped inside, closing the wooden door behind him. As he dropped his briefcase on the floor and started into the living room, he found himself freezing in his steps. Sakura Kinomoto was curled up on the sofa, her nose in a huge hard covered textbook. She looked like a schoolgirl studying for an exam, he realized, smiling to himself. On her small nose, she wore a pair of black thick rimmed glasses, which only made her look more elegant than she already was.
When Sakura finally flipped a page, she looked up, feeling somebody's eyes on her. Li Syaoran was standing right in front of the entrance, his hips leaning against the wall, his eyes resting inventively on her. Sakura reactively jerked herself up from where she sat, her cheeks flushing from his gaze. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black suit and pants, his dark hair as unruly as usual. "How long have you been standing there?" She asked uncomfortably, the first thing that sprang into her mind.
Li Syaoran smiled lazily at the sight in front of him. Her cheeks were a light pink, she was gorgeously blushing. "Not nearly long enough."
Sakura tried to keep herself from blushing anymore than she already was. "How was your day?" She asked, giving him a shy smile.
Li's thoughts suddenly shifted to the notion of coming home everyday like this; his own angel welcoming him. "To be perfectly honest, Princess, I had a hell of a hard time concentrating on anything I did." He stepped towards her. "Would you like to know why, your highness?"
"Even if I didn't," Sakura took one step back, keeping her eyes on the unpredictable man in front of her. "You'd probably tell me anyways, wouldn't you?"
His eyes were full of warmth as he let out a low chuckle. "Probably." He agreed as he pulled her into his arms.
"Li..." Sakura trembled in his strong, warm arms.
"Do you always wear glasses when you're reading, Princess?" He gave her a tender smile as he tilted her chin up, trying to stop her body from trembling.
Sakura gave him a nod. "I think so," She replied. "I like seeing the words when I read."
Another throaty chuckle tore from his mouth as he laughed. "They're lovely." He complimented, as he resisted the urge to cover his mouth to her sweet pink lips. "Will you come on a walk with me, Sakura?" He saw the hesitation in her yes. "I promise I'll behave myself." He added with a sly grin.
Sakura giggled. "Tomoyo went out and Mei-Fa's upstairs aslee-"
"One of the people I hired will watch her, that's their job" Li cut her off. "She'll be fine, if that's what you're worried about."
Sakura thought for a moment and finally accepted. This would be a perfect time for her to apologize for their silly argument the other day. "Sure." She smiled sweetly.
Li held open the door for her and locked it into place as they stepped outside.
"Where are we going?" Sakura asked curiously.
"It's a surprise," Li steered her into his direction as they strolled. "Trust me."
"You know I do." Sakura playfully rolled her eyes, earning her another melting smile from the man walking alongside her.
"You'll like it, it's not far from here."
Sakura nodded, noticing that he had slowed down his pace for her. She smiled to herself, not really surprised at his tender act.
Li saw her heartbreakingly beautiful smile, as he stole glances at her from time to time. "What's making you so happy?" He teased.
"Oh," She looked up at him. "Nothing, I was just thinking."
"Thinking?" He raised a brow.
"Mm-hmm." Sakura smiled again.
"I have a feeling that even if I asked, you wouldn't tell me what your mind was on, would you?"
"That's perfectly right, Mr. Li." She agreed solemnly with a polite nod.
"Sakura," Li started, not liking the way she addressed him. "Would you do me a grave favour, and cut the polite stuff?"
"As you wish, Mr. Li." Sakura's eyes twinkled as she looked up to meet his gaze.
Li struggled to keep a serious face, he was going to do it... His heart was screaming it out to his mind, he was going to ask the adorable women in front of him to address him by his given name. He knew his heart wouldn't rest until he did so.
"Look Li!" Her musical voice spoke up before he could say anything.
Li turned to the direction Sakura had her eyes focused cheerfully on. Her emerald eyes turned to admire everything in front of her, from the crystal clear blue pond to the giant cherry blossom trees in the beautiful park. He smiled, "What do you think of it?" Of course, he already knew the answer.
"It's amazingly breath-taking!" She breathed, her hands clasped together in sheer delight. "It's so alive."
"I had a feeling you'd like it." He told her, she was still admiring the scenery around her.
"I do," She smiled, smiled that usual sweet smile of hers. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Do you come here often?"
"I came here a lot, when I was younger. It was the only place where I could think." There was a gentle breeze blowing by, lifting the cherry blossoms off their branches and sending them soaring down in a soft tumble.
"It's not hard to see why," Sakura said softly, watching the petals dance around Li. She watched as he swiftly caught a full flower in his palm. "It's so peaceful here, so serene." She waited for him to say something, but he didn't.
Li Syaoran stepped closer to her and gently tucked the flower in her soft red-brown hair. He smiled when she didn't shiver from his touch. "You're not trembling."
It took all of her courage to keep her eyes on his amber ones, it took all her courage to speak what was on her mind. "How could I?" She whispered. "You're so warm, Li."
It came like a blow to his stomach how much he was affected by her words. She was so damn innocently sweet. "Sakura,"
"Li?" Her face was only inches away from his, she felt his tingling breath brush across her face and ears.
"About our argument the other day," He began.
"Gomen-nasai, it was rude of me to pry." Sakura apologized, hoping he wouldn't get angry again. She remembered how determined she was to break his haughtiness. She looked up to see how he reacted, his face was inscrutable. Was he mad again?
"You're apologizing to me?" His face softened with a tender smile. "Somehow I knew you would, Princess." He tucked a hair behind her right ear. "Will you forgive me?"
Sakura gave him a look of uncertainty. "What am I forgiving you for?"
He smiled grimly. "For acting like an ass."
She couldn't help but laugh lightly at how gloomy he looked and sounded. "I can assure you," She smiled. "That you didn't go as far as that."
He chuckled that warm velvety chuckle of his again, but stopped at the perplexity on her face. "What's wrong?"
"I was just wondering," She began. "How did you know I was going to apologize?"
"Is that all?" He laughed. "That's easy, your grace."
Sakura crossed her arms and threw him an accusing look, waiting for his response.
"Princess, if you don't stop looking at me like that," He said a little huskily. "I can't be held responsible for my actions."
Sakura processed what he was saying, along with the way he was looking at her and blushed when she understood.
"All I had to do," Li started to answer her question before his urge to crush her to his chest took over him. "was think from your point of view."
"Thinking from my point of view?" Sakura thought for a moment and considered what he was saying.
"That's right," He teased. "In doing so, I could understand how you saw the situation and take that into account. In my years, I've come to the conclusion that that is the quickest way to defeat your opponent."
"That's very clever of you," Sakura complimented, still thinking about his theory. "I've never really thought of anything that way before."
"Thank you, darling." Li said sincerely, careful not to laugh at how adorable she was, or she might have taken it as an insult. "Then you forgive me?"
Sakura smiled. "No, there isn't anything to forgive you for."
Li did laugh this time. "If you insist, I'll have to humbly agree."
There was that arrogance of his again, but this time it only made her smile a little bit wider.
***
Zing Cheng sat in his office finding ways that could get him a victory for the case he was currently working on. He had managed to drag out all the files he was able to get a hold of on the relationship that his client had with her daughter.
They were all hopeless.
There were hospital records of Jin-Jin Chin coming in with drug overdoses, and if that wasn't enough, there were records showing that Chin had to be hospitalized several times for severe alcohol consumption as well.
He wasn't an idiot. It was clear as glass, this was a certified losing case. The dark haired man threw the documents across the room in sheer frustration. It was NOT acceptable. Cheng rubbed his temples with his hands as he sat back down in his swivel chair. It was way too late to back out now, he had to find a way to prevent losing, for he could not and would not tolerate a loss, especially to that rookie...
That was it!
He smiled to himself as he turned to the other stack of papers on his desk. On top of the stack was the piece of paper that he needed, the piece of paper that would give him his twenty-seventh win. Yes, Zing Cheng never lost a case and he sure as hell wasn't going to start now.
The brown eyed man reached over to pick up the piece of paper, the phone number of the Li residence was scribbled on it with Jin-Jin's small handwriting. No doubt what Jin-Jin thought of Kinomoto's stay with Li and his family of stupid friends went undetected, she really believed Sakura was staying there. Cheng silently prayed to himself that the stupid woman was right, he needed to get in contact with the young little thing as soon as possible.
Chin's lawyer reached for his phone and began to dial the numbers of the Li residence, he would ask for Kinomoto when somebody picked up, then he'd ask her to meet him somewhere, to talk about the case of course. It was perfect, with his charm and persistence, the amateur lawyer would surely let a vital thing or two about the case slip. Perhaps Li would not be the loving father he portrayed himself to be, Cheng had seen and heard how he dealt with his businesses, he was ruthless.
The phone was on its first ring as he grinned evilly to himself again. An image of the young green eyed woman flashed in his mind, this would be wonderful. Mixing business and pleasure all at once had a strikingly wonderful appeal to it.
***
He kept his amber eyes on her as she stood by the lake.
"I use to feed the birds that came by home back in Japan." Sakura turned around to look at him.
"Really?"
"Yah," She turned back to throw another piece of bread at the ducks that had swam up to the edge of the shore. "We didn't have a lake there, but there was a park filled with birds. They seemed to always come around during noon, that's when we'd feed them."
Li smiled lazily at her story. "What else did you use to do?"
"What else?" Sakura threw the bits of remaining bread into the lake and gave her full attention to the amber eyed man. "Lets see, I grew up with lots of kids, we always tried to cause mischief for Ms. Elena." Her eyes twinkled.
"What little brats!" Li scowled with a grin.
Sakura laughed. "The strange part is that we all did it because Ms. Elena liked it, she loves kids, and their nature."
"She must have," Li kept his face expressionless, but Sakura could see the tenderness in his expressive liquidly eyes. "She's raised you wonderfully."
"Thank you," Sakura gave him a little grin. "Did you know that you say some of the most heartbreakingly things I've ever heard anybody say?" She wondered if it was from experience.
Li smiled. "And do you know," He started answering her question with one of his own. "the worst part of it," he teased, breaking up his sentence. "is I never say anything I don't mean."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Sakura laughed.
"I meant it as one."
Sakura sighed to herself. He was such a charmer, unlike anyone she'd ever met before. She felt a little uneasy that he treated every woman he meets like this. "Can we go home now, Li?" She forced another smile.
"That's highly compromisable." He agreed as he gave her another smile. He didn't think he'd ever smiled this much in his entire existence, Li Syaoran felt like he was falling... Falling in love. And the best part of it was that he didn't mind.
***
Zing Cheng closed his eyes at his desk.
Sakura Kinomoto wasn't home. Damn it. Nobody had answered the phone, the next best thing he could have done was to leave a message for the lady. That was exactly what he did.
To be continued...
Whoa, I love writing S+S... I think this is my bonding chapter. =) There will be more plot development next chapter with Zing's plan. Hahahaha, I am pure evil. Thanks for reading everybody, leave a note if you'd like a notification, I'd be happy to drop you a line. Sorry about the short chapter. -.- -Ash
I rather think this is the part where I fling myself to your feet and grovel for forgiveness. Oh right, I have a little time left before I lose all dignity...
Thank you ETERNALLY list:
pinklover-sama: Thanks a lot, pinklover-sama, keep writing your stories, okay? You better. =)
THE BOOKWORM: I did. =O A bit slowly, but I did. =P Thanks. =)
Rebecca: Thanks. And yes, it is definitely S+S! =D
abc: Thank you. =D
sweet-cookie: Thanks a lot for always being here. =)
kawaiitenshisakura: I uh, sort of updated soon. Heh. =P Thanks. =)
meinien (x2 =)): Thanks for both the reviews, and for trying to be so helpful. =) You're the best. Thanks again, meinien-san. =D
white cherry blossom: Thanks. ^^
sweetliliacblossom: Lol, no, only Mei-Fa in this story. Hehe. Thank you. =)
wicherwill: I'm sorry for making you wait so long... o.o Eien is funk-ay! Heh, thanks a lot! =)
fireangel: It's you! Thanks a lot, and sorry 'bout the wait. *Runs* =)
Black kat: Thank you. :)
flame of ice: Yes, quite a shame indeed. =) Thanks.
janice: Janice-san! Thanks, as always. ;)
ac4cherryz: Thanks a lot, I try to keep everything straight and stuff. o.O =D
Sam: Thanks. :)
Crystel: Yay, I got my point across! *Throws confetti* Thanks! =)
sylversuicune-88: S+S coming your way. =O Thanks. :)
d: You're back! Thanks. =)
rainbow-dreamer: Rainbowy! I told you I'd update this week! Keep writing, and thank you. :)
apol: Hehe, match making fun! :D Thanks apol-san. :)
Sweet Madison: Thanks again. =)
Dark-Lighten-Shadow: Thanks. =P
ying_fa: I will, don't worry. ;) Thanks.
Pink Cherry Blossom: Thank you, I can be rather confuzzling sometimes. O.o
ash: UPDATE now! O.o Thank you, replica. =)
*Sexy Vixen*: I haven't seen you in a while. Thank you. =)
snowylove-angel: Thanks, your review was really encouraging. =)
Sakura-jr17: Thank you very much. =)
Megami no Hikari: Uh huh! =) Thanks a lot!
Heero's Goddess: Thanks. ^^
Ewokia: I haven't seen you in a long time. Hey! Thanks. :)
Moon Pheonix: Thanks! Is it really? What a coincidence. ^^
Midnight Star24: Thanks! :)
kawaii*cherry: Appreciate it, thanks. ^^
Lady Starlight so kiss my ass: Nice name. XD Thank you. =)
Angel of Wind: Thanks!
Pochacco (x2 Hehe): You're freaking me out. o.o Lol, thank you so much. =)
Di (x2 =P): Di! Thank you, you are ever so encouraging. =)
Diane: Thanks! =)
Taterbaby123: Did you? That would have been boring, I don't like boring stories. Hehe, thank you. =)
Danielle: Thanks! =)
love-card: Arigatou! =D
Rumiko" I updated! =D Thanks!
tin: Thanks a lot. ;)
Yes, I'm aware that I've had almost two whole months for this chapter. *Cough* Once you finish reading, and I typing, I'd be more than obliged to help you all think of er, clever ways to rid me of my existence. =P I support a knack for making murders seem like accidents. XP
Trial of Fate
By Ash Night
Chapter Ten
Together, the four girls had consumed what was left of the chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Mei-Fa had looked tired from her long day at school and Sakura had insisted that she went upstairs to take a nap. The twenty- three year old lawyer had tucked the little girl in and was gracefully coming downstairs, unaware of the big smile on the child's glowing face as she slept peacefully.
"Is she really taking a nap, Sakura?"
Sakura Kinomoto smiled and nodded at her friend as she entered the luxurious living room. "I just finished tucking her in, Meiling."
"And she's actually sleeping?" Meiling's ruby eyes lit up with amazement.
"Mm-hmm." Sakura sat down on the sofa with her two friends, noticing the awe in Meiling's voice. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Meiling looked up with a smile on her lips. "It's just that our little Mei-Fa dislikes naps."
Tomoyo glanced over at her raven haired friend, the sly smile was still on her face.
"Oh," Sakura scratched her hair puzzlingly. "I guess she was just tired then."
"Right." Meiling laughed good-heartedly at Sakura's innocent response. "That must be it."
"What's so funny?" Sakura asked naively, not knowing what her friend was getting at.
"Oh nothing," Meiling assured her with a grin as she headed towards the main door. "I have a little errand to run, I'll catch you girls later, okay?" Without waiting for a reply, Meiling closed the door behind her.
"She's still laughing herself away," Sakura noted, hearing her laughter fade off outside. "What was so funny?" She demanded as she turned to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo smiled at the attorney. From the confused look on her face, Sakura really didn't know what was so amusing. "I think," Tomoyo giggled, feeling the need to help out her best friend, "Mei-Fa has taken quite a liking to you, Sakura."
The emerald eyed beauty smiled a little as she raised her brows. "I really think she was just sleepy, Tomoyo. After all, Mei-Fa is such a sweet little girl, she likes everybody."
"I'm not finished yet," Tomoyo tried to contain her laughter. "It's funny because everybody seems to realize it except for you." Her laughter erupted into a fit of giggles.
"Ah," Sakura grinned. "You were both laughing at the expense of my foolishness, huh?" She teased.
The violet haired designer shook her head lightly. "Just your sweetness and silliness."
"Same difference."
Tomoyo laughed. "Sakura?"
"Yah?"
"You still haven't told me what happened that other day at the museum."
Her memory is just too good... Sakura thought wryly to herself as she decided to start off with a rather important question. "What did you think of the fortune teller?" She asked casually.
Tomoyo thought her friend's question was pretty odd, she stared at Sakura.
"What I mean," Sakura thought of ways to phrase her question as she often did in the very few times she spent in court as an actual lawyer. "is, how did you feel about the sort of things Sylvie told you?"
"Sakura," Tomoyo wrinkled her forehead. "Are you asking me if I believe that lady's words?"
"Basically." Sakura kept a steady gaze on her friend.
Tomoyo shifted in her seat. "That's a little hard to say, Sakura." Sakura's gaze was making her a little uncomfortable, there was no question about it, she was treating her like a witness being called upon to the stand. Her friend was making her feel as if what she had to say was the most important thing to her, she felt awkwardly special.
"Take your time, ma'am."
Tomoyo saw the smile tugging at the lawyer's lips and started laughing. "You're just too much, Sakura." She shook her head.
"It's a habit, sorry about that." Sakura informed, her eyes still smiling. "You don't have to answer my question if you don't want to."
"I just don't know if I believe it or not," Tomoyo answered. "It's not as if I have a reason to believe in stuff like that, I don't really have a reason to not believe in it either."
Sakura gave her friend a tender smile. "That's fair enough."
"So," Tomoyo tried teasingly. "Are you still going to tell me what happened that day that freaked Mei-Fa out? What was so 'twisted'?" She asked, remembering Sakura's exact words.
"I thought I had figured out why Chin wanted her daughter so much, except it didn't make any sense at all." Sakura sighed and explained to Tomoyo what happened with Mei-Fa that morning before they went to the museum. She waited for a response from her friend.
"Wow." Tomoyo was in a state of surprise. "You believe her, don't you?"
"How ever did you guess?" Sakura asked sarcastically, lifting her arms into the air.
Tomoyo gave her a genuine smile. "It's in your eyes," her smile deepened as she used the little girl's precise words. "I can see it, just like Mei-Fa."
The corner of Sakura's mouth tugged up a little as she raised her brows, giving her friend a knowing look. "Do you think it's possible? Do you really think a mother would use her child like that, just for the money?" Sakura shuddered at the thought.
"I've never met her mother, but you have..." Tomoyo pointed out. "What do you think?"
"My answer's obvious, from what I've seen of the woman," Sakura remembered the things Li had told her about his ex-wife and the way she had acted when they were introduced. "I guess I was only looking for an answer that would prove me wrong, something that could show me she isn't half as bad as what my instincts and first hand knowledge screams out to me..." She trailed off. "I'm not making much sense, am I?"
Tomoyo's amethyst coloured eyes sparkled. "You're making perfect sense." She admired a lot of characteristics that her friend had, but she actually envied this one. "I know you try to see the good in everybody, Sakura, and you're not making an exception for Chin, are you?" She smiled.
"I hope not," Sakura agreed honestly. "There has to be something underneath all that make-up, right?"
"If you say so." Tomoyo told her.
"I'd feel much better if you didn't look so doubtful, Tomoyo." Sakura laughed.
"Sorry," Tomoyo apologized and forced a smile. "What made you think you were wrong?"
"Made me think what was wrong?"
"That Chin wasn't going to make money off of Mei-Fa's psychic abilities..."
"That still makes me sick whenever I think of it," Sakura made a disgusted face. "Mei-Fa insisted that her mother didn't know, nobody knew."
"Hmm."
"Welcome to my dead end," Sakura said sarcastically with a grin. "I'm beginning to think I'm trapped forever."
***
Li Syaoran stepped out of his expensive jeep, giving his door a gracious slam. He hated to admit it, but he was hardly able to get any work done today. His mind seemed to block everything out except for Kinomoto-san. Sakura. He thought back to that petty argument that they had when he had taken her out for dinner, was Sakura mad because of that? They kept silent after that little squabble, it was ridiculous really. Then why the hell did he feel so damn guilty!? He had to apologize to her. He had to.
The tall man walked towards his front door and searched his pockets for the house keys. He turned the doorknob and stepped inside, closing the wooden door behind him. As he dropped his briefcase on the floor and started into the living room, he found himself freezing in his steps. Sakura Kinomoto was curled up on the sofa, her nose in a huge hard covered textbook. She looked like a schoolgirl studying for an exam, he realized, smiling to himself. On her small nose, she wore a pair of black thick rimmed glasses, which only made her look more elegant than she already was.
When Sakura finally flipped a page, she looked up, feeling somebody's eyes on her. Li Syaoran was standing right in front of the entrance, his hips leaning against the wall, his eyes resting inventively on her. Sakura reactively jerked herself up from where she sat, her cheeks flushing from his gaze. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black suit and pants, his dark hair as unruly as usual. "How long have you been standing there?" She asked uncomfortably, the first thing that sprang into her mind.
Li Syaoran smiled lazily at the sight in front of him. Her cheeks were a light pink, she was gorgeously blushing. "Not nearly long enough."
Sakura tried to keep herself from blushing anymore than she already was. "How was your day?" She asked, giving him a shy smile.
Li's thoughts suddenly shifted to the notion of coming home everyday like this; his own angel welcoming him. "To be perfectly honest, Princess, I had a hell of a hard time concentrating on anything I did." He stepped towards her. "Would you like to know why, your highness?"
"Even if I didn't," Sakura took one step back, keeping her eyes on the unpredictable man in front of her. "You'd probably tell me anyways, wouldn't you?"
His eyes were full of warmth as he let out a low chuckle. "Probably." He agreed as he pulled her into his arms.
"Li..." Sakura trembled in his strong, warm arms.
"Do you always wear glasses when you're reading, Princess?" He gave her a tender smile as he tilted her chin up, trying to stop her body from trembling.
Sakura gave him a nod. "I think so," She replied. "I like seeing the words when I read."
Another throaty chuckle tore from his mouth as he laughed. "They're lovely." He complimented, as he resisted the urge to cover his mouth to her sweet pink lips. "Will you come on a walk with me, Sakura?" He saw the hesitation in her yes. "I promise I'll behave myself." He added with a sly grin.
Sakura giggled. "Tomoyo went out and Mei-Fa's upstairs aslee-"
"One of the people I hired will watch her, that's their job" Li cut her off. "She'll be fine, if that's what you're worried about."
Sakura thought for a moment and finally accepted. This would be a perfect time for her to apologize for their silly argument the other day. "Sure." She smiled sweetly.
Li held open the door for her and locked it into place as they stepped outside.
"Where are we going?" Sakura asked curiously.
"It's a surprise," Li steered her into his direction as they strolled. "Trust me."
"You know I do." Sakura playfully rolled her eyes, earning her another melting smile from the man walking alongside her.
"You'll like it, it's not far from here."
Sakura nodded, noticing that he had slowed down his pace for her. She smiled to herself, not really surprised at his tender act.
Li saw her heartbreakingly beautiful smile, as he stole glances at her from time to time. "What's making you so happy?" He teased.
"Oh," She looked up at him. "Nothing, I was just thinking."
"Thinking?" He raised a brow.
"Mm-hmm." Sakura smiled again.
"I have a feeling that even if I asked, you wouldn't tell me what your mind was on, would you?"
"That's perfectly right, Mr. Li." She agreed solemnly with a polite nod.
"Sakura," Li started, not liking the way she addressed him. "Would you do me a grave favour, and cut the polite stuff?"
"As you wish, Mr. Li." Sakura's eyes twinkled as she looked up to meet his gaze.
Li struggled to keep a serious face, he was going to do it... His heart was screaming it out to his mind, he was going to ask the adorable women in front of him to address him by his given name. He knew his heart wouldn't rest until he did so.
"Look Li!" Her musical voice spoke up before he could say anything.
Li turned to the direction Sakura had her eyes focused cheerfully on. Her emerald eyes turned to admire everything in front of her, from the crystal clear blue pond to the giant cherry blossom trees in the beautiful park. He smiled, "What do you think of it?" Of course, he already knew the answer.
"It's amazingly breath-taking!" She breathed, her hands clasped together in sheer delight. "It's so alive."
"I had a feeling you'd like it." He told her, she was still admiring the scenery around her.
"I do," She smiled, smiled that usual sweet smile of hers. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Do you come here often?"
"I came here a lot, when I was younger. It was the only place where I could think." There was a gentle breeze blowing by, lifting the cherry blossoms off their branches and sending them soaring down in a soft tumble.
"It's not hard to see why," Sakura said softly, watching the petals dance around Li. She watched as he swiftly caught a full flower in his palm. "It's so peaceful here, so serene." She waited for him to say something, but he didn't.
Li Syaoran stepped closer to her and gently tucked the flower in her soft red-brown hair. He smiled when she didn't shiver from his touch. "You're not trembling."
It took all of her courage to keep her eyes on his amber ones, it took all her courage to speak what was on her mind. "How could I?" She whispered. "You're so warm, Li."
It came like a blow to his stomach how much he was affected by her words. She was so damn innocently sweet. "Sakura,"
"Li?" Her face was only inches away from his, she felt his tingling breath brush across her face and ears.
"About our argument the other day," He began.
"Gomen-nasai, it was rude of me to pry." Sakura apologized, hoping he wouldn't get angry again. She remembered how determined she was to break his haughtiness. She looked up to see how he reacted, his face was inscrutable. Was he mad again?
"You're apologizing to me?" His face softened with a tender smile. "Somehow I knew you would, Princess." He tucked a hair behind her right ear. "Will you forgive me?"
Sakura gave him a look of uncertainty. "What am I forgiving you for?"
He smiled grimly. "For acting like an ass."
She couldn't help but laugh lightly at how gloomy he looked and sounded. "I can assure you," She smiled. "That you didn't go as far as that."
He chuckled that warm velvety chuckle of his again, but stopped at the perplexity on her face. "What's wrong?"
"I was just wondering," She began. "How did you know I was going to apologize?"
"Is that all?" He laughed. "That's easy, your grace."
Sakura crossed her arms and threw him an accusing look, waiting for his response.
"Princess, if you don't stop looking at me like that," He said a little huskily. "I can't be held responsible for my actions."
Sakura processed what he was saying, along with the way he was looking at her and blushed when she understood.
"All I had to do," Li started to answer her question before his urge to crush her to his chest took over him. "was think from your point of view."
"Thinking from my point of view?" Sakura thought for a moment and considered what he was saying.
"That's right," He teased. "In doing so, I could understand how you saw the situation and take that into account. In my years, I've come to the conclusion that that is the quickest way to defeat your opponent."
"That's very clever of you," Sakura complimented, still thinking about his theory. "I've never really thought of anything that way before."
"Thank you, darling." Li said sincerely, careful not to laugh at how adorable she was, or she might have taken it as an insult. "Then you forgive me?"
Sakura smiled. "No, there isn't anything to forgive you for."
Li did laugh this time. "If you insist, I'll have to humbly agree."
There was that arrogance of his again, but this time it only made her smile a little bit wider.
***
Zing Cheng sat in his office finding ways that could get him a victory for the case he was currently working on. He had managed to drag out all the files he was able to get a hold of on the relationship that his client had with her daughter.
They were all hopeless.
There were hospital records of Jin-Jin Chin coming in with drug overdoses, and if that wasn't enough, there were records showing that Chin had to be hospitalized several times for severe alcohol consumption as well.
He wasn't an idiot. It was clear as glass, this was a certified losing case. The dark haired man threw the documents across the room in sheer frustration. It was NOT acceptable. Cheng rubbed his temples with his hands as he sat back down in his swivel chair. It was way too late to back out now, he had to find a way to prevent losing, for he could not and would not tolerate a loss, especially to that rookie...
That was it!
He smiled to himself as he turned to the other stack of papers on his desk. On top of the stack was the piece of paper that he needed, the piece of paper that would give him his twenty-seventh win. Yes, Zing Cheng never lost a case and he sure as hell wasn't going to start now.
The brown eyed man reached over to pick up the piece of paper, the phone number of the Li residence was scribbled on it with Jin-Jin's small handwriting. No doubt what Jin-Jin thought of Kinomoto's stay with Li and his family of stupid friends went undetected, she really believed Sakura was staying there. Cheng silently prayed to himself that the stupid woman was right, he needed to get in contact with the young little thing as soon as possible.
Chin's lawyer reached for his phone and began to dial the numbers of the Li residence, he would ask for Kinomoto when somebody picked up, then he'd ask her to meet him somewhere, to talk about the case of course. It was perfect, with his charm and persistence, the amateur lawyer would surely let a vital thing or two about the case slip. Perhaps Li would not be the loving father he portrayed himself to be, Cheng had seen and heard how he dealt with his businesses, he was ruthless.
The phone was on its first ring as he grinned evilly to himself again. An image of the young green eyed woman flashed in his mind, this would be wonderful. Mixing business and pleasure all at once had a strikingly wonderful appeal to it.
***
He kept his amber eyes on her as she stood by the lake.
"I use to feed the birds that came by home back in Japan." Sakura turned around to look at him.
"Really?"
"Yah," She turned back to throw another piece of bread at the ducks that had swam up to the edge of the shore. "We didn't have a lake there, but there was a park filled with birds. They seemed to always come around during noon, that's when we'd feed them."
Li smiled lazily at her story. "What else did you use to do?"
"What else?" Sakura threw the bits of remaining bread into the lake and gave her full attention to the amber eyed man. "Lets see, I grew up with lots of kids, we always tried to cause mischief for Ms. Elena." Her eyes twinkled.
"What little brats!" Li scowled with a grin.
Sakura laughed. "The strange part is that we all did it because Ms. Elena liked it, she loves kids, and their nature."
"She must have," Li kept his face expressionless, but Sakura could see the tenderness in his expressive liquidly eyes. "She's raised you wonderfully."
"Thank you," Sakura gave him a little grin. "Did you know that you say some of the most heartbreakingly things I've ever heard anybody say?" She wondered if it was from experience.
Li smiled. "And do you know," He started answering her question with one of his own. "the worst part of it," he teased, breaking up his sentence. "is I never say anything I don't mean."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Sakura laughed.
"I meant it as one."
Sakura sighed to herself. He was such a charmer, unlike anyone she'd ever met before. She felt a little uneasy that he treated every woman he meets like this. "Can we go home now, Li?" She forced another smile.
"That's highly compromisable." He agreed as he gave her another smile. He didn't think he'd ever smiled this much in his entire existence, Li Syaoran felt like he was falling... Falling in love. And the best part of it was that he didn't mind.
***
Zing Cheng closed his eyes at his desk.
Sakura Kinomoto wasn't home. Damn it. Nobody had answered the phone, the next best thing he could have done was to leave a message for the lady. That was exactly what he did.
To be continued...
Whoa, I love writing S+S... I think this is my bonding chapter. =) There will be more plot development next chapter with Zing's plan. Hahahaha, I am pure evil. Thanks for reading everybody, leave a note if you'd like a notification, I'd be happy to drop you a line. Sorry about the short chapter. -.- -Ash