To the reviewers:
Kura-chan: I'm curious to see if your theory is the same as what I have planned. I hope I'm not making this fic too predictable.
Silverymare: You have a good point. I hope this chapter made up for it a bit.
Carol: It's a slow process, but she will change more when the story progresses.
Tigress: I will.
Ash Night: Every author's worst nightmare is for their readers to second- guess them. Suspense is good.
Li: Thanks.
SAL-Chan: She's used to getting what she wants.
Kinyo: He'll get what he deserves.
Gohansfan: Still think she is a total brat to 'Syaoran'?
Icicle: Eriol's help is very important later on in the fic.
Cherri: Yep. Thanks.
Winged Guardian: Sorry about oocness but I guess it's necessary for the plot.
Katsu-chan: First time for everything I guess =)
Rain: Thank you. Hear is an update.
*I don't own Card Captor Sakura
*AU (Major OOC)
Beauty of the Heart
Chapter 7- Half of Everything
Amora
***
Sakura Kinomoto walked through the front door of her house still thinking about the day's events. Her first thoughts ran to the annoying baka in chemistry. How dare he try to judge HER. Didn't he know his place in the school? She tried to come up with the type of girl that he would even have a remote chance with and smirked when she drew a blank. She couldn't even imagine anyone wanting him.
She shuddered as she remembered how he had looked at her when they were arguing. She would see that hideous face for weeks in her nightmares. Her thoughts then turned in a completely different direction.
"Xiaolang..." she whispered softly and hugged her bag to her chest. No other guy had ever come close to getting her to react this way. His glowing amber eyes and magnificent smile had attracted her to him like a fly to honey, but after the first kiss they shared, she knew she was drawn to him for a much deeper reason. His tenderness and gentle nature touched her heart. There was only one explanation that she knew of. She was falling hopelessly in love with him after every meeting.
Even now, her chest constricted painfully at the thought of not seeing him on a regular basis. She wanted nothing more than to relive that spectacular moment earlier in the day.
"Hey Kaijuu, did you get lost trying to walk from the door to the living room?" a joking voice broke her out of her thoughts. She turned to face her smirking older brother who was leaning against the doorframe.
"Baka!" she screamed and he quickly dodged one of her flying shoes. Touya grinned and retreated back into the house.
"So who is it?" Touya asked once they were both inside. He had seen the dreamy look on his sister's face and was a bit surprised. Her stance towards the male population didn't leave room for those kinds of looks. "Some new soccer star?"
Sakura rolled her eyes at his jab. "Nobody from school." She said simply. "You know how I can't stand anyone from Seijou."
Touya raised an eyebrow. "So you going to tell me about him? And by the way, these came for you while you were gone. They're supposedly from your 'boyfriend'." He said the last word with a joking tone and handed her a bouquet of roses.
"Ugh. How lame!" Sakura groaned and tossed the flowers aside. "Why couldn't he get me something more useful? I told him I wanted that necklace we saw last time..."
"That poor boy really likes you. I hope you don't drop him like you did with that other guy. What was his name? Kijuro?"
"And what was wrong with how I broke up with him?" Sakura demanded. She remembered that incident quite well and still found it amusing.
"Nothing." Touya replied laughing. "If you count making one of your cheerleader friends kiss him in front of everybody nothing. Slapping him immediately afterwards was a nice touch too."
"It was one of my best staged breakups." Sakura said proudly. "He got all the blame, and on top of that, I got to slap him as payback for taking me on that shitty date. What a waste of time."
"You know Kaijuu, if you keep this up, you're going to be alone later on in life." Sakura shook her head at the comment. The image of Xiaolang was still fresh in her mind, and she would never give up on him.
"Don't worry ni-chan. Right now, there are only two men I love in my life. Just be glad that you're my brother and I love you by default."
"I'm honored Kaijuu." Touya said sarcastically before grinning. "So who's the other person you love? Must be pretty special."
"You have no idea." Sakura sighed with a dreamy expression. "He's absolutely perfect. Xiaolang is gorgeous, brave, kind, gentle, and a great kisser..."
"Ugh...I'm going to be sick." Touya moaned and got up. "I'll be in the kitchen in case you need to talk after recovering from whatever the hell happened." After a few moments, he stuck his head back in the living room. "Oh, and next time, invite him home so I can kick his ass for kissing my sister." He quickly ducked back out when a pillow came flying his way.
***
"This is ridiculous!" Syaoran exclaimed as he sat at a table in the Hiiragizawa Café. "How can I assume that if by some miracle that I do break the curse, the elders will leave me alone?"
Eriol pondered the question before nodding solemnly. "You're right. There is no guarantee that they will ever accept your ascension as clan leader now that you've openly defied them."
"Great..." Syaoran moaned into his hands. "I guess I'm officially in exile from my own clan." Eriol gave him a sympathetic look and scratched his chin. He knew that the elders would never let Syaoran live in peace, and if the worst came to be, they would have him eliminated. They had no qualms about killing someone who stood within their way.
"We'll cross the bridge when we get there Syaoran. For now, the curse on you needs to be broken."
"About that curse," Syaoran started, "your prescription doesn't seem to work. I'm getting nowhere and time is ticking away."
"Love works in mysterious ways. It's been an enigma long before even my time." Eriol explained. "Just remember this. When the time to make a decision comes, follow your heart."
"How did you know you were in love with Daidouji?"
Eriol smiled at the question. "Even I can't explain what happened. But if I tried to put it in words, I could say I was drawn to her physically, mentally, and spiritually. It was like a pulling sensation in the back of my mind the first time I saw her, an-"
"Did you have a sudden urge to kiss her and hold her?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow at the interruption. "Yes, but-"
"Were you unable to stop thinking about her for days?"
"Yes, but you see-"
"And do you feel like part of yourself is missing when she isn't around?"
"I do. But what's your poi-"
"Oh god..." Syaoran groaned. "It's true isn't it? I love her don't I?"
Eriol looked puzzled for a second before catching on. "Yes, I believe you do." He replied grinning. "You should be happy Syaoran. Admitting your own feelings is half the battle. And it isn't even a week yet."
"But you don't understand! I'm doomed! She won't even LOOK at me in class. How can I get her to love me back? She's made her opinion of me very clear from the first day."
"I never said it was going to easy Syaoran." Eriol said while looking thoughtful. "But it isn't impossible. My offer still stands, so if you need any help, just ask. Tomoyo is willing to help also."
"About that." Syaoran inquired. "Did you tell her about me? She knew that first day at school what my real identity was."
Eriol smiled and shook his head. "Tomoyo is very intelligent. I didn't say a word. Somehow, she put the facts that you wore the same suit, had the same surname, and my acquaintance together to come up with the truth."
"I see. Did-" Syaoran was cut off when a sudden tingling sensation overtook him. "Shit! Not here of all places!" he hissed and crawled under the table. Eriol looked around to make sure nobody was looking before he turned his attention to Syaoran.
"Syaoran, are you alright?" There was no response. In a few seconds, the figure of Li Xiaolang crawled from under the table. He had a smirk on his face.
"Hiiragizawa, your girlfriend is a genius! These clothes fit perfectly even after being stretched to the limit!"
Eriol chuckled. "Yes, I know." Syaoran's amusement died as he remembered why he transformed. Eriol saw his serious expression and shook his head. "Don't worry Xiaolang. There's nothing to worry about this time. No need to rush."
"What! But Sakura could be hurt!" He didn't wait for a reply and ran out of the café. Eriol sighed and continued to sip his drink.
'There's no chance of that.' He thought with amusement. 'Especially since she summoned it herself...'
***
"Damnit!" Syaoran growled as he ran through a sudden heavy downpour. He couldn't see five feet ahead of him, but his heart told him to run in a specific direction. After five minutes of running, he entered a park. His senses told him to go left and he could barely make out the shape of a silhouette gazebo in the distance. He stepped out of the rain and into the enclosed area only to stop when he saw who was standing there waiting for him.
"Sakura!" He exclaimed. She turned towards him and his breath caught. In the small shelter and rain as a background, she truly looked angelic. Her eyes shone with happiness when she saw him. He stood half in the rain and stared at her as she smiled. He always thought it was silly when others say their day was brightened by a smile, but there was nothing else that fit this description. The rain disappeared along with the heavy overcast that accompanied it. Syaoran stood shocked until he saw her holding a card in her hands.
"I...uh...I guess you didn't need me this time." He stammered. He was about to leave when Sakura's gentle voice stopped him.
"I captured it a long time ago silly." She said grinning. The grin faded and a look of adoration took its place. "I wanted to see you again, Xiaolang. I didn't know another way and I missed you..."
Her heart was pounding as she awaited his reaction to her words. Her mood had been real sour lately since there wasn't a card attack and he didn't appear. One glance at her savior and secret love that stood at the entrance completely soaked and unbelievably sexy made using the rain card worth it in her opinion. She was determined to see him again, and it was the only way she could think of.
"Sakura...I-" he was cut off as she suddenly crossed the three feet that separated them and hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry!" Sakura said into his chest. "But I couldn't help it! It hurts when I can't see you anymore..." Syaoran said nothing but instead wrapped his arms around her and held her. The way she had said that broke every resolve he made to not get too close to her too soon. Slowly, he pushed her away and looked into her eyes. He was again amazed at what he found. Not a trace of the Sakura Kinomoto from Seijou remained. She was now truly his angel inside and out.
"Sakura, there's something I have to tell you." He began unsure of himself. Her smile gave him confidence and he continued. "I know we haven't known each other for that long, but I think I'm falling in love with you." Sakura gasped but he plowed onward. If he didn't say it now, he would never find the courage to say it again.
"You're the first thing I think of when I wake up. You're the last thing I think about when I fall asleep. And when I'm asleep, I dream of you..."
Sakura stood in shock as the meaning of his words washed over her. All of her worries and doubts melted away as she stared at the boy who she was falling hopelessly in love with. "Xiaolang..." She whispered looking up at him with an earnest gaze. "I love you..."
Syaoran smiled and felt his heart leaping. The girl of his dreams had told him that she loved him. Without a second thought, he started to lean towards her. Sakura tilted her head up in anticipation and their lips met halfway. If the first kiss was incredible, this one was ten times more magnificent. Syaoran kissed her with all the pent up emotions of the years of loneliness and longing for love. She kissed him back with equal fervor for the only boy who could make her blood boil.
Somewhere among the millions of thoughts racing through Syaoran's mind, one stood out from the rest. 'She loves this form of me, and I love this part of her. But please let this work...' he prayed.
Like the countless number of other prayers, his was to go unanswered.
***
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'd say I'm roughly ½ way through with this fic. A milestone for any author is to reach the halfway mark and still be inspired. Please review and tell me how I can improve this. Thanks.
Kura-chan: I'm curious to see if your theory is the same as what I have planned. I hope I'm not making this fic too predictable.
Silverymare: You have a good point. I hope this chapter made up for it a bit.
Carol: It's a slow process, but she will change more when the story progresses.
Tigress: I will.
Ash Night: Every author's worst nightmare is for their readers to second- guess them. Suspense is good.
Li: Thanks.
SAL-Chan: She's used to getting what she wants.
Kinyo: He'll get what he deserves.
Gohansfan: Still think she is a total brat to 'Syaoran'?
Icicle: Eriol's help is very important later on in the fic.
Cherri: Yep. Thanks.
Winged Guardian: Sorry about oocness but I guess it's necessary for the plot.
Katsu-chan: First time for everything I guess =)
Rain: Thank you. Hear is an update.
*I don't own Card Captor Sakura
*AU (Major OOC)
Beauty of the Heart
Chapter 7- Half of Everything
Amora
***
Sakura Kinomoto walked through the front door of her house still thinking about the day's events. Her first thoughts ran to the annoying baka in chemistry. How dare he try to judge HER. Didn't he know his place in the school? She tried to come up with the type of girl that he would even have a remote chance with and smirked when she drew a blank. She couldn't even imagine anyone wanting him.
She shuddered as she remembered how he had looked at her when they were arguing. She would see that hideous face for weeks in her nightmares. Her thoughts then turned in a completely different direction.
"Xiaolang..." she whispered softly and hugged her bag to her chest. No other guy had ever come close to getting her to react this way. His glowing amber eyes and magnificent smile had attracted her to him like a fly to honey, but after the first kiss they shared, she knew she was drawn to him for a much deeper reason. His tenderness and gentle nature touched her heart. There was only one explanation that she knew of. She was falling hopelessly in love with him after every meeting.
Even now, her chest constricted painfully at the thought of not seeing him on a regular basis. She wanted nothing more than to relive that spectacular moment earlier in the day.
"Hey Kaijuu, did you get lost trying to walk from the door to the living room?" a joking voice broke her out of her thoughts. She turned to face her smirking older brother who was leaning against the doorframe.
"Baka!" she screamed and he quickly dodged one of her flying shoes. Touya grinned and retreated back into the house.
"So who is it?" Touya asked once they were both inside. He had seen the dreamy look on his sister's face and was a bit surprised. Her stance towards the male population didn't leave room for those kinds of looks. "Some new soccer star?"
Sakura rolled her eyes at his jab. "Nobody from school." She said simply. "You know how I can't stand anyone from Seijou."
Touya raised an eyebrow. "So you going to tell me about him? And by the way, these came for you while you were gone. They're supposedly from your 'boyfriend'." He said the last word with a joking tone and handed her a bouquet of roses.
"Ugh. How lame!" Sakura groaned and tossed the flowers aside. "Why couldn't he get me something more useful? I told him I wanted that necklace we saw last time..."
"That poor boy really likes you. I hope you don't drop him like you did with that other guy. What was his name? Kijuro?"
"And what was wrong with how I broke up with him?" Sakura demanded. She remembered that incident quite well and still found it amusing.
"Nothing." Touya replied laughing. "If you count making one of your cheerleader friends kiss him in front of everybody nothing. Slapping him immediately afterwards was a nice touch too."
"It was one of my best staged breakups." Sakura said proudly. "He got all the blame, and on top of that, I got to slap him as payback for taking me on that shitty date. What a waste of time."
"You know Kaijuu, if you keep this up, you're going to be alone later on in life." Sakura shook her head at the comment. The image of Xiaolang was still fresh in her mind, and she would never give up on him.
"Don't worry ni-chan. Right now, there are only two men I love in my life. Just be glad that you're my brother and I love you by default."
"I'm honored Kaijuu." Touya said sarcastically before grinning. "So who's the other person you love? Must be pretty special."
"You have no idea." Sakura sighed with a dreamy expression. "He's absolutely perfect. Xiaolang is gorgeous, brave, kind, gentle, and a great kisser..."
"Ugh...I'm going to be sick." Touya moaned and got up. "I'll be in the kitchen in case you need to talk after recovering from whatever the hell happened." After a few moments, he stuck his head back in the living room. "Oh, and next time, invite him home so I can kick his ass for kissing my sister." He quickly ducked back out when a pillow came flying his way.
***
"This is ridiculous!" Syaoran exclaimed as he sat at a table in the Hiiragizawa Café. "How can I assume that if by some miracle that I do break the curse, the elders will leave me alone?"
Eriol pondered the question before nodding solemnly. "You're right. There is no guarantee that they will ever accept your ascension as clan leader now that you've openly defied them."
"Great..." Syaoran moaned into his hands. "I guess I'm officially in exile from my own clan." Eriol gave him a sympathetic look and scratched his chin. He knew that the elders would never let Syaoran live in peace, and if the worst came to be, they would have him eliminated. They had no qualms about killing someone who stood within their way.
"We'll cross the bridge when we get there Syaoran. For now, the curse on you needs to be broken."
"About that curse," Syaoran started, "your prescription doesn't seem to work. I'm getting nowhere and time is ticking away."
"Love works in mysterious ways. It's been an enigma long before even my time." Eriol explained. "Just remember this. When the time to make a decision comes, follow your heart."
"How did you know you were in love with Daidouji?"
Eriol smiled at the question. "Even I can't explain what happened. But if I tried to put it in words, I could say I was drawn to her physically, mentally, and spiritually. It was like a pulling sensation in the back of my mind the first time I saw her, an-"
"Did you have a sudden urge to kiss her and hold her?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow at the interruption. "Yes, but-"
"Were you unable to stop thinking about her for days?"
"Yes, but you see-"
"And do you feel like part of yourself is missing when she isn't around?"
"I do. But what's your poi-"
"Oh god..." Syaoran groaned. "It's true isn't it? I love her don't I?"
Eriol looked puzzled for a second before catching on. "Yes, I believe you do." He replied grinning. "You should be happy Syaoran. Admitting your own feelings is half the battle. And it isn't even a week yet."
"But you don't understand! I'm doomed! She won't even LOOK at me in class. How can I get her to love me back? She's made her opinion of me very clear from the first day."
"I never said it was going to easy Syaoran." Eriol said while looking thoughtful. "But it isn't impossible. My offer still stands, so if you need any help, just ask. Tomoyo is willing to help also."
"About that." Syaoran inquired. "Did you tell her about me? She knew that first day at school what my real identity was."
Eriol smiled and shook his head. "Tomoyo is very intelligent. I didn't say a word. Somehow, she put the facts that you wore the same suit, had the same surname, and my acquaintance together to come up with the truth."
"I see. Did-" Syaoran was cut off when a sudden tingling sensation overtook him. "Shit! Not here of all places!" he hissed and crawled under the table. Eriol looked around to make sure nobody was looking before he turned his attention to Syaoran.
"Syaoran, are you alright?" There was no response. In a few seconds, the figure of Li Xiaolang crawled from under the table. He had a smirk on his face.
"Hiiragizawa, your girlfriend is a genius! These clothes fit perfectly even after being stretched to the limit!"
Eriol chuckled. "Yes, I know." Syaoran's amusement died as he remembered why he transformed. Eriol saw his serious expression and shook his head. "Don't worry Xiaolang. There's nothing to worry about this time. No need to rush."
"What! But Sakura could be hurt!" He didn't wait for a reply and ran out of the café. Eriol sighed and continued to sip his drink.
'There's no chance of that.' He thought with amusement. 'Especially since she summoned it herself...'
***
"Damnit!" Syaoran growled as he ran through a sudden heavy downpour. He couldn't see five feet ahead of him, but his heart told him to run in a specific direction. After five minutes of running, he entered a park. His senses told him to go left and he could barely make out the shape of a silhouette gazebo in the distance. He stepped out of the rain and into the enclosed area only to stop when he saw who was standing there waiting for him.
"Sakura!" He exclaimed. She turned towards him and his breath caught. In the small shelter and rain as a background, she truly looked angelic. Her eyes shone with happiness when she saw him. He stood half in the rain and stared at her as she smiled. He always thought it was silly when others say their day was brightened by a smile, but there was nothing else that fit this description. The rain disappeared along with the heavy overcast that accompanied it. Syaoran stood shocked until he saw her holding a card in her hands.
"I...uh...I guess you didn't need me this time." He stammered. He was about to leave when Sakura's gentle voice stopped him.
"I captured it a long time ago silly." She said grinning. The grin faded and a look of adoration took its place. "I wanted to see you again, Xiaolang. I didn't know another way and I missed you..."
Her heart was pounding as she awaited his reaction to her words. Her mood had been real sour lately since there wasn't a card attack and he didn't appear. One glance at her savior and secret love that stood at the entrance completely soaked and unbelievably sexy made using the rain card worth it in her opinion. She was determined to see him again, and it was the only way she could think of.
"Sakura...I-" he was cut off as she suddenly crossed the three feet that separated them and hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry!" Sakura said into his chest. "But I couldn't help it! It hurts when I can't see you anymore..." Syaoran said nothing but instead wrapped his arms around her and held her. The way she had said that broke every resolve he made to not get too close to her too soon. Slowly, he pushed her away and looked into her eyes. He was again amazed at what he found. Not a trace of the Sakura Kinomoto from Seijou remained. She was now truly his angel inside and out.
"Sakura, there's something I have to tell you." He began unsure of himself. Her smile gave him confidence and he continued. "I know we haven't known each other for that long, but I think I'm falling in love with you." Sakura gasped but he plowed onward. If he didn't say it now, he would never find the courage to say it again.
"You're the first thing I think of when I wake up. You're the last thing I think about when I fall asleep. And when I'm asleep, I dream of you..."
Sakura stood in shock as the meaning of his words washed over her. All of her worries and doubts melted away as she stared at the boy who she was falling hopelessly in love with. "Xiaolang..." She whispered looking up at him with an earnest gaze. "I love you..."
Syaoran smiled and felt his heart leaping. The girl of his dreams had told him that she loved him. Without a second thought, he started to lean towards her. Sakura tilted her head up in anticipation and their lips met halfway. If the first kiss was incredible, this one was ten times more magnificent. Syaoran kissed her with all the pent up emotions of the years of loneliness and longing for love. She kissed him back with equal fervor for the only boy who could make her blood boil.
Somewhere among the millions of thoughts racing through Syaoran's mind, one stood out from the rest. 'She loves this form of me, and I love this part of her. But please let this work...' he prayed.
Like the countless number of other prayers, his was to go unanswered.
***
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'd say I'm roughly ½ way through with this fic. A milestone for any author is to reach the halfway mark and still be inspired. Please review and tell me how I can improve this. Thanks.