Angelic Assignment


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Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura's characters, unfortunately. *tear*

Authoress Ramble: Well ... thanks so much to the people who said that they were going to pray for Ryan. I got to talk with him on the phone for a little while, and that made me feel a lot better. I love him so much, and I'm just ... still so worried. But anyway ... despite my sadness ... I managed to write this, and I really hope that you enjoy it.

Sensitive Reader Warning! This chapter contains a scene that involves sexuality ... a dream, actually. It's not sex, but it's still ... well, you know. So if you're violently opposed to reading about anything beyond making out or something, you may want to avoid the dream. You have been warned.

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Sakura sighed as she slid her key into the door of her apartment. She heard the lock click and opened the door gratefully, literally dragging her schoolbag behind her as she walked into the apartment and shut the door.

She trudged over to the couch and sat down on it heavily, sighing once again.

What a long day, Sakura's mind groaned. Ever since the two conversations at lunch, her mind had been racing. Her heart knew that somewhere deep inside himself, Syaoran was a good person. His apology, albeit being somewhat bitter, had held traces of true sincerity and genuine regret. She had heard it in his voice.

I can't believe Meiling, she thought. She's wrong about him. He doesn't want to be left alone. He may not show it, but he needs help ... in the form of a friend. He needs someone to accept him and stand up for him.

I will be that friend for him, Sakura vowed. Somehow, someway, I'll get close to him.

But how? How on Earth could she earn the trust of someone so cold and isolated in just a few days? She groaned, shaking her head ... this assignment was becoming harder than she had ever expected it to be.

That must be what he is tortured by, Sakura mused as she sat on the couch. Rejection has made him bitter and cold, unable to trust anyone easily. That has to be it.

You and he are alike, a voice in her mind whispered at this. You are both tortured souls. He is tortured by rejection and a lack of love, and you ... you are tortured by love itself.

Sakura closed her eyes at this thought, her chest tightening. She willed away the memories, trying her best not to think of them, but to no avail. Image after image flooded her mind. First, his smiling face near hers, their hands clasped together, his larger hand enveloping hers. Then his lips at her ear, whispering his love for her as their song ended. His voice echoed in her heart ... he'd been singing along to it softly, so that only she could hear him ...

She swallowed hard as tears began to fall. She brushed them away with the back of her hand roughly; not now. She could not let herself fall into depression now. Someone needed her more than her own sadness did.

She sighed, her hands trembling as she reached for the remote and clicked on the television. She had to be strong for him. The blind could not lead the blind.

Her evening passed quickly, television and homework occupying most of her time. Her supper was simple and short, and her evening shower went by in a flash. Usually, she allowed her mind to wander as the hot water pounded on her back, but not tonight. Tonight she had willed her mind to be blank, her heart empty and aching.

She slid into bed with a gentle sigh. Tomorrow would be better, she mused. Helping others always brought happiness, didn't it? If she could save Syaoran, she would happier, and then she would be better able to help herself.

She closed her eyes and settled into a deep sleep.

An hour passed in the quiet, dark apartment before a dark figure suddenly appeared at her bedside. The figure appeared to be more of a shadow than a body, but it was unmistakably human in shape. The shadow chuckled, reaching out and pressing its dark hand onto Sakura's warm forehead.

Sweet dreams, angel, it purred before laughing quietly. An instant later, it disappeared.

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Sakura laughed, splashing an airborne wave of water at her companion. His eyes widened instantly and then shut as the water hit him, her laughter echoing around his surprised yelp.

Stop it, Kenji whined. I have my contacts in! I can't get water in my eyes ...

It was just payback, Sakura responded, staring at him with playful eyes and an innocent grin. He smiled back, and then, suddenly, splashed her.

Sakura cried out, holding up her arms in defense. It did little, and she whimpered as water splashed against her already drenched hair. She lowered her arms and smiled.

You're lucky to have a pool, Sakura said, swimming closer to him. It's really nice ... especially at night, like this.

Kenji said. He stared at her for a moment, then grinned.

he purred, and Sakura, tempted and obedient, closed the distance between them. She swam up to him and stood just a few inches in front of his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He kissed her hungrily, his lips pressing hard into hers. The sensation created was warm and wet, taking Sakura's breath away. She inwardly whimpered as they drew away from one another, Kenji's eyes playful and suddenly filled with desire.

He spun her around, pressing her back into his chest. She laughed at this, gladly leaning back into his embrace.

She was not prepared for what happened next, however. Kenji brought one of his arms lower, skimming it past her stomach before stopping his hand between her legs. Sakura whimpered in surprise as he pushed aside her red bathing suit with his fingers.

she cried out as he slipped two fingers inside of her. She choked on her breath, unsure of what to do; she had not expected this. They had done this before, of course, so it wasn't that it was new, but never in a pool ...

She whimpered in pleasure as he drew his fingers in and out, encouraged by her gentle cries for more.

S-Stop Kenji, Sakura whispered. Y-Your parents could ..

My parents won't come out here, he said confidently. He responded to her request by pushing his fingers completely inside of her in one swift, defiant motion, making her cry out loudly.

A moment later he used his free hand to sweep her up off of her feet, holding her so that she floated just under the surface of the water. He hastened his pace then, making Sakura's cries louder and more frequent. What he was doing to her felt so good, she could hardly stand it. She was on the point of begging him not to stop.

She lay her head back, her hair slipping into the warm water as her neck rested upon his strong forearm. She continued to whimper, surrendering to him, trusting him as jolts of pleasure swept over her.

She opened her eyes, focusing her pleasure-blurred vision on the clear night sky, the twinkling stars. Her mind was slowly losing its grasp on rational thought, but one thought was clear just before she completely gave in to him.

her mind whispered as her eyes slid shut. I .. love .. you ..

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I love you!, Sakura cried out into the darkness of her room. She looked about her franticly, feeling ready to cry as she realized that Kenji was not there. She whimpered; it had only been a dream. It had happened before, however, so it wasn't a fantasy ... it was a memory so vivid that it could only be properly revisited within a dream.

She sighed, lowering herself slowly back into bed. He even haunted her in her dreams now. She had loved him so dearly ... how would be she ever be able to forget him?

He must be my soulmate, Sakura thought with conviction. I'll see him again ... I just know that I will. Even death can't keep us apart. I'm sure he's dreaming of us, too ... perhaps we even share the same dre ..

At this, she began to drift off, closing her eyes and falling back into sleep, a sleep that was now dreamless.

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Far from Sakura, a boy groaned, opening his eyes. He blinked in the darkness, leaning over to flip on his lamp.

What the .. ?, he thought, shaking his head as he stared down at his hard-on, hidden beneath the green covers of his bed.

he groaned, too sleepy to do anything about it other than avoiding thinking sexy thoughts. He yawned tiredly, his mind fuzzy and barely awake.

That's strange, he thought idly. I so rarely have dreams. Especially, mmm, those kind.

He hadn't know his mind was so creative! He couldn't remember ever having watched something involving a guy and a girl doing things in a pool. His mind purred at this thought, and he mentally slapped himself.

Must sleep, not think, he muttered, leaning back over to flip off his lamp. He noticed the time then, steady and obvious in large green digital numbers.

he muttered to himself. Fuck. No sleeping for me. I might as well just get the hell up and get ready for school. Woo-fuckin'-hoo, school.

Syaoran slid out of bed clumsily, shivering in the cold air as he made his way to his large closet.

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Meanwhile, Sakura was groaning in her own bed and was about ready to take a hammer to her ringing pink alarm clock. She slid out of bed disgruntledly and turned it off, sleepily making her way over to her closet.

She dressed in her school uniform and then combed her hair slowly, blinking away her sleepiness. She had a bowl of cold cereal for breakfast and made her lunch quickly before rushing out her apartment door, walking hurriedly to school.

She made it in time; classes had not even started yet. The halls were filled with students at their lockers, all chatting animatedly with one another.

Sakura sighed, making her way over to her own locker and setting her lunch inside. She turned her head slightly as she closed her locker, catching sight of Meiling talking with a handsome-looking boy in a small crowd of people. She unconsciously narrowed her eyes, immediately suspicious of the ruby-eyed girl.

Sakura shook her contempt away a moment later, however, deciding to wander to her first class a little early. Meiling may not be the kindest person in the world, she mused, but she did not know her well. Maybe there was more to her than what she seemed.

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Good morning Tachi!, Meiling purred, approaching an attractive black-haired boy. He grinned at her, looking her over from her breasts to her sly smile, floating on red-stained lips.

Hey Meiling, he said back, his voice slightly lower than usual. She smiled at this, standing very near to him. What's the occasion? You so rarely chat with me in the morning ...

Meiling smirked, drawing nearer to him.

I just want you to know, she whispered to him, her voice reassuring and sweet, That I don't believe any part of what he said! I'm sure you're not small at all!

Tachi said, taken aback. He looked her over, narrowing his eyes in anger. Small? Who the hell told you that?!

Oh, my, don't get angry at him!, Meiling said, putting a hand to her full lips. Syaoran did. He was telling everyone that ... well ...

That what?, Tachi growled. Meiling smiled ... temper, temper.

That your, umm, well, you know, she purred innocently, Is small ... to match your brain. She pouted at this last statement, as if saddened by its cruelness.

Li said that, huh?, Tachi growled, his hand tightening into a fist. That fucking asshole, I'm going to--

Just then, the bell for the first class of the day rang. Meiling smiled, tilting her head to the side slightly.

Please don't be angry with him, she said sweetly, turning and heading off to her first class with a coy smile.

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Sakura blinked, looking around her math class in confusion. Naturally, she had given up on the lesson long ago; she had been confused from the first moment on, and attempting to pay attention to the lesson would only serve to confuse her even more. No, it was not math that was confusing her now.

The entire class seemed to be unsettled, tense, and certainly not at ease. Everyone's attention, it seemed, gravitated toward an unknown boy with unruly black hair. He was shooting angry glares in Syaoran's direction, who ignored him blatantly, only glaring back once or twice in annoyance.

Sakura frowned. Why was this boy suddenly angry with him? Had something happened yesterday between them that she had not yet heard about? Had they had a fight, perhaps?

Her frown deepened at this. She could not explain why, but the thought of Syaoran being fought against and hurt summoned anger within her, an angry born of protectiveness. She blinked at this thought, confused for a moment ... she was protective of him already?

Well, it is my job to save him, she mused. I suppose that would include protecting him from even further harm. Yes, she decided, settling on this theory. That was why.

Syaoran did not appear surprised at all that the boy was glaring at him. In fact, he seemed merely annoyed, as though he were not a true threat at all. Sakura frowned, continuing to think. Neither of the boys had a scratch on them, so they could not have been fighting earlier. No ... their disagreement had not yet been settled.

She studied the angry black-haired boy carefully. His behavior told her only that he was angry with Syaoran; no amount of staring at him would be able to tell her why. She frowned again, suddenly worried; this boy was larger than Syaoran, and appeared to be very much in shape. Even if Syaoran managed to win a fight against him, the fight would almost certainly be an ugly one.

I can't let them fight, a voice in the back of Sakura's mind urged. I can't watch him be hurt!

These thoughts began to upset her, and flustered, she turned her attention willfully back to the lesson. It was boring and confusing, yes, but that was much better than worrying over something she couldn't yet change. Thinking about math brought no pain to her heart, while thinking of Syaoran being hurt somehow did.

She sighed sadly within her mind, vowing to not let Syaoran out of her sight after school. She would not let anything happen to him.

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Lunch had not gone any better than her math class. Syaoran had ignored Sakura once again, choosing to sit alone at his own picnic table where he ate his lunch quietly and without looking around at anyone.

Sakura had kept a close eye on Tachi, who, not surprisingly, had also spent most of his lunch period continuing to glare daggers at Syaoran, who ignored him as he did everyone else. At one point, he had stood with an angry scowl and had started to walk over to Syaoran's lonely picnic table, but a girl sitting at his table had stopped him from doing so.

It was now after school, and Sakura was sitting at an empty picnic table watching her suicidal charge. Syaoran was sitting on the ground about ten yards away from her, leaning against a tree. His eyes were closed and he was listening to his CD player with a bored frown on his face. He had been doing so for over ten minutes, Sakura noted, scribbling mindless answers down on her math worksheet.

Abruptly, Syaoran opened his eyes and slid off his headphones, putting away his CD player into his schoolbag. He stood and, brushing dirt and grass off of his pants, began to walk away from the tree.

He made it about fifteen feet away from the tree when Tachi and a group of his friends appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path.

As Sakura gasped worriedly, Syaoran narrowed his eyes at the group, glaring daggers at each one of them.

Tachi growled, his hand curling into a fist. Syaoran narrowed his eyes further, annoyed by this sudden disruption of his isolated routine.

he said back, his voice clearly revealing his anger. That's me. Now get the fuck out of my way.

Why would you want to spread such shitty rumors about me, huh?!, Tachi growled. His friends backed up, forming a semicircle behind their leader.

I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Syaoran said in annoyance. I wouldn't waste my time talking shit about you behind your back, and even if I wanted to, I don't have anyone at this fucking school to tell. So get out of my way.

Tachi said, raising his fist. I know what you said about me, and you're going to pay for it!

At this Tachi lunged forward, his punch grazing Syaoran's eye. He growled and clenched his own fist, attacking back with a swift punch to Tachi's stomach.

Sakura stood immediately, alarmed. She dropped her pen and ran toward the group, worry overwhelming her thoughts. Her mind was screaming that she had to do something ... something within her could not bear to watch Syaoran being hurt.

Tachi threw another punch, this one stronger and more accurate. Syaoran grabbed his jaw in pain, quickly spitting out the blood that was spilling from his split lip. He lunged for Tachi but missed, his fist slipping just past his ear.

Sakura neared the group unnoticed, rushing forward not knowing what exactly it was that she was going to do ...

Tachi took advantage of the miss and lunged forward, surprising Syaoran with a swift blow to his gut. He bent over in pain, blood dripping down his chin and onto the concrete below.

Sakura cried out, rushing between the two opponents. It was too late, however; Tachi had been winding up a strong punch, and he let it fly, not seeing Sakura in time.

She threw herself in front of the injured Syaoran and cried out as Tachi's fist slammed into her jaw, knocking her off of her feet and onto the hard, dirty concrete. He gasped and withdrew his hand, having not being able to stop himself in time.

Syaoran straightened himself up in shock and looked down at the unconscious girl before him, gasping. Worry suddenly overwhelmed him, and he knelt down next to her, gently cradling her head in his lap.

Please be alright .. , Syaoran's mind whispered as he looked worriedly over the dark purple bruise that was forming on her jaw and cheek, the red scrapes on the left side of her forehead from when she had hit the pavement. He continued to hold her head gently, unsure of what to do.

he said quietly, his head bent over hers. Sakura, wake up! Are you okay? Why the hell did you do that?! Are you crazy?!

Sakura moaned, her eyes fluttering open. She tried to focus on the blurred figure hovering above her, but she could not. Her vision was too hazy, her head dizzy and swimming.

But then, in a sudden rush of realization, she recognized him.

she whispered happily. She reached up her hand, brushing her fingertips on Syaoran's cheek.

He stiffened, shocked by the tender touch. He blinked and swallowed hard, unsure of what to do.

he said, her fingertips still on his cheek, I'm not Kenji. I'm Syaoran. Syaaah-oh-raaan.

Sakura stuttered, her eyes half-closed, You seem so ... familiar.

Being held by you feels so right, she muttered. Her breathing was heavy and labored.

Look, you just hit your head, Syaoran stuttered, blushing when he realized that her hand had not moved so much as an inch. You're delirious and all that. You don't know who I am or what feels right.

You're wrong, Sakura muttered. You're wrong, I know it. I know you're him because nobody else says my name that way .. so tenderly ..

Syaoran blushed deeply, grabbing her hand with one of his and lowering it quickly, afraid to look into her eyes.

You're delirious, he repeated. You don't know what you're saying. I'm going to pick you up, okay? Don't be scared or anything. I'm going to take you to the nurse's office.

was Sakura's only response, her eyes still half-closed and her vision still murky. Syaoran frowned worriedly and picked her up, standing slowly. He marveled at how light she was in his strong arms, how helpless ... like some kind of ragdoll.

A very pretty ragdoll, he thought idly as he walked, carrying her toward the school. His lips parted slightly as he looked down at her, his amber eyes softening for a moment.

A moment later, he snapped out of it, looking around. Tachi and his friends had disappeared at some point. He growled to himself, angered at this. The coward. He punches out an innocent girl and then runs away ... what an ...

Sakura murmured. She turned slightly in his arms so that her chest was pressed against his, her body tilted at an angle on its side. She reached out with one hand and grabbed a fistful of his green uniform shirt, murmuring something that he could not quite make out.

Syaoran blushed, wishing that she realized it was him and not this boy she'd been muttering about.

He must be her boyfriend, he realized, frowning at this new thought. He looked down at the half-conscious girl in his arms, her eyes closed but her breathing steady, her breasts pressed into him and her warm hand clutching his shirt.

He sighed then, forcing himself to look up and away. He couldn't look at her like that.

Don't worry, he whispered softly as he approached the doors of the school, knowing very well that she could not hear him. I'm going to make sure that you're taken care of.

I promise.

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A lot of going-ons in this chapter, heh. A lot of different ideas/themes/developments/whatever you like to call them. I hope that not too many people were bothered by the dream. If so, sorry. I just felt that a dream like that would be good to stress Sakura's humanity.

If you liked it, please review. Reviews make me smile. ^_^

Thanks for reading, as always. I appreciate your time and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!