Daisuke opened the door to his room and stepped inside. He made sure to close his door so no one would intrude to bother Sakura. He knelt by his bed again.
"Okay, let's hope this works…" he muttered. He reached out and lightly placed his hands over Sakura's lips. The contact caused him to blush, but he ventured on, and gently opened Sakura's mouth. After he opened the flask and lifted Sakura's head, he poured down a brightly purple liquid.
As she began to sputter and choke, he quickly hid the flask by throwing it underneath the bed, and helped her sit up.
"Where am I?" she shouted suddenly, looking around in panic. As soon as she saw Daisuke and felt his warm palm resting on her back, she leapt away with shock. "H-How--?"
"I found you in the park," Daisuke replied, trying to keep his voice as calm as possible. "You were unconscious. I tried to wake you, but you wouldn't, so I just brought you to my house,"
She stared at him for a moment, trying to let his words comprehend in her mind, when she said, "Kaitou Dark – did he steal the painting?"
Daisuke nodded. "About an hour ago,"
She groaned and buried her face in her hands. Daisuke gently rubbed her back, and further to his surprise, she didn't stop him. "I can't believe a criminal like him was able to succeed,"
"Well, that scary girl," he said, choosing his words carefully, "the news said she mysteriously disappeared during the theft,"
"Oh," Sakura said quietly. Suddenly, they both looked down at Sakura's elaborate costume. Sakura flushed and she immediately tried to cover herself up with Daisuke's sheets.
"I-I… I just wanted…"
"To get Dark's attention?" Daisuke asked, saving her from an awkward position.
"I s-suppose," she said. "Yeah, I guess I wanted him to notice me, so I just wore these crazy clothes that Tomoyo-chan made me," Sakura explained, with a nervous laugh. "I mean, Dark may be a criminal, but he's… sorta…" she coughed, and tried to force out the last word, "cute,"
What she's saying doesn't match her tone, Dark said, annoyed.
Daisuke coughed, and asked, "Would you like something else to wear?" he asked.
"N-no, I don't want to trouble you, I-I…"
"I think our maid may have some extra clothes," he said. "She goes shopping a lot," He exited the room. Sakura nervously gripped the sheets tightly and looked around Daisuke's room as he was gone.
So… neat. Like Syaoran's old apartment, she thought. She tiredly leaned back into the bed and nuzzled his pillow, closing her eyes as she took in the smell and feeling of the cloth.
What happened? She wondered. How… why was Dark able to take my magic? I feel so weak. It's like how I feel on cloudy days… she mused.
It's really odd, how Daisuke found me in the park. Why was I in the park? I'd think that pervert Kaitou would kidnap me or something, she thought, with a peeved look. Thank god that didn't happen…
She bunched the blankets towards her face and rubbed them against her face to feel their softness. I wonder if Onii-chan will be okay with me staying here for tonight…
"I'm back," Daisuke said. He tossed Sakura clothes, and said, "You can change in here," He then shut the door.
She reluctantly got out of the bed and hurriedly changed into Daisuke's maid's shirt and sweat pants. Sakura walked to the door and peered out. She saw Daisuke leaning on the wall down the hall looking up at the ceiling, moving his lips, as if he were talking silently.
"Niwa-kun?" she whispered. He blinked, and turned to her. He flashed her a bright smile.
"Great! It fits?" he said, walking back into the room. She stepped back to let him in, and immediately walked back to the bed and wrapped herself in the covers. He laughed, and smiled at her. Sakura quickly hid her face to hide her blush.
Why is he able to do this…? She thought to herself.
He sat on the floor and leaned against the bed with his back to her. "So, do you remember how you got knocked out?" he asked, smirking a bit.
"Don't remember," she muttered. He nodded, with an "Ah".
"Oh!" Sakura exclaimed, jumping up. "Can I call my Onii-chan? I know it's late, but he might get worried…"
"Don't worry 'bout it," Daisuke said casually, "I called him already,"
He could hear Sakura cringe. "What did he say?" she asked.
"That you could stay, of course," he said, laughing. "What else?"
"Ah," Sakura said. "I didn't expect that," she gave a small giggle. "I wonder how you managed to convince him,"
This is boring, Dark muttered. I'm going to sleep. You two sicken me.
Fine, leave. Daisuke said. And suddenly, his head felt blessedly clear.
"Actually," Daisuke said, brightening. "I think it was his girlfriend that convinced him for me,"
"Girl…" Sakura began, confused. "Oh! You mean Yukito… yeah… I guess you could call him a girlfriend,"
Daisuke raised his eyebrow so high that it was hidden in his reddish bangs. "Okay…"
"Onii-chan and Yukito-san really care about each other," Sakura said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "They share a room together at home,"
Daisuke twitched a bit, and nodded. "A…ah, uh-huh,"
"Mm," Sakura said softly. She gave a large yawn, and pulled the covers tighter around her. Daisuke looked back and smiled at her.
"You can go to sleep if you want," he said warmly. Sakura closed her eyes and smiled slightly, before realization of what he said hit her.
"Wait! Where are you going to sleep?" she asked. Daisuke got up, and dusted off his backside.
"Oh, the couch," he said, preparing to go out. Sakura leapt out of the bed and grabbed the edge of his shirt.
"Wait, Niwa-kun!" she said. "I'll sleep on the couch. You can take the bed; I'm not that sleepy,"
Daisuke laughed, and gently ruffled her hair, "I wasn't the one who was knocked out cold,"
Sakura pouted. "I don't want you to have to sleep on the couch. You deserve to sleep on your own bed,"
Daisuke sighed, "Sa-… Kinomoto…" he said. She tugged his shirt harder, and looked up at him with pleading eyes. He immediately blushed, and shook his head. "Aah. I can't do it. You're too tired. I can tell,"
Sakura frowned, and looked down, silently contemplating to herself. Then she looked up brightly and said, "Then we'll both stay in the bed,"
Daisuke flushed even further, "Uh, Sakura… I'm not sure that's…"
Sakura suddenly swayed and nearly fell to the ground. Daisuke's quick reflexes triggered him to act and he caught her before she hit the ground.
"Heh," she muttered. "I guess I got out of the bed too fast…" She clutched Daisuke's arms for support. Daisuke sighed wearily.
"Okay, Kinomoto. I'll stay with you for tonight," he said. She looked up at him. Daisuke squinted in the darkness, as she smiled vaguely at him.
"Call me 'Sakura'," she insisted. He grabbed her waist as she slung her arm over his shoulder and placed her back onto his bed.
"Alright, Sakura," he said, with a gentle smile. Sakura smiled and crawled back into the bed. Daisuke hesitantly lay next to her. Sakura, after making sure Daisuke was comfortable, smiled, and turned to her side. Daisuke lay there, stiff as a board and tried to prevent any movement.
After a few minutes of silence interrupted only by the sounds of light breathing, Daisuke decided that Sakura must be asleep. He relaxed, and began to close his eyes to sleep before he heard Sakura whisper very softly,
"Daisuke?"
Daisuke gulped. "H-hai?"
"Why are you… so nice to me?" she asked meekly.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean," Sakura said. "I-I ignored you this whole week, and didn't even talk to you. You said that you'd be my friend, but I rejected it… gomen,"
Daisuke let the words roll in his head for a minute, before responding. "It's okay, Sakura."
She turned so that she was on her back. Sakura gazed up at the ceiling, "How can you be so forgiving," she accused.
A smile tugged at his lips. He looked down, and wrapped his fingers around her hand, "Because I like you," he murmured. He felt giddy as her fingers slowly curled around his. In response, he gently rubbed her hand with his thumb.
"I…" she began. She sniffed. "I thought so,"
"Are you okay?" he whispered. Tears began to spill onto the pillow.
"No," she said. She turned and buried her face into Daisuke's chest. "I don't know what to feel!"
Daisuke could feel her tears staining his shirt. He ignored the cold wetness, and wrapped his arms around her. He gently tried to sooth her sobs.
"Sakura, I don't expect you to like me in return. That isn't how love works…" he murmured. She shook her head, and looked up at him with watery eyes.
"The problem is," she said mournfully, "I think I feel I same."
"Is that bad?" Daisuke asked, a little sadly.
"I feel like…" she began. "Like I betrayed Syaoran. H-he… he was… is…"
"I know," Daisuke said softly. "I know. Daidouji-san told me."
"Then… then you can see why i-it's hard…" she said. "I admit, that I… l-like you, Daisuke. But Syaoran… he'll always have a special place in my heart,"
"…I understand," Daisuke said, a dull ache in his chest.
There was a silence as Sakura cried on Daisuke's chest. "Syaoran…" she whispered in the night air. Daisuke was glad that Dark was not there to witness Daisuke's defeat. Although Dark wouldn't have said anything, he would still be able to feel Dark's compassion and misery.
As the intervals between Sakura's sobs grew longer, Daisuke dared to look down. "Sakura," he said. "Sleep will make you feel better,"
She sighed, and looked up at the ceiling with reddened eyes. "My nightmares won't,"
Daisuke turned and as he heard his heartbeat pounding loudly in his ears, he brushed his lips against hers. "I'll chase them away," he said. She stared up at him for a long while, and he stared back. Soon, her eyes began to blink wearily, and she gave him a small smile as she closed her eyes.
"Good night, Sakura," he murmured, as he laid back. She immediately fell asleep, still clutching Daisuke's hand. Daisuke was left lying in the darkness, quietly contemplating to himself.
+++
"S-Syaoran?!" Sakura exclaimed.
Syaoran smiled nervously at her, as he approached her. He hugged her tightly, and Sakura smiled gleefully.
"Syaoran! I'm so happy to see you!" she said, as she held him out at arms length to take a look at him. Her eyes widened at the large dark blotch that stained his stomach. His smile became increasingly more nervous.
"I'm happy that I can see you too…" his eyes looked saddened. "Before I go,"
"What?" Sakura said. "You're leaving?"
Syaoran leaned towards her and gently kissed her. Sakura felt chills as his cold lips touched hers. As he drew back, he cupped her face lightly in his hands.
"Listen, Sakura," he said. "You won't see me for… for awhile,"
"Wh-what?" Sakura asked, frantic. "Why are you bleeding? Why… why are you cold?" Tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I-I…" Syaoran said. "I'll always be with you. Don't ever forget that,"
"Don't say these things!" Sakura exclaimed. "Where are you going?!"
Syaoran bit his lip. "I'm… I'm sorry that I broke our promise, Sakura. But please remember. I always loved… and I do love, you."
"I love you too, Syaoran," she said, weeping.
"I always want you to be happy," he whispered. His head turned to his side, and Sakura followed his gaze to see a blurred image of Daisuke in the depthless blackness. Sakura felt her heart clench.
"I want to be with you," she said.
"I want to be with you too," Syaoran said fiercely. "And we will. In due time. But…" He looked up, as if hearing someone calling from the distance. He looked back at her and said quickly, "I don't want to stop you from being happy. So promise me you'll be happy, even if… if it's not with me,"
"Syaoran, I-I…"
"Promise," he insisted. She stared at his resolved face, and then at the darkness where Daisuke stood.
"I… promise," she said hesitantly. He grinned and clapped her shoulder happily.
"Good," he said smiling. However, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. He sighed, and looked away from her. "They're calling for me,"
Sakura panicked. "Will I see you again?" she asked urgently.
"Yes," he said. "I promise you, we will."
Sakura clutched her aching chest, and vigorously rubbed her hand against her eyes. She looked up at Syaoran and said, "I love you, Syaoran."
Syaoran dipped down and kissed Sakura again. As their lips parted a second time, he mouthed the words against her lips, and in front of her eyes, he disappeared in a blaze of white light.
I will always love you.
Honestly? I don't really like this chapter. Or the next one. Bit disappointed--but the scenes were necessary to forward the chapter. ...heh. Hope... it wasn't that horrendous.
