Sakura walked back into the house with a small smile on her face. Everyone in the house stared at her, causing her to sweatdrop.
"Enjoy yourself?" Touya asked, his voice gruff. She laughed nervously. The doorbell rescued her from her awkward position. Tomoyo jumped up.
"That must be my ride," Tomoyo said. She bowed to everyone, "Thank you for the meal. It was delicious," she said. She turned to Sakura and smiled. "Congratulations, Sakura-chan,"
"Arigatou," Sakura said, hugging her. She walked with Tomoyo to the door and greeted her four bodyguards politely. She made sure Tomoyo was safely in the car, before closing the door again. She faked a yawn.
"Uwaa~" she said. "Looks like it's time for me to go to sleep! Goodnight everyone!"
She ran upstairs before Touya could open his mouth to say anything. She threw open the door and successfully knocked Kero across the room.
"O-ow…" he sputtered. "First, you deprive me of cake, and then you hit me with the door,"
"You got cake," she said while she changed into her pajamas.
"But only one slice!" he whined. Sakura sighed.
"I'm sure there's some leftover for you tomorrow," she said. "Knowing Otou-san, he'll be up early just to bake one for you,"
Kero grinned happily. "Yeah… your dad is always doin' cool stuff like th— hey! What are you doing?"
"Hm?" Sakura said.
"You're going to catch a cold," Kero said, as he watched Sakura swing her leg over the windowsill.
"Then give me my jacket," she said. Kero shook his head in disapproval, but brought her jacket anyway. She quickly pulled it on.
"You have school tomorrow," Kero said.
"Which is why I need to sit outside for awhile. It's clear tonight, and it won't hurt to sit out there for an hour or so," she said.
"Yue will get angry. You're doing dangerous things," Kero said. Sakura clambered out of her room and latched onto the roof of her house. She somehow managed to pull herself on top of the roof, and walk across the shingles to the topmost area.
"Then call Yue-san if you think I'm in such peril," she said, as she lay onto the roof. "I'm sure Onii-chan is going off to work anytime soon… yeah, I see him leaving on his motorcycle,"
Kero watched Touya drive off, and he sighed. "Fine~"
He flew back into the house and seconds later, Yue was shooting up towards the roof, with a displeased expression on his face.
"Mistress," he said. "It isn't safe outside!"
She smiled reassuringly at him. "Which is why you're here, to look after me," she said. Yue began to sputter.
"A-a cold… you could catch a cold–! And what if someone sees you? The kaitou?!" he exclaimed. Sakura reached out to touch Yue's cheek.
"I appreciate your concern," she said. "But I wish for you to trust me,"
Yue bowed down. Kero watched on, shaking his head in disgust.
"I would like it for you two to keep me company," she said. Yue nodded.
"As you wish, Mistress," he said.
"'As you wish, Mistress'," Kero said mockingly. "Don't you have any dignity, Yue?"
"This coming from the glutton of Tomoeda?"
"What is that supposed to me?!"
"Whatever you think it means,"
"…Shut up!"
"It was not I who began this conversation. My Mistress wished for my presence, and I am giving it to her,"
"You know what, Yue! Do you want to take this outside?!"
"We are outside."
Sakura smiled, and closed her eyes as she listened to the two argue. She enjoyed their presence. She could feel their magic pulsating next to her and it warmed her. Not only that, but the stars twinkled brightly in the sky, allowing her head to feel a bit clearer. She took for granted what magic gave her. It was times like these that made her fully appreciate what the Clow Cards had brought into her life.
"—You're so stuck up! Like that time when you–"
Sakura began to ponder over Clow's life. Did he feel this content with his guardians? With magic? Apparently not, if he planned everything out so meticulously so he could get rid of his powers. She felt a bit sorry for the man, and wished she knew him better. Her father and Eriol were only halves of him; she wished to meet the full and complete Clow Read.
Was he lonely? she wondered. Why didn't he have any children? Why did he never marry?
An ache grew in her chest. What if I become lonely like he was?
"What the hell is that?"
Sakura's eyes flew open. "What is it, Kero-chan?" she asked urgently, sitting up.
"There," Yue said, pointing. "It looks like a large crow…"
The three of them leaned forward to squint in the darkness. Yue's face suddenly contorted into anger. He flew up and immediately shot beams of ice towards the object.
"Wait! Yue-san! What are you doing?!" she exclaimed. Suddenly, Kero transformed and stood protectively in front of Sakura. The hairs on his back stood straight up as he growled.
"It's that pervert kaitou," Cerberus said. Sakura's eyes widened as she watched the thief spiral in the air to avoid the sharp icicles heading his way. Yue was relentless in his attack.
"YAMETE!" she cried, jumping up, and grabbing Yue's arm. Yue gasped in surprise, and he stumbled. A beam of ice fell unsuccessfully short.
"What are you doing?!" Cerberus exclaimed. "He could be coming to attack you!"
"He hasn't done anything yet!" Sakura cried. "You can't attack him!"
"Yet." Yue said softly. "We're protecting you…"
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the approaching kaitou. "Let's see what he wants first," She looked up to Yue. "Could you fly me to him?"
Yue twitched which caused him to look faintly like her brother.
"Alright then," Yue said exasperatedly. He grabbed her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The three flew towards the man, who slowed down in his flight and suspended himself in midair with a smug look on his face.
"Good evening, Card Mistress-san," Dark said. His smile faltered slightly as he came face to face with Yue. "I see you've come with your… escorts?"
"My guardians," she said airily. Dark raised an eyebrow, and gave a curt nod to the two. They glared in return.
"What do you want, you hentai?!" Cerberus shouted. Dark gave a small laugh.
"An annoying lion that talks," he said. "Cute,"
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
"State your business and leave," Yue said. Dark looked Yue up and down, and then smirked. Yue's grip on Sakura tightened.
"And here is an Ice Mage," Dark said. "Your knight in shining armor?"
Yue lifted a free hand and shards of ice began to form on his palm menacingly. Dark chuckled, and raised a finger.
"Uh-uh," he said. "I suppose your Mistress has told you what happens to magics around me?"
Sakura immediately reached out for Yue's hand and to bring it safely down. She finally turned to Dark, and gave him a penetrating look. He could see the confusion and sadness in her face.
"Why are you bothering me further?" she asked. "Haven't you gotten what you wanted?"
"I'm far from it," he said softly.
"What the hell do you want then?!" Cerberus exclaimed.
Dark innocently held up both of his hands. "Just to talk with your Mistress," he said. Cerberus's fur bristled.
"Why?!"
"I'd like to know myself," Yue said, a bit menacingly. Dark winked at Sakura, who cringed and clung to Yue.
"Wouldn't any man enjoy conversing with a woman like Sakura?" Dark said. "I merely wish for a few minutes of her time,"
"Why should we believe this?" Yue asked. Dark shrugged.
"You either do or you don't," he replied.
"You're not getting within ten feet of Sakura!" Cerberus growled. He turned to Sakura, "Sakura, can I blast him away now, please?"
Dark turned to Sakura, and grinned impishly. "Speaking of… we have not heard Miss Sakura's opinion yet," he said, "What do you plan to do?"
All eyes were on Sakura. She sighed. "Why should I talk to you? A person who has hurt me?"
"If I am not mistaken," Dark said, lifting his hands and showing the tattered gloves. "You're guardian has already launched an attack on an unarmed man. Not only that, but you so kindly gave me these scars," He gingerly removed the glove, and showed it to her. "And despite this, I'm willing to make amends to speak with you,"
"What do you wish to speak of?" Sakura asked. Dark grinned.
"What about you?" he said. "Your life, your magic, your thoughts… your Guardians, if they want."
She blinked, then looked down in slight embarrassment, and then panicked as she saw the ground below. She then turned to Yue, who had an extremely heated glare directed towards Dark. She tentatively tapped his shoulder. "Yue-san," she said. "Please fly me back to the roof?"
Yue's head turned quickly, "Why?!"
"It's… difficult to talk here," she muttered.
"WHAT?!" Cerberus exclaimed. "ARE YOU SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THIS?!"
She sighed and looked to Dark, "Will you leave me alone if I don't?"
"Nope," Dark said, grinning. Sakura looked back to Yue.
"See?" she gestured for Yue to lean down and she whispered softly into his ear, "I'm sure he brought that darn orb with him for protection. I'll see if I can get it,"
Yue tsked, and shook his head in disapproval, but still flew carefully back to the roof and eased Sakura down. Cerberus began to yell angrily.
"YUE, YOU IDIOT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! SAKURA CAN GET HURT AND YOU'RE GOING TO ALLOW THIS PERVERT TO ATTACK HER AND –"
Sakura sweatdropped. "Kero-chan, it's okay, it's okay. You guys will keep me safe, right?"
"BUT—"
"I'm putting my trust in you Kero-chan," she said earnestly. "If he does anything, I'm depending on you to help me,"
Cerberus's chest swelled. "Alright then. I'll take care of you! Not like Yue can do anything,"
"What was that?"
Sakura smiled in relief, and turned to Dark, who followed her onto the roof. She frowned a bit, and walked with him further across the roof, away from Yue and Cerberus.
"Wouldn't want them to eavesdrop, would we?" he said, chuckling. She refrained from commenting. When Dark finally sat down, he leaned back and stretched his arm over his head. She sat down as well, though kept a safe distance away from him. He chuckled, and rested his hands behind his head, when he winced loudly, and quickly brought his hands forward.
"…What is it?" Sakura asked blandly. She could see him hiding a hand into his large coat.
"Eh, just a scratch," he muttered.
"Let me see," she said. Dark raised an eyebrow.
"Concerned, are you?" he said, taking his hand out of his pocket and gingerly placing it on top of her outstretched palm. Yue and Cerberus's argument still rang loudly in the background, as Sakura carefully examined his bloodied hand. There were long running across his hands and wrists. The cuts were long, but shallow. It seemed as if Dark had tried to block the ice from coming towards him.
"I don't have any antiseptic right now," she said. "But I could wrap it for you, so it won't get infected," Without waiting for his response, she pulled out a handkerchief from her coat pocket and tied it around his hand. She gave it a final look over, and was startled by the long, dark scars around Dark's wrist. She looked at it questioningly, and then realized where they were from. With a dazed expression, she ran her fingers over it. Dark watched her without comment.
"I'm sorry," she said. "for that time,"
Dark's eyes softened. He placed his other hand lightly over hers and caressed it with his thumb, "Don't worry about it," he reassured. Then his sly grin returned, and he said, "And I thought you didn't like me,"
Sakura immediately pulled her hand away, "I'm responsible for your injuries. I just feel obligated towards them, that's all,"
"Ah, so you still don't like me," he said.
"Let's refer to it as 'mutual dislike'," she said, hugging her knees against her chest to keep warm.
"How can it be mutual when I like you?" Dark said. He smiled and ran his finger across her chin. She flinched and swatted his hand away.
"… Why do you like me when I hurt you?" she asked.
"It's something on the inside," Dark said, pointing to his chest. "Besides, you're really beautiful without your mask on," He winked. Sakura started.
"That's right… how do you know my name? And where I live?! And what I look like?!" she exclaimed, leaning further and further away from him, with a scared look in her eyes.
Dark laughed nervously. Sakura could hear faint shouting, but she wasn't sure if it were from Yue and Cerberus, or … from something else. She rubbed the side of her head, and she could faintly make out the words "BAKA!", "Sakura", and "stupid plan".
Maybe it's… Dark? She thought. I can catch a few of the things he's thinking under the starlight…
"W-Well…" Dark stammered. "I took off your mask at the museum," he confessed. "And then I left you on a park bench… and this guy, with red hair like this –" he indicated that the boy had spikey hair. "He-he yelled out your name, and I've been watching you two since?" he said, uncertainly. He had a hopeful look in his eyes; he prayed she would buy it.
…It fits in with Daisuke's story… she said.
"…So why didn't you… do anything?" Sakura asked slowly.
"What do you mean?"
"…I mean…" she said. "Well… ahh… never mind,"
"What, molest you?" Dark said, laughing. "Rape? Kidnap? Do you really think that much of yourself?"
She heard more yelling in the back of her head, and she cringed slightly. He thought too loudly.
"I-I just assumed that you might have done something like that," Sakura said. Dark suddenly leaned in to her so closely that she could smell his breath.
"Looks can be deceiving," he whispered. She blinked rapidly in surprise, and pushed him away. He laughed, and fell back to his former position.
"Why did you want to talk to me?!" she exclaimed.
"Can't a lonely kaitou request some company from a beautiful lady?" he asked.
"And back to our previous question," she said, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "What makes you like me? Why? I hurt you… you should hate me,"
"'Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love'," Dark said. Sakura raised her eyebrow. "Buddha," he explained. She laughed, despite herself.
"Are you saying you love me?" she said, laughing, "Only because you think I hate you?"
"Don't you hate me?" Dark asked. Sakura smiled slightly, and scratched her head.
"I hate… what you do. As for who you are, I have no idea," she explained. Dark smiled, a genuine smile without a trace of smugness.
"Would you like to find out about me?" Dark asked.
"What will people say," Sakura said, a bit teasingly, "When they find out I've been talking to a kaitou?"
"They'll say, 'LUCKY!!'," he said, grinning widely.
Sakura gave a nervous smile, "Oddly enough," she said, "That's not to far off…"
"Hah, I thought so. Other people still like me, even though I'm a thief," he said.
"They only like you because you're handsome," Sakura said. "Not because of who you are,"
Dark laughed. "So you're admitting I'm handsome as well?"
Sakura gave him an annoyed look. "Why are you so concerned with what I think?"
"Because I like you, I've told you," Dark said. He rested his head on his hands and looked at her. "Everything you say interests me,"
"Even when I say that you're a criminal who deserves to go to jail?" she asked.
"Every word that comes out of those gorgeous lips I worship," he said.
"…" Sakura began to look peeved. "If we're going to talk, would you please stop flirting with me?"
"Hai, hai, Mistress-sama," Dark said, raising both hands. "So what should we talk about…?"
"How about, why you are a thief?" she asked. Dark pondered this for a moment, and then shook his head.
"Nah, I started this conversation, I get to choose," he said. He stared at the guardians, who were now staring at the both of them with rapt attention. He pointed to them. Particularly, Yue.
"What's with you and him?" Dark said. "You two have something going on? Should I bother intruding?"
"Yue-san?" Sakura asked with surprise. "Yue-san is my Guardian,"
"Yeah, I don't quite understand that," Dark said, looking to her for an explanation.
"Yue… is the guardian of the cards," she explained. "So is Cerberus,"
"So since you're the Mistress, you get him?" Dark says. Sakura huffed.
"It's not a matter of 'getting'. He was created by Clow-san and Yue is sworn to protect whoever is the Master of the cards," she said.
"So do you and him…?"
"If you must know," Sakura said. "I already have someone that I like,"
Dark laughed, and asked, "Ah, and pray tell, what is his name?"
"I'm not telling you! You'll harass him!"
"How well you know me…"
Sakura huffed again angrily, and clutched her knees tighter. Dark noticed her slight shivering. To Sakura's surprise, he removed his jacket, despite the thin shirt underneath, and wrapped it around Sakura carefully. She looked at him questioningly, but he avoided her stare.
"So how have you been?" Dark asked casually.
"What do you mean?" Sakura said.
"Well… considering that I stole a painting from right under your nose as well as your magic…" he said, trailing off. "How are you?"
She sniffed, "How would you feel in my position?"
Dark paused, and then said merrily, "Like kicking my ass?"
"Exactly,"
"So… do you or do you not hate me now?" Dark asked. Sakura took a deep breath.
"Well, you're cocky, arrogant, pompous, prideful, annoying, persistent, and a criminal," she said. Dark forced a laugh.
"I see, so I guess that answers my–"
"Demo," she said, cutting him off. "You're always hiding behind this character. You never reveal what you're feeling inside,"
This startled Dark. He then flashed her another bright smile. "You seem to very observant,"
"No," Sakura muttered. "I just remember what your aura felt like from before. What you were saying did not match what you were feeling,"
"Oh," Dark said.
"There's something unusual about you too," Sakura said. "You talk to yourself in your head… and your aura is confusing. Not only that, but you have been around for hundreds of years. What is your secret?"
Dark licked his lips nervously. Then, "Actually, what about you? You run around at night in fancy costumes… what's the deal with that?"
"Don't turn this around on me,"
Dark laughed. "Hm, can't fool you,"
"No, you can't,"
Dark stood up and stretched. "Then I guess we'll leave that question for next time,"
"Next time?" Sakura said. Dark winked.
"Of course. We're not through yet, Sakura-chan," Dark said.
"What makes you think I'll even come out on the roof when you wish to talk?" Sakura asked.
"You'll know," Dark said. He whistled and a black creature came flying out of the sky and landing on his back. Voluminous wings appeared on his back. He watched as Yue and Cerberus got up urgently.
"I'll see you later," Dark said. He walked up to her and leaned in towards her with his eyes closed.
Sakura backed away. "Goodnight, Dark-san," she said. Dark opened one eye and then smiled.
"Alright then," he said. "Goodnight,"
He took off into the air. Sakura then remembered something.
"Wait! Your jacket…!"
He blew her a kiss and flew away. She huffed again, and stomped towards Yue and Cerberus, who glared at Dark's disappearing figure in the sky.
"He didn't touch you, did he Sakura?!" Cerberus exclaimed.
"Not… really," Sakura said, frowning.
"Did you get the orb?" Yue asked. Sakura sighed.
"He says he'll be back. I'll get it then," she said. She then yawned. "I'd better get to sleep. I have school…"
She sleepily climbed back into her room with the assistance of Yue and Cerberus. As soon as they made sure Sakura got into bed, Yue left to go back to Touya's room while Cerberus transformed.
"Can I burn this?" Kero asked, as he picked up Dark's large jacket. Sakura peered out from under the covers.
"No, just leave it," she muttered, before drifting to sleep.
+++
"Well that went well," Dark said gleefully as they soared through the air back to the Niwa residence. Daisuke began to yell and rant angrily at Dark's uncalled for behavior and how he had shamelessly flirted with Sakura.
You know that she and I…!!
"Would a thing like that stop me?" Dark said ruefully.
She's finding out about us, Dark, Daisuke said urgently. These meetings are too dangerous. Especially when she's getting her powers back. She was outside for a reason, you know.
"Chill, chill," Dark said. "I've got it all under control,"
And okaa-san's going to kill you for giving away that jacket!
"Yeah," Dark said, a bit nervous. "But it was worth it for all that info we got,"
You mean her guardians? Daisuke said, with a hint of jealousy.
"Yup. We'll have to catch her next time without them," Dark said. "How embarrassing, to have them around…"
The man looked really angry. … He must care a lot about Sakura, Daisuke said.
"Eh, don't worry about him," Dark said, waving his injured hand. "She really likes you, couldn't you tell?"
…
"Anyway, at least she doesn't hate me, is that a start?" Dark asked. Daisuke reluctantly agreed.
But I still think this is dangerous.
"What other choice do we have? I don't want to make the same mistake we made with Riku," Dark said, his tone bitter. "I want this with Sakura to work,"
Daisuke was silent. Then, Alright fine. Do whatever you want. Just don't do anything STUPID.
"Why, Daisuke, don't you trust me?"
No. Daisuke said firmly. Dark chuckled.
"Completely understandable," He ordered With to slow down in his flight, as he approached Daisuke's bedroom window. "Well, you'd better get to sleep since you have school tomorrow. I'm going to sleep,"
And with that, Daisuke scrambled onto the window ledge as Dark transformed with warning. Cursing him, he fiddled with the lock on his window to get it open.
"That damned idiot… one day I'm going to find a way to seriously hurt him…" he muttered, after falling into his room.
Borrowed the handkerchief scene from Volume 7 of DNAngel--I just thought it was cute, except for the fact that Riku was the one bandanging Dark's wound (seeth seeth). Yeah, so I wanted to put it in here :D. O ho ho. And as for Rikku-tenshi's question... you won't know until you finish the entire story :D (though the ending might not be to your liking :X)
