HI EVERYONE!!! DO ALL OF YOU HATE ME? I'M SORRY ABOUT THE LATE UPDATE.
GOMEN GOMEN. I'M REALLY GLAD THAT SOME OF YOU LIKE MY IDEA FOR MY NEW
STORY! I'M NOT SURE WHEN OR IF I'LL START WRITING IT, COZ I HAVEN'T REALLY
HAD A REALLY BIG DEMAND ON IT, SO I'LL SEE. AND I WANT TO THANK ALL MY
REVIEWERS!
THERE WILL BE A REVIEWERS LIST AND DEDICATION NEXT CHAPTER SO MAKE SURE YOU REVIEW THIS CHAPTER AS WELL!!! I ALSO APOLOGISE FOR ANY GRAMMATICAL AND SPELLING ERRORS COZ I AM FAR TOO STUFFED TO BE BOTHERED TO PROOFREAD.
HOPE YOU ALL READ AND ENJOY!!!
DISCLAIMER: I am tired and sleepy and really am not in the mood. Don't you even think about suing my coz I have no money at all. I took all my money out thru atm and spent it all last week, am currently broke and do not own card captor sakura or clamp in any case and I only own my new characters and plot.
WARNING!!! Rating raised up to pg-13 due to slight coarse language.
Last chapter:
#No more Hatoshi, no more Ryo. I have my friends, and that is all that I need. I've got Tomoyo, Chiharu, Naoko, Takashi, Rika and my new friends. There's the ones at Kawaii Designs and at uni. And there's Eriol. and. Li- kun.#
and she fell asleep with a small glimpsing picture of Syaoran flashing into her mind. the scene with her in his arms after she fainted. a tiny blush appeared on her face.
It has been a week since the whole Hatoshi incident. Everything has been going very normally. Sakura has been working very hard on her thesis while all her friends were at work. Tomoyo had worked out a very comfortable, yet successful schedule for Sakura to work by, and the fashion show business was coming along very well.
Today, Sakura is due to go to a school for surveying and research for her thesis. She had chosen her topic to be 'Peer harassment through status and adolescent relationships' and focused the topic more on young students aging from 13 to 16. {MN: You'll see why this particular choice later on. maybe. Umm. and I'm not sure if that is even a thesis title, but yeah. it'll have to do. Psychology is a really good subject to study though. Not like I've studied it but my sister has. hehe. on with the story.}
All the students loved her, especially the younger ones. Some of the year twelve guys were actually turned on by her. She looked way too young for a chick going to uni. (Yr 12 = approximately 17-19 years old). Well after a whole afternoon's work of asking teenagers about their friendship problems, Sakura had successfully compiled a large amount of research that would help her greatly with her thesis.
At 4:15pm, Sakura had finished and received a call for Chiharu, asking her to go for a drink since she's just finished work. Sakura 'yes'ed to that and went downtown to Li Enterprises to meet up with her. On the way there, Sakura got another phone call. {MN: She's in a taxi bv the way}
"Moshi moshi? Kinomoto Sakura."
"Hey Sakura-chan! How are you?"
"Tomoyo-chan! Yeah, I'm alrite."
"How did the students go? Were they helpful?"
"Yeh. It all went great. Look, I was just about to go and meet Chiharu and go for a drink. Care to join us?"
"Sure! That'd be great actually! Where? When?" asked Tomoyo.
"Uhh. we don't know for both yet. I've got to meet her at Li Enterprises. If you can, you can meet us there. Who knows? We might be able to get Li- kun, Takashi and Eriol to come along, what do you say?" she said, added a slight emphasis on Eriol's name.
"Sounds kool to me! I'll see you at Li's, but give me about an hour coz I'm at home and I'll need time to get there."
"Yeah, it should be fine. Just call when you're there."
"Ja Sakura!"
"Ja"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
"Wow. this place has gotta be around 50 stories high. gosh." she wondered out loud.
She walked through the grand entrance and noticed that she didn't know what level Chiharu was on, so she called her.
"Chiharu?" asked Sakura softly.
"Yeh Sakura, ssup?"
"Umm. sort of in a little trouble."
"Why? What's the matter? Are you alright?" she asked, getting panicky.
"Eheh" Sakura sweatdropped. "No biggie. Breathe Chiharu. I forgot to ask you, but what level are you on in the building. Gomen."
Chiharu sighed, relieved. "It's okay. Level 32."
"Hai. Arigatou Chiharu. Ja."
And she hopped into the lift to level 32.
"DING"
Sakura walked up to the receptionist's desk.
"Excuse me, sorry but I was wondering if I could please speak to Mihara Chiharu? She was expecting me."
"Yes, sure. She told me already. Please, go straight ahead and you should see her."
"Thank you."
Sakura walked on and saw a whole lot of office desks, all with their occupants working busily away in their cubicles. She looked around and finally spotted Chiharu. She seemed frustrated for some reason.
"Chiharu-chan?"
"Huh? Oh! Shit! Sakura! You're here already? Look. um... I don't think I'll be able to go for at least another 45 minutes or so. I am so sorry. It's just. rrr. work. boss. you know. I'm sorry."
"It's fine Chiharu. I asked Tomoyo to come along as well so we'll have to wait for her anyway. Don't worry 'bout it. Just get your work finished so we can go." Sakura answered, winking at her.
"Great!"
"Do you think Takashi would be able to come as well?"
"Yeah, he asked before already, so he's gonna tag along."
"Yay! Now. do you mind if I ask Eriol and Li to come as well?"
"Umm. you can ask Eriol. but it's your choice if you want to ask Li to come."
"Nani? Why not Li?"
"Oh! Don't get me wrong. but I was just thinking he would have lots of work and stuff, I don't mind, ask him," Chiharu quickly covered up.
"Ok!" asked Sakura. a little dense, not getting Chiharu's drift.
"Why don't you go ask them now, seeing you got some time to kill. They're on the top floor. Level 52."
"K. Laters then"
And she made her way to the lift again.
"Hmm. 52 levels. Two more than what I guessed, not including ground floor, car park or roof top." she murmured. Then she called Tomoyo and told her not to rush and to meet at level 32, Chiharu's level.
"DING"
She walked out and luckily, she saw Eriol straight away.
"Eriol-kun!" she greeted and giggled seeing him in a suit and tie, but she noticed that it matched him. Many heads turned to hear where that sweet voice came from. Most of them were guys of course. And at the same moment, all those guys thought,
'Man. that chick's hot.'
Eriol looked around and finally saw that it was Sakura calling him. He smirked a little noticing how all the guys looked at her and she was not realizing it at all.
"Oh hi Sakura-san! How are you? What are you doing here?" he smiled at her, holding onto his files, slighting surprised by her appearance.
"I'm great thanks and I'm here looking for you."
"Me? Why?" asked Eriol, a little confused.
"Coz Chiharu and I were going for a drink later on, when work finishes. And I knew you were here so I wanted to see if you wanted come. Tomoyo's coming," she said, and added the last part on innocently.
"uhh. umm. well. okay. Give me another 40 minutes or so though. if that's ok. Sorry, but I just needed to finish up a few things. But yeah, I want to come," answered Eriol, face reddening the slightest touch.
"Fine with me. Chiharu and Takashi haven't finished yet either and Tomoyo- chan hasn't gotten here yet. Which one's your little cubicle? I'll tell you when everyone's ready."
Eriol chuckled a little. "Sakura, you're on the top floor."
"Yeah, I knew that. And? What about it?"
Eriol sweatdropped at her cuteness, "Sakura, is it your first time at a big company like this?"
She nodded.
"Well Sakura, the top level is usually the executives' level."
She nodded again.
Eriol had a big sweatdrop this time. "Well that means that we would have offices not cubicles."
"Oh! Gotcha! Wow. you're an executive in this big place? Whao. So tell me then. where's your office?"
"Go down there a little and you'll see my secretary on the first right turn." He pointed out
"Arigatou. See ya later then."
"Bye."
"No wait! Can you tell me where Li-kun works as well?"
"First turn on left. Why?" asked Eriol, smiling a little too innocently.
"So he can come for a drink with us of course."
{MN: I'm really sorry if anyone's getting lost in this conversation. but there's still more."
Eriol winced a little at the idea. Syaoran never goes out for drinks after work. And everyone has known not to ask him since the last person did. (a female of course) who he glared at and yelled at her, declining the offer. Later that week. Syaoran fired that woman.
"I don't really know Sakura. mmm. He's probably busy."
"Geez, does he get a lot of work or something? That's exactly what Chiharu said. Oh well, if he can't come then he can't come, but I'll still ask."
"Same direction toward my office but first turn left." Stated Eriol
"Well thanks, and I'll see you later."
"Good luck then Sakura," he mumbled as he watched her walk off.
Sakura followed Eriol's directions and found an office with a secretary sitting there already. On the door read, Li Syaoran: Chief Executive Officer.
Sakura gasped.
'OMG, Li-kun is actually the chief executive officer of Li Enterprises? No wonder why he didn't give a shit about that shirt. He probably has thousands. Li. baka Sakura,' here, she smacked her hand against her head. 'nah duh. LI Syaoran, LI Enterprises. Gosh, why didn't I see that.' She thought to herself.
She started getting a little figetting but calmed down saying it doesn't matter who and what the person is, as long as he is nice. And Li did help her that time.
'Tomoyo's CEO of Kawaii Designs and she's still my best friend. so it shouldn't matter.' She thought to herself, finding that a very reassuring idea.
"Umm. I'm very sorry to disturb you but. I was wondering if I could please talk to Li. Li-san please. If that's alright." Sakura said politely to the secretary.
The secretary looked up from her work, examined her and then gave her a cold stare. But Sakura didn't back down, she just looked back at her with a smile.
"What's your name? Do you have an appointment?" she asked rudely. The secretary had always been given specific orders that any female that wanted to see Syaoran would need either an appointment or satisfying reason to see him. If not? Then she was NOT allowed to go anywhere near him and there would be no necessity for any disturbances regarding her at all. She was also in a bad mood after being just told off by Syaoran. This fragile little girl in front of her looked like just the person to take it out on.
"My name's Kinomoto Sakura and well. no, I don't have an appointment," answered Sakura plainly. It wasn't her fault that she didn't know that Syaoran was CEO of an international company.
"What's you reason to see him?"
Sakura was starting to get frustrated with the secretary. It was like she needed to have a bloody interview before she could see him.
"That's none of your business miss. But I'll still tell you. I just wanted to ask him if he wanted to come for a drink with me and my friends." Answered Sakura. starting to lose her calm.
"Well he's busy so he can't come. Now please don't tell me that you're his girlfriend because if you do, you will be the 7th person to say that in the past hmm. let's see. 47 minutes," spat out the secretary.
"Well guess what? I am not his girlfriend, just a friend. And if he is busy then he can say so for himself."
"I'm sorry I can't let you in. I'm just following my orders. Now please leave miss, or I'll have to call security to take you out." And the secretary gave one last cold glare before returning back to her work totally ignoring Sakura.
Sakura opened her mouth to say something when the secretary suddenly added,
"Oh yes, and don't ask me to pass on any messages because I won't."
.
Sakura closed her mouth, took a deep breath and let it out. She turned around to walk straight across over to. Eriol's office. She was praying that this secretary would be more. helpful.
"Excuse me miss?" she asked the secretary.
"Yes?" she answered.
"Sorry, but I need to speak to Eriol for a few minutes, is that possible? But no, I don't have an appointment and no I am not his girlfriend and my reason is seriously not really a reason, I just need his help."
"You must be Kinomoto-san, yes Hiiragizawa-san told me you would be coming. umm you're a little early but I'm sure that's fine, just hold on a sec." And the secretary called Eriol, leaving Sakura very embarrassed about her behaviour just then. "Yes miss, you can go in now."
"Thank you," said Sakura, "And sorry about that little uhh. outburst just then."
Sakura opened the door a little and walked through, standing at the door. Looked around and saw a VERY big office.
"Hey Sakura. I'm sorta not ready yet sorry, you guys can go ahead." Said Eriol.
"No, it's not that, the others aren't ready yet, but I need your help," said Sakura
"With what? What's the matter?" asked Eriol
"I think I need a warrant or something like that to be able to get to Li. Seriously, his secretary just won't let me through, rrrrr, so yeah. can you let me through to him?"
Eriol chuckled. "Please, it's not the secretary's fault. Come on, I'll let you through."
"Pheww. thanks"
Eriol walked up with Sakura over to Syaoran's. The secretary's head jerked up hearing footsteps thinking it was ANOTHER woman after Syaoran to see Eriol walking towards her with. 'that girl just then?'
"Isaki, can you let this young lady in to Syaoran's office. We were just going for a drink after work and I sent her to ask him."
"Y-y-yes, of course. I'm very sorry about before miss," and the secretary shakily took the phone and called through to Syaoran.
"Thanks Eriol"
"No probs, come get me when you're ready." Answered Eriol with a wink.
"M-m-miss? Umm. You may go through now," the secretary was clearly terrified, hoping that she wouldn't make Eriol or Syaoran fire her. 'She's even on first name basis with Hiirigizawa-san.'
"Thank you" Sakura said, with a small smile before going to through.
She opened the door to find an office that was really large again. Either the same size as Eriol's or even bigger.
"Li-kun?"
"Kinomoto? What are you doing here?" asked Syaoran, not even looking up from his work. (The secretary called in before and told him that a Kinomoto- san was going in, so that's why he knew, he was sort of surprised, but he, of course, didn't show it) "Take a seat."
"Wow. Li-kun? I think your office is about the same size as quarter of my house. hmm. why didn't you tell me that you were CEO of Li Enterprizes. Wow. you must get a lot of work." Sakura said while walking over to take a seat, not even glancing at Syaoran yet, still glancing around the neatly designed office.
"I didn't find the need to tell you. What are you doing here?" asked Syaoran. He felt something like a blow at his chest when he finally looked at her.
They made eye contact.
Brown to green. amber to emerald. chestnut to jade. whatever you like to call it. But the windows to their souls made contact. And in both eyes, a slight sorrow could be seen.
Then finally. they both looked at each other properly and Sakura started giggling. Syaoran didn't even notice. Sakura looked so gorgeous. She was wearing well-fitted flare glitter jeans with a metal dangle belt. With that she wore a nice flattering and tightish pink tank top with a baby blue scarf and a denim jacket. To top it all off she wore a fashionable soft pink cap {MN: I so can't remember what those hats are called, they're not caps or bucket hats but they're sorta floppy and really cool. I've got 4 different coloured ones. (so expensive)}
Finally, Syaoran came back to earth and realized she was giggling. Syaoran gave her a glare and asked her in a cold tone,
"What are you laughing at Kinomoto?"
Sakura tried her best to compose herself a little and said,
"hehe. Sorry Li-kun. it's just that, you look so hehehe. stiff and uncomfortable in your suit. hehehe. sorry, I'm not laughing at you, but it's just so cute. Nevermind, I laughed at Eriol before as well. I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed seeing you guy looking so pro."
Then she took a deep breath and stopped laughing but still had a bright smile plastered on her face. She took a seat in front of Syaoran's desk and noticed how neat he was. Everything was so. fixed in place it like it was glued on.
Syaoran just looked at her weirdly and brushed it aside.
"So you still haven't told me what you are doing here? You still haven't told me yet."
"Oh! Yeah! By the way. you're secretary was so mean. She didn't let me in. What are you, Li-kun? Huh? It's sorta like you're royalty or something. I wasn't allowed in without an appointment or a good reason AND she wouldn't pass messages on for me. What's the deal?"
"Well, I am CEO of an international company so it would be a bit difficult for me to see everyone who decides to suddenly barge in whenever they feel like it." He answered sarcastically, "And messages? Well. if messages were allowed, I think I would get lots of letters and messages from many females in one day. So much, that my secretary won't be able to work."
Sakura sweatdropped and mentally smacked herself on the head. nah duh, CEO here.
"But it would not be accepted if my secretary is rude to anyone. Especially my friends," he added.
"What did you say? Sorry I just spaced out for a sec." Asked Sakura
"Nevermind. Kinomoto. for the third time, what are you doing here?"
"Oh yeah. back to the main point. Have you got a lot of work to do?"
"Why?" asked Syaoran in a perplexed tone.
"Well of course you would. But do you want to go for a drink with us later. Us, meaning, me, Chiharu, Takashi, Eriol and Tomoyo. I don't know. I was just thinking it would be good for you to come. But looking at the time, it'll probably turn out to be dinner rather than a drink." Said Sakura.
"No. I've got lots of work," answered Syaoran sharply.
Sakura was a little taken aback by the attitude but just would not give up.
"But you have to have dinner!" said Sakura in a stressed tone.
"I will have dinner when I want. That is none of your business." Spat out Syaoran. He didn't like to be told what to do and when.
"Well it is now Li. YOU are going to dinner with me and that's that."
"You have no right whatsoever to tell me what to do Kinomoto!!!"
Sakura stood up from her seat, angry. But then she took a deep breath and sat back down. She could practically feel Syaoran's glare on her.
"Please?" said Sakura, looking straight at him. "It's not good for your health to skip meals. You need your rest as well. Come on. it's just dinner."
"I TOLD you, NO. My health is my own business so butt out Kinomoto." Answered Syaoran in an icy tone, and he returned back to his health.
"No it's not! Look at me Li, NOW." Syaoran unintentionally just looked up at her. He was telling his mind not to listen to the girl but it just wouldn't work. He looked up to find Sakura standing up, leaning over his desk and looking straight into his glare.
'Whoever thought that this woman is fragile is SO wrong' thought Syaoran.
"Li-kun, your health is not just your business, it is lots of people's business. You see, if you get sick then it's not good for the company OR the people around you. Remember Li-kun? Remember we're friends. So, naturally I care about my friends, which means I care about you. And 'you' includes your health. So 'you' are coming to dinner with me tonight," said Sakura in a softer tone.
"Geez. no wonder why Chiharu and Eriol weren't so keen on me asking. I bet you anything that you've probably blown at someone for asking you this before." Syaoran opened his mouth to say something but Sakura cut in. "And this dinner, I'm treating coz I still remember that shirt. So I'm ready, do you think you'll be able to go in about 10 minutes?" asked Sakura.
Syaoran sighed. He knew he had no way out of it. As stubborn as he was, he had finally met his match. This woman in front of him is as stubborn as he is. if not, then more. He knew it. He was defeated in this battle. He nodded silently.
"YAY!!!!!!!!!" Sakura cried. "K, you've got a car don't you? Well. I'll tell you when we're all ready. Actually, no. I'll be waiting for you outside you office. See ya in 10."
And then Sakura gave Syaoran one last smile before skipping out of the office like a little girl. Syaoran sighed. This girl sure is different.
*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*
Sakura sat down in the sofa outside his office. She had just gone down to see Chiharu and Takashi. They were ready. Gone over to Eriol's office. He could go any time. And called Tomoyo, who had just arrived downstairs and was waiting for them in the car park.
Just Li to go now.
She relaxed on the sofa. The secretary had gone and there were few people left in the building. She stood up when she heard the office door click open.
Out walked a very pissed looking Syaoran.
'Geez. is going to dinner THAT hard of a task for Li?' thought Sakura.
But she thought wrong. Because after Syaoran walked out was a very good- looking girl around their age. The young woman had her arms hooked around Syaoran's left arm. Her right hand intertwining fingers with his. The girl was looking lovingly up at Syaoran. Yet, Syaoran made no effort to push her off.
Slowly, Sakura laid her eyes on the girl properly.
And Sakura recognized her immediately.
Ryo. That. bitch.
*^*^*^*^*^ flash back *^*^*^*^*^
Sakura was backed against a wall. There were five girls standing in front of her. All of them looking tarty and VERY angry.
Four girls held onto Sakura's wrists and ankles. The one called Ryo stood in front of her.
"Kinomoto, I'll ask you one more time. Break up with Hatoshi."
"NO!"
"Fine ms goody-two-shoes. You asked for it." And she raised her hand and slapped it across her face.
"NO!"
Ryo kneed her in the stomach.
"NO!"
Ryo punched her. Sakura was struggling against the four girls, trying to get away. But she couldn't. And by the end of the day, Sakura left the school bleeding with bruises and cuts all over her. in places that people couldn't see, like her thighs, back, stomach, arms, shoulders.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ end flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Sakura looked at the woman in front of her. All the memories were flooding back. But she pushed them away. The woman looked back at her. But Ryo didn't recognise the new Sakura.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Once again, the same girls were there. But this time there were more. And there were even guys this time. All of these people were the ones that disagreed with the popular Hatoshi seeing this plain and unpopular Sakura.
Again, Sakura held back against the wall. She definitely couldn't escape this time.
Ryo held Sakura's head back by pulling her hair.
"Leave him"
"NO! TRUE LOVE CAN NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY! I WILL NEVER LEAVE HATOSHI!" screamed Sakura in Ryo's face.
All of them started laughing at Sakura. And once again, Ryo slapped her against the face.
"Bitch. You asked for it yourself"
And Ryo poured ice cold water all the way down Sakura, causing her white shirt to go see through and stick to her skin. Buckets after buckets were poured down on her. Sakura was shaking from the cold. All the guys were laughing and having a great time and seeing how she had no curves, just a straight block look, insulting her with anything they thought of. Then they all left her there to cry and freeze.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ end flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Syaoran looked at Sakura, and then back at Ryo. He noticed something changed about her after they walked out. There was some sort of shock. anger. and depression about Sakura after seeing Ryo.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*
"You know, Hatoshi, why were you going out that geek Sakura all that time. I mean, you spent like a whole semester outta your life with her. You could have had any girl but you chose that plain old girl that has no taste in clothing any how?"
"SShhhh. Ryo, well, to be honest. I don't even know why I went out with her. I guess I needed something - or more like someone - new, so she was the first girl I bumped into, and she was different so I chose her."
"Well thank god you have better taste now than then Hatoshi."
And the girl snuggled up to his shoulder and he rested his chin on her head. Sakura heard it all though. Each and every single word, like a knife stabbing into her heart.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ end flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*
Sakura shook her head a little. Trying to shake out these thoughts, but she was unsuccessful. They stood there for a long time, looking from one person to the other. Silent, no introductions, nothing. just a very tense silence falling over them. Finally, the bitch - or more commonly known as Ryo - spoke up.
"Who are you?" asked Ryo flatly. She was thinking Sakura was some wannabe- Syaoran-girlfriend.
"Great meeting you again, bitch. Li, I'm going. If I stay any longer I think I might throw up," spat Sakura coldly.
"What did you just call me?" asked Ryo, clearly not impressed by this stranger's behaviour and wanted her to pay for it.
"I called you bitch. Oh.
actually
sorry,
I think I just recognized the wrong person. How rude of me. I hope you can forgive me miss. Of course. you're not the bitch that I'm thinking of. Sorry, I'm just having a bad day and my memory has been really bad lately," said Sakura really quickly, "How could such a gorgeous and lovely young lady like yourself be the bitch I'm thinking of. My apologies."
Ryo stood higher all of a sudden, hearing someone praising her like that. She was just about to say that Sakura was forgiven when she was interrupted,
By Sakura herself.
"You see miss. I used to know this bitch. She was soooo snobby and stuck up. She thought she was the best thing in the world. Back in high school she used to get people to beat me up and threaten me. you know, she gave me the whole works pretty much everyday. She gave me a scar as well, on my waist it is, and it's still there! A total of 9 stitches I remember clearly. She was a slut, a prissy, a whore.. Hmm. what else? To shorten things, she was just a spoiled little piece of slutty bullshit," said Sakura, staring Ryo straight in the eye.
Syaoran was gaping. He didn't know how to react to Sakura's sudden change in behaviour, her language and. attitude. But most of all. he had no idea how to react to her past. He didn't know that she had it so hard in the past. She. .. . Syaoran was lost, he didn't know what to think. He was in a blank mode all of a sudden. All he could do was just stand there and listen.
Sakura was trembling. But she would not back down.
"And you see miss. This slut decided to steal my boyfriend and my first love." Here, she laughed dryly and there was definitely no humour in it. "She can have the bastard for all I care now. This bitch had cut me, scarred me, so deep that I haven't let myself fall in love again these past four years. Today, I have made sacrifices and changes all because of this spoilt shit."
She sighed. And looked back up at the two silent figures before her. And smiled the fakest smile ever, and in a sugary tone, she added her last comment.
"Oh yeah! I never told you. her name? Ichibera Ryo."
Syaoran and Ryo gasped simultaneously. Syaoran flung his arm away from her. Ryo just looked back at Sakura. Holding up an accusing finger she said,
"You. you. Kinomoto??? Kinomoto Sakura? But... how? You."
"I'm impressed Ryo, just shows that you don't forget the girls that you go around giving 9 stitched scars to." Answered Sakura sarcastically, "See now bitch? You're not just a bitch. you're a lot more."
"It was really you? Ichibera? I'm disgusted." Whispered Syaoran in a tone colder than ice itself.
"No, Syaoran. please. let me explain." pleaded Ryo.
"DO not call me Syaoran again please. you'll disgrace my name."
"Li, you're not much better. You were going to go out with this bitch? I would have thought better than that for you. I guess I'm wrong. Once again. As always. You have no need to put a show on for me. Fuck the bitch for all I care. I'm going to dinner with my friends now. I don't think I can stand the sight of you two for another second," spat out Sakura to Syaoran.
"Kinomoto Sakura, no one. No one. Ever. Talks. To. Me. Like. That. How. DARE YOU!! How dare you accuse me of something that you don't even know of? Next time. check before swearing at me bitch." Spat back Syaoran
"Well. GEEEZ. I'm not sure, YOUR MAJESTY. I'm not sure if I want to CHECK what you two get up to. Urghh. I don't even want to think about it."
And
Syaoran
Did something that
He has never, ever done before.
He slapped a female. Sakura across the face.
Sakura's head cracked to the side. She held her cheek with her hand. She wiped off the small trickle of blood that trailed from the edge of her lips. She turned back to Syaoran.
She looked straight up at him.
And Syaoran regretted it straight away.
Her bright emerald eyes were suddenly brighter than usual. In fact. they were glistening. With tears. For some reason, she looked even more hurt and upset than the night that she met Hatoshi again. She actually looked like she was in physical and emotional pain at the same time.
Syaoran mentally kicked himself for slapping her. 'she asked for it' he thought. trying to make himself feel better.
"Li Syaoran. how dare you? How could you? You hit me because of her? You know what? You're just the same as her. The only other person that has EVER hit me across the face before was her. And now you. And. I thought. we. were friends. well I guess I thought wrong then hey? And I trusted you. I thought you were different. And now I've lived to regret it" she whispered.
These words affected Syaoran even more than all her screaming and swearing. The way she looked, holding her cheek, controlling her tears, and that whisper. that broken whisper. her words held tears in them. She sounded like an injured angel. And WHAT she said. Syaoran felt a wash of guilt over him.
She turned to Ryo, who was currently examining Sakura, and also inwardly laughing at how she just got hit,
"Bitch, don't stare at me like that. I look like how I do know thanks to you actually. If it weren't for you, I would never have tried to change myself. *laugh* I actually believed everything you said about me. I was trash and shit, so. I upgraded myself. But I see that you are still a slut after all these years, I guess the good thing is that you can't go any lower."
Sakura turned around to go, but before leaving turned around and whispered one last thing,
"Your ex lover is here. Sukiteka, I mean, I'm sure he misses a whore like you. Bastards go excellent with bitches like you, so I'm sure Sukiteka would do just fine.
And good luck on your new love triangle now Li, your new competition for this bitch is Sukiteka, good luck." And she turned around and left.
Not before letting Syaoran glimpsing at the tears that fell from her eyes though. They glittered as she turned and walked off, head up high in the air, showing her victory over the last battle just then.
And finally, Syaoran understood. He understood why Sakura was so emotional about meeting Hatoshi again. He understood why she cried so much. Consciously, he understood it all, but he just would not ever take shit from anyone like that. No one ever talked to him like Sakura just did.
'She's not worth my time. What a friend she was, she didn't even let me explain. Well, I guess she's just like any other girl.' Thought Syaoran to himself. But no matter what, he just couldn't push away that nagging feeling at the back of his heart. It felt. like. guilt. But why was he guilty? What was he guilty for?
For hurting her.
Like those that have hurt her before.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Sakura's tears started streaming down her cheeks. The tears were hot. And they ran down her burning cheek, burning it even more. She walked over to Eriol's office. She could still sense the two of them, staring there, glaring at her retrieving back.
She tried to brush her tears away. But they wouldn't go. She took a deep breath and walked into Eriol's office.
Eriol was sitting on the sofa waiting for her.
"Hey Sakura! I thought that you forgot about me! So we ready to go?"
"Umm. Eriol. can you go? Just go down to Chiharu and Takashi and go with them. They'll know where to meet Tomoyo. I don't think I can go. Just go and have fun without me. And if you can, tell Tomoyo or Chiharu to call me later tonight." Whispered Sakura to Eriol. Not looking up at him, bending her head over so her bangs fell over her red eyes and swollen cheek.
"Sakura? What's the matter? Look up at me."
"Nothing"
"Don't lie to me. what's the matter?"
"Really. nothing's the matter! Sorry! I just got a little tired just then. I guess I want to come along as well. Let's not make them wait anymore. Come on. Let's go!" she said, putting on a fake smile. She didn't want to worry anyone.
"Are you sure? Are you feeling alright? You don't have to go if you don't want to" said Eriol
"Iie, I'm fine, I need to relax a little anyway. Let's go." Said Sakura as she walked straight out, knowing that Eriol would follow behind.
"Wait! Sakura! What about Syaoran? Didn't you say that you actually brought him along as well? I'm surprised with you. anyway. so? Where is he?" asked Eriol, catching up with her.
Sakura looked to the side, avoiding his gaze.
"Something happened. He can't come. You can go ask him yourself." Said Sakura.
They went and pressed the button and waited for the lift to come. Sakura was still a little in shock with her behaviour just then. And he lightly brushed her hand against her right cheek, which was still swollen and burning from the slap before. She winced as they made contact and shot her hand back down.
She was lucky that her hair was covering her cheek so no one could notice the swell and red marks.
DING
The lift arrived.
And
Out
Stepped.
Chiharu and Takashi
And
Syaoran.
.
Ouch
.
'Aren't I having such a lucky day today?' thought Sakura sarcastically.
"Hey Sakura."
"Hey Chiharu. sorry I took so long. Eriol just had to finish his work" said Sakura softly, totally ignoring Syaoran's existence.
Eriol raised an eyebrow at her, but got the drift and decided to stay quiet. Syaoran turned around to leave to his office when Takashi said,
"Hey Li! Sakura told us that you were going to come along as well! Where do you think you're going? We were looking forward to you joining us. So you're not backing out now."
Syaoran threw a glare back at Takashi to tell him to shut up,
"I still have work to do. I'm not going" he said coldly.
"Come on Syaoran! Work can wait! You're the boss! Just come along and relax with us. Just a drink and dinner. Come on! We had to wait for you for so long, don't make us wait in vain" said Eriol, not affected by his glare.
"Eriol, I said -,"
"Eriol-kun, Li-san is busy. He has a guest with him and I am quite sure that he would rather spend time with her than us. So he has decided to not join us today" cut in Sakura sharply, ignoring Syaoran AGAIN.
Chiharu looked at Sakura closely. There was something wrong with what she just said. Something very wrong. Sakura is never like that. What happened this time?
Syaoran just glared at Sakura. 'The nerve of that woman!!! How can she tell me when I can go to dinner and when I can't. How can she just PRESUME that I'm with Ichibera? Well. I'll prove her wrong' thought Syaoran stubbornly.
"ACTUALLY. the truth is. my guest just LEFT. So I am free and work can wait for tomorrow, so I would be more than glad to join you for dinner Eriol. Let's go, I'm hungry" said Syaoran, smirking.
Sakura just sighed. She didn't have the energy to argue with him. so he can do whatever he likes.
"Come on then Chiharu, Tomoyo's waiting for us" said Sakura sadly, walking into the lift.
The rest of them followed, entering the lift. Sakura tried to stay as far away as Syaoran. She knew that he was doing this on purpose.
On the other hand, Chiharu was growing more and more worried about Sakura, something had happened and she is not talking at all. And Takashi and Eriol were just plain surprised that Syaoran actually offered to go with them.
To cut things short. they all knew something was wrong.
"DING" (Car park level.)
. . . . . .
Sakura and the others left the lift to find Tomoyo standing outside her car talking to a man. or more like. yelling at a man.
They all edged closer to see who it was.
MN: HEY!!!! Did you like the chapter? I really hope you did everyone! Pretty long for me and I know it took a while. Gomen, gomen.
I'll address all my reviewers in the next chapter (which I hope will come out a lot quicker and I'm sorry about the little cliffy here. eheheh.
I feel sorry for Sakura for being bullied so much in the past = (.. Ryo is pretty bitchy hey?
Well, I hope you review, coz that's what keeps me going. Coz your reviews are my inspiration and my inspiration is my writing and my writing is my uhh.. Writing.
Ja!
(p.s.. REVIEW!!!)
(p.p.s... in your reviews, can you please tell me if you want any S+S fluff in here or not. I just want to see your opinions.)
(p.p.p.s... last one. dus ne1 kno how to save a word document as an html so that it actually WORKS on ff.net? if u do, please tell.)
THERE WILL BE A REVIEWERS LIST AND DEDICATION NEXT CHAPTER SO MAKE SURE YOU REVIEW THIS CHAPTER AS WELL!!! I ALSO APOLOGISE FOR ANY GRAMMATICAL AND SPELLING ERRORS COZ I AM FAR TOO STUFFED TO BE BOTHERED TO PROOFREAD.
HOPE YOU ALL READ AND ENJOY!!!
DISCLAIMER: I am tired and sleepy and really am not in the mood. Don't you even think about suing my coz I have no money at all. I took all my money out thru atm and spent it all last week, am currently broke and do not own card captor sakura or clamp in any case and I only own my new characters and plot.
WARNING!!! Rating raised up to pg-13 due to slight coarse language.
Last chapter:
#No more Hatoshi, no more Ryo. I have my friends, and that is all that I need. I've got Tomoyo, Chiharu, Naoko, Takashi, Rika and my new friends. There's the ones at Kawaii Designs and at uni. And there's Eriol. and. Li- kun.#
and she fell asleep with a small glimpsing picture of Syaoran flashing into her mind. the scene with her in his arms after she fainted. a tiny blush appeared on her face.
It has been a week since the whole Hatoshi incident. Everything has been going very normally. Sakura has been working very hard on her thesis while all her friends were at work. Tomoyo had worked out a very comfortable, yet successful schedule for Sakura to work by, and the fashion show business was coming along very well.
Today, Sakura is due to go to a school for surveying and research for her thesis. She had chosen her topic to be 'Peer harassment through status and adolescent relationships' and focused the topic more on young students aging from 13 to 16. {MN: You'll see why this particular choice later on. maybe. Umm. and I'm not sure if that is even a thesis title, but yeah. it'll have to do. Psychology is a really good subject to study though. Not like I've studied it but my sister has. hehe. on with the story.}
All the students loved her, especially the younger ones. Some of the year twelve guys were actually turned on by her. She looked way too young for a chick going to uni. (Yr 12 = approximately 17-19 years old). Well after a whole afternoon's work of asking teenagers about their friendship problems, Sakura had successfully compiled a large amount of research that would help her greatly with her thesis.
At 4:15pm, Sakura had finished and received a call for Chiharu, asking her to go for a drink since she's just finished work. Sakura 'yes'ed to that and went downtown to Li Enterprises to meet up with her. On the way there, Sakura got another phone call. {MN: She's in a taxi bv the way}
"Moshi moshi? Kinomoto Sakura."
"Hey Sakura-chan! How are you?"
"Tomoyo-chan! Yeah, I'm alrite."
"How did the students go? Were they helpful?"
"Yeh. It all went great. Look, I was just about to go and meet Chiharu and go for a drink. Care to join us?"
"Sure! That'd be great actually! Where? When?" asked Tomoyo.
"Uhh. we don't know for both yet. I've got to meet her at Li Enterprises. If you can, you can meet us there. Who knows? We might be able to get Li- kun, Takashi and Eriol to come along, what do you say?" she said, added a slight emphasis on Eriol's name.
"Sounds kool to me! I'll see you at Li's, but give me about an hour coz I'm at home and I'll need time to get there."
"Yeah, it should be fine. Just call when you're there."
"Ja Sakura!"
"Ja"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
"Wow. this place has gotta be around 50 stories high. gosh." she wondered out loud.
She walked through the grand entrance and noticed that she didn't know what level Chiharu was on, so she called her.
"Chiharu?" asked Sakura softly.
"Yeh Sakura, ssup?"
"Umm. sort of in a little trouble."
"Why? What's the matter? Are you alright?" she asked, getting panicky.
"Eheh" Sakura sweatdropped. "No biggie. Breathe Chiharu. I forgot to ask you, but what level are you on in the building. Gomen."
Chiharu sighed, relieved. "It's okay. Level 32."
"Hai. Arigatou Chiharu. Ja."
And she hopped into the lift to level 32.
"DING"
Sakura walked up to the receptionist's desk.
"Excuse me, sorry but I was wondering if I could please speak to Mihara Chiharu? She was expecting me."
"Yes, sure. She told me already. Please, go straight ahead and you should see her."
"Thank you."
Sakura walked on and saw a whole lot of office desks, all with their occupants working busily away in their cubicles. She looked around and finally spotted Chiharu. She seemed frustrated for some reason.
"Chiharu-chan?"
"Huh? Oh! Shit! Sakura! You're here already? Look. um... I don't think I'll be able to go for at least another 45 minutes or so. I am so sorry. It's just. rrr. work. boss. you know. I'm sorry."
"It's fine Chiharu. I asked Tomoyo to come along as well so we'll have to wait for her anyway. Don't worry 'bout it. Just get your work finished so we can go." Sakura answered, winking at her.
"Great!"
"Do you think Takashi would be able to come as well?"
"Yeah, he asked before already, so he's gonna tag along."
"Yay! Now. do you mind if I ask Eriol and Li to come as well?"
"Umm. you can ask Eriol. but it's your choice if you want to ask Li to come."
"Nani? Why not Li?"
"Oh! Don't get me wrong. but I was just thinking he would have lots of work and stuff, I don't mind, ask him," Chiharu quickly covered up.
"Ok!" asked Sakura. a little dense, not getting Chiharu's drift.
"Why don't you go ask them now, seeing you got some time to kill. They're on the top floor. Level 52."
"K. Laters then"
And she made her way to the lift again.
"Hmm. 52 levels. Two more than what I guessed, not including ground floor, car park or roof top." she murmured. Then she called Tomoyo and told her not to rush and to meet at level 32, Chiharu's level.
"DING"
She walked out and luckily, she saw Eriol straight away.
"Eriol-kun!" she greeted and giggled seeing him in a suit and tie, but she noticed that it matched him. Many heads turned to hear where that sweet voice came from. Most of them were guys of course. And at the same moment, all those guys thought,
'Man. that chick's hot.'
Eriol looked around and finally saw that it was Sakura calling him. He smirked a little noticing how all the guys looked at her and she was not realizing it at all.
"Oh hi Sakura-san! How are you? What are you doing here?" he smiled at her, holding onto his files, slighting surprised by her appearance.
"I'm great thanks and I'm here looking for you."
"Me? Why?" asked Eriol, a little confused.
"Coz Chiharu and I were going for a drink later on, when work finishes. And I knew you were here so I wanted to see if you wanted come. Tomoyo's coming," she said, and added the last part on innocently.
"uhh. umm. well. okay. Give me another 40 minutes or so though. if that's ok. Sorry, but I just needed to finish up a few things. But yeah, I want to come," answered Eriol, face reddening the slightest touch.
"Fine with me. Chiharu and Takashi haven't finished yet either and Tomoyo- chan hasn't gotten here yet. Which one's your little cubicle? I'll tell you when everyone's ready."
Eriol chuckled a little. "Sakura, you're on the top floor."
"Yeah, I knew that. And? What about it?"
Eriol sweatdropped at her cuteness, "Sakura, is it your first time at a big company like this?"
She nodded.
"Well Sakura, the top level is usually the executives' level."
She nodded again.
Eriol had a big sweatdrop this time. "Well that means that we would have offices not cubicles."
"Oh! Gotcha! Wow. you're an executive in this big place? Whao. So tell me then. where's your office?"
"Go down there a little and you'll see my secretary on the first right turn." He pointed out
"Arigatou. See ya later then."
"Bye."
"No wait! Can you tell me where Li-kun works as well?"
"First turn on left. Why?" asked Eriol, smiling a little too innocently.
"So he can come for a drink with us of course."
{MN: I'm really sorry if anyone's getting lost in this conversation. but there's still more."
Eriol winced a little at the idea. Syaoran never goes out for drinks after work. And everyone has known not to ask him since the last person did. (a female of course) who he glared at and yelled at her, declining the offer. Later that week. Syaoran fired that woman.
"I don't really know Sakura. mmm. He's probably busy."
"Geez, does he get a lot of work or something? That's exactly what Chiharu said. Oh well, if he can't come then he can't come, but I'll still ask."
"Same direction toward my office but first turn left." Stated Eriol
"Well thanks, and I'll see you later."
"Good luck then Sakura," he mumbled as he watched her walk off.
Sakura followed Eriol's directions and found an office with a secretary sitting there already. On the door read, Li Syaoran: Chief Executive Officer.
Sakura gasped.
'OMG, Li-kun is actually the chief executive officer of Li Enterprises? No wonder why he didn't give a shit about that shirt. He probably has thousands. Li. baka Sakura,' here, she smacked her hand against her head. 'nah duh. LI Syaoran, LI Enterprises. Gosh, why didn't I see that.' She thought to herself.
She started getting a little figetting but calmed down saying it doesn't matter who and what the person is, as long as he is nice. And Li did help her that time.
'Tomoyo's CEO of Kawaii Designs and she's still my best friend. so it shouldn't matter.' She thought to herself, finding that a very reassuring idea.
"Umm. I'm very sorry to disturb you but. I was wondering if I could please talk to Li. Li-san please. If that's alright." Sakura said politely to the secretary.
The secretary looked up from her work, examined her and then gave her a cold stare. But Sakura didn't back down, she just looked back at her with a smile.
"What's your name? Do you have an appointment?" she asked rudely. The secretary had always been given specific orders that any female that wanted to see Syaoran would need either an appointment or satisfying reason to see him. If not? Then she was NOT allowed to go anywhere near him and there would be no necessity for any disturbances regarding her at all. She was also in a bad mood after being just told off by Syaoran. This fragile little girl in front of her looked like just the person to take it out on.
"My name's Kinomoto Sakura and well. no, I don't have an appointment," answered Sakura plainly. It wasn't her fault that she didn't know that Syaoran was CEO of an international company.
"What's you reason to see him?"
Sakura was starting to get frustrated with the secretary. It was like she needed to have a bloody interview before she could see him.
"That's none of your business miss. But I'll still tell you. I just wanted to ask him if he wanted to come for a drink with me and my friends." Answered Sakura. starting to lose her calm.
"Well he's busy so he can't come. Now please don't tell me that you're his girlfriend because if you do, you will be the 7th person to say that in the past hmm. let's see. 47 minutes," spat out the secretary.
"Well guess what? I am not his girlfriend, just a friend. And if he is busy then he can say so for himself."
"I'm sorry I can't let you in. I'm just following my orders. Now please leave miss, or I'll have to call security to take you out." And the secretary gave one last cold glare before returning back to her work totally ignoring Sakura.
Sakura opened her mouth to say something when the secretary suddenly added,
"Oh yes, and don't ask me to pass on any messages because I won't."
.
Sakura closed her mouth, took a deep breath and let it out. She turned around to walk straight across over to. Eriol's office. She was praying that this secretary would be more. helpful.
"Excuse me miss?" she asked the secretary.
"Yes?" she answered.
"Sorry, but I need to speak to Eriol for a few minutes, is that possible? But no, I don't have an appointment and no I am not his girlfriend and my reason is seriously not really a reason, I just need his help."
"You must be Kinomoto-san, yes Hiiragizawa-san told me you would be coming. umm you're a little early but I'm sure that's fine, just hold on a sec." And the secretary called Eriol, leaving Sakura very embarrassed about her behaviour just then. "Yes miss, you can go in now."
"Thank you," said Sakura, "And sorry about that little uhh. outburst just then."
Sakura opened the door a little and walked through, standing at the door. Looked around and saw a VERY big office.
"Hey Sakura. I'm sorta not ready yet sorry, you guys can go ahead." Said Eriol.
"No, it's not that, the others aren't ready yet, but I need your help," said Sakura
"With what? What's the matter?" asked Eriol
"I think I need a warrant or something like that to be able to get to Li. Seriously, his secretary just won't let me through, rrrrr, so yeah. can you let me through to him?"
Eriol chuckled. "Please, it's not the secretary's fault. Come on, I'll let you through."
"Pheww. thanks"
Eriol walked up with Sakura over to Syaoran's. The secretary's head jerked up hearing footsteps thinking it was ANOTHER woman after Syaoran to see Eriol walking towards her with. 'that girl just then?'
"Isaki, can you let this young lady in to Syaoran's office. We were just going for a drink after work and I sent her to ask him."
"Y-y-yes, of course. I'm very sorry about before miss," and the secretary shakily took the phone and called through to Syaoran.
"Thanks Eriol"
"No probs, come get me when you're ready." Answered Eriol with a wink.
"M-m-miss? Umm. You may go through now," the secretary was clearly terrified, hoping that she wouldn't make Eriol or Syaoran fire her. 'She's even on first name basis with Hiirigizawa-san.'
"Thank you" Sakura said, with a small smile before going to through.
She opened the door to find an office that was really large again. Either the same size as Eriol's or even bigger.
"Li-kun?"
"Kinomoto? What are you doing here?" asked Syaoran, not even looking up from his work. (The secretary called in before and told him that a Kinomoto- san was going in, so that's why he knew, he was sort of surprised, but he, of course, didn't show it) "Take a seat."
"Wow. Li-kun? I think your office is about the same size as quarter of my house. hmm. why didn't you tell me that you were CEO of Li Enterprizes. Wow. you must get a lot of work." Sakura said while walking over to take a seat, not even glancing at Syaoran yet, still glancing around the neatly designed office.
"I didn't find the need to tell you. What are you doing here?" asked Syaoran. He felt something like a blow at his chest when he finally looked at her.
They made eye contact.
Brown to green. amber to emerald. chestnut to jade. whatever you like to call it. But the windows to their souls made contact. And in both eyes, a slight sorrow could be seen.
Then finally. they both looked at each other properly and Sakura started giggling. Syaoran didn't even notice. Sakura looked so gorgeous. She was wearing well-fitted flare glitter jeans with a metal dangle belt. With that she wore a nice flattering and tightish pink tank top with a baby blue scarf and a denim jacket. To top it all off she wore a fashionable soft pink cap {MN: I so can't remember what those hats are called, they're not caps or bucket hats but they're sorta floppy and really cool. I've got 4 different coloured ones. (so expensive)}
Finally, Syaoran came back to earth and realized she was giggling. Syaoran gave her a glare and asked her in a cold tone,
"What are you laughing at Kinomoto?"
Sakura tried her best to compose herself a little and said,
"hehe. Sorry Li-kun. it's just that, you look so hehehe. stiff and uncomfortable in your suit. hehehe. sorry, I'm not laughing at you, but it's just so cute. Nevermind, I laughed at Eriol before as well. I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed seeing you guy looking so pro."
Then she took a deep breath and stopped laughing but still had a bright smile plastered on her face. She took a seat in front of Syaoran's desk and noticed how neat he was. Everything was so. fixed in place it like it was glued on.
Syaoran just looked at her weirdly and brushed it aside.
"So you still haven't told me what you are doing here? You still haven't told me yet."
"Oh! Yeah! By the way. you're secretary was so mean. She didn't let me in. What are you, Li-kun? Huh? It's sorta like you're royalty or something. I wasn't allowed in without an appointment or a good reason AND she wouldn't pass messages on for me. What's the deal?"
"Well, I am CEO of an international company so it would be a bit difficult for me to see everyone who decides to suddenly barge in whenever they feel like it." He answered sarcastically, "And messages? Well. if messages were allowed, I think I would get lots of letters and messages from many females in one day. So much, that my secretary won't be able to work."
Sakura sweatdropped and mentally smacked herself on the head. nah duh, CEO here.
"But it would not be accepted if my secretary is rude to anyone. Especially my friends," he added.
"What did you say? Sorry I just spaced out for a sec." Asked Sakura
"Nevermind. Kinomoto. for the third time, what are you doing here?"
"Oh yeah. back to the main point. Have you got a lot of work to do?"
"Why?" asked Syaoran in a perplexed tone.
"Well of course you would. But do you want to go for a drink with us later. Us, meaning, me, Chiharu, Takashi, Eriol and Tomoyo. I don't know. I was just thinking it would be good for you to come. But looking at the time, it'll probably turn out to be dinner rather than a drink." Said Sakura.
"No. I've got lots of work," answered Syaoran sharply.
Sakura was a little taken aback by the attitude but just would not give up.
"But you have to have dinner!" said Sakura in a stressed tone.
"I will have dinner when I want. That is none of your business." Spat out Syaoran. He didn't like to be told what to do and when.
"Well it is now Li. YOU are going to dinner with me and that's that."
"You have no right whatsoever to tell me what to do Kinomoto!!!"
Sakura stood up from her seat, angry. But then she took a deep breath and sat back down. She could practically feel Syaoran's glare on her.
"Please?" said Sakura, looking straight at him. "It's not good for your health to skip meals. You need your rest as well. Come on. it's just dinner."
"I TOLD you, NO. My health is my own business so butt out Kinomoto." Answered Syaoran in an icy tone, and he returned back to his health.
"No it's not! Look at me Li, NOW." Syaoran unintentionally just looked up at her. He was telling his mind not to listen to the girl but it just wouldn't work. He looked up to find Sakura standing up, leaning over his desk and looking straight into his glare.
'Whoever thought that this woman is fragile is SO wrong' thought Syaoran.
"Li-kun, your health is not just your business, it is lots of people's business. You see, if you get sick then it's not good for the company OR the people around you. Remember Li-kun? Remember we're friends. So, naturally I care about my friends, which means I care about you. And 'you' includes your health. So 'you' are coming to dinner with me tonight," said Sakura in a softer tone.
"Geez. no wonder why Chiharu and Eriol weren't so keen on me asking. I bet you anything that you've probably blown at someone for asking you this before." Syaoran opened his mouth to say something but Sakura cut in. "And this dinner, I'm treating coz I still remember that shirt. So I'm ready, do you think you'll be able to go in about 10 minutes?" asked Sakura.
Syaoran sighed. He knew he had no way out of it. As stubborn as he was, he had finally met his match. This woman in front of him is as stubborn as he is. if not, then more. He knew it. He was defeated in this battle. He nodded silently.
"YAY!!!!!!!!!" Sakura cried. "K, you've got a car don't you? Well. I'll tell you when we're all ready. Actually, no. I'll be waiting for you outside you office. See ya in 10."
And then Sakura gave Syaoran one last smile before skipping out of the office like a little girl. Syaoran sighed. This girl sure is different.
*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*
Sakura sat down in the sofa outside his office. She had just gone down to see Chiharu and Takashi. They were ready. Gone over to Eriol's office. He could go any time. And called Tomoyo, who had just arrived downstairs and was waiting for them in the car park.
Just Li to go now.
She relaxed on the sofa. The secretary had gone and there were few people left in the building. She stood up when she heard the office door click open.
Out walked a very pissed looking Syaoran.
'Geez. is going to dinner THAT hard of a task for Li?' thought Sakura.
But she thought wrong. Because after Syaoran walked out was a very good- looking girl around their age. The young woman had her arms hooked around Syaoran's left arm. Her right hand intertwining fingers with his. The girl was looking lovingly up at Syaoran. Yet, Syaoran made no effort to push her off.
Slowly, Sakura laid her eyes on the girl properly.
And Sakura recognized her immediately.
Ryo. That. bitch.
*^*^*^*^*^ flash back *^*^*^*^*^
Sakura was backed against a wall. There were five girls standing in front of her. All of them looking tarty and VERY angry.
Four girls held onto Sakura's wrists and ankles. The one called Ryo stood in front of her.
"Kinomoto, I'll ask you one more time. Break up with Hatoshi."
"NO!"
"Fine ms goody-two-shoes. You asked for it." And she raised her hand and slapped it across her face.
"NO!"
Ryo kneed her in the stomach.
"NO!"
Ryo punched her. Sakura was struggling against the four girls, trying to get away. But she couldn't. And by the end of the day, Sakura left the school bleeding with bruises and cuts all over her. in places that people couldn't see, like her thighs, back, stomach, arms, shoulders.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ end flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Sakura looked at the woman in front of her. All the memories were flooding back. But she pushed them away. The woman looked back at her. But Ryo didn't recognise the new Sakura.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Once again, the same girls were there. But this time there were more. And there were even guys this time. All of these people were the ones that disagreed with the popular Hatoshi seeing this plain and unpopular Sakura.
Again, Sakura held back against the wall. She definitely couldn't escape this time.
Ryo held Sakura's head back by pulling her hair.
"Leave him"
"NO! TRUE LOVE CAN NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY! I WILL NEVER LEAVE HATOSHI!" screamed Sakura in Ryo's face.
All of them started laughing at Sakura. And once again, Ryo slapped her against the face.
"Bitch. You asked for it yourself"
And Ryo poured ice cold water all the way down Sakura, causing her white shirt to go see through and stick to her skin. Buckets after buckets were poured down on her. Sakura was shaking from the cold. All the guys were laughing and having a great time and seeing how she had no curves, just a straight block look, insulting her with anything they thought of. Then they all left her there to cry and freeze.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ end flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Syaoran looked at Sakura, and then back at Ryo. He noticed something changed about her after they walked out. There was some sort of shock. anger. and depression about Sakura after seeing Ryo.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*
"You know, Hatoshi, why were you going out that geek Sakura all that time. I mean, you spent like a whole semester outta your life with her. You could have had any girl but you chose that plain old girl that has no taste in clothing any how?"
"SShhhh. Ryo, well, to be honest. I don't even know why I went out with her. I guess I needed something - or more like someone - new, so she was the first girl I bumped into, and she was different so I chose her."
"Well thank god you have better taste now than then Hatoshi."
And the girl snuggled up to his shoulder and he rested his chin on her head. Sakura heard it all though. Each and every single word, like a knife stabbing into her heart.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ end flash back *^*^*^*^*^*^*
Sakura shook her head a little. Trying to shake out these thoughts, but she was unsuccessful. They stood there for a long time, looking from one person to the other. Silent, no introductions, nothing. just a very tense silence falling over them. Finally, the bitch - or more commonly known as Ryo - spoke up.
"Who are you?" asked Ryo flatly. She was thinking Sakura was some wannabe- Syaoran-girlfriend.
"Great meeting you again, bitch. Li, I'm going. If I stay any longer I think I might throw up," spat Sakura coldly.
"What did you just call me?" asked Ryo, clearly not impressed by this stranger's behaviour and wanted her to pay for it.
"I called you bitch. Oh.
actually
sorry,
I think I just recognized the wrong person. How rude of me. I hope you can forgive me miss. Of course. you're not the bitch that I'm thinking of. Sorry, I'm just having a bad day and my memory has been really bad lately," said Sakura really quickly, "How could such a gorgeous and lovely young lady like yourself be the bitch I'm thinking of. My apologies."
Ryo stood higher all of a sudden, hearing someone praising her like that. She was just about to say that Sakura was forgiven when she was interrupted,
By Sakura herself.
"You see miss. I used to know this bitch. She was soooo snobby and stuck up. She thought she was the best thing in the world. Back in high school she used to get people to beat me up and threaten me. you know, she gave me the whole works pretty much everyday. She gave me a scar as well, on my waist it is, and it's still there! A total of 9 stitches I remember clearly. She was a slut, a prissy, a whore.. Hmm. what else? To shorten things, she was just a spoiled little piece of slutty bullshit," said Sakura, staring Ryo straight in the eye.
Syaoran was gaping. He didn't know how to react to Sakura's sudden change in behaviour, her language and. attitude. But most of all. he had no idea how to react to her past. He didn't know that she had it so hard in the past. She. .. . Syaoran was lost, he didn't know what to think. He was in a blank mode all of a sudden. All he could do was just stand there and listen.
Sakura was trembling. But she would not back down.
"And you see miss. This slut decided to steal my boyfriend and my first love." Here, she laughed dryly and there was definitely no humour in it. "She can have the bastard for all I care now. This bitch had cut me, scarred me, so deep that I haven't let myself fall in love again these past four years. Today, I have made sacrifices and changes all because of this spoilt shit."
She sighed. And looked back up at the two silent figures before her. And smiled the fakest smile ever, and in a sugary tone, she added her last comment.
"Oh yeah! I never told you. her name? Ichibera Ryo."
Syaoran and Ryo gasped simultaneously. Syaoran flung his arm away from her. Ryo just looked back at Sakura. Holding up an accusing finger she said,
"You. you. Kinomoto??? Kinomoto Sakura? But... how? You."
"I'm impressed Ryo, just shows that you don't forget the girls that you go around giving 9 stitched scars to." Answered Sakura sarcastically, "See now bitch? You're not just a bitch. you're a lot more."
"It was really you? Ichibera? I'm disgusted." Whispered Syaoran in a tone colder than ice itself.
"No, Syaoran. please. let me explain." pleaded Ryo.
"DO not call me Syaoran again please. you'll disgrace my name."
"Li, you're not much better. You were going to go out with this bitch? I would have thought better than that for you. I guess I'm wrong. Once again. As always. You have no need to put a show on for me. Fuck the bitch for all I care. I'm going to dinner with my friends now. I don't think I can stand the sight of you two for another second," spat out Sakura to Syaoran.
"Kinomoto Sakura, no one. No one. Ever. Talks. To. Me. Like. That. How. DARE YOU!! How dare you accuse me of something that you don't even know of? Next time. check before swearing at me bitch." Spat back Syaoran
"Well. GEEEZ. I'm not sure, YOUR MAJESTY. I'm not sure if I want to CHECK what you two get up to. Urghh. I don't even want to think about it."
And
Syaoran
Did something that
He has never, ever done before.
He slapped a female. Sakura across the face.
Sakura's head cracked to the side. She held her cheek with her hand. She wiped off the small trickle of blood that trailed from the edge of her lips. She turned back to Syaoran.
She looked straight up at him.
And Syaoran regretted it straight away.
Her bright emerald eyes were suddenly brighter than usual. In fact. they were glistening. With tears. For some reason, she looked even more hurt and upset than the night that she met Hatoshi again. She actually looked like she was in physical and emotional pain at the same time.
Syaoran mentally kicked himself for slapping her. 'she asked for it' he thought. trying to make himself feel better.
"Li Syaoran. how dare you? How could you? You hit me because of her? You know what? You're just the same as her. The only other person that has EVER hit me across the face before was her. And now you. And. I thought. we. were friends. well I guess I thought wrong then hey? And I trusted you. I thought you were different. And now I've lived to regret it" she whispered.
These words affected Syaoran even more than all her screaming and swearing. The way she looked, holding her cheek, controlling her tears, and that whisper. that broken whisper. her words held tears in them. She sounded like an injured angel. And WHAT she said. Syaoran felt a wash of guilt over him.
She turned to Ryo, who was currently examining Sakura, and also inwardly laughing at how she just got hit,
"Bitch, don't stare at me like that. I look like how I do know thanks to you actually. If it weren't for you, I would never have tried to change myself. *laugh* I actually believed everything you said about me. I was trash and shit, so. I upgraded myself. But I see that you are still a slut after all these years, I guess the good thing is that you can't go any lower."
Sakura turned around to go, but before leaving turned around and whispered one last thing,
"Your ex lover is here. Sukiteka, I mean, I'm sure he misses a whore like you. Bastards go excellent with bitches like you, so I'm sure Sukiteka would do just fine.
And good luck on your new love triangle now Li, your new competition for this bitch is Sukiteka, good luck." And she turned around and left.
Not before letting Syaoran glimpsing at the tears that fell from her eyes though. They glittered as she turned and walked off, head up high in the air, showing her victory over the last battle just then.
And finally, Syaoran understood. He understood why Sakura was so emotional about meeting Hatoshi again. He understood why she cried so much. Consciously, he understood it all, but he just would not ever take shit from anyone like that. No one ever talked to him like Sakura just did.
'She's not worth my time. What a friend she was, she didn't even let me explain. Well, I guess she's just like any other girl.' Thought Syaoran to himself. But no matter what, he just couldn't push away that nagging feeling at the back of his heart. It felt. like. guilt. But why was he guilty? What was he guilty for?
For hurting her.
Like those that have hurt her before.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Sakura's tears started streaming down her cheeks. The tears were hot. And they ran down her burning cheek, burning it even more. She walked over to Eriol's office. She could still sense the two of them, staring there, glaring at her retrieving back.
She tried to brush her tears away. But they wouldn't go. She took a deep breath and walked into Eriol's office.
Eriol was sitting on the sofa waiting for her.
"Hey Sakura! I thought that you forgot about me! So we ready to go?"
"Umm. Eriol. can you go? Just go down to Chiharu and Takashi and go with them. They'll know where to meet Tomoyo. I don't think I can go. Just go and have fun without me. And if you can, tell Tomoyo or Chiharu to call me later tonight." Whispered Sakura to Eriol. Not looking up at him, bending her head over so her bangs fell over her red eyes and swollen cheek.
"Sakura? What's the matter? Look up at me."
"Nothing"
"Don't lie to me. what's the matter?"
"Really. nothing's the matter! Sorry! I just got a little tired just then. I guess I want to come along as well. Let's not make them wait anymore. Come on. Let's go!" she said, putting on a fake smile. She didn't want to worry anyone.
"Are you sure? Are you feeling alright? You don't have to go if you don't want to" said Eriol
"Iie, I'm fine, I need to relax a little anyway. Let's go." Said Sakura as she walked straight out, knowing that Eriol would follow behind.
"Wait! Sakura! What about Syaoran? Didn't you say that you actually brought him along as well? I'm surprised with you. anyway. so? Where is he?" asked Eriol, catching up with her.
Sakura looked to the side, avoiding his gaze.
"Something happened. He can't come. You can go ask him yourself." Said Sakura.
They went and pressed the button and waited for the lift to come. Sakura was still a little in shock with her behaviour just then. And he lightly brushed her hand against her right cheek, which was still swollen and burning from the slap before. She winced as they made contact and shot her hand back down.
She was lucky that her hair was covering her cheek so no one could notice the swell and red marks.
DING
The lift arrived.
And
Out
Stepped.
Chiharu and Takashi
And
Syaoran.
.
Ouch
.
'Aren't I having such a lucky day today?' thought Sakura sarcastically.
"Hey Sakura."
"Hey Chiharu. sorry I took so long. Eriol just had to finish his work" said Sakura softly, totally ignoring Syaoran's existence.
Eriol raised an eyebrow at her, but got the drift and decided to stay quiet. Syaoran turned around to leave to his office when Takashi said,
"Hey Li! Sakura told us that you were going to come along as well! Where do you think you're going? We were looking forward to you joining us. So you're not backing out now."
Syaoran threw a glare back at Takashi to tell him to shut up,
"I still have work to do. I'm not going" he said coldly.
"Come on Syaoran! Work can wait! You're the boss! Just come along and relax with us. Just a drink and dinner. Come on! We had to wait for you for so long, don't make us wait in vain" said Eriol, not affected by his glare.
"Eriol, I said -,"
"Eriol-kun, Li-san is busy. He has a guest with him and I am quite sure that he would rather spend time with her than us. So he has decided to not join us today" cut in Sakura sharply, ignoring Syaoran AGAIN.
Chiharu looked at Sakura closely. There was something wrong with what she just said. Something very wrong. Sakura is never like that. What happened this time?
Syaoran just glared at Sakura. 'The nerve of that woman!!! How can she tell me when I can go to dinner and when I can't. How can she just PRESUME that I'm with Ichibera? Well. I'll prove her wrong' thought Syaoran stubbornly.
"ACTUALLY. the truth is. my guest just LEFT. So I am free and work can wait for tomorrow, so I would be more than glad to join you for dinner Eriol. Let's go, I'm hungry" said Syaoran, smirking.
Sakura just sighed. She didn't have the energy to argue with him. so he can do whatever he likes.
"Come on then Chiharu, Tomoyo's waiting for us" said Sakura sadly, walking into the lift.
The rest of them followed, entering the lift. Sakura tried to stay as far away as Syaoran. She knew that he was doing this on purpose.
On the other hand, Chiharu was growing more and more worried about Sakura, something had happened and she is not talking at all. And Takashi and Eriol were just plain surprised that Syaoran actually offered to go with them.
To cut things short. they all knew something was wrong.
"DING" (Car park level.)
. . . . . .
Sakura and the others left the lift to find Tomoyo standing outside her car talking to a man. or more like. yelling at a man.
They all edged closer to see who it was.
MN: HEY!!!! Did you like the chapter? I really hope you did everyone! Pretty long for me and I know it took a while. Gomen, gomen.
I'll address all my reviewers in the next chapter (which I hope will come out a lot quicker and I'm sorry about the little cliffy here. eheheh.
I feel sorry for Sakura for being bullied so much in the past = (.. Ryo is pretty bitchy hey?
Well, I hope you review, coz that's what keeps me going. Coz your reviews are my inspiration and my inspiration is my writing and my writing is my uhh.. Writing.
Ja!
(p.s.. REVIEW!!!)
(p.p.s... in your reviews, can you please tell me if you want any S+S fluff in here or not. I just want to see your opinions.)
(p.p.p.s... last one. dus ne1 kno how to save a word document as an html so that it actually WORKS on ff.net? if u do, please tell.)
