Frozen Nightmares

Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captor Sakura

Chapter 3: Taunting Weakness

A/n: Eheh ya know? I just noticed that I haven't mentioned their ages, have I? Heh, forgive me, please. They're 14, so ya know. I figured there's going to be quite a bit of cursing and that's odd for children exactly that young so they're older. *Sweat-drop* Again, please forgive me for forgetting. Please read, enjoy, and review!

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Sakura stiffened unnervingly. 'What does he mean?' she panicked inwardly. 'He doesn't know, does he? How could he? It's impossible,' she confirmed. "Was what, Syaoran?" she asked naively.

"You know damn well what, Sakura." He snapped, crossing his arms over his chest, still glaring. "Now, I'll repeat. What the hell was that?"

"No, Syaoran. I don't think I know 'damn well' what you're speaking off," The emerald-eyed girl argued.

Exhaling semi-patiently, Syaoran closed his eyes with an attempt to keep his anger in check. Amber eyes whipped open again with an unblinking stare. "Okay, let me elaborate. What happened last night?" he spoke coolly.

". . . Last night?" she echoed silently, blinking with artificial purity.

"Don't lie to me; I know that you know precisely what I'm asking about," Syaoran hissed, "I could sense you clearly all the way from my apartment, dammit! What if someone else had?"

"Then, they would have done something," she replied flatly, returning his glare with a frown. She loathed it when he did this, scorned her without even knowing.

"Not necessarily, Sakura. Now, what caused it?"

". . . A dream," she ducked her head in shame. Sakura could hear it now, him laughing at her for being scared. She looked up, confused, when it never came.

"Yes, yes, I realized. What kind of dream?"

Sakura shot him a dry look. "A nightmare; what else?"

The amber-eyed boy sighed. At this rate, he would get absolutely nowhere! "Okay, Sakura. I got that, but what was it about?"

". . . Nothing," She shifted her gaze to anywhere but him.

"Sakura,"

The girl winced at his firm warning. "It's nothing important; I just overreacted, that's all!"

"Dammit, Sakura, let me be the judge of that!"

She stubbornly turned away, glaring at the ground.

Syaoran sighed. ". . . Please? I just want to understand what's going on, what's up with you, ya know?"

Sakura took a hesitant glance over her shoulder but didn't surrender. "You'll laugh at me, taunt me, tease me, make fun of me . . . or something! I know you will, Syaoran, so don't deny it . . ."

Syaoran fell silent. He used to do that, yes, he used to tease her for any weakness; frowning, he supposed she would remember that if he did. But all those times before, nothing stopped her. Why now? What the hell did that dream do to her?!

He looked up again, worry clouding in amber orbs. Sakura had her back to him still and she was . . . trembling? She wasn't- she wasn't afraid, was she? Syaoran noiselessly chewed his lip. What was there to be scared of? It was only him . . .

A gentle hand on her shoulder startled Sakura and she cringed, eyes clenched tight.

Syaoran immediately pulled his hand away, sighing. Sakura ducked her head. He was frustrated with her, she knew. "I'm sorry," she heard him say softly.

To say the least, Sakura was shocked. With a gasp, he head snapped towards Syaoran. Surely she'd heard him wrong.

Seeing her bemused expression, Syaoran smiled weakly and repeated through clenched teeth. "I'm sorry," He looked away, feeling his cheeks flush slightly. He hated those words but . . . "Tell me, please?" he asked softly. "Will you tell me? I promise no laughing, taunting, teasing, any of it . . ."

Sakura sighed; she couldn't deny that he was actually being kind of sweet about it. She knew she could trust him with it but she still rather keep it to herself or at least share it with Tomoyo first. She swallowed hard and glanced quickly up at him. "It was a dream," Her eyes drifted back the ground beneath them, unknowingly.

"You told me that. What, exactly, was it about?" Syaoran asked not-so patiently.

Emerald eyes flickered up to Syaoran again then back at her feet. She couldn't seem to keep a steady gaze with him. "It-it was just criticism, berating, ya know? It was saying I was worthless, stupid, weak, unloved, untrustworthy, dishonest . . . alone . . . You know, things people don't want to be called or told," she murmured finally, looking away, embarrassed.

Syaoran found himself blinking hard, extremely confused. Hadn't she-- didn't she figure that-- how could she think that?! She's the Card Mistress!! She wouldn't-- well, shouldn't-- think that! "Sakura, you don't believe that . . . right?" Syaoran uttered hesitantly.

Sakura shrugged uncomfortably, gaze downcast.

"What does that mean?"

Sakura shrugged again, eyes clenched shut.

"Sakura--"

"I wouldn't be surprised, okay?!" she blurted. Gasping, a hand flew to her mouth, eyes large. That was loud . . . She even heard it ring, bouncing off the building behind her, echoing. "I--"

"It's okay," Syaoran interrupted quietly, eyes hooded. He took a deep breath and exhaled unhurriedly. "It's okay," he repeated, "Look, I know I haven't been the best with compliments or even being polite at times; I know that. But, really, I don't think lowly of you," he admitted, stepping towards her. "I really don't. You're a strong girl, Sakura; you can take care of yourself. I'm truly sorry if I made you believe differently." Barely a breath away from her, he brushed his lips against her own. Breaking away, he spun on his heel and walked away, hiding the blush that snuck up on his cheeks.

Sakura stared after him with an unblinking gaze. Had he--?? Her eyes widened. She gradually blinked and pressed a gentle finger to her lips. Oh gods. He had. A scarlet color stained her cheeks in an instant. First, he'd complimented her then . . . kissed her!! What had gotten in to him??

The bell rang.

Hoe-ee!! Class!! She'd totally forgotten! Yes, very understandable, of course. She flushed again, but class!! Oh no!! Picking up her discarded bag, she sprinted down the halls.

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*Sheepish grin* Eheheh . . . I couldn't resist!! ^_^_^_^ Please review!!

--Nikumu