Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 3
Sakura waited in the living room of the apartment. There was a comfy couch, a few bean bags, a table, and a TV. She had opened the windows to let the sunlight in. The suns brilliant rays falling formed beams over the table.
She sat on the couch fidgeting, fighting the urge to go change. She was in jeans and a sweatshirt but a little voice in her head kept speaking about doing her hair or putting on a little makeup or maybe even changing into a cute little skirt, showing a little skin. No! I refuse to try to impress a guy like him.
Though she had to admit he was turning out to be different than the jerk she initially saw him as. At lunch he had been polite if distant. In the halls a girl had dropped her books and he helped her pick them up. In Math he had even helped a few students with a complex problem. And when she had listened she actually understood. And considering her lack of skills in the math department, this was a large feat. He was always there to lend a hand; he didn't seem to place himself above others. But there was something that set him apart from everyone and Sakura's curiosity in discovering what that something was, was growing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Just breathe, Li thought as he paced outside Sakura's door. Remember your training. Just go in. Do the project. And be cool. As long as you stay away from her she is safe. And above all else, don't look her in the eyes. Alright I'm ready.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura opened the door on the knock.
"Li. Come on in. Would you like something to drink or eat?"
"No. Thank you."
They stood there awkwardly, neither one looking the other in the face.
"Ummmm… I set the …experiment on the table…over there." Sakura pointed to the coffee table where a prism, a cut glass vase, a cup of water, a mirror, and a piece of white paper were resting. windows. Sakura was finishing up her notes while Li held the vase up. The room filled with dancing rays, the room sparkling with wavering colors. It was like being in a sea of colors, the waves flowing all around.
"Li. I understand the idea of light but I don't really get how all those colors could turn light colorless or white." Sakura prompted.
It took a moment for Li to respond, recovering from the slight surprise when Sakura broke the silence. "Each color of light is a different kind of wave, each traveling at a different frequency. When these waves come together their different frequencies form into one, melding, canceling each other out." Sakura noticed that Li was looking everywhere, the floor, above her head, out the window, but never directly at her. "Think of music harmonies. Each musical note has a different wavelength but you can combine them to form a whole new one that contains the parts of the old."
During this Sakura had unconsciously taken out her necklace and was fiddling with it as she mentally processed what Li had just said. Wow he really understands all this. Hey maybe having him as a partner won't be so terrible.
"I realize we kind of started off on the wrong foot. I can get a little grumpy a little grumpy…alright a lot grumpy and I want to apologize. I mean, we are going to have to see each other every time in science and it might be nice to be on speaking terms. So what do ya say? Friends?" Sakura offered her hand, releasing the star from her grasp letting it hang form the long black cord.
Then she heard a sharp gasp and looked up to find Li staring wide eyed at her pendant.
Oh no she has it already. She's involved. I hadn't planned on her having the Sapphire star. I have to keep her away from it all.
"…" "Y..You..'ve..found.d it …already?" He stuttered.
"Found what? You mean my necklace; I've had it all my life. What's the big deal?" Weird, his eyes have gone all buggy. That doesn't look good. Sakura wasn't sure what to make of Li's reaction and was in for an even bigger shock when Li made a grab for it.
"Excuse me. What is your problem?" Sakura demanded. Does he have a few screws loose or something? Maybe it's a male form of PMS 'cause these are some funky kind of mood swings.
"Please. You don't understand. It's dangerous. Just give it to me." He pleaded.
"Are you nuts, my mother gave this to me. And you just want me to hand it over to you? I think it's time you left Li." Sakura said shakily beginning to rise to show him the door.
Li grabbed her arm, yanking her back down. "You don't understand," He repeated," I am trying to help you."
"Help me with what…robbery?" She snapped trying to get up again, but he wouldn't let go. It wasn't a painful grip, but it certainly restrained her mobility. All right she thought, That's it, as she tried to push him away.
Next thing Sakura and Li knew they were on the floor wrestling each other. And the peculiar thing was, it wasn't a violent struggle, there wasn't even any anger. It was almost teasing, a test of will. They ended up at a standstill, Sakura on her back with Li leaning over her.
"Just give it." Li said through gritted teeth.
"Make me." Sakura challenged, but realized that maybe that wasn't the best suggested. Li seemed like the kind of guy used to authority.
Li grabbed for the star clutched in her hand and ended clasping his hand with hers….
Oh my………………..
What………….is this
I…know you….your soul……
…….We are…..one….
They were overwhelmed. Beforehand Li had only grabbed Sakura's sleeved arm, but this contact was different; it was skin to skin.
They suddenly became very aware of each other's presence, his powerful body leaning into hers, his heavy breathing, and her quickened heart. There bodies rushed with adrenaline. Tingles shot down their arms. It was like being electrocuted, every cell alive and reacting, every nerve on overload. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time, and all they could do was cling to each other for protection.
His eyes…they're defrosted.
They just lay there, staring into each other's eyes, losing themselves in each other. The tension kept building as the connection grew stronger. It was like an invisible force was between them, and it was tightening, drawing them closer.
His eyes are so warm. I'm drowning in pools of lighted brown.
Her eyes are so bright, full of life. They're pulling me in.
Slowly Li began to lean in, closer and closer. Neither one breathed as if afraid to break the spell they were under. Their faces were mere inches apart, the space shrinking more and more as each moment passed. They were losing themselves, becoming one. Floating in a world of sparks and tingles, both closed their eyes. Sakura felt his heat on her lips, engulfed in his sharp, cool scent. She waited to feel his lips brush hers…
………..
………..
………..
"Sakura, I'm h…..What the hell is going on?!?!"
What… huh? I don't understand. Oh no, Toya! I'm in deep shit! Sakura screamed to herself as she looked up to find Toya glaring down at Li who is half lying across his mortified sister. Definitely not the best first impression to make with an overprotective brother. As the two disentangled themselves, Sakura shot a glance at Li. His eyes were as cold as ever. Whatever was about to happen was lost.
"You, brat, get out now before I do something illegal. And I don't ever want to see you anywhere near my sister alone again. Clear?" Toya demanded, bearing down on Li.
"Crystal." Li crisply replied, eyes unreadable. The room crackled and popped with energy as the two stared each other down. If looks could kill, Li would be needing a coffin, Sakura noted.
Toya followed Li out and slammed the door. Then turning on his sister, "Sakura! What the hell was that about? I come home to find you and some unknown guy together! You are too young for any of that. I…"
Sakura struggled to not laugh as her brother raged on, the steam practically flowing from his ears.
"Toya, calm down. It's not what you think."
He snorted.
"Cliché, but true. Li and I weren't together or anything like that. He's my new science partner and we were working on a prism lab. See?' as she held a prism up to the light, causing a wavering rainbow to appear on the hardwood floor.
"And what you got so dizzy from the light that you two just collapsed on one another."
Sakura sighed. How can I explain it to him? I can't tell what happened for the obvious reasons, 1) Toya would kill Li for the whole wrestling his baby sister thing, and 2) I'm not even positive what was going on. So twisting the facts it is! Time to lie through my teeth.
"Look, idiot, we were sitting on the floor and Li rose first and held out his hand to help me up. I, being the coordination-aly challenged klutz that I am, slipped pulling him down as well. And just at that moment you came in."
Toya stared at his sister. He had the feeling that she wasn't telling the truth, but knowing her track record with equilibrium he had no way to dispute it.
"Fine. But I don't ever want to find you two alone here again."
"Does that mean I can be alone with a different guy then?" Sakura teased.
"What other guy?!? Who? Is.."
Sakura laughed, watching her brother flip out.
"Not funny monster," he growled.
She stuck out her tongue.
"Now go work on dinner, make sure there is enough for three, ok?"
Hmmmmm three? I wonder. "Who's coming over?" She asked, having a feeling that a certain friend would be arriving.
"Yukito."
A knowing smile came across her lips as she walked into the kitchen humming "Love Is In The Air."
Toya turned back to the front door. So he's here. It's begun already.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I am officially an idiot, Li thought as he walked back to the Rae residence. His brain was on overdrive trying to figure out what had just occurred at Sakura's.
God what was I thinking, almost kissing her. It was like I lost control of everything. I couldn't stop myself. The moment flashed before his eyes. When they had touched it was like all walls had been torn down by a pure connection. His feelings became the wrecking ball to his focus. He had wanted to protect her and be with her. He had forgotten all about his mission.
When in training back home his mother had warned him he might have trouble around her, Sakura. But he had brushed the warning away. He felt fully in control of his emotions and thinking nothing would be able to change that. Oh had he been proven wrong. He had broken twice, once from her touch, the other when he saw her star.
She already had the Sapphire star. Li was thankful that it wasn't activated yet. She didn't seem to realize its significance. Most likely she hasn't remembered anything either. Good. I'll just need to get the star from her before she does. Once she becomes aware I don't think I'll be able to keep her away.
But what if I can't? A small voice inside whispered. Dull emerald eyes flashed through his head. No! I will not fail this time. It will not end the same this time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Global warming. What dangers does it hold, tonight on the Channel 24 news…"
"Mass hysteria surrounds this school as three students were gunned down…"
"A recent bus bombing has brought this city on the verge of breakdown…"
"Two men go on trial for racially motivated crimes…"
"Locals rebel against the oppressive First Party president…"
"Serial rapist on the loose. This is the tenth attack in two months…"
So Loki, your powers are growing, Ms. Kaho Mizuki thought as she flipped through news channels. Murder, rape, violence, destruction…the chaos is returning, much faster than last cycle. It is time to awaken the knowledge. She looked at the leather bound book resting in her lap, its faded pages contained within a rich brown cover inscribed with a verse. I only wish I could do more, but until I have my full memories back, I cannot tell everything they will need to know to protect. She looked at the muted TV screen showing garish images of a love triangle gone bad(as if a love triangle could be good in the first place.) I hope they are string enough to break the cycle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura sat on her bed holding her necklace in her hand. Why did he go after my necklace? What sort of danger could this procure? Maybe Li's a cokehead or something. That was the only reasonable explanation she could think of. Well, that and schizophrenia. I just don't understand. Sakura mentally replayed the events of the living room. Her face flushed as she remembered the feel of his body next to hers. Strong and comforting yet terrifying at the same time. She shook herself, banishing those thoughts form her head. I barely know the guy. He could be mentally deranged as today's mood swings indicate. I offer friendship and he goes schitzo, first attacking me then trying to kiss me. For now I should keep my distance. He may be Meilin's cousin, but he's definitely not what he appears to be.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A lone figure floated outside Sakura's window watching. His ebony hair blew in the breeze, revealing a handsome face with eyes the color of a glass of water, so light a shade of blue that it didn't seem humanly possible. And it truly wasn't humanly possible, for this shadow of a man was not a mortal. He watched as the girl inside turned out the light and went to bed.
"Soon we shall be together, my love. Soon."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Aha! I've done it! I did another chapter. Now if anyone would be so kind as to commentate I would be more than appreciative. It's hard to know what works and what doesn't when no one speaks up. So tell!!! : D