Twin Strangers
Written by: Ciuline Ihmenjo
Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me. The characters in Cardcaptor Sakura do not belong to me. CLAMP owns CCS. Besides, even if you do try and sue me, I have no money.
= Announcements =
I would first and foremost like to both unofficially and officially thank Tim and Mark for reading "One Plus One". They had to suffer through my bad grammer (see there is goes again: grammar) and creepy first/second person pronouns. Very hard to do, but I have to say that I love writing like this. Secondly, I would like to say that I'm pretty sure that I can stick this in PG-13. Also, I can't stop writing something like this. You just seem to get absorbed into the characters. And finally, what was originally a One-Shot turns into a series of sorts. For now, I'm pouring a little more in to Twin Strangers than into my other stories because it is what is coming to me at the time. Maybe I'll try Meilin next time… no?
Italicized words are thoughts; Bold words are emphasis; CAPS WORDS are shouting; words in asterisks signify changes in scenes like the beginning and end of flashbacks or dream sequences
= = A Little More than Two = =
Morning almost completely passes me by. You miss it completely. Consciousness dawns on you sometime just before noon. Before you wake, I am content to watch you sleep. Content to watch every little twitch and movement. Two people lying in the slim rays of sun slipping through cracks between each individual slat of the blinds. And when you roll over, I swear I can see drool. But your head turns facedown too quickly for me to see.
"That's decidedly un-ladylike," I chortle.
Your snort echoes off the walls, muffled by the mattress. "Shut up," you mutter.
"It is. You were drooling."
"I wasn't." Your arm raises into the air, and your hand flops limply up and down in an attempt to shoo me away. "Go back to bed Touya dear."
"It's noon," I say, cupping your face in my hand. Turning such a beautiful countenance to plant a kiss on lazy lips.
"It is?" you question in disbelief. Your sleepy smile is replaced as you roll over and sit up. "Fine," a sort of glare is shot in my direction, "you got me up. What now?"
The sun's rays bathe your features in golden light. You are my goddess. "I don't know, what do you think?"
The stupid grin on your face threatens to pop your ears off. "Ah, but this time, I'm too tired."
I burst out laughing. "She would hear us for sure." As if to confirm my statement, there is a light rapping on the door. "See?"
You struggle to contain laughter of your own.
"Hold on," I shout at the offensive noise, at polished wood and dulled brass.
"Breakfast brother, or should I say lunch?" The handle jiggles. She has a confused tone to her voice, "Why is the door locked." Frustrated jiggling follows. You throw a pillow over your face so not to be heard. But it covers mine as well.
I'm too caught up in your lips to pay much attention to her. Your eyes close as our lips part. "Don't pull away," I say dreamily.
"She needs you. I need to become scarce." You kick the puddle of your clothes under the bed. "Sakura would freak if she saw those. I wear it all the time." Once again, I'm reminded why I enjoy having a bathroom off my bedroom.
"ONI-SANNNN!" she cries out, banging on the door.
"Mei-chan, I'll be back when I get some food." I sigh. To the door: "Kaiju! I'll be out in a minute."
"I am not a monster! And Touya, if you don't get your lazy butt out here, I'll kick the door down." Sakura moved in after Dad died. It was in his sleep. I see him from time to time, just like I see Mom. Sakura has the same ability now. I've seen her talking with them once in a while. But their visits have become less frequent these days.
"I'm coming," I groan, throwing on yesterday's clothes. "I'll be right there."
"Lemme guess, another girl?" she shouts. It's the same one, it always has been… but she doesn't need to know that…
"Kinda," I call back. You're standing in the doorway to the bathroom with a towel wrapped around you. I smirk. "You look better with that off." Your tongue flickers out at me, and you blow a silent raspberry.
"TOUYA!" she screams, threatening to blow the door off its hinges.
"I'm coming," and under my breath, "damn you're so impatient."
"I heard that!"
"I figured you would." And then I can hear the sound of water running. Unlocking the door and opening it just a crack, I manage to slip out. I pull it shut behind me and trudge toward the kitchen.
She's standing there with the apron that Syaoran kid gave to her. A spatula in one hand, the handle of a frying pan in the other. I have little doubt that she has been doing the same thing with that brat. After all, we both have our little secrets. Mine is just better kept than hers is.
"So," she says. The beginning of the question. "Who is she?" The rest of it. A pancake flops gracefully over in the frying pan. "What's her name?" Sakura, if you only knew…
"Does it matter?" I reply. "You wouldn't know her."
"Yes it does and maybe I do," she declares.
"Jeez squirt, just hurry up and give me two plate of pancakes." I completely wish to avoid the awkwardness of Meilin running into my sister. She takes very quick showers, unless I'm there, so she must be out by now.
Her finger flits out in the direction of two steaming plates. I can't figure out why I didn't see them.
"You know," she begins, "I miss having you and Yukito-san around in the mornings." The name of my former lover is said almost in a whisper.
I let him go without remorse. That's a lie… I cried for weeks. But, Meilin, you were there to dry my tears. And just after that—
"I'm going to his house today," she says. It is the end of summer, of course she is. Ever since she came home all floaty that one day, a sparkling gem on her finger, I surrendered to fate and let him have her. In reality, I knew that it was – that it still is – inevitable. But he's still a brat.
"You are?" I smile. She is going there because I have no way to stop her. She knows that I have finally given up. So, stripping of the apron, she hangs it next to mine: the one with peaches and peach blossoms. And the chef's hat, bought as a Christmas gag gift, one I couldn't find a way to turn down. The door opens and closes, just loud enough to carry the fact she has left to my ears.
"Good bye Sakura." It doesn't matter whether I say it or not, "be home sometime before dinner! Hell, bring the brat along too, if you want."
"And let you be able to poison Syaoran?" she calls back cheerfully. I can detect the extra effort to make me hear Syaoran's name.
I sigh, knowing the futility of my next few sentences. "At least call when you two finish with whatever you two are going to be doing." And from here, I can see the blush spreading on her cheeks. And then she is truly gone. Humming a tune, her keys jingling in her hands. Her car rumbles to life below.
I had made a list of at least a dozen reasons to not buy it. His name attached itself to at least half of them. In the end, it was Yukito himself who finally made me cave. I hope you are happy with her my friend… happy with Nakuru…
A tear develops and slides down my cheek. A hand comes from over my shoulder, brushing the few droplets away.
"Hey," you say from behind me, "you don't do sad, remember?" I let out a quivering laugh.
"Yeah, you're right." You give me a quick peck on the cheek as a reply.
"Oh, pancakes!" A hand snakes under my armpit to grab a fork on the table. You don't catch me by surprise when you pop a small bite into my mouth. I see the fork again, this time coming from over my shoulder, and spear another piece.
"You're not eating,' you say. "What, you want me to feed you or something?"
"How 'bout the former?" I reply, matching your question with one of my own.
"Nope—" the sound of your chewing muffles the next few words. A loud gulp is followed by your voice. "Sorry about that."
"About what?" I smile, and you can tell I don't care.
"Not gonna spoon feed you. I'm not your mother." The fork that is just inches from my mouth darts into your own.
"You keep this up, Syaoran will know about us."
"But then Sakura would find out as well."
"I never said there's not a downside to that idea." I look over my shoulder at you. Once again you have decided my clothes look better on you. Even if they are too big, you still look wonderful in them. At least, I seem to think so. You look wonderful in just about anything. Sheets and sweat come attractively to mind…
"I know that look." The words snap me out of my fantasies.
"What look?" I'm only slightly confused until, finally, my thoughts catch up to me. "Oh, no, that's not what I was thinking."
"You're sure?" you say with a slight smile. "I'm pretty sure the last time you looked at me that way—"
"We did it in the kitchen. I know, I know." I wave you off. And then you take the seat beside me.
"So…" You look down at the last pancake sitting on your plate.
"Here," I spear one on my plate, "you can have one of mine." After a moment, it slides off the fork and into the puddle of syrup on your plate.
"Actually, I was wondering what else we were going to do today."
"Other than have sex?" I laugh.
"Pervert."
"Yeah, it gets boring after a dozen or so times." I begin to poke at my pancake. "Well, she managed not to burn it."
"They're actually pretty good."
"I don't doubt it." I stop poking and begin cutting the small stack on my plate into smaller pieces. "She just manages to singe something whenever she makes it."
"She probably just singed her own then."
"Yeah, probably." I look at you and brush raven strands away from your face, tucking them behind one of your ears. "So, how is it that we got together again? How have we stayed together for such a long time?"
"Almost two years now, right?" You smile and stuff a large piece of pancake into your mouth.
"Yeah, you were only what, sixteen?"
Still chewing, you shake your head. After a moment, you finally are able to swallow. "Nah, still fifteen. Although, it was just before I turned sixteen." Using the sleeve of the over-large sweatshirt you are wearing, you wipe syrup away from your mouth. "It was a little after Yukito left. You were bawling your eyes out. I just happened to be there. And Sakura just happened to be out on errand. I was bored and went to check out the noises from your room. And you latched onto to me and just sat there, crying for almost an hour."
I sit for a moment and contemplate your words. "Did I—"
"No," a nostalgic smile graces your face, "not that time."
"That's a relief."
"Only because I ran out of the room before you got the chance to."
"Oh." I shrug. "I was lonely. I had a beautiful girl in my arms."
"The other way around dear."
"Yes, a beautiful girl was holding me in her arms." Your tongue darts out to nab a small bead of syrup rolling down your chin. "And either way, I don't remember you resisting too much when we eventually got around to it."
"I didn't. I was lonely too." And that hurt look comes over you. I hate that look. The downcast eyes and tightly pursed lips. I hate everything about it because I can't stand to see you hurt.
"And now?" I say.
Your expression brightens. "Now," you smile at me, that hurt look evaporating from your face, "I have you now."
"But are you still lonely?"
"Not really. Just every once in a while." Your gaze drifts to the window and then back to me.
"How so?"
"You're not around all the time."
"We can change that you know." Your pancakes have disappeared. Now you are just watching me with a slightly curious expression.
"They'd all flip out." You shake your head with slight amusement.
"If we got engaged," I pause, the full weight of the idea settling on me, "or if we got married?"
"Both," you chuckle. Sliding out of your seat, with the plate in hand, you begin washing it in the sink. "And that sounds something like a proposal."
"I'll think about it," I say.
"What's there to think about?" you ask.
"Not much really," I reply. Actually, there is a lot to think about. Syaoran and Sakura play heavily into this picture, and the rest deals some with money and more with our families. And both my magic and Sakura's magic is a part, but on a grander scheme of things. But I really don't care. I'd choose you through any hardship.
"Oh." A very simple statement to say the least.
"Yeah. Like I said, I'll think about it." I have been planning to do something about buying a ring to give you for a few months, but I have monetary issues to sort out first. Like Sakura's wedding… And I can't just go to Tomoyo or Sonomi-san for that. But I'm sure that Tomoyo would jump at the chance. After all, she is the one who has been talking with Sakura about the wedding for a few months now. All said and done, she's almost planning the thing herself.
Your next statement surprises even me. "This isn't a relationship of convenience, is it?"
I have to chose my words carefully so as not to accidentally hurt your feelings. "In the beginning, I think it was. But now, it's more than that. Much more."
"After all," you decide to complete my thoughts, "we wouldn't stay together so long if this was just out of convenience. Right Touya?"
"Right." I get up to place my plate in the sink and let you wipe the remaining syrup off it. Placing my arms around you, I put my head on your shoulder. "So, Meilin, what do you think?"
You dry your hands and shut the faucet off before replying. "About what?"
"Getting married," like talking about a taboo subject, I whisper my words in your ear.
"It's a good idea, but an idea that can be put on hold until after Sakura and Li are married." You kiss my forehead, turning your own head to do so. For a moment, you look like you are in deep thought. "Don't you have to work today?"
"Yeah, it's only for this afternoon and some of tonight. I have to go in about two, get off at about eight, maybe eight thirty."
"Mind if I tag along? It's my off day. I need something to do." You sigh. "And I need a ride back to my house."
"Won't they see us if you do that."
"They will be too busy screwing each other's brains out to notice."
"Good point." I shiver and you do the same. We both know the thought going through each other's mind at the moment.
"First I need a shower. Let me get changed and then I'll drive you over."
"Sure." You look at me for a moment.
"No, you aren't joining me."
"I've already had mine." You shake your head. "Males. Is that all you ever think about?"
"When I can tear my thoughts away from you." I grin. You smile.
"Fine. I'm wearing this back though."
"That usually means you're keeping it. I'm loosing too many of my clothes to you."
"So what? You'll get them back when we get married. Think of it as a wedding present of sorts." You giggle and I silence you with a quick kiss.
"Fine, just as long as you don't leave your clothes here again. Sakura does the laundry you know."
"And that's why she's been asking about you having women over?"
"Yes, she washed your clothes. They're on the top shelf of my closet." I begin the short journey up the stairs. "I'll be right back. Find something to do until then."
I don't hear your cheerful reply, but I walk away with thoughts of only you on my mind. My Chinese goddess and the love of my life…
= = Closing remarks? = =
Who to put this in next time, Meilin or Touya? I dunno but I'm sure either way I will have something interesting. Talk to you later and your responses tell me where to go here, so please… please… please review! I'll have to start doing review quotas if you don't!
If you have any suggestions/wishes for a story, please submit them to me at CiulineIhmenjo yahoo.com
That is all…
Ja ne Ciuline Ihmenjo