Chapter 8: The Ultimate Challenge
Kasualyte-ACCCKKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKKKK!!! 8 Reviews overnight!!!! I'm going to cry!!! WOW!!!!!
K-channy- Why are you excited? I'm the one who wrote the story. God, 8 year olds get no respect.
Kasualyte- Oh, shut up. You might have written it, but I typed it, considering that you have a problem reaching the computar chair.
K-chan- While they fight, I just want to say that Kasualyte, K-channy and I are personally reading at least one story from each Signed Reviewer. So far, we are reading The Tournament from Jurei and Until You Come Back To Me by Stars from Above. Awsome stories (If I do say so myself) even though I'm more into angst and K-channy's into CCS stuff, so K-channy took to Until You Come Back To Me and I'm looking at The Tournament.
K-channy- Please, type my story!
Kasualyte- Fine! Only because this conversation has gone on too long. A little note from us. Your not going to find out why Sakura blames her mother until later. Sorry, but please read this chapter. You do find out some other interesting things though, so don't skip the chapter.
Start POV Sequence
Syaoran: You know, if you think about this for a minute, you'll find out that I should feel minorly content. At least she's not angry at me.
Sakura: It's funny. People tell you to release your emotions by telling someone. It always makes you feel better. Hmm... Syaoran still thinks I'm cringing... which I am. That small fact makes all the difference. It's official. When you tell someone how you feel and can't do anything about it... You feel worse than before.
Tomoyo: If you think about all of what I have compared to Kinomoto Sakura, you'll see that I have a lot less. In fact, all in all, I can be poor compared to her.
But she isn't rich without Syaoran.
Eriol: It's one of those simple feelings... you know, Love... that makes people go haywire. They do stupid things that they never ment to do. But Love is so simple... why don't people just see what they want, go for it, take it by the waist and show them that if you are not with them, there will be no tomorrow.
Of course, I should practice what I preach.
Yukito: Her mother? I wonder if this also affects Touya.
Touya: Poor Sakura... I never knew that mom affected her so much. (K-channy- I was going to write more, but that would make it too easy on you guys about why she blames her mom.)
End POV Sequence
"AHHHHHHHHHH"
Sakura's eyes snapped open just in time to see Tomoyo being squirted by a super soaker. (Don't own that) The person behind the gun was Touya, who was in his yellow swim trunks, and he pumped it up one more time before squirting her. Sakura ran to the bathroom while being followed by Touya. Kawaii had run out of the room, while being blasted by her own brother.
"ARG! Don't you know what dry-clean only silk means, Jusenori?" Kawaii screamed in the hallway.
"Don't you know what day it is, sis? It's The Ultimate Challenge and the parents just paid me to soak you." Jusenori was cracking up. Seeing Kawaii soaking wet was actually pretty funny. Usually, she was very clean. Her hair was a mess and you could see her underwear through her shorts and shirt. Plus, her face was flaming with anger.
She made a face. "Fine then. Let me just put on my bathing suit."
"Think of it this way, Kawaii-chan. You don't have to take a shower." Jusenori followed her into the room where she held the faucet hose. She blasted it onto Jusenori, who shot with his water gun.
Syaoran came into the room in his PJ's. "What's going on?"
Tomoyo took his hand and lead him to a chair. "Don't worry, Syaoran. We're just having a small war. Everything will be all right."
Syaoran made a face. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"This will teach you not to mess with me, Kinomoto Touya!" Sakura threw three water balloons in rapid succession. Touya ducked.
None of them hit Touya.
Three, however, did hit Syaoran square in the face and chest.
Nothing moved. No one breathed. It had seemed as if time had stopped.
Until... maybe... perhaps it continued when Sakura doubled over in laughter. Maybe that was because Syaoran's hair had a cowlick and was totally wet.
Syaoran gritted his teeth. "Do you think this is funny, Sakura?"
Sakura stopped laughing and looked up from her bent arms over her chest. She had been leaning over them for support. As soon as she saw Syaoran, who was trying to be serious in this situation, she cracked up. About at this time so did everyone else.
Syaoran made a face again. He swiftly scooped up Sakura in his arms and left the room.
"HEY!" Touya yelled. "What are you doing to my kid sister?"
At about this time, Kero decided to wake up. "Yeah, ya GAKI. What are you doing to Sakura."
Syaoran approched the elevator. He boarded it and punched in a button.
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked tentatively. "What are you doing to me?"
Syaoran eyes danced. Sakura frowned, concentrating on his eyes. Usually, they were so sullen and dark, no one could suspect that he was living if he didn't breathe. Now his eyes came to life, sparkling just for her.
He added a smile to it. It was the perfect moment.
'He's up to something sinister.' Sakura thought. 'And I'll love him for it.'
The elevator door's opened.
"Hey, you guys." Kawaii called, looking out the window. "Syaoran going to dunk her in the pool!"
They were outside... and a luxurious... pool was there. Warm in the sun, cold in the cholrine.
Mei-Lin was on a deck chair, bathing in the sun. In her two-piece red bathing suit, she was the belle of her own ball, dancing to a beat in her head. Syaoran wondered how she would react to seeing Sakura in such a position. No matter.
Sakura had resorted to physical abuse. Her small hands were so weak against his rock hard chest and abs, it was stupid that she was trying... stupid and cute.
"Come on, Syaoran. You don't really wanna do this." Sakura pleaded.
Syaoran stopped. He was at the edge of the pool. "I don't?"
"No! Of course you don't." Sakura begged. "PLEASE, SYAORAN!"
"Hey Mei-Lin. Should I throw Sakura into the pool?"
Mei-Lin looked over her posh sunglasses and half-smiled. "Dunk her."
Sakura's mouth dropped. "You can't base it solely on her decision! I won't stand for it."
Syaoran grinned. "Technically, you're not standing. But since you put it that way..." He looked up to the other's by the window. "What should I do?"
"THROW HER!" Was their unison reply.
"How do you like that? Sold out by my own friends and family." Sakura pouted.
"Your at my mercy, Kinomoto." Syaoran whispered into her ear. The thought sent chills up and down her spine. She looked into his eyes playfully.
"Are you sure about that?" As Syaoran despretely held on to all control, Sakura used his distraction to slip out of his arms. (Though, it was comfortable)
Syaoran shook his head. He closed his eyes, took deep breath and...
bit water.
Sakura raised her arms over her head in victory. Then... she did a hip-wiggling dance. The crowd cheered for her upstairs.
Syaoran came up for air. "SAKU~RA!"
Sakura felt strong arms push her into the water. She jumped into Syaoran's arms. Syaoran caught her, but they both flipped over from her speed into the water. Under the water, Sakura saw the flash of metal around Syaoran's neck that had floated out of his shirt.
'He's still wearing it.... He's still wearing the ring/necklace... Even though I took off the key...'
When they both came up, they saw Fujitaka eating a corndog, (why? I do not know) with green swim trunks on.
"DAD!" Sakura giggled.
Fujitaka shrugged. "What?"
Sakura sat in the dance room again with all of the other Freshman and Parents. She could see that it just wasn't her friendly pack that had gotten hit by the Ultimate Challenge bomb. Other people were off much worse. One person was full of chicken feathers that she had to keep peeling off. Another was blotchy all over from paint that he had to rub off. One woman even had her hair dyed green, red, purple, blue, and gold and styled to that she had two cones on either side of her head. Sakura shudded. Once, Touya tried to dye her hair pink so he could call her a real cherry blossom.
Kawaii took center stage. Her and most of the people in the dance hall had resorted to bathing suits. Her's was a purple bikini and the top of the bottoms peeked over her yellow jean shorts. Her hair was also out, unlike the two buns that she usually wears.
"I just want to say, to all of the parents who wanted to prank me... I was pranked."
"Oh yeah!" Someone yelled.
She rolled her eyes. "Anyway. We will begin The Ultimate Challenge in a few moments, explaining where we will be going and what we will be doing." Kawaii put her hand to the microphone and spoke the girl to the right of her. She uncovered the mic.
"You will be given a schedule, the exact same one as some other families, so if you get lost, you'll know where to go. Your stations will have breakfast, so fret not about food. Also, everyone is given a golf cart for travel."
Sakura left her seat with Touya, whom she was going to compete against. They walked to the registration table. As they signed the forms, Touya began whistling a merry little tune.
"What's gotten you so happy?" Sakura asked. Touya turned to her, his eyes twinkling.
"I just have an idea of what you will look like... pinned down to the floor... crying... just like when we were kids." Touya grinned.
Sakura didn't buy it. "I don't think so... what's gotten you so happy?"
Touya didn't exactly loose his grin, but let it subside a little. He took their schedule and walked to the side a bit.
"Okay, okay. I'm going to do something really special for Yukito tonight."
Sakura made a face. "Your not going to sleep with him, are you?"
"NO! No. Besides, even if we did, you wouldn't ever know, would you? I mean, it's not like either of us could become pregnant..." Touya grinned.
"OH EWW! I didn't have to know that. Virgin Ears around here!" Sakura laughed.
"Anyway. Here's what I was thinking..."
Yukito frowned. Sakura and Touya were obviously trying to talk in secret. He rolled his eyes. He wasn't feeling himself today. He kept thinking about what Sakura said.
"Hey Yukito." Tomoyo sat next to him. "Why do you think Sakura's angry with her mother?"
"I don't think she's angry with her... just... I don't know. I just know that she's not angry. Maybe it's the way she said it."
"Perhaps we should ask her?" Tomoyo asked.
Yukito shook his head. "She didn't seem like giving out any other information."
"Hmm." Tomoyo mumbled. "Could you think that it's possible that-"
"Shh, their coming back." Yukito whispered.
(K-channy- HA! Sorry, that was mean.)
Sakura sat down next to Tomoyo and Touya sat next to her. "What do we have first, bro?"
Touya looked at the schedule. "First, we have fencing." Suddenly, his stomach rumbled. "Maybe we should leave now." Sakura shouldered her brother. They left the room.
Touya drove up to the door saying Station #6, Fencing room. Three other families were there, waiting for the teacher. Some ate from the smorgasbord, but most lingered. Sakura wasn't sure if she would be able to keep her food down, so she didn't eat. (Though Touya did) Everyone sat cross-legged on the floor. Sakura sat in the front.
Syaoran, Xiefa, Mei-Lin, and Fuutie came in followed by a small woman dress in white baggy pants and a mint green halter-top which was studded with diamonds on the ends. She carried two sheathed fencing swords on both sides of her body. She walked to the center of the room, while being flanked by Mei-Lin and Syaoran. Sakura watched in curiosity.
"My name is Li Lang-Fei. Xiaolang or Syaoran is my cousin. He asked me to come so that I could referee a proper fencing bout. Mei-Lin and Xiaolang here will show you a demonstration." Lang-Fei withdrew her swords and handed them to her cousins. Sakura watched as she saw Syaoran and Mei-Lin unscrew the ball ends of the swords, making it a deadly weapon. They threw the ends to the sides and stood, swords pointed at the floor, crossed. They circled each other.
Mei-Lin leaned into Syaoran. "If I win, you have to give Sakura up."
Syaoran frowned. "What do I get if I win?"
"If you win... I'll leave you alone about it. I won't get in the way of your attraction to Kinomoto."
Syaoran looked up into Mei-Lin's eyes. They were determined. He sighed and nodded. They took a couple of even, deep breaths and croutched into a battle stance, Mei-Lin taking the offensive.
Silence.
Then a battle cry raged from Mei-Lin's lips. She charged at Syaoran with her sword. She lunged. He danced out of her way and struck himself. The sword hit metal. It clashed again as they danced. Syaoran quickly realized that he was losing. She backed him to a wall. He ran up it, flipping to the other side of her. She blindly turned to have a sword pointed at her throat. She dropped her sword.
"Touche." He said softly. He lowered his sword. Some clapped. Sakura was too afraid to.
"Everyone else will be wearing special gear over their face and bodies. These two have been training ever since they were little together, so special gear is not needed for their bodies." Lang-Fei explained how everything should be put on, but Sakura wasn't listening attentively as she usually would. Syaoran sat down next to her. Her body became stiff as she remembered what she revealed to the others last night.
"Hey. What do you think of my cousin? She came in early this morning." Syaoran asked. Lang-Fei was still talking and was now taking questions.
"She's cool." Sakura replied. She wasn't sure how to talk to him after this morning, when Syaoran totally changed from stern to silly.
"Are you going to talk to me, Sakura?"
Sakura turned to him. "Why would you ask that, Syaoran?"
He leaned into her ear. "Why do you hate your mother, Sakura?"
She scowled. "Were you eavesdropping?"
Syaoran winced. "Not exactly."
She made a face.
"All right. Yes, I was eavesdropping. I was on my way to see if you were okay during the black out and I heard it." he confessed. "I'm sorry."
"I don't accept."
Syaoran flinched. Never was Sakura ever that cold. It just wasn't the cherry blossoms way.
"Are you going to talk to me at least?"
"No."
He sighed. He had made things worse.
"Okay, so will the Kinomoto pair please take the floor?" Lang-Fei called. Sakura suited up next to Touya and was given the sword. After the helmet was put on, there was barely a difference except for height.
She stood with the lethal weapon in her hand (Though the ball ends were put back on). The whistle was blown. Syaoran watched the fight.
Sakura charged at Touya, who moved out of the way. She thrusted at him again, and he moved, swiftly. He hit her back with the sword, then her stomach Then he stuck his foot out and tripped her. It worked, she was on the floor. He put his blade to her heart.
"Touche." He took of the helmet.
It was Sakura.
She threw the helmet to the side and helped her brother up.
"Where did you learn how to fence like that?"
Sakura looked to Syaoran.
"I learn here and there."
***
(K-channy and Kasualyte: Oh God, it's 5 in the morning... it's sooo cold... also, I got to be at school in 2 hours and wake up in an hour and a half... Geez, it's ssoooo cold.)
Sakura laced her rollerblades. She sat on the steps next to her brother. Somewhere above her sat Syaoran, whom she knew was looking at the back of her head. But she wouldn't greet his hungry eyes that wanted hers dreadfully boring into his.
She would not meet them.
He knew too much.
She stood and did a circle in place. Happy with her fluid moments, she went to the starting line to wait for the others. She didn't know that Xiefa had followed her.
"Sakura!" Sakura turned to see Xiefa in a jean jacket that was a little too big, a sports bra and a pair of black lycras. She wobbled for a moment then clutched on to Sakura's arm. "Sorry."
"No problem." Sakura said. "What's wrong?"
Xiefa took a deep breath. "I wanted to talk to you... about Syaoran."
Sakura turned her head. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Ouch!" Xiefa winced. "When did you get so cold?"
Sakura looked back to Xiefa, yet no smile was on her face.. "I'm sorry."
"Before the race... I just... I just wanted to know if you would accept this..." Xiefa pulled out Sakura's ring and key out of her jean jacket pocket. Sakura gasped.
"I... I can't." Sakura stated. "It's too early."
Xiefa raised an eyebrow. "Too early for what?"
"Racers, get to your starting position."
Suddenly, racers flodded between Sakura and Xiefa. Sakura felt Touya pull up to her.
Xiefa growled. No one pushed a Li.
Syaoran skated up between Xiefa and another racer. Sakura watched as Xiefa disappointedly showed him the ring and key and explained what had happened.
Touya nudged her. "Did that gaki do anything to you?"
"On your mark!"
Sakura shook her head, it didn't matter anymore.
"Get set!"
She crouched into a position.
"Go!"
She raced through the throng of racers, easily pulling ahead. This was too easy, it was her zone now. Nobody could beat Sakura when she was in her sport.
Memories of a young Sakura racing to school, a piece of toast in her mouth, yelling at any in her way that she was late. The flood of memories sprung up on her like an attack and she giggled, then gasped in surprise.
Her own laugh was different to her. She frowned, when was the last time she laughed.
Sakura looked ahead. A racer was pulling up to her left. It was time to get her head back in the game.
She added an extra boost of energy to her feet. A hill then a ramp was coming ahead. She went into a crouching position, arms buckled to her sides, and waited to pull up for the ramp. She went up the ramp, flew in the air, grabbed her skates, and did a 360 before coming down on the other side.
She looked to her left again. That racer was pulling up to her left again.
'Wow... he's good' She powered through and saw a landing before the stairs that she tied her skates. She jumped on the railing and slid of the banister. The other racer jumped onto the wall and skated off that.
Now it was all flatland then a downhill before she had another ramp at the finish line. She crouched down again before her skates hit the ramp. She turned to her left. The skater was right next to her.
"We have a photo finish!"
Sakura landed and went to the photobooth.
"Yes... it seems we have a winner!" The guy blew into the megaphone right in Sakura's ear. Sakura grabbed it from him, then placed it down.... hard... onto table.
"It seems like Student Sakura has won the skate route followed by.... Student Syaoran."
Sakura frowned. "Li Syaoran?" It occured to her that during the skate match that Syaoran could have been the skater next to her. The face pace of the skate route made it hard to clarify who was the skater.
She watched as other came over the ramps. (Student Joshua Jordan, Parent Tary Lee Gibson... etc)
The last was Xiefa, who didn't even come over the ramp. She was flanked by six guys and limping on her right foot.
"I'm sorry you guys couldn't have finished the race." Xiefa said in a syrupy voice.
"Don't worry." said one
"Anything for you Xiefa." said another.
Sakura shook her head, this was going to be a long day.
Start POV Sequence
Sakura: I'm sorry... I'M SORRY! I couldn't accept the gift, though the thought of it was too overwhelming. It's too soon...
I don't want to hurt Syaoran...
Syaoran: I don't understand why she didn't take the gift. In a way, I do. But not in any way I can describe.
Eriol: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Tomoyo: grr.. Eriol!
Xiefa: Syaoran has told me everything... It's not like I don't believe him or anything, considering that when he came back to Hong Kong, he had this air to him that was just... I dunno, different. But I need to have a heart to heart talk with Sakura.
Kawaii and Jusenori: I think we are failing our mission.
Eriol: Wow Tomoyo, you look funny in whipped cream.
Tomoyo: GET OUT!
End POV Sequence
Kasualyte: I'm surprised that no one guessed why Sakura said her mom in the last chapter. Hmmm... maybe I'm a better writer than I thought...
K-channy: I'M THE ONE THAT'S WRITING!! (By the way, I want reviews before the next chapter comes out!)
Kasualyte-ACCCKKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKKKK!!! 8 Reviews overnight!!!! I'm going to cry!!! WOW!!!!!
K-channy- Why are you excited? I'm the one who wrote the story. God, 8 year olds get no respect.
Kasualyte- Oh, shut up. You might have written it, but I typed it, considering that you have a problem reaching the computar chair.
K-chan- While they fight, I just want to say that Kasualyte, K-channy and I are personally reading at least one story from each Signed Reviewer. So far, we are reading The Tournament from Jurei and Until You Come Back To Me by Stars from Above. Awsome stories (If I do say so myself) even though I'm more into angst and K-channy's into CCS stuff, so K-channy took to Until You Come Back To Me and I'm looking at The Tournament.
K-channy- Please, type my story!
Kasualyte- Fine! Only because this conversation has gone on too long. A little note from us. Your not going to find out why Sakura blames her mother until later. Sorry, but please read this chapter. You do find out some other interesting things though, so don't skip the chapter.
Start POV Sequence
Syaoran: You know, if you think about this for a minute, you'll find out that I should feel minorly content. At least she's not angry at me.
Sakura: It's funny. People tell you to release your emotions by telling someone. It always makes you feel better. Hmm... Syaoran still thinks I'm cringing... which I am. That small fact makes all the difference. It's official. When you tell someone how you feel and can't do anything about it... You feel worse than before.
Tomoyo: If you think about all of what I have compared to Kinomoto Sakura, you'll see that I have a lot less. In fact, all in all, I can be poor compared to her.
But she isn't rich without Syaoran.
Eriol: It's one of those simple feelings... you know, Love... that makes people go haywire. They do stupid things that they never ment to do. But Love is so simple... why don't people just see what they want, go for it, take it by the waist and show them that if you are not with them, there will be no tomorrow.
Of course, I should practice what I preach.
Yukito: Her mother? I wonder if this also affects Touya.
Touya: Poor Sakura... I never knew that mom affected her so much. (K-channy- I was going to write more, but that would make it too easy on you guys about why she blames her mom.)
End POV Sequence
"AHHHHHHHHHH"
Sakura's eyes snapped open just in time to see Tomoyo being squirted by a super soaker. (Don't own that) The person behind the gun was Touya, who was in his yellow swim trunks, and he pumped it up one more time before squirting her. Sakura ran to the bathroom while being followed by Touya. Kawaii had run out of the room, while being blasted by her own brother.
"ARG! Don't you know what dry-clean only silk means, Jusenori?" Kawaii screamed in the hallway.
"Don't you know what day it is, sis? It's The Ultimate Challenge and the parents just paid me to soak you." Jusenori was cracking up. Seeing Kawaii soaking wet was actually pretty funny. Usually, she was very clean. Her hair was a mess and you could see her underwear through her shorts and shirt. Plus, her face was flaming with anger.
She made a face. "Fine then. Let me just put on my bathing suit."
"Think of it this way, Kawaii-chan. You don't have to take a shower." Jusenori followed her into the room where she held the faucet hose. She blasted it onto Jusenori, who shot with his water gun.
Syaoran came into the room in his PJ's. "What's going on?"
Tomoyo took his hand and lead him to a chair. "Don't worry, Syaoran. We're just having a small war. Everything will be all right."
Syaoran made a face. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"This will teach you not to mess with me, Kinomoto Touya!" Sakura threw three water balloons in rapid succession. Touya ducked.
None of them hit Touya.
Three, however, did hit Syaoran square in the face and chest.
Nothing moved. No one breathed. It had seemed as if time had stopped.
Until... maybe... perhaps it continued when Sakura doubled over in laughter. Maybe that was because Syaoran's hair had a cowlick and was totally wet.
Syaoran gritted his teeth. "Do you think this is funny, Sakura?"
Sakura stopped laughing and looked up from her bent arms over her chest. She had been leaning over them for support. As soon as she saw Syaoran, who was trying to be serious in this situation, she cracked up. About at this time so did everyone else.
Syaoran made a face again. He swiftly scooped up Sakura in his arms and left the room.
"HEY!" Touya yelled. "What are you doing to my kid sister?"
At about this time, Kero decided to wake up. "Yeah, ya GAKI. What are you doing to Sakura."
Syaoran approched the elevator. He boarded it and punched in a button.
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked tentatively. "What are you doing to me?"
Syaoran eyes danced. Sakura frowned, concentrating on his eyes. Usually, they were so sullen and dark, no one could suspect that he was living if he didn't breathe. Now his eyes came to life, sparkling just for her.
He added a smile to it. It was the perfect moment.
'He's up to something sinister.' Sakura thought. 'And I'll love him for it.'
The elevator door's opened.
"Hey, you guys." Kawaii called, looking out the window. "Syaoran going to dunk her in the pool!"
They were outside... and a luxurious... pool was there. Warm in the sun, cold in the cholrine.
Mei-Lin was on a deck chair, bathing in the sun. In her two-piece red bathing suit, she was the belle of her own ball, dancing to a beat in her head. Syaoran wondered how she would react to seeing Sakura in such a position. No matter.
Sakura had resorted to physical abuse. Her small hands were so weak against his rock hard chest and abs, it was stupid that she was trying... stupid and cute.
"Come on, Syaoran. You don't really wanna do this." Sakura pleaded.
Syaoran stopped. He was at the edge of the pool. "I don't?"
"No! Of course you don't." Sakura begged. "PLEASE, SYAORAN!"
"Hey Mei-Lin. Should I throw Sakura into the pool?"
Mei-Lin looked over her posh sunglasses and half-smiled. "Dunk her."
Sakura's mouth dropped. "You can't base it solely on her decision! I won't stand for it."
Syaoran grinned. "Technically, you're not standing. But since you put it that way..." He looked up to the other's by the window. "What should I do?"
"THROW HER!" Was their unison reply.
"How do you like that? Sold out by my own friends and family." Sakura pouted.
"Your at my mercy, Kinomoto." Syaoran whispered into her ear. The thought sent chills up and down her spine. She looked into his eyes playfully.
"Are you sure about that?" As Syaoran despretely held on to all control, Sakura used his distraction to slip out of his arms. (Though, it was comfortable)
Syaoran shook his head. He closed his eyes, took deep breath and...
bit water.
Sakura raised her arms over her head in victory. Then... she did a hip-wiggling dance. The crowd cheered for her upstairs.
Syaoran came up for air. "SAKU~RA!"
Sakura felt strong arms push her into the water. She jumped into Syaoran's arms. Syaoran caught her, but they both flipped over from her speed into the water. Under the water, Sakura saw the flash of metal around Syaoran's neck that had floated out of his shirt.
'He's still wearing it.... He's still wearing the ring/necklace... Even though I took off the key...'
When they both came up, they saw Fujitaka eating a corndog, (why? I do not know) with green swim trunks on.
"DAD!" Sakura giggled.
Fujitaka shrugged. "What?"
Sakura sat in the dance room again with all of the other Freshman and Parents. She could see that it just wasn't her friendly pack that had gotten hit by the Ultimate Challenge bomb. Other people were off much worse. One person was full of chicken feathers that she had to keep peeling off. Another was blotchy all over from paint that he had to rub off. One woman even had her hair dyed green, red, purple, blue, and gold and styled to that she had two cones on either side of her head. Sakura shudded. Once, Touya tried to dye her hair pink so he could call her a real cherry blossom.
Kawaii took center stage. Her and most of the people in the dance hall had resorted to bathing suits. Her's was a purple bikini and the top of the bottoms peeked over her yellow jean shorts. Her hair was also out, unlike the two buns that she usually wears.
"I just want to say, to all of the parents who wanted to prank me... I was pranked."
"Oh yeah!" Someone yelled.
She rolled her eyes. "Anyway. We will begin The Ultimate Challenge in a few moments, explaining where we will be going and what we will be doing." Kawaii put her hand to the microphone and spoke the girl to the right of her. She uncovered the mic.
"You will be given a schedule, the exact same one as some other families, so if you get lost, you'll know where to go. Your stations will have breakfast, so fret not about food. Also, everyone is given a golf cart for travel."
Sakura left her seat with Touya, whom she was going to compete against. They walked to the registration table. As they signed the forms, Touya began whistling a merry little tune.
"What's gotten you so happy?" Sakura asked. Touya turned to her, his eyes twinkling.
"I just have an idea of what you will look like... pinned down to the floor... crying... just like when we were kids." Touya grinned.
Sakura didn't buy it. "I don't think so... what's gotten you so happy?"
Touya didn't exactly loose his grin, but let it subside a little. He took their schedule and walked to the side a bit.
"Okay, okay. I'm going to do something really special for Yukito tonight."
Sakura made a face. "Your not going to sleep with him, are you?"
"NO! No. Besides, even if we did, you wouldn't ever know, would you? I mean, it's not like either of us could become pregnant..." Touya grinned.
"OH EWW! I didn't have to know that. Virgin Ears around here!" Sakura laughed.
"Anyway. Here's what I was thinking..."
Yukito frowned. Sakura and Touya were obviously trying to talk in secret. He rolled his eyes. He wasn't feeling himself today. He kept thinking about what Sakura said.
"Hey Yukito." Tomoyo sat next to him. "Why do you think Sakura's angry with her mother?"
"I don't think she's angry with her... just... I don't know. I just know that she's not angry. Maybe it's the way she said it."
"Perhaps we should ask her?" Tomoyo asked.
Yukito shook his head. "She didn't seem like giving out any other information."
"Hmm." Tomoyo mumbled. "Could you think that it's possible that-"
"Shh, their coming back." Yukito whispered.
(K-channy- HA! Sorry, that was mean.)
Sakura sat down next to Tomoyo and Touya sat next to her. "What do we have first, bro?"
Touya looked at the schedule. "First, we have fencing." Suddenly, his stomach rumbled. "Maybe we should leave now." Sakura shouldered her brother. They left the room.
Touya drove up to the door saying Station #6, Fencing room. Three other families were there, waiting for the teacher. Some ate from the smorgasbord, but most lingered. Sakura wasn't sure if she would be able to keep her food down, so she didn't eat. (Though Touya did) Everyone sat cross-legged on the floor. Sakura sat in the front.
Syaoran, Xiefa, Mei-Lin, and Fuutie came in followed by a small woman dress in white baggy pants and a mint green halter-top which was studded with diamonds on the ends. She carried two sheathed fencing swords on both sides of her body. She walked to the center of the room, while being flanked by Mei-Lin and Syaoran. Sakura watched in curiosity.
"My name is Li Lang-Fei. Xiaolang or Syaoran is my cousin. He asked me to come so that I could referee a proper fencing bout. Mei-Lin and Xiaolang here will show you a demonstration." Lang-Fei withdrew her swords and handed them to her cousins. Sakura watched as she saw Syaoran and Mei-Lin unscrew the ball ends of the swords, making it a deadly weapon. They threw the ends to the sides and stood, swords pointed at the floor, crossed. They circled each other.
Mei-Lin leaned into Syaoran. "If I win, you have to give Sakura up."
Syaoran frowned. "What do I get if I win?"
"If you win... I'll leave you alone about it. I won't get in the way of your attraction to Kinomoto."
Syaoran looked up into Mei-Lin's eyes. They were determined. He sighed and nodded. They took a couple of even, deep breaths and croutched into a battle stance, Mei-Lin taking the offensive.
Silence.
Then a battle cry raged from Mei-Lin's lips. She charged at Syaoran with her sword. She lunged. He danced out of her way and struck himself. The sword hit metal. It clashed again as they danced. Syaoran quickly realized that he was losing. She backed him to a wall. He ran up it, flipping to the other side of her. She blindly turned to have a sword pointed at her throat. She dropped her sword.
"Touche." He said softly. He lowered his sword. Some clapped. Sakura was too afraid to.
"Everyone else will be wearing special gear over their face and bodies. These two have been training ever since they were little together, so special gear is not needed for their bodies." Lang-Fei explained how everything should be put on, but Sakura wasn't listening attentively as she usually would. Syaoran sat down next to her. Her body became stiff as she remembered what she revealed to the others last night.
"Hey. What do you think of my cousin? She came in early this morning." Syaoran asked. Lang-Fei was still talking and was now taking questions.
"She's cool." Sakura replied. She wasn't sure how to talk to him after this morning, when Syaoran totally changed from stern to silly.
"Are you going to talk to me, Sakura?"
Sakura turned to him. "Why would you ask that, Syaoran?"
He leaned into her ear. "Why do you hate your mother, Sakura?"
She scowled. "Were you eavesdropping?"
Syaoran winced. "Not exactly."
She made a face.
"All right. Yes, I was eavesdropping. I was on my way to see if you were okay during the black out and I heard it." he confessed. "I'm sorry."
"I don't accept."
Syaoran flinched. Never was Sakura ever that cold. It just wasn't the cherry blossoms way.
"Are you going to talk to me at least?"
"No."
He sighed. He had made things worse.
"Okay, so will the Kinomoto pair please take the floor?" Lang-Fei called. Sakura suited up next to Touya and was given the sword. After the helmet was put on, there was barely a difference except for height.
She stood with the lethal weapon in her hand (Though the ball ends were put back on). The whistle was blown. Syaoran watched the fight.
Sakura charged at Touya, who moved out of the way. She thrusted at him again, and he moved, swiftly. He hit her back with the sword, then her stomach Then he stuck his foot out and tripped her. It worked, she was on the floor. He put his blade to her heart.
"Touche." He took of the helmet.
It was Sakura.
She threw the helmet to the side and helped her brother up.
"Where did you learn how to fence like that?"
Sakura looked to Syaoran.
"I learn here and there."
***
(K-channy and Kasualyte: Oh God, it's 5 in the morning... it's sooo cold... also, I got to be at school in 2 hours and wake up in an hour and a half... Geez, it's ssoooo cold.)
Sakura laced her rollerblades. She sat on the steps next to her brother. Somewhere above her sat Syaoran, whom she knew was looking at the back of her head. But she wouldn't greet his hungry eyes that wanted hers dreadfully boring into his.
She would not meet them.
He knew too much.
She stood and did a circle in place. Happy with her fluid moments, she went to the starting line to wait for the others. She didn't know that Xiefa had followed her.
"Sakura!" Sakura turned to see Xiefa in a jean jacket that was a little too big, a sports bra and a pair of black lycras. She wobbled for a moment then clutched on to Sakura's arm. "Sorry."
"No problem." Sakura said. "What's wrong?"
Xiefa took a deep breath. "I wanted to talk to you... about Syaoran."
Sakura turned her head. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Ouch!" Xiefa winced. "When did you get so cold?"
Sakura looked back to Xiefa, yet no smile was on her face.. "I'm sorry."
"Before the race... I just... I just wanted to know if you would accept this..." Xiefa pulled out Sakura's ring and key out of her jean jacket pocket. Sakura gasped.
"I... I can't." Sakura stated. "It's too early."
Xiefa raised an eyebrow. "Too early for what?"
"Racers, get to your starting position."
Suddenly, racers flodded between Sakura and Xiefa. Sakura felt Touya pull up to her.
Xiefa growled. No one pushed a Li.
Syaoran skated up between Xiefa and another racer. Sakura watched as Xiefa disappointedly showed him the ring and key and explained what had happened.
Touya nudged her. "Did that gaki do anything to you?"
"On your mark!"
Sakura shook her head, it didn't matter anymore.
"Get set!"
She crouched into a position.
"Go!"
She raced through the throng of racers, easily pulling ahead. This was too easy, it was her zone now. Nobody could beat Sakura when she was in her sport.
Memories of a young Sakura racing to school, a piece of toast in her mouth, yelling at any in her way that she was late. The flood of memories sprung up on her like an attack and she giggled, then gasped in surprise.
Her own laugh was different to her. She frowned, when was the last time she laughed.
Sakura looked ahead. A racer was pulling up to her left. It was time to get her head back in the game.
She added an extra boost of energy to her feet. A hill then a ramp was coming ahead. She went into a crouching position, arms buckled to her sides, and waited to pull up for the ramp. She went up the ramp, flew in the air, grabbed her skates, and did a 360 before coming down on the other side.
She looked to her left again. That racer was pulling up to her left again.
'Wow... he's good' She powered through and saw a landing before the stairs that she tied her skates. She jumped on the railing and slid of the banister. The other racer jumped onto the wall and skated off that.
Now it was all flatland then a downhill before she had another ramp at the finish line. She crouched down again before her skates hit the ramp. She turned to her left. The skater was right next to her.
"We have a photo finish!"
Sakura landed and went to the photobooth.
"Yes... it seems we have a winner!" The guy blew into the megaphone right in Sakura's ear. Sakura grabbed it from him, then placed it down.... hard... onto table.
"It seems like Student Sakura has won the skate route followed by.... Student Syaoran."
Sakura frowned. "Li Syaoran?" It occured to her that during the skate match that Syaoran could have been the skater next to her. The face pace of the skate route made it hard to clarify who was the skater.
She watched as other came over the ramps. (Student Joshua Jordan, Parent Tary Lee Gibson... etc)
The last was Xiefa, who didn't even come over the ramp. She was flanked by six guys and limping on her right foot.
"I'm sorry you guys couldn't have finished the race." Xiefa said in a syrupy voice.
"Don't worry." said one
"Anything for you Xiefa." said another.
Sakura shook her head, this was going to be a long day.
Start POV Sequence
Sakura: I'm sorry... I'M SORRY! I couldn't accept the gift, though the thought of it was too overwhelming. It's too soon...
I don't want to hurt Syaoran...
Syaoran: I don't understand why she didn't take the gift. In a way, I do. But not in any way I can describe.
Eriol: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Tomoyo: grr.. Eriol!
Xiefa: Syaoran has told me everything... It's not like I don't believe him or anything, considering that when he came back to Hong Kong, he had this air to him that was just... I dunno, different. But I need to have a heart to heart talk with Sakura.
Kawaii and Jusenori: I think we are failing our mission.
Eriol: Wow Tomoyo, you look funny in whipped cream.
Tomoyo: GET OUT!
End POV Sequence
Kasualyte: I'm surprised that no one guessed why Sakura said her mom in the last chapter. Hmmm... maybe I'm a better writer than I thought...
K-channy: I'M THE ONE THAT'S WRITING!! (By the way, I want reviews before the next chapter comes out!)