SourPop1004: Hello! Chapter 15, enjoy! See ya at the bottom.

The Salsa Dancer

By: ME!~

"Just cause it's Texas, does it mean I have to wear boots and a big fat hat?" Sakura looked at herself in the mirror. A woman with bright green eyes and long wavy hair stared back. Dressed in a pair of denim low-rise jeans, a blue halter-top, and a pair of pointy black boots, Sakura cringed. "I like everything… except the boots. Can I take it off? It's scaring me." Sakura kicked off the boots and slipped into her white Adidas. "Better." Sakura smiled.

"Well I just wanted to blend in. Ya know?" Tomoyo laughed. She had her hair up in a ponytail and was wearing denim shorts, a pair of tennis shoes, and a yellow shirt. "I guess the boots did look silly." Tomoyo giggled.

"Well, come on, let's go. I think Touya's waiting downstairs." Sakura led Tomoyo out of the room.

"But is it wise? To be going?" Tomoyo shot Sakura a look.

Sakura knew perfectly well what Tomoyo was referring to. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Syaoran'll be here to watch the house along with Eriol." Sakura answered then exited the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

Downstairs, Touya was wearing basically the same thing: jeans, shirt, and jacket. He smiled when he saw the two coming down the stairs.

"Let's go." He instructed and went out the door.

Sakura and Tomoyo went out the door and walked towards the parked SUV while Touya locked the door. As Sakura approached the car, she saw Eriol and Syaoran waiting for them.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you staying home?" Sakura questioned eyeing Syaoran.

"Syaoran and I decided to go. You're right, we do need a break." Eriol smiled at Syaoran who was grumbling.

"Right then. Let's go. And I'm driving." Sakura piped up getting into the driver seat before anyone could. "Get in people, and buckle up. We'll be going over the speed limit a tiny bit." Sakura smirked.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Yeah… a TINY bit. You just went a TINY bit over…" Syaoran sarcastically commented as he tried to get his head straight.

"I actually enjoyed it." Eriol added smiling.

"You could have killed us all for no reason…as if terrorists aren't enough." Syaoran shot towards Sakura.

"Well, I had fun. Never drove like that for no reason before. It was always some dude trying to kill me…" Sakura trailed off thinking. "Anyway, if it weren't for my expert driving skills, that old lady would have snagged the last parking space." Sakura smiled proudly. "What should we do first? Horse race? Carnival?"

~~~~~~~~~

It was in the afternoon when the five went into a saloon style restaurant. They had been enjoying the horse race. They would be going to the carnival after lunch.

As Tomoyo looked through the brochure she had picked up at the front entrance, Sakura looked around the 'saloon'. It was dim with a few lights glowing. The entrance was a swinging door and to the side of the large room was the bar. On the other side was a large open area where people were eating and chatting happily. The five found a table and sat down. As they looked through the menu, a waiter dressed in a cowboy hat and boots with a note pad came up to them.

"Howdy. I'm Jake and I'll be your server. What may I get you?" The man was about in his early 20's. He smiled and looked around the table. When his eyes fell on Sakura, he smiled even wider.

Sakura would have thought the man was cute but she couldn't help but notice the ridiculously large hat on his head. She was about to burst out laughing when everyone started telling the waiter what they wanted.

"I'll have the Rancho Chicken Fajita Skillet…" Tomoyo ordered. The man wrote down the order in his little notepad. Everyone had ordered and Sakura was the last since she was sitting at the end.

"I'll have the same. Thanks." Sakura answered.

"All righty then. I'll be bringing your drinks then orders." The waiter replied and walked off.

Sakura smiled and turned back to talk to Tomoyo who was sitting next to her. Sakura and Tomoyo put their heads together and stared after the man. "I'd say… 8.5 out of 10." Sakura whispered. Tomoyo giggled.

Syaoran, Touya, and Eriol exchanged weird look.

"But if you focus on his ass… I'd say 9." Tomoyo whispered back. Sakura burst out laughing and tried to cool herself.

The two women parted and turned back to the three men. Tomoyo blushed when they were all staring while Sakura just looked appalled.

"What?" Sakura questioned innocently.

The five talked idled as they waited for their food to arrive. Every few minutes, Sakura and Syaoran would exchange a glance or two, afraid the others would notice.

Tomoyo was talking about all the things at the carnival when Sakura looked up from fiddling with the saltshaker. She glanced at Syaorna who seemed to look at her as well. Sakura's gaze lingered then turned away to focus on Tomoyo again. She briefly thought of how Tomoyo had gotten over her temporary fear of Eriol and his intentions. Now that she was here, she guessed Tomoyo felt safer somehow. Sakura snapped out of her thoughts when the waiter returned with a large tray full of large plates of food. The man set each one down in front of them and left with polite smile.

Everyone was intently eating when three men dressed heavily in cowboy outfits entered the restaurant. All of them had guns and were pushing people around. Sakura was about to jerk up when Tomoyo pulled her down.

"It's part of the show. It's ok. It's not real." Tomoyo reassured.

"Silly me…" Sakura laughed lightly. Everyone in the restaurant was turned to the three men who were putting on a show for the audience.

Sakura finished up her meal as the show came to a close. One of the men, a bad bank robber, wound up dead and carried out of saloon in a lavish finale as the people in the restaurant clapped and cheered. When the noise died down to just mere talking and chatting, Sakura looked around the table as everyone sat in their seats stuffed.

"Can you guys wait up. I want to buy a drink from the bar." Sakura got up and asked if Tomoyo wanted to come along as well. Tomoyo nodded and the two headed towards the bar.

Sakura and Tomoyo sat down on the tall stools and looked at the menu.

"Hmm… I'll have an Alexander." Sakura ordered and turned to Tomoyo. "You?"

"I'll have a Grasshopper, thanks." Tomoyo replied.

The bartender quickly got to work pouring and mixing. After a minute or two, the man smiled and handed them their drinks. Sakura leaned in across the table and whispered to the bartender.

"Sir, we won't be paying for these. Do you see that gentleman over there?" Sakura pointed towards Syaoran. When the man nodded, she continued. "He'll be paying for our drinks, along with the dinner we had. Is that ok?" Sakura gave her best charming smile since the man was a bit older.

"Sure thing. I'll send Jake over to collect the bill. You girls have a nice day." The bartender warmly smiled and turned away to serve other customers.

Sakura smugly smiled and got up. She and Tomoyo went out the door happily sipping their drinks.

~~~~~~~~~

After a few minutes, the three men emerged from the restaurant door. Touya was laughing, Eriol had a pleased look, and Syaoran was scowling. Sakura started laughing with a smug smile as Tomoyo giggled.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh. But you owe me now." Syaoran grumbled as he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked towards the carnival area.

Sakura finished off her drink and threw the plastic cup into a trash bin as she walked after Syaoran.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mad?" Sakura looked up at Syaoran with a cute look.

"No." Syaoran answered curtly.

"You are." Sakura laughed.

"Am not." Syaoran mumbled.

"Hehe… you are." Sakura ran forward towards a game booth with popguns. Soon Tomoyo and everyone caught up.

"Hey, Sakura, I'm gonna go get some ice cream and look around the shop stands. I'll meet you at the Ferris wheel in an hour and a half. Ok?" Tomoyo informed.

"I'll come with your Tomoyo." Eriol suggested.

"Are you sure you wanna go Tomoyo?" Sakura asked eyeing Tomoyo.

"Y-yeah. I'll be fine. Eriol will be there with me." Tomoyo answered.

"Umm… ok then. We'll meet in an hour and a half, sharp." Sakura confirmed a bit worriedly. Sakura said bye to Eriol and Tomoyo. Sakura cringed a bit.

Touya noticed Sakura's expression and frowned.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"No. Nothing's wrong." Sakura answered and turned back to a smile. She'd keep an eye on Tomoyo while she walked around. "So, who wants to play?" Sakura asked as she took up a shotgun in her hand. (She's not gonna kill anyone. It's one those gun game things at the carnival. Hehe…)

~~~~~~~~~~

After ten minutes of vigorous shooting at targets, managing to hit every single one, Sakura and Syaoran were carrying each a large stuffed bear. Touya looked pleased.

"You guys were shooting as if you were shooting each other." Touya chuckled. "Hey, I'm gonna go to the bar and get a drink. I'll see you guys at the Ferris wheel at the same time you're meeting Tomoyo and Eriol. This carnival stuff isn't really my thing." He smiled and left after Sakura said bye.

"Guess it's just you and me bucko." Sakura grinned. "Bet I can beat you at the next game. You may choose loser boy." Sakura challenged.

"Alright. The Dunk Tank." Syaoran answered.

"Right then." Sakura pulled Syaoran towards the booth.

The two had made it through a large mob of people and were waiting in line for the game.

"What are we going to do with this huge bear? I don't want to carry it around all day." Sakura complained.

"Too bad. Deal with it." Syaoran replied bitterly.

"Hater…" Sakura mumbled under her breath.

"Heard that." Syaoran hid a smile.

~~~~~~~~~~

An hour had passed and now Tomoyo and Eriol were sitting in a seat on the Ferris wheel. As the ride slowly started to turn, their compartment rose high above the park. Tomoyo looked out the side of the cart and looked spell bound by the sight of the countryside that stretched beyond the carnival and horse track.

"Tomoyo, why are you afraid of me?" Eriol asked, breaking Tomoyo's silent observation.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Tomoyo's heart was starting to race.

"You're scared, like right now." Eriol pointed out coolly.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not afraid of you. Why, should I be?" Tomoyo asked back. She had just turned the tables on him.

"Of course not." Eriol smiled. "It's just I feel like sometimes you're scared of me or something. That's all."

"Well, get silly ideas like that out of your head." Tomoyo gave her best laugh.

"Right."

Tomoyo stared at Eriol's polite face. His eyes seemed to look through her façade and penetrate deeper. She felt the surge of terror creeping up her chest when she stopped it in time before she revealed anything to him. She secretly heaved a sigh. She had just narrowly missed a blow again.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sakura and Syaoran were at the parking lot putting their prizes into the trunk of the SUV since they couldn't carry them much longer. Sakura slammed the trunk door shut and locked the car. The two headed back to the main entrance when she spotted a group of teens dressed in baggy jeans and bandanas headed their way. Sakura rolled her eyes and elbowed Syaoran.

"My goodness. What a bunch of wannabes." Sakura commented.

"Wonder if I was like that when in high school." Syaoran asked himself.

"I doubt it. I bet you were the real silent type."

"Yeah, guess I was." Syaoran answered scratching the back of his head.

The group of boys, who looked around sixteen, came across their path. One blond guy came up to Sakura and smirked.

"Hey there." He greeted with a smirk.

Sakura looked down at his pants disdainfully.

"Pull up your pants. No one needs nor wants to see your boxers." Sakura instructed with a smile.

"Well, maybe so for others, but I know you want to see 'em." At this the blond guy's friends laughed and howled.

"Are you guys supposed to be like gangsters or something? I honestly didn't know they had them here in Texas." Sakura thoughtfully commented. Syaoran held a laugh.

"What you laughin' at fag." The blond glared at Syaoran.

"Hey! No talking like that to your elders." Sakura slyly commented wanting to laugh herself.

"Elder? Since when am I an 'Elder'?" Syaoran looked at her amused.

"You are older than me, and you are old. Did I mention you're old?" Sakura coyly smiled.

"Right…"

When Sakura turned around to face the blond guy, he was already gone with his friends. They had found some other poor girl to offend.

"Guess I ignored him a little too much." Sakura shrugged and kept on walking. "Gangsters these days are deprived of attention…"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had all met up and were now in the car on their way home. Syaoran had taken the car this time and was driving. The mood was pleasant until Touya broke in.

"Syaoran, do you know anyone named Jessie Parker by any chance. She's a CIA as well." He looked at Syaoran from the passenger seat in the front.

"Yeah. I do. Why?" Syaoran looked from Touya to the road.

"While I was in the bar, there was a TV and the news came on. Apparently she was kidnapped by Fang. Do you know her personally?"

"She what?" Syaoran burst out almost crashing into the car in front of him when the lights turned red. The light turned green again and he started the car. "When?"

"Supposedly last night. There was a ransom note at her house. It said 'You know where to find Jessie Parker'." Touya answered trying to remember anything else the news anchor had said. The car was silent as Syaoran fell in deep thought.

"The note's right." Sakura quietly stated looking out the side window. Everyone turned towards her except Syaoran who wanted to but couldn't.

"Fang's having a party in New York. After the proposition was signed, he was planning to have a get together with his 'clients' to discuss black market plans." Sakura continued not looking at any of them. "He won't do anything to Parker or you. He doesn't want any of you. It's me. He thinks I'll be following you to New York to save her… and he's damn right." Sakura concluded smiling. "It's about time I paid old Papito a visit, no?"

~~~~~~~~~~

Sakura was neatly folding her clothes into her suitcase. Sakura had the black luggage wide open and was sealing weapons into the compartment pockets.

"Won't the airport securities pick that up?" Tomoyo asked sitting on Sakura's bed.

"No. The pockets are made of certain materials that don't reveal anything under an X-ray scanner." Sakura replied. She stopped packing and looked up at Tomoyo from her sitting position on the floor. "You know the problem we're having currently, we need to solve it. I don't think we can play it out. He's showing no signs of anything."

Tomoyo caught on what Sakura was talking about. "I don't know. I want to, but what would we do?"

"Go up to 'em and confront the little problem." Sakura suggested.

"You're insane. No Sakura. Just go to New York and I'll be here with Touya and Eriol. If I find anything, I'll call Syaoran's phone." Tomoyo assured.

"Fine. But watch yourself. And always be armed. Got it?" Sakura instructed concerned. Sakura finished packing and zipped up her bag. She gave Tomoyo a hug and rolled her bag out the door. "You know it's weird, I've been here only two days and I'm already leaving again." Sakura commented as she and Tomoyo made their way down the stairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Tomoyo and Touya said their good byes when Sakura and Syaoran were leaving the house. Eriol said his farewell at the airport where she and Syaoran were dropped off. Eriol had provided Sakura and Syaoran passports and tickets to LA. The two watched Eriol drive off. Sakura took her bag and rolled it into the entrance of the ticket area. They strode through the crowd and got in line where they would be checking in their bags.

"So how does the story go again?" Sakura asked as she stood in line in front of Syaoran.

"We're going to LA first. I need to check in with Yoritomo. You'll be coming with me as my niece, Fei. Got it?" Syoaran looked at Sakura who was completely unrecognizable.

Sakura's soft golden brown hair was gone yet again. Now it was the color of a shocking hot pink with black streaks. Her short straight hair hung down to her chin and was expertly flipped out to reveal numerous silver pierces in her right and left ear. Black leather bracelets with silvery sharp spikes and black rubber bracelets adorned her wrists. A short black and red plaid skirt was around her waist with thick chains swooping down to where her thighs were and going back up to hook to the back of her skirt like suspenders. For a top, she was wearing a tight black cotton shirt with various rips held together by safety pins. A large British flag was across her chest. Her knee-high black leather army boots clunked heavily as she took a step forward as the line moved.

"Fei? That's a pretty name." Sakura thoughtfully added. "So, I'm like 17, right?" Sakura asked as she looked at her painted-black nails.

"Yup." Syaoran replied. "I can't believe I'm related to you." He jabbed jokingly.

"Oh yes, it is terrible. Not to worry, within a week, I will be no longer." Sakura smiled.

When it was Sakura and Syaoran's turn to check in their bags, the lady at the counter looked at Syaoran and smiled, but when her gaze fell on Sakura, the smile slightly faltered. Maybe it was Sakura's glittery hot pink lips. Nevertheless, the woman took a moment to check the tags on the bags and send them into the loading area. They thanked her and left.

They went up the escalator and were now neatly sitting in one of the many seats in the waiting area, Sakura in her little outfit and Syaoran in his usual faded jeans, a sports jacket, and a dark green shirt. Sakura had grabbed a magazine from one of the seats and was flipping through the pages without much interest.

"Is that a wig?" Syaoran asked, as he looked at her realistic looking hair.

"Like duh! I'd be dead, buried, then reincarnated before I dyed my hair this color." Sakura whispered back laughing and smiling.

"I'd always thought you're the wild unpredictable type." Syaoran flirted.

"Most days, hon, most days…" Sakura replied waving her hand around in a fluttery gesture.

"Right." Syaoran mumbled looking around at the other people who were sitting and engrossed in their magazines and newspapers. His observant thoughts broke away when he heard Sakura gasp. "What is it?"

"Oh my gosh! You won't believe this. The nerve of these damned people." Sakura flattened out the magazine she was reading. "Ok, I thought tabloids were low, but not THIS low. Look at this." Sakura pointed to an article in the Texan Tidbits. There was a picture of Josh obviously shot from a hidden angle. Sakura read the article out loud. "This unknown young man is widely known for his aid with the notorious Colombian terrorist, Fang, who a week ago took over a nuclear weapons headquarter in DC. The CIA may have plastered this mysterious figure as highly dangerous, but many women in the nation have deemed him as a sex symbol. With his dark spiky hair and exquisite sunglasses, the South American has deeply stirred the nation and its meaning of mysterious." Sakura laughed at the look Syaoran was giving the article. "Can you believe this? A Sex Symbol? My Lord, help these poor women.

"Wow… this completely shoves out any hope I had in the opposite sex." Syaoran stated incredulously.

"I may be of the opposite sex, but I'm feelin' your pain." Sakura laughed as she was about to toss the article aside when Syaoran took the magazine from her.

"Listen to this." Syaoran's eyes scanned the article. "Although there are no pictures obtained of Fang's second accomplice, sources have stated that the female part of the terror trio was said to have stirred up the male population internationally. Not much is known of this woman but she is considered highly dangerous. If you go to simple auctioning sites such as Ebay, you will find a picture of this deadly assassin starting at $425." Syaoran ended and was laughing loudly, trying not to fall off his chair.

Sakura sat speechless with a disgusted face. "Is it possible to lose faith in the male race when you already had none to begin with?" Sakura asked hopefully. "This shows exactly how shallow and superficial our society really is." Sakura snorted.

"Yeah… but it's just so funny." Syaoran replied after sitting back up straight.

"Let's talk about something else. How are you dealing with the whole kidnap crap?" Sakura's expression was now serious as she gazed at Syaoran.

"I'm just trying to not think about it too much. If I get too emotional, I won't be able to go through with the plan." Syaoran stated, his laughing face gone completely.

"I see…" Sakura fell silent. She could only imagine what he must be feeling inside. "I'm proud of you for being so strong about everything." Sakura put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, well let's hope I can keep it up a little bit longer." Syaoran sighed and sat back in his seat, tossing the magazine into the empty seat next to him.

Regretting bringing up the subject, Sakura tried to lighten up the mood.

"Anyway, when we get on the plane, the first thing I'm doing is checking the bathrooms." Sakura grinned when she saw Syaoran give a tiny smile.

~~~~~~~~

The plane had landed in LA a couple of hours after boarding. Syaoran and Sakura were picked up from the airport by Syaoran's friend and co-worker, Tano. After greetings and introductions, Syaoran placed his and Sakura's suitcase into the trunk of Tano's Explorer. Sakura silently sat in the backseat waiting. The trunk door slammed shut.

"Are you sure she's your niece. She seems… a bit odd." Tano pointed out as he walked around to the driver's side.

"Yeah, well you could say she's the odd ball." Syaoran answered as he got in as well.

Tano started up the car and they were soon on the freeway.

"Does he understand Chinese?" Sakura asked in fluent Chinese to Syaoran.

"Didn't know you spoke Chinese." Syaoran stated amused. "And no, he doesn't. He's Caucasian, but has an Asian mother, thus his Japanese name." Syaoran answered back in the same tongue.

"I think he's gotten cuter since the last time I saw him." Sakura spoke again in Chinese, flashing a devilish look.

Syaoran was about to say something when Tano cut in. "What's she saying? Is that Chinese?"

"Yeah, it is." Syaoran was contemplating whether to tell him what Sakura was saying. But just to have a little fun, he decided he would. "She said you were cute or something."

Tano looked at Sakura through the rear view mirror in the center of the front window. Sakura smiled as he smiled at her.

"Didn't know younger girls would be checkin' me out." Tano laughed. "And judging by her silence, I bet she doesn't speak English. I thought they spoke English in Hong Kong."

"They do, but she never learned." Syaoran answered.

Sakura quietly sat listening to the conversation. This was indeed interesting.

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked. (She'll be talking in Chinese for a while.)

"We're going to stay over at my place for tonight then we'll be meeting Yoritomo tomorrow to discuss some plans about how to get her out. I'm still trying to think up what to say to him. How am I going to explain that she's in New York? He'll ask how I know. What would I say, it was hunch? A rather large one?" Syaoran answered back with the language rolling off his tongue.

"Well, we'll think about it later." Sakura replied.

"What are you guys talking about now?" Tano asked looking at Syaoran.

"She asked me what we were going to do for the next couple of days."

"Hey, exactly why is she here anyway?" Tano asked wondering.

"Oh, well, her school's on break for a week and her parents thought it'd be a good experience for her to come and visit the States, you know." Syaoran causally answered.

"But aren't you going to talk about the Jessie case with Yoritomo?"

"Yeah, I am. I have to. I'll just bring her along. Don't worry, she won't get in the way or anything. She's quite useful." Syaoran shot Sakura a look through the rear view window.

"Right then." Tano ended the conversation as he pulled up in front of Syaoran's house. "I'll see you tomorrow at the office. I'll call. Bye Syaoran." He turned to Sakura. "Bye Fei." After unloading their stuff, Tano drove off.

Syaoran and Sakura each took their luggage and rolled it to the front door where Syaoran opened the door with the keys from the pocket of his jeans. Sakura followed him in and looked around the familiar surrounding.

"Who would have thought I'd be back here?" Sakura breathed as she walked through the familiar halls and to the living room where she once had sat sprawled across the couch bored to death.

"It's a bit dusty. I haven't been here in a week or two myself." Syaoran commented as he looked at the thin layer of dust on top of everything. His eyes scanned the room and were now focused on Sakura who was, like before, sitting on the couch as if she had been spilled. "You never did sit in a couch without looking as if all life's been sucked out of you."

"Yes, yes, yes. I am a complete and utter pig. So shoot me will you?" Sakura spoke sarcastically as she waved her hand. Then she burst out laughing. "You know, any jokes having to do with dying and shooting just cracks me up for the wrong reasons. Do you hear the irony of it all?"

Syaoran smiled. "You're strange…" He couldn't help chuckling.

"I'm going to go wash up. I'm assuming I get the same room as last time." Sakura jumped up from her seat. She jogged up the stairs and Syaoran heard the bathroom door slam shut. He proceeded to carry his and her bag up the stairs.

~~~~~~~~~

Sakura came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her body. She made her way down the hall of the second floor and entered her room where her suitcase sat next to her queen size bed. Sakura opened her bag and quickly changed into a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top. She dried her pink and black hair and threw her towel onto a hanger that stood next to the dresser to dry. She tied up her short hair into a small ponytail and went out of her room to go downstairs where Syaoran would soon join her. He had gone into the showers right after she had and was currently taking a shower.

Sakura ran her hands down the railing of the staircase as she slowly made her way down. When she reached the main floor, she noticed that Syaoran must have been cleaning and dusting while she had been taking a shower. The sparkling wooden floor showed her reflection as she stared down.

After a few minutes of looking through the fridge and cupboards for food, Sakura heard Syaoran come downstairs and enter the kitchen. When she looked up from her concentrated search for food she saw Syaoran in sweat pants and a T-shirt. Months ago, the last time she was here, she remembered seeing him fresh out of the shower. Of course she had thought he looked attractive or cute or whatever. But now, the same feeling and more seemed to settle at the pit of her stomach. Snapping out of her thoughts, Sakura confronted him of the crisis at hand.

"I'm hungry and you're kitchen is empty as… well it's empty." Sakura stated annoyed.

Syaoran looked at her with amused eyes. He found himself thinking how cute she was when she was anooyed. But as soon as the thought came across him, a grim statement followed. He really did have to sort out his priorities and feelings before his desires got the best of him.

"We'll pick up stuff to eat tomorrow. Let's order in tonight." Syaroan suggested as he picked up the phone that hung charging on the kitchen wall. "Pizza or Chinese?"

"Irony, I'm telling you, irony." Sakura smiled. She chose Chinese.

~~~~~~~~~~

An hour later, the two sat on the floor in front of the TV eating out of carryout Chinese boxes with chopsticks. Sakura popped a Sweet and Sour Pork into her mouth. (I have no idea if that's the right name. I only know the actual name in Korean so…don't shoot me for getting food names wrong! ::ducks:: hehe…) The two sat silently eating for another minute when Sakura was trying to pick up a piece of pork. The piece flew off her chopsticks and smacked into Syaoran's face. Sakura looked up and burst out laughing.

"You… look… so… stupid!" Sakura shouted laughing and rolling on the ground.

"Do not!" Syaoran retorted back as he wiped the sauce from his face. He picked up a piece as well and smudged it onto Sakura's perfect cheek. Sakura gasp and stopped laughing. She glared, as it was Syaoran's turn to laugh.

"You jerk! At least mine was an accident." Sakura sat up and wiped the sauce off. She was about to say something else when she saw Syaoran's quiet expression. The atmosphere had completely changed from a warm one to an icy air.

"You know, Jessie used to come over and we'd do the same thing." Syaoran spoke cautiously.

"Oh…" Sakura was at a loss of words. Damn the feeling that was always inside her whenever Syaoran mentioned Jessie. "Well, this does make it official that you do love her. I've always thought you were denying yourself of what you really wanted, but guess I was wrong." Sakura slowly stated with a soft expression.

"No, but you're right. I am and I am foolish." Syaoran answered looking out the large glass doors that led to the patio. The sky had turned dark over the last couple of hours. "It's strange how for the second time for the past two days, you make me feel inferior. But I should be feeling like it. It seems like every chance I get, I almost succeed in cheating on my fiancée if it weren't for you to stop me. I feel like I'm going crazy." Syaoran gave an exasperated sigh.

Sakura was silent. Then she felt anger. "Do you think I want to stop you? You think you're the only one that's going insane thinking about Jessie? Gee, I wonder how Sakura is? She wants to kiss you senseless yet she can't cause she's playing the devil turned angel and trying to be the good one and set things straight. And also, she's suffered through a fiancé who's cheated on her and she damn well remembers how that little walk in the park went. Yes, let's all get pissed off at the world and sigh while Sakura's life seems just dandy, no?" Sakura spat sarcastically as she heaved in a heavy breath and sighed. She looked at Syaoran and was shocked at what she had just said. "My God where'd that come from? Sorry, I don't think I'm feeling well. Priding myself on my ability to be ice queen and here I am, gibbering away." Sakura tried to laugh it off but she knew she couldn't. Even Syaoran knew she couldn't. Sakura stood up to just walk away when Syaoran grabbed her wrist.

"Then don't stop me. I don't want to be so noble or faithful anymore. I'm so tired of just… everything." Syaoran frowned and looked at Sakura whose face had a look of melancholy. His right hand found its way to her smooth rosy cheek as he was now only inches away from her.

Sakura felt his warm breath at her ear. Oh how many times they've been in this position. This time was no different except for the fact that she was so close to losing it. All those times she denied him would have been wasted in vain. So close to the edge, she could feel it in her heart and her mind was screaming.

Please let me…please…

Her mind seemed to shout over and over. For a second she almost did give in but her years of emotionless living was an asset she wanted to keep. It made her strong, it made her different, it made her… everything.

Sakura met his gaze with hers. She lightly reached up and kissed the corner of his lips and pulled away before they could do anything.

"That's for something that could never have been and never will be." Sakura closed her eyes for a second then opened them again to reveal dark green eyes. She smiled sadly and walked away to go to bed. She wasn't sleepy but she was simply exhausted. As she walked up the stairs, she found herself doing something she hadn't done in a long time. Hot tears ran down her face.

SourPop1004: Don't hate me!!! Haha… well anyway, this chapter didn't have much action or anything of remote interest. I was going to end it earlier but I decided I needed to add in something, like a little kicker. Hehe… well, let's analyze this chapter, shall we?

I just want to say to those who are disappointed with the lack of action scenes. I'm so sorry, but you know me. I lead up to the big action packed chapters. So, please hang in there. The action/drama stuff is coming up in chapter 17.

I was almost gonna make Sakura kiss Syaoran at the end, but I thought it'd be more… drama-ish and plus I wanted to build up the final blocks of tension. Nice metaphor, no? Anyway, not to worry you people. They are close. VERY CLOSE~! ^_~

Umm… I think the beginning of this chapter was a bit… jumpy, and quick, my apologies. That's why I stuck in a nice long one at the end. This chapter just felt so rushed and stuff, but I'm quite happy with the ending. Even though it is like… a sad one.

Ok, I know to some of you, this chapter felt a bit too… happy you could say. Even with all the crap and stuff the characters are going through, I wanted to be more humane and give them at least a little bit of happiness. People can't be sad and mopey ALL THE TIME. You know? Hehe…

As for the side characters, Tano and Jessie will reappear and actually be in the plot line. But as for Touya, I have no clue. He might just be floating around somewhere being the supportive big bro, so don't expect him to do much. But you never know, even I surprise myself sometimes. Hehe…

I think that's it for now. So I'll catch you guys next chapter. Review lots and lots. Love y'all! Ja~

PS. YOU MAY CRITISIZE ME FOR BEING MEAN AND GIVING A FRUSTRATING ENDING BUT REMEMBER! I AM A FAITHFUL S+S FAN!!! Ok? Hehe… ^ ^