*Hey all, I'm back for another fun update! Thanks to the coolest of the
cool for reviewing! I won't waste time with idle chatter, because I know
you all want to read what happens next. So get to it! OH YEAH! Download
"Love Theme" from the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack for a later part of this
chapter. You'll understand better if you do.*
Reviewers: Black Wolf Chic 2, Keyo-Red Angel of Hope, jbg, Lil Cherry Blossom Angel, Silver Wolf Gurl, Lil Cherry Blossom Angel, Di, *~*NeCi*~*, angel-wings-131, EcuaGirl, Cherry Jade, Kikakai, & Bex Drake
Rogue
Sakura timidly walked to Syaoran, suddenly extremely self conscious. Yes, they were dead and buried, but still they were his family, and she had just fallen across their graves. Syaoran took her hand and led her over to the two tall spires Sakura hadn't noticed until that moment. There were three stones on either side of the large ones, and Sakura read them as she walked with Syaoran.
Sakura stopped at the last stone on his father's side. It was marked with Syaoran's name, and had an unfinished date on it. Sakura looked up at Syaoran, who stared down at his own stone with a depressed look on his handsome face.
"I only thought it proper to prepare a plot for myself. In the event that I die fighting Etsuya of course." Syaoran murmured. Sakura shook her head; there was just too much emotion, too much bloodshed for her to handle. She let go of Syaoran and took off through the woods, away from the graves, away from the sadness that seemed to eat at Syaoran whenever he dwelled on it. She heard footsteps behind her, and looked to see Syaoran sprinting after her, and gaining considerably.
"Leave me alone!" Sakura cried, trying to outrun the young man, but it was no use. He had her in a second, and pulled her to a stop at the edge of the woods. Amber stared down at emerald as they struggled for breath.
"Please. . . your pain is just too much for me." Sakura whispered. Syaoran shook his head, his chestnut bangs sweeping across his sweaty forehead.
"No. Ever since I came across you, I haven't been so sad. Don't make me go back to it yet." Syaoran stated, his voice cracking slightly. Sakura sighed; he did seem a lot lighter when she was with him, but she couldn't stay around forever. She had a life back in Tomoeda to go back to. Syaoran swept a strand of honey hair from Sakura's eyes and she backed away slightly.
"I can't . . . "Sakura murmured, and Syaoran nodded slowly, his heart aching. How he had wanted her to feel something for him more than pity.
"I understand. It's getting late, let's get in. Wei will be worried." Syaoran replied, walking with Sakura in silence all the way back to the manor. Sakura's brain was screaming at her for backing away from Syaoran, but she couldn't help it; he was a myriad of mysteries and riddles, and it was all tragic. Was there nothing good in that man's life?
Syaoran walked quietly, his strides long and his eyes showing his pensive demeanor. He was deep in thought about the woman who was stealing his heart and not only didn't know, but didn't care. Amber eyes concentrated on the path toward home as he thought about her face, her hair, her everything. She intoxicated him with her presence, and she didn't even know.
Upon entry to the house, Wei informed them that dinner was ready, and the couple walked into the massive dining hall and took their seats, Syaoran at the head, Sakura by his left side. They ate in silence, which Sakura used to look at the giant room.
It was decorated in dark wood and rich greens, the Li family color. Tapestries and other art hung on the tall walls, and the ceiling was painted in a Chinese mural. The table was long, stretching forever it seemed. Ten chairs on both sides plus two on the ends meant that at one time twenty two people could have communed there. And now it was just Sakura and Syaoran taking up a tiny section of the massive mahogany marvel. It was such a simple thing, but it pained Sakura.
After the dinner was cleared, Sakura and Syaoran walked upstairs to bed. Syaoran stopped at Sakura's room and opened the door for her, and she walked in, avoiding his eyes. As Syaoran turned to walk away, Sakura turned quickly, catching his hand in hers. Syaoran felt the electricity spark through his body, and turned to meet her soft gaze.
"Thank you for taking me here." Sakura said quietly, smiling a grateful smile at the young man she was quickly falling for. Syaoran nodded, forcing a smile on his handsome face before closing the door and leaving Sakura to herself. Sighing, Sakura walked to the closet and pulled out a light silk nightgown. It was white and hung loosely around the young woman as she slipped it over her head and over her body. Sakura began to brush her hair, sitting down in front of the mirror in the corner.
As Sakura was preparing to climb into her bed, she caught the faint sound of music coming from the downstairs. Curious, Sakura walked out of her room and down the hall toward where the music was coming from. It was a frenzied piano piece, and whoever the artist was played it with great emotion it seemed. Sakura silently slipped down the stairs toward the study Syaoran had shown her earlier. She remembered a piano being situated in the corner of the enormous room.
The piano music grew louder as Sakura neared the room. She finally reached it, and looked inside cautiously, trying to not draw attention to herself and make the person playing stop. Sakura's emerald eyes widened as she saw Syaoran seated at the instrument, playing fiercely and yet delicately at the same time. His fingers skipped over the ivory keys, and Sakura became mesmerized. He was an amazing pianist.
The way he played, the way his eyes closed with bliss as his hands moved, could have been poetic. There he sat, letting out any frustrations or worries he had in the form of a beautiful strain of harmonics and arpeggios. The notes melded together like silk as Syaoran slowed his frenzied pace, moving to a slow part of the music. He had no pages; this piece was memorized forever in his head. Sakura watched him for several minutes before he stopped, and her heart fluttered. She wanted to hear him play more.
"I know you're there." Syaoran said suddenly, his voice soft yet stinging in a way to Sakura's ears. She stiffened; how could he have known? His eyes were closed the entire time, even at that moment.
"How did you-"Sakura started. Syaoran let his beautiful eyes open and look to her as he smiled gently.
"You smell like cherry blossoms. Always have, always will." Syaoran said, standing. Sakura stepped forward, holding out her hand to stop him. Her face looked as though she would cry if he walked away.
"Please, don't stop." Sakura whispered, her eyes moving from Syaoran to the piano. Syaoran smiled, and sat back down, making room on the bench for Sakura to sit down.
"What would you like to hear?" Syaoran asked, looking to Sakura, who was looking over the splendid piano like a child in a candy store. Sakura shrugged; she didn't exactly know a lot of piano music. Syaoran nodded, then put his hands on the keys and began to play a soft lulling song. (Author's note: The song is called "Love Theme" and it's off the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack. It's a beautiful song; listen to it when you read this part and you'll understand.)
Sakura watched as Syaoran's hands turned the hard ivory keys into velvet strains of music that flowed like a river through the room. His concentration was mesmerizing; the thought and effort he put into his playing was so admirable. Sakura wondered if he put that much dedication and gentleness in everything he did, but let the thought move to the back of her mind as he finished the ballad, opening his eyes and looking at her softly.
"That was beautiful." Sakura mused, tilting her head to the side and smiling when Syaoran blushed.
"My mother was a skilled piano player, as were my sisters. It was only fitting I learned it as well, on top of my martial arts." Syaoran explained. Sakura nodded; every day she was finding something more about him, but he still knew nothing about her. Did he even want to know?
"It's late. You should be in bed." Syaoran said after Sakura didn't say anything for a moment. Her eyes were concentrated on him, and he knew she was thinking about him somehow. When he spoke, Sakura blinked once, twice, and was back to reality.
"I'm a grown woman, Syaoran. I don't need someone telling me when to go to -SYAORAN-!" Sakura squealed as Syaoran smirked and hoisted her up into his arms and carried her kicking and giggling up the stairs and to her room.
He kicked open the door with his foot, walking in with the still giggling Sakura. He was going to throw her onto the bed, and thought he had successfully accomplished the feat until Sakura grabbed him around the neck, making him lose his balance. With a shriek from Sakura and a gasp from Syaoran, the two of them fell into the fluffy bed, tangled in each other's arms and laughing. They stopped laughing when they realized where they were; Sakura underneath Syaoran in bed. They stared at each other for a moment, trying to see if the other was upset.
Syaoran had his hands in Sakura's pinning them above her head. Sakura had one leg in between Syaoran's, the other wrapped slightly around Syaoran's waist. It was a very compromising position to say the least. Sakura blushed heavily, and Syaoran did the same. They quickly parted, adjusting their clothing. Both hearts fluttering like caged butterflies, the two young people stole a glance at each other before blushing once again and turning quickly away.
'Why in the world does she do this to me? She's going to drive me insane before this is over.' Syaoran thought, his mind drowning in thoughts of Sakura. Meanwhile, Sakura was feeling the exact same way, wondering how she could so easily get into something with someone she had known only a couple days. Syaoran sighed, and Sakura yawned, giving Syaoran the opportunity he needed.
"I'll be going now. Sleep well, Sakura." Syaoran said quietly, getting up and walking toward the door. He stopped and turned around, his eyes falling upon Sakura as she watched him intently, her jade eyes still searching. She smiled; that alone warmed Syaoran to the core. He returned her smile and walked out of the room, closing the door. Sakura flopped back onto the bed, her hand over her heart. She could smell him on the sheets, on herself. And she liked it.
Syaoran lay in bed, his bare chest uncovered. One hand behind his head, the other resting on his stomach, he stared up at the ceiling. He wanted to just get up and walk to her room and take her, but it wasn't right. She wasn't his, and until they decided otherwise, he wouldn't have her. Sighing heavily, Syaoran closed his eyes and tried to sleep. After all, tomorrow brought Sakura's training, and he knew it was going to be rough on both of them.
*Sorry for those who thought a lemon would be in this chapter, but worry not because I promise. . . yes, PROMISE a lemon in the next chapter. Unless you don't review, in which case the chapter might never see the pages of FF.net. So you know what to do, everyone! Night!
Reviewers: Black Wolf Chic 2, Keyo-Red Angel of Hope, jbg, Lil Cherry Blossom Angel, Silver Wolf Gurl, Lil Cherry Blossom Angel, Di, *~*NeCi*~*, angel-wings-131, EcuaGirl, Cherry Jade, Kikakai, & Bex Drake
Rogue
Sakura timidly walked to Syaoran, suddenly extremely self conscious. Yes, they were dead and buried, but still they were his family, and she had just fallen across their graves. Syaoran took her hand and led her over to the two tall spires Sakura hadn't noticed until that moment. There were three stones on either side of the large ones, and Sakura read them as she walked with Syaoran.
Sakura stopped at the last stone on his father's side. It was marked with Syaoran's name, and had an unfinished date on it. Sakura looked up at Syaoran, who stared down at his own stone with a depressed look on his handsome face.
"I only thought it proper to prepare a plot for myself. In the event that I die fighting Etsuya of course." Syaoran murmured. Sakura shook her head; there was just too much emotion, too much bloodshed for her to handle. She let go of Syaoran and took off through the woods, away from the graves, away from the sadness that seemed to eat at Syaoran whenever he dwelled on it. She heard footsteps behind her, and looked to see Syaoran sprinting after her, and gaining considerably.
"Leave me alone!" Sakura cried, trying to outrun the young man, but it was no use. He had her in a second, and pulled her to a stop at the edge of the woods. Amber stared down at emerald as they struggled for breath.
"Please. . . your pain is just too much for me." Sakura whispered. Syaoran shook his head, his chestnut bangs sweeping across his sweaty forehead.
"No. Ever since I came across you, I haven't been so sad. Don't make me go back to it yet." Syaoran stated, his voice cracking slightly. Sakura sighed; he did seem a lot lighter when she was with him, but she couldn't stay around forever. She had a life back in Tomoeda to go back to. Syaoran swept a strand of honey hair from Sakura's eyes and she backed away slightly.
"I can't . . . "Sakura murmured, and Syaoran nodded slowly, his heart aching. How he had wanted her to feel something for him more than pity.
"I understand. It's getting late, let's get in. Wei will be worried." Syaoran replied, walking with Sakura in silence all the way back to the manor. Sakura's brain was screaming at her for backing away from Syaoran, but she couldn't help it; he was a myriad of mysteries and riddles, and it was all tragic. Was there nothing good in that man's life?
Syaoran walked quietly, his strides long and his eyes showing his pensive demeanor. He was deep in thought about the woman who was stealing his heart and not only didn't know, but didn't care. Amber eyes concentrated on the path toward home as he thought about her face, her hair, her everything. She intoxicated him with her presence, and she didn't even know.
Upon entry to the house, Wei informed them that dinner was ready, and the couple walked into the massive dining hall and took their seats, Syaoran at the head, Sakura by his left side. They ate in silence, which Sakura used to look at the giant room.
It was decorated in dark wood and rich greens, the Li family color. Tapestries and other art hung on the tall walls, and the ceiling was painted in a Chinese mural. The table was long, stretching forever it seemed. Ten chairs on both sides plus two on the ends meant that at one time twenty two people could have communed there. And now it was just Sakura and Syaoran taking up a tiny section of the massive mahogany marvel. It was such a simple thing, but it pained Sakura.
After the dinner was cleared, Sakura and Syaoran walked upstairs to bed. Syaoran stopped at Sakura's room and opened the door for her, and she walked in, avoiding his eyes. As Syaoran turned to walk away, Sakura turned quickly, catching his hand in hers. Syaoran felt the electricity spark through his body, and turned to meet her soft gaze.
"Thank you for taking me here." Sakura said quietly, smiling a grateful smile at the young man she was quickly falling for. Syaoran nodded, forcing a smile on his handsome face before closing the door and leaving Sakura to herself. Sighing, Sakura walked to the closet and pulled out a light silk nightgown. It was white and hung loosely around the young woman as she slipped it over her head and over her body. Sakura began to brush her hair, sitting down in front of the mirror in the corner.
As Sakura was preparing to climb into her bed, she caught the faint sound of music coming from the downstairs. Curious, Sakura walked out of her room and down the hall toward where the music was coming from. It was a frenzied piano piece, and whoever the artist was played it with great emotion it seemed. Sakura silently slipped down the stairs toward the study Syaoran had shown her earlier. She remembered a piano being situated in the corner of the enormous room.
The piano music grew louder as Sakura neared the room. She finally reached it, and looked inside cautiously, trying to not draw attention to herself and make the person playing stop. Sakura's emerald eyes widened as she saw Syaoran seated at the instrument, playing fiercely and yet delicately at the same time. His fingers skipped over the ivory keys, and Sakura became mesmerized. He was an amazing pianist.
The way he played, the way his eyes closed with bliss as his hands moved, could have been poetic. There he sat, letting out any frustrations or worries he had in the form of a beautiful strain of harmonics and arpeggios. The notes melded together like silk as Syaoran slowed his frenzied pace, moving to a slow part of the music. He had no pages; this piece was memorized forever in his head. Sakura watched him for several minutes before he stopped, and her heart fluttered. She wanted to hear him play more.
"I know you're there." Syaoran said suddenly, his voice soft yet stinging in a way to Sakura's ears. She stiffened; how could he have known? His eyes were closed the entire time, even at that moment.
"How did you-"Sakura started. Syaoran let his beautiful eyes open and look to her as he smiled gently.
"You smell like cherry blossoms. Always have, always will." Syaoran said, standing. Sakura stepped forward, holding out her hand to stop him. Her face looked as though she would cry if he walked away.
"Please, don't stop." Sakura whispered, her eyes moving from Syaoran to the piano. Syaoran smiled, and sat back down, making room on the bench for Sakura to sit down.
"What would you like to hear?" Syaoran asked, looking to Sakura, who was looking over the splendid piano like a child in a candy store. Sakura shrugged; she didn't exactly know a lot of piano music. Syaoran nodded, then put his hands on the keys and began to play a soft lulling song. (Author's note: The song is called "Love Theme" and it's off the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack. It's a beautiful song; listen to it when you read this part and you'll understand.)
Sakura watched as Syaoran's hands turned the hard ivory keys into velvet strains of music that flowed like a river through the room. His concentration was mesmerizing; the thought and effort he put into his playing was so admirable. Sakura wondered if he put that much dedication and gentleness in everything he did, but let the thought move to the back of her mind as he finished the ballad, opening his eyes and looking at her softly.
"That was beautiful." Sakura mused, tilting her head to the side and smiling when Syaoran blushed.
"My mother was a skilled piano player, as were my sisters. It was only fitting I learned it as well, on top of my martial arts." Syaoran explained. Sakura nodded; every day she was finding something more about him, but he still knew nothing about her. Did he even want to know?
"It's late. You should be in bed." Syaoran said after Sakura didn't say anything for a moment. Her eyes were concentrated on him, and he knew she was thinking about him somehow. When he spoke, Sakura blinked once, twice, and was back to reality.
"I'm a grown woman, Syaoran. I don't need someone telling me when to go to -SYAORAN-!" Sakura squealed as Syaoran smirked and hoisted her up into his arms and carried her kicking and giggling up the stairs and to her room.
He kicked open the door with his foot, walking in with the still giggling Sakura. He was going to throw her onto the bed, and thought he had successfully accomplished the feat until Sakura grabbed him around the neck, making him lose his balance. With a shriek from Sakura and a gasp from Syaoran, the two of them fell into the fluffy bed, tangled in each other's arms and laughing. They stopped laughing when they realized where they were; Sakura underneath Syaoran in bed. They stared at each other for a moment, trying to see if the other was upset.
Syaoran had his hands in Sakura's pinning them above her head. Sakura had one leg in between Syaoran's, the other wrapped slightly around Syaoran's waist. It was a very compromising position to say the least. Sakura blushed heavily, and Syaoran did the same. They quickly parted, adjusting their clothing. Both hearts fluttering like caged butterflies, the two young people stole a glance at each other before blushing once again and turning quickly away.
'Why in the world does she do this to me? She's going to drive me insane before this is over.' Syaoran thought, his mind drowning in thoughts of Sakura. Meanwhile, Sakura was feeling the exact same way, wondering how she could so easily get into something with someone she had known only a couple days. Syaoran sighed, and Sakura yawned, giving Syaoran the opportunity he needed.
"I'll be going now. Sleep well, Sakura." Syaoran said quietly, getting up and walking toward the door. He stopped and turned around, his eyes falling upon Sakura as she watched him intently, her jade eyes still searching. She smiled; that alone warmed Syaoran to the core. He returned her smile and walked out of the room, closing the door. Sakura flopped back onto the bed, her hand over her heart. She could smell him on the sheets, on herself. And she liked it.
Syaoran lay in bed, his bare chest uncovered. One hand behind his head, the other resting on his stomach, he stared up at the ceiling. He wanted to just get up and walk to her room and take her, but it wasn't right. She wasn't his, and until they decided otherwise, he wouldn't have her. Sighing heavily, Syaoran closed his eyes and tried to sleep. After all, tomorrow brought Sakura's training, and he knew it was going to be rough on both of them.
*Sorry for those who thought a lemon would be in this chapter, but worry not because I promise. . . yes, PROMISE a lemon in the next chapter. Unless you don't review, in which case the chapter might never see the pages of FF.net. So you know what to do, everyone! Night!