C-Mage: So! I finally got off my lazy duff and wrote. *o* Very fun chapter to write, might I add! I'm sorry it's so late. We seem to be getting into a habit of that, ne? *wince*
T.Anjel: YessSsss....
Note on the coffee references: Ebola (a disease going around in Africa in outbreaks) tends to, er, turn victims' insides into a 'bloody pulp', as it were. They're also supposed to throw up blood with black floating things that look like coffee beans, so...yeah. Kind of disgusting, I know. ~.~'
Disclaimer: We don't own CCS, hangovers, or my favorite Orlando Bloom piccy. ^.^~
Summary: Syaoran has a killer hangover and royally messes up.
Learn to Love Me - Chapter 14 - Syaoran Screws Up
I dragged the heavy black blobs known as eyelids open to stare at popcorn ceiling. The fact that it was different from the panels of my bedroom hardly registered as a surge of nausea went through me. Fighting not to throw up, I yanked myself upright, only to clutch my head against the terrible pounding the movement had started. Leaning back slightly, my body discovered I could only attempt to contain one at once, and lost.
Leaning over so as not to dirty the bed, I retched on the floor, spasming. Spent for the time being, I massaged my aching head, trying to keep down the next wave of discontent. Kami-sama, did I feel awful. Could you really feel this awful? Every vein in my head pulsed fiercely in an off-beat rhythm with the throws of my stomach. I barely managed to miss the pink bedcovers as I went down again.
"I think I hear something from the gaki's room," came a young male voice that I vaguely recognized as approaching. The door creaked open - LOUD! screamed my eardrums - and I blearily looked at a tall, dark-haired man. Another bit hit me then, and I ducked down again.
"Oi, Sakura!" he called out, facing away from me and my vomit. "Your precious sensei" - he practically spat out the word - "is awake! And I'm not cleaning it up!" He slammed the door shut and presumably stalked away, setting off another sharp jab into my skull.
"Itai...," I winced, trying to no avail to massage away the pain. Why wouldn't it stop? Just even for a minute?
"Clean up what?" asked Kinomoto as she pushed open the door, looking over her shoulder. Then she turned to face me full-on. "Oh, Li-san," she murmured, sighing and walking over to me. "If you're going to throw up, can we try for the toilet? It's much easier to clean up...."
I blinked, puzzled. First of all, her voice only hurt slightly, as opposed to the banging cymbals that composed the man's voice. I suppose that's only natural, considering who he is, but at the time I had no idea. Standing up shakily, I kept tight control on my stomach and only burped up a little. Swallowing, I slurred, "B...but...I missed...." Kinomoto briefly shook her head in confusion, but I took it for denial. I gazed at the bed, where the delicate pink fabric was splattered. "Oh...go...men...."
She sighed and grabbed my arm. Her hands were piercingly cold through my shirt. "Come on; we need to go to the bathroom." I guess I stared at her some more, because she started tugging on my arm. My only reaction was to cover my mouth and hope the bathroom wasn't very far away.
Luck served me, as it was only down the hall a bit, and I promptly launched myself at the toilet. Where was I getting all this stuff, anyway? Through the hazy memories of the previous night I didn't remember eating much. Sake didn't have this volume, did it? Maybe I was throwing up my innards.... The memory of a book on Ebola brought on more heaving.
Finally, after about ten minutes of wet and dry heaving, I felt I'd used up all contractions of my stomach for a year, or I'd Botox it to death. I stood up and raised a weak hand to my forehead, wiping off cool sweat. Somehow I batted at the toilet handle and stumbled out before the flushing overpowered me. The noise and scent it brought me did nothing for my condition.
In the hallway, another situation faced me. Kinomoto's house had large windows facing the east, and all that light was streaming in to make a rather threatening destination for me. Steeling myself, I clutched at the papered wall and shuffled forward, squinting in pain. I turned the corner and looked into the kitchen, trying to ignore the reflected light on the walls.
What greeted me was four people, instead of the one or two I could have expected. One was Daidouji, looking at prim and proper as ever, dressed well even on a weekend. Another was Kinomoto, with her shining auburn hair pulled back into a tidy horsetail. The other two I only recognized in the vaguest sense of the word.
The taller one - the one who'd walked in on me earlier - was leaning against the cabinets and looking at me in disdain. He had disheveled black hair, but it didn't near match mine at that moment. His brown eyes glared at me with immediate dislike, and I was filled with a dislike akin to it under the layers of death and exhaustion.
The other man was definitely older, as his face had a few wrinkles framing eyes and mouth. His hair was auburn as Kinomoto's, so I hazarded a guess that he was her father. He looked kindly enough and even smiled at me invitingly. He created a strong contrast to the other man, seated on a stool as he was. "Coffee?" He offered me a mug.
Memories revitalized the surging of my insides, and I lurched back to the bathroom, heaving for a few more minutes before deeming myself better. Damned coffee beans.
"Li-san?" I heard Daidouji's voice inquire. Reemerging, I nodded vaguely at her, but my eyes lingered on Kinomoto. She looked concerned, lips settled in a small frown, brows drawn together. Now that I look back on it, I realize I must have looked a sight, nice clothes all mussed with sleep and spattered with sake and vomit, eyes glazed over and hair tangled beyond belief. But all I could think of was her lips; they looked so soft and warm and inviting, I wondered what they'd feel like....
Wait. Wondered? I didn't have to wonder anymore - I knew.... My lips remembered it, how soft and warm they had been, tasting of what little food she'd been able to eat. The slush of my brain forced me to think it through as the flesh of my cheeks reddened. I'd...I'd kissed Kinomoto...and it was definitely beyond protocol, whether the school board's or mine.
My eyes widened, and I stumbled backwards, feeling for something to sit on. My flailing hands found the arm of a chair, and I sat down, gaping at Kinomoto. Kinomoto started forward, worried, but must have noted the color of my cheeks, for her emerald eyes widened then narrowed and she gave a short shake of the head. Words drifted back from the haze of my memory.
"...pretend like it never happened..."
Well, that explained that. I ignored her in favor of the approaching Daidouji and Kinomoto's father, who were looking worried. "Daijoubu?" asked Daidouji, placing her cool hand on my forehead. Fat lot of good that'd do, as my blushing and hangover combined ought to have given me all the signs of a fever. The taller man just grunted, as if my actions only justified what he'd already decided.
I looked up at her and growled as well as I could, "What do you think?" Her violet eyes flickered into a smile.
"I guess that is a silly question, isn't it?" She straightened. "Would you like something to drink?"
Casting about for a liquid that'd help - other than coffee - I finally answered, "Water, please."
She clapped her hands together, and I winced at the abrupt sound. "One water, coming right up!" She glided over to the kitchen, gathering a glass and filling it. Conversationally, she said, "I must say, Li-san, that you surprised us. Of course, Sakura-chan filled us in as soon as we got you into bed, but first we should do introductions, and then we can get you out of those clothes." She wrinkled her nose at the thought, then glanced at Kinomoto, leaving an opening for her.
"Right. Li-san, this is my father, Kinomoto Fujitaka." She gestured to the older man, and it seemed I had guessed correctly. I nodded from my chair, and he bowed slightly. She turned on her stool to the other man. " And this is Kinomoto Touya, my onii-chan." Rather than bowing, he glared, and I jerked my head in reply, willing my eyes into what had once been my customary glare. Where had it gone? The thought flashed in and out of my head before I could process it.
Now, this faced me with a bit of a problem. Three Kinomotos, and one surname. What to do? Urging my brain into anything resembling thought, I came up with the names. Kinomoto Fujitaka would be Kinomoto-san, as he seemed respectable enough. Kinomoto Sakura would remain Kinomoto as she had always been. And, finally, Kinomoto Touya would be - my favorite - the Baka. The corners of my lips twitched as I continued to glare with the Baka. At least I could practice some more; recently, my glare had gotten sorely out of use.
Then, Daidouji waltzed back over, depositing the frigid glass into my putty-like hands. "Douzo," she smiled, stepping back in a puff of lavender. I brought it up to sip, watching the others wearily. The ice cold liquid struck at my forehead, almost making me cry out as I flinched and swallowed some more. Eventually my brain began to clear, and I put the empty glass down on a coaster. I didn't want to ruin their varnish, after all their hospitality.
Kinomoto had been frowning in thought for a while and blinked when I set down the glass. "Okay, I've figured it out! Li-san, you can wear some of 'Nii-chan's clothes while we wash yours!" She smiled contentedly at us, pleased with her handiwork.
"No," said the Baka immediately, standing up from his slouch. "There's no way in hell my clothes are going on that...that...gaki."
I glared at him in retaliation, unheeding of the headache growing with the constant semi-squint. "Like I want to wear your clothes." My dislike of him was growing by the minute.
"Now, now," said Kinomoto authoritatively, stepping between us, arms out. She had the air of someone used to dealing with such situations. "Your clothes will fit him better than 'Tou-san's, and it's not like he'll get them dirty or anything."
"He might puke again," grumbled the Baka, crossing his arms in defiance.
Kinomoto's emerald eyes flashed, and I realized they weren't like her father's or her brother's. Must be from her mother, then. "He will not, and you know it. Now, go and get some clothes for Li-san!" She made shooing motions at him until he sighed and stalked down the hall, flicking my head as he passed.
Pain erupted at that spot, and I rubbed at it, grimacing. How long did a freaking hangover last?! I looked at Kinomoto questioningly. "Shower." She started back down the hallway, and I followed. The Baka stuffed some clothes into her arms as he passed, and she grabbed a fluffy towel from the linen closet. She shoved me into the bathroom and murmured, "The shower works just like yours, okay?" A blush flowered on her cheeks as she added, "Just leave your clothes in there; we'll wash them after you're finished." I nodded and entered, locking the door behind me.
I stripped and turned on the shower, letting the water heat up before going in. The hot water pounded on my sore body as I washed away the reek of alcohol and vomit; this was much more effective than drinking water. I swallowed back bile at the thought of coffee and proceeded to wash my hair. The only choices were fruity or flowery, so I went with fruity, and the sick, twisted part of my brain decided to think on which Kinomoto used.
I sighed. Kissing Kinomoto had been a mistake, no matter how good it had felt. I'd have to talk to her about it sometime, even if she didn't want to. I'd make her dismiss it and blame it on the sake. I nodded. She wouldn't think on it if she thought it was all because of the alcohol.
I dried off and dressed in the Baka's clothing. The shirt was too big, and the pants were by no means fitting. The bottoms puddled on the floor, and I held onto the waist like a cinch. Hanging up the towel and collecting my dirty clothes, I walked into the main room. "Does anyone have a belt?" I asked around the bundle in my one arm. The other was busy keeping the pants from falling.
Kinomoto grinned. "Maybe your clothes would have fit better, 'Tou-san. Tomoyo-san, could you get him a belt from 'Tou-san's things? I'll take those, Li-san." She gathered up my laundry and headed to another room, returning shortly I'd put on the belt Daidouji'd found. She giggled and handed me a comb in passing.
Scowling, I pulled it through my stubborn locks, forcing them into a semblance of order before handing it back. My hand brushed hers, and I don't think I imagined the pink tinge of her cheekbones. The Baka glared at me, as if to say, 'Hands off, gaki.' I could have sworn I had a telepathic moment.
My clothes were done none-to-soon, and I changed again before heading out to my car, Kinomoto following. I paused at the door and turned to her. "Arigatou," I muttered quietly. She smiled softly in reply.
"Douitashimashite."
Resisting the urge to kiss her again, I entered my car and drove home, contemplating my rather rash actions of the previous night and what they'd done to my sanity.
~~~~~
Monday dawned nice and cold, with a generous layer of frost on the ground and a chill in the air that made everyone's breath emerge as little puffs. As I sat in the school parking lot, collecting my stuff, I watched the students, running into the building in pairs, clutching at each other's arms for warmth. I growled and shoved the door open and went to my classroom, a veritable storm cloud.
Unlocking the door seemed harder than necessary, as the key skittered across the doorknob and the bolt thunked back into the old wooden door. The slamming after the release of air irritated me, and I dropped my bag onto my desk with particular ferocity.
Oh, yes, I was grumpy. Extremely grumpy.
Why? Well, during the day of peace and quiet I'd been left with, I'd done some thinking. I'd decided I should definitely talk to Kinomoto about that kiss and set things straight, or else I'd never be able to live with myself. I'd also decided that Kinomoto's brother completely deserved his new title and that Kinomoto shouldn't be kissing Kaplan, but those were other matters.
All in all, the prospect of approaching Kinomoto with a subject she wasn't open to and thinking about Kaplan had put me in a rather sour mood. Just the right opening to a beautiful week, huh?
Kinomoto entered the room, not late for once, dressed in the suit from her first day. This time she'd left her hair down and had on appropriate shoes, but the memory took away a little of the gloom, if a minuscule amount.
"Ohayo, Li-san," she said, smiling at my slightly. She walked towards my desk slowly, hefted her bag higher on her shoulder, blushed a little. It's a weird thought that I could make someone blush.
"Ohayo, Kinomoto," I replied, collecting my papers for the transfer to the chair in the back. "How was your Sunday?" Okay, so I wanted to piddle-paddle around with small talk first. I ignored the voice in the back of my head saying I was afraid. Me, afraid? The next possible heir to the Li Clan? Hah!
Fine, so I was, but I didn't have to admit it to myself.
"Fine. I talked to David, and he was really sorry about it. Are you all right, though?" She looked at me, eyes a bit worried.
I shook my head, relieving myself of the fizz of anger under my cheekbones. Stupid Kaplan.... "I'm fine. Spent the rest of my weekend grading papers and training."
She nodded. "Don't you ever...." She hesitated. "Don't you ever get tired of the same old routine all the time?" She tilted her head a little to the right.
I blinked, then snorted. "Hardly. Between you and Meiling, my life's been busier than normal recently."
Her face flushed. "Sumimasen...."
"Ah, daijoubu," I assured her. "It's much more interesting than grading papers all the time."
She smiled. "I'm glad...."
I opened my mouth to start the dreaded conversation. "I -" Just then, a student shoved open the door.
"Miss Kinomoto, could I have some help with the homework?" he asked with no regard to our conversation. Kinomoto smiled.
"Sure. Let's see what we can do." Glancing at me apologetically, she started to help the student with a worksheet that should have been a piece of cake.
Scoffing, I turned away and went to the chair in the back. I suppose the talk would have to wait until later. I just hoped I'd still have the courage for it.
The day went by as usual. Kinomoto's lesson was excellent, as I'd expected. I ate in the teacher's lounge, as had become my new ritual, and Hiiragizawa-san poked fun at what had happened over the weekend. Finally school was over, and it was just me and Kinomoto in the classroom once again.
Gathering my courage, I walked up to the front of the room and coughed. Kinomoto looked up quizzically. "That was a good lesson, Kinomoto," I ventured finally; pitifully.
Kinomoto's look of confusion deepened. "Are you all right, Li-san?" She extended her hand to touch my forehead, then said with a touch of humor, "Hm, you feel a bit hot to me. Are you sure you got enough sleep?"
"Hai, I'm sure." I paused to breathe in, breathe out. "Kinomoto...."
"Hai?" Her look clearly said she wanted me to get on with it.
"About Friday," I said, looking at her straight on. She sighed.
"Look, Li-san," she interrupted me with a wave of her hand. "I'd really appreciate it if you forgot all about that.... I'm sure your getting drunk really wasn't the best thing that could have happened, and I'm sure it was embarrassing for you. If you forget about it, I will."
I frowned. Had she misunderstood me? "I am sorry about getting drunk, but I'm going to blame that on Kaplan. He was the one who started it."
Kinomoto gasped. "Nani?! David-kun didn't start it!"
"He did so," I returned. "Who ordered the sake, and who challenged me?" I glared my most menacingly.
She glared right back, emerald eyes hard. "And who decided to take up his challenge? You never had to go that low, Li-san. I don't know what it is with you and David-kun, but it's really childish!"
I clenched my teeth. "That's Kaplan's problem, not mine. He's the one that could never accept I was better than he was."
"Oh, and you never accepted that he could be a challenge! If this is all you wanted to talk about, I'm going home!" Eyes flashing and hair flying, she grabbed her bag and stalked towards the door, radiating foul energy. I groped at falling straws.
"Matte, Kinomoto. That wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about...."
She whirled around and looked at me, clearly exasperated. "Then what was?" I walked over to her, and she her look softened. "Nani?"
"This was," I murmured and leaned down. She stared at me, astonished, as I closed my eyes and bent my head towards hers. I could feel her breath on my cheek a moment before I captured her lips with mine. Oh, her lips were as soft as I'd remembered. Shocked for a moment, she pressed back before freezing in place, as if remembering who she was. Next thing I knew, her hand was flying into my cheek with a resounding slap.
I stepped back, clutching at my burning cheek. Her eyes were filled with a rage I'd never seen before, and I knew I'd done something terribly wrong. Why couldn't I control myself better?
"Li-san!" she seethed, all spitfire. "What exactly do you think you're doing?!"
"I-I...," I stuttered, trying to assemble a defense, any defense for myself.
"Even if we ignore the point that YOU have a girlfriend and I have a boyfriend, that still goes against the rules of the school system! I don't know what you were thinking, but it's wrong!" She glared daggers at me, and I could see the effort it took her to stay in place like that.
"Well, it works for Daidouji and Hiiragizawa-san...." I knew it was weak, but it was all I could think of. I knew there was no way to defend my actions - they were completely nonsensical - but I couldn't just stand against her onslaught without defending myself in the slightest.
She growled. "It may work for them, but they have a romantic interest in each other. There is NONE between us. Nothing. You don't like me, and I don't like you. Even if I might have, I don't think I can anymore." Her words were tinged with an ice so cold it burned.
"But you don't mind kissing Kaplan," I muttered angrily, so quietly I thought she couldn't hear. I was wrong - maybe being so angry intensified her senses.
"I should have known! This is all just some sort of contest between you and David-kun, isn't it?! You can't let him get the better of you in anything, hm? Well, forget that! I'm leaving! You can't keep me in here one more day!" She swung around and shoved past Daidouji, who'd appeared suddenly at the entrance, looking shocked.
I simply stared ahead with a glazed look for who knows how long, arm outstretched. Daidouji left after a bit, shaking her head, I think. Hiiragizawa peaked in and saw me statue-like, and for once his eyes weren't gleaming with mischief. The janitor even walked by to see why the lights were on, and still I stood frozen. Finally the old man came up to me and asked, "You goin' home, son?" I blinked.
"I...I don't know."
He shook his head, bald spot in the back gleaming in the light. "Well, looks to me like you got woman problems. Better get home and get to workin' on 'em. Standin' here'll do nothin'." With that, he turned around and walked to the door. "You gonna lock up, then?" I nodded mutely. "Good. 'Luck, son." He left, and I roused myself from my stance, muscles aching after being held still for so long. As if in a daze, I looked around, and my eye caught on my desk.
My empty, lonely, emotionless desk. I yanked open the top drawer and grabbed the stapler in a sweaty fist. I looked at it for a second, then threw it against the wall with all my strength. It thunked and made a good sized dent, then fell to the floor and opened, scattering staples on the floor. I stared at them before collecting my things and leaving the room, locking up, and heading out to my car; heading out into the cold, quiet night.
TBC.
Here's a translation of the odder Japanese used in this story (that I can remember).
douzo = 'here you go'
onee-san = older sister
imouto = younger sister
oishii = delicious
itadakemasu = 'I'll have some'
konbanwa = good evening
ogenki desu ka = 'are you feeling well?'
douitashimashite = you're welcome
You can probably assume various other words from their context, like curse words I'm too lazy to go through and find....
C-Mage: Okay, so who wants to kill me?! ^.^' Well, we were planning to do it sooner or later, and I really figured we ought to get the plot going. What? You think the story was fine without this? Posh! ^.~
T.Anjel: ooOoh Syaoran-kun's in troubleee!!!
T.Anjel: YessSsss....
Note on the coffee references: Ebola (a disease going around in Africa in outbreaks) tends to, er, turn victims' insides into a 'bloody pulp', as it were. They're also supposed to throw up blood with black floating things that look like coffee beans, so...yeah. Kind of disgusting, I know. ~.~'
Disclaimer: We don't own CCS, hangovers, or my favorite Orlando Bloom piccy. ^.^~
Summary: Syaoran has a killer hangover and royally messes up.
Learn to Love Me - Chapter 14 - Syaoran Screws Up
I dragged the heavy black blobs known as eyelids open to stare at popcorn ceiling. The fact that it was different from the panels of my bedroom hardly registered as a surge of nausea went through me. Fighting not to throw up, I yanked myself upright, only to clutch my head against the terrible pounding the movement had started. Leaning back slightly, my body discovered I could only attempt to contain one at once, and lost.
Leaning over so as not to dirty the bed, I retched on the floor, spasming. Spent for the time being, I massaged my aching head, trying to keep down the next wave of discontent. Kami-sama, did I feel awful. Could you really feel this awful? Every vein in my head pulsed fiercely in an off-beat rhythm with the throws of my stomach. I barely managed to miss the pink bedcovers as I went down again.
"I think I hear something from the gaki's room," came a young male voice that I vaguely recognized as approaching. The door creaked open - LOUD! screamed my eardrums - and I blearily looked at a tall, dark-haired man. Another bit hit me then, and I ducked down again.
"Oi, Sakura!" he called out, facing away from me and my vomit. "Your precious sensei" - he practically spat out the word - "is awake! And I'm not cleaning it up!" He slammed the door shut and presumably stalked away, setting off another sharp jab into my skull.
"Itai...," I winced, trying to no avail to massage away the pain. Why wouldn't it stop? Just even for a minute?
"Clean up what?" asked Kinomoto as she pushed open the door, looking over her shoulder. Then she turned to face me full-on. "Oh, Li-san," she murmured, sighing and walking over to me. "If you're going to throw up, can we try for the toilet? It's much easier to clean up...."
I blinked, puzzled. First of all, her voice only hurt slightly, as opposed to the banging cymbals that composed the man's voice. I suppose that's only natural, considering who he is, but at the time I had no idea. Standing up shakily, I kept tight control on my stomach and only burped up a little. Swallowing, I slurred, "B...but...I missed...." Kinomoto briefly shook her head in confusion, but I took it for denial. I gazed at the bed, where the delicate pink fabric was splattered. "Oh...go...men...."
She sighed and grabbed my arm. Her hands were piercingly cold through my shirt. "Come on; we need to go to the bathroom." I guess I stared at her some more, because she started tugging on my arm. My only reaction was to cover my mouth and hope the bathroom wasn't very far away.
Luck served me, as it was only down the hall a bit, and I promptly launched myself at the toilet. Where was I getting all this stuff, anyway? Through the hazy memories of the previous night I didn't remember eating much. Sake didn't have this volume, did it? Maybe I was throwing up my innards.... The memory of a book on Ebola brought on more heaving.
Finally, after about ten minutes of wet and dry heaving, I felt I'd used up all contractions of my stomach for a year, or I'd Botox it to death. I stood up and raised a weak hand to my forehead, wiping off cool sweat. Somehow I batted at the toilet handle and stumbled out before the flushing overpowered me. The noise and scent it brought me did nothing for my condition.
In the hallway, another situation faced me. Kinomoto's house had large windows facing the east, and all that light was streaming in to make a rather threatening destination for me. Steeling myself, I clutched at the papered wall and shuffled forward, squinting in pain. I turned the corner and looked into the kitchen, trying to ignore the reflected light on the walls.
What greeted me was four people, instead of the one or two I could have expected. One was Daidouji, looking at prim and proper as ever, dressed well even on a weekend. Another was Kinomoto, with her shining auburn hair pulled back into a tidy horsetail. The other two I only recognized in the vaguest sense of the word.
The taller one - the one who'd walked in on me earlier - was leaning against the cabinets and looking at me in disdain. He had disheveled black hair, but it didn't near match mine at that moment. His brown eyes glared at me with immediate dislike, and I was filled with a dislike akin to it under the layers of death and exhaustion.
The other man was definitely older, as his face had a few wrinkles framing eyes and mouth. His hair was auburn as Kinomoto's, so I hazarded a guess that he was her father. He looked kindly enough and even smiled at me invitingly. He created a strong contrast to the other man, seated on a stool as he was. "Coffee?" He offered me a mug.
Memories revitalized the surging of my insides, and I lurched back to the bathroom, heaving for a few more minutes before deeming myself better. Damned coffee beans.
"Li-san?" I heard Daidouji's voice inquire. Reemerging, I nodded vaguely at her, but my eyes lingered on Kinomoto. She looked concerned, lips settled in a small frown, brows drawn together. Now that I look back on it, I realize I must have looked a sight, nice clothes all mussed with sleep and spattered with sake and vomit, eyes glazed over and hair tangled beyond belief. But all I could think of was her lips; they looked so soft and warm and inviting, I wondered what they'd feel like....
Wait. Wondered? I didn't have to wonder anymore - I knew.... My lips remembered it, how soft and warm they had been, tasting of what little food she'd been able to eat. The slush of my brain forced me to think it through as the flesh of my cheeks reddened. I'd...I'd kissed Kinomoto...and it was definitely beyond protocol, whether the school board's or mine.
My eyes widened, and I stumbled backwards, feeling for something to sit on. My flailing hands found the arm of a chair, and I sat down, gaping at Kinomoto. Kinomoto started forward, worried, but must have noted the color of my cheeks, for her emerald eyes widened then narrowed and she gave a short shake of the head. Words drifted back from the haze of my memory.
"...pretend like it never happened..."
Well, that explained that. I ignored her in favor of the approaching Daidouji and Kinomoto's father, who were looking worried. "Daijoubu?" asked Daidouji, placing her cool hand on my forehead. Fat lot of good that'd do, as my blushing and hangover combined ought to have given me all the signs of a fever. The taller man just grunted, as if my actions only justified what he'd already decided.
I looked up at her and growled as well as I could, "What do you think?" Her violet eyes flickered into a smile.
"I guess that is a silly question, isn't it?" She straightened. "Would you like something to drink?"
Casting about for a liquid that'd help - other than coffee - I finally answered, "Water, please."
She clapped her hands together, and I winced at the abrupt sound. "One water, coming right up!" She glided over to the kitchen, gathering a glass and filling it. Conversationally, she said, "I must say, Li-san, that you surprised us. Of course, Sakura-chan filled us in as soon as we got you into bed, but first we should do introductions, and then we can get you out of those clothes." She wrinkled her nose at the thought, then glanced at Kinomoto, leaving an opening for her.
"Right. Li-san, this is my father, Kinomoto Fujitaka." She gestured to the older man, and it seemed I had guessed correctly. I nodded from my chair, and he bowed slightly. She turned on her stool to the other man. " And this is Kinomoto Touya, my onii-chan." Rather than bowing, he glared, and I jerked my head in reply, willing my eyes into what had once been my customary glare. Where had it gone? The thought flashed in and out of my head before I could process it.
Now, this faced me with a bit of a problem. Three Kinomotos, and one surname. What to do? Urging my brain into anything resembling thought, I came up with the names. Kinomoto Fujitaka would be Kinomoto-san, as he seemed respectable enough. Kinomoto Sakura would remain Kinomoto as she had always been. And, finally, Kinomoto Touya would be - my favorite - the Baka. The corners of my lips twitched as I continued to glare with the Baka. At least I could practice some more; recently, my glare had gotten sorely out of use.
Then, Daidouji waltzed back over, depositing the frigid glass into my putty-like hands. "Douzo," she smiled, stepping back in a puff of lavender. I brought it up to sip, watching the others wearily. The ice cold liquid struck at my forehead, almost making me cry out as I flinched and swallowed some more. Eventually my brain began to clear, and I put the empty glass down on a coaster. I didn't want to ruin their varnish, after all their hospitality.
Kinomoto had been frowning in thought for a while and blinked when I set down the glass. "Okay, I've figured it out! Li-san, you can wear some of 'Nii-chan's clothes while we wash yours!" She smiled contentedly at us, pleased with her handiwork.
"No," said the Baka immediately, standing up from his slouch. "There's no way in hell my clothes are going on that...that...gaki."
I glared at him in retaliation, unheeding of the headache growing with the constant semi-squint. "Like I want to wear your clothes." My dislike of him was growing by the minute.
"Now, now," said Kinomoto authoritatively, stepping between us, arms out. She had the air of someone used to dealing with such situations. "Your clothes will fit him better than 'Tou-san's, and it's not like he'll get them dirty or anything."
"He might puke again," grumbled the Baka, crossing his arms in defiance.
Kinomoto's emerald eyes flashed, and I realized they weren't like her father's or her brother's. Must be from her mother, then. "He will not, and you know it. Now, go and get some clothes for Li-san!" She made shooing motions at him until he sighed and stalked down the hall, flicking my head as he passed.
Pain erupted at that spot, and I rubbed at it, grimacing. How long did a freaking hangover last?! I looked at Kinomoto questioningly. "Shower." She started back down the hallway, and I followed. The Baka stuffed some clothes into her arms as he passed, and she grabbed a fluffy towel from the linen closet. She shoved me into the bathroom and murmured, "The shower works just like yours, okay?" A blush flowered on her cheeks as she added, "Just leave your clothes in there; we'll wash them after you're finished." I nodded and entered, locking the door behind me.
I stripped and turned on the shower, letting the water heat up before going in. The hot water pounded on my sore body as I washed away the reek of alcohol and vomit; this was much more effective than drinking water. I swallowed back bile at the thought of coffee and proceeded to wash my hair. The only choices were fruity or flowery, so I went with fruity, and the sick, twisted part of my brain decided to think on which Kinomoto used.
I sighed. Kissing Kinomoto had been a mistake, no matter how good it had felt. I'd have to talk to her about it sometime, even if she didn't want to. I'd make her dismiss it and blame it on the sake. I nodded. She wouldn't think on it if she thought it was all because of the alcohol.
I dried off and dressed in the Baka's clothing. The shirt was too big, and the pants were by no means fitting. The bottoms puddled on the floor, and I held onto the waist like a cinch. Hanging up the towel and collecting my dirty clothes, I walked into the main room. "Does anyone have a belt?" I asked around the bundle in my one arm. The other was busy keeping the pants from falling.
Kinomoto grinned. "Maybe your clothes would have fit better, 'Tou-san. Tomoyo-san, could you get him a belt from 'Tou-san's things? I'll take those, Li-san." She gathered up my laundry and headed to another room, returning shortly I'd put on the belt Daidouji'd found. She giggled and handed me a comb in passing.
Scowling, I pulled it through my stubborn locks, forcing them into a semblance of order before handing it back. My hand brushed hers, and I don't think I imagined the pink tinge of her cheekbones. The Baka glared at me, as if to say, 'Hands off, gaki.' I could have sworn I had a telepathic moment.
My clothes were done none-to-soon, and I changed again before heading out to my car, Kinomoto following. I paused at the door and turned to her. "Arigatou," I muttered quietly. She smiled softly in reply.
"Douitashimashite."
Resisting the urge to kiss her again, I entered my car and drove home, contemplating my rather rash actions of the previous night and what they'd done to my sanity.
~~~~~
Monday dawned nice and cold, with a generous layer of frost on the ground and a chill in the air that made everyone's breath emerge as little puffs. As I sat in the school parking lot, collecting my stuff, I watched the students, running into the building in pairs, clutching at each other's arms for warmth. I growled and shoved the door open and went to my classroom, a veritable storm cloud.
Unlocking the door seemed harder than necessary, as the key skittered across the doorknob and the bolt thunked back into the old wooden door. The slamming after the release of air irritated me, and I dropped my bag onto my desk with particular ferocity.
Oh, yes, I was grumpy. Extremely grumpy.
Why? Well, during the day of peace and quiet I'd been left with, I'd done some thinking. I'd decided I should definitely talk to Kinomoto about that kiss and set things straight, or else I'd never be able to live with myself. I'd also decided that Kinomoto's brother completely deserved his new title and that Kinomoto shouldn't be kissing Kaplan, but those were other matters.
All in all, the prospect of approaching Kinomoto with a subject she wasn't open to and thinking about Kaplan had put me in a rather sour mood. Just the right opening to a beautiful week, huh?
Kinomoto entered the room, not late for once, dressed in the suit from her first day. This time she'd left her hair down and had on appropriate shoes, but the memory took away a little of the gloom, if a minuscule amount.
"Ohayo, Li-san," she said, smiling at my slightly. She walked towards my desk slowly, hefted her bag higher on her shoulder, blushed a little. It's a weird thought that I could make someone blush.
"Ohayo, Kinomoto," I replied, collecting my papers for the transfer to the chair in the back. "How was your Sunday?" Okay, so I wanted to piddle-paddle around with small talk first. I ignored the voice in the back of my head saying I was afraid. Me, afraid? The next possible heir to the Li Clan? Hah!
Fine, so I was, but I didn't have to admit it to myself.
"Fine. I talked to David, and he was really sorry about it. Are you all right, though?" She looked at me, eyes a bit worried.
I shook my head, relieving myself of the fizz of anger under my cheekbones. Stupid Kaplan.... "I'm fine. Spent the rest of my weekend grading papers and training."
She nodded. "Don't you ever...." She hesitated. "Don't you ever get tired of the same old routine all the time?" She tilted her head a little to the right.
I blinked, then snorted. "Hardly. Between you and Meiling, my life's been busier than normal recently."
Her face flushed. "Sumimasen...."
"Ah, daijoubu," I assured her. "It's much more interesting than grading papers all the time."
She smiled. "I'm glad...."
I opened my mouth to start the dreaded conversation. "I -" Just then, a student shoved open the door.
"Miss Kinomoto, could I have some help with the homework?" he asked with no regard to our conversation. Kinomoto smiled.
"Sure. Let's see what we can do." Glancing at me apologetically, she started to help the student with a worksheet that should have been a piece of cake.
Scoffing, I turned away and went to the chair in the back. I suppose the talk would have to wait until later. I just hoped I'd still have the courage for it.
The day went by as usual. Kinomoto's lesson was excellent, as I'd expected. I ate in the teacher's lounge, as had become my new ritual, and Hiiragizawa-san poked fun at what had happened over the weekend. Finally school was over, and it was just me and Kinomoto in the classroom once again.
Gathering my courage, I walked up to the front of the room and coughed. Kinomoto looked up quizzically. "That was a good lesson, Kinomoto," I ventured finally; pitifully.
Kinomoto's look of confusion deepened. "Are you all right, Li-san?" She extended her hand to touch my forehead, then said with a touch of humor, "Hm, you feel a bit hot to me. Are you sure you got enough sleep?"
"Hai, I'm sure." I paused to breathe in, breathe out. "Kinomoto...."
"Hai?" Her look clearly said she wanted me to get on with it.
"About Friday," I said, looking at her straight on. She sighed.
"Look, Li-san," she interrupted me with a wave of her hand. "I'd really appreciate it if you forgot all about that.... I'm sure your getting drunk really wasn't the best thing that could have happened, and I'm sure it was embarrassing for you. If you forget about it, I will."
I frowned. Had she misunderstood me? "I am sorry about getting drunk, but I'm going to blame that on Kaplan. He was the one who started it."
Kinomoto gasped. "Nani?! David-kun didn't start it!"
"He did so," I returned. "Who ordered the sake, and who challenged me?" I glared my most menacingly.
She glared right back, emerald eyes hard. "And who decided to take up his challenge? You never had to go that low, Li-san. I don't know what it is with you and David-kun, but it's really childish!"
I clenched my teeth. "That's Kaplan's problem, not mine. He's the one that could never accept I was better than he was."
"Oh, and you never accepted that he could be a challenge! If this is all you wanted to talk about, I'm going home!" Eyes flashing and hair flying, she grabbed her bag and stalked towards the door, radiating foul energy. I groped at falling straws.
"Matte, Kinomoto. That wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about...."
She whirled around and looked at me, clearly exasperated. "Then what was?" I walked over to her, and she her look softened. "Nani?"
"This was," I murmured and leaned down. She stared at me, astonished, as I closed my eyes and bent my head towards hers. I could feel her breath on my cheek a moment before I captured her lips with mine. Oh, her lips were as soft as I'd remembered. Shocked for a moment, she pressed back before freezing in place, as if remembering who she was. Next thing I knew, her hand was flying into my cheek with a resounding slap.
I stepped back, clutching at my burning cheek. Her eyes were filled with a rage I'd never seen before, and I knew I'd done something terribly wrong. Why couldn't I control myself better?
"Li-san!" she seethed, all spitfire. "What exactly do you think you're doing?!"
"I-I...," I stuttered, trying to assemble a defense, any defense for myself.
"Even if we ignore the point that YOU have a girlfriend and I have a boyfriend, that still goes against the rules of the school system! I don't know what you were thinking, but it's wrong!" She glared daggers at me, and I could see the effort it took her to stay in place like that.
"Well, it works for Daidouji and Hiiragizawa-san...." I knew it was weak, but it was all I could think of. I knew there was no way to defend my actions - they were completely nonsensical - but I couldn't just stand against her onslaught without defending myself in the slightest.
She growled. "It may work for them, but they have a romantic interest in each other. There is NONE between us. Nothing. You don't like me, and I don't like you. Even if I might have, I don't think I can anymore." Her words were tinged with an ice so cold it burned.
"But you don't mind kissing Kaplan," I muttered angrily, so quietly I thought she couldn't hear. I was wrong - maybe being so angry intensified her senses.
"I should have known! This is all just some sort of contest between you and David-kun, isn't it?! You can't let him get the better of you in anything, hm? Well, forget that! I'm leaving! You can't keep me in here one more day!" She swung around and shoved past Daidouji, who'd appeared suddenly at the entrance, looking shocked.
I simply stared ahead with a glazed look for who knows how long, arm outstretched. Daidouji left after a bit, shaking her head, I think. Hiiragizawa peaked in and saw me statue-like, and for once his eyes weren't gleaming with mischief. The janitor even walked by to see why the lights were on, and still I stood frozen. Finally the old man came up to me and asked, "You goin' home, son?" I blinked.
"I...I don't know."
He shook his head, bald spot in the back gleaming in the light. "Well, looks to me like you got woman problems. Better get home and get to workin' on 'em. Standin' here'll do nothin'." With that, he turned around and walked to the door. "You gonna lock up, then?" I nodded mutely. "Good. 'Luck, son." He left, and I roused myself from my stance, muscles aching after being held still for so long. As if in a daze, I looked around, and my eye caught on my desk.
My empty, lonely, emotionless desk. I yanked open the top drawer and grabbed the stapler in a sweaty fist. I looked at it for a second, then threw it against the wall with all my strength. It thunked and made a good sized dent, then fell to the floor and opened, scattering staples on the floor. I stared at them before collecting my things and leaving the room, locking up, and heading out to my car; heading out into the cold, quiet night.
TBC.
Here's a translation of the odder Japanese used in this story (that I can remember).
douzo = 'here you go'
onee-san = older sister
imouto = younger sister
oishii = delicious
itadakemasu = 'I'll have some'
konbanwa = good evening
ogenki desu ka = 'are you feeling well?'
douitashimashite = you're welcome
You can probably assume various other words from their context, like curse words I'm too lazy to go through and find....
C-Mage: Okay, so who wants to kill me?! ^.^' Well, we were planning to do it sooner or later, and I really figured we ought to get the plot going. What? You think the story was fine without this? Posh! ^.~
T.Anjel: ooOoh Syaoran-kun's in troubleee!!!