----- Sort of a Fairytale
----- Written by Iris (Rainbow) Dreamer
----- DISCLAIMER: Card Captor Sakura solely belongs to Clamp. However, the plot is mine and I would like to remain it that way. Arigato.
----- AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey! This is my new fic! Bear with me here as I suffer my way through my one last stab at the SATs, through college essays, countless college searching, and college applications of my senior year. Needless to say, I'll be very busy. I'll be trying my best to update this, but I'm going to have one hectic senior year!
This chapter, or rather this whole story, is dedicated to Ryoko Subaru. When I first entered fanfiction, her works (SAKURA-Cherry blossom) were the ones I started out reading. Her works have given me so much inspiration, and I thank her for that.
Iris dreamer.
----- BACKGROUND: Okay! Some background here. Syaoran and Sakura have not met before. Hm. No magic in here either (as some of you might know, I'm horrible at describing magic.....). What else? Oh, the characters may seem a bit out of character in the beginning (especially Sakura), but you'll see why as the story proceeds. Hm. I think that's about it. The rest you'll have to discover yourself! And if you know me, I love twists and turns, although this chapter should have less than ADOHE if you've read that. No, wait, actually now that I think about it, there is a lot of twists in this! LoL.
Oh, and mild (?) cursing in this chapter. I don't know how many it would be mild for you guys, but deepest apologies for the vulgar language.
Iris Dreamer.
----- SPECIAL THANKS: SulliMike23: Hm, who knows what will happen in this chapter? Read up!
Cyan Moon: Firstly, thanks for reviewing and all that good luck for college applications and all that. I think I'm about done if my dad doesn't make me apply for more colleges! Anyhow, I totally understand your feeling of not being able to find a word that describes your feelings. I'm an Asian American and sometimes, Chinese has some words I can't describe in English! Hehe. Hope you like this chapter.
Avelyn Lauren: Thanks. When you said you knew about rape, is it true? I utterly hope that it isn't. Anyhow, thanks for all the best wishes concerning applications! I'm just thankful that I have mostly everything done and that my finals are over with, and I have Chinese New Year winter break to look forward to! (I'm not in America now).
LiLDragonGurl28 (aka May): Hehe, thanks! I'll give you my word that I'll always finish my stories, although when I am able to update is a question. However, I'm trying my best!
Hououza: Thank you! I know this story is so much darker than the ones I've written before. However, rest assured that there is romance in here.
Ms. Pac Man: Hehe, if I could, I would so steal another's ID card as well! Hm, a murder mystery hm? Don't really know exactly what direction this story will be heading, but like I said, it's going to be much darker.
DaShyGurl: I should stop leaving cliffhangers huh? Can't stop myself sometimes, however. Thanks for reviewing.
Readergirl14: Interesting, your initial reaction actually. Who knows, maybe after your review, I just might kill Sakura's dad. Hehe, just keep on reading.
Kura-Chan: Yes, I suppose cliffhangers are a trend these days. The trouble with me is that I don't know when to leave my chapters sometimes. Hopefully this chapter's cliffhanger isn't that bad.
Azndreamer1788: Hm, your guess may be quite accurate. Who knows? Thanks for reviewing.
Sweetbabygurl: When I have the chance, I'll set aside some time to read your stories. Until then, thanks for reading my stories so faithfully.
Sarah: I'm so touched that my writing actually makes you cry. That really makes me feel like I have some talent. Hehe.
Cherry Princess Sakura: Haha, swearing is really not my thing. To tell you the truth, I don't swear in real life, actually I'm a promoter against it. LOL. Funny how things are huh? Maybe it's my unconsciousness talking, as Sigmund Freud would say (psychology). Anyhow, I'm glad you love the whole blossoming love thing. This chapter hopefully will satisfy you.
Nicole: Thanks! I'll try to remember to email you! I have horrible short- term memory.
Yamiyumetenshi: Thanks for reminding me to raise my rating! I cannot believe I forgot to do that.... So thanks! I'm sorry to have scarred your eyes for life and thanks for introducing "Murdering Angel" to me.
Kakera No Yume: Hehe, I'll have to get used to you changing your alias. Glad you love Sakura's sarcasm, more will appear here.
N@sh FiL@an: Thanks for reminding me not to be too stressed. Sigh. I have panda eyes from sleeping to late. However, I'm glad to announce that I have not yet pulled an all nighter. Hehe.
Oyme: Glad you like my story so much, especially how it's written from different perspectives. And good luck with your hectic school schedule!
Dragonstar03: Sorry that the last part was creepy, although I must agree that it was. Thanks for reviewing!
Daz: Hey you! Thanks for being there for my, always, Daz.
Dancer5: Hehe, I'm glad you liked Sakura's kick butt attitude. She rules!
Red-Emerald: You're the third person to have guessed that it was Sakura's dad who was killed. Read on to know the answer! And thanks for reviewing.
Tiarella Cordifolia: I'm so ecstatic to know that you love my stories! Thanks!
ASwtXiaoLang: Happy belated birthday. Terribly sorry that I wasn't able to update this story on your birth date. However, keep in mind that I send my best wishes. I hope you love this chapter, and accept it as a late birthday gift.
Starrygaze (Dee): Haha, I hope you have fun on your "internet abstinence" thing. And I'm really touched that you broke it to read my fics! That means a whole lot to me! Sorry that I haven't been able to update soon, but this chapter's a bit longer to make up for it!
Your Worst Nightmare :p: Hey, you're not really my worst nightmare. I have much worse ones! Hehe. Oh, and it's "iris dreamer" not "isis." Just wanted to let you know that. Oh, and try on sharpening your flame skills! I've seen worse! LoL.
Thekawaiihouse: Who died? Read on. Sorry that I wasn't able to update quickly.
:) Thanks! Glad you liked Sakura stealing Eriol's ID card as well!
A guy who actually likes CCS: LoL, you're not the only guy who loves CCS. Sullimike23 and Daz are other reviewers of mine. Besides, what's wrong with being a guy? I'm just glad that the male population reads this story as well.
Avid reader: Thank you. How will this become a sort of a fairytale? Read on.
HanaTenshiHimeko: Sorry for the late update! And thanks for reviewing.
Sakura Kinomoto-Li1: Thank you.
AND EVEYONE ELSE (or those who I have forgotten), a HUGE thank you! You guys make me feel so wonderful! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Iris Dreamer.
----- CHAPTER SEVEN: I am Everywhere
Meiling bolted up from her bed, panting heavily. She placed a hand lightly over the erratic beating of her heart, as if trying to calm it down. She swallowed hard and opened her eyes. Sunlight was peeking through the curtains; the night was over.
"Oh god," She groaned, recollecting her thoughts of last night. Her hand trembled at the horrid memories and the crazy laughter that rang in her ears. Shaking her head, she slid out of bed, her bare feet coming in contact with the cold floor. Draping a jacket over her shoulders, she walked to the window and pulled the curtains open. Immediately the warm sun embraced her.
Meiling sighed out loud, her breath fogging the glass slightly. Unconsciously, her finger wrote out the name of her best friend: Sakura. She wondered how she was doing now. She had gone to Eriol's house after Sakura's condition was stable and had woken up. Syaoran insisted that he would stay by her and the rest should leave, which they did.
So here she was at his apartment. Although he had moved into the same dorm as Tomoyo, he still kept this old house, which she was quite thankful for. It was someplace familiar, something that she knew. And it was a comforting thought.
Muffling a yawn, she ran her finger through her messy black locks. She didn't even want to see herself in the mirror right now; she felt as miserable as she was already.
Eriol was already in the kitchen, brewing some coffee and something edible and hot on the stove. When he heard her come in, he stopped what he was doing and walked over to her. Meiling found herself in his warm embrace and she hugged him back tightly.
"Better?" Eriol asked knowingly after they parted.
Meiling gave him a feeble smile and nodded her head to cover her weak attempt to smile. "How are Tomoyo and Sakura?" She croaked.
Eriol beckoned her to follow him to the kitchen where he immediately gave her a cup of rich hot chocolate with marshmallows swimming on top, the way she liked it. After he made sure that she was settled comfortably in the chair and her plate of eggs, bacon and blueberry muffin before he, did he reply her question.
"Tomoyo's still sleeping in my room; she was quite," he paused, his azure eyes glancing over at the direction at his room, "traumatized. She's knows that there's bad in the world, but this was the first time she has ever experienced it."
Meiling sighed, her red eyes concentrating on her marshmallow that she was sinking with her spoon. "I know. Tomoyo's wonderful at comforting people, but like you said, nothing directly has happened to her. She doesn't know how to handle her pain."
Eriol closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly. "I wish I was there that night to prevent all this from happening."
Meiling reached over and patted his hand. "Hey, we're all in this together okay?" She whispered, her voice cracking. "You were doing what you thought what could be helpful. We all don't know what's ahead of us Eriol."
Eriol nodded and Meiling sat back down in her seat. A small devilish grin spread across her face.
"So, what were you and Tomoyo doing last night, hm? Sleeping in the same room with the girl of your dreams? Being the knight in shining armor to save the damsel in distress eh, Eriol?"
Eriol couldn't help but crack a grin of his own. Meiling truly had her ways of cheering on up and bringing everything a step closer to normal.
-----
Syaoran growled in disgust, throwing the morning paper on the table. Sakura reached across the table and read the paper herself. It was not before a few seconds later did she herself shove the paper away.
"Fucking bastard." She commented, her voice dangerously calm.
Syaoran snorted in reply. "More like fucking wimp." He corrected her after taking a huge gulp of his coffee.
She shrugged. "Makes no difference." She looked around the office, amazed at the nice environment police officers had. She didn't think he'd get such a good cubicle, for after all he was only an intern. But then he'd remind her that he was almost a police officer anyhow, one more month.
"I told you, it was just a lucky draw. Some of the better interns are chosen to have some isolated office cubicles, especially if they've handed good cases." Syaoran said once he saw her eyes observing her surroundings.
"Then Eriol must be pretty lucky as well." She commented.
"He's going to be an officer around the same time as me. It really makes no difference if we get the offices now or later."
"Oh." Then she mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "spoiled brats" under her breath.
"And can we get back to the main topic now?" he grunted while giving her a silencing glare.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Well, let's see." She said in a high-pitched fake voice like a schoolteacher uses while reading to the class of first graders. "Mr. Bret Monoko, age 28, was sent to the Tokyo Memorial Hospital November 3rd. However, it has been reported that the man died the next day early in the morning. While doctors have been saying it his injuries from a nightclub fight was too serious, there are some considerations that this actually may have been a suicide case. Details are still hazy around this event and the police are trying to keep down this case down."
She looked over the paper at him. "Whoopee." She declared sarcastically. "What now?"
Syaoran sat upright and a serious look immediately took upon his face. His eyes were grave as he held Sakura's eyes with them. "Okay. We're certain that Monoko committed suicide and the only evidence we have in our hands is the note he left to us."
He pulled out a white scrap of paper. "Written on it is 'you'll never win.'"
"And we won't." Sakura replied cynically. "Things are just getting worse, aren't they?"
"You're just going to let them win?" He shot back just as cruelly.
Sakura gave him a glare. "I never said anything about giving up Li."
"Good."
She sighed, leaning back in those comfortable rolling chairs that rich business people have. She had always wanted to sit in one and Syaoran had "given" it to her after he had lost the scramble for the chair. Now she rolled herself convienetly to the computer on Syaoran's work table and began to type quickly inside. Within five seconds, a data of Bret Monoko came up.
She clicked the mouse furiously. Syaoran came up from behind her. He covered her hand that was on the mouse with his, controlling it. Sakura gave him a glare but stopped once she saw his concentrated look.
"Get up." He told her. Sakura raised her eyebrow but did as he told. He immediately wheeled up to the table.
"Give me a word." He commanded her. Sakura looked over his shoulder and her grin broadened evilly. Syaoran had gotten into a confidential section and the screened had the words "password needed."
"Hm. This is for whose files?"
"The pervert." He replied
She pulled a disgusted face. "Oh, right. That bastard Bret Monoko." She mumbled to herself. "Hm. Try 'fuck me hard' with no spaces."
Syaoran gave her a questioning look.
"What?" She demanded hotly. "He was a complete pervert and I wouldn't be surprised if he indeed had a password like that. I do not want to repeat to you what he said that night."
The young man nodded and typed the words in. "Password error." Syaoran said with a smirk. "My turn to guess."
He quickly typed something else in, but the same words appeared.
Sakura grinned. "What did you try?"
"I tried 'you will never win.'" He said, referring to the note they had received.
"Nice try. We have one last chance before the file shuts down to protect itself?" She asked, leaning against the table.
"Yeah so make it a good one."
She snorted and closed her eyes to think. Letter after letter flashed in her mind, trying to recall something that was important or something that repeated. She shuddered involuntarily at the feeling that she could never escape, that his eyes were always on her. Syaoran saw her shiver and placed a hand tentatively on her elbow. Sakura's eyes flew open and met Syaoran's.
She smiled lightly. Leaning over, she reached for the keyboard and typed quickly. A bar appeared and slowly loaded. Syaoran whistled when access was granted. She grinned smugly and let Syaoran take over the computer.
"What did you try?" He asked as he waited for the next page to load.
"I am everywhere." Sakura replied in a cold, monotone voice. It took him a while before he realized that she was talking about the code word.
Syaoran wisely made no comment on that. Instead, he motioned Sakura to see what had appeared on the screen. Two pairs of eyes read the information there, filling their hearts with utmost disgust. A thick vile clogged their throats, making them unable to speak. Their eyes met, a feeling of fear tying the two together.
-----
Inside the confidential files of Bret Monoko. What was said inside was truly unexpected.
You'll never win. I am everywhere.
-----
"Oh, fuck it!" Sakura cursed suddenly. Getting up so unexpectedly and with such force, the chair was pushed back hard and hit the wall before coming to a stop. Syaoran's eyes studied her carefully as he watched her pace around the room furiously and finally settling on looking out the window.
He stood behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder tentatively, He could feel her shaking lightly underneath his hand and that scared him. Sakura immediately flinched and moved away from his touch, wrapping her arms around herself.
Syaoran walked over to her again, his time wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her against him close.
"Didn't I tell you you're not alone on this?" He asked softly.
"I should be." She retorted. "Look how much pain I've caused in other people. Tomoyo was truly shocked at what happened that night. And Meiling! She too was dragged into. They're not used to this!"
"And you are?" Syaoran replied calmly.
"It doesn't matter!" She replied angrily, struggling in his grasp, but his strong arms held her firmly in place. "You should have seen the look in Tomoyo's eyes. Meiling's a bit rougher and she's been through more. And I completely failed to protect them!"
"And you are?" he repeated just as calmly.
Sakura slumped and went limp in his arms. "Let go," She whispered weakly. But Syaoran paid no heed to her words. Somehow there was no way from hiding her emotions from him. Sakura frowned lightly. Didn't she promise herself not to trust men anymore? What in the Heavens was wrong with her?
Syaoran didn't say anything else; he just tightened his grasp around her. Somehow his masculine scent soothed her tumbled thoughts. Closing her eyes, she leaned against his broad chest, somehow safe in his hold. -----
Two weeks had passed since the incident and things were slowly falling back to their original pattern once more. Meiling had, after a while of decision that she did not want to leave her friends behind, made her way into Tokyo University, of course without a whole string of fancy curse words at the application forms. And the girl, being one of the slyest ones in their group, had quickly declined Eriol's gentlemanly offer to move out Tomoyo's room. Instead, she took the room that Eriol and Syaoran once lived by herself, which she crowed about happily.
Now the five of them were in Syaoran's apartment room, for the weekly meeting of any news on the "perverted stalker" Sakura had so kindly dubbed.
Meiling watched with a sly grin at her cousin bickering once again with Sakura, who was completely into the fight and used every bit of her wit to win. It was actually vastly amusing to see Sakura grin smugly, her arms folded in front of her chest when she won.
"Amused, Meiling?" Eriol asked with a smile.
"Incredibly." She replied. "Tomoyo?"
The raven hair girl smiled dreamily. "Kawaii." She whispered. "Where's the camera?"
Meiling's eyes lit up. "Damn, you are right! Where is the camera?" Eriol's eyebrow twitched slightly at Meiling's actions. "This is wonderful blackmail material!" Eyebrow went down; that was Meiling exactly.
However before either of them could get the camera, the two were fighting again, this time it seemed much more serious.
"No, I completely refuse!" Sakura yelled after Syaoran had said something to anger her. "It's completely ridiculous and out of the question!"
"Kinomoto, you're not being reasonable here." Syaoran fired back.
"You're not!" The girl glared at him angrily, her stance clearly labeled her as stubborn. His clearly showed that he wasn't going to give in, woman or not; Sakura was perfectly capable of standing up for herself.
"Hey, settle this like grown men." Eriol came in, a friendly smile on his face.
Sakura immediately rounded her glare on him. "Some pieces of advice Eriol." She grinned evilly. "One, don't interrupt me while I'm talking. Two, I'm not a man. Three, that was your last warning."
Eriol chuckled nervously. "I'll keep that in check, Sakura. Thank your for reminding me."
Meiling laughed. "So, what's the big fight about?"
Sakura was still shooting darts at Syaoran from the corner of her eyes when she started to talk. "Li decided that he and I should pretend, and make it known, that we're in a relationship such that the fucking pervert will turn his attention to Li."
Meiling blinked and shared a look with Eriol and Tomoyo. "That actually makes a bit of sense." She muttered under her breath.
"Sense!" Sakura barked, picking up what her friend said. "It is totally ridiculous!"
"I agree with Meiling actually." Eriol said with a pleasant smile on his face. "From the way I see it, the attention will be drawn off from the three of us and placed more on Syaoran if the two of you really pull this off."
"Which is the problem." Sakura pointed out. "And who knows for certain that this lurking pervert will fall for this? After all, didn't he send the letter saying that our attempts were futile?"
"Yes, but he may have thought that we were just some friends or something." Tomoyo answered. "He didn't specifically say that having a boyfriend would be useless. He may think that Li is just some normal guy. You know, the whole thing of guys being macho and shielding girls from scary scenes in the movie theaters." She grinned.
"But the pervert knows that Li is not just normal guy." Sakura argued. "He must already know that Li is capable of protecting himself since we practice every morning and if he still doesn't know, the fight at the club was obvious enough! This stunt will be harder to pull than we think so, and it might not even work."
Her green eyes flashed. "This isn't just some normal guy we're dealing with. He knows about us, every single one of us. He's been monitoring our movements; how else would he know the university we attend or the pub we're going to be clubbing at?"
Meiling was about to protest when Syaoran cut in. "Kinomoto was right about everything she just said. However, if we really do pull of this stunt, there are certain advantages for us. It would explain us living together. Moving around in public would cause less attention. He would less suspect our relationship if we actually were in one."
Sakura grunted.
"So, what do you say," Syaoran grinned, knowing that he had won this round, "Sakura?"
Her eyes immediately turned into slits and were glittering strangely. Barring her teeth into a wolfish grin, Sakura growled. "Go fuck yourself." She threw at him before walking out of Syaoran's apartment room to her own. As she left the door, she finished her sentence, "Syaoran."
He chuckled with laughter. "I think I'll have to you after how much you arouse me, Saku!"
"Damn you!" Her shout was not even muffled through the wall. Meiling was laughing along with her cousin at their exchange. Eriol was smiling, that pleasant one he always has when something happens that was clearly unexpecting. Meanwhile Tomoyo was sighing dreamily, holding the precious camera in her hands. She couldn't wait to wash her film and see what pictures she had there.
------ Two weeks later -----
"Oh! Sakura-Chan! How are you doing?" Chiharu squealed happily over the phone. "It's been so long since I've seen you now that you're off campus."
"Yeah, I know. How's things back at the dorm?" Sakura asked, a small smile on her face. She had missed talking to Chiharu.
"Mm, pretty well actually. I just have to show you the pictures of Tomoyo and Hiiragizawa together! I caught them one day in their room and I accidentally forgot to knock." She laughed. "Meiling was way out of her mind laughing when I showed them to her. I gave her a copy. It most likely will end up in her 'future blackmail usage' huge black box under her bed."
Sakura grinned; that was so like Meiling. "Oh?"
"Yep. Tomoyo's a bit flustered by the whole thing, but she seems to be getting along a bit happier."
"That's good to know, Chi." Sakura replied, using the girl's nickname that was not only an abbreviation of her name, but also of the math symbol in honor of her bravery of actually majoring in calculus.
"Oh! That's right. Tomoyo probably already told you this but Yamazaki and I are having a party at his house celebrating his success in becoming a police officer as well as his twenty third birthday." The girl stopped. "Oh and hey, tell Li that I send my own congratulations on becoming an officer. He truly deserves it, being so hardworking and all. I don't even want to how Yamazaki became a police."
Sakura grinned. "Well, you'll just have to ask him that yourself Chi. Anyhow, when's this party?"
"This Friday night starting at five, going until who knows when. But don't worry; if Yamazaki actually talks us all until we fall asleep, Yamazaki's house is big enough to hold you, Li, Tomoyo, Hiiragizawa, Meiling, and a few others. The rest can pitch out in the small plastic tents on the lawn."
"Chi, I must say that your imagination skills are becoming quite sharpened. Takashi's rubbing off you huh?"
"I've been around him way too long since he's on break and visiting him. Anyhow, I hope you'll be able to make it, with Li of course."
"Hai. Ja, Chi."
"Ja ne, Saku. See you on Friday night then."
-----
Syaoran followed Sakura as she exited her bathroom while drying her hair. "Do I have to go?" he asked again.
Sakura gave him a silencing glare. "Quit being such a baby, Syaoran." She mocked, stressing his first name. "What are you, afraid?" She taunted.
"Well, some people have more sense than to go out partying if they knew what was better for them." He replied.
"Li, I am not going to live my life hidden under a rock, worrying about what the heck life is going to throw next at me." She responded seriously. "I'm not going to let fate control my life. If you want to live your life like that, then by all means, go ahead."
Syaoran raised his eyebrow, lightly amused by Sakura's speech. "Well said, Sakura." He clapped his hands with a slight smile on his face, like one of a teacher's approving look at a model student.
She glared. "Kinomoto, Li. That will be reserved for outside."
"Hey, stop trying to suppress your emotions." He said with a cocky grin. "We all know how you moan my name late at night when you're deep into your dreams. I never knew you such had naughty dreams."
"Oh, quit teasing Syao." Sakura blushed and held a palm to her cheek. "You'll make me blush even more."
Syaoran ogled at her; he had not expected this reaction from her.
"You never know what will happen when I get my hands on you." She continued. "I just might wrap my arms around your neck, like now." Sakura whispered, her face leaning close onto Syaoran's.
"You what to know what I've always dreamed?" She teased lightly, her breath running on his face lightly. Syaoran just froze, not knowing what to do. The girl winked, and slid her hands to his chest. His eyes widened.
She grinned wolfishly and in a flash and she had spun around and smartly had Syaoran painfully on the ground after lashing him out with a roundabout kick. She laughed. "You're lucky that I went on easy today." She informed him. "Now go and get dressed before I really try my moves on you."
Syaoran laughed good naturedly, not the least bit annoyed. "You are truly a woman with spirit Sakura." He grinned and bowed down from the waist.
"And you, Syaoran, are the most gullible man alive." She replied just as quick. Sakura flashed him another predatory smile.
Within moments, both were dressed into casual clothing appropriate for some dancing. Sakura swung her key around her finger as she descended down the stairs in a pair of flared jeans, an emerald green shirt with long sleeves that flared out from the elbows. Her hair was done in a messy bun and she was actually wearing gold hoop earrings.
"Someone's obviously in a good mood." Syaoran grinned.
Sakura surprised him by actually giving a half smile back. "You'll see. Chiharu and Takashi hold the best parties ever alive."
"So I've heard." He replied. "And one would think so, considering the person Takashi is, after all." They arrived in front of Sakura's car. "May I drive?"
"It's my car!" She protested. "I'm not going to let you drive my baby."
"Sakura, we all know that you're miss independent and all, but there is such thing as male chivalry in this world." He said sarcastically.
"And one would think it's dead." She muttered.
"Then may I have the chance to prove to you that it's still alive?" Syaoran responded smiling.
Sakura gave him a disbelieving look. "Did you place a bet with Meiling?" She asked warily. "I'm not going to help you win money; after all, Meiling will probably share whatever she earns."
Syaoran coughed, surprised at how accurate her guess had been. "Of course not." He replied, putting on his most earnest face.
"Just how stupid do you think I am?" Sakura demanded. "You're driving." She thrust the keys into his hands.
"I am?"
The sound of the passenger door being firmly shut was the only answer. Syaoran smirked and got into Sakura's "baby," a faithful sliver Camry.
Takashi's house was filled with people partying and they could hear the steady booming sound of the bass in the air. Laughter seemed even louder than the music and groups of people chatted happily. Sakura scanned over the people and vaguely noticed that she had more or less knew them on campus; the most she just assumed were a mix of those from the police department and handfuls of others.
"Yes!" Meiling yelled. "You go Sakura!" She crowed, running over and giving Sakura a huge hug.
"All right, so you did win; you can stop crowing now Meiling." Syaoran said with a slight touch of annoyance in his voice, but the grin on his face told otherwise. He turned to Sakura and returned her back her keys. "I assume you've studied psychology?" He asked Sakura.
She grinned. "Reverse psychology, my dear." Sakura replied with a smug grin.
Syaoran just shrugged. "I'll keep that in mind." He noted. "So, Mei, a dance later?"
"You bet cuz! Oh, and Takashi's looking for you." Meiling replied. "But, be careful of him. He's so deliriously happy that he's a bit off center if you catch my drift."
"No prob. And I want a dance later," He grinned over the back of his shoulder, "Sakura."
Sakura gave him a fake patronizing look back.
Meiling laughed. "So, you look wonderful tonight Sakura. Dressed up for Syaoran hm?"
Her friend snorted inelegantly. "You wish hon. Tomoyo actually called me and had a whole list of possible outfits for me." Sakura sighed. "This one was the only one that did not require a dress."
Meiling laughed again. "Yeah, I hear you."
"Hm." Sakura smiled, "but you look nice yourself tonight as well." Dressed in a tight red tank with gold Chinese designs and a black skirt, Meiling looked completely exotic and attractive. Her shiny lipstick with tints of gold glitter and gold studs in her ear accented her looks.
"Ready for some partying," She replied. "I figure that I'm going to be backing away from pubs for a while, so this will I'm planning to have fun dancing until I burst. After all, who knows when the next party is going to be up?"
Sakura just nodded, not saying much.
"I'm such an idiot." Meiling cursed herself. "Look, Saku, I'm not blaming you anything. Truly. Besides, now Syaoran actually has an excuse to make me get up from my lazy ass and actually start working out." She laughed, trying to mend things up.
Sakura waved her friend off. "You go off and have fun, Mei."
"Hey, a girl can't party without all her girlfriends." Meiling grinned. "Come on. Chi's been waiting forever to see you and you have to greet the host don't you? Tomoyo and Eriol are inside as well; don't you want to see what a kawaii couple they make?"
Sakura sighed. "I did promise to help Chiharu serve and play host," She relented. As the two friends made their way through the people who had come early, Sakura turned to Meiling. "You've got the camera?"
Meiling's face broke into her an evil grin of her own as the words dawned on her. "You bet, baby." She winked. "You ready?"
"Definitely."
The two best friends crackled an evil laugh. Syaoran, in the house, shivered suddenly. He felt that something bad was going to happen, or was it just his imagination?
-----
The party turned out crazier than the past parties and Takashi had definitely gone into his way of making it perfect. The party was outdoors in the huge backyard with loud music and lights hung around the trees for decoration. He had even ordered a carter of food and Chiharu, with the help of Sakura, had made her special strawberry shortcakes.
Tomoyo and Eriol had indeed become a wonderful couple, after with Sakura's approval, which the girl did not understand why it was needed. She had said, "Hey, you if you want to get together, go ahead! At least something is going right in all this mess."
Meiling had the time of her life partying; and she was good at it. Of course she dragged Syaoran to the small stage and showed off her skill, much to Sakura's amusement as she took pictures. He had, come back, and dragged her off to the crowd to where everyone else was. Who'd know that just then the song turned into a slow one?
Sakura cursed her luck as she saw Syaoran's smug look. "What, are you afraid?" He mocked, repeating her earlier words.
Sakura sent him a death glare. "You wish." She retorted. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into a corner where she promptly placed her hands on his broad shoulders. Syaoran had to bit the insides of his cheeks to fight the urge to laugh; he loved it when her pride got on the better side of her.
"Saku, look how everyone else is dancing."
Her eyes wearily scanned over the people. "And your point is?"
"This." Syaoran replied, swiftly closing in the distance between them. Sakura was pushed against his hard chest.
"Syaoran!" She hissed angrily. "What do you think you're doing?"
He grinned. "Dancing, my dear Saku."
He could hear the growl from her throat and his grin widened. He was thankful that she couldn't see his face, or he'd have hell to pay later. Meanwhile, Sakura's cheeks were flushed over Syaoran's shoulders. This was way to close for her comfort and she had not danced like this in ages. And before she had never danced to close to her partner. She shuffled uncomfortably, wondering when the dance would end.
A grin in the darkness and there was immediately a flash of a camera. Farther off in the distance, another flash appeared.
She immediately pulled away from his warm embrace when the last note sounded. Syaoran laughed. "I'll see you around Saku!" He called after her disappearing figure. He was still grinning when Eriol found him a while later.
"What's with the smug smile?" Eriol asked, a secretive smile on his own.
"Oh, nothing much." Syaoran replied.
Eriol laughed. "Still thinking of that dance with Sakura huh?"
This caught him so unaware that he coughed into his punch. Eriol waited until his friend was done, a small smile still pleasantly on his face.
"I was that obvious?"
"You'd be surprised at how much I know that you don't." Eriol replied easily. "Besides, Meiling took at least ten pictures of the two of you."
"That girl!" Syaoran cursed. "She's probably going to blackmail me again. Where is she?"
"Oh, she, Sakura, Tomoyo, Chiharu, and a few other girls are at the shed over there." Eriol pointed at a fairly large wooden shed at the edge of the backyard. "There's television and everything in there. But don't go there now, they're doing some girl talk."
"Mm." Syaoran looked over at the shed. Soon his attention was off the shed and the girls as Takashi got on stage and started a little talk show thing where he got everyone laughing.
"And I told my boss, hey what's a meeting without donuts?" Takashi said with a huge grin as he was sharing the moment where he was late for an important meeting. Syaoran smiled lightly at the incident, for he was there as well.
"Of course my boss was not to pleased with my answer. He demanded that he did not want those typical policemen who shared donuts and hot coffee at work." He paused for effect. "I readily agreed and replied, 'Of course, which is why I'm eating it all myself.'"
The crowd roared with laughter.
"Oh, and there was this other time," Takashi started again. His eyes widened and pointed behind the crowd. "Fire!"
The crowd laughed at the joke.
"No, really, fire at the shed!"
Syaoran spun around to see the shed blazing brightly in the darkness. Cursing, he sprinted over; all the girls were inside. Yanking at the door, he found it locked, unable to get in.
"Sakura, what do we do?" Tomoyo coughed over the smoke. Sakura frowned, holding a sleeve to her mouth. She had tried to ram the door down or at least kick it open but she could hear metal clattering on the other side; they were locked in.
There were three other girls other than Tomoyo, Sakura, Meiling, and Chiharu. Sakura closed her eyes and calmed herself down. Backing up, she delivered another hard roundabout kick, but the door remained shut.
Everyone was looking at Sakura pleadingly. It seemed that only she was able to have enough force to bring them out of the fire.
"The window." Sakura motioned to the small window at the top. "I'll boost each of you up. Hurry."
They started with the weakest ones, those who were near exhaustion. Sakura was just boosting out Tomoyo after the four before when the fire burst and increased. "Meiling hurry!"
"What about you?" The Chinese girl yelled back. "How are you going to get out?"
"Don't worry. There's a bar up there and I'll swing myself out." Sakura replied. "Now hurry." Meiling looked at her friend once more before allowing Sakura to boost her out the window. Once her friend was out, Sakura smiled grimly at the blazing fire before her. Actually, she had no intentions of making it out. Her leg had a deep gash from when the television blew up and was unable to jump that high. She had said that only to let Meiling get out safely.
"Oh, fuck it." She moaned when her vision started to fade. Fire crept up to her. She staggered away from it.
"Sakura!" Meiling yelled once Syaoran yanked her to her feet to bring her to safety. "She's still in there. Why isn't she coming out yet?"
Syaoran cursed. Pushing Meiling into Eriol's arms, he made a dash forward, but the flames warned him to back off.
"SAKURA!" He roared.
Sakura's head jerked up at someone call her name. She groaned and slowly stood up. Backing up from the fire, she felt her back bump at the wall; she had come to and end. Her finger fell upon rug. Frowning, she looked behind her to see a rug hanging on the wall. Her hands exploring behind it, she felt a door. She ripped it off quickly and found an iron door. Testing her weight on her feet, she slammed her body at the door. The door creaked under the weight. The roof groaned even louder.
"Takashi, is there another door?" Syaoran demanded outside.
"I,"
"The back!" Chiharu screamed. "There's one in the back!"
Syaoran sprinted.
Sakura was taking fast quick breaths, her vision fogging up already. One last time, she told herself. One last time.
Bracing herself on her bad leg, she aimed and delivered and solid blow to the door. It flew open with a loud bang just as the roof collapsed on her.
"I am everywhere."
The words brushed her ears lightly; sending goosebumps up her arms and weakened her knees. Sakura shivered and fell to the ground.
-----
How was it? I hope you guys liked this chapter. Oh, and before I forget, HAPPY 2004! Time flies so quickly, I mean, it's my graduation year! Anyhow, happy Chinese New Year for those who celebrate it.
I can't guarantee when I'll update since I'm on Chinese New Year winter break right now. I'll be away from my computer for around one week to one and a half week. So I won't be able to write then. However, expect an update soon. Hopefully I'll have major inspiration rushes now that college essays are tossed out. Hehe.
Thanks,
Iris Dreamer.
----- Written by Iris (Rainbow) Dreamer
----- DISCLAIMER: Card Captor Sakura solely belongs to Clamp. However, the plot is mine and I would like to remain it that way. Arigato.
----- AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey! This is my new fic! Bear with me here as I suffer my way through my one last stab at the SATs, through college essays, countless college searching, and college applications of my senior year. Needless to say, I'll be very busy. I'll be trying my best to update this, but I'm going to have one hectic senior year!
This chapter, or rather this whole story, is dedicated to Ryoko Subaru. When I first entered fanfiction, her works (SAKURA-Cherry blossom) were the ones I started out reading. Her works have given me so much inspiration, and I thank her for that.
Iris dreamer.
----- BACKGROUND: Okay! Some background here. Syaoran and Sakura have not met before. Hm. No magic in here either (as some of you might know, I'm horrible at describing magic.....). What else? Oh, the characters may seem a bit out of character in the beginning (especially Sakura), but you'll see why as the story proceeds. Hm. I think that's about it. The rest you'll have to discover yourself! And if you know me, I love twists and turns, although this chapter should have less than ADOHE if you've read that. No, wait, actually now that I think about it, there is a lot of twists in this! LoL.
Oh, and mild (?) cursing in this chapter. I don't know how many it would be mild for you guys, but deepest apologies for the vulgar language.
Iris Dreamer.
----- SPECIAL THANKS: SulliMike23: Hm, who knows what will happen in this chapter? Read up!
Cyan Moon: Firstly, thanks for reviewing and all that good luck for college applications and all that. I think I'm about done if my dad doesn't make me apply for more colleges! Anyhow, I totally understand your feeling of not being able to find a word that describes your feelings. I'm an Asian American and sometimes, Chinese has some words I can't describe in English! Hehe. Hope you like this chapter.
Avelyn Lauren: Thanks. When you said you knew about rape, is it true? I utterly hope that it isn't. Anyhow, thanks for all the best wishes concerning applications! I'm just thankful that I have mostly everything done and that my finals are over with, and I have Chinese New Year winter break to look forward to! (I'm not in America now).
LiLDragonGurl28 (aka May): Hehe, thanks! I'll give you my word that I'll always finish my stories, although when I am able to update is a question. However, I'm trying my best!
Hououza: Thank you! I know this story is so much darker than the ones I've written before. However, rest assured that there is romance in here.
Ms. Pac Man: Hehe, if I could, I would so steal another's ID card as well! Hm, a murder mystery hm? Don't really know exactly what direction this story will be heading, but like I said, it's going to be much darker.
DaShyGurl: I should stop leaving cliffhangers huh? Can't stop myself sometimes, however. Thanks for reviewing.
Readergirl14: Interesting, your initial reaction actually. Who knows, maybe after your review, I just might kill Sakura's dad. Hehe, just keep on reading.
Kura-Chan: Yes, I suppose cliffhangers are a trend these days. The trouble with me is that I don't know when to leave my chapters sometimes. Hopefully this chapter's cliffhanger isn't that bad.
Azndreamer1788: Hm, your guess may be quite accurate. Who knows? Thanks for reviewing.
Sweetbabygurl: When I have the chance, I'll set aside some time to read your stories. Until then, thanks for reading my stories so faithfully.
Sarah: I'm so touched that my writing actually makes you cry. That really makes me feel like I have some talent. Hehe.
Cherry Princess Sakura: Haha, swearing is really not my thing. To tell you the truth, I don't swear in real life, actually I'm a promoter against it. LOL. Funny how things are huh? Maybe it's my unconsciousness talking, as Sigmund Freud would say (psychology). Anyhow, I'm glad you love the whole blossoming love thing. This chapter hopefully will satisfy you.
Nicole: Thanks! I'll try to remember to email you! I have horrible short- term memory.
Yamiyumetenshi: Thanks for reminding me to raise my rating! I cannot believe I forgot to do that.... So thanks! I'm sorry to have scarred your eyes for life and thanks for introducing "Murdering Angel" to me.
Kakera No Yume: Hehe, I'll have to get used to you changing your alias. Glad you love Sakura's sarcasm, more will appear here.
N@sh FiL@an: Thanks for reminding me not to be too stressed. Sigh. I have panda eyes from sleeping to late. However, I'm glad to announce that I have not yet pulled an all nighter. Hehe.
Oyme: Glad you like my story so much, especially how it's written from different perspectives. And good luck with your hectic school schedule!
Dragonstar03: Sorry that the last part was creepy, although I must agree that it was. Thanks for reviewing!
Daz: Hey you! Thanks for being there for my, always, Daz.
Dancer5: Hehe, I'm glad you liked Sakura's kick butt attitude. She rules!
Red-Emerald: You're the third person to have guessed that it was Sakura's dad who was killed. Read on to know the answer! And thanks for reviewing.
Tiarella Cordifolia: I'm so ecstatic to know that you love my stories! Thanks!
ASwtXiaoLang: Happy belated birthday. Terribly sorry that I wasn't able to update this story on your birth date. However, keep in mind that I send my best wishes. I hope you love this chapter, and accept it as a late birthday gift.
Starrygaze (Dee): Haha, I hope you have fun on your "internet abstinence" thing. And I'm really touched that you broke it to read my fics! That means a whole lot to me! Sorry that I haven't been able to update soon, but this chapter's a bit longer to make up for it!
Your Worst Nightmare :p: Hey, you're not really my worst nightmare. I have much worse ones! Hehe. Oh, and it's "iris dreamer" not "isis." Just wanted to let you know that. Oh, and try on sharpening your flame skills! I've seen worse! LoL.
Thekawaiihouse: Who died? Read on. Sorry that I wasn't able to update quickly.
:) Thanks! Glad you liked Sakura stealing Eriol's ID card as well!
A guy who actually likes CCS: LoL, you're not the only guy who loves CCS. Sullimike23 and Daz are other reviewers of mine. Besides, what's wrong with being a guy? I'm just glad that the male population reads this story as well.
Avid reader: Thank you. How will this become a sort of a fairytale? Read on.
HanaTenshiHimeko: Sorry for the late update! And thanks for reviewing.
Sakura Kinomoto-Li1: Thank you.
AND EVEYONE ELSE (or those who I have forgotten), a HUGE thank you! You guys make me feel so wonderful! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Iris Dreamer.
----- CHAPTER SEVEN: I am Everywhere
Meiling bolted up from her bed, panting heavily. She placed a hand lightly over the erratic beating of her heart, as if trying to calm it down. She swallowed hard and opened her eyes. Sunlight was peeking through the curtains; the night was over.
"Oh god," She groaned, recollecting her thoughts of last night. Her hand trembled at the horrid memories and the crazy laughter that rang in her ears. Shaking her head, she slid out of bed, her bare feet coming in contact with the cold floor. Draping a jacket over her shoulders, she walked to the window and pulled the curtains open. Immediately the warm sun embraced her.
Meiling sighed out loud, her breath fogging the glass slightly. Unconsciously, her finger wrote out the name of her best friend: Sakura. She wondered how she was doing now. She had gone to Eriol's house after Sakura's condition was stable and had woken up. Syaoran insisted that he would stay by her and the rest should leave, which they did.
So here she was at his apartment. Although he had moved into the same dorm as Tomoyo, he still kept this old house, which she was quite thankful for. It was someplace familiar, something that she knew. And it was a comforting thought.
Muffling a yawn, she ran her finger through her messy black locks. She didn't even want to see herself in the mirror right now; she felt as miserable as she was already.
Eriol was already in the kitchen, brewing some coffee and something edible and hot on the stove. When he heard her come in, he stopped what he was doing and walked over to her. Meiling found herself in his warm embrace and she hugged him back tightly.
"Better?" Eriol asked knowingly after they parted.
Meiling gave him a feeble smile and nodded her head to cover her weak attempt to smile. "How are Tomoyo and Sakura?" She croaked.
Eriol beckoned her to follow him to the kitchen where he immediately gave her a cup of rich hot chocolate with marshmallows swimming on top, the way she liked it. After he made sure that she was settled comfortably in the chair and her plate of eggs, bacon and blueberry muffin before he, did he reply her question.
"Tomoyo's still sleeping in my room; she was quite," he paused, his azure eyes glancing over at the direction at his room, "traumatized. She's knows that there's bad in the world, but this was the first time she has ever experienced it."
Meiling sighed, her red eyes concentrating on her marshmallow that she was sinking with her spoon. "I know. Tomoyo's wonderful at comforting people, but like you said, nothing directly has happened to her. She doesn't know how to handle her pain."
Eriol closed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose tiredly. "I wish I was there that night to prevent all this from happening."
Meiling reached over and patted his hand. "Hey, we're all in this together okay?" She whispered, her voice cracking. "You were doing what you thought what could be helpful. We all don't know what's ahead of us Eriol."
Eriol nodded and Meiling sat back down in her seat. A small devilish grin spread across her face.
"So, what were you and Tomoyo doing last night, hm? Sleeping in the same room with the girl of your dreams? Being the knight in shining armor to save the damsel in distress eh, Eriol?"
Eriol couldn't help but crack a grin of his own. Meiling truly had her ways of cheering on up and bringing everything a step closer to normal.
-----
Syaoran growled in disgust, throwing the morning paper on the table. Sakura reached across the table and read the paper herself. It was not before a few seconds later did she herself shove the paper away.
"Fucking bastard." She commented, her voice dangerously calm.
Syaoran snorted in reply. "More like fucking wimp." He corrected her after taking a huge gulp of his coffee.
She shrugged. "Makes no difference." She looked around the office, amazed at the nice environment police officers had. She didn't think he'd get such a good cubicle, for after all he was only an intern. But then he'd remind her that he was almost a police officer anyhow, one more month.
"I told you, it was just a lucky draw. Some of the better interns are chosen to have some isolated office cubicles, especially if they've handed good cases." Syaoran said once he saw her eyes observing her surroundings.
"Then Eriol must be pretty lucky as well." She commented.
"He's going to be an officer around the same time as me. It really makes no difference if we get the offices now or later."
"Oh." Then she mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "spoiled brats" under her breath.
"And can we get back to the main topic now?" he grunted while giving her a silencing glare.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Well, let's see." She said in a high-pitched fake voice like a schoolteacher uses while reading to the class of first graders. "Mr. Bret Monoko, age 28, was sent to the Tokyo Memorial Hospital November 3rd. However, it has been reported that the man died the next day early in the morning. While doctors have been saying it his injuries from a nightclub fight was too serious, there are some considerations that this actually may have been a suicide case. Details are still hazy around this event and the police are trying to keep down this case down."
She looked over the paper at him. "Whoopee." She declared sarcastically. "What now?"
Syaoran sat upright and a serious look immediately took upon his face. His eyes were grave as he held Sakura's eyes with them. "Okay. We're certain that Monoko committed suicide and the only evidence we have in our hands is the note he left to us."
He pulled out a white scrap of paper. "Written on it is 'you'll never win.'"
"And we won't." Sakura replied cynically. "Things are just getting worse, aren't they?"
"You're just going to let them win?" He shot back just as cruelly.
Sakura gave him a glare. "I never said anything about giving up Li."
"Good."
She sighed, leaning back in those comfortable rolling chairs that rich business people have. She had always wanted to sit in one and Syaoran had "given" it to her after he had lost the scramble for the chair. Now she rolled herself convienetly to the computer on Syaoran's work table and began to type quickly inside. Within five seconds, a data of Bret Monoko came up.
She clicked the mouse furiously. Syaoran came up from behind her. He covered her hand that was on the mouse with his, controlling it. Sakura gave him a glare but stopped once she saw his concentrated look.
"Get up." He told her. Sakura raised her eyebrow but did as he told. He immediately wheeled up to the table.
"Give me a word." He commanded her. Sakura looked over his shoulder and her grin broadened evilly. Syaoran had gotten into a confidential section and the screened had the words "password needed."
"Hm. This is for whose files?"
"The pervert." He replied
She pulled a disgusted face. "Oh, right. That bastard Bret Monoko." She mumbled to herself. "Hm. Try 'fuck me hard' with no spaces."
Syaoran gave her a questioning look.
"What?" She demanded hotly. "He was a complete pervert and I wouldn't be surprised if he indeed had a password like that. I do not want to repeat to you what he said that night."
The young man nodded and typed the words in. "Password error." Syaoran said with a smirk. "My turn to guess."
He quickly typed something else in, but the same words appeared.
Sakura grinned. "What did you try?"
"I tried 'you will never win.'" He said, referring to the note they had received.
"Nice try. We have one last chance before the file shuts down to protect itself?" She asked, leaning against the table.
"Yeah so make it a good one."
She snorted and closed her eyes to think. Letter after letter flashed in her mind, trying to recall something that was important or something that repeated. She shuddered involuntarily at the feeling that she could never escape, that his eyes were always on her. Syaoran saw her shiver and placed a hand tentatively on her elbow. Sakura's eyes flew open and met Syaoran's.
She smiled lightly. Leaning over, she reached for the keyboard and typed quickly. A bar appeared and slowly loaded. Syaoran whistled when access was granted. She grinned smugly and let Syaoran take over the computer.
"What did you try?" He asked as he waited for the next page to load.
"I am everywhere." Sakura replied in a cold, monotone voice. It took him a while before he realized that she was talking about the code word.
Syaoran wisely made no comment on that. Instead, he motioned Sakura to see what had appeared on the screen. Two pairs of eyes read the information there, filling their hearts with utmost disgust. A thick vile clogged their throats, making them unable to speak. Their eyes met, a feeling of fear tying the two together.
-----
Inside the confidential files of Bret Monoko. What was said inside was truly unexpected.
You'll never win. I am everywhere.
-----
"Oh, fuck it!" Sakura cursed suddenly. Getting up so unexpectedly and with such force, the chair was pushed back hard and hit the wall before coming to a stop. Syaoran's eyes studied her carefully as he watched her pace around the room furiously and finally settling on looking out the window.
He stood behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder tentatively, He could feel her shaking lightly underneath his hand and that scared him. Sakura immediately flinched and moved away from his touch, wrapping her arms around herself.
Syaoran walked over to her again, his time wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her against him close.
"Didn't I tell you you're not alone on this?" He asked softly.
"I should be." She retorted. "Look how much pain I've caused in other people. Tomoyo was truly shocked at what happened that night. And Meiling! She too was dragged into. They're not used to this!"
"And you are?" Syaoran replied calmly.
"It doesn't matter!" She replied angrily, struggling in his grasp, but his strong arms held her firmly in place. "You should have seen the look in Tomoyo's eyes. Meiling's a bit rougher and she's been through more. And I completely failed to protect them!"
"And you are?" he repeated just as calmly.
Sakura slumped and went limp in his arms. "Let go," She whispered weakly. But Syaoran paid no heed to her words. Somehow there was no way from hiding her emotions from him. Sakura frowned lightly. Didn't she promise herself not to trust men anymore? What in the Heavens was wrong with her?
Syaoran didn't say anything else; he just tightened his grasp around her. Somehow his masculine scent soothed her tumbled thoughts. Closing her eyes, she leaned against his broad chest, somehow safe in his hold. -----
Two weeks had passed since the incident and things were slowly falling back to their original pattern once more. Meiling had, after a while of decision that she did not want to leave her friends behind, made her way into Tokyo University, of course without a whole string of fancy curse words at the application forms. And the girl, being one of the slyest ones in their group, had quickly declined Eriol's gentlemanly offer to move out Tomoyo's room. Instead, she took the room that Eriol and Syaoran once lived by herself, which she crowed about happily.
Now the five of them were in Syaoran's apartment room, for the weekly meeting of any news on the "perverted stalker" Sakura had so kindly dubbed.
Meiling watched with a sly grin at her cousin bickering once again with Sakura, who was completely into the fight and used every bit of her wit to win. It was actually vastly amusing to see Sakura grin smugly, her arms folded in front of her chest when she won.
"Amused, Meiling?" Eriol asked with a smile.
"Incredibly." She replied. "Tomoyo?"
The raven hair girl smiled dreamily. "Kawaii." She whispered. "Where's the camera?"
Meiling's eyes lit up. "Damn, you are right! Where is the camera?" Eriol's eyebrow twitched slightly at Meiling's actions. "This is wonderful blackmail material!" Eyebrow went down; that was Meiling exactly.
However before either of them could get the camera, the two were fighting again, this time it seemed much more serious.
"No, I completely refuse!" Sakura yelled after Syaoran had said something to anger her. "It's completely ridiculous and out of the question!"
"Kinomoto, you're not being reasonable here." Syaoran fired back.
"You're not!" The girl glared at him angrily, her stance clearly labeled her as stubborn. His clearly showed that he wasn't going to give in, woman or not; Sakura was perfectly capable of standing up for herself.
"Hey, settle this like grown men." Eriol came in, a friendly smile on his face.
Sakura immediately rounded her glare on him. "Some pieces of advice Eriol." She grinned evilly. "One, don't interrupt me while I'm talking. Two, I'm not a man. Three, that was your last warning."
Eriol chuckled nervously. "I'll keep that in check, Sakura. Thank your for reminding me."
Meiling laughed. "So, what's the big fight about?"
Sakura was still shooting darts at Syaoran from the corner of her eyes when she started to talk. "Li decided that he and I should pretend, and make it known, that we're in a relationship such that the fucking pervert will turn his attention to Li."
Meiling blinked and shared a look with Eriol and Tomoyo. "That actually makes a bit of sense." She muttered under her breath.
"Sense!" Sakura barked, picking up what her friend said. "It is totally ridiculous!"
"I agree with Meiling actually." Eriol said with a pleasant smile on his face. "From the way I see it, the attention will be drawn off from the three of us and placed more on Syaoran if the two of you really pull this off."
"Which is the problem." Sakura pointed out. "And who knows for certain that this lurking pervert will fall for this? After all, didn't he send the letter saying that our attempts were futile?"
"Yes, but he may have thought that we were just some friends or something." Tomoyo answered. "He didn't specifically say that having a boyfriend would be useless. He may think that Li is just some normal guy. You know, the whole thing of guys being macho and shielding girls from scary scenes in the movie theaters." She grinned.
"But the pervert knows that Li is not just normal guy." Sakura argued. "He must already know that Li is capable of protecting himself since we practice every morning and if he still doesn't know, the fight at the club was obvious enough! This stunt will be harder to pull than we think so, and it might not even work."
Her green eyes flashed. "This isn't just some normal guy we're dealing with. He knows about us, every single one of us. He's been monitoring our movements; how else would he know the university we attend or the pub we're going to be clubbing at?"
Meiling was about to protest when Syaoran cut in. "Kinomoto was right about everything she just said. However, if we really do pull of this stunt, there are certain advantages for us. It would explain us living together. Moving around in public would cause less attention. He would less suspect our relationship if we actually were in one."
Sakura grunted.
"So, what do you say," Syaoran grinned, knowing that he had won this round, "Sakura?"
Her eyes immediately turned into slits and were glittering strangely. Barring her teeth into a wolfish grin, Sakura growled. "Go fuck yourself." She threw at him before walking out of Syaoran's apartment room to her own. As she left the door, she finished her sentence, "Syaoran."
He chuckled with laughter. "I think I'll have to you after how much you arouse me, Saku!"
"Damn you!" Her shout was not even muffled through the wall. Meiling was laughing along with her cousin at their exchange. Eriol was smiling, that pleasant one he always has when something happens that was clearly unexpecting. Meanwhile Tomoyo was sighing dreamily, holding the precious camera in her hands. She couldn't wait to wash her film and see what pictures she had there.
------ Two weeks later -----
"Oh! Sakura-Chan! How are you doing?" Chiharu squealed happily over the phone. "It's been so long since I've seen you now that you're off campus."
"Yeah, I know. How's things back at the dorm?" Sakura asked, a small smile on her face. She had missed talking to Chiharu.
"Mm, pretty well actually. I just have to show you the pictures of Tomoyo and Hiiragizawa together! I caught them one day in their room and I accidentally forgot to knock." She laughed. "Meiling was way out of her mind laughing when I showed them to her. I gave her a copy. It most likely will end up in her 'future blackmail usage' huge black box under her bed."
Sakura grinned; that was so like Meiling. "Oh?"
"Yep. Tomoyo's a bit flustered by the whole thing, but she seems to be getting along a bit happier."
"That's good to know, Chi." Sakura replied, using the girl's nickname that was not only an abbreviation of her name, but also of the math symbol in honor of her bravery of actually majoring in calculus.
"Oh! That's right. Tomoyo probably already told you this but Yamazaki and I are having a party at his house celebrating his success in becoming a police officer as well as his twenty third birthday." The girl stopped. "Oh and hey, tell Li that I send my own congratulations on becoming an officer. He truly deserves it, being so hardworking and all. I don't even want to how Yamazaki became a police."
Sakura grinned. "Well, you'll just have to ask him that yourself Chi. Anyhow, when's this party?"
"This Friday night starting at five, going until who knows when. But don't worry; if Yamazaki actually talks us all until we fall asleep, Yamazaki's house is big enough to hold you, Li, Tomoyo, Hiiragizawa, Meiling, and a few others. The rest can pitch out in the small plastic tents on the lawn."
"Chi, I must say that your imagination skills are becoming quite sharpened. Takashi's rubbing off you huh?"
"I've been around him way too long since he's on break and visiting him. Anyhow, I hope you'll be able to make it, with Li of course."
"Hai. Ja, Chi."
"Ja ne, Saku. See you on Friday night then."
-----
Syaoran followed Sakura as she exited her bathroom while drying her hair. "Do I have to go?" he asked again.
Sakura gave him a silencing glare. "Quit being such a baby, Syaoran." She mocked, stressing his first name. "What are you, afraid?" She taunted.
"Well, some people have more sense than to go out partying if they knew what was better for them." He replied.
"Li, I am not going to live my life hidden under a rock, worrying about what the heck life is going to throw next at me." She responded seriously. "I'm not going to let fate control my life. If you want to live your life like that, then by all means, go ahead."
Syaoran raised his eyebrow, lightly amused by Sakura's speech. "Well said, Sakura." He clapped his hands with a slight smile on his face, like one of a teacher's approving look at a model student.
She glared. "Kinomoto, Li. That will be reserved for outside."
"Hey, stop trying to suppress your emotions." He said with a cocky grin. "We all know how you moan my name late at night when you're deep into your dreams. I never knew you such had naughty dreams."
"Oh, quit teasing Syao." Sakura blushed and held a palm to her cheek. "You'll make me blush even more."
Syaoran ogled at her; he had not expected this reaction from her.
"You never know what will happen when I get my hands on you." She continued. "I just might wrap my arms around your neck, like now." Sakura whispered, her face leaning close onto Syaoran's.
"You what to know what I've always dreamed?" She teased lightly, her breath running on his face lightly. Syaoran just froze, not knowing what to do. The girl winked, and slid her hands to his chest. His eyes widened.
She grinned wolfishly and in a flash and she had spun around and smartly had Syaoran painfully on the ground after lashing him out with a roundabout kick. She laughed. "You're lucky that I went on easy today." She informed him. "Now go and get dressed before I really try my moves on you."
Syaoran laughed good naturedly, not the least bit annoyed. "You are truly a woman with spirit Sakura." He grinned and bowed down from the waist.
"And you, Syaoran, are the most gullible man alive." She replied just as quick. Sakura flashed him another predatory smile.
Within moments, both were dressed into casual clothing appropriate for some dancing. Sakura swung her key around her finger as she descended down the stairs in a pair of flared jeans, an emerald green shirt with long sleeves that flared out from the elbows. Her hair was done in a messy bun and she was actually wearing gold hoop earrings.
"Someone's obviously in a good mood." Syaoran grinned.
Sakura surprised him by actually giving a half smile back. "You'll see. Chiharu and Takashi hold the best parties ever alive."
"So I've heard." He replied. "And one would think so, considering the person Takashi is, after all." They arrived in front of Sakura's car. "May I drive?"
"It's my car!" She protested. "I'm not going to let you drive my baby."
"Sakura, we all know that you're miss independent and all, but there is such thing as male chivalry in this world." He said sarcastically.
"And one would think it's dead." She muttered.
"Then may I have the chance to prove to you that it's still alive?" Syaoran responded smiling.
Sakura gave him a disbelieving look. "Did you place a bet with Meiling?" She asked warily. "I'm not going to help you win money; after all, Meiling will probably share whatever she earns."
Syaoran coughed, surprised at how accurate her guess had been. "Of course not." He replied, putting on his most earnest face.
"Just how stupid do you think I am?" Sakura demanded. "You're driving." She thrust the keys into his hands.
"I am?"
The sound of the passenger door being firmly shut was the only answer. Syaoran smirked and got into Sakura's "baby," a faithful sliver Camry.
Takashi's house was filled with people partying and they could hear the steady booming sound of the bass in the air. Laughter seemed even louder than the music and groups of people chatted happily. Sakura scanned over the people and vaguely noticed that she had more or less knew them on campus; the most she just assumed were a mix of those from the police department and handfuls of others.
"Yes!" Meiling yelled. "You go Sakura!" She crowed, running over and giving Sakura a huge hug.
"All right, so you did win; you can stop crowing now Meiling." Syaoran said with a slight touch of annoyance in his voice, but the grin on his face told otherwise. He turned to Sakura and returned her back her keys. "I assume you've studied psychology?" He asked Sakura.
She grinned. "Reverse psychology, my dear." Sakura replied with a smug grin.
Syaoran just shrugged. "I'll keep that in mind." He noted. "So, Mei, a dance later?"
"You bet cuz! Oh, and Takashi's looking for you." Meiling replied. "But, be careful of him. He's so deliriously happy that he's a bit off center if you catch my drift."
"No prob. And I want a dance later," He grinned over the back of his shoulder, "Sakura."
Sakura gave him a fake patronizing look back.
Meiling laughed. "So, you look wonderful tonight Sakura. Dressed up for Syaoran hm?"
Her friend snorted inelegantly. "You wish hon. Tomoyo actually called me and had a whole list of possible outfits for me." Sakura sighed. "This one was the only one that did not require a dress."
Meiling laughed again. "Yeah, I hear you."
"Hm." Sakura smiled, "but you look nice yourself tonight as well." Dressed in a tight red tank with gold Chinese designs and a black skirt, Meiling looked completely exotic and attractive. Her shiny lipstick with tints of gold glitter and gold studs in her ear accented her looks.
"Ready for some partying," She replied. "I figure that I'm going to be backing away from pubs for a while, so this will I'm planning to have fun dancing until I burst. After all, who knows when the next party is going to be up?"
Sakura just nodded, not saying much.
"I'm such an idiot." Meiling cursed herself. "Look, Saku, I'm not blaming you anything. Truly. Besides, now Syaoran actually has an excuse to make me get up from my lazy ass and actually start working out." She laughed, trying to mend things up.
Sakura waved her friend off. "You go off and have fun, Mei."
"Hey, a girl can't party without all her girlfriends." Meiling grinned. "Come on. Chi's been waiting forever to see you and you have to greet the host don't you? Tomoyo and Eriol are inside as well; don't you want to see what a kawaii couple they make?"
Sakura sighed. "I did promise to help Chiharu serve and play host," She relented. As the two friends made their way through the people who had come early, Sakura turned to Meiling. "You've got the camera?"
Meiling's face broke into her an evil grin of her own as the words dawned on her. "You bet, baby." She winked. "You ready?"
"Definitely."
The two best friends crackled an evil laugh. Syaoran, in the house, shivered suddenly. He felt that something bad was going to happen, or was it just his imagination?
-----
The party turned out crazier than the past parties and Takashi had definitely gone into his way of making it perfect. The party was outdoors in the huge backyard with loud music and lights hung around the trees for decoration. He had even ordered a carter of food and Chiharu, with the help of Sakura, had made her special strawberry shortcakes.
Tomoyo and Eriol had indeed become a wonderful couple, after with Sakura's approval, which the girl did not understand why it was needed. She had said, "Hey, you if you want to get together, go ahead! At least something is going right in all this mess."
Meiling had the time of her life partying; and she was good at it. Of course she dragged Syaoran to the small stage and showed off her skill, much to Sakura's amusement as she took pictures. He had, come back, and dragged her off to the crowd to where everyone else was. Who'd know that just then the song turned into a slow one?
Sakura cursed her luck as she saw Syaoran's smug look. "What, are you afraid?" He mocked, repeating her earlier words.
Sakura sent him a death glare. "You wish." She retorted. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into a corner where she promptly placed her hands on his broad shoulders. Syaoran had to bit the insides of his cheeks to fight the urge to laugh; he loved it when her pride got on the better side of her.
"Saku, look how everyone else is dancing."
Her eyes wearily scanned over the people. "And your point is?"
"This." Syaoran replied, swiftly closing in the distance between them. Sakura was pushed against his hard chest.
"Syaoran!" She hissed angrily. "What do you think you're doing?"
He grinned. "Dancing, my dear Saku."
He could hear the growl from her throat and his grin widened. He was thankful that she couldn't see his face, or he'd have hell to pay later. Meanwhile, Sakura's cheeks were flushed over Syaoran's shoulders. This was way to close for her comfort and she had not danced like this in ages. And before she had never danced to close to her partner. She shuffled uncomfortably, wondering when the dance would end.
A grin in the darkness and there was immediately a flash of a camera. Farther off in the distance, another flash appeared.
She immediately pulled away from his warm embrace when the last note sounded. Syaoran laughed. "I'll see you around Saku!" He called after her disappearing figure. He was still grinning when Eriol found him a while later.
"What's with the smug smile?" Eriol asked, a secretive smile on his own.
"Oh, nothing much." Syaoran replied.
Eriol laughed. "Still thinking of that dance with Sakura huh?"
This caught him so unaware that he coughed into his punch. Eriol waited until his friend was done, a small smile still pleasantly on his face.
"I was that obvious?"
"You'd be surprised at how much I know that you don't." Eriol replied easily. "Besides, Meiling took at least ten pictures of the two of you."
"That girl!" Syaoran cursed. "She's probably going to blackmail me again. Where is she?"
"Oh, she, Sakura, Tomoyo, Chiharu, and a few other girls are at the shed over there." Eriol pointed at a fairly large wooden shed at the edge of the backyard. "There's television and everything in there. But don't go there now, they're doing some girl talk."
"Mm." Syaoran looked over at the shed. Soon his attention was off the shed and the girls as Takashi got on stage and started a little talk show thing where he got everyone laughing.
"And I told my boss, hey what's a meeting without donuts?" Takashi said with a huge grin as he was sharing the moment where he was late for an important meeting. Syaoran smiled lightly at the incident, for he was there as well.
"Of course my boss was not to pleased with my answer. He demanded that he did not want those typical policemen who shared donuts and hot coffee at work." He paused for effect. "I readily agreed and replied, 'Of course, which is why I'm eating it all myself.'"
The crowd roared with laughter.
"Oh, and there was this other time," Takashi started again. His eyes widened and pointed behind the crowd. "Fire!"
The crowd laughed at the joke.
"No, really, fire at the shed!"
Syaoran spun around to see the shed blazing brightly in the darkness. Cursing, he sprinted over; all the girls were inside. Yanking at the door, he found it locked, unable to get in.
"Sakura, what do we do?" Tomoyo coughed over the smoke. Sakura frowned, holding a sleeve to her mouth. She had tried to ram the door down or at least kick it open but she could hear metal clattering on the other side; they were locked in.
There were three other girls other than Tomoyo, Sakura, Meiling, and Chiharu. Sakura closed her eyes and calmed herself down. Backing up, she delivered another hard roundabout kick, but the door remained shut.
Everyone was looking at Sakura pleadingly. It seemed that only she was able to have enough force to bring them out of the fire.
"The window." Sakura motioned to the small window at the top. "I'll boost each of you up. Hurry."
They started with the weakest ones, those who were near exhaustion. Sakura was just boosting out Tomoyo after the four before when the fire burst and increased. "Meiling hurry!"
"What about you?" The Chinese girl yelled back. "How are you going to get out?"
"Don't worry. There's a bar up there and I'll swing myself out." Sakura replied. "Now hurry." Meiling looked at her friend once more before allowing Sakura to boost her out the window. Once her friend was out, Sakura smiled grimly at the blazing fire before her. Actually, she had no intentions of making it out. Her leg had a deep gash from when the television blew up and was unable to jump that high. She had said that only to let Meiling get out safely.
"Oh, fuck it." She moaned when her vision started to fade. Fire crept up to her. She staggered away from it.
"Sakura!" Meiling yelled once Syaoran yanked her to her feet to bring her to safety. "She's still in there. Why isn't she coming out yet?"
Syaoran cursed. Pushing Meiling into Eriol's arms, he made a dash forward, but the flames warned him to back off.
"SAKURA!" He roared.
Sakura's head jerked up at someone call her name. She groaned and slowly stood up. Backing up from the fire, she felt her back bump at the wall; she had come to and end. Her finger fell upon rug. Frowning, she looked behind her to see a rug hanging on the wall. Her hands exploring behind it, she felt a door. She ripped it off quickly and found an iron door. Testing her weight on her feet, she slammed her body at the door. The door creaked under the weight. The roof groaned even louder.
"Takashi, is there another door?" Syaoran demanded outside.
"I,"
"The back!" Chiharu screamed. "There's one in the back!"
Syaoran sprinted.
Sakura was taking fast quick breaths, her vision fogging up already. One last time, she told herself. One last time.
Bracing herself on her bad leg, she aimed and delivered and solid blow to the door. It flew open with a loud bang just as the roof collapsed on her.
"I am everywhere."
The words brushed her ears lightly; sending goosebumps up her arms and weakened her knees. Sakura shivered and fell to the ground.
-----
How was it? I hope you guys liked this chapter. Oh, and before I forget, HAPPY 2004! Time flies so quickly, I mean, it's my graduation year! Anyhow, happy Chinese New Year for those who celebrate it.
I can't guarantee when I'll update since I'm on Chinese New Year winter break right now. I'll be away from my computer for around one week to one and a half week. So I won't be able to write then. However, expect an update soon. Hopefully I'll have major inspiration rushes now that college essays are tossed out. Hehe.
Thanks,
Iris Dreamer.