Finding You

By: Ampear

Chapter 2: Visitor: A New Idol Is Born

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She had forgotten the cow her dad was going to have after finding out about their new and unexpected guest.

"... Ah... I need to go check on something reeeeaaaallly quick... be right back." she gasped as she began to get up but before she could make a move towards the stairs...

"Um... got any toothpaste and a spare toothbrush?" came Syaoran's voice as he began his decent down the stairs, stopping mid-way when making eye contact with Sakura's father.

Sakura slumped down on the couch as she slapped her forehead as two words ran through her head.

'Oh shit...'

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All was still and eerily quiet, the only sound present was the light breathing coming from all three house occupants.

Sakura eyed her father before shifting her gaze towards Syaoran. It seemed he was just as surprised as her father was.

"Um... I have a perfectly good explanation." Sakura weakly said.

Slowly, her father turned to look at her, as did Syaoran. Sakura could feel their gazes on her like ten ton weights, squishing her like a bug beneath them.

"Sakura, honey, who is that man?" came Fujitaka's voice, filled with shock and disbelief and perfectly matching the look on his face. He slowly pushed his glasses further up his nose to get a better look at his daughter. Well, at least he hadn't snapped... yet.

Fearing the worse, Sakura laughed nervously, shifting her gaze to the kitchen while scratching the back of her head. Dammit, why did he have to come home early, and today of all days?!

"Actually, it's the oddest thing, really!" she said, giving a short laugh. She still couldn't look at her father. "You see...," she continued, "I was driving home, like I normally do, when I suddenly saw this large... thing lying in the middle of the street. But it wasn't just some rotting road kill or anything like that. It was... well, that guy." she said as she pointed to Syaoran. He blinked stupidly at her.

Sakura's father remained silent as he looked at Sakura in disbelief.

Attempting to look her father in the eye, she found his gaze unbearable, her eyes flickered from little items around the room and back to his, repeating this process several times, until she couldn't bear the deafening silence.

"Well?! I couldn't just leave him there, could I?!" She said in exasperation. She was getting nervous with her fathers never-faltering stare.

As if he had just woken out of a daydream, Fujitaka blinked a few times before letting it all sink in. Ok, so far so good... no signs of anger yet...

"Oh." was all he could manage to say.

It was Sakura's turn to stare in disbelief. 'Oh' was all he could manage to say? Wasn't he going to delve into a yelling fit? Well, come to think of it, when did her father ever get upset about anything? Well, there was that one time with Eriol sneaking into their house at 2 AM... but that was a long time ago, and he had a good reason...

"Is that all you have to say? Just 'Oh'? Aren't you going to ground me for bringing a stranger into the house? Aren't you going to yell at me then kick him out?" Sakura noticed Syaoran take offense to the last sentence.

Fujitaka looked around for his brief case he took everyday to work and back and found it sitting next to his foot. He leaned down and picked it up, not sure what he was supposed to do.

"W-well, you did the right thing... I think." came his slow reply. Sakura was waiting for him to say something else, and he knew it. "I guess he's been through a lot. I suppose you should take him home. Or better yet, I guess I should."

"But that's the thing, he doesn't remember." Sakura was quick to point out. Syaoran wanted to protest, saying that he did know where he lived, but held his tongue at the thought of meeting his mothers fury back home. Besides, how could this girl's father 'take him home' when his actual home was back in Hong Kong?

It took a few moments for this to register in Fujitaka's brain as well. Once it had, he nodded his head as if agreeing with something he was thinking of. He came to his conclusion.

"Then I guess there's nothing we can do until he remembers."

"Does that mean he's staying here?"

"I guess, I don't know. I don't know what's what anymore. I... just need some time to think this through."

Sakura nodded as she watched him walk into the hall and down to his study in weary defeat. Her gaze shifted from him and locked with Syaoran's before she shrugged.

"Still need a toothbrush?"

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Later that night...

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Sakura had informed Syaoran of the days events from the time she was driving home all the way till he had woken up. He didn't say much, probably partially still in shock was Sakura's conclusion.

She explained where he was and showed him where everything in the house was located at. He was a quick learner. She told him the rules of the house, such as the curfew that everyone followed (though sometimes she snuck out past that time. But she didn't bother mentioning that.) and what rooms were off limits. And those included: Her room, her fathers room, and her late mother's room at the end of the hall. Everything else was open to him.

By the time she had finished, his head was spinning, but he continued to nod anyways. She seemed nice enough and was patient with him and his questions, not once asking anything personal. (Though she was dying to ask how he got to be in the middle of the street.)

After this was all done, she left him to Touya's room as she went off to finish her homework.

Syaoran returned to the bed and crawled under the fresh white sheets before closing his eyes, his body aching from being thrashed around by the storm he had faced when trying to escape his family and his long seemingly endless walk until he had collapsed in the street. He had run as far as he could away from his family. Anywhere was better than being there, subjected to their every whim. The further away, the better.

Gently, the darkness of sleep enfolded him, leaving him to dream peacefully and comfortably for the first time in days.

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Morning

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"Where the hell is my wallet?! I know I put it on the night stand yesterday! Rarg!!! Why now?! Im going to be late!"

Syaoran was slipping on one of Touya's clean black shirts devoid of any logos or markings on it and a pair of Khakis when he heard his savior yelling to no one in particular from her own frustration. She had been making a lot of noise all morning, running up and down the stairs, to and fro from the bathroom. It was a wonder she didn't trip and fall down the stairs in her hurried flight.

He popped his head out of the room and headed to the bathroom to brush his teeth and hair when she whizzed right past him, nearly knocking him over.

After spending a few minutes in the bathroom, he descended the stairs and found Sakura slipping on her Vans.

She was decked out in a pair of moderately loose and baggy blue jeans with a tight yellow shirt with a cat popping it's head through an inter tube with an alligator coming up to eat it. Below the picture read "Goodbye Kitty". On her wrists were the same leather bands from yesterday, and today the only chain that hung from her pants was her wallet chain. Holding her pants up was a black and red belt with small metal stars running down the center and a necklace of white shell fragments hung around her neck.

"Where are you going?" came Syaoran's simple question.

She looked up at him in disbelief. "Think. What day is today? It's Thursday. And where do all high school students go on Thursday?"

"School?" Ah, so he CAN comprehend things! The boy has a brain after all!

"Correct! Now if you don't mind, I have to leave or im going to be late! And since it'll be my third tardy, I'll have detention! Plus I have to pick Eriol up."

"Eriol?"

"Yeah, the other guy with the glasses and black hair you met yesterday. He helped me rescue you from becoming a greasy spot on the road. Ok, now I gotta go! Bye!"

She was on the verge of dashing out of the door when she felt a tug on her shirt. She turned around to see him standing there, hand still holding onto the back of her shirt.

"Well? What is it?"

"Um, if it isn't too much, do you think I could go with you?" he asked timidly. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea to ask or not, seeing how frantic she was. But he didn't want to be left alone... at least until he could get his bearings straight.

She looked at him for a second before answering. "Ok, just...." she looked around quickly before seeing pair of black sneakers Touya had left by accident. She picked them up and threw them at him, which he managed to catch in his surprise, before she grabbed him by the wrist, sending a shock of electricity into him.

'What was that just now? It felt almost like a magical current...' was the first thought that came to him, but it was gone just as soon as it had came into him.

"You can put those on in the car, just get in. Don't wanna be late!" she said as she dragged him out of the door,

He complied as he hopped into the passenger seat over the car door, not bothering to open it.

Before he could get his seat belt on they were in reverse and flying out of the driveway and onto the main road. They sped through the neighborhood and onto the main road and continued on the main road for several miles before turning into another neighborhood and up to a two story grey house where Eriol was waiting before hoping in the back seat.

"Don't mind riding in the back, do ya? Don't really have time to argue about seating arrangements in here."

"Don't worry. Doesn't matter to me."

He looked at Li from the back seat before extending his hand to him. "Sorry but we haven't properly introduced ourselves. My name is Hiiragizawa Eriol. And my lovely friend at the wheel is Kinomoto Sakura."

Sakura snorted as she sped out of the neighborhood, her passengers rocking in their seats. Syaoran had managed to grab hold of Eriol's hand before giving it a good firm shake.

"Li Syaoran. I think I've said that once before."

Eriol nodded. "Indeed you have. So I'm guessing you're coming to school with us?"

Syaoran nodded.

"Well, it's good to have you aboard."

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School

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When they had arrived Syaoran was white from the ride over to the school. On several occasions he had thought he was going to die with Sakura's reckless driving. But much to his amazement (and relief) they arrived safely. He was quickly pulled out of the car, but that time by Eriol, before being dragged up to the school entrance.

There, he was switched off from Eriol to Sakura, where she had dragged him to the office. The tardy bell had rang and if she went to the office and got Syaoran's visitor's tag, then she'd have a perfect excuse to get out of detention. And that was exactly what she did.

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1st hour

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After making a mad dash (still dragging Syaoran behind her as she went) she yanked open the door to her first hour, bowing immediately while shouting apologies for being late and that she had a perfectly good reason why she was late. But when she looked up, the entire class was silent and staring at her, but there was no teacher in sight.

"Um... where's Mr. Mizuno?"

Sakura entered the class, Syaoran following obediently, before leading him to the back of the class where she sat. Good thing there were plenty of empty seats.

Tomoyo, her good friend and play writer, turned around in her seat before sizing Syaoran up. Slowly a grin spread on her face with little mischievous thoughts popping into her head. He was handsome, aside from the light bruises and small cuts on his face. He looked Chinese. But what was he doing with Sakura? Did they know each other? Suddenly the thought of having him play a role in her play entered her evil mind... heh heh heh...

She leaned over Sakura's desk, hand up to cover her mouth from Syaoran's view, before she began to whisper to her, her eyes darting to Sakura then back to Syaoran over and over.

"Hey, who's the cutie with you? Is he a new transfer student?"

Sakura shook her head.

"You won't believe me, Tomo, but I saved his life yesterday."

"What?!"

"Yeah, I found him on the road, unconscious! Can you believe that? My dad is letting him stay at the house until further notice."

Tomoyo smirked. "You haven't done anything... naughty with him, have you?" She was giggling at the light blush Sakura got as she sent a glare at her friend.

"Of course not! Are you out of your mind?! Do I look like the sort of person to do something like that?!"

"Sheesh, calm down. I was only joking. Of course I know you would never do anything like that. You're too modest."

Syaoran watched the whispering girls before noticing the whispers rising from the rest of the class around him. They were all staring at him. Some girls were swooning while some guys were glaring maliciously at him. Others were talking rapidly to each other while some of the girls giggled. Oh boy... here come the rumors. Maybe coming here was a bad idea after all...

"Do you think I could... borrow him for a while, Sakura?"

"What for? Your 'play'? And what's up with the dramatic pauses?"

Tomoyo grinned. "Yes! Well, maybe for the next play. If he's any good, I might have him play the lead role! Just look at the girls in here--" she said, glancing around as an example, Sakura following her gaze. "They're already swooning all over him! I could make him a star! I could make him an Idol like yourself!"

"Pfft. Me, an Idol? Give me a break Tomo. Im not that famous around here."

"Ha, if only you knew! Every guy has the hots for you!"

"Um, ok, that's enough." Sakura said, fidgeting in her seat. The thought of the entire male population drooling over her made her a bit queasy.

Tomoyo rolled her eyes, smiling all the while. "Well, can I?"

"That's up to him to decide if he wants to be in one of your stupid plays. Though I wouldn't recommend it."

Tomoyo pouted, making the biggest puppy eyes she had ever done. Sakura backed up in her chair in horror.

"No! I wont fall for that again! Like I said, only if he wants!"

"Only if who wants?" came Syaoran's question. He knew they had been talking about him the entire time. It was evident from the violet eyed girl. She had been eyeing him like eye candy the entire time she had been whispering. Sakura on the other hand didn't seem too interested in him as her friend. She even looked disgusted at one point.

The girl that had been talking to Sakura turned to Syaoran, eyes sparkling dangerously as she held Syaoran's hands between her own. How she had gotten hold of them, no one knew, but she had managed to somehow.

"Will you be in one of my plays?"

He quirked an eyebrow as he tried to pull his hands away, but finding the girl unwilling to let go.

"Please?! I promise you wont regret it! Even Sakura agrees with me!"

"No I don't!"

Ignoring Sakura, Tomoyo continued her onslaught. "Please? Wont you at least consider it?"

Mr. Mizuno, their English teacher, had decided to enter the classroom at that time, apologizing for being late. Apparently he was at a teachers conference that had went over time.

"You can give me your answer later, after you see how great my plays are." she said, giving him a wink and turning around in her seat.

Class had calmed down and quieted as Mr. Mizuno began to open his brown leather brief case. That's when he noticed Syaoran sitting in the back. Sakura noticed this, too, and quickly opted to explain. The teacher wasn't too happy to have the extra body in class, but he decided it was easier to let the boy stay than to kick him out... as long as he would sit still and be quiet.

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6th Hour

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When 6th hour came, Sakura found herself dragging her feet. Syaoran was at a loss for her sudden change in behavior. One moment she was as fiery and lively as a circus clown, then the next she was sighing, rolling her eyes, and running her fingers through her hair.

"What's wrong?" Syaoran had kept quiet throughout the entire day, somewhat timid to speak up, and his sudden question caused Sakura to jump slightly as they were walking down a long white hall lined with windows and a white tiled floor.

She looked over her shoulder at the trailing Syaoran. He just gave her a quizzical look.

"Remember that crazy purple haired girl from this morning?"

He nodded, but he thought her more crazy than her friend.

"Well, she's in charge of the drama club. Her mom is uber rich and funds the class, as long as her daughter, Tomoyo, gets to run the whole thing. Lots of people joined up, thinking it would end up being a blow-off class but regretted joining after they learned Tomoyo wasn't going to let them slack for one moment. Some even dropped out because of it. And seeing how she is... er... obsessed with... me..." Sakura cringed visibly but continued, "she has me play the lead female role... every time. Personally I don't think she's being fair to the rest of the girls that try out for the lead role. I've been nagging at her for two years now to give another girl a chance. But she just wont listen..."

Sakura sighed as she slapped her forehead. Syaoran remained silent as they neared the black doors to the auditorium.

"And here we are, at the gates of Hell..."

Taking in a deep breath, she pulled open the door and entered the dark auditorium, the only light illuminating the room were the stage lights, and even those didn't provide enough lighting to light the overly large room.

Syaoran scanned the area, a habit that had been drilled into him from his training, and saw a large stage up ahead, people bustling about, moving props, painting scenes onto wooden panels, people rehearsing their lines with one another, and that Eriol guy with that Tomoyo girl. Seemed like they were arguing about something in the play script.

"Yo!" Sakura suddenly shouted, drawing the attention of most of the people in the room before they would turn back around to finish what they were doing. Except for Eriol and Tomoyo, who kept staring.

Tomoyo suddenly began to turn red before she exploded.

"You're late! Do you know how late you are?! You're ten minutes late, that's what! And that's ten minutes rehearsal time wasted!"

Sakura made her way down one of the side aisles with Syaoran behind her.

'No wonder why she doesn't like coming here...' thought Syaoran. He wouldn't want to be in this class if he was going to be pushed around like Sakura was being by Tomoyo. People bossing him around really pissed him off.

"Sorry Tomo, Mr. Ueda kept me after class. Wanted to talk to me. Something about proper classroom behavior or something. I don't remember, the spider on the wall kept distracting me..."

"Yes yes. I get it. Now we need to get back on track. We're a day behind and with the rate of your tardies, we wont have this play down pat by the time we're supposed to present it!"

"Alright, jeez. What scene are we on?"

Tomoyo began to flip through the script before stopping somewhere near the back. She noticed Syaoran and stopped.

"Oh, sorry. You can take a seat somewhere in the first two rows." she said quickly, waving her hand to dismiss him before flipping through the book again. Syaoran sighed and made his way into one of the seats in the second row. At least there weren't any teachers here to glare at him... can't say much for the students though.

The girls were, once again, whispering to one another while they giggled and blushed, all staring at Syaoran and making him uncomfortable. The guys didn't help with their glares of jealousy.

Suddenly Syaoran watched Sakura and Eriol walk up on stage with Tomoyo then back behind stage and out of sight. They remained hidden for several minutes before they re-emerged. This time Eriol was wearing his outfit. Sakura was still in her everyday clothes.

"Sorry Sakura, I needed to make a few adjustments to your outfit so I took it home with me after you left yesterday. I think you'll like what im going to do to it." Tomoyo chirped, grinning all the while as she clasped her hands in front of her, trying to get Sakura to brighten up. Too bad Sakura on rolled her eyes in disbelief.

"Um... Tomoyo..." came Eriol's voice, his face blushing slightly.

"What is it now?" she rested her hands on her hips in exasperation.

Syaoran watched as he leaned over to whisper something to her, causing her to blush lightly too. Sakura only looked at them quizzically.

"Oh, well THAT certainly IS a problem! Go change and I'll fix it tonight."

Eriol gave a nod of thanks before disappearing behind the curtain, re emerging in his old clothes.

Tomoyo descended the stairs on the side of the stage before taking a seat a few chairs off from in front of Syaoran in the front row.

"What was wrong?"

Tomoyo played a hand over her lips as she began to giggle.

"Nothing important. Now watch."

Tomoyo laughed evilly to herself. 'Yes, just watch. After this, you'll be dying to be in my play! Oh ho ho ho!'

The lights dimmed as the stage crew shooed the other actors and actresses off the stage, giving Eriol and Sakura room.

Sakura placed her hands in Eriol's before turning a sour face to Tomoyo.

"Ready when you are."

"Ok, and action!"

Face softening, both actors gazed into each others eyes, the mood suddenly becoming melancholic. The rest of the population in the room had shifted their gazes to the scene about to unfold, a few girls sighing in envy.

"Sakura, it's not safe for a girl to follow a man to such a dangerous place. I care about you, I don't want to see you get hurt. I promise I'll return for you once it's safe."

Sakura stared into his face, unblinking.

"It's a promise." he continued, when suddenly,

"CUT!!!"

Both actors looked up in surprise.

"NOW what is it?!" came Sakura agitated voice.

"You tell me!"

"What?!" Sakura shouted in disbelief.

Sighing, Tomoyo stood up and pointed to script in her hand.

"You were supposed to cry! That's what!"

Rolling her eyes, Sakura pulled her hands out of Eriol's to rest them on her hips. "Give me a break! God! This is a freakin' rehearsal! It doesn't have to be perfect! Besides, it's things like this that waste our time! Not so much as me being late, but rather these small, unimportant things that cause us to stop just to do! Arg!"

"Fine." Tomoyo said, slightly upset, "But it WILL be perfect on the day of the play! Got it?!" She flopped into the seat, crossing her arms over her chest as she did this.

"Ok, pick up where you left off then."

Sending a glare at her friend, Sakura slapped her hands into Eriol's, just to show her discontent, before taking a deep breath to calm herself, the same sad expression re-emerging.

"It's a promise." came Eriol again.

"Then let's seal it with a good-bye kiss." Sakura said in a near whisper.

Slowly, both leaned inwards, Sakura pushing herself up on her tip toes to match his height, as their lips came closer and closer until...

"OK! CUT!"

Sakura fell back onto her heels, wiping the sweat from her forehead. The thought of being so close to someone, even if it was her best friend, made her very nervous. Even Syaoran could see it from his seat.

"Ok, we're going to skip to scene 4 of Act 5."

All the actors in the room began to flip through their books to the appropriate page before scanning over the script. Suddenly people began to shuffle about, most going behind stage and out of sight. Sakura and Eriol moved behind the curtains on the left, ready to act out their roles.

"Ok! And ACTION!"

Eriol emerged, pulling Sakura with him by her hand and all the way across the stage to the other side, but stopping short before they ended up running behind the other curtain.

"I-I think we lost them." Eriol breathed out shakily, chest pretending to heave from being out of breath, Sakura imitating him. Suddenly he turned to face her, gripping her by the arms, shaking her a little.

"Why?! Didn't I tell you that I'd return for you?! Didn't I promise?! Tell me why you followed me here!"

Looking away in shame, Sakura said quietly, "I... I had no choice."

"Yes you did! You could have waited for me back in China, back where you were safe! But now, since you've followed me, you're in danger!"

"I..."

Drawing up her courage, she turned to stare him directly in the eye.

"I can't go back. If I do, then they'll kill me!"

"What? Why?!"

Syaoran leaned back in his seat. The play was dramatic... probably too dramatic. But it wasn't bad. And the actors weren't bad either. How they spoke their lines didn't sound too stiff or unnatural. They sounded as if they were actually the people they were playing. He had to admit, though, it even made him a little curious as to what was going on.

Sakura's gaze was now fierce as she stared at him.

"I killed them."

"What? Killed? Killed who?" Eriol whispered, almost in a panicky voice.

"Them. My mother and father."

Eriol's eyes darted back and forth, trying to let it all sink in.

"You... you killed...?"

"I did. If I hadn't I... I..."

The room was deathly quiet and still, all eyes on them now.

"I... dammit. I forgot."

Everyone released their breath that they had been unconsciously holding. The room began to fill with chatter. Even Syaoran had been holding his breath.

Tomoyo put two fingers to her temple, closing her eyes as if she had a migraine.

"It's fine... Don't worry about it. Just... keep practicing your lines while I work with the other's on their parts."

Sakura nodded gratefully as she hopped off of the stage, Eriol following before taking a seat in front of Syaoran and turning her upper half to face him.

"Corny, isn't it?"

"It's not bad." was Syaoran's only reply.

"So does that mean you sorta liked it?"

"I guess."

"Does that mean you'll be Tomoyo's geuiny pig?"

"I wouldn't go so far as to say geuiny pig. It's a possibility I guess."

Sakura nodded slightly, before getting up.

"I'll practice my lines at home. Im too lazy to do it now."

"What are you going to do then for the remainder of the time?" Eriol asked.

Sakura shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe I'll go find some rock to go crawl under and sleep for a while. I was up past midnight doing my homework last night."

Eriol and Syaoran were silent as they watched her head towards the dressing room.

"Where's she going?"

"Probably to sleep in one of the changing stalls. She used to skip class and fall asleep in bathroom stalls, until her dad got a call from the school about her attendance record."

"Oh." was all Syaoran managed to say. 'What a strange girl...'

To be continued...

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OMG... I got the second chapter done. Yayness! I wanted to keep writing more and more and more and more but... I suddenly ended the chapter. Maybe a little too sudden? o.O

Well, I hope you all enjoyed it! I hope to post the next chapter soon! (Since I wrote this during my fall break, dunno how much time i'll have in the future.) Also, I can email people that want to be updated on the story status. Just put your request in a review! (Don't bother trying to email me... my email is having issues.)Well, I hope you enjoyed it! I hope to update soon! Ciao!