*Hey everyone, thanks for reviewing yet another chapter of this story! This
is the seventh chapter, meaning there are. . . ::counts in head:: 23 more
to go! I hope you all are liking this so far, and if you're reading this
and not reviewing, send out one! I like knowing someone out there is
reading, and look – I put all the cool people who DO review on my little
shoutout list so they know they're appreciated! Let me appreciate YOU TOO!*
Reviewers: Kura-chan, Laven Coresan, *~*NeCi*~*, Di, AnimeObsessionFantasy, friend, alex, Cherry Jade, anjuliet, & Kikakai
With You
"Hey guys, I'm home!" Syaoran called, throwing his jacket on the chair. Sakura came bounding out of the back as only a six and a half month pregnant woman could. A bright smile was on her face, her emerald eyes wide. Sakura threw her arms around Syaoran, who hugged her back.
"Congratulations, Sakura. Have you thought of any names?" Syaoran asked, releasing Sakura.
"Oh, only every moment since I found out!" Sakura squealed.
"Really? What have you come up with?" Syaoran asked. Sakura shrugged and walked into the kitchen, putting a couple of plates into the dishwasher.
"Well, I was thinking I wouldn't really cement any options until she was born." Sakura answered. Syaoran nodded his head, helping hand dishes to Sakura.
"Are Tomoyo and Eriol home?" Syaoran questioned. Sakura shook her head as she started the dishwasher.
"They went out on a date. Maybe we could all go out and celebrate another day." Sakura replied.
"No, this is a great day for you, and we're going out! Where do you want to go?" Syaoran argued.
"I can go anywhere?" Sakura asked, her eyes lighting up.
"Anywhere you want. You've got it." Syaoran stated, leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen with a casual smile.
"No one's asked me where I wanted to go in a long time. I couldn't even begin to imagine a place!" Sakura gushed.
"Can I make a suggestion, then?" Syaoran asked. Sakura nodded, resting her hand on her stomach with a happy sigh.
"Go somewhere that sounds good. What sounds good to you right now? Seafood? Italian?" Syaoran asked. Another smile crept back up on Sakura's face as she looked at Syaoran with sweet emerald eyes.
"Sakura, are you certain you want to go here?" Syaoran asked. Sakura nodded eagerly and got out of Syaoran's car, walking with him to the front door.
"For the last time, yes! I've been craving one since last week!" Sakura cried, walking through the door. Syaoran sighed and walked into the hamburger restaurant, an amused smirk on his face.
The restaurant was small, styled in sixties décor. The waiters and waitresses were all dressed in white shirts and skirts, their hair styled along with the style of the restaurant. Sakura and Syaoran slipped into a booth, looking at all the posters from a time long gone.
"This place is my favorite. It's so simplistic. I wish everything could be simple like this." Sakura mused, picking up a menu and looking through it.
"I wish it could be too." Syaoran agreed, searching the menu for something to eat. A tall waiter approached them and took their drink orders, leaving the couple alone once again.
"So what are your plans for the next four months or so?" Sakura asked. Syaoran put down his menu and looked at Sakura quizzically.
"What do you mean?" Syaoran asked.
"Well I figured I would have the baby in about two months, give or take a couple weeks, then probably find my own apartment after I recover a bit. If that's okay, of course." Sakura explained. Syaoran's eyes darkened slightly.
"I thought you would want to stay in the apartment with us, raise the baby there." Syaoran answered. Sakura looked down at the table, her hands in her lap.
"We would be too much of an inconvenience. I mean, we already are." Sakura argued. Syaoran raised his eyebrows and shook his head.
"You are in no way an inconvenience to me, Eriol or Tomoyo." Syaoran replied, trying to make Sakura reconsider.
"You've been sleeping on the couch for almost three weeks now!" Sakura disputed. She ran a hand through her honey hair, leaving her hand to rest against her forehead as she propped her head up with her elbow.
"I don't mind sleeping on the couch. Don't worry about that, please. Don't go because you feel like you're inconveniencing us." Syaoran said, softening his voice. Sakura looked up at Syaoran, meeting his amber eyes with her emerald ones.
"Tomoyo would be so sad if you moved out. We all would be. Stay. We'll work something out." Syaoran requested. Sakura looked at Syaoran, her eyes showing her consideration.
"We'll see what happens. It's going to be a tight squeeze, you know." Sakura answered. Syaoran nodded and smiled softly.
"I like a full house." Syaoran replied.
Dinner was uneventful, filled with laughter. Sakura smiled more in that evening than Syaoran had seen in weeks. He watched her as she ate, observing the changes that were now so evident. She was not only smiling more; her skin was a more healthy pink color and her eyes retained a sparkle once thought dead.
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked. Syaoran blinked, realizing he had been staring at her for quite awhile.
"If you don't eat those cheese fries, I'll be forced to do it myself." Sakura joked. Syaoran laughed and dug in, sharing some of them with Sakura.
"Well lookit here . . . what a cute little couple!" a sarcastic voice called. Sakura's face immediately paled, and Syaoran turned to find Jacob dressed in white pants and a white shirt, an apron tied around his waist.
"What are you doing here, you sack of garbage?" Syaoran grumbled. Jacob sauntered over to the booth, a towel in his hand.
"I work here, unless you're too dense to notice the outfit." Jacob retorted, shooting a mean smile at Sakura.
"Hey there, Sakura. How's my baby?" Jacob asked, raising his voice so the other patrons could hear him. Sakura sunk low in her seat, her face turning bright red.
"You leave her alone." Syaoran ordered, standing and facing Jacob with a wrath only known to few. Jacob smiled again, throwing the towel over his shoulder.
"You know, I don't even know your name. I should know the name of the guy who stole my pregnant girlfriend from me." Jacob said, his voice growing loud again. People were turning and staring at Syaoran, but he remained in place.
"The name's Li Syaoran. Remember it, because if you do one thing to Sakura, touch one hair on her head, and I promise you that the light of day will never see your face again." Syaoran replied, his voice deathly calm.
"Have it your way, Li. You don't know who you're messing with. I have a hold on all of Sakura's assets. All her money is in my hands. And these hands have a lot of power, Li Syaoran." Jacob sneered.
"That's why you're a grill cook, then?" Sakura piped in suddenly. Syaoran and Jacob looked down to see Sakura glaring at Jacob, a look of terror mixed with anger written on her face.
"You'll see what I can do. Believe me, you'll see. And when you do find out, you're going to wish you had never left me." Jacob whispered, his tone taking on a sinister note. Syaoran moved to strike, but Jacob turned and walked away. Sakura began to tremble, and Syaoran knelt at her side.
"Let's go home." Sakura whispered, her voice quavering. Syaoran nodded and put some money on the table. He draped his jacket around Sakura and walked her out of the restaurant and into the car.
The ride home was silent, Sakura's eyes trained on the floor as Syaoran drove home. His scowl was deeper than ever as he turned onto the road leading to the apartment.
"He's following me, Syaoran." Sakura finally choked out.
"I know he is." Syaoran replied, moving some hair from his face as he stopped at a red light.
"He didn't work there three weeks ago. He's not going to let me go. What am I going to do?" Sakura asked, half talking to herself.
"I told him that if he touched you I would kill him, and I was serious. He won't live a moment more if you get hurt." Syaoran said protectively. Sakura sighed and nodded her head. Syaoran parked the car and walked Sakura into the apartment. Tomoyo and Eriol were sitting on the couch when they walked in, and Sakura walked past them into Syaoran's bedroom.
"Syaoran?" Tomoyo started. Syaoran heard the door close softly and shook his head.
"He was at the restaurant we went to. He's stalking her, guys." Syaoran said, sinking onto the couch with the couple. Tomoyo gasped and rose to her feet, walking back to Syaoran's room.
"What are we going to do, Syaoran?" Eriol asked, flipping the television off.
"We're going to stay with her. With the three of us working, usually at least one of us are here. We just need to stick around her, not leave her alone for awhile." Syaoran answered. Eriol nodded, his bluish hair waving with his movement.
"I'm worried about her. All the stress isn't good for her or the baby." Eriol commented.
"You're not the only one who's worried." Syaoran whispered. Tomoyo walked back out, her violet eyes sad.
"She's in bed. If I could get my hands on that jerk I would tear him limb from limb! Frightening her like that . . . it's incorrigible." Tomoyo said, climbing onto the couch and curling up with Eriol.
The trio watched television for awhile before Tomoyo fell asleep on Eriol's shoulder. He picked her up in his arms, walking past Syaoran toward their bedroom.
"Goodnight. We'll work out a work schedule tomorrow, ok?" Eriol said. Syaoran nodded sleepily, walking with Eriol back to where the bedrooms were. Syaoran slipped into his room, gathering some clothes to sleep in.
"No . . . no please don't hurt him!" Sakura mumbled in her sleep. Syaoran turned his attention to his twin bed where Sakura was sleeping, her face scrunched into a pained expression.
"I'll do anything, just don't hurt them." Sakura murmured. Syaoran quickly changed and sat down on the edge of the bed. He reached down and stroked Sakura's back with his hand, his eyes stormy with emotion.
"Sakura . . . wake up Sakura." Syaoran coaxed. Sakura's eyes flew open and she sat up, shielding her face.
"Please! I'm happy now!" Sakura whispered. Syaoran moved Sakura's hands from her eyes, and she stared into Syaoran's, trying to focus.
"You were dreaming. Everything's fine." Syaoran said quietly. Sakura's lower lips started to tremble, and tears began to well in her eyes.
"I dreamed he was trying to kill you. Then, when he finished with you he tried to kill the baby. I couldn't do anything about it!" Sakura stammered. She began to cry, and Syaoran gathered her into his arms. Sakura wrapped her arms around Syaoran's neck.
"It's okay. I'm right here." Syaoran whispered. After awhile, Sakura's sobs slowed and quieted. Syaoran laid Sakura onto the bed, pulling the covers over her sleeping form. He rose to leave, but felt a hand weakly grab his.
"Please stay." Sakura whispered, her eyes still closed. Syaoran opened his mouth to decline, but Sakura's emerald eyes opened partially, showing her desperation. Syaoran sighed and slipped into bed beside Sakura, draping her arm over Sakura's waist. Sakura murmured something sounding like a thank you.
"You're welcome." Syaoran answered, closing his eyes and falling asleep.
*Seems we can't get away from ol' Jacob there. What's going to happen? Is he ever going to let them be? And is there something blossoming between Sakura and Syaoran even without Tomoyo's help? Find out in the next chapter! And keep a watch out for the pilot chapter of my newest fic "The Luckiest" which should be out on the first after I work out some glitches with it! Thanks!*
Reviewers: Kura-chan, Laven Coresan, *~*NeCi*~*, Di, AnimeObsessionFantasy, friend, alex, Cherry Jade, anjuliet, & Kikakai
With You
"Hey guys, I'm home!" Syaoran called, throwing his jacket on the chair. Sakura came bounding out of the back as only a six and a half month pregnant woman could. A bright smile was on her face, her emerald eyes wide. Sakura threw her arms around Syaoran, who hugged her back.
"Congratulations, Sakura. Have you thought of any names?" Syaoran asked, releasing Sakura.
"Oh, only every moment since I found out!" Sakura squealed.
"Really? What have you come up with?" Syaoran asked. Sakura shrugged and walked into the kitchen, putting a couple of plates into the dishwasher.
"Well, I was thinking I wouldn't really cement any options until she was born." Sakura answered. Syaoran nodded his head, helping hand dishes to Sakura.
"Are Tomoyo and Eriol home?" Syaoran questioned. Sakura shook her head as she started the dishwasher.
"They went out on a date. Maybe we could all go out and celebrate another day." Sakura replied.
"No, this is a great day for you, and we're going out! Where do you want to go?" Syaoran argued.
"I can go anywhere?" Sakura asked, her eyes lighting up.
"Anywhere you want. You've got it." Syaoran stated, leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen with a casual smile.
"No one's asked me where I wanted to go in a long time. I couldn't even begin to imagine a place!" Sakura gushed.
"Can I make a suggestion, then?" Syaoran asked. Sakura nodded, resting her hand on her stomach with a happy sigh.
"Go somewhere that sounds good. What sounds good to you right now? Seafood? Italian?" Syaoran asked. Another smile crept back up on Sakura's face as she looked at Syaoran with sweet emerald eyes.
"Sakura, are you certain you want to go here?" Syaoran asked. Sakura nodded eagerly and got out of Syaoran's car, walking with him to the front door.
"For the last time, yes! I've been craving one since last week!" Sakura cried, walking through the door. Syaoran sighed and walked into the hamburger restaurant, an amused smirk on his face.
The restaurant was small, styled in sixties décor. The waiters and waitresses were all dressed in white shirts and skirts, their hair styled along with the style of the restaurant. Sakura and Syaoran slipped into a booth, looking at all the posters from a time long gone.
"This place is my favorite. It's so simplistic. I wish everything could be simple like this." Sakura mused, picking up a menu and looking through it.
"I wish it could be too." Syaoran agreed, searching the menu for something to eat. A tall waiter approached them and took their drink orders, leaving the couple alone once again.
"So what are your plans for the next four months or so?" Sakura asked. Syaoran put down his menu and looked at Sakura quizzically.
"What do you mean?" Syaoran asked.
"Well I figured I would have the baby in about two months, give or take a couple weeks, then probably find my own apartment after I recover a bit. If that's okay, of course." Sakura explained. Syaoran's eyes darkened slightly.
"I thought you would want to stay in the apartment with us, raise the baby there." Syaoran answered. Sakura looked down at the table, her hands in her lap.
"We would be too much of an inconvenience. I mean, we already are." Sakura argued. Syaoran raised his eyebrows and shook his head.
"You are in no way an inconvenience to me, Eriol or Tomoyo." Syaoran replied, trying to make Sakura reconsider.
"You've been sleeping on the couch for almost three weeks now!" Sakura disputed. She ran a hand through her honey hair, leaving her hand to rest against her forehead as she propped her head up with her elbow.
"I don't mind sleeping on the couch. Don't worry about that, please. Don't go because you feel like you're inconveniencing us." Syaoran said, softening his voice. Sakura looked up at Syaoran, meeting his amber eyes with her emerald ones.
"Tomoyo would be so sad if you moved out. We all would be. Stay. We'll work something out." Syaoran requested. Sakura looked at Syaoran, her eyes showing her consideration.
"We'll see what happens. It's going to be a tight squeeze, you know." Sakura answered. Syaoran nodded and smiled softly.
"I like a full house." Syaoran replied.
Dinner was uneventful, filled with laughter. Sakura smiled more in that evening than Syaoran had seen in weeks. He watched her as she ate, observing the changes that were now so evident. She was not only smiling more; her skin was a more healthy pink color and her eyes retained a sparkle once thought dead.
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked. Syaoran blinked, realizing he had been staring at her for quite awhile.
"If you don't eat those cheese fries, I'll be forced to do it myself." Sakura joked. Syaoran laughed and dug in, sharing some of them with Sakura.
"Well lookit here . . . what a cute little couple!" a sarcastic voice called. Sakura's face immediately paled, and Syaoran turned to find Jacob dressed in white pants and a white shirt, an apron tied around his waist.
"What are you doing here, you sack of garbage?" Syaoran grumbled. Jacob sauntered over to the booth, a towel in his hand.
"I work here, unless you're too dense to notice the outfit." Jacob retorted, shooting a mean smile at Sakura.
"Hey there, Sakura. How's my baby?" Jacob asked, raising his voice so the other patrons could hear him. Sakura sunk low in her seat, her face turning bright red.
"You leave her alone." Syaoran ordered, standing and facing Jacob with a wrath only known to few. Jacob smiled again, throwing the towel over his shoulder.
"You know, I don't even know your name. I should know the name of the guy who stole my pregnant girlfriend from me." Jacob said, his voice growing loud again. People were turning and staring at Syaoran, but he remained in place.
"The name's Li Syaoran. Remember it, because if you do one thing to Sakura, touch one hair on her head, and I promise you that the light of day will never see your face again." Syaoran replied, his voice deathly calm.
"Have it your way, Li. You don't know who you're messing with. I have a hold on all of Sakura's assets. All her money is in my hands. And these hands have a lot of power, Li Syaoran." Jacob sneered.
"That's why you're a grill cook, then?" Sakura piped in suddenly. Syaoran and Jacob looked down to see Sakura glaring at Jacob, a look of terror mixed with anger written on her face.
"You'll see what I can do. Believe me, you'll see. And when you do find out, you're going to wish you had never left me." Jacob whispered, his tone taking on a sinister note. Syaoran moved to strike, but Jacob turned and walked away. Sakura began to tremble, and Syaoran knelt at her side.
"Let's go home." Sakura whispered, her voice quavering. Syaoran nodded and put some money on the table. He draped his jacket around Sakura and walked her out of the restaurant and into the car.
The ride home was silent, Sakura's eyes trained on the floor as Syaoran drove home. His scowl was deeper than ever as he turned onto the road leading to the apartment.
"He's following me, Syaoran." Sakura finally choked out.
"I know he is." Syaoran replied, moving some hair from his face as he stopped at a red light.
"He didn't work there three weeks ago. He's not going to let me go. What am I going to do?" Sakura asked, half talking to herself.
"I told him that if he touched you I would kill him, and I was serious. He won't live a moment more if you get hurt." Syaoran said protectively. Sakura sighed and nodded her head. Syaoran parked the car and walked Sakura into the apartment. Tomoyo and Eriol were sitting on the couch when they walked in, and Sakura walked past them into Syaoran's bedroom.
"Syaoran?" Tomoyo started. Syaoran heard the door close softly and shook his head.
"He was at the restaurant we went to. He's stalking her, guys." Syaoran said, sinking onto the couch with the couple. Tomoyo gasped and rose to her feet, walking back to Syaoran's room.
"What are we going to do, Syaoran?" Eriol asked, flipping the television off.
"We're going to stay with her. With the three of us working, usually at least one of us are here. We just need to stick around her, not leave her alone for awhile." Syaoran answered. Eriol nodded, his bluish hair waving with his movement.
"I'm worried about her. All the stress isn't good for her or the baby." Eriol commented.
"You're not the only one who's worried." Syaoran whispered. Tomoyo walked back out, her violet eyes sad.
"She's in bed. If I could get my hands on that jerk I would tear him limb from limb! Frightening her like that . . . it's incorrigible." Tomoyo said, climbing onto the couch and curling up with Eriol.
The trio watched television for awhile before Tomoyo fell asleep on Eriol's shoulder. He picked her up in his arms, walking past Syaoran toward their bedroom.
"Goodnight. We'll work out a work schedule tomorrow, ok?" Eriol said. Syaoran nodded sleepily, walking with Eriol back to where the bedrooms were. Syaoran slipped into his room, gathering some clothes to sleep in.
"No . . . no please don't hurt him!" Sakura mumbled in her sleep. Syaoran turned his attention to his twin bed where Sakura was sleeping, her face scrunched into a pained expression.
"I'll do anything, just don't hurt them." Sakura murmured. Syaoran quickly changed and sat down on the edge of the bed. He reached down and stroked Sakura's back with his hand, his eyes stormy with emotion.
"Sakura . . . wake up Sakura." Syaoran coaxed. Sakura's eyes flew open and she sat up, shielding her face.
"Please! I'm happy now!" Sakura whispered. Syaoran moved Sakura's hands from her eyes, and she stared into Syaoran's, trying to focus.
"You were dreaming. Everything's fine." Syaoran said quietly. Sakura's lower lips started to tremble, and tears began to well in her eyes.
"I dreamed he was trying to kill you. Then, when he finished with you he tried to kill the baby. I couldn't do anything about it!" Sakura stammered. She began to cry, and Syaoran gathered her into his arms. Sakura wrapped her arms around Syaoran's neck.
"It's okay. I'm right here." Syaoran whispered. After awhile, Sakura's sobs slowed and quieted. Syaoran laid Sakura onto the bed, pulling the covers over her sleeping form. He rose to leave, but felt a hand weakly grab his.
"Please stay." Sakura whispered, her eyes still closed. Syaoran opened his mouth to decline, but Sakura's emerald eyes opened partially, showing her desperation. Syaoran sighed and slipped into bed beside Sakura, draping her arm over Sakura's waist. Sakura murmured something sounding like a thank you.
"You're welcome." Syaoran answered, closing his eyes and falling asleep.
*Seems we can't get away from ol' Jacob there. What's going to happen? Is he ever going to let them be? And is there something blossoming between Sakura and Syaoran even without Tomoyo's help? Find out in the next chapter! And keep a watch out for the pilot chapter of my newest fic "The Luckiest" which should be out on the first after I work out some glitches with it! Thanks!*