Ace!
Class 09 – Reflexes
Disclaimer - …..
A/N: Wow, everyone hated the dream thing too! Haha! Well, this chapter is decidedly free of dreams! :D And to make up for the long wait, we have a SUPER SPECIAL CHAPTER!
"So you're going to confess to him," Tomoyo asked, and Sakura nodded, face tinged with red. Tomoyo grinned. "It's about time! I was getting sick of hearing about him for the last three months!"
"You're one to talk," Sakura retorted, "Why don't you confess to Eriol?"
"I'm not around him everyday like you are," Tomoyo replied with a sigh. "Give me a copy of your schedule. I'll go and support him. Our relationship needs to grow."
"What if he doesn't like me?"
"Oh, he likes you," Tomoyo replied with a smirk. "Trust me, you don't act like that around just a friend." Sakura nodded and wrinkled her nose.
"When do I tell him? I don't want to blurt it out, but I don't want to call him out either." Tomoyo shrugged.
"Whenever you feel is right." Sakura sighed and stretched. Tomoyo's eyes widened when she saw Sakura's arm muscles. "You're huge," she exclaimed and grabbed her friend's arm. "Flex," she commanded, and Sakura bent her arm, a bulging muscle in its baby stages. "You're losing your womanly fat," Tomoyo cried out in horror. "What are you doing in that blasted tennis class?!"
"Well, on Tuesdays and Thursdays we lift weights instead of running. I'm still the weakest in the class though. Syaoran can lift one hundred kilos more than me!" Tomoyo's eyes widened.
"Then, is Eriol the same way?" Sakura smirked and nodded. Tomoyo swooned with a grand sigh. "My strong prince," she murmured, and Sakura laughed.
"And I thought I was bad," she stated and both girls chuckled.
Syaoran grunted as he finished his last set. The coaches' training was nothing compared to his own. He smiled softly as he remembered high school, composing a schedule so hard that half the team collapsed before the first neck finished. He alone made to the end of the training. After a week or so they vetoed it out of their schedule, but he kept it and practiced secretly. Naturally the skill gap widened further until he was unstoppable.
He grabbed his towel and wiped off the sweat. His shirt and hair were drenched, no doubt disgusting to the girls. Good thing it was an all male school. He sighed, left the mini gym, and sauntered back to his dorm room.
Hm, Sakura wasn't back yet. If he didn't know her true gender, he would've thought her and Tomoyo were lovers. Naturally she wasn't, and that was a problem in and of itself… And why was he thinking about her anyway? Syaoran frowned and reached for his assignment book. A paper due in history in a week… might as well get started on it…
Eriol sighed with satisfaction as he clicked the 'print' button. History paper, complete. Anatomy homework… can wait a bit. He glanced at the phone and got the urge to call Tomoyo. The girl was graceful, intelligent, kind, and beautiful. The only downside was that their time together would be short… he would have to make them inseparable before then. Hm.. tonight they would be at the Blurry Moon… Perhaps he'll take her to dinner before the club. He grabbed his cell phone and punched in 'We should go to dinner before the club."
About five minutes after hitting send, a reply came. "That's a wonderful idea! I told Sakura and she's going to tell everyone. How's the Lunatic Café sound?" Eriol blinked in confusion, and then started laughing.
"Add cute to the list of things I like about her," he muttered and began his anatomy homework.
"Jesus Akizuki," Hideki said, holding up a pair of large bust enhancers, "Do you really have to go for that American look?"
"American? Cup sizes run about 1 cup smaller in Japan, did you know that? Besides, how am I supposed to wear my sexy green dress if I don't have the cleavage?" Hideki frowned and jiggled the rubber-like substance. "You know, when you're drunk, you like to wear those…."
"I'm not cross-dressing with you. Period." Akizuki chuckled and muttered something Hideki couldn't hear. Still, he continued rummaging through Akizuki's makeup box, pulling out the makeup items he usually used with the dress. "Thank God he looks like a girl whenever he cross dresses," he murmured, "Otherwise it'd be obvious."
"What would be obvious," Akizuki called from the bathroom.
"Nothing," Hideki called back. Sure, he was gay, well, probably bi, but he didn't want the school knowing about it. Especially their coach. Lord knows what they'd have to do if he found out.
"Okay," Akizuki announced as he left the bathroom, "Face is washed and prepped!" He walked over to his makeup box, preparing to pull out the items needed, but found them already out, and in the order he used them. Akizuki's eyes widened and he looked at Hideki, then pounced and kissed him. "You're grand," he murmured in Hideki's ear, "Simply grand." Giddy from the newfound relationship perk, he skidaddled back to his makeup and put it on, humming softly to himself.
Hideki's cell phone went off, and he walked over to get it. Kira's somewhat ambiguous profile picture was in the center. Text message? Why not a call? Sighing, he entered the menu and scrolled down. Oh, that's lovely. "I just got a text message from Kira. Seems like they want to eat at the Lunatic Café before going to the club."
"Luna…tic…. Ca…fe," Akizuki repeated in a small voice.
"Yeah," Hideki confirmed implying that Akizuki would have to take less than his hour long makeup routine, "Why the voice?"
"N-nothing," Akizuki replied and continued putting on his makeup. Maybe Lady Luck would grant him a wish and he wouldn't be working. Hopefully. Surely. But knowing his luck (except in snagging Hideki, of course!) he would be there, and things would get sticky, in more ways than one.
Sakura yawned as she opened the door. Tomoyo had provided her a new outfit, one decidedly androgynous, a short pair of shorts and a long sleeveless shirt with a pair of large gloves and matching chunky army boots. To be honest, the outfit looked like something out of a cosplay convention, but it was better than her schoolgirl outfit earlier.
"Syaoran," she called, "You there?" No reply. Sakura frowned, of her friends, Syaoran was the only one that didn't have a cell phone. Well, he had one, but he rarely used it and Sakura doubted that the service was even activated. Sighing, she kicked off her shoes and threw her clothes on her bedspread.
She walked to the bathroom and washed her face, then stepped inside to take a quick shower. She sighed as she inhaled the strong 'mountain' scented shampoo, surely she could have her strawberry scent back without sacrificing her manliness? Manliness? She chuckled softly. Since when did she start worrying about her alpha male factor?
She got out and dried off, then walked back into the room. She stopped abruptly when she heard soft breathing. She smiled softly and walked over to get a close look at him. How cute would it be to have a Sleeping Beauty role reversal, and the kiss from the princess wakes the prince?
After all, didn't Syaoran kiss her in her sleep a couple of months ago? One kiss wouldn't be bad, would it? Sure, she didn't confess yet, but… Sakura leaned over and looked down, determined. One kiss. One kiss to satisfy her desires. Swallowing, she leaned forward and stopped an inch from his lips. "Should I do this," she wondered, and was about to lean in when a drop of water from her damp hair splashed onto his cheek. Syaoran's eyes widened and he jerked up, missing Sakura's head by inches.
"What are you doing," he questioned angrily. "Why were you leaned over me like that?"
"You were snoring," Sakura replied, moving to her half of the room, "And I was wondering how to shut you up."
"Sure," he replied with a smirk, "You were probably trying to kiss me."
"Yeah, right," she shot back and turned away so he wouldn't see her blush.
"Just admit you like me and things will be better."
"Fine," Sakura replied, turning around, "I like you."
Syaoran's eyes widened in shock. Of all the ways to reply, he hadn't expected that. For the first time ever in their arguments, he was speechless. Sakura smirked. "I like you? I think you like me."
That smirk was more than enough to snap him back to reality. "Keep dreaming Saru." Sakura stuck her tongue out and turned to her clothes.
"You need to get ready."
"For what," Syaoran asked, frowning.
"You promised me last week you'd come with us to Blurry Moon, remember? We decided to eat at the Lunatic Café before we went to the club."
"Nice of you to make plans without me."
"It's not like we're on a date," she retorted, although part of her was treating this like a date. She had it in her head already – on a slow song she would ask him to dance, and on the dance floor she would confess her love. He'd smile, and they would kiss….
"Sakura! You moron, wake up," Syaoran growled as he tossed a pillow at her. "Jesus, are you sleepwalking again?!"
"Sorry," she murmered, "I was lost in my thoughts."
"Akizuki just called. We're leaving in a half hour."
Half… hour?! Sakura dashed to Syaoran, grabbed his arm, dragged him to the bathroom and shut the door behind her. "Take a shower," she ordered through the door, then threw off her towel and quickly dressed.
Sakura opted to keep her makeup natural, and she just put a bit of foundation, powder, and lip gloss on and waited for Syaoran to finish his shower so she could fix her hair. She sighed and fell backwards onto her bed.
Tomoyo threw clothes out of her closet, half growling. "All these designs and yet… nothing to wear!" Her heart fluttered with anticipation with the evening, something that rarely occurred in her years. The last crush she had was on some guy in High school, but that didn't last long. It wasn't that she didn't like men, no, she just couldn't find one that made her feel… special.
Her eyes fell onto a red dress crumpled in the corner, barely visible under the pile of rejected outfits. Red got attention, right? She sighed and walked over and picked it up. A design that lacked her usual flare, but its simplicity made it classic. It seemed a little too fancy for a night at the club, but hey, more eyes on her, right?
Although she only longed for one pair of eyes to look her way….
"About time you two showed up," Marina said tartly, glaring at Sakura. "We've only been waiting a half hour for you two."
"Sorry, but someone," a side glare at Syaoran, "Didn't want to get ready." Syaoran shrugged off her comment and fixated his glare on Akizuki/Marina and Hideki. Marina wasn't effected by it, as she and Sakura clumped together to discuss their outfits, but Hideki smiled sheepishly as an apology and nudged his date with his elbow.
"So, shouldn't we leave Marina?"
"Might as well."
"But Eriol," Sakura protested, "What about him?"
Marina laughed, "Loverboy already left to get his date. He said he'd meet us at the restaurant."
Sakura blinked in surprise, then grinned. Perhaps they didn't need any nudging at all…
Marina scanned the waiters from the waiting room, searching for a certain someone. After a minute of searching, she sighed with relief. "Thank God he's not working," she muttered.
"Say something," Hideki asked, and Marina shook her head and smiled.
"Just seeing if anything's changed since I last came here. This used to be one of my favorite restaurants," she amended, "But check out Syaoran and Sakura. The two look divine together, don't they?"
"Heh, if you call one giving one the look and the other glaring divine," Hideki replied with a laugh.
"Hey you two better shut up or speak up," Syaoran said, giving his patented glare.
Marina smirked, "And tonight I'm going to *beep* and *beep* you until your *beep* *beep* *beep*!" Hideki had the courtesy to blush, but not before biting his lover's neck. Sakura and Syaoran stared with the curious embarrassment of a virgin. "Oh my, did I say that aloud?"
Sakura laughed nervously and glanced at Li. Their eyes locked, then both looked away. "Tell him," her mind urged, "Tell him!" Hideki and Marina returned to their 'dirty' talk while Sakura sat, flushed, twiddling her thumbs. Syaoran stared off, bored.
Sakura took a couple of deep breaths and turned to Syaoran. "Syaoran, can I tell you something?" He glanced at her, a proposed 'what the *beep* do you want now?'. Sakura bit her lip, "I –"
"Sakura! Marina! Hideki," Tomoyo gushed and halfway ran over to give each a hug. She extended a hand to Syaoran, "Syaoran." Syaoran took it and shook it halfheartedly. "Is the wait going to be long," she asked Sakura, and Sakura shook her head. Tomoyo eyed her and Syaoran, then sat beside Eriol.
Sakura sighed and closed her eyes. Maybe it was a bad idea to confess in front of so many people.
"Oh. My. Gosh. Marina, is that you," a man squealed and dashed over. "Oh it is! Marina darling, how have you been! It's been so long!" Everyone's jaws dropped and stared at Marina, who laughed nervously.
"T-Tetsu," she said, smiling, "How have you been?"
"Oh girl, the same! You still freaky," he said with a wink, "I still hold our memories in my heart!" Hideki's eyes turned to saucers. His.. boy… no girl.. no boy… his lover had did.. that… that… flaming man!?
Marina bit her lip. "Your shift just started," she asked.
"Oh yes. I'm not as young as I used to be. I can't do those all nighters like I used too," he continued, then noticed Hideki. "Oh, are you the stud that snagged my Marina away?"
"Who are you," Hideki asked, making no attempt to mask his jealousy. Marina grinned sheepishly.
"His name is Tetsu, and he used to be my boyfriend."
"Marina doll, you never told him about me? I'm insulted! Marina and I weren't just 'boyfriend', if you catch my drift," Tetsu said, winking. "But I'm taking too much of your time! Come on, let me take you two lovebirds to your seats!"
"Two," Sakura asked in confusion, "I thought it was a party of six?"
"At night we switch to couple seating only," Tetsu explained, "Oh, are you with Marina as well?"
"I'm Kinomoto Kira, girl named Sakura. Nice to meet you Tetsu."
"Girl? Oh my, I thought you really were a girl," Tetsu exclaimed, "You're features are simply scrumptious! Your cheekbones! Your fair skin! Your lips! They're prettier than a girls'!" Sakura blushed from the blatant compliments.
"T-thank you," she muttered. Syaoran glared at Tetsu, not only was he annoying, but he was obviously flirting. It didn't help that Sakura played along, blushing like that… speaking of which, she seemed to be blushing allot lately…. He glared at Tetsu, who either ignored him or feared him, because he didn't say anything about it.
"Oh, I'm only playing the obvious! And you next to Marina, are you her friends too?"
"I'm Tomoyo and this is Eriol."
"You're a straight couple, aren't you? How cute! Marina rarely has straight friends," Tetsu said with a chuckle. "Well, enough of introductions, I bet you dolls are just starving!"
"Just how serious were you two," Hideki asked as soon as they sat and Tetsu left. Marina smiled apologetically.
"We were together for about a year and a half in high school. We broke up when I started becoming serious in tennis," Marina said, "I'm sorry I never told you."
"Is he the reason why you were acting odd earlier," Hideki asked, and Marina nodded.
"Its all the past, we hardly ever see each other," Marina said, attempting to douse her lover's jealous anger. Tonight was going to be beyond long….
"Are his compliments that flattering," Syaoran asked after a minute of silence. Sakura flushed at his voice like a teenager and shook her head. "Then why's your face so red," he asked again.
"Flushed? Me? It's just… hot! Its so hot in here," she said with a laugh. Syaoran's piercing gaze just near gave her a heart attack. She took a deep breath and covered her face. This blushing disease had to stop.
Syaoran seemed dissatisfied with her answer, because he didn't say a word other than what was needed through out dinner. Sakura tried not to act so girly around Tetsu, but it was hard because the man had a golden tongue that continually spilled out compliments, not to mention each time she tried to change the subject to their relationship, he would stop and interrupt her.
Of the six, only Tomoyo and Eriol seemed to have a nice dinner, and it being because they were the only two completely comfortable with their feelings....
"Where's Marina," Sakura asked, scanning the dance floor. Sometime she and Hideki had sped off, leaving her alone. She sighed and squeezed through the crowd to the bar where Syaoran sat, looking bored.
"You can leave if you want," Sakura said, smiling apologetically. "Since I'm the one who invited you, I'm the only one who would be offended. Besides, I think the others sneaked off somewhere a long time ago."
Syaoran said nothing, and Sakura frowned. He had to be angry. Not only did she drag him with her, but he didn't seem to have an enjoyable moment all evening. "You're having fun, aren't you," he asked, looking at her. Sakura flushed again and nodded. "Then go out and dance. I'll wait for you."
Sakura grinned. "That's one of the reasons why I love you," she exclaimed, happy that firstly, he said the longest sentence of the night, and secondly because he said something a little caring. Of course, once she realized what she said, her face turned the shade of Tomoyo's dress.
"What," he yelled, "I couldn't hear you!" Sakura laughed with relief, and walked back out to the dance floor.
"Oye, I'm so tired," Sakura said as she opened the door. Syaoran waited behind her patiently. Not much happened that night, but she still enjoyed herself. She walked in and gasped as Syaoran wrapped his arms around her waist. "Syaoran," she asked in confusion.
"I can't hold back anymore." Sakura nearly had a heart attack. What was this? Syaoran, confessing?!
She turned to face him. They stayed like that, staring at each other, reading the emotions flying through their eyes. Slowly they leaned in for a kiss. Except they positioned their heads wrong and their foreheads hit. Sakura yelped, and both blushed deeply before laughing.
"This… has… got," Sakura stuttered out between laughter, "The… strangest… night, but" she stopped laughing abruptly, "I can't either."
Silence. The awkward feelings, erased by the laughter, returned. "I," Sakura began, breaking the silence, "I like you Syaoran Li. And I want to be with you, as a companion." Syaoran laughed, and caressed her cheek.
"I know," he replied, "I heard you each time you tried to confess
earlier." Sakura's
eyes widened in shock. "It was fun
seeing how many times you would confess before the night was over."
"I take it back," she replied tartly, turning her back. "I don't like you anymore." Syaoran smirked and hugged her from behind.
"Liar," he whispered in her ear.
Sakura pouted, "I know."
"One thing," Syaoran said, turning her to face him, "This never comes before tennis. The second it does, its over." Sakura turned serious and nodded. They didn't come here for romance, after all.
"But," she thought as they kissed, "It is a nice perk…."
A/N: Sakura's (or was it Syaoran's?) confession marks the beginning of a new arc. What will Sakura and Syaoran do to keep their relationship a secret? Tennis is back! (It really shouldn't have left… ^^;;) How will the two fare against other schools? A tournament is coming up folks!
The last chapter seemed confusing so… everything when Syaoran became open and aggressive with his feelings was a dream. Sakura sleeping with Syaoran in his bed and him holding onto her was not. In other words, in real life, after Sakura stuck her tongue at him, the conversation ended or turned to something else. Syaoran didn't really get up and kiss her.
By the way, if you like Fruits Basket, be sure to check out my friend's story. Her author name is Knight Basilisk and the story is quite cute! Somehow, someway, I will con her into writing a joint. :D
