Author's Chapterly Comments

Not much to say except I like all the responses I'm getting. yay! I feel loved. Thank you so much for all those reviews! So I am more than proud to present to you Chapter Four of Crossing Roads.

Silly Answers

what did sakura do 2 the guy in ch.1?
If you read carefully, you get the idea that she threw him.

do they realize that they've said each other's first names? or was that just a typo?
Okay, it's kind of a 'slowly getting more closer' thing. Like slips ups where they call each other by their first names. It is not a typo. You'll get more clarification in chapter 5.

1. Making them stay in the same room, that's just getting SO old... no offense, as soon as we reached "they're going to stay somewhere tonight" I knew you were going to put them in the same room lyk all other author's do. A bit too obvious here.
Alright, I agree. It is old. But hey, it's not like I made them sleep in the same bed.

2. When they were racing I dun think it's that likely for them to ACTUALLY trip. Stumble, maybe, but actually trip over, especially for athletic ppl lyk them... not very likely, again, I knew you were gonna make them fall on top of each other somehow.
To be truthful, I hadn't planned on having them fall on top of each other. and they didn't they fell next to each other and Syaoran pulled her down again but I had to make it spontaneous to make Meiling find him in a bad situation. And this was the best way I could do it. But it was logical for them to fall if two people are trying to squeeze through a small door with a heavy bag in the way don't you think?

3. This is the one that bugs me the most, and done by just about every author out there. You dun go STARE at someone then boom, you feel tingly and can't stop staring all of a sudden, especially a cool and cold guy lyk Syao. He definitely would NOT say she's beautiful if he truly was cold and always tries to portray his image that way. you do NOT just "lose control" by some simple stare.
In everyone's stories, Syaoran is portrayed differenly. In my story, this is his one big spontaneous moment where he totally slips up and blurts out something. It's no big deal. I'm not making this the big turning part where he suddenly gets all stupid and soft. That I won't do. And I think it'd be kind of lame if there wasn't anything interesting that happens between them. Then this entire trip is one big waste. They don't get any closer. And I just need that one big climax and everything will be able to go down hill from there. Sorry if you don't like how I write the characters but I guess its just the way I like to write them.

although Meiling is sort of just jumping here and there lyk some minor character just here simply for the sake of bring S and S together... and that's kinda sad 'cause she's my fav. character.
Okay. Sorry that I can't incorporate Meiling in to my story. It kind of bothers me because I can't just stick her in the story because its your favorite character. You can write your own stories around her but I just can't do that. Sorry?


Crossing Roads

"Journey's End"

The raven-haired girl stood in the hall. One hand rested on her hip, the other dangled in a slightly curled fist at her side. She scowled at a man who was hurrying down the corridor as he dashed away. Syaoran moved slightly to let him through and shot him an apologetic look for being in the way of Meiling's fury. She snapped her attention back to the man standing in front of her. Syaoran could feel the words and barrages of questions storming around the girl's head and nearly running down his neck like sweat.

Syaoran barely realized he was standing slightly unbalanced on his feet. Sakura had left recently; she would probably be in the garage and had taken her bag as well. His clan policies would have to be dismissed. Surely Meiling's wrath was far more important and threatening at the moment.

"Meiling…" He began firmly, "What – no how did you get here?"

Her eyes flashed dangerously and took a small step forward, "Wouldn't you like to know – after driving off like that?"

Syaoran kept his footing strong on the ground and clenched his fists, "You know why I did that – you know."

"So what?" Meiling shouted, dropping her hands and shaking them, "And when I finally get a ride here – I see you – with – a total stranger – how could you?"

Syaoran bristled angrily, "That gives you no excuse to make up for what you did."

"And what exactly did I do?" Meiling screamed, shutting her eyes, "I didn't do anything wrong! Tell me! What did I do wrong?"

"You betrayed our clan! Is that not something wrong? You betrayed your family – you betrayed me!" Syaoran slashed his arm violently in front of his chest, "And when I take the risk of driving you away from the elders and mother – you – "

"Shut up! And what you were doing underneath that girl – that's not betraying the clan – if that's not anything compared to what I did!" Meiling cried dizzily and swung a fist at Syaoran's face, it connected with his hand and Syaoran threw it back to her side. Meiling stumbled back, fury etched in the shadows across her face, "Even after what I did – it was wrong for you to leave me there – on the road – like some common girl – "

"Don't think I never worried! Don't think I never thought of turning back! I regretted doing that damn it – " Syaoran said coldly, tensing his shoulders, " – but I had the right to because you're my cousin – if you had been anyone else – "

"I'm your cousin! I'm your cousin! Has it ever occurred to you that I'm always your fiancé Syaoran? Has it ever sprung your mind that we're engaged?" Meiling shouted.

"I never agreed to this engagement." Syaoran spat, "The clan may control half my life – but they don't control that part of me."

"You don't have a choice! It's always been like this! You never had a choice!"

"I choose what I do with my own life – I'm not engaged to you Meiling – I never was!" Syaoran shut his eyes experimentally, he was giving himself a head ace, he didn't need any of this, "I had enough," And without another word Syaoran turned on his sneakers and started down the hall.

"Syaoran! Get back here!" Meiling called fiercely at him.

Syaoran focused his thoughts elsewhere and rounded the corner without turning to look. His palms had marking where his nails had dug.

He slammed a fist in to the switch and the elevator lit up to show it had heard the command.

Damn. He had hit it so hard, his knuckles were throbbing.


"Hand them over Li – I won fair and square" Sakura said over the hood of the car.

Syaoran shot her a warning look as he breathed the icy damp air of the garage How long had she been waiting for him?

No matter, at the moment he coul care less, "I'm not in any mood to argue with you."

"I know." She said firmly, "And you are also in no mood to drive – so give me the keys – I'm not having you run us off a cliff."

Syaoran breathed deeply. She had a point. He would probably rev off the road or run in to a tree. Meiling had really shaken him off his good mood.

Way off.

He took another deep breath and pulled the bangs out of his eyes, "Okay – but after the next stop – I'm driving."

"Alright," She said, and gave him a rather forced looked.

As he threw her the keys and got in the passenger seat, he found it somewhat strange how she wasn't even the least bit curious about Meiling. Or about what he had said earlier.

He really didn't know why he had said it. It just…spilled out of his lips before he could properly think. What on earth was he thinking?

He shrugged and watched as she carefully ignited the engine and backed out of the garage.

As the first few rays of sunlight washed over the hood of the car, Syaoran was already loosening up his muscles. His headache was slowly receding and he felt just a bit better. At least he could breathe now without clenching his jaw. Once they were on the hard and bumpy road again Syaoran was already relaxing to the rhythm of the gravel underneath the wheels. His head tossed lightly against the window and was annoyed at how hard it was to get comfortable. How had she done it? But it felt so much better than when he had been behind the wheel. Probably because he had been focusing on the road than how the rocking of the car could lull one in to drowsiness. But as the minutes rolled on he couldn't help but close his eyes and fall asleep.


"Okay go go!" Syaoran called from behind the bumper as he stretched his aching arms. The air had turned humid once more and the ground was fresh with wet mud.

They had traveled about an hour where Syaoran had enjoyed a nice rest and loll and beyond, Sakura managed to get them stuck in a ditch.

Screeeeeech! RrrrRrrrRrrrr…

Syaoran was jolted rudely awake as the car stopped in a sudden dizzying halt, he caught his beating heart before it calmed and jerked his head to look at the girl besides him, "What happened? Did we hit something?"

"I don't know…I can't get out…it won't go…" Sakura said panicky and demonstrated by turning the keys.

RrrrrRrrrrrRRrrrrrrr…

"Damn it – stop that – if we had hit something you'd be grounding him deeper in to the ground!" Syaoran shouted at her. She dropped her hands suddenly as a horrified expression settled between her eyes.

"I'm just kidding," Syaoran said quickly after she had noticeably slipped in to sheer terror, "I'll go check – I'm sure we just ran over a ditch or something."

Syaoran pushed open the door and stepped in to about knee-deep mud and jumped back in surprise. The road was a pigsty! Since when did it get so wet? Oh right…it had rained just last night.

Syaoran ducked out of the car and observed right away that the two back wheels were sloping in a heavy hole created by mud and dirt. Great…just great…

Now if HE had been driving, this NEVER would have happened.

Sakura, still inside the car started the engine and the wheels began turning. Syaoran pressed his shoulder against the bumper and heaved. The air around him smelled like mud and Syaoran sadly felt sorry for his wheels that were sending it flying in to the air.

After a while of pushing and shoving Sakura stopped the engine. The car slumped back in to the slope disappointingly. Syaoran collapsed back to see their process.

Just a bit more.

Syaoran rubbed some dried dirt off his cheeks and rolled his shoulders.

"Again – it's almost out." Syaoran called to her. Sakura could be seen turning back to the wheel to start the engine once more.

For what seemed like the millionth time, the engine roared to life. Syaoran took a deep breath and planted a firm grip with his shoulder against the wet bumper.

If there hadn't been so many luggages inside, it would've been so much simpler.

Then again if Syaoran had been driving, this never would've happened.

"Woah!" Syaoran cried as the car lunged free of its prison and Syaoran was thrown backward to the floor as dirt flew in to the air like firecrackers.

Sakura gave a startled cried as the vehicle began tearing down the road with its newfound freedom.

She hastily hit the breaks and it screeched to a disappointed halt, she stuck her head out the window and spotted Syaoran sprawled on the floor, "You okay?"

"I'm fine – I'm fine." Syaoran reassured, getting to his feet sloppily and brushing a bit of wet dirt off the hair hanging in his face. He stared at his hands. They were caked with mud. So much for the shower he took in the morning.

He rounded the car and stopped in front of the driver's seat. Sakura froze and stared, her eyes wide.

"I'm driving," Syaoran said, growing annoyed.

Sakura let out a small noise and clapped a hand hurriedly across her mouth.

Syaoran twitched, "What? What is it?"

She smiled behind her fingers.

"What?" Syaoran said impatiently. Sakura dropped her hand and started giggling.

"You're all muddy! Look at you!" Sakura said, cracking up horribly and laughing so loudly that her voice must've rang down at least a hundred yards.

"I'm – " Syaoran looked down at himself and almost jumped back in shock.

Mud cluttered his clean white t-shirt and caked his pants like a new layer of clothing. He wasn't going to show up at Tomoeda like this.

"It's your fault – driving straight across that ditch – " Syaoran accused blankly. Sakura was still laughing. Syaoran's face burned, "It's not that funny!"

"Yes! Yes it is!" Her laughter ringing bells in his ears.

Well she wouldn't be laughing if SHE had been the one pushing.


"Oh Li – I'm not going to look – just do it!"

"But it's so cramped back here – and the windows are – "

"Yes I'm aware that the windows are transparent Li – like people would care if they see you naked anyways."

"Kinomoto!"

"Just kidding – hurry up!"

"Alright – let me just get in to a good position back here first – geez – its so cramped!"

Sakura grinned as she sat, arms folded and looking purposely in front of her. He glimpsed a flying pant leg through the rear view mirror and shifted her gaze.

Syaoran grunted in the back as he toppled over in an attempt to put on his new pair of pants.

"Done yet?"

"Does it look like it?" He said bitterly.

"You want me to look?" Sakura laughed.

Syaoran remained silent and Sakura heard him zipping a bag shut. He poked his head through the space between the passenger and driver's seat, "Now I am."

"Good – because I'm ready to drive." Sakura reached out her hands to place them on the wheel, demonstrating her point.

Syaoran frowned, "I'm driving."

"No way." Sakura started the engine and the car lurched forward to life. Syaoran was thrown back, out of sight.

She laughed as he struggled to get upright.

"Kinomoto – stop the car!" He ordered as he pulled his head through the gap once more.

"No!" She laughed, pulling on to the road and stepping on the pedal.

Syaoran was thrown out of view again and he hit his head against the back seat.

Ouch. Syaoran rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't going to let his girl boss him around, "Kinomoto! I said – stop the car!" He cried, his back caved and buried with his own luggage.

"Make me." She said smiling, eyeing him through the rear view mirror.

That brought on a feeling Syaoran never experienced before, "Don't say you didn't ask for it."

"Sure," She said boldly, her eyes meeting his in the mirror.

Next thing she knew she felt fingers along her sides and around her waist. She screamed, "LI!" She said through spouts of laughter, "LI! STOP! OKAY! YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE US CRASH! I SWEAR!"

She hastily hit the breaks and the car shuddered to a halt just before veering off the road. Syaoran dropped his fingers from her side and untangled himself from the mess. He got out the door smoothly and appeared in front of the driver's window.

Sakura frowned at him the best she could while squinting at the sun, "That was low."

"Yeah – tell it to me while I'm driving." He said, pulling her out of the car. After the morning incident of slipping his thoughts, Syaoran was ever so aware of what he was saying and how he was saying it in front of this peculiar girl. He quickly ducked his head under the hood to suppress any more strange urges to blurt something out. And when she wasn't looking at him, he smiled.


She pointed at it. Everything she pointed at wasn't a good thing. Syaoran looked at what had caught her eye. A sign to a nearing town no doubt. He was already running behind schedule, he really didn't want to stop.

Before she even opened her mouth he snapped, "No, no more stopping."

She wasn't finished.

"But it's Salina! Don't tell me you didn't plan on visiting Salina?" She said, her voice sounded strangely anxious. Unlike her normal pleading tone. It caught Syaoran's interest.

Salina

He HAD planned on stopping by there.

Salina was the largest touring site in the country, the second largest city nowadays compared to his home, Lion. But a couple years ago it was richer and more flowing than his city ten fold. It had the greatest shopping streets and department stores. Syaoran didn't really want to go there for himself. Hell he would love to avoid shopping at all cost. But he had promised his four sisters that he'd purchase something for them.

Not really willing to give in so quickly Syaoran frowned slightly, "Okay, but this is the absolutely last time we are stopping…and it's not for you." He quickly added.

"That's fine," Sakura said relieved, clapping her hands together she stretched them out in front of her body and smiled, "This is going to be so much fun."

Syaoran stepped out of the car and the first thing he saw were the people. There were hundreds of people rushing down the street, it looked like home. A bustling city with no end of work and errands. Children in little dresses and button down clothes clutched to their mother's hands as she dodged between the crowds. Men in business clothes chattered away with their colleagues while boarding a bus. And than there were the people like them. All crowded around store doors and filling whatever was left of the over stuffed sidewalks.

The second thing he noticed was that

Everything was gray.

The blue sky didn't really fit in as it peeked over the towering buildings and wide sloping pavement floors.

Next to the places they had visited before, this place was horrifyingly loud.

Sakura popped next to him and said rather edgily, "Shall we meet back here? Or…do you want to go shopping with me?"

Shopping…

With her?

Do I look stupid?

"I'll meet you back here," Syaoran answered firmly, closing the door behind him and locked his car.

To his amazement, she looked relieved.

"Alright," Sakura smiled and was about to turn to leave when Syaoran stopped her.

"Salina is a big place, don't get lost."

"I won't – I practically live here," Sakura said distractedly and waved, "Don't worry about me – worry about yourself." She turned on her sandals and joined the crowded streets.

She's been here before?

Syaoran watched her go before she disappeared completely and melted in to the crowds. He turned his gaze and looked around, sighing deeply. Taking in the sights and smells of a big city. It seemed like forever since he'd been in one.

Now he was alone.

It felt nice.

And quiet…and empty…

So! What would his sisters want anyways? Syaoran shouted to himself, changing the subject.

Something just hit him.

Wait a minute. She can't go shopping, she doesn't even have any money!

Syaoran shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair. Who cares?

He stole one quick glance over his shoulder in the direction she had walked off before turning his back and stalked off furiously in the opposite direction.


Sakura waited nervously in front of a pair of large iron gates that crept up to the sky like black claws. She was standing on a driveway that could've surpassed her own front lawn at home.

Two brick borders stood at the side and hedges trimmed the outer heavyset wall that circled the area.

Soon a white haired man reached the door, and his eyes widened suggestively when he spotted her.

Which was a strange thing to see.

A young small girl standing at the gateway of a very well renowned mansion of Salina.

"Good morning…" She said softly as he neared the gate. She twisted her hands in front of her and gave him a weak smile.

If he was excited to see her, he certainly wasn't showing it, "Mistress Sakura…I wasn't expecting you…"


He could see his car just a few blocks away and felt slightly disappointed that nobody was standing besides it.

Specifically speaking.

She wasn't back yet and an hour had already passed.

In his hands held a small blue plastic bag, inside clinked together, four small wrapped gifts he had purchased from a famous jeweler's that was only established in Salina. He was pretty sure his sisters would like the gifts…he was pretty sure any girl would like jewelry. Pretty things. Sparkly things. Cute things.

Than he realized that Sakura hadn't been wearing any jewelry. No necklace, no earrings, no bracelets. Which was strange. Meiling always had a large amount of hoops dangling down her wrists or big flashy earrings.

But Sakura wasn't exactly Meiling.

Syaoran reached his car and swiveled to see if she was anywhere around it, perhaps waiting for him. Nowhere.

He frowned. What if she had gotten lost? It wouldn't be his business right?

But what could she be doing anyways.

She couldn't exactly shop.

The last time he checked, she didn't have a wallet.

I'll just wait in the car… Syaoran thought and unlocked the door. Taking one more peering glance around the streets and satisfied that she wasn't playing games with him, he ducked under the hood and shut the door.

The atmosphere quieted considerably.

Syaoran breathed in the stuffy air.

she won't get lost.

She's not that stupid.

Naïve yes…

just not stupid.

He shut his eyes and yawned loudly in to the silence. In the meanwhile, he planned on taking a little nap.

A while later a girl emerged in front of the window and peeked inside curiously. Sakura smiled a little when she saw him dozing in the seat. She was empty-handed and hadn't really changed during the hour except that her purse now held a new wallet and cash. How that occurred was still a mystery.

She bent her knees over the window and rapped her knuckles over the glass. Amused, she watched him bolt upright and jerk around until he saw her. He immediately scowled and unlocked the door.

She hopped inside.

"You're late – "

"Sorry, didn't know you'd be mad at me," She said as she placed her bag on the floor.

"You didn't buy anything?" He asked, now confusion was evident.

Here she was, in a city solely based on shopping and she carried nothing new.

"I…window shopped." She replied breathlessly, finally settling in her seat and looking at him. She appeared a bit wind swept. Her hair was falling across her cheeks as if she's walked miles.

Syaoran nodded doubtfully and leaned in his chair, "You could've asked me for money…"

She laughed loudly, "It's okay Li – I didn't really want to come to Salina to go shopping."

Syaoran looked over at her, "Then where did you go?"

"To visit an…old friend." She answered uncertainly.

She looked like she was telling the truth, so why did she sound so nervous about it. Well, if she didn't press him about Meiling, he would let her have her own privacy.

"Alright," He sighed and turned back towards the wheel just as the engine started. Syaoran watched as she collapsed in to her chair and looked out the window.

She looked tired almost.

Almost.

Two hours later…

Syaoran would eat those words.

They had barely past the city edge of Salina when she regained her talkative nature. And had somehow managed to force Syaoran to park at a nearby touring site.

"Please?" Sakura pleaded, her hands under her chin.

"No!"

"Just one picture, so you'll remember this forever." She laughed, "Stop being so dramatic! You're not going to die if we take a picture!"

"I'm not dying young!" He choked as she dragged him on his heels out of the car.

"Oh," She smiled, pulling him to his feet, "Come here – it's going to be an entire semester before we get to come back – "

Syaoran brushed the dirt off of him furiously and glared at her, "No – pictures are a waste of time – they're pointless, useless – "

"You said that about singing – but – "

Syaoran knew where this was headed.

"That's because it was either that or you'd haunt me the rest of my life!" He said, looking away. A car roared past them, kicking up dust as it went. The day was hot and dry. To think it had just rained last night.

"One – Picture – its not that difficult." Sakura pressed, pulling him by the arm over to the overhang, "It's a tourist site! It's begging for a picture! Look - see? – there are tons of people here."

Syaoran rolled his eyes, Well obviously, there were tons of cars parked you know.

Throughout the day he had slowly grew accustomed to being dragged around by the arm. But it was annoying, nonetheless.

"Kinomoto – stop touching me!" He cried.

She dropped his arm carelessly and hurried away; taking long light strides she looked over her shoulder playfully.

"One picture," She turned on a man and tapped his shoulder, upon seeing him spin around she said loudly, "Would you take a picture of us sir? Please?"

"Why of course," The aged man said, wrinkles appeared around his eyes as his lips lifted in to an ancient smile.

Sakura smiled and looked around for Syaoran who had magically vanished. Frowning slightly Sakura twisted her body to see where he had gone.

"LI!" She called; she spotted him right behind her, scowling his deepest frown. Looking positively annoyed at where he was standing at the moment and almost annoyed at himself for standing there.

He growled, "Let's just get this over with."

Sakura wrinkled her nose and said rather gratefully, "Thank you," She pulled him towards her and looked back at the man who had the camera poised in front of him.

"Alright you two – get closer together will you?"

Syaoran frowned and edged just a bit towards the smiling girl.

Not too close.

"Aw…you two…look like you're having fun."

"Hear that Li – c'mon! Smile a bit!" Sakura linked a hand through his arm and Syaoran resisted the urge to jerk back.

Smile. With her holding my arm like that?

Snap!

Syaoran blinked. Had he taken a picture already?

"Another one!" The man said cheerfully, already positioning the camera at them once more.

Sakura dropped Syaoran's arm and lifted her bare hands in the air, smiling widely. Syaoran looked down at her just as the camera snapped once more.

Can't the damn man see that I wasn't ready! Syaoran said, lifting his head up.

Snap!

ARGH! WHAT HAPPENED TO JUST ONE PICTURE!

"Thank you sir, we're leaving!" Syaoran raptly grabbed the camera out of the man's hands and dragged Sakura from the pictorial site.

Sakura sighed "That guy was pretty nice wasn't he?"

"One picture?" Syaoran accused.

"Not my fault," Sakura shrugged as they reached the car. Syaoran gave her back the camera and flung open his side of the car.

Sakura followed him reluctantly and carefully tucked her camera inside her bag.

"Li?" She said, turning towards him, her hands dropping to her lap, "How much longer until we reach Tomoeda?"

Syaoran checked his watch, "An hour or so."

An hour or so.

This trip was finally coming to an end.

Sakura sunk in to her seat and said softly, "Oh…Okay…"