Finally, the part you've all been waiting for. Kinda rushed and too OOC, but anyways…
Chapter Five
Sakura and Syaoran had been "friends" for weeks now and it was getting impossible for her stop herself from falling for him.
She knew it sounded stupid...how could anyone even think of being friends with someone hired to kill her, let alone fall for him?
Yet, all logic flew out of her head when she was around him. She lost herself when he was there; he made her feel like she was flying on cloud nine with no worries.
A simple word from him sent her into a state of peaceful ecstasy.
She was hopeless. Ever since they opened up to each other, they had done a lot more talking and Sakura had discovered a side of Syaoran she never would've thought existed.
She knew his feelings for her were platonic, though, and the thought depressed her to no end.
Even if he felt they same way back, which would never happen, they would never go anywhere.
It was times like these she felt the loneliest. She could be sitting beside Syaoran, having the nicest conversations and she would feel sad when they laughed.
Yes, he laughed. Sakura was surprised the first time she heard him. It was deep and low, very much like his voice.
She had sat in silence after hearing it, storing it in her memory in case she never got to hear it again.
Thinking about that laugh, Sakura felt that same blissful, yet twinged with a hint of sadness in her chest.
This was pathetic. She was acting like those preppy robots at her local university, giggling whenever a guy walked by.
'I'm not like that though,' she reminded herself for the millionth time.
Yet, wasn't she? Maybe she didn't giggle out loud, but it was still there, silently lingering in the back of her head.
Maybe she didn't flirt and bat her eyelashes at him, but she felt a need to make herself seem...better...around him.
She knew he wasn't the kind of person to care about looks and such, but then again, she wasn't sure what kind of person he was. He was a classification all on his own.
The object of her thoughts walked into the room and she immediately plastered a small smile on her face, acting like the cheerful girl she never was.
Syaoran cocked on brow and she sighed. He had seen through her act. But maybe he hadn't...a small bubble of hope rose in her, but it burst when Syaoran asked, "What's wrong now?"
To any other person, he would've sounded annoyed but she knew he was teasing. She could never answer his question, either.
But if she lied...he would know. It was funny how he knew everything about her. Syaoran was still waiting for his answer.
"Nothing," she replied lamely, watching Syaoran rolled his dark, warm eyes. The gaga feeling rose again and she sighed loudly, causing Syaoran to look at her strangely.
He knew it was way more than "nothing," but he wouldn't pry into her business if she didn't want him to know.
She didn't want him to know something...did that mean he was on the wrong track?
She seemed to open up to him a lot now, but she also tended to hold back often, especially when he thought he was finally getting something.
It was almost as if she was scared, and he wouldn't blame her. Her past combined with the person she was, well it was enough to make anyone like that.
But Sakura was stronger than the average person. She didn't seem scarred, though he knew she was, but it was amazing how she was holding up.
Sakura looked at the young man in front of her and he looked right back at her, their intense eyes clashing so furiously it almost blinded her.
She broke the connection, but the damage was already done.
Tears streamed down her face and she cursed herself for always crying. She didn't want Syaoran to see her like this. He probably still thought she was some weakling who cried all the time.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Syaoran fought hard to keep the annoyance out of his voice. Geez, could this girl last a week without the waterworks?
He kind of felt bad as he watched her like that, as if he could feel her pain, but he dismissed it.
After all, it wasn't like it happened every time she cried.. Just once...or twice...
"What would you do if...someone you like...only thinks of you as a friend, or even less?"
Syaoran really wanted to know the answer to that because it would solve everything. Sakura's words sank in. She liked someone else. She was sad because that person didn't like her.
'That person is an idiot,' said a voice in his head. That thought just proved how screwed up his brain was.
Syaoran didn't know how Sakura could meet someone here...unless it was someone from her life before she got here? But she had told him she hadn't interacted with people before him.
"Oh never mind. You wouldn't know anyways." Sakura's words broke through his thoughts.
Seeing the look on Syaoran's face, Sakura quickly said, "Oh, I didn't mean like that. I just thought-"
"It's okay. I know what you're trying to say." Syaoran cut her off. She frowned as she heard his angry tone.
Syaoran noticed the hurt look on Sakura's face and tried to make his voice appear normal. "No, really, it's okay. I'm not mad at you."
It was surprising how hard it was for him to say those words when he had practice masking his emotions for almost all his life. He wasn't even mad at Sakura.
For some reason, when he thought about Sakura with someone else, it agitated him, and he knew it was more than anger that he wasn't making Sakura fall for him so he could get rid of her.
A life without her...that would seem weird. Even though he hadn't known her a month ago, he had grown accustomed to her.
"You're right anyways. I wouldn't know. So...uh, who is this person you like?"
Sakura paused, pondering his question. She could lie...but he would know... She couldn't possibly tell him the truth. It could ruin everything.
"A friend, just a person I've grown close to. He makes me feel things that are so...indescribable."
Funny. Sakura was saying exactly how he felt about her. But he knew he had no feelings towards her, expect this constant nagging in his chest. He really should go see a doctor...
Looking at Sakura, he saw she had fallen asleep. She looked even better when she was asleep, but was mumbling incoherent things.
Just as he was about to leave, Syaoran caught her last two words before she fell into a deep slumber.
"Aishiteru, Syaoran."
Syaoran stood in shock. From his limited Japanese, he knew it meant "I love you." Did she actually mean that...or was she just mumbling? She didn't know what she was saying...which meant it was probably true.
He hadn't failed. Yet instead of the usual exhilarating thrill he usually got when he got a job done, he felt even emptier. What was wrong with him these days? He better go see that doctor soon...
Flipping open his phone, Syaoran punched in Tomoyo's number.
"Hello?"
Ugh. She sounded so sickening sweet even when she answered the phone.
"It's me," Syaoran said, hoping this wouldn't take too long.
"Syaoran! How are you?" Without even waiting for his reply, Tomoyo started blabbing about her day.
He tuned her out after her first sentence which said something about a pedicure or perfume or something.
"Cut the crap. I've done what you asked."
Syaoran almost winced as he heard Tomoyo's high squeal of delight on the other end of the phone. "How did she take it?"
"She never admitted it to my face, just in her sleep."
"Oh. Well that's good enough. Oh, I have a great idea! I'll come over tomorrow and you can do it in front of me! It'll be even worse because she hasn't said anything to you. How's two o'clock, the day after tomorrow?"
Syaoran wanted to say, "How's never?" but he managed a polite "Fine."
The sooner the better.
Next Day
Syaoran couldn't help thinking that the girl sitting cross-legged in front of him looked prettier than the average girl.
Not that Sakura was an average person…but it looked like she had been blessed with wonderful looks and personality.
He didn't even try to stop his thoughts this time. He had tried plenty of times and had failed. He knew if he tried again, it wasn't going to make a difference.
His mind was aware of Sakura's mouth moving, but he had no idea what she was saying. He saw Sakura looking at him blankly, before waving her hand in front of his face.
"Huh?"
'Great intelligent response,' Syaoran praised himself sarcastically.
Sakura smiled cutely up at him and his mind went blank. He could stare at her all day…if he wanted to… 'which of course I don't,' he reminded himself.
Sakura felt Syaoran's gaze riveted on her face and her face tinged pink. Her mouth formed a pout, causing Syaoran to fix his attention on her mouth.
A second later, Sakura felt herself being pulled into Syaoran's embrace as his mouth attacked hers.
Sakura's heart leaped but before she could respond, he pulled away.
Disappointment coursed through her, but she was sure he had felt something. She had felt it in his kiss, and if he didn't feel anything, why had he done that?
"So, Sakura…what does aisheteru mean?"
"Um…why?"
"Oh, nothing…it was just a little something I heard you say last night…along with my name, so naturally I'm curious."
Sakura had thought her face couldn't get any redder, but she was proved wrong as she felt the blood rush to her face.
However, she was saved from further embarrassment as she felt Syaoran whisper in her ear, "I feel the same way."
The words hit her hard. 'This must be a dream,' she thought, pinching herself.
"Ouch." She had pinched a little too hard and her skin had broken. Syaoran just laughed and fished a band-aid out of his pocket and carefully applied it to her skin.
Sakura raised a brow.
"Thought it might come in handy. Never know with a klutz like you," said Syaoran. He received a punch in return, but it was very light-hearted.
Sakura bit her lip. "Did you really mean what you said?"
"I do if you do."
Instead of responding, she kissed him.
"Does that answer you question?" As their lips continued to touch, Syaoran felt a nasty tug on his heart. He sighed.
'Tomorrow, it will all be over, and I won't have to think about this anymore.'
Why did that thought leave him feeling so empty instead of glad?
Short chap, I know, but I did update fast, which might not be likely in the future, since I'm busy. Updates will probably be at least once in a week or week and a half, though. The story's more than halfway done anyways. There's about eight chapters. Anyone want epilogue? Reviews appreciated, plus it means faster updates. Next chapter is the big one .
