Disclaimer: *holding the bandaged head* I don't own CCS or any other CLAMP members. So please don't sue me for I've spent my money to buy new printer. Geez, that incident really brought me trouble.

















*~= 'Finding Myself In Your Eyes' =~*
by : K a m I n a r I - c h a n
Chapter 6: Heart Never Forgets



















Amber orbs seriously gaze through the oval window beside him. He still couldn't accept what he had seen and heard yesterday. I shouldn't have gone to that place… he thought regretfully, remembering the event that was unfolded in his very eyes.






~~~Flashback~~~



The young captain rummages his duffel bag while walking with his teammates towards the gate. Feeling irritated for not finding the thing, he stopped in his tracks, "Hey, guys. I think I left my watch at the shower room." Turning his back and running whilst he yelled, "… you can go on without me. I'll just go to the grocery myself later!"


"Okay! Just don't forget our drinks for the plane!" Mao reminded as they continue to go outside the campus.


I hope it's still there… he prayed silently as he walk at the slightly ajar door. Huh? I thought I closed this room? Asking no one as he take a peek from the small aperture that the door's offering him.


"No." serious voice resounds in the room, but somehow the conversation is in Japanese and it has a feminine tone in it. "So as you promised, leave me---"


"---For now. Sakura, I gave you the chance to answer me honestly yet you choose to be a liar." A more familiar voice broke the silence that has fell on the room.


Matsumoto… Syaoran whispered under his breath, still leaning against the door. What is he doing there? And who's that Sakura-girl? Why is she here in the first place? Still shocked at the back profile of his classmate and the naked lady in the shower stall.


"Who are you calling liar?! The only liar I see here is you!" the girl spat as it turned in the direction of the black-haired guy, causing the ocher orbs to widen… N-Nakamura!



~~~End of flashback~~~






Originally, he's somewhat uncertain if it was really his housemate. At first gaze, the pretty lady and his housemate have nothing in common except that they have same eye and hair color. But seeing those fiery orbs made his gut feeling to be right. It really shocked the life out of him! Now I know that make-up really make wonders. Resting his chin to his right hand. All this time, he thought that he's living with a guy! I will really kill Eriol the next time I see him! He swore as he stares at the sleeping figure beside him.


Unfortunately enough, the professor had assigned their seats at the plane in alphabetical manner, making Matsumoto and Nakamura to be on the other side. But the captain of the basketball demanded that he should be sitting beside his teammates so he can fully tell them the strategy that they're going to do in the upcoming game. And thus, the auburn-haired guy ended up alongside him.


Sitting beside Nakamura has never been this hard. Heck! They're partners in the nininbaori, moreover, he had given this lithe guy---no---girl a piggyback ride every time they practice. That's why I've been feeling a little weird all this time! He thought, still observing the Japanese lady that's now leaning her head on his shoulder.


This is actually the first time he ogles intently at her. And he couldn't believe his self that this small creature had tricked him. I should've trusted my instincts! Boring his amber pools at the boyish face of his housemate. He doesn't know if he should be mad or just plain surprised at the turn of events. But somehow, something's telling him that he should just wait for his friend's explanation. She better have a good reason as to why she pulled this stunt. Hearing a snort from behind.


"Is it me, or I think you're staring too much at her? " the guy behind him snickered, emphasizing the word 'her' at his face.


"Mind your own business, Matsumoto." Syaoran jeered to the guy that's towering him and the sleeping girl from behind.


"I told you before… that you'll regret knowing her." he said wistfully, "Yet you didn't listen… so… do you regret it now? Huh?"


"Mr. Matsumoto, I suggest you to sit yourself for will be landing any minute now." the teacher at the front seat ordered as he gave a glare to the young Japanese.


"Sorry, teacher." sitting his self, not forgetting to smirk at the cold face of the wolf.


Did I really regret it? Did I really make a mistake of befriending her? He absorbingly thought as he turned his gaze again at the window. But what bothers him the most is how come the guy knew he had seen them?





Did he plan it?





After hearing the conversation yesterday, he somewhat understood what had happened in the past. Yet, he shouldn't draw any conclusion, because the things he had heard recently were very vague. For now, all he has to do is to make sure this young lady will not do another trouble. Paper can't wrap the fire for too long.


Then, a low moan escape from Sakura's lips as sleep slowly left her. Hmm… so warm… cuddling the soft pillow, her eyes still close.


"Ehem."


"Huh?" her eyes snapped open, holding her specs in place, only to find tiger eyes looking at her. "H-Hoe. G-Gomen ne."


"The plane's about to land. You should fasten your seatbelt now." the young man blankly stated, turning away his flushed face from prying eyes.


What has she done? Now, the young captain will surely think that there's something fishy going on. But hey! It's not her fault that she finds his shoulder very comforting. What was t-that? What am I thinking? Shaking her head rapidly, as if trying to get the thought out of her mind.


After sometime, the silence between them became a big contrast to the cheering students that's busily getting their things at the trunk above their heads. Both parties were so engrossed with their own thoughts that they didn't even heard that the plane has landed.


"Guys, aren't you going to get off?" Mao inquired the silent couple that was still sitting, "…we won't wait for the both of you and you know that."


"A-A yes!" Sakura jolted, trying to get her bag out of the trunk but somehow she can't get it off. Then a soft voice passed through her ears as big hands find its way to her carrier. "I didn't tell you that you could do it for me." She snapped to the guy.


"Don't worry, it's no big deal." the voice mischievously said, making the young wolf boils in jealousy.


Whoa! Why am I feeling this way? Syaoran asked no one as he slipped his way out of his seat and grabbed recklessly his things that caused the dropping of the other articles in the trunk.


"What was that for?" The Japanese lady bellow in annoyance while collecting her things from the floor and walked out of the plane, not forgetting to stomp on Syaoran's shin before doing so.


"Don't mind her. It's just her way of giving affection to someone." Matsumoto whispered to the cursing wolf beside him as he also go out, following Sakura from behind.


What the hell?






***






Thank God it's over! I thought we'd not stop from going into peculiar places. Sakura gratefully thought as she placed her fake glasses on the side table and nose-dive herself to the soft divan in the room.


She's really thankful that they'll be spending their night in this cottage, wherein there's enough room for everybody and enough bed to sleep on, for she's really deadbeat on their sightseeing. Their class went to weird places, taking some pictures and buying some post cards along the way. It's not that she doesn't enjoy the trip; she's just scared of what she had heard from her fellow classmates about the Hua Shan Mountain, which was their next destination for tomorrow.


While they were on the bus, Jin, her classmate, kept talking about the apparition of a woman somewhere in the peak. He told them of how the woman grieves over her husband who had left her for another woman. She has heard of that story once in her old school, since it's a Chinese ballad.


It was said that the couple have vowed to "go to the Yellow Springs together," that is, to stay together until the end of their lives. But the cruelties of the husband's mother result in tragedy. The woman, who doesn't like another engagement to other man, drowned herself to a clear pond. While the man, after hearing the news of betrothal, hanged his self to the southeast limb in the mountain.





But that's not only what scares her…





She had taken notice of the tour guide in the bus when the woman said that the Chinese ballad by an unknown author is based on an actual event, which probably took place in the 3rd century at the end of the Han dynasty. Which also means…Jin was telling the truth!


She confessed that she really did shut everything concerning her past. But there's this one thing that she still needs to overcome. And that is her fear of ghosts. True, that she can be cold to everybody, sending them death glares and everything. Yet when it comes down to ghosts, her bravery vanishes, leaving her pale and trembling like hell.





Tip… Tap… Tip… Tap…





Sakura snapped out of her thoughts as she heard some footsteps at the door. It's already twelve… who in their right mind will roam this place at this hour? Her chest felt heavier at the thought that there's really a ghost in this place---since their cottage is at the foot of the said mountain. When she heard that the footsteps has stopped, she get on her feet, close the lights and grabs the necklace of garlic from her bag---which she prepared before the trip---and made her way to the wooden door.


Slowly the door starts to open---revealing a huge shadow---causing Sakura to charge at the phantom without delay by closing her eyes, thrusting her hands with the garlic necklace, while cursing and praying some chants. Eventually, the mantra didn't take long to end as she reluctantly open her eyes to see if her plan had work.


"As much as I would want to eat that…" pointing at the garlic, "… I'd rather prefer to wait for the morning meals." Ocher eyes glistened at the shaken figure in front of him. "Why are you still up?"


"None of your business." She retort, treading back to the bed whilst hiding her glowing face to the young wolf. How stupid can she get! She had forgotten that this Chinese brat is her partner in the room. And not only that! She actually let this guy see her fragile side without thinking properly. Oh, how she liked to be with Matsumoto this time, for at least he knows her true identity.


Sitting his self to the adjacent bed, "I almost forgot that." He teased while taking off his shirt in the process.


Emerald eyes widen in shock as her roommate started to unbuckle his belt, "W-What are you doing?" she stutter, too shy to speak clearly. I know that I've seen him top-naked… but this?!


"I'm taking my pants off, dummy!" Syaoran explicate as he stop in the middle of what he's doing, revealing a forest green boxer shorts beneath his jeans. "I usually sleep wearing only my boxers." he added impishly, imprinting his buddy's face in his mind.


"Oh." Replying dumbly as she lay on her bed, facing her back to her dressing companion. "Goodnight."


"Aren't you going to change too?"


"Nani?!" She stiffened. Here she thought, she'd have a good night sleep. Why does he have to ask that?!


"Don't you think it's a little uncomfortable sleeping with your shirt and pants on?"


"Would you just stick your nose somewhere else?!" sitting up and turning her body towards the taunting guy, which is really a huge mistake.





A very huge, serious mistake…





There he is, standing in front of her with only his boxers on. Since the light is off, only the moonbeams give emphasis on his chiseled muscles. And no doubt that he's a master of martial arts, for his broad chest and washboard stomach accentuate it. Moreover, his face justifies his name … a wolf… for he really looks like a wolf. His hair was tousled but still look stunning. And his piercing amber eyes held strength, seriousness and courage in it. Yet, if you look close enough, you can almost see a hint of vulnerability, loss and loneliness…yeah… just like a lone wolf.


"I-I'm sorry. I-I think we should really get some sleep." Syaoran diffidently said, stepping back and laying his tired body on the bed. He somehow felt stupid for he plans to make fun of his co-cap, but because of the innocent and awed gawk of emerald pools at him, the table has turned; he's now the one who feel disturb and embarrass. This is sure alarming…






***






"Nakamura, move faster! We can't let you spend our whole afternoon waiting for you at the peak because of you snail's pace!"


"Okay, okay!" Geez, he thinks I have long limbs like him that I can step as far as koala's jump. Emerald eyes dim in displeasure, following the tracks of her partner. "Don't think that I want to be your buddy." She added, snapping some twigs that were blocking her way.


"Neither do I." Grunting at some small branches that disheveling his hair than before. He's really not mad at the girl behind him. The silence was just killing him so he decided to annoy her. "Besides… who wants a companion as skinny as you? You could become a twig of some plants in here if you just wish for it."


"Hardyhar---Hey watch it, dumass!" she cursed as red-haired guy bumped her ruggedly, bringing about her eyeglasses to fall off.


"Stop being a baby! You're letting everyone behind you to slow down." Chang said, boring his brown eyes to the emerald ones. "You're such a slow poke." Kicking Sakura's shin while advancing his steps towards Syaoran, but not before he stepped on Sakura's specs.


Seeing this, the young wolf abruptly placed his hand to the young Japanese's shoulder. Knowing Sakura, the girl wouldn't let this thing go easily. "Don't mind him." he whispered.


"I'm not bothered." surprising Syaoran, "…I'm mature enough not to fight back such typical hoax." Bringing her self down, finding her glasses and acting as if she couldn't see clearly.


How I wish she understands what she's blabbing about. The captain inwardly smiles, remembering how the young lady easily boils up in his jokes. Then, as their classmates also advanced their way, leaving them behind. "You're not a good actor, you know…so get up or we'll be left here together with some wild creatures." Receiving a stunned look from the lady, "… I know your specs are just plain, for my sister used to wear one. Don't worry, if that thing is really important to you, I'll buy you another one." Widening his grin, "… I could even buy you the whole shop, just ask for it."


"I have my own money, you idiot!" standing up and leaving the young wolf laughing foolishly.


"Now who's the one that's mature?"


"Shut up, asshole!" she yelled back. Who does he think he is? True, that he's the most wanted bachelor and maybe the youngest billionaire in the whole universe, but that doesn't mean that he should brag about it! Mr. Egotistic. She cries gallingly, though she knows that Syaoran was only teasing her.


"Still thinking over my question?"


"Go pest another person. I don't have time for you." she hissed to her new companion, walking past the other students. When will this walk end? It was almost four hours since I've rested my feet!


"Don't worry, cherry blossom. You still have an hour to walk and think about what I've said yesterday." Matsumoto answered, as if he had read what's in the co-cap's mind.


"There you are!" Mr. Egotistic said, grabbing her arm firmly, "The professor said that we shouldn't loose each other because this place is dangerous." Pulling Sakura away from the black-haired Japanese. Somehow, he doesn't want Matsumoto to get close to his housemate. He's afraid that a catastrophe might happen.


What was happening in here? Did she just saw a grin from Matsumoto when he saw Syaoran? And why is this gaki looks like he needed to kill someone? Did she miss something in here? "I could take care of myself." She declared, snatching away her bruised arm from the tight grasp.


"Hell right!"


Sakura couldn't take this anymore; then, she paralleled her thick but fake eyebrows, "What's with you? Why do you act like this?"


"I don't know!"


"You don't know? "


"When I say I don't know. Then, I don't know!" God, this is so frustrating! He's really telling the truth. He really doesn't know why he's like this. He's like an over-protective wolf that's threatening those who entered his territory. Maybe because she's a girl and that I just don't like the fact that someone is bullying her. Bringing out his ideals as his reason. Heaving a sigh, "Look… I'm sorry…"


"You should be." His housemate countered stubbornly, "… I know you're just being protective of your friends---if you consider me as one. And I thank you for that." Slowing her pace because of the steep path ahead, "…but you see, this is between me and Matsumoto. So don't include yourself in this." distancing once again herself to others. She couldn't trust this guy enough to tell him the whole truth.






***






The bonfire flicker in the middle of the campsite, stressing that God had laid down the black curtain with glitters in it as gray eyes stealthily observe the lithe form from the crowded group at the cypress tree. In his place, he could clearly see the cold emerald orbs that once glimmer with brightness in the past. How did their friendship end again? Oh yeah, it's because of his stupidity.


Back then; he's free to look deeply into the young lady's eyes; to laugh with her and stare at her flawless face with no charge. But now… her touch that brings shiver to his spine and her once angelic laugh that could brighten his day was now all gone. All gone.





Because of one terrible mistake…





It was the night wherein different feelings have just poured down in his heart all at once---anger, sadness, pain and relief. A night in which his best friend decided to seek comfort in his arms and asks for some help. His best friend who is none other than… Kinomoto Sakura


The young seraph doesn't even know that he has feelings for her. He already loved her from the day he saw her sitting in the far corner of the room. Her cheerful smile and heartwarming friendship overwhelm his lonely life. As if she was really sent from above to shower happiness and contentment in oneself.


But something happens along the way; someone had step between him and Sakura, making their frequent hangouts to become rare. Her smiles that were only for him back then have shifted to someone. Her jokes and goodbye kisses was gone. And it's all because of Nobuhiro Takao.


That's why when she runs to him for help, he just couldn't contain the happiness he felt. She was really fragile back then. And her vulnerability leads him on… pushed him to do a really foolish thing… foolish, indeed…


Sakura felt that someone was looking at her. And she knew right then and there that her intuition was right, because a certain gray eyes are fixedly staring at her. What does he want this time. She thought, turning her gaze to the people around her. It was a long time now when she retired in listening to Zheng's stories, for she remembers Takashi in the blonde hair guy.





But she's not the only one.





She noticed earlier that the young wolf started to play with the grass near where he sits and some of the guys are having their second batch of midnight snack. Somehow, she realized that there's really no difference being in an exclusive or coed group. Each group has their own clown. Grinning as she looks at her teammate that's still talking animatedly.


"Okay, guys! Time for the midnight ritual!" the professor yelled as everyone cheer up and start to throw their garments away, leaving only their shorts on.


W-What's this? What are they doing? The only lady in the class alarmingly asked in her mind while looking at her top-naked classmates that's surrounding the big flame.


"Hey! Aren't you going to join us?"


"A-a e…"


"Oh! You didn't know this, huh?" Jin asked whilst dancing in front of her, also unclothed on top. "You see, we have this ritual in every camping, that when the clock strikes twelve, all of us will gather at the bonfire and at the same time, dance top-naked." Waving his hands that has his shirt in it. "…It's some sort of bonding with nature. You know, feeling the air and everything."


"O-Okay." She weirdly nodded, walking away from her primal classmates and hides to the big tree. Men are really weird creatures. Disappearing herself from the group by going to the deep forest behind her. I should seclude myself or I'll be loosing my wits in there. Sneakily leaving the place.


Seeing that his companion is running away, Syaoran followed Sakura but still smiling secretly, Poor girl… he thought, shaking his head at the misfortune of his partner. But it's her fault in the first place… Who would have thought that we have a girl companion! Hurriedly striding towards the Japanese lady but still hiding his self from her.






***






It's been a long time now since she started walking away from the guys. Sakura also noticed that the plants in this part of the mountain are denser than what she sees in their campsite. I think I should get back before they realized that I wasn't there. She alleged, turning her heels to follow her tracks, but…. "Hoe! I think I lost my way!" biting her fingers as she lean her tired body on one of the pine trees.





"At thirteen I knew how to weave plain silk,

At fourteen I learned to cut clothes;"





"W-What was that?" she said, feeling the goosebumps on her nape, as a deep cold voice enter her ears, "W-Who's there?" she shakily added, standing up and followed the voice. After sometime, small drops of water start to pour down from the now, starless sky, making Sakura to shiver uncontrollably.


Shoot! She forgot to bring her jacket! The man that's been staring the pacing Sakura from the branch of the tree concernedly said, when he saw the young lady was only wearing plain white shirt and a moss green short that hunters usually wear. Then he also heard it…





"At fifteen I played the many-stringed lute,

At sixteen recited from the Odes and Documents."





Walking deeper to the forest, Sakura stops to the big cypress tree that's located near the cliff. In someway, the tree reminded her of the old, sacred Cherry tree in her hometown.





"At seventeen I became your wife,

But in my heart there was always sorrow and pain."





Is this where the voice was coming? She thought uneasily as her eyes became enlarge at the phantom that materializes before her … G-Ghost!


"Zhong Qing?" the cold voice said, floating closer to Sakura. By some means, the young lady couldn't step back. She felt that something from the ground was holding her from running, "Who are you? You're not him…" as chocolate orbs look deeply in Sakura's. "What are you doing here?"


Sakura became dumbfounded at the ethereal beauty before her. The beautiful ghost isn't a woman, but just a mere lady in her teens that was wearing an old-fashioned Chinese dress and her long brown hair was braided and styled in chignon. But what enticed her the most were her brown eyes… She couldn't understand how come those pretty brown eyes could hold so much pain and sadness.


"Zhong Qing?" the lady duet with the thunder, but this time she wasn't looking at Sakura; she was looking somewhere else. "It's really you!" yelling happily while floating towards the man and passing through the stunned lithe form like a cold wind.


"L-Li-kun!" Sakura stammered, turning her body as she saw the man behind her.


"I'm sorry, but I'm not Zhong Qing." Amber eyes flickered to the chocolate ones. Somehow, he couldn't perfectly see the co-cap's face but he bet that it has a surprised look in it.


"Liar!" dimming her eyes to the aloof man, "Have you forgotten?" cupping her intangible hands to Syaoran's face, although she knew that she couldn't hold or even feel him, "Have you forgotten or love? Our promise?" looking deeply into amber eyes behind Syaoran's damp bangs, as if finding something that'll prove of her existence. Then, she continue…





You were a clerk in the government office,

I guarded my virtue and was never untrue.

At cockcrow I began my work at the loom,

Night after night never resting.

In three days I turned out five measures of cloth,

But the Great One grumbled at my slowness.

It's not that I'm so slow at weaving,

But it's hard to be a bride in your home.

The work is more than I can cope with---

What use in my staying any longer?

So I beg of your honored mother,

Let her send me away at once!"





"I don't know what you're saying." The young wolf answered, "I'm not your husband, nor I will be one." Still unflinchingly standing, not minding that he's now soaking wet.





"You swear you will never leave me---

And said that I should only go home for a little while."





As the grieving lady cries, remembering their past love. Pursing her lips as she go on…





"You said that you must be off to the government office

But before long you will be back.

You swear to Heaven you won't be untrue!

And so I left, go back to my father's house and rue"





Is she the woman from the tale? Sakura asked to no one, feeling a little sympathy for the young lady. She knows the feeling of being hopeless. Hopelessly waiting for a promise that's been broken in the first place. Believing that somehow, the promise was just delayed.





"For days I've been waiting.

But my kin has other plans.

They let me re-married,

The day you plan to come.

We then again promised

In the Yellow Springs we will meet.

Thus, Lan Zhi's here waiting,

To the tree in which we first meet."





Tears have now sprung into emerald orbs. Men are really cruel. She avowed, also thinking of her veiled past. Is this really how woman should be treated? Still gazing at the weeping lady and the cold young man. She must've waited for years…


"Do you remember now, my love?" the woman who called herself, Lan Zhi pleaded as water passes through her body, like she's only an air. "I knew you'd come… let us go now, Zhong Qing… for the spring's waiting for us." she smiled, but then frown when the man didn't move. "What's the matter?"


"Wo bushi ta lao gong." (I'm not you're husband) Syaoran repeated with the same tone as before, causing his auburn-haired friend to gasp at its harshness.


Thunder booms again as the rain pours heavily than before, "Is she the one you replaced me? Huh?" Lan Zhi asked, taking a glance at the wet lady at her back. "Is she?"


"Y-You're wrong!" Sakura responded, "I-I'm a guy so I can't be with him!" she added, still hoping that her secret wouldn't be revealed.


Stupid girl! Syaoran thought as he recognize the flare at the chocolate pools, "Don't include her to this." gazing defiantly to the lady phantasm, "Don't include us… I told you I didn't know you. So let us pass for we need to get back to our camp."


"No one can take you away from me!" the ghost warned, dimming her eyes in the process as lightning strikes the tree, triggering the ground to shake violently. "I'll kill those who stands in our way!"


After hearing the last word, Sakura felt that someone has pushed her to the side, making her loose her balance and fall into the cliff.


"Nakamura!" Syaoran yelled, running to the place where his friend had fallen. He then heaved a sigh when he saw Sakura's hand had fortunately take hold of the ground. And immediately, he gripped the young lady's arm securely. "Try to bring yourself up." he said calmly, not minding the lady-ghost that's staring at them fervently. "Don't worry, I'll help you."


"I-I c-can't! We're both drenched and I'm slipping!" forgetting to tone down her voice, as she feel that her arm is skidding slowly to from the young man's grasp.


"Don't worry! Just do what I say! I won't let you fall!" as he heard the spirit curse and then chant something. "Just believe me---AH! What happened in there?" feeling a gain in weight from the Japanese lady.


"Just leave me here! Save yourself!"


"What are you talking about, you idiot?!"


"I said… let me fall, dim-wit!" Sakura exasperatedly shout to her housemate, as she felt the thorny vine, that's been enveloping her for sometime, to tighten in her torso; pulling her down… down to her deathbed. "J-Just let m---itai!"


Amber eyes widen, seeing the vine had swathed to Sakura's arm. "Just hold on! I'll try to bring you up, myself."


"Just go!"


"No!" he retorts, and then felt some kind of force that made his body to become paralyzed, "NOOOO! SAKURAAAA! " saying for the first time the lady's real name. After the incident at the shower room, he kept on saying the young lady's name in secret. In some way, it felt right when he do that. When he let her name pass through his lips…





But now, it's plain bitter.





Hearing the scrapings of the lady's body to the rocks as it continues to tumble down the mountain, "I shouldn't have let this happen." He whispered to his self, sitting up right after the paralyze spell has broken. "I should've brought her back earlier."


He doesn't comprehend what he's feeling right now. All he knows is that his friend was gone right before his very eyes. His heart feels trodden at the events, that it brought tears into his emotionless pools, joining the hard downpour from behind. This was really his first time for everything…





His first time to be concerned of someone…





His first time his world had stopped…





His first time he felt confused…





First time to cry…





He could almost draw the young woman's stubborn face when she's yelling at him to let go. He felt that Sakura had perceived her death and that she had accepted it wholeheartedly. Truly one-of-a-kind lady…


Thunder and lightning dominates the whole place after that. Somehow, the young wolf look lifeless, while the young ghost stood still. She doesn't get the picture as to why her husband is like that. Then, ball of light showed up wherein in the center is a very worn-out auburn-haired lady. "What's happening?" Lan Zhi demanded, quite taken aback as to what she saw, "Zhong Qing?"


"It's me…" a deep voice assented as another spirit become visible to Syaoran's mortal eyes. "…don't include them." the guy with carroty eyes added while the ball of light positioned itself to the weeping wolf and gently placed its passenger to its trembling arms.


"I thought we'd never be seeing again…"


"But we promised that we'll be going to the yellow spring… so here I am." Widely opening his arms to welcome his angel. But as expected, they just passed through each other. Which made the young lady cry.


"Why is fate so cruel to us?" brown eyes glimmer as the rain gradually stops. "They can't even let me hold you!" mourning at her bad luck.


"Y-You c-can use mine."


"N-No---"


"---Stay out of this!" the now fully awake Sakura said to the young wolf. "I know what I'm doing." Trying to get up from the Syaoran's hold as she walk her way limply to the lonely couple. "Use my body." She said without hesitation. She's aware of what the couple was feeling.


"Then… use mine as well."


"Li-kun!"


Looking directly at emerald eyes, "They needed another body, right?" turning his focus to the ghosts, "Do it." He ordered.


At his declaration, both students started to black out as the couple slowly enter their bodies. "Zhong Qin?" the lady questioned, still couldn't believe that she's now in mortal state.


"Yes." The young man confirmed to his wife as they quickly embraces each other; not wasting any time. They were given a second chance and they wouldn't want to take it for granted.


After a moment of silence, Lan Zhi bring up her head away from her husband's chest, "I think we should do them a favor."


"I agree with you."






***






Flare flicker once more as tawny orbs absorbingly gaze at the motionless body that lay in front of him. Almost four hours had passed since he found this cave and stayed like that---exhausted, worried and shocked.





Cherries…





That was the first thing that processed in his mind when he got back to awareness. He was still confused on how he ended that way.


When he regained consciousness, he felt something soft was pressing against his lips. It was very sweet at first, but he couldn't get enough of it, so he tried to push further, making the other party to open enough and let his tongue gain access. Eyes still closed, he kept on struggling with the soft thing as he felt arms encircles his neck then small hands caresses his damped hair, sending shivers to his spine. Fearing that it was only a dream, he kept his eyes shut as he continues to tease the other party and possessively embrace the small waist.


Again, that was his first time. What he felt right then and there was unparallel. It seems that he had reached eternal happiness and that he wanted to stay like that forever. Feeling of pure bliss, contentment and completeness.





Then the spell was broken.





As soon as he stopped on what he was doing, he slowly open his eyes, only to find out his mistake. For the owner of those soft lips that brought out his passion from within was none other than his housemate. Nakamura Shun.





But that didn't stop there.





He doesn't understand what he was feeling when he realized that the auburn-haired lady has once more loss her grasp of reality, slumping her small form to his. I feel like banging my head. He furiously thought as his gaze landed again on his resting buddy. Then, without warning, the lissome form started to move.


Chocolate… Sakura said, waking up while gently letting her emerald orbs to be accustomed to her surrounding. The smell of smoke overpowering her nostrils, making her realized that her throat was dry. She then slowly craned her head as best as she could with a stiff neck. To her left was a brightly lit fire. And somewhere in her right were just rocks of different sizes. Focusing her visions more, she then saw him. "L-Li-kun…?" she croak.


"It's me. Glad that you're now awake." He said in a whisper, concern could be heard in his voice. He then supported Sakura's back while bringing up the bottled water towards the young lady's lips.


"Where are we?" she said, after taking some sips and feeling the rough water rushed her dry gullet.


"In a cave near the cliff." As the young lady, pushed her self to sit up, "You shouldn't try to move." He chided softly, gently forcing her to lie down again and kneel closer to her.


Biting her lower lip in confusion, "What happened?"


"What do you remember?" Syaoran asked as he prayed, but somehow he doesn't know what he should pray for. He somewhat wants Sakura to remember their kiss but he's a bit embarrassed at the thought.


"I-I remember… walking towards Zhong Qing and Lan Zhi. And then…" wincing as another throbbing pounced her head, "That's it." Looking intently at the ceiling, feeling that she had forgotten something, "By the way, where are they?" clearing her thoughts as she asked.


"They bid us farewell and then vanished into thin air. How're you feeling?"


"Tired… stiff…" closing her eyes while relaxing at the touch of the young man to her forehead. She's somehow puzzled at the warm action of the young wolf to her. Then, "T-Thanks. For saving me back there." Her eyes fluttered open as she look at the amber ones.


"I really thought you were dead. You're really stupid, you know. Yelling at me to let you go and allowing some spirit to use your body…"


Smiling at the reaction of Syaoran, "… but you're even more stupid for following my stunts." then she try to shift as she felt her chest wasn't in a bandage anymore, widening her eyes in realization, "H-How---"


"---I think wrapping your chest like that is dangerous… you could asphyxiate, you know." Making Sakura's brow to raise, "Don't worry, I didn't look!" the topless guy said, pointing at his belt bag that hold some cottons and antiseptic, "I just need to treat you for you're bleeding badly and your shirt is not even going to pass as a rug. So I decided that you should use mine since it's not that ruined and it can conceal everything you need to hide." defending him self from the red lady, "Besides, there's nothing to look at. Yours a normal size." Grinning at his success to irritate the lady.


"Why you, stupid asshole!" she cursed while blushing furiously. She realized that she doesn't even made her voice to become low, which was also a give-away to her identity. Then, after sometime, she started to compose herself, "Thanks anyway." Biting the inside of her cheek. "So you really found out."


"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me." Smiling whilst placing his right hand to his chest, "Aren't you afraid that everybody will find out? And why do you have to do that in the first place?"


"What you know is enough." She snapped, turning her body to the flame, "I don't have to tell you the reasons why I did this… You don't have to know everything." feeling another weight on her back.


"Take my jacket, you'll be shivering later for your body couldn't produce enough heat because of your condition." Syaoran said, ending the approaching fight. He doesn't want it now, for he should think of what he'll be saying to their professor about this whole mess. Then, remembering something, "You're wrong…"


"W-What are you saying?"


Heaving a sigh, "You're wrong at what you told our sensei… The heart never forgets. " Causing Sakura to turn to look at him, "And we both witnessed it."



















































































TBC…
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THANK YOU FOR READING!!!

So, whatdayatink? I want some good reviews for this one, ok? So, what can you say about the reaction of Syaoran about the true gender of Sakura? I hope it's not lame for I really did a major brainstorming for this one. (so please, don't be so rude.)

And as for grammatical errors… I'm really sorry for that. I know it's really comforting for a reader if the story that he's or she's been reading has no boo-boo in it. But please bare with me because, I'm really trying my best to make this story faultless. (But, I'm only human! ^_^) Moreover, English isn't my first language. If you're reading my author's biography then you should know that I'm a half-Filipina, half-Chinese. And I'm using Mandarin language, though I really sucked at writing it in english. I'm better in pinyin. (hehehe!)

And about the ghost story… I'm posting a disclaimer for that. Actually, the ghost story idea is really my work. But the characters and the story of the couple is truly a Chinese ballad. If I'm not mistaken, the ballad is called, "Peacock flew to southeast". Furthermore, the place is really in Hua Shan peak. (You should go there sometimes for it's really beautiful, demo as I've said in the fic, it would take you 5 hours to reach the top. But it's worth it! Promise! ^_^ v)

So that's it! Thanks again for reading and I hope I'll get more long reviews! And again, I'm plugging my stories, so please visit the author's profile for you can also see there when will I update my stories. ^_~

P.S.
I'm really sorry for late posting but I'm trying to collect many reviews and I think I'm really fast in uploading the chapters that there's only few people that can review the past chapters… gets nyo ba? Hehehe! Thanks again!^_^

P.P.S.
Itai! my skin hurts, my body hurts, my head hurts! (i'm such a big mess today!) we had our tournament yesterday and guess what?! i have the worst sunburn in the history of mankind! for our team decided that we should wear racer-back tops and the that's a very stupid idea if the futsal is in open place! and my parents keep on scolding me about the stupidity of our team! they keep on telling me that we should just wore a t-shirt becuase the ozone layer is slowly vanishing, making the sun to become harmful, (geez, talk about science!) So i'm telling you now in advance that I'll be a slow poke in uploading new chapters 'coz my sunburn really bugs me. (Ouch!)
PLEASE REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!!!
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