By Louann1
Chapter 2: Meeting A Black Sheep
Sakura woke with a jolt. Her palms were sweaty and her breathing was rapid. She turned to her pink alarm clock as it just began to emit its usual sound. The time was 7 o' clock and for once Sakura had risen before it. She looked around, she was back in her room. Everything was just as she had left it. Her breathing slowly began to it's usual pace. She stopped to to remember the most vibrant dream. It all felt so real. At least... She wanted it to be real. It's not that she didn't live her life the way it was and it's not that she wanted to see the amber eyed guy again, she wanted to prove that she could do something worth accomplishing.
Her family seemed to do the most worthwhile things. Her father, for example, was a teacher in archeology, her brother was a soccer superstar, her mother was the best model the fashion industry had ever seen, while she was a mortal that is. Sakura hadn't dun anything as great as her family. It's hard to follow something like that, especially when there was a possibility that your mother could have been the goddess of luck, fate and destiny. It was as if she wasn't good enough for anything but it didn't stop her from trying.
It was a Saturday. What was the point in waking up early? Wait... Did she even set her alarm? Sakura yawned and stretched her arms into the air. She ached all over which was usual since she had just woken up. It was as if she was out all night but that couldn't be.
Could it?
" About time..."A sarcastic voice said.
Sakura opened her heavy eyes to look at the unrequested visitor. It was the same guy from her dream. He wasn't there before, he was right before her so... Does that still make it a dream?
" Uh... Good morning?" Sakura paused, still with her arms about her head.
" You can put your arms down..." The young amber eyed man rolled his eyes and muttered. " Why did I even come down? Oh yeah, because that stupid Masaki made me!"
" Oh, um..."
" Look... I'm a god, you're a candidate for goddess. I don't want to be here, you don't want me here, so let's just get over this damn induction test. OK?"
" But... I want you to be here," Sakura slapped a hand ever her mouth.
" What? Are you even sane? You are...?" He looked at the writing on his palm. " Sakura Kinomoto, yes?"
" Yes..." Sakura looked at him uneasily. He was very sure of himself.
" Right. I'm Syaoran, god of war and hate. You know that you're a candidate for goddess, yes?"
" Yeah..."
" So let's get started. I need you to interview you but first, is there anything you want to ask?" He asked her as if he was obligated.
" Um... I don't think there is..."
" Great! Let's get started! If you were goddess what who would be the first person, or god, you would tell? And why?"
" I would probably tell... My dad,"Sakura smiled a small smile at the thought. " Because... At the moment, he's the most important person to me... And I want to make him proud of me." Sakura looked up at Syaoran as he noted down what she said using a floating parchment and feather.
She winced, there was still a godly glow coming from him. He wasn't as she expected him to be. He was more... Clean. She'd always imagined that he'd be more like a punk or at least more grungier.
" Could you please concentrate on this instead of my cleanliness?"
" Hoe? How did you know?"
" I'm a god? I have telepathic powers..." He continued to write. Sakura didn't like the sound of her mind being read by someone else. " Alright! I won't read your mind! It's not like there's anything important in it."
Sakura rolled her eyes. She wasn't a person to judge someone critically on the first or in this case, second meeting but Syaoran took the bait. He was the most obnoxious person she'd ever met. And she thought that she judged people fairly.
" OK... Next question, how much does being goddess mean to you? And why?" Syaoran looked at her sternly.
" I wouldn't mind not getting it but... I'd like to..."
Syaoran smirked, Miss Kinomoto was definitely not getting the position, especially with an answer like that. He began to note down what she said. Until-
" But let me finish. I'd like to get the position to prove that I'm not the black sheep of my family as everyone thinks I am. I want to prove something to those who think that I'm worthless. I want to show them that they're wrong and that I am worth something and that I'm not a nobody..." Sakura closed her eyes and shut out her vision from Syaoran, who at the moment didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
" Whatever. Next question, do you think that you will be able to live up to the legacy of the gods?"
" I hope so..."
" Hoping's not always enough..." Syaoran looked into her glazed eyes. " Oh jeez... Don't cry. I hate seeing you mortals leak like that. And trust me, I like to hate."
" Sorry..." Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes. " Continue..."
" Right... Last question, if you did become a goddess would you give up your title to be with a mortal?"
" If I thought of that person day in and day out. If I'd notice him in everyone around me. If I'd anticipate seeing him again with every fiber of my being. If that person felt the same way... Then... Yes, I suppose I would,"Sakura looked up into his deep amber eyes. She couldn't see anything but hatred. But... For a second, she would have sworn that there was a flicker of happiness.
" What!"
" Sorry," Sakura looked away. Man, did this god need anger management!
" I'll be back in two minutes to tell you if you got through to the next round," Syaoran said he grabbed the parchment that rolled itself up. With a puff of smoke he disappeared. It soon cleared but there was a sweet smell of strawberries in the air. She wondered if every god had a different smell but her thought was interrupted by Syaoran reappearing.
"Well... You're through... Be happy, just don't leak again. I know you mortals love to do that when something happy or sad happens which is really confusing," Syaoran scratched his head which made his shiny chestnut hair become unruly then again, it always was.
" Oh... OK," Sakura looked at Syaoran's outstretched hand. It looked usually pale compared to his complexion.
" Just take my hand," He said spitefully. Sakura was really getting tired of his rude tones.
" Where are you taking me?" Sakura reached out cautiously.
" To my place..." Syaoran squeezed her hand tightly. It was the first time he'd ever had proper contact with a mortal. Her hand was soft and warm, it sparked something inside him. He shook off the feeling as they disappeared from her room to the heavenly land above.
" Wow..." Sakura gasped as she saw
" Welcome to the Heath. This is where us all-powerful god live and socialize, some more than others, of course. It's separated in two: the Inside and the Outside. The people who live inside are gods and those outside are the utmost close friends and family. The other gods know of your request to have a private mind, so don't worry." Syaoran stood with his arms crossed which isn't a good position to be in, especially with the kind of robe he was wearing.
" It's even better when I'm not asleep!" Sakura really did admire that differences. Everything seemed more vibrant and colorful.
" Hmm..." Syaoran smiled at her incompetence.
" Well, let's start the tour..."
Syaoran took her around the Heath. He was still bad tempered all the way there but he didn't spite back as much as before. Although he did give uncomplimentary names once in a while. He showed her all the places of the Heath and even the secret areas. Sakura thought that he didn't want really want show them to her but only wanted the thrill of doing something forbidden. She wasn't sure why but he seemed to be that kind of person.
" Want to go back?" Syaoran said in an asking tone.
" Do I have to?" Sakura pleaded like a small child.
" I'm afraid so..." Syaoran rolled his eyes for what seemed like the 50th time.
" Are you always this..."
" This what!" Syaoran's temper shot up, just as Sakura expected.
" Oh... Never mind!" Sakura waved her arms frantically.
She began to pace away from the hot headed god when she tripped on a stray cloud, don't ask how it came to be there, just enjoy the next bit.
Sakura, unexpecting the more than solid cloud, which happened to creep up on her, clung onto the nearest thing for support, just like any normal person. Only in her case it just happened to be Syaoran's really chunky robe. Syaoran didn't expect the extra weight and so went down with Sakura.
" Hey, guess you're almighty powers didn't help you with that, eh?" Sakura commented with a chuckle but as soon as the words escaped her lips she regretted ever saying them. She looked at Syaoran who was well... On top of her. He was turning the utmost red color. Sakura wasn't sure whether it was in embarrassment or in anger.
" ..." Syaoran said nothing. It was beginning to freak Sakura out. All he did was stare into her eyes. Then he laughed. Is it possible for a god to hate to laugh? Sakura thought. " I'm s-sorry."
" Look! He smiled! He actually smiled! Do you think that he's faking it?" Soon a crowd began to form around the couple who were still on top of each other.
They were surprised that Syaoran was well... Being happy. Even though he lived on the Inside, he was still an outsider because... It was in his nature. At least that was what people thought. Syaoran wouldn't let anyone get close to him to find out. He was the black sheep of the family. It's not that he was 'bad' or anything, he was just... Different.
Syaoran watched others grow up and make friends around him while others stayed clear from him. Syaoran could only listen to the vicious rumors about him and blame himself. Then he got to a stage when... He didn't seem to age anymore. He was stuck as a teenager and teased for it which only fueled his hate.
Sakura paused and smiled. She really thought that she'd found the real Syaoran but alas she was mistaken.
" What you lookin' at?" Syaoran spat as he off of her.
" Nothing! Sorry!" Sakura stood up off the ground and dusted off the remaining cloud that stuck to her.
" I wasn't talking to you... Well, maybe I was. But that's besides that point." He was really mad. His eyes had changed into the most unnatural red color. " The point is I don't appreciate being gawked at by TOTAL STRANGERS!"
I guess I was wrong... Sakura thought quietly to herself. Then... She slapped him. She couldn't take his complaints any longer. She grasped the hand that had touched his face and squeezed it to stop the pain. She hadn't hit anyone with such fury before. The crowd stepped aback in surprise.
" Stop it..." I REALLY hope that this is a dream. That's just great, I slapped a god. " I'm sorry... But..."
" What was that for!" Syaoran was in a real fury now. He'd tried his best to be nice all day but no, what does he get? A slap.
" I know that you're angry and I know that I'm not all big and all-powerful but I do know that it's not right to throw your anger at innocents." Sakura's emerald green eyes began to glaze again.
" Why are you leaking for!" Syaoran touched his cheek. It was red but hardly anyone could tell the difference. " You make me sick! I can't bear to look at you! You're pathetic, you know that!"
" I..." Sakura didn't expect such a reaction. " You know what! You are the most selfish... 'god' I've ever met! You can stuff your job where the sun don't shine for all I care! I don't want to be with people who think they can treat others the way they want without any repercussions." Sakura's feet hit the cloudy ground. She had to get away, what had she done? She'd dissed the one person who could've helped her prove she was worth something. Now... She watched her chances slip away just as the tears from her eyes.
" Wait!" Syaoran called after her. He was going to be in such big trouble if Masaki was to be called. He was meant to persuade the candidates to take the job, not drive them away. He thought over her words and how true they had been. He left her to walk away and roam the Heath unaccompanied, after all, it couldn't be his fault that she ran away.
He lay on the floor with his hair falling into place. He sensed another being in the room and he knew all to well who it was.
" I thought you were looking after the Kinomoto girl?" There was a slight twang in her voice.
" Get lost! I don't wanna hear that name!" Syaoran barked back.
" Ouch! My, my, aren't we touchy today, Syaoran?" The ruby eyed girl with long silky hair knelt down next to him. " You were too harsh on her."
" I only ever say really mean things to her," He muttered.
" Why don't you just give her a chance? You never know," She smiled sweetly, which was a rare occasion.
" There's no point, Meiling!" Syaoran pounded at the ground. " It's not like she'll get the job!"
" How do you know?"
" 'Cause she hit me? Duh?"
" You did provoke though," Meiling pointed out matter-of-factly. " Besides, I think Masaki has a soft spot for her."
" What do you know?"
" I was there and it's so obvious! I don't know why I put up with you," Meiling sighed as she stood up. " You're a lost cause Syaoran. I hope you know that."
" I'm not!" Syaoran screamed as she left.
He went back to laying down and thinking. And thinking. And thinking.
Who was he kidding? They were both right. They probably knew him better than he knew himself. Sakura barely knew him and got him in a nutshell, Meiling knew him all his life but still stuck by him.
He really did take her for granted.
Syaoran stood up with a determined look on his face. He didn't have to be nice, after all, they mightn't meet again but the least he could do was take her home.
He searched the Heath from up above. The ground was beginning to turn orange, time had passed quicker than he had originally thought. He searched frantically in desperation but it wasn't all for nothing. For there, standing at the Heath's edge was a black sheep.
" I've been looking everywhere for you," Syaoran said in an expressionless tone.
" Why? Came to stop the 'leaking'?" Sakura spat back.
Syaoran winced, he knew that that expression would come back to bite him in the but.
" Look..." Syaoran began. This was it... His first apology, was going to be to a mortal. How pathetic does that make me? He thought.
" I... Get carried away sometimes. And sometimes I don't always realize how my actions might affect others and so... What I'm trying to say is..."
" I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hit you," Sakura avoided his mesmerizing eyes. " It's just that... You seem to bring out the worst in me. Can I go home now?"
" Sure," Syaoran offered his hand to her, of which she casually obliged in taking it.
Soon Sakura could smell strawberries and she opened her eyes. She was back in her room and everything was just as she had left it. She looked at the time, it was only ten past seven. Only ten minutes had passed but... They seemed like hours.
Sakura stretched her arms as she did that morning.
High above, on the Heath, Syaoran was approached by the most mysterious god there was apart from Masaki.
" Nice job with the candidate, Syaoran," He smirked viciously.
" It wouldn't have been so hard for me if you shed a little light on those idiotic mortals, after all, that's what you do isn't it? God of logic and intelligence?" Syaoran spat back.
" You're good I'll admit but I am one step ahead of you," His gaze was more intense than every.
" How?" Syaoran rose an eyebrow. What was the fool talking about now?
" Not only is my candidate good, but I know your candidate all too well..."
-x-
This chapter is well long for me! I'm so happy! Please review after all more reviews mean quicker update! Also I was asked if I was going to put in the Clow Cards and such so let me know what you think and I'll go with the majority.
Thank you