*Author's Note: Well, here's chapter 6 (excluding the prologue), Syaoran's gonna ask a Sakura a very uncomfortable question. I do realize that my chapters may be getting a bit too short, but you know what, I Dare You is taking a lot out of me, and once I'm done that story, perhaps I'll have more time to plan and write longer chapters. But for now, please forgive me and just read on…
)Collide( - I got that a lot from people. But you got to realize, Syaoran always disses himself (when he doesn't know it's him) so I really don't think she would notice the similarity. I have thought about the problem before, so I tried to make them word things as different as possible… Believe me, when you're on the net, you won't really be expecting the person you're talking to, to be someone whom you've met…
)Bex Drake( - Well, it was sudden because you've never seen things in Alexia's point of view… all you read is either her on the phone or at work… and she's not exactly split personality… it's a bit more complicated than that… ;)
)Li Kura-chan( - I already apologized for the short chap!! ;_; As for Alexia… well, you'll find out soon… ^_-… if I make Syaoran go out with Alexia, then I feel sorry for her 'cause she's just being used.
)Risa-sama( - If Tomoyo DID ask Syaoran for his email, then the story would be 'the end' wouldn't it? How many chapters? Well, I'm not sure… I'll see… if I can, I'll try to reach up to 20… but I don't make promises, 'cause this world hates me! Whatever I say never comes true! So don't expect anything specific…
)Sabby( - Yeah… that fake thing to get Sakura's the job… :)
)AzureFusilade( - Lost ur password? Ouch. But don't this have this 'lost password' program you can use?
)KawaiiBC( - Too obvious? Err… I'll have to work on that because really, they're not using anyone's name right now, so it could be happening to anyone else in the world! And no, I'm not offended, I like constructive criticism. ^_^
And a BIG THANKS for EVERYONE else who reviewed!!! :)
"_________" When people are talking.
~~##________##~~ Thoughts.
-_- ________-_- my notes.
*~* _________ *~* Chat conversation.
LAST PART OF THE CHAP
And that's practically all they've talked about… Syaoran's mother called again, like usually, boring Syaoran to death…
Today may have seemed like quite a happy day, but if only they knew what tomorrow has in hold for them… if only they do… if they did, they're be planning an escape tomorrow, not chatting on the internet…
For tomorrow will be a big, important, emotional and heartbreaking day for both…
It involves betrayal, truth and many more…
(~(~(~(Chapter Six)~)~)~)
(~(~(~(~(~(~(An Uncomfortable Question)~)~)~)~)~)~)
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"I'M SO SORRY!!"
"God Sakura, you're late again!"
"I said I'm sorry! I really am! Please forgive me, it won't happen again!"
"You said the same thing to me last Friday!"
"Umm… I'll try not to let it happen again!"
It's now Monday, and like we all have expected, our one and only Kinomoto Sakura is late, once again.
Syaoran tapped his fingers on his desk impatiently. "Sakura, this has got to stop!"
"Ok! I promise, I swear I won't be late tomorrow!"
"And what if you are?"
Sakura looked up nervously, expecting for him to look at her with anger, only to see him with a smile plastered on his lips. "If I'm late again… uh… then you can let Alexia deal with me."
Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "She'll fire you. No question about that."
"Ok, um… then… then… I'll help you get a date with her."
"WHAT? How's that punishment for you? That's punishment for me!"
Sakura giggled. "I know, I'm sorry, I was just kidding with you. Sorry…"
"It's alright." A pause. "Um, Sakura?"
"Yah?"
"Wait here for a second."
Sakura nodded as Syaoran stepped out the door.
Ten minutes later, he came back, this time; Chiharu, Toria, Rika, Naoko, Yukito, Nakuru, Alexia and Takashi were trailing behind him. They sat around Sakura, as Syaoran took his seat in the front. "Ok, guys, I've decided, we have to get 'the picture' out today so we can do the framing and everything, because I want it submitted by the end of this week. Understood?"
"Yes." Alexia glared at Sakura knowing 'the picture' is the one where Sakura beat her at her first try. Sakura gulped.
For the rest of the morning, they criticized the picture the best they can, until they reached a point of perfection where everyone agreed. Many special computer techniques had to be used, and Yukito even had to show them a few ways to blend techniques together to create a better effect.
By lunch, they had a pretty good idea of what the final photo might look like. The whole time during the morning, Alexia was shooting death glares at Sakura, causing the poor girl to be sweating until it practically soaked through her shirt.
Soon, as the clock struck 12, everyone packed up and got ready for lunch. Sakura tagged along with Chiharu, Rika and Naoko today, but still, it made her wonder: everyone was somewhere in one of these shops here, but where the heck is Syaoran? How come she never sees him?
Lunch hour was pretty fun; they had fries, burgers, drinks and shared a banana split.
The afternoon went by pretty quick too, they had the result of the photo done by then. It's now printed out, and up to Nakuru to decide the final details – framing, size and extra designs.
"Ready to go?" Syaoran asked.
Sakura nodded as she grabbed her stuff to leave.
They chatted animatedly all the way to the bus stop, and the enjoyable conversation continued even when they were waiting by the bus stop.
But something was wrong that day… a few buses passed by with signs saying, 'Out of Order' or 'Unavailable' or something as such. The sky soon darkened, their conversation grew more and more quietly, a few small, not-so-funny jokes were cut in to make the conversation continually so they would not have to bare painful silence.
But after maybe 2 hours, both had no more to say, they were surrounded by completely stillness. It was then that Syaoran decided to ask the question he had planned on asking for so long. "So… um…" He cleared his throat.
"Yah?" She looked at him with interest.
"Well, you know…" They had never felt this uncomfortable around each other… ever. "Do, do you, do you have a boyfriend?"
Sakura blinked. ~~##Is he hitting on me?##~~ She began to get nervous, after all, she was never one to be too comfortable with these type of questions. And if she said 'no', would he ask her out? If he did, what would she say? There were cold sweat all over her hand, and the silence around them was so calm, she could've sworn she heard a star winking at her.
Sakura looked up into the darkened sky. It was quite a lovely view. The dark, dark, mysterious and almost black-blue sky, with stars at random places, blinking their large eyes with her; a flash like when the light bounces off a jewel followed every blink.
"Sakura?"
She looked at him. "Yah?"
"So, do you, have a boyfriend?" Syaoran could feel his cheeks getting hot. Was she trying to avoid his question?
Without meaning to, an answer flew out of her mouth. "Yes, I do have a boyfriend." She took a sudden inhale of breath at her own unexpected answer.
"Oh…" Syaoran could not hide the disappointment off his face, and was glad the night was dark. He stood next to her, looking straight, looking at anywhere but the girl beside him whom he probably have no chance of getting. He took a few deep breaths. "Oh… ok… um, how long have you guys been going out?"
For the next few questions, Sakura let her mouth answer for her, and was not at all pleased with her answers. She knew Syaoran is upset by her, yet her lips are moving without waiting for her permission. "We've been going out for about three years now…"
"Oh…" Another wave of sadness washed over him. "Um, so, how are things going for you guys?"
"Great. We – err – haven't had a fight for a year now…"
If possible, his heart dropped even further down to the pit of his stomach. "Good… yah… good… what does he look like?"
Both of them are now standing next to each other, but both avoiding looking into the other's eyes. "Uh, blue hair and red eyes…" Sakura muttered.
"Pardon? What did you say?"
"Err… huh? Yah, he looks like that…" She spoke even quieter than the last sentence. ~~##Why do I keep blanking out whenever I have to make up the appearance of a guy?##~~
"He looks like what?"
"Um… brown, intense eyes, kind of messy but mostly neat, err, brown hair, pretty tall, uh, don't wear glasses, very stylish… not too tanned but a little… pretty neat and, uh… yah…" ~~##I can NOT believe I've just described my BROTHER…##~~
"Oh… umm… he sounds, uh, quite-" He coughed. "Ok-looking." He coughed against as he said the last few words rather quickly. ~~##That guy sounds kind of like me…##~~
"Pardon me?"
"Yah, he sounds, yah… Oh look! Your bus is here!" He looked at her briefly. "Um, do you think I can meet your boyfriend sometimes? Because umm, you know, just want to know what kind of guy he is…"
Sakura nodded. "Well, um, if you want to make sure, err, that um, he's real, actually, I'll tell him, to pick me up from now on…" She said each word rather slowly. "So, you don't really have to take me to the bus… stop any… more…"
"Oh… yah, all, alright… I'm ok with that…"
The bid each other a rather quick and uncomfortable goodnight as Sakura stepped onto the bus and Syaoran went looking for Takashi.
Home…
Sakura slumped onto her couch and sighed heavily. What a tight situation that was! Of all questions, he had to ask her that! Doesn't he know she is extremely nervous about such topics?! Well, actually he doesn't know since… well, since she never told him… But it's still his fault! How can he be so inconsiderate of her? That's so rude! ~~##It's kind of your fault too…##~~ She sighed again. Seems like the only way to get herself to feel better was to talk to 'Wild Wolf'…
Syaoran…
It's been an awful day… he really did not need to find all that out about her! It's much better left unsaid… and to make matters worse, he'll never get to walk her to the bus stop ever again! Plus, they'll be so edgy around each other tomorrow! ~~##Can my day get any worse?##~~ As if someone was answering his question, he spotted something on the ground.
Syaoran bent down to pick up a pile of things off the ground. There was a 'Saving Bag', a few garbage, some bills, and last, a letter from Li Yelan, and the envelope was quite large and thick.
He threw the rest of the mail onto his coffee table and fell on top of his couch as he tear open the letter from his mom. There were two tickets of some kind, and there was a letter, for him.
*
Dear Syaoran,
As you know, this is your mom.
Do you remember a week ago when we talked about you finding your wife/girlfriend? Well, do you also remember when I told you that you have exactly three months before you have to come back, and whether you can bring someone back or you will marry Meiling? This letter is basically letting you know a few things.
First of all, I sent this letter along with two normal ship tickets like you've requested, as you will find them in the package. The tickets are specially bought. Since we talked about this a week ago, you now have exactly two months and three weeks to find yourself someone. The ticket are available on the last three days of July, any three of these days, you may use it at 6:00am, 10:00am, 2:45pm, or 8:30pm. This ship is at Sun Dance Dock, I'm sure you're familiar with that place. But if you're not back by August 1st, I swear to you, I WILL track you down, sent a private plane over and have people kidnap you onto the plane if I have to! So think clearly, son.
From personal experience, no relationship from the computer has ever worked out, because it's usually a scam, people are just fooling around there, some people are even dangerous, luring innocent victims to their net and maybe kill them when they have the chance. Why am I saying all this? I'm telling you to give up on 'Cherry' girl. The Kinomoto lady is much more stable and better off for you if not the best, so my son, concentrate! Playing two girls at once isn't as easy as you think. If you do not give up one now, you may end up with nothing.
I seriously think you should reconsider your judgment about Alexia, I've spoke to her once on the phone, as you have remember, and I think she is a wonderful young lady! Very mature, kind, understanding, polite and sweet. There's nothing there not to like about her!
Which, of course, brings us to the topic of Raye Meiling. Xiao Lang! She is your cousin! She's very much like you! If you don't like her, that means you don't like yourself! And I know you love yourself, so I find it very hard why you don't like Meiling, she's a darling, and she's all over you!
Don't you know? One night, I even secretly heard her praying, 'Dear god, please don't let Syaoran find the girl he loves! I love him so much and I don't think I can stand it to have him come home with another girl and knowing I can never be with him! God, please, grant my wish!'
She is obsessed with you! By loosing her, you're letting go of a very precious jewel in life! The girl would do anything for you and make your life perfect! What more do you want? Remember son, thou shall not be too greedy and crave for all in the world!
But of course, the final decision is yours, if you feel such strong feelings for someone that even this letter cannot waver your choice, then I suppose you two are destined to be. Just remember I've warned you about this, and do not come crying to me when the girl turns out to be a total bitch.
Well, that is all I have to say to you, have a good day, live a good life, and see you in three months whether you come here willingly or forced by my specially hired people.
Love you from beyond the stars,
Your mother, Li Yelan.
Syaoran looked at the tickets and sighed. Great. His mother's already gotten everything planned out, and he either goes willingly, or be kidnapped back. ~~##What great choices.##~~ He thought sarcastically. What's worse is that can he guarantee 'Cherry' to reveal her true identity by then? And he can't push her to, because she has made it clear to him, the more he pushes it, the less chance she will tell him. Great. Life just can't love him enough, can it.
~~##And what the hell is she talking about Alexia being all perfect? Pcha! Yah-right! In her dreams! Doesn't she get it? She knew she was talking to my mom, obviously she'd try to act nice to impress her! And she fell for that? Once again, pcha!
Breaking the connection with 'Cherry'? That's impossible, because it seems she is the only one who can understand me, and even if we don't get married, I can still talk to her and be good friends with her, that'll be good too.
Meiling actually prayed for that? God that selfish bitch! And I am not marrying my own cousin! Our child will probably come out with one arm, three legs and eleven toes! Nuh-uh! No way!
I guess the only thing I'm pleased about, well, the only thing I'm ok with about the letter is the part she said about Sakura, and how if I liked someone really that much then we're really meant to be… the rest is all bullshit.##~~
Syaoran ran his hand through his thick hair and sighed. "I need to talk to Cherry right now and get some of my stress out."
*~*
Cheerful Cherry: Heyz Wolf… sup?
Wild Wolf: Yah… fine… majorly bombed out though… :(
Cheerful Cherry: Oh… what happened?
Wild Wolf: …
Wild Wolf: You sound a little upset about something ur self…
Cheerful Cherry: I'm… I'm aiight… I guess…
Wild Wolf: Ne thing wrong?
Cheerful Cherry: Kinda…
Wild Wolf: Why dun u tell me?
Cheerful Cherry: I unno… it'z stupid. U're gonna laugh @ me.
Wild Wolf: Hav I eva laufed at u b4?
Cheerful Cherry: Well, no.
Wild Wolf: Exactly
Cheerful Cherry: Well, y dun u tell me 'bout ur day 1st? I always tell u mine… now it'z ur turn 2 start…
Wild Wolf: :( Promize u won't lauf?
Cheerful Cherry: I promise.
Wild Wolf: Aiight…
Wild Wolf: Well, remember that gurl I told u from my company that I reelly reelly lyked?
Wild Wolf: Well, 2day, when we were goin home (I always makes sure she gets home safely b4 me) there was a little problem so thingz took a lil longer than supposed, n I guess we kinda ran out of things to say after like 3 hrs, and so me, being stupid,
Wild Wolf: decided 2 ask her da question I've been dyin 2 ask since like, I've met 'er!
Wild Wolf: N so, I started lyk stutterin and all n I was lyk asking her 'bout her personal life like whether she had a bf or not n things lyk that… then it got really weird, coz she said she did…
Wild Wolf: I was sad, so I wanted 2 c what kinda guys she goes 4, so then I asked her what the guy waz lyk…
Wild Wolf: N then she gave me a descritption, guess I was tinking 2 hard, I thought da guy sort of sounded a lil lyke me, so I thought mayb she was shy, and couldn't tell me she lyked me, and I made a stupid, STUPID mistake.
Wild Wolf: I wanted her to prove 2 me that her bf's real, so I was lyk, can I meet him sometime?
Wild Wolf: N I guess she caught my hint, and guess what she said?
Wild Wolf: She said mayb I shouldn't wait for her after work ne more coz her bf can wait instead n I bet she was tinking it'll b real bad 4 her bf 2 see us 2gether… -_-
Wild Wolf: I am such a dumbass! Now I dun get 2 see her unless @ work! StUpId Me!
Wild Wolf: There, I told u, go ahead and lauf. I dun care… I'm already upset anywayz… a lil more won't do notin.
Cheerful Cherry: I don't find it funny… ur day's 'bout just as bad as mine…
Wild Wolf: Wat? Really? :)
Wild Wolf: :O ***
Cheerful Cherry: Yeah… s'true
Cheerful Cherry: I guess that's also one thing I lyk about u, we hav 'bout the same kinda day so dat I can tell u ne thing and u won't lauf @ me or ne thing coz u've experienced the same…
Wild Wolf: That's true… guess dat's why we're such good chatting partners…
Cheerful Cherry: Yeah… :)
Cheerful Cherry: Guess now it'z my turn 2 tel u 'bout what happened wit me eh?
*~*
Sakura was about to type, 'well, my boss was waiting for me after work…' when she decided, ~~##what if he thinks I'm copying him? And I'm only typing that to make him better because it seems same thing happened? No, he won't like that…##~~ and due to that thought, she decided to change things a bit…
*~*
Cheerful Cherry: Well, see, I stayed after work to wait with my boss for something, we were just talking fine, and I dun think it's been that long yet, bu' c, out of no where, he suddenly asked me 'bout the kinda guys I would go out wit.
Cheerful Cherry: But then little does he know, I am like EXTREMELY uncomfortable wit convo lyk such! So then afta it went all weird, so then I lied 2 him and said dat yah, I date guys a lot, in fact, I'm dating 1 rite now…
Cheerful Cherry: N then I dunno wat happened, bu' it got kinda quiet afta, then I guess he didn't trust me, so he wanted to make sure I was telling the truth so he was lyk, 'maybe u can introduce me 2 him sometimes'
Cheerful Cherry: N coz I didn't really have a bf, and I didn't want him 2 get suspicious, I told him, we should never wait 4 each other 4 ne thing ne more coz just in case my bf gets jealoused…
Cheerful Cherry: But the stupid thing is that I enjoy his company!
Cheerful Cherry: N we're gonna b lyk so fidgety around each otha 2morrow! It'z gona b so weird coz we're alwayz been gud friends! N now, it's so…
Cheerful Cherry: UGGH!!
Wild Wolf: I guess ur case if pretty bad 2… :(
Cheerful Cherry: :'( I no… wat do suggest I do 2morrow? I dun wanna break my friendship wit him coz of tis stupid, small thing!
Wild Wolf: Y dun u talk 2 him 'bout?
Cheerful Cherry: Ttalk 2 him 'bout it?
Cheerful Cherry: Talk*
Wild Wolf: Yah, b lyk, 'I no yesterday was a bit weird n all, but I hope we can just 4get what happened and still b friends…'
Cheerful Cherry: I s'ppose… bu', bu' what if he's lyk, 'Oh, so u just wanna 4get it eh? Is dat wat u do? Ignore everything u dun lyk and pretend it's never happened?
Wild Wolf: U're being paranoid… if he's so worried 'bout u having a bf, he probably lyks you…
Cheerful Cherry: … I dunno… if he does, doesn't dat make things so much worse?
Wild Wolf: Well, no, coz if it was me, then I'd glad to be friends wit the gurl I lyk rather than notin…
Cheerful Cherry: … I s'ppose I can try…
Cheerful Cherry: Bu' if it doesn't work and it makes things worse…
Cheerful Cherry: I'LL KILLING U 2MORROW!
Wild Wolf: O_O
Cheerful Cherry: JKS JKS! Just kidding wit ya! :D
Cheerful Cherry: U made me feel so much betta!
Cheerful Cherry: Thank u!
Wild Wolf: Ur welcome… it's not lyk u 2 be all moody…
Wild Wolf: now…
Cheerful Cherry: Yah?
Wild Wolf: What am I s'pose 2 do?? ;_; I lyk that gurl a lot but… not she prolly hate me coz I spoke so evilly against her bf… ;_;
Cheerful Cherry: Well, 4 one ting, apologize 2 her 4 messing wit her personal life, and say u'd really lyk 2 get 2 know her bf better, bu' if she doesn't want u n him meeting, then it's aiight 2 coz since he's part of her life and not urs…
Cheerful Cherry: She'd prolly b pretty happy with dat… coz it means u respect her n u realize ur mistake!
Wild Wolf: Really?
Cheerful Cherry: Pretty sure…
Wild Wolf: I dunno much 'bout how the female works so I'll be depending on u…
Wild Wolf: N IT'Z BETA WORK!
Cheerful Cherry: Hey! Dun copy me! U can't yell @ me!
Wild Wolf: Sayz who? ;)
Cheerful Cherry: Yuk. Dun wink @ me!
Wild Wolf: I think I lyk the sad u betta… -_-
Cheerful Cherry: ;_; y?
Wild Wolf: U're nicer dat way!
Cheerful Cherry: …
Cheerful Cherry: Ah, shut up.
*~*
Syaoran…
She always has that kind of magic to make him feel better about whatever he's upset about. See, he's much happier now.
The phone rang.
Syaoran picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Good evening, Xiao Lang."
"Good evening, mother. Now why are you calling me again?!"
"Have you received my letter and the tickets?"
"Yes, mother."
"Have you taken what I said into consideration?"
"Only the part about Kinomoto and someone that's still inseparable from me after what you said is my true love, like Cherry. Whatever you say about her will not change my mind. I was really miserable when I got home today, after I talked to her, I feel so much happier, I'm never going to forget her, even if we'll have to be only friends."
"Nothing I say will change your mind?"
"No."
"Fine. What about Meiling and Alexia?"
"Alexia, she was faking to be all goody on the phone because she wanted to make a good impression on you. As for Meiling, that was a selfish wish she made. I love her as my favourite cousin, but you know what, her wanting me and not caring what I want, it disgusts me."
"Xiao Lang… my son, you've grown up… You're starting to make your own decision now… I guess I can't do anything about it…"
"Guess not."
"Well, do whatever you want to, see you in approximately three months."
"Good night, mother, sweet dreams."
"Xiao Lang! It's only 7:00 here!"
"Oh, right, yah… time change…"
"Are you talking to 'Cherry'?"
"Why?"
"Whenever you do, you space out."
"Oh, yah I am…"
He heard his mother sigh. "How's it going with Kinomoto?"
There was quite a bit of silence. "She's… got a boyfriend." He could not keep his voice from being sad. The truth kind of hurts…
"What?!"
"Yah…"
"Then break them up!"
Syaoran sighed exasperatedly. "Mother, I'm exhausted. I'll talk to you later. Bye, mother."
"Goodnight son, I love you."
"Love you too. Have a good evening."
"Bye Syaoran."
"Bye."
*~*
Wild Wolf: It'z getting late, I better go now.
Cheerful Cherry: Aiight, me 2…
Wild Wolf: Well, have a good night, and sweet dreams, cherry.
Cheerful Cherry: You too, wolf.
Wild Wolf: Ttyt!
Wild Wolf: g'night!
Cheerful Cherry: G'nite!
Cheerful Cherry: ttys!
Cheerful Cherry: Byez!
Wild Wolf: Bye!
*~*
Sakura logged off of her account as she racked through her fridge. Tomoyo's not home, she's probably sleeping over at Eriol's or something, who know?
She cooked some noodles quickly, and prayed to have everything work out tomorrow…
Well, if only she knew today is only the beginning…
Tomorrow would only be so much worse…
So much worse…
*
TELL me in your REVIEW if you want me to EMAIL you when the next chap is up, and don't forget to leave your email address if you DO!! :)
*
*Author's Note: Ok, I can't believe this, I typed this chapter out in TWO days! Wow… :) I know I said Syaoran would find out about Touya this chapter, but I'm sorry, I forgot about one part, which is why it has to be next chapter… ^.^;; I'm sry, it's weird coz everytime I make a promise I dunno why, it never comes true! I swear, I dun do it purposely! Well, I hope you enjoyed this… I'll work on I Dare You now… :P
4050 words… so short…