Disclaimer:- I just burrowed them from CLAMP, so sue me ! :p
A/N:- Yes, snow means love !My friend used to tell methis often...anyway go read the chap now...
Chapter 10:-Snow fight and the Stranger
Tediously, Sakura's lashes fluttered like the tentative flight of a moth as she opened her eyes to the streams of sunshine in the room.
Her eyes were like slits in the sunlight. She sat up and stretched emitting a cat like purr.
She went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, took a shower and dressed up and rushed out of the room and into the outside.
Sakura smiled in glee, It was everywhere, snow. She sprang onto a heap of it and rolled around laughing to herself.
" Impersonating a dog?" A deep voice startled her from behind.
Sakura grinned "Nah, That's your job Syaoran "
Syaoran smirked " Cheeky aren't you?"
Sakura smiled "Just being good old me "
"You got the old part right, but good? I don't think so " Syaoran chided with a scoff.
Sakura simply rolled her eyes at him. "Wanna make a snow man? "
Syaoran looked at her in surprise, he hadn't built a snowman for a very long time, nor has anyone asked him this before.
" Isn't that a bit childish? " he asked frowning.
"Nonsense! It's all a part of having fun, now loosen up scowling face.. " Sakura said flashing him a smile.
Syaoran sighed muttering something about crazy immature girls these days and joined her.
But what startled him more was the fact that he enjoyed it.
The sky was a watercolor clumsily painted upon, the light gray shades mixing with white, a concoction that gave it an ethereal, misty, manifestation.
The snow was like feathers heaped up and as he breathed in the fresh smell, his head rising heavenward, green eyes watched him beneath thick eyelashes.
'He looks so at peace now, he seems very relaxed ' Sakura thought smiling softly to herself .
Syaoran caught her look and gave her a genuine smile.
Sakura shivered not because of the gentle cry of the wind and continued molding her snow man.
" What are you working on? " Syaoran called behind her shoulder.
Sakura bit her lip in a smile, " You'll see..."
Expertly, she dug her fingers in the snow man's head, forming a little mouth that resembled wicked lips of a Halloween pumpkin.
Syaoran raised his eyebrows peeking at the face Sakura was sculpting, though it looked very menacing and mean, it was still done very well.
" Are you creating a Frankenstein there, or a man? "
Sakura grinned, " I didn't know you considered yourself as a Frankenstein " she shook her head mockingly, " and I thought you as a narcissist ... "
" What's that supposed to mean? " Syaoran asked his tone light and curious.
" Well, this is no Frankenstein, or snow man, this is ...Snow-Syaoran " She grinned at his face and he burst out laughing as he saw her snow-Syaoran.
The thing was the stuff of nightmares of children with its eyes that looked stony, a little twig as his eyebrows that looked menacing and about to bite one's head off, its mouth open in a yell.
" Doesn't it look nice " Sakura said with a mischievous grin.
Syaoran smirked " Many women have given me a more flattering appearance than that.."
" But something's missing..." Sakura pondered aloud thoughtfully.
"AHA! I got it.. " she yelled in glee and walked over to retrieve a twig.
Sakura ignored Syaoran's questioning face and went behind the snow-Syaoran. She came back and showed him the modified Snow-Syaoran.
It now had a twig sticking out of it's rear.
"You always walk around like you've an iron rod shoved up your butt " Sakura said giggling. "Now it's perfect !"
" Well it's better than the way you walk! " Syaoran retorted with a smirk.
" How do I walk? " Sakura asked raising an eyebrow.
" Like a duck footed hunchback " Syaoran said haughtily.
Sakura sighed and rolled her eyes "For all the things I put up with, once this show's over I'm nominating myself for sainthood "
Syaoran smiled wryly. " You'll probably deserve it " he replied " God knows you have failed wherever the opposite sex is concerned "
Sakura looked at Syaoran her cheeks flushed "Listen Mr Fan-club, I have a fair share of secret admirers too"
" If I were them, I would also want to keep my admiration for you a secret. " Syaoran said smirking.
Sakura fumed. Syaoran practically could envision smoke steams out of her ears.
"Welcome back to your crabby, frost bitten self Syaoran." Sakura told him scathingly and looked away blinking her moist eyes.
For a moment, Syaoran was silent.
"Then, here's my evil act of the day " Syaoran said bending over and grabbing a pile of snow.
SPLAT
Sakura shrieked as she got thwacked on the head with a snowball. She turned and glared at him before following his lead.
Sakura grinning impishly, grabbed a fistful of snow and threw it on his chest. Syaoran ducked the next one, gathering snow in his hand and threw it full force at Sakura which slapped her face.
She brushed if off, a giggle erupting from her throat and reached for another one, not realizing that her back was towards him.
Laughing Syaoran thwacked her back, her leg , another one on her arm, another on her abdomen...
It continued on seriously, him doubling over and laughing and pausing to catch his breath, she being mercilessly cruel and showering him with snow even when he was helpless.
"You're a brutal woman! " Syaoran said as one of them smacked his back.
" That's what Touya always said when we had snow ball fights too! " Sakura said smiling up at him.
An idea formed in his head and he grinned wickedly. He trudged through the soft snow, coming closer and closer to her, all the while she aimed snow balls at him.
It wasn't until he was five feet away from her did she looked slightly frightened " Wh-why are you grinning like that Syaoran? "
"Oh, and now it's a crime to grin? " Syaoran asked raising an eyebrow his grin intact.
"No, no, I didn't say that! " Sakura stepping back and he ran full force.
She didn't see it coming, and was astounded as she hit the ground, resting on the soft snow. Cold. It was so cold as snow began to rapidly cover her.
Syaoran tackled her to the ground, tickling her until she fell and covering her swiftly with snow.
" Now, now, Sakura, just taking your word for women wanting to be buried six feet under as they see my hair " Syaoran said giving her a mischievous grin.
Sakura sputtered as Syaoran kept piling the snow on higher and higher on top of her.
" St-stop! I was kidding! It's too cold! " she moaned, but he continued anyway.
"Only if you say Syaoran is the most Handsome and Perfect guy " Syaoran grinned wolfishly
" Eat snow, Li ! " Sakura hissed.
"I'm not hungry but I can always feed you..." Syaoran said raising a handful of snow.
"You wouldn't dare ! " Sakura said her eyes widening.
"Wouldn't I ? " Syaoran asked smirking.
"I give." Sakura shrieked " Syaoran's the most handsome and perfect guy " she mumbled in a low voice.
"I can't hear you..." Syaoran said smiling down at her.
Sakura shot him a glare "Syaoran's the most handsome and perfect guy " she said gritting her teeth.
"Louder..."
"SYAORAN'S THE MOST HANDSOME AND PERFECT GUY " Sakura yelled catching her breath.
"Thank you, I know no woman can resist me " Syaoran said with an arrogant smile.
"Get me out Li, I'm beginning to numb"
" As you wish " Syaoran told her and pulled her out.
Sakura dusted off her clothes and saw Syaoran smirking at her thoughtfully.
"What?" Sakura asked irritated.
"Maybe we can do this again after breakfast, I promise to bring a stone with your name engraved " Syaoran said with a grin.
"If you even try this again Li, I'll kick your ass all the way back to Ming dynasty " Sakura said with a glare and stomped away inside.
"When did you learn Chinese history Sakura ?" Syaoran asked laughing behind her.
OoOoOoOoO
When they stepped into the mansion, they saw Shiefa and Naoko.
Naoko was smiling and giving her knowing looks while Shiefa was grinning.
Sakura wasn't quite sure of why, And then it hit her. Her hair was bedraggled, her cheeks glowing from the cold, and her dress was rumpled.
"Looks like you guys had a nice tumble in the snow.." Shiefa said with devilish smile and sauntered away laughing to herself.
Sakura and Syaoran's face burned.
Syaoran shot Sakura an awkward smile and went in the direction of his room.
"This isn't what it looks like Naoko ! " Sakura said desperately.
"Sure it isn't " Naoko answered in a disbelieving voice.
Sakura scowled "Oh come on Naoko you know me better than that, we didn't do the deed ok ? "
Naoko simply smiled and walked up the stairs "Sure thing Sakura"
"Naoko, wehad a snow ball fight, that's all " Sakura told her exasperated.
"Ok. Then what about yesterday ? "
" Huh ?"
"There's a green jacket in your room. It wasn't Ashley's she's the one that asked me about it " Naoko said.
Sakura sighed "Yesterday, I went outside at night, I couldn't sleep properly and ran across Syaoran. It was cold, so he gave me his Jacket. That's it. There wasn't anything romantic going on " she said.
' Not even when he hugged you?' Tomoyo-like-voice piped in.
' or when you hugged him back?' the voice added.
Sakura shook her head, she didn't want to think about that .. at least not right now.
On entering the hall Sakura saw some of the girls like Kasumi and Airo doing their make up.
" So why were you with Shiefa?" Sakura asked Naoko as they went inside Sakura's room.
" I met her on the way down, I was was getting worried since I didn't see you in your room or the hall "Naoko said with a smile.
" Did you and Syaoran have a fun time outside? " Naoko enquired.
"No, he was a jerk " Sakura said getting a paper to write a new story.
" why do you say he acted like a jerk?" Naoko asked frowning a bit.
" He doesn't act that way Naoko, he's a natural..." Sakura said starting to poke the paper with a pen.
"Sakura, stop it! You are slaughtering the paper! " Naoko cried as she grabbed the pen from Sakura's fingers.
" I can't slaughter the paper. " Sakura said rolling her eyes at Naoko " The paper is already dead. I can't kill something already dead! "
Naoko simply gave her a patronizing look.
"This is all Syaoran's fault. He's slowly turning me crazy, that stupid jerk ! " Sakura spoke in frustration.
"Syaoran has changed a lot you know. I've noticed, it's only a matter of time before you get through to him.." Naoko said wistfully.
"Just a while ago he was talking about burying me in the snow. And besides why would I want to get through to him Naoko-chan? It's not like I'm in love with that guy ! " Sakura said huffing.
Naoko remained oddly silent at that comment.
"Anyway, It's time for breakfast " Sakura said and took Naoko along with her.
OoOoOoOoO
Sakura joined the rest of the girls as they chatted over the table during break fast.
' Guessing the topic of discussion won't burn your brain cells ' Sakura thought dully ' His name starts with an S and in English it rhymes with moron '
Sakura giggled at the last thought.
" What's so funny ? " Kasumi asked.
Sakura smirked " Well, Do you know to say Syaoran's name in English ?"
Kasumi and the other girls frowned "No, But we know that in Chinese it's Xiaolang " she said after a while.
"In English, It's Shoaron " Sakura said with an eye roll " Honestly, he doesn't even have a constant name like normal people "
The girls ignored her last comment and sighed "That's so cuuute " Airo said with a squeal " No wonder you giggled "
" I didn't laugh for that !" Sakura snapped and continued her explanation.
" I laughed at the fact that it rhymes with moron, get it? Shoaron, moron ... Shoaron the moron?" Sakura repeated in an attempt to make the girls understand it.
"Not really..." One of the girls muttered and they went on giggling and fawning over the cuteness of his English name.
" Idiots...they really should think about getting a brain for their empty skull " Sakura said turning to Naoko.
"It's like you said Sakura, they have to think about it first... get the point? " Naoko asked raising an eyebrow and smiling.
" Loud and clear " Sakura said smiling back.
Naoko shot her a grin "Let's head out Sakura, I want to see the snow, and maybe you'll get some new ideas "
"I hope so " Sakura said with a sigh.
When they reached the snow covered front lawn of the mansion Sakura frantically turned her head as if she was expecting something to jump on her.
" What are you doing, Sakura? " Naoko said laughing.
"Looking out for Syaoran " Sakura said smiling " I swear I have this feeling like he is always over my shoulder."
"You mean like now? "
The deep voice chilled her and Sakura jumped, groaning she closed her eyes.
" It's nice to see you are always looking out for me " Syaoran said smirking as he stood next to Sakura.
" What do you want? " Sakura scowled.
" Now, now. " Syaoran smiled. "You don't want to frown too much, it makes nasty wrinkles all over your face. And you don't want more do you? "
"Thanks for your beauty tips, Syaoran" Sakura smirked " I know how much you need them. "
"You are really baring your fangs out, aren't you? " Syaoran said in an amused tone.
Sakura smiled " That's because you are crazy "
"You're right," Syaoran grinned, "I think I should take a three year holiday so I can find why I'm so crazy."
"Ahh, I see, one of those spiritual retreats?" Sakura teased, and Syaoran nodded.
"Oh yeah, the whole candles and chanting? That's me," he joked.
"We'll shave that head of yours bald," Sakura smirked, and Syaoran pretended to be horrified.
"Not my hair again," he gasped. "I think you're too fond of my hair Sakura, you can't stop talking about it " Syaoran said with a laugh.
Sakura rolled her eyes "Well, you're looking unusually in a good mood today " she said in an annoyed tone.
"Hmm, I guess torturing you does wonders for my skin huh?" Syaoran replied with a wink
"Oh my god, don't wink, I think I've just gone blind." Sakura exclaimed with a smile.
Naoko watched their squabbling. ' They are so cute together, and they already fight like a married couple ' she thought smiling at them.
The whole reason Naoko came to this show was because of Rika and Chiharu. They had constantly tried to set her up on dates. Naoko tried ...she really did but they just weren't the ones.
Sure they were all sweet and showered her with gifts, but it just didn't feel right to her. When any of them tried to kiss her all she wanted to do was bolt straight out of the place and keep running with out looking back.
Finally her friends convinced her to enter on ' The Bachelor' hoping she would find her right man there.
Naoko frowned ' What a waste of time, I'm never going to find The One as every one calls it '
' Sakura is right, the term Perfect Man is just an oxymoron ' Naoko thought sighing to herself.
' I need a walk to clear my mind ' she decided and moved towards the front gates of the mansion..
Just as Naoko was about to step out she saw a car pulling over.
"Get out !" The cab driver yelled from his open window. He had a thick foreign accent. Probably Swedish. "And you can take your money and stick it up your häck , along with your opinions, smart ass !"
A guy wearing a grey coat stepped out.
"They're not opinions! They're observations!" The guy snapped his hands clenched. "And for your information, looser, your cab does smell like something died there, several LARGE somethings !"
"Du är det mest rubbade luder som jag har oturen att träffa " the driver muttered as he began to rev his engine.
Giving him afinger the driver slammed his foot down on the gas and sped off.
The guy was very angry now. " I'll have you fired you freak ! " he shouted in vain at the disappearing car.
Naoko despite her struggles burst out laughing and the stranger turned his attention towards her. Naoko blushed a little as she took in his appearance.
The stranger had deep blue-grey eyes that stood out well against his teal hair. He was a taller than her and was frowning a little making his sinfully beautiful face like that of a displeased god.
"Are you laughing at my agony miss...?" The stranger enquired raising his dark teal eyebrows with a smile on his face.
"Naoko Akizuki " she replied.
" I laughed because I understood what the driver said, I know Gothenburg Swedish. I'm really sorry about that " Naoko said giving him an apologetic smile.
"It's alright. I'm Akira Shihu by the way " he said giving Naoko a handshake "I'm a friend of Syaoran and his sister wanted me to come over for the show "
" He's inside, Let's go " Naoko told him and Akira followed her in.
They walked over to Syaoran and Sakura who were still busy arguing oblivious to the two people that watched over them each having a huge sweat drop as they listened to their so called fight.
"A lover's stiff ? " Akira asked startling them with a half-smirk crossing his lips.
Syaoran looked up sharply at the voice and a huge grin spread on to his face "Akira !" he shouted and went to give him a manly pat on the shoulder.
" Long time no see Syaoran " Akira said grinning back at him.
Sakura cocked her head at the pair and shot Naoko a questioning glance.
"I'm Akira Shihu, Syaoran's best bud, went to college together " Akira said to Sakura with a smile.
"I'm Sakura Kinomoto, studied my 4th grade with this Jack ass " Sakura said pointing to Syaoran with a smirk.
"I'm not a Jack ass " Syaoran shouted going over to Sakura.
"Suuuuurre and purse is made of gold " Sakura said sarcastically.
" Well, It must be ! " Syaoran retorted.
Soon Sakura and Syaoran were fighting all over again.
"urgh, You're so...male." Sakura said in disgust remembering her typical arguments with Touya.
Syaoran smirked " So glad you noticed "
" It would be somewhat hard not to." Sakura said with an eye roll.
Syaoran had a sly smile " Interesting word choice "
Sakura glared at him. "Do you speak just to hear yourself?"
"Nooo... that's just a bonus. And come on, even you said it this morning, I'm the most Handsome and perfect guy. " Syaoran said with a grin.
" You forced me to say it " Sakura said narrowing her eyes.
"Oh please, like you didn't mean what you said. " Syaoran told her in a disbelieving tone.
" I didn't " Sakura shot back.
" Did to "
" Did not "
"Did to "
"Did not! "
By this time Akira and Naoko were beyond annoyed.
Akira sighed and shot Naoko an exasperated look "How can you stand these two?"
Naoko shrugged "I can't, that's why I tend to keep away from them " she said with a smile.
" So what do you say we go inside, I don't think I can watch this any longer " Akira muttered looking over at Sakura and Syaoran.
"Excellent decision " Naoko replied and started walking towards the mansion with Akira.
"By the way, what did the cab driver say to me back then? " Akira asked curiously.
Naoko raised an eye brow " It's not exactly complementing..." she warned.
Akira shrugged " How bad can it be..."
Naoko frowned " Ok then. He said 'You are the most disturbed bitch I ever had the misfortune to encounter' "
" WHAT ?"
Naoko stifled a laughter as Akira muttered a myriad of creative obscenities, implying that the driver had been conceived due to his mother's incestuous relationship with a goat.
"pfft, It was written all over your face, you meant every word of it. You're just in denial !" Syaoran said with a nod.
" I am not in denial !" Sakura yelled crossing her arms over her chest protectively.
Syaoran raised an eyebrow "Why do you do that? It's not like anything is in there to hide... "
Sakura scowled " Shut up Li. What do you know ?"
Syaoran gave her a roguish smile "Nothing I suppose ...Care to share ?" he said with a teasing smile.
Sakura blushed a beet red " Syaoran ! "
Syaoran's smile widened " I could inspect it, if you want some details." he said suggestively.
Before Sakura could yell again he continued his observation.
Syaoran smirked " I guess they aren't flat like I thought they'd be.." he told her his lips twitching.
" You..you..urggh!." Sakura muttered too embarrassed and angry to finish her speech.
" Having problem with words? I have a dictionary..." Syaoran said his tone filled with mirth.
Sakura seemed to regain her ability to talk properly " That was not funny " she snapped her face still burning.
Syaoran smirked " It was actually a compliment..."
" I knew they weren't flat, thank you very much " Sakura said acidly.
Syaoran rolled his eyes "Women, can't even appreciate compliments these days "
Sakura's eye twitched "What did you expect me to say ? ' Well, gee, thanks Syaoran. I, umm... grew them myself ?' " she asked sarcastically.
Syaoran chuckled "Something along those lines would've been nice.. "
Sakura narrowed her eyes " Baka hentai " she cursed him as he laughed and walked towards the mansion.
And much to Sakura's irritationSyaoran shot her feigned appreciative glances as he strolled alongside her into the mansion.
'I don't think he's feigning that look, I see it in his eyes ' Tomoyo-like-voice said cheerfully.
'Oh shut the hell up. I have no time for this ! ' Sakura thought back snidely.
'Well, aren't you in a bad mood ' the voice tutted and disappeared.
Sakura scowled ' Today's going to get worse...I just know it " she thought worriedly.
And boy, is she right.
A/n:- Anyway I'm seriously surprised by the amount of reviews I got, THANK YOU.
As for fluff, I say, look closely. It's been there. I love all of you that saw the subtle changes in Syao and Saku's behavior. Hopefully, I'll improve it some more. But if you have any suggestion, don't hesitate to tell me.
Thanks to: GrYfFiNdOreVer, chenocat, Krizstalstar91, animeflower, cherryblossomrox, youkaigirl64, Kawaii-Fairy-Emma, VampireJazzy, Tella, j.k, Kayapride, cho, somedayiwillwrite, Maaya Samato, Sirenic Griffin, IS2cookies, a little someone, animefreakkagome, pinaygrrl, devilish angel 4eva, midnite-goddess, Kimura, fireflower, Kitty Meow-Mix23, serenity, CHERRY, cherryxxblossom, RoCkS, cherrysakura5, my-reflection, Inuyash and Kagome for their awesome reviews.