Disclaimers apply.
AN I love this chapter. That's all I'm going to say. Although it's not one of my best works, I still adore this chapter immensely, and I'm rather happy to reveal it to you guys!
Important Notes:
Pairing is now serious doubt. Usagi/Li might now be… uhh… a potential pairing. (For lack of better words)
OOCness may occur, but I'm trying my best to keep them in character. Tell me if I go wrong, ok?
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Cupid's Arrows: CCS Version
Chapter Three
Li's Kindness
By Angel-Goddess
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The bell rang, signalling the end of a notoriously long, dreary school day. Scrapings of chairs against the floor were heard as the students eagerly got up and started packing their belongings into their bags, unable to wait to get home.
Usagi sighed wearily. The day was unusually long and twice as unpleasant for a certain blonde because one of her targets hadn't come to school because of the flu, making it hard for her to put her matchmaking schemes into play. By now she would've started working on bringing Sakura and Li closer together using the class' project, but it seemed that Sakura just so conveniently decided to take the day off today.
Usagi slumped down in onto her desk; the weather outside seemed to perfectly match her blue mood. She almost scowled in mild aggravation. "Mou! This is so not fair." She whined to herself, glancing out the window of the classroom.
Beyond the warm, comforting shelter of the school, the sky had darkened and it had started to drizzle lightly, indicating that it would soon be pouring rain in buckets. The lithe, tiny water droplets in the air created a misty outlook outside.
"What's not fair?" A soft, gentle voice asked inquisitively in concern, wondering why the usual happy-go-lucky blonde had such a long face. The girl who spoke had moved to stand by Usagi's desk when she noticed her sulking friend didn't seem to have an intention of budging.
The blonde shifted her head slightly to acknowledge the speaker and found Tomoyo staring down at her interest. She smiled thinly, "I'm just not particularly happy to know that I'd have to walk around in the rain today." She told her new friend. It wasn't entirely a lie. It was true that she would have to hang around outside in the bad weather, and she wasn't exactly pleased with that thought. She just hoped that it wasn't going to be a thunderstorm…
Tomoyo giggled good-naturedly. "Aw, come on, Usagi-chan, its not all that bad. Everyone has to go through the rain, you know." She gently replied, a grin spreading over her face.
Usagi forced a smile. Heh. If only she knew… She thought in a slightly sardonic manner. "Yeah, I guess you're right." She mused, glancing away.
"You know, Usagi-chan, this is unusual. You're usually always the one that rushes out of the classroom first, I think this is the first time I've ever seen you actually choose to stay in here." Tomoyo pointed out, mirth lacing her voice.
Usagi looked up, startled. "Huh?" Her eyes darted around the empty classroom and she sweatdropped. She hadn't realized that she had just tuned out during the whole lesson. Wow, time really passed by pretty quickly here on earth. "I hadn't realized…" She replied sheepishly, feeling a little embarrassed. In her thoughts, she hadn't even realized that Tomoyo had her bag shouldered and was waiting for her to do the same. Quickly, she stood up and packed her belongings into her school bag, a pink hue on her face. "Sorry." She muttered, zipping her bag closed and letting it slid into her arms so that it sat comfortably on her back. "Saa, Tomoyo-chan, let's go!" She urged cheerfully.
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Wet shoes pounded on the sodden concrete floor beneath it, accompanied by sprays of water as puddles were encountered. The sound of splattering water that was trodden on vigorously was slightly masked by the loud pitter-patter of the fat droplets of rain that fell in buckets from the murky, ominous-looking heavens above.
The backpack, which as slung onto one of his shoulders, thumped him roughly from behind in a rhythmic manner as Li hurriedly quickened his pace through the rain as he felt the material of his uniform getting slightly heavier as it collected the droplets of rain, darkening it's normal colour.
He nearly yelped in surprise when water suddenly flooded into his shoes. Looking down, he slowed his strides and tiptoed, realizing that he had absentmindedly ran into a copious puddle that was almost three inches deep. He cursed softly under his breath, his socks were now just as sopping wet as the rest of him. As soon as he cleared the puddle, he broke into a run again; passing the familiar park with the blue penguin slide that had a golden crown perched like a prize upon its head.
He stopped abruptly and did a double take, spotting a familiar mass of blonde hair uniquely styled in its own way. He squinted through the sprinkle of water to make sure his suspicions were right.
It most certainly was.
Li was alarmed. What was that foolish girl doing out here in the heavy rain? By the looks of her uniform sticking to her body like a second skin and her long golden hair hanging limply because of all the water that had collected it in, she had been here for a while. Li scowled at her stupidity. Briefly, he debated whether or not to approach her and ask what she was doing or to ignore her and continue his way to the warm comforts of his house. His eyes flicked from the road to the girl several times; almost forgetting that he was standing right under the rain. Finally, he threw his arms up in exasperation, making his mind up.
Don't get him wrong, it wasn't like he really liked the girl, or anything, but she was Sakura's friend and she had also tried to befriend him several times. She had also invited him to her group, giving him a chance to work with Sakura and possibly correct their relationship. I think that deserves some credit. He thought grimly. Besides, Sakura would be furious at him if she found out that he had just ignored her new friend and merely went back home, leaving the blonde female to catch pneumonia. Li was definitely sure that doing something like that would make their already rocky relationship even worse. So, in short, he wasn't doing this for Usagi's wellbeing, but for Sakura's trust.
Well, that's what he told himself, anyway.
He hurriedly diverted from his original route and promptly headed for the empty, gloomy-looking park, towards the blonde that was occupying one of the swings. As he neared her shivering form, she seemed to pick up on the racket he made and had turned around at the noise, regarding him with a look of utter surprise. She stood up briskly, like a soldier caught out slouching around by his superior.
"Master Syaoran!" Usagi gasped in astonishment, clearly befuddled as to what he was doing out here in this type of weather. She knew how frail humans were. "Whatever are you doing here in this weather? You should hurry home, you'll surely catch a cold!" She chided him like a stern mother, shaking her head in a gesture that illustrated her disapproval at his actions. She had started calling him 'Master' ever since he had acted like she was below him. She figured that he would probably realize that she was trying her best to be polite to him, and maybe, just maybe, he'd accept her a friend and she'd be able to get both Sakura and him together in no time at all.
He snorted at her hypocritical sentence. "What about you?" he countered quickly, his free hand that wasn't holding onto his bag resting on his hip. "You'll catch a cold."
She smiled benignly at him, "Oh, don't you worry about me, Master Syaoran. It's best for you to go home already, your parents must be worried by now."
"I'm not leaving until you go home." He told her, his trademark stubborn attitude starting showing itself. Surprise filtered into the depths of those profound blue orbs of her, and Li saw a flicker of hesitation.
"I'll go back home soon." She told him firmly. "I just … have to finish something."
Piercing russet eyes eyed her incredulously. "Finish what?" He croaked in disbelief. "What are doing here and how long have you been here, anyway?"
She caught him off guard by smiling that gentle smile that always spread upon her face when she was trying to hide something. "I just have to finish something." She clasped her hands together behind her back, attempting to skirt around his question, "I haven't been here for very long…"
She was bad liar, but perseverance was one of his qualities, so Li simple let his bag hang on his shoulder as he crossed his arms and stared at her, waiting for her to go home.
"Master Syaoran, please don't concern yourself with what I do." The sentence came out placid and soft signifying that it wasn't in any way supposed to be offensive. She looked him over, "You're getting really wet and I fear for your health… you ought to go home." She urged, concern twisting her serene features. It would interfere with her plans if her male target got sick too. That would mean that it would take longer for her plan to work its own magic. And the longer she took, the longer she had to stay here in earth to fend for herself. Oh, for Aphrodite's sake, why wouldn't he just go home already?
"Don't call me Master Syaoran. Just Syaoran will do fine." He notified her almost gruffly. She wasn't close enough to him to be considered a friend yet, so she hadn't his consent to call him by his first name. But, being called by someone your age 'master' was just ridiculous. "And I already told you, I won't leave until you get out of the rain."
She looked unsure so she just stared out blankly into the rain, seemingly weighing her choices. "…Alright," she finally agreed wearily, giving in. "I'll get out of the rain." She slowly bent down and picked up her wet bag.
Li nodded in satisfaction before stopping and staring when all she did was walk towards the blue penguin slide and slid her slender, pale form underneath it to take cover from the pouring rain.
He almost pulled at his hair in aggravation. Striding over to her, each step purposeful and direct, he glowered at her crouched form. "What are you doing?" He almost hissed, one his hands waving to the side.
She looked up at him innocently, blue eyes questioning. "You told me to take cover from the rain. I did my part, and I believe you should fulfil yours. Master Syaoran, you should really go home."
"Syaoran, just Syaoran. And when I told you to take cover, I didn't mean to take cover underneath here." His voice rose and she cringed at his stern tone.
Why in Aphrodite's name is he so mad? Usagi thought, suddenly fearful of the mere mortal boy. Humans were so strange. It was hard trying to understand their behaviours.
"Where's your house?" The teen demanded forthrightly, "I'm taking you there."
"No, no, I insist I'm fine."
He ignored her. "I don't think you heard me. Where's your house? I'm taking you there."
She looked down at the ground and Li felt curious as to why she suddenly seemed distant.
"Well?" He prompted. However, the answer she gave him wasn't one that he expected.
"I… I haven't got a place to stay."
He drew a sharp breath, attempting to mask his shocked gasp. "Don't have a place to stay? What do you mean?"
There was a long pregnant pause, a tense atmosphere immediately collecting between them; one that indicated that someone's personal privacy had just been invaded.
Just as Li was about to tell her not to bother answering his question, her mellifluous voice broke the uncomfortable silence. "I was kicked out. And I… can't go back until I fix my mistake." Usagi answered so softly that he had almost missed it through the overbearing sound of rain. She stayed still, staring at the sand beneath her with interest. Her blonde fringe covered her face, shadowing it.
"But… where have you been staying all this time?" Li wondered, his curiosity unsatisfied with the lack of information. There was another long break of silence. And this time, Li guessed with a sickening feeling where she had been staying all this time. "Don't tell me you've been staying here?"
She didn't answer, confirming his question.
Li's eyebrows snapped together and suddenly took hold her wrist without warning, his hand curling around her icy, wet flesh. She's so cold! "Come on, and get your bag." He ordered her, tugging the surprised blonde into a standing position. He started dragging her behind him and back out into the rain.
"M-master Syaoran?"
"I'm taking you to my house until the weather clears." He answered her silent question briskly, leaving no room for an argument.
Usagi eyes widened as she watched the brown haired teen's back for a while. How unbelievably sweet…
His kind actions just made her feel even guiltier for what she had done …
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Usagi shivered and pulled the warm towel closer to her drenched form. In front of her, the fire crackled hungrily, eagerly devouring the wood that fuelled it. The lithe embers danced around in an enchanting dance, its colours changing from red to orange every now and then as it wound around the darkening limbs of the firewood. She watched it sleepily, enjoying the warmth that radiated from it and basking her in its heat.
She was currently in the large, spacious, well-furnished living room of Li's mansion. He had left her there and went upstairs somewhere, lighting the fireplace for her and leaving her with a fresh, new towel. Usagi was still a little surprised when she had seen his large house, and wondered why it had such an empty feel to it. A thought struck her suddenly, and she wondered why his parents weren't around.
She yawned and blinked sleepily, stopping her thoughts and fighting to stay awake, but the gentle, comforting aura around the room made her eyelids feel so heavy…
There was a muffled echoing of footsteps coming from outside her temporary sanctuary and Usagi's eyes snapped open in alert, coming into focus. Her attention was drawn instantly to one of the double doors that slowly creaked open to reveal the brunette boy that had so kindly took her in.
He had changed from his sodden clothes and was now dressed in a plain white shirt and blue jeans. White socks adorning his feet quietened his footsteps as he walked into the carpeted room. It was obvious that he had just taken a shower, because his hair was damp and by it's messy outlook, he had just quickly rubbed a towel over his head.
In his arms, he held a silver tray, carefully balancing two plates bearing wonderfully warm-looking pasta and two mugs that had white wisps of steam rising from its top, indicating that it had just been boiled or heated to near boiling point only a little while ago.
Li gently set his burden onto the large coffee table in the middle of the living room, which was roughly three metres in front of the fireplace. He picked up the two mugs and sat down near his guest, gently shoving the hot mug into her hands. "Drink" He almost ordered her.
"Huh?" She simply stared at it. Hot chocolate. Mmm… tasty. Her target sure knew what kinds of drinks really floated her boat.
"I didn't poison it, if that's what you're so worried about." He told her wryly, observing her reactions.
Usagi flushed pink. "Oh, no, no. I was merely surprised that you've accommodated me so kindly." She thanked him graciously and took a sip of the sweet brown liquid, feeling it swirl down her cold throat like fire. She automatically coughed and blinked, her blue eyes collecting tears. It was searing hot.
Li couldn't help the small smile that spread over his face in amusement at her antics. "Careful, it's hot." He warned her belatedly.
A thin smile tugged at her rosy lips. "Thanks for the advice."
"You say you've stayed at the park. But how do you afford to get to school and to buy food?" He interrogated. Something about her story just didn't seem right.
She had expected something like this, and so she had a prepared a perfect answer. "Master Syaoran, I'm not as pathetic as you think." She informed him mildly, "I can take good care of myself. And I can afford all those with the money that I earn from my job. You know, as a sales girl in the flower shop."
Ahhh… of course… how could he forget that little detail? After all, it was where they had first met. And the very day the he had bought those roses for Sakura...
The simple mentioning of the flower shop brought back harsh memories and Li's throat tightened and he looked away from the blonde, trying to force away the hurt look that twisted his face.
Usagi immediately noticed his reaction and cringed inwardly. Oh, for Aphrodite's sake, look at what you've done, Usagi, you stupid girl. You made him remember…
Again, Usagi was painfully aware that all this was because of her mistake and she felt even worse. She drank from the mug shakily. None of them said anything and all that could be heard was the ticking of the clock and the cackling of the fireplace burning wood for a long moment.
"How long have you been staying in the park?"
She glanced at him and looked away. He had been scrutinizing her, wondering if she would tell the truth or lie about it. She had predicted that the question about would pop out sooner or later. "Not very long… only two days."
He frowned in disapproval at her blunt, careless answer, Only two days? Does she not know how unsafe it is? "Where do you sleep?"
"Uhh…. In the park." She replied meekly, suddenly feeling hot shame rise in her. It wasn't her fault, really, it wasn't…
There was that tense silence in the room again, befalling the two occupants and Usagi swallowed. "Um, Master Syaoran... I really can't express my gratitude enough for your kindness." She told him, standing up and unfolding the towel from around her form.
She folded the towel neatly and glanced out the large, full-length windows and at the skies outside. "It's stopped raining already." She mused, handing the folded towel towards Li, who stood up and took it wordlessly.
She bowed low to him and when she straightened, grinned, flashing her perfect teeth. "I should really get going." She took a regretful fleeting look at the pasta he had prepared and felt rather ungrateful for refusing it without realizing. "Umm… I'm sorry that you had to prepare the pasta and I didn't even take a bite out of it…" She apologized.
He waved it off, "It's nothing." He assured her. She smiled and started her wait to the door. Just as she twisted the doorknob and took a step out, he asked, "Where are you going now?"
She stopped short and looked at him over her shoulder. "… Back to the park, I guess." She said slowly, shrugging. It didn't particularly matter to her.
A frown fell upon his lips at the answer. He had expected her to say something along those lines, but it still sounded unbelievable to his ears. "You're going to sleep there?" He walked over to stand near her.
She fiddled with one of her pigtails, "… It's not like I have a choice, Master Syaoran…" she protested, one of her hands twirling a lock of her smooth golden hair.
He moved to stand in front of her; surprising her and making her look up at him in full attention.
"Listen," He began, looking as though he was having a mental debate with himself inwardly. He looked away, refusing to meet her gaze, which was seeking answers. "You can stay here… but you had better make yourself useful by helping clean up and paying some of the bills. And try to stay out of my way." He added the last sentence firmly.
That said, he walked off towards his room, leaving her gaping after him.
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Li closed his bedroom door and leaned against it, his mid awhirl. What on earth did he just do? He couldn't believe it. He had just invited her to stay with him…
What in the devil possessed him to do that?
Everyone would talk if they found out that they were living together. Especially since Li's parents weren't even around.
… Never mind, it was done now and he certainly wasn't going to kick out the helpless blonde out in the world and leave her to fend for herself. That would just be too cruel. He'd just have to make sure that no one found out…
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AN What did you guys think of the chapter? I, for one, loved writing it and I really can't wait to see what you guys think!
Review Replies:
SilverAngelCosmos – Thanks for your review! XD
Nercia Genesis - :Blinks: What did I do? How was I nasty? I was simply asking people to write at least a sentence. :sweatdrops: was that a crime?
Vampira the damned - Thank you for your review, it's much appreciated! Lol, updating them all is a drag, especially when you've got skool, projects and social stuff to attend to. :Sighs: Lol, a lot of people want an Usa/Syaoran pairing. It's true there's never been one, so… who knows. XD Maybe. But now that Usa is living with Li… we can have more fluffy moments to satisfy you, ne?
Lady Light – Thanks for reviewing! Hope you liked this chapter.
sailorveggie – Haha, thanks so much for the encouraging review. :Grins brightly: The counters are quite useful though.
AnimeMoonGurl - Thanks for the review (and the giant cookie). Haha, I find that people want a Syaoran/Usa pairing for this story. Hmm… what to do, what to do? I'm just as confused to what pairing I should have too. Lol. We'll see what happens, ne?
LiloSad – Glad you loved the past chapter. I love this chapter more. Lol!
vegiegurl - :stares: You've figured out my plot! Noooo! Nah, just kidding. Lol. Hahahaha! Although yours seems interesting, I have more plans for this fic. Heheheh! Awaiting your comments on this chapter XD.
Please review! I really want to know what you think!
(Only because this is my fave chapter out of all the ones I've written)
