oekaki: Ahh...this fic IS based an the drama Glass Slippers.
shiromo: Yes, it IS based on the Korean Drama EXACTLY like this. Well, not EXACTLY.
Mariko: You still gotta a point...oh well, if you study English, you'll there's something called "suspension of disbelief". Basically, it just means, "BEAR. WITH. ME. PLEASE"
And to all my reviewers: I love you all! Thanks for coming this far!
CinderSakura
By: Lotus Dreams
Chapter 15: Reminiscence and Red
"Wow!"
"Yup."
"Kami-sama, dumplings and noodles!" squealed Nadeshiko. "They're my absolute favourite food in the whole world!"
"Well, I thought you'd like them," said Syaoran, amused, "So I bought them for you."
"Arigatou gozaimasu!" She threw her arms around his neck.
Touya walked by the cafeteria as he went on his way to his office in the morning. Purchasing a carton of milk and a bagel, he paused mid-bite when he saw Nadeshiko together with Syaoran.
Didn't Manami say something about Syaoran Li? he wondered. Didn't she say she liked him? A lot? He frowned. They were laughing together, and Nadeshiko was eating dumplings and noodles with a fork.
He smiled faintly. Just like Sakura when she was ten, thought Touya. She always refused to eat dumplings or noodles with chopsticks because she was so clumsy at them. And if it happened that there wasn't a fork lying around, she'd spear the end of one of her chopsticks into the dumpling and put it in her mouth. Undiginifed, but better than accidentally dropping it on the floor.
He shook his head and bit his bagel, sitting down not far away from the two. Shut up, Touya, he thought, you've got your little sister. STOP RELATING NADESHIKO TO SAKURA WHEN SHE WAS TEN!
But...he had to admit, Nadeshiko did resemble Sakura a lot. Auburn hair, green eyes. Although Sakura's hair had mysteriously turned darker during the night. His frown grew deeper. Can hair grow darker overnight? (A/N: Just a reminder, remember that Manami had her hair dyed a shade too dark!)
He polished off his bagel and drank from the milk. It was cold, and woke him up immediately, for he had gotten up at 5:00 in the morning and it was only about 7:00 or so in the company. He was practically half-asleep when driving to work.
However, he was still confused....Why do I keep comparing Nadeshiko to Sakura when I already have Sakura? Why am I wondering if hair can grow darker over night? Why? WHY?
As soon as Syaoran had left to do his work in his office, Nadeshiko let out a huge sigh. She was still quite frustrated over the dreams she had had last night - again. It was always the same person, the same man, who she would call "Otou-san", and he would call her Sakura. My name is not Sakura, she thought. It's Nadeshiko.
That's when she bumped into Manami. Today, her outfit consisted of a strapless, EXTREMELY SHORT red dress that showed a lot more than it should have. On her feet were ridiculously high high-heeled shoes with a ton of straps, plus a diamond fastener. On her neck was a diamond necklace, on her wrists were various diamond bracelets, and in her hair was a diamond clip.
Although she was adorned in so much jewelry, she still looked unbelievably slutty.
"You should really watch where you're going," said Manami icily. The dream was still clearly in her head.
"Gomen," replied Nadeshiko, "I'm sorry, I was just...lost in my thoughts."
Manami snorted. "Right."
As she strutted past Nadeshiko, Manami heard her mutter, "Fujitaka..." And for some reason, that one name sent a shiver down her spine.
When Manami got home in the evening, she found Touya typing on his laptop, and shuffling through various papers. She knocked on the door. Touya looked up. For some reason, he seemed extremely annoyed.
"Gomen nasai, Touya-chan," apologized Manami in a voice layered with sweetness, "But I just need to ask you a teeny little question."
"Make it quick, Sakura, I'm kind of busy right now, I have something due tomorrow."
"Well...what was...otou-san's first name?" Touya's frown deepened. Shouldn't I have told her at some point?
"Fujitaka. Why?" The name hit her like a boulder.
"N-Nothing, I just...forgot. I'll...I'll just go now..."
She went back to her room, shaking uncontrollably. She's remembering, thought Manami. She's remembering.
"Alright, spill."
"Huh?"
"I've been asking you throughout the whole day, what the hell is wrong with you? You seem to be losing concentration everytime you do something, and you haven't talked to anyone all day."
"Oh. I told you, can't sleep."
"Then you should be yawning. You're thinking, I can tell."
"What would I be thinking about?"
"You tell me." Syaoran was looking at her intently, and Nadeshiko averted her gaze.
"Dreams."
"Dreams? Interesting."
"Yeah." Nadeshiko sighed. "For the past couple of nights, I've been dreaming about this man."
"Nani? You mean you haven't dreaming about me?"
Nadeshiko playfully swatted at him. Syaoran ducked, laughing. "Okay, kidding, kidding."
"No, really. Everytime I see him...he calls me 'Sakura', and then I run to him...and I hug him and I call him 'Otou-san'."
"Otou-san? Well...is he your otou-san?"
"I...I don't know," said Nadeshiko miserably. "I was raised by a couple who already had a child, and they say they found me, so they're not my real otou-san and okaa-san. I have a strange feeling that this dream might be true, but then, who knows? Maybe I'm just...family-sick. But...in the dream...he feels so right. I feel a connection to him. Still...I don't even know how my otou-san looks like." No tears came to her eyes, (A/N: SHE IS NOT A CRYBABY) but Syaoran could tell she was extremely upset and confused.
"Hey," said Syaoran gently, "It's okay." He wrapped his arms around her. Nadeshiko hugged him back, but her mind was still churning, and her thoughts were still elsewhere.
Is he my otou-san?
Is my name Sakura?
Do these dreams mean anything?
Her phone rang. Nadeshiko almost jumped a mile. Only Syaoran called her on her cell phone, and even then, it was only once or twice, because he usually called her when she was at Tomoyo's place. She really had to get used to that annoying shrilly tune.
"Moshi moshi, Sak - Nadeshiko speaking." She mentally slapped herself. Sakura? Where did that come from?
"Ohayou, Nadeshiko."
It was Manami.
"Oh, hi Manami," said Nadeshiko, "How did you get my - ?"
"Never mind that. Are you busy at the moment?"
"Well, hai, as a matter of fact, I don't have lunch break until twelve - "
"Very well then," said Manami, her voice curt. "I'll meet you in the cafeteria at twelve. Okay?"
"Um...sure."
"Arigatou," Manami said quickly, and hung up.
Nadeshiko stared at the cell phone. Okay, that was weird. I thought Manami hated my guts.
"KINOMOTO NADESHIKO-SAN!"
"Coming!" called Nadeshiko. Trying to balance all the papers she was holding while putting her cell phone back into her pocket was quite an effort.
At noon, when she was finally free, she went to the cafeteria. And sure enough, there was Manami, this time decked out in a black tank top with a black skirt and black leather stiletto boots, with a black purse to match. She was wearing bright pink and sparkly lipstick however, and heavy sky blue eyeshadow. Manami spotted her and started making her way towards her, her black boots clicking with every step.
"Nadeshiko."
"Hello, Manami," said Nadeshiko, trying to be as friendly as possible, "What - "
"Follow me," Manami interrupted, and walked right out of the cafetera. Nadeshiko followed her to her new dark green Suzuki, and sat inside the car, all the time bewildered as to what Manami wanted.
"We're going to a cafe," said Manami casually, "And then we're going to talk."
Nadeshiko stayed silent.
"Oh, don't be so quiet, Nadeshiko-chan," Manami said sweetly, "After all, we've lived together for half our lives, you can trust me."
"Red light," Nadeshiko replied quietly. Her Suzuki screeched to a stop, right before hitting an old man crossing the street.
"Arigatou, Nadeshiko, for telling me that." Manami did not appreciate being told something by Nadeshiko, but her voice was layered with false honey all the same.
When they reached the cafe, Manami ordered a generous lunch for the two of them, and leaned forward towards Nadeshiko.
"Now, Nadeshiko-chan...I just wanted to ask you...remember when we first found you? When you were ten?"
"Hai," replied Nadeshiko.
"Well...did you remember anything about your parents? Family?"
"Iie," answered Nadeshiko. "I didn't." Why is she asking me all this?
"Do you remember anything now? About your family? You know, anyone."
"Why?" said Nadeshiko calmly. "Why do you want to know?"
"You poor thing," began Manami. "Found on the streets with blood pouring from your head, thank goodness my otou-san and okaa-san found you and raised you. But you couldn't remember a thing from that crash. I just wanted to know if you did remember anything, maybe I can...help you. You know, find your family."
"It's okay," said Nadeshiko smoothly. "You really don't need to, Manami."
"Oh, but I do." She leaned forward some more. "So tell me...do you remember anyone?"
Nadeshiko sighed. She had told the story once yesterday, and it looked as if she would have to tell it again. "I guess...I keep having flashbacks to a man."
"A man?" Manami was listening intently now. Nadeshiko shrugged.
"Yes. He claims to be my otou-san, and he says hisname is..."
"Yes, his name, his name?"
"Fujitaka." Manami's face immediately turned pale. Kami-sama...
Just then, Nadeshiko's cell phone rang for the second time that day. She looked apologetically at Manami.
"Gomen nasai." She pressed a button and listened. "Moshi moshi - oh, hey, Syaor - I'm fine, don't worry - no, I just went out to lunch with...with a friend - yes, yes, a female friend, stop worrying so much...they want me for something? Okay then." Nadeshiko put her cell phone back into her pocket.
"Well, I'm sorry, Manami, but I have to go. I'll, uh, talk to you later, okay?" She smiled. "Ja."
"Ja." As soon as she was gone, Manami cradled her head in her hands. Shit, she thought. Touya is getting colder and colder towards me every minute, and I KNOW Mr. Kinomoto hates me. Nadeshiko is slowly getting her memory back, AND she has the ring! To make it all worse, she's dating Syaoran! UGH! Five things going wrong all at the same time!
By the time the waitress came back with Manami's orders, she was long gone, and had left a generous amount of money on the table.
"Here you go, miss."
"Are you saying THIS is what you've made?"
"Hai," said the man haughtily. "Is there a problem?"
"DUH," said Manami. "Even I can tell. The characters don't even look all that right, and the golden colour is way too shiny."
"Gomen nasai, Kinomoto-san," said the man curtly, "But without the original, there's no guarantee that we can make an exact copy."
Manami muttered some profanities under her breath for several minutes, then took two deep breaths. "Then I guess this will have to do." She slipped the ring on to her finger, and paid the man in full.
When they were having dinner, Touya noticed something gold and shiny on Manami's finger.
"Sakura, did you get a new ring?"
Manami almost dropped her chopsticks.
"Uh, no...this is okaa-san's ring..." She brought the rice shakily to her lips.
Touya was suspicious and held his hand out. "Give it here. NOW."
"But we're eating!"
"And what does that have to do with it?"
"Touya," boomed Mr. Kinomoto at the other end of the table, "Drop it. Mana - Sakura is right, we are eating, so just let us eat in peace."
"But I need to see that ring." Touya's eyes were narrowed, and his hand was still flat open. Nervously, Manami took off the ring and dropped it into his palm, praying that he wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
"Sakura!" Touya's voice was sharp.
"H-Hai?"
"Where is okaa-san's ring?"
"You're...you're holding it, onii-chan - "
"THIS IS NOT OKAA-SAN'S RING!" Touya stood up and slammed his fist against the table. He was furious. "You lost okaa-san's ring, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU? ANSWER ME!"
"Touya!" said Mr. Kinomoto sharply. "Stop yelling!" Touya ignored him.
"I-I lost her ring," whispered Manami. "I'm sorry, I really am, I didn't mean to lose it - "
"Do you know how valuable that ring was? Do you know that it is the only reminder we have of okaa-san right now? How can you lose her ring?"
"Gomen nasai, I - "
"And even if you did lose the ring, you should have just told me so, why did you go and get a new ring and trying to LIE TO ME?"
"Well, I - "
"There are some things in the world that are unforgivable," said Touya dangerously, "And lying is one of them." There was a deathly silence. Manami threw down her chopsticks.
"I've lost my appetite." Then she stormed up to her room.
Later, Touya knocked on Manami's door. "Come in," called Manami. Touya opened the door and sighed, trying to get himself together.
"I guess I was a bit harsh," he began. "I...Well, you already lost the ring, so even if I yell at you further, it won't be any use. Gomen, Sakura-chan."
"Oh, onii-chan," cried Manami, running towards him and throwing her arms around his neck. "Please forgive me, it was a stupid thing to do, to get a new ring! I promise I won't ever lie to you again!"
"Good," said Touya, patting her head. "Alright, I'm going to go do my work, okay?"
"Sure," replied Manami, "Ja, onii-chan." She put on a bright smile. Touya returned it, although his smile was slightly tight. As soon as he closed the door behind him, Manami flopped down on the bed, and her smile disappeared.
Another bad thing to add to my list. She eventually slept, but with fitful dreams again.
"Oof!" Manami stumbled back, almost tripping in her white stilettos. "Watch where you going, you big oaf!" she snapped. Then her eyes widened in horror.
"Otou-san?" Matsuo groaned, getting back on his feet. His clothes were stained and dirty, he hadn't gotten a shave in months, he looked half-starved, and his hair was unwashed and tangled. He looked at her, in her white suited elegance - today, she had put on a ridiculously revealing sleeveless top with an equally ridiculous short and tight skirt, along with her white stilettos.
"Well, well, well," drawled Matsuo. "If it isn't Kinomoto Sakura, the long lost sister of Kinomoto Touya. Or should I say,my daughter named Manami!"
"Shut up, baka!" hissed Manami. "You realize what could happen to me if somebody heard you?"
"I'm hungry," moaned Matsuo. "Hungry and thirsty and dirty. Help me!"
"If I must," muttered Manami, desperate to shut him up. Hewas still yelling how much crap he had been through and how his wife had kicked him out. She dragged him to the nearest restaurant and purchased some fast food for him. Nothing big, just a couple of fries, a burger, and some chicken nuggets. He wolfed it all down within seconds, and begged for second helpings. Disgusted, Manami bought more food for him, but made sure she didn't spend too much.
"So," said Matsuo between mouthfuls, "How do you like your new life?"
"Excuse me?"
"Your new, rich, glamorous life," Matsuo enunciated clearly. "You know, full of money and clothes and makeup and whatnot?"
"It's fine," answered Manami curtly.
"Have you ever wondered how Nadeshiko is doing? After all, she IS the real Sakura, and I can see that you are now trying to look like her because you dyed your hair and put in contacts." He squinted. "Although your hair is a bit darker than Nadeshiko's."
"SHUT. UP." Manami banged her fist on the table. Several people stared at her. "You listen to me right now," whispered Manami dangerously. "Talk about Nadeshiko again, and that's the end of your life."
Matsuo snorted. "Ooh, I amso scared."
"Just - stop talking about it, alright!" Manami reached into her purse and tossed Matsuo a wad of cash. "Spend it all." Her voice was cold. "Just shut up about Nadeshiko. I can give you a lot more where that came from, but you'd better keep your mouth shut, or I'll shut it for you." Flashing him a Look, she got up.
All at once, the people who were sitting behind her started whispering and giggling. A couple of other people looked at Manami and also started murmuring and laughing. Manami tried glaring at them all, but there were just too many of them. "WHAT ARE YOU ALL LAUGHING AT?" she roared, turning around. Matsuo stifled a giggle.
"Uh...Manami."
"NANI?"
"I think you've gotten your period." Manami looked at her behind. Sure enough, there was a HUGE red spot totally visible on her white skirt. It didn't help that her skirt was short, and her thong was thoroughly soaked. (A/N: Yes, she's a SLUT. Can you imagine that, wearing a thong and you just got your period? xD I'm so evil.)
Manami turned a brilliant shade of purple of red at the same time, and bolted out the restaurant. Laughs trailed behind her.
Sooooo...how did you like Manami's little incident:) Personally, I liked it, and I enjoyed writing it. Now, I know most of the chapters have focused mainly on Manami, but next chapter, hopefully I might squeeze a little more Sakura/Syaoran fluff into there. NOW REVIEW!
