Love 4rm a Game
Chapter 15
Double Dinner Date

After standing in the hallway for some time, they decided to bring Kaitlyn back to her hotel room. Sakura handed Kaitlyn to Li and he walked down the hallway. He disappeared into a room and came out, hands free.

When he came back, Sakura was on her feet and they left for the restaurant. Tomoyo called a taxi once they were outside the hotel building. Eriol got in first, followed by Tomoyo, Li and Sakura. Syaoran and Sakura shifted a couple of times, feeling uncomfortable sitting so close to Syaoran.

They reached the restaurant and Eriol paid the taxi fee. Once inside, a hostess greeted them and lead them to a booth farther back of the restaurant. The area was dimly lit and separated from the casual dining area. Soft music played and there were couples on the open dance floor.

Tomoyo and Eriol sat on one side of the booth which left Sakura and Li to sit on the other side--together. Sakura and Tomoyo sat on the inside and the guys sat on the outside. Sakura held her menu up and glared at Tomoyo over it. Tomoyo had a smug smile on her face.

Sighing, Sakura ordered Onaga--a mild, moist, and very tender ruby-red snapper. Tomoyo had Opah-a rich, creamy moonfish; Eriol called the Uku-a gray, pale pink snapper. Syaoran ordered the A'u--pacific blue marlin.

When the waiter left, Sakura commented, " Leave it to Li to order kajiki. Why don't you try somethin' new, idiot?"

He glared at her indignantly and snapped, " How was I supposed to know that was kajiki?"

She sighed and rolled her eyes. " They told you what the dish was under it."

Syaoran looked at Eriol and he nodded, confirming that it was true. Syaoran let out a 'whoops' and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

By then, the drinks were brought to them and now, they waited for their meals. An awkward silence fell and no one spoke. It then got to the point where Tomoyo was about to burst and so she decided to start a conversation.

" So what do you think of Hawaii, Kura?" Tomoyo asked her friend.

Sakura, whose head was resting in her arms on the table, mumbled indecipherable words. Tomoyo called her name again. Sakura's head slowly lifted up and glanced around. " Nani?"

Tomoyo sighed and dismissed the question. Once again, they waited in silence. Syaoran started to tap his foot. Sakura, half asleep and not wanting to be disturbed by his constant tapping, placed her hand on his knee and mumbled him to quit. Syaoran looked down at his knee and blushed. Her hand retreated and went back under her head.

Food was served and Sakura had managed to sit up and eat. There was little conversation and Syaoran kept stealing glances at the familiar looking Sakura, thinking about how such a violent person could be the beautiful Ying Fa.

Sakura didn't even notice his glances but Tomoyo saw every one of them. Once while Syaoran was taking another glance, Sakura lazily looked up and saw him. Li quickly retreated and stared at his food. Sakura, dense as she was, thought it was just a coincidence and continued eating.

Soon, they all finished their meals and Tomoyo and Eriol started a conversation. Sakura leaned back and closed her eyes, listening to the soft music. Li sat and stared at the table, hoping it could give him something to do. His wandering eyes found their way to Sakura's face and a thought ran through his head..."Why don't you try somethin new?"

Sakura...Music...Something new...A smirk spread across his face and he grabbed Sakura's hand, startling her, and pulled her to the open dance floor.

Tomoyo and Eriol smiled and they joined Sakura and Syaoran. Sakura was still trying to figure out what Li had done. Her legs started moving in rhythm with the music and she was dancing with Syaoran. She looked over to Tomoyo, who was intentionally ignoring her.

Sighing, Sakura gave up the thought of resistence. Her arms relaxed around Syaoran's neck and her body relaxed a little bit, tensing up every now and then because of the feel of Li's hands on her waist. Refusing to look Li in the eye, she stared down most of the time. She listened to the music. When Li pulled her to the dance floor, the song was already on the second verse.

And I'm at the point of no return
So afraid of getting burned
But I wanna take a chance
Oh please Give me a reason to believe
Say you're the one that you'll always be

Sakura managed to look up at Li and noticed something she never noticed. From where she was standing, he didn't seem like a moron as much as she accused him to be. He actually looked..handsome.

Someone to have and hold
With all my heart and soul
I need to know
Before I fall in love
Someone who'll stay around
Through all my ups and downs
Please tell me now
Before I fall in love

A strange feeling came over her. She felt right in the arms of Li Syaoran. Taking a small step closer, she gazed into the brown eyes of the one she considered to be an idiot and lost herself in them.

It's been so hard for me
To give my heart away
But I would give my everything
Just to hear you say...

She caught herself staring again and snapped out of her trance, only to realize that Syaoran was staring at her, too, but he didn't break away. Dangit! Why is this happening to me! She looked away.

Someone to have and hold
With all my heart and soul
I need to know
Before I fall in love
Someone who'll stay around
Through all my ups and downs
Please tell me now
Before I fall in love..

He looked Sakura and noticed that she wasn't wearing makeup--yet she looked beautiful, though she didn't look like Ying Fa now. The sudden change in emotion confused him but he ignored it and was just glad he was able to hold Sakura without getting any bruises.

A new song had started and Li decided to go back to the booth. He took Sakura's hand and lead her back to their seats. Sakura did not look up. Soon, Tomoyo and Eriol came to the table but didn't sit down. Tomoyo asked if they were ready to leave and the two nodded. Getting out of the booth once again, Sakura took the lead and was about to pay when Li stepped up and handed the cashier his credit card.

" It's alright. I'll pay, " insisted Sakura, giving the card back to Li.

" No, I think I'll take this bill. I'm supposed to be a gentlemen, remember?" he said, smiling.

Sakura crossed her arms and let out a 'hmph' but allowed Syaoran to pay. They all walked out the restaurant in silence. When they were outside, Tomoyo was about to call a cab but Li put her arm down. He suggested that they enjoy the night and walk back to the hotel. Sakura was skeptical but Tomoyo and Eriol agreed, so she went along with them.

Li was the first one to cross the street. Sakura looked down the road and felt something coming--fast. Her eyes darted over to Eriol and Tomoyo who were about to cross and back down the road. She saw two lights penetrate the darkness and they were headed straight for Li. Taking a glance at Syaoran, she saw that he had bent down to tie his shoe. The car sped faster.

She quickly pulled Tomoyo and Eriol back onto the curb and ran out into the street and pushed Li right to the other side of the street and at that moment, the driver saw her jump out and tried to stop the car but didn't stop it fast enough and it hit Sakura--who didn't have enough time to dodge the car--and swerved onto the curb.

Sakura let out a loud scream of pain. The driver came out with a grave expression. Tomoyo, Syaoran and Eriol rushed to Sakura's limp body. Tears rushed down each face. Tomoyo took the hand of her friend and cried until her stomach hurt.

Li laid Sakura's head in his lap and yelled out, " Some call 911! Call the ambulance! Call anybody!"

The owner of the restaurant came out and quickly ran back in, calling the ambulance. A crowd soon gathered around. Eriol tried his best to clean Sakura's wound but it did not help much.

Syaoran held Sakura in his arms and tears ran down his face. Why? Why didn't you stay where you were!

His sobs were drowned by the sirens of the ambulance. The paramedics quickly caried Sakura onto he stretcher and into the vehicle. The three friends climbed in with Sakura and they drove to the hospital with tears and cries for Sakura to wake up...


And I leave you there to ponder what has happened.

Sakura has been involved in an accident. Will she make it? Will Li ever be able to sort out his true feelings and tell Sakura how he feels? What about the secret admirer? What became of him? And the preps? How will Saikura's other friends react? The answers lie in the further chapters of Love 4rm A Game!