A/N: HIIII! Thank you for reading chapter twelve and reviewing for it too! Thank you very much! Sorri it takes me such a long time to update. Excuse my lack of promptness! =)
Also, the common question asked... what day is it now?....
Day one = school
Day two = community clinic
Day three = mall
Day four = dance
Day five = Sakura's home
Day six = Aquarium
Day seven = Amusement Park
- thus brings us to today.... =)
Well, took me a while, but I've finally completed Chapter Thirteen... ENJOY!...o... and you might want to bring a pillow..... because this isn't one of the most interesting chapters... =)
Chapter Thirteen
Listening tentatively on the phone, Li frowned. "The opera? Why?"
Sakura smiled at his reactions. 'I hate operas too... but despite our dislikes, we should learn to appreciate the things we aren't too fond of.' She thought to herself.
"Don't worry, it'll be fun. Look on the bright side, my brother won't tag along if we go to the opera." Sakura persisted cleverly.
* silence *
"I LOVE THE OPERA. I'll be there in five seconds!"
Sakura giggled at his sudden respond and quickly hung up with him. All of a sudden,
Kero popped up from behind a corner. "He sounded way too happy when he realized I'm not coming." he muttered with distaste. "I should really consider coming again!"
"Kero..." Sakura warned. Kero smirked and flew up to their room to continue playing video games again.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *Ding* *Dong*
"Hi!" Sakura greeted as she opened her door and met the familiar set of arrogant amber eyes.
Li grinned at the sight of her, and beamed at the sight of Kero's absence. "So, which um... opera do you want to see?" He asked in a tone of abrupt swift from joy to gloom.
Sakura smiled at his sudden morose. "Let's watch the Phantom of the Opera! I heard it was pretty good!" She requested oblivious to the fact that Li stuck his tongue out in dislike.
He sighed and mumbled, "Fine...."
Sakura smirked at his unanimated tone. "Liven up will ya! It won't be that bad! Be happy!"
Li stared at her incredulously. "O, Whoopee! I can't wait to see the Phantom! He must be really scary hidden under that stupid mask of his!" he mocked in a kiddy tone.
Sakura rolled her eyes and dragged him to his car.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"I still have no idea why you bother to go so early Sakura. The show doesn't start until 12:00." Li muttered as they stepped out of the car where they had parked near the opera house.
They walked together silently down the streets and bounded the corner. "Wow.... I wonder what all these people are crowding around for." Li asked as he caught sight of the hundreds of people lining up for whatever was within the building.
Sakura smirked and nudged him in the ribs. "What?" he asked indignantly.
Sakura pointed at the billboard clung against the building wall just above all those awaiting people. Li gaped at the sign labeled,
'Phantom of the Opera, experience the enchantment today'
He groaned. "Noooo.....What enchantment!!" He retorted, apparently speaking to the sign.
"Well, now you know why I wanted you to come early." Sakura replied with slight triumph.
After waiting for an hour, Sakura walked up to the ticket booth with an exasperated Li.
"Two tickets to the Phantom of the Opera, please." she requested brightly.
The lady in the booth replied with an apologetic voice, "I hope you don't mind getting the last row, which only consist of two seats. It's the only seats left. The vision might be a bit unclear from the back...." But before she could finish, Li snatched the tickets she was holding up. "I'll take them! I'll even pay double for them if I have to!" He announced, determine to see the opera as unclearly as possible.... even not see it at all if possible...
Sakura glared at him but hid a smile afterwards.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Inside the opera.
Sakura gasped with delight. "This place is huge!!" she quoted excitedly.
Li yawned as if it was nothing. "Let's find our seats." he advised thoughtfully as he observed the many people fondling towards their seats.
Since the seats were aligned so that each row was at a higher level than the last, it was almost shaped like a hill. There was three columns that made up the rows, the column on the left and right were made up of rows with two seats, while the middle section consisted of a full lengthy row.
After a five-minute climb, they made it to their seats high above the rest of the theater.
*Pant* *Pant* "This is just as bad at that stupid hill you made me climb!" Li complained as he threw himself into his assigned seat. Sakura giggled.
"This isn't such a bad place! Quite comfortable if you ask me. I mean, what other opera is considerate enough to hold onto everyone's coat in the lobby so they can have watch the show in a nice free seat instead of a stuffy one where your coat takes up most of the seat?" Sakura reasoned calmly as she leaned back against her cushioned seat.
Li groaned again. He hated when she was reasonable.... and he hated sitting in a boring place for god knows how long. "Sakura, why did you choose the opera?"
Sakura smiled. "I love the opera." she simply lied.
Li stared at her curiously.... "Really...?"
Sakura nodded. "Of course....." she replied.
Li diverted his attention from her, despite the fact he was still unsure of her answer. He sighed impatiently. "When is it going to start!" he growled, and fidgeted raucously in his seat.
Sakura quickly elbowed him, making him crouch in pain. Li glared at her through his bruising stomach, but she simply smiled at him warningly.
*Sigh* "I hate this.... I will never agree to do anything like this again...." Li mumbled.
Sakura grinned at him, and watched as the stage slowly began to darken under the dimming lights. "It's starting!!!" she beamed trying to lessen Li's disgruntle.
Li turned his gaze over to the stage too, and peered down at the opening curtains with curiosity.... that lasted for about a minute of the show.
Li struggled restlessly from screaming of boredom. Through his inconsistent immobility, Li could interpret the first act as the epilogue of the whole play. The only thing that caught his attention was the fall of a huge chandelier, which exploded once it made contact with the floor and conducted sparks that flew in midair. If that hadn't caught his attention, the acclaim that followed would certainly have.
The next scene illustrated a group of people who were performing an opera of their own. The dialects were mostly expressed in songs, and Li found it quite annoying... especially when the actors sang high pitched.
"Omg, bulletproof windows wouldn't be able to withstand their voices!" Li crossly complained while covering his ears. "The ticket lady didn't tell us how badly we'd hear their voices from up here! God! Imaging sitting in the front, I'd have to bring three sets of earmuffs in case two of them snap!" he retorted.
"This is art." Sakura simply responded, though she was also wincing at the high notes as they were vocalized.
Li glared at her. "This isn't art! You want know what art is?!! Stick figures that don't sing!"
Sakura burst into fits of laughter.
Li glared at her again, not finding his flustered situation humorous. "Haha, very funny. Let's watch Li instead, he'll bring in some entertainment!" he snapped.
As the first scene ended and the lights began to dim... Li cursed again, then waited for about a minute for Sakura to comment or scold him for his lack of patience.... but she didn't say anything....
Li turned to Sakura... and his contorted frowning face, turned soft with a slight smile...
Sakura had fallen asleep, and she was breathing slowly in the darkened room while soft piano music flowed throughout the air conditioned atmosphere....
Li's smile turned into a mischievous smirk....
"Stupid... 'I love operas' ... yea right..... couldn't even make it through the first scene...." he whispered with a tone of mockery.
Suddenly Sakura began to shudder. Li peered at her curiously and realized she was cold...
"Right Sakura.... this is a very comfortable opera house... opening air conditions in the dead of winter."
Without second thoughts.... he quickly took off his sweater jacket and bend down close to her while snuggling the attire over her trembling body, which quickly inherited the warmth left from Li's body and stopped shivering.... he smiled at her...and studied her face warmly.... she was so pretty and innocent......
...within moments he found himself hypnotized by her.....oblivious to the irritating songs that lingered through the rest of the room........ he sensed himself slowly inching towards her face.... but once he was a centimeter from her face.... he quickly broke away... and was breathing heavily with confusion.....he was loosing control over himself....
"God Sakura... what are doing to me...?" he questioned softly...
Throughout the rest of the drama, he sat in his seat swearing and glaring at Sakura for being who she was.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ The end of the opera!!!! (phew)
*Applause*
*Yawn* "What......Uh o......."
"Yea Sakura, I'm glad you noticed too...." Li grumbled.
Sakura blushed. "Sorry... I didn't mean to fall asleep..." she apologized.
"Of course you didn't, after all, how could anyone who loves operas, mean fall asleep!" Li responded irritatingly.
Sakura stared at him cautiously... "But....how come you didn't wake me up?"
"Because...because.... BECAUSE!" he snapped as if that was the reason...
"Ok..." Sakura mumbled. Suddenly, Li's jacket caught her attention and she smiled cordially. She looked over at his angry expression, and tapped him on the shoulders...
"Thanks..." she softly ushered as she handed back his jacket.
Li's expression dropped, and he took hold of he jacket while mumbling something that Sakura couldn't quite pick up.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Outside
"So... tell me.... what was the opera about." Sakura asked, trying to start a conversation.
"I don't know.... They didn't seem to be singing in English....." Li commented playfully.
Sakura smiled, and continued to walk beside him down the city streets. "Are you hungry yet?"
Li nodded.
"What would you like to eat today?" Sakura asked while studying
"Let's try that thing called Pizza again!" Li replied thoughtfully.
Sakura nodded with a fond smile.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ After lunch!
"Li! Look at the puppies!" Sakura beckoned as the rounded towards a pet shop and peered into the glass windows.
Li stared curiously at the puppies bounding through the scatter newspaper cushioned within their cages.
Before Li could object, Sakura pulled opened the door and stepped inside without waiting for him. She fluttered to the cages cooing at the domestic animals. Li raised an eyebrow....
"Standing in the corner like you always do won't get you anywhere, Li. Come over here and look at the puppies." Sakura gestured in her usual friendly manner.
Li growled. As he motioned himself towards the pet, he kept glaring at the floor. Once he was next to her, she guided the puppy she was holding towards him...
"Pet him." Sakura insisted.
Li sighed in defeat, and dully thumped his hand on the poodle's head. The dog immediately snapped at his hands....
"What the!"
Sakura giggled. "That ought to teach you to treat dogs politely, I said pet him, not pound him on the head!" she replied casually.
"O, of course, biting off my hands will surly teach me why I should pet them nicely next time! After all, who needs hands to pet the puppies next time! I'll use my feet!" He snapped.
Sakura glared at him, and continued to play with the puppy. "Lets see more puppies." Sakura requested happily.
"This one's lonely and depressed..." Sakura mumbled. She scooped the fuzzy puppy up and held him tight to her.
Li stared at her... how did she know he was lonely and depressed? He half expected the puppy to bite her...but...instead... he began to lick her instead... Li continued to stare at her...stunned...., and again, his expression could no longer resist the temptation to smile....
"Do you want him?" Li asked, finally breaking from his trance.
Sakura's smile dropped. She shook her head... "I...um... I'm not allowed to have pets..."
Li smirked. "Really? What's Kero then?"
Sakura grinned back and then turned back to the package.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
For the rest of the day, they spent their time sight seeing and touring the city. By the time they had exited the Museum of Ancient Past... Li had fallen half asleep leaning on her shoulders. Sakura smiled... he was childish....but truly the cutest guy she'd ever met...
They quickly consumed dinner at a small noodle shop, and took a stroll to feed pigeons at the park.... Li didn't get along with birds either.... =)
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Home!
"Thanks for spending your day with me once again!" Sakura thanks beamingly.
Li let out a small grin. As they walked closer and closer to Sakura's door, their vision slowly adjusted to a mysterious box laid on the door step.
"What's this?" Sakura asked herself, picking up the package.
Li shrug.
Sakura frowned, but bend down and took a seat of her door step.... she cautiously tore off the tape, and flipped the lids. Inside was ... something soft and furry.... She picked up the object within the box and a angelic smile crossed her features. She held the stuff puppy in her arms.... and she quickly looked up at Li who smiled down at her.
"I saw how you looked at the golden retrievers today.... this was the closest thing to the real ones..." he mumbled with a tint of blush on his face.
Sakura smiled. "Since when did Li become so sweet and thoughtful?" she asked playfully.
Li glared at her. "Remind me to never do anything nice for you ag...." he stopped short...
Sakura had jumped from crouching on the floor, to wrapping her arms around his shoulders.... "Thanks Li."
Li smirked and he enclosed his own arms around her......then he slyly whispered.... "I should really consider doing this more often..."
Sakura laughed and quickly and pulled away. Li was heading towards his car and Sakura was just about to head inside....
"O, and Sakura!!!, (she turned) tell Kero I had a great time without him!" Li called back in a devilish tone.
As if he possessed supersonic ears, Kero bounded down the stairs just fast enough to see Li's car pull away. He glared at the retreating car.
"Damn, too slow to get the eggs!" he complained.
Sakura smirked and pushed him inside the house.
Once inside, Sakura grabbed a chair and plopped down tiredly while holding her present tight with joy.
Kero smiled, and ran to the refrigerator to get a box juice. He hand one to Sakura and one to himself.
"Thanks, Kero!" Sakura motioned and quickly inserted the straw through the socket.
Kero grinned back. For a moment they sat in their seats slurping on the straws and floating through their own imagination word.
"Sakura..."
"Yea?"
"I hope you know...."
"What?" Sakura asked, and stopped drinking immediately, and loosening her grip of the puppy.
Kero stared at the ground...."......It's the eighth day...." he slowly answered.... afraid to see her expression......
Sakura became still.... she had forgotten she was limited to only ten days..... flashbacks of all the times she had with Li swarmed her mind and overwhelmed her with sadness..... they were by far the best thing that ever happened to her.....she squeezed her present tightly.... "I.... o...." she managed to utter.
Kero could see the disappointment in her face. "Look the bright side.... you'll get to leave Li.... and then recarnate and meet new people.... don't worry, I'll watch over you!!!" he beamed.
Sakura forced a smiled.... which was weak and feeble.... but it was all she could let out...
"Yea... great..."
Kero smiled at her too.... though his was just as much forced as hers. He knew she was sad.... he knew she didn't want to go.... he knew she'd miss.......him... "Hey..."
Sakura looked up from the floor.
"I saved a piece of cake for you... I made it myself... using hands is soo much easier than paws!" he brightly exclaimed, trying to make her smile.
Sakura grinned again.... this time with more effort....
Before Kero got up to get the dessert he had prepared... "O, and Sakura..."
"Hmm?"
"You'll be getting your grades tomorrow." Kero informed nonchalantly.
"What!" Sakura jumped to her feet. "I get a mark for this too?!"
Kero smiled and nodded. "Don't worry. You did fine. Trust me."
Sakura sighed. She plopped back onto the couch and began to drown in misery.
That night Sakura laid in bed while holding the puppy close besides her... she restlessly prepared for the last two days she had left... because....
on Day Ten......... she would be leaving.....
A/N: Finish!!!!! Yea.... ok.... complaints are allowed. I know it was a bit boring.... sorri if I did make you sleep..... anyways, Chapter Nine will be post up, and more info about Sakura's grades and her feelings.... hm.... and if my calculations are correct... their should be Sixteen Chapters overall in the story!!! Hope to update soon!!! Bye!!!
