Thank you for the reviews guys! Thank you very much and sorry about the language (not the bad words) I didn't know. Well thank you for telling me anyway! Oh and about that scene where Syaoran gets inside Sakura's room, I had that in mind already but I'm planning to put it somewhere near the end. Say would like this story to be short like fifteen chapters? Or should I make this a twenty plus chapter story?
Title: Remember me?
Author: sapphire-Lady-of-the-night
Chapter 9: Avoiding
"What!" Tomoyo slopped down her coffee. They were in their favorite café. It was their break time.
"Only the both of you watched the concert?" Tomoyo almost screamed.
"Yeah, I know I told you that we won't be alone but I didn't know that Kari would back out and that Meilin would decide not to go too." Sakura said trying to calm down her raging best friend.
"Well, so what happened?" Tomoyo asked her eyebrows meeting.
"Uh… we just sat there and watched" Sakura answered truthfully. "Professor was even there" She neglected to say that he mistook them for a couple.
"So you just sat there? You didn't do anything like kissing perhaps?" She frowned suspiciously.
"N-no!" Sakura blushed furiously. "Tomoyo! How could you ask such a thing!"
Tomoyo only shrugged.
"But what if he kissed you? Would you have pulled away or gave in, if he did?" Tomoyo asked seriously.
"I… I…I don't know" Sakura looked away.
Truly she didn't know. The right thing to do would be to pull away. But who knows if she had the will to pull away. She really do love Syaoran and it's really hard to pull away from something you know you really want.
When Tomoyo didn't say anything Sakura turned to look at her. She was staring outside the glass wall of the café. Curios at what caught Tomoyo's attention Sakura turned her head to gaze out too. What she saw next made her heart constrict.
Kari was walking towards the cafe they were in, a bouquet of flowers in her hand, a smile on her lips. Who can't help but smile when Syaoran Li's arm is wrapped around your waste?
Sakura looked away from the heart wrenching sight.
"Don't you see it's such a foolish thing to do, to continue loving him?" Tomoyo said.
Sakura tried to muster a smile but only managed a sad one. She didn't answer, she knew Tomoyo wouldn't understand. She looked down at her cup of hot chocolate and realized her hand holding the cup was shaking. Then a tear drop fell on her hand.
No! I can't cry right now… not here…
She heard the tinkling sound of the bell when you open the door.
How could I ever have imagined that one day he'll be mine again...
The happy sounds she anticipated floated to her ears.
How could I have considered it…
A hand touched her shoulder. Sakura looked up and saw the happy couple standing right before her.
When the evidence that it'll never be possible is right before my eyes…
She saw Syaoran's happy expression fade into a frown of concern. Then she realized that tears were still falling down her cheeks. She immediately turned away wiping her tears with the back of her hands.
"Ah, Hello Li-san, and you must be Miyuki-san" Tomoyo said trying to get their attention from Sakura, though it was against all her will to say so. She hated Syaoran, it was his fault why Sakura is now suffering!
"Yes I am. " Kari smiled. "And you must be Daidouji-san" Kari said in return.
Tomoyo only nodded not really interested in meeting Syaoran's girlfriend or why she knew her name.
"Uh! Hello Daidouji-san…" Li said a little bit surprised.
" Are you alright Kinomoto?" Syaoran asked his hand was still on her shoulder as he bent down.
Sakura's eyes widened as she felt Syaoran's face leveled with her own.
"Hai…" She said softly closing her eyes.
"I'm sorry for causing you to worry" Sakura said.
"It's alright Kinomoto-san, you don't have to always worry about others. Sometimes it's alright to worry only about yourself; you don't have to mind others." Kari smiled kindly.
"Come now Syaoran let's buy ourselves something to drink. Kinomoto-san needs time to pull herself together," came Kari's angelic voice.
Syaoran withdrew his hand and straightened up still looking at Sakura, baffled.
"Right" he said turning around towards the counter.
Tomoyo watched the two until they were out of earshot. A look of surprise could be seen on her face.
"Such an amazing person, isn't she?" Sakura said smiling ruefully. "How could I ever dreamt of… taking Syaoran away from her?"
"So now you want to give up" Tomoyo said frowning.
Sakura looked up and faced her friend. Her face set in a serious expression. One word came from her lips. One word yet it meant so much.
"No" Then she got up and without another word left the café. Tomoyo sat there stunned until Syaoran and Kari came bringing their drinks.
"Uh… where is Kinomoto, Daidouji?" Syaoran asked.
"She had something else to do." Tomoyo covered for Sakura.
Syaoran frowned confused while Kari only smiled knowingly.
I could never give him up. I might as well give up living… existing.
Why would you give up something that rightfully belongs to you anyway? A tiny voice whispered inside her head.
But Syaoran doesn't belong to me now, and I don't want to destroy a good relationship. Sakura debated.
Weren't you listening? She said you don't have to always worry about others. Think for yourself once in a while. Be selfish!
Sakura shook her head to clear her mind. What her mind was telling her was tempting but then… she cannot right a thing with a wrong act.
What could be wrong in telling the truth? Her mind jeered.
Sakura stopped on her tracks. She wanted to clear her mind desperately. She wanted the thoughts to stop. Her hands covered her eyes and shook her head.
"Are you well Sakura?" Someone asked.
Sakura immediately dropped her hand to her side and looked up. Eriol's concerned face met her.
"I am confused Eriol… so confused I'm afraid to make a move." Sakura answered.
"You're afraid to make a mistake." Eriol stated flatly. "You shouldn't fear to make one Sakura, after all we learn from our mistakes."
"But I might learn my lesson too late and too much is at stake anyway." Sakura answered.
"Is your problem concerning the man striding towards us?" Eriol asked looking behind Sakura.
Sakura froze. No he didn't, he can't follow me. Slowly she looked back dreading what she would see. Sure enough it was Syaoran and Sakura was a little relieved that Kari wasn't with him. But still she's not yet ready to face him after what happened in the café. He saw her crying…
"Eriol I must go now." Sakura said facing Eriol.
But Eriol held her in her place. "Avoiding him will do no good." He said.
"But—"
"Kinomoto?"
Too late! She could feel his presence behind her. Her heart raced and she could feel tears gathering again.
Oh no! Not again! I can't cry!
She looked at Eriol pleadingly. She was sure he saw the gathering tears.
"You are too emotional Sakura I shouldn't have let you watch that movie." Eriol laughed genuinely.
"Uh… yes" He's covering me.
Now that it was safe to turn around she faced Syaoran.
"I'm sorry for just leaving the café, Li" Sakura apologized.
"Daidouji said you had something else to do." He said.
Sakura knew Syaoran too well, and she knew that behind that mask casualness he was actually worried and concerned. Sakura couldn't help but smile. In normal situations she would have ruffled his hair and whisper not to worry. But nothing is normal between them anymore.
"Yes… actually" Sakura said checking her watch. "I have a class in about five minutes." She said mustering a smile.
"See you two later." She said then quickly left not waiting for a reply.
She's acting weird. Syaoran thought. Earlier I saw her look out from the café and she wasn't crying at all. Then when we came in… tears were already running down her cheeks. I don't know if I'm just imagining this but it's as though she is avoiding me, leaving just like that.
Now Syaoran faced his neighbor Eriol Hirigazawa. "She looks so sad sometimes, doesn't she?" Syaoran said.
"More than you know" Eriol answered.
Syaoran looked surprised.
More than I know? What was that suppose to mean?
"Do you know why?" Syaoran asked.
Eriol only gazed at him coolly. "You ought to know that"
He knew something is going on between his neighbor and landlady. He just don't what that 'something' is but he was sure it was the cause of his landlady's sorrow.
"What do you mean?" Syaoran frowned.
"If you don't know, then I won't tell you" Eriol answered simply. It wasn't his place to tell besides it's not his business. He had no right to get involved.
"Is there something that I must know?" Syaoran looked intently at Eriol almost in a threatening way.
"If there is, I'm not the right person to ask." Eriol answered.
Syaoran glared at him. So is this always the way things will be? Am I always going to be the last to know? Are they all going to continue hiding secrets from me? They think I don't sense it, but I do. Maybe this is all because of the accident three years ago, maybe something else happened. But what?
"Very well then" Syaoran said turning his back on Eriol.
"I guess I'll never know since no one will tell me." He said angrily then he walked away back to the coffee shop. Kari would be there. At least Kari makes me feel good.
Kari… A smile played at his lips.
Eriol watched Syaoran's retreating back. So he doesn't know. Hell I don't know either. I don't know what happened but I'm not going to stick my nose in it. He smiled as he saw a figure go out of the café. Tomoyo Daidouji.
She just had a conversation with Kari Miyuki. She was really surprised that the person was so nice. She was indeed very nice, the type of person that draws people to her without intending to. She's an easy to like, person. No wonder Syaoran fell for her. But Sakura is nice too, very easy to love. Tomoyo heaved a sigh. Who knows what'll happen in the end.
"Hello there Tomoyo" a familiar voice said.
Tomoyo groaned. Not this insufferable man again. He was walking towards her. Well I can't pretend I didn't see him now. Not that it will work in the first place. The man will really chase you, so you can't escape.
"Hello" Tomoyo said dully.
"What's troubling you?" Eriol asked looking at Tomoyo's bothered face.
"Don't you know? It's YOU!" Tomoyo said tartly quickening her pace.
"Hey I didn't do anything…yet" Eriol smirked.
"Oh can't you just leave me alone" Tomoyo scowled.
"Well… no!"
Tomoyo scowled and was taking long strides.
"Did I ever tell you, you look so cute when you're mad?" Eriol teased.
Tomoyo didn't answer still taking big strides trying loose Eriol. On the other hand Eriol kept in step with Tomoyo effortlessly.
"Go away. Why can't just leave me?" She finally said.
Eriol stopped abruptly. It was so sudden that Tomoyo stopped too. She turned to Eriol, finally looking at him. He was smirking.
"See, you answer your own question. I can't leave you because you don't want me to."
"I don't!"
"No you don't… you don't want me to leave you"
"I trust your pride won't be greatly injured if I say you're wrong."
"No" He smiled to Tomoyo's great annoyance. "Because I know if you say so, you'll only be denying the truth."
"You assume too much!" Tomoyo said turning her back on Eriol.
Sakura sighed heavily as she closed her locker. All her classes for the day were over. She leaned her head on the locker. The incident in the café kept on replaying in her head. She felt a sting in her nose. No I'm not going to cry again.
"Hey" A hand clapped on his shoulder.
Now what! Can't they leave me in peace even for just a while? Sakura was so deep in thought that she didn't recognize the voice at first. But she found who the person was when she turned anyway.
"Are all your classes over?"
"Y-yeah…" Sakura stammered under the gaze of Li, Syaoran.
"Kinomoto… why are you looking so sad?" Syaoran asked.
It's because of you can't you see? Can't you remember me?"
"uh— uhum… n-nothing" Sakura looked away.
"There's no use denying it, it's written all over your face. May I know?"
yes!
"Is it something I ought to know already?" Syaoran asked before he lost his nerve. He still can't forget what Hirigazawa said.
"You ought to know that!"
Sakura looked up at him sharply. Is he suspecting?
"W-what?" Darn it! Why do I stutter too much!
"I was just thinking if perhaps… well… if perhaps…" Syaoran hesitated. Sakura raised her eyebrows urging him to go on.
"if perhaps I've got something to do with your sadness." At Sakura's look of surprise he quickly added "I mean did I do something wrong last night… like—"
Sakura cut him off with a finger on his lips.
"Please don't worry about me… this has nothing to do with last night. In fact I really enjoyed the concert." Sakura faked a cherry smile.
"Look I really have to go now. See ya!" Sakura turned around and left hastily without waiting for Syaoran's reply. Another second and I might spill everything and might risk loosing him forever. I should never do that… I should be contented that I'm still able to talk with him, see him, walk with him, be with him, loving him…
"If you're really meant for each other, he'll remember you"
Somehow it doesn't seem right if I just tell it to him. There's a possibility he'll still not remember then everything will be ruined.
Syaoran stood there in front of Sakura's locker unmoving. He could still feel her warm finger on his lips. He shook his head. He was being foolish. She was obviously avoiding me. What did I do? He sighed.
Why am I bothered by these trivial things! Normally I'd be happy when girls are avoiding me that means no tail or shadow will following me all around. Plus I usually don't give a damn about other people. They can avoid me all they want!
So why am I greatly disturbed with Kinomoto's behavior towards me?
Because she's not just any person. His mind answered him.
Okay so she's my neighbor and we're sort of friends and…
You shared a kiss with her. His mind taunted.
The girl was in delirium at that time!
You enjoyed it.
I didn't!
Liar!
Syaoran frowned. "I'm loosing my marbles!" He muttered. He finally moved away and was making for Kari's classroom. The medical department was on the other building. He walked towards the building still thinking of Sakura.
He didn't realize he was already in the department. His feet were carrying him automatically to Kari's classroom. When he arrived her class just finished. Perfect timing.
"Hey!" Kari smiled walking towards him.
"How was your class?" Syaoran asked all thoughts of Sakura forgotten at the sight of his angel.
"It was fine." Kari answered. "How about yours?"
"Not bad." He answered then he kissed her cheek. Kari giggled.
"Come on I'm starving!" She laughed.
"I got something prepared for us at home." Syaoran grinned.
"Let's go then!" Kari beamed at him.
"Please stay a while Sakura!" Meilin begged. She had dragged Sakura in their house as soon as she caught sight of Sakura about to get inside Crescent house.
"Meilin I really can't!" Sakura protested. What if Syaoran returns and he finds me here! I can't avoid him in his own house anymore. Plus it looked like he's going to surprise Kari. There was something prepared in the dining room. Meilin was doing the finishing touch when she saw her going home and had immediately dashed out and dragged her in.
"Oh please just for a while to keep me company!" Meilin pouted.
Sakura heaved a sigh. "Okay but just for five minutes!" Sakura frowned. She'd been staying here long enough already.
Meilin caught sight of Sakura's violin. She didn't even permit Sakura to step inside Crescent house, her home. So Sakura still carried her school things.
"Why don't you play your violin to pass time?" Meilin suggested.
"I'm staying here for five minutes only." Sakura said firmly.
"Okay, okay! Just play your instrument." Meilin said.
Sakura eyed her for a while then got her violin out of its case. She started to play her violin and the melody filled the house. She forgot everything, her surroundings, where she was, why she was there. All that matters was her instrument and music. She became one with them.
As a result she was so startled when amber eyes met her emerald ones when she opened them after playing. They stared at each other for a while. His eyes had the unmistakable look of amazement. At the same time it was asking why she was in his house but it also told her he wanted her to stay.
Kari's clapping brought both of them back to reality. She was smiling at Sakura.
"That was excellent!" She praised "I only wish we had arrived earlier so that we could have heard the whole piece."
Right, Kari is here for Syaoran's surprise. I should have gotten out of this house sooner! Sigh! But what can I do Meilin stopped me.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Syaoran asked her.
"N-no!" Sakura answered quickly. "I mean I don't want to disturb you."
"You're not going to." Syaoran said.
"Oh no please!" Sakura shook her head. "I've taken your private time together!" Sakura said, now placing her violin inside the case.
"Enjoy yourselves!" Sakura bowed then she left hastily.
He was so astounded to see her in his house today. She was playing her violin. How he loved to listen to her play. It calmed him, soothed him, it gives him a feeling of peace. But strangely he doesn't know why so.
"I never knew she was so talented." Kari said.
"Yeah" Syaoran answered absently.
"Syaoran are you going to eat or what?" Meilin came in from the dining room. Syaoran could see an impish gleam in her eyes. A look of satisfaction was on her face.
What's that supposed to mean? Syaoran thought.
"Oh yeah" He turned to Kari.
"Come" he smiled at her but emerald eyes were imprinted in his mind, those striking green eyes, so sad, so solemn, and so fragile.
A.N. There you go Chapter 9. Sigh! I know this one sucks! School is just too pressuring and drained my brain out! In my school the word relax is not in their vocabulary! So tell me what you think about this chapter. Give me your reviews please and don't forget to give me ideas!