Eerm! I'm back! Last chapter was quite short and I know how disappointing that must have been to you. So I'm making it up to you with this chapter. I'm aiming for at least 15 pages, a bit longer than my usual chapters, but if don't… oh well… know that I tried! Oh and about that song of Lindsey Lohan yes it was really nice I still have to find the lyrics though so I didn't include it in this chapter, anyway I'm not focusing on Kari this is a CCS fanfic after all. We need to focus on Syaoran and Sakura and this story is about to end anyway.
Title: Remember me?
Author: sapphire-Lady-of-the-Night
Chapter 13: Lost and Broken
"Hey Sakura!" Tomoyo caught up with a hastily walking auburn haired girl. It was the day after the incident. They were walking in the school corridors.
"Hey" Sakura replied dully.
"Listen about yesterday—"
"I don't want to talk about it Tomoyo" Sakura cut her off. Right now her emotions were in turmoil and she can't decide anything. All she know is she's angry. Yes she's angry… she finally found her strength to be angry.
"Ok… are you going home already?" Tomoyo asked tentatively.
"Yeah" Sakura answered. They just passed her locker.
"Aren't you going to get or leave some things before going home?" Tomoyo asked looking at Sakura's locker.
Sakura stopped "Oh yeah" She muttered. She turned back and went towards her locker. Tomoyo followed behind her.
Sakura opened her locker and replaced her books. There were flowers but she gave no attention to them and immediately shut her locker close. She met the sad face of her best friend.
"Don't worry about me Tomoyo… I've been through this before" Sakura said.
"Can you go through it… again?" Tomoyo said softly.
Sakura gave her a sad smile. "I don't have a choice, do I?"
"What are you going to do?" Tomoyo asked.
"I don't know Tomoyo… I don't know." Sakura whispered
"Hey I'll give you a ride." Tomoyo offered.
"Thanks." Sakura said gratefully.
They rounded another corridor and came face to face with Kari. Neither of them spoke. They just stared at each other. Kari had sadness in her eyes while Sakura had cool hurt and resentment mixed. They remained like that for about a minute or so before Syaoran ran into them.
The eye contact between Kari and Sakura broke. He looked quizzically back and forth from Kari to Sakura then back again.
"Hey" He smiled at Kari first then turned to Sakura.
Here was the man… the only man she gave her heart to…
"Hey" Sakura said softly though she knew he intended the greeting to Kari.
Her visions started blur because of the gathering tears in her eyes.
"Uh… Kari can we talk?" Syaoran asked
She furiously blinked the gathering tears away to hide the hurt
Ok I'm invisible! Sakura thought angrily. She started to walk away but Syaoran held her hand.Sakura stiffened.
"Wait" The single word echoed ceaselessly in her head.
"Sakura" Her heart skipped a beat. He just called her by her first name! It had been so long since the last time… he called her that…
"I want to talk to you too… later" He said.
Later…
You're not his number one anymore Sakura...
Kari first then you…
You've been a fool believing he'll remember…
Maybe Yelan was right it was better if she had nothing to do with him anymore… not even a friend…
When Sakura didn't answer, Syaoran asked her.
"Is something wrong?" He asked slowly.
"No" Sakura answered quietly. She pulled her hand and immediately walked off.
"What's going on?" He asked Tomoyo.
"Don't ask me" Tomoyo answered then followed Sakura.
Syaoran watched Sakura's retreating back. There was definitely something wrong here. He had called her by her first name and God help him it just feels so right to do so.
He heaved a sigh and faced the girl he thought he knew, the one he thought an angel, understanding, caring and who loved him. He wasn't so sure about that anymore. Hell he wasn't sure of anything at all.
"What is this about Syaoran?" Kari said calmly but her eyes betrayed her. He saw fear in her eyes and she constantly looks sideways. She can't even look him straight in the eyes.
"You know perfectly what this is about Kari!" Syaoran answered. "And I bet you know a lot more too!" He looked deep into her eyes.
There it was the look everyone had. Meilin had that in her eyes even Hirigizawa and Daidouji including Kinomoto. They all had it in their eyes. They're hiding it from him.
"Well I don't understand you Syaoran." Kari answered, her voice small.
"You don't'? Well neither do I… I can't understand anything anymore!" Syaoran said crisply.
Kari's lips trembled.
"Everyone's acting weird on me with their accusing and sad eyes" He said angrily.
"Even you are" he added softly. "Tell me, does this all have anything to do with the reason you broke up with me?"
"Yes" Kari answered truthfully.
"Then tell me what this is all about? Tell me what all of your sad eyed or accusing stares mean? What do you know that I obviously don't?"
"I'm not the right person to ask Syaoran. I don't know everything and you'll be even more confused." Kari answered.
"So tell me what you know" Syaoran frowned. "Don't tell me I'll be confused, I don't think I can be more confused right now. I'm confused beyond my wits already!"
"What I know Syaoran is I'm not the girl for you… I'm never gonna be. Someone else owns you and you own her as well… so find her." Kari's voice was barely above a whisper. "She's been waiting… far too long already."
"What do you mean someone else owns me and who is this girl?" Syaoran's frown deepened.
But Kari only shook her head.
"Kari, tell me!" Syaoran demanded.
"not me Syaoran… I'm not the right person to tell you…" She answered.
"Then who is?" Syaoran said impatiently.
"I can only give you one name…" Kari breathed deeply. "…Sakura Kinomoto…"
Tomoyo didn't attempt any conversation on the way to Sakura's house. She knew far too well that Sakura's mind was in chaos. If she doesn't want to talk about it yet, then it would be best to keep quiet. Finally they arrived in Sakura's house.
"Thanks Tomoyo, see you tomorrow" Sakura tried to smile but she only managed something close to a grimace. She can't even sound cheerful.
"Sakura… I'm just here if you need me" Tomoyo said solemnly.
"I appreciate that Tomoyo"
"Oh yeah before you go I want you to listen to this." Tomoyo said handing her a tape.
"What's this?" Sakura asked suspiciously.
"Just listen to it" Tomoyo smiled reddening a bit but there was a secretive impression nonetheless.
"Ok…" Sakura eyed her.
"Ok then see you tomorrow!" Tomoyo smiled then zoomed out of sight.
Sakura shrugged getting inside the house. She was surprised to see Eriol already there.
"I didn't see your Mercedes outside" Sakura said plopping down on the sofa.
"Yeah… it's at school." He answered.
"Why?" Sakura asked.
"I ran out of gas" He answered.
"Oh… aren't you going to do something about it?" Sakura frowned.
"Yeah, I'll deal with it tomorrow." He answered plopping right next to her. "What's that?" He eyed the tape.
"Oh this, Tomoyo asked me to listen to it" Sakura answered looking at the tape.
"So why don't you play it?" Eriol arched an eyebrow. "I'm sure it's going to put a smile in your face."
Sakura looked up quizzically.
"Well she's not stupid you know. She's not going to let you listen on something that will pull you down after what happened." Eriol said.
"Yeah, you're right" Sakura sighed.
"Here let me take care of that" Eriol offered.
Sakura handed him the tape and closed her eyes resting in the sofa.
First she heard a piano then the guitar and drums.
Sakura smiled. She knew what will come next. As she expected it Tomoyo's beautiful voice floated in the house.
Lalala…
When you're sad
When you're feeling low
When you're hurt
And don't know where to go
Think of me
There I'll be
Anytime you need a friend
When you're down
And your luck runs out
Or if you're
In trouble or in doubt
Its ok (its ok)
Turn my way
Anytime you need a friend
When you're scared
I will stay with you
When you feel your fallin'
I'm here for you
When your heart breaks
I'll knead your wings
Whatever it takes I'm in (I'm in)
Anytime you need a friend
Lalala…
All our lives
Anywhere we go (anywhere we go)
Just reach out
I'll never be too far
Come what may
There I'll stay
Anytime you need a friend
When you're scared
I will stay with you
When you feel your fallin'
I'm here for you
When your heart breaks
I'll knead your wings
Whatever it takes I'm in (Whatever it takes)
Anytime you need a friend
Lalala…
Anytime…
Anytime you need a friend
Tomoyo's song ended and Eriol was right it did bring a smile to Sakura's lips.
"So that was what she was about yesterday." Eriol said, amazement was apparent in his voice.
"What are you talking about Eriol?" Sakura asked grinning. Tomoyo had such an exquisite voice Eriol totally looked overwhelmed.
"Well shortly after you left the hospital yesterday, she left too." Eriol answered. "I accompanied her on her way to a studio but she won't let me get in." He frowned.
Sakura couldn't help broadening her grin. "Eh? So you accompanied her huh?" Sakura arched an eyebrow. "So the talk went well yesterday?"
"What? She didn't tell you?" Eriol frowned. "Well I'm not telling you either. " he grinned slyly.
"Hey no fair!" Sakura frowned playfully.
Eriol grinned then he got up saying they should eat their dinner now. Sakura stood up and raced him to the dining room.
"Tonight we're having soup!" Eriol said
"Oishi!" Sakura said, delighted.
"Of course! I'm the one who cooked that!" Eriol puffed out his chest.
"Is it delicious? I'm the one who cooked that!"
"Aaww…Syaoran you're so sweet!"
"Eheheh!"
"You look pretty pleased with yourself"
"Course! My Cherry Blossom likes my cooking!"
My Cherry Blossom…
"Sakura?" Eriol said concerned. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah" Sakura smiled tightly.
"I'm so relieved! I thought I poisoned you!" Eriol laughed trying to make things light. He didn't question why she suddenly kept silent wiping the smile completely out of her face.
Sakura smiled gratefully at Eriol and continued eating. Syaoran used to cook her foods. She in turn cooked foods she learned from her father for him.
Throughout dinner Eriol babbled on to avoid tense silence. He knew very well Sakura wasn't really listening. Yet that is all he can do. Sakura has to help her own self.
Finally they finished dinner. Sakura stayed in the kitchen to wash the dishes. She was almost done when the doorbell rang.
"I'll answer it." She heard Eriol say.
Syaoran stood there on the porch of his neighbor. Despite all the anxiety within him he still managed to be calm. He needed answers to his questions. Eriol opened the door.
"Oh hey" He said evenly.
"Hey, umm… I need to talk to Kinomoto." Syaoran said. He wasn't feeling too comfortable.
"Ok I'll call her." Eriol said leaving the door open.
Syaoran could see that he was going to the kitchen not the dining room. How he knew it was the kitchen when he knew quite well that he just stayed in the living room when he accompanied Kinomoto to get her violin the day he invited her for the concert was puzzlement to him. But he just shrugged it off.
He heaved a sigh. His heart was pounding like he was nervous. Why? He can't figure it out. He looked down he noticed that his hands shook.
God! What's wrong with me?
He breathed deeply and decided to sit down on the floor before his legs started shaking too. He buried his face in his hands. He was like that when Sakura came.
Sakura stopped just outside the door. It took all her strength to keep herself from throwing her arms around him. He created a picture of anguish. It hurt her so, to just stand there and that she can't comfort him like she used to.
Remember Sakura… don't you dare be a fool again!
She forced her legs to walk towards him. She stopped right beside him and sat down with practiced calmness clamping her hands between her thighs to keep them to herself.
Syaoran heard her beside him. Slowly he looked up facing her. He could still see the longing in her eyes but there was no warmth now. All he can see there is an icy coolness, a controlled and maybe even forced one.
He inhaled deeply to calm him. The questions he'd been running over and over again in his mind just evaporated when he saw her.
"Good evening Li." Sakura said when he couldn't say anything.
"evening" Syaoran answered gruffly.
"Eriol said you need to talk to me?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah… "
Sakura waited for him to say anything. He was obviously troubled and ill at ease. Sakura watched him as he tried to calm himself. She saw that his hands were slightly shaking then realized that her hands were shaking too.
He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He closed it and swallowed. He opened his mouth again. It was as if he was incapable of speech. He had to swallow twice.
"Damn!" he muttered under his breath but Sakura heard it.
"It's alright Li, maybe you should compose yourself and we can talk some other time." Sakura couldn't help the little smile that escaped her lips.
"I look quite the fool, right?" He said ruefully.
"no you don't… you don't" I am the one who looked like a fool.
"I can't even speak the words I wanted to ask!" He said. "I don't know why Kinomoto…" he looked at her he smiled faintly. "But you do something to me that I can't explain."
"You do something to me too." Sakura whispered. But Syaoran could hear it like she shouted it. "But unlike you… I know why"
"Lucky you" Syaoran said. "While me, I'm not sure of even a single thing anymore."
"No lucky you" because you're spared from the pain of knowing the person you love forgot you.
"And why am I lucky?" Syaoran arched an eyebrow.
But Sakura just smiled but he could see the shimmering tears gathering in her eyes. She shook her head and stood up. "We'll continue this talk some other time, shall we?" and she started to walk away.
Before she knew it Li had grabbed her hand and now she was falling down on his lap. One arm encircled her waist while another held her hand.
"Syaoran!" In her surprise she had called him by his first name… the way she used too…
"Say that again" Syaoran said, his breath fanned her cheeks.
"What?" Sakura asked puzzled. Well her brain wasn't working fine when she was this close to him.
"My name…"
Sakura frowned. "What are you up to Li?"
Syaoran sighed. "Is it so hard to say my name hhmm… Sakura?"
"Sya..Syaoran wha—" Syaoran cut her off wit ha finger on her lips.
Bad move! Now he knew the softness of her lips and now he wanted to taste it. He remembered all too well the kiss they shared in their school beneath the cherry blossom trees. That time Kinomoto had a fever and he can't explain why she kissed him. His gaze dropped to her lips then he looked back to her eyes as if asking permission.
But now there was no fever and this time he'll be the one who'll kiss her and this time he knew why he's doing it… simply because he want to kiss her, taste her, feel her…
"Syaoran!" Meilin's voice cut them off and they immediately scrambled away from each other.
CUT!
Meilin: (Bashes sapphire-Lady-of-the-Night) What the! What are you doing!
Sapphire-Lady-of-the-Night: I was merely teasing you! The situation has gone too serious you see! (clutching her head where Meilin hit her)
Meilin: Shaddap! Why do you have to use me anyway! There's always Eriol!
Eriol: Hey don't drag me into this! Write already!
Sapphire-Lady-of-the-Night: Alright! Alright! You should be happy I didn't leave it there! I was tempted to leave it hanging there!
Syaoran: Hey! We're waiting here!
Sakura: Yeah shut up already and just write! Fanfiction will really freeze your account! You're not allowed to do this!
Sapphire-Lady-of-the-Night: Well if they report me… it's their loss! At least I won't be able to write for I don't know how long! Just in case I guess I'll end this chapter with a cliff hanger after all! Now back to the story. (Cackles evilly) Oh yeah before I forget :rewind!
But now there was no fever and this he'll be the one who'll kiss here and this time he know why he's doing it… simply because he want to kiss her, taste her, feel her…
He caught her chin between his thumb and index finger and tilted her head.
Sakura's mind screamed to pull away. You're a stupid Sakura! Don't give him the power to hurt you even more! But her body wasn't following. Instead she was now meeting Syaoran's lips.
Sapphire-lady—
Eriol, Meilin: Smack! Slap! Kick! Don't you dare interrupt again!
Author: Alright already!
First it was merely brushing of lips. Then Syaoran nibbled Sakura's lower lip. Sakura closed her eyes. She had been dreaming… waiting for this for an eternity. The gentle nibbling gradually became into a lip lock.
Sakura's lips were sweeter than honey and smoother than silk. Kissing her now was the pure heaven.
Syaoran's lips were exactly as she remembered them. Warm, gentle, tender and… possessive. Syaoran kissed her tenderly and achingly sweet, Sakura would've given everything to stop the time.
Moonlight washed over the couple like it did years ago.
Sakura couldn't help but respond to his kiss, her pride couldn't stop her. Syaoran deepened the kiss. By the time the kiss ended they were both panting.
"Yeah you do something to me… Sakura" Syaoran smirked.
"I can't believe you just kissed me" She whispered.
"I can't believe either." Syaoran smiled looking at Sakura's flushed face.
"Syaoran! I mean Li—"
"Call me Syaoran, I like it when you say my name." He cut her off.
Sakura inhaled sharply. How ironic just as she was letting go, just as she was giving up on him this happens.
No I can't allow to him hurt me again…
Twice was enough…
Syaoran's hold had loosened and Sakura immediately stood up.
"Good night Li, I hope you enjoyed yourself " Sakura said crisply.
Before Syaoran could stop her again she ran towards the door and closed it.
Syaoran sat there stunned for a moment. 'What was that all about?' He thought.
He sighed standing up.
My world has definitely become topsy turvy!
He walked the small distance to his house. He didn't expect Meilin to be waiting in the living room for him.
"Syaoran… your mother just called." Meilin said in a worried voice.
"What did she say?" Syaoran asked.
"She said she's coming here tomorrow"
A.N. Sigh! I didn't reach 15 pages! But I tried anyway! What could be the reason Yelan wanted to go to Japan eh? What'll happen when Sakura'll meet Yelan? Why don't you find out in the 14th chapter! Review please! By the way Tomoyo's song is a soundtrack of the movie "Home on the range" I don't know who sang it though.