Chapter Eighteen

Card Captor Sakura

Jagged Amber

starjade

Trickery

" When are you coming home??"

The words came unbidden yet strangely, Sakura expected it. Dread flowed through her veins and she looked down, trying to think of the words to say.

" When am I coming home?" She repeated, looking at the floor and then at the wall, searching for the words. " I'm not sure.."

" Wasn't this only for a month or two? You should be home in a few days. Right?"

The expectant note in his voice constricted her throat and she felt herself give in. " Yeah...yeah, that's right. I'm coming home in a few days."

A relieved sigh. Sakura winced.

" At least you're doing good over there from what I've heard. And I still have to find this kind person who paid for my operation. Touya's been trying to track him down but we have no leads. Anyways, come home soon, okay?" Fujitaka said, his voice light and comforting.

Sakura felt her shoulders droop and she said, quietly, " Yea. I'll come home soon." Fujitaka said bye and Sakura let the phone drop back onto its cradle and she exhaled loudly.

Things were getting too complicated. She didn't know how she felt. She wanted-she wanted to stay....badly...and she didn't even know why...

" Where is that Kinomoto bit-" A voice was yelling down the hallway and Sakura jerked, turning around. Syaoran stopped in the middle of his sentence, his head tilting to the side a bit.

" Kinomoto?" He asked tentatively. His senses had suffered great damage since the fight and he was still recovering. He was now as helpless as he first was when he was a child.

" I'm here...and what were you about to call me?" Sakura asked, her voice taking on a cheerful tone.

" Do you really want me to repeat it? Here I'll give you a hint. You'll find it in the dictionary next to Kinomoto. It rhymes with Witch," Syaoran leered.

" You little-" Sakura cried, angrily, walking up to him and stomping on his foot the way she always did with her brother. Syaoran doubled over, grabbing his foot and swearing through clenched teeth.

" What's going on up there?" they heard Yelan call.

" Tell the TUTOR you HIRED to stop ABUSING ME!" Syaoran roared.

Sakura's jaw dropped and she let out a huff. " Well, isn't that rich?? I AM not ABUSING YOU! You were verbally abusing me!"

" Well you were physically abusing me!"

" Well you were MENTALLY abusing me!"

" Well you were sexually-"

" DON'T EVEN GO THERE!"

They stopped, breathing hard in anger and they could hear Yelan's light laughter at the bottom of the stares and they both let out a groan.

Syaoran turned and glared at Sakura. " Weren't we supposed to GO someplace? Or have you lost even more brain cells and can't even comprehend a single word that comes out of my mouth," He sneered.

" What comes out of your mouth only pigs could comprehend," Sakura said, sweetly. Syaoran scoffed and Sakura walked down the stairs, grabbing onto his arm and helping him down the stairs.

Another major achievement was that Syaoran let Sakura help him. He never mentioned it and always looked pissed off when he let her help him, but he let her do it all the same. He was still rude, mean, egotistical and cruel-but little things had changed about him. He talked more. He let her help him. He actually hung out with her more.

To a normal person, this wouldn't seem like a big change at all. Yet with Syaoran, Sakura knew he could never do a complete 360 from the way he was before. She didn't want him to either. She liked him for who he was.

Yet all these changes occurred right when she had to leave.

Trying to force the thought out of her mind, she grabbed a corner of his sleeve and led him to the kitchen where Yelan sat, sipping a mug of coffee.

" We're going out now. Is it okay for him to leave?" Sakura asked, her voice worried.

" Yes, as long as he doesn't strain himself. His ribs are still healing," Yelan said gently and Sakura nodded. The two of them walked out of the door and once they were out, Syaoran turned on Sakura.

Syaoran growled, " What the hell was that?! I'm not some baby. Unlike you, I don't need to be pampered every second."

" Coming from a guy who lives in a mansion with servants attending to his every order?" Sakura shot back.

Syaoran sputtered. Sakura, feeling mighty proud of herself, walked towards the limo but Syaoran had shouted, " At least I'm don't slut around with Hirrigizawa!"

Sakura tensed at the harsh words and felt herself get angry. " Slut AROUND? What do you think I am?? And why are you still hung up over the Hiirigizawa incident??

" What do I think you are? I think its pretty obvious," Syaoran responded, his amber eyes flashing. " And I am not hung up over the fact that you're the free for all whore-"

" WHAT??" Sakura screeched. She dropped the corner of his sleeve and turned away, stomping off in the opposite direction. " Find your own way back home, Li!!!" She yelled back.

Syaoran stood still for a few seconds before muttering, " Fine." He turned away and started to move slowly, forcing himself to keep his hands to his sides and not to automatically go up and start searching around.

Sakura turned and around and gasped. He was walking right out onto the road!! Sakura ran back quickly and grabbed the back of his shirt, pulling him onto the sidewalk.

" I don't need your help," Syaoran said lowly, glaring sullenly.

" Well you do when your about to be killed," Sakura said, softly, trying to contain the anger and sadness she felt when he said such words to her.

Syaoran just shook his head and stared straight ahead, following her as they walked towards the limo which was waiting around the corner for them.

-------

" Where are we?" Syaoran asked, impatiently.

" You'll see," Sakura said, mischievously.

Syaoran stared at her, ironically. " You sure about that?"

Sakura looked at him and then the meaning behind his words set in. " Ohhh...oh, well...you'll hear?" Sakura squeaked.

Syaoran looked at her and a corner of his mouth twitched. He shook his head and looked straight ahead. " You're such an idiot."

Sakura smiled widely, grinning like a maniac. She didn't know why she felt so happy when he would almost smile. It changed his face drastically. His face was usually so sullen, with a sharp jaw line, cold set mouth and dark, flashing eyes. Yet when that twitch occurred....it was almost like he was a new person.

She wondered what a full smile would look like. The she shook her head. She shouldn't even be thinking such thoughts....even now, when she had accepted the fact that she had feelings for the cold hearted blind boy....she knew that nothing could happen, nothing WILL happen.

He detested her. Sure, he was a step up from hating her, but he still would rather be without her.

It hurt her a lot more then she'd like it to hurt.

Finally, they had walked across the dock and she watched as Syaoran instantly tensed as he felt the rocky boards underneath his feet and the salty air rush past him. His nose twitched and his brows furrowed.

" Where the hell are we??" Syaoran asked, angrily.

" The sea!" Sakura spread her arms out gleefully.

Syaoran's face turned into an ironic expression. " You brought me to the sea. Wow. So you probably expect me to stare out at the beautiful scenery around me, enjoying the picture perfect ripples in the sea and the sun glinting off the waves. Yeah. Right. Look at my eyes tutor, and tell me, do you for one minute think I can SEE?!?"

He sounded like his old, bitter self and Sakura's shoulders slumped a bit at his words. " I didn't take you so you can enjoy the scenery, Syaoran..." Sakura said, her voice hushed. " I brought you here so we can go on a boat ride."

" A...boat ride?" Syaoran repeated. " I've never been ON a boat-"

" Exactly!" Sakura said, cheerfulness coming back into her voice. " Look, they're about to leave! Let's get on!!"

Their feet thumped against the dock and Syaoran held on rather tightly on her arm to keep himself from keeling over. His senses still skewed, he felt the bustle of people around him and shoved on a pair of sunglasses.

Sakura looked at him, giggling. " Do you want a seeing stick with that?"

Syaoran glared at her. " Shut the hell up."

The boat was immense. It gave rides around the sea for tourists to view Hong Kong while on a boat . People stood around them, of all races, looking up at the boat with anticipation and excitement, photo cameras already around their neck and large backpacks hanging over their shoulders.

Syaoran looked rather harassed in the bundle of people and when it was their turn to give in their tickets, Sakura grabbed his arm to make sure he got up the stairs properly and gave the tickets that she had gotten yesterday.

They went inside the boat which had three levels, the lower deck, the middle deck and the outdoor deck.

Sakura headed outside, dragging Syaoran along as the boat began to move across the water, gaining speed and gliding across the water.

" This is so relaxing..." Sakura sighed as she leaned against the railway at the stern of the boat, watching the water ahead of them, staring with absolute enchantment on her face.

Syaoran was leaning sullenly against the rail. " This is pointless for me," Syaoran pointed out.

" No it isn't!!" Sakura protested. " Feel the boat ride with your senses!! It'll help you get them back anyways."

Syaoran stared at her and then sneered, " So you think you know more about me then I do?"

" Wha..." Sakura stared at him blankly and Syaoran just shifted away from her. " I'm going inside. Get me when this hellish thing is over," He snapped as he began to walk away.

Sakura hurriedly grabbed his arm and he halted. " Here come on, I'll show you!!! If you don't try it at least, then how will you ever know?" Sakura asked.

Syaoran let himself be dragged to the very front of the stern where the wind was rushing fast and the water droplets sprayed onto their faces.

" Don't tell me we're about to do some titanic thing right about now," Syaoran growled.

Sakura laughed outright. " No of course not!"

Syaoran suddenly grabbed her arms and rose it high. " Close your eyes!!" He said in a fake voice.

Sakura could not control her giggles. " Oh Jack!!" she said, her voice high pitched and squeaky. " I feel like I'm...I'm FLYING!!"

She burst into giggles and Syaoran shook his head in amusement but then some voices behind them broke them out of their hysteria.

" Aren't they the cutest couple!" A woman nearly screeched. " That looked sooo romantic!"

Sakura flushed hard and Syaoran's cheeks tinted. " We were just pretending..." Sakura said out loud, trailing off as the woman walked inside, disregarding her statement.

Sakura looked at Syaoran at the corner of her eye and then looked down. A couple....wouldn't that be nice....of course, Touya would kill Syaoran....if Syaoran hadn't killed Sakura or at least taunted her relentless if she ever confessed her feelings or even hinted at it...

What a dilemma...

Syaoran said suddenly, " It's getting pretty cold out here. You should go inside."

" I should?? Are you giving me ADVICE, Syaoran Li? Kind, good for you, advice??" Sakura gasped, her voice raised in mock surprise.

Syaoran Li growled, " Shut up and get the hell inside."

Sakura giggled. " How about you?"

" I'm...." He trailed off and stood at the front of the stern, his eyes directed to the sea in front of them.

" I'm going to stay out here for a bit..."

Sakura understood. She turned and left, walking inside. Maybe his senses would heal. Maybe he'd be ready for his competition. And maybe....he'd let her enter his heart?

She laughed out loud at that last one. Yeah right.

----------------

The elders sat around a circle, legs folded and hands folded in front of them. An almost mystical aura surrounded them all and it felt like a very holy place indeed.

They sat in a temple, chalk drawn in intricate shapes and designs around them and they preformed the daily rituals they were all so familiar with.

Then, they backed away and discussed the future plans of the Li clan.

Which is what they always did.

And their conversation would always rest on Syaoran Li, the future leader of the Li clan.

" A disabled leader...what would the world think? What would our reputation be like, after we are known as the clan with a blind leader??" An elder hissed quietly.

" He has proven himself," Another mentioned. " Remember the competition?"

" Besides, we cannot do anything about it. The next in line is his cousin but he has not been trained for a leadership role as Syaoran has been trained. If we were not to choose Syaoran, we would have to choose Meiling then."

" His future wife?" An elder questioned.

" No, his potential wife. If he cannot find another," An elder said softly.

" But there are too many qualifications for the wife of the clan leader. Who will he find who will meet all of those qualifications?" An elder asked.

" Clans do have socials every month, he could find another girl from a different clan...and we have quite a few proposals anyways..." The elder beside him mused.

" Yet what if he chooses a commoner? A woman of the working class?" One elder proposed.

The elder had a grim look on his face. " He won't. If he did, there would be severe consequences. For him....and the woman."

---------

" When are you leaving?" Syaoran asked abruptly.

Sakura halted at the words and a cold shiver went down her back. Leaving... " I-In a few days."

Syaoran let out his breath, angrily. He turned his back to her and growled, " I thought so." He said in a growl. " Just here to get your friggin A and then leave, right?"

Sakura looked back at him, wonderingly. " Why are you so angry for? I thought you wanted me to leave."

" Then why aren't you gone??" Syaoran responded, not answering her question, his back still facing her.

" Because I want to stay!" She screeched back.

" WHY?" Syaoran yelled at her, whirling around in fury.

" BECAUSE OF YOU!!" Sakura yelled back even louder, anger filling her body. Then her eyes grew wide as he stared at her in confusion and she recounted her words, flinching as she realized what she had said.

" Because...of me.....what the hell does that mean?" Syaoran asked, his voice dangerously low.

" I don't know. So don't ask me," Sakura replied, her voice tired. " Let's go home."

She started to walk back to the limo, but he had yelled out, " Don't you fucking dare leave until you explain to me what you meant!"

" Why do you care anyways?" Sakura mumbled bitterly as she wrenched open the limo door. " You hate me anyways."

Syaoran stomped after her, climbing into the limo after her. They sat in silence for a few moments before Syaoran muttered, " I don't hate you."

" What?"

" Nothing."

-----------

The wind whipped the leaves around dangerously, the clouds above darkening. Rain was coming soon and the precipitation in the air was already hinting of a heavy rainfall.

The sky darkening, two girls sat in the darkness of the room, kneeling respectfully. Candles burned with strength and endurance around them, casting shadows upon the walls.

Her hair hid her eyes, but they gleamed with hope and triumph. Her fingers curled around her knees and she breathed in shallow breaths as she waited impatiently for their response.

" What....is this?"

" Pictures, most respectable one."

" I can see that!! What are they pictures OF?!?!" The angry tone in his voice made a streak of absolute giddiness rip through her. They were falling for it...and reacting the way she wanted them to.

" Pictures of the heir of the Li clan."

" WITH WHO?"

" His....his peer tutor, most respectable one. She came from Japan and the two have been...very close."

" Who is she?"

Yen grinned. This was the question she was waiting for.....

And then everything she had ever wanted in life would be hers.

a/n:

Yes, a long time gettin out. And for the dim witted among you, the last scene might be kind of confusin. but commmonn get ur romantic senses goin and FIGURE IT OUT!! lolll ahaha, anyways ppl, send in reviews, comments blah blah blah, try not to kill me for my late updating and thank u soooo much for bein loyal and i dislike DISLIEK for deletin my story "childhood crush" shakes fist

lol anyways, yeahh this chapter has been updated on my site for a longg time so the nexx chappie for thiss will be updated shortly, aight?!

lol

see ya later,

starjade