CCSxSt Tail. Two gangs at Tomoeda High; Sakura's and Syaoran's. Both hate each other equally, but what happens when they have to stand side by side against another school? DM ET but especially SS
Apologising for late update! But hereare some reasons why it took so long:
a. I went overseas for almost a month
b. originally I was gonna split this chapter up in two coz it was so long (over 6,000 words)! But I thought putting it together was better…bsides its like one big present to you guyz coz u've bn waiting so long!
c. guaranteed a lil' bit of bittersweet SxS in here!
Thankyou everyone for your reviews, im glad u like this story! I've had it in my head for quite some time now…its such a relief to unload all these ideas on paper…or rather, the computer, but u know wat I mean…
By the way, if anyones interested…you noe how I said this was gonna b a longgggg story? Well, to keep u guyz updated..i think we're up to about one tenth of the story. Or maib evn smaller than that. I have a heap of SS MD and ET stuff to get thru! (Its taking this long bcoz u know, I have to write about three couples!)
Disclaimer: 'tis not mine. No characters r mine, juz the storyline…
The Ice-cream Parlour: Beloved Enemy
Sakura had been keeping herself amused by staring into the waters of the fountain, admiring how the drops of water seemingly dance back up as it hit the surface. 'Why am I even here,' she thought grumpily, wanting to pull her hair out in frustration but when remembering how long Tomoyo took to style it, she dropped her hands listlessly by her side. "Damn Li…this is all his stupid fault. His stupid idea," she said, "at least he hasn't found me yet…"
Although she had not once left the fountain, all night, Sakura had been on watch for Li. It was getting late, and still no sign of a chocolate brown head amongst the crowds. 'Why do I even bother…maybe he set this whole thing up as a joke.'
And if this was a joke it sure wasn't funny. The fact that she was undercover meant she had to refrain from using magic on anyone who tried to ask her to dance or was obviously bitching about her. She was also particularly aware of the hundreds of eyes that followed her every move, even when she was just sitting there. And a certain pair of eyes she was most aware of was his.
Him.
Leaning casually against a bluestone pillar, arms crossed, looking so irresistibly handsome with his messy black hair and a mouth that was sternly turned down. He appeared so arrogant, so mysterious, that Sakura couldn't help but be drawn to him. And his outfit suited him well. As a black knight, half clad in black armor, he looked dangerously…attractive. The shoulder and elbow guards, shin guards and breastplate rounded out, suggesting muscles underneath, and were elaborately ornamented with silver. Parts of his black shirt and pants were visible where there was no armor, and he wore black silver lined gloves. And with a black cape attached under his shoulder guards, he somehow looked indestructible.
She was tempted to watch him, but the problem was, he was watching her. She could feel his eyes roaming over her, and she suddenly felt self-conscious. Trying to ignore the urge to stare back at him, she pretended to be interested in the water and rested her head on her hand. Why was he having this effect on her?
'Just one peek…' she compromised with herself, and turned to see him looking elsewhere: not at her. Sakura blushed as she quickly diverted her gaze back at the water. He didn't find her interesting anymore? 'Why am I even having these thoughts…'
She sneaked another glance at him, watching him from the corner of her eye, and felt her heart drop when he was still staring off into the distance. "I must be crazy…" she muttered, "to think that he was interested in me…"
'Last quick peek,' she heard a voice toying with her mind, 'you know you want to…'
Giving in, Sakura slowly turned, trying not to make it seem obvious.
And gasped when clear blue eyes pierce through her soul.
-
'Shit!' was her first reaction. Then…
'Oh my god he's looking straight back at me…' her heart did somersaults.
'His eyes are so blue…' with a dreamy look.
'Shit!' again.
'Where is he going?'
'Why is he cutting through the dancefloor…'
'…and walking towards me?'
-
"Hey," he said, surprising her with his deep voice, their eyes still locked.
"H-hey," she managed to breathe out, a hand over her rapidly beating heart.
He gave her a charming smile and her knees nearly gave away. Luckily for her, she was still sitting on the fountain's edge.
"Would…" he paused hesitantly, as if thinking something over. His expression was unreadable, for his black mask covered half his face. "…would you like to dance?" he said, extending a gloved hand.
Sakura nearly fainted, closing her eyes momentarily, hoping it wasn't just a dream. "I-I don't know how to dance," she whispered.
He heard her and leaned closer. "I'll teach you," he said softly next to her ear, making her shiver.
'Stop it. You are Sakura Kinomoto. Pick up your courage and show them what you're made of!'
'What about Li? I have to find him!' she argued pathetically against her own will.
'Screw Li! Take that damn hand!'
She lifted her eyes to the handsome stranger who was waiting expectantly for her answer. Putting her small hand in his, she mustered a tiny smile; and picking up her long skirts, she followed him to the dancefloor.
Tomoyo thought she was in heaven. Here she was, in the arms of the guy she adored, letting the world go by. "Hiiragizawa," she said as they swayed with the music, "why can't this just last forever?"
Eriol sighed sadly, loving how snugly her head seemed to fit in the crook of his neck, "It can, it will."
"Promise?"
"Promise," he said, linking their hands together. He breathed the scent of her in, knowing it would be a while before he could hold her like this again.
"Daidouji," Eriol said gently, "remember when they tell us to take our masks off, act surprised," he told her.
"Ehh…" she mumbled, burying her face in his chest, not wanting to face the reality.
Eriol held her even more tightly as the strings quartet started a new song.
Tomoyo looked up and rested her chin on his broad shoulders. Eriol suddenly heard her shriek. "What is it?" he asked worriedly.
"It's Sakura," she squealed, excited, "she's nabbed herself a guy!"
"Really," Eriol's eyes twinkled good-humouredly, "what does he look like?" he asked, because he was facing the other way.
"He's hot," was her immediate reply.
"What? I'm hurt," Eriol said in an injured expression as he twirled her around. Tomoyo gave him a quick kiss on the cheek after she was spun around. "Don't worry, you're so much better than him," she said with a cheeky grin.
Eriol dipped her, using his hand to support her back. "I better be," he said huskily, making her giggle when he pulled her back up. "What is he wearing?"
"Black cape, black armor. He must like black a lot. Even his hair is black!" she said, looking over his shoulder.
Eriol paled. 'It can't be Syaoran, can it?'
"I can't really see his eyes from here…and why is the room so dark?" she complained. "Can we move a little closer?"
"Er…" Eriol sweated, "Maybe…maybe we should give them some time alone," he said, wanting to get as far away from them as possible. What if Syaoran saw him with Daidouji?
"Aww…as much as I hate it, you're right," Tomoyo decided, her forehead on his shoulder. "Let's go somewhere else."
Eriol breathed out relief, and quickly whisked her away from the couple.
Asuka couldn't believe that she said 'yes'! He stayed dazed as she pulled him along to the centre of the room, put his hands on her waist and settled her arms around his neck.
He felt a poke in the ribs. "Hey," she laughed, "loosen up!"
"S-sorry," he mumbled, "pinch me or something because I think I might be dreaming."
"Aww…" she said, giggling again, "that's so sweet!" For some reason Asuka really liked hearing her laugh.
Then he felt a sharp sting on his cheek. "Hey!" he said, surprised. "What was that for?"
"You told me to pinch you," she stuck her tongue out.
"I did?"
"Yep. SO…" she gave him a sideways glance.
" 'So', what?"
"Are you dreaming?"
He drew her closer. "Definitely not."
She broke into a dazzling smile.
"I...I really don't know how to dance," she repeated timidly.
Syaoran took her trembling hands. "Don't worry, I'll lead," he said reassuringly. Funny how a total stranger could bring out his soft side. 'But she's an incredibly beautiful stranger…'
"You put your hand here…" he instructed, and took her right hand in his left, and supported her left arm with his right, in a ballroom dancing position.
"Okay…I'll start," he said. Personally he hadn't much experience in dancing but his mother used to make him take dance lessons when he was little. "Your steps are…back, back, feet together; then forward, forward, feet together."
"Back, back, together, forward, forward, together," she chanted, "Okay, I got it."
And with that, they were off. She was a little clumsy at first, but soon got the hang of it. The smile on her face grew bigger as they waltzed effortlessly in perfect harmony, and Syaoran couldn't help but let a small smile slip. He couldn't help but feel a little lighter.
As the song stopped and another one started, the two began to relax. Syaoran's hands somehow ended on her waist, and her arms wrapped around his neck. Syaoran looked down at the beauty in front of him. It wasn't because of how her hair was done up, or how her makeup was applied. She was so much more than that.
Suddenly he felt a pain in his right foot. "Hoee…" she said apologetically, embarrassed. "I'm really sorry..."
"Don't be," he gave her another charming smile. Luckily for him, she was wearing flat ballet-styled shoes. She looked so cute with her cheeks flushed red. He didn't know why he suddenly had the urge to swoop down and give her a kiss on the lips...
' 'Hoe'? Even her expressions are cute…' he sighed contentedly when she returned his smile.
-
-
'Hoe…'
-
The ice cold feeling of sudden realization shook his body to the core, piercing his body in half.
"Hiiragizawa! Look!" Tomoyo pointed towards the stage as the music stopped playing. She jumped up and down like a little girl, making Eriol chuckle. The principal, Mr Honda, was dressed smartly in a grey suit and he tapped the microphone a few times. "They're going to announce the awards!" Since the start of the ball, teachers have been roaming the sidelines, taking notes, which Tomoyo tactfully noticed.
The lights of the hall grew even fainter, if that was possible, and the podium lit up with a bright light, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Do you think we'll win one?" she looked into Eriol's eyes, "we are a damn sexy couple," she winked at him.
"Of course, my sweet," he said, hugging her.
He wanted to spend the little time they had left holding her.
Syaoran abruptly stopped dancing and backed away from her, just when the music stopped. "What is it?" she asked worriedly, not knowing why he was suddenly acting so cold. The lights were dimming and the atmosphere grew chilly.
"It's…It's nothing…" Syaoran stared at her. 'It couldn't be her…could it? Kinomoto has green eyes…and auburn hair…' But then he reminded himself he wasn't exactly in his 'usual' state either.
'How could I be so blind? And so…stupid?'
"What's wrong?" she reached out and touched his arm and he winced. Why was it suddenly so painful to be with her?
'She doesn't know that it's me…' he thought, stepping back. 'I can still get away…'
She gave up trying to comfort him and instead stood still, looking forlorn.
His heart couldn't take it. 'It isn't fair!' he yelled silently, 'the only girl I've ever felt anything for…is…my worst enemy…'
The word enemy popped into his head.
Feelings of dislike and rivalry suddenly washed over him.
And he remembered the reason he was here.
At the Masquerade…he had to beat Kinomoto.
And now, he had the advantage.
"Thank you everyone, for attending. This year's ball is quite a success, do you agree?" Mr Honda's magnified voice boomed across the room. He beamed as the students screamed and waved little flags they got from out of nowhere.
"Thank you to all the teachers who helped organize this event…Mrs Lim who did the catering, Mr Jin who was in charge of the tickets…Ms Hana for decorations…" he said after all the noise died down.
"Ahh…I must be rambling…you must all be very excited about these awards, eh?" More screaming.
"Well I shouldn't keep you waiting any longer…Our first award is the Cutest Couple Award…and…drum roll please…"
People fell silent as they waited.
"It goes to…"
A spotlight shone on Meimi and her partner.
She threw her arms around him in joy. "We won something!" she shouted excitedly in his ear.
"Yeah…wow…" he said, a bit stunned, "can you check if my left ear is still working?"
Meimi laughed and cuddled him tighter. "Shut up, you."
Sakura stayed rooted on the spot in sadness. She honestly thought he liked her. And hell, she was absolutely smitten. But the dream shattered into pieces when she saw the look in his eyes as he stepped away from her.
The look of confusion and denial.
'Why is this happening?' she cried in her mind, 'Am I not good enough?' she held back tears, distraught, as he vanished into the crowd.
'I am Sakura Kinomoto. Why am I moping over a boy?' she tried to steady herself, but her knees buckled underneath her. The girl fell to her knees in the darkness, invisible in the crowds of people who were applauding and cheering for the winners of the awards. They won't stop just for her.
"And I'm very pleased to announce that the Best Dressed Award goes to…"
The spotlight traveled from Meimi and her partner to a hugging couple. Shocked by the sudden bright light on them, they parted. The cheering mob of people whistled and they blushed, and they both gave an embarrassed bow.
Tomoyo looked back happily at Eriol. 'I told you we'd win something,' she mouthed, because the noise was so loud.
Eriol gave her a heart-stopping smile. "You were right," he said, but she couldn't hear.
"You were right, I said," Eriol told her again.
Tomoyo shook her head. 'Nope, can't hear you.'
He bent closer to her, and was just about to repeat his message, when…
'Ahh…what the heck,' thought Eriol, and on impulse, he gave her a peck on the lips.
The cheering only got wilder.
He encircled his arms around her fallen figure and carefully pulled her up. She looked up at him in surprise but Syaoran couldn't bear to look in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said softly in her ear.
-
"And now, for our most prestigious award…" Mr Honda declared in a thunderous voice. Everyone hushed and held a breath in anticipation: some hopeful couples grabbing each others hand.
-
"But there's something I must tell you…" Syaoran continued, and her eyes held her question.
-
"The Best Matched Couple is-"
-
"Wolv-" Syaoran started, but never got to finish his word. The dazzling spotlight was on them, and he heard the roar of the crowd erupt in his ears. Confetti showered them from the ceiling and all he could see was Kinomoto's stunned expression, matching his. They…won something? But…they couldn't! Not yet…the night couldn't be over! He found her…and he was just about to say 'Wolves' in her ear…and the stupid principal had to interrupt him!
"Alright everyone," Mr Honda said, sweatdropping as he watched the students jumping, trying to catch the confetti, "Will the winners please come up to the stage to receive their awards."
Syaoran saw Asuka and Haneoka head towards the podium, and then Eriol leading Daidouji. 'They won awards too?' he thought, 'how…convenient…that we will all be on the stage…at the same time…' in his head a plan was already forming.
A small hand grabbed his and Kinomoto smiled at him. 'She still doesn't know it's me,' Syaoran realized, momentarily mesmerized by her smile, but then shaking it off when the familiar feeling of hunger for competition returned. He might still have a chance of beating her after all. If he could get to that microphone quickly enough.
on stage
Sakura felt giddy with excitement as she stood on stage in the spotlight. Not only had she won something, but as she approached the podium she saw that Tomoyo and Meimi had won something too! 'Wow…' she sighed dreamily, 'this is definitely the best night ever… Plus there's this fine-looking guy holding my hand!' she thought, forgetting all about the incident that happened moments before.
Sakura looked over to Tomoyo, who pointed at her mysterious black-haired companion, and gave her a thumbs-up in approval. Sakura returned the favour and looked up and down at Tomoyo's partner. The boy standing next to Tomoyo was oddly familiar.
'Oh my god…' she gasped, 'Hiiragizawa!'
Tomoyo watched as Sakura started making violent jabbing movements at Hiiragizawa, who was holding her hand.
"Uh oh…she knows," she told him quietly.
"What?"
"She knows that you're…you."
He thought for a moment. "But she doesn't know that we know it's each other, right?"
"Hm…by the looks of it, I don't think so."
"That's alright, then," he said.
He tightened his grip on her hand and she relaxed, pretending not to see Sakura's increasingly aggressive warnings.
He could hear the audience in front of him shuffling and muttering, the rustling of clothing obviously meaning they were getting bored. Mr Honda was thanking all the sponsors for their prizes and describing each flower bouquet, teddy bear and basket of chocolates in great detail.
With his hand still in contact with Kinomoto's, Syaoran felt disgusted; partly at her, but mainly at himself. A minute ago, he was overjoyed to be able to dance with her. What was he thinking? Why did he even ask her in the first place?
His eyes darted to her face and saw that she was positively glowing in excitement, accentuated with a bright happy smile. His thoughts changed again. 'Did she always look like this? Does she normally look this pretty? Everyday I see her at school and yet she doesn't look like this.
'Why is she suddenly so enchanting to look at?' What a stupid, sissy word.
These questions vanished from his mind quickly. 'Focus, Syaoran. You need to get to that microphone before her…so you can announce to the whole world that the Wolves will be born, not the Phoenixes.
'Why does she look so different though? So different that even I couldn't recognize her…'
The answer came immediately as she flashed another smile.
Everyday he saw her, every time she saw him; her facial expression would instantly change. Whether it was at school, the park or the icecream parlour, every time she laid eyes on him she would scowl or put on a stony appearance.
Kinomoto had never smiled at him before.
'And yet she smiled a million times tonight, at me, a complete stranger?' he thought, 'she must hate me a lot…
A surge of hot fury seeped into his blood. 'Well, I hate her too,' he told himself angrily, his claim sounding weak. 'I hate her red hair. I hate her green eyes. I hate her I hate her I hate her I hate her…' each of these sounded louder in his mind, drowning all doubts.
But his expression of anger soon turned to one of determination. He was not going to let her win. It wasn't over. It was never going to be over between them.
'Kinomoto…' he gritted his teeth, looking at that happy face again, 'you will never beat me.'
-
"And thank you to Stuffed Mania for providing the adorable teddies we have here…'made out of finest fur and stitched together by hand', the tag says-" Mr Honda was interrupted by Ms Hana who was pointing frantically at the watch on her wrist.
"Oh yes…time seems to be slipping away… Back to our winners..." he said in a jovial tone, looking at the three couples who stood nervously behind him.
"If you would all like to step forward, so everyone can see you," he smiled encouragingly at them, but they were hesitant. When nobody moved, Syaoran led his partner closer to the edge of the stage, so that he was right behind Mr Honda. He needed to be as close as possible to that microphone stand. Eriol and Asuka followed his lead so that now they were all lined up in pairs.
"But before I hand over the prizes to you…you have to do one last thing," Mr Honda said to the winners. The crowd of people leaned closer with interest.
"I have one more thing to say…" and the audience groaned, not wanting to hear any more.
The principal gave an amused smile.
"Take off your masks."
None of the people on the stage moved. Frozen, the six acted as if they hadn't heard the principal at all. They all wanted to keep their disguise on.
"Oh come on," Mr Honda said patiently, "you have to take them off to collect your prize."
That didn't seem a good enough reason.
"You do want to find out who you've been dancing with, don't you?
'Well…yes…' Meimi answered inaudibly, glancing at the boy next to her. It looked like he wasn't that keen on taking his mask off either.
She looked to Sakura, who was in front of her, for directions. A few hours ago, Sakura had told her that no matter what happened, they had to keep the masks on until she found Li or vice versa. 'But, they haven't found each other yet…' Meimi thought, 'so I should keep the mask on…but then again, the night is already over…'
A sudden loud cry echoed the hall. It made her jump and turn around curiously to the person who screamed. People in the audience were craning to see what happened.
Tomoyo, her face white, one hand over her mouth and clutching her silver mask, and the other pointing furiously at-
"Eriol!" said the boy next to Meimi.
"Wait…" Meimi turned slowly to her partner, "you know him?" She separated from him, sensing something was wrong.
"Yeah, so?" he said in a confused voice. He took a step closer to her, not knowing why she had backed away.
Meimi stood on tiptoe and ripped away his mask. Deep sea-green eyes blinked back at her.
"Asuka!" her mouth opened in astonishment, trying to process this discovery. He took this opportunity to yank her mask off her face.
"Haneoka!"
"You…you're…you!" Meimi couldn't find the words to describe how she felt.
"You tricked me!"
"You asked me to dance!"
"You bumped into me first!"
The audience of students started to laugh, reminding them that they were not the only ones there. Here they were, the two most quarrelsome people in the whole school, the two that were mostly seen sniping at each other in the hallways, the two that would readily throttle each other; dancing together unknowingly? Laughter rang through the hall, and both of them began to burn in embarrassment.
But this laughter was short-lived. It died abruptly and a nasty silence began as a thousand pairs of eyes watched as Sakura slowly and carefully undid the ribbons that held up her white mask.
'Focus Syaoran, focus,' he had to repeat to himself as he surveyed Kinomoto without her mask. It was so obviously Kinomoto. He cursed. He had been praying and praying that he got it wrong. That it wasn't her. But deep inside, he knew it was. And the truth was staring him blatantly in his face; the trademark force of her eyes was overpowering; even behind her contacts.
She stared expectantly at him through her thick, long lashes, and the effect was both seductively captivating and silently commanding.
She knew.
Syaoran felt heat creep up his collar. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. She was waiting for him to take his mask off. In fact, the whole school was waiting for his next move.
'Remember…the microphone…'
He wasn't going to keep them waiting any longer.
'No…'
A gloved hand reaching for the black mask.
'No…'
Pulling the mask off with one sweeping motion.
'No…'
Wintery blue eyes burning holes in her soul.
'NO!'
No matter how much Sakura tried to deny it, it was unmistakably him.
Unmistakable was a bad word to use. Because she had made a mistake. She made a mistake of letting her guard down so easily.
The prince of her dreams was none other than her arch enemy Syaoran Li. She had never truly trusted anyone at first sight before, and now, when she was willing…
But for Sakura Kinomoto…emotions don't come first. There was business to attend to. She saw his eyes flit from her to the microphone, and suddenly she knew what she had to do. His blue eyes caught hers one last time and they didn't seem to have the effect on her like a moment ago. Electricity sparked between their gazes, each hardened by resolve, and sending the same message:
'I won't let you win.'
In that instant, they both lunged for the microphone.
"YES!"
Syaoran's hand found the top of the microphone and quickly yanked it out of the stand, feeling triumphant. But a tug brought him back to earth; Kinomoto had managed to clasp her fingers tightly around the long end.
"Let go!" he muttered crossly, aware that they were being watched by the whole school. This was not the way he had imagined the school would know about their gangs' alliance. It was meant to be a formal and strict ceremony, not a tug-of-war game.
"Give it here!" she hissed back, trying to not make a scene but pulling at the microphone at the same time.
"No! It's mine!" But Kinomoto seemed to be winning. She had more of a hold on the microphone, and was also using two hands as opposed to Syaoran who was only using one.
Syaoran watched her as she attempted to loosen his hold. He could feel the microphone slipping away from him. He needed to do something quickly…but for some reason…he didn't want to do anything yet. She was so close to him…she was so near…it reminded him of the time when they were dancing together. This was the first time he looked into her face since they danced. Back, back, together, forward, forward, together… Those hours seem so far away.
Her eyes bright in concentration, like when she was learning the steps… Her cheeks were flushed, like a few hours ago, when she accidentally stepped on his foot. And she was near…so near… Every inch of her up close reminded Syaoran of their time together. When she smiled she was a whole different person. She had looked so cute, so appealing then…and so looked appealing now…
And that familiar urge to give her a kiss was now stronger than ever.
Inching closer…
'So…'
Tilting his head slightly…
'Cute…'
Closing his eyes…
She was so absorbed in getting that microphone out of his iron-like grip that she hadn't even noticed his face coming towards her.
Her eyes instantly fluttered closed when their lips made contact. She was frozen, but was also somehow wrapped in a warm tingling sensation. A light, gentle brush of his lips on hers sent her mind reeling, a whole new feeling she had never experienced before. Her mind was in a state of bliss and she let go of whatever she was holding…she couldn't remember what she was holding…and used both hands to pull those delicious lips back on her own…
What seemed like an eternity lasted for a second. It was only when she finally remembered who was the giver of the kiss that she pushed him away.
Words failed her. The initial shock remained, and the afterglow had not worn off either. Eyes wide, suddenly feeling so vulnerable, terrified of what she felt when he kissed her, suddenly remembering that the whole school was watching…
She breathed in ragged, rapid breaths, and they were the only sounds in the still hall. She looked at him. He first wore a bewildered expression but it changed into…a smirk? He shook the microphone a little, his victory in his hand.
"You bastard," she whispered, and picking up her long skirts, not caring what people thought, leapt off the stage in an unladylike fashion.
People parted as she ran through the crowd. She found the back door of the hall and pushed it open, and with tears streaming down her face, she fled into the night.
"W-ell…" he started, a little shaken. He couldn't believe what he just did. And what was even more surprising was when she kissed back willingly, pulling him in back for more. She had tasted so sweet, so tender, that he was beginning to wish she hadn't pushed him away. Somehow winning this competition wasn't so important anymore.
"Let go! Stop it…lemme at him!" a hysterical voice said behind him. Daidouji was being held back by Eriol, who was looking beside herself in anger, all claws out, trying to fight Eriol's grip.
"Get off me!" she shouted, struggling. "You have no idea what you did just then, did you! You just stole her first kiss!"
'First kiss? It was her first kiss?' A wave of guilt crashed on him. 'I thought…that she might have been already taken…with a face like that…'
'What have I done? And it was against her will as well…'
Trying to swallow the lump forming in his throat, Syaoran turned to face the stunned audience, ignoring Daidouji who was thrashing her arms about, and lifted the microphone to his mouth. He didn't know how to begin. The feeling of her lips grazing his was still fresh in his mind.
"You are all here today to witness the official joining of the gangs Blood Phoenix and Dragoons," he addressed them coldly. They blinked back blankly, not knowing why it was relevant to him.
"I am Syaoran Li," he said, and at once the people broke into murmurs, most of them not believing him.
"Yes, it's true, I am Syaoran Li," he took out one of his blue contacts and casually flicked them away. Even the teachers looked disbelieving.
He laughed quietly. "Still not convinced?" A red ball of flame ignited in his palm.
Straight away, they all shut up.
"And," he said, letting the fire bounce on his hand, "the one who just left our company was Sakura Kinomoto."
Loud gasps sounded. Syaoran Li…was kissing Sakura Kinomoto?
The fire orb disappeared and Li held his palm up for silence. "As one of the leaders of the new gang, it is unfortunate that she cannot be here to deal with you lot…so I will have to do it," he said it carelessly as if she simply had some appointment to attend to.
Tomoyo clenched and unclenched her hands. The nerve of him! This wasn't fair at all. She bet Li only danced with Sakura to hurt her like this, to win this stupid thing they agreed on.
'Oh I am going to rip you apart Li,' she thought, 'my poor Sakura…' the image of her best friend with eyes brimming with tears was a good enough reason to send that asshole to hell.
She watched on hopelessly and miserably as Li spoke to the school; Hiiragizawa had wrapped his arms around her to stop her from moving. This was it…she was watching everything Sakura put into Blood Phoenix, every bit of hard work in fighting, scheming, and protecting, crumble under the heading of the Wolves. In the corner of her eye, Meimi was as quiet as she. Tomoyo suddenly felt very tired. She wasn't even concentrating on what Li was saying.
All she thought of was where Sakura ran off to and how she was doing, alone, at night, with no one to comfort her…
'Sakura…please be safe…'
Eriol could feel Daidouji stop resisting, limp in his arms. 'Poor girl…she must be worried sick about Kinomoto…' He wondered why Syaoran suddenly kissed Kinomoto in front of the whole school. Was it to win the 'competition', or to simply humiliate her? Whatever it was, he thought Syaoran was going a bit far. 'Unless…'
'He likes her?'
It would be terribly amusing if it was true.
Syaoran's voice continued to sound the hall. "You all should know the consequences if you irritate us…if not, you have been warned. Our patience and values does not change just because we are in one gang. However, there will be several changes.
"There will no longer be boundaries between the Dragoons and Blood Phoenix territories. The whole of Tomoeda is now our territory. You will not need to be scared of any more fighting between us, and therefore Penguin Park is also no longer forbidden. You are allowed to be out after dark, and for your safety, do not go beyond the borders of Tomoeda," his tone became serious and he spoke softly, "because one of the reasons of this alliance was for Tomoeda High's safety…
"You may not understand, or even believe it now…but later, you will see that our words are true. Tomoeda, if in different hands, will become a dangerous place…" he said darkly. "You might not like us controlling Tomoeda, but we have never harmed you in any way…
"Under our new gang, Tomoeda High will not fall. Our boundaries will be lost; our differences will be forgotten, and from now on, it will be the reign of-" Syaoran paused for a second, unsure.
'What's stopping him?' Eriol thought, though the answer was clear. Syaoran's amber eyes flickered with what may be emotion. If Eriol guessed right, Syaoran must be thinking of Kinomoto.
But he had to say it. Eriol knew, the whole night; this was what Syaoran was fighting for…
"-the reign of the Wolves."
The stormy night sky flashed as lighting streaked overhead. Sakura crossed the dirty streets, her beautiful dress filthy with mud. Rain started to pour and all the shops were closed. Only one shop had a light on on the outside. She looked hopefully up at the huge sign.
"Mr Mikarzhi's Icecream Parlour"
Her heart sank. Mr Mikarzhi always had the outside light on, even when the parlour was closed.
The rain got even heavier. 'Damn…guess that this will have to do…' She hurriedly ran towards Mr Mikarzhi's shop, but tripped on the uneven pavement and fell. She tried to get up but stood on the hem of her dress, and the delicate material ripped, making her fall once again against some unstable wooden fencing next to the shop. Her arm stung where she hit the fence and she didn't bother getting up again. Instead, she sat on the muddy ground, not caring about the rain or her dress anymore, and surveyed her surroundings. "This…this is the back of the icecream parlour!" she moaned, seeing all the garbage bins and bags next to her. A blank white wall of the parlour back faced her. Sakura crawled to sit against it; she hugged her knees and curled up into a ball. She was soaked to the bone and her hair was scraggly and wet. Her butterfly wings were bent and were about to fall off. Raindrops leaked through down to her back and she shivered constantly.
Oh how she hated him.
Why did he embarrass her in front of the school?
Why did she let him win so easily?
Why did that kiss taste so warm?
Oh how she hated him.
Her fingertips brushed her lips and the memory was there. Like a feather, the contact was so light. He was gentle…so gentle, that it was quite uncharacteristic of him. And it was very, very uncharacteristic of her to actually long for another kiss from her enemy.
'Stupid girl…pull yourself together…' she buried her head in her arms.
Because it wasn't that simple. Something had stirred in her heart when he kissed her.
'He's your enemy. You cannot feel something for your enemy.'
"No…I can't…" she said aloud.
She never imagined she would give her first kiss up like this. And to him, of all people.
But…
Why..
did it feel so right?
His touch woke something deep inside of her…something she didn't wanted to know…
Oh how she hated him.
'Why did you have to do this to me, Li? If you punched me I could punch you back. If you insult me I could insult you back…
'But if you kiss me…'
The rain continued to pour down, soaking the ground. A rumble of thunder made her shrink back in fear against the wall. Her tears were mixed with the rain.
"I hate you Syaoran Li."
-
'I hate you.'
Sorry if this chapter was confusing coz of the mani scene changes and different POV. Tell me if u dont understand!
Oh and tell me if u need a review of the costumes... i cant be bothered putting it here.
scarletskies