Heya! Yikes I haven't been here in ages. Since the last time I updated I scored myself a boyfriend…who soon became an ex-boyfriend, went to the annual anime convention held in my city and I even saw Simple Plan live! Man they are awesome . But yeh, I was writing a few fanfics with my friends from school when I decided it was about time I sat on my ass and sorted this fanfic out. And I have! I am well aware that it has been months and months and MONTHS since I last updated this fic, but I'm sure you all understand what it is like when you lose your muse. How are you supposed to write something that everyone will like if you're not motivated? But somehow my muse has been restored, so I am very relieved.
This story sure has taken some interesting turns. When I read back on it, my reaction is pretty much: OO how did I get away with writing that? And that! And that too! But this fanfic has been running for 2 years now so maturing as a writer is what it's all about
Anyways I'm sure you're all currently hating me for not updating for almost a YEAR which is why I've got the next chapter ready to upload at any minute –consider it my penance, hehe. But until then I hope you enjoy reading my latest update:
DISCLAIMER: Of course I do not own CCS, but those wonderful girls CLAMP do!
Azure Flame
Chapter 21 - Indecent Whispers
Cracks. Cobwebs. Cockroaches. The three C-words which no adult in search of a new home wants to come across, let along a 16 year-old boy. None of this would be an issue of course if Syaoran's father hadn't ended his life so abruptly, creating many legal complications for Syaoran and his little brother Hiroki. Apart from the unsolved matter of who would be their legal guardian, he had taken matters into his own hands and started looking for a new home.
With a string of resigned sighs, Syaoran pushed the foreign door open, not caring if it got scratched against the wall. As he walked passed the "for sale" sign, he kicked a pebble and after examining it float awkwardly through the air, he thrust his leg forwards causing it to fly into someone's backyard. Considering the pebble a soccer ball and the yard his goal, Syaoran silently cheered in triumph. His victorious moment didn't last for very long as the reality of his situation forced its way back into his mind and the child portion of him was abruptly locked back into the dungeon that existed solely in his mind. The happy smile was replaced with the usual thoughtful frown.
---- ---- ----
"That baka," Chloe muttered, as she saw the pile of real-estate booklets littering Syaoran's bed.
"What did you say?" he asked, wearily.
"Oh nothing. Just wondering why my friend won't swallow his pride and move into my apartment instead of searching for a convenient house in his every spare moment," she replied, twirling her blonde hair around her finger whilst staring at him meaningfully.
"It's not that simple! It's against the law to take guardianship for my brother since I'm technically underage. And I am not being stubborn!" he added with annoyance.
"Your nose is growing."
"Omigosh, you mean I'm not a real boy!" he joked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Only if I'm not a real girl," she replied, playfully.
"Nah nah, trust me, you're a real girl…"
"HENTAI!" Chloe shrieked, throwing a bunch of real-estate booklets at him. He dodged gracefully and exited the room yelling obscenities about her chest.
Chloe sighed. At least I'll always be here to help him when his "Super Guardian" mode eventually crumbles.
She followed Syaoran down the stairs and he handed her a glass of orange juice.
"So you're really set on finding a new house?"
"Yeh."
"And you'll be able to afford it?"
"Yeh."
"And how will you pay for it?"
"Money."
"Stop being a smart-ass and think rationally! You've gotta fork up the cash to pay for you and Hiroki's education!"
"I know that. I'm going to pay his fees with my work money."
"But you don't have a job!"
"Yeh I do. My application for a chef's job was accepted. I'm dropping out of school next week."
"B-But you told Sakura that you wouldn't have to move schools! I heard you with my own ears!"
The corners of Syaoran's mouth lifted slightly, into a bitter smile. "I lied. What's the point in making a sweet girl worry?"
"So you're gonna leave it to the last minute to tell her? How irresponsible of you!"
"Don't talk to me about responsibilities," he warned, slipping a jacket over his shoulders.
"Where on earth are you going at this time?" Chloe questioned, watching as he unlocked his front door.
"I'm helping Sakura with her studies."
"Are you gonna tell her then?"
"No."
"Well are you even going to consider my offer of staying with me?"
Her answer was the sound of a wooden door slamming shut.
---- ---- ----
Syaoran gazed across the classroom towards where Sakura was sitting. Today she was wearing a green ribbon for each pigtail, the ends of which disappeared in her ringlets. Syaoran loved it when she wore her hair curly; she looked so cute and innocent! He blushed when their eyes made contact and he hurriedly looked back down at his textbook. They were learning about the Pearl Harbour bombing but all Syaoran could concentrate on was the sight of her thoughtfully twirling her pen with that adorable anxious look on her face.
Once the bell rang, Sakura gathered up her books and waited beside Syaoran's desk.
"You sure packed up early," he observed, zipping his pencil case up. Her cheeks flushed slightly and she grinned sheepishly. They were interrupted by the sound of knocking. "Li-kun, the principle wants you to meet with him," Miho said before exclaiming loudly, "Ooh Sakura you look so cute today!"
"Doesn't she?" Syaoran agreed with a wink.
"See Sakura, you've got the man's approval too!" Miho chirped, further embarrassing the poor girl. "Anyways Li-kun, you better scoot off to the Principle's office now."
Sakura noticed Syaoran briefly close his eyes as if he was dealing with a headache and when his amber eyes reopened, his face was void of expression.
"Why's he going there?" Sakura asked worriedly after he as exited the room in silence.
"Who knows. Darn, I am about to explode from hunger! Let's go to lunch now," Miho demanded with a grin.
"Always thinking of food."
"Nah ah. I also think about Anthony!"
"Well duh, Rodriguez-san is your boyfriend after all. It must be nice having someone like that, ne?" she softly asked.
"Sure. But come on, why are you getting all gloomy on me? Li-kun's practically your lover!"
"Y-You're wrong! We're not! He's not! He'd never-" she babbled. Seeing Miho's raised eyebrow she added, "I mean to say that…"
"You want him to be."
Sakura nodded in embarrassment.
"So you yearn for Prince Li to sweep you off your feet, out yonder window and onto his grand steed, while he caresses your face with soft kisses?"
"Miho! Stop making fun of me!" Sakura begged. "Besides, I can't compete with all his female admirers!"
"Why do you say that?"
"His voicemail is always full, the assortment of love letters in his locker, the mass of girls watching him train for soccer games…"
"So he's admired by many. It's not like any of those freaks will ever end up having a proper conversation with him. Wouldn't you agree?"
"I suppose," Sakura mumbled, hugging her books closer to her chest.
"Besides, I'll play a little matchmaker for you guys at the grade ten retreat!"
"H-Hoe? There's a camp?"
"Sakura-chan, don't you ever listen in class? Oh well they'll be talking more about the details in our assembly, so you better listen! Hmm, enough talk about Syaoran and let's dig into out lunch boxes!" Miho said, dragging Sakura out the door with a grin.
---- ---- ----
"Consider my options again, my ass!" Syaoran mumbled as he walked away from the Principle's office. He was too busy replaying the grueling conversation he'd had with the principle – mostly consisting of him trying to convince Syaoran not to drop out of school since he was such a "promising student" that he didn't see the wall until it was too late.
"SHIT!" he yelled, frantically rubbing his forehead.
"Running into a wall…not too bright of you, dumb-ass!" Joey scoffed from the hallway.
"Shove off you loser," Syaoran grinned.
"Oh what will Li-kun's female stalkers say to that? I can just hear the anxious debate going on about your sanity…"
"Ha! The last thing I need is the debate club to ruin my life," he agreed.
"Indeed. So…heard any rumours lately?" Joey asked, innocently.
"No. Why?"
"Oh no reason. My sympathy is with you though! I bid you adieu," he said seriously, before half skipping towards the canteen.
What the hell was that all about? Syaoran wondered as he made his way towards his friend's usual eating spot. As he crossed the quadrangle a loud chorus of giggling filled the air and he stared at the offending bunch of girls, annoyed that they had broken his concentration. He was surprised to find that they stared right back at him - some pointing and whispering to each other. He raised his eyebrows and kept walking. When he reached his group he was annoyed to find them sniggering too. Pretending to be oblivious, he quietly sat down on the grass, arms folded and waited for them to become aware of his presence.
"Oh Li-kun, when did you show up? Geez, since when do you like to sneak up on us like a chick?"
"Since you weirdo's started sniggering at what I assume to be me,' he replied, hoping that his tone would make them guilty enough to explain whatever was going on.
"Ahh, I wouldn't worry about them Syaoran, you know how little things amuse them most," Kai hurriedly said.
"That sounds about right," Syaoran said with a sigh. "So what are they saying about me?"
"What makes you think that?"
"I know a rumour when I see one. So did Paris Hilton break-up with me or do I simply have crotch-rot?"
"Actually people are saying that you give a lousy performance and couldn't get 'it' up…" Kai was mildly curious as to why Syaoran burst out laughing.
"Haaaa, that's the most ridicules rumour I've ever heard! What half-wit simpleton made that up?"
"Who knows? It's spreading faster than rats with disease, though." (NB: disease isn't actually what I originally wrote but I can't read my writing! ;;)
"Just fantastic," Syaoran muttered, rubbing his temples.
---- ---- ----
"What have I done?" Sakura wailed, on the verge of tears.
"Trust your first rumour to get so out of hand!" Miho replied, laughing despite the situation.
"I only said that I didn't have an enjoyable time sleeping with him! I meant it to mean that he snores and sleep-talks or something!"
"Funny how Sakura's innocent mind didn't make the connection that 'sleep' and 'bed' in the same sentence would be applied sexually in the foul minds of this school," Yumei said, trying to hide a grin.
"H-Hoe? Li-kun's had sex?" Sakura exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"How on earth would I know! I just meant that your rumour has turned nasty. Beware of the man's ego," she added and Miho nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry Sakura-chan, I'm sure Syaoran will take it well," Tomoyo said, comforting her friend by sliding her hand around her shoulders.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Miho whispered to Yumei.
"Yeh, he's the new and extremely controversial topic in my debating class."
"Last thing he needs is the debating team to ruin his life…"
"Oi!"
"Haha, no offense intended Yumei!"
---- ---- ----
Chloe yawned and rested her head on Syaoran's shoulder.
"I must admit, I'm slightly curious as to why you're following me home…" he said, slowly.
"Just checking if you and Hiroki are fine."
"I'm perfectly fine! I'm fabulous even!"
"That's not what I heard…" Chloe replied, trying to conceal a grin.
"Excuse me!" he barked.
"Wow that rumour thing has gotten you more worked up then I expected!"
"No, it's just annoying. I have enough to worry about let alone everyone staring at me and pointing."
"And laughing."
"Thanks so much for reminding me," he said with a groan.
"Yeah, it's weird to think that her little rumour caused all this trouble."
"Who's rumour?"
"Oh come on, like you didn't know."
"I don't," he admitted.
"Will you buy me dinner if I tell you?" she asked with a grin.
"Never mind, I'm not that desperate."
"I'm surprised you haven't figured it out, since technically it's your fault."
"How is this my fault?"
"You're the one who dared Sakura in the first place…"
"S-Sakura?" he asked, swallowing a lump in his throat.
2 B Cont…
Yesh Syaoran, I am afraid that you were wrong and Sakura COULD spread a rumour about you. Guess you owe her, her favourite meal as promised ;;
Anyways who wants some aaaaction? And im not talking about martial arts kinda action. Yesh, there is a possibility of another kiss between S+S! Things are starting to get more intimate between the two and you'll find out how in the next chapter! Which shall be up (hopefully) within the next two weeks!
By the way, thankyou all so much for your reviews! They mean a lot to me…and lemme know how I'm going with this chapter by reviewing! That's right, I know you wannnnt to!