Oh dear…I had to type this whole chapter using my father's laptop which took a bit of getting used to and so I frequently saved it incase I accidentally erased the whole thing by pressing a wrong button (so darn easy to do!) and I didn't realize it was saved as 'Syaoran arched his back and moaned.' Yeh that wouldn't have gone down well with the parents…In fact I almost had a heart attack when my mum walked into the room - I was paranoid that she thought I was being extremely indecent. Heh I just felt like remembering that moment…sometimes it feels good to ramble

In this chapter Chloe seems to dominate the first half, but the kid has issues that she has to overcome so I had to let her P. To make up for it I've included the long-awaited SXS scenes – after all, this is the 2nd last chapter sadly.

Anyways I hope you enjoy the story!

Azure Flame

Chapter 22 – Overcoming the difficulties

Syaoran arched his back and moaned.

"Ohh…so good! You're…amazing!" he let out in grunts. After a moment, he grinned and carefully turned around, reaching for the shower tap. "Don't go cold on me now!" he muttered. Syaoran's thoughts were interrupted by banging downstairs.

"Hirokiiiiii!" Syaoran called out before remembering Hiroki was impossible to wake up before 7am. "That kid needs to change his habits…for the sake of my sanity!" he grumbled, climbing out of the shower and dashed down the stairs.

"Hello?" he called, panting as he reached the door and opened it. His eyes widened as he saw an anxious Sakura standing before him. He immediately slammed the door in her face and leant back into the wooden door with a groan.

"Li-kun!" he heard Sakura yell anxiously.

"U-Um…what?" he replied, feeling his cheeks flush.

"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry!"

"huh?"

"Please forgive me!" she begged.

"What are you talking about?"

"I've been such an idiot!"
"D-Don't worry about it."

"I probably made you feel so awkward!"

"Like I said, don't worry about it."

"Then why can't you look me in the face! We're talking through the door!" she wailed.

"How could you possibly ask me that! I'M NAKED!"

"HOE!" he heard Sakura exclaim.

"You mean you never noticed?"

"N-No way!"

'What are you talking abut then?" he asked slowly in confusion.

"Making up that stupid rumor!"

"Ohh the RUMOUR! You're apologizing about the rumour!" Syaoran exclaimed happily, sliding down the door in relief. She didn't see it! Thank God!

"I thought…that you…saw it!"

"Saw what?"

"nevermind…ehehe…heh"

"Nii-san…what are you doing?" Syaoran turned his head right just in time to see Hiroki's head poking out of his bedroom door.

"Hiroki, get me a towel – NOW!" Syaoran hurriedly demanded. "Go, go, go!" he added, pointing his arm in the direction of the stairs for emphasis.

Once Hiroki had returned, he handed the towel to Syaoran in confusion. Syaoran leapt up and hurriedly tied it around his waist before re-opening the door.

"Sorry about that, you caught me in the middle of having a shower…Sakura?" he asked when she didn't say anything.

He's so beautiful…Sakura thought, satrng at the wet flesh in front of her. She hurriedly swallowed as she watched transfixed as a drop of water from Syaoran's hair slide passed his neck and down the middle of his chest.

"Did you want to come in?" Syaoran asked and closed the door behind her. "Just take a seat while I shove some pants on or something," he suggested. Once he was in his bedroom he collapsed onto his bed.

Take a deep breath, Li. Control yourself. You're not an animal; you can't bloody jump on her or anything!

He took a deep breath and put n a black t-shirt and green cargo pants.

So what were you saying?" Syaoran asked, sitting down opposite her, every bit the gentleman.

"I-I came over to apologize for starting the rumour about…you know what."

"You know what?"

"Yeah…you know?"

"No, could you be more specific?" he asked innocently with the hint of a smile.

"Li-kun!"

Syaoran grinned. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Couldn't help stirring you up. Of course I forgive you, silly! I'm the one who dared you t start a rumour in the first place…although I didn't mean you had to start one about ME."

Sakura smiled in embarrassment.

"Anyway, do you want anything to drink?"

"Oh, water would be great," she replied.

In a few mins, Syaoran walked back into the room carrying two glasses of cool water. He set them down on the table and raised an eyebrow when he saw Sakura staring at something in her hands. "What ya got there?" he asked.

"You're moving…" she muttered.

'Well yeah, I haven't got Rigor Mortis yet…" he frowned however as he saw his real-estate booklets in her hands.

"You're moving," she stated again, her voice taking on an odd tone.

Syaoran mentally slapped himself for leaving the booklets out. "ahh well nothing is certain yet.." he watched silently as Sakura got off the couch and slowly walked over to him. His eyes widened as he felt warm arms wrap around her shoulders.

"Why?" she muttered into his neck.

Syaoran sighed. He knew that this uncomfortable time would have approached sooner or later but he also knew that it wouldn't be fair to keep her in the dark. He only hoped he could explain as gently as possible. "My job is too far away," he said softly.

"You have a job..?"

"Yeah. I'm a chef's assistant."

"So you're gonna work after school? What about your homework?"

"No Sakura…" he took another deep breath. This was torture at its worst he decided bitterly. "I can't go to school anymore."

"Oh."

Syaoran sighed when he felt Sakura's shoulders tremble. "I-It's coz of my rumour isn't it…"

This caught Syaoran by surprise so he let out a laugh, "No! I just can't balance guardian, breadwinner and student," he explained, returning her hug. "Please don't cry," he added, hugging her tighter.

"I-I can't help it. I don't want you to go," she stuttered into his shoulder. In response Syaoran gently kissed her forehead, treasuring the intimate moment before it could be stolen away from him.

"Now all we need is toilet paper!" Chloe cheerfully pointed out.

"Go get 'em," Syaoran replied unenthusiastically and he lazily followed her down the supermarket aisle.

What now? He thought as he saw her abruptly stop.

"Chloe?" the woman in front of her asked softly. Chloe took a step backwards and then flew passed Syaoran, towards the exit. Syaoran turned to look at the woman who had caused his friend to retreat in fear. She looked like an ordinary woman to him…that was until he realized…

"Mrs Patterson!" he said in shock.

"Xiao Lang!" she replied in mutual shock. "C-Chloe, she's…h-here…t-too long!"

Syaoran bit his lip – torn between his friend and her mother. He sighed hoping that Chloe wouldn't be mad at him as he helped Mrs Patterson to a nearby seat. They sat in silence for a few minutes, waiting for the other to speak first.

"My baby!" she finally muttered.

"Did you come to look for her?" Syaoran asked gently.

Mrs Patterson could only nod, clearly overwhelmed.

Syaoran groaned and swallowed another aspirin. As soon as he had brought Mrs Patterson home to Chloe, the two had been arguing non-stop. HE sighed as he heard another book slam against the wall and then the foor to his kitched was flung open.

"WHY DID YOU BRING HER HERE!" Chloe demanded in hysterics.

"Because she was worried about you," he replied calmly.

"SO! WHOOP-DE-DOO!"

"Chloe, she came all the way to a country she barely knows the language of, to find you."

"WELL SHE SHOULD'T HAVE! AND YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MERRILY LED HER BACK HERE!"

Syaoran kept on calmly staring at her.

"WHY DID YOU!" she continued to shout.

"Why? You want to know WHY!" Syaoran said, starting to anger. "BECAUSE you NEED a MOTHER!"

"NO I DO NOT!"

"YES you do! Everyone needs a mother!"

"all except you, huh?"

Syaoran exhaled slowly. "You're wrong."

"What was that?"

"I said you're wrong. The thing I want MOST is a mother. Or a father – if he's not drunk," he added with a small smile. "I guess you could say I'm not as strong as I thought I was."

Chloe's glare was replaced with a concerned look. "No Syao, you are strong. You have been for years and years," she softly told him.

"Mm. But not it seems it's not enough. So take it from me, swallow your anger and bitterness and LISTEN to what your mother has to say – after all, if she came all this way she's got to be serious about reconciling with you, ne?"

Chloe sat in silence for a few minutes until Syaoran heard a soft, "Okay. I'll do it for you."

"No," he replied, "do it for YOU."

Sakura rolled over and stared at the dark ceiling in frustration. It had almost been a week since Syaoran had stopped coming to school and for the fifth day in a row she was finding it difficult to fall asleep. "I miss you," she whispered to the night air. She knew it wasn't just her either – Syaoran's group had been substantially quieter in the absence of the amber-eyed boy.

It feels like everyone is really mourning his absence. I shouldn't feel this way though…it's not like his funeral or anything…it's not like I'll never see him again…but I can't help thinking selfishly – I want to see him everyday at school and I know that I can't. It just feels so lonely…If I don't see him soon I'll probably go MAD!" Sakura sat up suddenly. That was it! In the morning she would ring him up and beg him to have lunch with her on the weekend!

Where is Syaoran? Sakura wondered anxiously. She had been sitting at the food court for some time now and every second he wasn't around, Sakura grew more anxious to see him.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a slap on the ass. She spat out her orange juice and whirled around.

"Wassup, honey?" a guy in baggy pants and dreadlocks asked.

"Oh…nothing much…"

"Whaddya say I see some sweet booty shaking?"

"Booty? Shaking?" Sakura asked in confusion. She had no clue what he was talking about, but she knew it was something bad. He was obviously drunk despite it only being early evening.

"Aww come on baby, don't you dig me?"

Dig him? "Er sure..i'll dig you…a grave that is!" she replied as confidently as she could. Gosh what if he's really offended? Will he start attacking me now!

But to her surprise he just sighed wistfully. Dread-boy finds me attractive it seems...why can't HE?

"Excuse me darling, but could you go get me a serviette?" Dread-boy asked, suddenly sounding rather sober.

"Oh sure!" Sakura jumped up from the hard seat and ran to get him a serviette – she was just glad that he hadn't tried to beat her up. When she returned she found the seat empty. That's rather odd! She decided as she sat back down, glancing around to see if she could spot Dread-boy anywhere. She had no luck so she continued to sip her orange juice.

Once she had drunk ¾ of the bottle it occurred to her that it tasted a little weird. Almost bitter…She shrugged and looked down at her hands out of boredom, trying to suppress the random urge to giggle hysterically.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a boy roughly her age walk passed her table. Before she could stop herself she flung her arm out to stop him. "…Don't my knuckles look, totally weird!" she asked, shoving her left hand in his face. He raised an eyebrow and gently reached out for her hand. Peering closely at it, he shook his head. "They look pretty normal to me," he said, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks.

"Hmm…is that so?" Sakura muttered in disappointed. The guy she had stopped heard his friends calling out to him so he hastily walked away from Sakura's table and out of her vision. But she couldn't care less about the guy anymore – she was starting to feel queasy. Glancing around the food court, she watched the spinning faces in confusion, when a familiar face approached her. Was it her imagination or did it look…just a little like…his? Nah. I'm letting my imagination win. It's too bad. I wish he was here now. I really do…

"Sakura..?" Syaoran sat down on the seat directly next to her. She moaned softly, her hands rubbing her temples. He circled his arms around her shoulders, "are you alright?" he asked, staring intently at her pale face. "And who was that guy?" he said with hostility before he could help himself.

Sakura, appearing not to have heard, slowly removed her hands from her face and waited for her vision to return back to normal.

"Sakura?" he repeated. She turned her head to look at him.

"Are you –"

Sakura brought a hand up to his face.

"- d-drunk!" he spluttered, incredulously.

With a seductive smirk, she pulled his face down and closed her mouth on his. His eyes widened in surprise, but the feeling of disbelief was erased by the sensation of the warmth of her lips.

He felt his blood race and his heart thump more loudly then the loud chatter surrounding them. All memory of the food court and his uneasiness about the strange guy Sakura had been talking to, fled from his mind. All that mattered was that Sakura, his crush, was kissing him. It could only mean one thing. You love me too…

Before he realized it, he was kissing her back, clutching her to him desperately. She cupped his face with her other hand, moving against him as much as she was capable of in his tight embrace.

And for that moment, Syaoran never felt more alive. He especially felt his own desire, testifying that holding her, kissing her, being with her…was indisputably right. That Sakura was right – for him.

He moaned happily as he felt Sakura's tongue gracefully slide over his. It was this action however, that triggered a subliminal alarm to go off, somewhere inside of him.

He felt the tickle of her fingertips on the bare skin of his back and she tried to remove his shirt. The alarm sounded again, demanding that Sakura…would never be so bold. With great reluctance, he moved away from her and stared hard at her face. "What are you doing Sakura!" he demanded as a wave of despair washed through his shaking body.

"I'm kissing you. Duh!" she said with a grin.

"Why?"

"Because I love you. Double duh!"

Syaoran gritted his teeth hard as the realization struck him. No you don't. You're truly just drunk…He had refused to believe it at first; after all, Sakura didn't like ginger beer let alone real alcohol so it was impossible that she'd be drunk. But somehow she was and his heart lurched as he realized he had just taken advantage of her.

"Y-You shouldn't say such a strong phrase without meaning it!" he informed her, attempting to sound gentle but to no avail as a wave of bitterness took over. He buried his face in his hands as he tried to get his bearings. "Dammit Sakura," he hissed, still disgusted with how quickly he had taken advantage of her in her drunken state. He'd been a fool to assume she'd felt so strongly for him to begin with. I thought it was you. I thought you meant it.

"I think you better leave now…" Before you start spontaneously hitting on other guys as well.

But I dun wanna…Dis place rulzzz!" she told him, nodding her head excitedly. Syaoran ignore her slurred wording and anxiously looked around the food court for the nearest exit. He looked back at her and gulped. She was attempting to pull her black skirt higher up her thighs. On instinct, he reached out a hand to stop her. He winced when he felt his clammy hand brush against her smooth thigh. He grasped her shoulders desperately and stared right into her eyes. "Listen to me Sakura. You're drunk, so I'm going to escort you home, alright?"

Sakura sighed and nestled her head against Syaoran's warm chest, feeling tired all of a sudden. Syaoran looked down at the angel next to him and let out a long sigh, "Your brother is going to KILL me, I hope you realize!"

Sakura opened her eyes with a groan. When the first shaft of light struck her eyes she flinched. Her body felt lethargic, a headache tapped annoyingly against her skull.

Beep da beep da beep beep beep

Stop it dammit! Sakura buried her aching head further under her pillow.

Beep da beep da beep beep beep

Sakura mentally cursed as she reached out a hand to find her mobile. "Nmph!"

"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo squealed.

"NMPH!"

"what?"

"Please shush!"

"why?"

"head hurt."

"why?"

"ERGH! Sakura hung up and flung the mobile across the floor. She couldn't take all Tomoyo's question while she was sporting a headache and a surprisingly non-Sakura-like grumpiness.

Beep da beep da beep beep beep

Tomoyo-chan! She cursed and reached out a hand to retrieve the mobile forgetting that it had been previously discarded.

Where the heck is it! She wondered, reaching out further, but accidentally fell out of her bed. She groaned as her head crashed into her bed-side table.

"hello, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked, "Can you hear me?"

"Itaiiii…"

"What's with you today?"

"I hit my head…"

"Oh my goodness, are you okay!"

beep beep beep

"Oh, I'm so sorry Tomoyo-chan, I've got another call."

"Well what I had to say wasn't overly important so I'll talk to you later then."

"okay, bye!" Fiona switched to the other line, "hello?"

"Um…Syaoran desu…"

Sakura paled and nearly dropped the phone.

"Hello?..."

"Oh, hey Li-kun. Sorry. I thought you were someone else," she explained stupidly.

"It's okay."

"Um…that's good.." Don't you just love these awkward silences!

"I just rang…to see if you were alright."

"To see if I was alright?"

"yeh…don't you remember what happened yesterday?" Syaoran asked hesitantly, praying that she didn't – he didn't know if he could cope with Sakura losing trust in him for taking advantage of her.

"I'm really sorry, I woke up today and my mind was all blurry! It's so weird!"

"yeh um I'm sorry I was too swamped at work to meet up with you yesterday," Syaoran lied.

"Oh! That's okay!" Sakura assured him. I saw you yesterday though…but I guess I was only dreaming. I remember kissing you and nothing could compare to the happiness I felt…but it was only a dream, ne. And in dreams I'm allowed to kiss you…

"I was wondering if I could come over to er…make up for my absence yesterday?" Syaoran knew it was cruel to keep lying to her, but he honestly didn't want her to feel bad if she knew the truth. Although how she had become drunk in the first place was still a mystery to him.

"Oh sure, you can come by whenever you want!" Sakura said without hesitation, forgetting completely about her headache.

"Excellent…because I'm standing in your driveway," he explained sheepishly.

Sakura glanced down in horror at her pajamas and leapt up, proceeding to get dressed. She cringed when she head the door bell ring. Just breathe Sakura…and more importantly, don't trip!

She pasted on a smile as she swung open the front door. Syaoran stepped hesitantly into the house and stared at his surrounding as if he'd never seen it before.

"I'm sorry to ask you this, but I kind of rushed over here and so…Can I use you bed – I MEAN BATHROOM!" he asked loudly, feeling his face turn inevitably red. Sakura completely oblivious to his mistake, smiled and led him to the bathroom before slowly wandering back into her room to clean some of it up.

She eventually heard rustling and looked up to find Syaoran standing awkwardly in the doorway. A small splodge of white stood out on his dark t-shirt. Before she knew what she was doing, she started to giggle.

"What!" he asked nervously, while flattening his hair subconsciously.

"It's not your hair!" she giggled.

"Oh my God, I've got toilet paper stuck on me, don't I!"

"No no no! There's a sticker on your back!"

"Wha?" he tried to look over her shoulder.

"hehe, I'll get it off!" she offered. She then held up the sticker triumphantly for him to see. "A love-heart sticker? Where have you been?" she teased.

"Ergh, it's probably Chloe's…"

"Liar! I know you've been secretly collecting girly stickers!" she replied with a grin.

"You've caught me out!" he joked back. "So where's your bin again?"

"aww, you're gonna throw it away?"
"You bet. If Chloe sees me with this," he held up the sticker, "She'll probably start getting ideas."

The room filled with silence. Sakura was confused as to why everything suddenly felt awkward so she slowly turned her head to face his. She blushed when she made contact with his deep brown eyes and was pleased to see hm also blushing. Her heart started racing when she realized that contact was unbreakable. Please look away! She silently begged Syaoran.

She shivered when she felt the pressure of Syaoran's index finger under her chin, forcing her to look up into his brown eyes. She gulped when she saw the puddle of emotion in them. The 'windows to his soul' closed as his face moved closer. Sakura's own eyes widened as she felt the warmth of his mouth and the warmth of his hand, cradling her cheek.

He pulled back and stared at her, panting slightly. "I…am…so…sorry!" he apologized feebly, "God, I am so sorry! I just…had to do that. I'm sorry. I'm wrong. I'm going!" he announced and ran hurriedly out of the room and through the front door.

Sakura stared at her faded bedroom carpet. What just happened! She found herself slowly walking towards the front door, her heart racing as she stared hopelessly at his retreating figure, already half way down the path. "D-Did you really mean that?" she called after him, one hand resting on her edge of the door frame.

Syaoran halted and slowly looked back at her with a sad smile. "What do you think?" he simply answered and continued to walk away.

I'm not sure what to think…

2 be continued+

Oh boy…SXS will sort out their issues (as well as Chloe) in the next chapter…which I have decided will be the last chapter of Azure Flame. It's not fair to make you guys wait so long while I try to figure out what I want to write…I lost my obsession with SXS a while ago so I decided it was time I wrapped things up and gave you the goodies

Keep sticking with me!

I really appreciate all your reviews and the fact that you take time to read my fic.

See ya soon! Luv Syaoran Is Kawaii