Spotlight
Chaptire One
By: Satomi-Chan Beta-editor: Chibi-Cookies

Sakura's Point Of View

It was your typical evening wasted. No seriously it was wasted. I was wasted. But I guess typical didn't do the night justice. This is probably God's plan I just know it. If things didn't run by routine like how I'm used to, it must be for a good reason. Was there even such a thing as fate?

Girls' night out that term was surely typical. Something my best friend and I took on as tradition. But tonight, it was a new club, new scene, new people, and a new escape hide out, I don't think I ever get tired of it. But today, Tomoyo just had to drag me along, yes, tradition was a special occasion, but after the whole week's worth of work? I just can't bare it – but I did, and still am.

As the night went on, we continue to drink away. Okay, I lied in the beginning when I said I was wasted, but could I hide my true feelings? That is how I truly felt. Drinking my way to escape cruel reality, I was just swimming in alcohol.

"Sakura! Sakura!"Tomoyo elbowed me painfully in the rib as she interrupted me from laughing pointlessly at random things the group said. Dammit, what did she want?

"There's a cutie that's been staring at you for a long time." She leaned over with her glass in hand, whispering in my ear. I perked up, eagerly trying to find him. Of course that was no difficulty.

"Go talk to him!" She elbowed me again, I sighed, and realized peer pressure happens no matter what age you are.

"Okay, fine." I gave in, chugging down the last bit of my drink. I stood up and made my way to the bar. I could tell he was watching me as I sat myself beside him on the vibrant blue barstool.

You'd think I was used to the amount of stares I got, but truthfully, as much as it was flattering, it was also uncomfortable knowing that your features were being analyzed to a point of precision.

"One apple martini, please," I requested to the bartender, who right away he got to work. I continued to make no contact with this cutie, I like playing hard to get, but no doubt he was looking at me. With my small mini skirt and new designer top I got today, for sure he'd be engulfed in my good looks and style, just like every guy.

I received my drink and he still hadn't said a thing to me yet, no move, nada. I'd make my move in a few seconds, but eventually he'd recognize me. Tons of people knew me. And to my surprise, he did.

"Don't you think you're drinking a little too much?" He said. Funny, there was no charming smile, no lean in, or any sign of interest in me at all. He seemed to look at me with some sort of grudge. What did I do?

"Are you here to stop me?" I snickered at him lifting an eyebrow, annoyed with his first words. Sure, it wasn't the best thing to do with my reputation, but I wasn't going to take something like that lying face down. If men think they can own the world, doing whatever they want, saying whatever they please, then the have the next thing coming: A bunch of women to bring them down. I mean, who goes around telling complete strangers what they think? For your information, that's prejudice. And that isn't the way I go… aloud. His eyes narrowed and a frown drew across his face in an impatient manner.

"You're pathetic." He simply responded before turning his body to the counter, completely ignoring my living soul. This guy was ticking me off by the second. I felt hot, my face hardened like molten rock and I just stared at him; his ungrateful brown hair, those dark detrimental eyes. He was cute, he could even be considered hot… but what was his problem? He was pointing at me with his disdainful finger, but I didn't even do anything wrong.

"Do you even know who I am?" I continued to glare at the man, bringing in my arrogant standing. He took one quick drink of his beer and turned to face me. Good looking; very good looking. My eyes tried to focus on his deep brown ones. They made me melt. There was definitely something about him…some air about him that was just oddly memorable.

"Sakura Kinomoto." He answered with his stupid straight face and emotionless stature.

"Yes." I replied trying my best to be the dominant one, but perhaps it was my anger that degraded me. "Yes I am."

"You've changed." He replied back nonchalantly.

Okay, that completely caught me off guard. I changed? Me? And who was he to tell me that? Some guy I met a few minutes ago; who the hell was he?

"Excuse me?" I blurted out. I studied him closely, I could feel it; it was coming to me. Yes, it was coming...but I don't want it to. The truth? Right now? Not yet. I wasn't ready.

"Do I know you?" I had to ask. That little bit of curiosity was getting the best of me, and I risked it.

That strong line his lips formed turned up into twisted smile, taunting me relentlessly. He continued not to answer, knowing the suspense was sinking in. I was figuring out the truth, he knew it disturbed me. It probably disturbed him just as well. Eventually he led me to the point in which my eyes widened, my mouth became dry, and those memories came flooding back which haunted me to this moment.

"You!" I gasped out.

"Long time no see." He brought the beer bottle to his lips once more, His casualness made me more anxious. I hated this feeling. I hated it very much. My heart was beating fast, at the point where I didn't know what to do. There was that distant longing to ditch right there, but the most of me wanted answers, wanted to clear things up.

My spotlight. That light that focused on me whenever I was on stage, on the set, or on the runway. It was even shining on me now, waiting for my action.

"It's Syaoran Li." He informed me as if I didn't remember. But I already knew that. It was hard for me to forget. Something that made me go through so much pain and confusion, it was formed to be unforgettable.

"We went to elementary school together, remember?" He said, bringing back all those painful memories memories.

Of course I remember those days. But why was he trying to resurface all that I had concealed inside of me?

"Yes." I answered, turning my head away as to hide it in the shadows of the dark bar. I won't let him see my tears; I won't show him my weakness. "What do you want?" I asked my voice quavering slightly.

"Nothing." He merely said. "I didn't ask you to come over here." He replied, looking down at the counter.

"Fine then." I left my martini on the counter; I didn't want it anymore. "Bye." I called over my shoulder before walking away, glaring at a couple of guys who were giving me stares.

Why was he here? Syaoran Li. Honestly, of all people, it just had to be him. I decided to make my way to Tomoyo, who was happily flirting with a guy. And me? I was retreating to the comfort of my own home.

"Hey Tomoyo?" I interrupted her and the guy she was flirting with. "I'm heading home. I have to go to work tomorrow."

Then, before she could answer, I grabbed my jacket and purse and got out of that club as quickly as I could. I couldn't deal with anything right now, especially with my eyes beginning to cloud over with sleep and intoxication from all the drinks I had.

I opened the doors to freedom, and freedom just had to be a rainy one. Since I hitched a ride off Tomoyo on the way here, that meant I was in for hailing down a taxi.

It was just like in the movies I've done: single heroin, strong willed, beautiful, standing out in the cold heartless rain, thinking about her distant counterpart. Ha! Look at me, thinking about work. What I should really be worrying about is the umbrella I should've brought after seeing the dark thu8nder clouds rolling in this afternoon.

"Hey!" I whipped around to see who called out. I had to blink a couple of times so the spots I was seeing would clear away. "Let me give you a ride." The voice said again. I shook my head then looked up to be met with the eyes of Syaoran.

Okay, let me get this straight, first he's checking me out, then he's rude to me, and now he's offering me a ride? This was too surreal and confusing.

I probably drank too much. Of course, I drank too much, and now my school crush is haunting me in my dreams again...but then again that would mean I had to have passed out…

"Come on." Syaoran grabbed my arm and pulled me across the street to his car. So I guess I wasn't dreaming, or passed out. But I guess that's a good thing, kind of.

He opened the passenger door for me, and I flopped in, probably looking like a wet dog. Maybe this could be a new line of fashion…I wonder how much I could make off of it? Okay…random, must be the drinks doing my thinking, then I realized something.

"Hey wait a minute!" My forehead crinkled up, I was doing my hardcore thinking. He looked at me with a questioning look until I said, "Your not sober!"

"Yes I am." He started the car with no hesitation in his voice. I continued to stare at him through half-lidded eyes. It was definitely late, my body could tell that.

"I only had one drink. It won't have much of an affect on me." Okay, I breathed deep, I was safe. Well even if he was drunk, I don't think I would have the energy to go hail down a cab right now.

My eyes shut, and I let my body relax on the cushioned seat. My head lolled to the side and I felt the weight of my anxiety lifting off my shoulders. I felt the car jerk out of its parking spot and cruise out onto the road.

"Where do you live?" He asked me, breaking that silence. I knew it was an uncomfortable one, but still… I really just didn't want to deal with it.

"The condominium on Doushi Street, number four-twenty-three." I said in my small, tired voice without opening my eyes. "Go up Kasake Road until you reach Doushi Street. You'll see it there, to your left."

For some reason, I trusted him. I hadn't seen him in so long that it was possible for him to change into such a retched man, and when we finally meet, ten minutes ago, his rudeness pissed me off. But for the most part, right now, I'm letting him drive me home, trusting him entirely with my life. He could easily take advantage of me and rape me, especially for what I'm worth. Or even just mug me. He has a chance to turn the wrong way or go down the wrong path, but I think… I'll leave it up to him to make that choice.

Sooner than I thought, I was home. He parked his car in the nearest visitor's parking spot and decided to walk me up to my apartment. It wasn't like he was nice about it, but what was the change in character?

I pressed a button by the elevator that would bring me to the seventh floor, and then I leaned back against the wall, trying to calm myself. The weird thing was he joined me against the wall, looking straight ahead. I watched him from the corner of my eye.

He held his hand to his head and breathed in and out, exhaustedly. He was leaning back in a drooping manner, his face was flushed and the bags under his eyes were clearly visible.

"You lied to me." I said, as I heaved myself up once the doors opened. We rode up the elevator in silence, although he gave me a confused look. The elevator stopped and he followed my tired body, making it through the hallway to my door. "You said you were sober, you told me you only had one drink." He smirked at my comment as he leaned against the wall, waiting for me as I pulled out my key.

"You put me in danger." A slight frown tugged at my lips as I turned my key in the door. The lock clicked open. "You didn't have to drive me then I -"

"There were some guys…" Syaoran narrowly cut me off. I stood there, apprehending the situation. I could just barely make sense of it. "After you left, I saw them start to follow you, I heard them chattering about taking you somewhere to um…do stuff."

As he was explaining I couldn't help but notice he was still good hearted. "It was late for me as well, so I thought, I'd do both of us a favor." He then stood up and turned to leave. "Well, goodnight."

"Wait," I grabbed the hem of his shirt feeling the rough clothe against my palm. What was I doing? I feel like a stupid, drunken idiot – ironically. "You're not good in your condition to drive-"

"No, I'm fine, really." I could see him trying to cover up; he smiled at me and laughed at my concern.

"Stop lying to me." I demanded. I was determined. It wasn't the alcohol that brought me to the state I was in; it was my lack of sleep. And so, I forced myself to see through to him. It's been a long time anyway.

"What?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not lying."

"Yes you are." I managed to pull him inside and close the door with a quiet slam. "You don't look like you're capable of even making it down that elevator, besides I owe you for what you just did. And don't even bother explaining to me what just happened, You can stay for the night."

I paused for a moment realizing I was losing my concentration. I must stay awake… I blinked my eyes a few times trying to brush away the blackness that was swirling around my eyes but it wasn't working. It was actually making me more tired. I had to keep awake… just a bit longer…

"I have an extra bedroom…" I mumbled, and next thing I know, everything faded away to a pleasant blackness.

Syaoran's Point Of View

It was her again, Sakura Kinomoto. How many times have I seen her in magazines? She was a rising supermodel going into acting. Acting of all things! A field I was rising in. Our paths were bound to cross either way, and unfortunately I just had to spot her at that club.

I was invited earlier to meet my girlfriend, Ari. But she was called in for a last minuet photo shoot. So I sat there at the bar, basking in my own lonely thoughts. That's when her familiar laughing face struck into view. I honestly didn't know how to feel. She was a sight to see, but past life memoirs stretched themselves angrily around me. And of course now I was at her place.

The role of a man: strong, courageous and just a plain heroic figure. Yes, that was stereotypical. But, how many times was I going to save this girl tonight? She drags me into her place then starts lecturing me about how I lied to her about drinking when all of a sudden she faints on me, what a hypocrite.

Of course I caught her, not wanting to have a worst situation. I hoisted her into my arms after slipping off my shoes and taking off my coat with some difficult skill. I might as well take her up on her offer after she put me in this kind of predicament.

I found her room a simple but sleek design. She had certainly kept it neat and in order, but you could tell that it wasn't used much. It was a cozy layout that I slightly admired.

I placed her body on her neatly made bed. Great, I blew out a sigh standing before her sleeping form. Her clothes were damp, and if she'd slept in them, she'd get sick. I just had to have a conscience, didn't I?

I drew in another deep breath and decided to do something for her. I went to her broad dresser and drew open her drawers in hope to find something, and I did. Of course it was a drawer filled with different assorted lingerie. An image of her started forming in my mind wearing one of these.

Get a grip man! She… we… I… I have to get her out of those clothes! I desperately closed that drawer and went scavenger hunting through the rest. While I was rummaging I found a simple t-shirt and a pair of yoga shorts. Ha, I did it! In the condition I'm in, I can't believe I'm actually getting somewhere. I turned back to her with the clothes…and just when I thought the hard part was over, I now realized I had the task of putting said clothes on her sleeping form.

I went to her and carefully lifted her up into a sitting position with my hand at the nape of her neck. Breath… just breath… this was unnerving standing before a girl I've known for so long, and now I'm peeling the damp top off her body. Dear God…

Sakura moaned slightly when she felt my touch. "Don't worry." I warned her turning my head farther away than it already was and squeezing my eyes together so tightly I saw white dots. "I'm not looking."

Luckily her subconscious state cooperated she lifted her arms up to make the transition easier. I tossed the wet shirt onto the floor and pulled the t-shirt over her head as quickly as I could. I'm tired, smashed and completely uncomfortable taking care of this woman.

I sighed contently with a deed well done, but this just keeps getting harder and harder. I stared hard at her skirt (don't get the wrong impression). Why me? Of course, I'd deeply enjoy this if it was Ari, but it wasn't. It was Sakura Kinomoto. Any other guy would enjoy this, so why was I a chosen one?

That's when another thought struck me. I was brilliant! I would just pull her shorts on first, that way all I had to do was tug off her skirt. But you see… damn miniskirts just have to be designed in such a way that they're tight and short. Don't get me wrong; I'm definitely not against them, but this time… I'm going to have to make an exception. This was such a curse! The freaking skirt didn't seem to come off without pulling down the shorts too! There was just no easy way out of this, was there?

I sighed and decided the skirt had to come off first and I was going to try to do so without looking. I gently tugged her skirt off, finally I was able to put on her shorts and pull the covers over her. I picked up her wet clothes and put them into the basket that I assumed were things she was going to wash.

I was jealous of her current status: away in dreamland. It was so distant, yet just a bed away. I walked down the hall until I came to what I presumed was the guestroom. The bed inside looked fairly comfortable and I couldn't wait to just lie down.

I pulled off my jeans and slung them over the side of the bed.

I lay down waiting for sleep to have complete control over me, meanwhile I was thinking… it had been a long time, but how does she feel about me now? What's happened to her now that we've grown up?

If she stayed before… If only she had stayed, what would the outcome of all this be?

Note: Hello fellow readers! Yes, it is I... Satomi-chan! You may kill me now if you have read any other of my stories that you want finish, for I have started a new one! Beware: Kill me now, you don't get your endings. Lovely! Well I hope you all enjoy this one. The layout is different and I found I was a bit more descriptive and I also decided on a new perspective. Please critique me!

-- haha fixed spacing. :P