DISCLAIMER: I don't own CCs and never will I. Sad, but true.
Clear Skies
by: kotsch
Summary: Sakura: The succesful businesswoman. Syaoran: The devoted environmentalist. Two people w/ different principles and ideals. But if love will intercede between them, can they put their differences aside?
Chapter Four
Sakura was a very effective communicator. Only two weeks have passed since she first arrived in Hongkong and yet, she already formed a group which is willing to support her.
The group is composed of men and women who agreed at the prospect of building a factory in their town so that they could have a permanent job. They were saying that they only got few profits from fishing, selling goods in the market, planting and selling vegetables and from working in mango orchards.
And these same people were very willing to get out in public to oppose those people who were against Kinomoto Holdings.
And because Hongkong is quite a bit of a small town, news about this development sure do traveled fast and reached the ears of the members of Green Lovers in due time.
Immediately, an emergency meeting was called to gather all members of Green Lovers.
"I've already learned the name of their group, Syaoran. The Clean Option. Very meaningful isn't it? They are saying that they are an option or choice but - they are still clean - as what that Sakura Kinomoto is bragging about. She's telling us that they're going to integrate effective anti-pollution measures in their factory system." A certain Mrs. Go stated, who is already a retired teacher and which the source of present income comes from planting vegetables using natural fertilizers instead of those harmful, chemical fertilizers.
"That's what those businessmen always say! They keep saying that they will make sure that their chemical wastes will not do serious harm to the environment. But all of their promises still remained promises. No one should be allowed to build a factory in our town! If we let one company have their way, another one will do the same, and then another…and so on and so forth." The well-known painter in their town, Mr. Tan, remarked angrily.
Needless to say, all the members of Green Lovers were really angry with Sakura and with the group she recently established.
"This is going to be a war in the media. And if we'll let them gain a mileage of publicity, I'm sure that some Congressmen and Senators will ride on the issue and might even become their allies!" Another member added.
Throughout the whole discussion, Syaoran was just listening attentively and remained calm on the exterior although his anger towards Sakura must've been greater than the other members.
If he only knew ahead what Sakura's true mission was, would he still save her from the rampaging sea?
God forbid.
"She owes me her second life. And I'm going to make sure that I will collect the payment." Syaoran stated, as soon as he broke his silence.
He told his group as brief and as concise as possible, how he managed to saved Sakura from her certain death.
"My God! By now, you would've expected her to already change her ways! Especially right after she was granted with another life!" Mrs. Go's shrill voice remarked once more.
Simoun and Grace were very surprised when Syaoran stopped by at the Kinomoto's resthouse one night.
"Xiaolang, don't tell me you're asking me to go fishing with you at this hour!" Simoun joked.
Syaoran's eyes crinkled into a smile. "No, Simoun. I'm here because I want to talk to your Miss Sakura."
The couple exchanged curious glances.
"She's reading at the terrace. Please kindly wait for a minute and I'll let her know you're here." Grace immediately said before she went upstairs.
Upon learning of Syaoran's unexpected arrival, Sakura became tensed but she wasn't surprised at all.
"Sure, Grace. Just let him up here in the terrace."
Sakura stood to prepare herself and waited patiently. Not a few minutes after, Syaoran's figure finally emerged infront of the widely opened door leading to the terrace.
Syaoran halted. He was distracted at the sight infront of his eyes.
Sakura looked like a vision in one of his dreams. She was wearing a white summer dress and the way her silky hair falling up to her shoulders, freely moving with the wind coming from the outside, made her look incredibly innocent…yet sexy.
Her face, bare and without any make-up, still looks smooth yet vulnerable. Her lips, which oozes with sensuality seemed to be parted slightly, maybe because of known tension in the air. However, her green eyes showed defiance.
The light illuminating from the terrace is just enough to emphasize and highlight even more the ethereal beauty of this woman.
Syaoran shook his head slightly, trying to clear his mind.
He planted a cold look on his face before speaking.
"You know why I'm here." He said evenly.
"To give me compliments for what I've just done these past few days." Sakura retorted sarcastically.
"Did you know that I firmly agree with what my other members in Green Lovers told me? They said that because you were given another chance to live, you should straighten your ideals already. You should be nicer. And that you should only do what is Godly and human. What you are doing now is opposite. You even brainwashed the minds of some townspeople. You took advantage of their sufferings and discontentment. You succeeded in forming a group out of these people because you are dangling to them the prospect of having a regular job with a regular fee! You always have your way by using money!" Syaoran exclaimed angrily. He couldn't help it. When it comes to his principles, nobody - not even a woman as gorgeous as Sakura. -could shake him up.
"Wrong! They agreed with me because they've seen the other side of the story! That side which is more practical and is based on trust. You guys just don't have enough faith in us. That's why you want us to keep our mouths shut. You think you're the savior of the world! Why, if we managed to build the factory and failed in the aspect of anti-pollution then you could go to any courts to petition the closure of our factory! Fair enough, right?"
"You'll also fight in the court if we succeeded in closing your factory. That's always the routine with these things. You're going to use delaying tactics to put-off the closing order from the Court. And we don't want you to even reach that point!"
"I can't do anything at all if you're really that paranoid about the whole thing. I've gathered some genuine people who were really anxious with the work opportunities that we'll give to them. I'm not only fighting for my own interest Syaoran, I'm also fighting for the interest of those people living here."
"How noble." Syaoran smirked.
"If you're here just to scare me off so I can back out from my plan, I say, you're just wasting your time." Sakura said coldly.
"You owe me one, isn't it? And it's your life! So how about paying me with something that will make me really happy? Sakura, why don't you just grant us what we really want?" Even though Syaoran was pleading, his arrogant look still doesn't falter to Sakura's eyes.
"Principle is not for sale, Syaoran. Even if I owe you my life. I'm sorry. I'm willing to take this matter even up to the Courts." She stated firmly.
Syaoran's eyes glared at her. "Principle of money and greed! That's what it is!"
At that, Sakura's left hand flew and made contact with Syaoran's left cheek.
However, no trace of shame could be seen on his face.
"Get out!" Sakura said angrily, her voice shaking out of intense fury.
But Syaoran grasped her arm in one swift motion, his face only a few inches away, almost mocking her.
"I'm going to get back my money. And because you refused what I wanted you to give me, I'll collect my second choice of payment!"
Right after he said that, Sakura felt his soft lips pressing against her own. Forceful. Unmerciful.
Sakura have long forgotten the feeling of being kissed. She was last kissed by her ex-boyfriend about four years ago. He was her first and last kiss.
But the sensation she is feeling right now is very different from that.
This has more passion. More heat.
She can't explain the tingly feeling that seems to envelop her whole body, starting from the tip of her toes up to her head.
Sakura was surprised to realize that she was actually returning the kiss.
Even more surprisingly, she felt good.
When suddenly, the loud sound of the telephone ringing downstairs was heard in the terrace.
And it managed to snap her out from what seemed like a trance she's currently in.
In surprise, she managed to push Syaoran away from her.
Both of them looked shocked and confused. Their minds both in a bewildered state about what just happened between them.
Sakura hurriedly straightened herself. She really couldn't blame Syaoran on the whole matter. For she too, already has a part to play on the incident as well.
Syaoran hastily left her without saying a word. Sakura even heard him when he bid his goodbye to Grace and Simoun.
"I'm already paid to him." She said softly, her head hung down while a tear trickled down her cheek.
She was really embarrassed at the thought that despite what happened, she enjoyed it. She liked the feeling of Syaoran's lips on her own.
All she could do afterwards is to go to her room, and take a shower - turning it on to its full force.
Sakura needed something to cool off the warm sensation.
She shivered.
From this day on, she knew that she have something to be afraid of with herself.
Nothing escaped the observant press. Soon enough, the media already learned of the growing rivalry in Hongkong.
Syaoran was the first person available to make a statement.
His words already reached the newspapers and even his interviews could be seen in television and heard on the radio.
"It's true that Sakura Kinomoto already has a group. Unfortunately, they were successful in polluting the minds of some of our locals. They have made these people turned against us. Good work. But I shudder in the consequences of these all. Certainly, we will not backout. They will have to kill us first before they could build their factory." Anger and irritation is evident on the handsome face of the leading environmentalist in the country as he talks on air.
Naturally, Sakura was also asked to give her side.
And this is what she's really waiting for. To have her own chance to steal the limelight in media.
Immediately, Sakura became a hot copy for those rumor-loving media people who found Sakura and Syaoran's fight interesting.
Both have strong personality. Both have good appeal. Both were rich. Both were intelligent.
Even if no one in the press knew about their intimate encounter at Sakura's place, most of the media men gave romantic angle on the issue.
They think that both of them were perfect for each other.
The committee formed by the Congress to probe and inspect the matter was even separated in half. Some were in favor with the environmentalist group while some were in favor with Sakura's group.
Even the media didn't know where to take side, too. Sooner or later, both sides will fight their rights in the Court.
Tension was evident on the air. Rallies ensued to prove their points to one another.
There are a lot of placards with words against Sakura written on it:
You're a burden to this world!
Greedy!
Death to the Criminals of Mother Earth!
Whenever she read these phrases, she couldn't help but wonder if Syaoran's anger towards her was really that great.
Of course, Sakura's group put up a fight. They did their own placards as well. They even suggested rallying infront of the town plaza.
Of course, Sakura didn't dare argue with that.
She didn't even stop them from creating posters which states their own sentiments against Syaoran and his group of environmentalists:
People with no brains!
Will you be able to give us a job?
Just because you're rich, you don't give a damn care if some people don't have jobs!
You're only after a good image, Syaoran Li!
Are you running for politics next year?
One day, after coming from a rally, Sakura found Simoun silently sitting in their garden while staring into space.
"Simoun, what's the matter?"
The old man smiled forcefully. " Nothing, Sakura."
"Why…aren't you out to go fishing anymore?"
Simoun shook his head. " I've stopped fishing already."
"Why? I didn't prevent you from doing so."
Simoun glanced at her. A look of disappointment was apparent on his aged face. A look which Sakura wasn't able to interpret as to whom he was disappointed at.
"Xiaolang doesn't stopped by anymore. I don't know, maybe he goes fishing all by his self already."
Sakura felt her heart being tugged.
Now, she was definitely more furious at Syaoran.
Did he purposely do that to the old man? Did he drag Simoun to the issue?
She respected their friendship despite how much she dislikes him. Why does he have to make the old man suffer?
…
kotsch
A/N: Authors love reviews! So, suggestions and reviews are very much welcome. As well as constructive criticisms too.