I know you've all been waiting very, I mean incredibly patient for this chapter, so I won't prolong your wait with a long excuse up here. But I'll explain myself down below so enjoy your reading and I'll see you at the bottom.
Inspiration VII
"Morning Eriol!"
The boy grunted behind his stack of papers.
Tomoyo stopped in her tracks and looked at the messy table, "You alright?"
"Fine."
The girl set down her tray of newly soiled pots and leaned her elbows on the mahogany desk, "A lot of work today?"
"We have a lot of work everyday."
Tomoyo sighed deeply, "You've been like this all week you know."
"Like what? This. What do you mean by this?" Eriol looked across the table at Tomoyo's dark eyes.
"Like that. Like 'nuh nuh neeh I'm a grouchy grouchy man, I'm grumpy all the time!'" Tomoyo went on muttering just as Chiharu popped through the door.
"Wow! I got here before Sakura!" The girl exclaimed and whipped her headband from the hook, "Whacha doing Tomoyo? What's wrong with your face?"
Tomoyo uncurled her lower lip from her mock impression of Eriol and straightened up, "Oh nothing…hey…Chiharu…haven't you noticed that Sakura's been happier lately?"
"Huh?"
"I mean she's been SMILING a lot lately hasn't she?" Tomoyo said loudly, crossed the room and flung an arm across Chiharu's shoulders.
"Huh?"
"Oh play along okay?" The dark haired girl muttered.
"Oooh! Oh Oh! YEAH!" Chiharu put a finger to her lip in a thoughtful impression, "Come to think of it, she'sbeen cheerful lately."
"Ever since last week!" Tomoyo proclaimed even louder.
The two girls stopped shouting to spare their manager a look. Eriol had hid himself behind a pile of papers, but he didn't appear to be reading.
Tomoyo plowed on, "Aren't we happy for her Chiharu? It seems Sakura's finally not depressed! Aren't we happy for our friend? Hm?"
Chiharu nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah Yeah! We're HAPPY for Sakura!"
"Happy for me? What, why?"
Chiharu landed on the floor and the pots went flying, "Good morning Sakura!"
Eriol looked up from his random pile of papers to see Sakura staring at Chiharu who was on the floor and a very very cheerful Tomoyo.
"Um…what's going on? Guys?"
Tomoyo laughed nervously and pulled Sakura towards the center of the room, "Oh nothing! Just celebrating our friendship of course! And how happy we are for one another!"
"…happy? What are we happy for?"
"We're happy because you're happy," continued Tomoyo, putting two hands on Sakura's tense shoulders, she glared at Eriol who cringed, "aren't we Mister Hiirigizawa?"
Chiharu popped up from the floor, "We're happy right?"
Silence.
"Um…I still don't get what you guys are doing…are we having a party today? Did I miss something? I'm sorry that I was late but – "
"Never mind, just get to the delivery…" Eriol said and disappeared behind his work once more.
"Grouch." Tomoyo muttered and dropped her hands from Sakura's shoulders.
"Happy!" exclaimed Chiharu.
Tomoyo stalked out of the greenhouse waving an arm out irritably, "Don't let me hear that words again."
Sakura looked around the greenhouse and shrugged uncertainly, "Okay…whatever it is I'm sure we're all…very happy."
Eriol grunted behind his desk.
Happy my ass.
"Hey Sakura…today we get our evening off, how about we go down to a café?" Tomoyo said as the two girls loaded the new flowers on to the truck outside.
"I'm sorry Tomoyo, I can't, Touya's been at the edge of his seat all week."
The dark haired girl sighed, "Are you seeing that Syaoran?"
"What?" Sakura jerked up in surprise, "What? I'm – I didn't – When did I - I haven't seen him since last week!"
"Don't get so nervous – I won't tell Eriol." Tomoyo turned towards the wide-eyed girl and put a gentle hand on her shoulder, "But just be careful okay? You may know Syaoran, but this is Xiao Lang we're talking about…he's…not the nice guy you knew…"
Sakura brushed her hand off and turned back towards the truck, "I know Tomoyo…but I told you...I haven't seen him in a week."
"You can't just go off with him! He's like stranger now – a lot can happen in – "
"I know Tomoyo…"
"Sakura – "
"I get it, don't worry about me," Sakura's sudden movement startled Tomoyo, "I'll be careful, don't worry."
Tomoyo sighed, "Alright…I trust you…"
The lavender haired girl watched as a humming Sakura skipped back towards the greenhouse.
"It's him I don't trust…"
"I'm telling you, Xiao Lang! I'm telling you right now!" Hiroki cried, shaking a very stiff finger in front of Syaoran's bored expression, "This is not a good idea! Not a good idea at all! Do you have any idea what this could do to your career? You're job? Your future? MY future? Do you have any idea how many shows and opportunities you've missed this past week? Do you have any – "
"Yes I have an idea – just leave me alone okay?" Syaoran waved Hiroki's hand away. He quickly settled back in his seat and whipped a couple more notes on his blank music sheet. Inspiration…inspiration…
Sakura…
"I don't understand what you see in that wretched girl!" Hiroki plowed on, now waving his hands in the air like a fanatical lunatic, "She's not famous, and not very pretty, she's the cause of all this riffraff in magazines! Its because of her that I'm buried in neck deep with all these nosy reporters!"
Syaoran started playing on the keyboard, loudly.
What does Hiroki know…Sakura and I aren't even together and he's freaking out…
I don't even know what's going on between us…
This week…
" – she'll ruin everything I've done for you Xiao! Everything! The whole pyramid of our dreams will collapse!"
Plunk. Plunk. Syaoran noticed he had been writing harder and harder.
" – all because of some silly little girl who came along and decided that – "
Plunk. Plunk.
"Honestly! What about Erika?"
"What about Erika?" Syaoran growled, bolting so suddenly from his seat that Hiroki jumped in the air, "You just won't shut up will you?"
Hiroki frantically followed a fuming Syaoran towards the door. The amber-eyed man pulled a coat off the hanger and flung it across his shoulders, "I'm going out."
"Xiao…Xiao…you don't understand, I have to manage these things, its my job to know what you're doing and how you're doing it."
Syaoran pulled open the door, Hiroki caught his sleeve.
"What's going on Xiao Lang, where are you going?"
"You don't manage my personal life Hiroki, that was part of the deal," Syaoran glared, "And just for your curious little brain, I'm going to see Sakura."
"Oh no. Oh no. no. no." Hiroki was shaking his head so fast it was just a blur of colors, "I forbid you to see that girl, last week's little sleepover was bad enough, I'm not letting it get any worse, you're going to stay here like a good singer for our next show which starts in an hour, or else I'll – "
The door missed Hiroki's nose by a hair.
"XIAO!"
Syaoran…Syaoran Li…
I'll figure it out.
I'll figure you out one of these days…
"Saaakura!"
why you won't smile for me anymore…
"Saakura-chan!"
you're always so sad…
"SAKURA!"
"Huh? What?" Sakura slipped out of her daydream to find out that she had soaked her apron with the hose, "Oh! I just washed it this morning!"
"Never mind that!" Chiharu squealed, "You have a visitor!"
"A visitor? Who is it?"
"Do I even need to tell you?" Chiharu practically shoved a protesting wet Sakura out the door.
"Sy – Syaoran!" She gasped, "I didn't know – that – "
"Are you busy?" The boy interrupted. He stepped neatly out of his car and towards the greenhouse. Sakura nervously took a step back.
"What?"
"Are you busy?" He repeated as he continued towards the steps.
"I – "
"She'll ask Eriol." Chiharu finished for her and hurried back inside.
Sakura smiled sheepishly, "Right…Eriol…"
As quickly as Chiharu had disappeared, Eriol reappeared at the door. He took one look at the man approaching and his face fell.
"You must be – "
"Hiirigizawa Eriol." He finished, they shook hands, "I believe we've met before."
"Have we?" Syaoran said firmly. Although on the inside he wondered if Eriol knew it had been him on the phone.
"Yes during your interview? If I remember, it was held at my nursery."
Syaoran grimaced, "Right, I remember."
He had a feeling this man was mocking him. And he didn't like that look on his face.
Eriol suddenly lifted his lips in to a grin, "I'm sorry but Sakura's a bit busy right now."
"What?" Chiharu interrupted, "but we get the evening – "
"to do an extra special delivery." Eriol finished.
"You – do…" Syaoran said.
"Yes – we do."
"No we – "
"Its okay Chiharu." Sakura cut in and walked down the steps towards the two men, when she neared Syaoran she gave him a polite bow, "Sorry Syaoran…maybe some other time…"
Syaoran watched her avoid his eyes. Did she…not want to see him? Was she not happy that he came by?
Did he make a mistake thinking that she still liked him? After all he had done? All that trouble? Was Hiroki…right?
Syaoran backed away, hands in his pockets, "I understand…I'll…see you later…"
"Have a nice day." Eriol said, his face fixed in to a very ironic smile.
Sakura gave him a small smile. She wasn't sure why she had just denied a day out with Syaoran. She wasn't sure at all.
She watched in an unsettling dismay as Syaoran closed the door of his car. The engine seemed louder than usual. And the simple act of backing out made her want to turn away. Why did she say no?
After the Benz had disappeared, Chiharu found her voice and stomped down the stairs like a fire breathing dragon, "We have the evening off, don't we? We're not really doing an extra special delivery are we?" With every word a finger sunk deeper in to Eriol's chest.
"Of course not." Eriol answered simply, his smile had already slipped from his face. He pushed Chiharu's finger away and started towards the greenhouse.
Sakura lingered in her spot.
Why did she say no?"Oh good." Chiharu answered happily, then she suddenly scrunched up her nose, "Wait…waaait! Then why did you lie to him? You said we had an extra delivery!"
"It was for Sakura's own good…I don't trust him, you shouldn't either." Eriol's voice and Chiharu's loud protests continued till they were out of earshot.
Sakura hadn't moved.
Syaoran…She gripped her wet apron with tight fingers.
You idiot…you should've stayed and argued with me…You always win…
"What's wrong with him…I blame everything on that stupid girl…everything…our whole career! My wonderful future! That…that…Kinomasaki…Kino…pah." Hiroki shoved his hands through the air as if pushing the name away in disgust.
He had been pacing around the room for quite some time now.
He hoped if he paced long enough he'd pace enough common sense in to Xiao Lang's little brain and make him finally realize how absolutely pointless his intentions were and that he, Hiroki, was right all along.
"I bet they're somewhere being all cutsie and romantic, I bet there are a hundred reporters at the scene already, I bet our whole foundation will come crumbling down tomorrow morning! Xiao Lang – you…"
Ring ring.
Hiroki practically yanked the phone off its chord, "Hello? Xiao Lang's manager speaking."
"Hi this is Deryi, concerning our appointment this afternoon, our producer is wondering if we have rescheduled since…its been over an hour – "
"Yes, yes, we have rescheduled – please make it this evening at seven – I'll be sure to have our Xiao Lang ready to go by then. Okay? Okay. Bye bye." Hiroki hung up and collapsed on to the leather sofa.
"That's the second call this afternoon! The second big opportunity I had to push back because of that boy's silly personal life!" Hiroki wiped imaginary sweat from his brow, "I can't take this pressure anymore…what does that boy expect me to do? Cover for him?"
"I can't do that – that wasn't part of the deal either! That's right! I'll tell him that as soon as he gets back! I'll tell him – if he doesn't shape up I'll quit my – wait. What am I saying? He's the only reason I have a job, I won't be able to find another street living talent like that. What am I – "
Ring ring.
Hiroki ripped the phone from its receiver and shouted "I said we've pushed it back till seven!"
"Hello? Hello…Hiroki?"
"Eh? Whose this?"
"Um…its Erika."
Hiroki jumped out of his seat, "Ohh! Erika dear! How have you been? I've been trying to reach you, I didn't know you had moved or else I would've gotten to you sooner."
"The house is pretty empty without Xiao – so I decided a smaller apartment would do."
"That's absolutely a marvelous idea! And that's what I like about you, because you're always ahead of the game, ahead of the market. You're talented, a beautiful girl, perfect for our Xiao Lang, a growing musician." Hiroki mused happily as he pranced about the room like a little kid before Christmas.
"Enough about that – I have some news for you."
Hiroki grinned from ear to ear. Finally, good news. "News?"
"Yes, please tell Xiao I miss him too much and that I'm moving to Japan."
The dark-haired boy watched the evening sky between the glasses of the greenhouse. All the girls had left hours ago since they had the evening off. He was all by himself, left in front of a monitor to do things that was pointless to life.
Eriol sat deeply in to his seat and sighed. Why was he feeling guilty? He did the right thing.
The past week had gone by in such a long dragging blur. I seem to be looking at the same things everyday…
Computer…files…receipts…cashier…bento…
"Bento?" Eriol stared at the box on his table. Wait, this isn't mine.
Reaching a long hand out of his usual casual stature, Eriol pulled the little green box towards him.
Eriol was messily scribbled on one side.
"Hm…" He flipped the lid, the rice was still hot. Maybe he was dreaming.
He picked up the chopsticks as if in a trance and snapped them apart. It smelled really good, just the right reminder to alert his gut the hunger he had suppressed all evening. And on top of that it smelled like flowers. Whoever delivered them must've been a girl.
Eriol shrugged and started eating. No questions asked.
Must be my food guilt…
"Let me do them Sakura."
"No…I can do them,"
"Don't argue with me – go to your room and sleep."
"I already took a nap in the evening Touya!"
"I'm worried about your health! If it were up to me I would have you quit your job."
"No!" Sakura protested, horrified.
Touya pulled the dish away from Sakura's smaller weaker grip and shoved them under the cold running water, "Which is why it is not up to me, but however when you're under this roof, you'll listen to what I say, and I'm telling you to go to bed."
"I'm not even tired!"
"Don't shout! Catch your breath!" Touya hollered.
Sakura glared at him but didn't say another word. With every louder vocal, her lungs had started to ache once more and it usually led to another outbreak and Sakura didn't want to prove Touya's theory that she needed rest.
The tall man sighed impatiently and whipped out another dish, scrubbing it furiously between soapy bars, "Fine, I won't force you to sleep, but at least let me do the dishes." He said firmly when he noticed Sakura was eyeing the heap of plates on the side.
She looked at him once more before turning towards the living room.
"At least rest!" Touya called through the kitchen door but Sakura ignored him.
I'm in a prison…I can't leave because I might get sick.
And I have to stay inside like a sick person.
She gazed at the door. I just need something…a reason besides the nursery to step outside.
Riing. Riing.
Sakura's green eyes widened, surprised, Cell phone!
After weeks of carrying Eriol's gift around, she still wasn't used to the fact that she had one. Scrambling upstairs she managed to turn it on just past its third ring.
"Hello?" She answered breathlessly.
"Hello, Sakura?"
Voice. His voice. "Syaoran, what…do you need something?"
"Can we talk?" His deep voice resonated through her body. Yes. Yes of course.
But her lips didn't seem to want to move.
"Can we talk…please?"
"Yes"
Yes.
So...you don't have an extra delievery tonight?"
Sakura shook her head then realized Syaoran couldn't see it, "I'm sorry - Eriol...made a little mistake."
"Oh...alright."
"What...do you want to talk about?"
"Can we talk…in person?"
Sakura's eyes flew to the clock. Seven. Oh no Touya.
No…stop. Stop.
Think for once. What do you want?
You don't live in a prison. You can step out the door.
"Yes. Yes we can."
"Meet me Downtown, at the intersection of Miro Park."
"Okay…I'll see you there."
Click.
I'll see you there, Syaoran.
"Xiao! Guess what? I have wonderful news!" Hiroki shouted cheerfully when Syaoran opened the door. The boy stuffed his phone in his pockets before entering.
All Hiroki got was an annoyed look, "Why are you still here?"
Hiroki decided to ignore that comment and followed the boy across the room. Syaoran went straight to his closet to drop of his coat, it was warm outside. He didn't need it downtown.
"Erika is – "
"Not now Hiroki – " Syaoran whirled around and entered his bathroom, slammed the door in Hiroki's face for the second time and turned on the sink.
Hiroki knocked on the door impatiently, "I'm sure you'll understand if I tell you! Erika is going – "
"I don't want to hear about Erika right now!" Syaoran's muffled voice sounded through the wooden door.
After a moment of irritating silence, Syaoran opened the door, brushed past Hiroki and headed towards the front once more.
"Where are you going?" Hiroki gritted, "Where do you think you're going, again? I already rescheduled your entire day to accommodate your date with your girlfriend – so I expect better behavior out of you!"
"Out – I'm going out. And since when did I have a girlfriend?"
"Well Erika is – "
"No, no. Stop. No Erika, not now." Syaoran said impatiently, putting up a finger to emphasize the point. I need to clear my mind of all thoughts. I just need one night. One night to figure Sakura out. What are her intentions, everything.
"Its seven! You have an interview with – "
"Reschedule it."
"I already did that! You can't do this to me Xiao Lang!"
"Sorry Hiroki, I'll talk to you tomorrow morning." Syaoran slammed the door, the third time.
Hiroki was lost of words.
He didn't just apologize…again…did he?
"You're not going out are you?" Touya barked from the kitchen, his hands filled with dishes.
"It'll only be for a little while!"
"Its seven at night! The streets are the most dangerous at seven at night!" Touya responded urgently.
"Touya! You said that about eight, nine, and ten at night okay? I'm going out! I'll come back!"
"Don't shout! Catch your breath!"
"Bye Touya, Love you!"
"Sakura!" His voice was cut off by the unmistakable sound of a closing door, "damn."
Since when did she say Love you anyways
.
Eriol rubbed the sides of his head. It felt heavier every minute he spent in this greenhouse. What was he doing spending his life here? He couldn't accomplish anything living here.
"Now Xiao Lang, there's a life, being a star, must be wonderful." Eriol muttered.
The young manager had turned off all the lights except the one on top his desk. The darkness felt calm and still. Nothing compared to how he felt inside. Crazy hurricane. That's a better one.
Was that a noise?No…just imagining things Eriol…you're tired…lacking sleep…insomnia…that's it.
No, that was something.
Eriol lifted his eyes sharply. I knew I should've listened to Tomoyo and installed burglar alarms…just never knew somebody would rob this place.
"Hellooo…anyone there?" Eriol called sleepily. Oh sure, if there really was a burglar, he'd be really intimidated.
"Oops, sorry, hi…am I disturbing any work?"
speaking of which.
"Tomoyo?" Eriol said incredulously, "What are you doing here? Its seven? Didn't you leave…three hours ago?"
The girl emerged in to the small desk light and Eriol watched rather confused as she folded her hands in front of her and sighed, "I got…locked out of my house…and…my cousin's in…Europe doing a fashion exhibit…I really…"
She looked down embarrassed, "Sorry, I was just being stupid, I thought since the greenhouse would be open…I could…sorry…never mind…it was a stupid idea." She suddenly turned around to leave.
"So you got locked out of your house and you wanted to sleep in the greenhouse?"
"It was stupid idea, I know." Tomoyo said, "Sorry for bothering – "
"No one says you can't stay."
Tomoyo froze in her spot, lingering between the light and the darkening sky. She slowly turned around.
Eriol was slightly taken aback at how wide her eyes were.
"You mean…I won't be a bother –"
"Does it look like I'm doing anything?"
"Um…no…not really…"
"Then alright," Eriol said, somewhat more cheerful than normal, "Have a seat."
Tomoyo walked towards the desk and helped herself to one of the lounging chairs that lay around. She was smiling now, "You're not such a grouch at night, you must be nocturnal."
"The night calms me."
"mm…"
"Did you walk here?"
"Um…yes."
"Isn't Chiharu on the way here?"
Tomoyo thought for a while. That's right…
"I don't know, but this place," She said, smiling warmly, "feels more like home to me."
Eriol felt his chest tighten. Did he ever know how that felt.
"Then your welcome to make yourself at home."
Was this such a good idea.
Syaoran walked down the street, hands in his pockets. He avoided all looks thrown in his direction, all frenzy cameras that chanced to spot him.
He had one purpose, he wanted to know
What is between Sakura and me.
What is there?
She's taken me on this crazy ride, where will it end, and should I even come along when I was the one who began it all with a lavender vial.
It was in his pocket, he was rolling it between his fingers as he walked. It seemed much smaller now. It used to fit snug in his palm.
Sakura sighed deeply in to the cool night air. The weather forecast had predicted a warm night, but the forecast was never usually right so she had brought a sweater just in case.
She loved the night. It let her breathe. It let her think.
The rain was even better.
It helped her cry whenever she couldn't.
Sakura was feeling elated, light on her toes. She did a couple odd steps on to curb, inside she knew Touya would scream his head off if he saw her near the street but she didn't care. She was going to see Syaoran. After one week…and he still wants to see me.
Maybe…maybe
Maybe yes.
But what if.
Her steps dropped slightly, what if…he's come to tell me…
No…
Is this such a good idea…Sakura? Are you being a fool, did you waste your whole life waiting for a man that never existed?
Just what if.
Yes.
No.
Someone screamed in the distance erasing all previous thoughts on Sakura's mind. Several loud sounds ricocheted off the buildings and Sakura witnessed the crowd rushing towards the scene. There was a horrible screech, a dull thud.
Car crash.
What happened?
Syaoran had heard the scream. Had heard the screech. Had noticed that everyone was rushing in one particular direction. It was just at the intersection of the park he was headed.
An accident?But his mind was still dizzily drifting over certain questions than any car crash.
He wasn't interested.
"What happened, what happened?" Some enthusiastic man cried.
"A huge truck hit this girl, they already called the ambulance but they're not sure if she can make it. It was pretty ugly!"
Huh. Careless people.
"I heard she was pretty young, wasn't watching where she was going, light hair."
"That's sad…I hope she'll pull through."
Two women conversed at the side of the crowd that Syaoran was approaching.
His heart suddenly raced.
Young girl…light hair…Syaoran's steps quickened, his eyes quickly danced towards the center of the crowd. His heart was beating, faster, faster. The world was spinning.
Sakura. He breathed, what if it was Sakura.
It can't. It can't be her.
"Sakura!" He shouted. Half the crowd turned to look at him, he pushed through them all, his hands had gone numb, "Sakura! Sakura!" He was like a crazy man. Had he ever lost control in public, he didn't remember.
"Sakura!" He gasped, once he reached the center. He saw light brown hair, pink sweatshirt. Ambulance, they were already sliding her in to the car. The ground tumbled and swirled at his feet. His whole entire mind froze, his chest was hurting.
No.
No, its not right. Its not Sakura.
"Sakura…"
"Inoue! Inoue! Is she going to be alright? Is she okay?" A woman suddenly broke the crowds as crazy as Syaoran had, raced to the ambulance and pulled at the emergency medic's hand, "Is she alright? Inoue!"
"She'll be fine, are you her – "
"Mother! Mother! I'm her mother! Please! Please save her!"
"We'll do our best – if you'll let us – "
Syaoran's mind stopped registrating the words coming out of the man's mouth.
The only words repeating in his head was
Sakura's okay, Sakura's safe.
She's okay.
She's okay.
Syaoran suddenly felt very light. And then he saw her. Her with bright green eyes and he captured them.
"Sakura." He mouthed, a certain funny feeling started pushing at his chest.
They met each other half way. Syaoran's heart had never rushed so fast.
He stared at her, he stared at her beautiful eyes.
If he were to ever lose her.
Was that how he would feel?
That horrible feeling just now…
Never…
He was never going to let that happen
"Are you okay? You're slightly pale – wha – "
He embraced her so quickly she didn't even get a chance to breathe. Sakura was frozen in place, his chest was pressed against hers and she inhaled his warm scent.
She closed her eyes. It can't be dream.
"Sakura, you've answered all my questions." His voice breathed against her neck. It was deep and resounded throughout her entire body.
Sakura kept her eyes closed and relaxed her tense body as they remained together under the night sky. Two lavenders.
"You're my inspiration."
And now I interrupt that romantic lovely scene with
An important note from the AUTHOR
Please read if you were one of those readers who were wondering 'why the hell' was I so late at updating anything.
Well I'm here with the answers.
First things first. Last month, my best friend whom I've known for thirteen years passed away in her sleep. I spent the entire month helping her parents plan the funeral and memorial services. For any of you who have lost someone close to you before…you might understand the emotional crisis you go through. So for a while, even after, I lost a taste in writing, drawing, and anything I usually love. Which explains the unusual large gap between these two chapters. I apologize, really. I have never given up on a story, and I never will. I'm sorry for the long wait. I hope you understand and forgive me. I hope this never happens again, because I hope I'll never ever lose another close friend.
Thank you for you wonderful and beautiful patience.
With love,
Zenhir.