Happy Birthday to Me?
Happy Birthday Hannelie!
18 December 1985
AN: I do not own Card Captor Sakura
Chapter 12
Sakura's P.O.V.
How I got myself into this mess is completely beyond me. Yet, I was there watching the maid of honour and the best man 'battle it out' with words and insults that could be declared in court as verbal abuse.
My long hours behind the stove seemed to have been all for nothing, because true to my prediction, the moment the two in front of me were in each other's company they started to argue. About what, I am not sure. My wonderful chicken wasted on my not so wonderful friends.
I glanced to Li's side. He shrugged and continued to eat. Sighing I plopped both my elbows on the table put my hands in my hair and stared at the empty plate before me. I could slowly feel my patience running out and my nerves becoming thin. Breathe in, breathe out… Breathe in, breathe out… Who ever said that breathing helps you to calm down was talking a load of bullocks.
Glare… Glare some more. Grind my teeth, pull my hair, growl under my breath, ignore Li trying to calm me down… Grind my teeth some more.
"SHUT UP!" I yelled at them and they both looked at me shocked.
"Sakura, that was uncalled for."
"Uncalled for? My yelling at you was uncalled for? Now you sit and listen Tomoyo Daidouji, I am not going to repeat myself again and if you want to test my anger you better start thinking about what you are going to say back to me. And you shut up too Eriol. I've had it up to here with your childish arguments."
"They're not…"
"I said shut it! All you did from the moment you stepped in here was to grab at each other's throats and argue about a load of rubbish. My dinner has gone to waste, my temper is beyond the level that is determined to be safe and I don't want you in my house anymore. So get up and get out and don't come back until you can behave yourself like civil people. Yes Tomoyo, I mean it this time. Get out now."
"But Sakura…"
"Shut up Eriol." I watched Tomoyo hiss at him. "Don't say it."
"Why?"
"Just don't okay." I watched them as Tomoyo pulled Eriol up and dragged him to the door with her purse and his jacket in her other hand. They struggled at the door. It closed. I got up, I opened it and I glared at them some more.
"Go screw each other and get it over with. I don't want a repeat performance at my wedding."
"Yes Sakura." Tomoyo gulped and pulled Eriol down the hallway. Grinding my teeth I closed the door and started to gather the dishes. My perfect dinner gone to waste. I was angry and upset. Some damned best friend I have.
"I'll finish cleaning up."
"No, I can manage."
"I'll do it."
"I said I can do it!" I yell at him and slam the plates down on the table. Realisation struck when he frowned at me and guilt started to flood me. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted at you."
"I'm slowly getting used to it."
"I yelled at my best friend Xiao-lang."
"I heard." I sank down on the chair and buried my face in my hands. What have I done? Why did I yell? I compromised my relationship with my best friend because I couldn't keep my temper in control. "Hey, it doesn't make you a bad person."
"Doesn't it?"
"No. Though, you can learn to be a little more patient."
"Thank you so much for your help. I am well aware of my flaws, I don't need them to be pointed out to me. I know I am impatient. I know that I get angry very quickly. I know that I take my tempter out on people. I know this okay!"
"Then do something about it."
"Like what? Watch them go at each other the entire evening only to hear about it again the following day even though I was there to start with? I have my limits. They might be shorter than other people's, but they have worked for me so far." Angry once again I got up and carried the dishes to the kitchen where I started to clean everything up and put the leftovers in Tupperware containers.
"And what are you going to do when you have children? You can't shout at them."
"No, I can't. But a good hiding when it is truly deserved never did anyone harm."
"I do not beat children."
"Well I do, if they deserve it." I glare at him and he glared at me. "And if you are not going to be the one who enforces punishment, I will. I will not have a child throwing tantrums and demanding things."
"There are other ways to get children to behave."
"By ignoring them while they scream away? They will do it again and again. One hiding and that idea is out of their minds forever. I'm not saying beat the child to a bloody pulp. One good hard smack on the bottom is all that is needed. And I refuse to ground my children. It is the most ridicules concept on earth."
"A beating is not the answer to everything."
"No it's not. But it is in some cases it is and I will enforce it, whether you like it or not. They are my children too and I will do what I see as fit." I slammed the container on the counter and marched to my room. "Damn culture clash!" I slammed the door and walked up and down my room. My breath was heavy and hard.
Stupid Li. There is nothing wrong with punishment when it is deserved. They are my children too. I will do everything in my power to see that they are brought up in a respectful manner. They will be independent and not forced into arranged marriages. I opened the door and yelled down the hallway. "And no arranged marriages for them!" I slammed it closed again. I yanked it open.
"And while we are at." I glared at him as he sat on the couch. "No private schools, no large amounts of pocket money, chores shall be done in order to earn pocket money, no fancy cars before they have their licenses, reading will be encouraged when little, sports are fine… you can choose and later they can, no play station, no extravagant parties, no designer label clothes of the expensive kind, a limited amount allowed on the cell phone each month and most importantly, no press until they are teenagers."
"Fine, then I have rules of my own. No retracting into your own little world when you are unhappy, no yelling at anyone for no apparent reason, no cursing, no sneakers with fancy clothes, no scolding the press and kiss me you damn woman."
"Wha…" Before I was able to fully come to grips with his last so-called rule, his lips were pressed against mine. Slowly I gave in and I could feel him grinning as he continued to kiss me.
"Let's always make up after a fight." I frowned at him as he let me go and disappeared into his study.
That was weird.
Syaoran's P.O.V.
I listened to her ramble on about the rules she wants to enforce once we have our own children. It's hilarious really. She and I talking about our children as though they already exist. But so far I can agree with her rules, I just will not be able to give my children a hiding. Even if it is deserved.
Her father must have given her and Toya several smacks on the bottom when they were little. Together I can imagine them getting up to a load of trouble, especially if they were left alone at home when Mr Kinomoto had to work. So her past it transferred into her beliefs of how to raise children. That's fine. I can cope with that when the time comes, as for now…
I need to cope with a stubborn girl who has only recently become a grown up and is still a child in many ways. "Fine, then I have rules of my own. No retracting into your own little world when you are unhappy, no yelling at anyone for no apparent reason, no cursing, no sneakers with fancy clothes, no scolding the press and kiss me you damn woman."
"Wha…" I cut her off with my kiss. First she tried to fight it, but she slowly started to give in and I marvelled at the taste of her and the feel of her lips on mine. I pulled her close and held her in my arms. Her body pressed against mine. Her hands holding on to my shirt. Almost as if she is afraid that I will let go of her. I could stay like this forever.
Forever is, however, impossible and I reluctantly pulled away. Her green eyes were a darker shade as she frowned at me. Some secrets still remain in them, but they are for another time to solve. After all, I have the rest of my life with the girl to look forward to. "Let's always make up after a fight." I kiss her brow and leave her for my study. Her frown never left her face.
My cell phone rang. Eriol's number pops up. "Yes Eriol?"
"Oh Eriol!" Oh hell! "Hmm, Eriol…" I quickly end the call. That damn man could never learn to lock his keypad. He must have called me by accident. Rather me than his mother, or my mother. Wait a second! That was Tomoyo!
"Sakura!"
"What? Where's the fire?" The girl came sliding into my study. Her shoulder hit the door panel and I cringed slightly for her part, she stumbled in and slammed her hands on my desk. "What?"
"Call Tomoyo."
"Why?"
"Just do it quickly."
"Okay." I watched her pick up the home phone and dial the number. "Hello Tomo… Never mind, I'll talk to you later." I watched her cheeks turn a brighter shade than red. "No worries. No really I'll talk to you later… Tell him to stop that. Yes! I can hear it! Never mind. Enjoy your evening." She hanged up. "How did you know?"
"He phoned me accidentally."
"Oh. I don't get it." I shook my head at the girl and watched her sit down in my comfort chair.
"He forgets to lock his keypad and then presses a speed dial button. He's done it before and he'll do it again. How did she answer the phone?"
I watched the girl pull a face mimicking smug delight. "Hello, sex goddess with a gorgeous man between her thighs, Tomoyo speaking." Her look turned to normal. "That was disturbing to say the least. What if her mom called? Oh, no wait… Aunty encourages behaviour like that. Damn it! That was just wrong."
"Well, at least you didn't hear her panting with absolute enthusiasm." Her face brightened at my words as she made her way to me. Her hands leaned on my chair's arms, closing me in.
"Repeat what you just said."
"I said I heard her panting."
"And what did she say?"
"No much, just 'Yes, Eriol and oh Eriol', or something like that. Why do you have that evil kind of look in you eyes? Sakura, what are you planning? No! Don't even think about it! You cannot do that to your best friend."
She pushed herself up and glanced at me over her shoulder, half trying to emphasise her non-caring attitude. "Why not? She would do the exact same thing to me. Besides, it is not every day you get dirt like this on Tomoyo. We are going to that coffee shop tomorrow… With Meiling as well, so extra embarrassment…" I pulled her onto my lap and she turned to look me in the eye. "What?"
"You look really sexy when you try to be all evil."
"What do you mean try? I have my days you know… What did you say?"
"Do I have to repeat everything tonight? I said you look sexy. As in attractive. You turn me on."
"I know what sexy means! And don't say stuff like that."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Not a good enough reason." I tightened my grip on her, not allowing her to get up. "You are going no where. What is wrong with me saying you are sexy?"
"Nothing."
"Then why do you squirm like a bug when I say it?" I grinned at her as she turned her flushed face away from me. "Not used to compliments, are you?" I leaned back in my chair and pull her back with me. My lips resting close to her ear so she can hear everything I want to say. "You are pretty in jeans, beautiful in a dress, gorgeous naked and unbelievably sexy all around."
"Yeah okay, I get the picture. Can I go now?"
"No." She groaned. "You are supposed to thank me and give me a kiss."
"Thank you, but I can't turn around. Xiao-lang please…"
"What?"
"I don't feel comfortable." I let her go and she scrambled out of my study. One day, Sakura Kinomoto, you are going to be mine and I will not let you go as easily as tonight. One day, and that day is starting to get very close. I opened my drawer and look at the ring box with her wedding band in it. One day soon…
Sakura's P.O.V.
I closed the front door and leaned against it. I was dog tired. Who knew bachelorret parties could be so exhausting. And so disturbing. Having my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousin-in-law and best friend in the same room can be a bit over whelming. Especially if they make me the centre of attention, something I hate.
All in all it was fun, but I do not want to know how they are going to feel tomorrow. Or how Mrs Li is going to explain all the wine consumed, never mind the stripper. Unfortunately for the performance artist, I have seen better. Thank goodness, other wise he would have continued to dance around like some idiot 'strutting his stuff'.
I looked around the house. It was dark and empty, Li wasn't home yet and judging by Eriol's earlier statements, he will not be get home anytime soon. His bachelor's party was probably worse than mine by the sound of what his best friend and brothers-in-law had planned.
I flick on the kitchen light and the kettle. I might as well have a cup of tea before I go to bed. I opened the cabinet and got myself a mug and a tea bag. The door opened and Li came stumbling in. I frowned at him. He was as drunk as a lord. "Hello."
"Hello love." He kissed me on the cheek. "How were your festivities?"
"Enjoyable. Do you want some tea?"
"No thank you, I am more inclined to some wine."
"Don't you think you had enough?"
"You can never have enough wine love." I turned to make my tea. "These words are my own they're something, something, something… I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you!"
"I hate that song." I turned to him. He was standing right against me. I could smell the wine on his breath and I could see the unsteady, drunken reassurance in his eyes. "You're drunk."
"No I'm not. I love you."
"So you said."
"I want to marry you."
"You are going to marry me."
"I want to have children with you."
"That is a t.m.i." (Too much information.)
"I want to grow old with you."
"How old is old?"
"Old enough to look back at my life and to wonder how I ever managed before you came into my world. I love you Sakura. I really, really, really love you. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. You are the only woman I could ever love." If the myth is true, about men revealing their true nature when they are drunk, then I will have no problem what so ever. He so loving, that it is overbearing to say the least.
"I love you too." I took his hand and slowly led him to the bedroom. "You best go to bed and have a good rest; you are going to feel horrid tomorrow."
"A big fucking hangover." I shook my head at him.
Syaoran's P.O.V.
My aching head! I opened my eyes and squinted against the light. Damned wine. Why did I drink so much last night? Oh yeah, because Eriol was practically shoving it down my throat. Hang on. How did I get home? And where is the girl? I didn't do anything stupid, did I? I can't remember.
Growling I got out of bed and slowly made my way to the kitchen. On the counter was a glass of water and two headache pills laying and waiting for me. Damn I love that girl. I swallowed the pills and looked at her leaning against the counter with a butter knife in her hand and her arms crossed. "Morning sunshine."
"Don't mock me."
"Why not? It's fun."
"Sakura…"
"Fine, fine… Don't be such a grouch. Sandwiches will be done in a bit if you want to sit down so long, there is some tea on the table as well."
"Did I do anything stupid last night?"
"It's not the doing you should be worrying about."
"Did I say anything?" She shrugged at me. "Come on, this is not funny." Her hand touched my cheek and I let my face rest against her soft touch. How can only her touch make me feel so much better? "What did I say?"
"If the myth is true, then you and I have a very rosy future together."
What myth?
AN: Hey guys! I am back from my vacation at the seaside. I have a nice bronze tan, bleached hair and I relaxed and ready to start working at my part time job for the next month and a half.
We are slowly but surely getting closer to the wedding date. Sakura is more open with her emotions, though she still needs a little more work when it comes to accepting affection. And Li, well, Li's just head over heals for the girl.
I hope you guys have fantastic holiday and a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year! Thank you for all the reviews!
Tella