---- She Will Be Loved
----- Written by Iris Dreamer
------DISCLAIMER: Card Captor Sakura belongs solely to Clamp. However, the plot is mine and I would like to remain it that way. Thank you.
----- AUTHOR'S NOTE: I cannot believe its August. One more month and it's back to school already. As much as I love UVA, but I'd much rather spend summer with my old high school friends and family. However, part of me wants to go back to UVA and meet all my other friends that I've made there. Though, coming second year in college, I'll have to decide my major. Urgh. I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life! Ahhhhhh.
----- BACKGROUND: He's reached his happiest moment of his life: he has an awesome job, a circle of close friends, a good reputation, and most importantly, the girl he loves is now his fiancée. But happiness is short lived and everything he once had was thrown away and there he meets a girl that totally enraptures him, but this girl is just your normal, in the bad section of the city, prostitute.
----- DEDICATION: To all my readers. I love you all. Without you guys, I don't think I'd actually write out my stories.
----- SPECIAL THANKS: AnimeObessionFantasy: Hopefully there will be someone to help out Sakura with her problems! Thanks for reading!
The cherry tree: I'm glad, no more like overjoyed, that you liked the previous chapter. I'm thrilled to know that last chapter made up for the late update! I hope you'll like this new chapter as well.
Hououza: I love getting reviews from you. Thanks for all the great compliments! Thanks also for supporting my dream about being a teacher. I'm really certain if that's what I want to do yet. Maybe I'm being idealistic and naïve, but I want to help people though I'm not sure how. As your own dream, publishing a manga. That's something I admire but something I probably could never do. I'm all in awe of the awesome drawings in mangas these days! I'd love to see/read your manga!
Black Wolf Chics: Yay! I'm glad you liked the previous chapter. Happy reading!
Feifiefofum: I'm a huge fan of as well. Thanks for pointing out the grammatical errors.
Cherry Princess Sakura: I adore your reviews and I'm totally flattered that I'm the only one you review for every chapter! That in itself makes writing worthwhile! I would love to be on your msn list, though I don't have an msn account. I do use aim however and if you want my screen name, I'd be happy to give it to you via email to prevent little stalkers (that I probably don't have) in the internet world. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
ChryBlsms: Thanks for your heartwarming review. It made me feel much better for not updating last time until ages afterwards. I'm flattered to hear that I have a writing talent. I've read so many better stories out there! About Tomoyo crying over a romance movie, I got the idea from one of my corny romance lover friends. And as for the money in order for me to update faster, just your support and review sparks enough motive for me to write faster!
Fireangel621: Thanks!
MidnightGriffen: Thanks so much!
Cherry blossom: Ahhhh. I love everyone who reviewed. Thanks!
Anjuliet: No worries about not reviewing until now. Just knowing that someone is reading my story is more than enough! Thanks so much for taking the time to review! Happy reading.
Light in the Darkness: Hm, to answer your question about what disease Touya has, I'm actually still thinking about it. I know, a bad answer, but I was never really good with the technical medical terminology stuff and researching on symptoms. But as of now, it's a genetic disorder, probably a multifactorial disorder like cancer or a heart disorder. Sorry about not being so detailed about Touya's disease!
Daz: Thanks. I know I can always count on you.
Dancer 5: I'm glad you liked the previous chapter! Happy reading!
Eliana: I'm touched beyond tears that my previous chapter was able to move you to tears. I could give you a huge hug right now!
Rika: I'm glad that it was worth the long wait. Thanks!
Wackwang: Thanks for your support. Enjoy this chaper!
Cursed-Mind: I hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks for reviewing!
Red-Emerald: Yay! I'm really glad that you liked the chapter. Thanks for reviewing. As for Sakura expressing her happiness about Touya coming out of coma, she's thrilled but of course she's not going to throw a huge party considering that even though Touya's out of coma, it doesn't mean that he's going to be okay. Wah. What an emotional state I'm going through, making Touya sick. Man, Touya's one of my favorite characters! What am I doing? Haha. Anyhow, to repeat myself, I'm really glad you like my story! I hope you like this one.
To everyone else who's reading this and didn't leave a review, I just want to say thank you for taking out the time to read it! It means more to me than you'll ever know!
--iris dreamer
----- CHAPTER SEVEN: Doors
Syaoran jabbed the fat goldfish underwater repeatedly with a chopstick furiously. "Damn goldfish," he muttered angrily when the goldfish simply refused to sink.
"Ah, Li-san," A timid voice said from the doorway. "If you'd like, I'm sure I could arrange for a replacement of the, um, dead goldfish."
"No," Syaoran barked possessively. His voice came out harsher than he had intended. "I mean," he coughed embarrassedly, "No thank you Mihara. I was quite attached to um, Puffy here."
Chiharu stared. "If you say so Li-san," She said. "Actually, I'm about to go on my coffee break now and I was wondering if I could get you a black coffee on my way back,"
"No thank you," He replied. "I don't like black coffee,"
His secretary blinked. Her boss always drank black coffee since the day he was born. "Well if you need anything," her voice trailed off.
"I will notify you," Syaoran replied shortly. "There's a lot of work to be accomplished, Mihara. I would appreciate if you returned back to work as soon as possible."
"Yes, of course." Chiharu quickly exited his office, but not before giving a worried glance at his boss who had retuned his gaze back to the fish tank.
"He's crazy. Off his rocker. Delusional. Whatever you want to say," Chiharu said worriedly to her co-worker during her short coffee break. Naoko frowned.
"Really Chiharu, it's not nice to say that kind of things about your boss and at his workplace no less," Naoko reprimanded. She pushed her glasses back up her nose.
"But playing with the dead goldfish?" Chiharu said incredulously. "Li-san has never even cared for that stupid goldfish that some weird customer from Algeria gave him."
"I think the customer was from Nigeria,"
"Whatever," Syaoran's secretary replied. "I'm the one who takes care of it!"
"If you're worried about the stupid goldfish, you should have said that out right," Naoko replied reasonably.
"Naoko!" Chiharu complained. "That's not what I meant," When she saw her friend grinning, she groaned out loud. "You're as bad as Hiiragizawa-san,"
"Thanks," She answered. "I'm glad I picked up a few tricks from being his secretary,"
"Anyhow, I don't care about the stupid goldfish. But don't you think how weird Li-san's been acting? I mean, he was fine, and then after Tomoyo-chan came to visit, he's been weird ever since."
"Weird as in playing with the dead goldfish named Puffy?" Naoko raised her eyebrow.
"Yes that weird," She replied annoyed. "And ironically, the goldfish was fine when I fed him this morning,"
"Look Chi, if Li-san really is getting weird, why don't you ask him?"
"I can't do that! I'm supposed to be working right now," She protested. "He suddenly stormed out and gave me double of the documents to read through!"
"Then why are you on coffee break with me?"
"Because I deserve a break," Chiharu said angrily. "Besides, I wanted to ask if Hiiragizawa knew anything,"
"Just because I'm his secretary, I don't necessarily know about his personal life," Naoko answered. "But, I'll mention the whole goldfish incident to him however,"
"Thanks," Chiharu breathed a breath of relief. Standing up and drowning the rest of her cup of coffee, she sighed contentedly. "Oh yeah, before I go, Li-san's even refused a cup of black coffee earlier, saying how he doesn't like it. Anyhow, I have to go back to work. Drop me a note if you know anything from Hiiragizawa." Chiharu waved and quickly hurried back to her desk.
Naoko frowned. Now Li-san playing with a dead goldfish she could understand, but him not liking black coffee was a different case entirely. She walked back to her desk, intent on asking Hiiragizawa-san about it while muttering something about bad omens and ghosts possessing people.
-----
Sakura groaned as she got up from her cramped position on the sofa. Muttering curses as she tried to massage her leg back to life, she limped into the kitchen. After putting a pot of coffee to brew on the stove, she managed to make her way to Tomoyo's bedroom without tripping over the left leg that had fallen asleep.
"Hey, feeling any better?" She asked softly once she saw that Tomoyo was up. Tomoyo blinked from where she was sitting and facing her garden outside.
She shrugged. "How am I supposed to feel exactly?"
"Well, the kitchen's feeling a bit drably. Come and join me for some breakfast?" Sakura asked instead of answering the question.
Tomoyo managed a half smile. "Does that coffee come with pancakes?"
"With chocolate chips, whipped cream, and maple syrup," Sakura replied.
"I suppose I could use some of those,"
"Take your time and I'll call Meiling to come join us. I don't think she could survive without me being there to make coffee for her at least." That drew a small smile from Tomoyo, who nodded.
Meiling came, joyful at the idea of having a hot home cooked meal. She was grinning so wide when Sakura answered the door that Sakura had to take her friend to the side.
"Oh my god, I didn't get to tell you yesterday about my date with Ryoko," Meiling whispered breathlessly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Sakura smiled and gave her friend a hug.
"I knew it," Meiling said, her tone disappointed. "It's a bad time isn't it? So tell me, what happened to Tomoyo?"
Sakura sighed. "I suppose you do know me too well,"
"Well, I had a hunch when you called me last night," Meiling said shrugging. "No biggie. What's the deal with Tomoyo?"
"It has to deal with Li-san and Hiiragizawa-san,"
"Those damn love triangles," Meiling muttered. "You know, I never really figured out why they're called love triangles actually. I mean Li likes Tomoyo, but Tomoyo likes Hiiragizawa. If it were to be a triangle, wouldn't it have to mean that Hiiragizawa likes Li?"
Sakura raised her eyebrow. "Are you suggesting for everyone to change and call it a love line instead?"
"It would make sense," Meiling agreed, "but I'm not going to force this rule upon all of human kind."
"How absolutely generous," Sakura said sarcastically.
"Oh believe me, I know. Anyhow, didn't I come here for chocolate pancakes and coffee?" Meiling demanded. "I want food!"
Tomoyo managed a small giggle when she heard Meiling stomp in like a hungry giant, bellowing "Fe fi fo fum! I smell tasty pancakes yum!"
Meiling grinned. "So, how are you Tomoyo-chan?"
"Better," She answered. "I suppose it's hard not to when your friend makes you chocolate chip pancakes and hires a giant to dine with me."
"I'm glad you haven't lost your quick sense of humor," Meiling answered, taking the chair across from my friend. "So while Sakura makes more pancakes for me because I'm starving, why don't you fill me on the details?"
Tomoyo shook her head. "Sakura slyly hinted that you were out on a date last night. I want to know how that went."
Meiling raised her eyebrow.
"Really," Tomoyo assured her. "Maybe what I need now is some sappy real life love stories that can give me something to hope for,"
Over Tomoyo's shoulder, Sakura shrugged.
"If you burst into tears, it's all because Sakura didn't put enough chocolate chips in your pancakes." Meiling warned. "But really, it's nothing romantic at all."
"Psh," Sakura answered over from the stove. "To make our tough Meiling to blush like a ditzy schoolgirl, this guy must be one hot hunk and kissed her at least three times."
"Actually, Sakura dear, it was a grand total of twelve times," She corrected, a smug smile on her lips. "You really should get the facts straight."
"I know my math sucks, that's why I said at least three times," Sakura said as she slid a stack of pancakes to the table. "Twelve is more than three,"
"Oh, and that makes you a sparkling genius," Meiling muttered as she moved three pancakes to her own plate and dowsed them with maple syrup. She cut a huge piece and chewed on it appreciatively. "Mm, good pancakes,"
"Especially since you didn't eat much on your first hot date right?" Tomoyo said slyly. "Trying to remember all his handsome features, am I correct?"
Meiling grinned. "I'm glad that this whole love line thing isn't making you too upset."
"Love line?"
"Widely known to the public as a love triangle," Sakura translated. "And talking about love relationships, what are you going to do about Hiiragizawa-san?"
"Yeah, since you broke up with Li-san just for him right? You might as well tell him how you feel." The Chinese girl added while quickly eating her way through three pancakes.
"I thought Meiling was going to tell us about her date,"
Meiling shrugged. "I'm seeing him again today if you want to see him so stop changing the situation here. What are you going to do?"
"Of course I want Eriol to love me, but what I've done is so selfish! How is he ever going to fall in love with someone who basically killed his best friend?" Tomoyo burst.
"Unless he already loves you," Sakura answered for her. "But then judging from both of your personalities, both of you will be too guilty from hurting Li-san that you'll never get together."
"Well, someone was bound to get hurt anyhow," Meiling said.
"But you don't understand how much our relationship meant to Syaoran! I was practically his first real contact outside his family!" Tomoyo argued. "His family never let him make any friends in fear that it would stray him from the correct path, so I was his first one. Can you imagine having that taken away from you as well as your first love?"
"Tomoyo," Sakura said sensibly, "If you were so worried about him, you ever would have broken the relationship."
"Besides, what kind of family did he come from?" Meiling said distastefully. "I only know one family that would ever do that to their own children, and that family is all the way from China."
"Meiling," Tomoyo paused. "Syaoran is from that Li family in China."
Meiling choked on her pancakes and was spitting out orange juice at the same time. Sakura had dropped her cup of coffee and was making no motion to clean up the dark splatters of coffee or the shards of porcelain.
Tomoyo blinked.
"Fuck!" Meiling roared before Tomoyo even had the chance to blink a second time. "Why the hell didn't you tell us earlier?"
"What? You know him?"
"Know him!" Meiling laughed harshly. "Oh, I know him alright. I know him enough to be his fucking cousin that's what!" She stood up abruptly, shoving the chair to the kitchen floor. Growling, she paced the kitchen angrily.
Tomoyo turned her confused look to Sakura. Sakura rubbed her temples. "Meiling's mother was married into the Li family. However, after a certain situation, her mother was kicked out of the family with Meiling as well."
"What happened?"
"They're a bunch of lying scumbags is what happened," Meiling replied angrily. "The refused to believe in my mother, called her a shameless hussy, and drove her out of the house with a four year old daughter."
"Wait. Why?" Tomoyo demanded. "Why did they kick your mother out?"
Meiling crossed her arms and huffed. "You tell her because I'm not."
"Meiling's mother married into the Li family and shortly had Meiling. However, suddenly a few years into the marriage,"
"Five years and seven months to be exact," Meiling butted in. "I was exactly four years old and one month old."
"So yes, after five years and seven months into the marriage, Meiling's father suddenly died in a horrible car crash while driving home," Sakura continued.
"An accident that I still believe to this day was a murder," Meiling said crossly. "I was talking on the phone with him at that moment! He was singing me my favorite song because I was being a bratty little kid and I didn't want to sleep. We were going on a family trip the next morning!"
Sakura waited for Meiling to finish before saying the incident again. "So as I was saying, after her father died, Meiling's mother became a widow and in the Li family, who are built heavily on tradition, was never going to allow Meiling's mother to even consider the notion of remarrying."
"But my mom never would anyhow. She was devastated when dad died. She followed all the Chinese customs of being a dutiful daughter in the Li family and a faithful wife."
"Meiling's mother went to her husband's grave every day to burn incense and talk to him. About two months after, while she was up at the cemetery,"
"A fake plastic bitch came and pretended to offer sympathies to my mom," Meiling said, cutting in once again. Sakura wisely knew not to say anything about it. The topic always angered Meiling beyond stop. "The bitch was a former suitor of my father. I the Li family they are really concerned about good family backgrounds. They were going to have an arranged marriage for him if he hadn't met my mom."
"Kali Ling was the name of the bitch," Sakura filled in. "Anyhow, it was raining that day and Meiling's mom didn't bring an umbrella. Kali Ling offered shelter at her house until the rain ended. She could have easily called the Li household and ask for someone to drive her back, but it would have been impolite to say no. However, her acceptance to the Ling's house that day changed everything."
Meiling snorted. "The Ling family isn't exactly the best family on the street. They have lots of money and high connections which were a plus, but they were much more traditional than the Li family in the manner that they preserved the idea that a man should have many wives."
"Instead, the rain didn't let up until the night. Kali Ling said that it was improper for a lady to go home so late at night. Thus, Meiling's mom took the offer and was given a room to stay the night." Sakura said, taking up the story again.
"To my mom's horror, the bastard who holds the Ling name, came in and raped my mom. My mother tried to stop him, but it was inevitable. When the truth sank in that everything was a trick, she almost wanted to die. But she held on in hopes that the Li family would protect her and for me."
"Instead, Meiling's mother was shunned by the Li family who promptly kicked her out of the Li family. They offered to take care of Meiling, but Meiling's mother would have none of that. She took Meiling and fled to Japan, where she met my parents."
Tomoyo stared. "I'm so sorry," She whispered.
Meiling snorted. "It's all of the past."
"I've never heard you mention your parents at all before," Tomoyo admitted. "I never really thought that anyone could have such a past." She paused. "But I suppose you both do,"
Sakura sighed. "It wasn't pretty, but we've scraped through somehow."
"Wait, so where's your mom now?" Tomoyo asked Meiling. When the girl didn't reply, Tomoyo turned to Sakura. "And your parents?"
Sakura shrugged.
"Dead," They both answered in monotone voices.
-----
Eriol flung the door of his office opened and stormed his way into his best friend's office. Syaoran looked up from his paperwork.
"Oh, it's you," He said, and then returned to his work.
"What do you mean by that?" Eriol demanded. "What's up with you? I just thought that you were grumpy because of all the work that's been piling up, but Naoko just told me something about you being attached with a dead goldfish and that you don't drink black coffee anymore,"
Syaoran's eyes flickered briefly over to the goldfish that had perfected the dead man's float. "Mihara talks too much and you listen to too much gossip."
"Unless you're going to tell me the truth, I'm going to believe that you're delusional."
"Is that what people say behind my backs nowadays?" Syaoran said mildly. "I believe it's an improvement from a cold hearted beast."
Eriol groaned and had to suppress the urge to tackle his best friend and strangle him by the neck as he saw Mihara do to Yamazaki. "Naoko told me that she heard that you've been acting weird ever since Tomoyo dropped by yesterday."
"Yes, Daidouji did come in yesterday afternoon. I suppose she's busy with her fashion show. Is there anything that you wanted from her?" Syaoran asked his voice clipped and professional.
Eriol slammed his fist on Syaoran's desk. When Syaoran didn't even flinch, Eriol grabbed the pen from Syaoran's hand and threw it away. Syaoran calmly watched the pen bounce on the carpeted floor a few times before rolling to a stop.
"What happened with you and Tomoyo?" Eriol demanded. "Either you talk or I make you talk. Take your pick."
Syaoran glared at him. Normally Eriol would have known when to back off when he was bordering the edge of pissing his best friend to the point of no return, but this was a different case.
"What happened?" Eriol asked again, his voice deadly quiet.
"I should be asking you that," Syaoran replied with a voice just as cold. "You're the girlfriend stealer, so why don't I ask you what happened?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Oh, and now you get to act all innocent and dandy!" Syaoran mocked. "Really, tell me how to you charmed Daidouji with your sweet words? How the fuck were you able to steal someone's own fiancé? Answer me that first!"
"I did not steal Tomoyo from you." Eriol answered. "From the moment the two of you became a couple, I knew she was hands off. Don't blame me for not being able to keep your own woman!"
"Oh, so now it's my entire fault now huh?" Syaoran demanded, standing up. "You're always the one who keeps throwing these romantic comments at Daidouji and then saying that you were passing a message from me. What kind of cheat does that huh?"
"And who's the wuss who doesn't even dare tell his fiancé how gorgeous she looks when it's obvious that she dressed up before coming?"
"You were the one that kissed my fiancé when you swore to be my best friend!"
"You're some damn workaholic who doesn't know how to appreciate the good things in life that are right in front of him,"
"Don't act like you know everything," Syaoran warned.
"If you weren't such a pompous jerk, then you'd know the real reason why Tomoyo dumped you!"
"That's just it. Out of my office Hiiragizawa."
"Gladly, Li," Eriol stormed back. "And remember to call your dear mother that the wedding's canceled."
"And while I'm at it, I'll be sure to mention what a useless person you are," Syaoran fired back. Eriol glared at him one last time before slamming the door behind him that make the windows shake.
Chiharu swallowed visibly from outside the office. She looked timidly at the closed blinds.
"Mihara, if you want something just come in!" A harsh voice barked from inside. The other co-workers gave Chiharu looks of pity and small smiles of what seemed like encouragement. She swallowed again before opening the door and walked in.
"Your mother is on line number one," She said, carefully avoiding her boss's eyes. "Would you like me to connect her?"
Syaoran groaned. "Count on a mother's intuition," he muttered. "Please connect her. I'll take the call in my office."
-----
Inelegantly, she raised her foot and put it against the white wall to a height where she could easily tie her shoelaces without having to bend over. Then she put down her foot and did the same process with her left foot. She moved a couple times in her running shoes to make sure it felt good. Glancing at the two shoe prints on the wall, she shrugged. Normally she wouldn't even consider doing such thing, but now she could care less.
Meiling would hoot and laugh at how her messy habits had finally rubbed off her. Tomoyo would small smile and offer kindly to help clean.
But really, she could care less right now.
All she wanted was a good run.
A good run in the rain to make her forget everything. No Tomoyo bawling over her lost relationship with Li and how she lamented her lack of one with Hiiragizawa. No Meiling talking about Ryoko, as good news as it was. No concerns about Touya's medical bills that was astronomically high. No false wishes that modeling would be the solution to the bills.
She just wanted to be alone for one night, to have her thoughts be about herself.
Her feet padded in a steady rhythm down the wet pavement and brought her quickly to the park. It was nice to s greet the rain that fell onto her face. She twirled once with her hands wide open.
"You look like an idiot," A voice interrupted rudely.
"If you're seeking death, pneumonia is a really slow and painful way to die," she said, her voice calm and her head never even shifting to see the person standing next to her. "I would be more than happy to assist you in playing with death."
"Thanks ever so for the offer," He replied sarcastically. "I'm pretty sure I could manage the trigger myself."
"Really," She replied. "And here I thought you didn't have the guts to do anything you really wanted to."
"Shut up. You don't know anything,"
"I don't," she answered calmly, "and frankly I don't want to know."
"I wasn't planning to tell you anything anyhow." He huffed.
Sakura shrugged and walked off into the park and sat down on the nearest bench. It didn't surprise her to find the man follow her over. He didn't seat himself next to her, but his awkward position next to the bench made her feel uncomfortable.
"I'm leaving," She announced, getting to her feet and walking back to her apartment.
Suddenly she stopped in her tracks and looked disdainfully at the hand that was holding onto her wrist. She yanked her hand out of his grip and glared the best she could while rapidly blinking her eyelids to keep the rain from falling into her eyes.
"What do you want Li?" Sakura asked irritably as she moved her wet hair behind her ears.
"Look," He said, trying not to lose his temper, "I just wanted to ask if you had anywhere for me to live a while."
She grinned smugly. "So I see you've lost your girl, then your best friend, quickly followed by your apartment." Her grin grew wider when she saw that she had touched a nerve. "But sorry to burst your bubble, I don't have any extra rooms for you to stay in. After all, I don't have the money like you have."
Syaoran growled. "I'm just asking for a small favor here. I don't care if I have to sleep on the couch."
She raised her eyebrow. "You're pretty desperate," Sakura said. "With the money you have, why don't you just get a new apartment or stay in a hotel?"
He shook his head. "I would have if my mother didn't blow up on me. Anything like housing will have to be recorded and she'll do anything to stop that."
Sakura couldn't help but hide the smirk that was sneaking onto her face. "So you're still mama's little boy."
"Stuff it Kinomoto." Syaoran sighed. "It's been shitty enough and I don't need you to remind me how it is."
"Things could be much worse. All you've lost is a fiancé, a best friend, and a place to live." She said shrugging. "Really, things aren't all that bad. They are all replaceable."
"Are you kidding me?" He said incredulously. "Just yesterday things were at the best for me. Now things are never going to be the same."
"I would have expected people like you to understand that happiness is short lived," Sakura answered. "Now if you excuse me, I really have to get back home."
"So are you going to let me stay at your place for a while?" He asked almost pleadingly.
"Really, trust me, it would be much better if you didn't come and live on my living room floor." Sakura said without turning back as she walked away. "My roommate would kill you the worst way possible and I'd probably help her."
"You don't live with Daidouji right?"
"No, I live with someone who's much more capable of something called revenge," Sakura said, grinning wolfishly. "Besides, it was Tomoyo who dumped you, so she wouldn't have the reason to kill you."
"Why would your roommate want to kill me?"
"You know, so go figure it out," She said simply. "Meanwhile, I'm sick of staying in rain and I want to go home and take a hot shower."
"Just let me stay at your place until the rain lets up," he bargained.
"You're pushing it real close buddy," Sakura said. "How much are you going to pay me?"
Syaoran managed a glare, but quickly wiped it off when he saw the furious glare that matched his own on Sakura's face. He sighed. "How much are you asking?"
"You better hurry before I change my mind," She replied, turning around and running back to her apartment without saying anything else.
Syaoran watched her go before regaining his senses and catching up with her. Her apartment was smaller than he expected. He had thought that all apartments included two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. This had one bedroom and a small portion of the living room used as a kitchen with only a stove and a refrigerator.
Sakura slipped off her wet shoes and socks, and beckoned Syaoran to follow her. She walked to a small cabinet and pulled out a towel. "The bathroom's on your right. Don't take a long shower or there won't be any hot water left." She pointed to the direction of the bathroom. "I'll go find something you can wear."
Syaoran clutched the towel. "Um, thanks Kinomoto."
She shrugged. "You're paying for it." Sakura answered.
He sighed and walked into the bathroom. She wasn't as nice as she seemed considering she was asking for a hefty fee just for a shower, but she didn't seem that bad if he had let her use the bathroom first.
The hot water that enveloped him made him feel as if life was a little bit better. He shut his eyes and allowed the water rush over him before quickly turning the water off and drying himself off. Syaoran wrapped the towel around his waist and cautiously walked out the bathroom.
"Kinomoto?" He asked.
Sakura almost bumped into him as she came from her bedroom. She had changed into a pair of shorts and a t shirt already. Her wet hair was tied into a tight bun at the nape of her neck.
"Here are some clothes. They should fit you," She told him. "And nice chest by the way." Sakura grinned wolfishly before walking past him to the kitchen.
Syaoran blinked.
When he came back out in a pair of sweats and a t shirt, Sakura was already in the kitchen sipping hot tea. She hardly even raised her head when he walked in. "Pour yourself a cup if you want some."
"I don't have to pay for it do I?" Syaoran asked, his sarcastic manner slipping out of him without him knowing.
That cracked a grin from Sakura. "Ten bucks a cup."
He grunted and helped himself to a cup of hot tea. Syaoran leaned against the counter instead of opting to the only other seat there was that was in front of Sakura.
"Um, so where's your roommate?" He asked, trying to make conversation.
Sakura stood up and rinsed her empty cup in the sink. "She's out on a date, lucky for you."
"Why do you keep saying that? Who's your roommate and what does she have against me?"
"You might as well ask why the whole world's against you," Sakura offered.
Syaoran glared.
"You know, you're much more attractive when you're all corners and being rude. The pitiful act doesn't really suit you," She responded instead of answering his question. "So now that you've had your share of pity and concern that you were begging for, I'll collect that shrink fee and you can give me back my clothes after you've washed them."
"That's it? You're just going to kick me out?" Syaoran demanded.
"I gave you the number for the sex line last time we met. If you really want to hire a sex slave for a night, I'm sure the phone sex line can direct you to one," She said crossly. "Now finish the tea and get out of my sight."
Syaoran finished his tea in a gulp. "Are you always this sweet?" He asked sarcastically.
"Only around you honey," She replied flipping him the middle finger. "Now leave."
It wasn't until he left that he realized that she had let him use her shower, gave him dry clothes, a cup of hot tea, and didn't even ask for money in the end. Syaoran sighed and looked up at the light that shone from her apartment window. Glaring back at the pouring rain, Syaoran sighed again.
He'd have to pay her back one day.
In the meanwhile, he might as well go trudging through the rain back to the park where he had parked his car when he saw Kinomoto. Then it would be back to the office with the hard chairs.
-----
"I knew I would find you here!" An overly happy voice greeted him as the speaker turned on the lights.
Syaoran growled and opened his eyes groggily. "Yamazaki?"
Yamazaki grinned. "Of course, who else would it be buddy? Chiharu told me about what happened so here I am."
"What are you? A fucking fairy godmother?"
"Not exactly," He replied. "But if you really want to know about the truths of fairy godmothers, I could explain. You see,"
"No I don't want to know," Syaoran cut him off. "What do you want?"
"Chiharu bet that you'd be living in your office for a while, so I thought I'd help a buddy in need." Takashi said with his usual bright grin on his face. "So what do you say we order a midnight snack – I'm really craving spicy fried chicken with Pepsi but don't tell Chiharu that or she'll kill me for eating such oily foods in the middle of the night – and head over to my place?"
Syaoran opened his mouth to talk but Takashi beat him to it. "I know what you're thinking. You must be asking why." He raised his finger and grinned. "That's because we're friends."
"We are?"
Takashi nodded. "We aren't the best of friends, but haven't you heard the saying that when a door closes, another door opens?" He paused for what seemed like dramatic effect before continuing. "And talking about doors did you know that doors actually originated from Antarctica? Weird, huh? After all, they live in igloos but I suppose in order to keep warm they needed doors."
Syaoran hardly heard the ramblings of his new friend. Instead he was just amazed at how Takashi, a man he never really knew, came to help him on his own free will. He had only met him once or twice when he came to pick Mihara up from work.
"Hey Yamazaki?"
Takashi stopped talking for a brief second. "What? Are you allergic to spicy foods? I can ask the lady to give us a mixed bucket of fried chicken."
"Uh," Syaoran paused. He had hardly noticed that he was in Takashi's car and they were currently passing through a drive through.
"Hey lady, make it a mixed bucket of fried chicken okay?" He asked the lady at the drive through. "Oh, and add a couple of cans of coke. What anything else Syaoran?"
"Um, whatever you want."
Takashi shrugged amiably. "That'll be all. Thanks lady."
Syaoran found himself soon in Takashi's living room, watching the movie 20 First Dates, and eating fried chicken with coke. And for the first time that day, he managed a small smile.
"Woah," Takashi said peering up close into his face. "Did you actually just smile?"
"Maybe," Syaoran replied stuffily.
Takashi grinned smugly and clapped a hand down on his friend's shoulder. "You've just made me a happy man. Now that's twenty bucks Chiharu owes me." He laughed proudly and then proceeded to tell the happenings that led to the bet, with many tangents at the process.
Syaoran had to cough to hide the laughter.
When one door closes, another door opens.
----
I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter. Though I didn't manage this chapter out at the end of July, but I figured the first week of August was good enough for me. Two more weeks of summer and its back to school for me. Too early? I do agree.
Anyhow, review if you please so I know how it is! Thanks and good luck squeezing all that fun you've been meaning to do in the end of summer!
--iris dreamer.