Love Doesn't Have A Price
Chapter Eleven : Drink, Drank, Drunk
Tomoyo hung up the phone pensively. Mind analytically processing the new information she had received and categorizing it into sections of importance, lesser and inconsequential.
She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she failed to notice Eriol enter, a plastic coffee cup in each hand.
"What's up?" he queried cheerfully.
Glancing at him quickly she turned back to the TV and pointedly ignored him.
"Okay…" he commented sitting on the bed. "What have I done now?"
By means of an answer Tomoyo pressed play and watched as the news report she had watched earlier played back across the screen. Interested to see his answer she glanced at him beneath lowered lashes.
Whatever she had expected to see it wasn't this, he'd blanched completely white and looked ready to commit some treacherous act upon the world.
With a start she realised how little she actually knew of her 'friend' and partner in operation 'set Sakura and Syaoran up together'. At the moment he looked to be suddenly completely different. Older, wiser and far more dangerous.
"Rewind a few scenes and pause it." He commanded, voice like ice.
Shakily she complied and watched as he examined the picture.
Finally he announced with a great deal of feeling, "Shit."
Exiting the room abruptly she could only look after him before turning back to study the screen, wondering what it had been that had caused that reaction.
I I I I I
When Sakura woke the next morning it was to the distant sounds of a battle echoing throughout the large hallways. Two distinctly male and feminine voices could be heard doing nothing short of screaming at each other.
Sliding out of the bed Sakura opened her wardrobe and pulled out a pair of skinny jeans, discarding her pyjama's and tugging them on before continuing to grab a black turtleneck and black knee-high stiletto boots.
Running clumsy hands through her hair and exiting the room.
Continuing through the corridor until she came to the main entrance she came upon an enraged Mei Ling and an equally annoyed Syaoran.
Seeing her they both cut off Mei Ling offering her a grin while Syaoran sent her a measuring look.
"Well you two should get going, you've got your massages to get to. Oh and Syaoran's going to a Martial Art's competition that he competes in, you should go."
"Mei Ling." Syaoran replied warningly.
She merely raised an eyebrow back and sent him a pointed look.
"Fine, come if you want, but remember Mei Ling I don't have time for massages and club outings in future."
"Yeah yeah." She responded pushing them out of the room. "See you later."
Sakura rolled her eyes promising to cheerful kill her friend when she got back but at the same time slightly curious seeing Syaoran compete in a Martial Art's competition.
I I I I I
They entered the masseurs without any evident followers and were taken into another room. One which Sakura was explained to calmly she would be sharing with her fiancé.
Rather than accepting or denying the claims she simply changed into the fluffy white robe they left her and laid down on the table letting the man work his magic.
"Sakura?"
She lifted her head sleepily and turned to glance at Syaoran. She drew in a breath sharply, letting her eyes wander over the toned arms and back before sweeping lower. Blushing profusely she looked away again replying with careful neutrality, "Yeah?"
"We should have the meeting between our two companies set for next Friday, after that you should be able to go back home."
Breathing a sigh of relief; she'd been sure they were going hold it off on technicalities forever, Sakura murmured an agreement before letting herself relax once again.
After another hour of blissful relaxation conflicting with uncomfortable silence, Sakura and Syaoran were given towels and led to the private bathing facility before heading to the competition. Syaoran managed to make the experience a memorable one by grunting and sending glances at his watch every few minutes or so before beginning to tap his foot and then finally ask if she were done yet.
All over the space of five minutes.
Driving through the streets was another experience she wasn't likely to forget as he decided they should talk business and criticised EVERYTHING, from the way that she was wearing her hair to the work ethics involved in working for your family.
When they reached the competition he grudgingly paid for her entry before giving her some money and telling her to 'knock herself out' and wandering off on his own.
Scowling and muttering about men that had large objects shoved too far up where the sun didn't shine (because Sakura was feeling in a particular happy mood at that point) Sakura walked to the hot dog vendor and bought herself a dog with the works; onion, cheese, mustard, sauce, and a lemonade before wandering towards the arena, pretending she didn't notice the people recognising her and pointing out.
Passing a take-away shop she decided to grab a bowl of hot chips (fries) as well.
Grinning at her very healthy meal (cough cough) she wandered through into the arena, taking a seat in the stands and eating her junk. Glancing over at the offending object as her phone rang she managed to tackle her food and answer the cell at the same time, leaning it between her ear and shoulder as she continued to eat.
"Hwou?"
An amused voice returned her greeting, "Are you eating Sakura?"
Swallowing her mouthful and blushing she said as believably as possible. "No."
"Sure you aren't." the good-natured voice responded on the other end.
"How's it going back there Eriol?" Sakura asked popping a chip in her mouth, "Moyo ok?"
He chuckled, "Yeah everything's good. What about you?"
Mumbling a noncommittal answer she ploughed onto another question that had been bugging her, "You like Moyo don't you?"
The other end was completely silent for a moment before the forced response came out, "Did she tell you that?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "No."
"What makes you think I like her?"
Sighing in impatience as the competition began Sakura slipping another chip in her mouth and responded, "Don't play around with her Eriol, she won't take it well."
"And you and Syaoran?"
Letting loose a sigh of exasperation Sakura took another bite of her hotdog, chewed it and swallowed before answering, "He's a male."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" the voice was curious, not mad.
"You wouldn't understand, you're male. Oi, I gotta go Eriol the comp's starting, give my love to Moyo will you."
"Alright, bye Sakura."
Mumbling a goodbye Sakura hung up the phone, thankful that she had an almost plausible excuse to not answer the last question.
Truth be told she wasn't sure how she felt about Syaoran at the moment.
Setlling in with her food and a steady supply of cash (Syaoran's of course) Sakura watched the proceedings with interest.
I I I I I
When the loud speaker called out the final match between two people Sakura knew extremely well, she began to very seriously contemplating slipping out of the arena and making a run for it.
Her only consolation was that they had refrained from calling out the last names of the opponents.
Now if only she could figure out a way to slip out of the arena with Syaoran unseen.
Watching the intense fighting going on below she began to believe that she had been right all along, guys were only happy when they were trying to kill something, or someone.
I I I I I
"You seem unusually aggressive today." Syaoran commented lightly, dodging a blow aimed at his face with an innate skill.
Shooting him a savage grin Touya managed to get a light kick in.
"You've been getting slack Li." Touya grunted back.
Landing a solid punch on his jaw Syaoran responded annoyed, "I have my reasons."
"Heh, I have mine too, doesn't mean I've let myself go."
"Yeah?"
"A sister, she'd ride my ass if she ever saw one of these." He responded, dropping to the ground and taking a swipe a Syaoran's feet.
Jumping over it and aiming a solid at his chest.
The fight finished a few moments later, with Touya only just winning.
"Better luck next time twerp."
"You'll still be aching for a few days weirdo."
Departing from each other Syaoran went to find Sakura.
I I I I I
"Oh my god, you look like a wreck. Anyone who sees you tonight is gonna think I abuse you or something!" Sakura exclaimed as Syaoran found his way back over.
"I'm fine." He grunted, moving them towards the car, "Come on, let's get to this club we're supposed to make an appearance at."
"It's 6:30!" Sakura exclaimed annoyed, "Besides I'm not exactly dressed for clubbing."
Sending her a summative look Syaoran sighed, "Alright we'll go home and then go to a pub and get some dinner and drinks."
Nodding Sakura followed him to the car slipping in as he drove off.
Having changed and eaten and had more than a few drinks at the pub Sakura found herself in considerably better spirits. Following Syaoran through the line at the club – the bouncers now recognised her and had resolved not to make the same mistake twice – she entered the club floor, meeting up with Mei Ling and letting the other girl lead her away while Syaoran followed Jason and went off somewhere,
Another hour and four shots of some sort of alcoholic substance later and Sakura was feeling very light and carefree. She turned and almost slipped as someone came up behind her and began to dance with her.
"Syaoran!"
He shushed her by placing his lips heavily over her own, and she could taste the alcohol on his lips.
"Yo Sakura we're going," Mei Ling called behind her, "You be alright with Syaoran?"
Waving a careless hand towards Mei Ling Sakura let herself be caught up in the music and the feel of Syaoran's body against her own.
I I I I I I I I I I
AD: Well there ya go, enjoy!