Heya all!…. omgoodness! It's been so long…. First of ALL… I have to say: GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN SORRY SORRY!… I haven't updated in so long! It' just that things been awfully hectic outside my internet life -.-…. Exams mainly BUT… I seriously HAVEN'T given up on The Clow Four! HONEST. It's the holidays for me now so I'll get more chances to update! I hope with alll meh heart that all you wonderful readers haven't left me! I'm gonna at least get the story up to chapter… 40? Then I'll be satisfied perhaps…. But for now, enjoy chapter 22! And PLEASSSEEE REVIEW! And sorry again for my awfully long wait for update I'm such an awful author….
-Angol
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. Whoever claim they do apart form wonderful CLAMP should be very ashamed!
Now TO THE STORY:
Sakura, Shingo and Richie sat on a basketball court, crossed legged. They were all dull knowing they were going to get hammered. Sakura gave a sigh, Shingo was once again expressionless, and Richie played with the basketball in his lap, practically pouting.
"We're dead," moaned Richie.
"There's no choice. Let's just practice," sighed Sakura, getting up.
Richie nodded and got up. Shingo also got up, looking at the two.
"To my perspective. They're all really tall so I bet you they can all shoot really well," said Sakura, taking the ball from Richie and giving it a few childish bounces.
"They've been in the nationals for every school they've been to. They've never lost a game," said Shingo matter of factly.
"Oh. Really," said Sakura getting worried. "Doesn't matter! I do cheerleading. I've played a few games in high school for the teams then."
"That's great Sakura! Show us a goal!" said Richie.
"Sure! Let me show you my best!" said Sakura and got ready to shoot, taking no notice that she was at the three point line.
That was the furthest away you can ever shoot. Only a miracle would make her able to get a goal. She chucks the ball, not even doing the shooting the right way at all. The ball flies through the air…………and misses the goal badly.
Shingo and Richie who was looking at the ball, looked back at Sakura who was blushing like a tomato. Richie swallowed. Shingo didn't say anything or have any expression except giving Sakura a small look.
"I'll get the ball Sakura and you can try again," said Richie and ran to retrieve the ball.
Richie picks up the ball and bounces it on the spot. Suddenly, a blur takes the ball out of his hand and dribbles fast back into the ring and shot a goal. Shingo turns around.
"Oh my goodness Shingo! You're good!" exclaimed Sakura.
"Perfect goal too!" said Richie retrieving the ball and looking up at the hoop.
Shingo walked up to Sakura, giving her a warm smile.
"I won't let you get expelled. I'll help you," he said warmly, brushing her hair gently two times then taking his hand away.
"How about me?" said Richie coming up to them.
"You won't be expelled either," said Shingo taking the ball from him. "C'mon let's practise some basketball."
Shingo bounced the ball professionally and walked to near the goal. Sakura and Richie still stood where they were smiling. They where stunned. They should have known that Shingo would have been good at basketball too if Clow 4 were. After all, he WAS (still is?) in Clow 4 and he had said himself 'they' were in the nationals and 'they' never lost a game.
Shingo looked at the stunned two.
"C'MON! Let's do some practising guys!" said Shingo laughing.
"HAI!" said Sakura running up, catching the ball that Shingo threw at her.
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Richie threw the ball again. Misses the goal. He ran up and picked up the ball for nearly the hundredth time. He didn't even bothered to dribble it back anymore, just carried it. He tried again, sweating madly and using his last bit of energy. He hadn't gotten one goal in. It was getting late. Sakura and Shingo had gone home. But he stayed. He knew he needed to do his best. But he wasn't gaining anything but cuts, bruises and laughing people pointing. He sighed squatting. He looks up at the goal, swallowing.
I can't let Sakura down. We have to win!
He got up again, bursting himself with energy and ran to get the ball.
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Sakura walked home aching all over. She knew they were going to lose. Richie and her wasn't any good at basketball and hadn't even managed to get a goal or dribble properly. She had 3 more blocks to go when she bumped into a figure in a green t- shirt. She walked backwards 2 steps.
"L- Li," she stammered. "We've been practicing a- a lot you know. We're getting re- really good. Don't think I'm sc- scared of you."
Syaoran was silent. Sakura was speechless now. Suddenly, Syaoran pulled her into his embrace, hugging her tight. Sakura's mind yelled at her to resist and push away, but her body somehow wouldn't respond.
"Just say you love me and I'll lose tomorrow," whispered Syaoran hoarsely.
Why are you doing this Syaoran! , Sakura thought desperately.
Sakura was silent. Hearing no response, Syaoran released her but still held her by the shoulders.
"Say it! C'mon! SAY IT!" he said loudly at her, gripping her shoulders, shaking her.
"That hurts. That hurts. THAT HURTS!" said Sakura, tears splashing out, not because of the pain in her shoulders but in her heart.
Syaoran loosened his grip and released her. He looked at Sakura sadly.
"Why don't you say it? Why?…. Am I really that much of an asshole?" he says in a whisper. "Why does it have to be Shingo you like?"
Sakura looks down hurt, filled with guilt again.
No! I kissed him but I don't! I…I don't know what I feel…
"Why Shingo? WHY MY BESTFRIEND!" yelled Syaoran.
Sakura looked down even more.
"I'm sorry Syaoran," she says quietly.
"I don't know why I would like a girl like you," said Syaoran his expression filled with hurt. "Take care of yourself Kinomoto."
He turned and began his way down the street. Sakura still stood there, under the lamppost. She looked at the back of Syaoran, a tears still streaming silently down her face.
"Who's scared of who?" she exclaims at him, smiling a little.
Syaoran stops and turned his head to look at her.
"Such a big breath. That's my Sakura."
He walks on, leaving Sakura there, smiling yet crying.
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Touya walked to Sakura's room early in the morning. His usual routine. He knocks loudly and hardly on Sakura's bedroom door.
"Sakura! Wake up now!" said Touya his usual loud but droning voice. "Sakura! Sakura! SAKURA!"
Seeing that she wasn't going to reply he pushed open the door and blinked at the scene before him. A made bed and no bag pack anywhere to be seen.
"Up already? GONE ALREADY?" exclaimed Touya. "I MUST be dreaming."
Touya pinched himself hard. Then looked back at the room. Nothing changed. He closed the bedroom door, knowing that he was going to have a lot to think about at work.
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Sakura wore a white t- shirt and a blue nike basketball top (tunic thing). She also wore blue basketball shorts and joggers. A pink bag pack was on her back. She rubbed her aching arms and sighed. She was on her way to the basketball stadium, her doom.
We're going to be worse then dead meat, she thought.
"Sakura!"
Sakura looked up and saw Richie running towards her, his bag pack flying behind him. He was wearing the same thing as Sakura. She gasped at his face and arms. White patches of bandages were on his cheek and a few bits of his limbs.
"What happened to you!" said Sakura.
"I've been practising too much," said Richie.
"Ohayo," said Shingo as he came up to them, black backpack bobbing up and down as he walked. He was also wearing what Richie and Sakura was wearing.
"Oh. Ohayo Shingo," said Sakura sighing.
"Did you sleep well?" said Shingo.
"Pretty fine. But our limbs are all hurting," said Sakura.
"You'll be fine," said Shingo and they began their way to the stadium.
They walked out of the building when Shingo turned around again.
"Oh. And, I just want you to know that you just have to try your best. Play a good game of basketball," Shingo said and turned back to walking.
"Hey! We should do a cheer!" said Richie.
He grabbed Sakura and Shingo's hand and put them on top of his.
"Go, go, go," said Shingo and Sakura dully, taking their hands away.
"Why isn't anyone happy!" Richie said running after the two. (Why seriously? Well, apart from the fact that they're going to be smashed by Clow 3 and get expelled! Hehe)
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A whole crowd was outside the stadium. It was just before the game and the two teams were inside. The doors were shut closed and two guards with red headbands saying with gold letters 'Clow 4' was standing outside.
"C'mon! Let us in! We want to watch Clow 4 play!" moaned everybody.
"No. You don't have permission," said one of the guards, standing boldly and coolly with his sunglasses on.
"Why not! We just want to go in!" snapped a person, frustrated.
There was big murmur.
"SHUT UP! WE TOLD YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED. CLOW 4 HAD GIVEN SPECIFIC ORDERS AND SO HAS GIN LI!" shouted the older guard.
The crowd quietened but still stayed there, waiting. At least they might get results.
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Eriol and Hiro did stretches as they waited for the game to start. Hiro had his orange red hair tied up in a really short ponytail. Syaoran played with the ball. Sakura and Richie were nervous and Shingo was again expressionless. Gin blew her whistle loudly and the two teams lined up face to face. Sakura's team in blue and Syaoran's in yellow. Only Eriol had a white shirt underneath the basketball top in Li's team, the rest all just had the tunic showing off their muscles.
I can't lose. I can't! thought Sakura.
"We'll flip a coin to determine who shall go first," said Gin.
She flips it and does not open her hand.
"Which one Shingo?" asked Gin.
"Heads," said Shingo carelessly.
Gin opened her hand to reveal tails.
"Tails. Xiao Lang your ball first," said Gin, throwing the ball at him.
Syaoran caught it and went to the middle of the court (they're obviously playing half court. I mean, 6 people……….).
"Sakura, mark Eriol. Richie, Hiro," ordered Shingo.
In the middle, Syaoran bounces the ball to Shingo and Shingo bounces it back to him. They stared at each other, right in the eyes, amber merging. They kept going back and forth then suddenly, Syaoran passes the ball to Eriol before Sakura could see what he was doing. Eriol caught the ball easily. He quickly passes it to Hiro who quickly shot a perfect goal from the side. Syaoran gave Sakura a smirk while Sakura glared at him coldly.
Shingo got the ball next. He bounces the ball to get away from Syaoran, but Syaoran marks him closely. Sakura got ready to catch the ball, waiting for Shingo to get free. She suddenly realised something was not right. She looked around. Hiro and Eriol were standing a fair distance on each side of her, doing stretches. She stares at two perplexed.
"Nani?" said Hiro.
"Nothing," muttered Sakura.
"Sakura!" yelled Shingo and threw the ball.
WHAM
Immediately, Hiro got in front of Sakura, caught the ball and shot another perfect goal.
"Hiro you're so annoying! You didn't even give me a chance! This is just unfair!" complained Sakura immediately.
"Sakura," said Hiro as he walked passed. "Stop talking to yourself."
"I wasn't talking to myself," mumbled Sakura looking down in embarrassment.
As the game went on they were more desperate and desperate. Not once did they get pass even Syaoran. They only ever manage to start with the ball and lose it to Eriol or Hiro. Every time it was the same drill for them. Syaoran starts with ball, pass to Eriol who speed passes to Hiro who always shoots a perfect goal.
Sakura watched Hiro do a slam-dunk, pulling himself up on the ring of the goal then jumping off swiftly. She sighed. They were losing badly.
"Three minutes left!" said Gin.
Shingo bounced the ball and looked at Sakura. Sakura dashed around trying to mark Hiro, her desperate face beautiful, innocent and helpless. He kept bouncing the ball, not taking his eyes off her.
"Pass the damn ball. Stop stalling!" snarled Syaoran, knowing what he was looking at.
Shingo's eyes flickered back to Syaoran.
"I'll never ever let you expel Sakura from this school. Never," he said firmly.
Before Syaoran knew what Shingo was doing, he had dashed around him. He dribbled fast, pass the three point line. He immediately threw the ball into the air, towards the goal. The ball flew in an arc in the air. Everybody stared at it stunned as it landed perfectly, in the middle of the hoop.
Sakura and Richie jumped up in to the air in triumph. They ran up to Shingo, saying he was the best. Sakura gave him a hug smiling with happiness.
"That was the BEST ever!" said Sakura, jumping up and down with glittering eyes. "We're only missing 3 points."
"It's actually 7," said Shingo sweat dropping.
Syaoran watched the opposition. They were smiling and laughing. It was obvious to him Sakura liked Shingo better then him. He grit his teeth, trying to keep his anger down. Hiro went up to Syaoran, placing a hand his shoulder. Syaoran immediately flung it off, forcefully.
"What's up with you? They've only got 1 goal," said Hiro panting.
Shingo looked at Syaoran, seeing he was angry. He knew exactly why. He turned to Gin and made the time out sign.
"Time out for 1 minute!" said Gin.
"Richie, stand on the other side," said Shingo quietly, dragging him by the arm to the other side of him so Syaoran could see exactly what he was doing. "Do you want to win this match Sakura?"
"Of course I do!" exclaimed Sakura.
"Then do what I tell you."
Shingo grabbed Sakura's hand and placed it on his shoulder. He leaned down to her ear.
"Smile," he whispered.
Sakura who was rather confused, did a weird fake smile.
"That's a funny smile," whispered Shingo giving a chuckle.
"You're the one that said to smile," whispered Sakura, not opening her mouth trying to keep her smiling face.
Shingo pushed Richie out of the way. He grabbed Sakura's other arm and put it at his waist. He pushed Sakura's head to his chest, holding on to her like an embrace. He made sure that Syaoran was watching. Sakura's cheeks began to burn a little. Richie was confused as ever and was also jealous, watching his two team mates like that.
"What on earth are they doing?" said Eriol.
Syaoran stared coldly.
"Time out's over!" shouted Gin, blowing her whistle.
"It's starting," whispered Sakura still in Shingo's arms.
Shingo released Sakura and smiled at her.
"Do your best," he said and went on to court.
As a small warm up, Syaoran and Shingo bounced the ball to each other like before. Shingo grinned coolly at Syaoran while Syaoran glared at him. Syaoran bounced the ball harder and harder but Shingo bounced it gently. Gin blew the whistle and Shingo began bouncing the ball. Still smiling, Shingo dribbled forward.
WHAM
Syaoran hit the ball and Shingo's hand hard, making the ball go flying.
"Contact by Syaoran. Free shot for Shingo," said Gin indicating with her arms.
Shingo got the ball, bounces it on the spot while everybody lined up at the ring. He stood carefully behind the line then shot a perfect goal. They started again and it was Syaoran's ball. He bounces it still glaring and dribbled forward. This time, Syaoran's jealousy took over him and he bumped Shingo hard, straight in the chest. The whistle blew immediately. Shingo smiled. They did what they did before, lined up while Shingo bounced the ball for a free shot. Eriol looked at Shingo seeing his grinning face and his mind clicked.
"I understand now," Eriol panted. "You can't beat us physically but you can do it mentally."
Shingo stopped smiling and kept bouncing the ball.
I don't care what they think of me. Evil, asshole, selfish, sly. I just know I can't get Sakura expelled, thought Shingo.
He shoots another perfect goal.
Sakura runs to him excitedly.
"How are you doing it! It's amazing! We're nearly there!" she said.
"30 seconds left!" said Gin.
"I'll try and pass the ball to you," said Shingo turning to Sakura.
"But what if I can't get free or I drop the ball or something," said Sakura worriedly.
Shingo was quiet for a quick sec.
"Then I'll stop the time," said Shingo giving a weak smile to Sakura.
He walked back to Syaoran. They started again. Shingo bounced forward but Hiro and Eriol immediately went up to him. They played around. Sometimes Hiro and Eriol would get the ball but Shingo might get it back. But when Hiro and Eriol got the ball, they didn't bother shooting. They just passed around and played around, waiting for the time to run out.
20 more seconds………..
Sakura ran around not knowing what to do. Marking now and then. Her face panicking, yet cuteness was there. Syaoran looked at her totally mesmerized. He stood where he was staring. His heart was melting and his anger faded watching her.
10 more seconds………
Hiro and Eriol still played around, bouncing the ball, passing.
5 seconds………..
4
3
2
Eriol lifted his hand up and was about to shoot.
WHAM
Syaoran hit the ball out of his hand. Eriol was stunned and clutched his hand. Everybody stared at Syaoran shocked.
"This is stupid and idiotic! I'm not playing anymore!" he yelled.
Gin raised her eyebrows, having a feeling that he understood something.
"What's the problem Xiao Lang?" said Hiro.
"I don't care about this thing anymore!" yelled Syaoran and began walking towards the exit.
Sakura watched him still a little shocked. Her face had turned with a mixture of wariness and gentleness.
"Syaoran ………" she whispered.
Syaoran stopped walking. Everybody waits. He started walking again, and out the exit this time.
"Weird. I think this thing worked," said Eriol to Gin, shaking his probably bruised hand.
"I've done my job. You guys were great," said Gin.
"Shingo! That was smart of you, finding Xiao Lang's weak points!" exclaimed Hiro.
Shingo laughed.
"C'mon. Let's go," said Eriol, putting his arm around Shingo's shoulders.
Clow 3 began their way out talking and laughing.
Richie crossed arms.
"That was a crap game," he said and went after Clow 3.
"Let's go Sakura," said Gin and followed Richie.
Syaoran ………..
Sakura shook her head and ran after Gin.
OKIIIESS… chapter updated since YONKS doneee…. PLEASE REVIEW!…. more reviews quicker update?… something like that THANKS GUYS!
Angol