"Come on Tomoyo, I'm not sure how much longer I can stand here like this. OUCH! Tomoyo! Stop poking me with your pins!"

"My bad, it was the only way I could come up with to get you to shut your mouth."

"I'm starting to regret ever giving you uncle Youji's phone number."

Tomoyo laughed and stood up and gave Sakura a once over. If you took out the fact that she looked tired and bored she didn't look half bad.

Sakura gave her a bored pleading look, "Tomoyo, if you're done with this oh so awesome fitting session we've had here for the past THREE HOURS then I'd really like to get moving. I got places to go, people to see,-"

"And a date to get ready for"

"Date? What? Tomoyo, what the heck are you talking about?"

"That little randez vous with Syaoran?"

"You mean our night out that includes you, Eriol, Chiharu, Rika, Yamazaki, and Meilin?"

"Haha, Yeah that"

"Right, now, can you help me get this off? I can't find the fastening in the back of this dress thing."

"I'll help you once you put the jacket-like part back on and walk around. I love seeing you in that. Did you notice how the silk shimmers when you walk! You look so elegant in that."

"I look like a Chinese doll"

"I think that was the goal?" Sakura scowled at Tomoyo but then did as she said. She could hardly fasten the buttons in the front cause the draping sleeves were so long she could barely get her hands out. She turned facing her friend and gave her the sweetest smile she could muster.

"I still need the head-dress crown thing and you do know that I'll be wearing a red silk cloth over my head so you wont be able to see my face. Well, he wont be able to-at least that's the intention- till the night after the wedding."

The room was silent save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock that hung loosely on the wall off a nail that was nearly out of its hole. Neither wanted to speak much on the matter, both thinking the same things as Sakura started taking off her wedding attire and changed back into street clothes.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this Sakura?"

"Huh? Go through with what?"

"The wedding! I mean no one is really forcing you you know."

"Of course Im going through with it! What reason do I have not to? Because I'm scared shitless about it! That's-"

"Because you're in love with someone else!"

"WHO THE HELL DO I HAPPEN TO BE IN LOVE WITH TOMOYO! Come on, tell me, cause this is news to me."

Tomoyo sighed shaking her head, "I'm sorry, forget I ever said anything"

"Thank you, now, I've got my street clothes back on, and my dress is all hung up in the closet, I say we go out and get something to eat and round up the crew, sound good Tom?"

Tomoyo smiled and took her smiling friends hand and nodded laughing. Perhaps she had just imagined what she thought was there, brushing if off as wishful thinking on her part.

SSSSSSSSSSS

Sakura and Tomoyo walked lazily down the streets, just talking, laughing and looking into the occasional store window as they passed, ogling at the things they couldn't buy and standing indecisive in front of the stores where they could. In the end it resulted in Sakura calling Touya to pick them up in front of "Dress 'em up" to pick up their bags that were growing so much in number they could no longer carry them, and since Touya had their car he was to pick them up.

Sakura stood in front of the store waiting with Tomoyo when the store across the street caught her eye.

"Tomoyo Tomoyo Tomoyo! They're having a Summer blow out sale across the street! Come on, Touya wont be here for at least 10 to 15 minutes I just wanna stop in really quick."

"Um, Sakura, Touya is coming around the corner now."

Sakura looked to where Tomoyo was pointing and cringed inwardly. "He always did have bad timing in everything" Tomoyo just laughed putting her hand on her friends shoulder directing her towards the car coming their way.

"Jeez what did you girls buy that you have so many bags. That's insane"

"Only to you. We were going to go across the street but someone seems to have ruined my fun yet again."

"Are you sure you're 18 Sakura? If I didn't know better I'd say you were 12 again."

Sakuras only retort was to smack Touya upside the head and sit back looking through her various bags with Tomoyo.

Touya dropped them both off at Tomoyo's home before driving off, saying he had 'some things to do'.

"Come on let's go inside and sort through this stuff, I'm sure I'm going to want to alter some of these a little for my favorite Sakura."

"You have more then one! I thought I was your only Sakura!"

Tomoyo laughed wrapping an arm around Sakuras shoulder, "oh if only you knew" Her eyes wistful and her smile clearly saying she was only joking. Both laughed and went inside.

S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S

"Hey Syaoran, you ready with your song? Brain said you and him were practicing something 'special'"

"Ah…Yeah kind of, I don't know if you'd say special, but its something later on not with you and Sato. Do you mind?"

"Nah, I'm just curious what it is. I bet you're singing to that chick that was in here a few weeks ago right."

"Which girl? A lot of girls come by here Jin."

"You know, she used to work here, pretty, brown hair, makes you a total space case."

Syaoran realized with slight mortification whom he was referring to and berated himself on being too obvious.

"Oh, her, she's just my friend, seriously, she already taken."

"Psh, how many times has that stopped a guy from getting a girl?"

"Stops this guy."

"Whatever man, your loss. Anyway, Kaho wants to see you in the back. Something about Earning…"

Syaoran shrugged making his way to Kaho's office in the back thinking about what Jin had said, 'earning'? But as soon as he got to the office he knew. Not earning, Ernie, the costume that had most definitely seen better days.

"I see Jin gave you my message. Congratulations, you won the raffle and get to be this weeks advertising stunt!"

"I don't really feel like much of a winner…"

"Nonsense, Ernie is the pride and joy of our Friday nights, everyone loves him."

"You mean everyone likes to make fun of him."

"Same thing Syaoran, as long as it brings in customers. Now, you need to bring this into the drycleaners around the corner, a few people seem to have accidentally spilled their drinks on him last week."

"You must really get a good laugh out of doing this don't you?"

"Every week, now hurry or it wont be clean by tonight."

"And we wouldn't want that would we. What ever would we do with out the dancing espresso cup in front of our shop" Kaho grinned through Syaorans dripping sarcasm, taking it in stride, quite used to this kind of reaction by now.

"Oh it has happened and people were quite devastated, Ernie's half the reason people come. Now go and hurry back, you know how Jin's still not so good with making the drinks."

Syaoran sighed, taking the large espresso costume from the corner and walked grudgingly out of the coffee shop, hopefully he didn't run into anyone he knew.

"Syaoran? HEY buddy! Haven't seen you in a while man!"

"You saw me this morning Eriol. Remember, I made you coffee before you collapsed on the counter."

"Haha ever the smart one ey Syao."

"Please don't call me that…and could you move, I'm working."

Eriols eyes went wide in mock surprise, "But I thought the café was in the other direction."

Syaoran was not amused. "I don't have time for this."

Eriol did not take the hidden 'buzz off' hint and began walking with his favorite person to bug. "What's this Syaoran?" indicating the costume in his hands.

"Ernie"

"Ernie. THE Ernie, the coffee cup that people always push around and spill drinks on?"

"That's the one."

There was a short silence as the two walked before Eriol promptly burst out laughing on the spot. "Oh man! I can't wait till I tell Tomo and Sakura!"

"NO! You will NOT, absolutely not tell either of them!"

Eriol's laughter was now more or less under control, although one could still see the mirth that hid behind his mischievous eyes as they met Syaorans best glare.

"Aahhh I see, you want it to be a surprise for when they get there. I see, don't worry buddy, your secrets safe with me."

Syaoran gave an exasperated sigh rolling his eyes and walking into the dry cleaners. "Nothing gets past you Eriol."

"Anyway, I'm off to Tomoyo's so have fun with your 'ultimate working experience'."

"I really wish you would stop calling it that." But Eriol was already gone and the attendant had already taken the costume, there was nowhere else to go but back to 'his ultimate working experience'."

S S S S S S S S

Eriol rang the doorbell on the front gate of Tomoyo's home where he was promptly let in and went to Tomoyo's room where he was still grinning mischievously from ear to ear.

"What so amusing Eriol? Must be something good to have you so amused."

"Oh lets just say Ernie has a new friend."

S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.

It was a reasonably warm night even though weathermen everywhere were broadcasting a large summer storm warning for later that evening. Even still Sakura, Tomoyo and Eriol set out from the large 'home' in regular summer attire; Sakura in a new pale green halter-top and white shorts with Tomoyo in cool summer dress. Both girls linking arms with Eriol on each side as they walked down the street to the café for the evening.

"So what exactly is this surprise Eriol? Even Syaoran wouldn't tell me."

"Ah Sakura, he is the last person who would tell you."

"Why's that?"

"You'll see."

"I hate times when not even Tomoyo can get you to talk."

"Oh I know."

"Tomoyo! And you wont tell me either!"

"Oh trust me it'll be a lot better when we get there."

Sakura unlinked her arm crossing them over her chest glaring at her friends. "Oh look its Ernie! Looks like no one has spilt a drink on him yet, although it is still early. I feel kind of bad for the poor loser in there."

Sakura looked over at her two snickering friends completely confused. "What? Whats so funny?"

Neither answered as Eriol simply walked up to the large gesturing espresso putting an arm around its…handle. "How's it going Ernie?"

"Shut up Eriol"

"Syaoran!" Sakura ran up to her costumed friend and tried to hold in her laughter, attempting to pass it off as surprise, and failing.

The large smiling cup shock its self in a negative, waving and gesturing for them to go inside. "It is you! I'd recognize that regal stance anywhere!" at this both Tomoyo and Eriol burst out laughing, Sakura still stood there trying to get her friend to speak, oblivious to what she had just said.

"You might as well admit it man, it's your own fault for giving it away by talking."

Syaoran tried his best to appear angry from inside the costume but it was pretty hopeless considering the espresso cup he was wearing was smiling the happiest smile he'd ever seen and he was wearing a cotton hat that was supposed to be foam, so he had to settle for crossing his arms and growling. This of course only brought forth more laughter before Sakura stopped wiping tears from her eyes and hugged Syaoran apologizing and going inside saying they would wait for him.

"See wasn't it better that you waited?"

"I will admit that it wouldn't have been as funny. But did you see him trying to be angry. I think that just made it ten times funnier."

They all ordered a coffee and watched the first few performances by various walk-ons. Half of them had gone up on a dare or because they had lost a bet and ended up humiliating themselves, which in secret was half the reason why people went to the shop. The night was all about making a fool of yourself and your friends, as well as seeing the latest local band.

It was halfway though someone's comedic act that Sakura noticed 'Ernie' was no longer outside the shop and that Syaoran was behind the counter talking to Brian, Jin, and Sato and they were all holding instruments, with an exception of Jin who she supposed was the owner of the drum-set on the 'stage'.

"Hey guys, looks like they got together a new coffee shop group."

"Oh yea, I bet they're on next."

"Wrong Eriol, I'm on next."

"Tomoyo! Really, it's been a while since you last sang something here on a Friday."

"Yeah, alright, here I go."

"And a popular favorite is back with us tonight, lets welcome up Tomoyo Daidouji!" Kaho smiled giving Tomoyo a light squeeze on the shoulder before walking off and giving the mic to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo took a deep breath and started to sing:

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath.
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth.
Tell me that we belong together,
Dress it out with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips,
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide.
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed.
You're my survival, you're my living proof.
My love is alive not dead.
Tell me that we belong together.
Dress it out with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips,
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide.
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.


I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead.
Tuned in, turned on, remembered the things that you said

I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide.
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.

There was a long loud cheer as Tomoyo finished her song and bowed blushing before she walked back to her seat where Eriol kissed her soundly, sending more cat calls into the air and making Tomoyo's cheeks an even brighter shade of pink.

Kaho returned to the stage still clapping. "Well, lets see if my favorite employees can top Tomoyo's performance. Its all yours boys."

There was a loud cheer as the four boys took up their places on the stage and Syaoran stepped up to the mic. "Man we really should have gone after you Tomoyo, setting the bar that high, man. Alright guys, lets go."

There was a count off with drumsticks before there was an explosion of sound, the guitars and drums starting off right away.

Some of the ugliest things took the longest time to make
And some of the easiest habits are the hardest one's to break
And I'm not asking for value nor the pain but I am asking
For a way out of this lie

Chorus
Because I can't wait for you to catch up with me
And I can't live in the past and drown myself in memories

Welcome to nowhere and finding out where it is
And fixing your problems and starting over again
Your feeding your ego with what you can see outside
And your killing yourself for not speaking your mind

Because I can't wait for you to catch up with me
And I can't live in the past and drown myself in memories

In memory

Sakura sat mesmerized; she never knew Syaoran could sing like that. Hell she didn't know he could sing at all. She couldn't really do anything but stare at him as she sang, she realized, with his eyes closed.

Bridge
I wonder why you make believe you live your life straight through me
I cannot understand why you question me and then you lie
I will not justify your way's I cannot show you an escape
I do not know you any more, I never knew you anyway

Because I can't wait for you to catch up with me
And I can't live in the past and drown myself in memories
Because I can't wait

And I can't live in the past and drown myself in memories
In memory

The instruments died out and there was a loud cheer before they quieted down as they began starting a new song

I feel like there is no need for conversation
Some questions are better left without a reason
And I would rather reveal myself than my situation
Now and then I consider, my hesitation
The more the light shines through me
I pretend to close my eyes
The more the dark consumes me
I pretend I'm burning, burning bright

I wonder if the things I did were just to be different
To spare myself of the constant shame of my existence
And I would surely redeem myself in my desperation
Here and now I'll express, my situation

CHORUS (2)

There's nothing ever wrong but nothing's ever right
Such a cruel contradiction
I know I cross the lines its not easy to define
I'm born to indecision
There's always something new some path I'm supposed to choose
With no particular rhyme or reason

The more the light shines through me
I pretend to close my eyes
The more the dark consumes me
I pretend I'm burning, burning bright

I feel like there is no need for conversation

The song ended with everyone standing and cheering in which the guys took a bow and all but Brian and Syaoran walked off and everyone started calming down eager for the next song. Kaho brought out a stool for Syaoran to sit on as he adjusted his guitar in his lap.

Syaoran took a deep breath leaning up to the mic "I know you're here, and I just want you to know…

Thank you for this moment
I've gotta say how beautiful you are
Of all the hopes and dreams I could have prayed for
Here you are
If I could have one dance forever
I would take you by the hand
Tonight it's you and I together
I'm so glad, I'm your man
And if I lived a thousand years
You know I never could explain
The way I lost my heart to you
that day
but if destiny decided I should look the other way
then the world would never know
the greatest story ever told
and did I tell you that I love you
tonight
I don't hear the music
When I'm looking in your eyes
But I feel the rhythm of your body
Close to mine
It's the way we touch, it soothes me
It's the way we'll always be
your kiss your pretty smile
you know i'd die for
oh baby
you're all i need
And if I lived a thousand years
You know I never could explain
The way I lost my heart to you
that day
but if destiny decided I should look the other way
then the world would never know
the greatest story ever told
and did I tell you that I love you
just how much i really need you
did I tell you that I love you
tonight
tonight
And if I lived a thousand years
You know I never could explain
The way I lost my heart to you
that day
but if destiny decided I should look the other way
then the world would never know
the greatest story ever told
and did I tell you that I love you
just how much I really need you
did I tell you that I love you tonight

Sakura only stared at him, his long bangs hanging over his eyes looking back at her, and even though he didn't say it, she knew he was singing for her, too her. He loved her, something she'd never thought would happen to her. And…she…she didn't know but…they would never be together…they couldn't. All she could to was cry, and run.

And all Syaoran could do was watch her back as she retreated out of the small shop hoping he hadn't totally messed things up forever.

S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S

The night had turned cold. Not a night you would likely go out into wearing shorts and thin shirt but she had despite the weather. Ignoring previous warnings of rain she was there. In all the places she could have gone, she came to a small bench beside a polluted lake even the ducks avoided. Her bare legs were drawn up to her chest, her arms bound tightly around them. Her auburn tresses, hanging loosely from a messy pony tale, hung over her face shielding a majority of it from view.

The night was quiet as most people were indoors preparing to hunker down for the night eager to sleep through the rain and have only to wake up to the bright morning. Although for this one, morning would only come to soon. Yes, she could wait till morning as only a solitary thought ran through her mind. It was the same thought that had been running through her head the entire day.

She loved him, he was leaving…and there was nothing she could do to make him stay…

She blinked away tears and laughed in irony at the thought. All she had ever wanted was love and now that she'd found it she would never have it. And that was just something she would have to come to accept.

A cold wind blew past her from across the lake and she looked over, gazing into the murky water when the unmistakable sound of someone walking on the gravel path brought her out of her staring contest with the oily depths. She couldn't help the slight hitch in her breath or the small flip her heart and stomach did at the sight of him.

"S-Syaoran. What are you doing out here? Don't you listen to the news? They say it's going to rain. You- you should be inside waiting for it to pass."

He only smirked and sat down next to her. "Shouldn't I be saying the same to you? What are you doing out here, and dressed like that?"

"What's wrong with the way I dress?"

"Nothing, just aren't you cold?"

Sakura turned her gaze away from him staring back down at the murky water. "I'll get used to it."

Syaoran turned to look at her melancholy face when the first of the raindrops started to fall. Both ignored the small drops of water that fell from the gray sky above them.

"Why the long face? Shouldn't you be more excited? I thought the day they got married was supposed to be the most exciting day of a girls life"

"Just nervous I guess. It's in a week…that's basically all I know." She looked up tearfully at him suppressing a small shudder of cold that threatened to travel up her spine. "I'm scared."

Syaoran smiled slightly and stood taking up a position in front of her holding out a gentle hand and patient smile. "Come on"

Sakura only looked up confused at his gesture. "What are you doing?"

Syaoran's kind smile never wavered as he leaned forward till his mouth was next to her waiting ear. "Asking you for a dance." He pulled back to see her shocked face melt into a look he knew only too well, the look that said 'you're crazy'.

"But there's no music."

Syaoran only ignored her comment and took her hand into his own and led her onto the gravel path. Sakura watched in silently as he softly placed her hands onto his shoulder, wrapping his own arms around her waist. His face was by her ear again and this time she couldn't suppress the shiver that traveled up her spine like a thousand spiders as his breath rang in her sensitive ear. "Sure there is. Just listen."

She relaxed into his hold, resting both arms on his broad shoulders placing her tired head on his chest and listened.

Listed to the rain falling around them taking in every sound as the rain hit the earth. The deeper crisp sound of rain smacking onto pavement, the higher soprano of water on water sending small waves out carrying the note out in a soft harmony all with the underlying tone of Syaoran's beating heart. It was beautiful and she couldn't help but smile as their bodies swayed to the melody around them.

Syaoran looked down at the smaller girl in his arms, her soft smile not going unnoticed and his arms unconsciously held her closer. "There's the Sakura I know. That depressed lump I saw must have been an illusion."

Sakura chuckled softly. "Yes, she must have been, psh, imposter. I guess she didn't fool you for a second."

"Never. There's nothing like the real thing." There was a slight pause to his words before he sighed quietly and continued, "the man who gets you will be very lucky to have you. And if he doesn't treat you right, I swear I'll come beat him up myself."

Sakura couldn't help but laugh, which in turn caused Syaoran to frown. "I'm serious."

"I know, that's why it's funny. I know if you were to ever find out he wasn't treating me like a queen and didn't allow me to follow my dream then you really would beat him down."

Syaoran's face adorned a forlorn look and his hold on her loosened a fraction, allowing Sakura to look up to see his hurt face. "Would you tell him your dream?"

She could hear the hurt in his voice and her spirits dampened. She couldn't look at him like that and buried her face back into his chest pulling him closer, taking in deep breaths of his manly sent. Neither moved, they just stood, the rain falling around them continuing their song, holding the moment.

"You know those big tall buildings you see in the movies? The kind where you know from the top you'd be able to see everything. That's where I want to live. Top floor in a little pent house. It wouldn't have to be real fancy, just enough to call home. Maybe two bedrooms, just in case a guest came over they had someplace to sleep. A small kitchen would be nice; someplace I could make hot chocolate in the winter, lemonade in the summer and cook nice food. There would have to be a window seat somewhere, some place where I could sit comfortably and read or just look out over the city and think. I would have a dog, German Shepard, real big and hairy named Bear." He eyes glazed over and she couldn't help but smile as she told this man, this person she had only known a little over a month, yet loved like she'd known him her whole life, her dream, all she'd ever wanted. She was quiet but her feet moved as she heard the music around her fill her senses once again and they continued dancing. Syaoran remained quiet, he knew she wasn't done yet, her reminiscing smile told him that much. All he had to do was hold her, dance, and wait.

"I would be a dancer. Professional, maybe a choreographer or just teach in a small dance studio or something, pass on my passion to others. I don't know, but I would dance. I wouldn't care as long as I got to dance and do what I love doing.

I don't care how unrealistic it is, but that's my dream."

"You didn't have to tell me if-"

"No, I wanted to tell you…"

There was a long pause and Sakura pulled away from him and looked up and have him a small smile. "You're free to laugh and tell me to get my head out of the clouds now."

…."Bear?"

"Yes Bear. That's really all you're going to say? No 'Sakura you're crazy' 'There's no way that could ever happen.' 'Does a place like that even exist?' 'You're such a dreamer!' 'Get your head out of the clouds and come down to reality' 'Do I need to send you to a therapist?'"

Syaoran only smiled, "well I thought about saying that but I believe in you. You can do it if you try hard enough."

"So you're not going to laugh?" Her eyes looked up from the ground, a move she instantly regretted as a small shiver crawled up her wet body. All she saw were his soft smile and honest eyes as he took of his mostly wet coat and placed it over her shoulders. "No, I'm not going to laugh, although I can if you really want me to." His voice was soft and barley above a whisper that held a slight laugh behind it.

She couldn't help the small blush that crept over her cheeks and she looked down again trying to hide it. Only to have Syaoran place a warm hand under her chin angling it up again and she couldn't fight the way his yes locked onto hers, drawing her closer to him.

"Syaoran I-" She gasped as she felt his warm breath caress her face. Her eyes squeezed shut as she placed her hands flat on his chest and gently pushed herself away, looking sadly back into pained amber orbs. "I- I'm so sorry. I should go home. Storms getting worse."

His hands dropped to his sides and he sighed nodding in understanding as she turned to walk back to her own home and as he turned to do the same he heard her voice sent him doubling back. "Your jacket."

"Keep it. I don't want you catching a cold. Till we meet again."

Sakura bit her lip and turned back in the direction of her house pulling the coat closer around her mumbling a small "yeah…till then."

Alright guys, the long awaited (maybe for some of you) chapter of 'Routine'. I hope it gave you some of the fluffy sadness that you were looking for. I can't tell you how sorry I am that it took me this long. I wrote it and was about to post it before I realized a huge chunk was missing and I had to write that and then I got swamped by school and now I'm mega sick and am bored so I made more improvements (although I'm not so sure you can tell XP).

By the way, I do not own the songs I used in this fic! The song Tomoyo sang is "I'll be" by Edwin McCain, the two songs the 'band' sung are "In Memory" and "Burning Bright" both by Shinedown the last song was "Greatest Story Ever Told" Sung by Oliver James. The song originally put in was "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt and it was actually the song that first inspired me to write this fic and gave me the idea, but then I heard this song and was like OMG! And had to replace it. But I love both songs to death so go download them today! They're good songs, and if you hear it I hope you'll agree.

Anyway, tell me what ya'll think of my longest chapter yet. -