A/N: Here you are. It it nota oneshot, people.

Seating arrangements go like this:

wall ! Naoko, Syaoran, Sakura, Rika

end of table ! Meilin

wall ! Takashi, Chiharu, Eriol, Tomoyo

Disclaimer: CLAMP owns CCS. Yep.

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- - - - -

ChronicallyLate

SakuraSyaoran

- - - - -

"Kinimoto-chan! Happy birthday!"

Sakura suddenly found her arms full of a very smiley Meilin Li, as soon as she stepped through the spacious threshold of Café Li. She gently wriggled free of her grasp and stared at Syaoran's cousin.

Meilin Li was a sharp type of girl--ruby eyes bright and intimidating, and lips ready to carry out the Li scowl (or smirk, as the occasion called it to be). Long ebony hair cascaded behind her back, tied up into two hair buns. (and at this point Sakura wondered how come Syaoran always picked on Chiharu's pigtails, but never on his cousin's. Probably because Meilin could beat him up if he did--they were good in martial arts, both of them.) She was wearing the classic cheongsam, scarlet red and embroidered intricately with the Li family emblem: the circle of yin and yang. Wow.

Sakura stared down belatedly on her own outfit: white sleeveless turtleneck top, gossamer pink skirt, chunky white sandals...she couldn't help but feel a little inferior.

"Kinimoto-chan?"

Sakura blinked, and bowed automatically, face red.

"Oooh, sorry, Meilin-chan, sorry!" Clasping her hands together, she went on," We were late because of me! Sorry!"

"Nah," her voice said happily. "It's alright. We kind of...guessed that you were going to be late."

Sakura straightened up, eyes wide. "Huh?"

"You're always late, anyway!" She said jokingly, grinning once again.

Well...that sort of...hurt, Sakura thought, biting her lip. Am I always that late?

"Sakura-chan," a loud voice drawled from behind her, and she felt two hands grasp her shoulders firmly. "You can get out of the doorway now, 'cause people are going through."

She glanced back into a faceful of smirking Syaoran. "U-uh! O-okay, sorry!"

She let herself be maneuvered into the restaurant, wondering if she was blushing because of embarrassment, or because Syaoran's fingers were digging into her shoulders--it tickled. Stop blushing, Sakura!

- - - - -

"That. Was. Awesome," Takashi said happily, eyes crinkling up more than usual.

Syaoran sighed contentedly in agreement. The Café Li really was worthy of the Li name; the food was scrumptious. Although Sakura accidentally sent an oyster shell flying, it really was a wonderful dinner.

They were now seated comfortably around the against-the-wall table; plush leather seats molding to them. Tomoyo, Rika, and Meilin were in an animated conversation about the current fashion trend. Chiharu and Sakura were talking about the upcoming Tomoeda University exhibit. He, Takashi, Eriol, and Naoko were in the midst of a discussion about the newest Ford model--Naoko was planning on buying it.

"...I say you should wait for next year's model," Eriol said firmly. "It's bound to be much better."

"But my current car's not going to make it till next year!" Naoko argued back. Spectacles flashed at each other. Syaoran shook his head resignedly--here they go again.

"Umf."

He blinked, feeling Sakura jerk repeatedly beside him. "Sakura...?"

"Oh, she just swallowed some water the wrong way," Chiharu said casually, pointing to the water glass clutched in the auburn-haired girl's white fingers.

"Pssh," Syaoran smirked slightly, massaging his best friend's back in small comforting (he hoped) circles, like he usually did, 'cause Sakura always choked on something one way or another, as a result of trying to eat or drink too fast, which was a result of her hyperness. "Thought something happened to you, yeah," he murmured out of the corner of his mouth.

She panted a bit and straightened her back, smiling back at him. "T-Thanks, Syaoran-kun."

"Nothin' to it."

"Go on, Sakura-san, keep on smiling. My cousin seems to like the view," Eriol drawled loudly, grinning in that infuriating Cheshire way.

Syaoran froze as the whole table stopped to stare at him and Sakura. Uh. It was the lighting, yeah. Dim, warm lighting made Sakura seem to blush, but she really wasn't. 'cause you don't blush around your best friend. Syaoran immediately let his hand drop as he felt blood rush up his cheeks.

"...and revenge is served," his cousin grinned even more broadly.

Beside him, Meilin leant close to Tomoyo's ear, and whispered something. The raven-haired girl giggled loudly, and she started staring at the two of them. Knowing Tomoyo, she was probably fervently wishing she brought her videocamera...and knowing Tomoyo even more, it's probable that she did bring a videocam.

"Stop staring," Sakura said confusedly. "Do I have something on my teeth? Something on my clothes?"

Eriol heaved a sigh. "There's a huge something called Syaoran who's staring at you like--"

"You can start opening your gifts now," he said as loud as he can through gritted teeth, cutting off his cousin's words. Someday, preferably now, he dearly wanted to wring Eriol's neck. Yeah.

- - - - -

"Yay!" Sakura squealed, clapping her hands excitedly. Of course, it was her birthday...the presents were something she really looked forward to.

"Oh, you look so kawaii..." Tomoyo trailed off dreamily. Sakura raised an incredulous eyebrow; her best friend was holding her trusty videocamera...again. Tomoyo had started filming her the day after they met (which was almost ten years ago), and there were no signs she was going to stop doing so anytime soon. "Open mine first."

She pushed a beribboned box across the just-cleared table, and Sakura carefully undid the red ribbon and took the lid off. She grinned gratefully; nestled inside the mounds of light green tissue paper was a silk chartreuse nightgown. She ran light fingers across the fabric; it actually was real silk--testament to the fact that Tomoyo was really, really rich. And it was probably Tomoyo's own design too. "It's gorgeous," she breathed. "Thank you so much, Tomoyo-chan."

"It's all right," she giggled, waving a pale hand behind her videocam.

"Here's mine," Eriol said, setting down a sleek black case, about the size of her hand, on the table. "Hope you like it."

Eyebrows furrowing slightly, she reached for the case.

"Wow."

Sakura stared down into the opened case, and Syaoran leant closer to her to take a better look. She heard him gasp.

"Are...are these..." she stammered, staring up into the bespectacled boy's serene face. "...these...real...?"

He nodded, shrugging. "Emeralds only. Rest are Swarovski ones."

She stared back into the case, eyes fixed on the sparkling bracelet lying on the black velvet. Emeralds alternated with every five clear crystals, and the from the silver clasp dangled a medium-sized emerald heart. "...I'm pretty speechless."

"Ah, Hiirigazawa-kun," Meilin said loudly. "You've overdone yourself...what about us poor mortals, huh?"

He shrugged once again, identical smiles blooming on his and Meilin's faces.

Fierce ruby eyes turned to face her, and Sakura snapped the case shut nervously.

"This is from me," she said briskly, handing Sakura a small and narrow paper bag. She pried the top open and drew out a scarlet box. Inside was a signature fruity fragrance--the one Sakura had had her eye on for something like half a year now.

"Hey, Meilin-chan...I've wanted this forever, you know," she grinned at the ebony-haired manager. "Thanks."

"We decided to give you a joint gift," Chiharu voiced out, pressing a white envelope into her hand. Takashi nodded beside her. Sakura carefully slit the envelope open, and took out a voucher for her favorite restaurant downtown. She beamed at the couple.

Naoko tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, me and Rika...our gifts complement each other, see. 'cause great minds think alike."

Rika heaved up another paper bag, pink this time, up on her lap and into Sakura's. "It's kinda heavy...you can always ask Li-kun to carry it for you, anyway."

Sakura sneaked a glance at Syaoran out of the corner of her eye, and quickly looked away: the chestnut-haired boy was staring at her. Uhm. Awkward. Okay. She hurriedly undid the ribbon holding the bag closed. Inside, she could see a pretty thick book titled "Crafts and More Crafts: Teddy Bear Edition", and a clear plastic box nestled beside, with the words "Craft Box Supplies" across its side. She couldn't help but squeal; teddy bears were something of an obsession to her. "Oh, Naoko-chan, Rika-chan! Thank you!" She giggled inanely, hugging the bag to her chest.

"Well then, they do say save the best for last," Eriol suddenly said loudly, folding his arms in a knowing way. Sakura felt her cheeks heat up as she turned to her best boy friend.

Fire had been sprinkled liberally across Syaoran's cheeks, and he ran a hand through his hair nervously. His amber eyes were looking straight down at the table. "Sorry if mine is pretty simple, Sakura-chan," he muttered, bringing out a medium-sized circular box (a/n: 'cause that's what it is. Like a hat box. Okay.) from under the table, around which was tied a simple white ribbon.

She shook her head. "All I care about is that I do get a gift," she said jokingly, setting down Naoko and Rika's gift on the floor in front of her feet.

"Right," he said faintly, pushing the box in her general direction, determinedly not looking at her.

Eyebrows furrowing once more, she undid the ribbon and lifted the top off.

"...Syaoran-kun!"

Propped up against the side of the box was a very-soft looking teddy bear, honey-colored amber with a deep green ribbon tied around its neck, and adorable sienna eyes. She took it out and held it in both hands, unable to control her smile.

Meilin and Eriol burst into laughter, and Tomoyo sighed dreamily, focusing the camera lens on her even more. Chiharu and Takashi 'awwed', Naoko beamed, and Riku blushed (probably thinking of the teddy bear she gave to their prof).

"Syao! This is so cute!" she giggled, making the bear dance on the table.

He sighed in relief, and turned to her, amber meeting jade green. "You like it?"

She nodded.

"...'cause I've never made a teddy bear before."

Eriol let out a low whistle. "Syaoran, you actually made the bear?"

Syaoran twiddled his thumbs. "Yeah...and Sakura, look inside the box again."

Curious, Sakura set the bear propped up on her lap, and peered inside the box once again. In the midst of the thin paper crumpled inside was another, much smaller, white velvet case, and an envelope, on which 'Sakura' was written in Syaoran's precise handwriting. "What...?"

She snapped the case open.

"...uh, Li-kun," Rika started. "Don't tell me that's handmade too."

"Okay, I won't tell you."

"...you made this?" Sakura gasped, examining the piece of jewelry.

A pendant made of perfectly clear crystal was lying neatly inside the case; a star enclosed in a circle, with tiny crystal wings on either side. A small crystal bar extended from the bottom, in the semblance of a key. (a/n think Sakura's star pendant--gone crystal and sparkly) The pendant dangled from a finely wrought silver necklace.

Syaoran shrugged. "The university once had a gemcutting workshop...you know, the one you wanted to sign up for but couldn't because you already had cooking class."

"I didn't know my cousin was capable of such...fine work," Meilin said, surprised.

Sakura stared at the pendant.

"Sorry; it's just plain crystal, Sakura-chan," Syaoran muttered in her direction, head bowed. "It's okay if you don't like it, I can make you another one, and--"

"Silly!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her best friend (she felt that should be repeated for emphasis) and proceeding to hug the living daylights out of him. With her arms wrapped securely around his waist, she whispered in his ear, "I like your gift the best, Syaoran."

Her heart pounded in her ears as she realized how that sounded...

"Glad you liked it, Sakura," he whispered gleefully (never mind that she squirmed because his breath tickled her earlobe), hugging her back tightly.

Tomoyo squealed, and Sakura could almost hear Eriol smirk.

- - - - -

"See you guys at the university!"

"Chiharu! Don't forget our project!"

"Come back soon!" Meilin waved enthusiastically from the front steps of Café Li. Syaoran gave a little wave himself before driving off, tires, thankfully, not squealing.

Naoko, Rika, Chiharu, and Takashi had all gone the opposite direction, seeing that they lived on the other side of Tomoeda district. Tomoyo and Eriol (both resolutely not looking at each other) had slid into the back seat of his car, Eriol tapping on his cellphone, and Tomoyo in another animated conversation with Sakura, this time, about Daidouji Corporation's bid on fashion.

"...and you'd be the designer!" The auburn-haired girl squealed, twisting around under her seatbelt in an impressive display of flexibility.

"It'll be great! And you can be our model! Yay!" Tomoyo leant forward in between Sakura and him, continuing their animated conversation.

"No way, Tomo-chan--"

"Tomoyo-chan," Eriol said loudly from the back seat, "Sit down. You might get thrown into the windshield or something."

Syaoran felt the raven-haired girl look slowly back and stare at his cousin. He smirked. Eriol was getting what he deserved.

"...fine. But if you get hurt, don't blame me."

And so the girls carried on with their discussion.

He adjusted the rearview mirror and caught the reflection of his cousin. Eriol rolled his sapphire eyes and mouthed 'Girls.'. Syaoran gave a little shrug, and turned his eyes back on the road.

On which a bright yellow sixteen-wheeler was careening straight towards them.

Naoko's the good one at this! He yelled silently as he swerved the car hard to the left, spinning the steering wheel as fast as he could, foot stepping sporadically on the gas pedal. Sakura and Tomoyo screamed in unison, and a loud thump followed--Syaoran surmised it must be Tomoyo getting thrown back.

He skidded the car to a stop, front wheels barely mounting the sidewalk. Syaoran looked around his seat , and found a blushing Tomoyo thrown backwards, right into an even redder Eriol, whose face was scrunched up in a mixture of pain, nervousness, and glee.

"...I'm not saying I told you so," the midnight-haired teen winced. "Now geroff me."

"Shut up," she breathed, straightening up and brushing imaginary dirt off her skirt.

Eriol smirked.

Syaoran sighed, and turned to Sakura. His best friend was still white-faced and panting, but okay nonetheless. Still, it never hurt to ask. "You okay?"

She turned to face him, jade green eyes wide and fearful. She still does look beautiful-- "You are no Naoko, Syaoran! Don't pull stunts like that!" She yelled angrily.

"It was either I do it or we die," he said calmly, starting the car once again and maneuvering it back onto the road.

"But still!"

"...eh, Sakura-chan, I'd really prefer you reach your next birthday," Syaoran stated flatly, keeping his eyes on the road. Too bad he didn't get the plate number of that truck.

"Of course you do! Gah!" She threw her hands up in frustration.

Now Syaoran smiled.

- - - - -

"License, registration, visitor's pass please."

Sakura stared. She did knowthat the Daidouji mansion had security, but this...? At the gate no less than six black-suited figures were standing, each with a walkie-talkie, shades, and most probably, a loaded gun.

"It's okay, Lou. They're with me," Tomoyo spoke up, leaning slightly in order to be seen through Syaoran's window.

"Miss Daidouji, you know the drill," the bodyguard spoke sternly. She sighed and got out of the car, muttering "This'll take a sec."

"I guess this means no nighttime escapades for you and Daidouji-chan, Eriol," Syaoran was saying, stretching his arms above his head. A second later, he was rubbing the side of his head, for his cousin had given him a pretty sharp smack.

Tomoyo got back inside the car and sighed exasperatedly. "Okaa-san's having a dinner party tonight--explains the security."

The steel-grilled gates opened, and the car slowly drove inside, around the manicured lawn and right in front of the Daidouji mahogany front doors, in front of which their butler and more security milled around.

"Well, this is where I go," she said sadly, unlocking her door and opening it, hands securely around her videocamera.

"See you tomorrow, Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "Thanks for the gift!"

"G'bye, Daidouji-chan," Syaoran nodded slightly, hands still gripping the steering wheel.

"...G'night, Tomoyo-chan," Eriol said distantly, folding his hands together, determinedly staring at the floor. Sakura beamed--as Tomoyo would have said it--so kawaii.

"B'bye guys."

She slid out of the door and onto the pavement, where a horde of security people were waiting for her.

"..."

"..."

"...I gotta do something." Eriol said suddenly, opening his own door and almost leaping out. "You two have fun," Sakura heard him say before he closed the door quietly.

"Took him long enough," Syaoran said knowingly, folding his arms. Sakura giggled, as she watched Eriol jog up to Tomoyo before she went inside. He tapped her on the shoulder and she whirled around, going white-faced. Eriol then scratched his head, and Tomoyo peered up at him. He said something, and she blushed visibly, even from far away. They both turned, and went into the Daidouji mansion together.

"Their kid's pretty lucky," he went on. "Fabulously rich even before the age of one."

"Yeah. They'd spoil them rotten," she agreed, as Syaoran drove off and out of the gate.

A very uncomfortable pause, that shouldn't really be uncomfortable, 'cause they've been alone together for innumerable times now, and at even later times than nine in the evening.

Sakura stared at her hands, and twiddled her fingers, stealing a glance at her best friend's profile.

Syaoran had a well-defined nose, and lips that could curve into a smile or a smirk anytime. Intense amber eyes were focused on the street, and unruly chestnut hair covered a brain that had magna cum laude (a/n: latin for with higher honors) standing.

He was wearing a crisp white polo, unbuttoned, with a forest green shirt underneath, underneath which Sakura knew lay a body that was tanned and toned, 'cause he was a soccer goalie--she should know; she had been cheering him on ever since fourth grade.

Cripes, he was gorgeous. She immediately blushed, and turned back to examining her hands.

...sometimes she wished they were more than best friends, but Syaoran didn't seem to be interested in girls of her type. Well, you can't have everything in this world, anyway.

"Let's go for a drive around Tomoeda."

She blinked, and turned to stare at him curiously. It wasn't a question; it was more like a declaration--a statement. He glanced at her, and smiled slightly.

Well...it's still early, anyway. Blushing, she nodded in agreement.

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'cause I want to write fluff. Don't like it? Tell me. Like it? Tell me. Should I write more? Tell me.

That purple button needs love. XD