Edit: 3/2021
Chapter 11: Priceless Gift
It was early in the morning, where a small chestnut color wolf sneaked into the dark kitchen. He was waiting for this moment for everyone to fell deeply asleep. The tiny four paws struggle to climb up the wooden chair. The tail wagged excitedly as he could smell the delicious scent of strawberry cupcakes. As the small wolf finally reached to the top of the table, his amber eyes couldn't look away from the delicious cupcakes. The little wolf ran to the cupcakes and began eating as if his life depended on it. Then suddenly the light turned on.
"What the hell are you doing?" said an angry voice. Little Wolf froze as the last pieces of cupcake melted in his mouth. Little Wolf look behind him and found Touya glaring at him. Little Wolf quickly stuffed the last cupcake into his mouth and chew uncontrollably.
"Sakura!" yelled out Touya. Touya held up Little Wolf by his collar.
"You called?" said Sakura, tiredly. Sakura walked into the kitchen, wearing her pink pajama.
"Why can't your Little Wolf just eat normal dog foods?" wondered Touya, annoyed. Sakura looked up at Little Wolf and noticed white icing all over Little Wolf's face.
Sakura sighed helplessly. "What can I say? This is not a normal wolf," thought Sakura.
"Here," said Touya as he tossed Little Wolf to Sakura. Sakura caught Little Wolf with both of her hands.
"Morning Sakura," said Syaoran as he licked off the icing off his nose.
Sakura looked down at Little Wolf. "Who will believe me that this baby wolf is actually a human named, Syaoran. Wait let me correct that, a mini wolf," thought Sakura, helplessly.
RingRingRing Touya grabbed his cell phone from his pocket.
"Hello?" Touya stood still for a moment, trying to figure out the familiar voice on the other line.
"Yukito?" said Touya softly. Sakura heart throbbed when she heard Yukito's name.
"Do you know it's six in the morning?" said Touya. Sakura slowly moved closer to Touya, trying to hear Yukito's voice from the phone.
"Okay, I'll be there," said Touya as he hung up the phone. Touya glanced over at Sakura, who was awfully close to him.
"Who was that?" wondered Sakura.
"Nobody," answered Touya.
"But you just talked to somebody," said Sakura
"I need to go to work," said Touya.
"Work? This early in the morning?" said Sakura.
"Yep," responded Touya as he quickly put on his shoes.
"There's some frozen food you can heat up," said Touya.
"Where are you-" Before Sakura finished her sentenced, Touya rushed out of the house.
"Going…" Sakura stared at the front door.
"Was it really Yukito?" wondered Sakura, curiously. Then a second later, Sakura quickly grabbed her white sweater and put on her roller blade. Sakura dashed out of the house as she held Little Wolf in her arms. Sakura saw Touya at the end of the street riding his bike. Sakura quickly rode her blade along the street.
"Sakura, slow down!" cried out Syaoran as he held tightly onto Sakura's shirt. When Sakura reached at the end of the street, she lost sight of Touya.
"Where did he go?" said Sakura as she breath heavily. There were three possible ways Touya could have gone; straight, left, or right. Sakura continued to move along the street and made a sudden right turn. Right when Sakura made her turn, a cab suddenly appeared in front of her.
BEEEEP! Sakura looked to her right and noticed the cab was not stopping.
"Ahhhh!" screamed Sakura out loud. Sakura closed her eyes as she fell on the solid cement.
"Watch where you're going!" shouted a middle aged man.
"You watch where you going! You almost killed us!" Sakura heard Syaoran shout out loud. Sakura slowly opened her eyes and noticed Syaoran beside her, protecting her from the car. The man blinked a couple of times as he stared at Syaoran naked body. Sakura froze stiff as her jaw dropped.
"Stay out of the road kids and wear some cloths," said the man as he drove off.
"Are you okay, Sakura?" asked Syaoran, worried. As Syaoran turned around toward Sakura, Sakura's eyes widen surprised. Sakura's nose suddenly burst out fresh blood and at the same time she fell back unconscious.
Few hours later…
"Don't worry, she'll be fine. She just got small scratches on her arm and knee, but nothing serious," Sakura heard someone say. Sakura slowly open her eyes as she began to regain conscious. As Sakura open her eyes, she found a familiar black cub sitting in front of her.
Eriol yawned out loud. "I can't believe you storm into my apartment for this. Normal person would take her to the hospital," said Eriol
"I panicked. Beside you were close by," said Syaoran
"By the way, how in earth did you find out where I live?" asked Eriol
"You do smell pretty bad," commented Syaoran. BAM! Eriol smacked Syaoran on the head.
"Ow! What was that for?!" yelled out Syaoran as he rubbed his head, painfully. Sakura lay motionless as she observed the small dark room she was in. The room was plain as it only had a bed and a closet. Sakura glanced at the cracked door, where she heard Eriol and Syaoran conversations.
"Hey Eriol, can I borrow some money" asked Syaoran.
"No," answered Eriol, bluntly.
"You didn't even ask why," said Syaoran.
"Doesn't matter," said Eriol.
"It's something really important," said Syaoran.
"Like I said, it doesn't matter," reminded Eriol.
"But you promise to help," said Syaoran.
Eriol glanced at Syaoran, dully. "Is it about Sakura again?"
Syaoran nodded excitedly. "Yep!"
Eriol sighed helplessly.
"Actually, it's her birthday today," said Syaoran.
"Her birthday?" retorted Eriol.
"My birthday?" mumbled Sakura. Sakura quickly sat up from the bed and thought for a long moment.
"Today is my birthday?" questioned Sakura to herself.
Bark! The black cub barked as he wagged his tail, excitedly. Sakura glanced down at the cub and noticed he was blushing. Sakura then slowly glanced down at her chest.
"AHHH!" hollered Sakura as she realized she was only wearing a bra and her underwear. Syaoran and Eriol quickly ran inside the room and found Sakura covering herself with a blanket.
"What happen?" asked Syaoran. Then Syaoran noticed the black cub was blushing as he stared at Sakura.
"I thought I told you to stay away from her," said Syaoran as he grabbed the cub. The black cub struggled from Syaoran's grasp.
"Eriol, don't tell me you're planning to keep him?" asked Syaoran as he toss the black cub to Eriol.
Eriol caught the black cub in his arms. "He followed me home," said Eriol.
"What happen to my clothes?!" yelled out Sakura, terrified.
"It was his idea," said Eriol as he pointed at Syaoran.
Sakura glared deadly at Syaoran.
"We had to wash your clothes," explained Syaoran.
"Wash my clothes? For what?" asked Sakura.
"Hey Eriol, how do I explain she got too excited so she bleed all over her clothes?" Syaoran whispered to Eriol out loud.
"I can hear you!" shouted Sakura as she blushed bright red, embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Touya and Tomoyo walked out of Yukito's home.
"Good work you two, but there's something I got to tell you before you leave," said Yukito.
"You both are fired," said Yukito boldly.
"W-what?" said Tomoyo, surprised.
"Fired?" questioned Touya.
Yukito began to laugh. "April fools. I can't believe I got you both." Both Touya and Tomoyo stood frozen stiff as they stared at Yukito. Yukito laughter slowly disappeared as he observed Touya and Tomoyo serious expression.
"Today is April first… I guess it wasn't funny?" said Yukito.
"Today is… Sakura birthday!" both Touya and Tomoyo thought. Both Touya and Tomoyo rushed out of Yukito's property.
"Meow." Yukito picked up Supi from the floor.
"Maybe that one is getting old," said Yukito.
Back at Eriol's apartment, Sakura was in the bathroom while Eriol, Syaoran, and the black cub wait patiently in the living room. Syaoran rubbed his head, painfully.
"Why does everyone like to hit my head?" wondered Syaoran.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
"I'm not an idiot," said Syaoran as he glared at the black cub.
"So, you can understand him," asked Eriol.
"I thought you dislike pets, so why are you keeping him?" said Syaoran, suspiciously
"I do, but this little fellow is worth one million-" Eriol cut himself as he realized he almost told Syaoran his little secret.
"One million what?" questioned Syaoran.
"Nothing," said Eriol.
"If Syaoran found out, then he would diffidently sell the black cub for Sakura's birthday present," thought Eriol.
"I wonder why I changed back so early?" questioned Syaoran.
"What do you mean?" asked Eriol.
"I still have couple more hours for my transformation. But I suddenly changed when I sense Sakura in extreme danger," explained Syaoran.
"Another side effect perhaps?" said Eriol. Sakura finally walked out of the bathroom, dressed back into her pajamas.
"How far are we from home?" asked Sakura.
"Not that far," said Syaoran.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience," Sakura said to Eriol.
"It's alright. It's not like I don't know you," said Eriol..
"Have we met before?" questioned Sakura.
Eriol sweat-dropped. "Does she really not remember? We met several times!" thought Eriol in disbelief.
"You do look very familiar," said Sakura.
"You don't need to remember him. He's not that important," said Syaoran, bluntly. BAM! Eriol smack Syaoran on the head.
"I just said the truth," mumbled Syaoran as he pouted.
Bark! Sakura looked down at the black cub. The black cub wagged its tail as he raised his paws up toward Sakura.
Sakura smiled down at the black cub. "Aww…" said Sakura as she petted the black cub on the head.
"I never knew anyone else would have a wolf cub as their pet except for me," said Sakura.
"So I heard," said Eriol.
"What's his name?" asked Sakura.
"His name?" retorted Eriol.
"Yeah," said Sakura. Sakura then realized the black cub didn't have a collar.
"You must have got him recently. You should check out Go Pet. You can get him a collar and teach him tricks," said Sakura. Eriol then noticed a black collar around Syaoran's neck.
"Sure, I'll check it out," said Eriol, who doesn't seem so interested.
"It must be nice to have a normal pet," mumbled out Sakura.
"Normal pet?" retorted Eriol.
"Uh… Nothing! Let's go Syaoran," said Sakura as she quickly walked out of the apartment.
"I got to admit. She's really cute when she blush," said Syaoran, happily.
Eriol sighed out, helplessly. "Go home already, would you?"
"Wait, how about my money for the birthday present?" asked Syaoran. Eriol shoved Syaoran out of his apartment.
"Think of something priceless," suggested Eriol as he shut the door.
"Something priceless?" retorted Syaoran.
Meanwhile, Touya walked back and forth in this kitchen chaotically.
"How can I forget? I never forget her birthday," said Touya, feverishly.
"I can probably still make her a cake. Plus, she's probably with Tomoyo having fun," said Touya.
DingDong Touya eyes widen, hoping it wasn't Sakura.
"Sakura doesn't ring the doorbell," said Touya as he walked up to the front door and opened it.
"Tomoyo?" said Touya, surprised.
"Hi!" greeted Tomoyo.
"What about Sakura?" questioned Touya.
"She isn't home?" asked Tomoyo. Tomoyo and Touya stared at each other for a moment.
"You forgot it too!" They both yelled out.
"Great…" mumbled Touya in disbelief.
"I know! Let's make it a surprise birthday party!" said Tomoyo.
"Wonderful. Let's get to it before she come home," said Touya.
"Okay!" said Tomoyo, excitedly.
"Hey Tomoyo, let's keep the fact we forgot her birthday a secret between us," said Touya,
"Deal," said Tomoyo as she agreed. Touya and Tomoyo quickly rushed inside the house as they both prepared for the surprise party.
Later, Sakura rode her blade quietly along the dark lonely street.
"I can't believe it's already this late," said Sakura.
Sakura sighed out loud. "How can I forget my own birthday? I guess I was too busy lately. I wonder how Syaoran knew my birthday," wondered Sakura.
"Sakura!" called out Syaoran as he ran over to Sakura.
"Where did you go?" asked Sakura.
"Bathroom," answered Syaoran.
"Hey Syaoran, when is your birthday?" asked Sakura.
"My birthday?" retorted Syaoran.
"Yep."
"July 13," said Syaoran. Sakura glanced at Syaoran who had a big smirk on his face.
"What?" said Sakura.
"Don't tell me you're going to planning to something special on my birthday," said Syaoran.
"No, I'm not," said Sakura as she avoided eye contact with Syaoran.
"I won't ask for much, but a kiss," Syaoran stood in front of Sakura and push his lips forward. Sakura quickly stepped away from Syaoran.
"I know! I'll give you some treats!" said Sakura.
"Treats?" retorted Syaoran as he frowned.
"Yeah and maybe a nice dog house too. I'm sure Little Wolf will like that, right Little Wolf?" Sakura asked Syaoran.
"I'm Syaoran, not Little Wolf." declared Syaoran as he pouted.
Sakura giggled.
"Hey Sakura?" called out Syaoran
"Yeah?"
"This is for you" said Syaoran as he held out a pair of sock.
"What is this?" asked Sakura.
"Open it," said Syaoran. Sakura carefully grabbed the pair sock and opened it. As soon as Sakura open the sock, dozens of glowing fireflies flew out.
"Wow…" said Sakura, amazed.
"I actually got this while I was using the bathroom near the pond earlier," said Syaoran, proudly. Sakura stared at the small glowing fireflies dancing around them.
"It's so beautiful," commented Sakura.
"There's more in there" said Syaoran as he pointed at the sock. Sakura dug into the sock and found a worn out baseball inside.
"Baseball? Did you pick this up near the pond?" asked Sakura in disgust.
"Remember when we first met, you hit me with the baseball bat? It kind of remind me of that day," said Syaoran.
"The day I don't want to remember…" mumbled Sakura.
"And one last thing..." said Syaoran. Syaoran quickly grabbed Sakura's wrist and pulled her toward him. Sakura gasp as she felt her lips being pull toward Syaoran's lips and gently touched it.
Thump-thump-thump-thump… Sakura blushed as she could hear her loud heartbeat. Suddenly, a piece of candy transfer from Syaoran's mouth into Sakura's.
"Happy Birthday Sakura," Syaoran whispered softly into Sakura's ears. Sakura blinked a couple of times, stunned. Sakura felt light headed as fireflies continue to fly around her. Sakura could feel her cheeks burn.
"Sakura, are you blushing?" asked Syaoran. Sakura shook her head, snapping back into reality.
"Wha-what was that for?" asked Sakura.
"It's your birthday," answered Syaoran, simply. Sakura suck on the strawberry favor candy.
"Where did you get this candy?" asked Sakura. Syaoran quickly looked away from Sakura and began walking.
"It's delicious, isn't it?" said Syaoran. Sakura suspiciously stared at Syaoran. Then it suddenly hit her.
"Did you pick this up near the pond?" asked Sakura, raising her voice slightly. Syaoran began to walk faster.
"SYAORAN!" hollered Sakura as she began to chase Syaoran.
"I washed it!" admitted Syaoran, running for his life.
"With what?!" hollered Sakura.
"With my mouth!" cried out Syaoran.
"Are you CRAZY?! First you stole my first kiss and now my second…" said Sakura. Syaoran quickly stopped running and turn around toward Sakura.
"You're first kiss?" said Syaoran as he suddenly felt happier than before.
Sakura cheeks suddenly burn feverously.
"Hey, you're still sucking on the candy," said Syaoran as he smirked.
Sakura quickly split out the candy. "I'll give you NO MERCY!" yelled out Sakura, deadly. Sakura ran after Syaoran again as Syaoran continue to run toward Sakura's house. Sakura stopped herself from running and quickly aim the baseball at Syaoran. BAM! Syaoran slammed onto the front door as the baseball hit directly on his head. The front door opened with a loud greeting.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" yelled out Tomoyo and Touya. Tomoyo and Touya blankly stared at Syaoran. Syaoran groan as he rubbed his head, painfully.
"What are you doing here? Where's Sakura?" asked Touya. Then Sakura stepped inside the house.
"Touya? Tomoyo?" said Sakura, surprised.
"Sakura!" Tomoyo quickly gave Sakura a hug.
"Happy Birthday!" said Tomoyo.
"Thank you Tomoyo," said Sakura. Touya held up a birthday cake.
"Happy Birthday monster," said Touya.
"Thanks Touya," said Sakura as she blew out the candles on the cake.
"What took you so long? We've been waiting for you," said Tomoyo
"Just wondering around," said Sakura.
"In your pajamas?" questioned Touya, suspiciously.
"Come on Sakura, let's eat the cake," said Tomoyo.
"I'll get the knife and the plate," said Touya. Syaoran sniff the cake, regaining back his energy from the hit.
"This smell delicious," said Syaoran. Tomoyo looked at Syaoran, oddly.
"You better explain about him later Sakura," Tomoyo whispered to Sakura.
"Um...Okay," said Sakura. Suddenly a loud sound of a broken glass came from the kitchen.
"It's alright, it's just the cookie jar," said Touya.
"Co-Co-Cookie jar…" said Syaoran, worried.
"What the hell is THIS?" yelled out Touya as he walked out of the kitchen, angrily.
"Busted," thought Syaoran. Unfortunately, Touya found the broken MP3 player which Syaoran carefully hid inside the cookie jar. Touya clenched onto his MP3 player angrily.
"Syaoran?" said Touya, furiously.
"Hehehe, it must have been broken when you broke the cookie jar." said Syaoran, hoping he'll get away with it.
"Like I'll believe that!" hollered out Touya as he began to chase Syaoran.
"Okay, I'll admit. I did it, but it was an accident! Really!" shouted Syaoran as he ran around the house. Sakura and Tomoyo watch Touya chasing Syaoran around the house as they eat their cakes.
"Is it always like this between them?" wondered Tomoyo.
"Always," answered Sakura, helplessly. Then Sakura noticed a box on the table.
"That was delivered a while ago. Who is it from?" asked Tomoyo.
Sakura smiled. "It's from my dad." Sakura quickly opened the box and found a letter. Sakura read the letter.
Happy Birthday Sakura! I was hoping I could say this in person this year. Whoever is beside you right now and sharing this wonderful day with my daughter will be forever thankful. I hope this day would a memorable day that will cherish in your heart forever.
Love,
Dad
"What did your dad get you?" wondered Tomoyo as she peaked inside the box.
"Wow, it's a digital camera!" said Tomoyo as she carefully took the camera out of the box. Tomoyo walked beside Sakura and held up the camera in front of them.
"Smile," said Tomoyo. Click! Tomoyo took a picture of them.
"I'm not letting you get away this time twerp," said Touya.
"Guys look over here," said Tomoyo.
Click! Tomoyo took a picture of Touya holding Syaoran by the collar of his shirt. In the picture, Touya frowned angrily as Syaoran smiled with a peace sign.
Sakura held her breath and read the last part of the letter again.
P.S. Since I got you the MP3 player for Christmas, I thought I'll get you a digital camera in your birthday. Hope you like it.
Sakura finally took her eyes off the letter and looked over at Syaoran.
"Who are you?"