Chapter Six

Emotions Run Best Wild

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.

Too soon Sunday had arrived, and Sakura was in a taxi on her way to meet Syaoran. She smoothed out her black mini dress, patterned with white daisies. It was new. She had bought it just for this date. She thought it was youthful because of the print and somewhat enticing because of its snug fit. Satomi's staff had taught her how to dress well. She hoped Syaoran liked it and if he did not, she hoped he would not ridicule her.

She took her lip gloss out of her small crossbody bag and applied more to her lips, her hand trembling. It had been years since she had bitten her nails and if it was not for the fact that they were freshly manicured in a cute pale pink, she may have chewed off every single one.

The cab pulled up to the curb in front of one of the largest shopping malls in Tokyo. Taking a deep breath, she checked her watch. It was now 2:59 pm.

She stood on the sidewalk looking around for any sign of the formidable Li Syaoran. She gasped. The guy standing against the building wall, arms folded, wearing a dark jeans and grey long-sleeved Henley was Li Syaoran! He looked so normal, and non-threatening! And even though he had on aviator sunglasses it was obvious to her now, because of the lightly tousled bangs and confident stance, that it was indeed him.

He walked over to her, slipping off his aviators as he neared. She readjusted her bag's chain strap on her shoulder and breathed out steadily. Having always seen him at night, she was momentarily taken aback by the honey-like hue of his eyes in the bright sunshine. They were, for lack of a more masculine word, pretty.

"I knew you'd come."

Sakura gave a mental groan. He had to open his mouth and let the haughtiness show.

"Because of the money?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "All madams are the same. You call a big enough price and they get the courtesans to follow through."

His gaze glided down her body as he looked her over. Sakura's cheeks burned and she averted her eyes, suddenly feeling quite naked beneath his appraising stare. Most dates would have made a comment about her appearance by now and Sakura waited with bated breath for a compliment from him. She realised that she did want one very much because she really had tried to appeal to him today and she wanted to know that her efforts had not been in vain.

When their eyes met again, he gave a little satisfied nod. A ticklish tremor ran through her belly and her feet wobbled ever so slightly in her nude heels.

"Well," said Syaoran, his sharp tone making her shudder. "You are mine for the next three hours. Entertain me."

Sakura's face grew hotter. How could she respond to that statement? She did not believe she had ever had anyone - friend or client - refer to her as their own. At least, not in this manner which made her head bow passively and her fingers clutch each other for strength.

"Hey. You there?" asked Syaoran, leaning forward to observe her more closely when she did not answer.

"Hai, Li-san," she said, glancing around them. "I was thinking. That's all."

Usually when she arrived, it was straight to dinner or an event with her client. None of them had ever showed up with nothing in mind to do. But they were in front of a shopping centre; and though it was a surprising choice, maybe Syaoran had chosen it for its variety?

"Ano... would you like to go inside?" she asked, gesturing to the building before them.

"We're not here by accident, courtesan."

He stepped aside and gestured for her to enter. Giving him a shaky smile, she walked through the sliding doors, his tall, overwhelming presence trailing her every step. She tried to think of something he would want to do, all the while attempting to ignore the way his gaze was boring into the back of her head. He continued to watch her as she read the mall guide posted near the elevators. It took her about five minutes to get through it because she was so conscious of his blatantly keen interest in her every move.

"Would you like to do a bit of window shopping?" she murmured. "There are lots of stores on the eleventh floor. We can walk around for a bit..."

He nodded and pressed the elevator button with his knuckle. As they stood waiting, she saw that he was holding his aviators in his hand. The frame was solid gold and she cringed thinking about it falling from him or worse, him leaving it somewhere. Her preoccupation with it could have just been that she wanted to touch something of his, since it was clear she was not allowed to lay a finger on him, as she once more found herself wanting to do.

"Would you like me to keep those for you Li-san?" she asked, gesturing at the sunglasses and then to her small bag.

He silently considered the proposition before holding them out to her. She took them and set them down gently in her bag. It was a close fit, but she was sure they would not get crushed.

The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside, Syaoran behind her. He selected the floor and just as the doors were shutting close, a hand shot forward. Suddenly, there was a barrage of adults and children holding balloons saying Happy Birthday, cascading into the elevator. Sakura stumbled back to accommodate the sudden influx of people. She stepped on something and glanced down to find Syaoran's slip-on leather sneakers. Her brother was a footwear enthusiast, so she knew those were Bottega Venetta. She winced and peeked up at him apologetically.

Of course, his brown eyes were already upon her and she quickly lowered her gaze, imagining the reproach instead of having the backbone to witness it herself. The elevator doors tried to close but kept on springing open. People shifted around forcing her back even farther.

Hoe-eee.

If they continued, she would be pressed into Syaoran! She straightened her spine and clutched her arms in front of her, making herself small, but the group made a collective step back and there she was, moulded to Syaoran's front. She went rigid, the back of her neck tingling. His chest… it was firm and solid – like he was a frequent visitor to the gym. Compared to the only other young guy she dated, Shoji, Syaoran was well-built and it would be untrue if she said she did not like the sensation of his body heat radiating all over her. And that smell. Tonka bean, green apple and something woody perhaps? She had to resist the urge to turn around and sniff the cologne from his clothes.

He exhaled heavily and she moved forward as much as she could - which was only an inch or two - not wanting to impose too much on his space, for too long. Why was the eleventh floor taking so long to get there? The elevator stopped and opened. One lady got out, making everyone shift again. Sakura was about to try and move forward when she felt Syaoran's chest rest against her back like before.

She stiffened at the unexpected touch, eyes wide, heart pounding. She had not moved. She was sure of it. So how -? Unless he -? Did he? There was a churning in her belly and her bones started to move on their own. The next thing she knew her butt was pressing into his pelvis. Hoe-eee. What was going on with her? She glanced skittishly at the people around them. No one was paying attention to her minute movements. No one cared. Did he notice? That question was answered when she felt the smallest pressure pushing back against her rear end.

Oh dear.

He knew. And he was meeting her tit for tat.

She faintly scraped the side of her neck with her nails. Syaoran's presence was smothering her mind and all she could think about was him; more precisely that triangle that was pelvis. Groin. Crotch. Pen-

No. Bad Sakura! Don't think about that. Don't think about IT.

She pulled down the hem of her dress and blew air past her lips. Heavens. It was hot in there. Her skin was flushed. And she was dizzy. She would certainly pass out soon.

But the elevator doors opened again, and everyone spilled out. Slowly, she peeled herself from Syaoran and took a few steps forward. She turned, regarding him with apprehension. His jawline was tight, his eyes dark, and his stare hard. Was he vexed about her stepping on his feet? Should she apologize? Or was he thinking that she was being a whore, rubbing up against him like she had? He raked his fingers through his hair and gave an annoyed shake of the head. Then he brushed past her before the elevator closed.

"Which way?" he asked, voice hoarse, when she got out behind him.

"Over here," she answered, spotting some male fashion stores to their right.

Syaoran strolled behind her as they walked in and out of several stores. She had to keep glancing back to see if he was still there because he was unnervingly quiet. She became aware though, that every time she looked at him, his eyes would fly upwards to her face. The fourth time it happened, she paused, and peered down at the back of her dress. There was nothing there. And then it dawned on her. He was checking her out!

She snapped around in shock but her sudden consciousness of his gaze and what it meant, somehow made her hips sway just a little more than usual and she found herself taking care to sashay sexily - or attempt to anyway - along the mall floor. She glanced back at him to see if he had noticed and hoped he had not while secretly hoping he had; but he was eyeing the displays in the stores' showcases, paying no mind to her at all.

Ashamed of her behaviour, she wondered why she was acting so indecently today. She should be trying to be his perfect date, not get silly, immodest thoughts in her head. She stopped walking and waited for him to draw nearer. He did not seem that interested in the stores, not even bothering to reach out and touch the materials and fabrics of the items on sale. Maybe she should try something else.

"There are a lot of other things we can do," she told him, as he stood before her. "But please tell me, what do you like, Li-san?"

Normally she would be able to tell what a client wanted by now, but his aloof expressions were unreadable. She was starting to doubt that he had been ogling her behind at all.

"This is your element, courtesan," he told her. "You decide what we should do."

"Okay." She tilted her head as she thought. "If you don't mind, we can sit down somewhere and talk. Maybe at a café?"

Through the transparent boutique window they were standing in front of, Sakura made out a few salesgirls gawping at Syaoran. For some reason, she drifted as close to him as she dared.

"Sure," he said.

"I saw on the map that there's one on the fifth floor."

They headed back to the elevator. Since she was in front, she reached out to press the button, but his finger got there faster, and he pushed it instead. She looked up at him, her finger positioned near his own and he stared down at her, his eyes striking into her soul.

All sound dropped away and if she could trust her eyes, he was looking at her lips. Which only made her fascinated with his well-shaped ones. Never had she ever thought of a man's lips as being scrumptious.

The elevator opened and Syaoran's hand dropped to his side, breaking the moment. They stepped inside, the air crackling with unresolved tension. As soon as they got off on the fifth level of the mall, a colourful pink and blue café was in view and forgetting her preoccupation with Syaoran, Sakura pointed at it.

"Here it is! Can we eat there?"

She had seen a branch of this café before, but the prices had kept her at bay. Syaoran said for her to decide so it should not be wrong for her to help him help her to finally get a chance to eat there. He regarded the place with a nauseated expression, but he nodded.

"Sure."

Sakura knew she should have changed her mind about the excessively girly café and gone somewhere else, but she could not bear to. Anyway, if he really did mind, she was certain he would say.

They got a secluded table in a corner and ordered brunch which amounted to a wide array of pastries, tea and cake. The lime green kettle was left on the table and Sakura turned over Syaoran's cup and poured his tea, aware that he was following her hand movements raptly. She delved into a ham sandwich with a happy sigh. The bread was out of this world delicious.

"I like it here," said Sakura, captivated by the vibrant decor. "The maid uniforms, the decorations, little pink forks... everything. It's so kawaii!"

Syaoran said nothing and she went quiet. Was she making a fool of herself? Sometimes when she was around him, it seemed as though she was. She would feel immature and ungraceful. But maybe that was just her lack of confidence made evident in the abundance of his own?

The waitress came to check in on them and Sakura was glad to briefly have something else to do besides shrivel up in silence.

"So, Li-san," she said, placing a jam tart on her plate. "Tell me about yourself. What are your hobbies?"

Syaoran stared at her with a vacant expression.

"Why do you need to know?"

"We're getting acquainted with each other," said Sakura, smiling at him with deepest encouragement etched in her face.

"We don't need to get acquainted with each other," said Syaoran, and he took a bite out of his sandwich. "This is a one-time arrangement."

Sakura absentmindedly circled the rim of her teacup with a finger.

"Why is that?"

"I don't do this," said Syaoran, almost like he was reciting a long-learned rule. "I don't go out with women like you."

"Women like me?"

"Opportunists."

Sakura frowned. Was this the pleasant experience he was speaking about when he had Satomi convince her to go on a date with him? Name-calling?

"I'm not an opportunist Li-san. If you need company, you call me and for a fee, I give you companionship and entertainment. I'm providing a harmless service."

She bit into her jam tart to distract herself from the awkward silence that followed her words. Syaoran took another bite of his sandwich and chewed it slowly. The way he was watching her, with such a quiet intensity he could shatter glass, Sakura knew something bad was heading her way. She steeled herself, unwilling to cry in front of him again.

"Are you seriously trying to tell me that you never think about catching the affections of some wealthy man and becoming his pretty young thing, so you don't have to work another day in your life?"

Sakura's hand paused on its way to her mouth, jam tart hovering in front of her lips. Of all that he had said, her first thought was: did he just call me pretty?

"Isn't that what all women in your position want?" asked Syaoran, his tone darkening. "Whether consciously or unconsciously, that's what you want. Whether you admit it or not, that's what you want. An easy life where the only currency you know is a plastic card you swipe."

"I-"

"Or is it that you're the other kind. The kind that wants affiliations with high-ranking officials so you can get a high-paying, high-powered job? Tell me. You must have an end-goal. Women like you tend to be among the most ambitious."

He was speaking quietly for privacy's sake but Syaoran's low tone combined with his words made the past minute seem like a vicious attack on her character. She could not say he was completely wrong. After all, if you met someone nice, you might daydream about being with him but not seriously. Her father was searching for a husband for her and she knew that he would succeed in time. She never once thought she would be with one of her clients. She knew better.

"There are many reasons people do the things they do," she told him. "Not all of them are malicious Li-san. You seem to look for only the bad."

"Experience tells me to expect it," he said, completely unapologetic.

"Then maybe together we can create more pleasant experiences," she countered with a genuine smile.

Syaoran stared at her in disbelief.

"My teachers used to say I have a fiercely optimistic nature," she explained.

"And even that's putting it mildly."

She took a sip of tea.

"I don't think that's a bad thing - though some of them meant it in that way. I like to be cheerful and nothing gives me more joy than to have everyone around me be cheerful and happy too. Normally I can put a smile on anyone's face but with you-"

"Continue," said Syaoran when she paused.

"With you, nothing I say or do does any good," she said. "Because maybe you think I don't really care about you. That the same things I say to you, I say to every other client. But when we're together Li-san, I really am sincere in everything I do and say, and I think about only you."

Sakura took another sip of tea as Syaoran studied her. He reached over the table and for a moment she thought he was reaching for her but instead, he selected one of the croissants.

"You're good," said Syaoran, as he set the pastry on his plate, his gaze fixed on her. "I almost believed you."

All the other people in the café were chatting away blissfully, and laughing with the people at their table, but her conversation with Syaoran made Sakura feel like she was at a court hearing.

"If you don't like courtesans, Li-san, why did you call for me? Why did you pay so much?"

"You're calling me a hypocrite?"

"No! I -"

Sakura breathed out. He was the one calling himself a hypocrite and trying to make her feel bad about it. But now that she thought of it, yes, he was a hypocrite.

"Even my boredom has its limits," he told her. "I had nothing scheduled so I called. It's as simple as that. There's no need to feel special. I only asked for you because of the familiarity factor. I wanted a distraction, but I don't like to be surprised. With you, I'm sure of what to expect."

"Well-" Sakura hesitated for a few seconds, swallowing the sting of his words. "Well please tell me how I can best distract you Li-san," she told him. "I would very much like for you to enjoy our time together."

Syaoran, whose gaze had been surveying the shop's interior was suddenly directed at her. His forehead creased slightly, and he appeared baffled. She was going to repeat herself when his face turned stony, paralyzing her tongue.

He changed moods so quickly.

"With the kind of money you earn, it must be easy to keep up this nice and thoughtful pretence."

"I'm nice to everyone Li-san."

"But you only date men who can afford your ridiculous rates."

Sakura shook her head.

"That's not true," she told him, leaning over the table. She put a hand to her chest for emphasis. "I would date you for free!"

A hush fell over them.

Sakura's face burned when she realised what she had said. She bit her lip and sat back, heart thumping inside her chest cavity. Knit material had never been as interesting to her as it was at that moment. She picked at her dress, afraid to face him.

But she had to know what was on his mind. She peeked at him through her bangs. He was texting on his phone! She sighed. Why did she think Li Syaoran would really care about anything she said? She cut a slice of cake and ate it while he carried on his text conversation. He did not even excuse himself or give her any indication that he remembered she was there.

When he finally put the phone back in his pocket, he looked around at the spread of food items she had ordered. Suddenly, she felt like she had overdone it with the mini pizzas, chocolate chip waffles, blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls.

"Do you want some?" she asked, holding up a plate with the remainder of the red velvet cake. "I can cut you a slice. The frosting is very delicious."

"I'm not a fan of sweet desserts."

That was it. She knew at once that she should not bother getting him to try it. Sakura continued eating her own slice in a fresh batch of silence.

"Are you done?" he asked several minutes later.

"Hai," she said, taking her fork and scraping up some whipped cream from the plate, sucking the utensil dry.

She flushed when she caught Syaoran watching her in a way a man watched a woman when he was thinking something depraved. She should have dropped her fork right then, but some force possessed her, and she scraped up some more frosting and repeated the movement, her lips suctioned tightly around the hard, pink plastic. Meticulously, she placed the fork on her plate and patted her lips with a blue napkin.

Syaoran's gaze was unwavering.

"There's no need to rush," he told her. "You can have another slice if you wish."

"No. That's alright. We can go someplace else now."

The truth was she would like nothing better, but she did not want him to think she was a glutton. He already thought she was a gold-digger and a social-ladder-climber. Besides, she would take that debauched gleam in his gaze moments ago as a forewarning to not start things she was not willing to finish.

"Do you want to take the leftovers?" he asked. "There are many."

"I guess we shouldn't let them go to waste."

He had the waitress box and bag the uneaten desserts for her, and he went to the cashier to pay.

"You know," she said, as they walked out of the café, a yellow gift bag of desserts in hand. "I've never been, but I've heard that this mall has a rooftop garden. Maybe we can go up? See it for the first time together?"

He nodded and once more, they walked towards the elevator.

It was an impressive sight, the rooftop garden. Sakura had to control herself from running around like a little kid. If it were not for the surrounding skyscrapers, you would not know that you were standing on top of a building. Roses, tulips, carnations and other flowers she did not recognize surrounded them, and the butterflies and small birds they attracted flew overhead.

The smell was divine too - sweet and crisp, just like the air smelled at dawn in Tomoeda before cars got on the road. She spoke up whenever she found something particularly pretty but Syaoran only gave the tiniest nods in response to whatever she said. There was a faraway air about him, and it was clear that he was ruminating about something. She had to wonder, was he bored with her now?

Instead of deterring her, it only spurred her on and she determinedly kept pointing out all the attractions to him, like the small waterfall fountain, and the chirping birds in the treetops - some of which she could name - and the little nooks here and there for sitting. She was acting like a tour guide, but she was becoming even more amazed each minute by the natural beauty around her.

"Hey," said Syaoran, suddenly. "You haven't spoken for a while now."

"I haven't?" asked Sakura. "I didn't realise. I guess I was taking in all of this."

She spread her arms wide and planted a huge grin on her face as if to say 'tada!' She chuckled at her own silly antics, thinking to herself that courtesans did not act this way. It was even more noticeable because Syaoran was standing, back straight and proper, his chin tilted up proudly, reminding her that his upbringing was of a different calibre to hers. Self-consciously, she clasped her hands together behind her back and turned from him.

She went over to a white stone bench, aware that Syaoran was following her, watching her intently. When would he get tired of that? It was too much, always having to guess what was going on in that head of his; always feeling that with just one wrong move he would think her a buffoon.

She sat down and crossed her legs at the ankles. He set himself down beside her, hands clasped loosely in front of him. Sakura stared at the good-sized gap he left between them. He was quite solemn and unapproachable... if she could get one smile from him, just one, she would consider it a victory.

She knew she would be reaching but she would try. And she could hardly believe what she was about to do.

"Spell silk."

Syaoran's brow raised at the strange request.

"Excuse me?"

"Spell silk," enunciated Sakura.

"Why?"

She slid closer to him.

"Please. Won't you just spell it? For me?" she asked, and she pressed her palms together in front her chest.

Syaoran cast a confused, uncertain look at her.

"All right. S. I. L. K."

"Now say silk five times."

It did not seem like he was going to do it, so she leaned into him.

"Pretty please," she cooed. "With the sweetest sugar on top?"

He tugged at the neckline of his Henley.

"Fine," he said, voice unusually constricted. "Silk. Silk silk silk silk."

"And cows drink?"

"Milk."

Sakura threw her head back and burst into laughter. It worked every single time she had ever tried it!

"What?" said Syaoran, cocking his head to the side.

Sakura clasped her tummy with her hands, still laughing hard.

"Cows don't drink milk Li-san. I'm pretty sure they drink water."

He froze for a second, realising his error. His cheeks coloured.

"You tricked me."

"Me? How can I trick a big, intelligent businessman like you?"

"You women have your ways."

Sakura wiped her teary eyes, still giggling, not taking his dig at womankind sincerely. He was just a sore loser, having said milk with such certainty! It was priceless!

When she calmed down, fanning herself with her hand, still giggling intermittently, he rest his elbow on the bench back and angled his body towards her.

"My turn."

She gazed tenderly at him, face warm from her laughter.

"If a rooster laid an egg on a barn roof," he said. "Which way would it roll?"

She pouted.

"How am I supposed to know that, Li-san? I don't live on a farm!"

Syaoran waited patiently, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Think about it."

"Ano… I guess, maybe… right?"

The corner of his mouth twitched.

"No. Left."

He pulled back, appearing just a bit too pleased with himself.

"No. Right," she amended, quickly. "Yes. Right. I'm going with right."

Syaoran thumbed his nose and looked off into the distance.

"Roosters don't lay eggs, courtesan. Hens do."

Her mouth fell open in a loud gasp.

"You fiend!"

The corner of Syaoran's mouth tugged upwards and she grinned wide. She had done it!

"That was a good one, Li-san," she said. "I guess that means we're even now."

He nodded.

"Thank you," she said, beaming at him.

"For what?"

"Playing along with me. I know you didn't want to."

Syaoran stared at her, sweeping her up into his orbit. And Sakura found herself falling into those piercing eyes of his, and right then he did seem like a force of gravity drawing her ever closer. He was not as tense as before and she could see a flicker of residual amusement in his face.

"Talk," he demanded.

"Talk?"

"Yes."

"About what?"

"Whatever you like."

"I wouldn't want to bore you."

"Then start talking."

"Okay," she said, running around in her mind, looking for something to say. She walked two fingers along the top of the bench. "Well, when I was told I had to come out on a date with you today, I was very, very nervous. And a bit scared. Even though we got along alright at the fundraiser, I thought it would be like our last dates."

She glanced at him timidly before she continued. She did not think he wanted to hear this, but it was the only thing she could think to say.

"I felt really bad after them. Because of the things you said. My intention isn't to be an immoral woman, Li-san. I think I'm a good person. I feel guilty when I tell even the smallest lie. I've thought about all the things you've told me, and I suppose from your perspective I can see how I must seem like a bad person. But I don't want to hurt anyone or get things from them. This is just my job. It doesn't define all of me."

Sakura expected him to make a smart comment, but he looked out at the buildings in front of them, not saying a word. Her insides twisted. She had sent him back to that grim place he liked to reside.

"I do not make a habit of speaking to women the way I spoke to you," he admitted, with a grimace as he squeezed his knees. "Even if they are courtesans. You can forget those things I said. All of them. I was too harsh."

Sakura's heart fluttered. Was he apologizing?

"So… you don't really want to buy a night with me then?"

His eyes snapped to hers. Sakura instantly wanted to curl up under her bed and disappear. Why had she asked that? Why?

Syaoran peered down at her bare thighs, making her squirm. One hand, the one nearest to her slid from his knee, onto the bench. His fingertips grazed the stone and she could feel them, as acutely as if they were on her flesh. He laid his fingers flat, almost like a caress, making her mind spin. His eyes moved up her figure and she swore it felt like his hand was on her making its way up her leg, over her waist, curving around her breast and settling on her shoulder, leaving a scorching heat in its wake. She parted her lips and squinted, completely dazed and disoriented.

And when he looked into her eyes with unconcealed hunger, she was certain.

He wanted her.

She crushed her thighs together. From anxiety or excitement, it was difficult to tell.

Syaoran's phone must have vibrated, because he dug into his pocket and pulled it out. Putting it to his ear, he stood and walked away, speaking Cantonese. Sakura watched him. Why would he want her of all people? He could probably have any woman he wanted. He would not even have to pay. Was it a conquest thing? An ego thing? Whatever it was, she would be no part of it. She had too much self-respect to give in to him and be his flavour of the week. She bet he was a player. Yes. He must be a player.

He paced by, still talking on the phone. Something about work. Sakura tried not to accidentally eavesdrop - not that she could understand Cantonese when it was spoken that quickly. He sounded gruff and she felt sorry for whoever was enduring that conversation with him.

He paced by again and she reddened as she remembered how his body had felt against hers. It was confusing, not wanting him to desire her and yet feeling flattered when he suggested that he did. But if he did want her in that way, why was it he had not made a move yet? There had been many opportunities and he seemed like the 'go get it' type and yet, he kept his distance. Was he toying with her?

When the call ended, he fisted his hands, staring at the building opposite. Then he looked down at her and she expected to receive the same cold attention, but his expression was neutral.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

"It?"

"What's upsetting you."

A light wind blew his hair across his brows, making Sakura bask in awe of how it softened his striking features.

"No," he told her. Then he added, "I have to leave now."

Sakura checked her watch.

"We still have half an hour left."

"Yes. I can tell time too," he said with acidic ridicule.

She clamped her mouth shut and picked up her bag of desserts. Now that was the Li Syaoran she knew.

He called her a taxi and waited with her on the sidewalk until it arrived. She told him he did not have to wait but he made no reply. He just asked for his aviators, slipped them on and folded his arms. When her taxi pulled up to the curb, she turned to him.

"May I ask you where you're going?" she asked, struggling to see if he was watching her behind his lenses.

"Hong Kong," was the curt response.

She bowed to him.

"I hope you enjoyed today Li-san. Please have a safe flight."

She slipped inside the taxi.

"Goodbye," she said, as the driver closed the automatic door.

Syaoran pulled out his wallet and gave the driver enough money for her to go almost anywhere in the city. Did he know that was not required? Bent down as he was, he took one last look at her. Then without a word, he stood up straight and walked away into the throng of pedestrians. The driver pulled into the oncoming traffic and abruptly, Sakura's heartbeats quickened.

She stood on her knees and stared out the rear window. She was in time to see Syaoran's back disappearing among the people on the street. When she could no longer decipher his form from all the others, she fell onto the backseat, a most peculiar emotion simmering in her gut.