Hello, boys and girls. I'd like to tell a story.

So here we are for chapter two. I'd like to thank everyone who has been reading this on this website, Tumblr and AO3. Just like I promised, chapter 2


Chapter 2: Red Rose

The Rose, specifically the red rose, represents romantic love in both Western and Eastern flower language.

As Syaoran rang the doorbell to the Kinomoto house, he couldn't help but feel nervous. One would think that at seventeen, he would stop feeling like he was walking to his execution every time he visited his girlfriend's house. And sure, he had visited Sakura in her home on many an occasion but this time it was different. Feeling self-conscious, he looked into the window and saw his opaque reflection in it.

It was eight years ago that he met Sakura for the first time. Much has changed in his appearance. His face lost some of that baby roundness and became more sharp and angular. He had gotten taller and his shoulders were broader. But some things had stayed the same. His hair was still a tamed nest, even though he had cut his bangs somewhat. His eyes were still the amber pools he inherited from his mother. But perhaps his most striking difference was his clothes. He wasn't a big fan of constrictive garments, as someone who trained himself in the field of martial arts preferred freedom of movement to fashionable garb. But tonight was a special night so he dressed up for the occasion. He was sporting a cream-colored dress shirt over a beige blazer, tan slacks completing his outfit. In his were a bouquet of red roses, roses that were slowly being crinkled as his nervousness got the better of him.

The door to the Kinomoto house mercifully opened. Unfortunately, Sakura did not answer the door. Instead her brother Touya did.

And he was not happy. Apparently, he had heard of Syaoran's plan for a date. The two of them were going to Penguin Park at night to watch the Tanabata fireworks. Perhaps Touya had complained to the intimate nature of this date. Was Touya going to let his sister come with him?

Sakura's older brother glared daggers at him, which Syaoran happily returned. This staring contest lasted for minutes until Sakura's father came to the door.

"Ahh, Syaoran-kun, please come in." Fujitaka said with a smile, pointedly ignoring the silent battle of wills between his son and his daughter's boyfriend.

Without breaking his glance, Syaoran stepped across the threshold into the house.

"Sakura-san," Fujitaka called up the stairs to his daughter. "Syaoran-kun has arrived." After that, he gestured to Syaoran to come into the living room and take a seat. Without such an invitation, Touya stomped over to glare at his sister's boyfriend.

"Is it time for your date already?" Fujitaka smiled while adjusting his glasses, ignoring the waves of aggression the other two occupants in the room were giving off. "I heard you two are having a nighttime picnic."

"Yes, sir." Syaoran had not taken his eyes off Touya, who was still trying to murder the teenager with his mind perhaps. "We're going to see the fireworks."

As Fujitaka talked and the two other males glared at each other, Syaoran could hear two sets of footsteps coming down the stairs. Unable to help himself, he turned towards the stairs. Tomoyo was leading Sakura down the stairs. When his brain registered what Sakura was wearing, his heart skipped a beat. She had on a light pink dress with a v-line cut in the shape of a cherry blossom leaf. White embroidered leaves covered the hem of the dress. Her hair had been done up and tied in a yellow bow. Her cheeks had been adorned in a blush that suited her perfectly. She was a waking dream that left his mouth dry and his palms sweaty. He wondered what he had done to deserve such beauty.

"You look very pretty, Sakura-san." Fujitaka smiled, seeing much of his wife in his daughter.

Sakura's eyes shied away from the compliment. Instead, her emerald greens settled on Syaoran. The teenaged boy knew that he was expected to say something, but he found his tongue was tied. Instead, he shoved the bouquet of roses practically in her face.

"Are these…for me," she asked.

"Yeah." For the first time tonight, amber met emerald and it was as if time itself stopped. The world came to a halt and all that there was is the two of them and this moment. Syaoran cracked a smile. "You…look…beautiful," he finally stuttered out.

"Thank you."

The two of them finally became aware that they had an audience. Fujitaka was smiling. Touya was steaming mad. And Tomoyo couldn't help herself, filming the two lovebirds getting lost in their own world.

"Shall we get going?" Syaoran proffered his arm and motioned towards the door. Sakura happily accepted and the two linked arms, exiting the house, but not before grabbing the picnic basket she made for their date.

The sun was beginning to set when the two of them left, painting the sky in deep oranges and reds. It was truly a beautiful sight and here he was spending it with a beautiful woman. The two of them headed to Penguin Park, their ideal date spot. So many of their memories happened there, from capturing Clow Cards to eventual confessions. The world had changed but this place had stayed the same.

Syaoran led Sakura to an open spot that wasn't as crowded and pulled out a blanket, laying it on the floor. The teenage boy offered his hand to his girlfriend and helped her onto the blanket. Sakura smiled at him and his stomach flopped in giddiness.

"This was a great idea, Syaoran-kun," Sakura beamed. "I can't wait."

Syaoran smiled back. "You're welcome."

The two began to eat Sakura's prepared food while waiting for the fireworks to begin. They didn't have to wait long as the whizzing sound of the first firework broke through the air and exploded, an array of red and orange lights illuminating the sky until it disappeared. With that one shot, more fireworks launched into the night sky, dazzling the audience in a bevy of colors.

Sakura was entranced by the fireworks display, gasping at the colors and designs it made. Syaoran, meanwhile, was entranced by Sakura. The pure and innocent delight that was etched on her face made his heart swell. She was so beautiful. He had been in love with her half of his life and his feelings haven't lessened in the slightest. If anything, they have been growing. Even now. Watching her in the light of these fireworks made her all the more beautiful.

"Syaoran-kun?" Sakura cocked her head into a cute frown when she realized he had been staring at her and not the fireworks. "Are you okay?"

Syaoran didn't reply. Instead, he leaned over and melded their lips together. Once again, the outside world was ignored. Instead, it was all about this moment in time. He was completely and irrevocably lost in her. And to be honest, he preferred it that way.


And that's the end of the chapter.

Loved it? Hated it? Have no opinion one way or the other? Leave me a review. I'd love to hear from you.

Until next time,

A. Angel