Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN CARDCAPTOR SAKURA NOR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS - THEY BELONG PURELY TO CLAMP

NOTE: I am so sorry that this took so long to get up! Hell has decided to freeze on me lately, but I've got the whole thing pretty much done, so the updates should be much faster. Thank you for staying with it!

Review Replies:

mochiusagi: Thank you for the review! Believe me I've had to stay awake for over 43 hours before now, and it gets easier around the 36th. Thank you once again!

SanguisRubeus: Here's the update! Thank you!

Minako-Akemi: Thank you so much! I'm sorry if it seems a little all-over-the-place, but that's just setting up the different layers in the story. Now that they're established it should become much clearer. Thank you once again!

JBubbles: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it, and I love the dancing too! It just fits them ^_^

Snoopygirl11: Thank you! I hope you end up enjoying these two, and I'm glad that you like how it all plays out. Thank you!

XxLunermoonxX: I'm really sorry for the length between updates! But they will be coming sooner! Thank you so much for reviewing!

Azh Hikari: No, this hasn't been abandoned it's just taking a lot of time to get it written and up. Thank you for reviewing!

Funni neko: Thank you for all of your reviews! They made me very happy! I just adore this pairing too! Thank you again!

Neo Rulez: I'm glad that you like it! Thank you!

Eru no Tsubasa: Thank you! I've always prided myself on being able to actually describe a situation in detail, because sometimes I read things and I don't really get the feeling of the whole setting, you know? Thank you so much once again!

A big Thank you to all of my reviewers for being so faithful once again!

NOTE2: This chapter is going to contain a lot of Sakura and Eriol business, but there should be a fair amount of actual story in here, so I hope you enjoy and don't get too annoyed at the poor girl. I do like her, but she can get on my nerves sometimes and it might show here and there during this fic. Thank you again!

"Blah blah blah" is speech
"Blah blah blah" is the person talking on the other end of the phone

####### is a time cut, but with the same people at the same place

Gypsy Dance
by Brooding Darkness

Part 10

Giggling to herself, Sakura twirled enchanted by the sparkles sprayed out on the hem of her dress. Eriol had dressed her today, having come over to her apartment especially to chat with her – and of course, dress her properly – about where the four of them were with each other. The talk had gone rather well, and now she was stood outside the fanciest restaurant in town in a silver one shouldered dress which had hand-sewn fake diamonds sprayed beautifully along the hem and over the shoulder. Giggling again, she kept an eye out for her girlfriend.

"Hey!"

Grinning in absolute delight, Sakura took in the sight of an angel. Tomoyo had her hair down with little gold clips positioned carefully throughout her long dark locks and she was dressed to kill. The long green dress with a thin gold layer underlying the corset-type top and the frill of the sleeves. Smiling back, the purplenette squealed when she stepped next to Sakura.

"Wow! You look great! Who designed that?" Tomoyo asked admiring the whole look, as well as her girlfriend's body shape and size.

"One of Eriol's boys. I'm not sure which, but I love what you're wearing! Did you make that yourself?" The green eyed model asked in reply.

"Yes," she blushed lightly. It was her job to design and she knew she was good at it – how else was she to survive in the fashion industry if she wasn't? – but she had never thought that she would particularly suit any of the designs herself.

"Come on, I think our table will be ready about now," Sakura motioned clasping the other woman's hand in her own. A light blush fluttered over both of their faces at the action, but neither commented as they made their way to the maître d. "Table for two at nine o'clock, under the reservation of Karuto Taihosha¹."

"Oh! Yes, of course! Right this way ladies, your table is all ready for you," the woman beamed at them. It was obvious as the two walked to their table at the back of the room that most people – of not everyone – were staring at them both. Not that anyone could blame them. "Here you are! Your waiter will be with you momentarily."

"Thank you!"

"Thank you very much."

Leaving them too it, the maître d practically waltzed back to her stand at the front of the restaurant. Smiling at each other, there was a slight awkward silence as neither really knew what to say. They both enjoyed each other's company, but tonight felt different, and Sakura was really hoping that they would both continue to keep each other company once they left.

"So, how are things at work?" Tomoyo ventured tentatively.

Leaning in like the true gossip she was, Sakura smirked as the latest thing with Eriol pooped into the forefront of her mind.

"Well..."

Laughing and giggling, the two continued to chat and gossip throughout their meal and well into the next hour without either of them realising that they were being watched. Grabbing the bill first, Sakura smiled over at her companion with a warning glance to let her pay for once, before they both stood to leave.

The green eyed model was a little apprehensive about her next move, but Eriol had given her the push she had needed in their little pep talk earlier on.

"So, I was thinking... maybe you'd like to come back to my place for a quite drink?" Sakura asked as they stepped out into the cool night air. It was late and the weather had been mostly strange with its present warm temperature, but the nights were still cool enough to cause goose-bumps to form on their arms which gave Sakura an excuse for her obvious nervousness.

"Just so long as it's alcoholic. After today I desperately need it. Not that tonight wasn't perfect!" The amethyst eyed woman grinned, trying to get her point across.

"Don't worry about it! I hope red wine's fine, it's all I have at the moment," she returned grinning back.

"Perfect!"

Giggling, it never even crossed their minds when faint clicks in the background were heard as Sakura leaned over and gently kissed Tomoyo. They also never registered the clicks when they held hands once more and caught a cab back to Sakura's place.


Anger was the only emotion that could describe just how Eriol felt when he woke up that morning. Usually, he would wake up; have his usual breakfast of cereal and tea followed by a quick trip down to the local newsagents to collect his usual papers and magazines before making his way to work.

But this morning he had awoken to a text from a local journalist of all people about one of his models. So, he had immediately check the news via internet and switched on the local news channel. The news broadcaster wittered on about world news and business, but it was the online papers that had stirred his anger.

Sakura had just been outed.

Getting his things together he texted Sakura to immediately get into the office before making his way there himself. Once in the building the 'team' was summoned to the main conference room.

"I am going to kill them," he muttered to himself. It had to have been an insider for there to be a tip off at least. And the thought that one of them had turned against one of their own was just disgusting and disgraceful. It was something which he had previously thought his 'team' was unable to do.

*RING RING RING RING*

"Yes?"

"Hello? This is Jacob Masters² calling from The Times³, I was wondering if you would answer a few questions?"

"No, I will not be answering any questions right now, but you can ask away all you want at the conference this afternoon. Thank you." Slamming the receiver of the phone down, Eriol gritted his teeth as his mind whirled. A conference was the only option they had right now, and it was best that they all get themselves prepped for it.

"Eriol?"

Tears streaked down her face, but it was obvious that she was still keeping herself held together since she was there, dressed and her pretty green eyes still held their fierce determination. She was ready to fight if need be.

"I am so sorry, Sakura," the bluenette rushed over to hold the girl close. "This should never have happened, and I don't know how it did. But we'll fix it, alright? I'll fix it."

"I know. But, it's my fault anyway."

"Don't be ridiculous! How could this be your fault?"

"I pushed a little. I wanted to kiss her, so I did," she sniffed wiping her eyes with the back to her hand.

"Well, that's just silly. It's my job to protect you and you shouldn't have to worry about anything." Pulling a tissue from his jacket pocket, Eriol handed it to her wiping a stray strand of auburn hair. "I'm assuming the date went really well then?" He smirked pervertedly.

Rolling her eyes with a laugh she nodded. "Oh, yeah. It was amazing."

"Good. Now, let's get this out of the way."

It was a good two hours before the interview, and another hour to set it up, but when everything was set, Eriol was sure that they were all ready.

"At least it wasn't one of our own," Rika Sasaki, a media researcher, sighed.

"That's true. I just can't believe that a journalist just happens to be in the same restaurant at that time. I mean, what are the chances?" Chiharu Mihara shook her head wanting to strangle someone at the shear absurdity of the notion.

"Thanks guys. I'm pretty relieved too. And I'm glad that this doesn't weird either of you two out," Sakura smiled, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Hey, no problem! And you could never weird us out!"

"Yeah! I mean, we've been friends since we all started working here, we kinda already knew you were weird," Rika giggled.

"Hey! Don't be mean!"

"I wasn't! I was just saying that weird things tend to happen around Sakura. Not that I can talk. I mean this wedding just doesn't seem to be happening," the pig-tailed girl sighed. She had been engaged since she was twelve and now that she was old enough the two had started to plan their wedding, but they were both still far from it.

"I'm sure it'll all work out, Rika. Don't give up!" Grinning at each other, the continued to make sure that all the papers were in order.

###########################################################

"Are you ready?" Eriol asked walking up to the small group of women.

"Yep! I just hope that none of this affects Tomoyo," Sakura sighed.

"It shouldn't. She won't even be mentioned at this point," he replied sorting through a few of his own notes. He was to sit beside the model and help answer and of the more personal questions or just deflect answers that were far too personal. "You just focus on what you want people to know, and let me deal with the rest, okay?"

Nodding in reply, she took a deep breath before walking into the next room where all the journalists had been gathered. Flashes and clicks of cameras could be heard over the mutter of the people gathered. Questions were already being shouted out, but all were ignored.

Sitting down, Eriol began the conference.

"Alright, I would like to start this with a few rules. First off, we will pick out who will ask a question and then either Sakura or I will answer before we move onto the next person. Anyone shouting out questions will be ignored, and I would also like to remind you that this is focused on Miss Kinomoto here, and nothing else to do with the company itself. Secondly, Miss Kinomoto will like to give a brief statement before we answer any questions. Sakura?"

Turning to the girl, she nodded before taking a deep breath.

"First, I would like to thank you all for getting here in such short notice, and second I'm glad to see that so many are interested in me as that means that my life is somewhat interesting," smiling at the few laughs given off by the room, she continued: "Okay, well, I guess I should start by saying that despite how I've tried to keep my private life just that: private, it seems that people want to know. So, I am in fact bisexual and I am very proud to be. I've pretty much always been this way and I've never felt like there was anything wrong with it. My family are aware of this fact and I have never kept it a secret. So, questions?"

"Umm... Stacy?" Eriol pointed to a woman on his left in a fitted pin-striped suit.

"Have you considered that your sexuality might be sending the wrong message to young girls who wish to enter the same industry, or even those who admire you for what you do?"

"If you mean 'do I think that being bisexual or being gay in any way or form is the only way to get into the fashion industry', then no. It shouldn't matter what sexuality you are regardless of the joy you have. There is nothing wrong with being gay, and I actually don't think that it is an issue at all. I honestly don't understand the fuss over it and I think that it sends the right message to those who admire me because it can show them that it doesn't matter who or what they are so long as they remain true to themselves. I'm human, and yes, I like women just as much as I like men. But that shouldn't matter at all because my sexuality doesn't define everything about who I am. It's just a part of who I am."

Smiling at Sakura's answer, Eriol felt like he had never been more proud of her. The conference continued on for a while before some of the reporters just got plain snarky.

"Don't you feel ashamed? You've kept what you are from your employers and the people around you. They must feel betrayed on some level."

"I can assure that we don't," Eriol butted in. "In fact we're actually delighted to have Sakura with us, and we're all just happy that she is so she has nothing to be ashamed of. And I don't like your attitude on that question Steven."

Glaring at Eriol, the reporter snarled quietly before a gleam entered his eye. "I suppose this all make you feel more comfortable, right? I mean, you're bisexual yourself." At this the entire room erupted.

"No, no I'm not." The bluenette answered seriously. "But I am gay and yes, the entire world is well aware of this – I mean I work in fashion. Not to be too stereotypical about it, but where else can a guy like me get off on fabric?" he chuckled. His own sexuality had been opened when he had first entered into the world of business so he had nothing to hide at all – well, except a sexy brunette, but that wasn't his choice.

"Is that why you were in a relationship with your old boss?" Steven sneered.

"My old boss was a woman, Steven. And if you're going to point fingers at political figures perhaps I can direct you to your wife's bosses son," Eriol quipped back before he realised just what he had said.

"Are you saying that the mayor's son is gay?"

Gaping at him with a hand to her forehead, Sakura wondered just when this conference had tipped itself over.


The building was actually pretty fancy considering it was just a renovated warehouse. The studio was just a long hall with a mirrored wall and wooden floors with tables and chairs to one side for the judges to watch the performers from. A large sign with the words Cirque du Crépscule written across it hung from the door leading into the studio. It was now 13:55 and Syaoran was nervous about the whole deal.

His day hadn't started out well, and his mind was on other things, but his life-long dream to just dance was right in front of him, and he couldn't miss it. Taking a deep breath, Syaoran opened the door to the studio pushing Sakura's conference and the meeting with the still-not-bought-company from this morning to the back of his mind. He needed to focus on the here and now.

"Hello," a bored sounding man directed at him once the door had closed behind him. "You are…?"

"Hi, I'm Gypsy."

"Ah! Yes, please take a number from the first table and stand over by the far wall with the others. It shouldn't take too long for everyone to finish setting up," the bored man motioned.

"Thank you." Doing as he was told, Syaoran reflected that there wasn't really anything to finish as the room itself was bare except for the tables and chairs, and the other contestants who were already stood at the far side of the room were either stretching, muttering anxiously or eyeing each other up. So what they could possibly be finishing setting up was beyond him.

Taking a number from the small box – the number thirteen he noticed with amusement – he walked to the far side of the room, placing his bag and jacket down before starting on some small stretches.

It was another ten minutes before the bored man approached the gathered contestants.

"Okay, so first off, we're going to call out your number and you'll perform a simple routine to the style of music of your choice before performing together in a routine provided by us. Don't worry we're going to take you through it a few times first and then we'll mark you on the final performance. Okay, so, let's start with number 1."

A youngish couple dressed in bright frilly ballroom clothing (think Strictly Come Dancing) stepped forward and handed over a disc with their music for their individual routine to the bored sounding guy – who Syaoran felt that he should really learn the guy's name if he got through to the next round. The two danced a type of new-age salsa which consisted of a lot of twirls, dips and trying not to step onto each other's feet. Once the music finished and the two had bowed to the rest of the room – which was a little arrogant, the CEO thought.

"Great. Next: number 2."

This process continued on which each contestant handing over their various discs and tapes before performing their routines, the five 'judges' which consisted largely of men, watched each routine with mild expressions and jotting various notes down onto pads without actually uttering a word to anyone, including each other.

"Number 13."

Taking a deep breath, Syaoran stepped forward as the man before him sat back against the wall, sweat dripping down his forehead. The brunette licked his lips as he handed over his own disc and got into position in the centre of the room, facing the mirrored wall. Closing his eyes, he waited for the second bar of the music to settle into his bones before moving.

Syaoran was Gypsy, and Gypsy had never given a bad performance and he sure as Hell wasn't giving a bad performance now. Flowing and letting all of his pent up emotions over the past few years concerning his dream to dance out, Gypsy let the almost ethereal music play out enjoying the feel of the vibrations that made their way through his body.

Today, Gypsy reigned.


Meiling flicked easily through the paperwork that sat on her dearest cousin's desk as she sighed over the lack of a boyfriend for her to fret over. Ever since her last break up, which was over eight months ago, she had been irritatingly single and this was with Syaoran in a relationship. How was it that out of her group of friends she was still single?

Sighing once more, Meiling sorted through the various files and documents to see if there was anything that didn't actually need to be on his desk that she should be dealing with instead. Really, Syaoran liked to go through all of the paperwork himself, but most of this was too low to actually be on his desk, yet the brunette insisted on it.

*RING RING*

"Hello?"

"Hi! This is Cleon Richardson from the Marketing Department. I'm supposed to be speaking to Syaoran Li regarding the new budget for the new ads we need to run next month?"

"Oh! Yeah! No, he's not in the office right now, but you can discuss the new budget with me right now so that I can give it as a synopsis to Syaoran when he gets back in," she replied kicking off her heels so that she could settle her feet better onto her cousin's desk.

"Oh, okay. Well...erm...can I ask who I'm speaking with?" The nervous voice asked.

"Meiling Li. I'm Syaoran Li's secretary and his personal assistant, though sometimes it feels like I'm his mother," she laughed brushing her dark locks over her shoulder.

"Yeah? You must be pretty important then. Maybe I should rethink asking you out then."

"Oh, don't let my importance scare you! But you need to at least compliment me before asking," she giggled, happy that she might actually get a date, and just when she was hoping for one.

"Well I would, but unfortunately your voice suggests that you're too heavenly to fall for any of the cheesy lines that I can provide."

"Cute. Pity though, I like a guy who knows how to sweet talk."

"In that case, you should be aware that I'll never be able to talk as sweetly as your voice, but I will certainly do whatever I can to get close."

"Smooth."

"Thank you. So, Friday at the Rose and Thorn?"

"I'll be there at seven. Now, about that budget..."


Thumbing the envelope that he had been given on his passing the first round of the Cirque du Crépscule dance competition, Syaoran picked up his cup of hot chocolate while staring aimlessly out of the cafe window. Syaoran had been coming to this cafe for as long as he could remember since he had moved to England and it was one of his favourite places to be when not at home.

It was also a good place to speak to one of his inside sources.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late," the tall dark haired man grinned as he took the seat opposite the CEO. "I came across this little old woman to just couldn't seem to cross the road, so I stopped to help. But then she was all like, 'Don't touch me!' do I decided to just leave her there."

"I'm sure you did. Besides you're not that late," the brunette grinned back. He was well used to Yamazaki Takashi's insane tales that had gotten smaller and smaller over the years, but each one could still cause him to smile. "So, how have you been lately?"

"Pretty good, all things considered. Chiharu's been driving me nuts with the whole wedding plans, though. You?"

"Good, actually. I've met this guy," Syaoran said before sipping at his hot chocolate again.

"Really? That's great. It's about time you got out and started seeing people again," Yamasaki grinned. He nodded to the waitress signalling for her to come over. "So, what's he like?"

"He's... different."

"Not your usual type then?"

"Yeah," Syaoran laughed. "Sorry, Yamazaki, but I actually asked to meet you for something else. Not that I don't want to hear everything about your wedding preparations and your attempted escape, but something's come up that I want your help with."

"Go for it, and don't worry, you'll hear all about my failed attempts later."

"Thanks 'Zaki. Now, it's about Sakura and the conference this morning."

"Did you watch it?"

"No. But I got all the details."

"None of this should have happened. None of it."

"Yeah. Was this why you two didn't... you know."

"No, it wasn't," the brunette frowned. "But no one should be outed like that. Sakura didn't... doesn't deserve this. No one does."

"What do you want me to do about it?" Yamazaki asked smiling as the waitress handed him a tall glass of water.

"An interview. Just you, no other journalist or paper will get it. You ask whatever questions you want provided that you print her full answer. Interested?"

"Definitely. I do have one question for you though."

"Sure."

"How's the sex?"


Coughing harshly, Syaoran's face burned bright red as he took a large gulp of his drink to try to clear his throat while Yamazaki just sat cackling evilly.

The next morning was bright, airy and looked like a perfect day. Naturally, every employee at the Lady Yelan had come complete with winter coats and umbrella's since the usual English weather was as unpredictable as it had always been – it was sure to rain at some point that day despite the good weather.

"Meiling! Get me the blue file!" Syaoran yelled through the open door. "And stop daydreaming about your date. You haven't even had it yet."

"I am not daydreaming, and you can't blame me even if I was. I haven't had a date with anyone in a long time. Even you have a boyfriend! I want that!" The red eyed woman pouted, handing him the blue file.

"Thanks for that," he replied referring to Eriol. "I know that you want to go out, so go out. Just not on company time. If the date works out, go out again. If not... find someone else."

"You know, it's not just about being in a relationship. I wanna get laid too. I mean, eight months! I'm in a dry spell!"

"Oh, Gods. Meiling, please don't tell me things like that. You're like a sister to me, and all I want to do when you say things like that is to kill the guy trying to get up your skirt."

"Awww," Meiling cooed. "Don't even think about getting in-between me and a good lay," she smirked smacking him up the head lightly.

"Eww."

"Whatever."

"This isn't the right file," Syaoran said handing it back.

"You asked for the blue file."

"Yes."

"That is the blue file."

"It's the wrong blue file."

"Well, maybe you should be more specific about which blue file you want."

"Just go get it."

"Fine. So, have you spoken to him yet?" She said as she left the room momentarily.

"No. Every time I pick up the phone to call him, I keep getting angry. I can't believe he said that! They're going to sue, and he'll be lucky if Sakura doesn't go down with him." Brushing his hands through his hair, Syaoran sighed heavily.

"How is she? And Tomoyo for that matter." Coming back into the room, Meiling placed six blue files onto Syaoran's desk, beginning to flick through each one as she talked.

"Tomoyo's got a constant headache, but the picture doesn't show her so she's out of the red. As for Ying-Fa... Well when I called her she was almost crying, but she held herself together like the tough girl she is. I've sorted something out so that she can deal with the issue on her terms and in her own way. You should call her, she'll like that." Picking up one of the files, Syaoran wondered just why so many of them were blue. It wasn't like they didn't have different coloured files.

"Yeah, but all we'll end up talking about is shoes. It's all we talk about really."

"Shoes? Really?"

"Yep."

"That's a metaphor, right?" He asked quirking an eyebrow.

"Nope."

"Shoes. Okay, currently forgetting that," picking up a second file, Syaoran shook his head at her. "Just call her. And Tomoyo while you're at it."

"Okay. Ah! Here it is!" Grinning in triumph, Meiling collected the other files in one hand while holding out the correct file in her other hand for Syaoran to take. Gripping it, Syaoran just shook his head again. He was obviously gay for a reason. Women were just not his forte. "Are you really going to make me work on this with you?"

"Yes I am. You made this mess, so you'll help me clean it up."

"I did not make a mess. They didn't want to work with us and I made it clear-"

"That you didn't want to work with them. We don't bully people, Meiling. Ever."

"I know, I know. That guy just has a way of raising my hackles."

Smiling gently at her, he shared a secret smile like he used to when they were young children. "Me too."


Sliding into the comfy red chair of his business partner's office, Eriol rubbed at the temples on his forehead as he tried to ease the ache which was slowly coming over him.

"What the Hell possessed you?" Mizuki Kaho stormed as she sat on the same side of her desk and opposite him.

"I just couldn't take them aiming that low at her. And then me. They tried to get to her through me," he argued back.

"And now the mayor's suing," the tall woman pointed out.

"He's suing me, Kaho. Not the company, not Sakura and not you. Me. I can live with that. Besides, I've got a good lawyer, and this will all be over and done with over a table in some office building out of earshot of the press."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Well, I hope you're right."

"I am."

Leaning over, Kaho placed her hand onto Eriol's knee. "If you need help..."

"No, thank you. But I accept the complement that comes with it," Eriol smiled sadly, lightly brushing the woman's hand off before it could slide any further up his knee.

"Are you sure? I can be very persuasive when I want to be."

"I'm sure you can, but I'm with someone right now."

"That matters?" She smiled coyly.

"Very much."

"Oh... well. Another time then."

"Of course."


The apartment was steadily becoming Eriol's favourite place to be. It was warm, cosy and the kitchen always seemed to have some amazing smells coming from it. Sitting on the comfy couch sipping at a glass of red wine, the bluenette wondered how long the peace was going to last. He had come over two hours after his work day had finished and Syaoran had let him in without any mention of the conference or any kind of ill-will towards him. In fact Syaoran had kissed him firmly the moment he had crossed the doors threshold.

"What were you thinking, Eriol?" Syaoran asked softly, placing a plate of biscuits onto the small coffee table. "You should have handled that way better than you had."

"I know, but he was attacking Sakura and it was and is my duty to protect her," he answered putting the glass down onto the drink mat provided.

"You didn't have to go that far, and there were plenty of ways you could have taken that level of questioning. Besides, Steven was clearly coming after you and not Sakura. If he brings you down, then your company drops in value and ultimately brings the company down along with you." Settling down next to the glasses-clad man with his own glass of wine.

"I know that. And I can sort this out, so everything will be done and dusted by Monday."

"I hope so."

"Actually, I'm more worried about my business partner right now," Eriol admitted. He wasn't really happy about telling Syaoran about the conversation he had had earlier that day, but he didn't want to hide anything right now.

"Why?"

"She... uh... came onto me."

"And you rejected her?"

"Of course."

"That could get intense. And awkward."

"You have no idea," the bluenette sighed. Sighing again at the look Syaoran was giving him, Eriol elaborated. "We used to date. Before I realised that I preferred men."

"Ouch. Rejected twice. That must hurt," the brunette grimaced sipping from his glass again.

"Yeah, I guess. But it got me thinking."

"About what?"

"Us."

"Why?"

"Well... What are we, Syaoran? I mean we sneak around, but we don't hide. We're in a relationship, but we're not actually dating. I don't know what we are, Syaoran, but I do know that I want more," Eriol looked straight into Syaoran's bright amber eyes while he said all of this hoping to convey just what he really wanted.

"I'm not ready for that."

"I know. But I want to try anyway."

"And I don't."

"Syaoran..."

"Don't." Turning away in anger, the brunette chewed on his lower lip. He didn't want this conversation, and he didn't want Eriol to push it.

"I just mean that what we have now isn't enough for me," Eriol pushed.

"Well it's already too much for me," Syaoran bit out, standing.

"So, what are we going to do?" Eriol asked, staying seated and trying to remain calm.

"I don't know."

Gulping, Eriol was dreading his next words, but it was the only thing he could think of right now. Maybe it would sort out all of their feelings and give them a better look at just where the both of them were with each other.

"How about we take a break? Just for a little while."

"A break? As in we don't have a relationship for a short amount of time and we leave each other to see other people?" Syaoran asked, hoping that he would be told that his interpretation was wrong.

"Yes."

So much for that thought, Syaoran mourned. "Have we even been seeing each other for that long?" he laughed bitterly.

"No, but we've been moving quite fast. Maybe this will give us the time we need."

"How long?"

"We'll see."

"Fine." Hugging his arms close to his chest, Syaoran moved into the kitchen. "You know where the door is."

Blinking slowly, Eriol drained the rest of his wine and picked up his coat to leave.


Notes:

¹ 'Karuto' is Japanese for 'card' and 'Taihosha' is Japanese for 'captor' so I put the words together to make this, just a little throw in there from the original series. I wonder how many of you got it.

² I just made this character and 'Steven' up so anyone by those names is just a coincidence. And yes, I despise homophobia. I mean, really, how can you have a phobia to homosexuality? It's just stupid.

³The Times is a British newspaper, and I just picked it at random since you can get it pretty much anywhere in the country.