A Winter's Tale
A fiction by moondocc
The Re-written version of A Winter's Tale

CHAPTER THREE

A young woman sat on the couch uncomfortably, touching curiously at the high-quality fabric that the couch is made out of. Although it's made of real leather, she still felt pretty uncomfortable. "There's no place like home…" she whispered sadly, and tugged at the bags of luggage next to her.

"Your room is down the hall, to the right." A man said as he came out of the bathroom, throwing two new towels at her.

She glared. The young man saw this look, and to her dismay, he insulted her again. "I'm generous enough to let you stay here, Kinomoto, so please, don't make a fuss."

Sakura narrowed her eyes. "If it wasn't for Naozumi…" she trailed off.

"Oh yes. If it weren't for Naozumi you'd be on the streets with broken heels right now." Syaoran chuckled to himself. Sakura shuddered at the image: no money on her, broken heels, having to drag her feet home…it was a horrific thought.

Syaoran smirked to himself. He had finally gotten her to shut up. "And don't come out of your room when I'm home. I'm a very private person."

Sakura slowly turned her head to Syaoran, "…Excuse me?"

"Are you deaf?"

To this Sakura replied with a death glare. "I said, I'm a very private person. And I would very much appreciate it if you'd stay put to your room and not come out when I'm around."

"It's not like I would like to, anyway," Sakura snorted, "But Jimmy wants us to 'spend some time' together."

"Whatever. As long as he thinks we're living under the same roof, we'll create a false illusion. If you don't tell, I won't." He winked.

"You are so pathetic, Li." Sakura said simply, then looked down at her nails, looking very interested indeed. This only angered Syaoran. Out of the corner of her eyes Sakura saw a very very…red potato charging her way. She felt a hand wrap around her chin, forcing her to glare up.

"This is my house. Kinomoto. My rules. Don't you dare insult me in my house." He said seriously, his eyes radiating a dangerous aura.

Sakura didn't say anything. She was too scared and too apathetic to respond. She nodded weakly, and he loosened his grip. "What a freaking ridiculous man." She muttered under her breath.

"What did you say?" Syaoran had caught her.

"Nothing." Sakura breathed. "I'm going to take a shower." Syaoran sighed. "You are such a burden."

Sakura stopped in her tracks, but continued a second later, pretending that she didn't hear Syaoran's rude comment. She stepped into the bathroom, towel and fresh clothes in her arm. She turned on the light.

"Wow…" she sighed exasperatedly, completely taken away by what she saw. The bathroom was like a pool house. It had soft green wallpapers decorated with cream roses and cream tiles that matched the roses. The size of the bathroom was amazing. It was 30-by-30, a perfect square with a Jacuzzi in the center, a shower in a corner, and a tub across from the shower. She walked to the Jacuzzi, appreciating its size. It was like a mini-swimming pool! She decided that she would enjoy the Jacuzzi tonight. Syaoran's paying the bill, anyway.

Sakura began to take off her clothes. She put the fresh clothes on the sink, and sighed, relieved. She was surrounded by such extravagance that she was completely appalled and surprised at Syaoran's luxurious lifestyle. His abundant money and his successful career must have made him so arrogant and condescending towards her.

Even she wasn't that rich.

Sakura walked slowly to the Jacuzzi, and went to turn on the water. When she lowered her body to touch the switch, she screamed sharply. Outside Syaoran was just reading newspaper delivered from this morning, and when he heard the scream, he rolled his eyes. "What now?" he groaned, ran to the bathroom, and opened the door abruptly.

Sakura had had just enough time to wrap a towel around her naked body. Syaoran paused at the sight of her. Her hair was a mess, her cheeks flushed, her lips slightly parted, as if taken aback by his sudden appearance. Her green eyes were staring directly at him, although he couldn't decipher what emotion she was showing.

It was a mix of anger and surprise, he thought to himself. God, she looked beautiful. He tried to look away, but the sight of her covered only in towels and hair up in a messy bun made her look extraordinarily attractive. Her slender arms and legs and her flat stomach and good figure left him stranded in his place, unable to move. He has never had his breath so taken away before by an almost-naked body. It was like he was suffocating for air.

"Sy…Syaoran!" Sakura broke the silence.

Syaoran looked away and cleared his throat. "I uh…heard you scream."

"Th-there's a dead cockroach inside the Jacuzzi." Syaoran observed her. Her face was slightly red too, obviously aware of the situation at hand.

Syaoran walked over the Jacuzzi, ignoring her presence. If he looked at her again, he swear, he'll never take his eyes off her again. No, it's not that she was any more endearing to him; she was still a pain in the ass.

Well…a good-looking pain in the ass.

The dead cockroach was lying flat on its stomach, its antenna pointing lifelessly. It was at least six inches in length and it was one fat cockroach. Syaoran pondered on the possibility that it might have died of a heart attack due to excessive fat blocking its artery. Then he decided that he was crazy. Bugs didn't have hearts.

"Get it out!" Sakura whined, only wanting Syaoran to leave her nightmare quickly.

Syaoran stared, but he did nothing. He had a secret fear of cockroaches, although he wouldn't admit that to anyone, especially to a certain Kinomoto. His hand grabbed some toilet paper and he was approaching it with caution.

"Hurry up already!"

Syaoran turned around, giving Sakura a death glare. That shut her up immediately. He turned back around again and looked at the dead cockroach. He was thinking of a way to not get his hands touching the giant mutant, but he couldn't.

"Why don't you get it Kinomoto? You found it." Syaoran backed away, gesturing for Sakura to go get the thing.

"So you can look up my towel?" Sakura sneered, "sorry, mister, no way." Syaoran shrugged. He was getting worried now. If they both can't get this cockroach out, there's no way that he can enjoy that Jacuzzi again. Ok, maybe not that dramatic. But you get the point.

Sakura leaned over his shoulders, looking at the cockroach. She had a secret grin on her face that Syaoran didn't particularly like. What now?

"Li…" she smiled wickedly, "do I sense…a fear of bugs?"

"No-no." Syaoran mumbled, a little too quickly. Sakura laughed. "I think you are! You're scared of cockroaches!"

Syaoran cleared his throat. "No I'm not."

"Oh yeah? Then prove it." She handed him a thin napkin. "Take that cockroach out."

It was Syaoran's turn to grin wickedly. "Why should I, Kinomoto? This is my house after all. If you can't get it out yourself, too bad. I guess you won't be able to enjoy the Jacuzzi tonight!"

"Oh that's perfectly fine," Sakura dismissed it with a wave of her hand, "I can enjoy the showers. And I can also tell Tomoyo and Eriol and Touya what a fraidy-cat you are…can't even get a puny little cockroach out of the tub."

Syaoran's face tightened. He grabbed the napkin from Sakura's hand and reached into the Jacuzzi. He narrowed his eyes, trying to avert them from such a horrid sight. He should have let servants do this. If this was only his home, he'd yell at the housekeeper and then fire her. But he couldn't. Kinomoto is there, and Kinomoto isn't going to like it when he keeps the dead thing in there. Quickly he wrapped the thin napkin around the cockroach, feeling its body—lifeless, hard, crunchy. He shivered.

Sakura stood next to him and made sure he got it out of the tub. Just when he whirled around he flashed the dead cockroach in her face, causing Sakura to scream loudly. Syaoran had to cover his ears. "Oww…." He moaned. "What's wrong with you? It's just a bug."

Sakura winced. "Get that thing away from me!" she ordered, running away from him. Syaoran smirked. "So childish."

Closing the door behind him, Syaoran threw the cockroach in the trash. He went into the kitchen to fix himself some afternoon delight. He thought about how good Kinomoto looked, and then quickly shook that thought away from his head. Kinomoto was not his type of girl. She's loud, she's repulsive, she's mean…she's beautiful, she's adorable.

Nah. What a disgusting thought. But for all those times that they've worked together he already thought that she was somewhat pleasant, although in a sarcastic way. He always thought that she had a certain livelihood about her that attracted men. Now he had finally seen it. He wasn't sure what "it" was, but he was pretty sure that he won't submit to her. Not when she knew his secret: the fear of cockroaches.

Watching every motion
In my foolish lover's game
On this endless ocean
Finally lovers know no shame
Turning and returning
To some secret place inside
Watching in slow motion
As you turn around and say
My love

Take my breath away
Take my breath away

"Hey." Noah whispered, sitting himself down next to Rosaline. "What are you doing here?"

Rosie was sitting in the corner of a deserted hallway, clutching a piece of paper and crying quietly. When she saw Noah, she handed the letter to him, her face flooded with tears.

The moment he took the letter he regretted it. It was the letter of acceptance to Yale. He observed Rosie's face carefully.

"Rosaline-" he started, taking the ground next to her and sat down, but she interrupted him before he could say another word. "Explain that to me. Explain it, Dao."

Noah looked at her. It hurt him to see her in so much pain, so much fear…fear for him. "I'm sorry, Rosie. I didn't want you to give up your whole future for me."

"Sorry? How could you be? You lied to me." Rosie said in disgust. "How could you lie to me?"

"I'm sorry." He said again, quietly. "I didn't get accepted into Tokyo University. I'm so sorry Rosie."

She looked away, hiding another flood of tears running down her rosy cheeks. "You lied to me…"

"I bet you lied to me because you don't want me to be with you. You lied to me because you think I'm not the one for you." Rosie said determinedly, swallowing another flood of tears.

He looked down. "No, that's not why I lied to you."

Rosie's emerald orbs gazed fiercely in his amber. "Then why?" she said softly, so softly that her voice was barely heard by him. But he had long ago learned to read her lips.

Noah looked at his two feet. He took a deep breath. "I-I lied to you because I didn't want you to give up college just to be with me." He explained patiently, trying to hold Rosie's hand. She flicked her hand away as if she had just touched hot coal.

"But you know I don't care about colleges…I just want to be with you…" she said sadly, her eyes drooping to the floor.

Noah sighed. She caught it. "So you think being with you is wrong?"

"No. No that's not what I meant."

"Then what do you mean?" she said hotly, her voice above normal volume. "What made you lie to me? You said you were going to Tokyo University with me. Instead you are going to Yale."

"You can't ruin your whole life because of me! I won't allow that!" He shouted, so loud that he scared her. She fell silent and began sobbing again.

"Look, I'm sorry Rosie. I'm sorry. I really am. But I just won't let your dream of becoming a successful writer die because of me."

Rosie gazed at him. "But I can be a writer anywhere. I can write in America, I can write in Japan, hell, I can even write in a sewer."

Noah chuckled. That was how much Rosie fascinated him. She was such a free spirit. "Don't give yourself up because of me."

"Heck, I'll follow you anywhere."

Noah smiled. He pulled her face into his and claimed her lips. He pressed his lips so softly against hers that she could barely feel it. Tingling tender danced on her lips, luring her into his world. She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled his face closer to hers. She felt his fingers running through her long, auburn hair and she felt his heart beating rapidly against his chest and she felt him gasping for breath.

"I love you." He whispered between kisses. She widened her eyes and pulled his face away from hers with her hands. He smiled serenely, waiting for her response. For a moment he took her breath completely away, so much that she felt like that she had no heart, for he had stolen it that moment and sealed it forever.

Rosie smiled with pain. "You lied to me, Noah." She paused to look at him. He was struggling with his smile. "For that, I'll never forgive you." She said cruelly.

Noah nodded slowly and watched Rosaline walk away towards the other end of the hallway. He was surprised at her sudden change of heart, but when she turned around, she saw a sheepish smile embroidered in his face.

He noticed her gaze, and smiled wider. "I'll never forget you, Rosaline Ohiro. Even if you forget me." She faltered. "Forgive me."

"CUT!" Jimmy shouted. Sakura walked back towards Syaoran from the end of the hallway and lent him a hand. "Get up," she ordered, "We must show Jimmy our newly developed chemistry."

Syaoran took the hand, smirking to himself. They had only been living together for two days, and they've already driven each other crazy. The only reason that Sakura put so much effort into this scene was because she wanted to show how intriguing and fantastic Jimmy's idea was. In fact, when they were kissing, he could feel Sakura was merely doing it well because she wanted to impress Jimmy. What a woman, he thought. What a woman indeed.

"That was great, Sakura!" Jimmy chirped happily as Sakura skipped towards him, hand in hand with Syaoran. Syaoran had a hard time keeping up with her, considering at the speed she was running towards Jimmy.

"Li!" Sakura shrieked, making Syaoran jump back. "You're still here!"

"Of course I am, you dummy." Sakura noticed their joined hands. She quickly pulled hers away, embarrassed. Syaoran laughed…what a dummy indeed.

"JIMMMMMMYYYYY!" Sakura screamed happily, giving Jimmy a big bear hug. Jimmy widened his eyes, obviously surprised, but accepted Sakura's hug eagerly. "Good job Sakura. That was the best scene yet!" He pulled away from her and gave her a thumb-up. "Syaoran, good job too. I love how you handled that 'sheepish smile' thing." Syaoran smiled proudly.

"Shall we go for lunch, Sakura, Syaoran?" Jimmy offered. "It's on me." Syaoran shrugged. He wouldn't mind either way, although he knows that if he went along too, Sakura would hate him.

"Sure, I'll go," he beamed wickedly while Sakura threw him dangerous glares. "Bastard," she muttered under her breath. Jimmy seemed too happy to hear their rude insults, and led them both out of the school building. "You guys better wear your sunglasses." He warned.

"It doesn't matter, fans will still recognize us." Syaoran said simply, putting on his sunglasses and a black cap. He changed into a black striped suit with a pink shirt underneath, the top unbuttoned. He had a necklace around his neck, pure silver, of the Christian cross. He looked absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. Sakura Kinomoto had a yellow blouse over a green tank top and a beautiful white flowing skirt that reached her knees. She wore gold sandals and had a diamond necklace around her neck and a hoop earring in one of her ears. Jimmy wore a blue director's cap and a white shirt that hugged his striking body and tucked into his navy slacks. The three together looked like models gracing the presence of ordinary people. All had sunglasses on and they walked next to each other in a straight line. Ordinary people glared their way, their faces a mix of jealousy and adulation.

"It doesn't seem like they've recognized us yet, Li." Sakura said in an 'I-told-you-so' tone. Syaoran rolled his eyes. Why does that girl have to be so arrogant all the time? The trio soon walked into an expensive-looking seafood restaurant and was attended by a private waiter.

"Hey, Yuki," Jimmy smiled while Yuki pulled out chairs for Sakura, Syaoran and Jimmy. "How's the girlfriend?"

Yuki, a tiny man around twenty-five smiled a radiant smile, and said, "oh, she's coming along just fine. In fact, I proposed to her last week!"

Jimmy widened his eyes. "Oh really? Congratulations! You must invite me to your wedding then!"

"Sure thing, sure thing, Kyo. I'd love for you to come to our wedding. You're so famous around us that everyone will come if you're there to grace our union!" Yuki smiled.

"Yes, yes, whatever, Yuki," Jimmy laughed, "I'm not half as famous as these two guests around us." He gestured for Sakura and Syaoran to take off their sunglasses. Yuki gasped. "Why it's…"

Jimmy nodded.

"Syaoran Li and Sakura Kinomoto!" Yuki opened his mouth. "You are famous!"

Syaoran chuckled, peering sideways to see Sakura's reaction. She was smiling! That was a rare thing. "It's always so lovely to meet a fan." She grinned.

"And together too!" Yuki said as if he had found a chest of treasure. "You two…why aren't you two going out?"

Sakura and Syaoran exchanged glances.

"The tabloids said that you both deny that you're a couple, but you can trust me. You guys are having fun together right?" He winked, "know what I mean?"

That's sick. Sakura thought, but she wasn't going to say that to a fan. To her surprise, Syaoran stepped forward and beamed widely, "Yup. We're having fun alright." At this comment he winked twice at Sakura, making her shudder. Jimmy laughed at the irony. "Never mind them, Yuki. Come on, Syaoran, Sakura, let's go sit at that table over there."

Sakura and Syaoran followed Jimmy toward a table in the corner. They were sitting next to a giant fish tank with all kinds of goldfish in it. Sakura squealed happily. She pointed at a slightly "overweight" goldfish with protruding cheeks and squeezed her eyes cutely, "EEEEK! It's so kawaii!" Syaoran, who was sitting opposite of her, stared, quite annoyed by her childishness.

"How old are you, Kinomoto?" Syaoran asked.

"Twenty-one, you idiot. I thought you knew that." Sakura stared, not sensing the sarcastic tone of his voice. He laughed. "Tell me, Kinomoto, is it not a phenomenon that a twenty-one year old woman acts like a foolish four-year-old girl?"

Sakura gasped. "It is not." She defended herself weakly.

Syaoran nodded. "Oh alright then, because I was just about to call the news people, but since you have declared that it's not, I guess I'm wrong."

Sakura narrowed her eyes. Jimmy, who sat next to Sakura, reached out for her hand. "Sakura, shall we order?" he asked kindly. She smiled back warmly, and nodded. Then, when Jimmy turned around to call Yuki, she stuck her tongue out at Syaoran.

To her surprise, Syaoran stuck out his tongue at her too.

"Hmph." She grunted, and looked away. Syaoran had a victorious smirk on his face.

"What would you like, sir?" Yuki asked. Syaoran was so distracted that he didn't even hear Yuki. "Sir? What would you like?" Yuki asked again politely.

"Huh? Oh yes, I would like to order."

Yuki cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Yes, what would you like, sir?"

"Oh what would I like? Hmm… I guess uhh…" he paused and quickly glimpsed the menu. "Roasted salmon with lemongrass and a strawberry shortcake. And iced tea for the drink, please." He said as he handed Yuki the menu.

"And you, Kyo?" Yuki asked. Jimmy smiled, "I would like the lobster, the shrimp and chicken pasta, a double-chip chocolate ice cream for desert, and a glass of scotch."

Yuki smiled. "And you, miss Kinomoto?" Sakura smiled sheepishly. "The same." The truth is, she didn't like lobsters, or shrimps, but that was okay.

"I guess I'd better be the one to drag these two home then, under their drinking conditions," Syaoran joked. Jimmy laughed, "Yes, Mr. Li, you better."

"Although Kinomoto may be an obstacle." Sakura glared. "But I'll get her home nonetheless." He added.

Yuki winked at Sakura. "Good then, I trust my favorite famous people in your hands, Mr. Li." With that he walked away, carrying a towel on his back.

"Lovely." Jimmy commented. "You're just what we need, Syaoran."

Watching I keep waiting
Still anticipating love
Never hesitating
To become the fated ones
Turning and returning
To some secret place inside
Watching in slow motion
As you turn around and say
My love

Take my breath away
Take my breath away

"Walk, Kinomoto." Someone ordered. Sakura tried to open her eyes, but all she could see was a whirlpool of lights dancing crazily and figures spinning around her. "Ouch…" she moaned. Her head felt as heavy as a hammer. Everyone around her seemed to be screaming.

"Walk, Kinomoto." The voice seemed more persistent now, louder, heavier, more controlling. But she couldn't walk. She could barely see the blurry man carrying her in his arms.

Wait…he was carrying her? What the hell… What's going on here? Why is she in the arms of a man? But that voice…it sounded so strange, yet so familiar. She sighed. She felt perfectly safe in his arms. She flipped herself toward his chest, burying her face inside, smelling fresh and fragrant cologne diffusing from his shirt.

"Walk, Kinomoto." The voice ordered again, more impatient now. Sakura groaned. She wasn't in the condition to walk yet. Just one more minute…

"OWWWWWWWW!" She screamed. The man had dropped her on the ground without so much as a warning. She had fallen on her head. She rubbed it, trying to open her eyes. "WHAT THE HELL!" She cussed at the person in front of her.

"You asked for it." Came the cold and condescending voice.

"LI! YOU ASSHOLE!" Sakura screamed, her eyes fully open, and charged into him and kicked him hard in the shin. He cursed loudly, his hand bending to hug his wounded leg. "What the heck was that for?"

"That's for dropping me flat on the ground, jerk!" Sakura crossed her arms, her eyes flaring anger. Syaoran was still bending over his shin, but his eyes flashed up, brooding hatred. "After carrying you for four miles straight…"

Sakura narrowed her eyes. "Whatever."

"WHATEVER? And this is what I get for carrying you all that distance?" Syaoran stood up, his arms moving in all directions. "You ungrateful ingrate." Sakura observed him; he seemed to be telling the truth. If that was the case…"I'm sorry." She apologized quickly. Syaoran blinked. He hadn't expected that. It was so sudden. Did Miss Arrogant just apologize to him? Since when did pigs fly?

"Excuse me?" he asked, just to make sure.

"I said I'm sorry." She said louder this time.

"What? I didn't hear you." He asked again, enjoying this.

Sakura rolled her eyes. Suddenly she kicked him in the same spot again. "OW!" he screamed loudly, so loud that her heart skipped a beat. "That's what you get for playing me."

Syaoran glared. He had never hated a person more than now. It didn't matter that she was physically attractive. She was mean. They were already standing in front of his apartment complex, and Syaoran was thinking of ways to throw her out in the middle of the night stranded with no money and no shoes. Yes, that idea was becoming more and more appealing.

"Welcome home, Mr. Li, and Ms. Kinomoto," the doorman, Aki, greeted. Syaoran nodded. "Kinomoto, go up the elevator. I have some business to attend to first." Turning to her, he saw that she left without as much as a glance. Syaoran breathed, trying to collect himself. How he hated her guts! Well, this makes what he has to do easier. He focused, as if trying to change his mind before asking Aki of this crazy thing. But he decided he should tell Aki before he talked himself out of it.

"What is it, Syaoran?" Aki asked. Aki was Syaoran's good friend and good doorman, for he was always there to listen to Syaoran's complaints.

"Aki…I have a favor to ask."

"Anything." He smiled.

Syaoran looked at him closely. He wondered if he really should ask Aki such a preposterous task. When Touya finds out he's going to kill him. But he wouldn't care about that now. All he knew was that he hated Sakura with every moving and unmoving bone in his body.

"Will you..." he paused, thinking hard. "Will you…" he whispered some words in which Aki agreed to. He laughed at Syaoran's preposterous idea, but he agreed nonetheless.

"So it will all be done while we're shooting tomorrow, correct?" he asked eagerly.

Aki nodded. Syaoran sneered wryly. "Thanks, Aki. I owe you one." Aki simply smiled as Syaoran waited for the elevator. When the elevator door opened, Aki gave Syaoran an ok-sign and walked away. Syaoran wanted until the elevator door closed for his grand evil laugh.

To be continued…

Author's Note. Heheeheheh. Guess what he's going to do to Sakura? It's going to be super evil! Hahahah. But I would feel bad for Syaoran too... :WINK WINK: well anyway… did you guys enjoy this chapter? I changed the main genre to Humor not Romance, because that seems to be the whole plot of this story… HUMOR HUMOR HUMOR!

Oh wow I enjoyed reading your reviews so much! All of you had positive comments on this one. And I would take a moment to thank those of you who sent me all these great ideas! In fact one of them was incorporated into this chapter, with slight modifications. I hope you don't mind AqUaTicOuTLaw!

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