«A Winter's Tale» Chapter 5: The Big Revenge, a card captor sakura fanfic

A WINTER'S TALE
A fiction by moondocc
The Re-written Version of A Winter's Tale

CHAPTER FIVE

Let's just say that, if someone had sold all of your things, and I mean, all of your things, for a mere…thirteen dollars, there would be no control of your anger. Well, that's exactly how Kinomoto Sakura felt. Her hands clenched into tiny fists, her head broiling in rage, her eyes screaming fury. There was, indeed, no amount of vivid vocabulary to portray even close to how this famous actress felt.

Among the things that were sold, a Chanel jacket, a LV purse, a pair of eight-hundred-dollar Coach sandals, Sakura had also lost her favorite pair of True Religion jeans. She had brought all of her clothes there. All of her name brand clothes, including some of the designs that Tomoyo had given her as gifts. Oh boy, was she mad.

She knocked on the door furiously; pounding it as if it were Syaoran's blasted head, and then kicked it one more time. She waited a while, humming bright tunes to herself to calm herself down. She looked around the hallway. The apartment building was pretty grand, one hundred stories in all. The carpets were in a rich lip red color and the wallpapers were of a comfortable pink. She carefully noted the brick red door in front of her, made of only the highest quality of Phoenician wood, which are now extinct.

"Oh, hello," she said in her happiest voice possible as a head peeked out from behind the door and eyed her up and down.

"Thank god it's not the tabloid. Sorry, Sakura, this week has been frantic. Please come in."

"Thank you, I'm sorry if I'm bothering you," she said apologetically as she stepped in. Her dress was still lavender…with green stripes running across it. The moment she thought about that she clenched her fists again.

The door creaked wide open, giving her a full view of the apartment. The first thing Sakura did was gasp at how luxurious it looked. It was extremely spacious, with full windows running on the side of the apartment giving complete access to the metropolitan view of Tokyo, Japan, and its beautiful night lights. Her hand involuntarily covered her mouth as she examined the magnificence of the living room, large with some lime green colored bean bags in the center accompanied with lime green couches that didn't have a back.

It was the apartment of the 22nd century.

"How beautiful!" Sakura chirped, forgetting her grudge with that conceited, selfish, hateful bastard. "Yes, I had a whole team design it. Everything here is just pure white, except for the couches."

"I love your apartment, Jimmy. It's a hundred times better than mine. Mine is so…antique." Sakura said sadly.

"Haha, it's not, Sakura, yours is cute," Jimmy said kindly, leading Sakura to the couch. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Oh yes, please. I've had a bad day," Sakura grunted. "Do you have soda?"

"Of course!" Jimmy said happily as he strolled into the kitchen. Sakura sat on the couch, uncomfortable because it didn't have a back. She slowly began to miss the couches at Syaoran's. Then she shook the thought away.

The couches were arranged in a way that they surrounded a small glass table in the center. She glanced at it casually. There was a manuscript for some movie called Somebody, which was a weird name, Sakura reasoned, and a cup of unfinished coffee.

"Whoa!" A voice cracked behind her. Sakura turned around abruptly.

"Miss Sakura?" the familiar (and handsome) face said carefully.

"Oh yes! Sakura," Jimmy yelled from the kitchen, having heard the loud crack, "I forgot to tell you, Daisuke Mashimato is also here today!"

"I can see that," Sakura smiled weakly. "What brings you here?" Daisuke asked as he walked over to the center of the living room and stabled his glass of wine on the glass table.

"Li auctioned all my things during our shoot today," she started, "all for thirteen dollars."

Daisuke's eyes widened. "What?" he couldn't believe his ears. That was too sudden and too unexpected for a "What brings you here?" question.

"Yes, he sold all my things for thirteen dollars, and presented me with three porno magazines," she groaned in frustration. "I know we've only just met and I don't want you to think badly of me because of this, but I really, really, really feel like murdering that son of a gun now."

Daisuke laughed. Sakura gave him a dirty look. "I'm sorry," he continued, "that was just too cute. The way you're mad…that was too cute." He smirked. Somehow Daisuke had managed to tip the corner of her mouth…just a little bit.

At this time Jimmy came back with Sakura's soda and handed it to her. "So what brings you here today, Sakura?" he sat down on the couch and crossed his legs. He held a soda in his hand too, leaving the coffee unwanted as he took a gulp.

"Li Syaoran sold all of Sakura's things for thirteen dollars," Daisuke volunteered to explain.

"Pfffffft." Jimmy spilled soda everywhere. His mouth was then open in awe in what he had done. Sakura looked down at her lavender dress. "Hoee… I guess I can't wear this anymore."

"I'm sorry," Jimmy apologized quickly, "that was too big of news to absorb and process while I'm taking a gulp. I'll buy you a new dress, Sakura. One that looks exactly like yours."

"No it's ok," Sakura said sulkily, "Li has already convinced me to sit on a wet paint bench." She said as she turned around and showed Daisuke and Jimmy. Both of them laughed wildly.

"It's not funny!" Sakura protested. "How can someone be such a big bully like that? I wasn't even aware that devils existed until the recent days of my life!"

Daisuke looked sympathetic. "Jimmy, it's your fault for letting me stay with Li. He's such a brainless baka! The past three days living together with such an idiotic man has left me emotionally scarred! And it's only been three days and he's already thrown me out."

"I'm sorry Sakura, but your chemistry with Syaoran has truly bettered! It almost looks like you're a true couple on screen!" Jimmy argued. Daisuke agreed.

Sakura grunted. "What am I going to do? I walked four miles to get here. I'm hot, I'm sweaty, I feel like crap. I can't just let him get away with this. No I can't. He needs to be punished."

"That bit is true." Daisuke nodded, "Syaoran Li is my social opponent. Because of his popularity he always steals roles that were originally intended for me."

Sakura's emerald eyes shone compassionately. "Yes, that is true. I heard you were among top choice for the lead role for A Winter's Tale, except Li beat you."

"Yes, yes, so now I'm a supporting actor," said Daisuke sadly, "that's why I handed this manuscript, Somebody, to Jimmy, hoping that he'll cast me as the lead," Daisuke motioned the manuscript on the table.

"Maybe Syaoran won't be trying out for this script," said Jimmy kindly. "We'll see how this movie turns out, won't we, Daisuke?"

"Yeah, I guess." Daisuke moped. In an instant he brightened up again, smiling, "what should we do about the punishment? It has to be something equally or worse than what he did to you!"

"Frankly I don't think there is anything worse than selling all of my name-brand clothes for thirteen dollars," Sakura said sulkily. "That Syaoran is one devil," Jimmy nodded to himself, "I shouldn't have cast him. This isn't right, to play a prank like this."

"Of course it isn't right!" Daisuke said passionately. "Miss Sakura has only been living with Li for three days! How can you do something like this in three days time?"

Jimmy nodded. "Well, I've known him for three years. I bet he's been planning this all along," Sakura groaned. "I should have done something earlier. Now I suffer the consequences."

"Don't worry, Miss Sakura, I have an idea of what to do," grinned Daisuke evilly. "Oh?"

Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you
Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room?
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears you screaming

No you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life

"You can do this, Miss Sakura, don't worry," Daisuke smiled as Sakura got out of his Porsche. "Do you think so, Daisuke?"

"Yes, yes, just surprise him a bit," Daisuke gave her a thumbs-up. They had stopped in front of Syaoran's apartment complex as Sakura raised her head to glance at the top floor. She could vaguely make out a light, but she wasn't sure if that was Syaoran's apartment.

"I'm a little bit nervous," Sakura whispered. Daisuke had already slammed his car door and now stood at full height next to the short and skinny actress. "It's okay," he beamed, "just let yourself go with it."

"You've done this a million times, right?" Sakura asked carefully, her heart thumping. It wasn't thumping because of the presence of Daisuke, but what she was about to do. She was seriously frightened.

"Nope. Never." Daisuke laughed. "Just remember this and repeat after me. No strings attached."

"No strings attached," Sakura repeated, enunciating each word carefully, "no strings attached. OK, I got it."

"Got it? Good. Now go," Daisuke literally pushed her in front of the door to the lobby and pulled the handle. "Don't be afraid, Miss Sakura, I'll be watching over you."

Sakura braved a weak smile. "Ok, here I go!" she flaunted into the lobby with a confident look on her face. "Hi Aki," she smirked slyly, and waved at Aki, who was dozing off at his post. Aki instantaneously woke up, alarmed, and stared at her as she walked by.

She didn't say anything more. Out of the corner of her eye she can see Aki dialing a number. He must be calling Li…to warn my arrival, she sneered to herself. Ding! The elevator's doors opened as she stepped in and pushed the "close" button.

Only fifty-eight floors to go until eternal salvation! She grinned. She pondered about Daisuke's master plan. Will it succeed? She seriously doubted that, but it was worth a shot. It was better than going to jail under the charge of "first degree homicide".

Sakura stood in front of the same marble door that she had just been thrown out of earlier and knocked three times. Syaoran had just received a call from Aki and almost fell off the chair that he was sitting in. He opened the door carefully, a blatant expression on his face. "What do you want?" he said coldly.

Sakura swallowed her gasp. Syaoran was shirtless again! Why does that bastard walk around half-naked everyday? Is this a habit? She gulped, unsure of what to do. The question becomes: to revenge or not to revenge?

The obvious answer is yes, let's revenge and kick Li's sorry ass. Sakura felt a rush of adrenaline as her hand gripped Syaoran's cheek and leaned in, pulling his lips with hers passionately. Syaoran, completely taken aback, widened his eyes, his eyeballs almost jumping out of their frames. His voice was muffled by her hurried kisses as she pushed herself into his apartment. She secretly smirked to herself.

Step One: get into the apartment. Check.

Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed him violently onto the sofa, still planting him frantic kisses over his eyelids, his nose, his ears. Her hands trailed slyly from his neck to his muscular body, to which she all manipulated him too easily. She could feel his hurried breathing and slight moaning as her fingers teased his chest.

She leaned in, closing their space so that soft wind blew against her face, lifting strands of hair on her forehead that were falling over her closed eyes. Both of her hands were on his cheeks now as she forced her tongue into his tightly shut mouth. He made a stifled sound of protest but soon caved in to her gentle kisses as her tongue explored the walls of his mouth. Syaoran knew he was making a mistake. But when you have a beautiful girl who's voluntarily kissing you like crazy you don't refuse her. You kiss her back.

The world feels hotter, more heated.

Sakura's eyes opened quickly when she felt Syaoran's tongue delve into her mouth. Her heartbeat quickened as their position changed and soon he was on top of her, caressing her lips with an extravagant force. Syaoran smirked to himself. This was this pumpkin's plan? This is nothing. All she needs is a little stimulation and some Syaoran Li. Once she knew the great extent of power that he wields she'll cave into anything he does.

Sakura panicked, noting that their position was now reversed. She was the one with the labored breathing and he was the one that was suffocating her. Daisuke's plan was for her to seduce him with confused, yet passionate kisses, but he was doing that to her! Not only did she not confuse him (well, for a second she did), he was confusing her! Alarmed, Sakura pulled Syaoran's face yet closer to hers, so close that she accidentally bit his lips. She hoped to puzzle him. Instead he whimpered from the taste of blood, but recovered within a second as he again, savored her lips eagerly. She was here, making out with the most wanted bachelor in Japan, and possibly China, as her brain screamed out of control, and her body did the exact opposite.

She was supposed to nail him! Feeling failure of her plan, Sakura pushed Syaoran away abruptly and stood up before she completely embarrassed herself. "Get out." She ordered, pointing at the door.

Syaoran blinked. "Excuse me?" he scoffed icily, his amber eyes of stone observing her in derision. "This is my apartment."

"Get out, right now, or I'll leave." Sakura said dangerously.

"I've already thrown you out, in case you don't remember," Syaoran mocked, amused. "Chicken-brain."

Sakura gave him a death glare, trying best not to focus on his bare body. She could wear muted rain outside. She glanced at the large window drawing from ceiling to floor. The piece of glass was stained with tiny clear drops that attached to it like leeches. Indeed, millions of droplets of rain slashed on the ground as intense thunder and lightning stroke the harmless earth. One strike had just brightened up the sky for about a second.

Sakura grunted, her fists clenching tightly together. Biting her lips, she walked up to Syaoran and did the unthinkable. She stomped him on the foot, hard, as he yelped in surprise and began hopping, his hands wrapping around the poor thing. She blew him a raspberry, ran, and closed the door with a bang behind her.

She couldn't bare it anymore. She just couldn't. She was supposed to steal Syaoran's wallet (and max out all of his credit cards, no less) while she was kissing him, but somehow, the power of his kiss was so great that all she could do was trying to fight back the urge of kissing him back. But that was what he was supposed to do! Her plan had turned completely upside down!

She had underestimated Syaoran Li. Truly, truly underestimated.

Little did she know, Syaoran was thinking the same thing about her.

Do you wanna be somebody else?
Are you sick of feeling so left out?
Are you desperate to find something more?
Before your life is over
Are you stuck inside a world you hate?
Are you sick of everyone around?
With their big fake smiles and stupid lies
While deep inside you're bleeding

No you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me

Sakura pushed the door from the lobby as she felt rain droplets land on her like rotted squash. She didn't even think that she could think of such an analogy to compare something as beautiful as rain with rotten squash, but she couldn't think right now. Her mind wasn't exactly working straight. She knew from the first moment that Daisuke had told her the plan that she was doomed to fail and her intuition was horribly correct. She felt like such a disappointment, not able to seduce a man like Syaoran Li, who was the easiest person on earth to seduce.

He is the most wanted bachelor, after all. And wanted bachelors always cave into women easily, but never taking them seriously. That was exactly what Sakura was trying to imitate! She was trying out the philosophy, "no strings attached". But it seems that Syaoran Li had personally invented the stupid theory and had completely thrown her off the meter gauge! She was no where near the level of sophistication and no where near the level of seduction skills as him.

Fuck. To add to her broody mood, she is now inextricably wet. From head to toe. She had been standing in the pouring rain for two minutes, and now her lavender dress is without a doubt, ruined. From the green stripes running across it to Jimmy's accidentally coke spills to the torrential downpour, this dress is officially pronounced "dead".

Sakura had just had one of the worst days in her life. Thirteen dollars to passionate kisses in one day? Who can take that? That's like the nightmare that most people only get in dreams dawning on her so-called "successful" life. Sakura groaned. She sat on the extending bricks of Syaoran's apartment building and pressed her hands against her forehead. Her body was dripping wet. It had only been a minute or two since she had come out of his heated room with flushed cheeks and swollen lips, but to her, the moment that she had failed completely signaled the beginning of her surrender to him. No matter how hard she tried, she'll still be a disappointment to herself. She'll never beat him at his own game. That bastard.

The rain slashed down like knives of steel, burning and hitting her body so frequently that it ached. She could feel arrows dropping on her tender face harshly, as if purposely cutting her soft skin.

This must be my punishment, Sakura thought bitterly, punishment for that stupid plan. I wished I had inquired Daisuke how to handle this situation more… She growled. She felt like screaming in the pouring rain. Not that anyone would hear her anyway since her sense of propriety had already stopped her.

Oh, what the hell. Who wouldn't scream after having such a horrible day?

"AHH!" Sakura screeched at the top of her lungs. "I HATE YOU LI SYAORAN! I HATE YOU SO FUCKING MUCH YOU DUMBASS! WHY DON'T YOU JUST JUMP OFF A CLIFF AND DIE!"

Now that felt good. She felt a sense of relief and the rain seemed to drop harder. It wasn't pain anymore. It was joy. Excitement. Thrill. Screaming makes everyone feel better. Screaming relieves stress. And stress was just what Sakura had too much of today.

"Enough of your cursing?" Someone said coldly. The rain had stopped. Sakura looked up; there is a black roof above her head. She was dripping wet still.

"I hate you, Li. You make my life so fucking miserable." She spat.

Syaoran's eyes never faltered. His eyes simply bored sternly into hers. "You need to stop this craziness. This mad cursing. It doesn't suit you."

"Oh? Craziness doesn't suit me? Then what does, huh?" Sakura inquired dangerously, her arms swinging back and forth, acting as if she was drunk. Inside, she felt pain throb against her heart, so powerful that her body felt out of control. Her heart was miserable, beating wildly, so untamed that the pressure was too great for her to bear. "What exactly suits Kinomoto Sakura, Li Syaoran? Aren't I always the crazy one in your eyes? Aren't I always the stupid, idiot dummy who always tumbles over or walks into a tree or bumps her head against glass doors?"

Syaoran said nothing. His eyes continue to bore into her eyes, killing her. Overwhelmed with frustration Sakura grabbed Syaoran's collar and pulled him close to her.

"Don't pity me, Li. You don't have the right to." She hissed.

His eyes never left hers. They showed neither hurt or irritation or frustration or anger. He merely looked at her with utter contempt. The rain stopped over her head, the roof above her so strong and powerful. The sound of the rain never ceased crackling against the thin veil over her, but her heart, darker than the darkest night, pounded in a mess. She didn't want him to pity her. Not her of all people. This wasn't just about the money anymore. No, it wasn't. This is more than that stupid auction.

This is life.

Moreover, this is her life. Her life and Syaoran Li's life. Her path is trapped and entangled within his, but never seeking a way out. She never tried, anyway, believing that fate has already cut out her road for her. But now it was time. It was time to untangle this web of lies and deceit and heartbreak and step out of her cocoon and become a butterfly.

She truly, truly, despised him. With hatred as an impetus, Sakura pushed Syaoran away violently. The rain started again, this time landing harder and harder on her body, her face, her hair, her arms, her legs dripping with the wonders of nature. The roof disappeared. The feel of water against her became all too real again; the sound was condensing into her focus, the taste was all too authentic. The bittersweet taste of rain.

She walked away from him, never bothering to look back.

Behind her, he watched her disappear, never bothering to follow.

It was a curse bestowed upon them. Binding the two of them together. Sakura lumped in the heavy downpour, her mouth still tasted of his tender lips as her tears mixed with droplets of rainwater. She hated weakness. She hated crying. Especially weakness and crying over as something stupid as him.

But then she chose to cry. No one could tell the difference between a droplet of tear and a droplet of rain, anyway.

No one ever lied straight to your face
And no one ever stabbed you in the back
You might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okay
Everybody always gave you what you wanted
You never had to work it was always there
You don't know what it's like, what it's like

To be continued…

Author's Note. Thanks to Akkirako Chikuro for correcting the mistake! Dasuke is now changed to Daisuke, as in DNAngel.

gahhh! Angst! Well, not really, since this chapter was really confusing. Yes, Sakura's plan was seduction, and no, she didn't succeed. She failed because Syaoran was so good at seducing people, therefore "she could never beat him at his own game". I hate it when stories have someone succeed so easily, you know? Like everything goes the character's way and everyone got their revenge easily. This is reality, baby. Nothing is easy. And the "Roof" over her head, that's Syaoran's black umbrella because I wasn't really clear on that.

And no, you guys, there are no sparks of love yet, possibly because she really, really hates him right now.

Haha, SS off to a horrible, horrible start! They're both so heartless, aren't they? Well I guess especially Syaoran. He's starting to look pretty bad in this story. Oh, and if you guys wonder what her next scheme will be, I don't know yet. But hopefully something evil because the next chapter (I hope) will be a little bit surprising (or maybe the next and the one after that).

Anyway, please review! I look forward to reading your thoughts!