AN: I finally came around with this chapter straight jacket feeling. I got the title from one of my favorite songs from the All-American-Rejects. It made sense. Hope you enjoy it:)

Disclaimer: I don't own card captor Sakura

Chapter 3

STRAIGT JACKET FEELING

(Normal POV)

Syaoran sank himself in the navy blue armchair right across a coffee table. The remote control lay dead in his hand as images flashed from the TV screen. There was something gratifying about doing absolutely nothing. He often found himself wondering. He wondered how a guy such as himself would have so little to do with his life. He wondered why he chose to stay and sometimes he would wonder what Sakura was doing. Often she would stay in her room for hours and only come out when she needed something to eat. There was never much for them to say. Every now and then they would utter a swift "excuse me", "thank you" and "please pass the-" anything else would only strengthen the tension between them.

At one point it felt as though things were not going to change. They lived in two separate worlds. Eventually their worlds would to collide. It was inevitable. One calm night; Syaoran lay half asleep on his bed. He couldn't remember the last time he slept in tranquility. He shifted a few times before there was a sudden knock on his door. He walked steadily across the darkened room pulling up his boxer shorts along the way.
"What's wrong?" he asked before opening the door and noticing confusion in Sakura's eyes. Her face was pale with drops of water. Her hair was wet and unruly and her clothes were dripping with water. "What happened to you?"
"I think I messed up."
He quickly studied her expression. She looked fragile and tentative.
She gasped "There was something wrong with pipe…in the kitchen." She hesitated "I was trying to fix it, now there is water everywhere."
Syaoran raised his eyebrows intrigued "You what?"
"I'm sorry." she said sincerely in a half whisper.
"Why didn't you call me earlier?"
Sakura was rigid and silent. She then lightly brushed her hair back before replying "I just thought I could fix it and besides we don't actually communicate." She confessed.
"Don't move. Let me put on something."
Sakura turned around. She could hear the sound of his footsteps on the count of the wood made a squeaky sound every time he moved. She looked longingly at her feet as though looking for a sign. It seemed like the only way of hiding her embarrassment. What was his expression? Endurance and tolerance; that was all she could hope for, nothing more complimentary.
"Are you mad at me?" Syaoran asked pulling up a pair of tracksuit pants above his knees.
Sakura held her head up "No Syaoran…I was."
Syaoran was surprised to hear his name come from her lips. It was the way she said it that gave him goose bumps. He put on a grey t-shirt.
"I'm glad."
This had become the secret way of saying sorry. All the strings between were broken. He felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He walked up to her.
"Show me the mess you made."
As he followed her out of the room he felt water touch the heel of his feet. It was everywhere excluding the bathroom and their bedrooms. They walked into the kitchen where Sakura pointed at the sink.
"It's worse than I thought."
"I'm really sorry. If you want me to move out I'll be gone tomorrow morning."
Syaoran looked at her "Don't; you're not going anywhere. We can fix this." He assured her. "I'm just going to fix the pipes." His tone was calm and confidence. It reminded her of the boy she once fell in love with.
Sakura stood back as he walked up to the sink. A swirl of water swept across the kitchen. Syaoran had a delicious feeling that he was in control.

An hour later the pipe was fixed but there was still water everywhere. Sakura grabbed a mop and a bucket from a corner.
"This is going to be one long night." Syaoran said looking around.
Sakura soaked the mop in the puddle of water "I barely sleep anyway."
He paused "Me too…It's irritating."
"I've tried everything- sleeping pills, counting sheep…"
"Having late-night snacks." He added.
"How did you know?"
"I see the kitchen light come on every night." He said with what appeared to be a half smile.
There was a string of silence that didn't last for long. Sakura turned to him and sighed "Why are you letting me stay."
He stopped mopping "Well you and I dated for nearly a decade, it was the least I could do. I still…"he choked on his words "It was the right thing to do."
Sakura smiled embracing the moment. "Thank you."
He mopped the floor and replied "sure, don't mention it."
Sakura carried on mopping.
"You know…" he suddenly begun "Rei wanted me to kick you out."
Sakura nodded as though she was not staggered.
"Don't take her too seriously." He said scornfully "I don't."
Sakura made a face that didn't go unnoticed "That's mean. I thought you too had something going on."
"When I first met her she was cool. She was a pretty girl, flirtatious, funny and all that. Everything was great until she found out that I was an heir and since then she's been clingy. She won't stop touching me and calling me." Syaoran admitted.
Sakura giggled. She was in a way relieved to know that he also thought she was crazy.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed "Sakura, you really are and accident waiting to happen." He teased.
Sakura grinned "You are an accident."
"Ouch…that was cold." He said still smiling. "You're learning more from me everyday."
"You mean in terms being cruel and insensitive."
Syaoran laughed "exactly."
…………………………………………………………………………………….

Eriol visited early the next morning. He was playing the role of mail man delivering some documents to Syaoran. He was not planning on staying for long but he had questions. He gave Syaoran a peculiar smirk that made Syaoran heave a sigh.
"So what is it?" he asked.
Eriol rose one of his eyebrows divulging his curiosity "So are you two getting along?"
"Everything is fine."
"Are you sure?" Eriol was obviously stunned.
Syaoran nodded and replied firmly "yes."
Eriol looked at his wrist watch "I've got to go; I'll be late for work. Where's Sakura anyway?"
"Showering I guess."

Abruptly they heard Sakura scream Syaoran's name in agitation. The look on Syaoran's face changed more quickly than he could move. He looked at Eriol with an element of fear in his amber orbs.
"What's wrong?" he yelled back with uncertainty.
Sakura walked in wearing a baby blue bath robe. She marched up to him putting her face up close to his "You left the bathroom in a mess again!" she yelled her breath making warm, wet spots on his cheek.
"What are you making such a fuss about this time?" he attacked back.
"You left wet towels on the bathroom floor, your clothes are also on the floor, the toilet seat is up and there is hair everywhere- in the sink and the soap." She curled her lip.
Syaoran took a step back and replied "So?"
"Do you really expect…" Sakura's word trailed off when she realized that Eriol was there. Her cheeks turned red as she cleared her throat. She looked at him and kindly smiled.
"Hi Eriol." She said softly.
He smiled back being the gentleman he was "Hello Sakura."
"When…when did you…you get here?" she hesitated.
"Just now. Don't worry about me, carry on…let that anger out." He teased.
Sakura looked at Syaoran then back at Eriol "No…I'll be late for work." Slowly she walked away.
Eriol gave Syaoran a look "I thought you said everything was fine?"
Syaoran turned away from him "We're talking that's all that matters right now."
"Right." He said derisively.
………………………………………………………………………………………

Later that morning

Sakura rushed through crowds of busy people. She left the apartment as soon as she realized that she was 20 minutes late. She worked at a photos studio a few blocks from the apartment. As she rushed past the flower shop her cell phone rang. She stopped to answer it.
"Hi are you at work yet?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura started walking quickly again.
"Hi"
"How are things with Syaoran?"
Sakura saw that question coming.
"Everything is fine, we're talking again." Sakura said unwilling to mention that they were still arguing.
"Good that means all four of us can hangout."
"Tomoyo I can't hear you!" she yelled.
"You, Syaoran, Eriol ..."
"Sure." Sakura replied unaware of what she was saying.
Tomoyo jumped on the line "That's great! You had me worried there."
Sakura sighed "Listen I'm on my way to work."
"Wait, don't hang up yet. That guy I was telling you about, he wants to meet you. Come over at lunch, he works here."
"Sure." Sakura said briskly. Suddenly she screamed.
"Sakura what's wrong!" Tomoyo yelled.
"Some guy just spilled coffee on me!" Sakura exclaimed "I'll call you later." She said hanging up.

"I'm sorry." The man apologized.
Sakura looked up and her mouth went dry. She paused and she couldn't move. The minute she looked into his eyes she was nervous and sweating. He was blonde with catlike eyes. He was tall, strong jaw line; he was incredibly handsome. She flushed coyly as he stared back at her. It was a strange and sudden turnout of things.
"No it's fine." She replied "I don't mind having hot coffee on my shirt." She said lightly.
He giggled and run his fingers through his perfect hair. Sakura bit her lower lip letting out a silent moan.
"Don't get the wrong impression. I don't go around spilling coffee on people." He seemed as caught up as she was. He gave a comprehensive sweep of the hand that took in her clothes, shoes, hairstyle, and make-up. The attraction between then was visible. Sakura released a short giggle.
"Do you want to grab some coffee- I mean something other than coffee?"
Sakura was uncertain whether to smile again.
"I don't know." She paused then thought about "Sure…but I'm late for work, can we do this some other time…."
"Ryusuke." He replied with a glimmer in his eyes.
"I'm Sakura." Sakura let her hand out for a handshake. He firmly grabbed her hand not wanting to let go. She didn't want him to. She forcefully released her hand then looked at her watch. She was now 40 minutes late. It was all Syaoran's fault; if he had bothered to clean after himself she wouldn't have spent 15 minutes forcing him to. 'What a pig' she thought visualizing the expression on his face when she was shouting at him- carefree. She blinked pulling herself back to reality.
"Maybe lunch." He insisted.
Sakura blushed "Lunch is good." She thought she sounded quiet witty.

From then on time seemed to fly. Though her boss was mad, Sakura didn't care. She could not stop thinking about 'what's-his-name'; she barely heard a word he said. All that she could do at the time was stare at his beautiful face. He was like a Greek god lost in time. He was flawless and polite. "I wonder what he does for a living- he must be an actor. Maybe I should have flirted a little longer. I wonder where he is from." She thought.

Their lunch date was short but it went smoothly as she anticipated. He was funny, successful and once again beautiful. Everything went so well that the mad reservations for a date that evening.
………………………………………………………………………………………………

Sakura had been in her room for almost two hours. In those two hours Syaoran had read through four documents and still had time to slide in a drink or two. Eventually his ability to concentrate grew less. He saved his work and sat back, rubbing his eyes. He got up stiffly ready to call it a day. As he strolled to his room he walked past Sakura's room where the door was wide open. He leaned on the side as a puzzled look passed his face.
"What are you doing?"
Sakura nearly jumped. She turned around to look at him, subsequently she turned away. She walked up to the mirror to quickly brush her hair. Syaoran watched feeling slightly intimidated.
"I'm going out." She finally spoke.
"Out where?"
She smirked "On a date." It felt so liberating to say it to his face. She looked at him but to her surprise, he had a blank uninterested look on his face.
"Congratulations." He said in an unconvincing manner.
Sakura walked up to him "So what do you think?"
"Think of what?"
"My dress?" she asked turning around. It was a black dress that went above her knees and exposed her toned shoulders.
"You're wearing that?" his face wrinkled.
Sakura's eyes widened "Why, is there something wrong with it?"
Syaoran relaxed his shoulders "No it's…it's fine. I never said there was anything wrong."
"You didn't have to." Sakura said sadly "that look on you face says it all. Be honest Syaoran."
He folded his arms across his chest "Okay, I'll be as nice as possible about it."
"Well." Sakura asked in desperation.
"You look like a slut." Syaoran said with intensity.
Sakura's face melted "a…slu…" she paused "You're lying."
"Fine, don't believe me but if I was going on a date with you I'd think you were easy."
"I don't care about your opinion." She growled.
Syaoran raised his eyebrows and nodded "I think I'll go see what is on TV."
His motives were anything but pure. He was willing to lie in order to ruin her date. The truth was she looked beautiful. She always did. Her dress was not too short he just couldn't stand the idea of another man looking at the slightest exposure of her thighs.

A few minutes later as Syaoran sat on the couch Sakura walked into the living room and stood in front of him. She was now wearing a pair of denim, with a baby pink jacket and a pair stilettos. Her hair was loose and wavy. If Syaoran wasn't the proud person he was he would have told her how attractive she looked.
"You're blocking me." He said pretending not to care.
She slightly moved.
"What do you know; you do care about my opinion after all."
"That dress had a dirty spot." She lied not much to her surprise he didn't believe her.
Sakura took out her lip gloss then dropped it. She bent down to pick it up and for those few seconds Syaoran sat up and stared at her ass. As Sakura stood up he looked away.
"So who is this guy?" Syaoran asked trying put himself together.
"His name is Ryusuke." She said proudly.
"What kind of name is that?" he teased.
Sakura rolled her eyes "A decent name for a decent man. He is polite, handsome and most of all sensitive."
Syaoran sat back "So where did you meet Mr. decent."
"We met on the street, right outside this apartment this morning."
Syaoran's jaw dropped "You mean to tell me you're going out with a complete stranger. How do you know he's not a stalker or some psycho…Sakura you are so naïve."
"Even if he is, I wouldn't mind. He's just too gorgeous." She said with a dreamy look on her face.
Syaoran shook his head. "Why don't you sit down?"
"I'm nervous. I can't sit when I'm nervous." She said excited.
"Since when?"
She took a deep breath "Since now."

Syaoran couldn't explain it but he suddenly felt like something was being taken away from him. All the security he had disappeared. He dreaded feeling the way he did but he couldn't help it. His expression was a mixture of emotions disbelief the main ingredient. It was hard for him to confess it to himself but…he was jealous.

A/N: R&R PLZ