Special thanks to 1Natsuyo1 and Frosted Blossomz for their kind support. I didn't think any old followers would review for the chapters again. Thank you. And keep emailing the administration if you feel there are problems that need to be fixed.
Disclaimer: Clamp's characters, my story, song by Sarah McLaughlin.
Reality's Dream
Chapter 4: Ready for Liftoff
Sakura and Syaoran stumbled out of the dojo that afternoon weary from two hours of drills. "I think I have lost the ability to move my arm," Sakura kidded as they headed toward his car.
"Then it's a good thing your not the driver," Syaoran teased as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Just means I get to be lazy," She quipped back as she buckled her seat belt, watching him carefully back out of the space.
"When are you not lazy?" Syaoran grinned as Sakura attempted to glare but her emerald eyes betraying the hidden laughter. "Oh that's right, when food is involved!"
"Watch it buster or you could be looking at three day old mystery surprise for dinner." Sakura threatened.
"Well at least I'd have the pleasure of knowing Toya was suffering that fate too," Syaoran stated as he headed for the Kinomoto residence.
"No dice. Toya's out on another job and won't be back till late so your dietary torture will be a solo act." Sakura countered noticing that they'd been sitting at one red light for a long time. This signal was timed for a lengthy amount for people to walk across but it sure made for a long wait. Most people would run it considering there was never any traffic in the conflicting direction, but she knew Syaoran would never take a risk like that. Never.
"That's actually good news considering how your brother hates my guts and would spend the entire meal thinking of ways to kill me and dispose of my body." Sakura laughed knowing that was an accurate description of her brother's feelings toward her best friend. She still couldn't understand why they couldn't make peace, but she blamed it on testosterone.
Finally the light turned as green as her eyes and they continued the journey to her house. Sakura scanned the radio stations halting upon hearing a beautiful song. Syaoran ceased talking knowing how much she liked this haunting tune.
I have a smile
stretched from ear to ear
to see you walking down the road
we meet at the lights
I stare for a while
the world around disappears
just you and me
on this island of hope
a breath between us could be miles
let me surround you
my sea to your shore
let me be the calm you seek
oh and every time I'm close to you
there's too much I can't say
and you just walk away
and I forgot
to tell you
I love you
and the night's
too long
and cold here
without you
I grieve in my condition
for I cannot find the strength to say I need you so
Sakura glanced at Syaoran as he pulled into her driveway thinking how similar a position she and the singer were in, always close to the one they love but unable to say how much they needed that person, how much they loved them.
oh and every time I'm close to you
there's too much I can't say
and you just walk away
and I forgot
to tell you
I love you
and the night's
too long
and cold here
without you
When the song ended Syaoran took the key out of the ignition cutting off the next tune the radio played. "Don't know why you like that song so much. It's depressing." Syaoran commented as they headed inside.
"You're one to talk considering your taste in music revolves around 'I'm a pimp, where my ho's at?' rap. Not much class or variety there." Sakura teased. "Besides don't you find it rather heart breaking to not be able to tell a person how much they mean to you? To watch your love walk away unable to express your feelings?"
Syaoran snorted, "Well tell them to grow a back bone."
"This coming from the guy who took more than half of high school to ask his crush out." Sakura countered. 'Then again who am I to talk,' Sakura thought. 'Let's not count my years of devotion.'
"Alright, alright," Syaoran conceded. "No need to get personal." But he still smiled.
"Hey you go take a shower while I start preparing the grub and then we can switch off ok?" Sakura suggested.
Thirty minutes later, the two friends found themselves seated at the dining table helping themselves to chicken and pesto pasta. "So where is your dad?" Syaoran asked noticing that Sakura's father, Fujitaka, was still not present.
"Oh he has some sort of archeology professors meeting thing, it probably is taking longer than he had anticipated. I'll just make sure to save him some food for when he gets back." Sakura replied.
"So Sakura?" Syaoran started.
"Hmmmm?"
"Did you find anyone to bring for tomorrow?"
"Roger that. Project wing man is ready for lift off." Sakura confirmed
Syaoran looked relieved. "So who is it?"
"Eriol." Sakura replied busy eating not noticing the change in Syaoran's expression. For some reason the answer unsettled him a bit. He had been expecting Sakura to take Meiling or maybe even Rika, but Eriol? But he brushed off his surprise as anxiety hit him like a tidal wave.
"Thank you Sakura so much for doing this for me. I like Tomoyo so much. I don't want to screw this up." Sakura smiled faintly but Syaoran saw the little flash passed in her eyes, like a spark of sorrow. But he didn't understand what it meant. "Sakura is something wrong?" His amber eyes worried, searching and probing like a doctor checking a patient for injuries.
"It's nothing. I'm fine." Sakura replied returning her attention to her food.
Syaoran could tell she was lying by the little quaver in her voice and the way her eyes would contract slightly before she told a falsehood. But Syaoran could not figure out the source of Sakura's sadness. He also realized that he probably would have to wait for her to come to him and tell what was bothering her. The fact that she wasn't speaking bothered him, what could be so bad she couldn't tell her best friend? He decided to make one more attempt.
"Sakura," Syaoran said softly making her head rise, her innocent eyes wondering what he was going to ask. "You can tell me anything you know."
Syaoran saw a swirl of emotion cloud her eyes and could feel her resolve breaking. The moment became charged neither able to look away, drowning in each other. Neither understood the speeding of their heartbeats or the shallowness of their breathing or the loss of thoughts.
"Sakura. I'm home."
Syaoran and Sakura broke apart at the voice. Syaoran quickly brushed off the experience. It had happened many times before in their years of friendship and he figured it was because they were so close.
"What's for dinner…You!" A tall man stood in the hallway dark eyes filled with the fire of a thousand suns, glaring at the young man seated across his sister.
"Toya. Stop causing trouble and sit down and eat." Sakura commanded shaking her head.
"I refuse to sit next to that brat." Toya growled.
"Still can't think of a new insult after all these years?" Syaoran nonchalantly teased.
"Oh I can think of quite a few many, none of which should be said in the presence of my sister." Toya responded taking a step closer to Syaoran towering over where he was sitting.
"Well you won't have to hurt your poor little brain by thinking of anything more because I'm leaving. Thanks Sakura for dinner. See ya tomorrow. Remember the plan." Syaoran gave Sakura a quick hug before departing.
"Honestly you two act so childish." Sakura mumbled as she cleared away her and Syaoran's plates.
"Just looking out for the little monster." Toya defended.
"I am not a monster!" Sakura threw a napkin at her brother. "Besides, Syaoran has done nothing wrong. He's been a good friend. In fact he is as protective of me as you are. I have no idea why you two fight like cats and dogs."
And with that she left Toya to eat in silence as he grumbled about the brown haired friend. "Well he should learn to be better at protecting you because he's going to end up hurting you and soon." He shook his head fearing how badly his sister's heart could get broken by one person, he hoped his predictions wouldn't come true.