Reality's Dream

Chapter 10: An Angel and a Knight

Syaoran stood there rooted to the floor in shock. 'When did Sakura….How did….' His mind rambled incoherently still trying to determine how this stunning person mere feet away was his childhood best friend. It was like he'd been thrown into an alternate universe. For once Sakura was not his date and then to show up like…like…that.

"Oh there's Sakura!" Tomoyo squealed and pointed interrupting his muddled thoughts. "Doesn't she look amazing?"

"Breathtaking." Syaoran stated simply and truthfully. He didn't understand the clenching in his chest that was making it difficult for him to breathe.

"And look she's with Eriol. Let's go say hi." And without any response from her date Tomoyo dragged Syaoran over to the group that was surrounding their two friends, the auburn haired angel and the dark haired boy fitted in a tux.

"James Bond?" Meiling asked while adjusting the vibrant red sequin horns to her devil costume.

"Frank Sinatra?" A girl questioned who resembled Chiharu but it was difficult to tell through the wig done up like cinnamon rolls and the flowing robes. Sakura was surprised Chiharu could even hear the conversation through though gigantic mounds of hair covering her ears.

"Tuxedo Mask?" The fairy godmother also known as Rika piped up.

"The Penguin?" The walking carpet questioned. Several people turned and gave the beast queer looks. Apparently Takashi had had a little costume blunder, for when Chiharu suggested a Star Wars theme, Chewbacca was probably not what she had in mind.

"An English gentleman?" The zoot-suiter with a red sequined bow tie on beside Meiling suggested, and by the way they were holding hands it was clear that it wasn't for the buddy system.

"What exactly are you guys talking about?" Tomoyo inquired.

"We are trying to figure out what Eriol is dressed up as." Meilin answered before twirling to Eriol demanding, "Now come on Eriol spill, what in the world are you supposed to be?"

Eriol smirked a little before saying one little sentence. "I'm supposed to be her date." As if that explained it all.

The group struggled not to fall. "What kind of a costume is that?" Meilin wailed.

"Actually I think it's brilliant…" Syaoran began but was silenced by the fiery glares of both his ruby eyed cousin and his raven haired date, both of whom had painstakingly made sure that they and their own escorts were in matching attire. Syaoran just sighed, that was exactly why he was wearing this silly get up in the first place.

But despite his supportive words, Syaoran could not help the uneasy feeling that began to bubble in his stomach. Why did the idea of Eriol dressing as Sakura's date make him feel like reaching for the Tums?

The orchestra that had been spending the last few minutes tuning now deemed itself ready to play opening with a fast paced waltz.

"Would the heavenly angel bless me with a dance?" Eriol asked with a small bow, bringing forth a tinkling laughter from the girl beside him who graciously accepted. The two were joined by many other couples onto the polish marble floor looking straight out of a movie, a movie that the rest stood watching.

"Don't they look so adorable together?" Tomoyo gushed while Syaoran merely fidgeted.

Meiling noticed her cousin's strange behavior deciding to join in. "Yeah, they look really happy dancing…together." This statement was once again seemingly ignored as Syaoran shuffled his feet and averted his gaze from the dancing couple.

"Wouldn't it be great if Sakura and Eriol started to really go out? I think they would be perfect together." Tomoyo said all starry eyed at the mere idea.

This got Syaoran's attention real quick as he could no longer ignore the tiny stabs he kept feeling from Meiling's and Tomoyo's words. "No they wouldn't." Syaoran wasn't even sure why he said what he did, but something was compelling him to.

Tomoyo was shaken from her reverie trying to understand Syaoran's hard but seemingly dispassionate words. Meiling merely raised an eyebrow, melting from the conversation to become an observer.

"Why wouldn't they be? They're good friends. And look at how he can make her smile. Sakura has been down for some reason recently and she deserves to be happy." Tomoyo said trying to understand what was so wrong with the idea.

'She's right.' Syaoran thought, but his rational mind still wasn't able to sooth the restlessness in his gut that was screaming that something wasn't right. The mere suggestion of Sakura and Eriol did weird things to his body from chilling his veins to causing a heaviness to pour into his chest. "I don't know. Maybe it's just the idea of my two best friends going out that just seems a little funky. It's just…weird," Syaoran tried to rationalize. 'Yeah it's just the friend thing.'

"Well we are Sakura's best friends and we're going out. She seems to be fine with it." Tomoyo said her violet eyes searching for any explanation until a memory sparked. "Look," She started softly placing her hand on his arm. "I know you're very protective of Sakura; you care about her. We all do. But don't you think it's time to let her fend for herself? You won't always be there to protect her." She paused trying to think of another way to convince him, to calm his fears. "And you have to admit that Eriol is a good guy. Wouldn't you rather her first experience with guys be with a good one rather than a jerk?"

'Once again she's right.' Syaoran thought. 'So why the hell do I still feel like this? Why do I want to go punch a wall or tear something up?' Syaoran was like a hot air balloon filled until ready to burst. He was antsy with this pent up uneasiness that made no sense. This whole night was just confusing the crap out of him. Little did he know it was only going to get more troublesome.

"Come on let's dance." Tomoyo suggested trying to get Syaoran in a better mood. He conceded and as they went to the dance floor Meiling slipped through various guests weaving her way toward her aunt and other cousins with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Auntie Yelan." Meiling called out pulling the "family" aside for a moment. "It appears that something you have been hoping for has begun to happen."

The elegant woman was a little perplexed but had a vague clue about what the younger girl was hinting at. "What exactly are you trying to say Meiling?"

"Just make sure to keep with tradition and at midnight be sure to watch a special couple. I think you'll understand." Meiling flashed another devious smile as she saw the knowing looks cross Syaoran's mother and sister's faces.

"No wonder she's dressed as a devil." Fuutie murmured as they watched her walk back to her date. The others nodded their agreement.

The masquerade continued on through the evening until it began close to midnight signaling the finish of the celebration.

A gentle tinkling was heard over the crowd as the orchestra halted its playing. The guests turned to find the source of the sound to discover the hostess by the orchestra, champagne glass in hand. "I first would like to thank all of you for joining us this lovely evening. It is a wonderful to celebrate a partnership as well as a memorable way to send off a dear friend. I would like to wish Fujitaka luck in his Peruvian expedition." With that Yelan titled her glass in Sakura's father's direction who was currently dressed as Emeril Lagase, big white chef's hat and all. Next to him was a grumbling Toya also in a tux claiming to be a 'man of mystery,' while thinking of the many escape routes he knew existed. "And so to conclude this gathering I would like to continue another tradition. At the end of every celebration the youngest Li child dances with the youngest Kinomoto child. So Syaoran, Sakura, if would please lead us on the dance floor."

Syaoran suddenly felt his heart race, his head swimming with a million panicky thoughts, and all the while he tried to figure out why. Why was he nervous? He'd danced with Sakura hundreds of times over so what was so different about now? Syaoran stood in the middle of the floor able to see his warbly reflection in the black and white marble below his feet. He again felt that hitch in his throat as Sakura appeared through the crowd.

Sakura slowly walked toward her friend smiling. It had been a wonderful evening full of laughter and dancing. Everyone was friendly and in a good mood. But oddly enough she had rarely seen her friend that night and was now very glad to have this moment to dance with him. 'We may not have gone together but at least we have this.' Eriol had successfully kept her distracted but now that she was her…facing him she couldn't help the ache that still throbbed in her chest. She loved the way he looked. His rich chestnut hair contrasting with the silver of his "armor," the strength in his build and the way he carried himself so tall but not over proud. Most of all she loved the amber eyes that burned behind the silver mask. Even after her decision to give him up, she still couldn't be free of the hold he had on her. 'Maybe in time.'

Syaoran looked down at the beautiful angel whose twinkling green eyes never failed to make him smile. Sakura was good at that, cheering him up. But right now her presence did more then that. Syaoran felt awkward, unsure of where to place his hands, unsure of how to act, unsure of everything he thought he knew when it came to Sakura. With slightly trembling motions he gently placed his hand under one arm and then clasped her hand in the other before starting a familiar waltz.

'Her hand feels so small in mine. Delicate…And soft.' Syaoran thoughts roamed as he looked about the room, avoiding her eyes. 'I wonder if her skin is this soft everywhere.' Syaoran nearly slapped himself. 'What am I thinking? This is Sakura we're talking about……….Wonder how it feel to have those soft hands touch me.' 'STOP IT!' He mentally commanded his mind to desist with these disturbing thoughts while he felt his cheeks redden and burn with a fiery blush.

Little did Syaoran know was that at the present time his family was watching and relishing in his struggles.

"Well it looks like little brother is finally starting to realize that Sakura is a girl. And an attractive one at that." Fan Ren commented. "Look at the way he is blushing." The sisters giggled.

"And watch his dancing closely." Fuutie interjected. "His focus is completely gone. He's a nervous wreck." Nobody in the crowd really noticed that Syaoran's dancing wasn't up to par for it was still really good. But for all that knew him, they could see the slight hesitation in his movements and the indecisiveness of thought. His family was not the only one to notice this.

"Syaoran?" Sakura asked, her voice concerned. "Is everything alright?" She was worried that something was wrong. She felt how he was shaky as a lead. She saw the sort of dazed confusion that swirled in his eyes.

Syaoran was snapped out of his thoughts and then he made the mistake of looking directly into her wide, innocent eyes. Their gazes locked and again they felt the pressure build. Both felt the quickening of their heart beats. The fluttering in their stomachs. Syaoran wondered if someone had slipped him some champagne for that was the only reason he could think of that explained the bubbly feeling and the light headed daze he was in.

The music ended.

And the moment was gone.

The two friends stood, angel facing knight, unsure of what was going on with each other and themselves. Something was different but before they could work at it a princess and suave tux boy appeared from the side lines to bid fare well, separating Sakura and Syaoran.

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A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed. To those wondering, this story has a mind of its own, its chosen its path and I can only sit back and let it run its course.