Reality's Dream

Chapter 11: Rationalizations and Explanations

Thump Bump Boom Bang

'The hell?' Syaoran wondered. The sounds seemed to be coming from Sakura's room next door. "What is she doing?' He thought as he got off his bed to investigate the odd noises. The ball had concluded not too long ago leaving the Li family plus Sakura to retire.

Syaoran peeked through the open door to find clothes everywhere. It looked like a tornado had ripped through the closet and drawers flinging clothes all over the place. "Sakura?" He called out uncertainly, not seeing his friend anywhere.

A small head popped out of the closet. "Oh, hey Syaoran." She stepped into the room trying to look like nothing was going on.

"What are you doing?" He asked, eyebrows raised, walking closer to inspect.

"Um, heh, I was looking for my pajama top." Sakura explained sheepishly. But Syaoran only got more confused. There she was standing in front of him wearing purple Tweety pants and a lavender tank top yet she was looking for her shirt. It made no sense to him.

"You mean the one you're wearing?" Syaoran teased.

"No silly. I mean the over top. It's the same pattern as my pants and it's long sleeved with buttons. And I know it is hiding somewhere in here." Sakura stated. "Since you are here, help me look."

Obligingly Syaoran began to wander the room sifting through the piles. After a few moments he turned back to ask Sakura if the top was really that necessary and found his train of thought derailed at the sight of her bending over. 'Wow that top really emphasizes her…NO! Stop thinking like that!' Syaoran shook his head and turned away but that didn't get rid of the slight fluster in his chest. He'd been having way too many of those kind of thoughts that night for his comfort. 'This is Sakura we're talking bout. She's like family.' Syaoran tried to protest but a little voice whispered that that excuse was no longer valid.

Syaoran could not resist taking another peek almost hoping that these thoughts were just some kind of fluke. But yet again he found himself staring and he could feel his temperature rise with interesting images and ideas.

"Syaoran you're hot!" Sakura exclaimed.

'What? Sakura thinks I'm hot! I…She..Ohhhhh.' Syaoran was so caught up in his inner battle that he didn't notice that Sakura had stopped searching and had approached him looking concerned and had placed her hand on his forehead.

"Are you feeling okay? Are you getting sick?" Sakura questioned her eyes searching him for any other signs of illness while he mentally scolded himself for thinking that Sakura was talking about his looks. And mostly chiding himself for the happiness he had felt thinking she had found him to be attractive.

Syaoran cleared his throat trying to ignore feelings that Sakura's hands on his face aroused in him. "No I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

"No you are burning up. Come here." Sakura began to push him until he made it to the bed where she made him lie down.

'Danger. Danger Will Robinson.' Him…in Sakura's bed…Syaoran just gulped hoping that no other incidents would lead him astray from the 'Sakura is family' path.

"Now stay here. I'm gonna go get a wet washcloth." Sakura said as she headed to the bathroom leaving behind her troubled friend.

'What's with me?' Syaoran demanded an answer from himself but found the answer to be unsettling. All indications were pointing to…….attraction. He was finding himself turned on by his best friend! There had to be some mistake, a hormonal glitch. But he couldn't deny that he felt drawn towards her. 'So I'm attracted to her. But that's it right? Yeah, yeah it's just attraction and nothing more. It's just physical. It'll pass.' Syaoran rationalized. 'Besides I'm with Tomoyo.' And with that he put the matter to rest.

"Here we are." Sakura said as she entered her room ready to take care of her friend.

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Syaoran buttoned up his shirt absently. He was restless and needed to escape for a while. The time was approaching. How he hated this month. Luckily he was getting ready for another date with Tomoyo so he could get out of the house and get his mind off of…

Ring Ring

Syaoran went to his bedside table and picked up the phone. "Hello?" He asked his voice drab.

"Hey sweetie…Is everything alright?" She asked her voice filled with concern.

"Yeah everything is fine." Syaoran lied.

"You sure?" Tomoyo questioned.

Syaoran paused tempted to tell her but he just couldn't bring himself to say the words. "Yes, don't worry about it. So why are you calling? Anything wrong?" Syaoran swiftly switched the focus of the conversation.

"Actually there kinda is. I was wondering if we could reschedule our date. My grandparents decided to drop by unannounced and my mom wants us to spend some 'quality family time.' I'm so sorry." Tomoyo explained.

"No it's alright. I understand. Family is important." Syaoran reassured.

After their good byes Syaoran just sat down on his bed. What was he going to do? He didn't want to be home and he definitely did not want to be alone. Instinctively he picked up the phone and dialed Sakura's number. It took quite a few rings before the other end even picked up.

Syaoran could hear laughter and Sakura squealing. "Hello?" He asked, a little unsure.

"Hey! Stop that!" He heard her giggling protest. "I'm trying to answer the phone….Hello?"

"Hey."

"Syaoran. What's up?" Sakura asked her voice light with happiness.

"Well I was wondering if you wanted to hang out." Syaoran suggested but was curious at what was going on at the Kinomoto house.

"Today? But don't you have a date with Tomoyo?" Sakura responded.

"She canceled." His voice not sounding as cheerful as she had been feeling.

"Oh I'm sorry." Sakura then realized what was approaching. 'He shouldn't be alone,' she thought. 'But what about…' "Do you mind if Syaoran joins us? Oh tough guy huh? Take that!" Sakura asked to whoever was with her while flinging a few pieces of grated cheese in response to a small barrage of water.

"Who are you talking to?" Syaoran questioned.

"Eriol. Do you wanna come join us? We're making dinner. Or at least trying to but someone over here keeps throwing things at me." Sakura paused a moment to stick her tongue out at the gloating person in front of her, threatening to launch a cherry tomato that belonged to the salad. She did not notice the silence on the end of the line.

Syaoran simply felt astounded. 'She's with him.' Syaoran's stomach tightened and he felt his body tense. The idea of Eriol being around Sakura when outside of school was not a comforting one. He had wanted to be with Sakura, talk to her. She always understood him and could help him. But with Eriol there…. "No it's okay. I'll just see you around."

"Are you sure? It could be fun." Sakura tried to convince him.

"Don't worry. I can entertain myself. Have a good night."

"You too." Sakura concluded. As she hung up the phone she wondered what had caused Syaoran to change his mind. It's not like he and Eriol weren't friends or something.

Eriol walked up to her leaning on the kitchen counter. "So is he coming?"

"No." Sakura responded offhandedly still trying to figure out what has gotten into her best friend.

"Well then you know what that means don't you?" Eriol asked innocently. Sakura looked up to see his vibrant blue eyes twinkling mischievously. 'Uh-oh.'

"And what would that be?" Sakura questioned as she slightly moved backward.

"It means I get to torture you all by myself." Eriol devilishly grinned. "Which would you prefer in your hair more, the pasta or the salad?" He threatened while stepping closer to her.

"You wouldn't dare." Sakura responded continuing to back away from the approaching Eriol. "Or I'll make sure the grape juice ends up all over your jeans." Spotting the bowl of popcorn still left from their movie watching she grabbed a few pieces and tossed them in his direction.

"Now that's not very nice." Eriol chuckled a protest as he reached out for the small female. But in trying to escape his outstretched arm she slipped on a stray piece of food. Eriol managed to catch Sakura but this placed them in interesting position, like he was dipping her in a dance with her arms anchored around his neck.

Their laughter died when they realized how close they were to one another. Green eyes searched blue and vice versa. Slowly Eriol brought Sakura upright but neither released their holds. Sakura felt her pulse quicken and she could feel Eriol's heart beating at the same accelerated speed. Sakura let her eyes close as Eriol bent his head to hers and their lips met in a gentle kiss.

"Sakura I…"

'What? Who is that?' Sakura's disoriented mind wondered. 'Oh no, he's home.' Sakura and Eriol pulled apart to find a recently arrived older brother standing in the doorway. "Crap!' Sakura panicked fearing the overprotective rage her brother was about to bestow on Eriol. Sakura started toward her brother treating him like a rhino about to charge, "Look Toya it's…" She stopped when Toya brushed past her to the dark haired friend standing in the middle of the kitchen floor trying to think of some reasonable excuse to give that would save him from a Toya ass whoopin'.

"Hi I'm Toya. The brother." Toya held out his hand to Eriol.

'What!' Sakura nearly collapsed from shock her green eyes wide and mouth agape. 'He's being…friendly! What is going on and where is my real brother?'

"Hi I'm Eriol." Eriol responded, shaking Toya's hand, also a little confused after all the stories he'd heard from both Syaoran and Sakura about Toya's fiery protests of the male sex being anywhere in the vicinity of his sister's presence.

Sakura spent the rest of the evening trying to decide if fate was laughing at her for she spent it eating with none other than Eriol and Toya listening to them having an actually pleasant discussion. It surprisingly turned out they had the same taste in old sci-fi movies and laughed over their favorites while at the table. 'Toya must be on crack or had a lobotomy or something. He's being civil! I didn't even think that was possible for him.' Sakura mused. Though there were still the occasional moments when Eriol would catch her eye causing her to blush and look away as she remembered the floaty feeling she had from being in his arms and the touch of his soft lips on hers.

When the food had vanished from the table Toya announced, "That was delicious. You're a very good cook my friend, unlike some people at this table." Sakura shot him a glare. "Well I think I shall give you two a little…alone time." Toya stressed with a chuckle the last two words causing Sakura to start choking on the water she had been sipping as he rose from the table and left. 'He did not suggest what I think he just did!' Sakura mentally cried. 'My brother is giving permission for me and Eriol to…….What is going on?' Syaoran was being bipolar, Eriol had kissed her, and her brother was playing matchmaker. 'It's official. I have finally gone crazy. That's the only explanation I can come up with.'

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A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed. Quinn I was not offended but felt you weren't seeing why I was trying to get people to email for changes. And for those of you telling me you've been deleted for nonspecific reasons and many feel wrongly so I again stress the need to make our objections known. If our voices aren't heard then how will they know there's a problem? Let another story not be wrongly deleted if we can.