Under the Same Roof

Chapter Seven. Feelings and Umbrellas

Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captor Sakura.

It had been two whole months since Syaoran's house burned down. Sakura, Tomoyo, and Eriol were closer than ever. Syaoran… well, he was just the same aloof boy we all know. He had found out what happened to Sakura, though. He felt sympathy for her. Being tricked by someone you thought you loved? It was harsh.

After then, he had grown more accustomed to Sakura's feelings. He would step up for her when she was being picked on. Especially by Harumi Senina and her gang. The thing was, Harumi was being so weird lately. Whenever he was around Sakura, she would be so nice. But then, when he left, she'd turn into Ursula mode.

Syaoran didn't know what to think of it so he let it go. Girls? What did he know?

Sakura had been happier these past few months. She had finally gotten friends for keeps. Realer than real and truer than true. She treasured them a lot. For once in her life, she felt accepted. She finally realized what she was missing.

Ever since Tomoyo entered her life, (thank goodness) she had started dressing better. She decided not to cut her hair after all. Tomoyo gave her bottles and containers of hair care products. Well, they worked!

"Sakura-chan, stand still!"

Ever since Tomoyo came to Tomoeda, Kinomoto Sakura had been her own personal mannequin. Sakura's closets were filled with clothes that she never thought she'd have. Tomoyo truly was sent from heaven.

Syaoran swore inwardly as his foot missed the tree for the eleventh time. It's 4 AM in the morning, and nobody was outside except for him. He was training again. Even though he did not take lessons anymore, he still practiced his Martial Arts. Brief memories from the night before intruded his mind, distracting him.

Fujitaka and Nadeshiko went out to visit an old friend. He and Sakura ate dinner alone. They'd made light conversation.

"How are your English classes, Kinomoto-san?"

It startled Sakura to hear him use her last name, but then again, she hasn't given him permission yet. She shrugged.

"They're okay, I guess. We just finished Alice in Wonderland!"

Syaoran smiled. "So did we. While Kina-sensei wasn't looking, I fell asleep. I dreamt that I was the rabbit. Can you believe it?"

Sakura giggled, filling Syaoran's ears with a rare melodic laugh. "I imagined that I was Alice! How come you fell asleep?"

"Eriol drove yesterday, right? Well, it made me dizzy. And English was our second period."

"I remember! Really? I didn't know you had motion sickness, Li-kun." She playfully punched his left shoulder. He blushed when she said his name. He didn't know why.

"Not unless you've experienced Eriol's mad driving skills!" She laughed again. Their food lay forgotten on the kitchen table as they talked.

"Oh. That's right. I was with Tomoyo-chan."

Syaoran didn't know why, but he was feeling so weird whenever he was with her. It wasn't the same when he was with Tomoyo or any other girl though. Maybe it was brotherly love?

A guy approached Sakura and Tomoyo. He was holding a bouquet of roses. Syaoran watched with his eyes narrowed down to slits. Sakura graciously turned down the boy, even though he made her accept the flowers.

"He's so sweet, ne Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked while sniffing the flowers. Tomoyo sneaked a glance at Syaoran who was red-faced.

"Yeah, Sakura-chan. Whatever you say."

If looks could kill, that boy would be resting in peace by then.

"Uh, Li-senpai! May I get an auto—?"

"No." There's the Syaoran we all know and love!

"Please, Li-senpai. Just a pi—?"

He looked at the fan girl murderously. She squeaked in surprise and then ran off.

Syaoran shook his head multiple times. Why had he gotten so mad? If it were a normal day, he would've just given the girl his stinking autograph.

No, it wasn't brotherly love.

But if it wasn't… what was that?

Syaoran tried his best to ignore the nagging feeling in his mind. He concentrated on his routine and, fortunately enough, finished it perfectly.

He climbed the Cherry Blossom tree to get his shirt. He had hung it there before he started training. He wiped away his sweat as he entered the back door. Surprisingly, Sakura was already awake.

He checked the time. It was only 6 AM. On Saturdays, she would've stayed up till noon. What made her get up so early?

"I had to get myself a glass of water, but then I grew hungry. I saw you through the window, so I made you breakfast as well."

Did she read his mind?

"No, I can't read minds, silly." She laughed. He stared at her.

Beats me, he thought.

"You think aloud, you know that?"

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Did your parents come back last night?"

"Nope. They usually go on these weekend trips all the time."

"They leave you alone a lot?"

"Nah. I'm almost always with my brother, Touya."

"Oh." Syaoran hasn't had the pleasure of meeting the famous Kinomoto Touya yet. As he thought about it, Sakura placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him. She had started eating already.

He took a bite of the bacon.

"This is good!" And then, the rain came.

"Please, please, please?"

Sakura, being the bubbly optimistic immature kid she was, wanted to play in the rain. Syaoran wouldn't hear of it though. She might get sick!

"No, Kinomoto-san. Your parents might get mad at me."

"They won't!" she said. "My mom lets me do it all the time."

He didn't know it, but she was bluffing. "Really?"

She bit her lip. "Really!"

"Fine…"

"Thank you, Li-kun! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

There goes his heart again. Why did his brain suddenly spin whenever he heard her say his name?

A blast of icy wind barged in through the open door. Sakura had already gone outside, so he decided to follow suit. With an umbrella, of course.

"Look, Li-kun! It's so fun to play in the raaaaaain!"

Syaoran rolled his eyes at the immature girl.

"Don't you think it's getting too hard?"

"What is?" She shouted. She was halfway across the street. Syaoran practically couldn't see her because of the fog.

"Oi, Kinomoto-san. Come back!" he replied. He sighed and then walked towards her with the umbrella.

"But I'm still having fun!"

"You'll get sick! Get under the umbrella." He ordered. She pouted and then obeyed him. He glared at her.

"Wha—," she started, but then suddenly felt dizzy. "I think going inside is good. Don't you think so?"

He frowned at her sudden change of attitude? Is she bipolar or something?

Or something.

Sakura swayed a bit and almost fell over. It was a good thing that Syaoran got a hold of her waist tightly, securing her from hitting the ground beneath them. She started at him, and then sneezed. Right in front of his face.

"I'm sorry…" her eyelids drooped slowly.

Syaoran wrinkled his nose. "This is what you get for not listening to me."

He didn't know what to do with her; she had already fallen asleep while leaning on his shoulder. He wrinkled his nose. This was actually the first time he ever let a girl get this close to him. He didn't know what to do.

What did I get myself into?

A/N: Hello! It's been a very long time, right? I'm really sorry! I was too caught up with other stories (not in ffn) and school. I made a long chapter for you guys though. Hehe. (sweatdrops) Thank you for waiting (if you did), and please review. :)