Chapter Five

"Satoshi," I said softly.

Meiling eyed him up and down.

"Welcome, how may I help you?" she asked cheerfully.

"Ah, I'll have plain ramen," he said, looking directly at me. I suppressed a sigh. Who orders plain ramen?

Meiling walked over and gave his order to the chef. Satoshi slipped into her seat and smiled gently at me.

"I tried so hard to find you – why didn't you want to walk home together?" he asked. He was hurt.

"I heard that my friend," I inclined my head toward Meiling, "was back in town and I was in a rush to come see her." I was making excuses. With Syaoran back I couldn't bring myself to continue this charade.

"Sakura, that guy, what is he to you?" he asked. His eyes narrowed as Meiling brought him his bowl.

I looked away.

"Wow, Sakura, do you want another bowl?" Meiling asked loudly from over my shoulder. I nodded and smiled weakly as she carried my now-empty bowl to the kitchen.

Satoshi was still waiting for an answer. I looked him in the eyes. When had I become so weak? I was still Sakura Kinomoto, right? Sakura Kinomoto, card mistress!

"Syaoran is someone very important to me from a long time ago," I said firmly. Something flickered behind Satoshi's eyes. I paused to gather courage.

"I see…" he said.

I opened my mouth to deal the final blow when he spoke again:

"Sakura it's not like you to be so half-hearted. I don't know if I can stay with you if you have feelings for another guy."

Meiling and I exchanged shocked glances above his head. I did not expect that kind of answer, not even a little bit.

"Well if that's how you feel then let's just break up," I said.

He placed some money very calmly on the counter and left, his bowl of ramen untouched.

"Wow that was a lot easier than I thought it would be," I said happily after he left.

Meiling brought my second bowl of ramen and sat back down, still looking at the door.

"Hey Sakura…" she said, frowning, "We're awfully far from your school, aren't we?"

I nodded and got back to eating. I was still ravenous.

"So…he probably followed you all the way here…" she said wistfully.

I froze. "No, that's impossible," I said quickly. She turned and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

In hushed tones, I told her everything. How Syaoran and Satoshi (and everyone else, for that matter) were driving me crazy, so I took an alternate route home, and was then attacked by a China-powered mailbox. I explained that Satoshi couldn't have followed me here because a) the Time Card had halted time and b) I had used jump to get here.

This only made Meiling's frown deepen.

"So they've come to take him back," she said. Her large crimson eyes narrowed.

"I guess? Why would they attack me, of all people? They must think that if they capture me they can get him to go back to China," I said, laughing.

Meiling turned and looked at me in surprise.

"When did you learn to think like a villain, Sakura? I'm impressed!" she exclaimed. I shrugged.

I then opened my bag to get money for my bill. She put her hand on my arm.

"They've probably gone to your house by now," she said softly.

My heart stopped.

My father was at home, by himself. Touya and Yukito had long since moved to Tokyo. Kero was probably playing videogames.

"I have to go!" I said, putting a fistful (was it even enough?) of money on the counter and dashing out.

"Good luck!" Meiling called, "And don't tell Syaoran I'm here – he'll know that Auntie sent me!"

I gave a careless wave over my shoulder and ran. I was so far from home I'd probably need a bus to get back. Me and my stupid stomach! I should have known they wouldn't be satisfied after one attack!

I slipped into an alleyway and brought out my key. I then used the Dash Card.

Zipping through Tomoeda's streets, everything seemed to be standing still, but I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned a sharp corner and blasted down the street. I was now only a few blocks from my house. The footsteps were getting louder, but I couldn't look over my shoulder without slowing down, so I just gunned it and prayed that I would lose my pursuer.

"Sakura, wait!" a deep male voice said. My heart jumped into my throat. Syaoran was chasing me.

I skidded to a stop in front of my house, panting. Very soon something toppled me over from the side. When I opened my eyes my vision was filled with Syaoran's face. I could feel his heavy breathing on my lips.

I closed my eyes. Was he going to kiss me? What was taking so long?

When I opened them again his face had turned bright red. He got off me, muttering incoherently. I was about to say something, but I heard something fall in the house.

I turned and ran up the steps, but he held me back by the wrist.

"Sakura, it was an accident, I'm sorry—"

"—don't worry about that now, Syaoran, my father is in trouble!" I exclaimed, rushing to the door.

As soon as I touched the knob I was sent flying back, taking Syaoran with me.

The magic felt the same way as before, and I knew Syaoran felt it too. We looked at each other and then nodded.

It was time to work as a team once again.

DM: Sorry for the long wait! I hope you liked it! Please review!