Tattooed

Summary: "I've lost everything to drugs, do you know that?" Sakura told him with tears in her eyes. "The funny thing is I've never even touched a drug in my life and yet it destroyed me. It took everything." She turned to face him then. "Please, don't let it take you away from me. I won't be able to handle it, not this time, not again." S x S.

Author's Note: To: my every chapter reviewers, deadflo, petiteTRINH and xXBlossomofShadowsXx, I love you guys. Fashion Fairy 26 and amelancholicangel were two new reviewers this time around. Thank you, all of you! I'm up all night writing out this story, it's done till chapter 10. Oh, and it's got 25 chapters so far. So I hope you're all sticking around till then. -smile-

This previous had the maximum reviews of all, 5 reviews! Woo! I know everything's been cute and wonderful so far, but I hope you remember what this story's really about. There won't be a warning when the gory chapters come along, even if they aren't all that creepy gory.

The power of No is strong, strong enough to refuse drugs. So, do it. Use the power. Say No!

Disclaimer: After some time you run out of innovative ways to say 'Not Mine'. Lol

iv.

Let's waste time

Chasing cars

Around our heads

I need your grace

To remind me

To find my own

- Chasing Cars/Snow Patrol

Sakura felt like life had taken a blissful turn after the night at 'Ebony and Ivory'. She'd downloaded their album at Amazon and it was all she listened to for a week straight. So many different covers, so many types of genres covered... it made Sakura weep for joy.

When Tomoyo came over, Sakura felt lighter than ever. When the best friend pointed it out, Sakura laughed.

"I do feel good. You know why? It's this new album I've found." Sakura said, going to the couch to show her the CD case. Tomoyo took the case from her hands and looked beyond her shoulders, outside to the balcony across the road.

Tomoyo rushed outside and stood, holding the cool railing while the sun set in the sky. Loud music could be heard from across the street, from where the boy with brown eyes could be seen sketching, sitting on his couch.

"What's this new album called: Syaoran's best works?"

Sakura scowled at her best friend. Drug addict, painter and noise freak extraordinaire sat concentrating on his work while Sakura and Tomoyo stared at him do so.

"You have to admit, he's kinda cute."

"I told you, he's not my type,"

"Not yet, anyway."

Sakura almost told Tomoyo why it wouldn't happen, not today, not ever. That would've been the most spineless thing to do. Tomoyo would never hear about Syaoran's addiction from her.

Don't tell, please.

Telling someone was the last thing she'd do.

*.*

One night, as though completely ordinary, Syaoran turned up at Sakura's apartment.

"I've got a PS3," he said when she opened the door. Sakura at first raised an eyebrow before relenting. Opening the door, she sniffed the boy and then observed his eyes.

"What's this about?" she asked, eyes still on his. Still white and clean.

"I just—" his eyes reflected the conflict going on within. Sakura didn't need to hear more. "...didn't want to be alone."

She showed him a free socket and suddenly noted how jumpy the boy was. She placed a hand on his shoulder. Syaoran started.

"Hey." Sakura told him before turning him around to face her. Another look into his eyes told her everything.

"How long has it been?" Sakura asked patiently.

"Not since the first time we met,"

"Just sit down, let's play." Sakura told him as she sat on the couch. "So what games do you have?"

"Ever played Tekken?"

"It's been some time since I last played." Sakura told him taking a gamepad into her hand.

"Sounds to me like I've got no contest here then," Syaoran turned on the PS3.

"We'll just see about that,"

Two characters came onto the screen and Syaoran fought her, beating her in the first round. Rapidly pressing any button possible, Sakura beat Syaoran in the second round and then the third.

Sakura sat with a triumphant smile on her face.

"So you're one those,"

"Ah?" Sakura yawned while trying to ask what the hell.

"You're a button basher,"

"As in bash all the buttons mindlessly?" Sakura guessed. Syaoran loaded another game.

"Yup," he popped the 'p' at the end.

"The amateur button basher versus Syaoran, ladies and gentlemen, going into game 2."

Syaoran laughed as the two of them fought their characters. Touya had mindlessly got her into playing video games for years now. Every time he was over he forced her into a game or two. Finally it was all worth it. She didn't tell Syaoran. She liked that he thought she was an amateur.

Sakura won again, though the person who'd really won that night was Syaoran.

"Can I spend the night here?" his voice was meek. After obliging in playing as much her eyes allowed, Sakura finally told him how tired she was. Plus she had to get to work the next day.

He sounded embarrassed.

"Sure, let me just get the room ready for you. Do you need PJs?"

After all the usual formalities were sorted through, Syaoran fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed. By the time Sakura was up and ready, he'd already gone.

*.*

Sakura barely ever heard the doorbell through all the music she was always playing. So the next evening when someone knocked on the door, it was a surprise she heard it.

On opening the door she found an envelope left outside on the floor with nothing written on it. She moved inside and opened it.

It was a sketch... of her? Sakura stared at the ball pen ink that outlined the features of that night in the rain when she'd brought Syaoran home for the first time. From the curve of the umbrella she'd been holding, till the pattern of the skirt she'd worn... Syaoran had caught every little detail.

She rushed out to the balcony and saw him standing on his own, looking out at her. Sakura held the sketch in both hands for him to see. Syaoran nodded and twirled his fingers, gesturing for her to turn the paper around.

On the back of the paper, in the smallest handwriting, a 'Thank you' was scribbled.

Sakura sighed before smiling.

This was the first time he'd brought that kind of smile to her lips, the kind that looked like it would lead to sudden tears. Right behind the smile, though, was the ever worried voice of caution. Sakura waved goodbye and left the balcony, closing the doors of the balcony behind her. Syaoran stood there till she couldn't see him anymore.

She carefully placed the portrait back in the envelope and put it into her work bag.

All that I am

All that I ever was

Is here in your perfect eyes

They're all I can see

For those of you who haven't noticed, the lyrics in every chapter can be applied to someone in the chapter. I'll give you a hint, this time it's about Syaoran.

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