RECAP: Last chapter Sakura woke up and found Syaoran was in Japan, but the excitement of his arrival was lost by Shiro Ame coming by. Sakura was surprised to find Syaoran was able to play the guitar, then later was enfuriated to find Syaoran had actually been Komai’s substitute in the concert she had gone to.

Chapter 34 - Confrontation

Syaoran sighed and stifled a yawn as Meilin chattered on to Komai about everything that had happened to her in the past few years. For some strange and unknown reason, Komai listened enthusiastically, though Syaoran doubted he was smiling about how Meilin had singlehandedly chased away a buglar, it looked like Komai was searching her out a little differently than that. Anyway, Syaoran was horribly bored and tired. Meilin’s excuse for coming early was that ‘Syaoran needed to warm up’. So now here Syaoran was, sitting in the guesthouse as Meilin and Komai were the only ones awake and moving.

Kato emerged from a room, stretching and absently scratching her wild hair. "What’s the big idea, talking at seven thirty?" She asked.

Komai smiled unpurposely at Meilin, then turned to Kato. "I was just enjoying a conversation with Meilin, I thought the rest of the world could understand that."

Kato rolled her eyes, then looked sympathetically at Syaoran. "She dragged you along?" Kato asked him.

Syaoran opened his mouth to respond, but Meilin cut in. "He wanted to come here early. Don’t ask my why." She said. Syaoran blinked his eyes tiredly and looked away aloofedly.

Kato didn’t look convinced, but she walked over to the kitchen and made herself breakfeast. "Well either way, you guys have some nerve, barging in on our band’s sleeping time." She said grumpily. She looked up from her bowl of cereal, looking to Syaoran, as Meilin and Komai had begun talking. Syaoran wondered if Meilin even noticed Komai was slyly and gradually encrouching in on her space. She doesn’t care. Oh well. If she’s infactuated, thank God she’s not infactuated with me.

"Do you want any breakfeast?" Kato asked Syaoran. "Tomoyo must be some quiet person, I didn’t even hear her sneak in all this junk." She said.

Syaoran got up from the disgusting love fest and walked over to the kitchen, having left their apartment before eating. "What time are you going to start recording?" He asked her, pouring himself some cereal, the only thing that looked half appetizing.

"Probably in a half hour or so, depending on when the rest of them wake. Rii could sleep for days if we let him, I’ll probably go in there and throw a pillow at him in a few minutes. Gatria’s probably going to be up soon."

"What?" Gatria asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes as she stumbled to the kitchen bar.

"I just said you’d be up soon." Kato said, pulling out a stool and sitting down.

"Oh." Gatria said. She glared up at Komai with her half asleep eyes. "Did they plan this last night or something? Why’d he get up so early? He normally outsleeps Rii."

"There’s some type of scheme going on here. I think those two are infactuated." Kato said, eyeing them.

"Meilin doesn’t easily fall over other guys." Syaoran mumbled in between a spoonful of cereal.

"Komai does. Over girls, I mean. It’s a good thing we don’t stay in one place long, else he’d probably be married to some babe." Kato said. She noticed that Syaoran was looking at Meilin with (though attempting to mask it) worry, so she quickly added, "But he never goes too deep or anything. We got used to it since we started getting famous."

"Komai had a fan club since he was born." Gatria said dryly.

They ate for a while in silence, then Kato got up. "I’m going to wake up Rii. We might as well use up the rest of the day for recording."

"I agree." Gatria said, getting up and following her.

_______________________________________________________________________

Sakura was still fuming when she woke up. Then she had gotten a call from Mark, which both made her surprised and nervous, and it turned out he was wanting to know if she had any plans today. Sakura was releived she was able to say she was busy helping Tomoyo with recording work, and was almost flattered to hear Mark’s obvious surprise that she’d have such large skill plans. She ended lightly saying ‘maybe another day soon’, and then was left to being angry again.

She intentionally dressed more formally, wearing a deep green button up shirt that set off her eyes, then made sure her perfectly braided hair looked nice. After she was positive her appearance was better than normal, she marched down the hall and told Touya she was going to Tomoyo’s, then walked out into the summer sun to trek her way over to the large house. It was about eleven oclock, but Sakura was sure they’d be recording by now. They’ve probably been recording since early. Thinking of ‘they’ made her think of Syaoran and Komai, and then her anger and plan for revengance jumped into play yet again.

He thought he could just take all these compliments, just play along...ugh!! She stomped a little harder down the sidewalk, then stepped up the steps to Tomoyo’s front door, planning to go in through the side door so she wouldn’t interrupt the recording process. Sakura quietly walked through the hall, then through the parlor, and stepped quietly through into the hall. She was greeted by muffled music going through the room’s glass, hearing the very skilled guitarists’ melodys stay in perfect time with the difficult processions of drum rolls Rii was doing. She grit her teeth and stepped into the sound room, glancing through the large window to see all of them playing.

Tomoyo glanced over and smiled at her, and Meilin just averted her eyes momentarily. Sakura sat down on one of the chairs and watched them play. Syaoran and Komai were harmonizing through a full blown scale, and for one breif second Sakura had to admire Syaoran’s playing. That breif second made Sakura go even angrier at herself, then in return, search harder for a plan of revengance. He thinks he can fool me...but he did. But now I can’t let him think he had me tricked forever. No way.

She watched him play with a glare that rivaled his own, but he didn’t even know she was there yet. Once the song finished, Kato noticed Sakura sitting in the recording room, and smiled at her. "Sakura, would you mind trying another keyboard part? We’ll put your name in our CD."

Sakura smiled, but didn’t try to answer, since the two rooms couldn’t talk back and forth- only someone speaking into a microphone could be heard. Sakura walked out into the hall and walked to the room, smiling at Kato. She only breifly met Syaoran’s eyes, narrowing her own ever so slightly. She looked back to Kato quickly, and had Syaoran not been fully paying attention, he wouldn’t have even noticed it. But Syaoran was always paying attention to her, and frowned to himself as he watched her and Kato walk over to the keyboard. Syaoran shrugged it off. Maybe she was complimenting you. I wonder if she saw us playing that last song? The ends of Syaoran’s fingers throbbed relentlessly. It was hard. But I doubt she would compliment me like that.

As Syaoran tried to make sense of her, Sakura only half listened to Kato as she kept sneaking glares at Syaoran. But everyone in this band must be in on the secret. So Kato, Gatria, they all know that it was him, him I was gawking over...She felt her cheeks flush as she thought about how she had asked Komai about why he had pulled her up on stage. Does...Does Tomoyo know? Or Meilin? She glanced worriedly at the sound room. Everyone but me probably knows.

But Sakura wasn’t mad at anyone. Instead she focused all her embaressment and anger on one person. She held a steady glare at Syaoran as Kato walked back over to her stand, picking up her bass guitar. Syaoran seemed oblivious to anything right now, in thought. That just irritated her further. Jerk. I’ve got to confront him today and make him feel horrible. But Sakura had no idea how to make Syaoran feel horrible. It seemed nothing hurt him through his heavily armored feelings. She sighed and began playing where Kato had told her to, adding a string and airy noise to the backround. He’s gonna pay.

- - - - - - -

In between some of the songs around three oclock, Meilin and Komai disappeared suspiciously simontaneously. Kato was highly irritated, wanting to get on with recording, and Rii looked like he was about to explode.

"Always the same thing, every time. Komai always gets a new girlfriend, is always distracted somehow, slowing us all down..." He grumbled on and on.

Syaoran sat, just as annoyed, as they had their drink break.

"Don’t get that mad, Rii, we all needed a break." Gatria said calmly.

"Perhaps you should replace him." Sakura said with a second meaning, looking up from where she had been picking at her fingernail, making sure to meet Syaoran’s eyes before looking down.

Syaoran glanced at her for another second, then looked back to the wood floor. She keeps doing that. Why? Did I do something I’m not aware of?

"I’ve thought that, beleive me, but really, when it comes down to it, out of all of us Komai can be the most serious about our band. He was the one who wanted to start a band in the first place." Kato said.

"I’m going to get my book." Rii said, getting up and heading towards the guest house.

Kato watched Rii leave, then sighed, glancing around at the rest of them. Tomoyo was getting more food, stuff, something, and since Meilin and Komai were gone, all that was left was Syaoran, her, Gatria, and Sakura. "Looks like you are the only guy stuck with three girls." She said, smiling.

Syaoran made no response, only continued to look blankly at the carpet in front of him.

"How did you and Li-kun meet?" Gatria asked Sakura.

Sakura looked back up from her fingernail, glancing over at Syaoran to see if he was listening, then looking back to Gatria. "He transferred to my school here in Tomoeda when we were in fourth grade." She said.

"So you have been friends for five years?" She asked.

"Almost six." Sakura said, glaring over at him for a second.

"Wow. I’d imagine you’d get really comfortable with a person after that many years, really trusting, you know? Our band hasn’t been together that long." Kato said.

Sakura smiled smugly, glad to have something to use against him. Really trusting. Right. "You would imagine so, wouldn’t you?" She said, smiling.

Syaoran glanced sideways at Sakura and found all too quickly that she was watching him, and quickly set his eyes forward again. What’s up with her today? Did she mean something by that or what?

"So you were all friends before you made the band?" Sakura asked, willing the conversation to go on longer.

"Well, sort of. I was just learning to play bass, and Gatria had been playing acoustic for a while, and, at that sad moment in time, I had been going out with Komai. It was just a little elementary thing, no big deal, and now I think it’s gross, cause he’s more like a brother than anything. Anyway, he knew Rii played drums, so when me and Gatria wanted to become a duet group, he asked if himself and Rii could join. We just went on from there, with lots of luck. It helped alot that Rii’s parents are heavily involved in the recording industry and are part of a record company that published our first CD." Kato said.

"I wouldn’t of guessed you ever had to learn the guitar, you seem so natural at it." Sakura said. "I can’t fathom how you’d learn to play one, it looks so difficult."

"Well, bass is more rhythm then anything, other than that it’s relatively easy, at least to the stuff Komai and Gatria do. And you Syaoran, sorry, you’re so quiet I forgot you were sitting there." Kato said.

"But what Komai does is alot harder than what I do." Gatria said.

"Of course it is, I’m lead." Komai announced, strolling into the room, Meilin trailing behind him and hanging onto his hand. From that moment on, if Meilin and Komai were seen together, they were holding hands. Somewhere in their private block of time, this must have been decided.

"Are you ready to work now?" Kato asked, standing up and glaring at him.

"If I have to. You make it sound like no fun." He said, flashing a smile at Meilin, who just grinned back in return.

What has my cousin gotten herself into? Syaoran almost felt jealous of Komai, but it wasn’t jealousy like Sakura-Mark jealousy, no, this was like an older brother and protector type of concern. Syaoran told himself he was being ridiculous, and that he had no reason to feel responsible of Meilin’s decisions.

"I’ll get Rii." Kato said, getting up.

"Oh no, allow us, we’ll get him." Komai said challengingly, tugging on Meilin’s arm and pulling her along.

Kato rolled her eyes and allowed him to leave. She sighed forlornly as the door shut behind him. "Hopefully they don’t get ‘lost’ on their way to the guesthouse." She said dryly. Gatria laughed in agreement.

Kato started walking over to the clavinova, motioning Sakura to follow her. "For this next song I was looking for something slight techno, you know, like those old analog systems..."

________________________________________________________________________

"I just think we’d be awful people if we let Meilin sleep in a sleeping bag on the hard living room floor one more night." Komai continued to plead his case. He now had graduated to holding Meilin with his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him affectionately.

Kato slammed the case on her guitar and looked at him, exasperated. "Fine. Do what you want, I don’t care. But I do hope you remember there’s not enough beds, and she will end up sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor, only it will be a different floor, because none of us are giving up our beds." Kato said.

"At least it’s a change." Meilin said, shrugging. She turned slightly to Syaoran, not wanting to pull away from her other half. "Do you want to stay here tonight?"

"No." Syaoran said bluntly. Why would he want to stay for some band slumber party? He was amazed Komai had gotten Kato to agree to one more night in Tomoeda. It seemed his charming smile still held effects even on the lead singer.

"I never understand you, Syaoran..." Meilin said, though underneath her voice laid a layer of joy at his decision.

"Are you guys going to record tommorrow?" Sakura asked.

"One more song. We’ll play around with some solo songs. Just throw whatever sounds nice at the end of this CD." Kato said.

Sakura nodded. She was going to be here tommorrow. But she could hardly stand it anymore. She knew she could spend another night driving herself crazy about this. She was going to stalk Syaoran down and shove the truth right in his lying little face. She glanced at him for the thousandth time today. He had been suspicious of her for a while, and this time looked back at her questioningly, those bright amber eyes full of confusion. She just glared forward again.

"Well I will see you all tommorrow morning." Tomoyo said. "My mother’s needing me in the house, so, if you don’t mind..."

"No, that’s fine. Thanks, Tomoyo." Kato said.

Tomoyo beamed. "It’s fun, I don’t mind doing this at all." She said, walking down the hall to the side door.

Sakura watched her friend go, then realized she was still standing in front of the band. She was still waiting to confront Syaoran. She wished the band would go back to the guest house so she could yell her head off at him. But they were probably waiting for her to leave. "Well I’ve got to get going." She said. "I will see you tommorrow."

"See you, thanks for helping, Sakura. Maybe tommorrow you can record a solo for yourself." Kato said, smiling at her.

Sakura didn’t think this was likely. "Oh, I don’t know, I’m not much of a solo person." She said, laughing nervously.

"Goodnight then." Gatria called after her.

"Good night." Sakura said over her shoulder. She was going to the hall to leave out the outside door. But leaving wasn’t in her plans, not at all. Syaoran was bound to come by this door some time. She leaned against the wall, ready to move if she had to, and listened to their slightly muffled ending conversation.

"We’re not going to start as early tommorrow, Li-kun, though I’m sure you wouldn’t show up that early on your own." Kato was saying.

"Alright." Syaoran said.

"Are you sure you don’t want to stay here?" Meilin asked.

Syaoran pictured himself sitting, the odd one out, as Meilin and Komai disgustingly continued in their love fest, probably staying up late and watching movies and sitting too close on the couch. The image passed, and Syaoran slightly shuddered. "No, I’m sure." He said.

"I’m going." Rii said simply, ambling his way out of the room. Komai walked Meilin out and they disappeared out the door as well.

"Can you turn out those lights to the hallway?" Gatria asked.

"Yeah." Syaoran said.

"See you tommorrow then." Kato said.

Syaoran nodded, then continued down the hall, flicking light switches as he went. He found that there was a full moon out that night, and it gave enough light to walk down the hall with, so he flicked off the last light and headed for the door.

Syaoran about fell over as Sakura emerged from the shadows. He caught his breath silently and tried to look like he didn’t even find it unusual. "What are you doing still here?" He asked as casually as he could manage.

Sakura smiled, her face glowing with the pretty pale light of the moon. Syaoran could see the green hues of her eyes, even here in the dark, and her shadow highlighted several wisps of hair gone astray. Wow, she looks...Syaoran wondered why he hadn’t noticed her appearance earlier. Maybe it was because he had been so caught up in the recording, he hadn’t taken enough time to look her over. Maybe that’s why she’s been glaring at me. Have I been ignoring her unintentionally? "I just wanted to say how good you are at guitar. I honestly had no clue you could play, let alone play so well."

Syaoran wasn’t used to her giving him open compliments, and he found it hard not to look startled. "Well, I, uh, used to play alot, when I was younger." He said, hoping that would be a good answer. Her eyes just continued to look straight back at him with her perfect smile. But something about the normally-innocent-Sakura was off. She just didn’t seem...innocent. Syaoran waited for her to say she had to leave now, but she just continued to stand in front of him, blocking his path to the door. Syaoran wished vainly he had left the hall lights on, this was starting to creep him out.

"I’m sure it’s hard to play with someone as talented as Komai, without looking bad." She said, stepping closer.

Syaoran started to step backwards, then stopped, questioning his actions. He didn’t step back from anyone, and why would he ever step away from Sakura? If she was actually coming on to him, wasn’t that a good thing? Syaoran wasn’t sure. He just continued to feel an erie sense that he was missing something here. "I guess..." He said unsurely.

"And when you see all the other girls drooling over him, it’d be enough to make any guy jealous." She said, putting her hand on his chest. Syaoran really wanted to step back now. He glanced at her hand, then tried to look composed, though all of his composure was breaking away beneath him like shattered glass.

"But then..." Sakura said, finally taking her eyes off his for a second, looking to her own hand. She glanced back up, no longer smiling. No, there was no joy or flirtatious expression to be found on Sakura. It was truly a malicious smirk she was giving him now. "It would be awfully hard to be jealous of YOURSELF!" She said, pushing him sharply back with the hand she had put on his chest.

Syaoran stumbled back and then quickly blinked at her with confusion, staying out of harm’s way now. Now he was allowed to step back, Sakura was threatening him. "What are you talking about?"

Sakura’s smirk was gone and she was glaring at him horribly. She continued to advance right at him, accusingly pointing her finger at him. "You know exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t play dumb with me. How long did you think it’d be till I found out, huh? You just thought you’d let me go on in lala land? Or were you enjoying those unintentional compliments I was giving you? Letting me go on and on about him, when all along you knew, you KNEW that it was you I was talking about."

Syaoran went deathly pale. Could she-? No, she couldn’t have found out that...But she did. "Sakura I didn’t mean to-"

Sakura stepped in threateningly, and Syaoran narrowly dodged a sharp punch in the shoulder. "Don’t even try that with me. I know, it’s so easy to fool me, little innocent naive Sakura is so gullible, she’s too dumb to ever figure out the truth. It was just a big game to you, wasn’t it? You letting me tell you all about the concert, all about..." Sakura’s voice trailed off, too much anger to allow her to speak. She glared threateningly back at him. "Well good job. Good job in tricking me." She said, her voice losing momentum, her eyes starting to fill up with tears. "Now you can go laugh about it with the rest of them." She said, waving her hand in the direction of the guesthouse. Sakura swiped her eyes with the back of her hand and was angered to find her eyes were watering, which only caused more tears to come.

Syaoran hated watching her break down, and stepped forward hesitantly, reaching out for her arm. "Sakura.."

"Don’t!" She practically yelled. She spun around and jogged to the door, wiping her eyes with the back of her wrist as she went. "Don’t talk to me again!" She shouted, pushing open the door and running out into the night time air. She ran down the sidewalk for ages, finally finding that she couldn’t breath, she slowed to a walk, and, noticing she had already passed her own house, walked aimlessly down the side of the road.

I’m so stupid. Such an idiot. How could I CRY? She sobbed only more when she thought about her weakness. Some job I did in making him feel hurt. He’s just pitying me now. Great job Sakura, a real win this time. She forced herself to turn around and walk toward her house. I’m just overly angry, that’s all. Because of how much they all embaressed me. She shuffled her feet along, tripping occasionally as her watery eyes did not see depth very well. She refused to admit to herself that she was more annoyed with the fact that Syaoran had kept a secret from her than that the rest of them were all hiding something from her. The true reason behind her tears was because of her greif that he would be willing to break their trust. This is ridiculous. It’s not like he held some major secret from me, he just...just played with me, totally screwed everything up! How could he do that? How could he hold that from me like that? I’m overreacting, that’s what I’m doing. This is so stupid. It doesn’t prove anything about our trust. Does it?

Sakura wiped her tears away and forced composure into herself, then stepped into the house quietly, heading for the phone. Maybe she hadn’t done a good job in making Syaoran feel rotten today, but she wasn’t going to let him pity her long.

________________________________________________________________________

"Which way do your forefingers curve?" Mark asked Sakura, as they sat boredly in his large living room. Sakura continued to have vivid flashbacks of the party they had sabotaged so long ago, when she and Syaoran had seemed to be getting along so well...And poor Mark. His hair was slightly shorter now because of an accident with some hair gel Syaoran had switched with carpenter glue, and he had had to cut it off a few months ago. Luckily, hair grew back.

"Does it matter?" Sakura asked as lightly as she could. She was trying her hardest to befriend him quickly, because when she dropped by the recording studio, she had to make Syaoran jealous.

"It says something about you." He said, stepping over and picking her hand up, looking at it. "But there’s nothing wrong with yours. They curve in, see?" He asked, holding her hand up for her to see.

"Doesn’t everyone’s?" She asked skeptically.

"Not everyones." He said.

Sakura frowned, confused. She hated him and his second meaning perverted sayings and tests, but there was nothing she could do about it. Unless she called Link back from Hyrule and could convince him into some street clothes, Mark was the only guy that was friendly enough with her to make Syaoran jealous.

He laughed at her open confusion. "You really are sheltered, aren’t you? Come on, we’re going to see a movie." He said, taking her hand.

Sakura, no matter how much she hated it, knew she had to start acting friendly now, so she swallowed her pride and locked her fingers through his. "What movie?"

"You’ll see." He said, dragging her into the garage. He looked from the dirtbikes to the shiny sports car parked on the far side. "What shall we take? My bikes aren’t as fast as the car." He said.

"Do you have your liscense?" Sakura asked unsurely.

"My permit." He said, shrugging.

"Can we walk?" She asked hopefully. Walking would give her the time she needed to hurry and make up with him so she could drag him into the recording studio and make her appearance.

"I guess." He said, though a bit reluctantly.

Sakura smiled her best at him, though she knew it probably didn’t impress him. "Let’s go then." She said, pulling on his hand.

Mark walked with her outside, whipping out sun glasses before Sakura even saw any sunlight. They walked down the sidewalk silently for a while, then Sakura spoke. "Have you heard of Shiro Ame?" She dared to ask.

"The pussy band? Yeah, I’ve heard of them." He said.

Sakura bit her lip nervously. She hadn’t considered this. If he didn’t like them... "Well that’s who was recording yesterday, at Tomoyo’s house. They’re still recording today, but I didn’t want to spend another day over there."

"Why are they recording here?" Mark asked, as if Sakura was lying.

"I’m not sure, really, but they seemed to know Syaoran, so they were recording together." She said.

"I thought that yaro-u left." Mark said darkly.

"He did, but he’s visiting." She said, not hiding her anger.

"And he let you leave his side? To be with me, no less?" Mark asked.

"He doesn’t care, and why would I want to be there anyway?" Sakura asked hotly, anger from the previous night rising again.

"I sense a falling out." He halted on the sidewalk. He turned to face her. "Wait a minute. I’m not getting you on the rebound, am I? I don’t go for that, that’s low."

Sakura grinned, forced some more bravery into her system, and put her arms around Mark’s neck like so many other girls did to Syaoran. But why did she feel so frightened here when she did it? "There’s nothing to rebound from, beleive me." She said as convincingly as possible.

Mark, at least satisfied that he had a girl hanging over him, turned and continued on walking with his arm around her. "So he’s not going to come after me and punch me in the eye?" He asked.

Sakura smiled, remembering that from forever ago. Syaoran had punched him, hadn’t he? She couldn’t remember what it had been about. Sakura quickly wiped the smile off her face. "No, he won’t." She said. She bit her lip, contemplating what she was going to say next. I don’t want to make him feel like he’s being used. "But we can make him really irritated."

"Are you using me to make him jealous?" Mark asked suspiciously.

Dang it! "No, I just thought, seeing as we share mutual feelings about him, we could annoy the (Sakura fumbles for a word, then decides to try and be cool) hell out of him." She said.

Mark grinned, sliding his hand at the bottom of Sakura’s shirt. She forced herself not to look nervous, though inwardly, she was a wreck. "Well if it’s going to annoy the hell out of him, let’s do it." He agreed.

Sakura gulped hard. She had gotten him to agree. Now she just had to follow her plans. "We can drop by Tomoyo’s house if we want." She said.

"I don’t know where she lives..." Mark said.

"Just follow me." Sakura said, guiding him down the sidewalk. She resented her plans every time they would pass a half way decent girl, because she could tell Mark’s eyes were drifting away. She had her work cut out for her. If he was going to look at Kato and Gatria like this, her plans would be totally lost...Sakura tried to think of what she could do to keep him distracted just long enough to make Syaoran jealous. She shivered to think of what measures she was going to have to go to.

They walked a while longer, actually talking about something nonperverted for the moment, discussing their schedules for next year in school. Sakura’s side of the conversation was distracted by the time she could see Tomoyo’s house, and she walked nervously forward, thinking back on her plan. Why am bothering? Syaoran already thinks I’m weak enough, why go and make a fool of myself further? But Sakura had started through. She had to finish.

"That’s her house." Sakura said, pointing at the huge house they were approaching.

If Mark found it impressing, he didn’t say anything. Mark’s house is very big anyway, he wouldn’t think anything of another large house. "But they’re recording inside her house?" He asked.

"Yeah. She built on a full scale studio. It’s pretty neat." Sakura said.

Mark didn’t seem impressed yet. He followed her silently up the stairs into the house, and Sakura began hating herself. Why? Why was she doing this? Sakura got a good grip on Mark’s hand as they went through the parlor, then opened the door to the hallway.

They were immediatly greeted with a blast of music, that was very very electric guitar. Someone had set the feedback on the guitar way high, and the several guitars was almost overwhelming. Mark had a funny expression on his face, but Sakura didn’t know him well enough to read it, so she pressed on into the sound room.

"Hey Sakura." Tomoyo said, looking up. Her eyes lit up as she saw Mark, and she smiled knowingly. Sakura wanted to roll her eyes at Tomoyo’s jump to conclusions. But then, Sakura was gripping Mark’s hand. They sat down in the empty chairs and looked through the window.

Syaoran didn’t look like he was upset in the least. Oh no, he and Komai were battling it out with Gatria hanging in there, all being watched by Meilin, who was staring admiringly at them (mostly Komai). Kato had her bass going to no particular melody, going to the fast beat Rii was playing. Sakura reminded herself not to make fists with her hands, else her fingernails might make impressions in Mark’s palm. I can see I really affected him. Great. She couldn’t think of anything she would have rathered do but slap off that self satisfied look Syaoran had.

"Are you going anywhere, or did you come to play anything?" Tomoyo asked Sakura.

"We were just stopping by." Sakura said, still facing the window.

Once the guitar stopped playing, followed by Komai and Meilin and Syaoran- though Syaoran didn’t really laugh, only his version of a laugh- laughed about some unheard joke, Kato looked happily at the window, noticing Sakura and Mark. She walked up to her microphone brightly. "Did you come to play too?" She asked.

Sakura shook her head, glad to see that Syaoran had noticed Mark with a dark look. She wished she could talk to Kato, but there was no way to talk without going through the hall. She wanted them to really notice her and Mark, didn’t she? She pulled his hand to get him to stand after her, and then walked him to the hall, getting an idea of what she was going to say.

She walked down to the room and then stopped at the doorway, glad to have Mark stopping beside her for added strength. Maybe he wasn’t the best support, but the annoyed look Syaoran had as he pretended to be glaring off nowhere particular was worth having to hang on to him. "I can’t stay, but I wanted to drop in and say bye to you guys."

Kato looked sad, but not horribly disappointed. "No time to add in a keyboard solo?" She asked.

Sakura grinned and shook her head, leaning in on Mark’s side. "No, we’re off to see a movie." She said.

Kato grinned back. "Oh, I understand." She said slyly.

Komai peered around the rest of them. "Just what kind of movie are you two doves off to see at such an odd time of day?" He asked.

Mark, seemingly having an agreeable personality with Komai’s, grinned. "The only kind of movie worth watching." He said slickly.

Sakura didn’t have time to worry about what he was talking about. "It was really fun meeting you guys." She said, ready to make her exit.

"Well let me go show you what I was talking about- putting your name in the next CD." Kato said, leaning her guitar against the wall, then climbing over. Sakura already sensed Mark’s straying eyes, so she quickly slid her arm around his waist and followed after Kato down the hall to the recording room.

- - - - - - - - - -

Syaoran tried not to shake with anger. It figured Sakura would do something like this. She’s just trying to make me jealous. He thought. He glanced up at the window where he could see into the room, where they both stood way too close.I thought she was better than that. Syaoran grit his teeth and walked his guitar over to the back wall, leaning on it and tuning the guitar, though it didn’t really need it.

"Is he new?" Rii asked, spinning around on his pivoting chair.

"He’s not anybody." Syaoran grumbled. He glanced up at the window, overlooking their situation. Sakura was looking at something Kato showed her, seemingly ignorant that Mark was playing with the loose end of her shirt. It wasn’t his fault if she got herself into trouble. He sharply jerked one of the bolts on the guitar, pulling the tiny little string to its limit. The string twanged and sharply slapped across his forearm.

"@#$%!" Syaoran rubbed his forearm with annoyance.

"I think there’s some jealousy here." Rii said, still spinning around on his chair.

"Shut up, would you?" Syaoran snapped at him, looking at the broken string guitar. I hope Komai has some extra strings.

"There’s some extra strings in that case over there." Rii said.

Syaoran grumpily walked over to the case and pulled out the strings, then pulled out the right width and walked it over to the guitar.

"She’s leaving. Are you going to let her just go?" Rii asked.

Syaoran finished fixing the guitar and glared up with annoyance, glancing over to make sure he was right. Sakura was leaving, arm around Mark’s waist. "Why wouldn’t I?"

"Because you obviously like her." Rii said, slowing his chair. "And it sounds like she’s straying a little."

Syaoran clenched his teeth, looking up to watch her leave. "She just wants to make me jealous." He grumbled.

"Sounds like it worked. Listen, it’d be stupid to resent her for it, just take it." Rii said.

Syaoran didn’t like the mentor advice he was getting from Rii. "Then she’ll be even more upset it didn’t work, yell at me for it, and make another plan, another worse plan." He said.

"I can see you deal with women often." Rii said, stepping away from his position as mentor. "But maybe you could fix the problem, sounds like some pride swallowing."

"Sounds painful." Komai said, joining in the conversation.

Meilin rolled her eyes. "I thought you and Sakura were finally getting along. How long is this going to last?" She asked.

"Will you guys stop bugging me?" He asked, exasperated. "I don’t say anything about you two." He said, waving his hand in Komai and Meilin’s direction.

Meilin looked at Komai with mock disgust, dropped his hand, and stepped away, turning her back. "I’m offended! I’d never like him." She said.

Komai seemed confused, not sure if Meilin was joking. She answered by putting her arm back around his waist. "See, that’s how you act about her. So elementary like. If you like her, tell her, would you?"

Syaoran glared for a second, then turned and started walking away, not wanting to stand this conversation any longer. Kato stopped him, coming from the hall, putting her hands on his shoulders and pushing him backwards, back to his stand. "I don’t think so, mister, you still have some solos to record yet. How about some singing? Remember, we know you’re not tone deaf."

"Yeah, come on weaker copy, let’s hear you sing." Komai said.

Syaoran sighed heavily and surrendered. Though inwardly he was listening to them order him around about his parts, Syaoran’s mind quickly wandered to Sakura. She won’t know what to do, he’s not going to just WATCH anything, God knows what porn he wants to watch, what’s she going to do?

_________________________

"Well I don’t know. We can go to the mall or something." Mark said.

Sakura thanked the heavens that Mark’s friend hadn’t been home, the supplier of the ‘movie’, so now they were left to find other, less dangerous things to do. "Couldn’t we just watch something else at your house?" Sakura asked. It seemed like a safe thing to do- watch something in Mark’s huge stereo sound. Poor, blind, naive Sakura.

"I guess." Mark said.

They turned and walked down the sidewalk quietly, Sakura planning how she was going to leave. She should have told Tomoyo to call her hand phone at a certain time, so she would have a safe plan out. But Sakura had neglected to plan that far ahead of time, too busy enjoying the jealous vibes she was getting from Syaoran. "Have you ever tried guitar?" Sakura asked, trying to start some small talk.

"I tried out a bass for a while. It’s alright." Mark said.

"I"ve never tried." Sakura replied.

That conversation kind of died off, and they continued silently. Once they arrived at Mark’s house, Sakura noticed that the car that had been parked out in the driveway was gone. It had been Mark’s mother’s car. Sakura panicked. Watching the movie totally alone wasn’t in her plans. "Where’d your mother go?" She asked as lightly as she could manage.

"Work." Mark said simply, opening the front door. Sakura stepped in unsurely, hating what she was getting herself into. This could turn very ugly.

Mark walked over to a stereo and turned it on, playing some american song Sakura didn’t know. She liked it, though. "What is this?" She asked.

"Bloodhound Gang, it’s american, I think." Mark said.

Sakura nodded. Though she couldn’t follow most of the rapidly spoken words, it had a very catchy beat. Maybe she would download this onto her computer later. "Well, where do you keep your movies?" She asked.

Mark started walking around the living room; the large room that had been the dance floor during the new year’s party; and continued down the hall. "I’ve got some in my room." He said.

Sakura followed him, glad she didn’t have to hold onto his hand. She wondered if he noticed her sudden decline in physical affection, then felt slightly bad. She was using him, when it came down to it, and wasn’t really being fair to him. But she figured, since she was watching this movie alone with him, she would easily make up for a little mispent time. She walked with him through the doorway of his room and followed him to a cabinent that laid under the still nicely sized television for a bedroom.

He pulled open the doors and revealed many DVD cases. "Those are the ones worth watching." He said simply.

Sakura waited for him to step to the side so she could bend down and look, but, seeing that he wasn’t going to be giving her that courtesy, she knelt down and looked at them from an angle. From what she saw, they were nothing of her interest, in fact- her life was so exciting she didn’t need to watch any television, and thus didn’t recognize most of the action fliks that were in front of her. "Well, what ones do you like?" She asked.

Mark knelt down, uncomfortably close to her, and pulled out one with some scary half dead people on the front. Sakura quickly shook her head.

"I hate scary movies." Sakura declined.

Mark just set that back in and pulled out another one. "This one’s funny." He said.

Sakura glanced at the cover and decided it was the best she was going to do. "That’s fine." She said lightly, smiling brightly at him.

Mark stood up, and Sakura did also, and she quickly found herself awkwardly close. Before Sakura could run away, Mark had slyly slid his hands around her waist. Sakura nervously met his eyes, and quickly knew that was a mistake. She recognized her surroundings were his bedroom, and Mark’s intentions weren’t garunteed perfect, so she quickly pulled out of his arms, laughing it off. "I thought we’re watching a movie." She said lightly, turning and walking to the door, though she felt very insecure about him following her from behind.

They walked to the large living room where the large screen television was. Mark set the disc in and turned everything on, then went to sprawl out across the couch. Sakura was glad to see him do that, because that meant no evading on her part. She sat at the edge of the couch and forced herself to relax, despite the close call she had just had. But I can’t blame him, can I? I’ve been giving him the wrong signals all day...Sakura started to worry about what he might be thinking she was thinking. She tried to push it away and watch the comedy movie, though she didn’t get most of the jokes. She thought, if those were the best punch lines they could come up with, comedy was really going downhill. She yawned and looked at her watch, and found it was only around four oclock.

Once the movie was almost through, Sakura planned to leave. She had made it through the day without being attacked, so she counted herself lucky. But she still had to leave. Once the movie rolled into the credits, Mark yawned, stretched, and got up from the couch. Sakura stood up politely and walked over to the television where Mark was taking the disc out and putting it into the case. "Can you put this back in my room?" He asked, already going to turning off other buttons.

Sakura took it from him and walked down the hallway to his room, glad to be alone for a few brief moments. Ugh. This whole day with him, was it really worth it, just to make Syaoran jealous for about five minutes? He probably forgot about me after I left. Because what does he care? She opened the cabinent doors and set the DVD in, then stood up, surprised to see Mark already coming in.

"When do you have to leave?" He asked.

"About now." Sakura said as truthfully as she could manage. She shuffled her feet uncomfortably, not liking that Mark was blocking the doorway. She wasn’t sure if she started moving that he would move, in fact, it looked like he was just going to stand there.

"And we haven’t done anything yet today." Mark said, showing disappointment in his voice.

Sakura worried what he meant. "Yes we have, we’ve seen an international band." She said, trying to make her dash to the doorway.

Mark caught her in his arm, pulling her in front of him, taking her waist in a little closer than Sakura liked. "That’s not what I meant." He said, meeting her eyes and grinning.

Sakura didn’t like it that he was taller than her. He wasn’t horribly taller, but it was enough to make her feel at a disadvantage. She hoped she wasn’t really shaking with nervousness, though she felt like it. Before Sakura was able to do anything, before she was even sure of the whole situation, Mark’s lips were upon hers. Sakura’s eyes widened at the sudden shock. Bla bla bla bla! What am I supposed to do!? Sakura prayed that he might stop after this kiss, but instead he continued to kiss her more deeply. She tried to push him away, but that only seemed to encourage him closer.

His hands slipped around her back, and then, woah, what was he trying to do? "Stop." Sakura said, though it was weak from her nervousness. She tried to pull back, but that only got her pushed into a wall. Now things were ten times worse. He had her up against the wall. He was moving way too fast for Sakura to defend herself. "STOP IT!" Sakura shouted, this time, moving her face away from his, shading her eyes with her eyelashes.

Mark, with an obvious scowl of annoyance, looked at her, stopping. He stared back at her almost coldly, waiting for an answer to her outburst.

Sakura was trembling with fear now, and she didn’t bother to hide it, because her concentration was working harder to keep her tears back. For a second all she could hear was their quickened breath, though each for different reasons. She forced herself to speak. "I’ve got to go." She said, though her voice was choked up. Before anything else could go wrong, Sakura pushed past him and fled down the hall, rushing through his house, ignoring him if he was walking after her. She rushed outside and then alternated between a jog and a quickened walk on the sidewalk before she felt safe, her tears already dropping quickly.

Her thoughts were racing. How could she have let that happen? Sakura still shook. She tried to keep her arms from trembling by crossing them across her chest, but it didn’t help. The truth still remained. I’m overreacting. Again. All he did was kiss me, it wasn’t like anything happened. But still. Sakura hadn’t dealt with anything like this before. She didn’t know what to do. She quickly flushed with embaressment, feeling so stupid for running off as she had. He’s going to think I’m so stupid.

But who cares!? If he was willing to do that, who knows what else he would have pulled me into. I hope he thinks I’m stupid. Then I won’t have to deal with it. She walked into her house, glad to see it quiet, and ran up the stairs. Her room had never looked more inviting. Sakura threw open the door and collapsed on the bed, letting her tears fall freely.

Kero, from behind the nintendo controller, didn’t even avert his eyes. "Bad day?" He asked.

Sakura didn’t respond, only sobbed into her pillow. She sobbed for being so stupid, so irrational, so foolish, so...me. Bob fluttered out of his jar, keeping his distance from the entranced Kero. "Angel, what makes tears fall? Should not cry, your pretty face it distorts."

Sakura rolled over, showing her tear stained face. "Why are people such jerks, Bob?" She asked, not expecting an answer.

"People make wrong actions, but you are wise enough to look past. See the person inside, you should." Bob said, sprinkling blue dust on Sakura.

Sakura closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, smiling despite everything. What was with this blue dust? It was like having Syaoran holding her, only it wasn’t, because he wasn’t there, he probably hated her, and this was just some nuisance Bob dropped around. "That feels nice." Sakura said.

"Clears mind to the big picture." Bob said, then fluttered over to the jar. He flew into it, then peered over the edge, as if hiding from something. "Kero’s grounding- rule of nintendo being surpassed now, it is. He is coming to the hour mark." Bob said.

Kero shot a glare up at Bob, who ducked into the glass jar. Kero turned to see Sakura, then, muttering something under his breath, fluttered over to the nintendo and shut it down. He shut the television off, then flew over to Sakura’s bed (This rule was part of Kero’s long punishment plan for trying to kill Bob). "Was it the brat?" Kero asked.

Sakura softly slammed her fists down on her mattress. "It was everyone!" Sakura complained. She felt so insecure now, why did Mark make her feel like that? Sakura swung her legs over the side of her bed and stood up, wiping away her tears for now. She figured she could cry the last of them out before bed. "I’m going to start supper." She said.

She started to leave, then turned to make sure Bob and Kero weren’t fighting yet. "No fighting. I can’t handle it." She said. Her thoughts switched over to supper, and she lost her troubles for a little while.

____________________________________________________________________

Syaoran was glad to wake up to accumulating magic. That meant he got to fight some for Sakura while he was still in Japan, and they might be able to resolve whatever was still being fought about. He pushed himself upright from his bed and winced, his fingers aching from the heavy guitarwork he had done the day before. They were just developing callouses now, too bad Shiro Ame had left. He knew he would be walking into the living room to find a depressed Meilin, but he didn’t think he minded. He had had enough of his cousin and that oversized-ego Komai.

When he walked out of the hall, there was no one up yet, so Syaoran silently plopped down on the couch and looked outside. It looked like it might be a hot day. The sky was clear, it would be a good day to get a tan. Maybe I’ll see Moondust today. That sounds alright. But she does belong to Sakura now. I wonder if I should ask?

An idea formed in Syaoran’s mind, though he didn’t like it. It was going to be hard. He hated apologizing. But it’s a good idea. That way I can ask about Moondust, warn her about this magic, and apologize all in one easy shot. No problem. Syaoran looked over at the clock. It was still early. He could take a shower, change, and eat with time to spare. Syaoran got up off the couch and headed to the bathroom.

It’s nice not to have four sisters to race to the bathroom. I’ll actually get to take a normal shower today. In Hong Kong, it seemed the only time Syaoran ever made it into the single bathroom was when he had to get up at four thirty in the morning for sword practice, before anyone else was up. Syaoran took a shower, taking a long time in totally washing out his hair. He changed into some loose summer clothing he brought from Hong Kong, then surveyed himself in the mirror. The silky polo shirt definitely worked for him. Syaoran walked down through the living room, grabbing his keys and leaving the apartment, forgetting about eating.

He had at least a little confidence in his appreance, and he wanted to strike while he still had inspiration.

- - - - - -- - - - - - -

Syaoran walked to Sakura’s house planning what he was going to say, then totally forgot as he knocked on the door. He panicked for a brief second, then reprimanded himself for even bothering to plan a speech. That was stupid. He shuffled his feet as he waited for the door to be answered, then looked up as it opened, glad to see Sakura opening it. She looked surprised to see him.

Rii’s right. Why resent her? That’s stupid, it’s only going to end up hurting me. He managed a half grin at her. "Is your brother home?" He asked.

Sakura shook her head.

Syaoran wished she would say something, but she didn’t seem to want to, so he continued on. "Can I come in?" He asked, seeing she wasn’t going to invite him in herself.

"Yeah." Sakura said, stepping back and leaving the door for him to close. He shut it and looked forward to see Sakura was already heading to the kitchen. "Do you want any tea?" She asked.

Syaoran followed her. She turned around to get something, then jumped two feet back as she saw him standing behind her. She exhaled slowly. "You scared me." She said with a bit of hostility.

Syaoran stepped back. "Sorry." Maybe you shouldn’t be so jumpy.

She set stuff on a tray and turned to him. "Do you want any or not?" She asked irritably.

Syaoran didn’t know why she was being so annoying. He had never seen her in this bad of a mood before. He felt guilty that the whole Komai substitute thing had meant that much to her. She must have been really devestated. "No thanks, I just..." He paused as she moved around him to get some stuff for her tea. She turned and attempted to smile at him, waiting for him to continue. Syaoran could sense something wrong here, but he wasn’t sure what. "I just wanted to apologize." He went on more carefully.

Sakura looked down and stirred the tea in the mug she had quietly, then looked up. "And then you were going to warn me about the card that’s about to escape." She said.

Syaoran blinked cluelessly for a minute, then remembered. "Yes, I was going to. I figured you would have already sensed it, though." He said.

Sakura grinned and looked back at her tea. "Of course." She muttered.

Syaoran shifted his weight uncomfortably. He didn’t like being the vulnerable one, but he had vowed not to resent her. She still hadn’t accepted his apology. Syaoran didn’t want to bring that up again, so he went on. "And I wanted to ask if you’d mind if I went to see Moondust."

"She is your horse, Li-kun." Sakura said, taking her spoon out of the cup and sipping the tea, then looking at him over the brim of the mug. The bitterness she used with calling him by his last name was easily seen.

Syaoran tried not to look hurt, though he was beginning to get irritated with being chafed away at like he was. He had given that mare to Sakura, she knew that very well. And it had looked to Syaoran like she was taking very good care of her. The only explanation was that Sakura was still mad at him. Syaoran sighed for no reason. "Alright. That’s all I wanted to say." He said, turning hesitantly to the door, then continuing, as Sakura made no protests to stop him.

"Have fun." Sakura called after him, though was there a hint of sarcasm in her voice?

Some visit to see Sakura this has been. He shut the door quietly behind him despite his want to slam it, and walked down the sidewalk towards the bus stop. I hope she isn’t going to be like this forever.

- - - - - - -- - -- - -- - - - - - - -- - - - -

Moondust was in very good shape when Syaoran saw her. She had been ecstatic to see him, and had neighed like a trumpet when she caught his scent. After a long wreckless gallop, and some jumping, Syaoran brought the horse into the barn to brush down. The mare stood stone still as he ran the brushes over her silver coat, enjoying his company. Syaoran allowed his thoughts to drift.

She probably didn’t do anything. It’s Sakura I’m thinking about, I mean, there’s no way anything could have happened between them...but Mark is Mark, the perverted bastard that he is...Syaoran’s soft brushing became more harsh, and Moondust shifted uneasily. Why would she do that, anyway? She won’t even let me apologize. No, she just has to go out and make me jealous...But I won’t let her control me. Rii’s words rang in his head, despite his feirce attempts to stop them. I shouldn’t resent her for that. That’s true. That’s just what she wants me to do. And it’s stupid. She made a mistake, I shouldn’t hate her for that. Of course I don’t hate her, but still...The way they were hanging all over each other...

Syaoran’s mind searched for a plot to indirectly ask what exactly they did once they left. They went to watch that God awful porn, he probably totally took advantadge of the situation and of her... Moondust stepped away from Syaoran’s brushing, and he realized he must have been practically embedding the bristles into the horse’s skin. He sighed and leaned against the stall door. Why did I bother to visit? I’d be better off working on my sword training...

With that thought in mind, Syaoran vaulted up onto Moondust’s back, drew out his sword, and rode her out of the barn at a collected gallop. He felt like chopping down a few trees. Maybe when this card escapes, a good life or death situation will get her thinking rightly.

Sakura was getting frustrated yet again with Kero. All she had wanted to do was play a good game of Zelda, but now Kero was in on it, watching her and critiquing everything she did. Apparently, in her time away from the nintendo, Kero had mastered playing Link.

Sakura didn’t feel right playing this game anymore. Perhaps that’s the reason she had delayed so long in playing. She was worried that any second the screen would black out and Link would get hurled back into Japan again. But so far, so good. She had, several times, paused the game just to gaze at him. The cartoon form of him had very good graphics, but now that she had seen him in real life, it just didn’t seem right. I should find a spell so I can visit there sometime. It was so fun the last time... Thinking about this allowed her to get out of her shameful and guilty thoughts about the previous day.

"Look, it’s much easier, that’s all I’m saying. See! There! That’s a spot where a side ways jump would have saved a heart container." Kero continued.

"Oh well, it’s not like it’s real." Sakura said, though she smiled at the joke her words played. She had been curious- exactly what happened to the real Link when she got a game over? Or was that even him? Did the real Link never die? He must not, because he wouldn’t have been alive when Sakura was there.

Kero sighed. He took some popcorn from his side and began munching on it. "What card do you think’s escaping?" He asked.

Sakura, only half paying attention, gave an absent answer. "Weak card, maybe the Glow, dunno."

"Has the brat said anything about your two missing cards?" Kero asked.

Sakura shook her head. "No."

Bob had been eating popcorn overhead, and been sprinkling Kero with bits of popcorn in the process. Kero, put to the limit, flew up with rage. "IF YOU DROP ONE MORE PEICE-"

"KERO!" Sakura shouted, not even looking from the television screen. "Rules, Kero! Rules! If you touch that bug I’m going to put you in a magic bubble for a couple weeks." She said.

Kero glared for a moment at Bob’s compound eyes, then dejectedly flew down. "He keeps dropping popcorn on me. I don’t see why you’re so protective of that reject." Kero muttered, not expecting any type of response.

"Ask to move and I will. Hold on to your temper, beast." Bob said, fluttering over to his jar with his single kernel.

"Beast?" Kero asked challengingly, but was stopped by Sakura’s raised hand.

Sakura played in peace for a while during Kero’s quiet sulk, and she allowed her thoughts to wander as she half consciously steered the figure on the screen. How could I have let that happen? I’m never going to be able to show my face in public again. What if I run into Mark? She thought breifly of Syaoran’s stop by. He didn’t mean his apology, else he would have waited for me to reply, right? But...at least he did. Why am I treating him so poorly?

"Why’s the brat here in Japan? I thought he finally left for good. You obviously can handle yourself, you proved that with the Big card." Kero said through a mouthful of popcorn.

Sakura was still ticked off with Kero, who insisted he was in his drawer sleeping and totally unaware of any magic presence during the Big card’s big fight. "It’s a good thing I can work alone." She mumbled. "Why shouldn’t he be here? He has a right to visit. He and Meilin probably just wanted to see everyone, that’s all." Sakura said.

"They’re just getting in the way." Kero grumbled.

"Well I don’t see you making any efforts to help out." Sakura said, not even taking her eyes off the screen, because she was sure Kero was crossing his arms indignantly.

"You are proving to be very strong, Sakura. Don’t you see that? Soon you won’t even have use for magic gaurdians." Kero said solemnly.

Sakura paused the game and looked at him with widened eyes. "What’s that suppose to mean!?" She asked, terrified at what he might be hinting at.

Kero shrugged. "Think of it, when was the last time we called for Yue?"

"But what about all the strange things going on? All this ghost stuff, all my cards are escaping! How am I supposed to deal with that alone?" She asked.

"By day, Sakura. Don’t worry over the big picture, just take things as they come. You are doing fine." Kero said.

Sakura frowned at him. "Then are you saying you know about all of this? Is there something you’re not telling me?" She asked.

Kero shook his head and flew to the window, looking outside. "Not at all, but I am just telling you from past experience. Just from how I’ve watched Clow Reed, that’s all."

Sakura wasn’t totally satisfied, but she went back to playing her game. "Are you going to help me seal that card tonight?" She asked.

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world." Kero agreed. Sakura rolled her eyes.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Sakura gripped Kero’s fuzzy and unrulely mane as he soared over the park, letting Sakura look around for the card’s appearance. She had a strong feeling it would be the Glow card, because it felt like a weak card, and Glow was the only one that fit that profile. She knew this would be a peice of cake, so she didn’t fret as Kero flew in circles. What could the Glow do, glow her to death?

Sakura spotted a slight glow coming from under the tree cover. She leaned forward. "Down there, Kero." She said, pointing with one arm as she gripped his mane in the other. Kero made a sort of grunt response and doved through the canopy of leaves. Sakura leaned low on his neck in effort to stay out of the leaves’ way, and within seconds Kero landed gently on the dirt ground. Sakura hopped lightly to the ground, then noticed with despair a silver horse half hidden in the shadows. The mare was standing more docilely than Sakura had ever seen her, her head hanging low and her eyes half closed. But she was riderless. Sakura looked from left to right, but didn’t see Syaoran anywhere. She hoped she didn’t look rdiculous as she searched cluelessly for him. He didn’t seem to be there. But Sakura sensed his aura, he was there.

"It’s moving west." Syaoran’s voice said bluntly.

Sakura looked around, bewildered, not seeing him, then spotted him hopping down off a tree. He vaulted onto Moondust’s back and gathered the reins. Sakura could have stared at him with his full battle outfit on, his sword gripped in his hands, but she quickly looked away. Moondust pranced about, seemingly coming to life.

"Are you going to seal it or not?" Syaoran asked more impatiently, allowing Moondust to take some jumpy steps forward before holding her back.

"Yeah, come on, Kero-" Sakura stopped. She looked behind her, where Keroberus had just been standing. But now he was not there. He was nowhere to be seen. Sakura frowned and looked around, confused. How did he manage to disappear like this?

"He’s not going to help." Syaoran said, pushing Moondust sideways so he could address Sakura. "I’ll go ahead and keep it from moving."

Sakura hated Kero for leaving her. Now she was so helpless. But wait! Last time in battle she had had Moondust’s help. Just who did Syaoran think he was; stealing her war mount? She glared at him, and realized that he was still watching her. "Do you want a lift?" He asked.

Sakura blushed and looked down, hating herself for acting so. "No, go ahead."

Syaoran blinked indifferently at her, then turned Moondust and took off with an incredible jump into acceleration, Moondust powerfully pushing them forward, quickly out of Sakura’s sight. She wanted to think about how cool that was of Syaoran, but she pushed that away, forcing herself into a jog. She called out her staff on the way and held it as she went, thinking over the situation.

Of course I wanted a lift. That was my horse. Or I thought you said it was. But now you are taking it? Or did you just want me to ride with you? Well I won’t fall for it. Not after yesterday. She chose to ignore the fact that Syaoran had never once in his life tried to take advantage of her, let alone hurt her. No way, instead she continued on haughtily, looking forward where she could see the Glow sprinkling the forest with its romantic light. Sakura sighed. Figures. What nerve he has to show up!

She walked around the tall trees and through some of the dimly lit undergrowth until she emerged into a small clearing. Syaoran had Moondust running up and down the side of the woods, holding his sword out threateningly to keep the glow contained. Sakura glowered in his direction for a moment, then looked to the glowing peices dropping around her. She watched one land softly on her arm, then slowly dissolve. It was truly soothing. She wondered why she never used this card?

Sakura sighed. Once she sealed it now, she wouldn’t be able to use it again. She might as well kiss all her cards goodbye. "Gl-" She raised her staff, but the glow seemed to have other ideas. It didn’t want to go out, at least not without a fight. The Glow fled from there, escaping in to their side, before Syaoran could contain it. He galloped Moondust at it vainly, then slowed and halted in front of Sakura.

"You know, it’d be much easier to keep up like this..." Syaoran said, looking at her emerald eyes for the breif moment she looked up.

Sakura looked down and started walking. "I’m fine, beleive me-" Sakura started. She jumped sideways at the large spider visible crawling across the ground, and her composure quickly crumbled. She jumped to the side, clinging to Moondust’s side.

"Hurry, it’s almost out of sight." Syaoran said, not making her feel embaressed of her fear in the least.

Sakura looked hesitantly up at the tall horse, knowing that she was going to have to hold on to him to stay on, and yesterday continued to flash through her mind. Sakura blinked her eyes tightly shut and open again. This is Syaoran! She jumped up, pulling herself up with his steady arm, and quickly settled herself. Without any prompting from him, she quickly clung around his stomach, because he sent Moondust jumping into her gallop again. Sakura felt off balance for a moment, but quickly felt set again. She peered around Syaoran’s shoulder to look ahead.

The glow wasn’t in front of them. Where were they going? Sakura spotted a flash in the corner of her eye. "It’s over there!" She said, pointing with one arm as her other worked twice as hard to hang on.

Syaoran responded by turning Moondust sharply, again nearly unseating Sakura. She was thankful he could stay so balanced, because she was really using him for leverage. A low branch was hanging right in their way, but it was quickly rid of as Syaoran slashed it down with his sword. Sakura watched him bring back the gleaming blade with wide eyes. He was holding it to the side, clear of her legs, but it still looked dangerous. She shook the fear away and looked forward at the card they were gaining on.

Moondust’s quickly moving legs took them to the card within seconds, and Sakura quickly took the staff at her side and readied it. As they started slowing into a canter through the Glow’s falling light, Sakura swung her right leg over Moondust’s back and jumped to the ground, bringing her staff down with her.

"Glow! Return to your power confined!" She shouted and pushed her staff down into the magic, and, with little resistance, the card formed and the Glow was trapped within again. She took it up to look at it, and saw that it was another warped star card. Great. Another one to add to the collection.

"This must have been a little easier than the Big." Syaoran said, sliding down off Moondust.

Sakura looked up from her card at Syaoran, who was grinning at her. She could of almost smiled solely because of the hope she could see visible in him, hoping for Sakura to stop her shortness and forgive him. "Much easier." She agreed, slightly smiling, then looked at the ground.

Syaoran sighed inwardly, wishing she wouldn’t be so shy, so angry, so whatever she was being. "There’s your friend." He said, glad that Keroberus decided to break the tension by flying in.

Sakura spun around and faced him. "KER-"

"I know what you’re thinking- Kero bailed again." He frowned. "No way, not me. I only, in fact, saved your tails from some glowing insects." Kero said.

Sakura tried to stay mad, but instead she involuntarily shivered with disgust. "G-glowing bugs?" She asked. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to see bugs again without freaking out? I hope.

Keroberus nodded.

Syaoran chewed on the inside of his bottom lip, not entirely sure if he beleived Keroberus. Though the beast looked completly sincere, there was just something not totally right. Syaoran didn’t think about that, only thought about what he was going to say next. But now Kero was there. Syaoran looked absently at the darkening evening sky. The sun had long set, and now stars were starting to twinkle in the dark blue velvet cover. Maybe nothing’s wrong with Sakura. Maybe she’s just changed. Syaoran tried to beleive that, though he still could see she was uneasy, almost nervous. Why was that? And would she ever forgive him? Or had she, and Syaoran had just missed it?

"I’ve got to get home before onni-chan notices how quiet my room is." Sakura said, hopping onto Kero’s back. "See you later." She said, though she wasn’t even looking at Syaoran, she was already rising up with Keroberus.

Syaoran frowned and was about to respond, but she was already gone. Syaoran sighed, then looked sideways at Moondust, who was breathing in the clear night time air happily, enjoying the action. He leaned against her side and looked up at Keroberus’s shadow against the sky, Sakura’s small figure sitting easily on him. She’s changed alot. Or something’s really wrong. I shouldn’t have left this morning before she answered me.

He vaulted up onto Moondust’s back again. The horse was mellow now, knowing that the action had passed, and she was allowed to be quiet. Syaoran let her trot across the park ground, his thoughts straying still. If I’m this worried about it, there’s no point in trying to hold it in. I will just ask her tommorrow. I don’t have very many days left, after all. He put Moondust into a canter to jump the park fence. Alright. Tommorrow.

________________________________

Sakura was glad that Kero had at least transported her to the park and back. That had kept her from having to walk on the sidewalk, where she could potentially run into anyone- though she was terrified of one certain boy about her age that might be strolling around. That’s why, when today her father asked her if she could get the groceries, she had claimed she was feeling horribly under the weather. She felt guilty when her father took special time to make her tea, and had felt even more horrible as she pretended to have a difficult time getting down the stairs. But the more she thought about running into Mark, the more she actually felt sick.

Sakura sat comfortably on the couch, reading some classic literature for a summer homework assignment. It was boring the death out of her, but she was determined to not scamble around the last day of summer because of procrastinating summer homework. Sakura sighed after finishing a page- sick of having to reread everything because of the hard words the author used. She leaned her head back on one of the couch pillows, closing her eyes momentarily. A knock on the door caught her attention.

Her father, who was dressed in his suit for work, came out from his room where he had been collecting some reports of some sort, and walked energetically to the door. Sakura tried to lean over on the couch to see who was there, but the wall blocked her veiw. She sat back still, annoyed.

"Ah, hello, how are you doing?" Her father asked. Sakura wanted to roll her eyes thinking that this was probably the one time her father wouldn’t address the person by their name.

"Very well, thank you. And you?" The other voice asked politely. Sakura recognized it quickly. What is Syaoran doing here? Making conversations with my father?

Her father chuckled, as if pleased with the uncommon politeness the boy showed. "I have been well. Sakura, unfortunately, is under the weather today. You were looking for her, I assume?" Her father said.

Sakura got up from the couch hesitantly. She wanted to talk to Syaoran. But she didn’t. But she did.

"Yeah. Well, I’m sorry to bother you, then." Syaoran said.

"I will tell her you came by." Her father was saying.

Sakura rushed a little faster, holding the quilt around her. "I’m alright, otto-san." She said, her voice a little odd sounding with her aprhension to break the father and boy friend of the daughter’s talk.

Her father turned and smiled, and Syaoran stopped from walking and faced her from the porch. "I see I must of been giving you the wrong medicine. Maybe this company will inspire you to get the groceries, later?" Her father asked, smiling all knowingly.

Sakura looked at the floor guiltily. She had pretended to be hardly able to walk earlier, and here she was standing perfectly fine. "Maybe." She responded quietly. She looked back up to Syaoran, who was still standing uncertainly.

Her father motioned for him to come in, and Syaoran stepped through the doorway, then followed Sakura into the living room. She sat down on the couch she had been sitting at, and Syaoran sat down across from her.

"Catching a cold?" He guessed.

Sakura grinned with guilt yet again. She would have explained this to him, but then she’d have to explain why she didn’t want to go in public, and that would lead to some difficult subjects. "Yeah, I think. Too many cards lately." She said.

Her father made some noise in the kitchen as he continued to get ready to leave, making them both look that direction. They looked back silently.

"Are-"

"Why-"

Why did they have the tendency to talk at the same time? It was horribly annoying. Syaoran looked at her, having no intention to speak until she said what she was going to say. Sakura looked up at him. "Why are you here?" She asked, though her voice was slightly quieted, because her dad was only a room away.

Syaoran looked at the floor in front of him, then up at her, meeting her eyes with his own blazing determined amber ones.

"I’m off to work, Sakura." Her father called, heading to the door with a breifcase. "If you’re feeling better a little later, I’d really appreciate you picking up those things at the store."

Sakura smiled weakly. "Goodbye, Otto-san." She called. The door shut behind him, it’s noise reminding them of the uncomfortable silence drifting into the room. How could he leave me alone? The last thing Sakura wanted was to be alone with a boy. She shifted uncomfortably in her quilt fortress.

"I’m here because I was trying to figure out if you were still mad at me." Syaoran said truthfully.

Sakura looked down at the floor, then looked up. "A little." She admitted. He better not ask why I came in with Mark. He’d be horrible. He better not.

"So is that why you’re acting so strange?" Syaoran asked.

"I’m going to make some tea, do you want any?" Sakura asked, standing up.

Syaoran stood up also, his eyes peircing her for an answer.

"I don’t know what you mean." She said, turning and heading for the kitchen.

Syaoran followed her, and Sakura felt uneasy again, having someone walking behind her.

"Be honest, have you really changed this much, or are you hiding something?" Syaoran continued, stopping in the kitchen as she set the kettle on the stove.

Sakura turned to him despite how much she didn’t want to. She felt trapped. Why was he confronting her like this? He obviously doesn’t beleive I’m sick. "I-I..." Sakura, at lost for words, turned from him and started to rush out of the room. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Syaoran wasn’t about to let her run off without an answer. He caught her by the wrist. "Sakura-"

Sakura froze, feeling a breif moment of panic. Why did he take her wrist like that? Was he going to hurt her?

Syaoran frowned at the frozen state Sakura was in. She was wincing, like she was expecting something. Was he cutting off the circulation in her wrist or something? Syaoran dropped her wrist and awkwardly let his hand fall to his side, watching her with a deep frown. She was trembling. He was right. There was definitely something wrong. "This is exactly what I mean. Why are you so jumpy?" He said.

Sakura realized she was practically shaking. Why? He hadn’t done anything. Sakura nervously turned back to him. "I...." She crossed her arms, finding at least a little comfort in that. "Nothing. Nothing happened!" She said, saying it as much for herself as she was for him. She began walking hurriedly out of the kitchen, heading nowhere in particular.

"What do you mean, ‘nothing happened’? Sakura why are you afraid of me?" He demanded, starting to get frustrated.

Sakura, after realizing he wasn’t going to leave her alone, slowly turned back to him. "I’m...I’m not afraid of you. I’m just afraid that..." Sakura was at a loss for words.

"Afraid that...?" Syaoran asked, trying to prompt her.

Sakura hated the tear ducts in her eyes. They seemed to work more than most people’s. Why was that? She frowned and swallowed hard, then looked up at him. "It was just because I thought I could make it better by making it even. I thought that, that maybe if I could just make you mad, then...but it just made things worse, I didn’t know what I was doing. I should have just cried it out like a baby and not try to do anything on my own, but, because, I’m too stupid, I can’t-"

Syaoran had had enough of watching her break down, and intervened. "Did that bastard do something to you?" Syaoran demanded, his frown deepening even more.

Sakura looked down at the floor, her eyes getting very full. "No, I mean, it wasn’t his fault, It was mine, I didn’t know what I was..I was just too stupid, I didn’t-"

"What did he do to you?" Syaoran continued to demand. Just knowing that Mark had touched her was too much.

"N-nothing! I mean..." Sakura was having the hardest time spitting out the truth. She knew Syaoran’s patience had worn out, but she was afraid that if she would say the truth, he would think her stupid for being so upset. Hardly anything happened, right?

"If it was nothing, then why are you so upset?" Syaoran inquired.

Sakura could hear the kettle in the kitchen, coming to a boil. She brushed past Syaoran. "Why do you care?" She retorted.

Syaoran walked after her, his nerves getting touchy. Why did she even ask that question? "Because! Because I know you are so much of a stronger and better person than him, and he didn’t deserve to even look at you. Because just the thought that some hentai like that can have such a drastic affect on your personality makes me sick."

Sakura set the kettle off onto a seperate burner with shakey hands. She didn’t dare turn around, because she knew the look he’d be giving her would be enough to make her break down and run into his arms and cry for days. But she thought she was beyond that now. She was able to fend for herself. She leaned on the counter and gathered her bearings, every part of her wanting to soak in his words. She turned carefully, looking at him with more composure now, attempting a weak smile. "Listen, it’s stupid, okay? I just, I just wish that I hadn’t...been like that with him." She said.

Syaoran took a deep breath and tried not to be angry. "And why are you pretending to be sick?" He asked.

Sakura was a bit amazed with how quick Syaoran could catch on, but she shook it off and sighed, figuring he might as well know. She smiled shyly down at the floor. "It’s stupid, but...I didn’t want to run into Mark anywhere, and my father wanted me to get groceries." She explained.

Syaoran wasn’t convinced he had heard the whole story, but at least he had gotten this much out of her. Still one question was driving him crazy. Just how far did he get with her? "How bad would it be if you have a body guard?" He asked.

Sakura blinked and looked up from the floor, a lopesided grin on her face. "You’d go grocery shopping with me?" She asked, a bit amazed.

Syaoran shrugged. "Anything’s better than listening to Meilin whine about how she misses Komai."

Sakura’s face darkened momentarily.

"When are you going?" Syaoran asked.

"Now, if you want." Sakura said. She looked at the kettle of hot water, deciding she didn’t want any tea. "I’ve got to change, though." She said, still in her pajamas.

Syaoran nodded. She started to head up the stairs to her room, then glanced over her shoulder. "Come look at Bob, while you’re here. You can see what I mean, about him acting like you." She said.

Syaoran hesitantly followed her up the stairs into her room. Kero, playing video games, looked up with horror and anger at Syaoran. "What are you doing here!?" Kero asked.

Syaoran glowered cooly back at him, and let Sakura stop him. "Quiet, Kero, where’s Bob?"

"Angel?" Bob called, fluttering out of her closet. "Angel and Sailor!" Bob squeaked. "Together!" He flew overhead, sprinkling red and pink dust around. Sakura looked up with supressed annoyance.

"Well, I’m going to change." Sakura said, grabbing her clothes from the closet and fleeing the scene. She paused and came back to the doorway. "And no transforming in my room Kero!" She said.

Syaoran looked back warily at the butterfly. Once Sakura shut the bathroom door, he spoke. "So what have you said. What have you let slip?" He asked the butterfly.

Bob flew innocently around Syaoran’s face. "What do you mean? Sailor?"

"Quit calling me Sailor." He said with annoyance.

"I’ll call you Maker then." Bob said.

Syaoran turned pale. "NO! No, don’t do that! You....you didn’t tell her, did you?" Syaoran asked carefully.

Kero flew up in front of Syaoran’s face, grinning wickedly. "You mean she doesn’t know?"

Syaoran was at loss for words. "N-a-um. You shut up, you’re not part of this." He turned to Bob. "She doesn’t know, does she? Of the...the...the mind thing?" He asked.

Bob seemed to flutter around with confusion, then slowed to hover. "Ah, you mean, pleasant warm memories, feelings branched from my-"

Syaoran snatched the butterfly in his hand so Kero wouldn’t hear the rest of that. Bob was talking rapidly in Syaoran’s hands, though it was muffled. Kero flew around Syaoran’s hands, trying vainly to pry his fingers open with his little stick arms.

"I’m ready." Sakura said brightly, walking into the room. She paused and looked with bewilderment at the blinking glow within Syaoran’s clasped hands.

Kero flew up enthusiastically. "Sakura you would never beleive what brat face di-" Syaoran sent a Bind spell at Kero so fast that he was lucky he didn’t get the words mixed up, and with the spell he lost Bob, who flew to a safe corner of the ceiling, free of his hands.

Syaoran rushed over to the doorway, pushing Sakura out and quickly shutting the door. "Let’s get going, then." He said.

Sakura side stepped out of his way and followed him hesitantly down the hall and down the stairs, wondering just what had went on in that room.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sakura was beginning to get to suspicious of Syaoran’s motives. He had led the walk to the grocery store going past Mark’s house, and Sakura swore his pace slowed slightly along the sidewalk. It seemed Syaoran wanted to run into the other boy. He had also gone quiet, a sure sign he was thinking strongly about something. Then again, Syaoran didn’t talk a whole lot. Sakura didn’t have the will to keep a one sided conversation, so she settled with just listening to her footsteps down the white sidewalk.

Finally, some questions Sakura had wanted to ask popped into her mind. "How much longer are you staying here?" She asked.

Syaoran glanced sideways at her, hoping she wouldn’t break down if he told her. "One more week." He answered.

"Why’d you come on a Tuesday?" She asked.

Syaoran jammed his hands in his pockets and looked around, his eyes keen for any trace of the black haired boy that was just slightly taller than him. "I sensed magic." He said.

Sakura nodded. "The Big card." She said to herself. She looked at Syaoran again. She had been so caught up in the fatigue from the Big card’s exhausting fight, then had been busied by Shiro Ame’s visit that she had failed to even notice any changes in him. He isn’t even holding anything against me. I was so rotten and tried to make him jealous, and he normally would have been the same selfish brat and gotten into some sort of fight, but...He’s matured. He was also a little darker, probably from the hot sun in Hong Kong, and slightly taller. "You’re taller than me again." Sakura said. She hoped this would make up for when she had said they were the same heigth on the cruise boat.

Syaoran grinned but didn’t say anything.

"I’m worried, Syaoran, I’ve been thinking. What is going to happen when the last card escapes? I still don’t know anything more about that story C-Chindra told me, and she’s still gone..."

Syaoran relaxed. Sakura was finally talking like she use to. "I’ve tried to talk to the elders, but...I don’t think they understand the depth of the situation, and, I haven’t learned anything new yet either. But we still have time, don’t worry, we’ll find out before it happens." Syaoran said, though he strongly doubted his own words.

"I guess..." Sakura said. "But...do you think that there’s a time limit on the Erase card? Will Chindra definitely come back?"

Syaoran shook his head. "There’s no time limit. It could wait centuries, but Chindra would still be fine."

Sakura smiled with releif. "That’s good. I feel awful for letting that happen to her..." Sakura said, trying to force her mind onto something else before she got choked up.

"Don’t worry, she won’t know that all this time passed. She’ll just be glad to be free, that’s all." He said.

Sakura nodded wistfully. She hoped she was strong enough to bring her back. She looked up and saw the main road ahead, where everyone was bustling around, shopping at different marts and street markets. She shivered unconsciously and walked a little more in Syaoran’s shadow. Any one of those people could be Mark.

"Which store are you going to?" Syaoran asked as they neared the road.

"Uh...that one." Sakura said, pointing to the main general store where she usually shopped. They veered that direction. Sakura looked appreciatively sideways at Syaoran, who walked cooly with his hands in his pockets, unbothered by the other people. She looked at the ground in front of her. Why is he even doing this?

They walked into the air conditioned store, and Sakura quickly went on alert for Mark. She took the list of food out of her pocket and began walking towards the first aisle. She checked the list then began searching down the shelves for the right product. Syaoran stood boredly for a while, almost encouraging Mark to show up, because Syaoran had an urge to beat the crap out of him.

Syaoran did know a little bit of mind control, but he doubted it’d be anything strong enough to summon someone somewhere. Still, it couldn’t hurt, could it? It was just giving Mark a violent shove in the right direction. Now he had to get somewhere to say the spell. It wasn’t like it was something that involved a magic table and his sword, but it still required the words to be spoken. Sakura knew Syaoran wasn’t the type to mumble Chinese to himself for no purpose. "Can I get anything?" He asked her.

Sakura pulled some pasta off the sheath and looked down at the list. "Yeah, could you get this sauce?" She asked, pointing to the long Italian brand name her father had scribbled onto the peice of paper.

"’Kay." Syaoran said, already straying away. He walked hurriedly down the aisle and around to the next one over, then, looking around to make sure no one was around, he shut his eyes and concentrated. He spoke the Chinese rapidly, knowing that time was a large factor, because Mark had to hurry if he wanted to get here while Sakura and Syaoran were still there. He opened his eyes and took a deep breath, hoping it’d work. He really wanted to give that yaro-u a pounding.

A boy of about five was looking up curiously at Syaoran. Syaoran looked cluelessly back at him, then looked up as his mother appeared. She took the boy in protectively, giving Syaoran a disapproving scowl. She rushed away, leaving Syaoran slightly amused. He shook his head and walked back to the aisle Sakura was in. She looked up and frowned quizzically at him.

"Are you hiding it, or did you just decide the sauce was too expensive?" She asked.

Syaoran realized dumbly he hadn’t gotten what he’d left for. "Oh, right..." He muttered, quickly turning before Sakura could see his face turn red.

Sakura frowned, a bit confused with Syaoran’s odd behavior. She shook it off and continued down the aisle, heading for the vegetables. She met up with Syaoran, then sent him off for several different items while she would be checking different vegetables out. She turned the corner to the open area where all the fresh fuits and vegetables laid out on tables, then froze, her eyes meeting a figure that was already approaching her. She glanced over her shoulder for Syaoran, but he was still off getting the other stuff.

"Hey Sakura." He said bitterly, stopping in front of her.

Sakura pretended to have a sudden interest in bananas beside her, though bananas weren’t on the list. "What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to stay civil, though she found it incredibly hard. She hoped that her act of selecting bananas covered up her shakey hands.

"I was just walking by, and I saw you." He said, pausing to lean against the table beside him.

Sakura comforted herself by imagining the table giving way and Mark falling to the hard tile floor.

"You ran off so quick the other day, I didn’t even get to say a proper goodbye."

Sakura was getting quicker, and was starting to recognize Mark’s perverted pick up lines. She wasn’t sure exactly what he meant, or exactly how awful he was being, but she was able to pick it out, anyway. "Yes, ah, I-" Sakura tried to come up with a cover story, then contemplated telling the truth- that she hadn’t wanted to do anything like that- but she was interrupted as she looked up and saw that Mark was smirking solidly at something behind her, and, as Sakura turned, she saw that it was Syaoran, who was scowling horribly at him.

Syaoran dragged his eyes off Mark to Sakura. He held out some soy product. "Is this the right one?" He asked, temporarily glaring at Mark before looking back to her.

"Yes, that’s fine." Sakura said, and took it from him quickly.

Mark shook his head. "I’ll have to say I’m quite hurt, Sakura. I really thought we had something going, the mutual feelings deal, but here, you are shopping with him? Is this another plan to annoy the hell out of him?"

Sakura was shortly paralyzed, and she quickly tried for composure again. Syaoran couldn’t hear this! "No, ah, I was just..." dang it! Dang it dang it dang it! He’s done it again. Gotten me trapped. Why did I ever even try?

"How about you help out?" Syaoran asked, grinning mockingly. He shoved Mark sharply in a direction away from Sakura.

Mark turned around swiftly, glaring at Sakura. "I’m right in remembering something about you saying he wasn’t going to beat me up, aren’t I?" He asked.

Syaoran looked from Mark to Sakura. Now he was confused, and that really annoyed him. Was there something between the lines here? Had Sakura not told him something? Maybe Mark hadn’t even hurt her at all. Maybe Sakura had been hiding something else? He glared straight at Sakura for an answer.

"H-hai." Sakura quietly agreed. Syaoran would hate her for sure.

Syaoran exhaled slowly, trying not to be angry. Sakura wouldn’t do anything dishonorable like that, would she? He looked to Mark. "I’m not going to beat you up." He said bluntly.

Mark rolled his eyes and began walking with him down the aisle. "Sure."

They stopped the next aisle. Syaoran peered around the corner to make sure Sakura was busy with her vegetables, then looked back to Mark with a glower that shot daggers. "I just didn’t want her to hear this."

Mark’s shoulders slumped, and he crossed his arms across his chest. "Listen, she promised me she wasn’t rebounding from anything. I wouldn’t have taken her, but she promised." He looked back at Syaoran from where he had been lazily resting his eyes. "I don’t think you know what a lying bantai she is."

Syaoran’s eyes narrowed. No one was allowed to insult Sakura like that. "What did you do to her?" He demanded.

"I didn’t do anything, because she ran off, because she’s a sheltered pussy that doesn’t put out. But I’m sure you know that, through all your attempts."

Syaoran was starting to forget his own word about not beating him up. His fists could only stay restrained so long. "I suppose it must be a real shock for you, to finally meet a girl that’s strong enough and smart enough not to give herself away, a real change from the rest of your sluts who-"

"You don’t even know what happened. Alright? Zakennayo! She was asking for it, how she was all day. She was all over me, it’s not my fault she didn’t see what was coming for her." Mark said back hotly.

"She didn’t know what she was doing. You and I both know that. You should be old enough to see that."

"She practically put her hands down my-"

"Shizuka ni! Son of a-"

"Shinshi (gentlemen)! Is there a problem here?" An authoritic voice asked. Syaoran turned and recognized the tall burly man as the man from the poultry section in the store.

"No, I was just leaving." Mark said, glowering at Syaoran as he turned and headed down the aisle cooly to the door.

Syaoran was practically shaking with anger, his fists clenched so tightly he was afraid his palms might be bleeding. The poultry man looked him over, then sighed. "You’re lucky the manager wasn’t in, he doesn’t like any raised voices but his own." He said, then turned and headed back to the empty counter by the fish and meat products.

Syaoran would have liked to punch a hole through the smiling cereal boxes at his left, all brightly colored and happy, but instead he forced himself to walk back down the aisle around to where Sakura was putting some type of melon into a bag. She glanced breifly at him as he stopped beside her, then went back to rapidly tossing the melons in. After she filled it, she tied it and looked at him with sorrow filled eyes. "I’m sorry." Her eyes watered. "I’m really sorry. Don’t be mad at me, I really didn’t mean anything by it..."

Syaoran frowned, confused. "Why would I be mad at you?"

Sakura looked surprised for a second, then she sighed. She might as well explain everything now, if Syaoran hadn’t collected the whole story from Mark. "Because I didn’t tell you everything. When I said it wasn’t his fault, I was being honest. I ws trying to make you jealous. I know it’s stupid, but I was so angry at the time, I couldn’t beleive you’d break trust like that, being Komai’s substitute, but then I just made it worse. I told Mark that I hadn’t liked-"

"Sakura, it’s alright. I’m not mad at you." He said, interrupting her before she went on with her story and had another break down.

Sakura stopped talking and looked at him. He was smiling sincerely, as if finding it funny that she was worried at all. It was one of those amazing Komai like smiles. But then- it wasn’t like Komai at all. She had thought that smile belonged to the international idol, when, in fact, it had been Syaoran’s all along. She shook her head and went back to picking out the rest of the vegetables for their supper. "You want to know something funny?" Sakura asked.

"Shoot." Syaoran said, leaning on the table. Sakura didn’t imagine it giving way this time.

"What?"

"Go ahead." Syaoran elaborated.

"Oh. Well, for a while, I’d keep getting suspicious of you, because sometimes when you’d smile, it’d look like the smile Komai used on stage."

"Don’t tell Komai that. He’s already sick that I look this much like him, anyway."

Sakura grinned. "Well, it doesn’t matter, cause it ended up being the same smile anyway." She said. She set the bag of vegetables in the basket, then looked at Syaoran. He looked like he was amused. Sakura punched him lightly in the arm as she walked past him. "Don’t look at me like that."

"Like what?" Syaoran asked, confused. Here he had thought he had finally restored trust with her, and now she punched him in the arm. Life seemed to never get better.

"Like I’m stupid. I’m still mad about that, I can’t beleive you let me talk about Komai..." Sakura’s voice trailed off, as she started to get a little angry again. She paused to try and push the old feelings away.

"Sorry." Syaoran said. He followed her to the check out lane, then grinned, remembering when she had told him her story about the concert. That had been pretty funny. And pretty mean of him. "Well it was funny, though, you were really obsessed." He said.

Sakura whacked him backhand style as she set her stuff out for the register. "Shut up!" She said irritably.

Syaoran grinned and stayed silent, looking over some of the magazine covers laying out. Sakura got her things paid for, then they walked back outside into the hot day. They paused in front of the doors.

"Well I’m going home, I guess. You have no use for a body guard anymore."

"Did you beat him up?" She asked.

"No. But I came close. The poultry guy stopped us." Syaoran said.

Sakura grinned. "Well, give Meilin my consolations about Komai leaving." I know how she feels.

Syaoran smiled again at her, and Sakura melted to the sidewalk. "See you later, then."

"Bye." Sakura said, wishing he wouldn’t leave. "And thanks!" She called after him, though she doubted he heard her. She sighed and tore herself off the peice of sidewalk, beginning to walk towards her house. Syaoran has grown up alot. Maybe it’s from being in Hong Kong? I’d almost swear he was a different person than that mean transfer student that went to my school in fourth grade...

She fell into a rhythm, a Shiro Ame song going through her head. I wonder if Syaoran ever sang? I wonder if he can sing? I’ll have to ask Meilin. She sighed with content, her thoughts drifting back to Syaoran and what he had said to her that day. Strong, smart...better than him....Her thoughts strayed even further. Mark took my first kiss. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. I should’ve...in Hyrule, we were so close, then, when the Erase... Her thoughts resumed obsessing over Syaoran. He’s turned out to be sweeter and stronger than I thought a person could be.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tada. Well, this chapter is way risque for me. But hey. It’s more real world like, that’s why I put it in there. My friend said it ‘adds drama’. Well, she’s probably the only person that reads this. So why am I even writing this author’s note?

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Ja mata ne!

~* Syaoran Fan 4 Life *~