Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ A New Breeze Breaks ❯ A Letter and Chocolate ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer:

I don't own Card Captor Sakura.

Notes:

More is explored here on Syaoran's emotions. Do understand that they are meant to be mature, and I'm not trying to sully anything here. No worries- I'm not a dirty writer. *Insert blush* It's just that they've all grown older and with maturation comes certain physical emotions and attractions.

A New Breeze Breaks

carpetfibers

Chapter Eight: A Letter and Chocolate

Syaoran shuffled his feet and shivered as yet another gust of wind tore through his coat. Even though he was huddled beneath the King Penguin slide, little warmth was growing. Except for the growing blush that he was damn sure was practically glowing. Beside him huddled an equally frozen Sakura, her cheeks bright pink from the cold. Only, instead of chronically blowing on fingers and chattering teeth, she was smiling brightly, all of her attention focused on the letter she held in her hands.

An hour earlier they had braved the semi snow storm to retrieve some more clothing and blankets from her house. The blushes came full speed while he helped her grab her clothes. Her entire room smelled like her, but her closet was the worst. It was like having the very scent of her skin stuffed up in his nose permanently. It almost made him dizzy. And naturally, Sakura had been convinced he was developing some fever, which in turn led to her making him lie down on her bed which only made everything worse! If the closet was bad, the bed was even worse. Now added to her scent, he had to deal with the images of her sleeping, curled up in the pink quilted blankets.

It had taken a good ten minutes of convincing before she allowed him to sit and up leave the damned bed.

It was only after perusing through the kitchen and tossing out the spoiled food that she found the letter. The post man had pushed it through the slot and somehow or the other it had made its way into the kitchen. How that was even possible, Syaoran couldn't imagine. Sakura had planned on reading it after they got back to his apartment, but then the snow decided to pull a double whammy, and they ran for the shelter of the slide, which led to his present position of discomfort.

"It's from Touya!" she announced happily and peered closer to read the small script. "I'll read it aloud."

"Hmn," he grunted. It was so fricking cold. How the hell could she be so upbeat when there was practically a blizzard raging outside?

"Alright, he says:

'Dear Monster'- oh that jerk! When will he ever stop calling me that? Anyway, eto, 'Dear Monster, I hope you are behaving yourself. And you better be eating. If I see you've lost any weight, you can bet this'll be the last time you're left alone. Ever.'- Gosh, you'd think I don't know how to take care of myself? 'Yukito and I are in Germany now. We're staying in this city called Munchen. I'm busy studying and working part time jobs. Yukito says to add that Munchen is very beautiful and the people are very nice.'- that's just like Yukito-san, isn't it Syaoran? 'Sakura, I'm also writing to warn you. My dreams lately have been showing me...things. I'd return to Japan, but Yue's assured me that it would make no difference. Oh, Yukito says that you needn't worry. He doesn't plan on letting me return either.' - I wonder why Yue-san transformed? That's unusual. 'Something unusual happened the other day. Yukito and I were working at a gyro stand when we ran into Hiirigaziwa-san and that annoying girl Akizuki-san.'

- Eriol-kun? Hoe... 'The guy said for me to pass this on. He said to simply trust in your spell. I didn't get it, but Yukito said you'd understand. Also, he said for me to send his greeting to his cute descendent whoever that is. He sounded so suspicious- it better not be that gaki, Sakura. If it is, I'll return faster than you can stomp that little foot of yours, Monster.'- He he he...sorry, Syaoran. I guess he still hasn't forgotten about that incident. 'Anyway, I have to go now. Yukito sends his care. Take care of yourself. Just about the only bad part of being here is not having your stupid face around to make fun of. Touya.'"

Sakura dropped the letter and sighed. "That dummy...always making fun of me, even when so far away." But her words softened as she smiled. "I miss him anyways. Ne, do you miss your sisters, Syaoran?"

He shook his head adamantly, a chunk of his semi frozen hair falling across his eyes. "No! You've met them...imagine dealing with that all the time. And it's only become worse as they got older. I'm almost thankful this is happening so that I can get away from them."

Sakura hid her laughter behind a gloved hand. "What about your mother? I'm sure you miss her."

Syaoran considered the question. Did he really miss his mother? She was so distant, so cold at times, always pointing out his weaknesses. He hadn't heard from her in the weeks since he had left Hong Kong, but still, he could imagine her severe voice. She'd talk of family honor and of his position in the Clan. Then she'd demand an explanation and then penance for whatever misdeed he had committed. No, he didn't miss that in the least. Who would?

"No," he said honestly. "I don't think I miss anything about Hong Kong. It's better here."

"Even having to speak Japanese?" she teased and then stood up, stretching.

"Come on, Syaoran, I'm starting to feel a little chilly. Let's get home!" she held out her hand to help him up.

He grasped her hand, pushing up with his legs just as she pulled. The combined strength made both of them fall forward, Sakura landing in the snow and Syaoran on top of her. For a moment, he laid stunned, seemingly mesmerized. She had the tiniest little freckle on her nose; how had he ever missed it? The cold that had filled his bones melted away and all he felt was a delicious warmth. Sakura only stared back at him, blinking her wide eyes. Why was her heart beating so fast? And why was it that even though she lay in the snow, she only felt warmth?

"Syaoran," she whispered, breaking into his thoughts. "My bag's going to get wet."

Waking to reality, Syaoran blushed and pulled himself off of her. He leaned down, avoiding her eyes and offered his hand. She took it absently, brushing snow from her jeans, and barely noticed when he tugged her up. She stumbled forward, and gravity took hold of them both, knocking them backwards and once again on their backs. This time it was Sakura who looked down at the face just inches from her own. She stared blankly.

"We fell?" she asked wonderingly.

"Again," Syaoran answered simply. Apparently, someone wanted them on their backs.

"Oh," and she continued to stare. She had never been this close to Syaoran's face before. He really was nice looking. She wondered why it was he didn't have a girlfriend yet. After all, he had broken his engagement with Meiling over three years ago. Surely by now-

"Sakura."

She blinked back into awareness. "Nani?"

"We're still on the snow," Syaoran pointed out.

"Oh yeah, sorry," she said and extracted herself from him. She offered her hand to help him up and then thought better of it. "We might fall down again."

Syaoran shook his head, knocking off the snow. Little half frozen pieces of ice slid from his forehead and trailed down his cheeks. He might not mind falling down again, not if it meant she fell as well. And he blushed at the very thought.

Sakura laughed as she watched him slowly start to drip. She imagined she looked much the same.

"Let's go!" she cried, picking up her bag with one hand.

"No, Sakura, I'll get that. It's heavy," Syaoran said, reaching out to take the bag from her hand.

She pulled it from his reach and shook her head. "I'm fine- it's really not heavy at all."

"No, listen, just give it to me-" and he tugged the bag from her grasp. She pulled back, and then somehow he tripped. He opened his eyes and found himself on the snow yet again. This time Sakura landed beside him, face first. She shook her head from the snow, her face now flush red from the cold contact. She glanced over at him and shook her head yet again.

"We fell?" she repeated.

"We fell," he confirmed.

"This is a little strange, Syaoran. I know I can be clumsy, but not this bad."

Syaoran nodded, following her thoughts perfectly. "The Cards?"

"The Move Card, I'm fairly sure. But what I don't understand is why these attacks are effecting you as well now. Before they seemed only targeted at myself."

He shrugged, the snow soaking his coat. He was going to be an icicle by the end of this day, he was sure. "Probably because I'm in such direct contact with you. Or more likely, because I share magic with you."

Sakura flipped over on her back, stretching out her arms. "Another of my Cards has been taken from me, and I still have no idea how to protect them. I feel so useless, Syaoran. Every time now, when I pick them up, I find these broken pieces, and I feel empty. My heart hurts when I think of them. Why can't I do anything?"

Syaoran propped himself up on one shoulder, and looked down at her. She moved her arms and legs up and down, her motions creating an angel in the snow. "You just have to believe in yourself and in your Cards. If you trust everything will be alright, then it will. You just have to believe it, Sakura."

She paused in her motions, and an impulse grabbed her. Sitting up, she stretched over the few centimeters and gently kissed Syaoran's wet cheek, the snow tickling her lips.

"Arigato, Syaoran, you're right as always. If I trust and believe enough, then surely, everything will be alright."

He could only stare, some automated part of himself moving his head in a nod. All he could think of was the feel of her lips on his cheek, on his skin, even if it was half frozen skin. She had kissed him...well, kissed his cheek, but that was still a part of him. Dear God, he wouldn't mind dealing with all this snow daily if it meant her doing stuff like that, stuff like kissing him. His hand went to his cheek, wanting somehow to repeat the gesture again and again, even if only in memory. He was beyond even blushing, all he could do was stare.

"Want to try standing again, Syaoran?" Sakura asked, already starting to pull herself up from the snow.

"Hmn," he grunted and then began to pull himself up as well.

She stood next to him and waited expectantly. A full minute passed and they were still standing. Hesitantly, she took a step, and he did the same. And then another and another until finally, they were walking in a normal stride. Sakura looked over at him, relieved.

"Thank goodness, I thought for sure we'd be stuck falling all day," she breathed, laughing lightly.

"Yeah..." he mumbled, his mind on something entirely different.

She turned around and began to walk backwards, watching Syaoran's face carefully. He looked kind of funny...his eyes seemed a bit too glassy and he kept touching his cheek. Maybe he was a little too cold. What if he was getting sick? She jumped up, touching her hand to his forehead.

"Syaoran, do you feel alr-" she started and he took a step back, stumbling, and down they both went. In the snow. Again.

Sakura flopped and burrowed her head into Syaoran's chest, lifting her hands in defeat. "I give up! I just won't ever get up again."

Syaoran only nodded. He didn't mind too much. The snow was secondary to having her near him. This near him...

"You aren't too cold are you, Syaoran?" she asked, her nose still tucked in his coat. He barely heard her muffled question. He brought his arms around her, and she snuggled closer. He smiled softly, his perpetual frown left behind.

"No, I'm fine." He was just fine. He didn't even notice the snow. And cold? All he felt was warm.

* * * *

She felt like collapsing as she entered the apartment. Syaoran dropped her soaked bag onto the entrance way, his own face dripping from his melting hair. Sakura smiled weakly and pulled off her wet shoes. She glanced down at the carpet, and then at her and Syaoran's wet clothes. If they were to cross the room, they'd drench the carpet, and in this cold, it'd take forever to dry. Wearily, she tugged off her soaks, one hand resting on Syaoran's back for support.

"Syaoran, can you turn around? I don't want to get the carpet all wet, so..." she trailed off at his uncomprehending gaze. She sighed and tried again. "My clothes are soaked through and through, so instead of getting the entire carpet as wet as them, I'm going to take them off here. Understand?"

Slowly, the still silent boy nodded and faithfully turned around. He didn't want to even think about what she was doing behind him. She must really trust him to be this open...shame filled him. He hated that he still felt so drawn to her physically, even after Kaikato had taken advantage of her. He hated that he felt emotions and drives just like that man had. And he hated at times how she would turn those bewitching eyes of hers on him with complete trust. Didn't she understand that he was just as bad? Couldn't she see it in his eyes, the want, the need?

But she did trust him, and that's what kept him in check. All the times in the past weeks that chance had presented him with some opportunity to fulfill his need, it had been that one fact that held him back. She trusted him completely. He was her hero, her protector, and that was all. She thought of him as a surrogate brother and that was all...and so he wouldn't allow these temptations to take control of him, not around her. But he felt much like a match, knowing that eventually the strike would come, and the fire would take control of everything. This knowledge haunted him, haunted to a point that at night he locked his door and hid the key, not trusting that in his sleep he wouldn't act on these desires.

Above all else though, he doubted he could handle the change he'd see in her eyes if he did act on the lust. Syaoran lived for those eyes, and the generous warmth they gave him daily. Somehow, he had fallen as deeply under their powers as he had in his younger days. Just as his trunk now laid fully open, its every contents taken out and aired, his emotions were returning full force, each of the older emotions coupling with these mature sensations. He was fully unprepared for any of it- none of his training had ever broached upon the subjects of maturation, and now he stumbled along in the dark, feeling much and knowing little.

But again, he refused to allow these burning drives to take control. If for no other reason than to spare her the hurt, he would protect her at all costs, even if it meant protecting her from himself.

"You can change now, too, Syaoran. Thanks for being so patient!" Sakura called from her bedroom. She closed the door and left him to his thoughts.

He stared at the closed door and sighed. Gingerly, he pulled off his wet clothing. Left on the floor, beside their soaked shoes, were her drenched coat and jeans. He left his on top and shuffled into the bathroom. Maybe a hot shower would clear his mind. Such thoughts...they were heavy things to balance, and ones all together too new and too unknown.

* * * *

Sakura sat, draped beneath three blankets, on the couch. Cradled in her lap were her Cards. Carefully, she picked out the four cards devoid of energy and lightly traced the shadowed faces. Sweet, Freeze, Flower, and Move- not a spark of power came from them any longer. She closed her eyes and sought out her own reserves. She hadn't noticed any change from the loss of one card, nor from two, but now with four, she could sense it. She was weakening, and if it continued, it'd soon manifest in her physically. Even if she eventually did find a way to fight this unknown enemy, she might be too weak to follow it through.

She dropped the Cards back in her book, closing the flap, and placing it on the floor. How was she to deal with an enemy that refused to make itself known, that left behind no clues or hints, that attacked without warning and then without any energy? Even with her spell, her mantra of encouragement and faith, would everything really turn out okay in the end? Would it?

As if sensing their Mistress's distress, the Cards began to glow, sending out their own comfort in the form of strength. She felt their familiar warmth pour out over her, enveloping her completely. Slowly she shook her head, a gentle smile lifting her lips.

"Arigato, but you need to save your energies as well. I'll be fine after a good night's sleep."

Slowly, they withdrew, and Sakura felt their absence strongly. Her hand fell to her forehead as she pushed back the fatigue. The Cards didn't realize it, but their every movement came from her. Their magic was hers. And just that little bit of motion had taken its toll. Coupled with an entire afternoon stuck lying in the snow, she felt exhausted. She just hoped Syaoran wouldn't mind if their tutoring session was a little shorter than previously. She didn't think she'd be able to stay awake that long even.

"Sorry I took so long. I lost track of time..." Syaoran mumbled, practically collapsing next to her on the couch. He held a grammarian in one hand and a dictionary in the other, both of which he presented to his tired mentor.

"I think we should just work on your reading tonight, if you don't mind," she said softly, the thick dictionary feeling heavier than ever in her hands. Dropping it on the cushion between them, she leaned over and randomly picked a word. "What does this character stand for?"

Syaoran eyed the black lines. Why couldn't Japanese be plain and simple like Chinese, where characters meant exactly what they said?

"Cautious..." he said hesitantly. Patiently, Sakura shook her head.

"Close, but see, cautious looks like this," she flipped further up the book and showed the character. "Try again."

He looked at the lines again. No revelations were hitting him today. Randomly, he chose a word. "Dangerous."

Sakura smiled weakly, "That's right. Now the next one-"

And on it went, for a good half hour, Sakura choosing words from the dictionary, and Syaoran trying to recognize them. They might have gone on even longer if not for the growing yawns between words. Finally, Syaoran closed the book and shoved it to the floor. Closing his eyes, he leaned back, stretching out his legs.

"Go to sleep, Sakura," he said, still keeping his eyes shut.

"I'm fine, Syaoran, we can still-"

"You can hardly keep your eyes open. Go to bed." Syaoran popped open one eye and frowned sternly. Sakura slumped forward, another yawn catching hold of her as she slipped off the couch.

"Good night, Syaoran," she whispered before the next yawn got her.

He kept quiet, waiting until she had firmly shut the door behind her before walking to his own room. Carefully, he locked it from the inside and tucked the key behind his bookshelf. Methodically, he wedged his desk chair under the door handle and then scooted his dresser so that it blocked the hinges. He wanted to remove any chance of possibly getting up in his sleep and doing something regrettable.

Regrettable...his whole situation was regrettable.

But it couldn't be helped, not now, not this night. He'd wait for morning and some clarity. Hopefully, it would come eventually.

* * * *

"Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said between yawns. Even with a full night of sleep, she still felt worn out. She landed in her chair, thankful for the convenient placing. Beside her, Syaoran looked just as exhausted, his brown eyes hooded with black rings.

"Ohayo, Sakura-chan. Do you feel alright?" Tomoyo asked, concerned.

Sakura waved her hand dismissively. "I'm fine, just a little tired. Yesterday, Syaoran and I got wet from the snow, that's all."

Tomoyo lowered her voice. "Did you manage to make enough for everyone?"

"Yes. I finished the last bit this morning before Syaoran woke up," she whispered back. "It's all in my locker. I'll give it out at lunch."

The darkly haired girl lifted up her camera triumphantly. "And I shall tape it all!"

"Hoe..."

Keiji stepped into class hesitantly, his normally sure step falling awkwardly at the sight of the two girls. One, her docile face shining brightly, was brandishing a camcorder in the air. The other...ah, well what could be said about the other? She was smiling as always, her eyes the same shade of the jade stones in his sword's handle sparkled, and her auburn hair was clipped back, tiny wisps falling across her cheeks gently. Nothing more really needed to be said, other than to note that his heart beat just a second too quickly, and his breath caught a little too easily in his throat.

He let his silver blue eyes land elsewhere as he strode to his desk. His eyes widened as he took in the numerous packages adorning several of the desks in the class. Not flowers again... he stopped by one of the empty desks and picked up the package, peering through the red tinted cellophane for a closer look.

"Chocolate?" he puzzled aloud. A finger tapped his shoulder lightly and he turned around.

A short blue eyed girl stood facing him, a huge smile on her pink cheeks. She beamed up to him, and then introduced herself. "Ohayo, Noriyori-san! I'm Sayoko Akemi from class A, but you can call me Akemi!"

"I feel complimented to be in the company of such a pretty lady, Akemi-san," Keiji said easily, his flirtatious smile coming out instinctively.

"Then, Keiji-kun," and the girl winked back and presented her own red cellophane wrapped package to him, "Happy Valentine's Day!"

So that's what all the red presents were for...Keiji took the chocolate and smiled down at her. "Thank you, Akemi-san. I will enjoy every bite knowing that such a beautiful girl made it."

Akemi blushed bright red and then tripped back out the class, waving her farewell as she went.

Keiji shook his head, and patted himself on the back. He was that popular that girls from other classes knew about him? There was an achievement any fifteen year old boy should be proud of.

"Keiji-kun! You already got some chocolate?" Sakura's cheery voice called out as he moved down their aisle.

"From Akemi Sayoko in class A." He dropped the heart shaped box on his desk and then followed.

"Keiji-kun must be popular indeed then," Tomoyo said calmly, her camera held to her eye as she filmed the interaction between the attractive boy and her Sakura. She panned in closely on Syaoran to watch his response. As she expected, his eyes were narrowed suspiciously and his fists were clenched. Even with three years of intense training, Tomoyo knew that when it came to Sakura, Syaoran was still a flustered eleven year old boy, and jealousy came automatically.

"But I haven't received chocolate from the only girl who matters, though, Daidouji-san," he pretended to clutch his heart and allowed a pained look to cross his features, "Until then, my heart will be unsatisfied."

Tomoyo changed the close up to Sakura's face as Keiji winked deliberately in her direction. Unexpectedly though, she didn't blush or stammer, she only smiled back pleasantly. The raven haired girl dropped her camera to her lap. This was a change in her Sakura's behavior. Normally, any compliment from a boy would send her into blushes, but all she did here was smile. She'd have to pay careful attention today and see if this was just some sort of fluke.

Syaoran sat back and closed his eyes, letting them think he was asleep. Inwardly, his mind was running a gambit of questions. Today was Valentine's Day? How could he have forgotten...when he was younger it was impossible to have forgotten such a date. Meiling would have manhandled him with semi burnt chocolate and her rib shattering hugs. In Japan he knew though that Valentine's Day was a big thing for girls. It was the day when they were supposed to make chocolate and give it to the boys they cared about. He knew he shouldn't care, but already he felt disappointed. Sakura, he knew, had gone to sleep last night without making anything. Not that he was expecting something...but even if she only thought of him as some kind of surrogate brother, he would have treasured the gift.

He reopened his amber eyes and tried to blink back the emotion he knew would be sure to show. A soft cough made him turn around. Staring at the ground was a girl with long brown hair, its soft curly lengths tied back with two matching green ribbons. She finally took a deep breath and brought her red eyes up to his face.

"L-li Syaoran- I made this for you!" she stammered and shoved a small heart shaped piece of chocolate in his hands, a big red bow wrapped loosely around it.

Syaoran stared at the chocolate, looked first at the unknown girl, and then finally to the green eyed girl next to him. He caught her curious eyes and flushed. Rudely, he shoved the present back and shook his head.

"No thanks, I don't eat chocolate," he said roughly and then turned back around in his chair, missing the girl's reaction entirely. All he heard was the sound of running feet and a slammed door.

"Syaoran! How could you?" Sakura jumped up from her seat and ran after the girl. The poor thing's eyes had immediately filled with tears at her present's rough rejection and ran from the room. Sakura didn't know her, but she knew enough that Syaoran had just really hurt her feelings. How could he have been so cruel as to say that?

Syaoran stared in surprise as Sakura slammed the door behind her as well. He turned to Tomoyo, the questions obvious in his eyes.

She just shook her head, admonition in her gentle eyes. "Li-san, you were too harsh. That must have been very hard for Tokiko-chan to do."

"Tokiko? That's her name?" he asked softly. Maybe he had been too rough...

"Tokiko Azumi and I shared the same class in seventh grade. She's always been very shy, and even though she's so pretty, whenever a boy has said he's liked her, she's only been able to stutter and then run away. It must have taken a lot of courage for her to give you that chocolate, Li-san, and you threw it back in her face," Tomoyo's wasn't trying to make him feel guilty, but simply show the facts for what they were. "You should really apologize to her."

Syaoran nodded slowly, shame filling him. What made him react in such a way? He never should have taken his frustration out on the poor girl. And now Sakura was mad at him as well. At lunch, he'd just have to find this Tokiko and apologize.

"Smooth with the girls, aren't you, Li-san?" Keiji said lightly, in front of him. Syaoran bit back a reply. For once Noriyori might be right.

* * * *

Sakura looked left and right up the hallway for the crying girl. She caught the last edge of someone's hair as they turned down a hallway, and she raced to catch up. Silently thanking her athleticism, Sakura finally managed to pull up next to the long haired girl, her eyes now rimmed with red circles from crying.

"Wait, please, wait a moment!" she sputtered, trying to catch your breath. "I wanted to apologize for Syaoran, he didn't mean anything by it!"

Tokiko shook her head, and tried to put on a smile. "Thank you Kinomoto-san, but I'm fine now," she said quietly.

Sakura's eyes widened. "You know me?"

"Kinomoto-san's very popular," she answered, her voice still kept low. "I need to go to class now, if you don't mind."

Sakura grabbed her arm, and bowed apologetically. "I don't your name yet!"

Tokiko's fake smile faded into something more real. The rumors of Sakura Kinomoto's kindness really were true. "Azumi Tokiko, class C."

"Pleased to meet you, Tokiko-chan!" Sakura said happily. "But please, believe me when I say that Syaoran isn't always that mean. He's just tired, I'm sure."

"Really?" Tokiko asked, a smile bit of hope growing.

"I'm sure of it! In fact, Tokiko-chan, if you want, you can come with me after school tomorrow for ice cream and get to know him better."

"Oh no, that's fine. I don't want to intrude- Sakura-chan and Li-san must be very close friends and I would be an inconven-"

Sakura cut her off, completely entranced in her idea. "I'd love to have you there. Besides, the more, the better! Okay, Tokiko-chan?"

The red eyed girl smiled and nodded. "Okay."

"I'm so glad!" Sakura laughed and waved as she finally let the girl go to her class. Once she was out of sight, her smile faded a bit. What had made Syaoran act so rudely? And since when had he not liked chocolate? She thought of the special batch she had made for him, tucked away in her bedroom, and she frowned, disappointed. She would just have to throw it out then...

* * * *

"Keiji-kun, here's your chocolate!" Sakura said happily, handing him a small package wrapped in blue and silver ribbons. His eyes softened and he took it easily.

"Thank you very much, Sakura-san," Keiji said, winking and adorning his semi infamous smile, the smile that half the girls in Seijou High seemed to swoon from. Although, it did little to faze Sakura.

She turned to the couple next to her and pulled out another small package, this one wrapped up red ribbons. "Takashi-kun, here's one for you!"

"Ne, Sakura-san, did you know that chocolate originated in the medieval days? Originally, a group of monks in Switzerland made the first batch ever. They had been tasked by the Pope to create a new dessert for his overly sweet tooth. So after several failed experiments, they finally concocted the first every piece of chocolate. The Pope was so pleased that he made it part of their filial duties to make the dessert. Eventually, nobles in neighboring countries heard of the delicacy and begged their batches. Even the King of France found out and-"

Chiharu slapped her hand over his mouth, and then, after remembering the last incident, removed it and spoke over her still sputtering boyfriend. "No lies, Takashi, no lies."

He glanced up at her and winked slyly. "I was telling the truth, Chiharu."

While those familiar with Takashi's habits all stared with open mouths, the braided girl only eyed him suspiciously. Since when would Takashi tell the truth when he could make up a story?

"It's true, every word," Keiji sealed the deal with his vote of conviction.

Chiharu looked from one to the other. Was she dealing with another Hiiragizawa?

"And while I know I'm only supposed to make them for boys, I have something for all of you as well," Sakura dug down into the brown bag that held all of her home made chocolate and pulled out several more packages. She handed a purple ribboned one to Tomoyo, a pink ribboned one to Chiharu, a yellow ribboned one to Naoko, and finally, a gold ribboned one to Rika. Each thanked her happily, opening their unexpected treats and cooing over the designs.

"Sakura-chan! How did you ever have time to make all of this?" Rika asked in wonderment. Each of the chocolates had an unique design suited to each of their personalities. Rika's was lightly etched with knitting needles, her favorite past time.

"It's so cute!" Naoko chimed in, gazing down at the book shaped piece of chocolate. "I should write something for the journal about this- it's too cute!"

"Yes, Sakura-chan, you really are talented." Tomoyo knew she would never eat this present. The thin chocolate had been etched into a spool of thread and a pair of scissors. Her Sakura was simply amazing.

Sakura blushed and shook her head against the compliments. "I used cutters for everything- and it wasn't even from scratch! I used a mix from the store, because I burned the first two batches."

"Thank you, Sakura-chan: I love it!" Chiharu looked up from her baton shaped gift to smile happily at her friend.

Syaoran looked on and tried to ignore the hurt that filled his heart. So she had made chocolate for all of her friends...so what? What did he care? These emotions of his were purely physical anyway, so why should it bother him at all that he received nothing. She said it herself- he was her protector, and- this he added himself- nothing more. He was a member of the strongest clan both physically and magically: the Li Clan. A Li shouldn't worry over trivial things like this. He was here to watch over the Card Mistress and insure that her Cards and more importantly, her power, weren't put at risk. That was all.

That was all. That was all. That was all.

But still, a small voice insisted, still.

Damn it all...

* * * *

Syaoran woke up in the middle of the night, wide awake. The dream that had returned him to the waking was slowly fading. In it, he had been chased by giant wedges of half burnt chocolate. But finally though, right before one of the hideously macabre monsters ran him over, a girl with green eyes and long white wings had saved him, pulling him out of their reach. He frowned as he remembered the last bit of the dream, the part that disturbed him more than the strange images of roaring chocolate: when the green eyed angel had lowered her pure lips to his and kissed him.

The longing that pulled on him now was almost uncontrollable. More than ever before, he felt the desire surge from within, a deep, throbbing heat that coursed through his blood and made him tremble in half fear, half excitement. His anger followed the desire, anger at himself, and an unreasonable anger at the girl sleeping innocently just beyond his wall. How was it that he only responded to her? Why was it that she was the only girl- no- woman, who made him feel this way? That made him long for things and ideas that he barely knew, barely understood?

The frustration he felt at himself, the anger he wanted only to dispose of, seemed to only grow daily. Even putting up barriers around himself, even by trying to draw away from her in small ways, every time he saw the hurt in her eyes, he found himself weakening, his resolve dissolving. Syaoran sighed and kicked off his blankets angrily. Even when he trained, cutting into invisible enemies with his sword, her eyes, her mouth, her throat- her everything!- came into his mind, taking over his vision, and driving his strength with this added fuel of desire and lust.

Distaste filled him. Self loathing overwhelmed him. And shame drowned him.

He felt like some kind of caged animal, like a hungry lion locked in with its trainer, the very man who fed him and took care of him, the one who continued his existence. He felt that eventually, the hunger would strike him fully, and then he'd devour her. Syaoran sat up and tugged on a sweatshirt, knowing that he was being foolish, knowing that he was only going to make it worse, but also knowing that he was too weak to control himself.

He rose from bed, pushed away the dresser, removed the chair, and unlocked the door. He stared at her closed doorway for a minute and then rushed into the kitchen for a glass of water. He had to clear his mind, clear his thoughts. With his heart still racing, his eyes fell on a package in the dim light. He picked it up curiously and a piece of paper fell from it. He kneeled down and light from the street brought the first words into clarity.

'Dear Syaoran,

I know you said that you don't like chocolate, but Tomoyo-chan said to give it to you any-'

It was Sakura's handwriting! He picked it up and turned on the stove top light, his eyes scouring the page.

'-way. I didn't really understand, so I went ahead and stopped by the bakery after school. Do you remember that place, where Yukito-san used to buy all those cakes? Well, I bought a piece of their strawberry cheesecake. It's an American dessert, but since it has strawberries...

Oh, and Syaoran, I'm sorry for yelling at you at school. I didn't mean to get angry; I'm sure you were just tired. I know you're a kind person.

-Sakura'

Syaoran dropped the paper and picked up the package again, tearing it open. On top was a carefully wrapped piece of cheesecake- big enough for easily three people. He smiled and set it aside. Underneath it laid his real object: the chocolate. He had been lying when he yelled at that girl, that Azumi Tokiko. He just didn't want chocolate from her, although he hadn't realized that to be his real reason until now, until he looked at the chocolate given him by the person he really wanted- from Sakura. He picked up the delicately carved sword with his hands and smiled. When had she made this? And with such care- wrapped around the handle was a green ribbon and a small note was attached. He opened it and read the few words.

'For my very dear friend, on Valentine's Day, from Sakura.'

Gently, he laid the chocolate back into the package and put the cake back on top, along with the note, and then carried the entire thing to his room. He'd eat the cake eventually, but that other gift- he'd keep it for now. After depositing it all into his room, he crept back out and stood at her door. Nervously, he opened it, his very heart beating in his ears like a drum. For once, she hadn't kicked off her covers and laid huddled within the blankets. His heart tugged and he knelt by the edge of her bed, reaching out with his hand gently to wake her.

Slowly, her eyes opened sleepily and a small smile came to her lips once she recognized him.

"Syaoran..." she mumbled.

"Thank you for the chocolate," he said simply, and she struggled to sit up.

"I thought you didn't like chocolate," she wasn't accusing him, rather she was confused.

He shook his head, thankful for the darkness, thankful for the courage filling his heart. "I lied. Besides, Sakura," he lowered his voice and pulled himself up to sit next to her, gazing into her eyes, "Anything you give me makes my heart glad."

Sakura stared back at him, his intense gaze unnerving her. His words, his voice- she could feel the warmth from his body heat on her bare skin. What was this nervous feeling in her heart? Why was it she suddenly couldn't speak? This was Syaoran, her friend here.

Syaoran couldn't remove his eyes from her face. Never had he felt quite so close to her, so near. Even in earlier moments, never had he felt such intimacy. What he wanted, what every part of him wanted, was to kiss her, to take those lips with his own and taste every ounce of her. He was sure that the purity of her heart, of her soul, would be found in that taste. Still keeping his eyes steadily on her face, he leaned in closely, until his lips barely grazed against her ear. He felt her shiver lightly, and he whispered softly.

"You should tell me to leave, Sakura." He hated himself for it, not when so much of him wanted it- wanted her, but he would not allow it. He would not break her trust in him. Not ever.

Sakura shivered as his breath tickled lightly against her sensitive skin. She didn't understand his words or her haywire emotions. It must be because she's tired, or because she just woke up.

"Why?" she whispered back. She could feel the tightness of his muscles through her arm, and again she marveled at his hidden strength.

"Because," his answered lowly, "I might do something I don't want to. Please, just tell me to leave..." He could smell her hair, smell her skin, and it was something intoxicating. His resolve was weakening with his every second near her.

"But I don't want you to leave," she said softly, biting down on her lip. She liked to spend time with him, talk to him, just be near him. He was her dearest friend. Why should she want him to leave, to go away? In her still half asleep mind, she couldn't understand what he wanted. She wanted only to go back to sleep, knowing that he was near her, protecting her. It was so comforting, having him hold her. She felt safe in his arms. His touch didn't frighten her as others

inadvertently did.

"Sakura..." Syaoran groaned and then dragged himself away from her, putting space between them. "Don't you understand what I'm telling you?"

She only stared at him, her green eyes open with their confusion. He sighed. He felt like screaming aloud. He wanted...What he wanted was... He glanced at her, and he knew completely what it was he wanted. He wanted her, all of her, every ounce of her. He wanted her to belong to him completely and entirely.

"I'll see you in the morning," he said finally, and something in his voice made that shiver travel back down Sakura's back. It was as if he was saying two things at once, although she could only understand the one. She only nodded as he closed the door behind him, confusion still filling her mind, and then closed her eyes. Sleep came easily for her tired mind, full of confused and half understood emotions.

Syaoran stared at the door he had just closed. What the hell was he doing? He opened his mouth in a silent scream and punched at the air, wishing desperately to make contact with something. What the hell was he doing?

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Author's Notes:

Thanks all again for your prompt reviews. I do plan on keeping up the pace at least for a while, although, just as a warning, I have a job interview this Monday that may mean my nights will be taken up for a quite a while. Let's hope I don't get too busy because I have so many ideas in store for this fic. I have one chapter in particular that I can't wait to get to. I'm totally going to love writing it.