Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ A New Breeze Breaks ❯ An Evening Discussion and Tight Quarters ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer:

I don't own a single thing. Minus of course my mini Card Captor Sakura action figures that can be fully manipulate into a hundred and one different poses!

Note to readers:

Poor Syaoran finally is granted some respite. Let's all cheer him on as he finally gets a break.

A New Breeze Breaks

carpetfibers

Chapter Nine: An Evening Discussion and Tight Quarters

"I told you it wouldn't be that bad!" Sakura said happily to the still scowling boy next to her. His normally messy hair was held back for once under the confines of a green ballcap that matched perfectly with his long sleeve shirt. He didn't answer directly, but mumbled under his breath.

"She acted like one of my sisters..."

The little ice cream get together that Sakura had arranged impromptu went rather unexpectedly. Apparently, the shy, immobilized Tokiko that Tomoyo knew in middle school warmed up rather quickly when put in the right company. So much so that her warmth seemed to reach a boiling point. And her apparent attraction to the scowling Chinese boy was made more than obvious. More than once, she stopped everyone in their steps to announce to the world and to Tomoyo's camera that Syaoran Li was simply too kawaii. Sakura could only laugh, and Tomoyo made sure to catch the angry, yet embarrassed frown that pasted itself permanently on Syaoran's handsome face.

Tokiko left the group later that evening with a decidedly different impression of her than from before. Tomoyo left with Naoko a little later, and finally Chiharu and Takashi left holding hands, saying something about wanting to check out a grove of trees they had found. Sakura and Syaoran had only nodded, obviously missing the thinly veiled message, while Rika smiled knowingly and called out her farewell. She had a certain scarf that needed finishing for a certain teacher of hers.

And so Sakura was left with the grumbling Syaoran, her heart happy at the afternoon well spent.

"Tokiko-chan is certainly very energetic, isn't she? At first, I thought she was very quiet and shy, but this afternoon-"

"She's exactly like my sisters," Syaoran inserted, still frowning.

Sakura shuddered slightly, remembering her one time meeting with Syaoran's four older sisters. They certainly had been clingy and draining, but still, they were very nice.

"We still need to make something for Matsuri-sensei's lunch tomorrow," she pointed out, changing the conversation.

"Yeah..." Syaoran was still annoyed by the afternoon's events. That Tokiko Azumi really bothered him. He had felt sorry for her after having been so rude and had apologized, but he really didn't go for such forward females. He only tolerated Meiling hanging on him because she was his cousin and close friend. He let Sakura hug him, well, just because. Not just anyone could come up and touch him, especially not someone he barely knew. It particularly annoyed him that Sakura had been the one to set the entire affair up.

"I know! We can just order a plate to be made up by the grocer, Fukari-san. He's very nice and makes the best little hor d-oeuvres," Sakura skipped on ahead, her mind going over the different finger foods the elderly man could make. He made these stuffed octopus balls once that were positively delicious.

"Sure..." Syaoran continued with his monosyballic replies, barely listening.

Sakura sighed, took his hand, and dragged him into the grocery store. He finally looked up puzzled.

"When did we get in here?" he asked aloud.

"Just now, Syaoran," Sakura answered patiently, keeping an eye out for the familiar form of the grocer.

"And why?" he prodded.

"To ask Fukari-san to make up a plate for Matsuri-sensei's lunch tomorrow," she replied with equal patience. Now where was he?

Syaoran's eyes narrowed immediately at the mention of this Fukari-san.

"Who's Fukari-san?" he asked finally, his voice gruff.

Sakura glanced up from under her bangs and then smiled. "Fukari-san is wonderful! He makes the best okonomiyaki and takoyaki ever! And he's so nice, even Onii-chan likes him."

Syaoran's shoulders sagged. In his mind, he was picturing a smiling young man, sitting beside Sakura and holding her hand, laughing while Touya patted him on the back. He could see this guy, this wonderful Fukari bending low, bringing his lips closer and closer to Sakura's own-

"There he is! Fukari-san!" Sakura let go of his hand and raced up the aisle. Syaoran let out a breath of relief, and smiled foolishly. Fukari was an old man for pete's sake; what was he getting all upset about it? Still though, he retook Sakura's hand once he caught up to her.

Enoshi Fukari smiled down at the youngest child of his old friend Fujitaka Kinomoto. It had been a while since he had seen her- at least a year, and already she had grown so much. He could see much of her mother in Sakura's smile and kind eyes. And while she didn't carry the flashy beauty of her mother, she carried a deeper quality, the kind of beauty that drew the eye back to her again and again. Although, something had changed. Her eyes no longer carried that pure look of childhood and infancy; there was a wary wisdom in them that broke his heart.

"Konbonwa, Sakura-san. How is your father, Fujitaka-san?" Enoshi asked pleasantly, his eyes also taking in the protective stance of the boy standing beside her. He wasn't Japanese...maybe Chinese? Was he the reason for this change in Fujitaka's youngest?

"Konbonwa, Fukari-san! Otou-san's very well; he's teaching at an university up north right now." It was so great to see Fukari-san again! It had been easily a year since she had last seen him. "How's Mika-san?"

"My wife's very well, thank you. She'll be happy to know you stopped by. Now what can I help you with?" Enoshi smiled, watching the young woman's eyes light up as she considered. Yes, those were certainly her mother's eyes.

"Oh, I almost forgot! Please forgive me, I was being so rude. Fukari-san, this is my good friend, Syaoran Li- he's from China." Sakura pushed forward Syaoran and he bowed respectfully.

"It's nice to meet you, Fukari-san," he said stiffly, feeling out of sorts with the casual atmosphere.

"Konbonwa, Li-san," Enoshi replied thoughtfully. She introduced him as her good friend. There was a history between these two, he could tell. And a good deal of trust- whoever had put that new wisdom in Sakura's eyes had not been this young man. He smiled easily before returning his attention to the still smiling girl.

"Sakura-san?" he prodded gently.

"Oh, yes, Fukari-san, I'm sorry about the late notice, but tomorrow we've been invited to a lunch at our sensei's house, and I was wondering if you could make one of those yummy platters for me," Sakura could feel herself getting hungry just thinking of one of Fukari's delicious takoyaki. Not even the vendors in Tokyo could match up to his!

"Certainly, you'll just need to pick it up in the morning. My grandson, Hiiro, will be handling the store then. What would you like for me to make?" He knew what her answer would be- never, in the almost 16 years that he had known her had she ever replied with anything else.

"Takoyaki!" she almost yelled, and then grinned sheepishly. "Takoyaki, please, Fukari-san along with your usual," she added in a lower voice.

"Alright then, Sakura-sama," Enoshi replied, his eyes twinkling.

"Fukari-san!" And then she laughed, taking Syaoran by the hand, and leading him out of the store. She was still laughing when Syaoran tugged his hand from her hold and started to walk off in the direction of King Penguin Park.

"Syaoran?" she called out, running to catch up to him. A scowl on his face, he shook his head vigorously.

"Don't follow me," he said shortly, "I want to be alone."

"Syaoran, are you alright?" she asked, worried. It wasn't like him to be like this...

"I said that I wanted to be alone, alright? So quit nagging me and just go away." Syaoran turned his back on her and ignored the guilt that immediately fell on his shoulders. He listened as her running footsteps faded into silence and frowned in the dying light.

He wasn't being completely untruthful when he said he wanted to be alone. It wasn't so much that, but that he needed to get away from her. In the store, a wave of desire had hit him, flooring him in silence and need. It had taken every ounce of self control he had not to grab her arm, drag her from the store and into some hidden alley, and finally kiss her. And so, he sent her away before he lost control.

Syaoran walked around aimlessly, his eyes on the steadily darkening horizon, the sun having finally released its hold on the earth and surrendered to the pull of the moon. His own power was closely connected to that moon, and at times, he felt much like it. He was nothing but a light reflected, a mirror occasionally shining as the sun hit it. A dead, cold thing- he and the moon had only one connection to the land of the living: the sun. He closed his clouded eyes knowing that the source of light in his life was probably crying in confusion, not having understood that his angry words were for her protection.

What he needed was someone to talk to, someone who could give him advice and help him. But it was far too embarrassing to talk to anyone. He had tried briefly with Takashi, one of the few good friends he had from his earlier time in Japan, but it hadn't worked out. Takashi just started in with one of his 'Did you know' stories. He couldn't talk to Meiling, although, he had this nagging suspicion that she knew of his feelings from three years earlier. And he had no male relative that he could think of confiding in. The Elders would be disappointed in such weakness, and his mother- well, he'd sooner die than talk of such things with her.

No, he was stuck with the whole mess on his own. Sometimes, he really envied the friendship Sakura had with Tomoyo. He knew of none closer than those two. They were both strong for each other and selfless in their friendship. For a long time, he had thought that Tomoyo felt something deeper for Sakura than just friendship, but now, he barely knew what he felt, let alone what someone else felt.

He was just so confused and frustrated.

"I told Sakura-chan that you were probably just tired from the long afternoon and not upset at her." Syaoran straightened immediately at the familiar voice.

"Daidouji-san?"

"Were you thinking about your feelings for Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo stepped out from behind the layer of trees that lined the path, her camera off for once. She smiled pleasantly despite the troubling nature of her words.

Syaoran stared at her in surprise. How could she possibly know? Maybe he wasn't being as careful with his emotions as he had thought.

"Don't worry; you've been discreet so far, but no one knows Sakura-chan like I do, and that means knowing what goes on in her life and those around her." Again, it seemed as if Tomoyo was reading his thoughts. She stood beside him, tucking her long hair behind a shawl wrapped around her hair.

"It might help if you talk about it, Li-san," she prompted.

He stared at his hands. Now he wasn't so sure if really wanted that confession so badly.

"Would you prefer if I state what's wrong and you tell me whether I'm hot or cold?" Tomoyo said with a patient sigh.

"Yeah..." he mumbled, his face flush with embarrassment. Just how much did Tomoyo know? It was like she was some kind of mind reader...maybe she had some hidden magic in her as well.

"Before, when we were in elementary school, you started to develop feelings for Sakura that you didn't understand," she began, as if ticking off of a list in her head.

He nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets before he starting biting his nails or something equally nerve racking.

"And then you left to Hong Kong without fully knowing what those feelings meant."

Tomoyo smiled softly at his nervous nod. For such a confident young man, Syaoran Li surely was as uncomfortable and awkward as any other boy when it came to the matters of his heart. Her smile broadened; but then again, was this so unusual a reaction considering the particular person causing this discomfort was her Sakura?

"Now that you've returned, you've begun reacting to Sakura in not only the old ways but in new ways as well."

His mouth practically dropped. How could she know that? And his face reddened even more, but he nodded all the same.

"Li-san," Tomoyo's voice dropped its stoic good humor and became serious. "Sakura-chan trusts you without the slightest hesitation in her part. And what she feels for you right now is mostly confused. She's only ever experienced one love, and it turned out to not even be real. She doesn't know what the emotion truly feels like or what it will manifest- physically."

Syaoran sagged visibly at her last word. She did know...damn it. That Tomoyo Daidouji had to have some kind of magical ability to know so much.

Tomoyo continued, "What you feel for Sakura-chan physically is normal, Li-san. You aren't sick or wrong or perverted. The reason why you long for these things is because you love her."

'Because you love her...' Syaoran felt his heart stop entirely. Was that why- was that why he felt so strongly around her, and only around her? Was it really as simple as all that?

"Li-san, what you feel is normal, but you must be patient. You must allow Sakura-chan to realize her feelings on her own. She's always been naive when it comes to such things, and if you act too quickly, you'll scare her away. She's already been hurt by that bastard of a teacher-" Tomoyo paused and swallowed down her anger. Her blood boiled at the mere thought of what that man had done to her best friend. If she ever saw that man again, God have mercy on his soul, because she would attack him with every ounce of strength she had. And the Daidouji women were not a force to be reckoned with.

"What I mean to say is, give yourself some peace of heart and relax. It's alright to touch her, to hold her hand, to hug her. Don't feel wrong when you long for more contact because it's only natural. If it was anyone else who felt these things, I wouldn't be saying such things, but because it's you. Because it's Li Syaoran and not someone else, I know that what you feel is real."

"Daidouji-san-" Syaoran started.

"Go on home now, Li-san. Sakura-chan's probably worried about you and it's getting cold," Tomoyo said gently, carefully keeping her eyes from his view. She didn't want him to see her tears; she doubted he'd understand what she was doing.

He hesitated and then nodded, a slow smile making its way across his lips. "Thank you, Daidouji-san. You are a good friend."

"Go on now," she prodded softly, "I'm going to stay here a little while longer."

She watched as he jogged off, the wind teasing at his ballcap and then making its way down to pull at her hair. She felt the chill of it against her wet cheeks and carefully wiped away her tears. She knew that it was to be, Syaoran and Sakura were like a couple made in stories, their fates too closely joined for it to be otherwise, but it still hurt. She imagined it must always hurt, to give up someone you love. She nodded and lifted her arms to embrace the bitter wind. As long as her Sakura was happy, she would be content to stand in the shadows and watch.

* * * *

Syaoran ran through his front door, his heart light for the first time since his arrival in Japan. He felt the wideness of the smile on his cheeks and thought of it in wonder. Was this what happiness felt like? He loved her...how simple it was. He loved her and what he felt was normal. Tomoyo's kind words filled him and silently he thanked her yet again.

He found her finally in the kitchen, bent over the stove top, her forehead wrinkled in concentration. She didn't even hear him enter the room. All at once, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her away from the stove and into the air. She shrieked in surprise and then smiled in happiness. He wasn't angry anymore...

"Hoe! Syaoran, put me down!" Sakura cried, trying to keep her greasy hands from touching either his clothes or her shirt.

"No," he said simply, still holding her tightly.

"Come on, Syaoran, put me down," His fingers kept brushing her waist and it was tickling her like crazy. If he didn't stop, she'd start laughing and then there'd be no stopping her.

"Don't want to," he insisted, sounding much like a little boy.

"Fine then, I have no choice..." Sakura grinned mischeviously and then dug her own hands, ignoring the grease, into his sides, tickling at his ribs.

Immediately, he let her go and pulled out of reach. "You weren't supposed to do that," he pouted.

Sakura stared in wonderment. Was this really Syaoran Li, the somber faced, you'll never catch him laughing boy who had been wandering around the apartment the past weeks? All at once, his hands swiped out and grabbed at her waist again, this time their intent clear. It was going to be an all out tickling war!

She squealed and pulled out of his grasp, running into the living room and putting the couch between them. He crossed over slowly, almost leisurely, a slow smile on his lips. She feinted to one side and then dove at the other. As if reading her thoughts, he went to the right side and almost caught her. She dove back and then considered carefully. There was only one real escape available to her. Sakura stopped moving all together and stood very still.

"Syaoran, I give up!" she called innocently, her hands clasped behind her back. She took a small step backwards and to the left. She bowed her head and shook it and then looked up, putting on her best pout. "You're just too fast for me!"

Syaoran grinned, feeling better than he had in weeks. He felt so free! Like someone had just passed him much needed oxygen or some other equally creative simile. He walked slowly towards her, his hands held out where she could see them. Just as he was about to reach her, she suddenly jumped forward and pushed him over the back of the couch and raced toward his room. With an agility gained from years of training, he flipped up and managed to catch the door before she closed it.

He pried the door open and grabbed for her, pushing both him and her onto the bed. She tried to struggle, tickling at his ribs and other weak points, but he was the stronger of the two and soon had her two arms pinned at her sides. Her laughter rang in his ears and he smiled down at her, happy to have her so close and not feel that pang of shame.

"That was an unfair trick, Sakura," he scolded playfully.

Sakura just squirmed some more and stuck out her tongue. "I had to cheat. You're stronger than me, Syaoran. It would be unfair otherwise."

"Poor excuse coming from a cheater," he teased. She looked so beautiful right now: even dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt, even with her hair falling from its loose pony tail, even with the dim light hiding back the brightness of her green eyes, he found her incredibly beautiful.

"I'm glad you're not angry anymore," she began softly, "I was worried that I had done something. After you've been so kind to me, letting me stay with you when you probably just wanted to be alone, and then you're always protecting me- the last thing I want to do is be a bother to you."

"Sakura, you could never be a bother to me."

And something in his tone made her heart stop and her breath quicken. She was suddenly all too aware of the nearness of his body, of how his lips were slightly parted, and of the locks of brown hair falling across his intense eyes. She could feel the strength of his hands on her arms and the softness of his breath on her skin. All at once, Sakura felt too warm and too cold.

Abruptly, she sat up and Syaoran fell from the bed and to the floor. Rubbing his head lightly, he looked up surprised.

Sakura just stuck out her tongue. "Serves you right for using your strength unfairly." And ran quickly from the room before he could stop her with questions.

Syaoran rubbed the back of his head absently, and then grinned. God, he felt great! He loved her. He loved her and that made everything just fine.

* * * *

Sakura winced at the first mention of the game. Her last experience with it had left her embarrassed and her partner stupefied. And she still wasn't sure what it was that she was supposed to have done. A butterfly kiss- just what was that? Did butterflies even kiss, anyway? Matsuri-sensei had left the group to themselves, wandering out to bring refreshments to the pool area where kids from other classes were enjoying themselves. Apparently, Matsuri-sensei had extended her invitation to the entire grade and the other teachers as well.

Sakura glanced up at the cathedral ceilings and expensive paintings. Matsuri-sensei's house was almost as big as Tomoyo's- and it seemed as if she lived in it all alone. She shook her head and refocused on the circle of girls and boys around her. She really didn't like playing 'Closet Confessions' but since all her friends were, including Tomoyo, she went ahead. She smiled nervously and tucked her light green skirt under her knees as she sat down. Syaoran quickly sat next to her, shooting a glare at the poor boy who had tried for the spot.

If Sakura was going to play this, then so was he.

"Alright! The rules go like this: everyone will put their name into these two hats- one for girls and one for boys. In a third hat, we will each submit a dare of some sort for the couple to complete in the safe," Naoko pointed at the once serviceable wall safe.

Matsuri-sensei had kindly offered it when Naoko came up begging for some sort of closet or room to use. The combination was fairly simple: 1 to the left, 2 to the right, and then 3 to the left. Hitomi Matsuri hid back her smile of delight; young love! To be in highschool again...

"To start off, a name will be drawn from each hat and then the couple will have the choice to either do the dare or tell their deepest shared secret to all of us." A few girls gasped at the thought and then blushed. A few of the boys looked slightly nervous as well.

Naoko grinned and continued with the last of her instructions. "Finally, if the couple decides to draw from the dare hat, they'll be locked into the safe for ten minutes." She winked broadly, "And let's just say, the couple should be mighty comfortable considering the closeness."

At that, the same boys who had frowned but seconds earlier smiled broadly and eyed their hopeful choices of companions.

Sakura only stared blankly, not having understood what her friend meant in the least. Beside her, Syaoran frowned deeply. He did NOT like the idea of Sakura being in that safe with any of these boys. Well, maybe if it was Takashi, he could trust him, but not anyone else. His amber eyes narrowed in on the passing hats. If he had to, he would simply use some magic and take care of the whole problem. He'd mark Sakura's name and ensure that if it was drawn, his was drawn along with it, and vice versa.

Tomoyo smiled behind her camera, zooming in on Syaoran's calculating face. She could almost imagine what he was planning. She moved over to her friend's still blank expression. Her Sakura was so kawaii when she was puzzled. She scanned down over her friend's outfit, mentally complimenting her choice of colors. She wondered if Sakura realized that she was dressed all in green, Syaoran's favorite color. Eventually, even her naive friend would start to understand.

"Okay! Let's begin!" Naoko dug into the first hat and peered at the jerky scrawl. "Atsumori-san!" One girl openly groaned, while a couple others tried to hide their grimaces. For such a good looking guy, Atsumori really wasn't much liked. "And...Tomoyo-chan!"

Tomoyo smiled calmly and put down her camera behind her.

Naoko beamed brightly, enjoying every second of her role as the 'Closet Confessions' mc. "Now, couple number one, please choose: will you take the dare or will you share your deepest shared secret?"

Tomoyo smiled carefully and answered calmly, "The dare, Naoko-chan, if you please."

Atsumori gulped visibly, more than a little unnerved by the beautiful, yet eternally stoic girl. "Sure...Naoko-san, the dare will be fine."

Naoko's glasses glinted as she reached into the third hat and then pulled out her prize. She read it once, glanced at Sakura, and then read it again. "Ano...I'm afraid someone didn't understand exactly what the dares were supposed to be. But since the rules stand, Atsumori-san, Tomoyo-chan, you are to go into the safe and sing a song to each other."

Everyone except for Sakura, Syaoran, and of course, Tomoyo, groaned out loud. Sakura visibly blanched, perplexed. "Hoe...was that wrong?"

Naoko kept a steady smile as she replied to her naive friend, "It's fine, Sakura-chan, just fine. Have Tomoyo-chan explain it to you later."

Tomoyo took Atsumori by the hand and led him into the safe. Naoko did the honors and turned the handle, officially locking them in. Faintly, they could hear the clear, soothing sounds of Tomoyo's beautiful voice through the thick safe walls. Following hers came an almost equally pleasant sound. Apparently, the annoying and rude Atsumori had a good voice. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Who knew?

Naoko checked her watch and then ran through the combination, releasing the couple. Tomoyo was still smiling as calmly as ever, and even Atsumori was grinning lightly, his usual self confident smirk left behind.

Naoko picked up the hats again. "Li-san! And..." Syaoran focused carefully on the slip of paper that held a trace of Sakura's aura, forcing it into Naoko's searching hand. "...Sakura-chan!"

Sakura let out a breath of relief. She'd be fine if it was with Syaoran.

"Now, will you take the dare or will you share your deepest shared secret?" she asked breathlessly.

Sakura bit her lip. They couldn't share their secret...no one was supposed to know about the Cards! Syaoran did the honors and answered for them both. "We'll take the dare."

"Alright then," she reached into the third hat and pulled out a slip. She blushed lightly and looked up at the group suspiciously. Who had such a vivid imagination? She stopped on Takashi who was grinning innocently, holding onto Chiharu's hand. Could be... "I think the person who wrote this should reconsider his career. He might make a much better fiction writer than anything else." She cleared her throat and read the paper. "Li-san, Sakura-chan, you are to go into the safe and french kiss for at least five minutes straight. After that, you are to-"

Naoko cut off and crumbled up the paper. "I think that's enough of a dare right there." Was that just her imagination, or did Takashi just wink? She shoved the still shocked couple into the safe, and spun the dial, locking them in.

For a moment, Sakura could only continue staring into space, Naoko's words running through her mind. French kiss... french kiss with Syaoran? She only knew vague things about this queen of kisses. Her breath quickened and she knew her face must be bright red. Syaoran tried to shift in the confined space but only managed to squash himself even more. Damn it...couldn't Naoko have found a place with a little more room?

"Sakura, don't worry about it. We'll just stay in here until our time's up," Syaoran reassured her.

"I don't like lying though..." Sakura said aloud, not knowing the jolt she gave the boy slouched next to her.

"You're not serious?!" Syaoran sputtered, his heart racing.

"I've never kissed anyone before, but it's just you, Syaoran..." she trailed off, not really sure of what she was saying.

"Are you sure?" he asked after a moment. She nodded. "I don't like lying to my friends."

He took hold of her cheeks carefully between his hands and brought his face down to hers. He stared into her wide eyes, amazed for the hundredth time by their singular beauty. He could feel her breath on his lips and knew that with but an inch more, his lips would meet her own. He closed his eyes and let gravity do the rest. He waited for the contact and surprisingly met only hair. Syaoran opened his eyes and found his mouth squashed against her auburn hair.

"Sakura?" he said, his words muffled.

"Are the walls moving closer?" Sakura's asked, alarm in her voice.

He glanced at the walls; they did look closer, and it did feel as if they had even less room than before.

"Can you sense your Cards?" he asked suddenly, the suspicion more like a knowledge.

She was already a step ahead of him and shook her sadly. "Two Cards, Syaoran, he took two Cards, and I still can't do anything!"

"The Lock and...Loop?" he asked, purposely keeping his voice calm. Again, she nodded, sending a piece of her hair into his mouth. Carefully, he pulled the strands out and shifted. His position was really uncomfortable. The safe really was more deep than it was tall, and staying slouched like this was really killing his back.

As if reading his thoughts, Sakura said, "I think we should try a different position, Syaoran, I don't think I can stand like this much longer."

"Okay, then let's try this." He maneuvered himself sideways and pulled her along, so that they laid side by side. As if sensing their retreat to the floor, the safe's ceiling lowered until it rested just above their heads.

Knowing that Sakura had to be frightened, Syaoran tried to reassure her. "Our time should be up any second now, and then Yanagisawa-san will come open the safe and out we'll go!" he said cheerfully.

"Honto?" she asked shakily.

"Honto," he answered.

But the minutes passed, and the door wasn't opened. If this was the Lock Card, and its energy had been drained, then all they could do was wait until it wore off. Hopefully, Loop would only distort the space not occupied, and if it was tight, then they simply had no choice but to wait it out. With the Move Card though, it had been almost three hours of falling in the snow before its effect left. Syaoran doubted highly that Sakura could last that long.

"Sakura," he began, but then he felt the strange sensation of motion, and then Sakura was crushed against him. She cried out in pain and then gasped.

"Syaoran!" she struggled out, "I can't breathe!"

"Just calm down, Sakura, and breathe with me. Come on, breathe with me," he kept the terror out of his voice. The walls were pressing tighter, and he knew her panic was rising steadily. He could hear her shallow gasps and knew that it would only take a few more minutes, and she would stop breathing all together.

"Listen to me and follow my breaths," he struggled for her hand and placed it against his chest, allowing her to feel the rise and fall of his lungs. But in the cramped space, her breathing only grew more erratic.

"Sy-ao-ran, I can't- br-eathe," she gasped, shaking violently against him. His own panic rose as her breathing stopped entirely.

"Sakura! Sakura!" he cried, begging for her to answer. But only silence replied. Desperately, he breathed deeply and brought his lips to hers and pushed the air into her lungs. Again, he sucked in air and brought the life to her lips. He felt himself growing light headed but ignored it, knowing that if he stopped now, she could- that is, she might-

His heart racing with terror, he brought his lips to hers for the fourth time and breathed out gently, praying for her to wake up. All at once, she shuddered in his arms, and with his lips still on hers, opened her eyes. They widened at first in surprise and then slowly, to Syaoran's wonderment, closed. He went to draw back and then felt her hand at his neck, holding him against her. Not trusting himself entirely, but wanting it anyway, he fell into the kiss, amazement at how the light touch could arouse in him so many different emotions. It was- she was- something wonderful. Like breath, like spring, like the few seconds before the sun took over the horizon- her taste was something of awe. Such innocense, such gentleness...

He pulled away at last, his chest heaving, and stared into her eyes in wonder. Did she know how much he loved her? Did she have even an inkling? But her eyes were already closed, and her breathing even. She had fallen asleep. Leaning in again, he lightly touched her lips, savoring the touch, and putting it away for his memory. Some innate sense warned him that when she awoke, she'd remember nothing.

Syaoran allowed his own eyes to close and sleep to take over. His lips curled into a smile, and he breathed deeply of the gentle girl in his arms. But it was she who had kissed him. And that was one hell of a great thing.

* * * *

"Are you sure you're alright, Li-san?" Hitomi Matsuri asked for the third time of her students. When Naoko-chan had come in running, crying about the lock not working, she had immediately thought the worst. That safe had once been the very safe used by her miserly grandfather to hold all his valuables. No ordinary locksmith would be able to open it. It might take days, weeks even! And by then...she shuddered.

But amazingly enough, just as she got on the phone with the safe's company, a cry had gone out from the room, and she rushed in. By some miracle, the safe opened of its own accord, and the sight of the sleeping Syaoran with an equally sleeping Sakura in his arms had sent the class romantics' into peals of delight. Still though, she was worried about her students. Sakura was still asleep, and Syaoran refused to put her down, even for a second. He kept insisting that they were both fine, and that he would take her home. Matsuri sighed and pushed away her bushy bangs. It couldn't be helped: young love...

"Alright, I guess you can go home then," she said at last, and Syaoran smiled in relief. They could go home at last!

"Thank you, Matsuri-sensei," he nodded and wasted no time in leaving through the front door. Tomoyo came up and gently placed a hand on her teacher's shoulder, smiling cheerfully.

"Don't worry, Matsuri-sensei, Li-san will take very good care of Sakura-chan," she said.

Her teacher sighed and then smiled. She did love this class of hers.

* * * *

Syaoran stumbled through the front door, half dead. Unknown to Sakura, he had searched out her energy levels, and after finding them dangerously low, supplied some of his own. It might have been a wiser thing if he had waited until they were both safe and sound at home, but his heart rushed head of his mind. He shrugged out from his shoes, and half walked, half fell into his room. Using the last bit of his energy, he gently laid her out on his bed. Immediately, she curled into a ball, her head tucked tightly against her knees. Pulling off his shirt, he fell next to her and pulled the blanket up around them both.

Sensing his warmth, Sakura turned around in her sleep and wrapped her arms around him. Syaoran smiled wearily, brushing her soft bangs from her face. He pulled her hair loose from its braid and ran his fingers through it gently. Like silk...he brought his lips to her forehead and lightly kissed the soft skin. Stirring under his touch, Sakura opened her eyes, staring up into his own.

"What happened?" she mumbled sleepily.

"You don't remember do you?" he asked softly, knowing that his premonition had been true.

Slowly, she shook her head, her hair tickling his bare chest. He pulled her a little closer and smoothed down her hair.

"We both fell asleep, and about half an hour later, the safe opened on its own," he explained. She nodded again and closed her eyes, pressing her nose against his chest.

"Cold..." she murmured, and he tucked the blanket more tightly around her. Already, she was fast asleep again. He smiled gently; someday he would remind her of the happenings that went on in that safe. He'd remind her when she knew for herself the kind of emotion he felt for her.

"Sweet dreams, Sakura." And then he too, was fast asleep.

* * * *

Author's notes:

Get prepared kiddies! The next chapter has some action- and not in the kind you dirty minds are thinking of! Rather, imagine a scary unknown force attacking the poor, innocent, Sakura! Muuuhahhhahahahaha.

Okay, I'll act all normal now. God, I can't wait until I reach the chapter with the dream card. I am mad looking forward to that, let me tell you what. But you'll just have to wait as well. Ta ta!