Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Leading the Blind ❯ Meeting ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Moon Star 
COMPLETE. Sakura and Syaoran meet on a blind date. They feel an instant connection that would truly take them by surprise.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.23.2007 | Updated On: 12.20.2008 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 794 | Status: Work In Progress
COMPLETE. Sakura and Syaoran meet on a blind date. They feel an instant connection that would truly take them by surprise.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.23.2007 | Updated On: 12.20.2008 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 794 | Status: Work In Progress
MS
Summary: How Sakura let herself be talked into a blind date, she has no idea. And on Valentine’s Day no less. Still, Tomoyo would owe her a favor. All she had to do was keep Eriol’s friend entertained for a few hours and then go home to her bowl of ice-cream and cheesy movies. She didn’t count on his very deep amber eyes. Love at first sight it wasn’t, but clearly something was fluttering the butterflies in her stomach.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the card captor characters, everything else is mine.
Leading the Blind
Chapter 1 : Meeting
"Please," Sakura took the handheld device from her eardrums, a light headache spreading over her temples. She rubbed one with her free hand, closing her eyes. "It's only going to be a few hours."
"You know I don't do well in blind dates," Sakura reminded her, hearing a scoff from Tomoyo.
"Don't I know it," her friend muttered before selling her point upright. It seemed that her friend was serious about this.
"All you need to do is keep him company for a few hours," Tomoyo explained as she felt her friend starting to cave in. It didn't matter. She'd been planning for this special holiday for two months now. She had a right to spend Valentine's Day with her fiancée. Especially since she hadn't seen hair or breath of him for the past three weeks because of schedule conflicts. It sometimes sucked when the man of your life took for parts unknown because of business reasons.
"It's Valentine's Day Tomoyo," was all that Sakura managed to say. It all seemed to make sense in her own head.
"I know for a fact that you have no plans," she tooted when she heard Sakura try to give a response to the jibe. "And sitting on your couch, eating gallons of ice cream from the box while you marathon those movies of yours is not a plan."
A silence settled. Tomoyo wondered if Sakura had set the phone down on the table and went to prepare herself something to eat. "Sakura," she called, a bit of desperation in her tone. "Are you listening to me?"
"Yes," Sakura sighed heavily into the phone, her head against the table, her hair falling all over her face.
"I'll do you three favors for this," Tomoyo offered, going to her last card.
"You must be really desperate," Sakura said before agreeing. She winced as the words left her lips. It was going to be another one of those Valentine’s Days. Every one of them had been a disaster for her. She had wished to have been placed on a coma for the whole week leading to it.
"Fine," Sakura cut into her friend's gratitude speech. "You'll owe me for this."
"It'll be fine Sakura," Tomoyo reassured her, a light laugh emanating from the receiver. It looked like Tomoyo was back to her usual bubbly self. It was always like this when her friend got in her own way.
"Is there anything you can tell me about the guy?" Sakura asked as she went to her kitchen and poured a fresh cup of coffee. The temperatures were so erratic during this time of the year that every little bit of warmth helped stave off the cold.
"I know that he's Eriol's cousin," Tomoyo paused. "More like a distant relation though, through Eriol's father's side."
"Did you already make the plans for what I'll be doing?"
"I pulled some strings to get a reservation to that Spanish place you love so much," Tomoyo supplied. "So, if it turns into a bust, you can at least eat like you usually do and scare him off."
Tomoyo laughed as Sakura launched into a tirade. She was so sensitive to the fact since her brother had tormented her all through school that she ate like a monster. It hadn't helped that Sakura had decided to act like the monster to further aggravate her big brother. At least Touya had mellowed somewhat.
"Anyway," Tomoyo decided to follow up with their original discussion. "I met him today and I have to say that he's great eye candy."
"He’s one of those gorgeous guys?" Sakura couldn't help but let a bit of disgust and horror enter her tone. She had some experience with those guys that believed they owned the world because they were pretty to look at.
"He's not like that," Tomoyo amended. "I spent a few hours in his company and I got to say that he has those gentlemanly qualities that Eriol possesses. It's as if he's from a different species from those slobs and extroverts you use to date."
"Hey," Sakura protested, knowing full well that it was the truth. Still, she didn't need her friend to remind her each day of her life that she didn't exactly pick the best of the litter. She had no zero sense when it came to choosing guys.
"He's actually kind of shy," that little detail sparked Sakura's curiosity.
"How old is he?"
"Around our age," Tomoyo picked up on her friend's enunciation of the words. In spite of herself, Sakura seemed to be picking some interest into her mystery date. "Just wait 'till you see him. You're not going to know what hit you."
"Wait a minute," Sakura stopped Tomoyo's commentary. "You're not seriously setting me up, are you?"
A sense of dread spread through her body as silence greeted her question. "Tomoyo?" She was a bit alarmed.
"Don't worry your pretty green eyes and gorgeous hair over it," was all that Tomoyo decided to say before giving her friend all of the details of the reservation and the time. "I really appreciate this Sakura. I really didn't want to cancel my 'date' with Eriol because his relation is visiting us."
And that's how Sakura had found herself in this situation. So, here she was in a new party dress, her best coat, and shivering toes before the restaurant.
She slipped out of the taxi, handing her payment to the driver before slipping into the warm restaurant. The temperature had plummeted to the very low double digits. She didn’t know what had possessed her to wear those heels. It was the dress; there was nothing else that she could wear with it that would look as good.
Snow had also been forecasted for the night, so she had a very slippery driveway with more than an inch of snow to shovel. At least now she had a home to shovel snow out of. The good news was that it was a Friday night, and she could sleep in the next day.
"May I help you?" the ever helpful maitre’d asked as she entered the second set of doors of the restaurant.
"Yes," Sakura glanced at her watch; biting her lip as she saw she was around three minutes late. She hated to be late. It created an impression that was hard to break for an unknown individual. "I have some reservations for tonight, but I don't know if my companion has arrived yet."
She silently prayed for him to be. She didn't want to be perceived as a rude and inconsiderate companion. That's what she was tonight. She was the escort of the guy while her friend got to play 'hot bunny' with her estranged fiancée.
"May I have the name that the reservation is under?" the man politely asked as he moved to the book of reservations.
Sakura bit her lip as she raked her brain. She was sure she wouldn't forget the name that Tomoyo had told her. She was brought out of her reverie as she stumbled.
"I'm sorry," a man's voice came from behind as his hand caught hers in an attempt to stabilize her. She turned to reassure him, catching the coat he had just taken off. Snow flurries were present all around the shoulders, contrasting against the dark shade of the very warmth material.
She looked up, her breath caught as she saw his face.
"I was running a bit late and didn‘t look to where I was going," he looked to his watch, grimacing as he realized how much time he was lagging behind. He just hoped his 'date', and he used the term loosely, wasn't one of those women that expected to be waited on hand and foot. By the impression he'd gotten from Eriol's and Tomoyo's description, she seemed nice enough to spend a few hours with.
If only he hadn't impulsively decided to visit his cousin when he'd finished his dealings in the country, then he wouldn't be placed in this situation. He'd tried to dissuade the pair from making plans for him for the night since they'd obviously been planning to spend the day together. Syaoran would have spent the night in his hotel room, looking over contracts he needed to peruse before resigning himself to an early night.
It wasn't like he had a life. Or something/someone to command his attention while he spent the three days in this city. He wasn’t exactly socially to warrant numerous friends.
He finally let his eyes fall onto the woman he had bumped into while taking off his coat. She had green eyes. That was the only thing that was processing inside his mind. He felt as if he'd just been punched hard in his stomach, breathless as she offered a kind smile.
"Don't worry about it," Sakura said once again, her mind trying to shift gears to the problem at hand.
"It's under Li," she told the very quiet and refined maitre’d. "Syaoran Li."
"Its right here ma-am," he responded. "And your party still hasn't arrived." Sakura let out a breath of relief. "Do you wish to be taken to your table, or would you like to wait?"
"Might as well get seated," she responded, handing her coat to the awaiting woman by the doorway.
"And you sir?"
"I believe I'm the party she's waiting for," Syaoran extended his hand. "I'm Syaoran Li, Eriol's cousin."
“Very well,” the maitre’d signaled for one of the waiting waiters and instructed him to the table they were to be shown to.
“This way,” the waiter led the couple as they entered the low atmosphere, piano melodies filling the background.
“Will this be alright?” He asked as Sakura walked to her chair, Syaoran helping her as she sat down. They smiled to the waiter, while clearing their throats.
“Yes thank you,” Sakura replied. They were handed the menus, a pen and pad ready to take orders.
“I’ll just have some water at the moment,” Syaoran responded to the waiter’s question as his eyes perused the listings. He gave an inquiring look to Sakura who nodded as well.
“I’ll be just a moment,” silence reigned as the waiter parted. Sakura subtly glanced over the rim of the menu, her eyes absorbing Syaoran’s body language. Syaoran was sure his eyes were bleeding. He’d stared at the same page and same paragraph for the past ten minutes. He’d looked up once, finding his ‘date’ studying him diligently.
He wanted to do it as well. Still, it was a bit embarrassing to find yourself the subject of such a throughout glance. He tilted his head, his eyes coming from the blurring words to the other side of the table.
He looked down to the menu again. He cursed silently; he could feel the light warmth that was spreading over his cheeks. He was cursed with the affliction. Any little thing made him blush like mad. Especially with the opposite sex.
He knew he wasn’t one of those smooth operators that would capture and enrapture that attention of a woman, but he also knew that he wasn’t bad to look at. There had been enough girls in his life that had flirted outrageously while in his presence to know that he was considered somewhat attractive by the opposite sex.
“So, what brings you to our city?” Sakura asked as the waiter retired with their orders and their menus. She’d also asked for a bottle of champagne. It had been quite a while since she’d drunk it and it was a good day as any to have the blissful drink.
“I was in the country dealing with one of my family’s business’ branches,” Syaoran elaborated as he took a sip of the water he’d been given. “I decided to spend some days with my cousin, since we haven’t been able to see each other for quite a while.” The words flew out effortlessly.
“You picked a great time in the year to do so,” Sakura chuckled. “Right smack in Valentine’s Day and in the middle of our snowstorm season.”
Syaoran blushed at the jab for his forgetting the time of the year. Still, since he didn’t have anyone special in his life, he felt justified to not pay attention to the day. “I’ve been kind of busy with my business.”
Sakura knew right then and there that this man had the word workaholic engraved in his soul. He was a nice guy to converse with though.
“So, what do you do?” Sakura couldn’t help but let the curiosity emerge. If Tomoyo was correct, then Syaoran should be around 22 years of age, or that range. How did someone so young seem so mature and responsible? He had the air of the president of a company than anything else.
In comfortable territory, Syaoran proceeded to tell the young woman just what his job entailed. His speech was looser and comfortable since the subject was one he felt confident about. It was talking about himself in personal touches that truly started to make him sweat.
“How is it that you don’t have a significant other?” Sakura blushed at the intrusive question. She averted her eyes to her napkin, making sure that he couldn’t see the embarrassing lines all over her face. “I‘m sorry, I didn‘t mean to pry. It‘s just that by what Tomoyo told me, it seemed to be that you aren‘t involved with anyone?”
She couldn’t believe she’d been able to string all those words together when her tongue felt glued to the roof of her mouth. She braced herself before lifting her gaze to her very silent companion. There were remnants of a smile left on his lips as he drank his water.
“She’s right,” Syaoran let out a deep breath before delving into that part of his life. It must be the way she looked at him. He felt as if he could say anything to her, and she would understand what he was actually saying or talking about. “I mainly deal with all of the international aspects of the company, so I travel a lot. I spend most of the time inside hotel rooms going over contracts and statements for each of our offices. My mother thought that it would be good for me to get an idea of what I would become responsible for when she decides to stand down from the presidency. I’m more of the errand boy at this moment than an executive.”
“You must have been studying business for quite some time though, and all those other things you needed to know,” Sakura tried to sound knowledgeable about his area of work, but couldn’t actually imagine what he had to have gone through to earn such a place in his world.
She was barely finishing her bachelor’s degree in college this semester, hoping to find a job on a hospital. She had decided to become a nurse, specializing in the pediatrics. She didn’t know yet if she wanted to work with newborns in the special wing or with older children.
She felt light years away from Syaoran’s own world that revolved around numbers and management.
They fell into even ground, comparing the different lifestyles they had passed as their studies had differed. Each was amazed at the things that they’d had to overcome to get into their chosen fields.
“I think it suits you,” Syaoran said in the end, their plates steaming a bit as they dove into the food. They were starving surprisingly. Their talk had stimulated their hunger.
“What does?” Sakura could feel her mouth watering as she led the first fork of food into it. She didn’t realize how hungry she’d been until she had tasted it.
“Working with little kids,” Syaoran explained. They had begun eating, but the conversation hadn’t stopped or become interrupted by the fact. They were still enraptured by their curiosity to one another. “You have this softness, lightness about you.” His brows furrowed as he searched for words to describe the peace that filled him while in her company. She was a delight to be around.
“Thank you,” she sincerely replied. “I think that you’re suited to the business world.”
“I sometimes don’t think so,” he muttered under his breath. He saw the questioning glance Sakura shot his way and he decided to elaborate on his response. “I doubt myself too much to feel comfortable with decisions that I make, and I sometimes have trouble dealing with others. I don’t play well with others.”
“That can’t be true,” she winked as she outstretched her hand and let her fingers drum lightly over his knuckles. “You’re playing well tonight.”
Syaoran smiled, a light chuckle coming from him as he understood her meaning. “I’m not usually this relaxed with others, unless they’re family.”
“It’s good to know that you feel comfortable with me,” Sakura waited until she’d finished most of the items on her plate before continuing. “You’re really a good blind date.” She lowered her voice, as if about to reveal some very important information. “I usually avoid those like the plague.”
“Now, I don’t believe that you have to be set up with guys,” Syaoran shook his head as he leaned forward as well. “You’re beautiful,” his cheeks tinted lightly over the comment, his breathing quickening. He couldn’t actually believe he had said those words aloud. “You’re entertaining and honest, the guys must be throwing themselves in your way.”
“You’d be surprised,” Sakura said in response to that comment as she took the last bite of her plate. She was full and replete. She’d actually been able to eat the whole thing. They managed to fit so much food into one plate that it was a waste how much managed to stay uneaten.
“You must be picky when it comes to it then,” Syaoran actually felt comfortable enough to banter with her. With any other girl his confidence for such familiarity would be way bellow zero.
“No,” Sakura moved her head from side to side. “I just keep picking the wrong ones.”
They burst into laughter as she recounted one such experience that had clearly shown her propensity to make wrong decisions. Sakura was amazed at the fact that she’d just told such an embarrassing account of her private life to someone she’d just met and was able to actually laugh at herself and enjoying it.
“This has been wonderful,” she noted as she brought her champagne flute to his own and clinked the glasses. They drank to the wonderful evening, the strings of a slow song coming through. Sometime during the night, while the couple had been conversing, other instruments and their players had been added to the lonesome piano melody.
Sakura’s eyes lingered over the couples that had stepped into the dance floor. They were of different ages, different backgrounds, different ethnicities. Yet, they all moved to the same rhythm in the same manner, wrapped in their partner’s arms.
Syaoran stood, extending his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to,” Sakura gave him her hand, following him to the side of the dance floor and slipping into his arms. It was not the first time he had touched her tonight, but it was in a different context altogether.
His hand to her waist brought her closer to him, her thighs touching intimately with his own. The fabric of her dress brushed and tantalized her as each contact made her giddy. Her hands were around his neck, her fingers enlaced around his neck, her arms resting against his shoulders.
The melodies drifted, the rhythm the same while time speed by. They whispered and talked inconsequential things to each other’s ears. Earning chuckles and light pressures from their bodies as they became comfortable with the contact.
He walked her to the table, the wallet/bill in the middle of the table. Their plates had been cleared, and pieces of heart shaped chocolates lay to the side, inviting with their dark hues.
Sakura looked around, noticing that most of the table had the same plate. “It must be complementary for Valentine’s Day.” She said to Syaoran as she picked her piece.
She licked her lips before taking a bite of the confection. She moaned as the sensual delight melted against her tongue. Sakura closed her eyes, trying to appreciate each nuance of what she had just tasted.
Syaoran’s gaze was riveted to the scene. His eyes didn’t miss the way her throat contracted as she swallowed her first bite. He was able to observe the tip of her tongue reach to the remaining piece on her fingers and enveloping it. The chocolate disappeared into her mouth, the previous show repeated with the same delight.
Sakura swiped a bit of the material that had melted on her fingers, realizing what she’d just done when she opened her eyes. “I’m a bit of a chocoholic,” she explained as she slipped her hands from view and bellow the table.
“Here,” he moved the plate near her side, the other heart of chocolate glimmering under the light.
“But that’s your piece,” she protested, her eyes still riveted by the chocolate.
“I don’t mind,” Syaoran pushed it a bit more, letting it settle right before her. “Really.”
Sakura didn’t need to be told twice. She picked up the piece, her expression changing for a second as she broke the chocolate into two pieces. “Here,” she said as she slipped one part into her mouth and offered the other to her companion.
She might be addicted to the substance, but she still had manners. Plus, this was something to be shared and enjoyed with someone. Confidence filled her, mischievousness coming in as she leaned forward and used her own hand to place the piece into his mouth.
She shivered as his lips brushed her fingers as he accepted her offering. A low hum reverted through her. They were entranced, their eyes melting and smoldering as the intimacy of the action enveloped them. Syaoran gripped her outstretched hand with his, their fingers interlacing.
“Thank you,” to what, they didn’t know, but it was a given that something tremendous had just happened.
“It’s close to midnight, I should be getting home,” Sakura announced as Syaoran commented on the time. Most of the tables were empty, a few stragglers still talking and sipping their drinks as the workers started to straighten the empty tables.
Sakura waited, her coat placed over her dress, while Syaoran paid. They walked to the door, pausing to watch as snow came from the dark sky.
“I’ll drive you home,” Syaoran offered as they walked to where he had parked his vehicle. “I wanted to rent something, but Eriol offered me the use of his car.” The way home was made in silence, the music from the radio filling it.
They were at her house in a short time. It hadn’t been enough time to actually appreciate the trip. At least, that’s how it felt to Syaoran as he followed Sakura to her door.
Sakura turned to her date, her keys on the door, ready to turn. “I had a wonderful time.” She offered as the cold started seeping in through her coat. It had to be close to zero. At least the snow shower had been brief for now.
“Me too,” Syaoran replied. His fingers touched her cheek, her cold skin warming against them. He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers.
It was short, it was sweet, and it was unexpected. It wasn’t enough.
Sakura took the lapels of his coat and pulled him down to her. It was a much satisfying and wonderful experience the second time around.
“Can we do something tomorrow?” Syaoran asked as they separated. He knew his time for the day was almost done, but he loathed to have to part his company.
“I’d love to,” Sakura replied as she placed a goodnight kiss on his cheek. She slipped into her home to the warmed air, her circulation screaming as it speed over her body. She smiled, pressing the tips of her fingers meaningfully against his coat pocket and closed the door.
Syaoran was grinning. He was sure he looked like an idiot, but he didn’t care. He hurried to the car, welcoming the warmth and comfort it offered. His hand went to the pocket she had touched just a few moments before, finding a card with her name and contact information. She’d also written her cell phone number with a pen on the back.
He shifted slightly, noticing the bulk on the other side of his coat. A flash came to his mind, as he recalled what it was. He hit his forehead against the steering wheel as he brought the box out.
He’d been late to his meeting because he’d wondered into a jewelry department in one of the malls and had bought a present for his ‘date’. It wasn’t anything special, but he’d completely forgotten it when he’d bumped into Sakura at the restaurant.
Syaoran groaned as he fingered the small bow that adorned to lid. He could either take it with him and give it to her tomorrow, or he could drag himself to her door once again.
He turned off the engine, opened the door, closed it and walked to his destination. He knocked on the door, and rang the bell for good measure.
“What is it?” She asked as soon as she opened the door. Sakura looked questionably to him as he just stood there.
“I forgot to give you this,” he said after he cleared his throat. He extended the box, a light tremble in his hands. “I bought it this afternoon and completely forgot about it during dinner.”
“Thank you,” Sakura opened the lid, seeing the earrings. They were small butterflies, a small diamond in the middle, wings sprouting as the different lights changed the colors that she could see. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Syaoran placed his hands inside his coat pockets, her card against his hand. He stiffened as she leaned to him and placed a light kiss against his jaw. “It’s beautiful.”
He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. She fell into him, his arms going around her immediately. She burrowed into his arms, her face against his chest. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”
Syaoran smiled radiantly as she pulled him into her home. He nodded, his hand clasped in hers as the door closed and the cold weather was forgotten as she led the way inside.
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END
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Hopefully you all liked it ‘till the end. This is part 1 of 4.
MS
Summary: How Sakura let herself be talked into a blind date, she has no idea. And on Valentine’s Day no less. Still, Tomoyo would owe her a favor. All she had to do was keep Eriol’s friend entertained for a few hours and then go home to her bowl of ice-cream and cheesy movies. She didn’t count on his very deep amber eyes. Love at first sight it wasn’t, but clearly something was fluttering the butterflies in her stomach.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the card captor characters, everything else is mine.
Leading the Blind
Chapter 1 : Meeting
"Please," Sakura took the handheld device from her eardrums, a light headache spreading over her temples. She rubbed one with her free hand, closing her eyes. "It's only going to be a few hours."
"You know I don't do well in blind dates," Sakura reminded her, hearing a scoff from Tomoyo.
"Don't I know it," her friend muttered before selling her point upright. It seemed that her friend was serious about this.
"All you need to do is keep him company for a few hours," Tomoyo explained as she felt her friend starting to cave in. It didn't matter. She'd been planning for this special holiday for two months now. She had a right to spend Valentine's Day with her fiancée. Especially since she hadn't seen hair or breath of him for the past three weeks because of schedule conflicts. It sometimes sucked when the man of your life took for parts unknown because of business reasons.
"It's Valentine's Day Tomoyo," was all that Sakura managed to say. It all seemed to make sense in her own head.
"I know for a fact that you have no plans," she tooted when she heard Sakura try to give a response to the jibe. "And sitting on your couch, eating gallons of ice cream from the box while you marathon those movies of yours is not a plan."
A silence settled. Tomoyo wondered if Sakura had set the phone down on the table and went to prepare herself something to eat. "Sakura," she called, a bit of desperation in her tone. "Are you listening to me?"
"Yes," Sakura sighed heavily into the phone, her head against the table, her hair falling all over her face.
"I'll do you three favors for this," Tomoyo offered, going to her last card.
"You must be really desperate," Sakura said before agreeing. She winced as the words left her lips. It was going to be another one of those Valentine’s Days. Every one of them had been a disaster for her. She had wished to have been placed on a coma for the whole week leading to it.
"Fine," Sakura cut into her friend's gratitude speech. "You'll owe me for this."
"It'll be fine Sakura," Tomoyo reassured her, a light laugh emanating from the receiver. It looked like Tomoyo was back to her usual bubbly self. It was always like this when her friend got in her own way.
"Is there anything you can tell me about the guy?" Sakura asked as she went to her kitchen and poured a fresh cup of coffee. The temperatures were so erratic during this time of the year that every little bit of warmth helped stave off the cold.
"I know that he's Eriol's cousin," Tomoyo paused. "More like a distant relation though, through Eriol's father's side."
"Did you already make the plans for what I'll be doing?"
"I pulled some strings to get a reservation to that Spanish place you love so much," Tomoyo supplied. "So, if it turns into a bust, you can at least eat like you usually do and scare him off."
Tomoyo laughed as Sakura launched into a tirade. She was so sensitive to the fact since her brother had tormented her all through school that she ate like a monster. It hadn't helped that Sakura had decided to act like the monster to further aggravate her big brother. At least Touya had mellowed somewhat.
"Anyway," Tomoyo decided to follow up with their original discussion. "I met him today and I have to say that he's great eye candy."
"He’s one of those gorgeous guys?" Sakura couldn't help but let a bit of disgust and horror enter her tone. She had some experience with those guys that believed they owned the world because they were pretty to look at.
"He's not like that," Tomoyo amended. "I spent a few hours in his company and I got to say that he has those gentlemanly qualities that Eriol possesses. It's as if he's from a different species from those slobs and extroverts you use to date."
"Hey," Sakura protested, knowing full well that it was the truth. Still, she didn't need her friend to remind her each day of her life that she didn't exactly pick the best of the litter. She had no zero sense when it came to choosing guys.
"He's actually kind of shy," that little detail sparked Sakura's curiosity.
"How old is he?"
"Around our age," Tomoyo picked up on her friend's enunciation of the words. In spite of herself, Sakura seemed to be picking some interest into her mystery date. "Just wait 'till you see him. You're not going to know what hit you."
"Wait a minute," Sakura stopped Tomoyo's commentary. "You're not seriously setting me up, are you?"
A sense of dread spread through her body as silence greeted her question. "Tomoyo?" She was a bit alarmed.
"Don't worry your pretty green eyes and gorgeous hair over it," was all that Tomoyo decided to say before giving her friend all of the details of the reservation and the time. "I really appreciate this Sakura. I really didn't want to cancel my 'date' with Eriol because his relation is visiting us."
And that's how Sakura had found herself in this situation. So, here she was in a new party dress, her best coat, and shivering toes before the restaurant.
She slipped out of the taxi, handing her payment to the driver before slipping into the warm restaurant. The temperature had plummeted to the very low double digits. She didn’t know what had possessed her to wear those heels. It was the dress; there was nothing else that she could wear with it that would look as good.
Snow had also been forecasted for the night, so she had a very slippery driveway with more than an inch of snow to shovel. At least now she had a home to shovel snow out of. The good news was that it was a Friday night, and she could sleep in the next day.
"May I help you?" the ever helpful maitre’d asked as she entered the second set of doors of the restaurant.
"Yes," Sakura glanced at her watch; biting her lip as she saw she was around three minutes late. She hated to be late. It created an impression that was hard to break for an unknown individual. "I have some reservations for tonight, but I don't know if my companion has arrived yet."
She silently prayed for him to be. She didn't want to be perceived as a rude and inconsiderate companion. That's what she was tonight. She was the escort of the guy while her friend got to play 'hot bunny' with her estranged fiancée.
"May I have the name that the reservation is under?" the man politely asked as he moved to the book of reservations.
Sakura bit her lip as she raked her brain. She was sure she wouldn't forget the name that Tomoyo had told her. She was brought out of her reverie as she stumbled.
"I'm sorry," a man's voice came from behind as his hand caught hers in an attempt to stabilize her. She turned to reassure him, catching the coat he had just taken off. Snow flurries were present all around the shoulders, contrasting against the dark shade of the very warmth material.
She looked up, her breath caught as she saw his face.
"I was running a bit late and didn‘t look to where I was going," he looked to his watch, grimacing as he realized how much time he was lagging behind. He just hoped his 'date', and he used the term loosely, wasn't one of those women that expected to be waited on hand and foot. By the impression he'd gotten from Eriol's and Tomoyo's description, she seemed nice enough to spend a few hours with.
If only he hadn't impulsively decided to visit his cousin when he'd finished his dealings in the country, then he wouldn't be placed in this situation. He'd tried to dissuade the pair from making plans for him for the night since they'd obviously been planning to spend the day together. Syaoran would have spent the night in his hotel room, looking over contracts he needed to peruse before resigning himself to an early night.
It wasn't like he had a life. Or something/someone to command his attention while he spent the three days in this city. He wasn’t exactly socially to warrant numerous friends.
He finally let his eyes fall onto the woman he had bumped into while taking off his coat. She had green eyes. That was the only thing that was processing inside his mind. He felt as if he'd just been punched hard in his stomach, breathless as she offered a kind smile.
"Don't worry about it," Sakura said once again, her mind trying to shift gears to the problem at hand.
"It's under Li," she told the very quiet and refined maitre’d. "Syaoran Li."
"Its right here ma-am," he responded. "And your party still hasn't arrived." Sakura let out a breath of relief. "Do you wish to be taken to your table, or would you like to wait?"
"Might as well get seated," she responded, handing her coat to the awaiting woman by the doorway.
"And you sir?"
"I believe I'm the party she's waiting for," Syaoran extended his hand. "I'm Syaoran Li, Eriol's cousin."
“Very well,” the maitre’d signaled for one of the waiting waiters and instructed him to the table they were to be shown to.
“This way,” the waiter led the couple as they entered the low atmosphere, piano melodies filling the background.
“Will this be alright?” He asked as Sakura walked to her chair, Syaoran helping her as she sat down. They smiled to the waiter, while clearing their throats.
“Yes thank you,” Sakura replied. They were handed the menus, a pen and pad ready to take orders.
“I’ll just have some water at the moment,” Syaoran responded to the waiter’s question as his eyes perused the listings. He gave an inquiring look to Sakura who nodded as well.
“I’ll be just a moment,” silence reigned as the waiter parted. Sakura subtly glanced over the rim of the menu, her eyes absorbing Syaoran’s body language. Syaoran was sure his eyes were bleeding. He’d stared at the same page and same paragraph for the past ten minutes. He’d looked up once, finding his ‘date’ studying him diligently.
He wanted to do it as well. Still, it was a bit embarrassing to find yourself the subject of such a throughout glance. He tilted his head, his eyes coming from the blurring words to the other side of the table.
He looked down to the menu again. He cursed silently; he could feel the light warmth that was spreading over his cheeks. He was cursed with the affliction. Any little thing made him blush like mad. Especially with the opposite sex.
He knew he wasn’t one of those smooth operators that would capture and enrapture that attention of a woman, but he also knew that he wasn’t bad to look at. There had been enough girls in his life that had flirted outrageously while in his presence to know that he was considered somewhat attractive by the opposite sex.
“So, what brings you to our city?” Sakura asked as the waiter retired with their orders and their menus. She’d also asked for a bottle of champagne. It had been quite a while since she’d drunk it and it was a good day as any to have the blissful drink.
“I was in the country dealing with one of my family’s business’ branches,” Syaoran elaborated as he took a sip of the water he’d been given. “I decided to spend some days with my cousin, since we haven’t been able to see each other for quite a while.” The words flew out effortlessly.
“You picked a great time in the year to do so,” Sakura chuckled. “Right smack in Valentine’s Day and in the middle of our snowstorm season.”
Syaoran blushed at the jab for his forgetting the time of the year. Still, since he didn’t have anyone special in his life, he felt justified to not pay attention to the day. “I’ve been kind of busy with my business.”
Sakura knew right then and there that this man had the word workaholic engraved in his soul. He was a nice guy to converse with though.
“So, what do you do?” Sakura couldn’t help but let the curiosity emerge. If Tomoyo was correct, then Syaoran should be around 22 years of age, or that range. How did someone so young seem so mature and responsible? He had the air of the president of a company than anything else.
In comfortable territory, Syaoran proceeded to tell the young woman just what his job entailed. His speech was looser and comfortable since the subject was one he felt confident about. It was talking about himself in personal touches that truly started to make him sweat.
“How is it that you don’t have a significant other?” Sakura blushed at the intrusive question. She averted her eyes to her napkin, making sure that he couldn’t see the embarrassing lines all over her face. “I‘m sorry, I didn‘t mean to pry. It‘s just that by what Tomoyo told me, it seemed to be that you aren‘t involved with anyone?”
She couldn’t believe she’d been able to string all those words together when her tongue felt glued to the roof of her mouth. She braced herself before lifting her gaze to her very silent companion. There were remnants of a smile left on his lips as he drank his water.
“She’s right,” Syaoran let out a deep breath before delving into that part of his life. It must be the way she looked at him. He felt as if he could say anything to her, and she would understand what he was actually saying or talking about. “I mainly deal with all of the international aspects of the company, so I travel a lot. I spend most of the time inside hotel rooms going over contracts and statements for each of our offices. My mother thought that it would be good for me to get an idea of what I would become responsible for when she decides to stand down from the presidency. I’m more of the errand boy at this moment than an executive.”
“You must have been studying business for quite some time though, and all those other things you needed to know,” Sakura tried to sound knowledgeable about his area of work, but couldn’t actually imagine what he had to have gone through to earn such a place in his world.
She was barely finishing her bachelor’s degree in college this semester, hoping to find a job on a hospital. She had decided to become a nurse, specializing in the pediatrics. She didn’t know yet if she wanted to work with newborns in the special wing or with older children.
She felt light years away from Syaoran’s own world that revolved around numbers and management.
They fell into even ground, comparing the different lifestyles they had passed as their studies had differed. Each was amazed at the things that they’d had to overcome to get into their chosen fields.
“I think it suits you,” Syaoran said in the end, their plates steaming a bit as they dove into the food. They were starving surprisingly. Their talk had stimulated their hunger.
“What does?” Sakura could feel her mouth watering as she led the first fork of food into it. She didn’t realize how hungry she’d been until she had tasted it.
“Working with little kids,” Syaoran explained. They had begun eating, but the conversation hadn’t stopped or become interrupted by the fact. They were still enraptured by their curiosity to one another. “You have this softness, lightness about you.” His brows furrowed as he searched for words to describe the peace that filled him while in her company. She was a delight to be around.
“Thank you,” she sincerely replied. “I think that you’re suited to the business world.”
“I sometimes don’t think so,” he muttered under his breath. He saw the questioning glance Sakura shot his way and he decided to elaborate on his response. “I doubt myself too much to feel comfortable with decisions that I make, and I sometimes have trouble dealing with others. I don’t play well with others.”
“That can’t be true,” she winked as she outstretched her hand and let her fingers drum lightly over his knuckles. “You’re playing well tonight.”
Syaoran smiled, a light chuckle coming from him as he understood her meaning. “I’m not usually this relaxed with others, unless they’re family.”
“It’s good to know that you feel comfortable with me,” Sakura waited until she’d finished most of the items on her plate before continuing. “You’re really a good blind date.” She lowered her voice, as if about to reveal some very important information. “I usually avoid those like the plague.”
“Now, I don’t believe that you have to be set up with guys,” Syaoran shook his head as he leaned forward as well. “You’re beautiful,” his cheeks tinted lightly over the comment, his breathing quickening. He couldn’t actually believe he had said those words aloud. “You’re entertaining and honest, the guys must be throwing themselves in your way.”
“You’d be surprised,” Sakura said in response to that comment as she took the last bite of her plate. She was full and replete. She’d actually been able to eat the whole thing. They managed to fit so much food into one plate that it was a waste how much managed to stay uneaten.
“You must be picky when it comes to it then,” Syaoran actually felt comfortable enough to banter with her. With any other girl his confidence for such familiarity would be way bellow zero.
“No,” Sakura moved her head from side to side. “I just keep picking the wrong ones.”
They burst into laughter as she recounted one such experience that had clearly shown her propensity to make wrong decisions. Sakura was amazed at the fact that she’d just told such an embarrassing account of her private life to someone she’d just met and was able to actually laugh at herself and enjoying it.
“This has been wonderful,” she noted as she brought her champagne flute to his own and clinked the glasses. They drank to the wonderful evening, the strings of a slow song coming through. Sometime during the night, while the couple had been conversing, other instruments and their players had been added to the lonesome piano melody.
Sakura’s eyes lingered over the couples that had stepped into the dance floor. They were of different ages, different backgrounds, different ethnicities. Yet, they all moved to the same rhythm in the same manner, wrapped in their partner’s arms.
Syaoran stood, extending his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to,” Sakura gave him her hand, following him to the side of the dance floor and slipping into his arms. It was not the first time he had touched her tonight, but it was in a different context altogether.
His hand to her waist brought her closer to him, her thighs touching intimately with his own. The fabric of her dress brushed and tantalized her as each contact made her giddy. Her hands were around his neck, her fingers enlaced around his neck, her arms resting against his shoulders.
The melodies drifted, the rhythm the same while time speed by. They whispered and talked inconsequential things to each other’s ears. Earning chuckles and light pressures from their bodies as they became comfortable with the contact.
He walked her to the table, the wallet/bill in the middle of the table. Their plates had been cleared, and pieces of heart shaped chocolates lay to the side, inviting with their dark hues.
Sakura looked around, noticing that most of the table had the same plate. “It must be complementary for Valentine’s Day.” She said to Syaoran as she picked her piece.
She licked her lips before taking a bite of the confection. She moaned as the sensual delight melted against her tongue. Sakura closed her eyes, trying to appreciate each nuance of what she had just tasted.
Syaoran’s gaze was riveted to the scene. His eyes didn’t miss the way her throat contracted as she swallowed her first bite. He was able to observe the tip of her tongue reach to the remaining piece on her fingers and enveloping it. The chocolate disappeared into her mouth, the previous show repeated with the same delight.
Sakura swiped a bit of the material that had melted on her fingers, realizing what she’d just done when she opened her eyes. “I’m a bit of a chocoholic,” she explained as she slipped her hands from view and bellow the table.
“Here,” he moved the plate near her side, the other heart of chocolate glimmering under the light.
“But that’s your piece,” she protested, her eyes still riveted by the chocolate.
“I don’t mind,” Syaoran pushed it a bit more, letting it settle right before her. “Really.”
Sakura didn’t need to be told twice. She picked up the piece, her expression changing for a second as she broke the chocolate into two pieces. “Here,” she said as she slipped one part into her mouth and offered the other to her companion.
She might be addicted to the substance, but she still had manners. Plus, this was something to be shared and enjoyed with someone. Confidence filled her, mischievousness coming in as she leaned forward and used her own hand to place the piece into his mouth.
She shivered as his lips brushed her fingers as he accepted her offering. A low hum reverted through her. They were entranced, their eyes melting and smoldering as the intimacy of the action enveloped them. Syaoran gripped her outstretched hand with his, their fingers interlacing.
“Thank you,” to what, they didn’t know, but it was a given that something tremendous had just happened.
“It’s close to midnight, I should be getting home,” Sakura announced as Syaoran commented on the time. Most of the tables were empty, a few stragglers still talking and sipping their drinks as the workers started to straighten the empty tables.
Sakura waited, her coat placed over her dress, while Syaoran paid. They walked to the door, pausing to watch as snow came from the dark sky.
“I’ll drive you home,” Syaoran offered as they walked to where he had parked his vehicle. “I wanted to rent something, but Eriol offered me the use of his car.” The way home was made in silence, the music from the radio filling it.
They were at her house in a short time. It hadn’t been enough time to actually appreciate the trip. At least, that’s how it felt to Syaoran as he followed Sakura to her door.
Sakura turned to her date, her keys on the door, ready to turn. “I had a wonderful time.” She offered as the cold started seeping in through her coat. It had to be close to zero. At least the snow shower had been brief for now.
“Me too,” Syaoran replied. His fingers touched her cheek, her cold skin warming against them. He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers.
It was short, it was sweet, and it was unexpected. It wasn’t enough.
Sakura took the lapels of his coat and pulled him down to her. It was a much satisfying and wonderful experience the second time around.
“Can we do something tomorrow?” Syaoran asked as they separated. He knew his time for the day was almost done, but he loathed to have to part his company.
“I’d love to,” Sakura replied as she placed a goodnight kiss on his cheek. She slipped into her home to the warmed air, her circulation screaming as it speed over her body. She smiled, pressing the tips of her fingers meaningfully against his coat pocket and closed the door.
Syaoran was grinning. He was sure he looked like an idiot, but he didn’t care. He hurried to the car, welcoming the warmth and comfort it offered. His hand went to the pocket she had touched just a few moments before, finding a card with her name and contact information. She’d also written her cell phone number with a pen on the back.
He shifted slightly, noticing the bulk on the other side of his coat. A flash came to his mind, as he recalled what it was. He hit his forehead against the steering wheel as he brought the box out.
He’d been late to his meeting because he’d wondered into a jewelry department in one of the malls and had bought a present for his ‘date’. It wasn’t anything special, but he’d completely forgotten it when he’d bumped into Sakura at the restaurant.
Syaoran groaned as he fingered the small bow that adorned to lid. He could either take it with him and give it to her tomorrow, or he could drag himself to her door once again.
He turned off the engine, opened the door, closed it and walked to his destination. He knocked on the door, and rang the bell for good measure.
“What is it?” She asked as soon as she opened the door. Sakura looked questionably to him as he just stood there.
“I forgot to give you this,” he said after he cleared his throat. He extended the box, a light tremble in his hands. “I bought it this afternoon and completely forgot about it during dinner.”
“Thank you,” Sakura opened the lid, seeing the earrings. They were small butterflies, a small diamond in the middle, wings sprouting as the different lights changed the colors that she could see. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Syaoran placed his hands inside his coat pockets, her card against his hand. He stiffened as she leaned to him and placed a light kiss against his jaw. “It’s beautiful.”
He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. She fell into him, his arms going around her immediately. She burrowed into his arms, her face against his chest. “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”
Syaoran smiled radiantly as she pulled him into her home. He nodded, his hand clasped in hers as the door closed and the cold weather was forgotten as she led the way inside.
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END
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Hopefully you all liked it ‘till the end. This is part 1 of 4.
MS