Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Prince Charming ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

Prince Charming

By PrincessxShawn

Chapter Five

 

PRINCE CHARMING

BY

PRINCESSxSHAWN

 

 

CHAPTER FIVE

 

 

SAKURA'S POV

 

The wave of utter shock hit me like someone had swung a bat at my face and I couldn't dodge it in time. Not only had I not noticed Syaoran coming into the shop pretty much every day, but I hadn't noticed him around my building? Man, I didn't realize how unobservant I was! And Syaoran was good looking too! He wasn't some stick in the mud.

I leaned slightly back, at the same time a red liquid filled the air. And the next thing I knew I was falling. The red liquid, Tomoyo's tomato soup that had forcefully sprung from her lips, passed my sight as I fell, the ceiling being the next thing I saw.

“Sakura, are you all right?” Yukito asked as he rushed around the counter. I sat on the ground, stupidly I might add, the pain beginning to swell in my back and legs. I nodded my head.

“Sakura, are you okay?” Tomoyo repeated worriedly. I nodded my head again, accepting Yukito's hand to help me up.

“Thanks Yukito,” I mumbled softly. I couldn't help looking at the doctor. At my sudden movement he had jumped from his seat, leaning slightly as he watched me, a look of worry clouding his eyes. Those sexily dark chocolate eyes. But the realization of his words hit me again.

All this time, Dr. Syaoran Li had lived above me. He had lived in the apartment I had wanted so badly. Now, right here, standing in front of me was my chance. My chance to get my dream house, above my dream bakery, the dreams of my childhood.

“Dr. Li,” I began, “are you telling me all this time you are the one who has been living up there?”

He nodded. “Why? Is there a problem?”

I shook my head, clasping my hands to my heart in a prayer like motion. My voice practically trembled as I spoke, “No but, are you interested in selling?”

Syaoran's entire physique violently changed, a look of anger spread across his lovely face. “No,” he snapped. “Absolutely not.”

And my dreams died. Syaoran moved angrily, collecting his things. “I have to go,” he uttered, turning his back to me and the others as he left his tab on the counter. And there he went. Along with him my dreams of living above my own bakery. Well, at least in this town. His sudden anger, his sudden switch, it had taken be by surprise. A slight anger in me began to brew. He didn't need to get so angry with me. Hell, a simple and calm `no' would have sufficed.

All of a sudden I realized that Syaoran hadn't left. He stood in the doorway, his... wonderful figure filling it. He sighed heavily, running his hand through his thick hair.

He glanced back at me and our eyes met. It took only a second, but there as the regret and sorrow, so clear in his chocolate orbs. And then that second passed and his eyes were concentrating on the ground.

“If your stalker ever comes back,” he muttered as he ran his free hand through his hair again, “then you can stay at my place instead of walking home alone. If I'm not home, there's a key in a fake brick at the bottom of the stairs. Just watch out for my cat, don't let him out.”

I paused, not knowing what to say. It was such a generous offer, but at the same time I was hoping I would never see my stalker again.

“Thank you,” I finally replied. “I'll remember that.” And as if my words had released him, he made his way back down the stairs, not even glancing back.

There was a small beat of silence before Tomoyo couldn't help herself.

“Aw!” she squealed. “Oh Sakura that's so cute!” I blushed softly.

“I don't know what you're talking about Tomoyo,” I mumbled softly, settling back into my seat. Tomoyo had gathered napkins to clean up her tomato soup mess and stood to throw the napkins away.

Yukito laughed. “I don't think I've ever seen either of you that shocked or surprised before!”

Tomoyo and I both blushed softly this time, ashamed at our ridiculous actions.

“Are you sure you're okay?” Tomoyo asked once again. “That seemed like a nasty fall.”

“Oh no, I'm fine.”

Yukito moved back into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a glass of water and a small packet. “Here, that some pain relievers. You'll thank me for it later.”

“Thank you,” I replied, taking the water and packet of pills.

After taking the medicine and chugging the water, I sighed heavily. Despite his kind offer, Syaoran still hadn't been that polite. The small seed of anger from before began to grow within me and I furrowed my brow in response.

Okay fine, maybe he thought I seemed pushy, or begging. But still, that gave him no right to snap at me like he did.

I mean, I was just asking. He practically shouted `Hell no!' at me.

“What's wrong Sakura?” Tomoyo suddenly asked me.

I sighed quickly and angrily. “He could have apologized for being so rude! Hell, he didn't even have to be so rude!”

Tomoyo patted my shoulder softly. “That's true. But at least he offered you to stay. He felt bad for snapping at you. We both saw that.”

Syaoran's face came back to me, all of his delicious features. He was sorry, he had felt guilty. I was being quick to judge...

But he had been quick to anger!

“I don't know Tomoyo,” I frustratingly sighed. “It just bothers me. I just wish, oh I don't know. I just want to talk to him.”

Tomoyo abruptly burst out laughing. I looked at her inquisitively. What the hell did she think was so funny about this?

Tomoyo nudged me with her elbow. “Oh Sakura, you don't want to just talk with him.”

“What? I don't understand Tomoyo.”

But again she simply laughed. Even Yukito was chuckling softly from the kitchen.

“I don't get it. What do you mean?”

“Sakura,” Tomoyo began, “you don't want to just talk with him again. You want to see him again, to touch him, for him to touch you, and for him to look at you with those eyes again.” A ravenous blush covered my face, only causing Tomoyo to laugh harder.

“I - I do not!” I stammered. But Tomoyo had already set the images in my mind in motion. My blush deepened.

I didn't want him to just talk to me. I wanted him to whisper sweet things in my ear.

I didn't want him to just touch me. I wanted him to hold me, to keep me close.

I didn't want him to just look at me. I wanted him to look at me with those gorgeous eyes and never turn away.

 

Aw damn it.

 

“Sakura?”

And suddenly I snapped back into reality, Tomoyo waving her hand in front of my face and Yukito behind the counter, laughing his head off.

“Wha?”

Tomoyo smiled. “Thought we lost you there for a second.”

“Sorry,” I smiled back.

“So, when's the next time you'll talk to the good doctor?” Tomoyo questioned.

I sighed. “Probably tomorrow morning again.”

“Ahh! That's too long from now!”

“But that's the only time he said he comes here to eat. And there isn't a great chance of me running into him tonight.”

“What about lunch?” Yukito asked.

“Well what about it?”

“Well,” Yukito replied, “one of Dr. Li's nurses typically gets lunch from us. Toya or I usually deliver it. But if you want to do it, feel free.”

“Ah-ha!” Tomoyo cheered. “That's it!”

I smiled back at the two. If I took the lunch delivery, I could stop by and say... what would I say? Oh man...

Well, I did have a couple of hours left really until the lunch deliveries would be made. And now I had something very important to decide in my free time. What the hell was I going to say?

 

It had been a dreadfully slow morning in the bakery and eatery. Few regulars had stopped in, leaving everyone little or nothing to do. I made short time of paying the bills and going through all of the expenses. Eriol and Toya even managed to clean most of the kitchen so that we could all go home early that evening, pending a slow dinner crowd.

Tomoyo had long gone, off to do who knows what. I had cleaned, baked, and done everything in my power until I had absolutely nothing left to do.

“Sakura!” came a voice from upstairs. I moved from my place behind the counter and headed up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

Yukito was waiting behind the empty counter for me, a package in his hands. “This is for Nurse Rika at the hospital. She's one of Dr. Li's nurses.”

I smiled and took the package from him. “Thank you for this Yukito.”

Yukito shrugged. “No problem. Besides, now I don't have to go outside in this freezing weather!” He laughed.

And with that laugh, I sighed and went to find my coat and gloves.

 

I had only been in a hospital three times. The first time when I got my tonsils removed, what a pleasant experience that was. The second time was when I had hidden there from my stalker, when I had first met Syaoran. And the third time would be now, as I stood in the busy main lobby of the hospital, completely clueless as to where to go. Doctors, nurses, and patients scurried about, some in a quick, urgent fashion, while others meandered in pain or solitude.

Knowing I'd easily get lost without any sort of guidance, I approached the help desk.

“I have a delivery for a Nurse Rika,” I said politely to the woman sitting before me.

The woman didn't even look away from her computer screen. “Fourth floor.”

“Thank you...” I scurried away, in search for the elevators. It didn't take me long to find my way up to the fourth floor.

The waiting room that greeted me as the elevator doors opened was spacious. Chairs were scattered about, a counter with a window covered the far wall. A single door with a keypad kept the rest of the office a mystery.

I approached the woman in the small cubicle nervously. “Um, excuse me. I have a delivery for Nurse Rika.”

“Oh that must be our food,” the woman smiled happily. Her name tag read Chiharu. “You can take it straight back actually. Here,” she pushed a button on her desk and the door made a loud clunking sound. “Now just go through that door. Take the second left, then a right, and on your left hand side will be a conference room. You can leave the food in there. There is a refrigerator where you can leave it.”

“Thank you,” I relied, reaching for the door. I pulled it open and stepped through, letting it fall heavily behind me.

Damn.

Now I knew that the hospital was supposedly the biggest hospital for miles, but never did I imagine it being as big as it was. Or as complex either. The hallway I had stepped into was gargantuan, so tall and wide that an elephant could easily make its way through comfortably. The hall stretched out to my left, doors lining it left and right. Ay at the end of the hall was a turn, and I could only assume more doors were there as well. And to my right was another hallway with more doors. Straight in front of me was a shorter hallway, with nurses going back and forth. Just next to where the wall continued sat another waiting area. Plush seats sat comfortably about and a muted TV was strapped to the wall, the national twenty-four hour news being broadcasted. Four people sat in the chairs, two watching the TV while the others read magazines.

Now let's see, second left. Okay. I glanced to my left, down the longest hall. Technically this would be the first left.

I continued forward, through the hallway that sat in front of me. This area was much busier than the other two, nurses going to and for through multiple doors, some with papers and charts, others leading patients.

Finally I reached another branch in the hallways, a single new hall to my left. The second left. I turned and followed down this new corridor. The corridor turned to the right and I continued on. The sounds of the nurses and patients began to fade and soon I didn't see or hear anyone. Being in such a big hospital, all alone, made me slightly nervous. Okay, maybe really nervous. I quickened my pace.

And there to my left was the conference room. The walls were composed of glass windows, allowing one to look into the room. A large, long table sat in the middle of the room, chairs surrounding it. A counter with a coffee maker sat tucked away in the corner, a fridge beside it. The room was darkened, just the hall light filtering into the windowless room.

The door was slightly ajar and I poked my head into the conference room. There was the faint smell of coffee wafting through the air. I entered the room and made my way to the fridge. I opened it and grinned.

The fridge was scarcely stocked, only a few bags and lunches nestled inside. I took my delivery and sat it in one of the many open spaces.

 

Creak.

 

Creak? Did I just hear something creak? My hairs stood, my heart pounded, and my nerves screamed.

Something was wrong.

And whatever it was, it had to do with that creak.

I straightened, slowly turning back toward the door. My breath caught in my throat.

A large man stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the hall lights. He had a decent sized build, around six feet high... maybe. He vaguely looked like Dr. Li, and I prayed that it was him. There were no other features I could make out because of the lack of light.

Except one.

In his hand dangled a long piece of rope. It gently touched the floor, casting a long shadow upon the floor.

“Sakura...” the man whispered. That voice... I didn't know that voice. The chances of it being someone I knew... the chances of it being Syaoran... those chances shattered.

This man was someone who knew me. Someone... someone who had rope with them... how did they know I was here? Unless...

Unless they had followed me.

Unless they had stalked me.

 

Holy Mary mother of God.

 

The figure took a step forward. I tried to step back, but the counter was already digging into my back. There had to be somewhere I could go. But I feared that if I moved my eyes off of his form, something would happen. Something bad would happen.

Moving away from the counter, I took a step toward the other side of the table, the farthest side from the man. The figure took another step. I took another step.

I quickly glanced to my side.

Abruptly, the figure flung forward, toward me.

At the man's sudden movement I bolted, my eyes solely on the other door of the conference room, the only other exit. I grabbed the doorknob, turning it just as I threw my weight on the door. The door flew open, my body flying outwards with it. For one sickening moment I thought I would fall, but my feet managed to find the ground, and I continued on. Without looking behind me I sprinted down the hall. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. All I knew was I had to run.

The footsteps continued behind me. I couldn't bring myself to look. I just continued, pushing my strained body to keep running, the adrenaline rushing through me.

Suddenly, a door to my left opened. As I reached it, I turned, smacking right into the person coming out. A strong arm went around my waist, trying to steady us. But alas, we both fell, collapsing on to the ground on top of one another.

“What the -” came a familiar voice. I looked to the person lying there, half on top of me, his arm protectively around my waist, and I couldn't help but gasp in surprise and happiness.

Dr. Syaoran Li.

Syaoran looked down at my sprawled figure, surprise and confusion clouding his face.

“Ms. Sakura, what are you doing here? What's wrong?”

My voice shook. “I was delivering lunch. I dropped it off in the conference room.” I pointed back out the door for emphasis. “Someone... someone with a rope... they followed me here and... they chased me...” I couldn't continue. I couldn't speak anymore. Tears had begun to well at the sides of my eyelids and I tried to blink them away. I turned my face away from Syaoran, focusing on the floor as I tried to keep the tears at bay.

“What!? Are you okay?” Syaoran asked. He offered me his hand, helping me to stand. He left his one arm around my waist, but I didn't mind. Numbly, I nodded my head in response. Syaoran let go of my waist and moved toward the door, looking out in both directions.

“No one's there. But I'll put out an alert for a suspicious person.” Syaoran moved from the doorway back to a large desk.

Suddenly I realized where I was. This must be Syaoran's office. Papers were stacked on the desk, a small lap providing light. The desk turned and ran along the wall, a computer and more papers littered there. Behind the desk were several large bookcases, stacked with books of all sizes. Even a few plants hung from the shelves.

I continued to look around, subduing my tears and my nerves, as Syaoran spoke quickly to someone through his desk phone.

“Someone came after a friend of mine. Put out an alert for a suspicious person. Sakura, was it a patient?” I thought for a moment before shaking my head. “No no, not a patient. Probably a visitor. Look for someone who is out of place, or someone who doesn't have anyone staying in the hospital. Call me if you find anything.”

I was admiring Syaoran's many degrees hanging neatly on the wall as he hung up the phone, almost forcefully. He came up behind me and I turned to face him.

“Are you sure you're okay?” he asked softly, concern clear in his face, his voice, his body.

My voice was still shaking, my knees still knocking, my hands still unsteady. I had managed to stop the tears, but nothing else would listen to the orders my mind was sending.

As if accepting my silence as an answer, Syaoran sighed in a frustrated manner, running his hand through his hair. Swiftly he moved and shut his office door. Turning back to me, he hesitated, as if he was unsure of what he should do.

And then he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close to him, my head nestled now into his chest. His hands rested on the small of my back. I gasped in surprise and suddenly he began to pull away. But I grabbed his white coat, keeping my head in his chest. The tears began to come again, flowing swiftly down my cheeks. Syaoran put his arms back around me, resting his own head on top of mine.

We stood there, just the two of us and my tears, in silence.

Once again, he had saved me. Once again, he had been my knight in shining armor. No, that was too cliché. And Syaoran was no knight. No, once again, he had been my heroic prince charming.

 

-

-

-

-

-

CONTINUED

 

Author's Note: Well hello everyone! Long time no talk! I'm sure many of you thought this fanfic was dead. But alas! Here I am, back again, with a diploma with honors and months of free time. And what does that equal out to? More chapters for you all! So enjoy this one! It's the second longest chapter so far (which is weird because when I wrote it in my notebook, it was the longest (This chapter was fifteen written pages, but only six typed pages). I guess my handwriting just got bigger). So make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the next chapter. Oh and make sure to stop by my profile for up-to-date news on all of my stories and my poll. Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you now and in the future!

 

 

 

Written: June 2009 - June 28th, 2009 Typed: June 28th, 2009