Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Roommates ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Kitty Neko: Hiya Minna! How is everyone? I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while but school started up again and along with it, after school tennis practice. It's a drag, but at least I'm in shape, right? (That's what I keep telling myself, so play along). I also want to thank everyone for all of the reviews! You guys are great! Sniff.

Ok, well in this chapter, the plot thickens! I hope you guys like it! Ja!

Disclaimer: I do not own CardCaptor Sakura.

Sakura groaned loudly at the sound of the telephone. Syaoran was taking a shower so she would have to get it. Slowly, she grabbed the remote and pressed pause on her movie before peeling herself off the sofa. She was kind of hoping that whoever was calling would give up. No such luck.

On the fifth ring, Sakura answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Yes, is Syaoran there?"

Sakura yawned and nodded at the same time. She knew that the girl on the phone couldn't see her but she didn't care, it wasn't her problem. "Yea, but he's unavailable at the moment. Can I take a message?"

Sakura heard her sigh and make a frustrated growl. "Yes, just tell him that Meiko called." And with that, she hung up.

"Maybe I will, maybe I won't." Sakura put the phone back in the cradle and dragged her feet back to the sofa. She was so tired and her arms were sore.

As soon as her bottom made contact with the sofa the phone rang again. It was probably that Meiko girl again. Whoever the heck she was. Sakura fought off the strong desire to scream an obscenity at the top of her lungs so the entire world could hear her. Instead, she barred her teeth and got up. "Hello." She didn't even try to hide the frustration from her voice.

"Well, well, well. Is that any way to answer the phone?"

"Oh," Sakura softened a bit, "It's just you, Tomoyo."

"Who else would it be?"

"Some annoying girl who called a little bit ago and pissed me off." Sakura sat down at the chair nearest to her since she would most likely be on the phone for a while.

"Oh, how so? You don't usually get mad easily. Are your hormones out of whack?" Tomoyo's voice had a teasing air to it.

"Don't push it. Just `cause you're not standing next to me doesn't mean your safe." Sakura didn't have to see Tomoyo to know that she rolled her eyes.

"Just answer the question."

"Well, she called asking for Syaoran and then was really short with me. She even hung up right after she left a message without saying thanks. She had a really annoying voice, too."

"Yes, well, that's nice." Tomoyo decided that it was a good time to change the subject. "I just called to see what's new with you?"

"What's new?" Sakura tapped her chin with her index finger thoughtfully before launching into the entire story about how she saw that girl come up to Syaoran and basically chew him out. That had been about a week and ago and, for some reason, it was still on her mind. When she was finished, she waited for Tomoyo to say something.

"You know, I meant `is there anything new' with your pregnancy. But this is fine too." Tomoyo giggled a little. "You're not going to like my opinion. And besides, I could be wrong."

This got Sakura's attention. "What? Now you have to tell me."

Tomoyo knew she would say that. "Ok…" She paused to be dramatic. It didn't quite have the effect she was going for, but it was good enough. "I think that he doesn't want to leave you all by yourself."

"You're right," Tomoyo was stunned that she had accepted it that easily. "You could be wrong. And you probably are."

Tomoyo clenched her teeth so she wouldn't bang the phone against the table. "Forget it. I need to go to work. Bye."

"Bye."

Sakura put the phone down once again and glared at it. It stayed perfectly still, unaffected.

"Why are you glaring at the phone like that?"

Sakura snapped out of her little reverie and looked up at Syaoran. He was fully dressed, but had a towel wrapped around his neck to keep his damp hair from getting his shirt wet.

"A bunch of stupid annoying people keep calling and I'm willing the next person who calls to spontaneously combust."

"Somebody needs to take her Midol."

Annoyed, Sakura blew her bangs out of her eyes. "I'm pregnant. I can't be on my period, you idiot." Syaoran just smiled at her and started to towel dry his hair.

"Who called?"

"Well, Tomoyo and some girl named Meiko." He flinched at the name. "She told me to tell you she called. She was really rude about it too."

"Um hum."

Sakura looked down at the floor and suddenly became engrossed in the pattern of the carpet. "Just out of curiosity… who's Meiko?"

Syaoran tossed his towel at her and she reluctantly caught it. It smelled like his shampoo. "You know that girl that stopped me on the way to the bathroom about a week ago?" Recognition dawned on Sakura's face.

"Is she always so rude?"

"Not really. I wouldn't have dated her if she was."

"Are you ganna call her?" She threw the towel back attempting to hit him in the face. He caught it easily.

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"I don't know."

Sakura dug her toe in the ground. She had to get this off her chest. "Tomoyo said that you didn't go on dates because you don't want to leave me alone." He fell silent. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"I think you should go out with her." Sakura's words surprised even herself. But, then again, she didn't want him to be bored because of her.

"What makes you think you're the reason?" Sakura couldn't say anything to that. She just held his gaze. He finally have in when he saw she wasn't going to back down. "I'll call her, ok? Happy?"

"Yes." Sakura said firmly. But, for some reason, she wasn't.

*****

"Thanks for coming to lunch with me." Meiling said while grabbing a mint out of her purse on their way out of the restaurant.

"No problem. I was bored and you paid." Truthfully, Sakura had been studying but since Syaoran wasn't home the apartment was too quiet.

"So I'm the person you run to when you're bored?" Meiling attempted to sound hurt.

"Of course. I have enough friends." Meiling thwacked her on the head. "I was just kidding. It's fun to talk to you. You're funny." Meiling grinned at that.

The two continued to make small talk while they walked through the crowded mall.

"You have to go to work tomorrow, right?" Meiling asked.

Sakura smiled. "Yes."

Meiling decided to ask one question concerning her pregnancy. "Have you been avoiding situations which require you to lay on your stomach?"

Sakura laughed at the sudden change of topic and tone of Meiling's voice. "Ye-" Her voice trailed off. She had just seen Syaoran and Meiko walking together.

"Sakura? Are you alright?"

"Hm? Oh, yes! I just remembered something that I need to get." She shuddered inside at her pathetic attempt at a cover up. She honestly had no idea what she was doing. "Could you just leave me here? I'll get the bus home."

Meiling quirked an eyebrow, "Are you sure? I could come with you and take you home afterwards."

Although the idea of company sounded appealing, Sakura didn't want Meiling knowing that she was just going to spy on Syaoran's date. "Don't be silly. Then you'd be late getting back to work. I'll be fine! I swear!"

After a little more convincing, Meiling decided to leave Sakura at the mall. "Bye!" Sakura called to Meiling's retreating form and stayed where she was until Meiling was out of sight. Then she made a mad dash to get where she had seen them; provoking many strange looks directed at her. She didn't care. This whole thing would be a waste of time if she lost them.

Luck was on her side. Weaving in and out of the crowd, she spotted them just as they were going into a small café, presumably for lunch. Sakura felt a little silly. She hadn't ever done this before, not even when she was in high school.

Quickly, she slipped in behind them unnoticed and took a seat. Her table was closer to the door but she was still in hearing distance of Syaoran's table (even if she did have to strain to listen). Since she was already full, she ordered a drink and a small desert.

She was almost done before they actually started a real conversation. It was a good thing too, because she was really starting to get bored. The weather was FACINATING but COME ON!

"Why haven't you been calling me?" Meiko asked. She sounded a little sad and Sakura felt a pinch of pity for her… a pinch.

Syaoran appeared not to be affected and took a bite of his chicken. Sakura felt her stomach give a little grumble and giggled to herself because she knew she wasn't hungry. "I've been busy."

"Busy doing what?" What was with the interrogation?

Lifting his glass to his lips, he took a sip and cleared his throat. "Well… you know my roommate?" Sakura's ears perked up. Meiko nodded and he continued. "Well, she's pregnant and I've been keeping her company and taking care of her."

"What a nuisance." Meiko muttered.

Syaoran just shook his head. "It's no trouble at all. She's my friend. I want to." Sakura felt gratitude for him. Even though he didn't act like it sometimes, he thought of her as a friend. That made her feel good.

"I mean for me."

Silence fell over the table. Sakura leaned forward slightly just to make sure that she didn't miss anything they said. Meiko was looking down at her clenched fists. "What a stupid slut."

Sakura was taken aback. Even though she didn't like Meiko, she didn't know that she was that mean. Involuntarily she felt the familiar tingle of her nose and her eyes welled up. Her head was bent over now and a tear splashed on her right hand that was gripping her pants and then another and another.

Her head snapped up at the grating sound of wood over wood. Syaoran was standing and he very calmly put his napkin on the table before pulling his wallet from his back pocket. He rummaged around in it for a few agonizing seconds before he pulled out thirty dollars and put it on the table. He spoke quietly but Sakura could hear the anger that he was trying to control. "This should cover it. You can order desert if you want, I don't care. Don't call me again."

Meiko looked stricken. "Why?"

"Why? You insulted my close friend and I won't take that kind of abuse. Sakura is not a slut and, even if she was, it's not your place to say so." Once again, Sakura felt happy that he stuck up for her. He grabbed his jacket and made for the exit.

Sakura knew that he was going to see her; there was no getting around it. Just as she suspected, he stopped when he got to her table. He glanced at her and she tried to give him a weak smile. The evidence that she had been crying was still on her face and he looked down at his feet. "Are you coming?" Nodding, she put money on the table and stood.

The walk to Syaoran's car was silent. Syaoran got behind the wheel and, as soon as Sakura was sitting, he reached in the glove compartment and handed Sakura a tissue. She took it gratefully and muttered a `thanks'.

He was about to start the ignition but thought better of it. "Do we need to get your car?"

"No, Meiling dropped me off."

They didn't talk to each other on the drive home. As soon as they were there, Sakura went up the stairs and into the bathroom to take a LONG relaxing bath. She was going to need it.

When she was finally reemerged an hour later, Syaoran was nowhere in sight. There was a note on the kitchen counter and she reluctantly picked it up. `Gone grocery shopping. Be back later.' Sakura sighed before crumbling it into a ball and hurling it at the wall. It felt good to let out a little stress.

Sakura went into her room and wailed in frustration before collapsing on her bed. She stared up at the ceiling, trying to think of a way to handle all of this. Both Tomoyo and Meiling were at work so she couldn't call them for advice and she didn't know Eriol that well. No, she was going to have to figure out this one on her own.

Dragging herself off the bed, she went back into the living room to wait for Syaoran. It didn't take long. He didn't say anything even though she was obviously waiting for him to get home. Instead, he dragged a couple of grocery bags into the kitchen with Sakura on his heels. Together, they unpacked and put the things away.

"Hi." Sakura tried lamely.

Syaoran gave her a strange look. "Hi."

Sakura dug her toe in the ground. She would have given anything to be somewhere else. "Can we talk?"

Syaoran pointed at the chair next to his. "Talk away."

Sakura sat down and started playing with the bottom of her shirt. "About what happened at lunch… thank you."

"For what?" Syaoran rose to get a drink, which irritated Sakura. She didn't really like talking to his back. She waited until he sat down again.

"For sticking up for me."

"Any decent friend would have." He pointed out and handed his glass to her. "Do you want a sip?" When Sakura shook her head, he shrugged. "More for me."

Sakura couldn't believe how easy that had been! What had she been so scared of? There wasn't any big confrontation or anything! But one thing was bothering her. "I know I asked you this before but, is Meiko always such a… what's the word for it?"

"Bitch?" He offered. She laughed. "No, she's not. She's actually pretty nice when I first met her. I don't know what happened."

"Maybe she's just like that when it comes to guys."

"Either way, I'm not going on a date in a LONG time!"

Sakura stopped smiling and laughing. "Why not?"

Syaoran had an exasperated expression on his face. "What? Do you want me to go on dates or something?"

"Yes!" Sakura said rising to her feet. "Maybe not with Meiko, but you shouldn't just hang around with me all the time! I don't want you to waste all of your time taking care of me! I'm not a baby!"

Syaoran stood up so that he could look at Sakura eye to eye. "Who said that's the reason?"

Refusing to back down Sakura put her hands on her hips. "I do!"

Apparently, Syaoran wasn't going to give up either. "Maybe I just don't want to!"

"Like I believe that! I heard what you told Meiko and I don't want to be the reason you're single!"

"I don't have to go on dates if I don't want to!"

"I know that!" Sakura retorted, "But-"

She fell silent, not finishing her sentence and grabbed her stomach. Alarmed, Syaoran forgot about their argument and asked, "What's wrong? Are you ok?"

Sakura didn't say anything and it looked like she was waiting for something. All of a sudden, her face lit up. "I'm fine!" She beamed at him, her eyes twinkling, before grabbing his hand and pressing it against her belly. "She's kicking! The baby's kicking!"

Syaoran moved closer and waited for the thump. As soon as it came, he started laughing and smiling. "That's great!" He looked up and that's when they noticed how close they were.

They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity but was really only a couple of seconds. Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, Syaoran moved closer to her. Sakura could feel his warm breath on her face and she shut her eyes. And then… his breath wasn't on her face. Sakura opened her eyes and stared at Syaoran who was looking anywhere but at her.

Sakura took a deep breath and held it. She had certainly not been expecting that. Where had that come from? Why had he pulled back? All of these questions raced through her mind making her dizzy. Taking a seat, she pretended not to notice the awkward silence. It was strange. Would things be different now?

"Sakura…" Her attention went back to her roommate. "I'm sorry."

She opened her mouth to say that it was ok but nothing came out. Since she was just looking like a fish with her mouth opening and closing she decided to keep it shut. All the while, she was racking her brain to think of something to ruin the tense atmosphere. Luckily, she was saved.

"Sakura?"

"Hm?" It was a response that didn't take much effort.

"Why were you at the mall?"

If she were expecting him to make things easier on her she was badly mistaken. "That's not important!" She knew that her cheeks were flaming.

His face broke out in a big grin. "You weren't by any chance… SPYING on me… were you?" He knew the answer but it was fun watching her sweat.

"No! Of course not! Why wouldn't I want to spy on YOU?!"

"Hm…" Syaoran rubbed his chin with his index finger thoughtfully. "I don't know…"

Before this conversation got too out of hand she would have to do something about it. Grabbing her coat she made for a hasty exit. "I'm going to go for a little walk and then probably head over to Tomoyo's see ya!" Without another word, she was out the door and down the stairs.

The chilly air was refreshing to her lungs. Sakura exhaled happily. She was SO relieved that they were able to joke like that still. It would have been so weird… She brushed the thought off. It felt good just to put one foot in front of the other and take one breath at a time.

*****

"Well, what do you think?" Sakura asked Tomoyo expectantly.

"I think that your life is a hell of a lot more interesting than mine."

"Be serious!" Sakura tossed a couch pillow lightly at Tomoyo and it bounced off her head.

"I really don't know what to tell you." Tomoyo said, throwing it back. "I'm not a physiatrist."

"Good thing too because you'd have been sued so many times for bad advice that it wouldn't even be funny." Sakura had to duck from another oncoming pillow.

Tomoyo pretended like she hadn't heard her and reached over to pat her stomach. "She kicked today, huh? That's great! Wish I had been there."

Sakura was about to reply but a dark blue scarf caught her eye. It looked familiar, but she couldn't place where she'd seen it before. "What's that?"

Tomoyo arched her neck to see what Sakura was pointing at. Sakura noticed that her eyes widened slightly. "I don't know." It was a lie and Sakura knew it. "Must be my roommates."

At that moment, Sakura knew where she'd seen it before. "You LIAR! That's the scarf that you gave Eriol for Christmas! What's it doing over here?" Tomoyo turned scarlet. She said something so quietly that Sakura couldn't understand. "What?"

"I said," She said a little louder through clenched teeth, "He must have left it over here a couple of days ago when he came for lunch."

"AH HA!" Sakura jumped to her feet and pointed a menacing finger at Tomoyo. "You're dating Eriol!"

"A little."

"Yes! Now I actually know something about your love life." She paused and wiggled her eyebrows. "Are you sure that he only came over for lunch?"

"Yes, I'm sure!"

"Uh huh." Sakura said disbelieving.

Tomoyo laughed and stuck her tongue out. Sakura gladly returned the gesture. She had such great friends. What happened with Syaoran earlier… well… life had it's little twists didn't it?

Kitty Neko: I hope you liked it! It was fun to write! S+S forever! Ja!