Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ The Receptionist ❯ The Way That Gravity Pulls ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Hey, everyone! Thanks for taking interest in my first (posted) fanfic! I always loved the anime Card Captor Sakura, and the Sakura/Syaoran paring is one of my favorites out of any TV or Manga series! I hope you all will enjoy my story, and don't forget to review! Thanks so much! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or any of the affiliated characters. They are owned by CLAMP. I do have the rights to Aya Imonoyama or any other original characters that may be presented in this fanfiction.

The sun rose as it did every morning, and Syaoran Li was already there to greet it. He had risen before dawn to train in the courtyard, as he did everyday. This boy should have been the pride of his parents. He attended the most prestigious private in Hong Kong, was at the top of his class, was the star of the Soccer team, as well as winning many martial arts competition as well as many academic competitions and debates, and all before the age of sixteen. Yes, people were in awe of this amazing boy who had it all, looks, brains, and the hearts of any girl in school. However, he did not have the only thing that mattered to him deep down, the attention of his parents. This boy was named Syaoran Li.

His parents, Chao Fu and Yelan Li had always been distant for their children and each other. Chao Fu Li was always working, even on one of his so-called vacations to foreign lands. He was a hard man, who had little patience for children and their needs, only seeing them as a necessary to continue the Li Clan's legacy. Yelan Li had married Chao Fu because of an arrangement between her parents and his. She was often busy with social gatherings her friends or clubs were holding, such as teas and luncheons. Even when she was home, she was often too busy with something to notice her children. Syaoran had been once told by his father that if you're hurt or sad, you shouldn't show it, it was a sign of weakness. As future leader of one of China's oldest clans, Syaoran could not be weak.

Yes, this boy was what some might refer to as a "real man", someone who showed no sign of emotional pain on the outside. Yet, that did not mean he did not feel sadness. In fact, Syaoran had a lot of sadness that he was forced to face only when he was alone. His sisters had always said they were there for him, but in truth they scarce as his parents as they spent all their free time shopping or socializing. At school he was surrounded by people, but not by friends. His only true friend, and cousin, Eriol Hiiragizawa had recently returned to England, and this time, he had said, it was final. Syaoran knew he had to come to terms with the fact that he was doomed to never have a true relationship with anyone. His status and clan's fame had made sure of that.

"It's seven thirty already?" Syaoran said, sighing as he glanced at his watch. "And I hadn't even gotten much training in yet..."

The morning had a certain coolness to it that could only be a sign of Autumn, which in turn was a sign of the rapidly approaching winter. Syaoran entered the quiet mansion, tip-toed up the stairs and down the hall to his room. His sisters, Fu Die, Xue Hua, Huang Lian, and Fei Mei had not risen from their slumbers and wouldn't until noon. If roused any sooner for any reason, the wrath of four young and very fit women would be bestowed upon the unlucky person who committed such crime. Syaoran only hoped that if the house was ever on fire, they wouldn't be sleeping at the time.

Upon entering his room, Syaoran made his way over to his bed where his school uniform was all laid out for him. He quickly dressed and then walked over to the mirror to examine himself. He admitted that he did look good in the dark blue blazer with a yellow and blue matching tie. His shirt was a pure white and was still warm from the iron. His pants had been freshly creased and his black shoes had been polished. He ran his hand through his slightly messy brown hair and gave himself a nod of approval before heading downstairs where breakfast was waiting.

"Master Li, will you be needing anything else before we leave?" Wei said with a wrinkly smile dancing across his face. Wei had been the caretaker of the Li children for their entire lives, and Syaoran felt as though he was more of a father to him than his own.

"No, Wei, I have everything that I need, but thanks anyway." Syaoran replied while heading out the door.

The school loomed over the limo Syaoran was currently hiding out in. He knew that the time had come to return to this place of fake people, fake friends, but this time he really would be alone since Eriol had returned to England. Syaoran glanced over at Wei, who was amused by the look of dread upon the teenager's face. Syaoran stared out the window, trying to find any way to make it inside the school without anyone noticing him, but he knew it was futile. Everyone would notice him, it was the only reason that anyone could possibly be here this early.

"Well, I best be going, Wei. Wouldn't want to be late, you know?" Syaoran said with a nervous chuckle.

"Have a good day, sir."

"That's unlikely..." Syaoran whispered as he stepped out of the vehicle.

He started down the walkway toward the entrance, but he didn't make it two steps before he was noticed by a small group of underclassmen who all wanted to shake his hand, welcome him back, or tell him about how they were looking forward to what was sure to be another great year for the Soccer team. No pressure, of course. Syaoran knew now that he had been spotted, it wouldn't be long before others noticed him as well, especially those of the female population. In fact, only ten steps later he came face to face with just that, a group of the female species.

He just didn't get girls and their need to latch onto anyone deemed as "hot". He honestly didn't have the interest of dating any of these girls, but they never seemed to catch onto his hints. These girls seemed to be babling on about some party they were holding this weekend, but he had to decline, he was not interested in anything social right now. Instead, all he wanted right now was to make it to his first class without any more delays by any more phonies, but he did not tell them that. For once in his school career, he got just that. He greeted his teacher as he took his assigned seat. Class would be starting soon, and already he was counting down the minutes until he could go home. He had a feeling this year was going to be hell.

When the bell rang for students to go to class, Syaoran was dreading the moment he would meet the kids, he'd have to sit next to all year. As kids took their seats, many gave glances, waves, or greetings to Syaoran, who unenthusiastically returned them. Only one seat remained open next to Syaoran, who was trying to look interested in whatever some girl was saying to him, when someone took the other seat.

Syaoran looked over to see who this new girl was, he had never seen her before. He must have been staring because she gave him this very weird look. It was that look that sparked curiousity in him. Certainly if the girl knew who he was, she wouldn't have given him that look, or maybe she didn't care. If either of those were true, than maybe Syaoran would finally have met someone at this school who wasn't a huge phony. It didn't hurt that she was beautiful either, with her silken black hair cut to shoulder length, intensly blue eyes, and a creamy complexion.

"Excuse me?" The girls voice woke Syaoran from his trance. "Do you want something or are you just going to sit there oggling me all day? If it is the second one, please be more discreet, you're drooling."

Syaoran blushed. "Sorry, but I don't think I know you. I'm Syaoran Li, and you are?"

"Aya Imonoyama. Pleased to meet you Li-kun."

They shook hands and Syaoran realized that maybe this year wouldn't be so bad after all.

Three years had passed since that fateful meeting. A friendship between Aya and Syaoran formed, friendship turned into like, like into love. The two children grew into adults and into a couple. Syaoran's life had taken a drastic turn for the better when Aya came into his life. He loved her, he knew she was the one for him, the only one he would ever love. He only hoped she felt the same about him. It seemed so, but she was a girl. When girls liked a boy, they always acted as if they were in love. As Syaoran looked into those blue depths, he couldn't help but smile. He pulled her close and hugged her as if he needed to keep her from leaving. How could such a girl end up with him, when all others had just been interested in the fact that he was a Li? Her mother and her weren't rich, but depended on the rich beaus that her mother attracted. They had been living in Hong Kong for the last three years, and it had been the best time of Syaoran's life. He chuckled.

"What?" Aya said not moving from the boy's hold.

"There must be some catch. Is there anything not great about you?" He mentally slapped himself. Not great about you? That sounded really intelligent.

Aya just laughed. "Nothing, I'm perfect." She pulled away from him a little to look into his eyes. She looked amused by his comment. "Suprised by the fact that I'm not like every other girl, only interested in your looks and status? Might I remind you I live with a woman who is practically the poster child for that type of girl. I may be freakishly like her in every other way, but I'm pretty sure I'm not in that respect." A look crossed her face for a split second that looked as though she was second-guessing herself, but then it was replaced by a smile. "Don't worry, Syaoran, I love you for you, not who your parents are."

Syaoran walked into the house expecting to find that as usual, no one was at home. It was only when he was greeted by his mother that he wished for solitude. He knew that the only reason his mother would meet him at the door was because either someone had died or she had some news she would find exciting and he would find horrifying. He was hoping for the first one, but the huge smile plastered on her face told him otherwise. He took a deep breath and prepared himself for what was to come.

"Oh, Syaoran, honey!" She never called him honey, this had to be awful news. "I have the best news! You're to be engaged! Isn't that so exciting?"

The color drained from Syaoran's face. Didn't his parents realize that he was dating someone? He had mentioned it quite a few times, but it was pretty obvious that they had paid little attention. "But... Mother! I'm already in love with someone." He had said it out loud, making it official. He loved her. "Her name is Aya Imonoyama, and therefore I cannot accept this engagement offer."

His mother looked completely dumbfounded for a few moments, but then she regained her composure, but the smile had disappeared. "She's Japanese?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"Of course there is a problem, Syaoran. You are the future leader of the Li Clan and future president of Li Corp. When you take your father's place, all the eyes of China will be on you. The Lis have never married non-Chinese, much less a Japanese woman. Besides, the elders would never approve."

"Oh, screw what the elders think! You all are completely mental!" Syaoran stormed up the stairs, but not before yelling, "and I'm not getting engaged to someone I don't love."

The cell phone ringed displaying the name Aya on the screen. Syaoran immediately answered saying, "I've got bad news."

"Me too," Aya answered. "You go first."

"I... My mom was waiting for me when I got home. This was a bad sign, you see. She told me... I... I'm engaged. It's so fucking stupid and I refuse to go through with it. Somehow I'll change their minds and-"

"Syaoran, I'm moving."

Syaoran was speechless for a few moments. "What? Where?"

"Back to Kyoto. My mom has been dumped yet again, and we're supposed to be out as soon as possible. There is a man back in Kyoto, but he... She decided to head back home, taking me with her. I'm sorry."

"But... Refuse to go! Stay with me! Please."

"I would, but I have to... I'm all she's got. I wish there was some way I could change this Syaoran, but I can't. Syaoran... You need to forget about me."

"Did you just find out tonight?"

There was a three second pause, a sigh, and then, "No... I've know for a week. I just-"

"A week! Fantastic!" The sarcasm dripped from the boy's voice. "You've know for a week, and you decided to keep it from me?"

"Syaoran! I'm sorry, okay? I have to go, we're leaving tonight. I couldn't face you one last time. I wish I had, though. It was amazing being with you, but it wasn't meant to last. Goodbye, Syaoran." The call had be disconnected, and Syaoran could only sit there, stunned.

Three weeks. It had been three agonizingly slow weeks since the worst day in Syaoran's life. His first love, his only love, leaving him when he needed her most. He was now stuck in an engagement that he had not consented to in any way, and it looked as though there was no way out. All he could think about was Aya, how beautiful, intelligent, and perfect for him she was. His family was matching him up with the wrong girl, and he just couldn't sit by and let them control his life anymore. It was time for Syaoran to take control.

"Aya, I'm coming."

To be continued...


Well, there you have it! Chapter One is completed. Its kind of short, but I stopped where I felt it was right to.

The lyrics were taken from Embrace's "Gravity".

I hope you'll review, but please be nice, it'll make me write faster, I swear!