The title of this chapter might confuse you, but I hope to actually give a lightheartedness this story needs for its finish. Thank you everyone for reading, especially to those that have been with me since the start. This is not going to be a long chapter, since it concentrates on Syaoran and Sakura. We'll only have the Epilogue left after this, cross your fingers. I’d like to thank many of the reviewers that have been with me from the start.
Luvia: Your reviews are always inspiring, giving words to thoughts that I can't otherwise express. I hope you'll continue to read my stories and giving me the perspective I'm lacking.
Musette Fujiwara: Your comments make me think of what I'd like to do for the next chapter. You're always giving me new ideas and reminding me of things that I'd otherwise forget. Please continue with your comments since they focus my ideas.
Hondo-Okami: You make me feel loved. There's nothing like having someone review each of your stories and each chapter. Please continue ;).
lil wolf lover: There's nothing I can't say to express my gratitude for your comments. Thank you for reading all of my stories and leaving your heartwarming comments. Love ya..
Ravaja of Degeneration: I hope to continue to garner your attention with my stories. There will be more adult oriented stories to keep your attention.
Boheme: Your reviews develop my stories. Please continue with your comments, they are always welcome and pull me out of the writer's block that always assails me.
There are many others and I thank you, but it's better to go back to the story. Hope you all like this chapter, and continue reading by drabbles in fanfiction. Arigatou... Just what do you think the title of the chapter means?
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the card captor Sakura characters... everything else is mine.
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Long 9 Months
Chapter 9 : I Dare You
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"I don't want to see you anymore," her words rang over and over in his ears. Syaoran could only stare at Sakura as she stood from his side, her green eyes completely closed to any emotion. He tried desperately to find any trace of love inside them, but only found her eyes cold and fathomless in his gaze.
"Are we breaking up?" he asked, the only words that could come out of his constricted throat. This was his worst nightmare come to life.
"Yes," her firm affirmation left him breathless. She slid away from his side as he stared into nothingness. He was left alone, the swinging blossoms in the trees mocking his pain.
A sharp and sudden ring awoke him. Syaoran placed his hand over his shuddering heartbeat as he breathed heavily. His eyes were open, widely staring into the dark wall of his bedroom, his mind going over the words that had just been said inside his mind.
He looked around, disoriented and wild, focusing his gaze on the loud buzz that had just brought him out of unconsciousness. He swung widely at the alarm, hitting it after a few tries that had missed.
Syaoran stripped the covers from his body, feeling his sweat drenched body, and the sticky sensation of his sleeping pants. He'd had one of those nightmares again.
It was a natural reaction to the anxiety that had been gathering inside of him since the previous day. He couldn't help but feel anxious at what could happen on this day in just a few hours. Sakura always meant what she said, and he might just be sunk in such a deep hole that he might not be able to get himself out of it.
Looking at the clock once again, Syaoran set himself to his morning ablutions. It was almost time to get to school, where at least seeing Sakura would make him feel better.
"Syaoran, we're going to be late," Meiling shouted as she opened the door and pushed him through it. They were barely going to make it to their homeroom after the warning bell if they hurried. "You didn't have to spend half an hour in the shower."
"Sorry," was his response. He had spaced out under the spray of warm water, the image of her retreating back fixed to his closed eyes. He'd felt like drowning himself in the water, his mind going blank to any other concerns and happenings.
Meiling prodded him as they entered the school, shaking him from his inner thoughts. She pulled him through the door, smiling to the teacher as the one minute bell rang. The students started to get their selves to the seats and the teacher started writing on the board as the announcements were read.
Syaoran looked to his side. Eriol was erect and ready, listening attentively to the teacher. He didn't spare a glance to his side or any other place. He wasn't even looking to the person seating before him, which was Tomoyo.
Tomoyo turned to the side, mouthing something to Sakura. Syaoran had the chance to see her expression. She had a very serious expression, her usual smile not present on her lips as she gave her full attention to the teacher. The object of his thoughts though hadn't even looked at him when he had entered the room.
She hadn't displayed any emotion as he passed by her desk. She hadn't even accepted or acknowledged him when he handed her his homework to pass to the front row. He didn't know what to make of this.
It was actually starting to worry him.
Sakura had at least greeted him every day, even when they had relationship problems. It was becoming very warm as the time moved forward and Syaoran stared at the clock by the door. Time was not advancing at all.
“We’ll pick this topic up tomorrow,” the teacher announced as she closed her book. The students closed their notebooks, taking the time to relax their muscles. They had an extra five minutes before their next class.
Syaoran just stared into the clear window to the outside. The sun had come out, warming the cooling temperatures of the time of the year. He was brought out of nature by the interfering body that plopped itself right before him.
Sakura stood before him, flanked by Tomoyo. “Good morning Syaoran.”
It seemed that Syaoran’s heart could start beating again. Relief coursed through his body as he looked at her expression. She wasn’t exactly smiling, but she was certainly not looking at him as if he were beyond contempt.
“Good morning Sakura,” he nodded to Tomoyo. “Tomoyo.”
“This is going to be a good day,” she declared as she shot a glare to her own significant other. Eriol looked town to his table, laying his head as a chastised puppy, his lower lip throbbing as he pouted quite efficiently. Eriol certainly knew how to do everything well.
Syaoran couldn’t have believed that he would have found Eriol’s presence associated with any happy feelings for a long time, but he was clearly mistaken. Seeing him staring to the chair before him with a puppy dog look was enough to warrant forgiveness.
Almost, no one could actually expect miracles where he was concerned.
“I have team practice for the next two periods,” Sakura announced as she came closer to her audience. “Come find my after it. I made lunch last night, so we don’t have to go to the cafeteria.”
“Alright,” he nodded a series of possibilities of what could happen sprouting like crazy in his mind.
Sakura and Tomoyo took their books and strolled out of the classroom. The changing bell rang, pulling the other students to their other classes. Eriol glanced to his friend as he placed his books inside his bag, shaking it slightly before proceeding to his next class.
He’d been punished enough. Tomoyo had a devious mind when she put her thoughts and concentrated on something. Maybe after Syaoran and Sakura had a chance to talk and she gave her verdict, then he could have his friend back. He needed to whine to someone about the injustices of the female species.
Hands appeared from behind. Syaoran started a bit as he moved his head backward to see the person that was clinging to his shoulders. He was seated bellow one of the trees by the Gym, admiring the body of water that had ducks flocking to it.
“You’re here,” Sakura said as she leaned her body completely to his back. It felt extremely good to have her warmth.
She loosened her impulsive embrace and sat beside him. She was wearing her uniform, which meant that she had changed from her work out clothes and taken a shower. She placed a small wrapped square in between them as she followed his gaze to the screeching ducks.
There were two flapping their wings wildly, their beaks close to each other as they lunched forward and backwards. Sakura and Syaoran grimaced as their shrilling sounds increased.
“I’m glad we never do that,” Syaoran pointed out as he opened the lunch box and took out a sandwich. He took a bite, marveling over the feeling that he was eating something Sakura made. If she was offering him food, then she couldn’t be as mad as she had appeared the night before. “This is good.” He managed to smile before taking another bite.
Sakura felt pleased and secured by his response. She also wanted to roll her eyes. Ham on rye was his least favorite, but it was all that had been available this morning to put together for school. “Don’t overdue enthusiasm,” she warned him, letting him see her reaction to his complements. He must have been very worried if he had reacted this way to two pieces of bread put together in such a rush.
“I’m not,” he replied as soon as he finished the last piece. He wiped his fingers against his pants, then pressing them against her face in a caress.
Sakura felt like throwing herself in his arms. The look he was giving her was potent in so many ways. There was still a bit of turmoil inside as his fingers trembled lightly when he started to move his hand away. Sakura was still dismayed over the whole thing, but she also needed to reassure him.
She took his hand in hers and lead it to where they had just vacated. The warmth, rushing feeling came back with a vengeance. There was something to be said for what he made her feel when he touched her.
“Are you really pissed at me?” he finally asked after spending a few minutes just looking at her.
“What do you think?” she rebutted, reaching for a piece of food. “I wouldn’t have offered you lunch if I was truly mad at you.”
She heard him release a deep sigh of relief. He thought he was out of the woods when he hadn’t even made it to the right trail. Sakura scoffed at his reaction, rolling her eyes as he relaxed completely.
“But,” she felt him stiffen a bit as she continued to talk. “I still would like to know why you decided to believe Eriol’s comments.” She crossed her arms, a waiting expression in her eyes as she drummed her fingers against her forearms.
“You just didn’t learn the past few times his little games have screwed up your life, did you?” she decided to venture forth when he remained stoically silent. He was staring down at the grass, the sweeping blades dancing with the environment.
“I certainly did this time,” he commented quietly, his fingers reaming over the texture of the blades.
“Hopefully,” Sakura couldn’t help but grin as a dark blush settled on his face.
“Is that why you were so mad yesterday?”
“Part of it,” she decided to tell him outright. It was never good to beat around the bush when it wasn’t even something serious to truly worry about. She wasn’t truly mad at him anymore. She’d worked all of her earlier frustrations with him over the phone with Tomoyo the night before.
“I know that I jumped the gun,” Syaoran felt himself grow warmer as she scoffed at his words. “But,” he looked up from the grass to her. “I just didn’t want something to happen that could tear us apart.”
“There was no reason for you to doubt Eriol, was there?” Sakura understood that to some degree. Eriol was the best friend who in actuality is supposed to look for the best interest for Syaoran. It just turned out that he also liked to get his jollies out of Syaoran at every turn.
“I should have at least talked to you,” Syaoran closed his eyes as Sakura’s eyes lighted up and a triumphant expression took over her face.
“That’s what I wanted to talk about boyfriend of mine,” Syaoran could hear by her tone that she was going to what had actually bothered her. “I just wonder why you felt the need to keep your mouth shut.”
Syaoran leaned forward, hiding his face inside of his arms as they rested against his knees. He groaned loudly, embarrassment filling him. “I was embarrassed.”
“About what?” she asked as soon as he finished the word. “It’s not like we didn’t try to get into each other’s pants every time we had the chance. I might have looked away for a few seconds before declaring you sweet and cute and then jumping your delectable bones.”
“I missed being able to do that,” he chuckled as she swatted him over his shoulder and looked away. He rejoiced as the remnants of a smile started to flash over her averted face. She was pleased with what he had just said.
“I already know you’re as horny as hell,” she responded to his response with the glib comment. “Every minute of the day. Everyday.”
“Of course,” he slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer and resting his back against the grass. They looked up to the sky as he cradled her against his chest. He didn’t care about his uniform, but hers was another matter. He knew that Sakura took extra care to be meticulous about her clothing.
“You’re the only one that has that effect on me,” he whispered to her ear before rubbing his nose against her hair.
“That better be the truth,” she jabbed him, her finger pressed once against his middle section.
“You know it’s true,” he breathed into her hair, closing his eyes and taking in her fragrance.
“I love you, you big dunce,” she finally said as he burst out laughing.
“I was wondering how long it was going to take you to say that to me today,” he put his hands up in defeat as she looked at him, her eyes shinning with mischief.
“I shouldn’t have said that at all,” she huffed, pulling away from his arms as he protested and placing the box between them once again. She was about to pull out her secret weapon. “I still want to beat you over the head with a sharp and heavy object over the things you put me through.”
Her sharp eyes latched onto the fact that he flinched as she mentioned it. She was in and deep. “You kept pulling away and away from me. I thought you were loosing interest in my company.”
“Never,” he muttered, a smile at his lips, shaking his head admonishing her comment. Syaoran knew that deep inside Sakura was still afraid of being rejected, just like every other person that was involved in a relationship. She was pretty easygoing, but when it came to things of the heart, she was shy and a bit dependant on the day to day.
He could have destroyed all of that the past few weeks. That was probably what had gotten her so scared and mad. It had made her come to contact with that part of herself that everyone tried desperately not to acknowledge. He cursed it all silently, but mostly his own stupidity. He could have truly screwed up the best relationship he’s had his whole life.
This was the person he wanted to spend his time with from now on. It was going to be the end of the year pretty soon and the school year would soon follow. His elders at Hong Kong most likely will want him to at least get himself formally engaged with someone at the end of his studies. But that was something to worry about later. Sakura was the important thing at the moment. She’s what mattered most at this time.
“You were leaving me behind as if I didn’t matter,” she choked a bit as she recalled that infernal hole in her heart that she had felt for the past few weeks. “It’s like you were withdrawing into yourself.”
“I was in a sense,” he placed his hand bellow her jaw, tipping her face up to his gaze. “And it felt as if I was dying inside every time you came near and my fingers itched to touch your face. I love to touch you. In a sense it reassures me that you’re real.”
“You’re such a sap,” she said so suddenly that he grinned at her statement.
“So are you,” he replied, leaning forward, his hands coming to both sides of her body. He kissed her. Light and sweet, savoring the feel of her lips and engraving her sighs of pleasure into his memories. Every little sound was precious and a wonder. “You love me anyway.”
“It’s one of the reasons that I do,” she corrected him, placing her hands around his neck to support herself as he rested against her. Her white blouse was mere inches away from the grass.
“So,” Syaoran kissed her over her nape as she looked at the sky. “Since we’ve established that you’re not really mad at me; then, is there something actually preventing me from trying to have my way with you?”
“None whatsoever. If you recall I was the one that had the upper hand the last time we were in this situation,” she loosened her stranglehold over his neck. She leaned away as his face came closer to her own. “Except for something I haven’t told you.”
“And that is?” Syaoran asked as he tried to control the bubbling laugh of happiness that was bursting against his chest and throat. There was nothing that could change that. He may have been wrong with that thought.
“I have decided that since you placed it in your head to have nine months of celibacy, that I might as well not get in your way.” She almost let go of him as the many expressions of emotions came over his features.
“What?” it seemed that the words had gone un-comprehended by him. Or maybe his brain was trying to get over the fact of what was being stated by feigning that it didn’t understand.
“There was a little birdie, Meiling,” she clarified as she saw his overwhelmed features. “That told me that you are scheduled to go before your clan elders at our spring break so that you can clarify the fact that you are not engaged to her. You barely lasted four months before caving in because I wanted you to fail. Not anymore.”
“Are you saying that as of last night you’re not going to let me touch you intimately?” his tone had risen a couple of syllables. Sakura grimaced as the last word grated on her ears because of it.
“You’re a big boy,” she couldn’t help but condescend him a bit. “Going without sex for five months is not going to cramp your style.”
“I think I’ll die,” he stated truthfully. The rising satisfaction that had been building plummeted completely, getting replaced just as fast by disbelief.
“You were willing to go nine months when you thought you couldn’t,” she explained, using his distraction to push him away and letting them remain in a sitting position. “The only difference this time will be that I will know what’s going on, and your willpower will be tested.”
“This is punishment, isn’t it?” he asked resigned as she shrugged unapologetically.
“You could look at it that way,” she affirmed, going to the box once again and opening a separate compartment. “But this is actually a dare I’m posing. Plus,” Sakura narrowed her eyes as she continued to list her reasons. “You‘re practically engaged to someone while sleeping with me. That turns me off when it comes to intimacy for some reason.”
Syaoran flinched as he understood what she was implying. “It’s not like it’s true.”
“It feels like it is,” She took her hand out and placed something inside his palm. It was something that was sure to perk him right up.
Syaoran’s eyes lit up as he saw the confection. If this was a bribe, then he could be commanded to do whatever she wanted or needed. They were the same sweets she had prepared a couple of months before which he had devoured like a starved dog. One of his true weaknesses.
“Am I also being bribed?” Syaoran could be distracted, but he also didn’t miss a beat.
“More like a pacifier. You should be able to get something out of this in account to satisfaction,” she amended, taking a bite of one of the pastries and feeding the rest to him. He nipped her fingers a bit before letting them go.
“I don’t have a choice, do I?” he resigned himself to it.
“It’s not like you won’t be able to kiss me, I just won’t let you go all the way.”
“This is going to be cruel and unusual punishment,” he resisted, calling it as he saw it. “And I will accept. I think this is also a test that I can’t flunk in any way.”
“No one said you weren’t smart,” she grinned, a catlike smile on her lips as Sakura came forward and nibbled on his lower lip. “You’re still trainable,” he growled low and feral before assaulting her lips and pulling her in a hard embrace.
“I can still bite,” he wiggled his eyebrows, feigning a loud gasp as she hit him on his side for the comment. “I’m going to have a lot of bruises today.”
“You deserve them,” she traced her hand over his lip. It had healed remarkably quick. Sakura was still simmering rage at her brother for hitting Syaoran, but what was done was done. She was sure he wouldn’t do it again if he wanted to remain in her good graces. It was nice to feel cared for by so many men in her family.
“So,” he recapped what she had said. “What you’re actually saying is that as soon as I straighten out the mess with my clan elders I’ll be able to make long, slow, sweet love to the girl I love?”
Sakura looked at him suspiciously. He was coming up with something. It wasn’t going to work though, she had thought of every angle and had the reasons to counter them. She nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing, slitting as she waited for the other shoe to drop.
“Huh,” Syaoran’s gears in his mind were grinding away at a thought. “Do you think we’ll be able to go to Hong Kong for winter break?”
“No,” Sakura chuckled as she looked at him pointedly. “I will be spending it with my father, brother, and my mother’s family.”
“Damn,” he quickly recovered from it. “You knew I was going to try that.”
“Of course love,” she whispered before pushing away from his chest and standing. It was almost time for the bell that rung the end of lunch time. “I haven’t just been staring at your gorgeous façade for the past few years. I’ve learned quite a few things about you as well.”
“Why does that thought not comfort me in any way?” he asked before he picked up the lunch box. He placed her hand in his, walking hand in hand to the school building.
“Does the word manipulation come to mind?” she asked innocently before braking into a sprint. Syaoran groaned her name before following her, a smile in his face.
It felt good to be wanted and loved.
XOXO
Ok, I really have no clue as to where this whole thing just came from. I feel like I just pulled it out of my ass. In retrospect, there’s an epilogue left so I might be able to redeem myself and be able to give answers to the questions that are still up in the air.
Please leave a comment if you have any questions, I’d like to satisfy my readers at least before I can declare this project done. Thank you all for reading and sticking with me up to this point. This chapter was actually done earlier than expected. Maybe it’s because it wasn’t that long.
Next chapter/epilogue will wrap up all of our characters and issues. Review button is here…
MS
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