Author’s Notes: This story doesn’t follow the English series, because their names are
different, and Chiharu isn’t Takashi’s cousin.
Hold Me chapter 1 ?Hate
Drip, drip, drip. The sound of rainwater dripping down the gutter echoed in the dim room, where a girl with short brown hair sat on her bed, engulfed in the many thoughts that clouded her sixteen-year-old mind. She closed her eyes, hiding the painful and large green eyes, which threatened to allow tears to flow. Sakura Kinomoto crawled under the covers, and stared out the window at the darkness. Occasionally, her room would light up with the lightning that would flash in the distance. The brightness reflected in her now-opened eyes clearly, which showed almost no emotion except pain. She pulled the covers up over her head, and squeezed her eyes tight. A solitary tear trickled down her cheek, and onto the pillow her head was rested upon.
I hate you, Sakura!
Hate…those words had hurt her more than anything had or anyone had in her lifetime. And he said it. He said it to her, because he meant it. And he wanted her to stay away…why? Because he hated her, like he said. She clenched her teeth. Syaoran, why did you have to say that? What did I do to you? Why…why…why do you hate me…why can’t I hate you? I want to hate you, Syaoran…but I can’t…what is wrong with me? Her fists clenched as she hit them repeatedly against the bed. She started to repeat the phrase she wanted to say, but couldn’t out loud, in her mind.
I hate you too, Syaoran, I hate you too!
Tears slid down her cheeks and landed on the pillow, moistening the fabric it was made from. Tear after glistening tear, repeating the words in her mind until she screamed them out loud. “I hate you too, Li Syaoran!? From outside, she heard a gasp, and after that, quick footsteps away from her, she rushed outside, and opened the door, wiping away the tears. Looking around, she saw no one whatsoever, but at her feet, was a puddle of water, not tears, just water. Her small reflection shined back up at her, the puffy eyes and red face, the clouded emerald eyes. Who was that outside?
A boy with amber eyes walked hastily down the hotel hallway, towards the room he slept in. A glass of water was in his hand, only half-full, being he had spilled on the way there. He slipped his hand in his pocket and took out a silver key and inserted it into the keyhole, turning once. The wooden door, with the golden-painted numbers 232 nailed to the door, clicked open as Li Syaoran slipped the key back into his pockets. Being careful to close the door quietly, he slammed the glass on the table with all the strength he had at that moment. The impact shattered the glass, and a sharp piece cut into his palm. He winced. It hurt. Everything hurt now.
He sat himself on the bed, breathing heavily. The bleeding hand propped his body up, but he didn’t care. The dark red liquid started to stain the bed sheets, but he paid no heed. They would be able to wash it out tomorrow, when his class left the hotel to see what sights there were in the parts of Japan where there were no cities, no big crowds, and no big danger. What…what did she say? I heard those words…clearly…she said…that…she…she…hated me. And I…I don’t blame her. He clenched his teeth and pounded both fists against his forehead. Stupid, stupid, stupid me. Why did I say that to her? But…it’s not like she cared…she screamed her reply out, loud and clear! She doesn’t care either…either? But…I care…don’t I? Clutching his head, he shook it violently. No, I don’t, that’s why I said it. I’m not stupid, I just…spoke the…the…the…truth. Just the truth, nothing more.
But hate was such a powerful word, he thought, the only thing that surpassed it was…love. Syaoran placed his head on the pillow and pulled the blanket over him, turning to the side. He stared at the glass of water in the dark, the moonlight from his window shining on the broken pieces. The puddle of water on the table, dripping on to the floor. I hate you too, Sakura, don’t ever get that wrong. Drip, drip, drip. Hate you, like you hate me. Drip, drip, drip.
Tomorrow Morning?lt;P>
“Sakura, come on! We’re going to get separated from the rest of the group!? Tomoyo shouted, looking at the room her friend had been sleeping in. It seemed clean enough, but Sakura was no where to be found. She clutched her recorder and released her grip on the suitcase she had, dropping it to the floor with a bump. She walked into the bathroom, where she found Sakura hurrying to get her things inside her suitcase. Tomoyo giggled and proceeded to help her long-time friend pack her things. Sakura looked up, smiling.
“Oh Tomoyo, thanks for the help, I really need it!? Tomoyo nodded.
“I know that, Sakura, I could tell.? As Sakura zipped her bag up and slung it across her shoulders, Tomoyo walked back out and grabbed her suitcase, recorder still in hand. Sakura eyed it.
“Don’t you think it’s a little bit worn out, that idea of recording? You know, I stopped being a cardcaptor a long time ago.? Tomoyo stared at her friend, disbelief in her eyes.
“Why of course not, you never know what could happen when Sakura-chan’s around!?
“Don’t call me Sakura-chan, Tomoyo, we’re too old for that now!? Tomoyo nodded obediently.
“Whatever you say, Sakura-chan!?she replied, before racing down the stairs to join their friends. When she and Sakura reached the rest of the class, they were out of breath and tired. Rika looked up.
“What happened to you? You look like you’ve just ran a marathon race!?she said, smiling. The other two girls with her, Chiharu and Naoko, looked at the pair as well, giggling.
“Sakura-chan had some trouble with packing.?Tomoyo explained. Sakura glared at her.
“I told you not to call me that anymore!? But before Tomoyo could answer, the teacher’s voice broke out among the large crowd. The voice belonged to Terada-sensei, who had stayed with the class throughout all these years, much to the enjoyment of everyone, especially Rika.
“Students, we will be heading for the train now, which will bring us directly to the country. Lunch will be served during the ride, and you may choose who you sit with. The only thing I ask is that this be done formally, bad impressions are no way to start out. When we are on the train, use manners, and when we are off, remember to thank everyone. Further instructions will be given during or after the trip, is everyone okay with that??
“Hai!?They all replied, as groups of five or six filed out of the door, heading towards the train station. Sakura looked at the people in front of her…quickly looking back at her friends. Syaoran…he was there…she thought, looking at Tomoyo. Chiharu, Naoko and Tomoyo were listening to Takashi ramble on about some superstitions he had made up on the spot.
“So you see, they say that if you wake up at night in the country, and walk into the fields, you will see the white silhouette of the ghost in the patches of crops, still looking for food to feed his family.?Takashi finished, getting squeals of fear from both Tomoyo and Naoko. Chiharu, on the other hand, rolled her eyes and slapped Takashi on the back of his head. “Ow!?
“Don’t listen to him, he’s making it up!? Takashi grinned from ear to ear as he rubbed the back of his head, walking slowly away. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it, Naoko grabbed him by the shoulder and brought him face to face with the three angry girls.
“Takashi!?they all yelled at the same time. He grinned sheepishly, and quickly ran away from them, forward in front of Syaoran, who paid no heed. Turning back, he made sure they weren’t following him. Since they weren’t, he turned to his friend.
“Hey Li, what’s wrong? Something seems to be bothering you.?He asked, staring at the boy’s face, who quickly snapped back to attention.
“Huh? Oh, nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking…how fun the trip is going to be.?He replied. Takashi nodded.
“Yep, it’s really going to be fun, did you know that there’s a legend that? unfortunatley, Takashi wasn’t able to finish as another slap came from behind, aimed straight at the back of his head…and the hit got its target. He winced and turned to his attacker…none other than Chiharu. “Chiharu, I wasn’t talking to you!?he said, rubbing the back of his head. Suddenly, Rika appeared from in back of Chiharu, face lined with mischief.
“People, people, it’s no time to be flirting now? Rika said, causing both Takashi and Chiharu’s face to turn away into an interesting shade of pink. Rika giggled, as did Naoko and Tomoyo. Sakura on the other hand, stared at Syaoran, walking on without even looking back once.
“Syaoran…I’m sorry? Sakura whispered, though no one could hear. Unknown to her, Syaoran was thinking the same thing. Takashi once again turned to his friend, worried.
“Li, are you sure you’re okay? You haven’t been acting yourself lately. Is something on your mind?? Li’s head snapped up, and he shook it slowly from side to side. Forcing a smile, he replied.
“No, nothing’s wrong, why’s your face so…pink??he asked, causing Takashi to turn away, Chiharu to blush ever more slightly, and Tomoyo, Rika and Naoko to giggle uncontrollably.
“No…nothing’s wrong…hehehe…I’m just…hot.?Takashi said, wiping his forehead just for the effect of it. Li smiled, and nodded with a look that seemed to say “sure.? Sakura looked up in hope. At least he was talking regularly now, perhaps if she apologized, he would say sorry too, and she would obviously forgive him…and then maybe…things could return to the way they were. Sakura blushed suddenly, feeling the heat rise up her neck, she tried to push it down, with no luck. Tomoyo stared at her.
“Sakura, what’s wrong?? Sakura shook her head, face down. Syaoran turned and looked at her, eyeing her, causing her to turn even pinker. “Sakura, you’re turning really red! What…or who are you thinking about??Tomoyo said, glancing sideways at Syaoran for a few seconds, though he didn’t notice it. Sakura kept on shaking her head, while Syaoran turned back, ignoring Sakura again. The heat died down, and Sakura found herself hoping for Syaoran to turn back, so that she could see his face, but he didn’t. Finally, they boarded the bus, and got seated in booths near the windows. Sakura sat next to Tomoyo and Rika, while Chiharu sat with Takashi and Syaoran, who was dragged along.
“Oh, I just love trains, don’t you??Chiharu said, nudging Takashi, who nodded while looking out the window.
“You know, trains were first used for…Oww!?
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