Sakura and the Two Bears

[keystaff]

WHO: Sakura Kinomoto, Xiaolang Li, Leon
WHERE: Xiaolang's place (so, really. Leon's. Actually.)
WHEN: Later Jan, at this point, I guess.
WHAT: Sakura has regained a bear of her own. So she takes them both to show Xiaolang, the green one she got in the mail, and the pink winged one he ended up giving her. Only. He's sick so this timing might not be the best in discussing this and associated memories?
WARNINGS: None aside possibly cavities because of Syaoran and Sakura.



[She wasn't sure what to make of the arrival of another bear. But since Xiaolang had seemed to think the other had some connection to her, perhaps this one was the opposite? The green did seem like it was similar to his favourite colour, or shade of it at least. So of course, she goes to show him. And to talk to him about the other cards she had received. Maybe he could shed more light on them? Or at the least, she'd feel better in him knowing too, that she had these. It was important, to work together on all this, after all.

Which is how she ends up knocking at their door. Wondering what Xiaolang might make of this.]

Xiaolang-kun?

Comments

[hairstroke]

[ Naturally, Leon was worried about his younger cousin suddenly coming down with an illness. Xiaolang took good care of himself, so it was a bit of a shock when he first showed symptoms of being sick. Whether it was the tunnels to blame, or just a seasonal illness, Leon didn't hesitate to skip class to take care of his cousin. (In his mind) he's already smarter than everyone else, so he can afford to skip.

As he was in the middle of warming up some tea, he heard the knock on the door and immediately walks over to answer. ]

Kinomoto? Ah, come on in.

[ He's a little surprised by Sakura's sudden appearance, but he's quick to open the door to let her in. ]

If you wanted to talk to Xiaolang, he's sick. However, you can still visit him if you please. He could use some cheering up. [ He pauses. ] It shouldn't be contagious or anything because I've been around him and I'm fine.

[ Jasmine would have come over to greet Sakura but she was too busy staying by Xiaolang's side and making sure that her favorite boy was okay. ]

[cardcaptured]

[In normal months, in normal situations, Xiaolang wouldn't have gotten sick quite this easily. He slept right, ate right, made sure he stayed in good shape-- but that wasn't entirely the case these days. With his near constant sword training, both with the people who agreed to practice with him and the solo reviews in the woods, he hadn't given himself a real break to properly recover from all the stress he was putting his body through. That, plus the extra headache of exploring the damp, dirty tunnels, testing out his talismans, the cold in general and all of his usual school work on top of that... it was no wonder he was down for the count, feverish and feeling like someone had taken a bat to his entire body.

So here he was, in his room, bundled up in his warmest pajamas and covered in his coziest blankets, attempting to sleep through his misery. Jasmine, ever the dutiful girl (and the best girl), was curled up at his side on the bed, resting her small, fluffy head against his chest, keeping him company the best she could. In an attempt to keep his neck warm and not risk making his voice even worse, a certain hand-knit green scarf was draped around him as well. It probably looked a little ridiculous, but it was just him and Leon in the house at the moment, so he couldn't find the energy to really care. Of course, Leon wouldn't be home right now if it wasn't for him being sick, something that still gnawed at him just a little. It was bad enough Xiaolang was missing a day of school thanks to this (if not more), but to have Leon compromise his grades too...

At least he hadn't troubled Sakura over it. He had considered texting her, asking her to pick up his missing schoolwork, but in the end, he didn't want to inconvenience her. He could just play catch-up when he returned to school.

The door to his room was unlocked, for once, left slightly ajar so Leon (and Jasmine) could come in and out as they needed, without needing to drag Xiaolang out of bed. The sound of voices filter through the apartment, causing him to stir a little from his brief, unrestful sleep, confusion bubbling up in his tired, fever-addled mind. Was someone else here?]

Leon...? [His voice is a weak, hoarse croak, barely carrying through the door.] Who's that?

[keystaff]

Sorry. I should probably have checked first before coming over. I guess I forgot to text or call him before to ask or let him know I was heading here. But I..W--he's sick?

[Sakura nearly drops her bag with the bears in, the one Xiaolang had got her for Christmas. It might not be that serious, but at the same time, due to her mother having passed away years ago from illness, she can't help but to fret. She shifts then, entering when Leon lets her in, when she hears the other's voice.]

...Xiaolang-kun?

[It still comes out more like 'Syaoran-kun', probably because of her accent on top of her memories of calling him that. But still, that is a more recent development. Their use of first names.]

[hairstroke]

It's fine, he rarely ever gets sick. Besides, he could use a visitor.

[ Since it's Sakura, Leon could literally care less about her showing up unannounced since she's such a nice girl. In his mind, she and Xiaolang are close enough that she doesn't have to inform him every time.

Before he could say anything else, his thoughts were cut off by the sudden appearance of the ill boy they were chatting about. Of course, Jasmine was quick to follow her beloved boy while nuzzling her head against his leg. Taking notice of Sakura, she happily barks at the sweet girl as a form of greeting, but she's practically glued to Xiaolang because she could sense something is wrong. ]

Xiaolang?!

[ He quickly walks over to his sick cousin and gently places his hand on his shoulders. ]

Kinomoto's here. Why don't you go lay down? We can chat while you're in bed.

[cardcaptured]

[... oh. There was only one person he knew of that would call him 'Syaoran-kun'. But it was impossible. What was she even doing here? Maybe it was his fever, playing tricks on him, but he wanted to make absolutely sure...

With a considerable amount of effort, he had hauled himself out of his bed, nearly zombie-shuffling to his door to get a better look. His everything ached, the bruises he received from training thanks Soujirou, along with the pains of his illness making his body scream, but he at least gets as far as his doorway, holding onto the frame for support. He looked a mess, face flushed and eyes bleary, his hair tousled from his fitful sleep and clad only in his sleepwear and the scarf Sakura made around his neck. From this vantage point, he could only see Leon's back, and it's not until his cousin hurries to go and steady him that Sakura properly comes into view. His eyes widen at the sight of her, his breath catching in his chest and his heart fluttering wildly despite his illness.]

S... Sakura? Wh... what are you doing he--

[But the rush of blood and heat that always came to his face whenever she was around proved to be a little too much for his already overheated body, and his legs buckle, causing him to swoon a little into Leon's chest.

... yeah, discussing this in his room was definitely the best option.]

[keystaff]

Ah! N-no, stay in bed! I'll come see you there. You're sick so you should be resting. If I'd known, I'd have come by another time.

[But well. If she's here and Xiaolang can rest in bed while she talks to him that might not be so bad. She hopes. She doesn't want him to get worse forcing himself to stay up to see her if he needed to sleep, but. Since she's here she may as well check with him if he is up for it. So she's quick to make her way over to try help him or just kind of hover as Leon does, in getting Xiaolang to bed at least.]

[hairstroke]

Xiaolang! Geez, you need to rest up since you're sick.

[ His cousin's stubbornness never ceases to amaze him. From the moment he got sick, he had some suspicions that it was because of overworking himself. They already had a lot to deal with in terms of work but now with the application and the sword training, things got even more intense. It made Leon feel bad for not preventing this from happening. As a guardian, he should have kept a more watchful eye on him. ]

Thank you, Kinomoto.

[ It's a relief to know that she has a good head on her shoulders. As soon as he feels him falling into his chest, Leon's quick to lead him back onto his bed with Sakura. Jasmine immediately follows the trio and is even nuzzling her nose against Xiaolang in an attempt to keep him steady.

Once they are in his room, Leon tucks the sick child onto the bed with Jasmine hopping back on to rest with him. ]

[cardcaptured]

[To be fair to Leon, even if he had kept a closer eye on Xiaolang, he still probably would have found other ways to overexert himself and avoid his cousin's supervision. He was stubborn, after all, and headstrong, and was getting to an age where he was chafing more and more against what adults thought was best for him. At least this teenage rebellion stage only really involved teaching himself how to fight, though?? And not, say, wearing black all the time and being ~edgy~ or anything of that sort, because the world really does not need an edgelord Xiaolang, okay--

It does say something about how sick he is, though, that he doesn't get flustered over Leon chiding him in front of Sakura, neither attempting to protest when the two of them (plus Jasmine) guide him to his bed. If he was a little more well, he'd be highly against Sakura being in his room-- even though their relationship has improved, in leaps and bounds, it was still his personal space and he was protective over it-- but his mind was swimming with too many other things to pay that much thought. Really, why was she at their apartment?? Did they have a sparring session today and he forgot? Did she bring him his homework after all? It's not that he wasn't pleased to see her (quite the opposite, despite his sickness), but today, of all days...

Xiaolang gives a small groan as Leon helps settle him in, finally coming to his senses enough to shift a little on his mattress so he can sit up against the pillows he had there. His eyes soften momentarily, though, as his cousin tucks the blankets around him and Jasmine settles in, the action both nostalgic and familiar. It was the little actions like these that made him care about Leon, for better or for worse, even though he never openly said it.]

... sorry. I was just... [His voice is small and contrite, and his eyes flicker over to Sakura hesitantly.]

... did something happen?

[Because why else would she be here, without sending him a message or text of some sort? It's not like he was having any luck sleeping prior to this, anyway, so if she had wanted to speak with him, now was the best time.]

[keystaff]

Oh, I um....it can wait? Till you're feeling better? I just thought, since I got more of those cards. And something else, that you'd want to know.

[But if he was sick, she didn't mind waiting and talking about all that some other time. Still, there's something to be said for honesty. At least she is coming to him about it fairly quickly this time, probably more confident in doing so now she sort of has a better idea on the cards and how to use them. More or less, anyway. Still, she's wanting to try and help somehow, and to keep him in the loop. It's just a matter on timing whether he was really up for this right now or if they wanted to wait for later.

She's too focused on Xiaolang himself anyway to really take much if any notice of the room and his belongings there, to ensure he was comfortable and whether he was feeling well enough for this sort of thing yet or not.]

[hairstroke]

[ The mention of "those cards" causes Leon to curiously glance over at Sakura for a brief moment. That certainly caught his attention. Since she's also unfortunate enough to be stuck with this application, he assumed that retrospec had sent her something like Xiaolang's sword. If it wasn't for the strange circumstances, he would have assumed they were playing cards but they were definitely much more important than that.

Whatever it might be, he appreciated that she was so willing to keep his cousin in the loop. She's such a good girl. Leon will never say this out loud but he's grateful that Xiaolang was able to have a good friend like her around. Even if he may endlessly tease him about a possible crush... ]

I'm going to go warm up some tea for you, Xiaolang. [ He's a terrible cook but at least he can warm up... tea? It's sort of an accomplishment! But he figures that his cousin could use something, even though he might not be able to handle a whole lot. ] Would you like anything to drink, Kinomoto?

[cardcaptured]

[... well. That was definitely news. Xiaolang's bleary eyes brighten a little, and he struggles to sit up a bit more in his bed, wincing at his aching body. Leon's curious look towards Sakura doesn't escape his eye, and a brief frown flickers across his face. Had he mentioned the cards to Leon before? He was sure he did, briefly, but he figured it would have been better for Sakura to explain them since they were hers and all. But with everything else going on, with the tunnels and training and all, they didn't really get the chance...

... still. This was the first time she had come to him right away in regards to her regains, and Xiaolang wasn't about to let something like being sick get in the way of that. It'd be a bit of a struggle, with his fever and all, but he was just going to worry and stress himself more in not knowing what it was. He attempts to put some strength, some insistence in his weak voice, but whether he succeeds at it or not is... debatable.]

NO, no-- stay. Please. I want to know.

[The fact that she might want to hang around and look after him, even without telling him about her new cards, hadn't even crossed his mind. He just... didn't want her to go so soon, that's all. Especially not after coming all this way to talk to him.

His eyes flick back over towards Leon, at his question, and he wondered, hazily, if this was Leon's way to get them to talk privately. He was welcome to their conversation, if only because they had to tell him about the cards at some point anyway (and he may even be connected if he was related to Xiaolang), but... if that was his intention, it was a subtle way to do it. He was feeling pretty thirsty from his fever, anyway...]

Mm. [He nods, briefly.] Thanks, Leon.

[And, a beat--]

Make sure to turn the burners are off when you're done, though. [Because, even if it's tea, HE STILL DOESN'T TRUST YOU IN THERE, COUSIN....]

[keystaff]

Me? Oh, um. If you're making some anyway, I suppose. Sure. Thank you, Leon-san!

[Since Xiaolang seems determined for her to stick around for a bit, at least. She gives a nod and smile to Leon, remaining with Xiaolang while the other heads to the kitchen. She puts down her bag on the floor, bringing out the cards and bear, bringing them up to Xiaolang's lap to show him.]

These. I got another bear. And more cards.

[cardcaptured]

[With Leon off in the kitchen (hopefully not about to burn everything down), Xiaolang slumps a little, a bit relieved for this brief interlude of privacy. Not that he hadn't wanted his cousin there, but if this was in regards to their memory stuff, it would have been hard to talk about without explaining things to him first. Which Xiaolang was going to do!! Eventually! But hopefully not while he was feeling like hell warmed over.

His eyes follow Sakura as she ducks down to bring out her items, his curiosity building despite his weariness. The cards were enough to grab his interest, but 'something else he'd want to know'? Was it something related to whatever Fai had hinted at, with his being Sakura's bodyguard and all? But the moment she resurfaces, a very familiar green bear in hand, it feels like the world stops for a second as his breath catches in his chest.

... oh. Now he was very glad Leon had stepped out when he did.

Cards all but ignored, he gingerly takes the stuffed animal from Sakura's hands, the expression on his fever-flushed face one of quiet awe and wonder. If he had any doubts whether it was the same one from his memories, the feel of the soft fur beneath his fingers and the sturdy craftsmanship of it all was confirmation enough.]

This bear...

... I remember this bear. This was my bear. That's how I knew the pink one I got must have been yours in the first place.

[His gaze travels over to her face, confused and questioning.]

But why did it wind up with you?

[keystaff]

This was.....? This was yours? But then why did I get this one and you got the pink one?

[It's a good question. Why they got each other's bears. Considering the green was more Xiaolang's colour and pink more suited for Sakura, with that particular shade of pale pink especially given her namesake. She's confused, frowning as she then shifts to reach to bring out the other bear. The pink one with the wings, to bring that one up to the bed to compare them.]

They seem about the same size. I'm not sure but I think the green one was handmade too.

[cardcaptured]

[He looks back down towards the bear in his hands at her question, a frown of his own crossing his features and his voice a bit distant.]

... I don't know. I was wondering that myself when I first got the on you have. I assumed maybe it was a numbers mix-up, given we have the same memories and all, but...

[He doesn't get to finish that thought, however, as Sakura brings her own bear into view, bringing a pleasant warmth to his chest despite his illness. It was... odd, how seeing that one little bear always gave him such tender feelings. Maybe it was because Sakura liked it so much? But he wasn't really sure that was it...

Keeping the green bear steady with one hand, he moves automatically to take the pink one out of her hold with the other, to keep the stuffed animals closer together for better inspection. They looked similar enough...]

I'm positive that one is. It doesn't have a tag or anything on it, and the stitching looks different from that of a machine... Maybe they were made as a set? [It's a lot neater looking than the stitches on the pink bear, anyway, but that was probably due to Syaoran having more time to make his... not that either of THEM knew that. He turns both bears, trying to see them from all angles, a thought suddenly occurring to him. A couple of people had mentioned it when he asked about it before, but...]

... Sakura. Do you... feel anything whenever you see this bear? Like the need to hold onto it, or anything like that?

[HE'S AWARE IT SOUNDS REALLY WEIRD, but if it was anything like he's been experiencing with his sword and the pulls from Sakura bear...]

[keystaff]

Made as a set?

[Wouldn't the green one have matching wings then? But regardless of that. They were both sort of the same make. Same size and all, so she could see the similarities enough that she gets why Xiaolang might assume that. She watches him take hold of the pink one, the one with the wings at it's back. Staring at them together, at the pink one in his arms.]

I...I think they're both cute. I've liked hugging the pink one since you gave it to me. The green one is really soft too.