Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me. That's all, end of subject.
My second story! Read, review, and enjoy!
"But Otou-san!" I complained, unable to hold back anymore.
My dad looked surprised at my reaction. He had just told me that he was remarrying. Remarrying.
When I was little, he'd always tell me stories about Mom, who died when I was three, occasionally accompanied by comments from my older brother.
I had assumed from the affection in his voice every time he reminisced about her that Otou-san would never think of loving another woman; Mom had given up almost everything she had for him, and I was sure he would have done the same, that is, if he had had anything to give at all.
Then, out of the blue, my dad starts dating a colleague who had been working along him for about two years. They didn't even know each other that well when they started going out. I endured in silence because Otou-san seemed genuinely happy to love someone -living, that is: I was sure that he could never forget Mom- and I hated to ruin his new bliss. But remarrying?
"Sakura-san…" My dad's voice was tinged with sadness; I almost regretted my outburst. Almost. If my dad had just been more observant…
I couldn't hide my mixed-up emotions from him anymore. "Look, Otou-san, I know that you're happy with Koharu-san-" my dad winced at the use of his girlfriend's name- I had already met with her several times and Otou-san thought that the first-meeting formality had been put behind me, "but remarrying?"
"Look, Sakura-san, let me explain. Koyumi is very special to me, and-"
A wave of rage and frustration washed over me- couldn't he let me finish? "I thought that you loved Mom! Or did you forget about her completely?"
Both my dad and I were shocked and horrified at what I had just said; my dad's face fell into lines of sadness- no, agony would be a much better description- while I struggled to repair the damage my outburst had done.
"Look, Otou-san…I'm so sorry, I know that was mean…"
"I-it's okay," my dad said, flashing an obviously fake smile at me. "But please, give Koyumi a chance."
"A-alright," I muttered, feeling relief and despair flood over me in equal measure.
Three months later…
I glared at my stepmother from under my blankets, and with good reason. It was one o'clock, for heaven's sake!
"Were you even listening to me?!" Koyumi demanded as I attempted to sit up, failing miserably.
"If you…haven't noticed… the clock…" I muttered groggily, rubbing my poor eyes, "it's one…o'clock. In the morning." Was she trying to make my life miserable?
"Complain all you want, but I have to attend a party," I groaned, thinking, Again? "and by law, I am not allowed to leave you alone at home." I could see that if she had had her way, this law wouldn't have existed. In fact, a lot of rules, like no underage drinking and tobacco and such, would be nonexistent had she been in charge.
I feverently wished that Onii-chan, bully as he was, hadn't decided to get a place of his own. Anything but this.
"Can't we please break the rules this time?" This wasn't the first time I'd been subjected to this torture. And my teachers wondered why I always overslept.
"Of course not," she scoffed.
I groaned again. "Why don't you just stay at home this one time?"
"I told you, NO! This is a very important occasion-"
I rolled my eyes. Just how many times had I heard that? "That's what you said yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that-"
"That is IT!" Angry and dulled by sleep as I was, I was still terrified. I'd never seen her that mad. Ever.
She paid no attention to my sudden wariness. "You always, always make my life so difficult-"
Look who's talking, I thought bitterly.
"I can't take it anymore! You may be my deceased husband's precious daughter, but-"
I wonder why he's dead, I thought sarcastically. Maybe because of you?
"This is the last straw. I can't take another day of this-"
Didn't you just say that?
"-so here's what I'm going to do." That ominous statement brought a chill of fear that went all the way down my spine. Lazy as Koyumi might be, when it involved torturing me, she never hesitated to act.
"I am going to put you up for adoption."
"Ho-hoe?" I was certain that she was planning some dreadful thing, maybe even something illegal. But adoption…that didn't sound so bad. She must be running out of ideas.
Or maybe she just wants me off her back.
"So effective immediately, you are officially out of my custody. I'll call the agency and see if there's anyone who will be willing to take you."
At least she wasn't planning to throw me out onto the streets for someone to take pity on me and bring me home. That would have been embarrassing.
"What was the number again?" Koyumi muttered, tracing a finger down the list of names in front of her. I was startled that she'd gotten the phone book so
quickly.
Feeling that I wasn't in danger of having my throat slit anymore, I slid into a dreamless sleep, occasionally tossing and turning.
"HOOEEEEE!!"
I shoved my wet, auburn bangs out of my face. Looking up, I saw the culprit.
"Get dressed. I've found a home." Koyumi announced smugly.
"Hoe?" Then I remembered the previous night- well, actually earlier this morning- events, and realization washed over me.
"YES!" I did a little dance, ignoring Koyumi's incredulous stare. Maybe the adoption thing was intended to be punishment after all.
Grinning broadly, I raced to my closet and pulled out a pink blouse and a frilly skirt. Normally, I wouldn't wear Tomoyo-chan's creations (these clothes were exceptionally flashy, well, as flashy as casual wear could get), but I was so happy, I didn't care. I hummed a bright, cheery tune as I tied my hair into the usual pigtails.
"Well, the boxes are in the hall when you're done…" Koyumi's voice trailed away. I figured she was still puzzled over my enthusiasm.
"'Kay!" I called cheerfully as I straightened out my skirt in the mirror.
I wonder who I'm going to be living with…I hope they're nice. What am I thinking, of course they're going to be nice! My happiness overpowered all the doubts I still had about living in a new home.
Half an hour later, I had packed all my possessions into cardboard boxes, each labeled according to their contents. I was about to say I was finished, but a thought crossed my mind, and I looked at the master bedroom at the end of the hall…
Three breathless minutes later, I raced out of Koyumi's bedroom, clutching an assortment of albums and picture frames in my arms. Spying an empty box, I rushed to set them down. When I finished transferring the contents of my arms to the box, I felt a surge of relief. Now Koyumi wouldn't be able to destroy the most important treasures in my life, the relics of the good times in my life. I smiled at the photo of Mom on top.
"Are you done yet?" Koyumi called, irritated. "The cab's here!"
"Yes." So she wasn't going to come with me. Good.
Fifteen minutes later, the car skidded to a halt in front of a very luxurious apartment building. I felt a knot of worry twist my stomach. Koyumi didn't say my new family would be rich.
The cab driver, a middle-aged man with a hint of gray in his red hair, twisted around. "Do you need help with your stuff?"
I flashed a smile at him. "That's okay, I can do it myself."
"Are you sure?" the driver pressed. "Apparently, your destination is on the top floor."
I gulped and looked up. Nineteen stories. "Well, in that case, you're more that welcome."
"It's no problem," the driver said, beaming. I wondered how much he had got for escorting me. I had about fifteen boxes of stuff, very heavy, and no one in their right mind would volunteer to carry them up nineteen floors, even with the elevator.
"Thanks." No need to turn him down. In fact, I was grateful, even if he had had to be bribed.
"Wow," he muttered, staring at the contents of the trunk. "You've got a lot of stuff here." I could see him reconsidering. Had the money been enough?
"We might need to do about three or four rounds, but we should be able to get everything up in less than an hour." Apparently, yes.
"Well then, let's get started."
I could see that he wanted to back out on the second round. Honestly, I couldn't blame him.
"What do you have in here?" he wheezed in complaint. I read the label and grimaced in sympathy.
"That's my computer stuff. And my TV."
"You brought your computer and TV with you?" His eyes raised in surprise.
"Yes. This is a…permanent stay."
"Oh," he said, realization flooding his face. We continued in silence, our faces gradually becoming a red to match his vividly flaming hair.
"That's the last of them," the driver said at last. "See you around, kid."
"Yeah," I panted, watching his retreating figure from the cool, concrete floor.
About ten minutes later, I felt I had recovered enough to get up. But when I saw the nameplate next to the doorbell, my legs felt weak again, and I collapsed. This time, it had nothing to do with exhaustion.
Li. Li. The word echoed around in my head as I felt a sudden panic clouding my mind.
I'm living with Li Syaoran?
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