RECOLLECTION
A separation that couldn't start
|SxS|
WARNING! IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST INSTALMENT BETRAYAL DO NOT READ THIS STORY! THIS STORY IS THE EPILOGUE/THE STORY THAT FOLLOWS ON FROM THE PREVIOUS STORY. GO BACK AND READ IT! Thank you.
|Author Note|
It's been a while has it not? I'm sorry for not updating my other fanfictions and I know I always say I will update it in a month or so but I'm not very good at keeping promises nor am I very good at imagination. I'm always stuck on a writer's block and I find it, personally to get out of it! Which are is a downside. However, another bad point is that my old laptop crashed and so the final chapter for Reunion that I was writing was wiped clean...oh joy. I also previously had my GCSE exams and I'm pleased to say that I have now from this day forth completely finished my GCSE and exams! Now I'm moving onto A levels! Ahh! So, I've had a decent amount of people message me and review on Betrayal that they wished for Syaoran to receive his own medicine. I'd like to say I have done so in this fanfiction! In a way I suppose this is an epilogue of my previous story Betrayal. It's not great I think, but I hope you will all enjoy it; furthermore, having more free time now I hope to start my other fanfictions soon but I always seem to find it hard to write down how I feel or how I want the scene to be portrayed. Has anyone else got the same problem? Before I forget for this song I encourage you guys to listen to:
Hymn of the missing : Red
Lost in paradise : Evanescence
Top Emotional osts of all times: Krone *
Ayako Ikeda : Sora no Karera
Tenmon : Distant everyday memories *
(The songs with a '*' are the songs I recommend the most!)
Anyway, till next time!
|Summary|
It was a separation that couldn't start. A separation that would not be accepted by him. (Epilogue of Betrayal)
|Disclaimer|
I do not own any of the characters or the anime. All rights are reserved and belong to CLAMP.
Chapter 1: Our past we shared
It was a separation that couldn't start. A separation that would not be accepted by him.
So hollow, so lifeless...
tick tock tick tock
He sat on the bottom step of the marble staircase in their mansion, the very stairs he saw his deceased wife run up only to seal herself behind their bedroom door with a fatal click six months ago, who knew that hesitating for one second could decide between the thin thread of life and death?
'So, this is what it feels like to be left behind. To be forgotten.'
Life was a thin piece of golden thread, death was the pungent, malicious shear that would slice the so ever thin piece of thread with lethal precision, the very article that slaughtered and stole lives every day, every minute; every second. Every breath you would take and a soul had been ripped from an individual's body.
'To hell with my pride, let it fall and crumble. Let it fall, fall like rain.'
He felt weak and distant, his body slouched heavily forward into a 's' position; his eyes tightly shut. Face painted with a heavy façade grief, regret, pain and disbelief. Frown lines were embedded deeply into his forehead, dark circles heavily stained under his eyes. His hands were either side of his head cradling it, elbows propped on his knees; bangs of his hair shielded his eyes, hiding his current sentiment.
He had been sitting there dazed, in the same pose for the past nine hours without moving an inch from his designated spot, even when the first streams light of dawn shone to the first cry of the crickets singing dusk's arrival from the garden outside. But no. He would just sit there like a puppet like any other day not even bothering to eat. Not bothering to speak. Not bothering to drink. Was this an idea of punishing himself for the wrong he had committed? No one knew.
He had remained mute since her death.
The only response from him that would assure a living person that he lived would be the occasional blink, but even that was a rare sight to see.
The family's doctor would visit him regularly. He was now a permanently scheduled client in the family's doctor's schedule. They would go into the library which would act as a temporary consulting room and the doctor who ask Syaoran questions, so far, the efforts made to make the broken man speak had all failed. He just wouldn't speak.
Memories of his wife's last few moments replayed in his mind over and over again since her death, even when he was wide awake it haunted him; as he slept it conquered his mind with nightmares preventing him from a serene slumber. He would toss and turn throughout the entire night, cold sweat basking his traumatized body. He no longer had the determination to fight any longer, a will to wish to live. Disgust throttled him whenever he glanced at his reflection.
The thought of the fulfilment of life slipped into his thoughts.
What life? Did he even have one in the first place? Did he even deserve to live? To breathe the same air as others did despite the sins he had committed? To be the one to be still living instead of his wife?
The vibrant amber colour in his eyes that caught the attention of many women in his life time had faded over time, the twinkle in his eyes was replaced by lifeless, monotonous eyes. Dull and blank. Hollow like a void. If you were to look into his eyes, you would just only see a reflection of yourself and nothing more.
|SxS|
2 weeks after the death
15th January 2012
Syaoran's eyes were wide, focused on the ceiling as they had for the past hour, his face washed of any trace of emotion, just the resonance of his soft breathing and the movement of his chest moving up and down, up and down.
'Open the door, Sakura!'
His fists clawed the bed sheets into his first, wrinkling the material.
BANG BANG BANG
'I said open the fucking door dammit!'
Jaws clenched, teeth grinded harshly against one another.
BANG BANG BANG
'Sakura! Sakura!'
Tears brimmed in his eyes. Raising his arm to shield his eyes, he bit his lip. He would not scream. He would not.
'Please, Sakura wait for me!'
After all he did one would naturally wonder why he ludicrously assumed that death would give an exception for his circumstance?
'Syaoran!'
The sound of the gun's hammer being cocked by her hands echoed in his mind. The sight of her hands shaking holding the gun her grasp...His blood roared and screamed in his ears, his pulse pumped, racing at a inhuman rate.
Syaoran sat up immediately clamping his hands over his ears trying desperately to block out the noise, but failed to do so. He shook his head. Harder. Faster.
Did he think that he could get away with everything he did?
'And take this piece of junk! It means nothing to me any longer!'
Get whatever he wanted?
'Don't you fucking touch me, you damn bastard!'
Did he think he was supreme? That everything and everyone would bow down to his will?
'Don't touch me! You make me feel dirty like one of those whores you slept with!'
Of course not.
'I hate you...'
|SxS|
The haunting sound of the gun shot entered his mind.
With that gunshot she broke a barrier that controlled her, she was free from his claws; free from the cage that she sat in silence.
And even he himself now understood that, for his dear wife did just that. But it was too late, he was too slow and as a result compensated the consequences for his selfish acts. The bitter wind that hissed through the open French doors from the parlour awoke him from his trance, the curtains danced upon the light breeze as it breathed into the empty mansion. The faint sound of the television murmured in the background that one of the security guards must of been watching he assumed for a fleeting moment, it's neon glow barely illuminating the grand room. He combed his hand into his messy locks once again and fisted his hair; not caring if it caused pain or bled. After all, it would be an improvement, wouldn't it? He would be feeling emotion you see, he was a cold man, a 'cheating bastard'.
He didn't accept reality any longer since that day. He didn't want to, he wouldn't.
'Didn't your conscience ever scream out to you that what you were doing was wrong? Did you ever think to consider my feelings! '
Death had never showed any mercy, why should it?
This is different...
Why should it not show mercy to anyone but him?
Because I am Li Syaoran.
Was there something special about him?
No.
Death wasted no time nor loaned it's sympathy to the current state of affairs that would incur at the moment that death would steal a life, however, others would argue that death would be saving a life, like a certain wife of the CEO of Li corporations for example.
|SxS|
Li Corporation Gala
14th December 8:40 pm 2009
A Bentley pulled up to the grand entrance of the Li manor, the chauffeur efficiently got out of the front and opened the passenger's door. A tall, handsome man with ruffled brown hair slid out with ease, wearing a black dinner suit with a bow tie. He turned back towards the vehicle and offered his hand, a few moments later a slim hand grasped Syaoran's hand and stepped out the luxurious vehicle to reveal her elegant winter, white gown that hung onto her body perfectly, with a gentle pull he assisted the beautiful woman out of the car. A smile gracing his lips. The beauty had auburn hair and emerald eyes that glowed with content, the handsome man leaned in and whispered into her ears words only for him and her to hear earning a blush from the woman, he secured an arm around her waist and lead her up the stairs only to be stopped by a large number of people congratulating him on his success.
"Congrats my boy! You've done a splendid job with the corporation this year, a fine job indeed! My congrats to you and your beautiful wife tonight!"
"Thank you Kijimuta san, my wife and I thank you for your congenial praise." Syaoran bowed slightly in respect to the senior.
Kijimuta nodded swirling the golden champagne in the glass flute, "You're very welcome. Indeed my boy, and may I just say your wife is looking more beautiful every time I see her. It seems she's catching the attention of many men tonight, poor chaps. She's a beautiful creature your wife my boy! A rare beauty held by only a handful of women in this century."
Syaoran smiled softly, "Ah, that she is. I'm truly blessed that she's by my side in life; it still bewilders me that she agreed to wed me after the appalling proposal I did for her." he joked winking at his wife, causing her to blush even more averting her gaze to the floor.
Kijimuta threw his head back and laughed, Sakura smiled softly; the Cartier, diamond necklace around her neck glimmered against the luminosity that reflected from the extravagant arrangement of lights entwined within the shrubbery.
"Apologies Kijimuta san, but I'm afraid we-"
"You needn't to apologize my boy! My apologies for holding you and your wife back from this remarkable evening, we'll talk another time I'm sure. I hope you have a pleasant evening" He smiled, and with that he re-entered the Gala through the French doors behind him.
A few moments later Sakura and Syaoran entered resulting a number of heads to turn to see the host of the Gala, but to also witness the beauty of his wife in her gown which flowed behind her like a waterfall on the staircase covered with a red carpet, she looked like a goddess which her innocent features sustained spectacularly.
A round of applause followed immediately after their arrival, Sakura un-entwined her arm from her husband's and stepped back to allow the crowd to see the successful CEO; she too clapped, a smile beaming on her face. Syaoran mouthed a 'thank you' to the crowd and turned to his wife, he made a gesture with his hand urging Sakura forward. She complied with a smile.
"I'm so proud of you" She whispered breathlessly.
Syaoran smiled softly, taking her hand into his, he lifted her hand to his lips pressing a sweet kiss to her wedding ring. The crowed awed at his sweet affection towards his wife, Sakura blushed at the attention murmuring that people were watching and that they should stop. The CEO chuckled and released her hand and offered his elbow instead.
"Shall we?"
With a gentle smile she nodded and rested her hand upon his extended arm.
As they descended the bottom of the stairs the crowd swarmed in like sharks, Syaoran thanked each person for their humble comments and their contribution to the corporation wishing them an eventful evening. Syaoran pulled Sakura through the crowds, she noticed his eyes were searching through the seas of face with an intent gaze. His eyes, dark and unfaithful.
Sakura lightly tugged the sleeve of his suit but failed to receive a response, so she called his name, "Syaoran?"
But no response, he didn't seem to hear her. What exactly was he doing? Who exactly was he looking for?
"Syaoran" She repeated once again but louder only to be answered by a short distant 'hm?'.
"What are you doing? W-What are you looking for?" Sakura asked curiously tilting her head in his direction hoping to see what Syaoran was exactly trying to see, standing on her tiptoes now and then in attempt to reach his height. Sakura caught a glint in his eyes with a lick of his lips, he turned his attention fluently to Sakura.
"Sakura, I'll be right back, I just have to speak to an important client of mine alright?"
"Sure, that's fine" Sakura smiled despite a part of her screamed to hold onto him.
Syaoran leaned in and pressed his lips against hers for a brief moment before pulling away from her grasp and weaving through the crowd, getting further and further from Sakura; losing Sakura's eyesight and now lost in the sea of people at the Gala ball. Syaoran moved quick and fast towards the creature in red who had caught his eye since he had entered the ball, he wanted her, and he would get very that.
Syaoran threw a look over his shoulder making sure Sakura had lost sight of him, a dark smirk grew on his face in satisfaction seeing that she was surrounded by a group of women and men...and distracted.
'perfect'
Adrenaline pumped through his veins with each stride he took, he was so close! So near to the want he needed that she couldn't give him, the thing that he craved for, yearned for, desired for, longed for was just a few steps away! The risk of getting caught pressed him further to do this corrupt act. He approached the platinum blonde in the red Chanel dress from behind, his eyes sinfully peeled away her dress, the deep hunger within him growing more and more the longer he thought about it, he needed to act.
It burned, it ached. Something...someone needed to put out the fire that continued to eat himself away.
He needed to do it now.
.Now.
Syaoran praised kami (1)that she was near the less occupied area of the Gala. He recognised that she was an heiress, Yamada Aoi. The daughter of Yamada Akiro. The CEO of Yamada the world's most famous and lavish hotel, in fact he had often stayed in his hotels during his business trips. It had said on the website that the staff were all professionally trained, if that meant paying them a tip now and again to not mention a word whilst bringing a certain lady back into his room also applied to that rule- he didn't see anything at in particular to disagree on with that account.
In one swift moment he smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist from behind as he did earlier to his-...who was it again? Ah, that's right. His wife.
And whispered into her ear, his lips brushing softly against her earlobe "Now."
Aoi moaned quietly feeling Syaoran's wet tongue lick and suck her earlobe, she arched her neck back encouragingly, a chill rush up her spine and settling between her legs.
'Got her'.
Amber eyes clouded with a sinful ache, a lust that would not die out so easily until a life would perish. A wicked smirk tugged the corner of his lips as he worked his way down the blonde's neck licking and nipping, reluctantly the unfaithful husband pulled away grabbing the dazed heiress by the hand roughly and lead her down the corridors which led to the guest rooms, he opened the first door he caught in sight and locked it behind him. He forced the blonde against the oak door and pinned her hands above her head, and slammed his lips against hers hungrily. Aoi's eyes glazed with arousal; her lips pursed and swollen from the intensity of the kiss. Losing impatience he forced his tongue into her mouth muffling her moans and groans, he drew her slim, suntanned leg around his waist and grounded her against his swollen member. Syaoran slipped a hand down to her thighs and pushed her dress so that they would bunch around her hips, skin and skin burned and grinded against one another.
A sense of moral and conscience was discarded as quickly as the clothes were.
A few moments later jewellery, under-garments and clothes were thrown on the floor followed by the sickening sound of heavy pants and moans from the intimacy.
|SxS|
If death showed sympathy the word 'death' wouldn't even exist would it?
He strained his ears to listen, hoping he could hear her.
'Okaa san, what is death?' asked Syaoran at the age of seven as his father's coffin was lowered to the ground.
Syaoran tugged his hair, concentrating hard, sensing every inch of the house for a trace of life except his. Another person except him, a woman's presence that he craved for day and night, every living second.
He felt defeated. Defeated that death had beaten him. 'Doko...doko iru no...Sakura?' (2)
Her laughter, her voice, the soft clatter that would echo down the hallways from the kitchen when she washed the serving dishes, the soft sound of her closing the cabinet the way she would always do, the tapping of her shoe's heel against the floor, the sound of her-
I tried to walk together
But the night was growing dark
But he couldn't hear a thing.
Thought you were beside me
But I reached and you were gone
A black void began to swarm around Syaoran, closing in on him in a suffocating manner; drawing his remaining life source that he had, and continued to be unnoticed by Syaoran. The black void slithered closer towards the disheartened husband, it constricted it's body around him but he still remained oblivious. The desperation from this man for his life to be taken was overwhelming, and continued to grow larger, dominating the air with a heavy weight.
Sometimes I hear you calling
From some lost and distant shore
I hear you crying softly for the way it was before
His heart thumped with fear at reality hitting him.
Where are you now?
Are you lost?
tick tock tick tock
Will I find you again?
Are you alone?
The grandfather's clock chimed, he looked over to his side. It was seven in the evening, had time always gone by so quickly? Since her death, his colleagues at work had even remarked on his features looking so worn out, so old. Could he blame himself? He never slept for heaven's sake.
Are you afraid?
Are you searching for me?
Could grief really cause so damage to a man like him? To any human being?
Why did you go? I had to stay
Now I'm reaching for you...
He scoffed at himself. He wasn't human. What was he thinking?
|SxS|
7:00PM 12th December 2009
As Syaoran was logging off from his laptop getting ready to leave the office his intercom flashed, it was the secretary's line.
He pressed the button and continued to pack away.
"Li Syaoran," he barked continuing to place the important documents safely away in his suitcase.
"Li sama, there's a woman that asks for your presence. She refused to tell me her name or the reason why she wished to see you Li sama."
"Oh, hurry up already! I want to see him! I can get you fired for your poor lack of service to me you know!" screeched a voice he knew so well. Syaoran licked his lips.
It was Kijimuta Aoi. His mistress and lover.
"Let her in." Syaoran spoke into his intercom.
"L-Li sama? Are you sure?" The baffled secretary asked with a hint of jealously.
Syaoran chuckled.
"I'm perfectly sure." he trailed walking to his office door to greet them.
Both of the women's heads turned to see the handsome CEO leaning against the door frame as he opened the door, "Come in Aoi, apologies for the wait."
Aoi shot a 'told you' look to the secretary and strutted into Syaoran's office as if she owned the place, Syaoran murmured a few words to Amy into her ear quietly making sure the secretary didn't hear a word. Once that was solved he closed the door behind himself to give his secretary and him some privacy, he approached the desk where his secretary was designated and gave a million dollar smile that charmed all of the female population.
"I sincerely apologise for her behaviour-" Syaoran's eyes trailed to the plaque that sat on her desk,"- Saitou san, take this as my apology" he spoke with a velvet tone, taking out his wallet from his pocket revealing a blank cheque.
"This, is a blank cheque. Any amount you want, write it in, and I shall abide by faithfully."
Oh, how the word 'faithful' was so ironic to him! It could make him laugh.
"Could I ask you a favour, Saitou san?"
"Y-yes! O-of course Li sama! Please, call me Michiko!"
He nodded. 'Got her.'
"If that pleases you, Michiko" he smiled testing the word as it rolled of his tongue in ease, Michiko's face burned a bright pink hearing his oh so husky, sexy voice say her name. Oh, what wonders he did to her two nights ago with that very tongue!
"Your name, it means beautiful and wise does it not?"
Michiko nodded, being too flustered by his striking features to speak a word.
"It's truly beautiful, a fitting name for a woman as yourself," he complimented with a gentle gaze, "Could you keep a secret for me, Michiko?"
She nodded eagerly.
He leaned forward, their faces inches apart. "Can you not mention a word of this to anyone? It'd be truly a 'hindrance' for me, Michiko. Could you be so kind as to not mention a word of this to anyone?" he whispered lowering his voice by an octave, placing his hand over hers indiscreetly.
"Of course! I wouldn't tell a soul!" she almost yelled standing abruptly almost knocking the office chair, wanting his trust so that she could have another 'round' with him.
Syaoran flashed her a satisfied handsome smirk, "Thank you," he thanked, "I'm truly grateful for your generosity. In gratitude, you needn't to stay here any longer for today, have a good evening Michiko." he started to stand up straight placing his hands into his trouser pockets coolly but paused abruptly, " Ah, and before I forget, could you send a message to my wife? Could you say:
' Hey Saks,
I'm going to be late coming home again, don't wait up for me. Make sure to lock up the doors, and have a good rest.
I love you'."
Michiko's smile started to waver as she watched her boss pull away realizing he was heading back to that 'woman'. Jealously burned within her. He was hers! No one else's!
He casted a gaze over his shoulder and smirked, "I enjoyed two nights ago, we should do it again soon. Till next time, Michiko" he winked and closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door and exhaled, 'women' he tsked.
"Syaoraaan" purred Aoi, amber eyes shot up to see Aoi perched on his desk nearly in the nude, she seductively beckoned him forward. In one movement he was right before her, he leaned in and placed his hands either side of her; trapping her. Which she liked.
"Too much clothes," Aoi stated simply, curling her hands around his black tie tugging him closer; smashing her lips against his impatiently; undoing his shirt button whilst Syaoran shrugged of his expensive Armani suit that was left as a heap on the floor.
Aoi brushed her lips against Syaoran's, "Did you get rid of her?"
"Yes."
His hands trailed up her leg teasingly finding their way to her inner thigh, he rubbed and stroked her slowly in an achingly slow pace. Aoi bit her lip muffling a moan and encouragingly pushed her groin towards his hands wanting release, and Syaoran did just that.
|SxS|
He consciously fiddled with his wedding ring on his finger. He recollected the memories of the Gala a few years back when he kissed Sakura's hand, wooing the crowd in awe at his affectionate act and Sakura flushing at the attention...
His head jerked.
Had he just noticed that all this time she was pushing herself into the background? Not wanting the attention at all but directing it at him? The way she stepped back when the crowd applauded for his success, she wanted the attention to be set on him. Not her. All that Sakura had wanted was to have the attention, love and care from her husband, she didn't mind not being the centre of attention, in fact she preferred to not be and more private. Her character was modest and humble, she stood by his side smiling and encouraging him whereas he wandered to other women and asked them to warm his bed which they would comply to without a doubt.
'S-Syaoran! Stop! people are w-watching! A lot of people are watching!'
His body began to tremble, his emotions ran hot. He prayed the dark would come and take him away as they did to his wife that day. He would not have to feel this!
How selfish
A sudden thought entered his mind. Did he even have the right to call Sakura his wife any more after what he did?
'Who was I to make you wait?' he seethed inwardly at himself in shame. 'Forgive me, Sakura'
'How could you ask me to forgive you?How many times can I? You have lost my trust over what I call lust...You chose to hurt me it was a must...'
'One more chance! That's all I ask, I'll change! I'll change for the better-for you!' he grovelled pitifully.
'No matter what I say, no matter what you say it'll always be the same.'
Syaoran couldn't catch his breath.
'You destroyed me! You killed me! Didn't you hear me scream? Didn't you see the pain in my eyes? Were you so selfish, so possessed by the greed of lust to not notice me falling behind? farther and farther, deeper and deeper."
Denials spilled from his mouth.
'That day-"her voice continued slicing his denials; not waiting for his pitiable excuses to cease, 'I looked into the eyes of a fraud, a face that held a look that I thought I knew so well. It was a look of disturbance yet, a look of calmness too. That day I was set free from the cage you had imprisoned me in, and I foolishly allowed you to lock me back in and throw away that key that held the key to my freedom."
"-You don't understand"
"You're right. I've never understood why a married man would sleep with another woman behind his wife's back, you killed me and you killed our child. You're a murderer!"
"I'm not" He murmured through his gritted teeth.
"Even now...you still continue to deny...to deny that what you did was wrong. All I asked was loyalty, to be loved. I gave up my family, my friends for you, I gave you my everything. They-everyone abandoned me, you were the only thing I had left. The only purpose for my existence...did I do something wrong? What did I ever do to make you do that, to do this to me..."
"Nothing, you did nothing Sakura" His hoarse voice croaked.
"Then why?"
Syaoran stood up shakily, body feeling rigid and stiff but shook it off and started to stride back and forth across the room and came to a halt.
Why did he do it?
He took in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose closing his eyes momentarily for a few seconds and reopened them with a tired visage, with the lack of sleep over the past months he looked nearly twice as old of his actual age. His mind recalled the brawls they would have every time he returned home from a hard, tiring day of 'work'.
|SxS|
Main Li manor
7th April 2010 7:25pm
She sat there with a blank face and lifeless eyes, sitting on a wooden chair that faced the drive, her eyes fixed on the gate; praying that they would open any second. Praying to see the familiar light from her husband's car headlights.
She was currently writing a poem to keep herself occupied, she held the fountain pen with a gentle grasp, her hand quivering every time she had to lift the pen off the paper.
'I am like a caged bird.
Denied its freedom to fly.
Imprisoned in a cage.
Caged.
I am like a bird with broken wings.
Unable to soar.
Forced to remain on the ground.
Caged.
I am a prisoner locked inside a cage.
I yearn to fly.
Yet I am held down.
Caged.
Tied down to this place.
When all I want is to fly.
Locked in this terrible cage.
Caged.
Will I ever get my chance to fly?
Or will I remain a prisoner forevermore?
Will someone set mefree?
Caged.
You lock me up in a cage.
Thinking that you are just trying to protect me.
But I need to spread my wings.
Caged.
I know you have only good intentions.
But I need to understand.
You need to let me go.
Caged.'
She hesitantly placed her pen down and stood up unsure whether to leave her spot in perfect view of the drive in case her husband were to appear, after a few moments of debating she decided to get a pillow to make herself more comfortable, after all, she felt that tonight would be another long night as it would usually be. Sakura peeled her eyes from the window and walked to the cabinet; plucked out a pearl white pillow and sauntered quickly back towards the parlour.
.beep.
The intercom on the wooden table winked a red light at her. Placing the pillow down she pressed the 'accept' button.
"H-hello? Li residence" She spoke, feeling rather awkward as she spoke. Being alone for so long time made it feel alien like to her to know that she was talking to another individual, for her husband believed it was wrong for her to roam amongst the Li grounds. He had banned her. He had commanded her not to. He even had security patrol the grounds to make sure she did not abscond. Everywhere was heavily secured. Security cameras were installed around the manor, a team of guards were allocated at every gate around the manor that was the only access in and out. And why was this manor so heavily guarded? God knows.
"Li sama, the master has arrived home" came the muffled reply of one of the many security men.
Though she stood mute and withdrawn, her insides throbbed; she shook uncontrollably. A fluttering excitement grew.
"N-now? He's home now?" Sakura stammered trying hard to contain her excitement and whirled her head to see the hand on the grandfather's clock had just reached twelve.
"Yes, Li sama. His car is on front of gate 3."
The sound of the security guard's radios started to get wild from the back gate's guards alerting the master's return to their fellow comrades. Guards flooded the courtyard, mixed with the maids. Her lungs constricted, blood racing.
Questions ran through her mind violently.
'Why would he be entering from the back gate? Why not the main gate? Why is everyone acting like this? Has something happened?"
"I-I see, t-thank you for notifying me" she thanked.
"It's my job my lady."
click.
Sakura drew her hand away from the intercom, a light frown found its way on her angelic feature. Forgetting about the pillow she ran to the west wing of the mansion not caring if the maids gave her an odd look about her disarranged hair and clothes, she panted heavily impatient opening every door that lead to the west wing where her husband was presumably stationed. Her eyes felt numbed, but her soul burned. Burned to see her husband's face. His voice. With each passing corridor, she felt power propel through her limbs and her legs running, following the perplexing situation which continued to lure her.
She ran past a corridor occupied by a group of guards talking through radios, their comments echoed down the long corridors which reached Sakura's ear shot, "The master is moving into east wing as we speak."
'East? Did they just say east wing?'
Sakura came to an abrupt stop, leaning against the wall; taking a few moments to breathe.
"But that's in the totally opposite direction! It would take ten minutes to reach him!" She murmured under her breath, frustrated at the colossal extent of the mansion.
"Li sama? Daijobu?" one of the maids asked curiously in Sakura's native tongue, worry etched on her face.
"S-Syaoran-" gasp, "Syaoran is home" she gasped again, "I need to reach...him!"
A handful of nosy maids poked their head around the corner to see what all the uproar was all about.
"But Li sama, you're heading in the wrong direction"
"I only just found out that" she wheezed, coughing lightly due to her lack of eating over the past days; her clothes sunk in slightly.
"But...Li sama...the master had arrived at the east wing all along. You must of been given the wrong information"
"All along? I was given the wrong information? Is there something I'm not allowed to see?"
The maid drew her eyes to the ground shamefully and bit her tongue, the maids noticing the unfolding events ran around the corner and drew the maid away and silenced her. The head maid bowed in respect, "Ignore her Li sama," spoke the eldest maid, "She talks about nonsense the girl, my apologies, it shan't happen again Li sama. Please, you needn't to worry about it."
"But-"
"Li sama!"
Sakura and the maids turned to the direction of the voice.
"This way! Come this way! It'll be quicker to reach the master this way!"
Sakura's breath hitched, instinctively without fully analysing the information she ran towards the maid.
"There's no time to wait Li sama! You must see it!"
"See?"
"Hurry, this way!" She urged hurriedly directing her through the halls, "Please keep up Li sama!"
A scream resonated from behind, it was the elder maid that Sakura had just conserved with only a few moments ago, Sakura cringed at her pitch. "Just what do you think you are doing! Enough with this nonsense! At once I say! At once!"
The maid ignored her senior's orders, determination burned in her eyes. "This way Li sama" she spoke firmly with a decisive voice, directing it at Sakura but her eyes burned into the senior's. Bewildered, the elder remained silent, her mouth agape. The maid took this as her opportunity and took Sakura by the hand and pulled her down the corridors that she knew from the back of her hand. Sakura's heart pumped and ached, trying hard to keep to the same pace as the maid's that was risking her job for her; they weaved through the corridors in the dark with only the natural nocturnal light from the moon through the windows that lit their way. It all seemed so foreign, so...
The maid came to an abrupt stop shattering Sakura's thought causing her to nearly bump into the maid, the maid released her grasp on Sakura's hand, "Through here." She rose her arm, pointing down a dark corridor making a gesture.
Sakura gave her a confused look, the maid smiled softly. "The master-as we speak is entering the east wing, there is something you must see! Something you must know Li sama! You must not trust anyone in this household, they are his spies! You must not speak a word to them!"
"What's your name?"Sakura questioned, the faint sound of the guard's radios echoed down the hallway coming closer.
"Daidouji Tomoyo"
"Tomoyo chan, arigatou gozaimasu"
Tomoyo smiled softly, but...it was a sad smile, it was soon replaced with the worried expression of being caught," Go! You must go now Li sama or you won't make it!" She gave a light push to Sakura's back, urging her down the corridor. Without looking back, Sakura nodded and ran down the corridor, a warm, orange light glowed at the end of the passage. Muffled male voices as well...
A female voice too?
she was breathing raggedly, her breath steaming, ears ringing. Each breath was drunk in a wheeze. No longer orderly as she looked with the maids but a fatigued disarray . And then...
Syaoran.
Next final chapter will be up soon, I just need to finish it off and then done! I was about to upload it all as a whole but it was too long unfortunately... But review please! Is Syaoran's punishment good so far? Should I be harsher? I have a surprise which I hope all who have followed my previous story 'Betrayal' shall find it a satisfying ending to this story.
And the next chapter also gets much 'darker'.
Here's a preview of the next chapter:
Syaoran.
Her hair tumbled messily, each of her fingertips tingled.
Syaoran…
She could feel blood rush straight to her toes. Syaoran. The parts of her heart she wrenched shut were unweaving. Living lifelessly in half expectation, she was coming alive again. Her steps were weaker with every step she took.
He was walking ahead of her, two guards trailing behind him. All ignorant of her presence.
She stopped in her tracks.
A blonde walked beside him, her head comfortably rested upon Syaoran's shoulder. He whispered something into her ear which made her laugh, she wrapped her arm tighter around his own.