Title: Forged Life of a Black Rose

Author: Nyoko Mitsu

Summary:
Kinomoto Sakura has had her whole life taken away from her. Her whole family killed before her own eyes. She is the sole survivor and witness. Sakura's is so scared of the life that lies in front of her. So many fears how can she survive a single day? What happens when the killer comes back to finish the job?

Chapter One: Flashback

Dark locks of hair hid dull emerald eyes as she watched the casket belonging to her parents and older brother sink into the ground. Tears silently slid down her face as she though that they hadn't deserved this. They weren't meant to die. Not now. Not so horridly, so despicably.

She knew that there were many to comfort her, place their arms around her and tell her that they were sorry that she lost her family. Her whole family. But she knew it was just pity they felt towards her. She knew her famliy wasn't lost. She knew, because she would never find them. Sakura could never hear the sound of Touya's voice calling her a monster. Never see the lovely face of her Mother. And never be able to sit upon her Father's lap again.

She peered up for a quick moment, and saw the sea of faces that came to pay their respects. She felt a young man move his way next to her, and hold her hand with his. She looked into his amber orbs and tried to manage a quick smile, failing miserably. Syaoran squeezed her hand and whispered to her.

"You don't have to make me believe you're okay. I know how hard this is. And you know I'll always be here for you... no matter what."

Sakura looked at him, and leaned her exhausted body against his for support. She knew she could trust him. She loved him, though he doesn't know it. She knew he had a hard life. Having his Father die young, his Mother leave him in Tomoeda, and having zero childhood, always having to train to be a leader.

She walked towards the burials and threw a crisp black rose onto each of them. Black, the colour of sadness, depression, Death. Suddenly she couldn't hold her composure any longer. She fell to her knees, hands wrapped around her chest, sobs wracking her body. Horrid images flashed through her mind, as the memories of her beloveds and that fateful night replayed themselves throughout her very soul.

Flashback

Kinomoto Sakura sat there in her bed, happy and content. Her window was slightly cracked and a cool breeze fluttered her drapes.Her hair was in a messy bun and she wore a black tank-top and pink pajama pants. She had her knees hugged to her chest as her eyes read the book in front of her. Her enerald eyes sparkled with joy, such joy that was to be never seen again. It was 'The Laughing Corpse', by Laurell K. Hamilton. One of her most favorite authors. She loved the mystery, the suspense. She was completely entranced with it. Too entranced...

She had failed to notice the form perched outside her window. Failed to notice the menacing eyes glowing with such maliciousness. Failed to notice the sharp glint of metal that was being held...

Sakura got up from her comfortable position, and went downstairs to refill her glass of Mountain Dew. Her cat and fellow friend, Kero-Chan, hopped of the bed in pursuit of his mistress. A few minutes later, she returned and curled back up with her book. Kero nudged her and she pet him, whilst laying there.

She was clueless to her widened window. Clueless to the large, dirt-covered footprints that covered her soft carpet. Clueless to the important fact that they led to her very closet...

What she did notice, however, was the feeling of being stared at. She had always hated it, and it always made her uncomfortable. Right now she could feel the pentrating stare that such eyes had a hold on her. She suddenly became afraid to move, afraid of rolling over and meeting whatever creature of the night face to face. Sakura could feel the hairs on the back of her neck strighten out completely as they rose. She too, rose as she tried to slowly make her way to her bedroom door. She knew it was probably just her imagination, as it often got away with her. But this time was different. She had never felt this scared before. She walked quicker now, more anxious. She could make it to her parent's of brother's rooms, and everything would be just fine.

...Apparently, Fate had another choice in the matter...

She had her hand on the doorknob, as a being faster then anything that she had ever seen, burst out of her closet and lunged towards her. Her lean body fell back against the door frame, as true fear flooded her eyes.

Whoever it was, they stood there for a brief second, before he lunged once more. He, she assumed it was a male from the figure, was tall, lanky, and had a long black trenchcoat one. She couldn't see his face, because of the mask he wore. But she knew that she would never forget those eyes. Red as a glowing ember, piercing her very soul, and make her shiver. Yet, there was something that frightened her even more. It was the double-edged dagger he held in his left hand.

He jumped forward, and she turned around and quickly tried to open the door. His gloved hand grasped her shirt and pulled her form to himself and put the dagger to her neck.

Sakura could feel the cold, sharp metal and she began to cry. No, she couldn't die like this. Not now. It just wasn't right. She remembered something Touya had taught her. He had taught her this to hurt anyone whom tried to hurt her. As long as she didn't use it on him, yet she had been tempted.

The arm at which held her around the neck was just close enough. Sakura bit down as hard as she could, grimacing when she felt his vile blood pool in her mouth. He shouted obsenities at her, but she didn't care in the slightest. He had loosened his grip on her, just a tiny bit, but it was enough. She wriggled her body aound to face his before grabbing ahold of his shoulders and plunging her knee right into his groin. He fell to the ground, still holding the dagger, gasping for breath. This was it. This was her chance to get away. She flew out the door and ran to the stairs. Touya's and her parent's rooms were down there.

As she ran, she could hear the man yell, and could see him making his way through her door in pursuit. She made it to the stairs, but was in too much of a hurry, and tripped over Kero. She plumeted down, headfirst. She couldn't feel her arm. She knew her head was bleeding. Her body lay crumpled at the foot of the stairs. She was stunned, unable to move. As she opened her eyes, she saw him. At the top, making his way towards her. She heard another crash a the running of footsteps coming into the room. It was Touya.

You could tell he had been woken from a deep sleep. His hair was unkept, and his face was still sleepy, but wide in alarm. He saw Sakura, and became very worried. He knew she was clumsy, but not like this. Her older brother ran to her, and picked her up. "What happened? Are you okay?!"

The only response she was able to give him was a weak mutter, "...W-watch ou-t..." She lifted a weak arm and pointed at the stairs.

Touya looked up and saw the man. He had paused now, looking at Touya with some interest. Touya ran into the next room and layed Sakura down on the couch. He told her to stay there and call the police. He didn't get much of a chance to tun around. The guy had already regained himself and entered the room.

As Touya turned to face him, he brought the dagger to his face, and Touya fell to the ground, currently splattered with his blood. He struggled to get up, and was fiercly kicked in the stomach. Finally making his way up, he dodged the next attack and gave the attacker a square punch in the face. He stumbled, but didn't fall.

By this time they had both forgotten about Sakura, who had crawled underneath the couch, against the wall. You couldn't see her, but she could see everything that was happening. She clutched the phone to her and dialed 911. She didn't speak, though, for she was too afraid to. The officer on the other end of the line apparently could hear the fighting and said police would be there immediatly. Sakura hoped that they would be. She wasn't sure how much more her brother could take.

There was blood profusly pouring out of the wound on Touya's cheek, but he had ignored it. He was getting weaker, and he knew the end was coming. He grabbed the fire poker from the fire place and dashed at the being that stood there. Next thing you know, he was immobile. He still had it raised above his head, but he wasn't moving. Sakura gasped, as these events unfolded in front of her. Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth, and the dagger had been pierced straight through his chest. She couls see how he gasped for his last breath, his eys glowing dimmer. Could see that through his frail and lean form, the dagger had penetrated through his whole body. And how part of his heart was with it.

Tears fell from her eyes in waterfalls, but there was nothing she could do. She was too weak and she hated it. She wanted to close her eyes, to take this away. But she was uable to tear them away. That man, the murderer, put his hands on Touya's dead corpse, and slid it off the dagger. His body fell to the floor, limp, out of life. It fell next to wear Sakura hid, the blood dripping from his wounds, slowly making a trail to her.

It was then that he had realized Sakura was gone. He pounded his fist on the table, as it rattles beneath the force. Sakura could tell he was angry, but she could also tell he an unfeeling abomination. Faintly, she heard another door open and two forms rush down the hall, wondering what the noise had been.

No! Sakura wanted to scream to her parents. Don't come in here. Please! Oh God, no! But it was too late for any pleas. Her Father ran in first, still in his bathrobe, without his glasses. He hadn't noticed the evil in the room, but only had eyes for his son. The precious boy, to which he had loved dearly, lay in front of him bathing in blood. Fujitaka fell to his knees, picking up Touya's dead body in his arms, hugging him close.

Her Mother, though, had hung back. She stood there, frozen to her spot. She had spied his presence and stood there, staring at him. She began waving her hand in her husbands direction, and whispered shakily, "Fuji-t-taka... Behin-d y-you..."

At first, Fujitaka payed no heed to his wife's warnings. But as her voice grew more unsteady, and more frightened, he turned. Standing about five feet away was the murderer. Anger filled Sakura's Fathers eyes. This was him. This was the man responsible for his sons death. He stood up and straighted himself. Facing the killer, he could tell he was doomed. The man towered over him, holding the dagger that was slowly dripping Touya's life force. But he knew he wouldn't go down without a fight. He walked towards him, but was thrown to the ground. The man had punched him with the hilt of the dagger, knocking him unconcious. He then looked at Nadeshiko. "Ladies first," he growled, sounding almost inhuman.

She turned to flee. He jumped and grabbed her ankle, and twisted it, causing her to fall to the ground below. Sakura could hear the snap of her Mother's ankle breaking. With her good foot, she kicked at him, trying to stun him. Yet, it didn't work. He cut her leg up severly. Soon, she layed there paralyzed from the waist down. She had the dark red substance causing her clothes to stick to her. He picked her up by the hair atop her head. She stood there, nearly two feet off of the ground, unawares to the fact that her dear daughter was watching this merciless slaughter. Now she was able to look him in the eye. She spit on his face, knowing it would be the last move that she would ever do. And she was right. He raised the dagger with his free hand and gave it a quick slash right across her neck. It was a rather quick death, but painful still. He had gouged enough to where as he held her, there were only stringments of skin and a few veins holding her head intact with the rest of her body.

Sakura was horrified. She had never seen this sort of mutilation. Not even in movies. How sick does someone have to be to do this to innocent people?

He let go of her hair and she plumeted to the carpet, her head knocking the tabe, as her body was splayed out. It was then, that her Father had awoken. He saw his lovely wife, slain. He opened the drawer next to him and pulled out a .22 caliber pistol. He was able to get one shot off, right in thr man's gut. He didn't even budge. Soon, he stood at Fujitaka's feet and pulled him by his gruff. Fujitaka looked this being right in the eyes.

"... Kill... Me" He peered at him, the honour and dignity stood proudly and unwavering in his eyes. "At least I... Know I shall die... With honour." He could see what resembled a sort of respect in the pair of eyes staring back into his own, before it quickly vanished. With that he froze, and closed his eyes, awaiting the final blow. He made a final prayer to the Gods and Goddess's, that they should take his family to the Utopia known to many as Heaven. And to protect his baby girl, who he thought was still safely asleep in her bed.

The dagger came quick and cut open his gut. He gasped as the pain revirbrated throught his whole being, before once again succumbing once more to the welcoming darkness. The murderer knew he wasn't dead, and had to finish, to be sure he would never awake to the sun anymore. After cutting open his gut, he dug his hand inside, grabbing his intestine. With a swift pull, he had it wrapped around his hand and began to wrap it around the elderly man's neck, suffocating him. He listened carefully for the breathing. It quickened, then slowly a painfully long breath was taken, and exhaled, as his heart could beat no more.

He let go and let him drop to the floor. He quickly scanned the room for Sakura, and not seeing any sign of her, started looking around. He knew he hadn't seen her leave the room. Sakura's breath became erratic, as his large feet came to a stop in front of the couch, in which she hid under. She could hear his knees crack as began to bend down, for he was in no real hurry. She pushed herself as close as she could get to the wall. Her hand had began to bleed much, from the death grip she had on the phone...

Sakura shook like there was no tomorrow. She could see the top of his head bent. She could feel he was grinning like the mad man he was, when he saw her huddled. His hand reached out like a snake and had a very tight grip on her throat. Suddenly everything was turning red... Sakura couldn't see... Colours burst into her brain... She felt herself falling into the sweet black oblivion of the endless mystery of dreams...

A while later, Sakura awoke. She found herself in the back of an ambulance. She struggled to get up as a cop rushed towards her. "Are you the one that called?"

Sakura numbly nodded. She was still foggy minded, then everything hit her. Her brother's shredded heart. Her Mother's decapitated head. Her Father's hung, torn body. The murderer, his peircing eyes. The police had gotten there just in time, to get her out, but the murderer had gotten away. She knew that they would never catch him. But it didn't matter anymore. Nothing mattered. Her whole family was gone. And it was all her fault. She was too damned weak to do anything, too weak, too pathetic. If she would have noticed something sooner, then maybe they would all still be alive. They would all be in their bed's sleeping.

The same cop had furiously been trying to get Sakura's attention for minutes now, unsucessfully. He was trying to ask her what the murderer looked like. She had forgotten all about him. She was staring straight through him. There were three stretchers, all sheet-covered. Each of them covered in blood. Each of them holding one of her family. She felt her legs to turn jelly below her, and then everything turned white...

Reality

Many people shook their heads sadly at the young girl. She had lost everything. She was orphaned from all in a single night.

Sakura still sat there, sobbing, watching the grave diggers throw the dirt up top their caskets. She rocked back and forth, knowing nothing would ever be the same. Tomoyo stood on the other side of Syaoran, her own heart breaking for her best friend. People started to leave, Sakura wouldn't move. Finally Tomoyo had to leave by her Mother's wishes. The only two left were Sakura and Syaoran. It was growing into the starry night, as a lite rain as begun to fall. Syaoran walked to Sakura, and sat down beside her. She said nothing, but leaned next to him, letting him wrap his warm arms around her.

They sat there, side by side, almost until dawn. Both of them were completely oblivious to the shadows surrounding them. Including the one the held a being, a presense only known as evil, watching them. His eyes watched carefully, glowing red as the eternal flame.

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Hey. This is a new story of mine. I've actually had the idea about it for a while. I'm sorry to those who liked it, but I had to remove Shattered Fantasies. I just can't concentrate on it and believe me, it sucks. I had really wanted to write that. If someone wants it, let me know and leave me your email address. You can have it. Uhm... Other then that, just please read and review this story. I know the fighting seems somewhat unreal, but I wanted to make it something that was gory enough to scar Sakura. And I wanted to thank everyone who reviewed on my CCS poems and Shattered Fantasies.

Thanks.