-Disclaimer: We do not own any characters belonging to Clamp. We do own all of the Original Characters and the plot. We don't own the song in here either; we took it from the second movie.
Authors Note: Hey all. Here is the next chapter to this thrilling tale. I hope everyone likes it! Just so you all know, Syaoran is 21, and Sakura is 18.
Key
… scene change
---Text--- Point of View Change
'Text' Thoughts
"Text" Speaking
Text Song
Chapter 2
This Is My Life
Sakura's Point of View
'No. Please don't. Please…'
Tears falling down making a face, my face, wet.
'Please stop hurting me! I don't want this anymore! I just want to know…please, stop hurting me.'
I jerked myself awake and looked at my surroundings.
'I woke up on the hay again.' I thought.
I put a hand on my forehead and looked down at my torn clothes that were about ready to fall off of me. I sighed. 'He tried again.' I saw the bruises on my arms and legs and sighed again. I was thrown in my cage after he got done with me. 'It seems like he was too drunk to close the cage door and lock it. Maybe I could go for a walk and maybe a little ice skating.'
I got dressed quickly in my normal outfit. A long sleeved old shirt, that was once white, but now grey and with a long torn faded black skirt, and a tattered forest green cloak which was supposed to keep me warm during these winter days, but hardly did.
I grabbed my old ice skates and tried to sneak out. When I touched the cage door it was cold and had a little bit of ice on it. I opened it, despite the cold, as quietly as I could and crept out. The sun was just coming up and everyone was still asleep. The whiteness of the ground was grey this morning, and the wagons and tents tops were all in white from the snow falling the night before. I tried to be as quiet as I could as I crept along the cold snow. As I got closer to the edge of the encampment I heard a grumbling noise coming out of one of the performers.
I stopped dead in my tracks, held my breath and prayed that she wouldn't wake up. Her golden hair was under her, as she turned to her side. With the wind blowing slightly made it hard to stand there and not be noticed as I shivered against the cold winter wind. After I noticed the performer wasn't going to wake up, I once again crept my way to the small lake just on the outside of the encampment. Once I was clear of the encampment I ran to my favorite spot and with a thud I sat to put my old beaten ice skates on.
The coldness on my bottom was like ice picks that went threw my body. I edged my way over to the frozen lake and looked at the newly fallen snow that was on top of the icy layer. I put one skate on the lake and went to a knee. I wanted to make sure it was safe before I started to head on the ice. I then put weight on the skate and it was fine. I sighed inwardly and stood up on the ice bringing my other foot so that way I was fully on the surface. I started to skate around a little just to get my blood warmed. Though against the slight wind, it felt more like icicles that were piercing my skin as I moved around and my body now producing its own heat.
After a nice warm up I started to dance on the ice. I could hear the music within my own mind.
Todokete kono koe wo
Tsutaete ima sugu ni
Isoide koko ni kite
I then jumped and did a double axel and landed perfectly on one foot. I started to skate backwards and then turned around and did some fancy footwork and then did a spread-eagle and landed on the ice smoothly. The music kept playing in my mind.
kanjite mada miru chikara
shinjite hoshii no
yume no tsuzuki ga hora
uta teru ashita e no merodii
I danced gracefully on the ice. My hair, even though it wasn't that long, flowed behind me.
todokete kono koe wo
tsutaete ima sugu ni
isoide koko ni kite
fushigi na natsukashii kodou
kikoete-iru deshou?
tooi kioku wo ima
tsunaideku monogatari na hajimaru
I really don't know why but being out here on the ice and dancing gracefully makes me really happy.
ienakatta kotoba
ryoute ni afureteru
kokoro no diarii
mefureba itsudemo
anata ga soba ni ita no
All my cares and worries fade as I dance and skate out here.
mienai yakusoku de deatta watashi-tachi
oshiete sono wake wo
ano hi no chikai wo ima mo
oboete-iru deshou?
miageta kono sora ni
dokomademo kibou no niji wo kakeyou
I could, no wait, can feel happy out here. This was the one thing that kept me happy.
todokete kono koe wo
tsutaete ima sugu ni
isoide koko ni kite
kanjite mune no binetsu wo
wakatte-ita deshou?
yume no tsuzuki ga hora
uta teru ashita e no merodii
My sanity relied on this. As much as I wanted an escape, this was my only outlet.
koi suru kiseki
himitsu wo hodoite
anata no moto e hashiru
My life seemed almost perfect when I'm out here. No one is calling me, and I feel as happy as I can be ever.
todokete sono koe wo
tsutaete ima sugu ni
hajimete mita you na
shiranai kagayaku mirai
sagashi ni ikimashou
nanimo osorenaide
issho nara kujikezu ni ikeru kara
I did another jump but added 2 more axels to it. I felt the wind rush around me as I spun. The exhilaration of dancing on ice was the highlight to my everyday life. As I landed on the ice I swung one leg to the side then to the back of me, and again landing in a perfect formation. I then arched my back and brought up my right foot and grabbed the skate itself and stretched it over my head.
todokete kono koe wo
tsutaete ima sugu ni
isoide koko ni kite
kanjite mune no binetsu wo
wakatte-ita deshou?
yume no tsuzuki ga hora
uta teru ashita e no merodii
I then brought my foot back down to the ice and started to spin with one leg in the air. Then I jumped and crouched into a sitting position and spun faster. I then stood back up while spinning and brought my arms over my head and kept spinning. I then ended with a final spin and stopped and I had my arms out like a ballerina's upper posture.
I smiled lightly when I was through. My breath was hard and I could see the puffs. I felt my heart pounding hard against my chest as I skated a little around the lake to cool off the cold air stinging my now sweaty face. Why did this make me so happy? As I said before, I'm not really sure. All I know is that I feel like the happiest girl who ever lived because I felt so free, so…
"Mute Girl!"
I checked the sky and I was out here for a half an hour. There goes my chance for having an hour this morning. I groaned inwardly. "Mute Girl! Where are you?! If your out on that ice you're punishment is going to be doubled!"
Oh crap! I better get back! I started skating as fast as I could back to the bank. I had to get back. The wind stung my face and as soon as I reached the bank I stumbled onto the bank and quickly took the skates off. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. I dug into the hole by the bank, where I kept my skates in case he came around. I hurried and buried the skates. I then put my boots on quickly and went into the forest and grabbed the basket that hung on a tree limb and was half filled with wood and the rest was filled with berries that I gathered the night before.
To the encampment I am known as "Mute Girl" nothing more. As I emerged from the forest I saw a gruff looking man. His cold steel grey eyes were glaring at me while I walked up to him out of the forest and with the basket in my hands and my hood up, like I was really out gathering items. His greasy hair was slicked back and pulled into a low ponytail. His build was average, but his belly hung out more now then when he is in a show. His malicious glare was on my eyes and he looked me up and down as he stumbled to where I was standing.
"You were supposed to back at the encampment twenty minutes ago, girl!" His gruff voice yelled.
The stench of alcohol was blatant on his breath. I bowed to give my apologies for being so late. He ignored my apology and slapped my left cheek. I felt the throbbing and heat of where he left a red mark. It stung as the cold air hit it. "Next time, don't take so long! All you do is cause trouble! You can't do anything right! Where the hell were you?" He paid no heed to the basket I held in my hands.
I looked elsewhere. I hated looking into those cold unfeeling eyes. "Answer me Girl!" He knew I wouldn't answer.
He just liked a reason to hit me. It seemed to amuse him. He raised his hand and slapped the right cheek. This time it was harder than the last. I tried to stand my ground, but I had to put a foot back to keep my balance. The stinging was worsened on my right cheek as the cold air rushed on it. He smirked and his eyes wandered down to the basket. He took a berry and ate it. He then looked at me lustfully. He was about to say something when someone was calling his name.
Strange as this may seem, but this man was a father to me. Sure he was never kind, gentle, or compassionate towards me, but I have learned long ago not to disobey him, when he is present, or I would be in worse trouble than ever before. Though now since my face was in pain and the throbbing would not go away any faster I thought, 'Another wonderful start to a regular day.' This man was always mean and harsh towards me. His name was Kaurvear, Imanual Kaurvear. He is the ring leader of this encampment, and he has had no problem letting us know otherwise.
"Why are you yelling this early in the morning?" A grumpy man came into view and he was younger than Kaurvear.
His cold and blank stare on me while he walked up to the Ring Leader; he finally came up to us and he looked at Kaurvear with an approving smile that was gracing his young features. "Ring Leader! We have found something that might be of interest to you." He looked at me again and the smile faded leaving a cold expression in its place.
The man wore a red coat, and black pants. His boots were shining in the morning light and his red messy hair was pulled back. His beady light blue eyes were piercing through my soul as he looked at me. His build was muscular and stood at least 2 heads taller than I. I hated this man almost as much as I hated my 'father'. "Oh? What is it that you have found Kyôi? Show me." Kaurvear took his eyes off me and the look of curiosity and evil intentions took over.
Kyôi was called the 'Lion Tamer' and he was just as mean as my 'father'. Kyôi grinned and looked back at me, I could feel those cold eyes on me and I winced, under the pressure. Kyôi then pushed me to the ground and I landed on my side. When I hit the ground I winced at the pain that was now surging through my body like a thousand swords going through every inch of my body, but especially on my left side. Kyôi then glared down at me. "Why don't you go and practice Girl? We are having a show here in a couple of days and you need to be presentable!" He sneered at me.
I looked up at him with fearful eyes. "Now! Or I'll punish you worse!" Kaurvear added with an evil longing in his eye that I really wish I could avoid.
I picked myself up along with my basket that was next to me and ran to my 'caravan'. I climbed up into it and grabbed my sabers that were right next to a pink and white outfit. The outfit was a dress with pants underneath and the shirt was sequenced that showed off more cleavage than I wanted, but then again I did not pick out this ensemble. I put the basket further up my arm and I jumped out of the caravan. I then went to a table and put the basket down, and knocked on the kitchens' caravan's door. "Just leave it there! I'll get to it soon enough!" I quickly turned around and proceeded to my training area in a hurry. As I got to a secluded area of the forest, I saw the burnt tree trunks and the blackened bushes. I sighed, for I had to perfect my skill.
I stood there with my sabers by my side, and I noticed my breath in the cold air. I was freezing now shivering amongst the cold, but I practiced. I focused on one thing and one thing only; to get back at Kaurvear. I then started to twirl the swords in a circular motion and always in a vertical position. I made them go faster and faster until the blades were silver blur. I made the air whine as I twirled the blades. I then, in one movement, lit them aflame and kept them going at a sturdy speed. Now, the flames could be seen and heard, but they also blurred with the silver; in fact, this was sight to see, and I had to control it. If I didn't then I would set my practice area ablaze again.
This was my talent or skill rather. I am oddly very good at the flaming sabers, considering that anyone who tried always ended up dead, but on top on that I am also a dancer. Ever since I can remember I have danced. When I was fourteen years old Kaurvear added me to his 'act' and I would impress all those who were watching. They marveled at how young I was and Kaurvear would be smirking in the corner knowing that I was a fast learner. But I did something that night that shocked him and my self. I started to glow a bright red and orange color. Then the swords I was holding busted into flames and the tent was starting to catch fire. The audience started to scream and yet I lost control. The fire spread throughout the whole tent and yet the people were still marveled by my talents. As the performers got everyone to safety and the tent now looking like a burnt blanket; Kaurvear then had me continue my performance outside and still the people watched.
It was later that night that Kaurvear decided to invite me to his caravan. My first thought was 'Why is he being so nice all of a sudden?' I soon got my answer. I remember his words to this day. I can never forget them. When I was in the caravan he locked the door and advanced toward me with a lustful look in his eye. His breath stunk of alcohol and he started to touch me in places that I would have never allowed anyone to touch. He then started taking off his clothes repeating those words that still haunt me to this day. "You think you are the most talented person here? Well, I will be the judge of that Girl. You are nothing! You mean nothing! Your existence was never meant to be! And a worthless piece of trash deserves nothing but trash!"
He hit me; so many times I lost count. He forced me on his 'bed' and no matter how hard I tried to get away from him he always seemed to conquer the situation. He then tied me to the bed and ripped my clothes off. I closed my eyes. I started to criss-cross the sabers in front of me. I felt the intense heat radiating from the sabers. I always warmed up because of this feat. No one dared stop me. Though it seemed more like they were scared of me, but I would never hurt them. It's just not my nature. I usually got nervous when it comes to hurting some one or something. Even if it meant good on my part, I just couldn't bring myself to it.
The more I thought about how much I was abused, laughed at, and looked down upon, the faster I spun the weapons. One arm in front of the other, determination written all over my face, I will not let this be my weakness. Always making an 'X' formation from the blur; I got even angrier as the heat intensified melting the snow beneath my feet and around me. My aura glowing around me as a deepened red orange as I felt my insides warm then go to a boiling point. If anyone attempted to watch me at this point all they would see is red and no silver and smoke rising to the sky. The flames became larger as I scowled in concentration, attempting not to lose control bending the air to make it whine as I tore through it with the flaming sabers. This was a daily routine, but it helped me get rid of my anger. Kaurvear would send me out to a secluded area and have me practice until I get everything perfect. I also did a little bit of acrobatics since a young age. I found that intertwining the two would make wielding the sabers in front of an audience a lot more interesting.
I would light up the sabers each day and practice my control over the flame. If I lost control; I don't even want to think about that. Now, the sabers are right in front of my face spinning faster than before, the flames leaving a trail as they were spun in circles. The more I concentrated the more the flames raged. I started to twirl the sabers making them dance. Whosh. Whosh. The sabers cut the cold air like it were soft bread, and I closed my eyes and started to truly dance. When the other performers did get a look in on my practice they are still amazed at the smooth dance with not only myself, but also with the red orange sabers that showed their own dance. They would say that I looked serene, but to tell you the truth, I was far from it. I was angry mostly, hurt, and just plain scared. The performers could hardly believe that I could control that much power. I guess to them I seemed like a born saberist though I hardly thought so.
I picked up the beat a little bit as I started to throw one in to the air while twirling underneath it. As I watched it come down I caught it right behind my back. Perfect. Every time. I could hear an upbeat melody in my head while I 'performed'. I kicked up and this time I threw both sabers into the air and I did a quick flip and caught the sabers by the handles and continued to twirl them. I could hear the crowd applause in my head. I smiled lightly as I continued to 'perform'. I started to add new moves to make it seem more dangerous and decided to pour more power into the flames and they rose two times into the air as well got even hotter. I started to twirl them from one side to the other, and occasionally tossing one into the air.
The newest move, which I have been working on for the last year or so, was coming up so I took a deep breath and flipped the sabers at a high speed as well as adding more power to the flames, back flipped and twirled in the air and still used all that I had in me so the flames were so hot that one touch and I could be out for the rest of the year. I caught them in midair by the handles expertly and was going to land 'brace your self Sakura.' I thought. As I came to land in a kneeling position, I heard a loud roar coming from somewhere to the east. 'Crap' I thought as I lost control of my power and the flames caught the trees just right and a fire was starting to spread throughout the forest heading west towards the encampment.
I heard the roar again, and it sounded like it was in agony. I couldn't let a poor animal suffer on my account! So I ran. I ran towards the direction of the roaring animal, but as I got nearer I could hear familiar voices. "He's quite a beast ain't 'e?" That was Kyôi voice.
As I neared the spot I saw Kyôi and Kaurvear along with a huge lion that was a golden yellow with brown eyes and he had no mane. I hid behind a tree so I wouldn't be caught. "Don't you dare think about using that thing!" A deep voice rang as clear as day. I blinked. Did I just hear right? Did that lion actually talk? I peeked around the tree, and he looked right at me. I stared at him and he cocked his head to the side. He had that look in his eyes, like from somewhere I have seen before. I swear I have seen this lion, but why can't I place it.
Kyôi then ordered his men to put the lion in the cage and wheel it back to the encampment. Both of the men were extremely pleased with themselves. I then heard screams as I saw the forgotten flames right at the encampment. I ran back through the woods as quick as possible. I had to get back. With twigs snapping as I ran as fast as I could back to the encampment. I was going to be in so much trouble for letting the fire get this close to the encampment. As I arrived back at the encampment, Kaurvear and Kyôi arrived before I did, and was already talking to one of the performers about what happened. The lion was sitting in it cage looking like he was irritated. The next thing I knew Kaurvear looked right at me, with fury written all over his face. "GIRL!" He roared louder than the lion. Something inside me just snapped and I was terrified.
I dropped my sabers as I looked at Kaurvear with fear rising inside of me and my throat dried. I then did the first thing that came to my mind and the last thing that I was never to do again. Run. I turn around and ran back into the forest. I could hear Kaurvear yelling at the top of his lungs, "Don't let her get away! Catch her!" I heard footsteps. 'I have to get away! Now! I can't stand this life anymore. I want to live a normal life. I want to be free of my cage.' Crunch! Crunch! The snow underneath my feat made running a bit harder than the dry season. 'Must get away; I have to get away for good!'
I jumped over a log that was in my path as I tried to think of which way to turn to. I hid behind a thick tree a few yards away and tried to steady my breathing. "She went this way!" I heard one of the enforcers say.
I stayed put. I heard them run in the direction of my previous path. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I emerged from my hiding spot and looked at the path the enforcers ran down. One, two, three, wait…the forth one is gone. I looked at the footfalls within the snow and noticed the forth going behind the tree I was just behind… My eyes widened as I realized that he snuck behind me. I turned around and he grabbed me by the neck and pushed me against the tree. Hard. "You think you could out smart us?" He said while grabbing some rope off his belt. I struggled against his hold, but he gripped tighter. I wanted to scream. I wanted to yell. I just stood there. The air becoming harder to breath as the enforcer squeezed my throat. "Yuumiko! Where did you go?" I heard the one of the other enforcers call out.
Yuumiko grinned. "Over here." He hollered back. He looked at me with lustful eyes. I shrunk. Kaurvear normally looks at me like that when he's….I tried to look away but he wouldn't let me. He then let my neck go and forced me to turn around and again pushed me into the tree. He grabbed my wrists forcefully and tied them together tightly. My blood was pulsing with the pain. He then threw me on the ground and started to do something. I really couldn't see. My body getting abused from the strength of this one man, so I lied there. My hands bound and uncomfortable; more than anything I would like to have the strength to do something. He picked me up and threw me against the tree once more and I felt all my strength leave my body. I fell to the ground and my body was producing its own heat as I felt the ice prick at my bare skin. "Yuumiko! She needs to be somewhat alive when we return her! Pick her up and let's take her back the boss."
'No. I don't want to go back. I have to get away!!'
Yuumiko picked me up and muttered something under his breath. I guess he was thinking of something when I tried to wiggle out of his grasp. "I just can't go back! He'll hurt me again. I hate men. All men!' Yuumiko then brought his dagger up so quickly that I hardly had time to breath. "Damn you woman! You keep struggling and I'll make sure you can never perform again!"
My struggling ceased. It seemed like in no time we were back at the camp and Yuumiko dropped me on the ground. "My, my, my." A twisted and evil female voice exclaimed. "Did the little girl get lost again? I see not. They brought you back bonded. Humph. Kaurvear's not going to be happy." She said almost gleaming. I looked up at her and the triumphant smile never left her fragile features. Her long wavy blond hair and dark eyes seemed almost inhuman. To be honest she scared me. Sometimes I think more than Kaurvear. Her body was in a shape of an hourglass and her skin was dark. I scowled at her. She always thought she was Kaurvear's pet. Not that I care. My father never treated me like anything than an animal. I wish I could just get away. Crunch. Crunch. CRUNCH!
My eyes widened. I heard the heavy footsteps coming my way. I struggled again, harder than before, against my bonds, but the four thugs held me in place laughing at me as though this was all a game to them. 'Have to get away!' The next thing I knew I was knocked in the head by something, then all I saw was darkness.
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A/N: Hey everyone! Tam-chan and Isho-sama here. Sorry this took so long! I got caught off guard by my job and haven't been able to write the rest of this chapter. I meant to get it done for a long time. I am soo sorry. Anyway, I hope you all liked this. Even if you didn't let me know what I can improve upon. I know my grammar sucks, so I will do my best to improve that. We are also trying to put together a little soundtrack so you can hear our inspiration. Well must dash. I have work in the morning and possibly gym to kill those evil carbs. Next chapter: Syaoran! But they don't meet yet, we are getting closer though. I told Isho-sama the longer the better! Ja for now! Tam-chan
