Blossom in a Gilded Cage: Chapter 4
Revelations
Author: swallowingtears
Disclaimer: No profit is being made off this fanfiction. No challenge is intended towards CLAMP, the rightful owners of the characters here.
Warnings: Very mature content. OOC-ness.
Notes: Many thanks again to those who left a review; I appreciate it very much, and so I have updated quickly again, as you can see. I hope you like this chapter, where Syaoran's background is finally revealed.
Acknowledgements: To my teammates 'Tomoyo' and 'Chiharu' for patiently putting up with this story and helping me along with it--particularly Tomoyo, who scolded me on this chapter!
Recap: Syaoran is furious when Sakura refuses his sexual advances, and is further infuriated when the thought of her causes him to humiliate himself in public.
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"Tomoyo-chan! Thank God!" Sakura gasped when her best friend finally answered the phone.
"Oooh Sakura-chan! I just met the most mysterious, sexy guy! Oh God he's just so cool—his name's Eriol, and I—Sakura?"
Sakura began to sob, the fear of the past few days accumulating and spilling over. "Tomoyo-chan I am so scared! I want to go home!"
"Ehh?" Tomoyo was stunned. "But—Li-san is so into you! I mean—
"He is not," Sakura sobbed as she told a stunned Tomoyo of how Syaoran had been sexually baiting and dominating her over the past few days. "He hates me. He just—oh Tomoyo-chan please ask onii-chan why Syaoran hates us so much! He said something about otou-san—" her voice trailed off in small whimpers.
"Sakura," Tomoyo said soothingly, "I know how he looks at you. Like he's fighting what he feels for you."
"No! I can't stay here anymore! I—Please, please please Tomoyo-chan! I can't—He hates me—I hate him! I want to get out of this house!"
But as soon as she said the words, Sakura felt the lie in them. No, she did not want to leave, not when she could feel something from Syaoran. And no, she didn't exactly hate him. There was something there; she wasn't stupid, she knew it. Like he needed her.
But why then did he behave the way he did?
Yet Tomoyo's words resonated. "Like he's fighting what he feels for you," she'd said. Would that explain why Syaoran felt the need to control her, to dominate her?
Why, why, why?
"Don't cry," Tomoyo said. "Please. We'll find out. Do you have a PC?"
"A laptop," Sakura sniffled.
"Go online and search his name. I'll ask my mom about him; they move in the same circles. And if I find anything out I will call you ASAP and if it's bad okaa-san and I will get you out of there ourselves. But Sakura-chan—hold on. Please?"
Sakura dried her tears. "I will."
"Come on. You're my best friend. I won't leave you with a monster, okay?"
"But Tomoyo-chan!"
"Sakura-chan, I promise I will get to the bottom of this. Okay?"
As soon as she hung up, Tomoyo placed a call to her mother, who was in Kyoto on business, and asked her about Syaoran Li.
"Darling, you're not seriously thinking of dating him, are you?" Sonomi Daidouji's voice was amused.
"No, okaa-san, but I need to learn more about him because Sakura—"
"God! Get your cousin away from him. He—Do you know what he did to get his family's fortune back? He slept around!"
"Okaa-san?" Tomoyo was shocked. Of all the things she expected—this certainly was not it.
"Listen, darling. Syaoran Li slept with several of my friends in exchange for favors and money when he was barely sixteen. Sakura should not be with him; he's dirty and soiled, however handsome he is," Sonomi's voice was laced with concern.
"Okaa-san, why does he hate the Kinomotos?"
"Hmmm. Why should he? They never crossed paths. But," and Sonomi's voice was thoughtful, "I think I can ask around. I have plenty of gossipy friends. Hang on. I'll call you back. Are you eating well?"
Tomoyo laughed. "Okaa-san, yes, I am."
Sonomi snorted. "I know you girls; you're into this thinness crap. You tell that cousin of yours to eat more, and you, Tomoyo darling, do not lose weight or I swear I will brick up your music studio! Men like something to hang on to, you hear?"
Tomoyo laughed. "Okay, okay, yes, okaa-san! Now please—"
"My little darling is turning into a gossip," Sonomi squealed, and Tomoyo blushed. "Okay, hold on. I'll call you back."
Tomoyo waited, surfing the Internet as she did. There was much gossip about Syaoran's sexual conquests, his corporate raiding practices, his ruthless climb to the top. He never smiled in photos, and even when he was with a gorgeous woman, he seemed—angry.
He sounds like a very hungry, driven man, Tomoyo mused. What could have hurt him?
About an hour later, her mother called back, her voice a little more subdued. "Darling, my friend Akimi Aruha told me that Syaoran had an aunt who—who sold him when he was sixteen, to women my age. He was flat broke, and desperate to keep his sisters from being forced into—into servitude with the Yakuza. The aunt told him lies, and—Oh Tomoyo, darling, I think you're too young to know—"
"Okaa-san, please," Tomoyo begged. "Sakura is engaged to him—"
"No!" Sonomi was aghast. "No, oh this is terrible. She might get some disease from him—"
"Okaa-san, please," Tomoyo said more forcefully. "I think she feels for him."
"She can't," Sonomi said flatly. "He is in hell and she's too innocent to do anything about it. Tomoyo listen to me. He was prostituted as a teen, then when he was older, he—He found that the Kinomotos took over several of the projects his father failed to complete."
"But Fujitaka-san—did he steal anything from the Lis? I refuse to believe it!
Sonomi sighed. "As much as I'd like to say yes—I still hate that impertinent man!" Tomoyo smiled and listened patiently as her mother launched into a tirade against Fujitaka—how he stole Nadeshiko, how he was shameless, how Sonomi would never forgive him—to amuse herself, Tomoyo mouthed the speech along with her mother, word for word. And finally, it was over, and Sonomi continued to talk about Li Syaoran.
Tomoyo was horrified by his story. Li Saito, Syaoran's father, was a charming man but a drunk and a gambler. He killed himself to avoid being tortured by the Yakuza, and his wife Yelan Li followed him because she knew she was next. His aunt, who had once been in love with--and been rejected gently by--Fujitaka Kinomoto, saw the chance to avenge herself by telling Syaoran that the Kinomotos had been responsible.
Syaoran only barely managed to keep the Yakuza away from his sisters—he offered himself as a substitute, and his aunt, who was indebted to them, began selling him to rich, lonely older women when he was sixteen. Syaoran had used the connections he made to slowly win back his family's properties and money, but always subtly.
"Poor Li-san," Tomoyo breathed.
"No," Sonomi said forcefully. "Do not feel sorry for him. He made his choice. Get Sakura away from him, do you hear me? He is soiled and dirty, however rich he is, however gorgeous he is."
I can't Okaa-san, Tomoyo thought ruefully. I believe they care about each other more than they want to admit and I think they deserve a chance. But how would she ever explain her belief to her mother?
"I'll tell her, Okaa-san," Tomoyo said. That was the truth, she thought.
And once she told Sakura the story, Sakura was stunned.
"But otou-san—Why does Syaoran blame our family?" she asked, confused.
"He's been abused and manipulated, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo said. "I can get my bodyguards to get the relevant papers so you can prove it to him. What's important is to show him he was wrong about your family. What happens from there is up to you."
Sakura found that she was crying—for Syaoran. She probably would have been just as furious if it had been her. Her father had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time—picking up the pieces of the Li business because it was a bargain, not knowing the blood spilled behind it.
He needed her. And dear God she was going to show him that he needed her to heal himself. But was she strong enough to help him?
"Thank you so much, Tomoyo-chan," she said softly.
"And your decision?" Tomoyo asked gently.
"I'll try to make him see reason," Sakura said.
"Good luck," Tomoyo said. "And you come to me if anything goes wrong, hear?"
"I promise," Sakura said
And when she hung up, she pushed the bookcase away from the door. Wow, it had been lighter the night before, and Sakura strained herself moving the thing.
Syaoran was a hurt and angry man. All those lies--he had formed a hard shell around himself, and convinced himself he needed to punish her.
But she remembered the young man she had met as a child. She believed the gentle Syaoran was still in him somewhere.
Once she got the bookcase out of the way, she went out to take a bath and eat. She was tempted to call Syaoran but realized he would still be angry for what she'd done. Instead, she sat on the sofa to wait for Syaoran's return.
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She cannot be allowed to have this kind of power over me, Syaoran thought angrily. Without thinking, giving in to his rage, he called a woman whose rent he paid for in another section of Tokyo. In exchange, he claimed the right to sate his desires and relieve his tension with her. She was a model, and liked the arrangement well enough because he did not ask her for exclusivity.
He intended to fuck the model; she was practically offering it to him, and get some release so that he could hold out and punish Sakura completely when he got home. Sex, money, and violence—those were his weapons, and his secrets. No one could touch his heart because he convinced himself that everyone wanted or deserved one or all of the three.
He felt himself harden at the thought of Huang, a sexy ramp model. No virgin, this one; she'd given him an almost professional blowjob in the club where he'd met her some time ago. She would do for now, Syaoran thought.
When Huang opened the door, Syaoran wore his trademark devilish grin, and commanded, "Clothes off, babe. Syaoran is here to fuck your brains out." He let Huang service him by dancing lewdly on his lap, then made her give him a long blowjob.
"You like me, babe?" she asked. Huang still held the hope that he would see her as something more than a convenient fuck buddy.
"Yeah, whatever," he smirked. "We're here to fuck, not talk." He was all animal now, taking what was offered and giving nothing in return. It was a persona he had perfected over the years—but Sakura had come along and cracked it, beginning to expose the real Syaoran under the hard, tough shell. It was yet another reason for him to tell himself to hate her. "Eat it all up," Syaoran ordered her, his large penis in her mouth. She was sucking on him with skill, and Syaoran was thrusting his hips into her mouth, not caring if she choked on it. "Suck me, babe. Suck harder," he urged.
When she complied, Syaoran closed his eyes and thought of Sakura's little mouth, of tasting her small breasts, teasing her little nipples. He began to whisper her name softly as he thrust himself into Huang's mouth.
But when he opened his eyes, it wasn't Sakura. Resuming his cold demeanor, he said, "Make me cum, girl."
"Would it kill you to say my name?" Huang complained.
"Shut the fuck up. Less talk, more suck," Syaoran said crudely. He soon filled her mouth with his seed, and thought all the while of Sakura. How would she do this to him? Would she enjoy his body? He ordered Huang to keep sucking on him until he hardened again: the power, the control he had over her acted as a balm to his wounded feelings, letting him pretend he was all right.
Soon, with a roar, he pulled his cock out of Huang's mouth, and spread her legs. He paused, his cockhead teasing the opening of her labia, which was wet despite his complete lack of work to arouse her.
"Beg me for it. Do you want my cock in you?" Syaoran's voice was harsh. "Do you want me to fuck you hard?" Come on Sakura, beg! he roared in his mind as he closed his eyes.
An indistinct murmur.
"Louder. Tell me what you want," he smirked, sliding himself in to the hilt but not moving. He rolled his hips so that he could reach her G-spot.
"Please! Syaoran, fuck me, fuck me hard!" screamed Huang.
"If you insist," and he rammed himself into her, grunting. She thrashed from side to side, screaming his name, and he thrust in and out of her, over and over. Syaoran closed his eyes and thought of Sakura's breasts and thighs, and he began to thrust harder, faster into Huang. She kept screaming in pleasure, and opened her eyes when he called out, "Sakura! Oh God, Sakura!" as he orgasmed inside of her, despite her trying to push him away when the moment came.
As soon as her sexual entanglement with Syaoran would let her, Huang frantically backed away; he slid out of her, and was clearly annoyed.
"Don't call me by someone else's name! You're cruel!" Huang was on the verge of tears. "And you came inside me, damn you!"
"I'll call you whatever I like because I own you," Syaoran said viciously, taking out his frustration with Sakura on the hapless, convenient Huang. "I pay the rent, and when I call, you spread your legs and open your mouth."
"Yeah?" Huang threw her ace, the knowledge that got whispered around in the circles she moved. "Then we're the same. I hear you used to fuck older women for pay."
Syaoran showed no outward sign, but he wanted to strangle Huang. How had she found out? He would kill someone before the day was over, at this rate. Luckily, he found his cruel comeback quickly though.
"They didn't have to pay me," he sneered. "I was practicing. Not like they could afford me. Older women are better in bed than younger idiots—like you."
Totally insulted, Huang screamed, "You weren't always rich, I know it! Admit you were a dirty boy whore!"
Syaoran raised a brow. "Oh, am I? Let's see—they say you're one of Tokyo's hottest models. So you just lowered yourself to sleep with a boy whore who pays your rent—and who can afford to buy and sell you several times over. I wonder what your fans will say?"
The bastard! Huang was revising her opinion of him quickly now. She was still angry, but—it seemed she was wrong. She would have to get him some other way. He can't get away with treating me like this!
Syaoran laughed coldly, cruelly, before he leaned over, and ground out, "I'm your best fuck, baby, ain't no one like Syaoran Li in bed anywhere. Tell me, where will you find someone else like me?"
Huang said angrily, "I'm going to get you, Syaoran Li."
"Go ahead." Syaoran cleaned himself off with the tissues next to her bed, flinging the mess contemptuously to the floor. "But if you do, then no more Li cock for you, baby," he said, right before he laughed. "And whores like you will miss good cocks like mine." Being an asshole made him feel powerful, and he was enjoying himself as he hurt her
He left without even saying goodbye. Huang angrily sat up, then from a concealed corner of the room, switched off a video camera. You're going to pay, Li. She'd been planning to use the video for her own pleasure but now—she would wait. Oh she would wait and then she would release the video when it would do the most damage to that bastard Li.
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Syaoran was furious, and slammed his limo door so hard, his driver—who was used to his rages—flinched.
God damn that fucking little bitch! Syaoran was entirely angry at Sakura. He blamed her for everything.
And yet he wanted her. So help him God he would break her door down and take her until she said she was sorry, until she begged for his touch.
But she was so scared of him now—
"FUCK THIS!" Syaoran screamed, causing his driver to slam on the brakes.
"Keep driving," he snarled.
Once home, he shoved his key card into the elevator to take him to the penthouse. He was about to slide it into the console above his door when it opened, to his surprise.
Sakura.
Gods, she was beautiful. Wide-eyed, she was in a sleep shirt and shorts, her hair held back with little strawberry clips. Innocent, beautiful, delectable. Syaoran stared at her, and was shocked by the look in her eyes. Not fear. Sorrow—but for whom?
"Syaoran," she started, then blushed. Then she closed the door behind him, and tiptoed up to kiss his cheek. "Welcome home," she said softly.
"You are not going to screw with my head by acting nice," Syaoran snarled.
"—I know," she said quietly.
"What?"
She took his hand gently and rubbed it against her cheek. "I'm so sorry, Syaoran."
What the fuck was she on about? Syaoran though warmed to her touch, much against his will.
"My family—Syaoran, I have proof my otou-san did not cheat yours. I also know what happened to you," and she choked. "I—oh God I wish I could make it right—"
Comprehension was dawning on Syaoran. Somehow, locked in the house, she had still found out about his past. And she felt sorry for him. Sorry for him!
No! It wasn't supposed to be this way! Syaoran growled, and grabbed Sakura's wrists. She whimpered in pain, but he was blinded by anger.
"So you found out about my past, huh? You think you're so clever." He used his free hand to tear her clothes off, leaving a trail of ruined clothing behind as he dragged her to the bedroom.
Sakura did not try to stop him. For all his bluster, she had realized something: he would not actually hurt her, not physically, and she endured his behavior quietly. She was beginning to understand his outbursts, why he was the way he was. It wasn't easy though.
"You feel sorry for me, huh? Is that it?" he raged. She was crying softly, but not fighting him. "The virginal Kinomoto princess is feeling sorry for the boy whore who fucked old women for money!" He laughed, an insane look on his face. "Well!" He pinned her onto the bed once he'd ripped all her clothes off, and unzipped his pants to free his erection, using his knee to brutally shove her thighs apart.
"Look here! The dirty, disgusting boy whore is about to fuck you, take your virginity. Do you still feel sorry for me? Do you? Huh? Even after I shove my cock in you and you know I'm going to rape you, rob you of your virginity? Still feel sorry for me?" He positioned himself at her entrance, noting that she was dry. This would hurt her, for sure.
And he hesitated, covering up his hesitation with a glare.
Sakura noticed his hesitation though. I was right, she thought, but without a sense of triumph. Syaoran was on the edge, dangerously close to lashing out. She hiccuped, then bravely looked into his eyes as she raised a hand to his cheek. To Syaoran's shock, she closed her eyes, and then raised her arms to pull him towards her lips, kissing him tenderly.
"If this is all I can give you—Then take me if you need me," she whispered, and he felt her tears.
She was crying.
For him.
No.
Syaoran wrenched himself off her, and she stood up to follow him.
"No," Syaoran whispered. "Stay away from me." And he stalked out of the room, buttoning up his clothing. He slammed out of the penthouse, leaving a confused Sakura behind.
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Again I would like to ask if you can leave a review on the way out, pretty please? If you liked it, leave a nice shiny review and you will have my gratitude in the form of fast updates. I keep my promises, see? (smiles)
Next chapter: Syaoran has run away, and now who between them will pick up the pieces? Will he come back? Tell me what you think--although I do have chapter 5 written out already.
So here's a tiny excerpt:
Syaoran was screaming inside his head as he collapsed against the wall outside his penthouse. How could he have let Sakura in so quickly? How had she torn his defenses apart with just a few tears?
That was it. No one had ever cried for him, for the boy who had been forced to grow up too soon, for the boy who was made to fuck so many women for the sake of saving his sisters, for the sake of revenge. He could not remember their faces; all he could remember was studying them, learning their responses, taking no pleasure in their admiring gasps when he stripped himself naked. He remembered many joyless orgasms, and many a time he had simply waited for his women—no, customers—to cum.
And then he had met Sakura.
Comments: To halliwells, I am very touched that you took the time to leave a long, in-depth review, and for reading it so carefully. No, I didn't plan rape, and thanks for pointing out what I felt about it. Yes, Sakura is scared--but in the series, she tends to overcome her tears when someone else is in danger and I wanted to play with that. Hope it worked. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Review responses: To Twilight Kisses, I just read your Slow Developer. That was utterly cute! I owe you a review when I can get the popups to come back on my browser. To xCrazyKindOvWeirdx, I rather enjoyed writing that part (pervy smile). To nettaiya, I pondered the history with my teammates, and after getting their blessing, I took it and ran with the reversal of a common CCS-FFN theme. To mimichan, I had to laugh--if you're a perv what does that make ME? And thanks. To Dina, yeah, he's a dick, thank goodness. To HappyBlossom, there you go! vindictive b$trd isn't he? To butterflyKISSU you know I adore you. Do you really want Syaoran to, ahem, soften up? To petiteTRINH, let me guess-the boardroom scene? To landoflala, thanks for logging in! He's starting! To Skei-Fyr, glad to see you back, and thanks so much for the comment. Hope not to disappoint you. To chainedheart999, I was dying to tell you but couldn't give it away; now you know. To pink-strawberries, LOL I hope that doesn't mean I grossed you out! To Moons-Chan, wait till he gets affected even worse! To The-Addicted-Subscriber, thank you! Is this soon enough? To MahalNiSyaoran, uh, where did I say that? But thanks anyway.
