Kiyomi: Okay so thank you for all the lovely reviews so far especially on the last chapter I will try to update sooner but it depends how well the ideas come to me ok so on with chapter 4. Just a note I'm not really sure how to start this off so if it's bad sorry also everyone should know that my punctuation is awful so no more comments please shouting at me to use it! Also this is mainly a filler chapter. I know it's bad but for some reason I seem to be losing inspiration.
After that little "Incident" with the bathroom, Li and the guy named Wei I think Wei may be a butler or something but he also seems to be Li's father figure. They told me a little bit of what happened when I was brought here, about my injuries and that the doctor recommends that my dressings be changed daily I don't really like the sound of it as there are two reasons for this. Number 1 I have only seen Li-sama and Wei-sama during the short period I have been here I have been very observant and noticed that they are both male. I know it's trivial but there are dressings on my back where I was whipped by someone their name I can't recall unfortunately and as nice as they seem changing my dressings would no doubt involve taking the T-shirt I am wearing off and as I have nothing underneath it I would be entirely exposed. Touya would disapprove of this and would probably hit them but he's not here, but a good point I make to myself is that the doctor was male so did he see everything? I mean the scars and stuff that I don't want anyone to know about. The second reason is why should I let two people who are practically strangers change the dressings. To be honest I do think I should give them a little bit of credit since they have been kind to me but still I feel uneasy.
"Sakura-san? Are you ok? You look rather uneasy? Is there anything wrong?" Li asks me. I don't know why since he knows I'm not going to reply. Then again he seems to be able to read me since he worked out I'm not entirely comfortable with this.
Of course I don't reply. How can I tell him? Without using words?
"Sakura-san, if it's about having your dressings changed one of the maids is going to do it. The maids are female if that's what you're worried about." Li says. How does he do that it's like he can read my mind. Li-sama, if you're reading my mind right now keeps your nose out! I mentally shout. But when he doesn't react I guess he isn't a mind reader after all.
"Sakura-san I don't know what you're bothered about anyway, when I pulled you out of the sea you were soaked to the bone anyway and let's just say it didn't leave anything to the imagination. Not that there was much too see, I've seen pillows with more bust" He chuckled mischievously
Frowning I shoot daggers at him which only makes him laugh even more, even Wei is trying to suppress a laugh. This kind of makes me angry but I can't help the blood rushing to my cheeks so I stand up ,Since I'm sat at the low level table in mine/the guest rooms and on my way to the bathroom I pick up a pillow, from the bed and throw it at Li. How dare he! If Touya knew about this that boy would be begging for forgiveness just because I'm a meaningless person with me being a slave and all it doesn't mean I don't have feelings and Li being perverted and insensitive. (Bold is mentally shouting) the pillow hits right on its target on the back of his head.
Li POV
I can't believe how funny I am her face when I said that! Oh it's so funny. I'm sat there laughing when I feel something soft thud against the back of my head. Shocked I turn around to the very angry Sakura who is red in the face with tears rolling down her bony but delicate cheeks.
"Master Li? Do you not think that was a bit in-sensitive?" Wei asks even though he is hiding a laugh
"What did I do wrong I was only making a joke?" I ask innocently
"Well, you did just tell the young miss that you have seen a very private area to ladies and then you insult her about it? After all that she has been through do you really want to cause her more upset?" Wei says solemnly
Now that I think about it, I guess that it wasn't right to say what I did. But still she didn't have to throw a pillow at me. But then again since she can't talk I guess that's her way of telling me that she is angry. But her eyes something in her eyes looked like shame. Was she ashamed of herself for what I did? She was crying so I upset her too. How do I deal with this? Women are so complicated. I think to myself
"Not really I shouldn't have said it. I was just trying to make a joke, I found it funny but Sakura-san didn't. What do you think I should do Wei?" I question Wei. A tinge of guilt setting in.
"Well Master-Li, I would suggest that you apologise to her. But I think you also need to think about your actions and why she reacted that way, try putting yourself in her situation how would you feel?" Wei tells me. Wei is very wise but didn't always say things in an easy way to understand he likes to let me learn my own way.
Standing up a brush out the creases in my shorts. Wei also stands up and goes towards the door to exit the room as I look at the bathroom door. Wei says "Oh, by the way master Li, you should have much sharper senses being so skilled in martial arts, so you should have been able to stop that pillow. But you were surprised when it hit you so it obviously means that you are not as skilled as you seem. Therefore more training is needed. Once you and Miss Sakura are done and her dressings are changed please come find I and your training will continue. Also I expect you up and ready for practice at 5 am tomorrow morning." And with that he left.
"Great." I sigh heavily and go to the bathroom door I knock on but I get no reply. I press down the handle and push but it doesn't open. Sliding down the door I sit right outside it.
"Sakura-san" I call out to her I know that she won't reply but I continue. As I listen to her sobs through the door. "Sakura-san, I didn't mean what I said. It was only a joke." Still there was no movement from inside as far as I could tell. "Sakura-san if you don't come out in the next ten seconds I will kick the door down myself. Believe me I can do it." Then I hear a light cough from the other side of the room.
"Master Li?" an unfamiliar voice comes from the doorway. I look over to see one of the maids standing in the door.
"Yes?" I ask
"Wei-san sent me. He said that Sakura-san's dressings needed to be changed. May I ask why you are sitting on the floor outside the bathroom door?" The maid asks
"Long story Sakura-san has locked herself in the bathroom as I said something which upset her. She is refusing to come out, so until she decides that she will, her dressings can't be changed." I say rather exasperated at the situation. "Sakura-san thanks to you throwing that cushion at me I've got to get up to train at 5 am tomorrow since "I should of seen it coming" Mocking Weis deep voice.
"Master Li, would I be ok in asking what you said to her previously since what you just said, doesn't seem to help the situation?" The maid asks I think her name is Hoshi I've seen her around mainly cleaning
"Basically she was worried about having her dressings changed with me and Wei about and I informed her that a woman would be changing the dressings along her back. I told her it's not like I've not seen her bust before, since I did pull her out of the sea and it left little to the imagination. Also I may have said that I've seen pillows with more busts." I said sheepishly
"Master Li, if you don't mind me saying that was rather insensitive of you. May I try in getting the young miss out?" Hoshi asks me
"Yes, good luck" I say
"Actually I was thinking more about you getting her out but would you like to know how? I will tell you. Apologise to her for the things you said and think did you actually mean them. Just as much as you're hurting she is hurting too I reckon. Think about it she's in a strange place with strange people who she doesn't know if she can trust. From the condition she is in it looks like she has been abused, then she comes here and for her it may even be strange people caring about her. Then she is insulted about something which no one else should see unless she wants them to." Hoshi explained and strangely it actually made sense
"Thank you it makes sense now I'm not that good on understanding people's feelings" I say looking down at my hands which are clamped together in fists. Because I'm anxious I know I must have upset her, then again she doesn't have to be so dramatic I mean it was only a joke.
Taking a deep breath I say "Hoshi-san? Would I be alright in requesting you to vacate the room for a few minutes I want to talk to Sakura-san alone"
At this she looks shocked. Since I said her name my mother doesn't call them by name it's just you maid rude I know. But then she nods "Master Li while I am gone is there anything I can do for you?" She says politely bowing
"Yes there is one thing I have a guest arriving shortly to make some cloths for Sakura-san except some of her designs are quite radical. Could you pick up some spare cloths for her once Tomoyo has taken her measurements?" I ask politely and hand her some (bills/ yen I don't know the form of yen so yeah he hands her some money) "I will expect a receipt, not that I don't trust you. Also look to see if you can find any of my sister's old clothing which will fit her" I add
"Yes of course Master Li thank you. Of course I promise that I will pick out some fine cloths for the young Miss" She says out of all the maids Hoshi had to be his favourite even though her barely knew her as when Wei had him up early training she would always leave a jug of iced water and some fruit on a tray in his room along with a freshly washed towel.
I watched her leave and lean my head against the bathroom door "Sakura-san, I know what I said was wrong. It was only meant as a joke and anyway I think there is nothing wrong with not being that well developed" Damn it me and my big gob! "I mean less is more isn't it" Attempt 2 failed get a grip man say something nice! "Sakura-san, you know I'm not mad at you and I won't kick the door down and you don't need to come train with me tomorrow either. Just come out when you're ready. Please don't be mad at me I mean I know you don't talk anyway but I feel really comfortable around you and I don't find you annoying like other girls." At that moment the door opens.
Sakura POV
I storm into the bathroom and close the door behind me. I need some space away from him. I can hear my sobs of humiliation echoing off the tiled surface around me. Soon after I hear him rattling the door trying to get in. He can actually get in since I've not locked the door I would be terrified of it getting stuck. He starts talking to me as I sit on the toilet (Not doing anything in particular) and just listen to him. For Kami's Sake he can't even apologise properly he starts going on about how Wei has given him extra training and how he expects me to come. As I listen to him go on something about kicking the door down I'm thinking Damare (shut up). But then he goes quiet so I try to listen what is going on. I can hear someone else's voice but I don't know who it is. Then I hear Li reply but I can't make out what is going on so I ignore them. I focus on calming down.
I'm sorry Oka-san, Nee-san and Otou-san. Please forgive me I didn't flaunt myself it couldn't be helped. I know you don't think much of me Otou-san and you always said I would end up either as a harem or dead. Well Otou-san I am neither I am living but I almost died well I feel like it anyway. I promise Oka-san and Nee-san I will look after myself and keep on living for you two. Maybe I could be friends with Li-san? No, my focus is on getting home and getting otou-san back to how he was.
While I'm in the middle of deep thought I hear Li-san door "Sakura-san, I know what I said was wrong. It was only meant as a joke and anyway I think there is nothing wrong with not being that well developed" This makes me even more embarrassed.
Then again I can't be a harem Otou-san since I obviously lack the cleavage. I mentally shout at him but also I'm kind of saying "In your face" Li continues with what he was saying
"I mean less is more isn't it?" This guy obviously doesn't have much experience in talking to people
"Sakura-san, you know I'm not mad at you and I won't kick the door down and you don't need to come train with me tomorrow either. Just come out when you're ready. Please don't be mad at me I mean I know you don't talk anyway but I feel really comfortable around you and I don't find you annoying like other girls."Li says
Finally he gets it how to apologise. But in a way I'm flattered he's stopped insulting me but is also kind of complementing me. I open the door and he falls backwards. I guess he was leaning against the door. I see his eyes widen with shock but a smile also graces his handsome features. Those warm brown eyes seem to fill with joy and happiness. I guess I may have over-reacted but everything is just so confusing. I bend down and offer my hand to help Li-san up who is currently rubbing his head after falling backwards onto the floor.
"Thank you Sakura-san. I'm sorry." He said looking directly into her eyes Is she always this beautiful he thought as he let himself become lost in those beautiful emerald eyes. Over the past few days he'd noticed the life coming into them rather than them being the lifeless orbs which he had first seen.
Li was brought back to reality when I waved a hand in front of his face. He was just staring right into my eyes smiling. It was kind of creepy.
"Ah, sorry Sakura-san I just spaced out for a moment. Gomen" Li said bowing his head
Is it me or did a faint blush just appear on his cheeks? No, I'm imagining things. I think to myself.
"Sakura-san, Tomoyo-chan will be arriving soon. Would Hoshi-san be ok to change your dressings? Just the doctor said that they should be changed every day" Li asks me
In response I nod. Before I can change my mind Li-san runs out and gets Hoshi-san the maid who comes with some cloths for me. She says I can change into them once the dressings are cleaned and changed.
"Li-san would you be ok to turn your back for a moment while I change the dressings at the top of Sakura-sans back?"
He replies with an "Hn" but obliges.
Hoshi-san removes the dressing from the top of my back, while I lay face down on the bed, trying to keep myself covered with a blanket even though Li's back is turned. I'm not letting him see me twice. Hoshi-san tells me that she is going to clean the wounds on my back and it may hurt a little. Not that I care. Calmly I lay there as I'm told that. I hear Hoshi-san moving behind me, and then I feel an almost unbearable pain on my back. Burning and stinging it feels like a fire spread over my back. It hurts so much I don't realise I'm wincing in pain.
"Miss Sakura-san? Are you feeling ok?" Hoshi-san comes over to my face and asks me a worried tone in her voice.
I nod in reply while Li-san looks over at me with a worried expression.
Flash forward Sakura POV
It has been a while since my dressings were changed. Li-san decided to be nosy and look at my wounds the ones on my back. He kept on questioning how I got them but I gave no reply which seemed to frustrate him. On the other hand though Hoshi-san the maid came to my room after Li left and gave me some new cloths (complete with underwear) she told me that they used to belong to lis older sisters but they grew out of them. I know there hand me downs, but I don't care. I don't get new cloths often, these are really pretty. The top is long sleeved covering up my arms thankfully. It's a pastel pink with black around the edges and buttons up with some kind of yellow strings. It has a high collar which covers most of my neck (I don't feel as exposed now) with a slightly off centre parting. The trousers match the top and are a little baggy but Hoshi-san has put a few stitches in the waistband so they stay up. On top of that I am presented with matching slipper shoes, also pastel pink. Placing my foot inside I can feel how soft they are and comfortable, normally I would be left barefoot with my slave status. Thanks to li-sans kindness I feel so happy that I am being treated so well. Hoshi-san said that she would have run a bath for me but the doctor said I shouldn't get my dressings wet and I should give the wounds a little more time heal.
Once I was in my new cloths I sat around for a while and saw paper and a pen on the desk in my room. Since the only way I can communicate well is by writing I think I should practice so that they can read it. I thought with a smile on my face. While I was practicing Li-san came into the room.
Li POV
It was a fair while after Sakura's dressings had been changed and Hoshi-san said that she gave Sakura the new clothes to wear. That pleased me, I'm sure she would look lovely even if they didn't fit her properly. She would probably feel better too, not having to worry about exposing herself. Anyway my curiosity got the better of me and I snuck into Sakura's room to find her lay down on the floor with a pen and paper practicing writing. It was kind of funny to see her concentrating so hard that her eyebrows were knitted together and her tongue stuck out. I can't help but laugh.
At this she jumps and almost freaks running over and hiding under the bed. I wonder why?
"Sakura-san, sorry I didn't mean to scare you." I say sitting on the bed acting calm
When she hears my voice she seems to calm down a bit and come out looking sheepish. Bowing politely to me she goes back to her writing.
I sit down next to her and look over what she has written so far it says "My name is Sakura Kinomoto. I am fifteen yars old. I have one one-san and one Otouu-san. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSVTUXPZY" of course I notice that she has got the last part of the alphabet wrong and made a few spelling mistakes but her writings getting clearer. She must be working hard if I can read it. I think to myself. Anyway time passes by and I help her out where I can suggest things for her to write and she seems to enjoy the company I do. She looks so pretty in the new clothes and she really suits them. I may suggest Tomoyo makes some clothes like these but knowing Tomoyo anything is possible. I remember one time when she designed an outfit at my mother's request to go to a party i. It ended up looking very strange with a bright pink shirt then a green set of pants. I refused to wear it much to her disappointment I would rather not get humiliated.
There is a small knock at the door and a maid enters causing Sakura-san to get distracted while she watches the maid who announces
"Miss Tomoyo Daidouji Sama has arrived. She apologies for being late she says that she had to deal with some urgent business before she left. She is in the Drawing room." The maid says and bows to Li-san
"Could you please send her up? Also could you get some refreshments sent up too?" I ask
The maid nods and goes.
I turn to Sakura-san. "Sakura-san, I have a visitor coming up in a minute her name is Tomoyo Daidouji-san she is very nice and I promise that she poses no harm. I will stay here the entire time."
She looks up at me with those emerald orbs. Ironically Emerald is my favourite colour fate has sent me someone who has an unusual eye colour which happens to be my favourite colour. Then she nods and a smile flickers briefly on her face.
Chapter 4 end
Kiyomi: please tell me what you think. Since I am so convinced it is awful I've been having a bad case of writers block so ideas would be appreciated. I'm thinking in the future that Sakura may attend school what do you think? Sorry about not updating for so long. Next chapter is about Tomoyo visit. Also you may have noticed Sakura differs from referring to Li as Li-sama to Li-san that's only cos I cant be bothered to keep writing Sama constantly. Summer is almost over so I may have trouble updating as I start University studying a degree in animal behaviour. Bye all and hope you enjoyed reading this