Okay...I'm not sure how to start but first I'd like to sincerely apologize. I know that even though I have genuine excuses, none can explain such a LONG gap, so once again I apologize.

Secondly, there were quite a few questions about the previous chapter. Let me explain them:

I had started out to write an Angst story, which may not be my forte, so the previous chapter may seem a little off the normal SxS stories but it is the same story.

Sakura's confused actions can be explained that she to nurses a crush on Syaoran which result in a conflict of emotions and hence her sort of random behavior. Plus, she was touchy after the office incident.

I'm really happy that you all actually reviewed and told about all these, Thank You Very Much!

Okay now, enough talking. Enjoy~


Mute

By metalspiké

Chapter: 7

Stateside, Sans Love


~Syaoran's POV~

My 18th birthday…the last time we were together as a family…the last time I saw my sisters smiling at me…a smile filled with innocence…a smile without the greed which defines them now…my parents…Mom…Dad…I…miss…you…but I moved on.

My 19th birthday…I had ended up on the street…my parents will was modified and I was given just 20% of Mom and Dad's money and rest was shared between my sisters…our family house…business…all snatched away and I was left to fend for myself...but I moved on

My 20th birthday…I left Tokyo…No one was ready to hire a mute guy…by now almost half of my share of parents money got used up…but I moved on

My 21st birthday…I finally got a job…a security guard…despite being a graduate that was the best I could manage...the money was low, but I moved on

My 22nd birthday…I realized how it felt to fall from cloud 9…how it feels to lose the most, the only cherished thing in your life…I lost…my love…Sakura…how can I move on now?

The darkness in front of my eyes is my future, a future I'm afraid of and a future I don't want. My silence defines me and my life…and when I tried breaking it, my life got destroyed.

Standing below her balcony, I tried telling her; in every possible way I was capable of, that I did not cheat her…I cannot and will not betray her…because I love her. Something stopped me from going back to her house to explain myself…a fear…a fear that if I moved from here, she too will move on and I'll lose her…the fear…how much ever illogical, how much ever baseless, kept me rooted to my spot.

And then the pain…the physical pain which had been inflicted on me was far lesser than the pain of losing Sakura…but I guess that what happened was what destiny had in store for me. Sakura doesn't deserve a handicapped like me. She, of all people, must have the right to live a happy life with the right person…which cannot be me.

So…if darkness lays ahead of me…let it swallow me!


~Sakura's POV~

It has been 20 hours since Syaoran was admitted and he has shown no sign of recovery. The doctor said that he isn't in a life-threatening condition but things could get serious if he does not respond to the treatment soon. As a backup, Tokyo General Hospital has been informed should Syaoran require advanced treatment. All this was bearable, but the last sentence that the doctor said kept replaying in my mind,

'What surprises me the most is his negligible response to the treatment. This is usually seen in patients under trauma who have lost a will to live.'

The words 'Trauma' and 'lost the will to live' were like a lightning bolt to me. This was something I never expected and the overwhelming guilt had my heart in a vice-like grip. The mental agony was too much for me to bear.

I…I did this…made him lose his will to live…

It also surprised me that he's in such trauma.

Going to jail, well that is traumatic but to this extent…

"Sakura?"

Hearing my name called I raised my head and I saw the most unexpected person,

"Chang? How are you here?" I asked.

"Just came for a general check-up, but why are you here?" He paused, and gave me a look over," Is everything alright? You look miserable."

Now this was tough…what am I supposed to say…the truth or make-up something?

"No, I'm fine. It's…umm…its Syaoran…He…kinda…got bashed up."

Dear lord, how pathetic must that have sounded! 'Bashed up'? What the heck, Sakura!

Apparently, Chang thought the same thing as well,

"Bashed up…?"

Fortunately, a nurse came and saved me further blushes.

"Sakura-san, the doctor is calling for you." She informed.

I nodded.

"I'll come too." Chang suddenly said.

"And who might you be?" The nurse asked.

I opened my mouth to say that he's just a 'co-worker' but he cut in,

"I'm her boyfriend, Chang!"

I'm sure my eyes would have been as big as saucers. This surprised me like hell. But he coolly avoided my gaze.

The nurse nodded and then led me to the doctor's room with Chang following me.

"Ah, Sakura-san and…" the doctor stopped on seeing Chang. The nurse then whispered something which made the doctor continue,

"…Chang-san, please take a seat."

We silently took a seat.

The doctor started,

"I have some good news and some bad news."

Could this get any more cliché?

The doctor continued," The good news is that the patient, Syaoran-san, has finally regained consciousness."

Hearing this, I felt a weight being lifted off me. But then the bad news came,

"The bad news is that he isn't responding to any external happenings. His brain registers activity so most likely it is voluntary inaction, but we're not sure."

This was followed by silence.

Conscious but voluntarily not responding…why?

"Can I see him?" I whispered.

"I don't see that as an issue. In fact, that was why I called for you. He might react seeing you." The doctor claimed.

This sent me deep into my thoughts...which was soon interrupted by the doctor.

"Also, I'd like to request that you please bring some of the patients belongings. You know, clothes and stuff. And we'd like to see some ID proof, like his passport. Just for record purposes." He said.

I just nodded and made a mental note.


~Syaoran's POV~

Everything around me is meaningless. That was a false ray of hope after all…I shouldn't have believed it!

My ears perked up slightly as I heard the door open.

"Now miss, you and your boyfriend must be extremely careful and must maintain silence." I heard the nurse's voice say.

You and your boyfriend…? Who could that be…?

I didn't have to wait for long for the reply…and worse of my fears came true.

"Yes, we will." I heard Sakura's voice say.

Then I saw Sakura and 'her boyfriend' enter my vision.

It's that Chinese asshole…no…

And right then and there I lost even the tiniest hope of ever living happily…that is if I lived.


~Sakura's POV~

I saw him...finally! He was still, hardly moving save for the soft rising and falling of his chest. What freaked me out more was his blank stare! Syaoran was just staring at the ceiling, hardly blinking.

"Syaoran..." I whispered.

I maybe wrong but I swear he twitched. Just a slight jerk...but that was all.

"Syaoran..." I croaked again.

Nothing.

"It's just as I feared." the doctor's voice came from behind, "He remains unresponsive. A typical trauma case."

I turned to the doctor,

"Will he recover?" I asked.

"Well...it depend. I think it would be better to shift him to Tokyo, trauma care facilities are much better there. He'll make a quicker recovery."

Shift him to Tokyo?

"Do it, Doc" Chang suddenly said. Then looking at me, he continued,

"The earlier he recovers, the better. Isn't it, Cherry B?"

Cherry B? What the...

I stared at Chang but he just smiled. Apparently, I have a few things to set right!

"Fine, then." The doctor said," we'll shift him to Tokyo by tomorrow. Lets fill in the details in my office." And we followed him there.

"But I can't be with him then." I complained," leave to Tokyo, Mrs. Andrew would never let me off!"

"You don't need to. He'll be well taken care of." The doctor replied.

"You sure?"

"Positive. I'll even forward you his daily reports."

Should I agree...?

"Okay...", I agreed.


3 weeks later

~Syaoran's POV~

The glass doors slid open and the cool air-conditioned air blew at my face. A voice announced over the PA system,

'Welcome to Narita airport!'

This is it. The gateway to a completely different life. A life where the past can't touch me, future can't scare me and the present is under my control. I'll be able to chose how I live and be able to change how I live.

I made my way to the travel desk, wrote down my journey details and handed the cash.

There goes the last of my savings.

Within fifteen minutes the tickets were ready. Security took another fifteen and I was left with half an hour before departure.

Wondering how I'm here? I'll tell you. Getting out of a trauma center isn't easy if you're a patient. But what if you don't LOOK like a patient? You see, the flaw lay in them not seeing that I had just switched into casual clothes from the faded blue patient gown which allowed me to be passed as a visitor. Of course I had to leave all my belongings, save for the few essentials which fit in my hip-sack, and so the only clothing I posses is those that I'm wearing. Slipping out of the hospital I hurried my way to the bank, withdrew all my money, sent a certain money-order and closed my account. And after that, here I came. Certainly not a really clean escapade but hey, I just recovered!

'Nippon Airways announces the boarding of flight NH911. Passengers are requested to proceed to gate 7.'

That's my flight.

I made my way to the gate and joined the queue.

Wonder if the hospital guys have noticed my absence. The nurse was quite easy to fool but even she would know that one can't be in the recuperation park for 3 hours! Would the doctor react? Of course! Would Sakura react?...maybe not


~Sakura's POV~

"Are you kidding me?", I hollered on the phone," What do you mean he's missing?"

"Security has searched from top to bottom but they couldn't find Syaoran-san. Although, his clothes and some belongings are still in his room." The person other side replied.

"What about the nurse?", I asked," Did she see him?"

"The nurse recalled that Syaoran-san had gone to the recuperation park after lunch. When she didn't see him return after a couple of hours, she reported to the doctor and an immediate search was started."

"Have you called the police?"

"They have just arrived."

"Listen, I need everything you recorded about Syaoran, all his reports, nurse observations and I need it NOW!" I demanded.

"But how's that going to help?"

"So that we can figure out whether it was an intentional escape or...something else." I explained.

"Fine, I'll fax the documents to Tomoeda hospital. Please collect them there. Have a good evening." And he cut the phone.

Have a nice evening...yeah right...asshole!

I jumped into my car and raced to the hospital. But all the while, a question haunted me,

Have I lost Syaoran forever?


~Syaoran's POV~

I took my seat on the plane, the plane which would take me away, far away from all my troubles. It'll land me into a whole new place, a place from which I can get all I want.

A voice interrupted my train of thoughts,

"Would you like a hot towel, sir?"

I turned and my heart stopped.

S-Sak-Sakura?

It was Sakura! She was standing there!

I'm sure a tear must have slipped from my eye. My hands shakily caught hers, along with the towel.

Sakura...I can't believe it!

"Erm, sir...Are you okay?" she asked.

Wait! That's not her voice!

And then it all came crashing down. The girl wasn't Sakura, she was just an air-hostess.

What the...? Oh crap! What was I thinking? Sakura is with Chang!

I jerked my hands away and rapidly shook my head. The air-hostess left but a new fear emerged.

Will Sakura haunt me like this forever? Will these feelings for her ever die down?

These can be answered only by time. But from my side, I paid all my dues.

The plane lurched forward and that signaled the beginning of a whole new life for me. It's like an empty book of which I will be the author.

Sayonara Japan...Sayonara Sakura...


~Sakura's POV~

I was sitting with same doctor who treated Syaoran and we were going through the documents sent from Tokyo.

"Well, everythings fine with his health." the doctor said," He's just like before. Blood sugar, normal. Blood Pressure, normal. No pathogens. The vocal cords still immovable. No muscular injuries. No..."

"Wait, what did you say?" I cut in.

"I said 'No muscular injuries'." The doctor replied.

"No, no, before that." I said.

"Immovable vocal cords."

"What?"

"It means he can't speak. Didn't you know this?" The doctor asked.

This was like a bolt out of the blue. I was stunned.

"Sakura-san, you okay?"

He couldn't speak. Syaoran couldn't speak. He really couldn't speak!

"You mean he really cannot speak?" I whispered.

"Yes," the doctor gave me a skeptic look but continued," but it's no big deal. Recently, a product was launched which enabled the dumb to speak. I was seeing the AD just the other day. Come to think, the actor in the AD seemed very similar to Syaoran-san."

For me, the world stopped. I stared blankly at the sheet in front of me.

Syaoran didn't lie. Syaoran can't speak. Syaoran didn't lie. Syaoran can't speak. Syaoran didn't lie...ARGHHH

This cycled through my head as the doctor once again spoke.

"Well, after going through all this its safe to conclude that Syaoran left at his own will. Don't you agree, Sakura-sa...What are you doing?"

I'm sure that the doctor must have thought I had lost it. You see, I was pulling my hair, literally.

SYAORAN DIDN'T LIE. SYAORAN CAN'T SPEAK. SYAORAN DIDN'T LIE. SYAORAN CAN SPEAK.

The doctor grabbed my hands.

"Sakura-san, please..."

I was dazed.

"Sorry," I muttered," but I think I should leave now."

Hastily, grabbing my purse I sprinted out and drove home. Tears were streaming down and the same thing was revolving in my head.

Syaoran didn't lie. Syaoran can't speak. Syaoran didn't lie. Syaoran can't speak. Syaoran didn't lie.

It was driving me mad, I was losing control of myself. So much that I couldn't even insert the key into the keyhole and dropped it. Right then, the postman arrived and announced,

"Post for Ms. Kinomoto Sakura!"

I wiped my tears and got up, signed the receipt and took the post.

A certain bluish-green paper caught my eye. It was a money-order.

Surprised, I opened the accompanying letter. It had no name, no sign and just one word written.

RENT

Realization dawned upon me and more tears followed. I ran down to the garage and barged into Syaoran's room. Much of it was still a mess, I was only able to collect his clothes and some official documents but the other things were littered. That white device was still lying in pieces next to the bed.

I bent down to pick it but then my eyes fell on a small dark red box at the edge, poking from under the bed. Picking it up I saw that it was a velvet ring case.

Creaking it open, a folded note was revealed. Slowly, I opened it and read it,

'Sakura, I love you. Wish I could say this to you.'

It was like the whole world was taunting me, pinching me and drumming into me that I was guilty. Guilty of hurting someone who cared for me, who helped me and who loved me.

I cried out loud, not bothering about anyone hearing. This was torturing. It hurt, it pained...too much.

God knows how long I remained crying but by the time my phone rang, my eyes had apparently run out of tears.

It was an unknown number.

"Hello?" I croaked.

"Sakura?" a voice whispered.

"Who's this?"I asked, the voice sounding vaguely familiar.

A weak laugh was heard from the other side.

"So, even you have forgotten me?"

That laugh. Only one person in this whole world laughs like that!

"Tomoyo?"

"Took you long enough." The voice weakly replied.

"Tomoyo, how are you?" I asked, lack of enthusiasm clearly evident.

"I've definitely been better."

Concern overcame my sadness,

"Why? What's wrong? And how's Taiki?" I asked.

There was silence on the phone.

"Tomoyo?"

A sob came.

"Tomoyo, are you crying?"

"Sakura," Tomoyo whispered," Taiki...he...he left."

Before I could reply, Tomoyo let out a blood-curdling shriek.

"Tomoyo! What happened?" I shouted.

"I'm in Tokyo...Sakura", she panted,"I'm in Tokyo High Hospital...*Gasp*...I don't have much time...*Gasp*...please come quick!"

"But, wha..." The phone got cut.

Tomoyo's words ringed in my ears,

'...I don't have much time...'

What does Tomoyo mean?

I remained still for minutes.

Tomoyo's in trouble. Must help Tomoyo.

I hopped into my car and started on the 150 mile drive to Tokyo.

Hospitals...everything bad happens there...but right now, I must save Tomoyo.

Determined to help Tomoyo and at the same time nursing a heart ache I drove like I never did before. But then I noticed the song on the radio,

So this is me swallowing my pride,
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night,"
And I go back to December all the time.
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you.
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right.
I go back to December all the time.

Syaoran...I'm sorry...


So that's that!

Thanks to EVERYONE who read/reviewed/faved/followed!

At this juncture, the next chapter can be the epilogue, tying up the lose ends or Chapter 8, continuing the story. (BTW, both are ready and would be uploaded next week, whichever gets chosen)

Its really upto the response this chapter gets, so do include your choice in your review.

And pardon me for the sad ending, too bad that S&S didn't end up together. (That is if the ending stands here)

R&R

msé~