Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.
Chapter Nine: Free As a Bird
"It's all my fault."
"No dear, it's not your fault," Eriol said for what felt like the one hundredth time.
"You're right," Tomoyo said stopping her pacing. Eriol visibly relaxed only to hear, "It's your fault!"
He just about slid off his chair, "My fault?! Wha-"
"This was your whole idea. Coming here. Getting them together again. Now my best friend is lost!" Tomoyo wailed throwing herself on the staircase crying.
It was well past 9 PM, and Tomoyo and Eriol had yet to see Sakura and Syaoran arrive. They had sent Sakura to the airport hours ago. Eriol had called the airlines to be sure that Syaoran's plane had landed, and it was confirmed that it arrived on time.
"I'm sure they are fine," Eriol sighed sitting beside her; laying a reassuring hand on her back. "They are probably making up as we speak."
"If that Syaoran did anything to her so help me," Tomoyo growled, but suddenly stopped when she saw head lights pull into the drive. "Oh, thank god!" she exclaimed running to the door and throwing it open. However, what greeted her was Syaoran walking up the steps with a very much drunk Sakura piggy-backed in his arms. "What in the world happened?!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
Syaoran sighed re-adjusting the sleeping girl in his arms. "She had a bit too much to drink."
"You think?!" Tomoyo yelled.
Eriol could sense hysterics coming on so he quickly said, "So does that mean you guys made up?" Seeing Syaoran's uncomfortable facial expression said enough to everyone.
"Then why- "Tomoyo started to ask only to interrupted by a murmur.
"Tomoyo-chan, my head hurts," Sakura whined on Syaoran's back.
"Oh dear, let's get her to bed," Tomoyo said back in full mom mode.
Sometime later, after Sakura had been put to bed, Tomoyo found Syaoran sitting by himself in the kitchen. He had a cup of coffee in his hands, but it had long gone cold. His amber eyes stared at what seemed like nothing. Tomoyo had come with full intentions of giving him a verbal beating, but at seeing the look on his face she stopped. What was that look?
Finally it dawned on her, "You love her, don't you?"
Syaoran jumped when he heard her voice. "What?" he asked turning red.
Tomoyo smiled that calming weird smile of hers. She was a lot like Eriol he found himself thinking. She also had the Cheshire cat quality.
"You love her," Tomoyo said again walking into the kitchen. She picked out a mug for herself, and poured some coffee. She offered the pot to Syaoran, and he gladly held out his cup that was still half full.
She settled herself in front of him, and took her time pouring in her milk and sugar waiting for him to talk first. Finally he asked, "How did you know?"
Setting down her cup daintily Tomoyo said serenely, "It was the hurt in your eyes. Nobody has hurt in their eyes unless they've lost something they loved." When he didn't confirm or deny she continued, "But you lost her on your own doing Syaoran. Why are you pushing her away?"
"I had to," he said running a hand through his hair. "It was for her own good."
"What is it you're not telling me?" Tomoyo asked.
Syaoran braced himself, and then told her everything. Starting at how the contract between them began, his promise to help her find her mother's first love, the romantic night they shared, and then finally the realization they might be related.
"Does she know?" Tomoyo asked her heart breaking for her friend.
He nodded taking a long drink of his coffee that had gone lukewarm again. "Yes. I finally told her tonight. That's why she got really drunk."
Tomoyo nodded understanding. "But you guys don't know for sure." He looked up at her with sad amber eyes. "Well it's true you don't! So your father knew Sakura's mother. Sure it sounds like they were in love, but that doesn't mean that Sakura is his child."
"But Sakura said-"Syaoran started, but Tomoyo interrupted him.
"Sakura only knows what she knows from her mother's diary, and the conversations she has overheard," looking down guilty herself Tomoyo said, "And that part is mostly my fault."
"What do you mean?" Syaoran asked.
"Well you know that both Sakura and my mother were cousins and best friends growing up. They told each other everything. My mother never did like Fujitaka, Sakura's father, and one day I overheard her talking. She was telling someone how she wished she would have pushed for a paternity test for Sakura. How Nadeshiko had left to go back to her first love, but then came back to Fujitaka. Sakura was born shortly afterwards. My mom always resented Fujitaka for moving away, and taking my mom and Sakura with him. When Nadeshiko died, my mom almost pursued custody of Sakura. But out of Grandfather's wishes she didn't…" Tomoyo trailed off.
"And you told her," Syaoran said.
Tomoyo nodded. "I did… I couldn't keep it from her. I was naïve at the time. I was eleven years old, and I thought if I told Sakura she would want to move in with me. I was so selfish."
"But she didn't," Syaoran said, and he found himself smiling.
Tomoyo smiled too. "No she didn't. Sakura loves her father, Fujitaka I mean, and she's very loyal. She would never do anything to hurt him."
He knew how much she loved Fujitaka as well. He thought of the picture he was carrying in his wallet right now.
"But what I'm trying to say is that none of us know for sure. That is… except for one person…" Tomoyo said stalling.
He sighed loudly knowing what she was getting at, "My father."
She nodded. "If he really did love Nadeshiko as much as he says he did then her daughter deserves to know the truth from him." Seeing the sad look come over his face; Tomoyo laid a hand on his. "And you deserve to know the truth as well."
"Me?" Syaoran asked surprised.
"So you can be with the girl you love. Married for real this time," Tomoyo said winking. Seeing his ears turn red Tomoyo could only giggle.
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I still love you
I wanted to tell you,
The one who couldn't take it anymore and
Gave up in the end.
I miss you more than I hate you
I long for you more than I'm sad
Is this not it? Is this not it?
Sakura closed the notebook, and hugged it to her chest hard. This was the beginning of one of her most cherished songs from her mother.
She knew for certainty that it was talking about Ryuuren. What kind of relationship did they have? It must have been pretty powerful to take her away from a husband and young son.
When she had first heard that she might not be her father's child she was in denial. Of course she was Fujitaka's. How could she not be? Then came anger. What was so great about this guy that her mother would just pack up and leave? What kind of monster would abandon her family? Now Sakura was settled with the knowledge. She had come to terms with herself that she might not be Fujitaka's daughter. And so what? Did that make her love him any less? No. Did that make her resent him? No. If anything it made her bond with him grow stronger knowing that he was such a great man that would take back a wife who left him. Who would stay with that wife, and hold her hand through leukemia.
She had come to China for answers, and it was time she stopped pouting.
Sometime later Sakura walked downstairs, and said cheerfully, "Good morning!"
"More like good afternoon," Syaoran said smirking.
Sakura sweat dropped looking at the clock that read 2 PM. "I'm sorry for any trouble I caused last night," Sakura said bowing. Turning to Syaoran she asked, "Can I talk to you?"
The two made their way outside. Syaoran followed her with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Sakura didn't stop walking until her feet touched the ocean. Breathing in the ocean air gave her courage. Spinning she smiled up at him and said, "Thank you."
He was taken aback both by her apology, and her smile. "For what?"
"For telling me," Sakura said facing the ocean again. "For being honest with me."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier," Syaoran said joining her side.
"I understand why you didn't. You were protecting me."
"Sakura, if you want to break our contract I completely understand-"Syaoran started, but was cut off.
"That would be a breach," she said turning to him again. "You fulfilled your end, but I haven't fulfilled mine. You're still stuck with me for three more months."
"I haven't completely fulfilled my end," Syaoran said, and continued at seeing her confused look. "I found him, but you haven't talked to him yet. Not really anyway."
Looking up at him with scared green eyes she asked, "Would he want to? Talk to me about her I mean."
Syaoran nodded. "I do." Seeing her relax he found himself saying, "Sakura, I want you to know, that whatever happens I-."
Stepping forward she wrapped her arms around his waist, "It's okay. I'm sorry too."
Syaoran hugged her back, but found himself thinking: What I was going to say was that Sakura I don't regret anything. I don't regret any of the feelings I have towards you, and I don't regret acting on those feelings. Bumping into you at the airport was the best thing that ever happened to me. But instead Syaoran didn't say these thoughts, and enjoyed the feeling of just holding her close.
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"HOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEE!"
"WHAT?!"
Sakura screamed, and Syaoran yelled simultaneously.
"What do you mean by this, Eriol?!" Syaoran roared.
"Now Syaoran-kun, did you really think I was going to have you come all the way out here, and not shoot a Pepsi commercial? Tsk tsk," Eriol said patting him on the head. Syaoran flinched back, and glared at be-speckled freak. "Oh come now, don't give me that look. You get to do the commercial together," Eriol said smiling that smile of his.
"T-T-Tomoyo, I can't shoot a commercial," Sakura quivered.
They were all standing on a secluded beach that was the site for commercial. Cameramen ran about as well as sound and lighting technicians.
"We need to get you two in makeup and hair," Da Xie said walking up typing on her phone. "And you have to do this commercial, "she said rounding on Sakura who recoiled at the look on her face. "It's your first big commercial and big contract together. You both are super marketable right now. China loves you, but I can't figure out why." She said giving Sakura look.
"B-But I've never done anything like this before-"Sakura tried to say, but again cringed at the look of fire in Da-Xie's eyes.
"Here is your script, memorize your lines like you always do," Da Xie said handing the piece of paper to Syaoran, and shoving him in the direction of his trailer. Rounding on Sakura again she said, "Here is your part. You only have one line. Surely you can't mess that up."
Sakura gulped dejectedly and took the paper. Shortly after she found herself emerging from her trailer clutched tightly into a towel; she tiptoed down the beach towards Tomoyo.
Tomoyo smiled when she saw her, but then frowned. "Why are you wrapped in a towel?"
"I can't do this, Tomoyo," Sakura whispered though clenched teeth.
"Why not? You were the lead in Sleeping Beauty in Elementary school. You had lots of lines then-"
Flinging open her towel, Sakura showed her what was underneath. Tomoyo couldn't help but laugh. Sakura was dressed to look like a mermaid. Complete with a small shell-like bikini, and a long sheer skirt that resembled a tail. It almost looked like one of her creations, but less frills and fabric.
"Places!" The director yelled.
"Hoe!" Sakura said wrapping the towel around her again.
"I said places!" the director yelled again searching the crowd. "Where are my models?!"
"Go get'em, tiger," Da Xie said yanking the towel off, and pushing Sakura forward none too kindly.
"Hoe!" Sakura yelled again stumbling onto the set. She blinked up at all the bright lights, and didn't see Syaoran until she ran right into him. "Sorry-"she started to say, but then blushed bright red when she realized he was bare-chested.
Yes she realized she had seen him without a shirt before, and even in a more well… intimate environment. However, that was the heat of the moment. It's not like she had time to really see him in well… all of his glory.
"Are you okay?" he asked frowning seeing her bright red face. "Do you want me to have them fetch you water?"
All she could do was gulp and shake her head no.
"Okay love birds, let's get started," the director tried again. "So here is your scene. Sakura, you are a beautiful mermaid/siren creature calling to him. Li, you hear her call, the call of Pepsi, and you must go to it. Understand?"
Syaoran nodded confidently, and Sakura could only nod weakly.
Soon thereafter she found herself perched on a large rock out a little ways off from the beach. She couldn't help but to shiver as the cold water splashed onto her. The director wanted to use an actual rock, and no CG for a more realistic and fantasy look.
"Action!" the director yelled.
Sakura watched as Syaoran stumbled around the beach seeming to be lost and confused. He whipped his head around his glorious chestnut hair damp with salt water. He was dressed in a torn open white peasant top and ragged, black bottoms so the overall effect was that of a ship wrecked sailor.
She found herself mesmerized watching him act. He really was fantastic. Sakura completely forgot that all of this wasn't real for a moment until she heard the director calling her name.
"Sakura! SAKURA!"
"HOE! Sorry!" she called back. "What's my line again?"
The director rubbed his temples. "Pepsi… your line is PEPSI!" he shouted out to her.
"Okay!" she yelled back giving an okay sign. Tomoyo giggled, but was shushed by Eriol. Syaoran couldn't help but to shake his head.
"ACTION!" the director yelled again.
This time Sakura paid more attention, and when it was her turn she cleared her throat and yelled, "PEPSI!"
"Cut! Cut! CUT! NO NO NO NO," the director stomped about. "You do not shout it like a squawking bird. You are calling to the man you love. You are beseeching. You are mesmerizing. You need to get his attention, and the only way you can do that is to say Pepsi."
Sakura tilted her head. "But wouldn't I just call his name?" Even Syaoran almost laughed at that one.
The director looked like he was about to explode when Syaoran said, "Let me talk to her."
"You do that."
"Sakura! Come in for a moment," Syaoran yelled out to her.
"Okay!" she said standing, but it was then that Syaoran saw a huge wave rolling in.
"Wait! Sakura! Watch out!" Syaoran yelled, but it was too late.
Sakura screamed as the wave crashed into her sending her flailing into the ocean. She was thrown about, and Sakura was terrified as the ocean water filled her lungs. Gasping for relief she tried to claw her way to the surface only to get tugged back down. Through the murky water Sakura could barely see her long mermaid skirt was caught in the rock.
Back on the beach everyone was frantic. "Where is she?!" Tomoyo yelled frightened.
"Wait Syaoran!" Da Xie yelled.
But Syaoran had already pulled off his white shirt, and dived into the ocean. He swam as fast as he could toward the rock, and his heart beat frantically in his chest. "Sakura!" he screamed coming to the rock. Diving underneath he looked about, but couldn't see her through the murky water.
On the other side of the rock Sakura was frantically trying to get her skirt unstuck, but her energy was leaving her. Her lungs burned for air, and her muscles grew weak. Suddenly, strong arms came around her.
Syaoran wrapped his arms around her, and pulled but found her stuck. Frenzied, he searched for what she was trapped on only to see her skirt caught on the rock. He braced his foot against the rock, and with one strong, ripping motion she was free.
Breaking the surface he gasped for air, and looked down at Sakura. He was startled to see her turning blue. "No Sakura, damnit!" he yelled swimming back to the beach.
Tomoyo saw him swimming back with an unconscious Sakura and screamed, "Someone call an ambulance!"
"Give them air!" Eriol shouted as Syaoran dragged her onto the beach.
Syaoran quickly checked for breathing, pulse, and began CPR. Sakura gave a loud cough, and water rushed from her mouth. She blinked up into the sun only to see Syaoran's hysterical amber eyes looking down on her.
"Sakura! Are you okay?!" He shouted, and she could only nod weakly.
"And CUT!" he heard the director yell.
Syaoran rounded on him with blazing eyes. "You were rolling?!"
"That was fantastic! Better than I envisioned-"he was cut off as Syaoran hauled back and punched him.
"Li!" Da Xie yelled shocked.
"Syaoran!" Eriol yelled grabbing his arm and pulling him back.
"She could have died, you bastard!" he yelled trying to break free of Eriol.
"Get him off my set!" the director roared holding his bleeding cheek.
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"Here," Tomoyo said handing Syaoran a steaming mug sometime later, "Take this to her."
"What is it?" he asked staring down at the hot, white liquid.
"It's warm milk and honey. It's what her dad and brother make for her when she isn't feeling well."
He nodded taking the cup. He went to her room, and knocked hesitantly.
"Come in," she called weakly. Seeing him walk in she smiled, and sat up straighter in bed. "What have you got there?" she asked seeing the mug. When he handed it to her she couldn't help but to feel tears build up in her eyes. "Milk and honey…. How did you-?"
"Tomoyo," he answered situating himself on her bed.
"Oh, of course," she said sipping the warm drink. They sat in silence for a moment before both said "I'm sorry."
"You're sorry? What do you have to be sorry for?" Syaoran said unbelievably. "If anybody should be apologizing it's me!"
"I ruined your commercial," she said staring dejectedly down into her mug. "And now that director is never going to let you work with Pepsi again-"
"Good riddance," Syaoran interjected. Seeing that she still had the guilty expression he quickly said, "Sakura I mean it. I really don't care about what he thinks about me or my contract with Pepsi. What I do care about is that I put you in danger today."
She blinked at him. "What do you mean?"
"The only reason you were in this dumb commercial was because of me. Because I asked you to marry me, and forced you into this crazy lifestyle of mine. "
"What are you saying?" she asked her heart speeding up.
"I'm saying that…. You're free Sakura…"
"What?" she asked her heart stopping.
"The contract ends here. Let's get a divorce."
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Author's Note:
Free As a Bird, can we really live without each other?
Can they live without each other I guess we will have to wait and see it if they can.
The song Sakura mentioned halfway through is "This Isn't It" by Taeyang. I'll explain this song in more depth next chapter, and why it's in this story.
I had a whole week off for once in my life. So to celebrate this I decided to go ahead, and post another chapter ahead of schedule. So they are ending their contract, and Sakura is going to talk to Ryuuren finally.
Please review!
