A/N1: I am trying my best to continue this story and still make it interesting. I really want to finish this since this is my first fan fiction and… I'm babbling. Anyway, you'll see how different my writing style is now compared to the previous chapters. Those were written 3 years ago. So, yeah – Don't forget to give me a review! :D
A/N2: Thank you, James Birdsong :D Your "Wonderful story." Review energized me cause honestly I was planning to crash the plane and kill 'em all just to end this. HAHAHA! Thank youuu! I shall continue. :3
Chapter Ten
"Saku-chan?" Tomoyo peeked inside Sakura's room, opening the door slightly, she couldn't see Sakura. No response – not even a sigh. "Did he tell you nasty things, again?" Tomoyo tried once more. Nope – no response. She sighed. "Naoko," she whispered, "Maybe it's best if we ask for another room and leave her alone for tonight." Naoko looked down at her master as she's tall, with a slender physique that walks with grace on light feet, and Tomoyo only leveling her shoulders. She nodded. Tomoyo sighed again and closed the door behind her. She didn't know that Sakura was lying face down, buried on her pillow, crying.
"Father," Touya had put down his spoon and fork and had been staring at his father, eating dinner. He couldn't bear lying to him. Fujitaka looked up from his plate. "Yes?" He smiled with his eyes – that smile as if he had never encountered problems in his entire life; that smile that covers up all the tears. "Sakura is…" Touya said when he was cut off by the ringing of Fujitaka's phone. "Excuse me," Fujitaka took his phone and answered the call.
"Iyori," Fujitaka said, "Nice of you to call"
Wait, what? Touya felt alarmed. What's he trying to do?
"I'm having dinner with Touya right now. Come by and join us!" Fujitaka said with sheercheerfulness.
"Yes, sir, don't mind if I do. I'll be there in 30." Iyori, answered smiling, ended the call. Let's play chess, Touya.
"He's coming over?" Touya asked, trying to bring back his composure. Fujitaka nodded. "It really is nice to know, as a father, that his kids have such good loyal friends. I hope Sakura's having fun at the Daidouji's right now." Fujitaka had his signature smile plastered on his face again. "About that," Touya's eyes wandered.
"Yes?" His father tilted his head to the side, ever so slightly, not losing his small smile.
"Sakura's to fly to Switzerland as we speak." Touya managed to sound casual but deep inside he's afraid to see his dad panic. Fujitaka loses his cool when it comes to matters concerning Sakura.
"With Tomoyo? An amused expression substituted Fujitaka's smile.
Touya shook his head.
"A while ago, you told me she's with her." His father's tone had hinted anger now.
"I lied." Touya said in a flat tone.
"I see that. Is this something you'd rather not let me know? You've taken pains concealing about it in the first place." Fujitaka's voice was casual but his aura emanated a dark wrath that Touya could swear he felt the room temperature dropped.
"It's actually something I'd like you to know but couldn't let you." Touya took the table napkin resting on his lap and wiped the sides of his mouth.
"Why couldn't you?" Fujitaka mirrored the action. Dinner has ended.
"Because I don't know anything about it too," he stood from his seat. And I know what will happen if you do. You'll just end up panicking and hurting yourself…hurting Sakura. "Even Iyori can't tell you." I won't let him.
Fujitaka stood as well. "You mean this involves Sakura's health?" His hands gripped on the edge of the table. Memories about his wife flooded his head. The room was swaying. He gripped more tightly for support. He sees Touya shrug. "Don't you care about your sister!" Fujitaka's voice rose.
"I do. I assure you she's in good hands. She's with Li Syaoran. He offered to take her to Switzerland to see experts there." Touya took his phone and pressed buttons. "I'll send you his contact number so you can talk to him yourself."
"She has the same condition as your mom! It cannot be cured!" Fujitaka broke down. Fell back to his chair with force and started crying. "I know that this is going to happen but I didn't expect it to be this soon."
"Father," Touya said under his breath and rushed to his father's side before he could collapse and fall on the floor.
"Aerial Wolf ready for take-off. All systems are green." A voice cracked on the speakers installed all over Li Syaoran's private plane. "This is the Wolf to the Tower, come in."
"Wolf, runway is ready."
"Tower, hangar fork is open and lifting carrier to align with hangar."
"Copy."
"Tower."
"Wolf, all communicating systems are now transferred to Lupa, private command tower. In 30 seconds."
"Recognizing transfer of systems."
"Complete. Have a safe flight, captain! Good bye!"
-Static and beeping-
"Lupa,"
"Announce yourself Captain."
"Captain Sebastian Hollow (N/A: made up character and not in any anime; if there is such name in any anime or show or whatever, it is purely coincidence), prime pilot of Aerial Wolf."
"Recognized. All systems green. Let's have a safe flight, Captain."
"Roger that."
Sakura was listening to the conversation broadcasted and with every line, she felt her heart sink. I'm going to Switzerland, now. This is it. I have to be better so I could be assured that I'll be able to dance 'til my bones break. She turned to look at herself in the mirror in her bathroom. Her eyes were bloodshot, and puffy. She had never seen her emerald irises this dull. She walked near the mirror. Don't be fooled by the words of the devil. Your best friend is right. Don't get blinded. The snake is also the snake charmer. I better get his flute and break it into smithereens. I'll just use him and after this, I'll go back to hating him, more…more…
A knock on the door startled her out of her reverie. She opened the door to see Syaoran. "What brings you here?" Sakura raised a brow. "Just checking if you haven't got off of the plane with your insane best friend. We'll be there by dawn of the day after tomorrow." Syaoran answered, leaning on the door frame, his arms extended upward, holding the top side of the frame, his elbow bent. Sakura just stared at him. Taking in the whole of him by staring. You're a snake. I shouldn't trust you. Last look and that's it. You're a Greek god turned snake.
"It's 10:45; shouldn't you be sleeping?" Syaoran shifted his position, his arms crossed across his chest, feeling the awkward atmosphere. Stop staring at me, will you? I see you've been crying. What is it now?
"I was about to, had you not knock." Sakura answered flatly.
"You okay?" Syaoran's eyebrows furrowed.
"Good night." Sakura, with that monotone again, had shut the door in Syaoran's face after replying.
Syaoran knocked. She walked to her bed, lay under the sheets, and pulled the covers to her neck. There was another set of knocks. She closed her eyes. Go away. Stop confusing me. He opened the door. "Two things: Manners – you just don't slam the door on someone's face who isn't even bothering you! What did I do to you, now?" His voice rose. "Second, if you plan on keeping someone out…" He was panting. He calmed himself. 1…2…3…4…5… He said when he calmed down, "If you plan on keeping someone out, lock the door. Good night." And after this, walked out of the room, locking the door before shutting it.
She shut her eyes tightly trying not to cry. Good night, Syaoran.
"Naoko," Tomoyo whispered. "I heard Syaoran just now." She looked at her bodyguard.
"It might be the wind." Naoko replied. "Come," she led her to the door out to the airport's lobby. It's very crowded. "We better go." Naoko said.
Tomoyo nodded. Take care, Saku-chan. I'll call you every now and then. I know that you're strong. I hope you make the right decisions.
"My lady, this way." Naoko, who's about 5 feet away from her now, called Tomoyo and pulled her out of her thoughts.
Tomoyo smiled. "Coming!" And her black shiny hair swayed as she walked towards her bodyguard.
Iyori had set his cup down. He doesn't really enjoy tea. He directed his gaze towards the person in front of him who has been glaring at him since he had sat down. He had been offered tea, had his tea poured to his cup and had sipped a few – Touya's still glaring at him. "Glare at me all you want, you still won't be able to create a hole in my head." Iyori smiled.
Touya sighed. "What now, Iyori?"
"What?" Iyori chuckled. "Should there be a reason before I come here to visit?"
"Well, you're that type of person, so yes." Touya's forehead creased.
Iyori laughed heartily. "Touya, stop frowning, will you?" He laughed a bit more.
"Iyori," Touya looked at his friend under his long lashes, "my sister is not a guinea pig."
"Of course. She's too pretty to be one." Iyori smiled.
"If you want fame, I'll give it you."
"You mean, your sister?"
"You are not to touch Sakura!" Touya rose from his seat and rushed to Iyori taking him by his polo's collar.
Iyori took Touya's hands off and stood, his face inches away from Touya.
"Iyori, you're throwing away our friendship just for fame?"
"Touya, I wouldn't be throwing it if you're to share."
"Bastard." Touya said through his teeth.
"I'll let you in on a secret. Li Syaoran had just recently bought a Swiss medical research facility." He whispered to Touya's ear. "Everybody wants a slice of their share to treat that illness, Touya. It's very rare and fascinating if I may add. A legend among the profession." He then patted Touya at the back. "I'll see you around." He said smiling then walked out of the salon. Touya heard a maid greeted Iyori. After a few more moments, he heard Iyori's car purr to life and zoom away. He trudged upstairs to his father's bedroom. He partly opened the door and watched the sleeping figure of his father, his breathing shallow. "I'll protect Sakura, pops. I'll do what we weren't able to do for mom." He got his phone and started to dial numbers then placed it on his ear.
He had to answer the call. He turned left and the tires screeched, the car halted and Iyori Masashi is dead.
"Mei Ling, your duties, I believe you're neglecting."
"No, dear mother, I'm sorry for the delay, I just started though."