The Last Sonata
008.
No matter how much he tried to close his eyes and drift to a peaceful sleep, he just couldn't. His mind wandered elsewhere – elsewhere being that burnt, old building, where she died, supposedly. His mind was plagued with thoughts of guilt, confusion, anger, and sadness. One second he'd be thinking of her pretty face and how she smiled at him whenever they were together, and another second he'd be thinking about how she broke his heart.
In her letter, she said she never meant to hurt him.
But she did anyways.
Everything made no sense: death and time travel?
He escaped Hong Kong to avoid his past life of confusion and drama. He escaped to start fresh – yet he felt like he ended up the same way he would've if he had stayed. The thought made him sick to his stomach.
The piano. Her letter. Her face. Tomoyo's story.
He just couldn't get them out of his head. No matter how much he tried.
"You look beat." Eriol remarked as Syaoran and him went to go get a cup of coffee at the café across the street from the conservatory, "Are you alright?"
"I didn't get any sleep last night." Syaoran did not want to mention his night with Tomoyo to Eriol. He didn't want Eriol getting all suspicious, and he especially did not want to involve his boss in this time-travel-death shenanigans of his. Syaoran had hoped all of this was just some horrible nightmare.
Several stealth self-inflicted pinches to the skin later, he knew that everything was terribly real.
"Two more hours until the convocation ceremony..." Eriol looked at his watch, "Two more hours until my fabulous teachers perform." He had such a cheesy grin on his face – Syaoran was tempted to punch it. He was especially irritable with everything that was happening.
"Ugh." Syaoran groaned, "Don't remind me."
"I have to get going." Eriol sighed, "Duties call. By the way, a word of advice... if you love your music career do NOT become an administrator."
"Gotcha." Syaoran said.
"I guess you can use this extra time to practice and freshen up. You're after Tomoyo, remember that! She'll kill you if you don't go see her performance. She's been practicing like mad for the past few months." Eriol said sternly yet his smile indicated the opposite, "See you later."
"Bye." Syaoran and Eriol parted ways. Syaoran headed towards campus, but instead he drifted towards that old building that he had been in last night. He firmly held the book that held all of the precious sheet music Sakura had given him.
The letter.
He couldn't stop thinking of the letter.
Luckily for him, he left the door unlocked so he could enter inside again. The natural light coming through the shattered windows at the end of the corridor was somewhat relaxing, which provided a stark contrast on the eerieness of the surroundings. After tiptoeing through broken glass, splintered wood, and other debris on the ground he found the door he was looking for – he had left it wide open so he wouldn't have trouble finding it. The windows were not as shattered in Sakura's piano room, leaving some sort of normalcy, but still – the dis-order and mess in this room reminded him of it's melancholic history.
He sat at the piano and opened the book. He began playing according to what it said on the sheet music.
He was pleasantly surprised that even through sounding the piece by ear, he almost had it right save for a few moments. Nothing happened as he finished the piece. Syaoran expected to be sucked into a wormhole into the past, but no, nothing happened.
Flipping back to the first page where the taped note was still on top, teasing him.
When I want to go back, I play really fast. When I want to see you, I play really slow.
Going back? Seeing him? It alluded to one thing – and if what Tomoyo told him was true, this all meant that this time-travel stuff was real.
Syaoran cracked his knuckles and prepared to brace himself to play the piece with a faster tempo. His eyes were fixated on the sheet music – he had to master this, he had to see if it was true.
It was difficult without the sheet music, it was difficult for him to play with such intricacy while turning the pages. He messed up a few times, cursing to himself each time he did. He kept going, then restarted.
Finally, he felt he had gotten it.
As he was playing he felt a huge surge of heat that felt like it was searing through his skin. He removed his gaze from the sheet music and found himself in a pit of flames – like an envisioned hell. Still, he had to keep going – even if it was real or a hallucination – he had to push through and persevere.
The flames eventually went away as he played through the sonata. He saw what was once on the ground, or what was once broken revert to their original forms. The room, what once looked scary, was reverting back to what he believed was it's original, peaceful state.
Then, it was over.
He sat in the piano room, unsure as to what happened. He saw everything that was once scorched in the room had now become revitalized. Seeping through the doors and hovering above him was a small cloud of smoke. Then he smelled the scent of burning fire.
Blinking, he saw her standing there, facing the door in a frozen state.
"Sakura!" Syaoran yelled.
It was her, it had to be.
Slowly, she turned. Those familiar green eyes – it could have only belonged to one person.
"Syaoran-kun?" Sakura said in a surprised tone, "What are you... what are you doing here?"
"We have to get out of here!" The man said while covering his face from the smoke. He ran towards the shocked girl and grabbed her hand forcefully.
"No!" Sakura tried to loosen his grip from her hand. Afterwards she yelled, "Just get out of here!"
"There's a fire!" Syaoran gritted his teeth as he attempted to get a grip on her again.
"I know." Sakura said sadly, "Just leave me be."
Objects began to fall as they were heard in the background. The crackling of the flames began to get louder and louder, and the temperature was rising. The smoke began to thicken, but she still stood there without any movement.
"Please." Syaoran pleaded. Though inside he wondered, why wasn't anyone even attempting to save her? Where is everyone?
As if she read his mind, she responded, "Everyone's at the convocation ceremony. This place is as empty as could be save for a few people... they've already managed to leave. The firefighters will come any minute. I've accepted my fate." Bitterness resonated through her voice as she turned to him, "You can save yourself. You don't belong here."
"Neither do you." Syaoran said as he grabbed the girl from the ground and carried her over his shoulder, in which Sakura began to swing her legs and punch him.
"Let go!" She screamed.
"I'm not letting you get your way – not this time." Syaoran was having a hard time carrying both the girl with one arm and masking his own face from the smoke with the other arm, "If we can't get out the front door... we can get out from here."
He held his grip tightly onto Sakura and took a deep breath as he went towards the window. Then, concentrating with all his might he punched the glass, shattering it into hundreds of little shards partially. Again, he punched the broken glass again, causing his hand to bleed profusely. Despite the stinging pain, he kicked the remaining shards of the window. He reaffirmed his grip on the girl and jumped out into the bushes. Luckily, they were only on the main floor. The two people rolled out onto the grass where a few steps away there were already people outside – some who were panicking, crying, or screaming about the fire.
Including a familiar face.
"Sakura, oh my gosh, you're alright!" Their raven-haired friend cried out as she saw the two laying on the grass. As soon as she got close to them, her eyes were drawn towards the Chinese man's bleeding hand. She gasped at the sight of the blood.
"I'm alright." Syaoran took that gasp as a cue.
"The paramedics are coming." Tomoyo softly reassured the two. Syaoran remarked that this Tomoyo clearly looked years younger, and her hair a bit shorter than her 'future' counterpart. She was wearing a light blue dress that brought out her dark blue eyes and pale complexion.
Sakura, on the other hand, was on the verge of tears. She said in an angry but quiet tone, "Why'd you have to do this..." She turned to face her savior.
"Were you the one who saved Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked the man.
Syaoran nodded.
"Thank you." Tomoyo said.
Then there was a commotion from behind them. The paramedics and firemen have arrived, with them trying to put out the fire. From that time and point the fire had already spread to the piano room Sakura was in – if she had stayed longer she would have surely been a goner. The crowd from convocation eventually spread to the scene with the fire ruining the day.
Syaoran had been rushed to the hospital with his bloodied hand. It was good, he thought, or he would've passed out from the blood loss. He was advised to stay at the hospital for a few days and rest while he got the treatment he needed.
"Mr. Li, you have a visitor." The nurse said as she opened the door to his room.
"Sure, let them in." Syaoran really hadn't gotten any visitors except for nurses and doctors, of course. Who could he have called anyways? His mother, his sisters? There's still a possibility that another version of himself was living right now. He didn't want to meet his past counterpart, not now, and not ever.
Sakura walked in with a box in her hands. She turned to the nurse who took her cue and left the room leaving both Syaoran and Sakura alone. Sakura made her way to Syaoran's bedside where she set the box on the end table while she silently looked at him.
It was clear to Syaoran she was conflicted. After all, her eyes were indicator of her emotions.
"You're so stupid." Sakura said in a low tone.
"I know." Syaoran replied while staring up at the white ceiling, something he had always done since being in the hospital.
"Why did you... why did you come back?" Sakura asked, "And how did you know how to come here..."
"Daidouji—er, Tomoyo, told me everything." Syaoran answered, "About the time traveling."
Sakura's eyes widened, "...So you know, then."
"Don't play stupid." Syaoran smirked, "What's with that note you left me on the sheet music of The Last Sonata anyways? It was all because of you I was able to come back... and save you."
"I don't need saving." Sakura said angrily, "Because of you, you've disrupted the flow of time... and the future from where you've came from! Don't you understand? I'm not supposed to exist - and now you're not going to exist in your own time because you're here."
"You've disrupted it yourself by going to see me." Syaoran said bluntly, "I knew nothing about this whole thing."
"It was an accident." Sakura said as she sat down on the chair next to the hospital bed, "I never intended to go to the future. I never intended to time travel, and I never intended for all this to happen."
"But it did." Syaoran firmly asserted, "And that's it. There's nothing we can do about it."
"But why'd you come back?" Sakura said.
"I was curious about Tomoyo's story. I didn't want to believe it as well... but the pieces, they fit somehow." Syaoran admitted, "And Tomoyo... she told me how you died, and... she's really, really unhappy and still unsettled about you being gone." Then he smiled, "But now, that might all change."
"Really?" Sakura asked guiltily.
The man nodded.
"Still - you have to go back to your time." Sakura said firmly, "If you even can go back."
"What do you mean?" Syaoran asked.
"I was supposed to die." Sakura said, "I've known I was supposed to die since the moment I traveled to ... you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Syaoran asked.
"You wouldn't believe me." Sakura had her hands placed on her lap, a habit she had when she was nervous, "Besides. I got selfish. It was supposed to be a one-time deal. I would've never seen you again after... but I was attracted to you somehow. I wanted to keep seeing you even if I knew."
Syaoran put his hand on Sakura's hands gently, "Sakura. I love you."
"Syaoran, I love you too... but we can't do this anymore." She sadly replied, "We're not meant to be together. Not like this. You're supposed to be in your time, and I'm supposed to be here. You can't be here with me. Now that I'm alive, I don't even know if your future will exist... because I will exist."
"You have to go back." Sakura firmly held his hand now, "We can't have two of you existing here, after all."
"I know."
"Luckily, they salvaged the piano." Sakura said, "You can go back."
Despite warnings from her father and from everyone else, Sakura went to the old burned building and this time she brought the recovered pianist with her. Together, they held each others hands firmly until they got to their destination in silence.
As they opened the door to the barren piano room their hands parted. Sakura walked with Syaoran to the piano.
"The sheet music got burned with the fire." Sakura said, "This piano is the only thing left... and it's still in pretty bad shape."
"Don't worry." Syaoran reassured Sakura, who was trying to fight back her sadness, "I got it memorized."
"I expected nothing less from you." Sakura smiled.
"Besides. When I go back to my own time..."
Cutting Syaoran off, Sakura said firmly, "Syaoran. Listen."
He turned his head to assure her that he was in fact paying attention.
"...I don't know where you'll end up, or even if you'll end up home." Sakura fidgeted nervously, "I'm not supposed to be here talking to you, you know."
"I know." Syaoran said lowly, "Besides. Even if I did end up in a correct time where you didn't exist anymore... I've been here too long. I'd be in trouble for being gone and my career would be over..."
"I'm sorry." She lowered her head.
"Don't be." Syaoran put his hand on her cheek, "I'll take whatever comes at me."
"I just want you to know that if for some reason where you end up now still has no future without me, don't go back." Sakura took his hand, "Please Syaoran, just promise me that you'll destroy this piano – wherever it is, and never come back."
"Sakura..." Syaoran tried to argue but Sakura cut him off.
"Please Syaoran." Sakura said, "This is goodbye. Once you go off, I'll never be able to see you again... at least not like this, if ever."
"I don't want to go..." Syaoran admitted, "...But I know I have to."
"Father is sending this place to be demolished in a few weeks." Sakura said, "I assume this piano will be pawned off or something. It's too destroyed now to even bother repairing. I won't let it be destroyed now of course... or else you might never get home, wherever that is now... I'm sure it'll be different now wherever you end up. Since I'm here... thanks to you." Her last words, even now were bitter and not a sense of gratitude in her tone.
"Don't be like that." The Chinese man said, "I'm glad you're here. Even if you're so stubborn and annoying sometimes."
Sakura laughed.
"Promise me you won't harm yourself anymore, Sakura. Please live life happily – not just for me, but for yourself and for those who love you. Like Tomoyo and your father and brother – and whoever else."
"...I promise." Sakura nodded.
"Sakura, I want you to know I do love you."
"I love you too, Syaoran." Sakura leaned over to kiss him.
Following the kiss Syaoran started to play slowly. It was true, he did have it memorized by heart already – once he had played something a little more than once, it was in his mind. While playing, he managed to sneak glances at Sakura who was standing beside him, sadly watching him play – yet she still managed to smile brightly. Still deep in concentration, he watched as his surroundings began to fade away. Unlike going back to the past, going to wherever he was – he was surrounded by a bright light that was irritating on the eyes. Still, he managed to pull through until it was over.
Syaoran sat in an unfamiliar room, with surroundings he had not recognized before. Syaoran was surprised that the piano was in a much better condition – it was as if it was renewed and done. The room he was sitting in, however, was beautiful: white painted wood with bright walls and décor. The window was open, letting the wind softly move the chiffon curtains around in the air.
He stood up to analyse his surroundings: the furniture was different, the room was certainly different – but where was he... was the time different as well?
On a desk across the room there was a desk calendar. He sighed in relief to find out that the calendar was in fact in Japanese. He felt his heart jolt in excitement upon looking at what was written on the calendar – it was the same exact date he had 'left' to go see Sakura back in the past. In big bold letters it said CONVOCATION CEREMONY + PERFORMANCE.
"You're going to be late if you don't hurry up." Tomoyo's voice sounded like she was scolding Syaoran. She was standing outside the door with her arms crossed.
"Daidouji!" Syaoran said in surprise.
"Syaoran-kun... come on now, you always call me Tomoyo." The girl grinned, "Eriol is panicking at convocation right now! While the others are performing and the students are performing, he's freaking out backstage. You have to come pronto."
"Sorry." Syaoran said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to them." Tomoyo said, "Come on already! I don't want to be late for my performance too."
'Looks like everything seems to be normal for the most part... I suppose that room is now my office and is a new building...' Syaoran thought as he and his songstress friend ran to their destination.
"Where the hell have you been!" Eriol shouted loud enough to startle Syaoran as he entered from the back room, "Tomoyo, you're up... and Syaoran, what the hell?! Where have you gone off to."
"I apologize." Syaoran bowed his head down.
Tomoyo disappeared, leaving Eriol and Syaoran to talk.
"You would've made some people very worried and angry." Eriol scolded, "But that's in the past. Are you up and ready to go? Did you need anything like a cup of coffee? You look like shit – comb your hair!"
"Ugh." Syaoran groaned as he took Eriol's comb and began to brush his naturally messy hair.
The two stood in silence along with the other performers – or in this case, fellow instructors as they listened to Tomoyo's soft and captivating voice. Moments later, there was a strong wave of applause. Eriol went front stage to give Tomoyo a bouquet of flowers – a customary gesture for female performers.
"Good luck." Tomoyo winked as she went backstage, prompting Syaoran to go frontstage, "She's watching."
'She?' Syaoran thought.
As he walked front stage he almost froze midway when he saw Sakura sitting at the front, wearing a beautiful pink dress that highlighted her green eyes. She winked at him as he made his way to the piano.
Even though there were a lot of important people out there, he felt himself get nervous over her watching there. It wasn't just nerves – but utter disbelief and happiness. Still he fought, he fought hard to suppress his emotions – it was one of the most important performances of his summer, after all.
His performance was solid from start to finish. It was a piece he worked hard to compose, and finally it was over. As he stood up to walk backstage, he saw her disappear from her seat. When he had arrived in the back, he was startled to find her already standing there beside Tomoyo, waving at him.
"I'll leave you two alone." Tomoyo giggled as she observed their body movements.
"Sakura..." Syaoran said in disbelief. She cut him off mid-sentence, kissing him before he could say anything further.
"You did great." She said while her face flushed rose.
"You look great." Syaoran ogled at her body. She was different, somehow, especially in the body department – she looked much more mature. Yet she was still the same, retaining that youthful and feminine look that had him smitten.
"Welcome home." Sakura smiled.
With that, he held her in his arms and embraced the woman he loved.
END
A/N: In closing, The Last Sonata is definitely not one of my most best works. I note a lot of mistakes and inconsistency. But I still had fun writing it... up until the end. It was loosely based off Secret, a Taiwanese movie (go watch it with subs!) and I don't really often base stuff off movies or books so it was, believe it or not, a challenge for me. I'll definitely still be writing, I don't know what yet. I'll probably rewrite an incomplete story. For now though, thanks for following me and I'd like your feedback.