Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura is strictly property of CLAMP.
How'd you all enjoy last chapter? I thought I'd liven things up just a little bit… I think I've been dragging chapters on in an attempt to write more. Short and simple… short and simple… what do you all think? I didn't exactly make it concise… but I was never very good at un-detailing things. xD
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Inscribed in the Blade
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Chapter Ten
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"So explain this to me again? You want me to dress up as a girl and attend the upcoming events?" Sakura repeated slowly to her friend as the two of them walked side-by-side down a dirt path leading to Tomoyo's rooms.
"Yes," Tomoyo responded serenely, a blissful expression on her face. Sakura guessed that she was imagining all the pretty clothes Sakura could be stuffed into.
She gazed fondly at her friend and cousin; it had been so long since she'd shared in female company like this… someone who knew who she was and where she had come from. The occasional dinner and chat with Yukito was extremely gratifying, but simply not the same. Tomoyo-chan was her best friend, and now the two of them were allowed to be seen together as much as they pleased since she'd informed everyone at the Academy that they were childhood friends.
It was this affection for her companion that almost made Sakura sorry when she flatly refused her friend's proposal. "Sorry Tomoyo-chan, but absolutely not. I can't risk someone recognizing me, and it's far too much to hope that none of the sharp-eyed instructors or my friends won't realize it's me," she said bluntly, though kindly. "I… told you why I came here, and it's not to have a good time. I have a mission to accomplish."
At this statement, Tomoyo turned suddenly serious and looked cautiously around them to see if anyone else was within earshot. "Sakura-chan," she said quietly. "I've been thinking about this… this revenge thing, and I don't think it's a very good idea. No-" Tomoyo hurried before Sakura could interrupt. "No, listen to me, Sakura-chan. This isn't like you… I-I'm worried about you! Even if we do forget about the danger for a moment, I know you're not scared, but this… I don't think this is something you should do. Have you ever killed someone before? Anger, malice – those aren't emotions you should hold on to!"
Sakura fell silent at Tomoyo's words, and she contemplated how to respond. How could she explain to her why revenge was so important to her? How could she make Tomoyo understand? – especially since she didn't want her to understand. Tomoyo shouldn't have to know. She didn't need to understand what it was like to have all of her happy memories of her family tarnished by the image of their bloodied bodies on the floor. She didn't need to know about the fury, the hate she felt for the man who had ripped her happiness, her precious people away.
This… this ball of suppressed rage curling within her chest – it was with her, wherever she went. Even when she laughed, even when she smiled, some part of her had died the very same night her parents had died, and even with every ring of laughter, some place in her heart rang hollow. She needed to see him dead, the scar-faced man who had murdered her family.
How could she make her comprehend that every ounce – every fiber of her being was screaming for his blood? Sakura's eyes dimmed as she lifted her gaze to meet Tomoyo's. She suddenly felt very alone. Tomoyo had always been able to understand her before, but now it was different. She had changed… her world had changed. Tomoyo hadn't seen her parents murdered… hadn't heard her mother's scream, and hadn't stared into the eyes of their murderer.
Something in her expression must have been forbidding, because when Tomoyo spoke again to call her forth from her thoughts, she had a slightly frightened look on her face. "Sakura-chan," she whispered softly. "Sakura-chan?"
Emerald eyes stared into amethyst orbs for a moment, before softening. "I know I can't make you… understand, but this is just something I have to do… I need this Tomoyo-chan. Can't you just… can't you just please try to understand that this is important to me? I can't back out now," she said slowly, still trying to find the words to express what she was feeling.
Tomoyo frowned, and the troubled look did not leave her eyes, but she seemed to realize that her case was lost, at least for the moment. "On one condition," she said, smiling again. "You have to at least be a girl for one or two of the events!"
"Tomoyo-chan-" Sakura said, exasperated, but she was cut off when her friend hurriedly continued. "Don't worry about your identity and such. I can guarantee that even Yukito-san would have great difficulty in seeing through the disguise I have in mind for you! Ohohohohoho!"
Sakura opened her mouth to protest, but simply shut it after seeing the determined glint in Tomoyo's eye. She, too, could recognize a lost cause when she saw one. "Well only if you're the lady I escort for all the other events… and I'm only being a girl for one or two. You said so yourself… okay?" she sighed. The truth was, she wasn't in any mood to dapple in adventures that might reveal her identity, as tempting as becoming a girl again for one night was. With a blush Sakura found herself wondering mildly what all her new friends would think of her in women's clothes. Would they find her pretty? This really wasn't important though.
"I'll see you later then, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura called to her friend as they parted ways. "Remember the first event is tonight, and you're my escort so I can get good marks in gentleman's class!"
She smiled at the waving Tomoyo, but the sudden appearance of another girl from behind her shocked Sakura's grin into a tight line. Sakura nodded respectfully at the girl she was sure was Syaoran's fiancée, Li Mei Ling, but felt an inexplicable unease at seeing her.
That night after Sakura had changed into the school uniform, she left her room only to find Syaoran leaning nonchalantly against a wooden post at the entrance of their dojo.
"Would it be wishful thinking to ask if you're waiting for me?" Sakura asked, surprised but grinning. After the night he had helped her find Tomoyo, the two of them had been strangely friendly, especially on Syaoran's part. He'd teased her as he had before their week-long dispute, but there was just a hint of friendliness there now that hadn't been there before. Sakura felt her spirits rise without really understanding why having Syaoran as a friend made her more excited than usual. Maybe it was simply because someone usually so decidedly solitary had seemed to finally deem her worthy of his acknowledgement.
Syaoran nodded at her quietly before turning on his heel and walking away. Sakura caught up with him easily, and he replied to her question with a, "In order to prevent your habitual tantrums."
Sakura's face brightened as she retorted with some witty remark with great liveliness, and upon seeing the blissful expression on her face, Syaoran, too, felt the corners of his mouth tug upwards.
She could read the hidden meaning behind his actions, or partially, at least. He had waited for her so that she would not be made unhappy, which wasn't exactly the same as trying to make her happy, but it was an improvement. He, on the other hand, had the unwitting pleasure of having made her smile.
Their chatter – her chatter and his short responses – settled down after a few moments, and unbeknownst to the lady, Syaoran's eyes drifted over to her often, his dark, watchful gaze regarding her quietly.
The two of them walked in companionable silence to a large lot of what used to be empty space. Tonight, however, it was filled with colorful lanterns, music, food, drink, and lots and lots of people.
"They're lucky it's not too cold tonight," Syaoran remarked dryly. "It's almost midwinter, and usually all of our guests would be freezing right now." And it was true. Sakura looked around the area, mildly surprised that the temperature here seemed a bit warmer than everywhere else.
"Maybe it's because there are so many fires lit," she wondered aloud. "What do you think, Li?"
"I wouldn't know," he bit sarcastically. "But I think I preferred this place better when it was an empty lot."
Sakura laughed. "And to think that you were the one calling me unsocial just a few weeks ago? What's wrong? Doesn't the great Li Syaoran like social gatherings?"
He merely spared her a quick glance, which hinted at her childishness, and the two of them continued on.
Sakura had promised to meet Tomoyo near where a beautiful young woman in a long, silky green kimono was sitting, playing the kokin. Apparently Syaoran did not have a date, or any prearranged plans, because he followed Sakura all the way to the musician and stood there with her, completely at ease.
Her emerald eyes had darted up at him curiously several times during their walk, but mostly she was too distracted by the complete transformation of the Academy grounds to pay much attention to him. Music drifted idly through the air as Sakura watched the male-female interaction around her with great interest. There wasn't a great deal of talking, but everyone seemed to be having a decent time.
Sakura almost giggled, but caught herself mid-way and turned it into a half-cough, half-manly chuckle. Syaoran looked down at her amusedly, but she diverted his attention by pointing out certain people and commenting on their partners… or lack thereof.
"It becomes obvious in situations like these how social a man is," Syaoran said, surprising Sakura with his sudden inclination for conversation. "The shy ones are hanging back in all male groups, but you can tell that they have no idea how to handle women by those nervous or curious glances they shoot the females standing closer to them. See?" He said, tilting his head in the direction of a group of younger male students standing, huddled in a group together.
"And the bold ones are the ones talking freely with the ladies, or asking them if they would like to have some tea or sake?" Sakura commented cheerfully. When with everyone else, Syaoran rarely spoke, but occasionally, when it was just the two of them, the stoic first-rank would take the time to speak with her. It was still a rare occurrence, however, and she was always interested in what he had to say. "Why has the great Li Clan heir decided that this is worth mentioning? I am curious."
"That boy over there is Suzumiya Kousuke," Syaoran continued, choosing to ignore her question. "He is the son of Suzumiya Tatsumaru, the famous general." Sakura looked, and the person in question was surrounded by eager women.
"Isn't he graduating this year and joining his father as a vice general?" Sakura asked curiously. She'd become much more familiar with politics and the names of Northern big shots after spending nearly three months at the Academy. "What about him?"
Here her companion surprised her again by directing their conversation down a path she had not expected. Syaoran's brown eyes looked down at her for a moment before he shrugged and stood up straight. "Well not so much him as those giggling girls. What type of woman do you suppose is the type that hordes around him, like those?"
"Oh, and I was sure that I had you pegged for the type of man that liked giggling girls. Don't they boost your feeling of masculine pride?" she teased.
Syaoran chuckled lowly at her words. He obviously expected her to say more, because after a few seconds of her stunned silence, Syaoran was looking down at her again, an inquisitive glint in his eyes.
Sakura was doing her utmost not to gape. Syaoran had… laughed? Had… had… Recovering herself, Sakura swiftly pasted her usual, calm smile back on her face and did her best imitation of a girlish giggle… which was, in all honesty, not very difficult for her.
"There are two possibilities. I see women who are either taken by his aura… his air of wealth, strength, and authority… women who're after what he has to offer, and then women who genuinely want to get to know him. There are only probably one or two of the latter mixed in that group there though," she said wryly.
Syaoran remained quiet for a few seconds before saying, "I see women who are going to be sorely disappointed. Suzumiya is going to be married in spring."
"Always the cynic, aren't you?" Sakura said dryly before remembering. Glancing up at him hesitantly, she asked, "You… are engaged too, aren't you?"
Her tall, handsome companion looked surprised. "How do you know about that?" he demanded. "Who told you?"
She sensed that she had tracked onto sensitive territory, but her curiosity won out and she opened her mouth to ask more, but the arrival of the fiancée in question shocked the both of them into immediate silence, and Sakura even jumped a little.
"Syaoran!" a silky voice put an instant halt to their conversation, and Sakura could have sworn a scowl appeared on Syaoran's face. "Is this where you've been hiding?"
Slowly, the two of them turned around and it was, indeed, Li Mei Ling who was standing behind them, accompanied by Tomoyo.
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura said cheerfully, grinning broadly at her friend. She put off having to greet the other girl, because for some reason, Sakura wasn't sure how to greet her. "What took you so long?"
"I was simply watching something very interesting," the amethyst-eyed girl responded readily, but her smile widened, as she looked sideways at the Chinese girl who had latched herself to Syaoran's arm. "But something more interesting appeared and I thought I'd have a closer look."
When Sakura stared at her in confusion, the Daidouji heiress merely responded with an enigmatic smile that mirrored almost exactly Eriol's, and commented on the surroundings. "The Academy has been decorated so beautifully tonight. It must have taken a lot of work."
"But what was so interesting to watch that you waited so long before coming?" Sakura persisted, still not understanding, but her friend simply continued to laugh. Her high-pitched voice was soon joined by a low, baritone chuckle and Sakura was delighted to find that Eriol had joined their number as well.
"Eriol-san!" she greeted. "What are you laughing about?"
The sapphire-eyed student smiled mysteriously and nodded at Tomoyo. "The same reason Daidouji-san was laughing, of course. Syaoran. Mei Ling-san," he said, nodding at the two standing behind them.
"Ara, Hiiragizawa-san isn't it? I've heard so much about you in my letters from Syaoran! I didn't know you already knew Tomoyo-san," Mei Ling said, her death grip trapping Syaoran's arm firmly in hers. She smiled prettily up at him, but her fiancé seemed unmoved. "Mei Ling…" he sighed. "Let go."
Sakura was trying pointedly to ignore the obvious display of affection, still unsure of why it bothered her so much, but it became impossible to avoid the object of her discomfort when Mei Ling's smooth voice asked. "And who are you? Who is this, Syaoran?"
Sakura noted dully that Mei Ling addressed him as "Syaoran", and not "Li-san" or even "Syaoran-san". But then, of course, the two were related and engaged. That was perfectly normal.
"Kino Kura, son of Duke Kino from the North. He's currently staying in my dojo right now, and they made him my partner when he enrolled a few months ago," Syaoran replied indifferently, still trying, rather futilely, Sakura thought sarcastically, to pry his arm from Mei Ling's clutches. "Kino, this is my cousin Mei Ling."
"Your fiancée Syaoran! How many times do I have to tell you to introduce me as your fiancée?" Mei Ling complained, pout on her face. Sakura noted that she was, indeed, very cute when she pouted.
Forcing herself to remember her good manners, Sakura managed to fix a decent smile onto her face and turned to Mei Ling. "Nice to meet you-"
"Syaoran! Come take a walk with me!" Mei Ling demanded suddenly, ignoring Sakura's attempt at decency, and Sakura felt her eye twitch. "Oh-yes. Nice to meet you too, Kino-san. Syaoran! I want you to show me around the Academy grounds, didn't you promise me you would?"
Syaoran frowned and again tried to pry Mei Ling off his arm. "Mei Ling… let go. I'll take you around some other time. Dairan made it clear that we all had to be present for tonight's event. If I'm missed it'll cause unnecessary trouble later. Stop acting so foolish. Let go of my arm."
Sakura was torn between irritation and amusement. It was an almost comical scene to behold, but she wasn't sure why she felt as if something tight was stuck in her throat. Surely it didn't bother her so much that Syaoran was familiar with people other than herself? "Why don't we start with a walk around the party grounds?" Eriol interrupted easily, "We ought to take a turn around the place… Kaho-san really did a fine job decorating, after all."
"Mizuki-sensei was in charge of decorating?" Sakura asked, forcing her eyes from Syaoran and the lovely lady he was busy attempting to detach himself from.
"Well tonight is the opening event, the first chance for students from both schools to get to know each other, and our talented archery instructress wanted to make sure things were perfect," he explained before turning to Tomoyo. "And how are you enjoying the festivities?" There was a knowing twinkle in his eye that Tomoyo returned. "Oh yes! I have been kept very… entertained so far."
The two of them were sharing in a private joke apparently, because although they both began to laugh lightly, Sakura felt completely at a loss. She shook her head and looked around at the crowd. Almost everyone was mingling now, and the calm notes of the kokin-playing had been replaced with melody from a bamboo flute.
"Ne Syaoran," she asked absentmindedly, staring off at the colorful lamps lighting up the grounds. "Did we have so many servants here before? There seem to be more people waiting on us than usual."
"Just because you don't see them doesn't mean that they aren't there. Our servants are well trained to keep well out of the way, though most are simply hiding in the kitchens during the day. We have many students to feed, and even more now that those from the Daidouji Institute have arrived," he answered placidly, and Sakura wondered when he had suddenly come to stand so close by her side. The two of them were now walking very closely to each other, with Tomoyo and Eriol on Sakura's right and Mei Ling on Syaoran's left. "However, Okaa-sama did have some more people recruited though, as there are simply too many people to take care of in the Academy right now. We even had two cartloads of teacups brought over from China to accommodate the large addition to our school."
She grimaced up at him. "That seems very expensive."
"The Academy is by no means lacking in finances," he informed her firmly. "We are a very prestigious institution."
Emerald eyes rolled. "I realize that. I only meant that it seemed a little extravagant. Why import china from overseas when there are perfectly nice cups in Japan?"
Syaoran hesitated before admitting, "Mother wanted an addition to her collection. A maid dropped an entire set of antiques last month, and she was very upset, so I gave the order to have new ones shipped over."
Sakura made a face. "What happened to the maid? How long will she be working that fiasco off?"
"She has been dismissed," he answered, not batting an eyelash. "We are very fair with our servants, and Mother even generous at times, but none of us are so patient as to continue paying a worker who not only cannot do her job properly, but also breaks valuables."
"You are very harsh," Sakura observed.
"I would be more pleased if you endeavored to call my actions 'fair'."
"Fair, perhaps, but you have too many rough edges, not only in your decision-making but also your personality," she complained with some humor before turning to Tomoyo. "Tomoyo-chan, would you believe that the first morning I woke up in the dojo we're sharing, he was standing above me with his katana to my nose? It was the most memorable greeting I have ever received from anyone."
Tomoyo never had a chance to reply, because Sakura was instantly poked in the ribs by Syaoran's elbow. He glared down at her and growled, "Don't go telling stories about me. It was your own fault for not delivering Okaa-sama's letter to me first. Are you honestly suggesting that I should have let a stranger sleep in my quarters without question?"
"You're too stiff," she glared back at him.
"You're too naïve," he retorted.
The two of them were contented to continue glaring at each other until a loud (and in Sakura's opinion, rather unwelcome) voice shook the two of them apart. "Syaoran I'm bored! You haven't had a decent conversation with me since I arrived. Pay some attention to me!!"
Sakura was unsure of how to react, so she simply stuck her tongue out at him and turned away, to which he whispered in her ear, "And childish too", but she simply ignored him.
"Eriol-san, have you seen Li-sensei anywhere around yet? Maybe if he sees us then we can go wander off somewhere else. Mei Ling-san seems to want to leave," she said, attempting a second smile in Mei Ling's direction.
The Chinese girl's face lit up brilliantly and her grip on her fiancé's arm tightened (which deepened his scowl), and she said, "That's a great idea! I ought to go greet your brother too, Syaoran. Then, the two of us can go spend some time together."
Eriol laughed at the small frown on Sakura's face and said, "I'm not sure that's exactly what Kura-san meant." But Mei Ling determinedly plowed on anyway. "Tomoyo-san, you don't mind, do you? You said yourself that you and Kino-san are old friends, and he can introduce you to Hiiragizawa-san. Syaoran and I simply have so much catching up to do," she gushed and batted her eyes in her fiancé's direction.
"Well, I don't suppose I mind," Tomoyo admitted, eyeing Sakura pointedly. "But perhaps-"
"Great! It's settled then! Syaoran and I will go off to look for Onii-sama, and you three can take your time enjoying the party! See you later Tomoyo-san, Hiiragizawa-san! Oh, and Kino-san, you too of course. Thank you for always taking care of Syaoran," Mei Ling called over as she tugged an exasperated Syaoran off in a different direction.
"She talks as if they're already married," Sakura huffed, her eye twitching. "And what's with the 'Oh, and you too of course, Kino-san'? Am I just the tagalong then?"
Both Eriol and Tomoyo began laughing, but the former paused long enough to ask, "Do you dislike Mei Ling-san?"
Startled by his question, and even more by her unfounded animosity, Sakura fell silent, thinking things through. Why did the slight snub bother her so much? She usually just brushed small insults like this off carelessly… actually, didn't she usually attribute such actions to oversight? Surely Mei Ling-san was simply too excited to see Syaoran again, which was why she had been a bit rude. That was normal.
"It's not that I dislike her at all," Sakura said finally. "She's a very… nice girl. I suppose I'm simply not used to female chatter. It's been so long since I've entered the Academy, I forgot how other girls… I mean," – Sakura corrected herself – "girls usually act."
"I see," Eriol said, understandingly. "Ah! There's Li-sensei." The two of them waved over in Dairan's direction, and Tomoyo bowed politely. The manners master smiled grandly and was about to make his way over to their group when an overexcited Mei Ling and sullen Syaoran accosted him.
Even from where they were standing, Sakura could hear Mei Ling's upbeat babble, and all of a sudden she felt irrationally nauseated by the entire situation.
"Tomoyo-chan, Eriol-kun, I think I'm going to head back to the dojo early today," Sakura said suddenly, and her two friends looked at her quietly. "Don't worry about me, Tomoyo-chan," she smiled when her amethyst-eyed friend was about to protest. "Li-sensei has already seen me so I think it'll be alright, and Eriol-kun is a great host. He'll make sure you have a great time, right Eriol-kun?"
Eriol paused and studied her for a moment, as if hesitating, before nodding and turning to take Tomoyo's arm. "Of course, I'd be delighted to have the honor of escorting Daidouji-san tonight. You go ahead and leave, and I'll make excuses to Li-sensei if he asks. But," he gave her one more long, piercing look before leading Tomoyo away. "Feel free to return at any time. Daidouji-san and I will, of course, welcome you back."
The two of them walked together silently for a minute before Tomoyo spoke to Eriol in low undertones, "Very well, I was hoping that I might be able to speak with you about something as well, Hiiragizawa-san."
"Ah, Daidouji-san," he responded, smiling charmingly. "I would be delighted to hear what you have to say. What might be on your mind?"
Sakura yelled her thanks over to the two of them as they disappeared into the crowd, but her smile faltered when she once again gazed in the direction of where the Li trio had been standing just moments ago. The couple had disappeared, and Dairan was now looking around for his students.
Stealing away quickly and quietly, Sakura half-walked, half-jogged back to the dojo, eager to get away from all the celebration and spurred on by the thought of potential ghost encounters, which were supposedly not uncommon at this time of night.
"Things like this shouldn't bother you so much. You always enjoyed parties back at home, so why ought one girl spoil it for you?" Sakura chided herself. She, however, had intentionally left certain, choice words unspoken. One girl who also happened to be Syaoran's fiancée.
The truth was, she didn't know why she was annoyed whenever Mei Ling clung harder to Syaoran's arm, she didn't know why she felt so awkward in their company, and she certainly didn't know why she disliked Mei Ling so much.
The girl was loud and very clingy, but Syaoran was, after all, hers to cling to, not Sakura's… but that much was already obvious.
Sakura was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she didn't even notice the large package sitting at the foot of the steps to the dojo, and it was not until she gracefully tripped over it and fell flat on her face that she was made aware of its existence.
"What idiot left a box here for someone to trip over?" Sakura hissed to herself, rubbing the shoulder that had banged against the top step painfully. The insignia imbued on it, however, shut her up immediately.
Quietly, Sakura looked around to make sure that there was no one else there before carefully scrutinizing the box. There was no addressee, but Sakura was sure the package was for her. The Daidouji crest was burned into the side of the wood, and there was a small notation next to it – a cherry blossom. Tomoyo or her mother must have sent it.
Sakura picked it up quickly, but nearly dropped it, managing to regain her balance just it time. This box, roughly the size of Kero's bridle, was heavy. Her curiosity more roused than ever, Sakura took it speedily to her room to give closer inspection.
There were no markings other than the two symbols on the outside, and after a few seconds' debate, she cut open the thick string holding the box shut with a knife, and opened it. Inside was ten, maybe fifteen scrolls, all of them thick and neatly stacked on top of each other. Laying on top of the layers of scrolls was a small scrap of paper, no larger than Sakura's palm, and on it was the drawing of a small flower, the Nadeshiko.
Sakura felt her breath hitch as she stared at the image, so familiar yet so strange to her now that she was so far from home, and all of a sudden she understood why this package was here. It had been meant for her mother.
With trembling fingers, Sakura picked up the uppermost scroll on the right side. It was, she noticed, very old and covered in dust. Carefully, scared she would rip the page, Sakura broke the seal and rolled the scroll open.
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Tsuzuku…
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Hahahahahahahaha… MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Okay, the truth is that I hadn't originally planned on making this a cliffhanger, but I currently have extremely limited access to my computer and documents, and so I'm afraid that I'm cutting you all short. After all, quality is better than quantity, yes?
Review and yell at me and I'll think about updating faster as a treat for making this chapter (and I know, the last one too) rather short.
REVIEW!
kami – God
kokin – a large, stringed musical instrument that originally came from China, also known in the English language as the zither. It is made up of a long, horizontal wooden base, with long, violin-like strings running across it. I'm sure you've all at least seen one before. Go ahead and google zither and you'll see what I mean.
ara – oh!
Onii-sama – honored brother