Reality Check Chapter 10: Help Check, a card captor sakura fanfic

Chapter 10: Help Check.

The wind blew the leaves like it had for two months without disturbance.

School had begun more than two weeks ago and its students filed in. The seniors took their place at the front of the theater for the Welcome Ceremony. Syaoran sat in the first chair on stage and smiled as the freshmen walked in last, looking scared and confused. Innocent.

He looked from them to the empty chair next to him. His vice-president elect was no where to be found. She hadn't been heard from in months.

He didn't hear when the dean got up or when he began to talk but as he flashed back to reality, Syaoran managed to catch the last part of the presumably long lecture.

"...So, in conclusion, I would like to welcome our freshmen to our prestigious institution. I sincerely hope that they well follow the excellent examples of the upperclassmen and the the upperclassmen set excellent examples to follow. I will now turn it over to your President, Syaoran Li." The dean finished and at the sound of the familiar name, the room burst to life.

Syaoran smirked, a tired look in his eyes. Tomoyo rolled her eyes at the nearly fainting freshmen girls in the front row.

He looked at the screen, a cold look flashing over his face.

"Due to certain complications, the vice-president elected last term will be unavailable to serve so our secretary, Tomoyo Daidouji will be filling in for her." Syaoran looked over the crowd for a second before slightly turning towards his 'cabinet' behind him. Tomoyo looked away and Eriol gave a small nod.

"I hope that this year..."

Tomoyo looked into the audience. Her eyes met Meiling's in mutual agreement. Something didn't feel right.

It was quiet, cold.

Two months had flown by, the empty gab growing with each passing day.

They missed her.

"Hey baby."

Sakura stopped tugging on her uncomfortably tight sweater vest and turned to a group of uniformed boys behind her. Some of them were loosening their ties after having worn the binding fabric during their school day, but one of them in particular was looking at her directly.

"Do I know you?" Sakura asked, expressionless.

The guy stood up straight, Sakura knew who he was and could describe him in three words. Rich. Football. Idiot. The tall male didn't respond but smirked. He took a step forward and Sakura threw her bag and coat down.

""Let me answer that for you since you seem to be too much of an idiot to make any comment that isn't offensive to the person who you're talking to. No, I don't know you and you don't know me. You don't know what I've been through or what I've done. So back the fuck off before I make sure you never have 'fun' with any girl or guy ever again."

A car pulled up on the curb in front of her and Sakura sighed in relief. "About goddamn time."

She got in as the driver retrieved her bag and coat.

Nadeshiko looked at her fuming daughter who had not even glanced in her general direction. She sighed sadly, having seen the scene outside unfold. She nodded to the driver and commanded softly, "Home."

Sakura looked down at her inactive phone and scanned through the pictures, stopping at one of her and Fujitaka. She smiled but the smile soon left as she saw the passing landscape.

'This has got to stop.' Nadeshiko thought, a bit envious of Sakura's love for her father.

The rest of the day went by typically. Sakura stormed out of the car, up the stairs of the large estate, and up to her room. A few minutes later when Nadeshiko entered the mansion, she distinctly heard glass shattering upstairs as the maid took her coat.

"Nari, I'll be in my study. Please be sure to communicate me with my ex-husband by eight." Nadeshiko sighed. Another crash was heard upstairs followed by blaring music. "And bring me some aspirin."

Sakura sat face up on her bed, almost engulfed by the excess frill and softness of the bed sheets. She groaned, the music wasn't nearly enough to drown herself in. Still through the music she heard a distinct knocking. She rolled over five times before she reached the edge of her bed.

Calmly, she slipped on her slippers and turned the music off. She sighed and stared at the door for a few seconds, not even having to guess who it was.

With the remote by her bed she clicked the lock off her door. It took about a minute before her step-father and maid walked in, frilly dress in hand.

Her step father sat in a chair next to her as the maid hung the dress on her closet door and unzipped the bag. She then continued to bring out all the other necessities. Sakura watched her with a raised eyebrow and laughed as she fell back on her bed.

"It's almost as if she thinks tonight is gonna be the first night actually dress up like a monkey and prance around as you all so greatly want me to."

Avery Avalon sighed and looked at the teenager sprawled on the bed. "For your mother?"

Sakura sat up and laughed sarcastically. "I thought you came in her to convince me to go. Change your tactics 'cause they sure aren't working."

"Your mother has her reasons, Sakura." He reasoned, Sakura fell back.

"Don't call me Sakura like we're on good terms or something. Besides, I have no mother."

"It's been nearly three months, if you go to this party with us we will consider sending you back home." Avery stated as he walked towards the door, followed by the maid. "Think about it."

Sakura sat up after the door closed and stared at the arrangement in front of her. A dress, a pair of shoes, and jewelery to put it simply. The outfit alone could end starvation in Africa. She thought about it for a good ten minutes before she got up and headed for the bathroom to take a shower.

One night in exchange for freedom...but she'd cause further hell if her freedom wasn't granted.

"She will stay the night and we will send her back home tomorrow." Nadeshiko finished as she signed another contract her lawyer had looked over.

The speaker was quiet before Fujitaka's voice rang through the quiet room. "It's a deal. But let her stay at least three months."

Nadeshiko sighed for what seemed to be the millionth time that day. "One month, that's it."

"Thank you...um..."

"Mrs. Avalon." She quickly cut in. The speaker was quiet again and all that was heard for a minute was Nadeshiko's scribbling. "Nadeshiko, if you want."

"Very well, Nadeshiko."

"Look...Fujitaka...there are some things we need to clear up."

Fujitaka pondered for a moment before his ex-wife's voice rang through the speaker once more. "It's about Sakura and why I left..."

"Alright guys, two minute water break." The coach called but Syaoran stayed in his spot on the field.

"Why do you like it so much?" Four-year-old Sakura asked.

Little Syaoran kept bouncing the ball on his knee. "Because it's fun."

Sakura grabbed the ball in mid air and kicked it nearby then ran towards it. Syaoran watched her with interest. She kicked it again then turned to face him. She stood there for a second before rolling her eyes. "Yeah, so much fun."

"SYAORAN!"

His attention turned to the bench where Eriol was waving him over. He ran at the sound of the familiar ringtone. "Melanie?"

But it wasn't Melanie's voice that came over the speaker, it was Tomoyo's. "Syaoran! Melanie's in labor!"

Syaoran didn't think twice and ran out of the stadium, ignoring the cries of his teammates. Eriol's phone rang soon after and he followed suit.

Tomoyo paced around in the waiting room as a bustled Syaoran in a soccer uniform came running in, nearly slipping as his rubber cleats slid on the smooth floor.

The nurse got one look at him and led him into the delivery room where Melanie was already taken to.

Eriol came in a couple minutes later and sat down, motioning for her to join him. She sighed as she sat next to him, looking at the door leading to the delivery rooms. "It's odd. When he ran in here, he looked like such a teenager in his uniform with his hair all messy. He didn't look like person who was about to become a father any minute."

Eriol laid down across the bench and rested his head on her lap where she unconsiously played with his hair. "I miss her too."

"I didn't say-"

"You didn't have to." Eriol cut her off. "I know you well enough to know by instinct."

Tomoyo's eyes watered. It was perfect until..."

"...Melanie woke up." Eriol finished. "Until Syaoran's life came back to bite him in the ass."

"He doesn't love her." Tomoyo concluded, looking at the door.

Eriol agreed. "But he has to take responsibility for both her and the baby."

Syaoran stared down at the baby in his arms. The three day old girl finally stopped crying and her breathing returned to normal.

"Finally." Melanie sighed. "She'd been wailing for an hour."

Syaoran put his daughter down and looked at the various machines behind Melanie, one of them controlling her oxygen since due to complications, she couldn't breathe on her own.

He smiled gently at her.

"Holy crap , it's true."

Syaoran froze as Melanie turned to the door, where a certain girl in a yellow sun dress stood. "I couldn't believe it when they told me you actually got even bigger than the last time I saw you but you did!" Sakura added, half-excitedly. She walked towards the bed, where Syaoran still hadn't turned to face her. Sakura didn't look at him either but at the girl laying down. "Well, aren't you a happy little balloon. When's the baby due?"

Melanie nodded towards the left side of the bed where the hospital crib was. Sakura cringed. "Just kidding. Good luck with losing that baggage by the way." She walked over to the baby's crib and smiled down at the newborn. "What's her name?"

"Danielle." Syaoran forced out.

"Frankenstein speaks." Sakura commented. "Can I pick her up?"

Melanie nodded, her eyes half closed. Sakura picked the baby up gently and cradled her. Danielle's eyes opened half way, their full capacity at such a young age, and Syaoran and Melanie winced, ready for the wail to follow but none came.

Sakura cooed softly and the baby simply stared up at Sakura who blocked the light from hitting the child. She cooed softly and Danielle's eyes closed once more.

Syaoran smiled warmly at the sigh and Melanie took notice. She looked from Syaoran to Sakura in quiet agreement and sighed. Syaoran's head snapped towards her, giving his full attention. "Are you okay? Do you feel any pain?"

Melanie smiled. "No, but can I talk to Sakura for a bit?"

Syaoran looked at her strangely before silently nodding his head. Sakura watched him leave before carefully placing Danielle back in her crib. The baby cooed softly before falling into a deep sleep. Sakura stood by the crib watching her.

"You know."

Sakura turned around angrily and glared at the new mother. "Of course I know. Any idiot would know. Lucky for you, this is the one thing where I am less oblivious to the situation than he is. But who knows, maybe he'll figure it out when Danielle grows up to look nothing like him."

"Sakura you have no idea..."

"No idea what? How hard it was to lie to him? No, it's not. It's actually really easy to lie to him. What should hurt you is what hurt me." Sakura whispered angrily. "And that was seeing him so happy and loving while he was in here with you and a baby who he thinks is his daughter."

"It's hurts me too..." Melanie sighed, tears falling.

"Really?" Sakura asked. "Could have fooled me."

Melanie suddenly started hyperventilating. The machine behind her started beeping like mad and in a flustered hurry Sakura pressed the button to call the nurses.

Moments later a few nurses came rushing in, followed by a confused Syaoran. He looked from a crying Melanie to a steaming Sakura and fumed. "What the hell did you do to her?"

"I didn't do anything." Sakura strained, controlling her temper and voice. She turned away and was about to leave when Melanie's hand grabbed hers.

"Don't go."

The nurses cleared out a minute later, taking the baby with them leaving the three teenagers in the now quiet room.

"Melanie you should rest." Syaoran comforted but Melanie ignored him.

"You have no idea what I got myself into or what you're involved in." Melanie said gravely, staring straight at Sakura who returned a confused look. "If they want me, they'll take me, there's no stopping them. I never made plans for my future or for anything, much less for this. I envy you, Sakura. You know what you want to do and you do it. It doesn't matter who gets in your way. I...I've always wanted to be the center of attention and I got the center stage but now I wish...i wish I had just been happy being normal. Help me, Sakura."

Sakura stared at the girl, at a loss for words. Then she smirked confusing Melanie and further confusing Syaoran. She snatched her hand from Melanie and laughed as she walked out. "I think they overdosed your slut, Li."

Sakura closed the door behind her and leaned against it, breathing hard. What was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to help her?

She looked inside just in time to see Syaoran kissing Melanie.

Sakura tore her gaze away and walked towards the elevator, defeated. The elevator doors opened and she stood aside for a nurse and a patient to go by. As she was about to get in, someone pushed her aside and got in first, the doors closing behind him.

"Hey!" Sakura cried. Her eyes widened as she caught a good look at the guy before the doors completely closed.

It couldn't be.

Sakura laughed and shook her head. 'I need to eat. What the hell would Gashire's leader be doing here? Where's the nearest burger place...?'

Sakura caught the next elevator and went down to the lobby. AS she got out she noticed Eriol, Tomoyo, and Melanie talking worriedly. After catching sight of her they quickly ran over. "Are you okay? Is Melanie okay? Is Syaoran? Is the baby?"

"Too many questions." Sakura laughed. "Yeah they're all okay. What's gotten all your panties in a bunch?"

"Jiro." Melanie whispered. "Itou Jiro.

Sakura blanched. He was there.

Jiro stopped at the door. The guards nodded and stood aside as he passed. Inside he bowed and kept his head bowed until the sound of a door opening was heard.

"Sir, your daughter was born healthy and happy."

The man sitting at the desk smiled.

"Did anyone see you?"

"Y-yes, sir."

"Who?" He demanded, his voice finally giving way to his teenage self.

"Kinomoto Sakura, sir."

The leader smiled. "Kinomoto, eh?"

"Yes, sir." Jiro confirmed. "What would like for us to do?"

"Nothing."

Jiro looked up alarmed. "What?"

"You heard me. Take no action."

"B-but sir."

"Leave."

Jiro opened his mouth to say something but valued his life more and left quietly. Once outside he looked at the group outside.

"The boss has been getting soft. We need and incentive. A fire starter."

"Sorry bout that Moyo." Sakura laughed as they left homeroom at school. "Had to take back my position as vice-president."

Tomoyo smiled and jumped on her. "I don't care. I'm just happy you're back Sakura."

Sakura smiled as Eriol started complaining about how Tomoyo never jumps on him for a hug anymore. The groups laughter stopped abruptly as a very serious Syaoran came into view.

Eriol, Tomoyo, and Meiling ran away using their lockers as an excuse and the rest of the group dismantled almost running in the direction of their next class.

Sakura pushed Syaoran aside and opened her locker. After finally remembering her combination, she fumed when Syaoran slammed the door shut again.

"What the hell is your problem, Li?"

Syaoran slammed his other hand on the other side of Sakura's head, pining her to the lockers. "What the hell is your problem, Kinomoto?"

"Not scared of you." Sakura sung.

"Not caring." Syaoran bit out. "Apologize to Melanie."

"For what?" Sakura asked, appalled.

"I don't know what you did to her but she hasn't stopped crying since the day you got back." Syaoran whispered angrily.

"How odd." Sakura commented quietly.

"What?" Syaoran barked.

"I didn't think it was possible for steam to actually come out of your ears, but you proved me wrong." Sakura joked, chuckling a bit.

Syaoran glared at her. "This isn't a joke. I came to trust you more than anyone these past few months, then you leave without warning and come back completely back to your eld self."

"I'm not the one who changed back." Sakura whispered looking at the ground.

"Stop being a bitch."

"Go back to your whore!"

"Go back with your mom and stay there!" Syaoran yelled with more force than he needed to. "We were all better off while you were gone. It was peaceful, quiet. I was happy."

"You don't mean that." Sakura whispered.

"I do." Syaoran said, confidently.

'I thought he had changed. I thought we were finally friends again. I thought I could finally be his-' Syaoran's words stung Sakura and she did the only thing she could in her heartbroken state. She laughed and sighed. "It's not your kid."

Syaoran froze. One of his arms fell from the lockers and Sakura thought he was finally letting her go. Then she noticed that he was ready to take a swing at her and reacted on instinct.

She kissed him.

It was only a second but ti was enough shock for him to drop his arm. Before she could notice his reaction she stepped outside of his hold through the gap his arm had left and ran away. She was about to turn around the corner of the hall when he yelled out. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?"

Sakura's laughter could be heard floating down the now empty halls.

"A distraction!"

Melanie had finally gone to sleep aroudn midnight when Syaoran left after being called away for buisness. Danielle had been taken back to the nursery a bit before that and now she lay peacefully with only the 3 A.M. Light from the moon outside to light her room.

Something squeaked my the door and a quiet. "Shit." could be heard.

Melanie woke up a bit groggily. "Syaoran?"

No response. "Syaoran is that you?"

The figure was dressed in all black with it's face covered up. It's shoulder's shook as if he or she were silently laughing. Melanie reached for the alarm button next to her bed but before she could reach it, her arm fell limp.

She was dead.

This time I mean it, next chapter is done already! Review and I'll have it up ASAP. I have almost all the chapters done for this so take a look at my bio and start telling me what you guys would read next. Updates will be fast now because school is pretty much over. Please and thank you!