Fireflies – Chapter 13
It was now three and a half weeks since Syaoran Li disappeared.
The University had started the following week after Sakura was attacked. She forced the memory of that day deep, locked away in the back of her mind. The first week of classes was hard for her. She'd walked alone to every class, of course Kokuyo, Kyo, Kohaku and Kamui, were always close by. Sakura slowly fell into a routine as the days pasted into weeks. She would meet up with Tomoyo for lunch everyday at Red Dragonfly.
On the other side of town Sakura Kinomoto sat on her windowsill staring outside. The weather was beginning to change from summer to autumn. The wind was becoming crisp. The sky was cloudy, dull and cold matching her mood oh too perfectly. She heard from Syaoran only once. He didn't tell her where he was or if he was okay, or if he'd be coming back. Not that she knew if he had left anywhere to begin with.
As the days passed her mood deepened. She felt unwanted by Syaoran. Hurt and confused as to what she did to make him vanish. A silent tear trailed its warm lonesome self down her cheek.
Her and Touya were slowly talking again. He was only doing what he had to do and Sakura didn't want to admit it but he was right to some extent.
She jumped at the bedroom door flying open hitting the wall as Tomoyo ran in grabbing her hand.
"What are you doing?" She asked as Tomoyo pulled her up. Tomoyo didn't answer her she just kept pulling Sakura down the stairs. Through the living room, and outside to the backyard.
"Tomoyo, where are you taking me?" She asked franticly looking at the backfields where there was a very large crowd of people. She saw that there was a sea of members around. Noticing her brother's friends at the end of the field. It hit her hard as Touya stood in his black sleeveless shirt and black jeans. Someone was being tested.
Tomoyo let her hand go as she walked towards her boyfriend; Sakura stood looking at Touya confusedly. He was handed their father's sword. He nodded his head to Takashi before walking forwards. She started walking to her brother, every pair of eyes on her. Eriol walked to Sakura shaking his head at her.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to the others. "What's going on?" she asked stupidly looking at everyone.
"There's a new member of the Wolves." Eriol answered looking back at Touya. Sakura missed the look of distaste that crossed his face.
"Really? All this for a new member?" She scoffed crossing her arms over her chest. Rolling her eyes at Tomoyo. There were about two hundred people standing around either cheering or talking.
Sakura looked at her brother as he stood in the middle of the battleground. The new member, as Eriol said, was standing with his back to everyone. Standing with a sword in his hand. Touya's stern expression never fell as his brown eyes locked on the new member. He got into a stance, the crowd cheered. The new member turned around. He smirked arrogantly at Touya walking to the center where Touya waited.
Takashi, Eriol, Tomoyo, Yukito, Tatsu, Nakuru, Umi and Chiharu stood silent as Sakura's eyes fell upon the newest member to the Wolves.
"Syaoran!" Sakura choked out in shock. "He's the new member?" she gasped, eyeing every single person standing next to her. They slowly nodded their heads. "How?!" She shouted. She turned back to Syaoran and Touya. "He's going to be killed!"
Syaoran frowned at her words. Standing in his stance in front of her brother.
"Let's hope." Touya grunted out glaring at Syaoran.
"How the hell? What's going on, Yukito?" She yelled at her brother's friend. "Tell me!"
Yukito shook his head. "After the fight!"
Everybody's attention locked onto Touya, their Leader versus Syaoran: the new comer. The crowd cheered, shouted and watched in awe as Syaoran skillfully fought Touya. Sakura stood with her arms crossed and a sour look on her face. This got Syaoran's quick glance. Which wasn't quick enough for Touya's sword. He barely grazed the sword with Syaoran's leg.
Sakura inhaled sharply, her arms falling to her sides. Syaoran gritted his teeth. Pain shot throughout his body as blood stained his black pants. Touya smirked evilly seeing him in pain.
"Afraid?" He mocked lunging again at Syaoran.
"You wish." Syaoran dodged his attack; the two swords clinked loudly together. He pushed Touya back making his sword cut at Touya's arm. He grinned as Touya cursed.
Sakura stood torn between her brother and her boyfriend, again. She closed her eyes for a moment. Her eyes snapped open and out as the crowd of people gasped loudly. Touya somehow managed to kick Syaoran's sword out of his hand. Now Touya was swinging his sword at Syaoran, however Syaoran was evading every single blow. Making the Wolf leader become red in the face from anger. He would love to just cut his head off.
Both men were panting and sweaty from their battle; Syaoran ducked his head as Touya's sword flew towards his head. Taking the chance Syaoran kicked Touya in the stomach then kicking his sword out of his grip as Touya hunched over.
Syaoran elbowed Touya's back sending him face flat on the grassy ground. Touya rolled away from Syaoran kicking him in the jaw in the process. Falling on his backside he bit his lip causing it to bleed. They both stood glaring deadly standing in a stance ready to attack again.
Syaoran spit the blood on the ground, Touya panted. In a swift movement Syaoran had jumped on Touya. Punching Touya in the face twice, kneed him in the chest. Touya, on the other hand, stood his ground. Grabbing Syaoran's head he knocked his own head with Syaoran's hard. Kicking him powerfully in the ribs. Syaoran growled in throbbing agony. He had to admit Touya was a very good fighter. Touya kicked him again in the ribs sending Syaoran to the ground gasping for air.
Kicking him in the side Syaoran growled loudly with each kick to his side. Falling on his back wheezing Touya got his sword back in hand and made his way to Syaoran. He still was on his knees and hands panting. Touya raised his sword.
"Oh my god! No! No! No!" Sakura shouted her hand held at her mouth. Tomoyo held her back from running to Syaoran. The guys watched in shock. "Don't kill him Touya!"
"That's enough!"
Touya dropped the sword at the sound of the voice. He looked to his left then bowed his head at the person.
Sakura's eyes watered, her gaze never left Syaoran. "Grandfather." She spoke, relieved, looking to where the voice came from. She took off running towards her grandfather. "Thank you grandfather!" Her arms wrapped around her father's father. She kissed his cheeks.
The older man chuckled deeply. "My sweet little cherry blossom." She pulled back from the hug.
"Grandfather." She smiled respectfully at the nickname he had always had for her.
"Your grandmother's in the house. All of you leave here at once." He glared looking at all the people whom were staring at their old leader. They slowly made their leave. "So this is the new member?" He questioned looking at Syaoran slowly standing up. Sakura wanted to run to his side and help him but thought it wise to stay next to her grandfather.
Touya nodded his head.
"I couldn't believe it. When we spoke on the phone Touya, I can't believe this." He scratched at his head. "The son of Xiao Lang Li." He looked at Syaoran from head to toe. "What made you want to join us boy?" He eyed him carefully.
"With all respect Sir, I have no father." He grunted out.
"I was just as shocked as you were grandfather, but for the past few weeks we've held him and watched him."
Syaoran glared at Touya standing as straight as he could muster without crying out in pain.
"Akira Kinomoto," Sakura's grandfather held his hand out to Syaoran. They shook hands; Tomoyo handed Syaoran a wet cloth to wipe himself with. Sakura hadn't noticed she'd left.
"Syaoran Li." Sakura's heart fluttered at the sound of his deep, smooth voice.
"So what made you join the Wolves?" Akira asked again crossing his arms over his chest.
"I joined to get back at the Emeralds. I want to personally kill their leader." Everyone stood in stunned surprise. Syaoran had cleaned himself and threw the cloth to the ground. Annoyed from the pain in his body.
"Well, then you have come to the right place my boy!" Akira patted Syaoran on the back happily but his eyes darkened. "This better not be some sort of plan to harm the Wolves in any way." His voice deep with sternness, he took the back of Syaoran's neck tightly making him look into the elder man's blue eyes. "Or you've just written your own death certificate."
Syaoran nodded his head. "I assure you I'm not here to harm any member. I give you my word."
"Touya." His grandfather called to him holding out his hand. His blue eyes hardened as he started at Syaoran. "Take your shirt off and turn around."
Syaoran saw Touya hand his sword to Akira and knew this wasn't going to be good.
"Get on your knees." Touya said gruffly. Syaoran slowly got to his knees. Sakura bit her bottom lip. Grabbing Tomoyo's hand in hers tightly. Tomoyo closed her eyes. The guys watched Akira. Syaoran felt the tip of the sword on his skin and gritted his teeth as it slowly dug into his skin, his hands firmly in taut fists.
Yukito stood with a bottle of rubbing alcohol, a new white cloth and waited. Akira then cut through Syaoran's skin slowly marking a complicated W on his right shoulder blade. The pain nearly made Syaoran pass out. But never did he yell out in pain. Syaoran breathed through the pain. He took it like a true Wolf. Akira handed the sword back to Touya nodding at Yukito. He opened the bottle of rubbing alcohol, pouring some on the white cloth. He stepped forward and placed the cloth on his open and bleeding wound. Yukito pressed the cloth down firmly getting Syaoran's glare. Not only did his back hurt from the fight but now because of the gash. The stinging of the alcohol and the pressure was killing Syaoran. He had to concentrate on not passing out from the pain.
"You are now one of us. This means that you are to act a certain way. You are no longer allowed to even think of socializing with any Emerald or any traitor to the Wolves. You are from this moment a Blue Blood, Syaoran. We'll be watching you."
"Welcome to the Wolves." Yukito spat, glaring at Syaoran with hate filled eyes.
o O o O o O o
The next morning was dull. The sky was gray and cloudy. It was windy with a crisp chill. Everyone sat at the table eating the delicious breakfast Arashi, Sakura's grandmother, had made. Sakura wasn't at the table though she was outside. She was avoiding Syaoran. Frowning as she watched the wind blow through the trees, she felt indifferent this morning, her hair wiped around her with the wind.
"Sakura?" Syaoran repeated waving his hand in front of her dazed and blank face. She blinked a few times and jumped back with fright. "Calm down, it's only me." He smiled at her taking her hand in his. Sakura pulled her hand away from his warm hand. Syaoran frowned looking at her.
"Touya will still kill you." She simply said looking back at the trees, crossing her arms.
"He's with your grandfather in his office, he won't see." Syaoran stepped closer to Sakura grinning. Sakura turned to him glaring at him. The look she gave him stopped him dead in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" He asked worry filing his eyes. "I know you've been avoiding me."
"I'm upset with you."
Syaoran's frown deepened.
"I'm upset with you for leaving and not telling me what you were up too! I'm upset with myself for letting you in!" Syaoran stepped forward but Sakura stepped back holding her hand out in front of her. "I'm scared of what I'm feeling right now and I don't want to say something that will hurt you, Syaoran." His amber eyes darkened at her words.
"Sakura, I'm not going to hurt you. I joined the Wolves to, well, for the most part to be with you." He took hold of her hand and held it to his strong chest. "I felt what you are feeling, believe me, this feeling is a good - no - great feeling!" He smiled softly. Sakura's eyebrows wrinkled.
"How is it a great feeling?"
Syaoran looked hurt. "For the longest time I couldn't figure it out. Why was I acting that way? What was I feeling when it came to you? After so much thinking I know now. I know why just the thought of you can make me smile. Why being around you makes me euphoric. Why I want to stay here and feel like this. It's the first time I've truly, honest to God been in love."
Sakura stood motionless, her hand still at his chest. Her eyes glazed over, a small intake of breath.
"I never want to leave you. I'm hurt that you thought that I'd left. Honestly, Sakura, I can't see myself anywhere else but here with you. Can't see myself with anyone else but you. I know that Touya will try everything he can to take you away from me. There's no doubt in my mind that he is plotting right now as I speak. But I don't care; I'm not going to let you go. Not now. Not ever. I will stay forever. I've found myself - my true self - here with you and I will fight to keep it. I'm selfish like that. I'm ready for the flames of hell to prove that. Sakura Kinomoto, I love you." Syaoran smiled.
Sakura was speechless. His words were so passionate that Sakura's eyes filled with tears. Her heart raced as the words sank in deeper. That he had just confessed his love for her. She was having trouble breathing evenly. Syaoran stared deep in to her eyes, searching perhaps for a hint of her emotion. Syaoran's face was serious again. He leaned closer to Sakura's face. "Finding happiness in this world is so rare. I think I've found what was missing." Her heart thumbed against her ribs painfully as his words echoed in her head. Her eyes downcast as her world tilted. Syaoran stood still looking at her face.
"I feel my life has changed, its gotten much better, more happier with you. I don't want to miss out anymore, I want you with me Syaoran."
Syaoran smiled diving in; actions speaking louder then words, he kissed Sakura like his life depended on it. Like her soft lips was the essence of giving life. Sakura answered his call by wrapping her arms around his neck. Neither one cared if Touya or anyone else saw them together.
o O o O o O o
Xiao Lang shook his head from side to side, anger and disgust in his eyes. He turned to Hideki. "Did you know about this?" Hideki closed his eyes, his chin placed firmly on his fist.
"No, I did not know anything."
"We knew he was going out with some girl he met at the club but that's about it." Kenji added getting a glare from Hideki. "Hey don't look at me like that. He is nothing to us anymore." He spat disgustedly, he stood next to Xiao Lang. Zagato stood not saying a word. He handed Xiao Lang more papers with pictures attached. He grew even madder at the photos.
"I can't believe you." He growled, looking at the pictures in his hand.
It had been three weeks since Syaoran was welcomed into the Wolves. Zagato had done his job very well making Xiao Lang happy for one thing. That one thing would soon change everything.
Syaoran's father looked at Zagato back in his office where only he and Zagato sat talking and planning. Zagato nodded his head knowing full well what he had gotten himself into, again.
"Take him down. I don't care if it's a clean kill, hurt him if you can." A demonic grin spread across the Emerald's leader's face. "I want him dead. Then we'll make Kinomoto and them damn Wolves pay!"
PinkSakura-Chan: Wow. Syaoran's father is evil! But there was a little S&S fluff… A bunch of thanks to you all for reviewing! I hit the 100 mark and then some. Yay! Truly, you guys are the best :D so, now please review!