A/N: TaDa!
New chapter!
And thanks to all who reviewed!
Read + Review this chapter as well
Thank you!
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Chapter 21: Xin VS Kenji
I didn't dwell on the hunger between Syaoran and I any longer than necessary. Climbing the stairs to my room I passed Wei and I nodded politely to him before continuing on my way.
"Wait Miss Sakura…"
I turned to face Wei. " What is it?"
" A letter arrived for you today"
"Ah," I smiled slightly as he handed me a letter I knew was from my aunt as soon as I saw the seal. " Thank you Wei"
Wei nodded and walked away as I stared at the envelope. With a small sigh I headed up to my room and began opening the letter. Unfolding the paper I read quickly and stopped halfway up the stairs as the words made an impression on me. I had to get out of here quick if I wanted to save myself. Heading upstairs quickly I dashed to my room and shut the door with one breath and started packing like crazy. I'd have to get out tonight if possible.
Throwing all my stuff into the suitcase I began dashing about in a hurry until it finally hit me that I was leaving new good friends and Syaoran without an explanation.
Letting a stress-filled breath out I searched for pen and paper. When I finally settled down to write the letters I stared at the paper blankly. I had no idea what I wanted to say…or what excuses I'd use… Glancing at the clock I noted that it was already 12:00 AM. Turning back to the paper the letter my aunt wrote caught my eye once more and I crumpled up the letter and threw it in the wastebasket. Focusing back on the task at hand I Picked up the pen and wrote:
Wei,
Thank you for all you've done for me during my brief stay here. I appreciated the kindness that I haven't felt for so long. I loved being in your company and the way you understood me and didn't judge me. You were a good friend and I hope that one day I can once again face you with a better smile than I have now.
Sakura
I sighed as I folded it quickly and wrote his name on the outside; pushing it aside I started to compose one for Shu Yeng.
Shu Yeng,
Thank you for taking the time to spend time with me and listen to my sorry life. I'll never forget you and will definitely come visit you again one day when I have time or my life is settled. Please don't mention anything we talked about to anyone else, especially Syaoran…I'd upset him for sure to be reminded of such things.
Sakura
I sat back and closed my eyes momentarily. The easier notes were done…now it was time to face him. Rubbing my eyes I sighed, what do I say to him? How do I start?
Questions filled my head and I groaned setting my head down on the table. Scenes flashed through my mind and I didn't know if I should mention the incident or explain myself and be gone…
Sitting upright I made up my mind. I wanted to be friends again…I'd have to do the right thing…and explain myself and express my gratitude…especially since I am/was his enemy.
Syaoran,
No matter what has come between us I just wanted to say I'm happy I met you. All my life, my last name had ruled my life and when I wanted to break free and rebel I met you to help me. Although you probably haven't realized it yet, our hearts are the same, yet it has different paths. There is no saying if we'll meet again, but if we do, I want to be able to greet you and smile without regrets. Just because I…
Tears entered my eyes threatening to spill but I held them back and let it blur my vision instead. I wiped it carelessly away to clear my vision with the back of my hand and concentrated on telling him my heart…
Just because I loved you, doesn't mean I'll get to keep you. Just because you turned away didn't mean that you didn't realize my love for you. So because I love you, I'll set you free with a smile, because I care for you, I won't burden you any longer.
Congratulations on your wedding. I'm thoroughly happy for you and wish only happiness for you. As long as you keep in mind that if you're happy, someone in this world is happy with you…
Thank you for letting me stay; I've troubled you enough all ready. One day, I promise to repay you for this kindness.
Sakura
Folding his note I wrote his name quickly and turned away from the table where all three letters sat. Grabbing my stuff I took one last look around the room and hurried out shutting the door softly. Glancing at the clock downstairs I noted that it was close to one already. Walking as softly as I could to the front door I unlocked it and pulled it open. I inhaled sharply as a cold breeze brushed past me and I stepped out. Locking the door I stepped out and shut the door.
Starting down the driveway I readjusted my suitcase and walked. At the gate I paused momentarily and glanced back at the house.
"Sayonara Syaoran…" I whispered and didn't turn back ever again.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
6:00 AM
I stared out to Hong Kong as it came into sight through the thick morning fog. I had used the money Sonomi sent to get back across and home instead of buying what I was suppose to…
This was for the better, I reassured myself for the last time. I had to get back…before she sold me…
…………………………………………………………………………………………
9:00 AM
" Miss Sakura…you're sleeping awfully late today…are you o…" Wei glanced around the room and his eyes widened when he didn't see her on the bed or any of her things. A slight fear jumped into his heart and he began to search the room. He was heading to the bathroom when his eyes caught sight of the notes on the desk.
"Miss… Sakura…" Wei whispered and picked up the note with his name written on it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
"I don't understand why she'd leave like this!" Shu Yeng complained to her Uncle.
"She had her reasons" Wei said softly and Shu Yeng nodded. Her eyes soon saw the letter with Syaoran's name on it and without thinking she grabbed it and ran from the room.
"Shu Yeng!" Wei shouted after her.
She ignored his calls and headed straight to Syaoran's room.
Opening the door without announcing herself she came face to face with him as he was putting on a shirt.
Shu Yeng ignored his state and raised eyebrow by thrusting the letter at him.
Syaoran didn't speak as he took the letter and skimmed the contents.
"Well? Aren't you going to stop her?" Shu Yeng asked.
Syaoran sighed, " What for?"
"Do you really want it to end this way again?" she asked angrily.
"It's none of my business what she does and why she leaves" syaoran said as detached as he could.
"But she has no where to go!"
" She must have if she suddenly decided to leave?" He stated calmly and proceeded to finish getting dressed.
"Why…this is all your fault!" Shu Yeng accused and stomped out of his room.
" I'm sorry sir" Wei came in afterwards and apologized for his niece's behavior to him.
"Why did she leave?" Syaoran asked dismissing the apology.
" A letter arrived for her yesterday night. From the looks of it her aunt sent for her." Wei said.
" Did she take the letter?" Syaoran questioned.
" I believe so," Wei said softly.
Syaoran quit his questioning and left his butler standing in his room.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Shu Yeng searched furiously around the room Sakura stayed in for a sign of what could have happened. There was nothing that looked out of place and it was starting to piss her off. Kicking the wastebasket she cursed loudly, what caught her eye next was a crumpled letter. Bending down she unfolded the letter quickly and scanned the writing.
Here's some money to buy something suitable, I shall call for you when I settle your marriage to Xin
Sonomi
Shu Yeng Stood abruptly and wondered if she should kill the master or not! Halfway down the hall she suddenly remembered that Sakura hadn't wanted her to mention the incident from 2 years past. Shu Yeng considered the possibilities and finally sighed. She NOW had no idea how to deal with this…
…………………………………………………………………………………………
"Ying Fa…" Sonomi said in disbelief, " you've come back…so soon"
I smiled briefly and nodded, " Of course…it is MY future that's being decided right?"
" Yes it is…" Sonomi said after a pause…" I'm sure Xin would make you a nice husband"
" I disagree" I said through gritted teeth, " You see we have nothing in common…"
"Well I'm sure you two can work that out right?" Sonomi said with a scary smile towards me.
"Of course NOT" I said with a smile yet stressed the last part.
"I'd like to offer for Sakura as well" another voice entered the private conversation.
I turned when Sonomi turned as well and looked at Kenji.
"Kenji…" I said softly.
" Ying Fa" he greeted me with a smile.
I couldn't help but smile genuinely back at him when his smile not only alighted his face but showed deeply in his dark brown eyes as well.
" I'd also liked to be considered" He finished his sentence as he looked back at Sonomi.
"Xin has already offered…"
"I'll double that price," Kenji said with a warm smile to Sonomi. In the next instant he faced me with a soft smile and grasped my hand tightly. He looked at me and winked all of a sudden…
" I shall consider it then" Sonomi said with a smile, "Please wait a moment and chat with Sakura while I call Xin."
Kenji nodded and waited for Sonomi to exit the room before looking back at me.
A silence passes between us as I felt his dark eyes bore into mine; I reached down to fidget with my dress.
"I won't let that man have you…not after what he did to you" Kenji said softly reaching for my hand. " I'd rather we live as friends then see you suffer such a fate so cruel as to be given to the highest bidder"
"Well…you are the highest bidder," I pointed out as I looked into his eyes.
" Only to save you," Kenji said tightening his grip.
I smiled, " Thank you Kenji-san for thinking of my well-being…"
" I only wish for your happiness Sakura… and if I can't give you freedom, I'll give it to you under my name"
"Why Kenji? Why would you do such a thing?" I asked. No man I have ever met would willingly sacrifice himself for a girl's happiness.
" Because I like you…No… I love you" Kenji said simply.
" Ummm"
Kenji and I turned to see my aunt with a bright smile on her face, " Xin has upped the price"
Kenji looked straight at my aunt with a smile, " I will as well"
Sonomi returned the smile…well I'll let you two battle this out"
With that she turned towards the door and left mentioning to Xin about the price upping.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Syaoran sighed, he could swear he should be happy that Sakura was gone but all he felt was hollowness within…
Breathing a deep sigh, he rubbed his forehead and proceeded to get back to work until Shu Yeng burst through the door.
"Go to her…stop moping and pretending she doesn't exist! Just go to her!"
Syaoran sighed and stared at his butler's niece.
" Look, what happened between us has been over for 2 years, besides, for what? I'm getting married and she's happy for me and I'm happy for whatever she's doing with her life"
" Lies" Shu Yeng, yelled, " You're lying to yourself as she is lying to herself"
" What are you trying to say" Syaoran asked angered now by her persistence.
"Is that how you really feel?" Shu Yeng asked refusing to back down from the subject.
"And if so?" Syaoran asked challenging her.
Shu Yeng eyes flashed…
…………………………………………………………………………………………
I ignored the two men sitting on either side of me.
"I'm the better husband," Xin said harshly, " Besides I'm paying a fortune for her!"
"Well you won't have to since I'm going to marry her…all I need is your blessing and a wedding present" Kenji pointed out
"To hell with that" Xin swore.
This had been going for two hours already and both have still not agreed on who was going to be the husband. Both had the same amount of money and both knew they couldn't up the price anymore…
" She's worth eight thousand grand," Sonomi whispered to her daughter.
" I can't believe you'd sell her like that" Tomoyo sneered t her mother and got up to leave the room.
I gave her a pleading look to stay but I could see the exhaustion on her face and stopped my whining. I breathed and continued to sip my water…it was going to be a long night with LOTS of negotiations…Damn greedy Aunt! I cursed softly….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
"You asshole, she loves you so much and yet you're so ignorant of that" Shu Yeng ranted, " Don't you know how much she suffered for you? Getting banished with not a penny to her name, holding the highest position yet getting the least power, living a life labeled as used because of you and yet she endures all that pain for you! All because she loved you!" Shu Yeng anger didn't falter as Syaoran lifted an eyebrow in surprise.
" You're wrong, she's been gloating all these years at me and only refused her fiancé because he wasn't rich enough…" Syaoran concluded.
" YOU'RE WRONG!" Shu Yeng shouted, "She's been living in shame because of you and yet she blames only herself, Her fiancé dumps her because she has been used by you yet YOU feel no shame for ruining her life? You who didn't suffer anything!"
Syaoran was quiet. " She told you this?"
" Who else?" Shu Yeng asked
Syaoran became quiet again as he surveyed her attempt to stand strong against him…her tearfully asking for forgiveness…
"Why didn't she tell me?"
" As if you'd listen!" Shu Yeng mocked crossing her arms against her chest.
Syaoran swore softly.
" She only stood tall to hide her shame from you…she only did it for you!" Shu Yeng said angrily, " She endured the hurt and pains for you, she endured the shame of being cast off for the princess by you as well…"
Again…silence from Syaoran as he seemed as if in a trance of his own.
"You know YOUR HIGHNESS, love isn't how much you can get but how much you can give" Shu Yeng said with dripping sarcasm.
Syaoran felt the pain enter his heart as he thought about the signs, the emotions she sent…he thought he knew her…yet it seemed as if he didn't know anything yet…She had swallowed her pride to have him forgive her yet he himself refused to swallow his…
"Have Wei pack my things" Syaoran ordered her as he stood.
" Where are you going?" Shu Yeng asked
"To her" He said simply…this unbearable pain that sunk him had definitely been love, for why else would he feel such need for her…
He exited his study and headed upstairs in a rush…
Shu Yeng sighed, " Thank god…"
"It took a women to drill it in eh?"
Shu Yeng turned and faced her uncle, " yeah…"
" Wait for me Sakura…Wait…" Syaoran whispered and for the first time in months, he felt like he was doing the right thing.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
A/N: Review for me ppl!
I finally had time to write so please comment on it! It'll help me further the plot! Thank you and remember REVIEW!
8