Royal Heights Chapter 21: A rainy night, a card captor sakura fanfic

Chap. 21: "A rainy night,"

It was another beautiful day in Royal Heights, but the events of last night cast a shadow over it. This morning when Syaoran woke up, he had to lie where he was for a while just to make sure last night really happened.

Untangling himself from Sakura, he headed to the bathroom to shower. It was then that there was a knock on his door, and the sweet aroma of food drifted beneath the crack. When it opened, Rika looked inside. "Syaoran?" she called softly, seeing a form in the bed. "Hey sleepy head. You're going to be late if you don't get up."

Of course she couldn't believe her eyes, when a head of messy copper locks appeared from beneath the sheets. Instantly she knew it wasn't Syaoran, especially when tired emerald eyes looked at her. "Rika," Sakura smiled, sitting up in bed. "Good morning."

"Ah…" Rika stumbled, trying to get over her shock. The last person she thought she would ever find in Syaoran's bed was Sakura, especially when he hadn't slept on the sofa. "Morning." It was this time she heard the shower going. "I was just waking him up. This is the first time he's ever slept in this late."

"We got in late last night." She sat on the edge of the bed, glancing at the clock. Running her hand through her hair, she tried to get it to lie down.

"Oh…well breakfast is going to be ready soon," she smiled, when the shower was turned off. Sakura stood up knowing she had to get ready for school as well.

"Okay."

"Oh and I put your clothing in the dryer. It should be dry by now," Rika informed, before closing the door. Going to her cheerleading bag, Sakura opened it and took out her skirt, but found there wasn't a shirt.

"Damn, how could you forget my shirt?" she asked Tina, who wasn't there to answer. She took out the tiny bag that held her personal items like bra, underwear etcetera. When the bathroom door opened, she turned and saw Syaoran, with a towel wrapped around his waist.

Forgetting about her things, she stood up. "Morning," he greeted, a bit uncomfortably, seeing the way she was looking at him. "How are you feeling?" he inquired, when she said nothing in return.

"Good, you?" she finally answered, ignoring the way his wet hair fell over his eyes.

"Good," he smiled.

"Do you think I could borrow a shirt from you? Tina forgot to pack mine."

"Yeah, I'll lay it out for you."

"Thanks." Getting her stuff, she headed to the shower. When the door closed, Syaoran set about getting himself dressed.

Roommates.

Rika and Alex were in the kitchen eating breakfast. Soon they would have to leave for school. Sitting at the table, he looked at his girlfriend who was unusually quiet. "What's bothering you?" She looked at him with a lost expression. "Rika?"

"Nothing's bothering me," she replied, before taking a bite of her eggs. Receiving a skeptic look, she smiled at him lovingly. "Okay. I was wondering about Syaoran. Isn't he still dating that other girl?" she asked him, softly.

"I guess," he shrugged, giving her his attention. Before Rika had a chance to say anymore the subject of their conversation walked into the room, dressed in his uniform. "Morning."

"Morning," Syaoran replied, getting a glass of orange juice.

"Got in late last night?" Rika inquired, not looking at him.

"Yeah." He turned to his roommates, and leaned against the counter before taking a drink.

"How was the game? Did you guys win?" Alex asked, looking at Syaoran, who grimaced. Being reminded of the game was not something Syaoran wanted, but it was too late.

"Yeah." He scratched the back of his head. "You guys haven't seen the news or read the paper?" he inquired, shifting to find a comfortable position.

"Read the paper yeah, there's nothing in it," Alex answered, surprising Syaoran. He knew something like that would have been printed.

"Last night Sakura's friend was almost shot to death in the school parking lot." They gasp in shock, not quite believing what they were hearing. "We were at the hospital all night."

"My god," Rika spoke, with an astonish look. "Something like that would have been on the news. I mean shouldn't it?" She looked at both of them waiting for an answer.

"It wasn't," Alex replied, frowning. "Lucky thing she didn't lose her life," he commented, finding it odd that this was news he would receive first thing in the morning. They didn't continue with such talk, because Sakura appeared, wearing one of Syaoran's large shirts.

"Morning Alex," she greeted, with a smile.

"Morning Sakura," he replied, acting like nothing had happened.

"Would you like me to make you something to eat Sakura?" Rika inquired, not acting like anything was out of order.

"I would just like something to drink. Not really hungry," was her response. She was still afraid to eat anything, her stomach still felt queasy. Getting her a glass, Syaoran poured some juice into it before handing it to her. "Thank you for this and my skirt." Because it was crushed, he ironed it out for her having a feeling she wouldn't know how to do that.

"No prob…"

St. Mary's.

News of Sara's shooting was spreading through the school like wildfire, yet Tina and the girls found that people didn't care. Some of them were saying that it was one less Royalty to worry about. She didn't understand how people could be so cruel. It was one thing to hate someone for picking on you, but even worse when you wished death upon them and try to act it out.

"People are saying that someone from this school shot her," Ming told Tina, who was sitting on the railing waiting for Sakura to arrive. It was so nice out that people were staying outside until it was time for them to go to class. "Do you think that?"

"I wouldn't doubt. I wonder how they feel knowing that they didn't kill her?" Tina spat, in disgust clenching her fist. "When she wakes up, she'll identify them easily."

"Yeah…"

Inside…

In the bathroom a different scene was taking place, yet it involved the shooting of Sara. "You fucking idiot, you didn't kill her!" Brea hissed, but in a low voice. "How could you be so fucking stupid?" Standing in the corner, a very petrified Akiko wiped tears from her eyes.

"I shot her more than once like you ordered," she defended, making Brea scowl dangerously, silver poles boring into her like needles.

"Like I ordered? Who did she see shoot her?" Brea growled, walking towards Akiko, who pushed herself up against the wall, terror consuming her with every word she heard. "You're going to spend the rest of your life in prison and bring shame to your family."

"Help me," Akiko pleaded, trying to reach for Brea, but was she was shrugged off. "Please, we're in this together!"

"No we're not," Brea spoke tightly, her voice bitter. "I'm not in anything that doesn't work out the way I planned it to."

"I'll fix it, please don't leave me. I need you!" Akiko wailed horribly, not knowing what she was going to do. The thought of going to prison for the rest of her life scared the hell out of her. She didn't want to be alone; she didn't want to ruin her father's reputation.

"Well I don't need you. Don't even talk me any longer," the words left Brea's lips maliciously.

"Please don't leave me. Tell me what to do?" Akiko begged, tears soaking her cheeks.

"If I were you…I would kill myself," Brea hissed frigidly, heading for the door. Pushing it open, she almost bumped into Sakura. They glared at each other, before Brea walked off.

Watching her go, Sakura entered the bathroom to fix Syaoran's large shirt so it wasn't so bulky. Running her hand through her hair, she stopped spotting Akiko, who was sitting on the floor in tears. When the girl saw her, she instantly hauled herself up.

When she ran out of the room, Sakura frowned not understanding why Brea and Akiko would be in the bathroom together. And why did Brea leave looking so pissed and Akiko in tears? Frowning she headed to the mirror to fix her clothing.

When they arrived at school, they made sure to go their separate ways not to cause disruption. There was already enough going on. "Jesus, how am I going to survive this day?" she asked herself, closing her eyes momentarily.

They wouldn't be able to visit Sara until three. And it wouldn't even be long because she was still unconscious. "Oh Sara, please pull through," she whispered…

Rooftop.

Akiko found herself on the roof, blinded by tears she made her way to the edge. Everything Brea said to her racing through her mind. Sara was alive, and when she told the police what happened she was going to prison. "I don't want to go to prison," she sobbed, feeling incredibly alone in the world.

She knew if Sakura hadn't stumbled upon Sara, she would have made sure Sara was dead, but it hadn't happened that way. "What am I to do?" she asked anyone who was listening, but as usual there was no one.

Feeling the wind whip around her form, she felt as if it was slowly urging her towards the ledge. When she reached it, she looked over all the students in the courtyard. Their laughter and happiness drifted to her, telling her she would never be apart of their world. "Never…"

"What's the use of living when you have nothing?" she cried, wiping tears away. "What's the use when no one cares about you or what's going through your mind?"

Closing her eyes, she stepped unto the wall. Squeezing them shut, she pictured herself flying. Spreading her fingers apart, she blocked out the pain she was feeling. She knew that with her gone it would save her father pain. "With me gone everything will be okay, my father won't be hurt." That was her justification for the act she was about to commit.

Choking back a sob, she asked God for forgiveness before she leaned into the wind. The wind fought against her body as if it were trying to push her up. Her shoe moved forward, before she hesitantly took a step back.

She screamed clenching her eyes tightly shut, her long sun kissed locks flapping wildly about her form as she fell rapidly to the ground…

Below

Pushing through the door, Sakura glanced around wondering where her friends had wandered off. She reached up and ran her hand through her hair tiredly. She didn't want to be here, but knew she couldn't miss a lot of school.

Taking two steps, she stopped at the top of the stairs. She heard a scream, but knew not where it came from. Lifting her foot to step down, she halted when something fell over her, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

Feeling a warm liquid splatter across her face, she reached up to wipe it away. Moving her hand, she looked at her fingers that were smeared with blood. People around her were already screaming but she was in a daze. Images of last night raced through her mind, affecting her already fragile state.

"No, no!" she screamed, looking from her hand to the body in front of her, Akiko's head turned towards her. "No!" her breathing came in ragged gasps; her heart was racing, making her feel like she was hyperventilating.

"Sakura!" She heard her name, and wished it was Syaoran but instead it was Kenji. He wrapped his arms around her, and instantly she buried her face in his chest and burst into horrible sobs.

Syaoran who wasn't very far away saw everything happen. And he wanted to run to Sakura, but Brea had already held unto him. "Oh god," she whispered, in tears. He wrapped his arms around her watching Kenji carry Sakura off.

He stood in shock, the sight before him felt so dreamlike. Last night he witnessed a girl lying in a pole of her own blood, today it was a girl throwing herself off the top of the school building. Then his thoughts jump to Sakura, his heart ached knowing she was probably terrified.

"What's going on?" Clare sobbed, holding Dan. "What's happening?" Her words left her lips fearfully, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Syaoran," Brea cried, horribly. She closed her eyes feeling relieved that Akiko had taken her offer and killed herself. With Akiko gone, she wouldn't be in danger of being found out. She wouldn't be linked to Sara's shooting.

He watched when someone covered her body, and knew it was a staff member. A moment later the bells went off signaling the start of school. "It's okay," he told her, when they started for the school. Students moved at a slow pace around Akiko's covered body.

They whispered wondering who it was, those who were close enough to see couldn't tell. The only person who got a close enough look was Sakura. "Students are to move to their first block classes!" the principal's voice sounded over the speakers through the halls. "I repeat students are to report to first block classes."

"Are you going to be okay?" Syaoran asked, Brea when they came to the point where they had to separate.

"I'll be fine," she told him, moving back.

"Okay…" He caressed her cheek, before they separated paths. Reaching his class, he headed to his seat ignoring the deafening silence that filled the room.

People walked to their chairs but didn't talk; they were too surprised at the accident that just occurred. When the teacher walked into the room, he shut the door behind him. He was also silent as he walked to his desk. "Please everyone sit down, there will be no talking," he announced, taking his seat as well.

Syaoran stared out the window. Remembering how she screamed falling from the roof made his skin crawl. Closing his eyes, he tried to block such thoughts but found he was unable to do so. He had no idea how long he sat there, but soon the principal's voice sounded. "Today, the family of St. Mary's has witnessed another tragedy," he spoke, in a grave voice, getting the attention of everyone.

"Last night Masatoshi Sara was attacked viciously on campus," he paused, sounding very emotional. They heard him clear his throat before continuing. "This morning Nagase Akiko has passed on." Syaoran couldn't believe it was she.

When people started to whisper, the look they received from the teacher instantly shut them up. "This is the first time in history that we've lost a member of our school in such a tragic incident. Please take a moment to honor her. Father Lanagan will say a prayer to guide her soul."

Syaoran and everyone bowed their heads to show respect, when the father started to pray. He personally prayed that this was not going to continue. He hoped that the deaths would start and end with Akiko; he didn't want anything happening to those he cared about.

Sakura

She felt Tina holding her tightly; she still had her head buried in her shoulder, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She was the very last person to see Akiko, if she'd only known what was going through her mind.

Maybe, she would have been able to talk her out of it. Only her sobs could be heard in the room, and she didn't care that people heard her crying for someone who wasn't in her group. "Amen," everyone spoke at the end.

"May God bless her soul" the principal spoke, sadly. "When the bell goes, students are to leave the premises in an orderly fashion through the side doors. No one is to go through the front," he announced, before the intercom went dead…

Ming who was standing in the hall, rested heavily against the wall. Closing her eyes tightly, she held back tears thinking of her friend who was in the hospital. Even now she was in denial about what had taken place. "Why?" she whispered, wiping her tears away with shaky hands.

Looking at her hand that shook from nerves, she shook it to make it stop shaking. She took a deep breath ready to walk off, when a guy walked up to her. He looked a bit familiar but she was too out of it to place him. "Excuse me, Miss Yoshioka," Erwin spoke timidly, his friend standing behind him with anxiety present on his face.

"What do you want?" She bit out tightly, not liking to have her time wasted.

"We have a video you might be interested in," Erwin told her softly, his hands clasp together. "We think you might enjoy it. It has to do with Morimoto and Jack."

"There's nothing you can show me that will be of interest. We know about them already," she hissed coldly, walking off. She left the guys staring after her form in disappointment…

Later…

At approximately two o'clock, Sara's eyes opened. She glanced around the room she was in not knowing where she was. She tried to move but found she couldn't because her lower body felt dead. "No," she whispered fearfully, remembering what happened. "No!" she screamed, trying to get out of her bed, but her legs wouldn't budge.

When the door opened, she looked at the nurses who came running to her. "What's wrong with my legs?" she cried, angrily. "I can't move my legs!" Tears welled up in her tears, and her body hurt, at least the parts she could feel.

"Please, try not to move," the woman ordered, pressing her down on the bed. "Try not to move."

"Leave me the hell alone. I want to know why I can't move my legs," Sara hissed coldly, praying she wasn't paralyzed. When a man stepped into the door, she knew he was the doctor by the way he was dressed. "What's wrong with my legs?" she asked him, wiping tears from her eyes.

"How are you feeling?" he inquired, ignoring her question.

"Horrible," she snapped. "Please tell me what's wrong" she begged, helplessly. "I need to know," her voice broke, preventing her from continuing.

"I'm sorry," he sighed, after a moment. He stood close to her. "You were shot twice, here…" He placed his hand by her left side. "And here." He moved it in the middle right before he reached her ribs. "The second bullet…"

"You're saying that I'm paralyzed?" she choked, cutting him off. "No I can't be. You have to do something. I can't be," she begged, holding unto his coat tightly. "I can't!"

"I'm sorry," was all he could say in return. Sara closed her eyes, but tears slipped through her tightly clenched lids. Hearing a knock on the door, he turned. "Yes?"

"Doctor Avalon, Miss Masatoshi has visitors. Three girls I believe," she announced, getting Sara's attention. "Should I tell them she's unavailable?"

"No," Sara told the woman, bypassing the doctor. "I want to see my friends." She didn't want to be alone right now. "I need to see them…"

"Very well, but I must give you a check up first," he agreed. She reached up and wiped her tears away. "I know that the news you just received isn't something you wanted to hear. But you'll have therapy to help you to adjust," he stated, getting ready to give her a check up.

"You don't understand. I can't be in a wheelchair with my life."

"No one can, it doesn't matter what kind of life you have. Everyone takes the news the same way, but my staff is here to help you in anyway possible," he replied, firmly. Sara looked into his black poles, his black hair falling over his face.

"Aren't you a bit young to be a doctor?" she asked him, softly.

"I don't believe so. I just started out sooner than most people," he replied, friendlily. "If it makes you feel any better I'm much older than you."

"I'm just worried that someone so young wouldn't know what he's doing," she countered stubbornly, folding her arms over her chest.

"The first patient to insult me."

"Well you haven't exactly brought me good news," she replied, in anger. "What you're like twenty or something?"

"Twenty-four, and I'm not your real doctor. Your doctor will be giving you a check up later," he informed, standing up. "I don't believe I can endure your torturous tongue any longer." He ended his conversation, when her friends appeared at the door.

"What a mean thing to say." He didn't look at her, when he walked out the door. A moment later her friends walked in smiling happily, she knew they got an eye full of her doctor.

"What a babe," Ming informed, raising her brows suggestively.

"Whatever," Sara replied, dryly.

"You don't know how relieved we are that you're okay," Sakura said, being the first to give her a warm hug. "You had us very worried." Moving back, she wiped tears from her eyes.

"Oh guys, I'm sorry," she told them, feeling tears burn eyes as well. She closed her eyes momentarily, trying to hold back tears. "I don't know why she did it." Hearing her speak about the person who shot her, they instantly became quiet. "You know I never thought it was so bad for her. I always pictured her as the perfect person, with a loving family. And I was jealous because that was the one thing I wanted and couldn't have." She closed her eyes thinking about Akiko, her once best friend. From since she could remember Akiko had the perfect family life. Her father was wonderful, and even though her mother had died it didn't matter.

That was one of the reasons she fell out of being friends with Akiko. She had envied her far too much. "Who did this to you?" Tina asked her firmly, ready to have the person thrown behind bars. When Sara looked at them, tears streamed down her cheeks like a waterfall.

"Akiko," she answered, brokenly. She was so upset that she failed to see their troubled looks. "I feel so guilty. I know it's my fault she resorted to such actions."

"Sara," Ming got out, brokenly. "Sara…Akiko killed herself this morning," she informed, making her friend's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

"No, she didn't," she whispered, shaking her head in denial.

"She did. Trust me I would know," Sakura stated, blocking thoughts that were trying to invade her mind. Reaching up, Sara wiped her tears away. The answers she needed would never be answered. She wanted to know why Akiko would be driven to kill her after so many years.

"It's all my fault," she told them, sorrowfully. "It's all my fault. Her death, my being paralyzed," she sobbed, turning her head away from them. "I'm being punished."

"No Sara, you're not," Tina spoke, going to touch her shoulder but stopped when Sara moved away. When she cried out in pain, she looked at Sakura and Ming worriedly, fear filling her eyes. "Sara, please," she begged, holding back her own tears.

"No, please just go away," she requested. "Please leave me alone. I just want to be alone right now." They had no choice but to leave her. Sakura was the last to exit the room, and when she did so she came face to face with two officers.

"Hello girls," one greeted, in a firm tone.

"Officer," Tina replied, since, as she was the only one who didn't have tears in her eyes. "Can we help you with something?"

"Actually yes…"

Brea…

She was sitting in the library playing chess with her father. "Good move, my girl," he praised, when she took one of his players.

"Thank you daddy," she smiled happily, feeling like she was on top of the world. Everything was working in her favor. Now all she had to do was take the other three down. Thinking about it, her smile widened satanically knowing that would be very easy. But maybe she wouldn't have to, after what happened to Sara she knew that they were uneasy.

"You've grown up so fast," he spoke, after a moment, lighting a cigar. "My baby girl is a young lady," a warm smile touched his lips. "Soon you'll be married, ready to start a family of your own."

"You speak as if it's going to happen very soon," she replied, in jest.

"I do, don't I?" he grinned. Hearing this Brea beamed a beautiful smile at him, when there was a knock on the door. "Enter," he called, a moment later a servant entered.

"Sir, there's a detective Yoshimoto here to see you," the man stated, surprising Brea and her father.

"Send him in," he spoke, authoritatively. Knowing she had to relax, she turned when the man walked into the room with another following behind him. "Is there something I can help you with detective?"

"Actually I'm here to see your daughter Morimoto-san, Miss Brea I believe," Yoshimoto informed, looking at the young lady in front of him. Her father, Xin looked at her in surprise not understanding why an officer would want to see her.

"Is there something wrong?" he inquired, suspiciously.

"Nothing sir. I'm here to ask about the shooting of Masatoshi Sara and the sudden death of Nagase Akiko, a friend of your daughter's I was told. She was also one of the very last persons to see her alive," he informed, in a business voice. "Just routine. I want to ask her if Miss Nagase said anything the last time you saw her…anything suspicious."

"Darling, you don't have to answer any of his questions," Xin told her, firmly. "Who sent you here?" he inquired, decisively.

"One of the witnesses who saw your daughter with Nagase last, Kinomoto Sakura," Yoshimoto answered, not missing when Brea clenched her fists. "Now Miss Morimoto, there's nothing you have to worry about. We already know that Nagase was the one who shot Miss Masatoshi; she confirmed that when she woke up. I just want to know if Nagase said anything to you to confirm that." Sighing sadly, Brea looked at her hands.

"When I saw her in the bathroom she was in very bad shape. I was worried about her you know, so I inquired what was wrong. She said she had done something horrible, and didn't know what to do," she explained in the most innocent voice she could muster up.

"Did she tell you what she'd done?" he implored, writing it down.

"No, I left her in the bathroom."

"The two of you got in no argument?"

"No, I left her." Yoshimoto listened knowing this didn't match up with the story he received from Miss Kinomoto. "I didn't want to know what she'd done, I was afraid," she told the officer, looking him in the eyes. "Yet it's no surprise that she's the one who did it. Masatoshi made Akiko's life, and many others quite unbearable," she informed, looking away from him.

"Including you?"

"Including me," she confirmed…

Kinomoto Residence…

She didn't know why she came home when something told her to stay away, to go somewhere and hang out but she didn't. Instead she came home only to get shit from her mother. "You have absolutely no respect for people. What kind of daughter are you?" Celina hollered angrily, her voice echoing through the room.

"One who knows who her enemies are!" Sakura cried, loudly. This was happening because the officers had visited Brea's family. Kita told Gwen that she was the reason the officers questioned and embarrassed her sister.

"Enemies? The Morimoto's are respectable people," Celina replied, strongly. At that Sakura gave a cold laugh; they were currently waging war in the library. Gwen was sitting patiently, waiting for her turn to take a bite out of Sakura.

"Respectable? If she were she would tell that bitch of a sister to leave me the hell alone!" Sakura hissed, no longer caring how she spoke to her mother.

"You insolent child!"

"My friend was almost shot to death and Akiko threw herself off the roof. Two nights I've been covered in someone else's blood! Yet you don't give a damn about that, instead you care about those fucking Morimoto's. I'm your daughter, you should care about me!" she screamed in pain, not understanding why she had to go through this every single day. "I wish you could understand what I was going through, but no you care about people who aren't even family members!"

"I don't care what you're going through," Celina hissed harshly, hurting Sakura like she intended. And she continued ruthlessly, "I have no doubt that your friend deserved just what she got." Sakura shook her head in disgust. "You're to apologize."

"You don't care? Then what the hell am I doing here talking to you?"

"You have absolutely no manners!" Gwen interrupted, in a cold tone. "You need to take lessons from Brea, she has more manners than you. How could you send the police to their house, don't you have any decency?"

"You stay the hell out of this you bitch!" Sakura lashed out, cursing her sister. "You care nothing for me therefore you have no fucking right to tell me anything!" Scowling she headed for the door knowing she could not take any more of this arguing.

"Don't you dare leave," Celina ordered, tightly.

"You have no right to tell me what to do," she said softly, hauling the door open. Walking out, she slammed it shut behind her. Celina and Gwen stood there in silence, staring at the exit Sakura just made.

"She's very unruly. You're going to have to do something with her mother," Gwen spoke tightly, showing the distaste she held towards her younger sister. "She has no manners. She will bring shame to you."

"Leave her be!" Celina cried angrily, turning her rage towards her daughter. "Whatever goes on between Sakura and I should remain just that. You are to keep out of it," she ordered, forcefully. Gwen didn't understand what her mother was so afraid of. Why did she always tell her to keep away from Sakura?

Brea.

After the visit from the police, she got ready for her date with Julian. Now she was having a very romantic dinner with him at his condo. "What's on your mind?" he inquired, crystal poles staring warmly into hers.

"You," she replied sweetly, sitting in front of the fireplace with him.

"Am I now?" he teased, caressing her cheek. "Exactly what are you dwelling upon?" he inquired, before giving her a brief kiss. Sighing contentedly, her dreamy eyes stared into his when he moved back looking her over slowly.

"Soon you'll leave, and I'll be left behind. Aren't you going to return to China?" she asked him softly, playing with his shirt collar.

"Eventually, but not right now because I've got important things to take care of here," he replied, taking her hand in his. "One being you."

"Me?" she grinned, lifting silver poles to his. "How so?"

"Don't play games Brea. You know what I mean."

"If you insist that I do," she laughed, when he moved her back unto the lush carpet. "Do you want me?" she teased, tracing her finger across his cheek then to his lips. Her hand moved through his soft black hair. "Do you?"

"Of course I do."

"Then take me," she told him boldly, loving it when he took her body for his pleasure. When he made love to her, she thought about nothing but he. Neither Jack nor Syaoran ran through her mind. They were quite inferior to this man, who was currently kissing on her neck.

She had everything she wanted. Soon she would be his wife and she would come out on top…

Syaoran.

He was just finishing up his shift, thankfully because he was tired. Going to school, having practice then work and studying later was taking its toll on him. Wiping down the tables, he looked at Marcus who was across him pulling the blinds down. "So your first game was this Friday?" Marcus asked, moving to another window.

"Yeah," he answered. Today he got a chance to speak with Coach Chang, who told him the scout understood why he had to leave in such a hurry. He was glad to know he hadn't ruined his chances by running off. He would play to the best of his ability in order to get a scholarship. "We started the season off with a win."

"That's great, what a way to start. I've heard about your team. They're really good," Marcus, grinned, finishing up when a car light shone through the windows that weren't closed as yet.

"They are. It's hard sticking out in such a bunch," he complained, making Marcus laugh. "I hadn't meant it to be funny."

"It's just odd hearing you complain like a woman," Marcus chuckled.

"Yeah whatever," he grumbled, picking up his tray of dirty water to carry to the kitchen.

Outside the restaurant

Sakura sat in her SUV tapping on her steering wheel. It was drizzling out, and the night had a cool air rushing through the fresh spring leaves. "You can do this," she whispered softly, continuing with her tapping. "I mean, friends hang out."

Releasing the breath she was holding, she opened her door and got out. Stepping out in a light jacket, she closed the door and walked slowly towards the restaurant.

Pulling the door open, she walked towards the hostess who was just closing up. "I'm sorry, we're closed," she told Sakura, softly.

"I know. I just wanted to know if Li Syaoran is still here," she replied to the girl, who nodded.

"Yeah, I believe he's still here. Just go to the back," she said. Sakura smiled gratefully walking off. She hoped he wouldn't mind having her drop in unexpectedly like this.

"Can I help you miss?" an older man, inquired spotting Sakura, who was looking around.

"Yes, I'm looking for Li Syaoran?" she answered, making the man smile looking her over slowly.

"You're his girlfriend?" he grinned; Sakura smiled sweetly loving the sound of that immensely. "Come right this way," he said, walking towards the kitchen. She followed behind him never coming to where Syaoran worked before.

Though they were on good terms, they hardly saw each other because their busy lives didn't permit it. And it made it even worse that they were keeping their relationship a secret because of their friends. "Syaoran, you've got a beautiful girl looking for you!" the man called, entering the kitchen with Sakura following behind him. "Where is he?"

"Oh he's washing up," Marcus answered, wiping his hand on dishtowel. He looked at Sakura finding her to be a bit familiar, but he couldn't place her face. "Hey Li, you've got a visitor," he called loudly, making those in the kitchen wince including Sakura.

"I'm coming." She heard Syaoran call. She'd never been in the kitchen of a restaurant before, and seeing such a clean one was really good. She stood by the door watching the men, who were watching her secretively.

When Syaoran finally entered, he stopped looking at Sakura. He hadn't expected to see her. "Sakura," he said, a bit surprised. From this morning he hadn't seen her. He thought they would have bumped into the other but it hadn't happened.

"Hey, I thought I would pick you up," she informed, a bit timidly. "You don't mind, right?"

"No, it's just that I'm not finished yet," he answered, knowing that something was wrong. He could sense it.

"I don't mind waiting," she told him, praying he wasn't trying to keep her away.

"You don't have to wait. We don't need him here anyways," the older man, spoke entering the conversation. "I wish I had a woman to pick me up." The others laughed listening to him. "Go on Li, we got the rest. Isn't that right boys?"

"Yeah." Everyone shook his head in agreement.

"Are you sure?" Syaoran asked, surprised.

"Yeah we're sure. Get out!" Smiling he nodded, turning his attention to Sakura.

"I'll be right back." When he was gone, Sakura looked at the guys and smiled brightly mouthing a 'thank you' to them.

When he returned, they left the restaurant, where she promptly gave her keys to him. He noticed it wasn't her Bentley; this time she was driving a Range Rover. "Don't you like driving?" He asked, holding them.

"I do, but I rather you drive," she told him, going to the passenger side. Sighing he got in. He placed his bag in the back seat, before starting the vehicle. She buckled and waited patiently for him to pull out, but he did nothing. "Are we going to stay here all night?"

"No, what's happened?" he asked, turning to look at her.

"How about I take you out to dinner first?" she offered, evading his question. "I haven't eaten as yet." She would do anything to spend time with him.

"How about I take you out?" He contoured, driving off. "What would you like?" She smiled relaxing in her seat.

"I want pizza."

"Stop humoring me." She heard him say, this caused her to look at him in surprise.

"I'm not humoring you, Xiao Lang. I want pizza!" she told him, strongly. "I love pizza. Especially the Hawaiian one with the little pineapple pieces." Hearing her talk about junk food like that was very surprising.

"Fine," he sighed, heading in the direction of Pizza Hut. "But I'm not eating Hawaiian pizza, pineapple on pizza?" he sounded aghast, Sakura laughed at his tone.

"Oh come on it's really good. Okay how about we have half and half?" she negotiated, when he turned into the parking space.

"Deal." Together they got out. The tiny building was empty which meant they would get served quickly. Opening the door, he allowed her to enter before him. Walking to the counter, Sakura looked at the menu in front of her.

"How can I help?" the woman behind the counter, inquired softly.

"We would like a large pizza," Sakura told her. "Half Hawaiian, and the other half is whatever this ogre wants," she smiled at Syaoran.

"This ogre would like sausage, green pepper, mushrooms and olives."

"Anything else?" the girl asked him, a flirty smile on her lips.

"A bottle of sprite," Syaoran told her.

"That'll be twenty dollars," she informed, giving him a look that Sakura recognized. Reaching for his wallet, he took out the money and paid her. She held back a growl knowing that Syaoran hadn't noticed, and if he did he wasn't returning her looks.

"How long will that be?"

"Twenty minutes."

"Thanks." Turning, he looked at Sakura, who was staring outside. Walking towards her, he looked out there not finding anything interesting to look at. "So are you going to tell me what's bothering you now?" he asked, making her turn to look at him.

"Sara's awake," she answered.

"That's great. How is she?" he implored, when they sat on the bench to wait for their food.

"Not so good…she's paralyzed," hearing that he frowned. He reached out and took her hand in his. "And to make matters worse Akiko was the one who shot her."

"Oh no," he whispered, taken back. She looked at him with flooded eyes.

"Yeah, so now she blames herself for Akiko's death. Then I went home only to have my mother and sister start an argument over Brea and her family." She looked outside, trying to get a hold of herself.

"About what?"

"Brea was the last person with Akiko, I walked in on them in the bathroom. She was the last person to talk with her, and I had to tell the officer that." She didn't want to tell him the reason why Sara ran off was because she saw Brea kissing Jack. "They didn't like that and called my mother, who instantly took their side."

"You were only doing what's right."

"They didn't believe that." A single tear slid down her cheek. "You know even after I told her what happened she said she didn't care about it or me." When she looked at him, he wiped it from her cheek. Sakura closed her eyes at his touch. "I don't know what to do. I'm so afraid for Sara. Her life will be so hard now, it's not fair… it's not."

"I know." She rested in his arms, where he held her comfortingly.

"I don't know how to help her. I don't know what to do." He hated how lost she sound right now because it wasn't the Sakura he knew. Sometimes he would find himself thinking how fragile she was even though she pretended to be strong. He feared that something powerful enough to break her permanently would come along, and he wouldn't be able to stop it.

"Just be there for her. She'll need your friendship more than ever," he explained, softly. She shook her head not moving from his arms. "Everything's going to be okay."

"Is it?" she asked him, softly. "Are you sure because I want to know. What if Akiko wasn't alone? What if she had friends who were involved? They went after Sara, what if they ago after Tina, Ming and I?" She had ever reason to be scared for her life.

"No one is going to hurt you." He moved back so she could look at him. "No one," he assured, strongly. This was a very strange place to have such a conversation, but he wanted her to know that he wouldn't allow anyone to cause her harm.

"I'm not sure. You're not sure," she replied, realistically.

"Stop such talk, no one is going hurt you. Believe me…promise you won't talk or think like that," he ordered, touching her cheek tenderly. "Sakura, look at me and promise," his voice was firm.

"I promise," she answered, after a moment. He read her eyes searching for any sign of doubt. If he found out that anyone wanted to hurt her, he would kill that person. "I do," she repeated, seeing uncertainty in his eyes. "Just don't leave me."

"I won't ever," he assured, lovingly. "I car…"

"Excuse me," the girl from behind the counter called getting their attention, and cutting off Syaoran's words. "Your order is ready." Standing up, they walked towards her. Sakura took the pizza while he reached for the bottle of sprite.

"Do you have any cups and napkins?" she asked, the girl softly.

"Napkins yes, but the only cups are plastic ones provided for the staff. Would you like two of those?" she asked Sakura, who gladly nodded. "Hold on for a moment."

"Sure you don't want to ask her for a knife and fork?" Syaoran teased, trying to lift her spirits. She smiled, wiping her imaginary tears self-consciously.

"I had thought about it but figured I would be asking too much," was her quip response. He laughed looking at her amusedly.

"Here you are ma'am," the girl said, giving her the cups and napkins.

"Thank you."

Exiting the building, they got into the car. Resting the pizza on her lap, she reached for her seatbelt and pulled it across her body when Syaoran started the SUV. "So where are we going to eat?"

"I have the perfect place," he answered, backing out. "Unless you want to return to my apartment," hearing that she smiled mischievously. "Get your mind out of the gutter."

"It was never there to begin with," she defended, giggling. He laughed shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yeah right," he murmured, driving down the road.

"Any where is fine, doesn't matter," she told him, sobering. "Doesn't this smell good?" she said, after a moment.

"Yeah, I'm starving." When he turned down a road, Sakura looked at him oddly.

"Syaoran, we're heading down a dead end."

"I know but it leads to the boardwalk." He knew the oceanfront would be beautiful even though it was drizzling. Coming to the end, she laughed when he drove over the grass going up the hill. He drove around the rocks making good use of the Range Rover.

Coming to the boardwalk, he reversed and backed up so the back was facing the water. "You're crazy," she laughed, when he popped the back open.

"Then that makes us the perfect couple, right?" he grinned, getting out. She stared at him in silence for a moment, knowing she was reading too far into his words. "Climb into the back," he told her, before grabbing the drink, cups and napkins. She watched him go to the back and open it, before climbing in. She handed the pizza to him before climbing over to the seat.

"Let me put the back seats down," she said, to him. Giving her room, she lowered the seats to give them room. Turning she sat down, and stared at the black sea, the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, echoing to her.

Seeing lightening streak far out on the water, she smiled finding it quite beautiful and romantic. Even the soft beating of the rain and the secretive whispers of the wind added to the feeling. "Do you like?" Syaoran asked, pouring her a cup.

"Yeah, never been out here when it's raining. Never sat to stare at the ocean," she explained, knowing before she wouldn't have taken the time. "I seem to do a lot of new things with you."

"I'm honored," he grinned, handing her the cup.

"You should be," she teased, when he opened the box of pizza.

"Stop building your ego," he replied, when she took a bite of food.

"Hmmm this is really good. You should try it," she told him, when he took a piece of his.

"No thank you, I'll stick to the original thank you," he replied, before he started to eat.

"Oh stop being stubborn." She held it out to him, knowing she was not going to take no for an answer. "I'm sure that one bite will have you loving it," she enticed, moving it back and forth. She bit her bottom lip, "One?" she pleaded.

"One?"

"One," she agreed, instantly. He took a bite of her slice. She watched him chew waiting for a response but she got nothing, instead he continued to eat his. "Oh come on," she cried, making him laugh. "How was it?"

"Pretty good," he admitted.

"See told ya," she spoke, in triumph. They spent the rest of the night, eating, talking and laughing. Syaoran wished Brea could be like Sakura. She was carefree and willing to try anything new. Brea on the other hand was stuck in her wealthy ways. He never thought he would want Brea to be like the girl sitting in front of him, but he realized that he did.

He could relax and be at home with Sakura. "What's the matter?" she asked, noticing how he was looking at her.

"Nothing. Can't I look at you?" He replied, amusedly.

"Of course you can, little Wolf," she replied, pleased that he found her interesting enough to stare at her.

"What are you thinking about?" he inquired, when she fell silent.

"Right now, and nothing else," she spoke, in a fond voice. "If you only knew how much I enjoy the time I spend with you. You make me forget my other life. It's like I'm a whole new character," she explained, resting against the car; she turned her head towards the water.

"And you enjoy that?"

"Of course silly," she smiled, turning her head to him. "I do with all my heart."

"Good," he smiled, silence fell over them but it was one of comfort. He would glance at her, taking in her natural glow. At times he would find himself thinking how absolutely irresistible she was. It wasn't a wonder that she had the whole school and anyone she came encounter with under her spell. There was something special about Sakura that made you want to love her even though you fought against it.

And as he was thinking about her, she was also thinking about him. Whenever she was in his company, she felt whole. And the love she felt for him made her angry with herself for making bad decisions in the past. If she'd only played her cards right, he would now be with her not Brea. "Can we stay here for the sunrise?" she inquired, softly.

"If you want," he shrugged, knowing he had nothing more important to do. Besides, he didn't have the heart to tell her no, he never did.

"I want." She shook her head. Moving over to him, she rested her head on his lap and sighed getting comfortable. "You just wake me up on time," she told him, with an adorable yawn. He chuckled in pure enjoyment at her cute tactic.

"Funny," he spoke, with sarcasm. She giggled closing her eyes. "Don't you dare fall asleep on me," he warned, caressing her hair, without realizing what he was doing.

"I won't. Just talk to me," she replied, in a tired voice. When he did, she was instantly lulled to sleep by his husky tone. He allowed her to slumber knowing she was probably exhausted by the argument and Sara's condition among other things.

"Sakura, Sakura," he whispered, continuing with his gentle strokes. He prayed that no one would hurt her. He didn't know what he would do if what happened to Sara did her. "Please lord, keep her safe, for me…"