Geo: Well, I'm back...Anyways, yeah...
Before anything, I'd just like to say ONE little thing...I'm sorry if I mix up their names from the Japanese version to the English version...I just...I don't know. I always use Madison's name and I skip from Avalon to Kinomoto...and I NEVER skip from Li to Syaoran to Li again. I'm sorry but WHY did the people change his name from Syaoran to Li? I mean...I like the name Syaoran...and just because SOME people wouldn't be able to understand it (I don't know...they like to change the names....*shrug*) So, don't mind that little confusion. Sorry to those who actually have _seen_ the CCS original Japanese versions. (I envy you...)
Oh...and one more thing: this isn't SUPPOSED to be scary! Just...weird...Okay...so, let's get on with the disclaimer. Brooklyn? Brooklyn...GET OVER HERE AND DO THE DISCLAIMER!
Brooklyn: *sob* The soap opera is finished! Oh, I can't continue on with my life. OH WHY, CRUEL WORLD!?
Geo: Brooklyn, _please_ get on with the disclaimer...this part is going on too long anyways...please!
Brooklyn: Fine. Geo doesn't own CCS or any of the characters...now let me mourn in peace!
Geo: Finally...on with the rest of the fic!
Chapter 3: Strike Two
For the next few weeks, Syaoran never received another letter. However, too many things were happening by coincidence. A few mailbox bombs had been found near his very own mailbox. Luckily they were dismantled before anyone got hurt.
Just that night, as he was driving Sakura, Madison, Meilin and a guy Meilin had been obsessing over when some weirdo came racing down the highway, playing chicken with the group of teens.
Syaoran groaned. Sakura was always with him when everything happened, thus making her in immediate danger. His angel had a bigger chance of getting seriously injured just because of him. He couldn't stand the pressure.
"Why don't you just tell the police?" came Meilin's voice from the hall.
"The building is already surrounded by police daily, Meilin. I don't know what else they could do. Plus you called a couple of guys down from the Clan as security..." He shook his head. "I can't believe you did that."
Meilin came over and sat near her cousin. "Because I'm worried, Syaoran. What's going to happ--"
She didn't get any further. A crash from one of the bedrooms was heard which made Syaoran and Meilin jump to their feet.
"Don't follow me." He ordered Meilin and ran into his bedroom. He could hear knocking at his door, which was probably the two members of the clan who had been appointed his body guards.
He found a rock. A rock caused the noise. Of course, the window was broken but the rock was the cause. Tied to the rock was a note.
Dear Syaoran,
Thought you were forgotten? No way. We're after you. And don't think that you can run to your mommy and elders back in Hong Kong. Because we'll follow you and we'll make sure that not only you die, but your entire family. Well, at least your sisters, and your mother and that cousin of yours. So don't think you can hide. That chicken was the second strike. Third strike, Syaoran, and you're out.
"Syaoran. Yo, dude!" Cried one of the appointed guards. Meilin appeared in the room.
"It's another note, isn't it?" She said cautiously. Syaoran nodded, numb. His whole family was now in danger. Serious danger.
"Meilin, you have to get out of here." He said, turning towards the door and walking past the three.
"Syaoran, I'm not leaving you..." Meilin started but was interrupted when Syaoran handed her the note to read.
"I can't look out for you too, Meilin. It's hard enough. I can't go back to Hong Kong because they'll kill all of you." Syaoran said, his amber eyes serious.
"But, Syaoran, could he really do that, I mean...."
"He could. Not even the elders could stop a bomb, powerful enough. You know that, I know that."
"Look, Syaoran," Said Jake. "We're here because we have to protect you. You are the future clan leader."
"Take Meilin back. Look after her and make sure she doesn't get hurt." Syaoran replied, picking up the phone. "I'm going to get you three on the first plane to Hong Kong. Don't argue with me, Meilin. You know I'm not going to listen."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura walked over to Syaoran's apartment. She really wanted to see him, to make sure he was alright. She was really worried about him. All of these things were happening to him and she really wanted to help out.
Syaoran opened the door when she knocked. "Sakura!" He said, surprised. Sakura giggled.
"I'll take it that you're happy to see me." She said, kissing him on the cheek.
"No, Sakura, you don't understand. You can't stay here." He said urgently, glancing left and right as if to check if anyone was listening to them. Sakura, on the other hand, was thoroughly confused.
"What? What are you talking about? I just came over to see if you were all right, but if you don't want me here..."
"It's not that, Sakura." He said, pulling her into his apartment. "It's not safe for you here, Sakura."
"Syaoran," Sakura said, looking confused. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
Syaoran sighed and took a piece of paper out of the pocket of his jeans. "This is what I'm talking about."
Sakura read over the note. When she finished it, she sat down slowly on the couch and looked up at Syaoran, worry and concern written all over her face.
"Syaoran, why didn't you tell me about this before?" She asked. Syaoran sat down next to her, sighing.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to alarm you. But with this letter...this person means business. I don't understand what they're after, but I do know that they won't care if they harm anyone in the process to get to me. That's why I'm sending Meilin back to Hong Kong." He turned to her and looked into her emerald eyes. "I'm sending her back. But I have no where to send you. So, I'm going to ask you not to contact me, not to visit me or anything."
Sakura gasped. "Syaoran, no, I won't do it." She said quietly.
Syaoran groaned. He knew Sakura wouldn't give up so easily. "Please, Sakura, it's for your own safety."
"What about you?" She asked, somewhat angrily. "What about your safety? You can't be here alone. You're an easier target that way. There must be something I can do to help. The Clow cards can help, can't they?"
"No, Sakura." He said angrily, standing up to look out the window. "I'm not going to allow you to stay here with me. There's nothing you can do to help."
"Whatever," She said, just as angrily. She joined him and forced him to look at her. "I can help. I just so happen to be one of the most powerful sorceresses of this time. I can help..."
"The only way you can help," he interrupted. "Is to stay away from me. Don't make this harder than it already is for me."
"Harder? Syaoran, you're out of your mind. First, I'm staying here. Second, I'm going to help..."
"NO!" He said loudly. "You will NOT stay. You will go HOME and you will forget that I exist so NO ONE can hurt you. Do you understand?"
Sakura sighed and looked down, tears streaming down her face. "Yes, Syaoran. Whatever you want."
She turned and walked away. "Good bye, Syaoran." She said, without turning around. With the quiet click of the door closing, Syaoran collapsed back onto the couch.
"I'm so sorry, Sakura. This is for your safety." He said, quietly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura ran into her room, slamming the door behind her. Kero looked up from his game at the teen.
"Sakura? Yo, kid, what's wrong?" Kero asked, floating over to her. The young girl was on her bed, face down, crying into her pillow.
"Syaoran...Syaoran told me to leave him alone..." She said before sobs.
"WHAT?!?!? That Li-kid dumped you?!?! Told you to leave him alone?!?!?! Why, I'm going to hurt him! I'm going to kill him! I'm going to..."
"Kero, please." Sakura pleaded, remembering what she said. "He didn't dump me. He just...he told me to leave him alone for my own good."
"That still sounds like he dumped you. Did 'We can still be friends' pop up anywhere in the conversation?" Kero said, pacing (or flying back and forth, if that's what you'd like to call it.) and steaming at the 'stupid Li-kid.'
"No, no...that's not what I meant. It seems like someone is after him to kill him...seriously...and he was doing it to save me." She sighed sadly. "I know it's for my own good and safety. I just can't help thinking that there MUST be something I can do to help him. But he said forget about it."
Kero's expression softened. This young girl, who he was with for practically six years now, was very important to him. He had to help her, even if it meant talking about the Li-kid with respect.
"Look, the Li-kid--I mean, Syaoran, means good, and he's able to take care of himself. So, don't worry about him, okay?" He said softly.
Sakura nodded wearily but she didn't feel any better. She put on her shorts and t-shirt that served as pj's and went back to bed.
"Good night, Kero," She said quietly.
"Good night, Sakura." He replied.
Sakura sighed and then said even quieter, "Good night, Syaoran. Please, stay safe. Because, I know that I can't live without you because...because...I love you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Geo: Bwahahahaha! Finally done! Boy oh boy, for some reason that chapter took a lot of time. But, here it is! On to the next chapter!
Any questions, flames, concerns, comments, or pointers, don't hesitate to email me at....
heart_of_mine@gundamwing.net