Disclaimer: "Cardcaptor Sakura" and all related characters belong to Clamp. I'm a poor person.
Author's Notes: I'm sorry that I took a while to post the new chapter up. There have been lots of homework and I have started coming down with writer's block. I will try my best to put up my chapters at a faster rate. I hope you don't mind that. By the way, thank you, all who have reviewed my fanfic. I am really grateful for your encouragement. It really helps.
"I thought the ability to have prophetic visions is a gift from the gods…" Syaoran tried to reassure her but to no avail.
"Well, to me, it's not. I wish I don't have this 'gift'." The tears threatened to spill over, but she pulled in a mouthful of air to calm her emotions down.
"Why?" A sense of uncertainty prevailed his voice. Is this a right question to ask? He looked at Sakura, scanning for some assurance that might confirm him of his question.
Sakura just stared into her reflection in her cup for what seemed to be an eternity before she began to relate the thorn in her life.
* * *
Twelve-year-old Sakura was going home from school. She made a little skip and a broad smile stretched across her young face. Today's my birthday. I wonder what will Oto-san and Oni-chan get for me. But then, Oni-chan is bad. Every year, before giving me the present, he will tell me ghost stories and I will not dare to open the present after that.
As the girl was contemplating her thoughts, she turned towards the direction of Penguin King Park. Her eyes fell onto the swings and sitting there were Ryoko, her schoolmate in 6-4 and her unofficial boyfriend, Hoki.
Hoki noticed Sakura passing by and waved to her, adding further touch to it with a wink of his eye. Sakura smiled wryly, obvious of the uncomfortable eyes that had befallen on her. There had been rumours going around, saying that Hoki was two-timing Sakura and Ryoko, and Ryoko herself wasn't pleased about it.
Just as she walked past the swings, an image began to form in her mind. Screw coming off… swing falling… Hoki falling hard onto the ground… Sakura had these images before and by instinct, she knew most of them came true, so she turned back.
"Hoki-kun, there's something important that I got to tell you."
"What's the matter?" Ryoko stared at Sakura fiercely.
"The swing will break. Please get off it fast."
"The swing's fine. Please go away. I got something important to settle with Hoki." Ryoko continued.
"But…"
"Just go away." Ryoko was on the verge of shouting.
There was nothing that Sakura could do. She turned back to where she was heading. I hope that image won't come true.
Sakura had not walked a few steps when a loud shriek came from behind. Oh no, don't tell me… She reversed her path. Just like her vision, Hoki was lying in a twisted position on the hard ground.
"Hoki-kun, are you ok?" It was a stupid question.
Ryoko faced Sakura. "You. It's all your fault that Hoki is hurt. Nothing good comes out of your mouth. Go away, you jinx."
"But I…"
"Go away, jinx. Jinx!"
* * *
"Everyone avoids me, except Tomoyo-chan. Everyone thinks I am a jinx. Maybe, I am a jinx." Sakura sobbed. "I'm sorry. I told myself that I won't cry but yet the tears just keep falling."
Syaoran looked at her. No wonder she is so hard on herself. She fears drawing close to people because she must have thought she's a jinx. He dug into his pocket and pulled out his dark blue handkerchief.
"Here." He offered the square piece of silkcloth to her. She looked up, amid her teary eyes, and whispered a small "thank you". But it took her a while to calm down.
* * *
Meiling stared out of the window. When is he coming home? He still owes me an explanation. She made a quick glance at her watch. Six-thirty. Dinner will be served in one and a half hours' time. What's taking him so long?
There was a knock on the door. "Come in." Li Yelan stepped in, her dignified composure extended around her.
"Good evening, Aunt." Meiling said as she bowed.
"Are you waiting for Syaoran?"
"Yes…" Meiling blushed, as she kept her face low.
"Don't wait for him. He will be back on time." Her cool voice trailed through the room. "Besides, what he is doing now is crucial to him. Destiny has found him."
Meiling looked up, a puzzled expression forming on her face.
Yelan smiled. "Don't worry. All will be revealed in due time."
* * *
"I got to go. Thank you for your tea." Syaoran muttered. He knew he had to get home for dinner but the redness in Sakura's eyes made him unsure.
"Thank you for dropping by." Sakura got up and struggled to the door. But before she reached the door, she noticed a slip of paper on the floor. With much difficulty, she picked up the paper.
"Annual Marital Arts Competition. How did this get here?"
Syaoran turned when he heard the four words. "Oh," feeling his pockets, "it's mine. I must have dropped it."
"It's held at National Sports Centre on the 5th of December, which is one and a half months from now." Sakura read that off the paper. "Where is the National Sports Centre?"
"It's just two lanes from here. Pretty easy to get there. But why are you asking that?"
"Oh. Just that I haven't gotten a chance to go sight-seeing yet. I don't know where is the National Sports Centre."
Syaoran sighed. "When you have recovered, Meiling and I will be your tour guides, ok?"
Sakura smiled. "Thank you."
Syaoran felt a burning sensation spread across his face. "No problem at all."
Sakura looked at the paper one more time. "Do you think supporters are allowed in this competition?"
"Yah."
"Then, I will go there on that day to support you, just as you have encouraged me today."
Syaoran felt the burning sensation become stronger, "As you wish."
Sakura nodded. "I will be there, I promise."