Disclaimer: Yes yes. We all know the drill. I don't own CCS and neither do you. So....ON WITH THE FIC!
Darkness
By: Sakura1301
Chapter 2 Denying Death
Sakura was walking to school with her usual attitude. Loneliness. She was used to people walking by just staring at her. She was used to the boys that went to school with her driving past her yelling at her, telling her how beautiful she was or trying to ask her out as they zoomed by. It had been going on ever since she started high school. But that morning....that morning was different.
The usual boys that usually zoomed past her while yelling stuff at her were driving there convertible very slowly beside her. They were making remarks about how cool it would be if she went out with them or would go to the up coming dance with them. But in her own special world, she was alone. All of her friends in her world had somehow faded away. Such as Tomoyo.
"Hey beautiful! Why don't you come to the dance with me?" She kept her face staring straight ahead. Unaware of the boys and face completely devoid of emotion. One of the boys in the car grew impatient and hopped out of the moving car and grabbed her wrist. She kept on walking till she felt a tug at her arm. She stopped and didn't turn around. "Answer me!" The boy shouted. Suddenly, Sakura whirled around and brought her hand up quick and hard and slapped his face with the back of her hand. Still, her face devoid of emotion and eyes blank. He released her wrist and grabbed his cheek where she had hit him. "Why you little!" And he balled his fist up and swung it at Sakura. Sakura, who was totally aware of it did nothing to stop it nor did she flinch. But just before it had actually hit, Eriol had stepped in out of nowhere and had blocked it. He gave them a cold glare. "Leave her alone." The guy glared at Eriol. "Huh. You got lucky Kinomoto. But next time you won't be as lucky." And he hopped back into the convertible and drove off with the rest of his friends. Tomoyo had ran up to them while panting. "S-Sakura....I....thought you....were gonna get it real....good." Tomoyo said as she tried to catch her breath. Eriol patted Tomoyo's back. Sakura simply turned around and continued to walk as if nothing happened.
Eriol sighed as he watched Sakura's form grow smaller and smaller in the distance. "She really worries me Tomoyo. She does. She's been acting like this ever since that phone call from my ungrateful descendant." Tomoyo's face grew sad. "She acts as if we never even existed. As if no one around her exists." "Yes. If I could turn time back, I would of never of let Sakura fall in love with him." "How would you do that?" She asked. "I would never have let her become Mistress of the cards." He sighed.
School was nothing to Sakura. Even the teacher wouldn't even call on her anymore. She would tone out the teacher most of the time and at the same time, she would process the days lessons into her memories for further use. In class, she would finish her work quickly so she didn't have any work to do to interrupt her daily routine.
Everyone knew something was wrong with her. And it also effected others around her. And for the first time in months, she had started to talk to herself in her mind....
'Why did Sy...no...Li-kun...do this to me? Why? Did I do or say something wrong? Did he just grow tired of me? Did he find a new love? WHY!? Why am I always the one to suffer!? What did I do to this world? Was capturing the cards and saving the world a crime!? Why does the world hate me!? I feel so alone....alone. As if the darkness around me has taken over everything....everything. Even my love. No. He was my love. Now, he is no one. He is not the Li I once knew. The Li that loved me. He is now a new Li. A different one. One that doesn't love or...even...even knows me. Why did he break his promise!? He promised me! I just know he did! I heard with my own ears! I even saw him say it! So why did he break it? Why? I feel as if I am just a wined up toy. A toy to be wound up and used....then slowly wined down. Down till my gears don't work. Till they are dead. And unmoving. That is how I feel. I feel dead. I am unafraid of death itself. And I wish....I just wish....for one simple thing.....for him to return to me. To be with me. Forever. But if he is happy, then there is no use for my happiness and love. There I go again. I am being selfish. Just plain selfish. If he is happy, then....I am happy....who am I kidding? Im not happy. I feel empty. Cold. Sad....Dead. It kinda reminds me of paper. If you crumble it up, it won't be perfect again. I was crumpled. And now, I will never be the same again....' And she was right. She would never be the same again.
~Hong Kong~
Syaoran Li swung his mighty sword hard against the wooden dummy, the hardest blow he could manage. The dummy's upper half fell to the floor. Li Syaoran stood there in a sweat as he huffed for air. He turned his sword back into its pendulum form and walked out of the training room and was met by Meilings grumpy face. She started complaining. "Ugh! I HATE the Li clan! I wish that I was never a Li in the first place!" Li sighed. The same thing happened day after day after day.
1st: He would train
2nd: He would finish
3rd: He would be greeted by Meilings complaining.
It was the same everyday. He had started to like Meiling more when she started complaining about the marriage arrangement. Because he too didn't want to marry her just like she didn't want to marry him. During the night, she would sneak out of the house to go see her special someone out there. Then she would return about an hour later. This had been going on for about a month now. At first, she was thrilled to get married to Syaoran, but over the time, she grew distant from him. And the thought of marrying him made her sick to her stomach. Marrying her cousin. "Gross!" Is what she would say about it. If it wasn't for his mother, he would be in Japan right now with his dear Cherry Blossom. But noooo. He had to do what they wanted! He had no freedom! He had nothing but the stupid Clan and his mother to thank. He even tried arguing with them.
~Flashback~
"I told you! I don't want to marry Meiling! She's my cousin!" Li yelled. "We are sorry but we are not going let you be the weak link in our clan!" An elder yelled back. "Meiling has no magic! But the card mistress does! Can't you see I love Sakura and not Meiling!?" "Yes, the card mistress does have very powerful magic but she is not of our blood!" "Grr...She has clows blood in her as we do! Her father was a half reincarnation of Clow!" "If she is not born into the Li clan, then she is not one of us!" "Don't you see!? If we keep up our tradition, the magic is gonna get weaker and before you know it, we wont exist!" "That problem will be solved when it comes." "Our magic can increase if we have a new source of magic and Sakura is the one!" "I will not hear anymore of this nonsense. Meiling is to be your bride weather you like it or not! You are dismissed." Li growled as he left the room.
~End Flashback~
Li grumbled just thinking about that day. When the stupid clan would hear none of it. It had been a month since that little argument. Well, it was time to pay them another visit. Weather they like it or not.
Li bowed to the Elders and stood up. One of the elders put his hand up before Li could talk. "If this is about the Card Mistress, make it quick. We have lots of work to do." "Fine. I'm gonna tell you again, I don't want to marry Meiling!" "Oh, this subject again." "Listen! The only reason you don't want Sakura to be part of our clan is because your afraid! Afraid of outsiders! Well listen, if we don't change our tradition, then, its gonna be our downfall!" The Eldest Li member sighed. "Yes. It is true. We are afraid. Afraid that outsiders that are let into our clan would tell others about our magic." "Sakura isn't like that! And if she did, she would be blowing her own cover as well!" "Syaoran, my boy...." "Don't 'My Boy' me! Im sick of this stupid tradition! What do I have to do to convince you!?" "Syaoran, if you really love this Card Mistress, then bring her here and we will see. I am too old to argue and my days are coming to an end." He said while walking down the steps to the large table at the top with Elders around it. "Syaoran, you are the most suborn kid i've seen in my time. Even more than me when I was younger. But, if it'll make you stop bothering us, bring the girl here." He said as he patted Li's shoulder. Li smiled at him and thanked him. "Thank you." The Elder smiled. "Did you know Syaoran, you've been doing this every month on the very same day and very same hour?" Li blushed. It was true. He had been doing it for three years now. Month after month. "No, I didn't realize it." The elder chuckled. "We've already planned your flight. It's tomorrow an noon. So go pack now. And here." He pulled out a white envelope and handed it to him. "You'll need these to get to Japan." Li smiled. "Thanks again." "Now run along. Your flight leaves in 14 hours." Li smiled again and ran off. The eldest elder turned to the others. They were all staring at him. "C'mon guys. Give the kid a break. Plus, it would be good for the clan." "But made that decision with out us. Thats not very elder like of you." Said the youngest elder. "Well, I am older than all of you so I don't see why we should torture the lad." They all sighed.
~Li's Place~
Li ran into the house with a large grin plastered on his face. He ran up to Meiling and picked her up and swung her around. She looked puzzled. "Um...why are you so happy?" "The elders finally said it was okay to bring Sakura here!" Meilings face lit up. She too had wanted to see Sakura. "Thats great Syaoran! When is coming?" "She's not coming, im gonna go get her!" "Finally! I don't have to get married to you!" They both started to laugh. It was glorious moment. But not in Japan....
~Japan~
School had ended about 10 minutes ago and she was headed to Penguin Park as usual. She slowly walked down the all to familiar street. As she walked, up ahead a shadow could be seen in an allyway. She kept on walking unaware of the lone figure. And just as she was passing by, a hand shot out of the allyway and gripped itself around her mouth and pulling her in.
"Okay kid, give me all of your money." It was a thief. She did nothing except stand there. He growled. He then put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back hard against the ally wall. She slumped to the ground and lifted her head to look at the man. He pulled out a long switch blade and showed it to her. "See this little missy. Don't make me use it. Because I will." She did nothing. He held it to her throat. "Hand over the money." No response. "What? Wanna die kid?" No response again. "Aren't you afraid of death? Because it looks to me your wishin to die." "I am not afraid of death. And yes, I want to die." For the first time in years, she had spoken. The man blinked. She was suppose to be scared out of her wits and was suppose to hand over her money. The blade was sharp. Oh so sharp. He moved it along her neck while pressing just enough for her to start to bleed. "It hurts, doesn't it?" "No." He blinked. He was furious. He grabbed the collar of her shirt and lifter her up into the air. "Why you little wench! Give me your money!" He yelled.
Tomoyo was walking along the same sidewalk that Sakura was before she was pulled into the alleyway. Then she heard yelling from the alleyway. She looked and there was Sakura pushed against the wall by some scary lookin guy. "Hey! Put her down!" The man looked to Tomoyo and dropped Sakura and made a break for it. Tomoyo ran up to Sakura and helped her up. "Oi Sakura! Are you okay?" Sakura didn't answer. She mearly got up and brushed past her friend. Tomoyo sighed. Her friend was like a living zombie. What could she do to help her? A thought struck her. She was still mad at Li and now she hated him too. She decided, things might change if she could get that gaki back to her Sakura.
~Tomoyo's Place~
Tomoyo picked up her pink phone that was identical to Sakura's. She knew Li still had the green phone she had given him so she was gonna call him. And if he refused to come back, then she was going to go over there and drag his ass all the way back to Japan.
~Li's Place~
Li had everything packed already and was laying on his bed thinking of what Sakura's reaction would be when she saw him. It was far from what was going to happen. Just then, a telephone rang. He picked up his white phone. "Hello?" Dial tone. "What the?" He heard it ring again. The noise was muffled. He looked around. Strange. There was no other phone in his room except....the green one Tomoyo gave him during his cardcapting days! He dove under his bed and pulled out the large trunk of stuff he had been keeping. Things from Japan. He unlocked it quickly and grabbed the green phone and switched it on. "Hello?" There was some huffing on the other line. "Li! Get your ass back to Japan! Im sick of how you treated Sakura! Now if only you could see her! It's all your fault! ALL YOUR FAULT!!!" Tomoyo was yelling. Li had pulled the phone away from his ear or else he would of had a broken eardrum. "Whoa Tomoyo! Stop yelling!" She stopped and took a deep breath on the other line. "Okay Tomoyo. Lets go slow. Now, why did you call?" "I called because of Sakura! She almost died today because of you!" Li started to panic. "S-She what!?" "You heard me! She almost died today because of you!" "What did I do!?" "You broke her heart by that stupid phone call! Look at my Sakura-chan! She waited for you! She waited....and waited. Then all of a sudden, that stupid phone call! It shattered her heart and dreams! If only you could see her now! She's still waiting for you! She kept her promise while you broke yours! And plus she's keeping my promise too...." "And what was that?" "She told me she would wait till the end of time for you! Just for you! She promised me that! Then a few days after that, she gets that phone call from you! Li, she's not her self anymore! And who do we have to thank!? You! Thats who! She's still waiting! She's been waiting three long years after that call!" Li was speach less. "Tomoyo....I have some news for you. I was going to call you later to tell you, im coming back to Japan." Tomoyo didn't say anything. "Well listen here bub! If your not here in 48 hours, im coming after you! And when I come for you, I'll have your head mounted on my wall!" Li flinched at those last words. Then there was a click. Li sighed. Tomoyo really must be worried. He turned the phone off and placed it in his luggage. If he needed it.
~Japan~
Sakura woke from her sleep. It was the weekend. She rubbed her neck where she had been cut. The cut was now gone because of her magic. She looked at her clock. It was 8:00 in the morning. She got up and went to take a shower.
She came out about ten minutes later fully dressed and went down for breakfast. She was tired. Tired of everything. Tired of the same routine. Tired of being alone. Tired of waiting. And just plain tired. She had been eating breakfast and dinner but skipping lunch everyday. As she sat at the table. Touya greeted her with his usual saying. "Morning kaijuu." Sakura did nothing but eat her eggs and toast. Touya eyed her and sighed. "Why doesn't she ever do anything to me? C'mon Sakura, you suppose to say things like, "Im not a kaijuu!" or "Shut up!" or at least, "At least im not like you!"..." Fujitaka sighed. "Touya stop. Your sister just isn't the same. I wish I knew why." Touya nodded. It was true. Sakura had never told them. She had only told Tomoyo and Tomoyo told Eriol. But only them.
Sakura finished and got up from the table and headed out.
When she made it to the park, little kids were swinging on the swings. She didn't bother on bothering them. She just walked into the forest. She kept on walking while looking at the tree branches above. When she spotted a good limb, she jumped up and sat on the branch. She was surrounded by all sorts of trees and animals. But it made no difference. He was not there. 'He is not here. And he will never be here.' was all she thought. 'And he will never love me as I did him.'
To be continued....
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Well, this was a long chapter for me. The most ive actually done was five pages and this is almost five. Its four. I'll post the next chapter soon. So don't worry. Till then, Ja!
