Scars

Scars

Chapter One: I saw Eternity the other night

I don't own this. This is a dark fic. No more needs to be said.

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I saw Eternity the other night

Like a great ring of pure and endless light

All was calm, as it was bright

And round beneath it, Time, in hours, days, years,

Driven by the spheres,

Like a vast shadow moved, in which the world

And all her train were hurled.

*********

Sakura Kinomoto rested in the bathtub, trying to soak away that afternoon. Her head was still sore, protesting the blow that had been dealt to it by her boyfriend; her entire back hurt, feeling like one giant bruise. Ugly floor burns had streaked her legs in angry red welts that wouldn't fade for a while. She would have to wear knee socks for the next few weeks to hide them.

Why did Ueno have to choose her, of all people? All Sakura wanted from that relationship was out. How had she let herself even get sucked into this hell? She should have backed out the first time he'd struck her, that was for sure. But nohe'd looked at her with those pleading blue eyes, said he loved her. And she'd believed him.

And that was the biggest mistake of her life.

He'd been nice after thatfor a little while. But then she'd talked to another boy.

*Flashback*

"Sothe track record for the fifty yard dash was 5.2?" She asked the captain of the track team.

"The record was 5.2," He replied with a grin. They were chatting comfortably, like the friends they were. "Now it's five flat, thanks to you."

She laughed. "It's not that big of a deal, you know."

"Sure it is." He was about to add something when Ueno came over, frowning.

"Sakura, can I talk to you?" He asked, something cold in his voice. "In private?"

"Umyeah," she said confusedly, and followed him to the other side of the school, where no one else was in earshot.

That should have been the first sign that something was wrong. If she yelled, no one would hear her.

"What was that?" He demanded, a look in his eyes that scared her.

"What do you mean?"

"You were flirting with him," he accused.

"I don't know what you mean." She took a step back at the expression on his face. "We're just friends."

"Don't lie, Sakura." He seized her arm.

"Let me go!" She struggled to pull away. "I didn't do anything!"

"Don't lie to me, bitch!" He struck her across the face, and she cried out. "If I ever see you flirting with that jackass, I'll beat the shit out of you! Is that clear?"

She shook. This was a side of him that she'd never seen.

"Whore! Is that clear?" He demanded, his face a few inches from hers. Sakura nodded violently, and he pushed her to the ground. "Don't forget."

*End Flashback*

A tear silently rolled down her cheek. If only she'd said no when he'd asked her out for the first time Ueno had seemed like a quiet, shy boy when he'd approached her in the beginning. "Sakuraum, I–I like you," he had said softly, "and I waswondering if you'd go out with me." She had been surprised. The look in his eyes was too pleading for her to say no, and she'd stepped into this nightmare. She had felt guilty about dating Ueno, as if she was betraying Syaoran in some way, but he hadn't broken up with her after the first month like she'd expected him to, and she didn't have the heart to let him down.

And then he'd started hitting her.

The time behind the school had been the second instance. The first time he'd hit her was when she had forgotten to call him, and after that he'd said he loved her, acted so kind and sorry that her heart had melted and she couldn't bring herself to tell him what she really wanted–to leave.

And then, after he'd started to beat her, she was too afraid. "You tell anyone, and I'll kill you," he had snarled. "You leave me and I'll kill you."

She didn't doubt it.

If Syaoran knew, he would try to protect her, she knew that. But if he knew, he would also try to intervene and then he would get hurt. She loved him, she really did. But she could never let him know.

She'd have to stay with Ueno forever. Or until he decided he was tired of her.

And there was nothing she could do about it.

The young warrior stared at the ceiling, eyes focused ahead. Frustration and anger darkened the russet depths, burning in his face. Who could it be? He wondered hopelessly. Is she being beaten right now? Guilt plagued him. Should he have told someone about what he'd seen? But how could he excuse it? There was no place for him to have hidden in the hallway, and he was sure the guy who was doing this was going to make sure no one could witness his antagonism. The only way to say he'd seen what happened was to tell them he had magic, and that meant he'd most likely be hauled off for drug testing.

But what could he do? Being this helpless never made him vey happy

"Miss Kinomoto?"

"What?" She sat up straight, blinking. "What did I miss?"

There were giggles around the classroom, and she flushed, embarrassed, as the teacher said sternly, "The answer to number eleven, if you please. And today, Miss Kinomoto."

"Yes ma'am," she said softly. Normally this teacher was nice to her, but lately she'd been caught daydreaming in class a lot and as a result she suspected she'd dropped more than a few places on the favorites list. "The volume of the sphere is 324 pi cubic centimeters."

"Very good. Tonight's homework is problems twelve through thirty-five, page two hundred and seven." The teacher closed her book with a sharp snap as the bell rang. "Miss Kinomoto, will you please stay after class for a word? Your next teacher will understand."

Puzzled, she nodded. As soon as the last student had left and she was waiting at the desk, the teacher said, "Sakura, are you all right?"

"What?"

"Is there a problem you need to talk about?" Mrs. Shigetaka asked, concerned. "You haven't been acting like yourself lately."

"No," she said, trying to disguise her unease. "I'm fine."

"Really?" At Sakura's nod, she said, "If there's something wrong, you can always come to us, you know."

"I know." Sakura shifted from foot to foot. "May I go?"

The teacher nodded wearily, adding, "Don't forget your homework."

With a sigh, she dashed down the hall. Nobody could know

"Hey, Sakura." Yamazaki waved as he jogged past. It was another hot afternoon in track practice, but the good thing was that Ueno was gone today.

"Hi, Yamazaki." She waved back, not afraid of Ueno seeing and getting angry. Bending down, she doused her head in water, then rinsed out her mouth and drank from the fountain. Her back was aching, but she couldn't let it stiffen up, and so track practice was a must.

A slight groan wormed its way out of her vocal cords as pain laced up her spine momentarily. "Owwww," she muttered softly, stretching slowly and cringing.

"What is it?" A deep voice asked from behind her.

"What?" She turned and saw Syaoran. "Oh, nothing. I–I just fell down yesterday."

Something was not right in her tone as she said that, but he chose to ignore it. "Okay." Seeing her look like that was heart-wrenching–her eyes were dulled, her hair hanging limply around her face. It was as if the real Sakura was gone, and all that was left was a shell. Or a ghost. "Try to be a little more careful," He teased, trying to cheer her up. "I'm scared for the ground."

She smiled, and a little bit of the sparkle came back into her eyes. "I will." She jogged away, and he watched her go, frowning. Sakurawhat's happened to you?

{AN: I know, CLUELESS!}

"Tomoyo?"

The violet-eyed girl looked up from her sketchpad. Seeing the young warrior, she started to smile in a friendly welcome, but something made her stop. "What is it, Syaoran?"

He sat down across from her, something in his eyes. "Tomoyo, II found a dent in my locker a few days ago," he said softly, looking around to make sure nobody was listening. "I checked it with magic, and I saw something."

"What was it?" She asked. This had to be serious.

"I saw someone beating their girlfriend with my magic," he said angrily. "But now I don't know what to do. I can't tell anyone, because I've got no proof. And I can't just stand here, because it isn't right."

"So why tell me?" she asked.

"Because you're a girl. You can go places I can't."

"Like?"

"Like the girl's locker room." He looked away. "Or at the lunch tables. If I come by, the talk just stops. But you can go anywhere and listen to the gossip. I need to know who's got bruises on their arms or something, who's always getting hurt but they always make excuses for it that aren't that good."

"I know exactly what you mean," she said confidently. "I'll keep an eye out and see what I can find."

"You will?" he asked, relief in his voice. "Thank you, Tomoyo. It–it isn't right, and I can't stand doing nothing."

"I know." She smiled reassuringly. "You can count on me."

Dear Diary,

I hate this. Just today, Syaoran talked to me, and I was too scared to say much because if someone told Ueno he'd kill him. Sometimes, I just want to use Erase and just wipe him out forever. But I think he'd find a way to come back.

It isn't fair. I want to tell somebody–anybody–but then they could get hurt too, and that isn't right.

Sometimes I wonder if it's my fault. I mean, he didn't start hitting me until I was talking to others. Do I deserve what I'm getting? Is it something I'm doing wrong? What if it is my fault?

I just want this nightmare to end. I want to be able to live like I used to. I want to be able to talk to my friends, and hang out with the guys like I used to. I just want my old life back. I want Ueno gone.

"Hey Sakura!" Kero floated out of the drawer as she shut her diary with a snap. Even he didn't know. Nobody knew. And that's the way she wanted it.

"Hi Kero," she said distractedly, lost in thought. "What is it?"

"Sakura?" Yukito came into the room as Kero fell over, stiffened into a stuffed animal again. "Yue wanted to talk to you."

She nodded confusedly, and wings wrapped the boy's form. The usual impassive frown adorned his features as she asked, "What is it?"

"You've been hiding something, Card Mistress."

"What?" she gasped, paling.

He scowled. "Don't try to hide it. Why didn't you tell someone?"

"Tell someone what?" Kero asked, puzzled. "What's going on, Sakura?"

She looked helplessly at Yue, and he merely cocked an eyebrow. "Ueno–Ueno's been hitting me," she admitted softly.

"WHAT?!" Kero yelled furiously. Yue's eyes widened, but he made no comment. "Why are you still dating him, then?"

"But I'm not," she moaned, her head buried in her hands. "He makes me stay with him, because he says if I leave he'll kill me. And he's messed up enough to do it."

"Why haven't you told anyone?" Yue asked quietly.

"He said if I told, he'd kill me too." Her voice was muffled. "The bruises aren't enough to prove anything. He could just say we'd broken up, and I was trying to get revenge on him by getting him in trouble. And I could have just tripped in the hall, or something. Nobody would believe me."

"The Li boy would," Yue said tonelessly.

She blushed. "I don't want him involved."

"What about Tomoyo?" Kero asked quizzically. "She'd believe you."

"But two people aren't enough," She said sadly. "Especially if one of them has a bias. Ueno could just say that we were trying to get revenge on him by ruining his reputation. And nobody's ever seen him hit me."

Yue's eyes carried a touch of concern. "This is not good, Sakura. You have to get out, and soon, or he'll keep bending you until you break."

"I know," she sighed. "I know"

"I saw Eternity the other night," Sakura breathed, reading out loud in class.

"Like a great ring of pure and endless light

All was calm, as it was bright

And round beneath it, Time, in hours, days, years,

Driven by the spheres,

Like a vast shadow moved, in which the world

And all her train were hurled."

"Very good, Sakura," the teacher said approvingly. "You may sit down."

"Thank you." With an inner groan at the ache, she sat gingerly down. To any other person, it appeared that she was just lowering herself into her chair a little slower than usual. For her, it was carefully sitting down so as not to set off another round of the stabbing back pains she'd had since Ueno'd attacked her in the hallway.

I saw Eternity the other night

She glanced at the other side of the room, where Syaoran was steadily gazing straight ahead. If she told him, would he hold her like he'd held her when Yukito had refused her? How stupid she'd been then, to not realize who it was she truly loved. How naïve. If only she'd told him sooner, then she might not be in this hell. Might not. That was, assuming he felt the same way. Which the chances thereof were nil. But she could still hope.

In a way, she was living the poem. She was seeing Eternity, but it was untouchable. If she went to Syaoran, there was more than a good chance that he could get hurt. Or worse, he wouldn't believe her. And that would kill her.

It was like a ring of endless light, but there were two things that could happen if she touched it. Either it would accept her, or the light would be too bright and she'd be blinded, and sent back. It wasn't a risk she was willing to take.

"Your essays are due Monday," the teacher said crisply. "Class dismissed."

With a sigh, she gathered her books and stood, her back protesting. She bit her tongue, saying nothing, and walked out the door silently. Silence was her only way. If she said nothing, maybe it would all go away

"Sakura?" Somebody pushed their way through the crowd–Yamazaki. "I was gone yesterday. What was the homework for Chemistry?"

"Oh–um, we had to-to write a lab on Wednesday's experiment, and it's due Tuesday," she stammered. If Ueno saw her talking to someone

"Okay, thanks." He vanished, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Flirting with him again?" An icy voice demanded behind her.

"U-Ueno!" She gasped, whirling around. "No, I-"

"You were flirting," he said coldly, seizing her wrist. "Don't lie to me, whore."

"No!" She squirmed, thinking he wouldn't try to hurt her in a crowded hallway. "I'm not lying! Let me go!"

His eyes narrowed. Giving her a Just you wait, we aren't even close to done,' look, he released her, then quickly shoved her down.

The edge of the locker row dug into the muscle just below her shoulder blade as she toppled to the ground. She bit back a cry of pain as agony shot through her spine.

"Hey!" A girl rushed to her side, glaring fiercely at Ueno. "Why'd you do that?"

"What?" he asked innocently, kneeling by her with a fake worried look.

"You pushed her!" the blonde accused. "I saw you!"

"You must have been mistaken," he said blandly. "She tripped. Why would I hurt my own girlfriend?"

Sakura tried to sit up, but another pang lanced down her back. A small groan escaped her lips as she fell, the tile painfully cold against her skin.

"Don't try to move," the girl advised, ignoring Ueno as he knelt beside her, a false expression of concern plastered on his features. "I think you've really hurt your back."

"I won't argue with that," she whispered through gritted teeth. "I can't believe I was so clumsy."

"Can someone get the nurse?" The girl asked. "Or help me get her to there?"

"I've got her." A warm, comforting voice echoed above her as the room started spinning dizzily. Careful arms lifted her off the ground, somehow managing to not hurt her as she passed out.

Syaoran watched Sakura carefully as she rested on the hospital bed. She hadn't woken up since she'd fainted in his arms. What is going on? Something's going on, and I want to know what it is now. She doesn't just fall all over the place like this.

Something was up; and he didn't like that one bit.

The doctor hustled in, and he, Tomoyo, and Ueno snapped to attention. Tomoyo was sitting between the two, and it was a good thing. Syaoran like Eriol more than he liked that moron, although he wasn't sure whether it was because he'd asked Sakura out or just instinct.

Of course, for the most part his instincts were almost too accurate.

"She's sprained her back pretty badly," the doctor said briskly. "I think she'll need a brace for a few weeks, and she won't be leaving here tonight, that's for sure."

"How long will it take for her to recover?" Tomoyo asked.

The doctor rubbed his chin wryly. "Well, for anyone else I'd say about a month or two, but for her I'd give it about three or four weeks. She's one of the fastest healers I've ever seen. That twisted ankle a year ago just cleared up like magic."

Syaoran shot Tomoyo a look. Of the four people here, Ueno and the doctor were the only ones clueless to why exactly Sakura was such a fast healer; or at least, they were as far as he knew.

"So who's going to stay here with her?" The doctor chuckled.

"What?"

"Well, do you want her to wake up and find no one here because they didn't care enough about her to stay?" he asked wryly.

"I can't," Ueno said. "I've got a big test tomorrow and I've got to study."

"Me too," Tomoyo said, upset. "And Touya and Mr. Kinomoto aren't home."

"I'll stay," Syaoran said blandly. "I'm already taken care of." He had already finished his homework, and Wei had gone as soon as he'd turned sixteen. "The future Clan leader needs to learn how to live on his own," the Elders had said. And so he was living on his own.

"Will you?" Tomoyo asked happily. "Thank you. I can't afford to flunk this one, or I'd get a B+ instead of an A." She left as he shook his head ruefully. Between trying to play matchmaker and her grades, she had almost no free time. Someone needs to get their priorities in order.

"Well, then," the doctor said cheerfully. "I'll just leave you, shall I? Let us know when she wakes up." He strode out, leaving behind a distressed seventeen-year-old and a beaten, unconscious one.

Syaoran stared at Sakura. She was so pale now, and so fragile-lookingeven Tomoyo looked like she had a tan compared to her best friend, but he didn't think it was because of lack of sunshine. No, there was something she was hidingbut what? Even now, her face was closed and secretive, as though she knew he suspected something.

With a sigh, he gently brushed a few stray bangs away from her eyes. She might be white-faced, with dark circles under her eyes and her hair falling dully around her, but she was still the most beautiful girl in the world. And she'd always be that way to him.

But maybe not to Ueno.

Syaoran disliked--no, hated him. He didn't know why; whether it was jealousy, or just plain dislike, or for some other reason, he wasn't sure. But he still hated him. And nothing would ever change that.

It was funny. Sakura always seemed so happy when she was with him, but it almost wasn't–wasn't real. She could act well–he knew that; was this all a play they were in, but only Sakura knew what part she was playing? Did someone else know what was wrong with her?

His eyes were filled with concern as he gazed at her. She was more important to him than she'd ever know, and he couldn't stand to see her like this. But yet, there was nothing he could do about it.

Sakura's return to consciousness was hailed by a dull ache in her back. She tried to sit up with a groan, but the pain made her cringe and lay back. "Owww"

"Are you okay?" A familiar voice asked. She blinked. Where was she?

"Where am I?" she asked, echoing her thoughts.

"You're in the hospital." A face swam into view as she blinked in the bright light. "You sprained your back pretty badly."

"Syaoran?" She started to raise herself into a sitting position, wincing at the pain.

"Don't," he said hurriedly. "You can't really afford to mess up your back any more right now."

She started to protest, but decided against it and slowly lowered herself back down. "What happened?"

"You tripped and fell into the side of the lockers," he said carefully. Something was in his eyes that scared her. Did he know? "Your back was pretty hurt before then, but that pretty much sent it over the top." He paused. "Why were you still at school? If your back was hurt already, why didn't you see a doctor?"

"I–I–" she stammered, not having expected that question. "I didn't think it was that serious," she lied. It was partially true. If anyone knew

"Well it was," he said sternly. "Don't play around with this kind of thing, Sakura. Your safety isn't a game."

Haif only you knew this is cheese doodles next to what Ueno's done to mesafety? What safety? "I know," she said wearily. "I won't hide an injury that might be serious again, Mother."

"Good." He crossed his arms and looked away. "The doctor said you're going to have to spend the night here."

"Okay." She closed her eyes wearily, feeling sleep come over her once more.

At least he stays out of my dreams, she thought sadly with an inward shudder. It's the only place I can go to get away from him

How am I ever going to get out of this mess?

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