Fruity: Yes finally, the continuation, and once again, I thank you for waiting patiently. I know you have been longing for this chapter and so it's up.
Suppi: I know people, she's mean, just ignore her
Fruity: I am not mean and you should talk
Suppi: What?
*Fruity and Suppi start bickering*
Kero: Anyways, fans continue reading.
Suppi: Hey that's my line
Kero: Oh yeah says whom
Suppi: says this, *Suppi once more punts Kero through the ceiling*
~DESCLIAMER~
I don't, I repeat, I DON'T own Card Captor Sakura, and thereby take no credit for the characters of course with the exception of Akara Lendina and Cherry Fia. They are my creation and I gladly take credit for them. Too bad both of them are dead. Sniff*.
Don't sue me, I am poor.
Chapter Twenty-two
Listen to my heart
Never, never knew that I could feel like this,
Like I've never seen the sky before,
Want to furnish of certain kiss,
Everyday I love you more and more,
Listen to my heart,
Can you hear it sing,
Telling me to give you everything,
Season may change,
Winter to spring,
But I love you until the end of day,
(First Verse of Come what May, one of my fav. Songs)
Cowering within the deep corner of the great councillor room, a pair of red eyes glowered, piercing anything that came into view. The leader of the council had failed to kill Sakura.
"God Damn it, if only that bloody Akara hadn't gotten in my way, I would have succeeded."
Hissing, he continued to hid, all those long years as posing as the great leader of the council, all for nothing. He had managed to bend Shoaran's will, knowingly that if he and Sakura ever got together, they would have a child who would wipe out all the forces of evil. He had Shoaran in the palm of his palm, but he let him slither away.
" I should've convince the rest of the council, not to allow him, to go to Japan, for his University."
The memory flashed quickly in the back of his mind.
***FLASHBACK***
" What?" The rest of council members flinched as they watched their leader slam his fist against the hard table. Never had they seen him so angry, especially of Shoaran Li, who was their going-to-be leader. Bowing they took a step away from the table. One dared to speak, against their great leader.
"Begging forgiveness leader, but why can't we allow, Shoaran Li to go to Japan for his University."
Hands twitching, the leader stared at the brave soul, "Do you want him to see the Clow Mistress?"
"But master," he continued, "We have placed Shoaran, in a University far away from the home town of Sakura."
The leader shot him an evil glare, "We aren't to address her by her real name, only the Clow Mistress."
"But, why should you feel threatened by her? As long as the cards are safe, it doesn't matter whether he sees her or not."
The leader had about enough as he could stand, he motioned for the guards, who urgently pulled the young councillor away. The council looked at him horrified.
"He is far too curious for his own good," he lied, but deep down, it was really because he worked too hard for his plan to fail now because of a curious young soul.
***END OF FLASHBACK***
Reality sunk in, and it only angered him even more. He was beaten by a love sick girl, an angel, a guardian, a fashion designer, and mostly a martialist, whom he thought had no way of making it in the world. His blood began to boil with anger. His brother/partner, Bardon, in the mission had failed.
"Damn you Bardon," he cursed out loud, while slamming a glass of martini against the hard brick wall. Fear was gnawing hard at his demon soul, he hated it. He hated being afraid. Shuddering, he felt the approaching of his master. Expectedly he turned around to stare at the chair where he had ruled for so many years. A burst of scorching flame burned, and the horrible face of his greatly feared master was brought out.
"You!"
The leader cringed, expectantly, "M..master I…"
"You failed!"
"No," The leader tried so hard to prove his innocence, "It was Bardon, he didn't hold up his end of the bargain."
However the fiery devil boomed once more, causing the chandlers from above to shake, "Bardon failed, so therefore you failed."
"M..master please," the elderly man got down on his knees to beg for his life, but the expression on the face of his master's face was nothing but a sneer of disgust.
"You are pathetic, begging me like a homeless person on the street."
The leader's eyes widened as the truth struck him, his master continued to speak, "You aren't worthy of living, or even this mission. You will join your brother in hell, suffering for all of eternity."
"No." The elderly leader took his last breath, as the flames engulfed him, burning his body, and his soul. Crying, he reached out for the ceilings. He didn't want to go back, he had just begun to get use to his thirst of freedom. Howling, a cry that frightened all who heard it, he vanished, getting sucked into the void from hence his master had come from; never to be seen or heard from ever again.
Sakura heard voices, voices of people whom she had known for all her life, she longed to smile, to assure them that she was all right, and everything was going to be fine. Only she didn't have the strength to do so. She was so weak, that not even her eyes could open. Everything that occurred the past few weeks, was so hazy, she didn't even know where she was.
"How do you think she is doing?" Tomoyo looked pitifully at Sakura's pale and slender face.
Eriol placed an arm around her, planting a light kiss on her soft, tender lips. He savoured there taste, and he desired badly to ask her the question that had been burning in his head, over the past two months, "I am sure she's fine." She assured her.
Tomoyo glanced concretely towards Shoaran. He was holding tightly to Sakura's lifeless hand, he had been like that for the past few weeks, weeks that had seemed to be forever. All his energy was focused on watching her beautiful face, the scar was no longer there, it had long since disappeared, like the life of Akara. Staring he remembered Eriol's words.
Sakura's accident had left her devastated
But why didn't she tell me.
(Sighing) Shoaran, she thought that you didn't love her anymore. And if she told you about the scar on her face, she thought you would be revolted by the sight of her.
What? That's insane, I love her Eriol, scar or no scar, beautiful or ugly, in any form, I will always love her.
I know my friend, I know
Tenderly he continued to stare at her enclosed eyes, with his gorgeous amber eyes. He longed for her to awaken; he longed to embrace her, to taste her lips, to hear her voice, and just to be with her in all.
"WHAT'S THE GAKI DOING HERE???" There at the doorway Touya stood, fuming with anger, and rage. Before anyone had a chance to react, Touya stomped his way across the room, to Shoaran. Fortunately, he was never able to punch him in the face as he attended, since Tomoyo step out in front of him, her arms out to the side.
"Touya, he wanted to be here." Her voice was small, yet calming. Fujitaki looked astounded at the doorway, as Eriol gave him a smiling greeting. Fujitaki attempted to smile, but all in vain, he just found it impossible to smile, when Sakura's life was in the balance. Miserably he stared at Sakura's limp body, lying there on the bed. He was enveloped with sorrow; his little baby girl had been through so much. Julian, just stared, for the first time, he didn't have any words of comfort to say.
"Then where was he two years ago, when he was fucking some bitch, while my sister waited endlessly for him?"
Tomoyo drew in a deep breath, changing her eye contact from Touya to Shoaran. Shoaran's fist was clenched, and he was busily biting his lip. Everyone in the room looked eagerly at him, awaiting the answer to Touya's demanding question. Everyone that is except Tomoyo and Eriol, who had already known the truth for a long time.
"Face me you bastard." Touya shoved his way past Tomoyo; he was now standing beside Shoaran, who was sitting beside Sakura. He looked up to meet the outraged eyes that belonged to Touya. Touya had appeared shorter then he had last remembered, but he had gained quite a few muscles on his arm. Sighing he place his other hand on top of Sakura's gazing deeply into her face.
Touya saw this, and was replied, "Answer me, asshole! Do you honestly think that I will allow you to toy with Sakura's heart like this. Breaking it over and over again. Do you have any idea how long it took before she actually smiled? I was prepared to fly over to China to kick your sorry little ass, not to mention that slut of yours."
Fujitaki was shocked on Touya's choice of vocabulary, he would've interfered, but Touya was far beyond explanation. Besides, he wanted to find out the reason exactly, why this man left his daughter. Julian, looked away, he hated seeing Touya so hurt and angry at the same time. He could see that vengeance was written all over his red exploding face.
"Well! Answer me," Touya yelled. Tomoyo glanced momentarily at the door; surprised that no nurse had came. A tap on the shoulder Tomoyo gazed at Eriol who was eyeing her carefully. He had used a spell, to block Touya's tantrums from being heard by the other patients and doctors.
Shoaran once more looked at Sakura's face; he didn't have any other choice, but to reveal the truth. Rising from the chair, he was shocked to find that he was nearly as tall as Touya, just shorter by an inch or two.
"Touya," he began, Touya had his arms crossed, trying to restrain himself from punching Shoaran all the way back to China, where he belonged, "I told Sakura I was marrying someone else, because…"
Tense, and afraid, he glanced at Eriol and Tomoyo, who both gave him an encouraging nod.
Sighing deeply he spoke, there was no turning back, "because, the council threatened to kill her, if I continued to see her."
Touya's jaw dropped to the floor, while Yuki's eyes widened in shock. Fujitaki's face had grown three shades paler, when the truth hit all three of them. Fujitaki was able to collect himself better then Touya who just stared at Shoaran blankly.
"Ahem," Fujitaki did a fake cough, approaching Shoaran, he laid a hand on his shoulder, "So you set up the marriage to convince my daughter that it was over between you two."
"Yes," Shoaran answered straightforward
"Do you love my daughter still." Shoaran drew back, taken by surprise, by Fujitaki's unexpected conversation.
He began to flush, in embarrassment; he hadn't expected a father to be so straightforward. Gazing at the floor, he whispered, "Yes."
Touya shook out of his trance, "What?"
Fujitaki silenced him, by motioning him to remain quiet. "And your wife?"
"She was fake, just an illusion to trick the council, and Sakura. I never meant to hurt Sakura, but I would have rather have her hurt for a little while, then dead." Shoaran eyes told truth. Fujitaki nodded approvingly.
"Good, that's all I need to know," gradually he backed away.
"What?" Touya pointed accusingly at Shoaran; "He hurt Sakura."
Fujitaki just smiled, "He did it to protect her. I wouldn't have chosen anybody else, to love my daughter." Fujitaki opened the door inviting Touya and Yuki to join him outside.
Touya looked sickly at Shoaran, as he saw him gaze at Sakura, filled with love. "Ahhhhhhhh." He threw up his arms, finally giving in, "You disgust me, Gaki."
Touya gave Shoaran a murderous look, before; Yuki dragged him out the door.
Tomoyo and Eriol grinned happily, as they too excused themselves from the room, leaving Shoaran, with Sakura. Breathing for the first time, in what seemed like forever, he went back to his originally position. Sitting on the chair, that laid beside Sakura's bedside. He was determined, that when she did finally awake, he would be the first thing she saw.
"Arghhhhhhh," Touya paced impatiently back and forth in front of Sakura's door, running his rough hands through his dark chestnut hair. "If that Gaki is planning on taking advantage of Sakura, when she in that poor of a state. I swear I'll…"
Touya cracked his knuckles together. Fujitaki frowned in disapproval, why did Touya hate this Shoaran kid anyways. Sakura always seemed to cheer up, whenever she heard from him. Yuki chuckled amused at Touya's overprotective and aggressive behaviour.
"What's so funny?" Touya snapped at Yuki
"Nothing, except that you love Sakura dearly." Yuki pointed out. Touya gave a choke of denial. For a minute he paused, and turned away guilty.
"I do not. I only look out for the squirt's well-being, that's all."
Yuki rolled his eyes, "Sure..sure.."
"Oh Touya!!!" A voice called out from down the hallway. Touya slummed, as a bead of sweat dripped nervously down his forehead. He turned around to see what he dreaded most in the world. There was Nakuru running fast pace, towards him, not caring of who or what was in the way.
"Hide me." Touya moaned, as he ran behind Yuki, using him as a shield between him, and the creature. This caused Eriol to laugh.
"Now Touya, you should never hide from your future wife." Nakuru's cheery voice rung, as she attempted to get a good look at him. Of course with him hiding behind Yuki, it was impossible.
"I told you before Nakura, fuck off." No matter what he did he could never get rid of this pest. Suppi was trying hard not to laugh in Nakuru's bag.
Fujitaki stepped in, "Now Touya, that's no way to talk to a lady."
Nakura beamed proudly, "Wow, Touya, your father is handsome. Now I know where your good looks are."
Fujitaki and Eriol both laughed nervously. Inside Eriol was cursing Nakura, sometimes she could be too straightforward.
Fujitaki pulled his son, out from behind Yuki, and shoved him in Nakura's direction, " Touya, why don't you go by…"
Fujitaki looked at Nakura to provide a name, "Nakura"
"Nakura a soda pop or something."
Touya gave his father a deadly glare, muttering under his breath, he replied, "Traitor," as Nakura hauled him away like cattle.
"I think I better go with them, in case Touya plans to murder her." Joked Yuki as he rushed after the two.
Laughing the group watched all three of them, disappear down the hallway, almost forgetting exactly why they were here in the first place.
Sakura could feel her eyelids flutter open, she awoke to see a vision she never thought she would see again. A pair of mysterious, guarded chocolate eyes staring back at her, as though welcoming her back into the world. Sakura couldn't have chose a better vision to wake up too.
Shoaran watched Sakura filled with anxiety, he was so close to her, that he could feel her warm, sweet breath brush against his lips. Sakura smiled happily at him,
"Morning Shoaran." she replied weakly.
Shoaran grabbed her, and embraced her, taking in everything he could, her cherry blossom scent, her delicate skin; he wanted to remember this moment forever. Shoaran could feel Sakura's shoulder tense up, she was definitely surprised by his reaction. However, soon enough she returned his embrace. Shoaran rested his chin on top of her head, tears dripped down his face, amazed at what had just happened. Drawing her away from him, Shoaran stared straight into her sparkling emerald green eyes, this was too good to be true. He saw, a beautiful, kindred soul, the same soul he had fallen in love with, staring back at him.
"You're really alive," he whispered.
Sakura smiled, tears of joy fell down her cheek. "Yes Shoaran." her voice was barely above a whisper.
Shoaran embraced her once more, rocking back and forth. Sakura was surprised to find him crying on her shoulder, she never thought she would see the day when Shoaran would cry, least of all for her. Smiling, she hummed to him, placing a hand gently on top of his head, comforting him like a mother.
The rest of the group lunged through the door. Shoaran met Touya's angry eyes once more, but he didn't care. All of them hopped on the bed, and hugged Sakura gratefully. Tomoyo was crying happily, seeing that her friend wasn't really dead. Touya and Fujitaki excused everyone from the room, seeing as it is, they needed to speak with Sakura alone.
Although Touya acted tough as he usually does, when he walked out, evidence of tears, was on his cheek, even though he denied it.
Several days past, when Shoaran finally gathered up the courage to finally tell Sakura the truth.
Quietly he asked Sakura's guest to leave; Sakura puzzled stared at Shoaran. After they all had left, Shoaran stared nervously out the window, gazing as far as he could.
"Shoaran-kun, what's wrong?" Sakura grew anxious.
Shoaran once again locked his amber eyes, with hers; gently he held both of her hands. Sakura could feel that his hands were rough and callused from all the training he had done China, yet they had a soft interior, much like his personality. He appeared cold on the outside, but he was really kind in the inside. Sakura remembered the words that Meiling once said
After he rescued my bird, I knew that Shoaran really had a good heart.
Her radiant eyes gazed deeply into his. Slowly Shoaran, guided her away from the bed, and brought her to the window. Sakura gasped at the site, before her was a lovely sunset. Starry eyed she looked back to Shoaran's solemn eyes. Her smile vanished, and her stomach began to fill with butterflies nervously.
"Shoaran?"
Shoaran looked away, and spoke, " You know two years ago."
Sakura frowned, she didn't like where this conversation was going, "Y..yeah." she replied with uncertainty.
"I broke up with you because," Shoaran's grip on the window pane went tighter, he looked up at her again, "because I loved you too much to let you go."
Sakura tilted her head to the right in questioning, "what?"
"The council threatened to kill you if I continued to see you."
Sakura's hand went to her mouth, as she received the truth. All that time of hating Shoaran, when he was really protecting her. Guilty she looked away from him. Shoaran touched her elbow, "Sakura?" did he say something wrong.
Sakura turned to face him, the tears were spilling now, "Fo..for two years I hated you. And you were really protecting me." She sobbed even harder.
Shoaran's expression softened; slowly he pulled her close to him. She cried endlessly in his arms, "I am so sorry Shoaran."
"No," he whispered " I am."
Sakura looked up to see Shoaran's comforting eyes. She smiled a smile, that made him weak in the knees. Slowly her face came closer to his. He hesitated, as her breath grew warmer, Shoaran could feel his heartbeat thump harder against his chest. Eventually he gave in, and met her sweet, tender lips. Passionately he kissed her over and over again, absorbing her taste and the motion of her lips. Shivering in his arms, Sakura gave in to her emotions. There they kissed, only this time, as who they truly were, there was no mask, no Cherry, not anything. Just their love, and their strong feelings for each other.
Several more weeks past until, the funeral of Akara was held. Many people attended, including her students, who remembered her as an extraordinary teacher, who understood them as who they really were. However, the most important guest was Sakura. Sadly she watched as they lowered Akara's coffin. Akara had been cremated, but Sakura thought it fit to at least have a special place for her to call her own. Tomoyo suggested in front of the broken down chapel, where she, Kero, Eriol and Akara had claimed sanctuary, during Sakura's journey in the dark side. Staring wide-eyed, Sakura gazed at the great stain-glass window that over looked the entire church, the angel, the angel was Akara. Sakura couldn't help but cry, at how Akara sacrificed herself for her. Touya, who saw the stain-glassed window, immediately recognised it as Akara, and even Fujitaki who had long forgotten about her, had a memory spark in his mind. How his wife, would always bring her home when she was young. She was like a little sister to Nadeshiko. Smiling and crying at the same time, Fujitaki admired the wonderful piece of work.
And for the last time, Sakura bid farewell, to her guardian angel, who's head stone read,
Here rests Akara Lendina
An angel to all whom knew her
And loved her
Smiling, Sakura thought that the head stone inscription suited her.
Shoaran watched in the distance as Sakura laid a gathering of Cherry blossoms, on top of Akara's grave. He could force himself to tell her. The call from yesterday had changed all his plans.
***FLASHBACK***
Shoaran arrived home exhausted from the hospital, when the phone rang.
"Hello,"
Shoaran heard Meiling frantic voice, "Oh Shoaran thank god you're home, I was trying to reach you like forever."
Shoaran rolled his eyes, "Meiling don't exaggerate, I was in the hospital."
Meiling ignored him, "Shoaran I have bad news."
Shoaran felt his grip on the phone tighten even harder. "What is it?" he could barely breathe.
"Wei is in the hospital,"
"WHAT!"
"He suffered from a heart attack, Aunt Yelan, is losing her mind. I am not kidding Shoaran, she won't even eat."
Shoaran cursed underneath his breath.
"Oh yeah, Shoaran."
Shoaran couldn't take anymore news, "Yes.." he exasperated
"The leader of the council, has vanished, nobody knows where he went. The council needs you here."
Shoaran ran his fingers through his casual messy hair "But Meiling.." he began, but was cut off by his ex-fiancée
"No buts.. Shoaran you have to come. It's an emergency."
Shoaran gave in, "Just give me one more day."
"One day that's all,"
*Click* and with that Meiling hung-up.
"Just give me one more day to say good-bye to Sakura." Shoaran finished his sentence alone.
***END OF FLASHBACK***
Shoaran couldn't face her, he spun his heels, and left, leaving Sakura alone.
After the funeral, Sakura searched in vain for Shoaran, looking around; she saw many faces, but not Shoaran's.
Tomoyo noticed her, "Oh hello Sakura," Tomoyo had her arm around Eriol's, both of them dresses in gloomy black.
"Oh hey Tomoyo, hey have you seen Shoaran?"
Tomoyo frowned, as she looked up to the sky and placed her hand and her chin, trying to recall anything about Sakura's lover. "Yeah. I think he said that he was leaving."
Sakura's eyes popped out, "LEAVING!"
"Yes." Tomoyo nodded innocently; "didn't he tell you that you, that he was returning back to China."
"No," Sakura looked away just in time, so Tomoyo couldn't see her tears.
Tomoyo whimpered realising her mistake. She felt Eriol tighten his hold on her arm, she looked up to see him, smiling encouragingly. "You know Sakura. You could always go to the train station and stop him."
Sakura's eyes filled with hope. "You're right Tomoyo. Bye," Tomoyo watched Sakura, run to her father's car, and start the engine.
Facing her boyfriend she asked, "So is she going to make it?"
Eriol's lips formed a thin line, as Tomoyo feared, he shook his head sadly.
Tomoyo took a deep breath, as she watched Sakura's car take off, like a bullet, "Poor Sakura-chan."
Sakura was sure that she had violated over five hundred federal laws, as she sped, driving through changing lights, and failing to cease at stop signs. Her father would've murdered her, at how she put her life in danger, while Touya would have murdered her for how carelessly she treated the car. Sakura didn't care; she didn't stop until she had arrived to the train station.
Shoaran tensed up as leaned his head against the windowpane, trying over and over to convince himself that this was the best thing, for both of them. The council might have approved of her now that the leader was gone, but he couldn't take the risk. Yes, this was best. Gazing out the window, he felt sick to the stomach, then why didn't it feel right.
"I'll miss you my Sakura,"
He smiled as he savoured her memory, he didn't ever regret coming to Japan, not ever since he met Sakura. She had opened his eyes, and saw the best that was in him. She gave him strength when he was weak, and saved his life countless times.
I love you more then anything Sakura
Closing his eyes, he heard the announcer announce
"Next stop, the airport."
Panting, Sakura rushed past crowds, shoving, pushing people out of her way. There was even a highpoint when she knocked a bodyguard off his feet, she didn't apologise, and she kept running.
"I am not losing you Shoaran, not this time."
Atlas, the light of the doorway, lifted her heart, she was near.
Shoaran felt the train jerk as it began to move along the tracks, looking out the window he gazed at Kitasato, a beautiful city that he would always treasure. It had brought him and Sakura back together.
"Bye Sakura," his breath was barely heard even to his own ears.
Barging out of the door, Sakura watched shocked as the train began to move along its way. Fear gripped her heart; Sakura could feel her legs, running towards the train.
"WAITTTTTTT!" she screamed tears flooding down her cheeks.
(Now readers, if you were to look at this, you would realise that Sakura was only several steps behind Shoaran's window. Grrrrrrrrrr don't you hate that when it happens)
Faster and faster, she picked up the pace, attempting to catch up to the moving train, that was picking up speed. She didn't stop until she really had too, when she reached the edge of the boarding station. Sullenly, she watched the train vanish off in the distance. Attempting to catch her breath, there was only one thing she could think of.
"Shoaran-kun."
And whether she would ever see him again.
Fruity: Don't worry fans, there is still one more chapter, two if you count the epilogue. So don't die of a heart attack. I am planning to post if up shortly after this one. Or maybe I should be mean and not post it up at all.
Suppi: You wouldn't
Fruity: heehehehhehe
Suppi: You mean B$%$
Fruity: What did you call me
Suppi: You heard me
Fruity: Why don't you say that up to my face.
Suppi: Yeah
Fruity: Yeah
Kero: Don't worry she doesn't mean it.
* Fruity and Suppi scream at Kero*: Who invited you here?
*Both Fruity and Suppi punts Kero through the roof.*
Ouchhhhhhhhhh