A Semester of Deceit and Love
Thank you so much everyone for your wonderfully nice reviews. You people are great!!! I've never had this many reviews…I'm happy now…hehe… *smiles*
Anyway, here's chapter 9. Enjoy!
Chapter 9: A Gathering
In only what seemed like a short time, they could hear sirens in the distance, getting closer minute by minute until they had finally pulled up beside them and stopped. Everything was slowly explained, as Ryan was loaded into the back of one police car and Sakura was treated for her minor scratches and bruises, then taken to file a report at the police station.
It was near three in the morning that they were finally able to make it back to Tomoeda. Sakura's father had come worriedly to the police station to pick them up. Syaoran refused to leave her through the entire ordeal; only after Sakura had been tucked into her bed did Syaoran finally leave her. But he remained at the Kinomoto house, sleeping fitfully on the living room couch, unable to rid himself of his intense anger at what had happened.
The next afternoon, Tomoyo and the rest of the group came over to visit upon hearing of the events of the past night. Tomoyo came with tears streaming down her cheeks, confused and angry at the man they had all trusted.
"I can't believe he did that," Tomoyo said once the group had gathered in the living room. Syaoran was sitting protectively by Sakura; Fujitaka smiled as he noticed the young man's feelings towards his daughter.
"I know," Sakura agreed, looking down. "He was so nice…"
"Doesn't it say somewhere how the devil is supposed to be beautiful? It makes it easier to deceive people that way I guess," Tomoyo said.
"The police called this morning," Fujitaka said. "They said he will be sent back to the United States and tried there for attempted rape." Just saying the word made Fujitaka almost crumble in anger and distress, thinking how close Sakura had come to such a horrible disaster. "It's hard for them to do anything here because he's only an exchange student, but they don't think that just because he'll be sent back to his own country that he'll get off easily. So I think it is okay this way."
"Well, that's good," Eriol said. The others agreed.
"Are you okay?" Rika asked gently. Sakura looked up at her and smiled. "I'm fine."
"But what about those scratches on your arm?" Naoko asked worriedly.
"They're not that bad. It's my fault I tripped over a branch anyway," Sakura muttered.
Syaoran groaned. "Nothing was your fault." Sakura just looked away.
Suddenly the door to the Kinomoto house could be heard slamming open. The group turned to look as a very worried looking Touya entered the living room, followed closely by Yukito. Touya scanned the group, quickly spotting Sakura. He just stared at her for a moment, noting her tired expression. I knew something was wrong…
He walked over to her, pushing Syaoran out of the way, and sat next to her. Sakura just stared at him wide-eyed.
"Are you okay?" Touya asked her gently.
"How did you find out about this?" Fujitaka asked his son, confused.
Touya looked up at him. "I don't know what happened. I just felt something really bad had happened. I don't know…" He looked back down at Sakura.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she told him.
Touya looked up at Fujitaka. "What happened?"
Fujitaka looked away. "Well…" he began slowly. "This is kind of hard for me to say."
Touya just continued to stare at him. Yukito, who had remained by the entrance of the living room, came in and stood comfortingly beside Touya.
"Someone…" he stopped. "Someone tried to…rape…Sakura-chan."
Touya just froze, not believing what he had just been told. He looked down at Sakura who was now looking away from him. He knelt down before her, forcing her to look at him. "Are you okay? And don't lie to me."
Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. "I'm fine."
Touya began to shake in anger, just thinking about what had happened. Yukito suddenly lost all strength in his legs and sat down shakily on the floor.
"Who was it?" Touya asked, his voice low.
Sakura sighed. Everyone grew silent.
Fujitaka finally answered a few moments later. "It was that guy we met when we helped Sakura-chan move in."
"The guy I said to stay away from?" Touya asked, remembering.
Sakura looked away. Touya stood, gave Sakura a hug, then left the living room. He was angrier than he had ever been before, and it showed. Sakura watched him leave sadly, still willing the tears not to leave her eyes.
Touya suddenly reappeared, sending an angry glare toward Syaoran. His eyes widened.
"Why didn't you stop this? You seem to be around her all the time…so why not then?"
Syaoran just stared at the older man.
"He did," Sakura stated softly. Touya looked over at her surprised. "Syaoran-kun came and stopped him could do much of anything."
Sakura suddenly stood up weakly. "I'm sorry, but I really want to be alone, okay?" The group just watched her worriedly as she left the room and made her way slowly up the stairs. Everyone just looked at each other silently after she had gone up the stairs. Syaoran sighed.
***
Sakura flopped tiredly onto her bed upon entering her room. Kero hovered worriedly over her, but said nothing. How could I have been so blind…so stupid? Everyone else could see what was happening…even Touya knew when he met him. Why is it only me that didn't realize anything was wrong?
***
Touya had just sunk back down onto a couch after Sakura had left the room. He was silent until Sakura's friends had all left, except for Syaoran, who still refused to leave. Yukito had gone to help Fujitaka get them some tea.
Syaoran was sitting on a couch to the left of Touya, looking down at his feet. He didn't notice as Touya eventually looked over at him, staring.
"Hey…gaki."
Syaoran looked up at the unexpected voice. Touya was just staring at him, thinking.
"What?"
Touya hesitated. "I…uh…wanted to apologize…for jumping all over you earlier."
Syaoran's eyes widened in shock. Now this is not normal…
"Actually…I guess I owe you some thanks…for helping Sakura," he continued.
Syaoran just stared at him, speechless.
"I wanted to let you know…" he hesitated, looking away. "I won't mind if you're around her anymore." He looked up at Syaoran. "Although I might act like I do mind."
"Thanks…" Syaoran said slowly.
Touya almost smiled. "I know you like her." Syaoran blushed, looking away. Touya stared at him, his smile fading. "I want you to watch out for her. I can't always be there."
Syaoran looked at him, knowing he was serious. "I promise I will. I would do anything for her, and I won't ever let a guy like that anywhere near her again."
Touya stared at him. This guy. He's much different then he used to be so many years ago.
Fujitaka and Yukito just then reentered the room, tea in hand. They all sat together quietly. Fujitaka turned on the TV, but no one could focus much on whatever they were watching.
Syaoran looked over at Touya who was staring into his swirling tea. I can't believe he's finally accepting me a little more. And I can't believe he said he knew I like Sakura. It can't possibly be that obvious.
He looked away and down at his own tea, staring at his reflection. I hope Sakura is okay…
***
End of Chapter 9