Daphne: "OHOHOHOHOHO!!! This chapter has lots of S+S, so I hope you enjoy!
I will not say any more then that except...get out your Kleenex, this is
going to be a sad chapter.
Refuge
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 9.
~*~Previous Chapter~*~
"He's gone! Eriol's gone! He went to..." Suddenly, she stopped, and looked down at her hands. Something was horribly wrong, Syaoran could tell. It was not like Eriol to abandon his friends in their times of need, so it was quite strange that he had left like that. But before either Sakura, or Syaoran could say anything, Tomoyo had fled up another flight of stairs, and out of sight.
*End prev. chap.*
Reaching her tower room, Tomoyo slammed and locked the door, and then hurried over to her window seat and sat down. She took a letter out of her pocket, and read it for the second time that morning.
//To my Dearest Princess Daidouji Tomoyo:
If you are reading this, then I am already gone. I am sorry if I have caused you any bother, or any undue strain, by making you promise not to tell anyone of my true reasons for leaving. But there is one thing that I never got the chance to say last night, my dear.
I love you, Daidouji Tomoyo. I always have. Ever since I first saw you, wandering around, lost in my gardens when you were only eight and I was ten. I tried to hide my affections for you behind annoying jokes and the occasional offending comment, so as not to wither your child-like innocence. It hurt me so much to say those things to you, though I will admit that I got a sort of satisfaction out of it, knowing that you would never have the chance to feel the same way about me, as I did and do about you.
Now, after you read this letter through once, I want you to burn it in the next fireplace that you pass. I do not want this letter burdening you for the rest of your life, and I do not want you feeling guilty about anything you have said or done. I had all of it coming, and I deserved what I received.
I must depart now, but again I will say that I love you, Tomoyo and I wish you all the happiness in the world.
Till' next we meet,
Hiiragizawa Eriol.//
For a moment, all Tomoyo could do was gape at the letter for the second time that day. Then the truth hit her, and the letter dropped onto her lap, while her hands fluttered up to cup her cheeks as she gazed out the window in a daze of confusing emotions. But one thing stood out. She should be happy about his being gone, but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why she felt so distraught.
~*~*~*~
"Yamazaki did WHAT?!?!" Syaoran shouted, his angry voice ringing through the throne room later that day. A distraught Chiharu stood near him, holding a letter in her limp hand; it was from Yamazaki.
"He left. With...Prince Eriol." She whimpered, her eyes downcast so they would not see the tears that had welled up in her doe-brown orbs. Sakura stood nearby, looking shocked, and Yelan simply nodded her head. Touya, who had joined them downstairs, frowned.
"They should have waited until I could go with them." He snapped, looking worried. Siefa tried to hide her horrified look behind a neutral mask, but Syaoran spotted it. His frown deepened.
"No. There are people who need you here." Syaoran stated, indicating Sakura and her father. Fujitaka still had yet to wake up, but Tomoyo was upstairs watching him, while they came down to converse. Touya sighed, but nodded understandingly.
"But...what are they going to do? Just kill the man who did this? Or are they going to give him a trial?" Meiling asked. Touya shrugged.
"Knowing Yamazaki, it depends on whether or not the man struggles. If he does, then yes he will be killed instantly, if he doesn't, then no, and he will get a trial." He answered simply. Meiling clutched at her throat and looked horrified, but asked no more questions.
"He is awake! King Fujitaka is awake!" A voice shouted as a servant raced past the room. Everyone jumped out of their seats and raced to the room where Fujitaka had been settled in.
~*~*~*~
*Somewhere in the Kinomoto kingdom, a few weeks later*
"Give up! We have flattened your forces, and distroyed any chances for your escape. Give up." A voice commanded. There was a growl.
"Never! You are a fool if you think that you can defeat me so easily, your Majesty!" Another hissed, this one deep and raspy. There was a dark chuckle.
"Perhaps I am a fool, but what do you have to defeat me with? My men surround this place." The first stated.
"Only this!" The second spat. There was silence for a moment, and then the room that the two shadowy figures were standing in turned a bright orange color and smoke began to billow from the corners of the room. There was a *crack*, and then a sound that was far louder than a cannon being fired. The whole room went up in a burst of flame, and charred furniture, among other things.
Men in armor rushed into the place where the room had once been, but there was nothing left. They looked desperately for some signs of life, but there were none. In anguish, the head soldier pulled out his sword and drove it into the ground angrily.
"Come. There is nothing more we can do." Another soldier stated, as he lead the first out of the still smoking remains.
~*~*~*~
*Li kingdom, two days later*
For the second time since her father had been retrieved, Sakura cried. She cried because she was sad. She cried because the man who had impersonated her father was dead, and she was happy. She cried because some horrible news had just arrived.
Eriol was dead. He had been in the conference building with the man when the man had used magic to blow the building up. When Yamazaki entered the building a few minutes after it had blown, they only found one body, but couldn't identify it. There had been something that Yamazaki thought may be another body, but the floor had collapsed just before Yamazaki could reach it to tell what it was.
At present, Sakura was in Syaoran's garden again, swinging back and forth slowly on the swing. Syaoran had given her permission to enter the garden whenever she liked, and when the news had come, Sakura took him up on it. She had to get away from the palace; a building full of happiness, and yet immense sorrow as well. At the moment, feelings were on edge, and emotions were running high, so almost anything could happen. Sakura had fled before anyone could speak to her, so she could think.
A bluebird flew overhead, chirping happily, as though telling her, 'it will be all right!'. Sakura smiled as the bird landed in a bush, and then pumped her legs so the swing would go faster. Little by little, Sakura's face lit up, and she became the Sakura that everyone knew and loved again. But something in her eyes was still missing; the sparkle of happiness that was usually so prominent there.
~*~*~*~
"Ugh!" Syaoran growled, as he stomped through the maze, heading for his garden. Everything was going wrong! First his sister's love for Touya, then King Fujitaka is found nearly dead, then Eriol goes on some wild-goose chase to avenge the king, then Eriol winds up dead. And on top of it all, his mother had been walking through the palace the last few days, looking as though heaven had fallen to earth, for no reason at all, and Sakura had only just a few moments before, raced out of the front hall, after the news of Eriol had arrived, crying.
"Why does life do this to me?" He groaned, looking up at the sky. With a sigh, he pushed open the garden door, only to realize that there was a faint pink aura emitting from the garden. A very strong aura at that.
"Li-kun?" A soft voice called. Syaoran turned to see Sakura sitting in the swing, tear-marks down her cheeks, but a surprisingly calm look about her face. Her eyes, however, betrayed her sorrow. Slowly, he made his way over to her, and stood beside the swing. With a soft cry, Sakura stood up from the swing, and rushed into his arms, crying softly. Syaoran was stunned for a moment, but tenderly put his arms around her anyway, gently rocking her back and forth.
"Why did this all happen now? Life almost seemed normal there for a while, and then all of this had to happen." She whimpered. He sighed and gently guided her over to the swing, sitting her down on it and then placing himself next to her.
"I really don't know. There is always some sort of evil in the world. I just wonder why it had to manifest itself in our lives." He whispered. She shuddered.
"It was because of me. I once wished that my life was like my stories. That I could have adventure and danger in my life, instead of having boring suitors and etiquette lessons. And I got it. All of it." She sobbed. Horror entered his being and he pulled her into his arms even tighter.
"NO! No Sakura. This is not your fault. It is that...*fiends* fault, but not yours. You are no more to blame than a grain of dirt is for a mud slide." He insisted. She laughed bitterly.
"Yes I am. If I had not been the Cards Mistress, father would have willingly turned the Clow Book over to you, and everything would have been fine!" She moaned, unaware of the shock entering his face.
"You?! You are the Cards Mistress? But I thought your father said the cards no longer exist!" He gaped. She smiled.
"The Clow Cards do not, but the Sakura Cards do. I transformed the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards. That is why my father said that." She explained. He looked thoughtful and nodded.
"That explains a lot. I suppose...that he had to do it. For your sake. He loves you, Sakura, and he wouldn't want to just hand you over to us." He mussed. She sighed.
"My wish has brought a lot more bad, than good. Father got hurt, Eriol is dead. Tomoyo...no matter what she says, has lost the only man that she ever loved. Yes, loved, and I...I don't know what to do." Sakura moaned, burying her face in his shoulder. He, in turn, gently rubbed her back, comfortingly. As he did so, little jolts of electricity zapped up her spine, and sent shivers of delight down her back.
'Why am I feeling like this? He is only my friend...I think...' She thought.
~*~*~*~
Syaoran's POV
I couldn't speak, no matter how hard I tried. I felt so guilty, allowing her to end the conversation like that. This was not her fault. It was no ones, but I suppose she doesn't see it that way. I can see how she would blame herself-but she shouldn't. She really shouldn't!
I didn't realize, until a few minutes later, that I had been stroking her back. I felt heat rise into my cheeks. Was this really me doing these things? Holding her like this, comforting her, touching her? I wasn't usually this bold, or this rash.
'What is coming over me?' I wondered, as I felt her pull back.
"Li-kun?" She whispered. Gods, her voice was so soft, so disarming. And those eyes! Those emerald orbs that made my heart beat so fast that I thought it would pound out of my chest. She wore a confused look on her face, almost as though she was trying to decide on something, but wanting both of them equally as much.
Then it happened. I don't know what came over me, or what I was thinking at the time...but it happened. Almost like a magnet was pulling me forward, I clasped her tighter in my arms, and my eyes closed on their own volition. Then I felt the sensation of soft, sweet lips touching mine, and I was lost.
~*~*~*~
Sakura's POV
I couldn't help but feel comforted by Syaoran's words. He always had a way of making me feel better, even when he had been my 'slave'. He always seemed to be there for me, sort of like a protector. I felt safe and free with him, not at all like I usually do, when I sneak out into the forest, but more like free in a different way.
I don't really know what was happening. I just felt, so light and floaty inside, as I rested my head against his shoulder. Yes, perhaps other people thought Syaoran was a cruel, mean person, but I don't see it. Somehow I know that he is kinder and gentler than people take him for. He listens to problems, and he gives good advice, he is gentle, unlike some of my other suitors, and he is an all around nice man. I like him.
'Wait! What did I just say? I...like him? Do I?' I questioned, feeling confused. It was then that I looked up and caught the expression on his face. It was happy, though a bit troubled, as if he wanted to say something.
"Li-kun?" I asked, getting his attention. His rich amber eyes met mine, and my breath caught in my throat. My heart started to beat faster, and I could feel myself shaking slightly. There was something in his eyes. A need, a desire, a passion-an immense love. Before I could say anything else, his head bent towards mine, and I instinctively closed my eyes.
Bliss! His lips were soft, gentle, but demanding at the same time. I loved it, and craved for a deeper taste of him. My head felt light and I became dizzy, so I clung to his arms, not able to do much more. Now I know. I do not just like Li Syaoran...I love him!
~*~*~*~
Normal POV
Finally, Syaoran and Sakura pulled back, gasping for air. Syaoran watched fearfully, fully expecting Sakura to either slap him, or to turn and run away. But she did neither. Instead, her eyes roved his face, as though looking for something.
"Syaoran." She whispered finally, putting one of her hands up to his cheek, gently. Her head tilted to the side, as though she were looking for something in his face, and then she smiled. Without any warning, she gently pulled his head down again and pressed her lips against his, shyly. For a moment, Syaoran stiffened in shock, but then he relaxed, slipping his arms about her waist and pulling her closer. Sakura's arms snaked around his neck, and when the kiss ended, they stayed there. Syaoran's eyes searched Sakura's, and then they became filled with guilt.
"I am sorry, Sakura. I didn't mean to...are you..." Syaoran stuttered, causing Sakura to smile. Instead of answering, she snuggled into his arms and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I didn't mind, Syaoran." She whispered, his name sounding sweet and loving on her tongue. He smiled and rested his face in her hair, smelling the scent of her; the scent of sakura blossoms and honey. No words were needed. Both of them had just found what they had been looking for their whole lives; each other.
"I love you, Sakura-chan." He breathed, causing her smile to widen.
"I love you, my Xiaolang." She returned, just before their lips met in another tender embrace.
~*~*~*~
Refuge
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 9.
~*~Previous Chapter~*~
"He's gone! Eriol's gone! He went to..." Suddenly, she stopped, and looked down at her hands. Something was horribly wrong, Syaoran could tell. It was not like Eriol to abandon his friends in their times of need, so it was quite strange that he had left like that. But before either Sakura, or Syaoran could say anything, Tomoyo had fled up another flight of stairs, and out of sight.
*End prev. chap.*
Reaching her tower room, Tomoyo slammed and locked the door, and then hurried over to her window seat and sat down. She took a letter out of her pocket, and read it for the second time that morning.
//To my Dearest Princess Daidouji Tomoyo:
If you are reading this, then I am already gone. I am sorry if I have caused you any bother, or any undue strain, by making you promise not to tell anyone of my true reasons for leaving. But there is one thing that I never got the chance to say last night, my dear.
I love you, Daidouji Tomoyo. I always have. Ever since I first saw you, wandering around, lost in my gardens when you were only eight and I was ten. I tried to hide my affections for you behind annoying jokes and the occasional offending comment, so as not to wither your child-like innocence. It hurt me so much to say those things to you, though I will admit that I got a sort of satisfaction out of it, knowing that you would never have the chance to feel the same way about me, as I did and do about you.
Now, after you read this letter through once, I want you to burn it in the next fireplace that you pass. I do not want this letter burdening you for the rest of your life, and I do not want you feeling guilty about anything you have said or done. I had all of it coming, and I deserved what I received.
I must depart now, but again I will say that I love you, Tomoyo and I wish you all the happiness in the world.
Till' next we meet,
Hiiragizawa Eriol.//
For a moment, all Tomoyo could do was gape at the letter for the second time that day. Then the truth hit her, and the letter dropped onto her lap, while her hands fluttered up to cup her cheeks as she gazed out the window in a daze of confusing emotions. But one thing stood out. She should be happy about his being gone, but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why she felt so distraught.
~*~*~*~
"Yamazaki did WHAT?!?!" Syaoran shouted, his angry voice ringing through the throne room later that day. A distraught Chiharu stood near him, holding a letter in her limp hand; it was from Yamazaki.
"He left. With...Prince Eriol." She whimpered, her eyes downcast so they would not see the tears that had welled up in her doe-brown orbs. Sakura stood nearby, looking shocked, and Yelan simply nodded her head. Touya, who had joined them downstairs, frowned.
"They should have waited until I could go with them." He snapped, looking worried. Siefa tried to hide her horrified look behind a neutral mask, but Syaoran spotted it. His frown deepened.
"No. There are people who need you here." Syaoran stated, indicating Sakura and her father. Fujitaka still had yet to wake up, but Tomoyo was upstairs watching him, while they came down to converse. Touya sighed, but nodded understandingly.
"But...what are they going to do? Just kill the man who did this? Or are they going to give him a trial?" Meiling asked. Touya shrugged.
"Knowing Yamazaki, it depends on whether or not the man struggles. If he does, then yes he will be killed instantly, if he doesn't, then no, and he will get a trial." He answered simply. Meiling clutched at her throat and looked horrified, but asked no more questions.
"He is awake! King Fujitaka is awake!" A voice shouted as a servant raced past the room. Everyone jumped out of their seats and raced to the room where Fujitaka had been settled in.
~*~*~*~
*Somewhere in the Kinomoto kingdom, a few weeks later*
"Give up! We have flattened your forces, and distroyed any chances for your escape. Give up." A voice commanded. There was a growl.
"Never! You are a fool if you think that you can defeat me so easily, your Majesty!" Another hissed, this one deep and raspy. There was a dark chuckle.
"Perhaps I am a fool, but what do you have to defeat me with? My men surround this place." The first stated.
"Only this!" The second spat. There was silence for a moment, and then the room that the two shadowy figures were standing in turned a bright orange color and smoke began to billow from the corners of the room. There was a *crack*, and then a sound that was far louder than a cannon being fired. The whole room went up in a burst of flame, and charred furniture, among other things.
Men in armor rushed into the place where the room had once been, but there was nothing left. They looked desperately for some signs of life, but there were none. In anguish, the head soldier pulled out his sword and drove it into the ground angrily.
"Come. There is nothing more we can do." Another soldier stated, as he lead the first out of the still smoking remains.
~*~*~*~
*Li kingdom, two days later*
For the second time since her father had been retrieved, Sakura cried. She cried because she was sad. She cried because the man who had impersonated her father was dead, and she was happy. She cried because some horrible news had just arrived.
Eriol was dead. He had been in the conference building with the man when the man had used magic to blow the building up. When Yamazaki entered the building a few minutes after it had blown, they only found one body, but couldn't identify it. There had been something that Yamazaki thought may be another body, but the floor had collapsed just before Yamazaki could reach it to tell what it was.
At present, Sakura was in Syaoran's garden again, swinging back and forth slowly on the swing. Syaoran had given her permission to enter the garden whenever she liked, and when the news had come, Sakura took him up on it. She had to get away from the palace; a building full of happiness, and yet immense sorrow as well. At the moment, feelings were on edge, and emotions were running high, so almost anything could happen. Sakura had fled before anyone could speak to her, so she could think.
A bluebird flew overhead, chirping happily, as though telling her, 'it will be all right!'. Sakura smiled as the bird landed in a bush, and then pumped her legs so the swing would go faster. Little by little, Sakura's face lit up, and she became the Sakura that everyone knew and loved again. But something in her eyes was still missing; the sparkle of happiness that was usually so prominent there.
~*~*~*~
"Ugh!" Syaoran growled, as he stomped through the maze, heading for his garden. Everything was going wrong! First his sister's love for Touya, then King Fujitaka is found nearly dead, then Eriol goes on some wild-goose chase to avenge the king, then Eriol winds up dead. And on top of it all, his mother had been walking through the palace the last few days, looking as though heaven had fallen to earth, for no reason at all, and Sakura had only just a few moments before, raced out of the front hall, after the news of Eriol had arrived, crying.
"Why does life do this to me?" He groaned, looking up at the sky. With a sigh, he pushed open the garden door, only to realize that there was a faint pink aura emitting from the garden. A very strong aura at that.
"Li-kun?" A soft voice called. Syaoran turned to see Sakura sitting in the swing, tear-marks down her cheeks, but a surprisingly calm look about her face. Her eyes, however, betrayed her sorrow. Slowly, he made his way over to her, and stood beside the swing. With a soft cry, Sakura stood up from the swing, and rushed into his arms, crying softly. Syaoran was stunned for a moment, but tenderly put his arms around her anyway, gently rocking her back and forth.
"Why did this all happen now? Life almost seemed normal there for a while, and then all of this had to happen." She whimpered. He sighed and gently guided her over to the swing, sitting her down on it and then placing himself next to her.
"I really don't know. There is always some sort of evil in the world. I just wonder why it had to manifest itself in our lives." He whispered. She shuddered.
"It was because of me. I once wished that my life was like my stories. That I could have adventure and danger in my life, instead of having boring suitors and etiquette lessons. And I got it. All of it." She sobbed. Horror entered his being and he pulled her into his arms even tighter.
"NO! No Sakura. This is not your fault. It is that...*fiends* fault, but not yours. You are no more to blame than a grain of dirt is for a mud slide." He insisted. She laughed bitterly.
"Yes I am. If I had not been the Cards Mistress, father would have willingly turned the Clow Book over to you, and everything would have been fine!" She moaned, unaware of the shock entering his face.
"You?! You are the Cards Mistress? But I thought your father said the cards no longer exist!" He gaped. She smiled.
"The Clow Cards do not, but the Sakura Cards do. I transformed the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards. That is why my father said that." She explained. He looked thoughtful and nodded.
"That explains a lot. I suppose...that he had to do it. For your sake. He loves you, Sakura, and he wouldn't want to just hand you over to us." He mussed. She sighed.
"My wish has brought a lot more bad, than good. Father got hurt, Eriol is dead. Tomoyo...no matter what she says, has lost the only man that she ever loved. Yes, loved, and I...I don't know what to do." Sakura moaned, burying her face in his shoulder. He, in turn, gently rubbed her back, comfortingly. As he did so, little jolts of electricity zapped up her spine, and sent shivers of delight down her back.
'Why am I feeling like this? He is only my friend...I think...' She thought.
~*~*~*~
Syaoran's POV
I couldn't speak, no matter how hard I tried. I felt so guilty, allowing her to end the conversation like that. This was not her fault. It was no ones, but I suppose she doesn't see it that way. I can see how she would blame herself-but she shouldn't. She really shouldn't!
I didn't realize, until a few minutes later, that I had been stroking her back. I felt heat rise into my cheeks. Was this really me doing these things? Holding her like this, comforting her, touching her? I wasn't usually this bold, or this rash.
'What is coming over me?' I wondered, as I felt her pull back.
"Li-kun?" She whispered. Gods, her voice was so soft, so disarming. And those eyes! Those emerald orbs that made my heart beat so fast that I thought it would pound out of my chest. She wore a confused look on her face, almost as though she was trying to decide on something, but wanting both of them equally as much.
Then it happened. I don't know what came over me, or what I was thinking at the time...but it happened. Almost like a magnet was pulling me forward, I clasped her tighter in my arms, and my eyes closed on their own volition. Then I felt the sensation of soft, sweet lips touching mine, and I was lost.
~*~*~*~
Sakura's POV
I couldn't help but feel comforted by Syaoran's words. He always had a way of making me feel better, even when he had been my 'slave'. He always seemed to be there for me, sort of like a protector. I felt safe and free with him, not at all like I usually do, when I sneak out into the forest, but more like free in a different way.
I don't really know what was happening. I just felt, so light and floaty inside, as I rested my head against his shoulder. Yes, perhaps other people thought Syaoran was a cruel, mean person, but I don't see it. Somehow I know that he is kinder and gentler than people take him for. He listens to problems, and he gives good advice, he is gentle, unlike some of my other suitors, and he is an all around nice man. I like him.
'Wait! What did I just say? I...like him? Do I?' I questioned, feeling confused. It was then that I looked up and caught the expression on his face. It was happy, though a bit troubled, as if he wanted to say something.
"Li-kun?" I asked, getting his attention. His rich amber eyes met mine, and my breath caught in my throat. My heart started to beat faster, and I could feel myself shaking slightly. There was something in his eyes. A need, a desire, a passion-an immense love. Before I could say anything else, his head bent towards mine, and I instinctively closed my eyes.
Bliss! His lips were soft, gentle, but demanding at the same time. I loved it, and craved for a deeper taste of him. My head felt light and I became dizzy, so I clung to his arms, not able to do much more. Now I know. I do not just like Li Syaoran...I love him!
~*~*~*~
Normal POV
Finally, Syaoran and Sakura pulled back, gasping for air. Syaoran watched fearfully, fully expecting Sakura to either slap him, or to turn and run away. But she did neither. Instead, her eyes roved his face, as though looking for something.
"Syaoran." She whispered finally, putting one of her hands up to his cheek, gently. Her head tilted to the side, as though she were looking for something in his face, and then she smiled. Without any warning, she gently pulled his head down again and pressed her lips against his, shyly. For a moment, Syaoran stiffened in shock, but then he relaxed, slipping his arms about her waist and pulling her closer. Sakura's arms snaked around his neck, and when the kiss ended, they stayed there. Syaoran's eyes searched Sakura's, and then they became filled with guilt.
"I am sorry, Sakura. I didn't mean to...are you..." Syaoran stuttered, causing Sakura to smile. Instead of answering, she snuggled into his arms and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I didn't mind, Syaoran." She whispered, his name sounding sweet and loving on her tongue. He smiled and rested his face in her hair, smelling the scent of her; the scent of sakura blossoms and honey. No words were needed. Both of them had just found what they had been looking for their whole lives; each other.
"I love you, Sakura-chan." He breathed, causing her smile to widen.
"I love you, my Xiaolang." She returned, just before their lips met in another tender embrace.
~*~*~*~