Chapter 14: Struck Again
Sakura Narration
2 months:
That's the time that we've been here since Lung Da had died. In the meanwhile, we've been helping Vung take care of the diner Tong An for a while. She's been getting sicker everyday, but she says that's what happens when you're pregnant. Yet, for some reason she hasn't got all bloated yet from her baby. Onni-chan has been out everyday praying at Lung Da's gravesite, he still thinks that it was his fault for Lung Da's death, saying that he could have done something, or he could've known that Wuji would be this sick and twisted.
Oh well, it's neither of our faults, it's only that Wuji's fault. I'll never forgive him for what he had done to Syaoran. One day when this war is over, I'm sure that Wuji will pay for his sins. I only hope that Clow-sifu is alright. "Here's your food!" (Sakura hands food to the customers at a table) "Thank you!" I know that we are on a tight schedule here, but I feel that I should help Vung soon before she has her baby; I sure hope she has the twins soon; I want to see how cute they are.
"Sakura!" Oh Syaoran's calling me; ever since he's been helping out he's been the cook. He's not very good, but at least he has a good heart. "Take these wonton soups over to table 4!" (Sakura grabbed the tray) "Hai!"
End Sakura Narration
Sakura sweetly put the tray on the wooden table. "Here you go, 2 wonton soups," Sakura gave a cheerful smile to two chubby Mongolian men. One man nodded and asked Sakura a question, "Who do you think is stronger?" Sakura looked confused, "What do you mean?" The man flexed his muscle, making a huge lump on his arm. "My friend Jao here thinks he can beat me in arm wrestling!" Jao slapped the other man on the lip, "Listen Mao!" he yelled, "You are not going to get her on your side!" "You want to go again little man?" "Bring it on!"
The two men argued for some time until they locked hands together and started to arm wrestle. Sakura stared blankly at both of them. "Umm…guys?" Sakura tried to get their attention, but they were too busy being in a stalemate with each other. "They could take hours Sakura," Vung said approaching her, "Mao and Jao are good friends, but they can take so long to finish 1 arm wrestling match, with no winner ever in sight." Sakura still stared blankly at both of them, sweat dropping with embarrassment.
"Sakura," Vung said, "Make sure you go clean up table 6!" Sakura put on another cheerful smile. "Hai!" she nodded while walking away with a rag in her hands. Vung smiled at her cheerfulness. Syaoran stared at Sakura, blushing. Vung slowly approached the counter where Syaoran was cooking; he stared at his pink hue underneath his eyes and chuckled. "Syaoran," Vung called, "Your eggs are burning!" Syaoran turned his attention to the wok and saw that the egg foo young recipe he was making was being ruined by his daydreaming.
Syaoran nervously tried to fix it. "Don't worry," Vung said, "I'll fix it!" Vung came to the other side of the counter helping Syaoran fix the egg. "You shouldn't do this Vung, you're having a baby." Vung smiled feeling the slight pop on her stomach, "This little thing is not even the size of a melon yet, give me some time while I can still do things." Vung smiled as she put her hand in the wok carefully and started fixing the egg. "So have you decided yet?" Vung asked. Syaoran stared into outer space, "Sakura, she's too cute; I don't want to put responsibilities on her right now." Vung gave Syaoran a playful slap, "Come on Syaoran, the opportunity is golden, don't waste it." Vung urged Syaoran to tell what he was going to tell Sakura.
"You love Sakura don't you?" Syaoran nodded as his response, "Then what's the matter, it's only a promise, it's not like you are going to do it anytime soon." Syaoran looked at Sakura, cheerful and carefree as she waited tables. "I want the time to be perfect, besides, you didn't get it until 19, and I'm only 16." Vung snickered, holding in her laugh with her hand, "That's why I'm so old now, I would've don it sooner if Lung asked the question earlier, you have to make sure you're the only one in her heart, before one day some loser comes across and takes her from you." Syaoran smiled, "I'll do it!" he agreed, "But not now!"
Just then, Touya entered the kitchen. Syaoran was worried that Touya probably heard his whole conversation, but he was probably just paranoid and ignored it. "We have to go!" Touya muttered, "It's about time the Rebel Wolves need assistance and we've been stuck here for 2 months, we have to go!" Vung was shocked. "So soon?" she was disappointed, "But you all have been getting comfortable, at least before you go let me cook up something quick for your trip." Touya held his hand out, stopping Vung from moving, "No, it's imperative we go now," he said, "The Rebel Wolves cannot hang on much longer without me."
Syaoran nodded, "Alright, lemme go get Sakura and tell her," Syaoran took off his apron and put it on the counter, he then approached Sakura and tapped the back of her shoulder. Sakura turned her attention to Syaoran, "We're leaving!" he said flatly. "So soon?" Sakura replied, "Why?" "Touya wishes to meet with the Rebel Wolves again, he says we cannot delay anymore time, or the empire will strike them defenseless. Sakura nodded, "Ok," she replied, "Bye everyone!" Sakura sweetly smiled and waved her hand to all the customers. "Bye Sakura!" they all replied friendly, "Are you leaving already Sakura?" a man at a table asked, "I was beginning to enjoy your service." Sakura smiled, "Don't worry I'll only be gone for some time, I'll be back one day."
"Ok!" all the customers replied, "You have a safe trip!" Sakura turned away, smiling about all the people she's met in two months. "Let's go Syaoran." Syaoran nodded as Sakura went into the kitchen by herself to change her clothes. Syaoran looked at her go into the storeroom and shut the door behind her. "So Syaoran, when you going to propose?" Mao asked. Syaoran frantically held his hand over Mao's mouth. "Quiet she might hear you!" Syaoran was enraged, "I can't let her know, you understand?" "Ahhh such a young age to propose!" a lady said. Syaoran blushed, "I can't do it though…" Jao put a hand on Syaoran's shoulder, "Listen, you two are both young and reckless, just go for it." Syaoran smiled at Jao. "Thanks Jao!" he gave a look of gratitude to Jao, "Well I guess I'll see you all some other day then, bye everyone."
Syaoran was just beginning to walk away, "Wait Syaoran! You got a ring?" Syaoran was stumped; he absolutely forgot that every time you propose, you need a ring, but Syaoran has been cooking with no pay for 2 months, how can he have enough money to buy a ring? Syaoran fell down embarrassed, "Don't worry Syaoran, we'll all pitch in to help you out!" Jao and Mao took out their change bags, "How much does a ring cost nowadays Syaoran?" Syaoran immediately looked surprised, "100 taels? 1000 taels? Name your price!" "How about put your change away before I stuff them down your throat!" Vung came in at the last second before either Mao or Jao could say a higher amount. "I don't want any money from any of you!" Syaoran rejected, "Though I'm very obliged, I'd rather earn it!" Vung pulled out a red envelope, those envelopes which you see on the Chinese New Year. "This is your severance," Vung held up the red money packet in Syaoran's face. Syaoran slowly put his hand on Vung's and pushed it away shaking his head. "I don't want money from you either Vung," Syaoran was extremely grateful, "I don't need money from any of you."
Vung felt somewhat insulted and proud at Syaoran, "Why not? Is my money dirty?" Vung asked. Syaoran shook his head, "It's ok if I can't get a ring for Sakura, as long as I can make something that she loves 3 times more." Vung was speechless, "Oh my god!" she said trying to hold back her cry of happiness, "I wish Lung had your mind when we were getting married!" Vung was heartfelt with how Syaoran was dealing with this situation. "Remember," she warned, "Girls always like flowers no matter what, so whatever you're making, make sure you give some flowers with that!" Syaoran nodded, "Ok I should get going, goodbye everyone!"
Syaoran began to walk in the kitchen, he met up with Touya and Sakura in the back door, all ready and revved up to go. "Are you sure you guys don't want me to come with?" Sakura gave Vung a look, one of those, 'are you crazy' looks. "Vung! You're 5 months pregnant! What can you possibly do in your condition?" Vung looked around her, as if she thought Sakura was talking to someone around her. "What condition? I'm only pregnant; I can still kick some imperial butt!" Everybody had sweat drops coming form the back of their heads, "What about the Tong An?" Syaoran asked. Vung took a second to think about it, "Oh yeah! Darn!" Vung snapped her fingers, "Looks like I can't come then." Vung smiled, "Take care everyone!" Syaoran and Touya waved goodbye to Vung as they walked out, Sakura confronted Vung herself and glared at her beautiful blue eyes. "Are you going to be alright Vung?" Sakura asked as friendly as possible.
Vung pulled out something from her back pocket. "Here Sakura. Lung gave this to me a couple of years ago, he said it might come in handy, but I never use it so, it's yours." Vung handed Sakura something in a little bag that could be tied around your neck. "What's this?" Sakura asked curiously. "It's a miniature version of mopan weed, it's used when you are really wounded. Applying it will ensure instant relief." Sakura stared at the little bag, amazed. "But I have yet to test it out, that's what Lung told me, I never really believed him though." Vung gave a cheerful smile, which was reflected by Sakura's cheerful smile. "Sakura, come on!" Touya called. Taking one last look at Vung, Sakura closed the back door, following Touya and Syaoran.
"Where are they?" a man with a white headband asked, "Touya and Sakura have been gone for 2 months, where can they possibly be, I hope the army hasn't caught them." Tomoyo slapped the man's lips, "Don't say that!" she yelled, "Sakura's going to be back, I'm sure of it!" Tomoyo worried for dear life. "Oh Sakura, first Clow Reed, now you, please don't say you are out their somewhere being hurt, I hope yo8u show at the next horizon soon.
"Hey look!" the man shouted, "It's them, they're back and they brought us soldiers!" Tomoyo looked at the mountain top; she began to smile with glee. "Sakura! You're back." Tomoyo saw all the people, they were on dark horses and they all wore white headbands with swords carried behind them. "Look at that! They look so menacing, so dangerous, so-" "Fake!" Tomoyo cut the man off. The man clenched his teeth at Tomoyo, "What are you talking about? How dare you call our leader fake?" Tomoyo shook her head realizing trouble coming near. "That's not Touya, it's someone else, they're trying to confuse us!" The man yelled at Tomoyo in rage, "How do you know!?"
Tomoyo observed the horses again, "Only those dark horses, they are specially bred from imperial grounds, they could not have been because Tianjin is not a part of imperial grounds." The man finally realized his mistake and frantically shook Tomoyo, "If that's not Touya, then who is it!?" Tomoyo knew who it was, there was no easier way to tell him this, "That's the army; they've come to hit us now! We have to warn the others to prepare, before they do a sneak atta-" Tomoyo turned around and immediately saw a spear aimed at her face. "Before, what?" Wuji asked with a devilish smile, "Sneak attack?" The man who was with Tomoyo jumped into Wuji, trying to save Tomoyo, but was stabbed by 4 men who came out from behind Wuji. "You're not going to get away for this Wuji!" Tomoyo screamed. Wuji grabbed Tomoyo by her black wavy hair.
"I know your relationship with that Japanese girl, the daughter of Min," Wuji held Tomoyo's face with his hand; "I know you two are inseparable, until now." Tomoyo began to fear for her life, "Please Wuji, don't hurt the refugees! They are innocent; they haven't attacked you for months!" Wuji chuckled, "That's their problem!" Wuji snapped his fingers, "Men?" he called, "Kill all the rebels, don't let a single one live." The soldiers obediently bowed and proceeded to lead the dark horse riders ride down the mountain. With a single yell, all the disguised soldiers began to burn the village down.
"You can burn the village down, you can kill me! But you won't win Wuji!" Tomoyo spit in Wuji's face with utter disrespect. Wuji was not angered, he only smiled. "You won't die," Wuji said, "I won't kill you, I need you to deliver a message to your friend and her brother and that traitorous captain." Wuji sickly licked her face, Tomoyo began to shiver, she was scared what might happen to her, everything now was so scary to her. "What could he possibly do?" Tomoyo worriedly wondered as she closed her eyes. Suddenly, Wuji ripped off Tomoyo's skirt, he ripped off Tomoyo's undergarments, and surely, without remorse, he ravaged her. Tomoyo screamed and screamed, but no one could answer her screams, as they were all dying.
"Oh yeah!" Wuji shouted with excitement, "This is the greatest gift a subject has given to me in my first day on the job." Tomoyo kept on screaming in pain as his hand began to dig into her. "All hail emperor Wuji!" the soldiers shouted as they looked at Wuji working on Tomoyo.
Sakura Narration
There it is! Home, we're all finally home. Wait until everybody sees all the soldiers we got. (Sakura looks at the abundance of people behind her) Tomoyo's going to be so happy. Wait! What is this smell? (Sakura sniffs) It smells like smoke, why is the village so dark? Oh no, please don't!
End Sakura Narration
"It smells like smoke," Touya said as he saw his village, "They couldn't have!" Touya hit the side of his horse making it go faster to the burned down site. When Touya, Sakura, and Syaoran finally reached there, they finally saw it all, the whole village, burned to the ground. Skeletons lay astray, all burning human flesh, the smell stained the air, like a bad nightmare. "Search for survivors!" Touya commanded his new squad. Everybody got off their horses and began to look around the burned ruins. Sakura, with teary eyes slowly walked through the wreckage. "No!" Sakura cried out, "This can't be!" Sakura broke out on her knees and put her hands to her eyes, she began to cry with passion.
Until suddenly, Sakura heard an echo in her cries, Sakura immediately snapped her head up. Sakura got her dirty knees off the floor and looked around her, "Someone's still alive!" Sakura ran through each tent, trying to follow the sounds of the cries. Syaoran saw Sakura run off frantically and followed her. "Who's here!?" Sakura asked, "Please, tell me where you are?" Sakura kept on searching and searching, until finally, a not so burnt tent caught her eye. She approached the tent with caution, trying to hear the cries of that person. Sakura lightly placed her ear on the tent, trying to make sure the cries came from there. "Sakura," Syaoran said as he finally caught up. Sakura turned her head, her eyes teary, "Let's go!" Syaoran said as he grabbed her hand and they went into the tent together.
Sakura saw someone on the tent corner crying, she couldn't see a clear image, the tent was dark, and her hair was dark too, it perfectly camouflaged. "Is that you Tomoyo?" Sakura asked, making sure her friend was still alive. Sakura placed her hand on Tomoyo's shoulder, "Tomoyo? What's wrong?" Syaoran took out his flint and finally reached out and grabbed a candle, "I've found a candle, now we can get some light!" "No don't!" Tomoyo shouted as Li lit up the candle. In an instant, Sakura was petrified in seeing her friend. Tomoyo's eyes were red, her clothes were ripped off, she was tied up, and her hair was messed up. "Tomoyo!" Sakura ran to her friends' side and quickly began to untie her, until finally; she noticed that Tomoyo was carrying a note.
"Syaoran!?" Sakura called Syaoran over, "Read the note while I untie Tomoyo!" Syaoran picked up the note as Sakura began to break Tomoyo's bonds. Syaoran disgusted, read the note with a sick expression on his face. "She was only a toy, a messenger. I've ravaged her for you to see a sneak peek what I'm going to do before your eyes when I ravage your girlfriend!" Syaoran had enough; the paper was obviously addressed to him. He crumpled up the paper and burned it in the candle. "Damn you Wuji," he said, "I won't let you do that." Sakura worriedly checked Tomoyo's wounds, "What did the paper say Syaoran?" Sakura was busy looking at Tomoyo to notice Syaoran had already left. "Syaoran?" Sakura quickly went outside the tent, "Where'd Syaoran go?" Sakura frantically searched for Syaoran, "Syaoran!" she shouted out.
Suddenly, she heard a horse neighing. "No, don't go, where are you going?" a man asked. Sakura quickly ran to where the voice was coming from, she saw the man desperately hold out his hand, like the person had just left. "What happened?" she asked the man. The man was speechless, but nonetheless, he told her, "That boy Syaoran, he's gone to go fight Wuji all by himself!" Sakura shot her eyes open, "Syaoran!" she exclaimed.
Quote of the Chapter:
"What condition? I'm only pregnant; I can still kick some imperial butt!" –Vung
Meaning of the Quote: Well practically, all the profiles are done for now, so I decided to do something different. I pick a significant quote from the story, any part of it, and I explain the significance it has in the story, sometimes it'll be comical, sometimes it'll be serious. This quote is from Vung, who says it in response when Sakura says she is not able to go with them. People who have seen "The Legend of Drunken Master" starring Jackie Chan, will know this line came from Jackie's mother in the movie, but somewhat modified to avoid copyright laws. I found it really funny because I wanted to express Vung's strong woman attitude.