Amber Eyes
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Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot!
Authoress Ramble: Third chapter already! 3 IÕm really motivated to write this story. I like it very much. To everyone who reviewed- I love you! =3
Note: If the Òs,Õs and ,s are not quotes and commas, go to View ------ Character Set in Internet Explorer and change it to Western (Mac)! Or change the character set some other way to fix it, itÕs possible!
Shouts To People Who Reviewed!: Special thanks to everyone who reviewed! That means you, Azi, Amanda Panda, Eclipse, Shorty and Little Wolf LOVER! *kisses for all of you*
By the way, extra special thanks to the people that told me that I was only accepting signed reviews! This is my very first story here and I didnÕt know that it was like that. I changed it, so I can get reviews from everyone now, hopefully. Arigatou. =^^=
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Sakura pushed a thick branch out of her way, exhausted and amazed that she could still find the energy to move forward. The Wolves had been driving them through the thick Forest of the mountainside since just a short time after dawn. Sakura had begun to breath heavily, panting, and her throat felt hoarse. She had not had any water since she had been taken from her home, and they had been traveling for well over nine hours in the sun today alone, not counting yesterday. The bright sun beat down on her once silky red hair, now messy and tangled with bits of leaves and sticks in it from walking through a Forest with no cleared path.
Her entire body ached from walking, and she was starving- they had been given no more food than they had water. She hadnÕt eaten since she was at home, and her stomach was gnawing at her insides. Her feet hurt the worst, as the cuts and blisters from yesterday had long been reopened and worsened from todayÕs constant walking. She glanced down at them, her feet, still clumsily bandaged with dirty green ripped strips of cloth. Despite the pain, Sakura smiled, remembering Syaoran, the serious Kaeran boy she had met the night before, the boy with chocolate-brown hair and deep, beautiful amber eyes.
Last night, grieving and fragile, she had seen him as a potential lover, and though SakuraÕs shattered heart was still in turmoil, sheÕd had a lot of time to think about Syaoran throughout the endless hike that she and the rest of the group of prisoners were being forced to take. SheÕd decided that if she did indeed meet him again, and she was praying that she would, she would seek only his friendship. He was a stranger, after all. It was just that she was starving for someone, and last night, a lover had been the sort of someone she desired ...
Now, though, in the bright daylight, Sakura realized that what she really needed was a friend. She didnÕt know Syaoran very well at all, and he was still a stranger to her, but she had felt kindness in him. She already knew, somehow, that he had a good heart.
ÔI hope that we can be friends,Õ thought Sakura, walking forward stiffly, ÔEven if I am attracted to him, thatÕs all I need and can handle right now; a friend. IÕm not sure what got into me last night. Is he really that right for me, that I felt that certain kind of warm energy, that spark? Or maybe it was just because he was so beautiful ... those amber eyes ...Õ
Ô... like the eyes of a wolf,Õ her mind finished. SakuraÕs mind struggled with the thought, because for her, the term ÔWolfÕ now meant hate, cruelty, heartlessness, death and grief. Before the war, though, Sakura had admired the wolf. True wolves were noble creatures, and though they always seemed grave and serious, not very fun-loving or playful at all, they were loyal to the members of their pack, guarding them, sharing their food with them, fighting by their sides. They took care of one another.
Syaoran seemed to be much like a true wolf, Sakura decided. He wasnÕt like a Wolf of the Li kingdom at all. His amber eyes were not cruel.
ÔI hope I see him again,Õ thought Sakura. She had searched for him in the group earlier, but had not found him, and none of the other prisoners seemed to recall seeing a young man with chocolate brown hair, startling beautiful amber eyes and a dark green shirt. He seemed to be, like a wolf, mysterious and elusive, perhaps as much as he was, in SakuraÕs eyes, beautiful. An image of his handsome face in the dark shadows, illuminated only by moonlight, filled her mind.
Still, it bothered her that he was not with the group. It was possible that he was still somewhere in the group and just difficult to find, as the group was huge- their group had been merged with a group of Kaeran prisoners that had been being held at the Wolf camp they had been at last night, the one with the fire and the cave where she met Syaoran and slept. Yet, no one had seen him, or noticed him for that matter. How could someone not notice someone like him? He seemed to stand out so much; he seemed to be special, glorified in some way. His aura was not common in the least.
ÔPerhaps he ran away,Õ thought Sakura, a thought that made her heart sink. Selfishly, a part of her heart hoped that he had not, for she wanted to see him again, but a stronger part of her heart hoped that he had, that he was safe and free. She had no idea what sort of horrors would await her in the Li kingdom, as a slave girl.
The group suddenly slowed down, and Sakura looked up to see where they were. The Wolves were holding the group just outside of a small village. Sakura could see homes, some already lit on fire, and hear the cries and screams of the villageÕs people. She turned away, tears about to fall; she did not want to see any of this. It reminded her of her own village, Himemi, now empty and burnt to the ground, filled with blood and death.
Images of her brother being forced to kneel down, bent forward, his young eyes shut calmly and bravely, and her fatherÕs bloody body filled her mind. Despite herself, she cried out, tears falling freely. She would gladly die by any cruel method if it would bring them back, if it would end this terrible, terrible war.
Sakura heard crying and pleading close to her, and she turned her head despite her fear to its source. A Wolf had pinned a woman against a tree near the waiting, helpless group of prisoners, holding a knife to her neck. She was crying and begging for mercy, and he was screaming at her in poor Kaeran.
Sakura couldnÕt help but hear his loud, rough words.
ÒYou see girl?,Ó he barked, pressing the blade onto her throat, ÒWith long black hair, go to legs? She tall as me, very beautiful, a stranger, not from village here? You see? You see strange girl?!Ó
The woman cried out, unable to shake her head.
ÒWell?!Ó, screamed the Lian soldier. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she finally answered.
ÒNo, I havenÕt, IÕve seen no such girl!,Ó she cried out, ÒPlease, let me go! Let me go, please! I donÕt know who youÕre talking about!Ó
The Wolf seemed satisfied with this. ÒThank you for help,Ó he said coldly, and with a smirk, slashed the knife across the womenÕs throat. Sakura cried out and turned away, trying her best not to hear the womenÕs cut-off scream, the sound of her body falling onto the ground.
ÔHow could anyone kill so mercilessly?,Ó her mind cried out as fresh tears slid down her pale cheeks, ÒWhat kind of monsters are they? And why would they kill her just because sheÕd never seen some strange girl? Why do they care about a girl, anyway?Õ
SakuraÕs mind stopped on this, and she thought about it as she cried. Were the Wolves looking for someone?
She cried for the woman and for the rest of the village until the Wolves had finished, and the group, now larger, was shoved further along, through the burning village, filled with the heavy scent of fresh blood mixed with the black smoke of many fires.
They walked for a little longer than an hour until they finally reached a clearing on the mountainside with few trees and another deep cave. A creek ran alongside it, and the Wolves allowed the prisoners to take a drink each. Sakura struggled through the crowd to get to the water, everyone pushing and shoving to secure their turn- there was no telling when the Wolves might grow impatient and change their minds. When it was finally her turn, Sakura dropped to her knees and gulped down several handfuls gratefully.
The Wolves drove the prisoners into the mountainside cave and built a fire for themselves outside, once again leaving several Wolves outside of the cave to guard its entrance. Sakura once again curled up against the wall, exhausted; her entire body ached, and her dirty green bandages were stiff with dried blood. Afraid to take them off, Sakura let them be, saving the curagi for when she, or someone else, truly needed it.
An hour or so later, when the sky was growing dark, several Wolves came inside the cave and dumped a pile of hard, stale bread onto the stone floor of the cave, then left. The prisoners, mostly women, managed to somewhat evenly split up the bread between themselves. Sakura was given a piece about the size of the palm of her small, delicate hand. It was about as hard as the stone wall Sakura was leaning against.
Still, Sakura ate it gratefully, breaking off small pieces and chewing them until they were warm and soft enough to swallow. When she had finished it, she laid her head back against the cave wall and cried silently, closing her eyes tightly as she continued to grieve for her father and brother. When she could cry no longer, she bent her head down, closed her eyes and prayed, prayed for the War to end, for the killing to stop; Sakura prayed for peace , which was, it seemed now, a miracle.
Sakura wrapped her arms around her legs, laying her head between her knees. ÔI wonder if Father and Toya are watching over me ... ,Õ she thought sadly. That was her final thought before her mind began to drift off into sleep, her tired, aching body becoming limp in reality and weightless to her, her body and soul temporarily free of pain. She was glad that her father and brother were free of it forever.
Sakura was awakened slowly several hours later by someone gently shaking her shoulder. Hazily, her mind struggled to stay asleep for just a few seconds more until, in an instant, she awoke in panic, her eyes snapping open quickly and widely. SakuraÕs bright green eyes met deep pools of amber.
ÒSyaoran!,Ó she gasped. Syaoran nodded, his handsome face dark, partly hidden in the shadows and partly revealed by the moonlight pouring in through the mouth of the cave. Sakura was startled, but also suddenly, irrationally happy.
ÒHow are you?,Ó she asked quickly. Syaoran stared at her, then turned away from her in favor of sitting at her side, close to her but not touching her body. He didnÕt answer.
ÒI brought you something,Ó he said finally. He rummaged in a small bag that he had brought with him and pulled out a stick of dried meat and two long, thick carrots. He passed them to Sakura without a smile, and she took them gratefully, smiling at him warmly.
ÒThank you,Ó Sakura said, meaning the words deeply. Syaoran said nothing. Sakura turned from him and looked at the food in her hands, suddenly frowning.
ÒDid you steal these from the Wolves?,Ó she asked worriedly. Syaoran stared in front of himself with a serious frown.
ÒMaybe,Ó he said firmly. SakuraÕs frown deepened.
ÒThat was dishonest of you,Ó she said sadly, clutching the food in her hands. Syaoran turned his head to glare at her, surprised. Suddenly, Sakura smiled a little.
ÒBut it was also very noble,Ó she finished. Syaoran stared at her a moment more before turning back to stare at the opposite wall.
ÒYou can eat them now, if you want,Ó he said suddenly. Sakura looked at the food in her hands for a long time, then shook her head.
ÒNo,Ó she said simply, then stood up. Syaoran watched her do so in surprise.
ÒWhat are you doing?,Ó he asked, his eyes wide, ÒAnd where are you going?Ó
ÒIÕll be right back,Ó replied Sakura warmly. She walked over to a mother with two young girls, all three asleep. She set a carrot down at each little girlÕs feet, then snapped the stick of dried meat in half and set a half down next to each carrot. Smiling gently, she returned to her place next Syaoran, who continued to stare at her in surprise.
ÒWhat did you do that for?,Ó he asked. SakuraÕs smile deepened, and she looked down at her now empty hands.
ÒChildren need the food more than I do,Ó she explained. Syaoran stared at her for a moment longer, then nodded suddenly and turned back to staring at the wall. Silence fell between them.
ÒHow is your hand?,Ó Sakura asked, breaking the silence. Syaoran turned back toward her.
ÒCut open,Ó Syaoran replied coldly, glaring at her. Sakura blinked in surprised. ÒIt feels better, though,Ó he added quietly.
ÒLetÕs see then,Ó said Sakura with a small smile. She held out her hand. Syaoran hesitantly gave her his once again, and Sakura carefully peeled off the dirty, bloody bandage. She studied the wound for a minute.
ÒIt looks cleaner,Ó she said finally, pleased.
ÒI washed it off at the creek,Ó said Syaoran. Sakura nodded. Much of the dirt had been washed away, and the cut didnÕt appear so fresh. It was healing slowly, and had remained uninfected.
ÒIt looks like the curagi helped,Ó said Sakura, looking up to meet SyaoranÕs eyes. ÒI still canÕt believe that youÕve never used curagi. I thought that it grew and was used throughout all of Kaera.Ó
Syaoran stared at her for a moment, then pulled back his hand and turned back toward the wall.
ÒDo you have ... family ... in ... in Niikan?,Ó Sakura asked carefully. Syaoran said nothing for a moment, frowning coldly.
ÒYes,Ó he said finally. Sakura pursed her lips.
ÒWho?,Ó asked Sakura quietly. Syaoran again waited, saying nothing; it looked for a moment as though he would say nothing at all.
ÒMy father, and mother,Ó he said finally, coldly, ÒAnd my four sisters. I have no brothers.Ó
Sakura looked down at her hands, unsure of how to continue. She wasnÕt sure if she should ask such things, but she wanted to know the reason behind this boyÕs coldness.
ÒHave you lost anyone ... to this War?,Ó Sakura asked slowly, carefully choosing her words. Sakura saw SyaoranÕs frown deepen, and he continued to stare out in front of himself.
ÒMy second-cousin went missing,Ó he said, slightly bowing his head, ÒIt doesnÕt sound like much, but we were raised together. We were very close.Ó
ÒIÕm so sorry, Ò said Sakura tenderly. She saw sadness in SyaoranÕs eyes, sadness that pained her heart. Gently, she reached out and touched his arm, sliding her fingertips down the rough, tattered fabric. She felt Syaoran flinch, but he not pull away from her touch.
Slowly, Sakura pulled her hand away. Tears were beginning to fill her eyes. Syaoran turned to her and saw this, and his amber eyes widened just a little, then softened.
ÒDid you,Ó he began gently, ÒLose anyone?Ó
Sakura stared at him. She sensed again the kindness that she had found in him the night before, saw a warmth in his eyes that had not been there a moment ago.
ÒYes,Ó Sakura said softly, a tear sliding down her pale cheek. ÒMy father and little brother were killed, and ... my mother ... she died when I was young.Ó Sakura choked back a sob.
ÒThatÕs why ... IÕm alone, now,Ó she said, crying openly, ÒI donÕt have any family left ... Ò
Sakura put her head in her hands and began to cry. Syaoran looked at her, unsure of what to do but sure that something had to be done. Cautiously, he reached out and touched her shoulder gently.
ÒDonÕt worry,Ó began Syaoran quietly, eyes intent on Sakura, ÒTheyÕre luckier than we are. TheyÕre at peace now.Ó
SyaoranÕs words were gentle and warm, and they comforted Sakura, warming her broken heart. She lifted her head out of her hands and turned to look at him, his hand still on her shoulder. A small, sad, fragile smile began to spread across her pale, tear-stained face.
ÒThank you,Ó Sakura whispered, emotion overwhelming her voice with quiet power. Syaoran stared into her sad green eyes, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by her.
ÒYouÕre welcome,Ó he whispered back, equally genuine. He continue to stare at her until silence had fallen between the pair. Then he slowly pulled back his hand.
ÒYou should probably get some sleep now,Ó Syaoran said quietly. Sakura, still smiling, nodded sadly.
ÒYouÕre right,Ó she said. Syaoran nodded back.
ÒIÕll leave you be, then,Ó he said, gathering up his small bag, ÒGood night.Ó
Sakura waited, not saying anything for a moment; things felt unfinished. Syaoran looked as though he were about to stand up.
ÒWait!,Ó said Sakura suddenly. Syaoran looked at her in surprise.
ÒSyaoran,Ó she began hesitantly but quickly, feeling unexplainably rushed and nervous, ÒCan we ... I mean ...Ó
Syaoran stared at her intently, waiting.
Sakura smiled nervously. ÒCan we be friends?,Ó she finally asked. She wasnÕt sure, because the cave was so dark, but she thought she saw Syaoran smile.
ÒAlright,Ó Syaoran said quietly. Sakura smiled at him; she wanted to touch him, but she wasnÕt sure how she wanted to, or how she could without ruining this precious moment, so she just smiled, hoping that it would reveal all that needed to be revealed just then.
ÒGood night, Sakura,Ó said Syaoran softly. Sakura continued to smile, for she felt happy. She had a friend in this boy; she wasnÕt alone in this any longer.
ÒGood night,Ó Sakura said in return, watching as Syaoran stood and walked away from her into the darkness of the cave, toward the moonlight. She was suddenly very tired, and she closed her eyes, welcoming sleep. Her smile didnÕt fade until she had long been asleep.
Sakura fell asleep gently that night, her body strangely warm and her heart, though still broken, full and weightless.
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To be continued in the next chapter. I like this chapter better than the last. Do you think IÕm able to portray love well?
If you liked it, or better yet, have ideas, then please leave a review! I love reviews! Reviews = writer faster! =^^= IÕll even thank you personally because I love reviews so much! Hehe.
In the next chapter: more about the Ôstrange girlÕ, a mysterious gift from Syaoran and more warmth and weightlessness ...
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Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot!
Authoress Ramble: Third chapter already! 3 IÕm really motivated to write this story. I like it very much. To everyone who reviewed- I love you! =3
Note: If the Òs,Õs and ,s are not quotes and commas, go to View ------ Character Set in Internet Explorer and change it to Western (Mac)! Or change the character set some other way to fix it, itÕs possible!
Shouts To People Who Reviewed!: Special thanks to everyone who reviewed! That means you, Azi, Amanda Panda, Eclipse, Shorty and Little Wolf LOVER! *kisses for all of you*
By the way, extra special thanks to the people that told me that I was only accepting signed reviews! This is my very first story here and I didnÕt know that it was like that. I changed it, so I can get reviews from everyone now, hopefully. Arigatou. =^^=
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Sakura pushed a thick branch out of her way, exhausted and amazed that she could still find the energy to move forward. The Wolves had been driving them through the thick Forest of the mountainside since just a short time after dawn. Sakura had begun to breath heavily, panting, and her throat felt hoarse. She had not had any water since she had been taken from her home, and they had been traveling for well over nine hours in the sun today alone, not counting yesterday. The bright sun beat down on her once silky red hair, now messy and tangled with bits of leaves and sticks in it from walking through a Forest with no cleared path.
Her entire body ached from walking, and she was starving- they had been given no more food than they had water. She hadnÕt eaten since she was at home, and her stomach was gnawing at her insides. Her feet hurt the worst, as the cuts and blisters from yesterday had long been reopened and worsened from todayÕs constant walking. She glanced down at them, her feet, still clumsily bandaged with dirty green ripped strips of cloth. Despite the pain, Sakura smiled, remembering Syaoran, the serious Kaeran boy she had met the night before, the boy with chocolate-brown hair and deep, beautiful amber eyes.
Last night, grieving and fragile, she had seen him as a potential lover, and though SakuraÕs shattered heart was still in turmoil, sheÕd had a lot of time to think about Syaoran throughout the endless hike that she and the rest of the group of prisoners were being forced to take. SheÕd decided that if she did indeed meet him again, and she was praying that she would, she would seek only his friendship. He was a stranger, after all. It was just that she was starving for someone, and last night, a lover had been the sort of someone she desired ...
Now, though, in the bright daylight, Sakura realized that what she really needed was a friend. She didnÕt know Syaoran very well at all, and he was still a stranger to her, but she had felt kindness in him. She already knew, somehow, that he had a good heart.
ÔI hope that we can be friends,Õ thought Sakura, walking forward stiffly, ÔEven if I am attracted to him, thatÕs all I need and can handle right now; a friend. IÕm not sure what got into me last night. Is he really that right for me, that I felt that certain kind of warm energy, that spark? Or maybe it was just because he was so beautiful ... those amber eyes ...Õ
Ô... like the eyes of a wolf,Õ her mind finished. SakuraÕs mind struggled with the thought, because for her, the term ÔWolfÕ now meant hate, cruelty, heartlessness, death and grief. Before the war, though, Sakura had admired the wolf. True wolves were noble creatures, and though they always seemed grave and serious, not very fun-loving or playful at all, they were loyal to the members of their pack, guarding them, sharing their food with them, fighting by their sides. They took care of one another.
Syaoran seemed to be much like a true wolf, Sakura decided. He wasnÕt like a Wolf of the Li kingdom at all. His amber eyes were not cruel.
ÔI hope I see him again,Õ thought Sakura. She had searched for him in the group earlier, but had not found him, and none of the other prisoners seemed to recall seeing a young man with chocolate brown hair, startling beautiful amber eyes and a dark green shirt. He seemed to be, like a wolf, mysterious and elusive, perhaps as much as he was, in SakuraÕs eyes, beautiful. An image of his handsome face in the dark shadows, illuminated only by moonlight, filled her mind.
Still, it bothered her that he was not with the group. It was possible that he was still somewhere in the group and just difficult to find, as the group was huge- their group had been merged with a group of Kaeran prisoners that had been being held at the Wolf camp they had been at last night, the one with the fire and the cave where she met Syaoran and slept. Yet, no one had seen him, or noticed him for that matter. How could someone not notice someone like him? He seemed to stand out so much; he seemed to be special, glorified in some way. His aura was not common in the least.
ÔPerhaps he ran away,Õ thought Sakura, a thought that made her heart sink. Selfishly, a part of her heart hoped that he had not, for she wanted to see him again, but a stronger part of her heart hoped that he had, that he was safe and free. She had no idea what sort of horrors would await her in the Li kingdom, as a slave girl.
The group suddenly slowed down, and Sakura looked up to see where they were. The Wolves were holding the group just outside of a small village. Sakura could see homes, some already lit on fire, and hear the cries and screams of the villageÕs people. She turned away, tears about to fall; she did not want to see any of this. It reminded her of her own village, Himemi, now empty and burnt to the ground, filled with blood and death.
Images of her brother being forced to kneel down, bent forward, his young eyes shut calmly and bravely, and her fatherÕs bloody body filled her mind. Despite herself, she cried out, tears falling freely. She would gladly die by any cruel method if it would bring them back, if it would end this terrible, terrible war.
Sakura heard crying and pleading close to her, and she turned her head despite her fear to its source. A Wolf had pinned a woman against a tree near the waiting, helpless group of prisoners, holding a knife to her neck. She was crying and begging for mercy, and he was screaming at her in poor Kaeran.
Sakura couldnÕt help but hear his loud, rough words.
ÒYou see girl?,Ó he barked, pressing the blade onto her throat, ÒWith long black hair, go to legs? She tall as me, very beautiful, a stranger, not from village here? You see? You see strange girl?!Ó
The woman cried out, unable to shake her head.
ÒWell?!Ó, screamed the Lian soldier. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she finally answered.
ÒNo, I havenÕt, IÕve seen no such girl!,Ó she cried out, ÒPlease, let me go! Let me go, please! I donÕt know who youÕre talking about!Ó
The Wolf seemed satisfied with this. ÒThank you for help,Ó he said coldly, and with a smirk, slashed the knife across the womenÕs throat. Sakura cried out and turned away, trying her best not to hear the womenÕs cut-off scream, the sound of her body falling onto the ground.
ÔHow could anyone kill so mercilessly?,Ó her mind cried out as fresh tears slid down her pale cheeks, ÒWhat kind of monsters are they? And why would they kill her just because sheÕd never seen some strange girl? Why do they care about a girl, anyway?Õ
SakuraÕs mind stopped on this, and she thought about it as she cried. Were the Wolves looking for someone?
She cried for the woman and for the rest of the village until the Wolves had finished, and the group, now larger, was shoved further along, through the burning village, filled with the heavy scent of fresh blood mixed with the black smoke of many fires.
They walked for a little longer than an hour until they finally reached a clearing on the mountainside with few trees and another deep cave. A creek ran alongside it, and the Wolves allowed the prisoners to take a drink each. Sakura struggled through the crowd to get to the water, everyone pushing and shoving to secure their turn- there was no telling when the Wolves might grow impatient and change their minds. When it was finally her turn, Sakura dropped to her knees and gulped down several handfuls gratefully.
The Wolves drove the prisoners into the mountainside cave and built a fire for themselves outside, once again leaving several Wolves outside of the cave to guard its entrance. Sakura once again curled up against the wall, exhausted; her entire body ached, and her dirty green bandages were stiff with dried blood. Afraid to take them off, Sakura let them be, saving the curagi for when she, or someone else, truly needed it.
An hour or so later, when the sky was growing dark, several Wolves came inside the cave and dumped a pile of hard, stale bread onto the stone floor of the cave, then left. The prisoners, mostly women, managed to somewhat evenly split up the bread between themselves. Sakura was given a piece about the size of the palm of her small, delicate hand. It was about as hard as the stone wall Sakura was leaning against.
Still, Sakura ate it gratefully, breaking off small pieces and chewing them until they were warm and soft enough to swallow. When she had finished it, she laid her head back against the cave wall and cried silently, closing her eyes tightly as she continued to grieve for her father and brother. When she could cry no longer, she bent her head down, closed her eyes and prayed, prayed for the War to end, for the killing to stop; Sakura prayed for peace , which was, it seemed now, a miracle.
Sakura wrapped her arms around her legs, laying her head between her knees. ÔI wonder if Father and Toya are watching over me ... ,Õ she thought sadly. That was her final thought before her mind began to drift off into sleep, her tired, aching body becoming limp in reality and weightless to her, her body and soul temporarily free of pain. She was glad that her father and brother were free of it forever.
Sakura was awakened slowly several hours later by someone gently shaking her shoulder. Hazily, her mind struggled to stay asleep for just a few seconds more until, in an instant, she awoke in panic, her eyes snapping open quickly and widely. SakuraÕs bright green eyes met deep pools of amber.
ÒSyaoran!,Ó she gasped. Syaoran nodded, his handsome face dark, partly hidden in the shadows and partly revealed by the moonlight pouring in through the mouth of the cave. Sakura was startled, but also suddenly, irrationally happy.
ÒHow are you?,Ó she asked quickly. Syaoran stared at her, then turned away from her in favor of sitting at her side, close to her but not touching her body. He didnÕt answer.
ÒI brought you something,Ó he said finally. He rummaged in a small bag that he had brought with him and pulled out a stick of dried meat and two long, thick carrots. He passed them to Sakura without a smile, and she took them gratefully, smiling at him warmly.
ÒThank you,Ó Sakura said, meaning the words deeply. Syaoran said nothing. Sakura turned from him and looked at the food in her hands, suddenly frowning.
ÒDid you steal these from the Wolves?,Ó she asked worriedly. Syaoran stared in front of himself with a serious frown.
ÒMaybe,Ó he said firmly. SakuraÕs frown deepened.
ÒThat was dishonest of you,Ó she said sadly, clutching the food in her hands. Syaoran turned his head to glare at her, surprised. Suddenly, Sakura smiled a little.
ÒBut it was also very noble,Ó she finished. Syaoran stared at her a moment more before turning back to stare at the opposite wall.
ÒYou can eat them now, if you want,Ó he said suddenly. Sakura looked at the food in her hands for a long time, then shook her head.
ÒNo,Ó she said simply, then stood up. Syaoran watched her do so in surprise.
ÒWhat are you doing?,Ó he asked, his eyes wide, ÒAnd where are you going?Ó
ÒIÕll be right back,Ó replied Sakura warmly. She walked over to a mother with two young girls, all three asleep. She set a carrot down at each little girlÕs feet, then snapped the stick of dried meat in half and set a half down next to each carrot. Smiling gently, she returned to her place next Syaoran, who continued to stare at her in surprise.
ÒWhat did you do that for?,Ó he asked. SakuraÕs smile deepened, and she looked down at her now empty hands.
ÒChildren need the food more than I do,Ó she explained. Syaoran stared at her for a moment longer, then nodded suddenly and turned back to staring at the wall. Silence fell between them.
ÒHow is your hand?,Ó Sakura asked, breaking the silence. Syaoran turned back toward her.
ÒCut open,Ó Syaoran replied coldly, glaring at her. Sakura blinked in surprised. ÒIt feels better, though,Ó he added quietly.
ÒLetÕs see then,Ó said Sakura with a small smile. She held out her hand. Syaoran hesitantly gave her his once again, and Sakura carefully peeled off the dirty, bloody bandage. She studied the wound for a minute.
ÒIt looks cleaner,Ó she said finally, pleased.
ÒI washed it off at the creek,Ó said Syaoran. Sakura nodded. Much of the dirt had been washed away, and the cut didnÕt appear so fresh. It was healing slowly, and had remained uninfected.
ÒIt looks like the curagi helped,Ó said Sakura, looking up to meet SyaoranÕs eyes. ÒI still canÕt believe that youÕve never used curagi. I thought that it grew and was used throughout all of Kaera.Ó
Syaoran stared at her for a moment, then pulled back his hand and turned back toward the wall.
ÒDo you have ... family ... in ... in Niikan?,Ó Sakura asked carefully. Syaoran said nothing for a moment, frowning coldly.
ÒYes,Ó he said finally. Sakura pursed her lips.
ÒWho?,Ó asked Sakura quietly. Syaoran again waited, saying nothing; it looked for a moment as though he would say nothing at all.
ÒMy father, and mother,Ó he said finally, coldly, ÒAnd my four sisters. I have no brothers.Ó
Sakura looked down at her hands, unsure of how to continue. She wasnÕt sure if she should ask such things, but she wanted to know the reason behind this boyÕs coldness.
ÒHave you lost anyone ... to this War?,Ó Sakura asked slowly, carefully choosing her words. Sakura saw SyaoranÕs frown deepen, and he continued to stare out in front of himself.
ÒMy second-cousin went missing,Ó he said, slightly bowing his head, ÒIt doesnÕt sound like much, but we were raised together. We were very close.Ó
ÒIÕm so sorry, Ò said Sakura tenderly. She saw sadness in SyaoranÕs eyes, sadness that pained her heart. Gently, she reached out and touched his arm, sliding her fingertips down the rough, tattered fabric. She felt Syaoran flinch, but he not pull away from her touch.
Slowly, Sakura pulled her hand away. Tears were beginning to fill her eyes. Syaoran turned to her and saw this, and his amber eyes widened just a little, then softened.
ÒDid you,Ó he began gently, ÒLose anyone?Ó
Sakura stared at him. She sensed again the kindness that she had found in him the night before, saw a warmth in his eyes that had not been there a moment ago.
ÒYes,Ó Sakura said softly, a tear sliding down her pale cheek. ÒMy father and little brother were killed, and ... my mother ... she died when I was young.Ó Sakura choked back a sob.
ÒThatÕs why ... IÕm alone, now,Ó she said, crying openly, ÒI donÕt have any family left ... Ò
Sakura put her head in her hands and began to cry. Syaoran looked at her, unsure of what to do but sure that something had to be done. Cautiously, he reached out and touched her shoulder gently.
ÒDonÕt worry,Ó began Syaoran quietly, eyes intent on Sakura, ÒTheyÕre luckier than we are. TheyÕre at peace now.Ó
SyaoranÕs words were gentle and warm, and they comforted Sakura, warming her broken heart. She lifted her head out of her hands and turned to look at him, his hand still on her shoulder. A small, sad, fragile smile began to spread across her pale, tear-stained face.
ÒThank you,Ó Sakura whispered, emotion overwhelming her voice with quiet power. Syaoran stared into her sad green eyes, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by her.
ÒYouÕre welcome,Ó he whispered back, equally genuine. He continue to stare at her until silence had fallen between the pair. Then he slowly pulled back his hand.
ÒYou should probably get some sleep now,Ó Syaoran said quietly. Sakura, still smiling, nodded sadly.
ÒYouÕre right,Ó she said. Syaoran nodded back.
ÒIÕll leave you be, then,Ó he said, gathering up his small bag, ÒGood night.Ó
Sakura waited, not saying anything for a moment; things felt unfinished. Syaoran looked as though he were about to stand up.
ÒWait!,Ó said Sakura suddenly. Syaoran looked at her in surprise.
ÒSyaoran,Ó she began hesitantly but quickly, feeling unexplainably rushed and nervous, ÒCan we ... I mean ...Ó
Syaoran stared at her intently, waiting.
Sakura smiled nervously. ÒCan we be friends?,Ó she finally asked. She wasnÕt sure, because the cave was so dark, but she thought she saw Syaoran smile.
ÒAlright,Ó Syaoran said quietly. Sakura smiled at him; she wanted to touch him, but she wasnÕt sure how she wanted to, or how she could without ruining this precious moment, so she just smiled, hoping that it would reveal all that needed to be revealed just then.
ÒGood night, Sakura,Ó said Syaoran softly. Sakura continued to smile, for she felt happy. She had a friend in this boy; she wasnÕt alone in this any longer.
ÒGood night,Ó Sakura said in return, watching as Syaoran stood and walked away from her into the darkness of the cave, toward the moonlight. She was suddenly very tired, and she closed her eyes, welcoming sleep. Her smile didnÕt fade until she had long been asleep.
Sakura fell asleep gently that night, her body strangely warm and her heart, though still broken, full and weightless.
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To be continued in the next chapter. I like this chapter better than the last. Do you think IÕm able to portray love well?
If you liked it, or better yet, have ideas, then please leave a review! I love reviews! Reviews = writer faster! =^^= IÕll even thank you personally because I love reviews so much! Hehe.
In the next chapter: more about the Ôstrange girlÕ, a mysterious gift from Syaoran and more warmth and weightlessness ...
