Title: This is Not Enough
Author: Peonyqt1004
Chapter Title: "Can you Understand?"
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ccs!
A/N: Hahaha, thanks for the reveiws! =) This story *IS* S and S. I'm making the plot more original then most peoples. So, the relationship between Syaoran and Sakura will never be brotherly and sisterly. You will see how it turns out. ^_^
--Story Start--
Tear fell down from those large eyes as lush and beautiful as the green rolling meadows of paradise...
Tears traced the high cheek bone and left a hot wet trial of salty tears and rolled down to the perfectly sculptured chin and dripped down, hitting the ground and shattering into many diffrent drops of water. Gently those tears hit the green grass beneath the tall womans feet, traveling down till the tears dissappeared into the forest of green and brown.
Another dry and deep sob echoed across the vast garden.
The moonlight shone and played with the light brown hair of the woman kneeling underneath a large willow tree, the grass carpeting the area benethe her feet were crushed by her weight. A gentle breeze swept up the light brown locks into the air as the woman gently opened her eyes, revealing large and shimmering eyes of green.
'Why mother, why leave now? Why leave me such a responsibility?'
Another tear fell.
Sakura stopped weeping, sniffling slightly as she brought the hem of her large flowing night gown to dab her eyes. Yet a slight smile graced her face as she looked up at the night sky. The stars winked at her cheerfully from the midnight black velvet night sky.
'Mother is that you?'
Sakura blinked as two stars seemed to blink at the same time.
"I wish you were here." Sakura said outloud, she held her hands to her chest as she got up slowly and walked off the green grass onto the grey cobblestone pathway leading to a small pond. "You took in a abandoned child like me." Sakura swept up a hand to the sky in a strange gesture. "I swear, I'll repay the god above for bringing such a loving mother to me." Sakura twirled around the garden with an invisible partner, it was strange. The cool night air seemed to kiss the wet tears off her cheeks and dry her eyes as she smiled up at the sky as she hummed a tuneless melody. The stinging in her cheek from the blow was gone, and was replaced with a light pink hue. But the pain was fading. Sakura learned how to handle pain. Pain was temporary.
--Syaoran--
Syaoran drank another cup of wine. The spicy and vivid smell of the drink made him feel a whole lot more human. He had drunk just enough to be sober, he would not let himself get drunk. He held within his hand a small picture frame of silver. His eyes had a rather gentle look in them as he held the picture with quivering hands.
'Mother. Father...'
A happy couple holding a small child with dark chocolate brown eyes looked up at him, smiling. One tall young man had dark chocolate brown hair, similar to the childs, but had large grey eyes. His face was strong and a child-like quality shone from it. The man's eyes looked strong and wise however, his tall stature towering over the beautiful woman next to him. Yelan stood next to Xiahou De Li. There was a bright smile on her face, a smile he had never seen since Xiahou De Li had died. Her light brown hair and dark chocolate brown eyes stared back at him, her beautiful thin and small face looking at Syaoran, who was viewing the picture, with a twinkle in her eyes. The little boy himself had a huge smile on his face, his eyes large and dark, his face childish and beaming with a happiness that was quite foreign to the current older version of the boy now. Syaoran closed his eyes, letting the picture fall down on the table with a thump. He opened his eyes after a long time, a strange pain in his eyes as he put away his wine. Suddenly he spotted something gold glimmering on the floor.
'A necklace?'
He approached it and stopped. He recognized it. It was his mothers prized possession. The necklace given to her by his father, Xiahou De Li. The golden sun charm lay there, enticingly.
'But why is it here?'
His hands approached it slowly and he held the cold metal within his palms. Why was it here?
Suddenly he remebered a glitter of gold and a loud clank... A flash of teary emerald eyes... and the wound of a door slamming.
'Sakura...'
He stared at the necklace.
'Why of all people does Sakura have this?'
Syaoran suddenly remebered his mother, talking to him long time ago when Sakura was away at school.
"Syaoran." His mother had said fondly. "Remeber this? Our family treasure?" Syaoran had stared at the enticing peice of gold. "Yuh huh, father gave it to you." "I'm thinking of giving it to someone who would need me more then anyone after I am gone." Syaoran remebered he had reacted violently.
"You will never be gone mother, never ever. Don't talk like that!"
He was naive, he never thought his mother would go away, he never thought his father would go either. A strange pain clamped about his heart. Of course, Yelan had given this item of special value to Sakura. The one who needed it most. But what had his mother given to him? Nothing. But then, he didn't deserve anything. He should give this back to Sakura. He really should. He held it gently in one hand, as if weighing its value, and stuffed it in his pocket.
'I'll give it to her next time.'
--Next Morning--
She knew she had to get to buisness, although this buisness was really stressful, she would do it. She dressed and got ready for the first day of work. The first day as boss. She walked quickly down the large company hallway. She knew this company by heart of course, she had come here and went alot of times long ago. The long light brown hair glistened in the hallway lights as her high heeled shoes clacked against the well waxed floor.
"Hello Ms. Li."
"Hello."
That was the 5th time she had been greeted this morning. They had bowed and left quickly. Feeling a bit stiff, she had replied or bowed her head stiffly and was relieved when she finally made it to her office.
"Omigod I thought I would never reach this place." Sakura said outloud. With a loud sigh she sat heavily on the black plush chair near her and breathed in deeply. A female voice chuckled at her right, making Sakura bolt upright.
"So this is our new boss."
A voice, tinted slightly with a rather foriegn litle said. Sakura turned around quickly and met eyes with a beautiful female. Her long purple hair reached her waist and her large purple eyes shone with merriment. Her skin was fair and her body alignment was perfect.
Sakura turned red as she felt a sudden embaressment. "I-i-i-i..." Sakura stuttered. The woman waved a hand. She was perfectly clad in the most fashionable dickens suit.
"It's fine." The woman answered. "My name is Tomoyo Fleur, nice to meet you. I am your secretary." Sakura blinked and sighed with relief. "You won't tell anyone about my..." Sakura gestured frantically, feeling silly. "Ah, no I won't." Sakura heard that accent again. "You aren't from around here are you?" Tomoyo shook her head. "No. I am from France." Sakura heard the musical lilt in her voice and connected it to the beautiful heritage of the french.
"Ah. Let's get started may we?" Sakura said brusquely, wanting to feel more like the boss she was. Tomoyo laughed a silver bell laugh. "Yes Ms. Li, let us get started."
--Syaoran--
Syaoran rang up the phone number to his mothers home. No. Now it was Sakura's home. The telephone rang for a long time and there was an answering machine.
*Nihao! This is Sakura! I'm not home currently, if you can kindly leave a message I'll get back ta ya as soon as possible-- HOEE!*
There was a sound of a loud crash a a slight moan
*Is it off ye--*
Then there was the beep.
Syaoran felt a grin tug onto his lips for the first time in a long while. He hung up, feeling guilty and his tugging grin fell. He sighed as he sat back, he was feeling way to depressed, staying at home wasn't doing him any good. He got up and slung a jacket over his shoulder. He suddenly stopped. Of course. Wei would know where Sakura was. Wei knew everything. Wei was suppose to take care of his family, his butler. But he had sent Wei away during his mothers death, he simply had wanted to be alone. He dug his cellphone out from his pocket and flipped it open.
"Wei." He said into the phone, the phone bleeped and dialed his butlers phone number, after a number of rings a gruff voice answered the phone.
"Wei speaking."
"Wei, this is Syaoran."
"Ah, master Li."
Syaoran nodded to praticualy nobody. "Listen Wei, Do you know where Sakura might be at this moment?" "She is at work sir, at the Li Company." Wei sounded mildy curious as he spoke, but he didn't question Syaoran. "Ah, thank you. How do you know this?" "I drive her Master Li." Wei answered. Syaoran said his farwells, and headed for his car.
--Somewhere in Tokoyo--
A dark haired man, tall and lean stood by the door and shook his head as another line of girls, ranging from 18-22 stood before him.
"No no no!" Tory said rather angrily. "None of them are my sister! They don't look anything like my mother! Shimatte!" The man threw down his briefcase and loosened his tie and blew the bangs out of his eyes. The girls before him all had green eyes and a assortment of brown hair, but they were all fakers or just not her.
"None of them are my sister! Send them out!" Tory roared, a bit irritated. The tall butler next to Tory hurried them out, looking anxiously behind him. The door closed, leaving the man alone in the room.
The mans name was Tory Kinomoto, one of the richest bachelors in Japan. Although he was tall and handsome, and seemigly had everything he wanted, his eyes had a rather hollow look to them, a haunted look. He brought his hands up to brush back his straight locks.
'I told you I would find you, I was suppose to take care of you, I promised mother I would...'
Tory bolted up as the door opened, revealing a rather sshort man with silverish blonde locks and large glasses framing his rather delicate and feminine face.
"Tory, I brought there pork buns for you!"
Tory looked up at his half brother, also his best friend. It was a bit ironic because his stepmother was far from *his* best friend.
"Ohayo Yukito. What are you doing here?"
"I heard your search was fruitless..." Yukito suddenly looked sad. "Gomen ne." Tory laughed rather harshly. "Nah, its not your fault Yuki..." His eyes became misty and sad as some old haunting memory swelled up at him. Yukito sat down next to Tory and proceeded to eat the pork buns in his hands.
Tory barely looked at him. He could only remeber a pair of green eyes...
**Flashback**
A small girl was looking at him, her windblown shortly cropped brown hair blowing in the wind. She usually was smiling, but today... she was crying. Tears spilled over her cheekbones and she was holding a dirty stuffed animal to her chest.
"Come inside Sakura!" Tory yelled, fusterated. A smaller version of himself marched forward, grabbing her hand. Sakura's face was pale and almost elf like as she stared at her brother with tear filled eyes.
"Oniichan, I saw Mother! I did I did!" Tory's eyes were sad but he had to be strong. He had to protect his sister. "Sakura... shh... mother is dead." They hugged each other tightly, because as far as they knew, they were the only ones who understood each other.
**End Flashback**
"God damn it, Pearl is a bitch." Tory muttered as his eyes hardened. Yukito stopped eating, a frown etching across his smooth forehead. "Don't bad mouth your step mother, she's my mom you know." Tory's eyes darkened. "She never liked me or my sister." Yukito looked sad. "Yes, she's bitter." Tory sighed. "She caused the death of my father, and threw away my sister. Now my sister is gone." Yukito closed his eyes adn rubbed the bridge of his nose slightly. "Tory, don't be bitter, it doesn't suit you. I'm sorry about your sister dissappearing... But Pearl is my mother." Tory got up stiffly and grabbed his briefcase and flung his tie onto the chair at the corner.
"Tell Pearl I won't be home till 12."
"But she'll beat you!"
Tory snorted. "Let her try! I'm not young anymore."
Yukito was quite. 'But Tory, you were never able to hit ehr back, she had somethine over you, she has a strange spell over you that even I can't understand.'
--Sakura--
Sakura really really liked her secretary. Immediatly they were good chums. Tomoyo and Sakura chatted while they worked on their presentation and worked on getting down the stock market prices and the latest trends down on paper. As you see, Li Company was a fashion company and designed clothes and accessory's. Tomoyo took up this job in hopes of becoming a designer herself. But the dream had yet to come true. Sakura smiled as she arranged the papers neatly and put them away in her folder, locking them in a safe.
"So Tomoyo, you want to go out and eat?" The woman smiled gratefully but declined. "I'm sorry, I have to meet my fiance..." Sakura laughed akwardly. "Oh, its ok." Tomoyo smiled brightly. "Maybe you can meet him on the way out!" The both slipped on their coats and opened the door, only to see a handsome young man with dark brown hair holding up his knuckles getting ready to knock.
"Syaoran?!" Sakura gasped.
The tall man rather looked nervous as he swept his hand through his ruffled hair. But his face was emotionless as he looked at Sakura.
"Listen Sakura, I have to talk to you alone."
Tomoyo's eyes swept in everything, Syaoran's rougish good looks, his cold emotionless face, his black baggy jacket and his comfortable kahkis and his cream colored sweater with a crisp yes a bit crinkled hem sticking out from the neck. She looked at Sakura and wiggled her eyebrows. But Sakura's expression was far from friendly, she looked... scared.
Tomoyo looked at both of them and gave a bright smile.
"Aiii, I have to go anyways Sakura, Later!" With an innocent look she walked off but Sakura grabbed her upper arm.
"Tomoyo, don't leave me here with my brother."
Tomoyo's eyebrows went up so much it almost flew off her face. "WHAT? You two look nothing alike!" Sakura sighed and the tall handsome man named Syaoran glared at her. "Tomoyo, it's a long story..." Syaoran gave a rather fusterated growl.
"Look Sakura. Here."
He shoved the golden necklace into Sakuras hands and Sakuras mouth dropped open in the shape of an "o".
"Mother gave this to you I assume. I don't know why she did, but it's yours and I want no part in it."
Sakura frowned slightly as Syaoran stuck his hands into his pocket and smoothly walked away. 'The nerve.' She thought angrily, but her hands clasped tightly around the necklace. Tomoyo butted in. "Is that your hated older brother?" Sakura snorted. "Yeah." But the look in Sakuras eyes were sad although her voice was rather bitter and rough. Tomoyo had a strange feeling about those two. "You guys look nothing alike." Tomoyo said again cautiously. "Good thing." Sakura said bitterly, although her eyes spoke diffrently.
'I wish he would act like a brother.' Sakura thought sadly.
Syaoran walked a few paces away from them and rounded a corner when he heard them talking.
"Is that your hated brother?"
"Yeah."
"You two look nothing alike!"
"Good thing."
Syaoran flinched a bit but knew she had every right to say that about him. His steps slowed and he came to a stop and stared at the blank lighted ceiling. The noise of people talking, machines humming, and feet and papers shuffling was heard faintly in the vaugely quiet room. He heard footsteps behind him and turned slighty. Sakura stood there with Tomoyo and Tomoyo left quickly to the door to the right. His car was in the front so he had to go to the left hallway. But something held him back.
Sakura turned towards him and her eyes widened and she looked trapped. Syaoran walked towards her, not knowing what to say. "I-i-i-i..." Sakura stuttered. Syaoran decided to make it clean and quick.
"Sakura, I'm sorry."
Sakura froze and stared at him open mouthed.
"I should'nt have hit you." Sakura's eyes softened for a vauge second. 'Maybe he has a good side?' She didn't know. But Syaoran, who looked quite uncomfortable shifted his feet and coughed. "That's what I came to tell you. Good bye." His voice became wintery and he turned quickly. But Sakura saw an opening. She knew that Syaoran wanted to talk, and no matter how much he had hurted him, she would try to understand, for Yelan's sake. She grasped his arm.
"Let's talk."
A flicker of relief and fear went through his eyes before it setteled back down to the frosty blank brown glare. "Alright." He said, trying to sound reluctant.
--At a resturant--
Sakura was treating Syaoran to lunch. It was switched, totally opposite. A guy was suppose to treat a female to lunch, but Sakura firmly insisted. Syaoran wondered how she could be so sweet to him when he was so mean to her. She seemed to glow with a strange beauty which even awestrucked him. And he was seeing it for the first time. This time he didn't let his own resentment get in the way.
"I want the soup special please." Sakura said quickly, "With water." Syaoran raised and eyebrow, "I would like some salad and some of that grilled cheese sandwhich." The waitress, who kept giving Syaoran the "look". Syaoran gave her a cold look but the waitress, a blonde, kept staring at him. Sakura smiled polietly to Syaoran.
"Do you want to talk about anything?"
Syaoran didn't answer, he recieved his coffee early, so he stirred it with his tiny elegant silver spoon. His reflection looekd backa t him as he looked down, unable to look up at the person he hurt the most, other then his mother.
Sakura smiled with a strained look and looked down at her hands. Their silence lasted till they got their food. Sakura silently sipped her water and dipped her bread in soup. Syaoran looked up at her and supressed a rather folorn sigh. He didn't know why he agreed. But there was one thing he wanted to ask her. Actually, many things.
"Sakura." He said quietly, making her look up curiously.
"What did my mother see in you that was better then me?"
Sakura was silent. "She didn't see anythign better then you in me. Sakura said finally. "She saw strength other then my weakness." Syaoran snorted. Sakura looked at him with her glimmering and luminous green eyes.
"Syaoran, I am not better then you. You just refused to talk to her and understand her..."
Syaorans eyes flashed angrily.
"Oh, so it's all my fault?" He asked rather calmly, but his expression could even make the strongest man on earth cower. Sakura didn't cower however.
"Remeber? She would talk to you and you would curse at her and throw her out of your room and lock your door and leave and party at your friends house till 12?"
Syaoran slammed the table with a fist, drawing everyones attention.
"Sakura..." He growled.
Sakura continued, feeling rather less burdened and exhilirated. "And you know what? Mother would be waiting for you till then, she would be sitting on the sofa, not eating till you came. Even after you threw her out of your room and cursed at her, she never said one bad word about you."
Syaoran felt cold and hot all over and his facial expression changed from serene, to anger. A dark cloud was forming above his head.
"Are you finished?" He asked coldly.
"No!" Sakura retorted, feeling rather brave.
"Yes you are." Syaoran growled, getting up. 'Why the heck did I come?!'
Sakura jumped up with him. "Syaoran! I only want you to be the person she said she saw underneath all that bitter coating!"
"WHAT?!" Syaoran roared, everyone at the cafe was staring, mouth agape, at them. "You think you know me? You think mother knew me? She didn't talk to me much! She didn't care enough!" "She did care you never listened! And I know you more then you know! We grew up in the same house together for a good portion of our childhood and teenage life!" Syaoran had enough. He stomped away, but Sakura followed him.
"Did you hear me?!" Sakura screamed, feeling hysterical, tears were starting to form.
"No!" Syaoran yelled, holding his hands to his ears and glaring at her.
"Syaoran! I can try to understand if you can udnerstand me! We are the same in some ways! Both of us don't have parents and both of us had something that embittered us in the past!"
Syaoran slowly brought down his hands and faced away from Sakura. He had a dark thought within his head. Was she right? Or wrong? Memories flashed through his head. Memories which had made him the way he was today.
**Flashback**
"DADDY!" a small boy with brown hairs cried out, tears streaming from his eyes. The coffin rose high in the air as the people in black carried it away and lifted it into a black car. "I think we should keep Syaoran away from this." Yelan said gently, though her face was pale her voice was strong. The elders stood behind her. "Tch." One of them said gruffly. "Li's are not suppose to cry, Syaoran stop crying! Tears are a weakness!" Syaoran sobbed, rubbing his hands across his face. "I want daddy I want daddy!" Yelan hugged her son gently. "Shush... Daddy will see you, one day... again..." One of the elders were harsh, telling him the straight out truth.
"Your father is dead son. He is gone forever and won't come back. He is in the valley of the shadows."
--A few days later--
"Mommy?" Syaoran asked, holding agreen blanket. Yelan's eyes were blank and she kept on wringing her hands endlessly. She looked as if she didn't see him. "Your father should be home soon." Yelan said faintly. Syaoran tugged his mothers sleeve. "Mummy I saw a ghost, it was daddy." Yelan yanked away, her eyes far away. "Daddy isn't dead, he'll be back... He'll be back..." Yelan's hair had a little bit of grey streaked through it, and circles were under her eyes. She looked cadaverous, almost like a living skeleton. It was scaring Syaoran. "Mommy won't be leaving too right?" Syaoran asked. Yelan responded with a loud sob. "I want to join you Xihaou De... I can't do this alone... I'm all alone..." "Mommy mommy! You have me!" Syaoran implored. Yelan shook her head, her eyes dazed. "No! I don't have anyone else! I have no son!" Syaoran felt as if he was hit as he stepped away from his mothers weeping figure. What had happened? This wasn't his mother! Someone must've taken his real mother away...
**End Flashback**
After a few weeks she got better, but it left a scar within Syaoran. Syaoran nursed the bitter hatred for days and days... weeks and weeks.... months and months, year after year. But then, what was one fathers death compared to being abandoned and left out in the streets? None. Slowly he turned around.
"Someday..." Syaoran said slowly, unable to say anything more, he swept past her quickly. Sakura stood there staring after him. She had seen his eyes, there was something other then hate in it now... She sensed it. Coonfused, she stepped back inside to pay for the uneaten food.
Syaoran ran all the way to his car and opened the door and closed it tightly behind him. A dry sob wracked his body and he closed his eyes.
'Sakura... how can she be like me?'
His hands clenched into a tight fist.
'How can sweet Sakura be anything like me?'
To be continued...
A/n: Yahoo! Tory came out! ^_^ You will see what will happen... soon enough anyways... Anyayz! REMEBER TO REVIEW! READ AND REVIEW! Thank you!
Special Thanks!!
-Night Child (You see, her real Oniichan is elsewhere... LOL. ^_^ Thanks for being a faithful reader of mine!)
-Kawaii-cherrywolf (Aw, sorry I made you cry, but a good story needs emotions ne? Thanks for the review! =D)
-Winger-Gaurdian (Keep reviewing! Thanks for staying with me throughout this story!)
-Dark Cherry (Syaoran will find his happiness, but he needs to earn it as well. ^^)
-Animegrl breezy (Ok! ^_^)
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-Danielle Ngo (Thanks for ur review, it is very encouraging! ^^)
-Anime obsession Fantasy (Thank you!)
-xxwolfpupxx (Thank you. ^_^ I'm glad it was worth the wait! Hope this one is just as good!)
-Shima and Tempis (Thank you for ur rating, made me smile! =D)
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-Alexa (Hahaha, he is a bit snobby right? He'll get better ^^)
-Angel Bear (Thank you thank you! ^^)
Please remeber to review! (My cold got better! ^^ I can talk normally now!) Review!!!! REVIEW!!!! ^_^ Hope you lyked this chapter!
Author: Peonyqt1004
Chapter Title: "Can you Understand?"
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ccs!
A/N: Hahaha, thanks for the reveiws! =) This story *IS* S and S. I'm making the plot more original then most peoples. So, the relationship between Syaoran and Sakura will never be brotherly and sisterly. You will see how it turns out. ^_^
--Story Start--
Tear fell down from those large eyes as lush and beautiful as the green rolling meadows of paradise...
Tears traced the high cheek bone and left a hot wet trial of salty tears and rolled down to the perfectly sculptured chin and dripped down, hitting the ground and shattering into many diffrent drops of water. Gently those tears hit the green grass beneath the tall womans feet, traveling down till the tears dissappeared into the forest of green and brown.
Another dry and deep sob echoed across the vast garden.
The moonlight shone and played with the light brown hair of the woman kneeling underneath a large willow tree, the grass carpeting the area benethe her feet were crushed by her weight. A gentle breeze swept up the light brown locks into the air as the woman gently opened her eyes, revealing large and shimmering eyes of green.
'Why mother, why leave now? Why leave me such a responsibility?'
Another tear fell.
Sakura stopped weeping, sniffling slightly as she brought the hem of her large flowing night gown to dab her eyes. Yet a slight smile graced her face as she looked up at the night sky. The stars winked at her cheerfully from the midnight black velvet night sky.
'Mother is that you?'
Sakura blinked as two stars seemed to blink at the same time.
"I wish you were here." Sakura said outloud, she held her hands to her chest as she got up slowly and walked off the green grass onto the grey cobblestone pathway leading to a small pond. "You took in a abandoned child like me." Sakura swept up a hand to the sky in a strange gesture. "I swear, I'll repay the god above for bringing such a loving mother to me." Sakura twirled around the garden with an invisible partner, it was strange. The cool night air seemed to kiss the wet tears off her cheeks and dry her eyes as she smiled up at the sky as she hummed a tuneless melody. The stinging in her cheek from the blow was gone, and was replaced with a light pink hue. But the pain was fading. Sakura learned how to handle pain. Pain was temporary.
--Syaoran--
Syaoran drank another cup of wine. The spicy and vivid smell of the drink made him feel a whole lot more human. He had drunk just enough to be sober, he would not let himself get drunk. He held within his hand a small picture frame of silver. His eyes had a rather gentle look in them as he held the picture with quivering hands.
'Mother. Father...'
A happy couple holding a small child with dark chocolate brown eyes looked up at him, smiling. One tall young man had dark chocolate brown hair, similar to the childs, but had large grey eyes. His face was strong and a child-like quality shone from it. The man's eyes looked strong and wise however, his tall stature towering over the beautiful woman next to him. Yelan stood next to Xiahou De Li. There was a bright smile on her face, a smile he had never seen since Xiahou De Li had died. Her light brown hair and dark chocolate brown eyes stared back at him, her beautiful thin and small face looking at Syaoran, who was viewing the picture, with a twinkle in her eyes. The little boy himself had a huge smile on his face, his eyes large and dark, his face childish and beaming with a happiness that was quite foreign to the current older version of the boy now. Syaoran closed his eyes, letting the picture fall down on the table with a thump. He opened his eyes after a long time, a strange pain in his eyes as he put away his wine. Suddenly he spotted something gold glimmering on the floor.
'A necklace?'
He approached it and stopped. He recognized it. It was his mothers prized possession. The necklace given to her by his father, Xiahou De Li. The golden sun charm lay there, enticingly.
'But why is it here?'
His hands approached it slowly and he held the cold metal within his palms. Why was it here?
Suddenly he remebered a glitter of gold and a loud clank... A flash of teary emerald eyes... and the wound of a door slamming.
'Sakura...'
He stared at the necklace.
'Why of all people does Sakura have this?'
Syaoran suddenly remebered his mother, talking to him long time ago when Sakura was away at school.
"Syaoran." His mother had said fondly. "Remeber this? Our family treasure?" Syaoran had stared at the enticing peice of gold. "Yuh huh, father gave it to you." "I'm thinking of giving it to someone who would need me more then anyone after I am gone." Syaoran remebered he had reacted violently.
"You will never be gone mother, never ever. Don't talk like that!"
He was naive, he never thought his mother would go away, he never thought his father would go either. A strange pain clamped about his heart. Of course, Yelan had given this item of special value to Sakura. The one who needed it most. But what had his mother given to him? Nothing. But then, he didn't deserve anything. He should give this back to Sakura. He really should. He held it gently in one hand, as if weighing its value, and stuffed it in his pocket.
'I'll give it to her next time.'
--Next Morning--
She knew she had to get to buisness, although this buisness was really stressful, she would do it. She dressed and got ready for the first day of work. The first day as boss. She walked quickly down the large company hallway. She knew this company by heart of course, she had come here and went alot of times long ago. The long light brown hair glistened in the hallway lights as her high heeled shoes clacked against the well waxed floor.
"Hello Ms. Li."
"Hello."
That was the 5th time she had been greeted this morning. They had bowed and left quickly. Feeling a bit stiff, she had replied or bowed her head stiffly and was relieved when she finally made it to her office.
"Omigod I thought I would never reach this place." Sakura said outloud. With a loud sigh she sat heavily on the black plush chair near her and breathed in deeply. A female voice chuckled at her right, making Sakura bolt upright.
"So this is our new boss."
A voice, tinted slightly with a rather foriegn litle said. Sakura turned around quickly and met eyes with a beautiful female. Her long purple hair reached her waist and her large purple eyes shone with merriment. Her skin was fair and her body alignment was perfect.
Sakura turned red as she felt a sudden embaressment. "I-i-i-i..." Sakura stuttered. The woman waved a hand. She was perfectly clad in the most fashionable dickens suit.
"It's fine." The woman answered. "My name is Tomoyo Fleur, nice to meet you. I am your secretary." Sakura blinked and sighed with relief. "You won't tell anyone about my..." Sakura gestured frantically, feeling silly. "Ah, no I won't." Sakura heard that accent again. "You aren't from around here are you?" Tomoyo shook her head. "No. I am from France." Sakura heard the musical lilt in her voice and connected it to the beautiful heritage of the french.
"Ah. Let's get started may we?" Sakura said brusquely, wanting to feel more like the boss she was. Tomoyo laughed a silver bell laugh. "Yes Ms. Li, let us get started."
--Syaoran--
Syaoran rang up the phone number to his mothers home. No. Now it was Sakura's home. The telephone rang for a long time and there was an answering machine.
*Nihao! This is Sakura! I'm not home currently, if you can kindly leave a message I'll get back ta ya as soon as possible-- HOEE!*
There was a sound of a loud crash a a slight moan
*Is it off ye--*
Then there was the beep.
Syaoran felt a grin tug onto his lips for the first time in a long while. He hung up, feeling guilty and his tugging grin fell. He sighed as he sat back, he was feeling way to depressed, staying at home wasn't doing him any good. He got up and slung a jacket over his shoulder. He suddenly stopped. Of course. Wei would know where Sakura was. Wei knew everything. Wei was suppose to take care of his family, his butler. But he had sent Wei away during his mothers death, he simply had wanted to be alone. He dug his cellphone out from his pocket and flipped it open.
"Wei." He said into the phone, the phone bleeped and dialed his butlers phone number, after a number of rings a gruff voice answered the phone.
"Wei speaking."
"Wei, this is Syaoran."
"Ah, master Li."
Syaoran nodded to praticualy nobody. "Listen Wei, Do you know where Sakura might be at this moment?" "She is at work sir, at the Li Company." Wei sounded mildy curious as he spoke, but he didn't question Syaoran. "Ah, thank you. How do you know this?" "I drive her Master Li." Wei answered. Syaoran said his farwells, and headed for his car.
--Somewhere in Tokoyo--
A dark haired man, tall and lean stood by the door and shook his head as another line of girls, ranging from 18-22 stood before him.
"No no no!" Tory said rather angrily. "None of them are my sister! They don't look anything like my mother! Shimatte!" The man threw down his briefcase and loosened his tie and blew the bangs out of his eyes. The girls before him all had green eyes and a assortment of brown hair, but they were all fakers or just not her.
"None of them are my sister! Send them out!" Tory roared, a bit irritated. The tall butler next to Tory hurried them out, looking anxiously behind him. The door closed, leaving the man alone in the room.
The mans name was Tory Kinomoto, one of the richest bachelors in Japan. Although he was tall and handsome, and seemigly had everything he wanted, his eyes had a rather hollow look to them, a haunted look. He brought his hands up to brush back his straight locks.
'I told you I would find you, I was suppose to take care of you, I promised mother I would...'
Tory bolted up as the door opened, revealing a rather sshort man with silverish blonde locks and large glasses framing his rather delicate and feminine face.
"Tory, I brought there pork buns for you!"
Tory looked up at his half brother, also his best friend. It was a bit ironic because his stepmother was far from *his* best friend.
"Ohayo Yukito. What are you doing here?"
"I heard your search was fruitless..." Yukito suddenly looked sad. "Gomen ne." Tory laughed rather harshly. "Nah, its not your fault Yuki..." His eyes became misty and sad as some old haunting memory swelled up at him. Yukito sat down next to Tory and proceeded to eat the pork buns in his hands.
Tory barely looked at him. He could only remeber a pair of green eyes...
**Flashback**
A small girl was looking at him, her windblown shortly cropped brown hair blowing in the wind. She usually was smiling, but today... she was crying. Tears spilled over her cheekbones and she was holding a dirty stuffed animal to her chest.
"Come inside Sakura!" Tory yelled, fusterated. A smaller version of himself marched forward, grabbing her hand. Sakura's face was pale and almost elf like as she stared at her brother with tear filled eyes.
"Oniichan, I saw Mother! I did I did!" Tory's eyes were sad but he had to be strong. He had to protect his sister. "Sakura... shh... mother is dead." They hugged each other tightly, because as far as they knew, they were the only ones who understood each other.
**End Flashback**
"God damn it, Pearl is a bitch." Tory muttered as his eyes hardened. Yukito stopped eating, a frown etching across his smooth forehead. "Don't bad mouth your step mother, she's my mom you know." Tory's eyes darkened. "She never liked me or my sister." Yukito looked sad. "Yes, she's bitter." Tory sighed. "She caused the death of my father, and threw away my sister. Now my sister is gone." Yukito closed his eyes adn rubbed the bridge of his nose slightly. "Tory, don't be bitter, it doesn't suit you. I'm sorry about your sister dissappearing... But Pearl is my mother." Tory got up stiffly and grabbed his briefcase and flung his tie onto the chair at the corner.
"Tell Pearl I won't be home till 12."
"But she'll beat you!"
Tory snorted. "Let her try! I'm not young anymore."
Yukito was quite. 'But Tory, you were never able to hit ehr back, she had somethine over you, she has a strange spell over you that even I can't understand.'
--Sakura--
Sakura really really liked her secretary. Immediatly they were good chums. Tomoyo and Sakura chatted while they worked on their presentation and worked on getting down the stock market prices and the latest trends down on paper. As you see, Li Company was a fashion company and designed clothes and accessory's. Tomoyo took up this job in hopes of becoming a designer herself. But the dream had yet to come true. Sakura smiled as she arranged the papers neatly and put them away in her folder, locking them in a safe.
"So Tomoyo, you want to go out and eat?" The woman smiled gratefully but declined. "I'm sorry, I have to meet my fiance..." Sakura laughed akwardly. "Oh, its ok." Tomoyo smiled brightly. "Maybe you can meet him on the way out!" The both slipped on their coats and opened the door, only to see a handsome young man with dark brown hair holding up his knuckles getting ready to knock.
"Syaoran?!" Sakura gasped.
The tall man rather looked nervous as he swept his hand through his ruffled hair. But his face was emotionless as he looked at Sakura.
"Listen Sakura, I have to talk to you alone."
Tomoyo's eyes swept in everything, Syaoran's rougish good looks, his cold emotionless face, his black baggy jacket and his comfortable kahkis and his cream colored sweater with a crisp yes a bit crinkled hem sticking out from the neck. She looked at Sakura and wiggled her eyebrows. But Sakura's expression was far from friendly, she looked... scared.
Tomoyo looked at both of them and gave a bright smile.
"Aiii, I have to go anyways Sakura, Later!" With an innocent look she walked off but Sakura grabbed her upper arm.
"Tomoyo, don't leave me here with my brother."
Tomoyo's eyebrows went up so much it almost flew off her face. "WHAT? You two look nothing alike!" Sakura sighed and the tall handsome man named Syaoran glared at her. "Tomoyo, it's a long story..." Syaoran gave a rather fusterated growl.
"Look Sakura. Here."
He shoved the golden necklace into Sakuras hands and Sakuras mouth dropped open in the shape of an "o".
"Mother gave this to you I assume. I don't know why she did, but it's yours and I want no part in it."
Sakura frowned slightly as Syaoran stuck his hands into his pocket and smoothly walked away. 'The nerve.' She thought angrily, but her hands clasped tightly around the necklace. Tomoyo butted in. "Is that your hated older brother?" Sakura snorted. "Yeah." But the look in Sakuras eyes were sad although her voice was rather bitter and rough. Tomoyo had a strange feeling about those two. "You guys look nothing alike." Tomoyo said again cautiously. "Good thing." Sakura said bitterly, although her eyes spoke diffrently.
'I wish he would act like a brother.' Sakura thought sadly.
Syaoran walked a few paces away from them and rounded a corner when he heard them talking.
"Is that your hated brother?"
"Yeah."
"You two look nothing alike!"
"Good thing."
Syaoran flinched a bit but knew she had every right to say that about him. His steps slowed and he came to a stop and stared at the blank lighted ceiling. The noise of people talking, machines humming, and feet and papers shuffling was heard faintly in the vaugely quiet room. He heard footsteps behind him and turned slighty. Sakura stood there with Tomoyo and Tomoyo left quickly to the door to the right. His car was in the front so he had to go to the left hallway. But something held him back.
Sakura turned towards him and her eyes widened and she looked trapped. Syaoran walked towards her, not knowing what to say. "I-i-i-i..." Sakura stuttered. Syaoran decided to make it clean and quick.
"Sakura, I'm sorry."
Sakura froze and stared at him open mouthed.
"I should'nt have hit you." Sakura's eyes softened for a vauge second. 'Maybe he has a good side?' She didn't know. But Syaoran, who looked quite uncomfortable shifted his feet and coughed. "That's what I came to tell you. Good bye." His voice became wintery and he turned quickly. But Sakura saw an opening. She knew that Syaoran wanted to talk, and no matter how much he had hurted him, she would try to understand, for Yelan's sake. She grasped his arm.
"Let's talk."
A flicker of relief and fear went through his eyes before it setteled back down to the frosty blank brown glare. "Alright." He said, trying to sound reluctant.
--At a resturant--
Sakura was treating Syaoran to lunch. It was switched, totally opposite. A guy was suppose to treat a female to lunch, but Sakura firmly insisted. Syaoran wondered how she could be so sweet to him when he was so mean to her. She seemed to glow with a strange beauty which even awestrucked him. And he was seeing it for the first time. This time he didn't let his own resentment get in the way.
"I want the soup special please." Sakura said quickly, "With water." Syaoran raised and eyebrow, "I would like some salad and some of that grilled cheese sandwhich." The waitress, who kept giving Syaoran the "look". Syaoran gave her a cold look but the waitress, a blonde, kept staring at him. Sakura smiled polietly to Syaoran.
"Do you want to talk about anything?"
Syaoran didn't answer, he recieved his coffee early, so he stirred it with his tiny elegant silver spoon. His reflection looekd backa t him as he looked down, unable to look up at the person he hurt the most, other then his mother.
Sakura smiled with a strained look and looked down at her hands. Their silence lasted till they got their food. Sakura silently sipped her water and dipped her bread in soup. Syaoran looked up at her and supressed a rather folorn sigh. He didn't know why he agreed. But there was one thing he wanted to ask her. Actually, many things.
"Sakura." He said quietly, making her look up curiously.
"What did my mother see in you that was better then me?"
Sakura was silent. "She didn't see anythign better then you in me. Sakura said finally. "She saw strength other then my weakness." Syaoran snorted. Sakura looked at him with her glimmering and luminous green eyes.
"Syaoran, I am not better then you. You just refused to talk to her and understand her..."
Syaorans eyes flashed angrily.
"Oh, so it's all my fault?" He asked rather calmly, but his expression could even make the strongest man on earth cower. Sakura didn't cower however.
"Remeber? She would talk to you and you would curse at her and throw her out of your room and lock your door and leave and party at your friends house till 12?"
Syaoran slammed the table with a fist, drawing everyones attention.
"Sakura..." He growled.
Sakura continued, feeling rather less burdened and exhilirated. "And you know what? Mother would be waiting for you till then, she would be sitting on the sofa, not eating till you came. Even after you threw her out of your room and cursed at her, she never said one bad word about you."
Syaoran felt cold and hot all over and his facial expression changed from serene, to anger. A dark cloud was forming above his head.
"Are you finished?" He asked coldly.
"No!" Sakura retorted, feeling rather brave.
"Yes you are." Syaoran growled, getting up. 'Why the heck did I come?!'
Sakura jumped up with him. "Syaoran! I only want you to be the person she said she saw underneath all that bitter coating!"
"WHAT?!" Syaoran roared, everyone at the cafe was staring, mouth agape, at them. "You think you know me? You think mother knew me? She didn't talk to me much! She didn't care enough!" "She did care you never listened! And I know you more then you know! We grew up in the same house together for a good portion of our childhood and teenage life!" Syaoran had enough. He stomped away, but Sakura followed him.
"Did you hear me?!" Sakura screamed, feeling hysterical, tears were starting to form.
"No!" Syaoran yelled, holding his hands to his ears and glaring at her.
"Syaoran! I can try to understand if you can udnerstand me! We are the same in some ways! Both of us don't have parents and both of us had something that embittered us in the past!"
Syaoran slowly brought down his hands and faced away from Sakura. He had a dark thought within his head. Was she right? Or wrong? Memories flashed through his head. Memories which had made him the way he was today.
**Flashback**
"DADDY!" a small boy with brown hairs cried out, tears streaming from his eyes. The coffin rose high in the air as the people in black carried it away and lifted it into a black car. "I think we should keep Syaoran away from this." Yelan said gently, though her face was pale her voice was strong. The elders stood behind her. "Tch." One of them said gruffly. "Li's are not suppose to cry, Syaoran stop crying! Tears are a weakness!" Syaoran sobbed, rubbing his hands across his face. "I want daddy I want daddy!" Yelan hugged her son gently. "Shush... Daddy will see you, one day... again..." One of the elders were harsh, telling him the straight out truth.
"Your father is dead son. He is gone forever and won't come back. He is in the valley of the shadows."
--A few days later--
"Mommy?" Syaoran asked, holding agreen blanket. Yelan's eyes were blank and she kept on wringing her hands endlessly. She looked as if she didn't see him. "Your father should be home soon." Yelan said faintly. Syaoran tugged his mothers sleeve. "Mummy I saw a ghost, it was daddy." Yelan yanked away, her eyes far away. "Daddy isn't dead, he'll be back... He'll be back..." Yelan's hair had a little bit of grey streaked through it, and circles were under her eyes. She looked cadaverous, almost like a living skeleton. It was scaring Syaoran. "Mommy won't be leaving too right?" Syaoran asked. Yelan responded with a loud sob. "I want to join you Xihaou De... I can't do this alone... I'm all alone..." "Mommy mommy! You have me!" Syaoran implored. Yelan shook her head, her eyes dazed. "No! I don't have anyone else! I have no son!" Syaoran felt as if he was hit as he stepped away from his mothers weeping figure. What had happened? This wasn't his mother! Someone must've taken his real mother away...
**End Flashback**
After a few weeks she got better, but it left a scar within Syaoran. Syaoran nursed the bitter hatred for days and days... weeks and weeks.... months and months, year after year. But then, what was one fathers death compared to being abandoned and left out in the streets? None. Slowly he turned around.
"Someday..." Syaoran said slowly, unable to say anything more, he swept past her quickly. Sakura stood there staring after him. She had seen his eyes, there was something other then hate in it now... She sensed it. Coonfused, she stepped back inside to pay for the uneaten food.
Syaoran ran all the way to his car and opened the door and closed it tightly behind him. A dry sob wracked his body and he closed his eyes.
'Sakura... how can she be like me?'
His hands clenched into a tight fist.
'How can sweet Sakura be anything like me?'
To be continued...
A/n: Yahoo! Tory came out! ^_^ You will see what will happen... soon enough anyways... Anyayz! REMEBER TO REVIEW! READ AND REVIEW! Thank you!
Special Thanks!!
-Night Child (You see, her real Oniichan is elsewhere... LOL. ^_^ Thanks for being a faithful reader of mine!)
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Please remeber to review! (My cold got better! ^^ I can talk normally now!) Review!!!! REVIEW!!!! ^_^ Hope you lyked this chapter!