Title: This is Not Enough
Chapter Title: Hatching Plans
Author: Peonyqt1004
Disclaimer: No, I do not own CCS.... *Sigh*
A/N: Sorry for the delay... I had a writers block... and I had to plan some stuff ahead of time. =D Some of this is prolly influences by this new drama video I'm watching with the good looking Lee Byung Hun in it called "All-In". ^.~ Only a small amount though. =D Well, read on. It sux cuz I started this chapter off badly, but I hope you can understand... This is sorta suppose to build up and this build up, in my opinion, is sorta boring. =D But this chapter isn't... just the making... so = Read and Review! Please!
--From Where We Left Off---
The sobs subsided and there was a long silence. The warm arms around him shifted and moved away. He felt dissappointed that she had moved away, yet, she was his sister. Syaoran got up and tried to regain his composure. But it was too late. She had seen what was inside of him already, and a all knowing look had filled her eyes. Tender and sorrowful. He had been afraid he would find rejection in it... and instead found accceptence.
"Syaoran..."
Sakura whispered gently, her pools of emerald glistening with tears.
"Oniichan."
Syaoran winced at that sound. It sounded so... wrong. What did he want? He wasn't sure. But any love was good enough for him. If she loved him as a brother, so be it. He wanted to nurture this love. "Sakura." Syaoran replied. His eyes not quite daring enough to look at her eyes.
"Oniichan. Why don't you move in this house?" Sakura asked cheerfully, looking quite happy. Syaoran didn't know how to reply. "I'm going back to Japan. I'll await the news of my berothed there." Sakura stuck out her tounge and giggled slightly. "Why don't you stay here for a while? After all, half of this estate was given to you by mother." Syaoran didn't know quite what to say. Sakura moved her hands in semi-circles towards his hand, an unsure look on her face, but warm hands gripped hers and she found an acceptence that was never there before. "You'll stay?" Sakura asked, her voice a whisper. Syaoran found himself nodding... she smiled. The world around him tilted and for the first time he found himself giving into her warmth. The smile was contagious. A smile graced his handsome features.
---With Tory, He has just arrived at the airport---
Striding quickly down the large hallway, the tall ebony haired man with strong features strolled down towards the exit. Hm... something was strange. His eyes darted around, he was suppose to meet Yukito here.
"Tory."
A silky smooth voice with a cold edge crooned.
Tory felt prickles go up his spine as he slowly turned. A pair of cold eyes met his.
"Oh Tory. We have to talk."
---In front of a cafe---
A fairly tall girl with fair pale skin and dark black hair jiggled around a bit, impatient. Her mother was to be meeting her at the diner today, her mother had some very big news to tell her. Her red eyes darted to her watch and back up again. A familiar figure, standing tall and august stood out from the crowd. Her mother. The older woman strode towards her daughter. Her hair sprinkled with specks of gray hair... but mostly her hair was the color of a ravens glossy feather. Her large red eyes and delicate nose were similar to the younger girl who waved at her.
"Ma ma!"
The stately woman smiled slightly, her face stern with a purpose.
"Come daughter, we must discuss your future."
"Meiling..." Her mother said slowly over a cup of steamind tea. The girl looked up and cocked her head to the side. "Yes mother?"
"You are to be married soon."
Meiling spat out her tea and coughed a bit and looked up with watering eyes at her mother.
"W-what?!"
Her mother looked rather calm as she stirred the tea gently with a small silver spoon. "You had heard me correctly. The elders and I have discussed this throughly. You are to be married within a year. To your cousin. Syaoran."
---At Yelan's Mansion...---
Syaoran found himself bringing his things and moving back into the house that he had left so long ago. The familiar contours of his home made him feel rather warm inside.
"SYAORAN!"
Sakura yelled from afar. Syaoran looked this way and that, yet he could not find her. Where was she? He dropped his load of belongings and looked around with a confused expression on her face, he turned right... then left... and scratched his head. He blew the bangs away from his eyes with fusterations as he marched towards the door leading out.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT---"
Syaoran let out the highest scream he had ever let out in his whole entire life.
A blur of pink and white jumped out at him and yelled, "Boo!"
"I scared you didn't I?" A smug and content voice said rather cockily.
Syaoran gasped for breathe and he glared at the laughing green eyes staring back at him merrily.
"You did not."
"I heard you scream! I didn't know you could hit that high c sharp!"
She broke into hysterical laughter again. Syaoran twitched as his heart slowed to a more regular pace. This was the first time anyone had done a trick like this to him before. He didn't know how to react. "Get up. Stop laughing." Syaoran said gruffily. Her gales of laughter did not cease. Irritated, Syaoran nudged the withering ball of laughter on the floor with his toe. Sakura laughed harder. Irked, he knelt down besides Sakura and shook her shoulders. "Stop laughing! The jokes over!" Her body stopped shaking, and her laughter came to a shuddering stop. Syaoran sighed in relief, his face red with embaressment. Suddenly, Sakura stuck out her tounge at him.
Syaoran didn't know what happened then, but he started to tickle her, he gloated silently as Sakura's eyes became wide like saucers in bewilderment as she erupted in laughter again.
"Stop! Stop!" Sakura said, trying to talk and breathe at the same time.
Syaoran got a rather evil look and shook his head and poked her tummy, making her shriek. He smiled, grinning cockily, he tilted his head whimsically.
"This is my revenge."
Sakura gave a dispairing cry, it was immediately choked off as she started laughing again as he started to tickle her nonstop.
--- With Tory and Pearl...---
Tory was shocked.
"What are you doing here?"
"Don't question me like that." Pearl snapped. She looked rather twitchy, jumping at the slightest sound. She paced before him. "My son told you where she is." She said bluntly, her eyes cold and flashing hard. Tory decided to act innocent.
"Who?"
"Your sister."
Tory felt something squeeze his heart. She knew. Cold prickles ran along his back. "What about Sakura?" He asked, his lips stiff, his eyes cold.
"She lives a good life. I suggest that you do not find her. Or you will be sorry. Remeber, Sakura still does not known that she is a Kinomoto. I can kill her Tory, go near her and I'll kill her, as I have done to your father."
Fear chilled his blood.
"You can't." He said, his blood running cold.
"Oh but I can. And I can kill you too."
"You can't do this to me. You've done this before. I won't let you do this again."
Pearl looked at him wickedly, her eyes glinting savagely. "Watch me." She said.
"I will find her." Tory said firmly, not letting his voice wobble. "You will not get to her first, and I will prove that you killed father before you get any chance... your luck will run out."
Pearl's eyes hardened and her eyes held his. "Tory." She said, her voice a deadly whisper. "That was your last chance. Say sayanora to your sister. Tory." She got up, her large gucci black purse at her side. She removed something from it and tossed it at Tory.
"This is who she is. You saw her many times before and did not recognize her. You met her many times. "
Tory stared at the picture before him, his eyes holding a rather dazed look.
"She is the Li companies leader now. You never knew your own sister. Everyday, when you went to make transactions with Yelan Li, you saw her, and you didn't know."
Tory recognized the face immedietly.
"Oh... kami sama..."
"It would be nice..." She said, her voice a faint purr to the buzz around Torys head. "If the news headlines said, 'Sakura Li, owner of Li company, dies at young age'." She smiled smugly. "Don't worry Tory, I will see her myself tommorow, you can't stop it now. Her death is on your head, and after her, you will be next."
Tory's face was pale white. That face. It was familiar. He remebered walking down the hallways of Li's company and meeting the girl, a older teen. He had been a green apple at his job... He had bumped into her... and never knew she was his sister. He had to stop this. But how could he? Pearl always got what she wanted. One way or another.
--- At Sakura's Company...---
Sakura walked down quickly, her steps light and quick. She felt as if she could conquer the world today. Her steps resounded as she stepped up the stairs to her office. Smiling to her employees she entered the office, earning a bright smile from Tomoyo. She grinned back and opened the door and literally floated to her chair and sat down. The day passed pretty smoothly, with a few transactions with smaller companies she planned out her biggest fashion show which would be coming up in about a few weeks. She scribbled down the notes. There would be three professional fashion designers from her company and one ameature. Which was Tomoyo of course. She could ruin her reputation if Tomoyo did one mistake. But that didn't matter, Tomoyo was a pretty dependable person, she knew that Tomoyo would'nt let her down.
Sakura looked down the checklist of models. There were three males and five females for each designer. She had hand selected the most reputable and best models to model out in their show. She jumped in her seat when Tomoyo spoke to her over the speakers.
"Sakura, caller of line 2."
"Who is it Tomoyo?"
"Syaoran Li."
"Thank you Tomoyo."
Sakura looked rather suprised but she clicked the line 2 button and was greeted by a familiar warm and husky voice.
"Syaoran!" Sakura's voice did not hide her suprise. There was a low chuckle.
"Hey imoutou. How about lunch?"
Sakura checked her planner and smiled brightly, "I have the time. Ok, but you're paying!"
"Around 3 ok? In front of the building."
"Ok."
There was a brief silence and Syaoran muttered his goodbyes and hung up the phone. Sakura looked absolutely delighted.
'Finally I have an older brother who cares!'
Sakura felt like doing the jig, but was interuppted by another phone call.
"Sakura, another call on line 1."
"Who is this?"
"Someone by the name of Pearl Kinomoto."
Sakura cocked her head to the side.
"Ok."
---With Tory---
Yukito patted Tory's back sadly. "I should'nt have been so careless, leaving those pictures on my desk." Yukito said sorrowfully. Tory shook his head.
"But... she was there! I knew her before and never recognized her... I thought... since she was my sister... that'd I'd recognize her. But I was wrong."
Yukito smiled sadly. "Tory, don't feel as if the blame should be put on yourself. Sakura had a good life. It's just time for her to find her true family..." Tory shook his head slowly. "But Pearl... Pearl is going to murder her." Yukito sighed. "We just have to catch her before she does anything... and this time, get her in jail for good."
Tory sighed, anguish clearly written in his dark eyes.
'But I should've known... she was right there in front of me...'
--- With Sakura...---
Sakura looked up, Pearl, the one she had been talking to on the phone, was standing in front of her. Her frosty cold eyes and flawless beauty awestrucked Sakura.
"Please have a seat Mrs. Kinomoto."
Pearl gracioously and gracefully took a seat in front of Sakura. Sakura missed the rather cold and calculating glance she got from Peal as Sakura turned to take out some files. Pearl smiled rather deviously. She had created a perfect alabi. No one would find out. Pearl smiled as she watched the naive girl in front of her talk about ome buisness transactions and other things... But nothing went through to her. Pearl nodded, her sick fantasies floating about in her mind. Sakura would fall into her trap... and Sakura would be rid of. Soon. Just like her father and her mother... Then. Tory. Pearl gloated silently as she faked interest in the stock markets which Sakura brought up. First, she had to gain Sakura's trust. Then. She had to keep Tory away. She knew the perfect way how.
---Outside, in front of the building---
Syaoran waited outside at precisely three o'clock. Dressed in a black loose t-shirt and baggy denim jeans he looked handsome standing there with the sunlight highlighting his hair. Sakura waved at her step-brother and jogged up besides him, her eyes shining. She was wearing a white tank top and tight blue jeans that flared and bagged at the bottom, gracefully hiding and revealing the fashionable boots she was wearing. The black leather boots peeked out from the rather frayed ends. Sakura's hair was pulled into a high ponytail, Syaoran found himself once again gaping at her beauty.
"Syaoran?"
Sakura waved her hand in front of his face, puzzled. Syaoran shook his head and blushed crimson.
"Is something the matter oniichan?"
"Nothing." Syaoran said, frowning to hide his discomfort. "Don't call me oniichan, call me Syaoran." He blurted out, he felt like hitting his head on a pole when he realized what he was saying. She was his step-sister for goodness sake!
"Ok." Sakura said, not noticing his discomfort and the hidden meaning of his request. Syaoran found himself looking at her in a way a lover would. Her hair was beautiful and long... her eyes large and green, green like the rolling lush hills that he had seen in New Zealand when he had gone there to visit during his buisness trip... He shook his head when he started to think of her as an angel.
'What am I thinking?'
Nervously, Syaoran fiddeled with his fingers as they got into his car. Sakura's crisp and clean perfume wafted towards him, making him slightly dazed. He shook his head, determined to not act like a lovelorn fool. 'What is happening to me?! I can't love a sister!'
--- At the Elders Mansion---
A old man motioned for the tall slender girl with black hair to come forward. "Meiling my dear." The elder started, coughing slightly at the effort. "Yes Elder?" Meiling asked, her voice trembeling. "You do know we must try to keep our clan line pure. There has been too many dirty blood in our family, look what has happened... corruption... people leaving their families for riches. We are glad to have you two married." Meiling blushed lightly, but a vauge part in her mind sighed, knowing that Syaoran would not take this news well.
"You must not tell Syaoran till a month has passed. We need to make arrangements... During the month you must try to get to Syaorans good side. You will have a happy marriage." The elder gave a hearty laugh. "After you two marry, I shall set up a marriage with Sakura. She has made Yelan happy, and brought some light into the elders world." The elder coughed and lifted a gnarled finger. "Go now Meiling, your mother and father shall make arrangements." Meiling bowed.
"Yes My elder..."
Meiling bowed and left respectfully, but something nagged at the back of her brain.
'What if Syaoran disagrees...'
Meiling remebered Syaoran rather hard life, she had watched it all. It seemed that whatever the elders told Syaoran to do, he was forced to... Syaoran was always unhappy and had a rather dark look in his eyes as they had forced him to go under laborous training which almost crippled Syaoran when he was young... She had heard him swear he'd never listen to the elders ever again if they were to do something he didn't want to do when he was in the practice room, half bent over by blows from his martial arts teacher who corrected his every step.
'If Syaoran disagrees....'
Meiling felt a sharp pain in her heart.
'Then...'
Meiling stopped thinking.
'Love can be taught. I love him... In time. He will love me as well.'
--- In Pearls Red car...---
Pearl adjusted her make up and her clothes. Dressed in a flashy red dress which fitted her slim figure perfectly, she looked dazzling, her silvery blonde hair put up in a up do.
'The plans about to proceed... if this doesn't kill her. Then my next move shall... this one will only secure her trust of me.'
She looked at the glass mirror and smiled as she saw a familiar figure approaching.
---With Syaoran and Sakura---
"Syaoran, the food was wonderful...'
Sakura blabbered. Syaoran smiled at her, his eyes lighting up as he saw her laughing. Mirth shone from her eyes and Syaoran never thought he saw any other girl like her. Sakura pasued and searched through her bag.
"Syaoran..." Sakura began. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped into an "o". "I forgot my cell phone at the resturant!" Sakura moved quickly and waved to Syaoran, who looked concerened. "I'll be right back Syaoran, don't follow me." Smiling broadly Sakura quickly moved off, her hair flowing behind her. Syaoran impatiently ran a hand through his hair and frowned when his cell rang. He opened up his phone, responding to the tinkely tune, and answered.
"Syaoran."
"SYAORANNNNN!" A high voice squealed from the other end, drawing a grimace onto his face.
"Jessica..."
The high voice nearly made him deaf. "Oh Syaoran I just came to China to visit you and I would be so happy if we could meet... maybe... today?"
"Jessica..." Syaoran sounded irritated, his voice tightening. He frowned. It seemed like centuries since Sakura had left.
"Syaoran- I know you want to be with me! Hunny bun?"
Syaoran nearly gagged at her nickname for him and frowned. He sighed as she kept blabbering on and on about her life and what they should do together when Syaoran realized that something was very strange... Sakura still wasn't back.
---Outside of resturant...---
Sakura grabbed her cell phone and sighed as she left the resturant. She was so happy today. Syaoran had made her day, and she still had a family. Sadness from her mothers death still lingered but the new relationship with her step-brother made things brighter. She still had someone to call her "family". 'Yelan was right... Syaoran does have a soft side... he made me laugh many times today... although he seems quite cold he can be warm at the same time.' Sakura felt the wind comb through her hair and she tossed her hair back like a horse would do with its long mane and stopped, frowning. She just notices that a strange group of people dressed in black was behind her. She shrugged it off. 'Maybe it's a group of people working for a company on a break or something.' She kept walking and hummed to herself. She gasped as rough hands seized her from behind, a hand covered her scream, muffling it.
"Be quiet..." The voice hissed. Sakura felt fear rise up within her but a determined glint lit her eyes, she bit the hand of the attacker and stomped on his toe, drawing a loud groan of pain. She whirled around... it was the group of people dressed in black which was following her from behind.
"What do you want?!" Sakura asked, her voice tinting with that wild taste of fear.
"We were sent to kill you." A man said. His bulk was huge and he was rippling with muscle and dark blue eyes growled. Sakura felt her heart freeze for a moment.
"Who?" Her voice was a mere whisper as they drew closer.
In reply, a man swung at her from the left, Sakura felt the blow and fell down to the ground, her lips bleeding and her eyes blurred.
'No...'
Sakura got up, she didn't know how to fight, but she managed to land a few good kicks on them. She reached up and scratched an attacker on the face. They drew away, Sakura breathed, her body aching from the blows she had recieved.
"Why?!"
Sakura gasped out her question in anguish. There were too many. They would kill her... Whimpers rose up in her throat as another man hit her on the back with a stick, bruising her and knocking the wind out of her. Sakura staggered up and kicked him at the side, making him groan, she clawed at someones face... but she started seeing dots as she saw a flash of silver.
'A knife...'
Hopelessness wrapped about her like a veil. She heard a shriek. There was a familiar face.
"Mrs. Kinomoto?" Sakura asked with swolled lips.
The icy eyes were wide and the woman fluttered her hands. Pearl shakily reached for her cell. "Oh my god! Are you ok Ms. Li?!" Pearl ran towards Sakura, taking out her cell at the same time with wide terrified eyes. A man near her slugged her on the stomache and Pearl slumped over, gasping... her cell phone dropping to the ground. A man smashed it to peices. Pearl gave a groan and was still. Fury lit Sakura's eyes.
"How dare you!"
A man hit her again, blood ran from a bloodied eye. Pain tore through her as she fell, unmoving to the floor. She had given up hope... Tear flooded her eyes....
Her eyes opened wide as she saw a man go flying.
"Damn you stupid son of a bitches!"
There were more thuds and groans.
Sakura looked up and cried out in happiness.
"Syaoran!"
He stood there, his face infuriated, his cell phone smashed on the concrete floor. His eyes flashed dangerously as he tornadoe kicked another attacker on the face, making the man twirl to the ground.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
"Thank god your here!" Sakura breathed as Syaoran drew nearer, his eyes lighting up in worry.
When he reached her side to hold her, she blacked out.
To be Continued...
A/N: Thank you all for reading! =D Here is a preview of the next chapter... Just a small preview since I have a good idea what to put up next...
--- Preview---
The cold icy look from the beautiful older woman was missed by the cheerful younger one. The young woman with the green sparkling eyes and light brown hair laughed, her face bandaged yet bruised from her attack. Even though she was badly injured, she shone through, like a sun on a cloudy day. The older woman gritted her teeth.
'That face... so much like that Nadeshiko's...'
The young woman laughed brightly, tears of joy and mirth... and relief running down her face as Syaoran and the doctor entered, saying she could go home.
'Soon, those tears will be tears of fear and sorrow... Sakura Kinomoto... You must die... With you everything will be ruined... I cannot let them find you...'
A groan escaped her lips.
'Stupid Greg... he punched me too hard and he broke my cell phone... It is all an act to gain her trust... I will gut Greg for this.'
She watched as the young woman named Sakura got up to leave. The tall handsome brown haired man next to her. The watchful cold eyes calculated the two.
'That young man, there is something about him and her... I must get rid of him. He must stay away...'
---End Preview---
A/N: So.. People, you like it? =D Well, remeber to read and review! Read and Review and keep me happy. =D More to come soon!
Special Thanks to:
Skiviry
Jezika
sakuralover
Yuki-Rabbit
friends4eva08
crystal-chan
Athar-Luna
S A K U R A
kyoy
meinien
abc
kawaii*cherry
kawaii-cherrywolf
Girlangel
Dark-Lighten-Shadow
Mimighost
sakuratenshi89
animeobsessionfantasy
azn-angel
Shima and Tempis
xxwolf pupxx (^_^)
Everyone! Thank you for your patience!
NOTE: READ AND REVIEW! Just a click of the mouse, a few encouraging words or constructive critisism... (I perfer encouraging words...) and another click of the mouse will make my day. Thank you! R and R!
-Peonyqt1004
Chapter Title: Hatching Plans
Author: Peonyqt1004
Disclaimer: No, I do not own CCS.... *Sigh*
A/N: Sorry for the delay... I had a writers block... and I had to plan some stuff ahead of time. =D Some of this is prolly influences by this new drama video I'm watching with the good looking Lee Byung Hun in it called "All-In". ^.~ Only a small amount though. =D Well, read on. It sux cuz I started this chapter off badly, but I hope you can understand... This is sorta suppose to build up and this build up, in my opinion, is sorta boring. =D But this chapter isn't... just the making... so = Read and Review! Please!
--From Where We Left Off---
The sobs subsided and there was a long silence. The warm arms around him shifted and moved away. He felt dissappointed that she had moved away, yet, she was his sister. Syaoran got up and tried to regain his composure. But it was too late. She had seen what was inside of him already, and a all knowing look had filled her eyes. Tender and sorrowful. He had been afraid he would find rejection in it... and instead found accceptence.
"Syaoran..."
Sakura whispered gently, her pools of emerald glistening with tears.
"Oniichan."
Syaoran winced at that sound. It sounded so... wrong. What did he want? He wasn't sure. But any love was good enough for him. If she loved him as a brother, so be it. He wanted to nurture this love. "Sakura." Syaoran replied. His eyes not quite daring enough to look at her eyes.
"Oniichan. Why don't you move in this house?" Sakura asked cheerfully, looking quite happy. Syaoran didn't know how to reply. "I'm going back to Japan. I'll await the news of my berothed there." Sakura stuck out her tounge and giggled slightly. "Why don't you stay here for a while? After all, half of this estate was given to you by mother." Syaoran didn't know quite what to say. Sakura moved her hands in semi-circles towards his hand, an unsure look on her face, but warm hands gripped hers and she found an acceptence that was never there before. "You'll stay?" Sakura asked, her voice a whisper. Syaoran found himself nodding... she smiled. The world around him tilted and for the first time he found himself giving into her warmth. The smile was contagious. A smile graced his handsome features.
---With Tory, He has just arrived at the airport---
Striding quickly down the large hallway, the tall ebony haired man with strong features strolled down towards the exit. Hm... something was strange. His eyes darted around, he was suppose to meet Yukito here.
"Tory."
A silky smooth voice with a cold edge crooned.
Tory felt prickles go up his spine as he slowly turned. A pair of cold eyes met his.
"Oh Tory. We have to talk."
---In front of a cafe---
A fairly tall girl with fair pale skin and dark black hair jiggled around a bit, impatient. Her mother was to be meeting her at the diner today, her mother had some very big news to tell her. Her red eyes darted to her watch and back up again. A familiar figure, standing tall and august stood out from the crowd. Her mother. The older woman strode towards her daughter. Her hair sprinkled with specks of gray hair... but mostly her hair was the color of a ravens glossy feather. Her large red eyes and delicate nose were similar to the younger girl who waved at her.
"Ma ma!"
The stately woman smiled slightly, her face stern with a purpose.
"Come daughter, we must discuss your future."
"Meiling..." Her mother said slowly over a cup of steamind tea. The girl looked up and cocked her head to the side. "Yes mother?"
"You are to be married soon."
Meiling spat out her tea and coughed a bit and looked up with watering eyes at her mother.
"W-what?!"
Her mother looked rather calm as she stirred the tea gently with a small silver spoon. "You had heard me correctly. The elders and I have discussed this throughly. You are to be married within a year. To your cousin. Syaoran."
---At Yelan's Mansion...---
Syaoran found himself bringing his things and moving back into the house that he had left so long ago. The familiar contours of his home made him feel rather warm inside.
"SYAORAN!"
Sakura yelled from afar. Syaoran looked this way and that, yet he could not find her. Where was she? He dropped his load of belongings and looked around with a confused expression on her face, he turned right... then left... and scratched his head. He blew the bangs away from his eyes with fusterations as he marched towards the door leading out.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT---"
Syaoran let out the highest scream he had ever let out in his whole entire life.
A blur of pink and white jumped out at him and yelled, "Boo!"
"I scared you didn't I?" A smug and content voice said rather cockily.
Syaoran gasped for breathe and he glared at the laughing green eyes staring back at him merrily.
"You did not."
"I heard you scream! I didn't know you could hit that high c sharp!"
She broke into hysterical laughter again. Syaoran twitched as his heart slowed to a more regular pace. This was the first time anyone had done a trick like this to him before. He didn't know how to react. "Get up. Stop laughing." Syaoran said gruffily. Her gales of laughter did not cease. Irritated, Syaoran nudged the withering ball of laughter on the floor with his toe. Sakura laughed harder. Irked, he knelt down besides Sakura and shook her shoulders. "Stop laughing! The jokes over!" Her body stopped shaking, and her laughter came to a shuddering stop. Syaoran sighed in relief, his face red with embaressment. Suddenly, Sakura stuck out her tounge at him.
Syaoran didn't know what happened then, but he started to tickle her, he gloated silently as Sakura's eyes became wide like saucers in bewilderment as she erupted in laughter again.
"Stop! Stop!" Sakura said, trying to talk and breathe at the same time.
Syaoran got a rather evil look and shook his head and poked her tummy, making her shriek. He smiled, grinning cockily, he tilted his head whimsically.
"This is my revenge."
Sakura gave a dispairing cry, it was immediately choked off as she started laughing again as he started to tickle her nonstop.
--- With Tory and Pearl...---
Tory was shocked.
"What are you doing here?"
"Don't question me like that." Pearl snapped. She looked rather twitchy, jumping at the slightest sound. She paced before him. "My son told you where she is." She said bluntly, her eyes cold and flashing hard. Tory decided to act innocent.
"Who?"
"Your sister."
Tory felt something squeeze his heart. She knew. Cold prickles ran along his back. "What about Sakura?" He asked, his lips stiff, his eyes cold.
"She lives a good life. I suggest that you do not find her. Or you will be sorry. Remeber, Sakura still does not known that she is a Kinomoto. I can kill her Tory, go near her and I'll kill her, as I have done to your father."
Fear chilled his blood.
"You can't." He said, his blood running cold.
"Oh but I can. And I can kill you too."
"You can't do this to me. You've done this before. I won't let you do this again."
Pearl looked at him wickedly, her eyes glinting savagely. "Watch me." She said.
"I will find her." Tory said firmly, not letting his voice wobble. "You will not get to her first, and I will prove that you killed father before you get any chance... your luck will run out."
Pearl's eyes hardened and her eyes held his. "Tory." She said, her voice a deadly whisper. "That was your last chance. Say sayanora to your sister. Tory." She got up, her large gucci black purse at her side. She removed something from it and tossed it at Tory.
"This is who she is. You saw her many times before and did not recognize her. You met her many times. "
Tory stared at the picture before him, his eyes holding a rather dazed look.
"She is the Li companies leader now. You never knew your own sister. Everyday, when you went to make transactions with Yelan Li, you saw her, and you didn't know."
Tory recognized the face immedietly.
"Oh... kami sama..."
"It would be nice..." She said, her voice a faint purr to the buzz around Torys head. "If the news headlines said, 'Sakura Li, owner of Li company, dies at young age'." She smiled smugly. "Don't worry Tory, I will see her myself tommorow, you can't stop it now. Her death is on your head, and after her, you will be next."
Tory's face was pale white. That face. It was familiar. He remebered walking down the hallways of Li's company and meeting the girl, a older teen. He had been a green apple at his job... He had bumped into her... and never knew she was his sister. He had to stop this. But how could he? Pearl always got what she wanted. One way or another.
--- At Sakura's Company...---
Sakura walked down quickly, her steps light and quick. She felt as if she could conquer the world today. Her steps resounded as she stepped up the stairs to her office. Smiling to her employees she entered the office, earning a bright smile from Tomoyo. She grinned back and opened the door and literally floated to her chair and sat down. The day passed pretty smoothly, with a few transactions with smaller companies she planned out her biggest fashion show which would be coming up in about a few weeks. She scribbled down the notes. There would be three professional fashion designers from her company and one ameature. Which was Tomoyo of course. She could ruin her reputation if Tomoyo did one mistake. But that didn't matter, Tomoyo was a pretty dependable person, she knew that Tomoyo would'nt let her down.
Sakura looked down the checklist of models. There were three males and five females for each designer. She had hand selected the most reputable and best models to model out in their show. She jumped in her seat when Tomoyo spoke to her over the speakers.
"Sakura, caller of line 2."
"Who is it Tomoyo?"
"Syaoran Li."
"Thank you Tomoyo."
Sakura looked rather suprised but she clicked the line 2 button and was greeted by a familiar warm and husky voice.
"Syaoran!" Sakura's voice did not hide her suprise. There was a low chuckle.
"Hey imoutou. How about lunch?"
Sakura checked her planner and smiled brightly, "I have the time. Ok, but you're paying!"
"Around 3 ok? In front of the building."
"Ok."
There was a brief silence and Syaoran muttered his goodbyes and hung up the phone. Sakura looked absolutely delighted.
'Finally I have an older brother who cares!'
Sakura felt like doing the jig, but was interuppted by another phone call.
"Sakura, another call on line 1."
"Who is this?"
"Someone by the name of Pearl Kinomoto."
Sakura cocked her head to the side.
"Ok."
---With Tory---
Yukito patted Tory's back sadly. "I should'nt have been so careless, leaving those pictures on my desk." Yukito said sorrowfully. Tory shook his head.
"But... she was there! I knew her before and never recognized her... I thought... since she was my sister... that'd I'd recognize her. But I was wrong."
Yukito smiled sadly. "Tory, don't feel as if the blame should be put on yourself. Sakura had a good life. It's just time for her to find her true family..." Tory shook his head slowly. "But Pearl... Pearl is going to murder her." Yukito sighed. "We just have to catch her before she does anything... and this time, get her in jail for good."
Tory sighed, anguish clearly written in his dark eyes.
'But I should've known... she was right there in front of me...'
--- With Sakura...---
Sakura looked up, Pearl, the one she had been talking to on the phone, was standing in front of her. Her frosty cold eyes and flawless beauty awestrucked Sakura.
"Please have a seat Mrs. Kinomoto."
Pearl gracioously and gracefully took a seat in front of Sakura. Sakura missed the rather cold and calculating glance she got from Peal as Sakura turned to take out some files. Pearl smiled rather deviously. She had created a perfect alabi. No one would find out. Pearl smiled as she watched the naive girl in front of her talk about ome buisness transactions and other things... But nothing went through to her. Pearl nodded, her sick fantasies floating about in her mind. Sakura would fall into her trap... and Sakura would be rid of. Soon. Just like her father and her mother... Then. Tory. Pearl gloated silently as she faked interest in the stock markets which Sakura brought up. First, she had to gain Sakura's trust. Then. She had to keep Tory away. She knew the perfect way how.
---Outside, in front of the building---
Syaoran waited outside at precisely three o'clock. Dressed in a black loose t-shirt and baggy denim jeans he looked handsome standing there with the sunlight highlighting his hair. Sakura waved at her step-brother and jogged up besides him, her eyes shining. She was wearing a white tank top and tight blue jeans that flared and bagged at the bottom, gracefully hiding and revealing the fashionable boots she was wearing. The black leather boots peeked out from the rather frayed ends. Sakura's hair was pulled into a high ponytail, Syaoran found himself once again gaping at her beauty.
"Syaoran?"
Sakura waved her hand in front of his face, puzzled. Syaoran shook his head and blushed crimson.
"Is something the matter oniichan?"
"Nothing." Syaoran said, frowning to hide his discomfort. "Don't call me oniichan, call me Syaoran." He blurted out, he felt like hitting his head on a pole when he realized what he was saying. She was his step-sister for goodness sake!
"Ok." Sakura said, not noticing his discomfort and the hidden meaning of his request. Syaoran found himself looking at her in a way a lover would. Her hair was beautiful and long... her eyes large and green, green like the rolling lush hills that he had seen in New Zealand when he had gone there to visit during his buisness trip... He shook his head when he started to think of her as an angel.
'What am I thinking?'
Nervously, Syaoran fiddeled with his fingers as they got into his car. Sakura's crisp and clean perfume wafted towards him, making him slightly dazed. He shook his head, determined to not act like a lovelorn fool. 'What is happening to me?! I can't love a sister!'
--- At the Elders Mansion---
A old man motioned for the tall slender girl with black hair to come forward. "Meiling my dear." The elder started, coughing slightly at the effort. "Yes Elder?" Meiling asked, her voice trembeling. "You do know we must try to keep our clan line pure. There has been too many dirty blood in our family, look what has happened... corruption... people leaving their families for riches. We are glad to have you two married." Meiling blushed lightly, but a vauge part in her mind sighed, knowing that Syaoran would not take this news well.
"You must not tell Syaoran till a month has passed. We need to make arrangements... During the month you must try to get to Syaorans good side. You will have a happy marriage." The elder gave a hearty laugh. "After you two marry, I shall set up a marriage with Sakura. She has made Yelan happy, and brought some light into the elders world." The elder coughed and lifted a gnarled finger. "Go now Meiling, your mother and father shall make arrangements." Meiling bowed.
"Yes My elder..."
Meiling bowed and left respectfully, but something nagged at the back of her brain.
'What if Syaoran disagrees...'
Meiling remebered Syaoran rather hard life, she had watched it all. It seemed that whatever the elders told Syaoran to do, he was forced to... Syaoran was always unhappy and had a rather dark look in his eyes as they had forced him to go under laborous training which almost crippled Syaoran when he was young... She had heard him swear he'd never listen to the elders ever again if they were to do something he didn't want to do when he was in the practice room, half bent over by blows from his martial arts teacher who corrected his every step.
'If Syaoran disagrees....'
Meiling felt a sharp pain in her heart.
'Then...'
Meiling stopped thinking.
'Love can be taught. I love him... In time. He will love me as well.'
--- In Pearls Red car...---
Pearl adjusted her make up and her clothes. Dressed in a flashy red dress which fitted her slim figure perfectly, she looked dazzling, her silvery blonde hair put up in a up do.
'The plans about to proceed... if this doesn't kill her. Then my next move shall... this one will only secure her trust of me.'
She looked at the glass mirror and smiled as she saw a familiar figure approaching.
---With Syaoran and Sakura---
"Syaoran, the food was wonderful...'
Sakura blabbered. Syaoran smiled at her, his eyes lighting up as he saw her laughing. Mirth shone from her eyes and Syaoran never thought he saw any other girl like her. Sakura pasued and searched through her bag.
"Syaoran..." Sakura began. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped into an "o". "I forgot my cell phone at the resturant!" Sakura moved quickly and waved to Syaoran, who looked concerened. "I'll be right back Syaoran, don't follow me." Smiling broadly Sakura quickly moved off, her hair flowing behind her. Syaoran impatiently ran a hand through his hair and frowned when his cell rang. He opened up his phone, responding to the tinkely tune, and answered.
"Syaoran."
"SYAORANNNNN!" A high voice squealed from the other end, drawing a grimace onto his face.
"Jessica..."
The high voice nearly made him deaf. "Oh Syaoran I just came to China to visit you and I would be so happy if we could meet... maybe... today?"
"Jessica..." Syaoran sounded irritated, his voice tightening. He frowned. It seemed like centuries since Sakura had left.
"Syaoran- I know you want to be with me! Hunny bun?"
Syaoran nearly gagged at her nickname for him and frowned. He sighed as she kept blabbering on and on about her life and what they should do together when Syaoran realized that something was very strange... Sakura still wasn't back.
---Outside of resturant...---
Sakura grabbed her cell phone and sighed as she left the resturant. She was so happy today. Syaoran had made her day, and she still had a family. Sadness from her mothers death still lingered but the new relationship with her step-brother made things brighter. She still had someone to call her "family". 'Yelan was right... Syaoran does have a soft side... he made me laugh many times today... although he seems quite cold he can be warm at the same time.' Sakura felt the wind comb through her hair and she tossed her hair back like a horse would do with its long mane and stopped, frowning. She just notices that a strange group of people dressed in black was behind her. She shrugged it off. 'Maybe it's a group of people working for a company on a break or something.' She kept walking and hummed to herself. She gasped as rough hands seized her from behind, a hand covered her scream, muffling it.
"Be quiet..." The voice hissed. Sakura felt fear rise up within her but a determined glint lit her eyes, she bit the hand of the attacker and stomped on his toe, drawing a loud groan of pain. She whirled around... it was the group of people dressed in black which was following her from behind.
"What do you want?!" Sakura asked, her voice tinting with that wild taste of fear.
"We were sent to kill you." A man said. His bulk was huge and he was rippling with muscle and dark blue eyes growled. Sakura felt her heart freeze for a moment.
"Who?" Her voice was a mere whisper as they drew closer.
In reply, a man swung at her from the left, Sakura felt the blow and fell down to the ground, her lips bleeding and her eyes blurred.
'No...'
Sakura got up, she didn't know how to fight, but she managed to land a few good kicks on them. She reached up and scratched an attacker on the face. They drew away, Sakura breathed, her body aching from the blows she had recieved.
"Why?!"
Sakura gasped out her question in anguish. There were too many. They would kill her... Whimpers rose up in her throat as another man hit her on the back with a stick, bruising her and knocking the wind out of her. Sakura staggered up and kicked him at the side, making him groan, she clawed at someones face... but she started seeing dots as she saw a flash of silver.
'A knife...'
Hopelessness wrapped about her like a veil. She heard a shriek. There was a familiar face.
"Mrs. Kinomoto?" Sakura asked with swolled lips.
The icy eyes were wide and the woman fluttered her hands. Pearl shakily reached for her cell. "Oh my god! Are you ok Ms. Li?!" Pearl ran towards Sakura, taking out her cell at the same time with wide terrified eyes. A man near her slugged her on the stomache and Pearl slumped over, gasping... her cell phone dropping to the ground. A man smashed it to peices. Pearl gave a groan and was still. Fury lit Sakura's eyes.
"How dare you!"
A man hit her again, blood ran from a bloodied eye. Pain tore through her as she fell, unmoving to the floor. She had given up hope... Tear flooded her eyes....
Her eyes opened wide as she saw a man go flying.
"Damn you stupid son of a bitches!"
There were more thuds and groans.
Sakura looked up and cried out in happiness.
"Syaoran!"
He stood there, his face infuriated, his cell phone smashed on the concrete floor. His eyes flashed dangerously as he tornadoe kicked another attacker on the face, making the man twirl to the ground.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
"Thank god your here!" Sakura breathed as Syaoran drew nearer, his eyes lighting up in worry.
When he reached her side to hold her, she blacked out.
To be Continued...
A/N: Thank you all for reading! =D Here is a preview of the next chapter... Just a small preview since I have a good idea what to put up next...
--- Preview---
The cold icy look from the beautiful older woman was missed by the cheerful younger one. The young woman with the green sparkling eyes and light brown hair laughed, her face bandaged yet bruised from her attack. Even though she was badly injured, she shone through, like a sun on a cloudy day. The older woman gritted her teeth.
'That face... so much like that Nadeshiko's...'
The young woman laughed brightly, tears of joy and mirth... and relief running down her face as Syaoran and the doctor entered, saying she could go home.
'Soon, those tears will be tears of fear and sorrow... Sakura Kinomoto... You must die... With you everything will be ruined... I cannot let them find you...'
A groan escaped her lips.
'Stupid Greg... he punched me too hard and he broke my cell phone... It is all an act to gain her trust... I will gut Greg for this.'
She watched as the young woman named Sakura got up to leave. The tall handsome brown haired man next to her. The watchful cold eyes calculated the two.
'That young man, there is something about him and her... I must get rid of him. He must stay away...'
---End Preview---
A/N: So.. People, you like it? =D Well, remeber to read and review! Read and Review and keep me happy. =D More to come soon!
Special Thanks to:
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S A K U R A
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Everyone! Thank you for your patience!
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