Title: "This is Not Enough"
Ch. Title: Nearing the End
Author: Peonyqt1004
A/N: Sorry for the very late update. I had many things to do and had home games to attend to. I have color guard; do you know what that is? :D It¡¯s flags and pom¡¯s combined. Well that takes up a lot of my time, and so does my studies. I am taking Art 2 GT, Chemistry GT, US History AP, and AP English... so I am having a pretty packed schedule, and I am also on my next to last yr is high school and need to make it good. Sorry- ^^; I'll try to update a few times a month, once or twice in every one of my stories. =) Thanks for your support and patience and I love your reviews... After this story are about two chapters. The Next chapter will be the trial and some other business... and the epilogue... Read to find out. =] Everything will be sorted out then. ^_^ So keep reading and smiling!
"Nearing the End"
The tall brown haired man looked around quickly. Was there any way to avoid them or knock them all out quickly? He had to think fast, Sakura's life was at hand.
'Why am I protecting her?' He thought with amazement, 'I was never like this before... never...' Then a thought rose up in his head. 'Can it be that I LIKE Sakura?' He quickly shook his head. It had to be something else. How could he be so foolish? The Li-clan would never approve. He was just doing his job, like his elder told to him to do. Protect her. The keeper of secrets. Then he spotted a fire hose in a glass case nearest to him, and a small grin grew on his face. He had an idea.
With Yukito...
A gag muffled a silver haired man¡¯s please for help. Pearl had him tied to a chair, so he wouldn¡¯t get in the way. He didn't want this to happen. It COULDN'T happen! Straining his hands to try to somehow untie or break the knot. It was useless. His hands were covered with sweat and blood. The knots dug into his skin and his hands hurt from the lack of circulation.
'I need to get out!'
He struggled and his chair fell over onto the side. Yukito groaned as his head hit the hard floor. His glasses skidded across the floor and broke in half. Yukito looked around groggily. 'This can't be happening. It's a nightmare!'
Tomoyo...
Tomoyo got into her bank account and took out a large sum of money. It was funny how the government¡¯s heads could be turned with some cash. Tory was set free. Tomoyo had bailed him. Tory looked gratefully at his purple haired saviors. "Thanks..." Tory whispered. Tomoyo smiled. "It's all good. Now, we have to find Sakura." Tory nodded. He was so surprised. In all his years, no one was this kind to him. Only his father, Sakura, his mother, and Yukito. But no one had cared for him like this at all.
'No wonder Sakura's friends with her.' Tory though as he brought himself to a jog as he used Tomoyo's cell phone to call Yukito.
The phone rang for a long time, and Tory started to uncomfortable. What could possibly be wrong? But a strange chill ran down his spine as he heard the answering machine.
With Sakura...
"Your mom ruined my life." The blonde woman hissed, her blue eyes piercing the younger girl thoroughly. "There is no way to assuage my pains... She was a horrible terrible woman."
"You are a liar!" Sakura cried out loud. "I bet you were jealous... My mom... She must've had something you didn't!"
"Your mom thought it was HER prerogative to barge into other peoples things. She is a nosey human, and I'm glad she died from lung cancer!"
Sakura was quiet; her eyes were distant and jaded as she remembered something, which had been hidden away from her for such a long time.
She saw a beautiful black haired woman in a coffin, her curly ebony hair forming a soft bed around the dead woman. Her green eyes were closed forever to this world. In her hands were roses... and her face was unreal, too beautiful. Marks of toil and hardship did etch a tale of misery on her forehead. Sakura was momentarily little again. Tears were running down her eyes as she cried next to the coffin.
"She can't be dead!" the younger Sakura cried. She tried to simulate some life into her mother but nothing happened. They closed the coffin and took her away, screaming for her mother.
"MOTHER!"
The coffin was lowered into a dark hole of eternity.
"MOTHER!"
People were tossing dirt onto the coffin.
Tears streamed down the young girls face as she was carried off, her hand stretched out to her long gone mother in a gesture of desperation... and longing.
Pearl was startled to see Sakura's eyes grow dim and tears flowing down her cheeks. The girl suddenly came back into reality, her eyes hardening.
"My mom had everything to give, but never asked anything for herself." Sakura said harshly. Pearl stared at her hands.
"That's the impression you want. But she did take someone from me. She took away my lover who became your father."
Syaoran...
A tall gaunt man with coarse brown hair and sharp black eyes surveyed the area. No one was there. His companions searched the room and found nothing.
"He's not here boss."
"The security camera has to be right--."
The man with brown hair gasped as a noose went about his neck and snapped it as it was quickly snapped to the side. The whole group turned around in surprise as they realized something. Someone was above them.
Syaoran had the upper hand. Surprise. He smiled as he brought back the hose he used to kill the leader with. He leapt down quickly and turned on the hose, spraying the minions with a strong gush of ice cold water. He quickly turned it off after a few seconds and managed to go past the surprised and wet group... towards the place he heard the scream. He looked around. Where would Sakura be? He grimaced as he heard a gun go off and he ducked... but the bullet gashed his arm. He gasped in pain. 'I have to find her now... before anything else happens!'
Sakura..
"Your father was the most wanted bachelor in all of Tokyo. He was rich, handsome, and very intelligent and charming. He was in love with me, until your mother came along and ruined everything! So I waited in the dark, knowing Nadeshiko's secret. She told me long time ago... Before we hated each other..."
Her eyes looked very distant, and suddenly became cold.
"She never told your father her little secret and got married and had you and that stupid bastard son!" Pearl slammed the table near her, causing Sakura to jump. "Then she died. I crept to your father while he was weak with anguish and sadness... and he replaced your mother with me! But it didn't end there... He still loved Nadeshiko!" Pearl suddenly looked mad as she stared at a frightened Sakura with a crazed look. "I loved him and he wouldn¡¯t love me! Every man in my life managed to hurt me... and he hurt me the most! You know why? Because I loved him!" Pearls voice broke and a tear ran down her cheek as she paused, as if lost in the memory. Sakura felt a pang of pity, which died away when Pearls lip drew into a snarl.
"He made me angry after I read his will. Of course I hated both you and your brother! Tch- useless children! You were a stupid child.. Scared of ghosts and crying for your mother! Your brother was a bastard who defied me every minute of his miserable life! But then, one day I was sleeping in the bedroom, with your father... and I suddenly came up with a brilliant idea! If your father loved Nadeshiko so much... why didn't he JOIN her?" Pearls smirk was almost not human. "So... I decided to kill him. I brought the most expensive tasteless poison I could find and sweetly offered him some tea. Tired as he was, he said yes. It was almost too easy. A teaspoon of this poison could kill any man." Pearl looked strangely far away, Sakura felt herself sweating... and dreading the outcome.
"So I poured it into his tea, making sure the tea was nice and sweet... and put it on a tray. Then I saw you, by the window with your wicked bewitching green eyes! You were staring at me." Pearls smile turned into a frown. "I locked you in the bathroom and gave your father the tea... It was wonderful! All the pain he has caused me were inflicted back to him! I saw his eyes... those cursed brown eyes staring at me in shock! Then he starting foaming blood and fell to the floor... and somehow you got out of the bathroom and saw your father--."
"STOP!" Sakura screamed as tear flowed hotly down her cheeks. "Don't go on! I don't want to hear any more!"
"But you MUST!" Pearl said loudly, smiling like a Cheshire cat. Sakura noticed how pointy her teeth were. "I only told half the story!" Sakura shook her head. "NO! You're a monster! You killed my parents and¡¦ and... "
Sakura gasped in pain as Pearl struck her face. "Look what your mom did to me!" Pearl said fumingly. Sakura coughed, her head hurt. She remembered everything now. She wanted to die.
"What about what you did to my father...?" Sakura asked through swollen lips. Pearl leered at her. "Listen pretty." Pearl spat, "You weren't suppose to see that! Furthermore! You're supposed to be DEAD!" Pearls pretty face was contorted by anger, bitter hatred, and something else.
"But I'm not dead." Sakura whispered. "Justice will be served." Pearl smiled. "Not if I can help it."
Syaoran...
'I hope I make it in time...' Blood ran down the injury on his arm and he gasped in pain as someone grabbed his arm.
He met the piercing blue eyes of another thug named Mike.
Syaoran was quick to react. His amber eyes cold and flinty, he stamped down his pain and twisted around and had it so that Mike was the one who was in danger.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" Syaoran snarled. Mike looked at Syaoran with interested blue eyes.
"You're hurt, you can't hurt me." Mike replied coolly.
"I've learned 116 different ways to kill people, and 8 of them had to do with a broken neck..." Mike's eyes grew wide as he felt Syaoran's good hand grip his neck powerfully. "WAIT!" Mike said quickly. "I know where Sakura is." Syaoran snarled in his ear. "Then tell me quick!" Mikes eyes narrowed. "Only if you keep away from my Sakura." Syaoran saw red as he threw Mike back, forgetting his injured arm.
"YOUR Sakura?!" He snarled angrily.
"Do you want to save her or not?" Mike asked impatiently.
"Listen blue eyes!" Syaoran said through a haze of anger. "Sakura is MINE! Don't go near her unless you want to die!" Mike groaned as he got up and stared at Syaoran, trying to calculate how hard he was going to be.
"I'll show you." Mike said quietly. 'I don't want Sakura to die in that mad woman¡¯s hands...'
--------------Sakura...
Pearl smiled in an insane way as she withdrew a knife from her hand.
"You see this?" Pearl asked, her teeth white and toothy. "I dabbed a bit of lovely poison at the edge... so I'll just have to slice a bit of your lovely skin... and... Then you're dead within 30 minutes. Take or add on a few." Sakura's eyes widened as the woman drew closer.
"Now... where shall I stab you?" Pearl smiled. "How about... I just cut your throat open?" An insane gleam lit Pearls eyes as she drew her knife upwards. Sakura's green eyes were hypnotized by the glimmer of the sterling silver blade, which looked lethally sharp. The handle was encrusted with diamonds, sapphires... rubies... Sakura looked away, her eyes filled with tears. Her cursed life was over. This was it. Her head drooped forward as the knife came slashing down.
Sakura waited for the pain to slash through. She was stiff and rigid as she raised her head as she heard someone else groan. Horror was written all over her face as she realized just who was the one who was stabbed.
Blue eyes met green ones and held them for a long time. The beautiful flawless face of the gangster Mike stared back at her quizzically almost. Pain was written in his eyes as he smiled a bit forcefully.
"I-i love you."
Then he collapsed onto the ground, holding his side, which was crimson with blood. Sakura screamed.
That's when Syaoran decided to come in. His snapping amber eyes dilated with shock when he saw that Pearl, who was staggering from the attack Mike had managed to defect, was recovering quickly and was stalking around Sakura, who was shaking and crying.
He moved quickly across the floor, his feet silent as he grabbed the insane woman around her throat, and managed to hit a pressure point. Pearl fell unconscious on the spot, dropping the knife, which was still dripping from the gangster¡¯s blood.
Syaoran didn't know what to say as he untied the ropes, which held Sakura. She looked limp and lifeless and was almost afraid she would fall once the ropes, which held her, fell away. But she staggered upwards, her eyes clouded as she made her way to Mike, who was taking heavy breathes and panting slightly.
"Mike... Why?" Sakura asked brokenly. He smiled at her, his eyes clouding over. With effort he spoke his last words. "There is no why to love. When I saw you, you radiated something that made me want to protect you." His smile slackened as he fell limply to the floor. Sakura had no more tears to shed. Her eyes were hot and stinging, but she wasn't crying out loud anymore. She was crying within. Wiping her tears with a trembling hand, she cradled Mike¡¯s head as she heard the sirens in the distant. It was a while before Syaoran broke the uncomfortable silence and Sakura's silent weeping by pulling Sakura up, and enveloping her in a secure embrace.
---Few Days Later---
Sakura managed a small smile as Mike was put away to his eternal resting spot. She had picked the spot and put him near a beautiful Sakura blossom where he could admire its beauty even after death. She regretted yelling at him. It took a while to get over everything she had relearned. Her past. It was painful and still ached heavily in her heart. She didn't tell anyone about what she saw and felt, and she felt as if something was killing her within. Placing a rose on Mikes grave and imagining the poor souls beautiful angel tic face, she turned around and walked towards Syaoran. There were still things to figure out. Time was harsh in when it revealed the truths, but Sakura was ready... But if she lost one more thing in her life, Sakura felt as if she would collapse. Things confused her as she held tightly onto Syaorans warm hands. What was to become of her? What about her only remaining family member? What was she to do? Confused, she got into the car and stared out the window. Raindrops started to patter onto the car as they drove silently out. Intricate water patterns decorated the window as Sakura looked at the world in a distorted point of view from within the car.
'I never knew that the world I had once adored and loved living in would end up like this. When I was young, I wished for life... Now, I don't know what to wish anymore.' Sakura looked away from the water droplets and looked at her no longer stepbrother with her large green eyes. 'But I know one thing. People change, for the good or the bad. But I am glad I know at least one person I can rely on. I hope he never leaves my life forever.' The car stopped at a red traffic light, and brown met green. Syaoran smiled, his eyes softening a bit as he took his hand away from the steering wheel to squeeze her hand gently, comforting her in a way that was not possible to others. Sakura smiled back, and felt tears glistening in the back of her eyes.
'Thank you Syaoran... For being there for me.'
Silently she thanked him as they drove down the rainy street...
To be continued...
A/N: There is one final chapter left after this... then the epilogue. Hope you enjoyed this chapter... Wow- I'm almost finished with this story. I can't believe it. I am so glad for all you readers and reviewers. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter... and once this story is finished I would like it if you would read my other S and S story. Mercy for the Damned. It's a lot more biblical but the romance is inevitable and might satisfy your taste... As always, I like to portray Syaoran as the wild and restless cruel human being who is warmed by the kinder female names Sakura. LOL. So... Thanks. Remember to review! I'm counting on you!
-Peonyqt1004-
Preview:
Sakura looked at the tall muscular chestnut haired man, her heart beating uncontrollably and her cheeks flushing... She wanted to tell him something. She never realized it till now. Standing under the starlit night sky, Sakura saw the good soul of Syaoran... and his handsome features highlighted by the soft moonlight. She knew she would never think Syaoran as just a brother. Comforted by his presence, Sakura drew closer, her eyes half lidded as she opened her mouth to say the few words that she dreamed of saying to Syaoran in her unconcious mind. Ever since he protected and saved her life (other then Mike) Sakura saw Syaoran with a diffrent light and saw what Yelan had seen in her son. The golden light which attracted her.
"S-syaoran..."
Syaoran turned to her, his eyebrows quirked upwards comically as he smiled at her in a way which made her knees go weak.
"I-i... I wanted to ask you if you thought me more then a sister? Do you... t-think you could like me for more then a si--."
Their conversation, which had created an intense and smoldering atmosphere was broken when A tall pale girl with dark black hair and red eyes dressed in a traditional red chinese dress with a gold hem appeared.
"Syaoran!" Meiling yelled. Her eyes, which were already red, were red from crying, her face flushed and her eyes sad. "Where were you! The whole entire Li clan was waiting and you never appeared."
Syaoran looked trapped, his brown eyes wide as he realized his secret would have to be let out soon. He could'nt breathe, he yearned for Sakura to finish her sentence and do something, but the sweet young woman stood there, frozen, her eyes lightened up with a strange curiousity.
"What is it?" Sakura asked, breaking the silence while Meiling stood there trembling, her eyes staring into Syaorans brown ones.
Meiling teared up, hot stinging tears of pain going down her cheeks, she ignored Sakura. Envying the way Syaoran would look at Sakura.
"Is this it? What are you going to do Xiao Lang? Run from our engagement? The Li clan won't allow it."
There was a dreadful silence afterwards and Syaoran slowly turned to meet Sakura's shocked face. Her face had gone pale and her breathing came in short sharp gasps. "Y-you're gettng married to M-meiling?" Sakura asked dubiously, but she sounded hurt, deeply. Syaoran didn't know what to say. "No! It's not like that--." But it was too late, the damage was done.
Sakura broke and shattered within herself. Her hopes and dreams swirled away down the endless drain of self pity. Syaoran was getting married. She cried inwardly but let out a smile. She was strong, she handeled the weight of her past and Pearl was imprisoned for life. She could keep Syaoran and Meiling happy.
Forcing a bright smile, Sakura spoke up, her eyes watering slightly.
"I hope that both of you are happy... Syaoran is a wonderful person. He'll make a great leader." With that Sakura fled. The last thing Syaoran saw was Sakura's large glimmering green eyes. The eyes that the little wolf, also known as Xiao Ling, was in love with.
r-e-v-i-e-w~!
Ch. Title: Nearing the End
Author: Peonyqt1004
A/N: Sorry for the very late update. I had many things to do and had home games to attend to. I have color guard; do you know what that is? :D It¡¯s flags and pom¡¯s combined. Well that takes up a lot of my time, and so does my studies. I am taking Art 2 GT, Chemistry GT, US History AP, and AP English... so I am having a pretty packed schedule, and I am also on my next to last yr is high school and need to make it good. Sorry- ^^; I'll try to update a few times a month, once or twice in every one of my stories. =) Thanks for your support and patience and I love your reviews... After this story are about two chapters. The Next chapter will be the trial and some other business... and the epilogue... Read to find out. =] Everything will be sorted out then. ^_^ So keep reading and smiling!
"Nearing the End"
The tall brown haired man looked around quickly. Was there any way to avoid them or knock them all out quickly? He had to think fast, Sakura's life was at hand.
'Why am I protecting her?' He thought with amazement, 'I was never like this before... never...' Then a thought rose up in his head. 'Can it be that I LIKE Sakura?' He quickly shook his head. It had to be something else. How could he be so foolish? The Li-clan would never approve. He was just doing his job, like his elder told to him to do. Protect her. The keeper of secrets. Then he spotted a fire hose in a glass case nearest to him, and a small grin grew on his face. He had an idea.
With Yukito...
A gag muffled a silver haired man¡¯s please for help. Pearl had him tied to a chair, so he wouldn¡¯t get in the way. He didn't want this to happen. It COULDN'T happen! Straining his hands to try to somehow untie or break the knot. It was useless. His hands were covered with sweat and blood. The knots dug into his skin and his hands hurt from the lack of circulation.
'I need to get out!'
He struggled and his chair fell over onto the side. Yukito groaned as his head hit the hard floor. His glasses skidded across the floor and broke in half. Yukito looked around groggily. 'This can't be happening. It's a nightmare!'
Tomoyo...
Tomoyo got into her bank account and took out a large sum of money. It was funny how the government¡¯s heads could be turned with some cash. Tory was set free. Tomoyo had bailed him. Tory looked gratefully at his purple haired saviors. "Thanks..." Tory whispered. Tomoyo smiled. "It's all good. Now, we have to find Sakura." Tory nodded. He was so surprised. In all his years, no one was this kind to him. Only his father, Sakura, his mother, and Yukito. But no one had cared for him like this at all.
'No wonder Sakura's friends with her.' Tory though as he brought himself to a jog as he used Tomoyo's cell phone to call Yukito.
The phone rang for a long time, and Tory started to uncomfortable. What could possibly be wrong? But a strange chill ran down his spine as he heard the answering machine.
With Sakura...
"Your mom ruined my life." The blonde woman hissed, her blue eyes piercing the younger girl thoroughly. "There is no way to assuage my pains... She was a horrible terrible woman."
"You are a liar!" Sakura cried out loud. "I bet you were jealous... My mom... She must've had something you didn't!"
"Your mom thought it was HER prerogative to barge into other peoples things. She is a nosey human, and I'm glad she died from lung cancer!"
Sakura was quiet; her eyes were distant and jaded as she remembered something, which had been hidden away from her for such a long time.
She saw a beautiful black haired woman in a coffin, her curly ebony hair forming a soft bed around the dead woman. Her green eyes were closed forever to this world. In her hands were roses... and her face was unreal, too beautiful. Marks of toil and hardship did etch a tale of misery on her forehead. Sakura was momentarily little again. Tears were running down her eyes as she cried next to the coffin.
"She can't be dead!" the younger Sakura cried. She tried to simulate some life into her mother but nothing happened. They closed the coffin and took her away, screaming for her mother.
"MOTHER!"
The coffin was lowered into a dark hole of eternity.
"MOTHER!"
People were tossing dirt onto the coffin.
Tears streamed down the young girls face as she was carried off, her hand stretched out to her long gone mother in a gesture of desperation... and longing.
Pearl was startled to see Sakura's eyes grow dim and tears flowing down her cheeks. The girl suddenly came back into reality, her eyes hardening.
"My mom had everything to give, but never asked anything for herself." Sakura said harshly. Pearl stared at her hands.
"That's the impression you want. But she did take someone from me. She took away my lover who became your father."
Syaoran...
A tall gaunt man with coarse brown hair and sharp black eyes surveyed the area. No one was there. His companions searched the room and found nothing.
"He's not here boss."
"The security camera has to be right--."
The man with brown hair gasped as a noose went about his neck and snapped it as it was quickly snapped to the side. The whole group turned around in surprise as they realized something. Someone was above them.
Syaoran had the upper hand. Surprise. He smiled as he brought back the hose he used to kill the leader with. He leapt down quickly and turned on the hose, spraying the minions with a strong gush of ice cold water. He quickly turned it off after a few seconds and managed to go past the surprised and wet group... towards the place he heard the scream. He looked around. Where would Sakura be? He grimaced as he heard a gun go off and he ducked... but the bullet gashed his arm. He gasped in pain. 'I have to find her now... before anything else happens!'
Sakura..
"Your father was the most wanted bachelor in all of Tokyo. He was rich, handsome, and very intelligent and charming. He was in love with me, until your mother came along and ruined everything! So I waited in the dark, knowing Nadeshiko's secret. She told me long time ago... Before we hated each other..."
Her eyes looked very distant, and suddenly became cold.
"She never told your father her little secret and got married and had you and that stupid bastard son!" Pearl slammed the table near her, causing Sakura to jump. "Then she died. I crept to your father while he was weak with anguish and sadness... and he replaced your mother with me! But it didn't end there... He still loved Nadeshiko!" Pearl suddenly looked mad as she stared at a frightened Sakura with a crazed look. "I loved him and he wouldn¡¯t love me! Every man in my life managed to hurt me... and he hurt me the most! You know why? Because I loved him!" Pearls voice broke and a tear ran down her cheek as she paused, as if lost in the memory. Sakura felt a pang of pity, which died away when Pearls lip drew into a snarl.
"He made me angry after I read his will. Of course I hated both you and your brother! Tch- useless children! You were a stupid child.. Scared of ghosts and crying for your mother! Your brother was a bastard who defied me every minute of his miserable life! But then, one day I was sleeping in the bedroom, with your father... and I suddenly came up with a brilliant idea! If your father loved Nadeshiko so much... why didn't he JOIN her?" Pearls smirk was almost not human. "So... I decided to kill him. I brought the most expensive tasteless poison I could find and sweetly offered him some tea. Tired as he was, he said yes. It was almost too easy. A teaspoon of this poison could kill any man." Pearl looked strangely far away, Sakura felt herself sweating... and dreading the outcome.
"So I poured it into his tea, making sure the tea was nice and sweet... and put it on a tray. Then I saw you, by the window with your wicked bewitching green eyes! You were staring at me." Pearls smile turned into a frown. "I locked you in the bathroom and gave your father the tea... It was wonderful! All the pain he has caused me were inflicted back to him! I saw his eyes... those cursed brown eyes staring at me in shock! Then he starting foaming blood and fell to the floor... and somehow you got out of the bathroom and saw your father--."
"STOP!" Sakura screamed as tear flowed hotly down her cheeks. "Don't go on! I don't want to hear any more!"
"But you MUST!" Pearl said loudly, smiling like a Cheshire cat. Sakura noticed how pointy her teeth were. "I only told half the story!" Sakura shook her head. "NO! You're a monster! You killed my parents and¡¦ and... "
Sakura gasped in pain as Pearl struck her face. "Look what your mom did to me!" Pearl said fumingly. Sakura coughed, her head hurt. She remembered everything now. She wanted to die.
"What about what you did to my father...?" Sakura asked through swollen lips. Pearl leered at her. "Listen pretty." Pearl spat, "You weren't suppose to see that! Furthermore! You're supposed to be DEAD!" Pearls pretty face was contorted by anger, bitter hatred, and something else.
"But I'm not dead." Sakura whispered. "Justice will be served." Pearl smiled. "Not if I can help it."
Syaoran...
'I hope I make it in time...' Blood ran down the injury on his arm and he gasped in pain as someone grabbed his arm.
He met the piercing blue eyes of another thug named Mike.
Syaoran was quick to react. His amber eyes cold and flinty, he stamped down his pain and twisted around and had it so that Mike was the one who was in danger.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" Syaoran snarled. Mike looked at Syaoran with interested blue eyes.
"You're hurt, you can't hurt me." Mike replied coolly.
"I've learned 116 different ways to kill people, and 8 of them had to do with a broken neck..." Mike's eyes grew wide as he felt Syaoran's good hand grip his neck powerfully. "WAIT!" Mike said quickly. "I know where Sakura is." Syaoran snarled in his ear. "Then tell me quick!" Mikes eyes narrowed. "Only if you keep away from my Sakura." Syaoran saw red as he threw Mike back, forgetting his injured arm.
"YOUR Sakura?!" He snarled angrily.
"Do you want to save her or not?" Mike asked impatiently.
"Listen blue eyes!" Syaoran said through a haze of anger. "Sakura is MINE! Don't go near her unless you want to die!" Mike groaned as he got up and stared at Syaoran, trying to calculate how hard he was going to be.
"I'll show you." Mike said quietly. 'I don't want Sakura to die in that mad woman¡¯s hands...'
--------------Sakura...
Pearl smiled in an insane way as she withdrew a knife from her hand.
"You see this?" Pearl asked, her teeth white and toothy. "I dabbed a bit of lovely poison at the edge... so I'll just have to slice a bit of your lovely skin... and... Then you're dead within 30 minutes. Take or add on a few." Sakura's eyes widened as the woman drew closer.
"Now... where shall I stab you?" Pearl smiled. "How about... I just cut your throat open?" An insane gleam lit Pearls eyes as she drew her knife upwards. Sakura's green eyes were hypnotized by the glimmer of the sterling silver blade, which looked lethally sharp. The handle was encrusted with diamonds, sapphires... rubies... Sakura looked away, her eyes filled with tears. Her cursed life was over. This was it. Her head drooped forward as the knife came slashing down.
Sakura waited for the pain to slash through. She was stiff and rigid as she raised her head as she heard someone else groan. Horror was written all over her face as she realized just who was the one who was stabbed.
Blue eyes met green ones and held them for a long time. The beautiful flawless face of the gangster Mike stared back at her quizzically almost. Pain was written in his eyes as he smiled a bit forcefully.
"I-i love you."
Then he collapsed onto the ground, holding his side, which was crimson with blood. Sakura screamed.
That's when Syaoran decided to come in. His snapping amber eyes dilated with shock when he saw that Pearl, who was staggering from the attack Mike had managed to defect, was recovering quickly and was stalking around Sakura, who was shaking and crying.
He moved quickly across the floor, his feet silent as he grabbed the insane woman around her throat, and managed to hit a pressure point. Pearl fell unconscious on the spot, dropping the knife, which was still dripping from the gangster¡¯s blood.
Syaoran didn't know what to say as he untied the ropes, which held Sakura. She looked limp and lifeless and was almost afraid she would fall once the ropes, which held her, fell away. But she staggered upwards, her eyes clouded as she made her way to Mike, who was taking heavy breathes and panting slightly.
"Mike... Why?" Sakura asked brokenly. He smiled at her, his eyes clouding over. With effort he spoke his last words. "There is no why to love. When I saw you, you radiated something that made me want to protect you." His smile slackened as he fell limply to the floor. Sakura had no more tears to shed. Her eyes were hot and stinging, but she wasn't crying out loud anymore. She was crying within. Wiping her tears with a trembling hand, she cradled Mike¡¯s head as she heard the sirens in the distant. It was a while before Syaoran broke the uncomfortable silence and Sakura's silent weeping by pulling Sakura up, and enveloping her in a secure embrace.
---Few Days Later---
Sakura managed a small smile as Mike was put away to his eternal resting spot. She had picked the spot and put him near a beautiful Sakura blossom where he could admire its beauty even after death. She regretted yelling at him. It took a while to get over everything she had relearned. Her past. It was painful and still ached heavily in her heart. She didn't tell anyone about what she saw and felt, and she felt as if something was killing her within. Placing a rose on Mikes grave and imagining the poor souls beautiful angel tic face, she turned around and walked towards Syaoran. There were still things to figure out. Time was harsh in when it revealed the truths, but Sakura was ready... But if she lost one more thing in her life, Sakura felt as if she would collapse. Things confused her as she held tightly onto Syaorans warm hands. What was to become of her? What about her only remaining family member? What was she to do? Confused, she got into the car and stared out the window. Raindrops started to patter onto the car as they drove silently out. Intricate water patterns decorated the window as Sakura looked at the world in a distorted point of view from within the car.
'I never knew that the world I had once adored and loved living in would end up like this. When I was young, I wished for life... Now, I don't know what to wish anymore.' Sakura looked away from the water droplets and looked at her no longer stepbrother with her large green eyes. 'But I know one thing. People change, for the good or the bad. But I am glad I know at least one person I can rely on. I hope he never leaves my life forever.' The car stopped at a red traffic light, and brown met green. Syaoran smiled, his eyes softening a bit as he took his hand away from the steering wheel to squeeze her hand gently, comforting her in a way that was not possible to others. Sakura smiled back, and felt tears glistening in the back of her eyes.
'Thank you Syaoran... For being there for me.'
Silently she thanked him as they drove down the rainy street...
To be continued...
A/N: There is one final chapter left after this... then the epilogue. Hope you enjoyed this chapter... Wow- I'm almost finished with this story. I can't believe it. I am so glad for all you readers and reviewers. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter... and once this story is finished I would like it if you would read my other S and S story. Mercy for the Damned. It's a lot more biblical but the romance is inevitable and might satisfy your taste... As always, I like to portray Syaoran as the wild and restless cruel human being who is warmed by the kinder female names Sakura. LOL. So... Thanks. Remember to review! I'm counting on you!
-Peonyqt1004-
Preview:
Sakura looked at the tall muscular chestnut haired man, her heart beating uncontrollably and her cheeks flushing... She wanted to tell him something. She never realized it till now. Standing under the starlit night sky, Sakura saw the good soul of Syaoran... and his handsome features highlighted by the soft moonlight. She knew she would never think Syaoran as just a brother. Comforted by his presence, Sakura drew closer, her eyes half lidded as she opened her mouth to say the few words that she dreamed of saying to Syaoran in her unconcious mind. Ever since he protected and saved her life (other then Mike) Sakura saw Syaoran with a diffrent light and saw what Yelan had seen in her son. The golden light which attracted her.
"S-syaoran..."
Syaoran turned to her, his eyebrows quirked upwards comically as he smiled at her in a way which made her knees go weak.
"I-i... I wanted to ask you if you thought me more then a sister? Do you... t-think you could like me for more then a si--."
Their conversation, which had created an intense and smoldering atmosphere was broken when A tall pale girl with dark black hair and red eyes dressed in a traditional red chinese dress with a gold hem appeared.
"Syaoran!" Meiling yelled. Her eyes, which were already red, were red from crying, her face flushed and her eyes sad. "Where were you! The whole entire Li clan was waiting and you never appeared."
Syaoran looked trapped, his brown eyes wide as he realized his secret would have to be let out soon. He could'nt breathe, he yearned for Sakura to finish her sentence and do something, but the sweet young woman stood there, frozen, her eyes lightened up with a strange curiousity.
"What is it?" Sakura asked, breaking the silence while Meiling stood there trembling, her eyes staring into Syaorans brown ones.
Meiling teared up, hot stinging tears of pain going down her cheeks, she ignored Sakura. Envying the way Syaoran would look at Sakura.
"Is this it? What are you going to do Xiao Lang? Run from our engagement? The Li clan won't allow it."
There was a dreadful silence afterwards and Syaoran slowly turned to meet Sakura's shocked face. Her face had gone pale and her breathing came in short sharp gasps. "Y-you're gettng married to M-meiling?" Sakura asked dubiously, but she sounded hurt, deeply. Syaoran didn't know what to say. "No! It's not like that--." But it was too late, the damage was done.
Sakura broke and shattered within herself. Her hopes and dreams swirled away down the endless drain of self pity. Syaoran was getting married. She cried inwardly but let out a smile. She was strong, she handeled the weight of her past and Pearl was imprisoned for life. She could keep Syaoran and Meiling happy.
Forcing a bright smile, Sakura spoke up, her eyes watering slightly.
"I hope that both of you are happy... Syaoran is a wonderful person. He'll make a great leader." With that Sakura fled. The last thing Syaoran saw was Sakura's large glimmering green eyes. The eyes that the little wolf, also known as Xiao Ling, was in love with.
r-e-v-i-e-w~!