Title: This is Not Enough
Chapter Title: A Parting
Author: Peonyqt1004
DISCLAIMER: Obviously I don't own CCS- ^_^;
A/N: Sorry for the late update and this crappy chapter- UGH. I have no time and life- Literally. School takes up 75% of my time... Colorguard takes up about 15%... Art takes up 5% (I don't mind that one...) and TAE kwon DO takes up the other 5%- and I sleep at 12... I'm sick... It's a horrible WORLD! It sucks to be a junior! *Sighs* There is an***** Epilogue******* after this one to clsoe up this story so you guys are still waiting... and You guys won't be disappointed with me... ^^= So... On with the story and remeber to R and R- I'm not good with sappy stories so I end up making it a bit... yea... you'll see. Not mushy thou~ =_=;
-peonyqt1004
"A Parting"
A beautiful green-eyed woman smiled at her true blood older brother. His face was haggard but he smiled tightly. They were going to court to testify against Pearl. Pearl was charged with the murder of Mike and their father. She was also charged with attempted murder and pressing false charges against Tory. Then there was another charge pressed by Yukito.
Yukito had been gagged and left alone in a room for who knew how long. By the time Tory had arrived, Yukito had passed out from hunger and stress of his situation. They revived him and found evidence of a beating. Tory's face was pinched with worry, and Sakura's eyes were filled with sadness as they arrived in front of the court.
"Sakura... I'm sorry." Tory said bitterly as they got out, tears filling his eyes.
"Sorry about what?" Sakura asked quietly. "I'm sorry about not being able to protect you." Tory replied. "I broke my promise to mother and to you." Sakura smiled softly, her eyes glimmering. "I'm just thankful you are alright and not dead." Tory nodded. Both choked on words and were apprehensive of what was to come. They still had some strange fear that Pearl would somehow get away from this clean handed and come after them again. However, they both were relieved that the truth may come to light and that justice might be served. Sakura's grief filled eyes spotted a certain brown haired man in the distance and all sorrow fled. Her eyes brightened into a lush emerald green and looked joyful, and fled quickly as if she was trying to hide it. However, Tory Kinomoto caught that look before it had disappeared. At first, an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness nearly drowned him, but then it settled. After all, that gaki did save his sisters life. Smiling sadly, realizing how much she had grown up during their long and hard separation. Touching her arm gently he said, "Come on Sakura. Let us get this over with."
The case ended successfully, Pearl looked like a madwoman, sitting at her end of the line with her eyes glaring at Sakura's green ones for the longest time. Sakura felt uncomfortable, but as she got up to say her part, she felt as if someone else was strengthening her. Syaoran, Snake, Tory, Yukito, Tomoyo, and some other people that had witnessed a few of Pearls cruel acts got up and spoke against her. Sakura cried when she heard Snake tell his heartbreaking tale about his friend, who had died in Pearls hands. Only then did Sakura realize just how many lives were taken by Pearl. She realized it was both a blessing and a curse to learn and feel the pain of evil. She could try to understand with others... but it hurt. A lot. But throughout the speech, Syaorans hand squeezed hers comfortingly. A small smile flashed across her face, mingling with her tears of sorrow. There was a dawn.
-----Syaoran at home...----
Syaoran smiled as he pulled the covers over Sakura. Her peaceful serenely sleeping figure made his heart flutter. It had been a while since he felt anything for anyone. He couldn¡¯t believe how far Sakura had brought him. He was once a bitter young man, now, he could feel for someone again. A film of sadness came over his brown eyes as he remembered that Sakura was leaving for Tokoyo tomorrow evening. The past days had been hectic and confusing, but he thought that he would never want to lose those days ever. He wished he had spent more quality time with Sakura. Tomorrow was his engagement with Meiling. Closing his eyes as he got into a chair, he decided not to tell Sakura anything about it.
-------Next Day...-----
The emerald-eyed woman was surprised with breakfast in bed.
"Wow... Is this for me Syaoran?" Sakura asked, her voice becoming happy as she stared at the food in front of her.
"Who else?" Syaoran asked, cherishing every expression and detail of her face. He was rewarded with a bright smile. "All by yourself?" Sakura asked with disbelief. "Yup." Syaoran answered as he watched Sakura chow down. If only every day was like this...
Sakura turned bright red as she realized that Syaoran was staring at her intently. Barely able to finish her elaborate breakfast, Sakura looked up at Syaoran. "Syaoran... Thank you for everything." Syaoran looked away. "It was nothing..." Sakura looked at him with a strange gentle look on her face.
"You being there for me was the best thing in the whole entire world for me."
'But you're leaving me.' Syaoran wanted to snap back, but he fiddled with his sleeve instead. Syaoran peered up at her from the safety of his long bangs. He felt like a schoolboy taking a peek at a cute schoolgirl during class, he blushed a tomato red.
Sakura was oblivious to all this as she stretched like a cat and got up. Syaoran got up quickly after her.
"Sakura. How about we go to the gardens today?"
"Gardens?" Sakura asked, her face cocked to the side as she observed him with her green eyes.
Syaoran felt like a boy about to be rejected. "Y-yea..."
"Sure!" Sakura exclaimed, her face turning a light shade of pink. "I would love to go the gardens with you!"
-------Garden...--------
The strong scent of roses, lilacs, and tulips scented the air. The heady smell of sunshine and the feel of the warm rays made Sakura absolutely giddy with happiness. Her green eyes sparkled with life as she twirled amid the cherry blossom petals dancing about in the gardens around her. Laughter sprang from her lips as she stopped to catch herself from falling over. Syaoran watched all this with a sad smile. He was not sure if he should tell her about his engagement. But were they not half sisters and brothers? But that wasn't enough. He wanted more from her then anything else in the world. He wanted her soul, her body, and her mind, and most of all... her heart. It was forbidden. Syaoran sighed as he blew his long chestnut bangs away from his deep amber eyes. Time was running out quickly. She would return to Japan to join her brother, and he would have to... to go to his engagement ceremony in a few hours. He wanted to remember this moment forever and burn it into his memory. Sakura laughing with petals dancing about her bright light brown hair.
A dark haired girl with red eyes looked at the clock anxiously. Syaoran was late! Dressed in a rather becoming dark red dress, she sat there. He was exactly 2 hours late. The punctual Li was 2 hours late. Meiling closed her eyes and held in a ragged sob. He never was late. If he is coming late, then it only meant that he wouldn¡¯t come. Tears started to fall as she for up shakily as she strode out of the large ballroom where all the elders and those of the Li clan sat anxiously. Meiling knew that only one person could know where Syaoran was. It was Wei.
--- Nearing the evening---
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 unconscious mind. Ever since he protected and saved her life (other then Mike) Sakura saw Syaoran with a different 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 that 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 couldn¡¯t 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 curiosity.
"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 getting 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 handled 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.
Sakura ran down the cold dark alley as the sun set behind her. She was unaware of the growing shadows around her as she felt her world shatter. She knew it would be a little strange to fall in love with her half brother! Goodness- after all the things he put her through she should hate him! But no, she felt only a throbbing painful feeling of something bittersweet. Love. To be loved by him in a brotherly sense was not enough. This was not enough! Sakura wiped the tears from her emerald green eyes as she slowed down. She realized she was lost as she looked around. A cold sense of fright and loneliness overcame her as she heard the light rumbling of thunder. Syaoran was going to get engaged with Meiling. Of course, the Li clan only wanted pure blood running through their family. Sakura smiled crookedly. Meiling was a wonderful person... but something felt wrong. Sakura's nose twitched as a cold droplet of water hit her nose. Sakura blinked and looked up slowly as the heavens let down its burden of water.
------------------
Syaoran wanted to run after Sakura but he was rooted to the ground. His eyes watched as the beautiful young woman that he loved and cared for disappear, maybe out of his life for good. He turned around as he heard Meiling sobbing wretchedly. Pity went through him as he turned to look at his cousin. Her red eyes were swollen with tears and her face was tear stained. He didn't know what to do, but he finally decided to calm down his hysterical cousin. He knelt down beside the raven-haired and patted her back uncomfortably.
"Don't cry." Syaoran whispered.
"Why shouldn¡¯t I cry?" Meiling blubbered as she looked up at him. "You don't want to marry me!"
Syaoran winced. "That's not quite true..."
"That is true!" Meiling said angrily as she got up. "That's why you didn't come to the engagement and decided to hang out with SAKURA instead!"
Syaoran was silent, his eyes growing cold and frosty as he drew away.
Meilign continued, her voice getting angry and higher in pitch as she ranted on. "Sakura is nothing more then an adopted half sister and you treat her better then me! I am your real cousin!" Her voice became childish as she gibbered on. Syaoran had enough.
The cold gleam in his eyes shut out the poor girl as he backed away.
"Don't talk about Sakura that way." Syaoran said softly. "I care for her... I care for her enough that I will hurt you if you talk shit about her." Syaoran looked away. "But... I don't care about you in the same extent." Meiling sniffled softly and sighed as she looked up.
"I know you don't." Meiling replied. "I just hoped... that over time... you would learn to love me."
Syaoran shook his head. "It's not that easy." Then the cold veil broke slightly.
"But you will find someone who won't learn to love you. You will find someone better then me, that will love you from the day they set eyes on you." Meiling looked at him with blurred eyes as he helped her up. Regret fluttered in her heart, Poor Sakura. Meiling smiled just a tiny bit. At least her cousin learned how to love.
"Syaoran... You love Sakura don't you?"
Syaoran halted, jolting Meiling to a stop. His eyes looked distant and a sad smile twisted its way onto his lips. "Yes." He replied. "But I hardly deserve her... I was about to tell her tonight. But maybe it was for the best. She's leaving tomorrow."
Meiling blinked. "Tomorrow?"
Syaoran nodded. "She returned the company to the Li clan... and she's going to follow her brother back to their home." Syaoran looked vaguely sad, his mask cracked. Meiling felt sorry for him. "Maybe it was for the better..." Meiling said softly as they continued toward home. "The Li clan wouldn¡¯t let you love her. You have things to carry out."
------------------
Sakura smiled as she stared out the plane window, her emerald eyes took in every single detail of the foreign country she had been raised in. Her long lashes touched her cheek as she closed her eyes, her smile fading. Inside her heart ached, but she knew it was impossible to love him, and to hope was just plain stupid. Maybe... Maybe she'll learn to love someone else? She had no idea how she fell in love with her half brother... but she knew that what she saw in him would remain imprinted in her memory forever. His warm heart. A tear traced its way down her high cheekbone as she tried to smile behind her tears. A warm hand gripped hers. Her eyes met the concerned dark brown eyes of her brothers and comfort welled up in her. But nothing would replace the hole in her heart.
'I will be strong. I am now back... father... mother... and we will build off of the remains.'
Staring out the window, she watched the scenery fly on by, slowly at first, but faster... and faster... till it became only a shot of blue with white clouds floating in air, a sigh escaped her lips as she envisioned his face once more.... and then she heard it. A familiar sound.
It was a faint tinkle of silver, which played a beautiful melody. Sakura remembered the words as they flew from the dormant corners of her memory. She slowly turned around as she faced the source of the sound. Tory smiled as he held something out to her.
It was a familiar object, nestled in the secure hands of her older brother.
A silver locket was opened, with the picture of Nadeshiko, Sakura, Tory, and her father within it. The melody... was what her mother had sung to her long ago. Like in her dreams, her mother had long curly black hair and large green eyes. The picture showed a happy family... and the melody struck a chord in her heart as she looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. Tory's voice was gruff.
"This was mothers, Pearl stole it but I got it back. Sakura, this is yours now."
Her hands closed around the silver necklace and her heart was suddenly filled with love.
"Thank you." Sakura said softly in no one particular. Maybe it was to Syaoran, who was so far away. He had saved her and let her live to see the one thing she wanted to see most. Her family. Now there it was, a perfect moment captured in a photograph.
Her family.
Sakura smiled as she tucked away the necklace into her coat pocket. She frowned as she hit something else in there and pulled it out.
It was the golden sun locket that Yelan had given her. Memories brought tears as she stared at it. She never really looked at it before. She smiled wistfully as she brushed her fingers against it. Her finger hit a notch and the locket sprung open. Suprised, Sakura nearly dropped it, but then she saw something that made her smile.
It was a picture of Syaoran's family.
Yelan, Syaoran's father, and little Syaoran... Her hands trembled; at least she had a picture of Syaoran...
Inside the locket also contained a small golden key with the symbol of the Li clan imprinted on the tip. The Ying and Yang. Emeralds studded one end and Sakura stared at it wondrously. Wondering what it was.
To be Continued...
Preview of Epilogue:
Green eyes blinked hard as she stared at the next meeting scheduled.
"W-what?" Sakura asked nervously, pointing at the paper and asking her unspoken question beseechingly at her brother. Tory's eyebrow raised and he shrugged. "I guess you have to go to that meeting." He said polietly, hiding a smile. "I did make you your own department... and this company is dealing with that." Sakura's cheeks puffed up in anger but in reality, her mind was whirling with past emotions and feelings.
She had thought she had left it all behind.
Her hands were shaking as she folded up the paper and slipped it into her bag. It was impossible. But then, it wasn't impossible. Chance was playing with her. She couldn't face him. Not now. He must be married and happy now. She was happy for him... wasn't she? She barely heard her purple haired friend enter because she was so deep in her thoughts.
"What is it Sakura? Another meeting?" The silvery voice asked, her purple eyes twinkling as she snatched the paper which hung out of her bag as Sakura began to play with a strang of hair listlessly. Her long hair was gone, after returning home she had cut it to shoulder length. Her hand fingered her hair nervously as she looked at Tomoyo irratibly.
"Tomoyo you have no right to barge through my--."
Tomoyo's face went pale. "You're meeting Syaoran again?" Her friends pixie like face looked at her friend in an apprehensive manner. "Are you ok? Sakura?"
Sakura didn't answer and instead she stiffly turned her back on her friend and her brother. (Whose eyebrows were raised in a rather questionable manner...)
"The meetings cancelled!" She said stiffly, not wanting to remeber but remebering the face she adored. She had to forget... He could not love her. Her legs took her into a run as she dashed out of her department, her sorrow flying about her, high tailing her. She ignored the shouts from her suprised employees, Tomoyo, and Tory.
"LOOK OUT!" Tomoyo screeched as she stopped in horror as she watched the things happening in front of her in slow motion.
Sakura, her eyes wide and blank, like a doe trapped in headlights, stared as a motorcycle came crashing towards her. All went black and Sakura heard one long peircing scream.
A/N: Please remeber to Read and Review! Thanks to all reviewers~! *tear* You guys brought me this far... I'll thank EVERYONE in my Epilogue~ ^_^ REVIEW!
-peonyqt1004
Chapter Title: A Parting
Author: Peonyqt1004
DISCLAIMER: Obviously I don't own CCS- ^_^;
A/N: Sorry for the late update and this crappy chapter- UGH. I have no time and life- Literally. School takes up 75% of my time... Colorguard takes up about 15%... Art takes up 5% (I don't mind that one...) and TAE kwon DO takes up the other 5%- and I sleep at 12... I'm sick... It's a horrible WORLD! It sucks to be a junior! *Sighs* There is an***** Epilogue******* after this one to clsoe up this story so you guys are still waiting... and You guys won't be disappointed with me... ^^= So... On with the story and remeber to R and R- I'm not good with sappy stories so I end up making it a bit... yea... you'll see. Not mushy thou~ =_=;
-peonyqt1004
"A Parting"
A beautiful green-eyed woman smiled at her true blood older brother. His face was haggard but he smiled tightly. They were going to court to testify against Pearl. Pearl was charged with the murder of Mike and their father. She was also charged with attempted murder and pressing false charges against Tory. Then there was another charge pressed by Yukito.
Yukito had been gagged and left alone in a room for who knew how long. By the time Tory had arrived, Yukito had passed out from hunger and stress of his situation. They revived him and found evidence of a beating. Tory's face was pinched with worry, and Sakura's eyes were filled with sadness as they arrived in front of the court.
"Sakura... I'm sorry." Tory said bitterly as they got out, tears filling his eyes.
"Sorry about what?" Sakura asked quietly. "I'm sorry about not being able to protect you." Tory replied. "I broke my promise to mother and to you." Sakura smiled softly, her eyes glimmering. "I'm just thankful you are alright and not dead." Tory nodded. Both choked on words and were apprehensive of what was to come. They still had some strange fear that Pearl would somehow get away from this clean handed and come after them again. However, they both were relieved that the truth may come to light and that justice might be served. Sakura's grief filled eyes spotted a certain brown haired man in the distance and all sorrow fled. Her eyes brightened into a lush emerald green and looked joyful, and fled quickly as if she was trying to hide it. However, Tory Kinomoto caught that look before it had disappeared. At first, an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness nearly drowned him, but then it settled. After all, that gaki did save his sisters life. Smiling sadly, realizing how much she had grown up during their long and hard separation. Touching her arm gently he said, "Come on Sakura. Let us get this over with."
The case ended successfully, Pearl looked like a madwoman, sitting at her end of the line with her eyes glaring at Sakura's green ones for the longest time. Sakura felt uncomfortable, but as she got up to say her part, she felt as if someone else was strengthening her. Syaoran, Snake, Tory, Yukito, Tomoyo, and some other people that had witnessed a few of Pearls cruel acts got up and spoke against her. Sakura cried when she heard Snake tell his heartbreaking tale about his friend, who had died in Pearls hands. Only then did Sakura realize just how many lives were taken by Pearl. She realized it was both a blessing and a curse to learn and feel the pain of evil. She could try to understand with others... but it hurt. A lot. But throughout the speech, Syaorans hand squeezed hers comfortingly. A small smile flashed across her face, mingling with her tears of sorrow. There was a dawn.
-----Syaoran at home...----
Syaoran smiled as he pulled the covers over Sakura. Her peaceful serenely sleeping figure made his heart flutter. It had been a while since he felt anything for anyone. He couldn¡¯t believe how far Sakura had brought him. He was once a bitter young man, now, he could feel for someone again. A film of sadness came over his brown eyes as he remembered that Sakura was leaving for Tokoyo tomorrow evening. The past days had been hectic and confusing, but he thought that he would never want to lose those days ever. He wished he had spent more quality time with Sakura. Tomorrow was his engagement with Meiling. Closing his eyes as he got into a chair, he decided not to tell Sakura anything about it.
-------Next Day...-----
The emerald-eyed woman was surprised with breakfast in bed.
"Wow... Is this for me Syaoran?" Sakura asked, her voice becoming happy as she stared at the food in front of her.
"Who else?" Syaoran asked, cherishing every expression and detail of her face. He was rewarded with a bright smile. "All by yourself?" Sakura asked with disbelief. "Yup." Syaoran answered as he watched Sakura chow down. If only every day was like this...
Sakura turned bright red as she realized that Syaoran was staring at her intently. Barely able to finish her elaborate breakfast, Sakura looked up at Syaoran. "Syaoran... Thank you for everything." Syaoran looked away. "It was nothing..." Sakura looked at him with a strange gentle look on her face.
"You being there for me was the best thing in the whole entire world for me."
'But you're leaving me.' Syaoran wanted to snap back, but he fiddled with his sleeve instead. Syaoran peered up at her from the safety of his long bangs. He felt like a schoolboy taking a peek at a cute schoolgirl during class, he blushed a tomato red.
Sakura was oblivious to all this as she stretched like a cat and got up. Syaoran got up quickly after her.
"Sakura. How about we go to the gardens today?"
"Gardens?" Sakura asked, her face cocked to the side as she observed him with her green eyes.
Syaoran felt like a boy about to be rejected. "Y-yea..."
"Sure!" Sakura exclaimed, her face turning a light shade of pink. "I would love to go the gardens with you!"
-------Garden...--------
The strong scent of roses, lilacs, and tulips scented the air. The heady smell of sunshine and the feel of the warm rays made Sakura absolutely giddy with happiness. Her green eyes sparkled with life as she twirled amid the cherry blossom petals dancing about in the gardens around her. Laughter sprang from her lips as she stopped to catch herself from falling over. Syaoran watched all this with a sad smile. He was not sure if he should tell her about his engagement. But were they not half sisters and brothers? But that wasn't enough. He wanted more from her then anything else in the world. He wanted her soul, her body, and her mind, and most of all... her heart. It was forbidden. Syaoran sighed as he blew his long chestnut bangs away from his deep amber eyes. Time was running out quickly. She would return to Japan to join her brother, and he would have to... to go to his engagement ceremony in a few hours. He wanted to remember this moment forever and burn it into his memory. Sakura laughing with petals dancing about her bright light brown hair.
A dark haired girl with red eyes looked at the clock anxiously. Syaoran was late! Dressed in a rather becoming dark red dress, she sat there. He was exactly 2 hours late. The punctual Li was 2 hours late. Meiling closed her eyes and held in a ragged sob. He never was late. If he is coming late, then it only meant that he wouldn¡¯t come. Tears started to fall as she for up shakily as she strode out of the large ballroom where all the elders and those of the Li clan sat anxiously. Meiling knew that only one person could know where Syaoran was. It was Wei.
--- Nearing the evening---
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 unconscious mind. Ever since he protected and saved her life (other then Mike) Sakura saw Syaoran with a different 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 that 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 couldn¡¯t 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 curiosity.
"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 getting 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 handled 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.
Sakura ran down the cold dark alley as the sun set behind her. She was unaware of the growing shadows around her as she felt her world shatter. She knew it would be a little strange to fall in love with her half brother! Goodness- after all the things he put her through she should hate him! But no, she felt only a throbbing painful feeling of something bittersweet. Love. To be loved by him in a brotherly sense was not enough. This was not enough! Sakura wiped the tears from her emerald green eyes as she slowed down. She realized she was lost as she looked around. A cold sense of fright and loneliness overcame her as she heard the light rumbling of thunder. Syaoran was going to get engaged with Meiling. Of course, the Li clan only wanted pure blood running through their family. Sakura smiled crookedly. Meiling was a wonderful person... but something felt wrong. Sakura's nose twitched as a cold droplet of water hit her nose. Sakura blinked and looked up slowly as the heavens let down its burden of water.
------------------
Syaoran wanted to run after Sakura but he was rooted to the ground. His eyes watched as the beautiful young woman that he loved and cared for disappear, maybe out of his life for good. He turned around as he heard Meiling sobbing wretchedly. Pity went through him as he turned to look at his cousin. Her red eyes were swollen with tears and her face was tear stained. He didn't know what to do, but he finally decided to calm down his hysterical cousin. He knelt down beside the raven-haired and patted her back uncomfortably.
"Don't cry." Syaoran whispered.
"Why shouldn¡¯t I cry?" Meiling blubbered as she looked up at him. "You don't want to marry me!"
Syaoran winced. "That's not quite true..."
"That is true!" Meiling said angrily as she got up. "That's why you didn't come to the engagement and decided to hang out with SAKURA instead!"
Syaoran was silent, his eyes growing cold and frosty as he drew away.
Meilign continued, her voice getting angry and higher in pitch as she ranted on. "Sakura is nothing more then an adopted half sister and you treat her better then me! I am your real cousin!" Her voice became childish as she gibbered on. Syaoran had enough.
The cold gleam in his eyes shut out the poor girl as he backed away.
"Don't talk about Sakura that way." Syaoran said softly. "I care for her... I care for her enough that I will hurt you if you talk shit about her." Syaoran looked away. "But... I don't care about you in the same extent." Meiling sniffled softly and sighed as she looked up.
"I know you don't." Meiling replied. "I just hoped... that over time... you would learn to love me."
Syaoran shook his head. "It's not that easy." Then the cold veil broke slightly.
"But you will find someone who won't learn to love you. You will find someone better then me, that will love you from the day they set eyes on you." Meiling looked at him with blurred eyes as he helped her up. Regret fluttered in her heart, Poor Sakura. Meiling smiled just a tiny bit. At least her cousin learned how to love.
"Syaoran... You love Sakura don't you?"
Syaoran halted, jolting Meiling to a stop. His eyes looked distant and a sad smile twisted its way onto his lips. "Yes." He replied. "But I hardly deserve her... I was about to tell her tonight. But maybe it was for the best. She's leaving tomorrow."
Meiling blinked. "Tomorrow?"
Syaoran nodded. "She returned the company to the Li clan... and she's going to follow her brother back to their home." Syaoran looked vaguely sad, his mask cracked. Meiling felt sorry for him. "Maybe it was for the better..." Meiling said softly as they continued toward home. "The Li clan wouldn¡¯t let you love her. You have things to carry out."
------------------
Sakura smiled as she stared out the plane window, her emerald eyes took in every single detail of the foreign country she had been raised in. Her long lashes touched her cheek as she closed her eyes, her smile fading. Inside her heart ached, but she knew it was impossible to love him, and to hope was just plain stupid. Maybe... Maybe she'll learn to love someone else? She had no idea how she fell in love with her half brother... but she knew that what she saw in him would remain imprinted in her memory forever. His warm heart. A tear traced its way down her high cheekbone as she tried to smile behind her tears. A warm hand gripped hers. Her eyes met the concerned dark brown eyes of her brothers and comfort welled up in her. But nothing would replace the hole in her heart.
'I will be strong. I am now back... father... mother... and we will build off of the remains.'
Staring out the window, she watched the scenery fly on by, slowly at first, but faster... and faster... till it became only a shot of blue with white clouds floating in air, a sigh escaped her lips as she envisioned his face once more.... and then she heard it. A familiar sound.
It was a faint tinkle of silver, which played a beautiful melody. Sakura remembered the words as they flew from the dormant corners of her memory. She slowly turned around as she faced the source of the sound. Tory smiled as he held something out to her.
It was a familiar object, nestled in the secure hands of her older brother.
A silver locket was opened, with the picture of Nadeshiko, Sakura, Tory, and her father within it. The melody... was what her mother had sung to her long ago. Like in her dreams, her mother had long curly black hair and large green eyes. The picture showed a happy family... and the melody struck a chord in her heart as she looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. Tory's voice was gruff.
"This was mothers, Pearl stole it but I got it back. Sakura, this is yours now."
Her hands closed around the silver necklace and her heart was suddenly filled with love.
"Thank you." Sakura said softly in no one particular. Maybe it was to Syaoran, who was so far away. He had saved her and let her live to see the one thing she wanted to see most. Her family. Now there it was, a perfect moment captured in a photograph.
Her family.
Sakura smiled as she tucked away the necklace into her coat pocket. She frowned as she hit something else in there and pulled it out.
It was the golden sun locket that Yelan had given her. Memories brought tears as she stared at it. She never really looked at it before. She smiled wistfully as she brushed her fingers against it. Her finger hit a notch and the locket sprung open. Suprised, Sakura nearly dropped it, but then she saw something that made her smile.
It was a picture of Syaoran's family.
Yelan, Syaoran's father, and little Syaoran... Her hands trembled; at least she had a picture of Syaoran...
Inside the locket also contained a small golden key with the symbol of the Li clan imprinted on the tip. The Ying and Yang. Emeralds studded one end and Sakura stared at it wondrously. Wondering what it was.
To be Continued...
Preview of Epilogue:
Green eyes blinked hard as she stared at the next meeting scheduled.
"W-what?" Sakura asked nervously, pointing at the paper and asking her unspoken question beseechingly at her brother. Tory's eyebrow raised and he shrugged. "I guess you have to go to that meeting." He said polietly, hiding a smile. "I did make you your own department... and this company is dealing with that." Sakura's cheeks puffed up in anger but in reality, her mind was whirling with past emotions and feelings.
She had thought she had left it all behind.
Her hands were shaking as she folded up the paper and slipped it into her bag. It was impossible. But then, it wasn't impossible. Chance was playing with her. She couldn't face him. Not now. He must be married and happy now. She was happy for him... wasn't she? She barely heard her purple haired friend enter because she was so deep in her thoughts.
"What is it Sakura? Another meeting?" The silvery voice asked, her purple eyes twinkling as she snatched the paper which hung out of her bag as Sakura began to play with a strang of hair listlessly. Her long hair was gone, after returning home she had cut it to shoulder length. Her hand fingered her hair nervously as she looked at Tomoyo irratibly.
"Tomoyo you have no right to barge through my--."
Tomoyo's face went pale. "You're meeting Syaoran again?" Her friends pixie like face looked at her friend in an apprehensive manner. "Are you ok? Sakura?"
Sakura didn't answer and instead she stiffly turned her back on her friend and her brother. (Whose eyebrows were raised in a rather questionable manner...)
"The meetings cancelled!" She said stiffly, not wanting to remeber but remebering the face she adored. She had to forget... He could not love her. Her legs took her into a run as she dashed out of her department, her sorrow flying about her, high tailing her. She ignored the shouts from her suprised employees, Tomoyo, and Tory.
"LOOK OUT!" Tomoyo screeched as she stopped in horror as she watched the things happening in front of her in slow motion.
Sakura, her eyes wide and blank, like a doe trapped in headlights, stared as a motorcycle came crashing towards her. All went black and Sakura heard one long peircing scream.
A/N: Please remeber to Read and Review! Thanks to all reviewers~! *tear* You guys brought me this far... I'll thank EVERYONE in my Epilogue~ ^_^ REVIEW!
-peonyqt1004