Chapter 5 Life in the end
Author's notes: sorry for the late update, I realize that it's been so very long since I've updated, I can bet that none of my previous readers would read this now, but I feel obligated to continue it, I started it, therefore I shall finish it. Writer's block should not be an excuse, so, my deepest, most sincere apology goes to those who've been waiting for this eagerly.
Also, I have to apologize for this time's Thank you list, ff.net is not working *kicks* and I can't get to my reviews to reply you guys, and besides, I feel that none of my previous reviewers would be reading this anyways. However, I'd love to say Domo arigato gozaimasu to those who did review.
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A slight crack sound interrupted Sakura's dream, her eyes squinted, as she gave a tired yawn and rubbed her eyes. She flipped around, and found that the bed across from her was empty, and was neatly made. Getting up, and tying her hair back, she decided to find out where her friend had gone to.
Outside on the balcony, Syaoran stood grazing at the scenery before him. He let the wind ruffle his unruly brown hair before sliding his wig back on. Days had gone by..weeks had gone by, where was his life leading to. He closed his eyes softly as he felt the chilly breeze continue to tug at him. Slowly opening his eyes, he took in the beauty of the dawn before him. Night contains such unspeakable beauty, yet the rising of the sun that provided hope for millions of people, never ceased to make him smile.
Unknown to him, Sakura stood behind him, leaning slightly on the wall, she smiled as well seeing the sight before her. Her eyes shifted to the back of Syaoran. There was something about this Shikaru she couldn't quite understand. Their bond was indescribable, and neither of them could comprehend it. They discovered unspoken understanding and warmth in each other's company, yet keeping some things mysteriously hidden that neither spoke of….they respected each other quietly.
"Saki, I didn't notice your presence for a while there," Syaoran's gentle voice brought her back to reality.
"Sorry, but it felt so serene and peaceful, I was afraid of breaking the comfortable silence," Sakura gave a little laugh.
"Hm..it's so beautiful," Syaoran commented. Sakura nodded as she closed her eyes to feel the nature. Syaoran couldn't help but realize how smooth her features were, and the innocent smile placed on her lips, but he reminded himself that Saki was a guy, and he by all means, would not have any feelings more than friendship with him.
"…but it provides such false promises towards foolish people, only the night will not deceive," Syaoran's voice darkened, causing Sakura to open her eyes. Their gaze met, and Sakura could see the lifeless, soulless, cold orbs of amber. However, it ended briefly, and Syaoran's eyes softened once more and gave her an assuring smile.
"come on, let's change and get down to work, before we get in more trouble," Syaoran said, but on his way out, Sakura placed her hand on his arm.
"Shikaru, I'm very sorry for all this, it was my fault, and you had nothing to do with it, I'm sorry, if there is any way I can make it up to you, please let me know," Sakura whispered. Syaoran blinked, and placed his hand softly on her shoulder.
"Saki, it's alright, I had volunteered, it's nobody's fault, and I'm sure if I ever needed a favour, I'll remember to come to you first," Syaoran assured, giving her a brief smile before leaving.
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That afternoon, Syaoran was ordered to pick up some things for the store, as he finished getting everything, he accidentally bumped into something.
"Sorry!" Syaoran quickly apologized in his feminine voice. To his horror, it was one of his mother's people. Bowing his head low, he quickly headed back to the shop, but was stopped.
"you there!" the voice caused Syaoran to freeze on the spot. He lifted up his things higher to avoid revealing his face, and nervously said, "Yes?"
"You dropped something," came the simple reply. Syaoran gave a sigh of relief and bent down to pick it up, but his wig slipped slightly, and his brown hair came to sight. Immediately, he straightened it, but it did not pass by the man's eyes.
"Miss, you look awfully familiar," he said in a low voice, as he took out Syaoran's given picture.
"Um, I don't remember ever meeting you before, you must've mistaken, I must get going now, if you don't mind," Syaoran said as feminine as possible and quickly turned around to leave.
The man raised one eyebrow in confusion, he was so sure he'd seen this peculiar girl somewhere before, yet she denies it, and after all, master Syaoran is most definitely not a girl. However, as he got ready to leave, he noticed a small glimmer on the floor. He picked up the object, and closely examined it.
It was a delicately carved jade on a string.
And on the backside, neatly…..a tiny word Li was carved onto it.
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"What took you so long, we need those you know!" The manager bellowed at Syaoran when he got back. He bowed his head and muttered an apology.
"Shikaru, were they really heavy, or is really hot outside? You're sweating so much!" Sakura said, as she took out a small napkin and softly dabbed his forehead to wipe the sweat off. The sweet cherry blossom scent it gave off, was noticed by Syaoran.
"Saki, I've never met a guy who carries such feminine things before, I'm really starting to suspect something," Syaoran teased in a playful voice, causing Sakura's cheeks to turn a crimson colour and wrinkled her nose at him. Laughing, Syaoran went back to work, almost forgetting the dangerous incident from earlier the day.
The night came, Syaoran and Sakura sat on their own beds as they stared up at the sky through the window.
"Shikaru, have you ever wondered what you would do after we finish paying for our debt?" Sakura asked quietly, it felt like a matter that both of them were trying to avoid for as long as possible. Syaoran took a deep breath and thought for a while, as he silently smiled at the shimmering stars above, hanging loosely on the sapphire sky.
"I want, to be like that star," Syaoran said, raising his hand and pointed to a distant, small, yet bright star. "I want to be unnoticed, free, yet proud." His reply was abstract, yet Sakura secretly agreed.
"I'm not sure where I will, or can go after this, but perhaps I will take all this as a lesson, an experience, and face my problems as brave as I can back home," Syaoran continued. Sakura nodded.
"Sometimes, I wish I can run away forever, away from all my problems, and from all earthly sorrows. Yet, we both know it cannot, and will not happen. Shikaru…I'm glad I met you," Sakura said as a tear silently and secretly, escaped her eyes. Syaoran did not reply, but simply continue to feel the comfort of each other's presence and the stars shining above their heads. They laid in comfortable silence, without a word, they accompanied each other only by the beating of their hearts, and the steady breaths.
Throughout the night, it stayed peaceful. However, a sudden little sting caused Sakura to awaken from her dreams. Rubbing her eyes tiredly, she realized that there was something sharp on the side of her bed. It was only a small piece of wood sticking out from the table beside her, the furniture was awfully old. She was about to go back to sleep after removing it, but something caught her eyes.
It was something blond. Sakura lit a small match to the lamp beside her to see properly. She crawled over to Syaoran's side of the small room, and she picked up the blond wig. Why haven't I seen it before? She thought to herself. Her eyes shifted to the back of Syaoran's head, and there was her brown, and short hair. A small gasp came out of her mouth, as she leaned over to take a better look. This was not the Shikaru she knew.
The figure lying before her, was a gorgeous looking guy. However, she did not want to jump to conclusions, nor did she believe it was possible that Shikaru was not a girl. She could simply have short cut hair, and did not like it, so she wore a wig, it can't prove everything. She tried to convince herself, however, Syaoran's features were very boyish, and it was hard to believe that such a figure could be a girl.
Sakura's gaze shifted to his loosely buttoned dress. Feeling a debate inside her, she didn't know what to do. At last, her curiosity took the best of her, as she could no longer stand this new discovering of a friend so close. Her fingers slightly trembled as she was ready to reach for the loose buttons, but a pair of amber eyes stopped her dead in her tracks.
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Author's notes: Once more, I'm so utterly apologetic for the late late update. Really, I'll try my best to update more often, since summer's here, and I don't have as much work to do. Please don't forget to review!
And if anyone would like me to notify them of updates, please tell me and leave your E-mail address in your Review.
Arigato, Ja ne!