Chapter twelve : The Return of the Queen of Wolves.
*** Three Years Later *** ( All 20 now )
" I wasn't sure whether you would make it and I admit I had my doubts, but you have pulled through and have proved us proud. And now it is time to return to your pack. "
" As you wish Yelan Li. "
Emerald eyes full of maturity and knowledge starred directly ahead of her as Yelan addressed her. Now at the age of twenty, Sakura was now taller and thinner than what she had been at the age of 17. She was now a woman and she was lethal and dangerous, but she was still the innocent she had been at times.
She was wearing an ancient chinese fighting outfit. ( like Meilin's in CCS anime ) Beneath the material on her back, she had a tattoo of a black wolf, and near her collar bone she had a chinese symbol tattoo which read 'protected'.
" Wolf if preparing everything. You leave at sunset. "
" Hai. "
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Li and the gang were at a party out near the beach. They were shooting, racing and having contests of all sorts, but Li wouldn't partake in any of them.
Li had grown into what most girls would describe as a 'god'. His amber eyes had turned stone cold after the death of Jade Wolf. He had grown a little taller and had become well built after all the training he had put himself through to fight his pain.
Eriol had grown into Li's twin. Girls drolled over him, but his heart belonged to another.
Madison had grown into a beauty. She was taller and thinner and her hair was longer. Her Violet eyes no longer held warmth or happiness, but pain and bitterness. She was lethal and dangerous. Li and Eriol were the only ones that could tell her what to do.
Leiko, Jamie, Alex and Meilin had also grown and they too had been affected by the years of pain.
A scream of terror went up through the party as a couple of jackels ran for their lives, constantly looking behind them towards the bush.
" What's their freaking problem? " Meilin spat.
A loud bang echoed throughout the night sky and everyone looked up as a firework exploded in the air. Li's eyes widened as it revealed the symbol of the Wolf.
" Holy shit. " Leiko breathed as she looked at the huge rock that looked down at them, where a figure was standing looking down at them all.
Fires burned all along the beach throwing light into the dark night. The firelight reflected into two dark emerald eyes as she starred at them all coldly, like a queen assessing her kingdom. By now everyone had stopped what they had been doing and were starring up in disbelief at the vision from the past.
Li couldn't see clearly as to who it was for he was too far away, but his heart beat faster and he found he couldn't breath. His senses knew something that he didn't.
Sakura looked down at one particular person and spoke to him.
" Spread the word. The Queen of Wolves has returned and is taking back her throne. "
When Sakura saw him turn away and tell everyone, did she leave.
* * *
Eriol came back white faced and for once had lost his cocky grin.
" What's the word? " Li asked.
Eriol, Li noticed, was shaking.
" The Queen of Wolves is back and is taking back her throne. " Eriol replied.
Li went cold and Madison gasped.
" It's Sakura Li. She's back. Word is spreading, it was diffinetely Sakura. "
Li was too numb to respond.
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Tori and Aiden woke up to the smell of breakfast. Both frowning they met each other in the hallway.
" Is that you? "
" I thought it was you? "
" Then who is it? "
They entered the kitchen and stopped dead. A tall woman was standing with her back to them and was humming while she cooked merrily. Her honey-brown hair that was still shoulder length shined in the sunshine.
She turned around and dropped the plates she was holding and screamed in fright, Tori and Aiden joining in with her as they starred at her in shock.
" Where'd you come from?!! " Sakura asked, bending down to pick up the broken plates.
" Sakura? " Aiden whispered.
Sakura smild brightly.
" Hai. Are you just going to stand there all day or are you going to sit down and let me serve you breakfast? "
Aiden moved forward but Sakura cried out.
" Careful you'll cut your foot! "
Aiden swept his daughter into a tight hug.
" Oh god I don't know how it's possible, but you'll real!! You've come home!! "
Tori ran forward and hugged her and didn't let her go until Sakura swore she was being killed.
It was a happy day at the Avalon home. Light had been restored.
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~* Tomoeda University *~
" Now class settle down. I know it's been the weekend but it is Monday and we have school work. "
Li and the gang sat in their classes bored out of their brains. They were still trying to come to terms with the fact that Sakura might still be alive, and that they might have new enemy if it wasn't Sakura. Someone was trying to take over the Wolves.
A knock sounded on the door and the teacher went over to it and stepped back in fright.
Everyone looked up as the most beautiful woman they had ever seen walked into the room. She was dressed in jeans and a red halter top.
" Excuse me Mr Yoshi I didn't know that you worked here now? I was wondering if you could tell me where the principle is? I was wanting to enrol but I can't find him anywhere. Do you know where he might be found please? "
" Ah let me check my book. You may come in. I'll see what I can do. "
Sakura nodded thankfully and went to stand in front of his desk. Everyon gasped at the huge Wolf tattoo on her hack. Sakura smirked and waited as Mr Yoshi looked through his book.
Li had gone pale and sharred looks with the others.
" You'll find him in 3A. Third floor, room A. "
" Thank you. " Sakura bowed and went to walk out of the room, but the teacher stopped her.
" What is you name miss? " he asked.
Sakura smirked.
" Miss Sakura Avalon Mr Yoshi. " she replied. " You should remember that. "
Li's mouth hit the ground as did half the rooms. They remembered the supposed death of her.
" Weren't you - I mean? " Mr Yoshi looked lost for words.
Sakura smirked coldly.
" That's right I was. But I returned. "
And with that she walked out of the room.
Li jumped up and flew out the door after her, ignoring the teachers yells.
* * *
Sakura took the stairs two at a time and walked down the hallway towards the principle's office. She knocked and entered.
* * *
" Welcome to Tomoeda Uni. Miss Avalon. " the principle said as he shook her hand.
Sakura smiled sweetly.
" So it's ok for me to start in a week or two? I still have a lot to settle with my family, before I can start. " she lied.
" Of course. We look forward to when you can join us. "
" Bye. " Sakura said as she walked out the door.
Sakura continued to walk down the corridor heading towards the front entrance. She suddenly stopped and put her hands on her hips.
" Is there a particular reason as to why you're following me? " she demanded and turned around to face Li, who just starred back at her.
" Sakura? " he asked.
Sakura rolled her eyes.
" We established that back in Mr Yoshi's class. Where were you? Daydreaming? " she asked sarcastically.
Li glarred at her coldly.
" Do you know who I am? " he asked.
Sakura shot him ' I-don't-believe-this' look, before turning around and starting to walk away.
" Don't walk away from me. " Li commanded.
Sakur whipped around and pulled him into a empty room and slammed him against the wall, glarring at him coldly.
" Listen Little Wolf. " she spat. " I don't know what's been going on here for the last three years, but your reign over the Wolves is over. Wolf has put me in charge, and that's why I'm here - to pick up the slack and bring everything back up to standards. And don't question my authority, the mark on my back is proof enough. Any problems you have, don't go crying to Wolf about them, you bring it to me got it? And I deal with as I see fit. Oh and one more thing, any Wolves that you see from now till the end of day, tell them that there's a Wolf meeting on tonight at the Wolf Mansion, any who fail to show up, consider themselves no longer part of the family. " and with that she let him go and walk off down the hallway, Li just starring after her.
* * * *
~* Later that night *~
The Wolves gathered at the mansion and awaited their new leader. It was pretty hard to imagine that Li was no longer leader. What had happened that had made this new person leader?
The crowd parted and Sakura walked into the huge open room. She was dressed in a elegant black dress that hugged her figure perfectly and that had no back so it exposed her tattoo. She had her hair up in beautiful ringlets and set off her beauty. Murmers followed her as she made her way over to the desk and sat down in the chair reserved for the leader.
" Now if you're quite finished talking about me, we can get this meeting started. "
The room went silent.
" Now I know a lot of you are wondering what the hell is going on? Well I'm about to tell you, any who have any objections of having me as their new leader - there's the door. "
No one moved.
" Good. Now the reason I am here. " she smirked. " Now the rumor was that I was dead, well as you can see I'm not. Where have I been for the last three years? Recovering. "
She looked around the room and found Li starring at her.
" Now Xiao Lang. Here's a question you should know. What is Henbane? "
Li looked at her startled.
" Henbane is an ancient powerful poison that gives any who are brought in contact with it a death sentance. Why? "
" White Tiger's bullets were covered in it, and I had the lucky opportunity to experience what it does to you. " Sakura replied.
The room errupted into murmers of outrage and disbelief.
" Wolf was at that fight that night and saw what happened. He took me to China where I have been recovering since. I still am recovering considering where the bullet was situated so closely to my heart, but desperate times have arisen and I have been sent here to get this pack to the top before it's too late. "
" What do you mean too late? " one guy asked.
" That is none of your buisness. What is however is that since Li has been lazy and forgotten his duties to this pack, we have to work harder than before to get back what is rightfully ours and become number one and I'm giving this pack a week to do it, actually not even that. "
Wolves told her what they thought of this.
" Listen to me! I am not some little girl who you can boss around. I can assure you right now that I am not taking any shit from any of you. As I said before if you have a problem with that there's the door, because quite frankly I don't want slack asses in this pack! I want the best and I intend to have it! Is that clear? I have strict orders from Wolf and if any of you are half the Wolves I thought you were, than you will pull your acts together and prove not only to me, but Wolf as well, how devoted and loyal you really are. "
" Now wait a minute, I have not been lazy! " Li yelled.
" You failed to report to Wolf for the last three years, so that's another reason for me over throwing you. " Sakura shot back.
Li gave her the death glare.
* * *
The meeting went late into the night. As it continued on through the night, the Wolves came to see that they would go far with their new leader. Not only did she have the spirit and determination that burned brightly, she encouraged them as well.
Through the night Li came to realise that Sakura had changed and that out of all the Wolves, he wouldn't have choosen a better person to have taken his place, but he wasn't going to let her get rid of him that easily.
" So that settles it. Tomorrow we set out and start letting the enconomy know that we still exist and that we are back and better than before. Agreed? " Sakura asked.
" Agreed. " the Wolves murmered.
" It's been a long night. Thank you for coming. You may go now. " Sakura said and they got up and left.
Sakura rubbed her temples trying to ditch the headache she had picked up earlier on, but it wasn't going. She swung her chair around, so that it was facing the window, so she could see the lights glowing in the night.
" Tired? "
Sakura jumped startled. Li smiled at her as he leaned on the top of her chair starring out the window.
" It's not easy is it? " he asked.
" No, it's not. But I'll manage. " Sakura replied wearily.
" You know I'm not going to give up that easily. You just can't take over Sakura. You should know me by now that once I achieve something, I sink my teeth into it and I don't let go. "
Sakura smiled dreamily half asleep.
" Yeah well, there's always a first when you let go isn't there? "
Li clenched his fists.
" I'm serious Sakura. I refuse to let you take over. Wolf told me that I was to take over. He promised me Sakura. And I haven't been informed by Wolf himself that plans have changed. So I won't believe it until I hear from Wolf himself that you have bested me. "
" He won't be able to. " Skura whispered.
Li strained to hear her.
" What? " he asked.
Sakura's mind went back to before she had come back. . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
" Is he any better today? " Sakura asked Yelan as she came out of Wolf's room.
Yelan shook his head.
" I'm afraid old age is finally catching up to him Sakura. "
Sakura sighed sadly. She knew this had been coming ever since he brought her back and helped save her life.
" Surely there must be something we can do? "
" He's old Sakura, there's is no potion for immortality. " Yelan replied sadly.
Sakura opened the door and silently crept into Wolf's room. She sat down beside him on the bed and reached out and took hold of his hand. Wolf stirred and looked up at her and smiled at her weakly.
" Guess I'm not as young as what I once thought I was. " he laughed faintly.
" Nonsense. You're still as young as they come. " Sakura replied smiling.
" I wish. "
" How are you feeling today? " Sakura asked softly.
" Better now that I have been graced with the beauty of youth. " Wolf replied.
Sakura smiled.
" I see you still have your sweet tongue, so not all is lost. " Sakura retorted.
Wolf laughed and then went into a fit of coughing.
" Sorry. I shouldn't make you laugh. " Sakura said guiltily.
Wolf shot her a look as he sat up.
" Rubbish! Laughing is the best medicine or so they say. "
Sakura shook her head with a smile.
" Now has Yelan told you what's happening in a few days? "
" Hai. But are you sure that I'm the one to do this? I mean Li - "
" I haven't heard from Li since I brought you here. That boy's too damn lazy! Eriol must have let me down and has stopped keeping Li on his toes as I ordered him to! "
" I don't think you'd have to order Eriol to that. He does it naturally. " Sakura replied.
" Don't let me down Sakura. You are my last hope for getting the Wolves to the top. Out of all my goals that I made for my life, that is the last remaining one that has yet to be achieved. Now that my body has let me down, I pass the mission onto you my dear. "
" But am I the one? I'm just and ordinary girl. "
" HAH! The Jade Wolf an ordinary girl? Rubbish! Was it just an ordinary girl that began a legend? " Wolf demanded.
" That was Madison not me. "
" Ahh yes, but the idea would have had to have in your mind to have agreed to go along with it. " Wolf challenged.
Sakura smiled and shook her head.
" Maybe. "
" Ah you see. " Wolf gave her a knowing look.
" Stop it. " Sakura said laughing.
Wolf smiled.
" But seriously. " he stopped smiling. " You are my last hope. As much as I would love to get that Xiao Lang over here and give hima tongue lashing and knock him down a peg or two, I don't wish to worry him. It's bad enough I have this mansion full of worrisome females to take care of me, and checking up on me all day long. " Wolf wrinkled his nose in digust making Sakura giggle.
" It's only because we want to protect our most loved and cherished leader. "
Wolf seemed off in another world.
" No I don't want Li to know yet. He'd only come over here and check up me and then would want to talk busness. I dying man doesn't need to talk about buisness. "
Sakura gasped.
" Don't talk like that! " she stated angrily.
" I'm not a senile fool Sakura. I know me well enough to know when my time is coming to an end. You can't pull the wool over my eyes. "
" Did I say that I was? Ever heard of being positive? Instead of always being pesimistic all the time? " Sakura challenged.
Wolf laughed.
" Oh my dear girl. That's exactly why I want you to go back and take over. You'll give everybody a run for their money and keep everyone on their toes always challenging
them! " Wolf laughed then went into another coughing fit.
" I'll go back if that's what you want, but I don't know if I can make your dream come true, but know that I'll try my hardest. But you do realise that Li won't make my life easy? He will question everything I do or say and will want to speak to you you know? "
" If he does, tell him to stop being an insolent pup and have some respect for his elders who are wiser than him! "
" Will do. " Sakura smiled and then left Wolf so he could get his rest.
** Day before Sakura left **
Yelan came into Wolf's room.
" Everything is ready? Is there anything else that needs to be done? " Yelan asked.
" No. Is she prepared? "
" You taught her and she learnt well. "
Wolf sighed and leant back on his pillows.
" There is a potion I can give you. It will prolong your life a little, it might be just long enough for her to do as you have asked. " Yelan spoke softly.
" Hmmm. You know I have never approved of all your potions and remedies Yelan. "
" I know. But we both know that if you don't take it, you won't live through the night. "
Wolf snarled.
" Go and get your damn poison then. " Wolf barked.
Yelan bowed and then left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~**~*~*
" Sakura? "
Sakura jumped and she realised that she was crying. She brushed them away hastily and got up out of the chair. She went to walk away, but Li stood in front of her.
" Why are you crying? What has happened to Wolf? " Li demanded.
" Nothing has happened to Wolf. Why would you think that? "
" Well I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that since you came back, everything had turned upside down and I know that something's not right Sakura. So is there anything that you would like to tell me? "
Sakura starred down at the floor. She felt like she was being torn to ways. Should she tell Li or should she kept a secret like Wolf ask her to? What should she do? She knew Li was watching her and she hid her emotions and starred back up at him.
" I actually asked Wolf before I came what to say to you if you started poking and questioning everything I did. I have a message for you. "
Li raised his eyebrow mockingly.
" He told me to tell him to stop being an insolent pup and have some respect for your elders who are wiser than you! "
Li just stared at her and she felt tears prickling her eyes again. Li noticed and he couldn't help but feel that something was terribly wrong.
" Sakura - "
" Just leave it Xiao Lang! " Sakura cried and realised that she had called him in his chinese name.
Li looked at her coldly.
" Just leave it alone! " and she ran out of the room.
* * *
Sakura tripped for the fifth time and she took her high heels off in frustartion and she threw them at the wall in her room as tears blinded her. Her aim was off and she smashed a picture frame.
She sunk to the floor and cried openly as the pain of losing someone that she loved like a father made it's way into reality. She looked at the phone and wiped away her tears and dialed China.
" Hello? Li clan. "
" Hello this is Sakura may I speak to Yelan Li please? "
" May I ask the buisness of the call? " came the voice.
" If you don't give this god damn phone to Yelan Li you will be out of buisness permanetely! " Sakura spat coldly. " Just put her though NOW! "
The phone was being put through. She was too busy fighting her tears and pain to be bothered by all this crap.
" Sakura? What did you say to my servant? He's terrorfied! "
" I want to know how Wolf is? "
There was a pause.
" Not well Sakura. There's not much time left. "
" I was afraid of that. " Sakura replied sadly.
" How are things there? "
" Your son is making sure to make this the hardest mission of my life. Who's idea was it that he brought up to question everything? " Sakura asked wearily.
Yelan laughed lightly.
" Hang in there Sakura. Oh and Sakura? "
" Yeah? "
" Please hurry. "
She listend to the dial tone for a few minutes before she hung up. Running her hands through her hair, that had now fallen out, she made her way over to the french doors and opened them. The smell of rain coming hit her senses and she burts out crying again. How could she get the message to Wolf that his dream was completed? Even if it hadn't been? How could she get the message to a dying man?
She saw her reflection in the mirror, the candles she was burning casting shadows everywhere and all her rage, frustration, tiredness and pain rose to the surface and she picked up the nearest thing, which was a small jar of something and hurled it at the mirror and her pitiful releflection. The mirror shattered and glass shattered everywhere.
Meilin followed by Leiko, Jamie and Alex burst in through her door and took in the scene before them.
" Get out! " Sakura spat and threw another something that she had blindly picked up as her tears blinded her towards them. They ducked in time and it shattered.
" Haven't you ever heard of leaving someone alone with their pain?!! " Sakura cried.
Madison, Li and Eriol appeared behind the horror stricken group and Sakura glarred at them all.
" Just leave me alone!! " she spat and ran into her bathroom, locking the door ignoring Meilin's constant knocking.
* * *
" What the hell happened? " Li demanded as they could all still hear Sakura's sobs coming from the bathroom.
Meilin and Eriol were picking up the huge hunks of glass from what once was a mirror.
" Don't look at us we didn't do anything! We just heard something smash and you saw the welcoming we got. " Meilin retorted.
Li sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
" Look leave tis till the morning. I'm going to try and talk to her and see what the hell is going on. "
" Good luck. " Jamie muttered and walked out of the room. It had been too long a night.
* * *
Sakura tried to calm her breathiung, but she had worked herself up too much and her heart was rebelling to it's hash treatment. She splashed cold water on her face and took huge gulps of air.
" Sakura open up. " came Li's voice.
Sakura froze.
" Go away. " she yelled back.
" Sakura. " Li warned through the door.
Sakura ignored him.
" I'm not going anywhere until you come out here and tell me what the hell that was all about. "
Sakura knew she wasn't getting out of here for a while so she sat down on the cold tiles and let her mind drift back to China and the happy times with Wolf.
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Sakura woke up and realised that it was morning. She stretched ignoring her aching muscles and stood up. She felt ashamed of how she had let her feelings take hold of her like that. God she had almost hurt her friends! Sakura knew that she wasn't going to be able to settle down until she figured out this problem with trying to make Wolf happy before he died, but how could she do it.
She opened the bathroom door quietly and stopped dead. Li was laying against the wall and was fast asleep. He had stayed there after all! Sakura walked past him quietly and made her way out of her room and down the stairs. She was sitting in the kitchen when he cell went off.
* * *
Madison came down stairs and heard someone talking and whoever it was was very desperate.
Madison came into the kitchen and watched as Sakura paced back and forth.
" Can't you give him more of the medicine you gave him before? " Sakura demanded.
" Sakura it won't work anymore. "
" Damn it Yelan we have to something! I refuse to let this happen! "
" Sakura we can't do anything. We have to just accept it. "
" I will not accept the fact that Wolf is dying! "
Madison gasped and Sakura whipped around terrorfied. Li had woken up and had bolted downstairs and had stopped dead behind Madison when he heard her. With a cold glare he walked forward and snatched the phone out of Sakura's hands.
" Is this true? " he demanded.
" Xiao Lang? " came his mother's startled voice. " Where is Sakura? "
" Exactly what have you been doing behind me back mother?!! "
Sakura snatched her phone back.
" I've gotta go Yelan, bye! " she said and ended the call.
Li forced her around and she came face to face with an angry Wolf.
" You've been keeping this from me! Why? " he demanded.
By now the others had come in and were listening intently.
" I've been keeping nothing form you. " she lied.
Li snarled and his fingers dug into her shoulder, making her cringe.
" Don't you dare lie to me, I heard you! " Li hissed.
Sakura stepped away from him.
" Forget you heard anything. It's nothing. " Sakura said and tried to get away, but Li wasn't about to let her.
" So you've been scamming behind my back convincing Wolf to let you have the Wolves when you know it was promised to me! So that's why we never saw you again! You've been working the old man trying to get your own way! "
Sakura's hand stung as it connected forcefully with Li's cheek.
" How dare you accuse me of such a thing! I love Wolf as I would love my own father! It's not my fault he asked me to come back here and take over as new leader! Do you think I would have if I knew that all this would happen?!! " Sakura yelled hurt.
" He ask me to fulfill he last dream before he died! He asked me not to tell you because you'd go over there and start talking buisness with him and he said he'd had enough! And you know what, I agree with him! You think of nothing but yourself and the stupid Wolves! You are so self absorbed that you don't care who you hurt trying to get your own way! Well you know what? I sick and tired and fed up with all of it! You can stcik your gang where the sun doesn't shine, cos I quit! I want nothing to do with gangs ever again and you know what else? I wish now that that bullet had killed me because I wouldn't have seen the real side of you after all Li Showrun! "
" Don't say such things Sakura! " Madison cried.
Sakura shot her best friend a sympathetic look, before she glared at at the horrorfied Li.
" I'm going to China and telling Wolf that his dream has been fulfilled. At least there is at least one of us who is thinking of the man who gave us both so much. And then after that, I'm coming back here and I returning to my normal life, one without you in it. "
Sakura fled upstairs and started packing some of her things and ignored the frantic pleas of Meilin, Leiko and Madison.
A cool had stopped her as she continued packing.
" I'm coming with you. " Li stated.
" Don't bother. " Sakura spat, not looking at him.
" I'm coming. "
*** Three Years Later *** ( All 20 now )
" I wasn't sure whether you would make it and I admit I had my doubts, but you have pulled through and have proved us proud. And now it is time to return to your pack. "
" As you wish Yelan Li. "
Emerald eyes full of maturity and knowledge starred directly ahead of her as Yelan addressed her. Now at the age of twenty, Sakura was now taller and thinner than what she had been at the age of 17. She was now a woman and she was lethal and dangerous, but she was still the innocent she had been at times.
She was wearing an ancient chinese fighting outfit. ( like Meilin's in CCS anime ) Beneath the material on her back, she had a tattoo of a black wolf, and near her collar bone she had a chinese symbol tattoo which read 'protected'.
" Wolf if preparing everything. You leave at sunset. "
" Hai. "
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Li and the gang were at a party out near the beach. They were shooting, racing and having contests of all sorts, but Li wouldn't partake in any of them.
Li had grown into what most girls would describe as a 'god'. His amber eyes had turned stone cold after the death of Jade Wolf. He had grown a little taller and had become well built after all the training he had put himself through to fight his pain.
Eriol had grown into Li's twin. Girls drolled over him, but his heart belonged to another.
Madison had grown into a beauty. She was taller and thinner and her hair was longer. Her Violet eyes no longer held warmth or happiness, but pain and bitterness. She was lethal and dangerous. Li and Eriol were the only ones that could tell her what to do.
Leiko, Jamie, Alex and Meilin had also grown and they too had been affected by the years of pain.
A scream of terror went up through the party as a couple of jackels ran for their lives, constantly looking behind them towards the bush.
" What's their freaking problem? " Meilin spat.
A loud bang echoed throughout the night sky and everyone looked up as a firework exploded in the air. Li's eyes widened as it revealed the symbol of the Wolf.
" Holy shit. " Leiko breathed as she looked at the huge rock that looked down at them, where a figure was standing looking down at them all.
Fires burned all along the beach throwing light into the dark night. The firelight reflected into two dark emerald eyes as she starred at them all coldly, like a queen assessing her kingdom. By now everyone had stopped what they had been doing and were starring up in disbelief at the vision from the past.
Li couldn't see clearly as to who it was for he was too far away, but his heart beat faster and he found he couldn't breath. His senses knew something that he didn't.
Sakura looked down at one particular person and spoke to him.
" Spread the word. The Queen of Wolves has returned and is taking back her throne. "
When Sakura saw him turn away and tell everyone, did she leave.
* * *
Eriol came back white faced and for once had lost his cocky grin.
" What's the word? " Li asked.
Eriol, Li noticed, was shaking.
" The Queen of Wolves is back and is taking back her throne. " Eriol replied.
Li went cold and Madison gasped.
" It's Sakura Li. She's back. Word is spreading, it was diffinetely Sakura. "
Li was too numb to respond.
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Tori and Aiden woke up to the smell of breakfast. Both frowning they met each other in the hallway.
" Is that you? "
" I thought it was you? "
" Then who is it? "
They entered the kitchen and stopped dead. A tall woman was standing with her back to them and was humming while she cooked merrily. Her honey-brown hair that was still shoulder length shined in the sunshine.
She turned around and dropped the plates she was holding and screamed in fright, Tori and Aiden joining in with her as they starred at her in shock.
" Where'd you come from?!! " Sakura asked, bending down to pick up the broken plates.
" Sakura? " Aiden whispered.
Sakura smild brightly.
" Hai. Are you just going to stand there all day or are you going to sit down and let me serve you breakfast? "
Aiden moved forward but Sakura cried out.
" Careful you'll cut your foot! "
Aiden swept his daughter into a tight hug.
" Oh god I don't know how it's possible, but you'll real!! You've come home!! "
Tori ran forward and hugged her and didn't let her go until Sakura swore she was being killed.
It was a happy day at the Avalon home. Light had been restored.
*************************************************************************************************
~* Tomoeda University *~
" Now class settle down. I know it's been the weekend but it is Monday and we have school work. "
Li and the gang sat in their classes bored out of their brains. They were still trying to come to terms with the fact that Sakura might still be alive, and that they might have new enemy if it wasn't Sakura. Someone was trying to take over the Wolves.
A knock sounded on the door and the teacher went over to it and stepped back in fright.
Everyone looked up as the most beautiful woman they had ever seen walked into the room. She was dressed in jeans and a red halter top.
" Excuse me Mr Yoshi I didn't know that you worked here now? I was wondering if you could tell me where the principle is? I was wanting to enrol but I can't find him anywhere. Do you know where he might be found please? "
" Ah let me check my book. You may come in. I'll see what I can do. "
Sakura nodded thankfully and went to stand in front of his desk. Everyon gasped at the huge Wolf tattoo on her hack. Sakura smirked and waited as Mr Yoshi looked through his book.
Li had gone pale and sharred looks with the others.
" You'll find him in 3A. Third floor, room A. "
" Thank you. " Sakura bowed and went to walk out of the room, but the teacher stopped her.
" What is you name miss? " he asked.
Sakura smirked.
" Miss Sakura Avalon Mr Yoshi. " she replied. " You should remember that. "
Li's mouth hit the ground as did half the rooms. They remembered the supposed death of her.
" Weren't you - I mean? " Mr Yoshi looked lost for words.
Sakura smirked coldly.
" That's right I was. But I returned. "
And with that she walked out of the room.
Li jumped up and flew out the door after her, ignoring the teachers yells.
* * *
Sakura took the stairs two at a time and walked down the hallway towards the principle's office. She knocked and entered.
* * *
" Welcome to Tomoeda Uni. Miss Avalon. " the principle said as he shook her hand.
Sakura smiled sweetly.
" So it's ok for me to start in a week or two? I still have a lot to settle with my family, before I can start. " she lied.
" Of course. We look forward to when you can join us. "
" Bye. " Sakura said as she walked out the door.
Sakura continued to walk down the corridor heading towards the front entrance. She suddenly stopped and put her hands on her hips.
" Is there a particular reason as to why you're following me? " she demanded and turned around to face Li, who just starred back at her.
" Sakura? " he asked.
Sakura rolled her eyes.
" We established that back in Mr Yoshi's class. Where were you? Daydreaming? " she asked sarcastically.
Li glarred at her coldly.
" Do you know who I am? " he asked.
Sakura shot him ' I-don't-believe-this' look, before turning around and starting to walk away.
" Don't walk away from me. " Li commanded.
Sakur whipped around and pulled him into a empty room and slammed him against the wall, glarring at him coldly.
" Listen Little Wolf. " she spat. " I don't know what's been going on here for the last three years, but your reign over the Wolves is over. Wolf has put me in charge, and that's why I'm here - to pick up the slack and bring everything back up to standards. And don't question my authority, the mark on my back is proof enough. Any problems you have, don't go crying to Wolf about them, you bring it to me got it? And I deal with as I see fit. Oh and one more thing, any Wolves that you see from now till the end of day, tell them that there's a Wolf meeting on tonight at the Wolf Mansion, any who fail to show up, consider themselves no longer part of the family. " and with that she let him go and walk off down the hallway, Li just starring after her.
* * * *
~* Later that night *~
The Wolves gathered at the mansion and awaited their new leader. It was pretty hard to imagine that Li was no longer leader. What had happened that had made this new person leader?
The crowd parted and Sakura walked into the huge open room. She was dressed in a elegant black dress that hugged her figure perfectly and that had no back so it exposed her tattoo. She had her hair up in beautiful ringlets and set off her beauty. Murmers followed her as she made her way over to the desk and sat down in the chair reserved for the leader.
" Now if you're quite finished talking about me, we can get this meeting started. "
The room went silent.
" Now I know a lot of you are wondering what the hell is going on? Well I'm about to tell you, any who have any objections of having me as their new leader - there's the door. "
No one moved.
" Good. Now the reason I am here. " she smirked. " Now the rumor was that I was dead, well as you can see I'm not. Where have I been for the last three years? Recovering. "
She looked around the room and found Li starring at her.
" Now Xiao Lang. Here's a question you should know. What is Henbane? "
Li looked at her startled.
" Henbane is an ancient powerful poison that gives any who are brought in contact with it a death sentance. Why? "
" White Tiger's bullets were covered in it, and I had the lucky opportunity to experience what it does to you. " Sakura replied.
The room errupted into murmers of outrage and disbelief.
" Wolf was at that fight that night and saw what happened. He took me to China where I have been recovering since. I still am recovering considering where the bullet was situated so closely to my heart, but desperate times have arisen and I have been sent here to get this pack to the top before it's too late. "
" What do you mean too late? " one guy asked.
" That is none of your buisness. What is however is that since Li has been lazy and forgotten his duties to this pack, we have to work harder than before to get back what is rightfully ours and become number one and I'm giving this pack a week to do it, actually not even that. "
Wolves told her what they thought of this.
" Listen to me! I am not some little girl who you can boss around. I can assure you right now that I am not taking any shit from any of you. As I said before if you have a problem with that there's the door, because quite frankly I don't want slack asses in this pack! I want the best and I intend to have it! Is that clear? I have strict orders from Wolf and if any of you are half the Wolves I thought you were, than you will pull your acts together and prove not only to me, but Wolf as well, how devoted and loyal you really are. "
" Now wait a minute, I have not been lazy! " Li yelled.
" You failed to report to Wolf for the last three years, so that's another reason for me over throwing you. " Sakura shot back.
Li gave her the death glare.
* * *
The meeting went late into the night. As it continued on through the night, the Wolves came to see that they would go far with their new leader. Not only did she have the spirit and determination that burned brightly, she encouraged them as well.
Through the night Li came to realise that Sakura had changed and that out of all the Wolves, he wouldn't have choosen a better person to have taken his place, but he wasn't going to let her get rid of him that easily.
" So that settles it. Tomorrow we set out and start letting the enconomy know that we still exist and that we are back and better than before. Agreed? " Sakura asked.
" Agreed. " the Wolves murmered.
" It's been a long night. Thank you for coming. You may go now. " Sakura said and they got up and left.
Sakura rubbed her temples trying to ditch the headache she had picked up earlier on, but it wasn't going. She swung her chair around, so that it was facing the window, so she could see the lights glowing in the night.
" Tired? "
Sakura jumped startled. Li smiled at her as he leaned on the top of her chair starring out the window.
" It's not easy is it? " he asked.
" No, it's not. But I'll manage. " Sakura replied wearily.
" You know I'm not going to give up that easily. You just can't take over Sakura. You should know me by now that once I achieve something, I sink my teeth into it and I don't let go. "
Sakura smiled dreamily half asleep.
" Yeah well, there's always a first when you let go isn't there? "
Li clenched his fists.
" I'm serious Sakura. I refuse to let you take over. Wolf told me that I was to take over. He promised me Sakura. And I haven't been informed by Wolf himself that plans have changed. So I won't believe it until I hear from Wolf himself that you have bested me. "
" He won't be able to. " Skura whispered.
Li strained to hear her.
" What? " he asked.
Sakura's mind went back to before she had come back. . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
" Is he any better today? " Sakura asked Yelan as she came out of Wolf's room.
Yelan shook his head.
" I'm afraid old age is finally catching up to him Sakura. "
Sakura sighed sadly. She knew this had been coming ever since he brought her back and helped save her life.
" Surely there must be something we can do? "
" He's old Sakura, there's is no potion for immortality. " Yelan replied sadly.
Sakura opened the door and silently crept into Wolf's room. She sat down beside him on the bed and reached out and took hold of his hand. Wolf stirred and looked up at her and smiled at her weakly.
" Guess I'm not as young as what I once thought I was. " he laughed faintly.
" Nonsense. You're still as young as they come. " Sakura replied smiling.
" I wish. "
" How are you feeling today? " Sakura asked softly.
" Better now that I have been graced with the beauty of youth. " Wolf replied.
Sakura smiled.
" I see you still have your sweet tongue, so not all is lost. " Sakura retorted.
Wolf laughed and then went into a fit of coughing.
" Sorry. I shouldn't make you laugh. " Sakura said guiltily.
Wolf shot her a look as he sat up.
" Rubbish! Laughing is the best medicine or so they say. "
Sakura shook her head with a smile.
" Now has Yelan told you what's happening in a few days? "
" Hai. But are you sure that I'm the one to do this? I mean Li - "
" I haven't heard from Li since I brought you here. That boy's too damn lazy! Eriol must have let me down and has stopped keeping Li on his toes as I ordered him to! "
" I don't think you'd have to order Eriol to that. He does it naturally. " Sakura replied.
" Don't let me down Sakura. You are my last hope for getting the Wolves to the top. Out of all my goals that I made for my life, that is the last remaining one that has yet to be achieved. Now that my body has let me down, I pass the mission onto you my dear. "
" But am I the one? I'm just and ordinary girl. "
" HAH! The Jade Wolf an ordinary girl? Rubbish! Was it just an ordinary girl that began a legend? " Wolf demanded.
" That was Madison not me. "
" Ahh yes, but the idea would have had to have in your mind to have agreed to go along with it. " Wolf challenged.
Sakura smiled and shook her head.
" Maybe. "
" Ah you see. " Wolf gave her a knowing look.
" Stop it. " Sakura said laughing.
Wolf smiled.
" But seriously. " he stopped smiling. " You are my last hope. As much as I would love to get that Xiao Lang over here and give hima tongue lashing and knock him down a peg or two, I don't wish to worry him. It's bad enough I have this mansion full of worrisome females to take care of me, and checking up on me all day long. " Wolf wrinkled his nose in digust making Sakura giggle.
" It's only because we want to protect our most loved and cherished leader. "
Wolf seemed off in another world.
" No I don't want Li to know yet. He'd only come over here and check up me and then would want to talk busness. I dying man doesn't need to talk about buisness. "
Sakura gasped.
" Don't talk like that! " she stated angrily.
" I'm not a senile fool Sakura. I know me well enough to know when my time is coming to an end. You can't pull the wool over my eyes. "
" Did I say that I was? Ever heard of being positive? Instead of always being pesimistic all the time? " Sakura challenged.
Wolf laughed.
" Oh my dear girl. That's exactly why I want you to go back and take over. You'll give everybody a run for their money and keep everyone on their toes always challenging
them! " Wolf laughed then went into another coughing fit.
" I'll go back if that's what you want, but I don't know if I can make your dream come true, but know that I'll try my hardest. But you do realise that Li won't make my life easy? He will question everything I do or say and will want to speak to you you know? "
" If he does, tell him to stop being an insolent pup and have some respect for his elders who are wiser than him! "
" Will do. " Sakura smiled and then left Wolf so he could get his rest.
** Day before Sakura left **
Yelan came into Wolf's room.
" Everything is ready? Is there anything else that needs to be done? " Yelan asked.
" No. Is she prepared? "
" You taught her and she learnt well. "
Wolf sighed and leant back on his pillows.
" There is a potion I can give you. It will prolong your life a little, it might be just long enough for her to do as you have asked. " Yelan spoke softly.
" Hmmm. You know I have never approved of all your potions and remedies Yelan. "
" I know. But we both know that if you don't take it, you won't live through the night. "
Wolf snarled.
" Go and get your damn poison then. " Wolf barked.
Yelan bowed and then left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~**~*~*
" Sakura? "
Sakura jumped and she realised that she was crying. She brushed them away hastily and got up out of the chair. She went to walk away, but Li stood in front of her.
" Why are you crying? What has happened to Wolf? " Li demanded.
" Nothing has happened to Wolf. Why would you think that? "
" Well I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that since you came back, everything had turned upside down and I know that something's not right Sakura. So is there anything that you would like to tell me? "
Sakura starred down at the floor. She felt like she was being torn to ways. Should she tell Li or should she kept a secret like Wolf ask her to? What should she do? She knew Li was watching her and she hid her emotions and starred back up at him.
" I actually asked Wolf before I came what to say to you if you started poking and questioning everything I did. I have a message for you. "
Li raised his eyebrow mockingly.
" He told me to tell him to stop being an insolent pup and have some respect for your elders who are wiser than you! "
Li just stared at her and she felt tears prickling her eyes again. Li noticed and he couldn't help but feel that something was terribly wrong.
" Sakura - "
" Just leave it Xiao Lang! " Sakura cried and realised that she had called him in his chinese name.
Li looked at her coldly.
" Just leave it alone! " and she ran out of the room.
* * *
Sakura tripped for the fifth time and she took her high heels off in frustartion and she threw them at the wall in her room as tears blinded her. Her aim was off and she smashed a picture frame.
She sunk to the floor and cried openly as the pain of losing someone that she loved like a father made it's way into reality. She looked at the phone and wiped away her tears and dialed China.
" Hello? Li clan. "
" Hello this is Sakura may I speak to Yelan Li please? "
" May I ask the buisness of the call? " came the voice.
" If you don't give this god damn phone to Yelan Li you will be out of buisness permanetely! " Sakura spat coldly. " Just put her though NOW! "
The phone was being put through. She was too busy fighting her tears and pain to be bothered by all this crap.
" Sakura? What did you say to my servant? He's terrorfied! "
" I want to know how Wolf is? "
There was a pause.
" Not well Sakura. There's not much time left. "
" I was afraid of that. " Sakura replied sadly.
" How are things there? "
" Your son is making sure to make this the hardest mission of my life. Who's idea was it that he brought up to question everything? " Sakura asked wearily.
Yelan laughed lightly.
" Hang in there Sakura. Oh and Sakura? "
" Yeah? "
" Please hurry. "
She listend to the dial tone for a few minutes before she hung up. Running her hands through her hair, that had now fallen out, she made her way over to the french doors and opened them. The smell of rain coming hit her senses and she burts out crying again. How could she get the message to Wolf that his dream was completed? Even if it hadn't been? How could she get the message to a dying man?
She saw her reflection in the mirror, the candles she was burning casting shadows everywhere and all her rage, frustration, tiredness and pain rose to the surface and she picked up the nearest thing, which was a small jar of something and hurled it at the mirror and her pitiful releflection. The mirror shattered and glass shattered everywhere.
Meilin followed by Leiko, Jamie and Alex burst in through her door and took in the scene before them.
" Get out! " Sakura spat and threw another something that she had blindly picked up as her tears blinded her towards them. They ducked in time and it shattered.
" Haven't you ever heard of leaving someone alone with their pain?!! " Sakura cried.
Madison, Li and Eriol appeared behind the horror stricken group and Sakura glarred at them all.
" Just leave me alone!! " she spat and ran into her bathroom, locking the door ignoring Meilin's constant knocking.
* * *
" What the hell happened? " Li demanded as they could all still hear Sakura's sobs coming from the bathroom.
Meilin and Eriol were picking up the huge hunks of glass from what once was a mirror.
" Don't look at us we didn't do anything! We just heard something smash and you saw the welcoming we got. " Meilin retorted.
Li sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
" Look leave tis till the morning. I'm going to try and talk to her and see what the hell is going on. "
" Good luck. " Jamie muttered and walked out of the room. It had been too long a night.
* * *
Sakura tried to calm her breathiung, but she had worked herself up too much and her heart was rebelling to it's hash treatment. She splashed cold water on her face and took huge gulps of air.
" Sakura open up. " came Li's voice.
Sakura froze.
" Go away. " she yelled back.
" Sakura. " Li warned through the door.
Sakura ignored him.
" I'm not going anywhere until you come out here and tell me what the hell that was all about. "
Sakura knew she wasn't getting out of here for a while so she sat down on the cold tiles and let her mind drift back to China and the happy times with Wolf.
*************************************************************************************************
Sakura woke up and realised that it was morning. She stretched ignoring her aching muscles and stood up. She felt ashamed of how she had let her feelings take hold of her like that. God she had almost hurt her friends! Sakura knew that she wasn't going to be able to settle down until she figured out this problem with trying to make Wolf happy before he died, but how could she do it.
She opened the bathroom door quietly and stopped dead. Li was laying against the wall and was fast asleep. He had stayed there after all! Sakura walked past him quietly and made her way out of her room and down the stairs. She was sitting in the kitchen when he cell went off.
* * *
Madison came down stairs and heard someone talking and whoever it was was very desperate.
Madison came into the kitchen and watched as Sakura paced back and forth.
" Can't you give him more of the medicine you gave him before? " Sakura demanded.
" Sakura it won't work anymore. "
" Damn it Yelan we have to something! I refuse to let this happen! "
" Sakura we can't do anything. We have to just accept it. "
" I will not accept the fact that Wolf is dying! "
Madison gasped and Sakura whipped around terrorfied. Li had woken up and had bolted downstairs and had stopped dead behind Madison when he heard her. With a cold glare he walked forward and snatched the phone out of Sakura's hands.
" Is this true? " he demanded.
" Xiao Lang? " came his mother's startled voice. " Where is Sakura? "
" Exactly what have you been doing behind me back mother?!! "
Sakura snatched her phone back.
" I've gotta go Yelan, bye! " she said and ended the call.
Li forced her around and she came face to face with an angry Wolf.
" You've been keeping this from me! Why? " he demanded.
By now the others had come in and were listening intently.
" I've been keeping nothing form you. " she lied.
Li snarled and his fingers dug into her shoulder, making her cringe.
" Don't you dare lie to me, I heard you! " Li hissed.
Sakura stepped away from him.
" Forget you heard anything. It's nothing. " Sakura said and tried to get away, but Li wasn't about to let her.
" So you've been scamming behind my back convincing Wolf to let you have the Wolves when you know it was promised to me! So that's why we never saw you again! You've been working the old man trying to get your own way! "
Sakura's hand stung as it connected forcefully with Li's cheek.
" How dare you accuse me of such a thing! I love Wolf as I would love my own father! It's not my fault he asked me to come back here and take over as new leader! Do you think I would have if I knew that all this would happen?!! " Sakura yelled hurt.
" He ask me to fulfill he last dream before he died! He asked me not to tell you because you'd go over there and start talking buisness with him and he said he'd had enough! And you know what, I agree with him! You think of nothing but yourself and the stupid Wolves! You are so self absorbed that you don't care who you hurt trying to get your own way! Well you know what? I sick and tired and fed up with all of it! You can stcik your gang where the sun doesn't shine, cos I quit! I want nothing to do with gangs ever again and you know what else? I wish now that that bullet had killed me because I wouldn't have seen the real side of you after all Li Showrun! "
" Don't say such things Sakura! " Madison cried.
Sakura shot her best friend a sympathetic look, before she glared at at the horrorfied Li.
" I'm going to China and telling Wolf that his dream has been fulfilled. At least there is at least one of us who is thinking of the man who gave us both so much. And then after that, I'm coming back here and I returning to my normal life, one without you in it. "
Sakura fled upstairs and started packing some of her things and ignored the frantic pleas of Meilin, Leiko and Madison.
A cool had stopped her as she continued packing.
" I'm coming with you. " Li stated.
" Don't bother. " Sakura spat, not looking at him.
" I'm coming. "