Chapter 2: Say it isn't so
Authors Comment:
Thank you so much for your reviews, hope you like this chapter! Happy New Year! Oh I switched the genres to first action/adventure and then romance. Don't worry, the romance will come soon... *winks*
" spoken " / ' thought ' / ---places or situations --- / // some parts of a song //
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Sakura woke up to find herself back in her bed. 'Was all of this a dream?' she wondered checking her pockets, then her ankle. No ' vesper '. No pain. Which meant, no bike, but best of all: No rude guy.
"It was a dream!" she finally said cheerfully as she quickly unfolded the covers of her bed that gently warmed her. She looked at the clock, it was six in the morning. ' That's weird, I usually wake up, well get woken up by Touya at seven...' She stood up confused at what was happening to her at that moment. Sakura walked towards the closed door of her room and opened it slowly. Silence roamed through the whole house making it haunting.
"Touya?" she asked, waiting for his brother to annoy her, but no sound came from his room. " Daddy?! " she asked, getting more worried. Still quietness, and it didn't comfort her.
She searched the whole house to find it empty. No one seemed to lived there. She was all alone. 'Where could they be?' she asked looking at the kitchen. Then everything went black again.
----- ? ----
" NOOOOOOOOOOO " Sakura opened her eyes from the nightmare, only to find herself resting on a black sofa staring at a fan twirling around noisily.
She was sweating from head to toe. She didn't move from her sleeping position since her head ached. She then remembered the vesper and searched her pockets. 'Maybe this was a dream after all ' she thought bitterly and got up, but winced when pain started to come from her leg. ' Maybe not ' She sat back again.
She searched the room. It looked like a motel room to be precise, since it was kinda dirty: the wall's paint was scrapping off showing it's true identity, the floor was covered by a brown carpet, the smell was that of a gas station and the sofa which she had been resting, torn away from its leather in some places. ' Where the heck am I? '
She continued searching around. ' Oh boy, am I in big trouble... ' she thought, reviewing again. ' I'm so going to be grounded and probably miss my dance! ' Sakura thought, when she started feeling worse. Her head was spinning making her dizzy, forcing her to lye back down and see everything blurry. A pair of eyes were watching her sleep.
---- again ? -----
Sakura woke up again hearing a weird sound. She was now sitting in another chair, a long one, in what looked like a public place, since she felt that everybody was curiously staring at her. She looked out the window. Walls surrounding them, keeping darkness: they were underground. She looked at the ceiling, white lights illuminating everything to a weird greenish color. What made her eyes widen was that it looked like a ..... subway?
" Oh, I see you are awake " a sudden voice was heard making Sakura gasp that it had come from beside her. " Oh, don't worry, I wont harm you " the voice replied hearing what Sakura had done.
Sakura finally turned to her left to find a girl about her age. She had deep, amethyst eyes and black hair that went down her shoulders, forming curls at the ends. She seemed kind of her height and was skinny. She wore a purple, sleeveless t-shirt under a jacket (same as the guy's), a black, leather skirt that finished right above her knees, and black boots covering the rest. She was pretty and her face was calm. Sakura also noticed that she had a video camera resting on her lap.
" Who are you? Where am I? Where are you taking me? What happened? " Sakura asked restlessly looking at the girl.
" Whoa, slow down. I'm Tomoyo Daidouji. You are currently in a subway, I'm taking you to a place I can't mention its name right now, and you fainted, sleeping for a whole day " The girl named Tomoyo replied answering to all of her questions.
Sakura couldn't believe it. ' I have actually been followed by some guys I don't even know, taken by a boy (actually kidnapped), fainted with him, and now going somewhere with a complete stranger! This is too much for me! ' she thought covering her face with both of her hands.
Tomoyo giggled as she saw her reaction. " Don't worry, everything will make sense to you " she reassured, smiling. " I know it must be tough for you: one day having a normal life and then being nowhere "
Sakura sighed. Then looked at her own hands, still remembering how she had gripped the gun and how they had been handcuffed together. It was too much for her.
" Why? Why me? Of all the people in Tomoeda! " she raised her voice as tears started forming in her eyes.
" Shhh... " Tomoyo hushed her, gazing at the crowd. " Don't do that, it might be dangerous! " she whispered. "You don't want to cause a riot "
" Then please tell me: WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE!! " Sakura practically yelled making the whole crowd stare at them, keeping quiet.
" Shit " she cursed. " You shouldn't have done that " she said. Her face totally another. She was concentrated, waiting for something to happen.
Silence roamed. Everyone fixed their stares on the two girls with eyes that made Sakura nervous. Tomoyo tensed up. All her five senses out on the open. You could even say she had a sixth. Sakura could feel her own heart beating, could hear deep breaths just as everybody else, intoxicating the air. She felt that everything went to slow motion, black and white.
A sudden gunshot tear everything apart to reality. The girl named Tomoyo rose to her feet, and grabbed Sakura's hand. Making her run, dearly for her life.
" They heard us, they know, and are following. Just do what I say and hold unto your precious life " was all she said leading Sakura into the filthy crowd of passengers. All staring at them. Sakura couldn't take it.
They continued running toward the driver. Tomoyo checking back as gunshots made the crowd gasp and move sideways as they continued following them. They finally reached the door. Tomoyo opened it with a kick. ' she is really strong ' Sakura had actually underestimated the girl.
" Come on! " she said pulling her toward the room and closing the door with a lock. Sakura gasped. No one was driving. The driver was lying unconscious in the floor. Tomoyo sat in the driver's seat, taking full control.
" We will have to stop and run away as fast as we can " Tomoyo said pressing some buttons. Sakura just nodded, staring blankly at Tomoyo's maneuvering.
" Take out my cell phone " Tomoyo ordered pointing to her bag where the camera was.
Sakura did as was told and handed Tomoyo the cell. She dialed a number and closed it again.
" Why did you do that? " Sakura asked.
" There is no need to talk to him " Tomoyo replied smiling, making Sakura wonder.
They started hearing thumps on the door, trying to break it open.
" Darn " Tomoyo said making a harsh stop. Everybody fell to the ground loosing their balance. Sakura rubbed her head with a groan as she got up and screamed.
Tomoyo knew what she saw and turned around to the driver, who was actually one of the men trying to hit her. She dodged it easily and punched him straight in the nose making him fall down.
" Quick! Climb up here and help me with the emergency door! " Tomoyo ordered as she stepped above the driver's seat and started pushing forward the door.
Sakura ran to her, helping her thrust the door on the ceiling. The thumping on the door increased.
" Hurry! " she said, pushing even harder. It wouldn't budge.
The door finally flew open with a blast. Men entered with guns on their hands to find the room empty. They searched it carefully, making sure that the girls wouldn't jump on the them and run away. But nothing. The girls had vanished into thin air. They were going back now, when they heard footsteps on top of them.
----- Outside the subway -----
" JUMP! " Tomoyo yelled as they both were in the top. They both did landing safely on the ground. She looked at Sakura amazed at her skills.
" Gym Class " Sakura said reading her thoughts.
" Right then, lets bail out of here! " Tomoyo said smiling at her.
They began running as fast as they could, getting away. Going into the pure darkness, not stopping. After a while they would be reaching their next stop. Sakura was just glad that they had made it all ok, but stopped and turned around to see a light coming toward them, fast.
" Hurry!" Sakura screamed going even faster. They continued running. 'Just a few more steps ' Sakura thought happily seeing light come from where they were heading to. When she lost all of her hopes.
She tripped over the tracks and fell down. She had forgotten all about her ankle, and now it hurt like hell. Crazy what adrenaline does to you, huh?
Tomoyo turned back and helped Sakura get up by placing Sakura's arm across her shoulder. They tried running, but Sakura kept wincing and stopping.
" Just leave, ok? " Sakura said as they were walking.
" And... why would I do that?" Tomoyo asked.
" Because we are so not going to make it " Sakura concluded as she saw the lights getting closer.
" OK. I'm leaving... " she said leaving Sakura standing by herself surprised. Tomoyo took a few steps and turned " but with you " Tomoyo smiled. The men were almost on their tails.
Sakura gasped as she felt someone grabbing her in his/her arms and the rest was history. She couldn't turn back she just saw Tomoyo running ahead of her not bothering to turn around and finally they were back to safety. But they continued as they knew that the men would not give up so easily. Until they started going up the stairs, Sakura seeing the real light of the sun welcoming her, giving her face warmth.
---- ? ----
Sakura woke up again to find herself in another room. ' I have to stop doing this. Waking up in different places ' she thought as she woke up from a couch. The room was cozy and looked like a living room. She got up to find her ankle bandaged up, nice and clean. She sat up and started remembering the events that had happened before. ' What were those people after? Why? ' She had never been at such high risks and wished to go home. Back to her normal self. Although she kind of admitted that it was fun, but then sighed. ' You must already turning crazy Sakura, pull your head together ' she scolded herself. She had been thinking so hard that she didn't notice someone entering the room.
" So, what are you thinking about? " the voice asked breaking Sakura's thoughts away.
" Nothing " she lied looking at the amethyst-eyed girl who smiled." Where am I? "
" At my house " she said. " I couldn't tell you earlier because if not, my mom would live in danger. She doesn't know what I'm up to and I wouldn't want her..." she stopped.
Sakura understood. " You live here by yourself? " she asked looking at the huge living room.
" Almost, but my mom arrives on nights. My dad went away when I was little and I'm an only child. But enough about that, what is your name? We haven't gotten ourselves acquainted yet " she smiled.
"Oh sorry. My name is Sakura Kinomoto. But you can call me Sakura " Sakura said smiling back. It had been a long time for her, since she had done it. She didn't know why, but she felt that she could trust her own life in Tomoyo's hands.
" And you can call me Tomoyo. Now lets get you clean and give you some proper clothing "
Sakura blushed as she saw her clothes were a mess. They were all ragged. Her white shirt was now brown and sleeveless, her skirt was full of dirt. Tomoyo handed a mirror so Sakura could look at her face. It was the worst, her skin was brown, she had bruises everywhere, her hair was a total, tangled mess. And she smelled so bad she wondered...
" Was I like this when I first met you? " Sakura asked making Tomoyo giggle and nod.
" Oh my god!!" she gasped at what the person who grabbed her must have thought if she was in that horrible state.
" Come one, then. Lets have a fashion emergency right now" she said holding out her camera taping her. Sakura sweat-dropped.
"Is that necessary? "
" Yep "
---- An hour later ----
After taking a hot shower, having a pedicure and manicure, brushing her unbelievably tangled hair, wearing some new clothes and Tomoyo treating her bruises: Sakura was as new as ever. She loved being clean, and dreaded the thought of having to pass through that stinking misery again. Sakura's now thin stomach grumbled making her blush.
" Someone must be hungry " Tomoyo said dragging Sakura to the kitchen.
" Well what can I do, when I haven't eaten in a whole day? " she said giggling as she helped Tomoyo with the cooking. They obviously made a mess, but cleaned it up right away.
After fixing Sakura up in every way possible. Tomoyo took her car out, driving her to Sakura's next destination.
---- Hangout ---
Sakura got nervous as they reached a club for the first time. She didn't know why she was heading there, or who was she going to meet. What was she really going to get into...
" Well, we are here! " Tomoyo said parking.
Sakura shivered." Tell me, why are we here? "
" So you can get all of your questions answered and can finally go home" she smiled, making Sakura do the same.
---- Inside ---
As soon as Sakura entered the whole environment changed. People danced like crazy, though they didn't go that wild. The sound of the music was thumping loud on their ears, making Sakura to actually want to join all the people there and have a carefree time.
Tomoyo led her inside to a so called living room in the basement. There were modern couches, sofas, bean bags, and all types of furniture all placed in a circle. The walls were black with writings and weird signatures on it, probably by the persons who hung around here.
" Hey Tomoyo! " a girl came to greet her.
She was about the same age, had long black hair that was arranged in two ponytails making her look innocent and like a rebel at the same time. She had deep crimson eyes and a long slender body that was dressed in a red-wine t-shirt and black jeans, having the same jacket that everyone seemed to wear, wrapped around her waist.
" Sakura, this is Meilin Li. Meilin this is Sakura Kinomoto " Tomoyo said smiling.
The girl eyed Sakura. " Nice to meet you! Seems like you have been going through a lot " she said.
" I guess " Sakura sighed, "how did you know?"
" Long story " she answered. " anyway meet the guys. Eriol Hiragisawa and Daisuke " she said dragging her to where two guys sat.
" Doesn't he have a last name? " Sakura asked whispering, making Meiling giggle.
" Yeah he does, but he doesn't like it " she whispered back. " Guys this is Sakura Kinomoto "
A guy probably a bit older than Sakura and taller stood up. He had dark blue hair and eyes that were hidden under glasses. He wore a silver shirt and black jeans. He looked way too mysterious, yet he was sweet at kissing her hand. He was cute (not as handsome as the boy she had first met, though).
" Pleasure to meet you " he smiled.
The other guy who sat there grinned. He had dark-brown and spiky hair with the tips dyed red and blue-green, his dark eyes matched. He was wearing the same as Eriol only that his shirt was sleeveless and blue. "Hi! And welcome" . Sakura smiled back. ' Welcome? What did he mean by that? ' she wondered.
" Don't just stand there, relax and feel yourself like at home" Meilin said as she sat beside Daisuke. Sakura sat across from them, Tomoyo beside her in a purple sofa.
" Home " she whispered gloomily. ' How I miss it ' Her head lowering.
" Aww... don't worry, Sakura. I'm sure that we will get you there in no time " Tomoyo assured her.
"A vesper... What is it? "she asked, trying to get the thought out of her head.
" Are pieces of a big puzzle we are trying to solve. It actually means a planet, and they named it the same because there is a legend that says the vesper actually came from it. There are seven different. I take it that you have already seen it. But anyway here is one " Eriol answered taking the 3D thing out from his pocket.
She took a better glimpse and noticed that it was silver colored that had emerald gems engraved into it, and somehow seemed familiar to her.
" What we want to do is to get all of them, before others do " Meilin added.
"And why would you want to have all of them?" Sakura asked.
" It is said that when all of them are joined together, anything can be possible. Money, luck, power, and many other great things. It is an enigma " Daisuke answered.
Sakura thought how weird all of this information was, leading her to another.
" How did I end up... "
Just as Sakura was about to finish her question the door swung open like it was hit by a hurricane, scaring her. She turned around to find that handsome boy.
" They still haven't gotten sightings on the second one, but they will if we don't snatch it first " he said as coldly as ever. But the guys didn't seem to mind his rudeness. They were somehow... used to it. He spotted Sakura and noticed what Tomoyo had done to her. She had a fresh and clean look again wearing a striped, white and pink turtle neck and denim jeans. Her hair was braided.
" Sakura, this is my cousin Syaoran Li " Meilin said. " I believe you two have already met " Sakura nodded, suddenly she felt his stare. "she was wondering when we would drop her in her house." she continued.
Syaoran changed his look to his cousin. "she can't, she knows too much"
Eriol saw the look on Sakura's face and said, "well, we can't just leave her out there alone "
" Can't she at least stay with us? " Meilin said with pleading eyes.
Sakura couldn't bear to hear this conversation about what her next destiny would be and started boiling red with fury. She stood up.
" Why can't you just leave me home? " Sakura asked trying to control her temper.
" Like I said you know to much!" Syaoran growled looking back at her.
" So? I'm not going to tell! " She stated, her voice rising.
" How would I know that you are not lying?! " he replied.
' That's it! ' Sakura reached her maximum and exploded. " BECAUSE I HATE THIS! BEING CHASED FOR THINGS THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW, WAKING UP IN DIFFERENT PLACES, GETTING DIRTY... I WOULD JUST WAKE UP AT BED THINKING THAT THIS WAS JUST ANOTHER SICK NIGHTMARE. I HAVE A FATHER AND A BROTHER BACK AT HOME WORRIED SICK ABOUT ME. DON'T YOU AT LEAST CARE? " she almost shouted, panting at what she had gotten out of her system.
The boy named Li looked at her without any expression. She looked back. Both of their eyes locking on each other's. They stood there silent
" No, you are staying, even if you don't want to " he finally said turning back toward the door.
Sakura's eyes started to water. She couldn't believe how heartless he was. She wanted to punch him, strangle him, even kill him. But she held her tears and dropped to her knees.
" Can't I at least write a letter? Telling them that I am alright? " she asked almost whispering.
Syaoran stopped without turning back. " As you wish. But I'll kill you if you tell them where you are, or anything about what happened to you " he continued shutting the door.
// Of all the things I've believed in,
I just want to get it over with... //
Meilin, sharing Sakura's pain, and knowing how harsh her cousin was, went to a table away from them: took out a pen, envelope and a paper from a drawer, and cleared the table so Sakura could have privacy. Sakura smiled faintly and sat in the chair.
" Thank you " she said, Meilin smiled and went back with the others.
// Tears form behind my eyes,
But I do not cry,
Counting the days that pass me by... //
* Dear Father and Brother,
How are you? Fine I hope. I'm sorry for all the trouble that I most be causing you, getting you worried sick... I just want to tell you that I'm ok, but I can't say where I am or what has happened. I promise that someday I'll return, just please don't worry.
// I've been searching deep down in my soul,
Words that I'm hearing are starting to get old... //
I will never forget you all. Tell my friends also to not worry. I hope they are ok too. Touya I've always loved you calling me a monster, and don't think that you are ever going to get away with that prank you did to me a day ago... Dad, tell my mom that I'm ok, give her a kiss for me, and I always will love you. Remember that you will not loose me like her, even though we are apart.
// Feels like I'm starting all over again,
The last three years were just pretend,
And I said... //
I want to see you both again, and I probably will, who knows. I'll see you someday, I guess. I'll try to write.
With love,
Sakura *
// Goodbye to you,
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew ... //
Sakura stood up and folded the paper. She then placed it on the pink envelope, wrote her address and sealed the back and went to the sofa in the circle and sat again.
" Don't worry, I'll make sure that this gets delivered tomorrow " Tomoyo smiled.
" Thanks " Sakura giving her the envelope.
// You were the one I loved,
The one thing that I tried to hold on to... //
" So what you are practically doing is hunting down a secret" Sakura said, finally pushing the sad thought away.
" Exactly " Daisuke grinned.
" And since you are staying, well I think we will need your help and once we find the seven of them, I promise you that you will return back home " Meilin said trying to encourage Sakura.
Sakura couldn't help but smile. ' This is reality ' she thought ' I guess I'm going have to stick with it '
// And when the stars fall
I will lie awake,
You're my shooting star. //
--- Authors Comment: ---
Well that's it! Hoped you like it! The song that I love so much, that I added to this chapter is: Good Bye To You by Michelle Branch, it was kind of edited so it would fit with the story. Anyway, I only wanted to do this (entering the song) only in this chapter. See you until next time! ^^