Hunting Emerald's Secret

Chapter 6: Saori and Oreo

---Author's Comment:---

Thank you again for all your great reviews! What I meant is that no cards, and I'm trying to be spontaneous... just to make my chapters interesting and mysterious. You will never guess what happened next. I'm entering exams this week... They are very cruel! . I still haven't studied, but what the heck... on with the story.

--- The next day ---

Sakura woke up at the sound of an alarm clock. She whacked it and noticed the time. It was 9:00. ' What?!  Oh no! School! ' she realized getting up and sitting in the bed. She then saw the room. ' Oh yeah, that's right... I'm in Tomoyo's house, silly me... ' she thought to herself, sweat dropping. It had been about two or three days since she hadn't gone to school. She didn't even know which day it was.

She took a quick glance at her open window. The day was perfect: It wasn't too cold nor too hot, there was a peaceful humid wind softly caressing her body, the sun illuminated everything in its path making it shine, and Sakura could smell a fresh sandalwood and autumn scent beside her. ' What the...? ' she followed it and then saw that bunny, the one Syaoran had given her that night before, sitting. She carefully took it in her hands, smelling it again, her nose wrinkling from it's fluffy texture. ' No wonder... It smells just like him ' she thought, ' he must have carried it in the amusement park all day... '

She stood up placing the bunny on the table aside, and went to the bathroom to take a shower. She then changed into fresh new clothes: A white blouse with long sleeves that were cut in a hippie style, and black jeans. She took out a black leather jacket. 'Just in case...' she thought blushing from what had happened with him that other day. She tied it around her waist, and neatly combed her hair. She headed toward the door but turned back and planted a kiss on the bunny's little round forehead.

--- Hangout ---

Sakura and Tomoyo entered, the gang where already there, except for Meilin. Tomoyo noticed this, because she always greeted her.

" What happened to Meilin? " she asked with concern.

" Still sick from yesterday " Daisuke said as he was trying to do something with the vespers that he had in a table.

" He is trying to find out how they go together " Eriol explained seeing their faces full of curiosity. Syaoran was reading a book; he didn't even take a look at them. They both sat, waiting for something to happen, the time ticked by...

--- Ten Minutes Later ---

" Nope, we still need the others " Daisuke finally said sighing.

" And have you located them? " Sakura asked bored.

" No, we haven't got a trace yet, " Eriol answered.

" Then what should we do? "  Tomoyo asked. No one answered. " Come on let's go shopping or something "

Daisuke sweat dropped, " guys don't shop, " he said.

Tomoyo glared at him, " Look we don't have anything else to do and I'm bored out of my mind "

" Err... Although I do seem to need some equipment... " Daisuke said seeing the evil glint in Tomoyo's eyes.

--- An hour later... ---

Tomoyo won the discussion about shopping. Daisuke hadn't come, since he thought that it would be better if he investigated the legend a little bit more. He hooked a vesper into a necklace: so that they wouldn't lose it, and had given one to Syaoran, one to Eriol, and he had kept another one to himself.   ' He just doesn't want to come because Meilin won't be here ' Sakura thought as they passed through the streets. ' He must really like her...'

Now this was a different shopping from what Sakura had ever imagined. They were in those typical streets, were people had stands trying to sell everything that they had. " Just to be out in the fresh air " Tomoyo had mentioned cheerfully, finally getting her request fulfilled. As I repeat, the day was just plain beautiful to put to waste, and now they were here on the Genki Street, an old one, were no cars passed, allowing people to place their stands in the edges and let people roam by. This day was a very busy one since there was a large crowd and you could barely move.

Sakura noticed all kinds of objects: books, fruits, medicine, clothes... and stands of different sizes, shapes and colors. Everything was cheap and great. Eriol and Tomoyo were in front of her, both holding hands. Syaoran was beside Sakura, with both of his hands behind his head. Sakura took a quick glance at him. He had a white shirt hidden under the same leather jacket and denim jeans. She couldn't help but notice all the girls drooling at him and Eriol, but they just... ignored them. ' Must be used to it ' Sakura concluded.

They started going from stand to stand. Looking for the parts that Daisuke had ordered and gazing in wonder at the objects that the little shops had to offer.

" This necklace gives you good luck! " A toothless old woman said.

" This fish is really good and tasty " A man offered.

" Jewelry for your beauty my dear " A young lady said holding many. And some others were having their hands full of objects toward Sakura.

She didn't know what to do but just sweat drop and try to explain that she didn't want anything, but this sellers were stubborn. They knew that she wasn't a person that refused an offer so easily.

" Back off! " Syaoran coldly snapped at all of them. And so they did, directing their offers to other people.

" Thanks " Sakura beamed.

" What? I only shooed them off because I can't stand having people surrounding me... "  This made Sakura boil. 

They reached a place where Sakura saw a sign of books. She went to it and saw many covers all neatly ordered. Sakura stared at them for a while looking at the beautiful books. She loved reading, especially those about angels or anything related with fantasy. When she was especially looking at one, she suddenly felt a little bump on the side and turned around.

" Oops... sorry! " A young girl said. She had miserable gray clothes, all torn up. Red dark messy hair that matched with freckles. Light blue eyes that sparkled from tears that were starting to form, yet already swollen from previous ones. 

" Don't worry " Sakura beamed at her. The girl gave back a little smile and continued running.

Syaoran was coming from the same way and they also encountered, bumping. Something made Sakura's eyes widen. The impact on Syaoran and the girl must had been a little too hard, weirdly enough to let the necklace tear and the vesper to fall. Maybe something was wrong with the knot. Who knows... She stared at its glittering form going down... almost hitting the floor now. Syaoran realized what just happened and tried to bend down to pick it up. But a kick from one shoe can change everything can it?

The vesper started moving from feet to feet. Syaoran cursed as he moved through the crowd, trying to bend down and grab it, but he just couldn't. Sakura followed behind him, he was still fast, even when the crowd was making him slow down. They continued following... away from a dazzled Tomoyo who looked at a bracelet with a grinning Eriol behind her.

Everything was in slow motion.  Sakura's hand found its way toward Syaoran's who he held tightly, with the other trying to snatch back their priced possession. She could feel him pull deeper and deeper, feeling them bump against people, knocking some down. A man's foot gave the last kick sending the vesper away from those busy streets and into one that was steep making the vesper roll its way to the bottom. Syaoran leaped, his hand almost grabbing it, but he fell down it. He had completely forgotten that Sakura was with him. They both landed hard on the pavement at the end. 

" Ouch " Sakura grunted rubbing her elbow. She was sitting on Syaoran who was facing down on the floor. He lifted his head and spotted the shinning object inches from his grasp.

" Oh... look a cat " he heard Sakura say. He then saw a black and white spotted cat near the vesper licking its paws. Syaoran started to stretch his hand toward it, his fingers slightly touching it. The cat suddenly meowed and eyed Syaoran; then the vesper. ' Don't you dare' he thought. It curiously watched the vesper as it were some kind of toy. Syaoran knew what was about to happen so he started stretching his hand even farther, held back by Sakura's weight on him. The cat grabbed the vesper in its teeth and started to dash away.

" Shit " he cursed. They were already up and chasing it. Syaoran had to grab Sakura's hand if he ever wanted her to keep up with him. The little devil was faster than the wind itself. Syaoran could only see a black spot daunting away from them. He stopped and turned to a puzzled Sakura.

" If we ever want to catch up with that stupid cat... you'll have to climb on me " he seriously said.

" ARE YOU CALLING ME A SLOWPOKE? "Sakura said as she saw the position he was taking: turning his back on her and crouching down. She then got the picture. " NO! NO WAY! " she said blushing.

" DO IT NOW! ILL KILL YOU IF WE DON'T CATCH UP WITH IT! " he growled. Sakura gulped. Would he be able to carry her? He had done this before... but in this position? ' Giddy up ' she thought placing her hands (one on each side of his shoulders) and balancing on them as she took a little leap forward, Syaoran stood up and grabbed her legs when she landed on him. She wrapped her arms around his neck holding tight; she knew it was going to be a wild ride.

Syaoran continued following the cat until they reached an enormous vacant lot. It was like a grass field, no houses were at sight. It started heading deeper into it. Sakura could feel the wind against her. Syaoran moved faster than she had ever imagined. Everything was passing by so quickly she didn't have time to think, she was as light as a feather and felt like she was flying without wings. She could smell his intriguing scent from his neck and could feel his soft hair brushing against her face. She saw his earring shinning ever so slightly.

He took out his gun ready to shoot. Sakura didn't want it. How could he damage or kill an innocent creature? She had to do something for it. They saw a house coming into view. One word described it: wreck, as if it was haunted. Sakura was starting to shiver and Syaoran felt it.

" Oh no " was all she said, observing the house as it came to view. ' Just like the one in the amusement park... Great ' she sarcastically thought, ' just what I needed... ' She bit her lower lip as Syaoran stopped in front of it. The cat had entered the house, making Syaoran's shot miss.

" I don't want to go in..." she whispered.

--- Inside ---

' And I had to go in... ' The house was all gloomy and dusty, this one was  real: about 100 years old. Syaoran lead the way climbing the stairs. They creaked all the way making Sakura hug herself. She hated this kind of houses. They reached a door an opened it. To their surprise it was filled with cats and kittens of all sizes, shapes and colors.

" Now what? Where is it? " Sakura asked. Syaoran pointed his gun to them. Sakura's eyes widened.

" STOP! " they heard a voice from behind. Sakura freaked out and clung to Syaoran's arm. " They are nothing but homeless cats like me " a girl said. It was the very same one that had bumped on Sakura at the streets. Sakura regained her senses and stopped holding on to Syaoran a little bit embarrassed.

" Li... please " she placed her hand on his stiffened shoulder which was now pointing at the girl. He didn't move for a while actually scaring Sakura, but eventually he lowered his hand making Sakura and the girl sigh. The girl though was still scared since she backed with every step that Syaoran took forward. Sakura stopped him and went to the little girl.

" Don't worry " she said with comforting words. The girl thought for a while but then launched at Sakura with a hug, tears shedding. Sakura embraced it, she must have really been terrified. Syaoran saw Sakura's face telling him to back off. He just shrugged and rested on the door with his arms crossed.

" Who are you little girl? " she asked with sweetness in her voice. The girl pulled away from the hug and looked at Sakura straight in the eyes.

" I- I'm Saori... I-I've been l-living here since I was 4 years old-d... I'm seven" she started saying getting more confident by each second, " I was abandoned back then... until I was found by a guy "

" A guy? " Sakura asked wondering when the  'never go with strangers ' rule was broken.

" Yes " she nodded. " It was a weird one, gray or white hair I think... " she said trying to remember that day, " he came one night... told me that everything would be alright... Then I fell asleep and I woke up in this house...and each day found that he protected me, the years passed and when I could do it by myself... I guess that he went away "

Sakura thought for a while. This was a very suspicious guy. Who would take the time to take care of a little young girl? Syaoran listened from the corner and asked." What was his name? "

The girl whimpered and hugged Sakura again. Sakura whispered to him not to bother. He just glared at her and closed his eyes. Seeing that, Sakura asked the same question.

" It was..." Saori started saying, but got interrupted when Sakura saw the black and white spotted cat. " That is Oreo " she said playing with the tips of her reddish hair. " She is a very naughty cat, she's stolen many things "

" Oh. I can see why... Um... you see that cat took something from us... " Sakura started saying. Saori knew what she meant.

" Yeah sure! " she said going to the cat and patting its head, the cat dropped the vesper and she grabbed it. " What is this? " she curiously asked examining the glittering object.

" Er-it's... em... its a... " Sakura tried to explain but something happened. Syaoran opened his eyes scaring Saori again, who held to Sakura.

" They are here " he said.

" Oh... no " Sakura said holding her even closer. " What do we do? We can't just leave her here! "

" Don't worry... there is a trapdoor from where I can leave " the girl said pointing behind the door. They opened it and saw a tunnel that lead down. Syaoran nodded as Saori started going through it followed by the cats.

" Just remember to stay there inside... until we say that its okay to come out " They closed the door. Sakura took out Syaoran's broken necklace and fixed it doing a double knot. She gave it to him.

" Just in case " she beamed.

" Whatever " was all he said placing the necklace and taking out his gun.

They went to another room behind and waited in the second floor. They started hearing footsteps going up. Syaoran started aiming his gun and shooting from the edge of a wall. Sakura was right behind him. They heard the responses from the other guns. The men soon entered the room, even though Syaoran had killed plenty. Syaoran started to punch and kick them. They were certainly no match for him, since some barely avoided his attacks. No one touched him.

Sakura watched from the corner of a wall when the window next to her crashed. She screamed when men started coming through it, she started running... passing a busy Syaoran who was trying to knock out as much as he could. She couldn't leave the room, since the doorway was filled with men, she reached the other side and faced toward them, resting herself against the wall.

The man started coming forward... almost near Sakura. But lets just say that since the house was made of wood and was old... well... I think you'll get the picture that it becomes unstable. So what happened was like this... A shot nearly missed Sakura passing through strands of her hair. Sakura reacted by falling on the wood making it break. The shattered pieces fell on the first floor. She gripped the edges of the hole.  

" Help! " she called out to get no response.

Syaoran had seen what had happened and tried to help Sakura, but the floor was filled with men. He punched and kicked dodged and shielded, did everything he could to get  to Sakura, he could hear her screams and her shrieks calling desperately for help. 

Sakura felt the grip on her sweaty hands loosen. Her feet were dangling in the air. One more minute and she would fall. She could hear her heart beat, she could see her life before her, could see the pictures of memories from her family and friends in her mind. Was it all over? She suddenly felt weaker, started getting dizzy... her hands were feeling numb. Syaoran wasn't anywhere to be found. ' He still must be busy with the men ' she thought hearing the grunts and smacks. She then couldn't hear the fighting. Was she turning deaf? She didn't want to know... she just wanted to get out of this hell. There was a point when she could no longer hold on, her grip loosened, her whole life fading before her very own eyes...

She looked ahead of her, and saw the gap in the second floor, she could see light coming from it. She closed her eyes. ' This is it ' she gave up. But miracles can happen, can they? She suddenly felt someone's deep and warm hands touching against her cold ones. Grasping her firmly. She opened her eyes to look at intense amber. Was he an angel? She couldn't believe it. ' Is this real? Am I in heaven? ' Half of his body was through the hole, meaning that she had actually fallen. He started pulling her up until she was in the floor again.

Sakura's heart couldn't stop beating fast. She was okay, but the fright was too great, she looked at Syaoran's eyes with her own: expressing fear and shedding tears. She didn't talk, nor smile, nor frown. Her body started shivering, and it was not from the cold. She couldn't hold her feelings any longer. She could see his eyes staring back in bewilderment. Without notice she fell into Syaoran's arms crying. Holding him close, hoping that she would feel safe once again inside. Her head resting against his chest. Not waiting for his reaction, she pleaded. 

" Please...  Don't let go... Hold me tight... Don't leave me alone... " she whispered closing her eyes.     

--- Another place ---

" Is she the one that's with them? " a husky voice asked staring at a picture of an auburn haired girl with emerald eyes.

" Yeah... We have already sent to kill them " another one answered.

" What a pity... Cherry Blossom you say? " the husky voice asked again.

" Sakura, Sakura Kinomoto to be exact " the other one confirmed.

" Such a precious girl... to be with them... " the husky one chuckled. The other one stayed quiet. " Nevertheless... we have to take it away from him... I want him dead! " it growled.

--- Author's comment ---

That's it! Still more action coming! And even more mysteries... What will be Syaoran's reaction? Ill do my next chapter as fast as I can! See ya!