Hunting Emerald's Secret
Chapter 9: Waltz Tragedy--- Author's Comment: ---
Well, its time for some action to take place! I had to admit that I wanted so badly to put action into the eight chapter... but for some reasons I couldn't. Anyway, thank you so much for your reviews! ^^ I'll never stop thanking you!! Also one thing that I forgot to say at the beginning... Beware of my story; nothing is what it seems... You'll see why... On with the story!
--- Dream ---
" Why daddy? Why is mommy sick? " A clueless young Sakura asked behind his brother's protective arms.
" Yeah Dad... What happened? " she heard his brother Touya request. Fujitaka looked at his daughter and son. Should he tell them? Tell them the way their mother had died? He thought for a while.
" Sorry... I-I can't... " he turned around with his hand resting on his forehead, not wanting them to see his tears. " Everything will be all right... " They heard him whisper.
Sakura sobbed into her brother's arms. She didn't know what was going on. One day her mother fell while she was cooking. The rest was history, since Touya couldn't get her to wake up. She lifted her head, only to see piercing silver eyes staring back at her. The whole room then vanished. She was now standing alone in the darkness.
" She can't hold on any longer! You must do something to help her! "
" We've tried everything that we could, sorry... "
--- Back to Reality ---
" NOOO! " she started screaming hearing those words.
She opened her eyes to find out that she was sitting in bed shivering from cold, yet sweating from heat. Tears were already falling down from swollen eyes. She finally realized that it was all a nightmare and wiped her tears away. ' Did I wake him up? ' She looked and found no one on the bed. Dawn had already passed, daylight poured in from the balcony.
She carefully tiptoed to come across Syaoran, who was sleeping on the couch. She looked in wonder at him. ' Didn't he sleep in the bed? Why does he look different? ' She realized that without those eyes of his everything changed to another perspective.
" You actually look kind of cute" She continued to get a better view of him. He lay there in serenity, like nothing could ever go wrong... She got closer and closer, stretching her hand to touch his forehead, the one that had been burning before. But once she touched his skin, which was cool once again, he opened his eyes, those amber eyes, scaring her to death. A scream suddenly pierced through the whole building.
--- The mall ---
Meilin and Daisuke went to the mall since they had nothing to do. They went from store to store looking at all the things. Daisuke ended up buying all of Meilin's stuff and carrying her infinite shopping bags, making him stumble against people. He actually hated doing this, but for Meilin, he'd do anything. They sat at a bench already tired from walking.
" So, how are you feeling? " Daisuke asked.
" I'm fine. Did I miss out on all the fun? "
" Not completely. I mean, we haven't spotted the next vesper yet... "
" Really? " she asked getting a nod from Daisuke. He then explained what the rest had done that day, and they started talking about other things.
Meilin then got a surprised look on her face as she gawked forward. Daisuke looked at her with confusion, then at what she was staring at, having the same reaction.
" Do you see what I see? " she asked smiling.
" I think so... "
--- Syaoran's Apartment ---
Sakura rested her hands on the handrail of the balcony looking at the streets. She was already dressed in brand new clothes, since Syaoran had done the favor of buying them. He had chosen a pinkish shirt that matched with denims. She sighed as she thought of her dream or better known as nightmare. ' What do silver eyes have to do with my mother's death? ' she asked herself. She saw a black-and-white cat trail by. ' What about Saori? She must be still waiting for me! '
" Hey, we better get going... " she heard Syaoran say. She nodded as she took in a sigh.
" What's wrong? " he asked. " Don't you like what I chose for you? "
" Not at all... I loved it! It's something else though... Why did you end up in the couch? "
" Uhh... now is not the time. Come on. Let's go... "
She took yet another sigh. 'Why do I bother? ' And hurried as she heard the door close.
--- Hangout ---
" Until finally you two are here! We've got something important to show you... " Daisuke said as Sakura and Syaoran got inside.
" SAKURA! " A familiar voice called out. Sakura yelped in surprise as a girl jumped to her. It was none other than Saori.
" What is that brat doing here? " Syaoran asked. Saori stuck her tongue out at him, getting a glare back.
" Well, we found her in the streets. Apparently she was screaming out Sakura's name. We asked her what she knew about you and told us everything. When we tried to get a hold of you the police came, leaving us no choice but to bring her along with us " Eriol explained.
" Oh...I see. Thanks! " Sakura said smiling.
" Although there is one problem... " Tomoyo pointed inside. Sakura took a glance at the room and sweat dropped. Cats where everywhere. 'We will have to do something about them, I guess... '
" Anyway, you two better take a look at this... " Daisuke said handing Syaoran the newspaper. Sakura leaned behind him to get a better look.
THE BEST PARTY YET…
(BY FANG_FROLICS)
The greatest party is yet to come when 60-year-old hostess, Kazue Yunokawa, owner of Yunokawa INC., organizes one in the splendid ballroom that she owns in her mansion. They've already sent thousands of invitations to those who are lucky. " There will be pretty much of the lot. We will hire a real live classical orchestra. We will do everything to bring back old traditions of ballroom dances. It is expected that young adults attend so they can cherish the valuable ways of living that we had" The hostess replied.
It's anticipated, in this formal dance, to bring back culture to the adolescents that today hang out in clubs at night. It will also be estimated for them to dress their best, (men in tuxedos and women in proper dresses). A press conference will be also held at that same time, for the best jewelry company will reveal it's secrets and new ideas to come. The party will begin at eight and end at midnight on this day. Please bring your invitations with you since security will be on the lookout for thieves and whatnot. Kazue hopes that those who attend have a great time.
" And what does this have to do with anything? " Syaoran asked.
" Look at the picture... " Daisuke ordered.
An elderly woman smiled at the camera. She was wearing a beautiful dress that even shimmered when the picture was black and white. She had jewelry everywhere: her wrists, her hair, her fingers, and her neck... Something was absolutely weird about her neck. There were many necklaces hanging from it. One ornament caught Sakura's attention: It was made of pearls, which all lead down to an object. Sakura squinted her eyes as she tried to detail it. She gasped as she saw that it was the vesper.
" Darn it " Syaoran muttered. " How are we ever going to get it? "
" Don't worry about that... " Tomoyo said smiling, " My mom is invited and got extra invitations... "
" And what about the part where we have to dress our best? " Sakura asked knowing that those types of dresses cost a fortune.
" Don't worry, I have tons of costumes I did when I was younger... Five tuxedos and six dresses to be precise. If they don't fit you... I can make some arrangements "
" Tomoyo you are the best! " Eriol said kissing her left cheek, getting a blush from her.
" Then it's settled! " Daisuke grinned.
--- Six o'clock, Tomoyo's house ---
Everyone, including Saori and her cats, gathered at Tomoyo's house to try out for the 'tuxedos' and 'formal dresses'. Syaoran despised tuxedos, it reminded him of his home. How much he hated it back there: having to be proper at all times, training 24/7, having everything already done... He certainly detested that life, that's why he had run away: never to live again in that misery, and here he was... wearing a 'penguin suit'. He addressed them with that term because men actually looked like penguins when wearing them. 'They only have to walk that way to complete the transformation' he thought.
He waited in the garden and sat in a bench away from all the conversation. He stared idly at the sunset that was now creating a shadow of orange among the garden. He took a sigh as he breathed in peace. How much he loved it... ' When this hunt ends... I'll have no one to look after, no one to save, and no one to smile to... But I'll be ok. All of my life I have been alone, why should this be a problem? '
" Syaoran! There you are! Everyone is waiting for you! " He heard that delicate voice he sometimes longed for. He turned his view toward it and gaped in marvel.
Sakura came walking toward him with such grace he never knew she had. Her hair was made into a tight bun, leaving strands of hair fall down in the right places. She was wearing a long strapless black dress that adjusted right to her body. Cherry blossoms where imprinted on the bottom. It just looked so perfect on her: the way it accentuated all of her curves, the way it emphasized her emerald eyes making them pale. She wore little makeup on her face: a light shadow on the eyes, pink lip-gloss, and some blush. She had a one true smile on her face. ' An angel without wings ' he thought.
" So are you ready? " she asked looking at him. He looked liked a true gentleman, which could fool any young girl of his true identity. She noticed that his hair was still messed up.
" In this penguin suit? I guess so... " he mumbled sarcastically making Sakura giggle. " What?! " he asked feeling annoyed.
" Nothing... " She beamed. " Come on... it won't be that bad... You look handsome " she assured.
He scoffed as he got up. "Whatever"
" About time Syaoran! " Meilin said. She had a long wine-red dress that glittered on all the places. Her hair was straightened and loose. He just shrugged.
" Everyone ready? " Tomoyo asked. She was wearing a long purple spaghetti strap dress. Her hair was also loose saving the little curls formed at the end of it. They all nodded.
" Okay, here is the plan..." Daisuke started saying, " Kazue here is the pawn. We have to make a big act to steal the vesper. It's not going to be pretty and easy since lots of security guards will be keeping watch. That's where we will create a diversion to distract each and one single of them..." He said what to do and when to do it. Everything was so complex that one simple error could spoil it all.
" Ladies, here are your guns " Daisuke said handing them in a holster.
" Umm... Where do I place it? " Sakura asked making the others sweat drop.
" Inside your dress, on your leg " Tomoyo whispered. She did as was told and adjusted it. ' This is so uncomfortable, and I don't even know how to handle a gun... I'll never get used to this ' she glumly thought.
" You all know what to do... so I wish you the very best of luck " Daisuke finally said.
--- ? ----
" A party... " The husky voice started saying. " and the cherry blossom is going to be there? How convenient. I can't wait to meet her "
" Are you saying that we are going? " another voice asked.
" I'm just dying to dance with her, that body..." The person looked at pictures of Sakura, caressing them. " But him... that Syaoran Li will have to die. I'll make sure I kill him with my own two hands. And once all seven vespers are within my grasp, the world will fall into chaos... " An evil smile curled on the person's lips.
--- Yunokawa Residence ---
Sakura stared astonished at the humongous mansion ahead. She never had seen anything so immense in her life. They got closer until they saw the main entrance. Black and white limousines arrived dropping out people of almost all ages: raging from young adults to the elderly. All of them were dressed in a sophisticatedly manner: the women and young ladies wore at least two gems, meaning that they were rich. They got out of Tomoyo´s limousine to enter with sheer delight into the mansion.
Everything shined and glimmered making the eyes hurt: the marble floors, the golden and silver furniture, the ceilings, and the white walls. Not a spot of dirt lying around. They got through the entrance and went to the ballroom. Nothing could let Sakura take her eyes off. The ballroom was at least seven times her room's size. About a hundred chandeliers hung in the air brightening the place. There was like a little stage at the end, where the mini orchestra played their melodies. Many people had already arrived, some waltzing to the classical music, others eating by the buffet, and others simply chatting while enjoying their stay.
" This is fantastic " Sakura said never ceasing to be amazed. Syaoran dully shrugged.
" Whatever " he mumbled already wanting to go.
" Okay the 'duchess' comes out in about thirty minutes, so until then have fun! " Meilin said while dragging Daisuke to the buffet.
" Okay, see you guys " Tomoyo and Eriol, holding hands, went to chat with some of their friends.
' And here we go... I'm stuck with him, again. ' she gloomily thought, though she admitted that yesterday had been quite different being with him. She started giggling as she couldn't help but notice that all of the people where staring blankly at Syaoran. He hadn't taken his earring off which made him stand out of place, although girls still drooled and had hearts in their eyes when they saw him.
" Just what I need... " He grunted.
" Oh come on... Don't be cynical. Let's dance! " she said. He shook his head. Sakura sighed.
" May I dance with you? " she heard a familiar voice. She turned around to find Ryu.
" Ryu, you were invited here? " Sakura asked surprised.
" Yes, I'm astounded that we got to meet again. Want to dance? " he asked again. Sakura looked at him doubtfully but then nodded smiling. They both took off, leaving Syaoran alone, Sakura taking glances back at him, trying to ask if it was okay. He nodded as he leaned against a wall crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Sakura and Ryu started waltzing along the lively music. Both of them were smiling. ' How I wish that Syaoran would be this way... ' she began thinking, and soon she forgot what she was doing.
" Sakura, are you there? " she heard him ask.
" Yeah... Is Naomi here? " she asked trying to hide her thoughts away.
" No, she was feeling rather sick " he answered frowning.
" Oh, I hope she gets better soon " she said.
" Yes, I can't bear to watch my sister in a wheelchair..."
They both stopped as the music ended. A new tune began, and it was kind of slow. When they were about to continue, someone interrupted them.
" May I take this dance? " Sakura nodded as Ryu smiled, kissed her hand and went away.
Sakura looked up into the person's eyes as he gradually took position: one hand on her back and Sakura's hand gently in his. Sakura placed hers on his shoulder and took a deep breath as he drew her closer to him: their bodies were inches from touching... And so they started dancing rhythmically to the slow and serene melody. All she did was follow him as he made her go in circles like a merry go round. They both kept in silence not daring to speak a word. Sakura looked into his deep amber eyes while he stared into her emeralds. She had never felt this way dancing, and he was so good at it that all her thoughts vanished into thin air as they continued. She actually felt herself floating in midair.
(You probably guessed who he is right? ^.~)
" Why the change of mind? " she suddenly asked.
" I couldn't stand seeing you dance with that guy... " he answered.
" You were jealous? " she teased grinning.
" Ye- no! I have a weird feeling about him..." he said turning his gaze to where Ryu stood, watching them dance.
" Right... "
They continued dancing in silence. After a while Sakura started teasing again.
" You WERE jealous "
" Why would I be?! " he asked.
" I don't know... I guess that because..."
" Because? "
She thought for while before answering and they stopped.
" Look, just because I don't have a rea-" she started arguing but before anymore could go out, he stopped her, cupping her chin with his hand, making her cheeks reddish.
" I'll tell you why ... " he whispered giving Sakura a shudder. He lifted her chin up as he bent down to meet her face to face. Even though she had high heels, he still surpassed her. Her eyes widened as she realized what was happening, but eventually closed them as she fell into a profound dream. ' Is this really happening? ' She felt his hot breath close. Her lips parted as he touched them with his own, pulling her into a deep and burning kiss. The music slowly died away.
" Attention to all who are present here in this party that Ms. Yunokawa invited us to. So, we are proud to introduce you to the hostess herself! "
Applauses came roaring from the infinite ballroom. Sakura and Syaoran pulled away from their kiss, as they knew that their plan was about to take action. In the stage appeared the same elderly woman that Sakura had seen on the newspaper waving at the crowd. Kazue wore the most elegant and arranged dress in the whole party: with gemstones here, flowers there, ribbons everywhere... It dazzled the audience as it glimmered with the touch of light. Sakura spotted the vesper shining ever so brightly from the necklace Kazue wore.
" Come on... " Syaoran pulled her into the crowd, closer to the stage. They saw Tomoyo and Eriol at the other end. 'So far so good...' Sakura thought getting nervous.
" I see that this party has been a great success! I observe lots of young souls out there enjoying, and I would like to say... " Kazue started her speech. All they needed was the signal to distract the young guards, who were at least in their mid 20's. They were now moving down on the stage: in front, behind, and beside her.
Sakura took in a sigh as she recalled what happened to her minutes ago. ' He kissed me?! ' she couldn't believe it. The thought haunted her mind, never letting go... until she felt that someone was staring at her. She slowly turned to its direction, hoping that it was only her mind playing tricks on her, but it wasn't. A person with a hat was peeking from a window nearby. Sakura couldn't fully detail him/her as he/she suddenly disappeared, knowing that Sakura had taken notice. She turned back to Syaoran shivering.
Kazue still continued on her endless talking, " ...that is why I chose this night to be special. I too have a daughter who has two adolescents, and know..."
A sudden gunshot pierced everyone's ears as it echoed through the room.
" Is that the signal? " Tomoyo asked confused.
" I don't know...I don't think so..." Eriol tried to answer, also in the same state as her.
" MURDER! " A sudden maid frantically entered the room running. Everyone gasped as she continued. Another gunshot was heard, and the maid fell into the ground, spilling the floor with blood. Screams started filling the room. Everyone started panicking as if a nuclear bomb was going to drop and explode. They scrambled in all directions, desperate on finding ways to exit. Kazue gasped as the guards were now on the stage, forming a shield around her, guiding her to the back. Syaoran cursed as he saw that the men after the vesper were starting to come out, and also that they couldn't get their valuable item.
" Where the heck are Meilin and Daisuke? " he suddenly asked. Anger was rising in his voice. His answer soon came as he heard a laughing he recognized. Meilin was having the time of her life. Her dress was torn from the bottom to let her legs move freely, and she was holding two guns shooting at the men.
" This is so much fun! " she said making Syaoran sweat drop, while he took out his gun. Tomoyo and Eriol soon arrived to meet them.
" Look, all of you have to distract them as Sakura and I go after the vesper " he ordered. They all nodded.
" Since when did you call her like that? " Meilin asked making his cheeks slightly blush.
" None of your business " he coldly answered as he grabbed Sakura's hand shoving her unexpectedly; they soon vanished through the back.
" He really likes her... " Meilin said it in a singing tune as Tomoyo and the others smiled.
Syaoran and Sakura followed, at the back of the stage, the trail Kazue had taken. They went trough an underground hallway until they reached the kitchen, where chefs, cooks, and maids lay unconscious on the floor. They went past them to find stairs. They soon climbed and continued running. Sakura couldn't believe that she could actually move with a long dress and high heel shoes. But she soon realized that Syaoran was actually dragging her through the air. They finally spotted the guards, who were standing in front of a door. How could they enter? Sakura got an idea and whispered it to Syaoran. He nodded.
Sakura suddenly came walking as though she was a fashion model. Her hair was loose from the entire running, slightly bouncing as she walked. All the guards immediately turned their view to her as she continued going, blowing a kiss to them. They all looked at her with puzzlement. She winked and just when she was passing them, she let a fake ring she wore fall down.
" Oops... My bad, " she said in a sweet voice, bending down to pick it up, getting what she wanted, a distraction: they leaned to get a better view of her butt. Soon they were all knocked out by Syaoran.
" Very naughty aren't they? " she asked giggling.
They opened the door to find that Kazue was not there.
---Author's Comment:----
I'm sorry that I had to end it this way, but if I continued it would have taken me more time since the chapter is kind of long. And believe me, the other part WILL be full of action... ^^ I'll try to write as fast as I can... See ya!