Hunting Emerald's Secret
Chapter 14: Consequences
--- Author's Comments: ---
Well I'm back again! First, I would like to tell you thanks to all those people who reviewed. I'm almost done with my story, I think that there will be about 4-6 more chapters and that's it.
Vespers gained: 6
Vespers remaining: 1
--- Out in the streets ---
Her lips began to tremble, her eyes began to water, her mind became lost in a void.
What was wrong with this picture? It was empty. She stared at the lot. There was no sight of any house; only the dirty brown mud that was forming from the rain. She rechecked the address. Yes, she was on the right place.
' What's going on?! '
Her legs, tired from being numb, made her fall down to her knees. She gazed without blinking and breathing. She didn't know what to do next; she was scared. Scared of the answer to the question in her mind.
Rain continued to pour as silence sorrounded her. She could only listen to the rhythm of the dripping drops. She closed her eyes and hugged herself when the coldness got to her body. Where could her family be? Had they moved away? She had no idea of where to find them. She was all alone, and she had nowhere to go...
She touched the ground with her bare hands for support. She had gotten weaker from all the running that she had done. She tilted her head down and found a piece of paper in the mud. It was all messy, but Sakura could clearly distinguish that it was some sort of envelope. She opened it to find a letter. She gasped as she realized that it was her letter. Yes, the very same one that she had sent when she couldn't return back.
Sakura's heart got hit with a thousand knives when she saw the rests of broken wood and stuff that belonged to them. She discovered that the ground was incredibly dark, which meant only one thing: there had been an explosion. With her heart squelched and broken, her eyes started glistening as stinging tears scorched her cheeks. Haunted by her surroundings she started to sob lightly, burying her head in her hands.
Faint footsteps suddenly were heard. She saw a tall figure stand still beside her. Sakura shivered and held her tears back. She looked up to Syaoran, and he looked down to her. As far as Sakura could see through the night and his soaked bangs, he had worry in his eyes. This was not good. She had never seen Syaoran that way. Even though his face was expressionless, his eyes didn't hide the feeling. Amber shined, even though it was dark. Did he actually care?
' Don't be idle Sakura, Syaoran would never do that...for me '
They kept motionless for a while, until Syaoran helped her stand up.
" Sakura, I've got to tell you something... " Syaoran whispered.
" Syaoran, what's happening? " Sakura's eyes locked into his own, searching for thruth. He sighed.
" S-Sakura, I-I..."
" You knew, didn't you?! " She raised her voice. A memory struck her like lightning.
' Syaoran WAS acting mysterious for the past few days. He even acted serious, which scared me to death. But I bet that he was hiding something, ever since the day that I learned his name. That day when he didn't let me return home. The very same day that I wrote that letter to my family. "
" WELL? TELL ME! IS IT TRUE?! "
Syaoran nodded looking at the ground.
Sakura scoffed and took a few steps back. " You know what? I HATE YOU! I had the chance to see them once again. JUST ONE MORE TIME! REMEMBER? That day when you told me I couldn't return back? "
" I-I only wanted to... " Syaoran muttered.
" TO WHAT, LI? TO MAKE MY HEART BREAK INTO PIECES?! "
Syoaran winced when he heard how she pronounced his last name and stopped.
" NOW... I'LL NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN! EVER..." She sniffed and continued, "... I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN AND I MEAN IT! "
She finished and turned around, facing her back on him. With her hands now in fists, she fumbled and doubted about what she had just said. Had she really meant that? ' He clearly has a cold heart. Why should I bother? He'll never change, and nothing will ever affect him. I bet that he isn't feeling anything right now! '
How terribly wrong was Sakura. Syaoran had a heart after all, even though he didn't admit it. He wondered why it hurt and ached as if it had been burned. He also mulled about why he was paralyzed and lost. ' Did she really mean that? ' Normally he would have already started an argue just like with Meilin, but something held him back. What was it?
Sakura sighed when she heard no response from him. ' He doesn't even want to argue with me. That only means that he doesn't care. I'm such a fool for believing and trusting him. I thought that he had changed, but he hasn't... ' When feelings for him dwindled into nothing, she decided to run. To be away from everything that would soon haunt her in her sleep. She had to leave.
Syaoran looked up to see her figure disappear in the darkness.
" I only did this to protect her..." he whispered to himself.
' Should I go after her? No. I-I can't. She hates me...' He winced hearing her over and over in his mind. ...
' I've got to get away. I've got to get away ' She repeated those same words in her mind while she ran to her unknown destination would take her. But she had nowhere to go, no place to hide. Before she knew it, her whole body started feeling numb. She didn't last much longer and fell to the ground.
Who knew that her getaway would end with just a faint?
--- Hangout ---
When Syaoran entered, he was surrounded by Tomoyo and Eriol who kept asking questions.
" Syaoran what the hell happened?! " Tomoyo said in a worried tone. She and Eriol had been informed about it when they had already finished their date.
" Yeah, where's Sakura? " Eriol asked.
Syaoran shrugged and slumped in the first chair he could find. He was soaking from head to toe, but he didn't mind; he was in deep thought. Tomoyo and Eriol eyed him curiously and stopped their ambush.
" Why is he acting that way? " Tomoyo whispered to Eriol.
" I don't know. It's quite weird " Eriol whispered back.
A few minutes later, Meilin and Daisuke arrived, tired from all the fighting. They explained everything to Tomoyo and Eriol and told them that they had gotten yet another vesper.
" You mean that it was a trap? " Tomoyo curiously asked.
Daisuke nodded. " What throws me is that they didn't use a phony vesper. They used a real one. That means that we have six. Now we have one more to go... "
They all stayed quiet for a while thinking about it. Meanwhile, Syaoran was doing a little meditation on his own. He wondered whether he had done the right or the wrong thing. On one hand, he could have told her since the beginning, but... ' ARGH! Why is it so difficult and complicated? ' On the other hand, what had just happened... ' GAH! Its a no win situation. In any way that I would have told her, or any time... she would had still gottten a broken heart ' He sighed and accepted the fact that no matter what, he couldn't change the past. He was stuck in the present and had to deal with it.
" Could it have been that the person who showed you the photo was, you know... the 'bad guy'? " Meilin asked.
" What are you all taking about? " Daisuke asked confused.
" We mean that we have discovered that a guy wearing a dark hat and clothes is the one controlling the men who have been chasing us... " Tomoyo stated.
They got to the conclusion that it had been the same person. When they finished their discussion, Daisuke and Meilin noticed that Sakura was nowhere to be found.
" Guys, where is Sakura? " Meilin asked, a little nervous.
" That's what we wanted to ask you. Syaoran doesn't know where she is. " Eriol said.
" Oh no " Meilin and Daisuke said in unison.
" We've got to search for her! Who knows what really happened! " Tomoyo exclaimed. They all agreed nodding their heads and turned their view to Syaoran who was still thinking on his own.
" Syaoran, aren't you coming? " Meilin asked.
He shook his head, " No "
They all looked at him with confusion. ' Why would Syaoran be acting this way when she was missing? I thought that he had feelings for her, unless... ' Meilin thought.
" Look Syaoran, you have to come! It's Sakura were are talking about! She might be in danger, " Meilin insisted.
" DAMNIT, I SAID NO! " They all winced when they heard him yell.
" I'm not going back there, I've made up my mind."
Not going further, the rest of the gang went in search of Sakura.
" We have to divide, that way we'll find her " Eriol said.
" Yeah, but we have to each go on our own, " Daisuke added. They all agreed.
Each one of them took their different places. You could hear their yells, calling for her, trying to find her in the cold night.
---- ? ----
" You brought her here!? What where you thinking?! "
" What do you mean? I thought that you had already told her... "
The words drifted along Sakura's mind when she started gaining consciousness. Why was one of those voices familiar? ' Where am I? What happened? ' She slowly opened her eyes and squinted when she saw light penetrating her eyes. She finally made contrast with the objects that sorrounded her.
She appeared to be in some sort of black sofa and wore her same clothes, which where actually still wet, and her hair was still messy. She sat and saw that she was in an office: infront of her was a desk loaded with papers and a black chair infront of it. Two large windows were in the back, showing that it was still night.
She continued searching the room and landed on a person. She started hesitating when she saw what the person wore: a black hat. ' Oh no. What do I do?! ' Her heart started beating faster and she stopped breathing. Should she scream? Should she run away through the door? But what if it was locked? Then what would she do? She had to take a chance.
She automatically sprinted from the sofa and ran toward the door. But the person was faster and stronger. The person caught Sakura and held her with all its might. Sakura wanted to scream her lungs out, but she couldn't, her mouth was being shut by the person's hand.
' What have I gotten myself into?! '
---- Hangout ---
Syaoran looked at the empty place with idle. Had he done the right thing? He still wondered. ' I can't stay like this forever, I guess that I have to move on... '
He stood up and opened the door, which led to the loud roaring of the club. He decided to sit at the bar while the people danced to the upbeat music. With depression sorrounding him, he took a drink and sat down. He sighed and stared deeply into the glass.
' But, what if I don't give up? What if I try again? Would she forgive me? Wait a sec, why am I thinking like this! Syaoran, you are cold and cruel. You don't develop feelings... for anyone '
While drinking, he felt a small tug. He looked down to find a black-haired, blue-eyed girl about his age in a wheelchair. They both stayed quiet for a while, eyeing each other.
" What?! " Syaoran barked.
The girl looked at him with suspicion, then she smiled. " Sorry for interrupting your deep thinking. I err... was just asking for help. You see, my brother left to do some business, and I need some help, since the wheel got broken"
Syaoran looked at the girl smiling in front of her. ' How can she be so perky in that condition? '
" Well, are you or are you not going to help a lady in distress? "
Syaoran shrugged, and stood up.
" Thanks, " the girl beamed.
" Whatever, " he mumbled.
Syaoran took the girl out of the club and into the parking lot. He sighed as he saw that it was still late in the night. He figured that it was around three in the morning and it had just stopped raining.
Trying to start conversation, he asked, " So, what are you doing in a club? "
" Not much, just having fun, I guess..."
" But-"
" I know what you are thinking. You think that I can't dance or move around easily. It's hard, but you get used to it. Hopefully, I won't be stuck in the same place. And yes, you are wondering why I'm perky in this condition. Well, the answer is clear, that is who I am, and that is how I want to spend the rest of my life: enjoying every bit that life has to bring."
" Lucky you, you don't know how it feels to be hated by... " Syoaran mumbled but stopped when the girl laughed.
" What?! " he asked annoyed.
" You are in love, aren't you? " The girl stated.
Syaoran blushed, but then frowned.
" Oh. I see what you mean. Well, let's change subject. My brother is working on a building near the mall. You know Yunokawa Inc.? "
" Yep " Syaoran answered remembering Kazue.
" Well, if you get me to the mall, then I can walk-er...go to where he is... "
Syaoran nodded. ' Why am I helping her?! ' He reached for his car, grabbed the girl in his arms and placed her on the front seat. He then easily placed the wheelchair in the back.
He started driving to her destination: the mall.
" How did you end up in a wheelchair? " Syaoran curiously asked.
" You are not so friendly are you? " The girl asked.
Syaoran shook his head and she laughed.
" I thought so... from your appearance, I mean. Anyway, I ended up like this from a car crash... "
They stayed quiet, and Syaoran felt a tingling sensation that told him something wasn't right. He couldn't place his finger on it, but he felt that someone was in danger. 'But who? ' He wondered. ' Could it be, Sakura? "
He shook off the feeling and decided to focus on driving the girl to the mall.
' She doesn't need me anymore... '
---- Back to Sakura ----
Sakura's eyes widened when she was held by the person. ' Syaoran, I need you! Anyone, HELP! ' But she knew that Syaoran wasn't going to save her, not from this one.
" Don't scream, yell or run. I won't hurt you. I'll let you go. Will you stay still? " The voice whispered.
Sakura nodded and finally breathed again when she was let go. She turned back to the person. ' What is he going to do with me? Will he kill me? '
" Don't be scared, I won't do anything to you."
' Yeah right ' Sakura sarcastically thought on the inside. She was scared to death. She was with the person that sent her chills down her spine.
The guy chuckled, " Is it the hat? " he asked. Sakura didn't answer. " People have told me that it gives the wrong impression of the person who is beneath it "
Sakura didn't respond.
" I'll take it away "
The guy did as he said and Sakura gasped in shock. The guy, who appeared to be in starting his 30's, wore a normal suit in brownish shades of color. He seemed to have black and silver eyes. ( A weird combination ^^;) He seemed friendly, at least that's what Sakura thought.
" Oh, sorry for not introducing myself... My name is Eisen "
Sakura relaxed a bit and said, " My name is Sakura "
" Yes, I know... " Eisen replied.
' Huh? How could he possibly know my name? '
" You must be wondering about it," Eisen smirked, " You see, I'm a dectective, and I'm on your family's case. Please take a seat, and we'll talk about it. "
--- Back to Syaoran ---
" So, what does your brother work for in Yunokawa Inc? " Syaoran asked.
" Well, to tell you the truth, I don't really know. Weird huh?"
Syaoran shrugged.
" I bet you have an interesting life, why don't you tell me about it? "
' About my search for vespers? NO WAY! I can't tell her that they even exist. "
" Nothing out of the ordinary, " Syaoran lied.The girl giggled.
" Now what?! "
" Nothing. Do you have a gilfriend? "
Syaoran blushed red, making the girl giggle even more. " NO! "
" Seems reasonable, with that attitude... But, I think that you at least like one girl. I'm sure of it."
' Yeah, and now she has made it clear for me to stop ' Syaoran sadly thought. Was he even feeling sad? It was all too mysterious to him.
--- Back to Sakura ---
" They were intentionally killed? " Sakura asked.
" Yes. But the reason is a little confusing. You see, I'm supposed to find out who was the one who did it, why, etc... " Einsen replied.
" I see, but why are you doing it? "
" Well, that is a long story, but I'm going to make it brief. I used to know your mother, alot. Our mothers were like sisters and they made us be friends. I didn't mind though, Nadesiko was the friendliest girl I had ever seen. The years passed and we grew apart. Then I suddenly find out that she died. "
Sakura remembered that day, and nodded sadly. Eisen continued.
" Anyway, years later I find a file saying that you were missing, and suspiciously enough your family was killed the very same day you had disappeared..."
' Then I was right, my last chance of seeing them was that day. Why Syaoran, why did you do it? "
" Eisen, do you know how they died? " Sakura asked holding her tears. He nodded.
" An explosion of some sort. They say that their bodies didn't appear. But that's not the point. What I want you to do is to tell me where you have been since the past few days. "
Sakura's eyes widened. ' Should I tell him about the vespers? About how I ended up in Tomoyo's house? '
" Um... well, I was staying at a friend's house " Sakura started lying.
" Oh. You mean that you were hiding? "
" Well, yes... "
" And why didn't you contact your parents? "
" Because, I-I... ummm... "
' What do I say now?! ARGH! I'm not good at lying! '
" You are lying, aren't you? " he asked.
" N-Yes... " Sakura admitted, defeated. Eisen chuckled.
" You are hiding a secret aren't you? " Seeing Sakura doubting whether to tell him or not the answer he asked, " Well, just to clear things... Where you kidnapped? "
" Well, you could say so... " Sakura saw him write everything down.
" How did he/she or they treat you? "
" Good enough, the problem was that they didn't want me to leave..."
" Why?"
' Good question...' Sakura thought wondering why hadn't she done the same to them, but then she remmembered.
" Because they thought that I could tell that secret "
" I see, wait until he hears this..."
" Wait a sec, weren't you with another person when I started to wake up? "
" What do you mean? " Eisen asked raising his eyebrow.
" Was there another person here? "
Eisen shook his head, " No. Why do you ask?"
" I kept hearing voices..."
" Must be your imagination "
' Maybe, but I was certain that someone else was here '
He cleared his throat and said, " Well, anyway, I'll let you go. But be careful, ok? "
Sakura nodded, " Thanks, I'll take a taxi back hom- err... to where I'm staying... "
Sakura left the building and did as she said. Her next destination would be the mall.
--- Back to the Gang ---
" Any luck? " Meilin asked to Tomoyo and Eriol. They shook their heads.
" How about you? " Tomoyo asked. Meilin gave the same answer.
" Where is Daisuke? " Eriol asked.
" He went to search for her. He said that he wouldn't give up "
" Meilin, I'm scared. What if she got kidnapped? " Tomoyo suggested.
" Don't say that, I'm sure that she is out there " Eriol whispered to her.
They all nodded and sat on a bench of the parking lot defeated. What could they do? They were already tired, and it was about four in the morning.
--- Back to Syaoran (same mall) ---
" Well, we are here " He said as he placed the girl again on the wheelchair.
" Thank you! " the girl chirped.
" Whatever " He sighed. The girl smiled.
Just when they said good bye, a taxi pulled near them, and another girl came out. Syaoran stared expressionless at the girl infront of him, and the she did the same. Although they couldn't see each other in the night, Sakura could tell that he was sad and angry at the same time. She sighed and stayed still for a while. They didn't make a move.
" Sakura! "
" Sakura, there you are! I though you were dead! "
She was suddenly hugged to death by Meilin and Tomoyo who where actually crying.
" Guys, don't cry, I'm ok. See? " She stated. They laughed. They had missed her a lot.
" I was scared. Don't ever do that to us, again! " Meilin ordered her. She nodded smiling.
Syaoran decided to leave. He was actually glad to see Sakura back. He had missed her, just as much as the rest of them. But now, it was all different. The feeling was hidden deep inside his heart. When he took a few steps, he suddenly heard a scream that made him stop dead in his tracks. He turned around.
Everything turned into a slow-motion movie. He saw as Sakura was being held by the guy with the black hat. The actual bad guy. Meilin and Tomoyo were screaming. Eriol was ready to take his gun, but he got shot in the arm and dropped to the ground. Syaoran's instincts made him take out his own. He was ready to fire, but stops when he hears the hoarse voice.
" You'll kill her if you kill me "
He sees that the guy isn't kidding, when he points the gun to Sakura's head. Tears start coming out of her eyes as she closes them. His heart starts beating faster. ' Damnit, what do I do?! '
The guy laughs and then says, " Hey coward, if you want her alive, bring the six vespers to me. You have until tonight. If you are too late, she dies! "
His eyes widened. ' What do I do?! '
Sakura suddenly managed to yell, " Don't do it Syaoran! Let him kill me. I don't deserve to live, not now that I know that my family is dead! "
--- Author's Comment: ----
What's with me and cliffhangers? And it's kind of dramatic. I hate it, but had to do it. . And I had to stop, or it was going to be a MEGA HUGE chapter and it would take me a lot more time. Sorry for the spelling errors at the end, I was in a rush. ^^; Anyway, I hoped that you liked it, and I'm suggesting you to suspect everything from this story. All of the details are linked, even the smallest and slightest ones. I'll see you later. Ja ne!