Eyes of Mist
Card Captor Sakura
Chapter Twenty One
*starjade*
The Stranger
Syaoran gaped at the girl. he couldn't believe it.
This couldn't be happening! She was...she was....
" T-Tomoyo?" He stuttered, his eyes wide.
Tomoyo had froze at the sight of him and now her eyes were rapidly filling with tears. " Oh Syaoran!!" She cried and ran towards him, hugging him hard. " You fool! You damned bastard!!" She swore, banging his chest with her fist, crying hard. " Why the hell did you leave?"
Syaoran was having a hard time trying to understand this. He was expected an auburn haired girl of his dreams to walk through that door. Why was...why did Tomoyo come through it? What did that mean?
" You didn't...you didn't marry Eriol...did you?" Syaoran choked out, his eyes confused.
Tomoyo hit him hard. " When you left, did you know what happened to her? DID YOU? You insensitive jerk!"
Syaoran's realised his jaw was open and he clamped it shut and whirled around to stare at Eriol, his head whirling with impossible thoughts. " Eriol!! I thought you got married to...to Sakura! What...what is this?"
Eriol shrugged, his eyes alight. " We almost did get married. But she was so sad, always crying, she never did talk to me. I asked her if she loved anyone else, and she told me yes. I asked her why she was marrying me then and she told me that the person she loved didn't love anyone else, or whatever she said. Something about some mysterious letter writer, or whatnot. So I cancelled the wedding."
Syaoran was staring at him. " What??"
" I cancelled the wedding. I told her to go after the one she loved. It hurt me a lot when I let her go, but I got over it She told me she couldn't go after the one she loved , so I tried helping her in finding new guys, trying to find a new guy to help her get over the other one. Tomoyo and I played matchmaker and ended up..."
" Matchmaking ourselves!" Tomoyo smiled, pointing at the newborn baby in the carriage.
Syaoran's heart was pounding on his chest. This was all a dream. A dream he would wake up from, sweating and shaking. Usually, his dreams involved Sakura, though.
Syaoran choked out, " That's...that's not Sakura's baby. Sakura never got married. She never got married. Oh god.."
Tomoyo said softly, " We tried to contact you so many times. No matter what, you had hidden yourself and we couldn't find you anywhere."
Syaoran had to sit down. He ran a hand through his hair and groaned, banging the table with his fist. Eriol suddenly gasped. " Your the one!! Your the one she loves!! Your that mysterious letter writing guy!! You...you love her!"
Syaoran raised his head and stared incredulously at Tomoyo. " You never told him?"
" I should be asking you the same thing!" Tomoyo shot back. " Besides, you asked me to keep it a secret. So I did!"
Eriol stared at Tomoyo. " You never told me?"
Tomoyo huffed. " At least you can be sure that I'll never tell anyone your secrets!"
There was silence after that and then Eriol stormed over to Syaoran and punched him straight in the jaw. Syaoran yelped in shock and Tomoyo cried out.
" You loved her the whole time I was getting married to her!! Didn't you??"
Syaoran nodded slowly, massaging his jaw. " Yes."
" And you didn't say nothing!" Eriol shouted.
" Yes."
" Sakura didn't even know that you loved her!"
" Yes."
" YOU DAMNED FOOL! Why didn't you tell me?" Eriol cried.
Syaoran rubbed his jaw. " You....it looked like you were in love with Sakura."
Eriol stared as Syaoran continued, " I wasn't about to take that away from you. You're my best friend."
Eriol looked away from him and stared at the wall. " God."
" Yah."
Eriol suddenly grabbed Syaoran by his coat and hauled him off his chair. He stared directly into Syaoran's eyes and said menacingly, " You are going to Japan. You will go to Sakura's house. You will apologize and ask her to marry you. RIGHT NOW!"
Eriol dragged a surprised Syaoran to the door and shoved him out of the shop. " AND DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU DO!" Eriol yelled out into the street as Syaoran stared at him in shock.
Closing the door behind him, Eriol was met by Tomoyo's raised eyebrows. " You really know how to solve a guy's love problems, don't you."
Eriol smiled. " Oh yah."
*********
Sakura giggled as she swung a girl around as fast as she could. The girl was laughing loudly, her high pitched laughter echoing in the room. Children clamoured around her and Sakura had to call over one of her assistants as she cried out, " I have to leave now, boys and girls."
The room whined and Sakura said, " I'll be back tomorrow! See you later!" She blew kisses and grabbed her bag as she walked out of the daycare centre.
She stopped one of the workers and whispered, " Has my brother come by yet?"
The worker shook her head and Sakura smiled at her. " Alright. I'm taking off now, okay?"
" See you later, Sakura," the worker grinned and went back to the daycare. Sakura walked out of the building, breathing in the fresh air, feeling a sense of serenity fall over her body. She hiked her bag over her shoulder and started on her way back home.
Her brother had gotten married and already had his own family. He lived near them, so he could check on their father regularly. Her father had gotten a bit sick lately and he had been hospitalized twice already. She was quite worried. She had started a job at the daycare centre while she attended university. It was a nice place to work and it helped that she loved children.
She knew that she was healing. Slowly, she was healing. She was young and immature a year and a half ago. She had believed that this mysterious letter writer was her soul mate. It was quite funny how dangerous that was. She knew deep in her heart, that she still believed that this letter writer was her soul mate, but she didn't let it control her life.
She had almost gotten married to Eriol. She would've gotten married to Eriol, too, if she had lied about loving another. But she couldn't lie about that, not to her future husband. Eriol and her had gotten close as friends and she had told him straight out. Now he was married to Tomoyo.
It was funny how that worked out. They had tried getting her on so many dates, but at the end of each one, Sakura would politely turn them down.
She wasn't ready for a relationship. Not yet. She thought, maybe never.
She missed Syaoran horribly. It was a strange relationship they had. Such an attraction, she had never felt before. She yearned for him, in the middle of the darkest nights, and wished that wherever he was, he'd be thinking of her too.
It was too much of a far stretch though. Syaoran had probably gotten on with his life, like Eriol and Tomoyo had. Sakura was left behind. Always left behind.
Sakura made her way into the house and hugged her father , who was reading the newspaper.
" Hello, father!" she said happily. " Do you need anything? Tea?"
Her father shook his head. " I just had some. Touya and his wife were over."
Sakura grinned. " That's good."
" How was your day at work?" Fujitaka asked, as Sakura began to set out the ingredients for dinner.
Sakura shrugged. " It was fun. This really cute girl I think is quite precocious. She gives me advice and once told me that I can't give up the love of my life. It was really funny, for a four year old to look that serious and to say such a thing."
Fujitaka's eyes grew serious but he nodded. " Seems to me that she's wise beyond her years."
Sakura smiled and chopped the vegetables quickly. The doorbell rang and Sakura dropped the knife, hurrying to the door.
" It's probably Touya. He forgot to pick me up today!" Sakura told Fujitaka and opened the door.
Her eyes widened. It was a mailman, a small golden envelope in his hand.
" Letter for Kinomoto, Sakura."
Sakura looked at the envelope, awed. " That's me...I guess."
The mailman handed her the envelope and tipped his hat as he walked away. Sakura slowly closed the door, her eyes on the envelope. In elegant writing, her name was etched across the middle of the envelope.
" What is it?" Her father asked, interested.
Sakura ripped open the flap and pulled out a card. It was elegantly made, out of a soft material. She opened it and it was an invitation to a ball.
" It's an invitation....to a huge ball! It's hosted by one of those large families...but how would they know me? Why would they invite me?"
Fujitaka shrugged, his eyes curious. " I have no idea."
Sakura stared at the card and then shook her head. " This is absolutely useless. It's probably just some prank or something. Or maybe it got delivered to the wrong person. Maybe there's someone else by the name of Sakura Kinomoto."
Fujitaka laughed. " I don't think so, honey. Why don't you go?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. " If I did go, do you think I'd be quite happy, among rich strangers?"
Fujitaka stared at her with knowing eyes. " You might meet somebody-"
" Stop it, father!" Sakura cried. " I don't want to meet anyone! Why can't you understand?? I don't want to meet anyone at all!"
" Sakura-" Fujitaka broke in.
" I won't go!" Sakura said firmly, throwing the card to floor. " Those rich people can have their own parties. It's not like they'll miss me."
She stormed away, opening the doors to the backyard and falling onto the swing. The swing always calmed her down, probably because one of the only memories she had of her mother was about the swing. She was only three and her mother was pushing her on the swing, an expression of love and joy in her eyes.
Sakura felt that familiar flash of amber eyes through her vision. She sighed and got up. It was no use. She would never forget him.
It was quite funny. After Syaoran had left, Sakura realised she loved him. Little Wolf, she would never forget, such a person remained deeply graven in her soul. Yet Syaoran had claimed her heart and she knew she would never get it back.
Wondering if Syaoran had gotten married and already with children, she walked over to the fountain of water beside the swing. Swishing her fingers back and forth over the cool water, she sung to herself softly.
Tears fall
drops of pain
tearing through
yearning
wanting
needing
its all I can do
to stop myself
from stopping you
as you leave
and I turn away
you won't see
how these
tears fall
drops of pain
tearing through
yearning
wanting
needing
you.
Suddenly, an image appeared in the water. It was a face, chestnut bangs falling softly into intense amber eyes. Sakura's breathing hitched and her eyes widened.
" Syaoran..." she breathed as she reached out with her fingers towards the image in the water. Her fingers barely grazed the water's surface before it disappeared like it was never there.
Sakura sighed. This had to stop! Syaoran was gone, Little Wolf was gone, everybody was gone!! She had to move on! Sakura thought of the card, lying on the floor.
And that was a good way to start.
***********************
" And you are going because..." Touya trailed off.
Sakura combed her hair, hopelessly trying to get the short locks into some sort of a style. Finally, she just let it go free and glared at her brother.
" Because I am moving on with my life. I might meet someone there, and maybe then I'll forget-" Sakura stopped and then looked into the mirror, putting on the lip gloss again. Without Tomoyo, her make up was pathetically weak. All she was wearing was mascara and lip gloss. Tomoyo had the skill of making make-up look natural. Sakura had the skill of making make-up look like...paint.
Sakura brushed off the casual dress. It was black and simple. She knew she'd look cheap besides the richly elegant people at the party. It was the best dress she had, besides her engagement one. And that she would never wear.
" I'm ready!" Sakura said flouncing down the stairs as Touya followed her sullenly.
" I don't think this party is a great idea," Touya started with Fujitaka but Fujitaka gave him a look.
" She'll go, Touya. And you will drive her," Fujitaka said and his tone was final.
" Little Kaijuu," Touya muttered as he grabbed his keys and walked outside.
Sakura stomped his foot and cried, " I am NOT a kaijuu!!"
Touya winced with pain. " That was with heels!!" He cried.
" Get used to it!" Sakura said, giggling.
As they drove up and the houses became bigger and huger, and more fancier, Sakura began to doubt her rash decision to go. What if the card was fake? What if this was all a mistake? What if-
" We're here..." Touya said in a rather strange voice. Sakura looked up and gasped. It was in a huge mansion, baloneys and pools and limousines. It was too grand for her. All she wanted right now was to turn back and drive straight home, to the small little house that she had lived in all her life.
" T-Touya, maybe we should-" Sakura started, her voice wobbling. Then she took a deep breath. " Thanks for driving me, Touya. I'll call you when I want you to pick me up."
Touya gave her a look and shook his head. " Maybe I should come with you-"
" Touya, I can do this!" Sakura said, firmly. " I'm a grown woman. I'm not a child anymore."
" Alright, alright!" Touya held his hands up in defeat. " Go on, grown woman. Have fun!"
As he drove off, Sakura could feel that icy hand grip her heart again, but she breathed slowly. You can do this, Sakura repeated to herself as she walked up to the doorman. You can do this.
Squeezing her eyes tight at the door, expecting to be rejected, the doorman said in a jolly voice, " You're Kinomoto, Sakura, right?"
Sakura peeked an eye open. " Y-yes...."
" Let me escort you in!" he said, smiling at her. He held out an arm and Sakura stared at it, wonder what to do. Carefully, she laid her arm on his and he grinned as they walked in. As they did, Sakura could feel her self confidence lowering and lowering, as woman, decked out in expensive jewels and dresses passed her by, and she could feel the scornful glances and whispers.
Really, why had she come again??
As the doorman opened the doors to the ballroom, Sakura gasped. Never had she seen anything so rich! It was absolutely beautiful! A full orchestra playing as beautiful couples swirled on a large ballroom floor, tables covered in the finest cloth and chandeliers twinkling in the light. Grand staircases surrounded the room and Sakura had never felt so out of it in her life.
" Sit right here," The doorman said, leading her to a table. It was a smaller one, at the front, for only two people. Sakura settled into the chair and watched the couples swing gracefully around the floor.
It was rich and grand...but most of all, it was boring!
Sakura sighed. Yes, this was the way to change her life!! Suddenly, Sakura realised something. All of the couples were wearing masks.
This was a masquerade ball and she didn't even know???
No wonder everyone was giving her such looks. Sakura groaned and got up. She'd just call Touya and-
" May I have a dance, my lady?"
Sakura halted. Sakura turned and there was a man, holding a gloved hand out to her, a black mask on his face.
Sakura shook her head. " No, I'm not feeling well and I was just going to leave-"
" Please, my lady? Just one dance!"
Something about his voice struck a cord deep within her. It was somewhat familiar and Sakura scrunched her eyes up, trying to remember. Finally, she laied her hand in his palm.
" Alright. One dance!" Sakura smiled at him and he tugged her hand gently, leading her to the dance floor. He held her hand tightly and put the other one around her waist, swaying her gently around the floor. Sakura could feel herself calming down, as the orchestra played a lilting music that seeped through her skin and into her heart.
" I wonder who invited me..." She mumbled, as the man twirled her.
" What was that?" The man asked, his voice amused.
" Nothing," Sakura smiled at him. The music changed and Sakura found that she didn't want to leave. She kept on dancing with him as the dances changed and it went faster and faster. Sakura was laughing as the man twirled her and even once picked her up, swinging her around. Sakura held her hands above her head, enjoying the feel of being lifted in the air as the man slowly let her down.
That was when she noticed that they were close...too close for comfort. Her whole body was pressed against his and his hands were tightly wound around her waist and his lips..
Sakura wrenched away. God, no. No, no, no! Her heart beating fast against her chest, she whispered, " I'm sorry," And ran off the floor. He called after her, but she ran faster and faster, pushing away the ladies and running out the doors.
A beautiful garden was set outside and she breathed hard. She was the most fickle person on earth. Just a year and a half- and she was attracted to a masked man. Sakura collapsed on the bench and watched the water trickle from the fountain.
" Hello?"
Sakura turned around and the masked man was there.
" H-Hey," Sakura answered and turned back around. " I'd really like to be alone right now, if that's alright"
The man sighed and sat beside her. She felt his whole presence next to her and felt a faint urge to lean towards him, have his arms wrap around her-
" Can't you tell me what's wrong?" The masked man asked. " You can trust me."
" I don't know you!" Sakura said, coldly. " Just leave me alone, okay?"
She got up and started to walk away from him.
" I love this girl."
Sakura halted. The masked man was still talking. " When I first saw her, I was attracted to her...yet I didn't admit it to myself. I found her annoying, too cheerful, too happy, too giggly. I disliked her greatly, yet I was still attracted to her. Then she got engaged."
Sakura was still as the man took a deep breath. " She was getting married and I couldn't do anything about it. So I left. And now I've come back, searching for her, hoping that she might....she might love me. The way I love her."
Sakura turned around and stared at him. " Why are you telling me this?"
The masked man looked at her. " You seemed like someone I could trust. What better then to spill all your deepest secrets to a stranger?"
Sakura breathed in and out. " Well, then, I hope you find her and be happy for the rest of your life."
She twisted on her heel and started to walk away.
" Sakura."
Sakura froze. That...that voice.
" H-How do you know my name?" Sakura choked out, turning around, her eyes wide.
The masked man smiled and pulled out something from behind his back.
It was a teddy bear.
And around it was the tag, Little Wolf.
Slowly, the masked man pulled off his mask.
" God no," Sakura breathed out, her heart beating fast.
" Syaoran?"
a/n: HAHA! Story is ALMOST DONE!! Last chapter! Wat wat...wat wat....wat wat...
Remember this is not the ending. This could all be a dream...lol! I'm not that cruel!! Or am I....lol! Haahahhahaha!
ReViEw!
*starjade*