Everlasting Dawn
Prologue
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Author's Notes: Alright, please hear me out before you decide to turn violent or scream at me. For the past four months, my internet has been cut off, which obviously resulted in me not being able to upload anything on fanfiction.net. Now that I'm back, I've decided to rename this story and rewrite it. I've revised to make it fit into my liking. When I was rereading the old version to see where I left off, I realized that I had a lot of holes in the story. I'm not saying that I don't have problems in it now, but I do have a good idea of how I want this story to go at the moment. Before, I originally planned to only make this story about 10 chapters long, but now I'm thinking of expanding it to 18 chapters along with longer chapters (18 chapters NOT including the prologue and epilogue... 20 chapters TOTAL). That's my goal for now. Lets hope I'm able to maintain it. So... if you still have a problem to pick with me, feel free to e-mail me and tell me what's bugging you. Please don't be rude about it though, even though I know why you would probably be upset. I just don't want to deal with someone who won't be willing to listen to me first before flaming and shouting at me. Thank you.
Disclaimer: *blows raspberries* -.-;;
* * *
From under the cherry blossom tree, near the crack of dawn, a boy silently laid there, still and sorrowful. For the longest time now, the boy did not know what to do. Although he was only five, he knew his way around very well, especially the streets, for he had been on them ever since he was born.
He had a decent family in his mind, even if they weren't exactly decently financially stable. His mother was very loving, but he found his sisters to be very annoying. And so not for the first time, he had run away from them once again, wanting a little quiet time to himself. Which was unusual for a child his age.
As the sun slowly peeked up from the horizon, the boy's eyes slowly fluttered open. He looked around for a brief moment, and then slowly sat back up against the trunk of the tree. For the next few minutes, he sat there silently, just staring blankly into the radiant light.
The sudden vibration of his stomach caused him to frown deeply. He did not want to leave the park, let alone his tree, just to go back home to get something to eat. His frown only deepened more as his stomach growled once again.
"Stupid stomach."
He sighed. Looking down at his rusty clothes, the boy stood up, brushing off all the dust that was on him. After completing that task, he yawned, and then stretched.
A noise from the other side of the park suddenly caught his attention. Squinting his eyes, he saw a small figure—a girl, to be literal. She seemed to be skipping towards his way, happy as can be. Instantly, his face scrunched up into a scowl, and he turned away, sitting back down next to his tree.
Slowly, the girl, who had short auburn hair and bright emerald eyes, came to a stop when she spotted someone under the tree. She quickly rushed over, eager to meet the person.
"Hi! I'm Zakura!"
Emotionless to her cheerful greeting, he didn't even bother to look up. His only response was crossing his arms across his chest. She decided to try again.
"I said hi!" she said tenaciously, adding a bit of a pout in her voice. "Why aren't you talking to me?"
"Go away," he mumbled, irritated by her presence. "Leave me alone."
"What's your name?" she asked, completely disregarding what he had just said. "I told already you my name, it's—"
"Zakura. I know that already. Now GO AWAY!"
Upset by the fact that he got her name wrong, the girl made a face. "It's not Zakura, it's SAKURA!" she said persistently as she sat down next to him. "So what's your name?"
"My name," he replied rather rudely, "is Syaoran. Now can you go away?"
Smiling widely, Sakura shook her head. "Nope. It's my birthday today, and my dad told me not to let anyone get me down, not even my big brother, who always calls me monster." She turned to look at Touya, who was heading her way, still slow and tired as a turtle. "I wanted to see the sunrise today, so my brother woke up early to bring me here... he says you can see the sun best here. But he's still half-asleep and very, very slow..."
"So? I don't care."
Her smile did not falter against his harsh words. "I know."
Finally, silence seemed to overtake everything that was around them. Syaoran quietly shifted uncomfortably as Sakura just sat there, at ease and content with just watching the sun.
"So," Syaoran spoke in an uneasy tone of voice, "When are you leaving?"
Instead of answering him, Sakura quickly replied with the same question. "When are you leaving?"
Annoyed, Syaoran glared at her. "You can't ask a question after someone asks you a question without answering it first."
"Yes I can."
"No you can't."
"Yes I can."
"No you can't."
"I just did before," Sakura said proudly.
Syaoran opened his mouth to argue back, but nothing came out, until finally, "Shut up."
"Wah, that's mean, Syaoran."
"Do you think I care?" he asked rudely.
"You should."
"Well, I don't."
Sighing, Sakura decided to give up. There was no use in arguing any longer. He always had something rude to say, one way or another. And Touya, who was now almost fully awake, finally caught up to her.
"Monster, you shouldn't be this wide awake at this time in the morning... eh? And who is this?" Touya asked as he stared down at the chestnut-haired boy.
"This is Syaoran. Syaoran, this is Touya, my big brother."
Being the rude boy he was, Syaoran did not say anything, which resulted the same in Touya. Sakura stared awkwardly at the both of them, waiting for something to be said... something... anything...
"Come on, lets go now, monster."
Frowning, Sakura stood up, shaking her head. "But we just got here!" she argued, quickly sitting back down next to Syaoran. "I wanna stay for a little while longer. Please?" After a moment of silent pleading, Touya eventually gave in, and walked over to a nearby bench, away from them both.
"I don't like your brother," Syoaran admitted shamelessly.
"Eh?" She stared at him. "Do you like me?"
Caught off guard, Syaoran honestly did not know how to answer the question.
"It's okay, you don't have to answer," she said quietly, smiling at him.
And in the instant, for some odd and unknown reason, Syaoran had an immediate liking towards her.
* * *
[Five years later—age 10]
"Ah, hey Nadeshiko. Is Syaoran here?" Yelan asked as she stepped into the Kinomoto house, glancing around to see if her son was there. "He didn't come home after school today, so I figured he'd probably be here."
"Yeah, he is. He's up in Sakura's room if you want to check."
"Okay."
As both mothers slowly climbed up the stairs, they listened in carefully for voices, but heard nothing. Curious as to what the two were doing, Nadeshiko slowly opened the door to Sakura's room, and was surprised to find them both asleep. They were both on their backs sleeping closely with the same book in each one of their hands. Nadeshiko smiled when she saw that Sakura had her head laid on Syaoran's shoulder.
"They're asleep," Yelan whispered.
Nadeshiko's smile grew a bit bigger. "I know. Come on, lets go downstairs and have some tea."
* * *
[Two years later—age 12]
"ACK!" Sakura cried as she jumped out of her bed, once again realizing a bit too late what time it was. "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! AGAIN! I have got to stop doing this!" she nagged herself as she ran into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she was running downstairs with her teeth brushed, her hair combed, and her school uniform on. "Argh! Syaoran's going to scold me about being late again!"
"What are you doing up this early? Can't you tell time?" Touya asked as he ate his breakfast, grinning from ear to ear. Sakura stopped in her steps, and looked at him, puzzled. He let out a laugh. "April Fools, and happy birthday, monster."
She shook her head at him. Turning the other way, she quickly grabbed a piece of toast and shoved it into her mouth. "Haha," she said through her toast, "You're so lame, Touya. But thanks!"
Touya stood up from his seat and walked over to her. He grabbed her hand and opened it up, placing a small wrapped package in it. "Hope you like it. Now off to school you go."
She smiled widely and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. "Thanks, I'm sure I'll like it! Bye!" And with that, she was finally out the door.
* * *
Syaoran stared at his watch dully as he waited for her to arrive. Man, that girl, he thought faintly, Always late in the morning. When will she ever change? He smiled a bit. Actually, forget I asked that. I hope she never changes.
"I'm here! I'm here! I'm late, but I'm finally here!"
Syaoran looked up, his eyes brightening up a bit. He turned around and reached into his bag, pulling out a small box, and then hiding it behind his back.
"I'm sorry! I overslept..."
"...again." The class finished off for her.
She bowed her head in embarrassment and apologized. "Sorry."
"Glad you finally decided to join us though," Syoaran teased, smirking at her. "I thought you weren't going to come today."
"Syaoran," she whined, "I hear your lectures everyday! I said I was sorry!"
He walked up to her with his hands still behind his back. "It's getting old, Sakura," he stated coldly. She looked away and he took a step closer to her. "But for today, I'll save you the lecture. I'm giving you double tomorrow though."
"Okay, okay," she sighed.
He grinned, and gave her the box that he hid behind his back. "Here," he said, "Happy birthday, Sakura."
Her eyes glowed, and she gave him a delighted smile before opening it. "What..." At first, she sort of just pulled herself away from it, not quite believing what was in front of her. "How... did you... gosh..." She could hear the class' gasps and whispers. She looked up and locked her eyes sternly onto Syaoran's. "I can't take this."
"Why?"
"Because... this... this isn't for me. You can't give me this. I can't accept it. It's too... valuable. This is like... for someone you really love."
Syaoran stared at her with his usual emotionless face. "I really don't care what you say, Sakura. You're going to take and keep it whether you like it or not."
"Syaoran..."
"Quiet," he said gruffly as he took the necklace from her hands, and then turning her around. He brushed her hair off to the side and placed the necklace on around her neck for her. "You have no choice but to take it now."
"Thank you, Syaoran..." she said quietly, "Thank you so much..." She turned back around, and stepped into his chest, hugging him tightly. And in return, he hugged her back, giving her a light kiss on her forehead before releasing her.
"You're welcome."
* * *
[Two years later—age 14]
"Syaoran! Syaoran! Syaoran!"
"What, what, what?"
"Guess what? I got an A in Math! Can you believe it? I got an A... IN MATH!" she squealed happily as she gave him a hug. "Thank you very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very—" she stopped to take a breath.
"I get it," Syaoran said irritably, "What would you do without me?"
"I don't even want to think about it," she mumbled, "I'd be lost."
And he smiled.
* * *
[One year later—age 15]
"Hey, Eriol, have you seen Sakura anywhere?"
Turning around to look at his distraught friend, Eriol raised an eyebrow, wondering what had happened to make his friend worry so much. He had never seen him like this. Come to think of it, Syaoran was never affected by anything... unless it concerned a certain auburn-haired girl with emerald eyes.
"I didn't see her after school, and the last time I saw her, during fifth period, she wasn't talking to me at all. I can't find her anywhere. Do you know where she is? Have you seen her?"
"Actually, I just passed her. I saw her at the park, under the cherry blossom tree. She looked like she needed to be alone. I think it has to do with what Ryuu told her during fourth period today. I think he asked another girl to Homecoming, and cancelled on her."
"He what?!" Syaoran shouted, "He cancelled on her?! At the last moment?! Homecoming's TONIGHT! Sakura's been looking forward to it ever since last month. I'll go give that bastard a piece of my mind."
"I don't think that's going to solve anything. I suggest you go comfort her instead."
Syaoran sighed angrily. "I was going to do that anyway." He turned around, heading towards the park. "Thanks, Eriol. I'll see ya later tonight."
* * *
When he reached the park, he sighed, and very slowly approached her, not wanting to frighten or upset her anymore than she already was.
"Hey, Sakura..." he said softly, "Is anything wrong?"
She instantly shook her head, looking up at him. "It's nothing, Syaoran, really. You know how I get upset so easily over the dumbest things. This is just another one to add to the list. Don't worry about it."
"You lie," he replied dimly, "I know what happened. That bastard deserves to go to hell for what he did." He sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist for comfort. "You know, I'll go with you if you want."
She looked at him, startled. "But I thought you said that you weren't going to go no matter what ha—"
"I wasn't," he interrupted before she could finish her sentence, "But this is your first Homecoming dance, and you have been looking forward to it ever since last month. Heh, I guess it wouldn't kill me to just go with you this one time."
She shook her head again. "You don't need to, I could just not go at all and we can do something else if you want."
Syaoran placed a kiss on her forehead. "That's alright," he said as he stood up, dragging her up with him as well. "Come on, lets go home. The dance is in about five hours... and you need to get ready."
"Yeah... thanks, Syaoran."
"No problem."
* * *
[One year later—age 16]
Upon entering Syaoran's room, Sakura immediately jumped onto his bed, successful in waking him up. "Sweet sixteen!" she shouted, "Syaoran is turning sweet sixteen!"
"Sakura," he growled as he got out of bed, "It's SIX o'clock on a SATURDAY morning! What the hell do you want from me?!" He stood up, and grabbed his shirt, quickly placing it on.
She got out of his bed as well, and stood in front of him, hugging him tightly. "What're we doing today?" she asked as she brushed his hair out of his eyes.
"Nothing," he answered impassively, "Why? What did you have in mind?"
She looked at him, shrugging her shoulders. "I was hoping you had something in mind. I mean, after all, it is your birthday. Think of something, at least."
Tiny little noises could be heard from downstairs as Syaoran and Sakura continued to squabble. They both decided to ignore it, thinking nothing of it.
"Okay. Lets just stay here."
"What? But that's boring!"
"So?"
"Syaoran!" Sakura cried, "You're not supposed to be bored on your birthday, you dork!"
A sudden and loud scream echoed throughout the house as well as the noise of a shotgun. Sakura and Syaoran's head shot immediately towards the door, and they both quickly ran downstairs. As they walked through the living room, they knew that something was out of place. The door had been opened, and several items were missing. When they both reached the kitchen, what they saw in there was the biggest shock of their lives. Immediately, Syaoran broke down, and Sakura soon followed.
A robbery... and a murder... Sakura thought fearfully, What... what's going to happen now? Syaoran... She looked over at him.
"Mom...?" he whispered quietly as he shook her.
Stunned, Sakura could do nothing but stare at the puddle of blood surrounding Syaoran's mother, not realizing before that it was there. She quickly stood up, heading out to the living room.
"Where are you going?" Syaoran's cold voice stopped her dead in her steps.
"I-I'm going to call the police..."
"No, just go home. I'll take care of this."
"But—"
"Sakura, I'm not joking with you. Go home. It'll be safer there. I'll take care of this." He stared at her lifelessly, but his voice was stern and hard.
Not wanting to bother him any longer, she nodded sadly. "Okay, but make sure you call me if you need anything, alright?" She grabbed his hand and held it for a few seconds before releasing it and leaving. "I love you."
He nodded dully, and turned around, heading back into the kitchen.
* * *
That night, Sakura had received the most heart-breaking news ever: Syaoran was gone.
* * *
Author's Notes: Just in case any of you are confused about the relationship that Sakura and Syaoran have, they are not a couple. They're just really close best friends, as you can tell. ^_^* It'll develop into something more later on... much later on. I've changed the story quite a lot... at least, I think did. I'll be getting the later chapters out as soon as I finish revising them. I'm working a bit everyday, so I'm sure I'll be getting somewhere soon. Thanks for keeping up with me. ^_^
