A.N.: Hey minna! I love your reviews! Thank you so much! I'm just going to explain some things first. In this story all of them are 15 years old and is about to enter their last year in junior high okay? I know I said they were 16 last time but I changed it. Hehe Just wanted to inform you that I have a very complicated plot in this story and I swear it would be better after a few chapters. Please give me a chance I really worked hard for this and to tell you the truth you might not feel interested at first in this story but I promise you to give you satisfaction as time goes on. I'm still a growing author anyway hehehe so please be nice and read on and don't forget to review! Onegai!
The Remains of a Dream By~ li-yingfa1
Chapter 1: Fading Memories . . .
'Do you think flowers are beautiful because they don't last forever? Just like the happiness we felt that will soon be over'
~*~
Dress in black and white. Running angered waves splashes through tanned skin acquiring the salty essence of the ocean. Whispering thousand cries under the full-grown moon. The heavy breath of air pulls down any souls.
'Do you remember who you really are? How you used to be in this world? Could you ever look at me now, at this time? Don't you know I still love you? The way you gaze your eyes on her . . . would I be worthy of it too? Even just this time we are in right now. I wanted to be the one in your arms. I truly believe that someday you would come to me, I know for sure it's going to be you and me . . .'
Casting a little more shove the woman spoke again. Fingers greatly enclosed never showing what her palms are made of. She took a long, long stare towards the tanned man, his amber eyes loses it's own fierceness like she was absorbing every single detail.
'--For eternity . . . I'll surrender my dreams to you. . . for eternity. . .I'll do anything even to put you away to whom you have loved for thousand of years already.'
He found his own existence, standing at one of the pit of a twelve-pointed star gleaming in enrapture. His eyes roamed around to have a peak on the other eleven people standing at other tip of the empowering star. His vision was tainted with red, bleeding from his own doing. He watches the scene like in a movie as his sight turned to bloody red.
Sword was buried onto the now unconscious body of the woman standing at the middle of the said star that was imprinted on the floor.
'There are things I could do. Your unchanging love with the cherry blossom would only bring destruction. Don't you remember hundred years ago, you and her bring chaos here on earth? Even your parents did the same, but all of it went in vain. Why couldn't you just accept that it's me and you all along? Remember, if you want everything to turn out right, you'll have to sacrifice your own selfish needs . . .Because "you" yourself we'll be the one to end her precious life'
Grazing around a dark, dark aura emerges from everywhere. The blood, whose blood was this? His knuckle loosens its grip on whatever he was holding into. It pained him to see this very tragic incident that was his own deed.
'Another t-thousand years wouldn't be that long . . . I—we just have to wait for a li-little longer . . . we could end this someday for sure.' Her voice sounded like the crashing reverberation of waves on the ocean shore. Her smooth breathing was beginning to go away. And all he could do was weep, weep for the outlandish choices of fate. Something he hadn't done in reality.
A solitary crimson tear
Falls down beyond the sea
The resonance of a lingering star
Weeps into the infinite void
So with all I could do
I'll send my prayers over the wings of time
There it flows back, the ship of dreams
I hope we wouldn't forget . . .
. . .What time has always repeated. . .
'My Xiang Ming. . .'
~*~
Heart pounded like drums rolling over a festival night. Breathing like there's no tomorrow. Amber eyes searches for light, accusing every little thing on the room. 'Xiang Ming' her words were kept hanging onto his head, repeating in slow motion. To where does this voices come from?
This night his dreams weren't the usual. It became so much vivid now than his other haunting dreams back in Hong Kong. He was sure something dreadful would happen. And it was starting now.
~*~
"CUT YOUR SALARY!? Are you crazy!? There's nothing left to your salary! You didn't forget that you have just broken one of the precious vases here! And Oh! Your payment for the rent too! Keep this in your rotten mind that you're not living and eating here for free! Now give me that doll or die starving! Hmph! It won't even reach the half of your money owed to us"
The old woman grabbed Emily from Umi's hand and pushed the poor girl harshly and fell hard on the floor. "You won't be eating this week, understand?" with that the old woman left the scanty girl. "Oni-chan. . ." A dark aura envelops her once again, but she shook her head violently and it diminished.
~*~
Warmth of sunshine descended its palms to wake up the sweating sleeping lady to escape her from the same old horrible dream. Her hands reached for the clock and it shown 6:00 am. She's quite early this time however it isn't school days yet and there's nothing to do.
'I hope we wouldn't forget,
What time has always repeated . . . Akina.'
She blinked and looks out the glass window. Her eyes pouring emotions telling herself that this might be the last time she'll be seeing this scene. Something is about to happen and it would be so hard from now on.
And there she goes thinking it will be just an ordinary day but little did she know she was about to fall the time she went out their door . . .
~*~
Syaoran was on the secluded part of the park, training with his sword. He was shirtless at that moment and was just wearing his black training pants. He looked exhausted but his amber eyes shows determination. But that's not all; you could see fear in those eyes. Might not suit him but those scene from that ominous dream just kept on blowing his mind. Whenever he'll try to close his eyes the image will go back, that dreadful thing he feared the most . . . And those things said in that dream, occupied his ears.
He was already there by 12 midnight and now was something around 6, training. Ever since that dream came to him in his sleep, he would train like he was going to a war. Its not that he didn't trained fully back then. Heck! Its like whole of his time was dedicated to his trainings but that dream makes him triple that! Its like he's mad, he's rest time would be used in reading old books by Clow Reed. Luckily Sakura just thought that Syaoran was a little worn out when they met because of the flight.
His movement halted for a while. Those words were playing into his mind. He remembered those mocking voice.
'Even blossom's wolf couldn't help.
He would even put her to her own end. .
--Remember this wolf you may get hold of what you are
dreaming to have . . . but you'll lose someone dearly . . .'
He didn't believed it and wouldn't too! There's no way he would hurt her right? There was no way… he would even put himself on the line of death to protect her. But then there was no assurance of what future would bring.
He came back to Japan for Sakura and he wouldn't let such crazy thoughts like that to separate them once again. He already spent four lonely years without being by her side. It would be stupid of him if he stays longer in Hong Kong when he had already gained the title of being the "Clan Leader" all he have to do now is to continue the harsh training and wait for the time when he turns 18 to be fully qualified for that position. And until then his Uncle of his would take over the position of his late father. Try to think of it his father's death wasn't known yet or rather his disappearance. Nobody knows about it except his mother, Yelan and the elders and of course his 'uncle' of his.
"You'll pay for what you have done hundred years ago. . .
If you really love her, then let her heart go
She isn't yours to keep
Your union would only cause destruction to mankind
Let's not do once again what time has always repeated--"
Syaoran slashes one leaf that has fallen down. He was breathing rapidly and his hair matted on his sweaty forehead. He tried to close his eyes once again to release the tension filling his body.
"Would you be that selfish? If you choose to distance yourself to the card mistress then she'll be much far away from destruction. All you have to do is to push away all your heart's desire. You may obtain her heart fully but then you will be the one to crush her with your own hands. Your sword will pierce directly to her heart. And--" he shook his head violently to push those voice. He wouldn't believe such ridicule. He is Syaoran Li and he does not believe that fate has complete control over people's lives! We make our own path and fate has nothing to do with it. Yes that's right, he's no believer of that saying that says everything is predetermined.
"Is that really the reason or you're being corrupted by your own selfish needs?" the voice mocked again. Syaoran let go of his sword and landed on his knees. He would admit that he was being selfish but for some reasons he just can't—can't let go of her--- But if her safety is concern—he just don't know what to do.
Then there comes his new dream, that he had just this evening. That woman's threatening voice. Why was his dreams keep on telling him about giving up Sakura? Was there really a new enemy for them? Are they really not meant to be? Yet there were no guarantees, life is no game you could restart after having done some wrong actions. He would just follow his heart and never let destiny interfere. It was a great perspective for him to follow, he just wish he would really be doing it.
~*~
It was already time for the sun to set and orange hues were painted across the sky. He washed his face by a wet towel and stared at his reflection on the mirror before him. Li Syaoran had really changed from a small schoolboy to a fine young man. His amber eyes were still intense matching his brown hair that has grown darker now and just as messy as before.
He heard the doorbell rang and hurriedly come up to the door to come face to face with Sakura. "Hey" she manages to say looking at the shirtless Syaoran. "Hm? What brings you here?" he inquires giving a blushing Sakura a look.
"Let's go inside first" he added and she didn't reply. "Sa-Sakura? Is everything okay? Hello?" he continued shaking her lithe figure gently. "Wha-what?" she uttered not looking straight to him. "I assume you're the one who has to say something." Syaoran raise a brow and put his arms cross. "What brings you here?" he asked once more.
"Oh! Umm. . . nothing really. I just want to see you that's all. I—I just thought that I was just dreaming about you being here again." She stated looking down at her feet fumbling with the ends of her shirt. "You came here just to say that?"
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, I think I'll go now that's all. Bye!" she turn around to leave but a hand stops her. "If that's true well I'm flattered." He smiled never letting go of her hand. "A-about yesterday. I'm –I'm so sorry for being to fast. I shouldn't have—I shouldn't have kissed you. Now you might think I'm taking advantage of your kindness." She blushed even more as the scene played back on her mind. "Not at all—actually it was my first" she whispered but he heard her.
"My first time too---and am hoping it wouldn't be my last" now Sakura's face were like tomatoes full grown. "I have to go now" Sakura reasoned as she ran away but not before leaving a last comment. "You do have a nice body Syaoran, but I never thought you'll show it to me."
"AAAHHH!!!" he grabbed the shirt on his sofa and ran outside to found Sakura waiting for him. "I thought you're gone already." He breathed. "It's okay Syaoran-kun at least I had a free viewing of your "well-toned" body." She giggled and looks straight at him now and sighed. "I just felt like seeing you for no reasons at all. Gomen." She said not averting her gaze to him. "Me too. Sakura" he smiled, those smile that was only meant for her and only her. "Ja ne Syao-kun!" she smiled and left.
Syaoran's eyes followed her retreating form. Why does it feel like she's saying goodbye to me forever?
"Sakura~!" he exclaimed reaching for her soft hands once more. She shivered by the contact and looked away. "I know there is something wrong. Tell me now please. What is it?" he looked pleadingly at her cowering figure. ""I—I can't--"
"Sakura! Tell me please!" he pleaded once more even knowing it is something he didn't want to hear. But everything has its own ways he has to face everything that is about to come. Hopefully it wouldn't be something that would tear him apart thoroughly.
"I want to break our engagement!" she screamed on his face so immediately and took him almost off-guard.
There was complete silence after the sudden outburst and the atmosphere was completely rough and it was beginning to make every breath slow down.
"Then go---" was all he could mutter, letting go of her hands. He didn't know what was going on inside he's unorganized thoughts nor was he going to understand it right now. She felt his old iron wall rising once again covering his heart. She could feel the same, but this was for the best . . . right?. . .
He looked again at her back as she ran away from him. So far away from him that it felt like he's own heart was being torn apart each second.
She just ran, ran away from all those foolish thoughts and go face her own end. She has to face this alone, and there she goes falling so easily under the evil's clutches.
He looked blankly at the black-pitch sky to see the north sky flicker twice. It was said that when the north star flicker twice something bad would happen. He shook his head mentally, it already happened right? She just officially stated he was out of her entire being.
~*~
Key that uses the power of stars
Appear before me in your true form
I, Sakura, the one with contract with you commands it
RELEASE!
Sakura swiftly take one card on her hand to protect herself but the enemy took her by surprise and there she was on the ground. Breathing but no energy to stand up to face whomever it maybe. Her eyes tried to peek but she only sees vague figures twirling around her.
She manages to see a man wearing black cloak and a woman that had just run away. She fought to regain her composure but the impact was too strong. Too strong for her to handle, she searches her mind for something to do however nothing simply came to her. She was slowly falling into some unknown place, falling into an endless pit of void. She was fading . . . fading away with the world she knew . . .
~*~
His senses were suddenly triggered by some strong aura lurking around a place nearby and a—existence—slowly diminishing . . . He frown and concentrate on that feeling. Was that feeling the same as in his dreams? No. . . it can't be.
But his senses were screaming to him that it did happened. He clenched his fist and makes a run towards his delicate flower hoping he would arrive just on time.
~*~
While everything else on her sight were dancing on the light. She felt a warm tingling sensation enveloping her. That man wearing a black cloak . . . who was he really? And why was she feeling that her whole existence was fading away each second. She felt a tug on her shoulder; the man in black cloak was standing before her while another man was holding her in his arms protectively.
That warmth she somehow sought for thousands of years. She looked at him with her unfocused emerald eyes, a deep amber colored eyes gazing down on her. No—this feeling felt wrong, those amber eyes—they were the same as--- the same as---someone, but No—there was something wrong with everything. She didn't understand anything; her heartaches more as she tries to push herself remember any detail about her subsistence.
~*~
'Sakura, where are you? Please Kami-sama, let her be all right--' An amber eyed man pleaded to whoever God that would listen to him. There he ran desperate to find his delicate cherry blossom hoping she was all right. Little did he know she was far from being all right for her fairy tale like story starts to fade away and soon will become as horrible as anyone could endure . . .
After all, nothing last forever. And it was about time a flower die. A time to let go of someone's heart and starts anew, to end all of their long awaited dreams and escape sufferings. And return to peaceful bliss . . . For they say life could be so much better after the storm. Souls just hope there would be a tomorrow still. And if they did manage to go there, I hope it's worth the wait.
~*~
Yatta! Finally get this chapter done1 mwahahaha! Sorry for the late update. A big thanks to all who review last time and hope you'll do review again this time! Nyahahaha! PLEASE! Tell me on your review if this is okay…. Please tell me what you think 'kay????? Mwah! That's it make a poor girl like me happy through your reviews! Ja ne! and before I forgot this story will be LONG and I say LOONG hehe the story might not be really a "click" to you so far but I promise it'll get better soon! I'm just starting anyway and its hard because I had a thick and complicated plot in this story but I hope you all will like it…. Hmmm maybe try reading my other stories too please?
ADDED INFO: this story was revised three times already FIRST the title was "I don't need my Memory to Love You" yeah it's long, but it was my first fic anyway and I suddenly felt like adding something more to the plot. And then it become VESTIGIAL DREAMS and then again I felt I don't really like how it sounds sooooo I changed it once more into "the Remains of a Dream" since my oh-so little addition to the plot went wild and I created a new entire plot which still contains some of my ideas before. But finally I think I won't change it anymore this one is FINAL! Mwahahahaha! So Read and review! Read my other stories too okay? Mwah! Ja ne! REVIEW! ONEGAI! PRESS THE CUTE LIL' BUTTON DOWN THERE
\/
\/
\/
\/
\/
\/
\/
\/
\/
\/