Chapter 3 The Ordeal Ahead
Shaoran just sat there.
He was quite astonished at Sakura's demeanor.
He had seen her shed tears only hours before over the shock of not remembering anything.
He didn't expect her to act like this right away.
As a matter of fact, he didn't expect much from her.
The fact remained that she was his charge.
He shouldn't get personal about it.
But he was interrupted with his thoughts when Sakura said, "It's a wonderful day outside. I don't know how long I was out but it looks like you've been here all that time. I'll understand if you'll want to leave."
Shaoran looked up at her.
Sakura was smiling at him.
Shaoran didn't smile back.
"You won't get rid of me that easily." He said.
"That's not what I mean. You just seem to be tired of being here." Sakura replied.
"I am but duty comes first."
"Well then, if that's what you want…may I know your name at least?"
"I would have told you to call me Li but since we have to pretend that we're related, call me Shaoran."
Sakura just smiled again.
"Well, Shaoran, I want to thank you for being here with me."
"It's not like I have a choice. Like I said, duty comes first. This is just one of my missions. That's basically it. Don't get carried away with your thoughts." Shaoran said.
"I'm sorry. If I did something or said something to offend you, I apologize." Sakura said.
Shaoran didn't say anything.
Sakura just looked out the window again.
Outside…
Touya had heard everything.
He clenched his fist with frustration.
"Please pardon my son, Touya. He is really like that." Yelan suddenly said, sensing the young man's anger.
"Good afternoon, Li-san. I'm sorry if I may feel like this about your son." Touya replied.
"Don't worry about it, young one. This case is special. I am his mother and I have a feeling that this may change him."
"What do you mean, Li-san?"
"Sai is such an innocent and sweet girl. She also has her fresh beauty. My son is so serious especially with his missions. She may be able to influence him to be like her. As a mother, I want my son to enjoy life. Shaoran must learn that there is more to life than his missions and Sai is the perfect person to show him that." Yelan explained.
"Well, it is partially my fault that he turned out like that. When his father died, I allowed him to take so much responsibility for the family at such a young age. I didn't allow him to enjoy his youth. I didn't think that I would take away his freedom. But there is no use worrying about that now. There are more important things to thing about." She added.
"Li-san, I trust you with her. Please take care of her for me and our father." Touya just said.
Yelan reassured him.
"Shall we go in? I'm sure one way or another, Sai is waiting for you." Yelan said as they entered the room.
"How do you feel, Sai-chan?" Touya asked.
Sakura just smiled.
"I'm better, thank you. Um, you don't have to worry about telling me what I have. I overheard your conversation earlier. It's alright...I understand."
"Well then, let me assure you that there is more than fifty percent chance that you will be able to regain your full memory if you're this sharp." Touya commented.
Sakura then looked at Touya again.
There was a sign of familiarity.
"Doctor, if I may…I feel that I know you from some where before. I just don't remember."
Touya just felt a little overjoyed that Sakura had remembered him, one way or the other.
But he knew that he must not say something about it.
He then said, "What do you mean, Sai-chan?"
"Never mind. No matter how I try, I can't explain it right now." Sakura replied.
"You don't have to force yourself, my dear. We could take it one step at a time." Yelan said.
Sakura just smiled.
"In time you will remember, Sai-chan." Touya reassured.
"Why do you persist calling me Sai when it pains you so?" Sakura suddenly said.
They were taken aback.
"I know Sakura is my real name because you kept calling me that last time. I don't know why you must protect me but it maybe something great. I also don't understand why it pains you so much." Sakura explained.
"Young one, some questions are better left unanswered right now. But it's good to know that you are following the right path." Yelan replied.
Sakura smiled and nodded.
"What else do you remember, Sai-chan?" Touya asked.
"Um…nothing other than what happened today. I do remember something else though…it feels like a dream but I don't know."
"When did you start feeling it?" Touya asked.
"I'd rather not talk about it right now. I'm sorry." Sakura said.
"That's alright. Well, then. I've finished checking on you. We'll just have to keep you here for a couple of days just to make sure. Once everything is certain, you could go home." Touya said.
Sakura just forced a smile.
She was frightened and Touya knew that.
"Why don't you rest now while I talk with your mother?" Touya said as he left the room followed by Yelan.
It was getting dark so Shaoran opened the lights.
Sakura just looked at the setting sun outside the window.
"Shaoran, may I ask you something?"
"If you must..."
"Shaoran...have you...ever wondered why things happen the way they do?"
Shaoran didn't answer right away.
Sakura looked at him.
He met her eyes.
Shaoran didn't show any sign of emotion.
After a while, Sakura said, "You don't have to answer me if you don't want to. Just forget about it. It doesn't really matter much."
She then turned again to the window and peered to the quasi-dark beyond.
Shaoran didn't seem to mind what was happening.
He just remained silent.
He kept with his thoughts.
Sakura's thoughts on the other hand, drifted through her entire being.
She wondered what 'home' would look like.
She was curious of what and how everything would turn out.
But fear had enveloped her heart.
She felt so lost and helpless.
She didn't know how to act or if she would be doing the right thing.
But Sakura knew she had to face it.
It was some thing where she didn't have any options.
"I say this to you now, once we leave this hospital, you must not speak to anyone as Sakura but you must assume the identity of Li Sai, my sister." Shaoran suddenly said.
Sakura turned to him.
He was serious as ever.
"That I understand." Sakura said.
"Good. I don't want to stick my neck out for you more than I am now." Shaoran replied.
Sakura didn't say anything or mind what he had just said.
She figured he was being a brother to her.
Outside…
"Li-san, I'm her brother and I have learned to read her. What I've seen now is fear." Touya said.
"Touya, I am a mother. I see you as my son. I know fate has been cruel to you and to her. Rest assured that we will take good care of her. Shaoran may not look like it but he will make sure she is safe." Yelan answered.
She had calmed the young man in front of her.
She knew how hard it was for Touya to see Sakura like that but he couldn't do anything but become distant from her.
She had always admired the Kinomotos for being humble and kind despite their status.
But Yelan's respect grew more when this happened.
Touya and Fugitaka's love for Sakura was proven so great that they were willing to get out of her life just to keep her safe.
When they asked her family for help, she had noticed that there wasn't any sign of hesitation when they told her the plan.
She knew how hard it was for them to do so but still they chose it to happen.
(To be continued...)
So, again I ask you what you think about the story so far? I know that it is not much or out of the ordinary but I still want to know what you think. Please do send in your reviews so that I'll know whether to continue this or not. Thanks!
Michiko