Chapter 9 Nightmare of the Dream
Shaoran held the unconscious body of Sakura in his arms. He then laid her on her bed. He couldn't understand what had happened. They were just talking and she seemed fine. She was her usual bubbly self. Does it have anything to do with her memories again? Shaoran wasn't so certain. This had happened before but never that severe. He had sent word to Ye about what had happened.
Minutes later, Ye and Meiling were at the door. "What happened to her Xiao Lang?" Ye quickly asked as she sat at Sakura's side. "Beats me. She was fine but then this pain filled her. I don't know but then she lost consciousness." Shaoran explained. "I better tell Auntie about this." Meiling said as she stood and quickly headed to the door. But then she felt Shaoran grab her arm. She didn't understand why. She quickly turned to face him. Knowing what Meiling was about to say, Shaoran quickly said, "Don't...not yet. Sakura kept herself from screaming and telling mother might make other people down there suspicious. I don't think we could give our full trust to some of the people." "Meiling, Shaoran is right. But Shaoran we have to tell someone about this...this could be serious." Ye said. Shaoran just nodded.
"Then let's call her brother. He's a doctor and he could make appropriate measures." Shaoran suggested. "I'm on it." Meiling said. "Don't act worried to troubled when you approach him. Let not other people suspect anything." Ye called out as Meiling dashed out the door. "I hope that this works. I hope Sakura's all right." Ye commented under her breath. "Don't worry...she is..." Shaoran replied as he sat at his bed.
Silence enveloped the room. The two didn't seem to mind the silence, only watching out for Sakura. The girl just laid there peacefully as if only sleeping. Her two companions didn't know that at that very moment, images still continued to flash inside her mind. Memories that were once lost, came rolling back as if watching a movie.
Sakura's whole lifetime came racing back to her. She didn't know what triggered that. She knew that she should be happy that after all the time she wondered if she will indeed recover her memory...but fear also enveloped her. It was happening so fast. Sakura felt overwhelmed. There was this heavy feeling that felt so familiar. She knew she had felt that before but where she was yet to find out.
After a few minutes, Meiling had brought Touya in to check on Sakura. Upon hearing vague details from Meiling, Touya immediately became concerned. He was fearing a relapse. Seeing Sakura, he immediately asked what had happened. Shaoran told him all that had happened. Touya didn't say anything after. He just checked on her. After a few minutes of examining Sakura, he then said, "It seems that nothing is wrong with her. As you can see, she just appears to be sleeping. But it is not conclusive. We have no materials here so I can't say id she's really ok."
Upon finishing what he was saying, Sakura quickly woke up from what it seemed to be a nightmare. She was gapping. Sakura seemed to be out of breath. Was it from shock or something that she saw, Touya didn't know. He just hugged his sister and whispered that it was all right and that everything was fine. At first, Sakura didn't respond to what Touya was saying. It was as if she was in oblivion to what was being said to her.
After a while more, Sakura finally calmed down. She then returned the hug. Sakura buried her face in Touya's broad chest. Her breathing started to become calm. She then broke away from Touya slowly. Sakura refused to look at anybody in the eyes.
"Sai-chan..." Ye started as she sat beside her. Ye then placed an arm around Sakura's shoulder. "Are you alright, imouto-chan?" Touya then said comfortingly. Concern was written all over his face. Sakura always worried about him and that was the first time he showed it.
At first, Sakura said nothing as the others strained in waiting for her reply. As Touya was about to talk again, Sakura suddenly looked up at him and smiled. She then said in a soft voice, "What made you change so much, Onii-chan? Are you really verbalizing your concern or am I just dreaming again." It took a minute for all of them to process what she had just said. Touya then grinned in understanding.
"No. You're still dreaming." He then replied sarcastically. Sakura just looked at her elder brother and gestured, "Yeah right." "Welcome back, imouto-chan." Touya then added. Sakura just smiled. "You really, really have your memory, Sai-chan?" Ye said. Sakura turned to her and gave her a hug. She then said, "Yes...I have...but the night in my apartment is still a little fuzzy."
Sakura then broke off from her. "All I could remember about that night is after the incident...when two gentlemen came and brought me to the hospital. I could remember them telling me to hang in there and the other one telling the man who was driving to go faster. That's about it that night...I don't remember the attack or if I was conscious when we arrived at the hospital." She quickly added.
"What are we going to do now, Kinomoto? You said a person who had suffered a lot and develops amnesia wouldn't remember this fast or not at all. Something or someone must have triggered it." Shaoran quickly said. "He's right. When Sakura would remember stuff, it was never as violent as this. She would grow weak one minute, yes, but never like this." Meiling exclaimed. Touya started to think. "Yes...something or someone must have triggered this." Was all Touya could say.
Sakura said nothing as they tried to figure it all. She then stepped at the other side of the bed and walked towards the window. She still refused to say anything. Everyone looked at her. Sakura just closed her eyes and left herself drift back to that time. Still, nothing came to her. After moments, of trying hard and not getting anywhere, Sakura decided to go back about an hour before. She retraced what she did and what she saw. Then, THERE! The man...she knew that she's seen that face before. It was the trigger. Then, it came...all the details...all the pieces of the puzzle came into place.
With the sudden jolt, Sakura quickly opened her eyes and turned to them. "I know who it is." She said. "Know who?" Touya asked blankly. "The trigger...the man who attacked me...it's the same person!" Sakura replied frantically. "What!" They all chorused. "What? Who?" Shaoran asked as he stepped forward towards her.
"Shaoran, you know...the man...the man I was asking you about...Mr. Minamoto Sinji's assistant." Sakura quickly replied. Sakura was shaking, unconsciously. "Are you sure?" Touya asked. "I'm positive! I could never forget those eyes. His face maybe covered the whole time he attacked me but not his eyes. Besides, what he doesn't know is that I caught a glimpse of him when he left. I saw the side of his face when he removed the mask to avoid suspicion." Sakura answered firmly.
"Do you think he saw her?" Ye quickly asked. "But Shaoran brought her upstairs quickly and she never entered the room." Meiling answered. "Maybe but we can't take the chance. We don't know for sure." Shaoran commented. "You're right. I'll arrange everything. We'll have to get you out of here." Touya said.
"Onii-chan, what I want is to go home." Sakura finally answered. "But Sakura-"Touya started to say. But Sakura interrupted him, "Please...I'm tired of this...I'm tired of running away. I know what I'm asking but...please...I just want to go home. This won't end if I don't face it. This family's lives might be in danger because of me. I'm not going into hiding while their lives are at risk. I've seen how ruthless and determined they are. I know it won't be long before the truth is revealed."
"Then that's more reason why you have to get going." Ye answered. "Yeah Sakura. We can handle it. We weren't trained for nothing." Meiling commented. "But-"Sakura started but Shaoran interrupted her, "No buts, Sakura. If you have indeed recovered your memory, you should know that there is more at stake than our lives. You have to survive because you will take over when your grandfather retires." "I know how much you want this to end. But you have to trust us when we tell you that you have to go." Touya said. He then approached her and added, "If you say that everything will be revealed soon, then it won't be long before you can come home. It's just not now." Sakura said nothing more.
For months, Detectives Onagi and Shinori have been painstakingly working on the case. Finally, they were able to identify who the young lady really was and who wanted to have her killed. They also discovered that the man who did that to her had been dead since that night. They were really surprised since it would be a major case but it hadn't found itself on the news yet. Before acting on anything, they decided to have a little chat with Sakura's real brother, Touya.
It was Sunday morning when they decided to go and see him and his father at their home. They had called the hospital earlier and they had confirmed that it was his day off. They also called in the night before so that they won't miss him.
After leading them in, they started the meeting. Yukito was there just as Touya had asked him. Touya introduced him to the detectives. "Kinomoto-san, as we had told you last night...we had found something really important. But we cannot do anything without consulting the family first." Detective Shinori started. "What my partner is trying to say is that...we know that Ms. Ying Sai Li is a false name and that her real identity is Ms. Sakura Kinomoto." Detective Onagi explained. Touya seemed indifferent but inside he was troubled. He wondered if who wanted to kill Sakura had a connection with the police.
"If you have found out that much, then you must know the grave danger she is in as to why only a number of people know about this." Touya said. "Yes. We do. That's why we didn't tell our superiors yet about the outcome of this investigation." Detective Onagi replied. "That's another thing why we came here. Ms. Kinomoto is in terrible danger...we have also found out who wanted her dead. Mr. Minamoto Sinji. He has followers in the police department. This morning, we found our office in disarray. Someone has been looking at out files. This is the only case we are handling so we came here." Detective Shinori added.
Without another word, Touya grabbed the phone. Yukito knew what was going on his mind and quickly followed him to the car. "We're going to the Li's." Yukito told the detectives as he followed Touya. "We're coming too. We'll follow you in our car." Detective Shinori said. Yukito just nodded. Soon, they were on their way to the Li's.
"Come on, pick up...pick up. Damn it! No one's answering the phone. That never happens. Something is wrong. We better get their faster." Touya said as he threw his phone at the back seat. He then speeded faster. "Calm Touya. We won't be of any help if you get us dead. And if something did happen, won't it get worst if they found out that we're there? We better start thinking of something that won't put them at more risk than they already are." Yukito said.
"I know that...that's why were getting in the back way." Touya said. "The back way?" Yukito asked curiously. "Yeah the back way. Li showed it to me a few months back. It was a family secret so just in case something happened, it was the only way out or in undetected." Touya explained. "You think they got away?" "Unfortunately...no. They would have contacted any of us if they had and told us what happened." Touya said as he slowed the car down.
They then found themselves in a secluded area. It was just a piece of nature that seemed to lead to the forest. The detectives drove next to them and got out. At first, no one spoke. Touya busied himself in looking for the entrance to the tunnel that Shaoran had shown him before.
"What now? Where are we?" Detective Onagi asked as he scrutinized the surroundings they were led to. "We are going to help them." Yukito answered as Touya continued to look for the entrance. Just then, they heard a gun went off. Just as it happened, Touya found it. He quickly led the way as the others followed him.
Once they reached the other end of the tunnel, Touya suggested to split up and look for them. Without another word, they all separated. Touya was desperate in finding Sakura. He should have realized that they were the type who attacks immediately. He blamed himself for not avoiding this.
Touya knew that the Lis weren't that easy to defeat but he couldn't help but worry over Sakura. If anything else happened to her, he wouldn't know how to face his father and most especially his grandfather.
Earlier that day, Sakura had woken up extra early. It was still dark outside and she could see that everywhere she looked was still dark. Everything was still and quiet. She glanced at the other direction and saw that Shaoran still seemed as sleep. Careful not to make any sound, Sakura got up and fixed her bed. She then stood by the window and peaked outside.
Sakura couldn't help but smile. This had been her home for the last couple of months. It even felt that way. Even if she had recovered her memory, her feelings of the place didn't seem to change. Her gratitude towards everybody just grew...for everything they've done...they've given...they've sacrificed...they've taught. They welcomed her into their home as one of their family.
"How come you're up so early? Don't tell me that you had another nightmare." Shaoran suddenly said. Sakura just gave a short laugh and turned to him. "How long have you been awake?" She said then added sarcastically, "Don't tell me you had a nightmare." Shaoran just grinned. "You really are impossible. I can't believe I survived three months in the same room with you." He said as he just sat at his bed. "Funny. I was just about to say the same with you but you beat me to it." Sakura just replied. She then sat in front of him.
Sakura looked at him and smiled. She then said, "Now that I've got my memory, I don't remember anything that made you hate me so much. Remember at the hospital, I told you it would be an accomplishment learning why you despise me. Well regaining my memory is the accomplishment but I never quite got why you feel that way about me." Shaoran could remember that night at the hospital three months back He remembered her asking him if he didn't really like her.
"I don't hate you..." Shaoran said under his breath. It was barely audible but Sakura had heard it. She just smiled at first. At last, they were getting somewhere. "What? What did you say?" Sakura said. She approached slightly with a little motion of her body. Shaoran just backed up a little. If it wasn't dark, he was sure that she would have seen him blush. He surely felt his cheeks grow warm. No girl has ever had that effect on him before. "Nothing. Will you just back off?" Shaoran just said as he moved forward.
Sakura backed off and replied, "Come on, Shaoran. You and I, both, know that you said something, I just didn't hear it clearly." "Well, it's your loss not mine." Shaoran answered. "Fine. Let's drop it then. But we are friends, right? I mean, I trust you and you trust me-""Hey who said anything that I trust you?" Shaoran cut off. "Well, thank you. Thank you so much for your confidence. I can tell you that it's very much appreciated." Sakura replied sarcastically.
"Anytime." Shaoran answered with a grin. "You're not insulted, are you?" He then added, jokingly. "Me? Insulted? You wish." Sakura replied with a laugh. "Oh yeah. How silly of me...how can a stubborn girl like you be insulted with such a cheap remark?" "Stubborn? You're calling me stubborn? Shaoran, a piece of advice, look at yourself in the mirror and see who among us is stubborn."
Shaoran then stood and threw a pillow at Sakura. She just caught it and was about to throw it back when he threw another one. "Hey!" Sakura couldn't help but remark. "Just hold it for a minute. Can't you see I'm fixing my bed?" Shaoran replied. "I would if you didn't throw these pillows at me." Sakura answered as she held on to the pillows. "You know what, I liked you better when you still hadn't recovered your memory. You were so much less annoying than you are now." Shaoran commented. Sakura then threw the pillows back at him. Shaoran got them and continued what he was doing. "I'd take that as a compliment." Sakura answered.
"What has gotten into you?" Shaoran couldn't help but ask as he finally turned towards her. The sun had already risen and the morning rays filled the room. "What do you mean 'what has gotten into me?' What has gotten into you? You wouldn't even talk to me for this long. Don't think I haven't noticed." Sakura answered as she smiled at him. Shaoran just looked back at her for a while. Sakura just said nothing but continued to wait for his reply. Shaoran actually didn't find the right words to say.
Then came a knock on the door. Both turned to see who it was. It was Mei. "come on you two. Mom said breakfast is ready. Help me wake the others. Oh and (Mei said in Chinese) Xiao Lang, the elders wants to have a word with you." Sakura glanced at him before following Mei outside. She said nothing. Shaoran knew that she had understood. Still, he said nothing as he also left the room and went to meet with the elders.
As Mei and Sakura headed downstairs, Mei said, "So?" "So?" Sakura asked inquiringly. "So, did you have a fight with Shaoran again?" "Why would you say that?" "Nothing really. It just looked that way when I came in." "Oh we were just talking. The usual conversation...as usual, he refuses to answer some questions." "What did you ask him this time?" "The same thing he asked me..." "Which is?" "He asked me what had gotten into me?" Mei couldn't help but laugh. "What?" Sakura said. "What did you do?" "That's just it...nothing..." Sakura then told her everything that happened. Mei just listened, quite amused. When Sakura finished, Mei just laughed. They were entering the kitchen just then.
"Do you mind sharing what's amusing?" Yelan said. "That's also what I want to know, mama..." Sakura replied as Mei continued to laugh. "Good morning, mama." Sakura then said and kissed Yelan. "I hope you don't mind...I quite got used to calling you that." She then said. "My dear, I love you calling me mama." Yelan replied as she smiled at the young girl in front of her. Sakura just smiled back.
Yelan then addressed the two girls, "Please help me set the table." Without another word, the two girls started to set the table. As Sakura fetched the plates, Mei said in Chinese, "Mama, Xiao Lang sure has changed a lot." "Yes, my dear, he has." Yelan replied as they continued to work. "Mama, I think Xiao Lang has become personally attached to his charge." Mei commented. Sakura had already headed back with the plates. She had heard what Mei said.
Sakura didn't react or say anything. She just continued what she was doing and acted as if she was in oblivion to what they're talking about. Yelan glanced at Sakura and smiled. "Yes...I think so too. Ying Fa opened his heart. But we shall see the things yet to come." Yelan replied.
After breakfast, Shaoran tugged Sakura aside and told her that there was something he needed to show her. Shaoran led the way as Sakura followed. "Shaoran, where are we going anyway?" Sakura couldn't help but ask. "I'll tell you when we get there. Just concentrate...you better look carefully where we're passing because next time, I may not be with you to guide you." Shaoran said seriously. Sakura started to fret.
"Shaoran...what are you saying?" She asked, almost afraid to. Shaoran said nothing but just continued to lead the way. Shaoran then pushed a palm leaf aside and revealed an enchanting place. Sakura could see that there was a trap door hidden among bushes that Shaoran also pushed aside. They were at a cliff that overlooked a thick forest below and a river not far off.
"This trap door leads to an escape tunnel. It leads to the river down there." Shaoran said. Sakura didn't say anything and only nodded. She wasn't even looking at him. She just looked at the trap door and the scenery beyond. Her look seemed so far away. Shaoran knew what was going inside her head. He knew it wasn't new to her. She had heard things like that before. Shaoran then laid a hand on her shoulder. Sakura turned to him and said nothing. "I am sworn to protect you with my life." "Oh Shaoran..." Sakura said, almost pleading. But Shaoran stopped her. "Sakura, I am no fool. I know that I won't be able to protect you always. You have my word that I would give my very best to guard you to make sure that you're all right. But I have to make sure that you know this to minimize the risk." He explained.
Sakura then placed a hand over his. She could see in his eyes all the comfort and love she never saw in him before. "Shaoran, I understand. But don't talk as if this is the end." She told him. She then smiled and added, "Do you think I'm crazy enough to serve my head to whoever wants me dead on a silver platter?" Shaoran grinned and replied, "Uh...yes." "Funny. I'm serious. I'm still alive because I still have things to do in this world. If not, I should have died ages ago. You said you didn't trust me...I'm asking you now...trust in me as I trust in you. I'm not just some defenseless little girl." Sakura said.
"I trust you, Sakura." She was taken aback a little. "But if you ever tell anyone I said that, I'd completely deny it." He then added. Sakura just grinned and nodded. "Don't worry, Shaoran. I know how terrified you are in revealing your soft side. I won't tell anyone...promise." Sakura replied. "I'm not terrified in revealing my soft side!" Shaoran defended. "Prove it!" Sakura challenged.
"Alright! I take your challenge." He said. "You could start by telling me why you suddenly show your concerns about me when you treated me like a plague before." "Well, it's because..." "It's because...?" Sakura urged on. "It's because...I get what you're doing. I get it." Shaoran replied with a devilish grin. Sakura was taken aback. "You like me, don't you?" Shaoran teased. Sakura just smiled. It took her a moment to comprehend what he was saying. "Me? Like you? In your dreams, Shaoran, in your dreams..." "You don't have to hide it from me, Sakura. I think we're both mature enough to understand."
"If this were an alternate universe, I would say yes. But hello! Snap back into reality for a minute!" "Come on, Sakura. You're the worst liar I've ever seen. You can't hide anything from me." "Get a girl friend, Shaoran because believe me, you've lost it. I think you're the one who likes me." "Oh, don't flatter yourself, Sakura." "Then how do you explain your attitude and your actions?"
Shaoran found himself unable to answer. "I knew it." Sakura said triumphantly. "Alright, alright. I like you..." He finally said. "What?" She replied, somewhat dumbfounded. "I like you, Sakura. I like you a lot. There, satisfied?" "Shaoran, I was only kidding...but...seriously?" Shaoran then took both her hands and slowly pulled her closer to him. "Yes." He replied.
"I don't know what it takes to get it through that thick head of yours...but yes..." He then added. Sakura then rested her forehead on his broad chest. She closed her eyes. She could hear his heart beating in the awkward silence that followed. "Sakura..." Shaoran said to break the silence. "Why, Shaoran? Why?" She said in a soft voice. 'Oh no!' Shaoran thought. "Sakura, I-"He never got the chance to finish.
Sakura then stepped back and looked at him." You idiot!' Shaoran was both speechless and dumbfounded. "What took you so long?" Sakura then said. Shaoran was taken aback. He didn't know what to say. It took a short while to take in what Sakura said. "When I realized how I really felt about you, I was afraid what you'd say. A part of me hoped...and now..." She said. Shaoran then placed a finger in her lips to silence her. "I understand. You don't have to say it." He said. Sakura just let herself fall in his warm embrace. They stayed that way for a while before finally heading back.
When they neared the house, Shaoran felt something suspicious happening. He extended his arm to stop Sakura from getting closer. He knew that the place where she was standing hid her from view. Sakura was about to ask what was the matter but Shaoran motioned her to be quiet. It was uncomfortably silent. After a few seconds, they then saw armed men running about. Shaoran bent a little and so did Sakura.
But out of the corner of her eye, Sakura saw the man she had seen last night...the man she knew whom attacked her months earlier. He seemed to be aiming his gun towards Shaoran.
Shaoran didn't seem to notice because he was more concerned about a couple of men roaming about. Sakura feared the worst. She knew that the man was going to fire the gun. "Watch out!" Sakura said as she pushed Shaoran aside when the gun went off. They fell to the ground. Without another word, Shaoran grabbed Sakura's hand and they started to flee. They could hear that the men were following them.
Shaoran then took a sharp turn and roughly pulled Sakura in. He then placed a hand over her mouth. They were in a thick bush. Once Shaoran was confident that the men had gone, Shaoran let go of Sakura. They were still silent. Shaoran gently grabbed Sakura's hand and he led her to some distance after.
After running for some time, they reached a clearing. Shaoran then turned to Sakura. "Are you alright?" He asked. She was about to answer when two people suddenly came to view. Shaoran quickly turned to them and hid Sakura at his back. But after a moment, he eased when he recognized Touya and Yukito.
"Thank goodness. We were looking for you." Yukito said. "Are you alright, Sakura?" Shaoran just asked again. Sakura just held on to his arm. "Give me a minute." She just said. She seemed out of breath. But Shaoran could feel that it was something more than that. He glanced back and quickly let Sakura kneel. He then tore his sleeve and wrapped it at Sakura's other arm. It was bleeding from the gun shot wound she received. Touya quickly looked at it. "What happened? You were suppose to protect her." He said and glared at Shaoran. "It's my fault, Onii-chan. Don't blame Shaoran because he didn't do anything wrong. Besides, it's just a scratch and I'll be ok." Sakura quickly said. As Shaoran and Touya fixed her wound, she said, "What are we going to do now?"
"First, we must get you out of here. It's too dangerous." Touya said. "No I don't think so." Sakura replied. "This is not the time to object. Your stubbornness would just have to wait." Shaoran said. "Listen to me for once, will you? I know what I'm doing. I also know your concerns but please trust me on this one. Grandfather told me that this moment would come and told me what I must do. I will do it whether you will help me or not." She persisted.
Shaoran could feel Sakura's aura grow stronger. "Touya, you know how hard it is to stop her once she sets her mind on something. I have a feeling that she's right this time." Yukito said. "Yeah Kinomoto. I also feel the same thing." Shaoran added. Touya just took a deep breath and nodded. Sakura just smiled. "We better get moving. They might find us here if we stay here longer." Shaoran said. Sakura just held his arm and said, "Not so fast. Now it's my turn. Before we go in, I just want to tell you three to just go with the flow of things. Remember that what you're seeing is not what it seems. Got it?" She then stood.
"What exactly do you mean? What are you planning to do now?" Touya asked. He knew his sister well and he knew that certain look and tone she gave them. Sakura stopped and looked at them. She then gave them a big smile and answered, "Let's just say it's about time to give them a taste of their own medicine. Besides, I'm sure Mr. Sinji will like it a lot." "How did you know it was him?" Yukito asked. Sakura then took out the pendant the Magistrate gave her about a year before, just about the time it all started.
"Onii-chan, I don't have the same ability as you. You can see and talk with mother freely. Also, with that gift of yours, you used it to scare me out of my wits. With what grandfather gave me, I sort of felt what you did. Yukito-san, I know your secret now and Shaoran, I understand the magic now. It took me awhile guys so I got myself into this trouble. Now it's time to get myself and you guys out of it." Sakura explained.
As things started to unfold, they were caught and brought to a room where the others were kept. There were armed men everywhere and Sakura was isolated in one side of the room while the others were on another. Sakura found herself handcuffed. She said nothing. It seemed that the women and Lein were put to sleep. Touya, Yukito and Shaoran weren't. They couldn't do anything as because there were too many men there guarding them. Besides, Sakura was far from them and they won't be able to guard her if anything happened.
"Where are those two detectives?" Touya whispered so only Shaoran and Yukito would hear. "I was wondering that myself." Yukito replied. "What two detectives? Don't tell me those two who came to the hospital?" Shaoran said. "Exactly. They're here somewhere." Touya said. "What do we do now?" Yukito then said.
Just then Minamoto Sinji entered the room and went straight to Sakura. She just smiled back at him. He then slapped her across the face. The three bound men reacted violently but were stopped by Minamoto's men. Sakura just recomposed herself without really taking away the smile. "It's nice to see you again too, Sinji-san." She said. Minamoto then started to say things about his rage and his anger towards her.
"Um, could you take off these handcuffs?" Sakura asked innocently. "No." Minamoto replied. Sakura just smiled again and said, "I guess not..." "Now what is she up to?" Shaoran asked. "I have no idea." Touya remarked quite confused too why Sakura would do such a thing. "She's your sister Kinomoto. You should at least know what she's planning." Shaoran then said. "Quit it you two. We can't do anything anyway. Just stay cool. It won't help getting on each other's nerves." Yukito then said.
Sakura then tried it again and again and again until Minamoto got really pissed and approached her and grabbed her. Sakura just smiled. "You did a very terrible thing of upsetting me, little girl. Now it's time for you to pay." He said. "With what? I don't have money with me?" Shaoran, Touya and Yukito couldn't help but be dumbfounded. What was she doing? It was not the time to insult their captors. "Mocking me only makes it worse. You shall soon find out what I do with troublesome people like you." Minamoto said.
Sakura then caught his arm and handcuffed them. She unsheathed his knife and aimed it at his throat. She then smiled and said, "As much as I'd like to stay and watch, I don't think I can make it. I have other things to attend to." It took a while before Minamoto realized what had happened. "Grandfather taught me that trick once. He told me that it would come in handy someday." She then said and lowered the knife and started to walk away towards Touya and the others.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me! Don't forget that you're still surrounded and that I can order you to be killed." Minamoto said. Suddenly their surroundings changed. Touya, Shaoran and Yukito then saw that they weren't bound and that there were no men aside from them in that room. "I told you that things aren't what they seemed." Sakura said as she came to them.
She then turned back to Minamoto. Sakura said, "I gave you a chance to repent but you threw it away. Your fate is no longer in my hands. I tried to spare you but you chose this path. Now you shall see where your hatred and anger leads you." She then turned to the detectives who were standing by the door, "I guess it's up to you now." They just nodded and apprehended Minamoto.
As he was being led away, Touya said, "You mean to say that we weren't guarded or tied up from the beginning?" "No." Sakura just replied. "What? You could have at least told us that." Shaoran said angrily. "If I did, then it wouldn't have worked. I already told you that nothing seemed but as they are. Besides, the greatest strategy is letting your opponent think that he has overcome you and that he has an upper hand before making your final strike. Grandfather taught me that too." She explained.
"Where are the others?" Yukito asked. "Safe outside...injured but safe." Sakura answered as they left the room. They then saw Minamoto's men. They were all unconscious. "Don't worry. I just put them to sleep with a simple powder. They'll be fine once they wake up." Sakura said. Without another word, Touya made his way to the injured and started to treat them.
"You did well, Sakura." Yukito commented. "No, Yukito-san. We did well." Sakura corrected. She then smiled. After a few days, everything seemed to be going back to normal. Sakura was already allowed to go home. She had missed her father and grandfather so much. It was a tearful sight. Her grandfather finally retired and Sakura came into the position. A party was held at their home one night. When the night seemed to be over, Sakura headed to the balcony and looked at the stars.
She had gone through a lot. She didn't expect to see herself in that position. If someone had told her that she would be a year before, she wouldn't have believed them. "Do you still want to know what a home is like?" Shaoran suddenly said as he joined her. Sakura just smiled. She remembered asking him that at the hospital. "No...you already showed me that both when I still couldn't remember anything and when I found out who I really am." Shaoran just smiled. They looked at each other's eyes for a while before finally sharing a sweet kiss.
Alas, the nightmare of the dream was over and reality proved to be sweeter than the dream ever was.
THE END
Well, I know that this isn't much but I did my best. If there are still errors in it, I apologize. But anyway, thanks for reading my story. It may not reach your standards, I know that, but I do hope that somehow it appealed to your heart. Please send in your reviews because I would really like to know what you think about it. It was fun while it lasted and I really, really want to thank you for sharing your time with me. I hope that you'll support my other fics as well. Thank you so much!
Michiko