I Love Her? I Love Her Not?
By: Pnaixr0se8
Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captor Sakura. It and all the original characters are copyrighted to CLAMP. I do however own the new characters. Please don't sue. Hmmm…I wish I owned Syaoran but Sakura will probably be mad, ne? `=]
~~~~~
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Last Chapter Recap:
'The old evil will arise once again, bringing fear to those who know him.
As done several times before, a Li will fight him for the safety of the person he most cares about.
The boy, at age thirteen, will fight the evil one.
As done before, the boy will have to sacrifice his life.
But to the surprise of everyone, including his parents who had experienced this before, he vanquishes the evil, no harm done to him or anyone else.
The evil one is gone, for eternity, and the green-eyed boy will once again live in happiness with his love.'
But the boy in the legend wasn't Syaoran when he faced Katana!!! So the legend has to be talking about right now, right? It has to be!"
Kozue nodded, starting to understanding. "I see! But who else could it be?"
Kero brought his paw to his chin and sat in mid-air. "Let's go by the legend. I'm sure there has to be clues in it. Let's see... 'The old evil will arise once again, bringing fear to those who know him. As done several times before, a Li will fight him for the safety of the person he most cares about-'"
"Stop right there! It said 'a Li' so the boy is probably in the clan!" Kozue mused aloud.
Kero continued. "'The boy, at age thirteen, will fight the evil one'"
Kozue thought about the words. "The boy is thirteen years old…hmm…there are a lot of thirteen year olds in the clan. We need more information. Go on, Kero."
"'As done before the boy will have to sacrifice his life. But to the surprise of everyone, including his parents who had experienced this before, he vanquishes the evil, no harm done to him or anyone else.'" Kero said.
Kozue felt the color drain out of her face.
''parents who had experienced this before'…Mom and Dad have experienced fighting Katana…'
"G-Go on, Kero…" Kozue said softly.
" 'The evil one is gone, for eternity, and the green-eyed boy will once again live in happiness with his love'……….hmm……UGH!!! I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING, KOZUE!!!!" Kero shouted in frustration.
But Kozue's amber eyes just stared into the air.
Kero looked at her in confusion.
"Kozue?"
He waved his small yellow paw in front of her eyes.
"Kozue, you're really pale! Ah…stop! You're starting to freak me out!!!" Kero said.
Kozue breathed in. "Kero…I-I know who it is…"
Kero's eyes lit up. "WHO!?"
"It's........Shun…"
"WHA?!?!?! How-?"
"Don't you see? It's Shun! He's a Li…He's the son of the parents who have experienced facing Katana before…He's thirteen…and he has green eyes!!! Kero! It's Shun I tell you!!!" Kozue said in a panic.
Kero nodded his round yellow head. "Yeah…that's all true. But what about where it says; 'the green-eyed boy will once again live in happiness with his love'? Who is his love?"
"That's easy…that's Himiko of course!" Kozue exclaimed.
Kero thought carefully. "But…what about where it says… 'a Li will fight for the safety of the person he most cares about'?"
Kozue put a finger to her chin. "For the safety of the person he most cares about…." Her eyes widened in realization, "KERO, KATANA'S GONNA HURT HIMIKO!!!!!!!!!!"
---------------------------------------------------
Chapter 13:
Kero's tiny eyes went blank. "Y-You're right. Shun loves Himiko…and Katana knows it. He'll use Himiko to get to Shun, to try to get to your parents!!"
"Kero, we've gotta tell Mom and Dad right away!" Kozue shouted.
"Yeah but-"
"Kozue!!! You're late!!!!" Sakura yelled from somewhere in the house.
Kozue glanced at the clock. "AHHHH!!!!! IT'S 8:04!!!"
"Tsk tsk tsk…and you woke up early too…"
Kozue glared at the bear. "Oh shut up, Kero. Now look away, I gotta change."
Kero looked the other way as he continued to talk to her. "Kozue, you've gotta tell everyone. Especially Shun and Himiko…and especially your parents…"
"Yeah I know," she said throwing her pajamas on the floor, "But since I have to go to school…"
"Can I look?"
"Yeah."
Kero turned around to see Kozue working on her honey brown hair. She was brushing it quickly.
"Here's the deal, you tell Shun, Himiko, Toji and if you want Zak and Kumei. I'll tell your parents…"
Kozue nodded. "Gotcha."
She picked up her bag. "Remember…tell my parents."
She walked out the door with Kero following her in the hall.
"I'll tell them right now."
Kozue nodded. "I'll see you later."
Kero waved a paw.
As he heard the door close behind the girl, he quickly flew through the house.
"SAKURA!!! GAKI!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!!"
"Kero? What's wrong?" Sakura said coming out of a hall.
"Sakura, where's Gaki?" Kero asked in a hurry, "I need to speak to both of you, now."
Sakura blinked her confused emerald eyes. "Syaoran's at a Li Clan meeting to discuss Katana. So are Eriol, Yue, Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun. By the way aren't you supposed to be there?"
Kero widened his eyes. "That was today?!"
Sakura nodded.
Kero shook his head. "Well, let's go there. I have big news to tell everyone. And it ain't good news."
"Hoe?"
"C'mon Sakura! Let's go! Time's wasting!!!" Kero shouted as he raced towards the back door.
"Hoe? O-Okay Kero…"
Sakura quickly grabbed her purse and headed out the door with Kero following.
~~~~~
'BRIIINGG!!'
The school bell rang.
Shun took his usual seat in the back, by the window as other students flowed in. Girls waved and smiled shyly at him as they entered but he ignored them. Finally the person he wanted to see walked in.
'Himiko…'
In came the long black haired angel. At least that's what Shun thought of her. She walked steadily towards her seat which was next to Shun's and sat down. But not before giving him an encouraging smile.
"How are you doing, Shun? Everything all right?" she asked with a worried expression.
Shun nodded slowly. "I-I think I have an idea on what to do about it…to save my father," he whispered.
Himiko's eyes lit up for a second. "Really? What is it?"
Shun was silent. "I…I…I have to tell you something before that first…"
Himiko blinked. "Sure. Whatever you want, Shun. Is something wrong?"
Shun shook his head. "No I just…I just really need to tell you that before I tell you my idea…"
"Okay."
Suddenly the teacher walked in. "Good morning………"
As the class started, Shun looked out the window. He saw someone running as fast as they could to reach the high school. As the person came nearer he sighed.
'Kozue's late again?!'
~~~~~
'I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!!!'
Kozue ran to the high school and inside. She dashed through the halls not noticing the principal.
"Miss Li!"
Kozue stopped in her tracks. 'Oh no! I'm caught!!!'
She turned around slowly as the principal stared her down with his gaze.
"Y-Yes?"
"It's 8:10…ten minutes after the bell rang. You're late."
"Yes…"
"And furthermore, you're running through the halls!"
"S-Sorry…"
"I'm afraid you'll have to be serving a double detention."
Kozue widened her eyes. "A double detention?"
"Yes. For being late and for running through the halls. You'll be serving detention during your lunch time and after school today."
'NO!!! I WON'T HAVE TIME TO TELL HIMIKO AND SHUN!!' Kozue panicked. "Mr. Shao, please!! Can't I just serve detention after school and tomorrow? I have something really important to tell someone during lunch!!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Li, those are the rules. Double detention is lunch and after school."
"B-But-!!"
"Go to class now, Miss Li," Mr. Shao said as he walked away.
When she was sure he was gone, she wailed. "No!! Shun and Himiko…they're in trouble…b-but how will I tell them? I wanted to tell them during lunch because that would be the next time I would see them today…and now I can't go!! I can't even see them after school! But they have to know soon…AGH!"
"Kozue?"
Kozue turned. "Zak!"
Zak smiled. "You okay? You're talking to yourself. Haha."
"Stop laughing…I have a major crisis here. Hey, are you late, too?"
"Naw. I was sent to get something from the office," he said holding up a folder, "So what's your major crisis?"
Kozue took a deep breath. "Zak…I need your help…"
"Huh?"
~~~~~
"Sakura! Are we there yet?!" Kero asked impatiently as Sakura drove.
"Kero, calm down…what's the big hurry?"
"I'll tell you all when we get there. Just hurry up!"
"Fine, fine. Hoe? There's traffic!"
Kero's jaw dropped as he saw the log line of cars in the highway.
"Couldn't you just take local?!"
"I thought the highway would be faster. You know how long it takes? Even the highway won't bring us there fast enough. Besides, I can't turn back now…" Sakura explained.
"ARGH!!!!"
"Kero, sheesh, you're acting like it's a really, really, really big thing."
"IT IS!! Ugh…I'll just tell you what it is now."
"Well?"
"You know that legend that Meiling told us the first time Katana appeared with us?"
Sakura nodded.
"W-Well. We know who the boy is…"
Sakura's eyes lit up. "Really? Maybe he can help us! It did say in the legend that the boy will defeat Katana…"
"B-But Sakura listen. Even though it says that, it doesn't mean the boy will get hurt."
Sakura's smile faded. "That's right. The boy will probably get hurt. But Syaoran and I are there! Maybe we can protect him."
"I don't think you'd want him to get in danger…even if you and Syaoran were there to protect him…"
"Hoe? Why?"
"Because…the boy is…Shun…"
Sakura looked at Kero weirdly. "What are you talking about? Shun is nothing like the boy they talk about in the legend…is he?"
"Yes he is! He has green eyes, his parents have faced Katana before, he's a Li and he's thirteen!!"
Sakura's eyes widened. "Oh Kami-san…"
"And listen to this. 'a Li will fight him for the safety of the person he most cares about.' You know who Shun most cares about right?"
"Himiko!!"
Kero nodded. "That's why we have to tell everyone!"
Sakura was staring in front of her, at the traffic, not blinking.
"Sakura?"
Sakura gripped the wheel. She was shaking with anger. First Syaoran, now this? No. She wouldn't let them get hurt. "No way is Katana going to hurt Syaoran, Shun and Himiko…"
"S-Sakura?"
Sakura's eyes slightly narrowed in anger and determination. "Kero, hold on tight."
"W-What are you doing? You're not going to break any laws are you?" Kero asked holding on the chair arm for his dear life.
Sakura smiled. "Not exactly."
"Then what are you-"
Sakura held something up.
Kero sweat dropped. "No Sakura!"
"Then you shouldn't have told me about Shun. FLY! ALLOW THIS CAR TO FLY! ERASE! ERASE THE PEOPLE MEMORIES WHO ARE WITNESSING THIS!"
~~~~~
"BRIIIING"
Kozue looked at Zak who was seated a few seats away from her. "Go. And try not to get detention."
He nodded and quickly walked out the door and towards the middle school as Kozue watched his back leave. He didn't know what was going on, but Kozue trusted him to do something, and knowing Kozue trusted him, he decided not to let her down.
~~~~~
Kozue looked around the detention class sorrowfully, her head resting on her hand. Her dad, brother and best friend were in trouble and she was just sitting here?! She was angry at herself but was angrier at Katana. Katana, that stupid guy who broke her family apart, that guy who the whole clan was afraid of, that guy who had hurt her family and friends, that guy who just wouldn't leave them alone.
She sighed as she played with a pencil. 'I hope Zak tells them soon…I'm counting on you, Zak…'
~~~~~
Zak's footsteps became quicker as he walked faster and faster until he basically was running. He was already inside the middle school but he couldn't find them anywhere!! No Shun or Himiko was in sight. Sure the lunch bell had just rung, but he could tell that this was very important. He wanted to find them as quick as possible or else he'd let Kozue down. They had a twenty minute lunch recess and he couldn't waste any time.
Suddenly he was flicker of a male's black hair and ruby red eyes amongst the eighth graders. TOJI!
Zak cut through the crowd of eighth graders who had just left their classes.
"Toji!! Over here!!"
At first he thought that Toji didn't hear him but then he sighed in relief when Toji turned around. Toji waited for him in bafflement as Zak waded through the sea of kids.
"What's wrong?"
Zak panted before answering. "Where's Shun and Himiko? I need to tell them something from Kozue and fast."
"Is it that important?"
"Yea…she said she trusted me with her brother and best friend's lives. Whatever that means…"
Toji raised an eyebrow. "Can you tell me what she said?"
"Uh, first let's go somewhere not as crowded…" Zak said glancing around at the students.
Toji nodded.
"So what's the big secret?"
Toji and Zak were now out of the middle school and were under a large tree. Only a few students were around.
"I think it's really important. She told me to find Shun and Himiko and tell them, 'Katana's looking for you.'"
Toji's eyes were bulging out. "Nani!? Why would Katana be looking for Shun and Himiko?"
Zak shrugged. "I have no idea but I have to warn them."
"Why couldn't she tell us herself?"
"She got double detention for coming in late and for running in the halls. She was planning to tell you guys at lunch but double detention is during lunch time and after school."
"Ouch…well, let's hurry and find them."
"We should split up. I'll go through the middle school, and you go look outside. If you don't find them, meet at the roof."
"Gotcha."
Soon, Toji and Zak were looking for two needles in a haystack.
~~~~~
Shun leisurely walked through the halls, just thinking about how to tell Himiko he loved her the next day. He was so nervous and worried that he didn't really know where he was going.
'Himiko…I've known you for a long time and……No that won't work. Himiko, did you know that I……No that won't work either. H-Himiko…I have to tell you that…..ARGH!!!' Shun thought in despair, 'I sound like I'm gonna propose to her or something! Why is this so hard?!'
Well, of course it will be hard. He was telling the only friend that was a girl that he loved her. He had thought of writing her a note, but that sounded cowardly and the Li clan would disapprove of his lack of bravery. What he need was advice. He needed advice from someone who wouldn't laugh at him, who's been through this before and who would understand him.
'Otou-san! Why didn't I think of that? I'll ask Otou-san to help me-'
A familiar but heart-stopping voice interrupted. "Help you what?"
He lifted his messy brown head and saw 'the Angel' once again.
"H-Himiko!"
He had ended up at the rooftop of the school building and Himiko was peacefully eating her lunch on the ledge, her back against the fence protecting her from falling to the ground below.
She smiled as he said her name.
"Hey Shun! So what did you want your father to help you with?"
Shun blushed. "Uh…n-nothing…"
"You could've asked me you know. I'd be glad to help…"
"No it's not that. I-It's just…a-a guy thing."
Himiko giggled but not in a teasing way. "Oh, then I don't think I can help you with that."
"What are you doing up here?"
"I'm eating lunch here since Kozue never said anything about eating near the Sakura tree. Wanna join me?" she asked gesturing to the empty space next to her.
"I-I didn't bring a lunch."
Himiko's eyes widened with worry. "Really? You shouldn't forget so much about lunch. You'll need it for energy for gym or tests."
"Oh," he responded dully.
"Don't you have a gym class and two tests later on? You'll need some food! C'mon you can share with me."
"H-Himiko…I-I couldn't…"
"Oh c'mon. Since when have you been so shy?"
'S-Since y-you…since I-I…' Shun thought.
Himiko giggled. "You stutter in your thoughts, too Shun?"
Shun's cheeks flamed red. "Stop going into my thoughts!!!!"
Himiko looked at the ground in shame after his sudden outburst. "G-Gomenasai, Shun. Lately my powers have been increasing for some reason…I don't even try to go into your thoughts, honestly…"
Instantly Shun regretted yelling at her. But it had been so close…she was so close to finding out he loved her. But he didn't want her to find out that way. To him, it was running away and being a coward.
Shun shuffled his feet. "Uhh…don't apologize. It's my fault. I didn't mean to…uhh…I didn't…"
Suddenly he heard her laugh again, that sweet, happy, melodious laugh that sent pleasant tingly feelings inside him. He sighed in relief. The last thing he wanted was Himiko mad at him. At least Himiko wasn't that upset as before when she was crying a lot before. Shun was still trying to figure out what was bothering her before.
"Imagine…the great future Li clan leader apologizing!" Himiko said smiling.
"…uh yeah…"
"Now come on, sit!"
"B-But…"
"Oh just sit!"
Shun hesitantly sat next to her. Note to self: Never get Himiko mad.
Shun squirmed where he was sitting. He should've just brought his lunch.
Himiko picked up some food with her chopsticks. Surprisingly, Himiko put it to Shun's mouth.
"Now say 'ahh'."
"Oh no Himiko…it's bad enough that I'm sharing your foo-"
He was interrupted when Himiko shoved the food into his mouth. He chewed the food and swallowed. He savored every moment the food was in his mouth.
'Wow…only Himiko can make food this good.' Shun thought.
"Well then, here's more," Himiko said holding up more food.
"Himiko! Stop going into-"
Himiko once again stuffed the food into his mouth. She giggled. Shun was so cute when he was mad.
Shun chewed and swallowed once again. Then he sighed in embarrassment.
"I can't believe I'm being fed by a woman," Shun said, "The clan would disown me."
He ruffled his hair. He didn't really mind at all though.
Himiko smiled. "Yeah, the all-powerful future Li clan leader being fed by me! Well, you'll have to get used to it when you're married…"
She stuffed his mouth yet again.
Shun blushed, his mouth full. "W-What?!"
Himiko flushed. "I-I mean, you'll have to get used to it when you get married because your wife will do it…n-not ……me…"
Shun swallowed his food. "Uhh…y-yeah…I guess…"
He looked down at his feet. 'If only my wife would be like you…'
Himiko reddened even more. "Th-Thanks Shun…"
Shun slapped his forehead lightly as he turned bright red. If he didn't start closing his mind, Himiko will find out sooner than he thought.
Himiko pushed most of the blush away. She looked at Shun as he turned his head to look at her. Their eyes locked. Himiko felt the blush return. She smiled, trying to hide it.
"Since when did the famous, all-powerful Li Clan leader get so sweet?" she asked playfully as she kissed him on the cheek.
Shun flamed red. "U-Uhh…"
"Oh Shun, if you're gonna have to marry by age eighteen, you're gonna have at least some experience with women. I'm just training you!" she stuffed him with more food.
"Buh hoo woo mawwy mhee?"
Himiko pouted. "Really Shun. I thought you had better manners than to talk with your mouth full."
Shun swallowed. "Sorry."
"That's better. Now what were you saying?"
"But who would marry me?" Shun asked, "I mean I'm not exactly husband material…"
'Well for one thing, Shun…I would…' Himiko thought. But even though she really wanted to say it, she would never. The elders wouldn't approve of her. They'd want someone with more powerful magic. Besides, she didn't want to ruin their friendship. She liked how their friendship was right now, so she wasn't sure if she really wanted him as a boyfriend.
Himiko grinned. "Oh don't say that. A lot of people would want to marry you!" she said earning another blush from Shun, "Besides, you're sweet, handsome, and responsible! See? You're perfect husband material."
Shun felt his heart flutter. Is that really what she thought of him? Even if she didn't, she said it! And what's more, she never said all those bad things about him. Hot shit!!!
He looked at her with surprise a faint smile on his face.
"What?" Himiko asked stuffing him with more food.
Shun swallowed before talking this time. "You're also forgetting rich, powerful, rude, arrogant, spoiled, mean, stupid, cold, a jerk-"
He stopped when Himiko place a finger on his mouth. She looked angrily at him.
"Don't you ever talk about yourself like that!!! You hear me?"
Shun blinked in awe. "B-But it's true! You have to admit it, everything I said was tru-"
"It's not true! I mean, sure you're really rich and powerful but if a person likes you for that reason, they're dumb! And think about it, you're not really rude, arrogant, mean and cold anymore! I mean before your birthday, you wouldn't have been talking to me about this. You were never spoiled. I mean, you were trained terribly when you were only ten and you were taught never to ask for more than necessary, so that's out. And you were never a jerk!!!"
Shun looked at her in surprise. Slowly, he felt the ends of his mouth curve upwards. He was actually smiling!!!
Himiko looked at him with wide eyes as her jaw dropped. He was smiling!!! God…he should really smile some more. It's not like he looked really cute all mad but when he smiled…she just felt herself melt under his gaze.
"Y-Your smiling, Shun!!!!" Himiko squealed.
Shun turned away, his smile still as visible as daylight. "No I'm not…"
"Yes you are!! You should really more, Shun. You look so kawaii!"
Now along with the smile was a blush. God, he felt like a dork…a dumb dork who was in love.
"Thanks Himiko…you're one of the only people who actually compliment me sometimes," Shun said still smiling.
"You deserve it! I mean, if compliments get you to smile that smile, I'll compliment you all the time now."
Shun chuckled. Yes, he actually chuckled. "I wish my wife would be like you, Himiko…"
Himiko sat there absolutely amazed with red covering her cheeks. Shun had just smiled, chuckled and now flattered her?! No way! And he wasn't even blushing, or looking away. He was looking straight into her eyes!!! HANYAAN!!!
"Okay, who are you and what did you do with the Shun I know?" Himiko teased.
"Funny…"
Himiko stuffed him with more food.
Shun chewed and swallowed. "But you know, you didn't defend me when I said I was stupid….maybe if you defend me again I'll smile more…"
Yeah okay, that was a lame excuse to her compliment him again but hey, he's a thirteen year old fool who was in love and was now smiling his butt off.
Himiko giggled. "How can you say you're stupid? Name one thing you did that was stupid!!!"
Shun thought and the smile momentarily went away. "Well…I fought Katana by myself that one time……ummm…oh and I got into a fight with Toji because I told him I decided to defeat Katana by sacrificing myself instead of putting Otou-san's life in dang-"
Shun stopped abruptly. He let it slip!!! How could he let it slip!? It was because of his stupid smile…he was just talking and talking.
Himiko looked at him with a worried/surprised expression. She already knew what Shun was thinking. She knew he would do anything for his father, his idol. She knew he would even die for his family. But she didn't want to say anything, in case he wasn't planning to do anything stupid. But now…
Himiko looked at him with those worried eyes of hers. "What?!"
Shun looked away. The normal Shun was back.
"Shun! You can't!!! You can't do that to yourself!!!!" Himiko said. 'You can't do that to me!!!' she added silently to herself.
Shun was still silent.
"If that's your big idea on getting rid of Katana, forget about it!!! Please!!! It's not worth it! He'll just come back again!!"
Shun finally spoke this time, gathering up his courage. "Sorry, I've already made up my mind…" he said softly.
Himiko's eyes started filling with tears. She had forgotten all about the lunch. If Shun said he's already made up his mind it was impossible to persuade him not to. But she had to try…it was Shun after all. She couldn't just let him waste his life.
"Please Shun...Please don't do this…" she said her voice wavering.
"S-Sorry…"
"You can't do this to us!!!" she yelled.
Shun bowed his head in shame. Was he really willing to kill himself for his family and friends' safety? Yes, he was. But was he willing to never see Himiko again? He wasn't so sure…
"Do what?" another voice said.
They both turned to the voice and found two people standing there.
"Do what?" Zak asked again.
Toji was silent but had an angry expression on.
Before anyone knew what was going on, Toji had picked Shun up by the collar.
"You told her didn't you?! You told her!! You made her cry you stupid jerk!!"
Toji lifted his fist. *BAM* Shun had a black eye.
"Toji stop!!!" Himiko cried in disbelief.
Shun pushed Toji away from him. "You still can't make me change my mind!!!" He ignored the pain by his eye.
"Yo, what's going on!?!" Zak asked forgetting all about what Kozue told him to tell them.
The three ignored him.
"Shun, you're stupid. That plan is gonna fail and you know it. Katana will just come back! Besides, who will be the future Li clan leader?" Toji asked.
"I don't know…you can be the leader for all I care. You know I don't really want to be the damn leader anyway."
"So basically, you're just running away from the responsibilities by killing yourself?!" Toji spat, "God Shun…I thought you had the guts…"
"Fine Toji! I'll admit it! Part of me wants to kill myself to avoid being the leader! But can you blame me? Do you know how much they expect of me? 'Oh Shun, we're so proud of you,' 'Oh Shun, we expect many great things from you,'…that's all I hear. But even though I am the damn leader, the elders will pick every single thing for me anyway. They'll pick my house, they'll pick my actions, and they'll pick my wife! They'll force me to marry someone I don't like!!"
"Shun, you never know. You might like the wife they pick for you," Zak said catching on to what they were talking about.
"No!! There's only one girl I'll ever like!!!! You know how I feel about her Toji! You should know!!"
Silence filled the atmosphere.
"Still Shun, you're running away from your responsibilities," Toji said.
"That's only part of me, Toji!"
"So what's the other part?!"
"The other part is for my family!! For my father, so he won't have to leave, for my mother who loves my father so much and for my sister, who looks up to my mother who's down in the dumps lately."
Toji calmed himself down by breathing long breaths. "It's good that you're worried about your family, Shun but I'm sure when they find out about your plan, they won't approve of it. We don't approve of it either."
"I know…"
"Then stop your crazy idea!!"
"STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!!! I GET ENOUGH OF IT ALREADY!! I'LL DO WHAT I WANT, WHEN I WANT! SO IF I WANT TO FRIGGIN KILL MYSELF, I'LL KILL MYSELF!!!"
Silence filled the air once again after his outburst. The only sound was the other students talking down below on the ground.
BRRRIIIIING Lunch was over.
Shun placed his hand on his black eye. The pain was becoming greater.
"I better go to the nurse…"
Shun turned and was headed for the door that led inside the building.
"Shun, wait!" Himiko said.
Shun stopped momentarily, his back to them. "Leave me alone…I-I thought you'd be the one who'd understand…"
Himiko, stricken by his words stayed silent.
He started off towards the door again. He really thought Himiko would understand. But now…
The three standing there heard the door slam behind Shun.
"I-I'd better bring him to the nurse…" Zak said, "I have to tell him something anyway…"
He started after Shun.
~~~~~
"What are you doing here?" Shun grunted as he walked towards the nurse's office.
"Sorry for barging in but I have a message for you from Kozue," Zak said.
Boy…he didn't know a seventh grader can scare him so much.
"What?" Shun mumbled, still walking.
"Sh-She said…'Katana's looking for you.' Well actually Katana's looking for you and Himiko…" Zak said.
That stopped Shun in his tracks. "What? Why'd Katana be looking for Himiko?"
Zak shrugged. "Kozue's in double detention right now…so she said she'd explain when she gets home. She said around five o'clock. Detention is two hours. But she also said don't do anything too drastic. She said to let her explain first."
"Okay…"
"Umm…Shun?"
Shun looked so distraught. The black eye didn't help either. Zak felt sorry for the dude. Kozue did say that Shun was under a lot of pressure, that everyone thought he was able to do all the things he was supposed to do. She even told him that Shun had to train in martial arts by a cruel teacher when he was ten. No wonder the guy wasn't that social.
"Yea?" Shun said tiredly.
"Uhh…I know we don't really know each other and all, but…I'm there for you, man."
Shun looked at Zak. He was an okay guy. He was nice and polite yet made a lot of jokes. No wonder Kozue liked him so much.
"Thanks…"
"Well, I'd better go."
As Zak turned on his heel, Shun stopped him.
"Uh wait…!"
"Huh?"
"I approve of you."
"Wha?"
"For my sister…I approve of you. Just don't hurt her."
Zak scratched his head meekly. "Hehe…thanks, dude. And don't worry, I would never hurt her."
~~~~~
The rest of the day went by slowly for Himiko. When she had gotten back to class, Shun wasn't there. He was probably still in the nurse's. She felt so upset about what had happened, and to think that they were almost flirting with each other a few minutes before he spoke of his great "plan." What really got her was what he had said.
"…I-I thought you'd be the one who'd understand…"
His words rang through her head. She felt terrible…of course he'd think that she'd understand! She was the one who talked to him, who told him everything was going to be all right. Now he felt betrayed that she didn't understand.
Himiko slowly walked home by herself, her thoughts flooding through her.
"Hey! Himiko!!" a female voice rang.
Himiko turned. "Hey Kumei."
Kumei played with her glasses. "Hey, you all right? Everything okay?"
Himiko nodded. "I'm all right."
"I don't know if I should ask but…is Shun all right?"
"Y-Yeah…he's fine……"
Kumei looked at Himiko in bafflement. Himiko was usually pretty quiet but today she seemed really quiet. Kumei couldn't stand to see one of her friends like this so she decided to try to cheer her up.
"Hey, I don't know if you wanna go but…I've been having cravings for ice cream all day. Wanna come?" Kumei asked fiddling with her glasses.
Himiko smiled. "Yeah sure. I guess I'll have some time before I get home."
"Great! Let's go!"
~~~~~
Shun walked alone. School had just ended and Kozue was in detention, Zak went home, Toji probably didn't want to talk to him, he didn't know where Kumei was and he didn't know where Himiko was either. He sighed. It was only three o'clock and Kozue said she would get out of detention at five o'clock to explain about Katana. He didn't feel like going home so he had five hours to spare. He decided to spend his time in his favorite place. His tree by the small lake.
~~~~~
"We're here!!! Get out, Kero!!" Sakura said as they landed.
They both quickly left the car and ran inside the grand building. They ran past the guards and into the conference room.
Syaoran, Eriol, Spinel Sun, Ruby Moon and Yue were at once side of the room while the elders and Yelan was in the other side.
"Well, well, well, it looks like Keroberos shows up after all," Spinel Sun said.
Kero quickly transformed into the might beast of the seal.
"This is not the time to argue," Keroberos said.
"Sakura? What are you doing here?" Syaoran asked.
He quickly walked up to Sakura who was slightly panting. What was she doing here?
"Were you the one who used magic in front of all those people? We felt your aura," Eriol said.
"That's pretty irresponsible. You've put yourself in danger, Card Mistress," one elder's voice boomed.
Syaoran growled at him. "Sakura is not irresponsible! There must be a good reason she used her magic!!"
"Then what is it?" the elder asked, clearly impatient.
Sakura brushed the elder's comments away. She looked at Syaoran, worry etched through her face.
Syaoran noticed this. "What's wrong Sakura?"
"Shun and Himiko…! They're in trouble!!"
"What?!" Syaoran and Eriol asked.
Eriol was quickly involved when he heard his daughter's name. If she's in trouble he'll never let the person who hurt her go.
"How? How are they in trouble?" Eriol asked.
"The legend! It…they…"
"What she's trying to say is that the legend says they're in trouble," Keroberos said for his mistress.
"How?"
Keroberos took a deep breath and explained everything.
"Shun!!" Syaoran yelled when Kero was done explaining.
Then he ran out of the room in the speed of light.
"Syaoran! Matte!!" Sakura followed him.
"Oh Kami-san…Himiko!" Eriol said in state of shock.
He was about to follow Syaoran and Sakura when the Elder stopped him.
"Clow! We need you here to discuss the ideas about how to defeat Katana!" the youngest elder said.
"Don't worry about you body's daughter right now," another said.
Eriol looked at them with spite. "My body's daughter?! My body's daughter?!?! So now I'm just a body that carries Clow? Sure I may carry his memories, but don't you see I'm not Clow Reed and never will be?! I'm Eriol and right now my daughter is in danger and I won't argue any longer with you Elders."
Then he ran out of the room, desperately worried about Himiko. The guardians soon followed after that.
~~~~~
Syaoran and Sakura were outside standing and looking around.
"What's wrong?" Eriol asked.
"Shun has hidden his aura…" Sakura said.
Syaoran balled his hands into fists. "Damn! Why does he have to make this so hard?"
"Syaoran, I feel Himiko's aura…I'm going to follow it," Eriol said.
Syaoran and Sakura nodded.
As Eriol turned, Syaoran stopped him.
"Yo."
"Yes?"
"Be careful."
Eriol nodded then followed his daughter's aura. Nakuru and Suppi were now following him, with Suppi in Nakuru's bag.
"Oh, Shun…" Sakura said worriedly.
"Don't worry, he's all right…" Syaoran said.
"Why don't we split up? Me and Yue will go back to the mansion while you guys search around," Keroberos said.
Sakura nodded. "Good idea."
Kero and Yue quickly transformed and went quickly to the house.
~~~~~
"Hey Syaoran," Sakura said as they ran through the school grounds, "Have you seen Yurushi or Megumi lately?"
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen them since Katana showed up inside Ryu's body…" he said.
"I hope nothing happened to them…"
"Do you think Katana did something to them?"
"Probably…"
~~~~~
"…So anything happen at school?" Kumei asked licking her chocolate ice cream while Himiko was eating a strawberry one.
They were seated at a table in the ice cream parlor.
Himiko briefly stopped licking her ice cream and looked down at the table.
"W-Well…yes…"
Kumei looked at her while she fidgeted with her glasses. She had no idea what to do. She wasn't really popular at her school so she didn't have many friends. In fact, the only friends she had were Kozue, Zak, Shun and Himiko. She's read about these kinds of situations in books but when it came to reality, she was nervous around these situations. Himiko did seem really sad, and Kumei really didn't want her to be sad, so she decided to try to cheer her up when she saw her walking home. She took a deep breath and tried to give her advice.
"H-Himiko…I know you and I haven't known each other for a long time…in fact, I think we've known each other only a few weeks. But my mother always says that if something's bothering you, you should always tell someone. So…if you want to talk about it, I'm here, okay?"
Himiko smiled. "Thanks Kumei…do you mind if I tell you?"
"No not at all…"
~~~~~
Shun rested his head against the tree. He was on his favorite branch. Sometimes, he would bring a book but most of the time he just came to think. Right now he had a lot to think about.
But…he knew one thing. He wasn't going to change his mind about the whole sacrifice thing. No matter how much they tell him, no matter how much they punched him, he would do it. No way would he let his father die. Thinking about his father reminded him that he had to apologize for turning "cold" as he had said. Shun sighed. He seemed to be apologizing a lot. But while he would talk to his father, he should ask him how to tell Himiko his feelings and how to apologize to everyone before…he died. He was sure his father wouldn't approve of it, but he felt that he would somehow understand what he was going through. Shun looked into the small lake by the tree. Its waters were still and normal. That would be how Shun wanted his life, just normal…
~~~~~
Kumei looked at the saddened Himiko with worry. Both their ice creams were long forgotten once Himiko had told her why she was so sad, and the ice creams were melting.
Kumei placed a hand on Himiko's shoulder. "Gosh Himiko…th-that's…really…"
"Yeah I know…but it helped getting it out. I don't feel sad anymore," Himiko smiled a tiny bit.
But Kumei still looked worried. "I can't exactly imagine what Shun is going through…but I think he won't change his mind even if everyone keeps telling him to."
"S-So you think he's really gonna…?"
Kumei looked at Himiko sadly. "He's one of those types where if he makes up his mind he won't change it. He's one of those stubborn ones."
Himiko looked at her melted ice cream. "Yeah he is…"
"Himiko…I don't know if I should really be intruding but…don't you think you should tell him that you love him soon?"
Himiko blushed. "H-How did you know?" she said quietly as she looked at the table, "Is it that obvious?"
Kumei smiled. "Well, I read a lot of romances and…well, this is like a story out of a book…Besides, Shun always looks at you with gentle eyes…"
Himiko looked at her for a minute. "Wait…are you saying that Shun …loves me back?" she squeaked.
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed yet…I mean, he practically changes whenever he talks to you…" Kumei smiled.
Himiko blushed. "Do you think…?"
"Well, you're just gonna have to find out…"
Himiko bit her bottom lip. "Will he have the courage to tell me?"
"You never know…"
Himiko smiled. "Thanks so much Kumei!! You really cheered me up!!"
Kumei sighed in relief and smiled at her friend. Wow! She really did it! She really cheered Himiko up!!
"It's no problem. What are friends for? Anyway…I should go home."
Himiko frowned. "But I didn't repay you for buying the ice cream and for giving me advice!!"
Kumei laughed as she got up. "Oh it's no problem…"
"Wait!"
Kumei was almost to the door. "Hm?"
"Do you have to go home?"
"Ehh…not really…"
Himiko smiled. "Then I think I have a way to repay you! C'mon let's go to my house!"
Himiko and Kumei walked into the mansion.
"I-I hope I'm not intruding though," Kumei said worriedly.
"Oh don't worry. My parents aren't here. My mom's at work and my dad's at a Li clan meeting," Himiko explained as she led the way to her room.
Kumei's glasses almost dropped as they entered her room. "This is your room?!"
Himiko smiled. "Yes."
The room was twice as big as Kumei's, which wasn't really that big, and Himiko's room also had its own bathroom and walk-in closet. Himiko and Kumei dropped their bags on the queen sized bed.
Kumei looked around. "S-Sugoi!"
Himiko giggled. "My mom's a famous fashion designer, so guess what?"
"Huh?"
Himiko opened the door to the walk-in closet. There were tons of racks with plenty of outfits. There were also accessories such as hats and jewelry and there were also hundreds of shoes.
"Ta-da! My mom gives me samples from her work! She tells me to share with my friends and tell her how they like it. My only friends were Kozue, Shun and Toji. I usually share it with Kozue since Toji and Shun aren't really 'fashion freaks', but sometimes I force them to try stuff on. And now I have you and Zak!" Himiko giggled.
Kumei smiled. "That's so cool!"
"C'mon I'll give you some clothes!"
"Oh no…I couldn't."
Himiko smiled. "Oh don't worry, I have lots. And don't worry, this isn't even my regular wardrobe, so most of them haven't been worn except those that were tried on by Kozue and I."
"B-But…"
Himiko pulled her inside the closet before Kumei could say another word. "So? Do you have a certain style?"
Kumei looked at the fashionable clothes. "No, not really. I usually just wear whatever I have."
Himiko put a finger to her chin. "Hmm…I guess we'll just have to find out what your style is!"
Suddenly she started grabbing different clothes, shoes and accessories and dumped them of top of Kumei.
"A-Ahh…hold on! I-I'm not really the 'stylish' type! Remember? I'm a bookworm!" Kumei shouted from underneath the clothes.
Himiko smiled. "Well, you can be a fashionable bookworm!!"
"Ahh!!"
"Oh don't worry, I'm sure Toji's jaw will drop by the time we're done," Himiko said grabbing a pair of sneakers.
Kumei fiddled with her glasses. "R-Really?"
"Yep! Now c'mon, try all those on. I'll wait outside," Himiko said smiling.
"W-Wait! Himiko!"
But the door had already shut.
Kumei looked at all the clothes in her arms. "All of these?!"
~~~~~
"Dammit!! Where is he?!" Syaoran yelled to himself as he ran through the shopping center.
"Maybe we're just looking at the wrong places, Syaoran!" Sakura called panting behind him.
Syaoran was silent for awhile, thinking while he ran. Where would he go if he was younger? Well, he'd go home first since he lived by himself before. But Shun wouldn't want to go home because his family would be there. The second place Syaoran would've went to was the King Penguin Park because it was quiet there…Wait a minute…quiet!! That's it!!!
"Hey, Sakura?" Syaoran asked as he slowed down.
Sakura stopped beside him. "Hmm?"
"Do you know anywhere where Shun also goes to for peace and quiet? Like any parks or anything?"
Sakura thought for awhile. Then it hit her. "Oh gosh! There's a tree he always likes to sit in by the small park by our house!! You know, the one with the small lake."
"Okay, let's go there."
"Okay."
TO BE CONTINUED…
~~~~~
A/N: I made this chapter long because I've been gone on vacation for so long…I hope you like it!!
~Pnaixr0se8
[4:29 PM Thursday, August 21, 2003 ]