AN: Hi everyone! I know I was supposed to update… but… Let's say some thing cropped up. Holidays are near. I'll try to update faster then. And I also know… there hasn't been any action yet. But even when I finally do put in some action, it might be lousy. I don't really know how to write action stories. So please put up with me. ^-^
Disclaimer: I repeat: I do not own CCS. I want to. But…Clamp does! The song used in this chapter is Nick of Time by ZOEgirl.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
-Point of view-
[Place/Time]
~Flashback~
(Author's note/ my comments)
Chapter 4: Nick of time
Syaoran's eyes scanned the room. His gaze lastly fell on Sakura who was leaning against the door frame, as if waiting for him.
"Are you done?" Sakura asked impatiently. "It's just a room with weapons and for me to work out." She explained.
"Train, you mean?" Syaoran inquired.
"Err… my parents used it." Sakura said, avoiding his question.
"Liar." Syaoran said. At this, Sakura gave up in trying to cover up her lie. She took a deep breath and sighed.
"Fine! So what! I do train. I do know how to hold a gun. I know how to fight but it's mainly for self-defence." Sakura said. She did tell the truth. But it was not the whole truth. She knew more than that.
After awhile, Meilin came down after hearing Sakura's outburst.
"What is going on here?" Meilin demanded for an answer.
"Nothing. Just some liar." Syaoran pushed his way out and went up.
"Sakura?" Meilin peered worriedly in Sakura's eyes. Sakura shook her head.
"I'm fine. Come on Meilin. Let's go have some fun." Sakura said going back up to the house. Meilin was surprised at her friend's sudden change in behaviour but followed closely after Sakura.
Sakura opened a well-furnished brown door. Meilin gasped at the sight in front of her.
"Cool!" Meilin shouted. Sakura just smiled.
"Then enjoy." Sakura clapped her hands, and automatically, music started playing.
She walked over to a side of the fully air-conditioned room and took out a few bottles of red wine. She then walked back to Meilin who was relaxing on the soft couch.
"Here, have some." Sakura offered.
"Thanks." Meilin took the glass of wine from Sakura and stirred it slightly. She then delicately took a sip.
"Good stuff you have here." Meilin said, taking a few more sips.
"This was my parent's stuff." Sakura said, gulping down her wine.
"Sakura…Don't over do it." Meilin said with concern.
"Don't worry about me." Sakura said, gulping down another glass. "When my parents were alive, I would sneak down to have some. Now… everything's mine." Sakura said, here eyes showing sadness.
"Sakura… you know that you have us now, right? We are your family." Meilin said, going over to hug Sakura.
"Thanks." Sakura said, returning the hug.
"I wonder what Syaoran is doing now." Meilin giggled.
"I don't care. Let him raid the house for all I care." Sakura giggled too. She was feeling a little of the effects from drinking. She already had a few bottles and a couple of glasses. She laid herself on the couch, suddenly bursting into laughter.
Meilin could handle wine and all alcoholic drinks better than Sakura because of
her often trips to clubs. She cleared all the bottles and glasses of wine and
brought Sakura some water.
"Here. Have some." Meilin bent down to kneel next to Sakura who was totally oblivious to her surroundings.
"No thanks Meilin. I just want to sleep." Sakura said, gently pushing the glass of water away. She soon fell into a deep slumber.
[The next morning]
Sakura woke up with a splitting headache. "Shit." She cursed. She held her spinning head. She looked around and found that she was on a bed.
"Sakura… you're awake. How are you feeling?" Meilin asked.
"Damn headache." Sakura whined.
"You drank too much." Meilin reminded her.
"Yes… I remember." Sakura help her head. "I feel dizzy too."
"Come on… we have to go soon. Just take your breakfast and we're leaving." Meilin said, helping Sakura to get up. Then, Meilin left for Sakura to change and wash up.
After ten minutes, a more refreshed Sakura walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. She headed to the table where a breakfast meal of scrambled eggs, bacon and tea was prepared. Sakura just gobbled everything down in two minutes flat. She still felt dizzy.
"I'm leaving!" Sakura shouted to the empty household before heading towards the garage.
Syaoran and Meilin were already outside the garage, waiting for Sakura. The garage was locked and they couldn't get in. Sakura tried to stay balanced as she walked towards them. She pressed a button which was hidden at the side and the doors opened.
"Whoa! Sakura! You have too much cool stuff here." Meilin said, running her hand over the different cars.
Sakura took out a pair of keys from her pocket and walked over to a Black Jaguar XKR 100 Convertible."Cool pick!" Meilin said, rushing over to the black car.
"Get in." Sakura said briskly, heading to the driver's seat. She was suddenly held back by a pair of strong arms.
"You can't drive." Syaoran said. He was actually right. Sakura still had not recovered from her dizziness.
"I can handle it." She insisted. Syaoran had enough of her stubbornness and took the keys away from her.
"Hey!" Sakura complained, trying to take back the keys.
"Sakura, Syaoran's right. Just let him drive. You can lie down at the back seat." Meilin assured her.
"Fine." Sakura grumbled and got in the back seat. She settled herself comfortably on the whole row. Meilin sighed. She had no choice but to join Syaoran in the front.
"Syaoran… drive slower. She will feel nauseas." Meilin reminded him.
"Yea…" Syaoran replied.
It was already halfway through the journey. Nobody had talked. Syaoran was driving the slowest he could. Suddenly, Sakura's childish voice broke through the silence.
"I want to listen to the radio! Radio! Radio!" She laughed giddily when Meilin turned on the radio. It so happened that the song that came on was one that Sakura knew. She tried to lessen her giddiness by closing her eyes.
I led a lonesome journey
Full of disdain and fury
I kept my angered yearning
Close to me like fire burning
Out of the blue, Syaoran started cursing. He swerved the car right to left and back to the right again. "What the hell do you think you're trying to do?" Meilin screeched.
"Shadows…" Syaoran answered, trying to get out of the sight of the Shadow bikers.
I watched a million chances
Slip through my weathered hands
I almost lost myself when I looked around
There was no one else
"Oh…" Meilin laid back on the passenger seat as Syaoran skilfully dodged the flying bullets. Sakura was still oblivious to her surroundings and she started to sing.
In the nick of time
You opened up my mind
And suddenly I saw the world much clearer
In the nick of time
You turned my water to wine
And suddenly I didn't feel the fear
More curses came from Syaoran and they were soon driving on a deserted highway. Syaoran sighed but sped up again once he saw the bikers turn the bend and on to the highway.
Right before my eyes
You showed me there was life that to be found
You're the miracle I prayed about you
You were the one who saved my life
In the nick of time
"What now?" Meilin asked. Syaoran frowned in concentration.
"We will have to get back to the mansion safely." Syaoran said it like it was the easiest thing to do.
Meilin turned to glare at Syaoran. "I know that!" she screamed at him. "But how?"
"Beats me." Syaoran shrugged. "The girl behind is in no state to help us and you are not going to try and shoot them down by yourself". His words were proven wrong when they heard gun shots go off at the back.
"What the-" Syaoran and Meilin turned around to see Sakura gleefully shooting the Shadow bikers.
I followed habits around
Been swept up above the clouds
But fallen down left shaken
Up and down the pills I'd taken
I could have kept on going
With no one ever knowing
Who really wants to see a tired nobody like me
"Meilin!" Sakura called out, the speed the car was going made her hair fly messily around her. "Join me! This I fun!" she laughed as she sot down another two bikers.
One Shadow rider lost control of his bike and he crashed into a metal pole.
In the nick of time
You opened up my mind
And suddenly I saw the world much clearer
In the nick of time
You turned my water to wine
And suddenly I didn't feel the fear
Meilin, who was shocked, nodded dumbly and quickly jumped over to the back to help Sakura. It was more like accompanying her, because by then, Sakura had shot every biker down except one.
"Let me." Meilin said, finishing the last biker off by shooting him in the head. She sighed in relief as she faced the front and sunk down on the seat. She was soon followed by Sakura who was still laughing.
"Second time and they still didn't get me. Pathetic." She continued laughing as Meilin stared at her.
Syaoran shook his head in annoyance and sped down the rest of the highway, back to their mansion.
Heehee. Sorry for the very late update. At one point of time, I thought that I would never… never mind. But at least, I'm done with this chapter!
Shadow is the name of the other gang, the one that killed Sakura's parents. I couldn't think of a better name. Sorry for the lousy name. But… if any one could suggest a better name, I might consider changing it.
Thank you for the reviews and the b'day wishes. I'll try to update sooner. No promises for that.