AN: Thank you for waiting for the previous chapter! I still regret taking such a darn long time updating it. Anyways, this time I have a reason. Microsoft Word decided to go haywire for me and I thought I almost lost the chapter. [That's what I get for forgetting to save.] Anyway, my father fixed it, yeah. So… it's up and I can continue on with the chapter. But that of course, delayed this chapter by days…
Disclaimer: CCS belongs to clamp. It's rightfully theirs. Duh
Chapter 13: Lost
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Syaoran felt as though he spent much of the night tossing through a tormented sleep.
He dreamed first of his life and his cold exterior which only one person has managed to penetrate so far and that was Sakura. He then dreamt of her first coming, when she joined the gang and became the other leader besides him. Last of all, he dreamt of her smiling happily at him but then, there was a sudden change where their surroundings became completely black and bleak, and the next thing he knew, Sakura was being taking away from him. Taken away by his wretched enemy…
"Holy s-" Syaoran gasped as he sat up on his bed. His head spun a little from the sudden movement but he ignored it and
clutched his heart. It hurt… she was missing… Even worse, kidnapped and he was there lying on his bed doing nothing!
He knew he should stop being angry that she didn't listen to him. He knew there was something more. He didn't want to help not because he didn't want to. He was confused. His emotions were a mess and out of the blue, he just screamed. He wanted to pour out the guilt, the anger, the regret and all his jumbled feelings. When he quieted down, he realised that it still did not work. And it hurt even more.
He was lost.
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"Poor Syaoran… He's blaming himself but he doesn't show it," Tomoyo whispered to Eriol in the hallway outside Syaoran's room. "After the searches proved fruitless, he looked as if he could just comb the rest of the world for her."
Eriol stared hard at Syaoran's door. He had to help out his friend, his brother and he knew it. "Let's try to help him in anyway we can," Eriol said and walked back to the room with Tomoyo.
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Mice and rats which littered the entire place squeaked loudly as the scampered across the cold hard floor. Old pipes hanged down from the battered ceiling and the whole place stunk of sewage and dirty water.
Sakura groaned as she lifted her head from the wet, slimy floor. "Bloody hell…" she cursed as pain shot through her entire body and her head throbbed terribly.
"Awake finally, sleeping beauty."
"Argh…" Sakura growled, disgusted. "What do you want with me, you freaking piece of-"
"Now, now," Shaman interrupted. "Don't get too colourful with your vocabulary with me. I'm sure I won't need your knowledge by the end of this… battle. You're going to get what you deserve but first of all, I need you to serve my purpose."
"What purpose?" Sakura's head shot up and glared hard at Shaman, as though trying to burn a hole through his empty head of his.
"Well… initially it was a secret. But… since you're going to be gone soon, I should at least let you have the honour of knowing." Shaman smirked and continued. "Basically, you are essential to us because well… you're useful."
"Tell me, you fool!" Sakura shouted and stood up defensively.
"If I'm a fool, I wouldn't tell you. But anyway… that dear Li of yours is aggressive. Yes, he is… especially when it comes down to those he loves. He would put his life on the line for the people… or in your case, the person. He is protective, yes… Very… Which is why…"
"No…" Sakura said in disbelief. "He won't do that!"
"And why's that?" Shaman asked with interest.
"He doesn't l… You said that he would risk his life for those he loves… but he does not love me! He hates me, can't you see! He hates me in every aspect! He's a cold-hearted beast!"
Shaman roared with laughter. "And you expect me to believe that? Why? You love him so much that you don't want him to get leered in my trap."
"I'm telling the truth! He doesn't love me and never will! And don't you dare lay a finger on him!"
"Oh? So little cherry blossom hasn't realised yet?" Shaman said as his fingers danced across the side of Sakura's face. Sakura shook him off and stepped further back.
"Don't call me that and don't touch me! Get lost!" Sakura screamed and ran in the opposite direction.
Shaman laughed. "Don't need to try, my dear. I wouldn't be so foolish as to let you off so easily. Like I said, I am not a fool."
"No!" Sakura screamed as she was lifted up by two big-sized guys. She kicked her legs frantically, trying to reach the ground. The big guys carried her back to where their master was.
"Thank you, like I said, I won't let you go so easily. Lock her up!" He ordered and his men immediately complied.
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"Any news?" Eriol asked as Syaoran stood beside him, shoulders slumped and eyes hollow.
"Sorry man, none," a Wolf answered. He then turned to Syaoran and said sincerely, "I'm sorry for your loss man, I really am!"
Syaoran's head shot up as he glared half-heartedly at the man. He lifted his hands, getting ready for a punch. Eriol immediately held him back and thanked the guy who quickly walked away. "Relax Syaoran… this attitude of yours is never going to get Sakura back."
"What right does he have of saying sorry about my loss? Mine! He said 'my'!" Syaoran shouted, outraged.
"Well… it's everyone's loss. The whole gang that is, losing a leader," Eriol said.
"Am I supposed to be feeling this scratched up, huh Eriol? Tell me! I feel…" He paused to rub his head. "I mean… I'm supposed to feel glad right? Glad that she might never come back alive in the hands of my enemy. Glad that I can finally become the only leader again! Tell me Eriol!"
Eriol stared sympathetically at his best friend. "We'll do our best to get her back… that's all I can say. And don't be afraid to let your true feelings show…"
Syaoran stared at Eriol… his face void of any emotions. Eriol just smiled back and repeated his last line…
Don't be afraid to let your true feelings show.
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"Hungry?" Shaman asked with a cynical laugh. Sakura looked starved. She hadn't eaten in two days. But she would not give up. "Well, it is indeed a shame to give you food, isn't it?"
Sakura ignored him, still pretending to be lying asleep on the cold floor.
"I left a note for your dearest but I see you're not interested. Bye," Shaman smirked, proud of his own statement.
"Wait!" Sakura shouted, weak but desperate. "What did you tell him!?"
Shaman kept his smirk on, playing his fingers against his chin. "Why do you want to know? I thought you said he was a cold-hearted beast."
"Fine, don't tell me then," Sakura said defiantly but deep down, she was really worried about Syaoran. Tears almost sprang out at the thought but she kept it in, burying her face in her hands.
Shaman decided to torture her with the contents of the note and said. "Well… does 'meet at 11 tonight for the flower' sound good to you? I thought that the message was rather short and straightforward. Of course I sent a copy of this address as well. Anticipating his arrival?" Shaman let out an evil laugh and walked away, whistling.
Sakura, torn on both the inside and out, could do nothing but clutch her hands together and pray for the one she loved.
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Guns were loaded and men were stationed in the open ground. All of which were neatly hidden, blending in with the dark patches of the night sky. Two authoritative people scanned the ground, spotting their men every now and then.
"You ready?" Eriol asked, concerned at the hard look on his relative's face.
With a stiff nod, Syaoran took the lead and advanced towards the only opening and exit of the 'secret' underground hideout of his enemy.
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"What do you mean they didn't come? How can they not come! You!" Shaman spit out and pointed his finger at Sakura, "You useless bait!"
Sakura smiled sadistically, glad that they had not risked their lives to save her. But deep inside it hurt, it was like he did not care about her.
"Well… it looks like I have to kill you then," came his blunt comment. "But before I do that…" he grinned evilly, "You're very beautiful, do you know that?"
"Get away from me! NO!!" Sakura screamed when he reached for her shirt, ripping it apart.
"I should have the pleasure of having you, part of revenge and then kill you," Shaman's grin grew wider. "Nice treat."
"Get away from her!" an angry voice shouted.
Shaman looked up, only to see his wretched enemy. Vice versa for Syaoran. "Kid, you tricked my men. How did you sneak in without notice?" Shaman said coolly. He got off Sakura, dusting his hands. "At least you turned up."
"Bastard!" Syaoran cursed and he raced to Shaman, punching him in the face. Shaman barely had enough time to counter the attack and was knocked backwards by the blow. "Take that!"
"Get off me, Li!" Shaman howled in rage, pushing him off and preparing himself for an attack.
"Eriol, get Sakura out now!" Syaoran shouted, turning to Sakura for a last look. Sakura stared back, her eyes screaming an obvious 'NO' as Eriol frantically undid the ropes restraining her movements. Syaoran just gave her a small, quirky smile. His eyes bore into hers, but quickly diverted away. "Get out now!" He shouted, fiercer this time.
"No!" Sakura shouted, determination crossing her features. "I'm fighting with you, Syaoran!" She said, getting up, ignoring the nakedness without her shirt, only a sports bra on.
"Sakur-" Syaoran was cut off when Shaman knocked him off his feet. Sakura immediately ran over and took revenge for Syaoran by kicking him in his chest, staggering his balance.
"Let me handle this!" Sakura shouted, letting out an enraged cry of war, again targeting the enemy. "I want to beat the daylights out of him." Without waiting for Syaoran's sign of acknowledgment, she attacked Shaman once again. He was unprepared and defenceless. Sakura got the upper hand and continued knocking him out.
Shaman had enough, and using all his strength, blocked Sakura's attack. "Move away, bitch. This is between me and Li!"
Sakura shook her head, a bold look in her eyes. "No… if Syaoran is involved, so am I."
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"What do you mean he went off without us?!" Meilin screamed.
"When I came home, Eriol wasn't here and I tried to contact him but to no avail," Tomoyo said, calmly. "Probably went to save Sakura or something."
"How there my wretched cousin have some action without me?! I'm going after them," Meilin said, getting off her chair abruptly.
"Do you think it's smart to interfere with their plans now, Meilin? I'm sure they have backup," Tomoyo said gently, advising her friend.
"No! Remember the last time we thought that, before meeting Sakura in fact. Now with her, who knows what extent Syaoran would go to?" Meilin said, worry evident in her voice.
"So… you know too?" Tomoyo asked. Meilin nodded. "You're right, let's go!"
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Sakura, torn between weakness and hunger, attempted another dive at Shaman. But with lack of food energy, she collapsed before even reaching Shaman.
"Sakura!" Syaoran's desperate voice shot out, as he fought the other men that Shaman had called out, along with his own backup.
"Forget it, Li! Just leave! Go… Go on!" Sakura cried out in pain when Shaman kicked her, sending her rolling across the floor. "Please… go… Please," Sakura begged, her eyes looking once again directly into Syaoran's. "Please go, Syaoran."
"Sorry, but I can't obey that wish," Syaoran said softly, suddenly recharged with some strength and power and in one blow, knocked out several of Shaman's men. "I have to protect you, I love you Sakura." Syaoran was quite oblivious to what he was babbling out but deep inside, he felt his emotions pour out and the beautiful grace and power of it.
Sakura's eyes widened in shock that she didn't notice when Shaman body-slammed on her, making her clutch herself in pain. "Syaoran… I'm sorry," came the whisper.
"No, you're not sorry! You don't mean it! Hold on, Sakura! You better or else… I'll hate you for the rest of my life," Syaoran shouted angrily, upset about her will to die. He didn't really mean what he said about hating her. He would love her, always.
Sakura could only smile in pain, feeling the numbness starting to spread; she found the atmosphere suddenly suitable for sleeping. "Goodnight, Syaoran."
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Hey, decided to stop here. Figured that there were too many 'NO' going around… Maybe I'll get a new word to use repeatedly next chapter. Maybe that's what makes me one horrible author. Not knowing new words to use and using the same old boring stuff. Yeah?
Anyways, school is starting in a few days. I haven't completed half of the amount of homework I have. In other words, I'm dead.