*Hey everyone, it's Saturday, and you know what that means. . . UPDATE DAY!
::listens to crowd cheer:: Anyway, here is another chapter that I hope you
all read and review. I think after this one there's about 6 more chapters,
so it's getting closer to the end. Anyway, I'll shut up now!*
Reviewers: sweet-captor, Bex Drake, feistydiva, jbg, Kikakai, angel-wings- 131, Cherry Jade, Lil Cherry Blossom Angel, & EcuaGirl
Rogue
Sakura felt the car come to a stop and opened her green eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light. It had been a long drive from the airport, and she had fallen asleep yet again. Sitting up, Sakura looked out the window to see a huge house spread out before her. It was enormous, and spread out before her like a magnificent island. The gardens in front of the house were full of flowering plants, and when Sakura touched them they didn't flicker like the plants she was used to.
"These are . . . these are real!" Sakura exclaimed. Syaoran looked on with Wei as Sakura inhaled the scent of each flower, exclaiming every time a scent entered her nose.
"The child has never seen a real flower?" Wei asked. Syaoran nodded, his mind traveling back to dark Tomoeda and its death-like appearance. Hong Kong was so much more beautiful, so much more vibrant. He knew Sakura was going to love being there.
"Syaoran, show me everything!" Sakura squealed excitedly, rushing up to Syaoran and taking his hand in hers. Syaoran blushed a deep crimson at her touch and nodded.
"After you get settled in." Syaoran said, ushering Sakura into the gigantic house. Sakura gasped as she entered the large reception hall of the house and gazed at the beautiful Chinese artwork along the walls. A huge staircase leading to the second floor was at the end of the hall, its gorgeous wooden planks spiraling gracefully up.
"Let me show you your room." Syaoran instructed, leading Sakura into the hall toward the stairs. They climbed, Sakura taking in everything about the house as she walked. Wei followed quietly, watching the couple. She wasn't Syaoran's girlfriend, he blushed too heavily at her touch. Who was this girl?
Leading Sakura down a long hallway covered in portraits of Li family members, Syaoran walked quietly, his mind centered on everything around him. He hadn't been there in three years, and though time had passed, it didn't seem like anything had changed. He could still see his sisters and mother walking that very hall, as if nothing had happened. But so much had. . .
"This is your room, right next to mine." Syaoran announced, opening a mahogany door and showing Sakura into a beautifully furnished room. She walked in and noticed the pale pink linens, and the soft white curtains blowing with the breeze from the open window. The rug was a soft white, covering much of the hardwood floor. A monstrous four poster bed was the crowning piece to the room, its gigantic form taking over most of the elaborately decorated room.
"It's beautiful . . . "Sakura murmured as she walked in and looked around. There was a vanity in one of the corners, with a hairbrush and mirror. A large dresser opened to reveal many different articles of clothing to fit the pretty young occupant.
"Did you get all of this for me?" Sakura asked Syaoran in shock. He nodded, and Sakura felt as if she were being lifted to heaven. To think someone who didn't even know her was treating her so well after causing so much trouble.
"I'll let you get a hot bath and change clothes, then we'll go out and tour the estate." Syaoran said softly, looking at Sakura for confirmation. Sakura looked up into those amber eyes and felt herself slipping again. Wei watched the two of them stare; Sakura looking up at Syaoran with wide innocence in her eyes, Syaoran looking down with hard yet gentle kindness in his.
"I'll be down in a couple of hours." Sakura said quietly, shaking herself out of her thoughts. She was getting too close again, and it was NOT a good thing. Syaoran shook his head slightly, then turned and walked out of the room with Wei, stopping to take one more look at the emerald eyed beauty standing in the middle of the room like a child in a candy store. He smiled gently, then closed the door.
'Oh . . . my. . . GOSH!' Sakura thought as she let out a shriek of excitement and dove onto the plush bed, letting herself become enveloped in the softness. After reveling in the luxurious bed for a moment, Sakura rose and walked over to the bathroom adjoining her room and marveled at its beauty.
It too was quite large, white tiles spanning the vast floor. A claw foot bathtub was against one wall, opposite a large mirror. There were fresh plants in the room, and blue curtains adorned the open window. A blue mat was on the floor outside the bath tub, and blue towels in the white linen closet. Sakura drew a bath, filling it with hot water as she removed her clothing.
Sakura let her garments slink to the floor as she shucked them off, then stepped into the steaming bath carefully, immediately eliciting a sigh of relaxation from her lips as the hot water covered her slender body. She unpinned her hair, letting it fall down around her before ducking under the water completely.
"Syaoran." Wei said simply. Syaoran was standing at the bottom of the stairs after a long shower and a short nap. He was dressed in a black shirt with a gray shirt overlaying it, two gold colored stripes holding it together at the chest. Simple khakis and black shoes finished his ensemble, and his hair was still as messy as always. Syaoran turned around, slightly shocked.
"Wei, I didn't know you were down here." Syaoran stated. Wei nodded and stood beside the younger man, his gray eyes searching Syaoran's for information.
"Who is the girl?" Wei asked, his tone serious. Syaoran inwardly winced; Sakura didn't want to tell Wei about who she was or why she was there, and it wouldn't be exactly right for him to disclose the information. But it was Wei, his closest friend since his family's demise.
"She's someone who got in the way of my mission. They're trying to kill her, and I'm getting her out of Tomoeda for the moment. Happy?" Syaoran asked, perturbed. Wei nodded, a smile forming on his lips. Never had he seen the boy acting this way about a woman, not since the incident. But that was long ago.
"I just wanted a little background before I said something out of place." Wei said quietly, but a movement at the top of the stairs interrupted him from saying anything more. Syaoran turned his head sharply to the top of the stairs to see Sakura standing before him.
And he felt as though he would never move again.
There she stood, clad in Chinese styled dress made of dark blue fabric. The dress stretched down to Sakura's knees, and had a split up to her lower hip. The edges of the dress were lined in yellow, and a beautiful red flower adorned the corner of the dress. It was short sleeved, with a collar hooked together with a similar hook as Syaoran's shirt. Matching blue shoes were on her feet.
He couldn't speak; he was entranced by the beauty of this woman standing before him. He had never seen her wearing anything more than grays, blacks, and white. Color looked fantastic on her. Her face was clean, no makeup present. Her hair was dry and lying in graceful curls around her shoulders. She was stunning.
Sakura walked down the stairs, feeling Syaoran's eyes on her with every step. She felt so out of place in the clothing; never had she worn anything of color besides the garments Tomoyo had provided for her; she lived in a world of black and white with shades of gray mixed in. She reached the bottom of the steps, and Syaoran extended his hand, to which Sakura gave her own. He bent down and kissed it softly, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Are you ready for a tour?" Syaoran asked, his voice quiet and low. He gazed intently into Sakura's eyes as she stared back at him.
"Yes."
Syaoran took Sakura's arm and led her past Wei, who watched with interest as the couple walked out of the house toward the grounds. Syaoran had taken to the girl, it was obvious to him. And it seemed that she had some affection toward the boy as well. Could there be something more? Could Syaoran's heart be opening up, even after the incident? Wei turned and walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner, his mind going over the different probabilities.
Sakura walked with Syaoran through the grounds, taking in all the beauty and majesty of the land stretching before her. There was a dense forest on the land he owned, and they walked through it slowly, taking in every sight, every smell. Sakura felt like she was in Eden, seeing all the things paradise could offer. After a couple hours of walking, they reached a cliff facing a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance.
"This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. You must have been so happy growing up here." Sakura whispered, watching as the sun sank slowly beyond her view behind the mountains. Syaoran sighed heavily; it had been a wonderful childhood for him. But all that was left now were painful memories of a past he wanted to forget.
"Yes, it was." Syaoran answered simply, looking at Sakura as she stood beside him, the breeze moving her hair gently, as if fingers from heaven were touching it.
"I could live in a place like this forever." Sakura sighed. Syaoran felt an ache in his heart as he wished he could convince her to live with him forever there. He felt it so strongly, and though he wanted to chalk it up to adrenaline, he couldn't. He was falling for the girl with the infectious smile and innocent jade eyes. And he barely knew her.
Sakura closed her eyes and took in a breath, instantly smelling the fresh air and subtle scent of sandalwood that was Syaoran. It was so peaceful here, no loud cars and shouting people. She truly felt happy here, and when she said she could stay forever she meant it. But he would never let her; he had no feelings beyond friendship for her as far as she knew. For all Sakura knew, he was annoyed with her for getting him so far off track. Sighing, Sakura turned to Syaoran, who had his eyes closed as well.
She looked him over, standing there at the edge of the cliff, his dark mess of hair blowing gently in the breeze, his chest moving up and down as he let the freshness and serenity of the moment hit him. She smiled; he was happy here, she knew. But there was something more, something pulling at him.
"Syaoran!" Sakura suddenly called, breaking Syaoran from his thoughts. He opened his eyes to find Sakura had jogged away from him, and was at the edge of the woods smiling a silly smile.
"Catch me if you can!" Sakura cried, taking off into the forest. Syaoran smirked and took off after her, making her shriek after she found out he was in hot pursuit.
Sakura sprinted through the forest, her hair seeming to chase behind her like a piece of woven silk. She looked behind her, her green eyes concentrating on Syaoran as he gained on her. Sakura shrieked again and laughed, then turned her head back to see what was coming up ahead. She ran into a clearing, then looked back to see where Syaoran was. Her foot caught something on the ground, and Sakura was sent flying to the ground with a thump and a moan of pain.
She looked for Syaoran, then saw him walk out to the clearing, his eyes wide and filled with something Sakura hadn't seen earlier; pain. Confused, Sakura stood and brushed some moss off of her dress, then looked around her surroundings. Her heart stopped when she realized where she was.
A cemetery.
Syaoran walked up to Sakura, his face grim. He looked past her at the seven stones and sighed, then looked at Sakura somberly. He looked like he had been struck by a bus, his shoulders slumped, his face stricken with grief.
"Sakura, meet my family."
*Just when you thought it was going to get romantic. . . Sakura finds the Li family cemetery. ::tear:: Thanks for reading, now do the cool thing and review so I can put you up there with all the other cool people. ::points to top where cool people are:: And don't forget to watch for my newest fic "The Luckiest" coming soon! Ciao!*
Reviewers: sweet-captor, Bex Drake, feistydiva, jbg, Kikakai, angel-wings- 131, Cherry Jade, Lil Cherry Blossom Angel, & EcuaGirl
Rogue
Sakura felt the car come to a stop and opened her green eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light. It had been a long drive from the airport, and she had fallen asleep yet again. Sitting up, Sakura looked out the window to see a huge house spread out before her. It was enormous, and spread out before her like a magnificent island. The gardens in front of the house were full of flowering plants, and when Sakura touched them they didn't flicker like the plants she was used to.
"These are . . . these are real!" Sakura exclaimed. Syaoran looked on with Wei as Sakura inhaled the scent of each flower, exclaiming every time a scent entered her nose.
"The child has never seen a real flower?" Wei asked. Syaoran nodded, his mind traveling back to dark Tomoeda and its death-like appearance. Hong Kong was so much more beautiful, so much more vibrant. He knew Sakura was going to love being there.
"Syaoran, show me everything!" Sakura squealed excitedly, rushing up to Syaoran and taking his hand in hers. Syaoran blushed a deep crimson at her touch and nodded.
"After you get settled in." Syaoran said, ushering Sakura into the gigantic house. Sakura gasped as she entered the large reception hall of the house and gazed at the beautiful Chinese artwork along the walls. A huge staircase leading to the second floor was at the end of the hall, its gorgeous wooden planks spiraling gracefully up.
"Let me show you your room." Syaoran instructed, leading Sakura into the hall toward the stairs. They climbed, Sakura taking in everything about the house as she walked. Wei followed quietly, watching the couple. She wasn't Syaoran's girlfriend, he blushed too heavily at her touch. Who was this girl?
Leading Sakura down a long hallway covered in portraits of Li family members, Syaoran walked quietly, his mind centered on everything around him. He hadn't been there in three years, and though time had passed, it didn't seem like anything had changed. He could still see his sisters and mother walking that very hall, as if nothing had happened. But so much had. . .
"This is your room, right next to mine." Syaoran announced, opening a mahogany door and showing Sakura into a beautifully furnished room. She walked in and noticed the pale pink linens, and the soft white curtains blowing with the breeze from the open window. The rug was a soft white, covering much of the hardwood floor. A monstrous four poster bed was the crowning piece to the room, its gigantic form taking over most of the elaborately decorated room.
"It's beautiful . . . "Sakura murmured as she walked in and looked around. There was a vanity in one of the corners, with a hairbrush and mirror. A large dresser opened to reveal many different articles of clothing to fit the pretty young occupant.
"Did you get all of this for me?" Sakura asked Syaoran in shock. He nodded, and Sakura felt as if she were being lifted to heaven. To think someone who didn't even know her was treating her so well after causing so much trouble.
"I'll let you get a hot bath and change clothes, then we'll go out and tour the estate." Syaoran said softly, looking at Sakura for confirmation. Sakura looked up into those amber eyes and felt herself slipping again. Wei watched the two of them stare; Sakura looking up at Syaoran with wide innocence in her eyes, Syaoran looking down with hard yet gentle kindness in his.
"I'll be down in a couple of hours." Sakura said quietly, shaking herself out of her thoughts. She was getting too close again, and it was NOT a good thing. Syaoran shook his head slightly, then turned and walked out of the room with Wei, stopping to take one more look at the emerald eyed beauty standing in the middle of the room like a child in a candy store. He smiled gently, then closed the door.
'Oh . . . my. . . GOSH!' Sakura thought as she let out a shriek of excitement and dove onto the plush bed, letting herself become enveloped in the softness. After reveling in the luxurious bed for a moment, Sakura rose and walked over to the bathroom adjoining her room and marveled at its beauty.
It too was quite large, white tiles spanning the vast floor. A claw foot bathtub was against one wall, opposite a large mirror. There were fresh plants in the room, and blue curtains adorned the open window. A blue mat was on the floor outside the bath tub, and blue towels in the white linen closet. Sakura drew a bath, filling it with hot water as she removed her clothing.
Sakura let her garments slink to the floor as she shucked them off, then stepped into the steaming bath carefully, immediately eliciting a sigh of relaxation from her lips as the hot water covered her slender body. She unpinned her hair, letting it fall down around her before ducking under the water completely.
"Syaoran." Wei said simply. Syaoran was standing at the bottom of the stairs after a long shower and a short nap. He was dressed in a black shirt with a gray shirt overlaying it, two gold colored stripes holding it together at the chest. Simple khakis and black shoes finished his ensemble, and his hair was still as messy as always. Syaoran turned around, slightly shocked.
"Wei, I didn't know you were down here." Syaoran stated. Wei nodded and stood beside the younger man, his gray eyes searching Syaoran's for information.
"Who is the girl?" Wei asked, his tone serious. Syaoran inwardly winced; Sakura didn't want to tell Wei about who she was or why she was there, and it wouldn't be exactly right for him to disclose the information. But it was Wei, his closest friend since his family's demise.
"She's someone who got in the way of my mission. They're trying to kill her, and I'm getting her out of Tomoeda for the moment. Happy?" Syaoran asked, perturbed. Wei nodded, a smile forming on his lips. Never had he seen the boy acting this way about a woman, not since the incident. But that was long ago.
"I just wanted a little background before I said something out of place." Wei said quietly, but a movement at the top of the stairs interrupted him from saying anything more. Syaoran turned his head sharply to the top of the stairs to see Sakura standing before him.
And he felt as though he would never move again.
There she stood, clad in Chinese styled dress made of dark blue fabric. The dress stretched down to Sakura's knees, and had a split up to her lower hip. The edges of the dress were lined in yellow, and a beautiful red flower adorned the corner of the dress. It was short sleeved, with a collar hooked together with a similar hook as Syaoran's shirt. Matching blue shoes were on her feet.
He couldn't speak; he was entranced by the beauty of this woman standing before him. He had never seen her wearing anything more than grays, blacks, and white. Color looked fantastic on her. Her face was clean, no makeup present. Her hair was dry and lying in graceful curls around her shoulders. She was stunning.
Sakura walked down the stairs, feeling Syaoran's eyes on her with every step. She felt so out of place in the clothing; never had she worn anything of color besides the garments Tomoyo had provided for her; she lived in a world of black and white with shades of gray mixed in. She reached the bottom of the steps, and Syaoran extended his hand, to which Sakura gave her own. He bent down and kissed it softly, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Are you ready for a tour?" Syaoran asked, his voice quiet and low. He gazed intently into Sakura's eyes as she stared back at him.
"Yes."
Syaoran took Sakura's arm and led her past Wei, who watched with interest as the couple walked out of the house toward the grounds. Syaoran had taken to the girl, it was obvious to him. And it seemed that she had some affection toward the boy as well. Could there be something more? Could Syaoran's heart be opening up, even after the incident? Wei turned and walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner, his mind going over the different probabilities.
Sakura walked with Syaoran through the grounds, taking in all the beauty and majesty of the land stretching before her. There was a dense forest on the land he owned, and they walked through it slowly, taking in every sight, every smell. Sakura felt like she was in Eden, seeing all the things paradise could offer. After a couple hours of walking, they reached a cliff facing a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance.
"This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. You must have been so happy growing up here." Sakura whispered, watching as the sun sank slowly beyond her view behind the mountains. Syaoran sighed heavily; it had been a wonderful childhood for him. But all that was left now were painful memories of a past he wanted to forget.
"Yes, it was." Syaoran answered simply, looking at Sakura as she stood beside him, the breeze moving her hair gently, as if fingers from heaven were touching it.
"I could live in a place like this forever." Sakura sighed. Syaoran felt an ache in his heart as he wished he could convince her to live with him forever there. He felt it so strongly, and though he wanted to chalk it up to adrenaline, he couldn't. He was falling for the girl with the infectious smile and innocent jade eyes. And he barely knew her.
Sakura closed her eyes and took in a breath, instantly smelling the fresh air and subtle scent of sandalwood that was Syaoran. It was so peaceful here, no loud cars and shouting people. She truly felt happy here, and when she said she could stay forever she meant it. But he would never let her; he had no feelings beyond friendship for her as far as she knew. For all Sakura knew, he was annoyed with her for getting him so far off track. Sighing, Sakura turned to Syaoran, who had his eyes closed as well.
She looked him over, standing there at the edge of the cliff, his dark mess of hair blowing gently in the breeze, his chest moving up and down as he let the freshness and serenity of the moment hit him. She smiled; he was happy here, she knew. But there was something more, something pulling at him.
"Syaoran!" Sakura suddenly called, breaking Syaoran from his thoughts. He opened his eyes to find Sakura had jogged away from him, and was at the edge of the woods smiling a silly smile.
"Catch me if you can!" Sakura cried, taking off into the forest. Syaoran smirked and took off after her, making her shriek after she found out he was in hot pursuit.
Sakura sprinted through the forest, her hair seeming to chase behind her like a piece of woven silk. She looked behind her, her green eyes concentrating on Syaoran as he gained on her. Sakura shrieked again and laughed, then turned her head back to see what was coming up ahead. She ran into a clearing, then looked back to see where Syaoran was. Her foot caught something on the ground, and Sakura was sent flying to the ground with a thump and a moan of pain.
She looked for Syaoran, then saw him walk out to the clearing, his eyes wide and filled with something Sakura hadn't seen earlier; pain. Confused, Sakura stood and brushed some moss off of her dress, then looked around her surroundings. Her heart stopped when she realized where she was.
A cemetery.
Syaoran walked up to Sakura, his face grim. He looked past her at the seven stones and sighed, then looked at Sakura somberly. He looked like he had been struck by a bus, his shoulders slumped, his face stricken with grief.
"Sakura, meet my family."
*Just when you thought it was going to get romantic. . . Sakura finds the Li family cemetery. ::tear:: Thanks for reading, now do the cool thing and review so I can put you up there with all the other cool people. ::points to top where cool people are:: And don't forget to watch for my newest fic "The Luckiest" coming soon! Ciao!*