----- Sort of a Fairytale
----- Written by Iris (Rainbow) Dreamer
----- DISCLAIMER: Card Captor Sakura solely belongs to Clamp. However, the plot is mine and I would like to remain it that way. Arigato.
----- AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey! This is my new fic! Bear with me here as I suffer my way through my one last stab at the SATs, through college essays, countless college searching, and college applications of my senior year. Needless to say, I'll be very busy. I'll be trying my best to update this, but I'm going to have one hectic senior year!
Iris dreamer.
----- BACKGROUND: Okay! Some background here. Syaoran and Sakura have not met before. Hm. No magic in here either (as some of you might know, I'm horrible at describing magic.....). What else? Oh, the characters may seem a bit out of character in the beginning (especially Sakura), but you'll see why as the story proceeds. Hm. I think that's about it. The rest you'll have to discover yourself! And if you know me, I love twists and turns, although this chapter should have less than ADOHE if you've read that. No, wait, actually now that I think about it, there is a lot of twists in this! LoL.
Oh, and mild (?) cursing in this chapter. I don't know how many it would be mild for you guys, but deepest apologies for the vulgar language.
Iris Dreamer.
----- SPECIAL THANKS: SulliMike23: Am I that cruel to let Sakura die? You'll just have to read this to find out. Thanks for reviewing.
Da Shy Gurl: Hopefully this chapter will be a bit happier than the one before. Have fun reading!
Hououza: Thanks for all the best luck and for understanding about all my delays.
Enchantress Azure: My deepest thanks for your tremendous support, waiting for my chapters! Thanks girl!
Jaina: Who knows? Perhaps this whole incident will tie Sakura and Syaoran closer together. Keep on reading!
Dragonstar03: I'm glad you liked it! I hope you like this chapter as well.
May (LildragonGurl28): Hehe. I would much rather call you May, more efficient wise. And yes, sexy Syaoran dancing. That was a special treat, wasn't it?
Crystalline1: I'm glad you reading my story and that the last part had a big impact on you. Thanks.
Raining stars: sorry for the late update!
Cherry Princess Sakura: So many questions huh? I'm glad you like Meiling in my fics. Hehe, she's one of my favorite characters, or at least the way I portray her. And is love in the air? That's something you'll just have to figure out in time. And Eriol leaving? Yes, there was a purpose and it's the first thing you'll read. Happy reading!
Sweet-captor: I know, I'm horrible at ending it there. You'll probably hate me for leaving this chapter the way I did as well. LoL. Sorry for being so cruel!
False Reality: Unrequited Love: You changed your alias! Haha, so many curses there, or should I say many attempts? Don't worry, there's tons of cursing in this chapter for you. As for Cuddles.. isn't he just adorable? LoL.
Mimi Ghost: Thanks!
Red Emerald: Thank you and I'm glad you liked the chapter despite how gloomy it was towards the ending.
Illusioner1412: I hope you like angst because there's going to be more and more of it in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Avelyn Lauren: LoL. So you've decided that Syaoran cares, and possibly loves, Sakura huh? Well, let's see if you're right. And I'm sorry I won't be able to update soon! You'll see why towards the end of the chapter where my other author's note is. Gomen.
Sweet Baby Gurl: Thanks!
Dancer 5: I'm glad you liked the last part of my last chapter with all that parallelism. Don't worry, I have sent out my UC applications, as bad as it is.
Cyan Moon: Thanks! I might consider having a huge Kero, but maybe later on in the story. I think that coming out now would be a bit too weird for a comic relief. I'm glad you liked the E+T in the beginning; there's more here. Thanks for teaching how to say acroiris! And indeed, Syaoran having a teddy is adorable, especially if it's named Cuddles.
Kura-Chan: Thanks for the birthday song! Sorry for not being able to update soon, but try your best to empathize for me here.
Inu-death-demon: Thanks, to actually think this is the best story you have ever written. There are so many much more qualified writers out there!
Daz: Yeah, heck, we were definitely the best couple at that Sadie dance! We totally rock. We should dress alike just for kicks someday.
Lone WOLF: Wow! Long review! Have I mentioned how much I love your reviews? I'm glad you totally think Syaoran's a cutie... Although I beg to differ.. Syaoran is more of a total hottie! LoL. And more S+S fics in the future? Definitely! You don't know how many ideas I have in my head right now. If I weren't so damn busy with college applications and senior year, I'd probably be juggling two stories right now. Hopefully after all my college stuff is sent out I'll start on a new story.
Hana Tenshi Himeko: Oro? That's Kenshin! LoL. Hopefully you know the handsome redhead that I'm talking about. Hehe. If you don't, then ignore my nonsense blabbering.... although Kenshin is really hot. Heh. However, so is Syao!
Ms. Pac man: Thanks for being the 100th reviewer! I'd thought I would never get to the three-digit number. Hehe. And I'm glad you like Sakura in this fic.
ANY EVERYONE ELSE, A HUGE THANK YOU!
----- CHAPTER SIX: Crying out for you
----- Eriol -----
I paced around my office cell, my eyes blazing in anger. Tomoyo had just gotten off the phone with me, in tears, wailing and sniffling. I couldn't bear the pain she was going through or what had happened to Sakura.
Whoever the mother fucker was, I knew I was going to find him out, and if not me, Syaoran would.
Those words he told Sakura made it seem like he knew everything, from the fateful day when Sakura was raped in the middle of the semester of her freshmen year in Tokyo University. It had been a date rape, and like last night, she had been drugged without her knowing. Everything that happened last night would have been repeated if not for Syaoran.
She needed someone to protect her, as Tomoyo did. We all need someone. Yet I hated myself for not being there. I had, in fact, chosen to stop by my office in hopes of finding some more evidence to the whole case, instead of protecting Tomoyo, Meiling, and Sakura.
I slammed the side of my fist into the wall, shutting my eyes in pain. I wanted to share part of that pain the girls experienced last night, to take some of it away. I feared for Sakura the most, yet my heart strayed to Tomoyo. Somehow I knew the whole thing was emotionally shattering to her. Somehow, in my heart, that quiet girl with soft purple eyes had already claimed a spot of her own there.
I opened my eyes slowly to see a childhood picture of the three of us in front of a huge Sakura tree in full bloom. Sakura's eyes were sparkling green and her face broke into a wide smile that was so rare in her now. Tomoyo was smiling softly, giving her a warm and understanding feeling. And I, stuck between the middle with Sakura's arm around me with Tomoyo holding my hand, was smiling. Everything seemed so innocently pure then.
But ignorance quickly faded from us when reality hit, forcing us to change to defy against the changes society wanted. We have to be corrupted in order to rebel against the popular flow of the world.
The phone ran shrilly, pulling me back to the cruel world. I sighed in exasperation and picked it up.
"Eriol?" Tomoyo's breathy voice greeted me.
"Tomoyo, what's wrong?" I immediately asked, my eyebrows knitted into deep worry.
"I think she gave up or something." She whispered faintly. "I overheard the doctors say that she's been carrying too much emotional stress on her and that this might cause her to break down." The girl's voice failed her.
"Tomoyo, listen to me." I commanded in a stern tone. "Just listen to everything I say and don't give up all right?"
"Okay," Her voice sounded like a little girl again, uncertain of the bad things that were happening around her.
"I'm going on my way right now, and you have to greet me there, okay? Remember the time when you, Sakura and me went to the park during fourth grade? And how I got lost with you guys while I headed for the men's room?" I said, trying to get her mind away from all the bad things.
"Yeah."
"Remember? You thought it was funny because Touya had told me to watch over you two girls and you ended up watching over me and Sakura?" I continued in a soothing voice as I got into my car and started the engine.
"And you won me a funny little green frog." Tomoyo said lightly. "You told me it was because I was so grown up. I still have it; it's on my desk."
"Really? You should show me it one day." I replied, driving my fastest to the hospital.
"Sure."
"Now Tomoyo, I want you to hold onto that good thought okay? When I'm there, we can go to a carnival in the future and I can win you some more gifts." I tapped my finger impatiently on the steering wheel.
"And what? Win me more funny looking frogs?" She was beginning to hold onto herself better now.
"If that's all you want." I replied while taking a sharp turn, the wheels squealing as I took the shortest route.
"I would like that."
"Good." I said, driving into the first empty parking space I saw. "Now Tomoyo, I'm downstairs at the hospital. Could you come down and show me the way?"
A muffled answer came through the phone.
Shit, I cursed. Bringing up the hospital thing had immediately led her to think of Sakura once. I sprinted towards the automatic doors.
I saw a blurred figure run in my direction and collided into me before I could saw anything. The person wrapped her arms tightly around my waist.
"Oh, Eriol." Tomoyo whimpered in my chest.
I pulled her closer to me, holding her close as I petted her hair soothingly. "Shh. Tell me everything, Tomoyo. Just tell me how you feel. It's going to be okay; I'm here." I rocked her gently from side to side.
----- Sakura -----
So tired. So tired of everything. There was nothing to live for. What was there to look for in this bleak, god-forsaken world? The horrors in the world clearly outlived the little good that survived. Nothing could survive. I couldn't survive. I was too fucking damn weak.
-----
"What the hell?" Syaoran said dazedly. He somehow had just left that Sakura's body had gone limp in an odd fashion that seemed unnatural. He pressed his fingers at her pulse, and released it when he was greeted with a steady beating. Placing his cool hand to her pale forehead, he noticed nothing wrong.
Had he seen something weird? He hadn't slept since Sakura was wheeled into the hospital, and now it was around six in the morning. It was like pulling an all-nighter except this was hundred times worse.
"Kinomoto? Hell, you better wake up soon. I'll show you later how much like crap the guys look now. If it weren't for Meiling, they'd be probably dead by now." Syaoran said, talking to the girl who laid unnaturally still.
"Meiling's a bit off center from being punched when they wanted to get her into a arm lock. After all, she did pick up a few martial arts thing from me." He told her, holding the girl's hand.
Somehow he just left responsibility for everything that had happened. For God's sake, he was, after all, her bodyguard. Obviously he hadn't done a good enough job.
"Oh, and your older brother came by earlier, looking like he was about to murder me. I think he told me his name was Touya. Anyhow, he'll be back later and if I didn't know better, he seems very overly protective of you." Syaoran recalled the dark haired young man who had stormed in with his hands clenched into fists. Yet his face immediately calmed down, like a storm on a sea, when he saw his little sister lying vulnerably on the bed.
"Kinomoto?" Somehow something just seemed different about Sakura lying there. He couldn't help that nagging feeling in his heart.
"Kinomoto?" he shook her lightly, and when she didn't stir, he frowned.
She was scaring him.
"Sakura?" He finally asked, his voice trembling, not wanting to face reality if it was true. His right hand immediately clamped onto her wrist, his fingers searching for that pulse beating with life. "Sakura?" he asked again, his fingers still wandering.
"Damn it." Syaoran cursed, getting frustrated.
Then he felt it, the soft beating of her heart slowly, fading. "Don't die on me here, Sakura. You're getting the fuck out of this damn hospital alive if that's the last thing I do." He swore as his left hand deftly reached under her blanket and located the button attached to Sakura's green hospital gown. His thumb firmly pressed the button, signaling for a nurse to come by.
"Sakura, suicide is just ridiculous."
In his mind, he could just see her smirking with her arms crossed in front of her chest. "Believe me," Syaoran paused, studying the girl's withdrawn face and reached out and tucked a lock of auburn hair caringly behind her ear.
"I've tried it before." He whispered, his voice cracking abnormally.
Sakura twitched lightly, perhaps hearing what he had said.
"I've seen death before my eyes and I could do nothing." He whispered quietly. "It happened four years ago when I was eighteen, your age. I was with a friend of mine and we had decided to go celebrate getting into college during that afternoon. When the two of us were walking out of the restaurant, a big bulky guy ran towards us, with a gun. Without a word said, he fired at my best friend since childhood. He shouted some nasty words and ran off."
Syaoran closed his eyes, recalling that fateful afternoon with blood seeping slowly wider, time passing slowly with screams that seemed so far away.
"And I never did anything. I knew martial arts; I could have defeated the guy or at least made some attempt to. But I didn't so anything. It was even some stranger who called the ambulance."
He took a deep breath and studied the girl's face, her eyebrows knitted together intently as if she was listening.
"The police caught him eventually but I couldn't stop blaming myself. I grew distant from my family and friends. I was so deep in guilt that one day I did try to kill myself."
Syaoran laughed dryly. "I took half a bottle of aspirin and went to sleep." He sighed, raking a hand through his hair with his free hand; the other was still holding Sakura's hand. "It was Eriol who found me. I stayed in the hospital for a month. After weeks of healing, I finally accepted the truth."
Sakura stirred lightly.
"To this day, I don't take aspirin or any kind of medicine unless it's prescribed by a doctor."
"I've promised Lin that I would try my best to protect others, which is why I still practice martial arts and am pursuing in becoming a police." He squeezed her hand tightly.
"Please Sakura." Syaoran demanded frantically as Sakura's heartbeats faded off slowly, and he could see her disappear into a black hole and gone forever. It was a one-way trip and there was no turning back.
He had to save her.
The nurse rushed in with a doctor and they immediately started to check up on her. Syaoran stood off to the side and noticed that Tomoyo and Eriol had come in wide-eyed. Together they watched the doctors pump on Sakura's chest, getting her to breathe.
----- Sakura -----
I blinked, squinting my eyes from the blinding light that suddenly shown through the darkness that had enveloped me.
"What the hell?" I murmured to myself, not really expecting an answer so I was surprised when a soft voice whisper. The melodic soothing voice came from all around me, casting me into a warm embrace and holding me there tight. I closed my eyes and let the feeling wash over me.
"So you can't give up, do you understand Sakura?" He whispered ferociously.
No.
Yes.
No.
I couldn't give up? But why?
Immediately I thought of Tomoyo, her eyes wet and her dark hair deviled, her hands bound behind her back tightly as she tried to reach out to help me that night. She's been with me since step one and I owe everything. I would be nowhere without her. The way her eyes would light up every time she was happy for me. I never knew one to be sincerely happy as Tomoyo was. For her, words like jealously simply did not exist.
And Meiling, fighting bravely against her captor and dared to call out to warn me and face the consequences. I wonder how's she doing right now. But then Meiling was strong; she'd be okay. My clearest memory of her was back in sixth grade were she bravely told the school bully to "fuck off" when he made me cry when he mentioned that I had no mother.
Eriol, who had been my best friend since childhood, had his sweet demeanor always made me smile at how wonderful a gentleman was in his pleasant voice. He was the one who introduced me to martial arts and got me crazy on it. And Tomoyo liked him. The idea of two together, both with their elegant manners were made for each other.
My father, sick and tired, cramped in some hospital room. He'd always paste a smile onto his bleak face whenever I visited. He was still fighting against that damned cancer and has lived longer than the doctors said he would. What would he think if I gave up now? I remember the days when he was still healthy when he'd bathe me in his loving smile everyday; he still does. He often sends little gifts through the mail and long letters and phone calls. I love him.
I guess I do miss my overprotective brother Touya. He was always there for me and I've always looked up at him as my knight in shinning armor when I was a little kid. I miss him electric glare at any guy who dares looks at me. Yet I'd melt every time with the small ways he's showed he that he cared. I remember the day when I truly realized mother wasn't coming back. It was on that funeral day and when they lowered her into the ground, I knew, I really knew then, that mother was dead. Touya had taken me by the hand, and led me outside the cemetery. There, he looked me into the eye and told me seriously that he'd always be there for me, that he loved me, and so did mother and father. And then he wrapped me into a tight hug, and soon I knew he was crying just as hard as I. That was one the best memories I have of him.
And Syaoran. I couldn't deny that I was thinking of him. Even though I've only known him for a while, he's not that bad of a person. He did save me from last night and Meiling and Tomoyo as well. He stuck through my ups and downs. Unlike others, Syaoran doesn't really pile pity on me and push himself on me, to understand me. And I guess I owe him one. He's actually not that bad, as guys go.
"I won't let you die." It was that voice again, promising me and hugging me tight, not willing to let me go. I was pressed against his broad chest and I closed my eyes and breathed in his fresh smell of cinnamon and spices, of masculine scent, and of life. "Promise me you won't give up." He whispered in my ear.
I nodded. "I promise." I whispered.
And the darkness melted away and I was thrown back into reality, my lungs contracting tightly as I gasped for breath. A doctor continued to pump at my chest, making me wheeze as tightened my hold on life.
"She's staying," He called. "Keep her there," He ordered the others and I was immediately pampered with other medications and life supports. I blinked my eyes slowly, adjusting to the dim white ceiling. Then my eyes wandered to the right of my bed. I saw my friends standing there and I smiled lightly before closing my eyes again.
Everything was going to be all right now.
----- Sakura, hours later -----
"How are you feeling?"
I smiled at the familiarity of the voice, a voice that seemed I didn't hear for a long time. Opening my eyes, I turned my head towards the speaker.
"Never been better," I croaked.
He frowned. Reaching for a glass of water from the nightstand, he tipped it to my cracked lips gently. When I had enough, he sat back down, his dark brown eyes studying me.
"I swear I'm going to kill those guys." His dark eyes flashed with anger, his jaw set tightly and a little muscle twitched.
"After me." I told him.
He sighed. "Since you agree that I can tear them from limb to limb and put them through the most painful torture, convince that little retarded boy outside your door, who at first didn't let me in the first time I came, to screw the fucking law."
"Huh? What little retarded boy Touya?"
Touya, being the overprotective brother, growled. "The little retarded 'bodyguard' that Tomoyo hired for you."
"Oh."
"Yes 'oh'." Touya mocked. "Seriously, what kind of pathetic bodyguard was he? If he had been doing his job, nothing would have happened? And what were you thinking, entering a pub? You know how dangerous people can be there!"
I let him vent out his anger. Obviously he was worried and upset for me. I knew he wanted to tell father, but we both knew that it would hurt him too much. I knew he wanted to do something to help and not feel so useless.
I reached out and clasped my hand over one of his fists and gave him a feeble smile when his eyes met mine. "Oniichan, we really can't stop things from happening. Even locking me in a room isolated from human nature won't stop the fact that there is evil in this world."
"I know that but why the hell does everything happen to you? God damn it, you've been though so much and heavens know that you don't need anymore."
"I'm glad you're so worried, Touya, but its all part of my decisions in a sense isn't it? I chose to go the pub. I chose to drink that drink. I chose to. I have to take responsibility somewhere."
Touya snorted rudely but made no comment to go against me. "Anyhow, I think you should move into my apartment with Yukito. I don't trust that 'bodyguard' of yours."
"Oniichan, if it weren't for Li-san, I wouldn't even be here, neither would Tomoyo nor Meiling. I owe him one if anything else." I told him firmly.
"Still, I want you to move out."
"I'm not going to run away." I responded stubbornly.
"Gods, Sakura, what do you want? To die? Don't you know how much this whole thing scares me? Everyday I wonder if I'm going to see you again or not! I don't want to lose another family member."
My eyes softened and I leaned over to wrap my arms around my older brother.
"Hey, I love you too okay?" I told him gently, showing him a side I rarely showed to others, especially in public. "But if I move, Tomoyo and everyone else will still be targeted. If I move, I'm adding more threat to everyone I become attached to. Staying here, a place that I know, I'm more capable of protecting myself."
"But,"
"And I don't want a new bodyguard. Li's perfectly fine and he sticks up with me." I cut him off with a rueful grin after pulling away.
Touya's shoulders relaxed visibly then hardened once more. "I want to talk to him."
I almost groaned. "Here goes the 'Touya interrogation,'" I mumbled to myself. "Look, Touya, if you just," I started.
The door swung open with a slam, making me jump. "What the,"
"Oh, you're all right!" A flustered Tomoyo said dazedly. Then, before I could react, she had pushed Touya aside and pulled me into a breathtaking hug. "I'm so glad you're back."
"There's too much I'd be leaving behind." I replied, holding tightly onto my friend. I opened my eyes as saw Eriol smiling softly in the center.
"Get over here, Eriol." I commanded. "Group hug!"
Eriol cracked a grin and walked over and the three of us pilled into an inelegant mob that was somewhat a hug.
-----
Syaoran watched from the door and couldn't help but feel a little relieved that Sakura was alive once more. As he watched her smile more often under hugs, he couldn't help but wonder what made her come back to reality. Her life was miserable; what had she come back for?
But looking at the friends and family around her, he knew the answer why.
As he turned to leave, he heard her call out his name. Sighing, he turned around to see Sakura looking at him.
"Guys," She turned to those around her. "Could I have a little privacy here? You have been biting my head off with all this questioning."
Tomoyo immediately obliged and went out with Eriol, hand in hand. Sakura smiled, watching them slip out the door. Definitely within a week, those two would be dating. She turned her attention to her older brother who was still standing there stubbornly. She fixed a hard glare on him before he sighed and left, but not before giving Syaoran a glare of his own as he passed by.
When the door finally clicked shut, Sakura looked at Syaoran in the eye, her green eyes dark and grave.
"First off Li, I would like to thank you at the pub that happened whenever ago." She told him. "I know you were doing your job, but you still have the choice to choose what you wanted to do. So, I guess, thank you?"
Syaoran sighed and sat down in Touya's previous spot beside Sakura's bed with his arms crossed. "Well, the guys had it coming. I guess I'm just sorry that I couldn't prevent more of it from happening. Meiling told me what happened." He sighed, closing his eyes as if blocking the memory from mind. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For whatever happened. Obviously it had hit some cord, for you for almost hysterical when I arrived and almost damn hit me in the eye when I tried to collect you in my arms."
"They fucking poisoned me!" Sakura flared, her eyes flashing with fire.
"Damn it, I know that Kinomoto." Syaoran growled back.
"Then don't blame me."
"Kinomoto, I'm not fucking blaming you for anything!" he replied, his eyes locked with hers. Sakura just met his with a defiant glare.
"Whatever." Sakura looked away and closed her eyes tiredly. Syaoran could now truly tell how much the whole incident had affected her. There were slight bags under her eyes and her face bore some kind of weariness when she let her guard down. Her shoulders were tense and rigid, set in some unnatural position even though she was laid on the slightly inclined bed. Her face was slightly bruised on the right cheek and had a slight cut above it. Before he could stop himself, his hand was touching the scar lightly.
Her eyes immediately opened, and rounded her accusing glare at him.
"Do you know who did this to you?" he asked before she had the chanced to speak.
Sakura immediately dropped her glare and her eyes darted away as she shook her head slightly.
"This just gets me damn frustrated!" her body shook violently, her right hand clenched into a fist, her fingernails cutting into her skin. "The bastards that attacked me were just puppets under him but the leader, the hellish looking one, seemed to have more direct contact with whoever's behind this."
She eyed him and let a huge breath, a little of her anger going with it as well. She looked down at her clasped hands. "I know for certain that none of those people will tell me anything, just like everyone before."
"I'm just harming everyone I know." Sakura whispered, a lone tear splashing on her pale hand.
Syaoran looked at her profile startled. He never saw her break down in all the months he's met her.
"I," His voice cracked. Swallowed. Then spoke again. "We'll get through together." He promised, his voice unnatural. "None of your friends out there regret ever meeting you."
Sakura looked up at him, her eyes a bit watery but no more tears came.
"And you?" She asked, her voice seemingly much stronger than his.
He looked into her eyes, surprised to find a stunning shade of emerald instead of a cold dark green that he was usually met with.
"I- I don't regret either."
Sakura's face sort of scrunched up in a horrible way and stubborn tears collected at the sides of her eyes. Syaoran reached out and touched her shoulder tentatively, yet he was surprised when Sakura turned suddenly and wrapped her arms tightly around him as sobs that she had been hiding for so long burst in erratic intervals. The tears racked through her chest as she poured out her sorrow.
"I wish this could be all over." She confided, her voice dry and unnatural from crying her throat hoarse. "I wish everything was back to the way it was before."
Syaoran didn't know what to say but to pull Sakura more comfortably in his embrace, holding there tightly.
"But then some of the good would never would have happened as well." He whispered quietly, his eyes shut tight to keep himself from crying as well. He was her only support now and he didn't want to cry now.
The girl in his arms sniffed loudly and then pulled away. She wiped her nose inelegantly on the pastel green hospital gown. Sakura smiled wryly when Syaoran passed her a tissue.
"Perhaps." She answered a while. "I guess if all this crap didn't happen, we'd never would have met, would we?"
Syaoran cracked a half grin. "Thinking of me so soon?"
"Only in your dreams." Sakura replied with a cocky smirk.
-----
Sakura made a fast recovery after that, and demanded to be released after another day at the hospital despite doctor's suggestions and Touya's commands. She was still arguing with her older brother when Syaoran and Eriol came back. The girl's attention immediately turned towards them.
"Anything?" She asked, even though the possibility of having something was almost zero.
"Like you said, nothing." Eriol replied. "It's a dead end road almost."
Syaoran grunted, his arms crossed and his eyes blazing. Sakura studied him for a while before looking over to Eriol. "I'm assuming the two of you split up to ask questions?"
"Kind of. Syaoran demanded to see the leader by himself. I waited outside and then both of us went to see the others." Eriol said, looking over to his partner who stood in such a stance that everyone knew he was angry.
"Well, what did you find?" Touya interjected, his eyes on Syaoran. Syaoran just merely looked back without answering. "Why you cocky arrogant son of a,"
"Touya." Sakura's voice was quiet and deadly.
Touya lowered his arm dejectedly.
"I'd like to talk to Li alone about this." She continued. "Please?" Her older brother sighed and gave in. Eriol left too but sent a worried glance over to the girl before leaving. The door clicked gently behind them and soft hushed voices could be heard from the other side. Only when the footsteps died down did Sakura turn her attention to Syaoran.
She locked her eyes with his, seeing a pool of angry emotions. His jaw jutted out at an angle and his shoulders were rigid and tense.
"He attempted suicide?" She asked, in a monotone voice.
"No." Syaoran spat, leaning against the night table. "He threatened me with it." The young man closed his eyes for a while before opening them. "I wasn't to tell anyone a fucking thing about this, or he'd suicide and cast the blame upon me. And knowing what he can do, he's damn will if necessary."
"Name?" Sakura asked.
"Bret Monoko." He replied.
"False name," she commented. "Anything in your database?"
"Ironically, yes. They even made a huge load of crap in this guy's history as in how mentally unstable he is." Syaoran answered angrily. "The others gave me all their names but I could tell through their eyes that they were all lying. Interestingly enough, all the others don't have a file in the database."
"Meaning whoever is behind this doesn't care a crap of what happens to anyone else, yet somehow these people are deadly loyal to this power."
"Correct. Thus, there are more men behind this. Those guys figure that either way, this head will kill them. However, most figure not to betray him, most likely their family or whatever other connections will die as well."
Sakura sighed. "Great. It's not only some idiotic retard after me. Instead I have the whole gang after me for reasons unknown."
Syaoran looked over at him. "Yeah." He paused. "Hey, Kinomoto, can I ask you something?"
"Mm."
"How exactly did your mother die?"
Sakura gave him a glare immediately, but Syaoran held the glance steadily until Sakura sighed and looked away. "She died when our house accidentally caught on fire on a winter night. She sacrificed herself to protect me."
"You were five then."
"Yes. I suppose Eriol told you this?"
"Perhaps."
"She was someone special and I connected to her." She said softly, looking outside the window. "Touya later told me that the firemen said it was because of the gas stove in our house."
"Was it?"
Sakura looked over at him, not saying anything for a while. "Maybe. Sometimes I wish I wasn't that small so I could remember some more about what happened that day."
"So you still think ...?"
"Perhaps." She replied. "But there is evidence."
"You searched through it?"
"Stole Eriol's ID card one day and spent the day in his office looking through files." She replied, grinning at the memory."
Syaoran couldn't but half smile. "So you were the one who bumped into me that day, late at night."
Sakura squinted her eyes, trying to remember. "Oh! You're that guy who told me to fuck off and that I shouldn't find some action here tonight because Eriol's already taken." She smiled wryly.
"Yeah, and then you swiftly kicked me."
"Because you underestimated a girl." She replied smugly.
"Was just trying to defend my best friend's interest." He answered a bit too pleasantly.
Sakura laughed. "Sore loser."
Syaoran just shrugged, secretly relieved that she was at least getting a bit better. He knew better than to ask her to stay for a few more days, but he could find the doctor later to give her one more round of check ups and a few antibiotics.
-----
A sinisterly smile grinned, somehow illuminated in the dark isolated room. There was a slight beeping sound before it went dead, a monotone buzz filling the room, bouncing off the walls.
Death had conquered another victim.
-----
----- How was it? I'm actually surprised I got together a chapter, despite how angst-y it's getting to be. Most likely I'm feeling a bit angst-y with all the damn college stuff I have to do. Just sent out two this weekend before December crept along. Now I only have 8 left .... Yippee. Sigh. I have to average about two applications per week. Damn it. Argh.
Anyhow, be surprised if I actually do update within the month of December. Hehe. Sorry there. But I'm horribly busy and thank you for understand the best you guys can be.
Iris Dreamer.
----- Written by Iris (Rainbow) Dreamer
----- DISCLAIMER: Card Captor Sakura solely belongs to Clamp. However, the plot is mine and I would like to remain it that way. Arigato.
----- AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey! This is my new fic! Bear with me here as I suffer my way through my one last stab at the SATs, through college essays, countless college searching, and college applications of my senior year. Needless to say, I'll be very busy. I'll be trying my best to update this, but I'm going to have one hectic senior year!
Iris dreamer.
----- BACKGROUND: Okay! Some background here. Syaoran and Sakura have not met before. Hm. No magic in here either (as some of you might know, I'm horrible at describing magic.....). What else? Oh, the characters may seem a bit out of character in the beginning (especially Sakura), but you'll see why as the story proceeds. Hm. I think that's about it. The rest you'll have to discover yourself! And if you know me, I love twists and turns, although this chapter should have less than ADOHE if you've read that. No, wait, actually now that I think about it, there is a lot of twists in this! LoL.
Oh, and mild (?) cursing in this chapter. I don't know how many it would be mild for you guys, but deepest apologies for the vulgar language.
Iris Dreamer.
----- SPECIAL THANKS: SulliMike23: Am I that cruel to let Sakura die? You'll just have to read this to find out. Thanks for reviewing.
Da Shy Gurl: Hopefully this chapter will be a bit happier than the one before. Have fun reading!
Hououza: Thanks for all the best luck and for understanding about all my delays.
Enchantress Azure: My deepest thanks for your tremendous support, waiting for my chapters! Thanks girl!
Jaina: Who knows? Perhaps this whole incident will tie Sakura and Syaoran closer together. Keep on reading!
Dragonstar03: I'm glad you liked it! I hope you like this chapter as well.
May (LildragonGurl28): Hehe. I would much rather call you May, more efficient wise. And yes, sexy Syaoran dancing. That was a special treat, wasn't it?
Crystalline1: I'm glad you reading my story and that the last part had a big impact on you. Thanks.
Raining stars: sorry for the late update!
Cherry Princess Sakura: So many questions huh? I'm glad you like Meiling in my fics. Hehe, she's one of my favorite characters, or at least the way I portray her. And is love in the air? That's something you'll just have to figure out in time. And Eriol leaving? Yes, there was a purpose and it's the first thing you'll read. Happy reading!
Sweet-captor: I know, I'm horrible at ending it there. You'll probably hate me for leaving this chapter the way I did as well. LoL. Sorry for being so cruel!
False Reality: Unrequited Love: You changed your alias! Haha, so many curses there, or should I say many attempts? Don't worry, there's tons of cursing in this chapter for you. As for Cuddles.. isn't he just adorable? LoL.
Mimi Ghost: Thanks!
Red Emerald: Thank you and I'm glad you liked the chapter despite how gloomy it was towards the ending.
Illusioner1412: I hope you like angst because there's going to be more and more of it in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Avelyn Lauren: LoL. So you've decided that Syaoran cares, and possibly loves, Sakura huh? Well, let's see if you're right. And I'm sorry I won't be able to update soon! You'll see why towards the end of the chapter where my other author's note is. Gomen.
Sweet Baby Gurl: Thanks!
Dancer 5: I'm glad you liked the last part of my last chapter with all that parallelism. Don't worry, I have sent out my UC applications, as bad as it is.
Cyan Moon: Thanks! I might consider having a huge Kero, but maybe later on in the story. I think that coming out now would be a bit too weird for a comic relief. I'm glad you liked the E+T in the beginning; there's more here. Thanks for teaching how to say acroiris! And indeed, Syaoran having a teddy is adorable, especially if it's named Cuddles.
Kura-Chan: Thanks for the birthday song! Sorry for not being able to update soon, but try your best to empathize for me here.
Inu-death-demon: Thanks, to actually think this is the best story you have ever written. There are so many much more qualified writers out there!
Daz: Yeah, heck, we were definitely the best couple at that Sadie dance! We totally rock. We should dress alike just for kicks someday.
Lone WOLF: Wow! Long review! Have I mentioned how much I love your reviews? I'm glad you totally think Syaoran's a cutie... Although I beg to differ.. Syaoran is more of a total hottie! LoL. And more S+S fics in the future? Definitely! You don't know how many ideas I have in my head right now. If I weren't so damn busy with college applications and senior year, I'd probably be juggling two stories right now. Hopefully after all my college stuff is sent out I'll start on a new story.
Hana Tenshi Himeko: Oro? That's Kenshin! LoL. Hopefully you know the handsome redhead that I'm talking about. Hehe. If you don't, then ignore my nonsense blabbering.... although Kenshin is really hot. Heh. However, so is Syao!
Ms. Pac man: Thanks for being the 100th reviewer! I'd thought I would never get to the three-digit number. Hehe. And I'm glad you like Sakura in this fic.
ANY EVERYONE ELSE, A HUGE THANK YOU!
----- CHAPTER SIX: Crying out for you
----- Eriol -----
I paced around my office cell, my eyes blazing in anger. Tomoyo had just gotten off the phone with me, in tears, wailing and sniffling. I couldn't bear the pain she was going through or what had happened to Sakura.
Whoever the mother fucker was, I knew I was going to find him out, and if not me, Syaoran would.
Those words he told Sakura made it seem like he knew everything, from the fateful day when Sakura was raped in the middle of the semester of her freshmen year in Tokyo University. It had been a date rape, and like last night, she had been drugged without her knowing. Everything that happened last night would have been repeated if not for Syaoran.
She needed someone to protect her, as Tomoyo did. We all need someone. Yet I hated myself for not being there. I had, in fact, chosen to stop by my office in hopes of finding some more evidence to the whole case, instead of protecting Tomoyo, Meiling, and Sakura.
I slammed the side of my fist into the wall, shutting my eyes in pain. I wanted to share part of that pain the girls experienced last night, to take some of it away. I feared for Sakura the most, yet my heart strayed to Tomoyo. Somehow I knew the whole thing was emotionally shattering to her. Somehow, in my heart, that quiet girl with soft purple eyes had already claimed a spot of her own there.
I opened my eyes slowly to see a childhood picture of the three of us in front of a huge Sakura tree in full bloom. Sakura's eyes were sparkling green and her face broke into a wide smile that was so rare in her now. Tomoyo was smiling softly, giving her a warm and understanding feeling. And I, stuck between the middle with Sakura's arm around me with Tomoyo holding my hand, was smiling. Everything seemed so innocently pure then.
But ignorance quickly faded from us when reality hit, forcing us to change to defy against the changes society wanted. We have to be corrupted in order to rebel against the popular flow of the world.
The phone ran shrilly, pulling me back to the cruel world. I sighed in exasperation and picked it up.
"Eriol?" Tomoyo's breathy voice greeted me.
"Tomoyo, what's wrong?" I immediately asked, my eyebrows knitted into deep worry.
"I think she gave up or something." She whispered faintly. "I overheard the doctors say that she's been carrying too much emotional stress on her and that this might cause her to break down." The girl's voice failed her.
"Tomoyo, listen to me." I commanded in a stern tone. "Just listen to everything I say and don't give up all right?"
"Okay," Her voice sounded like a little girl again, uncertain of the bad things that were happening around her.
"I'm going on my way right now, and you have to greet me there, okay? Remember the time when you, Sakura and me went to the park during fourth grade? And how I got lost with you guys while I headed for the men's room?" I said, trying to get her mind away from all the bad things.
"Yeah."
"Remember? You thought it was funny because Touya had told me to watch over you two girls and you ended up watching over me and Sakura?" I continued in a soothing voice as I got into my car and started the engine.
"And you won me a funny little green frog." Tomoyo said lightly. "You told me it was because I was so grown up. I still have it; it's on my desk."
"Really? You should show me it one day." I replied, driving my fastest to the hospital.
"Sure."
"Now Tomoyo, I want you to hold onto that good thought okay? When I'm there, we can go to a carnival in the future and I can win you some more gifts." I tapped my finger impatiently on the steering wheel.
"And what? Win me more funny looking frogs?" She was beginning to hold onto herself better now.
"If that's all you want." I replied while taking a sharp turn, the wheels squealing as I took the shortest route.
"I would like that."
"Good." I said, driving into the first empty parking space I saw. "Now Tomoyo, I'm downstairs at the hospital. Could you come down and show me the way?"
A muffled answer came through the phone.
Shit, I cursed. Bringing up the hospital thing had immediately led her to think of Sakura once. I sprinted towards the automatic doors.
I saw a blurred figure run in my direction and collided into me before I could saw anything. The person wrapped her arms tightly around my waist.
"Oh, Eriol." Tomoyo whimpered in my chest.
I pulled her closer to me, holding her close as I petted her hair soothingly. "Shh. Tell me everything, Tomoyo. Just tell me how you feel. It's going to be okay; I'm here." I rocked her gently from side to side.
----- Sakura -----
So tired. So tired of everything. There was nothing to live for. What was there to look for in this bleak, god-forsaken world? The horrors in the world clearly outlived the little good that survived. Nothing could survive. I couldn't survive. I was too fucking damn weak.
-----
"What the hell?" Syaoran said dazedly. He somehow had just left that Sakura's body had gone limp in an odd fashion that seemed unnatural. He pressed his fingers at her pulse, and released it when he was greeted with a steady beating. Placing his cool hand to her pale forehead, he noticed nothing wrong.
Had he seen something weird? He hadn't slept since Sakura was wheeled into the hospital, and now it was around six in the morning. It was like pulling an all-nighter except this was hundred times worse.
"Kinomoto? Hell, you better wake up soon. I'll show you later how much like crap the guys look now. If it weren't for Meiling, they'd be probably dead by now." Syaoran said, talking to the girl who laid unnaturally still.
"Meiling's a bit off center from being punched when they wanted to get her into a arm lock. After all, she did pick up a few martial arts thing from me." He told her, holding the girl's hand.
Somehow he just left responsibility for everything that had happened. For God's sake, he was, after all, her bodyguard. Obviously he hadn't done a good enough job.
"Oh, and your older brother came by earlier, looking like he was about to murder me. I think he told me his name was Touya. Anyhow, he'll be back later and if I didn't know better, he seems very overly protective of you." Syaoran recalled the dark haired young man who had stormed in with his hands clenched into fists. Yet his face immediately calmed down, like a storm on a sea, when he saw his little sister lying vulnerably on the bed.
"Kinomoto?" Somehow something just seemed different about Sakura lying there. He couldn't help that nagging feeling in his heart.
"Kinomoto?" he shook her lightly, and when she didn't stir, he frowned.
She was scaring him.
"Sakura?" He finally asked, his voice trembling, not wanting to face reality if it was true. His right hand immediately clamped onto her wrist, his fingers searching for that pulse beating with life. "Sakura?" he asked again, his fingers still wandering.
"Damn it." Syaoran cursed, getting frustrated.
Then he felt it, the soft beating of her heart slowly, fading. "Don't die on me here, Sakura. You're getting the fuck out of this damn hospital alive if that's the last thing I do." He swore as his left hand deftly reached under her blanket and located the button attached to Sakura's green hospital gown. His thumb firmly pressed the button, signaling for a nurse to come by.
"Sakura, suicide is just ridiculous."
In his mind, he could just see her smirking with her arms crossed in front of her chest. "Believe me," Syaoran paused, studying the girl's withdrawn face and reached out and tucked a lock of auburn hair caringly behind her ear.
"I've tried it before." He whispered, his voice cracking abnormally.
Sakura twitched lightly, perhaps hearing what he had said.
"I've seen death before my eyes and I could do nothing." He whispered quietly. "It happened four years ago when I was eighteen, your age. I was with a friend of mine and we had decided to go celebrate getting into college during that afternoon. When the two of us were walking out of the restaurant, a big bulky guy ran towards us, with a gun. Without a word said, he fired at my best friend since childhood. He shouted some nasty words and ran off."
Syaoran closed his eyes, recalling that fateful afternoon with blood seeping slowly wider, time passing slowly with screams that seemed so far away.
"And I never did anything. I knew martial arts; I could have defeated the guy or at least made some attempt to. But I didn't so anything. It was even some stranger who called the ambulance."
He took a deep breath and studied the girl's face, her eyebrows knitted together intently as if she was listening.
"The police caught him eventually but I couldn't stop blaming myself. I grew distant from my family and friends. I was so deep in guilt that one day I did try to kill myself."
Syaoran laughed dryly. "I took half a bottle of aspirin and went to sleep." He sighed, raking a hand through his hair with his free hand; the other was still holding Sakura's hand. "It was Eriol who found me. I stayed in the hospital for a month. After weeks of healing, I finally accepted the truth."
Sakura stirred lightly.
"To this day, I don't take aspirin or any kind of medicine unless it's prescribed by a doctor."
"I've promised Lin that I would try my best to protect others, which is why I still practice martial arts and am pursuing in becoming a police." He squeezed her hand tightly.
"Please Sakura." Syaoran demanded frantically as Sakura's heartbeats faded off slowly, and he could see her disappear into a black hole and gone forever. It was a one-way trip and there was no turning back.
He had to save her.
The nurse rushed in with a doctor and they immediately started to check up on her. Syaoran stood off to the side and noticed that Tomoyo and Eriol had come in wide-eyed. Together they watched the doctors pump on Sakura's chest, getting her to breathe.
----- Sakura -----
I blinked, squinting my eyes from the blinding light that suddenly shown through the darkness that had enveloped me.
"What the hell?" I murmured to myself, not really expecting an answer so I was surprised when a soft voice whisper. The melodic soothing voice came from all around me, casting me into a warm embrace and holding me there tight. I closed my eyes and let the feeling wash over me.
"So you can't give up, do you understand Sakura?" He whispered ferociously.
No.
Yes.
No.
I couldn't give up? But why?
Immediately I thought of Tomoyo, her eyes wet and her dark hair deviled, her hands bound behind her back tightly as she tried to reach out to help me that night. She's been with me since step one and I owe everything. I would be nowhere without her. The way her eyes would light up every time she was happy for me. I never knew one to be sincerely happy as Tomoyo was. For her, words like jealously simply did not exist.
And Meiling, fighting bravely against her captor and dared to call out to warn me and face the consequences. I wonder how's she doing right now. But then Meiling was strong; she'd be okay. My clearest memory of her was back in sixth grade were she bravely told the school bully to "fuck off" when he made me cry when he mentioned that I had no mother.
Eriol, who had been my best friend since childhood, had his sweet demeanor always made me smile at how wonderful a gentleman was in his pleasant voice. He was the one who introduced me to martial arts and got me crazy on it. And Tomoyo liked him. The idea of two together, both with their elegant manners were made for each other.
My father, sick and tired, cramped in some hospital room. He'd always paste a smile onto his bleak face whenever I visited. He was still fighting against that damned cancer and has lived longer than the doctors said he would. What would he think if I gave up now? I remember the days when he was still healthy when he'd bathe me in his loving smile everyday; he still does. He often sends little gifts through the mail and long letters and phone calls. I love him.
I guess I do miss my overprotective brother Touya. He was always there for me and I've always looked up at him as my knight in shinning armor when I was a little kid. I miss him electric glare at any guy who dares looks at me. Yet I'd melt every time with the small ways he's showed he that he cared. I remember the day when I truly realized mother wasn't coming back. It was on that funeral day and when they lowered her into the ground, I knew, I really knew then, that mother was dead. Touya had taken me by the hand, and led me outside the cemetery. There, he looked me into the eye and told me seriously that he'd always be there for me, that he loved me, and so did mother and father. And then he wrapped me into a tight hug, and soon I knew he was crying just as hard as I. That was one the best memories I have of him.
And Syaoran. I couldn't deny that I was thinking of him. Even though I've only known him for a while, he's not that bad of a person. He did save me from last night and Meiling and Tomoyo as well. He stuck through my ups and downs. Unlike others, Syaoran doesn't really pile pity on me and push himself on me, to understand me. And I guess I owe him one. He's actually not that bad, as guys go.
"I won't let you die." It was that voice again, promising me and hugging me tight, not willing to let me go. I was pressed against his broad chest and I closed my eyes and breathed in his fresh smell of cinnamon and spices, of masculine scent, and of life. "Promise me you won't give up." He whispered in my ear.
I nodded. "I promise." I whispered.
And the darkness melted away and I was thrown back into reality, my lungs contracting tightly as I gasped for breath. A doctor continued to pump at my chest, making me wheeze as tightened my hold on life.
"She's staying," He called. "Keep her there," He ordered the others and I was immediately pampered with other medications and life supports. I blinked my eyes slowly, adjusting to the dim white ceiling. Then my eyes wandered to the right of my bed. I saw my friends standing there and I smiled lightly before closing my eyes again.
Everything was going to be all right now.
----- Sakura, hours later -----
"How are you feeling?"
I smiled at the familiarity of the voice, a voice that seemed I didn't hear for a long time. Opening my eyes, I turned my head towards the speaker.
"Never been better," I croaked.
He frowned. Reaching for a glass of water from the nightstand, he tipped it to my cracked lips gently. When I had enough, he sat back down, his dark brown eyes studying me.
"I swear I'm going to kill those guys." His dark eyes flashed with anger, his jaw set tightly and a little muscle twitched.
"After me." I told him.
He sighed. "Since you agree that I can tear them from limb to limb and put them through the most painful torture, convince that little retarded boy outside your door, who at first didn't let me in the first time I came, to screw the fucking law."
"Huh? What little retarded boy Touya?"
Touya, being the overprotective brother, growled. "The little retarded 'bodyguard' that Tomoyo hired for you."
"Oh."
"Yes 'oh'." Touya mocked. "Seriously, what kind of pathetic bodyguard was he? If he had been doing his job, nothing would have happened? And what were you thinking, entering a pub? You know how dangerous people can be there!"
I let him vent out his anger. Obviously he was worried and upset for me. I knew he wanted to tell father, but we both knew that it would hurt him too much. I knew he wanted to do something to help and not feel so useless.
I reached out and clasped my hand over one of his fists and gave him a feeble smile when his eyes met mine. "Oniichan, we really can't stop things from happening. Even locking me in a room isolated from human nature won't stop the fact that there is evil in this world."
"I know that but why the hell does everything happen to you? God damn it, you've been though so much and heavens know that you don't need anymore."
"I'm glad you're so worried, Touya, but its all part of my decisions in a sense isn't it? I chose to go the pub. I chose to drink that drink. I chose to. I have to take responsibility somewhere."
Touya snorted rudely but made no comment to go against me. "Anyhow, I think you should move into my apartment with Yukito. I don't trust that 'bodyguard' of yours."
"Oniichan, if it weren't for Li-san, I wouldn't even be here, neither would Tomoyo nor Meiling. I owe him one if anything else." I told him firmly.
"Still, I want you to move out."
"I'm not going to run away." I responded stubbornly.
"Gods, Sakura, what do you want? To die? Don't you know how much this whole thing scares me? Everyday I wonder if I'm going to see you again or not! I don't want to lose another family member."
My eyes softened and I leaned over to wrap my arms around my older brother.
"Hey, I love you too okay?" I told him gently, showing him a side I rarely showed to others, especially in public. "But if I move, Tomoyo and everyone else will still be targeted. If I move, I'm adding more threat to everyone I become attached to. Staying here, a place that I know, I'm more capable of protecting myself."
"But,"
"And I don't want a new bodyguard. Li's perfectly fine and he sticks up with me." I cut him off with a rueful grin after pulling away.
Touya's shoulders relaxed visibly then hardened once more. "I want to talk to him."
I almost groaned. "Here goes the 'Touya interrogation,'" I mumbled to myself. "Look, Touya, if you just," I started.
The door swung open with a slam, making me jump. "What the,"
"Oh, you're all right!" A flustered Tomoyo said dazedly. Then, before I could react, she had pushed Touya aside and pulled me into a breathtaking hug. "I'm so glad you're back."
"There's too much I'd be leaving behind." I replied, holding tightly onto my friend. I opened my eyes as saw Eriol smiling softly in the center.
"Get over here, Eriol." I commanded. "Group hug!"
Eriol cracked a grin and walked over and the three of us pilled into an inelegant mob that was somewhat a hug.
-----
Syaoran watched from the door and couldn't help but feel a little relieved that Sakura was alive once more. As he watched her smile more often under hugs, he couldn't help but wonder what made her come back to reality. Her life was miserable; what had she come back for?
But looking at the friends and family around her, he knew the answer why.
As he turned to leave, he heard her call out his name. Sighing, he turned around to see Sakura looking at him.
"Guys," She turned to those around her. "Could I have a little privacy here? You have been biting my head off with all this questioning."
Tomoyo immediately obliged and went out with Eriol, hand in hand. Sakura smiled, watching them slip out the door. Definitely within a week, those two would be dating. She turned her attention to her older brother who was still standing there stubbornly. She fixed a hard glare on him before he sighed and left, but not before giving Syaoran a glare of his own as he passed by.
When the door finally clicked shut, Sakura looked at Syaoran in the eye, her green eyes dark and grave.
"First off Li, I would like to thank you at the pub that happened whenever ago." She told him. "I know you were doing your job, but you still have the choice to choose what you wanted to do. So, I guess, thank you?"
Syaoran sighed and sat down in Touya's previous spot beside Sakura's bed with his arms crossed. "Well, the guys had it coming. I guess I'm just sorry that I couldn't prevent more of it from happening. Meiling told me what happened." He sighed, closing his eyes as if blocking the memory from mind. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For whatever happened. Obviously it had hit some cord, for you for almost hysterical when I arrived and almost damn hit me in the eye when I tried to collect you in my arms."
"They fucking poisoned me!" Sakura flared, her eyes flashing with fire.
"Damn it, I know that Kinomoto." Syaoran growled back.
"Then don't blame me."
"Kinomoto, I'm not fucking blaming you for anything!" he replied, his eyes locked with hers. Sakura just met his with a defiant glare.
"Whatever." Sakura looked away and closed her eyes tiredly. Syaoran could now truly tell how much the whole incident had affected her. There were slight bags under her eyes and her face bore some kind of weariness when she let her guard down. Her shoulders were tense and rigid, set in some unnatural position even though she was laid on the slightly inclined bed. Her face was slightly bruised on the right cheek and had a slight cut above it. Before he could stop himself, his hand was touching the scar lightly.
Her eyes immediately opened, and rounded her accusing glare at him.
"Do you know who did this to you?" he asked before she had the chanced to speak.
Sakura immediately dropped her glare and her eyes darted away as she shook her head slightly.
"This just gets me damn frustrated!" her body shook violently, her right hand clenched into a fist, her fingernails cutting into her skin. "The bastards that attacked me were just puppets under him but the leader, the hellish looking one, seemed to have more direct contact with whoever's behind this."
She eyed him and let a huge breath, a little of her anger going with it as well. She looked down at her clasped hands. "I know for certain that none of those people will tell me anything, just like everyone before."
"I'm just harming everyone I know." Sakura whispered, a lone tear splashing on her pale hand.
Syaoran looked at her profile startled. He never saw her break down in all the months he's met her.
"I," His voice cracked. Swallowed. Then spoke again. "We'll get through together." He promised, his voice unnatural. "None of your friends out there regret ever meeting you."
Sakura looked up at him, her eyes a bit watery but no more tears came.
"And you?" She asked, her voice seemingly much stronger than his.
He looked into her eyes, surprised to find a stunning shade of emerald instead of a cold dark green that he was usually met with.
"I- I don't regret either."
Sakura's face sort of scrunched up in a horrible way and stubborn tears collected at the sides of her eyes. Syaoran reached out and touched her shoulder tentatively, yet he was surprised when Sakura turned suddenly and wrapped her arms tightly around him as sobs that she had been hiding for so long burst in erratic intervals. The tears racked through her chest as she poured out her sorrow.
"I wish this could be all over." She confided, her voice dry and unnatural from crying her throat hoarse. "I wish everything was back to the way it was before."
Syaoran didn't know what to say but to pull Sakura more comfortably in his embrace, holding there tightly.
"But then some of the good would never would have happened as well." He whispered quietly, his eyes shut tight to keep himself from crying as well. He was her only support now and he didn't want to cry now.
The girl in his arms sniffed loudly and then pulled away. She wiped her nose inelegantly on the pastel green hospital gown. Sakura smiled wryly when Syaoran passed her a tissue.
"Perhaps." She answered a while. "I guess if all this crap didn't happen, we'd never would have met, would we?"
Syaoran cracked a half grin. "Thinking of me so soon?"
"Only in your dreams." Sakura replied with a cocky smirk.
-----
Sakura made a fast recovery after that, and demanded to be released after another day at the hospital despite doctor's suggestions and Touya's commands. She was still arguing with her older brother when Syaoran and Eriol came back. The girl's attention immediately turned towards them.
"Anything?" She asked, even though the possibility of having something was almost zero.
"Like you said, nothing." Eriol replied. "It's a dead end road almost."
Syaoran grunted, his arms crossed and his eyes blazing. Sakura studied him for a while before looking over to Eriol. "I'm assuming the two of you split up to ask questions?"
"Kind of. Syaoran demanded to see the leader by himself. I waited outside and then both of us went to see the others." Eriol said, looking over to his partner who stood in such a stance that everyone knew he was angry.
"Well, what did you find?" Touya interjected, his eyes on Syaoran. Syaoran just merely looked back without answering. "Why you cocky arrogant son of a,"
"Touya." Sakura's voice was quiet and deadly.
Touya lowered his arm dejectedly.
"I'd like to talk to Li alone about this." She continued. "Please?" Her older brother sighed and gave in. Eriol left too but sent a worried glance over to the girl before leaving. The door clicked gently behind them and soft hushed voices could be heard from the other side. Only when the footsteps died down did Sakura turn her attention to Syaoran.
She locked her eyes with his, seeing a pool of angry emotions. His jaw jutted out at an angle and his shoulders were rigid and tense.
"He attempted suicide?" She asked, in a monotone voice.
"No." Syaoran spat, leaning against the night table. "He threatened me with it." The young man closed his eyes for a while before opening them. "I wasn't to tell anyone a fucking thing about this, or he'd suicide and cast the blame upon me. And knowing what he can do, he's damn will if necessary."
"Name?" Sakura asked.
"Bret Monoko." He replied.
"False name," she commented. "Anything in your database?"
"Ironically, yes. They even made a huge load of crap in this guy's history as in how mentally unstable he is." Syaoran answered angrily. "The others gave me all their names but I could tell through their eyes that they were all lying. Interestingly enough, all the others don't have a file in the database."
"Meaning whoever is behind this doesn't care a crap of what happens to anyone else, yet somehow these people are deadly loyal to this power."
"Correct. Thus, there are more men behind this. Those guys figure that either way, this head will kill them. However, most figure not to betray him, most likely their family or whatever other connections will die as well."
Sakura sighed. "Great. It's not only some idiotic retard after me. Instead I have the whole gang after me for reasons unknown."
Syaoran looked over at him. "Yeah." He paused. "Hey, Kinomoto, can I ask you something?"
"Mm."
"How exactly did your mother die?"
Sakura gave him a glare immediately, but Syaoran held the glance steadily until Sakura sighed and looked away. "She died when our house accidentally caught on fire on a winter night. She sacrificed herself to protect me."
"You were five then."
"Yes. I suppose Eriol told you this?"
"Perhaps."
"She was someone special and I connected to her." She said softly, looking outside the window. "Touya later told me that the firemen said it was because of the gas stove in our house."
"Was it?"
Sakura looked over at him, not saying anything for a while. "Maybe. Sometimes I wish I wasn't that small so I could remember some more about what happened that day."
"So you still think ...?"
"Perhaps." She replied. "But there is evidence."
"You searched through it?"
"Stole Eriol's ID card one day and spent the day in his office looking through files." She replied, grinning at the memory."
Syaoran couldn't but half smile. "So you were the one who bumped into me that day, late at night."
Sakura squinted her eyes, trying to remember. "Oh! You're that guy who told me to fuck off and that I shouldn't find some action here tonight because Eriol's already taken." She smiled wryly.
"Yeah, and then you swiftly kicked me."
"Because you underestimated a girl." She replied smugly.
"Was just trying to defend my best friend's interest." He answered a bit too pleasantly.
Sakura laughed. "Sore loser."
Syaoran just shrugged, secretly relieved that she was at least getting a bit better. He knew better than to ask her to stay for a few more days, but he could find the doctor later to give her one more round of check ups and a few antibiotics.
-----
A sinisterly smile grinned, somehow illuminated in the dark isolated room. There was a slight beeping sound before it went dead, a monotone buzz filling the room, bouncing off the walls.
Death had conquered another victim.
-----
----- How was it? I'm actually surprised I got together a chapter, despite how angst-y it's getting to be. Most likely I'm feeling a bit angst-y with all the damn college stuff I have to do. Just sent out two this weekend before December crept along. Now I only have 8 left .... Yippee. Sigh. I have to average about two applications per week. Damn it. Argh.
Anyhow, be surprised if I actually do update within the month of December. Hehe. Sorry there. But I'm horribly busy and thank you for understand the best you guys can be.
Iris Dreamer.