Hey all! It's me again with the thrilling chapter of Friends Forever Right? Isn't that great? I know I know.
I deeply apologize for the.. –Counts- five-month delay. I know this upset many of you but I truly didn't mean it to happen this way. KayJuli took six months so don't look at me! Ahh but she had a better excuse…
I'd give you all my excuses.. From September to January. Such as my great uncle past away (August)... school started (September)... SATs (October)... Midterms (November)... SING (a production I was in; December)... Christmas (Also December)... Final Fantasy X-2 & 11... etc etc… Finals (January) and my upcoming Senior Trip.
(I had a blast playing FFX-2 and I beat it! Bwahahahahaha! Take that Square Enix!)
Also I rewrote this chapter thousands of times. I didn't like one part so I had to rewrite it and fix everything afterwards… then I hated the whole thing… and then I didn't like another part… well that's how I am. I don't believe this chapter is my best after all it went through. And the next one is the grand finale… followed by a small epilogue… if I am counting correctly.
Plus I have a new plot for Fantasy so that's going to drastically change… to those who have read Fantasy anyways... I didn't get many people yelling at me for that one. –Sweat drops- And Fantasy WILL be my last fic until summer ends. I will be re-editing this one and my other CCS fics. I promised that to Sheyla (Starrie) and my sister. I hate leaving fans disappointed if I don't have time to update my next projects.
Anyways… Trust me when I say I had a lot of people down my back about this.. So I really do apologize. And I even apologize to those who reviewed Starrie's Learning to Love fic and seeing that I updated hers for her –sweat drops- it's just that I wanted to read that chapter!
Well first of all I'd like to thank all my reviewers! I appreciate it so much that you guys loved the last chapter. So thank you to:
Nichirin
Cherrixwolf
Sakura Potato
Xiao Mei
Pookyber
Prince XiaoLang
The Dreamers Wish
Carmela-chan
AnimeObsessionFantasy
DinJi
Otaku 2
Hyper_CherryBlossom
Iris dreamer
Shirahana
Jess
HanaTenshiHimeko
MyREEN n' RAAYneer
Crazy-cheery
Cute*Little*Teddybear
Kawaiiness Pnay
Sakura-Angel2
Kikakai
Midnight Crystal
Pnaixrose
Lilbabyriny
Starrie
Simply Meilin
Duckie-bumblebeez
Shima and Tempis
Roan
Fleur137
L.P.B.
StuffXD
Kawaii Kitty-chan
Amanda
EAD TAES
Pink Cutie
Midnight Crystal
Smilez
Goddess of Torture
Ccslover
Tomoe-chan
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Blackapino_Sweetie
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Cute Star Angel (Hey Cyn! ^_^)
THE MOUSE ( I am honored that you reviewed for my story)
Winkie
Passionate Cat
Sabby
~*Cherry*~
CherryBerry-chan
Angelic dreamer
Thanks so much again! I love you all. Though I lost about 20 reviewers @-@ This does upset me you know! I have feelings too! Well... thanks to those who have pressed the pretty button that says submit review!
Anyways...
And this chapter is dedicated to: HanaTenshiHimeko! Sorry for misspelling your penname (Though I think you must've forgot that by now…) and thanks so much for reviewing. I hope you love this chapter!!
And a special dedication to: Anny-chan, Sabby-chan and Cyn-chan! Thank you for bothering me all this time in SUB to tell me to update! And I'm still stricken with grief that SUB is now gone.
A little note: This is the 13th chapter so things that are happening in this chapter was going to be a bit... confusing, creepy, sad, and strange. Good luck! (Read twice or thrice if you don't understand! –giggles and hops away-)
More explanations!! Shiefa is only 22, Fanren is 20, Fuutie is 19, and Fuutie 18.
ALSO remember that the whole group is sixteen and only Syaoran is turning 17. Got it?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own CCS but I do own Ryu, Song Min, Xiomara, Jasmine, Lily, and Philip… I think that's all. Oh and I do not own the song in this chapter: 1000 Words by Koda Kumi and it is owned by Square Enix and Final Fantasy X-2. ^^ That's it!
AND FINALLY: If you do not remember what happened in the last chapter (sure in hell I didn't) please go back to it because some of the information there is really necessary to know what is going on in this chapter!)
Now I present to you:
* * * * *- Changing
places
A/N- Author Notes
"." Speaking
'.' Thoughts
Friends Forever...Right?
Chapter 13
"Sakura I don't think you are up to this." Eriol said, frustrated. He motioned for Sakura to take a seat, in which Sakura did.
Meiling still couldn't get over the fact that Sakura, who suffered so much under Syaoran's relationship with Lily, accepted to get married to him. She wondered if Sakura was over Syaoran at all.
Ryu clasped Meiling's hand firmly for this might as well save Meiling from getting into an arranged marriage. He meant well for Sakura, after all he was sure that she wasn't over Syaoran so soon and always tried to save her friends from perilous situations.
Shiefa, on the other hand, put down the picture she was holding and continued to smile. She knew why Sakura was doing this. She knew from the beginning that there were cameras in the room and that the other girls were watching.
But she knew that somehow, if she stayed there, Sakura would hear and see too.
"I'm sure Sakura-san knows the consequences of this arrangement but I will ask her again. Are you sure Kinomoto Sakura, that you will marry my brother, Li Syaoran?"
Sakura stopped right there and opened her eyes wide. So that's why Shiefa knew her! She was Syaoran's sister! One of the four he mentioned to her when they met! He even told her his sister's names! How could she forget the name Shiefa?
Now that she remembered, she noticed that everyone in the room was staring at her.
"I..."
* * * *
Touya sighed as he jumped into his bed. He missed Sakura greatly, since she is spending the week at Tomoyo's. Not only that, he was concerned that she was still not over the gaki and what he did to her. He didn't get to see his imouto's true feelings and if she recovered at all…
'Oh Kajiuu, what are you up to now that I'm so worried?' He thought before he closed his eyes.
* * * *
Yelan sat calmly on the sofa, waiting for her son and his 'fiancée' to come in from the hallway. But inside, she was boiling. She despised the girl from the start and how she answered to her about being Syaoran's fiancée.
'How could he pick such a girl?' Yelan thought angrily, her fists clenched. Her usual air of tranquility was marred by the judgment of her son. She didn't consider that thought much since it was pushed aside a bit when Syaoran walked in angrily and his 'fiancée' skipped merrily from behind.
Yelan folded her hands on her lap and breathed in deeply.
"Xiao Lang..."
Syaoran huffed and looked the other way. He hated being in the threatened position while his ex-girlfriend had all the control.
He looked into the golden eyes of his mother, and he could tell that she wasn't very pleased. Well that's putting it lightly...
"Yes?"
Yelan had to hold her composure at the sly smile Lily had. She wanted to really send her to get a beating to wipe it off her face. How terrible this girl seemed… even the elders would discharge of her.
"So this... Lily-san... is the girl you choose to be your wife and second hand in power of the Li Clan?" Yelan asked, her mouth feeling as though she tasted something awful.
Syaoran looked the other way. Lily, on the other hand, smiled all too gleefully. "Oh Syao-kun and I love each other deeply."
Syaoran gritted his teeth and clenched his hands. But he did not speak a word. He tried to think of a way to get out of this. Especially since Sakura was being threatened- but why should she be?
'There is something peculiar about this.' He thought.
As Lily spoke sweetly to Yelan, Syaoran formed his own plan in his head. He just had to do something. Something to get rid of the venom poisoning his life.
* * * *
"I..."
Meiling took Sakura's hand in hers. "Sakura... listen to me. I know you aren't ready for this and I have a feeling you are doing this...all for me."
Sakura looked at Meiling stunned. She hit the jackpot in one phrase. "I..."
Meiling shook her head and looked into Sakura's emerald eyes. "Pay attention Sakura Kinomoto. This decision will affect your life dramatically. Things will be expected from you if you accept to be Syaoran Li's wife. You won't be released from those wedding vows easily, for the Li Elders will squish you before you do."
Sakura bit her tongue. That part she didn't know about at all. "Elders?"
Meiling smiled softly, as she patted Sakura's hand, dismissing her question. "I got myself into a mess and I don't want you to get into one too. This is a big step and I'm not going to risk your life for my own happiness. Just take a breather, and go for a walk. Take notes of what your heart is telling you to do. Then make your decision. Okay?"
Sakura numbly nodded while everyone around the table sighed.
Eriol was happy that Sakura was going to think it over. He doesn't want her to get into a commitment with Syaoran, especially since he had abandoned his friends for the sake of a poor excuse of a girl.
Tomoyo, who was still outside of the room, looked at the TV screen in glee. Since she was supposedly ill, she couldn't go down and give Sakura a piece of her mind. She was glad Meiling finally snapped out of it and gave it to Sakura her piece instead. She loved her beloved best friend with all her heart and she didn't want her to suffer anymore.
Ryu was upset because now Meiling was at square one again. He didn't want his true love to be given away to another man. He loved her deeply and would die if she left him. But he also had the heart to care about Sakura, so he feared for her safety as well.
Shiefa looked away. "Well Sakura-san, go. We'll be here waiting for your response."
Sakura looked at Shiefa and nodded. She walked out of the room, down the stairs, and finally out the door. She breathed in the fresh air and sighed.
She wished this were just all a dream.
* * * *
-In Hong Kong-
Fanren, Fuutie, and Feimei gathered into Shiefa's room, all whispering and giggling to each other. They had just come from the airport with Daiijun, after all the traffic they encountered from dropping off their beloved mother and older sister. Well they went shopping too; they weren't stuck in the highway all day!
Anyways, they were heading to Sheifa's room only to try to get into contact with her. To be left without any details of what is happening in Tomoeda, Japan was mortifying to them!
"Do you think you can do it?" Fanren asked excitedly. Fuutie looked at her confused.
"Do what?" She asked.
Feimei giggled timidly. "She asked me if Shiefa taught me how to connect to people's minds when they're far way."
Fuutie looked flustered. "She has been teaching you? I asked her to teach me since forever! And she's been teaching you?"
Fanren patted her hand. "Shiefa wants Feimei to learn only because Feimei is inexperienced with her own power." Fanren said calmly. Fuutie only pouted.
"Okay if you say so." She said unsure. "Well little sister, can you or not?"
Feimei sighed as she twirled the silky lace of her older sister's pillow. "I can try." She replied softly as she positioned herself in the middle of Sheifa's bed. Both of the older sister's looked on as Feimei's yellow aura surrounded her. Her lips were sent in a firm line as her eyebrow twitched from concentration.
After a few minutes, her aura faded and the room went back to it's normal color.
"So...?" Fanren asked excitedly. Fuutie just kept silent with a jealous look on her face at her younger sister.
But Feimei didn't even open her eyes or move at all. Just as the clock struck 12, a small tear rolled down Feimei's cheek. "It didn't work... I'm such a failure." Feimei said in a hushed voice before she started sobbing.
Fanren instantly went to her side. "Shh... it's okay. Maybe Shiefa wasn't done helping you master it."
Feimei didn't answer but just kept weeping. Fuutie rolled her eyes. "Stop acting like a child Feimei and get over it. Geez just because you didn't master mind connection." Fuutie sneered as she left the room.
Fanren shook her head. "Don't listen to her. I'll go talk to her okay?" Feimei nodded as Fanren left.
Feimei effortlessly slid off Shiefa's bed just as images and words flashed in her mind.
Feimei watched as she noticed she was in a conference-like room when a boyish figure yelled out "We're only teenagers! TEENAGERS!"
The image faded into a new one when a taller woman figure turned and yelled out 'Who the hell is..." before that image dissipated into another one.
Another boyish figure in the same room had grabbed a girl figure's hand. "Meiling…no! Please!" The girl one looked away before Feimei was transferred to a whole new scenario.
Now she was outside of a house when she looked at two figures. One was a boy, the other a girl. She faintly heard "That was then..." said by the female figure as the male one looked helpless.
That final one was erased into darkness as she heard Shiefa whisper to her. "Feimei… I don't have the strength. Take care."
Feimei opened her eyes and stood there for a few moments before all the images she saw fade away. She placed her hand on her chest and gasped her air.
She only was able to recognize her sister. But the other figures were too blurred for her to make out. She let out a frustrated cry before gripping her head.
"Is this what's happening or what's to come? Shiefa... please tell me." She murmured desperately.
* * * *
Sakura walked aimlessly about the neighborhood. Scenes of the last two weeks replayed in her mind. She was surprised when she finally noticed where she was. She walked almost straight to Syaoran's apartment.
In a fleeting moment she remembered their friendship, her growing feelings, and then her… Lily. Sakura scowled at that thought. She never knew she would loathe a girl so much. But she knew she shouldn't entirely blame everything on Lily.
If only she opened up and spoke to Syaoran sooner. Dejectedly she remembered how she shut herself up, even from her family and Tomoyo, her best friend. Sakura hated herself for making her family and her best friends suffer... just for a silly crush.
Looking around, she noticed she might be seen by anyone. As quickly as she could, she settled herself on the branch of a tree. The tree where Phillip almost... Sakura shuddered. How could someone try to... do something like that to her. She didn't understand.
But Syaoran saved her. Syaoran always saved her. She thanked him and hated him at the same time.
For when he saved her, he hurt her again. Tears sprung to her eyes as she recalled Syaoran's final words. Those words that stung her more deeply than any words Song Min or Lily have ever uttered.
She didn't want him to know... to know that she cared for him more than any friend would.
And now what was happening?
Meiling… her best friend Meiling. To save her best friend, she got engaged to the one that hurt her the most.
What was she thinking? She highly doubted that she could even get a divorce later. But Meiling needed a savior. She didn't want her best friend's life with Ryu to be destroyed.
What on earth could she do?
* * * *
Meiling held Ryu's hand and sighed softly. Ever since Sakura left, everyone remained quiet. Well, except for when Tomoyo, Song Min, Xiomara, and Jasmine walked in and took their seats in silence. Shiefa just frowned as she looked at all of them before resting her eyes on Meiling.
"Meiling-san... what you have done was honorable but quite stupid."
Ryu was about to stand up to protest and release his anger out when Meiling patted his hand soothingly. Shiefa tapped her fingers. "Xiao Lang will be put into an arranged marriage if Sakura doesn't accept. Do you realize that?" She said with an edge in her voice.
"Hai I do. Demo Sakura-chan deserves her-"
"You don't get it!" Shiefa snapped, standing up from her chair. Everyone's eyes widened at her reaction except for Eriol's.
"Meiling-san the reason the Elders made you agree your hand in marriage if Sakura fails to come Hong Kong in two days was because you will be the one promised to Xiao Lang!"
Now everyone's mouths dropped. Ryu nearly died.
His Meiling promised to Syaoran Li?
"Over my dead body." Ryu growled.
Eriol shook his head as he rested his hands on the table. "Ryu, you have no say to the Elders whatsoever. How did this simple crush of Sakura turn into this dire situation?" He said calmly but truly exasperated. He ran his fingers through his silky sapphire hair. His eyes looked too worn for his years.
"We're only teenagers... you heard me Shiefa-san, TEENAGERS! Barely reaching the age of seventeen!" He shouted. Tomoyo gripped his arm.
"Teenagers shouldn't have to face all of this."
Shiefa looked away. "Xiao Lang and Meiling do. They're part of clans. It's their destiny for all these situations to happen. They always happen. Not as complex as this but they do." She muttered before looking away.
Ryu looked at Meiling sorrowfully.
"I told you not to get involved." He whispered making Meiling smile slightly.
"But I always do."
* * * *
"Syaoran Li."
The calm winds blew softly, making the leaves rustle on the tree's branches. Yet the thin figure did not move.
Sakura continued to gaze at the stars. She wondered how Touya and her otou-san were... how long ago it was when she actually spent time with them...
But she couldn't think of them without remembering him. How he tried to impress her father and how he tried to go after her brother when Touya called him a gaki.
'Why does everything have to be so complicated? I want to go back... back to the way things were before him. Before... I fell in love with him.'
* * * *
Yelan clasped her hands tightly to keep her temper at bay. The sweetness that Lily displayed was driving her to her own breaking point.
The girl was a pathological liar and she continued to believe as if she were speaking the truth.
" --Decided it was best to wed. We never wanted to be apart, ne Syao?"
Syaoran, having enough fill of her lies, stood up. "Excuse me mother, I'd like to take a walk. I need some fresh air." He bowed and began to leave when Lily grabbed his hand.
"I'll accompany you." She said as she stood up. Syaoran tried to keep his disgust from showing... the least he wanted was her to be with him.
"Lei-san I prefer if you'd tell me more about yourself while Xiao Lang takes a walk. Girl talk." Yelan said pleasantly enough although it was eating out her insides. Lily frowned but seated herself anyway. She wanted to be on Yelan's good side.
Syaoran smirked a bit before bowing again.
"I'll be back soon ladies."
* * * *
Shiefa picked up her picture and smiled softly.
"What is that thing? You've been holding onto it for a while and it's driving me insane." Ryu said moodily.
Meiling turned and looked at Shiefa who clasped the picture possessively. She sent a small glare at Ryu. "It's none of your concern." She snapped.
This made everyone turn and peer at her.
"Why don't you show us?" Song Min asked inquisitively. Shiefa was about to snap again when a phone rang.
The sweet little melody played as everyone dug into their pockets.
"Whose is it?"
"Not mine."
"My cell is on vibrate."
"Not mine."
"It's mine." Shiefa said as she took out a little beige cell phone. "Hello?"
Meanwhile, Tomoyo looked at Eriol and sighed. "It's hopeless... isn't it?" Eriol shook his head and patted her hand.
"Never give up hope Tomoyo."
A surprised yelp turned their attention back to Shiefa. It appeared as though she was about to break her little phone before she placed it down on the table.
"Who the hell is Lei Lily?!" She implored loudly.
* * * *
'I spent too much time here... and I still have no answers. I might as well go back.' Sakura thought miserably as she jumped down from the tree. With one last look at Syaoran's apartment, she turned and walked away... just as Syaoran walked out and stretched his arms. "I'm temporarily free!" He gloated as he began to walk down the all too familiar path towards Tomoeda Park.
"Now just to get a plan..." He said to himself as he looked up to the moon. "Soon to be seventeen and again stuck with all these problems. Why can't I be normal?"
Syaoran sighed wistfully at the part of his life when the Li clan was put aside. When he merited his own scholarship to Seijou High School in Japan, it was as though Kami-sama gave an opportunity for freedom to him. He transferred there without looking back and without a second thought. He hated the problems his mother and the Elders imposed on him. Finding a wife, being the perfect leader, training hard everyday.
He liked it when he was free in Japan with his old girlfriends and doing community service during basketball season. He enjoyed playing soccer with his friends Eriol, Ryu, and Takashi. He loved spending his time with Meiling, Tomoyo, and especially Sakura.
Now he was forced to face his problems again. Especially the heightened one of finding a wife before his birthday. Why couldn't his life be hassle-free like Takashi, Eriol, and Ryu?
Syaoran sighed for the umpteenth time for today. For putting all his complications aside, it came back to him ten-fold. He looked to the swings of Penguin Park and smiled. Perhaps he can contemplate more there instead of just wandering about aimlessly and most likely to get him lost.
* * * *
Sakura sat down on top of King Penguin and looked at the starlit sky. It was not that cold due to the current warm temperatures in Tomoeda, so Sakura didn't feel the urge to go back to Song Min's.
But she didn't want to stay outside of Syaoran's apartment all day either. She rather be here, away on top of King Penguin, where she always thought over her problems to seek a solution. But the solution to this one was hard...
Sakura looked down miserably. Her life was so screwed up. She looked down as her auburn hair swayed all about her in the gentle breeze. And the condition her doctor told her didn't help her much either.
'If I marry Li then I'll be shipped away to Hong Kong... I'll leave otou-san and onii-chan… but if I don't, Meiling will be engaged forcefully.'
Sakura wrapped her arms around her knees. It was incredibly complicated. Sakura growled and slammed her fists down on the hard surface of King Penguin's head.
"Damn it! Damn it all!" She swore, feeling her frustration finally get to her. She sobbed bitterly under the sky that glittered brightly instead of storming endlessly.
"Kami-sama please help me…"
* * * *
Meiling opened her eyes wide. "Now Shiefa-san… don't get mad. I didn't really know about her… well she wasn't here when I left…"
Shiefa's expression though did not calm down. The clutch she had on the poor little beige phone was probably going to break it if she didn't release it anytime soon. And what little she had left of composure certainly went straight out the door.
"Who the hell is she?!" She asked angrily.
Tomoyo gulped. "Well Li-san… Lily Lei was Li-kun's current girlfriend but he broke up with her today…" She managed to stumble out as she kneaded her hands. Lily Lei had all slipped from their minds since Syaoran broke up with her. Why even bother to mention it?
Shiefa raised an eyebrow. "Broke up with her today? That's not what it seems to me. I just received a distressing phone call from my mother saying that Lei Lily is now engaged to my little brother!"
Gasps were filled throughout the room and murmurs or curses were released as all the teenagers present tried to figure out what went wrong.
Tomoyo shook her head. "This cannot be! I distinctly heard from Li-kun's mouth today that he never wanted to see her again! He wouldn't go back to her… it's impossible!"
Meiling nodded in agreement, furious if Syaoran actually did go back with her. "That girl is pure scum. Maybe she is feigning this whole thing!"
More murmurs spewed about in the room and Eriol rolled his eyes. He cleared his throat so he could finally gain silence. "We're all in this together you know, we could voice out our opinions. I believe that this is all a hoax… your mother Shiefa-san may be deceived by that clever little witch. But do you know if the Little Wolf knows?"
Shiefa seated herself with a sigh. "He does know. My mother said he just went out to take a walk… but she also said that it seemed as if he were hiding something."
Meiling grunted. "Maybe guiltiness of what he's doing to everyone."
Shiefa shot her a look. "Look, right now Sakura is trying to figure out the pieces she has while Xiao Lang, Kami-sama knows what in the world he's thinking about now. That's all we have. What should we do? And I don't want measly responses from sixteen year olds. I can tell all of you are much more mature than you let on… so think."
Song Min lifted her hand up a bit. Shiefa had to smile a bit at this. "Go ahead Kim-san, I don't bite."
Song Min giggled nervously. "Well… Lei could be using Syaoran some way. I don't really know. But I'm worried. Sakura has to face many things whilst Syaoran has to face the clan. And Meiling too if they find out that Lei will be brought as the supposed fiancée."
Ryu twiddled his fingers. "Sakura knows what she's doing most of the time and what ever decision she makes will be of her choice. Now the Elders are another story. As I can tell from my visit to Hong Kong, they're somebody to reckon with. Sakura has to accept. They won't accept Lily and that is a plain fact."
"What do you mean?" Eriol asked.
Shiefa's smile brightened. "That's correct! The Elders would not accept Lei Lily for they were offered Kinomoto Sakura. If she isn't presented than Meiling would have to be taken into account for her meddling with the future leader's affairs."
Ryu nodded, a bit too calmly. "Which brings me to this… call your mother. I do not know why she didn't realize that fact earlier…" Shiefa glared at him. "But perhaps she was distracted by it all."
Shiefa nodded. "So then what do we do with Xiao Lang and Ying Fa?"
Ryu shrugged. "I told you that before… it's Sakura's choice. Not Li's, not your mothers, not ours, and not yours. It's her choice for it is her life."
Shiefa sighed and picked up the phone. Tomoyo and Meiling exchanged hopeful glances as Eriol shook his head.
"Sakura is not back yet. It's been a half hour." He murmured as Shiefa left to the corner to call her mother.
"We need to give her time to think. It's not easy to choose within a half hour Eriol… you should know that." Tomoyo said softly.
Ryu grunted. "It's so hard that I doubt she'll even come back tonight."
Meiling rolled her eyes. "She is going to come back tonight because she has to sleep somewhere and we're all here. Silly." She stated as she elbowed Ryu slightly. Ryu just smirked slightly and looked back at the table.
"Meiling…" He said softly that Meiling almost didn't hear him. "I don't want to lose you." He whispered as he held her hand tightly.
Meiling smiled sadly. "You won't… you'll always have my heart."
* * * *
"I cannot believe I completely forgot about that." Yelan stated softly as she forced a smile at Lily.
The past ten minutes when Syaoran had gone, little conversation passed between Lily and Yelan. Sure Yelan told her to stay for small talk but that's all it was. A little vague conversation.
Yelan didn't want to hear all the lies spewed out of Lily's mouth so she excused herself to call her eldest daughter with the pretension that she was a bit worried about her disappearance. So there she was, sitting across from Lily who resorted to looking around the apartment since she didn't have anything better to do while Yelan spoke to Shiefa.
"Yes but what to do with the dog?" Yelan asked, masking the discussion of Syaoran, Lily, and Sakura with code names.
The dog was Lily, The nightingale was Sakura, and the annoying parrot was Syaoran. That is how the conversation went on with Yelan.
Finally nerved about this whole thing, Lily stood up and bowed, which made Yelan excuse herself with Shiefa. "You are going home now Lily-san?" She asked nonchalantly.
Lily nodded, hiding the anger under her pleasant smile. "Yes it is getting quite late now and my parents must be worried." She said, emphasizing parents only because they weren't here and Yelan didn't know that.
"Very well. I am sorry for being on the phone for a while now. You must have gotten bored while I conversed with my daughter." Yelan said, trying to hide her smile.
'Well duhh' Lily thought as she shook her head and smiled. "No no, not at all. I just need to go home. Have a pleasant night Yelan-san." She said as she headed towards the door.
"Good night to you too Lily-san." Yelan said as Wei closed the door behind Lily. Wei gave Yelan a helpless look but Yelan just smiled.
"Wei, I have a plan."
* * * *
The swing went back and forth as its rider dozed on it, tired of thinking. There he was, the Syaoran Li, about to fall asleep on the swing. He didn't notice both that the wind began to pick up again and he had goose bumps.
Sakura on the other hand, fell asleep after crying on top of King Penguin's slide. She shivered as the wind picked up but that didn't wake her up from her sleep.
The Tomoeda clock struck as it reached 11 o'clock. Lily growled as she rubbed her arms and hastily walked to her house. She didn't see Philip nor did she see Syaoran. She hated the fact that Yelan completely ignored her after Syaoran left.
'As if that would change my engagement to him.' She thought evilly. Things changed into what she wanted them to be. In her haste, she didn't notice the sleeping figure of Syaoran on the swings or the sleeping figure of Sakura on the slide. If she did, she would've thought it was a coincidence.
Lily took out her cell phone and squealed when two pair of arms hugged her from behind. "Hello beautiful." A voice whispered in her ear.
Lily smiled as she turned and kissed Philip deeply. "Hi Handsome."
He turned and draped his arm across her shoulder. "So how did it go?" He asked as they walked passed Penguin Park.
"It went extremely well. I am now engaged to Syaoran Li and he isn't going to do anything to break it." She said smiling. Philip scowled. "You know you're actually engaged to me?" He growled.
"Philip dear I must get revenge on Syaoran and his trash of friends. I will marry him, then make the Elders see he is tainted by putting him to bed with Sakura, divorce, and get my money worth and the position of ruler over the Li Clan."
Philip smiled. "That sounds so much better."
Lily smiled as she kissed Philip again. "I know. And Kinomoto will agree to it willingly, after all Syaoran Li did to her." Lily said laughing.
Philip hugged her and swung Lily around. "You're brilliant my love."
"I know, I know." She said laughing.
* * * *
Shiefa smiled as she returned to the group. "My mom has figured out something after spending time with Lily."
The others looked at her with a clueless expression. "What may that be?" Ryu asked sarcastically. Shiefa shot him another rude look to him and then smiled again.
"I'm not allowed to say but let's say that the garbage is taken care of. Now who wants to go find Sakura? It's almost 12 am and I fear that she may have taken too much time."
Tomoyo nodded. "I agree. Sakura isn't one to stay up that late anyway unless she's telling me what is going on through the day. And not even she would stay up all night thinking over something. If she did, she would do so in her bed."
Song Min shrugged. "I'll look for her with my girls. It's easier that was so we could split up while you converse what you need to converse. I can tell you are just withholding information just because of our presence."
Shiefa shook her head. "That's not it. I want it to be a surprise for Sakura. Now you can go. We'll be in the living area to take our mind off of our worries for now since Lei is out of our way."
Song Min agreed and exited with Xiomara and Jasmine who were about to doze off while the rest left to the living room.
Ryu grabbed the control and flipped through the channels to find something interesting to watch. Instead he just stayed on the music channel. Meiling gave him a weird look.
"There is nothing else on except drama things and I'm not in the mood to see that." Ryu said defensively while Meiling just sighed.
"Yeah you have a point. No comedy?" She asked hopeful. Ryu shook his head and lied back onto the couch.
Meiling looked at the TV as a song began to play. She squealed with delight, as did Tomoyo when their favorite song came on.
I know that you're hiding things,
Using gentle words to shelter me.
Your words were like a dream.
But dreams could never fool me,
Not that easily…
I acted so distant then,
Didn't say goodbye before you left.
But I was listening,
You'll fight your battles far from me,
Far too easily.
"Save your tears 'cause I'll come back."
I could hear that you whispered as you walked through that door,
But still I swore
To hide the pain,
While I turned back the pages.
Shouting might have been the answer,
What if I cried my eyes out and begged you not to depart?
But now I'm not afraid to say what's in my heart.
'Cause a thousand words call out through the ages,
They'll fly to you,
Even though I can't see,
I know they're reaching you,
Suspended on silver wings.
Oh a thousand words,
One thousand embraces,
Will cradle you,
Making all of your weary days seem far away.
They'll hold you forever…
Oh a thousand words (a thousand words),
Have never been spoken (ohhh yeah),
They'll fly to you,
They'll carry you home (carry you home),
And back into my arms,
Suspended on silver wings (On silver wings),
And a thousand words (ohh),
Call out through the ages (call through the ages),
They'll cradle you (oh yeah)
Turning all of the lonely years to only days (only days),
They'll hold you forever...
Oh...
A thousand words...
The girls sniffled as the words the girl sang touched their soul. They didn't know why it affected them so.
"I think the girls are getting too sensitive." Ryu said, chuckling lightly. Eriol started laughing along side of him. Both girls turned and glared at them before attacking them with the sofa pillows.
They didn't see Shiefa crying off to a side.
* * * *
Song Min and the others looked around to only see the emptiness in Tomoeda's streets. No one usually walked around at night unless if they were coming back from the movies. Xiomara pouted, hating the murky, dark streets and being alone. Jasmine just yawned every now and then, tired of this whole day.
"Where is she? She's like hiding somewhere!" Jasmine said, irritated.
Xiomara rolled her eyes. "She's probably somewhere she could think. Do you think she might've went home?"
Song Min shook her head. "And leave us like that? No… plus she's staying over my house with Tomoyo and Meiling. She wouldn't go home. Just keep looking. She's bound to be around here."
Xiomara shrugged. "Then let's do what you said we'll do. Separate and look for her. I'll head down that way towards her house."
"I'll take the road to Lily's!" Jasmine said happily since it was closer by.
"I'll take the road to Syaoran's and Tomoyo's since they're both on the way." Song Min said giving a small glare at Jasmine. "Meet back at my house."
Jasmine and Xiomara nodded and headed off their own ways. Song Min sighed and just continued forward.
"Sakura where on earth are you?"
* * * *
THUMP!!Syaoran groggily woke up since he fell off the swing. Moaning as he rubbed his arms from the now chilly night, he looked up to see it was way past 11.
"Damn… there goes my time for thinking." He thought irritably as he got up and dusted himself off. The moon was in it's waxing gibbous stage- the stage just before it turns into a full moon. Syaoran groaned at that. For some weird reason, bizarre things happen to him when it turns full.
Syaoran looked around and figured he was by himself. That was until he spotted a figure on top of the King Penguin slide.
'Probably a homeless person' Syaoran thought before starting to walk past it. That was when he realized the supposed 'homeless person' was much too young and clean to be homeless.
"Excuse me… excuse me miss?" He asked as he poked the girl's shoulder. He felt that she was freezing and he didn't want to leave without making sure the girl at least went on her way with his help.
"Miss? Excuse me???" He asked again as he poked her. Sakura sleepily opened her eyes and looked at Syaoran. Thinking it was still her dream, she slapped him.
"Bastard." She muttered before curling up back into her sleeping position. On the other hand, Syaoran stood there stunned. Not only was he trying to help out the girl, she had slapped him, and called him a bastard.
"Excuse me kajiuu but I don't think you had the right to smack me when all I was trying to do was help you!" Syaoran growled as he shoved Sakura to her side.
"Hoeee!!!" Sakura yelped as she landed on her side. She immediately got up and glared at Syaoran. Syaoran now was stunned when he realized who the supposed homeless person was.
"You jerk! What gave you the right to shove me like that!" Sakura growled, forgetting that she was still contemplating over the issue at hand.
"Well you smacked me and I didn't know who you were! What else should I have done?!" Syaoran snapped back, regaining his senses.
"I did not smack you! You jerk! How the hell did you get here?! Leave me alone!" Sakura yelled back as she slid down the slide and began to run off.
Syaoran realized that he just yelled at her when he wanted to ask her the truth about everything. Syaoran groaned as he began to run after her.
"Sakura!!!" He yelled as they dashed down passed Eriol's house. "Sakura!! Wait!! I didn't mean to shove you!"
Sakura rolled her eyes as she continued to run. "Sure you didn't! And my name is Kinomoto to you Li!"
Syaoran groaned as he sped down faster towards Tomoyo's. "Come on Sakura! You smacked me, remember? I just need to talk to you!"
"Talk, Talk, Talk! That's all you want! Go away you jerk!" Sakura yelled as she ran passed the sanctuary of Tomoyo's mansion.
Syaoran sighed as they continued to run like maniacs, and it didn't help that at this time that people were sleeping or about to fall asleep. "Sakura please!"
"My name to you is Kinomoto! Now go home and leave me alone!" She shouted for the umpteenth time, trying to get away. Both passed the wide-eyed Song Min, who just stood there looking at the two.
"Sakura!! You can't run forever!" Syaoran shouted.
"I was in track so I think I'm able to!" She retorted back and continued to run. But Syaoran didn't reply this time because he managed to grab her arm and yank her back.
"Owww!" She cried out as Syaoran brought him close to her. "Get away you gaki!" She said as she tried to push him away.
Syaoran didn't release her though. "Sakura we really do have to talk."
"You said you didn't care about me so leave me alone and go back to your girlfriend." Sakura cried out as she continued to struggle in his arms.
Syaoran shook his head. "I do care Sakura. Please if you stop struggling and listen to me, I'll let you go. It'll only take a few minutes. Please!"
Sakura stopped and looked at him, hiding the true feelings she felt inside. "Fine but I'm only giving you five minutes." She grunted as she seated herself on the bench. He had chased her all the way to the more distinguished park: Korakuen. It was widely famous for it's cherry blossoms and beautiful gardens.
"So?" Sakura asked, looking at her watch.
"Saku-"
"Kinomoto-san to you once again Li-kun." She replied nonchalantly, pretending to look at her nails.
"Kinomoto… I'm sorry for everything I've done to you. Both that I unintentionally and by accidentally done to you. I never realized that Lei was a bitch nor did I realize that I hurt you in so many ways possible that I'm even lucky enough to talk to you now."
"That was then Li." Sakura replied solemnly as she looked away.
"Demo Sakura… you can't deny it. Please forgive me. Forgive me for doing all of this to you. I…" Syaoran said desperately, all his emotions expressing in his eyes.
But Sakura continued to look the other way, ignoring his pleas. "You didn't do anything Li-kun."
"Yes I did." He continued as he moved and took her hand into his own.
"What did you do Syaoran Li?" She asked softly, pulling away her hand from him. Her eyes were building up tears and she didn't want to release them… not in front of him.
"I…I broke your heart Sakura-chan."
* * * *
Song Min continued to stand there, flabbergasted at the sight she just saw. Sakura and Syaoran running straight past her! How they met up with each other, she didn't know. But they just flew right past her without taking a second glance.
"I would've said that was rude but due to the situation it really isn't." She said loudly to herself. She removed her hands from her hips and began her walk back. She wondered if Sakura managed to make it to her house or maybe they stopped and talked along the way.
The only way she knew was to find out and that was by going back to her house where everyone else was.
* * * *
"What's taking them so long?" Tomoyo asked, frustrated now at the music channel since nothing good was coming on.
Ryu shrugged and continued to flip through the channels again. "Maybe Sakura hid in a bush. I don't know Tomoyo! Just rest a while… you're getting twitchy."
"Am not." Tomoyo retorted and lied back against Eriol who fell asleep a while ago. "Wake me up when they get here."
"Yeah sure." Ryu said. He was the only one left awake. It was 12 am and all the crew, Eriol, Tomoyo, Meiling, and Shiefa, were all asleep. He only stayed awake because he slept late earlier that day on the plane. (A/N: It doesn't really seem like a day… just had to say that. Sorry!)
Xiomara and Jasmine walked in a few minutes later. "We couldn't find her. Is Song Min back yet?"
Ryu shook his head. "Go ahead and go to sleep. I can tell you're all exhausted."
Xiomara and Jasmine shot him a smile and they both went on their own couches. Ryu sighed. He might as well get some shut-eye too.
And he went to sleep just as the bubbling Song Min came inside… to be disappointed at all the sleeping figures.
"Well there goes my exciting news." She said pouting. "I guess I'll stay up and wait for Sakura." She muttered as she went over and took the remote from the now sleeping Ryu.
"They sleep just when I have news… as usual." She grumbled.
* * * *
"That sounds excellent Mistress! I never felt that when she was here before." Wei said after the long explanation Yelan gave to him.
Yelan smiled smugly as she looked at the time. "It has gotten late without me knowing it. And Syaoran hasn't even returned. Utter shame. I will have to give him the news tomorrow morning then."
Wei nodded as he helped Yelan into the guest room. "Have a good rest Mistress Yelan." He said before shutting the door.
He grinned like a Cheshire cat when he went to his room. His master had been saved with the cunningness of his mother and the intelligence of his sister.
"Master Syaoran is indeed quite fortunate." He thought before shutting off his lights too.
* * * *
Lily grinned as she snuggled against the warm body of Philip's. "I guess you're extremely pleased." She said.
Philip smirked. "Of course I am. I finally get revenge on Syaoran Li, get power with you, and become filthy rich. What else can I ask for?"
Lily shrugged. "I guess nothing else. We're set for life with this whole thing." She grabbed her silky sheet and covered them both. "Won't your parents be concerned that you're not home?"
"Lily babe, they're never home. That's why your first time was never discovered by them." He said before kissing her roughly again.
"Quiet now and sleep. I need my beauty for tomorrow when I finally go to Hong Kong with my dearest fiancé." She said as she closed her eyes.
"What ever you say doll, whatever you say."
* * * *
"I don't know what you're talking about Syaoran." Sakura said as she began to get up from the bench. Syaoran sighed.
"You don't have feelings for me anymore, don't you?"
Sakura stood there stunned. She didn't know how he could've figured that out. 'Maybe with the thing Meiling said…' She thought.
"I…I…"
"It's okay Sakura. But would you remember this… forever?"
"What?" She said, turning slowly as she looked into his beautiful amber eyes.
"I love you Sakura."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
And that is the end of Chapter 13 ladies and gentlemen! If you haven't noticed, the characters are OOC! And that is because this is a slight AU fic! Sorry if I didn't clear this up earlier!! And sorry for the cliffy! Bwahahaha I feel so evil!
I'm still soo sorry about the wait all of you guys went through. Fortunately I got this done before my Senior Trip and surprisingly I was on a roll. It is 3:30 am right now and I'm posting this up.
Thanks to everyone who put me on their favorites and their author alerts! It makes me feel so much better!
And one more thing I'd like to say! Sheyla (The authoress Starrie) has chosen NUMBER 2 for the ending of FFR? I didn't know which one to choose so I made her and now she's dying to know what happens. NOTE: The song of FFX-2 IS very important and relevant to the next chapter!! So pay attention to the lyrics!
Oh and one last last thing! I kicked Sheyla's ass in pool! Bwahahahaha! Her next chapter for Learning to Love again is going to be out Friday! So go look for it!
And that wraps everything up for me. The next date of when Chapter 14 is going to be released is already up and so is Fantasy.
Wish me luck with everything okay? I'll see you guys later in February!
BYE!
~*Final Fantasy Princess*~ is outta here!