THE NAMELESS BLACKMAIL

WRITTEN BY ----- VIOLENT HAYES

RATING ---- PG13 (situations, violence, and language)

GENRES --- Action & Adv./ Romance/ Suspense

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AUTHOR'S COMMENT --------------------------[+]

Hello!!! Yes, I'm back to giving lame excuses for posting late, but the internet's been a meanie. I haven't been able to log on to fan-fiction because of a stupid virus. ;_; I'm in great risk of loosing everything:mp3's, previous stories, school projects… Oh well. Anyway, I'm glad that you liked it, so here are many hugs to those who reviewed. And yes, I was a bit too mysterious so in this chapter you will know how Sakura knows Syaoran. Anyway, I hope you like this one too.

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CHAPTER 2 --- Reverberating Threats ---[+]

Sakura shivered; walking for the first time in a prison was not what she had in mind. Even though her dramatic expectations had fooled her, it wasn't a lovely place to be in. She could easily tell how people were isolated from freedom. Barely lit lamps were hung on the ceiling, but darkness ruled in this imprisonment. Today was a quiet night for she could only hear her solid footsteps and the breath from the cold air gently caressing her face. She knew they currently slept, and envied them for it; it was already two in the morning. 

In just a few minutes, I'll be back at home sound asleep. Sakura tried to hold on that thought as long as she could, but it faded away.   

They stopped. Hiroshi turned to a cell, and Sakura was forced to look inside it. She met again those dead and serious amber eyes. He had hatred all over his face, and it was hard to believe that all of it was drawn toward her. There was a second when Sakura ever regretted turning him in, but she had done her deed. Right?

Hiroshi suddenly asked her, " Do you recognize him. "

How could she not?

He is Li Syaoran, the most popular/handsome/athletic/wanted guy that roamed school, high school, and now college. Every girl that she knew craved to get a piece of him. But who wouldn't? He was almost perfect, like a dream. He also was a charmer, always knowing what women wanted and when they needed it. To Sakura, he was like a bachelor from those reality shows, with the intention of sleeping and kissing girls just for fun. And indeed, that was the part that she didn't want to remember. She had idiotically fallen in love with him, and it hadn't turned out the way she'd wanted.

" Are you okay? You seem off… " Hiroshi asked concerned.

Sakura tried to focus, but her memory was working like a merry-go-round, bringing back all the details from the past. It had been hard to let go, and now it badgered her, again.

Why did he do it? What has this got to do with his life? It struck her to know that a guy like him would end up murdering. Was he on drugs? What about an alcoholic? People tended to change whenever they were on them…    

" Sakura? "

" Yeah, I know him. "

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" You are kidding me, right? " Tomoyo, Sakura's best friend, had a look of disbelief as she carefully sipped her hot cappuccino.

" Nope. That's basically what happened last night. " Sakura confirmed.

Tomoyo eyed Sakura with her deep amethysts. " So let me get this straight: Yesterday you stopped a murder from happening."

It was hard to digest, Sakura knew, and that even wasn't the baffled part. She decided to let her continue.

"… And then you found out that the murderer was actually Li? " Tomoyo finished, still looking slightly disconcerted.      

" You don't believe me, do you? " Sakura stared into her coffee; she hadn't even stirred it.

Sakura loved being with her friend at CAFE LE GRAND. It had become a tireless habit. Every single morning they would sit down on one of the wooden chairs outside in the park, staring at guys passing by, and gossiping as usual. They were both the same age, and had practically grown together through childhood. They both knew they could count on each other to share their problems, secrets, and crushes. Today's was a juicy secret.

" No, it's not that. I know you too well, Sakura. I just find it hard- I mean, Li? God, what was he thinking? " Tomoyo asked.

" And that's not all… Before I left, he whispered something. It kind of freaked me out. He said, you'll be dead after the sun sets."

Tomoyo widened her eyes, almost spitting her drink. " He said that? "

Sakura nodded. She didn't get to sleep for the rest of the morning because of it.

" Didn't you tell the cute cop about it? I mean this could be serious… "

" Hiroshi? I did, but he wouldn't believe me. He even added that it was hard to bail from jail… "

They both recognized it didn't sound comforting at all.

They stayed quiet for a while. Obviously the information was going to take time to process. She knew better than to rush things. In fact, she didn't want to hurry at all. She wanted time to stop; nothing good would come in the night.

Sakura tasted her coffee, but it had already cooled off. She then decided to stare at the park. A flash from her memory appeared before her. Two ghosts she knew so well were running through the park, a boy and a girl. The boy was chasing the girl, trying to catch her, hold her in his arms; but the girl knew better than to give in easily, so she would dash away laughing her heart out. And then, after several minutes, he would gain up to her, scoop her in his arms, and kiss her passionately while spinning her around, until they would fall into the fresh snowy grass.

" I'm wondering…" Tomoyo suddenly said, her eyes wandering off into a tall and cute guy. " Why did your ex try to murder?"

" Don't call it my ex! That happened like two years ago. And what do you mean by why? "

" First of all he is your ex, because you haven't dated ever since…"

Sakura's cheeks reddened. " He tried to murder the person to kill it. "

" And secondly, no. He didn't just try to kill for fun. He may have had a reason…"

Sakura thought for a while. Could be true… or not.

" And besides, you of all people should know that he isn't one of those psycho maniacs or drug dealers that wander off in the streets. It must have been something else…"

" He is still a traitor. " Sakura muttered.

" Oh, come on. That was the past. Remember that people change. " She hinted to the guy walking in the distance.

" Akio? Come on. He changed from good to totally weird! " Sakura stated giggling.

Tomoyo laughed. " But he changed, didn't he? My point's been proven. End of story."

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 Sakura walked into her house, taking off her coat and scarf. After hanging out with Tomoyo, she had gone to her shift at the store. Hiro hadn't shown up that day either, and Akio miraculously offered to take his place, which for the first time, Sakura was grateful for. When she closed the door, a familiar voice called out to her.

" Sakura, is that you? " Came a melodic tune from upstairs. Sakura rolled her eyes. How fake can she be?

" Yes, Natsuko, it's me. "

" Good. You even came earlier than I expected. You did remember what we talked about last night. "

Sakura got exasperated. How could she not forget? She had tried to sneak in, and Natsuko had caught her, as simple as that. Nothing escaped her aunt's queer eyes. Natsuko was tall with gray hair and ivy-green eyes. Her temper was devastating and she was overwhelmingly strict. No boys allowed. No dating. Your deadline ends at ten in the night…. She could already hear what her next "punishment" would be.

" Anyway, the hospital called…" Sakura's ears suddenly perked up. "… And they got the results…"

Results? I wonder… There was an inevitable silence where Sakura got a disturbing feeling. She didn't want it to last that long. " Well? " she urged on.

Natsuko pursed her lips together. " Darling, I'm afraid it's bad news… I believe your father has this disease…"

This disease? This is not good.

Natsuko paused and inspected Sakura for a while. Maybe it was the expression that drew her to stare, but after what seemed like a whole year, she finally continued.

" It is quite rare, dear. I can't remember its name. All I know is that it starts destroying the heart, little by little. The doctors think it's a kind of poison. Medicine of the kind is rare, and they are having a hard time stopping it… "

Sakura paled. Forgetting to breathe or blink, she stood stiff as a statue. Would her father die? She didn't want to know or even think about it. The world stopped spinning for that mere second.

" Sakura, are you okay? " Natsuko asked concerned.

Sakura snapped out of it and let oxygen enter her brain. She nodded. " I guess so. I'm just not hungry. I'll skip dinner. "

For the very first time in the last few weeks, Natsuko let her. She thanked her aunt and tiredly went up the wooden steps. She was beaten from body to soul. She cursed the day with hidden anger that had built up inside of her. She made a dive for bed, and buried her face in the pillow, deafening the scream that had tried to escape before.

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The clock stroke midnight and Sakura woke up with a shiver. Her mind had been blocked, for she didn't recognize at once she had fallen asleep early. She stared at the clock and sighed, running her hands up and down her arms as she trembled under the covers. Then suddenly, something caught her eye. The window was open.

At first it didn't matter, since her Aunt Natsuko could have easily opened it for her, but… who would open it on winter? Doubt started taking over. Anyway, she wasn't going to ponder about it while freezing to death, so she gingerly stood up and went toward the window. There still was no sign of a moon, as darkness covered the whole town. It was kind of creepy- the shallow trees, the absent shadows, the whistling wind, the faint streets… Everything was all too quiet and lifeless. She quickly closed it, and gave the scene one last look.

" Missed me? " A whisper called out.

Her eyes widened. She dared not to turn around as her heart started beating fast. She recognized that voice. It was soft as satin, yet there was no soothing hidden behind. Stiffened by the presence reflected on the window's thin glass, she held her breath. 

" What's the matter? Don't you remember me? " The whisper continued.

Sakura closed her eyes, ready to scream. But what if her aunt got slaughtered on the way? Even though she sometimes truly wanted it, she knew that Natsuko thought of what was best for her; so that wasn't an option.

Time passed slowly before he started moving. Sakura could easily tell by the way his reflection was increasing. His steps were slow and muted.

 She got the courage to talk. " How did you recognize me? "

He chuckled moving even closer. Sakura could now feel him behind. Her hands were getting all sweaty now. What the heck was she going to do? Jump out the window? Yeah right. She wouldn't survive the fall to continue running.

His face became clearer by each second.

" How could I not forget your emerald eyes? "

Good point, Sakura thought. " But how did you escape? You were in jail… "

" Bailing out of jail and getting to your house was easy. I'm lucky you didn't move, Sakura."

When the last word was spoken, shivers ran down her spine, for it had been two years since he had called her name. But this time it was cold, empty, and soulless. 

" Why did you try to do it? " She suddenly asked.

He stopped dead on his tracks, surprised by the sudden question. Sakura loosened her breath, hoping that he hadn't taken his sword out, and turned around. His eyes locked on her emeralds, only to be effortlessly shun from, for she didn't want to be under his spell. 

" You wouldn't understand. " He answered.

Sakura scoffed." Try me." 

A small glint of a smile showed up on his face. He then seriously added, " I can't. You messed it up. Everything was going to be okay, and you screwed it. "

" Well, I'm glad I screwed it. Killing a person is going to make it okay?! What the hell happened to you?! "

He gazed down at the floor. " No, if I told you, you'd have to die…"

" I'm already dead, Li. " She hinted to the sword safely tucked in its black sheath.

He frowned. " There's no other way… "

The way he talked frustrated Sakura since it brought painful memories back again, the ones she had mentally rejected. By now Syaoran was taking out his sword. The metal tenderly whistled when it brushed against its sheath.

" You'll have to walk, Sakura. I wouldn't want your aunt to see the disarray in here."

" Don't call me by my name, " she silently hissed while moving carefully to the door.

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Pure bits of snow fell down on top of them as they walked through the town. Syaoran was leading the way dragging Sakura by the wrist. She winced as he held on to her tightly, pushing her little by little away from her beloved home. She didn't want it to end this way; have her once called "lover" kill her.

There was a long silence before Syaoran asked." So, how's life been? "

Sakura glared from behind. " Personal stuff. "

" I didn't see your father… where did he go? "

" You spied on me?! Since when did you bail from jail? " Sakura asked stunned.

Syaoran shrugged. " Three hours after you left it. It wasn't such a problem. Now answer the question. "

Sakura scoffed. " You have no right to know."

Syaoran sighed by the sudden rudeness, but he had already expected it; after all, he was going to kill her after it. Who could blame her? Another awkward moment of silence followed.   

" So, do you have a boyfriend? " Syaoran suddenly asked.

Sakura blushed with fury and bewilderment. " No. "

" I see. "

There was an extended pause.

" Aren't you going to ask me? "

" No."

"  Well, anyway, I did have two, or was it three girlfriends?"

" Shut up. "

Sakura didn't want to continue the conversation. No more of this, please.  Right now, she could have slaughtered him for saying those things, but her mind was busily buzzing with million of methods to escape, but they all seemed to fail her. She started shivering, not only because of the freezing cold, but also of being frightened. However, she needed to know the reason.

" Why did you change? " Sakura insisted, trying not to raise her voice.

" I can't tell you. "

" I'm going to die anyway, you know. I've already said it twice. It doesn't matter; the dead can't speak. " She added.

" Got a point there... " Syaoran chuckled. " No."

Sakura got exasperated. " One thing's for sure, you are still a stubborn idiot. "

" Takes one to know one. " He counterattacked.

" Damn you. "

This was convenient: they were already fussing about something stupid before her death. 

" Think this is far enough? " He asked, as he stopped and looked at the view. Sakura reluctantly did the same, noticing that he had entered the park. 

" I wouldn't know. " She simply answered, as she was slammed against a tree.

" You think this is easy for me? " He edged toward her with his eyes burning from the inquiry, but she paid no heed.

The answer was obvious: it wasn't. Syaoran sighed, running his hand over his messy hair. He backed away and glared at the sword, cursing for carrying a weapon of destruction. However, someone else's life was on the wager, his only reason to continue. And he was only a meager breath away, just a second. It was a payback for what Sakura had done, and he was going to be almost free now. Disregarding his trembling hands, he found some inner strength and…

SLASH.   

Sakura opened her eyes only to find the sword stuck on top of the tree. She turned to Syaoran, and saw him sweating with incredulity for his action. He didn't missed, did he?

Throwing away the sword, he fell to the ground in feebleness. Damn it! I have to do it. But something was holding him back, forcing him down. Perplexed by the clumsiness, Sakura quickly made an attempt to run away, but found out that her legs were not moving at all. She sighed, and stared at Syaoran, who seemed to be struggling to coordinate his movements.

Without warning, a dagger- sailing by the wind- shot out from nowhere, stabbing the tree again. Sakura's eyes widened. That could have been me! She turned around, as a looming dark figure appeared in the distance.

" No. It's not what you think… " spoke Syaoran in utter desperation.

" You failed, twice. " A deep and hoarse voice came. " She's going to pay the price."

She? Sakura widened her eyes. Did he mean me?

" No. I'll do it. I'll finish it. " Syaoran stood up.

The man chuckled. " I gave you an opportunity and you blew it. " He started to walk away from them.

" W-Wait. The police know about me. " The figure stopped. " And if they get me, I'll tell them everything. " Syaoran warned him, the threat increasing in his words.

" You dare defy me, boy? "

" You kill her, torture her, or even try to touch her, and we'll see what happens…"

Hold on. What's going on? How does Syaoran know this man, and why is he threatening him? Confusion started taking over Sakura as she mindlessly stayed hearing both ends of the conversation. Once she got her senses back, she tried to make a run for it. Another dagger shot out from the mysterious man, piercing the wind against it, following Sakura.

" Watch out! " Syaoran yelled, running after her.

Sakura fell to the ground as the blade flew past her. She turned around shocked. " Now you are trying to save me?! After trying to kill me! What the hell? "

Syaoran ignored her comments. " I'm warning you, bastard! I can let myself be captured. You know the consequences. "

The man snarled and took out a gun, pointing it at both of them. " I could kill you now, if I wanted to…"

" But you wouldn't, because you need me. " Syaoran snapped back.

" I've got Eriol too, you know."

" He can't do it alone. "

Sakura could easily sense the tension between both of them. What could have happened? She wondered.

" What now, Li? " the guy asked.

" I'll continue it, as long as you don't kill her. Otherwise, the police will know about it, and they'll chase you until the end."

" You may keep your end of the bargain, but know that now you have three enemies, including myself."

" I'm aware of it; it's always been that way. "

" I'll be waiting. " The man disappeared through depth from the trees.

" Are you ok? " Syaoran asked Sakura, but she had already fainted under the soft and wet snow.

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Sakura suddenly woke up from an endless nightmare. Her forehead was sweating, and her lips were trembling. She stared at her surroundings, and found them oddly familiar. What am I doing back in my room? Aren't I supposed to be dead? She took the clock from the drawer, and checked the time: seven in the morning. Is it already day? How long did I sleep? She heard soft and distinct voices coming from inside; the TV was on. What the-

" Good morning, sunshine. I'm glad you are awake." A well-known voice called out to her from her bathroom.

Sakura peeked over the covers, and screamed in surprise with flushing cheeks. Syaoran was standing in front of her with his chiseled chest bare, and blue boxers.

A knock came from the door; it was Natsuko. " Are you okay, dear? "

Sakura snapped out of it. " Y-yeah, I'm okay. I just saw a big, fat, and disgusting rat. "

Syaoran comically winced as if hurt.

" Want me to kill it for you? " Natsuko faked the sweet tone.

" YES! I MEAN, NO! I mean, no thank you. I'm all right. "

" Okay, come down for breakfast when you are ready. "

Sakura waited until the footsteps faded down the stairs. " What are you doing here?! "

" Didn't you know? I'm officially living here. " Syaoran said coming closer.

" What?! "

" Look, I know it's weird, but I have to. You heard what he said yesterday: I've got a whole bunch of enemies behind my back, and the only less reasonable place to stay in, is here. "  He explained, scratching his hair.

" No! You can't. If my aunt finds out about you, she'll totally slaughter me. And besides, yesterday, you almost tried to kill me! Why would I want a murderer in my bedroom?"

" Hey, you don't have to be that aggressive. And besides, your life is also at stake."

" What?! "

" You heard the conversation. I'm certain that he will not let you get away…"

" But-"

Syaoran interrupted. " Besides, I can get you into a whole lot of mess if I show myself, can't I? "

Sakura mentally slapped herself for telling him.

" I can easily come out the door, downstairs, and tell her about us. "

" Us? "

" You know: you an me… stayed all night… together…" He hinted the bed.

" You are disgusting." Sakura retorted.

" Thank you for the compliment. Now let me watch the news. "

Sakura rolled her eyes. " Get a shirt." She stared at the screen, where a photo of a dead man was shown.

News Flash. Yesterday, a man was murdered out on the streets. There seems to be no identification on him. The police claimed they had already captured the serial killer, but he escaped on that very same night. He goes by the name Syaoran Li, so you might want to consider locking doors and windows on the night, for this murderer is out on the loose.

Sakura turned around to Syaoran with utter disbelief.

All Syaoran said was, " Damn it. "

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AUTHOR'S COMMENT --------------------------[+]

Finally done! This is getting serious. I wonder what will happen next… Anyway, I'll try writing faster, and in my cousin's laptop, since my computer crashed down yesterday. Happy Valentine's day, you guys! I can't believe that I got a rose from a secret admirer, and tons of candy from my friends! I hope you enjoy it too. See you later!