Behind the Mask
This is dedicated to all my friends. I'll edit the chapters every so often cos it gets confusing. Sorry about the spelling and grammar. Thanks for all the reviews! Btw Syao and the guys are either 23-25 and Saku and the girls are about 21-23 years old.
Chapter 10 – Revealing Thoughts
Cherry Train
Melinda was chucking a tantrum as she punched the wall. "Fuck, that fucking hurts, but I bet not as badly as Sakura's death." Melinda winced as she growled. "Listen, she wouldn't have wanted us to do this. She sacrificed herself so be thankful." Tohru tried to comfort. "I know." Melinda sobbed trying to hold back her tears. Her ruby red eyes had no fire in them anymore. They were drenched; her flame had been put out.
"I just miss her. Why didn't she just let us stay and help her?" Melinda asked Kami-sama. "Hmmm......I don't know why, but I still can't sense anything. Why hasn't Yoshika called me yet? She is supposed to call me once every week and she hasn't called me in two." Tomoyo thought aloud. "Yoshika? You mean your little sister?" White questioned. Tomoyo nodded. "That is strange." Yukata added. "When did you come?" Tomoyo asked eerily not facing Yukata. "The mortals are here." Yukata spoke bluntly and glanced at the guys. "Moshi Moshi Melinda, Tohru, Tomoyo, White and Yukata." The six guys spoke in unison as they bowed politely. "What did you memorise that or something?" White asked sarcastically folding her arms across her chest.
"Yep and it's in alphabetical order as well!" Eriol cheered proudly. Several sweat drops were seen forming on the girls head. "So where's Sakura? Every time I come here, she isn't home." Syaoran asked trying not to sound eager. White and Tohru shuffled their feet nervously while Melinda had a frozen look on her face. Yukata looked down sadly and Tomoyo had a blank expression. "Well...you see Sakura went on a business trip." Tomoyo lied eerily. "Oh." Was all Syaoran could say. "Do you know when she might be coming back? Has she called you? Why hasn't she called me? Why is Melinda frozen and White and Tohru shuffling their feet nervously? Why am I even asking? Where has Sakura gone to?" Syaoran shot all these questions at Tomoyo.
"I'll answer them when you stop speaking. Are you done?" Tomoyo asked monotonously spinning her finger in the air. Syaoran nodded sheepishly. "No. No. I do not know. Melinda has a cold and White and Tohru's feet are itchy. You are concerned. You already asked that." Tomoyo spoke loudly and softly. Tomoyo you are such a bad liar. White thought irritably. Itchy feet? What the hell is going inside that girl's brain? White wondered still annoyed.
Zippy dee doo da zippy dee day, my oh my, what a wonderful day! Should I make satay chicken today? What are they talking about? Oh well. Do do do do do do do. I love the circus song. Tohru dreamed. "Andy, Kaiba, Daniel and Michael can you go do something other than standing here and snickering?" Syaoran ordered spacing out. "Yeh, so you can have some alone time with the ladies aye?" Daniel wriggled his eyebrows. "It's only right that I return the favour." Syaoran smirked as he elbowed Daniel in the gut. Syaoran grunted in satisfaction as Daniel groaned.
"Well if she does call could you call me A.S.A.P?" Syaoran enquired. "Of course! But it's kinda hard because Sakura is d---." White clasped her hand over Tohru's mouth so that you could only hear muffled words. "Sakura's what?" Syaoran narrowed his eyes. "Sakura's doing some business in Europe somewhere and we can't seem to get a connection with her." Melinda quickly lied. "I thought you said you didn't know where she is." Syaoran asked suspiciously. Melinda was standing there turning red as everyone snuck away because Melinda was a very good distracter.
Ahhh, yes she was a black belt distracter, but that's another story. Moving on with the story.
"Tomoyo just got here when you arrived and she didn't know that I received a letter from her. It says that she misses us all and not to worry about anything." Melinda lied. I don't like lying; I always end up blurting out the truth. It aint exactly my best skill. "Uhuh?" Syaoran cocked an eyebrow not believing what Melinda just said. "Wow! Look at the time, I better get going now." Melinda babbled and walked out briskly, leaving Syaoran alone. "Why am I always the one left out?" Syaoran asked thin air.
"Shit that was close." Melinda complained. "I know, Tohru you were totally gonna blow it." White scolded. "I'm so sorry, so sorry, so sorry, so sorry, so sorry, so sorry." Tohru apologised bowing furiously. "Chillax." Melinda said. "But we can't keep this from them forever you know. They are going to get suspicious." Yukata added. "What are we suppose to do? Call Syaoran. Moshi Moshi Syaoran. Some fucked up gang leader named Wolf murdered Sakura. Well see ya, have a nice day?!" White growled sarcastically. "That's not exactly what I had in mine." Melinda said quietly.
"Did THE Melinda Kim just speak quietly? I think I'm hallucinating. Melinda are you feeling well? Do you need a doctor? Maybe I'm the one not feeling well! " White asked surprised. Yukata chuckled a little, Tohru giggled and a small smile formed on Tomoyo's face. A/n: When I say small smile I mean minute. "NO! I'M JUST SAD OK? CAN'T SOMEONE BE SAD BECAUSE ONE OF THEIR CLOSEST FRIENDS WAS MURDERED???!!!" Melinda yelled at the top of her lungs making the house tremble. Melinda collapsed and cried into her hands.
"Melinda what's wrong with you? I've never seen you cry before." A familiar voice asked concerned. Melinda looked up and gasped. Tohru only managed to faint, White eyes popped out, Yukata had tears in her eyes and Tomoyo was smiling like the sun. "SAKURA?!" The girls all managed to yell in unison. "It's nice to see you too. What's up?" Sakura smiled gleefully. By now Melinda's hands were gripped firmly around Sakura's neck strangling her. "Can't....breathe." Sakura cried hoarsely. "It's just Melinda's way of showing affection." Tohru spoke. "We thought you were lost to a world of darkness, never seeing light again." Yukata announced.
"Translation, we thought you were dead." White explained. "Dead? What the hell gave you that idea?" Sakura cried in disbelief. "The last time we saw you, you were sinking to the bottom of Chang Raw River. Don't you remember?" Melinda asked now calm. "HUH? I was in Australia on a business trip. How could I have been in two places at once?" Sakura said thinking this was a joke. "Wolf ordered you to be beaten up and then he threw you into the river." White said trying to clarify things. "Listen guys. This is not a funny joke." Sakura warned. "If Wolf didn't kill you, then who the hell did he kill?" Tomoyo asked narrowing her eyes. "Can't you just read his mind?" Sakura asked still in shock.
"No. Because my powers were gone when this incident happened." Tomoyo explained in deep thought. "Oh." The word escaped Sakura's lips. "The only thing that could seal my powers is if something bad happened. I don't understand nothing bad actually happened so why are my powers still sealed?"
Everyone looked around the room suspiciously as if looking for some answers to the mystery questions. "I feel an ache head coming now." Tohru said rubbing her head. "What the hell happened the last few weeks that I was gone?" Sakura demanded. "Well you see...." Melinda started. Sakura's eyes were practically popping out of her sockets after she heard the whole story. "So then.....w-who w-w-was the girl who a-a-c-t-ually got murdered?" Sakura stumbled on her words. "We don't know, but we must find out." Yukata spoke softly, admiring the mystery person's courage.
Tohru switched on the TV to watch Fruits Basket and was cheerfully watching away. "We interrupt this program for some breaking news. Good afternoon this is Lee Min Soo reporting live at the site of the incident. Daidouji Yoshika was reported missing a week...." Tomoyo's eyes widened in fear and felt the breath in her throat hitch a ride to Norway.
"Local fishermen were on a daily fishing trip when the young lady was caught in one of their many nets. At first policeman thought that she had drowned in Chang Rae River, but policeman noticed stones tied to her ankles. Police also say that she was badly beaten before she was thrown into the river at about 11pm a couple of weeks back. Reports say that it was of mistaken identity and that she might have been attacked by the deadly gang SechsKies. Although police have no evidence of this, SechsKies is the most wanted suspect. Please if you have any information on this murder please contact crime stoppers. Our deepest condolences to the family."
White switched off the TV with her lips slightly apart. Yukata looked down sadly and whispered something to herself. I cannot live much longer with all this grief and heartache floating in the air like this. It's like a dark cloud hanging around everyone. It saddens me deeply to see my friends feel such pain and even more knowing that I have no one to turn to. It gets harder and harder to breathe everyday. If I only I could go back, but I must not regret my decisions. He would have wanted me to be happy.... Yukata thought sadly, forcing the tears not to run free of her eyes.
Melinda was trying to say something, but nothing came out of her mouth. Tohru began to tremble violently and fell to her knees. Tomoyo finally gave in and broke down into a river of tears. She banged her fists on the floor, sobbing as she fell to the ground. Tomoyo couldn't help the pain. It was her little sister after all and she vowed to protect her forever. But this time she failed, she failed as a friend; she failed as an advisor and most of all she failed as a sister. "It's okay Tomoyo, we'll get them back. We'll get them back for everyone. They've taken our love ones away for the last time." Sakura comforted as tears trickled down her cheeks, placing a weak smile on her face.
"We all understand how you feel, SechsKies have hurt all of us." Tohru comforted. They nodded all in agreement.
"I was an orphan, but I had my brother James. He took care of me and he always put me in front of himself. He was the best brother I could have ever asked for.....It was my birthday and James went to pick up the cake he ordered especially for my 18th birthday. I was so happy and I felt like I was a princess. When my brother didn't come back, I got scared. A week later the police found him and had SechsKies written on him in blood. He was badly beaten up and police suspected that he had been wandering in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's my entire fault. If I hadn't had pushed him to get the cake for me, he would still be here. " Melinda spoke softly stammering every so often. Tears swam down her face as Melinda recalled her past and a deep frown was plastered on her face.
"Well my story is pretty simple. My mum was part of the gang called Emerald Phoenixes. One night she had to race against Wolf in a Speed race, but it backfired. Wolf cut her fuel tank and the car ended up exploding. I didn't mind the fact that mum was in a gang, but after I was really angry. One of mum's best friends', Arisa Uohara told me this. I was so sad, I thought I would never survive, but thank Kami-sama that Sakura and you guys were there to break my fall." Tohru explained huskily as she violently wiped away the tears.
"Basically what happened, because I don't want to go into details is, SechsKies tortured and murdered my fiancé." White spoke almost coldly with a blank expression, tears forming in her eyes, but she did not let them fall.
"They did not do much to harm me. They just denied me of my freedom. I had to stay here to protect you from mortals who might harm you. I only ever wished for love, friendship and freedom. I have been denied two of them because of SechsKies." Yukata spoke angelically closing her eyes. I'll never forget you my own, Elven princeling. Yukata smiled fondly.
"What about you Sakura?" Tomoyo asked with puffy bloodshot eyes. "I never told you guys this, but I guess I have no choice now. On the day that we were suppose to go bungee jumping, do you remember how Kenshin turned up?" Sakura asked still staying strong. They all nodded in response gesturing for her to continue.
"Well that night Kenshin came to my apartment to explain to me why he really broke up with me. He was forced to like me and he was actually engaged to his true soul mate. We made up and became friends, but when we walked outside he was shot and killed by Wolf. And that's what happened." Sakura spoke softly yet firmly, her voice not quavering. She had to stay strong for all their sakes, the rest had already broken down, she had to be strong as a leader.
Silence...................................................................................................
"Wounds must be re-opened to be healed so that no scars shall remain." Yukata spoke wisely to her friends comforting them. "Mortal wounds to the body may be healed in time, but it takes an eternity for a wound in the heart to heal." Yukata spoke like a true saint.
"I'm just....so...I c-ca-n't believe that this w-w-ou-ld happen to Yoshika. I can't believe that she took your place. I can't believe she's d-d-d-ead.....I can't believe any of this." Tomoyo sniffled and cried. I've never felt so sad and vulnerable in my life....my own flesh and blood.....why did you do it Yoshika? I love you so much. Tomoyo thought frowning letting more tears drop to the ground. Sakura, White, Melinda, Yukata and Tohru comforted Tomoyo in her time of need.
Li Mansion
"So what are you going to do Syaoran?" Daniel asked staring at his work of art. He had just made another sculpture of Yukata; yes he was completely obsessed with her. "I'm going to tell Sakura about us, our secret. We have known them long enough to trust them." Syaoran said coolly leaning on to the wall. "But, don't you think that they'll freak when they find out?" Michael asked cautiously. "I'm prepared for that, I just think that to show we completely trust them, then we should tell them." Syaoran replied back smiling a bit at how good that sounded.
"Syaoran's right you know?" Eriol stated chomping down on his apple. "How so? Do explain Mr
Hiiragizawa." Kaiba asked incredulously. "You like the girls more than just friends' right?" Eriol asked knowing what the answer was. "Hai." The guys said uncertainly. "Well, you can't have a relationship with no trust in it. Without that trust, nothing will happen." Eriol clarified. "Wouldn't you feel the same? If your partner didn't tell you everything, would you not feel betrayed?" Eriol asked walking around the room interrogating his friends. "Yes, you are right Eriol....as always. That's why you are our advisor." Andy complimented understandingly.
The love song sung for 1 million people I can't just simply collect my memories. Syaoran's phone sung.
"Hello? Syaoran Li speaking." Syaoran asked coldly. "Syaoran? It's Sakura. Switch on the TV." Sakura sobbed from the other line. Syaoran's voice softened as he heard Sakura's voice after two weeks. "Ok." Syaoran and his friends listened carefully to what the news reporter had to say and widened his eyes in shock. "Syaoran are you still there?" Sakura sniffled. "Hai." Was all Syaoran could say.
Eriol had practically fainted and thought it was just a bad dream. If Yoshika's dead, then how will destiny be fulfilled? We don't know what will happen next. I guess it was meant to be this way....we have to let it run its natural course. Eriol gasped in shock. "Eriol, Sakura told us to come down, Tomoyo needs your support." Syaoran tried to stay calm as anger boiled up inside him.
How could I have made another mistake? I killed Tomoyo's sister, but I had no idea that she was Éclair. It's not my fault. I killed Sakura's best friend's sister. I can't believe this bull shit. Everything seems to be linked. I wonder if Tomoyo knew that her sister was a gang leader. Maybe it's best if I just don't ask at all. Tomoyo has already been through a lot. I don't want to add to the pain. I have hurt Sakura so much already, but she doesn't know it. Maybe I shouldn't tell her my secret, she would hate me forever. Syaoran thought bitterly as he drove his car into Cherry Train driveway.
"Hey. Are you okay everyone? Seems like you have all been crying." Andy asked incredulously staring at the puffy-eyed girls. The only three that weren't bloodshot were Sakura, Yukata and White. "We're fine, it's just that Yoshika was a great friend of ours and we could only cry." Sakura replied weakly.
"Sakura?" A masculine voice asked. It was Richard, the lawyer. "Hi Richard. What's up?" Sakura asked trying to sound glad. "Could you please do me a very big favour?" Richard asked and sniffled. "What first?" Sakura shot back. "If it's no trouble, could you please get SechsKies back for Yoshika? I know it's a lot, b--." Richard pleaded but was cut off by Sakura.
"Why?" Sakura asked curiously narrowing her eyes. "You see....Yoshika and I w-were e-en-g-gaged." Richard stammered his eyes glistening with sorrow. "I'm so sorry Richard, I didn't know. Yes, of course we'll do it for you. We're doing it for all of us." Sakura answered softly frowning. "Arigatou Sakura-chan. This means so much to me." Richard bowed politely as tears of joy and sorrow raced down his face.
"Hey Syaoran!" Sakura cheered as she saw a familiar face brighten up as he heard her call his name. "Hi Sakura. Is Tomoyo okay? Why didn't you call me?" Syaoran shot question at Sakura. Richard smiled at the two and walked away. "Tomoyo's trying to cope, but thank Kami-sama that Eriol is here to help her as well. I didn't call you because I didn't have the time. I'm so sorry." Sakura explained her whimsical voice tingling all of Syaoran's senses. Cherries. Syaoran sighed dreamily in his head. "So how was your trip and stay in Europe?" Syaoran tried to strike up a conversation.
"Europe? I went to Australia, but Australia was founded by Europeans after all so to answer your question.........it was absolutely wonderful. But we shouldn't be talking about this now. Tomoyo needs our support." Sakura spoke quickly as she grabbed Syaoran's hand and dragged him towards Tomoyo.
Hours later
"We better get going now. We have to do some major cleaning cos the New Year is almost here to greet us." Eriol cheered. "What about Christmas?" Tomoyo asked inquisitively almost sounding happy. "Christmas is tomorrow today is Christmas." Eriol claimed as he glanced at his Rollex. "Huh? So soon? I didn't even realise it was already here. Holy water." Tomoyo exclaimed surprised. There was a definite change in Tomoyo's personality, it was almost strange. It was like a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders and in a way it actually happened. Not that she was glad about her sister's untimely death or anything, it's just that she let out all her bottled emotions that caused the change in her personality.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Tomoyo exclaimed trying to sound hopeful so soon after he sister's death. They all hugged each other and bid their 'ciaos', seeyas, sayonaras, au revoirs, and good byes.
Heyz. What ya think? Please review. Thanx to everyone! I'm gonna be ending this fanfic soon, maybe in the next 1-3 chapters, so beware. Ciao for now
Luv White