Something Pink
Part 12: Dancing with Green Ribbons
"Mommy, why can't I come?"
"It's a place for grown-ups, Love."
"But, you'll be all by yourself!"
Sakura bent down and smoothed out her daughter's hair while whispering, "My kind daughter."
"Mommy needs somebody and if Daddy isn't going to be there for her Peony will."
Sakura's smile turned upside down. "Peony, for once, this might be the best time for Mommy to spend the night by herself, no matter how much she loves your companionship."
"Sakura…"
"Okay."
"Good girl."
Sakura turned to look at her reflection in the body length mirror again. "Mommy?"
"Yes Peony?"
"Promise me you'll bring Daddy home tonight. Please?"
"I'm afraid I won't have such luck," Sakura murmured, half to herself.
"Promise, Mommy?"
"Sakura…."
"No, Peony. I can't promise."
The child grabbed her mother's legs and hugged them. Fat, silent tears rolled gently across her blushed cheeks, but Sakura did not reach down to wipe them away.
"Sakura?"
"Huh? Yes, Tomoyo?"
Tomoyo, looking beautiful in her lavender evening gown, was holding Sakura's wrist delicately. A warm smile just for Sakura was plastered on her kind, lovely, ivory face. "You look like you need cheering up. Hold out your hand, so I can tie this on your wrist."
Sakura obeyed, and watched as her friend tied a pink ribbon on her wrist. Tomoyo turned Sakura's palm over and gave her a gentle pat on the palm. "This whole idea is part of a great game Eriol and I came up with for our wedding banquet. It adds a touch of heaven to all the beauty of this day."
Eriol came up behind Tomoyo, overhearing her last words. Sakura found herself awkwardly staring at the newly weds, exchanging loving words and soft kisses. Sakura easily slipped away, seeing how occupied the two were when they were together. Unaware, Sakura's eyes stared across the dance floor. Pairs were dancing amid the gentle, caressing melody. Her eyes were wandering in search for someone in particular, who she could not spot. Her blank eyes had to look away, so that she did not have to think about anything or remember.
He watched them step out of the terminal, nervousness shaking his soul. Before he could even take a deep breath, she stood in front of him with an infant in her arms. She was the most beautiful being to ever set foot on the planet, carrying an offspring that was the emblem of what she was.
"Hi," she said lightly.
"Hi."
Sakura watched Syaoran's eyes linger on the young girl in her arms. "May I?"
Sakura gently placed the child in his eager arms. Peony, in her sleep, was disturbed by the transference. She started whining in her sleep.
"Hush," Syaoran said in a harsh tone.
Peony blinked open her eyes like a newborn would. "Daddy." She smiled up at him.
"No crying."
The girl nodded.
"Syaoran…"
"Daddy, I missed you."
"I missed you too, Peony."
"Won't you come back?"
"I wish I could." Syaoran looked up to stare at Sakura, who was staring at the rotating belt, waiting for her luggage.
"Syaoran…"
"Mommy's different."
"She's tired, like you, from the whole plane ride."
"No, she's been like this for a long time. Her smiles are sad now."
"Child, you don't understand anything, so be quiet."
"Syaoran?"
"Seiji? What do you want?"
"You seem spaced. Weddings are supposed to be jubilant, so why the obdurate look?"
Syaoran laughed. "Weddings haunt me."
"Because your marriage failed."
Naturally he scowled at Seiji for reminding him about his failed marriage. "You sure know how to bring up jubilation, Moron. You should have been a clown for a living."
"And break the hearts of all those lovely fans, who adore this face? I think not! Look over there."
Syaoran looked over at Sakura. "She's a breaker of hearts, too."
Syaoran's eyes flamed and malevolence streamed out of him with intensity. He quickly turned to leave the scene. With every stomp of his foot against the marble floor, an ounce of joy left him. When he was finally away from it all, not a drop of it was left.
Tomoyo urged Sakura forward, pushing her into a crowd of young woman, all wearers of pink ribbons at their wrists. "Good luck," Tomoyo whispered with a wink of an eye.
"Tomoyo, what's going on?" Tomoyo left so fast, the question went unheard or so it seemed.
"Ladies in pink ribbons gather around the dance floor. Other guests please make room," Tomoyo's sweet voice boomed through the speakers. "Now, dim the lights."
Sakura glanced from side to side. Men in black tuxedos and top hats, with white masks concealing their faces, came out from the shadows. Sakura's eyes narrowed dangerously at one of the men approaching the girl beside her. He bowed and offered her his hand. She giggled at him and took it. He led her to the dance floor with the others. Sakura scowled at her wrist and backed away. What kind of a sick game did Tomoyo drag her into this time?
Sakura tried in vain to untie the ribbon, but Tomoyo as if she knew what Sakura would have done beforehand, had tied a dead knot. In the process of trying to take the thing off she had not noticed one of the men had reached her and was now watching her with curiosity. He lightly touched the knot at her wrist, stopping her action immediately. Time stopped for Sakura to slowly bring her eyes up to meet the dazzling crystalline blue eyes of the man in front of her.
He wore a white mask over the top half of his face and a black top hat over his blonde hair like the rest of the men. Just the same, he wore a matching black tuxedo and white gloves. In a slow manner he tapped the knot on her ribbon and then raised his own right hand. Sakura stared at the green ribbon, twisted around his wrist. A shy smile lifted his lips as he looked into her emerald eyes.
That delicate, gloved hand was held out to her, waiting. A strange force that emitted from his eyes and smile drew her into taking that hand. He brought her to the dance floor with such lightness, she felt like a feather fluttering through the air.
The couple danced with an ultimate beauty that everyone, who was not busy, could not look away from. Tomoyo was most attracted to the spectacle, but a frown adorned her face just slightly. Nearing the time, Tomoyo gestured to the orchestra to end after the fifth repeat. With hard eyes she watched Top Hat and Feather gradually come to a stop.
Sakura looked up at the stranger and found him staring expectantly at her with a winsome look. He dipped his head down and briefly kissed her on the mouth. Sakura was stunned speechless. At that moment, the stranger stepped back, and disappeared from the hall, leaving a stumped Sakura.
How could she?
Syaoran found himself thoughtlessly tossing his clothes all over the room.
Dance with that Top Hat.
Syaoran slammed a fist against the mirror, leaving a crack.
Then kiss him.
His bleeding hand soaked his sheets as he threw himself on the bed.
It was over for the two of them.
He stared at the blood on his fingers.
How could he cope with this pain?
TBC
Slowly, very slowly it's coming to an end. Remember, there's always a surprise at the end no matter how long it takes. So, what are you waiting for? Review, already!
