Shadows of the Heart
Chapter Nine
Leaving?
Yumi kept on whining and nagging for Syaoran to take her to the hospital to see Sakura. Syaoran didn't know why and he didn't really want to think about it, so he finally agreed.
When they were there, Yumi held onto him like glue as always. She smiled at everyone she saw. Syaoran figured it was because of the kiss yesterday.
They turned a corner and slammed right into Sakura.
"Oh! Sorry," she murmured, taking a step back.
Yumi smirked. "Morning, Kinomoto-san," she greeted, resting her head on Syaoran.
Sakura's cheerfulness didn't lift. She smiled. "Good morning," she said to both of them.
"Yesterday, you said you don't want to see Syaoran again, but I could visit, right?" Yumi brought up.
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Forget about yesterday. Today's the present."
"Good. Where are you going?"
"I'm on my way to Tomoyo's room."
"Really? Well, I haven't got to knowher yet. Can we go with you?" Yumi asked, putting heavy emphasis on "we," as in her and Syaoran, and sort of moving an inch forward to show Sakura their hooked hands.
Syaoran twitched his right eye a few times. He wanted to snap at Yumi. He hadn't said anything yet, and it was getting on his nerves.
"Sure. It's nice to make friends, isn't it?" Sakura led them through the halls. Everything that she just said, she made eye contact with them. It seemed like she was okay.
As they made their way to Eriol's and Tomoyo's room, Yumi made small talk with Syaoran. She watched out for Sakura's reactions as she did it.
"Is dinner tonight good for you, Syaoran? I can come over to your house afterwards." Yumi had understood feelings enough that she wasn't surprised when Sakura made no reactions. It seems like Kinomoto has bottled in all these feelings. Good. Because Syaoran is mine! she thought, smirking.
"We're here," Sakura chirped, before Syaoran could reply to Yumi's question.
"Hey, Sakura," Tomoyo greeted, hugging her. When she saw Syaoran, the smile was wiped off her face. Then she noticed Yumi. Trying hard to ignore them, she returned to her cheerful self. "Eriol is starting to walk again."
"Really?" Yumi said. "I thought it would take at least a few more months to walk again if you've broken your legs."
"Where is he?" Sakura asked.
"He's getting his cast changed."
Yumi didn't like the fact that they were ignoring her.
"In fact, I think he's almost done by now. I should go check on him," Tomoyo told them. She gave Syaoran a look for one second.
"Hurry up." Sakura watched as Tomoyo walked away.
Yumi tugged at Syaoran's arm. "Syaoran, honey, can you get my cell phone in the car?"
Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "We're going to go back to the company when we're done. Why would you need your phone?"
"Please? I've just realized I need to call my dad," she whined.
"No. Go get it yourself."
Syaoran and Sakura felt an awkwardness between them. Yumi was the only one who's enjoying all this.
Sakura didn't want to be in their presence, so she volunteered. "I'll get it, since I don't have anything else to do."
"Oh? Thanks-" Yumi started.
"No! Sakura, stay in the hospital. Fine. I'll go get it for you," Syaoran finally agreed.
"Then thanks for the offer, Sakura. Thank you, Syaoran." She waved buy as Syaoran just rolled his eyes and walked down the hall. After he disappeared, Yumi turned to Sakura.
"I guess I should tell you some things about Tomoyo, if you still want to know her."
"What? No, thanks, but I want to know you."
"Me? What's so interesting about me?"
"Well... the fact that you caught my boyfriend's eyes. And for a moment, it seemed like he loved you."
"Oh, you must be mistaken. Syaoran and I are only friends."
"Quiet, Kinomoto-san," she spat. "You know that isn't true. But, sorry to say, he's mine. You see, he kissed me voluntarily yesterday."
Sakura winced and looked away. She couldn't control herself.
Yumi laughed. "We were in a fight, with me discovering him here, seeing you. And he made it up by kissing me."
"Sorry, too much information on your private life," Sakura managed to say.
"Really? So if I say, 'He kissed me passionately, with the lips and the tongue and everything,' then it isn't very polite?" Yumi had this innocent look on her face.
Sakura bit her lower tongue. She clutched her palms tightly.
"Look at me, Kinomoto."
She obeyed.
"Syaoran is mine. So find yourself another guy, okay, bitch?" she said sternly.
"I'm not trying to steal him from you."
"Oh... Whatever you say." Yumi walked away. She was taller than Sakura and that alone had been intimidating.
Sakura closed her eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Okay... You told me to get your cell phone. Now you're going back to the car?" Syaoran's voice echoed.
"Yes, Syaoran. Let's just leave."
Sakura walked back to her room. For the rest of the night, she cried until she had to visit Tomoyo and not get suspicious.
The Next Day
-
Sakura had permission to leave the hospital. She only went to her house that she shares with Eriol and Tomoyo to get her clothes. After that, she gave Tomoyo back her car keys and put on the clothes. Before leaving, she interrupted Eriol and Tomoyo in their room.
"So, what'd you do while I was away?" Sakura asked, grinning, referring to the weeks she was in the hospital while they had the whole house to themselves.
"Huh? We didn't do anything," Tomoyo defended.
"Really? Then why did I find such a big mess in your room, Eriol, and on your bed?" Sakura pointed at Eriol playfully. "Geez, you're engaged. What's there to hide now?"
Tomoyo scoffed. "Oh! Just leave! Go!" She threw her pillow at Sakura.
Sakura giggled as she caught it, then threw it back. "Fine. All you need to say is you want some privacy." She backed out of the doorway. But before her head disappeared, she looked at Tomoyo and said, "I love you."
"I love you, too," Tomoyo said. She was confused as to why Sakura would say that.
"What about me?" Eriol whispered, hugging her from behind.
"You, too," she said tiredly.
"Then make my wish come true." He was breathing down her neck.
"What? No! We're at the hospital, Eriol!" she snapped, turning around. Tomoyo looked at the door. "Don't you find it odd?"
"About what?"
"About Sakura. She just suddenly comes here in her clothes and says she loves me. In movies, when someone says that, it means they're going to do something stupid."
"Sakura? No. In real life, when you suddenly becomes annoyed of the person, they leave and you realize why they wanted to go to places with you. Sakura's dense, but she isn't dumb."
"Yeah, I know, but why would she need to get her clothes if she's not going anywhere?"
"Well, even if she is going somehwere, she doesn't have a car."
Tomoyo nodded. "I know. But she could get a taxi." She got up.
"Where are you going?" Eriol asked, adjusting his glasses.
"I'm just going to check on her," she replied with a faint smile. When she was out the door, a nurse stopped her.
"Wait, Daidouji-san, you need to change your cast," she informed her.
"Now?"
"Yes," the nurse replied in an obvious tone.
Tomoyo rubbed her cast. She felt sort of itchy. Not physically, but mentally. Sakura's sudden actions bothered her. After she was attacked and broken, Sakura seemed dazed in the few hours Tomoyo was with her. Sakura tried to be cheerful, but it was obvious she has something on her mind. Tomoyo thought it'd be best that she shouldn't ask.
It had been a few hours since she last saw Sakura. More specifically, it's about six now, and the sky was turning blue.
She opened the door. A cold wind entered through the open window. On the desk was a piece of paper folded in half with something written on it. The vase sat at one corner of the paper.
Tomoyo approached the window to close it. Then she pushed the vase to one side. The words read: "Kinomoto Sakura."
She raised an eyebrow. Tomoyo opened the paper. Her eyes started at the top:
For Whom This May Concern,
I, Kinomoto Sakura, has decided to leave this hospital. No, your service isn't bad. I was satisfied. The reason I am leaving is because I want my revenge. I was raped. I know who he is. If he didn't threaten to kill my father and brother, I wouldn't have let him do what he did. I was so stupid! My family wasn't being held prisoner anywhere. But he killed them, anyway, when he ran them over. It's hard to keep all this inside of me.
I'm not insane. My view is still clear. That's why it's clear that I have to kill my rapist.
Anyone who have read this, please tell Tomoyo that I have thought over everything. And tell her that I wish her wedding with Eriol is perfect. And tell Eriol that I'll haunt him if he hurts Tomoyo.
My last wish: Syaoran, don't leave Yumi.
Kinomoto Sakura
Tomoyo gasped. "Sakura!" She didn't leave specific details. And if she commits murder, she might go to jail! Oh, Sakura, why won't you talk to me first! she thought, biting her upper lip. Then Tomoyo noticed folded clothes on the bed and realized those were the ones Sakura had just worn before she went to get her cast change.
"Damn Syaoran!" she hissed, almost running back to her room. When she was there, she looked at Eriol and said, "Eriol, Sakura went to get revenge!"
"What?"
She tossed him the note to look for her car keys. "Do you know Syaoran's cell phone number?" she asked.
Eriol's eyes scanned from line to line. He couldn't believe it. "No," he finally replied. "Go ask the receptionist. Ask if she has any visitor sheets from yesterday."
Tomoyo nodded. "I'll call him."
"Shouldn't we call the police?" he suggested before Tomoyo closed the door.
She looked at him. "I'm not sure. I mean, Sakura could be charged for murder."
"But if they caught her before she commits the crime, she'll only be put to jail and we can bail her out."
"Yeah, I guess," Tomoyo said uncertainly. "I'll call everyone. You stay here in case Sakura returns."
That kiss didn't mean anything... Syaoran told himself. He was referring to two days ago. He felt guilty. Guilty for kissing Sakura and then kissing Yumi.
Wow.
"I am not a playboy," he hissed. "Not a playboy... Not - a - playboy... Not - a - playboy!" He accidentally hit the car horn button.
He was at a red light. The car in front, for some reason, suddenly shot forward. Probably because Syaoran was right behind him and had just honked abruptly.
The driver was lucky because he didn't get runned over. Right after he was on the next street, a truck raced across.
"I just did it so she could shut up and try to find my feelings for her. But there was nothing exciting about that kiss! Nothing!"
Syaoran was driving himself nuts. He thought Sakura didn't see the kiss he gave to Yumi. When he saw her just yesterday, he knew she saw it. He just couldn't bring himself to mention it, afraid Sakura would either get too emotional or want him to leave. Yumi, on the other hand, was just a total bitch. What she and Sakura talked about, he didn't know.
He growled when he pulled into his parking space. Frank had just entered the front lobby. It's kind of hard to trust someone when you know their dark secret.
Yumi approached Frank and hugged him. Even though Syaoran didn't love Yumi as a girlfriend, he really cares fo her since they're friends. She was smiling and giggling, telling Frank something.
The doors automatically opened as Syaoran stepped in. He looked coldly at Frank.
"Good morning," Frank greeted. It was sick how he could act! He looked curiously at Syaoran.
"Hey, Syaoran!" Yumi exclaimed. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It was like she never knew about Sakura.
"Yeah. Hi." He just pulled Yumi into the elevator with him. Why? Of course to get her away from Frank! No, he didn't have any other intentions, but Yumi thinks he does.
"Syaoran," she started, resting her head on his shoulder, "can I come to your house tonight?"
"Hmm?" Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "Why?" He was too focused on Sakura and Frank.
Yumi blushed. "Do you have to be that specific?" she asked.
"Be specific? About what?"
"Well..."
Syaoran's cell phone suddenly rang. Yumi frowned.
He turned it on and spoke into it.
Tomoyo's voice replied, "Li! Sakura left the hospital! She's searching for the rapist to try and kill him!"
"What!"
"What is it, Syaoran?" Yumi asked, looking at him sideways.
"You heard me! Do you know who the rapist is?" she demanded.
The question hit Syaoran hard on the face. Of course, Tomoyo doesn't know since she don't know Frank, and neither does Eriol! The only people who knows are himself and Sakura.
"Li! Are you deaf?"
"I'm - I'm sorry."
Tomoyo waited patiently for his answer. Actually, she can't remember what else to say.
"Why'd you notify me?"
She breathed out loudly. "Damn it, Syaoran! You visited her yesterday, remember! And - I don't know what happened - but that night, she didn't seem well. And she left a note. I've just found it two hours ago. She probably has a headstart by now."
He widened his eyes. "What?"
"What are you talking about, Syaoran?"
"Don't bother me!" he snapped.
"You're talking to me, huh! Well, don't worry, I'm not notifying you next time something happens to her!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
"Wait - Don't... hang up," Syaoran said. He heard the dial tone.
"Syaoran..." Yumi started, holding his arm.
"Don't bother me, Yumi," he hissed. The elevator door dinged and opened. He took a step out.
"Syaoran, stop with your mood changes!" she whined. "You were mean to me and then you kissed me. Now, you pulled me into the elevator and you just leave - like that?"
He blinked once, then turned to her. The elevator doors closed and she went down.
-Starting now, play Evanescence's "Going Under"- Lolz. I'm just in the mood right now.-
Sakura had changed her clothes to a raven-colored outfit that fitted on her like a second skin. Her hair wasn't even exposed. She didn't want to be detected or have her clothes caught in any pointy objects and rip. She had bought it this morning when she borrowed Tomoyo's car. And she had told the doctor that Tomoyo needed to change her cast to buy herself time. If Tomoyo found out about the note she left, then she wouldn't have enough time.
Sakura opened the air vent. She crawled in. She wasn't wearing any shoes because her feet would make less noise. To keep her stomach from growling with hunger, she drank the park water to relieve herself.
After a few minutes, she found an opening. She realized it wasn't the right room, so she went on. It seemed like she was going in a circle after a while.
I wish this doesn't have to happen, she thought, but I'm so mad. I can't hide any of the anger and stress anymore. Do I need help? Not anymore. This is going to be my last hour.
Finally, she heard Frank's voice.
"I'll type the report in as soon as I can," Frank was saying.
Sakura saw him. Then looked at who he was talking to, and it was Syaoran.
"Frank! What the hell is your problem! You've done this before - millions of times! The last time you didn't type up my report-"
"It was three months ago," he argued.
"-and Ihaven't had a client up till now. You want to mess up again?" Syaoran demanded.
"Look, Syaoran, I tried my best."
He raised an eyebrow. Being notified that Sakura had left the hospital angered him, and now having to talk to the rapist - He wanted to tell everyone that Frank was the rapist, but he was the only one with the evidence. And Yumi probably won't believe. She'd probably say that Sakura had brainwashed him with all the lies she had told him.
"Just - Just finish it today," he finally said, and walked out.
Sakura smirked. It was a good chance and she shouldn't miss this chance. She kicked the air vent open and jumped down. The carpeted floor softened her fall, but her feet still hurt.
Freaked out, Frank turned around and fell back.
Sakura approached him slowly.
Frank got up. He dusted himself. "What did you just do?" he asked. "Where did you come from and why did you come that way? Sakura?"
"Don't... call me that," she snapped. "Stop acting, Frank. I know you, remember?"
"Yeah. So why couldn't I call you 'Sakura' when you called me 'Frank'?"
She growled. "Shut up!" she yelled, hitting him against the wall. Sakura held his shirt collar and glared at him.
"Sakura... Please calm down. I don't know what you mean."
"Shut up," she warned quietly. "I'm here to murder you. I'm here for revenge."
Frank's eyes widened. "What? Why! What did I ever do to you?" he asked innocently.
Sakura stepped back and kicked him on the knee.
"Ow-" he exclaimed, falling down on one leg.
She remained emotionless. She pitied him. She was being selfish. Being selfish for wanting revenge. She wanted to torture him before he died. But it wouldn't be Sakura.
Who cares? I'm going to die, anyway.
Sakura took out her gun. She had bought it this morning also. She pointed it at Frank, who became terrified.
"Sakura, we need to talk this over!"
"No, we don't! You did what you wanted, Frank. Now, it's my turn."
The door suddenly opened.
Sakura turned her head.
"Frank-" Yumi was smiling until she saw the scene. She shrieked.
Frank seized the opportunity to hit Sakura at the back of her knee. She fell back and hit her head on a desk. Frank started to run over to Yumi until Sakura tripped him. She pointed the gun at him again and was about to pull the trigger when a different shot was heard.
"No! Don't!" Syaoran yelled when he ran into the room.
Yumi was pushed to one side. She didn't like the fact that Syaoran had roughly pushed her to get in.
Sakura dropped her gun with a bewildered look on her face. She was shot around the waist..
A police officer stepped down from the air vent. He said into his walkie-talkie, "I need an ambulance - quick!"
"What the hell did you do that for?" Syaoran demanded. He pulled the cop an inch from the floor.
"Sorry, but I had to do what I have to do! She's going to murder someone!" he replied. "It was the best shot I've got, anyhow. If I had went higher, it'd be fatal, and it was impossible to hit her leg!"
Syaoran growled. He dropped the officer, running to Sakura. He sat down beside her, glaring at Frank, and held her in his arms.
"Syaoran," she said softly.
"You don't have to speak," he whispered back. "Just stay with me." Syaoran tried to keep her head wound from further bleeding.
"My head hurts."
"Yeah, I know, but it was because of the shot. You're not going to die, Sakura." He smiled.
She grinned back, but it quickly faded. "No. I know that I injured myself when I fell." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Go back to Yumi."
"Uh-uh," he said quietly. "You need me."
She blinked very slowly. "I didn't want this to be your last impression of me, Syaoran."
"No, because this isn't your last impression, okay? Just stay with me."
She shook her head. "It's hard to tell you... how stressful I've become." She swallowed hard. "There's so many things... I could never tell you. But, I guess, it's safe to know... that... I still have secrets..."
"Sakura."
To Be Continued...
-By now, I've noticed how... Syaoran is. You know, with the "two girls and I don't like the one I'm with but I'm not cheating on her"? Maybe I shouldn't have put in anything that. Ugh. Sorry. Forgive me. Please? I'll make you feel better when the court chapters come. Yes, I've already have it planned. I have the ending planned and everything. Lolz. Shut up, shut up, shut up. And Yumi is so gonna get it... Frank, too.-