(A lot of you guys thought Chapter 11 was... bittersweet? I'm glad you think so, cuz I never thought of that! I enjoy reading those reviews, so keep them coming! And Aharah Musici: Thanks for telling me about the summary. I guess I didn't pick that when I checked it. Also, this chapter is a present to everyone because I am now officially out of school! Yay!)
Shadows of the Heart
Chapter Twelve
Getting Ready
True to her words, Tomoyo first went to Sakura and brought her to the police station. At first, they wouldn't let Syaoran have any visitors until court. But when they mentioned that his case involves them, the policemen reluctantly let them in.
Syaoran was going to be released the in three days because there was no evidence that he had committed anything. His records were clean. The only reason he wasn't let go tomorrow or in two days was because they wanted to make sure the crimes that were reported weren't committed by him.
Syaoran sat on the chair. He faced Sakura, a smile on his face. He picked up the phone and spoke into it. "This is the first time I've been jailed," he joked.
"And this is the first time I've visited one," Sakura joked back.
Tomoyo wasn't in the room because Syaoran can only have one visitor at a time.
"Ha. I told Tomoyo about me having amnesia, and she wasn't mad at me."
"Good. Then that bond's gonna be hard to break next time, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess." Sakura looked down. "I don't want to frame Frank, Syaoran."
"What?"
"I don't. He's my friend. I'm sure this is his only mistake-"
"If he's a true friend, he would never hurt you, Sakura. Think about it. If a friend of Tomoyo's did the same, you wouldn't forgive the perpetrator, right?"
She looked at him, surprised at the example. "No. No, I wouldn't. Even if Tomoyo didn't want to jail the perpetrator, I would." She paused, staring at him. "You always give those examples. Why?"
"I don't know. I guess I just can't stand to look at things from one perspective." Syaoran paused. "At first, I can't believe Yumi accused me of committing the crime. But now, I realize, that if I was in her position, I'd do the same."
"She does seem a bit overprotective," Sakura agreed, nodding. "I guess she worries about you a lot, Syaoran." She looked down again, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Sakura, I won't be in here long. When I come out in three days, you'll be the first person I visit!"
"Oh, really?" She sounded really excited. "I can't wait, then!"
"Time's up, miss," one of the officers informed Sakura.
A guy on Syaoran's side took him back to his cell. Syaoran waved at her, a smile on his face. Sakura waved back, mouthing, "I'll see you in three days."
Sakura saw Tomoyo waiting for her. She immediately hugged her. "I think I can go to court now, if you'll always stick by me, Tomoyo."
"That's good news. Syaoran can really influence you, Sakura. What did he say?"
She blushed. "He only gave me examples. Nothing else."
"Oh-ho-ho! I think there's more."
"There is not!" Sakura argued. She began to run outside with Tomoyo hot on her trail.
"Aww! You blushed! I haven't seen you blush for a very long time." She said in a low voice, "Come back here so I can treasure this moment!"
"You're not Syaoran!"
"So there was something!" Tomoyo said, laughing her laugh.
Sakura covered her eyes. She opened the car, but didn't let Tomoyo in.
"Hey! This is my car! Open it! Open it, I say!"
"Then stop accusing me!"
"Fine! All right! I want in! It's so damn cold out here!"
Sakura stuck out her tongue, and opened the door.
She jumped in and turned on the heater. She grinned at Sakura. Tomoyo began to hum, "Syaoran and Sakura, sitting in the trees. K-I-S-"
Sakura turned on the radio as loud as she can, but it won't go any louder than Tomoyo's voice.
-
At the hospital, Sakura murmured to herself, "Revenge," and crackled. Tomoyo gave her a funny look. At the entrance, Lang Ho met them.
"Aww. We're not going to see Eriol?" Sakura asked, being pushed into the hospital.
"No. I need to go to work, and you need to know Lang better. You shouldn't let her roam, Lang. It's cold outside."
"O... kay," Lang replied slowly, giving Tomoyo a funny look because he didn't get her words. When Tomoyo left, he turned to Sakura and smiled. "Can you trust me?"
Sakura took a step back. She wanted to trust him, but unlike when she met Syaoran, she felt more vulnerable. On the day she was first introduced to Syaoran, she thought that it wouldn't matter if she was raped again. She didn't care back then. But now... She shook her head as a reply.
"But you're still strong at heart, right? You're admitting your feelings, right?" he asked, leading the way to the stairs. "Nurse, may you walk with me? I think she'll feel better with another female around."
"Sure," the nurse replied.
Lang told her the room number, so she took the lead.
Sakura smiled. "I think I'm still strong, and I'm just beginning to admit my feelings. You're sincere."
"No. I just happen to understand. See, Sakura, I've dealt with many victims before, and I just want to make them feel safe and comfortable, as I want you to feel now. If that doesn't happen, you won't find the courage to trust me and tell me how you are like. The more I know about you, the better I understand how you were hurt."
"Whoa. How do you do that?"
"I don't know. Through years of experience, I guess."
"We're here," the nurse told them.
"Thank you," Lang said.
She bowed. "My pleasure." Then she left.
"Do you mind me entering your room?" He hand was on the door knob.
Sakura distorted her face. "I'm sorry."
"You're not offending me at all. You just haven't had time to get over it. I don't mind standing out here, either." Lang sat down with his legs crossed. "Care to join me?"
She shook her head and sat facing him on the other side of the door.
"So, Sakura, what do you like to do as a hobby?"
She was surprised he didn't ask about the day she was raped. She was glad, though, that he was taking it slowly.
-
Tomoyo walked into the hospital. She was leading someone up the stairs and toward Sakura's room. "She's really tired. All she had been talking about was how to spend this day with you. Let her wake up any time she want, and she'll be fully awake. I told Sakura I'm on speed dial on your cell phone so she can call me if anything happens. Don't - hurt - her," she warned.
He nodded. "I'll keep her safe."
-
Sakura pulled the covers over her head because she felt someone was staring at her. But the covers slid down again. She groaned, turning to her side and bending her head. But someone gently pushed her head back.
"Today is... one of those days," she murmured. "What am I forgetting?" She folded one arm around her head, laying on her back.
"Special... Special... Today is day number three... What was I doing yesterday?" she asked herself.
There was a chuckle.
Sakura's face scrunched up. She whispered, "That sounded like a ghost."
"I am," Syaoran said in a creepy voice.
"Ahh-" Sakura pulled the covers over her head and curled up into a ball.
"Ah-ha-ha-ha! I'm just kidding! Don't you recognize me, Sakura? This is the third day of three days ago - I think that's how it can be explained. Anyway, you were discussing something yesterday with someone?"
She sat up and pulled the covers off her face. "Syaoran!" she squealed, throwing herself over him. "I missed you so much! Hey! You still didn't bring me any presents!"
"You can have 'em once we get going." Syaoran pulled out a bag from his bookbag and said, "Tomoyo told me to give you these for you to wear. I'll be waiting outside."
"And no peeking!"
"I don't peek," he argued.
Sakura pushed him out, locking the door. She giggled, imagining how their day will go. Then she suddenly remembered she needed to brush her teeth - a good, and nice brushing for a cool, clean breath.
Of course, Syaoran waited forever, and he almost fell asleep from boredom. Sakura was trying to make her eyes look more open and the bags disappear. Then she brushed her hair because she noticed the time.
Sakura opened the door and Syaoran fell down. When he opened his eyes, she shrieked and kicked him.
"Pervert!" she hissed, covering her skirt.
Syaoran sat up. He blushed, scratching his head nervously. "It was an accident. I'm so sorry," he apologized, looking down.
"Humph! You're wasting time," she told him. "We should leave!"
"It's cold outside. Are you sure-" Before he could finish, Sakura dragged him toward the elevator with a hand over his mouth.
They stood in the elevator. Geez, they could've took the stairs! Anyway, it was a nice silence. There were no radio music or anyone to bother them. They held onto each other's hand. Of course, neither thought about Yumi. Sakura was smiling, so was Syaoran. They stood side by side to keep themselves warm and feel comfortable that the other is still here.
When the elevator doors slid apart, a cold breeze blew in. They only laughed because of the irony, then walked outside toward Syaoran's car.
"Where are we going?" Sakura asked as Syaoran pulled into the road.
He shrugged. "I was in jail for the last three days."
"Oh, yeah! That's right!" she exclaimed, laughing.
"But I think we can go to the park. It should be open, even in this weather."
"Good."
Sakura stared outside as Syaoran drove toward their destination. It seemed so long ago that she was in a ride as nice as this, with someone that she really loves.
"Hey. Where's my present?"
Syaoran looked at her. "Well, tell me what you were talking about with Tomoyo yesterday."
"Nothing, really. Oh, Eriol's going to be walking again, but I think he'll be in crutches first."
"He has two broken legs, Sakura."
"Oh - Oh, yeah." She laughed. "Syaoran, you told me I'm getting my present when we get there. Are we going somewhere besides the park?"
"No. The present's in your room. I just don't want you to see it until tonight. Is that okay?"
She smiled. "Really! Aww-"
"Tomoyo hid it."
"What?" she practically screamed.
"What's wrong?"
"Tomoyo-? I think she's still holding it. She's not going to let me have it. Syaoran, what's wrong with you?"
"She'll-"
"Revenge," Sakura muttered, a wicked look on her face.
Syaoran gave her another looked.
At the front gate, they had to buy tickets and get stamped, just in case they had to go back outside for something. The stamp was a rainbow smiley face. It was a good thing, because Sakura ran back outside and begged Syaoran to take her to a shop for a camera. She used it to take a picture of their stamps.
"Waste of..." Syaoran mumbled, hands in his pockets as they walked in.
Their first ride was a kiddy one. Sakura laughed with some of the kids while Syaoran awkwardly looked down in embarrassment, his face all red and shiny.
"Look! A merry-go-round, Syaoran!" she pointed out, jumping up and down.
"Okay - okay, we're going in it!"
She stopped, making a face at him. Mad, she pouted and walked away.
"Wait. Where are you going?"
"Away. Don't bother me. And by that, I mean it. Don't follow me or anything. Just stay away."
Horrible enough, Syaoran did stay away. Sakura walked so far from the place that she became lost. Frightened, she looked around, walking from one place to the next to find him again.
With no cell phone or change, she wasn't able to call him on his cell phone. Distracted, she accidently bumped into someone.
Yumi was just as surprised and shocked, but it was replaced with anger, jealousy, and anxiety. "What the hell - You! What are you doing here? I came to enjoy my time, but you - out of all people - you have to be the one I meet! This is such a small world! Can't you just disappear, or something?
"And you know what? I've sent my reports, and I'm going to bring this thing to court before the year is over. When Frank is announced innocent and you're fined for accusation, Syaoran's going to come back. He'll beg to be with me again, and you'll just be a forgotten memory!"
She pushed Sakura aside and stomped away.
Sakura fell down. Yumi's sudden shove and screams had made her vulnerable. She picked herself up, removing any dirt on her clothes. A bit confused as to what happened, she resumed looking for Syaoran, but couldn't help feeling guilty. She stopped, looking around. She began for the exit, wanting to leave this place.
It's a good thing I'm separated from him, she thought, her spirits still lowered. Yeah. I think I should just go.
Negative thoughts entered her mind for no reason. It's so odd how one single person can change your emotions in less than half a minute.
-
Yumi mumbled a few words. She hit someone for the second time in less than ten minutes. "You-" she began. She stopped. "Syaoran."
"Yumi," he replied, giving her a cold face.
She bit her lower lip, looking down until she made eye contact with him. "I'm sorry. I overreacted. I shouldn't have accused you. But, please, Syaoran, she's lying-"
"I didn't come here to see you, Yumi." He started to walk away.
Yumi pulled on his arm. "Syaoran - Trust me! I know what I'm saying! Please? I'm really sorry." She started crying, falling onto her knees.
Not wanting to draw attention, he led her to one of the benches that was under a roof. Yumi cried on her side of the table. Syaoran didn't say anything. He got up when Yumi spoke up.
"Wait. Syaoran, can you forgive me?"
Unwillingly, he took his seat. "I don't know, Yumi. You filed a charge against Sakura, and you're Frank's lawyer. It doesn't balance."
"Yes, it does! Frank's accused of something he didn't do, and Sakura's pulling you away from me!"
He sighed.
They stood up. Yumi wiped away the last of her tears. She looked at him. Unable to resist the temptation, she threw her arms around him.
"Yumi-"
"Syaoran-" a voice said from behind him.
He turned around and was surprised to see Sakura.
She took a step back, then began running.
"Wait - Sakura!" he yelled.
"No! Syaoran!" Yumi retorted, holding his arm.
He pushed her off and pursued Sakura.
-
"Slow and steady, slow and steady, slow and steady," Eriol continued to mutter. His fingers were wrapped tightly around the bars as his legs stepped closer to the other end of the mat. He could feel his arms slipping from the sweat in his palms.
Tomoyo watched anxiously. She could see the frustration in his eyes and hear his heavy breathing. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
Sakura came in. After finding out where they were, she immediately rushed to the room.
Eriol looked up and lost his focus.
"Eriol!" Tomoyo said, holding him up.
He smiled at her gratefully. Eriol patted her hand. "I think I should stop, for now."
"But you're almost there!"
"It's not good to do so much in so little time, Tomoyo," he pointed out.
She nodded, helping him to his wheelchair.
The doctors wrote down some things as they exited the room.
"Where's Syaoran?" Tomoyo asked.
"He's ignoring Eriol's smell," she replied sarcastically.
Tomoyo made a face, then laughed. Eriol narrowed his eyes, blushing from embarrassment.
"No, seriously," Tomoyo said.
Sakura smiled. "He dropped me off," she lied.
"Oh? I'd thought he'd like to see Eriol gain back his legs."
"Like I said, he's ignoring Eriol's smell."
Eriol said something under his breath.
"Uh... Tomoyo."
"Yes?"
"Do you think Syaoran and I... no, just me - I'm his friend, with benefits?" Sakura questioned.
"Hmm?" Tomoyo raised an eyebrow, studying her closely. "Why would you think that, Sakura?"
"Well, I - I don't know. Nevermind."
"Sakura," Eriol spoke up, making eye contact with her, "is this about Yumi?"
"No! I mean, no. It's not about Yumi."
Tomoyo sighed. "Sakura, sooner or later, you're going to have to face her. Just tell us what's bothering you, and we'll help. If you've misunderstood something concerning Syaoran, talk to him about it."
Sakura looked at her.
She smiled briefly. Being friends for so long, Tomoyo could almost read her like a book.
"Oh, thank you, Tomoyo," she whispered, hugging her.
"All right, I have no legs and you're just gonna abandon me like that?" Eriol commented as his wheelchair rolled down the hall.
"Use your hands!" Tomoyo laughed. She stopped the wheelchair. "Sakura, you're not coming?"
"No." She shook her head. "I'm going to talk to Syaoran."
"Good luck, Sakura."
"Geez, it's like you're never going to see her again," Eriol remarked lazily.
"Oh, stop your whining!" She hit him playfully.
-
Syaoran walked up the steps. He ran right into Sakura. "Sakura-"
"I'm sorry, Syaoran. I should've let you explained. Please forgive me," she said quickly, eyes on the floor.
"It's all right, Sakura. I shouldn't have done that to you."
"But you didn't do anything!" She looked up. "I saw you with her and - and I just assumed."
"There's nothing between us anymore. I talked to her about it after you left."
Sakura was secretly relieved and happy, but she didn't show it. "You did it because of me, though."
He had to admit that to himself, then told her: "And because Yumi is nothing like you." He embraced her, then pulled her in and kissed her lips.
Sakura gasped. She slowly submitted to his actions, waiting for the kiss to never end.
"Ahem." Someone cleared his throat, tapping his foot. "You shouldn't do that at the hospital, you know," he pointed out, a playful tone in his voice.
Syaoran turned around. "Lang!"
"You know him, too?" Sakura asked.
"Yes," he replied, giving her a weird look. "I told you already. Your amnesia is acting up, Sakura." He laughed.
"No, it isn't!"
"Glad to know both of you know each other - and very well, I might add."
They blushed.
He laughed. "So naïve," he muttered, shaking his head.
"That's not funny!" Sakura retorted.
"Anyhow, seeing that we're all here, let's discuss the case."
Sakura returned to the room occupied by Eriol and Tomoyo. They sat down. Lang took out some papers, organizing them neatly on the small table.
"Syaoran, where's my present?"
He blinked. "What present?"
"No present? You liar!" She hit him until Lang ordered them to settle down.
"Sakura, are you ready to go to court?"
She looked at him nervously. "Yeah, I guess."
"Hesitation," Lang murmured, writting it down on his notepad. "Are you ready to testify against the perpetrator?"
"Huh?... Yeah."
"Hesitating to serve as proof against perpetrator," he said, adding it to his notes.
"Hey! Quit doing that!" Sakura snapped.
They laughed.
"You have to be confidence, Sakura," Lang explained to her. "This is crucial, Sakura. I want to put this guy in jail for the rest of his life - or make him face the electric chair - now. I need as many witnesses or victims as possible."
"There are others?" Sakura questioned.
"Yes," he answered. "Here are their names. They come from all over the country, and I've managed to persuade them that it's nothing to be ashamed of, and they aren't the only ones suffering."
She looked down.
"Joy's name is on here, too," Tomoyo informed them.
"What?" Sakura asked.
"The same thing happened to Joy, Sakura," Tomoyo replied.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Uhh... Excuse me," a nurse interrupted, knocking on the door. "Visiting hours are over. I'll need the visitors to leave and the patients to return to their rooms for checkup."
They got up and separated. Syaoran gave Sakura a hug; she hugged back, murmuring something about him lying to her and they'll never trust each other and he needs to get a present or she'll never see him again. Syaoran only laughed.
To Be Continued...