(Sakura's POV)
On the day I was raped, I realized, in real life, whenever you're mean to someone, something bad is bound to happen. I've regretted not being able to apologize to my father and Touya. They were the only family I have, other than Tomoyo. I know that a thousandth of a second before they were runned over that they forgave me. But I never got a chance to say it.
I screamed really loud. It seemed as if all the stress of adulthood and childhood still left in me faded in that brief five seconds. It was what I've always wanted to do—scream for no reason. But I've screamed for a reason. My whole life flashed right before my eyes once again.
The first time my life appeared in my eyes was when Frank was raping me. He threatened to kill my family if I screamed; he said he was holding them prisoners. I should've realized he called them to come to me.
I blacked out then. Did I have a dream? I can't remember. When I woke up, everything was so confusing. I saw a lot of people around me, and it frightened me. I didn't want them to see me this way! I wasn't organized and I looked horrible. When I saw them picking pieces off the road, I screamed again. The doctors and nurses tried to hold me down. It didn't work, so they gave me a shot.
Yet, once again, I woke up. That faithful day was the first day I saw Syaoran. Frank was helping me to plan a meeting with Syaoran because he was one of the best. I thought that if someone at the top who was focused on cases of rape would get others to notice. And how noticed they got at the court…!
I know Syaoran by voice, but not physically. He was nice that first day. And there was Tomoyo and Eriol.
I was… horrible. It would be easy to forget, but being humans… it's the hardest things. I chased them out that first day. I tried to be dumb and unnoticed, but it seemed to have drawn only more attention.
Syaoran bought me a canary, remember? And it was green. Wasn't that his favorite color? I remembered him telling me that once…. And when it fell down the window, memories of my father and brother came back to me. It was hard to stand. I cried for the deaths of my family and because the canary was a friend.
He was nice, Syaoran. Staying with me. And he left the phone when he left for work, I think. I was really surprised when Yumi called.
Now, I'm skipping to the kissing part. No, when I found out more about Yumi.
Wow. It's so weird. Two people I've know, first through telephone. I can't say voice because I don't think Yumi greeted me when I picked up the cell phone. And those two people are Syaoran and Yumi, of course. And more ironic, they were together.
I didn't notify Tomoyo that I didn't know Syaoran back then. Why? Because I saw what kind of a friend Syaoran is. I was glad Tomoyo isn't against me being with Syaoran.
Now, it's all over. The court was the most…. It was so depressing. Yumi pressing questions. People clicking their tongues and shaking their heads when I couldn't answer. The judge felt pity for me, I could see it in his eyes. But Syaoran was there to support me all the way. I felt pretty guilty when he left Yumi. I know it was my fault. I was the third person.
It's hard to believe Dad and Touya are gone. They were always with me before. Now they're gone. I still remember their voices clearly. The most clear tone from them was our last fight. I have recent pictures of Dad from the place he was staying. And Touya's pictures came from the company he was working at.
How long's it been? Almost half a year since Syaoran left. I kept his note since it was the last thing from him. The canary was buried somewhere, and I don't know where. If I didn't panic when it died, then I could've buried it beside my dad and brother. But then again, they were kept for examination while I was "insane."
Dad's and Touya's funeral…. I still wasn't able to rest after that. They're gone. I drew a picture of the green canary. It wasn't perfect, but I drew it from memory. I burnt it between my family's graves and let the ashes fly away. The funeral was on Christmas.
Eriol's and Tomoyo's wedding went perfect. I felt alone, though, because I was the only one without a date. A lot of guys danced with me. They made me laugh and asked why I wasn't lively. They tried hitting on me, but it didn't work. And when Tomoyo tossed her bouquet, the guys fought for it instead of the girls. In the end, they gave me pieces of it. Everyone was laughing so hard by that time….
Oh, and Eriol practically beat up Detective Miep for getting too close to his wife—which, by the way, is Tomoyo, and I can call her that now! So, no guy dared to approach Tomoyo for the rest of the day. Of course, she wasn't very happy, so Eriol got what he deserved—no honeymoon! Ha-ha! Nevermind, he did.
I missed him. I missed Syaoran. It's so different without him. It's so different before I knew him as well.
I haven't seen Yumi, either. She must've left town.
Syaoran is so selfish…. Why'd he leave if he loved me? In the letter, he says he doesn't want to bring sad memories back to me. But he didn't realize he took the happy memories with him.
How's he now? Where'd he go? Where's he working at? Does he have a family now? I know it's too fast, but he fell in love with me in at least two months. I know because when we kissed, on about the third week of September, he… well, he wanted to go on.
Should I move on? Tomoyo wasn't able to give any advice. Well, speaking of Tomoyo and Eriol… both of them waited for Syaoran to return to have their wedding. You know, so I could catch the bouquet and Syaoran would be there…. But he didn't come. So, they got married.
A month after Eriol's and Tomoyo's marriage, I left my hometown. I wanted to leave the sad memories behind. I want something new. I want to forget. There's a lot of things I want.
I especially yearned for love. True love. Soulmates. Love like Eriol's and Tomoyo's. But not like like . Just simple…. A love only between me and him.
I guess I've forgotten Syaoran by now. I remember his face, but his voice is lost in my mind.
As I got off the airport highway, I went to my newest job offer. I'm now secretary of a lawyer. Who, I don't know. I must still be into laws, accepting to be secretary of a lawyer.
I stayed at a hotel for the night. The next morning, I went to a large restaurant to wait for the person who's coming to get me.
(End of POV)
"Hello," said a woman with black hair and red eyes. "You must be Kinomoto Sakura, right?"
"Uh…."
"Oh, don't worry, I'm Meiling, a cousin of the lawyer you're going to work with," she explained.
"Hmm…" Sakura replied, nodding understandingly.
"Please, follow me." Meiling led her to a red convertible. The drive took about forty-five minutes and they talked during that time.
Meiling was a pleasant girl. She might be vicious and overprotective, but was sweet. She didn't care what people said, but she didn't let them talk behind her back. She was brave—not 100, though.
When they were finally at the company, Meiling helped Sakura with the sign-up sheets and made them make Sakura a company card right away.
"Why?"
"'Cause you need it today. My cousin won't let anyone be late. And he really needs a secretary to plan out his meetings for him."
"Wow. He must be very busy and mean."
"Busy, yes. Mean, not really. He's just had a hard past. I've recently got to know him, and he has a lot on his mind. Just make sure you don't get on his nerves. Although, sometimes, he turns really nice—it probably has something to do with his tragedy. But you won't make it pass his cold mind. He had built a wall around himself, and I realized that about a month ago."
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "So, he's been here for only a few months?"
"Well…. For about half a year, but no less than that."
"Huh." She suddenly remembered Syaoran. Sakura just arrived, so she didn't notice anything familiar. She was really tired and this new boss of hers didn't seem very patient because of his wanting a secretary really badly.
Meiling stopped at a door. It was like a screendoor, except there was a curtain on the other side. Sakura couldn't see inside.
She knocked twice. "He'll take a while. Now, keep calm."
"Yeah. Okay." Sakura nodded a few times. How can you be calm on your first impression?
There was about a five-minute silence before a deep voice said, "Enter."
Meiling opened the door. It was silent. Sakura stepped in behind her. She looked around. There was no one in sight. The desk was neat. There were a few picture frames facing away from both of them.
Meiling stepped over to the desk. "This is a picture of him and a girl. She looks like you, Sakura."
"Hmm? Really?"
Sakura remembered the first picture she took with Syaoran. Back then, her hair was short and her eyes looked tired. Now, she wears a little makeup to cover up tiredness. Her hair was more kept and longer; she straightened it with a little curve at the ends. She wore formal skirts and shirts instead of pants. She wanted to forget the past, so she changed her features a little.
"Where is he?" she murmured, looking at her watch. Meiling put the photo back. "If he said we could enter, he should've been in here already."
The door standing at an angle from the entrance opened. A man drinking a cup of coffee walked in. "Don't talk behind my back, Meiling," he said.
"Sakura, meet your new boss and my cousin, Li Syaoran."
Sakura opened her mouth. Syaoran let down his cup and he almost dropped it. He coughed really hard.
"Oh, gosh, Syaoran! Do you have to react to every new secretary like this?" Meiling demanded. "I'm really sorry, Sakura. He's one of those guys," she whispered.
"No. I'm just—ack!" Syaoran turned away.
Sakura couldn't find a way to react. Meeting again like this…. She suddenly realized she's his secretary. She felt like crying, but all the tears had dried up months ago. Even if she cried, no water would've escaped her eyes.
Syaoran finally stopped. He put his coffee down. He remembered why he left, because it seemed, after Sakura fainted from his proposal, that it would be too much pressure on her. She still wasn't able to relax after the court meetings and he had taken things too fast for her. He wanted to leave so she'll have some time alone. Then he realized he was a burden, carrying with him all the sad memories.
The reason he built a wall around himself was so he wouldn't love another girl. That's why he usually changes secretaries so he don't grow close to them.
He looked at Sakura for a long time. A smile slowly formed on his face.
Meiling was surprised. She had known him for a few months and, let's just say, he wasn't the best guy around. She gaped when he smiled. It was the first time she saw him smile to someone new.
The air got really hot for Sakura. Her voice was still stuck in her throat. She opened her mouth a few times, but still wasn't able to say anything.
"Nice meeting you, Sakura. I'm your new boss, Syaoran."
Meiling raised an eyebrow. Syaoran had never acted this way before in front of her.
"Hi, Syaoran," Sakura replied.
Syaoran held out a hand for a handshake. Sakura slowly stretched out hers.
He held her hand… and never let go.
The end.
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A Life Lesson
L.P.B.'s Notes:
Everyone, this may alarm you if you haven't been paying attention or haven't finished health class yet, but most rape crimes are committed by the people the victim knows. Like date rape or acquaintaince rape (such as in this fic's situation). I don't want to tell you that you shouldn't be hanging around the opposite gender, but you should be careful, especially if someone's handed you a drink. But if it's from anunopened can or bottle, it's okay, though I should suggest you still be on your guard.
If the person you're going out with is hitting you or hurting you emotionally or physically, it's called abuse, no matter how you put it. You should tell the person who's doing it to quit it. If the person gets angry and hits you, it's best to call the authorities. If a friend is being abused, you'd do the same thing!
I don't know how to put it, but abuse and rape arevery serious. If you were raped or if someone you know was raped, get medical attention so you don't catch an STD or any other type of diseases, such as HIV. Do it within 48-72 hours, and the doctor or nurse who did the test on you can determine if you had been raped. If they have the information, it won't be spread or anything, but it's proof for the police (and if you go to court) so that the perpetrator (the person guilty of it) can be charged. Do it, and you can save others from what you've been through.
Don't be scared. If it happened to a friend, I guarantee you that you will regret it if you didn't tell in the later future.
And for all the fics out there that made one of the couple raped by the other in the couple, but they still get over it and live on with it, it's impossible for that to happen! Come on, if one of your friend raped someone else and it is proved, would you still want to hang around that person? If that so-called friend did it once, he or she will certainly do it again. And since you won't be hanging around that person anymore, you'll never know. Saying sorry doesn't heal the scars.
You might be saying it will never happen to you, but until you die, you can't prove that to me: (from my health class) "The youngest rape victim was 2 months old; the oldest is 98." The thing these two people have in common is that they're vulnerable. Trust me, there are so many people in the world, that whateversick thing you canthink ofdid happen.
Get it? This is very serious. I keep telling you! I'm not making any of this stuff up! I'm working to improve other's lives. And this is my first step, but there will still be people who won't believe and think this is all bullshit. Well, those are the people who will believe it once they've experience it. Hey, better safe than sorry, I always say.
One last thing: I typed this out a long time ago (around when I was writing Chapters Three through Twelve), so I didn't really go back to check everything. Lolz. Sorry if there are any mistakes.
That's it. Thanks for reading. Yes, this epilogue has three-fourths my shoutouts. Can you call it that? Anyway, I'm finished. Lolz. Thanks again, everyone.
Yes, the story's finished. Cry, cry. Tear, tear. Sniff, sniff. And as you finish this, please leave a review!
Dedicated To (Reviewers of The Peony Before March 14, 2004; Yes, I know some had their name changed!):
adriana
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L.P.B.
It's over.
Disclaimer: CCS is not mine. The original characters of CCS are not mine. The facts are not mine. is not mine. The court is not mine. Your life is not mine.
But my life is mine. (No, I wasn't raped! Geez, you guys take things too seriously, but it's an advantage—and disadvantage. Thank you for reading, and I might do the same for you if your fics are interesting and have, at least, good grammer.)
Okay, we're still not over! Remember to take this story (and my account) off your Alerts' lists since you won't need this story in there to fill it up anymore! Remember!