Author's Note: Uh… yeah… I don't know what to say so yeah… um, this is the last chapter so yeah… lol
)Mariko( - Yeh, if I had him tell Sakura who he was then, there would be no fun, would it? As much I dislike this story, I have to admit I have been looking forward to the ending a bit too (not just because it's going to be over) so I can't take the only fun part for me out now can I? ;)
)Julia( - Lol don't worry about the having to type Feather of Julia… it's not too long… besides, I just copy and past… :P whoops… secret revealed… not that it's much of a secret… lol. Well, I actually don't think I take long updating compared to other writers… only problem, when I update too fast, the chapters are bad, 'cause I sort of need this type of… writer's energy re-charge if you know what I mean… :P
)maixwolfblossom( - Welps, nothing's perfect, so something bad has to happen. ;)
)Majah( - Yeah, gotta blame Syaoran for not realizing. Sakura's too dumb so nothing expected of her. Lol jks jks :P I haven't thought about it but since you requested sure I guess I can write up till that point… well, then again, it all depends 'cause if I can't find a way to end it then I'll have to stick with ending it with an agreement or something… 'cause that's always easier, you can understand… :)
)Maimaipao( - Oh, I Dare You II is going to update the same time as this chapter and last chapter of Last Minute of Life is updated. :) So by the time you're reading this, it's already up!
And thanks to everyone who's followed me all the through till the very last chapter!
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Chapter Sixteen
Secrets Revealed
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Sakura woke up with a pounding heart. She checked her clock. It was only 5:00 in the morning, yet Sakura couldn't sleep. Ever since she got off the phone with Wild Wolf she couldn't stop thinking. What's going to happen today? Could he be a murderer? Would she regret her decision last night? Could he be faking the way he's been with her on MSN? Could everything he said be a lie?
On the other hand she was excited, anticipating today's meeting. What would he be like? Is he handsome? Would they get along great face to face just as they did on the Internet? Does he really like her? There were so many questions, and Sakura couldn't stop wondering. Not long enough to fall asleep at least.
Finally, deciding this was going nowhere, Sakura got up and began washing her face and brushing her teeth. Considering the fact she got no sleep at all last night she probably look like crap by now. Might as well use the extra time to put on some proper make up so he doesn't scream and run away the second he sees her ugly face.
Sakura sighed. She hasn't felt this excited in a while. At the same time, she also wondered what Syaoran would say when he found out about this. There he is, this kind man in front of her everyday, being nice and supportive to her always, and she ditches him for some man she meets on the Internet. "Too many questions… this world's too difficult…" She muttered. Oh well, to hell with the consequences. What happens happens. There is no way she's going to back out from this meeting. She has already decided for once in her life to be open, and she's not going to chicken out.
Putting on a lot of powder especially around her swollen eyes, Sakura thought at least she looked human now. She then put a little blush on her pales cheeks and some shiny lip-gloss; she thought she looked all right. Maybe he won't run away after all… She thought with a little laugh, then felt the knot in her stomach and her laugher immediately died out.
She picked out a white polo shirt and a long green skirt that was sort of fluffy and spread open real big whenever she spun around. She found a pair of sandals that matched her shirt and skirt. They were sort of uncomfortable but at least she looked good. Sakura took a deep breath. She looked at the clock again. 7:45 only. It'll take her only about 15 minutes walking to get to Cinnamon Sweet Café, so technically she could leave at 9:45, but there's another two hours!
Sakura slapped herself trying to calm down. She went to the kitchen and tried eating something, but she chewed the same mouthful of hamburger for ten minutes and still couldn't swallow. Finally, she spat it out and decided to settle with just a glass of water. Let's just hope my stomach doesn't grumble when we're having a conversation… she thought to herself. WHEN we're having a conversation…
She checked the clock again. 8:45. Damn. Still another hour to go.
Sakura tried every single way possible to amuse herself. From computer games, to reading books, to watering plants, to doing chores, to counting buttons on her shirts and skirts.
Now, let's look at the clock again… 9:30. "Ah screw it…" she said finally. "Too bad if I appear desperate. But I'm bored out of my wits right now… I can't stop thinking about what will happen… might as well be at the scene earlier and be fully prepared." Sakura opened her door, took a deep breath, and stepped out of her house.
She tried walking extra slow. Or as slow as possible. By the time she got to Cinnamon Sweet Café it was only 9:48. "So much for extra slow…" she muttered. Taking a seat at the table facing the main door, she ordered a small cup of hot chocolate and waited patiently. The table she took had seats that weren't really separated into seats. It was more like those seats that could fit a lot of people but was connected and didn't have any lines or handles separating them. Sakura felt terribly nervous, and she thought if she offered Wolf a seat like this, she wouldn't appear as nervous.
9:52.
What's up with guys these days? Aren't they always supposed to be early and ready waiting for the woman? Why isn't Wolf here yet? Can't he even get here ten minutes earlier? What's wrong? Is she not worth it?
9:54.
Sakura was almost done her hot chocolate. At that moment, a ring! went through the restaurant and Sakura nearly spat her drink out. She sat up straight and held her breath. Here he comes…
The door twitched, then it opened wider, and wider, and wider… a shadow appeared. It walked almost in slow motion into the door where the light revealed the identity of the person.
Sakura rolled her eyes and slumped back into her chair. "What are you doing here?" She grumbled.
Well this is great. Just her luck. Of all people that had to come to this Café today her boss Syaoran had to come.
"Good morning to you too." He replied with a grin.
"Are you stalking me?" She asked suspiciously.
"Why would I do that?" He walked casually to the table next to hers and leaned again it. "And besides I should be asking you the same question. What are you doing here?"
"I'm meeting someone." She said with her head high.
He gasped. "You're meeting someone? Could it be… a real boyfriend this time?"
"No," Sakura replied. What the hell was he doing here? Not many people go to Cafés alone unless they were there to read or to type… but he has neither a computer nor a book with him. He didn't even have a bag on him. "He's not a boyfriend." She didn't want him to get any weird thoughts. "But you know what, don't even think about anything else, because I've known him longer than you, and I haven't seen him… seen him that many times, but I can guarantee you that he's much nicer, smarter, sweeter, understanding and handsome than you! He's 150 percent better in everything than you! So I think you better leave before you get too jealous!"
Syaoran laughed. "Are you so sure about that?" He asked teasingly.
"I'm positive."
"More handsome than me?" He asked, smiling wider.
She nodded, though not very surely. "Yeah, kind of cuter than you." Then she added, "Not that I think you're cute or anything like that."
He shrugged and shook his head. "Don't worry, I won't think anything egoistic like that."
"Good."
"And you think he's sweeter and more understanding than me?"
"Oh hell, yeah. This one I'm sure off."
"Oh? So the last question you weren't sure of?"
"I didn't say that! Just, just go, okay? You're going to cry when you see him, and I don't want you to make fool out of yourself."
"Oh wow, if he really is that perfect, then I gotta stay for this!" Syaoran sat on the desk comfortably. "I'm assuming this is some man…"
"Of course he is. Hmph." Sakura held her head high, secretly wishing he would go away. Syaoran would only make her meeting less comfortably.
10:00 am.
The clock chimed.
Sakura's ears perked up. Her head snapped to the doorway when that ring! echoed through the café again.
Much like when Syaoran entered, this time was just as breathtaking and heart pounding. Sakura dared not to breath. This must be him… oh my Gosh he's really here… this must be him!
The door opened slowly and a shadow steps through.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Sakura screamed.
Through the door, came the… most disgusting creature ever!
The guy had unshaven gray hair that were long and oily, clothes that were ripped and never washed and full of mud. He wore a pair of tiny glasses that were chipped, and his fingernails were full of dirt and nasty stuff, not that his face wasn't already. To make it worse, he wasn't even wearing shoes! But there were so much, so thick of dirt on his feet that it's understandable why he didn't need shoes. In his right hand, he actually held a beer bottle.
"Oh my gosh… this can't be Wolf, this can't be Wolf…" Sakura muttered, hoping that this is all just a horrible nightmare.
"HEY!" His croaking and gross voice rang loud. He took a drink from his bottle and smiled a big smile to her direction, revealing his perfectly yellow and crooked and rotten and out of shape teeth. "You must be Cherry! Nice meetin' ya!" He walked like a duck and swayed with each step. She could've sworn the fat on him actually went left, right, left, right, each time he took a step.
"Oh God…" Sakura covered her face.
He sat down beside her and put one leg on the table, getting the table dirty, then put an arm around her. "Glad ta finally have metcha babe! You sure more hot than any I've seen!" He leaned in and smelt her. "Man, you smell nice too!"
Syaoran burst out laughing. "This is the guy you're meeting?" He laughed so hard he actually fell off the table. "Oh my Gosh I'm sorry but this is the guy you're meeting? Oh my Gosh yeah Sakura, you've got good eyes, he's so much more handsome than me! And sweeter, and more understanding and nicer and—"
"Shut up!" Sakura screamed, feeling herself sinking horribly low. Syaoran just kept on laughing.
"Man, yar one irresistible babe ya know!" Wolf laughed and took another drink from his beer. He hugged Sakura tighter to him and she could feel his breath on her neck and she wanted to cry. "I mean since we obviously got along so well on the Internet, we must be like the perfec' couple ya know what I'ma saying? Let's get a room babe!"
"Ew! Gross no!" Sakura cried trying to inch away from him.
"Don' say 'at to me!" Wolf leaned towards her, trying to kiss her as Sakura tried scooting away as far as possible, but since his arm was around her she couldn't get very far. The whole time Syaoran was laughing at his little corner.
"Stop laughing and help me!" Sakura screamed at him.
"But I thought you didn't want me getting involved with your business? I thought you wanted me to leave? Well, I guess I'll be leaving now… have fun with your coughhandsomecough boyfriend." He laughed some more and began walking away.
"No! Wait! Syaoran! Please! Help me! I beg of you! Please!"
"Yeah man, she's begging you!" Wolf agreed. "Come help her!"
Sakura looked at Wolf weird.
"Uh, um… oh, come on babe, just one kiss can't hurt!" He said nervously and then quickly went back to trying to kiss her.
"Gross! Get away!"
"And afterwards we'll go get a room! I heard there's a hotel nearby! And then afterwards we'll get married and you'll bear my child and—"
"No! Disgusting! Help Syaoran! Please! Help me!"
"Alright, man stop." Syaoran said calmly walking up to Wolf and putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Listen the girl said stop, so quit it."
Wolf froze, and he slowly turned with an ugly sneer on his face towards Syaoran. He momentarily let go of Sakura and she breathed a sigh of relief. "What did you say, punk?"
"Leave the girl alone, I said, obviously she doesn't like you, get a clue won't you?" Without letting his eyes off Wolf, he stuck out his hand towards Sakura. "Come, we're just leaving, right?"
Sakura nodded vigorously and grasped Syaoran's hand as if it was her life.
To both their surprise, Wolf suddenly pulled out a knife from his stinkin' shirt and pointed it at Syaoran. "Bastard let go of my girl's hand now."
"Woah." Syaoran suddenly froze as he quickly shook himself free of Sakura's hand. He held both hands up and took a step back. Fear flashed in his eyes. "Don't take things so offensively, man. I'm just going to take the girl, and no one has to get hurt, okay?"
"Yeah, exactly." Sakura added, quickly getting up to run to Syaoran.
"All right that's it, she's annoying me more than you." Wolf stated then lazily swung his hand with the knife over Sakura's throat.
"Ah!" She screamed in surprise.
"No!" Syaoran cried with wide eyes.
"Look at you two… perfect couple. Sit down bitch." Sakura sat down fearfully and obediently. "Now let's get something straight here." Wolf stated. "I've got Cherry's life in my hands right now, and both of you make me some promises right now and I'll let her go."
Sakura trembled. "Please… I really don't want to sleep with you…"
"Don't worry about that." Wolf waved his hand nonchalantly, which caused Sakura to flinch. "Okay, rule one here, you two will promise to get together after I'm done."
"What?" Sakura was confused.
"Yes, I agree." Syaoran replied with a smile.
"What's going on?"
"Just agree." Syaoran hissed. "Unless you want to die."
"Oh. Oh, yeah, I agree."
Wolf continued. "You two will cherish each other and never leave each other in the days to come."
"I agree."
"What the hell… um, yeah, I agree."
"And you two won't ever break up."
"Yes, I totally agree!"
"Um, I agree too?"
"Great!" Wolf put his knife back in his pocket and smiled at Sakura again who shuddered. "And babe, if we do ever see each other again, don't get confused, this isn't what I really look like, okay babe? Look." He took off his wig and revealed his well-combed black hair, took out a bunch of strange shaped things from under his shirt to show he wasn't really fat, then opened his mouth and pulled out the fake teeth. "See, I ain't so bad!" He winked. "And yes, I do shower. Now my mission's done here, you two figure out where to go from here. But remember your promises!" Wolf laughed and walked out the café.
Sakura didn't know what was going on. "What… What was that?" She groaned into her hands. "Don't answer, I really don't care, all I know is that this is turning out to be a really, really, really bad day." Sakura stood up and began walking away.
"Sakura, wait!" Syaoran ran after her out the door.
"What do you want?" She asked. "Okay, I'm sorry about the tone, I'm just really pissed right now… but thanks for saving me in there."
"No, Sakura, this isn't turning out to be a bad day! Sakura, listen to me. I am Wolf!"
Sakura shook her head and blinked her eyes. "W-What?"
He put his hands on her shoulder and smiled excitedly. "That's right! I'm Wolf! Wild Wolf, your chatting part!"
Sakura shook her head slowly. "No you're not…" she whispered. "That guy was… that gross, ugly, weird guy was…"
"No, Sakura. Listen to me, I'm Wolf! When I found out last night that you were Cherry I was so shocked I didn't know how to react, and somehow I knew you wouldn't believe me if I told you I was Wolf, so I hired that guy. Well, not hired, he was a friend of mine. It was just a little joke to see how you'd react, so you'll hear me out better when I do confess."
Sakura stared at him for the longest time possible. Completely stunned. "S-So, so you're Wolf… and this whole thing… you planned it?"
"Yeah, but it really wa—" Syaoran's sentence was cut off by a hand slapping across his face. There was a stunned silence and the sound and pain echoed. He turned back to her with a completely shocked expression.
Sakura was starring back at him with tear-filled, angry eyes. "HOW COULD YOU!" She cried, attracting attention to them. "I NEVER KNEW YOU'D DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT! HOW'D YOU HAVE THE HEART TO DO IT, HUH? JUST A JOKE? YOU THINK IT WAS JUST A JOKE? WELL LET ME TELL YOU IT WASN'T JUST A JOKE TO ME!" Syaoran's face was turning pale. "THAT WAS HORRIBLE! DO YOU KNOW HOW SCARED I WAS? I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE RAPED! HOW COULD YOU HAVE JUST STOOD THERE AND WATCH WHILE KNOWING DEEP INSIDE YOU COULD'VE PUT A STOP TO IT, HUH? HOW COULD YOU?" Tears spilt out of her eyes. "I don't want to ever see you again! Get out of my face!" She turned around and ran.
"Sakura wait! Just hear me out! Before you go I should let you kn—"
"LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T CARE I DON'T CARE I DON'T CARE!" She pulled her arm back roughly and ran. Something tugged on her again but Sakura simply stopped for a second to take off her sandals. This time when she ran she had better grip of the ground and tore away from his grasp.
"Sakura…" Syaoran stood there, feeling horrible, as he touched his cheek where she had slapped him.
Sakura ran and ran, she had no idea where she was going except the tears wouldn't stop. She couldn't believe her bad luck. For once she opened up, only to find out the practically only two men in her life whom she had thought was decent turned out to be one selfish bastard. It doesn't happen everyday, I assure you.
She continued running for almost hours, the whole time just trying to erase everything from her mind. Finally, she reached a house. She studied it and realized it was the house she used to live in when was small, when her mother was still alive. The house was abandoned now. Apparently no one has moved into it yet. Which is good… for today that is. Later she would be hurt that nobody liked such a beautiful house, but for now, it's good that no one lived here. Sakura sat on the front steps of the house and just sat there, hugging her bag to her, and cried.
She simply couldn't get over how cruel life was, what a big joke everything is, and how everything betrays her in the end.
The minutes and hours ticked by. The sun rose to its peek, and slowly it began to dim.
Finally, sometimes in the afternoon, Sakura finally decided that this has to be put all past her. Tomorrow, she's going to quit her job, and move to another part of town. She couldn't stay here anymore.
Before she was on her way again, she searched in her bag for a mirror to see how bad she looked right now. To her surprise, there was two pieces of folded paper inside. I don't remember bringing these… She thought curiously as she took them out.
She unfolded the first piece of paper, and on it were badly scribbled words that was written in a great hurry.
Sakura I'm sry 4 bein inconsiderate bu I'm leavin now 2 a dif. country n not comin bak really plz come c me b4 I go I'll miss u really and please please 4giv me I've been an ass I know I hope you'll make it.
Syaoran.
Sakura felt herself smiling again at the same time feeling the tears well up in her eyes. This is definitely Wolf alright. He always typed to her like that. She unfolded the second piece of smaller paper attached to it.
It was a ticket to aboard a ship to Hong Kong at 5:30 today.
Sakura reread the letter he scribbled to her and her heart skipped a beat. He's leaving today at 5:30. After that I'll never see him again… Quickly she checked her watch only to realize it was already 5:06. "SHIT!" She cried and scrambled to her feet hurriedly, forgetting about reapplying her make up. "TAXI! TAXI! TAXI!" She found a taxi about five minutes later and quickly jumped on. She gave the ship ticket to the driver. "I need you to take me here, how long will it take?"
"Around 20 minutes."
"Shit…" She cursed, praying the ship will leave early or they'll get good traffic. "Well what are you waiting for? Step on it!"
"Yes mame."
Sakura prayed the whole way there. It seemed all right. By the time she got there it the sky was already lit bright red by the setting sun. She shoved a handful of cash into the driver's hands and rushed out.
She looked out to the sea at the fiery sky and the beach and suddenly she thought of 'Morning Horizon'. She shook her head. It seems she's always been thinking about that picture. But now's not the time. She asked around and finally someone pointed the ship out to her. It was quite the distance, maybe will even take 3 minutes if she ran at her quick speed.
Sakura kicked off the shoes and sprinted with all her might. "SYAORAN! SYAORAN! IF YOU'RE HERE PLEASE WAIT! I'M COMING!" Her heart was skipping again, much like earlier today. But now it was not with betray and hatred and sadness, but with keenness, with longing. She realized that she did miss him after all. Why did he have to leave today of all days?
The ship was almost in her sight and Sakura sped up, exhausting almost the last of strength.
A horn blew its parting warning.
Almost there… Almost… Yes! I made it! Yes! Syao—
She stopped and panted heavily.
The ship left.
She dropped to her knees. Her hand fell onto the soft sand. No…
She couldn't believe it… I was so close! And now… now… I'm never seeing him again… a tear dropped on the sand.
A wave crashed onto shore, over her hands and knees, wetting her dress. She looked up, hoping it was Syaoran splashing her teasingly with a smile.
But he wasn't there. What was I expecting? Then she noticed something.
There was a bottle on the sand, washed up by the wave. Message in a bottle? She couldn't believe it. "I thought those things didn't exist anymore…" She muttered as she took out the message.
Go to the High Cherry Park and stop at the Great Cherry Tree.
Then, make a wish.
Sakura looked around. What's this all about? Well, might as well… she thought. "Not like I have anything better to do…"
High Cherry Park wasn't far from here. Maybe five minutes walking distance. In there, there's a famous little shrine, in the shrine there's a great cherry tree where people make wishes. Afterwards they always tie a little white ribbon on the tree branch.
Sakura was there soon and she stood before the cherry tree. She was the only one here today but she didn't care. She stood in front of the great tree and made a wish. I wish Syaoran's hadn't left to Hong Kong yet… She tied a little white ribbon onto the tree and waited to see if anything would happen.
She looked around, only to realize that there was a rather large ribbon tied in the middle of the tree. It was about 20 times larger than all the other ribbons. She didn't know how she could've not realized it before. She walked up and took it off, curious to see what it is.
To her surprise, there were words on it.
Aren't you curious what others wished for?
Don't worry, go take a look.
Sakura blinked. Somehow this all seems to be planned out… But since this person wanted her to go take a peek at the other ribbons, then might as well.
Tying this ribbon back where she founded it, she took a normal-sized one next to it and opened it. More words.
Look behind you.
Sakura blinked. What? A pounding started in her heart again. Slowly, she turned around, and faced the person behind her.
Her eyes grew big and teary. "Syaoran…" She murmured and hugged him tightly. "Oh Gosh… you didn't leave after all… that was my wish did you know that? I was so mad at you, but when I found out you were leaving I couldn't bear it… I realized that I loved you more than I hate you… Oh don't do that to me again, Syaoran…"
He had that triumphant grin on his face. "I would never leave you…" He murmured.
"CUTE!" Voice came from behind the bushes as Naoko, Rika, Chiharu, Takashi, Yukito, Toria and Nakuru. They jumped out laughing.
Sakura was shocked. "What are you guys doing here?"
"NEVER MIND US!" Toria cried happily she pulled a string on the ground, and suddenly, all the white ribbons on the trees began to fall. They fell slowly, and to Sakura it was the most beautiful thing she's ever seen next to Fantasy Movies' Scenes.
"Wow…" She muttered.
"I'm glad you like it…" Syaoran said smiling at her. His eyes sparkled with delight.
"Did you plan this?" She asked.
"With the help of my crew, yes."
She was getting teary again. "All for me…?"
"All for you."
"Oh… Syaoran…" She looked deep into his eyes.
"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!" Her friends chanted together at the couple.
Sakura blushed and stuck out her tongue at them. "In front of y'all?"
"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!" They continued, laughing.
Sakura laughed and touched Syaoran's face. He smiled back at her and touched her lips. "Should we give our audience a good show?" Then he added quickly, "But if you don't want to, it's quite okay…"
She laughed. "You taught me to open up, and you of all people should know what I'm about to do next…"
He grinned wolfishly. "Yeah?"
"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!"
She let go of him and took a step back.
His face fell. "Oh…"
"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!"
The expression on his face made her smirk knowing she could disappoint him as well.
"Well I guess that's okay too, I mean—"
Sakura tackled him to the ground. They fell together behind the thick trees around the shrine.
She looked at him in the eyes with a naughty grin.
"Hey, I'm real sorry about what I did today, it was stupid of me." Syaoran apologized.
Sakura put a finger over his lips. "You're ruining the moment." She said, as she leaned in towards him.
Well, she did believe in second chances, after all.
THE END
Author's Note: Welps guys, this is the end, and I know a lot of people always ask this at the end of a story, but for this story these is an ABOSOLUTE CERTAIN "NO" THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A SEQUEL! IT WAS HARD ENOUGH FOR ME TO FORCE MYSELF TO FINISH WRITING THIS STORY I'M NOT DOING ANOTHER ONE RELATED TO IT! But never say never, so I'll say there's about 0.00000000000000000000001 percent chance that I will do a sequel. Fair enough? Lol
Couple of things I always say to an ending.
1. Everyone on Reality's Different mailing lift will be deleted. Thank for helping/forcing me through to the very end of the story. Though it's probably one of my worst works ever done I'm still proud I finished it.
2. Same time I'm posting this, I also updated I Dare You 2, a lot of people have been asking me about it, where here it is, it's up!
3. Um… that's it… thanks for being so supportive everyone even though I know the story sucked horribly and didn't make sense and probably wasn't worth the read but yeah…
Boy am I proud today… not only did I upload a new story, I finished not one, but two stories! What a achievement-ish day:)
And a final word count…
5010 words. Well for this story, not bad.