Chapter 2: The Death of Me!
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS, coz CLAMP does! sniff sniff
Summary: Living in the Wild Wild West is tough for a 14 yr old girl, but knowing her father's dark secrets at a young age was another. Two years later, Sakura is left with a deep scar, and learnt not to trust men. A stunning cowboy tries to coax the ice cowgirl out of her coldness to no avail, until the new hunky cowboy arrives in town. Competition arises between Sakura and the new cowboy, from owning the most stunning horse to the best location for gold. What if Sakura's competitor can break through the coldness, will she be willing to give in her heart? Will she reveal her vulnerability?
Hey everyone…well it seems that not a lot of people are reviewing. I'm sure some of you enjoy this story, if not many, and I really hope you review as I want to know how this story is going. But if I'm not getting a lot of reviews that means you guys don't like it…so I don't know whether I'm wasting my time here or not. Just leave a review even a tiny one. I would like to thank the following pplz for reviewing! -
Missk:: I'm glad you love my story! I was uncertain whether pplz like it or not. Sakura will tell Tomoyo about Zhung's 'incident' eventually. All will be revealed in later chappies. Thanks for reviewing!-
SulliMike23:: I'm surprised! I didn't know Wild West setting is popular now. Maybe that explains about the amount of reviews…lolz. Thanks for reviewing! -
Lexi Aarons:: Thank you! I'm glad you like my story too. - I'm happy now hehehe. I'm glad Zhung is outta the way as well. He deserved it. Such a bad father figure! Lolz Thanks for reviewing! -
I'm glad peoples reviewed, even though it was only 3. Come on peoples! Leave a review, it will encourage me to write more.
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2 years later…
Sakura stood in front of the mirror while brushing her hair. She was still thinking about her reoccurring, horrible nightmare. A shudder raked through her body as the images of her shooting her father came back to her mind.
'NO! Go away! You're not part of my life anymore, you're nothing BUT A STUPID MEMORY!' Sakura mentally yelled, as she shook her head. Her hand dropped to her side as the tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Sakura breakfast is ready! Hurry down here!" yelled Rita. [[A.N: I won't use her Japanese name.]]
Unaware to Sakura, Rita popped her head around the door, just to see Sakura crying in front of the mirror.
"Goodness gracious Sakura! What are you crying about?" asked Rita, while handing her handkerchief to the crying girl. Rita has never seen Sakura cry before, as she is never shows any weakness.
"Just a horrible nightmare that I keep dreamin' about. I feel like such a kid crying over nothin'," replied Sakura, as she gratefully wiped away her tears.
Rita hugged her boarding house friend. "Would you care to tell me 'bout it. Not that I can help you, but you'll feel better."
"It's about my dead pa, that's all." Sakura wiped the last tears away and gently pulled away from her friend's embrace.
"I made your hanky all wet."
"It's ok. Not that I need to wash it now eh?" joked Rita.
"I guess not," said Sakura, smiling weakly.
"You better clean up or Tom out there is going to fussed over you," said Rita as she left Sakura to clean up.
Sakura sighed and bathed her face with a cold cloth, and straightened her shirt and trousers. She grabbed her leather hat, and walked downstairs.
"Sakura, you're finally here! Everyone's nearly finished breakfast, hurry up and eat! I need to go to the school, so goodbye everyone. It's time for me to hitch my skirts," said Tomoyo hurriedly, and she dashed out the door.
Sakura faintly smiled and greeted everyone, and sat beside Meiling. The only Chinese person in Texas. [[A.N: Is the Wild West in Texas? Sorry, it's just that I've never really studied America. I live in the country down under-Australia ]]
"You wouldn't believe a damn thing if I said my distant cousin is coming down here!" said Meiling, grinning at everyone.
"Is he Chinese too?" asked all the girls. They saw a portrait of the young handsome boy, and was eager to find out all details. Every little detail.
"He ain't Chinese. Well you could say a little bit. I don't know how I ended up knowing that cowboy!"
"When's he coming?" asked Mary, another boarding housemate. She looked at Meiling eagerly, wanting to be the first person to greet the hunky cowboy.
"I ain't know nothin' from that blasted boy! Tells me nothin'! You know what he said to me? He said 'Meiling, expect an unexpected visit from your old cousin. I'll drop by anytime.' That's all he said! How rude!" retorted Meiling angrily, but it was clear she adored her cousin.
"Well at least he's visiting you right? I'm pretty sure you miss him, and will be glad to see him again," said Sakura smiling.
"I envy you Meiling, because the person I want to see after these two years is dead," Sakura continued sadly, thinking about her dead ma.
Meiling hugged her new found friend. She never really got to know Sakura until she moved back to this boarding house a few months ago. She never expected to be received such a warm welcoming after coming back from China.
"It's ok. We'll all see your person one day, when we all become angel aye girls?" smiled Meiling. The other girls nodded their heads pitying the green eyed girl.
"Anyways, no time for me to ponder about the past, as I need to go to the stables and get that new black mare to be my horse," said Sakura, plonking her hat on her head. "See you!"
She still could hear the girls saying their goodbyes. The sunlight blinded her for a few seconds, as she blinked to readjust her eyesight to the bright light. What she saw coming towards her made her curse loudly.
"What a sight for sore eyes," said a masculine voice, while looking her up and down. The voice was husky, deep and heavy with 'cowboy' accent. The voice belonged to no other than…..
"Hiiragizawa! What are you doing here?" demanded a very red Sakura. Wether she was angry at him or blushing to see him he did not know. If he only knew better. If only.
"I heard that Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese am I right?" asked the blue haired boy.
'What does he know? Of course it means cherry blossom in Japanese but how did he know?' thought Sakura as she looked at him suspiciously.
She turned around and walked off leaving Eriol to look at her retreating back. Then she heard horse hooves pounding against the dirt road to keep up with her.
"You haven't answered my question sweetie pie," said the annoying voice.
"Go away Hiiragizawa! I don't have to answer your stupid questions. Why do you keep stalking me around like a wolf huh? Oopz my mistake, you are a wolf!" smirked Sakura, as she kept her gaze on the green foliage around her. She never really noticed the beautiful forest until now.
"You know why I've been "stalking" you as you put it. I want you to be my girl, cutie. Hasn't any cowboy been brave enough to ask you out?" teased Eriol, while making his horse trot beside the fuming girl.
"Real funny Hiiragizawa. Haven't you any gentleman manners, or are they to hard for your tiny brain to handle?" retorted Sakura, as she ran to the wooden stable. She wanted to get away from this creep, and she wanted to see Mrs Smith first. Mrs Smith had the mare ready for her.
Sakura knocked on the fly screen panting as Eriol hopped down from his horse.
"No need to get away from me so fast. Why are you running sweetie? Are you scared to fall for me?" murmured a voice beside her ear. His breath tickled her ear, and she shivered. She hated him, so much she could shoot him right this millisecond.
"Coming!" yelled a female voice inside the wooden house.
"Go away Hiiragizawa!" Sakura yelled at Eriol, while balling up her fists.
"Sakura! How nice to see you!" greeted Mrs Smith as she hugged the younger girl. Sensing that the young girl was angry from the colouring of her face, she told Sakura to go to the paddock first.
"Eriol Hiiragizawa! Long time you've been around this place," smiled Mrs Smith.
"Yes ma'am. Just escorting Ms Kinomoto," replied Eriol, as he swept his hat off his head and bowed.
"How nice of you," said Mrs Smith. "You know Eriol, it's not very wise to upset Sakura. She's been through some tough times, and now isn't the right time to push her too far. It looks like she was about to wallop you a few moments ago. Just some friendly advice."
"Yes ma'am. I was hoping she would join me for lunch."
"Well I'll talk to young Sakura and you just tell me where you are meeting her and what time."
"Thank you very much Mrs Smith. How very kind of you. At the local restaurant around noon," said a grinning Eriol. [[A.N: Did they have restaurants? I fink they were called something else. If they are please tell me in your review. Fankies]]
"Very well Eriol. Would you like to come in?"
"No thanks ma'am. Must be on my way to attend to business. Good day to you," said Eriol as he left.
Unknown to both of them, Sakura was eavesdropping on their conversation, and she was fuming.
'How could Mrs Smith do this to me? I detest that moron to the very meaning of the word! I trusted her!' raged Sakura's mind.
Sakura composed herself, and kept her angry and tears in check. And sort out the mare she wanted. She spotted the black mare grazing in the middle of the paddock, and it looked serene against the green foliage that was behind it. Sakura grabbed herself a coil of rope and walked carefully and quietly into the paddock.
The mare lifted its head and stared at her with its coal coloured eyes. Sakura looked at the mare, and advanced towards it. The mare ran seeing Sakura was walking towards it, and reared when Sakura's rope went around its slender neck.
"Got you! Come to mama like a good girl," cooed Sakura, as she gently guided it towards her.
The mare looked frightened and was prancing, and nearly trampled on Sakura. Sakura determined to make this mare her own, tried to make it calm down. About an hour later, Sakura finally managed to get the mare to listen to her.
"See I told you I wouldn't hurt ya. Be a good girl and let's go home," said Sakura, while patting her most prized possession.
Sakura saw Mrs Smith looking and clapping. She smiled at Sakura and said, "I knew you can control the mare, and I'm glad to have let you have it. You really deserved it."
"Thanks," smiled Sakura, while guiding the mare out of the wooden paddock.
"Sakura?"
"Yes?"
"Eriol wants to lunch with you, and I said you would join him. How 'bout setting your differences and join him. He don't mean any harm sweetie, he just wants to befriend you."
"Befriend my ass," muttered Sakura.
"Did you say something Sakura?" asked Mrs Smith.
"No. Fine I'll go, but I won't promise nothin'. I'm only doing this for you Mrs Smith. Although you know that I'm not happy with this arrangement," Sakura grudgingly agreed.
"That's my Sakura. Now go get ready, and he'll be waiting for you around noon at the local restaurant. Probably the new fancy one," said Mrs Smith, she was practically beaming.
'High time our Sakura get saddled with a cowboy,' she thought smiling, as she saw Sakura riding off.
Sakura headed towards the school as the children get to go home early today. [[ I'm just making it up…]]
'Tomoyo can take my place. After all Tomoyo does have a little crush on that idiot,' thought Sakura, as she smiled at parents and children.
"Tomoyo?" Sakura yelled into the classroom.
"I'm behind you Sakura," flinched Tomoyo as she was really close to Sakura. She sweatdropped at Sakura, and Sakura grinned sheepishly.
"Eh…sorry?" said Sakura as she scratched her head. Then Sakura composed herself, and put on a really sad look.
"I'm doomed Tomoyo! You have to help me!!" begged Sakura, while looking teary.
"What's wrong?" asked Tomoyo, looking really concerned.
"Mrs Smith agreed that I'd lunch with Hiiragizawa without asking me first! What in the tarnation was she thinking?!"
"And how can I help you?" Tomoyo looked at her cousin. She knew her cousin never really like Eriol Hiiragizawa much, even though Eriol had taken much liking of her. Tomoyo inwardly sighed and looked at her cousin.
"Would you please, uplease/u go instead of me? I'm begging you! See, I'm on my knees," pleaded Sakura, going on her knees.
"Don't be silly Saku, go to the lunch. Maybe you'll find he isn't that bad after all," said Tomoyo as she glanced down at her cousin. She pulled Sakura up, and helped her to brush her pants.
"Isn't BAD?! God, he's the world's worst rash I'd ever known! If you think he isn't so BAD, why don't you go? Anyways, you seem to fancy 'the rash', so…" Sakura looked at her cousin cheekily, while Tomoyo blushed crimson.
"Who said I fancied him Saku?! Don't talk rubbish!"
"You're flustered," Sakura said bluntly. "I ain't going to lunch. For all I care he can fall off a mountain!"
Sakura could scream in frustration. 'Ah heck, I'm going,' she thought. 'Yups I'm going. Going home!'
"You don't me that Saku! Don't give me that look! Ok ok I'll go, but you owe me Sakura Kinomoto!" Sakura kissed her couson on the cheek and rode off.
"What I do for you," sighed Tomoyo. Well, she does like that wild cowboy…
Eriol waited at the wooden table, and looked around nervously. Despite his outgoing behaviour in front of Sakura, he's so nervous on the inside. He has never seen such sparkling emerald eyes that light up when she sees Tomoyo or a beautiful horse. At times, he felt jealousy for her horse. He knew he was pushing his luck with her, but he can't help his desire for this rare beauty.
His attention reverted to the front of the room. There stood…Tomoyo. His gaze washed over her, as he took in her pale skin, amethyst eyes, dark hair and perfect curves. He gasped at the stunning beauty in front of him.
'It seems like it runs in the family,' smirked Eriol. His smirk faded as he felt his heart droop to the floor. 'But she isn't Sakura.'
Noticing a pair of eyes on her, Tomoyo gazed back at the person and found herself staring into a pair of cerulean eyes. She shivered as his gaze swept over her body. She felt naked, as if his eyes were undressing her.
Unable to withhold his strong gaze, she tore her eyes away from his, and took in her surroundings, while she walked towards him. The walls were furnished white, and wooden tables were spread around the room neatly. The large windows let in a lot of the sun light which illuminated Eriol's handsome features even further.
Tomoyo grew unsteady and felt herself squirm under his gaze. Her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest, and she felt the heat escalate from her neck up.
As she approached the table, she held on to her dignity, and smiled. 'I will not let him have the pleasure of seeing me squirm and whither under his intense gaze!' she thought.
"Howdy Ms Daidouji! How are you this fine afternoon," greeted the cowboy. Eriol stood up and bowed to her, with his hat in his hand. He gallantly swept her to the sit opposite to him, and sat down.
"I'm quite well, thank you Mr Hiiragizawa. I'm afraid Sakura has some business she had to attend to, so I'm here…" said Tomoyo while she glanced uncertainly at Eriol.
"Ah, the cowgirl is too busy to spare some time for this cowboy," sighed Eriol. "She'll never forgive me."
"All in good time," said Tomoyo reassuringly. "I know my cousin. She's a tough one, but kind at heart. She'll understand one day."
"My heart and mind is mended with such kind words. Ms Daidouji, would you accompany me longer for lunch? Or is my cowboy behaviour too rough for such a gentle lady as yourself?" Eriol said with such remorse, Tomoyo couldn't resist to say farewell.
'How did he learn to say such charming words? He is a cowboy after all…unless he's not telling anyone about his past…' thought Tomoyo as she looked at the cowboy in front of her. 'He's damn too well mannered.'
'Well, I'm stuck with the cousin. My bull headed Sakura is avoiding me again. I want to avoid her cousin, but I just invited her to lunch. Stupid me.' Eriol thought bitterly.
It's not that he didn't like Tomoyo, it's just that…he's too into Sakura to notice anything special about Tomoyo. He likes the way Sakura's eyes sparkle when she is determine to beat him and get rid of his presence. The way she does this makes him want to bath himself in her presence, and want to hang around longer. Not that she let him. He sighed.
"Is something bothering you cowboy?" Tomoyo said rather teasingly.
Tomoyo's emotions and thoughts were in turmoil too. Her heart was beating faster and faster, like a racehorse. She felt something stir within her, something deep…something she didn't really understand. She felt her face heat up when she teased him. Just mentally smacked herself for being so outgoing.
"Nothing important," sighed Eriol dramatically.
"Can I help you?" asked Tomoyo. She looked at him and regretted her very action. She was pulled deep into his azure eyes, falling deeper…and deeper and even deeper. She inwardly sighed in happiness.
"Yes you can. But I shouldn't ask any favour of you. You're a gentle lady, unlike me. I should be doing honours for such ladies like you."
"Doesn't really matter. Friends help friends right? That is if you consider me a friend…" trailed Tomoyo.
"Of course I do!" said Eriol as he grabbed her hands from across the table. His large ones held her little ones. Tomoyo felt really hot now.
'Must be the weather…Yeah the weather…' thought Tomoyo as she shifted uncomfortably, but her hands were still in Eriol's firm grip.
Eriol gazed at Tomoyo until she looked up. Their gazes locked, and Eriol leaned forward on the table. She looked shyly down while his breath tickled her face.
"Tomoyo I must a favour. Will you…"
"-Yes?" Tomoyo looked at Eriol, and inwardly smiled. 'He's going to ask me out?'
"Will you ask Sakura if she'll meet me at the North Forest tonight?"
Tomoyo looked shocked. He's asking her to court Sakura for him. This isn't what she expected. And now her chest hurt, is she coming down with something? It's hurting pretty badly now, and she knew her tears was going to burst into tears anytime now.
"Umm…sure…I'll ask Sakura," whispered Tomoyo softly.
"Thank you so much Tomoyo! You just made me the happiest man alive!"
'And you sir, made me the saddest woman alive,' Tomoyo thought. She mumbled an excuse to Eriol and tried to flee the scene as fast as she could. Eriol hugged her and Tomoyo broke the embrace and ran off.
Tomoyo's tears flowed down her cheek, as she ran blindly through the town. Not caring where she was going, she just wanted to get away from him. The wind plucked at her gown and dust swirled around her, as if mocking her for her stupidity. She should've known Eriol will see her as only a friend, whilst he was ecstatic with her cousin.
Then, she heard distant a voice yelling out. She turned around and it was too late. She didn't see the horse carriage advance upon her, and with that Tomoyo met the darkness. Not caring whether she'll die or survive. All she wanted was peace.
F.B:: Well Eriol seemed to cause a lot of commotion in town. Is Tomoyo dead or dying? Who ran her over? Will Eriol and Sakura meet up? Is North Forest very errr…deserted? Will revenge arise? So many questions, yet so little answers. Wanna find out what's gonna happen? Read the next chappie…until then review please. All reviews are greatly appreciated. -