----- She Will Be Loved
----- Written by Iris Dreamer
----- DISCLAIMER: Card Captor Sakura belongs solely to Clamp. However, the plot is mine and I would like to remain it that way. Thank you.
----- AUTHOR'S NOTE:
MY GOSH. A TWO MONTH HIATUS! AHHHHHHHHHH. I SO CANNOT BELIEVE I DID THAT TO ALL OF YOU GUYS WHO ARE WAITING IMPATIENTLY FOR MY UPDATE. TO ALL MY READERS, MY DEEPEST APOLOGIES.
Okay, so I suppose you want to know why I've been such a bad author and never updating. So last time I stopped updating was because of my college finals. Then I came back home in the middle of May, hung out with my friends, then starting working in June and I'm still currently working now in August. Where am I working? I'm being a teaching assistant in dreams of that maybe I'll become closer to my hopes of being an elementary teacher. Haha, just a little bit more than a month and the kids are driving me crazy. My respect for elementary teachers has just increased dramatically.
Go thank your teachers!
So basically that's the reason why I haven't updated in AGES.
I'M SO SORRY. A 20 page single spaced chapter to make up if I ever can for the slow update. Sigh, I don't even know if this chapter is worth putting up, but I feel like I shouldn't drag not updating any longer.
Happy reading!
Iris Dreamer
----- BACKGROUND: He's reached his happiest moment of his life: he has an awesome job, a circle of close friends, a good reputation, and most importantly, the girl he loves is now his fiancée. But happiness is short lived and everything he once had was thrown away and there he meets a girl that totally enraptures him, but this girl is just your normal, in the bad section of the city, prostitute.
----- DEDICATION: To all my readers. I love you all. Without you guys, I don't think I'd actually write out my stories.
----- SPECIAL THANKS: AnimeObessionFantasy: Glad you like that the friendship is building between Tomoyo and Sakura.
miyako-chan: Thanks! I hope you like this chapter!
Red-Emerald: Cream puffs are indeed those yummy desserts! I love them to death. If only I knew how to make them! As for you question in your review, you're just going to have to read further and see what happens!
HanaTenshiHimeko: Enjoy this chapter. Further explanation about the guy who knows Sakura's parents to come!
Cherry Princess Sakura: Sniff. Your reviews are always so nice and comforting! I'm SO glad that my stories are worth the LONG wait for! I know that I take forever to update and I always feel really guilty when I do! Thanks for also looking forward to the Inuyasha fanfiction! It'll be going up once I get this chapter up for this story!
Dancer5: Thanks! I love that line Sakura said last chapter as well!
Hououza: I love your comments. I have to admit that. You're one of my best supporters out there and I thank you for that than you'll ever know. This chapter has lots of develops and everything, well mostly everything, gets shed into the light, so happy reading! And on a side note, I'm really shy too in person. I guess that's why I like writing so much because I can express myself in a way I wish I were able to in person.
Pink Babie: Thanks! I'm really sorry how long it took me to update!
Rika: THANK YOU!
ChryBlsms: Wow. Your compliments make me blush like a silly schoolgirl when her crush compliments her on her new haircut or something! Like, wow. I'm so glad you like reading my stories and I hope you like this chapter. This chapter's a bit fast paced, but hopefully it's good! I can't believe I actually survived my first year in college!
The cherry tree: Hopefully this chapter was a better than the last chapter. I really should stop rewriting everything and just update sooner! Sorry about the late update!
Daz: Oh hell yes, being on summer vacation, although working is really tiring. Two months of teaching elementary kids and I'm dead tired every day. I can hardly imagine what it'll be like when I really become a teacher in the future!
) : Thanks!
Splotchikins: Thanks for reviewing! Means a whole bunch more than you ever would imagine! Good luck with high school! Hardness is relative. I thought high school was hard! Now I college is hard only because I'm currently in college now. However, one good plus about high school is that your whole grade doesn't rest on a few exams, unless you're a really good test taker!
Crazyfan4S+S: I'm so glad you started reading my story! I noticed that you left a review for chapter 2. I hope you read all the way to chapter 5. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.
Cyan Moon: Good luck with all those test for you future college! I'm sure that you'll be going to an awesome college soon! Side note, this chapter will be moving 100 times faster than the last chapter with a bit of angst.
Liliess: I'm glad that you like my story even though you haven't read Card Captor Sakura in a while.
Black Wolf Chic: Sorry for letting you wait so long until I updated! Happy reading!
Eliana: Thank you for all THREE of your reviews! Sorry for not updating in ages. Basically work has consumed my whole life, being Monday through Friday from 7am (when I wake up) to after 6pm when I get back home. However, despite my slow updates, I hope you still continue reading!
----- CHAPTER SIX:
"I'm sorry," A male voice spoke. Tomoyo clutched the wrecked tissue in her hand tightly. "I've fallen in love with someone else." Tomoyo gasped, tears forming on the corners of her eyes.
"I'm sorry," He repeated again apologetically.
Tomoyo whimpered. "With who," She asked.
"With your best friend," He admitted softly. "I never meant for it to happen. It just did. I'm really sorry." Tomoyo wailed. Though she had seen it coming all along, it was still sad to hear.
"You're such a sucker for sad romance movies, Tomoyo," A third voice interjected. Tomoyo looked up from her seat on the couch, teary eyed.
"They broke up Sakura-Chan! They were so in love though," Tomoyo sniffled, pointing at the television. "I can't believe it happened."
Sakura sighed. Tomoyo had called her over to model some outfits for her and when they were done, the fashion designer begged her to stay and watch a movie with her. The sappy love story had almost put her to sleep, but Tomoyo was entranced with every single second.
"It would have been a one-sided love if they stayed together," Sakura told her. "And there would be two lost souls instead of one."
Tomoyo blinked through her wet lashes. Somehow she still managed to look absolutely beautiful even though she had been crying. "Oh, Saku-Chan," She tackled Sakura suddenly into a hug.
Sakura patted her back awkwardly. "Um, I should get going if we're done," She told her lamely.
Tomoyo immediately straightened the last of her tears gone from her eyes. "You have to stay for dinner! And we can call Meiling over and it can be a girls' night out."
Sakura sweatdropped. If she gave in, this would be the third time this week that Tomoyo wanted a sleepover. "I'm busy tonight. Gomen,"
"What are you doing tonight?"
"I'm meeting someone," She said simply. Sakura stood up from the couch and grabbed her coat off the hanger. "You haven't had dinner with Li-san and Hiiragizawa-san lately. Why don't you call them up?"
"Oh, I know, I'll call Meiling," Tomoyo said, reaching for the phone.
Sakura raised her eyebrow. "You haven't been hanging around them lately and you've been begging for me and Meiling for company. What's up?"
"Nothing really," The older girl replied hastily. "I thought you were meeting someone?"
"Not until six," Sakura answered. "So are you going to tell me or not?"
Tomoyo sighed and placed the phone back in its cradle. "I just don't know what to do," She admitted. "I find myself questioning if I'm doing the right thing by marrying Syaoran,"
"Aren't you getting married at the end of next month?"
She nodded. "It's just that Syaoran and Eriol are such good friends,"
"More like you're liking Hiiragizawa-san more and more," Sakura said straightforwardly. "However, last time I asked you about it, you said that your relationship with him was purely platonic. So what happened between then?"
"You know me too well, Sakura-Chan," Tomoyo smiled lightly. "I've been thinking about our relationship since the time Eriol took me out in place for Syaoran. And that kiss the following day. I know it was all just simple mistakes really,"
This time it was Sakura's turn to sigh. "Serendipity," She said simply. "Happy accidents,"
"Let me ask you this Tomoyo, with whom do you feel more like yourself around?"
"More like myself?"
"Where you don't have to act like someone you aren't. Where you can just act Tomoyo Daidouji and feel completely happy?"
"I," Tomoyo paused. "I don't know. My heart's all confused."
"You have until the end of this week to figure out your heart's path. Any longer will just end up hurting more souls," Sakura gave a small sad smile. "It's just like the movie, Tomoyo-Chan. Following the true path will allow the lone soul to still have the chance to find true happiness. By not choosing the other path, you're not giving them up. You're simply giving them the chance to fly."
She grinned. "Ganbatte, Tomoyo-Chan. Let's have a sleepover when it's all done, okay?"
Tomoyo blinked away the tears and nodded her head vigorously. "Promise?" She asked.
"Pinky swear,"
"I thought I'd never see you again,"
Meiling whirled around and almost slammed her gym bag to the person who had spoken. Her eyes looked up into pools of sparkling brown orbs. She gasped inaudibly and stepped back a step to take in all of his handsome looks.
"Have I dazzled you speechless with my good looks?" He asked, grinning. Meiling had to resist bringing her hand and tracing those cute dimples of his.
"Of course not," She huffed, pretending to be angry in order to cover the blush that was rising quickly to her cheeks.
Ryoko just grinned good-naturedly and ruffled her hair, knowing that it would draw an exasperated sigh from her lips, which it did. "Mou, quit that!"
"Quit what?" He teased, taking the heavy gym bag from her, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And strangely, she let him take it. It was an oddly comforting feeling.
"You know what," She replied crossly, but it was hard to hide the smile that was tugging at the corners of her lips. "Are you done with work today?"
"Yeah, Tuesdays are my better days," He answered. "Are you done with gym?"
She nodded. And suddenly his face was so close to hers that she blushed rapidly.
"Let's go grab some dinner Yuki-Chan," He told her, grinning. "I know this great sushi bar. Do you like sushi?"
Meiling nodded shyly. Ryoko smiled. "It's a date then." He announced, flustering the girl even further. He laughed. "Come on, Yuki-Chan," He took her hand and tugged gently. Meiling looked up and smiled.
The sushi bar was crowded, but Ryoko managed to secure two seats together. And like he said, the sushi there was extremely good.
"So, Yuki-Chan," He said, his mouth full of sashimi, "when are you going to tell me your real name?"
Meiling almost spit out the tea in her mouth. "Excuse me?" She stuttered.
He patted her back lightly as she coughed. "Everyone knows that girls never tell a guy their real name at the first meet. After all, I could be a perverted stalker."
The ex-phone sex operator almost sighed out loud in relief. "How do I know you're not a perverted stalker?"
"Good question," he answered. Ryoko reached into his jacket and pulled out his badge and flipped it open. "There," He said. "Ryoko Kai of the Tokyo branch police department," He told her. "Is that enough proof for you?"
"You could still be a perverted stalker who just happens to be a corrupted policeman,"
"Hm," Ryoko pondered. "Could a perverted stalker do this?" Before Meiling could ask, he had leaned over and gently kissed her on the lips. Meiling felt her heart stop as his lips caressed hers ever so lovingly. She felt her eyes flutter shut as she moved into the kiss.
"Wow," She said breathlessly when he pulled away.
His eyes were twinkling. "Is that enough proof?"
Meiling grinned. "They say that three times makes things a fact," She replied slyly.
"Hm, that might just be true," Ryoko answered, leaning over again and capturing her into another deep sensuous kiss. When their tongues touched, it felt like she had ascended to heaven. The third was even better, if that was even possible.
"So," Ryoko said breathlessly. "May I know the name of the goddess that just kissed me senseless?"
Meiling laughed. This time it was her who pulled Ryoko into a kiss.
"Meiling Rae," She whispered.
"I'm sorry, did you wait long?"
Sakura looked up from her cup of tea. The guy was tall, as tall as her brother was. He had light elegant gray hair and kind warm eyes. His smile was polite.
"I just arrived," She replied shortly, giving him a slight nod. "Tsukishiro Yue?"
He nodded and sat down in the seat across from her. "You haven't changed since you were that little kid, Sakura Kinomoto. I can recognize those bright emerald eyes anywhere."
"You knew me since I was small?"
"Even though I worked with your father, I was more of Touya's upperclassman. We were great friends and it was through Touya that I had the opportunity to work with your father." Tsukishiro elaborated.
"I don't ever recall Touya mentioning you,"
The older man smiled. "I'm often more referred as my nickname Yukito,"
"You're Yukito?" Sakura gasped. "You were Touya's best friend!"
He smiled kindly. "How are you and Touya?"
She blinked, realizing how impolite and hostile she was acting. "Better," She answered honestly.
"I'm glad to hear that. Where's Touya? I've tried contacting him, but all my letters were returned. He stopped writing about five years ago," Yukito asked.
"We moved," Sakura said shortly.
Yukito shook his head. "Kinomoto, I realize that you don't trust me yet, but you shouldn't be so stubborn in receiving the good intentions of others,"
Sakura flared. "Even if you're Yukito, you have no right to say such a thing. I do not want to become someone who leeches off the good will of others,"
"You're not," He said with a calm smile. "Though sometimes it's all right to let others help you. Kinomoto, I want to help you. If not for you, for your father who helped me and for Touya who's still my best friend,"
Sakura looked at him, her arms crossed and her eyes wary. "And pray tell me what you want with us?"
"Nothing but renewing a friendship that has once weakened,"
She cursed. "Such sugar coated words," She scoffed. "You may be Yukito, but five years make all the difference. There's no one in the world who just wants friendship after five years. If you have nothing else to say, I have other issues to attend,"
Yukito sighed. "If you wish," He replied. "But Kinomoto, know that if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to contact me. I regret that I wasn't there for you and Touya for the past five years. I sincerely want to make up for that,"
"We're doing fine," She said.
"Before you go, please give this to Touya," He handed her a thick stack of envelopes in a plastic bag. He smiled softly. "All the past letters I've sent have been all returned to me. They should be given to the rightful recipient. I look forward in seeing you model in a few days," Yukito nodded and gave one last warm smile before walking off.
Sakura stared at the envelopes in her hand. It dated from five years ago. Letters were sent out as frequent as once a week. She sighed and leaned back in her seat. Perhaps she had been too harsh with him. Sakura laughed harshly at that. To think that Yukito had once been her first crush, and how she had once melted under his smile.
Five years indeed changes everything.
"Tomoyo, what a surprise," Chiharu exclaimed. "I haven't seen you ages! How are you?"
Tomoyo laughed. "Busy with the whole fashion show. You have to come and see okay?"
"Of course," Her friend replied. "I still have that dress you designed for me for that important date I had with Takashi,"
"How are you and Yamazaki?"
"Wonderful," Chiharu said blushing. "He's the sweetest. We went on a date last night and he gave me a bouquet of daises! Imagine that, Tomoyo, daises. And he attached a note that said 'loyal love'!" She swooned. "That's so sweet of him to know the flower meaning of daises!"
Tomoyo tried to smile sincerely. She was overjoyed that Chiharu was really falling in love with Yamazaki, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of what her friend had.
"I'm sorry Tomoyo" Chiharu said suddenly. "It must be really boring to hear. How's everything with you and Mr. Grumpy Boss?"
"Good," Tomoyo replied, trying to act as happy as possible.
"I'm glad," The secretary answered. "He's been out of it the pass few days when you didn't come. His eyes always soften and brighten up when you're around, Tomoyo."
"Thanks Chiharu," She said lightly. "Here, I bought a coffee for you. You like decaf right?"
"You're an angel in disguise," The tired secretary said thankfully. "Li-san and Hiiragizawa-san are at a meeting right now, but it should end in a few minutes. Just go ahead and wait in Li-san's office,"
Tomoyo nodded and walked into Syaoran's office, closing the door gently behind her. She smiled as she saw the thick stacks of papers neatly placed on his work table. Syaoran really worked too hard sometimes. In the midst of the papers were a few picture frames. She blushed when she noticed one that was a picture of the two of them, a few days after he had proposed to her. Another framed a picture of him and Eriol when they were in elementary school. Tomoyo smiled, tracing her fingers over the cool glass. The last one was Syaoran's family photo, with his mom and his four sisters.
"Syaoran, I swear, if you hurt her, I'll bash your head in," A voice said quietly in front of Syaoran's office. Tomoyo frowned, realizing that the voice belonged to Eriol's.
"I don't want to hurt her," Syaoran hissed. "It's just that I don't know if what I'm doing is right. It's confusing, okay?"
"About what," His best friend demanded.
"Nothing, alright," Syaoran said. "It's nothing. Forget everything that I said. You can bash my head in later,"
"Won't mind if I do," Eriol muttered. Syaoran sighed as he opened his office door. The blood drained from his face as he noticed Tomoyo standing in his office. Eriol peaked around his best friend's shoulder.
"So, Syaoran, if you don't let Chiharu on that next date of hers with Yamazaki, I'll bash your head in," Eriol said, covering the pause.
Syaoran blinked. "Oh, um, I'll keep that in mind, Eriol. When you pass Chiharu, tell her that I'll consider letting her off this Friday if she's willing to work late tonight and tomorrow,"
Eriol nodded. "Sure thing," He threw a smile to Tomoyo who was standing there confusedly. "Hey, Tomoyo, it's great seeing you again. And furthermore, is that a latte?"
That drew a grin from Tomoyo's face. It comforted her to know that Eriol was still the same caring Eriol has he always was. "Sakura's busy today during noon, so I decided to drop by and give you guys a coffee break,"
"You're a lifesaver sweetie," Eriol praised.
Tomoyo blushed heavily.
Eriol laughed. "If I don't do the talking for Syaoran, I don't think he'll ever recover from seeing your dazzling beauty in front of him," He grinned but when Eriol turned to his best friend, Syaoran could have sworn he saw a glare directed in his direction.
"Well then, I should be going. I have to meet up with a customer in a few," Eriol said. "Thanks for the coffee Tomoyo. I'll talk to you later Syaoran." He walked past Syaoran, clasping down his hand on Syaoran's shoulder briefly before shutting the door behind him.
Tomoyo watched him go before directing her gaze on her fiancée. "That wasn't about Chiharu was it?" She asked softly.
"What makes you say that?" Syaoran replied, sipping his coffee.
"I don't know," She threw back. "You rarely really do talk to me Syaoran. Does it really have to be Eriol doing all the talking for you?"
"No, it doesn't have to be Eriol," He shot back. "What does this have to do with him anyways? You're the one who's been avoiding me these past days,"
"I was working for the fashion show. Go ask Sakura or Meiling if you're so concerned about my whereabouts,"
"I am," He said angrily. "You can't just leave a few days then come back like nothing's happened,"
"What about you then? You have all those stupid meetings and business trips. You come back like everything's okay! Why can't I?" Tomoyo demanded. "You're being so unreasonable!"
"Me, unreasonable? Syaoran glared. "And who's the spoiled brat?"
Tomoyo gasped. "Is that what you really think I am? That I don't have to work hard and that everything's just given to me with a golden spoon?" Her eyes watered. "Do you really think that Syaoran? Maybe I have looked at the wrong person,"
Syaoran opened his mouth to apologize, but Tomoyo cut him off. "I thought that you deserved a chance,"
"What?"
Tomoyo sighed. "I suppose I should be the one to say sorry,"
"I'm sorry too. I really didn't mean to say all that. I was just angry,"
She smiled softly. "This is one of the few times that you've really spoken how you've felt Syaoran. You've always hidden your opinion in effort to please me. Oh, Syaoran, you're worthy of someone better than me,"
"What are you talking about Tomoyo? I love you. If you're saying this just because of the stupid things I said to you just then, forget it please. I didn't mean any of it."
Tomoyo just shook her head. "No, you don't understand Syaoran,"
"Understand what?" He demanded desperately. "Understand what Tomoyo?"
"That we're not meant to be together," She replied. "Sakura-Chan was right in the end," She whispered softly. "I'm letting you have another chance to find your true love. You'll never be happy with me,"
"How can you say that?" Syaoran said incredulously.
"Because I was never in love with you Syaoran," Tomoyo apologized with a small smile, and tears running down her cheeks. She choked back on the sob that was coming in order to continue. "I came here to see Eriol. Don't you see? I used you as an excuse to come see Eriol because I knew you were best friends. But I didn't expect for you to fall in love with me in the process. I accepted your proposal because Eriol never gave any indication that he liked me. I thought I could fall in love with you."
Syaoran stared.
"Oh, Syaoran, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I really never did," She whispered, cupping his cheek with her hand. "I'm so sorry,"
"Don't touch me," He said coldly. His eyes were emotionless and hard. Tomoyo stumbled back with fear. This would be the first time she had ever seen Syaoran express his cold exterior. She had heard from Eriol how he never opened up to anyone. She would be the first person outside family that he had actually connected with.
And she had just destroyed that connection.
"I'm so sorry Syaoran."
"Please leave Daidouji-san. I have several of other issues to attend, and quite frankly, you're wasting my time here," He replied, his tone straightforward and clipped.
"Please, we can still be friends?"
"Friends?" Syaoran scoffed. "I don't need your pity. Now if you please, the door's over there."
Tomoyo was asleep on her bed. Her eyes were still red and swollen from crying. Her eyebrows were knitted into a tight frown and she was constantly shifting in her sleep.
Sakura sighed softly, running a hand on her friend's forehead, brushing away a lock of stray hair. Her legs creaked when she stood up from the ground. Having sitting on the ground for two hours locked in the same position, her legs screamed bloody murder.
Sakura smiled wryly. Bloody murder would be an accurate way what was left of Li-san and Tomoyo's relationship. She herself had no doubt that Tomoyo had made the wrong choice however. It was obvious from the outsider's eyes that Tomoyo was deeply in love with Hiiragizawa. It was his name that frequently was dropped in conversations. Her affections were also returned by the azure colored hair young man who would always compliment her, and then claiming that he was talking for Li-san. It was him that was always capable of drawing a laugh from Tomoyo, who smiled politely at Li-san.
However, it was also obvious of Li-san's infatuation with Tomoyo. The way his eyes would soften and the rare smiles on his face indicated that he truly loved the girl.
Sighing, Sakura rubbed the bridge of her nose. She hated how she was suddenly involved in everything. Tomoyo constantly talked to her about her relationship with the two best friends, and she was the one Tomoyo confided in. She tucked the blanket more tightly around her friend before leaving the room.
It was already nearing midnight. Common sense would tell her to stay at her friend's house for the night instead of risking the dark and heading home. However, she didn't want to be there when Tomoyo woke up, as selfish as it was. She didn't want to listen to any more problems. She always had to listen to others, but when was someone ever there to listen to her?
Her mind reasoned with her that Tomoyo had done so much for her; she should at least show some appreciation. But her heart complained of the heavy burden it was carrying.
Sakura sighed again. She was such a sucker for being weak upon her emotions no matter how long she wanted to hide them. It was as bad as Tomoyo and her love for those sappy romance movies, which was ironically parallel to Tomoyo's current love life. But life was never as simple as the movies where there was always a happy ending and that was something she knew by heart.
After calling Meiling to tell her that she wouldn't be home tonight, she settled herself on the couch in the living room. Pooled under the dim moonlight, the heavy bag of letters that Yukito had given her earlier sat there patiently for her.
Walking over, she grabbed the bag and headed out of the door after leaving a note to Tomoyo. Once her feet touched the pavement, Sakura broke out into a run and didn't stop until she stopped in front of the hospital.
Taking a deep breath, she walked in. Nurses nodded her head in recognition. After years of coming, all the nurses knew her. They knew her patterns and who she came to visit. They knew of her strong desire to protect the ones she loved. They were of the few who saw the inner pure side of Sakura Kinomoto, most identified as a lowly erotic dancer to those who saw her pretty face.
"He's been out of coma since this morning," a nurse told her when she reached the counter to sign in. "He's been asking for you since then," She smiled.
Sakura nodded and quickly signed her name, eager to talk to him. She could hardly contain her happiness when she saw him moved back to his original room, only with a few tubes stuck in various places. To her, it was almost a miracle in itself.
She didn't know how long she stood there until a gruff affectionate voice called out, "kaijuu, are you crazy? It's 4am in the morning,"
Sakura smiled. "How are you?"
"No pouting? No stomping on the ground? No protesting?" Her brother teased. "A few days and you've all grown up. I guess big kaijuus have bigger brains,"
"Just better restraint," She answered with a teasing grin that mirrored his. Sakura walked over and gently wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh, I've missed you kaijuu," He whispered. "How are you holding up? I know the medical bills I've been collecting while sitting here on my ass have been a real burden,"
"I'm doing fine," Sakura reassured. "Besides, insurance really helps a lot, so don't worry. All you have to do is concentrate on getting better," She lied through her teeth. Insurance was something of long ago when she was still able to pay for insurance. However, she didn't want her oniichan to wonder about her because with the jobs she told him that she had, the pay never would have been enough.
"So what's the big bag? Did you sneaked in some good food for me? I've been aching to actually chew something than having this stupid tubes stuck in me,"
"I met up with Yukito today," She whispered.
"Tsukishiro Yue?" Touya stopped ranting about how bad the hospital food was. "How is that guy? You should tell him to come and visit one day. How did you guys meet up after all those years?" Touya fired question after question, delight evident in his eyes.
She didn't reply. Instead she handed him the bag. Touya tore open the bag, his eyes wide with surprise when he saw that it was letter after letter instead.
"I thought I had lost my best friend," He whispered, clutching a few letters in his hand near his heart. "Could you tell Yukito to come? I want to see him,"
"But,"
"Saku, stop worrying about me. It's time that I stop being embarrassed by my condition. You've been carrying too much on your shoulders,"
"I can manage," She hissed.
Touya frowned but soon the sad face melted away into the concerned look of an older brother. "Kaijuu," He called to her affectionately, "you came here to talk didn't you? I'm sorry,"
"It's nothing," Sakura said quickly. "I'm just always like this,"
"Bullshit," Touya threw back at her. Sakura stared at him in shock; Touya hardly ever cursed but when he did, he really did mean it. "The Sakura I knew wasn't like this. Where is the happy-go-lucky Sakura who was always smiling and laughing with her friends? Where is my cute little sister who would always stand by my side?"
"I still am!" She protested.
His eyes softened. "I know you are, somewhere deep inside that heart of yours," He told her, placing her hand on her heart. "No one should ever be alone,"
"I'm not alone,"
"I don't count," Touya answered.
"Why not?" Sakura demanded angrily.
"You know what I mean," He said. "Last time I checked I didn't have a dummy for a sister. When's the last time you've opened to someone outside family?" Before Sakura could retort an answer, Touya smartly added, "And Meiling doesn't count,"
"I do know people!"
"Who? Your pet goldfish?"
Sakura sulked. "For the record, goldfishes are fish, not people, and the last time I even had a goldfish was when I still believed in Santa Claus,"
Touya cracked a grin. "Saku, you keep asking if there's anything you can do for me. Well, I want to you make more friends, starting with Yukito. He's a great guy,"
"How did you know he didn't change? People do change,"
"Yes they do, but some things just never change,"
"Like what?"
"The simple fact that you'll always be my kawaii little kaijuu," He grinned ruefully. Sakura's tenseness melted away and she relaxed back into the chair, a soft smile on her face.
"Gomen," She said softly.
"Hey, not your fault that you're a kaijuu," He told her with a teasing sparkle. "I'm pretty sure you were born that way." He laughed, but it soon turned into a hacking cough. Sakura rushed over to see how he was, knocking the chair over in the process.
Touya waved at her to tell her she was fine, but nothing could erase the apparent fear that flashed through her eyes. She frantically fumbled for the buzzer clipped on her brother's shirt. She only let go of his hand when a doctor came bustling quickly in.
"He's going to be fine," The doctor assured her. "Just a hacking cough," She gave Touya a sharp glance. "I thought I said no heavy exercise. What were you doing?"
"Laughing doc, laughing,"
The doctor managed a small smile at her patient. He was a strong young man, but it was going to be almost impossible for him to fight against the disease that he had inherited from his parents who had died the same way.
"Well don't laugh as hard. Try giggling," She told him.
"Giggling? You have to be kidding me, doc. Guys don't giggle,"
"You'd be surprised," The doctor replied while taking checking that his clips were in the right positions and writing down a few stats on her clipboard.
Touya snorted and turned to Sakura. "Hey kaijuu, didn't mean to scare you there. Did you bring a night bag? I don't want to you going back home during this time of the day. You'll get mobbed or something worse,"
"Don't worry about me," Sakura said, pasting a soft smile on her pasty face. "I'll call Dr. Yamato when I get home okay?"
"Mm, and don't forget to call Yukito okay?" He mumbled softly. Sakura's eyes softened as she saw him fall asleep, his breathing steady and even.
"He'll be fine," The doctor repeated, directing her gently out the door. "Touya's stronger than most patients with the same disease,"
"I hear a but coming,"
Dr. Yamato sighed. "We can prolong his death, but we can't prevent it. I don't know how long he has, but however long, its going have to be spent here in the hospital," She sighed again. "Sakura, how are you holding up? Financially and health wise?"
Sakura shrugged, giving a long gaze at the closed room that belonged to her brother.
"I know you're thinking that anything's worth it for him since he's your last family member, but trust me Sakura, he would rather die and give you a better life than to know what struggles you're going through."
Sakura would have slapped the doctor in rage if it weren't the tears that she saw on the doctor's eyes. In frustration, she clenched her hands. "You don't know anything,"
"Think about it," Dr. Yamato told her. She squeezed the younger girl's shoulder gently before she left. "And Sakura, if you ever need anything, don't ever hesitate to ask."
Sakura managed to stand up until there was no one in sight before her legs folded beneath her and she slipped down to the floor. Covering her eyes, she wept without sound, the worse way ever to cry. It was crying with pain but trying to hide the pain. It was a selfish kind of hurtful pain, one that one kept to oneself. It was the worse way to cry. It was one of helplessness and despair.
It was one of lost hope.
Across the city, another soul wept bitterly into the wind. Winds howled, echoing the soundless screams. Trees bent their heads in effort to shield themselves from the pain. The sky stayed dark and cloudy. No lights shown except the artificial lamps that tried to give comfort on lost souls wandering aimlessly down the roads.
And cradling their weeping hearts, they huddled in the darkness, cursing the sun that would come the next day. Once morning came, they would have to awaken like all others and pretend that their hearts were not shattering with every breath they take.
It was a charade that would never end.
Hope it was all okay, this chapter. The plot's moving much faster now so I suppose things will be moving faster from now on. We'll see. My stories always end up quite a bit away from my original idea. Sorry about not updating forever. Won't be wasting more space down here since I've written all about it in the author's note above.
My next goal: to update this story within this MONTH. With that said, please review so I can know how this chapter went!