Black Wolf, White Blossom

by Marine Brother Shran

DISCONTINUED! Under same title, except there is no comma

5. Syaoran's Pride

Black Wolf, White Blossom

Chapter V Syaoran's Pride

Hey guys it's me again, and I'll try to update as fast as I can whenever time allows me to. Please note that I will not update regularly, because I am in grade 12, AND I WANT TO GET MY ASS OUT OF THERE WITH GOOD GRADES! Anyways please enjoy this chapter and leave your reviews. Thanks. Buh-bye.

Kokari: I know that you want me to update my stories fast, but there's a hitch. I'm in grade 12 at the moment. So that means that I have to work harder than I normally would. Plus there's the fact that I'm working on 4 other stories, one of them happening to be Wrath of the Evangelion, the other being this one, as well as A Knights Tale: Becoming a Knight and another fanfic that I'm writing out before typing it out. So anyways, please enjoy reading this chapter.

Noir Rose: Well since you want fluff, care to give me some material? Then I could please your desire to see more fluff, I can incorporate it into future chapters as well as my other romance fanfics.

Syaoran entered his apartment still deep in thought, but was finally able to convince himself that he cannot and would never open his heart up to anyone, especially Sakura. He entered his room to and walked towards the kitchen where he had planned to make some egg sandwiches. But knowing that Sakura wouldn't be back he decided to do some training. He quickly grabbed his MP3 Player and a sword from the wall across his bed and headed up to the roof.

He fired up his MP3 player and drew his sword, and took up a stance, waiting for whatever song to come up.

(Disclaimer: I don't own the song Still Waiting by Sum 41. They do)

So am I still waiting
For this world to stop hating
Can't find a good reason
Can't find hope to believe in

Syaoran jumped into action as the song was playing, moving with the beat of the song. Oddly enough as he listened to the lyrics he found comfort in the song as it really described how messed up his life was.

Drop dead a bullet to my head
Your words are like a gun in hand
You can't change the state of the nation
We just need some motivation
Three times I see no conviction
Just lies and more contradiction

So tell me what would you say
I'd say it's time (to listen)

So am I still waiting
For this world to stop hating
Can't find a good reason
Can't find hope to believe in

Ignorance and understanding
We're the first ones to jump in line
Out of step for what we believe in
But whose left? to start the pleading
How far will we take this
It's not hard to see through the sickness

So tell me what would you say
I'd say it's time (to listen)

So am I still waiting
For this world to stop hating
Can't find a good reason
Can't find hope to believe in

This can't last forever
Time won't make things better
I feel so alone
Can't help myself
And no one knows
If this is worthless
Tell me: so

What have we done
We're in a war that can't be won
This can't be real
I don't know what to feel

So am I still waiting
For this world to stop hating
Can't find a good reason
Can't find hope to believe in

So am I still waiting
For this world to stop hating
Can't find a good reason
Can't find hope to believe in

As the song faded to an end he heard someone clapping from behind. He spun around swiftly, eyes widening for a split second and only that split second; Sakura had followed him to the roof and had apparently been watching him for who knows how long.

"I thought that you'd be gone for a lot longer," Syaoran snapped coldly, not comfortable with people watching him at all.

"Well I thought that I did enough thinking and so I came back, and I just happen to see you start your thing when I reached the building," Sakura replied with a smile.

"Well that's nice. But I prefer to train alone. Knowing people are watching only throws off my concentration," Syaoran replied, 'That's not true. You noticed her a long time ago,' Syaoran's conscious told him, 'That may be but I'm not going to open myself up to anyone. That's final. Now shut up and leave me alone!' Syaoran retorted, 'Fine, fine you arrogant bastard.'

"Syaoran? What's up? You look troubled," Sakura said in worry.

"What do you care? I only told you that story so that you can understand why I act the way I do. Did you expect me to actually become a softy or something?" Syaoran rudely replied.

Sakura gasped at his retort, "Don't be so arrogant! And here I thought that you actually started to open up to me. I guess I was wrong. I'll be in MY apartment room. See ya loser!"

"Yeah? Well good riddance!" Syaoran called towards Sakura who was already going down the stairs, 'WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?' Syaoran thought to himself angrily, 'Dumb ass, you are enamored with her,' his conscious responded, 'What? Fuck that. There is no way I'll fall in love again. My heart was broken once I'm going to do that. Besides I have the gang war to worry about,' Syaoran retorted, 'You fucking selfish, arrogant disrespectful bastard! You and your god damn pride. You're too damn proud of your ability to hide yourself in that block of ice that you won't even let yourself go even just for her. I don't even know why I still try to break down your walls. You make me sick. Good day,' and with that Syaoran's conscious disappeared, 'Finally. Peace and quiet' Syaoran thought to himself as he headed back down to his room.

Sakura had run into her room, locked the door and jumped into her bed crying, "Damn that arrogant, egotistical bastard!" Sakura yelled into her pillow, 'Why can't he just admit that he enjoys my company? I know that he was well aware of me when he was practicing. So why now does he acts like a cold hearted bastard? I just wish I could get him to admit that he is wrong.' Sakura thought to herself as she continued to cry.

Syaoran returned into his room and decided to get started on his egg sandwich. After about half an hour of prepping everything he finally made his sandwich. He quickly poured himself a glass of orange juice and sat down on his couch thinking.

'God damn it. He's right. I am too damn proud. But admitting defeat is a sign of weakness. I won't give in to my feelings. I'd lose my power if I gave into my feelings and go back to my old self. I'm a lot more powerful now than I was back then. I swore to myself that I'd never be that weak.'

Before Syaoran could continue on his train of thought his cell phone rang, "Hello? Syaoran speaking."

"Hey Syaoran it's me Blaze. I've set up an appointment for Sakura's tattoo," Blaze spoke.

"Alright. Pick her up then," Syaoran responded not wanting to see Sakura.

"Sorry no can do because afterwards there's a rumble with the Tigers again. I managed to find some survivors from Fang Division and had a quarter of Delta Division to come down and help us out in his rumble," Blaze replied.

"Fine. When and where?" Syaoran asked.

"The tattoo appointment is at 4 o'clock which is in two hours, and the rumble is at 6 at the construction yard near the harbor," Blaze replied.

"Alright then, thanks Lightning. But you know how uncomfortable I feel around her," Syaoran stated.

"I know, but you're the only one available for this, considering Brock and I have to coordinate with the other wolves plus I have to give Brock a crash course on using rifles," Blaze simply replied.

"Alright then, I'll see you at 6 o'clock," Syaoran replied turning off his cell phone letting out a sigh as he did, 'Great now I have to get her to the damn tattoo parlor so that she can properly be inducted into the gang. God damn it this day has been such a mess,' Syaoran thought to himself. Syaoran finished eating his sandwich and looked at the clock which read 2:30, 'Better tell her about getting the tattoo around three and tell her be ready by 3:30.' Syaoran thought to himself. So for a half hour he merely sat there looking at the ceiling above him. 3:00 finally rolled around and Syaoran finally got up and went up to Sakura's floor. He approached the door and gently knocked it.

Sakura quickly opened the door to find Syaoran standing in front of her, "What do you want, ass?" Sakura asked scathingly.

"You're tattoo appointment is at 4:00, we leave at 3:30. Afterwards we are heading towards North Tomoeda for a rumble," Syaoran coolly replied.

"Rumble? Oh my god, don't tell me that there is another gang battle?" Sakura asked fearfully.

Syaoran nodded before responding, "You got it, and we're up against the Tigers again," Sakura afraid that she might say the wrong words only nodded.

"I'll be back to pick you up at 3:30. So be ready, try to wear a sleeveless shirt or at least make sure that your left arm is full exposed," Syaoran stated before walking away.

Sakura closed the door, leaning on it before falling down to her knees, quietly crying, "Oh god no. Why do I have to witness more killing, especially after what happened last time?" Sakura asked, reliving the memories of how both Tomoyo and Eriol died saving Sakura and the pained expressions on their faces scared Sakura.

Later that afternoon Syaoran had picked up Sakura wearing the same pair of cargo pants but he had a sword strapped on as well and was wearing a sleeveless shirt which showed both tattoos as well as a vest, all of his clothes were either black or black with flames. Sakura on the other hand wore a pair of black leather pants that hugged her hips and legs tightly and wore a red halter top. She was also wearing the holster that Tomoyo had given her the other day, and on top she wore the same blue vest she was wearing at the interview.

"Grab your helmet and let's get going," Syaoran stated, eyeing Sakura's appearance for a moment before walking towards the elevator. Sakura quickly grabbed the helmet Syaoran had given her, and locked her room before following him. They reached the garage without saying a word and quickly mounted Syaoran's bike and they quickly headed off towards the tattoo parlor.

When they reached it they found themselves a rather large building that read, "Wolverines Tattoo Parlor" on the front above the door was a neon image of a wolverine bearing its fangs. They quickly entered the building where they were greeted by someone about Sakura's height, with his eyes just as squinty as Brock's eyes.

Sakura took a moment before she realized who it was, "Takashi? You're part of the Wolves of Hell?"

"You know him?" Syaoran asked, surprised, but he didn't show it.

"Yeah we had classes together back at Tokyo U. That's why he never went swimming with us or wore any white clothing," Sakura stated, still surprised one of her friends was part of the gang.

"Yeah well Syaoran made it a rule that we never reveal our gang affiliations so here we are, about to induct you into the gang, making you swearing to secrecy and all that jazz. Anyways let's get going, I'm going to make your tattoo," Takashi stated. They followed Takashi into a private room where there was a table with various tools and gadgets. Takashi told Sakura to take a seat while he prepared the machinery.

Sakura quickly took off her vest to remove your holster before putting on her vest back on again. Feeling extremely nervous, Sakura walked up towards the seat and sat down, while she watched Takashi put in the appropriate colour pigments into the machine. Sakura turned to Syaoran for comfort only to find that he wasn't inside. Sakura's heart sank a little that she was all alone with no support from Syaoran.

Takashi then fired up the unit as he began to make the tattoo. Just as Takashi started working making the tattoo Syaoran came in with a chair and sat down next to Sakura. Sakura's heart rose as she thought that Syaoran might've had just enough hear to be with Sakura. But her train of thought was instantly replaced with searing pain on her left arm. Out of pure instincts Syaoran immediately grabbed Sakura's other hand as he allowed her to hold on to his. Although knowing Syaoran was probably going to shrug it off later Sakura took advantage of the moment and enjoyed the feeling of her hand in his.

The session lasted for about an hour as the design was rather complex and it was a solid tattoo. Although feeling sore she was glad that she bore the tattoo. She quickly took off her vest for a moment to put her holster back on, Syaoran noticed something white on Sakura's back was hidden as it was mostly on her lower back.

"Hey Sakura, what's that on your back?" he curiously asked. Although he tried to hide it he failed to simply through the way he asked.

Sakura giggled a moment before responding, "It's a tattoo of a cherry blossom. I figured that since my name does mean that I might as well have a tattoo of one. Anyways don't we have a rumble to get going to?" Sakura asked as she had placed on her holster and vest again. Syaoran nodded as he paid Takashi and quickly followed Sakura out to his bike to find that she was already sitting and waiting. Syaoran quickly mounted his bike and sped off to North Tomoeda to meet up with the rest of his gang.

They rode for 45 minutes before they meet up with a large gathering of men and women. They were soon greeted by Blaze and Brock, who was bearing a tattoo as well, while Blaze was proudly showing off his Black Lightning tattoo.

"I see that you've managed to get this many from Delta and that many is actually what's left of Fang?" Syaoran asked coolly not showing his surprise.

"You betcha! I managed to mooch off 30 out of Delta Division while Fang has elected a new leader and will be leaving us soon to rebuild themselves," Blaze responded, "We're ready to go. We're just waiting for the word. But I have a feeling that Sakura's life is in danger."

"That maybe, but she's now a part of the gang and she will do her part, or I will make her," Syaoran replied, wearing his hardened expression again. Sakura overheard Syaoran's last comment felt her heart sink again as Syaoran showed that he didn't to even care for Sakura one bit.

Syaoran looked at Sakura to see that she was hiding her face, feeling a little bad walked up to her whispering, "Sorry, but I have to do this. It's part of my current image as Black Wolf. Don't worry, I'll be helping you whenever I can," cracking a very small smile before walking off. Yet that didn't help Sakura that much as she figured that he was simply justifying himself for being such a cold hearted ass. Yet before she could think anymore Syaoran started barking orders for everyone to prepare for battle. People were prepping weapons, sharpening blades or having conversations treating it as if it was their last. Five minutes later everyone was ready and they all mounted their bikes and sped off to the harbor to meet up with the White Tigers.

The ride wasn't too long as the park was near the harbor. They all quickly dismounted drawing their weapons, Sakura staying near Syaoran. Suddenly the air was filled with a gun shot as it signified the signal that the Tigers were waiting for them and that the battle had begun. Instantly everyone dispersed in all directions, breaking off into groups and took cover. They sat there for a moment before they heard the familiar clanking of a fragmentation grenade (A/N I'll be calling them frag from now on) as it came to halt for a moment exploding injuring those nearby one of them being Brock.

Suddenly several of the Wolves stood up and brought their weapons to bear only to be shot down. Realizing that the Tigers came early to prepare, Syaoran signaled 9 men to follow him. Quickly running through an alley with the 9 men and Sakura in tow, he tried to make his way towards where the Tigers were and hoping to blindside him. His hopes were dashed as Tigers appeared out of nowhere and opened fire. Although he and the others managed to get out of the way Syaoran was grazed along his shoulder.

"Shit, damn it to hell," Syaoran cursed realizing that there was no way out. To his left he noticed Sakura fumbling with something in her vest pulling out a frag grenade. She leaned against the opposite wall trying to peak at where the Tigers were without getting shot. Seeing that they were close made her job easier. She quickly pulled the pin and releases the trigger for a moment before tossing it. As if on cue, one of the Tigers picked up the grenade assuming he had a moment to spare, the grenade exploded in his hands killing most of those around him mutilating their bodies horribly as shrapnel tore great chunks of flesh from their bodies. Those who survived were crying in pain as their flesh was seared from the explosion. Quick as lightning Syaoran and the others got of their hiding spot shot down the few remaining Tigers and continued.

They had reached behind the Tigers line only to be greeted by a horrible sight. On the grounds before the Tigers laid bodies of the Wolves. On the Wolves line the few that survived were firing off shots as they attempted to take as many as they could without getting themselves killed. Syaoran felt the great loss hit him squarely in his heart, and in a fit of rage he let out a mighty roar which spurred his men to do the same and blindly charged the Tigers firing off every bullet in their clip. Although they did take out many the Tigers had the upper hand and easily gunned down most of the men and had pegged Syaoran twice in his left leg, another bullet piercing his right shoulder and another embedding itself in his right shin. However undeterred Syaoran kept charging. In his rage he failed to notice that all of his men save Sakura were dead and all weapons were aimed at him ready to fire. Seeing this Sakura quickly pulls Syaoran aside as the Tigers fired a vicious volley at them missing only by centimeters. Knowing that they couldn't win, she dragged Syaoran, who was in a daze, through the alleyway and made their way back to the Wolves line. She found Blaze tending to Brocks wound.

She tapped Blaze on the shoulder to grab his attention, "We have to get the hell outta here Lightning. We can't win!"

"I know," Blaze responding, "But Syaoran is the one who makes the call. I have no power..." he voiced drifted off noticing something about Sakura's tattoo, "Sakura, take your gun, and fire it into the air three times."

Now she was confused, "What? I just thought you said that only Syaoran could make that call."

"Ok, look at our tattoos and tell me what is different between them," Blaze responded. Sakura looked at hers and his. They were both the same, it was a wolf sitting, engulfed in fire, yet she couldn't see the difference. She gave him a confused stare. Blaze smacked himself in the head before speaking again.

"We may have the same design, but look at the colour of its eyes. Mine are white, yours is black. Only the leaders are allowed that. Syaoran has given you the role of 2nd in Command to replace Eriol. Now fire your gun, I will explain everything later!" Doing what she was told she quickly pulled out her gun raised it in the air and fired three times, which was followed by a single shot from the Tigers end, signifying the end of the battle. The members of the gang looked at Syaoran who had fallen unconscious from his outburst in disgust to see him in such a state and to even risk the entire contingent. Sakura quickly gathered him up with the help of Blaze and took him to his bike.

"So what's going to happen now?" Sakura asked feeling extremely worried about something.

Blaze let out a sigh before responding, "For now I will be in command of this part of the gang until Syaoran has returned to duty. However only you can allow him," he placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder as she continued to speak, "Take him home, and stay with him. Make this idiot learn his fucking lesson. He can't let his feelings rule him. Ever since Eriol and Tomoyo died he's lost his cool. They kept him in check. Now that duty falls to you. Don't fail. We need his leadership."

Sakura could only nod as Blaze turned around and organized what was left of the contingent. Sakura let out a heavy sigh as she put on hers and Syaoran's helmet before speeding off to her apartment; sitting behind Syaoran to ensure that he didn't fall, and although it was a difficult ride however as Syaoran was taller. Luckily she made it back without incident as she carried Syaoran with difficultly up into the building, where she was then helped by the staff when she entered and took him up to his room where she stayed intended to giving Syaoran hell.

A few hours later Syaoran woke up in a daze wondering what had happened. He remembered charging, but then couldn't remember anything else. As he tried to get up he felt pain all over his body, specifically in his right shoulder and left leg. Sakura who was outside heard Syaoran's painful groans and went in to check him.

"Oh good so you're awake," Sakura commented, ready to lash out at him for what happened today.

"What the hell happened," Syaoran asked, "Did we win?"

Sakura sighed, "Nope. We lost big time. 10 in total survived. Fang Division was slaughtered."

"What?" Syaoran asked in disbelief, "Who the hell called the retreat though. Only I have the authority now."

"Not anymore," Sakura replied pointing to her tattoo, "As you can see, my status within the gang is the same as yours." Syaoran stared in disbelief as he saw that the eyes of the wolf was black just as his signifying that she was also a leading member. However it was he who had ordered that Sakura was ranked as a leading member, he never expected her to actually call a retreat.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU CALL THE RETREAT YOU BITCH?" Syaoran roared feeling extremely angry.

Sakura on the other hand slapped Syaoran as she spoke, "If I didn't, ALL OF US WOULD HAVE DIED YOU BAKA!" Sakura then back handed him but he had grabbed her wrist, but she continued to speak, "Ever since Eriol and Tomoyo died you've been a complete ass. I swear you are so fucking moody. And then before the battle, you just barked out orders to have the weapons ready. You didn't even plan for the battle. You just ran in and fought. What did you expect? Win by fighting and thinking by the seat of your pants? Because of your fucked up leadership, not only have you got the rest of Fang Division killed, you reduced the Delta Division contingent from 30 to 7 in one battle!"

"It was a small sacrifice to avenge their deaths!" Syaoran roared back standing up.

Yet Sakura was far from intimidated, "A SMALL SACRIFICE?" she asked in complete disbelief, "ARE THE LIVES OF 33 MEN AND WOMEN WORTH IT FOR REVENGE? FUCK, MEI-LIN WASN'T EVEN THERE YOU DOLT. THERE WOULD'VE BEEN NO POINT! BUT NOOOO THE GREAT SYAORAN LI, A.K.A. THE BLACK WOLF HAD TO TRY TO PLAY THE HERO AND SENT AN ENTIRE CONTINGENT INTO A HOPELESS BATTLE! Yeah, I can see the honor in that, big time glory, how marvelous."

Syaoran realizing what Sakura said was true, but he fought anyways, "You wouldn't understand."

"Oh really? Oh do tell, try me," Sakura retorted.

"You just wouldn't understand!" Syaoran yelled back trying to find a way to win this argument.

"Oh so that's it? You think that I wouldn't understand because I'm a girl? For fuck sake I've suffered just as much as you did. For god sake even I suffered by Mei-Lin's hand. Not as badly but still, it's just as painful. Fuck I watched my family die before me. You simply watched the aftermath. You and your fucking pride, you and your damn emotional barriers. And now this quest for revenge! You've gotta let the past rest and move on. If you live like this fuck I don't know what the hell I'm gonna do. You take pride in the fact that you killed people in cold blood? The fact that you've shielded yourself from the world so that they can't see the real you? You disgust me Syaoran Li. I swear I wonder how Tomoyo and Eriol even put up with you. They didn't deserve to die for you."

That last remark hit Syaoran hard, "DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE FOR ME? HOW THE FUCK CAN YOU SPEAK SUCH SLANDER ABOUT MY COUSIN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND?"

"I never said such a thing," Sakura replied coldly, "Fact is they could've died for better reasons. THEY COULD'VE DIED OF OLD AGE AFTER SPENDING A LIFETIME TOGETHER. BUT NO, YOU HAD TO BE SUCH A SELFISH BASTARD AND LET THEM DIE DIDN'T YOU. YOU SICKEN ME TO THE DEPTHS OF HELL." Knowing that she had given him a lot to think about, she stormed out slamming the door behind her. Syaoran was dumbfounded as her words hit Syaoran pretty hard. He slumped back into his bed feeling tears forms in his eyes as images of what he saw at the family mansion as well as Eriol's and Tomoyo's bodies began to flash through his mind. He let out a deafening cry as he collapsed on to his knees crying.

So what do you think? A bit excessive? Not enough? Please give me your opinions. If need be I'll revise the chapter. But please leave me your reviews. It'll be greatly appreciated indeed. Till next chapter then.