FAMILY TIES
By JustAkiko
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, but the story is all mine.
Setting: At the end of the anime… and the almost end of the manga.
Notes: This fic is mostly canon, focusing more on the manga than the anime. HOWEVER, I wrote this BEFORE I saw the first or second movie, so they have no relevance to this story. Hence the Li family etc are entirely characterised from my imagination.
Gomen! This chapter is so late because studies etc have crept up on me recently and kept me from the important things in life, like Sakura and Syaoran and fan fic hehe.
However it's here at last, and to make up for the wait, we finally get the reunion we've all been waiting for! But is it as happy as expected?
Shippiness ahoy!
Read on, enjoy and please leave a REVIEW! Feedback is my friend :)
Ja
CHAPTER 4
Stepping Up
Riiiing…. Riiing… rii..
"Moshi Moshi."
"Meiling?"
"Syaoran? Is that you?"
"Yeah. Er… how are you?"
"I'm… fine… Syaoran, is everything ok?"
"…"
"Syaoran?"
"I'm going to Tomoeda. Tomorrow. Is there anything I can do for you while I'm there?"
"What? You're going back there? You mean to stay? Oh Syaoran how could you…"
"No Meiling…"
"…won't your Mother go insane? But how romantic, to… "
"…Meiling I don't…"
"…I'll miss you so much…"
"… Meiling…"
"… but I understand. Kinomoto-san needs you and you need her too. You know I'm actually quite pleased, I mean you've taken so long to…"
"MEILING!"
"Yes?"
"This isn't permanent. There's just… something I have to do. I'll be back next week."
"…"
"What is it Meiling?"
"But what about Sakura-chan? Is your Mother still angry?"
"No. I'm hoping that after all this is over, she'll be happy for me. For both of us."
"After what is over, Syaoran?"
"… Her price."
The door slammed closed behind her and Sakura was still pulling on her left shoe, desperately hoping that at least her uniform was straight this morning.
"See you later!" she cried, hopping awkwardly down the front steps of her home, before taking off down the street at a run. 'Damn high school, not allowing roller blades on campus!' She had only been at Seijou two weeks and already she'd been 'almost-but-not-quite-late' eight out of the ten days. "Touya's gonna tease me sooo much for still oversleeping' she mused grimly as her feet pounded the tough concrete path she knew so well. This new school routine was going to cost her father a fortune in shoes she could feel it.
Once she was down the street and round the corner, she allowed her mad pace to slow slightly, still keeping up a gentle run to beat the clock. With a deep breath she looked up and smiled at the cherry blossoms swirling around her. She loved it when they were in season, and being herded to school by them each morning. Glancing around, she realised just how much of a beautiful day she was missing in her hurry. The sun was shining warmly as it began to climb through the sky, the air smelled sweet and birds littered the day with snatches of song; it was a perfect spring morning. Maybe she wouldn't be late after all. Concentrating again on her path, Sakura grinned to realise that there, making the image complete, was a Seijou student standing at the far corner of the path, just as she'd seen Yukito-san do every day for so long. It was a morning full of memory… but it was quite a different one that made her pounding feet stumble to a sudden halt.
That bear. Those wings. She could see the golden thread she'd used to embroider the white material glittering brightly in the early morning light. Two button black eyes seemed to wink cheekily at her, urging her to look up into the face of its owner. But Sakura couldn't move. That bear, that particular bear, was supposed to be a million miles away in a whole other country. She couldn't be seeing it now. Unless…
Excitement, and a healthy dose of fear, caught in her throat and stopped her heart for an endless moment, as slowly, so slowly, she dragged her gaze up the arm, past the shoulder to the face now staring directly at her. The uniform wasn't Seijou, and carried no symbol of any school she recognised; the tie was smart but crooked, as though it's owner had fidgeted with it one too many times. Finally her eyes found his. In that instant her heart jumped into her mouth as she let out a small gasp.
"Syaoran…?"
His face barely moved, just a quirk of lips and a glint in those beautiful amber eyes.
"I'm back." He replied simply, and Sakura felt her knees go weak at the honeyed sound of that long lost voice.
"Really…?" She squeaked, her own voice stalling.
Dancing eyes, a flash of teeth.
"Yeah."
She smiled then and took a tentative step towards him then almost cried when he stepped closer too.
"So… I don't have to settle for letters or phone calls anymore?" she asked hesitantly her heart still expecting her to wake up any moment.
His smile was all the answer she needed, but he spoke anyway.
"No Sakura. Not anymore."
The tears did come then, pooling in her eyes and slipping slowly down her glowing cheeks. Unable to hold back, and no longer afraid, all thoughts of school disappeared as she gave a laughing cry and fell into his waiting arms.
"Then we'll be together…" she whispered fervently into his chest, as his arms tightened delightfully around her, "We'll be together forever."
Her smile lit up her ecstatic face and the street around them, burning bright as the morning sunshine.
She never noticed Syaoran's face fall.
Dusk fell quietly over Tomoeda, as the sun began to slip below the horizon, painting the sky in purple twilight. While its people prepared to rest, a perfect day was coming to an end on the swings of Penguin Park. Sakura smiled, for what felt like the millionth time, as a gentle pressure on her back propelled her towards the sky. But it wasn't the sweet rush of air or the weightlessness of it all that made her heart leap, it was the person pushing her and she willed the swing to descend quicker, just to feel the press of those hands one more time.
He had returned, her most important person and better still her fears of rejection were dashed the minute he'd taken her in his arms. Finally, after two long years apart, he was close enough to touch, to hold, to kiss… Sakura blushed violently at her own thoughts, but her embarrassment melted into a cheerful laugh as Syaoran sent her swinging higher.
"You ok?" she heard him ask, as she returned to earth for another endless moment. Turning her head quickly she just managed to nod a yes, before he swung her again, his own eyes sparkling. It was perfect, just perfect and Sakura still found herself unable to believe the reality of the day they'd just had; but as she was pushed once more towards the shimmering sky she felt her doubts slip away on the cherry scented breeze.
The movie had been nice, the food even better and the ice cream in the park had been the perfect topping to a perfect day. But this was Syaoran's favourite part of the entire evening. Their pilgrimage to the swings, where so many of their previous encounters had taken place, was almost natural. But instead of talking over worries and woes, this time was for fun and Sakura had almost squealed with delight when he'd first begun to swing her. Syaoran's heart had glowed and still did each time he tentatively made contact with her returning body.
There had been awkwardness at first. Meeting her in the street before school had probably not been the smartest of moves. Syaoran had almost kicked himself when the disbelief in Sakura's eyes had almost turned to fear. And yet as she'd fallen into his embrace all thoughts of unease had vanished. They'd walked, or rather raced, to Seijou High shortly after, and both he and Sakura had spent the morning blushing brightly as friends old and new crowded around the re-united couple. No one asked questions, good or bad and the sparkle in Tomoyo's eyes had told Syaoran he'd made the right decision in coming here.
Yet the thought was always there, at the back of his mind, waiting to be revealed and ruin everything.
But Sakura's smile and laughing chatter had swept him away before he'd had time for confessions. They'd raced back to her home, changed, and left immediately for town. Tomoeda hadn't changed much; things just seemed quieter than before. They'd talked about everything and nothing, he'd told her about his school in China; she'd updated him on Tomoyo and their other friends. Even their silences had been filled with excitement when he'd cautiously curled his fingers around hers. Syaoran couldn't help the smile that split his face when she hadn't pulled away. They'd walked like that, hand in hand, to Penguin Park and now Sakura's bell like laughter was heralding the arrival of evening, as a few pale stars began to litter the darkening sky.
Time was running out and not even Sakura's smile could stop Syaoran from realising what he had to do. It was time to ruin their perfect day.
The dusty path scraped beneath Sakura's feet as she finally slowed to a steady stop. Only now did she notice just how late it was getting. She would have to return home soon or her father would worry. 'Still,' she mused as she felt Syaoran's hands rest comfortably on her shoulders 'it's not like I have to leave right away.' She smiled indulgently, closing her eyes and leaning back against his warm frame.
"Sakura…"
Sakura's eyes flew open at the grave whisper of her name. It was then she registered the tension in Syaoran's body, the anxious grip he held her with. Her heart stopped for a brief moment. Was this it? Had she been right all along? Had today just been a lie and Syaoran was about to tell her he had no feelings for her anymore? She felt her throat constrict painfully, too tight to answer him, and forced herself to inhale.
"Hmm?" she finally managed.
Silence was her answer, and if it weren't for his ever tightening grip, she'd have believed Syaoran had left her there, alone, in the dark. The thought shook her from her mental paralysis and she turned her head to look him in the face.
"Syaoran-kun, what is it?"
His eyes made contact with hers for a fleeting second before he dropped his gaze. He was… nervous? Afraid? The all too familiar pout was returning, his face shutting off any emotion, even to her. But in his warm hands, still cupping her shoulders, she found compassion and with it hope. He had something to tell her, but maybe it wasn't as bad as she was expecting.
"Syaoran please. What's wrong?" she pleaded, reaching up to take his hand in her own but he pulled away quickly and Sakura felt her insides quiver. Maybe he really didn't feel the same. Perhaps this perfect day was coming to a terrible end.
The touch of her fingers on his was too much, alongside the guilt already coursing through his blood, and Syaoran pulled away sharply. The moment he did however he regretted it. The fear and pain that flashed through her startled green eyes was enough to make him want to drop to his knees and start apologising right then. But the harsh set of her lips and clenching of her fists was enough to tell him he hadn't lost her yet. She was upset but she was also somewhat angry and she wanted an explanation.
Taking a deep breath, Syaoran took a step towards his most important girl. He saw the relief flash through her eyes, even while she fought to continue looking defiant. That made him smile, just a small curving of his lips as he settled on the swing next to hers and looked out at the empty park.
Cherry blossoms lay thick on the grass and paths, carpeting the area till it appeared to have snowed. The sun was disappearing fast but the sky still glowed with a soft luminescence. At that moment, with Sakura by his side, Syaoran wished more than anything that he didn't have to do this; that he could just stay here in Tomoeda with the cherry blossoms and his own Sakura for the rest of his days.
The pressure of soft fingers, slipping between his own was enough to drag him from his dreaming and back to the present. With a reassuring squeeze of Sakura's hand he took another breath before beginning.
"I can't stay here Sakura."
There. He'd said it. It was done. And if the pressure on his fingers was any indication it had had the effect he'd been expecting.
"What? Why?" Her voice broke the tense silence, pleading for a reasonable explanation. Syaoran tried to look at her, to maybe make her believe it was ok, but couldn't tear his gaze away from his own two feet.
"It's… complicated." He managed finally, "My family, my Mother, they want me to stay in China. I have family… business to deal with."
He sensed Sakura nodding, a disbelieving grimace tainting her beautiful face.
"But… but you can still come visit right?" she asked suddenly, her voice now that hopeful shrill that had gotten them out of so many problems in the past. "I mean school holidays and things, and there's summer and… and anyway school and stuff can't last forever right?"
Syaoran almost laughed at the single-minded surety in her words. But she still didn't know the whole story. With a deep sigh he finally looked up into her face. Her smile was fragile, hesitant, but the determination in her eyes shook his heart.
"You don't understand." He whispered roughly "My family is one of the largest Clan's in China. Being a part of that it… the responsibilities are huge. And.. and they want me to take charge it all when I reach eighteen."
"Then I'll come to you."
Her response was so fast, so definite, that it shocked Syaoran into silence. The passion in her eyes was so intense that for a moment he was ready to throw caution to the wind and stay in Japan no matter what his mother or the Elders said about it. But reality, like a cold wind, brushed away the idea in seconds and suddenly her enthusiasm was too much for him to bear. Shaking his head he turned away from her eager face.
"No. You can't."
"No. You can't."
The words were cold and angry and Sakura didn't know where that anger was directed. All she knew was that after returning suddenly into her dull and normal life, Syaoran was telling her that they couldn't see each other again. Ever. Not on weekends or holidays or… ever.
The words hurt, they stung like a wound covered in salt. In a flash all her insecurities returned and she felt tears pool in her eyes.
"Do you hate me that much?" she whispered.
Pain painted Syaoran's face then, and for a moment Sakura was almost pleased. But when he jumped up and fell to his knees before her she felt nothing but sadness and regret. His hands clutched hers painfully as he shook his head, eyes fixed firmly on her own.
"No! No never that. I don't hate you Sakura, I… I love you."
She smiled then despite everything, even as a single tear slipped silently down her cheek.
"I love you too Syaoran." She whispered and her heart leapt at the surprise in his eyes. But this was no time for sentimentality she needed answers. "So why can't I be with you?"
The boy sighed heavily, his head drooping on his shoulders.
"My Mother." He answered finally, "And the Elders."
"What do they have to do with this?" she asked uncertainly. She'd never known much about his family in China, despite asking hundreds of questions in letters and such. Now maybe she was going to find out.
But what she heard made Sakura wish she'd never asked. The honour-bound life Syaoran described himself as part of was not how she saw her future. She didn't want to live by the rules of a Council of Elders; she wanted to live out her future free and happy, as her own parents had. When Syaoran told her of the bad feeling she had incurred in members of his Clan her heart froze. So that was it. It was his family, not Syaoran, who had no love for her. It was they who wanted them kept apart, because of jealousy, pure and simple jealousy.
Well she refused to let ignorance on their part take away her happiness. But when she told Syaoran this he didn't put up the fight she had expected. He seemed hopeless, resigned to their fate and the decision of his family and that worried her. This was not the Syaoran she knew.
"So what do we do?" she asked finally, when his tale was told and he sat once more at her side on the second swing. "Is this a… a goodbye?" It felt as if the words were crushing her very heart as they echoed painfully in the silence between them. She looked towards Syaoran, expecting a despondent shrug, but to her surprise he looked her straight in the eye.
"I didn't want to ask you this. But there is one way."
Sakura's heart leapt as finally, finally, the old Syaoran looked back at her. He had an idea, a plan, they could work together as they always had and beat this like any other enemy. She fought not to squeal as he continued.
"My Mother gave us a choice."
Any hope she'd garnered deflated at the statement. His mother, the woman who had started this whole awful ordeal, had offered them a choice. Somehow Sakura knew she would regret asking. "What?"
"Come back with me and prove yourself to the Li Clan."
Sakura felt her eyes widen incredulously as fear and disbelief vied for supremacy in her mind. And yet despite the madness of the idea, she couldn't refuse. It might be her only chance to keep Syaoran in her life. She couldn't live without him, not for another two years and definitely not forever. She was afraid, terrified, of meeting the very people Syaoran had just told her hated her, but if it meant staying together then… perhaps she could face her fear.
"How do I do that?" she asked quietly, still not ready to commit herself to anything. To her surprise she watched a glimmer of hope flash in the depths of his honey brown eyes as Syaoran replied.
"Show them your magic, your power. They want to see you use the Cards and prove that both they and you are worthy of Clow's heritage."
"But I haven't used my magic in years!" Sakura cried anxiously, "What if I don't remember everything we did, I mean… I was never trained like you Syaoran it was all just luck and trust and the Cards and…" She was rambling, she knew it, but the prospect of putting on a show of her power to people who already doubted her was too much for Sakura. She couldn't gamble her love on an ability she had long since put aside.
Strong hands were suddenly framing her cheeks and when she looked out she found herself just inches away from Syaoran's earnest face. Despite the situation she felt herself blushing, as the tickle of his breath across her cheek made her rambling tongue slow to a stop.
"I can't do this Syaoran." She whispered weakly, lost in his warm amber gaze.
"Yes you can." He insisted, confidence now burning brightly in his eyes. "I know you can. Sakura, please, it's our only chance."
Darkness had almost fully settled over Penguin Park. The gentle breeze was now cold and harsh and the shadows hid the cheerful cherry blossoms from her sight. Sakura felt the warmth of his palms seep into her skin and warm her heart. She was safe, she had Syaoran. Now it was her job to keep it that way.
"Alright." She finally whispered, "I'll go."
'I just hope,' she thought to herself, 'that everything is going to be alright.'
Thanks for reading! Please leave feedback if you can...
Ja
Extra Notes: I know I gave Syaoran his Chinese name when his family referenced him, however Meiling always used Syaoran in the anime. So to stay as true to that as I can (and I'm already pushing it hehe) I'm gonna keep that here too. Hope that's sits ok.
Also, I'm acknowledging that I used the happening froms the final epilogue scene from CLAMP's final manga in the CCS:Master Of The Clow series as part of this chapter.
And apologies for the use of page breaks in the text, I'm new to uploading long fics here and haven't yet worked out how to keep asterixs etc on the oage during an upload, to seperate sections instead. If anyone does now please let me know and I'll pay in internet cookies hehe (the chocolatey kind ;) ). I hope to get it sorted out soon.
Arigatou.