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.
Thank you sooooooo much to all the people who reviewed last chapter! >much glompage and chocolate given to each an every one of ya! I was really worried that my long absence would make people forget the story, but I'm glad to see some people still want to see it play out. So here, in the midst of a pile of college work, is the next chapter. Not as long as the last I'm afraid, I'm giving Sakura the break she deserves... and a little bit of fluffy filler in there too.
For all those who enjoyed the battle scenes, don't worry, the games continue next chapter!
Until then, enjoy this and please let me know if you're still liking/loving/hating this in a REVIEW!
Hugs
Ja
Chapter 8
Separation Tactics
There was no knock on the door the next morning, no Tomoyo's gentle nudging and to her delight Sakura found the sun had risen well into the sky before she woke in her bed. She lay for a long time just staring at the pale ceiling above her, trying hard to forget the events of last night. Well most of them. She concentrated instead on Syaoran's strong presence, running towards her in the Arena, tending her wounds in a moonlit garden, walking her carefully back to her room to rest. She remembered the way her heart had soared to know he was sleeping just across the hall, and giggled softly to herself as she remembered lying for a time, after Tomoyo had fallen asleep, trying to hear his steady breathing across the distance.
With those thoughts in mind, and sunlight painting their room in gentle pastel shades, Sakura sighed happily for the first time in two days, her hand resting unconsciously on her purpled cheek.
She must have dozed back into slumber, since she jolted awake moments later when the bedroom door slammed open. In the open doorway stood Tomoyo, a plate of food in her hand and a flush on her face.
"Ah Sakura-chan, you're awake. I'm glad."
Sakura opened her mouth to return the greeting but stopped when she saw the anxiety in her amethyst eyes.
"Tomoyo-chan, what's wrong?"
Tomoyo's face contorted guiltily, as if she'd been hoping to hide whatever bothered her from her friend. When she still made no response, Sakura pushed her aching body into a sitting position. She winced inwardly as tired muscles groaned in protest, but managed to stay upright and lock her gaze with Tomoyo's awkward one.
"Tomoyo-chan please, what is it? I'm ok really, tell me."
The dark haired girl sighed quietly, before turning and quickly closing and locking the door. She moved towards the bed and set the plate before Sakura.
"It happened this morning, while you were sleeping, I didn't want to wake you."
Sakura felt her heart lurch as she imagined all sorts of horrible things waiting for Tomoyo to tell. Swallowing hard she nodded to her friend.
"What happened?"
Tomoyo continued, grasping her friend's hand tightly.
"They moved Li-kun to a different room early this morning. I don't know why, but it seemed he wasn't very pleased about it either."
For a moment Sakura sat dumbly, the words not registering. Then, as her senses automatically searched for Syaoran's presence, she found a lump clogging her throat. He wasn't across the hall, or even nearby; she couldn't sense him anywhere.
"He's gone." She whispered faintly.
Tomoyo's hand squeezed tighter, her eyes full of sympathy.
"Gomen nasai Sakura-chan. I didn't even see him at breakfast."
Sakura snapped out of her daze and brought her eyes to fix on her best friend. Immediately the questions began to form and she fired them rapidly.
"Where have they taken him?"
"I don't know."
"Why?"
"They won't say. Anyone. All the staff will tell me is that he's been moved to another wing."
The Card Mistress gaped.
"But there must be hundreds of wings in this place. How will we find him?"
Tomoyo's eyes grew sad as she replied, "I don't think they want us to Sakura-chan."
The words rested heavily on Sakura's mind, a lead weight slowly crushing her good mood. A day ago she wouldn't have believed anyone could be so cold, so cruel. But after last night, after the display she'd seen so far, she found Syaoran's disappearance wasn't really all that surprising. Despite that, the physical loss of his strong presence was enough to drive her back to thoughts of leaving once and for all. She wasn't sure she could do this without his help. Just then Tomoyo's soft voice brought her back from her dark thoughts.
"Before he left," she whispered urgently, "Li-kun was shouting, I heard him from behind the door. He didn't want to leave, but he said he was sure you'd do fine without him. I think he wanted you to hear that Sakura-chan. So please believe him."
Sakura looked fully at her friend, who still pressed her hand comfortingly. Her amethyst eyes were filled with earnest and compassion and in them Sakura found a little of that strength that had filled Syaoran's own the night before. Once again they were just what she needed to break the dread threatening to take over her heart.
"I do Tomoyo-chan. Arigatou gozaimasu."
Tomoyo smiled for the first time and Sakura felt the atmosphere lighten immediately with her friend's mood.
"No problem. Now I think you ought to eat something and then we should use today to unpack. Maybe do a little exploring…"
The mischievous gleam in her eyes made Sakura frown and Tomoyo laughed kindly.
"You never know, we may find someone interesting in one of the other wings."
As realisation dawned the auburn haired girl grinned widely. She was just as curious as Tomoyo to find out why Syaoran had been practically kidnapped in the night, maybe more so, and a little exploration might just solve her inquisitive mind. Until then she had to learn to be strong without him and prepare herself to face the challenges ahead without him at her side. It would be hard, and she was scared, but Tomoyo's never-failing presence would be enough; with her best friend's help she just might stay one more night. Her emerald eyes gleamed as she reached, with renewed vigour, for her plate.
An hour later the girls had been true to their word and unpacked. Unfortunately that had mostly consisted of throwing the contents of their cases around the room and then forgetting to put anything away. After fawning over the exquisite en-suite bathroom and playing with the dimmer light switch, Tomoyo had pounced upon Sakura's lightened mood and forced her into the multitude of new costumes she supplied. Sakura had obliged with an anxious smile, almost enjoying the distraction, and soon getting swept up in the beauty of Tomoyo's adventurous designs. Her twisted ankle wasn't too painful, thanks to Syaoran's gently tending, and her bruised check disappeared beneath her bright smile. By the time the costumes were finished with, both girls had laughed enough to give them stomach ache.
A heavy knock on the door suddenly interrupted their fun and both stopped dead in their tracks, fearing another silent maid or worse another challenge.
"It's too soon surely." Tomoyo whispered, as Sakura's flushed face visibly paled.
Sakura merely nodded, not trusting her nerves to speak, while her hands clenched tightly in front of her. A second knock, louder than the first, made her squeal and cover her eyes. Tomoyo, taking pity, moved over to the door and called out sweetly.
"Who is it?"
"Housekeeping."
The gruff male voice was instantly recognisable. Sakura's eyes flew open, flashing emerald, as a smile lit up her face. Without a word she flew to the door and wrenched it open.
"Onii-chan!"
There in the doorway stood Touya, dressed again in the Li household's elegant black and white uniform. By his shoulder was a flash of silver hair and Sakura squealed a second time.
"Yukito-san! I'm so glad to see you both."
Before she could throw herself at her sibling and his partner, the two stepped briskly into the room, Touya locking the door quickly behind them. Sakura stumbled backwards, startled by their urgent actions and looked questioningly up at Yukito.
"What's wrong? Why are you being so..."
"He's just being careful, Sakura-chan," the young man smiled kindly "We still don't want people knowing we know you ne? It could cause you even more trouble."
Sakura blushed as Tomoyo nodded sagely beside her. Just as she was about to apologise for her exuberant welcome, she felt a huge weight suddenly crush her into something warm and soft. Touya's arms held her tight for a long moment, and Sakura revelled in the security her older brother surrounded her with. Then he'd gone just as quickly as he'd grabbed her, and was crouched down to her level, his deep brown eyes flashing fiercely.
"Don't you ever get involved in some magical death match without telling me ever again! Do you understand?"
Sakura quailed under his fervent words and could only squeak in reply. To her relief Yukito took her brother by the shoulders just as Tomoyo pulled her away towards the bed. As the two girls retreated quietly, Yukito was calming his over-anxious boyfriend.
"She's alright To-ya, you don't need to scare her even more."
Touya let out a deep breath.
"I know she doesn't but she has to stop getting into stupid things like this. Did you see her face? I swear if I ever get my hands on that gaki I'll…"
Yukito laughed lightly as his partner continued to mutter.
"You know I think your sister complex is one of the reasons I love you most."
Touya immediately reddened, his tongue stalled by the other man's words. He tried to reply but couldn't, instead he felt the tension and worry that had kept him up all night slip away, to be replaced with some form of calm. Tenderly he took Yukito's small hand in his own and squeezed.
"Arigatou." He mumbled finally.
Again Yukito laughed and moved towards the two waiting girls. Touya stood for a moment longer, then turned slowly to face his younger sibling, who stared at him in silence.
"Are you ok?" he asked finally.
"Hai arigatou." She replied, her voice still a little unsure of his mood. He sighed inwardly before walking further into the room, reaching out to ruffle her hair.
"Well I suppose it's a nice room for a kaiju ne?"
He sensed more than heard Sakura fume behind him and smirked quietly. When he turned back Yukito was placating the young girl while her best friend Tomoyo captured it all on camera. Touya laughed silently; it was almost like home. Almost. The purple bruise staining his sister's delicate cheek was enough to remind him of the dangerous nest that surrounded them and set his heart racing angrily. But Yuki was right, shouting at her wouldn't change anything. He'd just shout at himself in his room later.
Apparently soothed, Sakura had turned her emerald eyes back towards him.
"So now will you tell me how you knew about all this?"
Touya pointed briefly towards Yukito as he replied.
"He knew. The other one, your Guardian. He told Yuki this was going to be a little more than a holiday and we decided to come and keep an eye on you."
Sakura's eyes widened in amazement. "Yue-san?"
Yukito touched her shoulder comfortingly.
"He was only worried about you Sakura-chan. Don't begrudge him that."
Sakura nodded then, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. Tomoyo spoke curiously from behind the camera.
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you come to be employed by the Li's so… conveniently?"
Yukito answered this time, looking towards the glinting lens, his grey eyes glittering with delight.
"How else?" He said simply and pointed a graceful finger towards Touya's unmoving form.
"Kinomoto-san?" Tomoyo questioned quietly.
Touya simply nodded. "Part-time job." He replied cryptically before looking away, eyes scanning the messy bedroom.
Tomoyo's face was puzzled, but Sakura, used to her Onii-chan, merely grinned. Then her face fell as a question came to her, fit to ruin everything.
"So… are you going to take me home?"
Touya stopped his aimless wandering at the slight tremor in her words. Looking back he saw Sakura knelt tensely on the bed, her body showing signs of fatigue but her eyes shining with determination. He wanted nothing more than to take her away from these people who were obviously hurting her and if it were up to him he'd have done it already. But this was Sakura's fight, as it always was, and he would have to sit back and watch her deal with it. Respect the Card Mistress instead of protecting his little sister. No matter how many times this happened, he realised, it didn't get easier.
"Not if you don't want me to." He replied finally.
The relief in her eyes was evident and he quickly forced a proviso onto the end of his statement.
"But you have to let us help… if we can."
Sakura looked puzzled then, her auburn bangs scattering as she tilted her head questioningly.
"How? What can you do?"
Touya frowned at her lack of faith, but found himself struggling to come up with an appropriate answer. Eventually he came up with,
"Well for a start I can kill that Chinese gaki for getting you into this mess."
Just as Sakura was about explode for the second time, Tomoyo's excited voice interrupted.
"That's it! Li-kun!"
All eyes turned to the dark-haired girl, who held her camera skilfully to the side while she explained herself.
"Do you two know where they have taken Li-kun? Can you find out? After all, Sakura could use his help; it is his family she's facing."
It was Touya's turn to seethe angrily but Sakura's eyes had lit up like Christmas lights, a smile splitting her excited face.
"Please Onii-chan, you have to find him, he can…"
"A-ha!"
Sakura's plea ended abruptly at Yukito's triumphant shout. It was only then she noticed he had moved silently from his place by the side of the bed and was rooting around in the corner of their untidy room. Now he stood tall, a small vanity case held proudly in his outstretched hand. Noticing the silence he had created he moved quickly back over to the bed, where Touya, Tomoyo and Sakura waited wide-eyed and wondering. Placing the box on the bed, he smiled cheerfully.
"Yue-san tells me there's a gift for you Sakura-chan; in here."
Sakura stared questioningly into his warm grey eyes and found him to be serious. Upon further inspection the bag was one she had forgotten about, a piece of hand luggage her father had packed with some biscuits and such, in case they had gotten hungry on their trip. In the midst of all the nerves and excitement Sakura had never opened it.
Now she reached for the zip cautiously, slightly wary of just what had been packed inside without her knowing. The case opened loudly in the waiting silence, as all eyes peered inside.
"Ahhhhhhh! I'M FREE! I'M FREE! WAI! WAI!"
A yellow blur shot from the dark little case, circled the room and crash-landed on the cluttered bedspread. Tomoyo shrieked softly in surprise and Yukito merely chuckled at Sakura's amazed expression.
"Kero-chan!"
The small Sun Guardian sat, panting deeply on the spot where he landed, apparently oblivious to his audience.
"Days I've been locked in there, days! How could you just leave me? And all those cakes and cookies, they disappear so quickly and…"
Sakura shook her head at his ramblings before reaching out with a swift hand and tapping him sharply on the head.
"Kero-chan! What are you doing here!"
The small figure finally looked up to meet the gaze of his Mistress. In a moment, relief, fear and panic flickered across his wide eyes before he finally jumped to his feet and smiled broadly.
"Sakura! You got me out! Arigatou!"
He floated into the air to meet the girl at eye level, posing quickly for Tomoyo's camera on the way past. However, the annoyed expression on Sakura's face was enough to make him falter slightly mid-float.
"S…S…Sakura…"
"Kero-chan. Didn't I tell you to stay at home?"
The small yellow Guardian visibly paled as he smiled uncertainly.
"Well you did but I though it wouldn't be safe and…. protect you…. and cookies… all alone…. Days in the dark…"
His rapid mumbling was cut off as Sakura giggled loudly and pulled him to a fierce hug.
"Oh Kero-chan, I'm so glad you're here!"
After chocking and coughing briefly in her vice like grip the yellow bear struggled free and came to hover in front of her.
"Really?"
Sakura nodded, face smiling brightly.
"Really."
"Wai! Wai!" Kero chanted happily as he flew around the room, soon commenting on the luscious furnishings and the food he was expecting to no one in particular.
Sakura watched him happily till she felt a gentle hand come to rest heavily on her shoulder. She looked over at Touya, who was frowning half-heartedly her way, and then she looked up at Yukito, who squeezed her shoulder comfortingly, before speaking.
"We have to go now Sakura-chan. They'll start to wonder where we are."
Panic flooded her suddenly, as her family prepared to leave again. Then Kero's cries and Tomoyo's cheerful chuckles as she filmed him, reached her ears and reassured. With a sigh she nodded acceptance and turned back to her brother.
"Will you be able to come back?"
"As often as we can." He replied softly.
She smiled then, wanting to reassure both him and Yukito that she'd be fine till then.
As the two men headed towards the door Sakura had a sudden thought.
"Ano! How can I get in touch with you? What if I need your help?"
Touya felt his heart warm at her question, but left it to Yukito to answer. If he stayed with his sister much longer he'd be taking her home no matter whom she was. That's how he'd help her.
"Just ask Kero-chan, Yue thinks he'll be able to move around this place unnoticed."
Sakura nodded silently as the door opened and the couple stepped out into the large corridor.
"Take care, Sakura-chan."
"You too!"
The door closed with a solemn thud.
Sakura's heart sank, as her brother and Yukito's presences slowly disappeared, taking their safeness and security with them. Then she heard Tomoyo's bright voice and forced herself to smile. It would be ok, they were looking out for her now, she wasn't alone.
And if she needed them Kero would get them a message. She too was sure that in his false form, his magical output would be small enough to move throughout most of the Li household undetected. And then he would find them and…
Wait a minute…If Kero could move undetected.
If he could find her brother for her.
Who else could he find?
Sakura smiled, a true smile, and turned towards her friends.
"Oh Kero-chan…"
'… it will be difficult, but please don't be afraid. You have friends here now, family, all looking out for you. And I'm looking out for you, even if I can't be there with you. You can do this Sakura. I know you can.
I will see you soon.
Syaoran.'
The pen shook slightly in his hand as it laid the final stroke. Reading back his words, he could only picture her pretty face as she read it later. Would she laugh? Or worse cry? Frustration filled him up like a balloon and he ruffled his hair irritably, an aggressive growl in his throat.
"Hey Kid I don't have all day."
The small yellow Guardian hovered into Syaoran's line of sight, arms folded, expression annoyed and aloof. Syaoran forced himself to refrain from knocking the winged beast across the room and instead looked back at the note in his hand. He hadn't had much space, as Keroberos, despite his strength, wouldn't be able to remain inconspicuous carrying an entire essay around the house. Instead he'd tried to pour all his support and feelings into a scant few words, enough he hoped to keep Sakura smiling throughout the coming days.
They'd only been separated since yesterday morning but he could already sense her aura flickering with doubt. When Kero had turned up at his door, a wary but ever-superior look on his plushie face, Syaoran had almost, almost, hugged him he was so pleased. Finally things were going their way and it turned out, in more ways than one. The winged messenger had quickly updated him on Sakura's recovered condition and the news about her brother and Tskushiro-san's presence and Sakura herself had also sent him instructions not to try any sort of escape attempts and instead to play along, for now, with his Mother's games. Syaoran had smiled at that, his amber eyes glowing. Maybe she could handle herself; she wasn't as naive as he once thought.
Upon agreeing to her little plan Kero had prepared to leave, promising to remain a constant contact between the two 'camps' as he termed them. It had been an unexpected impulse that had made Syaoran call him back. The winged messenger had been exasperated complaining endlessly as Syaoran rushed to his desk and began to pen his thoughts. Ten minutes later, the paper, ink still drying, was shaking in his hands and Kero's impatient face was hovering ever closer.
"Well are you finished? Can I go now?"
Syaoran sighed again, but this time it was quiet and sounded… scared. Apparently intrigued Kero swung round to face the paper clutched between his fingers. The amber-eyed boy woke abruptly from his daze and clutched the note shyly to his chest.
"I…err…well...I-I…"
He was stuttering! Stuttering in front of a stuffed animal! Syaoran kicked himself mentally, but the crinkling paper in his hands made his stomach do another flop and he cried out exasperatedly. This time it was so loud even Kero backed away slightly.
"Come on Kid it can't be that bad! What's wrong with you? Hmm?"
Staring back at the angry yellow face, Syaoran was startled to sense real concern in the Guardian's pulsing aura. Of course there was a lot of frustration, but underneath it all the plushie actually seemed to… care?
Taking a deep breath, Syaoran closed his eyes and held out his hand; forcing himself to swallow his pride.
"Will she understand?" was all he asked, his voice strained but firm.
Kero's face blanched, lost all expression as his Chinese nemesis actually asked his opinion of something. Syaoran could feel his beady black eyes burning into his hand and the note it held. Finally he sensed the little creature hover towards the extended paper and opened his eyes to find himself looking straight into a round yellow face. But where there was usually a cheery smile, Syaoran found a softened expression, eyes open and honest, that huge eating machine of a mouth set in a determined line.
They stared at each other for a long moment in silence and Syaoran almost felt like he was under the interrogation of Sakura's scary elder brother. But in that split second he was amazed at the depth of concern he found in the Sun Guardian for his Mistress and her very happiness.
"It doesn't matter what it says, she knows."
It was Kero's voice, Syaoran knew, but it was deeper somehow, older and coming from unmoving lips. The words echoed loudly inside Syaoran's mind as he felt the worry in his stomach slowly begin to melt.
Then the moment was over and Syaoran blinked as he felt the note being tugged from his fingers. Kero floated before him, the unread paper gripped tightly in his tiny paws and replied aloud in his usual high-pitched cry
"Of course she will understand. She's Sakura!"
With that, he floated towards the open window and disappeared from sight.
For a brief moment Syaoran was tempted to follow him, to track the plushie's path back to his most important person. Then he remembered her message and instead sat heavily on his bed. Tomorrow his lessons would start again, they'd said. The Elders had requested he restart his training with the intention of keeping him as far from Sakura as possible. Sneaky. But it worked. With them guarding his every move, as he knew they were, he couldn't risk trying to reach Sakura himself, or even protect her from harm with his hands and sword. Instead he had to rely on messengers and words.
He just hoped it was enough.
Just a brief interlude before the fighting commences, I decided that our poor characters needed a rest.
Hope you liked! Please review, let me know, good or bad!
Till next time.
Ja x x