Disclaimer: CCS, TRC, X and all their characters belong to CLAMP. The fanfic, however is mine.
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Incurable - A TRC Syaoran Drama/Tragedy Fic
Chaptire 6 - Ocean
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9:20 PM
Sirens. Patients stirred from their sleep, as a flock of nurses raced down the hallway. A message repeated itself over the intercom.
"Attention staff. We have an escape. I repeat. Patient 1493, Li Syaoran, has escaped."
"Nurse!" An infuriated man in thick glasses grabbed a young woman by the sleeve, pulling her from the cluster of panicked doctors.
"Sir?"
"There's a tracker, we've implanted on 1493. He's headed towards the cliffs, just east of here, and we must retrieve him. You're in charge. Take a team of 12. We can't let word get out that we let one escape... restrain that woman, Monou, if necessary. If she goes to the media there'll be no end of trouble." As the words poured from the man's mouth, the jade-eyed girl nodded, doing her best to retain all the information she was being given.
"I'll do my best, sir." With a quick bow, she turned to follow after the crowd of nurses that had rushed past, in the direction of the exit.
-----
"We're here, Kotori-san." Kotori heard a soft voice in her ear, matched by a gentle, warm breath... Her eyes fluttered open, and she spotted Syaoran beside her, his face calm, unblinking. She felt her cheeks turn red.
"Yes! Right! I... I fell asleep." She shook her head, standing quickly. What am I doing! I'm acting like a child! It was unusual to feel so awkward around anyone, let alone a simple boy. She quickly made her way off of the bus, and out onto black pavement bordered by sand. A street light flickered above them, the sole source of light as far as the eye could see, save for the red lights from the rear of the bus as it made it's way back down the main road.
She reached for Syaoran's hand and squeezed it, giving him a quick smile. "The beach is this way."
He nodded, and allowed her to lead him down a rough path through the sand. He inhaled the unfamiliar salty aroma, and struggled to readjust his cape, as the wind constantly threatened to blow it over his head towards the water. They rounded a corner, and emerged onto flat, seemingly endless plain of white sand.
Kotori smiled broadly, taking in the familiar scenery as she moved forward towards the crashing waves, when suddenly something held her arm back. Glancing behind her, she spotted Syaoran, eyes wide, feet planted firmly in the sand, facing the vast expanse of water. It looked as if he was forgetting to breathe.
"Syaoran?"
With a deep sucking sound, he relaxed a bit, do to lack of oxygen. Kotori stifled a giggle, as he stared at her. "I've never seen so much water before..."
"Well water isn't just for looking at, silly." She tightened her grip on his hand and took off at a half-run, across the sand. She stumbled several times, over the unfamiliar terrain, but found that she didn't really need to pull him, as he was keeping up remarkably well. When they were inches from the darker sand, bordering the water's breaking point, she skidded to a stop, plopping down on the sand. Immediately she gripped her shoes, and began to slide them off her feet.
Syaoran sat down beside her, and raised an eyebrow. "Kotori-san? Etou... what are you doing?" He leaned forward, watching her intently as she threw her socks to the side, and shook off her jacket.
"We're going swimming, of course. Now come on!" She nudged him, playfully, leaving him gazing at her dazedly. Impatient at his lack of response, she lunged forward, gripping his shoe, and pulling hard and fast. The result was his entire leg flying into the air, and his head smacking against the sand, as the grinning blonde woman tugged upwards on his sneaker. Eventually, and luckily, in Syaoran's case ( he was getting a good shaking from her tugging), the covering came off, followed by a sock.
Kotori casually tossed them near where she had abandoned her shoes, and then dropped his bare foot. "Do you need help with the other one as well, dear?" She said, smirking slightly, and gesturing at the other, covered, foot. Very quickly, he leapt up to a sitting position and nodded his head. She smiled at the accelerated pace with which he threw his shoe and sock off, then cast aside his cape, while he quickly began to roll up his pants.
"I assume you've swum before, Syaoran?" She stood fully, and gripped his hand once more, pulling him to her feet, with little struggle. He was almost alarmingly light, for a young man.
Syaoran nodded. "I can swim. I visited lakes, and many other such places back then..." His eyes flashed, recalling a past occurrence, and he shivered. No, not now. Not here. Syaoran shook his head, pushing the past to the back of his mind as best as he could. Tonight was tonight. He wouldn't force Kotori to see anymore of his past, if he could help it. Though... the way Kotori was so eager... he couldn't help but be reminded of her...
"Syaoran? You okay?" Syaoran was brought back to reality by a slight tap on the shoulder paired with Kotori's motherly gaze.
Though he couldn't see it, Syaoran's skin had lost most of the slight pink it had, after being indoors for months. He nodded, weakly, feeling a slight dizzy sensation. The dreams were coming to haunt him again, and once they started...
Before he realized it, his toes felt something ice cold, then the rest of his foot, causing him to let out a wolfish yelp. Glancing down, he spotted a foamy substance surging up the beach behind him, covering his feet and ankles as it went. A moment after his feet became submerged, he realized what the swirling substance must be, and gasped.
"The ocean... Tou-san told me about the ocean..." He closed his eyes, feeling tears form beneath the lids. "But I never could've imagined it would feel like this." He opened his eyes again, turning to see a beaming Kotori beside him.
"There are some things you just need to experience to truly understand. Things that can't be described, only felt." Kotori closed her eyes, tilting her head upwards towards the cloudless midnight sky.
The pair remained side by side, as the waves quietly rolled in over their feet, and then cascaded backwards, only to be returned to the shore once again - a never-ending cycle. If only the rest of life could be this peaceful...
"It's cold." Kotori shivered slightly, and Syaoran turned to look at her.
"Yeah. Come on..." This time he was the one to move first, turning to wander further up the sand to where they had abandoned their shoes.
Tugging Kotori by the hand as he did so, Syaoran sat down on the beach and immediately reached for his cape. As she watched him, she expected he'd simply recover herself with it, but before she could react he already had the cape over his head and the majority of it, draped over her. He gave a slight smile, as he slid closer to her, so that the material would cover her better. "You were cold." He explained, quietly, as he turned to look at the dark waters of the ocean before them.
She opened her mouth to say something, but changed her mind. A wide grin formed on her face as she watched his toes work their way into the sand.
"I think I've finally met your true self, Syaoran." As the words left her mouth she felt the color rise in her cheeks, and proceeded to stare at her toes. Surprise and confusion mixed on his face as he turned to look at her.
"My true self?"
She nodded, not taking her eyes off of her sand-coated feet. "Who you once were. Who you were to her. Who you still are, deep down..." She stopped, checking to make sure her words hadn't struck too wrong of a chord. She then continued, softly. "and I think I like it... this Syaoran."
Syaoran's eyes widened as he stared at her. His true self. Who he once was... Could he now tell her their whole story? The feelings of being abandoned, of a smile like sunshine... Of the dimension witch, and words that slice like knives at the heart... His true self. His story.
"Kotori-san..."
But as the words left his mouth he heard a loud slam - metallic... A car door? Footsteps... Syaoran leapt to his feet, pulling an alarmed Kotori up with him. Not bothering to put his shoes on he screamed towards the shoreline. "Show yourselves immediately!"
Almost instantly, they descended down the sand, running at the pair, each holding a stout gun of some sort, all pointed at Syaoran. He scowled, and took a step forward, arms extended, the breeze blowing his cape nearly obscuring Kotori from view. He was shielding her. Within seconds, the strangers had formed a circle of nearly a dozen around them, weapons raised, waiting...
"Don't move, Syaoran Li."
A voice called out from among those surrounding him. Syaoran's eyes swept across the circle, his irritation rising with each cold stare he spotted, and each long white coat. They were doctors, he understood. He also understood why they were there, and what they wanted to do with him...
Suddenly, as though by flick of switch, Syaoran stiffened. They were going to take him back there, to the white room... they were going to inject him again - restrain him until he stopped screaming. Another year, a decade? How long would they keep him there? How long would this punishment continue?
How long must he dream of his greatest mistake?
"We'd prefer it if you'd stay stationary as well, Kotori Monou." As the words were spoken, two of the nurses turned to point their weapons at her, causing her to freeze, her panic rising. "An escaped, mentally unstable patient and his clearly unstable nurse. We've been ordered to bring you two back to our superiors. Please come quietly."
"We will do no such thing..." he whispered, head lowered, jaw clamped tight.
Kotori's eyes widened, as she saw Syaoran's form begin to tremble. Quietly, she uttered his name, so that only he could hear...
"Syaoran?"
As the last syllable escaped her lips, Syaoran turned to face her. The moment his angered eyes met her terrified ones, Syaoran shattered. His eyes widened, their usual amber glow turned dark, as he let out a rumbling growl. The growl rose to a howl, and then a scream.
"If you want to take me, kill me, then! I won't succumb to these nightmares anymore!" In a flash, Syaoran had lunged for the nearest nurse to him, knocking her weapon aside with his right arm, and driving his left palm into her face, twisting her neck till it released a soft 'crack!'. The nurse fell limply to her knees as the rest of the circle began to move in towards the enraged boy.
Kotori gasped at the sudden force of his first attack, and watched as the second nurse nearest him him had his neck promptly snapped, with a quick twisting motion by Syaoran. As one approached from behind him, he turned to send his knee into the woman's stomach, his eyes briefly passing over Kotori. They had turned a darker shade of brown, their usual amber shine lost, and were bloodshot. He bared his teeth once more, and screeched at the new set of attackers.
The group behind him, he greeted by thrusting his palms on to the sand, in a handstand, springing feet first at two stunned doctors. He followed through with the kicking motion, springing to his feet, on top of the two victim's chests.
Kotori sat, her jaw agape at the sudden fighting prowess her companion had displayed. Unbeknownst to her, the two who had first approached her had crept up behind her, needles in hand. Swiftly one grabbed her neck, and the other lightly laid her weapon against her throat. Kotori let out a startled yelp, causing Syaoran to turn, having knocked the other nurses to the ground already. For a moment his eyes flashed, in half-recognition, and he ran at her.
Before the first nurse beside Kotori could act, Syaoran had swung a leg upward, striking her chest and toppling her on to her back in the sand. The other, however, was faster. She flicked the needle dangerously close to Kotori's throat as her green eyes locked with Syaoran's.
"Freeze, or the good doctor dies."
Syaoran froze, though not out of obedience, three feet from Kotori and the stranger. His eyes widened, as his arms fell limply to his sides. The stranger smirked, tilting her head backwards so that the longer portions of her shoulder-length hair fell away from her face.
"It appears you know the effects of a lethal injection... surprisingly bright for an Incurable, Mr. Li..."
Without warning, he had sunk to his knees, trembling. He dug his hands into his thick chestnut hair, clutching his head, as if in pain. Kotori let out a worried cry, and glanced at the woman holding her captive, hoping to spot a cause for Syaoran's breakdown. Her jaw fell open, as he said exactly what she was thinking...
"Sakura-hime."
Sakura smirked, unfazed by his knowledge of her identity. "My name, yes... Now if you'll simply come with me, I won't have to hurt your little... friend here."
Her words were met with an icy silence, broken only by the sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline. Syaoran's trembling grew deeper, and suddenly were accompanied with labored gasps.
"Well then, Li Syaoran? Will you come with-"
"Wait, Sakura-hime..." He interrupted, his voice barely over a whisper. She raised her eyebrows, but said nothing, allowing him to continue.
"Forgive me! Onegai! Forgive my for my horrible sins against you... I never wanted any of this. I loved you so much. SO much... I just wasn't strong enough, for you, and everyone. Oh, god, forgive me, please..." Syaoran clamped his eyes shut, struggling to keep his breathing steady, until at last his voice broke, and he began to sob once more, leaning forward towards Sakura's feet.
Sakura simple smirked, again, unmoved by his confession. Kotori, however gazed down at the boy sympathetically. If only she could just hold him...
"Come with me, then, Li Syaoran. All will be forgiven, now follow me..." Her smirk widened into a grin, her eyes staring cooly, unfeeling at his trembling form, as he lifted his head a shocked expression on his face. Kotori went rigid.
"I...I just want to tell her I'm sorry... I want to tell her how I feel... Hold her in my arms." His voice wavered, his face that of a lost child, having found home at last, as he gazed up at the living image of his dead beloved. Kotori was suddenly filled with anger.
"All will be well, now..." Sakura withdrew from her pocket a second injection gun, with a blue colored fluid within. "Just let me lay a hand on you..."
Kotori watched as if in slow motion, the hand creeping towards the oblivious boy. She held her breath, as she realized that he was headed for unconsciousness by way of this mysterious drug. Finally, the words came to her lips, as the needle grazed his neck.
"She's not your Sakura-hime, Syaoran!" Her shriek startled Sakura, causing her to glance back, lowering both needles, as Syaoran froze.
"Sa...ku...ra... jya... nai?" (a/n: "It's not Sakura?". Pardon the wapanese.)
"She just wants to take you back there!" She stared at him, a look of pleading in her eyes. This time his eyes met hers.
"But... she says..."
Kotori's voice climbed, and tears formed in her eyes. "Would your Sakura do this? DId Sakura ever hurt anyone?"
Syaoran's face fell. The vacancy fading from his eyes, to be replaced only by the darker shade which she recognized from before. Sakura's eyes widened, as he turned to look up at her. Three words, and she knew her fate was sealed.
"How dare you..."
With a roar, Syaoran thrust his palm forward, striking her stomach, and sending her flying backwards. He rose to his feet, and approached her where she had landed on the ground.
"How dare you even think you were anything like Sakura-hime!" His voice peaked, as he plunged his hands downward, until at last, it collided with her chest, and pierced it, staining her white coat a sickening red, as she took a last gasping breath, her jade eyes staring coldly into his darkened amber ones. Syaoran found himself crouched down, panting, a low growl in his throat.
Kotori was motionless, her eyes wide with fear at the return of his intensity. After a few seconds, she took a step forward, standing above Syaoran. Slowly, she squatted down and laid a hand lightly on his shoulder.
With a jerk, he whirled around, bloodshot eyes locking with hers as both gasped. The whooshing sensation both had come to recognize as 'the usual' entrapped both, as Syaoran was sucked into another memory...
- - -
NO! God, NO! His scream echoed in the large room.
The hand... his hand, red... It took a moment for him to realize where it was his hand was. A knife, clutched in his hand, had been sent straight through...
NO, GOD, NO. SAKURA-HIME! Tears flowed down his face, as he regained full control over his movements, the knife falling limply to the floor, along with the wide-eyed girl, drenched in crimson. Syaoran dove forward, to catch the falling princess, who had begun to tremble slightly.
Sakura-hime... Oh, God, what have I done? This wasn't supposed to happen! How could I! He pulled her body closer to him, as she gazed up at him.
'You... didn't mean it... Syaoran...kun.' Her words came in between gasps for air, and were followed by coughing paired with red from her mouth.
Oh, Sakura-hime... I never got you all your feathers, never told you... His voice faded, as she lifted a trembling finger to his lips.
'No... you were brave, Syaoran-kun... I'm so glad I could... meet someone like you... before...' Her voice faded as her breathing grew more shallow, as the red color now began to form around her lips, plentiful as the tears on Syaoran's face.
No! You're not... you're not going anywhere! He screamed, pulling her body close to her, breathing in the sweet scent of cherry blossoms, paired, unfortunately, with the metallic taste most associated with death - blood. Though, his words of reassurance were more for his sake... We'll get help! Just stay with me!
'No...' She whispered, her voice fading. 'I think... if I have to die... I wouldn't want anyone else... So...' She stared up at him determinately, and he nodded, pleadingly, for her to continue.
'I want you to use my tsubasa, when I...'
NO! Sakura-hime, I can't do that... Please, just hang on... his voice cracked, as hers softened with each syllable.
'Take them, and leave... my last wish... for you...' Her eyes began to close, as his widened.
Sakura! Sakura, I...
'Always, Syaoran-kun... I always...' Her voice stopped, along with her shaking.
Sakura, I love you so much! I always have! Rapidly, he brought her face up to his, placing his mouth against hers, in his first kiss, of sorts. Gently he laid his head against her chest, listening for a heartbeat. The silence which greeted him left him motionless, cradling her body.
As he did so, a sinister laughter was heard behind him, he turned his head to spot the other, staring at him, a broad grin on his face. 'So she's dead, then?'
YOU! Syaoran's eyes widened, and then his face shifted into a frown, as he bared his teeth at the look-alike. YOU KILLED HER! I'LL KILL YOU! He screamed at the boy, who merely responded with a quiet smile, and a point over Syaoran's shoulder.
Syaoran saw a soft light gathering around the princess, centered around her chest. With a soft ringing sound, he stared as 7 feathers began to drift upward, hovering above Syaoran's head.
No... not yet! His hands still clutched Sakura's body, as the feathers above him began to glow, directing their light at him. He turned, spotting his other, grinning broadly, as the light began to form a cocoon around him, blocking all from view. As he began to fade, he felt Sakura's presence fade from his arms. NO! No, no, no, no...
He leapt to his feet to try and protest, but as he did so, the blood-stained room faded before him, as he left the princess, and her murderer behind.
Sakura...
As soon as it had disappeared, a new world replaced the previous one, as the cage of light dissipated from around him. Immediately, he looked up, looking for the feathers, but saw nothing but blue sky... no wait. A familiar amber-eyed boy stared at him from a few feet away, a look of surprise on his face. Another Syaoran.
You... Syaoran leapt to his feet, snatching his sword by the handle, and unsheathing it. You killed her... His eyes burned with anger, as the other began to back away, shaking his head in disagreement.
'I don't know what you're talking about! How did you get here? Who are-' But his words were cut off by Syaoran's scream as he lunged at him, his blade spearing the boy through his chest in a burst of red.
Die, die, die...
- -
"Die!"
"Syaoran!" As the words left her mouth, Kotori felt something hard collide with her stomach, as Syaoran swung his arm at her. The strength of the blow knocked her backwards onto the sand, her head hitting something hard, sending her into unconsciousness.
A split second later Syaoran's eyes snapped open, as he returned to reality. He turned to his side, and gasped, seeing Kotori's limp form on the beach.
"I... Not again, no..." He stood, and began to back away, feeling his panic rising. "I'm so sorry..."
As the words left his mouth, he turned, and ran, still barefoot down the darkened beach.
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There was some one-sided Kotori-Syaoran in that, I think...gah. I swore I wouldn't. Just one chaptire to go, now! Excited?
