Hey everyone! Thanks for your reviews as always *hugs everyone* here is chapter five!
In the morning Sakura woke earlier than she had expected; her robe had moved out of place slightly, so she fixed it and then quietly got out of bed, careful not to wake her husband who appeared to still be sound asleep. She got dressed, constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure he hadn't woken, and then quietly snuck out the bedroom door.
Syaoran, who was already awake but pretending to be asleep, quickly dressed himself and followed her. She was heading towards the front door, and just as she was about to open it he slammed his hand against it, stopping her immediately.
"So you were awake. Next time I'll be more careful." She muttered.
"Where do you think you were going?" he demanded calmly.
"Out to get some fresh air." She replied with a sweet smile.
"And I'm just going to believe that?" He laughed harshly. "Just because I let you go last night, it doesn't mean it will happen again, sweetheart."
She laughed bitterly. "Don't think I don't know that."
He pushed her against the wall and Sakura found herself in the familiar situation of her hands being pinned above her head with one of his hands while he cradled her jaw with his other. She couldn't move, and he knew it, and he smiled.
"You are a beautiful woman, that can't be denied." He said as he examined her face.
"Why, thank you." She replied with a bitter smile.
"So, where were you running off to?" he asked as he leant in closer to her, their lips almost touching.
"I told you-"
He clashed his lips to hers, taking her by complete surprise. She pushed weakly against his chest, but it was no use.
He parted from her, "Don't lie to me sweetheart-you'll just get yourself in trouble." He said, and pulled her away from the door.
He slipped his arm around her waist and walked her back towards the dining hall, "Here's what we're going to do today; you're going to stay home and do as I say. Understand?" he said softly. And then he whispered softly in her ear, "And if I catch you trying to leave, your punishment will be most severe."
Sakura could feel her hands shaking with anger, and she wished she could give him a piece of her mind before running off to see her sister. But instead she stayed calm and continued down the hall with him. She could still feel the feeling of his lips against hers, and she wasn't sure how to describe it, but she felt rather pissed off that he'd taken her first kiss. Bastard!
They sat in silence and ate breakfast, and just as she stood to leave he grabbed her hand. "Where do you think you're going, darling?" he asked with a sweet smile.
She gave a quick smile back and sat down, hoping he'd let go but he didn't. His grip was tight, and she couldn't get out of it, so she sat there feeling pissed off and he knew it.
When he finished his coffee, he stood and they walked upstairs to the study; he had her sit in the chair in front of his desk while he worked so he could keep an eye on her, and as she sat there she practically glared at him.
"So, planning your escape, are you?" he asked as his fountain pen danced across the page.
"Damn straight." She replied.
He laughed. "Good luck with that. The door's locked by the way. It won't open until I'm done."
"I suppose I'll just pick the lock then." Sakura said with a sweet smile.
She knew how, as well. She'd had practice as a child when sneaking out of her room, and as a teen when she wanted to go out for drinks. All she needed was a simple hairpin.
He ignored her comment and continued writing, and when he was done he placed his things away. As they left the study, his arm returned to being firmly around her waist and he smiled.
"Come on, we're going out for a little while." He said and pulled her alongside him towards the door.
She tried to get away, but his firm grip wouldn't allow for that, and Sakura hated how he kept his hand on her hip. She gave up her struggle, and while they were in the carriage she waited for him to drop his hand but he wouldn't.
…
She found herself in the familiar surroundings of Tomoyo's and Eriol's and she felt relief when she stepped out of the carriage. She then looked to Syaoran with confusion who ignored her and continued with his arm around her waist, mostly to piss her off.
Once they were inside and greeted by Eriol, she dealt him a hard blow to the ribs, sending him doubling over in pain.
Released from his hold she ran down the hall and he shouted after her. "Sakura-get back here!"
Eriol raised an eyebrow at his friend who groaned in pain. "That bitch…"
"You probably had it coming." Eriol retorted.
"Don't defend her!" Syaoran snapped.
"I'm not. I'm just saying that lately you've been acting more like an ass than like yourself. It's just not you. Why not just be yourself around her-it would make things a lot more easier, trust me." Eriol said with a shrug.
Syaoran groaned, "Whatever. She's still a fucking pain in the ass." He muttered as they walked towards the lounge. He was pretty sure she'd cracked on of his ribs with how hard he'd been elbowed.
"Do you want some ice for that?" Eriol asked.
"No, I'll live." He muttered.
"Suit yourself. So I assume that you two still aren't getting along?"
"Obviously." Syaoran rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps you should get some advice from Tomoyo." Eriol suggested.
"Tomoyo?"
"Well Tomoyo would know her best since she's her sister, right?" Eriol said. "Try it, you never know what might happen."
Syaoran sighed. He's probably right… "I'll give Sakura some time, first." He said.
"Good idea-she really doesn't want to see your face right now." Eriol said bluntly.
"Gee, thanks."
…
Sakura ran around the corner and up the stairs, ducking behind the corner and listened. She didn't hear much, so she thought she was safe for the moment. She let her guard down and released a heavy sigh.
"Sakura?"
She jumped and looked to her left. "Tomoyo-don't scare me like that!" she shouted.
"Why do you look like you're hiding from someone?" her sister asked.
"I just elbowed Syaoran in the ribs to get away from him. I was making sure he wasn't following me." Sakura replied as she relaxed.
Tomoyo rolled her eyes. "Let's have tea. You can tell me everything."
Sakura walked with her sister to their usual room where they had tea and talked together, and she sat down while Tomoyo poured two cups. Tomoyo set a cup in front of her and then sat down and picked up her own cup.
"So, tell me, what's been happening?"
Sakura let out a heavy sigh. "When I got back from visiting you the other month, he threatened me with rape. Of course he never actually did anything but he still threatened me." Sakura muttered. "You know how I feel about that…"
Tomoyo's hand twitched a little but she maintained her calm demeanour; Sakura didn't notice a single thing.
"I actually asked him for something…" Sakura mumbled.
Tomoyo raised an eyebrow. "What did you ask for?" she asked curiously. She knew her sister-she knew that it would have been extremely important to her to ask Syaoran for something.
"I asked if we could go visit Mother and the house again." Sakura replied with a hint of sadness and nostalgia.
Tomoyo looked up from her tea and to her sister, who was looking at her hands. She knew what her sister had left behind at the house and had been wanting to get back.
"At first he denied me. But then I said I'd do anything-for what I'd left behind the price wouldn't have been so bad, Tomoyo." Sakura said quietly.
"What happened?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura stayed quiet for a minute, and then looked to her sister. "He let me go."
Tomoyo smiled, "Is that so?"
"But god-today he's been such a pain in the ass! I could punch him!" she growled.
"Oh, I think you've done enough of that." Tomoyo smiled.
Sakura finished her tea and lay down on the couch with her head in her sister's lap. "Or maybe not enough…" she mumbled.
Tomoyo stroked Sakura's hair softly and lulled her to sleep, something she had trouble getting at home.
…
Soon after, Syaoran and Eriol walked in to see Sakura fast asleep with her head in Tomoyo's lap, like a child would with their mother.
"Oh, she's asleep." Eriol said.
"Please try not to wake her; she's exhausted." Tomoyo smiled sweetly.
Eriol appeared to remember something he needed to do, "Excuse me for moment, I've got a few things to take care of." He said, and ducked out of the room.
Syaoran sighed and sat down across from Tomoyo and Sakura, who was sleeping soundly. She seemed at ease with Tomoyo, and her face appeared much calmer and gentler compared to what he was used to.
"I've heard Sakura's side of the story." Tomoyo said softly as she brushed her fingers lightly through her sister's hair. "However, I haven't heard yours."
Surprised, Syaoran looked at Tomoyo. She smiled sweetly and waited for him to speak.
He sighed. "The truth is I have no idea how to handle her."
"Of course, you don't. You hardly know her-you haven't even bothered to try. I doubt she tells you much about herself in fear of some sort of punishment being placed upon her." Tomoyo shrugged, her expression vague.
"Why?" he asked.
"Silly goose. You've noticed, have you not? She's not exactly a normal girl." Tomoyo smiled at her sister softly. "She doesn't like the same things most other girls do."
Syaoran rolled his eyes. Of course, she didn't.
"But, it is true that she likes embroidery." She told him.
He looked at her with confusion. "So, what does she like?"
The young woman looked thoughtful. "If I tell you, what will you do? Will you take my advice or will you harm her?" she asked with a slightly more serious tone to her voice. There was something more-she almost sounded vicious.
"If you dare harm my sister, I will not hesitate to cut your throat." She hissed.
He blinked, unsure what to make of the woman sitting in front of him. She had been so calm earlier, but now…He thought to himself for a moment-he was certain, from her tone of voice, that she was dead serious.
She blinked and smiled, her expression returning to her familiar kind and warm demeanour.
"I won't harm her." He said. Not severely, anyway.
"Good." Tomoyo smiled, satisfied with his answer. "Listen to my instructions closely, and miracles can happen. Sakura currently hates you, but if you want to get along with her you need to get to know her. That takes time." She began.
"No kidding." He muttered.
"If you leave her alone for twenty-four hours, you're guaranteed that she'll be much happier to speak with you willingly. She'll still hate you but she won't want to strangle you to death when she sees you. Keep giving her space from time to time, or perhaps do her the kind gesture of buying her a favourite brand of red wine."
He nearly choked at the end of her last sentence. "What!?"
"I told you. She's not like other girls. She spent most of her teen years hanging out in the main town, drinking or getting in trouble with friends. Ninety per cent of her time was spent helping out at the local orphanage or the doctors to help the children get better-oh my, did I just say that out loud?"
Syaoran could hardly believe it. "You're joking, right?"
"I told you, Sakura's not like other girls. Just because she refuses to sleep with you, it doesn't mean she doesn't like children. She's quite fond of them, actually. If you change your wording from 'son' to 'child' she'd be very likely to change her decision-not right on the spot, but you'll never know. That one would be best left until later in the future, unfortunately." Tomoyo explained calmly. He sighed.
"It's all up to you now." She smiled cheerfully.
Sakura shifted in her sleep, causing her to wake, and she saw Syaoran and freaked. She sat up quickly and pushed herself back against the couch like a scared cat.
"How un-lady like." He muttered.
"Scram asshole!" she hissed.
His eyes narrowed, and she knew what was coming later. Instead he smiled. "As you wish, bitch."
He stood and walked out of the room, bumping into Eriol just as he was about to walk in. "Your wife just threatened me." Syaoran said.
"Oh, did she? I wish she'd threaten me sometimes. I feel so unloved." Eriol complained.
"Good for you." The brunette muttered. "Sakura, we're leaving." He ordered.
Sakura stood and made worried eye contact with Tomoyo, who smiled back comfortingly. She followed Syaoran out the door and they sat in silence on the way home; Sakura felt rather anxious knowing that with her behaviour she'd be likely to get some sort of punishment, but she didn't know what.
Tomoyo's strange threat kept spinning around Syaoran's head. He couldn't stop thinking about how threatening her presence became during that small instant.
When they got back to the house, Sakura was quick to run from him. He sighed and shook his head, deciding to just let her go.
…
The next evening was the evening of the ball. As much as Sakura kicked and screamed, Mira still got her into the gown. It was rose pink brocade with delicate gold roses scattered all over the fabric, and crème lace was embellished along the neckline and sleeves. Around her neck was a delicate rose gold choker with pink stones hanging from five different points, with matching earrings in her ears. Her hair was pulled back into a bun with a braid around its base, with crème lace ribbons decorating it falling down over her shoulders.
As Sakura sat in the carriage she glared out the window; she hated the colour pink on her and the memories it brought back with it.
Syaoran looked smug as he smiled. "The colour suits you." He said, "You should try smiling."
She quickly smiled back as a quick retort and ignored him for the rest of the trip.
Showing their invite at the door, they stepped through into a grand hall full of golden light with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and tall arched windows with a view of the beautiful starry night sky. Sakura was forced to walk with Syaoran and greet other guests who knew him well or were associates and hadn't been able to make it to the wedding.
A couple walked up to them with big smiles on their faces, and Syaoran shook the gentleman's hand as they greeted each other.
"Good evening Andre." He greeted.
Andre was an associate from another country, but they knew each other through family ties.
"Good evening Syaoran. It's been a long while since we last met." He replied.
"It's so good to see you again." Andre's wife smiled.
"Thank you, Clare." Syaoran smiled.
"May I ask who this young woman is?" Clare asked, her blue eyes sparkling.
"This is my wife, Sakura." Syaoran replied.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance." Sakura smiled politely.
Andre smiled, "Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"May I ask how long you've been married for?" Clare asked.
"About two and a half months." He replied.
"Oh, newlyweds, how cute." She smiled.
This is getting sickening. Sakura thought to herself.
"Thank you for your time." Syaoran said, and it appeared that the conversation had ended.
They continued through the crowd and bumped into another couple, and Sakura's face turned white. The man standing before her had short copper hair and ice blue eyes. He was tall and handsome, and was about two years older than Sakura. The woman beside him hanging off his arm had sandy blonde hair that fell in ringlets down her back and beautiful wide hazel eyes. She had a figure to die for and looked like she'd be the perfect woman.
The man spotted Sakura and raised an eyebrow. "Well now, if it isn't Sakura." He smiled.
"Dimitri…" she murmured her uncomfortable reply.
"Darling, who is this woman?"
"This is who I told you about-Maria, this is Sakura."
The woman named Maria looked Sakura over and appeared to be disappointed. "Oh…I didn't think she'd be so pretty…" she mumbled.
"I see you're still wearing rose." Dimitri observed.
"Yes well, you did always say that this colour always looked best on me." Sakura said with a bitter tone.
"Don't tell me you're still angry about what happened?" Dimitri said. "Well, you were so upset, so true to me that you said you'd never marry. But I guess that never worked out, did it?"
"Shut up, Dimitri." Sakura hissed.
"I doubt it was out of love though." Dimitri said, the corner of his lip curving up.
Syaoran grabbed Sakura before she could lunge at him and smiled at the couple. "So sorry for her behaviour. We'll be leaving now." He said and walked her away. He wasn't sure what had just transpired or how Sakura knew the man, but he wasn't overly fond of Dimitri anyway. He was cruel to the lower class and looked down at them with scorn.
Dimitri watched with cold eyes and continued with his own wife through the crowd.
Sakura spotted her sister, instantly wanting to go to her, but unfortunately wasn't allowed to part from her husband unless given permission-and there was no way that was going to happen given the events that had just transpired.
Tomoyo looked over and spotted her and smiled and waved. Eriol then spotted them and walked over, and Tomoyo examined Sakura's gown with curiosity.
"I look stupid, I get it." Sakura muttered.
"I think you look beautiful." Tomoyo replied with a sweet smile.
"The colour does suit you." Eriol agreed.
Sakura shot Syaoran a dirty look, and the corner of his mouth curved upwards.
"These parties will be the death of me." Eriol sighed.
"Pity." Syaoran replied dully.
"Why don't we let the girls go for a bit of a wander together?" Eriol suggested, hoping Syaoran would agree.
He didn't look too sure, but gave in. "Fine, whatever."
Feeling relieved, Sakura headed off with Tomoyo so she could be free of her husband at least for a small amount of time.
Syaoran turned to Eriol with a troubled look on his face, "Do you know anyone by the name of Dimitri?" he asked.
Eriol thought for a moment. "I've heard of the name, but I don't think I've actually met him." He replied. "Why, what just happened?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but Sakura seems to know him from somewhere." Syaoran replied. "I think they may have shared a relationship of some sort at some time."
"Do they still seem to care for each other?"
"No, I'm pretty sure Sakura hates him-she almost lunged at him before I held her back." Syaoran said with a sigh.
"Then I don't think there's anything to worry about. If you're lucky maybe she'll tell you about it, one day." Eriol said with a shrug. Somehow Syaoran doubted that.
Sakura groaned. "I'm so sick of him…why do I have to live the rest of my life with him of all people…?" Sakura complained.
Tomoyo giggled. "It could be worse, trust me."
Sakura sighed. That was true enough. Looking around the room she could see plenty of girls who looked miserable or were hiding bruises from being abused by their abusive husbands.
She spotted the familiar short, brown wavy hair and hazel eyes of her close friend Rika across the room and a smile spread across her face. "Tomoyo, Rika's here!" she exclaimed.
"She is?"
"We haven't seen her in so long-let's go over and say hello." Sakura said.
They headed over to see their friend who immediately spotted them and smiled cheerfully. As Sakura reached her she gave Rika a big hug, as she hadn't seen her in two years.
Rika was a little older than her, and while she was very much what society expected of her, she wanted to go into politics. However, she never spoke of that unless she was with her close friends. Rika was a beautiful young woman with a mature figure and pale olive coloured skin.
"It's been a long time, has it not Sakura?" Rika smiled. She was dressed in an elegant gown of deep shades of blue and black lace, with ribbon in her hair.
"Almost too long. I've missed you-what happened?" Sakura asked.
"I got married." Rika replied with a happy smiled as she showed off her ring.
"Oh, good god…" Sakura mumbled.
"Who is your husband?" Tomoyo asked politely.
"Oh, he's over there with two of his associates." Rika replied, pointing over to a familiar pair.
Standing with Eriol and Syaoran was one other person-he was tall and well built, with dark hair and bright green eyes.
"That's him? He looks so serious-like someone else I know." Sakura muttered.
"He's actually rather nice once you get to know him." Rika replied.
"So…two years…" Sakura muttered.
"Oh yes, I have a son too."
Sakura nearly spat out her champagne.
"So you're married now Sakura? I could have sworn you'd said you were never going to." Rika said.
"I couldn't get out of it." She grumbled.
"So, who are you married to?" Rika asked curiously.
"Syaoran Li."
"Oh, he's a really sweet person. You're lucky." Rika smiled. "He was my doctor all through my pregnancy."
"You're shitting me, right?" Sakura laughed.
Rika looked at her with confusion. "No…"
"I've been living with him for two months-he's an asshole!"
"That's strange-he's nice to me."
"He probably doesn't want to piss off his friend." She muttered before taking a sip of wine.
"Who don't I want to piss off?"
She froze at the sound of her husbands' voice behind her, and she quickly swallowed her mouthful of champagne.
He walked up beside her and looked disapprovingly at her glass, "Did I say you could drink that?"
"Did I say I cared?" she replied.
He took it from her hand and placed it on one of the waiter's trays as they walked past, and she scowled at him. He spotted Rika and smiled politely, "Good evening Rika, how have you been?"
"Good thank you Syaoran. Yourself?"
"I haven't been too bad. You appear to know Sakura quite well."
"We were childhood friends." Rika replied with a delighted smile.
"I see."
"How is your marriage going?" she asked sweetly.
Sakura tried hard not to laugh and Syaoran squeezed her hand painfully tight as a warning. "We're quite well, thank you."
Sakura tried to wriggle her hand out of his grip but there was no point-he was stronger, and she knew it.
Rika smiled. "I hope you continue to grow strong bonds with each other. May I continue to spend some time with Sakura? We haven't seen each other in such a long time." She smiled sweetly.
"Of course." He replied, and left Sakura with the two girls.
Once he was gone, Sakura swore. "I think he fucking bruised my hand!" she growled.
"You really don't get along." Rika said sadly.
"Hell no! One day I'll get him back for what he's threatened me with…" Sakura muttered under her breath.
"Tell me about it when you do." Rika giggled.
"I wonder when we'll meet again." Tomoyo wondered aloud.
"I'm not sure, but I'd hope it would be soon." Rika replied with a sigh.
"In the meantime, I'll continue to cause chaos for my husband." Sakura muttered. Tomoyo sighed and shook her head and Rika giggled.
"So, what's your husbands' occupation?" Sakura muttered as she nursed her hand.
"He's a lawyer." Rika shrugged.
"How lovely for you." Sakura rolled her eyes.
"I know!" she beamed.
After a while, Tomoyo was taken away for a dance as was Rika, so before Syaoran could find her, she hid amongst the crowd, constantly moving around so he couldn't find her. She moved around often and as she walked around, Dimitri spotted her and smiled. She felt the blood in her veins run cold and she suddenly felt sick, and as she backed herself away and moved out of the crowd, she bumped into someone. About to apologise she looked up but was disappointed.
"Oh crap…" She muttered.
"I figured if I stayed in one place you'd walk into me one way or another. It appears I was right." He said.
She made an inward face and looked away. "So what? Are you going to ask me to dance?"
"If I don't, it will make me look bad." He sighed.
Sakura felt anger rise inside her, but she buried it for the moment and reluctantly took his hand. He led her to the floor and led her through the waltz, and she held back her feelings for as long as she possibly could.
The entire night she spent rather quiet, and Tomoyo was the first to notice her sister's behaviour but didn't say anything. She gave her a tight hug at the end of the night before they parted ways and gave her a knowing smile.
"Don't do anything you'll regret later." She said quietly to Sakura so that neither of the two men could hear.
Sakura smiled. "I'll be fine."
While Eriol spoke to Sakura for a moment, Tomoyo took the chance to ask Syaoran her question. "Syaoran, has Sakura met anyone who may have seemed familiar to her at all…?" she asked with worry.
Confusion and recognition ran across his face. "Now that you mention it, yes. I believe his name was Dimitri."
Tomoyo's face fell. "I must ask you a huge favour-please, please don't do anything that will upset her too much in the next few days Syaoran." She begged.
He didn't understand, and Tomoyo understood that well, but it wasn't her place to explain.
Before he could agree, Eriol returned to her side and they headed away, and as Tomoyo looked over her shoulder one last time, Sakura was nowhere to be seen.
Well. Hahaha. What did you think?
I've noticed that some of you are a bit annoyed with Sakura's character and think she deserves what she gets from Syaoran. Let's be clear-Sakura does not deserve to be treated that way. No one does. However, neither of them are doing themselves any favours by not opening up to each other. But, as with any other relationship, that takes time. There is a reason Sakura lashes out the way she does, and all I can say for now without revealing too much, is that it's because of one thing: Fear.