AN: Right-o!! As promised.... here's the second installment to my double post!! he...he....
Enjoy!!!
...I hope..... It took me a loooong time trying to figure out exactly how to write this chapter....... ^ _ ^
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Warnings: AU, and major, major OOC's
Reminders: This is not a crossover. No matter how many characters that come from a wide variety of animes I place in this story. I simply do not like OC's. (since I'm no good in making one)
Fiction Rating: T
Summary: She will become Japan's greatest weapon, as long as she falls in love.
He is China's greatest hope, and chance of survival, until he falls victim into a power not even he, as a general of China's greatest battalion, could defeat. He is China's strongest man, until he finds himself falling in love. To his greatest enemy...
Disclaimer: Since I was brought up properly by my parents...............stealing is absolutely out of the question. Therefore, I don't own CCS (and all those other anime charcters). –sigh-
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VIII. HYSTERIA
Because right below, were the words: Syaoran Li, Chinese General
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It started out easy at first.
But, as every day passed, and every ticking of the clock told him exactly how much he'd been procrastinating, it became unbearably hard.
Fuji Syusuke was a man of patience. And he knew exactly when to strike when in battle.
As much as he knew that he had to talk to Syaoran right away.
As much as he knew that he had been delaying and delaying that little talk.
His sympathy for his best friend just can't get in the way of his duty anymore. China was being destroyed by the minute and he can't just sit there and let it happen.
He had to talk to Syaoran.
Had to know if he still was the best friend he could depend on. Or if he had become an enemy, someone he didn't know anymore.
Which was exactly why he sat there, in the private space known as Syaoran's lab room, nursing a delicate cup of Chinese Flowers tea, waiting for Syaoran to come back from his usual, nightly garden trips.
He was helping himself to another when the door opened slowly, to reveal the face of his best friend.
At least, physically, he still was. He didn't know about the other aspects.
He didn't know about how much love can change a person.
Syaoran's face was a mixture of horror and surprise.
Apparently, love can change the person a lot.
Syaoran never, never showed any emotion in his face.
Until today.
"Wha.....What are you doi... doing here?" Syaoran demanded.
Syusuke just smiled, his fake smile that he used on everyone but, until recently, his best friend.
He decided he would talk to Syaoran, but it doesn't mean that he'll talk to him as his best friend. He can't let his emotions get in the way now, especially since Syaoran knows how to strike at any holes in your defense, be it in fighting with swords, or with words.
And though Fuji Syusuke was never beaten in a battle of wit, it was better to be safe now, rather than sorry afterwards.
He would be to Syaoran like he was to everybody else.
An enigma.
But Syaoran to him, would be like an open book.
He took a deep breath.
No turning back.
"Don't go off in your ideas, Syaoran Li," he said, his voice taunting, yet icy at the same time. "Let's talk."
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She had tolerated it long enough.
If she will wait any longer, it will only lead Sakura to even more pain.
The scientists thought that she was the best. They thought that not getting attached with her patient was not going to be a problem for the great Tomoyo Daidouji.
They were right. Tomoyo did not have a problem with her emotions when she was with her patients. Never had.
Until she met Sakura.
The girl was different. Very different. Very, very different.
So different, that in fact, Tomoyo was very much twisted in her small little fingers, though they hadn't known each other for long.
Which left Tomoyo in a very unfamiliar sense of vulnerability.
Something that was very uncomfortable.
Something that she did not like.
Not one bit.
But with Sakura....
She didn't know how the girl managed it, but everything was so simple and so pure when she was around.
And Tomoyo, so used to living a life full of complications and stress basked in the glory of it. Enjoyed it too much, that she disregarded her mind's warnings. Loved it too much, that she had been blind, until the very last minute.
And here she was, living the consequence of her actions.
"Sakura?"
"Mhm?"
Now or never.
"That boyfriend you told me about. Remember him?"
"What about him?"
Sakura was now fully attentive to Tomoyo, her head raising from the book she was trying to read, revealing her apprehensive eyes.
A deep breath.
That didn't serve its purpose.
"I... I want you to break up with him."
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"What do you want?" Syaoran's face to him was as rigid as stone.
Already, Fuji's resolve to be strong was weakening.
After saying only a scant two sentences.
"You're a mess, you know that?" he told Syaoran, his face, equally rigid. "You came to Japan, promising that you'd be back, valuable information in your hand. And remain there.... here..... for more than many days. No message, no report to your superiors. Leaving them clueless as ever.
"And then suddenly, here comes the news that you have gotten yourself a Japanese girlfriend and turned your back on your duty because of her. And now you tell me......"
"It was my decision, not hers! This was never about her!" Syaoran lashed out, his face angry now.
Emotion.
It was definitely something he can't lord over. It may be manipulated. It may be controlled. But it does not bow down to anyone, as if he were its god.
Which was why Fuji Syusuke found his resolve crumbling.
Just like a shattered piece of glass.
And just like his heart.
"I merely want to protect you, Syaoran. And I...."
"I never asked you to take care of me in the first place!"
"And yet, I did!"
"And why? Why then?" Syaoran demanded. "Why did you?"
"Because I saw you as a blooming flower bud. Not fully opened yet, but when the time comes, I know that you will bloom into a wonderful flower. There is so much potential inside you, I couldn't possibly deny. And... and it would be such a waste to let such a promising bud wilt. I'm not gonna let it die like that. So, I took care of you."
Syaoran snorted. "So I was just your toy."
Fuji shook his head fervently. "No. You were my brother."
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"B...break up with Syaoran? B..b..but.... Tomoyo! Why?!"
Sakura was crying now. Crying so hard that not even Tomoyo can comfort her.
"Sakura... I..."
"Tell me! And no more lies..... I don't want this anymore."
"Sakura! You think I'm telling you this because I like it? Because it makes me happy? It does not. Not at all. You may be a test subject, but you're also my friend. And I love you like my sister. All I want is to make you happy."
"Then why?" Sakura asked, crying very hard, it hurt to look at her. "Syaoran makes me happy. Syaoran makes me laugh. Syaoran makes me feel special. Syaoran makes me feel loved! And I love him! And I was so, so......happy...."
She faltered at the last word and was overcome by her tears that Tomoyo couldn't help but hug her.
"I know, I know."
"So why? What's so wrong about loving Syaoran, Tomoyo? I want to know."
"Sakura, you're a weapon. A weapon made by the scientists to destroy our opponent. If you fall in love, then, Japan's victory is assured against China. And..."
"I don't care," Sakura declared through the tears. "I don't care if I'm some tool, as long as Syaoran is with me."
"That's the problem."
"What?"
"Sakura, honey, listen to me," Tomoyo said, smiling sadly down at her friend. "Syaoran is not who you think he is. If he found out who you are, I don't think he's going to receive you with open arms."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, her sobs melting down into hiccups now.
"Syaoran... he's.... he's a... a Chinese. A general, no less. A general who definitely loves his country. What do you think he'll feel? The more you fall in love with him, the worse it will be for his country. It'll..."
"I...I understand," Sakura said, her face twisted in emotional pain. "I'll only hurt him if I remain in love with him."
"I'm sorry, Sakura."
It was all she could say. Or do.
And as Tomoyo stayed by Sakura, seeing her cry herself to sleep, Tomoyo wished that she could do more.
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"Then, understand me, Syusuke!" Syaoran cried out.
"I am trying to!" Fuji shouted back. "But it's hard, Syaoran. I was never in a dilemma like this before. So, I can only give very little understanding. What I can give is choice."
"Fat amount of good that'll do to me," Syaoran said, snorting again.
"You might be in love, Syaoran, but I'm not. And I have my duties. With or without you, I have to take action now. I won't let China fall. I just want to know if I'm going to win this with your help."
Syaoran shook his head. "You're smart, Syusuke. And because you are, I'm pretty sure you know the answer to that."
Fuji smiled sadly. "Still, I can't help but..... hope......"
He shook his head himself. "No matter. I'll give my orders the day after tomorrow, right before sunset. You have 'til then to decide. If you change your mind, come to the barracks, and I will receive you graciously. If you stand in your decision now, I'll take action then."
With that, Fuji got up and left.
Syaoran hid his face.
Even before Fuji started talking, his decision had been made.
Only a miracle would change his mind.
"Farewell, my friend," he whispered to the closed door.
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TBC...
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-pants- Well? What do you think?
Tell me your honest opinion, kay?
Always remember, a review a day keeps muscle pains and writer's block away...
Signed and sealed,
Blue-feathered Wings