IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT I HAVE NEGLECTED MY WRITING DUTIES
YET AGAIN. I LEAVE YOU GUYS HANGING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE!!! I AM SO SORRY.
HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR YOU AND I HOPE THAT IT WAS AT LEAST SEMI
WORTH THE WAIT.
===========================================
Syaoran's eyes shot open. He could feel the cold sweat dripping down his forehead and a warm presence at his side. Turning his head slowly as if to not disturb the being, released a breath and laid his head back onto the pillow. 'Why do I keep having that dream?' He questioned himself as Sakura stirred.
Sakura shifted lightly and turned to look at Syaoran. "Morning." She whispered.
Syaoran looked up to the clock on the VCR above the TV. "It's almost afternoon." He whispered back.
Sitting up she looked over to the clock herself. 10:45. She rubbed her hands over her face as she felt Syaoran attempting to sit up himself. She made it very had to do so considering she had him pinned on the sofa. Freeing him, she stood. "I'm going to get ready." Syaoran nodded as stood himself.
Syaoran watched Sakura creep up the stairs and failed to notice a rather disheveled man in the doorway to the kitchen.
"I'm sure Touya would let you borrow a suit so you don't have to leave." The kind soft voice came.
Syaoran was startled. It was the first time that Fujitaka had shown any signs of life outside his bedroom.
"I don't think mine would fit you right." He attempted to joke when Syaoran just stared.
Snapping back to reality, Syaoran nodded. "Thank you sir."
Fujitaka smiled kindly like always, but this time is had an added sadness that was to be expected, but it still made everything different. Stepping away from the doorframe and heading back down the hall to his room, he made way for Touya to enter the scene.
Syaoran stared at Touya as if waiting for him to lash out, but Touya was expressionless. "Follow me. I will get you a suit." And it was really that simple.
Following Touya up the stairs and into his room, he walked into find Yukito leaning against the window frame looking outside but fully dressed. Yuki turned long enough to smile a hello at Syaoran before turning to look back outside.
Touya continued to look through the half empty closet for see what he could find. Grabbing a dark green suit and matching tie he handed it over to Syaoran. "Go try it on. I may have something else, but I didn't leave much here when I moved out."
Syaoran nodded and headed down the hall to the bathroom. He sopped in front of the door hearing the water running and the faint sound of someone crying. "Sakura?" He questioned.
"Syao?" Came back the distraught answer.
"It's me." Was all he could respond with. 'What do I say to her?'
Sakura spoke a little louder while he struggled with himself just outside the door. "You can change in my room."
Syaoran nodded and replied, "Okay."
Obeying her, Syaoran went back to her room and closed the door. Looking around as he started taking off his clothes he could feel a difference from what it use to be. Her room use to scream cheer when you walked inside, but things had been put away and taken down leaving not much to look at.
Pulling on the pants and white shirt, he buttoned everything up. Walking over to her mirror he adjusted the tie and slipped on the jacket. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice that the door was opened and someone approached until he felt two hands brushing out wrinkles on his back. Turning his head slightly he spotted Sakura. She did not look directly at him, but looked to his reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy, but that had been normal over the past few days he had spent with her.
Her voice was quiet as she spoke. "It's almost as if it was waiting for you." Her hands came to a stop on his shoulders. Leaning her head on his back she closed her eyes.
"Sakura?" He treaded lightly, but no response came. Turning around slowly to face her, she dropped her hands from his back but looked up at him to give him a smile. All he could see in her eyes was pain. Reaching for her, he took the small girl into a hug.
She wrapped her arms around his back and held tightly for a minute before pulling away and wiping a tear from her eye. "I don't want to ruin the suit."
He smiled and whispered, "Everything is going to be okay."
She nodded and looked at him with understanding. "I know."
"I'm going to go get freshened up, alright?" He said almost regrettably.
"Okay." She replied as she took the towel off her hair and walked over to her bed.
Grabbing some essentials from his bag that was brought inside when they first came back, he went back to the bathroom and took his turn in the warm water.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An hour later everyone in the house was ready to go. They shared a car over to the church where the memorial service was held. Touya drove. Syaoran sat in back with Sakura. Both of them looking outside, but Syaoran grasped Sakura's hand as a memory that she was not alone.
Eriol and Tomoyo met the family at the church and sat together quietly as they waited for others to show up.
Nadeshiko was beautiful. Dressed in her finest and painted up with makeup she almost looked as if she were sleeping. Syaoran walked through the line with the family even though he didn't think it was appropriate, but Sakura hadn't released his hand since they had entered. He was her security blanket and she had a death grip on it, so Syaoran quietly followed.
There were so many people that it even overflowed out onto the front sidewalk. She was a greatly admired woman and had touched so many people's lives.
Beautiful words were spoken and lots of tears were shed but the whole thing went by in a quick blur. These kinds of things always do. Friends came passed by wishing the best to the family as they got back into their cars and returned to their normal everyday tasks. The only people left were related to the family and they accompanied Fujitaka outside in preparation for letting go of his wife.
Standing outside the burial place and watching the casket being lowered into the ground presented a strong painful moment of silence for the whole family. Fujitaka had been so strong that Syaoran almost thought he was immortal, but as the dirt began to cover up his wife's casket he fell to his knees and broke down. Touya was quickly at his side holding him tightly as he cried with him. Sakura who was standing next to her father and still holding onto Syaoran's hand, lowered slowly and sobbed.
Tears flowed down Syaoran's cheeks as he felt his heart rip in two. Nadeshiko had been a mother to him too. Even if only for a short period, she still meant something to him. Casting his eyes over the collapsed family he watched Yukito who had wrapped his arms around himself and lowered his head with closed eyes.
Slowly people started pulling away and going their own separate ways leaving Tomoyo, Eriol, Yukito, Syaoran, Fujitaka, Touya and Sakura. Eriol finally approached Fujitaka and hugged him as he apologized for his lose, followed closely behind by Tomoyo who also gave her condolences. Sakura let go of Syaoran's hand for the first time since this whole thing started to hug them in gratitude. "Thank you." She whispered to them both.
Pulling away, Eriol brushed some of her hair behind her ear with his gentle fingers. "Call us if you need anything." Sakura nodded at him. He cupped the side of her head and spoke softer to her, "I mean it."
Sakura smiled through tears as she whispered once again, "thank you Eriol. . . for everything."
He nodded to her and the two left heading back to their hotel.
Fujitaka was the first to speak. "Let's go home." Kissing his fingers, he bent down and placed them onto the ground where Nadeshiko now laid silently. Mouthing out the words 'good bye love' before standing and leading the rest of them to the car.
Touya took one last look at his mother's grave and followed his father silently. Sakura and Syaoran were right behind him. She had taken up his hand again in a welcome action. Syaoran felt selfish for thinking about needing her touch in a time like this, where she was the one needing, but when she left his grasp he felt empty and when she came back to him he started to feel the hole being filed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rode home in silence and entered the house. Everything was still.
Fujitaka loosened his tie and excused himself for bed. It was only 7, but no one protested.
Syaoran changed out of Touya's suit and approached him to return it as he sat in the kitchen while Yukito prepared dinner. A common sight in that household, but usually Nadeshiko accompanied him as they chatted about menial things.
Syaoran was pulled out of his memories as Touya chuckled and shook his head. "Keep it. It's almost as if it was made for you. It looked good on you."
Syaoran stood stunned for a minute. Touya showing a gesture of kindness wasn't a normal thing for him, but he would accept it nonetheless. 'Maybe he doesn't hate me as much as I thought' Syaoran contemplated that thought for a moment before Sakura came down the stairs in her pajamas. He knew he had overstayed his welcome and walked over to his things picking them up.
She was down the stairs and at his side in a heartbeat. "Don't go yet." She pleaded through a whisper.
Syaoran sighed. "Sakura-"
She quickly interrupted him by putting a finger over his lips. "Please?" She whispered to him yet again.
Giving in, he put his things back down and followed her as she lead him upstairs to her room.
Touya had heard the bound down the stairs and watched the interchange between them.
Yukito spoke softly to him as he also watched them head up the stairs, "She needs his comfort."
Touya sighed and sat back down resting his face in his hands. "I know. I just wish I could be that for her instead of him."
Yukito put down the bowl he had been carrying around while mixing and sat next to Touya wrapping his arms around his back and placing his head lightly on Touya's shoulder. "I know."
Touya tilted his head at a back angle to feel Yukito's and placed his hands on top of the smaller boys. "Thank you Yuki." He whispered. "You are my strength."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura pushed Syaoran onto the bed. "Just for a little while." She pleaded as she sat next to him and lay down, pulling him down with her.
Syaoran knew this couldn't last forever, but couldn't deny her request. "Only a little while. Then I have to go."
She sighed and he could have sworn she said ok as she placed her head on his chest and her arm over his stomach to clutch onto his side.
Closing his eyes her wrapped one arm around her back and the other ran fingers through her hair.
She quickly fell to sleep. He could tell from her steadied breathing. Opening his eyes he knew he had to leave. Bending his head so his face was to her hair he whispered, "I love you Sakura." Kissing the top of her head, he carefully began wiggling free from her lose hold. Once he was out he pulled the covers up around her and she grabbed hold of the pillow he had been laying on, clutching it like a teddy bear.
Kneeling down next to her bed he ran his hand through her hair one last time. "I always will." Sighing he stood and left the room pulling the door closed behind him. Walking down the stairs he spotted Touya on a chair in the living room. Walking over to his things, he gathered everything up again and started walking towards the door.
Touya stood and opened the door for him. "Let me take you home."
Syaoran nodded, grateful for the offer. "Thank you."
They got into Touya's car and drove silently to Syaoran's apartment. Approaching the building, they came to a slow stop and Syaoran started to back out of the car until he felt a hand touch his forearm. Looking up, his eyes met Touya's.
Touya gave a partial smile. "Thank you for helping my sister." With that simple statement, they now shared a quiet understanding.
Syaoran nodded and closed the door watching Touya drive off before turning to find his own bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When she heard the door close to her room, Sakura's eyes popped open. The words Syaoran spoke only moments before reeling through her head. 'I love you Sakura. I always will.' Clutching the pillow that still held his scent harder to her chest she closed her eyes again and finally allowed herself to fall asleep.
===========================================
Syaoran's eyes shot open. He could feel the cold sweat dripping down his forehead and a warm presence at his side. Turning his head slowly as if to not disturb the being, released a breath and laid his head back onto the pillow. 'Why do I keep having that dream?' He questioned himself as Sakura stirred.
Sakura shifted lightly and turned to look at Syaoran. "Morning." She whispered.
Syaoran looked up to the clock on the VCR above the TV. "It's almost afternoon." He whispered back.
Sitting up she looked over to the clock herself. 10:45. She rubbed her hands over her face as she felt Syaoran attempting to sit up himself. She made it very had to do so considering she had him pinned on the sofa. Freeing him, she stood. "I'm going to get ready." Syaoran nodded as stood himself.
Syaoran watched Sakura creep up the stairs and failed to notice a rather disheveled man in the doorway to the kitchen.
"I'm sure Touya would let you borrow a suit so you don't have to leave." The kind soft voice came.
Syaoran was startled. It was the first time that Fujitaka had shown any signs of life outside his bedroom.
"I don't think mine would fit you right." He attempted to joke when Syaoran just stared.
Snapping back to reality, Syaoran nodded. "Thank you sir."
Fujitaka smiled kindly like always, but this time is had an added sadness that was to be expected, but it still made everything different. Stepping away from the doorframe and heading back down the hall to his room, he made way for Touya to enter the scene.
Syaoran stared at Touya as if waiting for him to lash out, but Touya was expressionless. "Follow me. I will get you a suit." And it was really that simple.
Following Touya up the stairs and into his room, he walked into find Yukito leaning against the window frame looking outside but fully dressed. Yuki turned long enough to smile a hello at Syaoran before turning to look back outside.
Touya continued to look through the half empty closet for see what he could find. Grabbing a dark green suit and matching tie he handed it over to Syaoran. "Go try it on. I may have something else, but I didn't leave much here when I moved out."
Syaoran nodded and headed down the hall to the bathroom. He sopped in front of the door hearing the water running and the faint sound of someone crying. "Sakura?" He questioned.
"Syao?" Came back the distraught answer.
"It's me." Was all he could respond with. 'What do I say to her?'
Sakura spoke a little louder while he struggled with himself just outside the door. "You can change in my room."
Syaoran nodded and replied, "Okay."
Obeying her, Syaoran went back to her room and closed the door. Looking around as he started taking off his clothes he could feel a difference from what it use to be. Her room use to scream cheer when you walked inside, but things had been put away and taken down leaving not much to look at.
Pulling on the pants and white shirt, he buttoned everything up. Walking over to her mirror he adjusted the tie and slipped on the jacket. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice that the door was opened and someone approached until he felt two hands brushing out wrinkles on his back. Turning his head slightly he spotted Sakura. She did not look directly at him, but looked to his reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy, but that had been normal over the past few days he had spent with her.
Her voice was quiet as she spoke. "It's almost as if it was waiting for you." Her hands came to a stop on his shoulders. Leaning her head on his back she closed her eyes.
"Sakura?" He treaded lightly, but no response came. Turning around slowly to face her, she dropped her hands from his back but looked up at him to give him a smile. All he could see in her eyes was pain. Reaching for her, he took the small girl into a hug.
She wrapped her arms around his back and held tightly for a minute before pulling away and wiping a tear from her eye. "I don't want to ruin the suit."
He smiled and whispered, "Everything is going to be okay."
She nodded and looked at him with understanding. "I know."
"I'm going to go get freshened up, alright?" He said almost regrettably.
"Okay." She replied as she took the towel off her hair and walked over to her bed.
Grabbing some essentials from his bag that was brought inside when they first came back, he went back to the bathroom and took his turn in the warm water.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An hour later everyone in the house was ready to go. They shared a car over to the church where the memorial service was held. Touya drove. Syaoran sat in back with Sakura. Both of them looking outside, but Syaoran grasped Sakura's hand as a memory that she was not alone.
Eriol and Tomoyo met the family at the church and sat together quietly as they waited for others to show up.
Nadeshiko was beautiful. Dressed in her finest and painted up with makeup she almost looked as if she were sleeping. Syaoran walked through the line with the family even though he didn't think it was appropriate, but Sakura hadn't released his hand since they had entered. He was her security blanket and she had a death grip on it, so Syaoran quietly followed.
There were so many people that it even overflowed out onto the front sidewalk. She was a greatly admired woman and had touched so many people's lives.
Beautiful words were spoken and lots of tears were shed but the whole thing went by in a quick blur. These kinds of things always do. Friends came passed by wishing the best to the family as they got back into their cars and returned to their normal everyday tasks. The only people left were related to the family and they accompanied Fujitaka outside in preparation for letting go of his wife.
Standing outside the burial place and watching the casket being lowered into the ground presented a strong painful moment of silence for the whole family. Fujitaka had been so strong that Syaoran almost thought he was immortal, but as the dirt began to cover up his wife's casket he fell to his knees and broke down. Touya was quickly at his side holding him tightly as he cried with him. Sakura who was standing next to her father and still holding onto Syaoran's hand, lowered slowly and sobbed.
Tears flowed down Syaoran's cheeks as he felt his heart rip in two. Nadeshiko had been a mother to him too. Even if only for a short period, she still meant something to him. Casting his eyes over the collapsed family he watched Yukito who had wrapped his arms around himself and lowered his head with closed eyes.
Slowly people started pulling away and going their own separate ways leaving Tomoyo, Eriol, Yukito, Syaoran, Fujitaka, Touya and Sakura. Eriol finally approached Fujitaka and hugged him as he apologized for his lose, followed closely behind by Tomoyo who also gave her condolences. Sakura let go of Syaoran's hand for the first time since this whole thing started to hug them in gratitude. "Thank you." She whispered to them both.
Pulling away, Eriol brushed some of her hair behind her ear with his gentle fingers. "Call us if you need anything." Sakura nodded at him. He cupped the side of her head and spoke softer to her, "I mean it."
Sakura smiled through tears as she whispered once again, "thank you Eriol. . . for everything."
He nodded to her and the two left heading back to their hotel.
Fujitaka was the first to speak. "Let's go home." Kissing his fingers, he bent down and placed them onto the ground where Nadeshiko now laid silently. Mouthing out the words 'good bye love' before standing and leading the rest of them to the car.
Touya took one last look at his mother's grave and followed his father silently. Sakura and Syaoran were right behind him. She had taken up his hand again in a welcome action. Syaoran felt selfish for thinking about needing her touch in a time like this, where she was the one needing, but when she left his grasp he felt empty and when she came back to him he started to feel the hole being filed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rode home in silence and entered the house. Everything was still.
Fujitaka loosened his tie and excused himself for bed. It was only 7, but no one protested.
Syaoran changed out of Touya's suit and approached him to return it as he sat in the kitchen while Yukito prepared dinner. A common sight in that household, but usually Nadeshiko accompanied him as they chatted about menial things.
Syaoran was pulled out of his memories as Touya chuckled and shook his head. "Keep it. It's almost as if it was made for you. It looked good on you."
Syaoran stood stunned for a minute. Touya showing a gesture of kindness wasn't a normal thing for him, but he would accept it nonetheless. 'Maybe he doesn't hate me as much as I thought' Syaoran contemplated that thought for a moment before Sakura came down the stairs in her pajamas. He knew he had overstayed his welcome and walked over to his things picking them up.
She was down the stairs and at his side in a heartbeat. "Don't go yet." She pleaded through a whisper.
Syaoran sighed. "Sakura-"
She quickly interrupted him by putting a finger over his lips. "Please?" She whispered to him yet again.
Giving in, he put his things back down and followed her as she lead him upstairs to her room.
Touya had heard the bound down the stairs and watched the interchange between them.
Yukito spoke softly to him as he also watched them head up the stairs, "She needs his comfort."
Touya sighed and sat back down resting his face in his hands. "I know. I just wish I could be that for her instead of him."
Yukito put down the bowl he had been carrying around while mixing and sat next to Touya wrapping his arms around his back and placing his head lightly on Touya's shoulder. "I know."
Touya tilted his head at a back angle to feel Yukito's and placed his hands on top of the smaller boys. "Thank you Yuki." He whispered. "You are my strength."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura pushed Syaoran onto the bed. "Just for a little while." She pleaded as she sat next to him and lay down, pulling him down with her.
Syaoran knew this couldn't last forever, but couldn't deny her request. "Only a little while. Then I have to go."
She sighed and he could have sworn she said ok as she placed her head on his chest and her arm over his stomach to clutch onto his side.
Closing his eyes her wrapped one arm around her back and the other ran fingers through her hair.
She quickly fell to sleep. He could tell from her steadied breathing. Opening his eyes he knew he had to leave. Bending his head so his face was to her hair he whispered, "I love you Sakura." Kissing the top of her head, he carefully began wiggling free from her lose hold. Once he was out he pulled the covers up around her and she grabbed hold of the pillow he had been laying on, clutching it like a teddy bear.
Kneeling down next to her bed he ran his hand through her hair one last time. "I always will." Sighing he stood and left the room pulling the door closed behind him. Walking down the stairs he spotted Touya on a chair in the living room. Walking over to his things, he gathered everything up again and started walking towards the door.
Touya stood and opened the door for him. "Let me take you home."
Syaoran nodded, grateful for the offer. "Thank you."
They got into Touya's car and drove silently to Syaoran's apartment. Approaching the building, they came to a slow stop and Syaoran started to back out of the car until he felt a hand touch his forearm. Looking up, his eyes met Touya's.
Touya gave a partial smile. "Thank you for helping my sister." With that simple statement, they now shared a quiet understanding.
Syaoran nodded and closed the door watching Touya drive off before turning to find his own bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When she heard the door close to her room, Sakura's eyes popped open. The words Syaoran spoke only moments before reeling through her head. 'I love you Sakura. I always will.' Clutching the pillow that still held his scent harder to her chest she closed her eyes again and finally allowed herself to fall asleep.