Disclaimer: I don't own CCS or the the songs used in this fanfic.

Chapter 8: Adopted

"Okay, I agreed to your terms. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to hear about everything that happened." Touya glared harshly at the people in front of him and his father.

Eriol, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Meiling were sitting on a couch opposite Touya and Fujitaka at Sakura's home. Sakura had left the hospital a few days back and went home.

Right now, they were in the living room while Sakura was sleeping in her room. She hadn't uttered a word since that day she had broken down into hysterics. And with each day of silence Touya's anger and impatience increased steadily.

Eriol took a deep breath. "Within the last month Sakura and I got a warning. That was when the stage lights nearly fell on me and Tomoyo during a concert. From that point on we had to stay on guard at all times." He went on to tell his father and brother about the gun shots. Softly he talked about how Tomoyo was locked in her own attic and her home torn to shreds. He mentioned how that same day they found the snakes in her bathroom.

Eriol sighed. "Ever since Tomoyo's incident he decided he'd make it like a 'game'. It's our job to figure out who this person is…and he's not making this any easier on us."

By this time, Touya was ready to attack the first thing he saw. Fujitaka asked, "And do you have any idea who this person may be?"

"We believe it may be the same person who killed my family those years ago…and may also be the one who killed Mom." Tomoyo, Meiling, and Syaoran weren't surprised at what happened next.

Touya stood up angrily. "If that's so then why didn't you bother to tell us? We're Sakura's family for crying out loud! Her life is being endangered and you guys are treating it like some joke!" His father told him to calm down but he ignored him.

Eriol stood up too. "What do you expect us to do? The police has absolutely no leads on who this guy could possibly be. The twisted clues he gave only lets us know that the person we're dealing with is a sadistic freak and our assumption is exactly what it is: an assumption. In case you didn't realize we are doing the best we can!"

"Well your best isn't good enough! How could you not tell me this? How could you not tell her father this? She's my sister, Eriol!" Touya was furious.

"Stop it Touya," Fujitaka warned.

"She didn't want me to tell you! How do you think I feel? Sakura's been hurt! Heck, she could've been killed. I'm worried about her! I'm worried out of my mind! She's my sister as well you know. Don't forget that!"

Touya glared harshly at him. "She's only your sister by adoption! Get it straight. You were adopted into this family. You're not family by blood. You never have been and never will!"

"Touya, that's enough," his father boomed.

After that statement was made the entire room went silent. Tomoyo and Meiling gasped at what was just said. Touya's voice was locked. Even he was surprised at what he had just said.

"Touya…how could you?" They all turned towards the soft voice heard from the hallway. It was Sakura standing up looking at her brother with a look of anger and grief. "How can you say something like that?" Her voice was hoarse from days of no use but the disappointment could be heard clearly.

Eriol merely stared at him. His eyes were wide behind his glasses. Afterwards, he smirked and said calmly, "Thanks for telling me what you think." He smiled at Sakura. "Glad to know you're doing better. I'll talk to you later." With that he gave Sakura a hug, walked out of the room and slammed the house door.

Tomoyo got up with a polite 'excuse me' and ran after Eriol. After that nothing else was said by Touya. What else could Touya say? Meiling and Syaoran got up seeing that they needed to talk alone and excused themselves to take a walk outside as well.

Soon it was only Sakura, Touya, and their father. Sakura took a deep breath. "I can't believe you told him something like that. Eriol is one of my closest friends! We knew each other since we were like ten. We grew up together. He was in the car with me when mom died. He has always been there for all of us! Do you really see Eriol as just someone we adopted?

Touya couldn't say anything. His words were completely locked. And so he continued to listen to what Sakura had to say. "He tried, you know. He did his best to keep me as safe as possible. However, there is only so much that can be done. We don't have the slightest clue who this person could be. What do you expect him to do? As long as this person finds ways to remain hidden he will."

"You guys could've told us. We would've come right away!" Touya had finally found his voice again.

"If you came, what'd you do? We have nothing. Not even an idea of how he looks. As you can see, his plans are well developed. It's like he's playing a simple game of chess and we're the pawns. He can manipulate us as he pleases and he'll continue to do so…until we become opponents of his game and not just pawns. We have to beat him at his own game and we're doing that the best way we know at the moment…by surviving."

Sakura walked over to where her father was sitting and gazed him in the eyes. Her father gazed back concerned and tears started to fill her emerald eyes. She then eyed Touya and pulled them into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry for making you guys worry. I didn't mean to honestly. It's just that…he threatened to kill you both. I'm scared. I didn't want to get anyone involved in this. I just want this to end!"

Fujitaka and Touya looked at each other with pained expressions. No one could say anything as they held the weeping young lady in their arms.

Eriol slammed the door and started to walk quickly. He didn't know where he was going. All he knew was that he needed to get away from the house for a while. Soon he heard a voice behind him. "Eriol, wait up please."

His eyes softened slightly as he saw Tomoyo running up to him. She stopped in front of him slightly out of breath. "Are you okay?"

Eriol laughed bitterly. "Oh yes, I'm fine. I've just been told that I'm nothing than an adopted kid to Touya. I'm perfectly fine."

Tomoyo shook her head. "Yes, of course. That was a stupid question I asked. I'm sorry."

Eriol took a deep breath again. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken it out on you just now." He stared at the wall. "I feel so inferior right now. I tried to keep her as safe as possible. Honestly, I did. However I failed."

"No you didn't – "

"Oh, yes I did! I failed you when you got tied up in your attic and I failed Sakura too! All I seem to be doing is messing up everything lately. Then again I'm simply someone who was adopted anyway. Maybe I wasn't meant to protect anyone at all. I couldn't save my family all those years ago…what makes now any different." Eriol turned away, not wanting her to see his face.

Tomoyo gazed upon him sadly. She couldn't bear to see Eriol like this. Everything was getting to him. Slowly the pressure was breaking him bit by bit. Tomoyo walked closer to him and hugged him.

Eriol shocked by the gesture spun his head to look down at the young lady hugging him. Tomoyo stopped him before he could say anything. "It's okay Eriol…I'm here for you. Calm down. You're not alone in this. You have people on your side and as hard as it may seem right now…I don't think Touya meant what he said. It'll all turn out alright. Just let everything out."

Eriol smiled weakly at Tomoyo. She always knew how to make him feel better. He held her tightly as for the first time in years he cried his heart out.

"Syaoran," Meiling whispered to Syaoran outside. He looked at her in response. "This person must be caught…before this family is torn to shreds."

They both looked at the scene before them and watched as Eriol cried at a distance.

Syaoran nodded his head. "I agree with you Meiling. I agree."

A few days had passed and it was agreed that both Sakura and Tomoyo needed to learn some kind of defense. Syaoran and Meiling volunteered but Touya declined not wishing to get anyone else involved in the situation. However they insisted and so one of them is to be with Sakura and Tomoyo at all times when not at classes or home.

And so stood two best friends as they are about to enter the building in front of them. "I hope this is worth it," Sakura sighed.

Tomoyo nodded. "I hope so too." With that they entered the building. It was very spacious on the inside. Blue carpet was on the floor and mats were all around. They were a few others adults in the room too and soon one person came to them who they didn't expect to see.

"Minato! What are you doing here?"

Minato laughed, amused. "I work here."

Tomoyo raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

"Yes, I and Ryu both work here. We own this place." He pointed to Ryu who was assisting someone in the room. "Now I assume you came for some lessons. Am I right…miss…?"

Sakura nodded. "Kinomoto Sakura and my friend is Daidouji Tomoyo. Yes, that's correct. We're completely new to this."

"Well then let's get started. The ladies' restroom is over there," he said while pointing. "You can change there and then come back out there."

The two headed towards the restroom when they saw Ryu nod at them. They waved back. "Sakura", Tomoyo whispered.

Sakura nodded to show that she understood. "I know, I still don't trust them all that much either. Let's just be careful from here on out."

"Okay."

A/N: I'm back everyone! Missed me? I'm sorry for updating late. Thanks so much all the people who reviewed. 50 reviews...wow! Hope you continue to do so and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.