Disclaimer:
Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me. CLAMPS owns it.
The Little Match Girl belongs to Hans Christian Andersen.
Le Onde belongs to Ludovico Einaudi.
Time Enough for Tears belongs to The Corrs.
Summary:
Sakura was separated for years from her family, that it nearly makes her lose hope to reunite with her loved ones. But like everyone believes: miracle happens. Even though there will always be something obstructs on the way or at the end.
EDGE OF DESIRE
Chapter 6 - Time Enough for Tears
Time enough for hard questions, time enough for all our fears, time is tougher than we both know yet. - The Corrs.
"Cancel my dinner appointment with the Codrington. I want to go home early." Fujitaka Kinomoto ordered his secretary. He took his jacket and went out of his office. A wave of fatigue struck all over his body.
He just had taken the position as the Chairman of Kinomoto Group for the last six months since his father, Takahiro Kinomoto, had passed away. Being in charge of controlling one of the biggest corporations in Asia, had consumed lots of his energy and times. The only alleviation to his distress were his wife and children. He looked at his watch. It was already five in the afternoon and Touya must have been home already. He might be able to spend time helping with his son's homework.
His fellow business partners always said that he had a perfect life. Not like a typical of most businessmen who did not have a harmonious family situation, he really loved his family and put them above everything else. He always tried his best to spend lots of times with them. His family was the role model to the other businessmen's.
As his black limousine arrived at his residence, he stepped inside, highly hoping to see his family in instant.
"Otou-san."
He was immediately welcomed by his four year old daughter who ran to him and encircled her small hands to his leg.
Fujitaka laughed and picked Sakura up. He suddenly felt his fatigue was swept away when he saw his daughter's amusing face. He kissed her forehead. "My Sakura-chan. You're waiting for daddy?"
Sakura nodded her head, "I helped okaa-san cooking baffle."
"Baffle? What is that? Can daddy try it?" Fujitaka caressed her thin auburn locks which were still damp after bathing.
"Waffle, Sakura-chan." Nadeshiko showed up from the kitchen with a wide smile, still wearing an apron. She neared her husband and kissed his cheek. "She couldn't stop asking me for that."
Fujitaka frowned and pinched Sakura's cheek lightly, "Daddy told you to not eat too much sweets."
"Onii-chan said it's okay. He helped me to wash my teeth." Sakura grinned, showing up her glowing teeth to her father.
"Sakura-chan, you use me again to defend yourself?" His twelve year old son, Touya, came up from upstairs, frowning at his sister.
Fujitaka and Nadeshiko laughed to hear their children. To see his wife, son and daughter after finished with working, was a simple wish he had everyday. Every of his workload seemed nothing.
Sakura suddenly yawned, covering her mouth with her hands.
"She must be really tired from helping me all day." Nadeshiko reached to take Sakura.
Sakura shook her head at her mother, "I want daddy. He's promised to read for me again tonight."
Fujitaka feigned a shocked face, "You remembered my promise? Now i can't escape from it."
"But you haven't had dinner yet." Nadeshiko said as her husband took Sakura back.
"I can have it later." He smiled. "You can go first with Touya-kun."
Fujitaka then went to his bedroom and put Sakura on bed. She still slept with Nadeshiko and him, since she was still really small.
Sakura cheered, "Little Prince, otou-san!"
He took a book from a drawer behind the bed and sat beside his daughter. "Say hello to your favourite Little Prince, Sakura-chan."
Sakura beamed at him. She was already lying in comfortable position. She leaned her head into her father's chest, ready to have him read her a bedtime story. Two pieces of crayons were on her hands.
Fujitaka opened the book and turned to the last page they had stopped. His nose was filled by cherry scent from her hair. He started to read the fifth chapter as Sakura focused her sight onto the book as well. She moved her hand and drew colourful doodles on it.
"Otou-san?"
"Yes, Sakura-chan?"
"What is baobab tree?" asked her innocently.
"Hmm. It is a tree that can live until thousands of years. I think we don't have it here in Japan." He answered. He took a crayon from her hand and drew a tree. "It's like this."
Sakura shook her head lightly. She turned a page and pointed at a picture of a tree. "The tree you drew doesn't look like this."
The trees printed in the book were drawn as binding to each other, while the one he did was a tall straight one. He laughed silently, "Then what about we draw it together like this next time?"
She nodded as he continued to read. This was indeed their routine to read a book before she went to sleep. He always told his children to read books, as he believed that books were the window to the world, just like what his parents had told to him. But because he rarely had time to go home early, he had missed some times to read bedtime stories for Sakura.
"Otou-san, may i sleep?" Sakura slurred.
"We haven't even reached the end of chapter, Sakura-chan." But Fujitaka felt her head drooped on his chest. He looked down, found his little angel had already fallen asleep. He chuckled silently.
As he got up from bed, he carefully put her head back above her small pillow. Before he reached the blanket, he spotted her fingers stained from crayons. He then picked a sheet of wet wipes from the drawer and gently cleaned her slender baby fingers. After he finished both of her hands, he tucked her in and kissed her forehead.
"Have a sweet dream, my little cherry blossom."
Sakura opened her eyes slowly. She just had had a blur dream about a father who was taking her daughter to sleep. They seemed familiar to her. Who were they?
She glanced at the wall clock. It was three in the afternoon. She had lain on her bed all day long since yesterday. She had never thought that she would have eventually collapsed, moreover during her work. She had put her co-workers in worry and troubles that night. She still remembered how Rika and Chiharu had screamed when they had seen her bruised left leg. They had thought that she had violated her ownself and insisted her to go to hospital. Takashi had taken her home after the hard arguments, where Sakura painstakingly had ensured them that she had been fine. At least that event had made Rika allow her to wear a longer skirt to cover it up.
"Are you feeling better?"
Sakura turned her head, spotting the lady already sat on the edge of the bed. Worry was drawn over her face. Sakura smiled, reassuring her, "Yes, i am. I feel better after having much rest."
"I think you have worn yourself out, Sakura." The lady sighed sadly. She stroked Sakura's auburn hair gently. "You should not do that to yourself."
Sakura frowned, suddenly remembering what she had been curious about before, "Can i ask you something? How do you know my real name? No one knows about it. Everyone calls me 'Saki'."
The lady smiled and after a moment of silence, she answered, "I can't tell you that, since i don't know the answer myself as well. You might figure it out someday."
Sakura sighed. It was not the answer she had been expecting. She had a strange feeling that this lady might have been the reflection to her past. The fact that the lady did not give her any hints was frustrating her. She looked at her again, "Then what about the song that you sang for me yesterday? It seemed that i ever heard that song before."
The lady pondered for a while, smiled at Sakura and chanted a verse of the song.
"Hatenaki misora ni hoshi ukabi
Yo o michibiku shirube o nasu
Mayoishi waga michi ni
Mikami wa shimesan"
"I really love that song. It has a very deep and comforting meaning to encourage everyone." The lady continued, as Sakura falling deep into her amethyst orbs. "The words get along with what we talked the other day. The stars in the sky will guide us whenever we are lost on the roads."
Sakura nodded and smiled, even though she still felt disappointed.
There was a knock at her door, and Sister Nagano showed up and came inside. "How are you feeling, Saki-chan?"
Sister Nagano's face was still full of worries. Sakura knew that when she and Takashi had arrived at the orphanage, and he had told the sisters about what had happened at the coffee shop, they had been practically freaked out and demanded her to stay in bed as long as possible.
"I am already feeling fine after long rest, Sister." Sakura convinced her with a cheery voice. "Has Yumiko-chan been home yet?"
Sister Nagano nodded at her question.
"Saki-chan, can you go to see Sister Maeda after this?" Sister Nagano suddenly asked.
Sakura frowned. She recognized that her condition was not the only one which made Sister Maeda's concern. Her middle-aged face looked sad.
"She has seemed really strange lately. Like she's having a lot of burden." said Sister Nagano. "She won't talk to me. But maybe she can tell you something. I'm really sure that it must be related with the foreclosure."
Sakura nodded again. She had not told Sister Maeda yet about the agreement with the Kinomoto Group. Sister Maeda must have been really burdened by now.
Sakura then got up from her bed and walked slowly with her limping legs. She went to Sister Maeda's room after and found the old sister was tidying up stacks of paper on her desk. "Good afternoon, Sister."
"Oh, Saki-chan." Sister Maeda smiled to see her. "I just wanted to tell Sister Nagano to call you. I have something to talk to you."
Sakura sat in front of her working desk, looking thoroughly to the old lady in front of her, "What happened, Sister? Sister Nagano told me that you seemed restless these days."
Sister Maeda heaved a long sigh and looked at Sakura sadly, "I can't lie to you, Saki. I've been looking for a new place for us to live. But it seems difficult. I already asked for government's assistance, but there is still no response."
Sister Maeda's sorrowful face sent a huge sadness into the Sakura's heart. This old lady had raised her like her own mother. Yet Sakura had not been much helpful for her. "Sister, please don't be worried."
"I know that i have made all of you uneasy to see me like this. I'm sorry." Sister Maeda said queitly. She closed her eyes as she mumbled. "I can't be this useless. I have to do something more."
"Sister." Sakura called once again with a louder voice. "I already talked to the Kinomoto Group and they cancelled the foreclosure."
Sister Maeda quickly looked up to Sakura, surprised. "What did you do? How? You went to see them?"
Sakura nodded. "I went to Kinomoto Group Business District last month and met the chairman. He agreed to cancel it. So we don't need to worry anymore, Sister." She held Sister Maeda's hands to convince her. She did not have any choice left than lying to her. Her heart did not allow her to see Sister Maeda in that kind of despair.
"Why didn't you tell me, Saki? I could have helped you." Sister Maeda looked surprised.
"I'm really sorry, Sister. I know that i should have told you earlier, so that you did not have more in minds." Sakura said apologetically. She felt her heart beating fast as she was continuing to lie. Yet she was relieved that Sister Maeda did not realize that her words was drown in guilt.
Sister Maeda shook her head. She neared Sakura and hugged the girl. Sakura could feel the old woman's tears wettened her shoulder. "Thank you very much, Saki. You have always been a help to this orphanage. It should have been me and other Sisters to manage this problem. But i handed it out to you."
"I don't know how should i give thank to God that He gave you to us."
Sakura smiled. At least Sister Maeda did not have to hold and bear the weary anymore now. Just let her be the the only one who did.
The whole house was quiet. It was Wednesday, and the older children must have been still at school for extracurricular. Sakura sighed as she went out from Sister Maeda's room.
She looked down at her leg. She really needed to get well soon and pushed herself further. She did not have time for being sick. December had passed, which meant that she only had three more months left.
Sakura walked into the kitchen, took a middle-sized basin from the container and poured warm tonic water, which Kei had bought as she had requested yesterday, into it. She read this about how to treat swelling legs on the internet. She would like to try it if it worked.
Sakura then soaked her bluish left leg into the basin and rubbed it gently. She winced a little from the stinging pain. The article said that she had to do the treatment everyday in regular. It was inevitably that she had to make time. She closed her eyes while enjoying the comfort from warm tonic water pampering her leg. She sighed softly.
"Saki onee-chan!"
Sakura opened her eyes and caught Yumiko's figure running inside the kitchen. "Yumiko-chan, tadaima!"
Yumiko smiled and neared her. Her eyes then turned down to Sakura's leg which was being soaked. "What are you doing, onee-chan?"
"This is a cure for an aching leg." Sakura winked at Yumiko. "Do you want to join too, Yumiko-chan?"
Yumiko shook her head. She then lift up a book that she had been holding and chirped "I want you to read me a new book!"
"Oh, i forgot that i have promised you, right, Yumiko-chan?" Sakura smiled, softly pinching Yumiko's nasal bridge.
Sakura always told all children in the orphanage to read a lot of books. And the sisters also required the children to at least read a new book every week. When they were finished praying on Sundays, each of them would gather together and reread it for the others. It was a routine activity in the weekend and one of the ways to keep in touch despite their busy days.
Sakura had read some books from Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton for Yumiko in the last two months. Yumiko really liked the Famous Five series, especially the story when they ran away to live in the Kirrin Island. "Hmm, let's see what you want to read."
Sakura took the thick book from Yumiko's hands. She frowned to see the cover, a picture of a young girl holding a candle against the blue wall, and read the title. It was The Little Match Girl that Yumiko had picked.
Sakura was not sure whether she had to read this book for her. The story was full of unhappiness and grief, which was not really suitable for a child of her age. But Yumiko's eyes already shone in excitement.
Sakura sighed softly and stared at Yumiko helplessly. "Are you sure that you want to read this?"
Yumiko nodded eagerly.
"Okay, we will read this together then." Sakura smiled.
Yumiko pushed a chair so that she could sit beside Sakura. The little girl had already set an attentive face..
Sakura chuckled to see Yumiko and turned the page to read the story.
"Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark, and evening - the last evening of the year. In this cold and darkness there went along the street a poor little girl, bareheaded, and with naked feet. When she left home she had slippers on, it is true; but what was the good of that? They were very large slippers, which her mother had hitherto worn; so large were they; and the poor little thing lost them as she scuffled away across the street, because of two carriages that rolled by dreadfully fast."
Yoshiyuki sped his car through out Tomoeda, driving towards the north. The metropolitan surrounding was soon turned into woody, green view in an hour. Fujioka was known as the escapade of Tomoeda people, who needed fresher space. The typical situation was that the city would not be crowded until the weekend coming. As today was not weekend, he only needed half an hour from the city center to the place he was eager to see.
He drove his car slower when he reached a certain green area and pulled over at the edge near the forest. He got out from the car and examined the surrounding thoroughly. At the other side of the forest, there was a small rocky hill, which seemed to be already eroded in time. He neared the hill and spotted a huge mark that tainted the surface of the rocky hill, like it was resulted from an enormous collide. The blackened trace that followed into the middle of the road, when the car had been dragged, was still there.
Yoshiyuki took a deep breath. This was the third time he had been here and he was still sure that this had not been a single accident. The blackened trace was a sign that the car had been suddenly braked to prevent a crash, but it had ended up hitting the hill. It must have avoided another vehicle.
He then got back into his car and drove down to Tomoeda again. He had not told Nadeshiko about this. If his assumption was proven, it only meant that there had been another party involved in this incident. He could not be careless, or it could trigger more undesirable situations.
Nadeshiko had said that the accident investigation had been taken care by Wang Wei, the foremost representative from Li Corporations. He also had had the Daidouji's car stored at the Tomoeda Police Station. So Yoshiyuki might need to ask him to see the car.
Yoshiyuki immediately ran his way to Soka District and stopped at the fifth block. A brick-coloured building was the next place he needed to visit. If they had the answer that he had been looking for, then he was a bit closer to help his senior.
He then went out of his car and walked slowly towards the orphanage. Before he marched into the yard, he glanced at another car cornered in the far left of the street. He smirked softly when he caught an old man figure inside the car.
Nadeshiko hummed quietly as she was inside her car, passing the gate of her residence. She noticed a flowing spirit inside herself for these last few days. She did not understand either. Her husband and kids were wondering as well, but she had not answered them. This had happened since she had met the girl who had saved her. Yoshiyuki had told her to come over tonight, since their last meeting had been cancelled. She might see the young girl again today. She felt herself could not wait for it.
Her limousine stopped in front of the ivory-coloured coffee shop. It was still five in the afternoon, but the wintery sun was already setting. She could see the auburn haired girl chatting with her co-workers from the window. She smiled and stepped inside the shop.
"We told you, you should not have come if you're still sick."
The young girl shook her head and smiled, "I can't leave you guys alone with a lot of works."
A braid haired girl shook her head impatiently,"Okay then. But you should not push yourself too much today. Take a rest if you need it."
The girl nodded. Nadeshiko immediately neared her. The girl looked surprised and bowed to her instantly, "Oh, good evening, Ma'am."
Nadeshiko could only stare at her, lost for words. She would never understand the weird feeling of hers to this young girl. It was like that she had known her for a long time.
"Terada-sama said that you are one of his best friend. He also said that you might come here often and asked to treat you well." The girl smiled to her when she still did not say anything.
Nadeshiko jerked herself a little and followed the girl to a seat. She wanted to say something to the girl, but her brain did not cooperate to find the right sentence.
"I will make a tea first for you then." The girl smiled and turned away. But Nadeshiko caught the girl's arm gently.
"Can you accompany me for a while?" Nadeshiko asked, smiling.
The girl seemed doubted, but she nodded after her co-worker had given an approving signal to her. They went to seats next to a window. Both of them were astonished for a while from the outside scenery. A soft snow was falling, accompanying the slipping night.
"It's beautiful." Nadeshiko whispered. She turned to face the young girl in front of her. "I did not expect that snow came this early."
The girl was really quiet. Her head bowed down.
"It has been so rude of me that I haven't introduced myself to a person that has saved me." Nadeshiko continued, reached the young girl hands into hers. "My name is Nadeshiko. I am a good friend of Terada-san's. It's such a coincidence that we know the same person."
"My name is Saki Maeda. It is nice to meet you again, Ma'am." The girl said shyly.
Nadeshiko smiled widely. "You are a very sweet girl. I am still really grateful that you helped me that day."
Sakura shook her head, "Please don't mention it, Ma'am. I was glad to help you."
"Have you worked here for a long time?" asked Nadeshiko. Her eyes were examining every feature of the girl in front of her. Her heart felt warm only by seeing this girl. The girl really reminded her of her youth.
"I just started several months ago. Terada-sama has been really kind to me." Sakura answered.
Nadeshiko nodded. "But how old are you? You seem to be at the same age as my daughter. Do you work part time here after your college?"
"I am nineteen years old. But I don't go to college, Ma'am. I work here to help my family." Sakura said, staring at her lap. "I'm still thinking of taking the next year admission though."
Nadeshiko sighed softly. She suddenly felt really sad. Her family always prioritizes education above all. Moreover now, when she continued one of her family renowned business, The Amamiya Educational Foundation. One of her responsibility was as head of Tomoeda University. Kaho Mizuki, her son's fiancée, helped her by being headmaster at Tomoeda High School.
"Does your family have financial difficulties?" Nadeshiko asked. Empathy filled her being for this girl. How could she not be, when this girl was supposed to go to school, instead of working. This girl was still very young to carry her family's burden. She somehow noted to herself that she had to help this girl. The fact that they just had met each other, did not affect her.
Sakura stayed silent for a moment, before answering, "I live in orphanage. We usually have government to support us, but lately we are facing some difficulties." She actually did not want to answer Nadeshiko that way. But she could not lie to this lady.
Nadeshiko was startled. She could not believe what she just had heard. She always loved her children very much. She took very good care of them. And after her daughter had been lost in that accident, she had taken care Tomoyo too like her own. She gave them the best that she could, making sure that they got comfortable lives. So how could she not feel sad to hear a more unfortunate child? She held herself from knowing further about why this girl had to live in an orphanage.
The cold wind from outside blew through the window beside them. Nadeshiko closed it and shivered a bit.
Sakura noticed it and quickly stood up. "I'm really sorry, Ma'am. I should have served you something."
Nadeshiko chuckled to see the girl already burst into the pantry, even before she answered the girl. Sakura came up five minutes later with a brown cup on a tray.
"Please drink this, Ma'am. It is good for a cold weather like this." Sakura said warmly, offering the cup to Nadeshiko.
Nadeshiko smiled and nodded a little. She sipped the warm drink gratefully. The sweet flavoured of the beverage were comforting her body. "Ah, kuzuyu. I really love this sweet drink."
Her eyes suddenly softened. A certain memory found a way to creep into her head. "I had a cousin. She was my best friend. We used to enjoy this kuzuyu together if we found the winter day was too cold." Her sight turned down to the thick drink on her hands. She did not realize a few drops of tears lightly wettened her cheeks. "My cousin passed away years ago from an accident."
Sakura was silent. Her face turned sad as the sympathy for the lady in front of her. Without herself realizing, she suddenly reached the lady's hands into hers. She did not know what provoked her to do that. But all she wanted to do was comforting Nadeshiko.
Her emerald eyes looked through Nadeshiko's. Any soothing words were unnecessary. Funny thing that she just met this woman, but she already experienced something unexplainable towards the woman.
The coffee shop's door flew open and Yoshiyuki Terada came inside. He smiled to see the young girl and the Kinomoto mistress. Yoshiyuki neared them, "Sorry for making you wait, senpai."
Nadeshiko nodded to him, "It's alright, Yoshiyuki. This young lady has been keeping me company."
Yoshiyuki smiled widely, "I see that you already met Maeda-san. She is one of my best employees here."
Nadeshiko turned again to the blushing Sakura, "I know why you said that."
"Saki-chan! Can you help us at the kitchen?" Chiharu suddenly yelled from the back of the counter.
Sakura looked up and turned to Yoshiyuki and Nadeshiko. "I'm sorry, i have to go back to work. Nice to meet you again, Ma'am." Sakura bowed to Nadeshiko and walked into the kitchen.
"So, shall we go to my house?" Yoshiyuki offered.
Nadeshiko nodded, but she did not let her sight off of the young girl yet. Those emerald eyes which captivated her.
He caught her figure when he was wandering around the university that afternoon. Of course he was not just lurking without any clear intention. After that day, he had had a weird feeling to see her at least once everyday. He always quickly left all classes once the lecturer finished, avoiding Tomoyo. He knew that he was one of the jerks who playing her fiancée around. He should not do this at the first place. But he could not ignore this girl.
She was tidying and cleaning up the music room. Violins and its bows lay down on chairs on the mini stage. The student orchestra had just been finished practicing for the upcoming event. Tomoeda University was welcoming its Dies Natalis in a week. All non-academic staff were busy doing the preparation. Sakura was not an exception. She had been back and forth to help all departments which needed her assistance.
Sakura looked up when she realized a pair of amber eyes was creeping up on her. "You startled me. What are you doing here?" She asked as she continued her task.
Syaoran smiled and neared Sakura, "Looking for you."
His words paused her from what she was doing. Since that day when he had walked her to the coffee shop, she had been thinking what was truly happening between her and him. Friends? They had not known each other that long to consider as friends. Let alone best friends.
Sakura shifted her sight to others bows which she had not put back in place.
Syaoran leaned on to the window near her. He could see her figure clearly from there, while she sat, stood, bent down. Her face when she frowned, her eyes when she squinted.
He sighed sadly. "What are you doing to yourself? Why you're looking thinner?"
Sakura laughed quietly and looked at him, "You sound like my mother. Even though i never meet her, i'm sure that she will be like you."
Syaoran turned his head down. He could not help thinking about what had happened to her and her family since the day she had told him. He could not help but felt sad. How could he be much of a relief to her?
Sakura noticed the sudden change of expression on his face. She sighed and smiled sadly. There were nothing worse than the pity of the people she loved.
She stepped slowly to the grand piano on the other side of the stage. Sitting on the brown bench, she touched the keys gently. Her head turned a little to him, inviting him to join her.
She could feel comforting warmth from their closeness. Her fingers started to move, creating a soothing melody. Yoru no Uta. People in the orphanage were the only one who had ever heard this melody. She never played it for anybody else. Even though she indeed did not have that many of friends. Her works could not spare her times for socialization.
Syaoran watched as her slender fingers moving in harmony. This song... It was full of hope and spirit. It was like telling a story about a dream of a child's. He wondered what was she having in her head now, when she was playing this melody.
"That is good. Did you write it yourself?" asked Syaoran, smiling in amazement.
Sakura shook her head lightly. "I don't know. That was one of the only things that i can remember from my past. Maybe my parents used to play it for me."
Syaoran nodded a little. He snapped his head when an idea popped in his mind. "I can write a lyrics for it."
Sakura frowned. "Lyrics? Do you think it could actually be a song?"
"Of course. I will do it. I am really good at words." Syaoran winked playfully at her. He took his phone and turned on the recorder. "C'mon, play it once again."
A smile formed on Sakura's face. She played the melody once again. It had been fifteen years that this melody had been held in her head. Yet she still could not reveal the secret behind it.
It had been the thousandth time that Meiling sighed today. Like any other day, her mentor, Yukito Tsukishiro put her in hard time. She might have been okay with all paper works and research that she had to manage, but to serve him meals, schedule his meetings and trainings? For heaven's sake, she was not his servant to begin with.
"I'm home." Meiling uttered listlessly when she arrived at Li Mansion. She spotted her only male cousin was in the living room, sat against the upright piano. In any other family mansions, it was rare to see piano put in such room. But her aunt liked to play it or ask her cousins to play songs when the whole family gathered.
"Welcome home." Syaoran smiled to her cousin.
Meiling threw herself into a couch and closed her eyes for a while.
"You look tired."
"Hey, you know Yukito Tsukishiro, right?" Meiling quickly straightened up, staring at Syaoran.
Syaoran doubtfully nodded. "But i am not that close. We are just mere acquaintances. Why?"
Meiling groaned frustratedly and scratched her head. "That bastard is really unreasonable! I have to talk to obaa-chan about this."
Syaoran shook his head indifferently. "When will you stop taking advantage of your family name."
Meiling glared at him, "Excuse me? Like you haven't been doing such all this time?" Meiling sighed desperately when she saw his cousin just shrugged at her. "Just don't talk about it."
Meiling took a peek at score papers that scattered on the top board of the piano, which her cousin were struggling at. "You are composing a song?"
"Sort of. Lyrics, actually. " Syaoran answered shortly. He had been staying in this position, fiddling words that could suit the melody that Sakura had given him.
Meiling nodded. She was silent, seemingly thinking something. "You know what. You seem really different now. I was surprised to see you the day i came here."
Syaoran turned his head, frowning at the suddenness of her cousin. "Why did you say that?"
Meiling shrugged. "You seem happier. Not a usual happiness, but a genuine one." Especially since his father passed away. She thought sadly.
He stared at her cousin. Meiling was right. Since his father had passed away, he had seemed to be a little introvert. Though he still mingled with others; friends and business partners, but that was all.
Again, that girl was different. Syaoran smiled.
Yukito had been smiling countlessly lately. He knew that he was really bad, but picking on that new girl, gave him much entertainment. It was not that he was lazy to do his research, but it might have done good too for a medical student like her . She could study from it. And being his assistance to organize his schedule? It was just so funny to see her bustling here and there.
He laughed as he remembered her shocked expression when he had asked her to do a hundred-page report in two days. Laughing... He halted. It seemed like an impossible thing for him. He did not even remember when was his last laughter.
Yukito covered his face with his hands. He sighed softly. Whenever he closed his eyes, the shadow of Kaho Mizuki never left his head. She had marked his heart with a pain that he could not bear.
"Tsukishiro-kun."
Suddenly he felt his heart stopped. That soothing voice... Did it belong to her? He slowly turned his head. Her image was set at the doorway. But her face was covered by the darkness, he could not see.
Yukito rose up from his desk chair. It was really her. Her beautiful face stayed still like the very last time they had met. Nothing had changed.
Kaho slowly went to him. She smiled. "How do you do?"
After some silent time as he tried to take in her presence, he felt another pinch in his heart. She is not real. She never was and never will be. "Why are you here?" He asked with a cold voice.
"It has been a very long time since our last meeting. We used to have our little rendezvous with Touya." said Kaho in a friendly gesture.
Yukito clenched his right fist to get a grip of himself. "It was before he took you away from me."
Kaho sighed inaudibly. Her cinnamon-coloured eyes were full of sadness. "Tsukishiro-kun, how much longer that you will hold that grudge? Both of you used to be bestfriends. Don't you miss him?"
"You... You said this only for his sake, didn't you? You never thought how miserable i could be because of you and him?" He whispered. Both of his hands now were hurting, that he fisted so hard. She did not understand that her existence in his world was essential. She would never know of how he had been struggling for life since she had chosen Touya over him.
Kaho turned her face away. "He has been feeling guilty all this time. Don't you know that he also suffered so much to lose his best friend?"
Her face now slowly was dampened by her tears. "I was the one who chose him. If there was anyone to blame, it would be me. Not him."
Yukito closed his eyes. He already knew that. For God's sake, he was not that petty. It was just too hurting for him, to see her with Touya.
Kaho wiped her cheeks with her hand, "So, please, i beg you. Forgive him."
"Tsukishiro-sensei, these are the reports that you asked..." Suddenly Meiling appeared before them. Her ruby eyes were staring back and forth, between Yukito and Kaho.
"Please excuse me, then." Kaho bowed a little to Yukito and left the room.
"I'm sorry, i did not see you guys." Meiling said clumsily. She felt like an intruder between their seemingly serious talks.
So the rumors are true, Meiling said inwardly. She turned to see the tall men after her. She could tell that their talks had not been that pleasant. Especially when she swore that she had seen the woman shed a tear.
Everyone could see that Sakura looked really happy these days. Nadeshiko always took times to visit Autumn Blossom whenever her job at the foundation finished. They grew closer each day by then.
They talked about a lot of things. Sakura really admired of what a smart woman Nadeshiko was. She knew a lot of things from the woman. Even though Nadeshiko had so many business to do, she still took care of her family. Sakura did not know that there was still a career woman like Nadeshiko, that could do a lot of things perfectly. Sakura knew that she wanted to be exactly like Nadeshiko someday. She was Sakura's role figure.
Nadeshiko smiled to see the young girl in front of him. She did not know why she felt so happy only because of this girl. She felt like they were connected to each other. Since these fifteen years, this was the first time she could laugh and smile sincerely from her heart.
Nadeshiko suddenly remembered something what this girl had told her the other day. "Saki-san, about the earlier thing that you told me. Why do you stay in an orphanage? Did something happen to your parents?"
When she saw Sakura looked down and did not say anything, she felt guilty. She reached the girl's hands, "I'm sorry to ask that. You don't have to answer if you don't want too."
Sakura shook her head slowly. She smiled to Nadeshiko. "My family was in an accident when i was a child. One of the sisters in the orphanage then took me and raised me there."
Nadeshiko turned her sight from Sakura. She never expected that it was so hurt to hear the story from this girl. She really knew the suffering from losing the loved ones. She had lost her cousin and only daughter and still could not move from her sadness. She was really affected by this girl's perseverance and strength.
"You said that you want to take next year university admission, did you? What major do you want to take, Saki-san?" Nadeshiko knew that Sakura hoped to not talk about her family anymore. She got that.
Sakura seemed to think hard to answer Nadeshiko's question. She had been asking to herself about it indeed. "I really love to read books. So maybe i will take literary studies. But i love music too and i want to study about it." Sakura said eagerly.
Nadeshiko laughed to hear the girl's excitements. "We truly have a lot of similarities. I am a bookworm too. Oh, this makes me remember when i was still dating my husband." She chuckled. She suddenly reminisced those good old days. "Not like every other couple, we spent most of our datings in the public library, reading something. We told our children to like reading books too."
"Anyway, you played piano and sang really well that night. Everyone was really stunned by your performance." Nadeshiko praised Sakura, who blushed in instant to hear her.
"I'm not that good, Ma'am." Sakura said shyly.
Nadeshiko smiled and took the girl's hand. They went to the black piano at the corner of the coffee shop. "Do you want to play together with me?"
Sakura smiled a little and nodded. She then sat beside Nadeshiko. The woman seemed to think about some songs and after a while, she played some notes. "Do you know this song? The title is Le Onde."
Sakura gaped and exclaimed excitedly at Nadeshiko, "This is Ludovico Einaudi, right?"
Nadeshiko nodded and beamed. "Play it with me."
Their fingers were connected together when they touched the piano keys. A serenaded melody reverberated in the coffee shop. There were not so many visitors that night. But they were enchanted by the two. Even Takashi and the other workers stopped their activities for a while, sinking down with the harmony they were bringing.
Naoko heaved a sigh dreamily. "They are playing it so beautifully."
Chiharu and Rei nodded in agreement. "They seem blended into one."
Sakura looked at the woman beside her. Why was she wishing that they would never stop playing? Wishing that the time would pause...
They slowly ended the melody. Huge applause were heard from Chiharu and the others.
"Thank you for playing it with me." Nadeshiko patted Sakura's shoulder. She stared at the girl's face for a moment. This girl really reminded her of her daughter. She must have been her age if she was still here.
Nadeshiko looked down to her watch, "I have to go now, Saki-san. I hope to see you again here."
Sakura nodded and smiled. Even though they had to end it, she really hoped that there was another time. She followed her figure until Nadeshiko went inside her limousine.
"She looked really happy."
A soft voice was heard beside Sakura. She turned to her left and saw the mysterious lady appeared again. Sakura frowned at her. She realized something unusual. "Why do you always appear whenever that Madam comes? Do you know her?"
The lady only chuckled and patted Sakura's head gently.
"Saki-chan! Come here! Chiharu just proposed a very interesting plan!" Naoko waved at Sakura, asking her to come to the staffs room.
Sakura nodded and followed her. Chiharu, Takashi, Rei and Rika were already there. Chiharu seemed really excited, while Naoko and the others feigning one.
"What happened?" asked Sakura curiously.
Chiharu neared Sakura and held her hand. She beamed at younger girl, "I just suggested to hold a Valentine party at valentine's day! We will trade chocolates to each other, and there will be a ball too! We have to bring our own couples. How does it sound? You will give your vote, right?"
Sakura could see stars in Chiharu's eyes. She laughed nervously. How could she say no when her senior staring with her 'i-will-make-your-life-a-hell-if-you-say-no' look. "Alright. I agree too." Sakura said.
"Good! Then we just have to manage the preparation from now!" Chiharu exclaimed enthusiastically. She took a piece of paper, and started to write the details that might have been needed for the ball.
Sakura chuckled nervously. She had never used to an idea for party nor ball before. All of her life had been busy to think about how to collect money for her family in the orphanage. How was she supposed to learn how to dance?
It had been such a torture in these few days for Tomoyo. She could not sleep nor eat peacefully. The image of her fiancée and that girl had been haunting her. It was still really clear in her head, when she had crept up on them at the music room the other day. She could already imagine if Syaoran was asked about it, he would say that he was only being friendly. How could she ever believe that? Even a blinded person could tell that there was something between them indeed.
Telling Eriol was not a solution either. He would say that it was only her feeling. Moreover when she now was starting to realize that there was something more in Eriol.
Tomoyo fisted her hands angrily. How dare that low girl playing a trick to her fiancée? She gritted her teeth. She was the only who could solve this situation.
Tomoyo quickly got out of her house and slid inside her car, heading to Tomoeda University. Nobody would take Syaoran from her. They were destined to each other since their parents had betrothed them.
It was still four in the afternoon when she arrived there. All staffs must have not been home yet. Tomoyo strode fastly, wondering where that damn girl could be. Some of her friends yelled at her, asked her to join them. But she just passed and ignored them.
She found the girl who had put her in wrath, when she arrived near the central library. Tomoyo saw that the girl was collecting new books outside the library. It was quiet at the surrounding, so there would be nobody to see them.
Tomoyo neared Sakura and suddenly shoved her shoulder to the wall. The auburn haired girl looked shocked at the sudden deed.
Tomoyo glared at her and whispered furiously, "Listen, stupid girl. I just say it one time. Do not go anywhere near my fiancée, or don't blame me if anything bad happens to you."
Sakura stared at Tomoyo. She quickly repelled the angry girl's hands. "What did you mean? I don't think i ever did something to you. For God's sake, i don't even want to be near you."
Tomoyo laughed sarcastically. She could not believe this girl. "Don't play innocent here. You really know that you are doing your dirty tricks to flirt with my fiancée."
Tomoyo saw that Sakura could not answer, but kept glaring at her. "Remember this or you will be sorry forever." Tomoyo hissed at Sakura one last time and left the auburn haired girl shocked.
Tomoyo quickly walked to her car. This was how it should have been done. It was indeed not the first time that a girl had approached her fiancée. Syaoran was not a playboy to begin with. He had always ignored all those pitiful girls behind. It had even been only Tomoyo that had kept her glaring eyes to those girls. But it was different this time. She could feel it.
He never knew whether Syaoran had agreed to be betrothed to her nor not. He never showed any disapproving acts before. But Syaoran never treated her the way he treated that girl.
Tomoyo banged her hands at the steering wheel frustratedly. What should she do? Asking her father to speed up the engagement party? It was not possible. The party had already been scheduled at this March. She turned off her car and headed home. Perhaps she should tell her mother about what happened. She felt like she could not handle this thing by herself. Her mother might be mad to the Li family if this was the case, but Tomoyo did not care if this could secure her position as Syaoran's fiancée.
She quickly stepped into her house once she arrived. She had seen her parents' limousine before. It was a little weird since both of them could be at home at this hour.
But when Tomoyo neared her parents' room, she could hear her mother was yelling. Tomoyo quietly crept by the door. She could see that her parents were fighting. Her mother's face reddened in anger.
"Trust me, Nadeshiko. There was no evidence left on the site! The police have done everything they could and they could not find Sakura everywhere!" Fujitaka said desperately.
"You should have not said that when you have not even seen her body by yourself." Nadeshiko yelled while crying. "Even Yoshiyuki realized that there was something wrong with the investigation! Why can't you see that?"
"There is nothing left to be done! Why can't you just accept the fact that our daughter has passed away? Why you are torturing yourself like this?" Fujitaka replied. His voice rose up. Tomoyo knew that her father was blowing up after being patient to her mother these years. "Don't think that i don't love Sakura. I loved her so much, I want to let her go now. I want her to be in peace."
Tomoyo sighed sadly. She slowly went into her room. Her mother's problems were already too much. Tomoyo should have not added her burdens.
Suddenly Tomoyo's feet stopped at a chamber beside her brother's room. Her room was at the left wing of the mansion. Her brother's was at the center between her parents' bedroom and living room. But there was a huge chamber left. It belonged to her sister.
Tomoyo entered the chamber. It was dark and dusty. She turned on the light. Instantly she could see the ivory coloured room. It was larger than hers. There were two parts of the chamber; bedroom and bathroom in one part, and study room at the other side. There were a lot of pictures of a little auburn-haired girl hung on the wall.
All this year her mother had kept the chamber clean even though no one slept there. But recently her mother did not put attention in a lot of things. Not even her.
Tomoyo felt her legs giving up. Her skin met the cold floors. And there, in her sister's room, she broke down.
Eriol knew that he was a type of cool-headed man. All people regarded him as a gentle one. It was true. He was rarely angry. But this time, he felt that he could stab someone in the head, especially Li Syaoran.
He pushed his car's pedal deeper, heading his way to the Li Mansion.
"Is Syaoran home?" asked Eriol quickly when he arrived at the huge mansion. A security nodded and he flew himself inside.
He glanced to the living room, where he could hear Syaoran's was chatting with his other cousin, Meiling. Eriol burst inside and quickly grabbed Syaoran in his neck.
Syaoran's eyes widened at his cousin, "What?"
"How could you make her cry?" Eriol whispered, gritted his teeth angrily. He blew his fist away to Syaoran's face.
He could hear Meiling's screaming at them, "What are you, guys, doing? Eriol, stop!"
Eriol did not heed her. He hit Syaoran once again. "I know that you never deserve her, bastard!"
"Stop it!" Meiling pulled Eriol away from Syaoran.
Syaoran was panting. He wiped the blood emerged from his mouth and nose. He looked at his angry cousin.
Eriol neared him again. "Don't you dare to make her cry again."
Sakura could not believe that time was flying so fast. The first week of January had passed. Time was running out of her grasp. Yet she still had to collect more money. She thought as she was cleaning the university hall.
Should she tell Sister Maeda? Sakura shook her head quickly. How could she tell her all the problem when she had already emphasized that this problem had been solved the other day? She wished that she had more than twenty four hours a day.
Even then, she was still playing around with that Li Heir. Sakura could not believe that she was wasting that much of time. She cursed herself.
Maybe there is something that she could do...
Sakura straightened herself. This should be done. She said inwardly.
Sakura found herself standing near the gate of the tallest building on Kinomoto Group Business District. She could have burst inside, but she doubted that she had the luck like the last time. She looked up to the sky. The snow was falling softly, flakes falling on to the top of her head. Even though she already wore a thick coat, she was still shivering.
She glanced at her watch. It was already five in the afternoon. Office hour should have ended by now. This was the right time to meet those Kinomoto again. Sakura pinched her cheeks to ease the stiffness from the cold air.
After a few more minutes of waiting, Sakura saw a few men stalking outside the building. She easily spotted the tall middle-aged man with his spectacles among them. But she could see his son, Touya Kinomoto, as well.
She shook her head. She did not care about them. She just wanted her home safe.
Sakura quickly walked towards the crowd, bursting to them.
"Kinomoto-sama." She moved fastly before anyone could stop her and stood in front of him. She could see his brown eyes stared at her in surprise. "Please just give me more time."
In a sudden, Touya appeared beside Fujitaka. His face started to flush in anger and yelled, "What are you doing here again?"
Sakura did not heed him and kept staring Fujitaka with her pleading eyes. "Please, Kinomoto-sama. We cannot afford to pay that much in such a short time."
Fujitaka closed his eyes. He was already tired with his work and his problems at home. He did not need this kind of annoyance anymore.
Fujitaka walked past her. But Sakura knelt before him. She started to cry helplessly, "I beg you, please. Do not take away our home."
"What are you doing there? Take her away!" Touya snapped the security men.
Fujitaka just stared to see Sakura was pulled away from him.
"Kinomoto-sama, please."
He heard her crying. Somehow her crying pierced his heart. He did not want to do that horrible thing either. But it was out of his control. All of it were out of his power. Including the accident that had taken his daughter away. Could not everyone see that?
Wei was really shocked when he saw what was happening in front of him. That girl who was kneeling in front of Fujitaka Kinomoto. He quickly got a grip from the desk behind him. He felt himself limp. What had he done to them?
God, i can't believe that i've been away for almost four freaking months! Post-graduate study was like hell to me:'(
I don't know how to say sorry to you guys! I really hope that this chapter pays all my sin!
Hat's off to these wonderful readers:
alexag98
MaiAkikoChan
Undane-Haizea
astrea-shion723
xSapphirexRosesxFanx
quantum122002
Yuki O-Ren
kram32: thank you very much for the review and for favoriting and following this story! i really hope that i did not make you wait too long :(
Akirina
HannahPotterXSeverusSnape
251960
sakura-kaede
brendatorres113: aww, thank you soooo much for the compliment! that is the point of this story that they are close, yet feel far :( thanks for favoriting and following as well, dear!
i don't forget the other readers that have read this story, but have not yet dropped any alerts! thank you, guys!
i really hope that i will not make you wait that long for the seventh chapter. I will push myself as hard as i could at this holiday.
Oh, i want to wish you a happy and enjoyable winter holiday too! :)