Her Rising Saviour:
Chapter Thirteen – Talks
Syaoran gritted his teeth through the meeting with Natsuo and Kenji. Kenji wore a large grin the whole time, but his eyes told Syaoran to stay in line. Syaoran simply did not get it. Kenji was someone who he usually got along with. They weren't buds, exactly, but he was a fairly easy going guy. What was so different now?
Because he's an 'important, loyal' client, Syaoran reminded himself in a silent scoff.
Finally, Kenji finished and turned to Syaoran. "Is everything understandable, Mr. Li?"
Syaoran clenched his jaw, but kept a polite tone – at least, as polite as he could. "As far as you've told me...Mr. Hamada here claims Miss Sasaki simply got pregnant to tie herself to him. That she went off childbirth without telling him. And he offered to pay for the child, but Miss Sasaki refused. Am I following so far, sir?"
Kenji smiled, "Very much so. Now," he stood up, and the other two men followed suit, "Li, I think you and Mr. Hamada need to speak in private and sort out a few more things. Why don't you go to your office? You have nothing else on your schedule, right?"
Again, Syaoran gritted his teeth. He wanted to get home to Sakura and make sure she was okay. "Right. But before that, may I please speak to you? In private?"
Kenji's smile sank briefly, but he nodded and gave directions to Natsuo for Syaoran's office. As soon as he was gone, Syaoran faced Kenji.
"Mr. Nakamura, sir," Syaoran tried to remain as polite as possible. "Please, is there any one else that can take this case? There's just too many personal emotions in on this. Not only do I know Miss Sasaki, but my wife and Hamada have a painful past, and I'd rather not have those emotions play on this job. Isn't there any one else? Any one at all?"
"First, it's Mr. Hamada, Li," Kenji corrected lightly. "Second, no, you're the only one. You're more than welcome to quit."
Syaoran gritted his teeth, knowing very well he couldn't.
"Put your wife's past behind this and work as Mr. Hamada's lawyer," Kenji ordered him sternly. "Now, go."
Syaoran gave one last glare before storming out of the room. He wanted to punch something. No, not something – someone. Kenji or Natsuo would do, though the emotion was stronger toward Natsuo. Only slightly, of course.
He was cursing under his breath on his way to his off ice when a hand grabbed his arm roughly and pulled him into a room. The door closed and Syaoran immediately recognized Eriol's office. He turned to see Eriol, the look of rage in his eyes. Syaoran was sure his own eyes matched.
"So, Nakamura put you on the case then?" Eriol asked. All Syaoran had to do was nod, and Eriol's fists tightened angrily. "Damn it! Have you spoken to him?"
"Of course I have!" Syaoran growled, running a shaky hand through his hair. "But he won't listen. He's basically told me to either take the fucking case, or take a hike."
Eriol's eyes narrowed, "That's harassment, Syaoran. Put in a claim. An unfair dismissal will easily..."
Syaoran was shaking his head, cutting Eriol off. "I've already thought of that, but I can't. Eriol, I need this job. I can't put in a claim and risk leaving the office."
"Of course you can," Eriol's voice shook slightly. "I mean, you're Syaoran Li! I'm sure Yelan would help you, if you couldn't get a job – "
"No. No, she won't," Syaoran sighed angrily. "I...I haven't told Sakura yet. Mother's cut me off from any family money. She's not too pleased with my decision to have Sakura instead of someone like Mei Ling."
Eriol's eyes grew angered, filling with flames. "What the fuck has this world come to?!"
Syaoran shrugged, "I know as well as you do, meaning, I don't know. Life is certainly no picnic."
There was a long pause as the two men became lost in their thoughts. Syaoran knew he needed to get back to his office, to speak to the bastard – really, he deserved no other name – but didn't make a move to leave.
Then, as if a sudden turn around, a large grin broke out across Eriol's face. Then, he began to laugh. Syaoran felt anger bubble inside him; laughing at this time?! What the hell?!
But before he could say anything, Eriol spoke up. "Syaoran, do you realize the opportunity Nakamura just brought to us? How easy this case is going to be? Syaoran, we can both so easily win this case!"
Syaoran frowned, "Not sure if I'm following you, Eriol."
"It's too easy !" Eriol chuckled again. "All you have to do is pretend that you're working on his case. But in reality, you're like my own personal mouse. A mouse in with the rat."
"Still not sure if I – "
"Haven't you ever seen the kids movies? Where the mice are the good guys and the rats are the bad?" Eriol asked, losing patience. "Well, he's part of a rat pack, and you're the mouse carefully hidden inside...you' re not really working with the rats. You just look like one. It's so damn easy!"
"Oh," Syaoran's eyes widened. "Oh!"
Eriol grinned, "It's brilliant, Syaoran. And Kenji knows that you can't lose this job now. He won't think twice that you'll go against him now with that threat."
Syaoran was still grinning at the idea as he left Eriol's office and travelled to his own. The only thing that sank his smile was opening his office door as seeing the bastard sitting in his chair behind his desk, spinning around aimlessly, his eyes glued on the ceiling above.
He caught sight of Syaoran and stopped spinning, a large grin on his face, "Well, it's about time, Li. You shouldn't've kept me waiting."
Syaoran's jaw tensed. He refused to apologize. That was just too much. He could keep up the act of listening to Natsuo's story and keep his politeness, but he would not apologize. He saw absolutely no reason to.
He walked over to his desk, but Natsuo refused to get up. He sighed angrily and took a seat on the other side, where technically Natsuo should have been sitting. He grabbed a pen and notebook and swallowed the bile in his throat. Shit, he didn't even want to talk to the guy.
"Tell me, in your words, why you think Miss Sasaki – "
"So you married Sakura, huh?" Natsuo cut him off. Syaoran's fingers tensed around the pen he was using, but from the corner of his eye, he saw the guy's smug smile. "Nice piece of ass, that one."
"This is unprofessional," Syaoran ground out angrily. "I would appreciate it if we dropped the subject about Mrs. Li and go back to the case. Now, about – "
"Ahh, good memories with that one. Lots of fantasies about screwing her," Natsuo continued, then shrugged. "Ended up she was just a tease."
"Mr. Hamda, please – " Syaoran growled.
"She was horrible in bed," he finished.
Syaoran slammed his hand on the desk, the pen's plastic cracking. Natsuo didn't even flinch, not even when Syaoran jumped to his feet and leaned over the desk, his angered eyes glued onto Natsuo's. "Listen you fucking bastard, while here, you will not talk about Sakura that way. In fact, you won't talk about her at all. You won't even speak her name. You have no right to, you fucking asshole!"
Natsuo chuckled, "You don't even know the story."
"Like hell I don't!" Syaoran yelled, full of rage. When Natsuo grinned, Syaoran slammed his hand on the desk again. "Fuck you, you bastard! Stay the hell away from her."
"You don't know how much of a tease she was though," Natsuo whined. "Any man in his right mind would bed her for that reason. Her body is just too perfect to pass up." He chuckled coldly, "Shit, Kandi hated Sakura for that. Hated that all the guys wanted her."
"Shut the fuck up, you fucking son of a bi..." he suddenly stopped, his eyes wide as he replayed in his mind what Natsuo had said. "What, Kandi...Kandi as in..?"
Natsuo smirked, "Quite a coincidence that Sakura happened to pick my uncle's bar out of all places to run to. Of course," he sighed dramatically, acting sad, "I never found out until I was out of the country. Kandi just called me up one night, fucking pissed beyond belief about this Blossom bitch who was getting all the guys and money, and of course with her description of the girl, I knew who it was right away. I've never heard my sister so pissed!"
Syaoran had to mentally shake his head to stop the murderous visions running through his mind. "You knew what you did to her? Knew that she ran to that fucking strip club because of you?! Bastard!"
"Oh stop with the dramatics," Natsuo said in a bored tone, looking at her nails. "If you knew she worked there, then that must mean you met or saw her there. Are you saying you didn't love her body as soon as you saw it?"
Syaoran didn't answer. He was simply fuming. He was remembering the sad emerald eyes he saw when Eriol had brought him to the club. He was seeing the pair of pained, sad eyes as if he were face to face with them right now. And it was painful. Her beautiful yet sorrowful image pained him incredibly so.
Natsuo, egging him on, only continued. "It's why I came back to Japan. To find her. I mean, even if she didn't do much, she wasn't that bad in bed. And from what my uncle said..." he trailed off suggestively, ignoring Syaoran's furious growl. "I came back about a year ago, but it seems someone dragged her out of the building a few weeks before I got there and she hadn't been back since. Anywhoo, I found Rika a few days later. The innocence in her eyes reminded me so much of Sakura. So kind and sweet...But she gave herself to me willingly within the first month." He chuckled, "Stupid girl."
"That stupid girl is now pregnant because of you, you fucking asshole," Syaoran all but screamed. Thank god his room was soundproof. "And you abandoned her!"
He shrugged, "She should have been keeping up on her birth control."
"Fuck!" Syaoran breathed out angrily. He grabbed the coat from behind his chair Natsuo still sat at and stormed off toward the door.
"Oi, Li!" Natsuo called out. "You can't just leave! My case – "
"If you know what's good for you," Syaoran growled, "you'll stay away from me. I'll be back in tomorrow to meet with you."
He slammed the door behind him, still hearing Natsuo laughing, calling out to him;
"Fuck her good, Li!"
b.K.d
Sakura was shocked to say the least when she suddenly felt a pair of strong arms around her waist, pulling her to a muscular chest. She dropped the spoon she had been stirring dinner with, feeling the man behind her tremble slightly, and placed her hands on his.
Tomoyo, who had brought her home and stayed, removed her apron and smiled sadly to Sakura. "I'll call you later, okay hun?"
Sakura nodded, "Okay. Thanks."
Tomoyo smiled again, this time a bit more genuine, and left. When Sakura heard the door close, and squeezed the hands she held onto.
"Syaoran?" She asked softly. He didn't answer, but instead responded with another tremble. She knew he wasn't crying, more like holding it back, but it still pained her. She turned her head and kissed his temple, "Syaoran, are you alright?"
"I should be asking you that," he spoke in a strained voice. He gently turned Sakura so she was facing him. He laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she answered honestly. In truth, she did feel alright. Especially since he was home, since she was in his arms. She just felt safe. When he gave her a unbelieving look, she smiled as much as she could, "Honestly, Syaoran, I'm fine. I'm sorry I freaked out there. I...I wasn't expecting him."
"Don't apologize," Syaoran told her sternly. He sighed and closed his eyes, then let his forehead fall against hers and held her close.
Sakura, not moving her forehead from his, kissed the tip of his nose. "Don't you dare begin beating yourself up over this. Don't you dare. You promised me...A new beginning. We'd forget our mistakes and the past. Remember? You promised. Don't you dare go back on it now."
"But neither of us was expecting this..." he sighed loudly. "It kind of changes things, don't you think?"
"No," she said sternly. "Certainly not. It's still a new beginning for us. I refuse to let him" – she refused to call him by his name – "know what he's done to me. I refuse to let him bother me anymore. And you know why? Because it's a new beginning, Syaoran. And I want for you to do the same."
Syaoran suddenly broke down, catching Sakura off guard. He fell to his knees in front of her and hugged her around her waist, his cheek against her stomach as he began crying, hard. His hold on her was tight, as if he were scared to let go of her. Sakura, shocked, didn't know what to do as he only pulled her tighter.
"Y-You di-di-didn't have to hear h-how he sp-spoke about y-y-y-you," he sobbed. "I-I couldn't st-stand it! The bastard! The f-fucking bas-bastard!"
Sakura swallowed her own tears and began running her hand through his hair softly, lovingly. "Shh, Syaoran. It's alright. See? I'm alright. He can't do anything anymore. We're fine..."
"He knows wh-what he did to y-you," he choked out. "H-He knows a-about the bar. He...Oh, god, He..."
"Shhh," Sakura stopped him, feeling him tremble and suck in deep breaths to calm himself. "Calm down. It's alright."
"I can't," he whispered softly. "He...He knew wh-what happened. He came back to g-go to the bar and t-take you a-again. B-B-But I already got you o-out..."
Sakura smiled softly. She gently pried his arms off her as much as possible, since he refused to let go, and slid down so she was on her knees in front of him. She placed her hands on his cheek and used her thumbs to wipe his tears away, then leaned in and kissed the corner of each eye, ridding the tears threatening to fall.
"See?" She asked softly, kissing all over his face softly. He squeezed her tighter to him. "How can you blame yourself? If it weren't for you, he would have went to the bar. You saved me, in more than one way."
He took a deep, shaky breath and shook his head, "Is...Is it bad of me to say I don't blame myself anymore? I mean, I'll always feel guilty, but I don't blame myself anymore. When you said those vows, it was like I could forgive myself. All that weight on my shoulders disappeared."
Sakura's smile widened. She pressed her lips softly to his, "I'm glad. It's what I wanted."
"But that doesn't mean I'm not ticked about this," Syaoran continued. "I don't believe anything he told Nakamura. Rika most certainly did not try and tie herself to him. She isn't that kind of woman. I don't believe a word of it."
"Then don't take the case," Sakura suggested, as if it were the most simplest answer. "You can't defend a case you don't believe in."
"I have no choice, Sakura," Syaoran sighed. "Nakamura didn't give me a choice."
"Bastard," Sakura mumbled. She didn't know much about law, but she was sure he couldn't do that. Though if it was true, she knew Syaoran already knew that. It was no use trying to bring it up. When Syaoran raised an eyebrow to her, she giggled. "Well, he is."
Syaoran felt a small smile break through. It was funny hearing her curse, even if it wasn't all that bad. He pulled her close and kissed her fully on the mouth. "I love you," he whispered over and over as he began brushing his lips over her face. "I love you."
Sakura smiled, "I love you too, but," she pulled him away with her hands and looked him straight in the eyes. "I'm not going to let him bother me. No matter what happens. And I want you to do the same."
"But – !" He began to argue, remembering how the bastard had spoken about Sakura as if she were a piece of meat.
"No!" She scolded. "No matter what he does or say, I don't want you to do anything. It's the past. Besides," she looked at him seriously, though a small smile appeared on her lips, "I don't think I could handle a baby while their father is in jail."
Syaoran smiled slowly, "I suppose not."
"Good," she smiled and brushed her lips to his. "Now, how about some dinner? No more talk about Natsuo Hamada, okay?"
Syaoran paused for a moment, then smiled slowly and nodded. He kissed her chastely once more. "Okay."
b.K.d
After dinner, Sakura suggested they watch a movie. Still bothered with the Hamada-Sasaki case, particularly the Hamada side, but wanting to forget about it, Syaoran agreed without second thoughts. She popped in some action-romance movie and cuddled into him on the couch, pulling the soft afghan on top of them.
Halfway through the movie, Sakura felt Syaoran's lips raining kisses down her neck and along her shoulder. She giggled and moved away, but his touch followed her. "Syaoran," she gently scolded. "Haven't you gotten enough through these past few weeks?"
Syaoran smiled against her skin, "Definitely not."
His lips suddenly latched onto the crook of her neck and she gave a soft sigh as he began to suckle at her skin. She could feel her arousal begin to stir as she rubbed her legs together. She could tell he was marking her, and for some strange reason, it excited her, even though she knew where he was putting it would allow others to see it.
When he was done, he licked the skin over and smirked at his doing. There was a faint purple-red bruise looking spot on her now, marking her as his. The idea that she was marked, letting everyone in the world – and especially Natsuo Hamada – know that she was his. Seeing his mark made the blood in his body flow down to his groin and his heartbeat pick up....
And then suddenly, it was over. Syaoran had pulled away from her, leaving Sakura confused and panting for breath. She looked over to see him hunched over, his elbows on his knees and his face cradled in his palms.
"Syaoran...?"
"Fuck her good, Li." Hamada had said, laughing.
"I'm sorry," Syaoran whispered. "I...can't. Not tonight. Please?"
Sakura, as if immediately understanding, moved beside him. She rested her head on his shoulder and began rubbing soothing circles on his back. She kissed his hand above his cheek. "I understand."
"I'm sorry," he whispered again.
Sakura stood and moved in front of him. She held out her hands and waited until he looked up to her. She smiled softly, "Let's go to bed."
Syaoran took her hands and let her lead him to the bedroom. They both undressed, Syaoran to his boxers and Sakura to her undies before she threw on an old shirt of Syaoran's. She crawled into bed first, then held open the blankets for him. He crawled underneath and sighed softly. Sakura moved his head to her chest, then wrapped her arms around him. He held her waist, holding her close.
Sakura kissed his forehead, playing with his hair. When his breathing became even and it was clear that he had fallen sleep, she willed herself to join him in slumber.
Their new beginning was going to be a rocky beginning. But, she was determined to make it their beginning nonetheless.
Author's Note: Had some difficulties with this chappie...Had two different endings, but my beta (AWESOME HUN!! ^.^) said that this one was best, and I trust her one hundred percent ^.-
Also...LOL, sorry for the late update. I had an epiphany for a new story and got completely excited about it and began working on it instead of this (I know!! It was terrible!! LOL). So I'm gonna finish this one quickly, within a month or so, and post this new story. It's going to be yummy ^.- It'll be co-authored with "swallowingtears" and closer to the end of this, I'll be posting a spoiler for it along with what it's about ^.^
Again, thanks SO much to my super awesome beta ^.^ Girl, you rock! You're awesome! The cherry to my sundae!! LOL
XOX, Riva
Next time... Sakura wants - no, needs - to face Natsuo. But can she? And what are Eriol's plans?