Hi guys..hehe mad huh?.well I don't care.AHHHHH yes I do, YES I DO!!!! I'm
sorry! I really am! I didn't mean for you guys to wait so long, and after
all those emails I got from you people I just felt so guilty for making you
wait. forgive me!!! I will finish this story; it's just that I haven't had
much time so I worked on like one sentence everyday.as you can see it
didn't work out very well.so I finished it all at once. YEAH!! Hope you're
still interested ^.^ I understand if you aren't. It's like there just isn't
enough time in one whole day is there? Why can't this be a 48-hour day? Or
even a 36-hour day? It's not too much to ask is it? Haha anyways I wanted
to thank you once again for all the compliments that I received from you
people. I was planning on giving individual thanks but I wanted to get this
chapter out, as fast as possible and considering how much I've already
lagged, I didn't think you wanted to wait any longer. 0_o so next time!
Haha hmmm what else did I want to say? Oh yeah I just realized that I'm
very stupid and to make this story work out Imma gonna have to drag this
story out longer, just for a little. Darn, I should've just put more into
my chapters huh? Well that's me for ya.anyways sorry if this story is
getting too long for you but I still have to work a couple things out
SORRY! ^-^ I hope you at least enjoy this chappie!! Thx!!!
~A Love Before Time~
"W..what do you want now?" Sakura's eyes widened as she leaned back, slightly intimidated. No matter what he said wasn't he still the one who had lost her trust? Broken her heart? And finally sent his old girlfriend after her?
That night she had lain silently in bed, thoughts running through her clear head. She had felt Li's presence and realized he had found her in the room she had sheltered herself in. She had shut her eyes, but that didn't mean she didn't feel the way his cool hand brush away the strands of hair that had fallen over her face, or the way he pulled the covers right to her shoulders when she gave a light shiver. Neither gestures meant anything to her but they did oddly enough confuse her. Why would he care if she were cold or not? For gods sake he just had someone threaten her and almost kill her! To Sakura, that was her turning point.she had been hurt so much times in her life and it was as if she couldn't learn from her mistakes, but no, no longer would she be swayed by the past Li's charming smiles, or the way he pulled her down into his lap when she wouldn't listen to what he had to say, or even the way his eyes, which were already a warm ale brown turned into a dark mysterious pools when he was looking at her.
That's right, yesterday night she had built an impenetrable shell around her. The way the future Li treated her was too perfect. Whatever hurtful thing he said to her she would just push it down, deep inside of her and pretend it had no effect on her. Her wall would be strong.no one would be able to break it down. But then while the past Li was gripping her shoulders demanding how she knew he would never see Sakura again she had felt a painful spasm through her chest. Then an unexpected feeling grew deep in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't able to speak for she knew her voice would have cracked, as already did the firm invisible wall around her. She had to look away. If she raised her eyes to see his pain, the wall would have completely shattered.
But then something unexpected had happened. He had pulled her into his sudden, warm embrace and spoke her name! She had melted just like that, just that fast. She didn't stop to think or even begin to protest when he had pulled her into his lap either. It was pathetic but she hadn't been prepared. His promises of their future together hadn't helped the cause. If she had a choice she never would have left him, but in this case she hadn't had a choice, and so was hurled back into reality.
Now everything was falling apart. How could they be together in two different times? What about Emike's threats? Sakura lifted her gaze to Li's, feeling the strain of his stare. His eyes flickered to her mouth, down her body and then back to her eyes. More often than not Sakura would dream of what a kiss would be like between Li, now that it might be happening she wasn't so sure, in fact she was nervous. Nervous in finding pleasure in that kiss and then later to find he would betray her.
She had to ask, the words formed on her lips. "Last night," she started out weakly; her whole body was warm with the young man so close. She forced herself to take a few cautious steps away from him, so she could gather her wits. "When she came-, did you know? Have you been planning it all this time?"
Li felt his heart jump in his chest as his fists clenched. "Last night," his voice was dangerously low. "You told me nothing had happened." His eyes were still dark but now they were a more brooding, angry dark.
Sakura gave a light shrug. Pretending to be fascinated with her blouse buttons, anything to get away from his intense stare. "I lied," she said disconcertingly. "Anyways I thought you sent her into my room, so I kept quiet."
"What the hell are you talking about? Whose she?!" he narrowed his eyes at her. "Did she hurt you?"
Sakura's eyebrows knit together as she gave Li a puzzled look. He didn't have a clue what she was talking about? Doesn't he know that "she" is Emike? He sure was a good actor if he was lying. Sakura slowly shook her head in a painstakingly slow motion until it quickened into a wild shake. "You d-d.don't know? But the threats, and what she said.and.a.and the knife, that is what she said during the time, it doesn't make sense." She looked up at him, curiously, her eyes searching his. "And then you came right after as if it was planned, I don't understand how you could have known."
At the mention of a knife Li's eyes had widened in surprise. Half the things she was saying he couldn't put together, but if there had been threats and a knife then he had been right last night. Someone had been in her room! His first instinct was to grab Sakura to his side and run his hand over her body in order to see if she was in any way hurt but he had stopped short, as the young girl had still seemed apprehensive of him. Who was this person she was mumbling about? And why was she saying that he had sent her? Did she really think him that low, that he would send someone to hurt her? One thing he did know, if he ever caught the person who had hurt Sakura, they would definitely get theirs.
Sakura lay deep in her thoughts, rethinking things over. Had she been wrong? Had she missed something? Maybe he hadn't sent Emike after all, he did say he loved her.but Emike had said they belonged with each other. Did she assume wrong?
"Sakura?" he gave her a light shake. He had some questions he needed to ask and he was damn sure he was going to get them. His heart melted when she looked up at him with those warm green pools. He liked the way she didn't instinctively push away from him. "Tell me what happened." He demanded in a light manner.
Sakura reluctantly obliged. "I was angry at you remember?"
Li gave a slight nod, smirking at the remembrance of the young girl's seductively flashing eyes at the time she was yelling at him.
"When I came out of the bathroom, uh, she was I think behind me,- are you sure you hadn't set the whole thing up?"
Fury seeped through Li's veins. "Damn it, I told you I didn't! Continue." He barked.
Sakura sighed, irritation lacing her words. "I didn't hear her, or notice anything, probably because I was too tired to be looking, plus I figured the only other person who comes into my room at that time of day was you so I simply ignored everything."
Li rolled his eyes at the last comment, quickly signalling her to keep going. "What else?"
"Well the next thing I knew there was an arm around my throat and there was a sharp pressure pressing down.about here." She pointed to a small silver scar right underneath her last one. Almost immediately Li's right hand had extended out, cupping Sakura's chin and firmly pushing her head up. Sakura's breaths quickened as he traced a long finger down the small scar the knife had left. He muttered something under his breath but she couldn't catch it.
"Why didn't you tell me when I asked you?" his voice was low and hoarse, almost to the point where it was husky. He could feel her breathing pattern speed up and he knew what he was doing to her. "Did you really think I was that base? Sweetheart if I had problems with you, I would tell you not send someone to hurt you." He frowned as he brushed the back of his hand against her warm skin. The scar was hotter than the rest of her.
Sakura stared up at the young man with deep admiration. His hand still traced her neck in a soothing motion, calming her down as she resumed her story. She knew what she was heading into, god she knew what she was getting into, but he wanted to know. She couldn't deny him that; after all he deserved to know.
"She told me that I wasn't doing a good job of what I was doing," she gave him an accusing glance that made him flinch, "like you had said earlier before, and that you would end up with Emike the way it was supposed to be. Then she made me promise that I would do my job the next time I went back." She didn't mention the or else part.
"This ghost that threatened you, that is I'm assuming it was a ghost." He gently loosened his grip, still not letting go but allowed her enough room to manage a nod. "Who was she?" he already had a pretty good idea though. "Emike?" he couldn't understand it himself but his heart rate had sped in anticipation, not noticing the pain he was causing the girl in front of him.
"You're good." Sakura replied sullenly aware of the feelings flooding through him. She wanted to run away at that moment dreading what was going to come but she bravely stood her ground.
On cue, surprising Sakura he released her with a firm force that caused her to stumble. She hadn't been ready for that. She gasped silently as her hand shot out to catch the doorknob before she hit ground. Oh god what had she done? Slowly she urged herself back up, regaining her composure.
Sakura just looked at the man who had recently said he loved her while she noticed he suddenly changed moods again. Unfortunately it was back into the dark, grumpy, non-talkative mood. If she asked him what was the matter, she knew he would snap at her. She had opened her big trap and now that he knew Emike was in their time. From what she could tell he didn't have much use for her anymore. Yep back to reality, sure she was handy when the real Emike wasn't around but here Emike was, here for Li to talk to. Mentally in the past she had warned herself not to get too involved with this man but she never did pay much heed to her own words. It was really going to be great.
Sakura had let her guard down again, let this man get to close to her and now he had reacted the way she thought he would have. Why couldn't she have lied? She loved him that's why. She knew he would be happier with Emike then if he were ever with her.
Li bit back a curse as he began to see how rough he was being with her. His chest expanded as his eyes caught the look or torn in her eyes. It was gone as soon as it had appeared though. Her whole face was a blank, pale colour. What was going through her mind at this moment? He mentally slapped himself for changing moods so quickly when he had heard Emike was in this time period. I mean what in hell did it matter? He loved Sakura and he was not going to lose her. She was his god damn it and he would make sure she knew that. With cat like grace he treaded over to her.
Sakura recoiled as soon as he took his first step, turning the doorknob frantically. "I'm going down for something to eat." She yanked the door wide-open and all but lunged out into the hallway. She immediately felt safe, for she had never seen Li anywhere but her room. On her way out she said, "Now you know everything, I understand if you take back what you said earlier. Do what you must, I won't bother you anymore."
One day she would look back on this and laugh.one day.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Sakura poured herself a glass of orange juice and made a quick jelly sandwich, slathering the artificial strawberries on a slice of toast and slapping the two pieces together. Leaning over the sink she nibbled on the edges of the bread.
Why was she so gullible? It made her mad to think how many times she had believed Li and his lies. As god was her witness she was not going to go to bed ever again. She would become an insomniac if need be. The next time Emike came back for a visit, Sakura would in painstaking detail tell her about Li's feelings for her. That is if the girl didn't kill her first. Ghosts had an advantage against her. They could very well sneak up on her without her even knowing. People were loud and clumsy but ghosts were agile, and graceful. She had noticed from being around one for so long.
"Now don't you look out of place?"
Sakura shot her grandmother a disconcerting look. "Grandmother" she politely acknowledged. She gently placed her sandwich down, not able to take another bite though she had eaten in a long time. She cradled her orange juice between her palms. "I was hungry, so I came down to make me something."
"So I see." She shot a look of disgust at the barely eaten sandwich with red goop dripping out at the sides, and then shooting her grand daughter with a worried glance. "Finish what you made Sakura." The girl had grown unhealthily thinner and she couldn't help but blame herself for it. Locking a young energetic girl in her room was unfitting.
"I can't. I'm too full."
"Well how about I make you a deal?" her eyebrows rose as she pulled her shawl closer around her.
"What kind of deal?" Sakura asked, slightly intrigued and amused at the same time. She took a small sip of her juice, scrunching her nose when the warm liquid hit her tongue.
"How about I let you go anywhere you like in this house of you come down to eat meals with the rest of the family."
Sakura almost jumped with joy at the thought of more freedom and less Li. Her lips began to form the words yes but she clamped them shut instead and asked, "Why?"
Trinity faked a shocked look. "Well I understand if you don't accept."
"No!" she yelped. "I accept, does it start now?"
"Yes." Trinity gave an odd smile. "Hurry up now, you have a visitor. He's been wanting to see you for a long time now, but I never could let him see you because of your circumstances, but everything's changed now, am I right?" she signalled to Sakura's dish. "Don't dawdle now. Companies waiting in the main room." As she walked out Sakura could hear the lady snickering.
Sakura wondered what was running through that lady's mind. Why was she being so nice? Had she had a change of heart? She shrugged and decided not to put too much thought into it. Instead she forced the rest of her drink down her throat and left her sandwich lying on the counter. She was curious to see who her visitor was, yet at the same time angry because this person was taking away her time when she could be going outside for some fresh air. She was sure the backyard garden was part of the household, and even if it wasn't her grandmother should have specified a little more clearly. Humming, Sakura skipped into the main room, thoughts of getting out of this musty mansion on her mind.
Who she saw froze her blood. "Witch." She muttered under her breath, referring to her grandmother. That old lady knew Sakura would jump at any chance of freedom from her room. Who wouldn't? And so she had persuaded Sakura into believing she was kind when she was just an old, tricky witch! She wanted Sakura to be able to roam the mansion in order to see him! This boorish man in front of her made Sakura want to lash out, but she constricted herself. She would deal with him now and deal with her grandmother later. Simon. The name made her want to cringe. She was sure that the only reason Trinity had allowed her a sliver of freedom was because she had wanted her own grand daughter to see him, but why?
"What are you doing here?" she accused, walking towards him.
He seemed to think of that as an invitation as he too walked towards her. "You didn't come to school after that night, and when I phoned you, you said you were fine. I came to see you. Remember that night?"
"Yes." Sakura managed to grind out, warding the man off so he wasn't too near. "I guess I should thank you shouldn't I? For the help."
"No need, it was my pleasure." He ran his hands through his thick hair. "I was surprised when I first saw you. I came times before but you were not allowed to come down. Grounded hmm?"
Sakura ignored him, realizing she was getting side tracked. "You didn't answer my first question." She stated calmly. "Why are you here."
"I was worried about you okay?"
She looked him in the eye. "Well I'm fine now, you can leave."
"I can see that." He gave her a quick assessing glance. "What are you so mad about?" as he remembered they were on pretty good terms the last they met.
"I'm not mad. I just don't understand why you were worried."
"Should I not be?" he gave a loud sigh when she didn't say anything else. "Something happen between you and that ghost?"
Sakura's body tightened as she kept her gaze steady with his. He was always very good at guessing her emotions. "No, everything is fine."
"Sakura, look I'm not going to take advantage of you okay? If your boyfriend wants you so badly he can take you but so far I can't say that he's doing a good job. Weren't you supposed to fix his problem? How come he hasn't left yet?"
"It's not that simple." She mumbled. "And he's not my boyfriend okay? He doesn't like me like that and whenever I think I'm doing a good job everything screws up because another thing happens and I can't control it." She was babbling and she didn't care.
Simon cocked an eyebrow making him look a bit wolfish. "I take it you don't want any help?"
"Not unless you can help me locate another ghost." Her voice was flat and defeated.
Simon seemed thoughtful as he appeared to be thinking for a while until he finally said, "Well actually that could be arranged." He gave Sakura a wink and smiled. "Now what would you do without me Sakura?" he watched as her eyes widened.
"You could actually locate a ghost for me?" Sakura hated the way he was always so nice to her. She could never tell if it was a false niceness or actual sincerity. He was an odd man that way. But what would he want in return? Her heart swelled up when he gave her a small smile. "How are you going to do it?"
"Uh uh, it's how are we going to do it. The tools are at my house." He flashed her a mischievous smile. "You've never been to my house before have you? My old one perhaps but definitely not my new one."
Sakura hesitated. "Couldn't you just bring them here?" she wanted those tools but she knew it would be under his terms.
"Guess I thought wrong. You seemed desperate so I suggested the idea but hey it's okay, I'm sure you're handling things great." He gave a slight wave to her as he made his way out of the room.
"No! I'll go with you to your house." She caught his sleeve and pulled him back to face her. "I want those tools, but you have to promise business only."
"You got it Kinomoto." He smirked as she gave a quick glance back before she closed the door behind them. "Something wrong? Second thoughts maybe?"
Sakura frowned. "Shut up, I'm fine. Don't call me Kinomoto either." She slipped into the back seat of his convertible, feeling safer that way.
Simon gave a light chuckle as he too got into the car. "Reserved only for your boyfriend eh?"
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Li slammed his fist into the wall as he watched Sakura drive away with Simon. What was that girl doing? His eyes floated to the locket on her desk. It couldn't possible still mean anything to her could it? That man was dangerous. He made Sakura light headed and Li didn't like it. Where was she going? The last time they were together she had gotten seriously hurt, though he doubted Simon had hurt her. Even when she had been on the phone with him, she had sounded so happy. He couldn't exactly follow them if he didn't know where they were going. Anger flashed through him as he realized he was helpless. Sakura had better come home completely intact because he definitely would be waiting.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
"How much farther?" Sakura stretched in the back of the car, her body parts felt tight and it had been a long drive. "I didn't think you lived so far away from our school." They had passed many other schools that he could easily have gone to but no he had gone specifically to the one she was attending.
"I do." He answered simply, not giving any other explanation. Smoothly he pulled the car up a large driveway. "We're here."
Sakura stared at the house. It was very new and extremely large, though not as much so as the mansion. It still managed to hold its own. The roof was a chocolate brown while the rest were a deep mocha colour. She thought it suited Simon quite well.
"You going to stay in there all day?" Simon pulled the door wide open so she could get out. Sakura gave a slight scowl as she trudged out. She followed him up the concrete stairs and into the house.
Inside there were no signs of just being moved in. Sakura thought this odd from the fact that she could recall Simon living with anyone but his uncle.
As she walked up the stairs she asked, "You've had this house for a long time haven't you?" she gasped as he pulled her by the arm and pushed her into a random room.
"How'd you know?" he flashed her a sly smile. "This is my room." He left her alone to evaluate the room while he went back out.
Sakura frowned, thinking he probably went to get something to eat. Content to look around she viewed the room with curious eyes. The room was fairly neat, more so then hers. A bag tossed in the corner, a few notebooks and pieces of paper lying messily on his desk and a middle-sized bookcase at the far left end of his room. Nothing very unusual, that is until she caught a framed picture above the bookcase. She didn't seem able to swallow. She was in the picture with Simon's arms wrapped around her waist. His head was bent down just enough so his face touched her own. A warm sensation flowed through her, though she couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty. But why? She didn't owe anybody anything.
"Enjoying yourself?" the cool voice earned Sakura's attention. She glared at him.
"Why do you still have that picture?" she whispered coarsely, indicating to what she was speaking of.
"Why do you have to be so suspicious all the time?" he countered, throwing a small pouch to Sakura and placing four large crystal shards on the bed. "This is the stuff you'll need to find your little ghost."
Sakura nodded, still angrily suspicious she opened the small pouch. Inside she saw it carried a small amount of a fine, pink powder. She innocently gave the powder a whiff, making sure none of it went into her nose. She withdrew her head immediately and closed the bag. "What is it? It smells so rotten." She gave a few hoarse coughs.
"Pig's blood." Simon cackled at her reaction. "It's in powdered form. I didn't care much for the real stuff." He signalled to the shards. "You'll need these too," he sighed when she appeared confused. "Put the crystals together so they form a circle," he eyed her as if she were prey. " You'll also need something that's valuable to the ghost you're looking for."
"Something that's valuable to the ghost I'm looking for." Sakura echoed, while tapping a finger on the base of her chin. "I don't have anything like that."
"What about your boyfriend? He must mean something to this ghost, am I right?"
Sakura bit her tongue. "I can't use him." She flushed when Simon's eyebrows rose. "He doesn't know what I'm doing."
"But I'm assuming he's all you got to reach the ghost?"
"W.well yes, but he won't let me do it-,"
"But he doesn't know what you're doing." He interrupted. "Does he?"
Sakura looked at the ground, feeling guilty. "No I never told him."
"Then there's nothing to worried about is there?" he clapped his hands together and lifted himself from off the bed with ease. Casually he took out a small piece of paper from his back pocket. "Here." He said as he handed the sheet over to Sakura. Scooping up the shards, he placed them on the wooden floor in a small, - more triangular than circle shape. Then getting up to his feet he asked, "Aren't you going to call the man?"
Feeling quite lost, Sakura stuttered. "Why?"
"Once you call him, we can start." He answered, irritated. "Tell him to stand in the middle of the crystals and use the powder I gave you. Sprinkle it around the crystals and read what's written on the paper. Then say the ghost's name when you're done. The ghost will show up immediately." Swiftly as if in a rush, Simon pulled opened the first desk drawer of his desk and yanked out four candles. "These need to be within the crystals and lighted when the object, which will be your boyfriend is standing in the middle."
Sakura wobbled, feeling light headed with all the information she had just received. It didn't feel right, going behind Li's back. "Are you sure the ghost will appear?"
"Of course I'm sure." his lips were pursed as if he truly were angry she had even thought of such a notion. "Are you calling him?" he looked impatient. He crossed his arms, the ivory coloured candles still in his grasp.
Sakura cast a worried glance out the window. The sun was indicating that it was noon. Why was she getting the feeling something was going to go terribly wrong? What if Li found out what she were doing? What if the plan really followed through and Li gets to see Emike? Is this the lat time she'll ever get to see Li?
"Li." the whisper hadn't meant to reach him. She had just been thinking out loud but either way he had appeared just like that. An unreadable look covered his face and Sakura had the urge of telling him to go back to the house. But she needed to talk to Emike to work things out. She needed Li for that. This morning she had saw the expression in Li's eyes and automatically knew he hadn't forgotten her. Nothing could make him forget the woman he loved. His love for her would always be second to Emike's.
"Well, well, well what do we have here? So your boyfriend did appear Sakura." Simon made an tsk tsk sound under his breath.
Li hadn't said anything. He was seething in fury but he was glad to see Sakura unharmed. Why was she so pale? And what was she holding so tightly in her hand? His breath caught when she looked up at him with unreadable eyes. In the past Li had always been able to tell how the young girl was feeling just by reading her eyes, but now they gave no clue of what she was feeling. The urge to connect his fist with Simon's face was burning. The picture up on the wall didn't help with his anger.
"Let's go Sak-Kinomoto." He grabbed Sakura by the arm and urged her out the door.
"Li, wait." She commanded. "I need you for something first." She loosened the man's grip and turned to face him. "I'm looking for." she gave a quick glance to Simon. "For someone and I need your help."
"Fine." He growled, tugging on her arm again. "I'll help you back at the mansion."
Sakura sighed, but complied. "Simon? Can I borrow your equipment? I'll return it tomorrow." She gave the man a pleading look.
His smile was sardonic as he answered Sakura. "Sure, whatever you like Sakura." He pulled Sakura's bag off her shoulders and easily scooped all the supplies into the black bag. "Remember what I said." He whispered into Sakura's ear as he placed the bag back on her shoulders.
Li looked like he was about to lunge at the man. Fortunately Sakura pushed him out the door. "Thanks." She muttered on her way out, pulling on Li's sleeve.
She had no idea that the time she was spending with Li now would be so precious to her later.
Now what did that mean? Hmmm, what would happen to Li? Well you never know haha, anyways how was the chapter? I think this one's my longest yet.but hey whose keeping track? ^.^ so did you like it? Satisfied? Don't worry if you wanna know what's going to happen next cause I'll get the next chapter out..um, SOONER THEN LAST TIME!! Haha yea.well hope you liked this chapter, I really am sorry for keeping some of you waiting for so long, please forgive me! *bows * until next time, take care! -silent wander
~A Love Before Time~
"W..what do you want now?" Sakura's eyes widened as she leaned back, slightly intimidated. No matter what he said wasn't he still the one who had lost her trust? Broken her heart? And finally sent his old girlfriend after her?
That night she had lain silently in bed, thoughts running through her clear head. She had felt Li's presence and realized he had found her in the room she had sheltered herself in. She had shut her eyes, but that didn't mean she didn't feel the way his cool hand brush away the strands of hair that had fallen over her face, or the way he pulled the covers right to her shoulders when she gave a light shiver. Neither gestures meant anything to her but they did oddly enough confuse her. Why would he care if she were cold or not? For gods sake he just had someone threaten her and almost kill her! To Sakura, that was her turning point.she had been hurt so much times in her life and it was as if she couldn't learn from her mistakes, but no, no longer would she be swayed by the past Li's charming smiles, or the way he pulled her down into his lap when she wouldn't listen to what he had to say, or even the way his eyes, which were already a warm ale brown turned into a dark mysterious pools when he was looking at her.
That's right, yesterday night she had built an impenetrable shell around her. The way the future Li treated her was too perfect. Whatever hurtful thing he said to her she would just push it down, deep inside of her and pretend it had no effect on her. Her wall would be strong.no one would be able to break it down. But then while the past Li was gripping her shoulders demanding how she knew he would never see Sakura again she had felt a painful spasm through her chest. Then an unexpected feeling grew deep in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't able to speak for she knew her voice would have cracked, as already did the firm invisible wall around her. She had to look away. If she raised her eyes to see his pain, the wall would have completely shattered.
But then something unexpected had happened. He had pulled her into his sudden, warm embrace and spoke her name! She had melted just like that, just that fast. She didn't stop to think or even begin to protest when he had pulled her into his lap either. It was pathetic but she hadn't been prepared. His promises of their future together hadn't helped the cause. If she had a choice she never would have left him, but in this case she hadn't had a choice, and so was hurled back into reality.
Now everything was falling apart. How could they be together in two different times? What about Emike's threats? Sakura lifted her gaze to Li's, feeling the strain of his stare. His eyes flickered to her mouth, down her body and then back to her eyes. More often than not Sakura would dream of what a kiss would be like between Li, now that it might be happening she wasn't so sure, in fact she was nervous. Nervous in finding pleasure in that kiss and then later to find he would betray her.
She had to ask, the words formed on her lips. "Last night," she started out weakly; her whole body was warm with the young man so close. She forced herself to take a few cautious steps away from him, so she could gather her wits. "When she came-, did you know? Have you been planning it all this time?"
Li felt his heart jump in his chest as his fists clenched. "Last night," his voice was dangerously low. "You told me nothing had happened." His eyes were still dark but now they were a more brooding, angry dark.
Sakura gave a light shrug. Pretending to be fascinated with her blouse buttons, anything to get away from his intense stare. "I lied," she said disconcertingly. "Anyways I thought you sent her into my room, so I kept quiet."
"What the hell are you talking about? Whose she?!" he narrowed his eyes at her. "Did she hurt you?"
Sakura's eyebrows knit together as she gave Li a puzzled look. He didn't have a clue what she was talking about? Doesn't he know that "she" is Emike? He sure was a good actor if he was lying. Sakura slowly shook her head in a painstakingly slow motion until it quickened into a wild shake. "You d-d.don't know? But the threats, and what she said.and.a.and the knife, that is what she said during the time, it doesn't make sense." She looked up at him, curiously, her eyes searching his. "And then you came right after as if it was planned, I don't understand how you could have known."
At the mention of a knife Li's eyes had widened in surprise. Half the things she was saying he couldn't put together, but if there had been threats and a knife then he had been right last night. Someone had been in her room! His first instinct was to grab Sakura to his side and run his hand over her body in order to see if she was in any way hurt but he had stopped short, as the young girl had still seemed apprehensive of him. Who was this person she was mumbling about? And why was she saying that he had sent her? Did she really think him that low, that he would send someone to hurt her? One thing he did know, if he ever caught the person who had hurt Sakura, they would definitely get theirs.
Sakura lay deep in her thoughts, rethinking things over. Had she been wrong? Had she missed something? Maybe he hadn't sent Emike after all, he did say he loved her.but Emike had said they belonged with each other. Did she assume wrong?
"Sakura?" he gave her a light shake. He had some questions he needed to ask and he was damn sure he was going to get them. His heart melted when she looked up at him with those warm green pools. He liked the way she didn't instinctively push away from him. "Tell me what happened." He demanded in a light manner.
Sakura reluctantly obliged. "I was angry at you remember?"
Li gave a slight nod, smirking at the remembrance of the young girl's seductively flashing eyes at the time she was yelling at him.
"When I came out of the bathroom, uh, she was I think behind me,- are you sure you hadn't set the whole thing up?"
Fury seeped through Li's veins. "Damn it, I told you I didn't! Continue." He barked.
Sakura sighed, irritation lacing her words. "I didn't hear her, or notice anything, probably because I was too tired to be looking, plus I figured the only other person who comes into my room at that time of day was you so I simply ignored everything."
Li rolled his eyes at the last comment, quickly signalling her to keep going. "What else?"
"Well the next thing I knew there was an arm around my throat and there was a sharp pressure pressing down.about here." She pointed to a small silver scar right underneath her last one. Almost immediately Li's right hand had extended out, cupping Sakura's chin and firmly pushing her head up. Sakura's breaths quickened as he traced a long finger down the small scar the knife had left. He muttered something under his breath but she couldn't catch it.
"Why didn't you tell me when I asked you?" his voice was low and hoarse, almost to the point where it was husky. He could feel her breathing pattern speed up and he knew what he was doing to her. "Did you really think I was that base? Sweetheart if I had problems with you, I would tell you not send someone to hurt you." He frowned as he brushed the back of his hand against her warm skin. The scar was hotter than the rest of her.
Sakura stared up at the young man with deep admiration. His hand still traced her neck in a soothing motion, calming her down as she resumed her story. She knew what she was heading into, god she knew what she was getting into, but he wanted to know. She couldn't deny him that; after all he deserved to know.
"She told me that I wasn't doing a good job of what I was doing," she gave him an accusing glance that made him flinch, "like you had said earlier before, and that you would end up with Emike the way it was supposed to be. Then she made me promise that I would do my job the next time I went back." She didn't mention the or else part.
"This ghost that threatened you, that is I'm assuming it was a ghost." He gently loosened his grip, still not letting go but allowed her enough room to manage a nod. "Who was she?" he already had a pretty good idea though. "Emike?" he couldn't understand it himself but his heart rate had sped in anticipation, not noticing the pain he was causing the girl in front of him.
"You're good." Sakura replied sullenly aware of the feelings flooding through him. She wanted to run away at that moment dreading what was going to come but she bravely stood her ground.
On cue, surprising Sakura he released her with a firm force that caused her to stumble. She hadn't been ready for that. She gasped silently as her hand shot out to catch the doorknob before she hit ground. Oh god what had she done? Slowly she urged herself back up, regaining her composure.
Sakura just looked at the man who had recently said he loved her while she noticed he suddenly changed moods again. Unfortunately it was back into the dark, grumpy, non-talkative mood. If she asked him what was the matter, she knew he would snap at her. She had opened her big trap and now that he knew Emike was in their time. From what she could tell he didn't have much use for her anymore. Yep back to reality, sure she was handy when the real Emike wasn't around but here Emike was, here for Li to talk to. Mentally in the past she had warned herself not to get too involved with this man but she never did pay much heed to her own words. It was really going to be great.
Sakura had let her guard down again, let this man get to close to her and now he had reacted the way she thought he would have. Why couldn't she have lied? She loved him that's why. She knew he would be happier with Emike then if he were ever with her.
Li bit back a curse as he began to see how rough he was being with her. His chest expanded as his eyes caught the look or torn in her eyes. It was gone as soon as it had appeared though. Her whole face was a blank, pale colour. What was going through her mind at this moment? He mentally slapped himself for changing moods so quickly when he had heard Emike was in this time period. I mean what in hell did it matter? He loved Sakura and he was not going to lose her. She was his god damn it and he would make sure she knew that. With cat like grace he treaded over to her.
Sakura recoiled as soon as he took his first step, turning the doorknob frantically. "I'm going down for something to eat." She yanked the door wide-open and all but lunged out into the hallway. She immediately felt safe, for she had never seen Li anywhere but her room. On her way out she said, "Now you know everything, I understand if you take back what you said earlier. Do what you must, I won't bother you anymore."
One day she would look back on this and laugh.one day.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Sakura poured herself a glass of orange juice and made a quick jelly sandwich, slathering the artificial strawberries on a slice of toast and slapping the two pieces together. Leaning over the sink she nibbled on the edges of the bread.
Why was she so gullible? It made her mad to think how many times she had believed Li and his lies. As god was her witness she was not going to go to bed ever again. She would become an insomniac if need be. The next time Emike came back for a visit, Sakura would in painstaking detail tell her about Li's feelings for her. That is if the girl didn't kill her first. Ghosts had an advantage against her. They could very well sneak up on her without her even knowing. People were loud and clumsy but ghosts were agile, and graceful. She had noticed from being around one for so long.
"Now don't you look out of place?"
Sakura shot her grandmother a disconcerting look. "Grandmother" she politely acknowledged. She gently placed her sandwich down, not able to take another bite though she had eaten in a long time. She cradled her orange juice between her palms. "I was hungry, so I came down to make me something."
"So I see." She shot a look of disgust at the barely eaten sandwich with red goop dripping out at the sides, and then shooting her grand daughter with a worried glance. "Finish what you made Sakura." The girl had grown unhealthily thinner and she couldn't help but blame herself for it. Locking a young energetic girl in her room was unfitting.
"I can't. I'm too full."
"Well how about I make you a deal?" her eyebrows rose as she pulled her shawl closer around her.
"What kind of deal?" Sakura asked, slightly intrigued and amused at the same time. She took a small sip of her juice, scrunching her nose when the warm liquid hit her tongue.
"How about I let you go anywhere you like in this house of you come down to eat meals with the rest of the family."
Sakura almost jumped with joy at the thought of more freedom and less Li. Her lips began to form the words yes but she clamped them shut instead and asked, "Why?"
Trinity faked a shocked look. "Well I understand if you don't accept."
"No!" she yelped. "I accept, does it start now?"
"Yes." Trinity gave an odd smile. "Hurry up now, you have a visitor. He's been wanting to see you for a long time now, but I never could let him see you because of your circumstances, but everything's changed now, am I right?" she signalled to Sakura's dish. "Don't dawdle now. Companies waiting in the main room." As she walked out Sakura could hear the lady snickering.
Sakura wondered what was running through that lady's mind. Why was she being so nice? Had she had a change of heart? She shrugged and decided not to put too much thought into it. Instead she forced the rest of her drink down her throat and left her sandwich lying on the counter. She was curious to see who her visitor was, yet at the same time angry because this person was taking away her time when she could be going outside for some fresh air. She was sure the backyard garden was part of the household, and even if it wasn't her grandmother should have specified a little more clearly. Humming, Sakura skipped into the main room, thoughts of getting out of this musty mansion on her mind.
Who she saw froze her blood. "Witch." She muttered under her breath, referring to her grandmother. That old lady knew Sakura would jump at any chance of freedom from her room. Who wouldn't? And so she had persuaded Sakura into believing she was kind when she was just an old, tricky witch! She wanted Sakura to be able to roam the mansion in order to see him! This boorish man in front of her made Sakura want to lash out, but she constricted herself. She would deal with him now and deal with her grandmother later. Simon. The name made her want to cringe. She was sure that the only reason Trinity had allowed her a sliver of freedom was because she had wanted her own grand daughter to see him, but why?
"What are you doing here?" she accused, walking towards him.
He seemed to think of that as an invitation as he too walked towards her. "You didn't come to school after that night, and when I phoned you, you said you were fine. I came to see you. Remember that night?"
"Yes." Sakura managed to grind out, warding the man off so he wasn't too near. "I guess I should thank you shouldn't I? For the help."
"No need, it was my pleasure." He ran his hands through his thick hair. "I was surprised when I first saw you. I came times before but you were not allowed to come down. Grounded hmm?"
Sakura ignored him, realizing she was getting side tracked. "You didn't answer my first question." She stated calmly. "Why are you here."
"I was worried about you okay?"
She looked him in the eye. "Well I'm fine now, you can leave."
"I can see that." He gave her a quick assessing glance. "What are you so mad about?" as he remembered they were on pretty good terms the last they met.
"I'm not mad. I just don't understand why you were worried."
"Should I not be?" he gave a loud sigh when she didn't say anything else. "Something happen between you and that ghost?"
Sakura's body tightened as she kept her gaze steady with his. He was always very good at guessing her emotions. "No, everything is fine."
"Sakura, look I'm not going to take advantage of you okay? If your boyfriend wants you so badly he can take you but so far I can't say that he's doing a good job. Weren't you supposed to fix his problem? How come he hasn't left yet?"
"It's not that simple." She mumbled. "And he's not my boyfriend okay? He doesn't like me like that and whenever I think I'm doing a good job everything screws up because another thing happens and I can't control it." She was babbling and she didn't care.
Simon cocked an eyebrow making him look a bit wolfish. "I take it you don't want any help?"
"Not unless you can help me locate another ghost." Her voice was flat and defeated.
Simon seemed thoughtful as he appeared to be thinking for a while until he finally said, "Well actually that could be arranged." He gave Sakura a wink and smiled. "Now what would you do without me Sakura?" he watched as her eyes widened.
"You could actually locate a ghost for me?" Sakura hated the way he was always so nice to her. She could never tell if it was a false niceness or actual sincerity. He was an odd man that way. But what would he want in return? Her heart swelled up when he gave her a small smile. "How are you going to do it?"
"Uh uh, it's how are we going to do it. The tools are at my house." He flashed her a mischievous smile. "You've never been to my house before have you? My old one perhaps but definitely not my new one."
Sakura hesitated. "Couldn't you just bring them here?" she wanted those tools but she knew it would be under his terms.
"Guess I thought wrong. You seemed desperate so I suggested the idea but hey it's okay, I'm sure you're handling things great." He gave a slight wave to her as he made his way out of the room.
"No! I'll go with you to your house." She caught his sleeve and pulled him back to face her. "I want those tools, but you have to promise business only."
"You got it Kinomoto." He smirked as she gave a quick glance back before she closed the door behind them. "Something wrong? Second thoughts maybe?"
Sakura frowned. "Shut up, I'm fine. Don't call me Kinomoto either." She slipped into the back seat of his convertible, feeling safer that way.
Simon gave a light chuckle as he too got into the car. "Reserved only for your boyfriend eh?"
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Li slammed his fist into the wall as he watched Sakura drive away with Simon. What was that girl doing? His eyes floated to the locket on her desk. It couldn't possible still mean anything to her could it? That man was dangerous. He made Sakura light headed and Li didn't like it. Where was she going? The last time they were together she had gotten seriously hurt, though he doubted Simon had hurt her. Even when she had been on the phone with him, she had sounded so happy. He couldn't exactly follow them if he didn't know where they were going. Anger flashed through him as he realized he was helpless. Sakura had better come home completely intact because he definitely would be waiting.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
"How much farther?" Sakura stretched in the back of the car, her body parts felt tight and it had been a long drive. "I didn't think you lived so far away from our school." They had passed many other schools that he could easily have gone to but no he had gone specifically to the one she was attending.
"I do." He answered simply, not giving any other explanation. Smoothly he pulled the car up a large driveway. "We're here."
Sakura stared at the house. It was very new and extremely large, though not as much so as the mansion. It still managed to hold its own. The roof was a chocolate brown while the rest were a deep mocha colour. She thought it suited Simon quite well.
"You going to stay in there all day?" Simon pulled the door wide open so she could get out. Sakura gave a slight scowl as she trudged out. She followed him up the concrete stairs and into the house.
Inside there were no signs of just being moved in. Sakura thought this odd from the fact that she could recall Simon living with anyone but his uncle.
As she walked up the stairs she asked, "You've had this house for a long time haven't you?" she gasped as he pulled her by the arm and pushed her into a random room.
"How'd you know?" he flashed her a sly smile. "This is my room." He left her alone to evaluate the room while he went back out.
Sakura frowned, thinking he probably went to get something to eat. Content to look around she viewed the room with curious eyes. The room was fairly neat, more so then hers. A bag tossed in the corner, a few notebooks and pieces of paper lying messily on his desk and a middle-sized bookcase at the far left end of his room. Nothing very unusual, that is until she caught a framed picture above the bookcase. She didn't seem able to swallow. She was in the picture with Simon's arms wrapped around her waist. His head was bent down just enough so his face touched her own. A warm sensation flowed through her, though she couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty. But why? She didn't owe anybody anything.
"Enjoying yourself?" the cool voice earned Sakura's attention. She glared at him.
"Why do you still have that picture?" she whispered coarsely, indicating to what she was speaking of.
"Why do you have to be so suspicious all the time?" he countered, throwing a small pouch to Sakura and placing four large crystal shards on the bed. "This is the stuff you'll need to find your little ghost."
Sakura nodded, still angrily suspicious she opened the small pouch. Inside she saw it carried a small amount of a fine, pink powder. She innocently gave the powder a whiff, making sure none of it went into her nose. She withdrew her head immediately and closed the bag. "What is it? It smells so rotten." She gave a few hoarse coughs.
"Pig's blood." Simon cackled at her reaction. "It's in powdered form. I didn't care much for the real stuff." He signalled to the shards. "You'll need these too," he sighed when she appeared confused. "Put the crystals together so they form a circle," he eyed her as if she were prey. " You'll also need something that's valuable to the ghost you're looking for."
"Something that's valuable to the ghost I'm looking for." Sakura echoed, while tapping a finger on the base of her chin. "I don't have anything like that."
"What about your boyfriend? He must mean something to this ghost, am I right?"
Sakura bit her tongue. "I can't use him." She flushed when Simon's eyebrows rose. "He doesn't know what I'm doing."
"But I'm assuming he's all you got to reach the ghost?"
"W.well yes, but he won't let me do it-,"
"But he doesn't know what you're doing." He interrupted. "Does he?"
Sakura looked at the ground, feeling guilty. "No I never told him."
"Then there's nothing to worried about is there?" he clapped his hands together and lifted himself from off the bed with ease. Casually he took out a small piece of paper from his back pocket. "Here." He said as he handed the sheet over to Sakura. Scooping up the shards, he placed them on the wooden floor in a small, - more triangular than circle shape. Then getting up to his feet he asked, "Aren't you going to call the man?"
Feeling quite lost, Sakura stuttered. "Why?"
"Once you call him, we can start." He answered, irritated. "Tell him to stand in the middle of the crystals and use the powder I gave you. Sprinkle it around the crystals and read what's written on the paper. Then say the ghost's name when you're done. The ghost will show up immediately." Swiftly as if in a rush, Simon pulled opened the first desk drawer of his desk and yanked out four candles. "These need to be within the crystals and lighted when the object, which will be your boyfriend is standing in the middle."
Sakura wobbled, feeling light headed with all the information she had just received. It didn't feel right, going behind Li's back. "Are you sure the ghost will appear?"
"Of course I'm sure." his lips were pursed as if he truly were angry she had even thought of such a notion. "Are you calling him?" he looked impatient. He crossed his arms, the ivory coloured candles still in his grasp.
Sakura cast a worried glance out the window. The sun was indicating that it was noon. Why was she getting the feeling something was going to go terribly wrong? What if Li found out what she were doing? What if the plan really followed through and Li gets to see Emike? Is this the lat time she'll ever get to see Li?
"Li." the whisper hadn't meant to reach him. She had just been thinking out loud but either way he had appeared just like that. An unreadable look covered his face and Sakura had the urge of telling him to go back to the house. But she needed to talk to Emike to work things out. She needed Li for that. This morning she had saw the expression in Li's eyes and automatically knew he hadn't forgotten her. Nothing could make him forget the woman he loved. His love for her would always be second to Emike's.
"Well, well, well what do we have here? So your boyfriend did appear Sakura." Simon made an tsk tsk sound under his breath.
Li hadn't said anything. He was seething in fury but he was glad to see Sakura unharmed. Why was she so pale? And what was she holding so tightly in her hand? His breath caught when she looked up at him with unreadable eyes. In the past Li had always been able to tell how the young girl was feeling just by reading her eyes, but now they gave no clue of what she was feeling. The urge to connect his fist with Simon's face was burning. The picture up on the wall didn't help with his anger.
"Let's go Sak-Kinomoto." He grabbed Sakura by the arm and urged her out the door.
"Li, wait." She commanded. "I need you for something first." She loosened the man's grip and turned to face him. "I'm looking for." she gave a quick glance to Simon. "For someone and I need your help."
"Fine." He growled, tugging on her arm again. "I'll help you back at the mansion."
Sakura sighed, but complied. "Simon? Can I borrow your equipment? I'll return it tomorrow." She gave the man a pleading look.
His smile was sardonic as he answered Sakura. "Sure, whatever you like Sakura." He pulled Sakura's bag off her shoulders and easily scooped all the supplies into the black bag. "Remember what I said." He whispered into Sakura's ear as he placed the bag back on her shoulders.
Li looked like he was about to lunge at the man. Fortunately Sakura pushed him out the door. "Thanks." She muttered on her way out, pulling on Li's sleeve.
She had no idea that the time she was spending with Li now would be so precious to her later.
Now what did that mean? Hmmm, what would happen to Li? Well you never know haha, anyways how was the chapter? I think this one's my longest yet.but hey whose keeping track? ^.^ so did you like it? Satisfied? Don't worry if you wanna know what's going to happen next cause I'll get the next chapter out..um, SOONER THEN LAST TIME!! Haha yea.well hope you liked this chapter, I really am sorry for keeping some of you waiting for so long, please forgive me! *bows * until next time, take care! -silent wander