Ello loves! Back for another chapter? Well guess what! Your gonna get one! Yep! I'm going to torture you with another great chapter written, typed, revised, and approved by moi! Lol. The other day I showed my mom this site called I love that place! Foamy the squirrel is just plain hilarious, and some of the points they make are pretty good. "Though he could do less with all the cussing", as mother dear points out. "That place is for teenagers, because they have so much anger and teen angst, and the squirrel expresses it." My mother...wow…I so inherited those analytical genes from her…but nonetheless, if you're a teen, you might want to go there. But that's if you don't mind all the senseless cursing. I've been watching their cartoons for like 2 yrs now…Well, start reading! And don't forget to review, you lazy bums!
Words of the Wolf:
"Free your mind"- Foamy the Squirrel
When times were bad, and we held our heads up and hid back our true feelings, those times when things almost fell apart, somehow, we stuck. It's like we were meant to stand side by side, facing the cruel world, sisters till the end. –Tiffany Carr
You gotta love me! If you didn't, I'd have one less person loving me. And that is sad! –Tiffany Carr
Disclaimer: The main characters do not belong to me, the story, and all other characters sure do though!
Last Chapter:
The guys hurried, and when they came out, the girls were teasing them, whistling, making all six blush at least a little. They got their sophomores dressed, then the seniors. Last, Akemi and Toshiro. Akemi had his finished, and Sakura and Tomoyo were trying to help Toshiro get his gi on.
Without warning, Tomoyo's door opened to show the Li family. Meilin inaudibly gasped.
Live the Life on the Rails
(Meilin's P.O.V.)
'Oh my gosh! I-I-I-it's him! It's Toshiro! Oh, he is so cute! Yes! He is here! Thank you Saku-chan and Tomy-chan! Thank you!'
(Normal P.O.V.)
Meilin, the sisters, and Yelan entered the room, unfazed by what was happening. Syaoran and Eriol came in last, to see their fiancées getting a top less Toshiro into a gi. The two girls had stopped working when they were interrupted, and in odd positions. Sakura had her arms around his neck, getting the collar fixed apparently, but the way she was pressed against him…and Tomoyo, adjusting the gi in the front, her lower area dangerously close. The twins inwardly shook their heads, trying to get these thoughts out of their heads.
The girls looked at them, knowing they were doing nothing wrong, nodded, and went back to work. They finished, and motioned for their fiancées to go to the bathroom. They hesitated, so Sakura had to grab them and push them into the bathroom. Tomoyo called out, setting up their clothes,
"Strip to your boxers, then come out. We have to fit the clothes on."
Both boys looked at each other 0.0…Eriol called,
"Uhh…can't we dress ourselves…in here...without anyone else…"
Sakura snorted, but then answered,
"No. Now hurry up! It's just Tomoyo and me dressing you guys, anyway. We need to finish this up."
There was silence, then a strained,
"Fine…"
The girls ushered everyone into Sakura's living room, where they could play with her video games or entertain themselves until they were all the way done with the twins. When they closed the adjacent door to her room, the twins came out of the bathroom.
Each girl inwardly gasped, and put their heads down as they grabbed for the first piece of clothing. As much as they hated to admit it, Syaoran and Eriol were…fucking hot! With their well-toned and tan bodies, how can they not think they weren't!
They controlled their blush as they tossed each boy a hakama to put on, which they did loosely. Then the two girls helped their own fiancée into a gi. The girls worked in silence as their hands delicately tightened and fixed the outfits.
(Syaoran's P.O.V.)
While she was finishing up, I felt her arms around my neck, flipping the collar properly. Her body was pressed lightly against mine, and her breath on my neck…WHAT THE FUCK! Don't move women! (Inward Sigh) She had moved so she could fasten the belt.
I watched her face, concentrated on her task. She moved herself extremely close to my lower half, but backed up again to look me over. I don't know why, but I felt…weird, with her staring at me.
This never happened when other girls were drooling at me, but she…makes it feel different…Why? Why am I being affected like this….my sisters must have hit my head to hard or something last night….yeah, that's it…
I seriously don't get how Eriol can stay so calm when Tomoyo is doing the same thing to him. Gah! I must beat him!
(Eriol's P.O.V.)
Crap….If she keeps looking at me like this, I am going to do something a bit drastic to her…something your not supposed to do until your on honeymoon! Please stop looking gorgeous, Tomy! Please! It would save me from my torture! Must think of something else…uhh…machine gun…terminator…Tomo-NO! Cold pool…one that'll freeze off my greatness…puppies…butterflies…in Tomoyo's hair…CRAP! NO!
I don't get how Syaoran can just stand there so normal with Sakura…I...MUST…WIN! (1)
(Normal P.O.V.)
The girls did a last look over, nodded, and then turned to go to Sakura's room. They opened the door to see all the guys with Yukito (who dressed himself) on the ground, trying to kneel comfortably like he was. Yelan glanced up at the girls, and knew what to do before Tomoyo could utter a word.
"All men out. It's the girls turn."
The guys rushed out, and Sakura noticed after all this time that on the back of the gi was the Li clan sign (yin yang) in silver roses. They closed the door, and started working on the 3 friends first, then the sisters, Meilin, and Yelan.
They all had their hair swept up into a lose bun with chopsticks holding it up, they all looked beautiful in the black kimonos with silver roses, the Li sign on the back. The obi was silver with black /white lined roses, the knot a simple taiko musubi (3), but it was tight on them enough to show their curves.
When it was Tomoyo's turn, they did the hair in a bun, but face framed her hair that was chest length, falling gentle on her cheeks. She put on shimmer lip-gloss. They wanted to do more, but Tomoyo saved herself by pointing out that Sakura needed to be ready also. Which only brought about a frenzy.
She was stripped to her undergarments quickly, first and second layers of the kimonos were shoved on. They then draped the heavy (last) layer of the kimono on carefully, tightening the obi around her waist. When it came to her hair…they were in a heated debate of what it should look like. Sakura, getting tired of their bickering and the lack of time left, said,
"Just make mine like Tomoyo's. We don't have much time!"
They followed her statement quickly, and Yukito knocked on the door of the adjoining door to see if they were ready. They yelled for him to wait a minute, and they finished by giving Sakura clear lip-gloss. The women left Sakura and Tomoyo in the bathroom to fix any little thing. Then Yelan allowed the men in.
Sakura and Tomoyo came out of the bathroom a minute later, and after a second noticed that all the guys (except Yukito) were gaping at them. Syaoran and Eriol gazing at them. Kioshi said with a smirk.
"I thought I'd never live to see another day when Madison and Empress Ying Fa would look feminine. You two look good."
Sakura and Tomoyo slightly blushed, but Sakura's eyes narrowed and twitched slightly,
"Shut up if you wish to live, Kioshi. Just shut up."
The guys chuckled lightly. They couldn't help teasing them. They needed to do something to have the girls react in their realm of norm. It's not healthy, holding everything in, especially with all the stress and pressure that was being laid on their shoulders. No one deserves it.
A knock at the door brought all attention, and Cho entered with her head bowed. She looked at Sakura and Tomoyo, quietly but firmly announcing her arrival.
"The procession is here, but Mistress Sakura, there is something you need to see."
Cho went to the TV and turned it to a local news channel. The entire front wall of the Li grounds was suffocated with fans, posters in hand with her name or image on it, reporters by the front gate for just a picture of the now two famous young women. After yesterday when word got out about Kinomoto and Daidouji were getting married to the Li clan, the media was having a field day, wanting explanations and interviews.
Sakura was getting pissed, and Tomoyo not far behind. Their hands clenched till their knuckles went white. Why can't they leave Sakura alone, especially right now? Sakura swore,
"Shit…"
Grinding her teeth, she tried to calm down by breathing in rhythm. This was not a time to get in a little rage storm. She had to pay her family respect and say good bye, not give the stupid world something else to talk about. She reeled in the little ball of fury, but still stared at the TV. Her voice was serious and superior again.
"Yukito, I want you to send them in. We can finally test them."
Yukito stepped behind her, head bowed. He had seen the look in her eye. Dark emerald…pure rage.
"Yes, Sakura."
Yukito flipped out his cell phone and hit a speed dial button. On the other line, a male voice much like Yukito's spoke,
"Hello?"
"It's me, Yue."
"Oh, hello Yukito. What can I do for you?"
"5 black limo's. Doubles. Black trad. With-"
"Got it. How long?"
"20 minutes."
"We'll see you in 15. Ja ne."
"Sayonara."
Yukito turned off his cell and hid it back in his clothes next to his left shoulder holster gun. He supplied reassuringly,
"They'll be here in 20."
"Good. Where are they leading the goose chase?"
"As far away as the bait follows. Though I don't know how well it works, as a certain person never allowed me to test this procedure."
Sakura, more relaxed, pouted slightly,
"Pssh! Like they ever needed to be used for minor problems. I only called for them this time because it's different."
"Yes, your right, running for your life to get away from rabid fans who will gladly rip your hair out for you is not a major issue."
The others (excluding Yelan) were wondering what the two were going on about. Syaoran, tired of going in circles, asked in his usual attitude,
"What are you babbling about?"
Sakura looked him square in the eye,
"Doubles." As if it was that easy to understand.
"Huh?"
"Doubles, people who replace people to get people off their tails."
"So you hired replacements for the funeral?"
"No. Never. The Doubles are technically a diversion, leading everyone else away into a different direction, so that we can leave without technicalities."
"How good are they?"
Yukito answered Syaoran's question this time,
"As sharp as the knives in my pocket, and almost as deadly as Sakura's kunai."
Before anyone could say anything, Yue's phone rang. He answered,
"Yue."
"We're ready. You should be in the limo's and ready to go."
The phone clicked as the other line cut off, and Yukito put the phone back in it's place.
"They are giving us extra time. They should be leaving in about 5 minutes. We should head downstairs now."
Sakura nodded, and glanced at Yelan, who nodded curtly. Sakura then locked eyes with Tomoyo for a second, and they both headed out of her room and glided down to the awaiting doors.
Everyone was in their respective limo, and Sakura was watching the news on the tv, and saw that the doubles had already made it out of the Li grounds, and turned left, being followed by fans, media, and stalked by cars of the obsessed. 3 minutes later, the front gates were completely devoid of any human except the stationed guards. Yukito called Yelan (in the first limo), and said quietly, Go.
As the limos left the grounds, they turned right, opposite of the doubles. After 10 minutes, they reached the shrine/temple. The vehicles parked next to each other under the trees, and all exited the cars and walked to the shrine/temple in order of association. Several monks and mikos were awaiting their arrival, and showed them in.
(4) Sakura and Tomoyo sat side by side traditionally (kneeling), 5 ft from the 4 covered bodies, but to the right of them. Yelan, the Li family, and the friends sat on the right side of the room. Yukito stayed in the back of the room, making sure everything was safe. Others that arrived and trickled into the room, associates of their families or other close family friends, sat on the left.
The head monk began chanting, followed by some others. It died down after awhile, and he began speaking about how life is to be treasured, and that these 4 here were very in tune with that knowledge. They had followed their own paths, and enjoyed life to the fullest. They were good people, and still are, even though they are not physically present. He ended his speech with the finally words,
"Even if you are hurt, or feel ripped apart, remember, that you should not dwell upon the past and it's troubles. Remember them, but do not let them control your actions. Everything must pass one day, so be blessed with life, even if you are given the worst piece of it. Smile, and rejoice. Live on." (5)
The guests on the left side of the room came up first to the girls, who held a tight lip. The guests one by one bowed to the victims, saying their last words, then to Sakura and Tomoyo, bowing deeper, and spoke words of sympathy and encouragement for the girls. One old man, that Tomoyo recognized as Chairman of the toy company, even tried to make the two smile, and one they gave him the best ones they could (they were weak, trust me), he nodded knowingly, and bowed again as he left the room.
One the guests on the left side were gone, the right side raised one by one and paid their respects aswell. Though the Li twins only bowed halfway for both the victims and Saku and Tomy, they at least said nothing to ruin the time being. Everyone left the room and went to the limos, leaving the two girls alone.
But after 30 minutes, Yelan went in quietly. She motioned Yukito to leave the room (from his post by the door), and he did so rather reluctantly.
She gazed at the two, silent, sitting next to each other almost identically, motionless, as they as well looked upon their family. No words can be said to describe the air of anguish, hurt, and sorrow that were written so clearly on their faces now that everyone was gone. What could there be said? She felt a shiver run down her spine, as she had seen this exact picture before. It was the death of Nadeshiko's and Sonomi's parents. They looked just like that…beautiful, but broken…
Yelan chose now to confront them, because if she delayed any longer, she would be wrapped in her own memories. As much as it pained her, they needed to say good-bye. It was the only way. They had let their mask drop, and now was the time to get rid of what hid behind it.
She tiptoed behind them, and silently put her hands on each of their shoulders. They turned to her at the sudden touch, their eyes brimmed with tears, unshed. But they saw that Yelan had lost her composure, tears rolling down her cheeks freely. Sakura, choking on her words to remain calm, but at the cost of cracking and speaking like a helpless child,
"It hurts…so much…why won't it stop? Mom…?"
Tomoyo was crying freely as well, her voice cracked,
"I don't want to say good-bye...I CAN'T say good-bye…"
Yelan kneeled next to them, silencing and comforting them with her kind eyes. She brought them closer to her, holding fast with her arms.
"I know it hurts, little ones…it hurts me too, and Yukito…but we have to say good-bye, or their spirits will forever be stuck to us. They will never experience the freedoms of death if they are held down by our unwillingness to let them go. We must say good-bye."
The girls just stayed in her hug, sobbing quietly. After they could compose themselves, the bowed deeply to their family, and to each other. Stiffly, they rised and left, Yelan (composed again) leading them back to the limos. Everyone silently entered the vehicles and left to go back to the house.
Yukito just observed quietly as the two next to him sat beside each other, holding it in as they looked out the windows. When they reached the mansion, they all went in to change into regular clothes and walked to an open living room, where Kero and Sun were laying.
The living room was large and comforting. There were 2 corner couches, a love seat, and an armchair, all the color of dark blue, which went well with the soft blue wall. There was a large plasma screen against the wall, with it's surround sound placed.
They all sat down; Yelan on the couch surrounded by her sons, daughters and niece. Tomoyo sat on another couch, Sakura on the floor infront of her, with Chihura, Kioshi, Teiji, and Miroku sitting along with Tomoyo, while Naoko, Rika, Akemi, and Toshiro were next to Sakura. Yukito sat in the arm chair.
Yelan turned on the TV to the news, which once again had Sakura and Tomoyo. There was video's, commentary, small debating. Annoying really, hearing about yourself all the time.
Tomoyo and Sakura officially ignored it, and Tomoyo decided to occupy her hands and mind and played with Sakura's hair. Sakura sat without stirring as Tomoyo brushed her hair and did what she wanted, only petting both the sweet dogs laying beside her, warming her legs.
The other were watching TV quietly, except for two who watched the girls in the corners of their eyes. One dark amber, one mystic blue. They watched the two occupy themselves in silence, innocent and serene. They acted tough and tomboyish, but they were really just…girls. If you strip them of their appearance and their 'rough around the edges' attitude, you would see two lonely girls.
Sakura felt she was being watched, and lifted her eye and looked at the two boys suspiciously. They saw her and looked at the TV, uninterested, and she went back to closing her eyes, contemplating. Tomoyo had come up with her 30th style by the time that Sakura woke from her thoughts and turned to the TV. What she saw wasn't surprised at what she saw. It was the Li mansion, and the street was overrun with people, holding up signs of 'I love you Sakura' and some had 'Marry me, not a Li.' Sakura blinked twice at that one.
'Why even bother with that one? I'm promised, that's it, the end. No more talky of me marry…someone elsy…yeah…that rhymed…wow…I'm insane…wait…first, I have to start talking to myself aloud…'
Sakura sighed and asked aloud, not noticing that it wasn't in her head anymore.
"Why can't they just leave Tomy and me alone? Why don't I just go and stalk them and see what they're up to every hour of the day. See how they like being bothered."
Everyone turned to Sakura at that. When she realized she had said it out loud, she blushed and bowed her head,
"Uh, forget I said anything…"
Author Commentary:
(1)Yes, Eriol actually likes Tomoyo (unofficially). In Chap 5, the thing he kept looking at was Tomoyo, just so you know. And the brothers are competitive…don't you think. They try to win by not showing emotion. (2) I think in Japan that black is not the color of mourning, but this is American/ Western influenced, so blah! (3) Taiko Musubi knot is just a simple knot. Look it up if you want!
(4) They sat like this:
S T F N S
T
Misc. Li's
Guests Friends
Yuki
Yeah, that should be about right.
(5) I was so tempted for the monk to become a trekkie and go "Live long and prosper." You have no idea how tempting that was! And it would have made you laugh, right? Damn right it would've! But I had to make it all sobby in this chapter.
Well, I truly hope you guys enjoyed this. I didn't do as best as I had wished, because I was rushing to pump this baby out. Maybe the next chapter will be longer, sobbier, and faster in updating. That all depends. So, again, sorry for the lateness. R&R! Later loves!
Live long and prosper!
(is trying so hard not to fall out of her chair laughing...wait...she just did)