I'm back.
Words of the Wolf:
You
Every time you yell,
I clench my jaw,
mouth shut tight,
and try to hold back emotion.
You are the one I hate above all.
One second, I could be ready to fight,
but then I fall to tears.
You then try to comfort me,
making me laugh through my embarrassment.
It always works.
Your the only one I detest, loathe.
You hurt me, twice.
The first,
you were to drunk to protect me.
The second,
was your own fault.
You wonder why I never really trust you,
why I love to piss you off and annoy you.
You are the whole reason.
Maybe some can forgive and forget,
but me,
I hold a grudge, this one almost a decade.
I never forgave you and never will.
You would know this, if you truly looked in my eyes.
-Tiffany Carr
Disclaimer: I don't own the main characters, the women of CLAMP do. But I got ownage on everything else.
Last Chapter:
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…"
Live the Life on the Rails
Yelan looked from Sakura to a pair of yellow eyes, their owner nodding to the Chinese woman. Yelan announced,
"It's time for us to go girls. Say your goodbyes. Yukito, make sure they arrive home safely, and then we leave."
Saying farewell took a few minutes, each one of their friends speaking quietly as they hugged each other. They followed Cho outside to an awaiting Yelan inside a sleek long black helicopter with the Li symbol on the sides.
When Yukito joined them, they took off towards Tomeda legal district.
Descending down the roof stairs to the top floor office, Sakura was doing everything in her ability to calm herself. This was the next step in saying good bye and laying them to rest. It hurt so much, but she had to bare it.
Going through a door, they came to a large hall, simple but elegant. An elevator was off to their left as they kept going towards a pair of double doors, a secretary at her desk noticed them and with out hesitation, she quietly phoned someone, jumping to the doors and opened them before they were with in five feet.
Yelan and Yukito ignored the secretary's presence, and she seemed used to it, but was slightly taken a back when the brunette and raven haired girls nodded and thanked her, right behind the other two.
The office was set in a western antique theme, the two walls on their left and right were covered with bookcases, and the wall in front of them was mainly a large window.
Four soft leather arm chairs sat in front of well polished oak desk, with a lamp and laptop on either side. Behind the desk stood a tall Japanese man in a dark gray suit, his black hair slicked back and groomed. He had a sharp, handsome face, and his kind, intelligent eyes watched them come forward.
Yelan extended her hand to the lawyer, and he quickly shook her hand. His voice was smooth and sincere.
"Good afternoon, Li-sama, Li-san's, Yukito-san. Please, all of you, sit. Would any of you like something to drink before we begin?"
All shook their heads and sat down, Yelan and Yukito on the outside, Tomoyo and Sakura inside. Sitting at his own chair, he brought out two manila folders. Clearing his throat, he flipped the switch of the tape recorder and began,
"My name is Takamuo-san. I am the official family lawyer of the clans Kinomoto, Daidouji, and Li, who are present for the preceding will readings of Kinomoto Fujitaka, Kinomoto Nadeshiko, Kinomoto Touya, and Daidouji Sonomi. Those present are representatives of their clans, Li Sakura, Li Tomoyo, and Li Yelan. The will has been modified for reasons of recent events.
"I will now read the will of Daidouji Sonomi.
"I, Daidouji Sonomi, in my last will and testament, hereby state the order of my estate and affairs.
"To Li Yelan, my dear friend, I ask of her to take care of my daughter, Daidouji Tomoyo, for now the unknown fiancée of Li Eriol, until Yelan decides of their official date. Also, to help Tomoyo in anything.
"To Tomoyo, my darling daughter, I give my entire estate and all my affairs and recorded dvd. I set up a trust fund for you, so the finances are unopened until you are officially engaged. I ask you to continue your dream of the fashion business, as well as to continue your family's toy store.
"To Sakura, my sweet niece, I ask her to continue her career in whatever she chooses, because she has the drive to do so much. I ask you to watch a recorded dvd made for you."
"Signed in my heart and told in my death, Daidouji Sonomi."
No one spoke as he switched folders and took out two papers. He started again,
"We, Kinomoto Fujitaka and Kinomoto Nadeshiko, in our last will and testament, hereby state the order of our estate and affairs.
"To Li Yelan, our great friend, we ask her to watch over Sakura in her best interests, and to decide on the day it is announced she is the betrothed and bride of her son, Li Syaoran. We know she will take care of our daughter without us asking.
"To Sakura, our beautiful and selfless daughter, we leave everything to you. We wish for her to continue to fight for her dreams, what ever they may be. We also left a dvd for Sakura to watch.
"To Tomoyo, our gentle and serene niece, we hope she follows her dreams, and ask her to help guide Sakura. We leave to Tomoyo a dvd.
"To Yukito, our daughter's bodyguard and our family friend and son, we ask you to be Sakura's guard until you wish to leave. We leave a dvd and selected papers from our safe.
"We give 40,000 yen to Sakura's school for each year she attends, and all money for Sakura's and Touya's savings and college funds will be spent at Sakura's will.
"We also give 2,000,000 yen to charities already selected and stated.
"We can only say in our last words, that we are sorry to leave the world before our daughter and niece was married, and we regret not to be able to say goodbye.
"Signed in our hearts and told in our deaths, Kinomoto Fujitaka and Kinomoto Nadeshiko."
While he read her parents will, Tomoyo had grabbed for her best friend's hand, squeezing it gently to reassure the brunette that everything was fine. The next will was going to be the hardest for Sakura.
Takamuo-san sighed quietly, having observed them since they came in the office. They were so young, and already thrust into the reality of the world. He could tell they were smart, they knew what was going on, inside their family structure and out. They knew they were now two of the richest girls in Japan, and not even out of their teens yet. They knew they had to be careful, and now they represent both their families and the Li's. They were already acting like adults; mature, mannered.
It wasn't fair to them in his opinion. They couldn't cry out, or break down under the stress, pressure and anguish of all these events. They had to be model citizens.
"I, Kinomoto Touya, in my last will and testament, hereby state the order of my estate and affairs.
"To Sakura, my little monster of a sister, I give the love of an older brother who doesn't show it often. I leave her all my possessions; art, money, clothes, etc. I have a recorded dvd for her to see on my death. I'm placing my personal savings into your spending account. I wish for her to forgive me for never apologizing for being 'a meanie' to her. But she needed to be raised with tough love sometimes."
To this, Sakura gave an inaudible sob, her throat clenching tight, eyes burning with unshed tears.
"To Tomoyo, my kind cousin, I leave a dvd and ownership to my art studio. Continue your chosen path, because you really do have talent, and you will succeed, just like Sakura will. Please stay close to my sister's side. And though you may not know or care, I thought of you like another sister.
"To Syaoran and Eriol, I give them each three dvds to watch before they are married to Sakura and Tomoyo.
"I ask Li Yelan to take care of my sister and cousin with ultimate tlc, and I leave her a dvd.
"The only regret I have about my death is to never be able to stay with my sister, in body, before she could go with me to our secret place, which I ask her to spread my ashes on the full moon of cherry blossom season.
"With much love and many great memories, I will miss you.
"Signed in my heart and told in my death, Kinomoto Touya."
Sakura tried what she could, but two tears slid down her slightly paled cheeks. Takamuo-san continues,
"As the last family members, you, Li Sakura, and you, Li Tomoyo, are asked to sign your names on these forms, and the two witnesses and/ or guardians sign below to confirm they heard and subject to the last requests of those who have been read."
All four stood slowly and stepped up to the desk. Sakura took the pen first, sped reading the contract, and brought it down to the first line. She wrote her name quickly and fluidly, not thinking at all as she signed her name as 'Li Sakura' for the first time on paper, and passed it to Tomoyo, who did the same to the next in line.
When each signed, Takamuo-san put the documents in a new folder, which was black. Standing, he glided over to a bookcase on their left side, and brought out several books in a special order. It opened oddly silent, and behind it was a 2 x 7 vault door with a key panel. The safe swished as the lock went dead, and Takamuo-san pulled it open. He disappeared through the door, and several minutes passed before he came back out with a box. He asked,
"Li-sama, do you wish to keep the box, our shall I distribute the items now?"
"I feel it is best to distribute now, please."
Takamuo-san nodded, opening the box on his desk and handing out folders, binders, dvds, and several pairs of keys to each recipient. Shaking hands, he gave them each his condolences, and they left the office to go back to their new home.
It only seemed seconds for Sakura, she jumped out the helicopter when it touched ground, followed closely by Tomoyo. Yelan and Yukito hung back, letting the two be on their own.
Running past the maids and the seven figures waiting at the door, they took no notice of anything or anyone, flying up the stairs to their rooms. Though the house was big, everyone could hear the slam of two doors in unison.
For three hours, the house was quiet, waiting for either one to come out for dinner. But neither did, as they were wrapped up in the images of their loved ones. They listened to every word they were told, advice on their new burdens.
Sakura had longer dvds, so she never saw Touya's. In a way, she didn't want to. So she watched as her parents and aunt talk to her, telling her what was left for her and what to do with it.
But only half of the show was used for details or them talking to her, reminiscing with themselves about the times with her. The other half were home videos and pictures. She wanted to cry, but couldn't. These were happy memories, embarrassing memories, sad memories….but memories of her time with them.
Tomoyo had finished up sooner, reviewing the papers in the folders and binders. But for twenty minutes, she stared at the keys she was given. To her mothers three other cars, the old house, toy factory (and office key), safe keys, Touya's art studio. She was surrounded by thoughts of what to do next. Normally, she would have looked at the ideas, picked the best, and went on.
But now everything has changed. She couldn't be a kid anymore; not thinking of the consequences, taking the hit later for the fun now. She and Sakura had responsibilities, and neither could afford the mistakes (well, they could, but they needed to get things right).
Now, Tomoyo was planning everything. Every option viewed with ultimate scrutiny and predictions of what might happen if other scenarios popped up.
She was going to shock the world. They would think that the two would grieve and live quietly, hiding away. No, they were going to be bombarded with the cousins, so much that they would leave them alone. They would become public icons. The raven haired girl knew she could get Sakura in on this, as much as she hates it.
Tomoyo was going to protect her cousin in the weirdest way. Finally, she was growing into her part.
All she needed to do was ask her best friend. And from there, they could get to work.
Knocking on their joint room door, Sakura called her in. The room smelled of vanilla and honey, the candles lit. The stereo was spilling out some techno remix of Beethoven's 9th symphony. The tv was off, and on the coffee table, three dvd cases were open, while one stayed on the bottom, closed. Navy folders and black binders were spread out, and her collection of keys on the edge. Boxes of her families financials and other personals lay around.
Sakura was laying across the couch, but sat up when Tomoyo came in. The purple eyed girl sat in the arm chair, playing with her sets of keys. Curious as to what Tomoyo wanted, Sakura waited for her to start.
"Sakura, I was…well…thinking, for a while. And I know we both got all this today, and it's the worst time, but we need to plan-"
"Tomy-chan, settle down. Breath. You are talking way to fast. Just say it slow and get to the point."
Calming herself, Tomoyo started again,
"We need a plan. I think we need to stick our family's businesses together, because as much training as we both have had, it's not enough. And our parent's advisors, as trustworthy they were to them, many will try to take advantage of this whole thing. We need to help each other. And I know you hate the whole be hunted down thing, so I've got an idea on how to fix that."
Emerald eyes gazed at Tomoyo, who was twirling her keys nervously, then switched her view to the keys on the table.
It was the best option to join companies, and one she had no qualm with. But what was Tomoyo's second idea? Her companion continued,
"I think it would be best if you model, Sakura. You hate publicity, I know. But think of it this way: you'll be seen everywhere. They won't go on man hunts as much, you're a public icon. They'll have so much of you, they'll eventually leave you alone when we get old. They won't try to snag that shot or quick interview, because it'll already be given."
Sakura thought about this. Maybe Tomoyo was right. Give them so much of her, that they'll be tired of her one day. It was worth a shot, and it could go hand in hand with her skating for the next few years. But for some reason, she wanted a certain someone included. Running her fingers through her hair, she sighed,
"I have no problem with that, because you could be right. But…we should bring Meilin into this. You know, continue the 'three musketeers' that our moms used to be. We can trust her. And the fact that she has more standing with the Li clan can help us. She is sharp, stylish, and informative; and her as the first cousin of the head of the clan and our fiancées gives us more edge."
Tomoyo sat silently, taking this in. Sakura beat her on that one. Meilin was a nice person, honest, and good hearted. Through the years, Tomoyo had known her for being very good at getting information from people, and she kept up a promise. And Sakura had a point. If they were going to do anything major like this, they needed the backing of the Li clan. Meilin knew her family tree, the history, the personal stories. She was their ticket in. Nodding, she agreed,
"It would be best. But we shouldn't ask her just yet. During this next week would be better."
"Yeah…but I have a problem…what am I going to do with my dad's museum and archaeology building?"
Rubbing her chin, Tomoyo sprouted ideas,
"Tomoyo is thinking…which she has no clue other than to sell shirts, toys and goodies at the gift shop. Do you know anything about how to- WAIT! Since when does your family own a museum?"
Eyebrow raised, Sakura said non chantly,
"I told you at the Halloween party, remember?"
Flashback
It was dark inside the house except for the glow lights that Sakura and Touya had hung up for the party. Sakura had invited all her friends, and from what she saw, everyone was having fun. The guys were either dancing with girls, playing foosball, or playing with the video games. The girls were mingling about, moving from crowd to crowd.
Tomoyo was next to her at the table, dressed as a pirate in purple, and Sakura was in a rather skimpy black ninja outfit with a deep red obi. Glancing around, she leaned into Tomoyo, whispering,
"Hey, Tomy. Guess what! My dad is starting a new museum in Tomeda. It'll have the history of the town, Japan, and those who influenced it. It'll even have an exhibit about dinosaurs, and rooms with theories of the universe, a learning center, an aquarium, a planetarium, and even a star lab! They say it's going to be finished by New Years. What do you think?"
Tomoyo, who had not listened at all as she was searching the piles of candy on the table for her favorite kind, Hershey's and Crunch. And when she found them, she squealed out,
"Sweet!"
Sakura giggled, happy at her friend's response.
End Flashback
Unknowingly, Tomoyo put on her remembered-but-forgotten face and said uncertainly,
"Uhh…vaguely?"
Sakura shook her head with a slight grin. Waiting for Tomoyo to catch on to her playing field. Her cousin sighed,
"I can't come up with anything except the museum change into the history of the Kinomoto family, and one big exhibit about you. I mean, it would make billions. People would spend so much money to see a picture of baby Sakura shaken her booty."
Sakura looked at her wide eyed,
"I don't know what's worse, you being right or how wrong that is."
They both laughed, Tomoyo continued,
"No, but seriously, do you even know anything about what your father did?"
"Of course! I love history! He showed me all the stuff he was planning out, and I went with him to help decide what should be set up and future exhibits. He has everything set up for the next 15 years!"
Tomoyo smiled slyly,
"No wonder you get A+ all the time in history. But how does that apply to your other classes?"
"Simple. I just love all those other classes. Except math. Math should be destroyed in my opinion."
Tomoyo giggled at Sakura's serious face as she said that. Suddenly, Sakura saw the light bulb. Grabbing a paper and pencil, she started writing as she spoke,
"Tomoyo, we could use the art studio to help set up exhibits. And do designs for the modeling and designer company, and the toy company. Instead of going to all these places, the art studio is the center in which we operate, our home base when we don't work here. They get us the final ideas, we decide from there."
Tomoyo never knew that Sakura could beat her to a thought like this. But she did.
"It's brilliant! But we still have to go to the companies, appearances and everything…"
Sakura sighed wistfully,
"We're running four businesses, going to school, public appearances with and without the brothers, your going full time designer, I'm going model and skater. We still have so many things to be planned…Tomy, we're going to be dead by three on Thursday."
"Ha-ha, you exaggerate. Besides, we'll have help."
"True, as long as it doesn't come from those two."
Tomoyo asked, grinning,
"Why not? They have every right to be in on this."
Sakura moaned,
"True. We are going down the aisle with those two…"
"Hey Sakura?"
"Hm?"
"You like Syaoran, don't you?"
The room became oddly quiet, and Tomoyo saw the small blush on her best friends face as she stuttered,
"I-I do not!"
"Ohohoho! My cherry blossom has an eye for the little wolf!"
"I do not! Take that back, Tomy!"
"Never!"
"Now!"
"Then make me!"
Sakura glared playfully,
"Oh, I will."
With that, both leaped up, Tomoyo first out the door, Sakura on her tail. Charging down the North Wing halls to the main stairs, descending the two levels to the main level, rushing through the dining room, living room, a parlor, swerving past the surprised servants as they laughed, their dogs following them from their food center. Tomoyo had shirked her, getting more of a lead, the dogs at her side.
They went through several halls, back up the stairs, but as Sakura was about to go on the last step, and turn the corner, she hit something that wasn't there before.
Shocked, her foot slipped on the edge of the step. Instinct told her to curl up, knowing that with gravity, she was going down the long stair case.
She waited for her fall, to fell the pain as she rolled down to the wood floor below, but it never came. Opening one of her eyes, she saw that the stairs were a couple feet away, and she was on the ground. Her body relaxed, and finally noticed she was on something warm and rather firm, the smell of spices and pine came to her nose.
Feeling something tight around her waist, she looked down and saw a tanned, muscled arm, and knew instantly who it belonged to.
Author Commentary:
Oi! Don't count me out yet!
This chapter was rather serious, but it still has its original humor. For the past year, I've been experimenting with writing styles, and trying to improve my writing. I wrote this story since 2004, and I dropped it when I got to page 225 in my notebook (in 2005). I had lost all inspiration, I felt so dried out. And in the notebook, I noticed that I had so many plot holes, so many screw ups, that I didn't know where to go.
To be honest, I still don't.
But I'm going to try to continue. I'm going to give you a rather rushed revision of the original story I had planned, and I'll do what I can to keep the story going. So far, I'm at pg 139 of 225 in the notebook.
In the past year, my style has changed a little, if you pay attention you can see the difference. So, not only do you get more chapters, but a different way of reading. Personally, I think the year of exploring styles has helped. It's not the repeat of the same name and the he/ she thing. It was a bad way of writing, and boring.
I like how at the end of the wills they all signed 'signed in our hearts and told in our deaths.' It's kind of a thing for the families, past onto their children.
I want to thank all the readers and reviewers that have stuck with me, and kept emailing me all the time to write.
Thanks you guys: (I can only name you once.)
Chap 20 Reviewers:
star saphire, takari love, AG A.K.A Syaofan, emina aka anime, CrecentMoon, alex, Anime Flower, Sakura101, liling, nb, BlueMeteorGirl, VcChick, Callista Miralni, Destinyaquablossom, Sahime-neechan, Ryuu kira, mysteriousmayhemmaker, JC, Mokona Modoki & BitterSweet…, Frosted BlossomZ, cherryblossomtree145, Kawaii-Kunoichi, CherryFreakyFunK, everlasting.snow, s300 kawaii-fan, IchigoCandy, temptingdeath-playingwithfa..., pyscho-pyro-shrink
Chap 21 Reviewers:
Noir Rose, LadyAkina, s0ul3ss-bl00dy-d3vil, CB-pink-heart AG, sillysinny, kawaiitenshisakura, ra-chan, DarkAngel4793, peachy-love, Destinyaquablossom, Yulia Aries, vi, lil-ying-fa, ccslover4life, sara Kawaii Sakura-hime-sama-cha…, everlastingxwish, strawberry buttercup
Chap 22 Reviewers:
Exquisite and Pink, Callista Miralni, amy0110, dangerous emerald, Latina til da end, cattie; , m4ngo, Meeh-san, Taro Hopey-chan, blah
Note Reviewers:
nosie, AirStriker, Koharu Mitsuki, chibi, emerald wolf blossom, Sabriel J, Quickstar, 'Star Sisterz', kian shyper-ness, kianvelez
Chap 24 Reviewers:
Meeh-san, FictionRose, Kaze-Yume No Tenshi, hannahfinella-chan, Alexnadra, Kaneko-Patrick, kianvelez, angel chick1589, lambtastic, PurpleMumei, nanaimoanimefan, kamil insanity-ward, Petulant Panoramic Princess, swt.cherry.blossom, koinu no inuyasha, SupernaturalGurl, Toukitoshi's broken heart, ch3rry jAde, sakuraK155, midnightwillcome, Sparkly Faerie, BlueMeteorGirl, Chrisdz
Special Thanks:
eugiebear- thanks for the criticism. And yes, I rolled my eyes, every time I read it.
Well everyone, you know the drill. Read it. Review it. Love it. Later.
And thanks for waiting for me.