Clamp owns CCS, I don't. Just borrowing some characters and adding new ones.
Meeting Syaoran, Loosing Sakura
Chapter 7 – The Fire
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"Don't go please." Sakura whispered in her sleep. She fainted right after the building collapsed. Syaoran and Meilin brought her home as the latter insisted on not bringing her to a hospital. She reasoned out that Sakura hated hospitals.
The private doctor that Meilin contacted had already checked her and said that she was fine. She just needed rest. He prescribed some tranquilizers knowing what happened to Sakura in the past. Syaoran frowned upon seeing the prescription but the doctor did not bother to explain. Meilin ushered him out of the apartment leaving Sakura in Syaoran's care.
Syaoran looked at her sleeping form. Restlessness crossed her face as she started to move. She mumbled again. She started sobbing. "Hey. I'm here. It will be okay." Syaoran caressed her checks hoping to calm her.
Sakura's hand instantly grabbed his while he continued to ease out the tension. With eyes still closed, she held his hand tight and whispered, "Please don't go. Don't leave me. I'm scared."
Syaoran hushed her while he leaned down to place his arm around her head. As he did this, Sakura automatically turned to her side facing him. She snuggled closer to him feeling his warmth, feeling the security of another body close to hers.
She buried her face in his chest and eventually her breathing went back to normal, restlessness leaving her. Syaoran sighed. He was sure now that the lust he felt for her had vanished. His mother would faint in shock if she had seen how he had looked at her during their bickering days. It appeared humorous to him now.
He sighed again. This time it was for a different realization. Before he could process the thought that was confirmed tonight on his mind, Meilin came in. She closed the door, leaned unto it and crossed her arms above her chest.
"When did you start the habit of taking advantage of sick people Xiao Lang?" He didn't answer her question but it was clear he did not understand what she was talking about. "She will die of suffocation if you won't get your hands off her." she pointed out.
Syaoran instantly pulled away, shocked that he was actually hugging her. "No! Please don't go." Sakura held unto his shirt as she whispered. Her eyes slowly opened and she gazed sadly at him. "Please don't leave me again Touya. Please don't."
Meilin's hands covered her mouth as she gasped. Sakura was hallucinating. Her eyes widened as Sakura laced her arms on Syaoran's neck pushing her body closer to him. Meilin immediately reached for the syringe and a vial of tranquilizer. She injected the liquid through the vein in her arm while Syaoran was holding it firm. Sakura tried to struggle then she slowly went limp as the solution entered her system.
"Looks like med school thought you well." Syaoran commented.
"It becomes handy at times like this. I sure am glad I had good education."
Syaoran nodded in response. After a few minutes of silence, "Who's Touya?"
"Her brother. He died five years ago."
"Was he the reason she was crying at the park?"
"It was his death anniversary. Until now, she couldn't find the courage to return to the place where she came from. Her brother's death is still too painful."
"How did he die?" Curiosity was killing him.
Meilin sighed. "I'm afraid I can't tell you that. You should wait for her to open up to you." He looked at his sister. "It's not my story to tell Xiao Lang."
"All right." He slowly pulled away from her hold. As he successfully did, both tiptoed out of the room. "Would you mind if I sleep on the couch tonight?"
"Are you staying over?" He nodded. "Are you sure?" He nodded again. Relief was in Meilin's eyes. "Thank you Brother."
"I'm… Yeah."
Sakura's throat felt dry. She tried going back to sleep but the thirst didn't go away. She forced herself to open her eyes, hoping that a glass of water was on her bedside table. She grumbled seeing it empty. Gathering all her strength, she lifelessly left her bed and walked towards the door. She went straight to the kitchen drenching her throat with two glasses of water.
She felt better. She peaked at the window and saw the breaking dawn. The site was a mixture of orange and yellow. She hastily glanced at the wall clock, 5:30am. Going back to sleep was impossible now. She walked back to her room silently.
The tranquilizer felt heavy making her drowsy. "Why would I be tranquilized?" She supported her weight by grabbing a hold on the sofa while trying to remember what happened. A slightly loud 'Oh' came out from her.
A figure suddenly rose from the sofa. "Sakura?"
"Li? What are you doing here?" She felt dizzy. "I hate tranquilizers! Meilin surely gave me a load." She shook her head to get rid off the dizziness.
"Hey. Are you okay?"
"A little dizzy but I'm fine." She massaged her temple. "Uhmm Li?"
"Yes?" He quickly jumped out of his makeshift bed and stood by her side.
"This knock out is killing me and I don't feel like going back to sleep. Meilin is asleep. So… Uhm… Can you prepare hot choco for me? It's ah… It's…"
"Why don't you sit down first? I'll get it." He made sure that she was seated before running towards the kitchen. "So do you want it extra sweet?" he asked while preparing the drink.
"Yes please." Sakura answered barely understanding his question. The dizziness didn't go away. Even when seated everything in her vision were spinning. "Fuck this!"
Syaoran placed the oversized mug on the center table. "Are you okay?"
"Isn't it obvious?" She instantly bit her lip hearing the anger in her voice. "Sorry. No I'm not." She held the cup with both hands and took a sip. The warm liquid was soothing.
Syaoran just watched her silently drink her choco. After a while, he gently took the cup from her hands and guided her to lie down, her head on his lap. He started massaging her head skillfully.
Sakura felt the surge of relief as his skillful hands did wonders. "Hmmm this feels good."
"How are you feeling?"
"Better." was her answer. "I wouldn't mind if you continue this the entire day. I really won't."
Syaoran chuckled. "Really?"
"Yeah. And some cups of hot choco in between. I mean you have to rest too. Right?" She slightly lifted her head up to look at him, giving him a wink.
Syaoran's laughter boomed. "I guess you're all better now. Joking around is not part of your vocabulary. Oh! Now that I think about it, this is the first time you did since we've met."
"Li don't fool yourself. I'm serious here." She rose from her position and sat beside him, her legs folded. "What is so funny Li?"
"Oh, nothing. Just exercising my jaws. I heard laughing a lot extends your life span. You should do that often." Then he gave her a light punch on her lower left jaw.
"Hey! No touching." She glared at him.
He shrugged at her remark. After a moment of silence he spoke. "Do you know why I like teasing you even if all you do is glare at me?"
"No. Why?" Her reply was monotone.
"You remind me so much of Meilin." She gave him a cold stare. "No. Not in a younger-sister-older-brother kind of way. It's more on the attitude. You always act high and mighty all the time yet you always have that soft spot in you. It makes you vulnerable but you don't let it get in the way."
"You are aware that you are not making any sense right now. Do you?"
"Hah! I should have not forgotten that you are not shallow as well."
"Damn right!" She mockingly agreed.
"People around me always said that I look so much more like my Mother. That is probably because she raised me and acted both a father and a mother at the same time."
"What do you mean?" Sakura was now facing Syaoran as the story begins to interest her.
"Father was too busy with the business; he was always out on a business trip. Then they had Meilin. Mother left her in a nanny's care and started a career of her own. Father got so mad to the point where I rarely see him at home. The situation got worse and we grew up without both parents' guidance."
"Meilin never really told me the whole story. Is that the reason why she ran away?" she sympathetically asked.
"No it wasn't. When I was 17 and Mei was 12, our parents divorced. Mother wants me to stay with her and Meilin with father. But he wanted to have both of us. It ended with another fight in which Mother had clearly said she doesn't want Mei because she looked so much like Father."
"Oh no! Meilin heard it all. From then on she insisted on staying with us. This was the start of her rebellious state. At first I hated her for always going against our mother. Years had passed as she became worst while Mother had become so strict in my trainings. I was choking and envied my little sister for being tough." He smiled.
"Why didn't you speak up?" Sakura was frowning.
"I couldn't bring myself to. I had seen how Meilin's rebellion affected Mother. Though she isn't showing it but I can see it in her eyes every time they fought. I didn't have the heart to add to her burden."
"So you have always been the white sheep. That's something." She sincerely commented before asking another question. "So what triggered Meilin to pack up and leave?"
"It was on her 18th birthday. Mother announced her engagement to a son of some CEO hoping that this will help her change. Unfortunately it didn't. When she left, Mother regretted her decision and gave her freedom. But Meilin was too hurt she didn't contact us at all. Not even me."
"Meilin told me a different story though." Sakura interrupted. "When I met her at the club, I was already working as a waitress there; she told me she ran away from an abusive mother. I invited her to stay with me until she can fend for herself."
"She probably didn't want us to find her."
"That's what she told me after confessing the truth. Well, skipping the full details though."
Syaoran smirked. "That's my sister to you."
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" They were both startled hearing Meilin's voice. Both sheepishly smiled as they gaze at her direction. "Why are you two up so early? Oh my God! What am I thinking? Sakura are you okay?"
Sakura gave her a thankful smile. "I feel so much better. Thanks!"
Meilin squeezed herself in between them as she faced Sakura. "I got scared when you started calling Touya. I had to give you the shot."
"I did?" Sadness floated all over her face. "Must have been one scary event huh?"
"Sakura. You don't need to act tough. It's me Meilin. You can tell me anything you know."
Sakura hugged her in response. After breaking away from the hug, "But did you really have to give me a load? I feel like I was dying when I woke up earlier."
"It was just the right amount. You needed it especially since you were clinging too tight to Xiao Lang."
Sakura's eyes instantly flew towards his direction. He just gave her a nod in confirmation. "Fuck!"
"Whoa! That's offensive." Syaoran commented in a hurt voice, a genuine one.
"Don't over react okay? I hated the fact that I got so vulnerable last night. What if it wasn't you I was hugging and calling my brother? Who knows what would have happen." She explained in a rather stiff voice.
"Whatever you say Sakura. I better leave now." Syaoran stood up and gathered his things. Both girls followed. He hugged Meilin and kissed her in the forehead. "I'll see you later."
"Yeah." This time it was Meilin who hugged him.
"Thanks Li." Sakura timidly said while standing beside Meilin.
"You're welcome Sakura." Syaoran looked at her eyes for a second then he slightly brushed his thumb on her cheek before walking out of the apartment.
"Hey Lin! Can you order some pizza? And please order an extra box for Li."
"Sure." Meilin proceeded with ordering the pizza. She went in the kitchen afterwards. "What are you making?"
"Lasagna." She casually answered.
"You're joking right?"
"Nope. I've already called Li to have dinner with us." She supplied information as she stared at the oven.
"You're cooking lasagna for him?" Meilin's eyes glittered in excitement.
Sakura gave her pissed look. "I'm doing it to thank him for what he did. Stop that! It's creepy."
"What? I was just asking. Why are you guilty?" Meilin teased her.
"This is bullshit! Now that you are into it, why bother cooking when I've already said thank you this morning." She was about to turn off the oven when Meilin stopped her.
"You can't do that. You've already called him. Remember?"
"Then stop annoying me."
"I'm sorry. You were too quiet since my brother left this morning. I was getting nervous."
Sakura froze from her action. "I was?" Meilin nodded in response. "Well, thanks for worrying. I'm fine. The talk we had reminded me of the days I was with Touya."
"That stupid brother."
Sakura smiled. "He didn't do anything at all. He just made me miss my brother more. So you better be nice towards him. He loves you so much." She scolded her best friend in a motherly way.
"I know."
Sakura sliced 1/3 of the backed lasagna and placed it on a plate. She added some shopped basil leaves and 4 slices of toasted bread garnished with onion and butter dip. She prepared two plates and served it. She then settled in the chair opposite Syaoran and added hot sauce to her pizza.
"You're only having that?" Syaoran asked?
"I hate cheese, remember?" She replied nonchalantly before biting the slice on her hand.
"I haven't forgotten that. But why would you bother baking this if you will not eat?"
"Will you just fucking shut the hell up and eat?" She glared hard at him. "In case you have not noticed, I'm starving. And talking right now is last in my vocabulary."
"You should have not bothered. We can always order. We always do that anyways." Syaoran insisted without realizing her intentions.
The comment got to Sakura's nerve. But before she could do something, Meilin kicked her foot and gave her an apologetic look. She sighed in defeat. She's really hungry and not controlling her anger now would not do her good. She shut her mouth tight, and then continued eating.
Syaoran was about to say something again when Meilin glared hoping to bore holes unto his head. "She's saying thank you. A simple 'You're welcome' would be nice Xiao Lang."
An unspoken 'Oh' was formed in his mouth. Sakura didn't bother to look up. She put all her energy and focused on eating her food. Once she's done she stood up and grabbed the glassware filled with mango float. She placed a rather large slice in a saucer and walked towards the living room.
Syaoran scratched his head in disappointment. He messed up big time. "I don't look cool right now, do I?"
"Not even close. You're nothing but a scumbag." Meilin scowled.
"What do you want me to do? I did not expect her to be this kind. Atually, it never crossed my mind." He whispered as he tried to defend himself.
"You're a sinking boat. You keep digging your grave."
"Sweet Jesus." It was the only thing he could say after understanding what Meilin meant.
Tomoyo felt the chills when the coldness of the night surrounded her. The boat ride was fast and quick. She went in the car waiting for her and they drove towards the cement-free rode. As the figure of the mansion met her sight, nervousness attacked her.
As the gate opens, the car entered the circular path and halted in front of the partly opened huge wooden door. Yukito, the most trusted butler, stood before her with a soft smile on his lips. "Welcome Madame. How was your trip?"
"It went well Yukito. Thank you for asking."
"The Master wants to see you in his office right away."
Yukito took her bag and led her to the office. Her nervousness grew as she neared the office. He opened the door for her. He bowed before leaving and closed the door. The man in his 30s sat before the fireplace. The usual smiling face and loving hug did not greet her. He just sat there motionless.
She cleared he throat. "Honey I'm back."
He looked at her direction, his expression was dark. "How did the mission go?"
At the sound of his voice, Tomoyo immediately broke down to tears. She kneeled beside his chair and held his hand firmly. "I'm sorry. I told her not to work that night. I made sure she can not step inside the club. I… I didn't know she was there. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
His deep voice echoed inside the room. "Is Sakura safe?"
"Yes she is. Eriol told me that she stayed at the apartment since the incident." Her sobs were frequent despite her will not to cry.
"That's good enough."
"Will you ever forgive me?" she pleadingly asked.
"So long as she is safe and well, you did what you were asked to do. Now, take a rest. We will talk about other things tomorrow." This time his tone was a little softer.
"Thank you." Tomoyo whispered in his ears as she embraced him. She missed him so much and she couldn't bring herself to call him after learning that Sakura nearly died from the fire.
He patted her arms in response. Tomoyo kissed his cheek and left the room. She sighed and leaned against the door. His coldness was what she hated the most. It's overpowering and hurtful.