PROLOGUE - PART II

Sakura squinted her eyes open, then shut them. Sunlight was blinding her. She yawned and rolled over to face the wall. She opened her eyes once more. Her bleak white wall welcomed her. She let out another yawn and sat up. She looked to the clock. It was almost noon. She felt a wave of guilt for her laziness, then sat up and placed her feet on her carpeted floor. Her knees cracked as she stood up. She stretched her arms, then walked to her closet for clothes.

She pulled out a cool spring outfit. She undressed from her pajamas and put on the skirt, then the shirt. She glanced to her empty dresser for a moment before heading out into the hallway. She walked down the stairs, cracking her stiff knuckles, and smiled as she saw Touya and Yukito sitting at the counter, eating something or another. Her father wasn’t present.

"Hello, Sakura," Yukito said pleasantly.

She smiled, her heart panging from the many memories the man stored. But he wasn’t part of it. Yue was gone, just like Kero. Eriol was hiding himself away in England. "Hi guys. Did Otto-san make breakfast?"

Touya rolled his eyes. "Otto-san made us lunch. I’m not sure it would be good to eat this after waking up."

Sakura shook her head, heading straight for the food. She had woken up hungry. "Oh, I’ll be fine." She collected some of the stir fry onto a plate and sat down next to Touya, gratefully digging in. "What are you guys doing, visiting?"

"Dunno. It just seemed like a good time to stop in," Touya drank some of his water, tapping his fingers with boredom.

"Oh..." Sakura heard noise down the hall. She peered around the kitchen wall. Her father was walking towards her. He smiled as he saw her.

"Finally awoke, Sakura-chan."

Sakura grinned."It’s not a crime to sleep in on a weekend, is it?"

Touya snorted. "Sleep in. You’d rather sleep through the day. It’s like you have such a hard and busy life."

Sakura glared at him sideways. None of them were aware that when she had gone to the ‘movies’ with Tomoyo the night before, she had been, in reality, resealing the Small card. "Hard enough," She responded, indignant.

"So what have you been up to, these days, Sakura? Every time I see you it’s like you’ve grown another ten years." Yukito leaned over the counter to address her.

Sakura blushed shyly. "Oh... Not much. School, mostly. No one told me got so hard in the last few years!"

"Sakura also runs around on that devil horse of her. Where she got it, she still hasn’t told me. She said it was gift from a friend. Sounds a bit suspicious," Touya informed Yukito.

Touya smiled with a deeper understanding. Sakura had a feeling he knew where the horse originated. She looked down at the counter, trying to block him out of her mind. She couldn’t let herself become depressed in front of them. "She’s a very sweet horse, thank you very much."

Touya shook his head. "I don’t think so. She took me to see her once, the damn thing wouldn’t come within two feet of me without running away."

Sakura giggled. "She’s just shy."

Yukito shook his head. "Well you’re very fortunate. Every girl dreams about having her own horse. Not many girls in Tomeoda have enough money for all the expenses."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah... they are expensive. I’ve been working at the ice cream place Touya worked at a long time ago to try and pay for her bills."

Touya shook his head. "I’d sell her and fix up my car."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Well that’s nice."

Silence fell over the table. Sakura watched her father put away the dishes. She finished her plate, then stood up to help him. She set her cup in the sink and washed off her plate. He smiled at the help and took up drying duty.

"What are your plans today, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura handed her clean plate to her dad to dry. "I’m going to go over to Chindra’s today with Tomoyo. Then I have to work from five till closing."

Her father nodded. "Alright. Well I’ll probably still be out at the university when you get home, so remember to lock the door behind you."

Sakura nodded knowingly. "Okay." She finished cleaning and turned to Touya and Yukito. They were sitting complacently in front of their dirty dishes. She sighed and took them from them, then washed them rapidly.

"How’s the social life?" Yukito asked.

Sakura bit her bottom lip. She hated it when they did this. Touya was always hassling her about when she would find a decent guy to go out with. At least her father seemed in no hurry to marry her away. Sakura shrugged. "Same old, same old."

Yukito smiled. "You’ve got great friends, Sakura. I’m sure you’ll still be close even when you’re old."

Sakura smiled at that thought, her mind reeling as she forced it to continue blocking him. It was getting tough. She picked up a rag and helped her dad finish up, then stepped back. "Well I think I’m off to Chindra’s. I’ll see you later, Otto-san." She smiled at Yukito and Touya as she walked by. "It was nice of you guys to visit. You should come by more often."

Touya nodded and Yukito smiled. She continued her way to the door, grabbing a pair of keys off of their hook.

Yukito watched the door shut behind her. He smiled at Touya. "She’s growing to be quite a beautiful woman."

Touya rolled his eyes, pushing his chair out from the counter. "Not like she’d notice. I don’t think she’s talked to a guy since.. I don’t know when. The same time I noticed the absence of the brat."

Yukito sympathized with sad eyes. "She misses him?"

Touya glared. "Yes. She misses him. That’s what’s so annoying."

Yukito shook his head. "This has been going on since they were very young. It’s something they must have, to last that long, through so much disarray."

"I don’t think there’s anything lasting now. I think Sakura is stuck pitying herself alone. It’s been at least two years now."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sakura turned her car down the familiar roads. She had just called Tomoyo on her cell phone. Tomoyo was ready to be picked up. She slowed as she approached her mansion. Tomoyo was waiting at the end of the driveway, camera in hand. She smiled and waved. Sakura smiled and slowed her car, not bothering to turn into the driveway. She stopped half off the road, letting Tomoyo scurry into the passenger’s seat.

Sakura pulled her car out of park and drove back onto the quiet street as Tomoyo pulled her seat belt on. "Yukito and Touya were over today."

Tomoyo raised her eyebrows in surprise. It had been a while since Sakura had seen her brother. "Yeah? Did they have any news?"

Sakura shook her head. "Nothing. Just came by to see us." She checked the road at a stop sign, then turned left. "They were asking me about my social life, though. I think Touya can tell I’m not as happy as I’m acting."

Tomoyo smiled in sympathy. "I’m sure Touya wouldn’t want to admit it. Have you put any more thought into it?"

Sakura shook her head, understanding what her friend was talking about. "I don’t know if I should. I mean, Chindra’s gotten very strong. Perhaps we could beat Eriol without him."

Tomoyo sighed with despondence, looking out the window. She was so torn. Beating Eriol more than likely meant the end of Eriol’s life. She hadn’t yet told Sakura of the multitude of letters she had sent him the past few years. She was afraid Sakura would question her loyalty. Tomoyo did want Sakura to win. The cards needed to be sealed once and for all. But she couldn’t help but miss him. There was no harm in telling him how she felt. "You know that won’t work, Sakura-chan. That’s why all of this has happened the way it has. It will take you three to beat him. Your three magics combined to overcome his."

Sakura bit her lip in a frown, turning into Chindra’s parking lot. "I know, Tomoyo, I know. But....everything happened like it did because I didn’t want him to go. I want him to be safe, Tomoyo-chan. That’s why I gave everything up..." She felt old emotions surging up. The topic was so worn out. She was easily able to discuss it with her friend without crying or even getting misty-eyed. But she couldn’t ignore the emotions that lingered to haunt her when she laid in her bed at night, alone with her memories.

Tomoyo opened her door after they parked, stepping onto the pavement. "I know, Sakura..." She didn’t know what to tell her friend. She knew the dilemna. Sakura had ruined any chance of a relationship with him so he could go home safe. So he would never have to risk his life again. It was such a contradiction. But Sakura couldn’t win the fight until she had Syaoran on her side.

They walked silently to the outside stairway and made their way to Chindra’s tiny apartment. The girl had been expecting her. She stepped out of her door, smiling enthusiastically. "Hi, guys."

Sakura smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm. Tomoyo still had a pitying look on her face. Sakura tried to ignore it. They climbed to the top and entered through the front door. Chindra walked into her meager but homely home. "I was just making cookies."

Sakura smiled and nodded. That sounded great. "You’re my hero, Chindra."

Chindra shook her head, her curls bouncing side to side. She walked over to her window and looked outside. "I’ve been sensing something."

Sakura nodded. She had noticed it when she had woken up. She hadn’t wanted to think about it. She was sick of capturing the cards over and over. "Eriol should just give us a break. I’m so sick of him and his stupid tests. He should have let us fight him that one day. Not ran off like a coward."

Chindra nodded, though she didn’t understand. The cards were still so new and exciting to her. Sakura tried not to be irritated. She turned and opened her oven, cookies wafting their smell into the room. The highlight of the day. "What card do you think it is?"

Sakura shook her head. "I don’t know. The Big card, I think." If she would be honest with herself, she would realize how far her powers had come. She was becoming a card expert. She remembered when Syaoran had been away to Hong Kong for his mother’s illness. She had been so excited to show off her new learned skills. Now she didn’t have that to look forward to. She looked at the ground. It would be great to have his help once more. Finish Eriol one and for all. No more cards, no more tests, no more magic. But she reminded herself of his fate. It was a reality to her now. She was so sure he wouldn’t live through the ordeal. She wasn’t going to do it to him. She realized Tomoyo was watching her. She hastily brought up a smile, trying to look convincing. Tomoyo smiled and looked to the cookie tray being pulled out.

They sat eating the hot cookies as Tomoyo set up the camera to Chindra’s small TV. She played them the footage of their last card capture the previous night. They looked cool. Sakura smiled as she watched it. They could make some movie from all of their clips. Tomoyo could become the producer she dreamed of. Sakura made a mental note to remember that after they finished the fight with Eriol. Towards the end of the tape, the feeling of magic in the air became strong. Chindra looked up from her glass of milk at Sakura. Sakura smiled and nodded.

"We’ve got to go. I think it’s in the direction of the mall. We’ll pull it to the park and seal it there."

Chindra nodded in agreement. "You want to drive or shall I?"

Sakura shrugged. "I’ll drive."

_______________________________________________________________________

"I’ll drive," Syaoran responded offhand, looking downfield at nothing in particular. He looked back to Ryoto who stood planted in front of him. "Who’s going?"

"I don’t know. It’s at the Chang’s house. It’ll be like last time, only probably more wild. No restrictions because of noise level and stuff. Hot girls bring their hot friends and so on."

Syaoran yawned and nodded. He stood up, finally finishing tying his shoe, and shoved his cleats into his bag. Wind breezed through his hair. He enjoyed it for what it was worth. Early season soccer games were way too hot. "Well I’ll see you there."

Ryoto nodded, then turned and headed to his car. An anonymous girl ran up to him, smiling flirtatiously. He grinned back, then offered her a ride in his car. The soccer team had practically turned into their own clan. Syaoran pulled his bag over his shoulders and started walking. Meilin came running up beside him, Alexis walking with her brother. Teller had finally made the Varsity team, and was thrilled to be playing with him. He wasn’t, however, thrilled to join them at their after game parties. Syaoran couldn’t really care less. Teller was more of a nuisance than anything. He was alright for a goalie. That’s all that was important.

"You played well, Syaoran," Meilin said, smiling as she walked beside him.

Syaoran shrugged. "Same as always. The other teams just suck."

Alexis rolled her eyes. Syaoran noticed and glared at her. He didn’t know why she bothered coming near him. "So I’m guessing you’re going to Chang Mandu’s party?"

Syaoran nodded.

"Figures. Going to hang out with all those whores and screw around. You’ve become such an admirable person, Li-san."

Syaoran stopped, scowling at her. Meilin watched with worry. "Look, I’m sorry no one likes you enough to invite you. Maybe if you stopped being such a bitch all of the time, they’d overlook your ancestry."

She shook her head, a scowl on her face, her red hair swinging right and left. "I could care less about going to someone’s house I don’t know and prostituting myself to a bunch of disgusting, futureless boys. I’m talking about my brother. What kind of an example are you setting-" She paused, Teller pulling on her sleeve impatiently. He hadn’t wanted to provoke Syaoran.

Syaoran sighed. He looked to Teller. "You can do what you like." He looked back to Alexis. "Don’t talk to me again."

She glared as he stalked off. "You know I’m right! You’re not happy."

Syaoran rolled his eyes as he stopped at his motorcycle. He picked up his helmet and put it on. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Syaoran got on and started the thing loudly, taking off immediately towards the Chang’s. He lost himself in the wind and speed, and soon returned to a blank mind.

Meilin watched Syaoran speed down the street, crouched over the black bike. He was going much too fast for the quiet road they stood by. She smiled sheepishly at Alexis, who looked like she was on fire. "I don’t think that helped..."

Alexis scowled after him. "I never would have guessed this would happen to him. Why’d he give in to such... weakness ?"

Meilin looked back to Alexis as Syaoran disappeared around a curve. "He doesn’t care if he lives anymore, that’s why. He doesn’t care about anything or anyone."

Alexis puffed out a short breath indignantly. "That’s disgusting." She turned to her little brother. He stood taller than her. He was still filling in, but he was a good size for his age. He made a great goalie. She smiled apologetically. "You had some great catches, that game."

He smiled weakly. "Thanks." He looked down the sidwalk in the direction Syaoran had gone. "Maybe those parties aren’t as bad as rumors say. It would only be right for us to check it out first."

Alexis shook her head. "No, Teller. I’m not going to let these stupid Asians- No offense, Meilin - corrupt our British hearts."

Teller sighed. "Alexis, he is right. It’s my choice. I’ll just go check it out. I’ve been on this team, practicing day and night, for three weeks now. I need to go."

Alexis crossed her arms on her chest. "You most certainly do not-"

Meilin smiled weakly. "I’ll go with him. We can keep an eye on Syaoran, make sure he doesn’t drink too much. That way, Teller can see why I never go, and what’s he’s not missing."

Alexis sighed with defeat. She stood silent for a while before slowly nodding. "Meilin, you bring my little brother home safe before eleven, alright?"

Meilin nodded. "Sure."

Teller just scowled. "Alexis I’m fifteen. I can get myself home."

Alexis just rolled her eyes and let them walk down the sidwalk, spaced apart.

- - - - - - - - -

Meilin walked anxiously towards the Chang’s noisy house. She could hear the music from where she stood. She spotted Syaoran’s bike among the nice, expensive cars parked on the street. She looked back towards the house. Teller was so excited to be fitting in finally. Meilin smiled to herself grimly. He had no idea what he was fitting into. It was a group of cold, selfish, immature teenagers who thought they ruled the world. She had watched Syaoran fall slowly into it. She could understand why.

It had been such a slow, gradual change. He was trying so hard not to fall. But he had nothing to stand on. He lived emotionless, but at first he had had a heart. She believed in the past year, he had lost even that. He cared for nothing. She was frightened to be around him. It all made sense. It was only a matter of time before all of his horrible life caught up for him. He was trying to escape. She was fearful of the day he would try to escape forever.

But that thought hadn’t seemed to show on him. He was satisfied so far, using people like drinks. He was fine with tearing everyone around him down to keep going. He lived guilt free. There was no conscience there. She glanced at the brown haired boy walking alongside her. His eyes were lit with excitement and apprehension. He was in for some culture shock.

Meilin walked up the sidewalk to the door. She knew it was pointless to knock. They wouldn’t hear her over the blaring music, nor see her through the shaded windows and blinking lights. She opened the door, being blasted by loud, grungy music. The main floor of the Chang’s living room was filled with people dancing. They jumped around, pushed each other, flailing their arms and doing all kinds of ranting idiotic moves. She could tell alcohol was making its way through the room. Teller just followed her silently. It was pointless to try and out talk the music.

Meilin searched for Syaoran in the crowd. He wasn’t there. Of course he wasn’t. He never liked large groups of people. She overlooked the scene once more, heading to where food was. Chang Mandu wasn’t present in the crowd, as far as she could tell. Meilin took a guess at where Syaoran was. They had probably snuck off to her room. She sighed, trying not to let pity overwhelm her. She hated seeing him like this. Kinomoto had no idea how much she had destroyed him.

Teller was picking out food he saw that looked edible. She stopped him when he went to grab a bottle of something. She read the label. It might have well been vadca. She grabbed a pepsi and handed it to him, smiling with authority. He shrugged and took it, then turned to overlook the scene.

"Do you want to dance?" Meilin asked over the roaring music.

Teller frowned, then realized what she said. He shook his head, shouting, "No."

Meilin nodded, then let out a long breath. Some man Syaoran was turning into indeed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

How horrible! Why do I do this to the poor people in my story!?

Comments at [email protected]

NOTE TO THOSE COMMENTERS! So I get some emails and they’re really really nice! And I go and write them back and reply, but some people’s email administrators send my emails back and I can’t do anything about it! I’ve tried to reply on multiple accounts, even my friends computers! I’m super sorry if I haven’t responded to you yet, but believe me, I’ve tried! I don’t know how many emails I’ve written that get sent back to me. It’s preposterous! If this injustice has happened to you, you have my foremost apologies! I really appreciate your emails, they make my day! They make me go on! I’ll continue searching for a way around this inequity!

-Syaoran Fan 4 Life/ apologetic author