Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ All I Need... ❯ Heroes and Realizations ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

In the passing week Syaoran avoided running into Sakura. Knowing very well that Shing would be close by, he didn’t know how long he could keep his cool. He was cautious to stay away from Eriol as well, since he was also close to Shing. Syaoran found himself again alone. But he didn’t mind it too much, he wouldn’t need to worry about anyone but himself.




It was Saturday and school had just ended. Syaoran made his way to his locker, passing through the halls seemingly unnoticeable, his invisible act well developed. He sighed to himself as he stood by his locker and undid the lock. A few lockers down there was a couple. The girl had raven hair, and was struggling to open her locker as her boyfriend hovered behind her, looking livid. Syaoran couldn’t help but watch as the boy practically shouted at the girl.



“What the hell is your problem?!?,” He shouted, standing beside her now. His eyes were narrowed dangerously, and the girl took a step back.



“Look, I didn’t know you were waiting for me. I’m sorry,” She replied. The boy looked at her, and sighed haggardly, then he leaned against the lockers as shifted a tan hand through his sandy hair.



“I know what you’re doing,” He stated, his voice was low and menacing. The girl returned to her lock, still fumbling with it.



“I don’t know what your talking about”, She said, a little snip in her voice.



“The fuck you do. I saw you with that guy. You’re such a liar,” He shouted at her, slamming his fist into a locker. The girl jumped now, looking quite frightened.



“J-Joshua, I told you already he’s my English partner. There‘s nothing going on between us,” The girl stuttered. She watched him now, cautiously. The boy, Joshua, in a sudden action grabbed her around the neck and shoved her back into the lockers. The girl struggled in vain, as her wind pipe was crushed. Syaoran was quick to act, and raced over. He grabbed the boys shirt and pulled him away from the girl. Once released she fell to her knees, gathering her breaths.



“What the hell do you think you are doing,” Syaoran said, still holding the boy’s shirt. Joshua looked at him frightened, and wriggled from his grasp.



“I-It’s none of your business”, Joshua shouted back, straightening out his shirt. “Just leave us the hell alone”. Syaoran glared at him with such a virulent look, the boy simply huffed and stormed off down the hallway.



“Are you all right,” Syaoran asked as he turned back to the girl. She looked up at him, with wide russet eyes that brimmed with tears. Syaoran reached into his back pocket and came up with a handkerchief. He kneeled down in front of her, and held it out to her.



“Here, to dry your tears”, He said, giving her an encouraging smile. She let a sob escape from her lips as she slumped forward letting her head fall in to her hands.



“Y-you shouldn’t of done that”, She said her voice muffled . Syaoran sighed taking a more permanent seat on the ground in front of her.



“Yes. I should of. He was only going to hurt you more”, Syaoran replied. The girl looked up from her hands, a few strands of raven hair falling across her pale, tear stricken face.



“No, no he wasn’t. He was just getting to worked up, it was my own fault,” She cried. Syaoran sighed, and placed the handkerchief into her hands. He looked into her eyes.



“No, he’s a jerk,” Syaoran replied blatantly. As he looked her over he noticed faded bruises on her face and arms, and around her neck a new one was forming.



“He just gets angry sometimes,” She said, trying in vain to deny what she already knew was wrong. Syaoran nodded, giving her a faint smile.



“Still, it isn’t right,” He replied, the girl sighed sadly, before she wiped her tears with his handkerchief. “Might I ask you your name?”.



“Nira,” She replied quietly, avoiding his amiable eyes. Syaoran nodded.



“My name is Syaoran”, He told her. Nira turned to look at him, her eyes still holding unshed tears.



“Joshua isn’t going to let this go,” Nira told him, handing back the handkerchief. Syaoran smiled, and then got to his feet offering to her his hand. Nira was hesitant but then took it and Syaoran easily pulled her to her feet.



“I know. But I can take care of myself. The question is, will you be all right?,” Syaoran asked, watching her closely. Nira blushed slightly, and half-smiled.



“I hope so,” She answered simply. Syaoran gave her a nod, and then he headed back over to the books he’d dropped from before, and swept them up. Nira watched him leave, feeling grateful for his intervening and kindness. She thought again about what she’d do when she would run into Joshua again. But the thought of seeing her savior again made a smile grace her features.










“Shing, stop I mean it,” Sakura warned, pushing away the black hair boy again. They had gone back to her house to work on homework after school, when Shing suggested that her room was better for studying. Sakura agreed, being the niave girl that she is. As soon as she shut the door, Shing had been all over her, and pushing her onto her bed.



“Come on Sakura. Live a little,” Shing said to her, his vioce husky. He grabbed her again, and pushed her into the pillows. Sakura panicked and shoved him back so hard he fell off her bed with a thunk.



“Oh my god,” She gasped, looking over the side. She looked down at Shing, and bit her lip nervously as he stared up at her with blazing eyes.



“What the hell Sakura,” He shouted slightly, rubbing his head where he’d bumped it on the night table.



“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to push you off the bed,” Sakura apologized. Shing shook his head, and got to his feet quickly.



“Yeah, whatever Sakura. You are such a tight ass. I mean god, I was only having a little fun,” He swore, glaring at her. Sakura felt tears fill her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back.



“Well, you know what, maybe you should just leave then. You’re such a jerk, I can’t believe I ever liked you,” Sakura yelled. She got up from her bed and went to her door opening it. Shing looked from her to the door, his fierce look quickly disappearing.



“Sakura, wait. Look, I’m sorry I didn’t mean it,” Shing said quickly. Sakura sniffled, and stared at him with sad green eyes.



“Eriol warned me about you, I should of just listened,” Sakura said. She shook her head and jestured for him to get out. Shing sighed in an annoyed way , but left grabbing his bag on his way out.



When Sakura heard the front door slam she finally let her tears fall. They’d only been together for less than two weeks, and now it was over. Sakura sat down on the edge of her bed and held her head in her hands, the tears rolling silently down her cheeks.



“I can’t believe him,” She cried, shaking her head. Shing had been nothing but sweet to her, and then the second he entered her room he changed. How could he do that to her, make her believe he was this sweet guy who wanted nothing but to hold her hand. And now she’d seen the truth, all he wanted was to play with her feelings. “I hate him, what a jerk,” Sakura mumbled. Sakura was thankful that Kero had gone over to see Yukito for the day, so he wouldn’t of been there to see her like this.





Later on in the evening, a crash from downstairs caused Sakura to wake from her slumber. She sat up and wiped at her wet cheeks. She had fallen asleep crying. Downstairs the was another crash, and she heard someone curse loudly. Sakura swallowed thickly and got up to check out what was happening. She crept down the stairs, and squated down to peer into the living room through the railing. She saw a tall figure moving about in the dark, occasionally bumping into things and letting out a string of curses.



“Damn it, where the hell is the light switch,” Grumbled the intruded, it was male, Sakura could tell from the vioce. Which oddly enough sounded rather familiar. Sakura crept down the stairs further, and reached for the light switch that was by the stairs. The room was illuminated, and the inturder slightly dazed bumped into the coffee table and fell to the ground. Sakura gasped as she saw the familiar face of her brother.



“Toya, what on earth are you doing,” She exclaimed, causing the man to bump his head again on the table he’d fallen over. Toya groaned, and sat up rubbing his head.



“Gods Sakura, you could of warned me,” He ground out. His angered glare soon evaporated when he saw Sakura’s weary red eyes, and tear stricken face.



“What happened, why are you crying?,” He asked, getting back to his feet. Sakura blinked and then reached up to brush away the wetness left by her tears.



“No reason, just had a bad dream,” She replied quickly. Toya glanced at her, not believing her excuse.



“Fine. Where is Dad?,” He asked, looking around. Sakura shrugged entering the living room to stand beside her brother. He was still so tall, and his hair still dark, but his eyes weren’t as hard. His years with Yukito had softened his gruff exterior.



“I don’t know, what time is it anyway?”, Sakura asked, looking for a clock. Toya glanced at his watch, and looked back to Sakura.



“Almost seven thrity. I’m guessing he got hung up in a meeting. He asked Yukito and me over for dinner, but Yukito had to cancel because he got called in to work. Kero went with him, of course. Kero’s never one to turn down a chance to eat the left overs at a restaurant,” Toya replied. Sakura nodded and then headed into the kitchen to look in the fridge for something to make for dinner.



“Well, I guess we can eat together,” She said. Toya follwed her and stood at the kitchen counter, watching her with a concerned stare.



“Sakura, I know you’re hiding something,” He stated. Sakura turned to look at him, her gaze weary.



“Well, maybe it’s because it’s none of your business,” She replied snippily. Toya rolled his eyes, and then gave her a hard glare.



“I’m your brother, of course it’s my business. Especially if it’s upsetting you,” He replied. Sakura sighed, and sniffled slightly. She watched her brother for a while, and blinked back tears as she thought of the events from earlier.



“I’ll tell you, but you have to promise not to get mad,” She said, begging him with her sad eyes. Toya nodded, and then Sakura motioned to follow her into the living room. She sat down on the couch and Toya sat beside her, his hands on his knees.



“See, I had this crush on a guy. I really, really liked him. He was sweet and generous. We started to go out about two weeks ago. And I was really happy. B-but…” Sakura paused trying to hold back her tears again. “But, today when he came over to do homework, he said that it be better if we worked in my room. So I brought him up, but as soon as I closed my door, h-he was all over me. I told him to stop and pushed him away. It was only after that second time when I shoveld him of the bed did he stop. H-he was really mad, and I t-told him to leave”.



Toya felt a great anger build up inside him as he watched Sakura shake as she told him this. She was crying again now, tears falling from her blood shot eyes. He knew there wasn’t anything he could do at that moment but hold her. So he reached over and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a comforting squeeze.



“Sakura, he was a jerk. And I’m glad you told him off,” Toya said, he patted her head and stroked it as she cried. “If you want I’ll go find him now and pulverize him”. Sakura let out a sigh, and pulled back from her brother’s embrace.



“No it’s fine. It’s just… I’m just a little shaken,” She replied, she reached up once again to wipe away her tears, before she gave a weary smile. Toya smiled too, and then ruffled her hair. Like he had done when she was younger.



“All right kiddo. But next time, just remember I’m your brother, and you can tell me anything. Don’t make me have to force things out of you,” He said with a chuckle. He got up then and headed toward the kitchen and picked up the phone.



“How do you feel about take out and a movie”, He asked her. Sakura smiled widely and got to her feet to join him.



“Sure, sounds great”.










Syaoran sat down at his kitchen counter, around his shoulders was his shower towel from drying his hair. He looked down at his answering machine and stared intently at the blinking light, that let him know he had new messages. Whether or not he wanted to listen to them, was the question. Sighing , he braced himself for what was coming as he pressed play.



“Hello Syaoran, this is your mother. I have talked to Hiigarizawa, and he tells me things are going better. I know you haven’t returned any of my calls, and I understand that you are mad. But please understand that this, of course, is for you best interest . Remember we all love you”. The message ended and Syaoran just rolled his eyes, since when did his mother care to tell him that. The next message caught him by surprise, as a familiar female voice came over the phone.



“Hey Syaoran, it’s Tomoyo. I’ve noticed that you’ve gone and disappeared again. I was just wondering why? Well, if you want to talk just give me a call, or drop by. I’m always open to listen to your woes. Hope to talk to you soon. Bye”. Syaoran smiled at this. He forgot how Tomoyo had always been there for him, she was of course the first one to realize his feelings for Sakura. Even before he knew it himself.



‘Maybe I’ll give her a call. I mean she’s probably the only friend I’ve got right now’, Syaoran thought. He shrugged to himself and picked up his phone. He pulled up Tomoyo’s number on the caller id and then dialed it.



“Hello, Daidoji residence,” Came a cheerful tone. Syaoran smiled slightly.



“Um, is Tomoyo there,” He asked slightly nervously.



“Of course, may I ask who is calling?”.



“Syaoran Li,” He replied. The girl told him to hold, and only had to wait a few moments before, Tomoyo picked up.



“So glad you returned my call,” Tomoyo said. Syaoran sighed, leaning on his elbow.



“Yeah, well I figured there’s no sense in ignoring it, since you’d just call again,” He said. Tomoyo giggled on the other side.



“Well, yes. But, anyways, where have you been. I’d thought for a moment or two you’d gone back to Hong Kong,” She asked. Syaoran just chuckled lightly.



“Well, the thought has been on my mind. But I’ve just been avoiding Sakura… well, more likely Shing. I don’t like him,” Syaoran replied, a hint of bitterness in his tone. Tomoyo was silent for a few moments, and Syaoran wondered what she was thinking.



“Um, Tomoyo?,” He questioned.



“Oh, sorry. Well, I don’t think that running away from your problem is going to solve anything. Besides from what Eriol’s been telling me, Shing seems to be getting bored with Sakura,” Tomoyo replied. Syaoran let out a feral growl, as he heard this.



“How can he be so dense. He’s a jerk probably just using Sakura for his own selfish benefit,” He growled out. Tomoyo laughed on the other side.



“Well, I do believe it’s been to long since I’ve heard you that angry,” Tomoyo laughed. Syaoran let out a sigh.



“Well, can you blame me, ever since I came back everything’s been falling apart”.



“Syaoran, don’t lose hope. Sakura might be a little distracted as of now, but sooner or later she’ll realize what I fool she’s been,” Tomoyo encouraged.



“Yeah, maybe…” Syaoran was silent for a moment, before he snapped back to reality, “Look, Tomoyo. I don’t want Eriol to know we talked, he’s getting on my nerves. I know he’s your boyfriend and all, but let’s just keep this conversation to ourselves,” He continued.



“Of course, I can understand. Eriol at times can be a pain,” Tomoyo said with a giggle.



“Yeah, well I’ll talk to you later I guess. Bye Tomoyo,” Syaoran said. He hung up the phone and then decided he needed to go for a walk.











At the library there was only a few students who littered the table area as they dipped into books. Syaoran being one of them. He was working on his history homework, and was struggling with some of the questions. He sighed , and noticeably knocked his head on the table. It made a rather loud thud, in the silence of the library. When he looked up a few people were staring at him. Blushing he cleared his throat and stared into the textbook with determination.



Syaoran was so immersed in the text he didn’t notice the girl who came up beside him. He jumped, giving a whoop as someone tapped his shoulder, surprising him. This time someone shooshed him, causing him to blush deep red.



“Oh, I’m sorry,” Came a timid voice. Syaoran turned to see beside him, a girl with short raven hair, it was pulled back with a head band. He stared at her for a moment before he finally realized who it was.



“Oh, Nira. It’s ok”, He said quietly, smiling at her. She smiled too, and then took a seat beside him.



“I didn’t mean to scary you, but I noticed you seemed to be struggling with something,” Nira replied, looking down at his text book, then back to him. Syaoran smiled slightly, in an embarrassed way.



“Well, yeah. Stupid history, I can’t find the answers to these questions,” He said, handing her the sheet he’d been working on. Nira’s russet eyes scanned the page quickly, and in a moment she turned back to him with a smile.



“Do you want me to help you. Our class just finished up this unit,” She replied. Syaoran smiled widely and nodded.



“Ok, well we should probably go someplace else. Since, we seem to be getting some nasty glares from people,” Nira said, glancing around. A few other students had been watching them, and glared as they talked. Syaoran just glared back, before he started to clean up his things.










Since the day was so nice, Syaoran and Nira headed for Penguin Park. They sat down underneath a small oak tree and pulled out their books. Nira gave Syaoran some pointers on finding the answers, and then Syaoran buckled down to wrok out the questions. They sat in silence for a long while. Partly because Syaoran was working, and also because silence was a comfrot to them both. When Syaoran finished he gave a triumphant sigh as he slammed his book shut.



“Well, that was easy,” He told her. Nira giggled, blushing faintly.



“Yes, see what a few good pointers will get you”. Syaoran laughed, but then when he stopped his brow furrowed noticing the vancant look on Nira’s face. He turned to her, and looked at her for a moment or two.



“You look thoughtful,” He stated. Nira just smiled, looking down at her hands in her lap.



“Yeah. I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” She told him. She sighed then, and reached up to twiddle a piece of stray hair with her fingers. “YOu know, Joshua. Well, he hasn’t come near me since that day. I think he’s afraid you’ll pop up and grab him again”. As she said this a little laugh escaped her voice.



“I’m glad to hear he hasn’t been around you. How are you feeling?,” Syaoran asked. His concern was a welcome comfort for Nira.



“I ache. Not just with bruises… but with loneliness”, She spoke quietly. Syaoran nodded. He could relate so well. Because for the longest time, he’d felt such loneliness.



“I understand. But you’ll get over him. And then you’ll find a number one. Someone who will respect you”, Syaoran told her. Nira smiled at him, and let her hand drop back to her lap.



“Yeah. I keep telling myself that. But it doesn’t make the pain go away”, She said, “I’m so impatient. I just want to be over this now”. Syaoran laughed lightly, and looked into her eyes.



“So be over it,” He told her. She shook her head.



“It’s not that simple”.



“But it is. Just let it go right now. Here I let go of something too,” Syaoran said. Nira laughed, watching him. “All right. Just close your eyes and picture Joshua in your head. Now just tie that image to a balloon… And let it float away”.



“It’s as simple as that,” He told her. Nira laughed, and did what he told her. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Syaoran staring up at the sky. He looked dazed.



“What…what did you let go?,” SHe asked timidly. Syaoran sighed, a faint smile appearing on his lips.



“The dream that would never come true”.











That scent, it was his. It still lingered within the fibers of the stuffed bear he had given her. Sakura sighed, and hugged it tightly to her. She buried her nose against the bear’s soft fabric, and breathed deeply capturing that fading trace of sandalwood.



“Syaoran,” she breathed. A sad smile played on her lips, as she thought of the honey hair boy. She couldn’t crawl back to him now, what would he think of her. It had been only a week since Sakura had ended things with Shing. And still the hurt and humiliation stayed with her. She just wanted someone to comfort her.



There was a knock on her door then, and she turned to find her smiling father.



“Hello,” He said to her cheerfully. Sakura smiled, letting loose the strong grip she’d held on her Syaoran bear.



“Hi”. Fujitaka noticed again, that distant look in his daughters eyes. He’d seen it so often in her stare through out the past week. It worried him.



“Is everything all right?,” He asked. Sakura smiled at him, and the distance faded from her gaze.



“Everythings great. How about work, anything exciting coming up?”, Sakura replied. Her father smiled.



“It’s great, in fact I just came up here to tell you something,” He said to her. “I’m heading out for a huge excavation, next Monday. I’m afraid I’m going to be gone for about two weeks, at the most. But luckily Toya and Yukito are on break, and have offered to stay with you”.



Sakura was silent for a moment. She was sad her father was leaving, but it would be nice to have Toya around. Perhaps he could offer her the comfort she’s been needing. Since, he is the only one who knows the real reasons behind Sakura and Shing’s break up.



“That sounds like fun,” She replied. Fujitaka had noticed the flickering of emotions that had passed across Sakura’s face in those few moments. One he had noted, as disappointment.



“If you would like to stay alone, I could let you. I mean you are old enough now-”.



“No,” She interrupted. “No it’s fine. I like any chance I get to spend time with Toya and Yukito, it’s hard not having them around as much. I miss them while their away at college. It should be fun, to see them”. Fujitaka nodded, his worry evaporating seeing Sakura’s bright smile.



“All right. I’m glad. Goodnight Sakura”, He said to her. Sakura smiled at him again, as he slipped out of her room.




When he was gone, Sakura got up from her bed to close her door. She sighed to herself, glancing back at her bed where Syaoran bear was sitting lopsidedly. His beady black eyes were watching her, and she smiled serenely, imagining for a moment that the bear was alive. With his head cocked to the side, it looked as though he was concerned for her, as if he too felt the hurt she was feeling.



“Don’t worry Syaoran bear. I’m all right,” She told him. She giggled to herself for the childish remark, and then went to her closet to dress for bed.