Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Disaster Brings Us Together ❯ Broken Thread ( Chapter 4 )

First Off, I apologize… I really, really do. There's no excuse for leaving this sit for so long, except to say life happened. I'm not a college student (my how time flies)! So I can't guarantee regular updates, but I am going to try my best. Sorry for keeping you all hanging!! But here it is, after a veeeeeeeeeery long wait!

 

 

Tomoyo was in shock as she sat in her bedroom on the mild December morning. Her cell phone lay open in her palm, but no one was on the line. It had been more than half an hour since she bid her best friend good-bye, but she still couldn't get her mind around what she'd been told.

 

Li Ping, Syaoran's cousin, was the rapist.

 

Above all else she felt guilty. Jumping to conclusions, Tomoyo had assumed that last night's breakdown was a reaction to the events of the day before. She'd acted accordingly, trying to calm Sakura and eventually drug the girl so she could rest and regain her strength. Little did she know her well meaning actions had condemned her poor friend to spend the night with that horrible man.

 

And he'd hurt her again. Perhaps not physically, although she gathered he had touched her based on Sakura's sketchy account, but the threat he left the girl with was just as bad. Tomoyo still recalled the tremble in Sakura's voice.

 

“He's not done with me, Tomoyo-chan… I don't know… Kami, I can't even think… but last night he said…”

 

Tomoyo shook her head, fighting down her anger and tears. A clear head was essential, for her Sakura's sake.

 

Her heart was hurting for Sakura, now more than before. Things had been looking up, in her opinion. When she'd found the pair snuggled together the morning before, she'd been filled with hope. Tomoyo knew how much her friend had loved Li, how much she still did. With his support, even if it was only his friendship, she knew Sakura would be able to fight through this.

 

Unfortunately, her latest conversation revealed that his part in this was as much of a blessing as it was a problem. With the resolution of one problem came countless others; Yes, Sakura had revealed her the man who assaulted her, but on conditions that did not sit well with Tomoyo.

 

“Tomoyo-chan?”

 

“Hai, Sakura-chan? Whatever you need, I'm here for you.”

 

The girl smiled pathetically. “Thank-you… but you need to promise me you won't tell Syaoran-kun what I'm going to tell you.”

 

“But why?”

 

“You'll understand when I tell you… just please, promise me?”

 

She had made that promise, and it was weighing on her heavily.

 

Sakura went on to reveal Ping as The One. Tomoyo had been enraged and horrified, but she still hadn't understood her earlier request. Didn't Li have a right to know, more of a right even, since it was his cousin and the wretched man was staying with him? He friend's explanation had been so heart-felt and selfless, thinking of it still brought tears to her eyes.

 

“You remember when Syaoran-kun was introducing him? He told us Ping was like a brother. I couldn't take that away from him, not when I know how hard it is for him to open up to people.”

 

She was crying again, damn. Tomoyo wiped impatiently at her eyes, sure that she must look terrible but not caring. It was obvious what she had to do, tell Li what she knew and let the cards fall into place. But she'd made a promise to Sakura that she wouldn't. Would she forgive her? Of course, but Tomoyo still felt horrible relying on her friend's endless generosity. Still, it was Sakura's well-being versus her conscience. The first won out over the later. Tomoyo dialed.

 

*************

 

Syaoran was moping his way through a bowl of rice, courtesy of his cousin, when the telephone rang. He dropped his chopsticks immediately and jumped for the object, mind racing. It could be Sakura, she could need his help…

 

Still, he managed to keep his voice stoic as he brought the receiver to his mouth. “Li Syaoran.”

 

“Li-kun.”

 

“Daidouji.” He was more than a little annoyed, and while it wasn't fair to the dark-haired girl, it still showed in his tone. “What is it?”

 

She hesitated, which surprised him.

 

“What? What's wrong?”

 

“Besides the obvious, Li-kun?” she wondered.

 

Immediately, Syaoran picked up on the tight, bitter tone of her voice. He could think of only one thing that would make her sound that way. “She told you something, didn't she?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“What?”

 

“She told me who…”

 

Oh yes, progress. He'd been stewing in a mass of nervous energy for nearly two days now, he was more than ready for some action. But this was the always practical Tomoyo, so if she knew, there was very little chance the bastard would still be out on the streets. “You called the authorities, didn't you?”

 

She gave a small, stressed laugh. “No. I think whether or not we do that is entirely up to you, Li-kun.”

 

Syaoran, taken aback, found himself retracing the conversation to be sure he hadn't misunderstood. The dark haired girl was giving him final say in this, which was as close to encouraging violence as she had ever come. “If I have my way, there won't be enough of the bastard to convict,” he commented by way of warning.

 

“That wasn't what I meant.”

 

“Then what…”

 

There was silence, and when she spoke again, her words were chosen carefully. “Sakura confessed to me, Li-kun, but she made me promise not to tell you.”

 

“What? Why…” He felt lost all of the sudden, almost betrayed. Why wouldn't Sakura trust him enough to tell him who? What was she afraid of?

 

“Because she's Sakura,” Tomoyo replied, he could hear the tears clogging her throat.

 

“Daidouji…”

 

She sniffled, remembering herself. “Don't worry Li-kun. I plan on telling you, even thought I'll be breaking a promise to my dearest friend. Just… please don't be angry with her, she didn't want you to hurt.”

 

“Why would I…” he started, confused, but Tomoyo spoke before he could finish.

 

“Your cousin.”

 

“What?”

 

“Your cousin,” she repeated, tone soft but clipped. “He was the one.”

 

“No.” The words leaped from his mouth before Syaoran had time to think. It was impossible, that was all he knew. Ping was no saint, he knew, but that didn't mean he was capable of…

 

“Why would Sakura lie, Li-kun?”

 

Still, he couldn't believe it. He had known Ping all his life, they had grown up together. There was just no way. “Impossible,” he whispered, shaking his head. “No, Daidouji, there must be some mistake. There is no was Ping could ever…”

 

“She wouldn't lie! Not about something like this!”

 

“I'm not saying she lied!” Their conversation was escalating, both in volume and emotion. Syaoran couldn't think straight, his mind was grasping, reaching out for anything that could explain this horrible possibility away. “She probably mistook him for someone else! There was no way she could have gotten a good look at Ping, being confronted by someone new so soon after probably set off…”

 

“Sakura is not stupid!” Tomoyo screamed back, furious. “She would not tell me what she did if she were not one hundred percent sure and I thank Kami she decided to keep it from you!” The girl gulped in air, returning to a normal pitch with great effort. Her voice, however, still held a hard bite that chilled Syaoran throughout. “She would not lie about this. It was your cousin, Li-kun, whether you wish to believe it or not. And if you doubt her in this… that would make you worse than him.”

 

He was shell-shocked because she was right. There was no way Sakura would make such an accusation without knowing for sure. And he'd just insinuated… “Tomoyo…”

 

She was crying again, tears that were a mix of frustration and anger. “I hate you right now, Li-kun. Sakura told me that last night he threatened her. He touched her! When she was supposed to be safe in your apartment, you let him harass her! And now you refuse to believe what she told me… Kami help me, Li-kun, if you do not do something to redeem yourself, you will never set eyes on Sakura again. I don't care if she hates me for it or hurts over it, I'd rather have that then allow that… horrible man anywhere near her! Do you understand me?”

 

“Yes.” Syaoran was feeling many things at that moment, disgust and betrayal being among them, yet his head was surprisingly clear. He knew what he had to do, but he also realized the consequences. The action was worth it.. Sakura deserved so much better.

 

Without another word, he hung up the phone. Inevitably, the dark haired girl would call back, but his mind was already running through the finer details of his hastily prepared plan. That was okay, he thought best on his feet.

 

Ping was in the bathroom. The shower had stopped a while back, so he would be coming out soon. Syaoran position himself outside the door, fists clenched and ready. His pendant hung around his neck, but he wouldn't use the sword. No, that would be too easy. Family or not, he couldn't allow Ping to die easily.

When the door opened, he was ready. Syaoran sprung at the other man and caught him off guard, landing a solid punch to the side of the head the knocked him to the floor. His cousin grabbed at him, reflexively, and pulled him down with him. Both men grappled for an advantage while Ping tried to make sense of the situation.

 

“The hell!! Xiao Lang, what the hell do you think…”

 

Syaoran freed himself from the mess and jumped back. “Don't you dare say a word,” he hissed, furious.

 

Cautiously, the other climbed to his feet. The hallway was small, but Ping managed to throw his cousin over his shoulder when he rushed at him again. Seconds later, Syaoran was back in action with a powerful kick that missed crushing his trachea by centimeters. “Damn! Xiao Lang, are you trying to kill me.”

 

“You deserve worse than death for what you did!”

 

“What…” But he didn't have time to think. Ping was defending himself again, a flurry of perfectly timed punches flying in his direction. The assault backed the older man into a corner, but he used his position to his advantage, pulling his cousin towards him when he punched and pinning him to the wall.

 

“Now,” Ping insisted, panting slightly from the sudden fight. “Explain.”

 

“I have nothing to say to you!” Syaoran ground out. He could feel his calm exterior cracking as anger boiled up within him and struggled to get free. It was in vain, he knew. Ping had always been stronger; it was Syaoran's speed that made him difficult to beat. But with his cousin's forearm pressed up under his chin, cutting off his air supply, he knew there was no escape.

 

“That wasn't the answer I was looking for, Xiao Lang,” Ping replied, eyes annoyed. “Care to try again?”

 

He continued to struggle. The arm pushed tighter into his throat, Syaoran gagged. “Don't patronize me,” he bit out, glaring. “You know what you did, and I swear to every god I know you will not get away with hurting her!”

 

“Hurting…” the older was confused. “Wait, is this about the girl from earlier? You couldn't possibly think…” Horrified, he drew back, releasing his chokehold. “Xiao Lang, I would never… I can't even think of…”

 

Syaoran could have attacked again, probably should have, but he didn't. Instead, he stepped away from the wall, tense and glaring. “Don't even try… you think I'd believe you over her?”

 

“I wasn't even here it when it happened!”

 

“But your arrival was damn convenient!”

 

Ping shook his head, taking a cautious step back when it looked like Syaoran was ready to lunge at him again. “My flight got in yesterday morning. How could I have done that to her if I wasn't even in the country!”

 

Syaoran faltered, but soon shook it off. Daidouji was right, Sakura wouldn't have told her unless he was sure. “Liar.”

 

“Not about this, Xiao Lang,” he answered solemnly.

 

“That means nothing to me!”

 

Ping shook his head and turned around, stalking down the hall and into the living room. Stunned, Syaoran could only stare after. A definite sense of suspicion overtaking his mind, he transformed his sword and crept down the hallway.

 

On the couch, his cousin was digging through his bag. From the corner of his eye he spotted Syaoran and snorted. “Yes, I'm going to attack you with my passport and plane ticket,” he commented, annoyed and on the verge of loosing his temper as he thrust the documents towards him. “Customs don't lie.”

 

No, they certainly didn't. Looking over the documents, he could find nothing wrong with the papers. And all the documents were dated early January 5th; Ping truly had arrived the day after the assault. Syaoran didn't know what to say. He believed Sakura with all of his heart, but there was such unquestionable evidence that she had been mistaken…

 

A body joined him on the couch. Ping, eyes closed, spoke after a long and brooding silence. “I know you had to believe her, Xiao Lang, and I admire you for that. But perhaps… perhaps in her confusion she made an incorrect assumption… I don't blame her, how could I? But I think it is in everyone's best interest for you to correct her mistake…”

 

“What…” It was a reasonable request, logical even. Syaoran could tell his cousin was hurt by the accusation, but how could he tell Sakura she was wrong?

 

As usual, the older man seemed to know exactly what was on his mind. “I know it won't be easy,” Ping replied softly. A solid hand clamped onto his shoulder in a firm and comforting gesture. “But how can she get on with her life unless he confronts this? How could you find the man responsible, for that matter? It's necessary, Xiao Lang, and not all that is necessary is all pain free.”

 

His swords were comforting, soothing to his hectic mind. Syaoran was used to taking Ping's advice, he had never led him astray before, and it was all too easy to surrender control of his own thoughts. Syaoran found himself nodding, eyes focused on his clenched hands, but his mind was uneasy.

 

“And if she hates me for it?”

 

“Cousin, she'll thank you! And if she doesn't, she isn't deserving of your affections. Besides,” Ping met his eyes, meaningfully and serious, “our duty to one and other, to our family… that is stronger than any emotion.”

 

Of course it is, his mind agreed instantly. The words were familiar, but Syaoran didn't remember it was the Li council that had repeated the same mantra, day in and day out. That phrase had been the foundation of his training.

 

******

“Good-morning, Syaoran-kun!” Sakura greeted, stepping from her house and joining him in the snow. This morning, with the winter sunlight reflecting off the ground, he could see just how much of a toll this disaster was taking on her body. Her skin was pale and shinny, her eyes dull and blood-shot, lined by bags. He wondered if she had gotten any sleep at all last night.

 

“Good morning.” He tried to read past her forced exterior as they walked down the drive and onto the street. What he was about to do… there was no reason why he shouldn't correct her mistake, in the kindest way possible, but why did it feel so wrong? “Are you hungry? Would you like to stop at the café down the street?”

 

Her eyes were on him, green enough to drown in. Sakura shook her head. “No, thank-you Syaoran-kun. But I think there's something you'd like to ask me.” She smiled, a little wistfully, and looked away. “Tomoyo-chan shared my secret with you, ne?”

 

Syaoran shifted uneasily, it was unlike Sakura to be so blunt and observant. “Yes, she did.”

 

Nodding, she continued to walk with her eyes locked on the snow.

 

Gathering his courage, he reached out and very gently took her arm. “Sakura, can you please think back.” Her head lifted at his soft request, eyes gently curious. “Are you certain, beyond a doubt, that it was Ping?”

 

Sakura flinched and her face clouded, but she didn't look away. “I am.”

 

With his own, he held her eyes and searched her emotions. There was no uncertainty or confusion in her expression, just pain, sorrow, and regret. Syaoran looked away.

 

“You're mistaken, Sakura.”

 

Her eyes went huge before shrinking, hurt and resignation taking over seconds later. She was shutting him out; Syaoran rushed on with his explanation.

 

“He wasn't in the country at the time, Sakura. His flight arrived early the morning after… it couldn't have been him. I check all of his paperwork, the timing, its impossible….”

 

The way she was watching him now caused his heart to clench in panic. Her eyes were betrayed, exposed, and above all else, defeated. The fighting spark that had shown behind her broken gaze was gone now, extinguished completely. Had she given up?

 

“Sakura, please…” He wanted this expression gone, wanted the hope back in her eyes, but he couldn't sacrifice the truth. “Trust me?”

 

She shook her head, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Why don't you trust me? they seemed to scream, although he knew Sakura would never voice such words.

 

“If this man looked like Ping, that gives us a starting point! It…”

 

She turned abruptly, back towards him and tiny shoulders shaking. “Syaoran-kun… I'm sorry, I can't stay with you… right now…”

 

He knew she was going to run, wanted to try and stop her, but he didn't. Syaoran knew that in trying to make things right, he had crushed her.

 

The girl dashed clumsily down the snow-covered street, away from her home, as he watched. She pulled her cell-phone from her pocket and fumbled with it briefly before bring it to her ear.

 

Syaoran waited, kept watch from afar, until the black limousine pulled up and Tomoyo stepped out, embracing her friend and ushering her inside the vehicle. The rain haired girl paused, and, after giving him the most chilling look he'd ever received, disappeared into the car as well.