Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Dragon ❯ Sakura's Longest Day Revisited ( Chapter 8 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lord Archive 
Sakura flies to save the life of Tomoyo's mother, but what is the price to be paid for messing with death?
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.29.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 606 | Status: Completed
Sakura flies to save the life of Tomoyo's mother, but what is the price to be paid for messing with death?
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.29.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 606 | Status: Completed
Sakura's eyes snapped open. As soon as she moved to sit up Cerberus in his true form pounced at her. With a flash of magic, she flung him at the door and held him there. She then scowled at the time. "You turned off my alarm!"
"Of course I did!" Cerberus shot back. "You can't change this!"
"I won't know until I try and if you caused me to be late I'll have to reset and go through this awful day again!" Sakura spat angrily.
"Stupid monster, you can't do this!" Cerberus howled. "Sakura!"
"Fly!" Sakura called out, granting herself wings even as she picked up her cell phone. She began to dial while she flew out her open window. She growled in frustration as the phone was busy. She punched in a different number.
"Hey, Kinomoto, can you tell me what the hell is with Syaoran this morning? He was saying something about flying to Hong Kong and then Fanren called him," Meiling wondered, having answered Syaoran's cell-phone.
Sakura let out a partial sigh of relief. "Today is... Fanren-chan's day."
"I... I understand. I guess I won't be seeing you in class for the next week then..." Meiling trailed off. "Excuse me, I've got to say good-bye to her too."
"Good-bye," Sakura replied before hanging up. She then dialed another number.
"Hello, Yamazaki residence," a woman answered.
"This is Kinomoto Sakura, I need to talk to Chiharu-chan. It's urgent!" Sakura gritted her teeth as the seconds ticked by.
"Sakura-chan, what's so important?" Chiharu asked over the phone.
"Go see your father now! Today is the day!" Sakura half-shouted into her cell-phone.
"Today? You don't mean he's..." Chiharu's voice suddenly sounded empty.
"Yes, it's today. I'm sorry, Chiharu-chan. Go see him!" Sakura swallowed. "Good-bye."
Sakura pushed herself to fly faster. She couldn't have much time left. She had never been told where it happened, but she had a good guess. Reiko had seen the accident, while Syaoran and Meiling, who lived closer to the school, had not. As she neared Reiko's home she saw both the limousine driving towards downtown Tokyo and a beat up red pick-up truck wobbling towards an intersection. She need to get there now. "Dash!" Her flight took a blinding speed.
Sakura spread her wings and arms as she landed at the mouth of the intersection, closing her eyes wondering if it would be the limousine or the pick-up truck that would hit her. Screeching tires filled her ears. She then whipped her head towards the sky as she felt Yue approach, but knew he was too far and too late to have any effect on what was about to happen.
The limousine came to a halt mere centimeters from her. Before those in the stretched car could do anything, the red pick-up swerved around Sakura and continued on past her.
Sakura could only stare as truck barreled down the street straight towards Reiko. Her instincts failed her as she tried to think of what to do. The pause was too much. With a thunderous crash, the cheerleader captain was struck, crushed between the pick-up and a wall fence.
Reiko coughed up some blood, staring vacantly at the magical girl. "You killed me, didn't you?"
The truck lurched backwards and blood flowed over the ground as Reiko fell, dead.
Sakura's eyes dilated and she began to scream.
Daidouji's bodyguards rushed from the limousine and forced the truck to stop, painfully dragging the drunk out of the driver's seat.
Sonomi rushed toward the intersection and froze upon seeing the dead girl down the street. She barely registered her bodyguards slamming the drunk into the ground and twisting his arm. She then gathered the screaming girl into a hug. "Oh, Sakura-chan, what's going on?"
"Today, death came in three." Yue landed, his voice aloof. He then pointed at the woman holding his master. "You were to be the third, but Sakura decided she could not allow that." He then turned towards the truck. "It would seem her classmate has taken your place. Whatever destiny that girl had is now yours. Do not waste the extension of life you've been granted."
"I... I was supposed to die here?" Sonomi whispered in horror and disbelief.
"Yes." Yue then pulled Sakura into his arms. "I shall take her home before others begin to arrive."
Sonomi nodded dumbly, watching as the winged man's hand flashed a blue light over Sakura's face, causing the hysterical girl to fall unconscious before she was taken away.
"Where's Sakura?" Syaoran demanded running towards the accident scene.
Sonomi pointed to the sky. "Yue took her home."
Syaoran blinked at the woman. "You know about... Sakura?"
Sonomi nodded vacantly. "I've known for a long time."
Meiling ran up to her cousin. "Will you tell me what the hell is going on today?"
"I... I was supposed to die today." Sonomi shuddered. She then pointed at the truck. "Sakura-chan saved me, but that girl died in my place."
Syaoran stared. "Isn't that...?"
"I guess this means I'm the captain of the cheerleader squad now," Meiling said without emotion. She then turned toward her cousin. "Go to Kinomoto. I have no idea how bad she'll take this."
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Card Captors Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 8: Sakura's Longest Day Revisited
By: Lord Archive
Author's Warnings:
In accordance to movie rating system this series would be rated PG-13, and as for television would rate TV M for mature audience, but would be viewable with no edits save for some incidents of vulgar language. Due to subjective nature of the ratings, for FFnet this series has been labeled with R rating for those who have poor views of some of the subject matter contained within.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
-----------------------
Takashi chased after his wife. After a phone call, she rushed getting dressed and said she had to go home. She wasn't even in her school uniform. He had pointed that out to her, but she said it didn't matter.
They burst into the Mihara household, eliciting surprised noises from Chiharu's sister and mother. Chiharu came to a screeching halt at the door to her father's bedroom.
Chiharu made stuttering steps towards the side of the bed. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "Oh, Father..." She collapsed to her knees and took his cold hand into hers. "I love you." She sobbed. "Good-bye."
Takashi walked up to her and pulled her into a hug.
"What's going on?" Chiharu's mother asked. She then stared at the bed. She saw how the man's face was at ease. There was no pain, just peace. She stiffly turned. "Natsumi, your father's pain has ended."
Natsumi was in the room a second later. "Dad? You're just sleeping, right Dad?" She shook the cold body. "DADDY!!!!"
-----------------------
It was the start of the second class when Meiling arrived at her classroom with the principal following behind her. In her hands was a simple white flower that apparently was going to hold a lot of meaning. As soon as her classmates saw what she was holding, the room erupted into noise, mostly asking if either Syaoran or Sakura had died. The principal's presence quickly quieted them down.
"Today I have a sad duty to perform," the principal began, looking older than his already considerable years. "I'm not sure where to begin."
Meiling fought the urge to groan. His delay was needlessly making people nervous, Tomoyo especially. She walked up to Reiko's desk and set the flower upon it.
"What?! Reiko-chan?! Don't tell me she died of some sex disease?!" cried out one of the more athletic boys in the room, who was promptly slapped on the back of his head by another of the school's athletes.
The principal stared at the boy who spoke up, before straightening his suit and tie. "As I was about to say, this morning Ichimai Reiko was involved in an accident and died from her injuries." He then let out a long sigh. "Also, Li Syaoran's sister, Li Fanren, also passed away. And the father of Yamazaki Chiharu lost his long battle against his failing health."
"YAMAZAKI Chiharu?!" cried out a few members of the classroom.
The principal shifted uneasily.
Meiling wondered if telling the class that name was a mistake or something the old man didn't want to explain. She shook her head. "Yamazaki-chan hasn't been a nickname but her real name. They've known her father was dying for a long time now and she married Yamazaki-kun to deal with inheritance issues."
"Why isn't Kinomoto here?" asked one of the boys in the class.
Meiling scowled at the boy, suspecting that he might be interested in the girl, which would be 'unhealthy' for him if Syaoran found out. "Kinomoto was on her way over to my home to see Syaoran and saw Ichimai die. She was rather upset and had to be taken home."
The principal let out a hollow laugh. "Perhaps I should've left informing the class to you." He then cleared his voice. "The arrangements for the funerals for Mihara-san and Ichimai Reiko will be announced when we have the information. Those who wish to attend may do so, but I expect you to be of your best behavior and I will be there to make sure you do."
"Syaoran and I will be gone for the next week to attend Fanren's funeral in Hong Kong," Meiling added.
"I am sorry for the interruption we have caused your class," the principal apologized to the teacher.
The teacher nodded and said nothing, expecting this to be a wasted class.
-----------------------
Sakura awoke in her bed and found her family, Kero-chan, Yue and Syaoran surrounding her. She knew what she had done and could not look any of them in the eye.
"Sakura, are you okay?" Fujitaka asked his daughter.
"How can I be okay?! I just killed Reiko-chan!" Sakura sobbed. "It wasn't supposed to be her!"
"Sakura, what were you thinking?!" Syaoran demanded, pulling the girl into a hug. "Were you really going to sacrifice yourself for Tomoyo's mother?"
"I couldn't let Tomoyo-chan become lost as well," Sakura retorted. "I know it would've hurt you all. But what Tomoyo-chan was going to do was even worse!"
"You were being a stupid monster!" Touya chastised. "You thought of only helping Tomoyo-chan. Did you once considering what you would've done to us?!"
"Sakura-chan, it takes time to heal. Tomoyo-chan would've gotten better and realized she didn't have to leave behind her childhood and everyone. It was having all those burdens thrust at her at once that made her act that way," Kero-chan pointed out.
"I hope you understand the price you've paid," Yue groused.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this! Reiko-chan wasn't supposed to die!" Sakura sobbed.
"You're right." Yue folded his arms. "It was not that girl's time, but the balance had to be maintained. To save one life, you doomed another."
"It didn't have to be her!" Sakura protested.
"No, it didn't. And it was obviously not your time. The truck swerved, the limousine stopped in time, you didn't use the still active Dash to push the girl out of the way, and I doubt that you even once consider using The Shield to protect anyone. You have a destiny others cannot fulfill. Daidouji-san and that girl were replaceable," Yue intoned.
Sakura latched onto her boyfriend tightly. "What could I have done? Did I do the right thing? Should I change everything back? What can I do?!"
There was no answer they could give her.
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Sonomi had never taken a day off from work. There was always so much that needed her attention. Things that would pile up if she did not attend to it. But considering she was supposed to... have taken a 'permanent vacation,' she had seen fit to take today off.
After talking to the police about the accident, leaving all mention of Sakura's presence out of her account, Sonomi returned home. She had wished Tomoyo was still home, but her daughter had left for school by the time she arrived. She had been tempted to go to the school and take her from it, though thought better of it.
With the final bell of the school day tolling, Sonomi waited at the school gate. When her daughter emerged from the building she rushed to her and gave the girl a fierce hug.
That Tomoyo replied in kind, holding onto her mother tightly showed that she at least knew some of what happened today.
"Let's go see Sakura-chan," Sonomi whispered and felt her daughter nod in response.
After mother and daughter left the school and entered the limousine, Tomoyo asked, "Meiling-chan was rather sketchy about what happened this morning. What did happen?"
Sonomi gazed intently at her daughter. "Sakura-chan was forced to make an awful choice. I don't understand it entirely, but apparently when it's time for someone to... die, I ah... guess someone will die. Sakura-chan flew to save my life, but I'm not supposed to have lived. Because I was saved, a girl died in my place."
"Reiko-chan," Tomoyo breathed. "I know Sakura-chan didn't intend for her to die."
Sonomi held her daughter's hand tightly. "I suspect that... Sakura-chan had planned... to take my place."
Tomoyo's eyes widened in shock before she turned away and bowed her head. "Sakura-chan probably did."
The remainder of the short trip was finished in silence. Upon arriving at the home, Tomoyo rushed into her best friend's house.
Sonomi followed slowly after her daughter. Giving Fujitaka the barest of greetings before going up to Sakura's room and finding her daughter embracing the girl.
"Oh, Sakura-chan..." Tomoyo cried. "Oh, Sakura-chan..."
Sonomi sighed, unable to look at her savior. "Sakura-chan, now that you know what happens because you saved me... are you going to fix things?"
Tomoyo stiffened at the question.
"I... I don't know." Sakura's unfocused eyes gazed at the woman she had saved. "I've been trying to think of how to save everyone. It can't be your time or Reiko-chan's. Why is it someone has to die in that stupid accident?"
"Maybe God does exist, or maybe the Shinto gods and spirits." Sonomi shrugged. "I don't know. There must be a reason for it."
"What good is having all my magic if I can't save anyone?!" Sakura demanded through her forming tears. "I have more power than I know what to do with, but I couldn't prevent someone from dying."
"Sakura-chan, I don't know what to tell you. All I can say is 'thank you.' Because of you I'm alive." Sonomi walked over to the window. "I know what I should say. Tell you to fix it that Reiko-chan lives even if it means my own death." She clinched her fists. "But I am a horribly selfish person. I don't want to die and leave Tomoyo-chan yet. I want to see my grandchildren."
Tomoyo remain quite as she continued to hold Sakura, tears streaming down both of their faces.
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While Chiharu was 'mother's little angel,' Natsumi had always been 'Daddy's little girl.' The elder Mihara sister was at a loss of what to do now that her father had passed away. She knew it was past his time and he had been around longer than anyone expected him to be, but she still wanted him to remain with her. He had been a pillar in her life even as he grew sicker and weaker. He had been someone she could rely on. Now he was gone and she didn't know what to do.
Chiharu worked on cleaning the house trying to escape the silence that prevailed after her father's body had been taken away. Only Takashi talking on the phone to inform her relatives and her mother going through files filled with important documentation kept everything from being unbearably quiet.
"What happens now, Mother?" Natsumi asked as the woman entered the main room.
"Well, your father's funeral will be in three days at eight in the morning," Mrs. Mihara began. She then turned towards her younger daughter. "I've learned there has been an accident this morning. One of your classmates, Ichimai Reiko, was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Her funeral is at ten."
Chiharu bowed her head. "I see. I didn't really know her, but I suspect Meiling-chan and Sakura-chan will be attending her funeral."
"Actually, you can discount Li-kun and his cousin. Big events come in threes, and Li-kun's sister also passed away," Takashi corrected.
"If this is one of your tall tales..." Chiharu left her threat unsaid.
Mrs. Mihara shook her head. "If only it were."
Chiharu pouted. "Sakura-chan must be a wreak. She personally knew Reiko-chan, Li-kun's sister and Dad."
Takashi nodded. "More than you can guess. From what I was told, she saw Ichimai die."
Chiharu stared vacantly at her husband. "If she saw, why didn't she..."
"Who can say?" Takashi cut her off and shrugged excessively to draw attention back to himself. "Perhaps we should talk about living arrangements?"
The sisters nodded, willing to get off the previous topic.
Mrs. Mihara cleared her throat. "Once your father's life insurance is processed and I get the money, I will be moving out and into an apartment. I've found a decent one just outside of Tomoeda. Natsumi can either move in with me or stay here."
Natsumi thought for a moment. "Mind if I split time? I'll move in with Mom, but with school work and all, there might be times I'll need to crash here since it'll obviously be closer to the school."
Takashi shrugged. "I have no problem as long as you warn us ahead of time."
Chiharu nodded. "Of course you'd be welcome here. Neither of you have to move away."
Mrs. Mihara shook her head. "Dear, this is your home now, not mine. I will not be a guest in a home if I have a means of living under my own roof with my own terms."
-----------------------
Despite the number of people in the Kinomoto home, Sakura was left alone in her room as the hour approached midnight. They all had their own thoughts about what should be done, but only Sakura could make the final decision.
Sonomi glanced at the clock. "In two minutes I'll either live on here or find myself finishing up work and getting ready for bed without any memories of today and on my way to a fatal meeting with a stupid drunk."
"There may be another option," Meiling pointed out. "Kinomoto could set it up for someone else to die."
"She could never do that," Kero-chan pointed out sadly. "It would be the same to her as if she murdered them. It's one thing being powerless to stop someone from dying, it's something else entirely when you actively have to choose the person."
Meiling folded her arms. "I say she should reset the day and kill the drunk."
"That would be murder and it might not save Daidouji or that girl's life. There may be a reason why he drunkenly takes the life of a GIRL. Killing the GUY won't fix it," Kero-chan retorted bitterly.
Nothing more was said as the final seconds of the day ticked away. No magic flared in Sakura's room and the clock tower did not chime. The day came to an end with a mournful scream from the girl's room.
"Thank you, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo whispered, but found herself unable to go and comfort her best friend. It was because of her that Reiko was now dead. Their classmate's blood was on her hands as well. "Thank you, Li-kun," Tomoyo lightly added, knowing the boy was now with Sakura as the girl's screams could no longer be heard throughout the house.
"I suppose it's time to head home," Sonomi announced. "I'm sorry for imposing so much."
"I guess saying 'don't think much about it' would be asking to much," Fujitaka hollowly joked.
"It would." Sonomi nodded. "I can never repay Sakura-chan for what she has done today, and I will see what I can do for the Ichimai family."
Fujitaka hugged her briefly. "Don't be a stranger, and don't forget to live your life to the fullest."
"I've been living too much for my work. I think it's high time I made some time for Tomoyo-chan and myself," Sonomi agreed.
Meiling yawned. "I should be headed home too. I've got to finish getting everything packed and ready to go. Make sure Syaoran is up and ready by eight so we can make it to the airport in time."
Fujitaka nodded. "Of course."
Sonomi looked a little startled. "You're letting him stay here, with her?"
Meiling laughed. "Mr. Chivalry up there wouldn't look at her panties without her permission, and she's too stupid and naive to think about anything beyond kissing. There's nothing to worry about, especially tonight."
"For now, anyway," Touya groused.
"I hope you're right. Sakura-chan doesn't need anymore... complications in her life." Sonomi shook her head. "Good-bye."
-----------------------
Syaoran held Sakura tenderly as the girl cried herself to sleep. This had been a horrible day for everyone, and though the next day had come-- it was not truly over yet. Sakura's actions killed someone she knew, and he would give anything he could to be here for her. However, such was not to be the case. He had no choice but to return to Hong Kong for his sister's funeral.
For the next week Sakura would be on her own. Tomoyo would only be of marginal help as the girl would be a living reminder of what she had done. Sakura was hurting and all he could do was hold her tightly tonight and pray that she will be safe and alive when he got back. If an attack came now, Sakura would be absolutely defenseless and might even allow herself to be murdered.
"Sakura, I love you. Never forget that. No matter what you do, you will always be the one I love most," Syaoran vowed, wishing the now slumbering girl had heard him.
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Author's Notes:
Coming Next: Chapter 9 - Sakura's Mournful Days
Sakura is left alone to deal with the loss of three people she knew.
The following omake is a letter Sakura sent before the events of chapter 7.
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Dear Eriol-kun,
Everything is fine here in Tomoeda, if you don't count the random attacks. Syaoran-kun has been a great help with them.
Thank you for suggesting to read 'Philosopher's Stone' for my book report. It felt a bit nostalgic when I read it. I felt much the same as Harry did when learning magic was real and having my eyes opened to a much larger and exciting world. At least I never had to face someone like Voldemort... At least I hope I'm not facing someone like that now.
Is the book based on real events? I'm wondering about that because the spells are real! I tried to cast the levitation spell and blew up my notebook. Kero-chan has helped me focus my magic, but he compared me trying to do such simple magic as if I was taking a bazooka to a gunfight. Like poor Neville, I'm overpowering the spells. Never really thought I had that much magical power.
How are things in London? Is Mizuki-sensei doing well? I should really write to her too.
"Of course I did!" Cerberus shot back. "You can't change this!"
"I won't know until I try and if you caused me to be late I'll have to reset and go through this awful day again!" Sakura spat angrily.
"Stupid monster, you can't do this!" Cerberus howled. "Sakura!"
"Fly!" Sakura called out, granting herself wings even as she picked up her cell phone. She began to dial while she flew out her open window. She growled in frustration as the phone was busy. She punched in a different number.
"Hey, Kinomoto, can you tell me what the hell is with Syaoran this morning? He was saying something about flying to Hong Kong and then Fanren called him," Meiling wondered, having answered Syaoran's cell-phone.
Sakura let out a partial sigh of relief. "Today is... Fanren-chan's day."
"I... I understand. I guess I won't be seeing you in class for the next week then..." Meiling trailed off. "Excuse me, I've got to say good-bye to her too."
"Good-bye," Sakura replied before hanging up. She then dialed another number.
"Hello, Yamazaki residence," a woman answered.
"This is Kinomoto Sakura, I need to talk to Chiharu-chan. It's urgent!" Sakura gritted her teeth as the seconds ticked by.
"Sakura-chan, what's so important?" Chiharu asked over the phone.
"Go see your father now! Today is the day!" Sakura half-shouted into her cell-phone.
"Today? You don't mean he's..." Chiharu's voice suddenly sounded empty.
"Yes, it's today. I'm sorry, Chiharu-chan. Go see him!" Sakura swallowed. "Good-bye."
Sakura pushed herself to fly faster. She couldn't have much time left. She had never been told where it happened, but she had a good guess. Reiko had seen the accident, while Syaoran and Meiling, who lived closer to the school, had not. As she neared Reiko's home she saw both the limousine driving towards downtown Tokyo and a beat up red pick-up truck wobbling towards an intersection. She need to get there now. "Dash!" Her flight took a blinding speed.
Sakura spread her wings and arms as she landed at the mouth of the intersection, closing her eyes wondering if it would be the limousine or the pick-up truck that would hit her. Screeching tires filled her ears. She then whipped her head towards the sky as she felt Yue approach, but knew he was too far and too late to have any effect on what was about to happen.
The limousine came to a halt mere centimeters from her. Before those in the stretched car could do anything, the red pick-up swerved around Sakura and continued on past her.
Sakura could only stare as truck barreled down the street straight towards Reiko. Her instincts failed her as she tried to think of what to do. The pause was too much. With a thunderous crash, the cheerleader captain was struck, crushed between the pick-up and a wall fence.
Reiko coughed up some blood, staring vacantly at the magical girl. "You killed me, didn't you?"
The truck lurched backwards and blood flowed over the ground as Reiko fell, dead.
Sakura's eyes dilated and she began to scream.
Daidouji's bodyguards rushed from the limousine and forced the truck to stop, painfully dragging the drunk out of the driver's seat.
Sonomi rushed toward the intersection and froze upon seeing the dead girl down the street. She barely registered her bodyguards slamming the drunk into the ground and twisting his arm. She then gathered the screaming girl into a hug. "Oh, Sakura-chan, what's going on?"
"Today, death came in three." Yue landed, his voice aloof. He then pointed at the woman holding his master. "You were to be the third, but Sakura decided she could not allow that." He then turned towards the truck. "It would seem her classmate has taken your place. Whatever destiny that girl had is now yours. Do not waste the extension of life you've been granted."
"I... I was supposed to die here?" Sonomi whispered in horror and disbelief.
"Yes." Yue then pulled Sakura into his arms. "I shall take her home before others begin to arrive."
Sonomi nodded dumbly, watching as the winged man's hand flashed a blue light over Sakura's face, causing the hysterical girl to fall unconscious before she was taken away.
"Where's Sakura?" Syaoran demanded running towards the accident scene.
Sonomi pointed to the sky. "Yue took her home."
Syaoran blinked at the woman. "You know about... Sakura?"
Sonomi nodded vacantly. "I've known for a long time."
Meiling ran up to her cousin. "Will you tell me what the hell is going on today?"
"I... I was supposed to die today." Sonomi shuddered. She then pointed at the truck. "Sakura-chan saved me, but that girl died in my place."
Syaoran stared. "Isn't that...?"
"I guess this means I'm the captain of the cheerleader squad now," Meiling said without emotion. She then turned toward her cousin. "Go to Kinomoto. I have no idea how bad she'll take this."
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Card Captors Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 8: Sakura's Longest Day Revisited
By: Lord Archive
Author's Warnings:
In accordance to movie rating system this series would be rated PG-13, and as for television would rate TV M for mature audience, but would be viewable with no edits save for some incidents of vulgar language. Due to subjective nature of the ratings, for FFnet this series has been labeled with R rating for those who have poor views of some of the subject matter contained within.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
-----------------------
Takashi chased after his wife. After a phone call, she rushed getting dressed and said she had to go home. She wasn't even in her school uniform. He had pointed that out to her, but she said it didn't matter.
They burst into the Mihara household, eliciting surprised noises from Chiharu's sister and mother. Chiharu came to a screeching halt at the door to her father's bedroom.
Chiharu made stuttering steps towards the side of the bed. Tears began to fall from her eyes. "Oh, Father..." She collapsed to her knees and took his cold hand into hers. "I love you." She sobbed. "Good-bye."
Takashi walked up to her and pulled her into a hug.
"What's going on?" Chiharu's mother asked. She then stared at the bed. She saw how the man's face was at ease. There was no pain, just peace. She stiffly turned. "Natsumi, your father's pain has ended."
Natsumi was in the room a second later. "Dad? You're just sleeping, right Dad?" She shook the cold body. "DADDY!!!!"
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It was the start of the second class when Meiling arrived at her classroom with the principal following behind her. In her hands was a simple white flower that apparently was going to hold a lot of meaning. As soon as her classmates saw what she was holding, the room erupted into noise, mostly asking if either Syaoran or Sakura had died. The principal's presence quickly quieted them down.
"Today I have a sad duty to perform," the principal began, looking older than his already considerable years. "I'm not sure where to begin."
Meiling fought the urge to groan. His delay was needlessly making people nervous, Tomoyo especially. She walked up to Reiko's desk and set the flower upon it.
"What?! Reiko-chan?! Don't tell me she died of some sex disease?!" cried out one of the more athletic boys in the room, who was promptly slapped on the back of his head by another of the school's athletes.
The principal stared at the boy who spoke up, before straightening his suit and tie. "As I was about to say, this morning Ichimai Reiko was involved in an accident and died from her injuries." He then let out a long sigh. "Also, Li Syaoran's sister, Li Fanren, also passed away. And the father of Yamazaki Chiharu lost his long battle against his failing health."
"YAMAZAKI Chiharu?!" cried out a few members of the classroom.
The principal shifted uneasily.
Meiling wondered if telling the class that name was a mistake or something the old man didn't want to explain. She shook her head. "Yamazaki-chan hasn't been a nickname but her real name. They've known her father was dying for a long time now and she married Yamazaki-kun to deal with inheritance issues."
"Why isn't Kinomoto here?" asked one of the boys in the class.
Meiling scowled at the boy, suspecting that he might be interested in the girl, which would be 'unhealthy' for him if Syaoran found out. "Kinomoto was on her way over to my home to see Syaoran and saw Ichimai die. She was rather upset and had to be taken home."
The principal let out a hollow laugh. "Perhaps I should've left informing the class to you." He then cleared his voice. "The arrangements for the funerals for Mihara-san and Ichimai Reiko will be announced when we have the information. Those who wish to attend may do so, but I expect you to be of your best behavior and I will be there to make sure you do."
"Syaoran and I will be gone for the next week to attend Fanren's funeral in Hong Kong," Meiling added.
"I am sorry for the interruption we have caused your class," the principal apologized to the teacher.
The teacher nodded and said nothing, expecting this to be a wasted class.
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Sakura awoke in her bed and found her family, Kero-chan, Yue and Syaoran surrounding her. She knew what she had done and could not look any of them in the eye.
"Sakura, are you okay?" Fujitaka asked his daughter.
"How can I be okay?! I just killed Reiko-chan!" Sakura sobbed. "It wasn't supposed to be her!"
"Sakura, what were you thinking?!" Syaoran demanded, pulling the girl into a hug. "Were you really going to sacrifice yourself for Tomoyo's mother?"
"I couldn't let Tomoyo-chan become lost as well," Sakura retorted. "I know it would've hurt you all. But what Tomoyo-chan was going to do was even worse!"
"You were being a stupid monster!" Touya chastised. "You thought of only helping Tomoyo-chan. Did you once considering what you would've done to us?!"
"Sakura-chan, it takes time to heal. Tomoyo-chan would've gotten better and realized she didn't have to leave behind her childhood and everyone. It was having all those burdens thrust at her at once that made her act that way," Kero-chan pointed out.
"I hope you understand the price you've paid," Yue groused.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this! Reiko-chan wasn't supposed to die!" Sakura sobbed.
"You're right." Yue folded his arms. "It was not that girl's time, but the balance had to be maintained. To save one life, you doomed another."
"It didn't have to be her!" Sakura protested.
"No, it didn't. And it was obviously not your time. The truck swerved, the limousine stopped in time, you didn't use the still active Dash to push the girl out of the way, and I doubt that you even once consider using The Shield to protect anyone. You have a destiny others cannot fulfill. Daidouji-san and that girl were replaceable," Yue intoned.
Sakura latched onto her boyfriend tightly. "What could I have done? Did I do the right thing? Should I change everything back? What can I do?!"
There was no answer they could give her.
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Sonomi had never taken a day off from work. There was always so much that needed her attention. Things that would pile up if she did not attend to it. But considering she was supposed to... have taken a 'permanent vacation,' she had seen fit to take today off.
After talking to the police about the accident, leaving all mention of Sakura's presence out of her account, Sonomi returned home. She had wished Tomoyo was still home, but her daughter had left for school by the time she arrived. She had been tempted to go to the school and take her from it, though thought better of it.
With the final bell of the school day tolling, Sonomi waited at the school gate. When her daughter emerged from the building she rushed to her and gave the girl a fierce hug.
That Tomoyo replied in kind, holding onto her mother tightly showed that she at least knew some of what happened today.
"Let's go see Sakura-chan," Sonomi whispered and felt her daughter nod in response.
After mother and daughter left the school and entered the limousine, Tomoyo asked, "Meiling-chan was rather sketchy about what happened this morning. What did happen?"
Sonomi gazed intently at her daughter. "Sakura-chan was forced to make an awful choice. I don't understand it entirely, but apparently when it's time for someone to... die, I ah... guess someone will die. Sakura-chan flew to save my life, but I'm not supposed to have lived. Because I was saved, a girl died in my place."
"Reiko-chan," Tomoyo breathed. "I know Sakura-chan didn't intend for her to die."
Sonomi held her daughter's hand tightly. "I suspect that... Sakura-chan had planned... to take my place."
Tomoyo's eyes widened in shock before she turned away and bowed her head. "Sakura-chan probably did."
The remainder of the short trip was finished in silence. Upon arriving at the home, Tomoyo rushed into her best friend's house.
Sonomi followed slowly after her daughter. Giving Fujitaka the barest of greetings before going up to Sakura's room and finding her daughter embracing the girl.
"Oh, Sakura-chan..." Tomoyo cried. "Oh, Sakura-chan..."
Sonomi sighed, unable to look at her savior. "Sakura-chan, now that you know what happens because you saved me... are you going to fix things?"
Tomoyo stiffened at the question.
"I... I don't know." Sakura's unfocused eyes gazed at the woman she had saved. "I've been trying to think of how to save everyone. It can't be your time or Reiko-chan's. Why is it someone has to die in that stupid accident?"
"Maybe God does exist, or maybe the Shinto gods and spirits." Sonomi shrugged. "I don't know. There must be a reason for it."
"What good is having all my magic if I can't save anyone?!" Sakura demanded through her forming tears. "I have more power than I know what to do with, but I couldn't prevent someone from dying."
"Sakura-chan, I don't know what to tell you. All I can say is 'thank you.' Because of you I'm alive." Sonomi walked over to the window. "I know what I should say. Tell you to fix it that Reiko-chan lives even if it means my own death." She clinched her fists. "But I am a horribly selfish person. I don't want to die and leave Tomoyo-chan yet. I want to see my grandchildren."
Tomoyo remain quite as she continued to hold Sakura, tears streaming down both of their faces.
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While Chiharu was 'mother's little angel,' Natsumi had always been 'Daddy's little girl.' The elder Mihara sister was at a loss of what to do now that her father had passed away. She knew it was past his time and he had been around longer than anyone expected him to be, but she still wanted him to remain with her. He had been a pillar in her life even as he grew sicker and weaker. He had been someone she could rely on. Now he was gone and she didn't know what to do.
Chiharu worked on cleaning the house trying to escape the silence that prevailed after her father's body had been taken away. Only Takashi talking on the phone to inform her relatives and her mother going through files filled with important documentation kept everything from being unbearably quiet.
"What happens now, Mother?" Natsumi asked as the woman entered the main room.
"Well, your father's funeral will be in three days at eight in the morning," Mrs. Mihara began. She then turned towards her younger daughter. "I've learned there has been an accident this morning. One of your classmates, Ichimai Reiko, was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Her funeral is at ten."
Chiharu bowed her head. "I see. I didn't really know her, but I suspect Meiling-chan and Sakura-chan will be attending her funeral."
"Actually, you can discount Li-kun and his cousin. Big events come in threes, and Li-kun's sister also passed away," Takashi corrected.
"If this is one of your tall tales..." Chiharu left her threat unsaid.
Mrs. Mihara shook her head. "If only it were."
Chiharu pouted. "Sakura-chan must be a wreak. She personally knew Reiko-chan, Li-kun's sister and Dad."
Takashi nodded. "More than you can guess. From what I was told, she saw Ichimai die."
Chiharu stared vacantly at her husband. "If she saw, why didn't she..."
"Who can say?" Takashi cut her off and shrugged excessively to draw attention back to himself. "Perhaps we should talk about living arrangements?"
The sisters nodded, willing to get off the previous topic.
Mrs. Mihara cleared her throat. "Once your father's life insurance is processed and I get the money, I will be moving out and into an apartment. I've found a decent one just outside of Tomoeda. Natsumi can either move in with me or stay here."
Natsumi thought for a moment. "Mind if I split time? I'll move in with Mom, but with school work and all, there might be times I'll need to crash here since it'll obviously be closer to the school."
Takashi shrugged. "I have no problem as long as you warn us ahead of time."
Chiharu nodded. "Of course you'd be welcome here. Neither of you have to move away."
Mrs. Mihara shook her head. "Dear, this is your home now, not mine. I will not be a guest in a home if I have a means of living under my own roof with my own terms."
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Despite the number of people in the Kinomoto home, Sakura was left alone in her room as the hour approached midnight. They all had their own thoughts about what should be done, but only Sakura could make the final decision.
Sonomi glanced at the clock. "In two minutes I'll either live on here or find myself finishing up work and getting ready for bed without any memories of today and on my way to a fatal meeting with a stupid drunk."
"There may be another option," Meiling pointed out. "Kinomoto could set it up for someone else to die."
"She could never do that," Kero-chan pointed out sadly. "It would be the same to her as if she murdered them. It's one thing being powerless to stop someone from dying, it's something else entirely when you actively have to choose the person."
Meiling folded her arms. "I say she should reset the day and kill the drunk."
"That would be murder and it might not save Daidouji or that girl's life. There may be a reason why he drunkenly takes the life of a GIRL. Killing the GUY won't fix it," Kero-chan retorted bitterly.
Nothing more was said as the final seconds of the day ticked away. No magic flared in Sakura's room and the clock tower did not chime. The day came to an end with a mournful scream from the girl's room.
"Thank you, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo whispered, but found herself unable to go and comfort her best friend. It was because of her that Reiko was now dead. Their classmate's blood was on her hands as well. "Thank you, Li-kun," Tomoyo lightly added, knowing the boy was now with Sakura as the girl's screams could no longer be heard throughout the house.
"I suppose it's time to head home," Sonomi announced. "I'm sorry for imposing so much."
"I guess saying 'don't think much about it' would be asking to much," Fujitaka hollowly joked.
"It would." Sonomi nodded. "I can never repay Sakura-chan for what she has done today, and I will see what I can do for the Ichimai family."
Fujitaka hugged her briefly. "Don't be a stranger, and don't forget to live your life to the fullest."
"I've been living too much for my work. I think it's high time I made some time for Tomoyo-chan and myself," Sonomi agreed.
Meiling yawned. "I should be headed home too. I've got to finish getting everything packed and ready to go. Make sure Syaoran is up and ready by eight so we can make it to the airport in time."
Fujitaka nodded. "Of course."
Sonomi looked a little startled. "You're letting him stay here, with her?"
Meiling laughed. "Mr. Chivalry up there wouldn't look at her panties without her permission, and she's too stupid and naive to think about anything beyond kissing. There's nothing to worry about, especially tonight."
"For now, anyway," Touya groused.
"I hope you're right. Sakura-chan doesn't need anymore... complications in her life." Sonomi shook her head. "Good-bye."
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Syaoran held Sakura tenderly as the girl cried herself to sleep. This had been a horrible day for everyone, and though the next day had come-- it was not truly over yet. Sakura's actions killed someone she knew, and he would give anything he could to be here for her. However, such was not to be the case. He had no choice but to return to Hong Kong for his sister's funeral.
For the next week Sakura would be on her own. Tomoyo would only be of marginal help as the girl would be a living reminder of what she had done. Sakura was hurting and all he could do was hold her tightly tonight and pray that she will be safe and alive when he got back. If an attack came now, Sakura would be absolutely defenseless and might even allow herself to be murdered.
"Sakura, I love you. Never forget that. No matter what you do, you will always be the one I love most," Syaoran vowed, wishing the now slumbering girl had heard him.
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Author's Notes:
Coming Next: Chapter 9 - Sakura's Mournful Days
Sakura is left alone to deal with the loss of three people she knew.
The following omake is a letter Sakura sent before the events of chapter 7.
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Dear Eriol-kun,
Everything is fine here in Tomoeda, if you don't count the random attacks. Syaoran-kun has been a great help with them.
Thank you for suggesting to read 'Philosopher's Stone' for my book report. It felt a bit nostalgic when I read it. I felt much the same as Harry did when learning magic was real and having my eyes opened to a much larger and exciting world. At least I never had to face someone like Voldemort... At least I hope I'm not facing someone like that now.
Is the book based on real events? I'm wondering about that because the spells are real! I tried to cast the levitation spell and blew up my notebook. Kero-chan has helped me focus my magic, but he compared me trying to do such simple magic as if I was taking a bazooka to a gunfight. Like poor Neville, I'm overpowering the spells. Never really thought I had that much magical power.
How are things in London? Is Mizuki-sensei doing well? I should really write to her too.