| The Penalty of Eternity Sakura opened her eyes, blinking up at the canopy of her bed. It was dark outside, moonlight filtering in gently. She rested upon something soft but firm, cheek pressed into it. Inhaling deeply, she lifted her head and glanced over her shoulder toward her window, trying to decipher what time it was. No doubt it was passed midnight, well into the next day. She turned back to see what she leaned on and discovered Syaoran beside her, head turned toward her in sleep. One arm was wrapped around her waist protectively, the other resting across his stomach. She recoiled a bit, mouth forming an o. Oh… Syaoran shifted slightly and a moment later, as if disturbed, his eyes flickered open, a frown furrowing his brow. He blinked rapidly, accustoming himself to the darkness and she met his gaze uncertainly. He blinked again, confusion crossing his face and then, as realization dawned on him, he stared at her. Sakura swallowed faintly, a blush stealing across her skin. She was thankful he couldn’t make out color in the darkness. But at the same time she wondered what exactly he could make out. He lifted his hand from his stomach, his other one tightening around her waist. His fingers came into contact with her cheek, palm cupping her jaw. And very gently he leaned into her, brushing the softest kiss against her mouth. Sakura accepted it gratefully, winding her arms around his waist. “I didn’t know how you would react,” she whispered against his mouth, inhaling shakily. “I was scared you would have regretted it and I didn’t want you to regret it.” Syaoran shook his head faintly, his forehead pressing against hers as he murmured, “I don’t regret it. The only thing I regret is not being your first.” And he sighed in defeat, holding her firmly in his embrace. There was silence for a moment, hanging in the air around them. She felt warm in his arms, soft and fragile. Breakable. He had learned well into Sakura’s last days that she had been everything but unbreakable. All along he had seen her as powerful but gentle. Unyielding to the strongest wind. Only on her deathbed had he finally accepted the truth. That she had been as mortal as he was. “You were my first.” He came to an utter stop in his thoughts, eyes opening slowly to look at her from a hair’s breadth away. “What?” She was smiling faintly in the darkness, holding him tightly. “You were my first,” she repeated quietly. He stared at her in confusion, lips parted. “But, how is that…I thought you said you were a…” She looked like she wanted to giggle at him. “I’ve been here for about three months and Syaoran-sama never noticed me. Not before you came along. I’ve basically been here, watching his every move.” Syaoran nodded faintly, relief washing over him. Thank you, God… With an exhalation he fell flat on the bed, his hand leaving her cheek to cup his eyes. “So, the whole time, I thought you…” “Had been with many men?” she asked, feigning suspicion good-naturedly. “But it’s not true!” he crowed happily. “Of course not,” she slipped in easily. “I meant what I said, Syaoran,” she said in a serious tone, and she laid down beside him once more, her hand reaching for his and pulling it away from his eyes. “It was just as important for me as it was for you.” He tilted his head to look at her, fingers squeezing hers. She met his gaze, eyes shimmering in the reflection of moonlight, and she smiled at him, drawing closer. We were meant to be, he realized. From the beginning, we were meant to be. It was written in the stars, in the grains of sand. I was meant to be with you, to wake up beside you every morning and fall asleep beside you every night. To hear you laugh and hold you when you cried. To grow old with you. To live forever young with you. To love you through every incarnation and every form you take. And I was meant to die beside you. Because I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I can’t deal with it, any other way. “Syaoran,” she said in alarm, eyes widening, “you look like you want to cry.” He blinked, broken from his thoughts once more. She looked frightened and worried, grasping him tightly at his side and he instantly composed himself, saying in a gruff voice, “You’re seeing things.” “I am not!” she argued, sitting up a bit. “You haven’t changed a bit! Never wanting to admit anything! Especially not your feelings. Which is why it probably took you forever to be with my other self.” “Not forever,” he said firmly. “Just…a while…” “Just a while,” she echoed, lying back down. “We’ll finish this argument later. When we’re safe in your world and I have all the time I’ll need to fish the truth out of you.” “You’ll be fishing for a while…” Sakura smiled faintly against his chest, clasping his hand once more. It was all right with her. Even if she spent the remainder of her days fishing, she would be with him. She didn’t mind it one bit. Just so long as she was with him. A small shiver ran through her, making her stiffen a bit. Perhaps a breeze had filtered into the room. Goosebumps rose on her skin, the hairs on the back of her neck standing slowly. Where was her blanket? “You’re not the type to hog the blankets, are you?” she asked, reaching around him for the bed sheets. “No, but I recall you being the type,” he retorted. “Maybe in your world.” She rose away from him, stretching slightly. “I’ll be right back.” Syaoran turned his head to watch her as she stood, arms wrapping around herself. She was nude and he realized he wasn’t ashamed to be looking at her. She was lovely, all curves and soft skin. He smiled to himself as she wandered into the side room, shutting the door behind herself. He wanted to stay in that bed forever. The way he was now, with her at his side. It would be an eternal heaven. But the feeling drifted away as he remembered that he had to start getting back to Eriol. No doubt the boy was worried, wondering what had happened. He really couldn’t blame him. Yue-san could scare anybody. With a sigh he also rose, reaching up behind himself to touch the skin of his back. Just about fully healed. He hadn’t felt much pain from it throughout the night, which he was grateful for. He hadn’t wanted anything to hinder the experience. He reached out beside the bed and pulled on his pants, rising gingerly. The room was a bit cold, now that he thought about it. A gentle cool breeze was drifting around, making him shiver. Once Sakura came out he would have her dress and pack so that they could start making their escape. He didn’t want to have to stay here any longer than necessary. The side door opened and Sakura came out silently, bare feet padding across the floor. He wound around the bed and she looked at him, eyeing his clothes. “Leaving without me?” she asked faintly, studying him. “Leaving with you,” he corrected, reaching out a hand toward her. As she took it he pulled her close, bowing his head. “We should start trying to leave now. They’re probably still looking for me and they know where to find you. We should start getting out of here.” Sakura nodded in agreement, head bowed beside his. “I have to say goodbye to otou-san,” she said quietly. Syaoran hesitated at her words, lips parting. “I’m going to miss him,” she whispered. “Because he won’t want to come. He’ll want to stay here for the Cards. To get them away from Syaoran.” Syaoran nodded slowly. “Not that it would ever replace your father…” he murmured, “but your father, in my world, is an ordinary person. And he needs a daughter again. Maybe you can come to see him as a father as well…” Sakura didn’t answer for a moment, breathing faintly. And then she said in a soft voice, “Perhaps…” Syaoran gazed at her, eyes skimming her soft features, her wide green eyes, and he smiled faintly, lifting his hand to her face. She tilted her head upward as he brushed his fingers across her skin, thumb caressing her lips. And he wet his lips, wanting to kiss her once more, to hold her once more in a tight embrace that nothing would ever break. Instead he released her achingly, motioning for her to dress herself. She smiled at him wordlessly, drifting away from him before turning to float toward the bed. Syaoran leaned against the bedpost wearily, feeling strangely heavy. At last, he had gotten what he had come for. He could go home now, back to a normal life with his one and only love. Nothing would stop them so long as- The door suddenly burst open, flung open and crashing into the wall. -they made it out alive. Syaoran whirled, Sakura straightening automatically. And she backed away, lips parting as guards in uniform swarmed in, immediately apprehending Syaoran. He fought them instantly, struggling as two took hold of him. “Syaoran!” His double sauntered in, a small smile on his face. His cold brown eyes came to rest on him first, head tilting a bit in satisfaction. And then his gaze caught on Sakura behind the group holding his double and the smile merely melted away, features hardening. Syaoran stared at him warily, ball in his throat as he waited for something to happen. Anything at all. His double glared from Sakura to Syaoran, jaw clenched. “Why am I not surprised?” he asked faintly, eyes narrowing. With a small gesture he ordered, “Take him to the cell.” The guards yanked on Syaoran, dragging him forth. “Sakura!” “Syaoran!” she cried, taking a step to follow thoughtlessly. His double got in the way, one hand wrapping painfully around her arm and pulling her against him. She stumbled, grimacing as he glared at her furiously. “You’re coming with me,” he said quietly. “You and I have much to discuss.” Sakura stared at him with wide eyes. “No,” she whispered. “We have nothing to discuss-“ And she cried out as he flung her into a guard, body staggering. “Take her.” Syaoran surveyed the situation with one glance, eyes flickering from the guards holding him to the ones positioned outside the door. Too many for him to even think about risking anything. He would get them both killed if he acted. That and his double had more strength in his finger than he had in his entire body. “My clothes-“ Sakura uttered as the guard began to pull her toward the door. His double practically snorted as her words. “What for? You’re nothing but a whore anyway.” And he cast a look in Syaoran’s direction, expression pinched. “Don’t do this-“ Syaoran said softly, struggling to free himself. “Don’t take this out on her. It was me, all me. Take me but for God’s sake-“ “How generous,” his double cut him off. “But I for one think that maybe being humiliated in front of everyone in my home will remind her of her place. Remind her that she is property, nothing more, nothing less.” He glanced at her quickly, expression bored. “My property, to make matters clear to everyone.” Sakura grimaced, eyes flying from him to his captive double. And there was fear there. Syaoran gazed at her, rooted to his spot. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know how to stop this. Sakura… She looked at him once more, expression softening as she was pulled. Almost as if to say it was ok. He shook his head at her wordlessly, flinging himself forward as she was dragged toward the door. He was restrained instantly and a moment later a fist caught him across his cheekbone, driving him to his knees. “Syaoran! Yamete!” Sakura cried and she was taken out, disappearing from sight. He lifted his head, biting down on the inside of his cheek. Pain was burning along his face, his vision slightly blurred with tears. The hands holding him hoisted him back up to his feet and he looked toward his double. His double merely studied him, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He didn’t know what he read there. There wasn’t anger so much as confusion. As if his double was questioning something. Perhaps questioning himself. Syaoran glared at him, his own eyes becoming slits. “I thought I was weak here, compared to you,” he said softly, but firmly. “I thought I was no match for you. But I see a weakness in your eyes.” His double clenched his jaw, straightening the slightest bit. “I see your weakness,” Syaoran said with a small, cold smile curling his lips. “And your weakness lies with her. Just as mine does.” His double arched an eyebrow, hands clasping behind his back. “I have no weakness, my dear twin. I have no weakness, nor do I have a rival. After today I will be rid of both you and her and nothing will ever get in my way again.” He turned away, starting to move toward the door Sakura had been escorted out through. “Do you think it will be that easy?” Syaoran countered, throwing himself forward to get hold of his attention once more. “Do you think, after everything you’ve been through with her, are you seriously telling yourself that you would forget her even in death?” “In death I will be free of her,” he corrected him icily, glaring over his slim shoulder at his restrained double. Syaoran smiled just as eerily, eyes narrowing. “You’ll never be free of her. She’s inside you, just as she is inside me. Putting her to death will only make you want her more-“ “No.” His double turned on him, jaw clenched. “Putting her to death will make me the happiest man on earth. Because I will have the privilege of seeing the agony upon your face,” he spat. “I will make her mine. I will have the power in knowing I put to death a woman that you loved.” He shook his head, a similar stony smile lifting his lips. “You should never have gotten in my way-“ “She’ll never be yours,” Syaoran whispered, sure of himself above all else. “She’ll never be yours because she was mine first.” The expression on his double’s face was enough to make him almost smug. And he tilted his head, realization dawning on him. “You hate that…” he said in wonder, staring at his double intently. “You hate the fact that she was mine first. That I tasted her flesh before you. That I made her mine-“ “She cast the spell on you as well, I see,” was how his double replied, sounding nonchalant. “Unlike you, I was able to protect myself from that. But I see that you fell, and you fell hard...” Syaoran let an incredulous smile part his lips as his double broke off. His double’s eyes came to rest on him and all he could do was restrain his laughter. “Are you listening to yourself? By God, just listen to yourself! It’s not a spell! They’re called feelings. Emotions. Love. It’s called being in love and not wanting to be in love,” he shook his head at him, disgust clouding his eyes. “If you knew half the things I know now…” His double merely arched an eyebrow as he stopped. “I don’t need to know half the things you think you know. I just need the both of you out of my hair. Once and for all.” And with that he walked out, long robes flowing around his tall frame. Syaoran stared after him, jaw clenching. We’ll see about that… |
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