Running From Family

                                          Getting Away From the Family

SL:  Hey All!  A brand new story!  This one is called Running from Family.  Cool, eh?  Anywayz. How I get ideas like this, I have NO idea.  This one I got from Cinderella but ONLY the wicked mother and the dieing dad.  LoL…everything else is different!  Anywayz, on with the story! Kero, can you do the disclaimer for me? 

Kero:  I want candy!

SL: I'll give you some at the end of the chapter!  Not now! Disclaimer!

Kero:  Ok!  Sarah Doesn't own CCS in ANY shape, way or form, yet she would like to own Syaoran!

SL:  Enough out of you!  On with the story!

Summary:

Fujiitaka is alone and sad. He soon gets married to a wicked woman. She hates 14-year-old Sakura, and 18-year-old Touya. When Fujiitaka dies suddenly, Sakura and Touya are left alone. She beats the two kids and Sakura is losing hope in life. Syaoran then has to suddenly go back to Hong Kong after Meilin gets sick and has left Sakura alone.   Syaoran and Sakura never confessed their love and when she enters Hong Kong University after running away from home, she wears a disguise.  Syaoran suspects and soon falls for the 'new girl'.  Then a new teacher comes to Hong Kong University and he's on a quest to find his long-lost sister.

Running From Family

Sakura bounced happily down the street from Seijou High School.  It was her first year and Touya's last.  She was pretty happy that he'd be leaving.  He was always around whenever Syaoran got near her.  Luckily Yukito was always there to protect her.  She was supposed to have a date with Syaoran that night, but her dad had asked her to cancel it.  He had been dating a woman named Natalie.  Sakura didn't really mind, but hadn't met her yet.  So that night, Sakura and Touya were having dinner with Fujiitaka and Natalie.  Sakura and Touya were to make dinner and clean up before they got home.

Touya was already home and making dinner.

"Hey kaijuu.  Start cleaning everything up and then go change.  Dad and Natalie are going to be hear in an hour." Touya said.

"I'm NOT a kaijuu!" Sakura said stomping on his foot before running around and cleaning up.

She ran up to her room and pulled on a blue sunflower dress and brushed her hair just as she heard the front door open and close.  She smiled at her image and ran downstairs.  Fujiitaka, Natalie and Touya were standing near the door. 

"Konichiwa!  I'm Touya." Touya introduced himself bowing. Natalie bowed.

"Konichiwa!  I'm Sakura!" Sakura said joining Touya and bowing.  She smiled and bowed back.

"You have great kids, Fuji!" Natalie said clutching his arm and leading her to the kitchen.  She had long black hair and dark, rich black eyes.

"I don't like her.  And that's a LAME nickname!"  Sakura said narrowing her eyes at the women.

"Me either. Look, I know you only told me and not dad, oh yea…and your friends from school…but also NEVER tell her about the cards, okay?" Touya said looking down at his younger sister.  She nodded as the two went to the kitchen and sat down and pretended to be happy seeing and knowing Natalie. 

"Kids.  Me and Natalie would like to share something with you!" Fujiitaka said as the four were all in the living room.  "We're getting married!"

The colour drained from Sakura's face.  "Umm, that's great!  We'll have a mom!" Sakura said putting on a fake smile.

"Yeah.  It'll be wonderful getting to know you a lot better, Natalie!" Touya stuttered out.  The women laughed and kissed Fujiitaka and Touya glanced at Sakura who could only sit in the chair and stare. 

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

"And THEN she had the NERVE to come up and say bye to me!" Sakura said as she stomped into the classroom followed by Syaoran, Tomoyo and Eriol.

"Sakura's Angry Day with a New-Step Mother on the way!" Tomoyo said naming the shot.

"No time for camera's now, Tomoyo!" Sakura said shoving her hand into the lens and dropping her backpack by her desk.  "She's sooooo…evil looking!" Sakura said. "And the wedding is in TWO weeks?  Who has a wedding THAT fast!"  Sakura said plopping onto her desk chair.

"Well, maybe they love each other!" Eriol said sitting on top of the desk in front of her.

"Yeah, you never know.  Maybe your mother would've wanted him to move on and get married for himself and you guys!" Tomoyo said setting down her camera and sitting on the desk across from her.

"They're right Sakura.  You never know!  Maybe she'll turn out alright!" Syaoran said dragging a chair and sitting down beside her.

"Maybe your right!  I'm just over-reacting a little!" Sakura said.

~~~***Three Weeks Later-After the Wedding***~~~

Sakura dragged home.  It was finally Friday.  Her dad and the witch had been married a week.  She always gave them dirty looks when he wasn't looking, but she was usually sweet to them.  Syaoran jogged up beside her.

"Hey Sakura.  What's wrong?" Syaoran was able to act as casual as he could.  He usually was able to mask him emotions and not telling Sakura made it easy to act around her.  Yet she always blushed as soon as she saw him.  But they were all best friends.

"Uhh.  Just thinking that I still have to spend the rest of my LIFE with that woman. She always gives me and Touya dirty looks and then acts all sweet as soon as dad turns around!  She's like…evil!" Sakura sniffed. 

"Just ignore her.  Maybe she just needs time to warm up to you two. You're a great person, maybe its just Touya!" Syaoran smirked.

"Syaoran!  I'll see you later!" Sakura said as she ran up to her door.

"Ja ne!" Syaoran said as he ran by.  She opened the door and dropped her things on the floor and pulled on her slippers.  Grabbing her backpack and hanging up her jacket she walked up the stairs.  The house was unusually quiet. Sakura sighed.  Maybe she'd have some peace before Natalie got home.  She walked past Touya's room and saw him sitting on the edge of his bed holding his head in his hands.

"Hey Touya, what's up?" Sakura said as she walked by.

"Sakura.  Dad's dead." She stopped dead in her tracks and walks slowly back to his room.

"Wha---what…did you say?" Sakura said slowly.

"Otou-san died.  He was at work on a break for lunch and he suddenly collapsed.  They took him to the hospital but it was to late." Touya said looking up at his sister.  His eyes were red and puffy from crying and his face was tear-stained.

"No…what will we do?  We have no where to go!" Sakura said as she started to cry.

"Well…we have to stay here…with…Natalie…" Touya said as he wiped his face.

"My nightmare comes true.  Touya!  She hates us!  She'll kick us out or something!" Sakura said as a look came across her face.

"We'll manage Sakura…we'll manage!" Touya said as he heard the front door slam.

~~~***The Following Week***~~~

"SAKURA!  WAKE UP!  THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M CALLING YOU!" Natalie screamed as she slammed open her door.  Sakura jumped up as Kero dropped into teddy bear form.  Natalie grabbed Sakura's wrist and threw her against the wall.  "Your always late!  Get to school with that good for nothing Touya!" Natalie said as she slammed the door.  Sakura burst out into tears as she pulled on her school uniform and brushed her hair.  Going to the washroom she brushed her teeth and washed her face.  Three bruises were on her face and two were on her arms.  She pulled out her make up kit until they were all covered.  Her lip was cut from where Natalie and thrown her against the closet.  It had hit her table.  She washed it and applied lip-gloss, grabbed her backpack and ran out the door before Natalie could say another word.  Touya was waiting with an umbrella.  He handed her hers and they continued walking. 

"Here Sakura.  This is enough for your lunch this week and some extra cash for anything else you want to do or need to buy." Touya said handing her a wad of bills.

"Thank-you!" Sakura said as she pulled the umbrella together, hugged her brother and ran inside.  Syaoran, Tomoyo and Eriol were waiting.  As soon as Syaoran saw her, a look came across his face.  Immediately Sakura's hands flew to her face.

'Shoot!  The make-up is dripping!  I hugged Touya's wet jacket!' Sakura thought as Syaoran pulled her away and into an empty classroom.

"Sakura, you've been coming to school all week with bruises and making up excuses.  I can tell that now your starting to wear something to cover it up, now spill!" Syaoran said crossing his arms. 

"It's already Monday morning and my life is over!" Sakura wailed as she burst out crying again.  "Okay, a few weeks ago, my dad came out and we met Natalie right?  Then he announced the marriage, they get married. Then last week my dad died." Sakura said as silence loomed in the air.  "All of a sudden Natalie acts a lot worse towards us then she did.  She's been abusing Touya and me.  Remember three days ago when he came to school looking really pale?  She had pushed him and he fell down the stairs and got a black eye and more bruises and had to cover them all up.  She almost broke my arm!  She never gives us any money, because she blows it all on herself.  Touya and me had all these college funds and money for college, and she's spending it!  For like beers and stuff.  She comes home drunk half the time!  Touya says that he stays after school to tutor kids and he really goes out for an after school job to support himself and I.  It's actually a well paying job.  He's taken all the money from our accounts slowly and put them on another account he made that she doesn't know about.  We got most of it back and I earn a little here and there for different odd jobs and stuff.  If we save up enough we'll do fine and be able to get away and go to college." Sakura said as she cried out the entire story. 

He backed away surprised and a shocked look appeared on his face. She ran out of the room to the washroom running past Tomoyo and Eriol ignoring their cries to come back.  Syaoran came out of the room his eyes downcast.

"What's wrong!" Tomoyo asked.

"Her dad died last week.  Natalie, her step-mom is abusing them.  Touya is supporting himself and Sakura since she gives them nothing. That's why she has bruises and stuff." Syaoran said.  "I think she needs your help right now." Syaoran said pointing to the girl's washroom. Tomoyo nodded and ran off.

"Did you tell her?" Eriol said.

"Tell her what?" Syaoran said looking up and opening his locker.

"Tell her that pigs fly.  What do you think idiot?  That you love her maybe?  Maybe that you have to go back to Hong Kong, because your cousin is sick?  I wonder!" Eriol said.

"She's stressed out as it is!  Telling her that would just make her worry more and she'll get sick!" Syaoran said slamming his fist into the nearest locker.

"Don't leave it Syaoran.  Or you may be to late." Eriol said as the bell rung.

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

"Sakura?" Tomoyo soothing voice echoed throughout the empty washroom.  Sakura's sobs could be heard as she came out of the stall.

"Oh Sakura!" Tomoyo said as she hugged her best friend.

"I'll be fine…" Sakura said as she wiped her face.  The bruises appeared as the make-up was fully off.

"Here.  I have some cover up to cover those up." Tomoyo said taking off her backpack and taking out some make-up.  She applied it on and smiled.

"There.  No one will even notice!" Tomoyo said putting everything away and pulling on her backpack.

"Thanks Tomoyo!  You're the best!" Sakura said and hugged her best friend.  The bell rang and the two girls hurried to class.

"Kinimoto!  Daidouji! Late!" the sensei said. 

"Gomen-nasi!" the two girls said and hurried to their seats. 

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

Syaoran dropped the box off by the front door and went back to his room and grabbed the last two boxes and also put them by the front door.  Walking back to the room he sighed.  He was going back to Hong Kong.  His mother had called him back because Meilin was really sick.  He had his time in Japan and he had wasted it.  He had never told Sakura,

'I'm such a baka!' Syaoran said as he cursed to himself.

"Master Li…we are leaving for the airport now." Wei said as he handed Syaoran a backpack.  Syaoran grumbled and took the backpack and walked towards the elevator.  God knew when he'd return. 

"Wei.  Can we stop by Sakura's house, please?" Syaoran asked.

"Hai Master Li!" Wei said as he turned down a different street. Stopping in front of the bright yellow house he took an envelope out of the backpack and ran up to the door.  Ringing the doorbell he dropped the envelope and ran towards the limo and told Wei to leave quickly.

"Ohayu!" Sakura said answering the door.  She looked around dazed and noticed the white envelope with her name written across it.  Running up to her room she flounced onto her bed and opened it up. 

"Oh Kami!" Sakura said as money and more money fell out.  She counted it up as it came out to be at least $100 000 (Canadian…hehehehehe…dunnohz the currency of Japan!)  A note fell out and she opened it up.

Hey Sakura,

I hope this can help you. I know it will.   Use it wisely and remember that I will always be there to help you.  I had to return to Hong Kong. Meilin is very sick and mother said I must return home.  I hope to return back to Toemedo soon.  Good Luck and if Natalie EVER hurts you really badly, call me or write me.  I promise I'll help you out, no matter what Sakura!

~Syaoran

PS:  A gift for you inside.

"He's gone…really…gone…" Sakura said and started to cry.  Everyone was leaving her.

"Hey Sakura…do you have your homework done, Natalie says she has visitors coming over tonight and she wants us out of the way and wants dinner done and the house clean…" Touya said entering her room.  He saw her crying and grabbed the note she was holding.  He sighed.

"Did that Chinese gaki do this?"  Touya said.

"He's not a brat!  Look…he gave me all this money!" Sakura said as she collected the money together, taking out the small wrapped packaged and hiding it behind her back.

"Whoa…" He said counting it.

"Don't worry.  He said he'd protect you.  Just give him a call whenever you need him.  Come on.  Get cleaned up and go make dinner.  I'll clean the house." Touya said.  Sakura nodded.  She had three hours, and had a shower, did her hair, cleaned her room, and made spaghetti.  She was jogging up the stairs and collapsed screaming in pain.  She looked at her leg and winced.  The bruise Natalie had given her last week still hurt.  She winced and limped up the stairs and finished her homework in record time as the door slammed.  She bit her lip worried about what Natalie would think.  Touya had finished his chores and was gone out to clean a neighbours yard and be paid $100 for the hard work he'd be doing.  She couldn't tell him what he would be doing because she'd get suspicious and find out. 

"Kero!  Drop!  She's coming!" Sakura said as she turned off the TV and stuffed the money and letter under the bed.  Kero nodded and flew to her bed and dropped on top of her pillow. 

"SAKURA!  I told you to make Sushi and other bits!  What were you thinking!" Natalie screamed as she shoved Sakura against the wall.  Sakura screamed in agony.  "And where is that good for nothing Touya?  Get up you lazy girl!" Natalie yelled pulling up Sakura.  "I don't even know HOW I put up with you two!  Now get to the store and buy more food and get back here and make it!  They'll be here in an hour!" Natalie said shoving her out the door after handing her a twenty.  Sakura stumbled as she was pushed out and tripped falling down the stairs.  She quickly picked herself up before Natalie saw her.  She looked in the mirror to see her eye blacken.  She pulled out her make-up and covered it up and pulled on her roller blades and bladed to the store.  It was quiet and calm.  Mr. King, the kindly man greeted her as she came in and slowly bladed throughout the store.  He knew Sakura, so he let her keep her blades on.  He also knew that Natalie was an abusive mother but he kept his mouth shut because he knew Sakura couldn't leave the house to her.  Sakura grabbed a basket as she quickly picked up the ingredients and rolled over to the counter.  She handed him the twenty and he rang it up giving her back a ten.

"But—but…Mr. King, that has to be at least $15!" Sakura said refusing the ten.

"No…keep it!  I know you need it." he said shoving the bag and the ten in her hand.  "Here.  Dinner party for her, isn't it?" he said. She nodded as he handed her another bag.  You and Touya need to be fed.  A free meal from me.  Be careful!" He said.  Sakura was baffled but took the things and thanked him and headed out. She quickly bladed home and dropped off her dinner and the money and ran downstairs and made the dinner in a record time.  She took the still warm spaghetti and plates and two glasses of milk she quickly brought them upstairs.   Touya came into her room and sat down at the small table she set up and they ate the spaghetti. 

"Mr. King gave me $10 when I got the food and some other free food." Sakura said as she put the bag on the table and took out the food.

"That's great Sakura!  I've been earning enough took.  We'll have enough money in no time!"  Sakura nodded as she wiped off the cover up showing her black eye.  Touya sighed and started to eat more food.  Once Touya left Sakura took dug under her bed for the package from Syaoran.  It had fallen when Natalie and came running in.  Sitting down on the bed with the package in hand she opened it up.  Inside was a necklace.  A cherry blossom and a peony.  Sakura looked down at the amazing designs and colourful work the maker had done.  Flipping it over Sakura read: Sakura and Syaoran Forever Sakura blushed as she carefully put the necklace on. 

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

It had been three years.  (SL:  I know…a lot of time hoping…but it's for the story!)

Three years.  Touya had been gone.  It was June finally and the last day of high school.  All she had to do was say good-bye to Tomoyo and Eriol and she'd leave.  After Touya had left, more like ran away, Natalie was furious and blamed Sakura.  He had left her tons of money that she hid secretly or in the bank.  She beat Sakura up for weeks and had called the cops.  They never found him and she stopped luckily, lessened on the beatings, but not altogether.  Sakura sighed.  She was actually losing hope on life.  She'd never make it out.  Natalie was in for the weekend.  She had the rest of the week off.  Sakura would have to sneak out really carefully, and it was a good thing she had planned it. 

Ringing Eriol's doorbell she waited for him to answer.  He and Tomoyo appeared at the door.  She smiled weakly and gave them both hugs.

"We'll be at your house in ten minutes, just around the corner with the limo.  Be careful!" Tomoyo wished her.  Sakura nodded as she quickly bladed home.  Touya had gone to a University in the United States.  He wanted her to join him but she decided to move to Hong Kong.  She missed Syaoran and if he couldn't go to her, then she'd go to him.  Quietly taking off her blades she sneaked into the house and closed the door.  Natalie was in the living room asleep.  She ran past the living room and up the stairs as quietly as she could.  Dragging out the suitcase from underneath her bed she grabbed packed all her clothes into it.  She threw in some of her favourite books and packed away Kero's stuff.

(SL:  Kero is still with her, and Sakura keeps the Sakura Cards with her, but she never uses them really!  Kay!)

She looked around after everything was packed away.  She grabbed her purse she had left out and carefully put her airplane ticket into it, and her money, credit cards, etc.  She sighed as she woke up Kero from her desk. 

"Waaaa??" Kero said jumping up.

"Come on!  We have to get out NOW!" Sakura whispered. 

"SAKURA!  Are you home, yet?" Natalie yelled from downstairs.  Pounding could be heard from the stairs.  Sakura whirled around to her window, opened it, threw her bags down and jumped out, Kero after her.

"SAKURA!" Natalie screamed as she saw Sakura run down the street as fast as she could and then jump into a limo with a flying orange teddy bear.  Natalie fumed as she yanked up the phone and dialled.

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

"Tomoyo, Eriol!  We HAVE to move faster!  Natalie already probably called the cops.  As soon as Touya left that's what they did, of course they stopped looking for him last month!" Sakura said.

"Oh boy!" Eriol said as he told the driver to step on it.

"Do you really have to go, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked hugging her best friend.

"Yeah, unless you want me to end up in hospital like last year!" Sakura said wincing remembering what happened. 

"Well, do you know what you're going to do?" Eriol said sitting back down.

"Yup!  I signed up one day while Natalie was out.  I have to sign up for classes the first day of school and then when I go to the office, they're going to show me where I'll stay.  I already rented a room!" Sakura said.

"That's great!  Make sure you write us often or call us! And maybe you can hook up with Syaoran!" Tomoyo winked.  Sakura blushed as they pulled up into the drop off zone at the airport.  Eriol pulled out the two suitcases and brought them inside as Sakura and Tomoyo lead the way. 

"Flight 167 to Hong Kong, now boarding." A voice said over the intercom.

"I guess this is it!" Sakura said as her voice wavered.  "I'll miss you guys!" Sakura said giving them big hugs.  Sakura handing the lady her luggage and took out her ticket ready to give the boarding man.  (SL: LOL!)

"Good Luck Sakura!" Tomoyo said as she started to cry. "Here some snacks for Kero!" she said handing a bag.  A muffled voice could be heard in Sakura's purse.  She smacked it and it stopped. 

"Last call for Flight 167!"

"I'll miss you!" Sakura said giving a last hug and running over to the lady and handing her ticket.  She waved one last time.  Sakura gasped as she pointed and ran inside.  Tomoyo and Eriol turned around to see Natalie with three policemen.  Natalie knew who they were and spotted them.

"Shit!  Let's move!" Eriol cursed yanking Tomoyo's hand and running through the airport towards the awaiting limo. 

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

Sakura took a deep breath as she stood at the front doors of Hong Kong University.  She was changing her name, and dyed her hair blonde.  She really loved Syaoran.  A lot.  But she had to hide for a while.

"Well, first day!" Sakura said hugging her backpack on her shoulder and walking inside.  Crowded tables and hallways were most what Sakura could see.

"Okay, I'll sign up for Phys. Ed, Math, even though I hate it, History and…Vocal!" Sakura said spotting the four tables.  Walking over to the Vocal table she took a pen as she filled out a form. 

"Excuse me!  I need that!" A girl Sakura's age said snatching the pen and started to fill out a form.  Sakura's eyes narrowed as a girl walked up beside her.

"Ignore her.  That's Joyce!  She's always been snobby, even in the sandbox!" the girl said.  Sakura laughed.  "I'm Meilin.  My cousin, Syaoran hates her to!  We both are attending here, although he much rather go back to Japan to visit an old friend.  I know he loves her, but I won't say anything!  What's your name?"  Sakura's eyes widened at the sound of Meilin and Syaoran.  'Well, at least I can hang out with old friends even though they don't known me!'

"Saku…Saki.  Saki Mei." Sakura said remembering the name she had signed up with when she applied for the University.

"Nice to meet you Saki!  You really remind me of an old friend of mine, Sakura Kinimoto.  Don't think you know her though!  Anyways, I'm signing up for Vocal too!  What else you taking?"

"Phys. Ed, History and Math!  I HATE math but I should take it.  I suck at it, so maybe it'll help me improve if I keep taking it!  How about you?"  Sakura asked.

"Phys. Ed, Ancient History, Math, and Cooking, oh and of course Vocal.  Ancient History and history are different, but they usually combine the two classes.  You should take cooking.  I heard it's a lot of fun!" Meilin said.

"Sure!" Sakura said as she followed Meilin to the same classes she'd be taking.

"Well, what are we supposed to do now?" Sakura asked after signing up for the last class.

"If you're living on campus you go to the office and get your room number.  I heard that they put guys and girls together this year!" Meilin said.

"Maybe I'll get lucky!"

"Yea!  I'm not staying on campus, I'm staying at home, but Syaoran is staying here.  He wants to get away from home!  I can help you around today, if you want…" Meilin offered.

"Sure!  That'll be great!" Sakura said as Meilin lead her to the office. 

"How may I help you?" said a perky lady at the counter.

Sakura rolled her eyes towards Meilin and then smiled at the lady.  "Hi!  I'm Saki Mei!  I need to know where I'm staying!"  The lady typed at the computer.

"Saki Mei!  The new Japanese exchange student!  Right!  Your in the West Wing in Room 278!" the lady said as she handed Sakura the keys.

"Thanks!" Sakura said taking the keys.

"You came from Japan!  That's so cool!  You look so much like Sakura…and your name…Saki…is like that to!" Meilin said eyeing her suspiciously. "Same emerald eyes to…nah." Meilin said shaking her head.  "The West Wing is this way!" Meilin said.

"Wait.  I'd have to go to my hotel room and get my stuff though!" Sakura said.

"Ok sure!"  Meilin said.

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

"Saki? You ready yet?"  Meilin shouted from the doorway of the room.

"Yup!  Coming!" Sakura shouted.  "Kero!  It's Meilin, luckily she doesn't recognize me.  Stay in my suitcase!" Sakura whispered shoving him in and zipping it closed.  She dragged the two out and Meilin took one and took the elevator to the cab, which took them back to the University. It dropped them off at the West Wing and Meilin and Sakura trudged up to the third floor to Room 278.  Unlocking the door, Sakura swung it open. 

"Hey, I hear a TV!" Meilin said putting down the suitcase and closing the door.

"So do I…" Sakura said and walked in.  She saw a boy on the couch and Sakura's mouth dropped open.  It was Syaoran.

SL:  Evil…aren't I…it always happens like this!  *dodges rotten fruit* 

Kero: Candy now?

SL:  Sure!  *Hands candy*

SL:  SO!  Sakura's gone from home, she's a roommate with Syaoran AND she's made a new friend…well…not really NEW persay, but you get the idea!

Kero:  That gaki better not touch Sakura!

SL/Sakura:  HE'S NOT A GAKI!

SL:  He's kawaii!

Sakura:  Definitely, but he's mine!

Syaoran:  Ladies, no need to fight over me!

SL:  Okay!  Bye for now! 

Syaoran: Remember to review for Sarah!  Ja ne!

Next Chapter out:  August 16, 2003

Chapter Title: New Friends, New Enemies and Welcoming Christmas