1,113Note: It's been a while. Sorry for the long wait, and thank you for sticking with me. To be honest, I'm not completely satisfied with any kind of ending that I'm trying to put to this story, which partly is the reason for the long period of no updates… Major case of writer's block I guess? I'm constantly changing the endings, but I'm just going to try and go ahead and see where it goes, like I have been this whole time. 5 years and still not finished… hahaha… Keep with me until the end! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Disclaimer: CLAMP owns the actual characters of Cardcaptor Sakura. I own the story and how the characters turn out to be within the story.
Music: Big Bang – Monster (Note: I LOVE this song. When I heard it I immediately thought of this story XD… I even automatically formed my own version of the music video inside my head…)
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+ Vampire Hunter +
Chapter 18 – Rebellion
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"I love you, baby I'm not a monster.
You know how I was in the past,
and you know that I'll disappear in time, baby…
I need you, baby I'm not a monster.
If even you leave me, I know I'll just die.
I'm not a monster."
- Big Bang, Monster
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It's a bright and sunny day, mocking the bitter losses we've faced. In my hand, Eriol and Tomoyo smile, forever frozen in the photograph. The ghost of their laughter echoes in my memories as I see the Barastelle, basking in the sunlight and standing majestically against the landscape. It's a glorious sight, but the entire being of the institution, which I blindly followed in the past, has long lost its shine and authority. I angrily wipe away a stray tear, fighting against the burning sensation in my eyes. Syaoran glances over at me, taking in a deep breath before drawing the curtains.
We've retreated to an abandoned pub in the harlem alleys, thrown off guard by Eriol's death. We're right under the noses of the Barastelle, and it's a matter of time before we run out of options.
I gently pocket the photo, turning to face Syaoran. I wish I were as strong as him; he hasn't shed a single tear following the deaths of our best friends, keeping his head on revenge. Or maybe his heart has just become too tired and hurt to even think of basking in depression.
He silently reaches out, caressing my face with such tenderness that it pains me. "We fight, Sakura," he says quietly, "That's what we've been doing the entire time. Our objectives may have changed, but we're still us."
I nod slowly. We can't let Eriol and Tomoyo have died in vain. If we can't run, the only thing we can do is fight with all we can. We were once Hunters, driven to be the hunted. It's time to change it up again, to hunt those who hunt us.
"We'll bring down the head, at least," Syaoran mutters, "What have we got to lose, right? Churchill's the most dangerous, but the target with the most impact." He waves his hand dramatically, mockingly almost. "I guess this is the situation where helpless, desperate animals are driven into a corner, turning them into unpredictably dangerous creatures."
"The only time I actually saw that guy was in my trial," I grimace, "We don't even know where he is."
"He's in his office," he answers confidently, "You may not have paid attention to these things while we were there, but the General had a reputation for being a workaholic. Besides, I think you're missing out on a crucial point here."
I stare at him. "Well, seeing as we didn't really have a plan to begin with, except to just show up like Eriol told us to, I don't think it's my fault."
"Your brother, Sakura," Syaoran smirks, "We need to see him."
"Why is my brother being dragged into this now?" I exclaim, frustrated.
He flicks his fingers at my forehead, causing me to swing a punch at his face. He jumps back gracefully with his trademark confident expression. "His fiancée is the General's secretary."
We're lucky, and that's not even enough to put it. Syaoran discreetly takes a phone from a passed out figure in front of another shady bar down the alley, and when I call Touya, he's with Kaho, having been granted a rare holiday so that he may mourn for our parents on their death anniversary. They immediately come see us, and it doesn't quite sink in, even as Touya pulls me into a hug. I only begin to realize the situation is real as Syaoran calmly explains what has been going on, and what we plan to do.
Kaho's face is white as she listens, and Touya is silenced.
"So let me get this straight," he laughs darkly, "Basically, our parents were murdered because they were against the fact that half-humans were actually freak experiments using real people, and now the Barastelle's so desperate to catch you two because they fear you've learned something?" As I look at my brother, I painfully notice the dark shadows under his eyes, wary and exhausted, and realize how much thinner he has gotten since I last saw him.
"And we've lost Eriol and Tomoyo," Kaho whispers.
Syaoran sighs, "What we were thinking is cut the head from the body," he makes a subtle movement of his hand, as if cutting through the air, "And leak this information to the public simultaneously. Defences will be maximized if the news goes out, so we'll sneak in while we can, and while we're doing the job, people will learn the truth."
Touya frowns, crossing his arms. He looks pretty calm and collected for someone who's just been told such a horrid story. "Exactly how are you going to break into the Barastelle, or even the General's office?"
Kaho smiles. "I see," she closes her eyes, "He's going to be in his office for most of the day today, preparing for an important meeting with worldwide authorities. He's readying his documents and speech."
Touya looks at her in surprise.
I grin, reaching to hug her. "Thanks, Kaho."
Syaoran smirks. "I didn't think you were one to trust so quickly."
"Do you have any reason to lie to us?" she smiles, "Besides, being the secretary, I did notice some oddities here and there. I just didn't think to investigate or even wonder."
"Oddities?" Syaoran narrows his eyes.
"The General's deathly afraid of Vampires, it seems," Kaho reveals calmly, "It's subtle, but I noticed how he always keeps sanitizers nearby, and anti-Vampire devices are installed in every corner of his office. I almost suspected him of having an obsessive-compulsive disorder."
"I guess that explains why Hunters rarely see him," Touya rolls his eyes, "The almighty General's really scared of Vampires that he is in charge of hunting."
Syaoran smirks. "Is the Head Analyst on duty today?"
"No, Yuki took the day off with us. He's going to meet up with us later," answers Touya.
"Perfect," Syaoran sighs, "The goddess of victory is on our side for now, it seems. If all this goes well, we won't need to even worry for your safety. It's now or never."
It pains me to watch Touya leave with Kaho, especially with the sorrowful look in his eyes. He's scared for me, but he also knows there's nothing else that can be done than to fight. And learning that the institution he placed his life to fight for is the very reason for our parents' deaths… I realize how much more mentally trained my brother is when I see his composed expression. He's truly strong.
"We'll let you know when we talk with Yuki," Touya says, handing over a phone from his pocket, "This one's my personal phone, so use it with care."
"Don't blame us if we have to blow it up," Syaoran smirks, taking it.
Touya rolls his eyes. "And you," he looks at me pointedly, almost tiredly, "Don't… act too rashly. You're not a kid anymore."
I nod with a smile, crossing my arms. "I think the same goes for you too, brother."
"Be careful," Kaho says gently, sincerely.
As they disappear from view, Syaoran is busy using the phone to hack into various networks. We retreat into a secluded alley, sitting down by the bricks.
"Commander Kinomoto hasn't changed a bit, huh," Syaoran smirks, "So righteous and good."
I grin. "He's always been the just kind of guy."
"It's just a matter of time now, for the Barastelle to find out we aren't in the blown up mass of corpses back there," he sobers up.
"We have such a dramatic plan," I lean back against the wall, feeling the cool bricks against my head, "But we can't go around hiding anymore, right?"
"If you think about it," he continues in a low voice, "It's so easy to question the origins of half-humans. Of course it would make sense to use living humans as subjects, than to create a clone-like being from scratch. Yet no one dared question the Barastelle when they announced that the half-humans were created from sophisticated technology, nothing else. It really shows the tyranny and absolute power those fuckers hold over the people. We can't let this go on."
"Maybe there even is a cure," I say softly, carefully, "Maybe they're just hiding it so that they can continue their research after collecting their… specimens back."
He looks at me. "And maybe all those Hunters who were taken into "custody" after being bitten… They're just suffering from more experiments and tests somewhere."
"This is insane," I cover my face with my hands, head spinning, "So how are we going to break this to the public?"
"Well, the Head Analyst is on our side," Syaoran smirks, "He could easily tap into the network and broadcast a few messages across the city, and maybe even the country. Word will spread fast, and it'll be unstoppable once people start spamming the web. The real problem is holding up until that happens. We have to distract the Barastelle to move their defences to our attacks, but of course it's pretty much suicidal. Although I do have confidence against most of those idiots, since I'm the best fucking Hunter there ever will be."
I can't help but grin. "The teleportation system in the Barastelle," I remember, "If it could be deactivated somehow, we could even reach the General's office without worrying that he'll escape."
"I've never seen the Barastelle run out of energy," Syaoran ponders, "But there must be a way."
"Of course there is," a deep voice muses from above, causing us to bolt upwards with our guns the next moment. Leonard chuckles as he easily jumps down to our level. "So you've finally decided to fight?"
I look at him. "Are you in?" I carefully ask, lowering my weapon.
"I suppose this is the only chance to repay our debts to your parents," Leonard crosses his arms with a curious look.
I suddenly realize why Leonard has always been running into us, dropping by randomly and out of nowhere. It wasn't sheer curiosity, or anything else. It's because my parents stood up for them all when no one else would. And the half-humans have just as much of a reason to fight, if not more.
"Vampires may just cause unnecessary deaths, though," Syaoran frowns, "I'm sure most of those idiots at the Barastelle will be confused and unable to fight when they learn the truth. The trick is to time all of this perfectly."
"Who says the Barastelle should be attacked first?" Leonard suddenly smirks, "Take things step by step."
Syaoran stares at him before grinning in realization. "I guess you'd be willing to play along, then?"
I look at Syaoran. His eyes tell me he's got it figured out. I'm reassured now.
There's hope.
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Chapter 18 - Rebellion – End –
Author's Note: Bridge chapter? Well, with such a long hiatus and all, I would have wanted to come back with a KABOOM, but... A transition is needed, after all. I promise the next chapter will be much longer and have TONS of action and squeal-worthy scenes ;) AND it will be up much quicker than before. Maybe even by next week, if I'm on a roll! I WILL update more before this summer ends, so stay tuned!
Meanwhile, please leave me a review! Even during my hiatus I come back to check on them!
Stick with me until the end, loves!