Chapter Three
* Behind bars
Sakura 16
Madison 17
Li 20
Eriol 21
Alex de Winterton 21
Keno 19
Meridan 8
Lydian 6
Time & Again - The Queen of Darkness
'Fate has a Funny Way
Of Working'
They all stared at her after she had delivered her news that she planned on traveling. She was leaving them and she was giving them notice. She explained that after talking to Keno's father, (she smiled up at him) she had made her decision. She was going to see what fate had in mind for her and the wolf.
The wolf in question sat near her tall and proud, the end of his tail tapping slightly on the ground.
Keno's father smiled and congratulated her and started making plans for what she would need on her journey. The little girls watched on sadly and Keno excused himself and said that he needed to deal with the chores. Sakura watched him go and felt sad. She looked up at Keno's father when he placed a big hand on her small shoulder.
" Don't worry lass, " he said. " He'll get over it. "
" Keno wait! " she called as she ran after him. He heard her and kept heading towards the barn.
" Hey! " she called as she came to a stop outside the barn. " Didn't you hear me? " she asked.
" I heard you. " he replied as he sat down near the cow pen. " I have work to do. "
" I know you're angry. " she said quietly. " I'm sorry for that. I hoped that you would be happy. "
He simply grunted in answer.
" Keno, you can't stay angry at me forever. " she said. " You know the only reason I was here. I've done more than enough to repay your family. It's time for me to move on. "
" And what about me? " he demanded standing up and glaring at her.
" I don't know what you mean . . " she said confused.
" Did you just plan on leaving and not caring how I felt? " he glared.
" Of course I care! " she replied. " I care about all of you. "
" Then stay here. "
" But I can't. "
" Why? "
" Because I have to find my way home! " Sakura threw back. Keno stared at her angrily before stepping back and looking at her.
" I know that you're not one of the Fay. " he said quietly, his words still angry. Sakura gasped. " I suspected a long time ago that was just a story to keep yourself and the wolf out of trouble. I don't know why he stays with you and how you keep him with you, but I know that you were never part of the Fay. "
" W-why didn't y-you say something? " she whispered still in shock.
" Because Meridan and Lydian believed that you were. " he replied and picked up the bucket.
" Excuse me. "
She watched him go her cheeks red with embarrassment.
Sakura shouldered the backpack as the first rays of light were approaching. Where the wolf was she had no idea. It seemed he was still off hunting. She said her goodbyes and tried not to cry along with the girls. Where Keno was, she didn't know either.
She looked down at the paper she held in her hand. She had rolled it up and tied it with a bow that she had been given by Meridan. She looked up then once more, unsure what she should do.
" Here lass, " Keno's father stepped forward and took the scroll from her gently.
" I'll give it to him when he calms down. "
" Thank you. " her smile wobbled and then she threw her arms around him, surprising him, and hugged him tight.
" Take care. All of you. I know I'll see you again some day. "
She waved and then faced the road ahead of her. Shouldering her bag, she walked along the road. When she got to the top of the hill, she turned and waved once more before she disappeared over the top of it.
Keno came running from the lower field and stopped, looking at the hill as the top of her head disappeared, out of breath. He shot his father a lost expression and went to run off after her, but his father stopped him.
" Here lad. " he said, handing him the scroll. " The lass left this for ye. "
" For me? " he asked swallowing. He took it and pushed the ribbon off it. He unrolled it and his eyes widened.
It was him sitting on the bank of the swimming pool. It was so life like it was like she had captured a part of him and preserved it in the parchment. There were ripples in the water from where a dragonfly had landed; the grass bent a little as the wind teased it. He was sitting with his knees drawn up; his hands wrapped around them, a smile played on his mouth as he just enjoyed the day. On the side however, were the strangest markings he had ever seen.
Not aware that he was already running, the drawing clutched tightly in his hand, he was surprised when he topped the hill and could see Sakura turning the bend in the road. He called out to her and ran faster. She stopped and he saw her look over her shoulder before she turned and faced him as he came to a stop panting heavily.
" Keno - " she began.
" I'm sorry. " he said catching his breath. " I didn't want to let you go without saying goodbye. "
He watched her eyes soften along with her face. She smiled at him and watched the light come to her amazing eyes. Though he was a simple peasant and he believed in the old ways, he had never seen such eyes. His grandmother would have said that she was a goddess incarnate. They saw into a man's soul and smiled upon him.
" I wanted to thank you. " he held up the picture she had drawn and watched her cheeks darken redder. " How did you -? "
" I only need to see an object once and I can draw it. But sometimes it helps to sketch from the real thing. You are always in my mind, that I only have to close my eyes to see you there. " her smile brightened.
" W-w-hat - " he stumbled over his words and blushed. " What does this mean? "
Sakura looked where he was pointing and smiled. She traced the Japanese characters lightly so she wouldn't smudge it.
" Watakushi no tokubetsu na tomodachi. " she smiled at his puzzled frown. " My special friend. "
" My special friend. " he repeated softly. He suddenly looked up and pinned her with his gaze.
" Let me come with you! "
" What? " she gaped at his sudden outburst.
" It makes perfect sense. " he argued. " You can't expect to get far without getting into trouble. I can protect you. "
" Keno. " she shook her head. " You can't leave your family. They need you. "
" No they don't! " he said shaking his head. " They will understand. "
" No Keno. " she placed her hand on his shoulder. " You must stay here. Your family needs you to look after them and take care of them. What if something happens to your father if you come with me, heaven forbid, " she raised her eyes to the sky in a quick prayer.
" I - "
" And Meridan and Lydian? " she prodded. " They need their big brother to take care of them. Without you, who will they turn to? " Keno shook his head but she could see that he agreed with what she had said.
" I can take care of myself. " she said letting her hand fall. " I will think of you all everyday and I know deep in my heart that we are destined to meet again one day. "
" How can you be so sure? " he asked sadly.
" Because I know. " she smiled cheekily and hugged him. " Take care Keno. "
" Don't leave me. " he begged and hugged her tighter.
" You will be fine. " she assured and then stepped back. " Now chin up and smile. The world will smile with you. "
He shot her a sad smile and then stepped back and waved. She waved back and then turned and started walking once more. She whistled to prevent her tears from falling and picked up her pace.
Life, mysterious life
We're all moving around,
Dancing the rhythm of life
Time, mysterious time
Where we're counting the hours
And days to the end of all time
Keno watched her go and then clenched his fist that wasn't holding the drawing. He raised his chin and looked up at the sky. Something had changed today - no wait - something had changed when she had jumped down from the tree branch and raised her green eyes to the torch light that night. She had been afraid, but she had faced them with courage so she could protect the wolf, her friend.
And we're feeling the change and we don't know why
Choose one direction just one more time
Don't say I'm thinking too much if you see what's behind.
He lowered his eyes to where he had last seen her and he nodded to himself. He would return to the farm, but he wouldn't remain there. Not for the rest of his life. His father would understand. His mother and sisters would cry as they always did for such things, but he wouldn't be swayed. He knew that his destiny had been placed in front of him and now he needed to place his feet on it.
And these are Mysterious Times
Mysterious Times
No trick of the mind
For this moment I feel like we live in
He turned and made his way back to the farm. When his father laid eyes on him, he tensed and straightened. He recognized that look and he sighed. It would seem that change was indeed on the way.
Mysterious times
If you see what's behind
These are mysterious times
Where once a thriving forest existed, there was nothing but dead trees; empty husks, shells of their former selves. The ground that gave life was infertile; it's will to live forever gone. Amongst the decay and the death, there was a castle. It was rumored that it was impossible to breach the walls that surrounded it. Nothing stirred on the walkways or battlements, not even a breeze.
Once this had been a wondrous land. Now in death though, it was a miserable place. A place of destruction and corruption; conquered and over-ruled. Now, two people sat inside its misery and continued to plot their schemes.
One was a man who had left his youth, but was yet to enter his aging years. He was tall, his frame well built from all the years of training with the sword and other weapons in service to the previous king. He had dark hair that was kept short and tidy along with dark eyes. He wore a moustache and a neatly trimmed beard that covered his chin. He dressed regally, expressing no restraint in the cost that his clothes may have come at.
The other was a tall, slim woman. She sat by his side smiling with a satisfied smirk. Her hair was long and dark. Darker than the sky at midnight, that hung below her knees. She dressed in the dark shade of midnight, allowing the clothes to mold to her more-than generous curves; to trail behind her when she walked. To look upon her, one would think that she was young, too young to be such a successful woman, but truth be told; none knew her age. But it was her eyes that drew attention. They were ruby in colour, deepening to a blood-red when she was angry. Men would become in-slaved when she used their burning heat to trap them and bend them to her will. There within was a hidden power. Her nails were long and sharp. Not long enough to be classed as claws, but long enough to inflict damage if necessary.
There was a secret that surrounded and bound this unlikely pair, a secret that had won them their victory and allowed an unthinkable thing to happen. This secret kept them together for nigh ten years. They had come together for the treacherous victory ten years ago, over-come their enemy and had claimed the throne and the kingdom that had come with it. They had driven the villages and the villagers within to starvation and corrupted those that could be bought. They had destroyed the land and molded it to the way that they preferred.
All in all it had become a land of death and misery.
Over the years many rebellions had arisen. Desperate people sick of the way that they were forced to live, rising against the proclaimed king and his sorceress. But their fight was pointless. They were struck down, time and again, either by the king's forces or by the sorceress'.
Forced to defend what was rightfully theirs, King Murtagh and Jacousta forced their hand and ransacked other kingdoms and destroyed borders taking what they would, expanding their kingdom. Soon people fled as far as the north, others taking their chances on the sea, either making it to a peaceful land or dying by the hand of the sea to spend eternity in a watery grave…
So it here it was ten years later in the kingdom of Kurayami Okoku (Darkness Kingdom) that Murtagh and Jacousta prepared their next movement against a small army that had come to try and claim the kingdom back. They had just finished dinner and discussing their plans when Jacousta stood with the all the grace of a dancer and brought her hands out focusing her blood-red gaze between them as her power started to manifest between her hands. The dark energy sparked with red lightning and flickered as it grew. She raised her hands and the small ball of power melted to the floor and sunk beneath it.
Large explosions rocked the horizon through the light of dusk in the distance soon after.
Murtagh smirked with satisfaction and came to stand beside her as he watched the red light dance. All too quickly it faded and it was quiet again. Jacousta listened to the silence before her eyes narrowed and she brought her left hand out where a staff appeared. It was as tall as herself; a strong, slim staff. On top where two crescent shapes curving upwards and inwards to protect and tower over the small purple globe sitting neatly on top.
" Tell me what you see. " she commanded and turned her head back to the coming night.
The small globe on top glowed before one; huge purple eye rimmed with yellow came into view. It rolled the iris around getting its bearing before it blinked. Murtagh had been disgusted and surprised when he had seen it happen the first time, but he had come to rely on the little creature's reports as much as he needed to breathe. So he wasn't amazed as the globe stood up revealing one taloned claw and watched as two tiny bat-like wings unfurled. It seemed almost that the two little wings would not carry a creature of that size, but he watched as it hopped off her staff and then disappeared in a small pop.
" You could have destroyed them in one blast. Why send the thing? "
" Because destroying them all in one hit isn't in our agreement Murtagh. Besides, I have to give you something to do instead of sitting on your assets all day. Besides it is much more fun making them think that the end is near and then snatching it away from them making them beg for
mercy. "
" You always had my best interests at heart. " Murtagh said smirking.
" Of course. That's why I am here. To serve you your majesty. " she bowed.
They turned when the little bat creature 'popped' back into the room. It flapped to the top of the staff where it sat once more and turned into the purple globe. Within moments, the globe glowed and Jacousta watched as it showed her what it had seen. There were men scrambling for safety and other fleeing. She saw the wounded and the dead and smiled. She let go of her staff and it disappeared.
She tapped one of her fingers against the stone of the window sill thinking. She usually was in the mood for playing games with their prey, but not today. Today they needed to withdraw their men and get them strengthened and on the way to the west. There was a pesky, little moth that kept interfering with their plans and they needed to squish him before he could become a thorn.
She stepped back and walked out of the hall and made her way to the battlements. She lifted her long skirts and walked up the stone steps and stood looking out to the horizon where Gain's men were. The wind hit her, picking up her long tresses and blowing them out behind her making her look more sinister than what she already was.
Her eyes glowed blood-red with her irritation as her long bangs trailed against her face. Dark clouds rolled in and lightning flashed. She muttered the curse as she raised her arms to the sky, calling on her power deep inside. Her power surged up from the ground and circled around her as it shot up into the clouds above.
On the battlefield, Gain looked up in shock and fear when he saw the red power shoot up into the sky in the distance. He called for a retreat, calling over the wind to get them to flee for their lives. He watched as his men, the last of his army, dropped their weapons and run. Gain sheathed his sword as he ran. He jumped over the fallen, his blonde hair streaked with blood and dust falling over his eyes.
The ground rumbled and some fell. Gain stopped short as a huge crack appeared in the ground ahead of him. The ground shifted and Gain fell to his knees as the ground rose up. He listened to his men's screams as some perished. Gain swallowed his own scream and turned back to watch the last of the power disappear up into the clouds. His gaze went to the ground below him as it shifted and started to rise.
The brave young prince knew that his time was up. He had been foolish to try and complete what so many had failed to do before him. In his land he had been considered a wise and just ruler. Now he knew the price he had to pay for his young pride. No man, no matter how young or old was invincible. Maybe he should have stayed in the teachings of the temples for another few years like they had wanted him to.
Rising to his feet as the ground continued to shift beneath him; he unsheathed his sword and held it high in the air.
" For Everwood! " he shouted to the sky as the ground shifted and lurched high above him.
Blood splattered across the rock as it fell. The one hand that remained holding the sword shuddered and the sword fell never to be seen again as the rock tumbled and buried it. . .
Meanwhile . . .
Sakura was walking through the small village and was looking at the stalls as she passed by. She was making mental notes as she picked up on item and studied it. She smiled at the man behind the stall and placed the pot down on the table carefully. She was walking through the crowd that had gathered at the market to buy and sell, when she walked around a corner and was rammed as someone ran into her. Sakura cried out as she hit the ground and cringed. She had landed on a rock.
She stared up at the woman who wore a red scarf over her face and head. She had dark eyes and she was clutching something in her hands. She looked at Sakura in fear and then she turned to look at the men who were chasing her through the markets. Sakura was aware of the unusual sweet smell that hung around the woman before she watched in confusion as she dropped the pouch in Sakura's lap before disappearing into the busy market crowd.
Sakura tried to call out to her, but she was suddenly aware of the three shadows standing over her and she turned to look up at the big men dressed in armor glaring down at her. She frowned, wondering what was wrong, when she was suddenly ceased and hauled up to her feet.
" Caught you now you petty thief! " one snarled.
" What? " Sakura gasped.
One of the men picked up the pouch from the ground and held it out for her to see. Sakura didn't need to read novels to know what was about to happen. She struggled and the grip on her arms tightened painfully.
" I didn't take it! " she yelled, fighting. " The woman with the red scarf bumped into me and dropped it. "
" A likely story thief. You were in league with her. " he snarled.
" No! " she cried.
" Take the prisoner into custody. " he said and turned away, tying the pouch to his waist.
The wolf came out from under a stall sniffing her scent from the ground. He looked up when he heard the commotion and watched the girl struggle. His maw pulled back revealing sharp fangs, a low snarl coming from deep within his throat before he charged. He was about to reach them when a horse-drawn cart suddenly blocked his path and he skidded to a stop. When it passed, he watched Sakura be dragged off. She fought wildly until one of the men flung her up over his shoulder and carried her away. She pummeled his back and tried to ignore the looks the people of the village gave her.
Sakura cursed with all her might, kicking and flailing as she was carted though the market square. She managed to get her hair out of her face and caught a glimpse of the wolf before she flopped back down against the guys back.
" Find the woman with the red scarf over her face!" she called to him. In the back of her mind she called herself every kind of fool for relying on an animal but a deeper part of her, yet unknown, told her that this was a part that needed to be played.
The man carrying he whipped around to see who she was talking to, but all he could see were the town's people weaving back and forth in the crowd. He hefted the girl higher on his shoulder, ignoring her curses and followed his companions down the street.
" So what are ye in fer deary? "
Sakura wrenched her head up and looked around in the darkness. She had known that she hadn't been alone earlier. That had been proved when she had heard the rat squeak near her shoe. She looked around and tried to see as best she could. She thought she saw movement to the left of her and she got to her feet and walked over the bars and gripped them. Something moved closer to her and she had to fight the urge to gag. The smell was unbelievable.
" Who's there? " she asked trying not to breathe.
" No one in particular deary. Some used to call me Old, Mad Madge. "
" Mad? " she asked before she could stop herself. She heard her cackle.
" Some thought me mad. "
" I see. . . I think. " Sakura replied. Another cackle.
" Ye know me name. Now who are ye? "
" Sakura. " she replied.
" Strange name. I got a glimpse of ye when ye were thrown in - pretty girl. Too pretty to be down here in this hovel. What did ye do? Get sick of yer lover and have him done away with? " she cackled.
" Ah, no. " Sakura replied frowning. " Some girl bumped into me and dropped her purse. She ran away and I hauled in here for the crime. " she replied bitterly.
" That's what they all say. "
" Well I'm not they. " she snapped. " I don't lie. "
She heard old Madge laughing that soon ended up with coughing and she waited, her patience wearing thin.
" What's so funny? " Sakura demanded.
" If I had a penny for ever time someone has said that . . " she trailed off. " Believe me, we wouldn't be still down here if it weren't for the new sheriff; pompous jackass that he be. "
" Sheriff? " Sakura asked curious.
" Lord Draven. " came the bitter reply. " Nasty piece of work that one. "
" Draven? " Sakura repeated. " What does he do? "
" It's what he doesn't do that is important. " came the reply. " He lets us rot down here for his own amusement. "
" Rot? You don't mean - "
" I've been in here for over ten years. Maybe more, I lost count when I lost my eye sight. "
" Oh my God. " Sakura breathed.
" The Gods don't hear ye down here. Believe me. Scream until ye can't anymore and nothin' will save ye. "
Sakura slid to the ground and prayed that Old, Mad Madge was wrong.
" . . Look we've been over this a million times. I don't know who she was, only that I was shopping and she ran into me. I was knocked to the ground and then you dragged me off without hearsay. "
" But the pouch was found on your person. "
Sakura strangled the urge to wring this idiot's neck. " Read my lips. " she pointed to her mouth.
" You have the wrong girl. " she said slowly.
" And what lovely lips they are, " the knight called Gavin sneered. " But it does not excuse the fact that you were found with the Star Ruby on your person. "
" The Star Ruby? " Sakura's interest was piqued. " What does it look like? I don't believe that I have ever seen it. Is it rare? "
Gavin frowned at her curiosity. If she really had stolen the precious gemstone, then she wouldn't be curious about it would she?
" Indeed they are. That's why you stole it from Lord Riverton. "
" Ok, back up. " Sakura said. She sat back in the uncomfortable chair and raised her gaze to his.
" Let's start from the beginning shall we? Who is Lord Riverton and what is his purpose for having a precious, if not, an incredibly rare stone? "
Gavin looked from the guards at the door to the young woman in the chair.
" Allow me to ask you a question. How did you manage to escape the holding rooms? "
" Holding rooms? " Sakura frowned. " I'm a little rusty here, please enlighten me. As you can see for yourself sir, I am not from around here and I'm having difficulty trying to understand what you are accusing me of. I thought I was arrested for stealing something that I hadn't. Not for running away and supposedly performing a vanishing act. "
" Hold your tongue wrench. " he snapped.
Sakura raised her eyebrow at him. She wasn't going to let him get away with talking to her that way. But she wouldn't say anything just yet. Her interest was souly for this Star Ruby.
" How did you do it? " Gavin demanded. " Did you offer your body for the price of freedom to one of the guards at the entrance way? Or did you offer your affections for a time, weakening your enemy until you could escape? "
A resounding crack went through the tent as Sakura's hand struck Lord Gavin's face. Her nails had raked long grooves along his flesh. She snarled at him with fury. " How dare you? " she snarled, her eyes flashing like emeralds. " How dare you stand there and say that to me you sadistic, brain-jangled moron! How dare you drag me away from my journey, accuse me of a felony that I haven't committed and then say that to my face! You should be ashamed of yourself! And for the record, if Lord Riverton can't keep his hands on his property, then maybe he needs to pull his brains out of the clouds and pay attention to what's happening around him! " She stood there before him panting from her outburst.
" Leave us. " Gavin said to the other knights. " You would do well to watch what you say to me wrench. " he continued after they were alone.
" That's good advice, perhaps you should heed it, " she glared. " Sir. "
" You're insolence is becoming intolerable. "
" Should I get you something to help cure your indisposure? " she asked sweetly.
" Quiet! " he wrapped his hand around her throat glaring at her as she gasped.
" You would do well to shut up. "
The wolf had his nose to the ground as he followed the sweet scent of the woman that had run into Sakura. He had been following her for a while now. He sniffed off in one direction and then came back when it went cold. She was around here somewhere and he intended to find her.
He came to a small cleaning and hid in the bushes watching closely. There was movement and then a tall woman in red made her way down from the tree in which she had been hiding. She looked around her carefully and then knelt down by the stream and started to drink. She washed her face and then sat back with a sigh.
He slunk closer to her and continued to watch. She was wearing all red. A red veil covered her nose and the remainder of her face, while part of it covered her hair from the world. She was wearing some expensive garment that shimmered in the light but this was the woman who got the Sakura in trouble instead of herself.
The young woman's head snapped up when the bushes rustled. She nearly screamed when a wolf came out of the bushes, stalking towards her. She knew that if this was the way things were to be, then so be it. If she was meant to escape, only to die, then there was nothing she could do. Her life had just been that unlucky.
The wolf lowered his head as he studied her. She met his gaze calmly. She was a fighter and she was trying to fight the circumstances that life had dealt her but she was so tired of struggling and fighting to survive. The wolf didn't know that, but he raised his head and walked towards her.
Her eyes continued to watch him as he came closer. When he was near enough to lunge if he had to, he stopped. He sat and continued to watch her. She swallowed and then deciding that he wasn't going to make his move yet, she moved back towards the water and cupped her hands and dipped them into the water. Dripping water, she turned and held it out for the wolf.
He watched her and then she softened her eyes and spoke gently to him. " Come my friend, this girl won't hurt you. She's more fool than human. Drink. "
The wolf shifted slightly and sensing no ill toward him, moved over and lapped up the dripping water. When he was done, she patted his head before he could shift out of the way and laughed at his angry look. She drew her knees up to her chest and watched the water as it flowed.
" I did a bad thing today Wolf. " she said suddenly. " I ran away. " she turned to look at him. " I ran away because of the life that I was forced to live. I thought that I could accept it, but being trapped in a cage is no life for anyone to live. It's a slow death. "
Calm eyes watched her as she looked at him.
" I wanted revenge so I stole something that I hoped would somehow make it all better, but instead it ended up being worse than what I had thought. Now because of me some poor girl is probably being lead to the gallows because I ran away, again. " she sighed and rested her head on her knees.
The wolf moved forward and butted his head against her and she looked up in surprise. His amber eyes spoke to her in a way that no human ever could have. Do the right thing they said. There is already too much wrong in this world. Don't be the one to add to it. Her eyes softened and all the worry left her face. She reached down and rubbed his head softly.
" You are right. " she said. " Thank you. " she got to her feet and dusted herself off. She looked down at him.
" Are you coming? " she asked and then started walking back the way she had come.
Back at the Interrogation…
Sakura tried to remain calm. She had never seen someone loose their temper so quickly. The hand around her throat tightened fractionally. She raised her gaze and tried to meet his calmly. She couldn't help the rising panic that her body was experiencing now that it was becoming hard to breathe, but she had to remain calm.
Gavin snarled and released her. Sakura coughed and rubbed at her throat. She looked up at him and couldn't mask the fear that she felt. He shot her a look and walked away from her and tried to calm himself.
" I will not tolerate this. " he said turning back to her. " You will tell me how you escaped Waterfront. "
" I have no idea what you are talking about. " Sakura croaked.
Gavin's gaze was dark and expressionless as he looked at her. " Captain! " he called and waited for the knight to come into the tent. " Take this one and put her back in the dungeon. Hold all meals until I command otherwise. "
" Yes sir. " the young man smirked as he looked down at Sakura.
" You can not do this. " Sakura said as she looked back at Gavin. " I'm not the one that you should be throwing in the dungeon. Please! " she begged as she was dragged from the tent.
" Perhaps you may be more willing to talk when we speak again. " he said as the tent flap closed.
Sakura listened as the old, creaky metal door slammed closed as she lay on the floor where she had fallen. She couldn't believe that this was happening to her. It had to be a dream. Maybe she had just worked too hard on the farm and Keno was trying to wake her form her nightmare. She felt the brush of something fury against her leg and she suppressed the urge to scream. She sniffed and backed into the corner of the little cell and placed her head on her lap and burst into tears.
The woman in red stopped and behind her the wolf paused and wondered why she had stopped. She suddenly turned and met his gaze, her eyes wide and frightened. " What am I thinking? " she said. " I can't go back! They'll force me to go back to that horrible place. I can't do it. I'm sorry wolf, but I can't help that girl. Conscience or no conscience, I will not go back there! "
She tried to walk past him, but he growled low in his throat and his teeth nabbed her skirt and tugged. She paused and turned to look down at him. She gathered her skirt and tried to get it out of his grip but he snarled and pulled harder in the direction towards town.
" Oh come on! " she said desperately. " Do you have any idea what they will do to me? " The wolf continued to tug and she sighed and knelt down and met his gaze. " I know that running away is wrong, but I have no choice. Please understand. "
" Grrrrrrrr . . ." the wolf met her gaze fiercely.
The young woman met his gaze and sighed closing her eyes in defeat. " Ok. But I'm thinking of a plan first. I'm not walking back in there blind. I was always taught to know your enemy and their territory. " and that the wolf ceased his growling and looked at her with a frown on his fury face.
" Just let me think. . . " she said not seeing his study of what was bare of her young face.
Three Days Later . . .
Sakura woke from her sleep and wondered whether it was day or night. Mad Madge was right, she couldn't tell. She heard chains rattling and wondered if that had been what had awoken her. She sat up and tried to peer through the darkness as the sounds of foot steps came closer.
The torch light made her pupils retract painfully and she brought her hand up to shield her face from the light. The guards opened the heavy wooden door and she watched as the rats ran back to their corners as the two guards walked inside. They waited for her to stand shakily and then stepped forward to place the chains around her wrists.
They guided her down the passage way and up the damp stairs to the corridor that would lead to the open area that would lead to the tent that she had been interrogated in the training area for all the soldiers.
She stood in front of Gavin as she had before and waited for him to speak. She was so weak and tired that she could barely keep it together. He finished with the papers that he was signing and then handed them to the young boy standing beside him. His eyes locked onto hers. She swallowed the fear in her throat.
" Now you will tell us what we want to know - " he began.
" But I've already said what I know. " Sakura croaked. " If you would just listen - "
" By the power of our Lord Draven you will speak the truth you treacherous wretch! " Gavin thundered out of patience.
Sakura had jumped back in fright and now stared at him with fear. She had never been verbally abused like this before. She met his furious gaze and trembled. She just had to bump into that thief didn't she? She lowered her eyes and remained silent. What could she say that would change their minds?
Gavin collected his temper together and tried to approach this situation calmly, but this imprudent chit was making it hard for him. " Very well, " he began. " If you will not give us the information we seek than you are accused of treason. "
" No! " Sakura gasped.
" You're silence confirms your guilt. " Gavin replied staring her down. " You will be placed at the gallows in the town square. Take her away and prepare the people for a hanging. "
" Oh please no. " Sakura begged as the two guards came to collect her from the ground where she had fallen.
The last thing she saw was his cold eyes glaring at her as she was hauled from the tent once more.
Thwack - thwack - thwack
The Next Day….
The young woman peered around the corner of the side of the building, the wolf behind her. They had spent the last few days in the forest trying to come up with a plan. Her eyes widened as she watched the soldiers hammer away at a large wooden construction in the middle of the town square. She listened as they called out orders to each other.
" That looks like - " she caught her breath when she realized what was going on. " Oh no. " she breathed.
Behind her the wolf stiffened and looked around them quickly. He sensed danger.
" They're going to hang someone. " she looked down at the wolf sadly. " I hope I'm not too late. "
Gavin opened the door to the cell personally and lifted the torch to look in on the prisoner. She sat huddled in the corner looking lifeless in the light. He ignored the man that had come to see her as well as he walked in and knelt down in front of her. He heard the other prisoner in the other cell move closer to see what was happening.
" Curious old hag. . " he muttered as he shot her a look on contempt in the semi darkness.
He turned his attentions back to the beautiful girl. Her emerald eyes were dead, staring as if there was no one in front of her. She sat with her arms wrapped around her knees. She was pale in the torch light but that was to be expected after a sentencing.
He reached forward and grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him. " Today is the day of your sentencing wrench. " he said snidely. " You have one last chance to give me what I want to know. Tell me you are guilty of taking what was stolen and we can reconsider your fate. "
A shadow flickered in her eyes and then she was staring up at him.
" What will be my fate if I say that I did steal it? Will I live? " she croaked from lack of water and food.
" If you confess to your sins you will be tried and found guilty and then you will be left here in the dungeons to live out the remainder of your days, unless pardon comes from Lord Draven himself. But I wouldn't hold my breath for the latter. "
She stared up at him for a moment before she looked away. She didn't see the shadow watching her curiously from the doorway.
" Living without seeing the sun, the moon and the stars - that is a fate worse than death. I couldn't live like that. I couldn't live without feeling the wind on my face or in my hair. I couldn't live without freedom. I couldn't live with myself if I were to spend every day in the darkness haunted by the memories of the people that I love and have yet to find my way back to. " her head slumped forward and she tried to get her breath back.
" How do you do it? " she whispered raising her head to look at him with tears in her eyes.
" How can you be so cold? "
" This is not about me. " Gavin replied unswayed by her show of emotion.
" What is your decision? "
It was silent in the dungeon except for the hissing of the flame on the torch he held. She remained silent, shoulders slumped in defeat. " Is there not another way ?" she asked weakly. " Surely you have heard of justice? The right of a trial? "
" We do not care for such nonsense. " Gavin retorted. This girl was a strange one. She may dress like them but something about her was - different. . .
Obviously the man in the shadows thought so too because he shifted and watched her closely.
" Then I have no choice do I? " she raised her head once more and looked at him. " I will be sentenced either way for a crime I didn't commit. " she laughed weakly and bowed her head hiding her tears.
" Do what you will. " she said softly. " I will not live my life in the dark. That is my decision. "
" Very well. " Gavin said and stood. He turned and walked to the door where the light fell on the other man standing in the doorway.
He was watching her with an intensity that made Gavin frown. He shifted and looked once more at the girl who preferred death than life and then walked out of the dungeon. He gave the orders for the girl to be prepared and brought to the town square and walked up the dank, damp stone stairs.
Sakura was lost in her own thoughts that she didn't see the man smile coldly and then close the door behind him. It was quiet for a few minutes and then out of the darkness came a voice.
" It neva used to be like this. . . . " Sakura raised her weary head and stared into the darkness.
" No lass. " came the raspy voice of Mad Madge. " Ten years ago it neva was like this. Ther be war fer sure, but it was a time of happiness. Then disaster struck. The empire fell into ruins and ye be lucky yer weren't here fer that. Chaos rained down and then there be killin' and destroyin' to the likes that yer've neva seen. "
Sakura turned her head her interest piqued. " What happened? " she asked softly.
" Ah - There be some mystery surroundin' that. No one takes notice of an old, mad woman so I hear things that others didn't. " she stopped as coughing racked her. " The true king - the one that ruled us all was exiled. Overthrown some call it. Then came his lordship. " she snarled in the darkness. " A pox on his cocky stride. " she promptly spat.
" Lordship? " Sakura asked softly.
" That pompass ass - Draven. " she replied back. " That be about the time that I was thrown in here. "
" That knight that was in here before, Gavin; he mentioned a Draven. So I take it Gavin takes orders from Draven? "
" There not be a knight in the realm that don't take orders from that roach. " Madge rasped.
" So does anyone know what happened to the true king? The one that was exiled? " Sakura asked.
" Ther be many a tale as to the whereabouts of him, but what be truth and what be some dandy drunk makin' up tales down on the local brewery is anyone's guess. " Madge replied. " Some say they've seen him walkin' around but many believe him be dead and buried. That's what I would do to remove and adversary. " Sakura cringed at that admonition.
" So if Gavin works under Lord Draven - then who does Draven work for? I take it that Draven himself wasn't the one to exile the king. So who did? " Sakura asked.
Chuckling came from the other cell and Sakura wondered what was so funny. " Ye be a smart lass. You'll go far. Aye I can see it. " Madge continued to chuckle. " Nothin' gets by ye. "
" I'm just curious. " Sakura whispered her energy almost spent.
" Aye I can see that. I wouldn't know who he be a workin' for. I've heard a few things now and then, but nothin' that I would be understandin'. Like I said, I've been in here too long now to know what be happenin' out there. My time will soon be over and hopefully if I've suffered enough to be granted freedom from the boss upstairs. Hee hee. " she chuckled.
" What do ye, " she paused to correct herself. " you mean that you're time will be up soon? " Sakura asked.
" What do ye think it means? " she asked chuckling slightly.
" Oh no! " Sakura sat up straighter, tears filling her eyes. " No, you can't mean that. "
" Ah lass, don't shred tears for me. I have no family left to do that so don't ye cry. "
" But - "
" Don't ye cry fer me. " she snapped. " I will not miss this cell or ye so do not waste strength on me. "
" I don't care what you say. " Sakura said into the darkness. " I do care and I will do what I like. You can't stop me. If I wish to cry for you then so be it. "
There was silence so long, that Sakura thought that she had put her foot in her mouth and ruined everything. But then suddenly she spoke once more.
" Yerl go far lass. I don't need eyes to see that. Such empathy will get ye into trouble more than once I be bettin', but I'm guessin' that it'll get ye out of trouble more times than not as well. I see a bright aura around ye my gurl, it shines in the darkness with such intensity that it lights the way for lost souls and promises warmth and love. "
" I don't think that's possible. " Sakura whispered. " I'm nothing special. Perhaps maybe in the future I might do something great, but for now I'm just and ordinary girl who is about to be hanged none-the-less. "
" That may be. " Madge replied. " We'll see what will be. " Sakura listened as she shuffled away and sighed.
" What am I going to do? " she whispered into the darkness. " Father, I can't see myself getting out of this one. "
The young woman knew that the time for the hanging was getting closer as the people started to gather like vultures around a dying prey in the square. She was trying to come up with a plan that might get the girl out of the danger she had placed her in, but so far, she couldn't find a thing to use to help.
A commotion brought her and the wolf to a dead halt when the crowd started cheering and cursing at the same time. The soldiers were hauling someone out of the cart that had come to stop near by. The hackles rose on the back of the wolf's back when he recognized his charge. The young woman beside him watched him curiously. She had never seen anything like this before. Then again, she reprimanded herself lightly; she had never hung around with a wolf before either.
They watched as the soldiers lifted the struggling girl onto the platform and push her over to the rope that hung from the beam above her. The young woman looked around frantically and knew that time had run out. She needed to act now. She listened as one of the soldiers's stepped forward and started reading out her crime as another two soldiers helped place the noose around her neck. Her dark eyes took in everything around her. She noticed the crates and a plan came to mind.
" Right. " she breathed deeply catching the wolf's attention. " We need a distraction - a real big one. "
Was it her imagination or did the wolf just nod?
The soldier stepped back as he finished reading out her crime and motioned for the hangman to prepare himself. Just then a man stepped up and the people murmured among themselves as he walked towards the girl. The young woman watched, dressed in red, her eyes growing darker as she placed her hands on someone's unsuspecting horse's reins. She watched, her red scarf and veil blowing in the slight breeze, as the man stood in front of the girl and appeared to be talking to her. She had no idea what was going on and it seemed neither did any of the crowd or the soldiers themselves as they all murmured among themselves. Yet no one made any move to stop him.
She blinked and her gaze fell on the horse as she softly maneuvered it away from the stall where it had been tied.
Meanwhile….
" ...I was fascinated with your little speech in the dungeons beforehand. So philosophical for one that seems so young. You have this otherworldly presence surrounding you that I am deeply intrigued by it. So intrigued in fact I have a proposition for you. "
Sakura stared at the tall man in front of her and wondered who this man was. She was finding it hard to concentrate on what he was saying when she had a rope around her neck. He seemed to know this for he grabbed her face with his hand and made her look at him.
" I have a lot of connections and I can get you out of this predicament if you agree to one little condition. "
A shadow of interest flickered in her emerald gaze and he smirked.
" You have the most fascinating eyes I have ever seen. If you come with me I will indeed have a rare treasure. "
" What are you saying?" she asked confused. The crowd was getting impatient and they started to get louder.
" I will remove this noose personally from around your neck if you agree to belong to me. I will give you clothes, shelter, a place in high rank and a warm place in my bed every night. " he said smirking.
Sakura recoiled from him as far as she could go. " That is the most - " she choked on her words, the dryness in her throat almost unbearable.
" Wonderful idea that you have heard? " he asked arrogantly. " Perhaps you do not understand your situation to its full extent. " he reached out and grabbed the rope around her throat and pulled it tighter until she cried out in pain.
" I am offering you a chance of a life time. With me you can feel free, look to the sun, the moon, the stars any time you wish. Feel the wind blowing across your skin - " he traced his finger down her cheek.
" W-wh-who - " she gasped.
" Who am I?" he smirked. He looked deep into her eyes. " I am your salvation. " he whispered.
" And you know it."
Her eyes lit from the shadows and he knew he had her.
" Let me hear you say it. " he demanded. " Tell me you want me to take you away from here. Let me save you. "
Her emerald eyes filled with tears and he smirked in satisfaction. He had her. She closed her eyes and bowed her head in defeat. At least if she were to live with this mysterious man with the cold eyes and dark heart she could still live and perhaps one day she would escape. The crowd was gathering in volume and the soldiers were starting to get restless.
" Take m - " she began and his eyes lit with triumph.
Suddenly there was a growl and then the scream of a panicked horse. Then to everyone's horror, several large crates went flying into the air into smithereens to rain down upon them. Vegetables and fruit were ruined as they hit the people and the ground.
It was all the chance she needed and she wasn't fool enough to miss it. Sakura glared at the man before her and used her reserve of strength to push him away from her. He cried out as he tripped and fell backwards. Sakura whipped the rope from around her neck and bolted. She jumped from the platform with her hands still tied behind her back and landed into chaos. Two of the soldiers, who weren't trying to calm the crowd, tried to snag her, but there were too many people between them to get to her.
Sakura ducked and scooted between people as she panicked and tried to get to safety. Her legs were starting to fail her and she knew that if she wanted to survive this nightmare she was going to have to push herself harder than she ever had before. She had endured the hot sun, the long days and other trials when she had been with her father on excavations, so she could manage this as well.
The young veiled woman spotted the girl running and started after her. She had no idea where the wolf had gone but she couldn't worry about that right now. She caught up with the girl and grabbed her arm startling her. Tired, panicked emerald eyes looked up and met her gaze. Her eyes hardened and her face turned angry.
" You - ! "
" Not now. " the other girl shouted above the chaos. " Follow me! "
Sakura had no other choice but to follow after the strange girl. It was either follow or be dragged after her. They ducked around corners and stalls and still they continued to run. When Sakura thought she was going to faint from suffocation, the strange girl hauled her up some crumbling steps and into a small, dark room.
Sakura collapsed on the ground and tried to catch her breath while the strange girl went to the small window and looked out. Below you could still hear the shouts of the crowd and the call of the soldiers as they tried to find her. She listened and watched a while, while Sakura tried to regain her strength.
" I think they were too busy trying to calm the crowd for us to be followed. Hopefully we're safe for the time being. We were very lucky. " she said turning her head, the veil fluttering around her. " I didn't think that plan was going to work. "
Sakura clenched her hands and tried to stand on her feet. She wobbled precariously, so she leant onto the crumbling wall. She shot the woman a glare that could cut through glass.
" What the hell do you think you are doing? " she spat. " First you get me locked up for something that YOU stole and now you're rescuing me from certain death! What kind of person are you? "
The young woman's dark eyes watched her for a moment and then she sighed and turned around fully to look at her. " I'm sorry for what has happened. " she began. " I never should have let you take the fall for my selfish ways. I was taught better than that. I guess I must have forgot that when I did what I did. "
" And you think that makes it all better? " Sakura demanded. " You think that being thrown into a dungeon for a crime that you know I didn't commit and nearly being hanged for it makes it all better because you saved me? "
The young woman bowed her head and sighed. " You need to save your strength. " she suddenly said. " I'll make up a pallet for you and get some food for you. "
" I don't want anything from you. " Sakura replied. " For all I know this is a trap and you'll either kill me or do something more sinister. "
" Are you always this rational?" she asked with a small smirk behind the veil. Sakura just glared at her.
" You won't get out of this with that attitude. " the woman said. " Like it or not, I'm the only one standing between them and you. I can help you but only if you can see past your mistrust for me. I know what I did was wrong and here I am to make up for it. You can take it or leave it. It's your call. "
Sakura stared at her for a moment and then sighed. What the heck? If push came to shove, she could get herself out of a tricky situation. Being an orphan and growing up with all sorts of people had taught her many things. Being adopted had taught her that no matter what there was always hope and where there was a will there was a way.
Being somewhat timid and not all that outgoing, Sakura knew that she could do anything if she put her mind to it. Sure she got along with heaps of people and had friends, but that didn't mean that she could face all the troubles that were surely to come.
" All right, but I'm watching you. " she said punctuating what she said with a stern glare.
The young woman nodded and bowed her head in acceptance. Sakura turned away to look around the room and felt the world tilt. She heard someone call out before she felt herself fall into darkness.
Meanwhile…..
The wolf leaped over the crates and changed direction. People were screaming and running everywhere. Soldiers had tried to capture him on several occasions but he had been too quick for them. He had been captured once before and he was not going to let it happen ever again.
He ran towards the soldiers' encampment and ducked inside a tent. He slunk under a table and tried to calm his breathing. He inched forward just enough that the light from the lamp burning across the room lit up his amber eyes. A man was pacing back and forth across the small room playing with a small bag in his hands.
He stopped pacing when the tent flap was brushed aside and a soldier walked in.
" Well? " the man snapped.
" My lord - "
" Have you found and secured the girl Gavin? "
" Lord Draven, " Gavin bowed and looked unhappy about the whole situation. " I have my best men out there looking-"
" So in other words you have not found her yet? "
" No my lord. "
" I want her found. "
" I understand. I - "
" Silence. " Draven walked away from him and stood where the light from outside bathed him in light.
The wolf struggled not to growl low in his throat when he saw the traitor. Draven was a relatively tall man in his early thirties. He had light brown hair that was secured at the nape of his neck with a tie. He wore emaculate clothing that rivaled the once, famous royal family and had all the manners of a snake. He had dark blue eyes and a cruel inclination for the world in general. He wanted it all and he didn't care who he had to kill to get it.
" I want her found Gavin. No excuses. " his gaze pinned the soldier in place. " I saw her green eyes Captain. They put the biggest emerald to shame. Her skin is soft, softer than any rose petal and her mouth - " he smirked.
" I want her found and brought to me at once. I want her where I can have her any time I wish. She will be the perfect queen for me. With her by my side I will have the means to secure the people under my control. "
" Yes sir. I'll send more men out at once. " Gavin bowed and then left.
The wolf snarled quietly watching the traitor. How easy it would be to take him by surprise and then to close his teeth around his throat - the desire for revenge rose so quickly and with such forced that he found himself out from under the table before he checked himself. He pushed the bloodlust back beneath the surface and quickly backed under the table.
" Soon I will have another rare treasure. " Draven smirked as he removed the Star Ruby from the pouch he held.
The gem seemed to glow in the semi darkness as Draven held it up for inspection.
" With the girl in my care, I'll have you shaped and melded for a perfect torque to go around her pretty, little neck. " he laughed harshly before placing the jewel back in the pouch and then in the draw of his desk.
The wolf waited until he was sure no one was about, before he came out from his hiding place and pulled the draw open with his teeth.
Soldiers called out and jumped back startled as the huge wolf leapt out of the tent carrying something in its mouth. They watched it run away and didn't bother to give chase. It had probably just caught a rabbit and had just used a shortcut to get into the fields nearby.
Little did they know what the wolf had really held in its jaw. . . .
Dirt flew in the air as he dug deeper and deeper. The small pouch containing the special treasure was still clasped tightly in his mouth. He'd selected this tree, not because it was the tallest one in the forest, but because his instincts had told him that this was the place to bury it. He paused in his furious dig to sniff the air and make sure that he was entirely alone.
The forest was quiet, so he went back to the task at hand. When he had dug down several feet, he dropped the pouch into the hole and then started to cover the hole. He scattered leaves and dried wood like he'd been taught and looked at his work critically. Satisfied that no one would know that something lay here, he turned and ran back through the forest. Although the young woman had gone back and rescued the girl, he didn't know how far he could trust her.
He ploughed through bushes and ran passed trees as he headed back towards the village. He had to find them. He had to find her.
The forest was still after he had disappeared. The birds started to sing again and animals emerged from their hiding spots. The sunlight drifted through the gaps of the trees as the breeze stirred the leaves.
In the shadows a figure shifted. It knelt down and swept the leaves and twigs aside and started digging.
A Few Days Later
The room spun and she groaned as she came to. She heard someone whispering softly as a cold cloth was dragged across her forehead. She blinked and a young woman with long, black hair came into view. She struggled to sit up and was promptly pushed back down.
" You are not strong enough to get up yet. Lay down. "
" Who are you? " Sakura whispered. The young woman blinked at her confused. She pressed her hand on her forehead.
" You don't seem to have a fever. " Sakura pushed her hand away.
" Who are you and what happened to that other girl? The one with the red veil? "
The confusion left the girl's face and she smiled. It lit up her features and Sakura saw how beautiful she was. " I'm the same girl. " she replied. " I've just removed my veil that's all. I realized when you collapsed that we haven't been properly introduced. Now that you are awake I can introduce myself. My name is Meilin. "
Sakura blinked and then stared at her stupidly.
" And your name is? " Meilin prompted.
" Sakura. Sakura Kinomoto. " she replied.
" What an interesting name. " Meilin said watching her carefully. " With a name like that I'd think that you belonged to a family of privilege. "
" What? " Sakura frowned. Her head was still a little dizzy. " What are you blathering about? "
The young woman named Meilin laughed and shook her head in amusement. " Perhaps not after all. I highly doubt that anyone that talked that way would be from a family of high station. "
" Ok, whatever you say. " Sakura said shaking her head as she laid back down.
" I'm not going to argue with you. "
" Good, because I doubt that you would be able to win against me either way. " she laughed amused.
As her head cleared a little, she glanced around the room and took in her surroundings. It was dark as she remembered, drafty and small. The girl whose name was Meilin had laid her down in front of the small fireplace, a blanket covering her. Meilin had turned away to fix something for her to eat. She turned around and handed her the small bowl.
" Here, eat this. You'll need your strength if we're going to get out of here. "
" What? " Sakura asked as she sat up and took the offered food. " Where are we going? "
" We're getting away from here. Thought I might as well go with you for a while. I'm a wanted criminal now as well, don't forget. "
" How could I forget something as important as that? " Sakura asked sarcastically remembering all the trouble that she had gone through.
" You'll be wanted now too, you know. Once someone is sentenced to death they don't usually get out of it. "
" Thank you for reminding me. " Sakura shot her a heated look. " If it hadn't been for you I wouldn't be in this situation. "
" I got you out of the worst of it didn't I? " Meilin asked arching her brow. " Not all the blame is on me you know. You shouldn't have stepped in front of me in the first place. "
" What? " Sakura choked, shooting her a disbelieving look. " I was an innocent bystander. You shouldn't have done what you did in the first place to get those guards chasing you. "
" You don't know what it was like to be trapped in that place. " Meilin shot back angrily. " You have no idea how I was treated, what I was expected to do. I wanted freedom and now I have it. "
" You call freedom being on the run for the rest of your life? " Sakura shot back.
" Well at least it's freedom. "
" But now you're a wanted criminal because you stole something that you shouldn't have. "
" Well they should have known better than to mess with me! " Meilin snapped.
" But now because of your actions, other people have become involved and were nearly hurt. Can your conscience handle the fact that other people such as myself could be hurt because you decided that there could be no other way? "
Meilin stared at her in silence. Who was this strange girl? She had watched her when she had passed out. She had laid her down, looked after her and fed her for two days. She had committed her features to memory as she had been taught to do with all the people she met. At first glance this girl didn't seem the type to be able to stand up to someone such as herself. But here this girl - Sakura she remembered - was sitting there with fire in her amazing green eyes as she argued back with her.
" You know, you're not what you appear to be on the first glance. " Meilin stated. " I took you for a mouse. "
" I don't have big ears and whiskers. " Sakura replied frowning. Meilin rolled her eyes at her stupidity.
" Not in the physical sense idiot. "
" Oh. "
" I know that they would have offered you time in the dungeon instead of being hung, but you chose to hang. That takes guts, a lot of guts. For that I have to admire you. That's why I've decided that you are not all that you seem little mouse. "
" How do you know that they offered me a place in that horrible cell? " Sakura asked. Meilin smirked.
" You're not the only one that's been inside. "
" What? " Sakura gasped. " How'd you get out? "
" The way I usually do. " Meilin replied. Sakura waited for her to continue but she remained silent.
" Umm - " Sakura began.
" We leave tonight. " Meilin said suddenly as she stood. " There are clothes over there for you to wear over in the corner. If you want to wash I brought some water up. " she indicated to a bowl of water nearby. " I'll be back soon."
" Wait! Where are you going? "
" I'm going to get some food for our journey. Don't worry little mouse, I'll be back. "
" And if you don't come back? " Sakura asked timidly as Meilin put on her veil.
Meilin turned around and met her gaze. She was - Sakura realized - very beautiful. She smirked before she replied. " It's nice to know that I would be missed. " she stepped into the darkened doorway. " If I don't come back then run. "
Sakura listened to her footsteps echo down the stairs, her own heart beating wildly with the fear of the unknown ahead of her.
" Run away and never come back. . . . "
TBC