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Chapter Four: Protecting one another
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The smell of burning flesh grew stronger as they entered a marshy area. Crows flying in swarms over the area as well as one or two voltures. Smoke from the village up ahead colored the sky a light pink and gray, trying to go with the setting sun. Sakura's heart thumped in her chest as they drew closer to the still burning place. It was reminding her too much of her past. Of what happened to her kingdom. As they drew closer, she could make out dead bodies lying against buildings and the haystacks. Few with arrows and axes in their chests or backs to show them of their death. Chickens scurried from one place to the other, not really knowing what was going on. The dark mare came to a halt, suddenly going backwards and rearing its head up. Syaoran tried controlling it, clicking his tongue and making soothing noises but the horse continued to walk backwards, its eyes wide.
"Let's just walk from here." Sakura suggested, hanging on. She felt Syaoran's arms lean sideways, steering the horse to a post. It did as commanded but it did it stubbornly. Syaoran began sliding from the horses back as it came to a steady stop. Grabbing the reins he twisted it into a knot before helping Sakura down. She landed on her feet and instantly walked forward. He frowned.
"Are you going to keep ignoring me until you forget about it?" he asked, following closely behind. She stepped over a broken wooden gate into the town. Li's gaze went to the flames engulfing parts of the buildings, causing it to become bigger as the haystacks caught and more buildings joined. It was like one big bonfire.
"I don't even remember why I was ignoring you." Sakura exclaimed, poking her head into a building before walking ahead once again. Syaoran sweat dropped, wondering if she was serious. He watched her walk and peer into buildings. "Go around that way and see if anyone's there. I'll go this way." without even pointing she walked off, disappearing behind a building. Yep, she's still mad. Syaoran sighed and did as told.
An odd smile was plastered on the thief's face as she walked around. She knew what was going through the knight's mind. Of course she was still mad, even though it really was a mistake on her part. Putting that out of her mind, she cautiously walked down the narrow passage of two buildings. Already she'd counted a few dead animals and lots of families dead within their homes some outside. It was a bloodbath. What ever ticked off the bandits, they got their revenge. No regular raid did this much damage to a village. She walked on, her eyes scanning the premises. Her insides turned at the disgusting smell and her skin grew thick and hot from the passing fires. What the hell happened here? She wondered as she stepped over a casket and walked into a small clearing.
"Boo," Syaoran jumped out, causing Sakura to scream at the top of her lungs. A random goat baaed and run from the house he was near making him stare at it before grinning at his achievement of scaring the thief princess. He'd noticed her go through the narrow passage and followed, not at all finding anything on his side of the village. Of course, except for the dead.
"That was so not funny." Sakura breathed, gripping at her chest as her heart threatened to pop out. Syaoran smirked, standing up more fully from the smoking stacks.
"Hey lighten up; you've been a little edgy since we got here. What's the deal?" he asked her, standing in her way of going forward. She huffed slightly, a brow arched before turning on her heal and walking in the opposite direction. "Don't ignore me." He went after her.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She sarcastically remarked.
"Actually yes I would." He told her. She looked back at him once before continuing walking away from him. Stopping in his tracks, he stared at her retreating back, smirking disappearing into a frown. She was seriously edgy and he knew it wasn't from her grudge against him seeing her in the river yesterday. Something else was up. Going after Sakura again, Syaoran was inches from grabbing hold her wrist and demanding answers when movement caught his attention mid way and he stopped, searching the area. Sakura once again moving from reach.
Sakura heard his footsteps retreat and stop making her sigh. He seriously was one to bug until an answer came out. Which meant she was eventually going to have to tell him. Unless she could make him forget about it. Not stopping her walk, she continued to go forward and watch her surroundings. So far there was nothing but dead bodies and half alive people that would die even with their help of healing them. She felt a pang of sadness as she passed fire by fire, smelling the flesh of humans. It put a disgusting taste in her mouth even if she breathed through it instead of her nose. Going over a fallen crate of bruised fruit, she was just about to peer into another building but stopped. Syaoran wasn't close to her anymore and a foul stench was stronger then the dead bodies around. Frowning she looked in the direction of the knight and saw him looking around, eyes sharp.
"What? You've given up on trying to figure me out? You were so close." She taunted out of habit. He just turned his gaze on her before bolting forward in a flash.
"SAKURA!" he yelled. Sakura turned around just in time to miss the swinging sword of a half dead bandit.
Eriol looked down at the small bundle in front of him. Lyri. She had finally fallen asleep, mumbling incoherent things. Her long tangled black hair was strewn over his arms and her body, like a makeshift blanket. He shifted his arm slightly, causing the child to loll sideways, her head falling. Cursing he stopped the horse quickly and caught her before she fell off completely. She made a weird whinny noise before curling her arms around his outstretched one. Frowning at her new state of rest, he lifted her up slightly so both her legs were on one side. He then, with all his might fixed her head so it was resting against his stomach comfortably. The way she was now, he couldn't help but laugh. At least she was a little more comfortable then the way she was before, her head lolling around.
But there was one thing he hated about saddles, it only fit one person but she was small enough to fit with him. Kicking the horse into a slow walk, he kept his gray eyes fixed on her bouncing figure. She wasn't tall enough to actually reach his chest; otherwise it would be a lot easier to ride with her sleeping against his arm while reining the horse in a steady trot. For some reason he thought of his love in Avalon. Tomoyo. Lyri would be the exact replica of her, only smaller and teal eyes. That made the knight smile. Tomoyo would love to meet Lyri. In the corner of his eye he saw movement and he looked sideways, eyes narrowing. Lyri mumbled stupid bastard and he chuckled. He had heard her use that yesterday after he got his leg burned to a crisp practically. The movement came again and he followed it, heart beating faster.
Amongst the large trees and brush half jogging and hiding were two figures. One of them, wearing nothing but a loincloth to cover the lower area and the other was wearing a top piece and loin clothed skirt. What they shared in common was the color of their skin. Red. Eriol sighed, knowing they were Nartake's people. The warrior girl made one nodding movement with her head and Eriol returned the jester, before turning his gaze back to the road and ignoring them. They bugged him, especially after what Nartake done to his leg. Though it was healing and quickly. He knew they were following to make sure they get out safely but he couldn't help but absently wonder if Syaoran and Sakura were doing all right.
"Sakura!" Syaoran yelled. Sakura turned around just in time to miss the swinging sword of a half dead bandit. The low sun glinting off the rather dull blade and coming down fast. She ducked and moved, going to his other side. The guy came again, the blood sliding down his half scorched face and getting all over her. Catching his heavy wrist Sakura did all she could to stop it. Using his other hand, he pushed down on the sword making her knees weak and collapse on her.
"Shit," she fell to the ground, her hands still around the guys arm. She wasn't about to let go and have the blade slice her in half. The guy's face contorted oddly as he used the rest of his strength to get his blade down. Sakura screamed, feeling her muscles begin to give out as he continued downwards. He was too strong for her. Coming up with an idea the second she felt one of her arms begin to shake violently, she brought her foot up and jammed it into his middle making him gasp for breath as she rolled away. The sword hit the ground, digging half way through.
"Sakura are you alright?" Syaoran asked concerned, helping the thief up. She was breathing hard as she stared wide-eyed at the in pain man. She got him pretty hard. Placing a hand on her throat she swallowed. Feeling a lump forming. "Sakura?" he was becoming concerned now.
"That bloody bastard would have killed me." without another word she grabbed for the sheathed sword from Syaoran's belt and charged, bringing the long blade out. The bandit looked sideways in her direction before blocking her blow. His arm was sideways since it was a side attack, but he was still strong enough to hold her off as he straightened up. Moving to face her equally. "Bastard…trying to kill me." she got out through clenched teeth. Using what little strength she had.
"Never fought a little girl before…but it's not the first time I killed one." at that comment she brought the sword out and under, going for his middle with the blade. He made to dodge and block it but she was too fast. Twisting her wrist, she went down getting the bandit across the chest but not enough to damage him for good. A weird laugh left his throat as he blocked her second attack. "Not bad for one either."
"Shut up you…filthy asshole!" she undercut him, bringing the sword out and in before using her free hand and socking him across the jaw. He staggered backwards from the blow but recovered quickly. The blood seeping through a cut on his face came out more and he wiped it away, not at all wincing from the pain. Sakura's eyes went wide but she controlled herself as he came forward, slicing through her barriers.
"Not so tough now." He breathed into her face as he used all his weight to bring her down. The foul stench made her dizzy but she held herself. The two swords slivered together before he took hold of her hilt. Strong fingers went around hers, cracking them to the point of pain. She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from crying out. His face twisted into a sneer as he removed the sword from her grasp and tossed it away, bringing his own down hard. She dodged it but ended up tripping over her skirt.
Skillfully she back flipped, kicking the guy in the face before landing on her feet in a running position. Her breathing became ruptured and she started coughing. A rough feeling in the pit of her stomach. Syaoran placed a hand on the small of her back as she wheezed, having no idea why she was coughing so suddenly. And it was painful. A burning feeling going through her lungs as she coughed harshly. The guy seemed to smirk as he approached. Watching the two. Placing an arm in front of the coughing girl, Syaoran stepped up. The guy seemed to laugh as he stopped arms length away. Bringing his sword up and around he pointed it at Syaoran and Sakura.
"You have no weapon, nothing to defeat me with." he took a step and swung, the blade sweeping down quickly. Syaoran dodged it, dipping low and coming up like a football player smashing his whole side into the bandit's gut. The two stumbled back but didn't fall. The bandit grabbed hold of Syaoran and pushed him back, swinging his blade across to get Syaoran. He ducked and came up quick, his arm flying.
"Nice try bub." Syaoran punched him across the face, his knuckles cracking in two different places. Swearing loudly he missed the counter attack as the sword came forward. He tried his best to dodge it but the blade sliced through his arm. "Bloody hell," gripping his wounded arm he kicked the guy away like a child and plopped down onto the ground. Nursing his wound absently.
"Weakling are you?" the bandit spoke getting a growl from Syaoran as he continued to nurse his bleeding arm. The dark blood was coming out fast and a lot. Seeing the predicament the knight was in now, the bandit laughed and grinned. He made to attack again but froze in mid stride. Weapon dropping from his dirty grasp. "…Damn woman." He went forward in a heap, making dust fly up at the impact. Syaoran stared at it before looking at Sakura who was breathing hard and holding a broken sword covered in blood. She dropped it, letting the medal fall near her feet.
"Are you alright?" Sakura asked, kneeling besides Syaoran. He nodded his head though his teeth were clenched. A minor wound and yet it was stinging with agonizing pain. Tsking, she ripped a bit of her skirt up and began wrapping it around his arm. Syaoran stared into her eyes as she concentrated on her work. She was so worried. Her face…eyes were so pained. Without meaning to he leaned forward and cupped her cheek, kissing her lips lightly. Sakura froze, and stared at him as he pulled back. Both faces were crimson from blushing madly.
"Thank you," her blush went deeper and she cleared her throat, standing on her feet. Syaoran did the same and watched her.
"…uh we should…get going." she spoke softly, her eyes going around the area. Anywhere but him. It lingered on the dead bandit next to them before going to Syaoran reluctantly. He was still staring at her, his gaze stony as ever. "And you're welcome." She said this with more confidence before taking his hand and dragging him to the still restless horse away from the village.
The cold wind blew around, sending a few leaves off the trees. Branches scratched on one another while squirrels and other tree animals moved positions, trying to get warm and migrating to their homes. It was peaceful within the dark forest, the half moon glowing downwards, except for the few prowlers watching over something. Harmless prowlers of course. Underneath a large willow tree, a knight occupied the hollow of it. He had his eyes closed as the wind blew his blue hair into his face. His sheathed weapon was rested neatly on his stomach, the hilt against his collarbone. Chest went up and down in sleep, and very few would know he wasn't sleeping at all. That few were sitting on the ground, doing doodles into a clear patch of soft dirt. Passing up time as the knight rested.
"Earl, Lyri hungry." Lyri spoke, making a swirl with her finger. The resting knight opened one eye before closing it slowly. It was the third time she'd said that in an hour. And he's told her the same thing each time.
"Let's wait a few to see if Syaoran and Sakura return then we'll have dinner." He spoke and the small child nodded, making another swirl in the dirt. There was silence once again and he sighed, opening his eyes fully to sit up. "Go gather near by sticks and we'll start camp." Instantly the young child bounced up, running around to gather as many sticks as she could hold that were in his sight.
Eriol limped over to the horse, taking the pack off for food and supplies. The black mare huffed and he patted its back, mumbling sweet coos to it. For some reason the horse had been restless for a while since they stopped, forcing the knight to tie the horse up to a tree. Pulling out a fresh apple he handed it to the beast before taking the bread and water over to the pile of sticks Lyri dropped onto the ground. He smiled at her as she sat crossed leg to begin digging a hole. Sakura's taught her lots. Speaking, first aid, even camping. He sat down as well, extending his bad leg out as he began sorting the sticks into a makeshift fire stack. He wasn't at all fit to be doing anything like this, but since Lyri was too young and the other two were out, he was forced to. His leg was complaining.
"All done," Lyri got back to her feet, picking up the pile of sticks and lightly placing them into her hole. "Sakie back with Zighrin?" she asked, not at all looking up to meet Eriol's watching gaze.
"Possibly tonight or tomorrow." He exclaimed, striking the rock a good few times. A spark ignited before a small fire started. The second the fire was big enough to warm them up a light drizzle of rain started. Lyri squeaked in surprise as she felt the drops land on her. Looking up into the dark sky, Eriol swore. Drop after drop of water came down harder with each passing second. Shadow reared and made noises before landing perfectly still in one position. A rustle in the near by bushes caught their attention and Eriol brought up his weapon in a flash, holding his arm out to Lyri who went to it.
"Makär y æ," (Stop) a female wearing a short cloth as a skirt and a top that covered what it needed stepped out, holding her red arms up. Her whole entire body was painted red and her face had two black lines of paint across her cheeks. "I from Nartake's clan…" she spoke softly, trying her best at his language. Her damp black hair was tied in a weird high tail on her head. Eriol slowly lowered the weapon as he studied the female through the darkness and rain.
"What is that you want?" he asked, getting to his feet with much difficulty. Lyri moved slightly, waiting until he was up and standing completely before wrapping trembling arms around his good leg, peeking at the female. Her teal eyes were staring from one weapon to the other before staring up at Eriol. He was also looking at the hanging blades around the female's waist and the longbow and arrows slung over her back.
"Rain become storm and two need safe. Nartake likes the young cherry blossom and her flower child so he wishes for me and Mäjel to watch." Eriol watched her point off into the distance before extending her arm out to them. "Yùelui, (please) follow to the mountains where you be safe." Lyri ran over to her instantly and Eriol frowned. As much as he was grateful for what they've done so far, he still didn't trust them.
"Alright," gathering the stuff he went over to the horse and packed it loosely. Lyri and the woman watched silently before he got on and followed. The female warrior looked at his leg before nodding and walking off, taking Lyri in her arms like she were hers.
The horse suddenly became restless, almost knocking down its two riders. One of them began making clucking noises, holding onto the reins tightly and controlling it from going off in the wrong direction. They were long from the village of rotting corpses and half dead bandits and they weren't exactly in the dark forests. The horse kicked forward, standing on its two back legs. Swearing deeply the back rider fell while the front rider held onto the neck with all her strength. The impact of the ground was painful, making him swear deeply grasping his arm as it stung from the rain and the shooting pain traveling through it. Looking down briefly she released the horse's neck, sliding off to his side. In seconds the horse took off at a gallop, disappearing within the forest.
"Damn it," Syaoran got out through fits of pain his arm was sending him. Sakura got to her feet, brushing off dust from her body. An arched brow went in the direction the dark brown mare went before going to Syaoran who was holding onto his injured arm. A dark stain had seeped through her black skirt fabric she used as a bandage. Odd. But it was true.
"I wonder what that was about." She spoke, going to his side. Taking his hand she removed it from his arm and examined his wound. It was slowly stopping of blood flow, but it would turn into something like Eriol's if they didn't get it treated properly. Well, except for the poison part. Just as she opened her mouth to speak a loud thunderclap resounded in the air. "Never mind," rain poured, getting everything in its wake soaked.
"Come on," he pointed off into the distance. Near the trenches that the knights use during battle were a few huts. Sad looking huts, but they were built for shelter against anything. Possibly for the injured or it was an abandoned home. Either way, the two made a run for it, splashing in the mud puddles that formed and hoping over broken planks. Once inside one of the huts Sakura began laughing, ringing her hair out.
"What's so funny?" she looked over at the drenched knight, her laughter dispersing to giggles. She shook her head, releasing her hair and going for her skirt. By now a puddle of water was around her feet from dripping. He narrowed his eyes at her, watching her closely. She was giggling still at whatever it was she found funny. Suddenly smirking, Syaoran quickly held his hand out to her. "Sakura…don't move." She froze when he said that, her eyes slightly wide. He was completely serious now.
"What? What?" she asked urgently. His own eyes went wide as he approached her, his good arm extending out. "Syao what…" she was freaking out now.
"Just don't move so I can get it." he spoke through clenched teeth. She stopped all functions, even held her breath as he reached the side of her face. He stepped a little closer to her so he was inches away. "Don't…" using his thumb and middle finger he slid them together, creating a weird noise in her ear. Sakura shrieked her arms going up to her face in defense of whatever it was.
"What the hell was that?" she ordered him. He laughed, revealing nothing in his hands. Frustrated she hit him, hard. He howled in pain when her slap made contact with his wound. "That's what you get. Tricking me like that…bastard." She mumbled under her breath. He grinned, though he was still in pain.
"You deserved it as well." She stared at him in mock hurt before narrowing her eyes. "Admit it, you were asking to be scared like that." he rubbed the bottom of his wound, just watching her huff and pout with narrowed emerald eyes that suddenly became very wide. He wasn't going to fall for it. It was way to obvious.
The female warrior that led them to a cave left, leaving a male warrior in charge of looking over Eriol and Lyri. The rain had begun to come down hard; a few lightening strikes flashing and lighting up the sky. Revealing only that it was darker then usual. One look outside and they'd have thought they were behind a waterfall because the rain was coming straight down and fast. Leaving no survivors. The injured knight was leaning against the cold wall, his leg extended out. He was staring at the outside, his thoughts all on Syaoran and Sakura. Weather like this never went well when one was separated from companions, which got him to worry about the truth behind it all. Toboe and May's little tale of his burned up village from a raid. A rather violent shake came from the bundle lying next to him. He looked at Lyri, wondering if she was cold. She did have the warrior's fur wrap on as well as a blanket.
When she started turning her head and violently shaking he knew something was up. She had been fine a while ago when she fell asleep. "Lyri, Lyri what's wrong?" Eriol asked placing a hand on the small child's shivering form. She was sleeping but her body temperature was burning and her mouth was moving as incoherent words left. Eriol shifted slightly as he tried to wake her up once again. "Lyri,"
"Makär y æ," Lyri mumbled her arm stretching outwards for something. Fingers acting like they were clasping around an object. Just as it began she let her arm drop to her side and she became lifeless as ever. The only sign that she was still alive was the shaky rise and fall of her small chest. Eriol stared down at her, wondering what was up as well as how she begun to learn the language that Sakura and the red people spoke. He hadn't known Sakura was teaching her it. In fact he knew she wasn't teaching her it.
"She speaks language we speak. But…that one not know it, does she?" Eriol turned his head over to the male warrior. Even from the glow of the dark night he could easily make out the redness of his body. Almost like he was bleeding externally forever. "The flower child having a native nightmare comes when ones life is at stake. Ones life that she loves dearly."
"And that would mean…?" Eriol was having trouble understanding his twisted talking. He did have some clue, but they way he continued to speak about it made him forget and get confuse. The warrior stood up from his position and crouched next to the child. His hand rested on the girl's stomach, pressing down slightly. Lyri seemed to freeze with time, her shivering ceasing and her violent convulses halting.
"Ami-yuë," (Speak) Lyri's body rose upwards before crashing back onto the hard cave ground. Eriol inched to get him away from her but stopped when Lyri's large eyes opened, dilated hues looking out from them.
"Harãt est par danÿule. Harãt cez de tâtere. Fenesia doiš harãt.'' (She's in danger. She needs us. Daughter needs her.) It was all figment words, but Eriol got the drift of it as well as the warrior. He released her stomach and sat back. Lyri went back to her old condition, this time more violently on her shivering. Her eyes remained open before they slowly closed on their own, signaling she was fast asleep again. Eriol looked outside, wondering where Sakura and Syaoran were.
"You deserved it as well." She stared at him in mock hurt before narrowing her eyes. "Admit it, you were asking to be scared like that." he rubbed the bottom of his wound, just watching her huff and pout with narrowed emerald eyes that suddenly became very wide. "Sakura?" he asked, not sure whether or not to take it as a payback joke of hers or not.
"Sorry but this huts occupied." She spoke in a sarcastic voice. Dry sarcastic voice. Syaoran stared at her funny before turning around. Standing at the doorway, drenched in water and blood was a very tall, very buffed man. Instantly Syaoran reached for his waist, but nothing was there. Confused he looked down to find that his sword wasn't hanging there. It was drying by the entrance, exactly next to the visitor. "I don't usually allow stalkers to occupy one with me."
"That will change my dear," he spoke with a rich accent. He looked at Syaoran then back at Sakura who was just standing there, eyes narrowed to mere slits.
"Is that right?" he seemed to smile at her tone of voice before charging forward, large axe ready for a kill. His target was Sakura but Syaoran was the first to dodge it. He moved out of the way, scrambling for his sword by the door. Sakura dropped to the ground as the axe came down on her and kicked, her foot meeting with the bandit's groin.
"Sakura!" Syaoran spoke when he didn't see the girl. She rolled to the side, revealing her self. Syaoran sighed with relief coming over to her with the sword in his good hand. The bandit recovered himself though he was leaning forward with the pain that still remained down below. Growling he swung aimlessly making the two break apart. "What did you do?"
"Just now to get him angry or for him to just attack us out of nowhere?" Sakura asked breathlessly getting to her feet. Syaoran stared at her wondering if she was responsible for both actions. It was possible. The bandit attacked him before he could even answer that. Bringing the sword between them, he stared blankly at the sharp blade of the axe inches from his face. "Syaoran!" the bandit grabbed his weapon with both hands and pushed down, trying to overcome the knight.
"Yeah a little help here!" Syaoran got out when he saw Sakura go across the room. She rolled her eyes, listening to him. Taking a deep breath she smashed her foot into the wall, making wood splinter out. Grabbing a chunk of it she yanked with all her strength. The splinters dug into her skin but she ignored as it she ran for Syaoran who was now on his knees trying his best to keep his sword steady in front of him. It was more difficult with one bad arm bleeding none stop and one good arm.
"Hey asswhip!" Sakura yelled. The bandit turned his head just as Sakura flung the sharp wood. It embedded itself into his arm, not deeply but it was there. Syaoran took that and used his bad arm to sock the bandit across the face, making him go backwards slightly. Free from the weapon Syaoran got to his feet and moved away, breathing hard.
"Clever girl," the bandit spoke with his heavy accent. He walked forward towards Syaoran, as if he was going to attack. Raising the axe the bandit continued to walk towards him. Preparing for the attack against him Syaoran was surprised to see the man make one big giant lunge forward in the attack but instead, tossed his weapon to the side. The axe spun in Sakura's direction before embedding itself into the wall behind her. "Look I missed," Sakura's eyes were wide as she stared at the man. She had felt it pass her, almost nicking skin…almost her head.
"I…you…" she hissed, still shocked. She jumped, trying to jump kick him in retaliation. But as she was in mid air he just swiped his arm, slamming her against the wall in the other direction. She hit the ground, sliding a few more feet before crashing to a stop.
"Sakura!" Syaoran attacked the bandit, his sword coming down in an arc. His sliced across his arm but no major damage came. The bandit turned to face Syaoran who just stared surprised out of his mind. He grabbed the knight's neck, bringing him off the ground. Syaoran held onto his sword and hacked down but he grabbed the blade before it touched his skin. His face began to turn red from the lack of air circulating and the large bandit just smirked, dangling him like fresh meat.
Sakura slowly opened her eyes, meeting with a blurry scene. Getting up on one arm she groaned at the stinging feeling. Her hair fell in her face, hiding most of what was happening but she could still roughly make out the large figure. His form not at all moving, but to her it looked like he was twirling. Stupid invincible bastard, she thought getting to her feet stiffly. A thin stream of blood trailed from one area towards her. Looking down at her body she saw where it was coming from. Her entire left side was blood from hitting the ground and sliding. Hissing at the stinging feeling she slowly approached them. But stopped. The axe was at a good distance away, away from view of the bandit. Syaoran stay alive a little longer.
Sakura, Syaoran yelled in his mind. Pulling the blade sideways, he tried his best to get it from the man's grasp. But it wasn't budging. The hand around his neck grew tighter and he gasped with pain, feeling bones cracking. Unless it was veins popping from the pressure. He wouldn't know until he was suddenly dead. Sakura you stupid brood wake up already! He shouted. Opening his eyes to gaze in her direction he found an empty spot. Confused he looked around but couldn't find her. Groaning he tried once more at the blade thing, only succeeding in getting it a little bit. The bandit's grasp around his neck loosened before it was gone completely. Syaoran fell to the ground, hacking away for air.
"What…" he looked up to see the bandit standing in one spot, eyes staring down at him. Like a feather he went forward from a simple blown air. Syaoran scurried backwards quickly just as the bandit smacked into the ground, lifeless. His own axe was embedded into his back, Sakura standing behind him. Syaoran looked up at her. "You know that's the second time." He spoke. She moved her wide emerald orbs to him.
"What's your point?" he arched a brow as she went to him, kneeling to the ground. "For a knight you're pretty weak. I think I've beaten you a couple times in sparing and saved your ass from simple bandits twice or was it three times now?" she poked him against the chest making him go back slightly. Retreating from the pain.
"What do you mean three times. It's been two." She arched a brow at his tone of voice before sitting back on her legs.
"Remember when we first met. My little…friends decided to attack us and you made the stupid mistake of wanting to kill one of them? I saved your ass from a beheaded death." He thought a moment before growling. It was true. He'd been saved by a mere girl three times so far as well as gotten his ass beaten by her in their sparing warm-ups.
"Fine…you win." She smiled, leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. As she pulled away he looked at her funny making her laugh, standing up. He got to his feet as well, with some small difficulty. "You know you amaze me sometimes." She quirked an eye pulling the axe from the bandit's back. She swung it this way and that, blood splattering of the blade.
"Really? How so?" she asked turning back to him. He was staring at the blade as she spun it around. Looking into her eyes he just stared.
"By doing things like that…how the hell are you a woman at the same time a fighter with more skills that a knight who's had training since he was bloody seven. Well in my case since I was old enough to run without falling?" she smirked, hearing a bit of jealousy in his voice but it wasn't completely. He was just amazed of her skills so was she.
"You could say I had some practice in swords when I was younger and…" before she could finish Syaoran fell to his knees. "Syaoran!" looking up she saw the bandit on his knees, pulling Syaoran's sword out from his back. Eyes wide she hissed madly. "Bloody bastard!" with the axe she flung it landing it against the bandit's chest. He once again froze before falling backwards.
"Sakura…" Syaoran gasped out, blood slipping from his mouth. She looked at him before grabbing the sword out of the bandits grasp. Tears and anger welled up within her gaze and she went down, slicing the bandit's head right off. Blood splattered everywhere but she ignored it. Ignored the disgusting sight as she let the sword fall as Syaoran said her name again, moving to go to her. Stabbing the sword into the guy's chest she went to Syaoran's side. She caught him before he went forward.
"Oh god…Syaoran." She breathed, letting tears fall from her eyes freely. Syaoran weakly wiped them away with his hand. She closed her eyes, moving with his touch. "It sucks because I just avenged your death but you're not dead yet." She tried joking. He laughed slightly before coughing. Looking at him she watched as he moved his hand to his side where the blade had gone through.
"It doesn't hurt as much as when Eriol almost hacked my arm off one time." Sakura arched a brow, mentally noting to yell at his blue haired friend. He laughed at the way her face contorted which made her laugh as well before silencing as he started to cough, more blood sliding from his wounds and mouth. "God blood taste disgusting."
"Well that's what you get for being so careless." He was about to comment on that when she pressed her lips to his, drawing away his breath. He felt her tears slid onto his face as she absently kissed him deeply and compassionately. Bringing her arm up he caressed her cheek as she pulled away, eyes glossy. "You're not going to die you stupid knight."
"How would you know?" she kissed him again, this time devouring him whole. Pulling away she chocked out a sob.
"Because you haven't had more then just kisses from me and I decided that the bastards of the underworld can't have you just yet." Her voice cracked and he felt his own tears welling up. Sakura moved away from him and he watched silently as she pulled off her tunic, revealing blood stained breast wraps. she ripped her shirt to shreds before going to him, wrapping it around his torso. "See…I'm not letting you die."
"Sakura…" she shook her head, the tears overcoming the best of her. He watched her as she worked silently to stopping his blood flow. A hand touched hers and both of them looked, seeing a female warrior painted in red.
"I help Cherry Blossom?" she asked. Sakura nodded slowly and the woman began ripping shreds from the cloak she was wearing. Sakura smiled weakly at Syaoran who just smiled back, allowing the two females to attack him with cloths. As long as he wasn't dying. She thought miserably.
The sky had cleared up as they left the cave. Eriol, wanting to be protective of Lyri had decided to carry her out of it. Even with his still out of commission leg. Her fever was still running hot, making her small body hot against him. But that was it. She stopped mumbling in the different language and she stopped moving around. Unless it was just the subconscious feel of being held. The warrior led then down the cliff safely, pulling along the horse. Eriol followed at a slow pace, looking around at his surroundings. The islands were gorgeous after a rough rain. The skies were pale but the trees were greener then ever. He could just imagine what everything would look like when they reached the lower level of the forest.
He was right. As they reached the main road, everything was different but gorgeous. The rain still lingered on some plants, making them shine with the little sun out. He was tempted to go closer to the plants but then he might lose the warrior, who was at a good distance away, the horse with him. Picking up his pace painfully, Eriol looked down at Lyri. She was sleeping soundly, a bit of sweat sliding down her small face. But she was a small child nonetheless, a cute child as well. Smiling he looked up, away from her to the road.
Up ahead at the end of the long trail stood the female warrior with Sakura and Syaoran. Both had some kind of makeshift bandage and both had blood caking their faces and exposed skin. Sakura had blood stained into her light brown hair, almost like she had dyed her hair a different color. Her breast band stained to the core. Syaoran was in worse shape, donning Sakura's torn shirt around his bare torso and shreds of it for his arm. A little bit shocked and confused, Eriol limped his way towards them, holding onto Lyri tightly. Sakura was the only one that went forward, only because she had to thank the other warrior proper. More proper then the two knights.
"What happened to you?" he asked, checking them up and down more closely. The other warrior stepped up behind them, holding the horse by its reins. Sakura looked at the warrior and bowed her head respectfully to him, taking the horse from him. Eriol watched her be silent and weakly search the large pack for something. "Well?" he asked again, looking at Syaoran who was watching Sakura as well.
"Let's just say don't get her mad." He remarked. Syaoran looked at Lyri in his arms, a frown pressing his chapped lips. "What's wrong with her?" Sakura suddenly squeaked in joy, cutting them off as she pulled out a small leather pouch. Turning back to them, mostly to the two warriors waiting patiently, she pulled out a fancy looking dagger.
"This is for your elder, for watching over us even though it's out of your territory." She spoke, handing the female warrior the weapon. She looked it over with delicate fingers, her eyes easily examining the rich gold handle to the sharp point of medal. Even the guys seemed to stare at it.
"This is of pure quality that you give us. Why?" she inquired. Syaoran looked from warrior to thief, wondering the same thing. Eriol was just staring at the weapon. It was a fine weapon that not many knights could even get a hold of. Sakura smirked, standing her ground.
"Huite tyi vuié barti." (For respecting non-blood) she told her so that the guys wouldn't understand. She would have said more but the female warrior nodded her head, understanding as she slid the blade into her belt for safekeeping. Sakura then looked over at Lyri and Eriol. "Now what's wrong with her?" she asked as the two warriors took off at a run, disappearing instantly in the nearby woods.
"She was talking in her sleep. Fever, dilated eyes, and talking. Like she was possessed or something. The red warrior said it was nothing, actually he didn't say anything at all merely made her talk in that weird language." Sakura took Lyri from Eriol, moving aside bangs to peer at her sleeping face more clearly. "She's fine now, I think." He told her calmly, watching the older girl.
"She spoke in the other language?" he nodded and she frowned. Lyri's hotness felt weird to Sakura who itched to just dump her in the cold river to make it go down. Looking around the forest she was met with greenery beyond greenery, canceling out the idea to toss her in the river. "I wonder if she really is from the north?" she spoke out loud to herself. Syaoran and Eriol just stared at her, having no words. Sakura moved Lyri so her head was resting on her shoulder, legs wrapped around her torso. "Let's go, I'm certain more of those blasted bandits will come looking for us, and I want to look for a lake or river to wash up." She told them, walking passed them. Eriol glanced at Syaoran who shrugged his shoulders, taking the horse's reigns and helping his knight friend up. It would be a slow walk now with one horse, but they were going to continue on either way.
To be continued...