I'm back, kickin' and alive.I'm soooo sorry for the long break but I just couldn't find time to finish this chapter. There were so many things I wanted to put in here and I was like messing it up at times. Anyways, hope you forgive me for the late update.

R&R

Enjoy~

P.S- I just noticed that the last chapter got a bit less reviews, something wrong? Do tell me.

Mute

By metalspiké

Chapter: 6

Storm Before the Calm

~Sakura's POV~

Mmph…Yaawwnn…I must have dozed off. Oh my, it's almost 5, looks like I slept through the whole afternoon. Maybe, I'll grab a quick snack.

Pushing myself off my damp pillow, I headed into my kitchen and prepared a sandwich for myself.

Ahh…nothing like a cheese and ham sandwich…mmm

As I chewed on the ham pieces a single sweat drop slid down my nose and dangled at the tip.

Gosh, it's so stuffy in here. Better get some fresh sir.

So, grabbing another sandwich I went to my balcony. Outside, a cool breeze wafted about and I closed my eyes to enjoy it.

Now this is what I like…so nice.

The sound of kids playing in the park reached my ears and I opened my eyes to look towards the park…but I saw a certain person looking at me.

It was Syaoran.

He was standing down, right where I had left him, stubbornly staring back at me.

So much for my nice mood…

"You…why are you still standing here? Get lost!" I shouted.

Blink. Blink.

"Now don't pretend that you're deaf as well. Puh-lease, that veil of innocence will no longer work!"

Blink. Blink.

Okay…now he is seriously annoying.

"I'm warning you one last time, go away or I'll call the police and tell that you're a stalker and a cheat!" I shouted again.

Blink. Blink.

Now, this seriously got me mad.

"You asked for it…"

I stormed inside, flipped my phone and dialed the emergency number.

'May I help you?' a lady spoke from the other side.

"You sure can! I need to report that I'm being stalked by a person. He's still standing in front of my house since yesterday."

'What do you want me to do?'

What...? You gotta be seriously dim!

"Come and play Tic-Tac-Toe with him! Sheesh, why do you think I'm reporting him? I need the police to take him away, right now!"

'There is no need to be angry'

"Hell, there is! I'm being stalked, not you!" I felt like adding,'Not that any one would' but I held myself. Who knows, she might be a ravishing beauty? But I seriously doubt it...bah, who cares!

'Okay...okay, calm down. The police would be there in about half an hour. Hold on till then.'

"Wait! I never told you my address."

'This is your number, right?'

"Yes..."

'Then that's all I need. Have a nice day.'

The line got cut. I went back out to the balcony to give him one last, ultimate warning. I found Syaoran still rooted to the same spot and blankly staring at me.

"You think that making puppy-dog eyes and feigning innocence would change my mind? Oh no no no...you are so damn wrong! You've 20 mins to disappear, else have a nice time in jail!"

Blink. Blink.

"Suit yourself..." I smirked and went in.

Right after 20 mins, I went out to status check. Report?

Syaoran still in same place.

No sign of police...not even the siren.

End of report. Return inside.

Okay...they might have got delayed somewhere.

...Now it's 40 mins since the call. Report?

Syaoran still in same place.

No sign of police...not even the siren.

End of report. Return inside.

Patience, Sakura...patience. They are surely on their way.

...Now it's almost an hour. Report?

Syaoran still in same place.

No sign of police...not even the siren...wait, that's a siren. Surely, it has to be the police.

In a couple of minutes, I was proved right as a police van drove in. The arrival of the police got some reaction from Syaoran...he turned his head.

"That's him, officer!" I shouted, pointing at Syaoran."Grab him and teach him the lesson of his life!"

"Don't worry, ma'am." Said the officer who had just managed to step out." We'll make sure he does."

He grabbed Syaoran and pulled him, but he didn't budge.

"Move it, fella. No good resisting. What's your name anyway?" the officer asked.

Syaoran slowly turned his head towards him, but then turned towards me again.

"You deaf? I asked what's your *grunt* name?" he asked once again.

By now more officers came and all of them tried pushing and pulling, but by some supernatural strength he stood still. So, they resorted to brute force. A hard blow to his knee from a cosh did the trick as he tumbled down. Incredibly, he managed to make no sound at all.

Oh...ouch, no...wait, i shouldn't be...sto...cork it, Sakura, he deserves it.

Few more blows and he was done for good. The officers literally carried him to the van. Somehow, I felt an inexplicable twinge of hurt as I saw his limp body, seemingly devoid of life.

"That's done, ma'am. He will cause no more trouble. Drop by the police station whenever you're free to lodge an official complaint. Have a good day." The last officer climbed in and the van purred away.

Finally...he's gone...

I slumped onto my couch and heaved a sigh of relief.

What a mess...good its over.

Despite all i still had a nagging feeling...a feeling which I just couldn't put a finger on...but definitely not a good one.

What's wrong? I did right...right?

After lulling about for about couple of hours, I went to the police station. The head officer, one among the team which arrested Syaoran, greeted me.

"Ah...we were expecting you ma'am. Please give me a few moments as I get the papers ready." he said and started shuffling between heaps of paper stacks.

I looked around and found the place seriously depressing.

Never! Never in my life would I go to jail...I'll make sure.

The very thought being confines in one of the cells gave me a shiver.

I peeked through the corridor to the left to see a line of cells.

"We gave him a nice dressing down, but boy is he stubborn. Not even a grunt left his mouth. You can see him in the cell on the right, third from the end." the head officer spoke, his head poking from under the desk.

"Maybe no..." I stopped.

It wouldn't hurt...

I walked down to his cell and what I saw gave me, surprisingly, a heart-wrenching pain.

It was Syaoran or a shadow of what he was. His face was swollen, eyes closed, clothes in rags and was trembling. He was in a really sorry state.

Somehow, an impulse forced me to see him closer. I asked the guard nearby to open up the cell. Of course, he was reluctant.

"Look, the head officer himself allowed me to see him." I said.

He didn't seem exactly convinced but he complied. As soon as the heavy metal door creaked open, I almost rushed in. Apparently, the pain Syaoran was feeling had numbed his senses as he did not respond when I approached him.

At close quarters he looked even worse. His bruises were turning an ugly blue, he was bleeding from the numerous cuts all over his body and he was shivering uninterrupted.

Seeing this, pain was now accompanied with guilt. He did nothing compared to the punishment he is getting.

I...I did this? I did this to him?

Hesitantly, I placed my palm on his forehead...and immediately jerked it back. It was scalding hot!

What the...? Oh god, he's having a fever...a burning fever.

Then it clicked to me. Staying out the whole time, no food and a bashing of a lifetime. No surprise he's so sick.

"Officer..." I shouted for the guard. He appeared immediately.

"Please call the head officer, now!"

With a puzzled look, he went away. I looked around for something useful, but the cell was devoid of even the most basic amenities.

Moments later, the head officer walked in.

"What's the matter, ma'am?" he asked.

"He's burning with fever! Where's the doctor?" I demanded.

He clicked his tongue.

"Relax, ma'am. These guys are a tough lot. A fever would hardly do anything to him."

"Where is the doctor?" I hisseed, surprisingly.

"Okay, cool down. For your info, he was checked by the doctor and he says no medication is needed. Anyways, why do you worry? Just fill those forms and leave the rest to us." he said.

There was a pause and no one moved.

"In that case...I withdraw..."I whispered.

"What?"

"I said, I withdraw my complaint. D'you get it?" I bellowed, anger filling me up.

He may be a convict, but he is still human...still Syaoran.

"What? Are you okay,ma'am. Do you understand what you are saying?" he asked, with an incredulous look.

"I perfectly understand, now release him." I said.

"But it could be dangerous for you and..." but I cut him off.

"I'm old enough to decide what's good and what's bad." I seethed.

With a heavy sigh, he asked the guard to bring the outgoing register. After paying the fee and filling the details, I placed Syaoran on the back seat and speedily drove away to the Tomoeda General Hospital and entered the emergency entrance.

Grabbing hold of a nurse, I asked for help,

"Nurse, I have a pers...friend in my car. He is seriously injured and ill. Please help." I almost pleaded.

With a quick nod, she called few ward boys with a stretcher who picked Syaoran up and hurried in, with me at their heels.

Luckily, we bumped into a doctor on the way who immediately took up the case.

"What happened to him?"the doctor asked.

"He got arrested..." I gulped," for no mistake of his."

"Oh god...he looks really bad." he said, examining Syaoran.

"Please doctor, make sure he gets alright. Please..." I pleaded.

The doctor smiled lightly,

"I'll give my best but I can say it for sure only after a few tests." he said.

"Then do them, doctor. Don't worry about the money, just make sure he recovers." I said, my eyes tearing up.

He nodded.

"I will...and just for record purposes, how are you related to the patient?" he asked.

I paused.

"I'm...I'm his...friend."

And what sort of a friend am I?

"Fine then, please complete the formalities at the reception." With that he left.

I slipped into the chair at the sides as I saw Syaoran being taken to the Special Care Unit.

I can't believe this...I hurt him so much...It hurts me so much.

Burying my face in my hand, I cried the tears which I was holding back for so long...tears of pain...tears of shame...tears of guilt...all because he spoke.

I did mention in my first A/N that there would be angst by the end, so there it is. Mind it? Do tell me!

Most probably the next chapter would be the finale, so expect a long one and keep in mind the angst and hurt genre of the story.

I do have in my mind a way to continue the story but only if I get enough reviews compelling me to continue, else the end in the next chapter stands...thought I'd give you a heads up.

As always thanks to all those who read, reviewed or found the story interesting.

hikarihayashi-chan

DeadlySilentAnimeLover

Moonlight919-Spot on! Great guess.

biblioholic

darkryubaby-Really, really soorryy it took so long to update. Honestly I tried my best. Hope you continue reading.

lhaine07-Even I hope so :P

EchizenRyoma

neko-chiidesu

mikan12345

Lighting Rain

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Bee Emey-'small reply' Thanks.

And all the anons, Thank you sooo much for reviewing!

Don't stop reading!

msé~