Chapter 7: Strength
XOXO
The world seemed to move in slow motion, as the emperor edged further and further towards her. With his firm grip on Sakura's chin, she was unable to do anything but tilt her head slightly to the left, so that his lips only captured the corner of her mouth.
He moved back, his confusion evident on his face, and Sakura forced a smile desperately. "Thank you milord, for bestowing me with your graciousness and understanding, and for hosting this delectable meal. Unfortunately, I must retire for the night, for my shoulder still pains me, and I fear sleep will prevail over me soon."
"Of-of course." The emperor said, allowing Sakura to rise to her feet, courtesy gracefully, before heading for the door, trying not to look too anxious.
"Oh but Esmeralda,"
Sakura stood just before the doors, looking past them longingly, before grudgingly turning back to face the emperor.
"Dine with me again, tomorrow, at noon."
"…With pleasure, milord."
XOXO
Six days had passed, since the companions first entered this new world. Tomoyo still worked herself into a fatigue, dividing her time between the kitchens, and trying to find any traces of a lost Sakura. Eriol and Syaoran trained with guards, slowly being allowed more access to more parts of the castle. Sakura had had two lunches, one afternoon tea and four dinners with the emperor, his fondness of her growing with every meal. The more she tried to deny him, the more he pushed for her, which Sakura found absolutely maddening.
Sakura had been given permission to leave the castle's walls, and she returned to the market where they had first appeared upon entering this world, but there was no sign of Athena, Edmund or Nathaniel. She was beginning to wonder if they had obtained the feather and left the world without her.
After this point, Tomoyo's search proved more fruitful, with a handful of people claiming to have seen this mysterious green-eyed girl. However, it came to a dead-end, when no one could tell Tomoyo where she had gone. At least, Tomoyo now knew she was alive.
Syaoran, along with five other guards, was escorting the emperor through the streets just beyond the castle walls… when it happened.
A knife came whirling towards the emperor, it's menacing blade catching the light of the sun as it soared through the air. Syaoran immediately threw himself towards the emperor, catching him around the waist, and pulling both of them out of harms way. The knife skidded harmlessly along the cobbled floor just beyond them.
Two guards had run in the direction of which the knife had been thrown, but found no one. A third guard was stammering in front of the infuriated emperor, trying to explain, "As soon as I saw the weapon approaching, my first instinct was to find the source, but your highness, I swear there was no one there—"
"That was your first instinct was it?!" The emperor thundered, "Because if all the guards had instincts as idiotic as yours I would probably be DEAD now wouldn't I?! You're lucky that this man's instinct was to save me, which should be your first, last and only instinct, do you hear me?!"
"Ye-yes your highness."
The emperor turned to Syaoran. "You. What is your name?"
"Edmund, sir."
"Edmund, from now on, you are on my service."
"Yes sir."
The two guards who had gone to find the attempted murderer returned shaking their heads. "There was no sign of anyone, milord."
"What, so you're suggesting that the knife decided to up and kill me by itself, are you?" When the emperor received no reply, he boomed, "ARE YOU?!"
"No, milord."
"THEN FIND ME WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE AND DO IT NOW BEFORE I DECIDE THAT YOUR IDIOCY IS COMPLETELY INTOLERABLE AND HAVE YOUR HEADS!"
"Y-yes, mi--milord."
XOXO
There were three loud and deliberate knocks on the door, causing Tomoyo and Savitri to exchange glances. Tomoyo hurried to open the door, and found Eriol panting hard. He looked at her, and then collapsed in the doorway, causing Tomoyo to cry out at the sudden weight in her arms. Savitri rushed to their side and helped Tomoyo haul an exhausted Eriol in.
"Is he going to be alright?" Tomoyo asked worriedly, as she cradled his head in her lap.
"I think he just needs a little recuperation time is all." Savitri replied, bustling around the kitchen. She handed Tomoyo a glass of water. "Here, try to make him drink."
Eriol spluttered awake, weak and dazed.
"Nathan, what happened? Did everything go as planned?"
He managed to nod, and even smiled a little. "Threw the knife and disappeared, reappearing in the sewer underneath." He said in a hoarse voice proudly.
"Well, that would explain the smell." Tomoyo said teasingly, but quickly reverted back to being serious. "Did Edmund come off as the hero?"
"I couldn't actually see anything, but from what I managed to hear… yes."
"Good. Our plan is coming together nicely." Tomoyo smiled in relief. "Luckily you figured out your ability to apparate."
"Luckily I watched The Prestige. And when Cerberus said I had the powers of your average Joe magician but mine are real, it wasn't hard to put two-and-two together. Although for a while there, I was worried that all I'd be able to do was pull a rabbit out of a hat." He chuckled.
"This is definitely cooler." Tomoyo agreed, "And harder, by the looks of it. It's taken a lot out of you."
"Well, I realized when I was practicing that the further I go the more energy it takes from me. I'm worried, if I try to go too far then it'll take all my energy and I'll… well, I'll die."
There was a foreboding silence until Savitri finally decided to pipe up.
"I may have some… information on your friend; the missing one." She spoke up, quite reluctantly. "But I don't think you'll like it."
Tomoyo gasped, immediately assuming the worst, causing Savitri to quickly add, "She's not dead! It's just…" she paused uncertainly, "I mean, this is just palace rumours of course, and I'm not even sure it is your friend, the only clue being her green-eyes which is very rare in this town—"
"Just tell us please!" Tomoyo cut in.
"Well, apparently… she's the emperor's latest conquest."
Tomoyo and Eriol's jaws dropped.
"Come again?"
XOXO
Syaoran trailed behind the emperor, trying to listen attentively even as he scoped out the rest of the palace.
"—really need to reassess the palace guards; this is just one of the many incidents. The other day, they shot without mercy at an innocent young beauty, who thankfully survived the incident. We're heading to see her right now actually; she's quite fetching. I would like you to ensure that we are not interrupted throughout our lunch. And remember, Edmund," at this point, the emperor halted in his tracks and turned to Syaoran who had automatically stopped too, "you can look, but that is all."
As soon as the emperor resumed his walking, Syaoran let his disgust show. 'Does he think I'm some sort of sexual animal?'
They finally arrived at their destination which Syaoran soon discovered was the palace gardens. It was vast and beautiful, filled with trees and blooming flowers of all shapes and colours. It was closed off by an ivy covered stone wall which was what separated the palace from the rest of the town. In the middle of the garden was a table for two; one of the seats already occupied by a figure, and as much as Syaoran hated to admit it, he was curious to see the emperor's alleged beauty, however her back was facing them. As they passed, the servants lining the garden bowed graciously, but the emperor waved most of them off.
The emperor walked round the table, explaining, "An unfortunate incident caused my delay, I apologize."
Syaoran followed behind him, finally turning to face the object of the emperor's affections…
… … …
… …
…Esmeralda??!!!!!
He choked back a cry just as she caught his eye. Her own jade orbs widened in disbelief as a gasp flew from her throat.
"Is something wrong my dear Esme?" The emperor asked in concern as he took his seat opposite her.
Sakura tore her eyes away from Syaoran to land on the emperor. She forced a smile on her face. "I just… erm… I'm just so troubled by this unfortunate incident. What happened?"
'You can look, but that is all'. For some reason those words, which were so meaningless before seem to become so significant as they resounded in Syaoran's head. 'You can look, but that is all'. Suddenly, a twinkling laugh broke him out of his reverie and he realized that he was still standing at their table, gawking like an idiot. He swiftly moved back to stand in line with the other staff.
As he observed them, he noticed a change in Esmeralda. While he could still sense the nervousness and shyness that usually enveloped her, he could also notice the new-found confidence in her smile; the sudden poise in her movements; the charm of her laugh.
What also stood out, was the way the emperor was completely captivated with her. Syaoran seemed to be aware of every time the emperor leaned forward; every time his hand reached out to touch hers; every time he said something that made Esmeralda laugh.
At the end of the meal, the emperor reached out to tuck a strand of Esmeralda's hair behind her ear. He kept his hand there, and began to pull her face towards him. Syaoran looked on, quite disgusted and wondering if he should intervene. At the last minute, Sakura winced and fell back into her chair, clutching her shoulder, groaning in pain.
The emperor didn't look too pleased. "Is your shoulder paining you again?" He said in a tone that almost seemed annoyed.
"Yes, I'm terribly sorry your highness. I think I exerted myself too much by talking a stroll around the palace this morning. May I please retire to my room?"
The emperor stared at her for a long moment, before carelessly waving her off. "Edmund will escort you to your room. He is the newest guard on my service and you will be safe with him."
"Thank you milord." Sakura mumbled as she curtseyed. She walked away, dimly aware of the fact that Edmund was following right behind her. She wanted to turn to him; to talk to him, but they walked on in silence. Finally, they reached her room, to which she opened to door to and walked inside. She heard the door close behind her.
"You can't fall for him."
She turned to see Edmund leaning against the door, staring intently at her.
"He's a bad person. You cannot like him."
She stood by her bed. "I had a feeling." She murmured, "He's been very kind to me, but… I had a feeling."
"We think he might posses the feather. We've hatched a plan to get it back."
"Oh?"
"I have made it onto his service, so that I can figure out where he keeps the keys to the room where the feather is kept and steal it."
"The room is guarded 24/7---"
"Athena developed the power to shape-shift. She will pose as the emperor, and the guards will never suspect a thing. Nathan was supposed to distract the real emperor, but---"
"I can do that." Sakura interrupted.
"It's dangerous. When he founds out that the feather is---"
"He'll never suspect me." Sakura said confidently.
Syaoran stared at her. How these six days had changed her. The last time he was alone with her, she had been so timid and defenseless. He suspected that she had spoken more in this one interaction than she had the whole time he had known her. He nodded, "Okay."
She leaned against the bedpost and grimaced as pain shot up from her shoulder. Syaoran took a step forward, "Your shoulder." He said.
She clutched it. "Yeah, I was shot."
All the wind in his lungs seemed to leave him, as Syaoran felt like he had just been punched in the stomach. "You were shot?" He repeated. She was shot. Because of him, because he failed to pull her along, she was shot at, and hit, in the shoulder… by actual bullets and actual guns. She was hurt; she was shot… because of him.
"Your hand!" She suddenly exclaimed. She rushed to him, taking up his injured hand in both of hers and examining it closely. She then went to her closet and took out her old dress. She let it hang loose in her arms, before ripping off the hem of the dress, which she wrapped tightly around his knuckles.
"Have you done this before?" He asked quietly.
"No," she said equally soft, "it… I don't know, it came to me instinctively I guess."
"Maybe you've got the power to heal."
She looked up at him, her hands still on his, but he quickly cast his eyes downward. Suddenly, he grabbed her right wrist and pulled the sleeve of her dress back. There, sat an ugly, flourishing, purplish bruise.
"Did he do this to you?" Syaoran gasped incredulously.
Sakura quickly yanked her hand back, pulling the sleeves back in place.
"Esmeralda," his tone was warning, "If he's been abusing you this whole time, I will---"
Sakura sighed, "No, no, it was a one-time thing." She assured him, "I swear." She added, when he seemed doubtful. "He looked just as shocked as I was. It was as if he didn't know his own strength…"
As the word lingered in the air, a lightbulb went off in Syaoran's head. "That's it! Strength… that must be the feather. Savitri said he had unworldly powers…"
"Savitri?" Sakura questioned, but Syaoran was almost mumbling to himself, connecting the dots.
"…that means I'll be the one to get the feather…"
Sakura raised an eyebrow. How cocky was this guy?
"…which means I have to be in the room with Athena, or else the feather will float through the palace until it reaches me, alerting way too many guards. Luckily I'm already on the emperor's service so it won't look too suspicious if I enter the room with him…"
"Great, so the plan is fool-proof!" Sakura interrupted, before he continued rambling, "So, when is this plan being put into motion?"
"As soon as I get that key."
XOXO
It took 2 days.
Sakura walked through the gardens with the emperor, hand in hand, her heart pounding so hard and fast, she was astounded he couldn't hear it. She had taken him there 'spontaneously', telling him that she had a surprise for him. She had it all planned out beforehand, and led him to a rose bush in the far corner of the garden. There, she pointed out a blooming rose, which was no astonishing feat in the emperor's lavish gardens, but what made this particular rose so extraordinary was its black petals.
The emperor seemed amused at her excitement, but other than that appeared disinterested. This worried Sakura, for she was told to distract him for at least 20 minutes, before parting ways so that she could meet up with her companions and they could leave this world as quickly as possible.
The emperor looked ready to head back to the palace, and panicked, Sakura grabbed his hand and pulled him back. "Your highness, please do not leave yet. I-I wish to spend more time with you."
"Do you now?" The emperor said in a suggestive tone, an arrogant smile spreading across his face. He took a step towards her. Sakura took a step back.
"Ye-yes. I was curious as to how the petals could be black. I have never seen a black rose befo---"
Suddenly his lips were upon hers, and this time, Sakura didn't have the chance to move her head, or feign fatigue. She pulled back stammering "Mi-milord, please---"
But he cut her off. "No. No more excuses little Esme. I have been tolerating them for over a week, but no more."
Sakura shook her head, terrified, walking backwards as he walked forwards. It was only when her back hit solid wall, when she realized she was cornered and trapped. Fear took over her, and she tried to run past him, but he seized her arm, and forcefully slammed her against the wall. The back of her head stung as it smashed against the solid surface and she whimpered in horror.
"Don't act like this, you know you want it." The emperor growled, "You've been teasing me all week."
"No." Sakura gasped, tears leaking out of her eyes.
Meanwhile, Syaoran escorted the 'emperor' (also known as Tomoyo) through the corridors until they finally reached their intended destination. Eriol was there, guarding the door along with three others. They moved aside for his highness, bowing respectfully. Tomoyo took the key from her pocket, praying that it was the right one, and placed it inside the keyhole. It clicked, as it successfully unlocked the grand doors. She pushed it open and walked inside. Syaoran tried to follow, but two of the guards stopped him.
"Only the emperor is allowed inside." They cautioned him.
Tomoyo was about to voice commands, when she remembered that although she retained the emperor's physical looks, the same could not be said for her voice. She touched the two guard's shoulders sternly and shook her head.
Uncertainly, they moved aside, allowing Syaoran to pass. As the doors closed, one guard said, "I smell something suspicious going on. The emperor never lets anyone through these doors, and now he's suddenly giving the newbie permission?"
"That newbie save his life the other day. And I wouldn't be going around questioning the emperor's decisions. Not if you want to keep you head." Eriol defended.
The guard instantly shut up.
Inside the room, Tomoyo and Syaoran looked on in awe at the only source of light in the middle of the room, encaged in a glass case. The feather.
Tomoyo attempted to lift the glass but it wouldn't budge. "Oh no, I think he's placed some sort of spell---"
Syaoran easily hauled up the glass container and placed it to one side.
"…Or not." Tomoyo finished, looking impressed.
They waited for the feather to sink into Syaoran's chest… but it never happened. In horror, they watched as it drifted to the double doors and went through them as if they weren't even there.
"Nathaniel!" Tomoyo exclaimed, as she ran to the doors.
"Athena no--!" Syaoran yelled out, seeing what she had not. Already, she had converted back into her normal appearance of Tomoyo. Apparently, her shape-shifting skills would only last ten minutes at a time.
She burst through the doors, and the guards froze at the sight of her, startled and confused. Eriol promptly knocked out the one in front of him, triggering the other two guard's reaction. One grabbed Tomoyo by the hair, but Syaoran had reached them by then, and with a swift kick and a punch had rendered them unconscious. He looked at the comatose guards, confused, wondering if they were only pretending. He knew he was a good fighter, but it usually took a lot more to knock his opponent out. There was definitely something wrong.
"The feather?" Tomoyo panted, looking at Eriol.
"It continued down the corridor."
"What?" Tomoyo asked, perplexed.
"Esmeralda!" Syaoran realized and immediately sprinted off, without a thought or a care to whether the other two were following.
Sakura bit down hard on the emperor's lower lip, making him yelp in pain. She tried to push him off, but he raised a hand and smacked her across the face. The force of it, made her head whip around until her cheekbone collided with the wall. He grabbed her by the chin, grumbling "stupid bitch", before forcing his mouth over hers once again.
Just as Sakura resigned herself to her fate, the weight of the emperor was lifted off of her. Through the haze of her tears, she saw Edmund towering over the emperor's fallen body, striking him across the face, blow after blow. But the emperor started fighting back once the shock had worn off, and suddenly all Sakura's could see was a blur of limbs, bashing and clashing. Then, Syaoran had the emperor by the throat, and the emperor wheezed, dread in his eyes, "I have unparalleled strength… how can you fight me?"
Syaoran ignored the question, calling out to Sakura, "Esmeralda, let the feather come to you."
Sakura did as she was told, and let the hovering feather sink into her chest. Once it had done so, Syaoran loosened his grip on the emperor, who fell to his knees in despair.
"Now that you have lost the feather, you have lost your powers also. And the people will eat you alive." Sayoran said, kicking the emperor once more for good measure, before moving towards Sakura.
He reached out to touch her bruised face, but she winced, and he quickly retracted his hand. "Are you alright?" He asked her softly, observing the way she was trembling uncontrollably, the tears streaming down her face and her swollen lips. She slowly nodded. "Did he--?" Syaoran choked on the words, barely able to pry them from his lips. "I mean, did he… you know…?"
Sakura quickly shook her head. "N-no, I mean, it didn't… it didn't get that far."
Syaoran breathed a sigh of relief. He would have never forgiven himself otherwise. "Come on. Nathan and Athena are waiting for us."
They walked across the –ironically- peaceful garden, which remained unbothered and untouched by their little tussle. They saw Nathan and Athena appear at the entrance of the garden, their worried expressions quickly breaking out into relief when they saw Sakura and Syaoran, battered and bruised, but otherwise alright.
Sakura was looking at her feet so she didn't see when their expressions began to change. She didn't see Tomoyo's face contort with horror. She didn't see Eriol raise his hand to point; to warn. But Syaoran did.
He looked behind him, heard the cock of the gun, saw the emperor's wild and enraged face; the face of someone with nothing to lose. As if in slow-motion, he saw the finger pull the trigger.
"ESMERALDA!"
The garden was filled with a brilliant, white light… before there was darkness.
XOXO
Author's Note: Okay, so before this, I put up some stupid grumbling AN about how I was disappointed with the number of reviews I got last chapter, until i re-read it and realized how I was stupidly grumbling. So I'm going to replace it with a simple PLEASE REVIEW. That small gesture would mean a lot to me, and I'm just worried that, while everything seems brilliant and interesting in my head, on paper its actually very bland and boring, and if that's the case, just be honest and tell me that, and I won't bother with it.
Anyway, thanks to all those who did review! And I'm really sorry for the confusion of my last authors note… when I said 'CCS crossover', I meant that the characters from An Eternal Bond will be going to the CCS world. I don't watch any other anime's, so they can't really visit anywhere else. Oh and sorry for the crap action sequences, but I really can't write those.
XOXO
