Hi All!

Here's the next chapter! I hope you like it. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. It means a lot to me.

Disclaimer: I don't own TBC. Wish I did though. Also, this is a joint work with my friends Jen and Casi. Thanks guys.

WARNINGS: Violence and Syaoran torture – though I figure you all expect that now eh?

The Darkest Feather

Chapter #7: Rising Darkness

Stealthily, Kurogane lead the group on as they crept into the valley. Jagged crags and rocky fissures loomed dark and foreboding in what they could only assume was Raetashi's kingdom.

This was one place that Kurogane had never been and if he had had any choice, he would certainly never have come. But somewhere in this foul land he knew that Syaoran, the boy he had come to love as a son, was being held captive. That was an intolerable thought. Perhaps what was even worse was that he could already be dead. The atmosphere that blanketed the valley was thick with the odor of death and offered little hope to the weary travelers.

Kurogane, Fai, Sakura and Mokona had left the town behind and had followed the stranger's directions all the way to the loathsome place they found themselves in now.

Silently, Kurogane shifted the weight of his weapon on his back. Nobody had spoken since they had scaled the cliffs and begun their descent into the valley. Even Mokona had remained silent and had settled to perch himself on Fai's shoulder with his ears drooped.

As the group moved downward towards the castle that loomed in the distance, Kurogane heard Sakura let out a sharp gasp. Both Fai and Kurogane jumped and turned around to see what had created the disturbance.

"Syaoran is in there." She whispered softly. "And he's hurt, he… he…"

"We have to get in there." Fai agreed, his blue eyes skimming over the numerous scouts that separated them from the main gate of what had to be Raetashi's castle.

"I will take them out with one strike," Kurogane declared and made a move to draw his sword.

Fai panicked. Scrambling, he staggered over and grabbed Kurogane's hand. "Wait! If we create too much of a disturbance then they may just kill Syaoran before we even have a chance to get to him."

"Then what do you suggest?" Kurogane demanded testily. Deep down, he knew the mage was right but his concern for their friend was beginning to manifest itself.

Fai looked around and motioned towards a small crevice in the mountains, several yards from where they were currently hiding. They could clearly see a set of caves that many of Raetashi's soldiers were coming out of and they could only assume that the tunnel also lead into the castle. Fortunately, they were still far enough away as to not be spotted by any scouts. Currently they were all crouched low beneath an overhanging rock ledge that hid them well. Fai explained his plan and it was simple enough in theory but would prove challenging in practice. Night would fall shortly so they were to wait until the cover of darkness. They were going to approach with great stealth and make their way, not to the obvious cave openings in front but to the far side of mountain where he believed they could all use the entrance to slip into the caves unnoticed.

The network of caverns undoubtedly lead to the castle where everyone was convinced Syaoran was being kept. Retrieving Sakura's feather was no longer a priority for any of them. The plan was simple. Sneak in, find Syaoran and get out.

"Regardless of what happens, he must stay together." Fai said to the group as they sat in wait for the sun to go down and end the day.

"What happens if someone sees us?" Sakura asked.

"I will deal with them." Kurogane declared and patted his sidearm for emphasis.

They had all settled into comfortable positions against the rockface and as they waited patiently all their thoughts returned to their friend.

"Do you think Syaoran-kun will be alright?" Sakura asked as her gaze wandered down the mountainside.

Kurogane and Fai exchanged brief glances. Neither one wanted to admit what they both were thinking. It was most likely, judging from what they had heard, that if they found Syaoran in one piece they would be doing well.

"I think you should know that the Lord of this world is not kind to his prisoners," Kurogane told her finally. "We have been through this before. You must prepare yourself for the worst."

"But Syaoran is strong," Mokona piped up. "He won't give up."

Fai dropped his gaze. Hadn't he? Had the boy not given up the moment he had left asked him to care for Sakura? He had known he was going to die. That was why he had wanted to ensure that Sakura was safe. Now, Fai was betraying his promise to Syaoran by bringing Sakura on this adventure that was more than likely a search for a dead man. He shook his head. He couldn't think like that. They all had made their decision. Any doubts now would only put them in even greater danger.

"It is dark enough." Kurogane declared, snapping Fai out of his thoughts, as he sheathed his sword and stood to indicate they must leave. "Let's go."

"The sun hasn't completely set," Fai pointed out. "You are being reckless."

"The longer we wait, the less chance we have of finding Syaoran alive," Kurogane shot back. "Trust me. We can't afford to waste any time."

The rest of the group followed. For over an hour they climbed up the northern slope of Raetashi's base, the cave entrance that they sought was not far up the mountain, but a great distance around it. It took time for the group to climb around the area while trying to hard not to be seen, though none of them saw or heard anything to indicate nearby soldiers.

Nobody complained despite the difficult venture. Even Sakura, whose palms were scrapped and bleeding, didn't hint at any sort of discomfort.

Kurogane led the way and together they clambered over rock, stone, bush, and dirt. It was a rather hard climb but eventually they found what they were looking for.

"The cave is just up ahead." Kurogane said, indicating a slight bend in their path. They made their way around the corner and Kurogane smiled when he saw the pile of rocks that lay seemingly undisturbed.

"Help me with these rocks." Kurogane requested as he started to move the stones away from the entrance. Kurogane and Fai took care of the larger rocks while Sakura and Mokona moved the smaller ones. Eventually they cleared all the stones. Kurogane leaned into the cave, peering around. There were rather old cobwebs nearby and no fresh foot prints to indicate that anyone had been in the passage-way recently.

"All seems clear." He announced. The entrance was rather small, but it depended on who you took into consideration was going in. Sakura had no trouble at all getting through the entrance and Kurogane and Fai took only slightly longer to squeeze themselves in. They were all in shortly enough and together they stood staring down the long passage.

It was then that Kurogane wished they had bought some sort of torch for there was next to no light in the tunnel. These parts of the tunnels were long and narrow enough for only Sakura and Mokona side by side. The ceiling held jagged stones that looked as though they would fall at any moment and the ground was hard, harder than most and loud when walked on. They had reached the beginning of the end of their journey. Just beneath Raetashi's own castle they now stood.

No one spoke after that and they ventured in silence, further into the cavern. Into the heart of evil.

The caves were wretchedly dark and the pure black walls seemed to soak up all light. Every footstep the group took echoed for what seemed an eternity, and every second seemed like minutes. No words were spoken between the company as they slowly made their way through the caves. They walked for only a dozen or more minutes down the first hallway before they came to a section that was blocked off by a pile of rocks.

"What's that?" Sakura asked, her voice just under a whisper.

"I don't think we are the first ones to use this passage way," Kurogane explained. He bent down and began removing the rocks. Together the group cleared the entrance swiftly and were able to see into the dark halls of the lower levels of Raetashi's castle.

It was just as dark as the hall in which they stood, but the floor did not seem as loud when walked on. There were clear indications that someone had been by this area a short time ago, but they had obviously paid the tunnel no mind. The walls and floor seemed to vibrate slightly beneath their feet, and the company thought there was a voice that went with the movement of the floor. It was almost as if the ground were speaking in a low whisper, more like a murmuring without real words than anything else. The small group replaced the rocks once again, knowing that this could very well also be their method of escape. The halls were wider than they had expected, with room enough for three to walk side by side.

They spoke not a word to one another, and ventured silently into the castle one step at a time. Several torches were mounted at random intervals, providing just enough light for the group to see by. The highest levels of caution were used by the company and they took no chances. All corners were waited behind in case the sound of soldiers drew near, and they moved with little haste so as not to miss any men that may be hiding in the shadows. After half an hour of silent journey they had still encountered no enemies, though they could all sense that some soldiers were nearby.

Finally the silence was broken when Sakura asked softly, "Kurogane, how do you know where we are going?"

Kurogane stopped and lowered himself to speak to the princess directly, "I don't. That doesn't mean we should give up looking. We will find Syaoran. Trust me."

Sakura nodded, her eyes telling all that needed to be said; she completely trusted Kurogane and would follow him wherever he went.

Kurogane led the way once more and again stopped when they reached a turn in the corridor. He leaned against the wall and listened. His face hardened and it was clear to all that he heard something on the other side. Crouching down low, he turned to the group and bid them to make no noise, he then peered around the corner for only the briefest of moments. He motioned for his companions to back up and they did so without question. Standing at full alert, with his sword pulled and ready, Kurogane waited.

Seconds later a lone guard turned the corner. Before he could even shout a cry of alarm Kurogane had wrapped his arm around his head and covered his mouth, he then plunged his sword deep into the man's back. The guard cried out but his voice was muffled by Kurogane. The samurai pulled his sword free and caught the limp body of the soldier as it fell lifeless into his arms. Wordlessly he pulled him further back to a darker section of tunnel. Fai felt Sakura cringe and stagger backward. He reached out and gently turned her around so her face was resting in his chest. She shouldn't have had to see that. They left the body in a forgotten corner, the first of many that would fall beneath them.

"Let's go." Kurogane bid them softly as he moved to lead the way once more. The group followed without question, blindly walking into corridors that would hold only death and destruction.

Mokona and Sakura were both disturbed to be returning to the darkness of tunnels, with their stale air, and compact hallways, but they both kept their feelings to themselves, knowing they were not to talk and should simply be focused on finding Syaoran.

As before, Kurogane led the company around bends and passages, never faltering in his step but always being cautious as to their movements. To Sakura, the darkness seemed endless as they entered a section of the caves that was cut off from all sources of light..

Still they continued onward. More tense minutes passed and light returned to the caves by way of hanging torches. The tunnel went straight for some time but eventually they could see a section of passages ahead of them that clearly split into several directions. Not only that, but also in the next corridor they could hear the shrill voices of soldiers. It didn't sound as though there were a great number of men, but there was at least a dozen and the company knew the next few steps must be taken with great wariness.

They had not thought they could make it through the tunnels without running into the soldiers, on the contrary they felt quite fortunate to have gotten this far with so little trouble, but feelings were still mixed as they were about to face Raetashi's army on their own ground. But they were prepared for this and all stood ready for the fight that would soon be engaged.

At Fai's signal, Kurogane raised his sword, calling forth a spell that targeted the torches that hung from the ceiling and extinguished every flame. The halls were now enshrouded in total darkness. The men shouted in confusion and could be heard stumbling about. Out of darkness, the company attacked! Fai and Kurogane rushed forward into the corridor, weapons drawn and ready. The men never knew where the attack came from and none escaped as the group slashed and stabbed at all that was moving. They flanked through the corridors, making sure to keep away from each other so as not to wound a companion in battle.

Raetashi's men screamed in pain and others ran about looking for a way of escape. They knew not who attacked them, or how many there may be and the company fought ferociously. No one was spared from Kurogane's sword, which struck strong killing blows, or Fai's bo that hacked at the them, ending their pitiful lives. Sooner than it seemed the battle was over.

None of the company sustained any injuries and the floor was littered with the bodies of dead soldiers. They had won this battle, but there was still a war to fight.

"We need to keep moving." Kurogane said. Fai nodded in agreement and allowed Kurogane to lead the way once more. Sakura and Mokona also tagged along in the rear. There was still far to go.

An hour after their first battle, they had already encountered more guards on three more occasions. They used the same strategy every time, attacking their unsuspecting enemy in the dark, and so far had sustained no injuries to their company. Things were going as well as could be hoped, each encounter they had had included no more than two dozen men, an easily overcome number with a group as strong as themselves. With each strike they grew closer to finding Syaoran.

Together now, they walked cautiously through the poorly lit halls of the castle, always wary of attack and ready for battle. Sakura tried to hide her discomfort that came with being in the dark passages, but was somewhat unsuccessful. Still, her mind was plagued with other thoughts, thoughts of worry for Syaoran who was not with them.So they continued in silence. Talking only when necessary, and sometimes not even then. They would often use hand signals to get their message across so as to make no noise at all. They eventually reached another area that was filled with a great number of guards. Kurogane stopped them and signaled for all to make their weapons ready. As always Kurogane extinguished all sources of light, and then attacked. These men were slightly more disciplined than those they had faced so far, and didn't immediately panic as the darkness fell. Instead they stood ready to fight, but Kurogane and Fai had the advantage of surprise.

The guards fell, one by one, though the battle took longer than usual due to the size and strength of their opponents. At one point Fai suffered a blow to the head as he was shoved roughly into the wall, but Kurogane was close by and struck out at his friend's assailant with fierce determination. The soldier staggered back and fled. It was long minutes before all their enemies were struck down, and everyone was exhausted by the fight.

"We must keep going," Kurogane told them as he straightened.

"We can not hope to overtake the entire castle without allowing time to regain our strength." Fai replied as he rubbed the bump on his head and sat against the wall. He eyes drifted over to Sakura who also was beginning to show signs of fatigue."

Kurogane hesitated. "We can't." He told them firmly.

"I think we have to," Fai answered and motioned to where Sakura was now slumped against the wall."

With a grunt, Kurogane re-sheathed his sword and looked about the room. It was unlike any area of the mountain they had yet encountered, it was rather large and there were tables and machinery set about everywhere, all with dark tools and sharp weapons strewn about them. "Fine"

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Syaoran growled deep inside his throat. The sound was low and unnatural to his ears. He would not pretend that his ragged appearance did not disturb him. The mud, dirt, and blood stained into his skin and his tangled hair disgusted him. His clothes were tatters that clung like scraps of rags to his thinning body. He would not deny the pain he felt. The many wounds inflicted upon him made movement a trying torture. But he had reached the point beyond caring. The blows inflicted by the cruelty of his captors hurt less when he used his anger as a shield.

This was the greatest difference he felt in himself, and though it scared him, he did not know how to fight it. He was not even sure he wanted to, for this rage and panic that was budding inside his heart where his calm, stoic peace once resided was his only weapon against the cruelty forced upon him. He would not fade quietly. They would not so easily take him to his doom.

The reason for his rage this day was much the same as it had been for the last few. And, on this gray, cold morning, he was again rewarded for his impudence. The man's hard fists rammed into his face, sending Syaoran to the hard floor of his cell. The boy wheezed for a moment, blood gushing from his nose, before the ugly man reached down and yanked him by the rope around his neck upwards. As the tough cord tightened, its dry threads bit into the soft flesh of his neck with a painful burn.

"Stupid child," came a guttural hiss. The man's eyes were glowing with sadistic malice. Syaoran glared back with equal hate. He longed often to repay these brutes in kind for all the vile things to which they had subjected him. But he was always kept at a disadvantage. They trussed him so tightly that never would his hands come free. Underneath his fear and disgust, it gave Syaoran some small bit of satisfaction that they feared him enough to keep him bound and leashed like an animal.

He did not show them his panic or his terror. Thus, when the first blows landed, he did not cry out. He lay as still as he could when the soldiers pummeled him with powerful kicks and brutal fists, forcing himself to relax. Though it was agonizing, he knew it was necessary. Fighting back or trying to protect himself resulted in more injury. He had learned quickly that the men lost interest in doling out his punishment when he acted a limp doll instead of a furious combatant. They reveled in his struggles. If that he did not give to them, they would abandon their harassment of him. What they did not realize was the less they injured him, the stronger he would be the following morning to attempt to flee.

Syaoran closed his eyes, keeping a grimace from his face, as the heel of man's massive foot crashed into his exposed belly, bruising the skin and crushing his innards. The youth this time could not stifle a cry. The blow left him gasping, his body shaking in waves of tumultuous pain, and for a moment all he could do was breathe.

"Enough." Syaoran was slow to regain his senses. He loathed the sight that came to him when he did.

Raetashi's placid face yielded so much implicit malice, his eyes veritably glimmering with hot sadism. Syaoran swallowed the bile burning the back of his throat and forced himself to focus, though the shock from the last strike was slow to recede. He could not afford to falter before Raetashi.

The dark lord gave a cold, amused chuckle. "Another escape attempt, Syaoran? Surely by now you must realize it is folly." Raetashi's voice sang a sick tale of twisted lust and untold corruption. "You will never be free of my grasp."

Syaoran narrowed his eyes but said nothing. The words had cut through his resolve, and though his anger was driving, his heart wavered. An escape attempt? One could hardly call a feeble motion towards the door that had opened upon his assailants' entry an escape attempt.

Syaoran knew he was in no condition to best so many without a weapon and bound as such. His ribs, though healing, were still a hindrance to his breathing. He had regained some use of his left hand, but still he could not get enough strength into his swollen fingers to grip anything. Each new injury he sustained as well reversed any progress he had made in salvaging his might.

Syaoran felt tears of frustration and fear coming to his eyes. He knew it was all in vain but never would he end his defiance. It was what drove him to fight, even though he knew the endeavor to be fruitless and detrimental. If Raetashi stole his pride, truly he would be broken.

So he blinked back his tears and stifled his hopeless sob. "As long as Sakura is free of you, nothing else matters." he snapped coolly in bold anger.

He did not regret his words, though they were met with harsh brutality. The man holding the rope about his neck yanked it most viciously, and Syaoran was bodily lifted from the cool cell floor. The knot tightened, choking him. His lungs began to burn and he gagged. He vaguely felt warm blood seep from the burns upon his neck. With his hands tied tightly behind his back, there was no way to defend himself. The man laughed as he rammed his fist again into the boy's stomach. Syaoran's scream died as the air rushed from his lungs.

After he was dropped.

Syaoran gasped as he struck the ground, the impact jostling bruises and bones. Above the ringing in his ears he heard laughing. Then the cold tones of the dark lord. "Silly child. Why do you seek to destroy yourself?" asked Raetashi. "Do you take pleasure in your own pain?"

Wetness blurred Syaoran' vision as he sucked in breath after breath, trying to fill his blazing lungs. "I won't give in to you," he gasped, wincing as he struggled to sit up, "I will never tell you want you wish to know, Raetashi."

Raetashi's pleased grin chilled Syaoran. "You act as though you can deny me such. You truly are a silly boy, Syaoran! Tell me, how might I punish you now for your resistance? Though it much amuses me to see a small, pitiful being such as yourself struggle against his fate, you still have yet to answer my questions. You might think yourself wise but you are but a pathetic boy, and I see all things." Syaoran' thundering heart held still a moment. He felt the color drain from his face. "You are biding your time. You do not fight my men when they beat you to lessen injury. Undoubtedly you are conserving your strength to truly make your escape."

Syaoran felt his soul shake. For days this had been his thought. Being so easily disarmed of it chilled him. Truly Raetashi's sick logic was deadly! The man cruelly scrutinized him. "I see now from your paling cheeks that I am indeed right. Your face betrays much, Syaoran."

Anger coursed through Syaoran, and he felt his composure flutter. Again the murderous rage piqued. Raetashi's belittling of him hurt in some ways more than the bruises and blood. How he wished he could remove that nasty, sadistic, smug grin from the man's face! Days ago he had begun to wonder why Raetashi had not killed him. It made little sense to Syaoran, and he had had a great deal of time to ponder the bleak prospect.

Surely he was of no use to him now. Raetashi had already come to realize that his friends were coming to look for him. Though Syaoran prayed he had done nothing to aid in the man's disastrous conclusions, he still felt horrible and guilty that he had failed in protecting Sakura. Why did they keep him alive? As Syaoran had considered it, two reasons came to him. Raetashi had made many assumptions in his reasoning. Though Syaoran knew them to be true, the man was not stupid. Killing Syaoran would mean destroying the last known link with Sakura. That was likely a risk Raetashi would not take. This seemed a trifle concern to Syaoran, for though he revealed nothing of his painful defeat, he knew Raetashi had discovered the truth. The latter motive disturbed the boy greatly.

Here again was the sick obsession in Raetashi's eyes, the hungry lust to intimidate and destroy. He needed no great intelligence to see that his suffering gave the dark lord great delight and gratification. As base as it might be, Raetashi would not have his entertainment perish. Syaoran hated him for reducing him to mere object to use and abuse!

"You are crazy, Raetashi," Syaoran hissed. His tone was seething in burning resentment and spite. "It is you who is the fool if you think that you can keep Sakura from reaching the feather. My friends will defeat you and you will be reduced to nothing! Just as you should be!"

The harsh truths did not go unheeded. Syaoran felt euphoric as he detected the smallest hints of fear and worry in cruel man before him. In a flash they were gone. Raetashi glared upon the boy, black ire in his eyes. "Insolent child!" The brilliant auburn eyes of the youth locked upon the black gaze of the dark lord, and in this they warred. Then Raetashi grinned slowly and crookedly. "I tire of you, Syaoran. Your continual defiance disgusts me."

The prisoner's face hardened. "Then kill me. I will not submit to you, Raetashi." The statement hurt, but he pushed it from his mouth. In truth he was terrified.

Raetashi shook his head. "My dear Syaoran, I grow weary of your infernal loyalty. It's repulsive and I promise you that before I am through with you, you will submit to me." Syaoran stiffened. "I will see you destroyed for your contempt! You have wasted much of my time. I shall rid you of your means to defy." The man's expression was cold and placid as he turned to his men. "Beat him until he hasn't the strength to raise his pathetic form from the floor."

As Raetashi barked out the order, Shinn and one of his soldiers came racing around the corner and into the cell. Both appeared out of breath and motioned for the lord to speak with them. Something had happened. Raetashi gave Syaoran one last disapproving glare before he turned his attention to the two men.

Cold terror washed over Syaoran. His heart boomed painfully in his chest as the men around him smiled malevolently. With his hands bound and the rope about his neck taut, he could do nothing besides wriggle as the massive soldiers came upon him.

"No!"

The one holding the rope slammed his huge, meaty hand around Syaoran's pale throat, holding him to the ground with a crushing grip. The boy could barely breathe, and panic and instinct directed his battered body in its struggle.

As the other men circled, the one restraining him smiled. Blackness bordered the world for Syaoran, hungrily devouring the scene, and his body was burning. He kicked vainly. Vaguely he felt his toes strike something firm and heard a squeal. The small victory was lost to him, for more soldiers were quick to join their comrades in traumatizing their prisoner.

A fist slammed into his temple, and he could no longer see. He could not breathe. Rough fingernails raked through his ragged hair, pulling and ripping. Another scraped down the skin of his chest "Stupid, stupid child," came a quiet snarl.

The beating continued and Syaoran knew his strength was fleeting and his heart was heavy with the burden of his destiny. He would never escape. He would never again see Sakura smile at him. He would no longer enjoy the sound Fai and Kurogane quarreling amongst one another. This was his fate. They were going to kill him.

His body ached and his soul shriveled. He felt dirty breathing the air and sick resting upon the ground. The boy closed his eyes and swallowed the sob trapped in his throat. Hopelessly, he waited for the beating to stop.

His senses were screaming a warning, but Syaoran could not understand what they were trying to tell him. Their alert was strong enough to jostle the disoriented boy into attempting to stand, but his brutalized legs painfully reminded him that they would not support his weight, and he slumped, defeated and frightened. He could do nothing, he realized, but sit and listen.

Syaoran' wide eyes darted all around him. Raetashi's men had backed off, making way for their lord to pass between them. Syaoran released a slow, painful breath and tried once more to rise. He did not know the nature of this danger that his mind was belting out to him, but he was sure he needed to get away. The air hung still with unsaid and unnatural threat, and it hurt the prisoner to breathe it as he grunted quietly.

His leg muscles cramped uncooperatively. He cursed himself for his failing endurance and Raetashi for his abuse! He could not stand, much less run. Panicked, Syaoran raised his bound hands up to his mouth and, using his teeth as an anchor upon one of the loops, pulled at the ropes. They were securely fastened; tugging at them did nothing. He had doubted it would, but he could not simply allow himself to be the victim of whatever his senses were warning him again.

His movements had drawn the interest of Raetashi's men and Syaoran dropped his hands. Chilling desperation stilled his racing heart as their eyes ate at his fear hungrily. He had to get away. The warning rose to a scream in his mind. He had to now!

Aggravated tears burned his eyes as once more he tried to stand. The effort beaded sweat upon his temples and he could not stifle his groan of agony as he carefully yet rapidly tried to put his weight upon his torn feet. The soldiers laughed heartily at his feeble endeavor, clearly amused. Syaoran tried to take a step but hot pain shot up his calf and knee, and he staggered and fell.

A fist wrapped into his hair as he lay gasping on the ground and hauled him up. Syaoran squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to see their malicious stares. The man pitched him forward carelessly, and the youth stumbled, skidding across the hard floor before collapsing once more. For a moment he remained still, gasping for breath, clawing at his composure and his resolve. Then he was made to look skyward.

Raetashi smiled broadly. "It seems," he said evenly, his voice betraying no small amount of satisfaction, "That your friends have arrived." In his hand, he held a peculiar glass orb that swirled of dark blues and purples. Within it shimmered a soft white feather – Sakura's feather. It rested innocently upon the white palm, long, elegant fingers clasping it tenderly. "Take a look. See how futile your defiance has become. They came looking for you."

He did not want to gaze into the orb, but he found he could not resist. His wide eyes were drawn to its swirling, lulling colors despite his deep desire to avert them and his fear. The tempest of deep hues shattered, burned away by angry flames, and Syaoran winced.

The boy stopped breathing.

Sakura and the others were wondering about the lower levels of the castle. They had come because of him. They would die trying to free him instead of leaving this world as they should have. What horrible fate had Syaoran pushed upon them? Terror and anger clenched every muscle of his body, and he watched numbly as the vision faded, leaving the glass stone once again as dark and forbidding as night. Shocked, he looked up to Raetashi. "You monster…" he hissed.

Raetashi laughed outright. "Child! I have found the Winged Goddess! I told you I would, did I not? I warned you that it was inevitable, unstoppable! She came right to me!" The demented man's tone was twisted to almost a high pitch in pure, jovial elation.

Syaoran lowered his eyes. Whatever strength and courage had driven him now faded quickly and without regard to his present predicament, leaving him reduced to shuddering in defeat. A tear escaped and streaked down his dirtied cheek as he bit into his quivering lower lip. It could not be!

The silent moment did not last long, Raetashi's hand found its way to the boy's chin, lifting Syaoran' ashen face. "My poor, disillusioned boy," he said quietly. In his voice was unspeakable danger and the prisoner's mind screamed in warning. Syaoran jerked, but the nails tightened upon his jaw, holding him immobile. Behind him the soldiers' rough grips upon his shoulders and hair kept him kneeling. Panic slowly crawled into the pit of Syaoran' stomach. His pulse raced. He could not break free!

Raetashi smiled cruelly. "Do you remember what I told you? That you would help me – be it willingly or unwillingly? Well, the time has come."

Syaoran grunted, tears filling his eyes and collecting in a stinging pool. He could hardly breathe. Terror shook him to his very core, and he wriggled vainly. When it become clear he would not answer, Raetashi grinned again, arrogant and unfazed. "I told you then," he reminded, his tone, though soft, sounding low and vicious, "-that I would settle for your unwilling assistance," Syaoran bit into his tongue until the warm bitterness of his blood trickled into his mouth. Raetashi was calm as he handed the orb to a nearby, leering soldier. Gently his other hand pressed to the quivering boy's cheek. "I believe it is time I kept my word."

Before the terrified Syaoran could even think to struggle, Raetashi's grip turned hard, the long fingers cutting into the flesh of his face. He could not look away as Raetashi's black eyes locked unto his own and dug inside him. The man was chanting, lowly and quietly, and the words were rough and rotten. The serene gaze crackled with power from the feather which did not belong to him, and Syaoran choked on his sobbing breath as the strangest of sensations came to him through the grip upon him.

At first it was merely uncomfortable, crawling over his body with a sick caress of augmenting evil. When it reached his chest, it turned into a consuming fire that burned and ripped. Shear agony coursed over him, and he was helpless in its grasp. Something inside him was dying, crushed by the darkness. He could feel it wither, and it hurt and frightened him like nothing had ever before. The part of his mind still clinging to his sanity ordered his limp body to move, to do anything to prevent this.

No! Fight!

But he was helpless. The pain turned the world violent and white. Raetashi's eyes would not release him, and the man glowed bloodily in the bleached surroundings. Syaoran felt his mind crack, his sight shift, and his soul was raggedly crushed.

The boy screamed.

The savage deed was done.

A quiet moment then passed. Raetashi released Syaoran. The dark lord wobbled a bit, apparently drained and winded from his exertions. He opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to taunt further or gloat his victory, but closed it slowly, for the words would fall to deaf ears. His prisoner had mercifully passed out at his feet.

Calmly, he turned to Shinn who had observed what had happened in silence. "Prepare him. It is time."

WMWMWMMWMWMWMMWMWMMWMWMMWMWMWMMW

The silence was shattered by a heart-stopping scream that filled the dark passages and reverberated off of every wall. It was a sound of torment and pain that assaulted the ears of the group and threatened to bring tears to their eyes. After long seconds, nearly half a minute, the scream ended and became only an echo. But still it rang out, loud and clear within the minds of the Sakura and her friends.

"I sense a feather!" Mokona suddenly chirped and jolted upright. "It's strong!"

"My god." Kurogane muttered under his breath, shock and horror evident in his voice.

"Please don't tell me that was who it sounded like to me." Sakura pleaded as she looked at Kurogane and Fai, hoping they had heard differently than her. But they had all heard the same scream, and it would ring out in their nightmares for many days.

"If it sounded like Syaoran to you, then I am afraid you're correct." Fai said drearily, his voice just above a whisper.

"What if we're too late?" Sakura felt tears threaten to spill from her wide eyes.

"We aren't. But we may be if we linger here for any longer." Kurogane announced, "That scream means that he is still alive. Let's go!" And as he said this, he charged ahead through the corridors. Kurogane led them onward again, following the direction he believed to have heard the dreadful roar that would haunt his dreams.

TBC

Phew, I hope that wasn't too confusing for everyone. That was a hard chapter to write. Thanks to my friends Jen and Casi who helped me write this chapter. OH! Big thanks Aguescar for her suggestions. Thanks also to I PleiadesWolfe for reviewing every chapter upon reading and to LiLover131cherushiichan and the tangerine otaku for also reviewing. If you have anymore please let me know! What has happened to Syaoran? I think Aguescar knows right? hehe.

Please let me know what you thought ok? Any suggestions, also let me know.

Thanks again.

Until next time,

Krilyn