Chapter 9

Up until about twenty minutes ago, receiving an acceptance letter from Tokyo University was the most exciting news that I had ever received. But I was going to be an aunt! Finally! And that was by far so much better. And I wasn't the only one ecstatic about Michiyo's soon to be birth, the news had everyone on cloud nine, it was like a flash of hope in the middle of the dark times we were going through. I just knew we were all going to spoil little Michiyo rotten and she wasn't even born yet.

When Touya had finally recovered from the shock/panic from the fact that he was going to be a dad he had raced out of the apartment, he had been in such a hurry that he left his jacket and his motorcycle keys on the kitchen counter. After chasing him down three flights of stairs we finally convinced him to ride with Eriol and Tomoyo to the hospital in Eriol's car while Syaoran and I picked up the maternity bag and the car from his house in Tomoeda. Meanwhile I stationed Kero and Yue on guard duty, making sure they put up a barrier around the hospital while they secured the perimeter.

I had an extra bounce on my step as I entered Touya's house with Syaoran in tow, I was quickly overwhelmed by the amount of baby stuff cluttering the living room. I felt a pang of guilt when I spotted two pink It's a Girl! balloons floating near the kitchen. I hadn't made it to the baby shower last week, instead I had confined myself in the apartment in order to make sure Eris wouldn't crash the shower as well. Tomoyo, being the great friend she is had come to the shower alone, bearing gifts from both of us (even though I never had the chance to actually buy a gift). But it still stung, not being there for Kaho and my brother.

Just like that I managed to burst my own bubble, the only thing that was keeping me from thinking of my dad. He should be here with Touya, supporting him, giving him insight on how to actually raise a child. Instead he was in hell, all because some psycho from the past wants me to join her.

The clock on top of the television read it was eight thrity, which meant that I only had a little over four hours to mentally prepare myself for Eris. Would she call her bluff? Who would she take next? Eriol had called for a vote earlier-excluding me of course- on whether they thought it was best that I stayed or not. The vote was unanimous, which proved how stubborn they all were to see that by voting me to stay, one of them would be taken. They said they were buying time until we figured something out, but a couple of days…no a couple of minutes would feel like an eternity in the underworld. At least Eriol and Syaoran would be able to protect themselves, maybe even Kaho, but Touya and Tomoyo were just mortals. Kero's and Yue's fates were all the more confusing, would they be taken? Would they be drained?

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a loud crash in the garage, followed by a long string of curses directed to a 'goddam car seat from hell.' Despite my sour mood, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. The great leader of the Li clan was having trouble with an infant's car seat. Go figure.

"Are you okay in there?" I yelled over my shoulder as I looked around the piles of baby stuff for the maternity bag.

Instead of answering, he let out a loud frustrated sigh that resembled a growl.

Knowing that it was only a matter of time before he obliterated the car seat, I pictured the bag Touya had described in my head and casted a tracking spell. Letting out a long breath, I watched as tiny pink glowing orbs swarmed out of my lips and covered every surface in the living room. The furniture glowed with a soft pink hue, making it appear as if it was radioactive.

"Show me what I seek."

On command the orbs dispersed and regrouped in the far corner in the living room. Hidden behind diapers and pink baby clothes, was the teal bag with the face of the moon on the side. Saving my victory dance for later, I went through the kitchen and into the garage.

Syaoran's body was cramped between the back of the front seat and the baby's car seat, his hands digging around the seat to buckle it into place. His scowl deepened when he noticed that all he was doing was knotting up the belt locks. Grunting like a caveman unable to make fire, Syaoran waved his hand over the knotted mess and murmured something underneath his breath. The straps snapped into their respective place on their own, the only evidence that magic had been involved was the faint-but still present-magical trail.

A shiver ran down my spine as I felt the all too familiar hunger emerge.

"You shouldn't be using magic."

He climbed out of the back seat and opened the trunk. His usually graceful movements were still sluggish with fatigue, and whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was still pale and his amber eyes lacked their usual luster. He seemed to have sensed my distress, or at least he thought he was sensing guilt because he felt the need to reassure me "Sakura, I'm fine. Plus, it was just a simple spell, no harm done."

But I wasn't fine. Just being around his essence sent a pleasant shock through my body, it was warm and electrifying. "You should really be careful, you're not at full strength yet." I said handing him the bag, our fingers brushed and I had a hard time keeping myself in check. He was weak, it would be almost too easy to sink my fangs in the juncture between his neck and his shoulder and taste his tantalizing essence that I presumed tasted like sunlight.

"Sakura are you okay?" he asked snapping me out of very inappropriate thoughts.

I didn't trust myself to speak without giving Syaoran an eyeful of my fangs, instead I gave him a quick nod before getting on the passenger seat. Moments later he was sitting in the car pulling out of the garage, shooting me a worried look from the corner of his eye. He wasn't stupid, he knew what was happening.

"Are you in control right now?" He said as he turned into the highway "Are you feeling the urge to-?"

I nodded again, hating myself for being so weak. He let out a long sigh and drove in silence the rest of the way to the hospital, his gaze far away in deep thought. Syaoran parked in the parking garage on the east wing –the closest one to the maternity ward- and shut off the engine. My fangs felt heavy in my mouth, they were practically itching to just lean over and claim the exposed skin. Not trusting myself to keep my urges in check, I opened the door and practically ran out of the car.

I kept my strides long and hurried as I walked away from Touya's car, putting as much distance as I could between myself and anything with a pulse. The dim lighting made if feel like the shadows were creeping closer and closer, ready to swallow me whole. I was almost at a window ready to fly off when I felt Syaoran's hand wrap around my wrist, tugging me away from the window and into the warmth of his chest.

"I can't be here right now. It's not safe."

"Touya needs you, you are the only family he has left."

"Syaoran, look at me!" I pushed away from his embrace and flared my fangs for good measure "I'm a monster. It'll only be putting everyone in danger. I need to get as far away from you as possible."

"Take my essence," He said "If you do you'll be fine and you can go help your brother. The urge must be driving you crazy and until we figure out a way to get you back to normal, let me help you."

Placing his hand in the nape of my neck brought my head closer to his neck "I hate to see you in pain, and the hunger for power is eating you up."

"You're already weak, what if I drain you completely?"

"I trust you not to." His grip tightened around my neck, urging me to satisfy my thirst.

Feeling my self-control slip, but still fighting the need to sink my fangs in his flesh, I retracted my fangs and pulled away slightly. I rose to the tip of my toes and brushed my lips against his. His body stiffened and then relaxed as he kissed me back. I coaxed his essence to emerge and slowly, like pulling on a golden thread I drank in the distinct tangy, electrifying taste. It was like pure ecstasy coursing through my body, energizing every cell in its wake. I told myself that immense satisfaction I was getting was just because I was sedating my hunger. But it was painfully obvious that I was lusting after Syaoran, and if I was being honest with myself, I knew that my feelings ran way deeper than just lust.

His grip around my neck loosened and his lips turned cold. I wielded myself to cut the invisible golden thread and stop his essence from flowing into my body. Breaking off the kiss, I backed away slowly, putting distance between the two of us before I did something stupid like kiss him again.

"Thank you," I said awkwardly, looking everywhere but his eyes. I was thankful for the dim lighting as I felt my cheeks redden. Syaoran looked exhausted, but he still managed to pull off one of his wicked smirks "That was different."

"I was just feeding."

He gave me a knowing smile before nudging me playfully with his shoulder "Shall we go meet up with the others?"

Nodding, I wrapped my arm around his waist, letting myself carry half of his weight as we made our way toward the elevators.

-X-

It was almost ten when Syaoran and I walked into the waiting area, only to find that Touya was pacing frantically the length of the room, his short hair stood in every which direction his fingers raked through. Eriol and Tomoyo sat in front of him, watching him pace as they tried to get him to calm down but he was in some kind of trance. Tomoyo was the first to spot us by the door, her gentle features etched with worry.

"The doctors are not letting him see her. They say they have to run a couple tests because there seems to be an abnormality-"

"Is the baby okay?" I interrupted "Did something happen to Kaho?"

Tomoyo took my hand in hers, soothing some of the anxiety shooting through my system "The baby seems to be fine, it's Kaho who is showing the abnormality. From what the nurses told us, it seemed like Kaho was about ready to give birth an hour ago when we arrived. But somehow the process regressed and her contractions lessened and she can't start pushing. They are running some tests to see if the baby is alright."

"Can't they just perform a C-section? And why won't they let Touya see her?"

"All the operating rooms are busy," Eriol said from behind Tomoyo "They said they would call Touya in when the doctors figured out what to do. They've just never seen a case like this, it's almost as if her body is delaying giving birth."

The doors to the waiting area opened and my brother's body froze as we all turned to see a blond nurse walk in.

"Kinomoto?"

In three strides Touya was in front of the nurse "Is my wife okay? Did something happen to the baby?" he said shaking the nurse's shoulders "When can I see her?"

"Sir, I understand you are in a lot of stress but please unhand me." When her words didn't filter through his head I placed my hand on his arm and pulled him away from the blond.

"Please excuse my brother Miss Yuri" I said reading her nametag "Do you have any news about Kaho and the baby?"

Yuri smiled kindly at my brother, this probably wasn't the first time she had to deal with troublesome soon to be fathers "Miss Kaho is currently in her private room, the doctors didn't find any physical abnormalities in neither the baby nor the mother. You may go see her but only Mr. Kinomoto can stay in the room when Miss Kaho finally goes into labor."

-X-

Most of the tension in Touya's body disappeared once he saw Kaho lying on the hospital bed, rubbing idle circles on her belly. He bend down and kissed her, holding her as close as her pregnant belly would allow.

"Sorry to make you all worry," Kaho smiled warmly at us "I didn't think that a simple walk to the market would make my water break. And god, was that embarrassing. Clean up on aisle three."

Just like when we were kids, Kaho eased our anxiety with her tranquil presence. Even when her contractions started up again, her face remained calm just as her grip on Touya's hand tightened. When the time finally arrived for Kaho to push, all of us except my brother left the room. It was almost midnight and it appeared that like her father, Michiyo was going to be born on Leap Day.

Syaoran, Tomoyo, Eriol and I stood by the door, cringing every time Kaho cried out in pain. Kaho screamed like a banshee on steroids, and when she wasn't crying out in pain she was snapping at my brother who kept giving her words of encouragement. We couldn't help but laugh at how the calm and composed Kaho snapped at Touya every time he said "You're doing great baby," or "Just one more push."

Moments later a high pitched cry erupted from the room, the sound of Michiyo's crying had us all crowding around the door, waiting for the doctor to let us go in and see her. The second the doctor walked out, the four of us rushed in, cooing at the beautiful baby girl in Kaho's arms. She had Touya's dark hair, but every other feature about her screamed Kaho. Soon we were each taking turns carrying Michiyo, marveled by how something so tiny could make us feel so grounded. When it was my turn to hold her I think I almost melted with her in my arms, I felt her essence the second she grabbed my finger, but thanks to Syaoran it didn't stir the dark hunger for power. Instead, her essence reminded me of the Sun, so warm and invigorating.

"She's has the most beautiful aura I've ever seen," I heard myself say, mesmerized by the different tones of orange and gold surrounding her.

"She really does, doesn't she?" Someone said over my shoulder in the same voice.

I hugged the baby closer to my body as I took a couple cautious steps away from my doppelganger. Syaoran was immediately by my side, shielding my body with his own as I handed Michiyo back to Kaho.

"Eris," I hissed creating a miniature force field around the seven of us "You are not welcome here."

She eyed my barrier with disinterest, like if I had just switched the channel to animal planet and they were running a special on sloths.

"Really Sakura? Another barrier?" She did a sweeping motion with her hand and Kero and Yue appeared from a cloud of ashes, their silvery and golden blood pooling on the floor "You're friends here also though they could stop me with a barrier, so I had to make an example of them."

"Let. Them. Go." I said menacingly, feeling the dark sludge of power emerge from the tattoo.

She went to step forward but I charged at her first, ringing my hand around her neck until her eyes bulged out. Meeting her green eyes, I bared my fangs in a loud snarl, promising trouble if she even dared to move "Don't mess with my family you psychotic bitch."

Summoning lightning, I watched as her body writhe under my touch until it went limp. The smell of burned flesh attacked my nose as I looked down to see that the doppelganger's skin had melted off, revealing the corpse of a girl around my age.

"That wasn't very nice," Eris said from the reclining chair, holding a crying Michiyo in her arms.

"Don't touch her, she has nothing to do with this." Touya stepped forward, ready to fight for his daughter when Eris did her shadow paralysis on him and he stood helplessly in mid stride.

"She has everything to do with this. It's been twenty-four hours Sakura dear. Will you be joining me tonight? Or shall I schedule a reunion between this sweet little baby and her grandfather in the underworld?"

"Sakura, don't do it," said Eriol, his tone pained as Kaho cried hysterically, begging Eris to give her back her baby "You'll be walking right into her hands."

I looked helplessly at Kaho, then at each of my friends around the room "If I don't, it'll be one of you tomorrow, and the next day, and the one after that until you are all gone."

Turning toward Eris, I tried keep my voice leveled "Return my father and let my guardians and my niece go. Do that and I swear that I won't run away anymore, I'll willingly join you."

"Those are a lot of demands for someone who holds no power over me," Eris studied me with her emerald eyes-my eyes- before she spoke again, a cold smile playing on her lips "You are lucky that I'm in such a good mood."

She did the sweeping motion with her hand, a pile of black ashes gathered on the floor until they took the shape of a man. Seconds later my dad slumped against the tile, his breaths were labored, but at least he was alive. Michiyo's cries stopped once she materialized in Kaho's arms, Eriol stood in front of the bed protectively. Looking back at my guardians I noticed they were still bounded by some kind of spell "You said you would let them go."

She tsked and wagged her finger at me "I said I was in a good mood, not that I would comply with all of your demands. Now, nobody move."

On command, my body -along with everyone else's-froze. Eris studied me as she circled around me, finally stopping behind me where she ripped my shirt down the middle with her claws. Syaoran cursed and struggled against the invisible restrains, but the most he could move was a couple of inches. Eriol also struggled, but like Syaoran, he couldn't escape the hold.

I felt Eris' claws dig into my spine, I screeched in pain as her hand wrapped around the main stem of my spirit canal. I heard my friends screaming but the pain was far too raw for me to register what they were saying.

"Now Sakura, I shall unlock the remainder chambers. It'll be…painful, but if you manage to survive the ceremony I am going to need you to say: Tenebrae Regnabit and the metamorphosis will be complete."

If I survive. I wanted to snap the bitch's neck, she went through all this trouble with no certainty that I would live? Anger soared from the pit of my stomach "That's it Sakura, get angry. Hate me all you want, it'll only make the bond stronger."

Eris' claws broke through my spirit canal, implanting dark essence seeds in my system "Chambers of Nox, I bestow upon you a sacrifice, a soul seeking the world of the shadows. Grant my reincarnation the full power of the Iltas, release the chambers and seal the contract with she who calls herself Sakura Kinomoto. Open her eyes to the world of darkness." The seeds burst all at once, forcing the remainder of the buds to bloom. The familiar pain shot through my system, my screamed drowned the cries of my friends. The flames of Pyriphlegethonis felt like being tickled in comparison to the pain I was feeling now. Frost gathered at my fingertips, quickly working its way up my body and into my insides. I wanted to crawl up into fetal position and cradle myself, do anything to make the pain stop, but the hold was far too strong for me to move.

"Just say the words and you will never again feel pain again, Sakura."

The ice made its way to my organs and my body began to shut down. Through my pained cries I somehow managed to find my voice. Just wanting it all to end, I mustered every last ounce of energy I had left and cried out "Tenebrae Regnabit."

All pain seized. All emotions disappeared. I lived for myself, and for my needs. And I needed to feed.

I recognized the people around me, I should have probably felt something, instead there was nothing. There wasn't a single emotion that anchored me to the people I used to love so foolishly. Love leads to pain. There is only need and satisfaction.

Letting my new instincts take control, I crouched down in front of my former 'guardians' scenting their pure energy. The Sun and the Moon, the lights in the shadows. They too would be consumed by darkness. Pulling on the silver hair, I brought his body closer to my own. Without hesitation or remorse I sank my fangs in his shoulder while at the same time absorbed the golden essence of the lion. It took me all of thirty seconds to deplete their bodies of their essence. I sat back on the balls of my feet and rode the wave of pleasure washing over me.

Mania, my creator, stood next to the corpses with a proud look on her face. Her expression was also one of authority, but she was mistaken if she thought I was going to be some kind of lap dog. I felt no loyalty to this woman, but she had laid out a nice meal for me to feast on, and for that reason alone I did not break her neck in two. With the help of my new powers I dematerialized in a cloud of ashes and sought out my next meal.

Author's note:

I know, I know this chapter was a rollercoaster of emotions. Sorry for the late post but I made the chapter extra-long to make up for my tardiness. I kind of pushed the envelope today with this chapter, hopefully you guys won't hate me for turning Sakura into a monster. It had to happen. As you can see she's lost all sight of right and wrong, therefore next chapter will be written in Syaoran's POV. Oh yeah, they aren't giving up.

Please review and tell me what you guys thought of this chapter, was it too much? Was it just plain horrible? Did you actually enjoy reading the chapter? I won't know unless you guys help me out.

Btw Tenebrae Regnabit is supposed to mean "Let the shadows reign" in Latin according to Google Translate, but GT isn't exactly reliable all the time so you guys get the jist of what I was trying to say.

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS, but this weird dark plot does belong to me.

Thank you to all of those who reviewed, you guys made my day.