The sound of shattering glass startled Sakura awake in the morning. Holding the sheet to her naked frame, she looked around, heart racing.
"Are you ok?"
She met Syaoran's fearful gaze from where he stood at the bedroom door in his green dressing gown.
"I-what-"
He walked over to the window, avoiding the broken glass, and looked outside. He searched the are with his eyes but couldn't see anything or anyone. He turned to survey the room, spotting what had broken the window embedded in the wall near Sakura.
Sakura spotted it too.
Syaoran grabbed Sakura's bathrobe and walked around to her, placing it around her shoulders. "You need to get away from the window."
She nodded and moved to stand, but found she was shaking too much. He helped her up and tied her robe in place before walking her into the other room to sit on the couch.
"I'll call the front desk." He said.
Sakura just nodded.
After explaining to the front desk staff what had happened over the phone and then ordering breakfast, Syaoran sat with Sakura who immediately held onto him. Her frame shook from fear and she struggled to get herself under control before security arrived.
A knock sounded at the door and he stood to answer it. Sakura took several deep breaths and finally managed to calm her shaking a little as a pair of officers entered behind Syaoran.
"Your Grace-are you hurt?" one of the officers asked.
"I'm not hurt." Sakura answered.
"We've alerted the police-can we get anything for you?"
"I need to call my advisors at the castle." Sakura answered firmly.
"Of course-we'll bring a communication crystal right away."
"Thank you." Sakura nodded, dismissing them.
They left and Syaoran turned back to Sakura, "What do you plan on telling the police here? I don't know if we can trust them."
"This matter will be handled by the castle." Sakura answered.
"That's it?" he asked.
Sakura nodded. "I'm sure that by tomorrow, it will be public knowledge that I was attacked. I'm amazed they missed though."
"I think they missed on purpose. Any skilled assassin wouldn't have missed, especially if their target was sleeping. And they certainly wouldn't have made that much noise." Syaoran explained.
"Do you think it might have been a warning?" Sakura frowned.
Syaoran shrugged, "I'm sorry, but I don't know."
A sudden realisation hit Sakura in the chest. "Wait. What type of bullet was it?" she asked quietly.
Syaoran quickly realised what she was getting at and moved to check. He came back five minutes later, "Just a regular bullet." Meaning it wasn't silver.
"Then they didn't know about…" she frowned in thought. "What are your thoughts?"
"I think it's too high up on the wall to be what you're thinking." He replied honestly.
Sakura nodded, "Ok, good." She murmured.
The shaking had finally stopped completely.
There was another knock at the door and Syaoran answered it again, allowing the young male through with their breakfast. The communication crystal was sitting on one of the trays; it was small, roughly the size of a pebble.
Sakura picked it up and sat it on the coffee table in front of her, and called the castle while Syaoran went and got dressed.
It didn't take long to connect to Chii and Fai. The two blondes were surprised to hear from Sakura so soon.
"What's going on?" Chii asked.
"This morning, someone tried to assassinate me-well actually, we aren't too sure if it was an assassination attempt or some kind of warning." Sakura explained, glancing up at Syaoran as she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"What do you mean?" Fai asked.
"The organisation knows about her magic and the barrier. Whoever sent the bullet into the wall didn't know to use silver, and the aim was terrible." Syaoran answered. "It was a pretty miserable attempt, really."
"Alright. And what are the police over there doing about it." Chii asked.
"I don't trust this city right now. Anna has it under her thumb." Sakura answered. "I want the castle to look into the matter."
"Well have them apprehended by the time you return. Stay safe, you two." Fai replied.
"Thank you. Good luck." Sakura murmured, and then terminated the connection.
She leant back and sighed. "So…what's for breakfast?"
"Pancakes."
She raised her brow, "I haven't had those in a while."
"No," He smiled.
Sakura stood and stretched. "Ok…time to eat."
…
They left the city later than scheduled due to the unfortunate disruption, and soon headed for the next city. There was a rather drastic change in the way everyone greeted and spoke to Syaoran, being more accepting and kind to the young man. Sakura felt relief as she started to realise it was only a small percentage of people who were worried as they travelled from city to city.
The night before they were to head back to the capital, Syaoran smiled as they lay in bed. "They really do have absolute faith in you." He said softly.
"It makes me happy to know that most of my people trust me. I was a little worried for those first few days." Sakura confessed.
"I was scared that I might have only made the situation worse. I'm not a very well known figure, after all."
"Well, you're the King now. Everyone has to know who you are." Sakura laughed.
Syaoran smiled again. "I guess so."
Sakura's eyes started to drift shut as sleep started to set in. Syaoran shifted onto his other side and flicked off the lamp before settling down and falling asleep as well.
The next morning they were headed back to the capital, arriving at the castle not long before the sun would set.
Chii and Fai greeted them at the doors.
"How was the rest of your tour?" Fai asked.
"For the most part, it was ok." Sakura smiled, "There were a few occasions that were a little rough, but otherwise it was fine."
"I'm glad to see you're both safe." Chii smiled.
"Also, you'll be pleased to hear that we found out who shot that bullet into the hotel wall." Fai added.
"Where are they?" Sakura asked.
"In the dungeons." Chii replied.
Sakura looked to Syaoran and he looked to Fai, "I'd like to see them."
"Alright." The blonde murmured.
"Sakura, I'll come find you. You're tired, and I'd prefer it if you'd rest before confronting them." Syaoran added.
Sakura blinked. "Alright…Chii, how far away is dinner?"
"Maybe about an hour?" the maid smiled.
"I think I'd like some tea."
Chii nodded and Syaoran watched as Sakura walked with her up the stairs.
Fai lead him down to the dungeons which were mostly empty, except for one cell. Inside that one cell was a boy in his late teens.
Syaoran raised his brow, "This is him?"
Fai nodded, "That's him."
The teen looked up from his bed and his hazel eyes widened.
"How did you find him?" Syaoran asked.
"He came to us." Fai confessed.
Syaoran frowned. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Sid." The teen replied.
"So, did you miss hitting Sakura on purpose or are you just really bad at aiming?" Syaoran asked.
Sid stayed silent.
Syaoran looked to Fai, who shrugged. "He wouldn't talk to us, either."
He turned and they headed back up the stairs. "I'll talk to Sakura and see if she's up to talking to him tomorrow. It's been a pretty stressful trip."
"I'm not surprised. Has she shown any surprise of being unwell?" Fai then asked.
"No. For the most part, she's been alright. She's just tired." Syaoran replied.
"I guess that's fair."
They found Sakura resting in the lounge room with a cup of hot rose tea, talking quietly to Chii. Syaoran stopped at the edge of the door.
"Have you spoken to Syaoran about what Jase told you yet?" Chii asked quietly.
"No…we've been so busy with the current issue with Anna that I haven't really had the time…" Sakura replied quietly.
Fai glanced at Syaoran, who was staring at his feet, expression hidden.
"He really needs to know though." Chii said.
"I know he does. I'll…I'll tell him when he's settled into his role a bit more. I don't want to stress him out too much." Sakura whispered.
"I wish there was more I could to do help." Chii admitted.
"Thank you, Chii, but I think I'll be fine."
Fai knocked on the door and stepped inside. Syaoran hurried to follow.
"We've finished speaking to the prisoner." He announced.
"What did they have to say?" Sakura asked. Her eyes landed on Syaoran who made eye contact with her.
"They gave their name but said nothing else." Syaoran replied. "I'd like to see their reaction when they meet you, though."
Sakura set her teacup down in the saucer, "When do you want me to go."
"Tomorrow, after you've gotten some rest." Syaoran replied.
"Alright." Sakura agreed. "Chii, what's planned for tomorrow?"
Chii blinked. "Nothing-I made sure the week was clear so you could relax after your trip."
"Thank you." Sakura smiled.
"Well, it'll be time for dinner soon. I have a few things I need to do, so if you'd excuse me."
Sakura watched as Chii left and Fai smiled. "Your wedding photos came in the other day. Would you like to see them?"
"Sure," Sakura replied.
Fai left to go find the photographs, leaving the couple alone.
Sakura shifted as Syaoran sat down beside her. "You heard the conversation, didn't you?"
"Some of it." Syaoran replied honestly.
She looked at her knees and for a moment he feared she was angry. Her frame shook with sobs, "I'm sorry," she whispered.
Syaoran brushed some hair out of her eyes. "I don't know what it is that's bothering you, but if you don't want to talk about it now, then it can wait."
"I was going to tell you, but-"
"It's ok. Dealing with Anna can be stressful and difficult."
"Would you…give me some time before I tell you? I'm scared…" she whispered.
"I trust you." He murmured, "Take all the time you need."
"Thank you," she smiled.
A knock sounded at the door and she quickly wiped her eyes. Fai walked in carrying a frame and an album.
"Here,"
Sakura took the frame and settled the album beside her while she turned it over in her hands. She smiled as she looked over the photograph. "It came out perfectly," she said, "I just don't know where to hang it."
"You don't want to hang it in the hallway?" Syaoran asked.
She shook her head. "Mum and dad kept theirs in their room. I put it with the other family photographs in the dining hall when they died."
"Why not hang it in our room, then?"
"Hmm…I guess." She looked thoughtful, "I'm not sure."
"Why not?"
"No reason in particular. I don't mind." Sakura smiled and set the frame to the side before picking up the album and opening it.
Chii knocked on the door shortly after to let them know that dinner was ready. Sakura set the album to the side and stood with Syaoran before heading down to the dining room together.
…
It was an early night that night. Sakura fell asleep quickly but Syaoran was awake for much longer. Sakura had mentioned that she had an illness, but she never spoke about how debilitating it was, if it was at all, and he hadn't seen what she was like when she fell ill either, except for the time back with Reece.
He sat up and sighed, pulling his jacket on over his shirt and stood up. He walked over to the door and opened it quietly so as to not wake Sakura, and made his way down the hall. He didn't really know where he was going or what he wanted as he wandered the halls.
"Syaoran? What are you doing awake?"
He turned to see Chii carrying a large pile of linen.
"Do you need help with that?" he asked.
"If you wouldn't mind," Chii replied, shifting the large pile in her arms.
Syaoran took half of the pile and Chii sighed with relief. "Thanks,"
They continued down the corridor in silence, stopping at the linen cupboard. Chii put the last of the sheets away and sighed as she shut the door. "So, what's on your mind?"
He looked at her with confusion.
She rolled her eyes. "It's written all over your face. Come, I'll make you a cup of tea."
He blinked in surprise and followed Chii down to the kitchen where she boiled the water.
"Well?" she asked.
"What?"
"What's on your mind?" Chii groaned as if it was the most obvious question.
Syaoran sighed. "How long have you known Sakura for?" he asked.
Chii poured the water into a cup, "I grew up with her."
"So you've watched her as she suffered through being sick time and time again." He murmured.
Chii carried the teacup over to Syaoran and set it down in front of him. "Yes, I have."
"What's she like when she's at her worst?" Syaoran asked.
Chii sighed, "Well, I suppose you should know." She sat down. "There were two times when it got really bad-where she was close to death. The first time was when we were about nine. She was bedridden for over four months. The second was when she was sixteen-again, she could hardly move and was confined to her bed for months."
Syaoran lowered his eyes and stared at the teacup.
"When she gets bad, she can hardly eat. She has to get her nutrients and fluids through an IV most of the time. There are some days where she's able to go outside, but she needs help walking and can't be left alone. Some days even breathing is a struggle." Chii added.
"What sorts of things make it worse?" He asked after a long moment of silence.
"Sometimes the weather can have an impact. Honestly, it's hard to say-she told you that it wasn't a very well known illness, didn't she? It doesn't even have a name." Chii replied.
Syaoran nodded, "She did," he murmured, "She said that Jase was the only doctor they could find that was able to help."
"Yeah. Thanks to the medication she takes, she doesn't fall as ill as often." Chii murmured.
"Thank you for telling me." He said.
"Sure, but why not ask Sakura?" she asked.
"It seems like a sensitive topic. I don't want to upset her any more than she already is." Syaoran replied.
She smiled, "Wow, you really have changed a lot since you came here."
"What?" he frowned.
"Never mind. Finish that and get back to bed. You look exhausted." Chii stood and left the kitchen.
Syaoran finished his tea and headed back to the bedroom, finding Sakura was still fast asleep. He smiled to himself and shrugged out of his jacket, leaving it on the chair next to the bed before slipping back beneath the covers.
