Pharaoh

Chapter Twelve


Sakura heard a crashing roar in her ears as she struggled to process the news. Another death? Another murder? Why was this happening? Who had been killed? She felt her breathing beginning to come out shallower and faster.

A shadow passed over Eriol's face and he seemed to deflate. He swallowed and was silent for a moment before he said, "The Pharaoh has been informed?"

"Yes, sir, another guard was sent to him straight away."

Eriol turned to look at Sakura, apparently pondering what to say to her, what to tell her to do.

"Don't make me stay here," she whispered, meeting his gaze defiantly. "I'm coming with you."

He sighed but agreed without a fight. The two of them followed after the guard in a tense silence. They went down a hallway Sakura didn't recognize, right through to what she realized was the kitchen. The countertops were all cleared of food and the fires were all out; it looked as it probably should have, like all the servants had gone to their beds for the night. But there was a gruesome disturbance of the scene. A body lay, slumped against the counter on the floor. Sakura was thankful that someone had already covered it with a sheet which was quickly staining red. Judging by the darkest, wettest parts of the covering, the most significant wounds were across the stomach, throat . . . and head. Blood was still pooling around the body, leaking into the crevices between the clay tiles on the floor. Sakura couldn't help herself; she gagged at the sight.

Eriol glanced over at her in concern. A sheen of cold sweat coated his pale face. "Just breathe," he whispered. It looked like he wanted to say more but any comforting words someone would normally say simply couldn't be used here. 'It'll be okay?' 'Don't worry?' Such phrases would be empty and meaningless and Sakura appreciated that he didn't say anything more.

She nodded and shut her eyes, inhaling deeply. The lingering scent of baking bread and roasting meat filled her nostrils, but the harsh tang of iron came along with it. Her stomach turned and she opened her eyes. She would just have to brave her way through this. She could do it. She could.

Eriol cursed softly under his breath and then addressed one of the gathered guards. "Where is the Pharaoh?"

"He should be here, we sent for him," the guard replied nervously.

Several more minutes passed and there was still no sign of the Pharaoh.

"Something's not right," Eriol announced at last, shaking his head. Fear flashed in his eyes. Sakura didn't like the look of it. "Someone go find him."

A guard took off right away and Sakura stepped closer to Eriol. "What do you think happened?"

He just shut his eyes tightly and gave one sharp shake of his head. The movement sent an icy shot of dread through her veins. "Throw another sheet over her," he instructed a weeping kitchen maid, who nodded through her tears and set to work. "I'm so sorry, but you'll all have to stay here until the Pharaoh arrives. Don't worry at all about your work for the next few days. These sort of things call for some days off," he told the kitchen staff. They nodded at him appreciatively.

Footsteps pounded closer to the kitchen and Sakura and Eriol both turned expectantly, thinking they'd see Syaoran burst through the doors, but it was four guards.

"We're not sure where His Majesty is," one of the panted. "But there's been two other murders in the palace tonight."

Shock pulsed through Sakura so tremendously that magic sparked from her fingertips and the ends of her hair. This did not go unnoticed by Eriol, who murmured to her, "Please go back to your rooms, Sakura. I know you want to be here but it is obviously overwhelming you."

She wanted to argue but knew that he was right. These people had seen enough for tonight; they didn't need to see her spouting magical powers on top of that. Begrudgingly, she nodded and bid him farewell. The only thing that kept her feet moving was knowing that the royal adviser was so capable.

But where was Syaoran? Was he hurt? Did he know what happened? Why hadn't anyone found him yet?

She slowed her steps and began looking down every hallway she passed. It was futile, she knew, to look for him this way in a palace so large. But maybe . . .

She focused her thoughts on Syaoran, his sharp amber eyes, his messy chestnut hair, his devilish grin and felt her magic burst with heat in her chest. It tugged at her, telling her where to go to find him, and she nearly tripped over herself to follow it.

It was a good thing the Clow seemed to know where to go, because she was really unfamiliar with these corridors. They were much more ornate than the rest of the palace, which she took to mean that they were the royal quarters themselves. She caught a glimpse of Lady Meiling through her doors, which oddly were thrown wide open. The noble lady was kneeling on a pillow in front of something Sakura couldn't see, her hands clasped together and her lips moving to form words Sakura couldn't hear. But there was no time to dwell on that. The Clow continued to yank her toward the Pharaoh until she reached a room at the end of a corridor, when it very suddenly cut off and left Sakura feeling a chill.

Without hesitation, she pushed open the large doors into the room, which she knew at first glance to be a library. It was a private collection, she guessed, but it was still quite large. Her eyes trailed around the room until she saw him, slumped in a window seat, tousled head in his hands.

She made her way timidly over to him and when she was near enough said softly, "Syaoran?"

The Pharaoh pulled his face up to look at her. His eyes were bloodshot and tear tracks stained his cheeks. "I failed," he croaked, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "I'm always failing."

Her throat closed. Her heart broke for him. She eased herself down next to him and covered his hand with hers. "No, Syaoran," she whispered. "You're doing the best you can. There was no way you could have stopped this." She pressed softly into his fingers, her palm tingling. "The only person at fault is whatever evil being is committing these murders."

He stared at her for a long while, that piercing gaze seeing right into her. Soon his breathing evened out, and she offered him a small smile and another comforting squeeze. "You have to go meet Eriol," she said softly. "He's waiting for you. We'll figure this out together. We can stop it."

Syaoran took in a deep breath, never looking away from her, and as she went to move her hand, he lifted his and laced his fingers together with hers. Her heart stumbled as he stroked his thumb over hers. "Thank you," he said in a breath, "for this."

She could only stare back at him as he got to his feet and had to let go of her hand, which shot more Clow sparks as his touch left her. His eyes widened in concern.

Thankfully her voice came back to her and she wrung her hands. "Sorry," she said. "That happened before, and Eriol told me to go back to the concubine's quarters . . . ."

His lips curved up, lifting some of the gauntness from his expression. "But you came to find me."

Her face felt hot. "Yes."

Still with that tiny smile, he nodded, and then set off to find his adviser.

Sakura sat back and breathed in his scent of clean linen. It did wonders to wash away the stench of blood from the kitchens, but the image unfortunately remained. Sadness crushed down on her, and something about the little window seat was so comforting she was hard pressed to leave. Soon her eyes were fluttering closed and she fell asleep there.


"Sakura!"

Hot, urgent hands gripped her upper arms, startling her awake. Sakura yelped and shot forward, only to disturb a kink in her neck and moan. Blinking, she turned to see Syaoran hovering over her, concern written all over his face.

"What's happening?" she asked groggily.

His concern was quickly draining to exasperation. "Have you been here the whole time?"

The concubine stifled a yawn. "I guess I fell asleep."

Syaoran deflated and slumped down next to her. Eriol, Tomoyo, Rika and Lady Meiling were all standing behind him.

"Oh no," Sakura groaned.

"We were so worried," Tomoyo panted, bracing herself on her knees. They'd obviously all just been running around frantically. The noble lady was all dishevelled in a dressing gown. "Eriol said something might have happened to you, and after those awful murders!"

"I'm so sorry!" Sakura exclaimed, clasping her hands together. Tomoyo looked more confused, but she knew the others had genuine reason to have feared for her safety. "I should have gone back to my rooms like I said I was going to."

Syaoran looked like he wanted to speak but all that came out was a snarling noise. He was completely red in the face and heaving like he'd run a marathon. His eyes pinned her in a glare.

Her chest swelled defensively. "What are you glowering at?"

"Do you know what could have happened to you? How worried I was?" he snapped. His eyes widened and Sakura was aware of the others stiffening at his words. "How worried – we all were," he amended, gritting his teeth.

Sakura's whole body seemed to get lighter for a moment but she forced herself back to reality. Tomoyo was right there. They had all been concerned she might have been dead. There were already three corpses in the palace tonight.

"I'm sorry," she said again. "Thank you for worrying about me."

Tomoyo surged forward and wrapped her arms around Sakura. "Don't do . . . whatever you did, again," she chided with an uncertain smile.

"I won't," Sakura promised.

Eriol exchanged a glance with Meiling. "I will escort you back to your chambers, Lady Tomoyo. I'm terribly sorry to have awoken you."

Tomoyo stood straight and Sakura caught her cheeks flushing as she turned to face him. "Of course. It's no bother at all." She swept over to him and slipped her arm through his, and they walked out together.

Eriol closed the doors behind him, and instantly Lady Meiling stepped forward. "Sakura is ready to be initiated as a Keeper," she declared. Her voice was sharp and to-the-point.

Rika sighed in relief. "At least there's some good news tonight."

Meiling nodded. "More training would normally be necessary, but under the circumstances, she will be just fine." She looked at Sakura, and her copper eyes seemed to see absolutely everything about her. It put Sakura on edge. "You are so powerful," she whispered, and the way she said the words was so intimate, Sakura blushed.

"Thank you," she stammered.

Meiling nodded firmly and looked from Syaoran to Rika. "I will see you all in the morning," she said, and left.

"Come, Sakura," Rika said, reaching a hand out to her friend. "We should head back. Get you into your actual bed."

Sakura accepted her hand and stood. She looked over her shoulder at Syaoran. He was running his hand through his hair, looking frustrated and rather undone. "Good night, Syaoran," she bade him quietly.

He stopped fussing and met her gaze. He took a breath before responding. "Good night."


Hey guys! Sorry it's a little short. I hope you liked it! I really hope I can get another chapter up soon but school is kind of monopolizing my time right now D: Please review, tell me what you thought! Thanks for reading!