Note: I am SO sorry it took me so long to update! I have been so busy lately. School ending and then work getting more intense (working nights now). I haven't forgotten this story. To make up for it, I give you an extra long chapter…with another brutal hanging at the end. Things are starting to fall into place again for me, so hopefully that means more reading for you! I'm actually almost done with the story so let me know if you want me to write another one…I'm brewing up some ideas!

Lost Heart

Chapter 12

The next week Syaoran, Sakura and Aiko returned home to Tomoeda. Syaoran's house was ready so they worked on moving all his stuff there. Sakura had kept her apartment for now because she still wasn't sure how things would work out. Three days after returning home, Sakura was headed to the doctor for her first pregnancy consultation. Syaoran and Aiko were there too.

"Good morning Miss Kinomoto. First I'd like to ask you some questions."

Sakura nodded. The doctor continued. "When was your last period?"

Sakura blushed. "I actually haven't had my period in over a year. I'm a recovering anorexic."

The doctor nodded, examining her teeth. "Okay. Well, first I want to congratulate you on your progress. Since you had no period before you got pregnant, there may be some complications in your pregnancy. Until we know you are good to go, as much bed rest as possible is suggested. Be sure to get plenty of calcium, your anorexia will have depleted you of that."

Sakura nodded. "Will you be able to tell how far along I am?"

"We can give a close guess. Have you been prepped for an ultrasound?"

"Yes, sir."

The doctor instructed her to lie down. "Okay, this may be a little cold. Would you like to watch, sir?"

Syaoran sat down in the chair pulling Aiko onto his lap. He signed to her. 'That's your little brother or sister.'

Aiko looked confused. 'It doesn't look like a person.' She signed.

'I know. It's going to grow into one.'

'Sakura-san will be my mommy too?'

'We'll see Aiko.' Syaoran replied, smiling.

The doctor pointed out the baby's head and feet before shutting off the machine. "Well Miss Kinomoto, I would estimate you at about four months."

"But I didn't get morning sickness until a few weeks ago." Sakura said.

"Nothing to worry about. Some women don't experience it at all and some get it throughout the entire pregnancy. It's completely normal."

Sakura sighed in relief. "That's good."

The doctor smiled. "I recommend you switch to a prenatal vitamin and check back in about a month to see how you are progressing."

"Okay, thank you doctor."

Sakura changed back into her clothes while Syaoran took Aiko to the bathroom. Sakura met them at the door and they drove to the drug store. Sakura looked at prenatal care while Syaoran helped Aiko pick out a new headband since she had left her favorite one at Syaoran's mother's house.

"Syaoran? Does this one look okay to you?"

Syaoran read the label. "I thought you were the doctor here."

She sighed. "I know. I just never thought I would have to pick these things out for myself."

Syaoran smiled. "It'll be okay. I promise."

OoOoO

Aiko had taken the news well. She was very excited to be a sister but, of course, was curious as to how it happens. Syaoran was flabbergasted. Apparently he had not anticipated her level of curiosity. Sakura smiled and took over for him.

'It takes a mommy and a daddy to make a baby.' Sakura signed.

'How?' Aiko signed back. Her eyes widened in amazement.

'Well it's kind of like planting a tree. The daddy puts a seed inside the mommy and if there's an egg ready, the seed gets planted and a baby grows.'

Aiko thought deeply for a moment. She smiled, content with Sakura's explanation, and then ran to her bedroom to play with her toys.

"How do you do that?"

Sakura turned to find Syaoran staring at her, dumbfounded. She smiled. "Easy. Just think at her level of understanding. She couldn't understand the complexities of sex, so I just put it into a light that she would be able to comprehend."

Syaoran shook his head. "Good thing you're here now. I can't explain half the stuff she asks of me."

Sakura laughed. "Okay silly. You'll get better. You're a wonderful father."

Syaoran kissed her. "I'm going to get dinner. Can you put on a movie for Aiko?"

She nodded and walked to Aiko's room. Aiko immediately picked out Alice in Wonderland. She laughed throughout the movie, giggling and pointing at Alice when she became tiny. Sakura watched her and smiled. Soon she would have her own child to care for. She had to get things sorted out with Michael. Sakura walked into the kitchen and called Michael's house phone.

A woman answered. "Hello?"

Sakura's breath caught in spite of herself. "Is Michael there, please?"

"Just a sec." Her voice faded. "Babe! Phone call!"

A few seconds later, Michael answered. "Yeah?"

"Michael…"Sakura paused.

"Hello? Who is that?"

"It's me…Sakura."

"Why the hell are you phoning me?"

"I…um…I wanted to talk to you."

"Fine. I'll be there at nine."

"O…Kay." She said as he hung up. She placed the handheld back onto the receiver just as Syaoran entered the kitchen.

"Someone call?"

Sakura shook her head. "No. I was just making one. We need to be at my apartment at nine. I think it's best if we leave Aiko with Tomoyo-chan."

Syaoran looked puzzled. "Okay?"

She smiled. "What's for dinner?"

OoOoO

Sakura put a dish together for Aiko. Syaoran had gotten Chinese food, something Sakura had been craving all day. She herself loaded up on everything, stuffing her face greedily. She looked up to see both Syaoran and Aiko staring at her. She laughed nervously and slowed down.

After dinner she called Tomoyo. "Could you watch Aiko for a while tonight?"

"Yeah sure. What time?"

"Around 8:30 please."

"Okay. We'll be there."

"Thanks so much."

"Don't mention it. See you in a couple hours."

"You bet." Sakura said and hung up the phone.

Syaoran was already doing dishes when she got to the kitchen.

"Tomoyo and Eriol will be here in a couple hours."

"Okay." He paused. "Michael's going to be there, isn't he?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes."

Two hours later, Tomoyo and Eriol came in right on cue. Aiko ran up to Eriol and hugged him tightly. She stepped back and eagerly signed 'Story.'

Syaoran smiled. "We should be back in a couple hours. There are Chinese leftovers in the fridge. Help yourself."

Eriol smiled. "I assure you that I will."

Sakura signed to Aiko. 'Straight to bed, little lady.'

Aiko nodded seriously and ran to her bedroom. Sakura stood and turned to her friends. "She'll go straight to sleep for you."

Tomoyo smiled. "Okay. See you soon!"

OoOoO

Sakura sat on a chair beside the table while Syaoran leaned against the counter. It was five minutes past nine. Sakura nervously tapped her fingers against the table when suddenly there was a knock on the door. She looked fearfully at Syaoran who nodded. She stood and walked to the door.

"Hello?"

"Hey babe, it's Michael."

Sakura opened the door and Michael stepped in. The charming grin on his face quickly melted into disgust.

"Holy crap, you've gotten fat! What'd you do, eat all the food in China?" He chuckled at his own joke.

"No Michael. For your information I've been getting better." Sakura said, keeping her distance from him. "I'm pregnant. I can't afford to be sick anymore."

"What do you mean you're pregnant?"

"I mean there's a child growing inside me."

Michael's face contorted in anger. "I know what it means you idiot! I meant how!"

Sakura stepped back, instinctively placing a hand across her stomach. "I've been seeing someone else. He's helping me get better."

Michael reached out and grabbed her throat. "You stupid bitch! I'm going to kill you!"

Sakura gasped for breath. She struggled against his grip, could feel her hands growing numb.

"Let her go."

Michael's grip loosened as he turned to face Syaoran. He was stanced ready to fight, his eyes glistening with anger. A smirk crept across Michael's face.

"This is who you've been seeing?" He asked Sakura.

She nodded, struggling to get away. Michael squeezed his hand again and Sakura choked.

"I said let her go. I'm not afraid to hurt you." Syaoran said.

"As you wish." Michael said. He threw Sakura against the wall. She was already unconscious. Syaoran's eyes flickered over to her and then back to Michael.

Michael walked over to Syaoran. "You love her?" He asked.

Syaoran nodded. "Yes."

Michael smiled. "Then I shall kill you both." He pointed a gun at Sakura's chest. Syaoran kicked just as Michael pulled the trigger. The fatal blow hit Sakura in the shoulder. A low groan issued from her sleeping form and her wound began to bleed heavily.

Michael turned to Syaoran. "You bastard! Fine, if that's how you want it, I will kill you first." Syaoran was ready. As Michael raised the gun, Syaoran kicked. The gun flew threw the air and landed next to Sakura.

Michael screamed in furry and lunged for Syaoran.

"No!"

The loud click of the gun cocking echoed in the air.

OoOoO

Tears were streaming down her face and her left arm hung limply by her side, blood dripping from her fingertips. She was shaking in pain, but her face was set and the gun in her right hand was surprisingly steady.

Michael laughed. "You don't know how to shoot!"

Sakura's voice shook. "I've shot more than you think. I know where a bullet wound could kill you." Her eyes lingered momentarily on his groin. "Not necessarily immediately, either."

Michael's smile faded a little. "You don't have the balls."

Sakura's lips twitched. "Of course not, Michael. I'm a woman."

Michael glared at her. "He's dead if you squeeze the trigger."

"Oh really? Last time I checked, I was aiming at you, not Syaoran."

Sakura moved closer to Michael. "Did you honestly think I would put up with your bullshit forever? You may have fooled my father but even my brother saw through your mask in the end. If it wasn't for Tomoyo, I would have killed myself." She continued advancing on Michael. "Turns out that was your plan, wasn't it? You wanted me to marry you, and then drive me to suicide."

Michael's face was growing very white. Sakura smiled. "My, my! All that work for my small fortune?"

She was inches from his face. His breath hit her face in short bursts. "What's the matter, are you afraid?"

She was being too cocky. In one swift movement, Michael had the gun in his hand. He grabbed Sakura and pushed the gun into her temple. Sakura was processing the situation in her mind. This was bad.

Michael was backing towards the door, mad triumph smeared across his face. "You move, I kill her." He said to Syaoran. "You, are coming with me." He growled into Sakura's ear.

"Listen to him Syaoran. He'll kill me! Please stay here!" Out of Michael's line of sight she quickly signed 'Call the police. License is MRK 165.'

Syaoran's eyes flashed understanding.

As soon as the door had closed, Syaoran ran to the window. He dialed 911 as he watched Michael shove Sakura into the back seat.

"911, what is your emergency?"

"My girlfriend has been kidnapped. She's been shot by the man who took her. He's armed."

"Where is your location?"

Syaoran told her the address of the apartment. When the woman asked if there was a vehicle he quickly gave the make, color and license.

"Did you see which way they headed?"

"East on the main highway. Please, she's pregnant."

"Okay sir. Stay where you are and try to remain calm. We will send someone over right away."

OoOoO

Syaoran was sitting at the police station with his head in his hands. They had been looking for Sakura for over an hour and there was still no sign of her or Michael. They'd found the car parked outside of Michael's house but neither of them were inside. There was no trace of them either.

Syaoran threw his head back in exasperation. He'd already called Tomoyo and Eriol to let them know what was going on. They had decided to take Aiko out of Syaoran's house just in case.

Syaoran's eyes suddenly snapped open with comprehension. "Just in case…Officer! I think I know where he's taken her!"

OoOoO

Sakura was blindfolded. "Please Michael. Just let me go. I'll give you whatever you want!"

"Shut up, whore!" He hissed at her as he tied her hands behind her back and threw her on the bed.

"You're going to give me what I want, and then, I'm going to kill you."

Sakura's screams rang through the house as Michael forced himself on top of her

OoOoO

Two agents stood outside a large house. They signaled to the others, who swiftly moved up the steps to the door. Raising his gun, the first agent silently opened the door. Once all was clear, they moved in single file. As they neared the stairs they stopped. Muffled sobbing could be heard above them. The first agent motioned to move upwards. They all moved silently upstairs, creeping towards the master bedroom.

A woman was kneeling on the floor, blindfolded, sobbing in fear. A man stood behind her, pulling her hair back, a knife placed against her throat.

"What a surprise it will be for your boyfriend when he finds your dead body on his bedroom floor." He whispered. The woman sobbed. The man yanked on her hair. "Then, I think I'll putt your bastard child's dead body on his bed as a special treat. What d'you think about that?"

"FREEZE!"

The man looked up in surprise. He pushed the knife into the woman's throat. As he moved to pull it across, the agent fired and the man fell as the woman screamed.

Well, what d'you think? Please review!!