WOLVES REIGN
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT: Fire Meets Gasoline
…
…
…
April 2, 2012
Kyoto Precinct, Japan
12:24 P.M.
Something had changed on the field. Detective Lucas stared at his white board trying to figure that part out. Kinomoto was still missing, Li was most likely with her, and he had a nagging feeling after the display at the airport, he wasn't going to find out. His very own Captain had been present to apprehend both Kinomoto and Li for questioning. The evidence they were slowly piling on top of the duo was enough for one arrest, but not enough to search the entire country or go pass the borders. It had been worse than a teenager getting ditched at prom by his date, raiding the airport with no suspects present. Three hours they remained on the turnpike, three hours they waited as planes landed and passengers exited, none of them Kinomoto or Li. It had taken three hours for them to realize they'd played the entire precinct and landed in a remote airport used for agricultural planes. To say Captain Leblanc was thrilled for losing precious time and money was like saying he went to Disney Land and threw up on the Mater Horn and smiled.
Rome, Detective Lucas stared at Sakura's image. There was enough chatter going on outside the office for him to lose concentration once or twice. Monday was a busy, let's give the police something to do, type of day. Still, Luc stared at the image of the green-eyed student that was no longer a student. She was young, naïve, impressionable, and she was their number one suspect behind a number of incidents. Why? Because Sakura Kinomoto seemed to be the end of the line of questions and theories. He'd given up on Syaoran Li, finding out the young billionaire from Hong Kong was harder to pinpoint than a lady bug in a red rose. It was always the two of them though. The snags in the road would disappear and lead them straight to one or the other and stop there whether they were responsible or not.
A knock and squeak from the door as it opened brought his attention to Officer Terada, pale from lack of sleep, and bright-eyed from recently showering. "D-detective Luc there's been…well…there's a road barricade along North Street all the way to Kumara Ave." Terada got out, cradling the phone against him.
"Is it a threat?" Detective Luc asked calmly. Terada made a face unsure how to answer that. Getting up from her seat, Sheldon went to the nervous officer. Taking the phone, she placed it to her ear and waved Officer Terada away.
"Detective Sheldon speaking, what seems to be the problem?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out, Detective. Someone's issued a barricade with a six block radius down an entire district. I have store owners calling to complain they either need to evacuate or lock up tight. That was before the power lines went out. We placed a bird out and they've come back with an empty report, nothings a miss."
"There's no activity indicating what kind of threat is present?" she frowned and met Luc's gaze.
"No ma'am. We have electricians trying to pin point the power line and its coming back negative."
"Might be a phone block. Thank you, we'll look into it." She hung up before he could say another word. Blue eyes sharpened as she remained locked with her partner. He was tired as it was, having not wrapped his mind around the mishap from the airport. "North Street, that's the shopping district. What's around there that runs along to Kumara?"
"An apartment complex, car lot, markets…" Detective Luc sat at his desk, waking up his computer. A small spike of pain enveloped his temples, bringing forth a migraine he knew wasn't going to leave anytime soon. Clicking away at the keyboard, he stared at the cross streets. "There's a number of fast food restaurants that run east of Kumara, a handful of houses that go west. There's a pizza joint and the highway entrance…"
"Terada!" Sheldon's barked as she went over to the computer. Luc flinched at the sound of her yell, hearing the hoarseness from lack of sleep cradling her lungs. Pointing at the screen, she pulled out a pad of paper and began writing down numbers. "Call this place, I'll call the laundry mat south of the barricades. Terada call the apartment complex outside of the barricade."
"Or we can just go over there with back up." Luc pointed at the screen, bringing up a street view of one of the many streets. "That's Toki's and if I recall, we've had a handful of issues come back to us.
"Toki's…?" Sheldon looked up from her phone just as Terada rushed out the door, looking for a file. "Doesn't Wraith Cobra own that place?" she asked out of the blue, raking her brain for answers.
"P-pizza Toki's...we had an investigation with a nearby patron calling about an explosion in the parking lot. It was ruled out a few years ago." Terada said, eyes bright as he soaked in both detective's energy. "The most r-recent was a complaint from a nearby restaurant about motorcycles going by a dozen before hearing gunshots."
"When was that?"
"January." They both exchanged a look before scrambling up. Terada shifted on his feet anxiously as he moved out of the way. Sheldon began barking out orders to available officers while Luc began making a call. Officer Terada stood there stun. What just happened?
Pizza Toki's
Kyoto, Japan
12:52 P.M.
Night Wing. His sister was a part of Night Wing. Touya kept wrapping his mind around that, ignoring the real world. He only knew one person from Night Wing and she'd been casted out, her own flesh and blood had thrown her away. They never took people from the outside world into theirs and yet his sister was one of them. He couldn't even begin to fathom how it had happen, even if it was to protect her, he couldn't come up with a plausible scenario of Sakura becoming one of the vampires that ran the Italian-Romanian organizations. Touya wasn't sure if he was having a miniature panic attack or if he was numb to the aspect that Sakura was now a part of a world he'd tried hard to keep her from. Not only that, but she had a bleach-blond mouthy sidekick to go with her new position.
He had nothing against Isabella, only that she was from Heinz's faction. She'd been able to find Sakura when she was supposed to be in hiding and she'd been able to protect his sister when he couldn't. The two of them were going into the lion's lair now and he had no way to stop them. His authority over the Black Wolves was null now that Sakura was back with Syaoran. Touya couldn't wrap his mind around how much authority his sister was going to have to begin with and she was as innocent as a newborn. Touya had tried hard to keep his sister from the life he was living and it had gone in the opposite direction. She was now dating the one person that had a sentence on his head from multiple people, the one person that could walk down the street and get shot for simply being a Li. It wasn't just an infatuation either, Touya could see it in both of them. They were each other's orbit, each other's North Star.
Touya stared at nothing as he thought of every threat his family faced that he retaliated too. Every whisper that his sister would be harmed because of one foolish mistake he'd made, he'd taken care of. When Sakura made the decision to attend Kyoto University, he'd made sure it was made private and his enemies were oblivious to it. He personally saw to Meilin becoming her roommate to protect Sakura from harm and yet Jonathan Haruto had been the first person to meet her. When she was seen riding on his motorcycle wielding a weapon, he'd silenced the very person that wanted to get rid of her right then and there. Had promised Wolf himself that his sister would not become a problem for them. He'd made promises and kept promises and now she was far from returning to her old life. No amount of injury, bullet, or death could bring Sakura back to the life he wished she could have lived.
His hands tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. She was Night Wing first and foremost before she was a Black Wolf. She was his sister first and foremost before she was the girlfriend to his comrade. She was his Sakura before she is their Sakura.
"Everything's in place." Takashi said. He placed the tablet on his lap and looked up. Touya nodded his head, distracted. Takashi glanced at Chiharu sitting in the passenger seat, catching her expression before turning back to Touya. "You okay?"
"What?" Touya barely got out before making a face. He wasn't used to having Sakura's friends around him either. He'd grown up with them, treated them all as if they were his younger siblings. In truth, they sort of were. The last few months had been bizarre. "Yeah. I'm just worried for Sakura."
"She'll be okay." Takashi attempted, going back to the tablet as Nathan popped up on the corner screen, giving him a silent thumbs up. "Nathan's in place." He looked up. "Is it true that Sakura is a Night Wing? I looked them up, that's one old family. I mean ancient old. Did you know—?"
"Takashi," Chiharu warned, silencing her boyfriend.
"If anyone can protect my sister, it's them." Touya told them distractedly. Gripping the handheld in his hand, he brought it to his lips. "It's a go, be careful."
Outside, across the parking lot of Pizza Toki's, Sakura flinched as her handheld vibrated against her leg. It was louder than she'd expected it to be. Glad she wasn't inside the pizza joint, she reached down to grab it. Isabella glanced at her before bringing her gaze back to the small handheld mirror to fix her lip gloss. Sakura's heart raced as she turned towards the parked mustang almost a block away. The green paint glistened in the sun, the tree narrowly shading the windows. She gave them a silent thumbs up, knowing it would bug her brother that she was watching them from afar. "I'll be fine. No faith in your sister?"
Before he could answer, Sakura turned it off and stuck it back into her knee-high socks. It was small enough to look like a phone and thick enough to look like a wallet. Her real cell phone was back in the car with Isabella's, acting as center point for disabling the entire block from cell service. Once Isabella snapped the mirror shut, both girls headed for the restaurant. Sakura was suddenly nervous. Rubbing her palms against her shorts she glanced to the side at the parked SUV holding Haku and Rika, backup one in case things went array. Rika's purple-tinted vehicle resembled a soccer mom's dream-team vehicle with magnetic bumper stickers and "Go team, go!" banners tapped to the back windshield. It was a good disguise, unless you were smart enough to run the plates and note that it belonged to Rika Sasaki, the girlfriend of the notorious Haku Tsukino.
The asphalt sent a wave of heat rising off the blacktop, spring warming up. Sakura watched her step absently, playing and replaying in her mind the game plan. They had ten minutes to get answers, ten minutes to get out before they got caught in the cross-fire. Ten minutes was all she needed—in theory. From the amount of cars parked, all non-recognizable, she could image it would only take half that time to figure out where Sera and Ryu were located. The closer to the door they got, the more her heart raced against her chest and ears began to ring. She was in way over her head and they all knew that. Touya knew that. she could still recall his anger when she told him she was going in alone, could still recall the look on his face when Isabella announced she was going to go with her. It had been Nathan's idea that the two go in alone with backup placed apart watching the building. With one unrecognizable female going in with one that was supposed to be dead, what could go wrong? It was the perfect plan—in theory.
The moment an RLX came to a stop near the back end of the restaurant, Sakura had a little more breathing room. Everyone was ready for the action. Everyone except her. "How long do you thinks it's going to take them to notice there's no cell service?" Isabella asked, breaking Sakura's concentration.
"Not long. They rely on their phones." Sakura told her, eyeing the door. They came to a stop just outside and a step from view. She wasn't ready and didn't think she ever was going to be. The last time she was at Pizza Toki's she'd been on an unofficial date with Jonathan. Was he in there now? She wondered. The only motorcycle she knew he owned was black with a silver trimming. The three motorcycles parked illegally were red and black. Taking a deep breath she hooked her arm through Isabella's, fixing her sunglasses on her face in an attempt to hide her features. "Ready girlfriend?" she asked obnoxiously loud. It was now or never.
"You're paying." She said equally loud, walking forward. Sakura was thankful for Isabella's support as the girl dragged her forward. She didn't think she could pull off their plan without her, even if Isabella didn't have a choice in the matter.
"With my charm, oh sure."
"You mean you don't have money under all those clothes?" Isabella joked, eyes sharp as two people appeared at the doorframe at the sound of their loud voices. From the looks on their faces they hadn't noticed the cell phone towers were out yet. Sakura didn't respond right away, taking in the two unfamiliar faces. They were large in size and body. Neither shared a snake tattoo visible to the eye and both dark gazes were glued to their revealing busts. Tugging her forward, Isabella pinched her arm and smiled. "I heard the pizza here is to die for."
"Really? That's good. I wouldn't want our date together to be a bad one." Sakura got out through a breath of air. The moment the door shut behind them, her mental clock began. Ten minutes. "Excuse us," she said softly trying for civility as they entered the restaurant. The two men stepped back just far enough, distracted as they took them in from head to toe. Sakura had a nagging feeling they were looking for tattoos and hers was the most obvious, white or not.
A wave of burnt cheddar and warm pizza dough came to them as they entered the restaurant fully. Music blared through hidden speakers, voices echoing from the kitchen just a notch higher than Eminem as an order took too long. A handful of patrons were seated and her chest tightened. They were all Silver Snakes. Sakura felt her heart drop to the floor as Isabella tugged her to the front and towards the register. The black and red counter top was covered with a box of warm soda and unmarked packages. Hiding behind her sunglasses, she stared at the male moving around in the background, just shy of the kitchen's many large ovens, with another set of unmarked boxes. Isabella said something that she missed, her heart racing faster as someone stood up in a scrap of chair against floor.
"I'm sorry we're closed for business today." Someone said from behind them. Sakura's skin crawled at the sound of Jonathan's voice. Her theory that he wasn't there gone, she stiffened when he asked them to turn around. Isabella glanced at Sakura as her body shook like a vibrator before turning to face Jonathan.
"No way. We really wanted some pizza." Isabella said with a false whimper. Her bottom lip stuck out, revealing the stud to her labret piercing. Sakura barely moved, not wanting to turn around and face him. If anyone could recognize her, it was him. "Can't you make an exception?" she continued to goad, ignoring the change in Sakura's stance.
"Not today." Jonathan said tightly. Sakura swallowed, letting go of Isabella's arm as she turned to face him. Eight minutes, she told herself stubbornly. Jonathan's frown remained as she fully faced him, still not removing her sunglasses. Isabella went silent as a long pregnant pause enveloped the entire restaurant. Jonathan's blue orbs narrowed before widening, the color in his already pale face going paler. His mouth opened, poised to say something and stopped just as someone shouted for him.
"Jon! Give me your cell, I think mines out." Seiya came out from around the counter and stopped, seeing them. "What's going on?" his voice dropped an octave. Isabella waved her fingers in mock greet, one hip cocked as she brought Sakura closer to her by an inch. They were losing time.
"We wanted pizza, but this fella here said you're closed." Isabella said too cheerfully. Sakura flinched at her falsetto. Seiya narrowed his gaze at him, arms crossing over his Metallica tee. Jonathan remained staring at Sakura as she matched his glare hidden behind her sunglasses, willing him not to say her name.
"He's right. We're closed." Seiya emphasized looking at Jonathan. Others began to stand up from their chairs, scrapping against the floor in a sickening chill. When Jonathan continued to stare dumb-struck at her, Seiya gave her another once over, taking in her batman socks and short-jeans, finally letting his gaze remain on the red ribbon holding her hair back. Something passed behind his blue eyes, but not the same recognition that Jonathan had.
"There's a block on the towers!" someone called from the kitchen. In a matter of moments guns were poised, Isabella laughed as she held her arms up, eyes bright with mischief. Sakura made no move to raise her arms meeting Jonathan's gaze as he stood his own ground, weaponless. The scar running down his face was red and healed, reminding her of their last night together. You're supposed to be dead was written there, all over his face.
Five minutes and counting. Seiya moved positions to aim his weapon at Isabella as she angled to face the boys at the door. After a minute, Sakura spoke. "Where are my friends?" she asked softly, making Isabella scoff at the kindness.
"You're alive."
"That's an understatement." Isabella got out lowly.
"Alive…Kinomoto?" Seiya trained his weapon on her instead. She flicked her gaze to him and back to Jonathan. Removing her sunglasses she held them loosely at her side, making sure her movements were as slow as possible. If she got shot, everyone died. That wasn't on the agenda. "You're nuts waltzing in here!" Seiya hissed out so only the four of them could hear. He didn't seem surprised as he shook his head, gun still trained on her.
"Where are my friends, Jonathan?" Sakura asked again. Two Snakes moved around the counter, guns trained. Isabella tensed, eyes turning to ice as she angled her body to see them. Another gun came up at her movement and Sakura barely glanced at the two brutes by the door before keeping Jonathan's gaze on her. "You wouldn't shoot an unarmed girl, would you?"
"You're a wolf! It wouldn't matter." Seiya snapped. Isabella laughed, bringing the attention to her once again. "And who the hell are you?"
"She's not a wolf you idiots." Her hands twitched, lowering down to her side. Someone clicked like a chicken at her, gun waving as he threatened to pull the trigger. Isabella froze once again, body barely touching against Sakura's. "Come look for yourself then," she growled out. Sakura watched a handful of emotions cross behind Jonathan's gaze. They both ignored everything around them. It was as if nothing mattered.
"Why did you come here?" he asked lowly. Seiya cursed, gun trained as he glanced between the two of them.
"Boss, I don't see a wolf on either of them." someone commented just to the left of Isabella. She swore, not seeing him.
A distant rev of a vehicle came back to them. Ten minutes had passed. Sakura remained passive as she exchanged a look with Isabella. "Plan B it is."
"Plan…" Jonathan frowned. Seiya was confused.
"Look out!" someone shouted by the door as the RLX came at them full speed, smoke billowing out from their screeching back tires.
"Down!"
"Wolves!"
Isabella and Sakura dropped to the ground in sync just as the vehicle crashed into the front door, glass shattering at the impact. A separate explosion rocked the back of the restaurant as the dumpsters exploded one by one in slow precision. Metal clinked against the ground a second before a blinding white light flashed the entire room. A hand grasped her forearm, dragging her towards the other end and away from the wreckage just as the white light blinded her. Guns went off, windows shattering at impact. Sakura counted in her head, taking in everything she was prepared for. Another explosion hit the wall and she froze, feeling the earth move and heard the rubble cracking. It was the one thing that she wasn't expecting. Jonathan threw himself at her, covering her body with his own as the entire section of the wall blew in. Still blind from the light bomb, she blinked up at him as the strong stench of pizza dough and aftershave enveloped around her.
Tears sprung as dry wall fed into her vision, keeping her from seeing properly. She could barely make out his form holding her by the shoulders, strong arms against her stomach as he curled on top to keep the wall from crushing her. Shouts echoed, gun shots continued to litter the restaurant. Nathan had said more Black Wolves were on the way for backup whether she came out in ten minutes or not. Touya would be furious if she managed to get shot a second time, especially right after she was done healing form her last one. She barely heard Jonathan whisper, cursing under his breath as another dumpster went off on a timer. Only five out of the six bombs had ignited and she couldn't, for the life of her, remember when the last one was.
Another set of hands, slender and cold, began to pull her out from under Jonathan's weight. Her vision blurred as a wave of dry wall slapped across them like glue. She coughed as bullets echoed and rang through her ears. Jonathan made no move to pull her back as her body slipped away, his own coughing muffled by his jacket sleeve. "Let's go." Isabella hissed as a gun went off too close for comfort. Ignoring Jonathan, she pointed and shoved Sakura forward. She made it as far as the counter, pressing her back against it as Isabella came in behind her. Bullets ricocheted against the wall, spraying paint and cement over them.
Isabella shoved her towards the kitchen, forcing her to keep going. Not wanting to leave without some kind of answer, Sakura rocked back. Isabella growled, the sound strange coming from her bubbly-pissed-off personality. Ignoring her and the shouts in the smog of explosions, she met Jonathan's gaze as he rounded the counter and held it. "Where's Sera and Ryu?" she asked him, voice drowned out by the gun shots.
He gave her a dull look, still shocked at the sight of her. Isabella swung her borrowed weapon to him, threatening to fire as he remained on the ground, counter pressed into his back. A bullet passed over their heads. Sakura flinched, tears brimming with tears as her hip began to ache from the pressure of her crouched form. After a minute, Jonathan looked at the bleached-blond before giving Sakura his attention. "We don't have your friends."
"Then where are they!?" she snapped and stood. Isabella grabbed her arm and dragged her down before she got a bullet through the head. Sakura felt her blood spike as she got in his face. Pressing her hidden blade against his neck, she got in his face. Jonathan made no move to react to her threat, his blue orbs softening in the opposite reaction. "The first thing I'm told when I see everyone again is that they're gone. Cobra has them. Whatever game he's playing, he's not getting that damn statue back."
"What statue?"
"Don't play dumb, Romeo." Isabella interjected.
Jonathan studied Sakura carefully. "If I knew where they were, I would tell you. You know that. Cobra plays a lot of games."
"Jonathan—," she sat back on her feet.
"Sakura!" Isabella shifted as a shadow came around the counter, gun poised. The moment his finger hit the trigger, Sakura reacted. The dagger went flying without thought, her elbow popping at the sudden movement. A bullet pierced in the spot next to them, hitting metal and disappearing into the register. An audible thump came from the Snake just as Isabella swore in admonishment.
Jonathan stared at his comrade, dagger protruding from his neck. Pupils shrank in size as he returned his gaze back to Sakura. Her chest was heaving, eyes darkening to a new shade of green. She was staring at the kid on the floor, no older than twenty with darker hair than the shade of black. His eyes were large as he stared up at the ceiling, body shaking as he sucked in air, wanting to live. She didn't move, watching him in mute horror. Seeing the shock coursing through her, Isabella tugged at her arm. "Let's go."
Jonathan crawled over to the Snake, yanking out the dagger and pressing a nearby towel into the wound. Someone was shouting nearby, threatening to take down the whole restaurant. The last explosion made the kitchen rattle and dry wall crumble. His hands shook as he glanced at Sakura still on the ground as her eyes glossed over. He didn't think she'd meant to throw the dagger, didn't think she even registered that she'd thrown her weapon. The evidence in her surprise and horror was clear enough. "Let's go!" Isabella hissed again, tugging Sakura backwards. She managed to get her back a couple inches before Sakura woke up from her shock. Scrambling to her feet, she gave Jonathan one last look before making a run for the only exit they had to escape. Isabella waited until she was through the kitchen before reaching for the forgotten dagger and making a run after her.
Jonathan stared at the place she was once sitting. The underling under his hand was dying, there was no helping him. The blood continued to spurt like a sprinkler, soaking the towel and slipping down the corner of his mouth. They only thing Jonathan could do was keep the blood from spurting out like more. He trailed his gaze back to the kid, listening to the gun shots and the shouting. Was this revenge? Maybe. A lot had happened in the last month, Jonathan wasn't surprised that the Wolves came knocking. After what happened just the other night with Syaoran Li, he was mildly surprised it took them this long to retaliate.
A distant siren wailed, too faint to make it in time to get the perpetrators.
A shadow crossed over him, bringing a cloud of smoke as drywall continued to spread out over the counter like a leech. The figure collapsed to his side with a clatter, weapon dropping against the floor with a snap. Jonathan barely glanced at Seiya before laughing outright. Seiya was the only one he could trust to stay silent and the only one he believed was still alive after all that. Seiya barely gave him the time of day as he continued to laugh, the chaos behind him calming down as the sirens grew louder. "She's alive." Seiya said when he was sober enough to hear. "She's not a Black Wolf." He pointed out as well. Seiya glanced at the kid on the ground and grimaced.
"She's not a Black Wolf." Jonathan repeated, vaguely remembering the outline of her tattoo. Jonathan turned his attention to the kid. "I couldn't save him."
"That's the new guy, he was following me around yesterday in the shadows."
Jonathan looked sideways at him before bobbing his head back. "Sakura killed him." Seiya remained silent. "She just…" he waved his hand in a flicker and laughed, the sound coming out forced this time as he recalled her exact reaction. "Do we know where her friends are?" he asked Seiya as the sirens echoed off the walls. They were closer.
"I wasn't in on that run."
"Me either," Jonathan got to his feet, digging into his pocket for something. The restaurant was cleared out from living bodies. The sirens making the lot of them into a run. All that was left were the dead and him. Pulling out a lighter, he examined the empty restaurant. He counted three Snakes, including the kid next to him and no Wolves. They were prepared for this. "We'll torch the place, call it a loss."
"Fine by me," Seiya was on his feet, turning gas pilots on as he headed for the kitchen door. Jonathan followed, head still wrapping around Sakura's appearance. Grabbing a rag on his way out, he flicked the zippo on and stared at the soon-to-be ruined pizza joint. Without another word he tossed it into the gas-filling room and ran.
The explosion rocked the entire street, blowing outwards and sending cars backwards. Cops squealed to a halt as the mushroom cloud of blazing hot fire shot into the air. Detective Luc got out of his car, staring at the disaster. "Fuck," Detective Sheldon laughed hysterically.
Kinomoto Residence
4:21 P.M.
Syaoran stared at the ceiling of Sakura's room. The rivets of the molding creating a face or two of his imagination. He had another nightmare, this time more revealing than the last and more irritating than the first. He knew something was wrong with him even before he felt the extra weight of the bandages strapped to his stomach. For a split second he struggled to sit up, only managed to shot a searing pain down his spine and around his ribcage. Seething, he remained passive as he stared at the white ceiling. At one point, Sakura had a poster stapled to look down on the bed. He was curious on what made it to that one specific spot when she had the rest of the room. His hand went to his side, feeling the tape curling as his body heat created more sweat. She was a girl, he thought, girls place their man crushes above their beds. Meilin had once pasted a large poster of David Draiman, only to realize a week later she had a new crush and destroyed her ceiling pasting and re-pasting posters.
Smiling at the memory, Syaoran flinched when his fingers burned from his own temperature. He was uncomfortably hot. Tugging at the tape as it itched his skin raw, he loosened the bandage that became to suffocating for him to bear. The action made his skin crawl as a new sensation marked one spot on his knuckles. Bringing his hand to his face, he stared blankly at the long road burn running up his arm from his wrist. The skin was desperate to heal itself, however his temperature continued to sky rocket and forcing his skin red and blotchy, the complete opposite of what it wanted. A flash of Cobra's face suddenly appeared out of nowhere, menacing and surreal. Anger spiked. Anger for being set up, anger for allowing him to come close enough to permanently disposing him and anger for not hearing the Sister's words when she said: Cobra will not be far behind.
Wanting to get up, to do something, Syaoran felt the first agonizing pain of his bruised ribs as his medication completely wore out. It was excruciating as it passed over his chest and around his neck, reminding him he survived a car wreck and a run in with a poisonous snake in human form. He hated being so weak. There was no way around it. He had a nagging feeling he was hurt a lot more than both Sakura and Kaho were giving him credit for. Not wanting to start an argument about his health, he glanced towards the one woman that would keep it all from him. Kaho was asleep on disposable chair, arms crossed over her chest as she rested her head against the wall. She was dressed as any doctor would, in a white coat with her stethoscope wrapped around her neck. Syaoran wondered how long she'd been awake before finding the opportunity to crash.
Kaho was their only medical member that worked in an actual hospital. He knew a handful of people that had medical training, but Kaho was the only Black Wolf that wanted to work behind the walls of Kyoto's Hospital. She saw little sleep and little action. He could only imagine her personal life being smaller still. She was also the only Black Wolf dating someone outside of the group, another doctor at the hospital. Their busy schedules made it possible for her to achieve an actual relationship, especially when she was always on the go, always on call. She was always illegally making documents disappear at the hospital. Syaoran absently wondered what the man thought of Kaho constantly disappearing form the hospital grounds in order to take care of her friends. He didn't think he would ever find out or meet the guy.
His throat was sore as he coughed, searching for his voice. "Kaho…" Syaoran whispered, struggling to clear his burning throat. Coughing to the point of more pain, he stared up at Sakura's plain ceiling once again. "Kaho." He said a little louder. The older woman made a sound, blinking awake. Immediately she was on her feet, groggy with red-rimmed eyes. He knew the feeling.
"Everything okay? What's wrong?" she asked. Syaoran closed his eyes at the concern marking her voice. He hated being weak.
"I'm fine." He met her gaze, ears turning red with embarrassment and for once glad his temperature was so high she wouldn't have noticed. "Help me up."
"You shouldn't…" she trailed, meeting his solid gaze and seeing a command hidden amongst the pain.
"I have to piss. Unless you want me to pull a stitch again, I suggest you help me up."
"Good to know you're personality hasn't changed." She laughed and she moved to grasp his forearm. Her brows knitted together at the feel of his skin against her, hand slipped against the sweat perspiring against his arm. "Do you—?"
"No." he grounded out.
"Help walking, was what I was going to ask." Kaho smiled at his reddening face.
"No, I can do that much. Thank you." He glanced around the room, taking in the walls and lack of furniture. Sakura had moved out without much thought, almost as if she wasn't planning on returning. "Kinomoto isn't here, is he?"
"All three Kinomoto's have not returned." She told him as he walked slowly to the door. Every step sent a tingle of pain shooting down his spine. His body ached more than the wound itself and he wondered how long that was going to last. "It's only us. Hiragizawa and Daidouji are downstairs." She said once he was at the door.
At that Syaoran stopped moving. "What are they doing here?" he raked his mind, trying to think of Sakura told him that her friends knew she was home yet. His mind was only on one thing, battling the heat of his own skin and the pain enveloping his sides.
"Making dinner, a sort of surprise actually on her father's wish." At his confused look she added, "Birthday." That he remembered vaguely. Her birthday was yesterday, he had crashed into the cottage, bleeding and dying the night of her birthday.
"Oh," he made an escape before she could say anything else, body slow. The hallway was cool, a breeze from the running air conditioner hitting against his exposed flesh. His sweat turned cold and he wondered briefly if that was a good thing. Taking a deep breath, he ignored Kaho as she slowly followed behind him, and headed for the bathroom.
Sweat slipped down his brow, blurring his vision and making the distance further than only a couple steps away. The carpet came up at him as he walked forward, taking his time and using the wall for support. His fingers brushed against a picture frame and he paused long enough to stare at the image of Sakura as a child with Touya. Making a face he kept moving, finding it easier to walk on his own now that he was functioning. It donned on him the moment his feet touched the cold tile of the bathroom, the light blazing in a hum of energy and blinding him long enough for tears to spring to life. Blinking, he watched as the floor rippled and came to life before settling. He felt sick, but without the nausea. He could only recall feeling like that once before, forcing his theory that Sakura and Kaho were keeping something from him all the more.
In truth, he hadn't looked at his own wound. He couldn't remember even attempting to, not when Sakura had been easing around him like water, caring for him and making sure she was the light of his day. The two days that had passed since getting stabbed, he hadn't once been tempted to examine his injury. Carefully he peeled the tape off, chills running across his flesh at the sickening feeling of it leaving his sweaty body. He blinked, staring awkwardly at the angle of a thin jagged line centered against his ribcage. Cobra had narrowly missed his actual rib, landing the blow underneath into the flesh. The coloring was wrong, even if he was burning up like a lantern. Syaoran looked at the mirror, squinting passed the fog of sweat at the discoloration of his wound. His heart raced, beating a mile a minute and straight into his ears as the blood dropped and backed up. The lines of veins in an intricate web formation were a dark red and at that moment he knew. The nightmares and the pressure of his breathing. He knew as if it were written across the mirror—he'd been poisoned.
A distant door shut with a thump, breaking his concentration. Replacing the bandage and carefully holding the tape in place so it stuck to him, he aimed for the toilet and did his business before Kaho came knocking. He was taking too long and if he was correct, she was keeping a special eye on him. Voices erupted downstairs in anger and he recognized Eriol as he took control of the ruckus. Brows knitted, Syaoran checked his bandage one last time before opening the door. Sakura stood on the other side and he flinched in surprise before it quickly turned to concern. Her eyes were dull with emotion, face pale in mute horror. He didn't think he'd ever see this type of horror on her and wished he'd stayed on Touya's side and kept her home. He could hear Isabella downstairs arguing with Eriol about Sakura's condition, could hear Tomoyo's soft voice as she urged them to remain calm. Kaho was walking back up the staircase, head bowed in thought.
As if shaking awake, Sakura blinked. He opened his mouth and quickly shut it as a recognition flashed across her face. The worst thing to do was ask if she was okay. He knew she wasn't. Instead, Syaoran cupped her face mindful of how hot his skin was. She barely took him in at that, body pressing against his as she shoved him backwards just as Kaho said her name. The door shut with a snap behind her and he wavered, holding his ground as he felt the world tilt around him once again. Her lips were on his, warm and tasting of tears. He could feel her beating heart as it raced, could smell pizza in her hair mixing heavily with gunpowder. There was another fragrance floating on her that he couldn't trace. Isabella's voice was louder as she told Eriol off, reminding him of Meilin when things hit the fan. It donned on him then that they were the only ones that returned. Pulling away from her, Syaoran studied her face with a silent question: are the other's dead?
She wasn't sobbing, only crying. The tears slid down her face silently and quickly. The front door opened and slammed, Touya's voice loud as he called for Sakura. Syaoran felt a relief wash over him as more voices came floating up to them. They were all okay, so why did Sakura look like she was a ghost in the wrong universe? Whatever had happened he didn't think he was going to find out, not now at least. His hands ran over her bare arms, checking for wounds as he slowly lead her to sit down on the toilet seat. There was no blood on her, her shirt was free of rips and tears. She was completely unharmed on the outside. If he'd gone with them to Toki's, there would have been blood whether it was his or the other guys'. Syaoran raked his mind, listening to the shouting voices downstairs, trying to put together a reason for Sakura's sudden emotion.
The horror on her face was practically permanent, face a ghostly white as she ran a scene into her mind over and over again. He wished he could get into her head, see what she was seeing. Relive what she did. Turning the shower head on, he waited until the water warmed up before turning back to her. A twinge of pain hit his side and he paused for a moment, sucking in a breath. Kaho was going to skin him alive if he pulled a stitch out. The tape was already curling into a ball against his skin, threatening to dump his bandage off. Sakura made no notion she knew the shower was on, the water hitting the walls like a curtain. Her breathing had hitched as she disappeared into her thoughts, tears streaming like a loosened faucet. She was the only one that knew what was wrong. She was the only one that could come out of this horror-filled reverie, on her own, without force. Syaoran moved away from the shower, making sure to take it slow as he felt another tape loosen.
He could only imagine what everyone was thinking right now, listening to the shower running with two people inside the bathroom. Small house, thin walls, he could only imagine. He was just thankful that Fujitaka Kinomoto wasn't home. It was bad enough he was bleeding everywhere, he didn't want to disrespect his chance to stay with Sakura under their roof another day. Carefully he dropped to one knee, making sure his back remained straight as he brought up one of her legs. Sakura's expression never changed and he didn't think it was going to. Pulling down her Batman socks, a smile on his face at her choice of clothing, he exposed her flesh to the bathroom. Goosebumps appeared, covering every inch of her exposed skin. The walkie fell to the floor with a thump as he removed her other sock, hands going up her legs until she stood up at his pull. She was still passive, but the water works had turned off, gaze remaining bright with a scene she replayed over and over again.
There was no mark on her body that indicated she was hurt. It did, however, indicate her agony was internal. Carefully he kissed her thigh sending his own skin to crawl across with bumps as a chill ran down his spine quickly. Little by little he unbuttoned her jeans, tugging at her belt until it broke free from its confinement. The water was a soft hum in the background, steam seeping off the cold tiles as the water turned hotter. Brown eyes narrowed at the second belt beneath her clothes. The crisscrossed leather holding a dagger he didn't know she owned. Pulling it free, her body twitched. It was the first reaction he'd managed to get from her. Blood covered the holster, caked on with enough to give him some kind of answer. Meeting her dull emerald orbs, he searched her gaze. She said nothing, only stared down at him. A single tear slipped down her face, following the contours of her cheek and jawline, dropping down onto the ground at his bent knee. He could tell she was trying to keep them contained, trying to regain her humanity.
Pulling the dagger out he stared at the blood that had managed to find its way into the hilt. She hadn't cleaned it, had simply wiped the blood off and replaced it into its holder. The bat engraving was visible against the silver hilt, giving him his answer as to where she'd gotten it. Placing the sheathed dagger onto the sink, he continued his motives to get her in the shower. Little by little he was getting an answer to his silent questions. She wasn't harmed, but someone was. She hadn't been attacked, but someone had been. The blood on the dagger had been recent. He could easily wipe it off on his sweats, now clinging to him with the shower running. It was easy to figure out that she'd attacked a poor soul and took a dive into her conscious. He kissed her leg, encircling his hand around her thigh as he tugged off her shorts to crumble at her feet. Mindful of his injury and the fact that she wasn't wearing undergarments, he stood.
For a split second he felt weak, eyes blurry from the sweat combination and the steam that was making his skin clammy. The tape against his bandage was now a forgotten piece of adhesive, curled up into balls with only a centimeter left stuck to him. Sakura's gaze went to it, not seeing the damage for what it truly was. Something crossed her face as her fingers lightly brushed over the tape, not touching it before she took the bandage off completely. She was silent as she removed it, letting it fall to the floor. She was deep in thought, concentrating on her actions and not really seeing them. Lightly she touched the outline of the indentation, held together by stitches. Pain and chills meshed together at the feel of her nail against his flesh. Sucking in a breath, Syaoran cupped her face gently and pressed his forehead to hers. Softly, he kissed her. Tears returned almost immediately, spilling down her face faster until they mixed with his kiss.
"You will be fine." he whispered against her. "I believe in you, Sakura."
He hardened his hold on her, kissing her until she made a sound. She was alive. He knew what was happening, had faced this very same thing as a child when he killed someone for the first time. She'd shut down. Scared and in shock, but she was still there. Emotions were running through her that she couldn't sort out properly. Kissing her chin, he ran a line across her jaw until he took in her tears. Pulling away, he met her gaze and held it. The dull look in her eyes was returning, coming away from the ghost he saw when she returned home. "Do you know who they were?"
She shook her head. Relief washed over him. It was better that way. "Come," he pulled her to him, letting her stiff body rest against him. It shook violently, unraveling little by little as her life came back to her. Taking out the knot holding her shirt up, he let the strings fall to either side of her shoulders. With one swift movement that sent a jerk of pain to ignite the bruises around his ribcage, he tugged her shirt off. One step he brought her to the shower, another he climbed in with the water scorching his skin. Avoiding the bandage, he brought her into the small space with him.
The shower head shattered against his back with a million needles as he shut the door. The small cubicle was a lot smaller when the door was shut, barely fitting both of them with enough room to move around. The only light was cut off the moment the thick-obscured glass closed them off from the rest of the bathroom. Reaching behind him, he turned the knob until the water wasn't as harsh and slowly switched spots with her. The moment the water hit her, Sakura gasped out. Lines of water streamed down her head, following the tears and washing them away the best they could. Heat rose, goose bumps scattered across her flesh, and her eyes began to focus. She was calming down in small increments, giving him some kind of clue that she would be fine, her mind just needed to wrap around her actions. Whatever had happened at Toki's would haunt her forever, but she would get over it. After a minute, the darkness surrounding them began to fade and the steam began to lift as the water turned warmer.
Syaoran kissed her slowly, whispering against her that she was going to okay. It was the only encouragement he could offer. She needed to battle the war raging inside of her heart on her own. At least she wasn't alone in this. He was and he would never forgive his uncle for allowing him to be alone in a world of violence. After a minute, the water soaking them both, Sakura blinked.
"You're wearing pants." Her words were hollow, forced out as she stared at the item of clothing restricting him from her. "In the shower,"
"I am." He wasn't sure if she knew what she was saying. The color had returned back into her eyes, but she was still lost in thought.
"I killed someone." He didn't say anything as she stared at him, pass him. "Oh god, I killed him." Her voice echoed off the walls as she struggled with herself. Her hands shot up, gripping her hair in an attempt to free the thoughts and memories from her mind. Sobs hit her fully, the tears dry as she stared at him. "He just…I killed him and he just…"
Syaoran cradled her against him, swallowing a lump forming. He wished he could take it away from her. Her body shook violently, pressing into him until his back was against the slick-tiled wall. Stage two, he thought as he listened to her repeat the same thing over and over again. First stage was shock, the second denial mixed with guilt, and then—she looked up at him as her eyes glossed over. "You're going to be okay."
"How can you say that?"
"Because I have faith that you'll understand your actions." she opened her mouth to protest and he quickly kissed her, keeping her calm. "I love you, I always will. Your heart is innocent, it's pure. You will overcome this and I will be right here with you when you do."
"But I killed him." She whispered more to herself then to answer him. She started to drop her head and he took it up again, cupping her face with both hands.
"I've killed. I've regretted it. I've lived with their ghosts for a decade. This is why your brother wanted to hide you from us. To protect you from yourself. This is what I didn't want to happen, but I will not leave you because of one life taken to protect another. If you didn't kill him, someone else would have. Koji didn't teach you how to use that dagger because he thought you would look like a warrior, it was to protect yourself from harm and that's exactly what you did—protected yourself."
He was expecting her to shout, to argue, and to deny his words. He wasn't expecting her to remain silent, standing on the tips of her toes to reach him, lips finding sanction. "Thank you," she mouthed against him. His breath hitched as she found another sanction, holding him in her hand as she deepened the kiss considerably—hungrier.
Kaho was going to kill them.
Pizza Toki's
4:21 P.M.
Four major businesses gone. Taken out by a fierce fire fueled by rage. Four businesses, each owned by a notorious, if not wealthy, individual that owned half of Japan. Gone. Detective Sheldon stared at the fire barely reaching the sky. A few hours ago it was an open hell mouth, licking at the clouds scattered across the blue atmosphere now gray with sadness and smoke. The mushroom cloud had taken out an entire block, blasting cars, trash barrels, and trees—everything—towards another district and had taken nearly an hour to contain. The gasoline fueled fire had reached two buildings surrounding the restaurant, a car parked half a block away, and managed to send power lines tumbling down to create a domino effect as it officially wiped out the communications towers. Not that the communication towers had been working before the explosion, but now it was official.
Unlike the last restaurant exploding, there was no civilian casualties. Coincidence? Sheldon didn't think so. Her blue orbs shrank as she narrowed her gaze at the burning remains of Toki's billboard. They weren't allowed to venture and gather evidence until the gas was maintained and it wasn't going to start another fiery inferno. A team of firefighters surrounded the parking lot, checking a black and silver RLX vehicle that had managed to embed itself into the front end of the restaurant. The back end stuck out like a fish out of water, a hot flame engulfing the front end on the inside of Toki's. Another team was checking the damage of a handful of dumpster, all bits and pieces of medal and scorched trash. Sheldon made a face as she watched them, unable to get her hands dirty to find the responsible party. Shang, Cobra, Li, Cobra…she repeated in her head solemnly.
"Is it just me or are they getting cocky?" Detective Luc said casually, arms crossed as he leaned against the hood of his vehicle.
"Excuse me?" Detective Sheldon stared at her partner. He was deep in thought, staring at the chaos as water spurt from a truck and men ran around in circles like foxes. She had a feeling he wasn't looking at the chaos, but using it as a direction of an empty space.
"Let's say we can find some evidence pointing to our favorite individuals, have we had an incident in the afternoon before?" he continued to ask, fueling his own theory.
"Faulty gas line,"
"What?" he turned to stare at her in confusion.
"That's what this is. Captain Marx is filing the report of a gas leak, so whether we can tie this to anyone on our board it won't stick. They could have been here, ordered pizza, and left before the explosion. But them I'm assuming it's the other 'party' you are so fond of believing exists."
"That wasn't my question, Sheldon."
"No, but right now that's my answer." Her attention went to the man walking towards them, his Italian suit making her sweat as she stood under the sun in her own knock-off business suit. "Ah, Mr. Cobra, good of you to come down. It's a shame what happened to your business." She said with a false smile, hand outstretched as Luc turned away from the rubble and lifted off the car.
"It'll pass over. I wanted to renovate it anyhow, clean it up. Maybe paint, you know spruce up the place for the young kids."
Detective Sheldon raised a brow as she glanced at the smoking remains of the pizza joint. A small fire was still being detained, a handful of firefighters working their way closer with a stretched out hose. "Right," she put on her best 'I want to yell, but can't' face and let her arm fall against her side. Wraith Cobra stared at her with a weird glint in his eye, waiting for the ultimate question. Exchanging a look with her partner, she asked. "Do you have any answer as to why someone would attack your establishment like this?"
Straight to the point. She wasn't supposed to ask such a subjective question, but from the way he was standing before them calmly, she couldn't help it. "It's simple," Wraith pulled out a handkerchief, cleaning his hands as if they were soiled from the air. "It must have been a robbery gone wrong,"
"It exploded." Luc pointed out.
"Faulty gas lines." He made a show of smiling, the expression not meeting his gaze. Sheldon gave Luc the same knowing look. They all knew what happened, it was a matter of pointing the finger with evidence backing up the accusation. Gas leak was supposed to be for the benefit of the nation, to control the chaos surrounding the restaurant so the police didn't have military barging in thinking there was a civil war breaking out.
"You are fairly calm about the situation. It's not every day a popular business goes up in flames. Oh wait, I think this is the fourth one this year and it's only April. A dance club had recently shut down under your name as well, am I correct?" Sheldon let out, angry as their sole suspect slipped through their fingers once again.
Cobra's gaze narrowed just as Detective Luc made to stop Sheldon from speaking. "Are you accusing me of something Detective? My lawyer is on speed dial, I'm sure he would love a good payday."
"No, no, it's simply stating a fact." Detective Luc gave his partner a side long look before meeting Cobra's squarely. "Do you know anyone who would want to organize such an elaborate robbery?"
"Can't say that I do."
There was a long pause as the three of them stared, waiting for someone to breath out a real response. Sheldon crossed her arms and dropped them just as quickly, uncomfortable as she stood under Wraith's dark gaze. "Very well." Detective Luc brought his hand out "Please, come by the station. We would like to speak to you in regards to this 'robbery' and the other numerous attacks on your businesses. Your lawyer present, of course."
"Certainly, I'll have them set up a meeting." He stared at the hand, before turning around to leave. Luc dropped his arm and latched onto Sheldon quickly, keeping her place as her face turned a bright red and eyes a feral blue. Releasing her, he shook his head slowly and watched as Wraith entered a black Sedan parked a distance away. The windows were tinted legally black, hiding the driver within as he climbed into the backseat.
"Robbery indeed, more like a cover up to destroy evidence." Sheldon hissed.
"Now, now Sheldon…we can't say that for sure." She gave him a snarled look. "He wasn't too surprised about this place. I'm guessing he knew before we did or guessed the moment it happened. We'll gather what we can and find out if any one saw the people responsible for the barricades. They cleared out the neighborhood for a reason."
"You still want to point the finger at Li and Kinomoto, don't you?"
"I didn't say that. I simply want to assure that the third explosion since the New Year won't create a panic in the country."
"Fourth," Detective Luc gave her a hard stare and she shrugged her shoulders just as the Captain of the fire department came marching up to them with a clipboard.
Across the park, Cobra stared at the detectives as they conversed with one another. His lips moved as he forced out his own uneven hiss, angry with the results of another business. His dark gaze went to the female sitting next to him, her bare legs crossed at the knee. One foot bounced, making the snake coiling up it move with the motion. "You certain the bitch is alive?"
"Are you doubting me, Wraith?" Ceil snapped. He took her in with the same fierce look, taking in her new purple extensions to pink nails. Her fingers played with the string of her red corset dress, releasing it the moment his gaze hardened at her tone of voice. "I may have been ignorant about killing her, but I am certain that it was her in there with some blond. Marcus would never lie to me about that."
"Marcus wasn't there, Ceil." He pointed out.
"No, but his rat was. He was also informed that Haruto wasn't very…helpful in protecting your assets."
"Of course not. Jonathan and Seiya both have been slipping away from me. They were the ones that informed me they torched the place so the detectives can't find solid evidence of a struggle. Eight of my men are dead, burning amongst those ashes. They may have been a smaller faction, but they were still my men." Men he cared little about. He agreed the plan to burn evidence was a good one, hiding a battle that never happened. He didn't recognize the vehicle crashing in his front doors, nor did he know how they managed to get ambushed so easily but two girls.
"Why do you keep them if they're slipping away?" Ceil goaded, examining a fingernail. "You're becoming weak—." Her head snapped against the window, eyes wide as Cobra strangled her slender neck. His gaze was darker than the shadow crossing her vision, the air slipping away.
His breath was hot against her skin as he brought his lips to her ear. Fingers tightened around her throat as he moved, staring out the window in thought. "Do not forget who has been helping you strangle ties from your father." He tightened his hold and looked at her, watching her face turn colors. "Or how fragile you truly are." Tapping on the driver's shoulder, he released her and sat back. Ceil gasped for air, taking in the life that was almost raped from her. Her dark gaze narrowed on him before her body shifted, bouncing on him in flash.
The car rolled forward as her lips found his, teeth biting down hard enough to draw blood.
Kinomoto Residence
6:22 P.M.
She kept replaying the same thing over and over in her mind. Isabella yelling at her to move, Jonathan's haunted face as he gawped at her in confusion, the shove of hands as they forced her to move a muscle. Out of everything that happened at the restaurant, she could only think about the moment the dagger left her hands as free as if she flicked water off her hands. The kids face was obscured by the smog of dry wall as bullets littered the entire room. The blood was a dark red as it spurted from his injury. A chill ran down her body as Syaoran's fingers rubbed the space between her shoulder blades, following the lines of a wing still healing as the ink sunk into her body. At one point he had fallen asleep, allowing her to wallow in her guilt alone. She didn't blame him. The scene replaying in her mind was a haunting one.
She was supposed to be resting, but how could she? Every time she closed her eyes she replayed the same scene over in her mind like a movie. It was like flashes as each face played the horror of her actions from Isabella to Jonathan to the kid she had killed. He couldn't have been no older than eighteen or nineteen, too young to face the death she inflicted on him. Too young to be involved in the life she thought she was ready for. Bullets kill. It was the main reason she didn't want to wield a gun. A dagger at least left an impression that could be stitched up and healed, if properly cared for. Sakura stared at the contours of Syaoran's chest, following the lines leading down to his ribcage. From her angle she could barely make out the spider web of black and blue veins. The thin red line of dagger entry bore one less stitch. He was living proof that a person could survive being stabbed and yet the kid that had rounded the corner out of nowhere had lost a life he never got a chance to truly live.
Syaoran had been poisoned and still survived. From what he recalled, he had been rammed with a truck that same night he'd been stabbed and yet he still survived. Why did the Snake face a different story? As Syaoran said in the shower, because he was someone that was about to harm her and she protected herself and Isabella. Better them than us. Sakura didn't know if she was ready for that type of commitment. The look on Jonathan's face when she'd thrown the dagger answered it all. She wasn't the same Sakura that everyone remembered and yet she was. Didn't she pull the trigger on the back of his motorcycle to protect herself, to survive another day? She wasn't ready to face on the world and somehow she was going head first into it all.
Absently Sakura began to follow the line of his tattoo, tracing the indentation of his chest down to his wound, being mindful of the obvious bruise the size of a soccer ball. His skin was hot against her cheek, burning her own flesh as she remained curled up against him. She would rather face the fire than being cold and alone. Syaoran's own movement against her back stilled as she traced the line of his stab wound, never quite touching it. Once again she replayed the Snake's death in her mind. It was a lucky shot, she thought absently. Lucky for her and not so much for him. Her nail trailed back to his tattoo, taking in every mark and old scar on his body. How could she have done such a thing to a complete stranger?
"What are you thinking about?" he asked around a hiccup of breath.
"Nothing," Syaoran lifted his head in disbelief. Not meeting his gaze, she closed her eyes and breathed out. A ripple of goose bumps ran across the space of flesh she laid on, the heat of his body not changing. "Do you think we'll be able to find them?" she finally admitted.
"Cobra better hope so." He laid his head back down, staring up at the familiar ceiling of her room.
"Toki's—,"
"Is gone. I know." he answered for her. Sakura opened her eyes, angling her head to look up at him. "I overheard the shouting downstairs. Your new friend sure knows how to make an impression on the others."
"Isabella is merely my bodyguard, nothing more." Sakura shifted back to her original spot, cradling against his arm and chest.
"Keep telling yourself that." he grinned when she smacked him lightly, finger nail trailing down his chest. "She may belong to Heinz, but I have a feeling she'll start following you as a friend and not a guard."
Sakura was silent, ignoring his words. She already knew Isabella was making an impact on her life. She trusted her with her life too easily, there was bound to be some friendship happening sooner or later. "Toki's is gone though, do you think…do you think Cobra's going to retaliate by using Sera and Ryu?"
"If he truly has them, it's hard to tell."
"You don't think he has them?" she frowned as she stared at one spot on his chest. His chest lifted up as he breathed in roughly, deep in thought.
"I do, but no one witnessed it happening." Her frown increased and Syaoran squeezed her arm thoughtfully. "Milay has the statue we took from him, the Sisters has the vial that was inside that statue. He attacked the other night for a reason, even if it was a game of strength—to prove he simply can."
"Vial?" she looked up at him, a trail of hot flesh following her movement.
Syaoran nodded, hand moving to smooth her hair. "It's my understanding that it's a potent drug that can do more damage than the one given to you."
"I thought Heinz was giving it to him." She stated flatly.
"We picked it up from Heinz, doesn't mean anything though. He's a businessman of trade. Someone needs money, he'll buy equipment. Someone needs drugs, he'll buy them and trade it off to suppliers. We needed weapons, he made a call and supplied them for us." Sakura sat up on an elbow, meeting his gaze.
"So Sera and Ryu are pawns, is that what you're saying?"
"Where did that come from?" he frowned.
"I'm trying to wrap my mind around this last deal you did and so far all I have is you separated Cobra's trade with Heinz and as punishment you get stabbed and Sera gets taken."
"Sakura…"
"Am I right? She's a pawn in a game of 'strength'?"
"If I say yes; what will you do about it?" he countered, meeting her gaze squarely. He could see the fire within, overpowering the guilt from earlier. "You just met Sera a few months ago. I'm positive you have no idea who Ryu is, since he hasn't been around much." Sakura opened her mouth and he shook his head, silencing her. "Tell me, Sakura. You walked into Toki's looking for information and got nothing. Now a handful of Snakes are dead and Toki's no longer standing. Cobra will most likely call it a loss and rebuild the place or buy a new restaurant, that's what he does. They were pawns in that plan. What are you going to do about it?"
Tears slipped down her face as he spoke, taking her anger away as he forced her to think. He knew it was harsh of him, but he wanted to make her understand the dangers everyone faced. "I don't know," she whispered.
Syaoran cupped her face, hiding his pain as he watched her struggle with this. "That's because there's nothing anyone can do…right now." he ran his thumb across her cheek, wiping away tears. "Everyone knows what they signed up for when joining this life. Everything comes with a price, we just have to live on that."
Sakura rested her head against him, closing her eyes as she reigned in the sorrow. "Sera was there for me, I want to be there for her too. For everyone." She whispered against him.
"I know," grasping her chin, he tilted her head up to him meeting her gaze. "That's what I love about you," he kissed her hard, body melting against her as he shifted, deepening the kiss. Sakura reacted first, as she moved against him. Her leg came up to lock against his lower body, becoming hungry, pleading with him. A hard rap at the door made them both jump, a squeak escaping Sakura's throat.
"Touya said your dad will be home soon." Kaho called as she rapped again. Sakura closed her eyes, resting her head underneath his arm, hiding from view in embarrassment.
"Coming," Syaoran called before she opened the door. He didn't think Kaho would, but at the same time she might. He breathed out shallowly, taking a moment to gather his wits before kissing Sakura lightly. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Yes," she gave him a pointed look before sitting up and acrobatically leaping over him to the floor. A pinch ran up her thigh and she froze, easing the dull knot from her hip before turning around. Syaoran watched her, saying nothing as she searched for clothes in her suitcase. Sakura couldn't believe it came to the point that she needed a suitcase at her own house. Everything she owned had gone to the university, everything except for the furniture and childhood souvenirs.
A light in her head went off and she looked up, meeting his gaze. "Where'd all my stuff go that was at the university?"
"Mansion," she narrowed her gaze. "Promise,"
"And my car?" she prompted, adding to the fire. Syaoran said nothing, carefully sitting up. "Li…" she warned. Syaoran continued to stay silent as he stood, wincing as every part of his body protested. She knew he didn't have an answer to it, knew her car was forever lost in limbo since his mechanic was hiding with her newborn child. "Fine. Kaho…!" she called out, knowing the older woman was still on the other side of the door.
"Really…?" he stared at her just as the door opened. Sakura slipped into a skirt just as Kaho walked in, keeping her back turned away from the door.
"Really…!" Kaho got out, face crimson as she looked towards the ceiling—anywhere but at the naked couple. Sakura casually handed Syaoran his sweat pants, lips curled up in a smile. "Do I need to separate you two?" Kaho asked a moment later.
"Not at all." Syaoran got out tightly, the pressure in his movements making him see double.
"I'll be the judge of that." Kaho gave him a pointed look, amber orbs narrowing as Sakura slipped on a shirt and handed over the first aid kit. "Seriously, I will pull the age rank and make sure neither one of you see each other for at least a year."
"Yeah, Li." Sakura kissed him soundly, walking away with a wave of her fingers.
"She's mad at you?" Kaho asked in surprise.
"She'll get over it," Syaoran bit out.
"When pigs fly!" Sakura called and walked down the stairs, leaving them to bandage up his wound.
The voices of the others were loud, urging her closer like a pulley. She could hear Rika laughing, the sound soothing even as Takashi snorted, most likely with liquid up his nose. A smile played on her lips as she adjusted her skirt to sit just above her wound—healed, yet sensitive—so it wouldn't bother her. Her smile grew even larger as Takashi went off on a rant, the chorus of Rika, Chiharu, and Naoko telling him to shut up muffled by the walls interior. They were close, if not in the center of the house. It was a relief to know everyone was under the same roof again, to know that she would always have them at her side. She missed them all terribly and now they were there, in easy reach, as if she had never made a run for her life. They were acting as if she never pretended to be dead. They were her friends.
Sakura slowly came to a stop on the stairs, a wave of emotions hitting her at once. She recognized a panic attack as soon as the pressure in her stomach rose up to her chest, tightening like a vice. Between Syaoran's injury and the death of the stranger, she didn't know how to coup and be normal. Rika's laughter was loud as she enjoyed something only she could see. Rika had always been the light-hearted, stress-free type in their group. Haku balanced her out. Sakura could see it clear as day as if they were joined at the hip. Somehow she'd managed to miss the moment all her friends found someone, missed the moment that Tomoyo had enough courage to bring Eriol into her home without her mom home, when Chiharu and Takashi could double-date with them. One day it was the six of them and the next it wasn't, it grew ten-times more into a family than simply a life where they could love and live. When did everything fall into place, just as it fell out of place?
Tears slipped down her face as she realized she not only missed out on her friends' happiness, but her own. Syaoran had entered her life, had risked his neck to propose to her, and now they were under her roof waiting for word to leave. Ready for the okay to be normal again. Her father and friends were preparing a dinner for her, celebrating a birthday that she managed to have twice due the time lapse in countries. It wasn't normal. She wasn't supposed to be having a party when their friend was missing. She wasn't supposed to be all smiles after she just killed a poor soul, even if he was the enemy. The tears were quick as they cascaded down her face, dropping onto her hands as she held herself on the staircase. The others were just around the corner and it hurt to know she couldn't gather the amount of courage to not cry in front of them. Syaoran's words echoed her mind as she sucked in a breath, keeping her hiccupping soft as she tried with all her might to reign in her agony.
She wanted to look for Sera, not stuff her face with food that most likely won't sit well with her. Not while she was having a panic attack, feeling nervous about breathing under the same house as the rest of them. Sakura still remembered what Sera did for her, the very first time meeting her. It had been Sera that brought her to safety inside Wolf's mansion, it had been Sera that included her in a lot of the on goings of their life, and it was Sera that showed her a good time at Club Genie when she was feeling blue. Sera had been there for her even when she wasn't supposed to be. She was a crazy blond with hair that fell around her waist and large blue eyes. She was a slender, smooth-talking, bad-mouthed girl that wanted to be a lawyer and take care of her friends.
It had been Sera's idea for her to fake her death and run until she was healed. Now she was healed and Sera wasn't here to brag about the best idea lasting nearly two months. She was somewhere else. Had barely been released out of the hospital and now faced the enemy alone while they searched for a vial that was in Kobe. Sakura didn't know who she wanted to be angry with right now; Syaoran for pulling the stunt or the Heinz for allowing such a drug to come to life. The front door opened with a whoosh of air, the cold night coming in as Tomoyo stepped through the foyer. Her gaze was large as she looked up at Sakura, Eriol coming in right behind her. Quickly she wiped at her eyes, glancing up the stairs to make sure Syaoran wasn't coming down yet and stood in one movement that sent her mind to go vertigo for a brief moment.
"Everything okay?" Eriol asked and Tomoyo lightly hit him, pointing at the distance where everyone was laughing and talking. Eriol made a face, shifting the carton of drinks to his other hand. "I'll be—good to see you again, Sakura." He made his leave towards the kitchen as if he owned the place, easing one knot from Sakura's chest.
Tomoyo walked up the few flights to meet Sakura just as she collapsed again on the step. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Sakura lied and cracked a smile. At Tomoyo's pointed look, she shook her head. "Nothing that won't be fixed after a good night's entertainment."
Tomoyo glanced up the staircase and back again. "Syaoran okay?"
Sakura paused before answering, wondering how much Tomoyo knew about Syaoran's injury even if she didn't tell her. "He will be," Sakura stared at her hands, shaking with the slightest of movements. Her black nail polish was peeling, her thumb nail broken from biting it earlier in the car. She had a scratch on one finger she didn't remember existed and a spot that resembled the hilt of her dagger now tucked away at the bottom of her suitcase. "I saw…I saw Jonathan today."
"I heard," at Sakura's wide-eyed surprise, Tomoyo hugged her around the shoulders and squeezed. "Isabella asked about your relationship with him. She didn't think the others would be thrilled about the question so she came to me, that and I'm the only one that's accepted her presence here. I told her he was the one that was kind to you, him and some chick that's always with him."
"Aisha," Sakura said automatically, thinking of the white-haired girl. She was always with Jonathan, it took her by surprise she didn't see her at Toki's. Unless she was there…
"She left, you know." Tomoyo said, breaking through her thoughts. She released her shoulders and stared at the front door. "When you didn't come down with Syaoran, she went somewhere in a hurry."
"I guess I've been up here for a while."
"Uh, yeah. I'd say you've been up here locked in the bathroom and room for quite some time." Tomoyo teased, making Sakura blush. "Come on, there's ice cream that I haven't told the others about."
"We weren't doing anything," Sakura said as she stood up.
"You don't need to tell me that. I understand completely…" Sakura's face continued to change a rosy color, never lessening up as Tomoyo laughed.
Kyoto University
8:34 P.M.
She held onto her stomach, leaning against the wall for support. Sucking in a breath that felt like a thousand needles pressing against her throat and down into her esophagus, she moved forward another couple steps. Stopping, she let out a breath that hurt more than when she breathed in. Her head spun as she stared at nothing and everything. A wet dampness slipped between her fingers as she held on, dripping down like acid. Moving away from the wall, she managed another couple of steps before she slipped on a puddle at her feet. Hands came away fast to grab an object that didn't exist. The dampness felt stickier as she moved her hand away, trying to focus on one spot. Fingers came away red and green, warping into a gooey substance that looked like it came out of a cracker box. Suddenly confused, she looked away and stared out the cool texture pressed against her face.
It took a minute to register that a window stretched outwards, cool against her cheek as tears slipped down in a blinding hot liquid. Her vision was altered as she stared at the window, trying to see outside. Somehow every smudge, handprint, sharpie-imprint enhanced as she focused. Everything on the window was like a 3D effect. Unable to handle anymore, she started to move away like a worm against the pavement, slithering against the wall in an agonizingly slow motion. She couldn't figure out what was wrong with her and as she moved she could see the cars down below, littering the parking lot. Everything was dark and silent, giving her the sense of unease in the pit of her stomach. One vehicle did move after a minute of staring, exiting the parking lot. She stared at the twin lights, being reminded of a demon breathing fire. Licking dry, cracked lips she moved forward. She couldn't let herself get fooled by her mind, couldn't allow herself to fall deep. It wasn't pretty in her mind, not now.
Someone left a room up ahead, keys jingling as they locked up. Her mouth opened, no sound escaping her burning throat. They were so close yet so far away, she didn't understand how they couldn't see her as they stood there at an angle, keys swaying with the movement of locking the deadbolt. They still didn't see her as they turned, walking in the opposite direction. Her hand shot out, reaching for them as if she snag the sleeve of the stranger's jacket. Boots thumped against the floor, echo sickeningly coming back to her. She dropped her hand just as they rounded the corner and disappeared altogether, the sound of their steps still coming back to her like a wave of motion.
Once again she was left behind, lost in the university on the bridge way connecting the buildings. She didn't know how long she'd stayed on the bridge or even how to get off the bridge. The windows were impenetrable as she slammed a hand against it, smearing the gooey, sticky liquid across it as she moved forward in a stumble. She needed to leave, to find help. There was something wrong and she didn't know what. Left hand went to her stomach as she moved, feeling the pain etch needles against her skin as she shifted, sliding across the window for support. A new source of pain found its way into her shoulder as she ran along the window, smacking it with her hand and leaving a mark that glowed a strange green coloring. She needed help.
Almost on cue, the burning gained strength deep within her body. She hissed, folding over to stop it from coming up her body and into her throat. She didn't want to feel the thousand needles again, she didn't want the feeling of bugs crawling over her skin anymore. In a matter of moments the pain was unbearable and she screamed. The thousand needles entered her throat as she let it all out, piercing the glass around her in a crack of webs. Her body doubled over and unfolded in a way that wasn't human. Fingernails dug at her skin, wanting the bugs to leave her body. She continued to scream, not realizing someone was running for her. She didn't feel anyone come up behind her as they tried to help, all she could feel were movements like beetles scuttling across her arms and legs. She jerked as they grabbed her arm, holding her still. She slammed up her elbow, knocking them away before running full speed into the closest object—the window.
Her body pressed against the cool sensation and she stopped screaming instantly. The cool sensation felt like a bucket of ice as she pressed her body against it, holding on as hard as she could. Fingers slipped and she crumbled to the ground. Eyes closed just as the stranger came up to her, black boots marked with strange yellow lines. The last thing she heard before falling unconscious was a familiar voice as they spoke into a phone.
"Li—I found her."
Kinomoto Residence
8:40 P.M.
Never in his life, did he expect to be sitting in Sakura's backyard with her friends and family, eating dinner. They were all a mixed group of individuals ranging from lunatic to book nerd. To say it was an odd night would be like pulling teeth out of a crocodile. Everyone seemed content though. Rika and Chiharu were the loudest as they eased the mood, sitting next to their boyfriends on the opposite side of the table. Syaoran had the feeling they were drinking alcohol instead of tea as he watched to Rika pull Haku into a decent mood despite his sister missing. He was listening to Eriol tell a story that was both false and true, as he tried to gain Fujitaka's love for dating Tomoyo. Tomoyo was all smiles as she listened as well, reliving the story as they told Fujitaka about meeting in the nurses office at the university.
As they ate dinner, Syaoran realized Fujitaka Kinomoto was a father to everyone. He wasn't surprised considering every female at the table, aside from Isabella, grew up with Sakura. They all spent time with her family and gained enough trust to call Fujitaka their own father. Kaho had her own relation with the older Kinomoto and he was sure Nakuru had one too if she was here. Syaoran listened to the story as he tried not to move. He was in more pain sitting down with everyone then when he was with Sakura in her room, allowing her weight to press against him. His goal was to pretend the jet lag had created a sickness that rendered him weak, not incapable of movement. So far, he managed to fool everyone except those that knew he'd been stabbed.
Sakura placed a hand on his leg, weakly smiling. She wasn't mad at him as much as he thought, but she was still acting as if the world was crumbling down from the seams. He didn't blame her, wished it didn't have to be that way, but didn't blame her. Fujitaka watched them quietly from across the long picnic table, his fatherly instincts kicking in. "So, Rome." He spoke, bringing everyone's attention to Sakura. She blinked behind her bite of food. Syaoran stiffened unconsciously, realizing her father was staring at him accusingly as he spoke to Sakura. "You went to Rome,"
"I did," Sakura answered softly, bringing up a fake smile as she met his gaze.
"How was it?" Tomoyo asked, eyes bright. Sakura gave her friend a strangled look, wondering if Tomoyo was adding to the fire or helping ease the tension. Touya made a strange noise as Fujitaka second that question.
"Beautiful," Syaoran lightly touched her leg, knowing she didn't get to see much of it. "I plan on going back."
"Will you tell me this time?" Fujitaka continued to goad. Sakura lowered her gaze, deliberately taking a bite as she nodded. She still felt guilty for not telling him. "What is it that you do, Li? If you don't mind me asking." Syaoran stiffened as the questions came to him.
"What?" Syaoran stared, taken aback.
"I'm told you own quite a number of businesses out here, as well as in Hong Kong."
"My family does, yes." Sakura narrowed her gaze at Touya as he made his leave awkwardly. She had a feeling he mentioned something, most likely along the same lines of her trip to Rome. "I personally only own the café Touya and Nakuru are currently working at, everything else is based off of my uncle who is trying to ween them onto me in the future."
"The café is quite an establishment and kind of you to allow Touya to co-own the business."
"He means it's random," Sakura said with a laugh and quickly moved out of the way as Touya threw something at her as he sat back down.
"Actually," Syaoran cracked a smile at her. "The products sold at the café come from my family's assets in Rome and Versailles."
"What?" Sakura blinked.
"Really," Fujitaka said with astonishment. "See, you learn something new every day."
Syaoran's phone began to buzz, bringing a frown to Sakura's face as she stared down at it. His pants glowed with a phone she thought was broken. When he brought it out to check the number, she could clearly see the pristine screen as if it was never cracked. Her gaze went to him and he mouthed, Kaho, just as he slid backwards to stand. "Excuse me," Syaoran inclined his head and got up, going towards the house as slowly and awkwardly as he could. Sakura watched as he answered the phone, face knitted at the action. She knew he was in pain, but for everyone's benefit he didn't want to show it.
Sakura's father watched Sakura and Syaoran silently, concern in his brown eyes before Touya brought him into a new conversation, steering him away from the awkward dinner party. Sakura watched Syaoran as the stress in his brown gaze increased, his short-clipped words coming to a halt as he hung up before entering the house. She made to stand and froze as he turned to face the table. His usually calm, chocolate brown orbs were hard with anger he was trying to suppress. Eriol stood up almost immediately, surprising Tomoyo as her glass tumbled off the table. She caught it before it crashed and shattered, her eyes wide as she looked up at Eriol as he moved to Syaoran. Sakura frowned, watching them carefully. Fujitaka glanced at them as well before turning back to his soft conversation with Kaho and Touya. They were trying hard to keep him away from the jiff of things, keeping him away from seeing the pain in Syaoran's face as he walked back to the table.
"Apologies everyone, I need to make my leave early. Thank you, Mr. Kinomoto for this amazing dinner." Fujitaka raised his brows at Eriol's respectful bow.
"Your girlfriends the one that made it," Chiharu pipped up.
"Still, thank you for allowing us here." Eriol ignored Chiharu, bowing once more before giving Haku his attention. "Tsukino, shall we?" there was a silent conversation passing between them in one look.
"Coming," he stood without as much as a calm demeanor. Rika grabbed his arm before he moved, bringing him down to her level. Kissing her soundly, he moved around the table and stopped short. "Uh, thank you Mr. Kinomoto."
Nathan got up as well, giving Naoko a whispering kiss before following after them. Syaoran sat down in his chair, grabbing Sakura's hand before she could get up. "I want to go," she whispered to him. She'd caught on quickly, the need to find Sera was evident on Haku's face as if it were painted on his forehead. Syaoran shook his head and whispered against her temple as he kissed her.
"They can handle it. Sera's at the University with Kyle and Meilin."
"But—."
"Did something happen?" Sakura turned, meeting her father's gaze. He was looking between the two of them, catching the wave of emotion jumping between the two. Touya narrowed his gaze, warningly.
Syaoran tightened his hold on her hand, skin burning up. "Not at all." Sweat beaded his face as he hid the pain escalating against his ribcage.
"Oh, the cake!" Tomoyo was on her feet faster than the boys had.
"I'll help you," Syaoran got up again, letting Sakura's hand drop. She made a face, watching them. The moment Syaoran turned the corner she looked down at the chair he'd been sitting in. Blood marked the plastic chair like a sponge had been dropped on it. Her gaze went to Kaho then the house as Tomoyo came out a moment later, alone. Candles lit up her smiling face, her voice soft as she began to sing.
Kaho slipped away as everyone stood to chant. Touya blocked her escape from their father as he yelled loudly, making Sakura blush from embarrassment. The chocolate covered cake reeked of fresh Hershey chocolate and her stomach growled in anticipation. Isabella took Syaoran's chair and leaned towards her, chanting with the rest of them as she laid her phone on the table, dark screen reading a text from Heinz. Let's meet. Tomoyo hugged her tightly as the song ended, whispering. "Everything's going to fine."
Was it though? Sakura didn't think so and blew out the candles.
To be continued…
And there you have it.
My story Au Pair is finished, aside from on single chapter that I'm working on.
This story is developing quickly. Thank you everyone for the support and reviews. Till next time.
