MS
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the CCS characters.
Sugar Daddy
Chapter 36: Asleep
There were voices everywhere. Not calling, not soothing, and not demanding. Just a ding of voices he could not make out, with the occasional brushing of his brow. Or maybe it was just one voice, only distorted by the high temperature fever of infection. He was boiling, he could feel his bones melting, and his muscles contracting as the fire steadily burned him from the inside.
"He's going to die," there were garbled voices coming through, the figure in the bed fidgeting as a hand tucked the old sheets tighter around his thrashing frame. She looked down to the corner of the room, grimacing at the swishing tail that had dragged her into this problem.
She called for the small dog, setting it on her lap as she took a seat on the hearth by the bed. She skimmed her surroundings, wondering just how easy so little could be taken away. She had tried so hard to be a good Christian all her life, hoping that when time for salvation came, her good deeds would overflow her sins. But maybe not this one could be counted.
Her mangled Portuguese, changed from years of no education, of misuse, of slang and wrangling, just made it another barrier to cross. "I don't know why I didn't just ignore you Sana," hearing her name, the dog looked up at her, those eyes intently observing her master. "What have you brought to Isabella's door Sana?"
She had dragged the feverish burning, unclothed body from the basin it had been thrown into, hoping to not have to dig a grave in the end. She was too old, and alone, to hope for anything more than that. "I can't get help. They are watching everything and I don't know who he is."
Would praying for a miracle be too much? Isabella had learnt not to ask too much of God. It would be by his will what would happen on the coming days. She hoped to have enough courage to face what would happen. "I can't stay Sana, I must search if we are to eat. I'll try to listen in the streets for missing persons, but I'm sure of one thing. He was meant to die discarded as he was."
The dog's ears went downwards, its little body squirming as her master stood. The dog remained by her feet as she took the mangled wrapper and her plastic bag, whimpering only slightly when she saw that she wouldn't be taking her out. "Bark loud Sana if someone comes near. You must sound terrible for other scavengers," she smiled to the mutt, who scratched herself vehemently. "I'll see if I can find anything in the trash bins for your fleas."
Isabella lowered her gaze, closing the door behind her and closing the lock. She could see them patrolling the favela, sitting in particular shades of the closest hut to hers and making sure that everyone knew that Diego's people were observing them closely.
She was afraid for that girl she had heard pleading when they'd discarded the boy. He was nothing but a boy to her world weary eyes. Would she be his sweetheart? His lover? His sister? She hadn't seen her, but she knew too well of the group's activities to not have an inkling of what it meant. She kept her head down, walking briskly through the littered streets, passing the crying children and making it to one of the paved streets. She had to hurry. There was a new addition to her already hurried life she needed to think of.
::~::
Karen looked at herself in the mirror, knowing that she had already gasped more than enough for what it was due. She had cut her hair. Not just cut the length to around her upper shoulder blades, but layered the whole thing, wisps falling just somewhat past her eyes. She had dyed it too. She'd always wondered how her caramel hair would look like blond. It was unnatural, but it looked good. Platinum blond highlights that blended in with her dark warm hair, looping in the back as the volume had doubled with just a few twists here and there.
She had gotten a spa treatment, cleaning out her pores, her eyebrows waxed and plucked, and her eyelashes treated. She had never realized how long her natural eyelashes actually were, as she'd never been one to use mascara in any quantity. She'd been told of the colors that brought out her eyes, blended with her skin, and accented her cheekbones which took a bit away from the roundness of her cheeks.
She had learned so much about herself, in so little time she had been overloaded. She'd been pampered, Sakura right by her side as they'd been immersed in the treatments that came to cover all of their body.
They had even gone shopping.
She blasted away her teary eyes as she took a deep breath. It was finally in! She had gotten contacts. Regular contacts and colored contacts. She giggled, feeling like a schoolgirl, as she blinked. Her eyes were a deep ocean blue! She steeled herself for putting the other one, seeing how easier it was compared to the other. It would all be practice to get used to.
She wondered when it would be alright to wake up Sakura, who had dropped like a log on her bedroom, so that they could work out together. She looked at the clock on the night stand, knowing that she had to prepare the day's meals. She had plans for herself for the two weeks remaining before the New Years, and planning always took most of the time.
She walked to the door, humming, and then shrieking when warm arms slid around her waist. She wasn't prepared for this! "What have you done to yourself, little bird?" she closed her eyes, her thudding heart waiting, slipping when she felt his breath beneath her right earlobe. His lips fluttered over the skin, his strong arms a vice to keep her close. "I have to say though, that you're more beautiful now. I never thought that would be possible."
She wouldn't jump away. Or push him. She would have been tempted, but she wouldn't have done it. She had better manners than him. "Lei, give me some room."
He chuckled at her choice for words, while not doing anything of the kind. Instead, he loosened his arms to have her walk one step and he closely followed her. She could see herself in the mirror, her widened eyes linked to his face. She could read each and every facial expression as he used one hand to flick part of her hair away.
"None of that," he admonished her when she tried to look away, busying her hands with all of the items that were scattered on the dresser. "You like to flutter away every time I look at you," Lei refused to let her scatter, his wide frame overshadowing hers as he looked at her expression. He'd almost stumbled when he'd seen her walking in the room earlier, letting his body absorb the shock so that he would be able to take her by surprise, not the other way around.
"What are you doing here?" she turned the questions to him, letting her displeasure show. She was not going to bow out so easily. She had to remember that she was really displeased with him. She was mad.
"Well, if you'd answered the phone in the past few hours, I wouldn't have been such a surprise," he didn't try to sound too chiding, but it was something he had abhorred. He hated to be dismissed. But he was to blame, he knew that. "Am I really dumped?" he locked his eyes with hers, reading her as easily as he'd been able since they were children.
"You should be," she growled, fidgeting until he loosened his arms. She turned around, her eyes blistering so she could give him in person the set down he deserved. "We had plans and you got sidetracked by your sister's love life?"
"You're beautiful when you're mad," his whisper took the fight out of her, her sails without wind but unfurled.
"Am I?" she wasn't coy with her question.
"You're always beautiful," he kissed her, moaning when she placed her arms around his neck. Now this was the proper greeting he'd been hoping for. "Why are you crying?" he brushed away the stray tear that had slipped, wetting his lips as he pulled away.
She just shook her head, placing her head on his chest, holding him close. "It's a stupid thing. I've missed you."
"You would miss me less if you called me more," he admonished her, wondering how long it would be before she would just explode. He wanted to get it over with, knowing that she would just keep her emotions to herself and let it simmer. "I'd rather you shouted at me now so that we can enjoy the rest of the day."
"You do need to be shouted at, don't you?" she smiled, shrieking when he put his arms beneath her butt and just pulled her up. She hung for dear life as she tethered on his arms. "Lei! Put me down, you'll break something!"
"You should have more faith in me," his eyes twinkled as he walked them to the bed, his muscles straining as he tumbled her backwards into it. "This pampered daddy's boy," he used her usual derogatory remark towards himself. "Has enough free time to work out. I may have a slender frame compared to Syaoran, but I'm all muscle, baby."
"Liar," she opened her arms, laying herself comfortably on the wall of pillows before he placed his head on her chest. "I heard those grunts you know. I probably weight more than you do."
"Would it matter?" his instant reply gave her pause, feeling him nuzzle her breasts, to which she gave him an admonishing tap on his shoulder. His incorrigible smirk had her laughing. "I like your curves little bird," he let one of his hands roam over the curves of her breasts, lying over her rib cage. "I'm not so oblivious to not see how you flinch away each time I try to touch you. Karen," his voice was serious. "If I hadn't wanted to be involved, I wouldn't have started this."
"I should know that, shouldn't I?" she was apprehensive with herself. Knowing how easy it was for her to cry. "Well, I've decided to make some changes for myself, and maybe this way I'll be able to like myself just a bit more."
"It's important to like oneself Karen," he rubbed his thumb against her chin, almost clipping it playfully as he wanted to make it clear. "I know you've always been self conscious about your body. It's easy to see how you hide in particular clothes, taking the eyes of everyone away from your own face. You're not fat Karen."
Her disbelieving snort was a good reply to what she thought of that statement. "I don't think you know how much I weight."
"It doesn't matter to me," he smirked, never moving his eyes away so that she would know he meant each word he uttered. He was going insane because of many reasons that revolved around her, making him think of how being completely taken with one person could change your outlook in life so easily.
"I'm a pompous ass sometimes, but that doesn't mean I'll take you for granted," he reiterated without flinching as he refused to move his eyes away from hers. He meant each and every word and wanted her to truly see it. He wasn't perfect in any respects, but he could live with having her imagine so every time he was by her side.
It had taken a bit of introspection to arrive at that conclusion, and he was definitely not going to lose it.
"I've been an ass for the past two weeks to a lot of people, including you," he was being humble, knowing that his actions for the past few days had been more than cad in various forms.
"You'll tell me of this sudden brother impulse that overtook you later, tell me how your reunion went," she would let it slide, knowing that he was sorry.
"You should have come with me you know, we would have taken New York by storm," he saw her expression flitter away, knowing how much her refusal had actually hurt him. "I would have loved to introduce you to them. Most of them already know everything there is to know about you."
"Have you been talking about me then?" her voice was somewhat taken as she laughed at his wounded look when she flung the accusation.
"I've been in that school for three years, of course I've been talking about you," he ran his knuckles over her lips, placing his palm to cradle her cheek. "I told them all that we were dating. I even showed them pictures. I have nothing to hide." He made sure to flick her nose playfully as her eyes retreated somewhat into the darkness of the room.
"And?"
"I would have had a better time with you there," he placed his arms around her sides, his eyes trapped by her lips as she wet them. "Do you need some help with that?" he loved to harass her like this. He saw her face starting to redden, but not by much. She was learning to take his teasing in stride in this respect.
He kissed her, teasing her lips with his own, his tongue probing and lashing as she opened her mouth. There was still hesitation every time they touched this way. He sensed her anxiousness, which made him apprehensive and a bit afraid. It would be so easy to hurt her physically and emotionally. He wanted her. He was a healthy male in his early twenties, who had always been sexually active. It had been an expression of a lot of things for him. It had been freedom, it had been release, it had been caring, it had been an association, and it had been pure lust.
It was all of those things now. He took his reaction in rein, moving so that she wouldn't notice. It was so easy to feel her body close, her warmth overwhelming him as she gave the little gasps and groans that drove him closer to insanity.
He pulled back, the haze of desire clear in her eyes as she slumped towards the bed. "Your lips are ruby red," he saw her ignore the comment, her right hand still placed on his chest. "You want me to take my shirt off," he wiggled his brows suggestively as she paused before slipping her fingers in while tracing the seat of his pants.
"A bit of eye candy would be nice," she floored him with her reply. He brushed away the bangs that fell on her face, framing it with his hands.
"You're going to kill me," he announced, sure that she would take it as a tease and not as how truthful he felt his confession to be.
"Well, you have a lot of groveling to do here."
"I think I'm doing okay," he kissed her collarbone, feeling her shiver, moving downwards to place another on the valley of her breasts. Her rounded stomach quivering as he kissed the inside of her palm so softly, following her pulse.
"Lei," she took a deep breath, sensing his distraction as he looked up. "I love you," she felt stupid, her eyes watering as his smile widened and changed from predatory to more than simply pleased.
"I already knew that little bird," he caressed the side of her face, making her shiver as he teased her lips with his fingers. "Now tell me something I don't know."
He expected for her to go in a huff, only to have her look straight at him as she spoke again. "I want you."
If he'd been standing, Lei would have buckled over the power those words had on him. His brain scrambled to recall his earlier thoughts on this particular subject. Had he truly reached a resolve within himself? He saw the anticipation in her gaze as his hand caressed the underside of her jaw.
He smiled at her, throwing himself to the side and pulling her to him. He could see the confusion in her eyes, which only made him laugh. Why was he doing this? He could barely understand any reasoning, just letting himself feel the slight tremble he'd found. Was she even aware of it? He was barely eight months older in years, but he felt old and jaded in so many respects when compared to her clear and innocent eyes.
He could read it clearly, what that slight tremble meant. He'd felt it the first time he'd kissed her. Not that night that she had made her feelings clear in this very room, but in Amamiya's garden when he'd escorted her to the party. He'd felt her shatter him completely inside.
"Would it be so hard?" he had a hard time distinguishing who had actually said it aloud as it was clear that it was present in both. And then it was a question that could apply to quite a number of inquiries.
"I don't want to break your heart," he murmured into her hair, as she laid her head against the crook of his neck. "Not even bruise it." His laugh was a reprimand more to himself than her as it dawned on him that it was easy to love her in all respects.
Karen just stood still, closing her eyes as she basked in his embrace. She could read between the lines as best as anyone else, and she was happy. There were so many things she hadn't said before, standing like a chasm between her and him. She'd been afraid of many things. She was still afraid of many things, but not those that mattered. "What do you want to do today?" she asked him, hoping that he would let her love him passively, at her own drum and feel cherished as he was to her heart.
"Could we just stay here for awhile?" there was no definite stopping point, his breath warm against her scalp as his fingers continued to steadily caress it.
"I don't mind," she smirked as her curiosity stood fast and strong as she observed him carefully, a teasing gleam in her eye that she averted when he opened them to look at her. She couldn't put it into words; how his eyes had changed, how his touch had changed.
She would wait for him to catch up to her. Not too long, but she could endure patience.
::~::
The news couldn't have come at a better time.
They were laughing, embarrassment shared by all as she had stumbled on the pair when they'd been rather amorous. Sakura hadn't heard anything, concentrating on her messages when she had opened the door and just stumbled forward with the image that had greeted her. And then the home phone simply rang, which it almost never did except for an emergency or very personal calls.
She didn't faint. She didn't cry. She was just numb. Sakura sat down hard, caught on one side by Karen, who was a bit wobbly herself. Lei had taken charge of the situation, talking with his sisters, the phone continuously ringing.
"Father is on a flight there," he rubbed his face hard, wanting the numbing to disappear. He didn't have time for this. "Has anyone spoken to Feimei?"
"No," Fanren and Shiefa spoke. Fuutie was on her way as well, leaving the ballet company with family leave. "I don't think it'll be a good idea that she finds out in any form, but someone might let it slip. I called her husband, preparing him for what may happen."
"I want to go," Fanren spoke aloud what they were all thinking. "I can't just stay here waiting."
"I don't think we'd do any good," Lei hated to be the voice of reason. He wanted his brother. Both of his brothers. With Kei around he would have the chance to act like he felt instead of being the pillar of support. "Kei should be here soon."
"I'm here," he had a wild look about him that was unusual for the usually staid twin. "I spoke with father. It has been over 24 hours since the accident. They found the car, but there are no signs of either of them. There was blood, but it hasn't been analyzed."
"From what they know, he was being taken to a function by Corussant's wife when the car ran out of the road. She had eluded her usual bodyguard detail, but I've been told that she did it on occasion."
"Why would she need bodyguards?" Fanren was trying to understand, being the most analytical of them all.
"Rio de Janeiro is full of problems for anyone and everyone, but being one of the elite also brings forth a new type of danger. South America is plagued with news of kidnappings for ransom, as well as political influence and the displeasure of others, just like the rest of the world. It's a harsh world of commerce in which the drug cartels rule most of the police force with bribes in the high and low rungs," Lei informed them. He'd seen a lot of case studies in law and in political science internationally to be oblivious of all the figures.
"So most likely she was a target and Syaoran was just caught in the crossfire," they were all just trying to understand, Sakura's silence keeping them concerned. "He hasn't been there long enough to pose as a target."
"Sakura?" Shiefa shook her by the shoulders, waiting for her eyes to focus on her face. "Everything will be fine. We have the resources to make sure that whatever happened, he's going to be okay."
Shiefa struggled to keep her face reassuring, wanting to believe those words with all of her heart. These things weren't supposed to happen to them. Not to them. Her tears finally got a reaction from Sakura. She hugged the sister of the man she loved, knowing that at the moment, all they had was family.
"It's Yousuke," Karen muttered as she transferred the call to the speaker.
"Dad!" he was prompted for news, only to have the older man silence them all. "I'll be at Corussant's house momentarily. He has received a ransom demand. I don't have the particulars, but they've only asked for his wife, with no mention of Syaoran."
They were all holding their breaths. "He's fine," their mother's voice was a balm, unexpected but needed in the background.
There were promises to call as soon as they arrived and they had a better idea of what was going on. "Mother has always been good about these things," Fanren was smiling, leaning against all of them as they closed in on an embrace. They were all touching in some way.
It had taken more than a few minutes and declarations for her to slip away. Sakura locked the bathroom, sliding down the door, and bringing her knees to her chest. Helplessness overwhelmed her. She finally cried.
::~::
"Avó," the voice was soft, usually unspoken, but just a tad admonishing. "What are we going to do?"
The elderly woman was inwardly satisfied to hear the woman use her usual endearment. Her name hadn't been used much through the past two decades, as most of the kids and then the adults, just called her the grandmother of their hearts. That was why she was so well taken care of despite the environment she had chosen to stay in.
"Why didn't you just live with me like I asked you to?" the woman didn't rush as she walked through the small shack from its opening to the corner where the old bed was situated. The bed was more of one spring mattress pressed against the hearth, but it was a bed for those who possessed the luxury in these circumstances.
"You were springing for life Karla, I wasn't going to crowd that small apartment you live in. You barely fit the bare necessities for yourself in there," Isabella helped her pull away the sheet she had used to keep the fitful sleeper in place while she went out.
"But it would be much better than here. I have enough to support us and you could even look for a job if you wanted to. I make connections with people all the time at the hospital. I want you with me."
Her usual pleas were disregarded once again. She could only sigh and hope that the old woman's independence wouldn't lead her to a bad end.
"Do you know who he is?" Karla used her practiced hands to check the pulse, while at the same time comparing the body temperature against her own. "I wish you had told me about this. I could have brought bandages and antiseptics from the hospital. Probably a couple of shots as well. They wouldn't miss it."
Isabella had never been so proud of one of her chicks. The little girl had studied and had been able to get a job at a very prestigious hospital because of recommendations of her teachers. She had advanced in the world.
"Diego has pulled one of his deals," the word deal could encompass so many things, that they really didn't want to try to clarify anything. He was the king of the barriada and everyone else just tried to stay out of his way. No matter how many criminal affiliations they could link him to, he also offered protection to those who lived here. Crime was punished severely, and he ruled like the king they called him.
"They didn't mean to let him live. Avó, what are we going to do?" she couldn't help but ask the question again.
"Is he going to live?" Isabella was very practical. She wanted to know that foremost before they could think of anything else. "I've never seen him before, and there was nothing for me to identify him. He does have a foreigner's face, and not too tanned. His hands are in good condition, without lines and hard skin of those who toil with them ruthlessly. You can see for yourself." One thing Isabella knew was humanity and the humans that played with it on a daily basis.
"I might be able to get Davi to pull some information," she flushed at the pointed stare the older woman gave her.
"So is he finally going to be that, your Davi?" she flashed her teeth, wondering if her serious girl had actually found a man to care for.
"Most likely," she answered brazenly, giving her complete attention to the man on the bed. "I cannot describe people well, it would be better if I could have taken a picture. Davi has friends in missing persons since they're all connected, but in the end it might be better if we could get him coherent so that he could give us a name."
"It might be a name we would not know how to pronounce. I tried to speak to him and he did open his eyes for a few minutes after I cleaned him up a bit. He moaned, as if he couldn't speak. I tried to give him some water but it mainly fell on the sides. I don't think he saw me, even though he had his eyes open."
"It's tricky," Karla started on the head, feeling with her fingers for any bruises or cuts. There didn't seem to be anything too alerting with usual bumps and bruises. One bump was more pronounced than the others. She bit her lip as she took a careful consideration of his whole body, having it bare for her care.
"I asked for some alcohol, but you know that I was never good with cuts and bruises."
Karla smiled, shaking her head at Isabella's statement. "You were good enough for mine." Sana watched as the visitor continued to poke the patient, waiting patiently for her supper to simmer. She liked activity, and having people around her always put her in the best of moods.
"I'll estimate his measurements to see if that way I'll have more luck," she took a pad she always carried, writing down as much information as she could of how to describe the man. She was fearful. Not much for herself as much as for the risk her grandma was taking. But then, she was sure there were many more that would have done the same in these circumstances. "I'll try to get as much information as possible. I'll go by the hospital to get the necessary things so that I can at least treat his cuts and the infection he has. How are we going to get him out of here when the time comes grandma?"
That was the big question for Isabella. She knew from experience that there were open eyes at every hour of the night in this place. The body was supposed to disappear beneath the din of garbage that had been thrown over it, suffocating it and forgotten. There was no danger in being discovered yet, but someone was bound to call and she couldn't keep them all outside before suspicions occurred.
She continued to do her daily routine, taking one of her old rocking chairs outside, with Sana by her side, to watch the sun escape the world. The only thing she could do was to keep waiting. Wait and pray that it would all turn alright for them all.
::~::
That cry had been good for her. She could now draw in strength to keep herself aware of what was going on around her. It had been three whole hours since they had gotten the message. It was going so slow, and then so fast without any new news.
Yousuke had arrived with Yelan to take charge somewhat of the situation where he was needed. The whole family was concentrated in various parts of the expansive library that was next to the study, seeking the comfort of what had been familiar for so long to them all.
They all looked to the side, hearing footsteps approaching, finding a breathless Fuutie at the door. She was welcomed in warm embraces by each member, adding one more to the vigil that was being taken by the phone.
"Sakura," she jumped as she heard a voice she hadn't thought to hear in person.
"Masaki!" there was surprise from most of the adults in the room, seeing him advance forward, his cane thumping loudly against the marble floor. Surprise was put away as he gave his knowledge of the situation.
"Not many know of what has happened," he offered to them all. "But the news will circulate quicker when the news cross most of the international lines."
Sakura's numbness had eased somewhat, but not by much. She helped her great grandfather take a seat, only to have him pull her down by his side. He offered his arm to her, placing it around her shoulders as she leaned into him. "It'll be alright little girl, you'll see. There is much corruption in any country where money is involved, but there is also much sincerity and communication of human kindness in this world."
"I feel so helpless," she muttered to him, drinking in his comforting presence. "And guilty." She was strangling on the word, finally being able to voice the thoughts that had overwhelmed her since she had heard the words.
"I should have been there grandad. He'd been asking me to join him even after he left. He kept saying he missed me and I kept pushing him away so that I could sort out my insecurities," her voice hadn't risen more than a whisper, but they were perfectly clear to the older man who had been part of life for longer than most of the youngsters in the room put together.
He pushed against his cane, making everyone turn his way. He stood, waving away the helping hand they tried to give him. He looked to the sides, before gesturing and walking. "Come with me," he pulled Sakura lightly, knowing that she would follow.
He let out a breath of relief after he was finally able to get to the office chair. He really needed to get more active if he didn't want to keep losing his breath when he walked those short distances. "Now what is this nonsense about?"
"It's not nonsense," Sakura grimaced, knowing that his description was definitely apt in how to read her statement. "And even if it is, I feel so guilty."
"Just because you didn't want to join him," Masaki was trying to clear up what she was actually saying. "Syaoran is a grown man Sakura. When you refused, he must have known that you had meant no. We're not a creature from another planet, we're very simple."
"But I meant it for all the wrong reasons," Sakura was pacing, her face distorted with so many flittering emotions that he could barely keep up with her feelings. "I've been engrossed in keeping him at length, trying to sort out just what type of relationship we have, what I am, that I knew he was hurt over my coldness. The more he pushed, the more I pulled."
"Stop thinking," his order stopped her ranting. "No thinking."
Sakura just fell limp onto the chair, grateful of not having the upper hand. "What might have, what should have, what happened... Stop thinking of that and just face the reality of the situation. You are here, he isn't here, and that's all that should matter. Those recriminations aren't going to solve anything except making you feel better for all the wrong reasons."
Sakura cleaned away her tears, shaking her head as she processed his words. "In the end we never know how much time we actually have in this world. Parents outlive their children every day. It's just the sad state of the world when those good men die when there are more deserving of such fate. But, nothing is definite, except for those feelings you hold close to your heart."
Masaki extended his hand, clasping her own as they resumed a silent companionship. "All we can do is wait and hope."
::~::
In the end the simplest of plans were the easiest to implement. Isabella didn't know how they had gotten away with it, but they had managed to smuggle the ailing man outside of the favela in Davi's car and brought him to the closest hospital.
It was easier after that to start an official investigation in his part which brought answers rather quickly. It wasn't long before they had him transferred to the appropriate hospitals and out of their hands. It was just a few hours that changed all their lives.
Isabella had barely believed the fact that the man's mother had taken the old shrinking woman into her arms so warmly, that she had even been sought out. There was fearlessness in those oriental eyes that had prodded her conscience to understand that she had also built up misconceptions of the higher class. She had been ashamed, only to find that the younger woman would not let go of her gnarled hand.
Karla and Davi had been pressed to give full details of all they knew, and given full thanks. They were not forgotten.
Isabella resigned herself to simply watch. And she saw it there, the love and caring of family that banded together in their hour of need.
::~::
She was so relieved she didn't realize the only thing she had done was crumple into her great grandfather's arms when the call came through. He'd whisked her away quickly, rounding up the whole household and taking the decisions out of their hands.
He had them packed and ready to depart in a mere hour, in which their private plane was already reaching for the skies.
"It would be just like Syaoran to survive a kidnapping with just a broken leg," Lei felt reassured by his teasing tone as his sisters simply hit him repeatedly as they were en-route to the hospital. Karen had yet to let go of his hand, her grip warm and reassuring as she noted how he used his words to diffuse his own loss of control.
"Were you having nightmares of being the eldest male Li heir for a bit?" she whispered back in their own corner as they were rushed out of the vehicle to the hospital. They lagged behind somewhat, but not entirely missed.
"I was petrified," he replied before urging her along to join the others. Masaki had given Sakura to Fuutie's capable hands as he took his own time to join all the riffraff. "I feel that I won't ever be able to close my eyes again unless I have all of them locked in their beds within arms' reach."
"I'm sure it will pass with time. It can't help but for it to do more than that."
"I'm glad you were right there, throughout all of it," he needed her to know he was grateful to her. Not just because she was the usual Karen by his side, but how her own concern for his well being had brought her closer to his heart. "I'm going to make it all up to you," he promised her, his dark eyes pooling onto hers when he threw his arms around her and just simply have her in his arms to hold. "I'll be a better man for you."
::~::
The first thing Syaoran saw when he opened his eyes was nothing. It was a blank space that terrified him. He couldn't remember where he was, or how he'd gotten there. He had no other thoughts but to try to place his own self into this structure. He heard the beeps of machines, and felt the pricks of the needles over his arms.
He felt his heart beat speed up at a rather alarming rate that made his breathing come in short and shallow gasps. And then it was over in a flash as he connected the dots. He was grateful to be alive, just simply grateful as he stared at the blank ceiling before him.
Then he had to wonder, over what had actually happened. And then it didn't matter when he saw her come through the door.
"Syaoran!" she cried out to him when she saw his caramel eyes focus on her figure. She came to his side in a flash, marveling at how beautiful he looked to her on that bed, his face sunken in and gray with his body pricked and prodded. "I have to get everyone," she was stopped by his head shaking quite admonishing. She came closer instead, to grasp his hand as he motioned for her to do so.
"I feel like I've died," he managed to rasp out, only to have his throat give out on him. He didn't think she even understood the words that he'd uttered.
"You may have," her tears ran rampant and unstoppable as she cradled his hand like the lifeline it was. "You should know you gave me and your family quite a scare. I don't think I'll be able to let you out of my sight anytime soon."
"I won't complain," he coughed quite roughly which had her reaching for the water. She helped him somewhat to a sitting position so that he would be able to get some into his mouth.
"I have to tell them," she was rather apologetic as she saw him refuse to have others intrude on them. "I can have you all to myself later," she kissed his brow, his grogginess giving her an idea of how long it would be before he'd be under again.
The room was soon flooded by them all, only to have the faces swim in his eyes when his medication was upped so he would rest. He had satisfied the doctor on call on his faculties when he'd managed to string his own name together as well as some other pertinent facts.
The next time he opened his eyes it was to find the two sets of twins laughing in a corner of his private hospital room. His fidgeting brought all their eyes to his side, which quickly prompted them to rush to the bed. They crowded him adoringly, tears in their eyes as they managed to talk at the same time.
They all laughed ad cried as they saw his reaction. Lei and Kei kept making hand signals behind their sisters, only to have them slap them quite derisively when they caught onto the fact. He was told of the resolution to the kidnapping, as well as the state of his chauffer for the day.
"I'm relieved," he could not condone how things had spiraled out of control.
"You're the one that almost bit the dust, brother dear," Lei pointed out as he saw the reprehensible looks the others gave him. "They knew nothing of your own worth or I'm sure they wouldn't have damaged the merchandise."
"I don't know if that was a good or a bad thing," Kei remarked from his side, ruffling his identical hair.
"I'm just glad you're all here and that I'm alive," Syaoran groaned when they were all shipped out by orders of the doctor who prompted him to endure his prodding and questions. He was given a clean bill of health, except for the small tears and breaks here and there.
"So all I really managed to do was to break my left leg in two places," he grimaced when they all chuckled at his expense.
"They laugh now but when I pointed it out two days ago they all ran to my throat," Lei grimaced and put his hands up in mock surrender when they stared at him. "I won't open my mouth again."
"Good," Fanren remarked from his side, her eyes twinkling before continuing. "Then maybe Karen will condone to shove her tongue in it so we won't have to hear you."
"I resent that," Karen spoke from the door as she rounded on the convalescing patient, placing a fresh bouquet of flowers in the rather opaque room. "Most of the time it's not too much of a hazard to shove said tongue down his throat."
"A girl after my own heart," Kei laughed as his twin glared daggers back.
"Sometimes it pays to keep one's mouth shut," Lei grumbled as he promised retribution for their teasing.
"That's what I've been saying," Yenlan excused herself from her family's bickering when she pulled her husband away. "There are many things we need to take care of before the day is through and I'm sure Syaoran needs all the rest he can get."
He was left alone, and hoping that she would cross the door.