X-X-X-X
Chapter 52
X-X-X-X
When I woke up next...my flames were dancing about on my skin...healing at what injuries it could without killing me. I slowly sat up, ignoring the pain that was spread all across my body. I reached up, touching my right eye only to feel a smooth cloth of some kind. I checked my chest next, pulling off my shirt so I could undo the bandages there. I got annoyed with them that I just cut them away, tossing away the soiled bandages. I touched the valley between my breasts...where a long scar lay and I suspect on the other side is a similar scar. I played with the shirt, fingering the holes in it. This should have killed me immediately...but it didn't. It didn't because of...the flames, her flames...and...because of the beginning of this dream...the root cause of this dream.
"It's not good to leave yourself exposed like that." A cloak covered me from behind, preserving my modesty...not that I really cared at this point. "How do you feel, Lucy?" Fai asked looking down at me.
"..." Since there is no stupid nickname I guess he's trying to create a distance...for that, I'm glad...I don't want to involve them in my problems. I pulled on the shirt beneath the cloak, wincing when I still felt some pain here and there. "Pain, but that's to be expected." I said tugging the cloak around me.
"I can get another shirt for you, if you like." Fai offered giving me a weak smile.
"Don't bother, I don't care." I stood up slowly, pulling my hair out from beneath the cloak. "Don't say it, I don't want to hear it. Not about your curse or the fact you didn't mean to do it."
"You said you took my place, but...how?"
"...I knew that you would have been in this situation, dying then turned into a vampire." I turned to look at Fai blankly. "I...saw it, before in some kind of vision. You wanted to die too, but instead I was the one who took your place."
"I won't die, not after what I did to you."
"Don't look at me like you're at fault. You couldn't tell the true source of the power when your curse activated. Your body merely reacted."
"But..."
"Don't bother talking to me if you're going to act like you're to blame for all this." I slapped his hand away when he attempted to touch me. "You're already shouldering my life and I refuse to shoulder your guilt for what happened. You almost killed me, but...I felt I should have died...after everything I had done."
"..."
"Please leave me alone. I...don't want to talk to you right now..."
I could see the hurt in his eyes and I refused to feel bad about my words. Even if I regain the magical power stolen...I would still be a vampire or a human that sometimes requires blood. Mixing the blood of a Suzaku and the blood of another race is tricky because those foreign traces tend to linger compared to a normal human body. Fai walked to Kurogane and Syaoran, leaving me alone...until Mokona came to check on me. The both of us knew...that we both wanted to say more, but couldn't...not right now.
"I'm okay, Mokona." I held the little rabbit up in my hands, a fake smile on my face. "Don't worry, I'm not in too much pain anymore." Yuuko's image appeared before me and I released a small sigh. "Good evening...Yuuko." I said resigned to this conversation.
"Mokona, please go to sleep while leaving the communication as it is. I wish to speak with Lucy alone." Yuuko said calmly.
"Yeah."
"You aren't Luciana. There isn't any reason for you to act like her, Lucy."
"True, but...it's a bit hard not to act like her right now. I can't forgive her, not for sealing away my memories and forcing me to forget about Yuuta." Yuuko stared at me and I merely smiled. "I remember everything and I truly wished to have sealed away this power if I could. After all...I helped Lucius and Fei Wong Reed create this dream. Those two don't have the power to create such a distortion in space-time, not without a Suzaku. When they found out about me...well, I guess it makes sense that they manipulated me into creating this dream. Pushing Luna to her death, knowing full well that Yuuta and I would attempt to save her...Even if it was one loop, it would be enough for them, but...we created an Ouroboros instead."
"The blame doesn't fall entirely on Luciana."
"I know, you were the one who told Luciana about me." Yuuko looked downwards sadly, guiltily. "Luciana's power cannot be succeeded by just anyone...she needed someone who's magical wave matched her own and I was merely someone who matched it completely...out of all the versions. Her flames accepted me...and...I was the only one she could choose...as the next Suzaku."
"You started this dream, but it wasn't your fault..."
"...Luciana tried to freeze her own heart...that's why her clear blue flames became a white-blue...of frozen waters. She tried to freeze it...because she knew that if she didn't kill her brother then he'd do something that would destroy everything."
"What of your flames? Black with a bright red center." Yuuko gave me a smile. "Luciana told me that you wanted to become a protector, but also a guide of the weak and powerless. It reflects it perfectly...within darkness, a guiding flame."
"I suppose this applies even now. Both Sakura and Syaoran were quite lost, that's why I tried to do what I could to keep them smiling and guiding them to continue onwards...similar to a mother, don't you think?"
"Perhaps in another life."
"...A mother's love is quite strong." I placed a hand upon my stomach, smiling at Yuuko...for we both know what my other lives were like. "I...envy, but I also hate the life given to me...for I was able to think I was happy...when I caused so much pain to so many people..."
"You were a child, don't blame yourself for this dream."
"I will, I can't pretend that this isn't my fault. I took ahold of this power thinking that I can use it to protect and keep those I love most happy. Instead, I pushed Yuuta to his death and now his body is in the hands of a man that helped start it all. Even if I must do it alone...I'll end his dream...I'll put an end to this dream. This will be the last loop...even if I have to erase the existence of Luciana and Lucius forever."
"If you do that, your existence...not just you, but all versions of you will disappear. No one will remember you, the only exceptions are the Suzaku and those without a place to go. You don't have enough in terms of flames and magical power to do this without such a sacrifice."
"Then so be it." I glanced in the direction where the men of the group is. "...I only know of the previous loop...this loop is completely distorted...since I took Fai's place. Whatever should have occurred during this loop will change and will only continue to do so. At least no one, not even myself, can see what lies ahead."
"You should know that even if you obtain what was lost...you'd probably end up with some paralysis. It won't be easily undone...not after so much time has passed. It'd take you many years to obtain the ability to even use your power as a Suzaku. The blood of a vampire and the flames of a Suzaku are constantly attempting to heal your body, for it you need both blood and magical power."
"Understandable. I'll find the Suzaku of Healing as soon as I can to try to heal myself as quickly as possible..."
"I wish you the best of luck then. I will return later on once Sakura-hime returns. Take care, Lucy Walker."
"Yuuko...I want to make a wish before you go."
I told Yuuko of my wish and she nodded my head...and I handed over the price for my wish. With me not sealing myself away like I wished...I'll do whatever I can to at least save Yuuta. I obtained a few things from the various worlds I've been to, I just need a few more things. I released a sigh, standing up slowly. I placed Mokona down and I ignored the pain my body as I walked to where the men of the group was waiting...for Sakura. Syaoran stared at me and opened his mouth to say something...only to close it when I shot him a sharp look. I released a sigh, turning my gaze back to the horizon.
"I'll say this once, don't apologize, Syaoran. I don't want to hear anymore apologies for my near death experience nor for the fact I'm not human." I stared ahead, my left eye becoming gold as my vision sharpened enough for me to see into the darkness. "You weren't in a state to do anything and to be honest...It's starting to really piss me off." I stated to his surprise.
"Lucy...Yes, I understand." Syaoran said shutting his eyes.
"I liked that Syaoran. He's a good child...but next time I meet him...I'll have to kill him." This surprised both Fai and Kurogane, but I only glanced at them. The cold look in my eye and face was enough to silence them. "He stole the power of a Suzaku, he'd end up dying a much more painful death if someone doesn't deal with him. That power wasn't meant for him, it'll eat away at him...inch by inch." I explained walking straight ahead.
"Where are you going?" Kurogane asked grabbing my shoulder.
"Don't stop me." I stated shrugging off his hand.
"Do you even know where the princess is?" Kurogane questioned with a frown.
"My flames can be used to guide her."
"Not in your state. That witch told us. You barely have enough flames needed to keep yourself going. It'll only kill you to use it recklessly."
"So what, I can just recover it." Lies, it'll be difficult even if I constantly drank blood from both Kurogane and Fai. I need to find another way to sustain myself. It's taking a lot just to keep my body running with what little I have right now. My flames are greedily gobbling up what little magical power I have left in my weakened state. "I'll drink Fai's blood, his magical power will supplement my own needed to create more flames."
"It won't work fast enough."
"You don't have to worry so much, Lucy. I used some of my magic on Sakura, protecting her and to help guide her back."
"..." I shut my eyes, sighing. "Very well."
"Get in, it's starting to rain."
"Don't touch me."
"I know you care about Sa-the princess very much." I glanced at Syaoran and his eyes...are just like his. "If you allow yourself to be hurt, it'd only make her worry and be hurt instead. It's not a physical pain, but one in her heart. You love Sakura dearly, you don't want her to be hurt, physically or mentally."
"...You two are exactly alike. You men are all so unfair..." I heard a sound in the distance. "Sakura?" When I said that, the others looked in the direction I did. "Sakura!"
"Sakura-chan!"
"Princess!"
I ran towards the girl, the others right behind me. I managed to catch her before she could fall to the ground. I scrapped my arm against the ground, but it didn't matter. I lifted her up into a sitting position, checking her over. She's bleeding all over, I can't even tell which places were the source due to the thick scent of blood. This girl...this sweet girl...I can't believe she did something like this. I pulled the cloak off around me, instead pulling it around her tightly...when I felt a hand touch my face.
"I'm sorry...I got hurt because I...wanted to help you, don't blame yourself...you are...in so much more pain than...I am..." Sakura said through gasped breaths.
"I'm not..." I said resting my hand over her own.
"It's okay...to cry..." Sakura smiled through her own pain. "To...cry for yourself...for him...You're suffering so much more...compared to me...don't be...angry...I'm really happy...happy that you're still alive...because...to me...you are...like a big sister...someone...I can't...ever replace..."
"...It'll be okay, I swear..." I held her close to me, shutting my eye tightly. "I'll protect you..."
I lifted the girl up, ignoring Kurogane and Fai when the moved to take her from me. Syaoran only moved to stand behind me, following me closely while making sure the princess was alright. I carried her into the building, carefully laying her down where I was earlier. I checked her injuries over, it's nothing too serious, but it'll cause her a lot of pain. I rested my hand on her forehead, my flames alit on my fingertips.
"W-What are you doing to Sakura, Lucy?" Mokona asked a little worried.
"My flames are meant to protect...to help those I care for. Sakura's asleep now, I'm simply making sure she isn't in too much pain when she wakes up." I explained checking her over.
When Sakura wakes up...we'll have to talk...about our future. Whether or not the others plan to continue this journey. I plan on doing so, for the sake of ending that man...Sakura will probably join me...for the sake of her Syaoran. Until then, I'll do whatever I can...whatever I can...to protect and help her...after all...I started this all, this is the most I can do for their sake. Before the dream ends...I want to help them however I can...even if it means that I end up destroying my very existence.
"Lu...cy...?"
"You're awake now, Sakura?"
"It...doesn't hurt...?"
"It's my doing, I'm simply numbing the pain. Don't move too much."
"...Lucy...I want...to talk to Yuuko..."
"I know..." Quite frankly...it's not a conversation I want to hear. "...I'll take my leave then...this isn't something I want to deal with or be reminded of. I will continue this journey...so if you plan on doing the same, I shall be there for you...every step of the way..."
"...Thank you...Lucy..." I knew she was happy about this...even if it is for a short amount of time. "I'm...glad..."
X-X-X-X
Chapter 52 Ends
Lucy knows that she and Yuuta stared the 'dream', the journey Syaoran and the others are on, but she only entered the journey in this loop. She was normally kept separated until Fei Wong Reed and Lucius decided that they had more than enough power to finalize their dream to revive the dead. Lucy would much rather her power be sealed away than for it to be used for evil purposes, not to mention the guilt from starting this journey...well, isn't it understandable that she would have rather died while sealed away? Lucy's relationship with the others are going to be in a rather delicate situation...that means all the fan service I gave with your KuroLucy pairing has all been for naught~! It was fun while it lasted, but with all that's happened...well, it's going to be a rocky road between Lucy and the two adult men of the group. Until the next time then~! Bye-bye~!
