Here's another chapter for Ranger and Outcast! WOO. And my stomach is killing me...
Enjoy HUMANS.
Sakura woke with a jolt. Syaoran, who was still awake and reading a book, looked up quickly to find Sakura looking rather pale. "Are you alright? You gave quite the kick." He asked, concerned for her wellbeing.
What in the world? How could he have been so relaxed to hear such news about his son and I? She remembered the relaxed look on the king's face after she told him.
She relaxed into his side and shook her head, "I'm not sure why I woke like that; my dream wasn't bad or anything. In fact I met your father." Sakura replied as he stroked her hair softly. "I forgot they were both dream seers…So you've met both of my parents in dreams?" He smiled, seeming rather amused by the whole thing. "Yes…though I'd like to formally meet your father in person." She said softly. A vague expression crossed his face. "I don't think my father will ever forgive me…" He murmured. Sakura shook her head. "Your father misses you; he doesn't blame you for anything. He's not mad either; he's worried about you because that's what parents do. He just wants you to be happy." She said softly.
Conflicting emotions spread through Syaoran like fire. Is it that he can't forgive himself for leaving? Sakura wondered as she saw the pained expression on his face. "…So what did you talk about?" He asked quietly. He was curious about how his father was doing. "You… And I asked about Rin; he told me about how the man he once placed his trust in betrayed him. And I told him that you and I were engaged and that I was pregnant." She told him. "How did he react to that?" Syaoran asked curiously. Sakura smiled. "He hardly seemed surprised at the fact I was pregnant, but was more surprised at the fact we were engaged. He just smiled and said "good luck"." She replied.
He stayed quiet for a moment. "What did he tell you about Rin?" He asked. Sakura looked up into his eyes. She told him what Yuui had told her, and Syaoran only found himself angered. "How dare he do such a thing!" Syaoran growled. His hatred for Rin could only be carved deeper into his heart and mind, the want for revenge far stronger than ever before. "He's hurt both of us; I've lost my entire family and he's tearing yours apart. I promise we'll get through this…" She whispered.
"You're wrong." He said as he held her tightly. Sakura looked up at him with a confused and shocked expression. "What…?" she asked as she lay there looking up at him. "He hasn't taken away your entire family. You still have me." He whispered, his hand coming to rest over her stomach. She smiled. Of course; I'm a fool. "I'm a fool; I shouldn't have overlooked that so quickly. Of course we are a family, and our precious friends are a part of it." She said softly. He kissed her on the forehead, "I love you. And we will get through this, just like you said." Syaoran said. "It will be ok, just you wait…" she murmured as she drifted back off to sleep. "I know. Sweet dreams, dear Sakura." He smiled gently, watching as she fell back into a deep sleep.
He too soon fell asleep, and for the first time in a long time, he didn't dream at all.
The next day Sakura woke to the sound of hysterical laughter downstairs. Irritated, she got up and headed down to see what in the world was going on. She entered the kitchen to find a chicken running about and Shinji chasing it around the table. Chii sat in her seat laughing her head off as Tomoyo chased her son around the kitchen, trying to stop him from making a mess.
Shinji had caught one of the farms chickens and set it loose in the kitchen, causing a fair amount of hysteria to arise. The chicken fluffed about and sent feathers everywhere; the crazy antics had been the cause of Chii's laughter, and Sakura couldn't believe it.
"SHINJI! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO BRING THE CHICKEN INTO THE KITCHEN!?" Tomoyo shouted as she chased her son with a frying pan in hand, swiping at any chance she got-she just barely missed his head.
Shinji dodged and dived for the chicken, only to fall and miss. Sakura remembered how Shinji used to do this often when she was staying with them years ago.
"Shinji, why did you go and steal a chicken from the farm?" Sakura asked irritably, wishing she was not disturbed from her sleep.
"I didn't steal it-it was given to me!" Shinji grunted as Tomoyo stepped on him.
"A likely story. Did you have to wake me up? You could have at least been more respectful-you could have at least dealt with it outside first…" Sakura muttered.
"Sakura has a point you know." Tomoyo chided.
"Sorry." Shinji sighed.
"It's done now." Sakura muttered as she walked off to the bathroom. "I'm taking a bath." She said.
"Alright-don't forget you need to go shopping for supplies later sweetie!" Tomoyo called out as Sakura walked away.
Chii watched her friend leave, a look of worry on her face. "Chii, would you like to help make a few remedies today? They'll help her on the journey; ease the nausea and dizziness in the morning. I have no doubts that Yuuko probably sent Sakura some strict instructions. And I'll teach you how to make a special type of tea, as well, to help numb the effects of all symptoms while being rich in nutrients for the body and child." Tomoyo smiled cheerfully. Chii's face brightened at the thought of being able to help. "Sure!" she beamed, standing up and moving over to the woman's side.
Fai and Kurogane sat at the local bar of Ainz; it was quite busy even though it was morning, but that was mainly because the bar also served as a restaurant as well as a bar. "Tell me Fai; exactly why did you part from the princess for so long, return, and then leave her again?" Kurogane asked the blonde. It was a question that he had been meaning to ask for a while, but had never had the chance to ask it.
"I had to go speak with my brother-find out the truth. I sent her to you and Tomoyo to keep her safe; and I needed to approach things with a clear head. My brother would never kill off his people for no good reason, so I knew that it had to be something else. My brother said he couldn't tell me anything-but I knew the look on his face." Fai sighed, spinning the ice around in his cup.
"So what-you went around, looking for something that could have possibly caused an uprise?" Kurogane asked as he lifted his own glass.
"Yes; and I'm not going to start feeling sorry for Rin just because of his past." Fai murmured.
"So you uncovered something?" the gruff man asked.
"Yes, but I won't tell the Princess yet." He replied.
Kurogane drained his glass and set it down upon the bench. "So how do you think the Princess will fare with these next few weeks considering her situation?" he asked.
Fai sighed, "To be honest, I have no idea. The only thing I can do is protect her from danger and be there for her when she needs it. She can write to Yuuko for advice as well." He replied.
"Fair enough; there's a lot that those two have to consider." Kurogane said.
Syaoran woke to Sakura entering the room; he looked over to find her wrapped in a towel, her hair wet and dripping. "Oh-sorry, did I wake you?" Sakura smiled, though she couldn't hide her pale face. "No. You don't look too well-not having a good morning?" He asked, propping himself up on his elbow. Sakura pulled her clean undergarments over her head; a light garment that she wore under most of her dresses and her underwear underneath. She crawled back into bed beside him and sighed. "No…everything feels funny…" she said as she buried her face in his chest. "Funny?" He repeated questioningly. "I can't explain it…everything feels sore, like my muscles are stiff or cramping, and my stomach hurts…" she mumbled.
Saddened to see her in pain, he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back soothingly. Maybe I should ask Tomoyo and Yuuko about the symptoms that differ between human and elves-I know the basic symptoms, but I don't know all of them… he thought to himself. He automatically found himself massaging her back and shoulders, smoothing out the knots and stiffened muscles that had become tight over a long period of time. She seemed quite content as she lay there, and there was a point where she nearly fell back to sleep.
But she was woken by Tomoyo who had come looking for her sword. "Sakura dear, may I have your sword now? You are leaving tomorrow after all-if you want me to fix your sword, I'll need to do it now." The woman said from the other side of the door. Syaoran allowed Sakura to get up and move to pick up her sword.
"Just a minute!" she called out.
She hopped out of bed and grabbed her sword from where it was leaning against the wall. She walked over to the door and opened it, still wearing her undergarments and not completely dressed-she didn't know what she was going to wear for the day anyway; most of her clothing was fairly restricting around the waist. "Sakura; you aren't dressed?" Tomoyo looked at her questioningly.
"Sorry…most of my clothes are a bit restricting around the waist, so they've been a little uncomfortable to wear lately." She smiled weakly.
"Why didn't you tell me!? I'll make you something before tomorrow. Now, where's that sword of yours?" Tomoyo demanded.
Sakura handed over her sword and smiled, "Please don't trouble yourself on my account." She said.
Tomoyo waved her hand and laughed. "Oh sweetheart! Let me enjoy using my skills-besides, I have the perfect design for you. You won't regret it. Oh-Chii's making you something for breakfast. And I have something you can wear for the day if you don't feel like wearing any of the dresses you have. Don't forget there's what's in your wardrobe too-send Syaoran down if you don't like the look of anything." Tomoyo smiled.
"Thanks Tomoyo…I appreciate it." Sakura smiled.
"Anytime-you're just like a daughter to me, after all. I'll go get working on this. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come and see me." She said before leaving.
We aren't related by blood, but we can still feel that close family bond…these people are also like family, and I must protect them!
She smiled as Tomoyo walked off; she loved the family of three that lived here and treated her as one of their own, and she knew that they always would-that was why she had to protect them, and the village, from any more future harm that may come.
