Sorry for the late update again (laugh) I'm awful. Enjoy!
Chii and Fai knocked on the door to Sakura and Syaoran's residence. Lirio was fast asleep as Fai held her, trying not to wake her. They couldn't get a baby sitter on such short notice and that was fine-they just needed to know what was going on.
To their surprise, Freya opened the door.
"Oh, it's just you two. Come in." Freya ushered them inside quickly and they all sat in the lounge room where Freya's laptop was set up on the coffee table.
"What's happened to Sakura?" Chii asked worriedly.
"She was kidnapped," Yuui explained. "We've tracked her whereabouts. Syaoran and his parents are on their way."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Fai asked.
"I don't know. It's a delicate situation." Freya murmured.
"It would be a pain if Sakura died…" Fai muttered.
"Would you mind if Lirio stayed here?" Chii asked.
"We don't mind." Freya smiled.
"We'll bring Sakura back soon!" Chii called out as she ran out the door quickly, soon followed by Fai.
Lirio was still sleeping on the couch.
"Do you think they'll be ok?" Freya asked.
"God…I hope so…" Yuui murmured.
Rena screamed.
Warm blood trickled down Sakura's face.
Syaoran collapsed to his knees, coughing violently as he clutched at the wound bleeding heavily in his side. He struggled to stay conscious and if he wanted to stay alive he would probably have to cauterise it then and there. A painful process but it did the job.
As if reading his mind, Cleis walked closer to him. "I wouldn't if I were you." He said softly.
Another threat.
"Syaoran!" Sakura cried.
"I'm fine." He breathed.
"Tell me-why were you so willing to give up your own life?" Cleis asked curiously.
Syaoran tried to ignore the pain, coughing several more times. "Because," he wheezed, "I have to protect my family, and my country… I don't have the luxury of pride here. If I have to do something, even if it's painful, I'll do it."
"Isn't that a bit arrogant?" Cleis sneered.
"To you, maybe… And to others…"
Syaoron was beginning to feel weaker and weaker. He looked over at Sakura who was in immense pain and to Rena who was sobbing. Syaoran was bleeding heavily and could die if his wounds didn't receive treatment soon. Things weren't looking good.
He looked at the progress of the spreading blood, which had already formed six of the wing-like structure. Only another six to go.
He looked to Rena desperately. Would they lose both of them?
Sakura reached up, grabbing Rena's arm and her attention.
"What's wrong?" Rena asked with a small smile.
"Th…" Sakura winced and clenched her jaw against the pain.
"I'm sorry Sakura, I didn't quite understand you…"
"The b…"
Rena still didn't catch what she had said.
Sakura released several breaths, trying to breathe.
"It's ok," Rena said, smoothing some of Sakura's hair back from her face. "What is it?"
After another spasm of pain across her lower back and then into her abdomen, Sakura finally managed to get her words out.
"The baby-it's coming!"
Rena felt her blood run cold. Not here-not now!
Syaoron looked to his son-had he heard what Sakura had just said? …No. He was in too much pain. Thankfully Cleis hadn't heard either.
Cleis's attention was now fixed on him, and as he walked over and came to a stop, he smiled.
"So you decided to turn your back on me anyway-you realise that's the reason your son is dying, no?" Cleis said cruelly.
"You were going to kill my son anyway Cleis," Syaoron hissed, "I wasn't going to stand back and watch!"
"What gave you that idea?"
"When I found out the real reason you killed Sakura's family! I had my suspicions from the beginning when you blackmailed us-why my parents died so abruptly. It all fits now." He hissed.
"Pity." Cleis sighed dully. "Now you're going to die, aren't you?"
"Dad!"
"Syaoron!"
There was a loud crash. Dust and rubble fell in and Cleis quickly jumped away so he didn't get crushed. Rena cast a quick barrier around her son and husband and waited for the dust to disappear before the magic faded.
"Quick-we need to hurry before he has the chance to attack again."
Rena looked up to see the worried but determined face of Chii beside her, accompanied by Fai.
"Can you take Sakura? Be careful-she's gone into labour." Rena murmured.
"We'll get her some place comfortable, don't worry." Chii said.
Fai helped assist with Sakura, but Syaoran stopped them briefly.
"Wait-take my parents with you." He said.
"Syaoran, don't be foolish!" Rena snapped.
"I'll join you soon. Go."
Before the dust could clear, Rena reluctantly helped up her husband and left quickly with Chii and Fai on a sheet of ice Chii had so perfectly begun to create for their escape. It was a bit like snowboarding or something similar.
They landed outside on the soft green grass. There was a lot of land between the main city and not enough time.
"I'll call an ambulance!" Chii murmured frantically as she shuffled through her bag hastily. She dialled the emergency number and frantically begged for help, explaining the entire situation.
Sakura's contractions only became more intense.
Syaoron continued to weaken in Rena's arms.
Chii took in a deep breath and released it, "OK, calm down, just follow their instructions…"
Syaoran took the chance to cauterise his wound, sealing it shut so he wouldn't bleed out. If he needed surgery later then so be it. The pain was immense, but Syaoran could deal with it. He'd dealt with worse pain before and he would keep Sakura and their child safe!
"So, they got away?" Cleis murmured. "That's fine. I'll track them down sooner or later."
"No you won't." Syaoran said as he hauled himself to his feet, "Because you'll be dead."
With a horrifying crack filling the room, Syaoran moved while clutching at his side. Lightning coursed through the air, destroying everything it made contact with. The dust faded to reveal a barrier of plants and vines in front of Cleis, all burnt and crumbling to the floor.
This was going to be hard.
"It will take more than that to kill me." Cleis smiled.
Syaoran released a heavy breath. Sweat crawled down his temple. He looked at the wings-they'd stopped…
Then, an attack came for him. He dodged it but just barely and counteracted with a fire element attack.
Things weren't going well for either of them.
Syaoran was trying not to use too much magic in case it would be lethal, and Cleis was at his limit already. But, if the attacks held up much longer Syaoran knew he would soon fall. So, there was no other choice but to focus on one final attack-no holding back.
Rena looked up as she felt the loud explosion from beneath rattle the ground and watched as a few pieces of rubble flew across the yard. Horror filled her stomach. Who had won and who had died? Or worse…had they both died…?"
She heard a thud on the grass and looked across the yard.
Sakura was crying out in agony.
Chii was delivering a baby with Fai's help.
Syaoron was only just barely alive, his pulse beating weakly beneath Rena's fingertips.
But just ahead, collapsed in the grass, was her only son and she could barely feel any signs of life-his aura, his magic, nothing.
And as his mother it frightened her to the core. What she'd been fighting so hard to protect-was Syaoran dead?
She searched desperately trying to find some shred of magical thread of hope to hold onto.
It was faint, but it was there.
Syaoran was still alive for now.
"Syaoron he did it," she whispered, crystal teardrops crawling down her cheeks and hanging beneath her chin. "He beat Cleis…"
Syaoron's eyes cracked open briefly and a small but worried smile wavered on his face.
Sakura screamed again.
"It's ok-just one more…" Chii encouraged gently.
Sakura breathed heavily and then cried out in pain again, only this time it was followed by the cries of a small baby.
Syaoran was just barely conscious. The cries of a small baby filled the air, drowning out the echoes of Sakura's screams.
The cries of a child…
Right…
"Oh he's so small!" Chii exclaimed.
He… his son… Dimitri…
The sound of sirens howled through the chill of the night and Syaoran lost consciousness.
His family was safe. That was all that mattered.
…Or were they?
Syaoron was startlingly close to death as was Syaoran, and Sakura had lost too much blood no thanks to her condition. Rena was not injured seriously and had a few scrapes and bruises, but that was about all. She was sobbing over her only child and her loving husband as they were lifted into the back of an ambulance, and Sakura into another with Dimitri.
Chii and Fai were checked for injuries but were unharmed, and then commended for their work on delivering a child under such stress. Chii blushed a deep red, stuttered a thank you, and watched as the ambulances disappeared.
The police forces were scouring the area, pulling out what looked like a burnt corpse, and put it in a body bag.
Fai and Chii looked at each other with relief. It was over… For now.
Syaoran woke to the familiar white ceiling with the sounds of beeping monitors and machines surrounding him, loud and obnoxiously annoying.
He could hear a gentle humming of a familiar tune he knew to be Sakura's favourite beside him and looked over to see her sitting in a chair next to his bed. In her arms wrapped in a small bundle of blankets was a small infant, sleeping soundly. No words could describe the warmth that he felt being able to finally see his son in their arms safely.
Sakura looked over, noticing he was awake and smiled softly.
"How are you feeling?"
"I've felt better." He smiled back weakly. His voice was weak and throat felt unused. "What happened?"
"Chii delivered Dimitri while waiting for the emergency services to arrive," she said with a smile. "You were in intensive care for a while… I was really worried."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." He apologised softly.
"Just don't go leaving us behind again." Sakura whispered.
Syaoran smiled and reached out to lightly brush her cheek. She moved to sit on the edge of his bed and he sighed. "How long was I unconscious for?" he asked.
"About a week. They moved you from intensive care yesterday."
"I see… How is…?"
Sakura already knew what he was going to ask. He wanted to know how his father was. She looked at her knees, "He still hasn't woken yet."
"What about mum?"
"She's fine-she's sitting with him."
Syaoran stayed silent for a time, his eyes on Dimitri. It was a miracle he could even see his son.
"Would you like to hold him?" Sakura asked with a smile.
"Sure."
She carefully passed Dimitri to him, and as he held him he could only notice how light he was. Sakura smiled.
They looked up as Freya and Yuui entered. Sakura waved.
"So you finally woke up." Yuui said.
"Yeah."
"How are you feeling?" Freya asked politely.
"Not amazing." Syaoran replied with a half smile.
Freya giggled a little, "So, how does it feel to finally be able to hold your son?" she asked as she took a seat beside Yuui.
"I'm not sure…" Syaoran said. "Maybe…overwhelming."
"You'll get used to it." Yuui said with a shrug.
Syaoran smiled, but his smile soon faded. "So what happens now?"
"Well, you killed that king in the end. I doubt his daughter will try anything against you-she's dealt with you before-but I don't think the country will ever be at peace with Clow. Stay on your toes." Yuui advised.
"I see." He murmured. "Have the murders stopped?"
"Yes." Freya replied.
"Then for now, I can settle with that." Syaoran said softly.
For now, the country was at peace again. For now, his son could grow up not knowing of danger. He was content with that… For now, at least.
"Syaoran, there's one other thing." Sakura murmured hesitantly.
"What's wrong?"
"After he died…when I found myself in hospital…I realised that the tattoo on my thigh had just disappeared." Sakura lifted her skirt a little, showing where the tattoo had once been. Not a single mark, not even a scratch lingered on her skin.
Syaoran looked to Yuui for answers.
"Sorry, I have no clue. The only thing I can think of is that when he died, the mark faded with him." Yuui shrugged.
"And what about her scars?" Syaoran asked.
"Not so lucky, I'm afraid."
Sakura looked away. Syaoran lightly touched her cheek and she made eye contact with him, and he smiled softly.
"We'll be going now. We're going to go see Rena." Freya smiled.
"Thanks for visiting." Syaoran replied.
"No problem." Yuui said, and then left.
Syaoran handed Dimitri back to Sakura and checked beneath the pads of gauze. The wounds were ugly and sore but showed no signs of infection.
"You should get some rest," she said softly.
"Stay." He murmured.
"I'm not leaving." She smiled gently, sitting up beside him. He rested his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes, falling asleep.
Another week passed and Syaoran was released from the hospital, his injuries healing up nicely though expected to leave behind faint scars.
Syaoron still hadn't woken up.
Things were beginning to look grim for him if he didn't wake up soon. Rena refused to leave his side. She too, was wasting away from grief.
Syaoran had visited on a particularly cold winters morning to get his mother out of the hospital. It took a long time to convince her to go home and eat something, and he had to promise to let her know if anything happened.
Finally, she reluctantly left, and he sat down. He had Dimitri with him since Sakura had an unavoidable appointment, and the small infant was becoming restless. Syaoran looked out the window as he cared for his son, gently hushing him and not noticing his father's hand twitch.
Syaoron woke to the sound of hospital equipment and loud beeping, probably a machine he was hooked up to, and he didn't care to know.
He hated hospitals.
They reminded him of death and sickness and nearly losing his son.
He blinked a few times, his vision a little blurry, but it would pass. He turned his head to see Syaoran sitting beside him holding a small bundle.
Syaoran looked up, seeing that he was awake and smiled. "Feeling ok?"
"I feel like I have a hangover." Syaoron muttered.
"You'll be fine then." Syaoran shrugged.
"Where's Rena?"
"I just managed to convince her to go home and eat something. Should I text her?" Syaoran asked.
"No. She needs to be away from the hospital."
"Ok…"
"Who's this?" Syaoron then asked, turning his attention to the child.
"This is Dimitri."
Syaoron smiled. This brought back memories as well.
"He looks like you when you were born."
Syaoran looked up, surprised.
"Except the eyes." He then added.
Dimitri's eyes were Sakura's rich shade of emerald green. The rest of his features were much like his fathers.
Syaoran nodded.
"You should let your mother know I'm awake." Syaoron said. "I'll talk to you shortly."
Syaoran stood with Dimitri and left the room. Syaoron lay staring up at the ceiling. He regretted not being able to figure out the pattern sooner, and he regretted not stepping in to protect Syaoran sooner too. He regretted a lot of things, but at least his family was safe.
It didn't take long for Rena to come bursting through the door, just as the doctors and nurses were checking on the poor man. She ploughed through them, flinging her arms around him and sobbed into his neck.
"Rena…" he murmured.
"You're not allowed to go, you hear me!? You had us scared to death!" Rena cried.
"I'm sorry."
"You're sorry!? That's all you have to say to your loving wife?"
"Rena, please, calm down." He murmured.
"How can I be calm!?" she cried as she shook him back and forth.
"How can either of us be calm when the brat's labelled us grandparents?" he muttered.
"That 'brat' is more mature than you are! He's already dealt with the paperwork! And you were sleeping for three weeks, scaring the living daylight out of us you bastard!" Rena snapped as she continued to shake him.
"I can't help if I'm in a comatose state!" he retorted.
She hugged him tighter and he sighed. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Jerk." She muttered under her breath.
Syaoran smiled and slipped out, heading home. Everything was fine.
When he arrived home, Sakura was sitting on the couch drinking a cup of tea and reading a book. She looked up and smiled as he entered the room, setting her book on the table with her cup of tea and walked over.
"How did everything go?" she asked.
"Good. Dad woke up." He replied.
"That's good to hear. Your mum will be relieved." Sakura smiled.
"She had a fit." Syaoran rolled his eyes. "How was your appointment?"
"It was good. I'm all clear for now." Sakura smiled happily.
"That's good to hear." He said softly.
"Did you tell your dad about what happened?" Sakura asked.
"Yes…"
Sakura continued to smile, though it held a hint of sadness. "What did he say?"
"He said it was probably unavoidable and not to linger on it." Syaoran murmured.
"See? If you linger on it, it will only cause more harm than good. Now, sit while I make your coffee."
Syaoran watched as she wandered off into the kitchen and sat down. Yes-for now things were alright. Things were at peace. For now, that was all that mattered…
One more chapter to go and this story is completed!
