A/N: Here's the next chapter…Enjoy…
Strangers
Chapter 6
"Syaoran! Quickly!" They ran out the door and through the fire that Kero had started. Sakura stopped when they came to the stairs that would lead them out of the dungeon. She turned to Syaoran. "If there are guards out there they will surely recognize you and take you back."
Syaoran looked at her worried face and then turned around, searching for something to put over his head. He noticed a red cloak lying on the ground. "Wow…what luck!"
(A/N: *takes a bow* All thanks to the writer…)
He picked it up and placed it over his head so that only his eyes were visible. Sakura pulled him up the stairs and towards her room.
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-In the room…-
The princess dragged him inside and quickly shut the door. She sighed and slid to the floor, leaning against the door.
"We made it…" She looked up to see him staring at her. "What?"
He shook his head, heat rising to his cheeks. "N-nothing…"
Sakura cocked her head in confusion. "What's wrong? Are you getting a cold?"
Syaoran looked at the floor. "No, it's just…I…will…will you get into trouble for doing this for me?"
Sakura shook her head. "Don't worry about it…the important thing is that we got you out."
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Right…thank you."
Sakura giggled and stood. "Don't mention it."
He turned around. "What now?"
"We get you out of here." She took his hand and led him to the balcony. "There's a rope right there." She pointed to the corner. "If we could just tie it to the ledge, you could climb down." She ran to where the rope lay and picked it up. She began to tie it to the ledge, when…
Syaoran took her hand. "Sakura, I can't leave you like this. What if the general…"
"I can handle myself, Syaoran." She smiled up at him.
"But, Sakura, last time he hurt you. What if he hurts you again? What if he goes to far and actually…kills you…this time?" He released his hold on her hand and sighed. "I could never forgive myself."
Sakura was taken aback by his speech. She dropped the rope and brought a hand to her chest, looking up at him in awe. "Syaoran…" She whispered his name. She felt tears sting her eyes as she through her arms around his neck.
He was a bit startled. "Sakura…" He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on hers. "Everything is going to be okay…"
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. The two let go of one another and Sakura pushed him to one side of the balcony where he would not be spotted.
"Coming!" Sakura ran to the door and opened it. Mayla stood, smiling brightly.
"Where is he?" She giggled and ran inside. Sakura looked confused.
"Who?" She asked.
"You know 'who'!" She bent down and looked under the bed. "Now, come on, I know he's in here!"
Sakura took a step back and sweatdropped. "Um…I don't know whom your speaking of, Mayla."
Mayla sighed and shook her head. "Word got out that the boy went missing after a fire started…" She put a hand on her hip. "I know you started that fire, and I know he's in here, so where is he?"
Sakura sighed and folded her arms in front of her chest. "I hate it that you're always right."
Mayla giggled. "Well?"
Sakura walked out to the balcony and grabbed his arm. She dragged him back into her room and stopped in front of Mayla. "Mayla, meet Syaoran Li."
Mayla gasped and put her hands on his shoulders. She giggled as Syaoran sweatdropped. "Princess, he's so handsome!"
Syaoran flushed slightly and Sakura giggled. Mayla dropped her arms to her sides and circled him. Syaoran stood stiffly, confused. Sakura giggled again at his expression. Mayla came before him and reached up to bring his head down so that she could look into his brown eyes. Her smile widened and she nodded at Sakura. Sakura began to laugh as she wrapped her arms around Syaoran. He smiled, somewhat confused.
"Um…I don't get it…She looks at me, nods at you, you hug me…" He raised an eyebrow. "What just happened?"
"You got the 'Mayla Seal of Approval'!" Sakura brought her arms down and rested them on his chest.
"Oh…good," he said dumbly. He then realized he still didn't understand and shook his head. "I did what?"
Mayla giggled and took his hand. He raised an eyebrow. "You're perfect for her," she said. She placed his hand in Sakura's and squeezed both of their hands. She looked back up at Syaoran. "Take good care of her."
Syaoran took Sakura's other hand and looked into her eyes. She flushed a light pink. "Syaoran…"
"Yes?" He asked.
"I…I…" She continued. She squeezed his hands. He looked eager to hear what she had to say.
"Yes?" He urged her on.
"Syaoran, I…" Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Mayla gasped and grabbed Syaoran's arm, hiding him behind the full-length mirror. Sakura brushed herself off and went to the door. She gasped.
"General?!" The general pushed her aside.
"Where is he?!" He snarled.
"Who?" The princess steadied herself.
The general picked her up by her shoulders so that her feet were no longer touching the ground. She whimpered in pain as his fingers dug into her shoulders. "I'll put this into terms you can understand. Where is the boy?!"
"General! You're not allowed…" Mayla took a step back as she realized she had just brought attention to herself. The general dropped the princess and she slumped against a wall, breathing heavily. Mayla tried to direct the general's attention away from the mirror.
Sakura brought her head up to see the general walking towards Mayla. She put her hand on the wall and tried to pull herself up. Tears streamed down her face.
"Mayla…" She whispered. "General…why?"
"Where is the boy?!" He yelled.
Syaoran stepped out from behind the mirror. "Right here."
Tears continued to soak the princess's face. "No! Syaoran!"
The general turned around. An evil grin appeared on his face. He grabbed the boy's arm. "Enjoy the rest of your life, boy. It will be ending soon."
Syaoran pulled away and backed up. The general laughed and walked forward. "It's that or take your chances off a balcony."
Syaoran looked behind him to see a long drop off a balcony. He took in a deep breath and took the general's arm. He stepped up onto the ledge and jumped, taking the general with him.
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To be continued…
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I know, I know, the shortest chapter ever. Well, I had to stop it somewhere! Ah well… _ I hope I don't kill Syaoran off… It would make a great sequel, wouldn't it? Naw… I see too much of that. Killing Syaoran off, and then bringing him back to life in the sequel. *yawn* I don't think I'll result to that, but one never knows, does one? Please review! Oh, and another story is in the process of being written! Yay! Keep your eyes peeled!
~Chip